Founder`s Message From the Editor`s Keyboard News

Newsletter
Issue 3, Vol. 1 August 2008
Founder’s Message
News
It is hard to believe August is already here. It seems like we just started the
2008 road season not that long ago. The group rides have grown in size as
everyone has noticed. In June and July our Sunday average turnout was
around 12. In late July and early August, our numbers on Sunday now
average between 20 to 24 riders! In addition, the group is riding faster,
smoother and safer than ever.
As a result of your success, many of you have inquired about how to get
better for next year. I will share with you what has worked for me, and other
riders. When I first started riding six years ago I began in the late spring.
When the summer ended I wanted to improve for the following year. I
decided to try riding during the winter. Most of my friends thought I was
crazy. I probably was since I did not have any idea what I was doing at the
time nor did I know how to dress properly. But I did come into contact with
several other people who also wanted to train during the winter months on a
frequent basis. Slowly a winter ride officially started at my house in Vineland
on Sundays. The first year we had around three riders per week show up.
Even with three we were dedicated and persevered through the cold months.
When spring finally arrived my fitness was noticably better than where it had
been just a few months earlier. The same was true for the other winter riders.
Last year our winter group ride numbered between twelve and fifteen.
Many of the club's most improved riders this year (George Chopek, Alex
Nonnemacher, Joe Delgado and Chris Albertson) rode this past winter.
Anyone who remembers these guys from last year versus this year can see
first hand what the winter riding accomplished for them. Is it easy? No! But
with the proper clothing it is do-able.
This year we expect an even higher turnout during the winter months. As
we get into the late summer and early fall we will talk more about winter
riding to those who are looking to improve and are interested. Until then
enjoy the warm weather.
Community Commitment
In an effort to help our cycling hiways and byways, Paramount Cycling
Club has entered into The
Cumberland County Clean
Communities Adopt-A-Road program.
Adopt-A-Road is a county-wide
community involvement program that
brings citizen volunteers into a
partnership with the Cumberland
County Board of Chosen Freeholders
to
promote and provide cleaner
roadsides. Paramount Cycling Club
has chosen Union Road as their
designated road from Route 49 to
Mays Landing Road. This road has to
be one of the most traveled cycling
roads in the county and it has it all–
hills, rollers, and a speedy finish. The
club will ask for volunteers to
occasionally help with the road-side
cleanup. The
club is obligated to clean four times a
year and we send out a email in
advance. Signs will also be erected
shortly in recognition for our efforts.
Dennis Gunn www.paramountcycling.com
From the Editor’s Keyboard
I remember my disappointment when the end of the 2007 summer
approached and Dennis mentioned that the Sunday ride, such as it exists
throughout the hot South Jersey summers, was to disband. For me, who had
ridden solo for a few years before finding a local group to ride with, it was
maddening to think about going back to riding alone the better part of three
seasons while I waited for the group ride to pick back up. But Dennis
mentioned that I might be interested in a winter group ride, which was a bit
faster, he warned, but that I’d probably be up for the challenge.
So I bundled up and went out regularly with the band of off-season racers,
roadies, and loonies who can’t stomach too much time off the bike. And
guess what? Sometimes, yeah, it’s cold and you suffer a bit more than you’d
like. But then spring hits, and your legs are pretty much the way you left
them in the fall, and you realize the winter riding was totally worth it.
Alex Nonnemacher
[email protected]
Schwinn Revives the Paramount
CyclingNews.com reported in July of
2008 that Schwinn will revive the
Paramount nameplate in 2009.
Reportedly there will be two series,
The Paramount Series 8 and Series 9.
Both feature so-called "N'Litened
Black Label" carbon frames and forks.
Both bikes will be SRAM-equipped
with the Series 9 sporting the top-end
Red group along with Mavic R-SYS
wheels, FSA carbon bar and stem, and
San Marco Zoncolan saddle. The
Series 8 will have SRAM Rival group
Mavic Aksium hoops. Pricing had yet
to be announced as of CyclingNews's
report. Interestingly, there will also be
a steel model, using Reynolds' 953
tubing and lugged joints. This frame
will be fully hand-built in Waterford,
Wisconsin.
Profile:
by Ardith Grasso
Dennis Gunn
As a former runner, I needed to find another athletic activity
where I could challenge myself. So I began my cycling
endeavors with my husband John. John, being a former Cat-4
racer, taught me all the intricacies of cycling.
I remember the first time I found out about the American
Cancer Society Bike-a-Thon. It was during my first season of
riding with John. We were riding through Egg Harbor City
when we caught up with a group (need I say hundreds) of
cyclist. I was very excited and impressed to see so many
people riding. I ask John why were all these cyclists riding and
where were they headed. He informed me of the ACS Bike-aThon, its purpose, and that it was held yearly. I immediately
asked if we could do it the following year. That was three years
ago.
This past May, John was searching cycling websites and
found a link to a new cycling club in Southern New Jersey. We
discussed it and decided we would give it a try. This was our
introduction to the Paramount Cycling Club. Cycling with
Paramount has provided me the experience and added
confidence of riding with a large group without worrying
about being dropped or lost (no one gets left behind).
Since riding with Paramount my speed and endurance have
improved, especially on my favorites… the hills. Best of all,
Paramount has also provided a sense of camaraderie.
It was time to start training for the 2008 ACS Bike-a-Thon.
We cycled 3 to 4 times a week, which included the Paramount
Sunday Ride. Then the day of the Bike-a-Thon arrived. My
goal was to decrease my time by 5 minutes. The previous 2
years my finishing time was 3 hours and 50 minutes with no
stopping on the way.
July 13, 2008, 7 a.m…. We started in the front because of the
crowds going over the Ben Franklin Bridge. John paced me at
20-22 mph for the first 25 miles. We then hit hills in the
Cherry Hill area (Paramount’s Union Road helped
tremendously here). At this point I was paced at 18-20 mph.
Once we hit Route 206 and the Blueberry fields in
Hammonton, we faced a strong headwind. I tried to stay on
John’s wheel but we were also faced with strong crosswinds.
My paced slowed but we kept it steady through Hammonton.
As we hit Route 40 we picked up the pace again through to the
finish at Buena Vista Camp Ground. To my surprise and
delight we finished 20 minutes less than the previous 2 years.
(I just love paramount!”)
Of course my
goal for next
year is to
improve my
time again.
With
Paramount at
my front, to
my left or
right, and my
back I am
confident I can
accomplish all
my cycling
goals.
Club Founder
Training for a Cause
John and Ardith Grasso
Years riding:! Six
Current Ride: Schwinn
Paramount Ti, Scott CR1 Limited
Favorite gadget: Wheels
Favorite kind of ride: fast
Pre-ride meal: Pasta
Recovery fuel:! Endurox
Recovery Drink
Cycling Goals: Top 10 rider in
cat. 4/45+ Masters and patient
teacher to new riders
Dennis Gunn
www.paramountcycling.com
Pro Shop
Righty tighty...
by Bill Nonnemacher
Righty tighty ...
...Lefty loosey. We've probably all heard that at one time or
another. It refers to the fact that most of the threads that
you'll run into are right handed. They tighten by turning
clockwise and are loosened by turning counterclockwise. If
you hold a bolt or threaded object vertically with the
threaded part pointing up, the threads will slope up to the
right. However, there are left-handed threads, too.
Counterclockwise to tighten them, and their threads slope up to
the left. In fact, they are pretty rare, except on bicycles.
Left-hand threads are usually found here:
Pedals – The left pedal (the side opposite the chain) has lefthand threads along with the corresponding crank arm hole. I don't know of any cranks that are exceptions.
Bottom Brackets – The right (the side with the chain) cup of English threaded bottom brackets are left handed. There
are Italian-threaded and French-threaded bottom brackets (right handed on both sides), but they are rare. If you own a
frame built in those countries, find out before you slip a pipe over the wrench handle and start beating on it with a
hammer to remove that stubborn cup.
Fixed Hubs – The lock ring holding the cog on the hub is left handed.
Freewheel – The bearing cone is a lefty. Leave it alone. Don't take a freewheel apart unless you know what to expect.
Besides, your bike probably has a cassette, not a freewheel. Eight, nine, 10, or 11 cogs mean that you have a cassette.
If you're still with me, you may be wondering why. It's all about precession. Take a look at "Precession (Mechanical)" in
Wikipedia (http://tinyurl.com/6985dt) for a good explanation. It's a force that would unscrew your left pedal even
with thread locking compound applied, if it had right-handed threads.
Now, let's see the practical application. When removing a pedal, imagine the wrench going toward the rear of the bike
as you bring it over the pedal. When installing it, imagine the wrench going toward the front. The English bottom
bracket cups have the opposite threads of the pedal of the same side. If you're installing new pedals, look for an "L" and
"R" stamped on the spindle near the threads to determine which are they are intended for. No stamp? Hold the pedal
vertically with the threaded portion pointing up. Which way do the threads slant upward? Up to the left? Install it on
the left crank arm, and vice versa.
Remember – righty tighty, lefty loosey. Usually, that is.
Quick Tip
Ever have problems with cleaning your water bottle? The gunk buildup from
powdered Gatorade and sport drinks can be a real problem to clean.
Or how about the nasty after taste! Here are a couple of tips. First, try to
designate water bottles for individual drinks. Use water bottles just for water and
Gatorade just for Gatorade. Second, when cleaning your bottle use warm water
with a little baking soda. Shake the bottle vigorously for 15 seconds then rinse
with plenty of water. You will be surprised by how clean you bottles will be.
–Jerry Dowd
Interview
awfully light. How do they hold up?" Then, with also the
same enthusiasm, they talked about how they were
by Alex Nonnemacher
suffering a lot of breakage. We can build 2-pound frames
When I began working on this newsletter last
in our current steels, but they wouldn't hold up and they
spring, I sent out some email hoping to get some
wouldn't ride very well. The problem is that with a
feedback from various framebuilders about what
material as well known as our steels, we can't plead
they thought made their frames the most
ignorance. We know it takes a certain amount of material
compelling. I wanted to hear what Specialized, for to build a proper bike. We're too concerned with our longexample, had to say about carbon fiber, and what
term reputation to compromise our designs to save a few
Gunnar, for example, had to say about their steel
grams. Disadvantages? The biggest one is that it hard to
bikes (since that’s what I ride). You can imagine
turn a steel frame into a billboard. It doesn't lend itself to
my surprise when Richard Schwinn himself replied complicated sculptures like composites. Of course, a well
to my inquiry to Gunnar those few months ago!
made steel bike frame has its own beauty, especially once
Richard Schwinn is the great-grandson of Schwinn
it's between your legs. The weight penalties are not nearly
founder Ignaz Schwinn. In 1993, Schwinn and partner
as great as our competitors would make it our to be.
Marc Muller founded Waterford Precision Cycles in
That's why you'll find a surprising number of riders who
Waterford, Wisconsin, after buying the Schwinn
sell carbon bikes but ride steel.
Paramount plant. Waterford makes its own brand of
How is OS2 steel different from other steel alloys?
steel-frame bicycle, as well as assembling Gunnar
OS2 refers to the tubeset we use on our Gunnar frames
frames, using their signature O2 hardened steel.
and some of our Waterford frames. All our steels are heat
Paramount Cycling Club: Why do you make steel
treated air-hardening alloys. Un-heat treated, these airframes versus other materials, such as aluminum
hardening alloys are just a bit stronger than the old
or carbon? What are steel’s advantages?
aircraft steels like 4130 chromoly - the original aerospace
Disadvantages?
material introduced in the 1930’s - itself 3-4 times as
Richard Schwinn: We like our steel's precision, durability, strong as the inexpensive 10-10 steels used in basic bike
design predictability and customizability. I say "our steel" frames around the world.
because we use today's most advanced steels, not the steels
Heat-treat our air-hardening alloys treat and the strength
you see in graphs comparing steel to aluminum, TI and
doubles. More importantly, these steels retain relatively
carbon fiber. Your Gunnar is made with our custom blend high elongation (the ability to flex without breaking) when
of heat treated air-hardening steels, steels nearly twice as
heat treated, whereas the traditional steels tend to become
strong as "regular chromoly." The alloy is so durable that
more brittle after heat treating. In addition, TIG-welded
it's used in automobile crash panels as well as F-16 fighter
joints with air-hardening steels don’t lose strength and
jet landing gear. On the Waterfords we're introducing
don’t get brittle, problems that occur with traditional
Reynolds 953, an even higher
steels. Only by adding more wall
performance material with
thickness to the ends of older materials
corrosion resistance virtually as
can we enjoy the durabilithy we’ve
“With the right design
good as titanium.
come to expect in a steel frame.
and construction, any
Graeme Horwood, one of
Gunnar and Waterford introduced
today's leading alloy designers
OS2,
a special tubeset with dimensions
rider can enjoy their
(and one of the major design
designed to take advantage of airWaterford.! With the
forces behind both Reynolds
hardening steel’s properties. The
853 and today's True Temper
result are weight savings while
wrong fit and design
OX Platinum), says that
retaining excellent durability.
any bike material can
between aluminum, titanium
What kind of riders would most
and steel, we're just "trading
enjoys steel frames?
produce
properties." Aluminum is
That’s not exactly a fair question. Even
disappointment.”
roughly 1/3 the density of steel
beyond the foregoing about the wide
but only roughly 1/3 as strong.
variety of steels, it’s not just the
TI is 1/2 the density and 1/2 as
material that makes the design.
strong. Alloying these materials and heat treating has
Several factors contribute to the success of a design for a
pumped up all their performance levels. Still, the
particular rider’s needs - fit, handling, stiffness/flex and,
advances in steel alloys allow it to offer the best
of course, the proper match-up with the rider’s desired
combination of strength, durability, ductility, workability,
components. With the right design and construction, any
consistency of production, stiffness and damping.
rider can enjoy their Waterford. With the wrong fit and
A couple of years ago I was talking to some bike racers
design any bike material can produce disappointment.
who were marveling at the 2 pound aluminum frames then
popular, asking me if we could build them. I said, "That's
continues on page 5...
Richard Schwinn
August 2008
www.paramountcycling.com
...Richard Schwinn Interview (from page 4)
Who would be surprised by your frames?
A couple of years ago I talked to a bike shop manager, hoping to sell
him another bike. "I hate steel", he proclaimed. So I asked him,
"What did steel bikes do to you to deserve such hatred?" His answer
was quite instructive: he'd never ridden a steel bike - but he knew
they were bad. Ever since aluminum, TI and carbon frames entered
the market roughly 20 years ago, the cycling press has used steel (and
usually a low grade of steel) as the whipping boy in their materials
comparisons. As a result, there's a whole generation of riders who've
never experienced the joy and thrill of riding a modern, well-made
steel bike. Like our friend, they may never have ridden a steel bike at
all.
Experienced riders get it. They've tried all the materials, riding good
bikes and bad. They've counted their grams and learned their
lessons. A well made steel bike may not be their only ride, but it's
often their favorite. We're hearing
rumors of steel filtering back into the
European pro peloton. Now that drug
Links:
controls are so strict, they need to find
• gunnarbikes.com
an advantage somehow.
• waterfordbikes.com
What is your relationship to
Waterford, and then to Schwinn?
Marc Muller and I founded Waterford
fifteen years ago when we purchased the factory that made Schwinn
Paramounts in Waterford, Wisconsin. Prior to that, both of us
worked at Schwinn. Marc actually built that factory in the early
1980's to take over production of Paramounts from the shop in
Chicago. Marc worked for me as head of Schwinn's engineering
department while I was in charge of Schwinn's factories. We both
have a passion for building bikes in America.
Richard Schwinn (left) and Marc Muller (right)
Photo Credit: Darren Hauck For The Washington Post
August 2008
www.paramountcycling.com
Group Rides
Sunday Group Ride
The official start of the Sunday “B-Ride” began on April
13th, 2008. Paramount Cycling Club members and ride
leaders follow a 30-mile route. The ride is designed to
help newer riders learn the rudiments of group riding.
The pace is kept to 16-19 mph, and no one is dropped.
There’s a stretch of road (Union Road) towards the end
of the ride for those who wish to sprint or push the
pace. Ride leaders will stay with more casual riders who
are unfamiliar with the route. All are welcome!
When: Sunday, 7:30 a.m.
Where: Merighi’s Savoy, 4940 Landis Ave
Vineland, NJ 08360
Who: Beginners welcome; intermediate and
experienced riders will enjoy a recovery ride.
Tuesday Group Ride
The Tuesday ride, formerly held on Wednesday, is a
fast, A-level ride that clocks in at about 45 miles.
Multiple sprint zones and rollers will challenge your
riding skills.
When: Wednesday, 5:45 p.m.
Where: Merighi’s Savoy (see above)
Who: Experienced riders and intermediate riders
looking to level up.
Contact info
Paramount Cycling Club
P.O. Box 322
Leesburg, N.J.
856.498.1048
[email protected]
www.paramountcycling.com
Sponsors
Appliances Plus 856.692.1544
Kevin Joseph Salon 609.425.8785
Bob the Builder 856.498.1813
Jersey Small Arms Gun Smithing 856.825.2194
BW Stetson 856.455.2200
Merighi’s Savoy Inn 856.691.8051
Brigantine Beach Development 609.653.6969
Rocap Shannon 856.825.0781
Bella Limo Service 866.4BELLA1 (423.5521)
RonJButler.com
C&S Signs 856.825.2194
Gale’s Photography and Studio 856.305.4439
Creation Tree Service 856.327.1596
VIP Mobile Disc Jockeys 856.293.0475
July 2008
www.paramountcycling.com