Bike Friendly Community Survey

 Announcements, Bicycle advocacy
Aug 232018
 

Bike Friendly Community Survey BannerThe Town of Normal recently submitted an application to be re-designated as a “Bike Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.  The League requires the Town to solicit feedback from local bicycle enthusiasts and stakeholders. Please consider taking 10 minutes (yes, it is a little long, but worth it) to contribute your thoughts.

To understand the BFC requirements and benefits, it is helpful to review what the Normal is already doing as well as the BFC award criteria (some excellent ideas here!).

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/app_BFC_FA18

Deadline for submissions is Sept. 20, 2018.

If you have any questions about the BFC process, please contact Mercy Davison, Normal Town Planner, at mdavison@normal.org or (309) 454-9590. Thanks for your support of making bikeable Normal! RB

Hope on for Hope

 Club News
Aug 042018
 

Hop on for Hope Logo15 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.

What is the “Dutch Reach?”

 Club News, Safety
Jul 282018
 

Illustration of Dutch Reach method to avoid dooring cyclistsThe 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

RAIN Ride in One Day

 Club News
Jul 262018
 

3 MCW riders on RAIN rideThere 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!

Dorothy & Toto in Bloomington, oh my!

 Club News
Jul 112018
 
Wheeler riders with Dorothy & Toto carving

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

 

 

 

July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs

 Club News  Comments Off on July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
Jul 062018
 
Riders heading for Downs

Riders heading for DownsGroup photo of riders4th 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.

 

July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to DownsJuly 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
This gallery contains 3 photos

Tuesday trail mellow rides gaining traction

 Club News
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

Trail Etiquette & Safety

 Club News
Jun 272018
 

Horse and rider meet bike left in middle of trailSome 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

Tuesday Trail Ride for Ice Cream

 Club News
Jun 272018
 
Riders at Carl's Ice Cream Normal

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

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