Annual Winter Party Report..posted 1-22-2010

The 2010 Melon City Bike Club winter party was held Thursday, January 21st at the Missippi Brew. Approxiamately 60 members attended the event and enjoyed an all-you-can-eat Taco Bar sponsored by the club. After the meal, a brief meeting was held. Here is a summary of what transpired:

1) Membership dues were collected...( please remit your 2010 application, if you weren't able to attend the meeting.) Thanks to Greg Harper for being interim Treasurer.

2) Bike Club President, Chad Bishop gave his presidential address and graciously accepted another term as club president.

3)Deb Phillips was elected as Treasurer to replace John Fletcher. Thanks to John for his past services and to Deb for accepting the nomination.

4) Mike Doyle was elected Vice-President, and will be in charge of coordinating various group rides, including the Dinner Rides.

5)Peg Heither was elected Secretery and her duties will include helping Connie with the Bike Rodeo and annual printed newsletter, taking minutes at club officer meetings, organizing the 2nd annual RAMCO event (Ride Around Many Counties), & misc. club support/participation.

6)Joe Mann volunteered to organize the club's annual Century Ride

7) Dave Cooney was awarded monies to support his RAGBRAI tree planting program.

8) MelonHead representatives reminded group about their annual ride May 21/22.

9)Greg Harper informed group regarding a Father's Day Ride that will leave from Muscatine to connect with the annual event along the Davenport riverfront. He also confirmed the 2010 Melon City Criterium.

10) Members spoke regarding the status of the County's refusal to allow bike route signage and caution signs. A discussion about proper/courteous/safe road riding techniques was held. The county will be approached again with another proposal later this year.

11) Weekly rides were discussed and members were encouraged to find a ride that fits their interests and to organize their own rides and communicate them through yahoo group posts.

12) Connie Mann reminded group to sign up for the club's RAGBRAI charter. Currently, the number of people signed up is lower than usual.

There will be an officer's meeting this spring that everyone is encouraged to attend. Specific decisions regarding club events & sponsorships will be decided at that time.

Thanks for your support of Muscatine Cycling. 2010 should be a great year to appreciate all of the ways that cycling can enhance the quality of your life.

Harper's Racing Team - Roller Race..posted 1-12-2010

Several local competitive cyclists and fans attended the Harper's Cycling & Fitness Rollerhead 2-mile Indoor Time Trial. Below is video that features Greg Harper and Bob Hayes battling against the clock.

Results: Harper's Cycling & Fitness Rollerhead 2-mile
January 9th, 2010

Senior 1,2,3
Chad Bishop 5:16.8
Tracy Thompson 5:26.6
Paul Denninger 5:42.9
Chris Reed 5:59.2

Senior 4
Travis Jass 5:32.1
Jon Sulzberger 6:03.4

Senior 5
Mark Beatty 6:25.1

Women
Kathleen Porter 8:51.8

Masters 40+
Mark Beatty 5:46.4
Tracy Thompson 6:02.4
Greg Harper 6:09.1
John Adamson 6:15.6
Dave Hammer 6:28.6
Richard Gilmore 6:43.3
Larry Howe 6:44.4
Randy Catron 6:58.0
Terry Grapentine 7:19.3
Bob Hayes 7:38.1
Vern Rotert 7:48.3

Annual Bike Club Party Announced..posted 12-16-2009

The Annual Melon City Bike Club Party will be held at the Missippi Brew!

Thursday, January 21st at 6pm

Taco Bar and Beverages Provided

We will elect officers, collect dues, listen to reports, and of course, enjoy this opportunity to socialize as a group. New members welcome!

Bike Club to Endorse Bike Routes Initiative..posted 11-19-2009

This program will be an asset to Muscatine County for a variety of reasons:

1) Bicycle traffic will be directed to those roads that are designated as bike routes and away from other roads that are less hospitable for bike traffic.
2) Positive safety factor for both bicyclists and motorists.
3) The nationwide American Discovery Trail will be identified all the way across the County. Muscatine county will be prominently identified on maps and publications and will be seen a leader.
4) The Mississippi River Trail will be identified spanning the County. This will reinforce the County’s unique situation at the crossroads of these two national resources.
5)This bike route network will provide connections between Muscatine, West Liberty, Wilton, Atalissa, Moscow, Fruitland, and Durant, as well as to Wildcat Den State Park and Saulsbury Recreation Area. Access is also provided to bike routes in Cedar, Johnson, Louisa, and Scott Counties
6)Muscatine County will be seen as a leader in the safe and responsible accommodation of bicycle and vehicular traffic for the benefit of all.

Proposed County Bike Routes Map

The project will include the preparation of mile by mile descriptions
& Signage for various rides and loops...
American Discovery Trail across county
Mississippi River Trail across county
Muscatine-Wilton Loop(s)
Wilton-Durant Loop(s)
Muscatine-Lone Tree-West Liberty Loop (includes Johnson County)
Muscatine-Wapello Ride (includes Louisa County) Etc.

Questions, concerns, want to help?.... Contact Larry: koehrsen@machlink.com

Club's Gift Recognized in Muscatine Journal...posted 11-13-2009

Velo Gourmet & Boo! Ride...posted 10-7-2009

Members of the Melon City Bike Club Enjoyed a great day of food, fun and fitness during the October 4th VeloGourmet. Pictured above are members gathering in front of Mike Doyle's home for dessert.

Muscatine Racing Results...posted 9-23-2009

Some local Muscatine cyclists enjoyed a rewarding weekend of racing...

Harvest Hammer Duathlon - Sept. 19th, 2009
Chad Bishop - 1st place Overall - 1:09:19
Tim Armstrong - 7th place overall - 1:17:28
Jeremy Oepping - 10th place overall - 1:17:38
Jon Sulzberger - 14th place overall - 1:23:24
Mark Evans - 29th place overall - 1:32:58
Tonya Armstrong - 6th place overall female - 1:35:49

(John Sulzberger, Mark Evan, Tonya/Tim Armstrong, Chad Bishop)

(Chad Bishop finishing the 21mile bike leg as the 1st Male Individual)

TriHawks Triathlon - Sept. 20th
Chris Mann - 1st/23 age group (M20-24) - 1:12:19
Connie Mann - 1st/8 in age group (F45-49) - 1:23:46
Eric Furnas - 5th/30 in Clydesdale - 1:24:57
Kelsey Davis - 2nd/25 in age group (F20-24) - 1:25:29
Julie Evans - 4th/4 in age group (F50-54) - 2:02:13

(Chris and Connie Mann)

(Julie Evan riding over the Coraville Dam during the race)

(Chris Mann during the cycling portion of the TriHawks Triathlon)

Late Summer Riding...posted 9-17-2009

The Monday Night Group Rides are as popular as ever, as is evident in the above picture from a recent ride. Participants appreciate an opportunity to engage in a pleasant social outing while burning calories and improving their fitness.

Now is the time of year to consider rigging your bike up with front and rear lights. You can squeeze in a bit more riding after work, not to mention having added safety in case you get caught out after dark.

There are a couple of night riding options as well. Specifically, club members enjoy a 'Halloween Ride' each year that features a bon-fire and a spooky tour of Muscatine's most haunted areas. Another annual tradition is the 'Holiday Lights Ride' in which club members gather to enjoy local yard decorations by bike.

County Bike Routes Committee..posted 9-6-2009

Opportunity To Create Safe Riding Routes

Proposed County Bike Routes Map

Larry Koehrsen, a long-standing member of the Muscatine Trails Committee is seeking our help. He is willing to lead an effort to designate certain Countyroads as official "bike routes", complete with signage and maps. What he needs are members to join this ad hoc committee to get things rolling.

As you read this, I know many of you are imagining just such a thing ... those nice county roads we ride so often would be ideal "designated bike routes".The recognizable signage and public awareness would serve to make our rides safer. And the fact that Muscatine County would become even more "bike friendly" would be an enticement to tourism, and an enhancement to our community's quality of life.

So I'm making a pitch to the Club's membership to consider joining Larry's committee ... Any help will be appreciated, from suggesting routes to designing graphics for the signs.

To volunteer, reply to: koehrsen@machlink.com. Or if taking part directly isn't something you can do, perhaps you could email Larry and thank him for being proactive and express your thoughts on the issue.

Your email may come in handy as a written record to bolster support for official county road bike routes.

2009 Velo Gourmet...posted 8-20-2009

VELO GOURMET which will be Sunday, October 4th. Reservations are limited. Cost is $15.00 per person. This fee covers the cost of the food. Any remaining $$ goes into the club and in the past has been designated towards ìbike safety and/or helmets.

Email reservation to cmann@machlink.com and send check to:

Connie Mann
2674 Leah Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761

This very successful annual event has limited space, so make sure to sign up early.

Ride for a good cause, Saturday Sept. 26th...posted 8-11-2009

There are three great local fundraising bike rides planned for Saturday Sept. 26th.

1) The Miracles Can Happen Challenge starts in Wilton, Iowa at the park with the swimming pool. There are 25, 50, 72 and 100 mile route options. Depending on your route distance, you can start anytime between 6:30am and 11am. They serve a hearty warm breakfast at the registration area. There are also well supported rest/feed stops and ice cream floats at the finish.

2) The Courage Ride also takes place on Saturday, September 26th. It begins at the Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona. It features live music, breakfast, lunch, supported feed stops and several route options. Breakfast is served from 6am to 11am (Dad's Belgian Waffles) with the 100 mile riders starting at 7am. The shorter distance routes (60, 40 and 20) start at 8am through to 11am. If all of that wasn't sweet enough, you also get a pair of socks.

3) '2nd Annual Bike Ride Benefit - in Memory of Amy Meyer' at the Missippi Brew.

Participating in these events is a great way to supoort a good cause while improving your personal physical and mental health in the process. Pick an event and join in on the fun.

Time for some more PIE...posted 8-3-2009

2009 Melon City Bike Club Annual - PIE RIDE - Sunday August 9th - 1pm - Pearl City Station Ride with the group to Buffalo Prairie for some Homeade Pie. Please RSVP with Connie Mann by Wednesday at Noon so they know how much pie to make. cmann@ci.muscatine.ia.us

RAGBRAI 2009... 'They're Back!' ...posted 7-29-2009

The Melon City Bike Club had another great RAGBRAI experience. Below are some pictures provided by Julie Evans and Connie Mann...

We had an AWESOME wine and cheese party on Sunday that was a great social event. Since we had many out-of-state riders, it was great to get reacquainted and meet the newbies.

WineHosts Julie Evans and Connie Mann organized a Wine and Cheese Party along with non-alcoholic beverages as well. Lonnie Cook and Mark Evans helped with the social event.

George Utley- The oldest individual in our group, George turned 80 years old on July 26th. George has ridden several RAGBRAIs.

Tuesday was a very cold day of riding with rain all through the morning and temps in the low 60s. Did you know that Iowa isn't flat? Everyone that rode RAGBRAI can attest to that.

Setting up the beer garden around 9am. They were having a bit of trouble getting the bottle up. Passing cyclists were suggesting Viagra.

Support team captain Darrin, relaxing amongst the flock.

Fellow Melon City Bike Club members on the route.

Club members gathering to enjoy breakfast.

One of many sunrises Julie enjoyed from the back of the tandem.

Shadows along the corn.

Julie and Mark celebrating thier arrival in Burlington. Congratulations.

Organization Supports Cyclists Rights ...posted 7-17-2009

Muscatine Cyclists have expressed interest in supporting an exciting new organization poised to increase the safety of cycling... Yield To Life. Pro cyclist David Zabriskie, who has been in several serious accidents, had this message:

"It is my mission to humanize and personalize cyclists to help motorists to always be aware that we are "life" and that we deserve a safe space on the road. I love to ride my bike as do my fellow cyclists, but we should not have to place our lives at risk everyday for that enjoyment."

Please visit the Yield to Life website for more inormation:

Melon City Bike Club president, Chad Bishop, has proposed that the group donate to this organization. The jersey below will then be awarded to the drawing winner at this year's annual Winter Meeting.

From the website:
"Yield to Life needs you. Give a donation to Yield to Life and help save cyclists lives and improve everyone's quality of life on the road. Donations will be used for awareness campaigns and education initiatives that will target both motorists and cyclists alike, young and old, with the goal of making cycling safe for all. Safe cycling programs will encourage more people to ride for their own health, the health of the planet, and the wellbeing of society. Become a part of this exciting movement."

State Criterium Championships ...posted 7 -6-2009

Four riders from the club sponsored Harper's Cycling Racing Team competed in the 2009 Iowa State Criterium Championships. Greg Harper, Chad Bishop, Jon Sulzberger and Robert Hayes battled against some of the fastest talent in the region in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Greg brought home a silver medal and Robert's efforts were rewarded by earning a bronze.

Above: Chad Bishop leads the Masters field with Greg Harper racing attentively on the far left. Team Results

CLUB CENTURY RIDE ...posted 6-30-2009

The Annual Melon City Bike Club Century Ride was a success with 30 riders participating. Thanks to Char Humiston for coordinating the SAG stop with food/drinks and to Chuck Vesey for some road reconnaisance earlier last week.

Bill Telle
Dave Cooney
Bret McGreer
Deb Elliott
Nanci Ellis
Diane Tank
Peg Heither
Chuck Vesey
Carol Ward
Ira Morgan
Connie Mann
Teri Lyons
Eric Furnas
Jonathon Knott
Chan Mun Yew
Jim Thomas
Diane & Dan Olsen
Dave May
Bill McCracken
Julie & Dan Rose
Chris Steinbach
Dave Moody
Marnee Acker
Tony Carl
Amy & Nathan Selikoff (Orlando)
Tim Armstrong
John Fletcher

Congratulations to everyone who survived the winds and went over 100 miles for the day. A great accomplishment by all.