In addition, new paved pull off rest areas have been established. Educational brochures are also being made available explaining new signage and offering tips on how to share the road. For more information about these improvements and an explanation of current cycling laws go to see  the Daily Camera article on June 15, 2010.

A shout out to our members riding in Ride the Rockies this week to have a great time and we’ll see you next week when you get back.

It’s Walk and Bike Month here in Boulder
and for a complete schedule of events, click here

RIDE REMINDERS

Tuesday at 5:45 pm meet at Boulder Beer

Thursday at 5:45 pm meet at Restaurant 4580 a

Saturday at 9:30 am meet at Bicycle Village

See our Online Ride Calendar for more details.
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Boulder Cyclesport & Scott Bicycles present
CHASING LEGENDS
June 25 8:00 pm
Shot and projected at the Boulder Theater in full HD.

Every so often a film will grab hold and entertain its audience in a way that leaves them begging for more. Known for their ability to produce such award-winning work, the rag-tag crew known as Gripped Films once again lives up to their name. Independently funded, filmed and produced with as much grit, passion and determination as their subjects, Gripped Films presents Chasing Legends, a feature length documentary following the HTC-Columbia Team through the 2009 Tour De France. Click here to learn more

“I ride more and have more fun doing it!”

Other Great Benefits

• Scheduled weekly rides with socializing before and after
• A and B routes to accommodate all levels of riders
• Free weekend SAG wagon rides
• Discounts of 10-25% at Bicycle Village
• Member insurance with up to $10,000 in coverage for medical costs
• Monthly newsletters with Club updates and informative cycling articles
• Quarterly social and educational events
• Informative website
• Special rides and outings
• Ride Leader safety training
• A members-only section of the website
• Cycling safety and group ride polices

[read more]

Have cyclists reciprocated by being more considerate to motorists?  Judging by cyclist behavior at red lights, the answer would be “no”.  [read more]

Our goal is to make cycling a life-long sport.  Since accidents are the most common reason people leave a sport, the BCC is striving to implement the safest riding program possible using proven effective safety management techniques. Please read some of the safety information under the top menu items “Club Rides” and “Advocacy”.

In the League of American Bicyclists rating, applicant communities are judged in five categories often referred to as the Five Es. These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning. A community must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories in order to be considered for an award. Communities with more significant achievements in these areas receive superior awards. Some of the cycling resources factored into the LAB rating include the biking network, bike parking, cycling/motorist safety education, cycling encouragement programs, law enforcement training on cycling issues, plans to reduce cycling accidents, and implementation of programs like Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School.

The BCC is a member of the LAB giving it access to terrific resources for improving clubs and the LAB accident insurance plan for our members. The BCC is contributing to cycling safety education in our community through our advocacy and safety programs. We have Ride Leaders trained in safety, safe riding rules for our group rides, and all routes are designed to maximize safety. In addition, we have a new Beginning Road Biker Program. We are also involved in advocating safer roads in Boulder County where we ride. Check out some of the new cycling safety and advocacy content that has recently been added to our website.

Extraordinary Boulder Cycling Resources Cited by the LAB

After many years of top-notch investments and community action, Boulder has received the well-deserved Platinum designation from the League. Boulder’s bicycle network and service for cyclists is second to none. The city employs a Complete Streets approach when considering major transportation facility enhancements and maintains their bikeways to high-level transportation standards. Separate snow removal crews begin plowing the city’s multi-use paths at exactly the same time that other crews are plowing city streets. At least 95 percent of arterial streets have bike lanes or trails on them. The city’s site GOBikeBoulder.net helps cyclists navigate the city’s 380 mile network of bike facilities by offering turn by turn biking routes, miles traveled and calories burned, as well as CO2 and gas saved by not driving. The expansive bike network has even led local real estate agents to show homes by bike in an effort to highlight the location’s proximity to the network. Recently 100 inverted U racks were installed in addition to the 125 loop-and-post converted parking meters, which were implemented after multi-spot meters were introduced.

Boulder’s bicycling education and promotion programs have been the model for communities across the country. Twelve public and four private schools have Safe Routes to School programs to encourage more kids to walk and bike to school. Bear Creek Elementary was selected as the recipient of the 2008 James Oberstar Award for involving 70 percent of its students in walking and biking activities. More than 7,500 people participated in Boulder’s 2008 Bike to Work Day – an increase of 48 percent from 2007. During Walk & Bike Month there are more than 50 events including bike rides, walks, clinics, Park(ing) Spaces Day, contests between employers and individuals to encourage cycling and huge community gatherings. Boulder’s investment has paid off. Bike use and other non-automotive modes of transportation have limited the growth in vehicular miles traveled in Boulder to approximately 1 percent annually since 1990. Other encouraging efforts include the Buffalo Classic and Circle Boulder by Bike events. Community Cycles, Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures and Y-Riders offer youth-oriented programming to foster responsibility, peer support and to keep young people active in cycling.

Most Significant Recent Accomplishment: Boulder has a clear dedication to completing their bikeway system. Integrating transportation and recreation in a truly comprehensive network, Boulder has made cycling a great way for its residents to get around and enjoy themselves. Boulder made significant gains in recreational cycling during 2008. Construction of the one-of-a-kind 45-acre Valmont Bicycle Park is anticipated to begin in spring 2009 with a goal of opening the park in late fall 2009. Additionally, 11 miles of mountain bike trails on Open Space and Mountain Park lands have been added in the last two years. Boulder has once again moved to the head of the pack with its innovative initiatives and investments.

Most Compelling Community Statistic: Ridership continues to go up throughout the community. Boulder’s 2007 to 2008 surveys show a 20 percent increase in bicycling in summer months and a 30 percent increase in bike use on Bike to Work Day. Similarly, bike parking counts in the downtown district increased by an average of 28 percent.

Best Result of Designation: Boulder’s Parks and Recreation department and GO Boulder worked in partnership to host the Athletes Holiday Gathering, a City Council supported event, to recognize more than 20 local Olympic and elite athletes that live and train in Boulder. Mayor Shaun McGrath also honored the economic and cultural contributions of Boulder’s active living, business, and broad-based community efforts, which factored in to Boulder’s Platinum award. The award also helped push forward efforts to improve singletrack access and recreational cycling opportunities in the city.

Cruising into Eldorado Canyon has got to be one of the most spectacular views you can enjoy on a bike in this area. Notorious for being a windy area, it was especially challenging last night as the winds were whipping up pretty strong even in Boulder proper. I guess it just makes for a more strenuous workout. It felt great to settle into a table on the patio of Boulder Beer after the ride and actually be warm enough to enjoy a cold beer! The patio was packed as a live band played and it makes me rejoice inside that warmer weather has returned and the riding season for us recreational riders is back!

- Donald C.

Our Route Planning Committee is working on establishing several standard options for our weeknight rides.  We are screening them for safety and using strategies like “always favor right turns.”  Left turns are by far more dangerous for cyclists than right turns, so we are favoring clockwise routes whenever possible.  We are also considering traffic levels and speeds, shoulder width, and road condition.  Most importantly, there must be food and drink at the end at a place with a great patio!  Look for the routes to be posted on the website soon.

Always check the calendar before going to a ride, and watch the newsletter for updates on schedules and starting points.

Preparing for the Upcoming Season

Here are some answers to questions frequently asked in bicycle shops that may help you get ready for spring riding.  Thanks to roadbikerider.com for this material.

How many tubes should I bring on a ride? Two tubes is the perfect number.  You’ll need one to fix the only flat you’ll get today and one more in case you have a “Crider.”  Our Margarita Ride leader, Steve Crider, is the only person we know who has had two flats on a ride, but it happened on a dirt trail and during a year he broke the record for flat tires.  You can also use it to help another member who may forget an extra.

What things should I check before every ride? Always check the quick-release levers.  Open them a little less than half way, not so far that you mess with the wheel alignment, but enough so you can check that they close tightly.  Next, check tire pressure—always ride the same pressure so you will be able to trust your bike in the corners.  Spin the wheels to check for brake drag, cuts in the tires, and wiggly rims.  Quickly put the front tire between your knees and twist the stem to ensure it is tight, and then squeeze the brake levers to ensure that the pads hit the rims at the right place.

How much air pressure should I run? Every tire has a sweet spot where it rolls faster and yet absorbs road shock—and more pressure is not always better, as many believe.  Three features determine where this mythical tire pressure should be set.  First, check the ratings on the tire.  Some are rated as high as 220psi and others as low as 125psi—usually there is a high/low range, and the best place to begin is the middle.  Second, consider the diameter of the tire.  Smaller-diameter tires (19mm) require significantly more pressure to support the same weight when compared with a larger-volume tire.  100psi may be more than ample for a 25mm casing while a 19mm TT tire will run almost flat at that pressure. Third is rider weight.  All you need is sufficient air pressure to prevent unnecessary tire flex, and not so much that you bounce all over the road on rough pavement.  Riders in the 200-pound range will discover that they can get a smooth, efficient ride at close to the tire’s maximum rated pressure, while a 105-pound female or junior rider may achieve the same performance near the tire’s minimum pressure rating. If you use the correct tire pressure, you can save gobs of energy in the form of better rolling resistance.  Too much pressure will rob your strength—especially if you are a lightweight rider.  If your bicycle bounces, release five or ten ounces.

How often should I upgrade my helmet? Replacing your helmet once a year is probably reasonable for a high-mileage cyclist (2,000 miles a month), and the rest of us should consider a replacement after two years unless you’ve had a crash.  The closed-cell foam that protects your head is a one-time deal; once it has been compressed, it will not dissipate the shock as well the next time.  If you crash hard enough to scar the shell, you should buy a new helmet.  Six seconds in the hospital emergency room costs more than the best helmet made—don’t sweat the price.

How many CO2 cartridges should I carry? Carry one cartridge and a tiny hand pump (Lezyne makes the best ones).  Only use CO2 cartridges when you are in a time crunch—like a group situation where others are waiting for me to fix a flat.  CO2 fillers are foolishly wasteful in an environmental sense (although they are recyclable), and a hand pump can refill a thousand tires without running out of air.  Before you reach for that steel cartridge, consider a hand pump.