Kit Update

Clothing Order

Last chance to get your clothing orders in! We now have the minimum 10 pieces on order from members, so Doug and I will finalize and get the order to Champion Systems by the end of next week (May 1). Please e-mail me any additions or new orders before then. We will probably place another order sometime in the summer, or if we get orders for 10 pieces before then.

Sunday Ride, April 5

Well, it looks horrible out here right now, but the forecast for Sunday looks great – trust me it will all blow through. With the arrival of April, we’ll move the ride time to 10am. Meet at Flanders Park across from Sol Cycles in Dolores. Remember, all abilities welcome, we can split the ride and tailor it to whatever people feel like.

I’ve been out racing and riding in Grand Junction and Albuquerque these past couple weekends, so I’m looking forward the good ole’ Sunday ride!

Manzano Mountainair 200k Brevet

Just completed the 200k brevet above, along the eastern front of the Manzano Mtns south of Albuquerque. 129 miles, 7300' of climbing. Completed it in 8hrs 42mins for an avg speed of 14.9mph. That included 41 mins for 2 check points / support stations, and 1 flat. Actual riding time was 8:01 for an avg speed of 16.2mph. Knees are sore but legs feel great - gotta say that Hammer Perpetuem is a damn good endurance fuel. (You can get some at Sol Cycles for a 20% discount!).

Naturally, I won't be riding on Sunday - so have a good time!

Mad Cow - Day 2

Oh my god, the wind. 30mph steady w/ 40 gusts at the start, and it just got worse. The parking lot was a raging dust bowl when I finally left at 3pm.

Made the lead group of 10 on the first climb, stayed together for 2/3 of the race. Last climb with about 10 miles to go tore it all up - from there we were strung out in ones and twos. I was 5th at the top of the climb, and tried to catch 4th place, but blew up in the effort. Slipped to 8th through the last uphill rollers, then worked my ass off on the screaming, mildly down, wind-behind run in to the finish to catch the rider in front and nip him at the line for 7th.

Overall Cat 5 position was 4th, I think - they didn't post times for the crit or RR, so hard to tell. There's a chance I was 3rd, but I'll take 4th.
TT - 5th
Crit - 3rd
RR - 7th
Overall - 4th

Nice start to the season, time to start doing those hill repeats!

Mad Cow Classic

In Grand Jct for the Mad Cow Classic, racing Cat 5 'cos I can! This morning was a hill climb TT, 3.7mi 1070' in the CO Nat Monument. Nice course, a bit brutal for this time of the season as I haven't done enough intensity trianing. Averaged 12mph and 178bpm. Honestly, could have done more but I needed to do this to find out.

Just finished the crit. 3s, 4s, & 5s raced together, also brutal. Goal was not to be lapped. Hung with the main group for about 3.5 laps, then worked with another guy for about 8 laps before pulling away from him. Got lapped in the LAST HALF OF THE LAST LAP! Doh!

Not sure how I did in Cat 5. Results later this evening. Road Race tomorrow.

CO Senate Bill 148 - Letter to Senator Isgar

Dear Senator Isgar:

As an avid cyclist and commuter, and vice-president of our local bike club in Dolores, I am asking you to support Senate Bill 148, as it will greatly improve road safety. Please retain the 3-foot safe passing distance!

Thank you very much for your support of cycling in Colorado,
Michael Henderson

2009 Mmembership!

Hola Ciclistas,

If you haven’t been out on a bike yet enjoying the unseasonably dry weather – it’s time to start thinking about the 2009 cycling season! We’ve already had a few nice rides around Cortez in January, and I’m sure the late winter and spring will bring more.

So if you’re thinking about riding the Iron Horse this year, or want to get those legs spinning before the mountain bike trails are ready, or just want to enjoy a great couple of hours riding in beautiful SW Colorado, please consider joining Ciclistas del Rio for 2009. Dues will be $25.00.

Official weekend group rides will start up in March, though informal rides have already begun, so feel free to e-mail this group if you want to join in. Other benefits for 2009 include:
· Club jerseys at Sol Cycles @ cost+10%
· Participation in clothing orders for custom Ciclistas gear @ cost+10% (Feb order for spring, June order for late summer)
· 20% off all bars, gels and nutrition products at Sol Cycles
· Partial cost of entry fee for a club tour (tour and amount to be determined).
Also, for 2009 members who were also members in 2007 or 2008, you’ll be able to order one new jersey at straight cost. With new sponsors and a new Ciclistas logo, we want to get as many riders as possible in the new kit!

A clothing order form and price list will be sent out in the next few days. We’ll want to get that order in by mid-February for clothing to be available mid-spring.

And, if you know of others who would be interested in joining Ciclistas, please forward this e-mail to them! Also, membership forms will be available at Sol Cycles in Dolores. Please bring your completed form with cash or check made payable to Ciclistas del Rio to Sol Cycles, 409 Central Ave, Dolores, or mail it to Ciclistas del Rio Membership, PO Box 8, Dolores, CO 81323.

Help support your local cycling community by becoming a club member today!

Ride on Sat 1/31, that is...

see below

Ride on Saturday 1/30, anyone?

It’s great weather for early season cycling right now, whether you want to get the cobwebs outta the legs, you’re training for those mountain bike events down south, or just want to get out and enjoy the day.

There have been a few ad hoc rides this month, mostly leaving from the Cortez Rec center at noon on Saturday. I’m up for moving the time slightly, but the middle of the day has been the warmest and most pleasant.

E-mail me back if you’re interested, even slightly interested but may not come, and I’ll send out an e-mail tomorrow confirming start time and location. We can tailor the ride to whatever we want – mostly I’m just interested in getting some miles in the saddle in the sun!