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Greetings!
Shuttleguy Staff are anxious to get out on the road. Hope to see many of you this summer!
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| What's New? |
| Nathaniel wins two Tri-State Rides
Were you one of the folks who put their name in the fish bowl this year as Shuttleguy toured the Midwest bike expos? We visited six events and had the newsletter signup and free Tri State drawing bowl out at each event.Once back home we used Katia pushes the button  | a computer random number generator program to pick the lucky winner. As you can see here the newest member of the Shuttle guy family pushed the magic button to pick the lucky winner.
The winner is Nathaniel from Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Here's Nathaniel's story!Nathaniel and his Tri State gift certificate for two.  |
"I am excited about the upcoming trip
and feel honored that I won. I have been biking for many years. I think
the addiction started when I biked 6 miles to school and 4 to deliver
papers everyday when I was 14 through 16. I continued to ride our
somewhat famous Green Circle
in Stevens Point, but
never really ventured too much out of that until I acquired an
old trek road bike from my brother in law. Last year I got a
little more courageous and went all the way to the Dells of Eau Claire. I
planned a trip to Door
County with a friend but
we couldn't get the time off of work. This trip I'm thinking will make
the regret of not going vanish. I currently ride I believe a '91 Trek 520
touring bike that I got on Craigslist and a fixie I built from
scratch to jump around town. When not biking I love to play
softball, watch the Brewers, and occasionally imbibe on some of our delicious Wisconsin beers".
Shuttleguy partners with TRIPS for KIDS
For two months this winter we had a big kick off campaign for our new newsletter with a joint effort to raise money for the national TRIPS for KIDS organization. Their mission is to provide bicycle experiences for young children. The deal was we would donate $1 to the organization for every Shuttleguy online newsletter, Twitter and Facebook subscription. The result was 400 of you signed up during January and February!
We sent half the total to the national chairperson Marilyn Price, from Mill Valley, CA. . . . . . next month, the rest of the story!
Marilyn Price, national chairperson, Trips for Kids  |
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| Featured Tour |
| Mississippi River Trail Ride
October 16-17, 2010
This tour is a shorter version of our
popular Tri-State Ride. Our goal is to provide a fabulous, fully
supported tour as well as brin g attention to the Mississippi River Trail, a 3,000 mile bicycle route
starting at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca, Minn.
and ending at the great Mississippi delta at the Gulf of Mexico.
This
weekend of cycling will take you along parts of the Iowa and Wisconsin
legs of the Mississippi River Trail. Many cyclists will see this ride as
a great training opportunity for week-long summer tours.
Experience
breathtaking landscapes sculpted by the Mississippi River and its many
tributaries. Immerse yourself in this wonderful, natural area, home to
many varieties of plant and wildlife. You can take in bald eagles
soaring above, duck and geese at the river's edge and deer in the woods.
Enjoy the small-town charm of our friendly host communities. All of the
details are taken care of so you can enjoy carefree cycling.
This two day loop tour begins and ends in
McGregor, Iowa. McGregor will be our friendly host town for registration
and pre-ride festivities. We will be camping in Turner Park. After
registration and setting up camp you can enjoy the many sight seeing,
shopping, and dining experiences McGregor and its twin city Marquette
have to offer.
Day 1:
It is southward bound as you follow the Mississippi River Trail. Today
you will enjoy some beautiful views of the river,  take in beautiful
farmland vistas and enjoy the Iowa towns of Clayton, Guttenberg,
Luxemburg and North Buena Vista. Immediately south of McGregor take a
left into Pikes Peak State Park and enjoy some stunning panoramic views.
In Guttenberg you can view the activities at Lock #10. In "Buenie" as
the locals call it, take time to stop and marvel at the amazing grotto
that was built into the bluff in the heart of this little hamlet during
the great depression. You will end the day's journey with a ride across
the Mississippi River on the Cassville ferry.
Day 2:
 Today you will pedal uphill on the Wisconsin
side to Prairie du Chien. Just kidding. There are a few downhill
sections along the way. You will also ride through the charming towns of
Glen Haven, Bagley and Wyalusing. Then you will cross the great
Mississippi River back into Iowa.
A great way to see some beautiful scenery, at a great time of the year and begin to close down your riding year.
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| Article of the Month |
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This time of year there is still lots of junk out on the road. Here are some good tips on what to look out for!
How to Survive Road Hazards
By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka
of
www.RoadBikeRider.com
Cycling is a unique sport because
its arena is the open road. That's the same place frequented by traffic,
potholes, snarling dogs and absentminded pedestrians.
But sometimes we're our own worst
enemy. Inattention and poor technique can put us on the pavement as fast as any
hazard. Use these tips and you'll be less likely to take a tumble.
Always ride
with your head up.
While cruising along, it's tempting to stare at the
whirling pattern of the front spokes or fixate on your cycle computer's numbers.
A momentary downward glance that lasts just a second too long can mean riding
into a problem that could easily have been avoided.
Focus. The smooth and rhythmic motion of pedaling can have a
hypnotic effect. Daydreaming cyclists have crashed into the back of parked
cars, wandered far into the traffic lane or blithely ridden off the road. Don't
let yourself be separated from the outside world by the vivid canvases created
by your imagination. Keep your head in the game.
Keep your bike
in top mechanical condition.
Repair or replace faulty parts sooner rather than later. It's a loser's game to
milk "just one more ride" out of worn brake pads, a frayed cable, or tires with
a threadbare tread or bulging sidewall. Your first line of defense against the
challenges of the real world is a bike with all parts in good working order.
Punctures
It's every rider's fate to flat. But
it's relatively easy to limit the frequency.
Choose your
line with care. The best way to avoid punctures is
also the easiest: Steer around broken glass, road rubble and potholes.
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| Featured Rider: Sue Butler |
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When she was a
kid, Sue Butler was relatively healthy and active. The youngest of eight kids
and athletic, she enjoyed playing outside and always tried to maintain a
competitive edge. Then, life happened. Busy with finishing grad school, then
teaching needy kids in a rough area, she got unhealthy. Sue became inactive,
fat, lethargic and cranky (her own words!).
After taking off
some weight, Sue decided to try getting in shape. After spinning in the gym,
the outdoors called and she purchased her first adult bicycle, a nondescript
Schwinn. A few years later,
Sue on Tour de Kota  |
Sue tried racing
once, and won, but didn't care for it. Rather, she enjoyed long quiet rides.
Six years ago, she did her first week-long tour, and loved it. Floor-flopping
in the gym with hundreds of other cyclists was okay, but then she learned of a
service called Shuttleguy. Having someone else see to the details of camping
was too good to be true.
After that first
year, Sue became a sort of "Shuttleguy groupie". She described one of the
annual rides as "returning to summer camp" - same friends, new adventures.
"Shuttleguy Groupies"  |
Riding all summer
became a passion. Sue bought a Cannondale road bike, and when that was damaged
in a crash, a Trek. The prospect of being on the road all summer, visiting new
places, and meeting up with old friends gave her the energy she needed to
endure the gray Chicago winters and the challenges of her job. She now
completes 4-5 week-long rides each summer.
Her favorite ride? Bike Tour Colorado
When you see Sue out on a ride, ask her how she made this magazine cover!  |
Oh yeah, she hasn't brought along
her own tent on any of them. She thanks Shuttleguy for making all this
possible.
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| Video Links of the Month |
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Are you ready for RAGBRAI?
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