Classic Jerseys Available

Chilly Chili February 11

Save the date for our annual winter picnic, Saturday, February 11. The return of the chilli cook-off competition!

Look for more details and sign up as the event draws closer.

Keep On Pedal'n

by Roger Pierce

One of the basics of riding in a paceline is to "always keep pedaling."

There are, of course, logical exceptions, such as slowing for a stop sign, or when not in the lead going downhill.

If you really want to piss off the rider behind you, you can be one of "those guys" who pedals furiously and then stops pedaling for a bit. This makes it difficult for the following rider to maintain a steady pace and is both physically and mentally tiring to them.

A major cause of on and off pedaling is following too closely. As a complex feedback loop, a paceline ebbs and flows a bit naturally. Most experienced riders know how to make the needed small speed adjustments without even thinking about it. However, if you're too close to the rider in front of you there is not room to make these adjustments without stopping pedaling!

Being too close also leads to momentary wheel overlaps. If you are overlapped when the rider in front needs to move over for an obstacle you're in for a quick trip to the pavement, and will likely take down following riders.

Best practice is to leave a gap of two to three feet between your front wheel and the next riders rear wheel. Adjust your speed as necessary to maintain whatever gap you are comfortable with; yo-yoing with your gap (even when pedaling) is about as bad as start and stop pedaling.

GHT - Micanopy Rail Trail

We've started a new Interest Group for members who are interested in developing a rail trail from Rochelle to Micanopy.

We are interested in converting an abandoned rail bed which connects Micanopy to the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail (GHT) into a rail trail.  This will add a major destination to the GHT and connect cyclists in Micanopy to Gainesville, Hawthorne and Rochelle along a rail trail path.  Gainesville and Hawthorne based cyclists would be able to ride to Micanopy on a safe rail trail and enjoy bicycle access to many Micanopy attractions.

If you are interested in expanding the GHT please join the Interest Group. You can click on "Join A Group" on the Ride page in the Members Area, or on the direct link on the Me page.

Randonneuring, Anyone?

Cuba Donation Project Update

by Caryl McKellar

Joyce Bono and I packed up two suitcases full of donations from GCC members for Cuban cyclists Monday.  70-80 pounds worth!

We are so grateful to club members and the Club itself for the contributions of bike supplies and money towards the extra charges the airline imposes for luggage to Cuba.

We don’t travel until January but our tour company sent this about a December tour they led and we thought you might enjoy reading it.

The tour group was met with enthusiastic Cubans at every stop and given praise for their work supporting Cubans with donations of bike equipment, medicine, and clothing.

Bicycle Breeze enables tourists to support Cuban youth cycling clubs which are organized under the EIDE framework (EIDE = Escuelas de Iniciación Deportiva, or Sports Initiation Schools). This tour group met youth clubs in Banes just south of the popular beach resorts of Guardalavaca, and in Baracoa which is at the far Eastern part of Cuba.

These exchanges are mutually beneficial as we get to meet and learn from Cubans and provide them with support.

During the tour, the group came across a Cuban cyclist with threadbare tires so they gave him new tires and tubes. He thanked God for providing what he needed. It’s a great feeling to be able to help someone out.

Most Cubans who are fortunate enough to have a bicycle rely on it as their primary means of transportation, but they are unable to buy new tires when they wear out. Tires make a great donation in Cuba whether you are on a tour, or having a beach vacation.