FRONT SIDE:  OPEN

First I would like to thank all the volunteers who could make it to help put on the Outback Trail's Fall Time Trial.  Dana & Ivy @ Registration, Will as timer, Paul, Doug, Pete doing course marshal duties, JO to help tear down & clean up.  I was walking in circles keeping things dis-organized as usual.

I did not hear any complaints about trail conditions, except for the new found sand pits.  Those who stayed away due to our trail closed signs missed out on a super day.  All the racers I spoke with had a good ride & a great post race time. 

PLEASE thank our sponsors, as we would not have swag without them.  Take a few seconds to send an email and let them know you appreciate what they do for you as well as us.  Call our local bike shops, Zim's & TREK for supplying swag and advertising the event.  Thanks again  to the Portage Parks for feeding our support  folks and the racers.  Burgers and dogs were on them.  [Thanks Dave]  The Outback Trail Commission supplied the rest of the goodies.

Have a good off season & we hope to see you in the spring of  2009. 

See you on the trails,

No-air Bud

The Roller Coaster has parts of it blocked off, you only miss two of the worst hills.    If you ride the other sections , use EXTREME CAUTION.   You can take the EXIT @ the Sign Post and miss all of that section. 

If you spot trees down or safety issues on the trail please add a note to these links.  We do read them.

Ride w. care,

No-air Bud

We all use bicycles as a tool for recreation.  But every once in a while we need to be reminded of the that the bicycle is the transportation vehicle for every man as it requires no fuel except what we put in our mouths.  In some nations, access to a bicycle (even those things they sell at Wal-Mart) can be a life changing experience facilitates economic mobility for those who can afford them.  Check out this article at http://cnn.com about Pedals For Progress.

If you enter Imagination Glen from SR-149 parking is available in the Steel Wheels BMX parking lot.  This lot is located on the north side of the Iron Horse Trail just next to the BMX track.  The BMX double gate is being left open so all trail users can park OFF of the Iron Horse Trail.  Please do not park along the Iron Horse Trail  as there are Portage Park maintenance vehicles and Enstrom Storage clients who use this as a road way.  There is a long single gate that leads into the soccer complex.  If that gate is left open DO NOT PARK in the soccer complex.  That single main gate is locked at night and you do not want to be locked in.  Look at one of Webmaster Will's maps and this will all make perfect sense.

Enjoy the trails,

No-air Bud

The Outback Trail will be the venue of Midweek Mt. Bike Madness.  Starting @ 5 PM as it gets darker earlier.  Meet in the gravel lot near the Information Kiosk.  It's next to the OPEN /CLOSED trail-head sign.  [the first right turn as you enter Imagination Glen] 

We hope to have enough support to split into several groups for Beginners and Intermediate riders.  If you are new to Mt biking be sure to :

1.  Wear a HELMET !!!   NO ONE RIDES with out a helmet.   Eye protection helps a LOT, gloves are good too.

2.  Bring water/sport drink.  A water bottle will get you by, but CamelBak type hydration packs work the best. 

3.  Bring your bike.  The commercial was funny, but trying to ride with no bike is not. 

The response has been great.  Some riders want to leave @ 17:00, others are ready by 17:30.  We have had enough people for 2 groups, no worries.  But it is 5 PM.

See you on the trail,

No-air Bud

NIMBA has set dates for 2 Weekly rides this  season.  For full information go to www.nimba-bike.org.

WEEKLY RIDES:

Wednesday:        Potato Creek @ 6 pm

Thursday:            Rum Village @ 6 pm

One of the most important aspects of cycling is your pedalling technique.  An efficient technique can add a significant amount of power to your pedaling.  I found this excellent article discussing the different pedaling techniques.  It's a great thing to practice on a stationary bike in preparation for spring.