ATTENTION: Based on the decision of the League Of Michigan Bicyclists to cancel all cycling events and group rides, and of USA Cycling to cancel all upcoming races and discourage informal group training rides, the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club has officially decided to cancel its entire group riding program, that is, all Monday and Wednesday Night rides, the Tuesday Night PWR, and the Friday Morning Women’s Rides, effective immediately. We will monitor the Corona Virus situation both locally and statewide, and restart our group rides, based in part on when the State Of Michigan allows restaurants to re-open, and when the League Of Michigan Bicyclists and USA Cycling decide to re-start their cycling events, group rides, and races. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves, and stay fit, by riding solo. Ride safe, and stay healthy!

Gordy Vader, KBC Ride Captain

KBC Time Trials (TTs) start June 2nd, 2020

We plan to run the TTs every Tuesday starting on June 2 until further notice.  Sign-up starts at 6:00 PM, first rider departs at 6:30 PM.  Helmets are required.  Any bike—TT, road, gravel, even e-bike is okay.

Time Trials will leave from the Pavilion Township Hall at the corner of Q Ave. and 29th Street (7510 E Q Ave, Scotts, MI 49088).   Riders will traverse a good, flat 10 mile loop, click here for the route in RideWithGPS.  Time Trials are a great way to learn about riding and your own personal abilities. The best part of the time trial series is that everyone can participate – young and old, fast and slow – and you don’t compete with anyone but yourself.  No pressure, except what you put on yourself.

Whether you wear a mask while preparing to ride is up to you, BUT, and this is a big BUT, we expect everyone to maintain serious social distancing—at least 15 feet at all times.  Not just for everyone’s safety, but also because we truly want to be genuinely conscious of the image we present to the community as a whole.

Doug Kirk, President

Helpful Guidelines for Group Rides During the COVID Hiatus

As the hiatus in KBC’s official club rides continues during this Summer of The COVID, having on hand a few guidelines for riding, alone or in small groups, can help us all feel more comfortable about riding safely, wisely, and respectfully.  A June 24^th article, by Selene Yeager, in Bicycling, provides two sets of very helpful guidelines.  Here’s a link to the article.  Ride on…be well!

What Does It Mean to Ride Safe Now?

Each year at the December club meeting, Kalamazoo Bicycle Club (KBC) members vote for the annual Friend of Bicycling Award recipient from a list of nominees. The 2019 Friend of Bicycling Award (FoB) went to John Dunlop and the Portage Central Middle School’s Ride for Focus Program, which won by an overwhelming margin.
 
Submitting a nomination for the 2020 FoB – for an individual, organization, or entity that has significantly advanced the interests of bicycling – is relatively easy.
 
Go to kalamazoobicycleclub.org and under “ABOUT KBC” click on “Grants and Awards” and then complete and submit the nomination form by November 11, 2019.
 
Here is an example of a justification for the FoB award: Through the Ride for Focus Program, Mr. Dunlop, along with the support of other school staff members, has exposed more than 700 students to the sport of cycling. John has also offered bike-handling clinics for parents and staff of the school, many of whom now share a love for bicycling.

Thank you very much for your help.

Pam Sotherland, FoB Coordinator

Mark your calendars and save the date now – KalTour 2019 will be held on Saturday, June 29.  Yes – that’s right – we are holding KalTour on a Saturday this year in hopes that more people can participate.

New this year is the addition of a Gravel Fondo including two gravel routes of approximately 60 and 30 miles.  These gravel routes are in addition to our lineup of paved road routes of 100, 62, 31and 15 miles, as well as a guided 10 mile family route.

Now in its 28^th year, the Kalamazoo Scenic Bicycle Tour (KalTour) is the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club’s annual cycling event designed for bicyclists of many ages and abilities. Distances range from 10 to 100 miles. Our start location at Schoolcraft High School offers easy access to low-traffic, flat, country roads.

Click here for all the details and to sign up!

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club was pleased to grant Portage West Middle School a $500 grant for their Riding with Focus program. Through this program cycling is incorporated into Portage West Middle School’s Physical Education classes, which all students are required to take. Riding with Focus teaches basic cycling skills and safety.

Portage West Middle School received a previous grant of 24 bikes from the Specialized Bike Foundation. The grant from Kalamazoo Bicycle Club will allow them to expanded the program to include more bikes, allowing them to reach more students.

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club periodically awards small grants to help fund bicycling-related projects that meet the Club’s mission to promote the sport of cycling and provide cycling education and advocacy.  Terry O’Connor, Kalamazoo Bike Club Grants Committee Chair, said, “We are excited that Portage West Middle School is incorporating cycling in their Phys Ed program. We are happy to support a program that will help create the next generation of safe and responsible cyclists in our community.”

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club is a non-profit, formed in 1971 to promote bicycling in the region. The club’s activities include cycling safety advocacy, club rides, racing, touring, and development of a bicycle-friendly infrastructure.