I knew it was bound to happen, but it still come as a shock that fall weather has finally arrived as I see leaves cover every street and corn being harvested out in the country everywhere. Just because cooler temperature and shorter daylight has arrive doesn’t you can’t continue to bike. With proper layering, good pair light skiing or running gloves, a beanie, a balaclava or a half face ski mask, you can still ride comfortably in the fall. I find that the Under Armour Infared long sleeve mocks I brought for skiing also works well with short sleeve micro-fiber shirt underneath and a windbreaker jacket on top. For the bottom half, I wear my regular bike short and a pair of running tights with fleece lining on top as it breaths well and doesn’t get sweaty.
For those of you who don’t get out of work til late during the day, you can still ride during dusk if you invest in a good headlight and taillight. I purchased a Cateye Nano Shot 2 years ago after reading good reviews on it. It produce about 250 lumen with a single LED bulb, has high, low and flashing mode, low battery indicator and is USB rechargeable. I love the Nano Shot so much that I brought the Nano Shot Plus in August. It has the same feature as the the Nano but have 2 LED bulbs (600 lumen output), steady and flash combined mode, and can light up to 50 feet in front of me. Other brands to look for are Nite Rider, Cygolite and Lezyne.
Besides a good headlight and taillight, when riding during dusk/night time, be sure to allow adequate buffer space between yourself and others if riding in group as well as communicate vocally. Since visibility is reduced, your reaction time will be shorter due to lack of visual cue. I find out the hard way 2 Saturdays ago as Sarah Gray, her husband Chris and I were heading home on the E. Peoria trail after the sun had set. As I coasted to a trail-crossing, a truck’s headlight appeared suddenly behind the tree in the front lawn of a house next to the trail. I instinctively squeezed my brake levers but failed to warn Chris and Sarah vocally. As the result, Sarah did not have enough buffer space or time to react, causing her to rear-ended me, flipped over the handlebar and breaking her arm. Take lesson from me and avoid the same mistake I made.
On a lighter note, a reminder that membership fee is due at the end of December. It’s a perfect time to renew now before it gets too crazy during the holidays. We will have membership renewal forms available at the End of the Year Dinner on November 8th, 6pm at Gracie’s (1021 N. Cummings, Washington, IL). Cost is $15 and menu options are 1)Meatloaf 2)Pulled pork 3)Lemon ppper grilled chicken & 4)Eggplant parmesan. Sides include roasted potatoes & green beans. IVW will provide dessert (Texas cake). Please RVSP by November 4 through Marsha Ray (marsha.myers.ray@gmail.com). Make check out to Illinois Valley Wheelm’n, indicate your dinner choice and mail it to Marsha Ray, 6446 N. Oakbrook Ct., Peoria, IL 61614. In addition, The club will have a slide show from all the rides (individual or club) this year at the End of the Year Dinner. Send me any bike ride photos (w/ caption where & when it took place) you had taken this year and email them to me (faimok@myway.com).
And lastly, the club is looking for nominations for next year’s executive officers (president, vice president, treasurer & secretary). You can also nominate yourself. Send your nominees to me (faimok@myway.com). Voting will take place during the End of the Year Dinner. The club is also looking for nomination for the Most Improved Male & Female Rider award and the Hub of the Club award. The HOC historically has been awarded to a club member who went out of their way to represent the club and/or make sure some aspect of the club was extra special. Please include a paragraph explaining why you nominate that person. You can email all nominations to me (faimok@myway.com). Have a safe Halloween and ride safe!
Kind Regards,
Fai Mok
Illinois Valley Wheelm’n President
