Category Archives: Safety

New Starting Place for Rides

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Veloist Ride Notice

We have a new starting point for all Veloist rides. Walmart Rt. 173 and Deep Lake Road.

The last few years have seen a large increase in the volume and speed of traffic in the Gurnee area. Specifically on Hunt Club, Wadsworth, Millburn and Stearns School roads. Not to mention the terrible road conditions on Dilley’s, Beck and Sandlake roads to name a few.

So the elders of the tribe thought it might be in all of our best interests to start our rides from a location closer to where we really like to go the most, north and west. By starting at the Walmart on the corner of 173 and Deep Lake road we are minutes from smooth Wisconsin blacktop and fewer cars. We pass this location on every ride north, now we’ll start here.

For some, this will be a minor inconvenience. For others it may mean you have to jump in your car to start your ride, we’ve all had to at some point.

For all of us, we think this will mean safer group riding for all Veloist members. Let’s hope we are right.

8:00 Saturday Ride to Twin Lakes area. Start at Walmart Rt. 173

That’s 8:00AM!

We will head north for 55-65 miles to the Twin Lakes area and around.  3 hours in the saddle. Some of our members need to get their first 100k in before they go to Arcadia next week. So we’d like to help them.

8:00 Sunday 25 miles. Start at Walmart Rt. 173

Steady pace as we stay at a 16 mph average. We will be heading to Wilmot, WI.

I hope you can join us.

8:00 AM Saturday– 8:00 AM Sunday. Both start at Walmart Rt. 173

Insurance Forms

Make sure you send me your signed insurance forms so it is valid.

Ride Review April 14 &15

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Without a doubt we dodged the “bad weather bullet” this weekend. Two rides without getting wet.

Saturday’s ride to Twin Lakes, WI was taken on by nine Veloist riders. With temps in the low 60′s we took the long way around and made sure we hit all the hills on the way to the lake. Anton (Tony, Anthony-pick one) Donald and Tim pounded out some tough pulls on the climbs as the rest of us followed. After a short break at the donut shop we came back east on Highway F to Silver Lake and south to Gurnee.

Kathy (Federico or Little K), Mike (Michael Mark or Old Mike), Donald (The Other Donald) and Tim (the original Timinator) at Twin Lakes

Kathy showed she could hang with the boys with just a little extra effort. She’s looking at good form for her upcoming event in May.

Sunday was a light turnout with me, E and Tim (not Tim, The Timinator but the new Tim, Tim 2, or T2–pick one), we headed south on Almond to Casey and back for a short, stretch your legs, recovery ride. An excellent weekend of riding for early spring.

On a serious note.

I just want to take a moment to remind everyone that when we are out on the road we need to work hard at staying together as we enter intersections. I know when fatigue hits in the later parts of rides we look for short cuts, this is how accidents can happen. Stay together, make loud clear calls at the front and remember there are people behind you depending on you to guide the way. Ride your bike like a car and own the road if you have too.

See you next week, ride safe.

m

The Third Eye

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A few years ago my good riding pals, Robbie Moss and Stu Holt, convinced me to try riding with a mirror on my glasses. Before that I had always gone the way of the club roadie and just turned around or guessed where the traffic was. Never again.

I have to tell you, this little $15 dollar mirror has saved me on many occasions and I never ride without it. Go geek and be safer.

I can see exactly where the cars are, I can push them out or brace myself if need be as they pass. I feel like I have more control of the road, and control equals safe riding.

You would never get into your car with out the three rear view mirrors you have, plus a camera in many cars. Treat yourself to the best fifteen dollar present you can ever get.

A safer ride on the road!

 

This is the one I use pictured above. Deerfield Cyclery has them, along with bar mirrors, lights and all the good stuff to help keep you safe out there.

Ride safe. Mike