MummBlings
by President Dennis Mumm
As many of you know I just completed my annual pilgrimage across my homeland, or RAGBRAI as it is commonly known. During a multi-day ride like this you find yourself alone amongst 10,000 to 15,000 of your closest friends contemplating the meaning of life and other deep subjects. It’s not all about beer, pie and pork! One of the things I found myself pondering during the week was retirement.
No, I don’t mean retirement from work. I’m much too young or at least too broke to do that. Much of my retirement funds have gone to support my children. Now I need to keep working to support my grandchildren.
No, I don’t mean retirement from a ride. However I did SAG for the very first time on RAGBRAI this year. As you know my neck isn’t fully healed and the strain of the hilly route this year left me seeking a seat in the SAG wagon of shame. Hardly a word was spoken in the van. Everyone had either mechanically or physically broken down short of their goal or needed assistance. The silence was broken only when the guy seated next to me suddenly screamed and grabbed his cramping calf muscle. I shifted around to allow him to stretch his leg into the aisle. At least it was him and not me as I could feel my muscles tightening in the cramped van as well.
The retirement I was contemplating was cycling attire. On RAGBRAI jersey day the organizers asked riders to pull out their vintage RAGBRAI jerseys. I still have mine from my first time in 2001. While it may not be as breathable as today’s fabrics, it is clean, bright and free from holes. While holes give immediate notice that retirement is due there is some wear in shorts or bibs that isn’t quite as obvious to the wearer. Yes, I’m sure we have all latched onto someone’s wheel only to look up and see the Great Divide or Grand Canyon. Those shorts look fine until they stretch across our gluteus maximus. I was wearing one of my favorite bibs, the BCLC pair. I know you’ve all seen me in them. Yet no one in the club or my 10,000 RAGBRAI friends would tell me that I was on crack by wearing them. Friends don’t let friends ride on visible crack. At least my wife was honest when I asked her. I had to retire two sets of bibs this week. Now that my kits have been reduced I’m hoping it doesn’t cause a premature retirement of my remaining bibs. I’m not asking anyone to be rude when you see this problem. I know you may want to yell out, “Good grief, cover that thing up”, or "I was afraid I might fall in if I get too close" or maybe you want to just yell into the vastness and wait for an echo. This might also explain why certain gaps are created on some rides and riders fall off the back. They are doing it on purpose. Without being too politically incorrect you can just politely mention, “While I was checking out your bike I noticed your shorts appear to be getting a little thin, better check on them when you get home.”
Cover up and join our group rides. Remember the “Rules of the Road”. Be cautious & courteous. “Share the Road” goes both ways. Have fun and be safe.
|
|
The Welcome Mat
by Membership Chair Debbie Shuppert
July was an active month for new members and a renewal. Please welcome to the club Kamal Dagher, Jeff Justman, Michael McElduff, Barry Meyer, Anne Remler, Beth Remler, and Gerry Mueller.
I know a couple of these members have been on rides already but please welcome them when you see them on rides or at a social event.
2016 Membership Totals
Memberships Members
Individual 74 74
Family 29 58
Total 103 132
|
|
From the Ride Guy
You really get the sense of the land when traveling by bicycle. Whizzing along the interstate leaves you too disconnected from the feel of the land. You can't feel its contours or how the regions slowly change as you move along at a pace that allows you to view everything.
I gained a good sense for the land of Iowa during RAGBRAI. Riding southern Iowa I'd summarize it as up, down, up, down, up, down, up, up ,up, dooooooooown and up again.
If anyone ever tries to tell you Iowa is completely flat, they are WRONG!
The picture above I took from atop one of the 4272 hills we climbed. I may sound like I'm complaining, but I'd go back in an instant. What an experience!
|
|
Current Ride Schedule
All rides, with full details, are on the club calendar. The club email list is your source for any last minute cancellations or changes. Ride categories are defined here.
The Occasional Rides
Kettle Moraine Grand Tour – Road – 60 miles - Pace A/B/C
8/13 – Join Erik Hanig for what has been voted one of the best cycling routes in WI.
Cream City Cycle Club Century – Road – mileage varies
8/28 – The CCCC's annual cycling invitational around southern WI. Starting from Waterford Union High School.
Weekly Rides Cadence
Mondays
Tuesdays
- 15 x 2 Ride – 15 miles – Road – Pace C – 6:05 pm – Lake Bluff Metra Station
Wednesdays
Thursdays
- Bill's Trail Ride – 20 miles – Trail/Road – Pace B/C – 6:00 pm @ Lake Bluff Panera
- Note: Bill will no longer be able to lead this ride after August. A new ride leader is desired to continue this one or start up a replacement ride.
Fridays
Sundays
But That's Not All...
Don't forget to post your last minute ride or activity. I'll add them to the calendar if time permits. If you don't have access to the BCLC email list, send your activity to rides@bikebclc.com.
Want to know more about leading a ride? Refer to this page for more information,
|
|
Dan Cunningham Revisits a Solo, Self-Supported Bicycle Trip from Seattle to Chicago in 1981
by Speakers Program Chair Cynthia Simmons
Tuesday, September 27th — Dan Cunningham revisits a solo, self-supported bicycle trip from Seattle to Chicago in 1981 at the Bicycle Club of Lake County Membership Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Libertyville Civic Center, at 135 West Church Street, Libertyville. He was 25 years old, and already a seasoned bicyclist as a Cat 4 Racer. He had ridden in the Milk Races in Wisconsin at Ripon, Oshkosh, and Appleton. And he had ridden a solo, from Chicago to Detroit self-supported in 1972 when he was 16.
I asked Dan why he did the trip and he said he had no doubts that he wanted to do the trip. However, he reminded me that the logistics of planning his trip were much more difficult than today. Planning involved meeting a series of challenges.
One of his main references was the book 2 Wheel Travel: Bicycle Camping and Touring, by Peter W. Tobey, published in 1972.
He pointed out that cell phones were not in common use. It was 5 years before GPS devices were available, and good maps weren't available in bookstores. He ended up visiting the Rand McNally headquarters in Skokie and saying he had planned this trip, but that he couldn't find detailed maps. The receptionist asked him to wait, and then she returned with a stack of maps which he received for free. He took the maps home and cut out the sections for his route and pieced them together.
At that time his job was making surgical instruments, so he had the skills to make adjustments to his bike, which included modifying the quick releases so that they would close in a vertical position, aligned with the forks and he reinforced the quick releases with hose clamps. He was worried that at high speeds, the vibrations could cause them to slip loose. His highest speed was 51 mph, and he described the experience as a cross between exhilaration and fear.
He purchased his bicycle for the trip one year ahead of time—it was a Raleigh touring bike with all the extra fittings for long-distance touring. He replaced the back rack with a more study, high-tech model. He changed his six speed bike into a seven speed; i.e., he took the cog wheel apart, ground down the spacers, and added another gear. He also ground the links on the chain. He replaced his back wheel with a 40-spoke wheel with a hardened-aluminum rim to bear the extra weight of his Cannondale panniers.
He traveled to Seattle via train after crating his bike to travel with him. But his bicycle arrived one day after he did, on another train. But he was able locate his bicycle and begin his trip. His route was mostly along Hwy 2 until mid-North Dakota when he started to head south.
 He said that amazingly most small towns had a campground located right in town, so he easily located places to set up his tent. He averaged 150 miles per day; he had to make the trip in 15 days, because that was his vacation limit. And he had no one that he knew along the route.
At left is a photo of Dan Cunningham standing on the Continental Divide in front of his bicycle which was fully loaded for the self-supported trip.
All BCLC meetings are free and open to the public. For more info, go to www.BikeBCLC.com and check the Newsletter and Calendar links.
|
|
|
Ten BCLC club members embarked on the 44th annual RAGBRAI in the last week of July. Bike Club members Dennis Mumm, Chris Farrell, Luke Jian, Robin Martin, Jim Martin, Tom Morgan, Lee McLaughlin, Chris Sullivan, Kim Sullivan, and Vish Patel joined 10 other exuberant riders for a repeat or inaugural trek across Iowa. Finishing in various distances, depending upon who took extra loops or not – each team member rode somewhere between 409 and 502 miles, with a total climb of 18,488 feet.
 Sponsored by Caboose Brewing out of Vienna Virginia, “Team F.R.E.D.” (flashing rear end device) journeyed to eastern Iowa on a 1979 school bus – painted in Chicago Bears colors. The bus, renovated during the winter, contained Wi-Fi, a flat screen, four bunk beds and most importantly, four kegs from Caboose Brewing – enough said.
Daily activities for the week included rising early, breaking down the camp, riding bicycles every day, all day, and eating, eating, eating. Some favorites include pulled pork sandwiches, pork chops, cheddar and jalapeno bratwurst, PB & J, burnt tips, pork tenderloins, meat pie, scotcharoos, burritos, ice cream, pie, pancakes, and pickles plus pickle juice. Setting up camp, walking to the showers, and taking the shuttle to town rounded out each day, along with time to sit around camp to watch the sunset, look at the stars, drink some beers and partake in great conversation. New friendships were forged, personal goals achieved and basically an all-around good time was had by all. Team F.R.E.D. will ride again next year so mark your calendars for the 45th annual RABGRAI, July 23-29, 2017. See you on the road!
|
|
Riding in Hot Weather
by Rich Gordon
The heat of summer is upon us. This article will share some ideas which help to keep me cooler on hot summer days.
1. I keep two sets of thermal water bottles in the freezer with Powerade Zero frozen in them - an initial set of bottles around 20% filled with frozen Powerade and a set of second bottles about half filled with frozen Powerade. The second set of bottles will stay colder on the bike while you start drinking from the initial bottles.
When you buy more liquid at convenience stores, if they have fountain drinks ask for ice; sometimes they’ll charge a quarter or so - it is well worth it. Use the ice cubes instead of crushed ice for longer lasting cold liquid.
I did a couple of use tests and found that the Camelbak 25oz size keeps my fluid colder longer than the Polar 24oz thermal bottle.
2. In hot weather make sure you drink enough, but not too much fluid, and remember the electrolytes (salts). During the ride if you have clear urine, that means you are drinking too much fluid. If you have dark colored urine that means you need more liquids and/or electrolytes. For liquid and electrolytes replenishment, I prefer Powerade Zero. Lee had a good recommendation of adding Hammer Endurolytes for extra electrolytes, because Powerade does not add a lot. Hammer Perpetuem solids provide ride energy but don’t provide the electrolytes.
3. A head covering, like Halo or Headsweats, also helps. Not only do they help cool your head, they help keep sweat out of your eyes. For those follically challenged like me, it also prevents sunburn through the helmet holes. It helps cool you down at mid-ride rest stops when you can douse them in cold water. Wetting down your gloves also helps.
4. UV Sleeves not only protect from sunburn, but they also cool you down. Two years ago, Fran Puchli started wearing UV Sleeves at club rides to protect herself from sunburn. Last year I started using them and found they also cool me down. This year I found the UV leggings also help. On my 400K ride in Michigan, aptly named “Hotter than a Pepper Sprout”, there were hours of riding above 90⁰. Many riders weere having difficulty with the heat. I believe my UV sleeves and leggings made a big difference, as I was fairly comfortable.
5. Last fall, I saw a clearance sale with an “Assos Skinfoil Summer” under-jersey garment. It feels cooler when riding. I have not used it a lot, but have found it is better than just a jersey in weather over 90⁰.
I hope these ideas work for you and hope you share your findings as well in future BCLC Quick Release newsletters.
|
|
Treasurer's Report
Balance as of July 1, 2016 $14,359.46
Income
Membership (1 x 15) $15.00
Ramble Registrations $2300.00
Total Income $2,315.00
Expenses
Postage $70.00
Ramble SAG $27.35
Total Expenses $97.35
Ending Balance as of July 31, 2016 $16,577.11
|
|
Thank You to Our Ramble Sponsors
Please Support These Retailers
  
  
|
|
BCLC is an affiliated member of the following bicycling organizations:
    
|
|
|
|
