Spring Winds

I feel like I've had a slow start to the riding season this year. However, the unusually warm weather makes me forget that most years I don't ride that much before April. After racing cyclocross until Nov or Dec and then ski racing until March I usually find the spring to be a good time to get caught up on the rest of life.

However, what is a person to do when we have 80 degree temps in March? The only answer is to get out on the bike. Next thing you know you are trying to get back to a regular schedule of riding as you can't help but remember that the first WEMS race is just around the corner and maybe you would want to do the Cable Area Off Road Classic again this year. And even though you skied the Birkie you can't believe how slow you feel on a bike so better get riding!

That's all well and good but spring in Wisconsin means WIND. This Sunday I decided I needed to do a longer ride and headed off to Belleville. The winds were fierce - either in your face or trying to blow you over with a nasty cross wind. I don't like winds . . . they are even worse than hills by my estimation. In all of my many, many times riding to Belleville it has never taken so long and felt so painful. Getting there is supposed to be the fun part as it is super flat and usually fast. At least the wind was at my back for the hills on Fritz and Riverside or I may have never made it home. I persevered though so hopefully what didn't kill me will actually make me stronger (faster would sure be nice too!).

Unfortunately I imagine there will be many more windy rides this Spring. Hopefully we luck out for our Mad FORCs Tuesday night road rides and avoid the worst of the windy nights. Tuesday rides start this Tuesday, April 6 at 5:30pm at the east end of the Arboretum. First week is to Paoli. Tues, April 13 I'm leading the ride to Goodland Park.

Renee

2010

With 70 degree days I guess the riding season is here!

The Mad FORCs Kick Off Meeting will be held this coming Monday, April 5 at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center's Youth Room at 7pm. Returning, new and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

Road and mountain bike rides are starting now. We'll go over the schedule at the meeting and I hope to get the website updated soon.

Renee

Mad FORCs host the Dirt Retreat with Alison Dunlap

An excellent weekend of mountain biking was had by all who

attended the Mad FORCs Dirt Retreat June 27th & 28th in Madison. The weather cooperated beautifully for Alison Dunlap who was one of the many talented instructors teaching mountain biking skills and techniques benefiting every level of rider from beginner to elite racer. Of course this awesome event wouldn't have been possible without the help from our many sponsors, listed to the right, Alison, Instructors and Dirt Retreat attendees. THANK YOU Sponsors for keeping all of us (students, moms, professionals, teachers, doctors, musicians, scientists, engineers) riding !

CAMBA Festival of the Trails

Renee C, Renee V, Pam and Carolyn all made their way "up north" to enjoy the first Festival of the Trails on the CAMBA trails. Good times were had by all . . . with food, schwag, and excellent singletrack!


Renee C. after getting drenched at the end of her ride on the Rock Lake trail. And yes it rained really hard!


Pam rocking the Hatchery Creek trails.


Carolyn enjoying some tasty food during the "Taste of the Trails" part of the weekend.

12 Hours of Northern Kettles

Some pics stolen from Brittany from the 2nd WEMS race, 12 Hours of Northern Kettles. Kathy, Berlie and Barb did a 12-Hour Women's team and Amelia rocked the 3-hour solo. Nice job gals!


Kathy




Barb



Amelia

Photos of our Middle School Ride

Middle School Ride

Last Thursday Deb, Melissa and Renee had the opportunity to go with kids from Spring Harbor Middle School on a bike ride. Originally the plan was to go mountain biking at the Kettles but the weather did not cooperate and the trails were closed that day. However, since the kids were anxious to ride and they had brought bikes to school Jen, their teacher, came up with a new plan. In stead we all rode from their school around the Capitol City Trail loop for a total distance of 20 miles.

It was quite a site - 22 middle school kids and 5 adults - making their way through town and around the trail. For most of the kids 20 miles of riding was a huge deal and at times I think all the adults had doubts if everyone would make it. However, we successfully got all the kids around the loop and back to school at the appointed time and with the only injury being some skinned knees.

Let's hope we can get them out mountain biking in the future!