Bike day thoughts

or - "But she didn't want cheeseburgers"*

That's Andy, Bicycling for Louisville director, Jimmy, me, and Marcus standing out in the freezing temperatures spreading the word about our club at the bike day last week. Zach and Quentin were also there for support and Justin Mog from U of L sustainability stopped by with some bikes maps. Thanks to everyone who came and helped. We passed out some fliers, and had one new attendee at the meeting afterwards (glad you could make it Elijah!). We even got to work on a few bikes for some students (3, maybe 4!?). Just shows that it pays to ride even when it's cold out.

Besides generating some publicity, I took away a couple inspirations for the club:

1. Reduce Theft

Lots of students said their bikes had been stolen. In most cases it's probably something like this: They move into a dorm or student housing in the fall and park their bike at the adjacent bike rack with a flimsy cable lock. They use it to get around campus etc. occasionally but then for whatever circumstance (say winter perhaps) they don't use it for a few months, during which time it gets stolen, which is not hard to do. I've cut the locks off two bikes on campus before (one mine, the other a friends, both because the lock was stuck shut). It only takes a couple minutes and no one bats an eye.

As our presence as a club increases we'll be able to inform students about the advantages of a sturdy U-lock, and get everyone more engaged in cycling which reduces the ease and oppotunity for theft. We're still limited in scope though, I'm not sure what the freshman orientation is like now but the university should include some info about storing, parking and riding your bike around. You know, while they're talking about the different car parking permit colors, lots, garages, meters, shuttles and all the other shit that's necessary for us to drive our cars everywhere.

That aside, campus residents currently don't have much of an option for bike storage. Dorms/Kurz/Bettie etc. are small enough to make keeping your bike inside a hassle. Racks are great for bike parking, storage not so much. I'm wary just to leave my bike locked up on campus overnight. Most residences already have bike racks outside. It would be simple to put a fence around them with a gate that could be unlocked with it's respective building's entry fob. A roof would be nice to protect from the elements and increase security but just a decent fence would be enough to strongly discourage theft.

2. Get Pumped

The majority of student cyclists are riding on underinflated tires. They probably don't know how much proper inflation improves the bike's efficiency and reduces the risk of pinch flats. Marcus tried to offer assistance to a girl rolling by on some flatties but she quickly locked her bike up and ran away. He inflated the tires anyway and I'm sure she's experiencing a faster, smoother ride now! So what if we had a "GET PUMPED!!!" day where we traverse campus, pumps in hand and make sure tires of the parked bikes are inflated to proper pressure? Then tag the bikes with a flier that says something like "Air in your tires, courtesy of U of L cycing. Get pumped!" Obviously there are some concerns with messing with peoples bikes but I think we could pull it off. Input appreciated.

That's all I got. Good luck on finals everyone!

*inside joke

Bike day tomorrow

Just a reminder of our club bike day on campus tomorrow from 11am -1pm. It's at the foot of the SAC ramp. Heres a map if you don't know where that is (green arrow):

View Larger Map

And we're back - Gravel Grovel edition

First a couple bits of news: U of L cycling club is holding a bike day on campus at the foot of the SAC ramp Wednesday, December 1 from 11 am to 1 pm. We'll be talking to people about how great biking and our club in particular is so if you want to know more about either of those topics, drop by and see us. Also we'll be offering free minor repairs for student bikes: brake and derailleur adjustments, that kind of thing. I plan on tooling around on my 5 ft tall giraffe unicycle to attract attention. It'll be fun.

Second, we were interviewed by a reporter from The Cardinal (U of L student newspaper) for an article which should be coming soon. The Cardinal is available for free at stands around campus.

Now, today's events. Marcus and I headed to Story, IN for the 2nd annual Gravel Grovel which featured lots of gravel and a fair amount of groveling to boot. It's a race over a 100km course consisting of mainly gravel fire roads but considerable sections of single/doubletrack and pavement as well. Mountain and cross bikes are both allowed. Marcus and I both palped our cross whips for this adventure.

The start/finish line was at the Story Inn, a collection of rustic buildings, in the Hosier National Forest. Temperatures were a little above freezing which is about optimum for riding a bike as far as i'm concerned. We rode out from the start line on pavement parade style past a narrow bridge to make sure everyone got across safely. Soon after we reached the first gravel: a steep winding climb with an equally steep descent on the back side. Hurtling down a loose gravel slope on 32c tires in a large pack of riders was one of my scariest/most exciting times on a bike!

Next was the half singletrack/half doubletrack. It was damp but not muddy from the recent rain and the creek crossings were flowing. I made it through with out incident and it was fun watching the long thin column of cross bikes (some mtn bikes too) navigate the trail. Marcus told me there were some mass dismounts at the creek crossings farther back in the pack.

More gravel after the trail. I was moving forward and eventually spotted the lead pack with aa mtn biker on my wheel. I closed the gap some but began to slow up. As I did the mtn biker came around me saying "Let's go catch em!" I was like "Yeah, we're gonna get there!" and accelerated with him. Not five seconds later I felt my front tire go flat! I was forced to stop and change the tube while Marcus and several other riders passed me by. (Marcus did yell to make sure i was ok)

I retook several riders before finding myself alone on the course for a couple long stretches. Props to the race organizers for the course marking as I never felt lost despite making many consecutive turns without another rider in sight. There were some really nice views of the scenery as the sun occasionally peeked through the partial cloud cover. At one point I beheld some amber waves of grain blowing in the wind.

The course was somewhat an out and back. Halfway through the return leg I caught up to Marcus and talked a bit before continuing on with another rider on a cross bike who I was able to hang with until he rode away from me on the singletrack. The return trip on the trail was far different from the first: quiet, peaceful, and much slower.

After that the big hill was the only remaining obstacle. I elected to ride it which probably wasn't the wisest tactical choice as the two hike-a-bikers i passed on the way up caught and passed me on the road back to the start finish line. I finished in about 4 hours with Marcus not far behind. Chili and Coke were waiting for us at the finish; props to the organizers again, both were delicious! No pictures but several photographers were on the course so maybe there will be some official photos I can link to later.

The Gravel Grovel was great event, one which I will be attending next year; circumstances permitting. My legs are way sore now. One of the veterans from the first race said we'll feel like we've been hit by a bus the next day and I can only believe that he'll be proven correct.

Now I'll leave you with a glimpse of me racing cross while dressed as a girl scout with skirt, sash, leggings and pigtails at OVCX #9: Storm the Greens. (seen at Velo Louisville) I come in from the left at 0:20. Girl power and thin mints helped me avoid that mess in the sand pit at 0:40. The leggings held up better than I thought they would, but they got a couple runs in them. I still need to give Sonya her skirt and sash back...

UCI3 Harbin Park Race Re-cap

Last Saturday was the Harbin Park Cyclocross Race up in Cincinnati. Marcus and I both raced in Cat 4, Marcus's first cross race, and Zach came along for support and spectating. After arriving at the venue, Marcus and I went to volunteering and guarded a course crossing just downstream from the uphill portion of the sand pit so we got to see the Cat 2/3 men and Elite Masters men struggle up that beast before we got our shot at it.

Marcus with his orange crossing guard flag. I was on the opposite side wearing a bright green safety vest which shone with such radiance that it was impossible to photograph.

After our volunteer shift was over, we all headed to skyline for a pre-race meal then back to the park in time to catch the elite men's race. Ryan Trebon and Jeremy Powers rode away from the field and J-Pow was able to hold off several charges from Tree-bon for the win.

Trebon going over the barriers. Between his towering stature and shiny glasses he looks like some kind of bionic man, one specifically constructed to kick ass on a bike.

With the pro race over, Marcus and I were able to get a warm up/course recon lap in before our race start. The course was long and dusty, making handling unpredictable especially on some corners which had be worn through a long day of racing. It featured a sand pit which you had to cross uphill then down. For the uphill part I decided to dismount and run it the first lap and maybe ride it later when the field had thinned out some. Downhill I decided to ride every time. On the back end of the course there were some fast sections which I definitely could have used some more practice to carry my speed through.

In the starting gate Marcus and I both lined up on the far right. When the gun went off I had a good line on the outside was was able to get past some slower traffic with Marcus not too far behind. We soon reached the uphill sand pit where Zach perfectly captured the feel of Cat 4 cross racing with this video:

The dude who gets the hole shot trips, dragging his bike halfway through the pit, then the whole stampede comes stumbling through in a big mess. I reach the sand pit at about 0:17 (orange jersey #429) and Zach yells at me just as I leave the frame. Then Marcus comes by in the foreground at 0:30 (green jersey, #434). This video is total Cat 4 cross though: crowded, chaotic and cowbell, lots of freaking cowbell.

Anyway after that craziness I found myself pretty close to the front and got to work at what felt like a pace i could sustain for the 40 minute race. The first two laps I I totally botched the two aforementioned high speed turns but rode the downhill sand pit ok, although someone pushed me off the bike the 2nd time and I had to scoot it down the rest of the pit. But hey, all's fair right? By lap 3 I got competent enough to carry some momentum on the high speed turns. I was also feeling a bit of heartburn from the pre-race skyline but a beer hand-up on the back of the course quelled the fire. After 3 laps I saw only one more to go and tried to give it a little extra but didn't see anyone in Cat 4 open in front of or behind me. Two guys behind me in the 45+ division were racing for a podium spot though and I let them by. I huffed and puffed up the last hill one more time and finished right at 40 minutes, 10th/35 in Cat 4.

Me hauling up this hill.

Marcus doing battle.

I found Zach, Marcus and John Molnar at the finish line. Marcus had a rough go, with multiple crashes and picked up a knock to the head. He thinks he finished two laps before getting pulled. The important thing is he kept fighting like a champ. That's U of L cycling, good show Marcus.

Overall it was a good day and I'm excited for more racing. OVCX goes to Bloomington this weekend but of course we'll be at the bike polo tournament (see Zach's post below). Just to reiterate for all you hot tea and crumpet types.

Things are holding steady from an organizational standpoint, not much to report since my last post. Please bug me to get this club sport constitution done soon ok? Thanks.

Do not forget what Saturday is! what is Saturday, you might be asking while sipping you hot tea and nibbling a crumpet? If the giant flyer here-------->

was not hint enough its the Bluegrass Boondoggle. Louisville HBP, Fuckgas.org and we have been putting this shindig together for a while now in conjunction with Bicycling for Louisville. The only people who don't know about it would be those who sip hot tea, nibble crumpets and don't follow any cycling blogs like the always entertaining All Hail the Black Market or Velo Cast (listen around the 32min).

If you happen to be in the area or within a couple hours driving range this is worth checking out.

It is pretty outside go ride your bike!

Progress

Things are starting to take shape with the whole club thing after a busy week! We are having an interest meeting Wednesday October 21 at 2:30 and 7:00 on campus (specific location TBD). They'll be informal, just some of us from the club there to answer questions and give you some information about the opportunities we can offer to student cyclists.

Dr. Marion Hambrick, sports administration faculty, generously donated his time and expertise to help us prepare a budget for spring racing season and put together sponsorship packages to offer to potential sponsor companies. We hope to then have some sponsors in place by early November so we can order team kits with the U of L and sponsor logos to be ready for the start of spring races. If you represent a business large or small and are interested in supporting the club, do drop us a line for more info on sponsorship levels and benefits!

Besides organizational stuff we did some riding too. I joined Marcus, Kendra and the Student Art League at the Rogue Noir gallery opening on the First Friday trolley hop. We admired some of the students' work which was great but the gallery did have some empty space so we filled it:

Title: Road Rash

This work symbolizes function and utility perseverance over form and fashion as Kendra's old school Schwinn keeps on trucking right on over Marcus's and my fixies who's clean lines could not overcome their uncomfortable gearing and worn tires from epic skidzzz. After the picture was taken we put all our flashing bike lights on for a very cool rave effect. That symbolizes how... ok i'm out of ideas. If you would like your bike featured in our next temporary" collaborative art installation," join us on the next downtown trolley.

Wednesday we had our ride departing from campus. I wasn't able to come because of school obligations but apparently they:

Scored free food at the art building...

Rode up Iroquois Hill...

and down!

Looks like a good time and I'll certainly be at the next one: Wednesday at the campus main gate at 5:15

One more item: Pickup bike (and unicycle) polo games are resuming leading up to the Bluegrass Boondoggle Tournament. Games are happening tonight at 9pm at the garage so come check it out. I have a bangin' new mix to play on the boombox (the last one was admittedly meh) and it promises to be a good time. Head to the LHBP Blog for more info.

Donuts Schmo-nuts

With our late arrival, beer and donuts in tow, Will and I found BK in 5th in the cat 4 race. He was promptly rewarded for his had work. and we settled in for a couple of cold hours of cheering jeering and hand-ups. the High Life wasn't in great supply among the riders but the donuts caught favor with the back of the pack in the 2nd lap of 3*. Non of the junior riders we interested in the hand ups until after the race when a few dropped by for a donut hole. One women, stating that she was afraid of crashing if she removed a hand from her bars, opened wide which resulted in me attempting to hit a moving target. Needless to say this did not end well. She was a good sport about me more or less smacking her with a donut. Several successful hand ups resulted in a productive day.

We need ideas for hand ups next week. if you have any suggestions hit me up below. i'm leaning toward bite size snickers.

*this course is better suited a mountain bike than a CX rig, laps were long, painful and slow.