Is it Spring? I’m not ready

It’s unbelievable to walk outside and to actually feel warmth. I like it! I’m strangely paralyzed with decisions. What to do with this gift!!! Clean up the yard, split wood, clean garage, wash car, etc… Forget that I’m goin’ ridin’; well that is if the boss will let me. Let us know how you all put this great weather to use!

I would be remiss if I didn’t send out a special word of deep sympathy for our dear friends Roy and Gretchen. Words cannot express how we feel about the loss of your son Dean. We who know and love you feel the ache and at the same time, also feel quite helpless and inadequate, not knowing what to do or how to help! We can only be here waiting to help you in anyway possible.

Cycling News!!! You need to check this out!!!!

Hi Cyclists!

Here are a couple of items!

THE HOPE RIDE: This Saturday, September 17th. Local cyclists that want to start out with our group should meet in front of the school at 8:00 a.m. We meet down toward the SOUTH side of the school (to the right if you are facing the school). It’s not too late to register for the ride if you have not done so. You can register on line at http://www.hoperide.org. If you use the discount code “SURFINGCOW” you get a discount. If you do register – make sure you list “Shelbyvelo” as your team! When you register “Shelbyvelo” will be listed in a drop down menu – so just pick it! See you Saturday!

TRAINING RIDES: Training rides continue to meet but I think some of the times have changed to 5:30 instead of 6:00. Check with one of the regular riders if you need help figuring out departure times.

As our cycling season begins to wind down, Roy and I would like to thank all of you for your participation, friendship and support in all the local rides and the Energy2Action events. We had another great year with only a few “challenges” and only one major wreck (Time Trial incident in May….ouch! Word up is that the guy that took the windshield in the face was in Gray Goat shopping for a new bike a few months ago!). Please help us thank and support our major sponsors, Gray Goat Sports and Runners Forum, and The Bicycle Shop for their support to the local cyclists with all their needs!

We’ll look forward to many more fun times and exciting experiences in 2012!

Happy Tailwinds!

Wish I Had My Bike; DC Likey bikey :^)

Hey not there to ride so it’s on someone else to report the carnage; come on ya’ll make it saucey. The fan base likesa little drama!!!

Thursday Night Trainer

I’m too tired to even ……………..

Who’s Ridin’, a girl needs to know!!!

Should be a nice evening for a ride…….anyone planning to show at the high school tonight at 6p?

Took my cross bike to Brown County last night and rode the mountain bike trails………..it was fun, but harder than I expected…..so surprised that I didn’t get a flat, or even worse, a broken bone. I slid into a dirt bank one time (wreck), but didn’t actually come off my bike (only unclipped on one side)……at the end, I was tired, sweaty, dirty, and pretty tense (from concentrating so hard). Had a blast…..think I need another bike now :^)

Val

JCT/Clark

ShelbyVelo had a great turnout with Philly, Sled, Jay, Kevin, and myself. Oh and about 40 other riders. I was somewhat concerned at first because I found myself at the back the pack and wondering what I was going to be able to do about it. Luckily the gang didn’t beat up on me too bad last night and was able to muster the energy to make up the slack. I could see Sled, Philly, and Jay well up in the pack and lookin’ comfy, I just hoped that I could hang on long enough to make my way up. I’m not sure but I think we lost Sled on Whiteland Rd. because I had to make a bridge about half way to Hurricane Rd. I thought he was one that I passed. It remained somewhat calm until a freakin’ moron tried to pass the entire pack right before the 4 way by the golf course and almost had a head on with an oncoming car. I’m not sure how we’re suppost to treat a guy that endangers 40+ riders because he’s in so much of a hurry that he would pass blind. Stupid, Stupid, stupid that all I can say. The lead riders had mercy on the majority and kind of sat up, which didn’t really work well for those who couldn’t accelerate quickly up a long grade. I remember giving Philly the come on buddy as we headed up and over the 2nd overpass. I’m thinking he and others were able to bridge back on because the lead riders seem to let up. Well at least until we headed south. I was having one of those nights that seemed like I was either on the pedals hard or hitting my brakes; alot of moving left to avoid the wheel in front of me which I can imagine was driving those behind me a little crazy. The harder I tried to anticipate and change my cadence, the worse I got. I hate that because I know the effect that has on riders trying to follow. We’re suppose to make smooth consistant moves, maintaining position and speed. I only pulled through once while headed east just south of the water plant; it certainly seemed like there were more than enough riders willing to get up front and work hard. So I was content to just hang in and suck some wheel. Jay and I finished with the lead pack neither one really having the gas to seriously sprint. Which I wouldn’t feel right about even if I had the gas to do it especially after the wheel sucking I enjoyed. I’m always surprised to see people making a move at the end after not spending one turn on front. Oh well, to each his own. I had a 24.5 average which always makes me think about Randy the TT king, who manages to do that all by himself for 40K; WOW!
I do have to give Suitcase a shout out. He was up front pushing the pace almost the entire ride. He’s an animal I tell ya!!! Not bad for a guy that’s turning 50 and only been riding 4 or 5 years; genetics, ya that’s it!!! Well done. I would be remiss if I didn’t show a little love for the lil hubbmeister, Ryan. He was upfront shaking and moving doing some real work with his teammates from the wheelman. It was good to make it home with all my part in tact.
JJ

Cycling News form E2A

Hi Cyclists! Here are a couple of reminders!

THE POPCORN ROAD RIDE: THIS Saturday, September 3rd. This ride is in it’s 3rd year. The ride starts in a cute little town, Harrodsburg, which is about 10 miles south of Bloomington on State Rd. 37. The Harrodsburg Community Center sits right on Popcorn Road! We offer three routes – 28 miles, 30 miles and 25 miles. The routes are GORGEOUS! They travel on rolling country roads in southern Indiana. Riders can do one, two or all three routes. This ride benefits The Grace Center Food Pantry. The nice ladies from The Grace Center help us prepare a yummy lunch!! Pre-registration is closed but riders can register on Saturday for $25. The ride starts at 9:00 a.m. Hope to see you there!!! More info at http://www.energy2action.com

THE HOPE RIDE: Saturday, September 17th. Last year we won $1,000 for our local food pantry by having the most registered riders on a team! This year we’re trailing so far – a team from Cincinnati has 17 and Shelbyvelo only has 13. SO – if you are planning on doing The Hope Ride – make sure you register soon and list “Shelbyvelo” as your team! You can register on line at http://www.hoperide.org. If you use the discount code “SURFINGCOW” you get a discount. When you register “Shelbyvelo” will be listed in a drop down menu – so just pick it!

TRAINING RIDES: Mondays at 6:00 p.m. from Coulston (20/25 Miles, marked), Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. from SHS (unmarked), Weds 5:30 p.m. from SHS (21 Miles marked), Thurs at 6:00 p.m. from SHS 6:00 p.m. (unmarked), and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. from the Circle (12, 29, 35 Miles, marked). These training rides are free and lots of fun!! Training Rides continue through September.

Happy Tailwinds!

It’s Tuesday, do you know where your bike is???

Come on people, this is what we’ve been waiting for all year. Late summer/early fall weather. If you’re not riding outside, you are missing out on the best conditions possble.
Monday night trainer- We had the faithful showup last night. That is the faithful plus one; our buddy Kevin Greene. Sled, Mr Plymate, Philly, Val, Kevin, and me. We headed out at a real nice pace and for the most part kept it that way. Our buddy Kevin was feelin’ good and busted out on a couple of downhill tailwind sprints that would make a mother proud. When we’d catch up he had a big grin on his face which is always an indicator that someone is feelin’ good about their bike!!! I have to say I can tell that Kevin has a few more miles in the saddle this season we all know how that feels. We had a flat tire stop, which had an optional pee break in it, because the corn field was right there. We were able to talk about some episode of Jerry Springer that was as good as it gets in the drama/love/relationship area; all this while Philly gave an assist on the tire. You’ll have to ask Val about it or show up to a ride to get the story. It’s one of the perks for showing up to a ride!!! I can’t believe how nice everyone played last night; except for leaving me up front on the homestretch. I kept waiting, waiting, and waiting for the big move and nothin’; well, except for a big grin on Philly’s face and a “we left you up there didn’t we” comment as they cruised by me toward the end. All in all a great ride!!! Thanks to all for working so hard; together!!!
On another note; I want to give cudos to our Man Ty, for having a strong finish to a great mountain bike racing season; I know he was anxious to finish well and that, he did!!! Hopefully he’ll comment an give us the details of his race and how the season ended up for him.
Tonight I’m headed to Clark or the JCT as others call it. It should be as brutal as always. Good weather brings out the hammerfest in those guys; who am I kidding, all weather brings out the hammerfest in that group. If you want a challenge just show up and hang on!!! Others will be leaving the Shelbville high school at 5:30 tonight.
JJ

Thursday Night Trainer!!!

I’m not sure what I learned but I made it out for another ride! Val, Ty, Sled, Jay, and myself made a showing. I guess Wednesday night Jay was the only faithful to show. Can you say burn out!!! It always creeps in this time of year and it shows up in attendence. Hey, quality over quantity, I always say.
Those tailwinds going out always make me wonder; just how much is this going to hurt coming home. Well Sled and I were just saying how we would pull the whole ride if this is how it’s going to be and then we let Ty on front! He even warns us that he needs to ramp it up a little and we still fell apart when he hit 30+; what a beast. I want to wish him luck with his final race at Town Run Sunday. He has had a fantastic year mountain bike racing and with a good finish Sunday, he could, wait, stop, I don’t want to say it out loud; so I’ll just wait for the good news from him Sunday after the race!!! No worries buddy, I’m sending good Karma your way!!! I’ll throw a little prayer in there for good measure!
I want to encourage everyone to check out Road ID website http://www.roadid.com they have some great information regarding rules of the road. It also reminds us to be good ambassadors while out on the road! Something about cutting down on the hatin’ that we sometimes incur while riding, not just from motorists, but each other!!! Imagine that :^)
Have a great weekend and email me any rides, news, or whatever you want as a post!
JJ

This week so far!!!

Monday night was a perfect night for a ride; which makes me wonder why more than 4 riders showed up to ride. Maybe Knarr really was hurt and not just scared of my idle threat. Maybe Val was still reeling from the alleged dropping by Philly last Thurs. Maybe Mings couldn’t get enough food to fuel his scrawny butt, Maybe Ty just needed a real workout and didn’t want us sucking the life out of him, maybe Roy and G left for another 2 week vacation, Maybe Jay just needed a break, Maybe Kyle had to visit the 6 or 8 pack we been hearing about, maybe Scott G just didn’t want to listen to the whining, blah blah blah

Philly, Sled, Mr Plymate, and Myself had a nice cruiser. I don’t have a clue what we averaged and don’t care!!! Everyone pretty much behaved themselves. The only thing of much noteworthyness was Philly and me debating what constitutes being dropped. I tried to reason with him and told him that dropped means dropped. Which my opinion, which I admit is weak at best, is that when you try your hardest but still can’t muster the strength to catch back up; not when a rider sits up for any reason and gets gapped. I say if the rider who gets gapped catches back up and stays on, such rider is not dropped. I’m curious what your thoughts are, so let the games begin.

Tuesday- drove to Clark wanting to ride but not wanting to get wet. A few people showed up but nobody was too enthusiastic about getting wet. About the time the ride was suppose to start, some pretty big drops started hitting my windshield. So I said bye bye and headed for home. I thought to myself I should of went to the local ride but was too late and turns out, they had a pretty good group from Jay post on FB.

Please don’t hesitate to comment; it might be the most exciting news I get all week :^)

JJ