New Member Benefit: Road Hazard Reporting and Ride Schedule!

Boulder Cycling Club Newsletter - Spoke'n Word

2010 Issue No. 8

New Member Benefit: Road Hazard Reporting

We recently added a new benefit for our members. We are now reporting road hazards and construction on streets frequently used by Boulder County road bikers. They will initially be highlighted in the Spoke 'N Word newsletter, and then listed on our website under Road Hazard Alerts and Reporting. This section also provides information on how you can report new hazards and maintenance needs to the City and County. We are very lucky to have responsive transporation departments, but they depend to some extent on citizen reporting of hazards. Please do your part - you may save a fellow road biker from an accident!

In addition to the two bridge closures previously reported, 63rd Street will be CLOSED south of Highway 119 (Diagonal Highway). May 2 - May 11. It will be closed at the BNSF Railroad tracks for track replacement for ten days starting at 7:00 AM, SUNDAY, MAY 2. All access across the tracks will be prohibited including bicycles and pedestrians. The track replacement is part of the 63rd / Highway 119 Intersection project that when finished will include bicycle shoulders from the north side of the intersection to Lookout Road. Yea! Originally scheduled to extend through the end of August, the intersection project is now expected to be complete by early July due to the road closure decision. Cyclists will need to detour north to 71st Street or south to Jay Road during the closure.

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Reminder: Pre-ride Bike Maintenance

Don't forget to sign up for the free pre-ride bike maintenance and flat tire clinic at Bicycle Village on April 26 from 6-7 pm.

To RSVP, email info@bouldercyclingclub.com. If you review the article below, you will surely come to the clinic with some good questions!

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Inner Tube Insights

Here are inner tube tips from Roadbikerider.com. See our website for more detail.

---Protect the valve stem. Cut a tiny hole in the center of a small piece of stout cloth (denim works well) and slip this protector over the valve stem during installation.

---Length matters. The valve stem must extend enough to accept a pump head. Stem lengths range from about 35 mm to a whopping 80 mm. Measure yours before you go tube shopping or take one of your tubes with you.

---Width matters. For ease of installation, you want a tube that's the same diameter but ideally has a slighter smaller width, for example, a 700x20 tube for a 700x23 tire. You would not want a 700x28 tube.

---Threaded vs. smooth stems.Threaded stems allow a nut to be snugged against the rim, keeping the stem vertical and preventing it from being pushed inward when using a pump. The threads also grip the rubber gasket in the pump head to help hold it on. However, this also makes it harder to get the pump head off, and the threads accelerate wear to the gasket. Smooth stems avoid these problems, and pump heads with gaskets in good condition usually won't blow off.

---Tighten Presta cores. Some Presta valve stems have replaceable cores. If your tubes have these, use pliers or a small adjustable wrench to turn gently the valve core clockwise to make sure it's snug. A loose core can cause a mysterious slow leak.

---Lighter is righter.Lightweight tubes work equally well because the tire is the primary flat resistor. Go lighter if you want the improved performance that comes with less rotating weight.

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Rides This Week

Week of April 19
Great riding weather is here! Always check the BCC calendarbefore you go.

Weeknight rides all leave at 5:30 pm. The Saturday ride leaves at 10 am.

Tuesday Boulder Beer Ride (Road Bike), 5:30pm - This week we will do part of the old Morgul-Bismarck racecourse. From Cherryvale, we will turn left on Marshall Road, tour beautiful old town Superior (don't miss the feedlot and the junk yard), and then go south on McCaslin to 128. The infamous "Wall" is only 9 degrees at its steepest point and not very long compared to other "walls" in the area (Magnolia, Super Flagstaff) , but remember that the Coors Classic racers did it twelve times on this stage. The B Group can turn around at the bottom of the Wall.

This ride always starts at Boulder Beer (2880 Wilderness Place, Boulder). It often goes to south to Eldorado Springs or Morgul-Bismarck via Cherryvale. Occasionally goes northeast of Boulder. Great patio for after the ride and discounts on food and beverages.

Thursday Ride (Road Bike), 5:30 pm -This week we will leave from 4580 Restaurant in NoBo. Construction in North County has messed up some of our regular routes. Plus, its time to start doing some elevation! Therefore, we will go to Rowena in Lefthand Canyon on 36 and return on Olde Stage Road. The B Group can turn around at the Greenbriar.

This ride rotates between three departure points: 1) Bácaro, 921 Pearl; 2) Murphy's (Table Mesa Shopping Center); or 3) 4580 Restaurant, 4580 Broadway (NoBo).

Saturday Ride (Road Bike), 10 am - This week we will ride to the Flagstaff Amphitheater (2,000 feet of elevation gain). The B Group will go to Chautauqua and then do NCAR.

Starts from Amante Coffee in NoBo. Come at 9:30 for a shot of espresso with a splash of Ritalin. After the ride, we will grab a bite at Proto's Pizzeria Napolitano, one block north of Amante.

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About Us

The Boulder Cycling Club is a non-profit organization managed by volunteers. Our mission is to create a more livable community by promoting health & recreation through bicycle activities, advocacy, & education. The BCC provides a safe and social alternative to the competitive riding style of most clubs. We are more about fun than competition. Our rides are no-drop tours that leave you time to look at the scenery and chat a bit.

Calendar | In Biking News | Advocacy

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In This Issue

Road Hazard Reporting

Free Bike Maintenance Clinic

Inner Tube Insights

Rides This Week

Visit Our Sponsors!

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, and 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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