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.
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?
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
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:
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.
Lesley B.
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