Winter cycling tips 1-3

Thanks to everyone who came to last night's meeting, especially the panelists and our organizer/ moderator Joe Studer.  It was a lively discussion that covered a wide variety of topics related to winter riding.

I'd like to offer a few general thoughts inspired by tonight's discussion.

Winter tip #1:  Your mileage may vary.  As with many other aspects of cycling, what works great for your friend might not be the perfect thing for you.  If the first combination of gear or clothing doesn't quite work right to make your ride as comfortable as it could be, don't get discouraged.  Experiment and try a different mix.

Winter tip #2:  Fenders are your friend.  They make a huge difference in keeping you and your bike cleaner and drier. If you're riding with other people, fenders help keep them drier, too.

Winter tip #3:  Get lit.  When riding at night or in snow or rain, lights are critical.  In average city riding conditions, you don't need them to see the road.  You do need to be seen by others: drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists.

Got more tips to share?  Email them here.

     - Anne Alt

Chicago Cycling Club September meeting - get ready for winter cycling

Join us for a panel discussion at REI (1466 N Halsted) on Tuesday September 10 - get ready for winter cycling.  Social time: 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.  Discussion 7:00 to 8:30.  Anyone is welcome.

Adventure on the Danube

Phyllis and I will be joining a group of six other friends for a 13 day bike trip along the Danube River from Passau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary.  We fly out tomorrow and begin the ride on Sunday.  My daughter, Erika has set up a blog for us to documents our travel. 

Please feel free to check cyclejoe.com to check on our progress. 

We return on September 7 and please save the next day (September 8) for the Eleventh Annual Football Nostalgia Ride.

     - Joe Dickstein

volunteering and the Four Star Bike Tour

For many CCC members, volunteering is a way of life.

Congratulations to Kathy Schubert on her Mayor's Bike Advisory Council award for her longtime advocacy work.  It was good to see her at the Bike to Work rally.

Bryce Sabin deserves our congratulations as Active Transportation Alliance 2012 volunteer of the year.  He got his award earlier this year at the volunteer thank you party.

The Four Star Bike Tour is coming up fast, and they could use more of our volunteer help.  The need for course marshals is especially urgent.  They help guide riders along the course and may answer questions as needed.

This year's routes (12, 22, 35 and 62 miles) go north from the UIC campus.  If you can help, there's still time to sign up as a volunteer.

Thank you for all you do - as a CCC member and a volunteer.

milestones

For many, the Pampered Century is their first attempt at a 100 mile ride.  To everyone riding tomorrow, whether it's your first or your one hundred first, I'd like to wish you a safe, successful trip.

    - Anne Alt  

senior ride

Here's a moment of the fun on a recent Thursday senior ride.

Photo by Phyllis Dickstein

If you'd like to join in the fun, the next senior ride is happening on Thursday 6/27.

Bike traffic skills class

Do you have a friend or family member who would like to ride more places but lacks confidence in traffic? A Traffic Skills 101 class might be just the thing.  There's a class starting Monday night.  Click here for more info.