PerspectivesVolume 33 • Issue 1 Spring 2021 PHOTO CREDIT: LEE KROHN PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: PHOTO a vastly different scene. The same issue at present. In the case of the New Season, pandemic exists, but I feel confident practice crit, each one can draw many that most club events will start on more people when you factor in family/ Same time and run for the entire season. spectators and volunteers, and that However, the plan will change if there speaks for itself. is a surge in cases. Pandemic My hope is that both will start some- by KEVIN BESSETT Like last year, the two question marks time during the season, but it is a are the Wednesday evening rides waiting game. For now, you can count and practice crits. In the case of the on Tuesday evening rides, time trials ast year at this time there were Wednesday ride, the main issue is the on Thursdays, Saturday VP rides, and many questions and lots of parking area. It is a popular place to day tours on the weekend. There are Lunknowns around COVID, and park for baseball games and nature two Intro Rides also. Stay tuned to it put the GMBC season on hold until walks, so a group of 30 to 45 cyclists the Listserv to get the most up to date July. Fast forward a year and it is mixed in with non-cyclists creates an information. From the desk of the VP by JOHN WILLIAMS ery Post ride burgers suddenly, and brats will be Vspring has provided by RTF sprung and there (BYOB!) RTF will goes the snow! provide links to Through Strava routes in advance connections, I see for you to load onto that many have your device. This made the most of ride has already winter in Vermont been posted to the – alpine skiing and GMBC calendar snowboarding, (Events – Green cross country skiing, Mountain Bicycle backcountry skiing, Club (thegmbc. fat biking, virtual com). Reminders riding with Zwift or will be sent through Rouvy. Several the List-serve. have already Hope to see you completed some there! metric century JOHN WILLIAMS PHOTO: distance road rides. New GMBC Kit: It seems everyone VP rides in the era of COVID-19. President Kevin has stayed very Bessett and others active and fit! And because high numbers of riders have generated a now, with warming temperatures, we (e.g., 40+) could show up at the stunning design for the new 2021 kit return to outdoor road riding. Wheeler Lot making it difficult to and accessory riding gear available adhere to CDC and State guidelines I believe that there is good news on now. We have shifted to BioRacer for social distancing and Covid- the horizon in and around Covid-19 as the suppler and they have worked related precautions during the ride. concerns. More and more people assiduously to accommodate every If situations change such that the are being vaccinated (including me twist and turn along the design Wednesday Ride becomes viable, I – 2 doses done!) and most continue development path. The first order has will let you know! masking and taking social distancing closed, however the next ordering window opens on May 24. You can precautions. It is important that Saturday VP Rides: we continue these precautions and view the available products at (www. not let our guard down. Just today These rides will start soon! Perhaps mybioracer.com/collections/green- on VPR over 300 new cases were already as you read this! My mountain-bike-club. I have ordered reported for the March 19/20 weekend commitment to Smugglers Notch will mine! and variants have appeared here be done by early April, at which time I Renew your membership for 2021 in Vermont, increasing the risk of can turn my attention to planning VP and sign the waiver! infection. rides. As in prior years, we will visit many of our favorite routes in the local You can go to Green Mountain With this in mind, at least for the area – some “flat” routes, gap and Bicycle Club (thegmbc.com) to renew foreseeable future we will approach notch routes, island rides, etc. If you your membership. Importantly, ride events similarly to last year – have a favorite loop that you think VP all participants, regardless of whereby current health and contact riders would enjoy, please let me know membership category must sign a tracing information will be required ([email protected]). GMBC waiver, once per season. to participate. The GMBC website Benefits include discounts at local guru (Dorothy Pumo) is working at Announcement: Informal Gravel bike shops, a plethora of GMBC rides developing a more streamlined system Ride, Saturday, May 22 at 10 a.m. available for all levels of riders, group for registering for GMBC rides. As this staged from Cochran’s Ski Area. riding opportunities, race training, becomes fully functional, I will send an exploration, fitness, camaraderie, and update through the List-serve. The GMBC VP ride is joining with the Richard Tom Foundation (RTF) to host fun! For rides that I, as VP plan and this informal gravel ride. We will be schedule… offering at least two challenging routes (for an easier ride – take a short cut!). Wednesday Rides: The ride will be free (RTF donations See you on the road! accepted) with no directional signs. John For now, these rides are suspended 2 GMBC Perspectives Back on the Road 2021 Time by KEVIN BESSETT Trial Series earning to ride safely does not come over night. It is akin to learning by KEVIN BESSETT to drive a car: it takes time, practice, and tips from others. Keep on Lreading for some information and ideas that will help make every What a difference 365 days make! ride a safer one. Barring another COVID surge, What are common dangers on the road? Besides cars, road surface time trials will start in early May, irregularities, and not being seen—you want to be visible to drivers, and and continue until the end of August. We will be COVID-safe, the earlier they see you, the better. Quality front and rear flashers (ones but face masks are not required with a bright pulse in the flashing pattern) are the #1 thing that will get while warming up or racing. You the attention you deserve on the road. Please consider using them. They may not notice, but the schedule could save your life. is a carbon copy of the 2020 • Dress bright, and wear protective gear (a helmet, sun glasses, gloves, schedule, even down to the timing etc.). assignments. Please check for your name and let me know if the • Choose routes carefully. Avoid busy roads and roads with little shoulder date will not work for you. and fast-moving traffic. Time of day can make all the difference. If you are unfamiliar with a time • Flasher(s)! A rear one is more important than a front one, BUT get a trial, here is some information: It front one if you ride in busy areas, or if riding later in day. is a race against the clock and it is a solitary effort. You leave the start • Get a mirror. Knowing what is behind you is super important. line alone, and ride alone for the entire distance of the course with no • Use hand signals. drafting. Your goal is to ride as fast as possible over the entire distance, • Usage example: when I’m coming to a stop sign/light and want a space so pacing is critical. Courses range in the lane, I point down at a 45-degree angle and hold it to indicate my from six to 16 miles. You learn a lot intention. Drivers are very accommodating. about what your body can and can’t • Always stop at traffic lights and stop signs. do! • Always look twice before making U-turns, and when making left or right TTs takes place every Thursday turns. at 6:30 PM. The series visits seven courses which are spread • Listen for traffic. out over three counties. Three of these courses are visited three • Make the first move when a car is behind you. That is, visibly move times each and these are known to the right (if safe to do so), even if it just five inches. It shows the as “championship” courses. Club driver that you are making an effort to share the road. S/he will likely member can compete for awards, reciprocate. but you do not have to be a GMBC member to ride these or • Expect the worse, be surprised less. Reaction time could avoid a any other courses. crash. The TTs are free. The only ask is • Example: you are riding, a side street is coming up on the right, and a that you time one event during the car just passed you on the left. Be prepared for that car to slow down next season if you ride several and make a right turn in front of you. events during the current season. This may sound a little odd, but • Constantly scan the road surface 20+ feet in front of you. You’ll spot the system works. Some courses hazards more quickly. requires up to three or four timers. By the way, timing is not difficult! • When passing by stopped traffic (e.g., coming to stop signs/lights), slow down to a few mph. It’s a lot safer, and gives you time to react if Please contact me if you have necessary. any question. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. • Practice emergency maneuvers and braking hard from time to time to build/keep skills.