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Metro East Cycling

The Belleville News-Democrat today reports on a new cycling club serving the Illinois counties on the St. Louis metropolitan area, Metro East Cycling.

From what the article says, Metro East Cycling gears itself toward high-end cyclists who have a competitive bent. For example:

"Everybody's on a higher-end, performance-oriented road bike," said Bob Crow, 53, a truck driver from Trenton. "You won't see any comfort bikes or mountain bikes."

Crow wasn't bragging or passing judgment. He was explaining the difference between Metro East and other bike clubs that are focused more on family recreation than athletic training.

I think there's plenty of room for groups like Metro East Cycling and the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society. The BABES, of which I am a ride leader, tends to draw medium-to-fast recreational riders. Other groups, such as Trailnet and the Gateway Council of Hostelling International, tend to have rides intended for all levels of cyclists.

The one thing that did concern me was a photo that accompanies the story. It showed cyclists riding three abreast on a street, a clear violation of Illinois traffic laws. In most cases, riding more than two abreast on Illinois roads is illegal.

I don't mean to single out Metro East Cycling on this point. I've seen some BABES riders riding more than two abreast on some of our rides, and the News-Democrat has run photos of cyclists riding more than two abreast on other group rides, including -- unfortunately -- the Tour de Stooges, the ride I lead for the Gateway Council.

The point I'm making is that those of us who lead rides in the region really need to stress that cyclists must obey the rules of the road.

Labels: bicycle clubs, cycling, Illinois

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:42 AM   

Thursday, March 22, 2007

I'm talking about donuts!

Well, I made it through my talk about the Tour de Donut just fine, and "Tour de Donut: Gluttons for Punishment" co-director/producer Jim Klenn will be glad to know that I even sold a few copies of the film to members of the Evanston Bicycle Club!

I want to thank the club for their hospitality and the warm welcome they gave me. The club has about 500 members, and more than 50 showed up for Tuesday's meeting where I gave the presentation. Appropriately enough, they served doughnuts before the meeting.

The Evanston Bicycle Club sounds like the type of club I would like to be involved with if I lived in the Chicago area rather than the St. Louis area. For example, one of their rides is called the Hot Dog Tour, where they travel to various hot dog stands in the Evanston area. No, it's not a competitive eating/bicycle ride like the Tour de Donut, but I think there's potential there!

All in all, it was a pleasurable couple of days in the Chicago area. The Amtrak ride gave me plenty of time to read Mike Magnuson's "Heft on Wheels." In the next couple of days, I'll give my thoughts about the book, but now it's time to get back into reality.

Labels: bicycle clubs, Tour de Donut

Roger 0 comments links to this post 10:32 AM   

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Today's the day!

In a matter of hours, I will be speaking to the Evanston Bicycle Club about the origins of the Tour de Donut. I just got off work, but I'm going to get a little bit of sleep before I have to drive up to Alton and catch the 7:21 a.m. Amtrak to Chicago.

I'm a much better writer than a public speaker, but at least I don't have to do much talking because the film "Tour de Donut: Gluttons for Punishment" will be shown.

For those of you in the Chicago area who are interested in seeing the film, the meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ladd Arboretum at McCormick and Bridge streets in Evanston.

I'm also looking forward to seeing my sister Teresa and her husband, Bill, as well as their wonderful children, Julius and Sereana. I'm also looking forward to visiting the Art Institute, which I haven't done in several years.

I better sign off. It's time to get some shuteye!

Labels: bicycle clubs, family, Tour de Donut

Roger 0 comments links to this post 1:02 AM