I figured that I would start a thread to see if we could get some sort of chainlink group to ride together. My plan is to ride at a fairly casual pace and enjoy myself, so I'm looking for others to do the same. And, as many people know, the ride is much more enjoyable and goes by faster when you're in good company. I know I already asked James, but who else would be down for this? And, what time would you all plan on meeting?
Tags:
Wife and I did the 25 at a leisurely pace, and a pleasant surprise was that just ahead of us was a trio of my vintage-cycling friends (well, two of them + wife) so we had company most of the way. It was a very friendly and well organized event...and we had spectacular weather for it. This was my first and won't be my last!
It was a great ride. I can't wait until next year and I'm sad I have to miss the Apple Cider next week.
My first organized, supported ride, and only did the half, but it was great. Perfect weather! And it was fun to meet some of you at the table.
Who else got a flat? I got one around 30 miles in. It seemed like we passed someone on the side of the road swapping tubes every half-mile. There was a lot of glass out there on the roads.
It was a great ride and my first century as well, very well supported and rode with some great people. It was nice talking to the group at the Chain link table. Looking forward to the premiteter ride this saterday and hope to see/meet more people there.
Trish and I met up with 50Mission, KiltedCelt, and Bryan M at the beginning of the ride and tagged along most of the way. Wasted too much time at the rest stops, so we missed seeing Julie at the end :-(
Now to get ready for the Apple Cider next Sunday...
Thanks to all Chainlinkers who rode the NSC. It was a great day. I got to experience NSC from both ends. I rode the 50 with a long time biking buddy Hank Scheff. We picked up a rider who was doing close to our pace and sheparded him around the course enjoying conversation with him and stopping to take in the scenic view of the lake from a ritzy hood in Lake Forest. Hank said we had to stop for our Zen moment. I then spent the late afternoon cleaing up at Dawes and packing up the rented vans separating perishable items that went to a local food depository and items we stored for next year's ride. The scope of the ride was evident at the volunteer dinner where well over 100 people were in attendance. It takes this kind of volunteer pace to pull this off. Its amazing that evereybody takes ownership of their little part of the ride whether its running a rest stop, soliciting sponsors, marking the route (which both Hank and I have done for years) registration, parking or simply being there to pass out a certifcate and a high five to returning century riders.
We try and throw a great party for Chicago area (or has we sometime say, Baja Evanston, riders. However, as a chartibable organization we make now profit. We zero out after our costs and donate the proceeds to a variety of bike related causes. This varies over the years from advocacy organizatons such as Active Trans, local police departments that run a safety program, rehabiliation hospitals wanting a special bike for patients, misson organizations such as The Recyclery and groups putting bike racks around the area. The donations each year are uually over $10,000 and may possbily be double that in 2013 given the great turnout yesterday. Asthe weather turns the club will begin its process of finding donees. if you have a bike related cause that would like to be considered you can contact the club President, Suzie Labelle, at www.evanstonbikeclub.org and find out about submitting a proposal. Neal Ney, the chair of the NSC is certainly sleeping as I write this message. Neal has been spinning in his granny gear as he tried to make it up the hill of the weekend. Great job Neal!
Next year we Chainlikers have to come up with a way to help Julie get a table to the event so she can ride.
203 members
1 member
270 members
1 member
261 members