BHMBA Membership Meeting

What: BHMBA Membership Meeting
Who: Open to all who want to maintain and improve biking in the Black Hills
When: Friday, February 18th, 2011 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Canyon Lake United Methodist Church 3500 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City, SD: Across the street from Canyon Lake Elementary and Dairy Queen

Agenda:

Welcome & Introductions: BHMBA Board
Recap of 2010 & Goals for 2011: Ed Engler
Race Committee: Chris Teeslink
Drty Grlz: Cathy Matthesen
Membership/Social Committee: Roger St. Pierre
Trail Building/Maintenance Committee: Jason Kingsbury
Open Discussion: Any individual wanting to speak will be given 3 minutes to address those present. A sign-up sheet at the door will be used to determine order.
Please spread the word about the meeting!

January Riding

I've been a bad biker lately. It's not really on purpose, it's more of lots of work, too many commitments and cold (yes I'm weak), and some very slippery roads/sidewalks. I'm not willing to risk my life and limb to ride. Although I should and I would probably be better off for it. On a positive note, I did ride today. I got out the Ute and rode. There were some minor slippery spots but most could be avoided. It felt like a fresh spring morning (January).

It started me thinking about all the bike related rides I would like to accomplish this year. Most are quite long actually. Here is my list.

1. I would like to ride South Dakota from the ND border to the Neb. border. (I'm not sure of the best location to accomplish this so I'm taking routes if you have them).
2. I would like to accomplish at least 1 century ride. Can be for charity or just for the plain fun of it.
3. I'd like to ride the entire Mickelson trail in a day.
4. I would like to ride the entire Centennial trail. Preferably over a span of a few days. There are sections I'm going to have to ride around but for the most part, it's rideable.
5. I'm thinking about RAGBRI.
6. Dakota 5-0... this is a no-brainer for me.
7. I'd like to try and ride to Miller from Rapid City. It's only 244 miles. It would take me a 2 days but I think it'd be fun.
8. This is kinda weird... but I want to ride at least 5 minutes every single day of the rest of this year. I have a trainer so even on the really cold days I can still ride. Yes, every single day... Doesn't seem that hard, but it could be... I'm starting today.
9. Get more involved with trail building and the SD Bicycle Coalition. More advocacy and education for me.
10. I really want to try an overnight bicycle camping trip. I know one fellow who does them quite often. I think it'd be a hoot and not too difficult to accomplish.
11. I want to try and get more people involved in the national bike to work month, week, day at my office.

I don't think it's a bad list. There are a few that I doubt will happen but I believe if you put them out into the universe, it has more of a chance of happening. So there.

Ride the Divide

Ride The Divide Movie Trailer from Ride The Divide on Vimeo.

American Flyer

I finally did it. I watched "American Flyers" on Netflix the other night. The movie made me laugh, cry and sit at the edge of my seat. Na, it really wasn't all that spectacular but I suppose it was pretty good during it's time.

Boing...

I wish I could do a quarter of what this guy does. I love bike tricks and I can't hardly ride a wheelie.

Cross Results

Well, my first experiences at cross racing was quite entertaining. I must say that I'm really slow. Not being able to ride my bike much lately really displayed my lack of bike fitness.

The first day went pretty well. I lacked power in my legs and it was really really cold. My feet and hands were so cold I couldn't feel them. The second day I felt better but apparently couldn't put any more power to the pedals. I actually came in dead last. I can't say I was giving it my all either. It was a struggle but a fun one.

I tell you what though, there is something about being around bikes that makes me want bikes, all kinds. There was one that I found very interesting. It was a Raleigh single speed cross bike. This is the newer model of what I was looking at except the one I saw was a single speed.



I've always been very intrigued at single speed bikes. I like the simplicity and how much it can improve your riding. I know many single speeders and each of them are considerable faster than I am. Maybe I should trade my Kona Kula Supreme for a nice single speed.

I'd really like to try one for a few rides first before I made that big of move.

There's lots going on in the winter season out here in the hills.

Ride.

Cross Races

Got a couple cross races to do this weekend. I've never done one so it should be both interesting and fun and maybe a little cold. I'm not in it to win it but I am going for fun and time on my bike.

Black Hills Cyclocross Series