Charleston, Illinois Cycling - Facebook group

Are you a Facebook user? If so, you can go to a new Facebook group to see announcements of group rides in the Charleston, Illinois area. The Charleston, Illinois Cycling is a closed group, but any group member can add others to the group. To view the group page, click on the link above, or copy this address into your browser:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/450941801714590/

The editors of this blog believe that the Facebook group offers a more convenient way to share and exchange information about bicycle rides in our community, and we recommend that you join the group for regular access to updated information.

Last minute post - Sunday ride

Going to Westfield this morning, leaving Westgate at 10 A.M.

Cruisin' the Cornfields Bike Ride in Sullivan August 9

Keith and Ellen are doing the 41-mile ride in Sullivan this Saturday.  The organizers recommend that we start the ride by 8 A.M., so that is our plan.  If you're interested in joining us see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cruisin-the-cornfields-bicycle-tour-tickets-11714375011

Bike Ride! Wednesday, August 6 Update

Same time, different place, weather permitting.  We will meet in the parking lot of Brookstone Estates on South 4th street at 5:30.

Saturday Bike Ride, August 2

Leaving from the corner of Harrison and 14 St at 8:30 am Saturday morning.   The wind prediction of NNE suggests Westfield as a destination.  We ate at the cafe there last week and the owner said they would be open on Saturdays the rest of the summer.

Wednesday Bike Ride

Same Time, Same Place, Different Routes.

Bike Ride! Saturday, July 26

Leaving from Westgate at 9 a.m. Saturday, heading for McDonalds and Lake Paradise (26 miles if you turn around at McDonalds, 35 if you go to the lake), weather permitting.

Ellen and I have had a change of plans and are going to miss riding, but don't let that stop anyone else!

Bike Ride! Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Meet at Westgate and plan for the ride to begin at 5:30 pm. Moderate pace, no drop. For any questions, contact me at jclooby@gmail.com. before 4:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon.
See you on Wednesday!

Bike Ride! Saturday July 19, 2014.

Meet at the entrance to the West Gate subdivision.to Leaving at 10:00am. Heading East to Westfield for lunch. Moderate pace - no drop ride.

Contact me for any questions - jclooby@gmail.com

Bike Ride! Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Meet at Westgate and plan for the ride to begin at 5:30 pm. Moderate pace, no drop.
See you on Wednesday!  For any questions, contact me at jclooby@gmail.com. before 4:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon.
-- John

Sunday 9:00, meet at Westgate.

We will try again to get a ride in if it is not raining.  The plan is to head west to MacDonald's and then possibly to Lake Paradise.  To MacDonald's and back is about 26 miles and to Paradise and back is about 36 miles.
Still planning to go this morning.  Might head south to avoid possible rain.

Bike ride - Saturday morning. POSTPONING UNTIL LATER due to wet roads.

Leaving Westgate at 9 a.m., going to Lerna, about 20 miles.  Planning to do a longer ride on Sunday.

Postponing for now.  Will try to post again if we decide on a later time.

Bike Ride - Wednesday July 9, 2014

Meet at the entrance to the West Gate subdivision at 5:30 pm.  Ride Classification:  moderate pace, no drop, aprox 2 hours long or so. Route TBD

Contact jclooby.gmail.com if you have any questions.

Lost & Found

A bike computer was found on the road between Charleston and Lerna on July 5, 2014.  It is a Cat Eye micro wireless with built-in HRM. If you lost this computer, or may know who may have lost it please contact: jclooby@gmail.com  Pass the word along so it can be returned to the owner.

-- John

Bike Ride! Saturday, July 5, 2014

Planning on going to Greenup, leaving from West Gate at 9:00am. Optional turn around at Toledo. Lunch either in Toledo or Greenup's Subway.

Bike Ride Saturday, July 5, 2014

Plans are in the making for a Saturday bike ride with a distance of 40-50 miles.  We will be stopping around the mid/turn-around point for lunch.  This is a no drop moderate pace ride. Helmets are required, two water bottles and energy snacks are always helpful.

 If you are interested, please contact me at jclooby@gmail.com.

Bike Ride: Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Ride Details: Leaving west gate at 530pm heading to see meadow shark and points in between. The distance is aprox 20 miles round trip, this is a no drop ride at a moderate pace. Helmets are necessary, water bottles and energy bars are always helpful.

Any questions, please contact jclooby@gmail before 4:00.  

See you on Wednesday!  John

Announcing -- Weekly Wednesday Evening Bike Rides!

These evening bike rides will be in a small group setting, and the skill level is from beginner to advanced.  For the beginners, we will cover the topics of: bicycle safety, traffic safety, gear shifting, the dynamics of riding in a group, and having fun outdoors while riding a bicycle.  Please sign up to go on the ride before 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon.  More details will be provided at the sign up time.

Distances will vary.  Please bring a helmet and water bottle.

If you are interested please contact me at: jclooby@gmail.com.

Tailwinds! John

RAAM 2014

All,

This afternoon, Keith Wolcott of Charleston Illinois, has begun an epic 3,010 mile journey doing the 2014 Race across America (RAAM),  His jersey number is:509. Check out these websites to follow Keith and the team's adventures.  

All the best to Keith and Team Wolcott! 

Links:

http://www.ridefarther.com

http://www.teamwolcott.net/

http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Thursday, May 22 Ride

Leisurely ride, about 15 to 20 miles, heading north. Leaving from Eastgate & Van Buren at 5 pm. Join us!

Sunday bike ride, May 4

Leaving from the east entrance of the fairgrounds at 1:00, heading towards Bushton, about 25 miles. (Posted by Ellen)

April Triathlon Training - two events!

This is entry level and for beginners.  On Tuesday April 15, and 22 there will be triathlon transition practices. These practices will cover T1 and T2.  They will start at 5:30 pm and last about one hour each.  The first practice will be step by step drills, with a 1K bike ride and a 1K run.  We will start off with wet feet to go into T1.

The second practice will be observed by a local, highly skilled and motivated triathlete with many years of experience to offer suggestions and comments.

If you are interested please contact me at: jclooby@gmail.com for the location of the practices, and for a list of what you need to bring.

Wednesday Evening Bike Rides!

These bike rides are dependent upon signing up to go on the ride. The rides will be a no drop easy/beginner bike pace, on routes around Charleston IL. These rides will leave from the meeting place at 5:30 pm. 

The pace will be in the 10-15 mph range, distance 8-10 miles. To sign up - contact me at jclooby@gmail.com.  Cut off time for signing up is 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon.  Bring a water bottle and helmet!

Bike Ride! Sunday, April 6, 2014

Leaving from Westgate subdivision at 1:00 pm. Going to Lake Paradise, aprox. 35 miles, with stops at the Mattoon  McDonalds on South Route 45.  Sunday temps = 55, Winds =WNW at 6 knots; no drop; moderate pace; all riding levels. Hope you are able to attend!

Triathlon Transition Practice

Polling for interest for T1 and T2 practice.   Dates: April 13, 15 or 22.  Contact me at jclooby@gmail.com for more information, and your ideas.

Medium to Longer Distance Bike Rides

Polling for interest in bike rides with distances up to 100 miles.

These bike rides are dependent upon signing up to go on the ride. These rides will start with shorter distances to places such as Lake Paradise, Neoga, Greenup, Lincoln Trails State Park, Walnut Point State Park,  Arthur at moderate 14+ mph to advanced paces 18+ mph.The longer rides will be likely to Champaign or Moonshine. Rides will typically be held on Saturdays with rain dates on Sunday.

To express interest  - contact me at jclooby@gmail.com.  

Bicycle Safety

Polling for interest with helping with bicycle safety presentations at Carl Sandberg School.

The date is Monday April 21, 2014 from 8:00-12:00. The target audience will be children 6-10 years old. Topics will include: wearing a helmet. looking out for cars, following traffic rules, and up most being safe.

If you are interested in helping with these presentations, please contact me at: jclooby@gmail.com

Bike Ride! Tuesday, April 1, 2014

This bike ride is dependent upon signing up to go on the ride. The ride will be a no drop easy/beginner bike ride, on a route to the South West of Charleston known as the Gun Club route. Meet at the entrance to the West Gate subdivision to leave at 6:00 pm.  The pace will be in the 10-15 mph range, distance 8-10 miles. To sign up - contact me at jclooby@gmail.com.  Cut off time for signing up is 4:00 on Tuesday afternoon.  Bring a water bottle and helmet!

Bike Ride! Sunday, March 30, 2014

Leaving from Westgate at 1:00 pm. Destination - Lerna IL. moderate pace, no drop. This ride is approximately 20 miles long, with longer or shorter options.  Hopefully, around 60 degrees, with winds from the South. New riders are always welcome. New riders please bring a helmet and water bottle.

Beginner Bike Rides - April 2014

I am planning several beginner/moderate pace bike rides for the month of April. If you are interested please contact me at: jclooby@gmail.com.  These rides will be in a small group setting, and we will cover the topics of: bicycle safety, traffic safety, gear shifting, the dynamics of riding in a group, and having fun outdoors with riding a bicycle. Distances will vary.  Please bring a helmet and water bottle. Tailwinds! John

Bike Ride! Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 5:30 PM

Easy/Beginner Pace. About 10 miles. No Drop. Leaving from West Gate subdivision. Should be a little warmer than Monday, dress accordingly. Bring a water bottle and helmet!

Bike Ride! Monday March 17, 2014, 5:00 pm.

Easy/beginner pace,  10 miles, No drop.  Planning on the Gun club route. Leaving from Westgate subdivision at 5:00pm.  Dress accordingly.

Bike Ride! Monday, March 10, 2014. 5pm.

The 2014 cycling season has reopened!  Moderate pace, no drop, leaving from West Gate. Going SW exact route TBD.  Should be back before dark.