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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It has been a cold winter which has affected some of the hiking events,
yet warms the heart for cycling. This time of year cabin fever starts to set in.
I am sure you are exited about getting back on the road for another season of riding.
As you look over the spring schedule for cycling, note the weekend of TOSRV, there
will be club ride in the Lima area. The place and time will be posted on the club
website. Another important date to remember is June 28 for MDMC. There will be a
pre-view ride (June 21) the week before MDMC so that the club members will have the
opportunity to ride then the following week everyone will be available to volunteer
for MDMC. The club is looking for companies or individuals as sponsors. If you know
someone that would be willing to help sponsor MDMC, please let me know dmessner@woh.rr.com.
More information will be forth coming about MDMC.
As you read your newsletter, I want you to be aware that the Sunday rides are to help promote
riders of all skill levels. I am looking for leaders to stay back and ride with those who
like to ride in the 10 - 15 mph range. I plan to participate in being a leader and riding
with this group at a slower pace. If we want the club to expand, that means being willing
to encourage others to join us. If you have not been coming out and riding on Sunday's
because the pace has been too fast, I encourage you to give it another chance. Also, make an
effort to invite others to join you on the Sunday rides.
Finally, if you have any thoughts or ideas that you would like to share on how to help the
cycling club reach a larger audience and participants, please contact me at the above email address.
Sincerely,
Daniel Messner
Congratulations to Neal Kingsbery!!
Neal was the top mileage rider for the club with 2,938 in 2007.
Green Tie Affair.
The Lima Roadrunners is participating in a Green Tie Event to help recognize Environmental
Awareness in the Lima area and to raise funds for the River Walk. The club donated a bicycle
from J & D Bicycle shop for the occasion. The bicycle will be auctioned off March 1 at the Shawnee County Club.
Ride Start Times
The club policy for starting times is: assemble on the hour and start the ride ten minutes after.
The ride leader is responsible for the group. If there are new or inexperienced rider(s) the leader
is responsible to ride with that person. Also if you take a short cut or take another route please notify the leader.
Surviving in a Strong Group
Riding in a group where the others are slightly stronger than you can be a good way to build
fitness and learn how to go faster. Just be sure to follow these suggestions.
1. Most important is not to ride beyond your ability. What might be an 'easy warm-up pace'
for a stronger group could send you into the red zone.
2. Be familiar with group riding skills and etiquette.
3. Use drafting to your advantage (drafting is riding behind another cyclist, which protects
you from the wind). Drafting is what will allow a weaker rider to be able to keep up with a stronger rider.
4. Pay attention when the group is moving out of a corner or away from a stop sign. Experienced riders
will usually accelerate quickly from a stop or a corner, in order to get back up to cruising speed.
5. If the group is riding in a paceline, make your turn at the front of the group very short. Don't feel
obligated to stay there for two minutes just because the previous riders in front did that. If you don't
feel up to even a short pull in the front, try recovering in the back of the group.
6. Hills are often the spot where a weaker rider will be dropped by the group. One strategy is to try
to be toward the front of the group at the bottom of the hill. While other riders will pass you on the
way up the hill, you may still be in contact with the group at the top of the hill, or close enough to catch up.
7. Be sure to pay attention to your map or cue sheet so that if you do decide to slow down and let the
group go, you know where you are on the map. Most of all, if you do get dropped don't feel discouraged.
There are all levels of riders and we all have strong days and weak days.
8. Finally, I always make sure to thank the other riders at the end of the ride if they did most
of the riding in the front, sheltering you from the wind.
Just a reminder that your HI-USA membership contains travel insurance. To
activate it, you must register online at
www.hiusa.org/membership. This will ensure that you are registered
with the insurance provider and have a named beneficiary in the event of a
future claim.
Club Interest
If you are interested in doing more with this club, but the schedule doesn’t
match your abilities or time restraints, feel free to come to a board or
executive committee meeting or contact a member of the program committee.
Possibilities include hiking more than just 3½ months out of the year, having
alternate miles and speeds on bike rides, canoeing, horseback riding, etc.
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