Coming back after a year hiatus, the club newsletter is starting to roll again. Plans are currently to publish a quarterly newsletter, tentatively starting in mid to late April (yeah, I know, Its not the start of the first quarter, but hey, we gotta publish sometime) So this is where you, dear reader, come in. Plain and simple, I need your help. Have any rides that you've ridden that you want to tell people about?

This is your chance! Product reviews? Bring them on. (even ones that go meh, not sure if I'd buy it again, those are useful reviews as well!) Got a rant? A creative scratch to itch? Hey, nows the chance!

Email your contributions to: ccc-newsletter@fluid-code.com .doc (ms word), .txt (plain text), .rtf (rich text), .pdf (acrobat), .odt (open office) files are acceptable. More than likely I can use others, just let me know what you're writing in. -- Sean Gould 510-384-9943

TRIPS FOR KIDS RE-CYCLERY BIKE THRIFT SHOP HUGE BLOW-OUT SALE

Saturday, April 3 from 10 am - 4 pm

Don't miss the huge one-day sale at two locations. Trips for Kids isopening its San Rafael warehouse to the cycling community. At the sametime, we are offering discounts on selected items at our Re-Cyclery BikeThrift Shop in downtown San Rafael. Bike frames (including large  Giant

OCR road bike frames with forks), forks, wheels, tires, helmets, bikeracks, frame pumps, floor pumps, lights, locks, bar tape, clothes,cycling shoes, and lots more will be on sale at bargain prices.

Product donations from bicycle manufacturers and private donors have piled upand its time to make room for new shipments. (Please share this emailwith friends.)

The Trips for Kids Warehouse is located at 125 Larkspur St. Suite 119,San Rafael. The Re-Cyclery Bike Thrift Shop is at 610 Fourth Street indowntown San Rafael. For more information call (415) 458-2986 or check

our website http://www.tripsforkids.org/marin (There is no visitor parkingallowed at our Warehouse so please park on the street.)

PLEASE NOTE: Payment must be by cash or local check with a validDriver's License.

For more information (415) 458-2986, info@tripsforkids.org or http://www.tripsforkids.org/marin

Google Maps is set to provide a new option for getting around town: biking directions by Tom Krazit

CNET News article

A Progressive Series is a number of rides that help you become a stronger rider. Learn to be road savvy, change a tire, get tips on nutrition and explore the best roads of the bay area. Experience group cycling and road etiquette. Track your progress with other cyclists. Each week we will introduce an exciting place to ride.

The terrain will gradually change and become more challenging. The first four rides are on Sunday’s and roughly 25 miles. This will give you consistency and practice. The next group of rides will be in the 30-45 mile range. This will help you achieve a 50 mile ride. The last group of rides will help cyclists who are driven to conquer that first century or participate in a two day event.

These will be great training rides if you are signed for Cinderella, Seattle to Portland, Grand Tour Double Metric.

The first 4 Easy Ride Series will begin on Sunday, February 28.

02-28 Alameda Creek Trail in north Fremont

03-07 Coffee Ride to Julie’s in Alameda

03-14 Coffee ride to El Greco North Beach in San Francisco

03-21 Las Trampas in San Ramon

Check the web in February for more on the series and the ride descriptions. If you have any questions,

Contact Vicky Ma at 510 813-6690 or chinamite57@yahoo.com

Nikki Grimes of Grimes Getaways Bicycle Tours will be presenting a 15-20 minute program sharing photos of cycle tours in the Glacier National Park area and in the Sierras from Groveland to Yosemite . Come and see what great areas you can access on your bicycle! You will also learn more about the camping tours being offered. This is a great time to get your questions answered if you have ever thought about taking a cycling vacation. There will be a drawing for a $50 coupon good toward any of the 2010 tours. Grimes Getaways Bicycle Tours is one of the club sponsors.

Ah, ‘tis the season for deceptive weather!  Today (Feb. 27) I was leading the Sunol Meet and Greet, and the weather was looking pleasant when we pulled out of Bayfair—sunny with some clouds, although the forecast mentioned a chance of showers into the afternoon. 

The ride went fine, with Sean Gould showing me who's the boss (my excuse: I was on my old, 30 pound Trek).  There were more clouds when we got to Sunol, but still no problem.  Riding back along Pleasanton-Sunol Road, we hit a little sprinkle now and then, but nothing to get worried about. 

A while later we were on Foothill Road near the high school, and then it started to rain—HARD.  Rather than run the risk to riding another several miles through a deluge, we threw in the towel and made a run for drier places.  Lessons learned:

1.  Sometimes when the weather people say there’s a chance of showers, they’re right.

2.  Dress for success: Sean was wearing a rain resistant shell.  He stayed reasonably dry.  I wasn’t.  I got wet.  Very wet.

I’m looking forward to the club’s March meeting: listening to Nikki Grimes tell us about Grimes Getaways, the bicycle touring enterprise she and her husband Dan own and operate; hearing feedback from the intrepid travelers who went down to the Tour of Palm Springs last month; watching hordes of people take advantage of the discounted membership pricing available at the meeting ($20 single/$30 family); and, last but not least, partaking of the free snacks.

The weather’s warming up.  Pick a nice, DRY day and take a ride!  Your body will thank you for it!

Mike Nagorka

Susie Bump, Eva Fallis, Shelley Hinch, Vicky Ma, and Mike Nagorka.

Order your club jersey, vest, arm warmers, etc. today.

• Club Jersey (Download a PDF document)
• Club Vest (Download a PDF document)
• Clothing Order Form (Download a PDF document)

• How to Buy a Bike
• Build Your Core and Ride Stronger (Updated12/15/08)

• Since we are refining your new fixed routesheets, occasionally
• there may be some errors. Please inform us so we can
• correct these errors.
• Download route sheet 200901V2 (PDF document)
• Download route sheet 200902 rev 2 (PDF document)
• Download route sheet 200903 (PDF document)
• Download route sheet 200904 (PDF document)
• Download route sheet 200905 (PDF document)
• Download route sheet 200906 (PDF document)

• Monthly Rides ( Download a PDF document )
• Monthly Rides
• Weekly Rides
• Cull Canyon Show'n'Go (Ends in Oct. Returns next Spring)
• Special Events & Rides (click on to see all SER rides)
• How to lead a ride & ride routes for New Ride Leaders
• Ride Rating System
• Leaderless & Route Sheet Library

• 11-11-09 General Meeting Minutes
• 09-09-09 GeneralMeeting Minutes
• 06-10-09 General Meeting Minutes
• 05-13-09 General Meeting Minutes
• 03-11-09 General Meeting Minutes
• 02-11-09 General Meeting Minutes

• Ride Mileage
• Ride Rating System

Announcing the Impromptu Rides

The Problem: Due to busy schedules, many people who would like to lead a ride cannot plan 1 or 2 months in advance in order to get their ride(s) into the newsletter.  Nearly everyone enjoys watching their club mileage increase every month, however, you can only attain club mileage on “impromptu” rides, i.e., those that appear in the newsletter.

The Solution:

Announcing the Impromptu Rides.  Here is how it works

 

• Why should I attend?

• To be informed, be heard, get involved, and make a  difference.

• When are meetings held?

• 2nd Wednesday of the month: 6:30pm – Board Meeting;  7:30 General Meeting.

• Where are meetings held?

• Meetings are at the San Leandro Manor Library on  Manor Blvd.

• (March and April meetings will be held at the Manor  Branch).

• Where are meetings held?

• Yes, attend 5 out of the remaining 9 meetings and get 1/2  off your 2010 membership fee.