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Here we are approaching April
with the weather has been rather cold in the northeast. RePete
has ridden only two tours for a mere 50 miles. This will change
as the temperature warms...and the beginning of his tours. These
are now listed in Quest Tours with the Peach Blossom being the first. This will be separately
sponsored by the South Jersey Wheelmen on April 10; then by the Outdoor Club on
April 25. This is a traditional favorite as we tour miles of
peach groves with their pink and white blossoms.
Looking ahead is the Atsion Tour. Cyclists will peddle through the
flatlands of lovely South Jersey countryside. If the weather is
warm enough...a dip in Atsion Lake is possible!! This will be
followed by the Atlantic Highland’s, Fort Mercer, Smithville, Four Lakes and the Piney Hallow. More detail on each of these are
available within Quest Tours.
A big
Thank You to those that ranked this area in the Top 10 of the Geocities cycling web sites! For details you can go to
http://www.oocities.org/Avenues/Sports_and_Recreation/Cycling.
RePete will continue to improve this area. Access to the local weather is now
available and soon more links will be provided.. If you any
suggestion, please email these to RePete.
Now let us go over the equipment you need for your rides...
wHelmet - This is a MUST
on all rides and should be ANSI or Snell approved. Details about
the protection provided by the proper wearing of a helmet is
available within Quale.
w Pumps - Required to get you rolling
after a flat. RePete suggest a floor type that is kept at home
and a mini or frame fit for the tours to take with you.
Caution! Make sure your pump is adjustable to fit
either presta or schrader tube stems.
w Tubes - A mainstay and are sold with two
stem types, presta or schrader. The schrader are the type on car
tires. Presta is a narrow stem with a cap that is rotated to
lock. Ask you bike shop if your in doubt as to the type on your
tubes.
Reminder: Please ensure
these stems also match with your pumps!!
w Patch Kits - Our reserves...a bad tour
can have multiple flats and you will need to fix a tube rather
than replace with a new tube. There are many on the market
including a new “glueless” type. RePete has always
relied on the glue type. Suggest you practice a few repairs at
home before attempting a roadside fix!
Tip: Wait for a sale and
stock-up on many.
w Mirrors - These provide a view of what
is behind us...especially important for those left turns. RePete
has the handle bar mounted type held in place with velcro. There
are many others including a style that clips to the helmet that
many favor.
w Water Bottles - Will keep us
hydrated...when filled with water or a “sport” drink!
Expect to bring more than a single bottle on those hot days.
These can also be purchased in two sizes and are provided as a
“bonus” on many tours.
Tip: A good inexpensive substitute for water or the “sport”
drink is to use a teaspoon of sugar in each bottle!
w Tools - Especially tire irons, are
important to help remove a flat tire and to make other roadside
repairs. The list here is nearly endless...there are several
multipurpose devices sold. RePete has found that money is an
excellent tool to bring with you...one size fits all repairs!
Tip: A cellular
telephone is a great aid to help you get back home when repairs
just cannot be made!
w Then to complete this list are clothing,
saddle bag and a cyclometer. Bicycle shorts are especially
recommended for those longer tours. The padded type does provide
protection from chaffing.
Let me hear about other equipment that you found
important...email RePete
.
Say did you hear that RePete went head to head with Roberta...a
DJ on New Jersey 101.5! Yes, she was bad mouthing us cyclist!!
She wanted to ban cyclist from multi-use trails and most roadways
in New Jersey. Now, RePete is a roadie and did not react until
she said that we cyclist do not belong on the road with motor
traffic. RePete called the radio station and took issue with her.
She had apparently been slowed by some cyclist that she blamed
for causing a traffic delay on a narrow road. Well...RePete is
one that tries to see both sides of every issue. Agreed with
Roberta that most cyclist, especially those that belong to
organized clubs, do allow traffic to pass. However, there are
some inconsiderate cyclist as there are inconsiderate motorist.
Fortunately, these inconsiderate types are relatively few and
need to be educated on proper driving or cycling so both can
share the roads.
This did not convince her...going on a tirade about motorist
paying more in the way of taxes, insurance, fee and other cost;
that cars have the “right” to the roadway! This piece
of “wisdom” has no logic and RePete again took
issue...only to be cut-off. Roberta must believe if someone
steals from her, then she would want that thief to steal from
everyone else. In this case, since motorist are forced to pay
high amounts for the “privilege” to drive...then
cyclist should also be forced to pay. Not sure where this “logic”
would stop...pedestrians also use the same roads...guess Roberta
would want them to pay more for the “privilege” of
walking. Then there are joggers and roller-bladers...do these
also pay more just because motorist pay legalized extortion!
Well...you can go to New Jersey 101.5 home page or email
Roberta
...give her your opinion and let her know that RePete sent
you!
RePete has a special treat for you...a picture of Dianne’s
son! Simply click here on to see this new member
to our bicycling community. Congratulation...may God bless the
both of them and keep them well!!
Finally, practice safe cycling techniques. To this end, RePete
will provide information on this topic in the next update
scheduled for May.
You can now visit Freewheel’n.
These are also submitted and published in the South Jersey
Wheelmen’s monthly newsletter. You can read my latest
release by visiting this site after the middle of each month.
Then there are the Quale sites where topics are varied, like the
highly imaginative Tales of Pauline.
Also visit the Quote site that contain your comments. Here you
will find submissions on Bicyclist Against Helmets and many other
issues and links. Additionally, don’t forget to visit the South Jersey
Wheelmen and the Outdoor Club of
South Jersey web sites.
The next update of Quibbles is scheduled for mid-May and for now......have a glorious Spring!
Email me now!
4/1/99
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