Beautiful Tuesday Morning!

A beautiful morning for a "tangy tuesday" (AB's words) ride. I think I had one of the highest averages I have had on a WGaS ride at 21.5 mph for 28+ miles.

Sorry I missed coffee - as I had an early phone conference.

On a separate note - today Eric was scheduled for back surgery - we all wish him well - I think he will try to update us when he is done/home.

See you tomorrow - weather permitting?


Pablo

Our Motto

From Gaping Void Gallery.

Saturday Ride Photos

I took about 20 pictures this morning. About 10 were worth saving. I have enough pictures of the paceline from the rear. Although those usually have a nice artful quality to them, it is nice to get a couple of shots of people's faces for a change.



Though I did like this paceline shot:

Saturday Ride Report

A beautiful Summer morning for a bike ride. We had a large group - my count was 14 - 1A12, Big John, Pat Kent (did you see the fold marks on that new uniform?), Frankie, Tucci, Fast Freddie, AC, Whiskey Mike, AB, BT, Greenie, Moots, Chippo and myself. Did I miss anyone?

Nice route - good pace - sorry about not having the route clearer at the beginning of the ride.

Overall stats for me - 75 miles ~ 20.6 mph avg.

Good to see 1A12, Pat and Whiskey Mike out there today. Mike - BT will let you know the fine for wearing a non-WGaS shirt with WGaS shorts (even if you did do an ironman and have a shirt to prove it) The fine is in a confidential section of the By-Laws.

See you all next week!

Pablo

FYI

exerpt from the WGaS By-Laws

Section 230-Paceline Protocol

230.01-it shall be expressly prohibited to use the right side gutter to encroach, pass or in any other means impede other riders

230.02-it shall be expressly prohibited to use improper, exaggerated, or otherwise bizarre hand signals for turns, stops, road hazards

230.02(a)-riders in the #1 pull position should lead the paceline away from road hazards (ie: potholes, glass, etc.) precluding the need for verbal or hand alerts
230.02(b)-when verbal or hand signals are indicated they should be simple and specific

230.03-it shall be expressly prohibited for a rider who is not familaiar with the planned route to stay in a #1 position for a pull; in such a situation the rider shall relinquish his pull to the next rider

230.04-all riders shall signal clearly using an elbow "wag" of their intention to give up a pull-the choice of left or right will indicate the side that the rider wishes to be passed on-right elbow=right side/left elbow=left side

230.05-if a rider is unable to maintain the pace speed upon acquiring the #1 pull position, that rider should immediately signal and relinquish the pull

Sanctions:

First Violation-warning
Second Violation-stern warning
Third Violation-Banishment from the WGaS Peloton

Hot Fun in the Summertime.....

Well Summer came in with a hot blast on Sunday after a last slap of a crappy non-spring like Spring on Saturday------

Tuesday and Wednesday saw great rides with 14 riders on Monday and 13 Tuesday--both days were quite spirited --

Looking forward to a long ride filled season with continued great attendance

BT

Horribly Hilly Hundreds

1Adam12, Bob and yours truly did the Horribly Hilly Hundreds ride yesterday. It was a perfect day for a ride. Sunny, warm and beautiful scenery. And then the climbing began. This was a ride of extremes. It seemed like we were either doing 6 MPH or 36 MPH. At one point, I hit 48 MPH, a new personal best. The climbs were long and steep. How steep? Like climbing up from the Park Avenue beach for a mile or two.

So how'd we do? Did we finish in record time? No. I won't bore you with all the details here (I'll save that for coffee one morning), but Bob and I wound up calling it a day after 103 miles, taking the short cut to the finish after rest stop #4. Adam pushed on solo and finished the ride (what a stud!)

Here we are happy at the top of the first big climb.

Put This in Your Calendar

Come to a meeting of the Highland Park Traffic Commission on July 22, at 6:30 pm. Lina Hoffman from
The Active Transportation Alliance (formerly The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) will be making a
presentation on Complete Streets. The goal is for the Traffic Commission to begin taking all users
(including pedestrians and cyclists) into consideration when making decisions that impact the roadways
in Highland Park. We need to have strong representation here.

The meeting will be at Highland Park City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Avenue.

Crossposted from my other blog.

Sometimes We Do Give a Sh!t

John Culligan Olin

John Culligan Olin was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota October 17, 1957 and died suddenly in Highland Park, Illinois June 9, 2009. John was the father of two children, Cecilia (15) and Caroline (13). Sharing the loss are Elinor Olin (née Nichols), his mother Molly Johanna Culligan, his brothers Tony and Brendan, and Mimi Noonan, and Reilly Grant. He was preceded in death by his sister Meghan and his father John Philip Olin. He was the owner of Higher Gear Bicycles in Wilmette and Highland Park. John touched many lives as a cyclist, windsurfer, skier and the organizer of many community gatherings, including formal and informal fundraising events. John was honored as a Local Hero by the American Red Cross for the lifesaving donation of his kidney to Jeff Miller in 2002. A Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11:15 a.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 1775 Grove Street, Glenview, IL 60025. A memorial celebration of John's life in Minnesota will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Olin Girls Educational Fund or to the National Kidney Foundation. For more information, please contact N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home at 847-998-1020.