Vance Hike and Bike Event

Joe has done a marvelous job organizing this event! On the weekend of July 13 through the 15th a group of folks will be going to Vance, the hunting lease that belongs to Susan's family, and do various events, eat and sleep.

Make sure that if you go you take your calendars so we can better plan for the coming fall events and pencil in some spring events. If you are not able to join us check here to see updates or talk to Joe, Fritz or Bob.

If you need directions to Vance call JoeBob on his cell!

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Get Out, Get Involved

The group is out and about regularly at least twice a week with organized rides with participants numbering 6 - 8 riders. Last week on Memorial Day 8 riders did nearly 30 miles. The ride was split in to two stages. The first stage was shorter and slower and definitely doable for any level rider. The ride was a stay together ride where no one is left behind by having the group regather at lights and intersections. We did the first 11 miles at 10 miles an hour and dropped some folks off. The second part of the ride was continued by 5 riders and averaged a little over 13 MPH for the last 18 miles. All these rides are looped and any of the loops can be shortened and certainly there would be a volunteer to ride back to the church to help out a rider that needs a shorter loop.

The Wednesday evening ride starts at 5:00 PM. Wheels down at five which means that you get there before five so you can be ready to take off at 5. This passed week we had 6 riders take part. Most riders brought their cross bikes or mountain bikes. Rides lasted 1.5 hours and good conversation and good feelings abound. If you're looking for a good natured group of friendly riders be there or be square. Information, call Joe Bob.

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Activity Report Remix

Riding and more riding!

Joebob and Bobster have been doing just that on a rotating basis as far as what day it is happening. When and confirmations as to what day are done via cellphone to Joebob because he remembers and he's the one that's inviting a bunch of folks so get on the horn to Joe Montagna. We have been actually getting going at about 5:20 and going till just shy of 7:00 am or just after 7:00. We have been putting in about 18 miles each time and going at a leisurely pace on flat terrain in and around town.

So if this is something you want to do, but are having trouble closing the deal here are some tricks: Have everything ready as far as the bike is concerned except for airing up the tires. Have helmet, shoes, gloves, windbreaker, glasses and other last minute stuff in either a box or a bin for easy access once to the start site. Have your clothing set out the night before so that all you have to do is put stuff on without thinking and make it appropriate for the temp and make sure it's in layers so you can peel if the weather forecast is wrong. Have a back-up alarm! Set the alarm at least forty-five minutes before wheels down time and figure in your travel time to the location. We move more slowly in the morning and no matter what we try we will still go slow or piddle around as my better half puts it.

5:15 Seems early, but now with the time change the end of the ride comes at dawn. One of the most beautiful daily occurrences is dawn and one of the best ways to capture it is with a daily ride in and around town.

Try those things out and let's see you out there so you can join in the fun! More info call Bobster or Joebob on the cell :-)

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Thanksgiving Week - Saturday 25 th Opportunity

Hola Everybody, tenemos una opportunity for us to lose some of the calories that we may accumulate this week with our various celebrations.

El plan es esto, show-up at the church ready to hike or bike at 8:00 AM (yes, on a Saturday) Saturday the 25th. Groups will decide what route and how long. The plan is to be finished by 10:00. You can do it!

A wonderful opportunity to start something new or continue something that has become a habit. Cotton told me a long time ago that in order to develop an activity and make it a habit you have to do it for 23 days. What is/are(?) 23 days in the scope of a lifetime? Join us!

Contact Joebob by Tuesday or you'll miss him. Andiamo tutti!

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Activity Report

5:15 Seems early, but now with the time change the end of the ride comes at dawn. One of the most beautiful daily occurrences is dawn and one of the best ways to capture it is with a daily ride in and around town.

Joebob and Bobster have been doing just that on a rotating basis as far as what day it is happening. We have been actually getting going at about 5:20 and going till just shy of 7:00 am or just after 7:00. We have been putting in about 18 miles each time and going at a leisurely pace just over 11 MPH.

So if this is something you want to do, but are having trouble closing the deal here are some tricks: Have everything ready as far as the bike is concerned except for airing up the tires. Have helmet, shoes, gloves, windbreaker, glasses and other last minute stuff in either a box or a bin for easy access once to the start site. Have your clothing set out the night before so that all you have to do is put stuff on without thinking and make it appropriate for the temp and make sure it's in layers so you can peel if the weather forecast is wrong. Have a back-up alarm! Set the alarm at least forty-five minutes before wheels down time and figure in your travel time to the location. We move more slowly in the morning and no matter what we try we will still go slow or piddle around as my better half puts it.

Try those things out and let's see you out there so you can join in the fun!

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Monthly Activity Opportunity

As forewarned, since I know you have this site bookmarked, we will be having an event this Sunday after the Luncheon for a hike and a bike in the neighborhood or somewhere else it will all depend on those of us gathered and what we decide to do. Going somewhere else from our starting point at the church is not out of the question so bring your idea(s). Joebob asks for those of us who live a moderate or considerate distance from the church to come to church prepared at the beginning of the day.

The time is slated to be 2:00 PM, but I questioned if we would be through with the luncheon at that time and the truth is we don't know. So just like the event and destination is flexible our time will also be flexible.

If we go on the bike ride bring layers and go juice plus a helmet. I'll show you my leisurely downtown route that passes the river, Pioneer flower mills and remember the Alamo(?) for a roundabout 15 to 18 miler no hills, well maybe one incline.

Bring pets and go juice for the hike if that's your thing as well as layers.

Questions get with Joebob or Bobster on their cells for the latest or options?

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New Mini-Events (Weekly)

Nothing definite on the event for October/November except for Sunday Nov. 12th. Stay tuned for further questions/details.

We do have news on the Mini-Event (Weekly) Front on a rotation basis. For istance this would be the schedule for the second week of the month.

Tuesday Bike Ride at the Crack of Dawn (Wheels Down 5:15 AM)

Tuesday Walk at Dusk (On Foot 6:15 PM)

On days not outlined by rotation you're training on your own. This is an attempt to serve more folks more times regularly.

Here's what you need to participate effectively. The goal is to be self-sufficient so one can learn to do this on their own without lots of assistance.
Helmets, Lights(Front White, Back Flashing Red), Drink(go juice) and Sustenance Required. Extra tube or patch kit required in case of flats (I carry two extra tubes regularly and a third extra one when I'm riding with other folks) Reflective Vest and multi-tool suggested. The Bike Ride will be enough to get us back to the church at 7:00 AM. The Walk will be enough to get everyone back by 7:15 PM reflective vest helpful.

All events start and finish at the church officially. Contact JoeBob or Bobster for further details.

We do want to facilitate further involvement on a weekly basis by instituting a rotation schedule as follows:

Week 1 Monday

Week 2 Tuesday

Week 3 Wednesday

Week 4 Friday

Week 5 Monday

Only ground rule is that no one participates alone.

Other details: If you're going to repair a tube, you will need tire repair levers to remove the tire from the rim. Most kits come with three, but only two are necessary. You will need a source of air. Compact CO2 systems are available from your friendly bike shop or a small hand pump. You should also inflate your tires every time you go for a ride. Tubes are elastoviscous which means they bleed air overnight. I ride with my tubes at max all the time to reduce rolling resistance. One can do this with a hand pump, but a quality floor pump with a lifetime warranty is better (save the receipt). I've gone through way too many of these without consideration to the money I've spent before.

Other considerations: a cycling computer to track your workouts along with a workout log. And a heart-rate monitor or power system will add to your effectiveness in your training. If you need further help with planning a comprehensive workout program look back in the archives of this site or contact Bobster or Patty for further help.

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A Usefull Resource From Our Neighbors to the North

Have you ever wondered if you are on the right track with your health? Are you at a point where you need some documentation to take care of some of your health issues? Are you in good enough shape to even start an exercise program? Then, wait no longer the following link will take you to a PDF file of a form used by CSEP, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.

http://www.csep.ca/communities/c574/files/hidden/pdfs/par-q.pdf

This form takes you through some basic questions that must be answered in order to be safe about embarking on a journey to improve ones physical fitness. If even one of the answers is in the affirmative, then one must consult a physician and delay ones foray into the world of exercise. The form also provides access to resources for your physician to use to eveluate you once you start the process of evaluating whether you are physically ready for exercise. These pdf forms can be downloaded and printed at your leisure. Have a great journey! If I can help please feel free to contact me.

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A Labor of Love on Labor Day

PC convinced me to ride from her house up to Bullis County park, so we ended up with forty something for the day. The hills did not dissapoint they challenged us even though we only did the 21 mile route that the Wheelmen were taking. Evidently we did the route in the opposite direction since we met up with a bunch of folks coming our way rather than us catching up to them. The conversation with A was invigorating even though I felt like I stuck my foot in my mouth more than once.

On the way home we took it the safe way at Blanco and 1604 and then stopped at the new bike world to sample their juice bar that we had heard about. We could have parked our bikes inside the store, but we didn't figure that out till we were on our way out. They are very proud of their bikes and their clothes. The juice we could get anywhere so we rode on.

Since we haven't had our Vance planning meeting we will proceed like so: We discussed that when events come up we just post to the website and remind through emails and see who shows up so that the Hike and Bike stays active. When you call an event you assure your participation and others join you for the fun. If you need help getting information out or you need a sag wagon set up for an event contact Bobster.

The monthly event at Government Canyon was not broached. Not everyone has a mountain bike so it would be mostly a hike event. Although a monthly hike event sounds like fun to me and totally doable. All those for a monthly hike event at Govt. Canyon in Helotes on a Saturday mid morning send an email to Bobster and let your feelings be known.

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Labor Day DejaVu

Three years ago a group of bikers from Northwood got together for a 12 - 14 miler. It happened on Labor Day at the all clubs/all comers ride that is in conjunction with the Wheelmen ride. We did our own thing, but we were able to buy in to the bubbly excitement that was found on that day at Bullis County Park in North Bexar.

There are rides of twenty-something totally doable, forty something a challenge, sixty-something totally insane because of the heat. So, how about it? The twenty-smething would best suit those that rode the 19 on the last day of the hike and bike camp.

We all meet at Bullis County Park Monday Sept 4th and go enjoy some time together on the bike. Get there between 7:30 and 8:00. Bring your helmet and some go juice. The large group will leave at 8:00 and parking is normally an issue. You're supposed to only park on paved areas of Bullis County Park. The Wheelmen site suggests to park along the road outside the park if the parking inside the park is full.

We need a sag, anyone you know that might be willing to indulge for all our sakes and carry a cooler and some goomies and follow us dirt slow at max 15 MPH? We can all pitch in for gas...

Reply to sharpner@metrogate.com

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