State Capitol bicycle rally and ride on June 5
By mike | May 5, 2008
I guess protest is too strong of a word.
But if you’re tired of vehicles buzzing too close to your bicycle… if you think our roads should have wide shoulders or designated bicycle lanes and if you dream of a day you can ride in traffic and feel safe… then mark June 5 on your calendar and participate in the Lucinda Means Advocacy Day June 5 at the State Capitol in Lansing.
You can get the details here but, to quote from the sponsoring League of Michigan Bicyclists:
June 5, bicyclists from around the state will join forces for a RIDE & RALLY at the State Capitol building. Our goal is to show state policy makers that bicyclists have a collective voice. And that voice is concerned about bicyclists’ safety on roadways.
Just by showing up you will make a difference, since there is truly strength in numbers! You will learn which issues LMB is targeting and how you can reach out to your state legislators. We will arrange for you to meet with them that same afternoon.
If you’re a bicyclist who wants to improve the state of cycling in Michigan, come rally with us. Afterward, enjoy lunch on the Capitol grounds, compliments of the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
There’s no charge. Proceeds are paid from the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Fund. It was established to further the mission to which Lucinda so passionately dedicated her life. Lucinda’s friends who wish to honor her life and vision are encouraged to contribute in her memory. Lucinda tragically died of a stroke at the age of 49 in 2005. She was the former director of the LMB.
I’ve signed up for this event. Anyone want to meet me in Lansing?
Topics: Event | No Comments »
My dream challenge
By mike | May 4, 2008
I’ve always wanted to ride cross-country. Realistically, I’m not sure that is in the cards until/unless I retire.
So, here’s my new goal: To ride the entire shoreline around the Michigan “Mitten,” starting on Lake Erie north of Toledo, up through and around Detroit, along Lake St. Clair and up the St. Clair River to Port Huron, on up the shoreline through and around the “Thumb,” around the “Tip of the Mitt” and back down along the lake Michigan shoreline to the Indiana border.
Figure that is about 1,000 miles? Maybe longer. Certainly is doable over a summer’s riding season, even if broken into segments by just weekend and vacation riding.
Suppose I could even add the Upper Peninsula, too. Making it a 2,000 mile trip. Unique. Fun. Challenging. Might even find other willing to go with me and plan.
Aren’t dreams and goals great?
Topics: Touring | 1 Comment »
First team Clydesdale Ride of the season
By mike | May 3, 2008
This was our first “Team Clydesdale” training ride for the 2007 bike season and we did a variety of distances. Those who met us in the parking lot of the Rochester Library did about 18 miles.
I started from my home and logged 32 miles. Others picked us up along different parts of the Paint Creek Trail and did from 20 to 26 miles.
Here’s a short video on today’s ride:
Our next Team Clydesdale ride will be May 17. Again, we’ll meet at 8:30 am in the parking lot of the Rochester Library. This time we’ll head west on the Clinton River Trail.
Topics: Training | 3 Comments »
Group training ride Sat. May 3 still on
By mike | May 2, 2008
… but if it’s pouring rain or bad weather is obviously imminent… I’ll train indoors.
Looks like it will be cloudy, with maybe some drizzles, but not worse. We can handle that, right?
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My first ride event of the season - come join me
By mike | April 18, 2008
I just signed up for the Ride for Hope on June 28th.
I will be joining many others who will be pedaling their bikes between 23 and 67 miles in an effort to raise money forExtreme Response International.
Extreme Response International is a nonprofit, global outreach organization dedicated to providing relief and support to people in extreme, often life-threatening conditions. With a passion for the world’s poor, Extreme Response International programs target those at greatest risk.
The ride is in Attica, MI, located between Lapeer and Imlay City.
There are different distances and surfaces, so you can find just right for your training level. There’s a Bar-B-Que afterwards.
Come join me.
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On the Trail Again
By mike | April 17, 2008
My 2008 bike season welcome video…
Let’s go ride.
Topics: bicycle | No Comments »
My indoor training
By mike | March 31, 2008
Here’s how I’ve tried to stay in shape this past winter.
This is a look at my indoor training setup.
I haven’t been nearly as devoted to this as I’d hoped… thus I’ve gained about 15 pounds over the winter. I have no excuses other than sloth and weak character.
But that is past. I’m doing an hour a day now, five and six days a week on this gear. I’m about to head outside. All my bikes have been cleaned and are ready. Need to get some atteries for the electronics but I should be outside this week.
Meanwhile, here’s my winter setup… and a handy device that heps you forget how boring it is to exercise indoors.
Topics: Training | No Comments »
Let’s get started - It’s spring again!
By mike | March 23, 2008
Are you as ready as I am for a new season of bike riding?
We still have patches of snow around but I started cleaning my bikes this weekend and I’m making my training and ride plans for 2008
This year, I have two long distance rides he wants to do. The first, of course, is my favorite - the Michigander, which this year takes a route that starts July 12 in Grand Rapids and travels north to Traverse City July 18.
The second ride I hope to do is the Tour ‘Da U.P., which meanders across a section of the state’s Upper Peninsula August 3 -7th.
I hope to get out as often as possible starting now as the weather allows but for sure, to kick in the training by late April. I’d be delighted to get some company and invite you join me in training.
I’ll do the long ride every Saturday at 8:30 am and start in the parking lot of the Rochester Public Library starting May 3.
During the week, I’ll be riding about 8:30 am most mornings along Paint Creek Trail between Rochester and Lake Orion, or at the Stony Creek Metro Park in Shelby Township.
Let me know if you’ll be coming by commenting below. I’ll update this regularly as riding season really kicks in.
Topics: Touring | 2 Comments »
Bicycle Tours for Beginners
By mike | February 17, 2008
From Steve Valentino, special to ClydesdaleFitness.com
Bicycle touring is a recreational activity in which an individual goes touring and sightseeing using a bicycle. It is a non-competitive activity done for leisure rather than sport. Bicycle tours help people to get active and into shape. Many people are attracted to bicycle tours.
Bicycle tours may extend from days to weeks then to months and years depending upon one’s plan. But for beginners, it is advised that they only participate in one day tours; after gaining practice, they can go for long trips. Depending upon the terrain and weather, an average person with reasonable fitness and moderate speed can ride thirty to eighty miles a day. For a bicycle tour, body fitness is of utmost importance.
Select a bicycle that fits you; you can select your bicycle at a bike club meeting or your local bicycle store. The cycle should have the capacity to carry luggage. These bicycles should be equipped with a carrier rack and bags. A touring bicycle has a longer wheelbase, which increases stability
There are some basics for individuals who are just beginning bicycle tours. Always use proper clothing; clothes provide comfort while riding. The ride is for fun and fitness, so don’t spend too much time watching the racing team. Always wear a helmet and be careful about the traffic. You should learn how to drink while riding. Start slowly and then gradually increase your speed. Always distribute the weight of your touring kit between the front and rear of your bicycle, and mount the rear bags as far forward as possible for clearance of your heels while pedaling. Always carry a few spares and a couple of handy tools, which can help you to avoid small breakdowns. Before starting the ride, ensure that brakes are working properly. Small gears are required for beginners.
Bicycle Tours provides detailed information on Bicycle Tours, Italy Bicycle Tours, Colorado Bicycle Tours, New Zealand Bicycle Tours and more. Bicycle Tours is affiliated with Bicycle Shops.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino
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Bicycle Tour Vacation Packages – A Great Way To Enjoy Road Cycling While On A True Vacation
By mike | February 10, 2008
From Paul Upson, special to ClydesdaleFitness.com
Touring on a road bicycle provides the cyclist a window into the essence of a place. There is no better way to get the true feeling a village or forest then being in the open air traveling along the road at 15 mph. You will see things that a normal traveler never sees. The sights, the smells, provide a connection that is simply impossible from a car or other high speed means of transportation. It is so easy to stop and experience the local culture when riding a bike. In a car you are past those interesting sights before you realize they exist. Today most people drive on the freeways that bypass most of the history and interesting sights that lie in the small towns and back country roads.
There are a great many ways to enjoy touring on a bicycle. One way is to load your bike up with several days supply of clothes and other things and just ride in some interesting direction. This is the way a true touring purists would most likely approach it. However this is akin to going on a camping trip where you backpack your way into the wilderness and rough it for a few days. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and many people love to do it.
However there is another way that will allow you to enjoy riding on new uncharted roads without the need to be a pack horse. Many bicycle touring companies offer very interesting and enjoyable bicycle tour vacations packages where you can ride your high performance road bike without treating it like a pickup truck. These tours are usually conducted in scenic and historic parts of this country and the world. The tours usually start each day at a nice hotel after you have had a great breakfast and are fresh from sleeping in a comfortable bed. The ride each day can be anywhere from 15-20 miles to as long as 75-100 miles depending on the tour you select. At the end of each day you can relax and dine in an upscale restaurant while exchanging conversation with other cyclists about the day’s adventures. Your luggage arrived at your destination before you did and there was a pleasant room waiting for you to cleanup and refresh. While you were riding there was always a support van close by to help with any mechanical difficulties or offer you a lift up the last long steep hill of the day. On this type of bicycle tour you can enjoy yourself without having to worry about lodging, meals or safe routes to ride. The tour operator does this for you.
In some cases the touring companies schedule bicycle tours centered near a single scenic town or village and conduct the rides for each day out from that home base. You stay in the same hotel for the entire vacation. This variation is great for couples where only one person is a gung ho cyclist; as it allows both members to enjoy their vacation together by providing a variety of non-cycling activities in addition to the bicycle riding. Often on these types of tours there are two rides each day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, allowing anyone to ride one or both rides each day. If desired one of the rides can be skipped in favor of doing some other activities such as shopping, sightseeing etc with the significant other. Even if a person doesn’t ride at all they could still enjoy the other activities and meet up with their other half in the afternoon for dinner and the social activities of the day.
If you are into road cycling but not into roughing it this is a great way to go. It will allow you to explore the many unique places in the country and the world and leave you with a real connection to the culture and history that exist there.
Paul Upson is the owner and operator of Laurel Highlands Cycling Tours. His company specializes in providing upscale bicycle touring vacations in the Laurel Highlands region of southwestern Pennsylvania. http://www.lhct-cycling.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Upson
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