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Greetings!
The Shuttleguy crew is ready to hit the road for a busy summer touring season. We will start out on June 5th with WISPRIDE and wrap things up October 2 with the Mississippi River Trail Ride. We are looking forward to seeing many of you this summer. It's not too late to sign up for the tour of your choice, except for BTC, which is sold out!
Ride Safe! |
| What's New? |
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Shuttleguy at Twin Cities Bike Expo
During the past month we participated in our last bike expo for the season before we hit the road touring. The Have Fun Biking Expo, held at the Minnesota State Fair grounds in St. Paul was a big hit! We had a great turn out and the chance to meet many new riders and visit with a few old friends, too.
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Dennis and Deb Veercamp stopped by with daughter Amy and their six week old (future Shuttleguy rider), Kennedy.
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Best Biking Outfit Contest winner?????
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Shuttleguy Lost and Found
It's not too late to claim a lost item out of our Lost and Found before we begin adding to it again during the 2011 touring season.
Click this link to see the treasures that were left behind.
2010 Shuttleguy Lost and Found
Send an email to info@shuttleguy.com to claim an item.
Shuttleguy Late Registration Fee
Make sure to beat the rush AND make sure there is a place for you in Shuttleguy's camp by
REGISTERING NOW!
Remember, higher late registration rates go into effect 30 days before the start of the tour!
Shuttleguy Staffed Up for Summer
Our crew is anxious to get on the road for the upcoming touring season. Often we hire local sports teams to help our advance team set up the tents That's the secret on how the tents are set up when you arrive the night before the ride starts!
Last year, BTC began and ended in Gunnison, CO and we hired the Gunnison Cowboys basketball team to set up tents. They did a GREAT job!
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The team is serious about basketball and was just as serious about doing a good job setting up our BTC tents!
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| Featured Tour: Tri- State Ride |
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Tri State Ride
Not too late to sign up for this in 2011 tour!
|  This ride highlights many of the most scenic areas of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. As you ride the challenging route, you will experience spectacular hilltop vistas, ride along meandering streams, and enjoy small town charm.
And the riding is only part of the draw. Riders will enjoy visiting many local highlights.
You start in McGregor, Iowa, nestled along the Mississippi River between towering bluffs. Come early to explore the natural beauty, learn about the local history and experience a great mix of small town charm with a touch of big city flair. Get a taste of the local flavor at the winery and brewery. Visit the local casino or experience local culture at the Mar Mac Arts Center. Hike to unmatched views at Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pikes Peak State Park.
Then it's on to Potosi, Wisconsin. Visit the local museum, Passage Thru Time, and learn why Potosi is known as the "The Catfish Capital of Wisconsin". You won't want to miss the newly opened Transportation Museum, the National American Breweriana Museum (ABA) and the new opened National Beer Museum, see how beer is made and sample some of the local brew!
The next day, you are on to Galena, Illinois, where you'll spend two days giving you plenty of time to explore. Kayak and canoe, visit local museums and meander through downtown Galena's shops, galleries and restaurants. Discover why Forbes Traveler named Galena one of the "ten prettiest towns in America". Then it's on to Dyersville. The rich history and the beauty of the area can be seen in the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier. This Catholic churches gothic architecture will take your breath away and is only one of 52 in the United States. Of course, Dyersville is also proud to be the home of the Academy Award nominated film Field of Dreams. Have your photo taken as you run the bases or on the pitching mound as you wind up to throw that special fastball.
 Leave time to visit the Farm Toy Museum, the Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum and Becker Woodcarving
Museum.
We'll complete the loop by heading back to McGregor, biking along the Mississippi River visiting Guttenberg and Pikes Peak State Park.
Lots to do and see on this 230 mile tour.
Click here for the complete itinerary
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| Featured Article of the Month: Dealing with Bad Dogs |
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An especially important article for this time of year when Fido is finally getting outside after being cooped up inside all winter!
"How to Deal with Bad Dogs"
by Fred Mathenyand Ed Pavelka
for www.RoadBikeRider.com
Dog attacks are high on the list of cycling fears. Maybe you can't stop Fang from giving chase, but
you can outsmart him if you know how dogs think-assuming that stinkin' mutt even has a brain!
· Know dog psychology. The majority of dogs who chase cyclists are merely defending their territory. When you pedal off the section of road that they consider their turf, you no longer pose a threat to their ancestral instincts and they lose interest. Incidentally, this is why you'll rarely be chased by a dog you encounter way out in the boonies. He's not on his turf so he couldn't care less about you.
· Know dog tactics. Dogs want to attack from the rear, coming up from the hindquarter. Even one who sits up in his yard ahead of you may wait till you pass before giving chase. You can use this to your advantage in the next tip because it gives you a head start.
· Sprint! You often can outsprint Fido when he's more interested in fooling around than in actually attacking. You can tell his intent by how hard he's running and his expression. An easy gait with woofing and ears and tail up, no problem. A full-out sprint with ears back, tail down and teeth out, problem. Still, the territorial gene can save you. If the road is flat or downhill, stand up and sprint to get past the dog's invisible boundary.
· Guard your front wheel. When a dog sees you
coming, he might make a beeline for your bike, then attempt to turn up beside you. The danger here is that his poor little paws will skid on the pavement and he'll plow into your wheels. If he hits the front one, you'll crash. Sprint so that you move forward faster than he expects, and give him a margin for error by steering farther into the road-if traffic permits!
read more about "Bag Dogs!"
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| Featured Riders: Chantelle Millsap |
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Chantelle Millsap
 Greetings! My name is Chantelle Millsap and I live in Kansas City, MO. I started riding at the age of 38. I am now 42, so ladies and gentlemen it's not too late to start pedaling. In 2005, I rode the 2-day MS 150 and I became a cyclist. Well I think
I'm a biker, if you don't count hating rain and cold weather or worrying about changing a flat tire. My first bike was a red Felt because I liked the color. Now I have a white speed of lightning called.....ah what was it honey? Oh I know, it's a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6. My husband surprised me on my 40th birthday. Pretty cool wheels, eh? I have noticed talking to people at biking events that usually one spouse likes to ride and the other doesn't. My husband likes riding bikes but only the ones with big loud engines. He is very supportive of my bicycling. My bike vacations give my husband time to golf and fish. Touring is really the most comfortable way for me to get out to bicycle. I ride for the miles and the accomplishment. I'm the kind of girl that doesn't have a clue how to put up a tent and really doesn't care to learn. Shuttleguy and I are the perfect match. The first time the Shuttleguy gang and I met was on the Border Raiders Tour in 2006. I have been a customer every since. The Shuttleguy team is awesome and they have been a lifesaver to me. Touring with a tent service is the only way I will travel. It makes me feel safe, lifts my confidence, and I like the camaraderie of a supportive group of people. I honestly can say if it weren't for a tent service, I would not be riding. 
My favorite tour was in Wisconsin when it was cherry and sunflower season. It was so incredibly beautiful. RAGBRAI is a WOW moment and I'm back for my 6th year. I'm from Iowa originally, so it's a fun week for me. My brother has ridden RAGBRAI for years and we find a couple of days we can cycle together. 
Once I even tortured my husband to ride RAGBRAI. He had fun, but was glad when it was over. DALMAC and BRAN have been my least favorite tours due to the bad weather. I have had success riding BAK two years and Border Raiders twice. They were both very challenging because of the hills and wind, but I liked them both. The Katy Trail Tour had its ups and downs. Hopefully, the tour has fixed the problems.
Besides riding RAGBRAI this year, I'm preparing and training my legs for the Shuttleguy Tri- State tour. Future tour ride goals for me are: Oklahoma Free Wheel, and BRAG.
I'm sure I can come up with several more tours I would like to do since I have at least 40 more years of riding before I flatten my wheels and re'tire'.
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