Sweet Onion Cyclists News
Vidalia, Georgia
www.letsride.net
Aug-Sept 2001
updated September 28, 2001
Whew!  It's late but its GREAT!!!
No, you didn't miss the Augustt Newsletter or the September.  This is both editions rolled into one awesome newsletter.  Abe wrote most of it.  Royce Smith, Dave Sanderson and Lamar contributed reports you're sure to enjoy.  The Tour de France pictures are borrowed.  Hey, as an unfortunate as it is, we simply didn't have enough money in the treasury to send me to France. Maybe next year. Ann Erickson provided the Historic Savannah Bikefest pics.

By the way, this is YOUR newsletter, so please write up your favorite rides or announcements or classified ads and send them to Lamar or Abe.  Here are the shortcuts for this big edition:
 
 

Reports of past events: Coming Events:

The Tour de France 2001
by Abe Glaser
 
What can be said about Lance Armstrong that has not already been said?  How do most Americans view him and his accomplishments?  Most Americans are aware of him now that he has won three Tours de France.  Some know he came back from  testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. In Lances's book, Its Not About the Bike, he writes, "When I was well again, I asked Dr. Nichols what my chances really were.  'You were in bad shape,' he said. He told me I was one of the worst cases he had seen. I aked, 'How bad was I? Worst fifty percent?' He shook his head.  'Worst twenty percent?' He shook his head again. 'Worst ten?' He still shook his head. When I got to three percent, he started nodding.' More on the angry boy with his hair on fire in a moment.
The few of us who were able to watch the coverage by OLN of the Tour were privileged to see the American Postal team the “Posties,” as they are affectionately called by Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett, deliver the “goods,” as it were.  With the telecast by OLN we could see more of the race but fewer viewers had the channel and therefore less Americans saw the race.

The American cycling team has finally put down the naysayer in the European press.  The Telecom Team with their great stars, Jan Ulrich, winner of the 1997 Tour de France, many stage victories and Erik Zabel at that time winner of the Green Jersey 5 times plus many stage victories, were the team to beat.

Van
de
Velde		 In the first few stages, the Postal Team seemed to struggle but they hung in there and by the team time trial they came together even with a terrible crash where Christian Van de Velde hit the wheel of the bike ahead of him and as he fell took down Roberto Heras.  Both men recovered and remounted their bikes.  Team leader Lance Armstrong made the decision to wait for them to catch up by slowing the pace.  The time of the first five riders of a team is counted on the time of the fifth rider.  The guys caught up and Postal went on to gain time on Team Telecom even though they could have gained more time had Lance pushed on.
Roberta
Heras

Early in the race Fancois Simon of Team Bonjour took the lead.  Then came Stuart O’Grady of Credit Agricole who held the lead for several stages.  There were many heroes and many shining stars both new and old.  Laurent Jalabert came from nowhere to gain the king of the Mountains Jersey.  Bobby Julich, the American riding for Credit Agricole won stages.  The real powers lurked to mid-pack, Lance Armstrong, first in 2000, Jan Ulrich, second in 2000, Jesoba Beloki, the Spaniard from Team Once, third last year and Andrei Kivilev a young strong rider from Kazakstan who will make his mark on the Tour in the future.
 
Lance had shown some class when he held up the team to wait for the two fallen teammates.  More was yet to come.  In modern stage racing over three weeks with just two rest days, no one man wins by himself.  Even a powerhouse like Jan Ulrich can not win without a good or great team.  The podium seekers held back their energy for the mountain stages for that is where the race would be won.  As long as the breakaway riders were not a threat to take the GC or General Classification, they could hammer to their harts content.  Let a man move to the front who would place in the top ten, then the big boys would stop taking it easy and ride to the front. 

Stage racing is very specialized these days and it will get more so as the money increases.  There are many slices to the pie but the biggest one is for the Yellow Jersey. 
Update: 2nd Place - 2001 Tour de France
 The best rider on a team is pulled along by the team in a paceline.  That way the top man is always the most refreshed and ready to go if necessary.  The rest of the team takes its turn at pulling the paceline.  The flatlands are ruled by the sprinters.  Many times these are big men like Abraham Olano, Erik Zabel or Mario Cippolini who was not in this Tour.  His team, Saeco, was not invited this year.

The mountain stages are won by small men like Marco Pantani of Team Mercatone Uno.  Pantani, a previous winner of the Tour de France and The Giro de Italia, was not invited this year due to a history of doping.  The overall race is usually won by an average sized man like Lance, Lauent Jalabert or Francois Simon.

To take the overall, you must do well in the sprints, time trails.  You must be a very good climber and you must have the heart of a lion.  Last but most important, you must finish the race!  This is the main reason you will hear the announcers talking about staying out of trouble.  The winner need not win a lot of stages, he must accumulate enough points and have the lowest time to win the General Classification. So winning  a Tour of three weeks and over 2,100 miles, takes teamwork, a great captain and very good support.

This Tour de France was won in the mountains.  Lance Armstrong can climb but so can his rivals.  Jan Ulrich, although his riding style is totally different from Armstrong can climb very well.  Ulrich rides a big gear.  He is most times in his big ring when many other riders could not handle the pain this puts your thighs though.  Lance Armstrong has been taught to spin by his coach Chis Carmichael. When a cyclist spins he has clicked down some gears and his pedals are going around faster.  This saves the wear and tear so to speak.  After years of training you gain speed and use less energy to get the higher speed you desire.  Lance has mastered this technique to perfection.
 
By now we have all heard of Lance’s playing possum on Stage 13 where he looked like he was in trouble.  As this writer watched it appeared that Armstrong might be suffering from heat exhaustion.  He was to the rear of the peloton and Ulrich was up front with his whole team.  Ulrich was not in supreme control; pain was on his sweat stained face as he ground up the Alp de Huez, the final peak for this long mountain stage.  He was way ahead of Lance Armstrong and Lance was 35 minutes behind Stuart O’Grady the leader.   We were stunned to see Lance Armstrong just behind Ulrich.  Lance came from nowhere and yet there he was.  Now he moved to the front and Lance turned and gave the now famous, “Look.” 
n an interview later Armstrong said words to the effect, he did not give Ulrich the evil-eye.  Lance said, “he just wanted to look over the field and see who was there.  He did want to look into Ulrich’s eyes to see if he had anything left.  Many interpreted the, “Look,” as, "are you coming?"

Lance Armstrong took off.  He put the hammer down.  There was no team now.  There was no coach, no director sportif.  It was get to the finish as fast as you could go.  Everyone was taken by surprise.  A dying man had come to life and he was a raging bull!  Ulrich reached down into his depths for the strength to catch up but it was not there.  Not after 12 tough days in the saddle and three tough climbs on stage 13.  Ulrich put his head down in disbelief.  Armstrong the manic, the young boy with his hair on fire was now the man from cycling Hell who was going to take the stage today and forever put his mark on the Tour de France.  This was one of the greatest moments in sports history.  Most Americans will never know what happened but we in the cycling world will carry this picture with us as long as we live.

The drama was not over.  Lance Armstrong is a very good decender, meaning he car really fly down the mountain on the decent.  Jan Ulrich, who is not a good decender, in his haste to catchup with Armstrong pulled out all the stops.  Ulrich got careless and misread the road.  The German overshot a curve and went into a ravine.  Armstrong saw it happen and as a gentleman, Lance slowed down to see if Ulrich was OK.  Later in a news conference, The American said, “he did not think it right to take advantage of someone when they had bad luck.”

The only thing hurt on Ulrich was his pride.  After tumbling head over the handlebars in to grass and dirt, Ulrich climbed back out of the ditch and rode after the leaders.  Armstrong wait until Ulrich had caught up, asked “if he was alright,” then took off again gaining another minute on the third place at that time Ulrich.  Armstrong crossed the finish line acknowledging his fallen comrade and teammate, Fabi Casatrelli who died on this very decent a few years ago.

In a later stage, after Ulrich had attacked and attacked to no avail, Armstrong let his main rival finish ahead of Andrei Kivilev to grab 2nd place for the Telekom Leader.  Ulrich was to hold on to 2nd place by the end of the race.

In the individual time trial, Ulrich had a chance to cut down on the time he was behind the leader.  Ulrich who is a very fast time trial passed the man ahead of him, Andrei Kivilev.  Ulrich had a great time trail but it was just not his race.  Armstrong who rode last as the race leader put on a show of speed seldom seen in the Tour.  Incredibly, Lance gained another minute on Ulrich for a total of 6 minutes 44 seconds leading number 2.  That is how the race wound up.  This was the icing on the cake.  Armstrong could have played it safe.  Lance choose to let everyone know he was there to race and anyone who could, try to catch him!

The tour is like a battle or war if you will.  There are strategies by the teams.  They all have goals.  Many teams know they can not win the Yellow Jersey so they go for other rewards.
Jalabert
 The King of the Mountains, Polka Dot Jersey went to longtime French favorite Laurent Jalabert.  He was first to the top of most mountains and got enough points to win the coveted Polka Dot Jersey by stage 19.

Erik Zabel of Team Telecom beat out Credit Agricole’s Stewart O’Grady for the Green Jersey given to the best sprinter.  This was a fine finish to a very spirited race between the two riders that had built up during the preceding stages.  Jesoba Beloki took third with Kivilev fourth.
Erik Zabel
We’ve heard all the statistics about Lance, 12 stage victories in the Tour, 2nd behind the other active rider, Mario Cippolini with14.  Lance Armstrong is the 2nd American to win three Tour de France Races, the other is Greg LeMond  and only the third ever to win three years in a row.  Lance Armstrong has a bright future.  Even the Europeans and especially the French now respect him, not just because he is a cancer survivor.  Lance Armstrong is a true champion.  In his chosen sport, his number one rival, Jan Ulrich claims, Armstrong is unbeatable right now.

It is refreshing to understand what this brash young man was and what he has now become.  Not only has he become our champion, under his leadership the American Postal Service Team has come into its own.
Lance in Yellow, Stage 14,  he kept it all the way to Paris

 
Beginner’s Bicycle Ride Sponsored by the Sweet Onion Cyclists
By Abe Glaser

Began Saturday, August 4, 2001 at Altamaha-Gordonia State Park - Reidsville.  All ages were welcome.
This picture is from the 1st beginners ride
 Forty-two cyclists met for the Second Beginner’s Bike Ride on Saturday August 4th at Alatamaha-Gordonia State Park in Reidsville. The planned circular route took them to Collins and back to Reidsville. Many attendees experienced a club sanctioned group ride for the first time. They especially enjoyed the slow pace that allowed conversation. Several experienced riders, who hadn’t cycled in months, used this opportunity to relearn their bike riding skills.

Clear skies accompanied the congenial group as they pedaled out of the Park past the Courthouse and onto Lynntown Road. Early morning temperature was cool at the start and no breeze. Summer colors were 
stunning as the group progressed to Collins. The support truck, provided by the Sweet Onion Cyclists of Vidalia, stopped frequently, so the riders could replenish their water and PowerAde. Charlie Anderson’s Gas Station in Collins was the mid-ride store stop.

All ages were represented. Jon Dillard of Glennville brought his entire family including his 6 year old daughter, Mary, who rode in a child carrier on the back of Jon’s bike. His wife Peggy, son Josh, and Josh's friend attended also. Royce Smith of Claxton and Pegi Boatwright of Statesboro rode the only tandem bike (two-seater) in attendance. Liz Hallman, Heather Stargill (Liz Hallman's niece) and Mandy Massey came from Claxton; this was their first group ride.  Participating from Statesboro were T. C. Hulsey and M.J. Lowe. M.J., who is disabled, rode a bike with an electric motor that helped her up the hills. Other participants were Terry and Nancy Carswell of Hagen, Patti Lambru and Mona Lowe of Athens, Jason Cochran, David Perkins, and Andy Perkins of Glennville. Mike Chumley and his wife, Winona, of Bellville. Due to physical ailments Winona has been unable to ride in months; this ride marked her return to cycling. Mitch Vaughn of Nunez, Libby Kimball, Dan Brown, Ben Mosley and daughter, Abe Glaser, Mike and Ann Erickson, Charles Braddy, Grady and Brett Banks were the cyclists from Vidalia. The contingent from Hazlehurst was Ray Maddox, Rudy Inoferio, James and Cindy Jackson.  Andy Miles represented the City of Lyons. Clarke Yearous came from Collins.

The pace was slow, leisurely, and traveled over low traffic country roads. This 18 mile route featured mostly flat terrain with a definite downhill grade back to Reidsville on the old Collins-Reidsville Road. Ann Erickson had to retire due to a mechanical failure, and she offered to drive the support truck. James Jackson, who logs hundreds of monthly bike miles, needed an adjustment to his rear derailleur to continue. All riders completed the ride safely.

Some of the more experienced cyclists went out again for additional miles at a faster pace. Most of the remaining cyclists had developed an appetite, so they regrouped at Smith’s Restaurant in Reidsville for a post-ride Dutch treat lunch. During dinner they shared cycling experiences, renewed old acquaintances, and made new friends.

To find out more about upcoming rides e-mail Abe Glaser, President Sweet Onion Cyclists abe@letsride.net or call 912-537-9999. The Sweet Onion Cyclists web site is www.letsride.net Local cyclists use an e-mail list to maintain communication about rides.  E-mail Royce Smith at royces@bulloch.com for information on how to join the list.


 
 
Stone Mountain/Silver Comet Trail Weekend a HOOT!
by Lamar Martin

Friday, August 24: MJ Lowe, Harry Hutson, Abe Glaser, Ed Jewell and Ben Mosley showed up at my house, as planned, and we were loaded up in Ben's van and on the road shortly after 4:00 p.m.. We had dinner at the Chik-fil-a in Macon, and made it to Stone Mountain just after dark.  We met Mike Wise and his sons, Andrew and Stephen, and MJ's cousin, Mona, and found a decent location on the lawn to put our chairs and still had plenty of time before the start of the show.  As one would expect, the 2001 Laser Show had some new songs added to the mix, plus old favorites like The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and two versions of Georgia on My Mind.  As usual, the show included Elvis singing Dixie Land and Battle Hymn of the Republic. It always ends with a popular song or two about the freedom and blessings of being Americans.  I can imagine very few dry eyes at the Laser Shows following the 911 attacks.

It was quite late by the time we arrived at Mike and Claire's house in Suwanee but we were warmly welcomed and fed snacks and most everyone got a bed.  This is much more than we had hoped for, as we had brought mats and such for everyone to sleep on the basement floor.  Breakfast included cereals, baggels, fruit and coffee. 
Mike joined us and we all drove over to Smyrna, with MJ riding with Mona, and the rest of us in Ben's van.  We went to the wrong trailhead (didn't bring a copy of the instructions) and were at a soon to be closed trail head about 2/10 of mile from where we were supposed to meet those who drove up on their own.  We were also an hour late, but patient friend and Sweet Onion Cyclist member Nancy Norton found us and joined us for the day's ride.  MJ & Mona's cousin, was also waiting at the correct trailhead for us.  We started at mile marker 11.2 and rode to the trail's temporary end at Rockmart, mile marker 38.6.
As usual, the gang rode at different paces, and I almost didn't believe my eyes when I reached the end of the trail and found Abe already there.  Granted, he left a few minutes before me, but I still expected to catch and pass him before the half-way point.  Abe was awesome, setting a new personal record of 15.8 mph for the 26 mile ride to Rockmart from our trailhead.  For Ben, this 54 mile day was his 3rd longest ride.  Five of us had lunch together in Rockmart before riding back to the Florence Rd trailhead.  Saturday evening, we were rather late getting back to Suwanee, but Mike and wife Claire still grilled some burgers and fed us lots of snacks and desert.  They were great hosts!  Another surprise was that MJ had rode the whole way to Rockmart and almost back when we picked her up.  I had expected her to take a shorter option that I had suggested.  One week later I overheard some dudes at The Savannah Historic Bikefest making fun of "whoever" rode that motorized Schwinn bike they were eyeballing in the Civic Center parking lot.  I jumped into their conversation and told them all about the 75 pound bicycle and how MJ pedalled it without use of the motor for most of the miles on BRAG.  They changed their tune right away.  Don't sell this lady short!

Sunday morning church service was the most amazing part of the weekend.  I say this in spite of the fact that my personal beliefs and the Church of God range almost from one extreme to the other.  They put on a show I will never forget!  The theme was God's Army and the spiritual warfare against the devil.  The theatrics and music were up to par with Broadway!  They had over 100 men dressed in SWAT T-shirts (It stood for Spiritual Warfare Against something that I don't recall now) and Army fatigues.  About a dozen of them rappelled down from the rafters of the large auditorium on those rope things like Tom Cruise was dangling from in the first Mission Impossible movie.  They even had indoor fireworks!  I am not exaggerating.  Oh, and the pastor...it was a bit scary how much power he had over the emotions of the congregation!  For the first 10 or 15 minutes I was afraid we were watching another David Koresh or Jim Jones.  Whew, what a relief when I decided  he wasn't trying to overthrow the government or start a commune!  If he ever decides to head in that direction, I believe he will have the following!  Harry, MJ, Ben and I also went to Sunday school, maintaining Ben's perfect attendance since elementary school, and Harry, a pastor himself, said it was one of the finest sunday school classes he'd been to.

Abe and Ed elected to bicycle ride on the Silver Comet Sunday morning and they missed the fireworks!  They met us for lunch at Ryans in Hiram and we all had a great meal.  Then we changed our plans, because the trailhead at Florence Road has no facilities, and drove over to the Mavell Road trailhead at mile marker "0".  We got started riding at about 2:30 p.m., and most of us rode the 22 miles (11 out and back) to complete our Silver Comet experience.  It was pretty hot Sunday, and some of us even rode in a light rain shower or two, but not me.  I missed the showers somehow.  The first 6 miles or so of the trail starting at Mavell Rd are by far the most scenic of the whole trail and everyone enjoyed it very much; even though we all had stories of near crashes with skaters, or kids on bikes, or grown-ups not paying attention.

Several have asked me, "when are we going back?"  I guess that is the highest compliment for a trip well planned.


Historic Savannah Bikefest September 1-2
By Abe Glaser
 
Savannah is a long way from Vidalia, about 80 miles.  Dan Brown and Abe Glaser hitched up Dan’s bike trailer to team up for another Savannah Bikefest.  The trip to Savannah was uneventful and the pair arrived in plenty of time to pick up their registration packets and prepare for the 50.  Soon the cars started arriving with all the pals from all over Georgia.  Libby Kimball was there and Ray Maddox and Gary Beall.  Rudy and his wife from Hazlehurst, James and Cindy Jackson arrived and Mike Chumley with his wife Winona and children.  Mike and Ann Erickson pulled in.  Soon Nancy Norton and sister Polly were there.  Bill and Barbara Carter came down from Norcross, GA.  The parking lot at the Civic Center was packed and many had to find parking on side streets.  Billy Blanton got to ride since it was a Sunday and the Shop was closed. 
some of theVidalia, Hazelhurst, and Claxton cyclists 
Lamar Martin and Veronica Nance arrived.  They opted to ride the 25, a scenic trip though the Historic district of Savannah.  Veronica would later be giving massages.  Mike Chumley and Mike Erickson left early to avoid the crush of riders.  Ray Maddox, Gary Beall, James and Cindy Jackson rode the century.  For James and Cindy it was their first.  Dan, Libby and Abe chose the 50 mile ride.

The day was overcast and cool.  Rain was coming; the question was when.  This was not a new scenario.  It rained on our club members last year but there were no complaints.  The riders like anxious bulls took off before the invocation started but out of respect most stopped and waited for the blessing.  The ride out of the parking lot is always filled with anticipation and excitement.  It is important not to clip in or get complacent until you are separated from all other riders.  With a hard right turn the bunched up cyclists hit the Talmadge Bridge, the tallest hill on the ride and the hardest hill in the Southeast.  This year, Abe was in much better shape and he was able to climb the hill without stopping as he did last year.  The old guy ground out the half-mile or so and topped the hill only to see lots of bike in front of him.  This year it would be wise to take it easy on the downhill.  Traffic was just too thick to take chances.
Libby Kimball
 Libby Kimball was waiting for her pals to show up on the South Carolina side. Abe, Dan and Rudy joined Libby for a romp though the countryside.  It was a short ride to the separation point where the 50 split to the left and the 100 went to the right.  Libby set a fast clip as the others followed her lead.  By the time the foursome reached the first rest stop it seemed that the ride would be a fast one.  It became obvious the Libby had been training hard.  She was ready for the 100 mile ride but decided to wait for cooler weather to try it later in the year.  Little did she know it would stay cool most of this day.  Our riders hung together all the way to the third rest stop.  Libby did a fine job holding a straight line and pulling those who could hang with her from 15-18 MPH. 
After the fourth rest stop and close to the end of the ride, Dan from lack of training this year had to slow down to keep from cramping.  Even so the Magic Bike (Easy Racer Tour Easy) allowed him to record over 14 MPH for fifty miles and he hadn’t ridden in a month!

Our club members experienced something they had never seen before.  As they were clipping along at 17-18 MPH a peloton came up on our guys.  This bunch of riders was 4-5 abreast with there riders to the front, just like Tour racing in Europe.  The group was 35 to 50 members strong and there were a couple of tandems right in the middle!   There are pace lines and then there are pelotons.  You must experience this to believe it.  As each rider passed you could hear and feel the whomp, whomp whomp of their bike/body unit as it whizzed by.  This was an exhilarating feeling and this writer became aware of what a fan on the Tour de France feels as he sees and feels his heroes hurtling past at arms length.

The ride ended back at the Savannah Civic Center where the guys refreshed themselves with cold drinks and loaded up their gear.  It would be some time before they all got back but Billy Blanton and Mike Erickson arrived way ahead of the other 100 milers in our group.  Mike had an outstanding ride at 19.6 MPH for 100 miles.  Not too shabby for a middle aged man!  Mike Chumley came in next and had some physical problems so he slowed his ride down so he could finish.  Let’s not forget, 100 miles is still 100 miles, even if the terrain is flat.  You must always ride your ride and not try to keep up with the faster rider if you are not prepared.
Reports were coming in from the Mikes that Gary Beall had made the turn for the 50 and was separated from his buds.  Libby told the group the Gary is geographically challenged.  In plain English that means he gets lost easy.  They found it was incredible that with all the cyclists heading in one direction, here was Gary going in the opposite direction and he did not acknowledge the waive from Mike Erickson.  By the time Mike E. realized who it was, it was too late to turn back.  Challenged or not, Gary persevered and found his pals by riding a cross route and catching them.  His total miles were 105-115.  He sure took a ribbing about this. After 6 ½ hours total time, the Hazelhurst contingent made it in.  The parking lot was almost empty but their 
l-r: Mike Erickson, Abe Glaser, Mike Chumley & Gary Beall
friends and families applauded the achievement of a 100 mile day.  Some had their first 100-miles and others added another notch to their belts.

Hamburgers were served to end the day.  Our thanks to Dave Sanderson for making the best of a tough situation; you can read his report below.

Report from Dave Sanderson

First, thank all of you for participating in this year's Historic Savannah Bikefest. We had 1,133 registered. Many of you who sought me out personally to thank me, I thank you!

The bikefest was not without problems! A couple of them I will address here and now:
1) Lack of drinks at the end of the ride. My supplier let me down. They had a change in Management and I had to work through a third party to get what I needed. When I picked up the small bottles of water and sports drink Friday afternoon to use with the catered lunch, they informed me that they would only supply me with 800 drinks. At that point, I had 732 registered so I thought it would work out if I placed two coolers filled with ice water (Little did I realize that we would have 399 walk-ins!). They also wouldn't give me drink cups! But, Hey! Everybody has a water bottle! (Will change suppliers or get a firm contract from existing supplier next year)
2) The last three rest stops ran out of things in the early afternoon. Again, we had plenty of stuff for well over 732 pre-registered, but got caught off guard with 399 walk-ins! That hurt those riding the 100 and 50 mile routes later in the day.

To solve those two problems next year, we will LIMIT the number of registrations, allow NO same day registrations, prepare for a certain number of riders so that we will be totally and adequately prepared and NO ONE will be without electrolytes, food, etc. We will also rent a second truck to be stationed between the last three stops filled with one gallon jugs of water to supplement the rest stops as needed.

To those of you who referred to us as "Cheap", please keep in mind that to put on a ride in Savannah, we have to pay rent to the buildings we use (over $2,000), pay the police for security and escort service (security $650, escort $450), plus we do not enjoy some free civic support that other rides enjoy in smaller towns and cities. Also, we will be giving about $2,000 to $3,000 to three charities. We are not "cheap"!  Our "profit" will be very small for the amount of work over the year it takes to arrange and implement this ride.

If you would like to see photos of the bikefest, there are two web sites you can peruse.
1) Bill and Barbara Carter have established a web site of rides they attend and they have posted a few photos of the Historic Savannah Bikefest for you to look at.... they are not available to order prints.
http://www.geocities.com/bbcomowner/bbcom244.htm
2) The official digital photographer for the Historic Savannah Bikefest has finished posting to his web site and you may find your likeness on that site .. plus order a host of different things. Find these pics at:
http://eventphoto.savannahtrader.com

Lost and found Dept:
    One red mesh back pack was left at the Civic Center, but the owner has called and we have shipped it to her in South Carolina.
    One bike helmet with a pair of sunglasses was found near the lunch line. Please let us know if you want it shipped to you if you can describe it's look (whomever you are)
    A watch was left in the men's rest room at the Civic Center, describe it and we will ship it to you.

No shows:
    As in every ride, some people just can't make it to the ride, so we have mailed T-shirts to those we can identify who could not make it (29 T-shirts were mailed). There are three shirts left...one XXL, one XL and one L. First come first served, cost $13.50 plus $4.50 shipping and handling. First three to e-mail an order gets a shirts(s).

Again, we thank you for coming to Savannah. We had a LOT of positive comments about the Saturday rides and the Sunday rides. Will try to have a different venue for Saturday rides next year. bicycleSAVANNAH has two experienced event persons that are being added to our staff to assist in implementing BETTER rides and services.

Dave Sanderson, Pres.
bicycleSAVANNAH. LLC
www.bicyclesavannahLLC.com
bicyclesavannah@home.com
Come Ride with Us!

3/31/02 Savannah Spring Metric Ride
5/18-19/02 Jekyll Island Challenge Century and M&M Sunset Ride
7/20-21/02 Second Annual Summer Blast Off ATB Race and Fat Tire Criterium
8/30-Sept 1, 2002 Annual Historic Savannah Bikefest
Dave
 

 
Benton Lee’s Steak House Ride Saturday September 29
By Abe Glaser

The Benton Lee's Steak House ride is coming on Saturday September 29.  The route will be from 50 to 65 miles long and is being planned by Ray Maddox and James Jackson of Hazlehurst.   The date is September 29.  Ride start time is still not determined.  Everyone will arrive at the steakhouse and begin the ride that will go in a circle back to the start.

Benton Lee’s, located on the Altamaha River in between Reidsville, Cedar Crossing and Hazlehurst, is famous for their large steaks.  I say the steaks are large and the price is right.  It is not unusual for these steaks to hang over the edge of the plate.

The restaurant has a rustic atmosphere and will be a welcome treat for tired riders who want to relax with friends and hoist a few after a long ride.  For those who prefer shrimp to steak, be happy.  Shrimp is available as well as catfish, pork chops, oysters, gator, frog legs, burgers and more.

Spouses can meet us after the ride for dinner.  Stay tuned for more information later.

If you need directions to Benton Lee’s you may wish to call 912-594-6931.  They are not really near anything or any landmark.
 

 
Claxton Individual Time Trial
Rehobeth Baptist Church; Tattnall County
October 27, 2001; 10:00 AM

* Age Categories: 18?29; 30?39; 40?49; 50?59; 60?69; 70 and above
* The course is 10.5 miles in length
* The route is marked with painted road markers.
* All participants will receive an engraved marble paperweight.
* Winners will receive 7" x 9" plaques.
* PowerAde and snacks
* Rest rooms
* Sponsored by Gailey Trophy Company of Statesboro, GA
* The entry fee is $10 for each participant.

Obtain a map to the start/finish at Rehobeth Church near Claxton, GA and an entry form from http://y42.briefcase.yahoo.com/nonamebike/

Several possible participants have lamented that they could not win the time trial.  This may or may not be the case.  The time trial is not just about who is the fastest in their age category.  For me it is a self-test to see if I can beat my own time.

There are retired guys in my age group who can ride 10 MPH faster than me so why try?  I know I can’t be first but I can beat my own time and that for me is a great accomplishment.  This year, 2001 has been a great test for me.  The more I ride the faster I get.  However, my riding buddies are getting faster too.  I still cannot keep up with the hot riders but I am far and away a better rider than I was two years ago and even one year ago.  The time trial will give me a gauge to check my high speed on a short course.  I have set a goal and intend to make it or beat it for 10.5 miles.  Care to join me?

Abe Glaser
 
 
George L. Smith State Park BikeFest
George L. Smith State Park
 The Coastal Bicycle Touring Club is meeting this week to discuss the informal BikeFest to be held at Geo. L. Smith State Park on October 5, 6 and 7th.  Tentative plans to date are:  There will be rides of 40+ miles each day.  A group meal is planned for Friday night.  There is no entry fee, but you will have to make camping reservations on your own at Geo L. Smith. If you can't get reservations, you may still attend by driving up each day. Pegi and Royce have already made reservations.  Abe says that SOC is interested in attending. If some of the No Namers attend, we will have a good group of cyclists. You might mention that Geo Smith has limited amount of campsites. If people want to attend, they should 
make campsite reservations or drive up for the day.  David Smith, of CBTC says that we will have a group meal on Friday night and the rest of the meals will be on our own.  I will get with him and develop a schedule for the weekend.


 

St. Jude Bike-A-Thon
October 13
By Abe Glaser
There will be a bike ride to benefit the St. Jude Childrens's Research Hospital located in Memphis, TN. The Hospital was founded by entertainer, Danny Thomas in 1962 to treat children with castrophic diseases, especially pediatric cancers. The hospital is free to all children and sees 180 outpatients every day. 330 patients from the State of Georgia are under care at St. Jude's right now. One of our ride participants will be a cancer survivor who lives in Montgomery County.
Not only does St Jude's treat their patients while they are sick, they also continue to check their status with return visits until they are 18 years old, long after they have been cured or gone into remission. There is no discrimination. All children are welcome.
The ride will be held at Robert Toombs Christian Academy in Lyons, GA on Saturday October 13. Young children starting at 9:00 will ride on a paved track and do laps. For pledges of $35.00 you will receive a multicolored t-shirt. For pledges or donations of $75.00 or more you receive a t-shirt and a tote bag. 
It is not necessary to make a pledge or a donation to ride. PowerAde, water, bananas and cookies will be provided at the school.Starting at 8:00 there will also be a ride for adults. This will be a 40-50 mile ride that is unsupported at the moment. There will be store stops on the way. The route has not been finalized but I will keep you updated. Plans are to ride from Robert Toombs Christian Acadamy to Mcdilda Drive, turn left and go to Loop Road.  Turn right and go to Sweet Onion Juntion on Hwy 1.  From there take Resmondo to the big oak on and turn left to Cobbtown on Hwy 152.  We can decide if we want to go as far as Metter or cut it at Hwy 86 and turn north to Oakpark.
Adult riders can make donations to get a t-shirt and tote bag but this in not required to ride. There will be food and drink available at the start and finish of this event.
If you or someone you know would care to volunteer, we can use some help. A sag driver would be very good if someone will volunteer. The gas and mileage will be paid for. Please let me know if you plan to ride.
 
The 2001 Endless Summer Watermelon Ride
by Royce Smith
Baldwin, Fla. 9/9/01  Pegi Boatwright and I attended the Watermelon Ride, which is hosted by the North Florida Bicycling Club (NFBC) in Jacksonville. The ride is held in Baldwin, Fla. which is a small town on the west side of Duval County. Most of the people who attended, we suspect, came from nearby Jacksonville. Most participants were members of the NFBC that has a membership of over 500. NFBC holds the ride in Baldwin due to the low traffic. Baldwin does not have a traffic problem, but it does have a drug problem. The Phone Company has removed the numbers from the phones due to the drug deals that have been made less than 100 yards from the school.
 
Pegi almost talked me out of attending the ride since the weather forecast predicted rain due to Hurricane Edie in the Atlantic. I had not ridden in a week, and I wanted to ride even though there was a possibility of getting wet. It did rain Saturday night, but the sky was clear at 5:30 AM Sunday morning.
 
The ride began and ended at Baldwin High School. Donuts, orange juice, and coffee were available for breakfast, which was served in the high school cafeteria. The route options were 25, 47, 72, and 100. Many of the 700 cyclists who attended were training for the upcoming MS 150, so the Watermelon directors offered the 72-mile option. We chose the 47 miler; we did not want to be exhausted for the drive on our return trip to Claxton. At 6:00 AM the autos began to arrive festooned with bikes. We did not see any other bike types save for the one C400 Cannondale Comfort Bike and one recumbent. Our tandem was in the minority; it was among two other two-seaters present. Apparently the Jacksonville cyclists do not see many tandems; they seemed intrigued with ours. Most of the two-wheelers were speed machines, and their cyclists were speed demons. The Jacksonville area cyclists are a young crowd, and they ride expensive carbon, titanium, and aluminum racing bikes. Pegi overheard some of them talk about the triathlons they had done. They like to speed on the road in pacelines.
 
Even though Pegi and I left early, the first paceline caught us within 7 miles. When they were zipping past us, I noticed their thin bodies and the word "anorexic" came to mind. We kept a 17-mph pace for much of the ride. On four different occasions we noticed a line of cyclists riding in our draft. Pegi and I averaged over 15.5 mph for the day, which is really good, when you consider that Pegi rides less than once a week. Graduate school classes has reduced my mileage numbers, also.
 
The ride directors held a mass start at 7:30, but Pegi and I decided to avoid it for the sake of safety and eased out of the parking lot at 7:15. The options were 25, 47, 72, and 100-mile routes. The temperature was in the 70's as we started out on the 47-mile route. The 47 miler was an out and back route with a variation or two. We visited one rest stop twice and another one once. The route went north into GA over the St. Mary's River and doubled back; it was marked fairly well. Support vehicles were numerous. The traffic was very light on the route, and the road surface was mostly smooth. The rest stops were well stocked with fresh fruit, cookies, and drinks, but there were only three stops. Each rest stop had at least one porta pottie.
 
The 47-mile route was flat. I used only three of the tandem's gears - one for the level terrain, one for the upside of the small hills, and one for the downside of the hills. I remember only three hills. The last portion of all routes traveled over the Baldwin-Jacksonville Rail Trail which was in excellent shape and very picturesque. The adjacent trees made a canopy that put the trail in shade the entire distance.
 
The day ended with a post ride meal of BBQ sandwiches, chips, drinks, and of course, watermelon. Pegi and I took the opportunity to hand out Cruisin' flyers to the cyclists while they ate. The entry fee was $23 - a good value for the money. I would like to go again and ride one of the longer routes. I hope that we can get a group to go next year. If you like quiet country roads, level terrain, and fruit, you would enjoy this ride.
 
bicycleSavannah's First Tour a Success
by Lamar Martin

Here is an email I received from Dave Sanderson about his first tour of historic Savannah, as president of his new company, bicycleSAVANNAH LLC:
Three Chicago Couples and Dave Sanderson (center-back)
 "Hi Abe and Lamar:
The first tour of three Chicago couples went very well. We took them from the Kehoe House (where they stayed overnight) down Bull Street, stopping at each of those four squares and telling them the history, etc. Found out they were all Jewish and they were delighted to see the monument noting the first plot granted the early Jewish Settlers for a cemetery (It's on Oglethorpe and Bull). They also were excited to stop and visit Mickve Israel Synagogue (I was surprised to learn it's the third oldest in the Nation). We cycled on through Forsythe Park (walked our bikes properly!), then through Washington Avenue and it's canopy of Oaks, down Ferguson and to Sand Fly, Ga. 
We stopped briefly at the gate to Wormsloe where the gate attendant rushed out and told us we could ride our bikes into the property but would have to pay! So, we asked him a few questions about the property (found out only remnants exist of the home place and decided to go on to Isle of Hope). They were astonished at the homes and history of Isle of Hope and we stopped under a magnificent Live Oak and took a break (Picture attached). Peddled on to Thunderbolt through Savannah State College and had lunch at Tubby's Tank House overlooking the intracoastal waterway. They really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food at Tubby's! After lunch we cycled through Boneventure Cemetery then back to the Kehoe House via the Victorian District. Arriving back after about six hours of stop and go and leisurely cycling made it a very pleasant day. (They must of enjoyed it, because even though they were paying for the tour, they also tipped me generously!)

I am currently working with Carperbagger Tours of Charleston to put together a five day tour (three days Charleston, two days Savannah) that we plan to market jointly from September through May each year. We have lined up B&B's, restaurants and tour routes to give those who take the tour a very memorable adventure. Of course, if this is successful, I will then put together a tour of St Simons and Jeykell Islands (I have already lined up some things in this area, including a tour guide and bike rental)."

Congratulations Dave!
Sweet Onion Cyclists monthly meeting October 9
Eating: 6:30 p.m.
Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Vallartas
Bring your family.  We will have an informal meeting with lots of food and fun!