Quick Highlights:

        1.      Prepare for some possibly stormy weather Thursday and Friday but it should clear for the weekend - Saturday, we'll have a low around 70 degrees and a high about 80; on Sunday, it should be cooler with a low of about 61 and a high in the high 70's!  Perfect - let's ride!  -> http://www.wesh.com/weather/index.html 

        2.      You can't have been at Lakemont last Saturday and not have known of the horrific crash that occurred in the first group as they sped along SR 434 west of the Greeneway.  An experienced and strong ASV team rider who was directly behind the leader went into a tuck position on a bike with aero bars.  His front wheel touched the back wheel of the lead rider at 33+ mph sending him into the pavement face-first.  Ten to twelve more riders went down; most were able to get up, dust themselves off and continue (some only discovered injuries after getting home).  Unfortunately, the rider directly behind the guy who caused the accident did not fare as well.  He broke four (4) ribs, chipped his scapula, has horrible road rash and, worst of all, sustained a collapsed lung. He was air-lifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center after the Winter Springs Police shut down the highway.

                When something like his happens, it requires us to assess how we got here.  Speed is a drug -- it's no surprise that people show up for their weekly fix and Lakemont has become the most popular ride in central Florida.  Unfortunately, along with the popularity has come a large degree of danger which, when exacerbated by bad choices, results in very bad consequences.

                Anarchy reigns if the groups fail to police themselves.  Seasoned cyclists have traditionally admonished newbies for dangerous or just plain stupid practices.  That guidance has been lacking for awhile at Lakemont and cannot continue. 

                So that there's no question, here are the three (3) rules that have to be enforced by everyone or my association with this circus is over:

                        1.      You must wear a helmet; this rule is violated rarely but, when it happens, it always seems to be by an "experienced" rider that I'm supposed to look up to or is regarded as "too cool" to confront;

                        2.      You cannot wear earplugs and listen to your iPod or put one of those stupid phone thingies in your ear; we need your full attention to the task at hand; if you need more stimulation than Lakemont dishes out, you are not someone I want to ride with; and,

                        3.      You cannot go into a tuck position on any handlebar/aero bar arrangement that limits your ability to control your bike and access your brakes; a standard road bike arrangement is the ideal; you may use a time trial/triathlon bike only so long as your hands remain spaced evenly with your shoulders and are immediately ready to access your brakes; to do less is to endanger yourself and everyone that rides behind you.  Exceptions: you can go into a tuck only if (1) you find yourself at the front and must impress us; or (2) you are at the back and can only hurt yourself if you lose control.

                I don't care how "good" or "safe" or "strong" you think you are.  If you do not believe, in good faith, that you can adhere to these rules, you have no regard for the people that you ride with.  This is not about you, it's about the group.  I have no doubt that the rider who caused the crash last week was completely convinced (ignorantly so) of his superiority.  I have great sympathy for him, for his injuries and for the fact that he's got to live with the terrible consequences to his teammate. 

        3.      Tonight, Thursday, October 23, is the BOBbies' Annual Membership Meeting at the Herndon Branch of the Orange County Library located at 4324 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32803 (same plaza as the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant) from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Here's what's on the agenda:

• Vendors fair
• Sample BOBbies jerseys and shorts to try on for fit and ordering information
• "Nutrition for the Female Athlete" lecture by Mary Lu Carpenter, R.D.
• Business meeting and call for nominations to board positions
• BOBbies t-shirts, socks and headbands for sale
   

You don't have to be a member to attend!

        4.      This Sunday, October 26: the Hilly Hundred sponsored by the Tampa Bay Freewheelers; starts at Pasco County Comprehensive High School in Dade City; more information is at http://www.tbfreewheelers.com/main/Home.php and the 20th Annual Intracoastal Waterway Century sponsored by the Space Coast Freewheelers; you get to ride through the Kennedy Space Center and down Merritt Island; across the bridge to Eau Gallie then out to the spring training home of the Montreal Expos and finally up the historic River Road in Cocoa; go to -> http://www.spacecoastfreewheelers.com/events.htm

        5.      Get it on your calendars now!  Our annual Holiday Party will be Sunday evening, December 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Winter Park Farmers Market!  We'll do a pot luck format (like all years past)!

        6.      John Sathe, President of the Daytona Beach Bike Club (http://www.daytonabikeclub.org), says their rides will now start 15 minutes later; they'll now meet every Wednesday and Friday morning at 7:45 at the corner of Granada and Beach Street and join riders from Palm Coast and Flagler Beach around 8:30 a.m. at the entrance to Halifax Plantation. There's usualy a fast group and a moderate pace group and there's a stop for coffee in Flagler Beach - distance varies from 30 to 40 miles. On Sundays, meet at Smith Landing at Highbridge Park at 8:30 a.m. and ride to Palm Coast for coffee. It's a 30-mile ride with fast and moderate paced groups!

        7.      Ben Anderson has revised his ride.  Says Ben, "Beginning Nov 1, the ride distance is changed to 48 miles. Basically the same route up to Mascotte but then back home via Villa City Rd and Cherry Lake Rd. The ride pace is between 18 - 25 mph depending on wind etc. Several steep hills may slow us to as low as 10 mph. At the end of the ride we will have averaged a 17 - 20 mph. This is a B+ to A level ride depending on the group that shows up.  We begin riding at 7:30 AM from Killarney Station of the W Orange Trailhead.  No one gets dropped to ride alone.  See the listing below for more information.

        8.      As I'd written earlier, the BOBbies (Babes on Bikes) received the Bike Club of the Year award from the Florida Bicycle Association ("FBA"). BOBbies President Mary Lu Carpenter accepted the award on behalf of the club, which was honored for improving the cycling skills of hundreds of women cyclists in Central Florida through its broad range of education programs, and for promoting safety, fitness and health through advocacy and education. It also received praised from the FBA for spearheading the Bowling Smackdown, a fundraiser that brought Central Florida bike clubs together and generated more than $2,500 for banners on Orlando city buses to inform motorists of the Florida law requiring them to leave three feet of space between their vehicle and the cyclist (aka the "3-foot law").

        The FBA also recognized BOBbie extraordinaire Keri Caffrey for her work as a Citizen Advocate within the cycling community. As a member of the BOBbies Board of Directors, Keri heads up the club's education program. What's more, she has designed and maintains numerous Web sites (several pro bono) geared toward cycling, health, fitness and community. Her newest passion, www.commuteorlando.com, seeks to encourage and support individuals who choose to rely on the bicycle as a means to commute to work, school and everywhere in between. And as a graphic designer, look no further than the BOBbies kit/Web site (http://luvbobbies.com), the FBA Web site (http://floridabicycle.org) or the Lynx bus banners promoting the 3-foot law to see Keri's commitment to the cycling community. Congratulations, Keri, on a well-deserved honor.

        9.      Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 29, for wine, cheese and conversation at David's World Cycle's College Park shop (2517 Edgewater Drive, Orlando) to get information about Trek Travel's offerings for 2009!  All attendees have a shot at discount vouchers and raffle prizes.  It's from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. - contact Rustin at 407 422 2458 or rustin@davidsworld.com to get a spot!

        10.     Dennis Jones is opening a new bike shop along the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden!  Winter Garden Wheelworks opens November 1 at 101 West Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden next to the fountain in the center of town!  They'll stock Felt, Fuji, Breezer and SE and are looking for full and part-time help!  Check out the website at http://www.wgwheelworks.com/ or contact Dennis at dennis@wgwheelworks.com or 407 654 1496!

        11.     Coaches Sean Hendryx and Bill Wenner of Team Hendryx Athlete Training and Development (www.teamhendryx.com) will be holding special training groups for the Boston Marathon 09 and Ironman Florida and Great Floridian 09. Team Hendryx coaches include Boston qualifiers, sub 3 marathoners, multi time Ironman finishers, and a multi time Ironman Hawaii finisher. All coaches are USAT certified, the staff includes certified athletic trainers, and personal trainers that will prepare athletes of all abilities to conquer races of any distance. In addition to Boston and IM training, Team Hendryx offers training for all ability levels and all distances in running and triathlon. Contact Bill at 407 256 5434 or cwenner@cfl.rr.com or visit us at www.teamhendryx.com.

        12.     There's e-mail from the Seminole County Sheriff's office - they've received additional complaints about stop-sign-running by Lakemont riders.  Be prepared for citations when you least expect it.

        13.     USAT Triathlon Coach Consuela "Sway" Styer will host a weekend sith six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott on March 20, 21 and 22, 2009!  Only 50 spots will be available and there are early registration discounts.  Got to http://www.triwithsway.com/tws-documents/DaveScottWeekend.pdf for more information.  Congratulations are also in order for Sway and Trung Lively who tied the knot earlier this month!

        14.     Because many of you get the newsletter as an attachment but not in the regular form, we'll transmit it both ways again this week.

        15.     Today's Quote:   "I detest life insurance agents; they always argue that I shall someday die, which is not so."  Stephen Leacock (186* - 1944; British Prime Minister).

Let's ride!

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Two (2) rides depart from Lakemont Elementary School (901 North Lakemont Avenue in Winter Park) this Saturday, October 25, 2008, at 7:30 a.m.:

        (1)     the 41-mile Oviedo Loop - three (3) groups: the first (25+ mph) goes straight through; the second (23+ mph) goes straight through; and the third (20+ mph) stops at the 7-11 halfway to tell jokes;

        (2)     the Fort Christmas Jaunt - (65 miles) going off the back of the third group of Oviedo Loop riders, turn right at the fire station east of UCF and assemble.

For Sunday, October 26, 2008, show up at Lakemont Elementary at 7:30 a.m. - the group decides the route! 

Remember, there's no dues and no insurance - you show up, you ride at your own risk.
Keri Caffrey has put together maps of the Oviedo Loop, the Tuskawilla Run, the Fort Christmas Jaunt and the Panera Bread Frolic! They're on the BOBbies' website at www.luvbobbies.com! Just click on "Maps."

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Don't forget to check out the Florida Freewheelers rides every weekend - you can visit their website at http://www.floridafreewheelers.com/ and see their schedule anytime (it's also got directions and phone numbers for the ride leaders).   On Saturday, October 25, Debi Katzman will lead the club's Lake Mary Ride with options of 33 and 44 miles at a B/C pace leaving from the Lake Mary Shopping Center and Fairlie Bagley will lead a “D” category and Social ride from Cady Way Park in Winter Park; on Sunday, October 26, Gilberto Ramirez will lead the Lake Mills ride with options of 41 and 46 miles at an A/B pace from Lake Mills Park near Chuluota and Jack Elliot will lead a 26 mile Touring ride leaving from the West Orange Trailhead.

All Freewheeler rides start at 8:00 a.m. (unless noted differently) - the Freewheelers have a deserved reputation for being prompt: 8:00 a.m. means 8:00 a.m.!

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Ben Anderson's Saturday Rides (first and third Saturdays every month)!  Says Ben:

The ride distance is changed to 48 miles. Basically the same route up to Mascotte but then back home via Villa City Rd and Cherry Lake Rd. The ride pace is between 18 - 25 mph depending on wind etc. Several steep hills may slow us to as low as 10 mph. At the end of the ride we will have averaged a 17 - 20 mph. This is a B+ to A level ride depending on the group that shows up.  We begin riding at 7:30 AM from Killarney Station of the W Orange Trailhead. 

Remember, no one gets dropped to ride alone.
This is the link to the map for the ride:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/kml/episode.kml?episodePkValues=2774825
Clean your chains and come ride with us!!  Contact Ben at ben@c5registry.com or call him as 321 945 7090.

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Ah, the "infamous" Windermere Roadies' rides: Check out the Roadies' website at http://www.windermereroadies.com/.  Manny Otero devotes tremendous time and talent to keeping things fresh! (the descriptions below are verbatim from the Roadies' website):

Start time: 8:10am
Location: Windermere Elementary
Description: The Infamous Sunday Ride leaves from Windermere Elementary at 8:10am. Why 8:10am? I have no idea. It's just the way it is.

The first 6 miles of the ride are usually very nice and social but, at the turn at Marsh Rd, the racers open the hammer. Marsh Rd is always very fast and it's usually where the group will break up into several packs of different skilled riders.

About 1 mile before US27, the racers will turn right at Hancock Rd en route to their brutal hill workout. Most of the rest of the groups will continue on to US27 and on to do their own rides. Please be careful near Hancock as some riders will be turning and others will not.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced racer, the Sunday ride has something for you.

Saturday Ride:
Start time: 8:00am
Location: Windermere Elementary
Description: The Saturday Ride leaves from Windermere Elementary at 8:00am.

This ride used to be a nice social ride, but it has morphed into a pretty fast, and sometimes painful ride. The route and distances vary depending on the group that shows up, but don't be surprised if you find yourself hammering through Groveland at speeds of 25mph+.

The route is usually shorter than the Sunday ride, but it can be just as painful.
More details are available at http://www.windermereroadies.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=15

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Lake Buena Vista Cycling Club:  This Sunday, October 26, at 8:30 a.m., join the club for "Zimm's Pathways to Pain!"  Leave from Winter Garden Station and head to the hills of Clermont, up the backside of Sugarloaf, to Buckhill and back by way of Grassy lake. Fun ride with lots of climbing.  Great last minute training for those headed to Austin for the LIVESTRONG Challenge.  Distance: 45-50 miles.  Contact Steve Zimmerman / Bryan Huneycutt at 407-230-7672 or contact Bryan at lbvcyclingclub@gmail.com.

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The Airport Rides:
These completely unofficial rides have become very popular if you don't mind making the jaunt to the Orlando International Airport area. Starting as early as 4:30 p.m. and going until after 9:00 p.m., riders (organized and unorganized) show up to ride the 9.5 mile "out-and-back" course along Heintzelman Boulevard. You can throw in the hill over the Beachine Expressway for a little extra fun. There is a bike lane and very little traffic. Expect to see everyone from the Orlando Road Club, a group of Windermere Roadies (there's a great map on their website (http://www.windermereroadies.com/images/maps/airport_map.jpg). With the time change, this ride has gotten very popular. IMPORTANT NOTE: Park on north Hangar Road in the cul-de-sac - don't park in the rental car agency's parking lot.

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BOBbies (Babes On Bikes) Weekday Rides:

                Tuesday Night (6:00 p.m.) - East Orlando - 30 miles with an average pace of 17 mph; leave from the SAIC building in the
                Research Park near UCF (12901 Science Drive); take Alafaya to Science Drive, park by the fountain.  Contact Paula Ross
                at paula.m.ross@saic.com

                Wednesday Night - Winter Park/Tuscawilla Loop - 25 miles - 2 options for the ride start

                        Option 1: 6:00 p.m. at Bank of America located at the corner of Lakemont & Aloma
                        Option 2: 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the former Don Pablos located at Casselberry Square Shopping Center just north of Red Bug Lake Road on 436

                Wednesday Night - Sanford - 6:00 p.m. start time approx 20 miles; location is the Municipal Lot Sanford at the corner of North Palmetto and East Seminole Blvd. For more details please contact Judi Robison at judirobiHYPERLINK "http://groups.google.com/groups/unlock?msg=4c5cca4675e38054&_done=/group/luvbobbies/browse_thread/thread/25e5cc827082e0c0"son@cfl.rr.com

                Thursday Night - Windermere - 6:00 p.m. start - approx 20-25 miles; there are a couple of options:  first, a casual paced group leaving at 5:30 p.m. with Aylin Arditti and, second, an endurance (17-19 mph) group leaving at 6:00 p.m. with Ceme Curley, Joyce or Lynette - they leave from Winderemere Elementary School, in the parking lot on the west side.

These are all NO DROP RIDES. Be ready to roll at the posted time. For more info....check out the "Rides" section at www.luvbobbies.com!

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Seminole Cyclists!

The Seminole Cyclists (http://www.seminolecyclist.org/index.htm) have great turnouts with a full menu of rides. Doug Unger, President of the club, gave me this list:

Friday at 7:30 a.m.:  34 miles - it's fast! Join the group at Einstein Bagels in the Lake Mary Albertsons Shopping Center. (Formally the Fast Friday Lake Mary Cycle Ride)

Saturday at 7:30 a.m.:  34 miles: We ride from the Einstein Bagels in the Lake Mary Albertsons Shopping Center. Now with Three separate groups: "A" group speeds from 21+ sprints up to 30 MPH, "B" Group Casual Ride 17-20 MPH, and C,D Ride 12-15 mph with ride leader. This is a great starter ride. "No one gets left behind."

Sunday at 7:30 a.m.:  We leave from the Coffee Café in the Colonial Town Center A & B Groups use same route, 42 miles:  the "A" group pace is 21+ mph; the "B" group follows at about 18 - 20 mph and picks up "A" group stragglers.

Sunday at 8:00 a.m.:   20 miles ‘Relaxed Ride’ From Coffee Café in Colonial Town Center B Group tours the West Sanford and Heathrow country roads at an 18-20mph pace and "No one gets left behind."

Hang out at the café after the ride to socialize – the Coffee Café offers a 10% discount and always has pitchers of water on each table.

Tuesdays/Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (leaves from the Coffee Café in the Colonial Town Center) "A" Ride pace varies between 20 and 25 mph and will break into multiple groups if the group is large enough.

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Lake Buena Vista Cycling Club rides every Sunday.  Contact Steve Zimmerman or Bryan Huneycutt at LBVCyclingClub@gmail.com or call 407 230 7672!

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Osceola Velo Club (http://www.osceolaveloclub.com/index.html) has training rides on Saturday and Sunday mornings (when there aren't races). The locations are not available - for more information, contact Pat Schlager at phschlager@aol.com

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Space Coast Velo Sport (http://spacecoastvelosport.com/) has the following standing rides:  on Saturdays, do the 39-mile Bagel Shop Ride leaving at 7:00 a.m. from the northwest corner of Wickham Road and Lake Washington (behind the Burger King and Dunkin' Donuts); the pace is advertised at 18 - 25 mph;  get more details by calling Herb Jordan at 321 961 8863; the Genesis Ride (advertised pace 18 - 24) leaves the Pinch-A-Penny (the website does not designate where the Pinch-A-Penny is) at 7:30 a.m.; the 50-mile Palm Bay Ride (advertised as a "race simulation") leaving at 8:00 a.m. from (and symbolically returning to) the Palm Bay Hospital at 1425 Malabar Road NE in Palm Bay; the Starbucks Ride (billed as a winter training ride) leaving at 9:00 a.m. across from some "mall" somewhere (presumably near Melbourne).  On Sundays, the Sonic Ride (34 miles) leaving from the Sonic parking lot on Wickham Road in north Melbourne. 

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The Space Coast Freewheelers (http://www.spacecoastfreewheelers.com/) have a standing Wednesday night River Road Ride of 28 miles leaving Lee Wenner Park in Cocoa, at 6:00 p.m. and a standing "C"-rated Saturday ride leaving from Lee Wenner Park in Cocoa at the intersection of Riveredge Blvd. and Harrison Street at 9:00 a.m. with options of 14 and 28 miles; on Sunday, October 26, the club will be devoting its attention to conducting the Intracoastal Waterway Century.  For more information, see the listing below or call 321 784 4686.

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The Daytona Beach Bicycle Club (http://www.daytonabikeclub.org) meets every Wednesday and Friday morning at 7:45 at the corner of Granada and Beach Street and joins up with riders from Palm Coast and Flagler Beach around 8:15 at the entrance to Halifax Plantation. There's usualy a fast group and a moderate pace group and there's a stop for coffee in Flagler Beach - distance varies from 30 to 40 miles. On Sundays, meet at Smith Landing at Highbridge Park at 8:30 a.m. and ride to Palm Coast for coffee. It's a 30-mile ride with fast and moderate paced groups!

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The Villages:  the group leaves from the parking lot opposite Panera's on Main Street in The Villages (Lady Lake, Florida) during the summer at 7.30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and joins with a few riders at the Santiago recreational center for an 8:00 a.m. departure time. There is also a ride on Sundays leaving Panera's at 8.30 a.m.  All rides finish at Panera's for coffee.  The typical distance is about 40 miles at an average pace of 18 mph.  They try to ride a century once a month somewhere in Florida.  "Newcomers will not be intentionaly abandoned."  You are advised that you ride at your own risk, the rides carry no insurance, and there is no corporation involved to have insurance. Bicycling is a hazardous sport and means of transport undertaken at your own risk; wear a helmet, a rear view mirror and do not wear earphones (it's against the law). 

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SPECIAL WEEKDAY RIDE NOTES:

Want a good ride on weekday mornings? A group assembles at the Winter Park YMCA at 7:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.    Tuesday is "Small Chain Ring Day"  The Wednesday ride splits with options for 29 and 48 miles.  The shorter route is saved at www.mapmyrun.com with the following URL: http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-states/fl/winter-park/780429750 . The longer route is also saved at www.mapmyrun.com with the following URL: http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-states/fl/winter-park/222386111   Contact Cori at ckd79duke@cfl.rr.com or just show up!

Mountain bikers have great weeknight rides organized by John Moorhouse: Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. starting downtown Orlando on Church St. between Orange Ave & I-4; and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. starting at Loco Motion in Winter Park. Both rides are an easy to moderate pace (14 - 16mph avg.), and average about 20 miles in length. The rides are a well-balanced mix of urban technical terrain (curb crossings, some stairs, etc.) and road riding. A mountain bike is a must for these rides. It's dark when these rides occur - Florida state law requires that you have lights, front and back. John has some spares. There's a calendar and forum set up here -> <http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/central_florida_mtb/> All are invited to join!!

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BEST AREA CYCLING BLOGS!

I'm always looking for more information about cycling so that I can point you to it. My four (4) favorite (because the writing and content are so good) are (in no particular order):

        a.      the Orlando Sentinel's Chain Gang Blog at http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_thechaingang/

        b.      Team Armada's blog at http://team-armada.blogspot.com/

        c.      Florida Bicycle Association's blog (Mighk Wilson) at http://flabicycle.blogspot.com/ and

        d.      Commute Orlando's blog at http://www.commuteorlando.com/
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BEST OUT-OF-AREA CYCLING BLOG -> http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/
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ADAPTIVE CYCLING CENTER
        Dennis Sutherlin and Rich Benton have opened the Family Cycling Center at the Winter Garden Station on the West Orange Trail.  Named "Adaptive Cycling," the center provides rentals and sales of bicycles that allow family members with disabilities to ride.  The shop has tandems, recumbents and recumbent trikes.  Their focus is on "special needs" children who would otherwise never have the opportunity to ride a bike and will enable them to ride with their parents for recreation and therapy.  The shop also features high-quality Co-Motion and Trek bikes and can accommodate children as young as 3 years old.  Says Dennis:

                We are just getting started as a weekend business to hopefully introduce cycling to many families who thought
                it was never an option for them. Because of the expense of the equipment, we only have limited quantities to
                start and ask anyone planning to come out to call us ahead of time.
                We are hoping that everyone's love for the sport will encourage everyone to spread the word about what we are
                doing to anyone we might be able to assist. We will be working with all special needs organizations from
                Cerebral palsy, autism, spinal bifida, visually impaired, brain injury, Rett’s, and Down syndrome to name a few.
                We are not out to compete against all the great bike shops in town or to provide typical single bike rentals.
                Even though we will have the capacity to modify and repair most bicycles, we ask that you please use your
                local bike shop for parts and service on you regular bikes. We will have emergency supplies like tubes or CO2
                if you need it on the weekend.
Contact Dennis or Rich at 407 877 8030 and check out their website at -> www.adaptivecycling.net!

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Kelly Gay is organizing Central Florida's Team-in-Training program for the Leukemia & Lymphona Society;  here's Kelly's message:

_________________________________
Heroes Wanted!
Interested in finding out how you can run, walk, cycle, hike, or complete a triathlon while helping to FUNdraise for blood cancer research and awareness? The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program is searching for new volunteers who are interested in completing the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, The Miami Triathlon in Miami, FL, the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, AK, America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (100 mile bike ride) around Lake Tahoe, NV, or a hike at Yosemite National Park. Beginners are welcome! To find out more information, call 407-898-0733 or go to Team In Training. Join the TEAM today!

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TRAINING:

Coaches Sean Hendryx and Bill Wenner of Team Hendryx Athlete Training and Development (www.teamhendryx.com) will be holding special training groups for the Boston Marathon 09 and Ironman Florida or Great Floridian 09. Team Hendryx coaches include Boston qualifiers, sub 3 marathoners, multi time Ironman finishers, and a multi time Ironman Hawaii finisher. All coaches are USAT certified, the staff includes certified athletic trainers, and personal trainers that will prepare athletes of all abilities to conquer races of any distance. In addition to Boston and IM training, Team Hendryx offers training for all ability levels and all distances in running and triathlon. Contact Bill at 407 256 5434 or cwenner@cfl.rr.com or visit us at www.teamhendryx.com.

Joy VonWerder started a six-week triathlon training course for women on 13, and another will follow.  The training sessions will include bike handling skills, running drills, swimming technique, lake swimming and transition practice; the training culminates in the October 25 Women's Triathlon at Moss Park.  Contact Joy at joytris@yahoo.com!

Consuela Styer is an USAT-certified Triathlon Coach and USATF Track & Field Coach.  Get more information by contacting Consuela at 407 718 9707 or aleusnoc@aol.com!  See her website at http://www.triwithsway.com.  Consuela will host Ironman legend Dave Scott for a three-day session in March!

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FALL RECREATIONAL CYCLING EVENTS

        As the rest of the North American cycling world starts to wind down, we just get started!  Here's a list of our favorite Fall events:

        (1)     Sunday, October 26: the Hilly Hundred sponsored by the Tampa Bay Freewheelers; starts at Pasco County Comprehensive High School in Dade City; more information is at http://www.tbfreewheelers.com/main/Home.php

        (2)     Sunday, October 26: the 20th Annual Intracoastal Waterway Century sponsored by the Space Coast Freewheelers; you get to ride through the Kennedy Space Center and down Merritt Island; across the bridge to Eau Gallie then out to the spring training home of the Montreal Expos and finally up the historic River Road in Cocoa; go to -> http://www.spacecoastfreewheelers.com/events.htm

        (3)     Sunday, November 2: the Boys and Girls Club Salute to Freedom Century sponsored by and benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Seminole County;  there are ride options of 33, 66 and 100 miles;  the event will start at the headquarters of the American Automobile Association in Heathrow;  the Seminole Cyclists run this event and it's great!  Go to -> http://salutetofreedombikeride.com/

        (4)     Sunday, November 16: the Horrible Hundred!  What can I say that hasn't already been said?  It's ugly, it's gruesome, it's, it's, it's Horrible!  Sponsored by the Florida Freewheelers, it features excellent and creative SAGs and every "mountain" in southwest Lake County.  There are ride options of 39, 72 and 102 miles - you're a total weenie if you don't come out and do some of it!  This is a major fundraiser for the Freewheelers and a great event!  You are not a central Florida cyclist if you don't show up!  Go to -> http://www.floridafreewheelers.com/events.php

        (5)     Saturday, November 29: the Ormond Beach Kiwanis Charity Bicycle Ride with options of 9, 26 and 38 miles.  Lunch will be provided for all riders at Tomoka State Park, 2099 North Beach Street, until 1:00 p.m.!  Go to http://www.ormondbchcharityride.blogspot.com/. 

SPECIAL NOTE:  Among the great centuries in the country is the Tour de Tucson (http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!ETT/ETThome.html).  More than 9,000 cyclists are expected to participate.  This year's edition will be held on Saturday, November 22, with routes of 35, 66, 80 and 109 miles.  Essentially a loop around the city of Tuscon, Arizona, and outlying areas, it is superbly organized, has SAGs every 10 miles, and people stand on the streets cheering you on.  I did this ride six or seven years ago and would love to go back.

        If you've got a favorite and it's not on this list, let me know!

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CYCLING ON TV!

Here's a list of the remaining upcoming ProTour events that will be broadcast on the Versus (formerly Outdoor Life Network) channel in 2008:

Tour du Faso (Africa's great race)                                      November 9, 2008        4:00 p.m.

OLYMPIC CYCLING COVERAGE (thanks to Ed Pavelka and Fred Matheny of www.roadbikerider.com for compiling this information:

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Got Bike Stuff To Sell? Let John Moorhouse put it on eBay for you! John will come to you, photograph your stuff, write the description, ship the items after the sale and pay all of the eBay fees. Typically, John's fee is 16% of the sales price - you get a net check and it's done! The only requirement is that the item is worth more than $100.00. If you're interested, contact John at 407 521 7923 or at john@scottoilerusa.com.

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Hate Cleaning Your Bike? John "Cap" Capobianco will do it for you (for a price)! Cap writes: "For those of you who despise a dirty bike and the task that goes with it, I have an option for you. I specialize in cleaning and degreasing the entire bike, front and rear derailleur, cassettes, cranks, wheels, hubs, and of course that nasty chain. Service includes waxing the frame and fork and re-lubing the chain and appropriate components for only $45. If interested call 407-889-2870 or email me @ flcap5@aol.com"

This is when Cap's not teaching Science at Edgewater High School!

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The "B3 Café" (Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux) is Orlando's only cycling-themed café;  the brainchild of local cyclists Darrell and Jennifer Cunningham, "B3" serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at 3022 Corrine Drive in Orlando, near Baldwin Park, everyday except Monday!  Get the Bettini Panini, the Lance'wich, the Gr'Egg LeMond, the Cippolini Caesar, the list goes on!  Go to -> http://www.bikesbeansandbordeaux.com/) or (http://www.b3cafe.com) and sign up for the newsletter and coupons! 

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Stuff For Sale (or wanted): 
(1)     Brian Hastings is selling his 2008 Specialized Tarmac Expert, 56 cm. Excellent condition, seat, seat post & wheels were barely used at all. Ultegra components. ½ the cost of a new one: $1850.00 Call Brian at 407-719-1001.

(2)     Bob O'Bryant is looking for a 51 cm entry-level road bike for his daughter - preferably a women's-specific design.  Reach Bob at bobobryant@aol.com

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And now, for some tidbits from Ed Pavelka and Fred Matheny at www.roadbikerider.com (where you can sign up to receive a free weekly e-newsletter that's a lot better than this one):

WEEKLY DISPATCH

Tour '09 Route Revealed
The 96th Tour de France will favor climbing ability over time trialing strength, which in the narrow scope
of Team Astana would seem to favor Alberto Contador over Lance Armstrong, should both be at the start
line in Monaco on July 4.
Whether both former winners will compete for the yellow jersey still hasn't been decided. See this week's Road
Racing Roundup for the latest on that.
Contador attended the gala Tour presentation in Paris yesterday, as did defending champion Carlos Sastre,
but Armstrong wasn't on hand.
Of the Tour's 21 stages, the biggest buzz is about the one that comes on the second-to-last day.
Instead of the top places being decided by an individual time trial as in recent years, the final showdown will
take place in a road race to legendary Mont Ventoux. The 167-km stage ends atop the extinct volcano, the
Tour's 3rd and final summit finish. Then only the largely ceremonial stage into Paris remains, on July 26.
Interestingly, it's well known that Armstrong doesn't like Mont Ventoux. He has never won on that barren slope,
although he could have in the 2000 Tour when he "gifted" the victory to breakaway companion Marco Pantani
by not challenging him at the line.
The '09 Tour also will be the most international in years as it puts wheels in Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and
Italy after the opening 15-km time trial in Monaco.
After that short TT only 40 km against the clock remain, all in stage 18. However, a team time trial is back on
the agenda, a 38-km test on the 4th day.
Climbers will rejoice in 7 mountain stages that include 20 climbs rated category 1, 2 or hors categorie
(beyond category).
For more details and analyses of Tour '09, including the full stage schedule, click to velonews.com at
http://tinyurl.com/6597lt or cyclingnews.com at http://tinyurl.com/6rstyz
______________________________________
Overheard: "I think it's a very interesting course and that it will be decided before the Mont Ventoux. But
whoever's wearing the yellow jersey that day will have huge pressure on his shoulders." -- Alberto Contador
______________________________________
Armstrong's Analysis
Lance Armstrong termed the '09 Tour route "innovative and very interesting" but was coy about whether he
would see it from the saddle next July.
"While there has been a fair bit of tension and numerous disagreements with the Tour and its organizers,"
his statement said, "I am well aware that there is new leadership at [Tour owner] ASO, and I look forward to
upcoming conversations and to a mutually beneficial future together. Whether it's promoting the Livestrong
global cancer campaign or making the biggest bike race in the world the gem that it deserves to be, I look
forward to next year."
He continued, “We are blessed at Astana to have the strongest team in the world and I look forward to riding
with all of these great riders. I have been around long enough to know that cycling is a team sport and I am
fully committed to supporting the strongest rider in any race, whether that's me, Alberto Contador, Levi
Leipheimer or Andreas Kloden.”
______________________________________
"Suicide" Intervention
In last week's discussion of the "suicide shift" -- when the chain misses the small ring and lands on the
bottom bracket -- we listed devices that prevent the chain from falling off (chain watchers) and described a
shifting technique that makes it less likely to happen.
What we didn't cover was a simple technique for putting the chain back on while still rolling down the road.
(Hey, complete details are what our eBooks and eArticles are for!)
A couple of readers reminded us with their postings on the Comments page. Here's the deal:
Let's say you shift to the small ring and suicide happens -- the chain lands on the bottom bracket and you're
turning the crank with zero effect. The first response by most riders is to stop the bike, climb off and get
fingers filthy by lifting the chain onto the small ring.
Instead, do this: First, don't panic! Continue turning the crank as you roll along. Then move the gear lever as
if shifting to the large chainring. In most cases, the derailleur will lift the chain up and onto the teeth. Voila!
Don't force it -- pedal gently, and if the chain doesn't catch the teeth, or if the chain jams and the crank won't
turn, stop and do a manual re-railment. This might be the only choice if you're on a climb with no momentum
to keep you rolling.
Tip! Instead of soiling your fingers, lift the chain with a roadside twig or use a tire lever from your seat bag.
If you're lucky and good, you can also get the chain to catch by tilting the bike toward the chainrings as you
hand turn the crank.
The same shifting trick can work if the chain overshoots the big ring and falls around the crankarm. Don't
immediately give up and stop. Continue pedaling easily and shift back toward the small ring.
In either case, after the chain is back on you'll probably be in a gear you don't want. Keep a light pedaling
load as you shift to a better chainring/cog combo or the chain might dump again.
If overshoots are happening with regularity despite proper shifting technique, the remedy is probably a front
derailleur adjustment. Its limit screws may need to be turned down, or its position over the chainrings may
need tweaking.
______________________________________
Another Phony
We've learned of more commercial chicanery involving Lance Armstrong. The guy seems to have been too
busy in his heyday to actually appear in some of his TV ads.
Last week we told you about the rider who played Lance in a couple of those memorable "magnet"
commercials from Nike.
That prompted an e-mail from RBR reader John Price, who serves as webmaster for the Gaston County
Cyclists in North Carolina. Remember Armstrong's Subaru commercials in 2004? Price says another body
double was used, a rider named Ashley Reese.
For proof, Price points us to his club's website at http://tinyurl.com/6zmhvf
To learn a bit more about the technology behind the Nike ads, and re-view 3 classics featuring Armstrong,
check the Quickrelease.TV site of Carlton "Vid Kid" Reid at http://quickrelease.tv/?p=38
All this is starting to make us wonder: Who's really going to be racing next season?
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CYCLING SHORTS

• Quick Tip: To Catch a Thief. In last week's RBR poll, almost half of the cyclists responding said
  they'd had their best bike stolen. Prevention is the best solution, but if the worst happens here's a
  way you might get your bike back one day. The next time you're having a crank cartridge installed,
  wrap a piece of masking tape around it and write, "THIS BIKE WAS STOLEN! Please contact (your
  name, hometown, phone number and e-mail address)." Then if a bad guy ever does abscond with
  your prized possession, a bike shop mechanic may call sometime and make your day.

Good point from RBR reader Jock in Australia: "Never carry information in your seat bag that can
directly identify where you live, especially if the bag also contains your house keys. A better idea is to
carry a small laminated card with important personal and contact details including your name, driver's
license number, blood type, medical alerts and any recent injuries. Police can quickly identify where
you live from the driver's license number if they need to."

• You have until Oct. 30 to bid on the 5 custom bicycles being offered by Shimano and 5 renowned
  framebuilders. The bikes are being auctioned to raise funds for the Young Survival Coalition for women
  affected by breast cancer. Included are models from Ellsworth, Rock Lobster, Torelli, Sycip Designs
  and Vicious Cycles. For details click http://tinyurl.com/5sah7a
• A 24-hour cycling event open to the public is planned for the legendary Bugatti circuit that's
  part of France's 24 Hours of Le Mans. The course is already used for full-day events involving
  motorcycles, trucks and even rollerskates as well as cars. "It was logical to have a cycling 24 hours
  one day," said co-organizer Roger Legeay, boss of the recently disbanded Credit Agricole pro team,
  in announcing the Aug. 22-23, 2009, event. It will be contested among teams of 2, 4, 6 or 8 cyclists
  as well as solo riders. The Bugatti circuit is 4.185 km (2.6 miles) around. The objective will be to ride
  as many laps as possible in the 24 hours. Registration begins on Nov. 1 at http://www.24heuresvelo.fr

 

______________________________________
Overheard: "It's sort of Mad Max warrior kind of stuff right now. People are bringing in all sorts of weird stuff
they've pulled out to get fixed or rebuilt. Seems like people just want to weather the storm. Bikes are still 'green'
and they're still the most efficient transportation you can get." -- Steve Liebowitz, salesman at a New York
City bike shop, commenting on the current economy's cycling repercussions.
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SCOTT'S SPIN
How to Be Hip
You probably think cycling coolness comes from being able to ride really quickly. Not so fast. You're truly cool
when you can master showoff-y cycling skills like these:
Trackstand. You pull up to a red light. Everyone clicks out of their pedals. Except you. Perched over your
saddle with front wheel cocked, you casually balance by weighting and unweighting each pedal. What finesse!
What skill! "Say, isn't that the stud who won an Olympic medal on the velodrome?"

• Practical application: Be the first one away when the light changes.
• Downside: Highly embarrassing when you tip over in front of intersection full of entertainment-starved motorists.

Jacket Removal. The pace is heating up and so are your armpits. You sit up, unzip your jacket, pull your arms
out of the sleeves, roll up the garment and stuff it in your jersey pocket -- all at 20 mph. Is there anything this
person can't do on a bike?

• Practical application: Never get dropped by your heartless, lightly dressed friends.
• Downside: Jacket sleeve caught in spokes = agony of da street.

Wheelie. The ultimate worthless-but-amazing bike trick.

• Practical application: None, unless you run away to join the circus.
• Downside: Falling over is bad; falling over backward is worse.

Bunnyhop. You're approaching a pothole, railroad track or hapless rabbit. There's no way to avoid it. Pulling up on
your handlebar and pedals, you lift both wheels off the pavement simultaneously and leap over Thumper. Eat my
non-baggy shorts, you gnarly mountain bike dudes.

• Practical application: Wheels stay round.
• Downside: If you don't stick the landing, it sticks you.

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BEST OF COACH FRED
Is My Off-Season Phobia Justified?
Q: I'm concerned about "detraining." This fall I plan to emphasize crosstraining, high-cadence base miles and weight
lifting. Right now I ride cyclocross races and go hard, but don't do specific cyclocross training.
Therein lies the fear factor. At 'cross races, I get schooled by some guys that I routinely trounce on the road all
summer. I rationalize that it's the off-season, but the fear of being too detrained seeps in. During runs or weight-lifting
sessions, I can't help thinking how few my saddle hours are. Do I need psychoanalysis? -- Steve O.
Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Don't call the shrink just yet, Steve. I have a better solution.
For most of us, the biggest danger in the off-season isn't loss of fitness, it's the risk of overtraining. This is brought
on by the fear you mention -- losing the season's hard-won form.
Especially at risk are riders who are moving up in racing category or facing other tough new challenges. They imagine
how difficult it will be to achieve their goals. They overcompensate by training hard in winter, and then they're cooked
before the season even starts. "Flying in February, fried in July" is a real danger.
It's normal, not psychotic, to worry about losing fitness after the season. Most roadies see noticeable reductions in
their climbing strength, average speed and punch in a sprint.
Here's why that's not a bad thing:
In the off season we need to recognize the benefits of building an aerobic base and gaining strength in the weight
room. No matter how dedicated we are to the bike, crosstraining provides a valuable break from a steady diet of yet
more miles.
Steve, I suspect that getting trounced in cyclocross races doesn't mean you're losing great amounts of fitness. It's
more likely that the specialists are beating you with dismounting and running techniques rather than power on the bike.
The same goes for roadies who jump on a mountain bike and try to hang with guys who specialize in off-road riding.
I recommend looking farther out and getting on a long-range program. This will ease your mind about your off-season
fitness and ensure that you arrive at spring with a solid base. I detail my plan in my eBook,
Off-Season Training for Roadies. Other coaches have approaches that differ a little or a lot. What's most important is
that you believe in the program you choose.
Once you make that leap of faith and commit to following a plan, quit worrying. You'll be flying next summer when it
really matters. Then the psychiatrists can work on the guys who are panicking because they didn't use the off-season
as wisely as you.
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ROAD RACING ROUNDUP
Gleaned from news sources worldwide. Credited where exclusive.

• George Hincapie says he's playing lots of tennis this fall before gearing up for his 15th pro season.
  And 2009 may not be his finale. "Last year, if you'd asked, I would have said next year will be my last,"
  he told his hometown newspaper in Greenville, South Carolina. "But now, I don't know. I've gotten revitalized
  with my new team [Columbia]." Hincapie is the only teammate Lance Armstrong had throughout his 7 Tour
  de France victories. Asked if he's disappointed he won't be riding with Armstrong as Lance resumes his
  career, Hincapie replied, "I am. But I don't want to leave the guys on my team. I've got a real bond with
  my guys. At the same time, it's going to be strange to be racing against Lance."
• Will he or won't he try for an 8th Tour victory? On Monday, Astana director Johan Bruyneel told
  the Associated Press that Lance Armstrong still could race in the 2009 Tour de France. It was being
  assumed, particularly by 2007 Tour winner and Armstrong teammate Alberto Contador, that Lance's
  commitment to ride in May's Giro d'Italia would mean Contador would lead Astana into July's Tour.
  The young Spaniard has been concerned about his support from Astana if Armstrong were to line up with
  him in France. Now Bruyneel has stirred the pot by saying, "For the moment, we are going to determine
  Lance's program based on where he is really welcome and invited. So the main thing is that he is
  definitely not excluding riding in the Tour, but it would have to be in an atmosphere that is serene and
  respectful." The bottom line, according to Bruyneel: Lance's chances of riding the Tour are 50/50.
• Ivan Basso will race again on Sunday, 16 months after being suspended for his involvement in the
  Madrid doping clinic exposed by Operation Puerto. Now 30, the 2006 Giro d'Italia winner is resuming his
  career with 4 Liquigas teammates in the Japan Cup. It may be Basso's only race this season. For 2009,
  his schedule reportedly includes the Tour of California as well as the Giro.
• Italy's "Little Prince," Damiano Cunego (Lampre), won the classic Tour of Lombardy on Saturday
  to close out the European road season. Cunego, 27, attacked on a descent with 15 km remaining and
  soloed to the finish with a 24-second lead. It was his third victory in Italy's "Race of the Falling Leaves"
  after winning in 2004 and 2007. Janez Brajkovic (Astana) finished second while Colombia's Rigoberto
  Uran (Caisse d'Epargne) was third. Best-placed American was Chris Horner (Astana), 7th at 33 seconds.
  Next, Cunego goes to the Japan Cup to check Basso's legs.
• Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre says he'll race in the 2009 Giro d'Italia, embellishing the field
  with Lance Armstrong and Damiano Cunego. Sastre will be competing for the new Cervelo TestTeam
  after claiming the '08 Tour for CSC-Saxo Bank.
• Spanish star Alejandro Valverde amassed top points in the UCI ProTour to capture its rider of the
  year award. The Caisse d'Epargne captain won 13 races, including stage 1 of the Tour de France, which
  put him in the yellow jersey for 2 days. Looking to 2009, Valverde, 28, said he wants to "base my
  season on the Tour only. I am convinced that if I am lucky, I can climb on the podium and, who knows,
  even win the Tour. I am ready to sacrifice all the other races in order to reach that goal, at least to try
  it one year.
• UCI president Pat McQuaid has come out against the retesting of stored urine and blood samples
  to check for CERA, the new form of EPO. In the Irishman's view, testing samples from 2007 and earlier
  is "futile, it's expensive and it's not going to serve the purpose in the anti-doping fight of today. If we're
  going to start rejigging the podium of every major international race over the past two or three years by
  finding new tests for new products . . . it makes a complete mockery of sport."
• Two major German networks will not televise the 2009 Tour de France. ARD and ZDF blamed
  doping by several top riders this year. "The regard for the Tour de France has considerably decreased,"
  said one official while pulling the plug last Thursday.
• "Black Thursday" got worse for German road cycling fans when the 2009 Tour of Germany was
  canceled. Organizers cited the loss of a major sponsor, doping by Germany-based Team Gerolsteiner