November 2008 President’s Letter

The official weekly Kalamazoo Bicycle Club riding schedule came to an end on November 2. The extended daylight savings time gave us three extra weeks of riding this year. It was a good season and membership in the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club has increased. However, the time change and an earlier nightfall do not mean the end to KBC activities.

There are still KBC activities on the horizon. There are spinning opportunities at Alfred E. Bike and at KVCC. Of course, weather permitting, there may be rides that will be announced. Once the snow flies, many KBC members go cross-country skiing with the Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers at Milham Park. If you have ideas or suggestions for winter activities, please come to the November KBC meeting on Tuesday, November 11. The KBC elections will be held at the November meeting, as well.

There are also KBC committees that are at work during the winter. The Bike Camp Committee wants to build on the success of the 2008 Bike Camp. The KalTour committee is planning new and exciting changes and needs your help. The 2009 BTR race committee will be meeting to plan for this great race.

There are also efforts to establish a 5 year plan for the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. This plan would set forth goals and objectives for the club and would help the board establish priorities for the clubs resources. Currently the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club sponsors weekday and special club rides, two bike races (the Xterra and the BTR race), the KalTour, BikeCamp, and LAB classes. The KBC also contributes money to bicycle related activities in the community. The KBC board has been approached frequently to contribute to additional activities and having a plan would assist the board with making decisions about present and future activities based on the direction the membership wants to take the club

Thank you for making the 2007 riding season a success!

Mike Boersma, KBC President

Caitlin Braun - From Bike Camp to Budding Racer in One Short Season

  By Zolton Cohen

If you’re one of the many volunteers who helped out at Bike Camp 2008 this spring, if you were a fellow Bike Camper, or if you participated in some of the KBC evening club rides this past summer, it’s likely you ran into Caitlin Braun at least once. The willowy 15 year-old joined her dad, Bill, in going through the Bike Camp training program, took to it the way geese like to eat grass, and then just kept on riding…

If one were to chart her increased fitness and development at the cycling sport since the end of Bike Camp, her progress would describe a line ascending at approximately the same slope as the 6th Street hill. Rising rapidly through the various weekly KBC club ride offerings, by the end of September she was able to cycle with the combined Hammerfest/Half Fast group for at least half the Half Fast ride distance.

Caitlin’s obvious aptitude did not go unnoticed. Cheryl Olson, manager of the Priority Health Cycling team, signed her to a Junior Development contract this fall. Henceforth, whenever you see Caitlin on her bike, she’ll be sporting the readily-identifiable Priority Health Cycling Team “kit” of bright green and white jersey and cycling shorts.

Olson says it all came about this way:

“The Priority Health program has produced many riders who have moved to the Pro ranks, including Graham and Steven Howard, John Doyle, and Mackenzie Woodring. After defining what the 2008 program would be and securing sponsorship, we decided we wanted to expand the number of athletes in the program and that it should include 3 female riders under the age of 25.”

“We had one spot left and I thought it would be impossible to find a new female rider who was not already claimed by another team. I thought about this and polled my contacts for suggestions - with no success. A few days later I went out for the Wednesday night Hammerfest. Lo and behold, there was Caitie!”

“I watched her manage at the front of the group, even rolling through the pace line a couple of times. She rode well in the group and was not too overwhelmed by the pace. Anyone who has done the Hammerfest knows it is rare to see a female cyclist able to ride at this near-race pace.”

“As I sat in the group and watched her, a friend of hers rolled up to me and asked, “Do you know that girl up there?” I replied that I did not and asked who she was. He told me her name and age. I asked a few more questions and all things pointed to our newest-found “diamond in the rough.” After the ride I approached Caitie and her dad and found them to be a pleasure to talk with… the exact type of character and integrity that we require in our athletes. It was all just perfect!”

Olson met with Caitie and Bill a few days later at their house and talked to them about the program. The next day they accepted her offer to have Caitie ride with Priority Health’s Women and U25 Development team.

“Caitie will get full support for racing,” Olson says. “Equipment, clothing, race registrations and travel to some out of state events including Junior Nationals. We will teach her how to race and provide some coaching. She’ll learn teamwork on and off the bike and will have the guidance of some great cyclists. In return, Caitie will race the Michigan race calendar. She will attend a variety of Priority Health-sponsored events where she will speak to groups of kids on topics like Healthy Lifestyle, Wellness and Bicycle Safety. Caitie, along with the other U25 riders like Andrew Florian, Zach McBride, Paul Jacobson, John Doyle, and Taylor Birman, will be role models for kids throughout west Michigan.”

To get Caitlin’s reaction to all this, an interviewer caught up with her after a recent KBC monthly meeting and e-mailed her a few questions:

Q. It was reported at the October 14 KBC meeting that you signed a "junior development contract" with the Priority Health Cycling Team. What, exactly, does that mean? Will you be racing with that team next year? Receiving training from their coaches? Traveling to training camps?

A. I have been asked to join the Priority Health cycling team. Cheryl and Mark Olson will be providing some coaching. We will do some team training but most of the training will be done here in the Kalamazoo area, separate from the team. I will participate in about 15 races next year. My first meeting with the team is in November and I will find out a whole lot more then.

Q. How did Priority Health happen to pick up on your potential as a rider?

A. Cheryl Olson saw me riding on a Wednesday night ride. After the ride, Cheryl approached me to say she had a spot on the Priority Health Women’s team and the U25 (development) team. She asked if I would consider riding for the Priority Health team.

Q. How long have you been cycling? What aspect of the sport do you enjoy most? Group riding? Racing? Mountain biking?

A. This is my first season cycling. I began with the KBC Bike Camp as part of my training for the Make-A-Wish - Wish-A-Mile 300 mile ride. Each week Jim Kindle would lead a group ride for 10-15 miles - which always ended up being 25-30 miles. On one ride, Mark Bush was a co-leader and when we got back, Mark suggested I try racing. He encouraged me to do the BTR race. After BTR, I began showing up at some of the Monday night and Wednesday night rides. I loved riding with the group and it became a weekly thing. I also like to get out and mountain bike with my dad during the fall.

There are a lot of things I enjoy about cycling. I love going out for the group rides and seeing how long I can hang, trying to make it further each time. I’ve been able to hang with the group on the Monday night ride, but have yet to complete the Wednesday night Half Fast ride with the main group. The bike club has been extremely welcoming and I have really liked the people I’ve met. Although I enjoy the group rides, my favorite thing about biking has been being working as an apprentice under Tom Noverr as part of the “Jamie Clark Sherpa Team.”

Q. You went through Bike Camp 2008. Was that experience beneficial in giving you an entree into the world of biking? Had you done much cycling before Bike Camp?

A. The Bike Camp experience was extremely beneficial to me. To begin, I learned some of the basics of group riding and many of the signals. I also learned about safety, nutrition, hydration, and most importantly drafting. Before Bike Camp, I would mountain bike with my dad, but I was not very serious about it. I enjoyed it and thought I would try road riding and maybe even some racing.

Q. Where do you attend school? Are you involved in any sports at school? If so, which are your favorites?

A. I attend Hackett Catholic Central and the Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC). I’ve done a mix of sports over the years; basketball, track, volleyball, ski racing, and diving. I can’t say I have a favorite sport, but my top three are track, diving, and skiing.

Q. You did the BTR race last summer. Was that your first competitive event? How did you feel during the race? Did you do any other notable rides in 2008?

A. The BTR race was my first competitive biking event. It was a really fun, but tough race. I was unaware of many racing techniques, and with only two other riders in Cat 4 who were much more experienced, there wasn’t much opportunity to draft. Mark Bush, Jim Kindle, and Heather Haydo were all there to cheer me on. Mark Bush helped convince me to participate in the race, and coached me through it. Monica Tory, the Cat 4 winner, encouraged me throughout the race and kept me going.

Q. Who was your greatest influence in biking?

A. Mark Bush, Jim Kindle, and Heather Haydo, and my dad, are my greatest influences in biking. Mark is probably the reason I began racing, and helped me believe I could do it. Jim has been a great riding buddy for my dad and me both. Heather is the main reason I began participating in the group rides. She rode with me on the Make-A-Wish ride, and has always been one of my favorite riding buddies since.

Q. Anything else you'd like people to know about you - as a cyclist or a person?

A. I can’t wait for the 2009 racing season and I am extremely excited to be riding with the Priority Health team.

Keep your ears open for Caitlin Braun’s name in the coming years. The bet here is that she’s going places…

Reflectors, Blinking Lights, and Reflective Clothing

Recent news reports of bike/auto accidents lead me to believe that continuous reminders regarding bike safety are necessary. The last two reports suggested that the victims were school kids. Complete information is not available until the cases have been adjudicated and that will be in two or three months. In the meantime it would help to take every opportunity you have to remind kids that safety, in most cases, is their responsibility. Remind our young riders that vehicle laws apply to all bikers, young and old.

Ask questions. Was the rider in compliance with the motor vehicle laws? The laws are very clear, ride with the traffic as far to the right as possible, and at night the bike must be equipped with reflectors and red taillight and white headlight. As an extra precaution, might I suggest that the rider wear brilliant reflective clothing? Please notice what road contractors are wearing. Why do you suppose they wear such visible outer garments?

With the above thoughts in mind it might be worth considering how law compliant is the KBC membership. My observation at our Texas Drive Monday evening rides is that there is plenty of room for improvement. A significant number of accomplished riders do not have any lights on their bikes. With shorter days in front of us, overcast skies, and shaded country roads isn’t it just common sense to have and use working lights on your bike? You are much more likely to be seen if your lights are on. If you have any doubts as to the vehicle laws as they apply to bicyclist you might go to www.lmb.org and print a copy for your future reference.

My next observation is not a part of the law but does have to do with safety and that is wearing clothing that is visible. Wearing dark clothing especially an upper garment is an invitation to disaster. This applies to pedestrians and, yes, motorcyclists are included! You may think that because you can see the automobile they can see you. Well think again! Or better yet, as you travel the shaded country roads in your car, please observe how bikers and pedestrians with dark clothing are virtually invisible until you are almost on top of them. Let’s set a good example and dress to be seen!

Give the drivers a break and wear reflective, brilliant upper garment and equip your bike with front and back blinking lights. You might eliminate a catastrophe… and that catastrophe might be YOU.

Victor Van Fleet, Chair, Kalamazoo Bicycle Club Safety and Education Committee

Monthly Meeting Minutes

Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7 P.M.

Chair: Mike Boersma, KBC President

Location: YMCA - Maple Street

Recorder: Mike Krischer

KBC’s monthly meeting took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. Mike Boersma, Tom Keizer, David Jones, Jim Kindle, Mike Krischer, Zolton Cohen, Bill Braun, Ethan Morgenstern, Victor Van Fleet, and Renee Mitchell were in attendance.

Ethan presented his idea for a “Youth Bicycle Club” that would train inner city youth to repair and restore bikes in exchange for acquiring a bicycle. He has written a $15,000 grant proposal and proposes to partner with the city of Kalamazoo, the Douglas Community Center, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Discussion and questions about his idea included determining the target group for this club, whether there would be a salaried manager position, potential continuity problems, and the minimum amount of money necessary to get started. Ethan said he needed at least $7,000 for tools. It was suggested that Ethan contact Doug Kirk and try to get help from his Kalamazoo College bicycle class and to approach the Fetzer foundation. Possible KBC support was discussed including a letter of support, safety training, and KBC junior memberships.

A motion was made by Zolton and seconded by Jim that Ethan come back in a month and report on what he had done and what support he would like from the club. This motion was approved.

Tom gave the Treasurer’s report and thank you letters were noted from Kalamazoo River Valley Trailways and the Parks Foundation for KBC support.

Nominations were opened for the KBC Board. Mike B., Jim, and Tom agreed to continue their present offices of President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.

Zolton will take charge of setting a date of a discussion and formulation of KBC’s five year plan during the winter. Renee will assist.

Bill Braun reported that Eaton (where he works) has been a sponsor of the Make a Wish ride and that they raised $100,000 last year. The people at the local Eaton’s facility (southeast of Galesburg) would like to set up some type of mini-Make a Wish Ride since the state ride of successive century rides is beyond the reach of a lot of people, certainly most children. Bill raised the possibility of Eaton and KBC sponsoring a single day ride, 2 day ride, or a set of training rides. Zolton suggested integrating this offer of support with KalTour and there was discussion of how this might happen although no formal proposals were made.

The next KBC monthly meeting is scheduled for 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at the YMCA on Maple Street in Kalamazoo. All club members are invited to attend this, and every, meeting.

Mike Krischer for Elaine Naegele, , KBC Secretary

Masthead

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

If you have an article or a notice that you want to go into the PedalPress, please email it to the newsletter editor, fswhaley@comcast.net by the 20th of the month before its intended publication.

For example, if you’d like an article to be published in the December edition (distributed on or around the first of December), have it to the newsletter editor by the 20th of November.

KBC Statistics

Active subscriptions

265

New members

Travis Bell • Doug Brewer • Dave Dilno

November Expiring memberships:

Jelania Haile • Denny Morrison

Renewed memberships

Mike Berry Family

Paul Bruneau, KBC Database Manager

League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) Corner

Bicycling in traffic is a dance you must lead...

It is your choice of roadway position which most influences the behavior of motorists. Want them to give you more clearance? Use enough of the lane to make them realize they need part of another lane to pass you. (On a multi-lane road, use even more lane to encourage them to pass.)

Want them to wait to pass? Use a lane control position and, if necessary, a hand signal. Want them to plan ahead and make decisions early? Be visible and predictable.

     from the Commute Orlando Blog.

Ride safe and enjoy the fall colors,

Jelania Haile

November's Ride Captain’s Report

Dear KBC Friends:

As I write this, I'm looking forward to the last official group road ride of the season -tonight, Halloween night. The weather is supposed to be outstanding - mostly sunny and close to 60 degrees. We won't have much more of this for a while!

In fact, it was 38 degrees when we finished the Wednesday night ride two days ago. I was glad to make that one too. The evening was absolutely beautiful, if a bit chilly!

All in all, it's been a good season. I’m sorry it's coming to an end. Now's when many of us begin counting the days until rides start up again next spring.

For many of us, our group rides are highlights of the week. Fun, friendship, a little friendly competition, they take our minds off other things, and help us renew and re-create.

My thanks to all the ride leaders who help make the weekly rides possible. I also want to thank all who have helped with this year's numerous special events - they've been outstanding.

I guess the next big thing will be the recovery party! There's always an amazing assortment of great food!

My one suggestion as the season winds down: Is there someone who is willing to lead a Kal Haven trail ride on Wednesday evenings again this year during the winter months -when there's no or little snow? If you'd like to do that, let me know, and we can post it on the website. There are probably a few crazies who'd like to join you. Let's give those snowmobilers a run for their money!

Best regards,

Knute Jacobson, KBC Ride Captain

Editor’s Letter – The Imperial Palace Century Ride

Editor’s Note: Soon, Thanksgiving will be upon us, which means that we’ll be eating enormous turkey dinners and then eating the leftovers. So, in the tradition of recycling leftovers, this month’s Editor’s Letter is something that I wrote in 2000 during a four month period when I had a temporary job assignment in Tokyo. During that period, I sent a series of letters to friends, family, and coworkers describing my experiences. This is a slightly edited version of one of these letters, describing a century ride in Tokyo that I did on Thanksgiving.

Picture, if you will, an elementary school in suburban Chicago, circa 1962. A fifth grade class is studying Japan. The following is an account of a discussion that took place between the teacher of this class and her pupils. For reasons of confidentiality, the names of the students have been changed.

Teacher: “All right, children, during the last week we’ve been learning all about Japan. Would anyone like to tell the rest of the class why they would like to visit Japan? Yes, “Becky”?”

“Becky”: “I would like to visit Japan, so I can become a geisha!” (Giggles from the girls and groans from the boys.)

Teacher: “That’s very nice, “Becky.” Anyone else?”

“Tommy”: “I’d like to visit Japan, so I can fight like a samurai warrior!” (Cheers from the boys and groans from the girls.)

Teacher: “Now, “Tommy,” I’m sure that isn’t why ALL of the boys in this class would like to visit Japan. I see that you’re waving your hand, “Ricky.” Why would you like to visit Japan?”

“Ricky”: I’d like to visit Japan so I can ride my bicycle 100 miles around the Imperial Palace grounds!” (Silence, except for the sound of scraping tables and chair legs. “Ricky” is now sitting alone.)

Years later, “Becky” is working as a waitress at an International House of Pancakes. “Tommy” is a security guard at a Wal-Mart. And “Ricky?” You don’t want to know what became of this obviously troubled young boy.

Some men dream of climbing Mt. Fuji. Some men dream of eating the poisonous fugu. I, too, have had dreams such as these, some achieved and some never to be realized, but yet another dream that has spread inside my mind like mold on bathroom tile is the dream of doing a century ride around the Imperial Palace grounds. And not one of those 37.9% devalued metric century rides, either. It had to be the full 100 miles, 32 laps of 5 kilometers through 480 stoplights. I knew that anything less would leave me hollow inside, just a shell of the man I knew I could become if I could only see this dream through to its fruition. So, the question was never “If?” The question was never “Why?” The question was “When?” And could there be a more appropriate day to do this than on Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks for the opportunity for each of us to be able to live our own very particular American dream, even if it is in Japan? Of course not.

Well, actually, I decided that Thanksgiving would be a good day to do this because it was also Japanese Labor Day, a holiday in Japan, and I thought that the traffic would be lighter than usual around the Imperial Palace. Even so, I knew that even with a very early start, I would be riding past noon and, based on past experience, I knew that the traffic can get rather heavy around the palace by 10:00 A.M. So, I began my day in the 5:00 A.M. predawn darkness.

Fueled by a breakfast that included that Japanese delicacy, a Power Bar, by 5:45 A.M., I was riding the 1.5 miles from my apartment to the Imperial Palace grounds. I rode past the Iidabashi train and subway station, past the barber shop that advertised “Hair Pit Cook 1200 Yen,” which made me I wonder if hair is also a delicacy in Japan, past the controversial Yasukuni-jinja Shrine dedicated to the Japanese war dead since 1853, and past the not-so-controversial (except to rival drug company employees) SmithKline-Beecham Building. Then, I arrived at the northwest corner of the grounds and at (approximately) 5:54 A.M., I began my ride.

Now, it is hardly the case that this 5 kilometer loop is pancake flat. After about a third of a mile on a flat straightaway going south to the 1st stoplight, the road curves steadily downhill through 4 more stoplights in a generally southeast direction for about the next mile. A moat runs parallel to the road and is quite scenic, but a cyclist who concentrates on the view dose so at his or her own peril

After a 90 degree left turn at the 6th stoplight, the road crosses a moat and there’s another flat straightaway that goes north through 3 more stoplights by the east edge of the Imperial Palace grounds. This is where the tourists show up beginning at about 9:00A.M., when the grounds open, in order to pose in front of the famous Niju-bashi Bridge and get a glimpse of the actual Imperial Palace in the distance.

About two-thirds of a mile later, at the 10th stoplight, the road turns northwest and begins, at first, almost imperceptibly, to go uphill. At this point, the road is, once again, bordered on the left for a little while by a moat, and an entrance to the East Garden of the Imperial Palace is also here. This is the only part of the Imperial Palace grounds that is open to the public for more than two days of the year. (The palace itself is open on the Emperor’s birthday, December 23rd, and on New Year’s Day.)

About a third of a mile and 2 stoplights later, the road then curves at the 13th stoplight and for the next third of a mile, the grade of the road increases and the curving uphill is no longer almost imperceptible. This is also the portion of the loop where a cyclist has to cut right across two lanes of traffic (in Japan, cars drive on the left side of the road) to avoid entering the entrance ramp of a toll road by the 14th stoplight. (I learned about this on my very first lap around the grounds in August, when the toll taker ran out of his tollbooth waving his arms and signaling that is would really be in my best interest if I didn’t continue to ride onto the expressway. It was hard to argue with his visual logic.) At this point, the road turns southwest, slightly downhill, slightly uphill, and then finally slightly downhill for the remainder of the loop to the 15th stoplight, and then, the process can be repeated over and over and over again. I had ridden this loop many times even before this day, and as noted by the above description, familiarity breeds familiarity.

Unlike Kalamazoo, the sun rises and sets early in Tokyo, which meant that although the sun sets at about 4:30 P.M. at this time of year, it also rises at about 6:20 A.M. So, it was dark during my first lap, but dawn began breaking during my second lap and by my third lap, the sun was up. Once the sun was up, I began to get into the somewhat tedious rhythm of the ride, following the contours of the road both up and downhill, pushing the pace on the straightaways, when possible, and running stoplights whenever I could (but politely, this being Japan, after all). Several laps into the ride, I began to notice a headwind from the north and northwest, which meant that I would have the wind in my face as I rode uphill. I had never ridden more than 10 laps around the grounds before, so at the start of the 11th lap, I began my journey into The Unknown.

I decided to take my first break after the 14th lap. At this point, I still felt good, and after eating a delicious and expensive banana, I began to ride again. Unfortunately, during the next several laps, I began to realize that I was going to pay for my lack of riding mileage while in Japan. At this point, I entered the final “just get through it” stage of the ride. I became fixated by the number of laps I had to ride until the 24th lap, when I took my second and final break. After eating another Power Bar and removing my windbreaker in order to show off my Kalamazoo Bicycle Club cycling jersey to an uncomprehending public, I resumed my fascination with numbers, beginning with the number 8, then 7, then 6, and so on. The uphill became longer and longer each lap. At least the traffic remained surprisingly light by Tokyo standards, possibly because many Tokyoians (or whatever they’re called) were out of town for the holiday. Finally, at (approximately) 12:33 P.M., I completed my 32nd lap. I was done.

But was I? Those of you with a calculator may have already figured out that 160 kilometers is only 99.4 miles, and you’re probably saying to yourself “Well, what about the remaining 0.6 miles, Whaley, you Cheater?!” First, I should point out in my defense that the sidewalk that goes around the grounds is 5 kilometers in length and by riding on the street, I actually rode slightly farther than 5 kilometers each lap. As a matter of fact, my odometer read 100.11 miles at the end of the 32nd lap. But, in order to silence those doubters (and you know who you are), I rode to the first stoplight on the loop and then rode back to the start. From there, I rode home via a different, slightly shorter route, past the Ichigaya train and subway stop where I’d catch the train or subway to work each morning, and on a route where no one cooks hair, as far as I know.

Late that afternoon, it was time to dine on a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Tokyo style. For me, that meant walking to a Subway about three-quarters of a mile from my apartment, for a turkey sub, just like the ones the Pilgrims used to eat. (“I’ll have mine on wheat, Miles, and hold the mayo.”) However, I got there just a little too late, as they had closed and were cleaning up. So, now what was I to do? I thought about going back home and cooking some spaghetti, with the rationalization that a little post-exercise carbo loading would do me good. But emboldened by the successful completion of my Epic Quest earlier in the day, and as my birthright as an American, I knew that I had to have turkey no matter what the cost. So, I began yet another Epic Quest, walking to the Ichigaya train station and taking the train (which cost 150 yen) to a station close to where I worked, about 3 miles away, which was close to another Subway. It was still open.

So, as I ate my delicious Thanksgiving dinner, I reflected upon the fact that I could be thankful for at least two things. First, that even though I wasn’t in the best of shape, I was still able to complete the Imperial Palace Century Ride. And, second, that I would never have to do it again.

Rick Whaley, KBC Newsletter Editor

Some Upcoming Area Rides of Interest

Editor’s Note: I’ll be riding on my stationary trainer once the weather gets colder and the sun no longer shines, but I wouldn’t exactly call this a ride of interest, least of all to myself.

Classified Ads

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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

Now through November 30.... Gazelle Sports annual SOCK SALE! Buy three, get one FREE.

Choose from Balega, Feetures, Smartwool, Sole, Thorlo, Wigwam and Wrightsock. Great variety! Great deals!

ProSport

4323 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo Mi 49006-5810

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

Zoo City Cycle & Sports

4328 South Westnedge, Kalamazoo (269) 552-3000

Bicycling Safety Disclaimer

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.