Ironman Report

MN Ironman Bike Ride - Sunday

Good luck to those riding the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride tomorrow.  The forecast looks like typical Ironman weather.  Bring plenty of clothing for cold & wet riding!

Forecast - Sunday (4/26)

6am 42°F Feels like 35°F	8am 43°F Feels like 36°F	10am 44°F Feels like 36°F
12pm 45°F Feels like 38°F	2pm 48°F Feels like 42°F	4pm 53°F Feels like 49°F
Sunrise: 6:10 AM     Sunset: 8:14 PM

Sounds like a call-out to me!

Hey Schoneman!

SaturdayRide: 7AM at Trailhead.  Rain, Shine, or Whatever...

Weekly Rides Underway

Weekly rides are happening from the Champlin area Monday through Thursday and Saturdays*.

Rides depart from the parking lot in front of Trailhead Cycling located behind the Dairy Queen located on the east side of Hwy 169 & 114th Ave.

Rides start at 5:30PM each weeknight (M-TH) and Saturdays (*as announced until something regular gets established).   Any changes to times or routes are typically announced via the mail list.

Best Wishes to Paul!

Best wishes to our friend and fellow cyclist Paul Sarver who in an earlier message to the mail list stated: "I will ride in spirit only this year as I am out of town for a while".

Well, in this case "out of town" means Iraq.  Paul deploys with other MN Guardsman later this week.

Be careful, be safe, and we'll miss you Paul.  Hopfuly we can get a blog update from Iraq!   

Minnesota's Red Bull Infantry heads to Iraq

Early Season & Group Riding

For everyone who is getting ready for anotrher cycling season OR their first cycling seasn here is my best advice on early season training and group rides. 

DO NOT be intimidated by how you think you will do or your perceptions of what you think the group will do. It's not a competition. There is no performance expectations, NOBODY is there to judge your performance. Group rides are for gaining fitness & skills and to enjoy doing it with each other. The most respected rider is always the one who keeps trying.

If you are very early in your fitness development for the season I would still encourage you to take advantage of a group ride. Even if you know you are not going to complete the ride with the group, make a point of starting with them. Challenge yourself by riding as long as you can with the group and then peel off and complete the ride on your own. Just let someone in the group (group leader) know of your intentions.

Don't wait until you think your fitness level is good enough to keep up with the group - start riding with a group as early and often as possible. As the season goes on the fitness level of a group progresses as a whole, the group, as a whole, will begin riding faster & faster. Trying to join a group ride later in the season is actually more difficult than doing it early in the season, regardless of your fitness level.

It's a fact that everyone is at a different level of fitness at this time of year. Contrary to what you might think a group can benefit all fitness levels at the same time. All riders in the group do not need to be of equal abilities. Riders with higher fitness levels can lead (pull) longer and gain benefit, riders still developing their fitness levels can benefit by taking shelter in the group yet gaining the fitness they need.

Early season group rides should make a point of staying together. This will work to benefit the fitness & moral of everyone. If (when) the group strings out, make a point of regrouping. Use road intersections or direction changes to do so. Hammering a section of road is fine, but not when you never look back and explode the group, remember, we are riding as a group for a reason.

And as always, things to remember:

* Dress for the weather
* Bring water & food
* Bring tube, patch kit & pump
* Cell phone
* Have fun

Best wishes to everyone for the upcoming season. Have fun & BE SAFE.