Lee's Cyclery Blog » fort collins

Giving thanks

Steve Lacey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:46:32 +0000

My wife and I recently took a little trip to visit some family in Missouri and since we elected to drive….the bikes came with. Now since this was a family visit, the bikes just came along for that “just in case” moment. We had no scheduled routes or destinations, just thoughts of slipping away to cruise some tree lined back roads. I think Jeff Foxworthy said “you know when you’re in Colorado when the bike on your car is worth more than your car and you have your own special bike lane”. Well Toto, we were far from Colorado – I can’t remember seeing one roof rack, bike lane or ‘share the road’ sign. As for those nice little back roads, they had speed limits of 55 mph and not even enough room for a white line, let alone a shoulder! So we opted for a ride in the nearby State Park. On the way back to our family, while in our car, we couldn’t help but be grateful that our city listens to us cyclists and gives Jeff Foxworthy material for his act.

Upon returning home to Fort Collins, I had a chance to speak to one of the people that plays a big role in making FC such a bike friendly town. Jeff Morrell is the president of Bike Fort Collins, a non profit organization with a mission to advocate safe and enjoyable bicycling in Fort Collins, nice and simple, right? I met up with Jeff at the Bean Cycle while having a juice and chatted a bit about cycling in and around Fort Collins and the role Bike Fort Collins plays in making cycling a part of our community and identity.

Safety is job one at BFC and surveys across the nation show that people would ride their bikes more if they felt safer while cycling. BFC offers free cycling education to local organizations, businesses and schools, claiming “teaching the younger community about safe cycling not only makes them better cyclists, it also makes them more aware of cyclists when they begin to drive”. Have you seen the ‘share the road’ signs around Fort Collins? BFC was instrumental in getting them installed. One of their current projects is to create a safer downtown area by discouraging people from riding on the sidewalk in the dismount zones and promoting cycling within traffic. How about if you don’t own or can’t afford a bike? Try signing out a bike from the downtown bike library which BFC developed, funds and staffs, sharing the kiosk with the downtown ice rink in the winter. Bike Fort Collins is currently comprised of five board members, 50 or so active volunteers and approximately 800 subscribers to their email. I’m guessing there are more than 800 cyclists in this city that have concerns or ideas about cycling around Fort Collins, so here’s the link to sign up for their newsletter or volunteer for any of their community events. http://www.bikefortcollins.org/ClubPortal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1895&pubmenuoptID=19595

Not only is Jeff the president of BFC, he also holds a seat on the Bicycle Advisory Committee and is closely tied to our City Council, Streets Department and FC’s bike coordinator. If you have any cycling concerns or ideas, BFC would be a pretty good place to voice and bring them in front of the right people. BFC makes this easy by providing two Community Bike forums each year where they discuss the state of cycling in FC, upcoming programs (I’d say more but was sworn to secrecy) and also listen to the community. The next Community Bike Forum is scheduled for the evening of November 12th at Become Fit; check their website for the exact time.
My sincere thanks to all those involved with Bike Fort Collins, I enjoy your efforts!

Borkur.net provided the photo

Steve Lacey

Moonlighting

Steve Lacey — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:39:33 +0000

Sometimes a little extra work in the evening isn’t so bad….in fact, it can be a darn good time! One such time is going out for a little 3500 foot moonlit climb up one of Colorado’s most scenic roads. I’m talking about a late night ride up the Old Fall River Road in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. It’s only possible about 4-5 times during the riding season and perhaps the last available option is September 4th, however the 5th was close enough for me and four others to enjoy the moon’s light.

I wasn’t kidding about the work… Old Fall River Road is, well “old”, as in before pavement, and a mountain bike is the weapon of choice due to some soft spots hidden in the shadows. The fun starts at about 8,500 feet and climbs to 11,800 feet through some grades of 16%. At times, the tree cover casts some pretty good shadows on the road and riding in the dark can tend to flatten some of those grades, but the drops of sweat on the top tube tell the real story. This road is also one way so once you start…….there’s no turning back and the park ranger who asked what we were doing at the Lawn Lake Trailhead at 9:30PM made sure we knew that fact! After arriving at the Alpine Visitors Center, 11 miles away from the car, the way down involves descending Trail Ridge Road, so bring lights and red flashers. Not so fast though! The visitor’s center is at 11,800 feet and Trail Ridge tops off at 2,200 feet, so you have a bit more climbing before breaking out the warm clothes. Yes, 12,000 feet can get mighty chilly so bring a pack with some extra layers!

Now you’re ready for the fun part. If you’ve ever driven this road during the day you know how much traffic it can see. Descending it at midnight you’ll be lucky to see three vehicles on the way down but be careful when opening her up all the way… Elk are mighty big and don’t use headlights…however, they do have horns! (I know, I know, but antlers didn’t sound right!) The total mileage for this ride is 29.5 miles so that means 16 miles of it is pure adrenalin pumping downhill all the way back to the car.

Visit http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=650125246420066949 for complete ride details.

Another adrenalin filled event this past weekend was the Fort Collins Tour de Fat. Each year I attend this spectacle and each year I am even more amazed at the engineering marvels and costumes that show up better than the year before. The size of the crowds both taking part in the parade and lining the streets are also hard to imagine if you haven’t experienced the event first hand. This year an estimated 10,000 characters took part in the festivities, so you better start thinking now for that original get up for next year. Check out some of the pictures from the day here – > http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchista/sets/72157622150157735/show/

If you missed the event, or just can’t stand to put the cruiser up just yet, there is still time to sign up for the LEE’s sponsored Tapas ride. Cruise to three of the areas finest destinations for fine food and drink while dressing in your “finest” cruiser garb. Space is limited and there is a fee. Visit LEE’s more more information and registration.

Ok, I admit, I don’t always wear my helmet when riding my bike, but this weekend I witnessed countless numbers of families riding with the kids wearing helmets and parents NOT! Now you may not be riding fast with your kids, but things happen, and if you think it is possible for your child to bang his/her noggin from three feet off the ground there is a good chance mom and dad could do it from six feet of the deck. Just sayin’…..

Enjoy the sunlight while it’s here and get out and ride… just remember to put a lid on it!

Steve Lacey

Life in the fast lane

Steve Lacey — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:44:33 +0000

A few weeks ago you might recall I made a commitment to try and hang with one of the more spirited group rides in the area before Stuart Culp’s return to the peloton. Well, if you’ve seen the updates of Stuart’s recovery you know he’s making gains everyday and I have my work cut out for me! The days of anyone cutting anything for me are long gone and the wind the peloton cuts seems to close faster than a clap of thunder. To hang on in this group you must ride a knife’s edge between LT and AT and a difference of just 4 heart beats per minute can mean making the cut or cutting loose. With each attack, a strand is cut from the rope that ties you to the group and riders in the front seem to have enough rope to pull a cruise ship. Those of us in the back just get faster at tying knots. With each knot that is tied, the rope is shortened just a bit until it’s easier to hang on to the group instead of the rope!

Last night the city council of Fort Collins met and one of the items brought to their attention was the allocation of a $38,000.00 grant from the Colorado Dept. of Transportation for the Safe Routes to School Program. Compared to the $192,500.00 for the FCBikes enrichment program and $100,000.00 for the bike library program, which are both great programs in their own right, this number seems rather small. I must say, however, that I was really delighted to see the support the city council members have for bicycling in our community as a whole, and how they listened to those who spoke on the matter. Thanks to all in attendance.

And now for some karma…Do you believe in karma? Good or bad?…..Well, listen to this. During the silent auction fund raiser for Stuart Culp’s recovery, Feedback Sports donated a mechanic’s bike stand on his behalf. Since I had commandeered my neighbor’s bike stand for way too long, I placed some bids on the stand, only to be outbid in the closing minutes. This past weekend, the Winter Park mountain bike series ended followed by their end of season raffle and….. I am now the lucky owner of a new Feedback Sports mechanics work stand which, by the way, rocks! Thank you very much! By the way, if you need a nice foldable work stand, I suggest you check the models Feedback Sports has to offer!

Did someone say foldable?……take a look at this new concept foldable bike. It doesn’t quite have all the stop and go problems solved, but it looks to be on the right track and sports 26″ tires to boot. Awesome! Watch the video.

OK, time for this week’s tip. When riding in a group, avoid sudden changes in speed or direction to help the group stay together. Any actions at the front of the group get magnified by the time they reach the back. It’s a little like a ripple effect, or chaos theory, which ever you prefer to think about!

So remember to watch out for cyclists and they’ll watch out for you!

Steve Lacey

Cruisin’ down the motorway…..

Steve Lacey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:27:46 +0000

…..Got my girl by my side. Even though 38 Special didn’t have bicycling in mind when singing these lyrics, I don’t mind using them while out on a ride with my wife. In seasons past, bicycling around my house was more like uni-cycling; me, by myself, going out for training rides or meeting the group at the trail head. This most recent summer has sure changed that and I’m sure glad I don’t have to pay royalties for each time I’ve sung 38 Special’s melody. It started off innocently enough – a cruise out to the end of the Poudre Trail, a ride out around the Budweiser Event Center… then “Hey! how about we do the Elephant Rock Centuries?” “Sure, that would be a great goal for the summer”, I said. Goal? Heck! Since that weekend, I had better set aside 4-5 hours for a “little” ride on the weekend with the girl by my side or I’m in trouble!

The days of a solo training ride in the morning and a leisurly ride on the bike trail later in the day together are long gone. Used to be that if a leaf happened to finally lose its grip and fall to the ground, it was too windy for a ride; now, riding the Masonville loop into a stiff head wind doesn’t raise a whimper. Used to be that if the temperature was warm enough to require shorts and single digit SPF, that the bike stayed in the cool garage; now it’s SPF 50, an extra water bottle and a trip up Centennial Drive, waving to the boats on the lake. And it didn’t stop there, oh no! A new mountain bike and a couple rides of through Pineridge and Lory and someone thinks they’re ready for the Antenna Hill!
WHAT HAVE I DONE?! This is MY turf… MY thing…MY time…and that’s MY bike’s parking spot in the garage! What do you mean I can cut the lawn tomorrow because it’s a nice day for a ride? What do you mean there’s a nice place we can stay in Frisco and go on some nice rides? WHAT…HAVE…..I…..DONE???? I’ve worn out a song by 38 Special, that’s what! Cruisin’ down the…….Can’t wait for the next ride!
Tip of the week? No wait, I mean the tip of the CENTURY( get it? century?). Do whatever it takes to get your spouse, girl friend, boyfriend or significant other out with you on some rides. Forget training for a while. Forget about your average speed or catching the guy down the road. Find a song, wear it out and start riding again.

If you’re looking for a perfect stage for your first recital, check out the Fort Collins Bicycle Festival’s Oscar Blues Cruiser Bike Tour, Friday the 28th. Cruise the streets of Old Town and tour the local bike shops. And don’t forget to cap it off with some refreshments and good company at LEE’S North Store on Laurel St!

Oh yeah, there is also a free concert and raffles after the ride as well. The fun doesn’t stop there either; there are rides and events throughout the weekend for everyone. For more information Call Joe or Ainslie at 970-667-3800 or visit http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090821/CONNECTIONS02/908210341/Cycling+festival+Aug.+28-29++Free+concert++bike+cruise+and+Rist+Canyon+ride

Don’t forget about the Tour De Fat September 5th. Volunteers are still needed to pull this off and yes you can still ride and partake in all the fun while volunteering. Visit the following sites if you would like to volunteer.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8FRvH3Q0VXSSd9fn_2b2fbxw_3d_3d

http://bikefortcollins.org/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=1895&pubmenuoptID=22930

http://www.overlandmtb.org/TDF2009/

Both a little anxious…ooo, good luck in the raffles.

Steve Lacey

A Silent Auction Says A Lot

Steve Lacey — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:32:37 +0000

This Saturday, August 15th, a silent auction will be held to come to the aid of a huge member of our bicycling community. Although Stuart Culp is well on his road to recovery, he still has a long journey ahead of him until he’s back on the pedals again; and a journey like this can put a tremendous strain on a family’s finances. Driving to Denver, take out dinners and family visits from out of state are just some of the expenses the Culps are enduring during his recovery and they could sure use our help. We would like to encourage you to participate in a silent auction for the Culps at the Peloton Cycles bike shop in Fort Collins from 5:30 – 10:00pm on August 15. Donations from a number of bicycling establishments have been received to be auctioned off on Stuart’s behalf. For more information or if you’d like to donate items for the auction, please contact Dustin at Peloton Cycles.

Dustin Folger
Event Coordinator
Peloton Cycles
970-449-5595

We hope to see you at Peloton on Saturday!

Another way you can help the Culps is to purchase gift cards for them for any of the following establishments and mail them to Dan Porter and he’ll pass them onto the Culps.

Food options…

Panda Express
Papa Johns
Qdoba
Red Robin
Wok & Roll
Supper Solutions
Safeway
etc …………………
Vehicle Maintenance and Gas

Conoco
Diamond Shamrock
Jiffy Lube
Grease Monkey
etc….

Send the gift cards or drop them by Dan Porter (Your Group Ride) at 5220 Boardwalk Dr. Unit C11, Fort Collins, CO 80525!

Tour De Fat

OK, looking at the calendar, it looks like there are only about 3 weeks until this year’s Tour de Fat to be held on September 5th, 9:00AM – 4:00PM at New Belgium Brewery, just off Linden St. in Old Town. Imagine Saturday Night Fever, Saturday Night Live, Monster Garage, Myth Busters, and a little Twilight Zone all coming together for the wildest parade to ever test your sense of reality, followed by a party to celebrate the “cycle” of life! WILD! The best part of it is, everyone can be a part of the show. Break out your finest polyester, your favorite two wheeled contraption and maybe your ID and follow your folly to the Tour De Fat! All proceeds from the event go to local organizations and there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for the event as well. Visit http://overlandmtb.org for more information on where your talents could be used best.

Speaking of IDs, a while back I asked everyone who rides to get some form of ID to carry on themselves in case of emergency. Well, I decided to take Bobke’s advice and order one of the Road ID bands on line and here it is. After a few rides it’s starting to get broken in and hopefully I’m the only one to ever read it. I know it’s a bit gimmicky, but after spending the $20.00, I now make sure I wear it.

Finally, whether on the road or dirt, this week’s tip may help you stay out of trouble. While approaching debris or obstructions on the trail or road, do not focus your attention on the obstacle. Instead, focus on the route past the obstacle and keep the obstacle in your peripheral vision. Chances are, if your looking at the obstacle, your bike will follow (and that may not be a good thing!).

Again, I hope to see you at Peloton on Saturday, but if not, I hope you’re enjoying the day on your bike!

Thank you Frenchista for the pix

Steve Lacey

Woohoo! Three feet!

Steve Lacey — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:28:56 +0000

On Wednesday, August 5 2009, Colorado joins 14 other states with bills which require a distance of three feet when passing a cyclist. Burt Reynolds could not be happier about gaining three feet (1 yard). The bill, 148, also gives motorists the right to safely cross the center line whilst passing cyclists…I could joke about motorists crossing the line but I won’t. Riding as far right as deemed safe is also a right of the cyclist now which means you are legally allowed to “take the lane” without impeding the flow of traffic. This is where it gets a bit grey and common sense needs to be called in.

On a four lane road with no shoulder such as Horsetooth, near College Ave, or Riverside, cyclists are allowed and encouraged, for safety sake, to ride in the right lane. I hope you’ve noticed the “share the road” signs posted in these areas. They’re there for just this purpose! On a two lane lane road with no bike lane, this also means a cyclist can ride in the lane, but it does not mean we can hold up a car from passing in a reasonable amount of time (impeding traffic)….how long is ‘ a reasonable amount of time’ you ask? As soon is it is safe for you to move over. The reason you ride in the lane is to ensure vehicles see you and make a conscious effort to pass safely. I call it a little take and give; take the lane and then give it when it’s safe. Riding in the far right or in the gutter on such roads encourages and forces drivers to violate the three foot LAW (doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?) when there is oncoming traffic or on curvy roads.

As for two a-breast riding… cyclists can ride side by side but must move to single file to allow vehicles to pass. Now I’m not saying moving to single file in the gutter – remember, the law says as far right as deemed safe by the cyclist. The moving to single file is more a means for cyclists to let vehicles know they are cognizant of them and thus expect the same in return.

What else does this bill mean for cyclists? It means that we cyclists must watch our ‘Ps and Qs’ even more so until the bill is understood and accepted by everyone. If we’re going to demand adherence to the new bill, we must also follow the rules of the road…..Three feet pertains to us as well and squeezing between cars and the gutter at intersections violates this law as well. Move in with traffic in these situations.

In related news, I came across a good idea for license plates while visiting the http://www.3feet2pass.com/ site. It’s a license plate dedicated to the three feet to pass law and a local rider’s foundation. In Tennessee they need 1000 people signed up before they will print them and donations go to http://jeffrothcyclingfoundation.org/. Might be something to check out!

Now for this week’s tip – I’d like every cyclist to learn, practice and preach the rules of the road to other cyclists. Remember – 3 feet, no gutters, right lane and single file when necessary!
That’s it for now! This weekend, forget mowing the lawn and enjoy your real back “yard”…..go ride!

Steve Lacey

tour de fat colorado state university

Colorado Trail Races

Steve Lacey — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:48:59 +0000

So you have a week’s worth of vacation saved up at work, you’ve been kicking some butt on the trails this summer and feeling strong, you’ve done the Laramie Enduro, Leadville 100, a few centuries around the area…..and now what? Well…….How about a little mountain bike race from Denver to Durango to test your endurance and psyche? It’s just a mere 500 miles along the Colorado Trail, 65,000 feet of climbing, 300+ miles of single track, totally unsupported, no prizes, no entry fee, no sag wagon. No big deal, right? I found out about this race way too late to think of entering it myself but as soon as I heard about it from a coworker I’ve been eagerly awaiting its start next year….

The race starts at 6:00 AM on Sunday, August 2 at the Waterton Canyon trail head in Denver. Racers are given a route description and a Spot GPS unit with their personal profile entered in it. From here, racers are on their own to carry their own food, water, shelter and bear repellent. What! I’m sure after the first day of 16 hours or more on the bike, my clothes would be repellent enough! It is also legal for racers to use post offices to pick up care packages they’ve sent to themselves anywhere along the route, but they must return to the same point on the course where they exited and are responsible for all the time wasted in line! It is also perfectly fine to stop in any fast food joint and eat to your heart’s content – however, racers are also required to pack “it” out. Hmmmm….

The race ends in Durango at the Junction Creek Trail head. If you’re good, five days in the saddle is the fee for a soft bed and a shower. If you’re not, a call to your boss for an extra day or two of vacation may be in order. With this year’s weather patterns, I’m guessing the racers will be in for a little moisture out on the trail. Speaking of “out on the trail”, the Spot GPS units also allow real time viewing of the CTR leader board for those who wish to follow the action from the couch. Ready to join or watch the fun?……Go check out the CTR website.

If the CTR is a little much, how about something a little closer to home for a great cause? The Pedal to the Point Bike Tour was created to help at risk youth in Northern Colorado. Three fully supported routes of 24, 52 and 72 miles take off from Waverly, Sunday, August 9 at 7:00AM and return to an after ride BBQ. 100% of the entry fee is donated to Turning Point. Visit Turningpnt.org for registration and more information.

Now, this is all exciting news and stuff, but remember, before going out on any of these rides, don’t forget to lube your chain…..and here’s a little tip – lubrication does nothing on the outside of your chain except collect dirt and give you a nice black chain ring tattoo on your calf. After lubing your chain, take a rag and wipe off the excess lube from the sides of your chain to keep it from gathering dust and grime. You’ll thank me for it!

Last but not least, don’t forget your helmet!

Steve Lacey

The strength of Fort Collins cycling

Steve Lacey — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:48:49 +0000

It’s been a little over a week now since Stuart Culp‘s accident and he is still recovering from his injuries, getting better everyday. Stuart and the entire Culp family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community. Sincere thanks goes out to those who donated blood during Stuart’s time of need. The lines at the blood bank were evidence of how strong the bicycling community is here in Fort Collins.

I hope this accident does not deter anyone in our biking community from enjoying the bicycling experience here in Fort Collins or Northern Colorado. Bicycling is still one of the safest forms of recreation and transportation you can participate in and our roads are still some of the best in the nation. I have still been riding and I returned to the TTH group ride on Tuesday. I must say, I was a bit nervous on the way over to the Peloton parking lot. As we grouped up and left the parking lot, I was glad to see the tempo of the group hadn’t changed. My nervousness quickly turned to anticipation for the first rotation. Now coming from a mountain biking background, I admit I am not that savvy in a pack, and again I made a tactical error and found myself off the back of the group. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Eventually I’ll learn the tricks of the trade and get better just in time for Stuart’s return! I won’t bet who gets there first though!

Beyond the outpouring of support for Stuart, still more evidence that Fort Collins is a thriving bicycle community lies in the numbers we were able to post during our Bike to Work day — 5,175 participants, 25,463 miles ridden, 1669 work sites, 28 breakfast stations……wait, 28 breakfast stations?? If that doesn’t show community support for bicycling, I don’t know what does! Some of the businesses receiving top honors were REI, The Neenan Company, and you guessed it the New Belgium Brewing Company. The Neenan Company had a whopping 97% participation – way to go Neenan!

And just because bike to work week is over, doesn’t mean you have to ride alone! There are a number of organized weekly group rides around the city for anyone interested in attending. Organized rides like these are perfect for those just getting into cycling and who want to learn more about riding or to gain confidence riding in a group. Visit http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/ for some of dates and times of some of the rides in the area.

Speaking of riding in groups, how could I not say something about this year’s Tour De France??…..Amazing!!! With only 4 stages to go, there is still plenty of life and scenarios yet to play out. Will Lance be able to make the final podium? Will Andreas Kloden be able to put a spectacular time trial together? Will Alberto continue his reign on Mont Ventoux or will the Schleck brothers gang up on him again? If you don’t watch any other stage – watch stage 20 on Saturday and don’t forget about LEE’S Tour De France bike sale. Great bikes! Great deals! BTW – Ever wonder what the 1274 signifies on Lance’s bikes?? Times up! It represents the number of days he was away from competition.

Finally, a safety reminder — report any close calls while riding your bike in Fort Collins due to a road hazard or motor vehicle at the following site– http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/report.php Comments are read and taken seriously.

Be safe and be seen!

Steve Lacey

The Tour and Upcoming Fort Collins Events

Steve Lacey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:44:17 +0000

Wow! What a start to this year’s Tour de France; to think race organizers were thinking of keeping Lance’s bikes hung on the hooks! What would Versus do with all that extra time from the absence of the Lance commercials? The opening time trial ended pretty much as anticipated – a strong showing from Lance and other favorites performing to expectations. The second day’s sprint finish was textbook for team Columbia-HTC and Mark Cavendish. Day three will go down as the cornerstone of the tour should Lance walk away with his eighth tour. One corner and one split second was all it took for a breakaway group of riders including Lance, to have the opportunity to split from the herd in a cross wind and make a run all the way to the finish. If not for a spectacular move from Cancellara to join the group, Lance would now be in yellow. Fabian saw the break and instantly jumped a curb in order to stay with the group. As predicted and to my delight, the team time trial did not disappoint on day four. The tight technical course let only those teams whose concentration rivaled their leg strength finish in the top spots. Teams without were quick to look for their team car and spare bikes. In the end, Team Astana was victorious and succeeded in erasing a 40 second time gap between Lance and the yellow jersey and moving him to within one second of the leader.

How can Fort Collins compete with such a race? Well, how about the return of the 6 day races on CSU’s Oval brought to you by the Fort Collins Velodrome Association and co-sponsored by Lee’s Cyclery? On Sunday, July 12th at 5:00PM, the Oval will come alive with a multitude of races and categories for all to enjoy for six weeks. At the Oval, there is not a bad seat on or off the track and spectators can get close enough to the action to experience racing without lifting a pedal! Last year the number of racers and spectators proved Fort Collins loves cycling and is worthy of their own velodrome. Visit the Fort Collins Velodrome Association web site for more information about the races and the velodrome.

Another upcoming event which is a little less competitive but just as exciting, is the Urban Assault race/ride. July 19th, Fort Collins city streets will be the proving ground for teams of two to plot their route to checkpoints around town where they will be faced with wacky obstacles and challenges. First team to reach all the checkpoints and complete all its roadblocks and riddles will win a pair of coveted New Belgium Brewery cruisers and personal acclaim. After the event, all are invited to attend the celebration and sample New Belgium’s brew and raffle at El Monte Grill. Check out the UAR website for more information.

This week’s tip is again brought to you from one of my own personal experiences…..When riding in a group or peloton try to look at least two riders ahead of yourself. As in driving looking ahead gives just a bit more notice of road hazards; it also gives you a little advanced warning when the peloton is making a break or brake. Just watching the wheel in front of you may leave you out of a break/brake and make for a lonely or sore ride home.

Have a good ride out there whether you’re on the track, trail or road.

Steve Lacey

Racing heats up in the Fort!

Steve Lacey — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:03:22 +0000

Tuesday evening I finally got the opportunity to check out the City Streets Crit racing down at the Fort Collins City Streets Department. My attendance was purely a reconnaissance mission to see how the races were run and what type of field it attracted. I must say, I was really impressed with the course they were able to squeeze in and around the depot. If tight corners, narrow straight aways or close racing weren’t enough to test a rider’s ability, the different riding surfaces certainly were! I was witness to more than one display of racers unweighting their tires on the smooth concrete sections and scrambling to their feet soon after!

Up front, the field was fast and nervous. “Inside inside” could be heard around every corner. As the field strung out, so too did the anxious calls, and between gasps for oxygen, words of encouragement now passed between the riders. Each minute or two that passed meant another lap for the riders and another chance for spectators to cheer for “daddy! daddy!” or have another chance for a perfect picture.

Unfortunately, next Tuesday, July 7th, is the last night for this year’s Crits so take a ride down and experience the event as a racer or spectator — you won’t be disappointed! Kids’ races start at 6:00 with citizen, open and master classes to follow. Visit Yourgroupride.com for more information and an entry form.

If the local races aren’t enough to get you fired up, how about a little Tour de Lance action on our nation’s birthday? Saturday, the 96th running of the Tour de Lance kicks off with the individual time trial which will surely reveal who the contenders are. Personally, I can’t wait for the resurgence of the team time trial brought back for this year’s tour. Sure, there will be mountain stages, sprints and breakaways throughout the 21 stages and 3500 kms but to see each team really working together is the essence of le Tour. It may also be the only time you see Lance and Alberto break wind for each other without following it up with an ‘excuse me’. Levi may have a tough call to make should Lance call in some favors from the Giro. I’m not saying there is any bad blood between Lance and Alberto but I bet they’re sure filled with competitive blood. If you have access to the Internet at work, now would be a good time to conceal the monitor screen in order to check out the daily live feeds at Versus.com

Now for the tip of the week - Do you have a creak (in your bike, not in your knees) you want to get rid of? Try a little grease on your seat post to start. If it still persists, remove your bottom bracket and ensure the threads are clean. Use some thread-lock when reinstalling and don’t over tighten it. Next, inspect the welds and paint around the bottom bracket for cracks. A little preventative care never hurts!

Hope to see you next Tuesday at the City Street Crits……Be safe.

Steve Lacey

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