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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 312018
Although anecdotally, and by the smiling faces index, we think that the Spring Metric is a success and that we are doing the right things, this year we did a follow-up with Survey Monkey to see if the participant data agreed with our organizers’ observations. And indeed there does appear to be some correlation.
Of the approximately 200 riders, there were 151 usable emails, each of whom received the 10 question, one-minute Survey Monkey questionnaire. With only one reminder, we received responses from 42 riders. All rating averages were > 4.3 on the 5.0-scale. You can see a summary of the results at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-TPYQ73NRL/
Thanks again to all riders, survey respondents, and our volunteers who make the event possible. We appreciate your support and feedback and look forward to seeing everyone next June for the 2019 Metric! RB
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
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 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 282018
Share the Road
Share the Road! Each month, the Sam Leman Toyota team creates an infographic based around a topic that would benefit our community. This month, they developed an infographic (4 slides) that list tips on how cyclists and cars can better share the road. As the new Bike BloNo campaign points out, most of us are motorists & cyclists! AND safety is everyone’s responsibility. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. 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