News from the Road

Three Seventyish Gents on a Roll by Matt Sobel

Part 1 indulged his enthusiasm we were primarily on Volume 1, Issue 5 for planning, maps, and New York State July 2009 It wasn’t going to hap- his GPS to devise route Route 5 which is gener- pen. It would take too deviations with less ally slightly south of the much planning. I would- traffic, better scenery, Erie Canal. However, n’t be able to bicycle to or greater historical we frequently deviated my fiftieth college reun- interest. Generally, we from NYS BR 5 to see Inside this issue: ion in New York City. hugged the south shore notable canal locks and Then out of the blue, of Lake Erie until Buf- other sights. Oliver is a Letter from the Edi- 2 Diane, at Hubbub, told falo, where we were canal buff and his com- tor me that one of her cus- joined by Charlie, who ments and my prepara- tomers had asked her if I Ride, Therefore I 2 used to live in the tion for the trip taught Am… she knew anyone who Cleveland area. me much about canals might be interested in in general, and the Erie The Cleveland Bike 3 Oliver and Charlie were from Cleveland Canal in particular. Commuter to Boston during the in the class of 1959 at second half of May. She MIT and Harvard, re- Gear, Tires, and Thursday Night Ride 5 Leader Thoughts forwarded his email spectively, and I gradu- Hauling Freight ated from Columbia in inquiry and that’s how I Oliver rode his touring CTC Club Notes 5 that year. So the three met Oliver who wanted bike with straight han- of us travelled together to pedal from Cleveland dle bars and a German- as far as Albany where Sunday in June Pho- 6 to Boston to his fiftieth made sealed hub (no they continued east tos college reunion. He is a ), while Char- across the Berkshires to meticulous planner and lie and I used road bikes My Best Ride Ever 8 Boston, and I turned the rest is post- with dropped bars. south along the Hudson collegiate cycling his- Since we would sporadi- River to New York City. New Tuesday Night 8 tory. cally ride on crushed The trip was self- Ride Option limestone paths, I had Coast-to-coast bike trips supported, meaning mounted 28 mm. tires Kudos Korner 9 usually begin and end that we hauled our own (Continental Grand Prix by dipping the bike's clothing and gear. How- 4-Season) instead of the wheels in the ocean. So ever, the key items that Strawberry Festival 9 25’s that I otherwise on May 13, as we left we carried were our Photos use. Oliver too had 28’s Cleveland, Oliver and I credit cards! We stayed and Charlie had 23’s. Upcoming Bike 10 dipped our wheels in the in motels so we didn’t My 28’s were great – Rides pond at Wade Oval next have the weight and lower pressure than to the Cleveland Art bulk of camping gear. with 25’s and more com- Museum. Our route as The trip from Cleveland fortable, more trustwor- far as Buffalo embroi- to New York City, in- thy on dirt, gravel, and dered on Section 9 of the cluding cycling side crushed limestone, but Adventure Cycling Asso- trips, was 800 miles negligibly heavier. ciation’s coast-to-coast long. Northern Tier maps. Continued on page 4 There and later, Oliver From Buffalo to Albany, Page 2 News from the Road

Letter from the Editor

It seems like summer is flying by – Commuter‖ by Mark Yahraus (page minder to keep sending articles as what have you been doing with your 3), and a new feature ―My Best Ride well as ideas for other ones. Your time? I’d like to congratulate Matt Ever‖ by Bill Brandon (page 8). Bill’s riding experiences, kudos to others Sobel and Ray Kirchner, as well as story reminds us that the best rides on the road, your opinions, product all of the volunteers, for the excellent may not always be the longest ones reviews and other observations are job they did hosting Sunday in June. we take. Speaking of favorite rides, what makes the newsletter relevant I heard so many positive comments consider sharing yours. It would be and interesting. Send all info to me about the event and CTC throughout great to make this a new monthly at either the day. Great job everyone! Check feature, but in order for that to hap- [email protected] or out some of the photos from Sunday pen, people need to send their stories. [email protected]. Looking in June on pages 6-7, and the kudos forward to seeing everyone on the This month’s ―I Ride, Therefore I on page 9. road. Am…‖ features Bill Cashel (page 2), Feature articles this month include a and on the back page a few upcoming Sarah part one of Matt Sobel’s excellent rides are featured. Is there a ride riding adventure on the cover page that you would recommend to other Sarah VanGilder (look for part two in the August edi- CTC members? Send me the informa- Editor tion of News from the Road), the next tion and I’ll include it. installment of ―The Cleveland Bike That’s it for this month. Just a re-

I Ride, Therefore I Am… CTC Members Share Why They Ride

number one reason I bicycle. CTC – You Are The Ride utmost, are those things that you’ve by Bill Cashel shared with me that are more about There are many great reasons why I life, such as laughter, good cheer, a cold have such a passion for cycling and my “There is so much that I’ve beer (or two … or three), a listening list is what is often cited as beneficial: learned from each of you ear, a helping hand, and a kind heart. fitness, health, cardio-conditioning, Thanks CTC – you are why I ride!! personal challenge, fun, friendship and about cycling since I joined seeing places from a low-speed CTC in 2007.” perspective. Now, picking any one of the attributes I just listed as my main But as important as my health is to me, reason for spending 15-20 hours per my most vivid and lasting memories of week on my Specialized’s rock-hard great personal experiences I’ve had seat is much like deciding who is my since relocating to northeast Ohio six favorite CTC riding buddy – there are years ago from New Jersey, well, they so many likeable cyclists in CTC to would be of you in CTC whom I’ve come choose from! And that last sentence to know, trust, admire, befriend, and really defines for me what I enjoy even in some cases, love like a brother MOST about my cycling today – the or sister. So my ―Why I Ride‖ article is people in CTC. dedicated to so many of you good and Yes, it’s true, I enjoy the social aspects gracious fellow cyclists in our terrific of bicycling with Cleveland Touring club. And I mean that with the most Club just as much as the challenges respect and sincerity. and physical benefits that this intense There is so much that I’ve learned from exercise (cycling) provides. And being a each of you about cycling since I joined Type II diabetic, as many of you know, CTC in 2007. But what’s most I certainly could list ―health‖ as the important, what I truly cherish the Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 3

The Cleveland Bike Commuter by Mark Yahraus

Hardware II higher speeds. This one is slightly speeds and helps with climbing if the heavier and has gel padding, but is commute has hills. This month I'm going to focus on the otherwise identical to the saddle on Large and Trunk Bags - bicycle and accessories needed by a my road bike. more serious commuter - one who You can't ride longer distances in rides 10+ miles one way to work. Lights - Front and rear (clipped on your work clothes. Easier to deal trunk bag-unseen in photo) high with than a back pack or messenger When I decided to reduce my intensity LEDs and absolutely bag and room for the bigger lunch dependence on the RTA bus for the necessary in the morning and you'll need so there's gas in the tank lions share of my bicycle commute, it evening. for the commute home! was time to consider changing to a bike better suited to longer distance Bar Ends - Provides another hand Wheels - Go with a 36 wheel and faster riding. The photo in this position option to keep the blood in the back or you'll be replacing article is the bike I currently call my flowing. and truing wheels constantly - believe me, I know! I’ll be doing the "commuter," which covers the 34 - Only in back for now. same in the front soon too. miles total (12.5 to the RTA stop, 1/2 Keeps the jersey from getting stained mile from my stop to work, then 21 and that nasty feeling of water Tires and Tubes - Kevlar belted miles home) on tires in 700 x 28 the days I ride. x 100 psi provide I chose what is a good balance currently being between ride marketed as a comfort, "cafe" bike with durability and steel frame and acceptable levels straight, flat of speed. road bar. The Currently testing steel frame helps a 25 in the front. cushion the Cyclocomputer blows the means - Use the second streets of bike option in Cleveland (and most good some 'burbs) dish cyclocomputers out while the and use the same straight one as you road handlebar and bike. Use more compact commutes for geometry give a training using more "heads up" heart rate and riding posture - cadence when more necessary traffic and route when dodging permit. rush hour traffic. The steel frame Hopefully that is a weight sacrifice, but it will make gives you some your Aluminum, Carbon Fiber or running down the middle of your ideas on how to set up a good longer Titanium road bike feel that much back. distance commuter. It should be approached as a road/touring bike lighter when you get on it! Dual Bottle Cages - You'll be happy combination to make it work day in for the second bottle on a long sum- Some accessories to consider when and day out. mer afternoon commute home. outfitting a longer distance commuter: Platform Clipless Pedals - Easier Saddle - Lighter and with a more to get going in start/stop traffic, but race type geometry to help achieve clipping in helps generate higher Page 4 News from the Road

Three Seventyish Gents on a Roll (continued from page 1)

This was a very acceptable tradeoff but I was rattled. I quickly learned to Dog Ride. There are covered bridges for me and I doubt that I’ll return to stand on the pedals without rocking and loose charging farm dogs on the narrower tires. Oliver, too, was en- the bike and now, after finishing the ride route. Well, the dogs on the CTC thusiastic about the 28’s. ride, I still try not to rock the bike. ride can take lessons from Jake. On the second day, after Oliver and I ate I carried my gear and clothing in two First Day Near Miss good subs for lunch and slathered panniers mounted on either side of a The route east from Cleveland fol- sun screen (I carried three good-sized rack over the rear wheel. The pan- lowed the shore of Lake Erie and this tubes on this trip) on exposed skin. niers were smallish and borrowed area is more urban than suburban We continued through Conneaut and from my friend Will (he enters the for a long way. Approaching the met Jake. He is part Labrador, sly, story later) who used them as front square in Painesville on a street with and maybe mean. When he charged panniers on his previous self- at least four lanes, I was in the right us, Oliver’s tactic was to stop and get supported tours. The rack, packed lane but anticipated a left turn that off his bike, order Jake sternly to go panniers, and a bag with rain gear was coming up. So I ―seized the lane‖ home, and to position his bike be- that I attached to the rack top with a by signaling a move to the left (from tween Jake and himself. It didn’t bungee cord net added about 25 the right lane) and followed the sig- deter Jake who worked around the pounds. Ideally, about 10 of those nal by starting to move from the bike to get at Oliver’s legs. Mean- pounds would have been transferred right lane to the left. The driver of a while I pulled out my container of to front panniers, but I had neither a pickup truck well back in the left pepper spray (bought expressly for front rack nor suitable front pan- lane decided that it was intolerable this trip). Jake’s owner repeatedly niers. Also, I welcomed the iron disci- to be delayed by a cyclist, so he accel- ordered Jake to stop and go home but pline of having to pack ―light‖ so I erated hard as I was moving into the Jake didn’t listen. Each time the wouldn’t carry unnecessary weight. left lane. He came up next to me and owner approached Jake, the dog For example, I stringently resisted nearly brushed me aside; I had no dashed down the road to position the urge to ―cheat‖ by slipping items choice but to veer sharply to the right himself for another charge as we into the top bag if they didn’t seem to to avoid being hit by the right side of moved toward him (walking and fit in the panniers! However, as the the truck. I went down! are pushing our bikes). This charade con- departure date neared, the panniers not very nimble (at least with me as tinued for at least 10 minutes (it seemed to get smaller, smaller, and the rider) when they are carrying seemed like a long time). Eventually smaller… significant extra weight. I scrambled Jake slunk into the woods and we This was the first time that I bicycled up immediately, The bike and I were resumed riding. with substantial weight over the rear fine, and we had a good lunch in a Superheroes wheel and quickly learned that it sandwich shop off the town square. We felt like superheroes that day makes a big difference. Although I The rain spattered us for the last because, in retrospect, the terrain had expected to climb significant hour of riding, but didn’t fall in ear- was flat and the wind was at our hills in a lower gear than if I wasn’t nest until after we arrived in Geneva. backs. We rode into Erie during rush hauling freight, I was surprised at There are great stories to tell about hour (yes, you Cleveland area read- having to downshift even on rela- Geneva, but they will have to be told ers, Erie has a rush hour – Dunkirk tively short minor grades. Also, the over beer following CTC rides. and Fredonia do, too). However, the first time that I stood up on the ped- Speaking of weather, Oliver says road shoulder was wide and we were als I nearly went backside over tea- that there is a German saying that generally okay. I was surprised kettle! Most of us rock the bicycle angels always have good weather throughout the trip to find that the from side to side when we stand up overhead. I make no claim for Oliver, tiniest towns had at least brief peri- on the pedals while rolling along. but that doesn’t explain my good ods of traffic congestion late in the Well, 25 pounds of freight over the weather. We were very lucky. During afternoon. rear wheel completely changes the 800 miles we never had to don rain center of gravity of the bike system, gear (although we did have some The next day the wind was in our and throwing the bike to either side drizzle) and we had significant head faces and much of the route was roll- creates substantial momentum in the winds on only three days. ing. We did not feel like superheroes direction of the movement. That is, if as we crossed from Pennsylvania into Jake and the Real Mad Dog Ride you rock the bike to the right (or left) New York. then it wants to continue going to the CTC has an annual ride that this right (or left) – throwing itself and year (August 30) is labeled the Three Continued in next month’s news- you to the ground. The first time that Bridges Ride. In the past it has been letter. Stay tuned for Part II of I stood up on the pedals, I didn’t fall called the Three Bridges and Mad Three Seventyish Gents on a Roll. Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 5

Miscellaneous Ramblings from the Thursday Ride Leader by Mike Schmidt

By now, all my planned century rides be available for riders who have a to have a second bike for off-season for the year are kaput. They’re fun, little more sense than me. training? Give this sport a try – it’s a but I’m growing weary of the long gas! In my opinion, MUCH safer than Just as I have spent months hours in the saddle. I’ve reached the road racing and has greater spectator preparing for three century rides in favorite time of the year for me, when appeal due to the courses being the month of June, it’s time to start I change my training emphasis from confined to a fairly small area. At training for the upcoming cyclocross going far to going FAST. I know most venues, you can see half or season (my third one) in late attendance this year at the Todd more of the course from any vantage September. I really hate to think Field rides has been light – seems a point. Bringing the family along to about fall weather – summer seems lot of regulars gotta work this year – watch you compete is a great way to to have taken its sweet time getting but if you’re interested in a great get them involved in your passion! to northeast Ohio this year – but fall workout and want to finish early to means cyclocross! I’m excited since it beat the summer heat and get re- will be the first time that I will acquainted with the family, I plan on actually have a plan, and I am leaving Todd Field at the bright and moving up a notch to the early hour of 6:45-7:30 a.m. for a 45- intermediate level to compete against 60 mile ride – back in plenty of time some other CTC members who for that family outing! introduced me to the sport. The races will be more challenging – the field size doubles to 25-35 and the time “Bringing the family along from 30 to 45 minutes. This year I to watch you compete is a plan on adding running and weight lifting to my training regimen, as great way to get them well as some interval work to involved in your passion!” improve my ability to ride near my anaerobic limit for 45 minutes. Most of the races are at low speed, but all the start/stops, dismounts, hill Thursday night Hill Challenge climbs and rough terrain keep the coming up sometime in early to mid heart rate pegged and use an entirely July! Same lactate-laced course as different muscle set than road before – 3200 feet of climbing in 37 cycling. miles! Alternate ―normal‖ course will Do you have a mountain bike or want CTC Club Notes

CTC LIST-SERVE. Many members CLUB DUES & MEMBERSHIP Club RIDER STATUS. All riders who join are missing out on announcements membership is annual and starts CTC on scheduled weekday and from other club members. To receive May 1 each year; so no matter when weekend rides must be Cleveland updates via e-mail from club you sign up with the club, your Touring Club members. The members regarding schedule membership runs from May 1 to standard club liability waiver must changes, weather conditions, road April 30. To join CTC, visit the web- be signed by all participants. Guests closures, parties, membership, road site at www.clevelandtouringclub.org are welcome, but regular and maps, scheduled rides, etc. Simply and download the membership form. occasional riders must join the club send an e-mail to clevelandtouring- to receive maps, to be covered by club [email protected] with a request to insurance and ride leadership. CTC be added to the list-serve. You will ride leaders are frequently updated receive an invitation from the list- with membership status. serve manager within a few days.

Page 6 News from the Road

Photos from Sunday in June June 14, 2009 Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 7 Page 8 News from the Road

My Best Ride Ever by Bill Brandon

Do you have a best ride ever? I guess for one hour. This was eight guys on out to Bedford.‖ the longer you ride the more four tandems, setting a 25 MPH pace You see, last summer I was working memorable rides you have. But I can on a very hilly course. Sunday In at KSU and got an email. It was tell you my best ride was last week – June , TOSRV, TSSLE, Emerald short and read,―Bill—I can’t type and it was only 15 miles out to Health TRI and many other great very well but I got hit by a truck two Bedford an back. And that’s after 30 rides. months ago and I am still at Metro.‖ years on the road! During the 90’s I was traveling a lot I sat there staring at the computer, I bought my first road bike in 1974 at and my cycling took another turn. I stunned. Iwent down to Metro and it the University of Arizona. Gas was joined CTC. It was so much fun. shocked me to see Kate in so much scarce and cycling was going through Every Tuesday and Thursday a trouble, but in my heart I felt if a boom time. Peugeot’s, Raleigh’s, different route with great friends. I anyone could recover she could. Gitane and Fuji’s were everywhere. I spent a lot of time riding behind Kim Anyway, back to the ride at hand. I had a great time riding in the foot and Kate that first year. I loved was nervous as I rode up the hill to hills of Tucson and Mt Lemmon. Kate’s stories of her bike tours, so I the parking lot. At Christmas Kate Then in Grad School at Bowling started trying them – Montana, couldn’t even walk, and now she Green, Ohio, I bought a Trek touring Utah, Vermont, North Carolina and wanted to go for a ride! I almost cried bike. Trek was a small Wisconsin others. Lauren and I ran into Kate on as I saw her standing there chatting brand but it was a great value – hand several of the rides and she was such with everyone around her. I had seen built lugged frame. We had a BG an inspiration. Always cheerful and her making friends like this on cycling club started by one of the positive, she really had bike touring mountains all over the country. We BikeCentenial riders. Several down. In 2002, with a little one at pulled out her bike, she jumped on, weeklong tours of Canada, and great home, I stopped doing CTC rides and and without hesitation, off she went! weeknight rides through the corn started riding by myself from home, fields of western Ohio. but I would still see Kate in Chagrin This was my best ride – being with Falls on the weekend or riding on Kate again, seeing her happy smile, During the 80’s, sport cycling started River Road. cruising along saying hi to everyone. to replace touring. Triathlons, century rides and road racing were I guess my point is that cycling has What was your best ride ever? As I popular. I completed the Ann Arbor been a big part of my life, and last tell you this story, I think to myself, century in just over 5 hours, riding week I got a call from Kate. She said, ―We are all lucky to be bikers.’’ behind the Wolverine tandem team “Meet me at South Chagrin for a ride

New Tuesday Night Ride Option

If you’re a member of the CTC list The inaugural ride was held on Tues- the north, turn right just past the serve, you’ve probably seen the mes- day, June 16, with perfect weather popcorn shop. You can also access the sages about the new ride option on and 10 riders. Afterwards, the group lot from the southwest off West Tuesday nights. Since not everyone is expressed favorable opinions on the Washington Street. To make sure signed up, here’s an update about route (32 miles through Russell and that they get all people who plan to this ride. Chesterland). The second week, 30 ride, the group will ride ride past the riders turned out – with one driving old location for the next couple of Leaving from Chagrin Falls, the new from Akron! weeks. group ride is called the Tuesday Night Tavern ride. The details are as Due to the large size of the group to There are a lot of possibilities for follows: start time is 6:30 p.m., Jerry date, the lot where they were meet- rides from this location, so if you’re Pignolet and Nathan Rogers are the ing next to Riverside Park was too looking for a different option, con- group leaders and riders are welcome small and busy. Now the riders sider this. For more information, con- to drop by the patio at Rick’s after should park in the public lot off Main tact Jerry Pignolet at the ride. Street, southwest of the falls. If you [email protected] (cell are coming down Main Street from 216-469-4225). Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 9

Kudos Korner

Nannette Horvath writes: Sue LaPuma writes: ―Kudos go out to Rich Klasen, who organized the Sunday, June 7th CTC ―Thanks to Matt and Ray, all the SIJ

Pot Luck Ride. About 20 riders at- Volunteers, and all the others who tended and enjoyed a relaxing ride on helped to make this year's ride such a the Ashtabula and Trumbull County success. The route was very nicely bike path with a pot luck lunch. Kudos marked. The food stops were nicely also to Rich's daughter ,Tasha manned and stocked. Lunch was Thompson, who shuttled the food and wonderful, as usual. Loved the tunes acted as sag support, offering much throughout the day - thanks Greg (and needed water along the trail. And we Bill and Julie for on the route can't forget Marc Meyer, who was at tunes). Much planning and preparation the lunch stop with a full picnic setup went into today's SIJ ride. I just and who cooked some wonderful wanted to say a big thanks to all those burgers and hot dogs! This new ride involved.” was appreciated by all who attended.” Above: Tasha Thompson provided SAG support at the Pot Luck Ride. Sarah VanGilder writes: ―Matt Sobel and Ray Kirchner both

deserve a big pat on the back for the Sunday in June Kudos: great job they did as co-organizers for Stan King sends the following compli- Sunday in June. There’s a lot of work ment to CTC and the volunteers: that goes on behind the scenes for “This was the first time I've done the events of this magnitude, and they did Sunday in June ride. WOW...Great a wonderful job getting everything to- job.The route and the scenery were gether. You wouldn’t have known this spectacular, the snack stops and was their first year in this role! I en- especially the lunch were superb, and joyed volunteering and seeing faces I Above: Marc Meyer (left) and Rich Klasen you couldn't have ordered better hadn’t seen for a while, as well as meet- take charge of grilling! weather. My only (and very minor) ing new people. Again, great job Matt and Ray, as well as all of the volunteers complaint is that the Gatorade was very weak. who helped to put together such an

“Thanks for a wonderful ride.” impressive event.‖

Strawberry Festival Photos (photos provided by Ray Kirchner) Cleveland Touring C l u b

Cleveland Touring Club 3770 Northwood Rd. University Heights, OH 44118 Cleveland Touring Club is a group of recrea- tional cyclists who ride mostly in Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Our emphasis is on group fun and physical fit- ness, and our riders include a wide range of ages and riding abilities from the faster riders (all ages), to people in their 20's through 80's.

If you have information to include in upcoming newsletters, please email Sarah VanGilder at [email protected] or [email protected].

Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Rides

ABC (Absolutely Beautiful the Medina Bicycle Club website at rightsideoftheroad.org. www.MedinaBikeClub.org. Country Ride) Bike MS Pedal to the Point Sunday, July 12, 2009 Right Side of the Road Saturday and Sunday, Bike Tour The Akron Bicycle Club hosts the August 15-16, 2009 34th annual ABC ride, beginning at Sunday, August 2, 2009 Revere High School in Summit The annual MS Society’s Pedal to the Ride to fight ALS – on Sunday, Au- County. Route include 28, 62 and Point is a fundraising event for the gust 2, the second annual Right Side 100 mile options, and registration Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the of the Road Bike Tour will take in options include registering online, National MS Society. It draws ap- the Chagrin Valley. A portion of the mail-in registration and day of the proximately 2000 riders, is fully sup- proceeds raised will be donated to the ride at the ride start. The registra- ported and offers routes of 30, 75, 100 Bright Side of the Road Foundation, tion desk will be open from 7- 10 a.m. or 150 mile options. The ride begins which funds scientific research to- For more details and directions to the in Middleburg Hts., goes to Sandusky wards a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic ride, visit the Akron Bicycle Club and then returns the following day. Lateral Sclerosis, AKA Lou Gehrig’s website at www.AkronBike.org. For information about the ride, and Disease). This tour includes rest how to register, visit the website at Ice Cream Odyssey stops, SAG support and a post-ride http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/ lunch with live music at the Chagrin Saturday, July 18, 2009 site/PageServer? Polo Fields. pagename=BIKE_OHA_homepage. Join the Medina Bicycle Club as they Routes include 25, 50, 64 and 100 host this 22nd annual sweet ride! En- For those who are interested in join- mile options, as well as a family ride joy ice cream at rest stops, with food, ing a team, CTC member Judy of 10 miles. Cost to participate fun and more ice cream when you Rogers is leading one with members ranges from $20 to $38, depending on finish. Routes include 25, 42 and 62 of the Greater Cleveland YMCA. route chosen. For more information mile options. Cost is $20 for preregis- Email her for more information at or to register in advance of the event, tration or $25 to register the day of [email protected]. visit the website at http:// the ride. For more information, visit