Amishland & Lakes Bicycle Tour

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Audra Hoover
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1 May 2011 From the President: Hello, MBA Riders Our weather has been a little fickle this spring, but I finally got my first Wednesday ride in. After huffing and puffing up the first couple of hills, things got a little better. Several fellow lady riders were cruising, (if that is what it was), along the route until we decided to split at the fork of two rides. Bonnie and Jennifer decided to stay with me on the shorter route since it was my first ride. Everything was going great until Bonnie turns onto Garver Lake Road and yells out, I think I have a flat tire. Now remember, it was just three women on a short evening cruise. With no other riders in sight, Bonnie started taking off the rear wheel and proceeded to take off the tire. After much tugging and pulling, she got it off with a little help from Jennifer and a lot of supervising by myself. We were able to see that the hole was around the stem so Bonnie put a little air in the new tube and proceeded to work it back on. After another series of tugs and pulls, the tire finally cooperated and then the task to air it up. Well, that didn t go too well. After two tire pumps left us with nothing better than the flat tire, Bonnie pulled out the CO2 cartridge and with one twist, instant success. Jennifer was the brave one to get her hands dirty pulling the chain back on the rear wheel. So much for being able to change a tire without getting your hands dirty. After a couple of turns of the wheel, Bonnie was back on the road. Success! Teamwork! The women got it done! Michiana Bicycle Association Amishland & Lakes Bicycle Tour The Amishland and Lakes Bicycle Tour is a truly unique cycling tour originating in Howe, Indiana. The dates for this year's event are Friday, August 5th thru Sunday, August 7th. This ride is the MBA's primary fundraiser, enabling us to support bicycle safety awareness and training, as well as all the social functions the MBA puts on throughout the year. The ride is only possible with the help of many volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, contact Bonnie Yoder at marbonyod@att.net. She will give you a special Volunteer Application Form to fill out and turn in. This entitles you or a family member to ride for free! But even if you can't volunteer, we would like to see you out there! The brochures for Amishland and Lakes have been sent out. Look it over and send in the attached application. Or you can apply on-line at Robert Riley Edward Sobol William Westbury Continued on page 4 1

club members and to other bicycle related organizations.

and tips on improving the sport of bicycling.

Members may place classified ads, notices of ride companions wanted, and reports of

net Bonnie Yoder (574) 243-9027 marbonyod@att.

raynellen@att.net Joyce McNarney (574)233-2630 jjmcnarney@att.

richard@hessindustries.com richardcouch7@gmail.

net Dean Kanalos (574)220-1878 dckanalos@aol.

2 The Newsletter of the Michiana Bicycle Association P. O. Box 182 Granger, IN The newsletter is published monthly for distribution to the club members and to other bicycle related organizations. Submission of local and state bicycle news is encouraged as well as cycling experiences and tips on improving the sport of bicycling. Submissions should be in writing or e- mailed. Members may place classified ads, notices of ride companions wanted, and reports of stolen bicycle without charge. Deadline is the 10th of the month for the following month s newsletter. President Vice President 2011 OFFICERS Gail Weaver (269) gailw@hughes.net Bonnie Yoder (574) marbonyod@att.net Vice President of Publishing Ray Halicki (574) Secretary Treasurer raynellen@att.net Joyce McNarney (574) jjmcnarney@att.net Dick Kuehl (574) DIRECTORS Richard Couch(269) Couch.richard@hessindustries.com richardcouch7@gmail.com Ellen Halicki (574) raynellen@att.net Dean Kanalos (574) dckanalos@aol.com Jeff Nolen(574) hammerhead@netnitco.net Karl Pehling (574) karlpehling@aol.com Rod Recla (269) recla@aol.com Emmitt Troyer (574) ektroyer@sbcglobal.net Mba_banker@att.net Chris Vanden Bossche (574) cvandenb@nd.edu Jeff Winegardner (574) jwine1958@att.net Marlon Yoder (574) marbonyod@att.net Club dues are $25.00 per year membership expires on March 31, The hot-line has been discontinued. Information on club rides and up-coming events is available on our website 2

MBA WEB SITE http://www.mbabike.com Look at the website for details of rides for 2011 club season. Ride maps are also on the site. Amishland & Lakes Bicycle Tour Www.amishlandlakes.

htm http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/ilrides.htm (Illinois) http://www.lmb.org (Michigan) http://www.bikeleague.org http://www.adventurecycle.

3 MBA WEB SITE Look at the website for details of rides for 2011 club season. Ride maps are also on the site. Amishland & Lakes Bicycle Tour Larger Area Ride Information Here is a list of some web sites that have schedules of rides in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan (Illinois) (Michigan) WEARING AN APPROVED HELMET IS MANDATORY WHEN RIDING A BIKE WITH THE MBA The businesses that advertise in the MBA Newsletter extend a 10% discount to members, generally on non-sale items. You must show your membership card to be eligible for the discount. Albright s Cycling & Fitness Elkhart Bicycle Shop Lincoln Avenue Cycling Pro Form 2720 Lincoln Way West Mishawaka, IN All About Cycling 401 East Jackson Blvd. Elkhart, IN W Lincoln Avenue Goshen, IN South Bend Avenue South Bend, IN The Avenue Bicycle Station 2716 Mishawaka Avenue South Bend, IN Family Bicycle Center 3410 South Main Street Elkhart, IN 4651 Metro run & walk Outpost Center 3522 N. Grape Road Mishawaka, IN Spin Zone Bittersweet Road Granger, IN Cycle and Fitness 211 E Main Street House of Bicycles OutPost Sports Niles, MI McKinley Hwy 3601 N Grape Road Osceola, IN Mishawaka, In

4 From the President (continued from page 1): Now there has to be a moral to this story as all good stories have one. It has to be hidden in the laughs and jokes while having so much fun changing a bicycle tire. What started out as a beautiful Wednesday evening ride, turned into a wild adventure for three lady riders. We not only saved gas, pollution and got good exercise, but found out that we could change a tire when we put together the brainpower of three women. If you didn t make it to the kick-off ride on April 3 rd, we had over 20 riders, a lot of great food and found time to catch up on what everyone had been doing over the winter. It was only in the 40 degree range when the afternoon started, but by the time we all loaded up to head home, the weather was in the middle 50 s. Where were those temps when the bikers were fighting those 30 mile per hour winds earlier? Be sure to check out all the area rides. Some are for great causes and some for family fun. Bike the Bend in South Bend and the ADEC Family Ride in Elkhart are just two in May. The MBA is working on the Amishland and Lakes for August and have much work ahead to be ready by then. Please contact Bonnie Yoder and get your name in the volunteer schedule. Our success always depends on the help of a great many volunteers from the club. It s never too early to sign up or ask us what other help we might need prior to the ride. It s only the beginning of the season so we hope to hear about many great rides as the weather warms and the winds calm to gentle breezes. We can only hope. Have a wonderful summer and be safe out there! Gail Weaver MBA President UPCOMING RIDES There are countless riding opportunities out there! In addition to the full schedule of MBA weekly rides, there are lots of annual cycling events dedicated to worthy causes. Here are just a few for you to consider: Sunday, May 15, Bike the Bend, This event was huge last year the place to be for cycling in Michiana. Great mix of veteran cyclists and newbies. Saturday, May 21st, 39th Annual ADEC Ride-a Bike Bike.php. Helping disabled children and adults in Elkhart County Saturday, June 4, Wheels of Compassion, Support for the Center for Healing & Hope, Elkhart County. June 11, Tour de Cure, Indy Motor Speedway, Tour de Cure is a national event, with cycling tours held at 83 locations across the country, all to support the effort to find a cure for diabetes. Saturday, June 18, Pumpkinvine, Supporting trail development. Saturday, June 25, 11 PM, NITE Ride, Navigate Indy This Evening. A 20 mile tour of Indy. New venue this year: IUPUI. Saturday, July 16. RAIN Ride Across Indiana, miles. One day. What more do you need to know? August 5-7, Amishland & Lakes, Howe, IN. The premier cycling event in northern Indiana. (IMHO) Sunday, September 25. Apple Cider Century, 4

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The MBA at Bike the Bend The MBA is having a table at the Bike the Bend packet pick up at the College Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, May 14th, and at Potawatomi Park on Sunday, May 15th.

6 The MBA at Bike the Bend The MBA is having a table at the Bike the Bend packet pick up at the College Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, May 14th, and at Potawatomi Park on Sunday, May 15th. At the table we are having club information, membership, ALL information and registration. Those of you that volunteer for events that MBA is asked to assist with, such as helping with bicycle education at the school, Eco-fest at ND, Kids triathlon, or as above we are having a presence to promote our club, please send me an and let me know what you helped with and the number of hours. I will keep track of this, so at our awards banquet in January we have this information to help pick Volunteer of the Year. I am already tracking ALL volunteers. Thanks, Bonnie Yoder MBA Adopt-a-Highway The next time you are riding on Redfield, enjoying the absence of trash, remember the efforts of the MBA to keep this road looking good. MAY 15, :30 11:30 am ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR BIKE THE BEND IS OPEN! Bike the Bend is a unique recreational, noncompetitive bicycling event in our community where casual and experienced riders can ride the streets and trails of South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County, Indiana. The registration page of Bike the Bend is officially open. Go to check-out the details and sign up today! The second annual Bike the Bend is a partnership of community sponsors with The Louise Addicott and Georgina Joshi Foundation. Only four showed up for the semi-annual road cleaning on Sunday April 10th: Bob Magor, John McNarney, and Gail & Mike Weaver. They collected over a dozen bags of debris from the roadside. Our thanks to them! Have you renewed your MBA membership? Memberships expired on March 31st each year, so if you have not renewed, fill out the membership form on the back of this newsletter and send it in. Get your newsletter online? Just go to to download the form. Today! 6

Safety Training at Muessel School The first spring bicycle safety classes for spring of 2011 are underway. The first presentation kicked off the 2011 schedule on Friday, April 1 at Muessel School.

7 Safety Training at Muessel School The first spring bicycle safety classes for spring of 2011 are underway. The first presentation kicked off the 2011 schedule on Friday, April 1 at Muessel School. Eighty-eight third grade students were given a brief instruction about rules of the road, courtesy, being visible and predictable as well as bike demo and helmet demo. Ten helmets were donated to the school s reading incentive program. The students were spontaneously grateful and most of us heard a happy thank you without prompting from teachers. Ray and Ellen Halicki and Vawn and Rod Recla, experienced and generous volunteers were helpful in completing the program in one hour. Twenty helmets were donated to Bike the Bend to be ready to fit children who do not have their own helmet. After distributing the helmets the supply from last year was complete. BMC budgeted funding for helmets so we were able to get another order quickly to present to Tarkington School on Tuesday, April 12, again with faithful vol- unteers, including Peg Taylor. We also received a promise of funds from Memorial Healthworks, SAFE KIDS OF ST.JOE COUNTY. The class format was similar to Muessel School and the sixty-six third grade students at Tarkington were individually fit. Again we saw their proud and happy faces and their response to wear a helmet each time they ride their bike. We have upgraded the helmets in the new shipment. Though they are more expensive, they are easy to fit and are very comfortable for the students. We have enough helmets for another school and funding for 2-3 schools total. Thank you to all who have volunteered without whom we could not be so successful in these valuable programs and meeting our mission for bicycle safety education. If you would like to get involved, please contact me. Judy Lee judyalee@embarqmail.com Bill Lee and Rod Recla showing some 3rd graders at Muessel how it s done 7

8 ALL ARE WELCOME TO RIDE WITH THE MBA. FOR LATE INFO CALL THE HELMET USE IS MANDATORY ON ALL CLUB RIDES. ALL START TIMES ARE INDIANA TIMES MICHIANA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION RIDE SCHEDULE MAY WEEKEND RIDES Weekend rides do not have a host so bring your own map or ask another member at the ride. You can download a copy from the Weekend Maps list on the MBA website at mbabike.com. To obtain a complete set of maps and cue sheets contact Chris Vanden Bossche at , cvandenb@nd.edu, or at a ride. Saturday, April 30, 2010 at 1 p.m. Osolo East. These routes travel northeast and along the St. Joseph River, then south towards Middlebury, returning via Bristol. Distances: 22, 37,45, 53. Meet at Osolo Elementary School (24975 County Road 6, Elkhart, IN) on the north side of Elkhart at the intersection of CR6 (Cleveland Rd in St. Joe county) and CR11 (aka Osolo Rd), east of Cassopolis St (IN-19). Sunday, May 1, 2010 at 1 p.m. Buchanan West. Head west toward Lake Michigan; routes start and end in a hilly area west of town but flatten toward the lake. Distances: 15, 21, 30, 39, 54, 66. Meet at Buchanan Middle School (610 W 4th St.), which is a few blocks north and west of the town s main intersection at Redbud and Front. NOTE CHANGE OF START TIME! Saturday, May 7, 2010 at 9 a.m. Sumnerville Northeast. These routes head north through beautiful country around Sister Lakes and then circle down northwest of Dowagiac. Distances: 14, 24, 31, 44, 56, 71. Sumnerville is a village 7 miles north of Niles and about 1 mile west of MI-51. Park at the church (61268 Indian Lake Rd.) on the west side of Indian Lake Rd, just south of Pokagon Rd. Sunday, May 8, 2010 at 9 a.m. Laville. Head south toward Walkerton, Koontz Lake, and Menominee Wetlands. Meet at Laville High School (69969 US-31 South), which is between Lakeville and Lapaz on US-31. Saturday, May 14, 2010 at 9 a.m. Pinhook. These routes head northwest of South Bend into southwest Michigan, with the longer routes then dipping into northern La Porte county. Optional start on the Riverside bike path up to Darden Rd. Distances: 15, 22, 30, 43, 51, 64. Meet at Pinhook Park, which is at 2801 Riverside Dr., just south of Cleveland Rd. 8

9 Sunday, May 15, 2010 There are two choices, Bike the Bend or the regular club ride Bike the Bend, 6:30-11:30 a.m. This is the second year of Bike the Bend, with a route that follows the St. Joseph river between St. Patrick s Park and Mishawaka. Join the route anywhere along the way. For more information and registration go to 9 a.m. Osolo North. These routes head north towards Vandalia, east toward Constantine and then return north of Bristol. Distances: 11, 22, 30, 44, 50, 60. Meet at Osolo Elementary School (24975 County Road 6, Elkhart, IN) on the north side of Elkhart at the intersection of CR6 (Cleveland Rd in St. Joe county) and CR11 (aka Osolo Rd), east of Cassopolis St (IN-19). Saturday, May 21, 2010 at 9 a.m. Moran Elementary School. These routes head south to Wakarusa, the longer ones travelling on to Nappanee and then east and north towards Goshen. Distances: 21, 35, 45, 57, 62. Meet at Moran Elementary School (305 N Beech Rd, Osceola), which is about two blocks north of Lincolnway and one mile west of the Elkhart County line. Sunday, May 22, 2010 at 9 a.m. Buchanan North. Head north through wine country and expect some hills in this area of glacial moraines. Distances: 14, 20, 34, 44, 54, 63. Meet at Buchanan Middle School (610 W 4th St.), which is a few blocks north and west of the town s main intersection at Redbud and Front. Saturday, May 28, 2010 at 9 a.m. Cassopolis. Head north to the area east of Dowagiac and return around Diamond Lake. Distances: 17, 28, 36, 44, 61. Park at the High School (22721 Diamond Cove Street, Cassopolis, MI), which is south of Cassopolis center, and just east of MI-62. Sunday, May 29, 2010 at 9 a.m. Warren. This route heads southwest toward Fish Lake. A couple miles of chip and seal near the start/finish are more than made up for by the pleasant roads of La Porte County. Distances: 18, 25, 32, 39, 50, 61. Park at Warren Elementary School (55400 Quince Rd), which is in Lydick west of South Bend, ½ mile south of Edison, 1 mile north of SR-2 (Western) & 2 miles west of the US-20/31 Bypass. Monday (Memorial Day), May 30, at 9 a.m. Sumnerville Northwest. Head north of Berrien Springs along the river (Hipps Hollow Rd is as fun as its name!) through orchard country and count on a stop at Tree-mendous Fruit Farm. Distances: 21, 31, 42, 48, 59, 67. Sumnerville is a village 7 miles north of Niles and about 1 mile west of MI-51. Park at the church (61268 Indian Lake Rd.) on the west side of Indian Lake Rd, just south of Pokagon Rd. 9

10 Saturday, June 4, 2010 at 9 a.m. Niles. These routes head west of town and loop through Morris Farms, with the longer routes making their way to Buchanan and then returning to Niles from the north. Distances: 17, 23, 31, 44, 56, 71. Use the Riverfront Park parking lot on the northeast corner of Main and Front in Niles, MI. Sunday, June 5, 2010 at 9 a.m. Ride and potluck from Bill and Judy Lee s home outside Walkerton. Details to be announced in the June newsletter. TUESDAY MORNING RIDES Tuesday rides do not have a host so bring your own map or ask another member at the ride. You can download a copy from the Tuesday Maps (formerly Letter Maps) list on the MBA website at mbabike.com. NOTE CHANGE OF START TIME! Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 2010, at 10 A.M. Knollwood. These routes quickly exit the suburbs and emerge into southern Michigan; the long route loops the Morris Farms. Distances: 10, 20, 23, 32, 40. Park at the Knollwood Country Club (16633 Baywood Ln, Granger, IN), which is north of University Park Mall, just west of the intersection of Adams and Grape. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 2010, at 10 A.M. Moran. These routes head south toward Wakarusa through mostly flat farmland in Elkhart county. Distances: 12, 19, 26, 33, 44. Meet at Moran Elementary School (305 N Beech Rd, Osceola), which is about two blocks north of Lincolnway and one mile west of the Elkhart County line. Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 2010, at 10 A.M. Horizon. These routes go north to Eagle Lake and east towards Union, MI; roads are mostly flat with a few rollers going out toward Union. Distances: 13, 20, 30, 41. Meet at Horizon Elementary School (10060 Brummitt Rd), which is in northeastern St. Joseph County north of Cleveland Rd and the Toll Road between Beech and Ash Rds. Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 2010, at 10 A.M. Pinhook. These routes take us north towards Buchanan in lovely southwest Michigan. Distances: 15, 22, 30, 43, 51, 64. Park at Pinhook park and take the bike path north to Darden where the routes begin. 10

11 Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 2010, at 10 A.M. Edwardsburg. Head north toward Dowagiac and Southwest Michigan College and expect a few rolling hills. Distances: 16, 22, 35, 45. Meet at the High School (69410 Section Street, Edwardsburg, MI), the southernmost school on Section St, which runs south of US-12 and parallel to MI-62 (IN-23 in Indiana). WEDNESDAY EVENING RIDES RIDE MAPS WILL BE HANDED OUT AT THE RIDE START BY THE RIDE HOSTS Wednesday, May 4, 2010 at 6 p.m. Bertrand Township Hall. Enjoy the beautiful area south of Buchanan and expect some hills in this area shaped by glacial moraines. Distances: 11, 17, 23, 29, 36. The hall is on Buffalo Rd just west of Redbud Trail (from South Bend take the US-31 bypass and exit west on US-12 to Redbud then turn south to Buffalo). Wednesday, May 11, 2010 at 6 p.m. Grissom East. These very flat roads take us east through farmland towards Wakarusa. Distances: 16, 20, 24, 30. Meet on the north side of Grissom Middle School (13881 Kern Rd.), which is at the intersection of Kern and Elm, 1 mile south of US-20 and 2 miles east of IN-331. Wednesday, May 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. Ring Lardner. Head north towards Barron Lake and then, on longer routes, up Anderson hill towards Dowagiac. Distances: 16, 20, 24, 29, 25. Meet at Ring Lardner Middle School (801 North 17th Street, Niles, MI ), which is north of MI-60 and south of Lake St. on the east side of Niles. Wednesday, May 25, 2010 at 6 p.m. Warren. We are going to try a return to this route that heads west towards (and at longer distances around) Hudson Lake. Distances: 17, 22, 26, 31, 36. Park at Warren Elementary School (55400 Quince Rd), which is in Lydick west of South Bend, ½ mile south of Edison, 1 mile north of SR-2 (Western) & 2 miles west of the US-20/31 Bypass. Wednesday, June 1, 2010 at 6 p.m. Horizon. Routes go north through Michigan lake country. Distances: 13, 19, 25, 35. Meet at Horizon Elementary School (10060 Brummitt Rd), which is in northeastern St. Joseph County north of Cleveland Rd and the Toll Road between Beech and Ash Rds. 11

12 MBA NEWS Michiana Bicycle Association PO Box 182 Granger, IN Membership, Newsletter Application, and Dues Mail to: Michiana Bicycle Association PO Box 182 Granger, IN Name: Address City, State Zip Phone: Cell: May this information be published in the handbook? Yes: No: Newsletter paper copy Make check payable to MBA Membership fee...$25.00 per individual or family living at same address (Age 70 or older- free, but must fill out renewal each year) Total Enclosed...$ Please check: New Member Renewal Address Change Name & ages of participating bicyclists in immediate family: Disclaimer - MUST BE SIGNED In signing this form for myself or the named applicant (if he or she is under 21), I agree to absolve all of the organizers, officers, sponsors and members of the Michiana Bicycle Association, Inc.,be they individuals or organizations, singly or collectively, of all blame for any injury, misadventure, harm/loss or inconvenience suffered as a result of taking part in the scheduled or non-scheduled activities of the Michiana Bicycle Association. Signature: Date: 12

From the President: Ray GARY METZLER CHET ZAWALICH PETE MOREY JEFF NOLEN DEBORAH RADECKI. Continued on Page 4

From the President: Ray GARY METZLER CHET ZAWALICH PETE MOREY JEFF NOLEN DEBORAH RADECKI. Continued on Page 4 October, 2008 Michiana Bicycle Associa- From the President: This will be the last President s letter for 2008. Time has flown by this year. A lot has happened. Many bicycle accidents with two fatalities.