If you want to participate in a truly unique event that remains the same today as it was 18 years ago when it began, give the Louis Reed Time Trial in Ripon a try. The event has remained free since it's conception and pays pays tribute to Ripon's bicycle hero of more than a century ago. Ripon hosted the state bicycle meet of the Wisconsin Division of the League of American Wheelmen in 1893 and 1894. The tournament was held on a horse track where Barlow Park is now located. Louis Reed, a Ripon College student, captured four state championship titles and broke a world record time at the 1894 state tournament

The event take place at Barlow Park in Ripon WI on Sunday July 12. Race start at 8:15.

See the Event Listing for further Race details

HELP NEEDED
“Lose the Training Wheels” Bike Camp 2009

Madison Area Down Syndrome Society
DATE: June 15-June 19, 2009
TIME: Choose from five 75-minute sessions/day - see below
LOCATION: Oregon High School

MORE: MADSS bike camp will teach 30-35 kids with various special needs to ride on two wheels and we need your help to do it! If you'd like to give us a hand, we need volunteers to walk, run, and cheer on our bikers. Ideally, volunteers will be available for several 75-minute sessions (times: 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm) during the week of camp.

Please contact Andrea if you'd like to learn more or pledge your time. 608.692.7653

You won't be sorry!

The University of Wisconsin is conducting a bio mechanics research project to investigate how riding style and bio mechanical factors affect rider comfort. You can participate if you are a healthy female, regularly road bike more than 3 hours per week and are 18 years of age or older.

Participation includes:

* One visit to the Neuromuscular Bio mechanics Lab at the UW Mechanical Engineering Building (1513 University Ave) for measurement of bio mechanical forces and kinematic data
* Data collection will involve a single session lasting approximately 1.5 hours

If you participate, you will:

* Contribute to the understanding of factors critical to the design of safe and comfortable cycling equipment

For more information, contact Heidi Ploeg at 608.262.2690 or ploef@engr.wic.edu

Kids Adventure Camp is a week of bicycling fun and learning. Youths in the range of 3rd to 5th Grade are able to participate in this years events. Kids will create their own really cool bike safety yellow t-shirts and learn basic bike maintenance and safety. They’ll also explore Madison’s great bike paths. Some trips include the downtown Farmer’s Market, the Goodman Pool, and a “big ride” on Friday on the Military Ridge Trail. If needed, helmets, bikes and locks can be provided.

Schedule:
Day one: Bike Safety Rides with Steve, Bike Maintenance; Create your own T-shirt.
Day two: Neighborhood Bike Ride with Steve and ride to Tenny Park.
Day Three: Ride to the Farmer’s Market and spend the afternoon at the Goodman Pool
Day Four: Ride to Camp Randall Stadium for a tour. Spend the day at BB Clark Beach.
Day Five: Ride the Military Ridge Trail from Mt. Horeb to Blue Mound State Park

Times:
Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 3 pm and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Contact:
Diane Schwartz at 608-241-1574 x 278 or diane@goodmancenter.org for more information and registration materials.

Registration deadline to ensure t-shirt: May 15th, 2009. Final registration deadline for Spokes and Jokes is June 10th,

A local Forum/Blog has sparked concern that the Seminole and Whalen Roads are over crowed and are of concern. The forum supported by madison.com (Madison area Newspapers) sparked this controversy (Find it HERE) and continues the debate between bicyclist and motorists which was included in Sundays May 10 Newscast. In the original form post the author asks some questions to seemingly ALL bicyclists. Hmm I cannot say I have every done any of these except for the complex part. Yeah I feel good when and after riding my bike. 600 Outfit? Was someone riding in their wedding dress?

* do you ride 4 across, block the road then act like I'm a dick because I honk at you?
* do you never obey traffic laws(specifically stop signs)?
* do you never wave me by when you're in front of me on top a hill?
* do you get off by making me drive 5 mph until I also can see over the hill?
* do you speak so loudly to one another it wakes me up out of a dead sleep?
* do you think it's ok to not slow down and almost hit me when I'm walking my dog?
* you get some sort of god complex when you ride a bike? It must come with the 600.00 outfit.
* do my taxes pay for bike trails when you don't use them any way?