Praise for the Bike

This past Sunday was the first of this year’s Audax Tune Ups.  Yesterday I posted a report on the ride.  Here’s a bit of an addendum.

Chris was along on that ride.  She is a committed endurance rider.  At the end of the ride, Chris presented us with a bit of magic.  I’ll get to that in just a bit.

I’d like to spend a few minutes talking about the bike Chris was riding.  It’s a Giant TCR 2.  Chris purchased the bike a bit over five years ago.  That was an act of faith.  At the time she had never owned a road bike, and did not consider herself a cyclist.

She learned.  The bike taught her.  She rode it.  Lots.

In the years since that purchase, Chris has used her bright red TCR on centuries.  She’s commuted on it.  She’s ridden it as a light touring bike, and completed some (more than a few!) extremely tough brevets on it.  She’s climbed and descended some of the more significant routes in the Great Smoky Mountains on that bike.  She’s ridden it in rain, and blistering heat.  She’s thrashed her way down many umpaved roads.  She’s been up in the small hours of the morning, and saddled up in bitter cold to go ride numerous Dawn Patrols.

If I’m not mistaken, Chris’s beloved TCR has been ridden in four states.  It has carried her along on fast rides, training excursions, long slow rambles, grocery trips, path rides, and group rides.

The bike’s driveline has been completely rebuilt twice, and has used several chains and cassettes.  She has taken immaculate care of this great bike.  Yes, it has a few scars and scratches, but it still stand proud in the sun.

At the very end of Sunday’s ride a bit of magic happened with Chris’s TCR.  As we pulled into the parking lot, and stopped, the figure on her computer clicked over to a new number.  Exactly as Chris finished that ride, the overall milage on her beloved TCR hit the following figure, exactly...

BRAVO!  ENCORE BRAVO!!!

Audax Tune Up 1, Done and Wrapped

We had a decent turnout for the first of this year’s Audax Tune Up Rides.  The weather was cooperative too!  It was sunny, and unseasonably warm.  My computer showed temps in the mid to upper 60s throughout our trip.  In fact, I left a jacket behind (deliberately) at the start, and never missed it.

Let’s start at the very beginning.

We had a good sized group for one of these.  (In the past, the February edition has been only lightly attended.)  Present were  Steve, Angie, Deborah, Dawn, Diane, Chris, Scott, Aaron, Dan, and your correspondent.  That makes ten to start.  (No suspense and drama here, all starters finished.)

I altered the beginning stretch of the ride to avoid the necessity of tackling the hills, traffic, and narrow road conditions on the north Peachtree Parkway.  I didn’t want to add to the distance, so we tried using the multiuse paths as an alternate route.  This works, but it subjects riders to some incredibly steep climbing.  I warned the group that the first three miles would be the most physically demanding part of the ride.  Turns out I was not exaggerating.

Most road bikes are not well equipped for steep climbs.  Newer riders find hill work very challenging.  I’m happy to report that the entire group cleared this early hurdle and kept going.  No one quit.  No one balked.  No one griped.  Yes there were some comments and gasps, but they were well earned.

So, after an early “admissions test,” the whole group advanced on toward Palmetto.

Geography is huge.  In our area, if one is heading west, away from the Flint River, one is generally climbing.  Palmetto rests on the narrow plateau between the Flint and Chattahoochee valleys.  Continue west from Palmetto, and one descends toward the “Hooch.”  Ride north or south in either of the river valleys, and you constantly encounter the hills and dips carved by the tributary creeks.

So what did we do?  We went west to Palmetto (climbing),  then farther for a while (descending), then back toward the east to Fairburn (climbing), then a bit more east toward Fayetteville (descending with some surprise climbs), then turned south, (lots of short climbs).  I’ve said before, this route is designed to subject the rider to more gain per mile than is found on the actual Audax 200K.  And on this particular sunny Sunday afternoon, we had a lot of charming little headwinds to entertain us too.  In short, the ride was plenty challenging. 

Having said all that, the whole group showed good spirits, lots of mutual care, and especially good traffic manners.  BRAVO!

I’m as proud as I’ve ever been, and completely delighted.  I can not remember a better “first tune up.”

A BAD Bill

Last week I did a post on the future of our sport.  An alert reader added some insightful commentary, and alerted me to the legislative action discussed below.  This bears thinking about, and immediate action just might be very appropriate.

(Thanks, and a tip of the Campagnolo cycling cap to Dave for the heads-up.)

~//~ ~//~

2011-2012 Regular Session - SB 468

Rules of the Road; bicycles; single file on roadways not specially designated for the use of bicycles

First Reader’s Summary:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-6-294 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the riding of bicycles on roadways and bicycle paths, so as to provide for bicycles to be operated in single file on roadways not specially designated for the use of bicycles; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

The Senate Transportation Committee offered the following substitute to SB 468:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Code Section 40-6-294 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the riding of bicycles on roadways and bicycle paths, so as to provide for bicycles to be operated in a manner not to impede the normal flow of traffic; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 40-6-294 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the riding of bicycles on roadways and bicycle paths, is amended by revising subsection (c) as follows:

"(c)  Persons riding bicycles upon a two lane roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, or when a special event permit issued by a local governing authority permits riding more than two abreast.  Persons riding bicycles or electric assisted bicycles shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

~//~

I lifted the above from the Georgia General Assembly Legislation website.  If you would like to verify it for yourself, follow this link. 

Here’s my take on this:

“shall not ride more than two abreast…”

Ever?  Does this mean that I may not pass a slower bicycle?  Ever?  If I do choose to pass, there will be a time when I’m riding “two abreast.”  Would that put me in violation of the law?  It might be good to note that the code currently specifies that two riders abreast are legal, but not more than two abreast.  Seems to be working.  Why is this a problem?

“Persons riding bicycles or electric assisted bicycles shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic…”

Now just a dog-gone minute!  The current code defines me and my bicycle as a vehicle.  That means that I am traffic.  I have no wish to impede the folks behind me.  In fact, I’d like to get them around as quickly as possible.  (It might be pointed out that, when I’m driving my truck, I’m a lot harder to pass, and I drive a lot slower than most motorists.)

“impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic…”

In whose opinion?  Might we ask?  Am I liable for citation, arrest, summons, etc because some underpaid policeman, or sheriff, thinks that I’m slowing down his doughnut run?  Perhaps that cell phone and texting chucklehead in the “bubba truck” calls the cops because he thinks I’m “impeding” his “normal”  (read 15 miles per hour above the posted limit!) movement.  Does that make me liable to legal action?

Further, under existing code, cyclists are required to ride as far to the right of the roadway as is “safe and practicable.”  This is good language.  There are certain times and conditions that require me to “take the lane,” in order to remain safe.  If I do this, am I “impeding the normal and reasonable movement of traffic?”  This bill contains the language, “All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.”  Does that mean that the good and prudent prior code is to be removed?  Are we now to be held liable, if we take prudent actions, just because these actions might impede.  Is a cyclist’s safety now to be subordinate to the convenience of an impatient driver?

“bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles…”

Erhem.  Excuse me?  Where are these “paths,” “lanes,” and “roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles”?  Are we to confine all of the cycling in the state to Peachtree City and the Silver Comet Trail?

Why is this happening?

Could it be a reaction to the passage of the “Three Foot Passing Law”?  If that’s the case, I’m sure no one will ever admit it.

I am a driver as well as a cyclist.  In the course of my normal rounds I travel over the roadways and highways of our great state.  I am not often impeded by cyclists.  Yes it happens.  Occasionally.  Rarely.  But to be honest, I’m far more likely to be impeded by idiot drivers.  Happens every day.  Multiple times.  Folks, cycling is part of the answer to traffic congestion.  If our legislators wish to do something truly forward looking and constructive, they might consider legislation that protects and encourages cycling, rather than ill-conceived restrictions upon it.

Perhaps I’m being a bit of an alarmist.  But please stop to consider, we’ve been told, on many occasions, that a given bit of legislation “won’t hurt you,” that it “doesn’t mean that at all,” and that, “it’s in your best interest.  We’re only trying to help you.”  After hearing these reassurances, the law passes and the lawyers get a hold on it.  What usually happens after that is ugly.  And really, why do we need this bill?  What urgent problem is it solving?  I’m of the opinion that, if it ain’t broke, fixing it will surely make it worse.

What you can do:  First off, find out who your state legislators are.  It’s not hard, and I’m going to make it easier.

Step 1)  Go to http://www.congress.org/

Step 2)  On the upper right hand part of the homepage you will see a navigator with the verbiage “Find your lawmakers, tell them what you think”  Beside this is a block where you can enter your zip code.  Do so.

Step 3)  You will be taken to a page with Federal elected officials.  On this page is a location where you can enter your Zip+4.  If you do not know your full zip code, you can enter your zip and your address.  Do it.  This will result in a new page, with your “Governor and State Legislators.”

Step 4) By clicking each of the named State Legislators, you will be take to a page with contact information for them.  You can email them directly with as little as two more clicks.

Advice on emailing a legislator:

• Keep it brief.  State your concern, and express your opinion.  Then clearly ask for what you want.
• Keep it cordial!  Don’t vent your frustration at the legislator.  It’s not productive.  Besides, you want them to get on board.
• Write a draft first.  Do this on your word processor.  Think about what you want to say.  Edit it.  Spell check it.  Then cut-and-paste it into the email.
• Include return contact information.  You want them to know that you are in their district, and that you vote!

Friday Follies ~~ The Overdressed Factor

Seasonal progressions.   Climate is what you expect.  Weather is what you get.  One of the more amazing things about our climate is that while its weather is difficult to predict, the seasons show up right on time.  We have warm years and cool ones, wet, and dry, but with all that, we have four distinct seasons, and you can almost set your watch by them.  They always occur right on schedule.

It’s not news that we had a wonderfully temperate Autumn, which has been followed by an extremely mild Winter.

Oddly, just how mild the Winter has been depends on individual reference frames.  (Remember?  Good old Einstein and friends.  What you see depends on where you are.)  For those of us who are habitually up and outside early in the day, it’s been a bit colder than our late rising brethren would have us believe.  Still my consumption of chemical hand and foot warmers has been way behind that of the last three Winters.

As late Autumn and Winter approach, our temps dip and rise.  It seems that each successive dip gets little bit colder, and each rise a little be less warm.  Then add to that the fact that I tend to lead a lot of night rides.  There’s an implication there.

Frankly, it’s easier to dress for cold weather riding when you know that the ambient temperature will be rising during the ride.  Advancing into dropping temperatures is harder.  If one over-dresses, there is the risk of over-warming at the beginning of the ride.  The rider can start to sweat.  Then, as temps drop, the sweat cools the rider too much.  Brr!

Each year, as the cold times come at us, I find I have the same problem.  I know how to dress, but there is a combination of cold acclimation, and changing conditions.  It’s this combination of variables that make Winter so challenging.

And yes, we have had a Winter.  The temperatures have gradually dropped to sustained low ranges.   Now in our typical roller-coaster fashion, we are climbing back up again.  Each year, this brings with it a different problem.  I find that have trouble with over-dressing.  I’ve been bit by the cold so many times, I just have trouble believing that it’s finally all that warm.  It’s a problem, but actually a rather nice one to have.

Thursday Thoughts: Keeping Our Sport Alive

I have a bit of a worry.  At this point in history, we have a lot of people on bicycles here in the United States of America.  On balance, that would seem to be a good thing.  (That is assuming that one believes cycling to be a good thing, and one worth sustaining.)  But there are a couple problems.  Let me lead you to this gradually.

Reflect for a moment.  Think about images.  See pictures of cyclists gathered, on or around their bikes.  Got it?  Now look at the details in those pictures.  What kind of bikes are they?  What do the riders look like?  How old are they?

Chances are you just called up one of four images.

• The dashing, happy, grungy, mountain bikers.  They’re fit and having fun.
• The intent tri-athlete, on the bike and hammering it out in a big (IronMan of course) event.
• The Urban Hipster, with designer messenger bag, astride the semi-custom fixie.
• The elite racer heroes, going wheel to wheel in a fiercely contested race.

Okay.  Now what are the ages of the riders in those images?  Are they mostly mid-twenties?

Now, close your eyes and call up another image.  Make this one a composite of the typical group rides you attend.  Got it?  What’s the average age of the rider in this last image?

Do you see the problem?  If I’m not mistaken, most of the folks in that last image are in their late forties to mid-fifties.  And therein lies the rub.  We are just not replacing ourselves.  The cycling population is aging.  We are almost at the “knee” in the demographic curve.  As older riders age, succumb to injury, or just retire form the sport, we’ll see fewer and fewer of these “old hands.”  And we are not recruiting nearly enough new younger riders to replace them.

The second part of the problem is hinted at by those images above.  Mountain biking, tri-athletics, and racing are recreational.  We in this wonderful country just do not see cycling as a utility or transportation activity.  There are exceptions to this, but they are few and scattered.

Now some of you are thinking,  “There he goes again.  The next part is that we should be using our bikes to get around on.  Yadda-yadda.”  Just stay with me a moment.

Those among us who use bikes solely for recreational pursuits, the majority of you do it on the road!  We could lose the road.  We could.

Let’s play the “Game of Perceptions” for a moment.  Remember, perception is reality.  What a person perceives is what is real to them.

Now, for this round of the game, place yourself in the driver’s seat of an average local motorist.  That motorist is going about some normal (to them) pursuit.  The motorist encounters you upon the road.  What goes through the motorists mind?  Most likely something nebulous, but equivalent to,  “Grrr.  Bicycle.  Slow.  In the way.  Problem.”  And, at a deeper level, “Those guys shouldn’t be allowed out here on the road with their toys.  Me?  I’m driving.  I’m going somewhere!”

And you know what?  That motorist may be just driving a lazy three miles to a soccer game.  Or to go to Bubba’s to knock back a six, while they watch the game.  It doesn’t matter how important or frivolous the motorist’s actual purpose.  To them it’s real and important, and we are the problem.

I only see two possible solutions to these issues.  (By that I mean solutions that do not result in our losing access to the road.  1)  We have to find ways to bring younger riders into the sport and pastime of cycling.  2)  We have to get more folks using bikes for all reasons, utility, transportation, and recreation.

How do we do this?

MORE Coming Attractions:

Blog readers, you’re getting it here first.  Time to do some calendar marking.  Here’s a partial list of things to come.  Venues and details for these will come, but the dates are firming up.

Audax Tune Ups:

Tune Up 1: 45 miles.  26 Feb.  1:00 PM

Tune Up 2: 45 miles.  11 March 1:00 PM

Tune Up 3: 65 miles.  1 April  11:00 AM

Tune Up 4:  65 miles. 15 April  11:00 AM

Audax 200K:  (The real deal!)  20 May  7:30 AM

Spring Equinox Celebration Night Ride:  19 March  7:30 PM

Note:  There are eight of these “Seasonal Night Rides” coming this year.  Watch this space!

Beltaine (Mid-Spring) Celebration Night Ride:  7 May  7:30 PM

From the Fredrick Brown Aphitheater, Peachtree City, GA

Summer Solstice Celebration Night Ride:  18 June 7:30 PM

From the Fredrick Brown Aphitheater, Peachtree City, GA

Lughnasad (Mid-Summer) Celebration Night Ride: 6 August 7:30 PM

From the Brick Yard (behind Maguire’s) in Senoia, GA

Autumn Equinox Celebration Night Ride:  24 September 7:30 PM

Samhain (Mid-Fall) Celebraion Night Ride: 5 November 7:30 PM

From the Hollonville Opry, Hollonville, GA

Christmas Lights Road Ride: 17 December 7:00 PM

Christmas Lights Path Ride:  19 December 7:00 PM

The “Wrong of Way”

It was a sunny day yesterday, a bit cool, but bright.  Near perfect conditions for a nice ride.  I had to go out at lunch and run a couple of work related errands, unfortunately in my truck.  I chose a more quiet and residential route back to the shop.

Ahead of me was a cyclist.  He was kitted out well, new and shiny tights, a bright wind jacket, and a high-end helmet were all I could see from behind.  He was on a road bike, and was riding along at a good clip.  He presented a good picture, a lean, fit rider, moving smoothly and steadily, along the right hand side of the roadway.  I had to smile.  I like seeing other riders out there, enjoying it and doing it well.

There was some light oncoming traffic, so I wasn’t in a position to force a pass.  I stayed well back, riding behind the cyclist, treating him as I would wish to be treated.  Yes, he was slowing me down a bit, but there really isn’t that much difference between 18 and 25 mph.

The opposing traffic would clear soon enough, and there was a longish straight coming up.  I planned to pass him just as soon as we both cleared the upcoming stop sign.  I began to brake for the stop a bit early, intending to give the rider plenty of room.

Oops.

The guy blew through the stop sign.  Not a hint of intention to slow down.  The motorist in the cross had to brake sharply to avoid clipping the guy, and now the intersection was fouled up.

I didn’t catch up to the rider until the end of the straight stretch.  A downhill curve was ahead.  He tucked and there was no reason to pass, and several not to.  Then he did it again.  Another stop sign, and he ran it full bore.

Long time readers will know that I’m not a happy motorist at this point.  I want to see my brother cyclists behaving and exercising good citizenship. 

I had almost caught up to the guy when he did it again.  Third stop sign in a row, and third time of total lack of regard for it.

There were a lot of yard contractors out, their trucks parked at the curbs.  That made passing more difficult.  I could have powered up and jumped, hoping that the way ahead would stay clear, but I did not have good sightlines, and I did not want to put either of us at risk, so I stayed behind the guy, well back, and just simmered.

I had my opportunity.  A clear, unimpeded road.  I pulled out and made a good clean pass.  But there was another problem coming up.  Yet another stop sign.  I was well ahead of the cyclist by this point, but he was in sight in my rearview.  I signaled my intended right turn and braked for the sign.  That was when it happened.

The guy didn’t slow down as I was making my stop.  Instead, he shot between my truck and the curb, on the right hand side!  Then he blasted through the intersection.

Folks, I ask you.  What would have happened if I hadn’t been attentive?  What if I’d been texting?  (I never do when driving, but others do.)  What if I’d been a harried and distracted mom, with kids making a ruckus in the back?  I’d signaled a turn.  I’d already completed my stop and was initiating the turn; my truck was in motion when he made this “suicide pass.”  How would this rider have fared, him doing an estimated 20mph, if I’d continued turning rather than making a hard brake stop?  Would he have survived the impact?  Would he have ended up under my wheel?  (Remember, many drivers “freeze” at an impact, feet staying on the controls, or even worse, accelerating.)

I suspect that, right about now, he’d be a minor news item, either dead or seriously injured, and all his friends would be shouting about the evil motorists who wantonly strike down riders.

“Share the Road,” only works if it works in both directions.  And reckless riding is as bad (if not worse) than reckless driving.

Ride Report: Dirt Roads

After watching the forecast all week, and declaring that I would go out on this ride regardless of the weather…  Woke up yesterday to find a somewhat inauspicious day dawning.  Wet, uck, and not very warm.

But there is this about committing to a ride.  If you do it, you just have to go!  So there was no decision to be made here.  I would saddle up and do the ride on the RD2R2-1.  (That’s Road Dragon Dirt Road Route -1)

My tourist is still down for “Big Maintenance.”  I have several other bikes that would work for this ride, but only one with fenders and some carrying capacity.  Given the day and weather, fenders and racks sounded good.  I knew I’d like to have some room for extra gear, and the fenders seemed to be a must.  That decided me.  The new commuter it would be.  It’s a heavy beast, but my purpose for this ride was in no way involved with going fast.

I spent the morning wondering who (if anyone) would show up for this thing.  Saw several other rides cancel because of weather.  I’m pleased to announce that I’m not the only nut in the barrel.  Bill and Chris showed up, and off we went.

For starters, it was drizzling, but the temperature was somewhere in the mid-fifties.  Not all bad.  By the time we got to the first dirt section on Davis Road, the rain had abated.  If it was raining, we didn’t notice it.  Concentrating on picking good lines through wet and tricky surfaces, avoiding potholes, grinding up long slippery climbs, and traversing sketchy descents will do wonders to keep you from noticing little things like light rain.

After a bit the rain really did stop, and the sun even came out for a bit.  We wandered around the southern part of the county, zipping along on the pavement, and then playing on the muddy unpaved sections.

Weather conditons did slow us a bit, so I cut the route short.  We were out there long enough, and it was getting late.  In short, we’d had just about enough fun for one day.

Bill just may have made the best statement about the whole thing.  “You know,” he said,  “this stuff adds a whole new dimension to riding.  I mean you can’t just sit there and pedal circles.  You have to pay attention!”

I don’t know when I’ll do this again, but it’s certain that I will.  Next time in better weather, and on a somewhat lighter bike.  Stay tuned.

Friday Follies ~~ The Ouch Week

More often than not, I use this day to post some reminiscence, or some story, in an attempt to entertain.  There is usually something in these stories that justifies the “Follies” in the title of these posts.  Most of them are from the past.  Today’s post is from the now.

I often speak and write of the folks who “fall off the wagon” in the Winter.  These are folks who allow themselves to decondition, and then pay a terrible price to recover some level of fitness.  I’m not speaking about that, but rather something close to it.

Long time readers will have seen me refer to “Principles Of Fitness.”  Two key principles are

• Fitness is not static, it is either increasing or decreasing.
• It is not possible to maintain peak fitness.

In short, a very active individual will not be able to sustain the loads that bring them to that glorious “peak.”  To attempt to do so is folly.  Can’t be done.  The wise athlete knows that there must be periods of decreased demand.  The body must rest and recover.  And so, some parts of the year involve a certain loss of fitness.  (This is not quite the same thing as letting oneself go.)

In my life there is an annual routine.  I do allow myself to “coast” a bit through the mid to lat Autumn, and to reduce activity through the early Winter.  That also means that I must re-enter a “training mode” each Winter.  Of course, I’ve been doing lighter “training” from the beginning of November, but after The Holidays, I get more serious.

At first the body is lazy.  Training loads are not especially difficult, but the body has an inertia of its own.  Then, as training activities increase, there is always the point where I think,  “Wow!  Am I ever out of shape!”  That’s my first signal.  Things are happening.  Dedication must be applied.

There comes that moment, the one when I can feel the beginning of the return of increased fitness.  I know then that I am starting to “come into form.”  It’s a good feeling.  Zest for training increases, and I have to watch myself carefully, or I will do too much.

And then, along about right now, there comes a week where I feel that I might, just might, have bitten off a little more than I can chew.

The combination of weight work, core work, increased training loads on the trainer, and added difficulty elements like the fixed gear rides, all these stack up.  Friends, brothers and sisters, this is that week.  I’m having a familiar feeling.  Am I doing too much?  I’m tired, and sore, and looking at the remainder of the week and starting to think it just might be a tad over the top.  It’s also about now that friends and family start to ask if maybe I should tone it down a bit.

It’s all to the good.  I will get through this high demand, high-load week, and next week is a reduced training stress time, a time to regroup and do some “active rest.”  I know what will come next.  There will be other “tough points” in the training arch, and I will get through them.  But this is the critical one.  The one that makes you wonder.  This is the “Ouch Week.”

Thursday Thoughts: Bell Curve

Define a “cyclist” as someone who rides a bike about three times a week.  Note, we didn’t say “rides athletically,”  or “commutes to work,”  or “trains like a demon,”  or “rides for more than an hour.”  We just look at those who get on a bike and make it move, at lest three times a week.  That’s a pretty loose definition, isn’t it?  But that definition includes all of those folk who use the bike for utility purposes, the fitness enthusiasts, tourists, and competitive athletes.  In short, it includes a lot of people.  Right?

Now, let’s consider the USA.  If we use the above definition as a filter, how many “cyclists” are there in the United States?  The answer, to the best of the bicycle industry’s ability to determine it, is about two million.  That’s a lot, right?  Why, if we all got together, and stretched our arms out, touching hands, we’d make a line from Vrignia Beach to somewhere in Colorado.

But hold on.  Consider that two million in terms of our national population.  Turns out that “cyclists” are slightly more than 0.5% of the total population. Right.  For every one of us “cyclists” there are a bit under 200 of them, the “non-cyclists.”

In the words of a good friend,  “We’re badly outnumbered.”

Let’s look at endurance sport.  Cycling, Swimming, Long Distance Running.  (We could throw a few others in there, such as rowing, and mountain climbing, but they wouldn’t change the statistical picture much.)

If we look at the whole gamut of endurance athletics we find something interesting.  There are a lot of people who do this stuff as a recreation.  There are running enthusiasts who do “recreational marathons.”  There are cyclists for whom the organized century (a roughly marathon equivalent effort) is a delightful way to spend a weekend day.  Some of these events (The Boston Marathon, The Hotter Than Hell 100 to name two) draw tens of thousands  of participants each year.  But still, in terms of the population at large, the number is so small as to be a rounding error in the census.

I guess that’s something worth thinking about.

Details Details

Below we have a bit more information on some of the rides we posted yesterday.

Audax Tune Up 1:

We’ll be doing the first of this year’s Audax Tune Up Rides on February 26.  That’s just less than two weeks away.

Purpose:  Practice riding as a group, in mutual support of each other.  (Group stays together!)  In addition, this is a training ride to get us ready for the long one.

Pacing:  We’re going to target something like a 13 to 15 mph rolling average.  This is not fast, but it’s not slow either.  (The idea is to stay together and finish together.)

About the route:  It’s a loop of approximately 45 miles.  There are two (short) stops along the way.  The terrain is (quite deliberately) hilly.  The idea is to meet terrain that is a bit more challenging than what we will encounter on the actual 200K.  So the elevation gain per mile is going to be greater than what we will see in May.  That doesn’t mean it will be insane, just hilly.

The spirit of this thing is simple.  It’s not a demonstration of speed or power!  The group will stay together.  We watch out for each other.  If anyone has a problem, the whole group will stop to work the problem. 

The “Catch”:  Over the years, we have had to allow folks to “abandon” the ride.  It isn’t common, but occasionally there is an unrepairable mechanical, or one individual just does not possess the wherewithal to stay with it.  (Face it, there are demands involved in this kind of thing.)  We will be riding 45 miles, through hills, in a group.  Everyone has to make compromises in their riding style.  Climbers need to back off a little.  So do descenders.  So do the diesels.  Even if the pace is very relaxed everyone gives a bit.  This takes more out than might be obvious.

How to get it done:  Prepare your equipment.  Watch the weather and dress appropriately.  Show up Early.  Come with a commitment to finish.  Bring your smile.  (Good cheer goes farther than big training.)

Dirt Road Ride:

This coming Sunday, 19 February!

We’ll depart from Bicycles Unlimited at 1:00 PM.

Purpose:  Go out and ride some unpaved roads and have fun doing it!

As stated previously, this route is approximately 41 miles long, and covers several sections of delightful unpaved road.  The unpaved sections total about 15 miles.

The route is a bit convoluted.  Cue Sheet is available on South Side Cycling Club website, in the Documents section.  I also sent out an attachment with this in a recent Tuesday Tome.  I’ll have a few copies of the Cues with me at ride start.

Ride Character and Pace:  Ride it at your own pace.  Have fun with it.  Be prepared for the unpaved sections, and expect to encounter some good hills in the process.  There are some gravel sections, but not many, not long, and not deep.  Low traffic on the unpaved sections, but do ride responsibly and alertly.

Conditions:  Ride will go rain or shine.  Watch the weather and dress appropriately.

Spring Equinox Celebration Night Ride:

Monday 19 March.  7:30 PM.  From Bicycles Unlimited

We haven’t done one of these quite this early in the year before.  So we’re gonna give this a try.  Mid-March weather can be tricky, so the route will be a little shorter than some of the previous editions.  It’s not finalized yet, but expect something in the 30 to 35 mile range.  Keep watching this space for more details.