Mid Hudson Bicycle Club

Your Monthly Update

March 2024

New Club Member Benefits

These discounts are available to MHBC members only.

enduranceWERX has a $100 discount off a professional bike fit by Chad Butts in Montrose or NYC. Chad uses the Retul system to dial in your fit.

TRT Bicycles in Rosendale. is offering 15% off parts and accessories.

Zealios offers premium personal care items for athletes and everyday adventurers. MHBC members receive a 25% team discount during all of 2024. For a limited time, through March 28, the discount is 40%.

Finally, Undrbudr, whose products include high-performance, shea-enriched chamois cream and massage oils to activate and recover muscles is offering a 25% discount.

You can find out more about these and other member benefits in the member info section under the info tab on our website... The password is in your membership confirmation email.

Submitted by Jeff Saffir & Debora Fitzgerald

Note from Paula Ward

Thank you to everyone who offered condolences, came to John’s memorial to remember him and share stories, or made donations in his name. He loved riding with all of you. And, it was a comfort to see and hear from so many friends during such a terrible time-much love to everyone, Paula.    

Clinton Roubix Gravel Event May 11

Registration and more info

Come ready to ride the Clinton Roubaix.  The short course 40 miles/2500ft will take you past horse farms, hidden lakes, and the famous Omega Institute.  The mostly rolling mixed terrain will make for a great day on the bike.  This route will be restricted to the western side of the Taconic Parkway.

The long route, the Metric, is also mixed terrain and will bring pain at 62 miles/6500ft of climbing.  You will pass farms and homes of grand stature, some owned or formerly owned by stars of the stage, screen and sports.  This route will be almost entirely on the eastern side of the Taconic Parkway. 

If it’s dry this ride can easily be done on 33C tires. If it’s wet, bring out 40C tires as the roads turn to peanut butter.  

There are no refunds unless the event is cancelled by the organizer.  Refunds will not include Bikereg fees.  Ride registration is 100% transferrable and you may swap categories at any time up until May 1, 2024.

After Party- to be determined but the venue will have working restrooms and plenty of parking. 

Ride organizer: Jeff Dolfinger

New to the Club Road Rides

April 7 & April 20

These rides are for those who are new to road riding or new to riding in a group. We will be leaving out of Tony Williams Park in Highland because there is ample parking, restrooms and it is right off the rail trail where we can practice some skills, if needed, before hitting the road. The route will be 12.9 miles, low traffic and minimal elevation/climbing. Looking to have a start time of 2:00 to allow those leading the rides to do their normal riding earlier in the day. The ride will be a C pace (10-12 mph) and have at least two experienced riders to lead and sweep. Time will be given for an introduction, rule discussion as well as question and answer period. Rain at start cancels. I will post any necessary updates on FB. Hope to see you out there! Please arrive no later than 1:45. Make sure your bike is in good working/mechanical condition, bring your helmet, water and any snacks you may want. Sign up to reserve your spot.

Submitted by Jeff Saffir

MHBC board is looking for managers for the annual Summer Picnic and Fall Roundup. The summer picnic will be held on Sat, July 13 at Tony Williams Park, Highland. Jason Klock is managing the ride routes and ride leaders. Prior to the event the job involves selecting/ordering the lunch food. On the day of the event duties include setting up the venue in the morning, picking up the lunch food and cleaning up at the end. The club supplies a budget and the paper goods, utensils, and table cloths. The date and venue for the Fall Roundup has not been selected. In addition to the listed duties for the summer picnic, the event manager would need to select the date, venue and ride routes with leaders. Board members will provide support every step of the way for either event. Anyone who can help should contact Ron Gall @ (914) 456-6953 or rongall@optonline.net.

Cycling has a fixation with “suffering”. Typically, it's related to the effort and challenges we put ourselves through. However, as bicycle fit professionals, we are constantly meeting riders of all abilities who are enduring, and accepting, a different type of suffering. Unfortunately, these ailments on the bike causing discomfort, dysfunction, and frustration, become part of the sport. 

Time to backpedal. These attitudes persist because resolving fit issues can be complicated, taking time and experimentation. Regardless, a bike that properly fits your sui generis, should be a joy to ride, nothing less. Training for these endeavors will require physical exertion and stress, but knowing the difference between good stress, brought on by the exertion, and unnecessary distress, brought on by ill fitting equipment, is necessary. 

Over the coming newsletters we’ll highlight a few of the most common maladies and misconceptions we see in the bike fitting business. A good fitter will provide an education, and a roadmap to exploring your best position on a bike. Some cases are harder than others, but investing some time and attention to your bike fit can make the “suffering” a little more satisfying.

Submitted by Chad Butts enduranceWERX 

Rides are being added to the calendar as the weather gets warmer. Check either the club calendar on the website or in the club Teamup app for gravel rides, weekly evening rides, multilevel and level specific group specific road rides.

Any questions or concerns, contact us

https://midhudsonbicycleclub.com/contact

Newsletter Editor: Gail Thornton, MHBC Secretary

Newsletter submissions should be sent to mhbc.clerk@gmail.com