News Tribune Adventure writer and novice cyclist Craig Hill is training to ride the 202-mile Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic in one day and discovering the local riding scene and the sport’s nuances along the way. In his blog, he explores ideal riding routes, events, relays tips from the experts and helps you figure out if you’ll need to shave your legs for your next big ride.
Guest blogger: Rick Beitelspacher teaches junior high English in the Puyallup School District. You can contact him at tshirtguys@comcast.net.
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Women and cycling will be the focus of a daylong festival on Sunday. Women’s Cyclefest will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle.
The event is designed to outfit, educate and inspire women in their cycling adventures, especially as more women take part in the sport, organizers said. According to a study from the National Sporting Goods Association, 16.1 million women took part in bicycle riding at least once in 2006. That was up 1.3 percent from 2001, the report said.
The day’s activities include a bike safety check station conducted by REI’s cycling staff, free clinics and a community group/vendor exposition.
Among the clinics that have been scheduled are basic bicycle maintenance for women at 11 a.m., fitting your bike at 1 p.m. and preparing for a big ride at 2:30 p.m.
The groups that will be on hand include the Cascade Bicycle Club, Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club, Group Health Women’s Bike Racing Team and LunaChix Road Cycling Club.
For information, call 206-223-1944.
It’s never too late for a little cycling lesson.
I recently got back from a 10-day vacation where I didn’t a ride a bike. When I came back I noticed I’m clearly a step behind the rest of the guys on the team. Worse yet, I noticed I’ve reverted to some bad habits.
During a ride Thursday I caught myself dropping back behind the rider in front of me and not getting the benefit of being able to draft. Worse, I’d have to burn energy to try and catch back up.
So, this morning Kenny Espinoza and Rick Beitelspacher and I spend a couple hours on the Foothills Trail working on my technique.
Both men are broad, large enough for Tony Stewart to draft behind. We took it slow at about 16-17 mph. As Kenny and Rick took turns in the lead, I practiced staying eight inches or less behind them.
It might seem a little late to be working on this, but I don’t think so. Being able to draft properly will be hugely important next weekend? How important? Perhaps the difference between making it to Portland and bonking at the state line.
