Cycling for charity
A cool way to raise cash
BY SHEILA ASCROFT
¦ ARE YOU A CASUAL cyclist who has • Think bike position now. If your neck hurts
thought about trying a charity tour? But after an hour ride or your butt is sore or
perhaps you feel a little intimidated? Well, your hands go numb, it means your bike
this is the year to go for it! is not fitted perfectly to you. Don’t wait
Sign up for some fun, camaraderie, a until start time to get advice on proper
good sweat, and help raise funds for a positioning. Bike shop staff can tell you
worthy cause. The Rona MS Bike Tour how. It may simply require lowering your
(
www.mssociety.ca/ontario/bike_ottawa. saddle (if your hips are rocking) or raising
htm) August 9 and 10 offers training tips for your stem (if your neck hurts). • Think about which position you want
the one-day or two-day Ottawa-Kemptville • Lighten your load. If you are riding 65 for the start. Charity tours are not races,
/
ANZELETTI
event. The one-day version is about kilometres a day, a kilogram off the but some keeners do ride fast, so avoid a
65 kilometres from Carleton University bike will mean more enjoyment on position near the starting line unless you
.
C
OM
T
O
to Kemptville College. There’s a free the road. You won’t need your rack are comfortable with a 25- to 35-km/h
bus back to Carleton (and a truck for your and saddlebags unless you can’t eat pace. Stake out space further back in the
I
S
T
OCKPHO
bike) at 4 p.m. what’s offered en route, or if you expect pack. (You can usually tell the speedsters
Y
©
B
And don’t hang up your bike on Labour miserable weather. (Your overnight bag by the skinny-tire, and expensive-looking
T
O
Day. You’ll have another chance to try will be carried by the MS wagon.) racing bikes with tiny pedals.) P
HO
bike touring with the Cycle for Autism • Leave that child carrier at home, unless • If you have a child in a carrier attached
(
www.autismontario.com/ottawa). It takes you’re bringing the baby. The lightened to your bike, play it safe and wait at the
off on Sept. 21. load will make you feel like a kid on the back of the pack. The start can be tricky
road. with a crush of cyclists trying to move
preparatiOn
• Take one or two filled water bottles, and all at once. Keep one foot on the ground
• Give your bike a serious check-up a week drink them. You can fill up again at rest and step your bike forward until you have
before the event. Although mechanics stops every 15 to 20 kilometres. Fuel enough clear room to pedal properly.
are usually available at the start and yourself before the ride, during the ride, Don’t be in a rush. A fall here could cause
along the route for emergency repairs, and after. On event day, if you miss a pileup and injuries.
don’t count on it. breakfast, tuck a banana and a bagel • Think positively. You can go farther than
• Pump up those tires. Go up to the (plus an energy bar) in your pocket, and you think. Even if you have never done
maximum pressure listed on the munch away as soon as you can. Tour 75 kilometres before.
sidewalls, then check later to see if they organizers provide refreshments during • Take your time, keep a steady but
are still hard. If not, and you can’t find the and after the ride. comfortable pace and conserve your
leak to patch it, then new inner tubes are energy. The adrenalin rush at the start is
in order. Examine the tire rubber for cuts,
eVent Day
normal – hey, it’s exciting – but curb your
splits or imbedded sharp objects. If you • Warm up before the start. Slow cycling enthusiasm. This is not a race.
find any, it’s time to consider buying new around the start area will help loosen • If you couldn’t get friends to ride with
tires. Pump up to maximum pressure the cold muscles, if you didn’t ride over to the you, keep in mind that the pack will thin
morning of the ride. event. Some tours provide free massages out and you will find other cyclists going
• Brakes should work without squealing. before you ride. Try it! at your speed. A little chat and you’ll find
Dirty rims or worn pads are usually the • An approved bike safety helmet is yourself in your own pack. Riding in a
culprits. mandatory (for sponsors’ liability). If pack means the rider in front blocks the
• Gears should shift smoothly on all cogs you don’t have one already, get one that wind. So take your turn at the front, but
without skipping. If they skip, then the fits snugly – one that has plenty of air don’t overdo it.
derailleur cable has probably stretched vents to keep you cool. Adjust the straps • Ride smart. If you are puffing, slow down
and needs adjusting. so that a “V” forms just under your ear and wait for the next group of riders to reach
• A clean and lubricated chain will improve when buckled. Keep it level on your head, you. Enjoy the ride, talk to your new cycling
your ride. not back like a skullcap. companions and relax – routes are generally
• Weird noises, squeaks, rubs or scary- • Don’t overdress. You will warm up as well monitored and some are closed to
sounding clunks need examining and you ride so it is best to feel a bit cool vehicles. But look behind before pulling out
eliminating. In other words, it’s time for at the start. A windproof vest is smart to pass, and don’t ride so close that you
the bike shop. protection that can easily be carried. touch the wheel of the cyclist ahead.
12 OTTAWA >> SUMMER/FALL 2008
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64