Black Bear Bicycle Tour

Calendar

Locations and other details are available by clicking the calendar listings below.

AAVC Events are in orange.
Other cycling-related community events are in dark blue.

Paul Fried Charity Ride

On August 4 in Kensington Metropark, the 3rd annual Paul Fried Charity Ride to Support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) will take place. The ride was started by Paul Fried, and has grown each year as a way to raise money for the CCFA, and to showcase the spirit of Paul who hopes to make another ride this year. Check out (PDF) his inspiring story and find details about participating and/or being a sponsor.

Ann Arbor's Annual 'Tour de Kids' Returns

The Tour de Kids is coming!  While the event itself is still a few months off, the event's organizational staff is already getting things prepared to ensure success.


Many of us are familiar with the Tour de Kids and many of us have personal memories from previous TdK races.  My daughter's first ride without training wheels was during the Tour de Kids.  (Her  training wheels came off on their own in front of the law quad.  Shows the importance of a good bike mechanic.)

For those of you who are unaware, the Tour de Kids was started as part of the  Ann Arbor Festival of Cycling.  In 1991, the sponsors asked race organizers to conduct a kids' bike race in conjunction with the adult races. Approximately 50 kids raced on Main Street before the pro race -- and the Tour de Kids was born.

By historic attendance, it's estimated to be the fourth-largest Ann Arbor-based outdoor community athletic event (such as local runs, walks and biking) and the only top event aimed for kids.  From 1997 to 2000, approximately 1,000 kids, ages 3-12, raced bikes, trikes and big wheels in downtown Ann Arbor.

(for more complete review, see Ted Green's article on Mlive from which I derived the history)

Date: Sunday, June 10th, 2012

Volunteer: They are looking for volunteers at all levels, both in advance and on the day of the event. There are volunteer leadership roles, such as an overall Volunteer Coordinator, and Coordinators for Marketing, Race Staging, Course Marshaling, Rentals, Set-up, and Registration.

They'll have a Festival area with arts and crafts, music and food, which they'll need help with as well.  

Sponsorship Opportunities: They can always use sponsors to help defray costs and there are various levels of sponsorship. They will put the sponsor's name in the spotlight for a very good and healthy cause.

Website: http://www.tourdekids.org

To learn more, contact Rob Pulcipher via e-mail at: pulcipher (at) gmail (dot) com.

Spring Planning

The Ann Arbor Velo Club has a lot planned for this Spring.  Just a few weeks away we'll be hosting the 2012 Skills Clinic, presented by Ann Arbor Velo Club and Two Wheel Tango.  That event is scheduled for Sunday, March 25 and online registration can be found here:  2012 Skills Clinic

Beginning April 1,  and continuing on April 15, 22, and 29th, we will be hosting the 28th annual Spring Training Series.  This early season series is always well attended by some of Southeast Michigan's finest riders and offers a great opportunity to learn from and compete against riders of varying skills and abilities.  A coaching session is offered each week prior to the racing, to help riders familiarize themselves with the feel of riding a criterium course in a pack.

Scheduling and further details can be found at the Ann Arbor Velo Club Spring Training Series site.

The road season begins in earnest on Sunday, May 6 with The Cone-Azalia Classic Road Race.  Known as The Paris-Roubaix of the Midwest, Cone-Azalia features a 10.1 mile loop with 4 miles of gravel/dirt surface per lap.  Cone-Azalia is part of the Michigan Challenge Race Series and offers a great opportunity to rack up some early points.

So, isn't it time you took advantage of this unseasonably nice Michigan weather?  Get out there and ride!

Another Chili Ride, Feb. 26

The popular chili-eating and cycling event, Another Chili Ride returns Feb. 26, 2012. Grab some free grub then head out for a 4, 12, or 28 mile ride. Afterward is the $5 Chili Challenge with chili from 7 Ypsilanti eateries—all proceeds going to SOS Community Services. Times, locations, and all of the other details are available on the Wheels in Motion website.

Local bike fitter, Jess Bratus, highlighted by Specialized

Local cyclist and Certified Specialized BG Fit Technician at Two Wheel Tango, Jess Bratus, recently traveled to California and worked with some of the top pro cyclists doing bike fits. You can see Jess highlighted online at Specialized's Body Geometry Fit webpage and in their YouTube video talking about Specialized-lululemon rider Ally Stacher's bike fit with Jess (below or here).

Great to see a local face doing a great job with top cyclists!