Fourth of July Cycling Events

There are several rides being held on Independence day that will have you celebrating your freedom in the saddle.  All of these have been longstanding yearly events that many cyclists continue to do year after year.  Join in on one of these rides and start a new Fourth of July tradition this year.

 Freedom From Pants Ride VIII

Image Credit:  Garrick Yoong

Celebrate the Fourth without the constraints of pants on this eighth annual underwear ride through the streets of Minneapolis.  Meet up takes place in the vacant lot near the White Castle in NE Minneapolis at 6:00 pm.  Roll out begins at 7:00 pm.  Visit the Freedom From Pants Ride VIII Facebook Event page to join or share with friends.

Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride

The Frank Wicker Great Scott 50 Classic Bike Ride is a Prior Lake Fourth of July tradition going into its 27th year.  Take a 20 or 50 mile ride through the rolling hills of Scott County.  The 20 mile short course is geared more towards recreational riders and has one rest stop along the way.  The 50 mile long course is what the ride is named for and has rest stops at miles 15, 28 and 42.5.  Mechanical support and SAG provided by Michael's Cycles.  A mass-start leaves Lakefront Park in Prior Lake at 8:00 am and there will be a picnic lunch after the ride.  Register online through Active.com, download the ride brochure and register by mail or register on-site the day of the ride beginning at 7:15 am at Lakefront Park.

Tour D'Amico

The Hiawatha Bicycling Club will be hosting the 15th Annual Tour D'Amico with three scenic routes to choose from complete with hydration stations and rest stops at D'Amico & Sons restaurants along the way.  This year's routes include a 29 mile, a partially new 45 mile and an all new metric century 62 mile.  All three routes have full SAG support.  Visit the Tour D'Amico About the Rides page for more information on these routes.  Registration can be done online or by mail with a check.  Online registration is available until 12:00 Midnight on July 2nd.  Day-of registration and packet pick up starts at 8:00 am July 4th at the D'Amico & Sons in Golden Valley.  After the ride, participants will be treated to an Italian buffet lunch that will be served from 11:30 to 3:30.  This is a rain or shine event and proceeds from the Tour D'Amico benefit Twin City bike education and trail maintenance programs.

Watermelon Ride

The Twin Cities Bicycling Club will be hosting the 33rd Annual Watermelon Ride with a choice of 15, 25 or 52 mile routes.  The 15 mile route is geared for beginners getting into cycling and families with children.  The 25 mile route is ideal for both the novice and experienced rider.  Full support is provided for both the 15 and 25 mile routes and the routes will be marked.  The 52 mile route is unsupported so bring the necessary items to make repairs and fix flats.  Route maps will be handed out to riders the day of the event.  Snacks will be supplied at rest stops and a picnic lunch will be held at Snail Lake Park following the ride until 3:00 pm.  Online preregistration deadline is June 30th, after that the price goes up $10.  Day-of registration will also be available by printing and filling out the Registration Waiver and bringing a check made payable to the Twin Cities Bicycling Club to the registration table.  Twin Cities Bicycling Club members receive a discount for registration.  Registration for the 15 & 25 mile routes is from 8:30-10:00 am and the 52 mile route is from 7:30-9:00 am.  Registration and ride start is at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview.  This is a rain or shine event. 

GPS-Enabled Maps Now Available on Mobile Devices With PDF Maps App

PDF Maps by Avenza is a mobile app that allows the user to download GPS-enabled maps (geospatial PDF, GeoTIFF and Geo PDF) for navigation and offline use.  Using your mobile device's GPS, PDF Maps will show your location and allow you to record your GPS track.  But these are not the only functions you will find useful, the app has many more that will aid in biking navigation.

Let's explore the many features of this handy navigational tool by starting with the maps available in the Avenza Map Store.  Choose from the many free or paid maps by selecting from Categories, browse maps near your current location by selecting "Find Maps" or narrow your search by selecting vendors and/or map categories.  Import GPS-enabled maps into the app from the Internet with a URL, from your Dropbox account or from the device's SD card.  Many free GeoPDF topographical maps are available for download from the USGS and the US Forest Service.  Once a map is downloaded onto your device, it is available for use even without a data connection.  This comes in handy when in areas where cellular coverage may not be available.  Disable cellular data coverage to extend device battery life and navigate using only GPS.  Register within the app to re-install previous map purchases or to install purchases on multiple devices.

Some of the more popular maps for use in the Twin Cities for cycling include the Twin Cities Bike Map 2014 ($3.99),  Twin Cities Bike Map_2013 (Free), Minneapolis Bicycle Map (Free) and Northfield Area Bike Routes (Free).  All of these can be found on the PDF Maps Map Store.

Once maps are downloaded they will appear ready to load in the Maps tab when the app is opened.  Click on the desired map to load it (make sure GPS is enabled).

As a navigational tool, PDF Maps is awesome.  Always know where you are and find where you need to go whether it be by trail or bike-friendly roads.  Maps can be zoomed in for close-up detail or zoomed out to see where you are in relation to the rest of the map.  This is especially helpful when biking in unfamiliar areas.

PDF Maps is loaded with features that allow a user to customize their maps.  Plot placemarks, find locations by coordinates or points of interest, plot geo-tagged photos, record GPS tracks, measure distances of a desired route and open the current view in Google Maps.

Finding a place on a map is easy, using the Tools menu tap the "Find Places" option and simply enter an address or point of interest.  Places are based on search engine results.  Tap on the result to edit map feature details or discard.

Add your own placemarks by address or coordinates and edit the details to be saved on the map for later use.  Choose icons or colored pins for your placemark and even add photos.

Measure distances by plotting lines along a desired route.

Edit and save line data for following a route while out on a ride.

GPS-track your rides in real time and edit ride details when you are finished.

View your track statistics on a graph that also includes a summary of Distance, Time, Avg. Speed, Top Speed and Elevation.

PDF Maps is a wonderful, user-friendly mapping tool that will get you where you need to go and keep you from getting lost in unfamiliar territory.  You'll always know where you are and you can plot your own points of interest and photos to customize your maps.  Do you want to stop for lunch or a cup of coffee along your ride?  PDF Maps has you covered with the Find Places feature.  Install it today and start discovering new routes, trails and places.  

I've just covered some of the useful features for cycling in this post, if you would like to learn more about other PDF Maps features visit the PDF Maps Features page.  To get answers to questions about PDF maps for Android or iOS, visit the PDF Maps Frequently Asked Questions page.

PDF Maps is free and available for Android and iOS.  Avenza recommends Android 4.0 and higher on a device with at least 1 GB of RAM or Third Generation iPod Touch or better, iPhone 3GS or better, any iPad or iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular.  Devices must be installed with at least iOS 5.0 or newer.

*Note:  All screenshots are from the Android version of the app.

Product Review: Wind Blox

Wind noise has long been an annoyance when riding a bike and can also be a safety issue when it comes to hearing approaching automobiles.  A new product called Wind Blox was designed to greatly reduce wind noise and allow a cyclist to hear better while riding.  After a successful Kickstarter campaign in the Fall of 2013, this product is now available to everyone.  Wind Blox was the idea of creator Mike Fajen who enjoyed listening to audio while commuting to work but found he had to turn the volume way up to overcome the wind noise.  After wrapping socks around his front helmet straps to reduce the wind noise, he noticed he could turn his audio volume way down and was also able to clearly hear the sounds around him, including traffic.  Design and development of Wind Blox would soon follow.

Wind noise, especially on windy days and riding downhill can be deafening making it hard to hear anything.  When I first came across Wind Blox, I definitely wanted to give them a try and see if they would really make a difference.  I enjoy listening to podcasts while riding and I would also have to turn the volume way up to compensate for the loud wind noise.  Sometimes the wind noise was so loud that even with a higher volume on my smartphone, I still had problems hearing my podcasts let alone the traffic and sounds around me.  Wind Blox seemed like the perfect solution to reduce the wind noise and allow me to turn the volume of my podcasts way down while still be able to hear traffic and other sounds.

After my fist ride using Wind Blox, I couldn't believe the difference they made.  I was able to turn my podcast volume way down and still be able to follow along with the conversations and hear approaching traffic around me.  I wore them with and without the use of headphones while riding and noticed that wind noise was cut dramatically.  The biggest differences I noticed was riding at a fast pace into a headwind and on speedy downhills.  Wind noise in these situations without usingWind Blox was so loud that hearing anything else was nearly impossible.

I tested them out in various riding conditions and speeds removing them at times to have a comparative analysis.  Riding was much more enjoyable and quieter with Wind Blox on my helmet straps than without.  Carrying on conversations with other cyclists I was riding with was much easier and I was able to do so without turning my head to hear what they were saying.  When riding in traffic or out on those lonely gravel roads, I was able to hear cars approaching from behind much sooner because of the greatly reduced wind noise that Wind Blox provide.

Wind noise can be annoying reducing what a cyclist can hear and I found Wind Blox an effective solution to this problem.  This product states that it blocks over 50% of wind noise and I would have to agree with the claim.  You'll be able to hear sounds around you better, carry on conversations, listen to audio at lower volumes and know sooner when automobiles are approaching. 

Wind Blox are available in Black, Bright Lime Green, Bright Pink and Silver Gray for $15/pair from the Wind Blox Products page and are also available on Amazon.com.

Disclosure:  Wind Blox provided the review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.

Penn Cycle & Fitness Now Offers Seven Group Rides

Image Credit: Steve Haugesag

Penn Cycle now has seven group rides to get you rolling with fellow cyclists.  Whether your a beginner rider looking some fun without getting left behind, an intermediate rider in search of more of a challenge or an advanced rider that wants to go fast with others of the same caliber, one of these rides is right for you.

 

Monday

Monday Night Road Ride 

Penn Cycle Blaine

This will be a mapped no drop ride with a ride leader from TCBC. This is a "A/B" ride and will be 16 mph on average. This is a nice intermediate ride of 22 to 36 miles or so that starts at the Penn Cycle Blaine store and leaves at 6:00 pm and you will be back by 8:00 pm.

Helmets are required. We stop at all STOP signs and lights. All rides are "No Drop Policy, meaning that no one will be left behind. No worries about getting lost, a map will be provided on this ride. All of our rides are intended to have get more people into the sport, have fun, relax after work/school, and promote a healthy life. Check our website www.penncycle.com after 4pm to see if any rides are canelled or with any questions about our rides. For more information please refer to the TCBC website or call the Blaine store at 763-432-9430 or email blaine@penncycle.com.  If you are not a TCBC member there is a nominal fee to TCBC.

Tuesday

Tuesday Night Tours

Penn Cycle Bloomington

Skill level suggested - 15-18 mph for the entire length of the ride.  Everyone is welcome.  If you are looking for more of a challenge, may we suggest our Wednesday night rides?  A few more miles and a faster pace (18-20 mph), fun rides!  All riders must be at least 18 years old, or have a parent's signature, along with pre-authorization.  All trips are 20-30 miles.  A one time Free or Deluxe Penn Group Ride Membership form must be filled out to ride our rides.  The forms will be kept on file.  Schedule of rides may be changed at leader's discretion.  Helmets required!  Start time is 5:30 pm and all rides start and end at Penn Cycle Bloomington.  Visit the Tuesday Night Tours schedule for more information.  

Tuesday Night Road Ride 

Penn Cycle Woodbury

Come ride Woodbury, Afton, Lake Elmo, Washington County area with Ride Leader Brant Puttkammer. Fun, fast, no drop, group bike ride. The ride leaves Penn Cycle's Woodbury parking lot at 5:30pm. Average Speed 17-21 mph, 30-40 miles. We will have sprints up the hills, but regroup at the top of them to ride together again. The more riders the better.

Helmets are required. We stop at all STOP signs and lights. All rides are "No Drop Policy, meaning that no one will be left behind. No worries about getting lost. All of our rides are intended to have get more people into the sport, have fun, relax after work/school, and promote a healthy life. Check our website www.penncycle.com after 4pm to see if any rides are cancelled or with any questions about our rides, please call the Woodbury Penn Cycle 651-731-9458 or the ride leader at 952-484-2495.

Wednesday

Wednesday Night Tours

Penn Cycle Bloomington

Skill level suggested - 18-20 mph for the entire length of the ride.  Everyone is welcome. If you feel uncomfortable with this pace, may we suggest our Tuesday Night Rides.  Fewer miles, slower pace, very nice, fun rides!  All riders must be at least 18 years old.  All trips are 30-40 miles.  A one time Free or Deluxe Penn Group Ride Membership form must be filled out to ride our rides.  The forms will be kept on file.  Schedule of rides may be changed at leader's discretion.  Helmets required!  Start times are 5:30 pm sharp!  All rides start and end at Penn Cycle Bloomington.  Visit the Wednesday Night Tours schedule for more information.

Wednesday Night Fast Road Ride

Penn Cycle Eagan

Skill level Advanced-Expert –This is a fast ride.  All riders must be at least 18 years old or have a parent signature, along with pre-authorization, (call ride leader).  A release form must be signed before the start of each ride.

• Wednesday night rides will depart from the Eagan Penn Cycle at 2290 Cliff Road. 
• Start times are 5:30 p.m.  Sharp!
• The ride will start on April 15th, and run through Sept. 4th.
• This is a very fast ride.

In case of inclement weather, a decision for the ride will be made at 5:15 p.m. (not before).  For more information please call Penn Cycle in Eagan at (651) 882-1241.

Women's Mountain Bike Ride

Penn Cycle Eagan/Bloomington/Various Park Locations

Women of all riding abilities are welcome!  Riders must be a minimum of 18 years old.  Helmets required.  Rides leave at 6:00 pm.  Ride locations include:

• Salem Hills
• Lebanon Hills
• Terrace Oaks
• Murphy-Hanrehan
• Elm Creek
• Minnesota River Bottoms

Ride schedule runs Wednesdays June 4th through September 10th.  In case of bad weather, a decision will be made by 5:00 pm.  Visit the 2014 Women's Mountain Bike Ride Schedule for dates/locations and ride leader contact information.

Thursday

Thursday Night Road Ride

Penn Cycle Eagan

This will be a mapped no drop ride with Larry Narveson as the ride leader. The ride will be 10-12 mph. This is a nice easy beginners ride of 20 miles that starts at the Penn Cycle Eagan store and leaves at 6:00 pm and you will be back by 8:00 pm.

Helmets are required. We stop at all STOP signs and lights. All rides are "No Drop Policy, meaning that no one will be left behind. No worries about getting lost, a map will be provided on this ride. All of our rides are intended to have get more people into the sport, have fun, relax after work/school, and promote a healthy life. Check our website www.penncycle.com after 4pm to see if any rides are cancelled or with any questions about our rides. For more information please call the Eagan store at 651-882-1241 or the ride leader Larry Narveson’s cell 612-710-2433. Email Larry at lknarveson@yahoo.com.

Product Review: New & Improved CamelBak Podium Bottles

CamelBak took the innovative design features of their Podium water bottles and made them even better this year with a few new improvements.  Each bottle is still made with CamelBak's BPA-Free TruTaste™ polypropylene with HydroGuard™ to let you taste the water and not the bottle.  The new improvements make hydrating on the bike even easier.

The first two things I liked that CamelBak improved upon were the Jet Valve design and the larger removable nozzle.  The lockout on the Jet Valve is larger than the old design and much easier to turn to lock or unlock with one hand while riding.  The nozzle of the Jet Valve is larger delivering a faster flow and is easily removed for cleaning.  This new nozzle contains the self-sealing blue valve making it a breeze to clean, unlike the old design. 

The new Podium bottles are a softer and need less of a squeeze to deliver flow, this became apparent during several rides in chilly temperatures.  The old design would become stiff in cold temperatures requiring more squeeze pressure to produce flow.

The grip was redesigned, too.  It fits perfectly to your thumb and index finger providing a secure grip.  This design makes it easier to squeeze the bottle to produce flow whereas the old design was much more rigid and required more squeeze pressure.

In conclusion, the new CamelBak Podium water bottles are an improvement on an already good design.  Forget about those inferior standard water bottles, CamelBak did it right with this one.  Whether you are a serious cyclist or a casual weekend rider, you will enjoy the new and improved CamelBak Podium Series bottles.

 

CamelBak Podium bottles come in 21 & 24 oz. sizes and also an insulated version called Podium Chill in 21 & 25 oz. sizes.  Available at Penn Cycle, other fine bike shops and from the CamelBak Shop online. 

Disclosure:  CamelBak provided the review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.

Strava Routes Now Available For iPhone & Android

Now you can easily navigate your created or starred (favorite) Strava Routes on your iPhone or Android device.  The feature was added in the latest update (Version 4.1) of the Strava GPS Cycling and Running App.  Create routes with your PC using the Strava Route Builder and they will sync with the Strava app on your mobile device in the Route List.  Starred routes will also appear in your Route List.

Creating a route is easy.  Log in to your Strava account and select the My Routes tab and click on the Create New Route button.  You are now ready to start planning your new route.

Plot your route manually or implement the Use Popularity toggle.

To check the elevation profile for your route, turn Elevation On in the lower right corner.  You can even move your mouse along the elevation chart to see where the hills are along your route.  When your route is complete, click the Save Route button and fill in the required data. 

When you are ready to ride and would like to use a created or starred route for navigation, go to your Routes list in the app and select Use Route with your GPS enabled.  Once the route is loaded, select the STATS tab and hit the Record button and start your ride.  Select the ROUTE tab to see your location on the selected route and follow the red line.

For more information on creating routes using the Strava Route Builder, see Strava's Get Ready To Plan Your Route page.  To learn more about creating your own route or following someone else's using your smartphone, see the Strava Blog post Discover a New Route, Follow It From Your Phone.

To download the Strava GPS Cycling and Running App for your device, visit the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

*Note:  All app screenshots are from the Android version of the app.