The Friday Connection

Hello friends!
We have two links this week you might enjoy. One link is to a local bike/musical festival, the other link is for the upcoming bike enthusiast/commuter.
Sun Valley Rhythm & Ride Festival, June 24-27, 2010
What's better than music and a little bike riding? Join in the fun for the First Annual Sun Valley Rhythm  & Ride Festival. As described on the website, "Four days of activities in one of the best singletrack mountain biking and scenic road biking environments anywhere."

Event includes:

Ketchum Cruiser Criterium

Sheep Town Fat Tire Rally
 
Sawtooth Century Bicycle Tour
 
First Annual Idaho Pump Track State Championships
 
Dollar Mountain 10K Trail Run
 
Musical Headline Concerts in Hailey and Sun Valley



Website: http://www.svrhythmandride.com

Facebook Fan Page

Bike Your Drive
REI offers a wealth of information on lots of different topics, but this week we will be looking information on Bike Your Drive. If you're looking for basic bicycle maintenance tips,  how to ride in traffic, or just what the parts on your bike are named this is the site for you. They have videos, articles, and an interactive parts guide. Help make your ride anywhere a little better by visiting today!

Website: http://www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive

Bye Bye Mountain Bike, CBR & Physical Therapy

Man, lately life has been a whirlwind. The warming weather, the longer days, the increased mileage (a la bicyclette) are all indicators that  STP is looming right around the corner. There is a lot to share, but this go 'round I'll keep it to a minimum.

Bye Bye Bicycle.
Last Friday marked the departure of an old friend—my Trek 4300 mountain bike. My bro, Reed, completed his family of bicycles with the gold, black, and red stunner. He was the last member of his little fam without a ride. I foresee many happy days of biking ahead of him! (Who knows, maybe next year he will be riding in STP?)

Community Bicycle Rides (CBR) Rocks.
I put on my 'fearless' hat, with bike in tow, and headed to Ken's Bicycle Warehouse, Saturday's designated meeting spot for the CBR ride.  It was 10 a.m. and upon arrival I spied a sea of jerseys, helmets, and bikes everywhere. Talk about intimidating!

After announcements the group took off like a swarm of mad bees descending upon Overland/Five Mile. (If you saw over 60 cyclists on Overland Road last weekend it was us.) I stayed toward the back to observe and had the chance to chat with Jeff Larson for a stretch. From the sounds of it this group has gotten pretty big, but it will probably thin out a bit this summer. It's nice to see so many interested riders participating.

I had the chance to meet a handful of other enthusiasts, too. This is what really made this event successful for me . . . nice people. We encountered a couple folks with flat tires and each time these guys stopped to help. The CBR really is what you make of it. You can go as long, or fast as you like. You can be a die-hard rider or just out to enjoy the morning. If you're thinking about joining for a weekend ride . . . just do it! You'll thank yourself later.

Reasons to Participate in a CBR Ride

• You can select from a handful of different distances to ride.
• If you have trouble someone will help you.
• It is a great way to learn to ride in a group.
• You learn knew cycling routes.  
• Get informed! This is a great place to learn about what is going on (cycling wise) in our community. 
• Newbies can learn the rules of the road.
• You can put some lead into it. (The average speed for the group I was in was 18 mph, but you know the diehards are going faster than that!)
• These people are out to have a good time.
• It beats riding alone.
• And, if anything, you can see what the latest cycling fashions are.

So, what are you waiting for?

Physical Therapy Schmerapy.
I was lucky to be virtually pain-free through the weekend. However, my plan is to be pain-free a majority of the time. This requires a little help from new friends. I met with Jay & Sam, a couple of physical therapists recommended by my doc, this week. They shared a variety of stretches to incorporate into my daily routine. Apparently, my hips/pelvis area is really tight, causing strain on my IT Band.

After visiting with them for an hour I felt the burn, but I am so excited to be able keep riding. (Now if the Idaho weather would cooperate!) The good news? Simple stretching exercises will help the pain and bring fun back into the equation. I'm glad this has happened early instead of in the middle of STP!

Even better news? Jay is going to 'bike fit' me on Tuesday. I now know this is essential. Who rides 204 miles without a bike fit? Not I. I will share more about this next week. Stay tuned . . .

Don't forget May marks National Bike Month. Get your cruisers, mountain bikes, recumbents, or other two-wheelers ready for the great season ahead.

I hope to see you out there!

News from the North

I had a chance to catch up with Debbie the other day. She seems to be doing well and training up a storm. She had a couple nasty spills, which have caused a great deal of pain her shoulder, but she is killing her training by hitting 50 miles in two hours on the stationary bike four times a week! Way to rock, Lady! I'm pretty sure she'll be able to whip STP into shape, maybe in one day! I don't think I can compete with that—I'll be cheering her on from the rear. :)

In other news . . . here is a fun link for all you Mac lovers! If you were needing another reason to purchase the iPad, here it is. This special 'app' doubles as a turn signals mastermind for your bike. Check it out here.

Three Cyclists Honored

Yesterday at the University of Phoenix the three area cyclists who met tragedy on Idaho roadways were honored in a special memorial.

KTVB reports here.

The Friday Connection

Another Friday, another Friday Connection!

When you hit the road for an extended ride you probably carry cash, but do you carry identification? If you were to have an accident would someone know how to contact your family? Would they know vital medical information in case of injury?

Today's link is to RoadID.com. This is a versatile medical identification/alert system that offers a variety of products such as: 'dog' tags, bracelets, and shoe pouches. Check them out. If you spend any time in the great outdoors this is a must have.

The Friday Connection

Hello cycling friends!

As the weather warms up (Whoo hoo! Boise's high should be 74° today) more of us will be out cruising the streets.  What better way to celebrate the greatness that is bicycling than with a Bike Week? In today's Friday Connection we are going to highlight some May Bike Week activities and a special artist.

Both Boise and Sandpoint have Bike Weeks. Here is the run-down:

Boise Bike Week

May 16-22, 2010

www.boisebikeweek.org
These events include (but are not limited to) a vintage bike swap, Pedal parade, intro to road biking, and picnic. The full schedule can be found here.

Sandpoint Bike Week

May 19-22, 2010

pendoreillepedalers.com
There will be a bike swap, a ride of silence, the Sandpoint Bicycle Film Festival, and more!

We hope to see you at these events!


For fun the next link is to an artist named Cache who incorporates street art and bicycles. His work just makes one want to smile. Check it out.

No Pain, No Gain

Last weekend marked two of the best rides of the season—so far. I am not sure if it was the feeling of adventure that comes with a map and the unknown, the quiet of beautiful country spaces, or the freedom to soar over 20 miles an hour that made these trips so alluring. (It could have been the nice weather, the company of a friend, or the promise of a yummy lunch, too) This is what biking, er . . . cycling is all about. The "fun" that is two-wheels to pavement.

Saturday was the exploratory ride out to Eagle. The rural roads are a pleasure to ride on out there. I even came across a tractor to keep pace with. Sunday was much the same route but a longer distance, out past Meridian road. There was also a nice detour into Eagle for lunch.

But for all the mileage and fun there can be a price to pay. For a few weeks I have been dealing with knee pain in hopes it might evaporate as quickly as it appeared. To date it still haunts me like a bad high school photograph. It usually hits around the 20 mile mark, feeling somewhat like a charlie-horse-sucker-punch to the side of the knee. As a result I usually wind up limping home at a much slower pace. Frankly, this won't do.

My theory is that it is an illiotibial band issue, which is pretty common in runners and cyclists. But as Mom says, "Where did you intern at?" I will be hitting up a specialist next week to get to the heart of the matter. I don't want to this to derail my STP train.

As defined by Web MD:

Iliotibial band syndrome. The iliotibial band is a piece of tough tissue that runs from your hip down to your shin. If it's irritated by overuse or other problems, it can get swollen and cause pain on the outside of the knee.

From what I have read on the "interweb" it looks like a couple factors can contribute to this issue—improper bike fit and a large increase in mileage. Here is a good link that was sent over from a Twitter friend, @BicycleLab, on the issue, demonstrating the use of a foam roller & tennis ball.

A friend from Kristin's Cycling Academy said she has issues with her IT band and finds yoga and stretching to be very helpful in easing the pain. Have you experienced this type of pain? How did you deal with it; what worked for you?

The Friday Connection

Happy Friday, friends!

This week we have two links for you! The first link was sent over from our friend, Linzi, at Destination26.2. It is an article from the Idaho Statesman titled How to  Become a Better Biker. These are some great tips for anyone who rides a bike. Fabulous. Thanks, Linz!

The second link comes out of the Adventure Cyclist. If you ever wanted to know the ins and outs of gearing this is the article for you!

Have a great weekend. Hope we see you out there.

Happy peddling!

Boise Road Cycling Routes

Cha-chink!

Cha-chink!

CHA-CHINK-CHINK-CLINK!

These are the garbled words of protest my bike chain has been bellowing the last two or three weeks. Initially, it had me worried—what's wrong with my favorite little bike? But realizing the Randonee has taken me well over 450 miles in the last three months, and had yet to go in for her first (free) adjustment, I decided to kill two birds with one stone.

I took my bike in earlier in the week to get tuned up, which meant I could pick it up on Wednesday, the same day as REI's Boise Cycling Routes presentation with Steve Stuebner. Like a kid in a candy store, I was filled with excitement to pick up my bike before the seminar. You don't realize how much you miss your bike until it is gone. (Hmmm . . . sounds like a song in the making, doesn't it?)

I was just as excited to see what Boise's local author and outdoors enthusiast (Mr. Stuebner) had to offer in way of cycling routes. He is responsible for publishing the first Boise area cycling map. A couple buddies of mine showed up to listen in on the talk, too. And when the final folks were filing in I was pleasantly surprised to see a new friend, one from Kristin's Cycling Clinic, had arrived for the talk also!

We listened as Steve showed us several different routes around the valley. You can ride anywhere from an easy Greenbelt loop to the more ambitious Bogus Basin trek. Basically, the area cycling map covers all the loops he talked of, so don't despair if you missed the seminar. It can be yours for only 12 bucks and some change at any local bike shop, running store, or REI. And as my new friend pointed out, a lot of the area cycling groups ride these same routes.

With a little more inspiration in pocket I think I will be venturing out on one of the more rural loops this weekend. I have been longing to ride out to Eagle and take on some hills, knees willing.

Happy Birthday to Us!

H A P P Y    B I R T H D A Y !

Happy Birthday to the STP Experiment! We have been officially online for one year!

Boise Bicycle Congress: Commuting for the Ladies

You know you're a sucker for cycling information when you spend your birthday discussing wicking fabrics, funky tan lines, and bike helmets with perfect strangers instead of enjoying a pitcher of margaritas with the girls. What was the reason? It was the Sixth Community Bicycle Congress: Workshops for Women Who Want to Commute by Bike held on March 24, 2010 at Boise State University (BSU).

The workshop was more of a gathering of varying degrees of commuter types. Everyone from die-hard riders to newbies were there, all sharing information. George C. Knight, a professor at BSU and a chair on the ACHD Bicycle Advisory Committee, facilitated the day's forum.

I was able to stay for two of the three speakers for the evening. One was from Idaho Mountain Touring and the other from Title 9 Sports. Both shops are located in downtown Boise. 

Annie, who is with Idaho Mountain Touring (IMT), began our workshop. She shared different types of wicking fabrics popular for commuting. (Wool, can you believe it?! Merino wool, that is.) It doesn't smell, it regulates temperature, and you can get it in thick and thin varieties. She also said you could, and would, spend some money on quality cycling apparel. However, if you hunt for good deals you can find them. 

She also pointed out that planning your commute ahead of time is essential to your success. She favors http://weather.noaa.gov/ for getting daily weather updates.

And did you know that IMT is putting on a bike clinic of (2) 3 hour sessions that teach folks how to work on their rides? They are . . . when exactly, I am not sure (I have an email into the shop to find out more). It is tentatively scheduled for April sometime, but I will keep you posted.

We also heard from Mindy of Title 9. She brought a backpack full of wash and wear (and stuff in your panniers) clothes—togs specifically made for active lifestyles. All fabrics were of poly-blends, Moreno wool, and/or Modal to wick sweat and enable iron-free wear. Title 9 has some great casual chic apparel for the active ladies in all of us. (I'd buy the whole store if I could.)


Mindy also stressed using "sport washes" for wicking fabrics to keep to keep them smelling good. She said she was able to find these at the Swim & Run Shop and IMT.

What was most enlightening about the congress was listening to the other commuters share their wisdom. The handful of women (and one man) attending were between the ages of 34 to 60 years of age. One woman spoke of regularly commuting to work from Meridian to Boise. She's been riding for three years. Another lady rides her bike EVERYWHERE. She even has a BOB Trailer for big trips to the grocery store. Inspiring, right?


These ladies were full of tips, too. Here are a few random side notes you might want to put in your memory bank. 

• Emerald is one of the safer roads in town. (It has a bike lane.)
• Helmet covers can help with the inevitable helmet hair when it rains.
• A handerchief in the summer is a must to keep the sweat out of your eyes.
• Chamois Butt'r
• Browse in the store to see how bike shorts fit and then purchase them online for the best deals. (Shorts can vary widely by manufacturer.)
• Sierra Trading Post can be a great place for inexpensive riding goods.  
• Triathlete shorts are a good option if you are looking for a thinner chamois.  
• A small fan can make a great desk accessory to help commuters cool down. 
• Baby wipes rock for sweaty cleanup.
  

The part of the congress I didn't get to attend focused on systems that help minimize flats and actual flat tire repair. All in all, it was a worthwhile clinic for new and old commuting types. The good news? There are still three more workshops to attend. 

In fact, there is one tonight from 4:30-7:00 p.m. (Tuesday, April 6, 2010) at Boise State in the Student Union Farnsworth Room. Get on over to BSU and get your bike bell ringing!

See what the Bicycle Congress has to offer you. 

Kristin's Clinic Hits the Road to Sun Valley

Kristin Armstrong Cycling Academy is hitting the road and will be rolling into Sun Valley for three days from May  28-30, 2010. If you are interested in participating in the Women's Road Cycling Skills Clinic now is your chance! Click here for the detailed event flier and contact information.

The Friday Connection

When considering commuting via bicycle there are a lot of things to think about. You have to PLAN. One of the things you have to plot in advance is your route to where you're going. I was in Idaho Mountain Touring last weekend in search of a map of the Boise area. Not just any map—a map that would tell me what streets have bike lanes or bike paths (because as a driver I never quite pay attention to those details). What I was presented with was a great map of trails, not city streets.

On a mission to find such a map I began "googling" my way around. What I found was Ada County Highway District's (ACHD) website. BINGO! They had exactly what I was looking for. Their Roadways to Bikeways program is working on making Boise a bike friendlier city. In the "Related Documents" (on the above linked page) is a nice map of Boise defining bike lanes, bike paths, and areas under construction. This is perfect for the potential bike commuter extraordinaire.

Link two is for a great site discovered only yesterday—just in the nick of time.
Are you up for a challenge? Do you think you could ride your bike for 30 days? This website http://30daysofbiking.com/bike/ challenges you to do just that. The stories posted on the site are inspiring, from everyday Janes & Joes turned two-wheeling fans. If you did ride your bike for a month how do you think it would change you? Would it?

 Here's to wishing you and yours a very happy Friday.

Happy peddling!