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Women's Beginning Racing Clinic

This year's clinic will be on Saturday April 7th.

Our 2nd annual spring skill-building clinic sponsored by Midwest Women's Cycling Made Real gives women cyclists the opportunity to become better riders in a friendly, supportive environment. In a combination of lecture and on-the-bike drills you’ll learn from some of the top female riders and coaches in the Midwest. The clinic will cover everything you need to know, from how to train, to what to bring on race day, to what to expect in your first race. You'll also meet representatives from clubs around the Twin Cities that are welcoming to women.

Come learn about road racing in a supportive, fun environment! All level and age riders are encouraged to come.

WHEN: 9:00 am-1:00pm (refreshments and registration starting at 8:45 am)

WHERE: Midtown YWCA in Minneapolis

COST: $10

WHAT TO BRING: Your bike, helmet and cycling clothing. You’ll be able to change at the YWCA. Minnesota in April can bring all sorts of weather, so bring layers and be prepared.

See the flyer for more details: http://www.mcf.net/misc/MWCMR_April_Clinic_2007%5b1%5d.jpg

For questions and more information email alexandrakerl(at)yahoo.com

Riding Home in the Blizzard

by Alix Kerl

I drove into work on Thursday just as the weather turned from freezing rain to ice.
I was definitely in the top 10 worst driving I have ever done. My little car could barely make it up the icy hills, and the snow had yet to hit. All day, I watched the snow fall outside the window and by the time I was done with work at 5pm, close to a foot of snow had fallen. I decided that it would be better to leave my car at work and ride a bike home rather than potentially die trying to drive home in the blizzard. Let’s just say right now that it was a really bad idea.

Luckily, I had borrowed a Surly Pugsley for the weekend, which (with 4 in. wide tires) is made specifically for riding in the snow and sand. It also weighed about 30 lbs. I work just less than 15 miles south of my duplex in South Minneapolis and it usually takes right around an hour, depending on how fast I’m riding. I expected that the ride home would take up to two hours because of the foot of snow that had fallen, but I wasn’t prepared for the wind. I hadn’t even thought to look and see which direction the wind was coming from, which turned out directly from the north at 20 mph. As I left work, it was still snowing, but rather than light, fluffy flakes, the snow was falling as pointy ice chunks, or “hurty snow”. It was the type of snow that would have been mesmerizing had it been at my back, but flying directly into my face was not so charming.

The roads were, of course, horrible. There were one or two inches of ice on the roads from the freezing rain that morning, with the addition of the snow that had fallen throughout the day. The main roads had been plowed and were easier to ride on, but there were also cars on those roads and with the real potential of me sliding underneath one, I tried to stay to the side streets. The snow plows had left huge mountains of snow in the intersections and I found the best way to get through these was to ride as them full speed and pedal through. About half the time I wiped out and had to do a running cyclocross mount to get back on the bike as the Pugsley is great at floating on the snow, but not as good getting traction in slush.

I didn’t have a balaclava and my cheeks got so numb that I was afraid I’d get frostbite, so I alternated warming patches on my face with the backs of my gloves. The headwind also meant a visibility of about one city block, which didn’t matter too much as about halfway home (after an hour of riding), I started riding with my head down so my cheeks wouldn’t hurt so bad.

So at a speed of about 5-7 MPH, I arrived home at 7:30pm, two and a half hours after I left. I prayed for a snow day from work the next morning, but without any more snow falling, there was no hope of a day off (plus I had to go back and get my car). Consequently, Friday morning I had to hop back on the bike and ride back into work.

Women’s Beginning Road Racing Clinic

This year's clinic will be on Saturday April 7th.

Our 2nd annual spring skill-building clinic gives women cyclists the opportunity to become better riders in a friendly, supportive environment. In a combination of lecture and on-the-bike drills you’ll learn from some of the top female riders and coaches in the Midwest. The clinic will cover everything you need to know, from how to train, to what to bring on race day, to what to expect in your first race. You'll also meet representatives from clubs around the Twin Cities that are welcoming to women.

WHEN: 9:00 am-1:00pm

WHERE: Midtown YWCA in Minneapolis

COST: $10

WHAT TO BRING: Your bike, helmet and cycling clothing. You’ll be able to change at the YWCA.

Look for more details in the next few weeks. For questions, email alexandrakerl(at)yahoo.com

no ride this morning

Doesn't seem like anyone is planning to go on the ride this morning, so we'll just call it off. Too much snow on the roads, I guess.

Instead of riding, perhaps you should check out the Bike Expo, which is all day (9-7) today and 9-5 tomorrow in the Minneapolis Convention Center. MWCMR will have a booth there, so stop by and see us!

No ride Feb 24th, 2007

With the forecast for tonight and tomorrow for sleet, snow and gusting winds, it probably comes as a surprise to no one that the ride will not officially happen.

Tonight: Periods of snow possibly mixed with sleet, mainly after midnight. Low around 24. Breezy, with a east southeast wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: Periods of snow. High near 30. Breezy, with a east southeast wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible.

RACE SCHEDULE

It's the moment you've all been waiting for! The MWCMR series schedule is finally complete. These are the 7 races that will make up the 2007 series. This year, only your five best results will count for the final standings, so if you have a bad day or can't make it to one of the races, it won't matter. (But you should still do all 7... just because racing is fun!)

Without further ado, here they are. Get 'em on your calendar.

Confirmed races in the 2007 MWCMR Race Series:

April 28: Ken Woods Memorial Road Race

May 5 : Gluek Road Race

May 12: Bike Club TT Challenge (20k)*

July 8: Hopkins Raspberry Festival Criterium

July 15: Hamel TT

August 5: Grumpy's Campus Criterium

August 11: Birchwood Road Race

*Doubles as a ROY event.

BIKE SWAP!

This Sunday everyone should check out the annual Twin Cities Bike Swap, taking place in the gym at the St. Paul Academy. This thing is huge. Tons of stuff to buy, from brand spankin' new carbon forks to "vintage" stuff from somebody's garage to clothing samples to delicious brownies and Peace Coffee. Even if you don't want to buy anything, everyone you know will be there... we promise. It's a great place to catch up with people you haven't seen in months.

Plus, MWCMR will have its own table! This is your chance to meet some of the people who are heading this effort up and to ask any questions you may have. Please stop by and say hello if you're around!

No Ride 2/10/07

We're calling it early again. The forecast is just too nasty.