CIBA 2010 Lecture Series

2010 CIBA.IMCPL Lecture Series starts January 13th at the Marion County Public Library, 7 p.m.. Willie Weir will be sharing more fantastical tales of his adventures on two wheels from his new book Travels with Willie. If you've seen him before, we know you wouldn't want to miss him for almost anything. If you haven't, Willie really fills the room with his energy and enthusiasm, his passion for adventure, and the charm and hospitality of the many people he has met in the course of his journeys. "Lecture" hardly seems the right word. We may want to re-title this series!

For a little more about Willie, click on his website, http://www.willieweir.com. Download a pdf of the entire series here

Original Article

42nd Annual Hilly Hundred

From the Hilly Hundred Website:

• This three day event is held in the scenic hills of southern Indiana.
• The challenging terrain is a wonderful mix of gently rolling country roads and breathtaking hills (literally).
• On Saturday riders will enjoy the brand new route we debuted in 2003. Riders will travel out of Ellettsville toward the great towns of Whitehall, Solsberry, Newark, New Hope and Pottersville. In addition, there are some hills and scenic vistas on this route that leave you breathless.
• On Sunday, riders will head out toward perennial favorite, Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Not to be overlooked is everyone’s favorite bragging hill, Mt. Tabor. A short route will be available.
• There is free food and live(ly) entertainment at each of three rest stops on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Attendance is limited so get your entry in early.
• As always, the Hilly is not a race, so come for a challenging tour but leave the racing gear at home.
• You must wear a bicycle helmet to participate in the ride.

The 42nd annual Hilly Hundred takes places this weekend. Pre-registration is closed, but you can still register on-site.

Click here for more information

IndyStar covers training crash

IndyStar wrote something of an obit/memorial article on Charles Kirk, who passed away last week from injuries sustained on a CIBA training ride. We wrote earlier in the week expressing our condolenscences. I wish the best to all of the riders who are regulars on that ride. I can't imagine the feeling of losing one of my riding pals.

Funeral services were scheduled Thursday for a 48-year-old lawyer and father who died after he crashed his bicycle in training ride last week.

Charles Avery Kirk, a graduate of North Central High School and Indiana University, will be remembered in a ceremony at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St.

Kirk was on a fast moving, 20-mile training ride with about 40 other cyclists last Wednesday when several riders crashed, said Tom Schumacher, a member of the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, who was on the ride.

The accident happened on the 6700 block Hoover Road near the Jewish Community Center when the group of experienced riders was rounding a turn at about 30 mph.

A rider or two at the front of the pack lost control and caused about 12 other riders to go down.

Kirk was the most seriously injured but was conscious and speaking when he was taken to the hospital, Schumacher said.

Full story here.

Smart Cycling Class

From Warren Smock today on the CIBA list:

Just a reminder that the Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101 class still has openings. It starts this Wed. evening and Saturday morning. If you are interested please let me me know via email at warsmockren@hotmail.com and I'll put you down for one of the openings still available.

For details see www.cibaride.org and click on the Smart cycling class information.


Warren Smock

I also posted a bit more info about this here. There's a $5 discount for the class if you are a Bicycle Indiana member, and part of your fees are returned to you in a $25 gift card to BGI when you complete the course.

Tragic Loss on CIBA Broad Ripple Training Ride

I received this over the weekend. It'd be silly to think of anything other to say than our condolences from indycog to the family and friends of Mr. Kirk:

Some of you may have heard of our massive pileup that occurred along Hoover Road on Wednesday's Broad Ripple Training Ride. 10-12 bikes and riders went down at high speed in a chain reaction. There were several injuries; two individuals went to emergency rooms.

It is with great sadness to report that Charlie Kirk, the rider most injured, died early Saturday morning at Methodist Hospital. Charlie had undergone surgery for a fractured vertebrae on Friday, but died during the night. Charlie leaves behind his wife, Kerry, and two young children, 7 and 5.

All of us who rode with Charlie, as well as the entire Central Indiana bicycling community, mourn his loss. No doubt we will hear more in the days to come; please keep his family in your thoughts.

-Thomas A. Schumacher

CIBA Messageboard Extract

I'm interested in what your opinions are on this situation.

Here is the scenario:

I was at the front of traffic stopped at a red light waiting to turn left on to New York Ave from University Ave. I was in the right lane, which was both a left turn and straight lane. I was in the right, curb-side, half of the lane with no cars immediately next to me. The light turned green and I began to make my turn when a car came up on my left and side-swiped me. I braced myself with my hand as the car made contact with me at the level of its side mirror and received minor injuries. The car continued to move and I used my hand and arm to remain upright making dent in the right rear panel above the wheel, the pedal of my bike making a scratch above the right rear wheel well. I also left a smear of skin on the passenger side door. My bike is fine.

The police were called and an accident report filed.

The driver seemed to think it was my fault and insisted that I should not have been in the right side of the lane, rather the left and been signaling that I am going to turn left. I checked the Indiana state bike laws and they say that slow moving traffic should stay to the right of the lane, exactly where I was.

So my question is do I have to worry about the insurance company blaming me and making me responsible for the damages or can I nurse my wounds and forget about it? Any help is appreciated.

N.I.T.E. Ride - June 27, 2009

Feel like taking a ride with 5,000 other people this weekend? You know I do.

The ride starts at 11pm at Major Taylor Velodrome (3649 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN.)

N.I.T.E Ride

Full information on the ride and other events. (PDF)

Smart Cycling Road Skills 101 Safety Class

CIBA and Bicycle Garage Indy, (BGI) will be hosting a League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling Road Skills 101 Safety Class on May 27, 29 and June 1st. This class is designed to educate both beginning and experience cyclist, everyone will benefit and become a better cyclist. See information below and at www.cibaride.org

Don't think you need this, I can personally attest to the fact that you will get something from this class. Ask many of the CIBA Board members who took the class last year.

If that is not enough, registration fee is returned upon successful completion via a $25 BGI gift card. Your only cost is $10 for course materials.

Hurry to sign up NOW before the class is full.

Warren Smock
League of American Bicyclists-LCI #1429

Smart Cycling Traffic Skills
League of American Bicyclists Bike Ed Program
Smart Cycling-Traffic Skills 101
May 27, 29, and June 1, 2009
Sponsored by Bicycle Garage Indy (BGI)
Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA)

Location: St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W 86th St
Course: 3 Evenings (4 hrs classroom, 4 hrs hands on/riding
When: 5/27 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
5/29 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
6/1 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $25 per participant, instruction book $10
Classses limited to 12 participants

CIBA Lecture Series #4 - Cycling Black Sea Coast

From a meet-up email concerning the CIBA lecture series:

This is the fourth lecture, in a series of lectures, presented by CIBA and the Indianapolis Marion County Library.

Lecture #4
Cycling Black Sea Coast
Presenters: Betsy Swartz

Betsy Swartz takes you on a trip to eastern Turkey and the Black Sea Coast. Joining a local Cultural Cyclists Exchange group, Betsy and 9 other Americans were guided by 13 Turks along the Black Sea coast, with police escort, on a challenging but mostly enjoyable and memorable two week bike ride, enjoying the culture and sampling local teas and hazelnuts along the way.

When:

Wed., April 15th at 7 p.m.

Where:

Central Library Auditorium
One Library Square
40 East St. Clair Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

CIBA Lecture Series #3 - Cycling Tales of Ireland

From a meet-up email concerning the CIBA lecture series:

This is the third lecture, in a series of lectures, presented by CIBA and the Indianapolis Marion County Library. I thought this would be a good way for the group to “meet-up” during the winter months.

CIBA members, Chuck & Barb Fearnow will tell tales of cycling in Ireland. They will wow you with their stories. Intrigue you. Motivate you to take your own trip. Make you laugh. And generally give you a night of fun and entertainment.

When:

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 7:00 PM

Where:

Central Library Auditorium
One Library Square
40 East St. Clair Street
Indianapolis IN 46204