Month: March 2017

According to the rules* of the Velominati , rule #12 states that there is a formula for the proper number of bikes a cyclist should own.  Actually there are two formulas (formulae?).  The first is n+1; n being the number of bikes one currently owns.  The second is s-1; s being the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.  Having sold a spare mountain bike last year, I had an opening.

I’m really happy with my mountain and road bikes and I have no interest in a cruiser or bmx bike.

I had been reading about gravel riding.  At first, it sounded like a masochistic sport for deprived mid-westerners who don’t have decent mountains or paved roads to ride on.    The bike used is basically a cyclocross bike.  It has drop handlebars like a road bike, but burlier and comfier with wider tires.  It’s a great all-around bike, like the utility infielder of road bikes, it good for all sorts of things.  Interestinger and interestinger….

It would be more comfortable for commuting.  It has eyelets that would allow me to attach packs and panniers if I want to do some bikepacking,  Being a bit heavier than my road bike, it would be a good training bike for longer road ride events like the ones Bike MS put on.  You can ride this bike on lots of different surfaces.  Pavement, gravel roads, double track, single track, it’s all good.

So….

Last fall I found a great deal on a great bike.  I pulled the trigger and, so far, it has been a blast.

To help justify the purchase to my better half and to push myself a bit out of my comfort zone, I signed up for a couple of gravel races.  If nothing else,  getting ready for these early season races would put me in good shape for the Bike MS Escape to the Lake, for which, by the way, I am currently fundraising.

The first race, the Barry-Roubaix is next Saturday, March 25^th.  Oy!  What was I thinking?  It’s Michigan in March!  The weather could be crazy.  Right now, they are calling for 45 degrees and 80% chance of rain.  Ooh, la la!  I think that I would rather have 25 degrees and snow, but I don’t get to choose.

I am traveling with 3 friends, to the frozen north.  We are riding the 36 mile route.   And, being Michigan, I am told that the hills are not Pittsburgh hills, that’s a little good news

More good news is that the event is sponsored by Founder’s Brewery and the finish line party promises to be mighty fine.

And there is always rule #9, “If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass.  Period.”  At least I’ll have that going for me.

Please donate to my Bike MS ride.

Thank you.

 

Sunday was a beautiful day to get out and explore the gravel roads near Hillman State Park, aka Bavington.  Instead of our usual loop, Gary Schultz and I chose to see if we could expand our knowledge of the area and find some new gravel roads to ride.

What we achieved was just that.   We discovered some new (to us) gravel roads, and some paved; maybe more pavement than we really wanted, but very scenic.  Some decent hills, but mostly rolling countryside, some miles along Raccoon Creek.  I’m glad we waited until  noon to head out, the 40 degree sunshine was a delight.

This is another ride that I’m going to pass off as “training” for the MS ride.  It really didn’t have the pace or distance to really make a big difference, training-wise, but, what a spectacular day!

The bonus was that we ran into some mountain biking friends, Karl and Steve at the Haul Road trailhead and again at the Bavington Roadhouse for burgers and beers.

In case the hint is too subtle, I’d really appreciate it if you donated to my ride against MS.

I am currently fundraising for our local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  I am doing so in order to hold up my end of a bargain with the Society.  That bargain is that I will raise money for them and they will then let me ride my bike, care-free from here to Lake Erie.

Riding my bike is one of my favorite things to do.  Usually a good road ride for me is somewhere between 25 and 40 miles.  Much more than that requires too much planning and infrastructure.  A two-day ride from here to Lake Erie with an overnight in Meadville takes a lot of planning.  The beauty of the MS ride is that it doesn’t require me to do a lot of thinking.  Bike MS makes all the plans, all I have to do is show up and ride.

The ride is completely organized, Bike MS has everything figured out; after 32 years, they have worked out most of the kinks.

Rest stops are set up every 15 miles or so that are completely stocked with water, Gatorade, power bars, pbj’s, bananas, first aid and a repair station, anything a cyclist might need.  A number of Western PA Goldwing motorcycle clubs volunteer their time to monitor intersections and direct traffic to keep the cyclists safe.    Lunch is provided on the first day and there is a welcome reception on the campus of Allegheny College at the end of the first day.  Beer is supplied by Penn Brewery.  And there is live music.  Bikes are securely stored in the gymnasium.

Some riders stay on campus, others get a hotel room in Meadville.  Team Bacon usually gets a team suite on campus and takes the shuttle bus into town for dinner at the Voodoo Brewery.

On the second day, on the shore of Lake Erie, there is a finish line party with a DJ and buffet lunch and the local Dairy Queen donates Dilly Bars.  How great is that?

And, when it’s all over, there is a trailer truck to haul all the bikes back to the starting line at Moraine State Park and Trailways-type busses to haul our tired butts.

It’s a great experience that I recommend.  Sure, it takes some effort and some training and some preparation, but it’s not really hard, not like climbing Mt. Everest or stalking Bigfoot.

And the satisfaction that you take away from it is amazing.

All this happens after the riders have done their part.  It’s up to us to go out and fundraise.  Bike MS gives us tools to use, but it is up to us to use them.  Different people approach this task differently.  Some riders accost strangers face to face, or sell raffle tickets or set up garage sales or bake sales.  I generally prefer to beg via email.   This website is an attempt to try something new.  A different way to reach potential donors.

So, now that I have reached you, please, donate to my ride.  Thanks!