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Quotable Quote:
Suffering on a bicycle is noble as it reflects the
full blooming of the will (I keep telling myself this as I take the last of the
hill into Ward!).
Random Thoughts:
As a cyclist somewhat new to the
neighborhood I am continually amazed at the number and diversity of us and our
hardware here in Boulder County. On the roads, paths and shoulders
we ride anything from the most outrageous fixed gear to the most delicious eye
candy custom bike imaginable! My loop up through the mountains last week-end
and up flagstaff hill last night showed the full gamut of that diversity in
bikes and riders. I, like most of the rest of you gear heads, just have to know
what the name on the downtube is as I'm being passed by some faster-than-me
rider! The diversity of cycling shirts is another distraction I enjoy and it is
amazing how many different team kits riders wear that ply the shoulders of our
favorite loops. Living in a community like Boulder County with so many cyclists is a
celebration for the sport of bicycling. From the elders of the tribe on
fendered fred bikes down to the tiny bike riders with training wheels on
Boulder Path we are an amazing movement of riders and gear. Enjoy the summer,
see you on the road, say hello on your way by me!
Quick Tips:
*The two easiest and most important
tips for regular riding are to keep your tires inflated to the right pressure
and keep the chain and moving parts on the derailleurs lubricated and clean. I
check the tires before every ride and clean and lube moving parts about every
third ride.
* Tires are almost as expensive for
bikes as they are for a car! The rear tire always wears out quicker than the
front tire so to get maximum miles out of your skins rotate them every 1000
miles and keep the proper pressure in the tires. Do what Mom says!
* Carry a patch kit and an extra
tube on your rides. I've been crippled by that second flat and it can ruin your
day! Obviously something for air is mandatory, the co2 systems work very well,
just make sure you take the empty cylinders and dead tube home with you,
thanks!
* Keep those cleats quiet by
spraying a little silicone on the cleat and the contact point on the pedals,
dirt and grime won't stick to the silicone.
* For those roadside emergencies
wrap several wraps of duck tape around your tire lever to fix everything but a
broken heart and a sore Butt!
* Pinch the tires every time you get
off during a ride to make sure you don't have a slow leak. It's amazing how
much drag a road tire has when it is low on pressure.
*Armor all and similar products are
good for rubber parts on brake levers but should not be used on tires since the
product may get on braking surfaces and impede braking efficiency. You also
lose cornering traction if it gets on the tread of the tire, bad juju!
Neil Poulsen
Club Member
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Tuesday's Trail Ride
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Boulder Brewery
This trail ride, meets at Boulder Brewery at 5:30 leaving at
5:40 PM. Average speed 10 to 15 miles per hour. This week we'll head east onto the Boulder
Creek Bike and then turn south going out to Marshall Road staying on
various bike paths, (note some dirt and small gravel paths).
We'll head
back north along Marshall to the Table Mesa area then wind our way back
through CU campus back on to the Boulder Creek Bike Trail and back to
the Brewery. Enjoy your favorite beverage and food after the ride on
the outdoor patio, Approximate riding time 1 1/2 hours. Ride leader
Donald.
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Tuesday Social Road Bike Ride
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Boulder Brewery
Road Bike Ride at the Boulder Brewery. Join us for the BCC 5:30 PM Tuesday social road bike ride at the
Boulder Brewery. Ride leader Patrick we'll be taking the group around
the flatlands in the surrounding Boulder area. It's an intermediate
road bike ride at a 15-18mph pace. The pace is fast enough for
exercise, but shouldn't make you keel over! The objective is a good
work out and to build camaraderie. Approximate distance is 25-30
miles. We'll return to the Boulder Brewery by 8:00 PM.
After the ride
stick around and enjoy something to eat and/or drink. The food is good
and the drinks are cold! This is a no drop social ride, meaning we
will wait up for you. Please make sure your bike is in good mechanical
condition--including properly inflated tires. Remember to bring your
helmet, spare tube, and water bottle. This is a great
ride to get a little exercise and socialize after a long day. It's a
great ride if you are new to road biking!
All BCC rides feature a "no drop" policy. No drop doesn't
necessarily mean someone will ride with you, it means we will wait up
for you at regroup points along the route. If you are unable to
maintain the minimum pace as established by the ride leader, the ride
leader reserves the right to inform you that we cannot wait up for you.
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Thursday Margarita Ride
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Hybrid/Mtn Ride with Mexican Margs
Trail riding suitable for hybrid and
mountain bikes. Meet at Serrano's at 5:30 and leave at 5:40 Last week's ride was so much fun let's do it again! Average speed 10 to
15 mph. Head
out too the "Res" and return to Steve's special swimming hole. Jump in
the lake to cool off from the blazing summer heat.
Get back on the
bikes and head out to Niwot to enjoy a little of the music at Rhythm on
the Rails and then head back to Gunbarrel and meet at Serrano's to
enjoy your favorite beverage and food on the outdoor patio. Some road,
gravel trails and dirt roads.Average ride time 1 1/2 hours.
Ride leader
Steve.
(Special happy hour discounts extended to BCC
members!)
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Thursday Jamestown Road Bike
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Amantes - North Boulder
Meet at Amantes North at 5:30 PM. Join ride leaders Marie and Patrick on a hill climb to Jamestown.
We'll head up 36, turn on Lefthand Canyon road, and take the classic
route to Jamestown. It's probably the easiest mountain climb in the
Boulder area and is suitable for all road bike riders especially
intermediate road bike riders or folks new to road biking. Pace will
be 15mph to 18mph on the flats and quite a bit slower on the climb.
The BCC has a "no drop policy" meaning we will wait up for you so long
as you are willing to complete the ride.
On the way back, if the interest is there we will split the group
with some returning the way we came and others returning via Olde Stage
or Lee Hill. The Olde Stage Hill is steeper than Jamestown but very
short. Lee Hill is a little longer climb than Olde Stage. The Olde
Stage and Lee Hill returns feature a fast decent on the way back to
Amantes. They are also a shorter route back!
Afterwards, stick around at Amantes for a refreshing drink. We
are a social group not a race group so we encourage you to hang out and
get to know your fellow cyclists.
Although it's a "no drop pace", we do ask that you are somewhat
comfortable on a road bike and that you are reasonably fit. In
otherwords, if you haven't been on your bike all summer then this
probably isn't the ride for you. "No Drop" doesn't necessarily mean
someone will ride with you, it means we will wait up for you. Please
note that if you are unable to sustain the minimum pace required for
the ride we may leave you behind.
This is a social ride and not a race. Everyone climbs at their
own pace so it is unlikely the group will stick togther. Again, if you
are willing to "ride the ride" and can maintain the minimum pace we'll
make sure we support you.
So if you are relatively new to road biking or have been
intimidated about trying a climb, come out Thursday and give it a
shot! If you're willing to try, we'll do everything we can to make
sure you get there!
Remember to bring a helmet, water bottle and spare tube. Also
please make sure your bike is in good mechanical condition including
properly inflated tires.
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Saturday Morning Road Bike Ride
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Bicycle Village
Saturday 9:15 a.m. Road Bike Ride Intermediate. Meet at Bicycle Village at 9:15
am. 20 to 40 miles with a stop for coffee. Average
speed 12 to 18 mph.
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All the Rest...
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TDC JERSEY AVAILABLE If your interested in a Tour de Cure
jersey the cost is only $40.00 and they are way cool---- check out the
photo's of me in my very own! If you've signed up for the team we would
like to ride together in groups depending on the distance you feel
comfortable at. For instance I'll be riding the 50 K so I can get back
to man the promotion booth for the club at the event. VOLUNTEERSpeaking of which, if anyone is interested in helping work the table we 'd love to have
you. It will be a premier event with up to 2200 cycling participants
so it will be an excellent place to promote the club. The Tour de Cure date is
August 23 and the time frame is app. 11:00 to 5:00 so if you interested
in working an hour or two please email me at donald@bouldercyclingclub.com. Come on out and ride and support a great cause!
If you haven't already please Join The Club, become a sponsor, or at the very least, come out and RIDE!
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