'Everyday Cyclist'
12:12 am
I’M REMINDED OF HOW much fun riding a tandem bicycle is every time I see a couple riding one. It’s like synchronized strolling through the park or synchronized running on a road, which is essentially the best thing about a tandem—you ride together. But riding a tandem does not come without some cautions. When my wife and I got our bike twelve years ago, the owner of the local bike shop referred to it as a marriage validation device. It didn’t take very many mistakes on my part for me to understand why.
“READY FOR YOU TO GET ON.”
Tandem riders consist of a team: the captain and the stoker. The captain not only pedals but also is responsible for steering, gear selection, braking and keeping the bike upright when it’s stopped. The stoker—the namesake of those who tended to steam locomotives many years ago—is responsible for supplying power. The captain sees the path ahead while the stoker sees the captain’s backside. The captain has complete control and must earn the stoker’s trust. The stoker relinquishes control and can thump the captain’s back when the captain makes a bone-jarring mistake. Yes, it’s quite likely I’m speaking from personal experience.
“SLOWING.”
The key to riding a tandem is effective communication. The captain must tell the stoker what is going on and give the stoker enough time to prepare for what the captain is about to do. The unexpected makes riding a tandem unpleasant for the stoker. And if the stoker is not happy then the fun of riding a tandem is over. For example—and this is a critical one—if you’re riding a single bike and you’re approaching a speed bump, what do you do? Most people stop pedaling just before the bump and raise their seat off the saddle so the bump doesn’t jar them. Once over the bump they sit back down and resume pedaling. This technique works just as well on a tandem, but consider it from a stoker’s perspective if the captain forgets about her.
“RIGHT TURN.”
You’re riding along and enjoying the warm sunny day when suddenly the captain stops pedaling. Since your pedals are connected with a synchronized chain, the leg that was just pushing down meets sudden, unexpected resistance. Your legs have jarred to a stop and you barely have time to think, “What the…?”, when the rear wheel passes over the bump. Bam! With your legs frozen in mid-stroke and your full weight on the saddle, the bump propels the saddle upwards connecting to your backside with the force of a batter who was given the sign to swing away. Ouch! Do that one too many times and the captain’s kidneys suffer retaliatory blows from the stoker’s fists and it’s time to put the bike away.
“SITTING UP TO TAKE PICTURES.”
That example alone should be enough to clue you in on the necessity for effective communication. There are common commands or you can make up your own, but the point is you must work them out together and ensure you have a common understanding. Taking the speed bump example, when I see a bump or pothole that I can’t avoid, I give my stoker the warning, “Bump!” Once I give the warning, we pedal one complete revolution before we stop and raise our backsides off the saddles. That last bit of pedaling gives my stoker enough time to process my warning and prepare to stop pedaling. In order to give the warning in enough time I have to keep a close eye on the road ahead. My stoker trusts me to either avoid bumps and potholes or give ample warning about them. My stoker is my wife of nearly 32 years so it’s understandable why my communication skills are so well developed. She has trained me well. And I value my kidneys.
“STOPPING.”
The stoker has responsibilities, too. The stoker pedals. The stoker can sight see and take pictures of the scenery. (Don’t forget to tell your captain your hands are off the bars.) The stoker stays upright and centered, because leaning to one side or the other throws the bike off balance and makes the captain unhappy. The stoker does not get on or off the bike until the captain says she’s ready for you to do so.
“COAST.”
A tandem is great for riders with different strengths who want to ride together, which was the reason my wife and I got the bike in the first place. The tandem bike is also great for allowing children and disabled people to enjoy riding. If you’d like to learn more about tandem riding, I recommend reading the late Sheldon Brown’s web page on the topic (http://sheldonbrown.com/tandem.html).
“SHIFTING DOWN.”
Just because you have two engines, it doesn’t mean you have to go fast on a tandem. There is something to be said for those slow pleasure cruises through the neighborhood. By the way, a good opportunity for that is coming up with two events in June for Summer Parkways. (Go to summerparkways.com for details.)
“READY, GO!”
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:06 am
IT TURNS OUT THAT a strong indicator of the health of bicycle commuting is the number of women who participate in it. Women make up only about one-fourth of bike commuters in the United States. The percentage is higher in bike-friendly cities where there is greater emphasis on safe and practical bike routes. In cities like Minneapolis, San Francisco and Portland, women comprise 35 to 45 percent of people riding to and from work on a bike. By comparison, it’s 49 and 55 percent, respectively, in Germany and the Netherlands where there is greater focus on public bike infrastructure.
So what would get more women to ride? A couple years ago, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) conducted a national survey and found the number one factor was convenience. This included weather conditions, time, shorter distances, tools for mapping trips, less congested traffic, and more bike-friendly traffic rules. The second factor was infrastructure such as improved bicycle accommodations, more investment in maintenance of paths and bike lanes, cleaning and plowing of bike lanes and shoulders, and segregated cycling facilities.
Katherine Widing works from home in Spokane and cycling is her primary mode of transportation. Her concerns echo the survey findings. “My personal challenge is the dreadful state of the road surface—cracks, ruts, potholes, ridges…and also debris/mushy leaves on edge of right hand lanes…where cyclists tend to ride, due to lack of city cleanup. I find that I wish there were more bike lanes, and often wonder why some bike lanes cease for no reason. I see potential for marked bike lanes on streets that are wide enough.”
Rachel Scrudder, a City of Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board member and a bike commuter for a number of years now, says investing in bike infrastructure would reduce traffic and wear on the road and provide a safer place for women and children to ride. “Until we have separated, preferably off-street bikeways, women, as a group, will feel intimidated to ride. We are less likely to take risks than our male counterparts.”
To its credit, Spokane adopted a Master Bike Plan in 2009 to help make the city more bike friendly. Last December it passed a Complete Streets ordinance so all users are considered during the planning, designing, building and operation of roadways. There have been some infrastructure improvements such as increased bike lanes and the use of sharrows that indicate bikes and vehicles share the roadway. It’s incumbent on all of us—drivers, pedestrians and cyclists—to monitor and encourage the city’s progress because we all benefit from it.
There was one survey finding in particular that struck me as significant. Only 11 percent of the women answered “yes” to the statement: “I am a confident cyclist.” I’m not surprised by that since from my own years of bike commuting I can relate to how the condition of the roadway, the amount and speed of traffic, the accommodation level for bikes, and even the weather and clothing can affect a person’s confidence level.
These factors are not entirely out of your control, ladies, and you can take action to boost your confidence and feel more comfortable while riding. But don’t take my word for it.
Three years ago Betsy Lawrence founded a group called Belles and Baskets (www.facebook.com/BellesandBaskets). It’s for women who are interested in commuting, running errands by bike, and other noncompetitive riding. One reason for starting the group was to help encourage and empower women because, from her own experience, Betsy understood why women can be hesitant to ride. From April to October, Belles and Baskets meets twice a month and the rides are a social experience that cover 10-15 miles and include a food stop. Several experienced members are happy to share route tips, clothing ideas, and more with those who want to expand their bike use. The group takes great satisfaction in new riders expressing pleasant surprise at completing a 15-mile bike trip for the first time.
Another alternative, although not just for women, is the Bike Commuter Program hosted by the Spokane Bicycle Club. Eileen Hyatt, a certified instructor for the League of American Bicyclists, is the leader and she has six volunteers helping her. Eileen says that although most of the participants have been experienced riders who are new to Spokane or former cyclists returning to cycling and want to bike commute, the program can be extremely helpful for new riders. The assistance can be as simple as a volunteer sending an email describing a route. Or it can be as involved as having a volunteer rider teach you how to spot check your bike, fix a flat tire, and ride your route with you. They can help you with basic maintenance, bike fit, helmet fit, traffic laws, riding safety and route selection. You can contact Eileen at spokanebikebuddy@aol.com.
Riding a bike involves fun and fitness. Go out with some friends or come out and make new ones. And if you’d like some encouragement with taking that first step before taking the lane, there are some avenues you can take to help you get there.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:02 am
THEY MAY CALL THEMSELVES bike clubs, but you could also think of them as support groups. Many of the members were once where you are now and are glad to help you grow into the sport.
There are a number of benefits from riding with others. You learn about other routes, become a stronger rider, expand your biking gear, strengthen your traffic skills, learn the etiquette associated with the type of riding you’re doing, and of course enjoy good rides.
Rides are social events and often include stopping for a drink and snack. After you have a few rides under your belt, you might even try leading one. I’ve gone on club rides with as few as three and as many as 150 riders, and I enjoyed every one of them.
Most clubs—and quite a few local bike shops—offer rides from about March through September although there are some that ride year-round. Most rides are “no drop,” meaning you are not left behind to fend for yourself. They may regroup a couple of times and let everyone catch up or they may have experienced riders who stay with the smaller groups that tend to form on well-attended rides. Experience has taught many of us that watching everyone else fade into the distance is no fun. And getting lost just makes it miserable.
Our area is loaded with recreational riding organizations. THE SPOKANE BICYCLE CLUB (www.spokanebicycleclub.org/rt) has been around since the mid-1980s. They have scheduled rides on most days of the week and they include all ages and skill levels. They also offer a Bike Buddy program in which an experienced cyclist can help you select your best commute route, ride safely in traffic, or do basic maintenance such as changing a flat. TWIN RIVERS CYCLISTS (twinriverscyclists.org) is a similar recreational and bike advocacy club in Lewiston, Idaho. The TRI-CITIES BIKE CLUB (www.tricitybicycleclub.org), the Wenatchee Valley Velo (www.bikewenatchee.org) and the CHINOOK CYCLING CLUB (www.chinookcycling.com) in Yakima round out the offerings in Eastern Washington.
WOMEN ON WHEELS (www.wowcycling.com) typically have weekend rides of 25-40 miles, usually centered around a restaurant or food stop somewhere on the route. BELLES AND BASKETS (www.facebook.com/BellesandBaskets) is an all-women group whose typical ride is 10-15 miles.
For mountain biking you have the FAT TIRE TRAIL RIDERS CLUB (www.fttrc.org) who not only ride the trails but help build and maintain them. The Spokane chapter of BELIEVERS ON MOUNTAIN BIKES (BOMB) (www.spokanebomb.com) emphasizes the fellowship and ministry aspects of its organization while fostering enthusiasm for mountain biking. In the Palouse, you can connect with the MOSCOW AREA MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION (bikemoscow.org), and in Sandpoint is the PEND O’REILLE PEDALERS (www.pendoreillepedalers.com).
Lifetime Members for Life are already familiar with the FBC (fbcspokane.blogspot.com) and its flagship ride, the Full Moon Fiasco. It’s a laid back evening ride that begins at one bar and goes to another. Some rides are themed such as the Festivus and Back To School fiascos. A new chapter of the FBC just started up in Sandpoint (fbcsandpoint.blogspot.com). The FBC has one rule: don’t be a jerk.
Want to go fast? SPOKANE ROCKET VELO (www.spokanerocketvelo.com) says they are of average to above-average fitness/talent with a bent towards road racing, but they include an occasional mountain bike or cyclocross race. All their rides are no drop, but they recommend you try one of their low-key rides first to see if you’re ready for the more intense ones. The BADDLANDS CYCLING CLUB (www.baddlands.org), going on its 24th year, also focuses on racing and offers scheduled rides. In Walla Walla, check out the WHEATLAND WHEELERS (www.wheatlandwheelers.com).
Some of the clubs I’ve mentioned—and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list—have very affordable dues and some are informal. While there are plenty to choose from, they are not the only game in town.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn how many local bike shops hold regularly scheduled shop rides. The type of ride depends on what routes or trails are nearby the shop; but just about every bike shop I spoke to offers something.
THE BIKE HUB (www.thebikehubspokane.com) has trainers for indoor winter cycling. In Sandpoint, the GREASY FINGERS bike shop organizes competition sprints that take place at Laughing Dog Brewing, a bike-friendly pub (www.greasyfingersbikes.com, click on “Sandpoint Winter Goldsprints” in the Upcoming Events box). They have four bikes on trainers interconnected by computer. The first rider to reach 500 meters from a standing start wins. These double elimination tournaments make for an evening of both fun and exercise.
So next time you’re getting your bike tuned at your local bike shop, ask about their shop rides. There might be something to suit your interests.
Try a club ride or two and see if that’s a group of people you can have a good time with. From my experience, the odds are in your favor—cyclists are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:26 am
ONE MONTH INTO 2012 AND I bet a number of you made a New Year’s resolution that involves getting more exercise. I wish you well and I hope you’re sticking with it. If you included cycling in your fitness plans, good deal. At the time of this writing, the mild winter has offered a lot of outdoor cycling opportunities, but indoors on a machine or trainer works if you want to avoid the cold. And if you decided that 2012 was going to be the year you get a bike and ride to work every day, I say, please don’t—not just yet. Let me explain.
Just like many other things we do to improve our health and well-being, bike commuting can be a huge lifestyle change. You have to consider factors like your work hours, getting ready for work, transporting clothes, and cleaning up. There is the travel distance, weather, and traffic to deal with. The success of your commuting experience relies on how well you handle all of these, which involves a lot of change. Don’t change too much too fast to become an instant bike commuter; instead, consider another approach.
I have coworkers, friends and relatives who, when commenting about my bike commuting, often say things like “I could never do that.” And I don’t even commute year round. (In the interest of marital harmony—Love you, honey!—I bike commute from March to October.) I know those of you who are regular bike commuters hear similar comments. People speak admirably about you but they cannot picture themselves doing that.
Thinking back, I did not set out to be a bike commuter. I am the happy victim of incrementally increasing fun. Twenty years ago, I had friends who rode mountain bikes. Hearing them talk about how fun their rides were got me interested enough that I bought a bike and joined them. At the time, I only lived a couple of miles from work so I thought I would try riding to work. I rode when the weather was nice and I took it slow to keep from sweating in my clothes. I only rode to work a few times a year and I enjoyed it very much. And I think that is what did it. In the beginning, I rode for the fun of it.
Learning to enjoy riding is the key to expanding the role of a bicycle in your life. If it becomes a chore or something painful, then you’re not going to look forward to it. If that is the case, how likely will you want to continue with it? Far too many bicycles end up disappearing behind stuff and collecting dust in a garage through no fault of their own. Do you know someone who bought a bike and had big plans but didn’t follow through with them? What happened to their bike? Yard sale?
Instead of jumping in with both feet, start out small and expand your riding as you have fun with it. Take a trip to a park. Go out with a friend. Take your bike to Summer Parkways or Spokefest. Check out a club ride. Run a light errand. One of my favorite rides is pedaling to an ice cream shop. Occasionally give yourself a treat. You deserve it.
And while you’re riding, take note of everything your senses notice that you would normally miss if you were behind the wheel of a car. It’s uplifting when people make eye contact and say, “Good morning.” See and hear children playing in their yard. Savor the aroma of a barbecue. Stop by a neighborhood lemonade stand. You never do that in a car, do you? A bicycle makes you feel contented and free. You’re part of traffic, but you’re not stuck in it.
Riding comfortably is very important so choosing a bike is a critical decision. Just like the clothes and shoes you try on before you buy, the bike needs to fit you. Your local bike shop is a great place to get help with fitting and making adjustments for your bike. If you get a knotted neck or a sore back from reaching for your handlebars, you will avoid your bike. If you cannot stand over your bike because the frame is too tall, a very painful experience is in your future. Once that happens, you will avoid your bike. You don’t want a bike that hurts you. You want one that beckons to you. One that says, “Let’s go outside and play!”
Enjoy every opportunity you have to ride your bike. Over time, you will be doing longer rides, buying other gear, riding in bad weather, carrying stuff in panniers, wearing appropriate clothing for different conditions, and more. And before long you will tell someone that you ride to work every day and they will say, “I could never do that.”
You can then reply, “It’s easier than you think. I started out just having fun. And that’s all I’m doing now.”
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:17 am
In my mind, the bike lanes in Spokane serve one of two purposes. Some of them take you places you’d like to go, and some of them allow you to answer in the positive when you’re asked, “Does Spokane have bike lanes?” The latter are what I’ve heard referred to as bike lanes of opportunity. Essentially, they were put there because there was room for them, not because they connect people to destinations. Fortunately, Spokane is making improvements and rather than make my first “Everyday Cyclist” column a rant, I’d like to highlight a designated bike route and show why it works so well.
I live about three miles north of Spokane in an area flanked by Highway 395 and Highway 2. I work downtown. I started bike commuting about thirteen years ago, and when I look back at the experiences I suffered through I strongly encourage new cyclists to learn from experienced riders instead of attending the school of hard knocks as I did.
I crazily rode on Monroe for a while before moving over to Wall and Post. The rush hour traffic during the trip home was always fast, crowded and frantic. Wall and Country Homes were exceptionally busy streets and getting from Country Homes to Highway 395 and Highway 2 was scary. Even though I was on edge for much of the commute, I hung in there because I focused on the positives. Riding was cheaper than driving, I didn’t have the hassle or cost of parking, and I got some exercise at least twice a day.
After a few years (I’m tagging myself as a slow learner), somebody told me about the designated north-south bike route that begins at Holland and follows Colton, Standard, Addison, Liberty, Lidgerwood, Mayfair, Foothills and Buckeye, and last of all Howard to Riverfront Park. Although it extended the length of my trip by a half mile, I found it was excellent for a number of reasons. It’s pleasantly quiet even during rush hour. There are painted bike lanes for the majority of the way so I don’t have to merge with traffic very much. And where there are no bike lanes, it’s mostly quiet neighborhood streets anyway. Anyone riding to north Spokane from downtown has to climb a hill at some point. I appreciate all the exercise I got from slogging up Post Street hill, but the short climb from Mayfair to Lidgerwood made the trip home so much easier and enjoyable. Lastly and most importantly, this route takes you places—it connects you to destinations.
Check out the schools along the way. Neighborhoods are linked to North Central High, Lidgerwood Elementary and Shiloh Elementary schools. If you need to run errands or do some shopping, you can follow this bikeway to a number of big box stores, grocery stores, as well as small stores and shops. Medical appointments at Holy Family Hospital and the surrounding doctors’ offices are but an easy spin on two wheels. For your play and leisure needs, this bike route will take you to or near no less than six parks: Riverfront, Corbin, Byrne, Glass Playfield, Nevada Playfield and Friendship parks. And to top it off, the Spokane Transit Authority #26 bus overlaps some of this route.
Much of what I’ve described about this route relates to Complete Streets where using different modes of transportation should be easy and safe. When I’m rolling to and from work I see children and adults on bicycles, other bike commuters, kids walking to and from school or a park, people on the sidewalk carrying shopping bags, folks patiently waiting for the bus to arrive or walking home after getting off the bus. While all this is going on, a not overwhelming number of cars hustle up and down the road. Whether you’re driving, riding or walking along this route, your mode of transportation has equal access to the schools, stores and parks along the way. Granted, it’s not perfect and there is plenty of room for improvement. Riding a bike across Division and Ruby and then trying to turn north onto Mayfair can be tricky at 5:00 in the afternoon when a ton of homeward bound motorists fill all four lanes on North Foothills. And there are many intersections that could use curb ramps. Even so, I think this route still has a lot going for it in terms of safety and ease of access.
According to the U.S Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 17 percent of bicyclists feel threatened for their personal safety in areas where there are no bike lanes or paths. That drops to 10 percent when both bike paths and lanes are available. I rarely feel threatened on this bike route, whereas I almost always felt threatened before.
Spokane has been improving its cycling infrastructure over the last couple of years. Though the city’s potential still exceeds its reach, I’m very optimistic. In the meantime, if you’re looking for an easy bike ride from downtown Spokane to Highway 2 or if you’d like a small taste of what Complete Streets is about, come take a ride with me. //
Hank Greer was born in Spokane, moved around, came back and graduated from North Central High School, and retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. He has lived in Spokane since 1995 and is an avid cyclist and runner.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:01 am
Jeff Everett and his wife lisa have been putting on a night bike ride every month for the last four years. Typically, rides fall on the night of the full moon. But there are a couple special rides a year where the full-moon rule is bent a bit. The Festivus ride is one of them.
OTM asked Jeff a few questions about this yearly event.
WHAT IS THE FESTIVUS RIDE?
It is our go-to theme for the December Full Moon Fiasco. I encourage everyone to decorate their bikes and wear costumes. I give away prizes that have been donated by local and not-so-local folks. I do my best to come up with a venue that will accommodate that many people and the games that we like to play.
EXPLAIN THE EVENTS YOU HAVE DONE AT THE RIDE?
Long Distance Frame Toss, Slow Races, Obstacle Course, Bike Decorating Contest, etc. I try to have bike-related games at the destination bar, but not every large venue is set up so I can work that out.
WHAT’S THE RIDE DATE THIS YEAR?
I’m doing my best to have it on December 10th. Check the website for the final date—http://fbcspokane.blogspot.com
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF PLANNING A WINTER BIKE RIDE FOR 100-PLUS CYCLISTS?
Planning any ride has its issues. For the larger rides, I have to consider a destination that is large enough to hold everyone that shows up. During the winter, the turnout is smaller, so we can visit some otherwise overlooked places. However, I have to treat it like a summer ride when looking for a venue, [yet like] a winter ride when planning the route.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE RIDE?
All the great decorations that people put on their bikes is certainly a reason to show up, but my favorite bit is giving away prizes. The Good Doctor, a couple of Lifetime Members For Life, and I work really hard to get businesses to donate items for Festivus, and it’s fun to pass those out.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT LAST YEAR’S RIDE?
We had about 125 riders show up. It was around 20º, clear.
THIS WILL BE YOUR FIFTH FESTIVUS. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE YEAR?
I like them all, but I can’t help but remember how miserable the first one was—and how happy I was to be doing it. It was an awful night of slush, giant ice and freezing rain, but the eight of us went anyway. It was supposed to be a relaxing ride around the South Hill so we could look at Christmas lights. I didn’t have any prizes or games. It was just a bike ride. I guess if I had to pick, the first one was my favorite.
HOW MUCH SNOW IS TOO MUCH?
John, you know the answer to this. No snow is too much snow. We ride no matter the conditions. Though, I will admit that the length of the ride changes according to conditions. I don’t want to be out there any longer than I have to. It gets a little sketchy trying to move 100 riders through those conditions.
WHAT CAN A NEWBIE EXPECT?
Good question. I get new riders every month, and a fresh batch of questions. Anyone can participate in the FBC rides. It is handy to be over 21 [since] almost all of our destinations are bars. If you show up on a bike and participate, you are a Lifetime Member For Life. I design spoke cards for every ride, and I will shove one into your hand upon your arrival. I suggest a one-dollar donation for the card, but that is entirely up to you. I certainly don’t want to cut into anyone’s beer money. The donations go toward printing the next batch of cards, stickers, musical guests, etc.
YOU’RE GOING BE A DAD SOON. IS THE PASSING OF THE FBC TORCH IMMINENT?
[It’s] certainly a consideration. I have tried in the past to let others lead and organize specific rides with less than stellar results. It would be hard to take over something that has grown from two riders to 200. I have had the luxury of watching it grow and have developed better ways of organizing. I think that someone taking over in the future would have a hard time keeping it from turning into a Critical Mass, which would be my nightmare.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEAL FESTIVUS RIDE?
Wow—last year was pretty great. We had a great experience at The Swamp, as we always do. The weather cooperated and gave us clear skies and streets on which to meander, though it was stupid cold. And The Steam Plant was our best venue yet for this particular ride. On top of being a great place to go under normal circumstances, they made a special effort to accommodate all of our needs.
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. This is his last Everyday Cyclist column. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:27 am
I have a blot clot. Until now, any thought I had about blood clots (did I even have any?) would have assumed that clots are reserved for sedentary old people. I’m 40, which as any 50-year-old person will tell you, isn’t old. And while I’m no Olympic athlete, I’m hardly sedentary.
So what happened here? And can it happen to young, fit you? Maybe. Here’s what happened.
I have a history of cramping in my left calf. Sometimes the cramp is on the bike, but usually it’s nocturnal. I’ll be sleeping and will be jolted awake by screaming pain in my calf, which is contracted into a hard, leg-shaped, flesh-covered rock.
I also have a history of being totally stupid about hydration, especially in the summer. A typical day in the summer may start with a strenuous trail ride at dawn, followed by two or three cups of coffee. Commute to work. Work. Commute home the long way with a single water bottle. Run out of water. Have dinner. Have a few beers. Go to bed. Repeat. Altogether, I’m drinking about two quarts of water a day (in addition to coffee and beer). As it turns out, coffee is not the diuretic it’s often accused of being. But beer is a dehydrator for sure.
The point here—and any cyclist who has ridden for a few years has been through this—is that occasional cramping and dehydration happens. So when my calf was killing me during cyclocross “hot lap” training, I didn’t think much of it. But the pain became so bad that I actually had to quit riding. The day had been a typical summer day of inadequate hydration, and I was riding a new bike that didn’t quite fit right, so I chalked up the pain to these obvious factors.
I called a nurse and talked her through the issue. She asked a lot of questions about numbness (none), feelings of “pins and needles” (nope), any traumatic events to the calf (nope), any long flights recently (nope), any sharp pain (not really: a dull pain, but not “sharp”). Looking back on this conversation, she was clearly attempting to figure out if I had a clot. Neither my profile (active, non-sitter) nor my answers pointed to a clot. She said it’s likely a muscle strain and recommended taking ibuprofen, drinking lots of water and applying ice.
The next day, my calf was a bit swollen and the pain had increased a bit. Luckily, Dr. Bob (OTM Health writer) lives right out my back gate. I asked him to look at it. He was also perplexed and was pondering a theory that I may have compartment syndrome, which is when muscles and veins can get compacted, which leads to swelling. He recommended keeping on ice but coming off the ibuprofen.
By the next morning my calf was so swollen that my ankle went missing. My lower leg looked like a giant sausage. When I called Dr. Bob, he had already decided that things just didn’t add up. He took a look at it and got me in the pipeline for a sonogram, which confirmed a blood clot running from my ankle up into my thigh.
There are a few lessons here. The biggest one is not to ignore your wife. My wife was concerned about a potential clot the night I came home from the hot laps. But I didn’t fit the profile. And the nurse didn’t think so. And the doctor didn’t think so. I did know, deep down, that this pain was abnormal. And that’s the real lesson: listen to your body. It’s cliché, but no one knows your body like you do, and our bodies are super loud and clear about laying out the facts for us.
So why did this happen? Until recently, my going theory has been my chronic dehydration, which turns out to be a contributing factor. In addition, I’ve learned that I have a blood deficiency called Factor V Leiden that slightly increases the odds of a clot. That deficiency alone is not enough to cause a clot. But the Factor V Leiden coupled with blood restriction and the dehydration is likely the answer. Until my leg swelled up, I didn’t pay attention to the fact that when I sit at my desk, I typically sit with my left leg folded under my right leg.
The fix for a clot is to take a blood thinner, which both stabilizes the clot and allows blood flow around the clot. Stabilizing the clot is important because if a clot chunk blows off into the blood stream, really bad stuff can happen, like strokes, brain aneurysms and lung failure.
It will probably take about six months of blood thinning treatment for the clot to dissolve away. During this time, I’ll have to be extra careful on my bike, as internal bleeding is more likely with trauma events and much harder to contain with thin blood.
In the end, I’m lucky. I’m lucky I have access to medical care. I’m lucky I didn’t throw a clot into my blood stream. I’m lucky I’ll be back to normal in six months. It could have been much different. I hope I’ve finally learned to respect what my body is telling me. (Read Part 1 here.)
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:29 am
October is a great time of year to be a cyclist in the inland northwest. Although the days get shorter, most daytime temperatures are perfect for tooling around or hard riding. Cyclocross season kicks into full gear in October. The leaves turning in the mountains make for great weekend exploration. The mountain bike trails—parched and sandy from the summer heat—begin to take on a bit of moisture, and are transformed into ideal riding tracks. And the cooler mornings and nights remind us about the magic of layering in preparation for the winter riding ahead. We are fortunate here to have four distinct seasons, but autumn may be the best for riding.
For the racing crowd, October marks the official beginning of the Inland Northwest Cyclocross Series. If you are a cyclist that enjoys pushing hard and having fun on non-technical off-pavement riding, then you are really doing a disservice to yourself not to give at least one cyclocross race a go. Emde Sports puts on a race series that is ideal for new racers, with mountain bike, youth and beginner categories.
But you don’t have to race to enjoy cyclocross. In fact, it’s almost as fun to watch cyclocross as it is to race it. Cyclocross courses are laid out in parks and natural areas where spectators can walk the course as racers compete. Pack a lunch and a hot thermos and enjoy the races, which are every weekend in October and November. Go to emdesports.com for race schedules.
Another great bikey way to spend autumn weekends in this area is to explore the National Forests that surround us: the Coeur d’ Alene, the Colville, the Okanogan and the Kaniksu. All of these forests have miles and miles of nearly car-free roads. You can drive in and explore for a day, or you can set up a base camp and explore for the weekend. Choose a route with some elevation gain and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful fall colors of deciduous and Western Larch trees as well as grand views across pristine forests. For long rides, be sure you are prepared: bring clothing for extreme weather changes, bring a water purification solution, and pack plenty of calories to get you through the ride. You can read more about exploring our local National Forests by bike in this magazine’s July 2010 issue (available online at outtheremonthly.com).
Thanks to early fall precipitation, October may be the best trail-riding month in the Spokane area. By the end of summer, many of the local trails are dry, sandy and difficult to get a good grip on. With a touch of moisture and some cool nights, these same trails become perfect for mountain biking and cyclocross racing. For tires: run a moderate-to-low tread, with a rounded profile, and you can scorch the local trails like no other time of year.
As the days get progressively shorter and colder, October provides a nice transition into the colder cycling months. For commuters, this means you’re likely riding to or from work in low-light conditions. The October transition gives us time to get our winter lighting and visibility plan dialed in. As in year’s past, advances in LED technology have introduced a whole new level of performance for low-energy, high-output lighting. This means more bang for the buck on new equipment. But for the frugal, this can also mean better deals on last year’s “outdated” technology.
Temperatures in the early morning will begin to reach the freezing point, while the commute home could actually be warmish. As with lighting, we have the opportunity to get reacquainted with cold-weather clothing and how to layer for our commute. Make sure you always commute with a beanie, a light shell and some light gloves tucked away in your bag during October. The general rule that many light layers are preferable to fewer heavy layers is a good practice to follow.
There are also a couple safety-related items in the October timeframe to consider on your commute. First, watch out for the leaves. When leaves are wet, especially when they’re layered and slimy, they are super slick. Never attempt to corner through wet leaves. Another hazard of leaves is the stuff that may be under the pile of dry leaves. The image of riding through a big pile of leaves is Rockwellian in its draw, but consider the branch or rock that may be hiding under there. Don’t do it!
The second safety item to consider is that as a commuter, you’re not as secure in numbers as you have been in the warm months when bikes are everywhere. Many cycling commuters switch to other modes of transportation when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. Anecdotally, it seems that fewer bikes on the road are likely to dull the bike-alertness of motorists. It’s the “out of sight, out of mind” phenomenon. The best defense here, as always, is to be visible and predictable.
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:17 am
Jenni Gaertner lives in Coeur d’Alene with her husband Mike, and two sons. By trade, she’s a pediatric physical therapist. She’s also a serious competitor in road, mountain, and cyclocross racing. She won the Starcrossed and Rad cyclocross races. She came in 4th in the Cyclocross Nationals in 2009. And two months ago, she was awarded a sponsorship from Raleigh.
OTM: YOU ARE A MOTHER, A WIFE, A PHYSICAL THERAPIST. HOW DO YOU STAY SO COMPETITIVE?
I guess I stay competitive by trying to be the most efficient with my time as possible. I follow a plan set forth by my coach, which ensures that the time that I spend on (or off) the bike isn’t wasted. I have a pretty sweet working schedule, and work with honestly some of the best people in the business, so they are pretty accommodating to my travel schedule when I’m required to be gone – but I’ve tried to arrange my schedule to impact my work and patients as little as possible. Workouts happen in the late afternoon. Weekends are where I tend to “load” my training volume, since I don’t work on Saturdays or Sundays. My house looks like a tornado most of the time, because I’m not home very often, and if I am, I’d rather spend time with the kids than scrubbing the floors or washing the windows. Honestly, I think what’s worked for me is to have a husband that is very supportive, along with the fact that I tend to be pretty organized with my time.
OTM: SOMETIMES YOU RACE THE LOCAL BIKE RACES IN THE MEN’S CATEGORIES. WHY?
I’ve “raced up” with the men because our women’s field is so tiny. I can finish respectably, but I’m maybe top 10-15ish, not top 3 at all! I always race with the A pack men in the Tuesday Night Twilight Series road races, and can mix it up with them frequently. I’ve had some top-10 finishes, but nothing to write home about. Mostly I love to race with the men because that most closely mimics racing crits or cross with the pro women. I hold on for dear life and repeat the mantra, “I’m building fitness…”
OTM: WHAT DOES THE RALEIGH SPONSORSHIP MEAN? WHAT IS THE SPONSORSHIP AND WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS?
The Raleigh sponsorship is two complete bikes, a travel stipend, free entry to the Cross After Dark series races, a racing kit, and technical support.
I’ve never been sponsored at this level – it’s an amazing opportunity, for sure. Truthfully, I’m having a hard time believing it myself. I had decided that this year I would make cross my “focus season,” since I enjoy it so much, but also because I became so burned out on the road racing scene. So, the timing of this seems so perfect! But honestly, I’m a bit overwhelmed by it.
I don’t in any way consider myself a “pro” – I just race with the pros, and try to hold my own!
I feel honored, lucky, excited, nervous, happy – all rolled into one. I just really want to do the Raleigh guys proud, so if anything, it makes me more “serious” about my training, makes me think about the upcoming season 24/7.
I’ve wanted to do some of these bigger races—now I get the chance! I just hope Lady Luck sticks with me!
OTM: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN CYCLISTS WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE WITH TRYING CROSS?
It seems like women in general tend to be intimidated by the competitive nature of mass-start cycling events. Throw in some gravel, mud, obstacles and/or run-ups, nasty weather conditions… it can look grueling! I’m not going to lie – it’s not called “the hour of pain” for nothing. But, the hard part about cross racing is also the silver lining: it’s a short race. Novice racers are usually on course for around 30 minutes.
I try to talk women into at least coming out to watch a race. Come see what it’s about. Then, just try one! No harm in trying, right? It’s a tough race, but in a way, you can race your own pace—you’re out on a lap course (there’s no getting lost) with a bunch of other people (who are going through the same thing you are) and usually a lot of spectators (who are always very supportive).
Women say, “I don’t know how to ride my bike like that” or “I’ll be so slow it will be embarrassing” or “I don’t want to get in anyone’s way.”
Nonsense… come join us for practice sessions [Vertical Earth bike shop] or join the Team REP women’s racing team for a great group of ladies who love to mentor. Everyone starts out slow—there are generally so many people on course at the same time, no one is keeping track of how fast you’re going. And you’re not in anyone’s way—everyone at some time or another has been a novice, and 99% of the racers out there are exceptionally courteous to fellow racers.
OTM: ANYTHING ELSE?
I really need to be sure to give my current sponsors as much visibility as possible, since they are the ones who got me here: Vertical Earth, Rep Gym, and Doma are huge supporters of women’s cycling, as well as Kootenai Health.
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
12:02 am
A pump track is a dirt bicycle track designed so that the rider can roll through the entire track without pedaling. A good pump track has no level sections of dirt. The track is constantly changing: you pass over a bump, into a dip, around a berm, and into another dip, where it may pop over another bump and then into a 180 degree turn. The “pump” part is that you must push your bike into the dips and corners to maintain and build speed. And even though you don’t pedal, the pumping requires a lot of aerobic output. The track is a loop, so riders can roll around the track as long as they have the lungs for it.
There are different styles of pump tracks. Some are designed for optimizing speed or jumping. Other tracks may be optimized for improving cornering. In all cases, there’s no doubt that pump tracks build bike-handling skill. And all pump tracks can be fun for just about any rider.
OTM talked to Pat Sprute, who built a small track in the second lot on his property. Pat’s track is a great track for everyone to try: his after work “sessions” are popular with the obvious bikey crowd, but kids as young as 2 ? have ridden the track. Everyone leaves with smiles.
OTM: Why did you build a pump track in your yard?
We have a large side yard and for quite a while (as in a number of years), I’ve had this fantasy about how cool it would be to have a small, banked-turn mountain bike track in that space. It was never anything more than a fantasy, until a friend of mine asked if I’d ever heard of a “pump track”. From the minute I first saw one on YouTube, it was all I could think about. The fantasy begged to become reality, and I was all in.
OTM: How much work — how many man hours are in it? How much dirt?
Labor: I didn’t keep track and I’d rather not know. A lot. But it was a labor of obsession, so it was cool. If you’re needing a planning number, make it 40 hours. And then double it.
Dirt: Well, I immediately started eyeballing potential sources. It got pretty intense. There were some high spots in my yard that never stood a chance. Once I’d exhausted my onsite sources, I had 10 more yards hauled in. It came in a really big dump truck, complete with backup beeper. I could still use more, though. When I’m out and about, seeing a nice pile of dirt always jacks my heart rate up by about 10 beats a minute.
OTM: How did you settle on a design?
I bought this rad e-book called “Pump Track Nation” from a guy named Lee McCormack, who’s like the undisputed pump track guru. Best ten bucks I’ve ever spent. Then I went online and watched way too much video. Then I was fortunate enough to be invited to look at an existing local track. At about that point, my confidence kicked in and I knew exactly what I wanted to build.
OTM: Any advice for someone thinking of building one?
Definitely. It will be twice as much work as you think it will be, and four times as much fun. Oh, and make sure you have a good plan. I think there are a lot of good-intentioned tracks that never get finished, which is a shame. The build process will burn you out if you’re not realistic.
OTM: Would you do it again? Any regrets? Would you do it differently?
No regrets whatsoever about doing it. And surprisingly, I’m pretty happy with how it came out, considering it was a first attempt. There are quite a number of friends and acquaintances who have jumped on the track for the first time and bailed out after a few laps, gasping for breath, grinning from ear to ear. That’s extremely satisfying to see, so I must have done something right.
OTM: What’s the long term plan for your track?
At one time, I was all about lobbying my wife for more yard space, so I could grow the track. But it takes a ton of time and effort to maintain a track, and I think it’s about the right size now in that respect. So I’m happy with the basic form, but what turns out to be pretty amazing is how much fun it is to tweak it – seemingly subtle changes to a bump or berm can affect the entire flow of the track. In the long term, I know I will definitely get to the point where it’s more work than it’s worth, but I hope that’s a ways down the road. I keep a list of people that I want to invite over and watch experience this “pump track business” for the first time, so that’s kind of my motivation in the short term.
OTM: Other stuff? What should people know about pump tracks?
It’ll build your balance and line-picking skills. Madly. And also, that you’re gonna crash. It’s unavoidable if you want to challenge yourself, which you cannot not do. So you’ll be better and more sore. And all smiley. Guaranteed.
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
