So Heidi had an idea…

EDIT: On some browsers some of the images are sideways. We’re aware of it and will work to fix it… later. It’s time to rest for the ride.

A few months ago I might have opened my big mouth and said something like, “Wouldn’t it be neat if we took a multi-day family bike ride?”  If you know us than you know I should know better than to give Bruce an idea and an opportunity – especially if it involves bikes.  Thankfully I had the sense in the moment to add “But, you know, on something flat.”  Ten minutes later and the internet pointed us in the direction of the Erie Canalway Trail.

Fast forward to yesterday and we loaded up the MCC (yup, we still have it) and headed first to Allegany for a quick dinner with Bruce’s family and then up to Buffalo where we checked ourselves and the MCC in the Courtyard Marriott Canalside which is conveniently located near the trailhead.

I might make a post about the gear we are hauling later, especially after we get a sense of what works and what doesn’t.  In a nutshell, we have 4 bikes, a wee hoo (Daxton’s ride), a loaded bob trailer and 4 saddle bags.

Today Bruce took the MCC to Albany and got a one way rental back to Buffalo.  Confused?  Let’s take a look at the route.  In the pic below you can maybe see a thin green line – that’s our path for the next week.  We’ll need the MCC at the end of the ride to haul us all home, so Bruce took one for the team and drove all day while I had fun with the kids.

The boys and I spent the morning walking around Harbor Center – grabbing breakfast at Tim Horton’s and then visiting the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.  That place is a bargain at $10 per adult and I highly recommend it.  2 ships and a submarine kept us busy for a couple of hours. We went back out again in the afternoon for some ice cream and another walk near the water.

Bruce rejoined us and we ended the evening catching part of a Buffalo Bison’s game.  The best part?  They were playing the Syracuse Chiefs – a National’s feeder team.  Go Nats!

Tomorrow?  We ride.  

Hack the Hat 2014

Last year Bruce and JP rode about 4-5K miles each. This year Bruce has ridden about 40 and JP about 400. That doesn’t mean we won’t bring bikes to Derby and go for an AM ride! We hope to get 15-20 riders! Bring your kids! We will wait up for them!

Once again – Saturday will be the best day. A lot of folks will be in training Friday morning and many will be hung over on Sunday morning. So here’s what we’re proposing… Rally in front of the hotel at 7:30am with your bike and we’ll head out for approximately 20 mile ride out and around Louisville. The sun rises at 7:36 on Saturday, so by the time we all get organized and on the road, it should be light out. We probably won’t make it back in time for the first talk on Saturday, FYI.

We’re not entirely sure of the route yet, but we’ll keep it under control with no brutal hills (does Louisville even have brutal hills?). This will be a no-drop ride, but hopefully we can keep a decent speed. In Vegas, the ride has split in to 2 groups of riders the last few years based on ability. We may end up doing that again here. We’ll see.

So bring your bike and helmet to Louisville. Don’t feel like transporting one? Looks like a few local places will rent bikes. Bike Courier Bike Shop and Wheel Fun Rentals are close to the hotel, but it’s not clear exactly what they’ll rent you. There are other LBS’s in the area that will rent as well. Google is your friend.

If you are thinking of riding with us, please hit up @cycle_override on Twitter or send us an email at [email protected] so we can gauge the size of the pack. Spread the word. The more the merrier.

BTW: The city of Louisville has a fantastic site set up to help guide local cyclists and lays out their plan for making Louisville bike friendly. Wish we’d see that from more communities.

2014 – 4th Annual Defcon Bike Ride

EDIT – The Defcon Bike ride has been moved to Friday Aug 8th at 6am. Meet at McGhies at 6-6:30am – and we hope to hit the road after getting everyone’s bike rentals sorted by 7am.

TLDR: TShirt Pre-Orders here.  Ride with us at Defcon signup here.

Dust off your cycling shorts, get out the chammois butter, ice the water, it’s almost time for another Defcon Bike Ride in Las Vegas!

The date of this years bike ride is Aug 7, 2014 at 6am. This is Thursday of Defcon. We will meet outside the Rio at 5:30am by the valet. There will also be a contingent meeting at the Tuscany at 5:30 am.

Registration is here. This is just so we can get a count and capture if you want a tshirt. It will also give us your email so we can blast out any details needed pre ride, or at 5:25am on Aug 7th .

Here’s the deal – we have partnered again with McGhies Bike Shop in Las Vegas for our ride. Yes – they will throw your clipless pedals and seat posts on if you insist. They have 3 levels of road bikes:  a ~$40 Cannondale Synapse,  and a ~$100 Lance Armstrong starter kit road bike (think Madone.)  There’s also a $125 level also.

Bike rental is first come first serve — there are about 18 $40  male road bikes and 5 female — after that it’s a hybrid or a $100 bike.  You can always ship out your bike for about $100 each way on most airlines.

Here’s what YOU have to do:

You need to go here and reserve your ride. You will need to pay with a credit card. You should note anything special here and you should indicate you are reserving for the Defcon Bike Ride.

Here is what you should put in the comment box: (your own specs of course)

“Defcon Bike Ride

Size: 54 cm – will bring my own pedals

Need bike at 6am”

And for pick up:

Please select pickup at store – Las Vegas

Use this chart based on your height and inseam to figure out your size and fill the comment box out accordingly:

You alone are solely responsible for your bike reservation. McGhies is aware that we are running this event and will support us, but it’s on you to make sure you are all set with a bike.

THE ROUTE

NOTE: This ride may be at a higher altitude than you are used to. (2600-3800 ft)

OK — last piece the route – you can see the route here. This is the same route as last year (and the year before). Basically the route is slightly uphill out – and mostly downhill back. It’s looking like we’ll have a car heading up the back. (thanks @myrcurial ) There may be a bigger loop for those interested – we’ll let you know soon (basically taking the scenic loop around and catching up w/the group on your way back) – but it will likely be unofficial.

We are looking for sponsors so let us know if you are aware of anyone interested in throwing in some schwag or some cash to help support this ride.

What do I do next?

Once you reserve your bike — all you have to do is wait for Defcon 21! Oh and keep riding!

Cheers!

The Cycle Override Team

PS if you have any questions — leave a comment so everyone can see the answer!

Hack the Hat v3 @ Derbycon

Fall is in the air. Days are getting shorter, leaves are starting to change colors…  Must mean DerbyCon is right around the corner.

JP and Bruce are recovering from the epic 2600+ mile cross country ride this year, but they have time to hop on a bike at Derbycon!

 

It looks like Saturday will be the best day. A lot of folks will be in training Friday morning and many will be hung over on Sunday morning. So here’s what we’re proposing… Rally in front of the hotel at 7:30am with your bike and we’ll head out for approximately 20 mile ride out and around Louisville. The sun rises at 7:36 on Saturday, so by the time we all get organized and on the road, it should be light out. We probably won’t make it back in time for the first talk on Saturday, FYI. For sure, @gdead has to make it back by 11a, as that’s when his talk is.

We’re not entirely sure of the route yet, but we’ll keep it under control with no brutal hills (does Louisville even have brutal hills?). This will be a no-drop ride, but hopefully we can keep a decent speed. In Vegas, the ride has split in to 2 groups of riders the last few years based on ability. We may end up doing that again here. We’ll see.

So bring your bike and helmet to Louisville. Don’t feel like transporting one? Looks like a few local places will rent bikes. Bike Courier Bike Shop and Wheel Fun Rentals are close to the hotel, but it’s not clear exactly what they’ll rent you. There are other LBS’s in the area that will rent as well. Google is your friend.

If you are thinking of riding with us, please hit up @cycle_override on Twitter or send us an email at[email protected] so we can gauge the size of the pack. Spread the word. The more the merrier.

BTW: The city of Louisville has a fantastic site set up to help guide local cyclists and lays out their plan for making Louisville bike friendly. Wish we’d see that from more communities.