Star Power and Another Bike Ride in Maine

Looks like Joe Cupo has a little competition. Both great events and both for a good cause.



Too bad The Demsey Challenge conflicts with the Cadillac Challenge Century Ride. I can't decide which one I'd rather do more!!

Dana

Sunday Ride?

Anyone sick of the trainer and dying for a real ride?

With temps predicted to be around 50-degrees Sunday it's very tempting.

Any takers? Leave the shop at 10am, ride the safety of Route 1 to at least Freeport, perhaps Brunswick, stop for coffee, and return the same way?

No hammering necessary. Just ride, enjoy the bike and the company of friends, with fingers crossed for an early spring.

What say you? (Comment here or send me an email.)

Dana

Spreading a Little Holiday Cheer

A few of us were successful in spreading a little holiday cheer last weekend.

Most of us dressed as reindeer, some might call us Antler People, with Tracey posing as Santa, complete with sleigh and presents.


In addition to riding two-by-two around the boulevard we made our way to the Old Port and Arts District to wish shoppers a Merry Christmas.



Of course we had to stop at the tree for a photo.


We were greeted with smiles, cheers, and honking horns (this time in a good way). It seemed we were well received and hope to make this an annual event.

Thanks to Richard, Paul and Don for taking great photos that I've posted on our Flickr site and to Rocky for shooting the video below.




Enjoy!!

Dana

A Letter from Santa

For those of you not involved with the Santa/Reindeer event that is taking place this weekend, and thus out of the string of emails going back and forth about said event, I thought I would share with you a message from our beloved Santa:

********************************************

To All:

I have been very quiet concerning these weekend plans. Apparently I won an election. I have been nominated, elected, appointed, and drafted to be CCCP's "Santa Claus". I wasn't running for this role, and am not at all certain about accepting this unpaid position. At the very least, we should all go into this with open eyes, and all should be very clear about expectations.

First. Are you all out of your minds?

Second. I personally hold Tracey Merrill responsible for any and all damages or injuries to myself, or others around me, that may result from my operating a bike, wearing Santa gear, being pulled, I guess, in some sort of sleigh device put together by a couple of unsupervised kids. This is an accident waiting to happen. I want a complete film record of this mess; to be used as evidence in any subsequent legal proceeding. The last thing I want to do on Dec 6, is show up at a local emergency room, with a broken collarbone, wearing a bad combination of biking attire and a Santa Claus outfit, and having to explain what exactly I was thinking of, and being forced to take a sobriety test, for obvious reasons. And let's remember this. If I show up at that emergency room, with probably seven or eight more of you, all of us injured and maimed, blood flowing freely, spoiling our holiday and biking attire, we are making national news; I'm thinking The National Enquirer, The Drudge Report and any other tabloid wanting to have more fun at the expense of cyclists

Third. No one is getting on my lap. No exceptions. Don't even ask. Just because I'm sitting, isn't a reason to be jumping onto my lap, throwing a wrestle hold around my neck., and reciting your list of god awful trinkets that you want me to deliver on XMAS eve.

Fourth. No photos, or a least no photos linking me to this event. Any photo captions are to list Claus as being played by Will Ferrell. The sun glasses will stay on during the entire time I am wearing anything red colored and fur lined.

Fifth. Their will be only one single, very short, and not very loud "HO HO HO". I will determine when that single HO HO HO is said. Pay attention, Otherwise, this Santa is mute, and I will have the ACLU in your face should you ask for more. A mute Santa Claus is perfectly acceptable and politically correct. My version of Santa is best played by Bela Lugosi, not Tim Allen.

Sixth. This is most likely not a family event. If any of you are inclined to bring drooling and obese children looking for Photo Ops, go to Macy's. Most children are scared of me, and my wearing a dime store Santa Claus outfit, will be a horror movie event. XMAS is not a time for terrorizing your kids. Keep the kids at a distance. Explain "Santa Claus is sick today, he can't talk, and had a tough Friday night". Throw in something about Santa being seen leaving Forest Gardens early in the morning. Tell them Forest Gardens is a rehab center. Confuse the hell out of them, and start lecturing them about substance abuse. XMAS time is the right time to introduce your children to a dysfunctional Santa. This whole thing is beginning to sound like a good idea.

Are we all set? Now, How do I get into these damn, fur lined, red pants?

If someone else wants this mess, it's all yours. Anyone want a recount?

Russ

One More Sunday Ride?

Is anyone planning to ride Sunday at 10am??

Christmas Spirit?

Hello all!

I was wondering if anyone would like to help me with a little project. I am thinking of putting together "Santa and his reindeer" (the cyclists version) for a ride and a photo op for a Christmas card. I am thinking reindeer antlers on our helmets, riding 2 by 2 with Rudolph up front, Santa in back. We would need a blinky red nose (wondering if my backlight might somehow hold to someone's nose). Jingle bells. Anyone have a tow along we could make into Santa's sleigh? I would love the photo op and anyone who wants can partake of the photo to share with others for your own Christmas card or something if you would like. Then we can ride around Back Cove, or longer depending how this whole thing turns out.

I know it sounds corny, but don't you think it would bring out a lot of smiles? :) We can do it some weekend in December, weather permitting. Please let me know if you would be interested. I am tired of writing my Christmas cards with "Nothing new. Work, bike, eat, sleep. Repeat."

Tracey

Range Road Reconstruction

Did anyone read about the Range Road Reconstruction in the Forecaster?

http://www.theforecaster.net/story.php?storyid=17034

If it goes ahead then we'll be looking at construction on that road all summer next year. The route might need to detour over Mountain Road for another season.

Dana

Movie Night Reminder

Bryan Lewis is hosting movie night at his place, 86 Bay View Drive, Portland, Saturday at 6:30 pm. The feature presentation for the evening will be Road to Roubaix. There will be home made pizza and apple crisp. Feel free to bring a snack to share as well as your preferred beverage.

Please RSVP to Bryan (bryan@maine.rr.com) so he will know how many people to expect.

Thanks. See you Saturday!!

Dana

Tour de France History Parts 1 - 12

Two hours of the History of the Tour de France:

Reminder: Sunday Ride (11/09)

Just a reminder about Sunday's ride: meet at the shop at 10am and we'll ride to Buck's Naked BBQ in Freeport for lunch. Hope you can join us!

Dana

What is 'Cross?

Yesterday Stephanie Chase forwarded a comical video from her teammates, C-Todd, Seth, Kim and Tom, to enlighten everyone on what goes on in a racer's mind during these events. Thanks Steph for forwarding it!

Enjoy!!

Sunday Ride, 11/09

We had a terrific ride Sunday (11/02). There were 11 of us that rode off to Yarmouth, with a stop at the Royal Bean for some coffee, then most of us kept on going to Freeport and back.

Along the way back, Deke suggested a Sunday ride to Buck's Naked BBQ in Freeport for lunch.

Personally, I thought it was a GREAT idea! I hope you do too.

Let's plan on meeting at the shop at 10am Sunday, November 9th (weather permitting) and we'll make our way to Freeport. Bucks Naked opens at 11am so that will be perfect timing!

If you need more enticing, check out the MENU. Yummmmmmm!!

Dana

Sunday Ride, 11/02

The weather looks sunny, albeit chilly, for Sunday. Meet at the shop at 10am for a nice little jaunt? (Casual, no-drop pace!)

Feel free to make a route suggestion if you have a preference. Come prepared: water, possibly food, and money in the event there is a coffee stop along the way.

Don't forget that the clocks are set back Saturday night / Sunday morning. (Don't arrive at the shop an hour early because you forgot!)

Dana

Masi Guy in Portland!

Some of you might be familiar with Masi Guy, Tim Jackson. Even if you don't ride a Masi, you might read his blog.

Well, as it turns out the blogger celebrity was at Back Bay Bicycle Friday as part of dealer visits.


I only wish I could have been there to meet him in person. Masi guy rocks!

Dana

Brithday Wishes

Please join me in wishing Patrick Steiner a very happy birthday today!

Happy Birthday, Patrick!

Dana

New Club Logo?

Most of you probably saw the email from Kris regarding a proposed new CCCP logo, designed by Robert Oliver.

We'd really like people to weigh in with their thoughts about it. Please make a comment here on the blog (then everyone can see the comment). If you'd prefer, you can send Kris or me an email with your comments.


Options with the new logo (Kris is also advocating for some beer glasses):

Thanks to Robert for his efforts!! Don't forget to comment!

Dana

Pineland 'Cross Photos

It was a beautiful day on the campus of Pineland Farms and a terrific day for some great cyclocross racing.

You can see all our photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/collections/72157608145920658/

Dana

Sunday Ride

If you are interested in riding Sunday, be at the shop at 10am. Not sure where, or for how long. We can decide on a route once everyone is assembled. Come prepared. See you then!

Dana

PS Happy Birthday to Greg Fisher today! (Sorry for the late birthday wish.)

Movie Night!

Bryan and Janice Lewis have offered their home and 100-inch TV screen for an end of season movie night on Saturday, November 15th at 6:30pm. The feature presentation will be Road to Roubaix.



A subsequent feature may be shown after Road to Roubaix.

Home-made pizzas will be provided and you are encouraged to bring an appetizer or snack to share, as well as the beverage of your choice. There is seating for 9 as well as the floor that will hold more. It is recommended that you RSVP to Bryan so he knows how many to expect.

Hope to see you there!

Dana

Erdinger Grand Prix of Gloucester

Don and I drove to Gloucester, MA for the Erdinger Grand Prix of Gloucester cyclocross race. Here are some photos of Robert Anderson during the race:















Robert wasn't the only familiar face in the races throughout the day. We took pictures of Chris LaFlamme, Jurgen Nebelung (aka Spiderman), Dave Shedd and Jeff Dixon of Base36, Steve Bryant and Paul Neihoff of SMCC, Stephanie Chase of International Bicycle/Global, and Marianne Stover of Independent Fabrication/Cyclemania. There were also riders from PVC and Bikeman but I didn't know who they were.

You can check out all our photos from the day by clicking HERE. And if you see any of the above mentioned riders anytime soon, ask them about the race. I'm sure they will have some interesting stories to tell.

There is the Downeast Cyclocross Race at Pineland Farms next Saturday, October 18th. We'll be there to cheer on the local guys and gals. Hope to see you there!

Dana

Cadillac Challenge Century Recap

A great time was had by all in Bar Harbor. Here are some photos to prove it:

This was our entertainment for the evening - a local bagpiper who plays Saturdays across from The Colony on a ledge overlooking the ocean:













Then it was time to grill some food, drink some beer and tell some stories. I think here Russ was explaining that he wouldn't be using a cue sheet for the ride the next day, but using his extraordinary powers of direction through the use of the celestial bodies. How did that work out for you, Russ??













Consider this eating by candlelight:













The morning of the ride was chilly, as you might deduce by the jackets worn by the riders. It was a hilly ride so thanks to the sun and the climbing, we all warmed up pretty quickly.













A few members approaching the first CCCP rest stop where the century riders and metric century riders would part ways:

























Here are the metric century riders at their first official rest stop in Northeast Harbor:














Richard and John at the second rest stop for the century riders Northeast Harbor:













And the last few remaining riders at the top of Cadillac at the end of the day:













I think I speak for many when I say the the weekend was perfect - good food, friends, weather and scenery. What could be better??

Let's hope we can continue these fall rides starting this Sunday. Anyone up for a ride Sunday at 10am from the shop? (Weather permitting of course.)

The Bike Shop to Close up Shop

If you haven't already heard, The Bike Shop will be closing it's doors due to lack of funding:

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/033771.html

A shame really. For any of you who know Matt, he's done wonders for these kids. I'm sure they are all going to truly miss him and this wonderful program.

Thanks to all of you who helped to make Matt's program a success over the years, either by volunteering or through donations.

Bar Harbor Bar-b-que

For those of you going to Bar Harbor Saturday and staying at The Colony, we will have hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, peanuts and beer. I will make a cole slaw to go along with the BBQ items. I invite you to also bring a dish or dessert to share if possible.

The weather looks great for a terrific ride Sunday. The sun will be shining, the temperatures cool and comfortable, and the leaves will be colorful.

See you this weekend!

Dana

Sunday Ride Cancelation

Due to Kyle's predicted path it doesn't look good for the ride tomorrow.

I guess I'll have to clean my house instead.

Dana

Reminders

CCCP End of Season Party

Scheduled for Wednesday, 9/24, at the home of Shannon and Rick Goduti, 20 Middle Road, Falmouth. There will be balloons on the mail box, making it easier for you to locate. The club will provide burgers/hot dogs/chicken, chips, and beverages. We ask everyone to contribute a salad, side dish, or dessert. All club members and friends of the club are invited. Party starts at 6pm and runs until approximately 9pm.

All Fall Mid-Week Rides

All mid week rides now start at 5pm. This applies to Monday and Thursday nights. The women's ride has been discontinued for the season. Saturday morning rides still depart at 8am.

Cadillac Mountain Challenge

We have about 20 club members planning to ride the Cadillac Mountain Challenge on October 5th, a 100-mile or 72-mile route in the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island are that include the climb up Cadillac Mountain.

If you are interested in riding it, the club is staying at The Colony in Hulls Cove Saturday night, less than a mile from the start/finish of the ride. Some are staying Sunday night as well.

Portsmouth Crit

Don and I made the drive to Portsmouth to watch the crit Sunday. All the races were great, especially the men's Pro/1/2/3. We managed to take some great pictures, including this one of the local boys after the race:


(Jeff, Ralph, Ben, Chris, and Jurgen.)


And this photo of Cody Harris in action:


(Cody actually won the first prem available that day. Great job!)


Feel free to check out all the photos on our flickr page:

Men's Cat 4 race: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607423041171/detail/

Women's race: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607419691756/detail/

Men's Pro/1/2/3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmcewan/sets/72157607421421754/detail/

Dana

Cadillac Mt. Training Ride

Anyone interested in a "training ride" for the Cadillac Mt. Challenge? I thought perhaps a ride to Brunswick might be in order. How about Sunday, 9/28 and depart from BBB at 10am? Anyone is welcome and hopefully this will also include many of us that are participating in the Bar Harbor Ride. Please let me know if you might be interested. This could also be the start of the Sunday morning rides. If I don't hear from anyone then I'll assume there is no interest and I'll go do some hill work on my own.

Thanks!

Dana
dmcewan@maine.rr.com

It's Almost that Time

Wednesday Night Ride

If you typically ride Wednesday nights from the South Portland High School, please email Tracey. She's looking to move the ride to 5pm but would like your feedback.

Thanks.

New Discussion Board

As good as the Blog is for posting information to keep all our members and non-members up-to-date with rides and events, I thought it was time to start a discussion board.

We have talked about this for a while now but it's never come to fruition for a couple reasons. Our intent was to make this blog a way for people to comment on news and information but it doesn't seem to be working that way.

The discussion board is for all riders to communicate more effectively with other members and perhaps non-members. Please feel free to use this discussion board to post news items or rides you'd like to organize. However, it is our intent that this be a positive form of communication. We are a community club and we want to make sure we keep that spirit in mind when posting.

There are a couple ways to stay informed of posting on the discussion board:

1.) Use the RSS feed in Google Reader. This is most effective and is updated readily with all your subscriptions. (I use this to digest a lot of sites throughout the day and it's very effective and efficient.)

2.) Subscribe through email notification. This isn't quite as effective but it will notify you once a day (midnight I think) on new messages that have been added to the site.

3.) Keep checking back regularly.

Keep in mind that this blog is not being replaced by the discussion board. This blog will still be updated regularly with pertinent information, newsletters. So don't forget to keep checking back here - or better yet, add it to your Google Reader if you haven't done so already!

Now, go look at the discussion board. You can find it here:

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/241638.html

Thanks!

Dana

End of Season Party - September 24th

Yes, we know there's still plenty of more riding left in the season but we thought we'd try having the end of season party a little earlier this year than last year's.

So please mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 24th at 6pm. We are fortunate that Rick and Shannon Goduti have agreed to host this event and their home is located at 20 Middle Road, Falmouth. (This is right before the Rebecca Way granite sign when headed north on Route 9 from Portland to Falmouth. Everyone should know this from the group rides.)

The club will provide beverages (beer, wine & sodas) and burgers/hot dogs/chicken/veggie burgers. We request that everyone attending bring a salad or dessert to share.

Whether you are a club member or a friend of the club, all are invited to attend.

We do, however, respectfully request you reply to either Kris Clark or Dana McEwan so we can anticipate how many will be attending.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Kris Dana
kris@gwi.net dmcewan@maine.rr.com

Lance's Return to Cycling

With the recent buzz regarding Lance Armstrong's return to cycling, we have created a new poll for you to chime in on. Check it out on the right ----------------------------------------------->

Bike Crash

Did anyone watch the US Pro Championship over the weekend? If so, you probably saw this crash. It was an odd crash with the rider on his right sneaking up on him and catching him off guard. I have to say, that probably would have happened to me.

SUNDAY HILLS RIDE

SUNDAY HILLS


Greg Fisher and I announce the SUNDAY HILL ride for tomorrow, Sept 7. This is scheduled to start just after the deluge ends. Meet at the Back Bay shop at Noon, with bike in vehicle. We will car pool and drive to the Park and Ride area at the Gray turnpike exit. We expect to leave that park area on bikes between 12:45 to 1PM. We head to the Raymond hills, then Poland, E Poland, New Gloucester, Pownal, N Yarmouth and end back in Gray; see http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/me/gray/1205846035
If link doesn’t work, the route is mapped at Map My Ride under RussB rides labeled “Portland Velo Raymond Loop to/fr Gray Maine”. The ride is 51 plus miles, and hilly; no long climbs, but lots and lots of ups and downs, and some sweet steep spots. We regroup constantly.

Kris Clark, last fall, called this one of the best rides of 2007. For weather updates, questions, advice call Greg at 232-6871, or Russ at 807-6267. Ride, and start time, may be delayed for rain let-up.

Russ

Group Ride Time Change Reminder

Just a reminder that all mid-week rides now leave at 5:30pm from Back Bay Bicycle on Forest Ave. This includes the Monday night ride, Tuesday night women's ride, Wednesday night recovery ride (this one leaves from the South Portland High School on Highland Ave and follows the Prout's Neck loop ride), and the Thursday night ride (Dutton Hill).

Saturday morning rides will still leave at 8am.

The apres ride events have come to a close so post-ride consumption of recovery drinks (beer and wine) will return to Forest Gardens.

There are many club riders interesting in participating in the Cadillac Mountain Challenge in Bar Harbor on October 5th. If you are considering joining the club for this event, please email Kris Clark (kris@gwi.net).

See you on the road!

Why Bicyclists Hate Stop Signs

In a recent post on Cyclelicious, Fritz linked this article. I thought it was worthwhile to post here, even though it was written several years ago. (Click on each image for a larger view of the page. Read left to right.)

The most important line in this article, in my opinion is: "Indeed, traffic flow is improved where cyclists do not come to a complete stop, for drivers need not wait long for the bikes to clear the intersection." Could you imagine the uproar by drivers who would have to wait for 35 - 50 cyclists to each stop at all the stop signs in Payson Park on a Monday or Thursday night ride?

Serious Cycle Training Comes to Maine

SERIOUS CYCLE TRAINING COMES to MAINE


I was riding south east down Rte 5, just outside Lyman, around 8AM this morning. I was enjoying the Rte 5 generous break down lane, the flat road ahead, and a bit of tail wind. The arm warmers were on, and the Fall season was in the air.

Coming up to me, going north west, in the opposite lane of traffic, was a sight to behold; never before seen by myself during my many biking miles in Maine. On the opposite side of Route 5 was a motorbike motor pacing a cyclist, both going at a clip of about 25-30 miles pre hour. The cyclist was wearing a team kit, which I couldn’t identify, with a lot of orange color. Their was no doubt this was a motor pace event. The motor bike was a few feet ahead of the cyclist, very deliberately in the break down lane, and they were a pair. They had come up from Biddeford [apparently], and were heading north west. I had sighted the biking equivalent of a mountain lion sighting. You’ll have to believe me, no photos are available. I was there, I saw it. Serious cycling has come to Maine.

Russ

A New Monday Night Record

Kris reported 50 riders on this week's Monday Night Ride - a new record! Thanks to all the riders that showed up for this historic event!

The apres ride hosted by John Tabb was also well attended.

Thanks to all for making these apres rides happen. They were enjoyed by many this summer. Don't forget that next week it's back go Forest Gardens. (We hear we have been missed there!)

Richard Hutchins

Many you know Richard Hutchins as the tall lean rider that's hard to keep up with on many of the group rides, especially when the road turns upward. But some might not know he is an artist first and a cyclist second. (Or at least we presume it's in that order.)

Russ found this great article in the current issue of Portland Magazine. It's been scanned, cropped and posted here for all to read. (If you have a hard time reading it, just click each section for a larger view.)

A Flat is Just a Flat

A poem by Al Carp:

Riding down the street one day I get a flat

Got it, changed it; that was that

Picked up some glass: pain in the ass

But heck, a flat is just a flat

Next day just a quick spin

Another day another flat

Was this one a rock, or maybe a pin?

Is Middle Road almost done?

Five weeks? Two weeks or maybe just one?

Well heck, a flat is just a flat

Tomorrow comes another day

What’s going to get in my way?

A broken spoke! What can I say

Get pissed off, throw my bottles in the bay!

Toss my bike across the lawn, not in the mood to play

Screw it, a flat is just a flat

Today nothing can go wrong

Put on my headphones, listen to my favorite song

Riding down 88, careful not to hate

Wankers yelling from their cars

Then just like that

Damn! My eighth friggin' flat!

New Mavic wheels, Vittoria Tires too

Five hundred bucks down the drain

No more feeling blue

Gonna save me some hurt and pain

Ain’t even gonna talk about the month of rain

What happens next?

I ride down Tuttle Road, some redneck throws crap at me out his window, get honked at, almost run off the road, hit damn unmarked new road construction and trash my new “indestructible ksyrium overpriced piece of crap rear wheel” have to go pay $225 for a new one plus buy a new cassette and chain, have to miss my ride today because it takes extra time to change them out 'cuz mavic ships with Japanese hubs (and who puts Japanese hubs on an Italian frame?), can’t get a date because I am pissed off all the time because I am spending so much money on my bike, have to go back to school next week and spend my time writing stupid poems about my flat tires!

Look What I Found

This photo is on the reader gallery section of Velo News:

http://www.velonews.com/photo/62836

Dana

Ride Updates and More

Starting Next Thursday, August 28th, ride will leave at 5:30pm

Ride Monday, Aug 26th will be the last 6pm ride of summer.

After that Monday rides will leave at 5:30 (No official ride the following Monday due to Labor Day, but if folks want to show up at 5:30pm and ride by all means do.)

Tuesday Womens's ride and the Wednesday ride (from South Portland High School) will start leaving at 5:30 after Labor Day and continue until mid-September.

Saturday rides continue at 8am.

Monday's and Thursday rides will continue into November, weather permitting.

Now that we are heading into fall it is time to start up the Sunday morning rides again. They were such a blast last year.

Here is how they work: each week a different club member designs a route and lead the ride. Usually they leave around 10 from the shop but they don't have to. Longer rides or departing from other locations are acceptable.

So dig out your maps or go to MapMyRide.com and design your dream ride, then pick a Sunday in the next 2 or 3 months and send start time location and approximate distance to me (kris@gwi.net) and Dana (dmcewan@maine.rr.com) so we can post information in newsletter and on our blog site.

Also it is time for our Annual CCCP End of the Year Party which we want to do in September this year. We are looking for someone with a yard and friendly neighbors to host it. CCCP will pay for expenses and food will be potluck. Date of event is flexible.

Don't forget that Loon Echo is coming up Sat, Sept 20th:
http://loonecholandtrust.org/html/hike_n__bike_trek.html

and Cadillac Challenge century on October 5th:
http://web.mac.com/zorbathegeek/Cadillac/Home.html
(A group of us are talking about going up to Bar Harbor Sat 4th and staying in a motel or rent a place then riding on Sunday. Let me know if you might be interested. These are the 2 prettiest centuries in Maine!)

A special thanks to Greg Fisher, Richard Hutchins, Russ Boisvert, Rick & Shannon Goduti, and Bryan Lewis for hosting the last several apres rides in their back yards. This has been a nice touch to our fun Monday night rides. This week ends the apres ride series and will be hosted by John Tabb. Meet at the shop after the ride and we'll ride together to John's, who doesn't live far from the shop. After Labor Day we'll head back to Forest Gardens for the apres ride festivities, where we hear we are missed by the bartender.

Mt. Washington Climb

Club sponsor and fellow rider, Dan Emery, climbed Mt. Washington on Saturday flying the club colors. Below are photos of Dan's climb. One is at about 6000 feet and the other is of him on the final climb of 22% grade. He claims it was a great ride. His goal was to make it to the top without getting off the bike, which he managed to do. Congratulations!!

Olympic Men's Road Race

In the event you need a little entertainment during a 6 1/2 hour recovery period following a hard ride, or perhaps some distractions while on the trainer during the off season, click on the link for the full coverage of the Men's Road Race in Beijing. (Note: select the Road Race, not the Highlights.) Beware, I understand there is no commentary to the video, though I haven't seen it yet to know. I'm going to save it for a rainy day.

Enjoy!

Dana

Saco Crit - August 23

Hey Community Cycling Club of Portland Members and Friends!

The folks at SMCC are looking for volunteers for the Saco Crit to be held Saturday, August 23rd. If you are interested in volunteering at all, either all day or part of the day, check out the information here:

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=107997;article=11524;title=Southern%20Maine%20Cycling%20Club

Dana

Sunday Coffee Ride - 8/17

During last week's coffee ride Russ spotted Fog Cutter Coffee Shop on the corner of Blackstrap and Route 100. I had heard about a coffee shop in that area but didn't know where it was.

So we decided that this Sunday we should go check it out. We'll leave the shop at 8am and head that way via some method of Blackstrap Road, which might include Brook and Mountain Roads too but we'll see how everyone is feeling that morning.

So mark your calendars and plan to set your alarm (if you need one) to be up and ready to ride for some Sunday morning Joe!

Dana

Sunday Morning Coffee Ride!

Meet at Back Bay Bicycle at 8am Sunday morning. I'm suggesting two routes to choose from:

1.) Prout's Neck loop with a stop at Scratch Bakery, either before or after the loop ride. (The upside to Scratch is the pastries for breakfast - yummy! The downside is there is no seating.)

2.) Ride to Maine Roasters Coffee in Yarmouth. After fueling on caffeine we'll ride out Rt. 115, down Rt 9 to Blanchard and Skillings onto Blackstrap to Portland.

Feel free to chime in as to which direction you'd prefer to take. We can also take a poll at the shop in the morning. For those who are not up for a ride longer than to the coffee shop and back, you are not obligated to continue on for a longer ride.

Hope to see you in the morning!

Dana

Olympic Cycling Coverage

If you are planning on watching Olympic Cycling you should be aware that the road race might be postponed due to smog:

http://cyclingresults.net/2008/08/09/breaking-news-olympic-road-race-could-be-postponed-due-to-smog/

And to think the Chinese government was offended when cyclists showed up wearing masks....

Weekend Ride?

It's been far too long since I've been on my bike and I'm pining for a ride. Anyone planning a ride this weekend? The weather looks like it's going to be a little better than the week - not much but a little. We should at least make the Sunday coffee ride happen!

Dana

Newsletter - July 30, 2008

In the area of cool CCCP news, BICYCLING Magazine sent a photographer yesterday to take photos of CCCP's Tuesday night Women's ride for their feature in the back called Finish so look for it next month.

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Great ride with perfect weather this last Monday with some 40 riders showing up. The Shipyard Summer Ales, Tiki lamps, hot dogs, Chex Mix and cool new bamboo fencing after the ride provided by this weeks Monday host Richard Hutchins were sublime. Russ Boisvert expressed concern that Richard was upping the ante for post ride entertaining just be fore Russ' turn to host this coming Monday. Have no fear, Russ, as long as the there is cold beer (oh yeah, and a nice red for Dana) no one will even notice. Don't forget that Forest Garden is our baseline for decor! (Rick Goduti and Shannon will host the week after that.)

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So here is the plan for Thursday, a new, but actually old route for the ride that I have come up with. It is about the same distance, 37 miles, has plenty of climbing, much less traffic and fewer traffic lights, most of the same route including Dutton and a safer descent off of Blackstrap. (Regroups at top of Field Rd (brief), Cumberland Fair Grounds on Blanchard Road.)

So here it is: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/me/portland/235230092

Check attached map, but primary differences from original Thursday route is that we turn left off of Blanchard onto Skillins Road from Blanchard going out and coming back we take left off of Blackstrap down Mountain Rd instead of coming down Blackstrap. As usual, caution and group safety are strongly urged on this descent and especially the turn onto Brook Road.

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Kris is planning on a 50+/- ride Sunday morning (8/03) at 10am from the shop . Drop him an email if you are interested.

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Lastly, since Mondays and Thursdays have become so large and popular, we need to make a greater effort to ride single or double file, especially when leaving and entering Portland, while on major roads (Ocean/Rte 9, Baxter Boulevard, Main Street & Greeley Road in Cumberland, even Blackstrap and especially whenever someone yells "Car Back". Last Monday a cop was sitting right at the light as we entered Cumberland off of Tuttle. Despite yells of car back we were often 3 abreast through town with him following us the way through town and all the way down Greeley. He gave us a warning when we reached Middle Road, as did another less polite driver a mile or 2 later.

It does not help the image of clubs, or cycling in general, when taking up the road on group rides. If we all gently remind each other now and again, we will allow cars to pass and we will all be safer.

Sunday Coffee Ride at 8AM

SUNDAY JULY 27 COFFEE RUN/RIDE

Greg and Russ, after a day in the Whites on Saturday, are leading a coffee ride to Yarmouth on Sunday morn. Start time is 8AM, from the tennis courts at Payson Park, Portland. After the Yarmouth stop, any or all or none of us can decide to continue riding farther [but maybe not faster], or returning to Portland. This is an ideal ride for our Urban Epic riders, or anyone recovering from a long Saturday ride in the heat and sun.

Russ

Urban Epic Cheering Squad Needed

As many of you might be aware, the Urban Epic is taking place this weekend. Many of our fellow riders are participating in this event. I propose we gather at Back Bay Bicycle at 7am to ride to the East End and set up shop along the route to cheer our comrades on!

The race kicks off with the swim at 7am. That should hopefully give us enough time to get to the East End. If not, perhaps we should set up closer to the Boulevard to watch the riders pass.

Please chime in and let me know what option you prefer. Be sure to wear your club kit so we’ll be noticeable to our friends!

Dana

Yarmouth Clam Festival Race

Some of the club members rode to the Yarmouth Clam Festival Sunday to watch the bike race.

Along the way we rode with a nice young man from Boston by the name of Colin who was headed to the race to participate. He had stayed in Portland and was on his way to the race when he came upon us in Falmouth. He rode with us from Falmouth to Yarmouth and we felt priveledged for his company and we hope he felt the same.

During the men's race there was a phenomenal solo break on the main field for many laps. He was a professional bike racer from Kelly Benefit by the name of Justin Spinelli. His finish was quite impressive and as you can imagine he won the race, and by a significant margin.

(Start line photo.)

Click here for more photos and here for video.

Sunday Morning Coffee Ride??

Several of us on the Sunday ride to the Yarmouth Clam Festival Bike Race thought about making a trip to a coffee shop via bike on Sunday mornings a routine affair.

So we ask you: Would you have any interest in this event? We'd leave the shop at either 7:30 or 8am and ride someplace for coffee. We don't have to make it a long or hard ride. We can vary the coffee stop location and worst case we just go to Maine Roasters Coffee in Yarmouth. Another nice spot is to go to Scratch Bakery at Willard's Square, though this is best on a sunny day as there is no seating inside. Suggestions for other coffee spots are welcome.

So chime in and let us know your thoughts.

Thanks!

L'Alpe-d'Huez

Stage 17 of the 2008 Tour de France on Wednesday could very well decide the winner of this year's Tour.



Two years ago this mountain top finish was included in the Tour. Who can forget the face of Frank Schlek as he crossed the line alone? Can he repeat and claim the stage win at the top of Alpe d'Huez again?


Wednesday evening there will be a group of people gathering for drinks and to watch this epic stage of the tour at Rivalries. Come join us - but no spoilers please. If you find out the winner early in the day, please keep the news to yourself as others might not know.

ADDENDUM: Meet at Rivalries at 8pm. That's when the coverage starts!

Conway Ride Photo

Al and friends had a great day for the ride in North Conway, which included Bear Notch. Below is a picture from the top:

David Reese, Jody King, Erich Reitenbach, John Cannon and Al Carp.