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

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.

Upcoming Community Classes

It's hard to believe that come April 7th we'll have been on our Seattle to Portland mission for a year!  What better way to celebrate our almost anniversary than with some links to some area community classes?

Boise Area REI Classes 

(Register for classes on the website here.)

April 7, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Road Cycling Routes in Boise

April 14, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Mountain Biking Basics

April 21, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Basics of Supported Bike Touring

Locate your local REI store here and find out what classes they have for you!

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Boise State University Sixth Annual Community Bicycle Congress

http://www.boisestate.edu/bicyclecongress/

This workshop is a great chance to share your experiences as a commuter or to learn tips for commuting via bicycle. I had a chance to attend the workshop on March 24 and it was a great conversation on commuting. (More to come from this seminar this weekend.) Below is a description from Boise State's website on what the Congress is all about.

 This year's Bicycle Congress will attempt to stimulate conversations about womens' experiences in bicycle commuting, and will offer a grassroots mentoring program to help women who strive to balance societal roles and transportation choices. On each of four evenings during March and April, the Bicycle Congress will host informative workshops featuring leaders from the cycling community to promote mutual support and to stimulate public discourse. These recurring clinics (no need to attend more than one) are scheduled from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:

March 24 (Wednesday) - Student Union Hatch Ballroom A
April 6 (Tuesday) - Student Union Farnsworth Room
April 20 (Tuesday) - Student Union Hatch Ballroom A
April 27 (Tuesday) - Student Recreation Center Classroom


We hope to see you out there!

Debbie Gets New Wheels!

New Wheels

The Friday (13th) Connection

Happy Friday 13th, everyone!

Today has been a phenomenal day in so many ways. We took our second trip to REI this week (footage coming soon). It is always nice when you get to spend a little $ in the big house of Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI). Every time we visit I am flabbergasted by the awesome customer service we receive. (Thank you to Ray and the nice blonde gentleman that helped us at checkout.)

Today was a major bike purchase. We got the chance to take the Randonee for a spin (HEAVEN—really, I am not kidding). That baby moves--it makes our mountain bikes look like they are standing still when we're huffing up the Greenbelt.

We also got a chance to test out the The Art of Storage's less expensive bicycle storage solution "the Michelangelo." See photo below.




(Keep in mind, no one pays us for our opinions . . . we just have them. )

I purchased this little baby in hopes that it would free up some room in my two bedroom apartment. Boy did it! I can't tell you how pleased I am with this unit and I have only had it for two hours. It took less than 20 minutes to assemble and has freed up some major room in my living room. (It would be great in a garage, too.)

If you're interested in learning more about this unit check it out at: http://www.rei.com/product/751324

Helmetless in Boise . . .

. . . with melon intact.

Yep, that's right. I don't have a helmet. Somehow it mysteriously has disappeared from my car. This was an unwelcome surprise this evening as I ventured out with the Linz for my first ride with my clipless pedals. I was certain there would be some road rash/melon busting in my future.

I am happy to report that I had a very smooth transition to the clipless pedals. I did arm myself with some internet research prior to hopping in the saddle. The best video I found was on YouTube under the SchwinnBicycles channel. You can view the video here.

Cycling shoes with the compatible SPD cleat.

The best tip I can give you is to plan ahead. When you're clipped in your footsies aren't going anywhere. When coming to a stop you need to release one foot that touches the ground to support your weight. To release you just gently twist your foot outward and POOF it releases. Pretty easy.

I was lucky . . . this time. And I am very excited to begin training in a more efficient way. It really seems to make quite a difference. Now I just need to get a new helmet!

Clipless pedals and an REI newbie!

Monique experiences REI for the first time and Paige gets her pedals installed!

REI on the 4th of July

We took a trip to REI on the 4th of July. We were in search of bike shorts for Debbie.

Camera in hand, we asked staff if we could film in the store. (Some places aren't too keen on filming in their establishments.) We were then sent to the back receiving area to talk to a manager. In the trip to the back we spoke to three different people who were either helpful, supportive of our cause, or both.

Impressive.

I think this is why we keep coming back to REI. They have really great people working there, so good customer service is effortless for them.

And yes, we were granted permission to film . . .




We would also like to thank Lee for providing some much needed advice. Not only did he share knowledge about some touring bikes with us, but he sought us out later to show us some great resources, and to ensure Debbie purchased the proper bike shorts.

Now that is great customer service. Thank you.

The two touring bikes we are looking at:

The Randonee

The Safari

May is Bike to Work Month

Pedaling past the silent glistening river, passing a family of three enjoying the arrival of spring, and meandering through the neighborhood, discovering a new route are all beautiful byproducts of riding one's bike. Imagine having this peaceful experience while heading to work. May is Bike to Work Month and the week of May 11-15 is Bike to Work week.

Here are some interesting facts obtained from REI's Bike Your Drive website that might inspire you to ride your bike to work one day during the week.


Biking Facts: Did You Know?

5 reasons to bike your drive

The average person loses 13 pounds their first year of commuting by bike.

40% of all car trips in the U.S. are made within 2 miles of home.

60% of the pollution created by autos happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively.

Just 3 hours of biking per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.

The U.S. could save 462 million gallons of gas a year by boosting bicycle trips just half a percentage point: from 1% to 1.5% of all trips.

Information courtesy of Trek Bicycle Corporation.

For more information about what your community is doing to participate in Bike to Work Month visit the League of American Bicyclists website.


Idaho Events for Bike to Work Month

REI Seminar: Preparing for Touring Rides

Bike touring . . . what does that mean? It sounds like a lot of sweating, blisters, and Gu. Could it really be fun? The STP Gang wanted to know, so we took a trek over to the Boise REI to learn more about touring.

The free seminar lasted about an hour and 20 minutes and proved to be another fabulously informative class. (Did we mention it was free?) Representatives from the YMCA, Ride Idaho, and Boise Bike Wrench were present to cover topics such as: training, gear, nutrition, and bike mechanics.

Emily Williams with the YMCA covered what to expect of a bike tour and used Ride Idaho as an example. Ride Idaho is an annual event that explores the wonders of Idaho. It is described on their website as, ". . . seven days of great food, outrageous fun, awesome entertainment, and some riding that will curl your spokes." Two hundred and forty participants are expected for this year's race scheduled for Sunday, August 9 - Saturday, August 15, 2009.

How do you TRAIN for a bike tour?
Brett Tinker talked about the importance of proper training. Items he covered were:

• Community Bicycle Rides - Get some mileage in. Join a local cycling club.


• Cycling is an Ageless Sport - You will find riders of all ages on the road. You are never too old or too young to start.


• Commute - Commuting is an easy way to increase your mileage.


• Hills - You will have to climb a hill at some point in your cycling career. You CAN do it. Go at a pace you are comfortable with and you will be successful. Oh, and remember, you have to come down that hill, too.


• Nutrition - Hydration + Nutrition are KEY!



• Train - The YMCA provides a great training guide here.


• Spin - Spinning class is good!


• Two Days - You will need to work up to trainings that happen two days in a row.

What kind of GEAR are you going to need?

• Air Pumps - You will need a floor pump with a gauge + a small, mini pump to carry on your ride.


• Tube - Tuck this bad boy into your seat pack. You will need it at some point.


• Polyester - Clothing made for wicking away sweat can be a life saver (or comfort saver).


• Sunscreen


• Helmet


• Bike Shoes - Stiff shoes transfer more power to the pedals. No need to lose all that energy--use it!


• Bike Fit - Make sure your ride is properly fitted for you (the recommendation was to look into GFIt).


• Water Bottle or Hydration Pack - Drink, drink, drink, drink!


• Chamois Butt'r or Body Glide - Keep your parts chafe free (hopefully).


• headband or beanie


• Arm Warmers


• Leg Warmers


• Booties


• Cycling Socks


• Bike Shorts - You know, the spandex kind with the padding in the center. It will save your . . .


• Jacket - The dayglo variety adds a safety factor and keeps you warm.


• Sunglasses

What about NUTRITION?

• Eat Breakfast. Eat it every day. It is the fuel that makes you successful. Make sure to add protein for additional sustained energy.


• Steer clear of artificial flavors and colors.


• Drink water and juice (you don't need no stinkin' Gatorade). If you do use a specific sports drink bring it with you on tour. If you start drinking Gatorade on a tour and you never drink it, you may wind up with diarrhea--not cool!


• Eating Nuts + fruit on a tour will keep you from tanking.


• If you eat energy bars make sure they have pretty equal parts of protein and sugar. You also want to make sure you are getting potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium in these foods.

Basic Bike MECHANICS to know.


The Boise Bike Wrench, David Seamons, gave tips on basic bike maintenance to make your riding easier and more efficient. Here are a few tidbits from his presentation:

• Proper Bike Fit - Your legs need to clear the tube and you want to make sure the distance from seat to handlebars is fitted for you correctly.


• A Clean Bike - A clean bike is a happy bike. If you keep a clean bike you will have less issues with parts later on.


• Nix the Wax Lubes - Just don't use wax lubes. They collect dirt and are not as effective as other kinds.


• Service Your Ride - Service your bike before you go on a long tour.


• The Seat - An uncomfortable seat is just that, uncomfortable. Find one that works for you.


• Air in the Tires - Air up those tires every time you ride.


• Secret Stash - Carry a tire tube + a bike tool (allen wrench #5 is pretty universal) with you in your seat pack.


• Flat Tires - Know how to change a flat tire. No one escapes one of these, especially in Idaho.


• Lube Your Chain - Lube your chain AFTER you get back from a ride. This way you're ready to go out of the gate.

We would like to thank REI for hosting these great seminars. We learned a lot and hoped you did, too. Check out the links below for information from the seminar.

Links
The Bob Lebow Ride
Lost River Cycling Club
Community Bicycle Rides (Nice website!)
Boise Bike Wrench
YMCA Idaho

Getting Tuned Up

Today we took our bikes in to REI to schedule tune-ups. Besides finding that our rides might be *sorely* inadequate for the trip, we learned a few new things, too. Upon telling the resident bike expert, Maureen, about our venture (she probably thinks we are a couple of poor, crazy amateurs ) she started freely sharing information. She talked to us about specifics of bike fit, components, the importance of a good saddle, and peddles. All in all, it was very informative for a quick trip to REI. I am sure we will be seeing more of Maureen.





Next up . . .

We will be attending a class on the Basics of Supported Bike Touring--just what we need!

Our First Class

Do you know how to change a flat tire on a bicycle? Do you know how to adjust your brakes? In our journey to become well informed cyclists we attended our first official bike class last night. Brook Robinson of REI demonstrated basic bicycle maintenance as part of REI's regular (and usually free) ongoing clinics. Flat repair and brake adjustment were just a couple of topics covered. It was a very beneficial class for both beginners and avid riders both. 

To check out the other workshops the Boise REI offers go to: http://www.rei.com/stores/store_events.jsp?store=47