Untitled - the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey
Transcription
Untitled - the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey
2 President’s Message 1295 and Counting Ethan Brook Raise your hands if you didn’t get a chance to see the Year in Review presentation. Just hold them up a little longer. O.K. Got it. Hands down. We have 1,295 members, 180 attended. That means 1,115 BTCNJ members did not. Where were you? We probably could have squeezed in another 20 of you along the side walls of the auditorium. Aside from enjoying another hit show by Carver Washburn and his crew, I felt the “buzz” . What “buzz?” It’s February. Spring is just around the corner. I’m ready to roll. New rides, old rides, trips, tours, new friends, old friends, Ramapo Rally, and lots more. Speaking of new friends, did you know that in the past year we have added about 400 new members to our roster? What great timing!! The 33rd Annual BTCNJ Anniversary Party is being held this year at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. If this isn’t a timely coincidence, I don’t know what would be. The venue will hold twice the number of members than any previous party and at the same time we have had a large influx of new members. HE/SHE works in mysterious ways. Check out the web site for more details. “I don’t know anybody.” That’s exactly why you should be there. Another good reason to be there? Food. Great menu. We may have to temporarily change our slogan to: “You Don’t Have To Ride To Eat. Just Come To Eat.” There are many events coming up in the next few months in addition to our weekday and weekend rides. There will be new listings for our monthly programs, new tours, new special events, and major recurring events. It is important to check the website, the MasterLink, and your e-letters. Stay informed. Keep up to date. Remember, this is a volunteer organization. Uncle Sam may not want you anymore, but we do. If you have an interest in volunteering, or have a special skill, let us know. Our operators are standing by to take your call. For those of you who are riding during the winter, be careful, stay warm and keep safe. Cold weather produces new riding hazards. See you on the road. - Ethan Brook The following excuse for missing this event is no longer acceptable. BTCNJ 2011 OFFICERS MASTERLINK SUBMISSIONS PRESIDENT • Ethan Brook [email protected] VICE-PRESIDENT • Charles Cino• [email protected] SECRETARY • Diane McNally [email protected] RIDES CAPTAIN • Laura VanRiper [email protected] MEMBERSHIP • Terry Griffin • [email protected] LEGISLATIVE ACTION • Ted Semegran [email protected] MASTERLINK • Larry Schwartz [email protected] WEBMASTER • Thomas Hobbick [email protected] TOURS • Barbara Augenblick [email protected] VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT • Steve Greenberg [email protected] SPECIAL EVENTS • Linda Krauss • [email protected] and Diana Shikiar • [email protected] PUBLICITY • Joel Ringer [email protected] TREASURER • Joe Montigelli [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT • Ken Stahl [email protected] Materials for the MasterLink are due the 23rd of each month for publication in the following month’s issue. Please send articles, photos, letters, ideas, suggestions or comments to MasterLink, at our email address [email protected]. Materials may be edited by the MasterLink staff for length and clarity. All materials submitted for publication become the property of BTCNJ. Publication of materials submitted is at the discretion of the Editor. Issues related to MasterLink advertising should be addressed to the Advertising Coordinator. Please forward such material to our email address [email protected] All rides are submitted by the ride leader, ride coordinator, or other BTCNJ member. Rides are listed online only, and are not printed in the MasterLink. Please note: on occassion members will send articles, photos, cartoons, art, etc., that have appeared in other publications. Due to copyright laws, some may not be published in the MasterLink without written consent of the copyright holder. February 2011, Volume 34, Number 2. Circulation:1,300 via electronic download. The MasterLink is published 12 times per year as the official publication of the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, P.O. Box 839, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Our website is www.btcnj. com. ©2011 by the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, all rights reserved. 3 Membership Matters - Spring ahead As I sit here and the weather outside is about 11 degrees, I can’t help but think about the countdown to spring. When I walked into the supermarket this morning I grabbed a pot of mini-daffodils to have a visual reminder that spring is just around the corner. 41 days until Daylight Savings (March 13th) and 48 days until the first day of spring (March 20th) These thoughts make me want to do the Snoopy dance with my George Winston CD playing loudly in the background. Meanwhile I will get out there and do as much winter riding and running as I can fit in (as long as the weather is over 32 degrees) with spin classes at the gym sprinkled in between. For new members, something else to look forward to is our New Member Dinner being held this spring. Our last New Member Dinner was such a success that we are now planning two per year to be held in May and November. We are targeting Thursday, May 5th for the Spring New Member Dinner for all new members who joined the club since last November, venue TBD, so please save the date. It will be a dinner gathering to look forward to where you can meet other new members and board members. And that’s 94 days until the next new member dinner and 110 days until the annual BTCNJ picnic…. while we are counting! - Terry Griffin, Membership special events Your Special Events duo, Linda Krauss and Diana Shikiar, hope you’ll enjoy a fuller program of activities than we’ve organized recently. Our thinking is that members who ‘play’ together and make the effort to socialize more, ultimately have a more enjoyable experience as members of BTCNJ. We’re surely one of the friendliest clubs in New Jersey, and probably beyond. If you’re a new member these group activities will help break the ice. Make the effort, and join us for some/all of the following: Free Showing on February 20th ANNIVERSARY PARTY - It’s time to register for our party on Saturday, February 26th. BTCNJ’S SINGING CYCLISTS - No matter your riding level, come and sing with us. This rapidly growing group is out to have FUN! After several false starts, we’ve scheduled regular rehearsals at 5pm on the first Sunday, and 7.30pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. So many riders have been heard singing their heads off, this group’s a natural. Easy songs, and weaker singers can hide behind the big guys. We eventually intend to perform in public..............stay tuned! Tell Diana if you’re interested. (No embarrassing auditions.) WOMEN’S READING GROUP - Monday, February 7th at 7.30pm at a member’s home in Mahwah. Book selection is “The Falls” by Joyce Carol Oates. The group has regular meetings on the first Monday of each month. Interested in this or a future meeting? Contact Diana. MEN’S READING GROUP - Thursday, March 3rd at Steve Greenberg’s home in Mahwah. Book selection is “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. Described as a World War II story of survival, resilience and redemption. For further details contact Steve: email him at [email protected] Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 21st in Suffern at Charles Cino’s home. They will be reading “Into Thin Air” by John Krakauer. An astonishing account of summiting Mount Everest. And finally, let us know if you’d like to help organize future DINING CLUB events. Time to resurrect this really popular activity. Having run it for several years, researching new and interesting ethnic spots was enjoyable, and sharing them a pleasure. Generally held on a weekend evening, the organizers put their individual stamp on these adventures. From Greek belly dancers to Thai in Montclair, a Mongolian in Orangeburg, a beautiful Ethiopian restaurant in New Brunswick, a Turkish in Carlstadt, Park and Orchard in East Rutherford you can tell we venture far afield. We’re looking for a couple of creative organizers. Most importantly, send us your ideas, especially if they’re cycling related. We’re open to new experiences to share with BTCNJ. FREE SHOWING OF BICYCLE DREAMS - Winter is a good time to gather on a weekend afternoon, when riding’s possibly questionable. Our first selection is called “Bicycle Dreams”. This awardwinning full-length documentary is about the 2005 Race Across America (RAAM). The participants are “seekers, madmen and angels hell-bent on riding across America on a bike in less than ten days! It’s an epic 3,000-mile race from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans.” Come and join us at the Franklin Lakes Library at 2pm on Sunday, February 20th. We’ll have an hour for snacks and socializing, and screen the movie promptly at 3pm. Best of all it’s FREE! Since the room holds only 120 people, please commit via email to Linda and Diana. Don’t reserve a spot unless you’re sure you’re showing up, ok? Diana Shikiar, [email protected] Linda Krauss, [email protected] 4 The Primary Basic Guide to Elementary Bicycle Maintenance for Dummies BEGINNEr’s CORNER By kevin gately Winter seems like a strange time to open the subject of bicycle maintenance, but it fits. If you’re really a beginner, chances are that a lot of your maintenance is going to be done at the bike shop, and this is a great time to get their attention, while they have little else going on. Wait until the Friday before the first nice weekend in April and waltz in there wanting your hubs repacked while you wait, and see what you get. On the other hand, if you are going to try doing your own work, winter is also good because you have time for the elaborate trial, error and cursing ritual that is the rite of passage for would-be bicycle mechanics. The subject can be intimidating, but be of good cheer. It’s hard to know all about bicycle maintenance but fairly simple to know what you don’t know. Think of bicycle maintenance as having three levels: routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, and true shop jobs. Routine Maintenance Routine maintenance: Need to know. These are the simple jobs that have to be done all the time on any bike that is actually being used. Every cyclist should know how to do them. These include: • • • • • Tire and wheel maintenance, including fixing flats, mounting and removing wheels and spotting tires in need of replacement. Lubrication of chains and moving parts. Installing, adjusting or replacing simple common items like bottle cages, gear racks and saddles. Tightening (without over-tightening) loose bolts. For some people, replacing broken spokes and mending broken chains. (You know who you are, big guys.) Periodic Maintenance Periodic maintenance: Nice to know. This consists of procedures that are somewhat harder but that bikes only need once in a while. Knowing how to do them yourself will save you time and allow you to get the work done on your own schedule. It can also save you some money, depending on what your bike shop charges for the parts and labor. These might include: • • • • • • • Truing wheels. Replacing chains, cassettes and chain rings. Replacing cables and housings. Replacing pedals (and setting up bike shoes). Adjusting gears, i.e., derailleurs. Re-taping handlebars. Re-packing bearings in wheels and headsets. Shop jobs Shop jobs: Playing mechanic. These are the jobs that the great majority of cyclists don’t need to know how to do. Essentially, those who start playing at this level are adopting a hobby within a hobby, enjoying the fun of being their own wrench. Shop jobs include: • • • • Building bikes, either from used parts or new ones. Major overhauls and rebuilding. Replacing major broken parts like shifters, derailleurs or bottom brackets. Troubleshooting mechanical problems generally. A Few Hints So how deep into it do you want to go? Here are a few hints. You must know routine maintenance, but it is quickly learned and requires only a few tools that you carry in your saddle bag. BTCNJ conducts an annual bicycle maintenance clinic that covers the topic well, but you can also learn from just asking people plus a little trial and error. (There are only three mistakes that can accidentally ruin your bike. Send a check for twenty dollars and I’ll tell you what they are.) If you own only one bicycle and ride less than 2,000 miles a year, this will probably be as far as you want to go. Take your bike to the shop for annual maintenance – while it’s still winter, remember? Periodic maintenance takes more tools and learning time, also more money. You’ll need a bike stand and special tools. Figure about two or three hundred dollars. The Park Tool kits offered in the catalogs are a good starting point. You’ll also need to study up. Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is a popular reference and possibly the best. If you own more than one bike, have an older bike, or just feel like tinkering, this level might be for you. Finally, the home bike shop level is strongly recommended if you have a lot of time, a lot of money and a little something wrong with you. You’ll never recover your investment with the few dollars of shop costs you’ll save, but you’ll gain the immense satisfaction of truly understanding your machine and of making loud noises in your basement late at night. If, in a certain case, you do find that it’s just too stupid and crazy to spend big bucks on a strange specialized tool that will only be used once, no problem. You can come over and borrow mine. Kevin Gately is a 12-year member of BTCNJ who has ridden 60,000 miles since 1998, including two rides across America and two Longest Day completions. His opinions are his own. 5 6 BTCNJ Tours Below is a summary of the upcoming tours hosted by BTCNJ. For a full description of the tours, please visit our website at www.btcnj.com. You must be a BTCNJ member to participate in a tour. DATE TOUR TERRAIN DISTANCE PRICE CONTACT May 27-30 Mirimar Ski Club Memorial Day Cycling Getaway Rolling to hilly 40 - 50 miles per day $285 Steve Jackson, [email protected]; To reserve a spot, contact Diane Grunthal at dgrunthal@yahoo. com, phone: 973.728.8057. June 3-18 The Search for Spartacus Puglia, Italy Varied 40 - 60 miles per day $2,600 pp dbl occ Ethan Brook, [email protected]; Barbara Augenblick, [email protected]; 201-224-0316. Tour full, wait list only. July 24-30 RAGBRAI TBD 60+ per day TBD Jim Parlagi: Phone 201-529-5816; e-mail: [email protected] Sept 9-11 Saratoga, NY TBD TBD TBD Linda Krauss, Don Schlenger and Jeff Schreck Sept 23-25 Amagansett, NY TBD TBD TBD Peggy and Bill Telgheder Miramar Ski Club’s Memorial Day Weekend Cycling Getaway May 27 – May 30, 2011 Waitsfield, Vermont We have space for 16 BTCNJ members to join the Miramar Ski Club's Memorial Day weekend in historic Waitsfield, Vermont, May 27 to May 30. Here is what is included: • • • Bike riding (levels from C* to B*): at least one 40/50 mile ride on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with options to extend. Some routes are just rolling, and some are hilly. There will be a Ridethe-Gap Challenge as well. Two guided mountain hikes. Participants may also play tennis, swim, or take part in rafting, kayaking, craft fairs or just stroll about this quaint New England town This perfect summer getaway Friday night through Monday morning includes three full breakfasts, two bag lunches, two dinners, cocktails & hors d’oeuvres before dinner, and an open bar after dinner The price is right at $285 for a stay at a picturesque renovated old Vermont mill. Rooms are double occupancy with a shared bath for every two rooms. See pictures at www.miramar.org. For more information, please contact Steve Jackson at jaxxuns@optonline. net. To reserve a spot, contact Diane Grunthal at dgrunthal@yahoo. Photo taken on Amagansett, NY Trip If We Ran Our 7th Annual Memorial Day Southern Vermont Cycling Weekend At The Landgrove Inn From May 27 - 30, 2011, Is That Something That Would Interest You? By Linda Krauss The Landgrove Inn For the past few years, Diana and I have been running a BTCNJ weekend in southern Vermont and many of you have joined us at our favorite place, the Landgrove Inn. The Inn is truly special -- a quintessential Vermont country inn, warm and inviting, with welcoming and charming Innkeepers (and BTCNJ friends). The cycling is scenic and just hilly enough. This weekend is also the Open Studio weekend, when many local artists open their galleries and workshops -- we pass by and visit quite a few of them on our rides. The rides are all remote starts since the Inn is on a dirt road, and we do not plan to change the routes we have (we love them as they are). Breakfasts and dinners are, as usual, in the Inn’s lovely dining room. So here’s the big question...are you interested? If so, please let us know -- soon. This weekend has always been a sell-out, but we want to be sure the interest is still there, before we reserve the Inn. If we don’t hear from enough of you, we’ll assume we’re taking the year off from this tour. The cost last year was $295 per person for three nights lodging, three breakfasts, two dinners, two cocktail hours (price should be similar this year). If you’re interested, please respond to us. We’re not collecting any money yet -- just want to be sure we should organize this again. If you’re interested, please reply to: Linda Krauss, [email protected] and Diana Shikiar, [email protected]. 7 January Club meeting recap 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award Presented Nick and Andrea Mangino were presented with the Volunteer of the Year award for 2010. Our thanks went out to Nick and Andrea who tirelessly lug the boxes of club merchandise to the meeting each month, as well as to all the various club functions like the Ramapo Rally, etc. They also volunteer in many other areas and truly earned this distinction for 2010. Volunteers like Nick and Andrea are what makes BTCNJ the great organization that it is. Year In Review was a Big Hit We also want to thank Jennifer Clark, Harriet Einschlag and Mary McGreal for the wonderful cake and other refreshments that they picked up for the January meeting. They knew there would be a full house and prepared accordingly. Thank you all for a job well done! Volunteers are needed to pick up refreshments for future monthly meetings in 2011. It is a simple process and if you have time and can help in the future - just drop me a line at [email protected]. All your expenses are reimbursed. Thanks. The BTCNJ YIR Committee came through again this year with a multimedia barrage of over 800 photographs of the glorious times we all had in 2010. The room was full and our thanks go out to the YIR Committee, and especially our master YIR craftsman, Carver Washburn. Our thanks also go out to Ralph Pantuso who was in charge of the music. - Charles Cino, VP Programs February meeting - healthy eating strategies You asked us to find someone to teach us about nutrition. Well, please join us at the BTCNJ Monthly Meeting at the Ridgewood Library on Thursday, February 10th at 7:30 pm for an interesting program on Healthy Eating Tips presented by registered dietitian and nutritionist Janet Brancato, MS, RD from Valley Hospital's Health Program. The Center for Food Action Needs Food Donations As we all know, there are many needy families right now that could use the help of those of us who are more fortunate. You can bring food donations to the February meeting in a shopping bag. Anything you have or wish to buy would be greatly appreciated, from alphabet soup to ziti. Just make sure it is not past the expiration date. Toiletries such as toothpaste or deodorant and toilet tissue or paper towels are also welcome. Rick Kait and Gene Marsh, BTCNJ members, will see to it that all donations are delivered to The Center For Food Action. Load us down with shopping bags full on February 10th at the meeting. We’d like to add a Letters to the Editor section and we’d love to hear from you. Email us your comments, ideas or words of wisdom to [email protected], and include “Letters to the Editor” in the subject title. Letters selected for publication may be editied at our discretion. Topics will include finding a healthy balance using portion control, increasing nutrient intake, how to make better choices away from home, and behavioral strategies for a healthy lifestyle. You will learn how to eat, have more energy and ride better. Handouts will be provided and all your questions about proper nutrition and diet will be answered. - Charles Cino, VP Programs HISTORY OF GANDALF THE WIZARD Who is Gandalf? Where did he come from? This question has been repeated for the past 30 years and has not been answered until now. In a land far, far away there dwelt a Wizard of some repute who found himself enamored with a bicycle. He heard from his Hobbit neighbors that a bicycle club was being formed on earth and he thought “that’s for me”. So he saddled up Shadowfax and set off for earth (not a short journey mind you). He located the fledgling club and asked if they could use a Wizard to help them grow. Immediately he was recruited and began writing Timely Tips from Gandalf the Wizard which eventually morphed into Gandalf Says. And so on it went, month upon month dispensing his wisdom and commentary.He still rides Shadowfax which he turned into a bicycle and carefully guards his identity. There are club members who know who Gandalf is and he trusts they will keep the secret. His magic has never waned and he keeps BTCNJ close to his heart ever wary of The Dark Lord. Hopefully he will continue to regale you with his wisdom and humor for years to come.. 8 Volunteers of the Month Carver Washburn and Ralph Pantuso This month we honor two outstanding volunteers – Carver Washburn and Ralph Pantuso – for a multitude of volunteered tasks culminating in their collaboration on the Year in Review. This multimedia presentation for 2010 was a wonderful montage of the club’s activities in 2010. Ralph selected the music to fit with the various Year in Review themes. Carver integrated the show by choosing the pictures and matching it to the music. Carver Washburn This is an amazing task considering that 62 club photographers contributed thousands of pictures YEAR IN REVIEW UPDATE T hanks to all to the photographers contributing to the 2010 Year in Review. Special thanks to Justin Fatuzzo whose name was not mentioned in the program credits. Justin made major contributions to this successful multi-media event. that had to be studied and selected to make up the final event. Carver and Ralph extend them grateful thanks. Ralph and Carver have collaborated on earlier Year in Review presentations, most notably in 2004 which was the very first all-digital multimedia show. In addition, both Ralph and Carver lead club rides, volunteered in other Ralph Pantuso club activities such a the Ramapo Rally and are there when the club needs people to get a job done. BTCNJ congratulates Ralph and Carver as our Volunteers of the Month for February 2011. - Steve Greenberg, Volunteer Development For those members interested in having a copy of the presentation, contact Diane McNally. She will be happy to make you a DVD disc suitable for playing on any DVD Player. ~ Carver Washburn JAMES VINCENT BICYCLES 8 5 0 5 B E R G E N L I N E AV E N U E N O R T H B E R G E N , N J 0 7 0 4 7 201-869-1901 --CYCLE INDOORS -COME USE OUR COMPU-TRAINER Bring Yo u r Bike $10 Per Hour V I S I T U S O N L I N E - J A M E S V I N C E N T B I C YC L E S . C O M Carver and grandson 9 How to Choose Cycling Shorts By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com You should choose road-cycling shorts based on the quality of materials and construction. But also crucial is how well they conform to your unique anatomy. Sometimes a relatively inexpensive pair may work better for you than a high-zoot model. Shorts, like saddles, are tough to recommend because of differences in butts, crotches, seats and riding positions. Every rider has to try on shorts, buy the model/ size that fits snugly but comfortably, then hope for the best on the bike. It’s hit or miss, and some luck is involved. Just as with saddles, there is no universal answer. That said, here are guidelines that’ll point you toward better choices. Price. Generally, the more expensive the shorts, the higher the quality. Avoid cheap shorts because the material and construction may be substandard. They may be sewn from only 4 or 6 pieces (“panels”), which won’t give you the best anatomical fit. The padded liner (“chamois”) may not be large enough, soft enough or sewn without irritating seams. Cheap shorts aren’t as durable, either, so in the long run they really aren’t a bargain. When touring and washing shorts by hand, wringing can break threads and blow out seams if the manufacturer cut corners on quality. Panels. The more the better. Usually, 8-panel shorts conform to your body better than those made from fewer pieces. Better manufacturers use flat-seam stitching so additional panels won’t result in abrasion or other discomforts. Liner. Crotch liners are synthetic nowadays (not real chamois leather). That’s a good thing because the material can’t dry, crack and cause more irritation than it prevents. A large, smooth, absorbent, one-piece, moderately padded liner has the best chance of feeling comfortable. Liners that have seams, grooves, distinct sections and/ or a waffle-like texture may work fine for you -- or maybe not. There’s no way of knowing for sure before riding. Beware of thick padding, which can bunch and chafe. Also problematic are gel inserts. Because they’re in plastic compartments, moisture transfer can be blocked, causing excessive dampness and skin irritation. Leg length. This goes up and down like hem lengths in the fashion world. Long, so-called “Belgian” shorts will be in style for a while, putting the legs just above the knee. Then the pendulum swings the other way. Short shorts, like those marketed for spinning classes, are favored by riders who want to avoid tan lines that show when wearing casual shorts. But they shouldn’t be so short that the nose of the saddle rubs on bare skin. Waist length. Proper cycling shorts are cut high in back to keep skin covered in the bent-over riding position. Likewise, they are low in front so you can bend forward without restriction. The front shouldn’t be so low, though, that it’s below your hip bones with nothing to help hold it up. Waist band. The elastic should be wide enough that it doesn’t feel like a cord around your middle. Some manufacturers add a drawstring. Just elastic is fine. Just a drawstring is not. If that’s the only thing keeping shorts in place, you’ll feel restricted in certain positions or when breathing deeply. Leg grippers. Nothing is more frustrating than shorts that ride up and let material bunch in the crotch. Check the leg grippers to be sure they’re wide, made of “sticky” rubber-like material and securely sewn in. The legs should feel comfortably snug, not tight. Stretch. Most shorts are made of a stretchy fabric generically called spandex. They’re easy to pull on and don’t feel like you’re wearing a 19th century corset. On the other hand, you may come across shorts with fabric that purposely resists stretching. The idea is to provide help to your pedal stroke. The fabric “stores” kinetic energy on the rear part of the stroke and releases it when you push down. This concept is also used in competition suits for weight lifters. I’m not aware of any studies that prove a benefit for cyclists. Bibs. Shorts with built-in shoulder straps can’t sag. They keep the chamois snug against the crotch to limit movement and irritation. For men, this prevents the chance of things moving out of place when pedaling out of the saddle. However, the high front makes it difficult for guys to urinate. (Some prefer to roll up one leg instead of contorting to pull down the front.) Women usually prefer shorts without bibs so they don’t have to remove their jersey to take what cycling commentator Phil Liggett calls a “natural break.” Bib shorts are more expensive than standard shorts. Size. It’s best to try on shorts before buying them. Sizing varies among manufacturers. Fred is 5-foot-10 and just under 160 pounds, but wears size XL in some shorts while M is too big in others. Some U.S. manufacturers have noticed the “plumping of America” and cut their clothing bigger. It’s risky to buy shorts by mail order unless you’re replacing a model and size you’ve worn before. Overall fit. In general, snugger is better. You don’t want any uncomfortable restriction, but you do want the shorts to stay exactly in place. Remember that properly designed cycling shorts will look a bit baggy in the butt when you’re standing in front of the dressing room mirror. Then crouch forward into the riding position and watch them mold to your body. 10 BTCNJ Goes Bowling BTCNJ WENT BOWLING one cold and snowy night, and judging by the number of requests that the evening be held again soon, it was a successful event. A terrific group of new friends gathered to bowl in Hackensack on January 9th. Look for a repeat of this soon. “I’ve really had it with my dog: he’ll chase anyone on a bicycle.” “So what are you going to do - leave him at the dog’s home? Give him away? Sell him?” “No, nothing that drastic. I think I’ll just confiscate his bike.” 11 Winter Strength Training By Barbara Marrott As the temperature starts to drop, most of us find that our desire to bike ride outdoors drops right along with it. Luckily, spin classes and indoor training are great ways to maintain cycling fitness in the bitter months. And, if you want to add some real diversity to your winter workout, consider sport specific-strength training. It’s exciting; it will keep you from getting bored; and best of all, it is great for your bones. There is evidence that cycling can contribute to bone loss in both men and women, as it is not a weight bearing activity, so adding crosstraining to your routines will be beneficial in helping you maintain bone health. The following exercises can be done at home or in your fitness facility using a stability ball along any wall. Minimal space and equipment is required. VARIATION ON WALL SQUAT (focus on vastus medialis) 1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from above. However add a soft ball in between your knees. You may choose to do the WALL SQUAT or the ADVANCED WALL SQUAT with this variation. If a soft ball is not available, roll up a towel and place it between your knees. 2. Repeat either squat 8-12 times. These exercises should be done 3 times per week. As you become stronger throughout the season, you may increase your repetitions from 8 -12 to 12-15. Most stability balls come in 55 and 65 cm diameters. The best way to benchmark the correct size for you is to sit on the ball, and if your knees bend to form a 90 degree “right” angle, it is the right size for you. The squat is the basic major muscle move for the lower body and will strengthen your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Cyclists will find this exercise particularly beneficial for hill climbing. WALL SQUAT 1. Place the ball along a stable wall. 2. Place the small of your back against the ball – your feet should be shoulder width or slightly wider apart. 3. By bending your knees, lower your body down to where your quads are at a right angle to your calves. Hold for 3 seconds and rise up from the squat. In the beginning you may not have this range of motion, but practice makes better, and eventually you will achieve the “right angle”. Repeat the exercise 8-12 times. ADVANCED WALL SQUAT 1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from above. 2. Bend your knees and lower your upper body until your quads and calves are at a right angle to each other. Pulse 3 times up and down and then rise up only halfway. In this exercise, you will never fully straighten your legs out when rising up from the squat. Repeat 8-12 times. Photos above show proper form for Variation on Wall Squat Photos above show proper form for Wall Squat Barbara Marrott is the Fitness Director at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ. For more information about fitness center programs at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades please email [email protected] or visit the JCC website at www.jccotp.org 12 shop talk - Pumping UP Tires By Elliot Kalmus I rode over 9,000 miles last year. I had four flat tires. One was because of my own laziness to fix a problem before it went flat, two were the result of old worn tires, one was just the luck of the draw...flats happen. In the past 10 years I’ve ridden about 50,000 miles, about 5,000 per year. On the average, I have a flat about every 2,000 miles. I attribute this low number of flats to purchasing quality tires and a fanatical attention to tire pressure. Once tires are pumped up, the laws of physics will cause the inside pressure to want to stabilize to the outside pressure, therefore the pressure inside the tires will go down - it never goes up. Its best to practice “Topping Off” the tires instead of “Checking the Pressure”. There’s no reason to check the pressure, it’s going to be less than it was, there is a need to top it off. When pumping up the tires, always start with the valve stem up, at 12 o’clock. Why? Its very simple...you don’t have to bend over as far to secure the pump head to the valve, its easier! After the tire is pumped up, release the valve lock and with your fingers push the pump head off in one smooth motion. You’ll hear a hiss of air, that’s coming from the hose, not from the tire. Avoid twisting and prying the pump head off the valve stem, too much pulling on it can cause the valve to tear away from the tube resulting in a flat tire. My pump of choice is made by Serfas. I have the model FP 200 at home. I’ve had it about five years (the FP 200 I had in New Orleans was swallowed up by Hurricane Katrina, something tells me if it hadn’t been destroyed by flood water, it would still work today). At the shop we usually have an FP 500 floating around for our use and for customers to use. Both models come with the Serfas Smart Head. It’s designed for both Presta and Shraeder valves. One opening, nothing to change over, no leaks - and it comes with a needle so you can inflate your basketball and a plastic insert so you can blow up your beachball too! There is a large easy-to-read gauge, solid metal base on both the FP 200 and FP 500. The FP 200 also comes in a shorter version for better leverage when the operator is a shorter version...yes, they are pink - the Ladies model. The hose on the FP 500 is longer and braided steel so it’s a bit stronger and will get a road bike tire up to pressure faster. The FP 200 retails for about $45, the FP 500 retails for about $70. Both versions are bomb proof, pump up tires quickly and available for sale at Ridgewood Cycle Shop. Elliot Kalmus is a cyclist. He commutes, tours, pushes the pace on group rides, climbs and, mostly, appreciates the freedom and joy of cycling. He will often say...”cycling is like love, it’s all about balance and trust” and “c’mon, it’ll be fun”. He can be found at Ridgewood Cycle Shop. Join BTCNJ Outreach DID YOU KNOW......? • that your club has an OUTREACH program? • that there’s a dedicated group of club members who’ve offered to lend a hand, an ear, a shoulder, to visit or other assistance to members in need? • that you can volunteer to join this terrific group of people and feel really good about doing so? • that you too might be in need of OUTREACH one day? (We hope not, but you never know.) • that offering your services is as easy as contacting one of us below. If you become aware of any members who are ill, have had an accident or a death in the family, please let us know by getting in touch with our contact for the month. Diana Shikiar 201.995.9101 [email protected] Henry Gozdz 201.892.4059 [email protected] Our contact for the month of January is: Jeff Schreck [email protected] 13 Legistlative Acttion Teaneck Township Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Study About 20 Teaneck residents, almost half of them BTCNJ members, came to the Teaneck Planning Board Meeting on Wednesday evening, January 19th, to support the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Study. This should be considered a visionary project for Teaneck. It is notably the first such study in Bergen County. It was presented by consulting firm Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. who had worked on the Plan for the past seven months. They (Steven Wong and James Van Schoick) presented specific cycling and pedestrian related projects to create a safer environment in the Township. Harry Kissileff, a BTCNJ member and bike commuter to New York City for about 35 years, was instrumental in getting the plan started back in 2006. (See the December 2010 Masterlink article). Among the projects suggested were a number of bike shoulders, lanes and sharrows on roads such as Cedar Lane, River Road, Forest Avenue, Palisades Avenue, Queen Anne Road and others. In addition to bike related projects, Baker also recommended a number of sidewalk installations and replacements, and intersection improvements, especially on Cedar Lane and Teaneck Road. Their study involved significant data collection including a summary of the bike and pedestrian accidents from 2007 through 2009. Surprisingly, there were 64 bike and 124 pedestrian crashes docu- Above are a few of the slides presented at the meeting including a summary of the Bicycle Accommodations. On the following page is the Intersection Improvements Implementation Matrix plus associated costs for their implementation. The slides show combined bicycle lane, paved shoulder and sharrow pictures. One of Baker’s recommendations is to include bike lanes on River Road which is 36 feet wide. Even after adding two five foot bike lanes along the roadway (on either side) there still would be enough room for car lanes, each lane being13 feet wide. Some might even suggest the narrower roadway would cause motorists to stick to the designated speed limits. The slides also show a typical “Share the Road” (Sharrow) Applications. As per Baker’s Matrix, they might be employed on Cedar Lane, Degraw Ave and Palisades Avenue among other streets. mented during that period. Most of the bike accidents included wrong-way riding, failure to yield (cyclists and motorists), sidewalk riding and left turn accidents (motorists). The goal of the plan was to increase the use of bicycle and pedestrian travel in the township thereby improving personal health, traffic conditions, and the natural environment. It was prepared in cooperation with the Township of Teaneck and Bergen County with assistance from the New Jersey Department of Transportation - Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs (NJDOTOBPP). Bergen County engineering was informed about the proposals, particularly those involving county roads, such as Teaneck Road and River Road, and their input will be utilized in formulating the final report. I was pleased to hear a number of BTCNJ members (also Teaneck residents) provide their own commentary on how to make cycling in Teaneck safer. I would gladly assist anyone from our club interested in pursuing such a project in their town. (See box below) - Ted Semegran GET A MASTER PLAN FOR YOUR TOWN Why not get your town to apply for a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Some suggested towns in Bergen County might include Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Ramsey, Glen Rock, River Vale, and Westwood among others. The first step to do this is to form a task force of like-minded people. Next is obtaining the support of the appropriate local political leaders. Furthermore, New Jersey has resources to help local groups develop transportation plans including improvements to roads for bicyclists. Contact Bill Riviere at [email protected]. nj.us for further information. 14 15 2010 Mileage Totals If I was asked on this 10-degree January morning what my bicycle would say if it could talk….it would be “Turn up the temps, melt this ice and take me for a ride!” Many thanks to all for sharing their 2010 Mileage Totals and providing these original quote completions. Hope all of you enjoy reading them as much as I have. Let’s all look forward to many miles in 2011 - Laura Van Riper, BTCNJ Rides Captain Name Miles If my bicycle could talk, it would say.... Cliff Mortensen 14638.0 “it was a great season until I was hit by a truck on 11/30, but plan to come back strong.” Nate Morgenstern 10410.0 “Not the rack! Anything but the rack!! I’ll carry you wherever you want, just don’t put me up on that rack again!!!” Ray Morro 9236.0 “You only put 2,800 miles on me, and no races! Then again, this is the replacement frame that’s talking.…mileage is a personal best - highlights included winning my first bicycle race, and riding in VA/WV for the first time” Ed Eagle 8639.0 Bob Torres 7420.7 “It was a great year, completed a total of 9 brevets which includes 5-200K’s, 1-300K, 1-400K, 1-600K and the “Endless Mountains” 1000K ride. As usual, it is always great riding with everyone!” Paul McEvoy 7385.0 “rode to work over 150 times, great club rides and a awesome trip to South Africa. Yaacov Metzger 7380.0 “163 bike commutes out of 226 days (72%)? You can do better than that!” Julie Kavadlo 7380.0 “Another year of challenging rides, good company,and debriefings @ DD’s. Welcome back Kevin!” Vince Moran 7051.0 “RACE! Are you nuts?”.... Diane McNally 6497.3 ”When’s the next ride, how many hills, who’s pulling, and where’s the coffee stop? Thanks for the camaraderie and challenges of a memorable 2010” Carver Washburn 6061.0 “I can’t wait for those winter rides!” Ed Howard 6034.0 “You’re not going to let HIM pass me, are you?” Rosario Joseph Lazzaro 5516.0 “had to change jobs to increase my mileage over last year, keep riding AKA Rasta Man!” Gary Mass 5452.0 “This was my second best year which included 8 centuries and 2 double centuries. Looking towards 2011 to do longer distance rides” Steve Felmeister 4872.0 “TIME TO ROLL” Sandie Reilly 4834.2 MORE, MORE, MORE!!! Fred Bennett 4762.0 “...lose that belly!” Patty Menz 4580.0 “SPIN!! Stop pushing my gears! Bob DeMair 4549.0 “Tell your wife you need to ride 6,000 miles next year” Ed Weist 4500.0 “Nec ventum neque pluviam neque colles! (Neither wind nor rain nor hills shall stop us!)” Carl Flaum 4500.0 “My best year EVER, so far!” Barbara Flaum 4500.0 “Hope the old girl is up to it next year, cause I wanna do it again!” Michael Caccavale 4444.4 “hurry up, get on, let’s ride some more.” Don Schaller 4422.0 “Well Don we rode fewer miles then last year but enjoyed them even more.” Rick Vara 4416.0 “something unprintable. Rick would like his mileage to speak for itself.” John Siegel 4179.0 “you’re welcome” in response to the gratitude and thankfulness I feel on every bike ride I do. Duncan Patton 4046.0 Don Gurry 4029.0 “another year and you still love me.” Bill Semanczuk 4009.0 “wash me!” Mary Ann Brand 3896.0 thanks for all the amazing, wonderful places you’ve taken me. Where to next? Sal Rizzo 3787.5 “Boy I’m tired, I have over 35,000 miles on in 9+ years!” Laura VanRiper 3598.5 “take me back to Europe….I love the places near but France was certainly the highlight of my 2010 cycling year!” Tracy Cicatelli 3490.0 “lose the car” Ethan Brook 3214.0 “this is Ethan’s personal best mileage however he is not talking to me at the moment!” Harriet Einschlag 3180.0 “why don’t you get me clipless pedals already!!” 16 Name Miles If my bicycle could talk, it would say.... Ted Semegran 3090.0 if it weren’t for great food stops, I wouldn’t have made the 3000+ miles Michael Semanczuk 3048.0 “one rider at a time please, I’m not a tandem”. Ron Hall 3041.0 “More cowbell”. Tim Warner 3038.9 “let’s try to get some more miles this year, but more importantly, continue to keep us safe and sound again.” Ken Powell 3005.9 “I love the Lincoln Park Loopie, weekly Posse rides with the girls, the Ramapo Rally, especially the 4th of July Parade Ride, everyone in BTCNJ and of course...Deadly Smedley!” It’s not the miles, its the smiles!” Kenneth Stahl 2913.0 “clean me, lube me, love me true!” David Whieldon 2898.0 “Lower total than before. Stymied by travel, bad weather, and medical problem. But rode a few miles in Japan! Special thanks to Nancy and Victor Martinez for stimulating rides.” Dot Mortensen 2701.0 “Happy to be back on the road.” Keith Schlanger 2679.1 “can’t he miss one pot-hole, why is he breathing so hard & what happened to the riders in front of us!” Bonnie Hall 2670.0 “Enough with the hills”. Mike Pinker 2643.0 “I rode 2643 miles last year, spread over three bikes, better than 2450 last year, but if January ever ends I hope to have more by this time next year. Thanks to those kind enough to ride with me.” Lorraine Henderson 2630.0 “Wonderful biking miles with great friends.” Allan Baer 2605.8 “Don’t think I haven’t noticed what you’ve been doing. Looking at all those other bicycles. Ogling the Specialized, staring at the Cannondale, salivating when a Pinarello with its Italian accent is near. What’s the matter? Haven’t I been good enough?…great. I’ve let you mount me nearly 90 times this year. Each time for about 30 miles. Many times for quite longer than that I let you straddle your legs around me, continuously pump up and down, get all hot and sweaty. What keeps me going is that I know you always come back to me. So look all you want. But don’t touch. And always ride me.” Alan Scherl 2552.0 “That’s all you could do? There are grandmothers out that can ride circles around you!” Jeff Tarson 2524.0 Seymour Reiter 2509.0 “You again!” Jeffrey Bunce 2461.0 “Hey, you made it through the year without vaulting over a guard rail. Now it’s lonely in the garage so why don’t you put those skis down and take me out for a winter ride?” Bob Reich 2386.0 “No Century rides in the rain for 2012.” Mary Maki 2337.5 “I’m thrilled to have done my first Century!” Surajit (mac) Mukherjee 2328.0 “__best year for me” Barbara Kauffman 2310.0 “take me up a hill! Terry Griffin 2274.0 “thank you for flying me to Toulouse…never had wine bottles in my cages before! Trip of a lifetime! You neglected me a little by running 672 miles for all that marathon training. 2010 highlights: Tracy’s July 17th ride where we met Justin and his black Madone…love at first sight! Leading rides with Allen were a blast! Leading rides to the top of Washington Rock with Justin were breathtaking!” Alan Horowitz 2112.0 “take me to Italy this year.” to which I say “Good idea! let’s go in June.” Louis Wassong 2099.0 “we saw some of the most interesting sights on our travels and looking forward to a great 2011.” Glenn Barnes 2087.0 “Well I made my 2,010 mile goal and then some. More importantly was lots of fun, fitness and time spent with good friends.” Barbara Klein 2012.0 “after 291 undulating miles in South Africa, undulating is a bad word. But thank you Jeff and Mary Ann Brand for getting me out of the country!” Barbara Augenblick 2011.0 “ Why did you wait until cold and snowy December 31st to finish the last 18 miles?” Carmela Schaller 1731.0 “Carmela, we had fun together in your first year of bike riding. Stick with me for more adventures in 2011.” Gary Oppenheimer 1300.0 “ Where was that trip across the country you promised me? I’m not getting any younger you know. “ 17 Name Miles J Justin Fatuzzo 1066.0 “RIDE JUSTIN RIDE BOTH MOUNTAIN AND ROAD !” Erica Conway 728.0 “Thank you for buying me! I’m so happy you’ve gotten to discover the joy, the freedom, and the accomplishment of climbing hills and flying down them; of changing my tire all by yourself; of getting to 50 miles in one ride; of falling down and getting back up. It would tell me that it’s happy we get to share this passion together.” Don Schlenger (he doesn’t track his mileage but his bicycle talks!) If my bicycle could talk, it would say.... “There’s that smell again!” Welcome New Members For the months of December 2010 and January 2011 Katherine Allen of Summit,NJ Kim Miller of Edgewater,NJ Serena Berger of Somers,NY Shawn Sabine of Mahwah,NJ Bruce Cohn of Staten Island,NJ Jean Shedlock of North Haledon,NJ Pedro de las Heras Toledo of Elmwood Park,NJ Brigid Siegel of Bloomfield,NJ Linda Ditullio of Cedar Grove,NJ Mark Silverman of Somers,NY Bill Fisher of Woodcliff Lake,NJ Mitchell Slodowitz of Glen Rock,NJ Len Friedman of Short Hills,NJ Suzanne Starace of Paramus NJ,NJ Mika Katsuyama of Weehawken,NJ Jeremy Tarife of Belleville,NJ Rosalind Kaufman of White Plains,NY Maureen Timony of Rochelle Park,NJ David Lawler of Teaneck,NJ Kevin Vicha of West Hartford,CT Brigid Lundy of Waldwick,NJ Wole Williams of Bayonne,NJ Don Lutz of Belvidere,NJ 18 Support Your Local Bike Shop The owners of all these shops support BTCNJ. Please tell them you saw their shop in the MasterLink. Show them your BTCNJ membership card for a 10% discount off accessories and parts. They are skilled bicycle pros, and we urge you to use their services. Please note that the discount may not apply to sale items and may not allow credit card payment. Bike shops listed in bold are advertisers in this issue, look for their ads. Please note that the individual shop owners have sole discretion over the definition of “accessories and parts” and of the items in their stock to which any BTCNJ-related discount applies. Allendale Bike Shop Allendale 201-825-0952 Toga Bike NY, NY 212-759-0002 D.J.s' Cycles Belmar 732-681-8228 Nyack Bicycle Outfitters Nyack, NY 845-353-0268 Brookdale Cycle Bloomfield 973-338-8908 Pedal Sports Oakland 201-337-9380 Get-a-way Cycle Center Bloomingdale 973-291-4163 CampMor Paramus 201-445-5000 Brielle Cyclery Brielle 732-528-9121 Ramsey Outdoor Paramus 201-261-5000 Bikeland Caldwell 973-403-3330 The Bicycle II Paramus 201-632-0200 Bikeland II Chatham 973-635-8066 Cycle Sport Cyclery Park Ridge 201-391-5269 Allwood Bicycle Clifton 973-574-9001 Cycle Craft Parsippany 973-227-4462 Pearl River 845-735-8686 Clifton Speed Center Clifton 973-777-3512 Bicycle Depot All Body Training Closter 201-768-3086 Heino's Ski and Cycle Pequannock 973-696-3044 Congers Bike Shop Congers, NY 845-268-3315 Piermont Bicycle Piermont, NY 845-365-0900 Steve's Moped & Bicycle Dumont 201-384-7777 Cycle Center Pompton Lakes 973-835-6339 Sam's Bicycle Repair Elmwood Park 201-797-5819 Bicycle Source Pompton Plains 973-835-7595 Strictly Bicycles Fort Lee 201-944-7074 Bike & Ski Shop Ramsey 201-327-9480 Marty's Reliable Hackettstown 908-852-1650 Ramsey Outdoor Ramsey 201-327-8141 Bike Pad Hawthorne 973-427-9400 Cury's Sport Shop Ramsey 201-327-4561 Randolf 973-584-7773 James Vincent Jersey City 201-420-5151 Marty's Reliable Ramsey Outdoor Ledgewood 973-584-7798 Cosmic Wheel Ridgefield Park 201-440-6655 Bicycle Tech Lincoln Park 973-694-6775 Ridgewood Cycle Ridgewood 201-444-2553 D.J.'s Cycles Long Branch 732-870-2277 Bikeworks Rochelle Park 201-843-6409 Peddler Long Branch 732-229-6623 Original Bike Shop Saddle Brook 973-478-6555 Cycle Craft Long Valley 908-876-5600 Valley Cycle Spring Valley, NY 845-356-3179 Madison Bicycle Shop Madison 973-377-6616 High Gear Cyclery Stiriling 908-647-2010 High Gear Cyclery Millburn 973-376-0001 Bicycle Workshop Tenafly 201-568-9372 Upper Nyack, NY 845-358-3455 Diamond Cycle Montclair 973-509-0233 Toga Bike The Bikery Montclair 973-744-7252 Town Cycle West Milford, NJ 973-728-8878 Marty's Reliable Morristown 973-538-7773 Albert's Cycle Westwood 201-664-1688 James Vincent North Bergen 201-869-1901 Whippany Cycle Whippany 973-887-8150 Chelsea Bikes NY, NY 646-230-7715 Wyckoff Cycle Wyckoff 201-891-5500 Gotham Bike NY, NY 212-732-2453 As proof of BTCNJ membership, you will need to print your membership card through the BTCNJ website. Log onto the site, select Membership Card under the Membership tab. Printing instructions are provided.