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You must scroll down to see all the articles posted or use the Table of Contents to quickly reference a selection.
Updates to these articles will be posted as more information becomes available. |
| Shelter Island Shuttle in Pictures |
By Jeff Munk
I was privileged once again to organize and lead the Shelter Island ride on July 17th, which went off without a hitch. And while we had only one hiccup - postponing the ride from the week before, the day ended up being picture perfect. So, speaking of picture perfect, thanks to two of our riders, Jaynab Rose and Yvonne Beecher, I have posted photos for you to see. You don't have to go to another site and sign in, you can access then right from here.
I split them out by orientation - horizontal, vertical and a single panorama. Just click on the links below. Pull open your browser window to make sure you can see the entire image and the navigation at the bottom.
Horizontal Photos | Vertical Photos | Panorama |
| Kudos to local bike shops! |
By Jaynab Rose
Fourteen months ago, I bought my first road bike from Cycle Center of Stamford. The salesperson quickly determined the frame size - I guess based on my height.
After riding the bike for about one month, I started to get really sever lower back pain. The pain would slowly subside during the week when I was not riding. By September the pain was so sever that I had to stop riding altogether. I assumed that riding the bike was exacerbating some kind of back impairment I had prior to riding the bike. Who doesn't have occasional back pain? Besides, a reputable bike shop sized my bike. I went to the doctors to have my back examined and x-rayed and everything came back clear. Sadly, I thought back pain was part of bike riding.
By spring, after a long break from riding during the fall and winter, I was free of back pain. I got back on the bike and joined SCBC, which enable me to ride twice as often as I did last year. By June my backaches had retuned in full force. A member of SCBC mentioned in passing that my bike seemed small. Fourteen months after buying the bike, I realized that that my backaches where directly related to the bike. Another member of SCBC suggested that I go back to the bike shop and have them adjust the fit. I called Cycle Center and found out that there is a pretty heft cost for this service but it seemed worth it if it would elevate my pain. I also called Smart Cycles to compare rates and I discovered that they provide "eyeball" fitting for free, so I started with this option. I met with Alex, the owner and fit guru of Smart Cycles and described my issues to him. Within minutes of seeing my bike and me, he said that my bike was too small! In total he spent about one hour of his time with reviewing my issues and options. His conclusion was that any fit adjustments would only make things "sort of better." He even went so far as to put his opinion in writing. Even more important, he did not try to sell me a new bike.
Meanwhile, I had already made an appointment with Nate, the fit expert at Cycle Center. Feeling deeply frustrated and disappointed, I decided to cancel this appointment in-person so that I could tell them about the mistake that they had made. I had absolutely no expectations of this meeting. I did not even expect them to admit their mistake. As far as I was concerned, this was my loss because I waited too long to discover the problem.
I met with Nate and explained my story (note that Nate did not do the original sizing). To my complete and utter surprise, Nate offered to swap my bike for a brand new one - at no charge (the new bike is actually a little better than the old one)! And he did not stop there. He provided a free fit session with the video camera and the computer to confirm that the new bike fit properly. Not only that, but he was able to do all of this in one day because I had explained that I planned to go on the Shelter Island ride the next day.
This is an example of a bike shop that went above and beyond to make me happy and I really wanted others to know this story. Not only was this an amazing bike shop experience but also it was an amazing retail experience. I did not go to Cycle Center of Stamford and make demands or show anger towards them about the situation. I spoke to them politely and they responded in-kind.
The Shelter Island ride was postponed due to the weather so I rode my new bike on the Early Bird ride. I can happily say, so far, I am free or back pain! |
By Bob Boothroyd
When the weather forecast calls for both very hot and very humid weather, there are two problems we face when cycling in these conditions. The first one is hyponatremia, which for most athletes occurs as a result of drinking lots of water without ingesting sufficient electrolytes. Essentially, by doing this, you are diluting the electrolytes in your body. When you sweat, you lose both electrolytes and water. If you replace only the water, you are probably diluting your electrolyte con concentration. In extreme cases, you can have severe symptoms which in very rare cases, can be fatal. How do you avoid hyponatremia? Drink a sports drink, consider salt tablets if you sweat a lot and don't drink more than one bottle of water without drinking one bottle of a sports drink. I have had hyponatremia twice and it is not fun. Here is a link to what Wiki has to say about the subject: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia
The second problem is thermoregulation. We must maintain thermal homeostasis in order to function properly. High heat and particularly high heat combined with high humidity, create a special challenge for us. Our bodies attempt to regulate our core temperature (thermoregulation) under all temperature conditions. The material below is from the USCF Coaching Manual and does a good job of explaining this.
Exercise risk at various combinations of temperature and humidity:
| Air Temperature | Relative Humidity | Air Temperature | Relative Humidity |
70°F
75°F
80°F
85°F
90°F
95°F
100°F
|
80%
70%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10% |
70°F
75°F
80°F
85°F
90°F
95°F
100°F
|
100%
90%
80%
70%
55%
40%
30% |
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Acute Physiological Responses During Exercise in the Heat
During cycling in the heat, blood vessels leading to the skin and periphery dilate (vasodilation) facilitating heat conduction from working muscles and the body core to the skin where heat is ultimately transferred to the environment. This vasodilation significantly increases the load placed on the cardiovascular system as blood flow is redistributed between working muscles and the skin. As blood is spread over this wider vascular space central blood volume falls, decreasing the amount of blood returning to the heart. Heart rate increases to compensate for the reduced blood being pumped per beat at least initially.
Core temperature increases with relative exercise intensity and stimulates proportional increases in sweat rate. Although sweating facilitates heat loss through evaporating cooling, sweating increases the strain placed on the cardiovascular system as plasma from the blood is lost as sweat. This drop in plasma volume decreases total blood volume, increases the viscosity (the degree to which a fluid resists flow under an applied force) of blood, and limits the body's capacity to dissipate heat. Ultimately, the additional burden of thermoregulation limits work capacity as oxygen transport to working muscles is limited.
So go out, have fun, hydrate with electrolytes and adjust the pace and length of your rides according to what your body tells you. If it is too hot, go to the gym or watch cycling on the tube and ride when you are more comfortable. |
By Don Stillman
The day started overcast and foggy. Most of the 2,900 riders returned in the sun for lunch and a massage. I heard only a few complaints, due to a minor food shortage. Many commented that that the event is very well organized and managed, the routes are well marked and signed and the food and snacks are greatly appreciated. The chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies are especially well liked.
The success of the Bloomin is due mostly the 120 volunteers who bring their enthusiasm and energy to the event every year. From the new volunteer to the very loyal veterans, each contributing their time, mostly on Sunday. Much is done before and after the event.
Pre-event pick ups and set up was from Thursday through Saturday. Special thanks to Gary Andrews who helped pick up and return the bike racks. On Saturday two dozen people {including Alan Sheiner, Peggy Heffler, Tamer Mays and Karen Hubbard} were at Calf Pasture Park setting up for the event and sorting the fruit, bread, cookies and such to be delivered to the food stops for Sunday, as well as erecting the tents and bike racks.
I couldn't do this without assistance of Brian Voytek (permits and police), special assistants Leslie Andrews and Bill Meredith, Jeff Munk (design, web, truck driver and fabulous T shirt design), Herb Wexler, and many, many others. Also, our food stop captains, who return every year, Bob Cohen, Brian Voytek and Cathy Beckmann. And Alan Sheiner (parking), Gary Bebell (marshals), Larry Ogren (registration), Bob Blaber (truck driver), Ed Jonker and Arthur Volstad (collecting sign and arrows).
And special thanks to Cycle Center of Stamford (mechanic tent at Calf Pasture), Dave's Cycle of Greenwich (mechanic tent at Toth Park), Jeff Sparling of Target Training (mechanic tent at Weston), Valentine Marcos of Greenwich Bicycle (sag), Alex of Trek Bicycle Store of Fairfield (sag), Bike Doctor Mike (sag), Toy Allidan and the crew of the Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club, A special thanks to those who were there at the very end (Leslie Andrews, Pavel Gurvich, Herb Wexler, Andy Kalter, Drew Berescik, Gary Andrews, Tearl Bradley, Dave Weinberg, Peggy Heffler and George Charney) to load and unload the trucks.
I extend a BIG thank you to all who helped, for as little as two hours to as many as four months (not everyday, of course). We are continually complimented as the best run ride/tour. We all should be proud to be part of the Sound Cyclists Bloomin Metric.
Don't forget the June 5 volunteer party (see newsletter and web for details). |
 As the poster says: I WANT YOU. We really do - for any one of a number of things. So this is your opportunity to get involved and have fun at the same time.
We are asking all members to consider becoming a ride leader this year. If you are a member in good standing and a responsible person who would enjoy leading fellow members on any one of a number of club rides, the process is easy. You can contact one of our rides coordinators or our rides director to discuss your desire to lead a ride. Sweeps are always needed as well, so consider volunteering at a ride to help out our ride leaders or you can contact them in advance and let them know you are willing to help them out.
We hold a couple of picnics during the course of the year, as well as other events where help is always appreciated. Contact our programs director, Barbara Benedict and tell her what you would like to do. |
Beginner rider... New rider... Novice rider... Just learning-to-ride rider...
However you describe yourself, the Sound Cyclists Bike Club wants to help you ride more, learn more, and gain confidence and skill on your bike.
We know that a pack of lycra-clad cyclists, chatting casually about their favorite 60-mile route or their 18 mph pace or their favorite monster hill, can be a bit intimidating. Especially if you're still getting used to all those gears and the terrifying clips on the bottom of your shoes!
We know. We've all been there. But we've gotten better as we've ridden more – and we want to help you to the same. For the 2009 riding season, the Sound Cyclists Bike Club is providing new enhancements (such as Instructional Riding Class for New Riders) and new resources (such as Buddy system) for beginner/new riders.
Rides are regularly posted on this site and announced on the club's newsletter. Rides listed as a "E or D" often have shorter distances that might suit your level. And, once you're comfortable with distances around 20-25 miles, come to the regular Friday evenings social rides. You'll generally find riders of all levels at this popular ride.
We look forward to riding with you. |
| Travel Boxes Available to Club Members |
| The club has available to its members sturdy shipping boxes for those traveling with their bikes. These boxes will be available on a first come, first server bases. In the event of a booking conflict, the box will go to the member having a record of volunteering for the club. The free use of the shipping boxes will require a $300 security deposit for a maximum period of two-weeks. To book usage of a box, contact Charles Doran at cjdoran@fairfieldtechnology.net. |
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