This is the EVENTS Page

BICYCLE EVENTS

Bike & Barge, Brussels to Bruges, in 2011

Sept. 16 to Sept. 26, 2011
The Village Bicycle Club has chartered the Barge, "Magnifique",

which holds 22 passengers for a 8 day, 7 night bike & barge trip.
 
The barge portion of the trip, (cost of $1500.00) will include:

	Accommodations on the "Magnifique"

	Meals, 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, 7 dinners
 
	Bed linens and towels

	Tour Guide, who organizes bicycle trips & some short walking city tours

	Touring Bicycles with hand brakes

	Maps & route directions

	Welcome drink and informative talks during the first evening.



All cabins are on the lower deck, while the upper deck houses the dinning area,

bar, lounge, wide screen TV, partly covered sun deck with chairs & tables,

recliners and a whirlpool.
 


The cost of the Barge is based on Euro (subject to change with exchange rate)

and is presently based on Euro at 1.2305.

That places the price at $1500.00 for the Barge portion of the trip at this time.



Cycling Route in miles:

	Brussels to Willebroek 24m, Willebroek to Antwerp 27m,

	Antwerp to Dendemonde 26m, Dendemonde to Ghent 29m, Ghent to  Bruges 24m,

	Bruges to North Sea & back to Burges 27m.



We are going to add 2 days stay in Bruges.

Russ is working on a hotel, walking distance

to the old city and market places. Airfare can not be priced out at this time,

but figure a cost of $3,000.00 total for everything.



Please call Landseair at, 352-357-7311 or 1-888-917-7311 now, 

to reserve your place on the barge as we need to book as early as possible.

Bob has indicated that we will not have any "Away Events" during the summer, unless he gets more requests from members at our next meeting.




Safety Topics

General Safety Tips

  1. Make sure your bike is safe
    2. The pedals, seat, and handlebars let you control your bike. Make sure they are firmly attached.
    Make sure tires are in good condition and are properly inflated.
    Inspect the braking system to ensure it will function adequately when needed.
    Bike shops can help determine if your bike is safe. Most of our local bike shops will provide a free safety check.
  2. Make Yourself Easily Seen
    3. Motorists are used to looking for car-sized objects. To enhance your visibility, wear light-colored or fluorescent clothing and accessories. Apply reflective tape to your helmet and moving parts on your bike, and always use proper lighting at night.
  3. The Three most frequent causes of motor vehicle vs. bicyclist fatal crashes are:
    4. Failure to opey traffic control devices.
    Riding on the wrong side of the roadway.
    Riding at night without proper lighting.

Bicycle Safety Tips

  1. Ride predictably
    2. When riding in traffic, avoid weaving in and out of the "parking lane". Instead, maintain your line of travel, remaining as far right as is safe.
  2. Road Hazards
    3. Continually scan for hazards that could cause you to lose control.
    In wet conditions, give yourself extra room to stop.
    When crossing slippery surfaces (such as utility covers) avoid braking or turning.
    Cross train tracks at right angle and stand up to absorb shock from the uneven surface.
  3. Obey Traffic Laws
    4. Traffic law violations cause the majority of bicycle/motor vehicle collisions. By following traffic laws, cyclists are predictable to other drivers.
    Ride in the direction of traffic.
    Obey traffic signs and signals.
    Yield when entering a roadway.
    Signal before turning or changing lanes.
    Use proper lighting at night.
    In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle. Bicyclists using a public roadway are considered operators of vehicles and are responsible for observing traffic laws. With few exceptions, there is only one road and it is up to motorists and bicyclists to treat each other with care and respect.
    Adherence to the law is the foundation of respect.
  4. Be Responsible For Yourself
    5. When riding in a group each rider should look out for themselves and not simply follow the rider in front of them. Make sure all riders in the group are aware of how to ride safely and legally.
  5. Wear a Helmet
    6. Head injuries cause the majority of bicycle motor-vehicle collision deaths.
    Helmets can help reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries.
    Helmets can only do their job, however, if properly fitted and adjusted.
    Always wear the helmet level on your head. The side buckles should be situated just below your earlobes. The chin strap should be adjusted to fit snugly when the chin buckle is closed.
    Bicycle helmets are designed to withstand one crash only. Structural damage is not always visible, so never use a crashed or second hand helmet.
    Store your helmet away from sunlight as ultraviolet light can damage it.
    Helmets are required of bicyclists under the age of 16.

Bicycle Group Riding

  1. Be Predictable
    2. Group riding requires even more attention to predictability than riding alone. Other riders expect you to continue straight ahead at a constant speed unless you indicate differently.
  2. Use Signals
    3. Use hand and verbal signals to communicate with members of the group and with other traffic. Hand signals for turning and stopping are as follows:
    Left arm out and down with your palm to the rear to signal slowing or stopping.
    Right arm straight out to signal a right turn or put your left arm out and up.
  3. Give Warnings
    4. Warn cyclists behind you well in advance of changes in your direction or speed.
    To notify the group of a change in path, the lead rider should call out "left turn" or "right turn" in addition to giving a hand signal.
  4. Change Positions Correctly
    5. Generally, slower traffic stays right, so you should try to pass others on their left, say "on your left" to warn the cyclist ahead that you are passing. If you need to pass someone on the right, say "on your right" clearly since this is an unusual maneuver.
  5. Announce Hazards
    6. When riding in a group, most of the cyclists do not have a good view of the road surface ahead, so it is important to announce holes, glass, gravel, grates, and other hazards.
    The leader should indicate road hazards by pointing down to the left or right, and by shouting "hole", "bump", etc. where required for safety.
  6. Watch for Traffic Coming From the Rear
    7. Since those in front cannot see traffic approaching from the rear, it is the responsibility of the riders in back to inform the others by saying "car back".
    Around curves, on narrow roads, or when riding double, it is also helpful to warn of traffic approaching from the front with "car up".
  7. Watch Out at Intersections
    8. When approaching intersections that require vehicles to yield or stop, the lead rider will say "slowing" or "stopping" to alert those behind to the change in speed.
    When passing through an intersection, some cyclists say "clear" if there is no cross traffic. This is a dangerous practice that should be abandoned. It encourages riders to follow the leader, letting others do their thinking for them. Each cyclist is responsible for verifying that the way is indeed clear.
  8. Leave a Gap for Cars
    9. When riding up hills or on narrow roads where you are impeding faster traffic, leave a gap for cars between every three or four bicycles. That way a motorist can take advantage of shorter passing intervals and eventually move piecemeal around the entire group.
  9. Move OFF the Road When You Stop
    10. Whether you are stopping because of mechanical problems or to regroup with your companions, move well off the road so you don't interfere with traffic. When you start up again, each cyclist should look for, and yield to, traffic.
  10. Ride 1 or 2 Across
    11. Ride single file or double file as appropriate to the roadway and traffic conditions and where allowed by law. Most state vehicle codes permit narrow vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles to ride double file within the lane. Even where riding double is legal, courtesy dicates that you single up when cars are trying to pass you.
    These 10 TIPS FOR SAFE GROUP RIDING are based on the principles taught in the League of American Bicyclists effective cycling program.
    The Village Bicycle Club believes that bicycling is a fun and safe activity. Cyclists should help ensure their own safety by following safety tips. Cycling is a growing sport. For most of our membership the above tips are listed as a reminder. For those who are new to cycling please get into the habit of following all safety tips. Those who do not follow the safety rules, please consider following them in the future.

Toolkit

When you're out on your bike, the last thing you want is to have a breakdown without a way of getting home. Here's a list of toolkit essentials to take with you on your rides. To store your survival kit you can purchase a small saddle pouch that attaches under your seat.
    A - Tire Pump
    You won't be able to pump up your tire after a flat without a proper pump! Make sure the pump head fits the valves on your tubes.
    B - Spare Tube
    Before putting your spare tube into the tire (after a flat of course!), make sure there are no pieces of glass or metal sticking through the tire that will pop the new tube. To do this, inspect the tire, and run your fingers along the inside of the tire. Make sure the tube you carry in your kit is the correct size for your tires.
    C - Patch Kit
    Bring along a small patch kit to use on those particularly bad days (Oh no! I forgot to replace my spare tube!). You can get small "glueless" patches that are light and easy to use.
    D - Tire Levers
    Unless you ahve arms and hands of steel, you'll need these nifty gadgets to pry the tire from the rim. Plastic levers are the lightest. You should have two or three.
    E - Allen Wrenches
    Also known as hexagonal wrenches. Carry one for each hex bolt size on your bike (usually sizes 4,5, and 6).
    F - Small Adjustable Wrench
    A 4 inch wrench will fit almost all the small nuts on your bike that may require mid-voyage adjustment.
    G - Small Screwdriver
    A 1/8 inch blade screwdriver is useful for making derailleur adjustments.
    H - Spoke Wrench
    Carry the size that fits your spoke nipples.
    I - Small Pocket Knife
    This will come in handy more often than you might think.
    J - Odds and Ends
    Here's some other things that can really be a life saver. A presta-to-Schrader valve adapter (in case your pump breaks), a spare house key, spare change for a phone call or a snack, and an ID card.