september 2015 - Rapid Wheelmen

spoke’n word
official newsletter of the Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club
2015 Night Shift Article by Tony Maravolo
Photo courtesy of Matt Longest
WHEEL
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High Speed Night Shift Dirt Riders
09.2015
CLE CL
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the board
Randy Higgins
President
[email protected]
Evan Wilson
Vice President
[email protected]
Tad Smedes
Treasurer
[email protected]
OPEN
Secretary
[email protected]
Mike Burden
Director Emeritus
[email protected]
OPEN
Head Ride Captain
[email protected]
Jesse Munroe
Safety & Advocacy Chair
[email protected]
Rochelle Wieber
Membership Chair
[email protected]
Beth Hamel
Special Events & Publicity
[email protected]
Dave Durkee
Road Race Team Manager
[email protected]
OPEN
Off-Road Race Team Captain
[email protected]
Susanne Aldridge
Website/Social Media
[email protected]
Rochelle Wieber
Newsletter Editor
[email protected]
Dave Durkee
Time-Trials Coordinator
[email protected]
president’s spin
President
Randy Higgins
Hello My Friends,
I spent a lot of time thinking about what I would say here,
however I wasn’t sure on how to start this or what direction
to take. I have had many thoughts and just wondering
about things. A while back at one of the Rapid Wheelmen
meetings, Dave Durkee was giving a presentation and I
remember him speaking about the club and its members.
Dave said that we are a community and a family and
therefore we look out for each other and help each other
out whenever it is possible. It may be when one of our
members is struggling or has had something happen to
them in their life that has put them in the ditch in one form
or another. I had never really looked at the Club like that
until then, and what Dave said was accurate.
The reason I brought this up is this. Most of you have heard
or read about the “hit and run” crash and death of Susan
Cummings. Susan was the cyclist that was killed just a
couple of miles into the start of the ODRAM ride. What
amazed me was the outreach of the cyclists that shared
their thoughts during that day and the days that followed.
There are over 500 cyclists riding in the memorial ride in
remembrance of Susan this weekend.
We have a great community, not only in our city but in so
many additional cities and small towns. I am not preaching
to anyone but I just want to say, “Please be careful and
do not become complacent.” I know I have found myself
doing so and I have been lucky.
I know this will not stop what
happened to Susan but maybe it
will help.
On the brighter side of things, I wish to give a big “THANK
YOU” to Team JR for adopting and allowing me to ride
with them on our tour across the state of Michigan. It was
a lot of fun and I had a great time in addition to making
some new friends which is always a good thing. I also had a
flat 40 miles or so away from the finish. It turned out that
I had slit the side wall and the tube got pinched and POP! I
was able to make the repairs, catch up with the group and
finish the ride. Yea!
We have had a great riding season this year. Yes, it started
out a bit damp…oh alright, a bit wet, but it did dry out
for the most part. A big “Thank You” to Mike for doing a
great job with Maple Leaf ride. It was another dry year,
Mike. You are on a roll! It was a lot of fun and I was able
to ride with Jochen for a loop and later enjoy the company
of others at lunch. Great grilling Bob! I would put you up
against Bobby Flay any day! As always, there was great
support from all the volunteers.
Also for those of you who might partake, you could not ask
for better weather for the Beermuda Triangle this year.
Continued on next page.
Beermuda Triangle Ride L to R: Rick Pearse, Susanne Aldridge,
Judy Crankshaw, Randy Higgins, Scottie Chapman,
and Gene Terhorst at Old Boys Brewery in Spring Lake.
Beermuda Triangle Ride at New Holland Brewing Company,
enjoying lunch and a pint of Ale.
Photos courtesy of Randy Higgins..
club news
club social
GRATA Central Station
250 Grandville Avenue SW
Grand Rapids
Thursday, September 3, 2015
6:00 pm Board Meeting
7:00 pm General Meeting
(check the Yahoo Group for the latest updates)
welcome new members
Joe Vago
Michael Roon
Jason Ulanowicz
Julie Berger
James & Reina Placer
president’s spin, continued
What a great time and a good ride! It was different this
year with Gene being the RC; it added a twist to the ride.
The ride was done in reverse and there was an antique car
and tractor show that we stopped at on the way back. It was
something a little different…here are a couple of pictures
for your viewing pleasure. I have also heard a rumor that
there just may be a Beermuda 2 in the works. There are
conferences and discussions currently taking place and
routes being reviewed. Please keep an eye on the Yahoo
Groups for more details. I wish you all a safe ride where
ever your travels may take you.
Take care my friends,
Randy Higgins
President, Rapid Wheelmen Bike Club
ride calendar
­- september 2015 sunday
monday
30
tuesday
31
wednesday
01
thursday
02
Mystery Ride, 9am
Challenger, 6:30pm
Pedal GR, 6:30pm
06
07
Labor Day
08
Mystery Ride, 9am
Challenger, 6:30pm
13
14
15
saturday
04
Club Meeting, 7pm
10
17
11
21
22
18
24
25
28
29
Ramble, 3pm
26
Not Dawn, 8am
Mystery Ride, 9am
Mystery Ride, 9am
Challenger, 6:30pm
27
19
Not Dawn, 8am
Mystery Ride, 9am
23
Ramble, 3pm
12
Not Dawn, 8am
Mystery Ride, 9am
Mystery Ride, 8am
Challenger, 6:30pm
Pedal GR, 6:30pm
20
05
Not Dawn, 8am
Mystery Ride, 9am
Beginner’s Ride,
6:30pm
16
Ramble, 3pm
Pace Info:
03
09
Ramble, 3pm
friday
30
01
02
03
Mystery Ride, 9am
Challenger, 6:30pm
Easy: 9-11mph Casual: 11-13mph
Moderate: 13-15mph Good: 15-17mph Fast: 17-19mph Fast Plus: 19+mph
SEPTEMBER 2015
DAY
DATE
RIDE NAME
RIDE START
RIDE DETAILS
CONTACTS
A 30 to 35 mile ride, this is a no drop ride and paces will vary
depending on who shows, keep your eyes on the Yahoo
Group for changes.
Gene Terhorst, 616-430-8054
Randy Higgins, 616-540-4550
SUN
6,13,20,27
Sunday Ramble
3:00pm start
Ramblewood Tennis & Fitness
4250 Spartan Ind. Dr. Grandville
WED
2,9,16,23,30
Mystery Ride
Different Start Times & Places
Look to the online calendar for more information on times and
places. Keep an eye on Yahoo Groups for changes and more
details, coffee at Panera at Knapps Corner at 2pm on bad
weather days.
Jochen, 616-304-5337
Bob, 616-780-9590
WED
2,9,16,23,30
Challenger
6:30pm start
Challenger Elementary
2475 52nd St. SE, Kentwood
20 to 30 mile ride, all paces welcome and supported, a no
drop ride, distance may vary depending on who shows up.
Keep and eye on Yahoo Groups for changes.
Mike Burden, 616-915-2048,
[email protected]
WED
2,16
Pedal GR
6:30pm start
Founders Brewing
235 Grandville Ave. Grand Rapids
12 to 16 mile ride at a casual pace to explore Grand Rapids.
Every other week a different route and place to see.
Joshua Duggan, 616-446-3601
pedalgr.com
THUR
10
Beginner’s Ride
6:30pm start
Johnson Park
South Parking Lot
A ride for the person unsure of group riding, a casual pace
ride around the trails. Riding in a group to get you used to it.
Evan Wilson,
[email protected]
SAT
5,12,19,26
Not Dawn Patrol
8am start
Challenger Elementary
2475 52nd St. SE, Kentwood
Going 45-65 miles at a good-fast pace (15 to 18mph), with a
possible brunch stop. Check Yahoo Group for changes.
Mike Burden, 616-915-2048,
[email protected]
SAT
5,12,19,26
Mystery Ride
Different Start Times & Places
Look to the online calendar for more information on times and
places. Keep an eye on Yahoo Groups for changes and more
details, coffee at Panera at 10:00am on rainy days (28th St.
east of the Beltline).
Jochen, 616-304-5337
Bob, 616-780-9590
Maps to ride start locations are located at rapidwheelmen.com
Maps to ride start locations are located at rapidwheelmen.com
ridin’
2015 Night Shift
Tony Maravolo
Well, another Night Shift has
come and gone. There was a
new route this year, this time to
the Northwest.
Friday was a very long day for most of us, as we all arranged
to prepare camp north of Ludington at the super-nice Lake
Michigan at Manistee Campground and Rec Area (managed
by the Feds). The driving there and back seemed like it took
forever. Once we arrived back at Night Shift Headquarters,
we had about 50 minutes or so to gear up for the ride start.
This was a problem for me, for I was planning on having a
few hours to waste by napping and gathering up the rest of
my ride gear. So the rushing around began….
Just 24 hours before the ride start I had contracted an
intestinal bug of sorts that would have me sitting on the
crapper 8-9 times in 12 or so hours. Bad news! This made
me REAL nervous. I already suffer from dehydration
during normal days and had been stocking up on fluid for
the previous one and a half weeks. I immediately began
taking anti-poop medicine to ward off the rumbling
hydration-robbing demons.
Not only was I nervous because of the “brown-out
situation”, but also because I had gotten little to NO time to
ride bikes this year. Life is busy. I bought a new mountain
bike in the spring, so I’ve only been riding trails in short
bursts – hardly any roads. (You know how it is with a new
bike, the others no matter how fancy or expensive, get to sit
and wait their turn.)
Some stats and numbers on my “training”: I was going
into this 100+mile ride with only 338 miles logged for the
ENTIRE YEAR! Only four times this year, did I have any
ride more than 23 miles – and three of those were all on
paved surfaces to and from work at a casual pace. In July
I rode a whopping 62 miles the entire month, and that
INCLUDED a ride with the family 11 miles roudtrip to
Sand Lake for ice cream. In August, ZERO miles. So that’s
twenty three training miles in the last four weeks!
IF I completed Night Shift (if), it would account for twentyfive percent of all my 2015 miles. All in one evening. Those
thoughts already had me virtually pooping my bib shorts,
now with my intestinal “issue”, I could literally be pooping
them too.
We met up with the legendary (SAG) Crankshaws (John
and Judy) at our departure location just west of Sand Lake.
Bob’s wife Dawn and Matt’s wife Laura were also going to
SAG, so we had two vehicles to greet five men (myself, Matt
R, Matt L, Bob C and Jeremy C) at our pre-planned stops.
Matt R and Jeremy were riding their Fat Bikes and myself,
riding my Cyclocross bike. The other two guys were on
their 29er mountain bikes.
So, the stage is set. Let’s begin…
Segment 1: Sand Lake to Newaygo (19 miles)
Lost after SAG stop #4, Bob, Jeremy, Matt R.
(Branch Twp, Ruby Creek Tavern)
The ride began with us being our usual jovial selves, excited
to get the trek underway – swerving all over the dirt roads,
acting like 10 year olds riding BMX bikes in that local town
Photo courtesy of Tony Maravolo.
Continued on next page.
ridin’
to go play pick-up
games of baseball for
the day. Matt R was
seeking out beer and
pop cans to crush
with his fat bike. I
counted 4 crushed
cans in this segment.
Somehow he was
managing to have the
tires pick the damn
things up and shoot
them through the air
– usually splattering
whatever fluid had
been hiding inside
over whoever was
riding close to him.
For the most part there were no surprises until we came
across a dreaded sand-filled Seasonal Road. Oh crap!
I thought we avoided all of those this year in the route
planning. This was a surprise. The fat bike guys didn’t even
flinch at the challenge. They were gone and out of sight
almost instantly. I was all over the place on my cross bike.
I was spinning out and weaving back and forth until I’d
come to a halt so I could walk.
Segment 2: Newaygo to North Country Trail
(23 miles)
As we ride out from Wesco (with a curious cop following
us), a strike of lightning made us take notice of changing
weather conditions. Wow, did I really just see a flash? Then
another. And another. BOOM! LOUD, and close. It has not
yet begun to rain, but the lightning was so intense that we
safely gathered under an overhang at an ice cream store,
when it started to pour. We waited out this rather severe
looking pop-up line of storms for 45 minutes. It literally
came out of nowhere and formed right above us and to the
north. It agitated us to have to sit and wait for this while
our bodies cooled down and muscles stiffened.
Once it was clear, we left – getting only wet from road
spray and mud. It was tough to get back in the saddle after
that much downtime. Since it was still really humid, we
rode through lots of fog and quickly discarded the use of
Continued on next page.
After coming out of the Seasonal Road south of Newaygo,
there was this “sawed off family of round red necks” that
welcomed over Matt R and Jeremy to their brush-fire they
were monitoring with a garden hose. According to Matt
the conversations revolved around their Fat Bikes. “Are
those motor bikes? How much one of dem cost?” Jeremy’s
responses, “No, you pedal them. They cost about two to
three.” My assumption is that the other four riders couldn’t
wait for me to join up with them so they could leave that
immediate area – because we left pretty quick after I
stopped to observe. Dang, I missed all the good stuff.
Shortly after this, we had to ride on about five miles of busy
M-82, which felt pretty dangerous. We rode the shoulder
much of the time, only zipping back onto pavement when
no following cars were present. We didn’t stop or slow for
anything, Matt R railing over a cooler lid with his fat bike
in the process. It was like a 5 mile Time Trial – we were
riding so fast and tight, drafting off each other, in order to
get off that road! We all felt pretty dang good rolling into
the first SAG stop at the Wesco gas station.
John Crankshaw’s Magnificent SAG Map
Photos courtesy of Tony Maravolo.
ridin’
my single-speed mountain bike, wasn’t too much trouble.
However, the drop bars and road bike-style brake levers
were the toughest part to get used to. My back and hands
were cramping from lack of steering leverage and frequent
braking. My right tricep kept locking up from cramps.
We got lost once, and maybe (partially) because of that,
this segment took near 2 hours to complete. We always
seem to have one section that is a weird time-warp. No
way, that took two hours!!?! Once we got back on track
and made contact with the SAG, (the two hours confirmed)
there were more clothing changes and refueling to happen.
This was supposed to be a quick stop, but ended up being
longer than planned.
Segment 4: North Country Trail to Branch Twp
(15 miles)
Jeremy, North Country Trail, 2am
Photo courtesy of Matt Longest.
our riding glasses. We did miss one turn here, but found
our way back on course with little issue. This next SAG
stop turned out to be a really good one – the sky was clear
with a million twinkling stars above. I did manage to see
one shooting star from the (now waning) Perseid Meteor
shower. This was a New Moon night, so it was SUPER
dark out. What beauty exists out there – but only if you
deliberately take the time to look.
Segment 3: North Country Trail Start to End
(11 miles)
A few of us switched out some socks, gloves and jerseys
for nice dry ones before tackling the single-track. This
would be the most exciting part of the ride. Jeremy
donned his blue-tooth Bose speaker pod facing outward
off his Camelbak, hooked up with streaming Pandora
radio. He would be our leader for this segment so we can
all experience the booming likes of AC/DC, Eminem and
Metallica during the contrast of beaming headlamps and
total darkness. Always bringing up the rear (“riding sweep”
sounds way cooler), I got to witness four mountain bikers
lit up like daylight at 2am on night time single track. So
cool! What a good flowing trail from 6 mile north to 13
mile road. For me, it was a real challenge for the first 3
miles on the cross bike. The lowest gear, nearly the same as
Most of the ride away from the trail to our next stop was
paved. This section went pretty fast. Nothing unusual to
note up until our next SAG stop at the Ruby Creek Tavern.
Once we arrived all we heard about from the SAG women
was how clean the port-a-john was - like brand new. Soon
later, an old man came out from the tavern, suspicious of
our activities. I approached him and told him we were just
borrowing his parking lot for our ride. He says “Oh, you
guys are the bikers!” Huh!? You heard of us? Someone call
you? What is going on? Turns out this old man had no idea
what he was saying. He made himself out to be the mayor
(or land owner?) of hick-town and spent his time bragging
about how there was some Argentine olympian there at the
bar that very night. Oh. My. Gawd. An Olympian? Really?
Some guy he didn’t even recall the name of that did the
decathalon and won a silver medal and a bronze star. (Yep,
he said bronze star.) I think Old Man got tricked. Also, he
wouldn’t shut up about a Veteran’s benefit parade the next
day that was going to shut down their main drag for about
an hour that morning. Demo Derby. Carnie games. Bon
fires. Car Show. Beer Tent. Wow, impressive. (Little did we
know that two of our group would get to actually witness
this event.)
And then we made the mistake of answering his question
of “where y’all goin’?” Of which, Jeremy responded first
with “the forest” – then John Crankshaw unveiled the
super-map he created on corrugated outlining the entire
route. (So beautiful!)
Continued on next page.
ridin’
Segment 5: Branch Twp to Custer (21 miles)
Less than one mile down the road from the RCT, we knew
we had to take a right turn – which is apparently why we
blew right past our turn and proceeded to climb TWO giant
steady hills and continue for another mile or two. But even
before these hill climbs, Matt R said to me “is that it?” I said,
“No way. Seasonal road. AVOID.” Apparently, glancing at
a white sign with black lettering without reading it means
it can only be a Seasonal Road. Upon inspection later,
Matt R read it to be a sign about winter-time snowmobile
restrictions. Whoops. We had actually been heading south
– which led to lots of map reading, confusion, etc in the
middle of the road. I couldn’t even read a map at this point,
so I handed over my copy to Matt R and said “here, do this
for me – I can’t.” Soon after, the sky began to lighten as we
rode straight north to Custer on all pavement, towards our
last SAG stop.
Segment 6: Custer to Lake Michigan at Manistee
Campground (23 miles)
SAG stop in Custer was good. Apparently I missed all the
hub-bub about a missing SAG vehicle. It took me about 5
minutes to catch on which led to some chuckling. I didn’t
even notice a full size pick-up truck was missing!! I was
pretty spaced out. It turns out that Bob and Dawn’s truck
got a flat tire at the Ruby Creek Tavern. So a few men’s
gear and food was still there. Hence why I SAG with the
masterful Crankshaws – he’s never said, but I’m sure John
has a redundancy plan in place for such events. (Bob and
Jeremy’s reward for completing Night Shift was to then go
travel 40-some miles to go tend to the broke down vehicle,
repair it and talk to more locals near Ruby Creek Tavern
during the parade and festivities. They eventually made it
back, but they were pretty blown up and tired.)
Matt R, Myself and Jeremy getting ready for final section in the
parking lot at Custer High School, final SAG stop (#5)
Photo courtesy of Matt Longest.
short work of these last few miles, lighten the load was
the strategy.
The route was pretty flat and boring. We needed the flat,
but not really the boring and cut a few more miles from
the route. The last dirt road on the route, Townline, was all
washboard, stony and bumpy as heck. Also, full exposure
to the sun through flat corn fields. One last punishment to
the sitting area, hands, neck and shoulders. Terrible. Once
on the entrance road to our campground we were feeling
pretty good about being close to done. It went on and on
for miles though, the longest 8 miles of the trip. It ended
up being between 112 and 113 miles on a 108 mile planned
route. Which then led to discussion of me planning future
Night Shifts to be 96 miles since once we get lost we’ll
end up around 100 anyways. Sometimes out of painful
desperation, comes great ideas!
Even though I had stomach pains and didn’t want to
eat or drink anything, I knew I had to. That’s one of the
worst feelings, making yourself consume something when
nothing sounds good, nor do you feel like you even have
room for it. I managed about 1/3 of a small Diet Coke and
some other stuff I can’t even remember. I just remembered
that I needed caffeine in my system in order to finish this
thing out.
In Summary:
There were general discussions of it “almost” being over,
except for the 20+ miles left that we knew of. Men laying
flat in the parking lot. Moaning. Groaning. You know,
old man stuff. Gear scattered, bikes thrown askew. We
all began to shed the gear we wouldn’t need like lights,
extra tools and water bottles. It was time to try and make
2)
Each Night Shift is unique in its own way, never repeatable
even though the route may be. However, there are a few
pre-requisites that must come about for it to be a true
“Night Shift” experience:
1)
3)
4)
5)
Seasonal Roads, walking in sand and muttering angry
words to oneself
The feeling of being totally lost all by yourself in
the dark
Random conversations with locals
Broken equipment or equipment malfunctions (this
time a SAG vehicle)
A time-warp section taking way longer than it should
Continued on next page.
ridin’
All of which 2015 Night Shift fulfilled. Within the last 10
miles of the ride, I rode up next to what appeared to be a
suffering Bob and said “Bob, the only reason I can figure
why we do this each year is for the stories.” I guess that’s it.
Without the stories that can become embellished amongst
friends over time, what good is it? Adventure and stories.
That will keep us young, right?
I don’t know how I really rode all that length of a ride
with little to no training. I don’t want it to give me a false
sense of not having to train more in the future, but at
least I know what I’m capable of. I concentrated hard on
managing my water intake, nutrition, stretching and rest.
It proved to really work. And the thought of me bailing on
my four friends suffering in the exact same manner, was
unfathomable. Sure, I was slow and at the back of the pack
– I always am – but I couldn’t give up. I get that from my
mom. That’s a story for another time.
Tony Maravolo
Photo courtesy of Tony Maravolo.
miscellaneous
Support your club, ride in club colors! Items will be
available for purchase at club meetings and events.
t-shirts - $12
shorts - $65
bib shorts - $70
jersey - $60
water bottle - $5 (or 2 for $8)
•
B
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Get daily ride information, brag about your
new rig, join in some fun trash talk or just
network with other group members.
•
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/
rapidwheelmen/
CLE CL
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Join the Rapid Wheelmen Yahoo Group!
ID
WHEEL
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Groups
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To arrange a purchase, contact:
Randy Higgins at [email protected]
bike shops
1. 3rd Coast Cycles
5211 Cherry Ave #170
Hudsonville, MI 49426
(616) 662-1710
www.thirdcoastcycles.com
2. Ada Bike Shop
597 Ada Drive
Ada, MI 49301
(616) 682-2453
www.grandrapidsbicycles.com
3. Alger Bikes
120 - 28th St. S.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 243-9753
www.algerbikes.com
4. Central District Cyclery
52 Monroe Center St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 719-1265
www.spinful.wix.com/centraldistrict
9. Speed Merchants
106 E. Bridge St.
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-2226
www.speedmerchantsbikeshop.com
13. Village Cycle & Fitness
5991 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 455-4870
www.villagebikeshop.com
10. West Michigan Bike & Fitness
2830 East Paris Ave SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
(616) 942-1880
www.westmichiganbike.com
14. Village Cycle & Fitness
2844 Thornapple River Drive SE
Cascade, MI 49546
(616) 285-1670
www.villagebikeshop.com
11. West Michigan Bike & Fitness
4300 Chicago Dr. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 531-9911
www.westmichiganbike.com
15. Village Cycle & Fitness
5278 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 361-3661
www.villagebikeshop.com
12. Village Cycle & Fitness
450-A Baldwin
Jenison, MI 49428
(616) 457-1670
www.villagebikeshop.com
5. Freewheeler Bike Shop
915 Leonard Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 451-8011
www.freewheelerbikeshop.com
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6. Gap30 Cycles
3423 Lousma Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 301-1057
www.gap30cycles.com
7. Grand Rapids Bicycle
1311 Fulton St E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 458-2200
www.grandrapidsbicycles.com
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8. Grand Rapids Bicycle
644 Lovett Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 272-4861
www.grandrapidsbicycles.com
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Rapid Wheelmen
PO Box 1008
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
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