Bluegrass Cycling Club

OUTSPOKEN Newsletter

October2011 Edition

 

“Bike for Bikes” – Raffle – Get Your Tickets Now – Last Chance!!!

The BCC is sponsoring a raffle to provide additional support to Folk Bike ReCyclery and Broke Spoke, our community bike shops in Frankfort and Lexington. Folk Bike ReCyclery has refurbished a pair of 1969 classic Robin Hood his and hers bikes that will be won as a set, and Broke Spoke is working on a classic Western Flyer Bike – see the BCC website and Facebook page for photos of the Robin Hood bikes. The drawing for both bikes will come from the same pot and only 250 tickets will be sold so the odds are pretty good! Tickets are $10 each. We hope to sell all of the tickets to make as much as possible for the bike shops. The drawing will be held on November 5^th as part of Broke Spoke’s one year birthday celebration. Please contact Pam Thomas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (859) 312-6395 to buy a ticket, or if you would like a group of tickets to sell … the more people who help the more likely it is that we will reach our goal of selling all tickets! Proceeds will be split evenly between Broke Spoke and Folk Bike ReCyclery.

To learn more about Broke Spoke and Folk Bike, visit their websites – they are both volunteer operated and would welcome additional volunteers:

Broke Spoke: thebrokespoke.org/

Folk Bike ReCyclery: folkbikerecyclery.org/

 

Upcoming Board Elections and Member Vote on Revised Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws Amendments

Nominations Now Open!!!

Elections will be held this fall for 4 new BCC board members to be elected for 3 year terms, and one member to be elected to fill out the one year term of a member who resigned. Any club member in good standing is eligible to run for the board. You may nominate yourself, or nominate another club member. If you are nominating someone else, please make sure they are willing to serve if elected before submitting the nomination. To nominate yourself or someone else, submit the name, cell phone number, alternative number, e-mail address and term (one year or three year) for the nominee to Dave Overton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The election and nomination timeline is as follows:

• Nominations will open on October 15, 2011 and will close November 30, 2011.

• All nominees will be contacted by a member of the nominating committee to confirm willingness to serve, and to request biographical information and a digital photograph to post on the website.

• The names, digital photographs (if provided) and biographies of all members running and the term they are running for (3 year or one year) will be posted on the BCC website in reverse alphabetical order beginning December 1, 2011.

• Members will have one week after biographies are posted to raise questions or concerns about the nomination process.

• Once voting is opened, no new nominations will be accepted.

• On-line voting will begin December 15, 2011 and will close January 10, 2012. Members who would rather not vote on line will have an opportunity to vote at the annual banquet (members can come vote even if they are not attending the banquet)

• Preliminary election results will be announced at the banquet on January 14, 2012 and new board members will begin their terms upon the completion of the one week comment period, or upon the resolution of any issues or concerns raised during the comment period.

 

This fall, members will also be asked to vote on revisions to both our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. Members will be able to access and review the documents on the BCC website beginning December 1, 2011.

Halloween Ride and Social – October 30, 2011!!!

Join fellow members for a Halloween Ride on Sunday, October 30 beginning at 1 pm from Berries on Bryan Station, 4744 Bryan Station Rd. Hosts Gayle and Erik will have a bonfire, mulled cider, and homemade pumpkin bread after the ride and back yard games will be set up. You can bring treats/snacks to share if you’d like but you don’t have to. Gayle and Erik invite non-riding spouses or significant others to hang out on their deck during the ride. Wear a costume if you so desire!!!!

• Available routes wil be 20, 30 and 42 miles featuring rolling terrain

• All paces/levels welcome!

• Maps will be provided and ride leaders will sweep

• Call Gayle or Erik at 293-0077 for more information

 

BCC Fleece Jackets and Zip Pullovers Available!!

Embroidered logo fleece pullovers and jacket are available as our fall merchandise item.  We have a limited number of heavy blue and lighter grey unisex fleeces available.  Special orders are available for different colors, women's specific fit, and vests.  Prices run from $32 to $48 depending on your choices.  For details catch Bill Cole at a ride or email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Watch for details on the website-- final order deadline is December 1, 2011.

Broke Spoke Call for Volunteers

Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop in Lexington is looking for additional volunteers for the shop. Bike mechanic skills are not necessary – there are opportunities for mechanics and non-mechanics alike, however if you don’t know anything about bikes but want to learn, this is a great opportunity! If you are interested or have questions, e mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

North Lexington YMCA Call for Volunteers

The North Lexington YMCA needs help during the morning of Saturday, November 12 from 9 am until noon. They will be cleaning and doing minor repairs on the bikes they keep there for use in their youth programming to prepare the bikes for winter storage. They will have food and drinks for volunteers – If you have tools and/or skills, please consider helping them out. If you do not have tools and/or skills, they can still use your help in cleaning and prepping the bikes for storage. To volunteer or for more information, contact Melissa Bellew at (859) 338 0314 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Upcoming Local Events and Rides

The Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission Annual Meeting will be held in Lexington this year and all interested cyclists are invited to attend. The meeting will be held on October 28, 2011 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. at the Courtyard at Marriott Lexington North. Check this site for more information http://transportation.ky.gov/Bike-Walk/Pages/Kentucky-Bicycle-and-Bikeway-Commission.aspx

3^rd Annual Bike for the Bluegrass – A ride to support the Fayette Alliance. The third annual Bike for the Bluegrass will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011 beginning at Fasig Tipton. Once again, several area horse farms will open their gates to bike riders for a unique opportunity to ride through the farms on private farm roads. This very popular ride is limited to only 250 riders and it sold out early last year, so if you are interested in participating, sign up early! Go to http://fayettealliance.com/events/3rd-annual-bike-for-the-bluegrass/.

Cycling Tips from Keith

This month, we have two segments from Keith. The first is very important and relates to rider etiquette. We’ve had some members express concern over the past month about large, fast moving groups of riders passing slower, smaller groups or single riders … so it seems like a good time for a couple of reminders, and who better to provide the reminders than our very own education chair, Keith!

ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!

There is something thrilling and exhilarating about riding in a group- in many ways, it’s like a unique ecosystem - the group against the environment, road conditions, motorists and … sometimes other cyclists?

One problem with riding in a large, fast moving group is that is easy to get caught up in what is happening within the group - the peloton, and not being totally aware of the impact the group may have on other cyclists as the you pass by. Please remember, if you are riding in a large group, that you may startle single riders or smaller groups as you approach them, and that they also need room on the road as you pass. The best way to make sure everyone stays safe is to be aware, and to communicate clearly to the cyclists as you approach, and as you move by.

Cover the basics - The first riders in the group should announce the group with “on your left: - and if it is a large group, it is also good to let the riders you’re passing know … “large group coming by” … Be courteous and pleasant – “How are you folks doing - wonderful day!” Riders further back should not rely in the front folks to do all of the communicating – you should also give warning and greet the other riders as you pass.

Also be mindful of the size of the road, the surrounding conditions, and the space everyone needs to remain safe and upright on their bikes. This means you need to be aware of your closing speed, road conditions and road hazards as well as the other riders. Please use appropriate hand signals where applicable… and remember … when we talk about “sharing the road” that means sharing the road with other cyclists too!

 

Care of Your Water Bottles and Camelbaks!

First of all - I confess. There was an e-mail that went around some years ago, pointing out the dangers of dioxin leaching out of plastic water bottles after exposure to either being frozen or left sitting in a hot car. The research suggested you could be at risk if you use water bottles left in these types of conditions. This was a lot of scratching of heads and pointing of fingers, and clarification of earlier statements made. Either way the consensus of opinions now, is that no harmful effects should be encountered if you use your water bottles that have been frozen or left sitting in a hot car. Glad I got that one off my chest …

But I digress .. there are some hidden dangers relating to water bottles and Camelbaks that you do need to be aware of.

Most water bottles and mouth pieces are difficult to keep clean and could leave you vulnerable to the bacteria and fungi that can breed in there. Where does bacteria come from? You know where it comes from … it’s YOU … and your backwash! Every time you take a sip, you pass your germs back into the damp recesses of your water bottle where fungi can grow. In your water bottle you might have liquids that contain sugars and proteins, good for you and for fueling your ride, but also good for nastiness to get a foothold in your water bottle!

For every method I put suggest for cleaning your water bottles, there will be at least another dozen options and opinions that will also work, ranging from baby sterilizers, to dish washers, and bleach solutions. Regardless, the important thing is to clean your water bottles on a regular basis, with special focus on the mouth piece.

I prefer to buy water bottles that allow me to take out the center of the mouth piece so I can use a small brush to clean the inside and center. Trust me you may be amazed at what you find …. or not. I prefer to use a brush because the thought of using just chemicals to get into and clean these places, without being able to physically gain access simply doesn’t work for me.

So with the holidays just around the corner, when someone asks you for ideas for a present, you might have some answers!

 

Find the BCC on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=39469313502

Newsletter Publication and Board Meeting Information

Newsletter Publication - The newsletter will be published around the fifteenth of each month.

Any club member with items to include in the newsletter should send the information to the newsletter editor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at least 3 days before the estimated publication date.

Board Minutes Board minutes are posted on the website after they are approved by the board at the next meeting. Any member who would like a copy of the draft minutes of a board meeting before they are approved and posted can contact Pam Thomas, board Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Next Board Meeting –The next BCC board meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 9, 2011. Any member with an agenda item should contact Peggy with information about the agenda item. All board meetings are open to all members!

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