Dear Boulder Cycling Club Members:
Only Two Weeks
Until Weeknight Rides Resume!
When daylight savings time commence March 14, we will have
more time for evening rides. They will
be relatively short in the beginning, but that is a blessing for many of us who
have gotten out of shape during this endless winter. Pray for some 50-degree days to melt all this
snow!
Our Route Planning Committee is working on establishing
several standard options for our weeknight rides. We are screening them for safety and using strategies
like "always favor right turns." Left
turns are by far more dangerous for cyclists than right turns, so we are
favoring clockwise routes whenever possible.
We are also considering traffic levels and speeds, shoulder width, and road
condition. Most importantly, there must
be food and drink at the end at a place with a great patio! Look for the routes to be posted on the
website soon.
Sincerely,
Donald C.
Founder and Board Member
Boulder Cycling Club
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North & South Thursday Rides
 We are splitting the Thursday night ride between Murphy's in
Table Mesa Shopping Center
and 4580 Restaurant in NOBO. So now we
have the NOBO and SOBO rides (every other Thurs), BOBeer ride (Tues from
Boulder Beer), Margarita Ride (Wed from Serano's in Gunbarrel), and
special
Sunday rides.
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Kick Off Party a Success!
 We had a great turnout for the 2/17 Kickoff party at Bicycle Village.
It was great to talk biking again and see members we haven't seen much
over the winter. Many prizes were given
away in the raffle including a new bike from BV. Danny Larson kicked it on the Power Tap. We had 25 new members join. Thanks again to Bicycle Village for hosting us.
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In Case of Questionable Weather
 How can you know if a ride is cancelled? Check the
accuweather.com
hourly forecast predicts a "RealFeel"
temperature of less than 40 degrees at the starting time of the ride.
We won't ride if water is visible on the road at the start
time. If you aren't sure if a ride is going, check the
calendar or if you do not have access to the internet, call 303-875-2241. We
are all volunteers, so please only call if it is necessary.
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Preparing for the
Upcoming Season
Here are some answers to questions frequently asked in
bicycle shops that may help you get ready for spring riding. Thanks to roadbikerider.com for this
material.
How many tubes should I bring on a ride?
Two tubes is the perfect number. You'll need one to fix the only flat you'll
get today and one more in case you have a "Crider." Our Margarita Ride leader, Steve Crider, is
the only person we know who has had two flats on a ride, but it happened on a
dirt trail and during a year he broke the record for flat tires. You can also use it to help another member
who may forget an extra.
 What things should I check before every ride?
Always
check the quick-release levers. Open
them a little less than half way, not so far that you mess with the wheel
alignment, but enough so you can check that they close tightly. Next, check tire pressure-always ride the same
pressure so you will be able to trust your bike in the corners. Spin the wheels to check for brake drag, cuts
in the tires, and wiggly rims. Quickly
put the front tire between your knees and twist the stem to ensure it is tight,
and then squeeze the brake levers to ensure that the pads hit the rims at the
right place.
How much air pressure should I
run? 
Every tire has a sweet
spot where it rolls faster and yet absorbs road shock-and more pressure is not
always better, as many believe. Three
features determine where this mythical tire pressure should be set. First, check the ratings on the tire. Some are rated as high as 220psi and others
as low as 125psi-usually there is a high/low range, and the best place to begin
is the middle. Second, consider the
diameter of the tire. Smaller-diameter
tires (19mm) require significantly more pressure to support the same weight
when compared with a larger-volume tire.
100psi may be more than ample for a 25mm casing while a 19mm TT tire
will run almost flat at that pressure. Third is rider weight. All you need is sufficient air pressure to prevent
unnecessary tire flex, and not so much that you bounce all over the road on
rough pavement. Riders in the 200-pound
range will discover that they can get a smooth, efficient ride at close to the
tire's maximum rated pressure, while a 105-pound female or junior rider may
achieve the same performance near the tire's minimum pressure rating.
If
you use the correct tire pressure, you can save gobs of energy in the form of
better rolling resistance. Too much
pressure will rob your strength-especially if you are a lightweight rider. If your bicycle bounces, release five or ten
ounces.
How often should I upgrade my helmet?
Replacing
your helmet once a year is probably reasonable for a high-mileage cyclist
(2,000 miles a month), and the rest of us  should consider a replacement after
two years unless you've had a crash. The
closed-cell foam that protects your head is a one-time deal; once it has been
compressed, it will not dissipate the shock as well the next time. If you crash hard enough to scar the shell,
you should buy a new helmet. Six seconds
in the hospital emergency room costs more than the best helmet made-don't sweat
the price.
How many CO2 cartridges
should I carry?
Carry one cartridge and a tiny hand  pump (Lezyne
makes the best ones). Only use CO2 cartridges
when you are in a time crunch-like a group situation where others are waiting
for me to fix a flat. CO2 fillers are foolishly wasteful in an
environmental sense (although they are recyclable), and a hand pump can refill
a thousand tires without running out of air.
Before you reach for that steel cartridge, consider a hand pump.
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Join Us on Twitter and Facebook
 
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Membership
Don't forget to renew your annual membership or join for the first time! Only members are covered by insurance, are invited on SAG rides, remember, non-members are only allowed on one ride It's easy and you can do it all online just click below!
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Photo Gallery
Our 2009 & 2008 galleries are up but we need 2010s! Click here to send us your club photos and be entered to win a club t-shirt
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Sponsors
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About Us
The Boulder Cycling Club was created to connect
bike riders of all levels with organized rides and to create a network
for cyclists to interact, communicate, and develop a community to
further enhance the Boulder area as one of the finest cycle friendly
environments in the US. Email us here
Participate and meet some enthusiastic, fun people!
Calendar | In Biking News | Advocacy
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