November 2011 - Congratulations TeamCBC !
The final tally is in. At last weekend's 2011 Bike MS awards ceremony, TeamCBC took third place for fundraising.
Our award, shown below, will be on display at the brewery in time for the next ride.
Over 2600 participants raised $1,677,423 in the New Bern event. TeamCBC contributed over $101K toward that milestone.
Good going team !!!
Registration for 2012 Bike MS is now open for Jewelry Boomerang members, and 50 Club members. Registration will open January 1, 2012 for all other riders and volunteers. 2012 routes will be posted next June.
On a more serious note, Bob has sent out several notes regarding recent accidents in the RTP area involving cyclists.
The first goal on CBC rides is making sure everybody makes it back to the starting line safe. We ride as a group, not individuals. Watch out for each other, use your paceline skills, and show respect for ALL your fellow riders.
Guys, be safe out there.
Leah
October 2011 - NCBC-CBC Fall Rally
We couldn't have asked for a better day. Sunny and cool, low humidity, it was a day made for riding. Volunteers started rolling in before 7 and our first rider showed up at 7:20. Registration began at 7:30 for a 9:00 start time.
As a little over 200 riders waited at the starting line, David Cole gave last minute ride instructions. And then Tom Graham took a few moments to explain the marking motif.
Routes were marked with gold, blue, red, and white beer bottles. The 100 milers left first, following gold markings down Hwy 1 through Merry Oaks, over toward Sanford, and up through Lillington and Angier before heading back to the brewery.
The 72 mile route, marked in blue, followed the CBC Bunnlevel beer route through Lillington and Erwin and then through Angier on the way back to Holly Springs. 
The 47 mile route, marked in red, followed the Bunnlevel beer route until around mile 20, and cut over to Angier where it picked up the last 15 miles of the 72 mile route.
The 30 mile route, marked by white bottles, followed a route down Piney Grove Wilbon, resting at the Duncan store, and then riding by the Not-so-Friendly Grocery store before heading back to the brewery by way of Avent Ferry.
Thankfully, our SAG'ers were untasked during the ride. The only reported incident was a flat tire that Tim Keller was able to fix at the Angier rest stop and a second flat that was fixed by the century riders.
Around noon , riders began pedalling back to the brewery, just in time for a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, thanks to the grillmeisters Thomases, and CBC beer right from the taps, thanks to CBC brewmeister Greg Shuck.
By mid-afternoon, nearly all riders were off the course and back at the brewery enjoying a second hamburger or yet another brew in their commemorative CBC-NCBC Fall Rally beer glass.
The last rider, and sweeps, finished the century course a little before 5 p.m.
Congrats to David and Bob for coordinating such a whopping success ! And thank you to all our volunteers and riders.
For more pictures, see Ashby Spratley's facebook album, David Cole's facebook album, and Tom Martin's facebook album.
If anyone else has pictures to share, please send a note to the CBC team captain.
September 2011 - Thank you !
I just wanted to say thanks to all who came to BikeMS this year and to all those who could not, but donated to the cause. The BikeMS weekend was very successful and I do believe everyone had a good time.
One note, I acquired a nice chair, so if anyone is missing it...forget about it! (really, just let me know).
Keep the pictures coming!!! Nancy Thomas gathered these on facebook. David Ley shared his facebook album.
It still amazes me how much fun we have at this event. One minor scrape and one very bent wheel, which Fred literally hammered back into shape was our total damage for the weekend, at least that I heard of. Ches should buy Fred a beer for working his magic on that rim. And yes he did use a hammer!
We had the TeamCBC express running for both days. Hal's group finished the 100 at over 23 mph and we had a nice run at around 20 mph on Saturday (somewhere between 200 and 300 people in a double paceline....wow) and again on Sunday for the 75 miler. Others got in milestones they never achieved before (I think Kevin and Liz both got in a 100 at a record pace).
Numerous people got in their first double century ever. Special grats to Marty for doing it. Most people don't know but Marty missed last year for her now one year old's birth. She signed up last year and still raised in the four figures for MS, so she had to make up for lost time this year. Grats Marty!
Kudos to the insane two, Matt and Danny, who rode to New Bern from Holly Springs, then did a double century in New Bern. Something like 340 miles or so.
Both of them are shown here after the fact, looking no worse for wear. But, my butt hurts just thinking about it.
I don't have the room to mention everyone, but congrats to you all!!
Thanks to all who helped out for the event and the preparation, Tom and Greg for bringing stuff, Tim and Jon and others for the Team Village set up. Greg for beer! and all the others who volunteered and gave their time and effort into making it a fun weekend. Also, thanks to Danny, Hal, CJ, Dave and others for helping us lead rides, take care of people and generally finding ways to make my life easier. Also to Leah who came out and sagged for the month of Auguest even though she couldn't ride. What a team member! Special thanks to Fred for his wrenching all summer long, especially since he could not ride.
I think the biggest thank you from me will go to Tim Keller. Mainly for letting me clear my head weekly and for being there when I needed help in taking care of everything, etc. etc. etc. We (especially me!) would not have functioned without his contribution.
Lastly BikeMS is still fund-raising. Please keep trying for funds if you can and let's get over that $100k mark again. I know it's hard, but we can do it.
A toast to the best team in the land...TeamCBC!
Thanks all,
Bob
PS: Did I mention that eveyone should thank Greg and give him a big smooch, since without him, TeamCBC would not exist! Thanks for making it all possible Greg!
September 2011
Team CBC Bike MS New Bern FAQ
Q: Are we camping? How is lodging set up?
A: Everyone is responsible for their own lodging. Many of us will have tents. If you drop your tent off at the Sunday TeamCBC rides, we will set your tent up for you. Some of us (Tim, Jon, etc), are arriving early in New Bern to set up tents for people who have to work and will get there late. TeamCBC has a space at Union Point Park to camp together.
We will also be collecting hotel rooms from folks over the next couple of weeks. If you need a hotel or have an extra room, please let me know.
Q: What about showers? Restrooms?
A: There are shower trucks & portapotties at the Union Point Park. Bring soap, shower slippers, and a towel for showering.
Q: What about food? I may starve!
A: MS does not feed you Friday night. They do feed you bagels, small pastries and fruit on Saturday AM and of course you can get stuffed just eating your way through the 100 miles of the ride. Plus they have a pasta dinner after the ride in the evening. You don't have to eat there, but it is free. On Sunday they feed you the same style breakfast and provide lunch. It varies on what you get but is edible. There are snacks at the Team Village in the campground as well.
We (TeamCBC) have a soiree on the B&B steps Friday night and a Team picture before the ride. I will be sending e-mails out about all of these things in the next few weeks.
The only food you really need to bring are any power snacks you prefer. BikeMS provides all food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks on the route) on Saturday and Sunday. Friday night, CBC hosts a big team party at a local bed and breakfast.
Q: What should I pack?
Here are a few BikeMS usually tells people:
Money collection envelope and all donations
Identification (drivers license/school ID)
Bike (with inspection sticker)
Helmet, cycling shoes, gloves, rain gear
Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent
Tire patch kit, spare tubes, and pump
Emergency cash and credit card
***Two cycling outfits***
Change of clothes for Saturday and Sunday after the ride
Pajamas
Toiletries and medications
Alarm clock
Comfortable shoes
Additional options as desired:
Water for post-ride hydration
Snacks for between meals
Entertainment devices (books, cards, ipod, etc)
Lamps or flashlights
Shower slippers
Soap
Towel
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Tent (if camping)
Benadryl (for Bee Stings)
Q: What about bike inspections?
A: It’s a good idea. I think the deal is that you need to have a sticker saying you passed inspection, in order to get free maintenance from bike mechanics on the route. You can get a free BikeMS inspection at most local bike shops (LBC) as well as from our Team Mechanic Fred. They typically can do it on the spot. Fred will have them as will Tim prior to BikeMS
Q: I am out of town/can’t get checked in this week, can I check in the weekend of the BikeMS?
A: Yes, details of weekend check-in are:
Rider check-in will take place Friday, September 10, 2010 in the Convention Center Ballroom from 3:00 until 9:00 pm.
Please turn in your Money Collection Envelope including matching gift forms and all donations collected to date.
You will receive your rider number (bib, helmet, and bike), event t-shirt, & cue sheets at check-in. Volunteer check-in
will be located in the Convention Center hallway during the same time frame. Volunteers will receive their assignments
and event t-shirt at check-in. You only need to check-in once. You must have collected the minimum of $200 to ride at BikeMS and recieve your packet.
Q: Where can I go for more info?
Why, right here.
Bob
August 2011
Tim lays out the bare essentials that need to be in every bike saddlebag. There will be a pop quiz.
I've been riding my bike for several years now, in several states (of mind), and it never ceases to amaze me the problems I roll up on. A few simple routine incidents are, for some folks, major disasters... due to lack of preparation.
... clean your chain ...
My favorite, and the most inexcusable, is the flat tire with no spare tube. What is up with that? Are you invulnerable? If you are then why bother riding the bike? Just pull on your cape and take off. That is if you can find a phone booth (well, now days any car serves that purpose but you have to be moving...)
... clean your chain ...
At any rate, the spare tube should be new or at least unpatched - give yourself a fighting chance - AND have at least a CO2 cartridge and know how to use it. If you are smart you will carry two of these. Just because they're rated 120 pounds of air does not mean they weigh that much, really an ounce and a half at most, but if you are that concerned, maybe you can find some helium cartridges they would help lighten up the load.
... clean your chain ...
OK, so now you have a spare tube and a way to fill it with air or nitrogen or helium or whatever. You might need a way to get that pesky tire off maybe you can find a Popsicle stick but they do make gismos called tire irons. I have found they work well for tire removal.
... clean your chain ...
So what happens if you forgot to pull that 6 penny finish nail out of the tire before you inflated it? Anyone, anyone... yeah, that's it the tire patch kit. Oh Noooo! Not more weight to carry! Don't worry it can double as a first aid kit too - BAND AIDS!
... clean your chain ...
What? You say that new inner tube is just fine it just looks funny sticking out of that gash in the bottom of the tire. No worries, you happen to have a tire boot. Huh? A what? Yes a tire boot. No, it is not to keep your tire dry when it is raining. This is an invaluable item that will get you home or at least close, ask Bob.
... clean your chain ...
In a pinch a dollar bill or something found on the side of the road will work, ask Bob. While we are on that subject... mile 26 into a 72 mile ride is not the place to discover that your tires are so worn that the threads are showing and fraying all the way around. I actually witnessed this on a ride. I won't mention any names, but your solution for remedying that problem - buying a new bike - deserves mention and extra points for style. You know who you are.
... clean your chain ...
Less common but far more serious problems will occur. I now carry a rear derailleur cable in my saddle bag. The rear derailleur cable is the longest cable on the bike and can be adapted for use in the other three positions. I have never needed one but there have been two events where someone else has. Since I thought the first time was a fluke I did not have one the second time it happened to another rider. In both cases the bicycle was downgraded to a two speed model and the the ride was shortened to RTB. The second case was, for me, a welcome excuse to abandon a mountain ride that I had no business being on and resulted in a fortunate instance of a rescue. You both know who you are.
... clean your chain ...
When you buy a new chain and you really should, if you have not already, you get two bonus items in the package. They are called chain pins. Yeah, I know you only need one to install the chain so what do you do with that other one? Don't toss it out; put it in your saddle bag. It does not weigh much, in fact it is so small you are lucky if you can find the darn thing when you need it. I put a piece of blue tape around mine so it is easy to spot.
... clean your chain ...
Now my pet peeve. When is the last time you cleaned your drive train? You know that mess of gears and chains and gismos that move about to transfer energy to the wheel. You spent a lot of money on these components maybe you should spend some time cleaning out the dirt and grit that is grinding away at the metal until they are unusable and, well, there goes a few hundred bucks.
... CLEAN YOUR CHAIN ...
I don't much care if you want to waste money but when I end up having to put YOUR broken chain back together with MY chain pin at least I should not have to spend the rest of the ride trying to not touch my white handle bar tape. You know who you are and there are more of you than you know.
A cleat screw. Who would ever think of let alone need one of those? Again, I have never needed one, but I have run across more than one that has. Try clipping in and riding with one of three missing screws. They call it leg isolation exercise in spin class.
I don't know how some one can ride around with a loose screw, but apparently a lot of you are. Look at the bottoms of you shoes every now and then, you may notice something not right. For instance on those Shimano cleats that yellow layer isn't there to make you go faster. Think wear indicator. Ask Bob.
Now a whole lot of these things aren't very useful without some means of removing/installing them. What to do , what to do. I got it! A multi tool of some sort. Not so expensive and probably too heavy for the weight weenies but face it. You can't do much without the proper tools so bite the bullet and get one. Or you can just sit around on the side of the road waiting for someone to come along to save the day.
Finally, after daily roadside maintenance class I generally need something to wipe off all that grease and grime that should not have been there in the first place. Pack some sort of paper towel in you bag so I don't have to use mine. I like the ones you can find at the check out counter at my favorite nationwide bicycle chain store. They are compressed into a cute little circle and open up into an almost usable towelette. "Go Towels."
Also, a couple band aids are nice for when I cut my hand fixing your bike. Unfortunately you cannot use them to patch tubes. I carry them, but sometimes they don't stick so good because of all that GREASE I get on me because SOMEBODY never heard of cleaning their drive train. You all know who you are.
If you need any advice, come see me after the ride and I will tell you what I really think.
I'll be the guy all covered with grease, bleeding.
Tim
Oh, and as promised, here's the quiz. Get the right answer, you get the right help:
What's the most important thing(s) you can do to ensure your ride is safe as well as fun ?
A. Clean your chain.
B. Carry the bolded items in your saddlebag.
C. Don't piss off Tim.
D. All of the above, and clean your chain.
July 2011
There are no stupid questions, but there are stupid mistakes.
After three years of carefree road biking, a spring of endurance training, and a recent upgrade of several thousand dollars worth of equipment, I am learning that ignoring that little voice of common sense can bring it to a quick end in a big pile of tumbleweed.
Last month I had the chance to ride in the AIDs Life Cycle event, a 7-day, 545-mile supported ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was (or rather, could have been) the ride of a lifetime. Instead, because I chose to save a few minutes instead of taking the time to do what I knew I should have done, I was treated to a beautfiul ride down the Pacific Coast Highway on the sag bus.
It only takes a second to make a mistake that can knock you out of cycling for the season or forever. That may seem trite to hear, but it does not feel trite to live.
I had just finished lunch on the third day, started down a straight road, alone, on a sunny afternoon, when 1/2 mile down the road, I realized my gloves were not on. I was anxious to get to base camp where I was to meet friends and head out for some well-deserved margaritas. Soooo, instead of stopping my bike to put my gloves on (as the voice inside my head kept chanting), I decided to put them on as i made up for "lost" time.
I am pretty confident in my ability to handle my bike. Over the past three years I've logged over 10,000 miles; 5000 last year. I rode across North Carolina as Tropical Storm Nicole made landfall in the last fall CNC ride. But at 7 miles an hour, struggling to get the second glove on, I was time warped back to when I was 6 years old and controlling a bike was like trying to control a bucking bronco. The front wheel jerked right, and the next thing I know i'm falling wrist first into gravel.
I broke my arm and am out of cycling for most of the summer. But, thank goodness it wasn't one of the smaller wrist bones that sometimes never heal. Thank goodness I'm not in the same situation as my friend who fell last year at slow speed, fractured his pelvis, and has yet to ride. Nor am I in the same shape as the guy I heard about who (again at slow speed) broke both elbows and "had his wife wiping his ass for months."
There are plenty of strategies for minimizing injury from a bike crash: here and here, for example. If you can think before you hit the ground, tuck yourself up so you hit muscle rather than bone... muscles bruise, bones break.
After the crash, get your equipment checked out. My bike survived better than I did, but I've got to toss my new helmet as the hairline fracture reduces its effectiveness. A helmet is the single most important safety item you can own, make sure it will work when you need it the most.
Finally, I recommend that if you don't already own one, buy a mirror so you have a panoramic view of what is going on; otherwise you are riding blind, or at least partially blind.
Cycling is a thinking man's sport. Be smart, and ride as if you plan to ride another day.
Leah
May - June 2011
Welcome to another summer of riding with TeamCBC. We have the most fun and the best beer, and frankly we help a lot of folks get on their bikes and graduate to longer, faster, and better riders on the way.
Although our primary goal is to ride safely and have fun, we want everyone to know they are welcome to ride with us, no matter what skill level. We do raise money for MS, but if you ride for another team, please come out and ride, since we are open to anyone who wants to enjoy the safety of a group ride while learning a few things. The more of us (cyclists) there are, and the safer and more learned we are, the more options we have as far as cycling on North Carolina roads.
Summertime means hot long sunny days, which means YOU need to drink plenty of fluids and eat well to make it through a ride. Review the nutrition and hydration articles on this website. Remember, drink often (and I don't mean beer)... at least one bottle an hour on hot days. Bring a sugar/electrolyte based liquid in one bottle and a water in the other. Bring food! Bring something to snack on at the stops and an energy food, like GU or Shot Blocks for during the ride.
Most of all, ask questions! We are all here to help each other. If you haven't ridden with us before, let us know if you have MS, or diabetes or some other medical condition. It helps us understand your riding capacity better and can make the difference between stopping for a replenishment and stopping to call an ambulance. Remember, this is NOT a race, but a ride for fun. We want you to return to the end having had a great time (Notice how I didn't say anything about pain and suffering... :).
We're going to start our summer training at square one: Group Riding Skills. Faster people will need to slow down, so that we can help everyone train to become faster and better riders. All riders will need to learn how to keep pacelines and groups together going up and down hills, slowing enough to make sure everyone is on the group. Practicing continuous riding skills, as we are going to try to eliminate stops for the 40+ mile rider (except SAG stops). If the pace is too slow, work with the group for the current ride, and move to a faster OR longer ride the next time out. Congratulations! You have graduated.
Finally, remember that We are TeamCBC! We ride as a team, train as a team, and hopefully, we all take care of each other as a team. Oh, and we also have fun as a team.
See you on the road!
Bob
March-April 2011
Spring has sprung and we're heading into prime training season. This year we've got more regular Sunday rides than in previous years. And, each week more and more new faces are added to our regulars. We know part of our popularity is due to the beer. But also, our reputation is built on how well run the rides are and the fact that our ride schedules allow us to socialize at the end of the ride as a group. Other staggered rides start at the same time and then dissolve at the finish. Did we mention beer?
Another reason for our success is the ride support, especially for those rides most popular with first time or rookie riders. Ideally, each ride has a ride leader and a sweep. Right now with the number of volunteers we have, this is not possible. Since the sweep position is the most critical support on any ride, I am sending out an APB for anyone willing to sweep rides.
The sweep is the lifeboat of any ride. It is the person of last resort for folks who have reached too far on a particular day. The sweep volunteers to ride as the last rider and make sure there are no mechanical, physical, or other reasons why someone needs help or cannot finish the ride. This could be a flat tire, a rider who needs water, a rider who is unsure of the route, or a rider who has expended all his or her energy and needs to cut the ride short.
As the sweep, you need to show up a few minutes early to introduce yourself to the cyclists on your ride. You will need a cue sheet, knowledge of any bail out points where riders can cut the route short if needed, charged cellphone with the team's emergency phone numbers for that day. Tim, Bob, Jon, or myself can help you with any concerns you have. You should also carry at least one spare tube and canisters (or a hand pump) for flat tires.
While it would be great if you knew how to change a tire or fix common mechanical problems, this is not a requirement. Most importantly, you are someone a new or confused rider can turn to for help. The sweep is most often a psychological safety net for riders who are pushing themselves to new distances or new terrains.
We need regulary scheduled volunteers to sweep each of the supported CBC rides. If you can donate time weekly or monthly, please contact any of the team captains.
Thanks to each of you for making TeamCBC the success it is!
Leah
February 2010
So, we are well into February and the ground hog says spring is just around the corner. By what I can see, observing the turnouts for the weekly rides, we are already there.
For those of you that have yet to join us, and for some that already have, here are some maintenance tips I would like to share. The last thing you want to do is show up for a ride with a bike hat has not had any attention since last season. Now is the time to take it out to the garage and give it a good once over (of course, you do keep it in the house....).
General Cleaning:
If it is crusted over with road salt or a few months worth of sports drink drippings don't be afraid to take out the hose and spray it off for a start. After that, an old Windex spray bottle with a diluted mixture of soapy water and one of those big box-o-rags from the local big box store is just what you need.
Start at the top - handle bars - and work your way down concentrating on the frame at first. The chain stays can wait until you get to the crank, cogs and chain.
Drive Train:
This is the part that makes the most mess so be sure to have the box-o-rags nearby. I will attack the chain first. One of those whirligig chain cleaners is handy for this and here go with a heavier dose of soap and change the mixture a few times. After getting the chain go for the crank and cog teeth with a few rags. Be sure to get in between all of the cogs (sometimes when they are really dirty I will remove the rear wheel and even remove the individual cogs). Then go over the derailleurs - front and rear.
Detail:
Go back to the chain stays with the spray bottle and then put a coat of auto wax on the frame. Once this is done lube the chain. It is better to take your time and put a drop on each link one at a time so you do not over lube the chain causing a more rapid build up of dirt and grime. When the chain is lubed you should wait a while before wiping it down to remove excess oil. You want to give the lubricant time to migrate to the inner workings of the rollers displacing any water that will be there from the cleaning process.
Hit all the pivot points on the derailleurs with a drop of oil and wipe away any excess.
Wheels and tires.
Inspect the tires for wear and foreign objects. Replace as necessary. You will notice that the rear tire is worn more than the front. That is normal. What I do is rotate the front tire to the rear and put the new tire on the front, which is the more critical location.
Get a strip of Scotchbrite pad and go after the wheel rims, the shiny part where the brakes make contact, with light soap and water. If you have not done this in a while you will notice it will drip black so be sure to have newspaper under the work area. Do it again wiping with a cloth as you go.
Finish:
Go back over the frame with a clean cloth to remove all dry wax. The wax process will actually remove even more dirt/grease that was not taken care of with the soap and water. It also protects the frame and makes it easier to clean next time.
Wipe down the chain with a clean cloth.
Things to consider:
Depending on riding conditions and distance ridden the brake and shifter cables may need replacing. They most frequently fail where they attach at the shifter end and the one that is first to go is the rear derailleur cable since it get the most use. If you replace the cables go the full route and replace the cable housings. For Shimano I like the Dura Ace cable sets. The brakes and the shifter cable come as individual sets. They are really not that expensive. If you need help with installation let Fred or me know.
If you find that the shifting is not as snappy as it used to be there are a few things that can cause this. A simple adjustment may be all that you need or the rear derailleur hanger could be out of alignment. Get with Fred or me on that one too. We both have the tools and experience to handle that.
You might want to replace the handle bar tape. This will make your bike look and feel like new and again not so expensive. Wrapping the tape can be a bit tricky the first time. Again if you need help let us know.
Look forward to seeing everyone out there on the road, hopefully upright and on the bike.
Tim
November 2010
... and now a word from our sponsor ...
This year, our Team was the largest, most organized, best looking and had the greatest time out there. I am proud of our riding, our team spirit, and our exceptional fundraising which has us neck and neck with the Selma Cyclepaths (the first real threat to their years of domination). Word on the Street is they raised a few more dollars than us, but we became the second team to ever raise over $100,000. We are strong and proud. Plus we have beer.
We will be continuing to have weekly rides and I encourage everyone to come out and continue the momentum.
Bike MS 2011 will be the 9th year CBC has had a team. We intend to be bigger, faster and have more fun next year. Oh, yeah….We intend to raise the most money too….
I am proud of what TeamCBC has become and none of it would be possible without our fearless team leader. A large Thank You is in order for Bob and everyone who helps make the rides and the team possible.
Fighting MS One Pint at a Time.
Greg Shuck
September 2010
Here's a video montage, courtesy of Tom Martin, of our 2010 events.
We started gathering in New Bern Friday afternoon and early evening to kick off the 2010 Bike MS weekend. Some stayed in local Bed and Breakfasts, some stayed in hotels, and some camped along the waterfront. But all were there to support each other and to support the fight against MS.
Friday morning Tim, Jon, Bob, Paul, and a slew of other CBCers set off early from Raleigh to pitch the two dozen or so tents that made up the CBC tent village this year. We were camped right by the starting line, a close shot to the bathrooms. And, the fact it was on high ground really helped later in the weekend when the rain fell.... thanks, Tim.
Friday night at our traditional keg party held on the porch of Harmony House B&B, we surprised our captain, Bob, with a birthday cake and a flat, but enthusiastic, rendition of "Happy Birthday". Pretty sneaky, Bob, all these years and you've never mentioned your birthday falls right around BikeMS weekend.
We made up for lost years, with a sheet cake to feed a hundred, a torrent of cards, and a gift certificate for plenty of bike stuff. He said he was surprised, even though there were several times the week before that the beans were nearly spilled.
We hope he knows now how much we appreciate him and all his efforts. Captain Bob IS TeamCBC.
Saturday morning started early with team pictures a little earlier than the planned 7:30. Several of our regulars, including Cyril, were AWOL, so the picture doesn't capture the just how big a team of 161 cyclists is. Bob almost missed it, sliding in at the last minute to repose in front of the team.
At 8:00 sharp, right after the national anthem, the riders started out across the bridge that wasn't there the year before. A beautiful day for a bike ride, sunny and fairly cool for early September in eastern North Carolina.
People started streaming back in throughout the late morning and early afternoon. Some went shopping, some napped, some went sightseeing around historic New Bern, and some just hung around camp.
Saturday night is the main event, a dinner for 3000 hungry cyclists. The Carolina Brewing Company donated the beer, which, as always, was a huge success.... thank you, Greg ! Pasta, lasagna, chicken, breadsticks, and of course, sweet tea helped us carbo load for Sunday's rides.
And after dinner: the awards ceremony. Once again, TeamCBC carries home the Big Wheel for having the largest number of team members.
Sunday surprised everyone. The 100 and 30 mile routes had been cancelled the night before due to anticipated bad weather. And the rain hit hard through Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The morning found some cyclists donning their jerseys to ride and some packing up to drive home.
The 8:00 start time showed ominous clouds, but for those who did brave the wet roads and dreary skies, the ride did not disappoint. The 75-mile riders came together in a double paceline of CBC jerseys that at one point numbered over 75, an impressive sight for spectators, motorists, passing cyclists, and that mother strollering her baby along the Craven county country road.
We kept our speed and held our line, thanks to the shepherding of Captain Tim and his whistle. Two by two we rode down to Oriental for an early waterfront lunch, taking time to enjoy the scenery, but trying to beat the rain with a 19.5 mile pace. Most of us crossed the finish line well before 2:00, and went straight for the cold chocolate milk.
So now, as we stretch tight muscles, clean our bikes, and share pictures, we close in on our fundraising goal of $90,000.
Next year: same place, same time, JOIN IN THE FUN !!!
Oh, and would the owner of a blue PT cruiser....
For even more Bike MS pictures click here, here, here, and here.
August 2010
Greetings all!
It's August, and that means we have 38 days before the Bike MS ride in New Bern. If you have not signed up for the ride, please do so. We would like to get everyone signed up and get started fund raising.
So far this year we have raised a little over $20,000. Greg Shuck leads the way at $2500.00. Our official goal is $90,000 on the MS website, but as I said last month, I would like to make an unofficial goal of not just attaining but going well over the $100,000 mark. Our team is currently at 134 members and lots of the crew hasn't even signed up yet. So please sign up and let's all set personal goals of $1000 each. I challenge each and every one of you to make that $1000 mark! I know we can achieve that.
Remember the ideas from last month: facebook, e-mailing friends and relatives, and asking people at work. You can also canvass your neighbors. Some folks have good relationships with some of the businesses they patronize, so see what they may do. I know many of you hate asking others for money, but think of it this way, if even one person gets better diagnosis, treatment or one researcher gets to spend more time trying to discover a final cure, isn't it worth the hassle? Lots of times we ride with pain or suffer through a hot, hilly day. We need to do the same with asking for donations. 100 people at $10 each hits your goal. I would like to urge everyone to get out there and make a difference in someone's life. Yours, the people you know, and all those people fighting MS who not only appreciate your efforts, but may one day see their disease become a non-factor in their lives.
Thank you all for doing this and for being on TeamCBC. Now let's all go have some FUN!
July 2010
It's July, and that means less than TWO months before the Bike MS ride in New Bern. If you have not signed up for the ride, please do so. We would like to get everyone signed up and get started fund raising.
First a few points about the fundraising. Last year TeamCBC raised $96k. We had 136 people on the team and I do believe almost everyone had a great time. Only two major accidents and one was Cyril trying to look at a bug on the road....very closely. He won't do it again...he promises! TeamCBC was everywhere (and we had the best jersey!). Most of all, we had FUN, and raised a little cash along the way.
This year we have raised a little over $11,000 with Tom M. leading the way at $985.00. Our official goal is $90,000 on the MS website, but I would like to make an unofficial goal of not just attaining but going well over the $100,000 mark. Our team is currently at 120 members and lots of the crew hasn't even signed up yet. So sign up and let's all set personal goals of $1000 each. I know we can achieve that.
Now to some ideas. Use the tools you have every day. Facebook is a great source of donations. So is e-mailing friends and relatives. Of course there is asking folks at work, and you can also create a letter and go out to meet the neighbors. Some folks have good relationships with some of the businesses they patronize, so see what they may do. I know many of you hate asking others for money, but think of it this way, if even one person gets better diagnosis, treatment or one researcher gets to spend more time trying to discover a final cure, isn't it worth the hassle? Lots of times we ride with pain or suffer through a hot hilly day. We need to do the same with asking for donations. 100 people at $10 each hits your goal. I would like to urge everyone to get out there and make a difference in someone's life. Yours, the people you know, and all those people fighting MS who not only appreciate your efforts, but may one day see their disease become a non-factor in their lives.
Thank you all for doing this and for being on TeamCBC. Now let's all go have some FUN!
June 2010
Welcome to training time. It is now less than 100 days to the Bike MS event and we are going to kick off the training wheels and get down to work. This month TeamCBC has three rides in a row (thanks Greg!). We are going to be working on group/team riding and pace-line riding to get everyone more proficient in a group environment. Every year there are accidents at the Bike MS event. This is more or less to be expected due to the number of riders and the different levels of proficiencies those riders possess. What we want to do is get you comfortable riding in a group, and get you relatively proficient in handling pace-line riding and group dynamics. This minimizes risk, which may help alleviate those nasty accidents from occurring.
So...Let us help you continue to improve your riding skills! We will have trainers and ride leaders on our different levels of rides. Please listen and follow the directions of these folks, as they generally know what they are doing and can help. All our rides (except the faster 72 mile rides) focus on group riding, that means staying together the entire route and practicing pace-line skills. Paces announced prior to the beginning of the ride will be adhered to, so if you find yourself riding in a group that is too slow, or not as proficient as you may be, please assist in the training on that ride. Then move up to the next level on the next ride. We ask your participation so when it comes time to ride amongst 2000 other riders in New Bern , you can do so safely and efficiently.
While I am thinking about it, start getting that fundraising going! If you need assistance in figuring out the best way to go about fundraising, we have several people on the Team who would gladly assist you in developing a process etc. Please e-mail me or call me and I can connect you with someone who can help. Everyone's goal should be $1000. Some will exceed that goal and some will come up short, regardless we all need to start the process and get there!
Good luck with fundraising, and as always, see you on the road.
May 2010
Well, I am a little late in getting this out, but it has been a busy month. The Raven Rock Ramble was, as always, a great ride. Thanks David! The new Cara "Ride for their Lives" in Sanford was a success as well. Now we can get on to more TeamCBC business!
I will have bibs, shorts, and gloves to demo at the ride on the May 16th. We are thinking of ordering some or both of these items. Please take a look and let me know if you are interested. The bibs/shorts will be a cash up front, as we don't have the coffers for that. The chamois inside is nice and I am sure Brian will have some great designs! The gloves are also pretty nice. We'll see what the cost is and if they are affordable we'll get a few. Also, the last day to reserve a jersey before we order some is this Sunday (16th). Please let me know!
Sundays ride features Greg Combs as Velo Smart demonstrating his Retul video fitting system on our fearless leader, Greg Shuck. Come out to the ride and get some miles in, then see how a bike fitting really should be done!
Keep an eye on the calendar below. We have several TeamCBC rides in June and July, as well as numerous supported benefit rides in the area. My wife likes the idea of Gears and Cheers. Wine or beer after a ride just sounds good! Just a personal editorial.
So gear, rides, and fun is in the offing for the month of May.
See you on the road.
April 2010
Those of us on Planet CBC greet you and invite you all out to our rides. We are riding together about once a week. Some rides start from the Carolina Brewing Company's parking lot, and some start from other venues who are happy to see us as well! All are well attended, and have proved a lot of fun!
Something new this year are our training rides. These are shorter rides that focus on one particular aspect of building stength and/or endurance. Our first training ride was held earlier this spring and on intervals: how, when, where and why. You can read a write up on the forum. We will be conducting training sessions for the remainder of this year focusing on interval training, hill repeats, and everybody's favorite, climbing. So, watch for the announcements.
This month Maura requested that we add a small loop ride that remained close to the brewery. This is for folks who want to ride, but have been injured, have children in tow, or are just starting out. The roads around the brewery, all the way down to Novartis, are paved and open for riding (just not all of them for cars). The big loop is almost three miles long, or you can do the 1.5 or so loop instead. This route is highly recommended for people who want to get started, but cannot do the longer 16 or 26 mile distances. And, of course, you can loop as many times as you want.
Just a quick mention, there are three charity rides in the next month that TeamCBC members have either designed, managed, or run.
The biggest one is David Cole's Raven Rock Ramble on the 2nd of May. Great ride, so well-received that it is already full.
On Saturday April 17th is Ride the Buck. Bob Troxler invites you down to Broadway for a great ride and festival afterwards. I did it last year, and the ride is well done and fun.
On Saturday May 8th is CARA's Ride for Their Lives. Bob Dillon and Bob Oderkirk (me) helped design the routes and frankly, have ridden these roads a hundred times. The best part....no cars (ok, maybe one or two)! On top of that Greg is kind enough to donate beer for the ride, so CBC beer and food after the ride!
And finally, another incentive to join this year's TeamCBC at Bike MS. Between April 1st through April 20th, you can register for Bike MS 2010 and receive a $15 discount on the entry fee ($20 instead of $35) by entering the discount code: bike2010. This cuts the entry cost by near half. So take advantage of this discount and join the team
That's it for this month. Please come out and support local rides that Team members have been a part of. Good causes and good fun. And remember...always proudly display those TeamCBC colors!
See you on the road.
March 2010
So now that it's March, daylight savings time, and a little friendlier weather, time to get those bikes out and tuned up for the ride season! This year we've got two individuals willing to help TeamCBCers and their bikes get ready for spring riding.
First, welcome Greg Combs from VeloSmart as a sponsor. He is offering great discounts on bike parts as well as bike fittings. I have done the bike fit with him, and Greg is very good. He takes a video of your pedaling motion and can fix a lot based on the computer imaging. The bigger the order (multiple people) the better the discount. Here are some discounts:
- 25% off fits services (Retul and Video Analysis) also, Functional Movement Screening and Corrective Exercises
- 10 to 25% off all accessories:
- Super Feet and Aline Foot Beds
- Vittoria , Ritchey, and Geax Tires and tubes
- Profile and Ritchey handle bars, stems, aerobars, and seat posts
- San Marco, Flow, and Adamo saddles
- HED (also aero bars) and Ritchey wheels
- Titec, Bellweather, BBB products (all type of BBB accessories: chains, cogs, etc.)
Additionally, Fred Kozak, our team mechanic is back again for another fine year of ride support. Like last year, Fred will be coming out to some of the rides to do onsite analysis and quick repairs. He is willing to make adjustments and do basic work at no cost for all TeamCBC members, and says, "I'm willing to do more involved work at highly reduced prices when compared to local bike shops." Contact Fred to schedule a time to review your needs and potential cost.
Keep an eye out for him!
We will have a ride schedule up very soon, so please stay tuned for your Spring CBC ride soirees!
See you on the road.
