Friday, December 18, 2009

Layer Up

It was a little over a week off from my bike commute due to incessant ice accumulation and a bit of minor surgery.  So Wednesday - the coldest day of the season thus far - one that the only weather description given on the forecast was "blustery" - I put on some extra layers and jumped on my bike for the twelve mile ride to my office.  The first is always the hardest.  I must say it was not so bad and I recommend you give it a try.  If you have access to garments with "Windbloc" fabris - I recommend it as it will save a layer.  My recipe was two layers on the bottom, a light moisture wicking layer, a mid-weight top layer that preferably gives you neck coverage, a "Windbloc" fleece jacket, a balaclava and of course a helmet. The only real problem area is my eyes, as although I wear glasses (interchangeable lenses are optimum as it will probably be dark on your return trip - which means you will need light and rear blinkers - but that is a whole dofferent post) I still get alot of frozen tears until my head warms up. I would also recommend you bring an extra layer, I throw a mid-weight vest in my backpack, so that if you get cold on your ride you have something to cure that - if I do not wear it on the ride to - I definitely throw it on for the ride home when the sun has set.  As I say - the first journey is the hardest - which is a bonus as it was ten degrees colder on my ride in today then it was on Wednesday and I was fine.  Amazing that you can still sweat when the weather is in the low 20's.  Suit up - go out and ride on!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Bright Idea

As previously mentioned - we will be holding a light demo at the Bike Line in Allentown on Friday night.  Special bonus - 20% disocunt offered to anyone in attendance for purchase of new light system - valid for two weeks in case cash is a little tight at the moment.  If you are going to ride when the sun goes down - you really should invest in some lights for the sake of safety and it does not have to cost alot.  Join us - check them out - we will recommend a short loop from the shop so you can strap a set of lights on your bike and see how they work on the streets.  Come get enlightened.  Ride on!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Enlightened

Now that the clocks have "fallen back" the option of riding in the evening is waning for most.  Want to do something about that?  Have you always wondered about the many lighting options for your bike?  Now is the time to do something about it.  The monthly ride will feature a bike light demo sponsored by the Bike Line of Allentown (1728 Tilghman Street).  We mill meet at the shop between 5 and 5:30 on Friday November 13th.  Different types of lighting from low cost to high cost will be displayed and the reason for their cost variation will be explained.  We are setting up a short loop so that you can mount a light on your bike and see the light pattern it emits - you can come back to the starting point and try as many versions as time permits.  If you have your own tail light bring it along - if you do not have one there will be some available to borrow.  Come on out - tell you friends - get enlightened.  Ride on.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Monthly Ride

A little late on this - but it is on all other BikeAllentown sites.  Tonight is the monthly ride and it seems that Mother Nature may cooperate this time - rain early clearing late as opposed to the usual opposite.  Tonight's ride is a casual ride through Allentown with a variety of starting points. The first group will leave the Campus of Cedar Crest College's Blaney Hall at 4:45pm.  We will head out to meet the second group departing from Muhlenberg College's Seegers Union at 5:00pm. All shall head to meet the last group at The Ritz in the Allentown Fairgrounds at 5:15.  We will head out as a group at 5:30pm from the Ritz.  I hope you can join us.

The next scheduled ride is a new twist. We are going to head to the Allentown Art Museum on October 18th (a Sunday) to check out the newest exhibit - "A Force For Change : African American Art.  This ride will leave Muhlenberg College's Seegers Union at 1pm ( a group will also set out from Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall Township at noon if you are interested).  We will ride at a very leisurely pace to the Allentown Art Musuem.  Admission on Sundays is free but there is a $7.00 fee for the special exhibit. Many from the group are intending to stop for s warm beverage at Hava Java on 19th Street on the return trip.

Also look for the BikeAllentown crew in the Allentown Halloween Parade this year. More details on that to follow. We hope you join us. Ride on!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Happy Friday


Definitely feeling like fall fast.  Getting ready to jump on my bike requires a deeper thought process to make the choice between too hot and too cold - the layers definitely increasing.  Slowly the colors are beginning to turn and the smell of people stoking their fireplaces becomes more frequent.  I can think of no better way to get oneself in the spirit of the season than by attending an Oktoberfest.  As luck would have it - there is one right here in Allentown tomorrow - Saturday October 3rd - 19th Street North of Liberty from 12pm til 10pm.  Come out and support your community and warm your belly with some fine food and fine beverages.  If that is not enough to jump on the bike and head on out - this should get you there.  Folks from BikeAllentown will have a tent set up all day.  Stop by and say hi - share your thoughts or just stop and sit for awhile.  We look forward to meeting you.  Ride on!

Friday, September 25, 2009

No Seriously Folks


One does not always think of McDonalds and health/fitness synonymously - so going into yesterday's Tour de Fitness I really did not know what to expect.  After having participated with a number of other fellow cyclists I am not sure that there is enough room to describe all of the "feel good" moments of the day. First - Ronald really does ride a bike - and a unicycle - and juggles - and can do a handstand on three precariously stacked metal chairs. I am still laughing more than 24 hours later. It seems the current Ronald is a retired bike patrol police officer who has been to clown school and stunt school. The program that McDonalds and BikeLine have put together is both informative and entertaining. Each school was given a $1000.00 donation towards their physical education programs. We learned that McD's is the largest purchaser of apples in the U.S. - who knew? Participants in the rides between schools included Allentown Police Officers, Firemen, riders sponsored by BikeLine and of course some BikeAllentown folks. Ronald told the students the importance of exercise, nutrition and rest and then launched into some very entertaining bike tricks as well as some self abusive physical comedy. It was truly good for the soul to see the children so engaged in the presentation and being able to have some time away from their studies to not have to worry about anything else other than laughter. Props go to the Pricipals at all three schools as you can tell just by watching that they care about every student and seem to have worked very hard to have earned their respect. Great stuff. If the Tour comes back through next year I encourage anyone who has some extra time to join the ride - or at least take to the streets to watch it roll by. Ride on!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Biking Clown

Keep your eyes on the streets of Downtown Allentown tomorrow - 9/24 - as Ronald McDonald will be traveling to three schools by bike.  This is the second year for the program which proomotes cycling and physical fitness for school age children.  A few members of the Bike Allentown crew will be tagging along for the ride.  Festivities will begin at Cleveland Elementary (424 N. 9th St.) at approximately 9am - the group will then head towards McKinley Elementary (1124 Turner St.) and finish up at Central Elementary (829 Turner St.).  The ride will be supported by BikeLine Allentown.  I hear Ronald knows a few impressive bike tricks.  Honk if you see us and if you have free time in the morning feel free to join us for the ride.  Stay tuned for details on our bike light demo night and A sunday ride to the Allentown Art Museum.  Ride on!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Prime Riding Weather

As I ride my bike year round - I suppose all weather is riding weather.  That being said, I do not think much beats riding in the crisp cool air - keeping track of the leaves as they start to change colors and eventually make their way to the ground.  Bike Allentown business meeting tomorrow night at 7pm - 3rd floor City Hall - all are welcome.  We will hopefully get two rides planned for October so that we can take in the sites and smells of the season as a group.  Stay tuned.  Ride on!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Why?

Some do it for their health. Some do it out of necessity. Some do it because it is a passion from birth.  Some do it because it is cheaper than therapy.  Most do it for some combination of all those reasons.  Whatever your reason - we want to hear your voice.  Bike Allentown is a group of bicyclists that are dedicated to making bike riding more of a norm than an exception.  We feel that if you choose to go by bike not only should you not have to fear for your safety enroute to your destination, but that once you arrive you should have someplace to safely secure your steed.  Whether your motivation for cycling is recreation, transportation or necessity - we want to help you get the information you need to make it a pleasant experience.  Check our website at http://www.bikeallentown.com/ often.  Check our calendar for the dates of our monthly low pace scenic rides through Allentown, business meetings or if you prefer - more casual "brainstorming" sessions.  Tell all your bike riding buddies to check us out as well.  We hope to meet you soon.  Ride on.