Author: bbcbike

By Allan Edmonds

Over thirty riders did one or another route around the Lake on Saturday, April 11. Bob DeGroff got the group organized and distributed club maps to those who needed them. Meanwhile Klaus Rothe was observed taking photos that he hopes to use on our soon-to-be-released revamped web site.

About half the group planned to do the standard Hoosier Hills 60K route, south on 446 to Chapel Hill, south of Lake Monroe, then climbing the “Alps” up to the dam, Strain Ridge, Ramp Creek, and home. The other half split off at Chapel Hill, intending to do the 100K route, with possible additions for those aiming to get in a full 100 miles before they finished.

The weather was cool but pleasant and overall everyone following the 60K route (essentially 40 miles) had a good time, splitting up into two or three smaller groups.

by Shelley Bradfield and Kathy Cummins

After “connoiterring” before 5:45 and discussing the possibility of rain (predicted by some who would avoid hills!) the OWLs set off on a ride with two good hills and a fast pace (or was that just me feeling the push?)! Two slightly late riders joined us to finalize our group at 14, and we negotiated busy Snoddy and then it was smooth sailing out to the waterworks. Although two groups developed on Harrell, with a comfortable cushion in between, we all “reconnoitered” at the waterworks to discuss a possible route alteration due to the impending wet stuff. With some avoiding the Sailing Club hill and others taking the Shady Side route, no one was inclined to head home. Although some of us had to heave up the hillside, Stan joined our group and fast-pedaled it twice up the mountain – go Stan! The Shady Side group wasn’t far behind the puffing hill climbers and we set off for our second steep climb Moores Creek. Although Nathan and Tammy had debated about a less steep route on their tandem, they ground it up Moores Creek and some singing is rumored to have occurred at the top J. Around 7:40 pm, riders found their own ways home and in spite of Tom’s cynicism, no one got wet! What a great way to spend a spring evening.

This ride marked the debut of two new ride leaders, Shelley and Kathy. Allan and CE encourage everyone to step up and lead a ride this season. Take some friends and fellow riders on your favorite route!

By Allan Edmonds

On a pleasant but cool April 7th afternoon the OWLS group took a 20 mile ride down 446 into the Shawnee Bluffs area, just short of the Lake Monroe Causeway. We had a total of nine riders. As usual we had a couple of new folks and several regulars. CE Taylor has really taken the lead this year, planning routes in advance and posting them to the club calendar. We’re trying maintain a moderate pace that averages out somewhere in the 14 mph range. CE is also making a good effort to involve a range of people in planning and leading these training rides. Keep an eye on the calendar for routes, as well as any changes in meeting times or meeting places.

The group includes Rob, Allan, Tom, Shelley, Ken, and Kathy. Photo by CE.

I sure hope the “never seen again” part of the story has a happy ending. The smart money is on Mike Finger being part of that group of 10, and the BBC needs him! 😉

Keith V.

By Allan Edmonds

It was a cool morning, in the low 40's, and some people were asking why we are leaving on rides so early in the morning so early in the spring. Most–but not all–were wearing jackets and tights. In fact it was pretty nice, though.

Ten of us, including our intrepid leader, Jennifer Miers, did the standard 30 mile loop on the club map, out Vernal Pike to Whitehall, then to Hendricksville, back in on Gardner Road to Kirby to Bunger, etc., by the airport and then in on That Road. The slowest rider (not naming names) averaged 14.2 mph home to home. It was good to see Joe Anderson after a long absence. The Andersons arrived back in town Friday from their winter travels, and he only decided at the very last second to come on the ride.

Altogether it was a pleasant and uneventful ride. Considering that the weather forecast is pretty lousy for the next few days, it was a good time to be out.

Another 10 or so headed out from Rosie's in Hendricksville on a longer option and were never seen again.

By Allan Edmonds and CE Taylor

OWLS were anxious to get the new riding season going. CE Taylor had mapped out a twenty mile loop starting at our usual gathering place in the parking lot of Sherwood Oaks Church on Rogers Road. The only problem was a weather forecast calling for probable rain. Despite the forecast nine eager riders showed up, including several new to club rides. The best OWLS rides have a mix of experienced riders and newcomers. CE took a quick picture on his cell phone and we were off about 5:50. The last of the nine riders was Dave, who showed up just as we were rolling out, too late for the group photo. Those in the photo are Mary, Manuel, Ken, Kathy, Allan, Shelley, and John.

We were still on Harrell when Dave got a flat. He waved the group on, but Shelley stayed back with him while he changed it.

Meanwhile the rest of us made it to Ramp Creek. (In retrospect we would have been a lot happier skipping Ramp Creek and just head out and back to Waterworks, as you’ll see as you read on.) But soon we were sailing down the hill to lake level and then making the long climb back up to Fairfax Road. Allan and Kathy were talking the whole way up the hill and hardly noticed it. We were going pretty slowly, but still it seemed just about the easiest we had ever made that climb.

We all reconnoitered at the church on Fairfax. We were starting to hear thunder, but Shelley was counting seconds “One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, …” and assured us the storm was still nine miles out. Dave and Kathy caught up and we set out east toward Fluck Mill.

We tended to get a bit separated. But CE made a careful point of being sure no one got left behind.

By the time we crossed New 37 the thunder and lightning seemed closer. Naturally we were almost exactly at the farthest point from home. So we opted just to keep going. Soon it started sprinkling, and then turned to light rain. About half of us opted to move more quickly toward home while some held back to be sure everyone made it back safely.

It gradually started raining harder and got darker. The lead group got back to the area of the start by about 7:30, but we all split up to head home our separate ways.

The following group rolled in a little later, all well-soaked. John, who actually lives along the return route on Schacht Rd kindly gave a couple of others who lived further away a ride home, while the rest took whatever short cuts they could think of.

We were all pretty soaked. Fortunately it wasn’t too cold. We all made it safe and sound. And we’ll all be ready to do this same ride again some day later in the season.

We did learn a few lessons: By 7:30 it felt pretty unsafe out on the roads.

• On evening rides be sure to wear light colored clothing. (A couple of riders were wearing dark jerseys.)
• Remember to carry a flashing taillight. (Only two of us had lights.)

Even later in the summer when sunset is closer to 9 pm than 8 pm, it only takes a minor mechanical problem to delay a ride and leave people riding in fading light as they make their way home.

By Sam Hill

My friends and I spend a lot of time talking about things like aerobars vs. drops.

If anyone else is interested in the topic, here is some data. The photo, originally from Rolf Garthus’s Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI, is a picture of  the same rider in five standard positions: sitting up, hoods, drops, aerobars, and recumbent.  

By imposing a grid on the pictures we estimated the frontal area the rider displays in each position. For example, assuming the rider is 6 feet tall in the upright position, this rider exposes 831 sq inches of frontal area when sitting up, 802 sq inches in the hoods, 763 sq inches on the drops, 607 sq inches on the aerobars, and 575 sq inches on the recumbent.  In lieu of a full spreadsheet we just give a chart that summarizes the relative frontal areas:

Bar 100%

Hoods 96%

Drops 92%

Aero 73%

Recum. 69%

A rider in aerobars would experience 27% less wind resistance to go the same speed as a rider sitting. The difference would be most noticeable at higher speeds.

Aerodynamics is really complicated stuff. They use wind tunnels because the equations are very nasty and still not very accurate. The only way to get real drag and  power output numbers  is to measure effects in a wind tunnel. But frontal area is a simple way to explain why it matters so much.

For anyone interested the actual spreadsheet with all the calculations is available for download at http://bloomingtonbicycleclub.org/private/blog/blogarchives/Rolf.xls

Great story, Dave! Hope you and Karen are doing well in Flagstaff.

Keith V.

In my garage sits an old balloon-tired bike from the 30’s (yes, the previous owner claims he bought it second-hand in 1938) that I used as a commuter here in Bloomington until the frame cracked about 5 years ago. It was stolen not just once but twice–and recovered. The first time it was gone for a couple of hours, the second time for about 18 months. Bikes generate stories. -From Al Ruesink

That’s very similar to something that happened to me. My first semester at Indiana University I bought a new Specialized hybrid bike for riding to/from classes and around town. It wasn’t that expensive of a bike, but I really enjoyed it. It was stolen on campus and I filed a police report. About a year later I happened upon my stolen bike on one of the racks behind Dunkirk Square. I called the police, and they verified the police report and matching serial number, but wouldn’t cut the lock. They said I’d have to call a lock smith, so I did, and I got my bike back. Unfortunately, it had obviously been outside most of the time and was rusty and weathered, but it was nice to reclaim it.