Don’t forget!

Beginning on Monday, April 2, all KBC rides will start at 6:00 PM. In May, all rides will start at 6:15 PM.

The two Wednesday night Hammerfests will start at 6:00 PM in April and throughout the season.

April President’s Letter

March was a historic month for the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. It had its earliest official start to the riding season due to the change in Daylight Savings Time.

April brings with it a later start to rides as the days grow longer. There should be more folks at the rides which will mean that there are more groups going out. Riders in the faster groups may choose to limit their gearing, so plan on working on spinning (the goal is to develop stronger legs for summertime riding).

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club is encouraging bicycle riding development in Kalamazoo. Bike Camp brochures have been printed. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT! Online signups have started and of the date of the last KBC meeting there were folks who have already registered. The Bike Camp educational and training sessions will take place at the Portage YMCA facility this year, and rides will be in the Moorsbridge and Vanderbuilt Road areas.

For those of you who may have bicycles that you are willing to donate to a worthy cause, there are two WMU students who are starting a bicycle coop, where fellow students can rent a bike for transportation around town. Part of the coop will focus on basic bicycle repairs, so bike parts could also be donated. Please read the article on the WMU bike coop in this newsletter.

Last year the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club received an award from the City of Kalamazoo for promoting bicycling. KBC wants to follow up this year, so we are looking for projects and volunteers. Among the ideas being proposed are producing a map of the area with an emphasis on good routes to use for bicycle commuting (both around WMU and in Downtown Kalamazoo), identifying deficiencies in bike racks or other storage, signage, and community education. The City has some limited funds that could be used for a project. May is National Bike to Work month, so it would be nice to have a project going that could mesh with NBTWM.

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club is also helping “sponsor” Fit 2007, a community health initiative with several KalTour passes. For more information on Fit 2007, check out www.Fit2007.org.

If anyone has experience with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, especially with qualifying an entity to meet the requirements of the section and filing the appropriate paperwork with the IRS, there is a committee that is researching this issue for the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. The first question is whether KBC qualifies to be a 501(c)(3) entity and the second question would then be should the KBC file the paperwork to become a 501(c)(3) entity. There are both potential advantages and disadvantages to KBC if it were to go this route. Tax law is complicated to the point that an expert in this area would be a benefit to the committee and to the KBC. If you have such expertise, please contact Jim Kindle.

Mike Boersma
President

Kal Haven Trailblazer Ride Set for
May 12

The Friends of the Kal Haven Trail have announced that their popular early-spring tour, the Kal Haven Trailblazer, will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007. The Trailblazer Ride is used as a fundraiser for the group in order to help provide financing for special projects on the Kal Haven Trail.

The Trailblazer ride offers riders a choice of either road or on-trail routes of 25, 45, 70, or 100 miles. Food stops and SAG wagon services are available. The fees are $15 for individuals ($20 if signing up after May 4). Families can ride for $30; ($40 after May 4).

There are three check-in sites on the day of the event: The People’s Church on 10th Street; the Bloomingdale Depot in Bloomingdale; and the South Haven Trailhead. Registration runs from 7:00 AM until noon.

More information on the Trailblazer can be found at: www.kalhaventrail.org, including a downloadable registration brochure.

Several contingents of KBC riders usually do this tour. Check the KBC YahooGroup in the weeks before the event for messages pertaining to groups forming to ride together.

Monthly Meeting Minutes,
March 13, 2007

KBC’s regular monthly meeting was held on March 13, 2007, with Paul Bruneau, Doug Kirk, Kathy Kirk, David Jones, Marc Irwin, Mike Boersma, Jelania Haile, Zolton Cohen, Jim Kindle, Ryan Sibert, Renee Mitchell, Mike Manske, Matt Hollander, Pam McDonnell, Victor Van Fleet, and Mike Krischer in attendance.

WMU students Matt Hollander and Ryan Sibert presented a plan for a not-for-profit, co-op bike rental program (detailed in another story in this newsletter) in order to encourage more student bicycling on WMU’s main campus. They requested donations of unneeded bicycles from KBC members in order to kick off this venture.

KBC President Mike Boersma solicited ideas to commemorate the upcoming “Bike to Work Day” in Kalamazoo, such as mapping commuter routes into the downtown area. Zolton Cohen is doing a photographic survey of the existing bike racks in downtown Kalamazoo. Boersma mentioned the possibility of requesting that bike storage lockers be installed at the new bus and train depot station on Kalamazoo Avenue.

Jelania Haile, of the KBC Bike Camp Committee, said plans for Bike Camp 2007 are progressing well. She handed out the newly-printed Bike Camp registration flyer. Database Manager Paul Bruneau, also a member of the Bike Camp Committee, said that online registration is up and going for the program. The Bike Camp Committee will soon be asking for volunteer “ride monitors” to ride with the various Bike Camp groups as they undertake training rides on five Saturday mornings in May and June.

Boersma reported that Western Michigan University has agreed to again sponsor the BTR Criterium Road Race at the Business, Technology and Research Park on Parkview Avenue. The race will be held on August 11 and is part of the “points series” of races. Open categories will include collegians, masters, juniors, CAT 1-5 men and CAT 1-4 women.

Marc Irwin and KBC Vice President Jim Kindle reported that the 501(c) 3 Committee has not yet met to determine if KBC is eligible for this tax status. Irwin and Kindle would welcome volunteers who have expertise in these matters in order to help assess KBC’s suitability for application.

KalTour Director Mike Krischer reported that KalTour brochures are in the process of being prepared for printing.

Member Elaine Naegele asked if the KBC website home page could be “refreshed” to reflect current activities, such as upcoming club meeting dates and other information. Zolton Cohen will contact Webmaster Bob Paksi to lodge that request.

KBC member Pam McDonnell requested that KBC’s website be revised to indicate that the 12-15 mph ride on Monday nights has no “official” ride leader. She remarked that she and others have often taken over that role, but that she cannot commit to being the ride leader. McDonnell also brought up that, on several occasions last year, young adults – minors – were dropped off at the Texas Drive parking lot on a Monday night to ride with a group, and that there was no adult supervision from the riders’ parents. McDonnell and Victor Van Fleet noted that many of the riders in that group are not KBC members.

Doug Kirk requested reimbursement from the club for $300.00 spent on the March 8 Damon’s safety meeting. KBC Treasurer Tom Keizer was not at the meeting. Kirk will contact him privately.

Safety and Education Chair Victor Van Fleet presented information on “Fit 2007,” a “self-directed fitness program designed to increase your level of physical activity and do your part to improve the health of your community.” The no-fee program, information about which can be obtained at: www.fit2007.org, or (269) 349-1870, offers a way to track and report your fitness activities over the course of a year. There is a wrap-up event for Fit 2007 scheduled in October. KBC offered five free registrations to the club’s KalTour for Fit 2007 as a way of helping sponsor the initiative.

Zolton Cohen, member of the Ad Policy Committee, reported that Battle Creek’s Team Active Bike Shop had asked to be added to the new Shop Notes section in the KBC PedalPress. Ad Policy Committee members, on directive from the KBC Executive Board, conferred on the matter this month and agreed that including Team Active in the Shop Notes list could be beneficial to members. The Committee’s recommendation, therefore, was to allow Team Active to be included in Shop Notes. Cohen will contact the owner of Team Active to let him know the results of this action, and will include a copy of the Shop Notes policy statement.

Elaine Naegele brought in KBC’s newly-purchased Velcro display panel board, with carrying case. The board will be used at KBC events to display photographs, brochures and other literature and art at events at which KBC has a presence.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Next meeting, at the YMCA on Maple Street in Kalamazoo, is scheduled for 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 10.

Respectfully submitted, Zolton Cohen, in lieu of Chris Haddock, KBC Secretary,
KBC Secretary

KBC Statistics

Active subscriptions

234

April Birthdays

Christopher Barnes * Amy Baumann * Matt Berner * Julie Birman * Roger Clark * Angie Farrell * Ervin Fulkerson * Rachel Gauthier * Ronald Gauthier * Steven Gibbs * Vickie Gordon * Marc Irwin * Britt Johnson * Kathy Kirk * Sandy Larsen * Haley Lawford * Ed Maring * Mark Mccormick * CJ Mizikar * Holly Nibert * Thomas Noverr * Bob Paksi * Stephen Penix * John Peterson * Scott Powers * Rick Updike * Richard Wolthuis *

New Members

Julie Birman * Adrienne Johnson * Britt Johnson * Alan Phillips * Brian Seel

Renewals

John Mathieson * Richard Neumann * Jeff Robertson Family * Mike Peterson * Mark McCormick * Roy Richardson * Paul & Linda Bruneau

April Expiring memberships

Scott Ashford * Kevin Biek * Ervin Fulkerson * Nick Goetzinger * Thomas Harvey * Michele Intermont * Jay Jayanetti * Robert & Stephanie Kennedy * Ed Maring * Justin Merkling * Mary Moore Family * Paul & Anne Pancella * Monty Rainwater * Matt Siebert * Timothy A. Stewart * Mike Wittenberg

WMU Students to Start Bike Rental Co-op

Western Michigan University students Ryan Sibert and Matt Hollander attended the March 13 KBC meeting and announced the formation of a non-profit bike rental co-op at WMU. Their idea, they said, is to promote more bicycling and less automobile driving on the main WMU campus.

Once the co-op obtains and repairs enough bikes, Sibert said, they will be rented to students by the semester. Students will put down a deposit on the bikes, refundable at the end of the term. The co-op already has a garage and storage space for repairs and holding the accumulated bicycles. Local bike shops Alfred E Bike and ProSport are helping out with repairs and parts.

Hollander and Sibert ask KBC members for donations of their used or otherwise unwanted adult bicycles. Though they anticipate expanding the program to benefit community children in the future, at this juncture they are not soliciting donations of kid’s bikes.

Sibert also said, “…we offer the shop space and the tools to those experienced in the ways of bicycle maintenance, on a drop-in basis, for $5 a day. For those who have no prior experience but who have an itch to learn, one of the mechanics on site can provide instruction by appointment.”

Hollander and Sibert are founders of a “skill-share” group called the Naked Seed, and have offered and will continue to offer bike maintenance classes free of charge to the public. Sibert can be contacted at: ryan.j.sibert@wmich.edu, or (269) 998-5635.

Ride Captain’s Report

Dear KBC Friends:

As I write at the end of March, it is a balmy 75 degrees.

When we first talked about starting this year’s rides in mid-March, I didn’t think they would actually happen. The weather has proven me wrong. So far, we’ve had good weather for almost every one of our scheduled rides, with average group size about 15 or so.

Though we’re off to an early start, again this year things will really begin picking up in April. Our KBC web page has an updated list of all the rides we offer regularly on a weekly basis, and I’m pleased to say that it looks like we’ve got leaders lined up for all of them—though some of them may not really get going until May.

The Monday evening 12-15 mph ride has already started, and may be of particular interest to newer cyclists, or seasoned riders looking to enjoy a more leisurely pace than some of our other rides offer. Please note also that Joan Orman has started a new Monday evening ride (20+mph), and Doug Kirk will be leading a new slightly scaled back (speedwise) version of the Hammerfest on Wednesday evenings.

Of course, early season rides are always exciting as we’re finally able to get out on the roads again. They also are a time to exercise an extra measure of care as we re-adjust to group riding. Strong winds also can be a problem at this time of year. A good rule is to stay relaxed, and try to spin a lower gear. Doing so will be good for the legs, and it will help make for smoother packs. As a matter of fact, we are asking that all riders limit their gears to a 53X19, or 39X14 (or 42X15) until the end of April—especially when pulling at the front! This will help us all to work our way back into shape gradually, without having to worry so much about getting dropped on the faster rides. Racers know it also will make them faster come mid-season, when the ability to turn high rpms is crucial.

So far my schedule has only permitted me to make the Friday rides, but I look forward to being able to make some others before long. It will be good to see you all.

By the way, we’re still in the process of tweaking the new Friday night route. As with anything new, we need to give it a bit of a chance to see how it’s going to feel. If you’re free and would like to have a go at it, we will be starting from the Galesburg High School at 6:00 p.m. and heading south for about 30 miles roundtrip. In April the average ride pace will probably be 20-22 mph.

Have fun. Be safe.

Best regards,

Knute Jacobson

KBC Ride Captain

April Ride Schedule

Don’t forget! Beginning on Monday, April 2, all KBC rides will start at 6:00 PM. In May, all rides will start at 6:15 PM.

The two Wednesday night Hammerfests will start at 6:00 PM in April and throughout the season.

In the early part of the season not every ride group will be represented, and the posted average speed of the rides will likely not be as fast. As more riders show up as the season progresses more ride groups may be added as demand dictates. The schedule below reflects the probable full, mid-season schedule.

Monday:

The Monday Ride at Texas Drive Park will consist of 4 ride groups, which should provide a pace to suit riders of all abilities:

• 15-20 mile group at 12-15 mph, led informally by a number of riders
• 25-30 mile (Recovery and paceline) group at 17 mph, led by Zolton Cohen and Doug Kirk
• 25-30 mile group at 20-22 mph, led by Joan Orman
• 25-30 mile group at 22+ mph, led informally by a number of riders

The 15-20 mile group is generally recommended for new riders.

The 25-30 mile groups will typically ride the same route in the early part of the season. KBC recommends the 17 mph Recovery and paceline group for more experienced riders who are new to the club, those wishing for an easy spin on flat roads, or anyone interested in learning how to ride in a rotating paceline. Participation in the paceline in this group is not mandatory. This ride is very steady and consistent, and one of the club’s most popular ride groups.

The 20-22 mph group is recommended for more experienced riders who want to ride faster, and on hillier terrain.

All riders who want to push the pace can do so in the 22+ mph group.

Tuesday:

Plans for the 6th year of the Tuesday Night Time Trial are in the works. The Barnes Family and Team KBC/Little Caesar’s plan to run the time trial again this year; the ten mile route will be the same as in years past. The route starts at the Pavilion Township Hall at the corner of Q Ave and 28th Street, and will run the first and third Tuesday of the month, starting in May or June. Check the PedalPress Ride Schedule in the coming months for more information on the TNTT.

Wednesday:

The Wednesday ride meets at the Kal-Haven Trail Parking lot on 10th Street. Remember that if you drive to the trailhead and park in the parking lot you must display a Kal Haven Trail parking pass on your dashboard. Parking passes are issued with the purchase of a seasonal or daily trail pass. Those passes are available for purchase at local bike shops, Gazelle Sports, and at the trailhead itself when a staff member is attending the caboose.

KBC plans to offer 5 ride groups:

• 13 – 15 mph group, led informally by a number of riders
• 30 mile group at 19-20 mph (the Quarter-Fast Ride), led by Jim Eckert, Ron Gauthier, and others
• 30 mile group at 22+ mph (The Half-Fast Ride), led by Zolton Cohen
• 46 mile group at 23+ mph (as yet unnamed), led by Doug Kirk
• 46 mile group at 24+ mph (the regular Hammerfest), led by Jeff Hamilton and others

The 13-15 mph group decides the route at the ride start.

The 30 mile groups typically ride the same route. The 19-20 mph Quarter Fast group will try to be steady at the pace indicated. The 22+ Half-Fast group will likely break up into smaller groups.

The regular Wednesday night Hammerfest starts at the Kal-Haven Trailhead Parking lot at 6 PM throughout the summer. The pace of the ride is typically greater than 24+ mph and the route goes to Bloomingdale and back (about 46 miles). Since the route is well known to most of the regular riders, no maps are available for this ride. This group is typically large (more than 15 riders) and consists of racers and other experienced riders. Typically, there is no designated ride leader. The group usually fragments into smaller groups and the riders often times do not finish together. This ride is hard and is not suitable for inexperienced riders. Some riders can expect to be dropped from the main group.

This year, a new Hammerfest-like group has formed, as yet unnamed, and will be led by Doug Kirk. This group will cover the same route as the regular Hammerfest, but at a pace a mile or so slower. The emphasis in this group will be working together in single and double pacelines to share the workload, following KBC riding rules.

Riders in the two Hammerfests will be asked to restrict their gearing to 75 inches (39x14 or 53x19) in the early season in order to produce riding speeds 1-3 mph below those attained during mid-season.

Thursday:

Women’s Morning Ride – Would you like to meet other women in cycling? Join Renee Mitchell and Jelania Haile for a women’s-only ride on Thursday mornings. Meet at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC- south-west parking lot by the tennis courts) at 10AM. The pace will be 15-16 mph with a distance of 20-25 miles.

The Thursday Night Ride, led by Elaine Naegele, is a nice and easy social ride and has a loyal following. It starts at the Texas Drive Park at the regular KBC ride start times. Riders of all riding abilities are welcome. The pace is typically 15-17 mph and distance is 20-25 miles.

Friday:

Notice: Several things about the Friday “Tour de Gull” have changed for 2007.

The Friday ride now meets in the parking lot at the new high school, 1/2 mile east of Galesburg, at the corner of 37th Street and M-96. The route of this ride has changed from previous years and now travels south over rolling terrain. Distance is about 32 miles.

The pace of the main group varies depending on who shows up, but is usually in the 20-22 mph range. Members interested in riding the new route at a 17-18 mph pace are encouraged to attend this ride and get the ball rolling on a new group.

KBC’s Special Weekend Rides:

Mark your long-range calendars for some special weekend rides this summer. Several rides are being planned for the summer months.

• The 7th annual W Ave Ride (48 miles) from Vicksburg High School. Led by Rick Whaley, who has vows to be back from Ann Arbor to lead the ride he created.
• The 9th annual Old Car Festival Ride (about 60 miles) from Vicksburg High School
• The 10th annual ride to South Haven with a stop at the beach (100 miles)
• KalTour – the Kalamazoo Scenic Bicycle Tour (formerly FlowerFest Bicycle Tour), Sunday, July 22
• The 10th annual Ride Around Kalamazoo County (100 miles)
• The 36th KBC Anniversary Ride (16-40 mile routes)
• The 4th Fall Ride (~40 miles)

The dates for some of these rides are not firmly established for 2007 yet. If you have comments about the above-mentioned rides or have suggestions for other rides, contact Ride Captain Knute Jacobson at hkj@jasnetworks.com.

Impromptu weekend rides can happen anytime the weather is suitable and someone is willing to organize them. If you’re interested in being informed of these impromptu rides, send KBC Ride Captain Knute Jacobson an email to get on the impromptu ride contact list: hkj@jasnetworks.com.

Editor’s Letter

The 2007 KBC bike season officially opened on Monday, March 12 this year. Due to a change in Daylight Saving Time, we got underway about three weeks earlier than usual. And I, for one, am not really ready!

Usually, before the start of the first “official” KBC rides every year, I will have ridden on my own or with small groups for a month or so, logging 300-400 miles or more. I do those rides slowly, building up “base” miles. Then, when the first part of April rolls around (the “traditional” start of Daylight Saving Time), I at least have a glimmer of hope of staying up with those of you who have spent the off-season sweating away on spinning bikes, trainers and rollers, or attending weight lifting and exercise classes.

Well, frankly, I’m out of biking condition this year. And while I’m not proud of it, I have to accept that I am. I took the off-season off and did things other than think about bicycling or building muscles specifically for the sport. I cross country skied (as much as possible during this largely snowless winter), helped the Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers get the cross country ski venue grooming operation at Milham Park Golf Course off the ground, and along the way learned more about snowmobiles than I ever thought I’d have – or want - to. But I put the skis away last week; the snowmobile has been “summarized” and stored, and now it’s time for bike season to begin.

I usually carry extra weight at this time of year. Body weight. It’s mostly muscle, built up in my upper body from poling up hill and down dale on cross country trails. Vast and rubbery slabs of the stuff, rippling beneath the skin of my chest and upper arms. Or it’s fat. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which is which – though I’m sure an analysis from an expert could probably discern the difference. And that’s why I never consult one.

But those muscles (or that fat) are useless in bicycling. Yes, you do need some upper body strength to help support yourself on a bike. But much of what I’ve worked so hard in the fall and winter to build up starts to melt away as my biking activity level increases in the spring. Long bike rides do slim the body. My eating habits don’t really change all that much though. At least they’re pretty consistent: I overeat at meals, at every meal, every day. So I’ve got that going for me.

In spite of my generally decrepit condition, with all the things the club has going on this year I’m genuinely looking forward to this season. I know I’ll round into shape eventually. At the rate I’m going it may take until August, but I know - if I make it a point to go to the KBC rides - I’ll get there eventually.

People say it is motivating to “belong” to a group that you meet with consistently in order to exercise. I believe that. You feel an obligation to show up when the group has scheduled an outing, and you feel as though you kind of let them (and yourself) down if you don’t attend. It lends a type of structure to your week and to your life. And that tends to get you up off your duff when the pull of the couch and the TV - and that industrial-sized bag of Cheetos - are whispering sweet enticements into your ears.

So that’s what I’m doing this spring. I hope you’ll join me and the others in the club at the rides this year. That’s what they’re there for. But please, for the sake of my legs, let’s start out slowly and ramp it up from there...

Zolton Cohen,
KBC Newsletter Editor

March 8 KBC Safety Meeting Well Attended

Approximately 60 people showed up at Damon’s Restaurant on March 8, 2007 in order to sample KBC-supplied free beer - and also to listen to some ideas on how the club is working to make the weekly group rides safer.

Doug Kirk, organizer of the event, led off with a brief synopsis of the type of problems - and behavior and conditions that have led to those problems - that have occurred in the past on club rides. He then explained what a group of members he convened over the winter agreed needs to change – group size and “temperament” primarily – in order to produce safer rides in the faster groups.

The Group Ride Safety Committee recommended limiting group size to no more than 25 participants. This season, before rides start, a count will be taken and a group divided, based on birthdays or some other numerical method, if this number is exceeded. In addition, the Hammerfest riders will limit their gearing in order to encourage slower riding at the beginning of the season.

Kirk also announced, partly in an effort to reduce the size of the groups and also to better serve riders who in the past could only barely hang onto the back of the larger groups, that he is going to lead a slightly slower Wednesday “Hammerfest” type group. This ride, as yet unnamed, will travel the same route and distance as the regular Hammerfest, but at a pace a mile or two slower. The idea is that everyone in this group will be able to work and pull through in rotating pacelines, eliminating a lot of the sitting in that occurred in the regular Hammerfest.

Similarly, Joan Orman will lead a group on Monday nights, the speed of which will fit between the 17 mph Recovery Ride and the faster group that rides on that night. Orman’s ride will average an anticipated 20-22 mph when warmer weather arrives

In addition, on Monday night, the 17 mph Recovery Ride will slowly evolve into a low-pressure paceline ride. When members of that group start to show up in numbers, Doug Kirk and Zolton Cohen will provide information for those interested on how to ride in a rotating paceline. Riders who do not wish to participate in the paceline can sit in at the back of the group.

Jeff Hamilton spoke next, detailing paceline protocols, using a chalkboard to illustrate rider movement within the group. Anyone who attended this meeting should now be well versed on what a paceline does, how it works, and what each rider needs to do in order to participate safely in one. Hamilton and Kirk are hopeful that those with knowledge of what a properly-performing paceline should look like can then help out new riders who may be confused about the particulars.

KBC Ride Captain Knute Jacobson announced the formation of a new ride route on Friday nights. The older, around-Gull Lake route will be abandoned, due to increased auto traffic on the roads around the lake, narrow roads and deteriorating pavement, and the large size of the group that typically shows up. The new route will take advantage of roads located south of I-94, and will include some rolling roads and hills. Jacobson is also seeking help in establishing an 18 mph Friday ride on the new route. Due to construction, parking for the Friday ride will have to move from Billy’s Bike Shop to a lot at the new high school, about 1/2 mile east of Galesburg, at the corner of 37th Street and M-96. .

KBC/Little Caesar’s Race Team Captain Greg Lawford noted that the WMU/KBC BTR Criterium Bike Race will be held again this year, on August 11. He also said the race team is looking for new members, especially women riders. He can be contacted at greg.lawford@stryker.com for more information on racing with the KBC/Little Caesar’s team. Lawford also said the Tuesday Night Time Trial will run again this year. Announcement of the starting date is pending.

Finally, Joan Orman revealed that the Ride of Silence, a 12 mile, 12 mph ride, will occur on May 16 this year. Further news about this event will be forthcoming in the PedalPress and other media.

Thanks go to the KBC Group Ride Safety Meeting Committee, consisting of Dave Bishop, Zolton Cohen, Steve Cox, Jeff Hamilton, Knute Jacobson, Tom Keizer, Doug & Kathy Kirk, Greg Lawford, Richard Neumann, Joan Orman, and Dan VanSweden for their efforts into making KBC’s group rides safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Ride of Silence, May 16

THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET

On Wednesday, May 16 at 7 PM the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no brochure, no sponsors, no registration fees and no t-shirt. The ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured by automobiles.

Mark Rose is the organizer of the Kalamazoo Ride of Silence. The group will leave from Western Michigan University parking lot #10 located just off Oakland Dr on Oliver St. (For reference the parking lot is directly behind the press box of Waldo Stadium.) The ride goes south from Kalamazoo to Portage and back again. Please contact Mark with questions: mark@thechaingang.net

Now, 12 miles at 12 mph is a far cry from the usual great Wednesday night rides we typically enjoy, but consider giving up one Wednesday ride to participate in this critical mass action with a very important message. We have a right to ride on the roads! We are all vulnerable out there, and the more awareness we can bring to motorists, the safer we will be.

Even racers at Gratten will take time out to do a 12 mph silent lap prior to the start of their event.

More information at www.rideofsilence.org

Pastor Dale Krueger Recovering from Surgery
By Terry O’Connor

Pastor Dale Krueger is recovering from a neck bone spur operation at Borgess Hospital March 8, 2007. Dale is now at home and heavily drugged with painkiller. I know he would appreciate hearing from you, despite his inability to reply to your emails at this time. Dale is spending his time in bed and perhaps walking around with a neck collar to help stabilize and speed healing. At age 75 the recovery process will be slow (2+ months) and will interfere with his 2007 cycling goal of 6000 miles.

Pastor Dale is an avid cyclist and we have two "tales" on the KBC website about trips to Europe (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) in 2004 and Ireland in 2006. I also believe he was 72 before he got his first time ever new bike - a “Cannon-Dale” as he refers to his Cannondale R1000. Chandler Garrison at Village Cyclery always helps us out with bike maintenance and travel advice.

Dale’s mail address is: Dale Krueger, 3706 Barrington Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 or email prdaleandruthk@chartermi.net

Classified Ad

For sale:

One Large and one Medium Kalamazoo Bike Club Jersey. The Large was worn maybe 3-4 times, the Medium one time. I just have too many jerseys. $30 each

Park shop repair stand, Model PRS-3 with tool tray. This is a shop stand that weights about 90 pounds. Great for Tandems. $150.00.

Contact Terry Florian: terryf@chartermi.net

Volunteer Biking Opportunity with Michigan Blind Athletic Association

For the past several years, many members of the KBC have assisted the Michigan Blind Athletic Association with the Sports Education Camp (SEC) for youth who are blind or visually impaired. Again this year, I am coming to the KBC to ask for your assistance, your expertise and your tandems!! Your assistance and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated!

No surprise--For the past many years, the tandem bikes were, by far, the most popular event at the SEC!! The SEC will be held May 9-12, 2007. The tandem biking events will take place on Wednesday evening (first year participants); Thursday evening (advanced participants); and Friday evening (competition). We will be riding on the WMU Parkview Campus. This is the same venue as last year and it was a great place to ride!! Come out and share in the fun and help us encourage the sport of cycling with our youngsters.

Please contact Sherry Gordon, either by e-mail: sdgordon78@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 383-4144 or by cell phone at 599-9391 to obtain further details. Come and have fun and help to make this event a great success!!

Recumbent Rallies Return

See what all those recumbent riders are smiling about by taking some test rides at one of the Michigan recumbent rallies this year. For those not familiar with the bikes, recumbents have the rider sitting in a chair-like seat with the result being the lack of back, neck, seat and wrist pain.

On May 12th the Michigan Recumbent and Tandem Rally East will be held in the southwest Detroit area. New this year will be the addition of tandem bicycles at the Rally East, with the event being cosponsored by the Program To Educate All Cyclists (www.bikeprogram.org), a group that teaches disabled people to ride bicycles, often on tandems. PEAC is hoping that people will attend the May 12th event and volunteer with the organization. This May Rally will be followed by the Michigan Recumbent Rally Central near Lansing on June 30th and on July 14th the Michigan Recumbent Rally West at Kentwood (Grand Rapids area).

The Rallies are free, one-day, no registration events that include recumbent dealers, displays, test-rides and used bicycles for sale. "Buying your first recumbent" talks are given, as well as group rides. For more information the Rallies, the Wolver-Bents, or recumbents in general, visit the Wolver-Bents Recumbent Cyclists website at www.wolverbents.org, e-mail wolverbob@cs.com, or call 734/487-9058.

For those interested in a more competitive event, the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association (MHVPVA) will be holding its annual Rally on June 23rd and 24th at Waterford, Michigan (northern Detroit suburbs). For more information on the MHPVA event, visit www.mhpva.org or contact Wally Kiehler at 313.884-0109 or WKiehler@Comcast.Net

Shop Notes

Alfred E Bike

320 East Michigan, Kalamazoo, (269) 349-9423
www.aebike.com

Billy’s Bike Shop

63 East Battle Creek Street, Galesburg, 665-5202

Breakaway Bicycles

185 Romence at Westnedge, Portage, (269) 324-5555, www.breakawaybicycles.com

Custer Cyclery

104 North Augusta, Augusta, 731-3492

Gazelle Sports

214 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, (269) 342-5996,
www.Gazellesports.com

Announcements: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE! Now through April 2, buy one Champion Seamless Sports Bra and get a rebate certificate for a FREE Champion Seamless Sports Bra.

ProSport

4813 West Milham, Portage

Announcements: Prosport - Corner of 12th and Milham across from Wedel's. Open 10-6 Daily, 9-4 Sat. Nineteen years serving Kalamazoo bicyclists. Guaranteed two day service. Friendly and knowledgeable. Ride over soon.

Team Active

22 W Michigan, Battle Creek, 1-800-841-9494
www.teamactive.com

Village Cyclery

US 131 in Schoolcraft, 679-4242
www.villagecyclery.com

About the PedalPress

The KBC PedalPress comes out on or around the first of each month.

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On Bicycle Safety

Important: Riding a bicycle is an inherently dangerous activity. There are risks of injury or death. You could ride over something and fall, or get hit by an automobile or strike or be struck by another bicyclist. There are many other dangers to bicycling as well.

While nothing can eliminate all risks associating with bicycle riding, to minimize the danger, make sure you and your bicycle are in good riding condition. Know the rules of the road and also of the group you’re riding with, and ride in a manner consistent with the protocols of that group. Always wear a bike helmet, use bike lights if riding in the dawn, dusk or dark, and consider purchasing and riding with additional safety equipment such as reflectors and rear view mirrors.