Bi Weekly Column for the Addison Independent

The Club used to write Bi weekly articules in the local paper.  We would like to return to that avenue of communications to the public this comming summer in 05.  It was a great way to relate club news.  Below were some articules we pulled from the archives many years ago.  It will be interesting to see what times some of these club members get now up these climbs.

The Middlebury Bike Club:

Article Date: May 3^rd 

Wow, that is the only thing I can use to describe the spring riding conditions this year.  Just a little over a month ago I was riding up the triple chair on the back side of the Snow Bowl elating with Bill Bergeron how great the skiing and riding was this past winter, especially on the backside of the bowl where mother nature has more control over the conditions.  It was kind of a bittersweet conversation.  While the snow was at record setting levels that time of year we could only speculate what effect this would have on the up coming and inevitable mud season.  Would we be able to ride our mountain bikes before June this year?  As like last year’s wet spring riding, the dirt roads of Addison County get old after week three. 

Now go forward to the present.  Most of our trails have been drying up very early this year.  Follow the record snow with record heat, near record dryness with lots of wind and you get such a contrast of conditions you might think that you changed latitude overnight. 

There is something to do most every night of the week in and around Middlebury for both road bikers and mountain bikers.  Monday nights the Alpine Shop has their Mellow Monday Mountain Bike group ride for people that want to develop their skills led by expert rider Pete Wagner, Manger of the Alpine Shop.  If you want to learn how to wheelie or how to drop off three foot logs this is not your ride.  Pete takes the time to instruct new and beginner riders in the skills need to negotiate the mild single track around Middlebury.  This group starts in the rear parking lot of the Alpine Shop at 6:00PM.  Tuesday nights The Bike Center conducts its Road Time Trial Series.  These events alternate each week between the flat 10 mile out and back course on Shard Villa Road in contrast with a hilly climb up Middlebury Gap.  Starts are 6:00 PM at the intersection of the Three Mile Bridge road – Route 7 and the East Middlebury Post Office respectively.   Wednesday night brings a Mountain Bike Group ride for intermediate to advanced riders lead by Bill Bergeron of The Bike Center.  Bill is the Service Manager at The Bike Center and as well as being an expert rider and can help you with any mechanical questions you might have about your bike.  This group starts at The Bike Center at 6:00PM.  If you miss The Bike Center’s Wednesday Group ride you have another chance on Thursday night with the boys from the Alpine Shop.  They lead an intermediate to advanced mountain bike group ride on Thursday night meeting again in the parking lot at the rear of the Alpine Shop.  For the road riders, a few of the Middlebury Bike Club members car pool north to compete in the Green Mountain Cycling Club’s Thursday night Time Trial Series.  These times vary with the location of the trial, which changes weekly.  Contact Justin at The Bike Center to find out more.  The telephone numbers for the Alpine Shop 388-7547 and The Bike Center 388-6666. 

Results from the first hill climb on May 1^st were no surprise with Chaz Lyons besting the field with a sub 40-minute time.  Chaz you really need to get a cycling computer to record you times.  Jim Arnold made the climb in 46:51, a couple of minutes slower than his personal best of last year.  Justin Crocker pulled through with a time of 47:30.  If you remember, Justin had a major crash on this section of road in the Mad River Valley road race last year resulting in hip surgery.  Just the fact that he is riding, let alone competitively at this early season, is an inspiration to all of us. Dan Macintosh’s early season training for the Vermont Sun Triathlon Series gave him a 49:30.  Michael Ogden powered up the 1800-foot climb to finish out the pack in just under one hour.  May 8^th will be the flat ride out Shard Villa road with May 15^th the second gap climb.

By Jim Arnold

The Middlebury Bike Club:

Article Date: May 14^rd 

A stiff southern wind kept the split time high for the flat time trial May 8^th.  Jim Arnold started the course at 5:30pm, a half hour early, in anticipation of attending the town discussion that night of the proposed Route 7 south reconstruction.  Jim had a relatively easy time beating the rest of the field of 0 that particular afternoon, especially when Chaz Lyons and Justin Crocker took the night off.   Jim’s split was over 16 minutes with the downwind leg ahead of him.  He snuck in under one half hour but only by a few seconds.  Pierce Walderon met Jim at the finish and road the course also that day. 

Dave Tier had a similar commitment to Jim’s at a meeting discussing the bike and running legs of the Vermont Sun Triathlon series through the towns of Salisbury and Leicester.

As mentioned above, Mark Smith, a Consultant from the Engineering firm Dufresne-Henry, presented thier proposal to the town on the reconstruction of route 7 south.  According to Mark, bike travel lanes were incorporated into the plan. While not specifically mentioning it these lanes were to be not less than 2 to 3 feet wide.  This is an improvement in some of the existing white line to curb widths now.  It was mentioned that the existing storm water grates are in need of repair forcing the bike traffic now into the traveled lane of traffic.  Dan Werner, Director of Operations for the Town, (a biker himself) has been concerned about this problem and is going to take action on those pesky potholes this summer.  The bike community thanks you deeply Dan.  One concern in the plan is the incorporation of roundabouts.  Can bikers safely negotiate them?  If it brings the speed down, as designed, bikes may be able to flow with traffic by taking the car lane.  The concern is with smaller younger or older riders that do not ride 15- 20 MPH up hills.  Sidewalks may be the only option for them.  Another concern that was voiced at the meeting was the introduction of a median that could rob precious space for  bike lanes.  If this issue is important to you please fill out the Dufresne-Henry survey obtained at the Town Manager’s office now.  They are working for the town to develop what the town wants.  Any input you have pro or con is valuable.

With the successful Bike Parade and launch of the Yellow Bike Program behind us the Bike Club is working on their float for the upcoming Memorial Day parade followed by our Bike Rodeo June 2^nd.   We are excited to have the Middlebury Police Department join us in the Rodeo this year.  As you know, they have been hosting this annual event for many years.  The involvement of the Bike Club last year continued this important program for school aged children.  If you need info on any of the above mentioned projects please email us at bike@bikeclub.org or call either bike shop, The Alpine Shop 388-7547 or The Bike Center 388-6666.

By Jim Arnold                                              

Article paper  Date: May 24th 

The Hill climb on May 15 was held under mostly clear skies except for a few scattered cloudy (what a surprise this spring).  Justin Crocker blew out of the start and Jim Arnold only caught an occasional glimpse of him the entire 45-minute effort.  A slight tail wind assisted Justin to a 44:59.  Jim trailed by 39 seconds.  Peter Miller made his time trial   début this year.  Doc Pete has been putting in the base miles that helped him top out at 48:24.  New to the Middlebury area was Mike Dickerson who enjoyed the scenic trip up Route 125.  It was much different than hill climbs in his native state of Ohio.  Mike clocked a 49:21.  What do you bet that time will drop fast as Mike becomes more familiar with this route?  Dave Tier, using his Cannondale Promotional Bud Light bike recorded a 52:42.  Now keep in mind this is the same bike that Dave also uses occasionally on the group rides on the Trail Around Middlebury.  Once again confirming the belief that it’s not the song but the singer. 

Three members from the Middlebury Bike Club attended the Green Mountain Bicycle Club’s Time Trial in Jonesville last Thursday May 17^th.  The 16.15 mile out and back course ran along Route 2.  Under skies that were as close to rain as any this spring, Dave Tier and Justin Crocker posted times of 42:41 and 42:43 respectively.  Jim Arnold followed closely with a 43:21.  Justin is working on Jim to get aero bars to help him shave off some time and be a little more competitive with them.

If their was ever a better spring for early riding, it’s hard to remember.  This time last year most of us were weary of putting on the Gore Tex rain gear just to catch an afternoon ride.  Most of us had less than 500 miles at this point.  Well, this year are we way ahead on the road, and off road has been another success.  Most all trails are in great shape.  So if your not biking yet this year you can’t blame the weather

With the successful Bike Parade and launch of the Yellow Bike Program behind us the Bike Club is working on their float for the upcoming Memorial Day parade followed by our Bike Rodeo June 2^nd.   We are excited to have the Middlebury Police Department join us in the Rodeo this year.  As you know, they have been hosting this annual event for many years.  The involvement of the Bike Club last year continued this important program for school aged children.  If you need info on any of the above-mentioned projects please email us at bike@bikeclub.org or call either bike shop, The Alpine Shop 388-7547 or The Bike Center 388-6666. 

By Jim Arnold

Article paper Date: June 21st 

The Bike Club has capitalized on the great spring riding weather.  Even with the recent spat of unfavorable weather the weekly time trials on Tuesday run.  Here is a recap of the last three weeks action.

May 29^th was the first Time Trial under auspicious skies.  The Middlebury Hill Climb started out cool and gray and by Ripton a light rain developed.  Jim Arnold used this cold weather to clock his fasted time of the season with a 44:04.  Dave Tier beat the 50 minute mark at 49:30 with Pierce Walderon a close 30 seconds back.  Michael Ogden brought up the rear at a little over an hour.  Every one froze on the rapid wet downhill decent.

June 5^th was a windy flat ride out past Shard Villa.  The Northern wind pushed Jim Arnold, Rick Bunt, Pierce Walderon and the tandem team of Dave Tier and Donna Belcher to the turn around point but slowed their return.  Jim pushed through it to post a 27:17 with Rick at  29:40 minutes and Pierce in close pursuit.  The amazing tandem team posted a time of 36:17.  Figure that as just over 18 minutes per person and you have a new course record.

The June 12^th Gap climb had a group of six riders.  Phil from the Middlebury College Language School, Justin Crocker, Rick Bunt, Dave Tier, and Pierce Walderon all tackled the 1200 foot accent.  Phil pulled in a time of 42:40 with Justin at 44:51, Rick 45:50, Pierce 46:55, and Dave at 47:39. 

With the successful Bike Parade and launch of the Yellow Bike Program, Memorial Day Parade, and Bike Rodeo behind us this spring the Bike Club is working on expanding their group ride participation for their road and mountain bike ventures this summer.  If you need info on any of the above-mentioned rides please email us at bike@bikeclub.org or call either bike shop, The Alpine Shop 388-7547 or The Bike Center 388-6666.  We have riders of all abilities and rides to accommodate all skill levels. 

By Jim Arnold