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Aug 112018
Aug 042018
15 Wheelers participated in the 6th Annual Hop on for Hope Ride on Aug. 4. The charity ride is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in LeRoy, and benefits an orphanage in Guatemala. It was a sunny warm day with most riders opting for the 25 mile route around Moraine View State Park. Good roads, food and comradery. See group photo on our Facebook page.
Jul 282018
The MC Wheelers are members of RIde Illinois, our state bicycle advocacy group. Their latest e-Newsletter can be found <here>. Of interest is a technique called the Dutch Reach that State Rep. Theresa Mah is trying to make part of Illinois driver training. The Dutch Reach is a way for motorists leaving parallel-parked cars to avoid “dooring” cyclists coming from behind – by opening their car doors with their right (not left) hand. This method results in a torso twist where you are better positioned to see cyclists and limits the speed with which the vehicle door opens. Read more at Dutch Reach Project… RB
Updated 9/13/18: Now Law in Illinois. A new law requires the Illinois secretary of state to include in the ‘Rules of the Road’ information on the ‘Dutch Reach‘ method of opening a vehicle door to avoid injuries to bicyclists. It also requires that the term be included in the pool of questions to obtain a driver’s license.Aug 23, 2018
Jul 262018
There were only three McLean County Wheelers in the Ride Across Indiana (RAIN) this year, Saturday, July 21, 2018. The photo was taken a few minutes before the start of about 1,400 bikers. Notice how happy Tanya, Allan and Chuck look at the start! No after photo? Our riders traveled the 160 miles from the Illinois border to the Ohio border in about 11 hours. Congrats on completing this one day endurance ride!
Jul 112018
Tuesday mellow riders captured with Dorothy & Toto.
Another beautiful Tuesday summer evening and another great mellow mostly-trail ride. About a dozen of us headed into south and west Bloomington for a leisurely 12+ mile loop that included the CT along Hamilton Road, a bit of Route 66 history on Springfield Rd., once around Miller Park to check on the Canada Geese, a Gene’s Dairy Delight stop – yum, and a serendipitous viewing of the new Dorothy and Toto carving in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. More adventures next Tuesday…. RB
- See Pantagraph story on the Dorothy & Toto carving at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
- Learn more about Dorothy Louise Gage complements of the McLean County History Museum.
- Relive the south and west Bloomington experience on Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28030966
July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
Club News
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Jul 062018
4th of July Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
One of the many area 4th of July community events is the Downs Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Traditionally one of our club’s largest group rides, we met at Rollingbrook Park (on Hershey Rd.) at 7:00 am to beat the heat and proceed to the Fire Station in Downs, IL. Many riders then proceed to Towanda to catch the annual 4th of July parade.
Jul 032018
Mellow riders 2018-07-03
Another hot and muggy Tuesday – perfect for a slow-roll mellow ride. About 15 miles, with about half that distance on county roads north and west of the northern trail terminus. As you can see the happy rider count is up 33% over last week, well o.k., from 3 to 4, but not bad for almost the holiday. Hope to see a few more riders next Tuesday! RB
Jun 272018
Some thoughts/reminders on Trail Safety & Etiquette… If you’re on the Constitution Trail (CT), or any trail for that matter, please pull off to the side if you are stopping, gathering, or meeting. You and your bike and whole group should be off to the side, or better yet, off of the trail completely, to allow other trail users to pass unencumbered. At the Y on CT, which can be very congested, gather at the shelter, benches, or widing in the trail that goes toward the parking lot.
As one experienced ride recently comment, “We (Wheelers) have been perennial obstructionists on the trail and this does not sit well with other bikers, runners, and walkers. It gives a correct bad impression of the Wheelers to others on the trail.”
Also, when riding in a group, if you’re approaching a blind hill or curve, please make sure everyone singles up — single file at the far right of the trail/road. Don’t trust that you will always see an approaching car or other trail/road user. Further, that car/bike/walker might not be on their side of the trail/road.
Be courteous and be safe! Please help us be “good” trail citizens! AG/RB
Jun 272018
Mellow Tuesday Trail Rides
Last night was the first Mellow Tuesday Trail Ride of the season, about 10 miles roundtrip. No spandex needed. Confirmation photo on the left. Beautiful night for a ride even allowing for the brisk south wind and much overrated rain forecast. Riding the CT typically keeps you sheltered from the winds, whichever direction they are blowing. We went from the Y on CT to Carl’s Ice Cream. Future rides might be taco Tuesdays. The group can decide! Hope to see you next week. RB
Jun 242018
Mellow Riders
NEW – Mellow Ride Tuesdays – 5:45P from the Y
Beginning Tuesday, June 26, 2018 and continuing through the end of August, there will be a mellow ride departing from the Y (Connie LInk, Normal) at 5:45P. Like the Show & Go, we can decide as a group on a destination and social ending for the ride AND what we would like to do the following week! Tuesday Mellow Rides will likely stay mostly in town as we meander the trails and bike lanes in search of ice cream, tacos, etc. Hope to see you on Tuesdays. RB
If anyone wants to lead/coordinate a mellow ride on other days, please email Richard Verdrey with the details at least a week in advance so that the ride can be added to the weekly events email.
NOTE: Looks like rain is likely this Tuesday evening, June 26. Rides will be cancelled in the event of rain or lightening.