The BikeWriter – August 2011

The Pres Sez – August 2011

John Chester

Well, we have now broken ANOTHER RECORD in 2011. First, we had the most days of snow cover, then the most rain in April, and then the first 25 of 27 days of May had rain… July came with a record number of days over 90. I’m sort of looking forward to some dull and boring weather.

We had 24 club members, and one non CCC interloper, brave the heat for the Club picnic and ride on July 24th. The winner of the FIRST ANNUAL CCC CLUB PICNIC PIE CONTEST was actually a cake! Brenda Sietsma made a great Rhubarb Cake. She and husband Bill won a free 2012 CCC Membership. I would also like to thank Bill Sietsma for creating and leading the 25 mile route, and WEST SIDER Jim Katenkamp for creating and leading the 50 mile route on THE EAST SIDE. Without Bill and Jim’s help, the day would have been pretty rotten. Thanks also to Cindy Male for doing all of the shopping and your retired president and treasurer and cluster leader Big Kev for manning the grill on that hot day.

There will be no August board meeting. About a third of us will be on the 25th anniversary edition of Shoreline West. 9 days, 502 miles. I’ve never ridden more than 8 days in a row before, so this should be a challenge.

Speaking of CHALLENGE- We have TWO major charity rides coming up. The MS 150 is August 27 & 28. If you have not registered, please consider TEAM CCC. Additionally, THE HOPE RIDE is coming up in September, and Big Kev has created a TEAM CINCINNATI. The largest team gets a donation to a local food pantry. As our Club Secretary, Cindy Male’s, sister – the sister- runs a food pantry, please consider joining our team. As I saw nearly a third of the club on the Hope Ride last year, if everyone joined, we would stand a good chance. There were probably more CCC members on the Hope Ride than on either of our National Rides.

Lastly, in this month’s Safety Rant, I would like to discuss the semiotics of CAR BACK!

As always, I would defer to our LCIs, but the concept is pretty simple. When someone in the rear is aware of a car behind them, they should yell “CAR BACK!” All of the riders should then get single file. This is usually accomplished by the stronger rider stepping it up a notch, and the other rider telling them when it is safe to come over. Pretty simple, eh? Well, sadly to say, a number of CCC rides have folks that don’t do any of that. This is both aggravating and unsafe.

As one of the slower riders, I am usually the one that the car comes beside while the faster folks block the road. I have seen A LOT of passenger manicures lately. They seem to be really fond of one finger in particular. I also hear a lot of words that I would not use around my 84 year old Baptist mother.

But now for a humorous CAR BACK STORY. ALL TRUE!!

The place – GOBA 2011.

I am riding about 50 feet behind a pair of riders. I notice the car behind and yell “CAR BACK!” The rider on the inside then sticks her arm out and pushes the one by the edge off the road! Turns out it was a mother daughter combo – 50s and teen ager. I pull up and help the daughter out of the ditch. She is pretty crusty, and covered with grass. I ask the mom, “WHY did you push your daughter off the road? “ “Well, I didn’t want her riding when there was a car back, you yelled, so I got her off the road.” The daughter then states that this was the FIFTH TIME THAT DAY that her mom had pushed her off the road. I explain the concept of the single file, and that the stronger rider kicks it up…..She then says she does not want to be in front of her daughter. I said, then “You could go behind then, it would be better than pushing her into a ditch!” The daughter agreed. Apparently Mom thought GOBA would have all the roads closed!

Oh well…

Remember – Get on your bike, go for a ride, it’s fun!

(Unless your mom pushes you into a ditch!)

JC

Caesar’s Creek Ride and Picnic

The Little Miami Cluster and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation brings you the annual Caesar’s Creek Ride and Picnic on Saturday, August 13th

Enjoy 35 and 50 mile marked routes on scenic country roads. Both routes have a quick-stop store located about half-way. Burgers and hot dogs off the grill at the end. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share for the picnic. Lemonade available but no alcoholic drinks are allowed in the state park.

The CCC is partnering with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to bring you this event. You’ll have a chance to learn about their ride program and their mission if you choose.

Meet at the Visitors Center picnic shelter of Caesars Creek park on Clarksville Rd. 9 AM start for the 50 mile route and no later than 10 AM for the 35 milers. There are flush toilets, children’s play area and walking trails right there. The beach is just a few miles away.

Directions: I-71 to Wilmington Rd exit, go right. Left on Olive Branch. Right on Jeffrey which becomes Clarksville Rd at Oregonia Rd , continue straight. The Visitor Center is on the right about 1.5 miles up.

Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life

CCC members Irvin Lewin and Scott Winkler are the primary coordinators for the Cystic Fibrosis Ride for Life. This ride is in it’s second year and has all the hallmarks of an excellent charity ride. With support from the Cincinnati Club, it could grow into one of the “Must Do” charity rides.

Venture the Valley with Bike MS:

What kind of ride includes swimming, spirits, and Soul Pocket? Bike MS: Venture the Valley is exactly that kind of ride. Bike MS is a fully supported, two-day ride through some of the most scenic countryside and small towns in Southwest Ohio. The innovative figure-eight route starts, finishes, and overnights at Oregonia’s Camp Kern.

This year’s Bike MS includes camping, a beer garden, and Saturday night entertainment from The Soul Pocket Band. Soul Pocket is a self-proclaimed, “12-piece extravaganza,” that was named as Cincinnati Magazine‘s, “Best of the City,” in 2010.

Riders also enjoy Camp Kern’s Olympic sized pool, and “this year we have extended pool hours,” says Eddie Rauen, Vice President of Development for the National MS Society. “We’ve been listening to what riders from previous Bike MS events have told us, “says Rauen,” and we’re working hard to continue our tradition as the area’s premier ride.”

And Bike MS is not just for expert cyclists. Rauen is quick to point out that, “this ride is for everybody. We have 25, 50, and 75 mile-per day options.”

Rauen also plans to serve a variety of top-notch food and drinks at Bike MS. “We now have a hot breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, all meals and drinks along the Bike MS route are provided for riders, we have rest stops every 10-12 miles, and we’re working with some great caterers to make certain the food is every bit as great as the ride.”

Bike MS: Venture the Valley is August 27th and 28th, and benefits the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society. Rauen explains, “MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t. With the help of Bike MS riders, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of the 6,000 people locally living with MS.”

For more information, or to register, visit bikeMS.org, or phone 800-344-4867.

Wright Ride Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Celebrate the 108th anniversary of powered flight with a full-service bike ride in the country on August 28th. It’s possible that the Wright brothers themselves cycled on some of these roads!

Great food awaits you at our food stops, including fruit, homemade baked goods, ice-cold drinks and an old-fashioned cookout at the air-conditioned lunch stop, which all riders will visit.

We’ll also show you the way to Young’s Jersey Dairy, where hungry goats and other farm animals await children’s attention and fabulous ice cream lures everybody inside.

Great route markings plus full maps will ensure that you don’t get lost, and our friendly sag service will be available should you suffer a mechanical or physical mishap.

Ride the lightly traveled roads of Greene County, where bike shop owners Wilbur and Orville Wright perfected their revolutionary Flyer. Routes of 25, 40, 60, 80 and 100 miles will treat you to gently rolling countryside, with a few hills to challenge your legs. The farther you ride, the more challenging the terrain will be.

Directions to Twin Towers Park, 501 W. Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road, Fairborn:

From Interstate 675, take Exit 22 for Ohio 235 toward Fairborn. Following signs for Xenia, turn east onto Ohio 235. After 1 mile, turn left on Byron Road. After .8 mile, turn right onto West Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road. Twin Towers Park will be on your right in 2 miles.

6:30 a.m.: Twin Towers Park opens.

7-9 a.m.: Registration open.

5 p.m.: Ride ends.

Hope Ride Food Bank Challenge 

The Hope Ride in Hope Indiana is going to give the largest team of riders $1,000 to give to their local food pantry. As such we have created Team Cincinnati to try and win this money. Cindy Male’s sister (Mary Beth Peters, SC) runs the Our Daily Bread food pantry that feeds over 500 meals a day and this prize would go a long way to feed people in need.

So if you are planning on riding this wonderful ride on September 17th please sign up as a member of Team Cincinnati. www.hoperide.org

Help Disadvantaged Families at the BLOC Aid River Ride

Name: BLOC Aid River Ride, 5K Walk & Cliff Climb Time Trial

Date: Sunday, Sept. 25th 8:30 – noon

Location: Fernbank Park (located at 7100 River Road, along Rt. 50 twelves miles west of downtown)

Ride Route: Route 50 West to Brower Road to Cleves Kroger at Rt. 50 & SR 128 – option of 16 miles (one way) or 32 miles (return)

Optional ‘Cliff Climb’ individual time trial for advanced riders – timed by a USA Cycling Level 2 Coach

Group Rides

Jim Lindner, Safety and Education

I was starting my vacation and I joined a couple of families that had ridden from Cleveland to camp (80 miles) a few times before. I was not in charge of this ride and tagging along. I considered the fathers and sons well conditioned, so I just wanted to be sure I could keep up on my first trip with them.

I should have realized that as John Chester said, “My commuting put me into good shape and I should not be concerned that I ride a heavy mountain bike”. I said a little about their habit of skipping the stops as we went through town with little Sunday morning traffic. I was using my usual call outs: passing, braking, and car back…. One father had a rattle that I told him I thought was his rack. I told him I would check his bike out at the first stop. I had checked out my own bike before the trip and knew it was as ready as I could make it, but I had not looked too close at the other bikes.

About 20 miles into the trip his bike made a racket (his rack had come loose) and he stopped. I called mechanical and realized that they would not understand this also meant stopping. The boys were in the back, as one stopped the one behind him tried to stop and went over the handlebars. His helmet and chin both were injured. The chin required stitches and the helmet was a lucky thing as one cyclist had had trouble finding a helmet that morning. The young man with stitches did not get to go the remainder of the trip, but the rest of us did.

While waiting at the hospital we were hoping we could all finish the trip, so I checked out th bike that was involved. I will note the following that I discovered: the brakes had a lot of pre-travel before engaging, a cable guide has a kink in it, the brakes fell mushy as do many bikes, and the front shocks were set at the loosest setting. When I tried the brakes the front end would drop making a trip over the handlebars very possible.

I made adjustments as I could, but my thinking is that so many bikes have similar problems nowadays. Owners often don’t even know that I would consider these to be issues. A group leader in the cycling club and the clubs sharing of experience is a benefit. Your leader sets the tone for the ride. When I lead rides it is often for beginners and a little time to discuss expectations is good.

I may start an ABC Quick Check before rides. I am pleased the club members act as responsible members of society and follow the laws. It is up to the group leader to take some responsibility for this, but the group must follow his suggestions. It is hard to maintain rules unless the leader sets and follows them. It is a shame when an accident spoils an otherwise great ride.

Know When to Say When!!!

Coach OB

Hot enough for you? I thought for sure by the beginning of August we would get a break from the heat. Not a chance. The first week of the new month is supposed to be the hottest yet!

So, don’t forget to keep well hydrated at all times. Take in extra water and keep that lemon wedge in your day bottle. , For me, during these 90+ days, I drink at least four 32 oz. bottles per day—minimum—and that does not include cycling time. On Thursday I did a 2 hour recovery ride and went through 4 bottles on my bike. When I arrived home, I drank another 20 oz. plus of water right away. Keep those quality electrolyte drinks coming in, too!

Even when you are well hydrated, know when to say when in this heat! Sometimes, depending on your body’s ability to deal with the heat, it might just be too hot to ride outside. Just like it is sometimes too cold, it can be too hot! Your planned 4 hour ride in 95 degrees might be best cut down to 2.

Another issue that is made worse by the intense heat is saddle sores. Sorry, don’t mean to be graphic, but as cyclists, it is something we have to be very aware of. Saddle sores are a problem during all 4 seasons, but they seem to be worse during the heat. I am sure you all practice great hygiene by always wearing clean shorts, that is the first step. The second is to remove your cycling shorts as quickly as possible after you climb off the bike. Obviously you want to wash as soon as possible. If you are not able, at the very least, remove your shorts and put on regular clothes. Simply put, all that sweat can cause major issues. One of my clients actually contracted MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) because he would wear his shorts for extended periods of time after riding. So, don’t drive home in your shorts, don’t cut your grass when you get home in your shorts and don’t hang out with your peeps for hours and hours after you ride while still in your shorts. Okay, ‘nough said!

Enough about the heat!

How about I touch on a new subject; pacing yourself on a ride. What is the use of giving it 110% in the first 10 miles or going so hard that you blow up and are not able to complete the ride in an efficient manner?!? We have all been there and done that. It isn’t fun (well, it might be fun before you blow up).

Try to gather information on the ride before you head out. “Hey Bob, what is this ride like? What are the roads like? How long is it?” etc. At least then, you will know what to expect. If you find yourself in a group that is “more experienced” than you, let them take the lead and you ride in the group at your own pace. It is okay to “sit in” and rest. Try not to get in over your head. One way of becoming a better cyclist is to ride with those that are better than you. Give yourself time, you will get there!

Thanks for your time!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at coachob@coachob.com, I will be more than appy to answer them in my next article.

Eat Well!

Sleep Well!

Ride SMART!!!

– Coach OB

Ask Mr. Cranky

Dear Mr. Cranky,

What should I do if I get a flat on a ride and how do you avoid getting them?

Phil Eirless

Dear Phil,

Well if you are a pro level rider it’s easy, you simply raise your hand and wait for the team car to hand you a new bike or wheel. If you are Lance Armstrong on a mountain bike you just ride the last seven miles to the finish on the rim and still beat everyone. If you aren’t good at playing a damsel in distress or you don’t look good in a dress then you might want to follow these simple steps on how to change a tire.

Hopefully you’ve read my previous articles and have a spare NEW tube, a bike pump or CO2 inflator and tire tools. Before you start be sure to scan the area to make sure you are in a safe position off the road. Next scan the audience. If there are several experienced riders watching and waiting be sure to be extremely methodical at a snail’s pace. Usually after painfully watching you work on the wheel one of them will dismount and offer to do it for you to save them the agony of watching it any longer. If they don’t offer to help it must mean you are doing a great job so slow down even more. Here are the steps to change a flat tire:

1. Remove the wheel from the bike. If it’s a rear wheel be sure to shift onto the smallest cog and smallest chain ring to slacken the chain for easier removal of the wheel.
2. Examine the tire for cuts, punctures or imbedded debris like glass or pebbles.
3. If nothing is obvious remove one side of the tire. Start from the opposite side of the valve stem and use a tire tool to pull one side of the tire completely off the rim.
4. Remove the tube by reaching under the tire and pulling it loose.
5. If you have found debris in the tire you can skip this step. Pump up the bad tube to find the puncture point. Once you have found the puncture point hold the tube up to the wheel and this should help you find the problem area of the tire.
6. With the problem area of the tire identified remove the tire completely from the wheel. Carefully examine the puncture area from inside and outside of the tire and remove all debris. Note that many flats are caused by valve stem cuts and snake bikes caused by underinflated tires. Neither of these will have a puncture area in the tire.
7. With the tire clean, remount one side of the tire. Hint: align the tire logo over the valve stem. This will help you identify future problems by making the wheel and tube alignment easier.
8. Unscrew the presta valve and add enough air into the tube so that it unravels but is not inflated. Push back the tire and place the presta valve into the rim. Working your way away from the stem tuck the tube into the tire.
9. Starting at the valve stem, install the remaining tire onto the rim. Continue to work your way equally around the rim so that the tire is installed equally on the left and right side of the rim. Getting the final inches of tire to seat over the rim can be difficult and may require the use of a tire tool. If you use one be sure not to pinch the tube while leveraging the tire onto the rim.
10. Verify that the tube is not caught between the rim and the tire by adding a slight amount of air to the tube. Add enough air to round out the tire but not so much that you cannot move the side walls of the tire. Starting with one side of the tire use your thumbs to push the side wall of the tire in. You should push it in far enough to verify that the tube is not caught between the tire and the rim. Do this around the entire rim and on both sides of the wheel.
11. Using your pump or CO2 inflator fill the tire to its recommended pressure.

An experienced mechanic can do all this in a couple of minutes. I have two friends who claim that they can do it all in less than two minutes. So far they haven’t figure out that everyone challenges them to prove it just because none of us like getting dirty on a ride. If you haven’t changed a tube before it’s a good idea to try it in your basement prior to having to do it on the road under emergency circumstances. The best way to avoid flats is to make it a habit to examine your tires prior to every ride by looking for slits, cuts, holes, odd bulges in the side wall and excessive wear on the tire. When you start seeing threads in the tire or the rear tire looks more square than round its time for a new tire. Lastly, always inflate your tires before every ride, if you make it a habit you will avoid flats caused by underinflated tires.

Happy Cranking,

Mr. Cranky

Do you have a question you need help with? Ask Mr. Cranky by sending a self addressed email to AskMrCranky@gmail.com and watch for a response in an upcoming newsletter.

Disclaimer: The advice provided on Ask Mr. Cranky is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice from a knowledgeable bike shop or cyclist. Neither the individual contributor or the Cincinnati Cycle Club nor anyone else connected to this newsletter can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information or disinformation presented in this article.

Commuter Challenge Update

Don Burrell