Friday, April 24, 2015

FOR SALE: Saris hitch-mount 3-bicycle rack

FOR SALE: Saris hitch-mount (1.25") 3-bicycle rack [2" adaptor included]

Locks to hitch and cable lock on rack for bicycles.

Holds three bicycles (although third bicycle requires handlebars being adjusted if regular road bicycles).

Works well as stand for repairs, adjustments.

Originally about $329.

Asking $160.

email: paul.thomas@furman.edu


Friday, March 27, 2015

Open Zone Etiquette

Our open zones are conducted on open roads among recreational cyclists. We are not racing for anything; the open zones are for fitness and recreation; thus, our key issue is safety.

Safety is best served if we mostly maintain a relatively tight 2-abreast formation throughout the open zones with one advancing line and one receding line (usually right advancing, but depends on the wind).

We should keep enough space to the LEFT of BOTH lines for riders to drop back after pulling so that cyclist does NOT have to hug the yellow line (again, safety for cars passing, etc.).

Early in zones, when the pack is stretched out, it seems fair that an attack up the far left is OK, but still, that likely should be accompanied by some verbal warning of “on your left” and the ability to maintain the attack.

Blasting by on the far left up a hill and then coming to a wobbly crawl as a fast pack approaches from behind is both bad form and dangerous.

We are all safest when we can all count on each’s other’s predictable behavior on the bicycle. If you want to be the one person who does as you please (disregarding other’s safety), a solo ride may be best for you.

Also bad form is not contributing to the pulling so you can do your blasting up the left and off the front. If you want/need a good work out, take hard pulls in the open zones.

Never advance over the yellow line. If you get blocked in, such is life. Open zones are for recreation, not the World Championships.

Monday, March 9, 2015

globalbike Spartanburg 2015 DST Thursday Zone ride

globalbike Spartanburg 2015 DST Thursday Zone ride

Start:

Bronco Mexican Restaurant
1560 Union St
Spartanburg, SC 29302

Time:

6 pm (arrive by 5:45, ready to roll at 6 pm)

Rule #87
// The Ride Starts on Time. No exceptions.

The upside of always leaving on time is considerable. Others will be late exactly once. You signal that the sanctity of this ride, like all rides, is not something with which you should muck. You demonstrate, not with words but with actions, your commitment. As a bonus, you make more time for post-ride espresso. “On Time”, of course, is taken to mean at V past the hour or half hour.


Route:

2-Zone short route, 28 mis


Zones:

Zone 1 - Whitestone Rd outbound

Zone 2 - Hwy 9 inbound

Respect the Road. Respect the Ride.

TAIL LIGHTS REQUIRED, LIGHTS SUGGESTED

Cycle Safe and Civil: A Statement of Joining Posted Group Rides

The Rules

[While there are nuggets of Truth in The Rules, they are offered here as entertainment because, really, I think they are funny.]

Rule #2
// Lead by example.

It is forbidden for someone familiar with The Rules to knowingly assist another person to breach them.1

Rule #19
// Introduce Yourself.

If you deem it appropriate to join a group of riders who are not part of an open group ride and who are not your mates, it is customary and courteous to announce your presence. Introduce yourself and ask if you may join the group. If you have been passed by a group, wait for an invitation, introduce yourself, or let them go. The silent joiner is viewed as ill-mannered and Anti-V. Conversely, the joiner who can’t shut their cakehole is no better and should be dropped from the group at first opportunity.

Rule #38
// Don’t Play Leap Frog.

Train Properly: if you get passed by someone, it is nothing personal, just accept that on the day/effort/ride they were stronger than you. If you can’t deal, work harder. But don’t go playing leap frog to get in front only to be taken over again (multiple times) because you can’t keep up the pace. Especially don’t do this just because the person overtaking you is a woman. Seriously. Get over it.

Rule #41
// Quick-release levers are to be carefully positioned.

Quick release angle on the front skewer shall be an upward angle which tightens just aft of the fork and the rear quick release shall tighten at an angle that bisects angle between the seat and chain stays. It is acceptable, however, to have the rear quick release tighten upward, just aft of the seat stay, when the construction of the frame or its dropouts will not allow the preferred positioning. For Time Trial bikes only, quick releases may be in the horizontal position facing towards the rear of the bike. This is for maximum aero effect.9

Rule #43
// Don’t be a jackass.

But if you absolutely must be a jackass, be a funny jackass. Always remember, we’re all brothers and sisters on the road.

Rule #59
// Hold your line.

Ride predictably, and don’t make sudden movements. And, under no circumstances, are you to deviate from your line.


Rule #62
// You shall not ride with earphones.

Cycling is about getting outside and into the elements and you don’t need to be listening to Queen or Slayer in order to experience that. Immerse yourself in the rhythm and pain, not in whatever 80’s hair band you call “music”. See Rule #5 and ride your bike.8


Rule #72
// Legs speak louder than words.

Unless you routinely demonstrate your riding superiority and the smoothness of your Stroke, refrain from discussing your power meter, heartrate, or any other riding data. Also see Rule #74.

Rule #83
// Be self-sufficient.

Unless you are followed by a team car, you will repair your own punctures. You will do so expediently, employing your own skills, using your own equipment, and without complaining that your expensive tyres are too tight for your puny thumbs to fit over your expensive rim. The fate of a rider who has failed to equip himself pursuant to Rule #31, or who knows not how to use said equipment, shall be determined at the discretion of any accompanying or approaching rider in accordance with Rule #84.1

Rule #86
// Don’t half-wheel.

Never half-wheel your riding partners; it’s terrible form – it is always the other guy who sets the pace. Unless, of course, you are on the rivet, in which case it’s an excellent intimidation technique.22

Rule #88
// Don’t surge.

When rolling onto the front to take your turn in the wind, see Rule #67, do not suddenly lift the pace unless trying to establish a break. The key to maintaining a high average speed is to work with your companions and allow no gaps to form in the line. It is permissible to lift the pace gradually and if this results in people being dropped then they have been ridden off your wheel and are of no use to the bunch anyway. If you are behind someone who jumps on the pedals when they hit the front do not reprimand the offender with cries of ‘Don’t Surge’ unless the offender is a Frenchman named Serge.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

globalbike Spartanburg Winter Bike League 2014/2015 at RJ Rockers

globalbike Spartanburg Winter Bike League 2014/2015 at RJ Rockers

Parking

Grain District lot at corner of Daniel Morgan and Broad St. The LOT entrance is at W Broad Street/S Daniel Morgan Ave (passing RJR on your LEFT, take the next RIGHT, and the entrance is a very small turn-in RIGHT immediately after W Broad crossing on you left and right).

Hosted by:

RJ Rockers Brewing Company
226-A West Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 585-BEER

Please join RJR for a Saturday tasting after WBL!

Organized and Supported by:

globalbike

globalbike Spartanburg

Schedule (updated weekly):

February 14, 2015 -- 10 am start; 3 open zones; store stop (mile 34)

A Group: 3 open zones with one paceline section on Hwy 9; 70 miles; riders expected to maintain contact with main group between zones, regrouping after mechanicals and at end of zones

SAG available! And remember it is Valentine's Day; tip your SAG and bring her candy, flowers, etc. :)

Course: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6910765 (zones, hazards, store stop marked)

Zone 1 - Whitestone outbound, 3 mis

No attacks, paceline, Hwy 9 outbound Pacolet to Jonesville

Zone 2 - Rogerstown Rd.; 2.5 mis

Zone 3 - Jerusalem Rd., 7-8 mis.

B Group: Dietmar will lead, TBD


C Group: Bob will lead a 30-mile route to Pacolet

February 7, 2015 -- 10 am start; 4 open zones; store stop (mile 29)

A Group: 4 open zones; 73 miles; riders expected to maintain contact with main group between zones, regrouping after mechanicals and at end of zones


SAG available!


Course: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6909711 (zones, hazards, store stop marked)


Zone 1 - Extended Hobbysville Rd (bridge to stop ahead), 4.5 mis


Zone 2 - Zone 2, River Rd climb (vineyard), 2 mis.


Zone 3 - Switzer Greenpond Rd (old Cancun zone), 4 mis


Zone 4 - Morris Bridge Rd climb to softball fields, 2.5 mis


B Group: Dietmar will lead, 50-60 mis, route http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6925694


C Group: Bob will lead


January 31, 2015 -- 10 am start; 3 open zones; store stop (options at about mile 27 and 45)

A Group: 3 open zones; 72.5 miles; riders expected to maintain contact with main group between zones, regrouping after mechanicals and at end of zones


Course: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6834958 (zones, hazards, store stop marked)


Zone 1 - Walnut Grove outbound (approx. 5 mis with slight right at Y but no turn; locals know this as the Thursday night Z1)


Zone 2 - Horseshoe Falls climb out from entrance, 3+ mis


Zone 3 - Inbound Riddle, approx. 3 mis (CAUTION: new road, new zone)


B Group: 50 mis. abbreviated route (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6893622); Dietmar, leader


C Group: Pacolet route, 30+/- mis, 14-16 ave.; Bob and Nick, leaders


January 24, 2015 -- canceled

January 17, 2015 -- 10 am start; 3 open zones; store stop

A Group: 3 open zones; 64 miles; riders expected to maintain contact with main group between zones, regrouping after mechanicals and at end of zones


Course: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6793660 (zones, hazards, store stop marked)


Zone 1 - Whitestone outbound


Zone 2 - Mudbridge Rd (AFTER neutral climb)


Zone 3 - Jerusalem


B Group: TBD


C Group: TBD


January 10, 2015 -- DUE TO COLD TEMPS, NOON START 

A Group: 50+ mis. training ride/ open zones TBD

Route: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/608962286

West Springs loop

Open zones TBD

NO store stop

B Group: TBD, same route, more moderate pace and regroups.

C Group: Teresa Hrubala, leader; 30 +/- mis


January 3, 2015 CANCELED due to rain/cold

December 20, 2014 CANCELED due to rain/cold


December 13, 2014


A Group: 60 mis. steady, base ride with no open zones.


Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6556218http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6556218 [UPDATED 11/30/14]

Store stop at 27-28 mis mark (Valero in Cross Anchor at I-26)

B Group: Dietmar (leader), same route, more moderate pace and regroups.

C Group: Short route, 2hr/ 25-30 mis; John Verreault (leader)


December 6, 2014 CANCELED due to rain

General Information:

December routes will be about 3-3.5 hrs, no official zones, a brisk and steady pace for EXPERIENCED and FIT cyclists (not for beginners or those regaining their fitness).

A Group each week; B Group (etc.) TBD, updated weekly.

January – February will include routes of 3.5-6 hrs with multiple open zones each ride. Routes will be posted each week prior to the ride.

Meet at 9:45, plan to ROLL at 10 am. I’ll try to post cancellations by 7 am Saturdays at the latest.

No fee, but we request you consider donations to globalbike:



If we secure a SAG, we’ll ask for tips also. [Anyone eager to SAG, email ME ONLY.]

Routes will have store stops, but all cyclists will be expected to be self-sufficient, to know the routes, and to be prepared to complete rides without the group if unable to keep up.

Question and suggestions welcomed, but email ME ONLY.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

RESCHEDULED: RJ Rockers Spartanburg Metric Century/ 16 August 2014

RJ Rockers Spartanburg Metric Century/ August 16, 2014

Parking at Grain District lot (same as July 4 ride) corner of Daniel Morgan and Broad St
Sign in at RJ Rockers (not where noted in image above, but at RJR, as noted on map). RJR will be open after the ride for their Saturday beer tasting and please plan to join! Visit RJR's web sitehttp://www.rjrockers.com/

Plan to stay for food and join RJR tasting from 12-4 after your ride! Food option TBD

RJ Rockers Brewing Company
226-A West Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 585-BEER

Ride time 8:30. Please sign in between 7:30-8:15. We roll promptly at 8:30. Raffle AFTER ride at RJR.

Metric century 63.8 mis (see Ride with GPS for cue sheet):

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5232994

Route rolls through downtown Spartanburg and then out Union St toward Camp Croft. Then we head out Southport Rd through Whitestone to West Springs, where we head to Buffalo. After the store stop in Buffalo (on Hwy 215), we return parallel to the outbound roads to Pacolet before turning onto Hwy 150 and then retracing the course back in on Whitestone, Southport, Dairy Ridge, and into town on Union St.

***Register for 6 September 2014 Tour de Paws!***

http://www.tourdepaws.info/Home.php

Preliminary plan:

A/B group with 3 open zones:
  1. Z1 - Whitestone outbound - 3 +/- mis
  2. Z2 - West Springs climb/LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC [obey traffic laws and safety; do NOT blast left if oncoming traffic because this is an open zone and not a race]/Mudbridge Rd (roll easy to store for regroup) - 7.5 +/- mis
  3. Z3 - Whitestone inbound - 3 +/- mis
B group, no zones, no drop [RIDE LEADER(S): Rick Rowe, Dietmar] - Please email ME ONLY if you can help lead this ride

C group [RIDE LEADERS(S) Michael Powell; 28 mis routehttp://ridewithgps.com/routes/5481905]

• Short route? [RIDE LEADER(S) NEEDED; email ME ONLY]

Family/children's ride - Karl Johnson will lead this (similar to July 4)

• If you have questions, concerns, ideas, please email ME ONLY ASAP.

*** This will be great preparation for the Tour de Paws September 6, 2014 https://www.facebook.com/freewheelersSpartanburg ***

Sponsorship and support:

RJ Rockers (http://www.rjrockers.com/)

globalbike (http://www.globalbike.org/)

Spartanburg Club Chapter (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Globalbike-Spartanburg/475255862582082)

The Freewheelers of Spartanburg (http://www.freewheelers.info/)

Boyd Cycling (http://www.boydcycling.com/)

PAL (http://www.active-living.org/)

BikeStreet USA Spartanburg (www.bikestreet.com)
106 Franklin Avenue, Suite C
Spartanburg, SC 29301
864-595-3635

Zaxby’s (http://www.zaxbys.com/) gift certificates

REVOLUTIONARY Spartanburg (www.VisitSpartanburg.com)– Tervis Tumbler; sleeve (3) Titleist ProV1 golf balls

Growler Haus (http://growlerhaus.com/) gift certificates

NO entry fee. (We may secure a SAG, and then may ask for donations for the SAG's time and effort. As well, we will offer information for ways to donate to globalbike [https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1436263], but this is purely voluntary.)

GOALS: (1) Promote good stewardship of the roads in greater Spartanburg, (2) increase the strong relationship between the cycling and Spartanburg communities, (3) promote awareness of cycling and the growing downtown in Spartanburg, and (4) encourage cyclists to support local businesses and organizations.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

ANNOUNCING: Two Spartanburg Metric Centuries (July 4 and August 9, 2014)

Please mark your cycling calendars for TWO first-annual METRIC centuries from downtown Spartanburg.

Parking, staging area:



These rides, we hope, will become annual events, and will share the following:
RJ Rockers August 9 Metric Century
We will announce better details and confirm everything closer to the events. Of course, everything is dependent on weather, etc. If you have suggestions or feedback, email ME ONLY ASAP.

The events:

1st globalbike Spartanburg chapter July 4 Metric Century / 2014

PLEASE plan to join us Friday July 4, 2014 for our 1st globalbike Spartanburg chapter Metric Century. The ride has no entry free but we encourage you to visit globalbike (http://www.globalbike.org/) and consider making a donation soon (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1436263). The event details:
  • Sponsorship and support provided by globalbike (http://www.globalbike.org/), globalbike Spartanburg chapter (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Globalbike-Spartanburg/475255862582082), RJ Rockers (http://www.rjrockers.com/), The Freewheelers of Spartanburg (http://www.freewheelers.info/) and PAL (http://www.active-living.org/)
  • NO entry fee. (We may secure a SAG, and then ask for donations for the SAG's time and effort.)
  • GOALS: (1) Promote good stewardship of the roads in greater Spartanburg, (2) increase the strong relationship between the cycling and Spartanburg communities, (3) promote awareness of cycling and the growing downtown in Spartanburg, and (4) encourage cyclists to support local businesses and organizations.
  • 8:30 am start
  • Park in Grain District lot across from RJ Rockers (near W Main Street and S Daniel Morgan Ave)
  • Metric century route (62 +/- mis): http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/442982462Route may be marked by ride day, BUT come prepared to know the course!
  • Group ride modeled on our usual eride format (we encourage and request B and C group ride leaders; please email ME ONLY).
  • After the main ride leaves, Karl Johnson will lead a FAMILY/CHILDREN'S ride to Duncan Park.
This event is NOT A RACE, and we will be riding OPEN ROADS. All laws must be obeyed, including stopping at stop signs/red lights, remaining 2-abreast, not crossing the yellow line, and above all else, riding safely and with due respect for the local roads and motorists.

PLEASE register at the sign-in table between 7:45 - 8:15. The Freewheelers and PAL will monitor sign-in and we hope to have some goodies at the table (stay tuned).


PLAN to visit our great downtown Spartanburg after the ride! We are working on securing some incentives for you to patron local restaurants, etc.!