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Articles written by Alan Bragman

Aging and Cycling  and  Stretching for Cyclists

2005 MF-LS Jersey !!

It's Near complete !!  Take a look at the nearly finalized jersey design for MF-LS for 2005!! Click here for the latest design in PDF (Aug 24th)  or right click and "Save Target" to save to your computer.

This evening I ventured out with the "A" ride to stress myself and I  did. I understand the "B" ride lost some of the cohesion we've had in the  past but most riders seemed to hook up with others in clusters and that  is okay. Next week I'll ride with the "B" group again.

My experience with the "A" riders was almost predictable. I was  disappointed that when we got to South BLVD where Limerick ends that several  riders never hesitated, let alone stop for traffic and it was more of a  merge with the westbound cars. This is ridiculous. If you are out in  front, following riders are inclined to do just that, FOLLOW, and they  just might get killed which is a great way to ruin a ride. Last I  checked, we aren't hosting a race out there and man, if the "A" riders are  riding like that typically I am aghast. Then, moments later when we  got to Adams for the right turn which the "B" ride does not do, the  riders cut off the cars that had the right of way and prevented them from  making the light. If you were in a car there you'd be ticked off. OK,  think about it. If a driver is upset or mad, he could call the police,  point out to them that there are reckless bike riders out there on

Tuesday evenings and the next week the police are just waiting for us to  give us grief, which we would deserve. This was BAD. And what is  accomplished? Riders get separated, not because they are faster, just  inconsiderate and reckless. We've gone through this before. Think of the ride  as having a 50 meter tail. If your tail gets smashed you get hurt.

There are plenty of miles to put the hurt on other riders or get the  ballistic interval workout you might be seeking. If I get dropped going up  a hill or simply being unable to hold onto a faster wheel, I'm  motivated to train harder or eat less or work on technique. If I get dropped  because of reckless riding by the guys in front I'm inclined to do the  "B" ride where we tend to work on the ride as a team approach and safety  is the priority. If I'm new to the ride I might just not come back if  I witnessed that kind of riding.

When the Loose Spokes started about 17 years ago, the riders were  casual and recreational. I started to ride with them to avoid the reckless  rides of Tuesday night that headed out to Bloomfield Hills. We gained  the reputation of having a good training ride and now we typically have  well over 100 riders on these summer evenings. Over the years the  safety issue has come up now and again and perhaps I live in La La Land and  thought the "A" ride was under control. Someone tell me I witnessed an  anomaly tonight, perhaps due to the upcoming race weekend, and I'll  feel a lot better. Bottom line, get with the program, and the program is  SAFETY. I can't control Cat 2 racers so some responsibility has to be  carried by everyone. EVERYONE IS A RIDE LEADER. Set an example.  I'm sorry that we hit some dirt on Beech. I had no idea that was there.

It appeared we had a number of flats this evening and I'm not sure what  caused them. If it was the dirt, oh darn. I may take the "B" ride  around it next week through the sub on the east of Beech. That was UGLY.  The GOOD news is that we host a fast and ballistic training ride. The  "A" ride averaged 23.84 mph this evening for the 33 miles I measured it  starting and stopping at my standard locales. This type of training, a  mix of interval sprints and sustained speed for mileage is a huge  advantage for those of you who wish to race. Nothing beats it. No trainer  ride will top what we did this evening and it is the rare rider who can  sustain that effort on a solo ride. If you've been holding on with the  "B" or "A" rides this summer, give racing a shot. This weekend you  have plenty of opportunities.

Saturday, ESSEX BRASS is hosting a return to Racing in Rochester.  Sunday you can head to Windsor for their Italian Festival on their flat but  fast square course, and Monday you can come out to the PALACE for the  Debaets-Devos 42nd Annual Criterium aka the Rock City Criterium.

www.riders4research and/or www.active.com. Questions? Feel free to call me.  Friday night is another great opportunity to get to the VELODROME at Bloomer Park where besides the exciting racing which must be witnessed to  be believed, there will be a full band including our own LEONARDO,  picking up the pace with their jazzy rhythms. The races continue Saturday  afternoon as well.

Okay, "A" riders, help me out. I can't be everywhere. Perhaps the "A"  riders should sit in with the "B"s a few times. We go pretty fast, and  some aspects of the ride, the lanes we ride and the slight pauses we  make when we enter or leave OU for example go a long way to maintaining  the GROUP aspect of the ride and it is still a great workout.

Weekend rides will be posted shortly. Saturday riders not racing  should consider heading to Rochester to take in the races and the same goes  for Monday where the Palace can be reached on a route off of the  typical Thursday Wolverine Ride to Giddings hill.

Those of you doing DALMAC or the Tandem rally, have fun and keep the  rubber side down.

<THANKS FOR YOUR INDULGENCE AND PATIENCE AND HELP IN THIS REGARD>

HEADS UP!!!

E.J. LEVY

Directeur Sportif

248 388-3854