Something Different For 2012

PALM has 700 rider limit. When I first joined staff in 1998, Drew was doing the registration. He would always make a motion to extend the May 1 cutoff date for signing up for PALM. Then 6 years ago we hit 700 riders in April and had to close the ride early. We didn't know what to do. We ended up well over 700 because we were caught off guard. Since then, we've been filling earlier and earlier. Now it's to the point that the ride fills before some of  our out of state riders have gotten their applications. I tried to rectify that by mailing out of state applications and out state applications earlier. But even though we mail out applications 1st class, the mail is not delivered predictably. Our ride chair, who lives 45 miles from where the applications were mailed, received his 4 days after it was mailed and last year the ride closed in 4 days.

We want everyone to have an equal chance of getting on PALM.It is obvious that mailing out applications is not going to do it. So we are going to try something different. We are going to announce a date and post the application on our (new) website for download on that date. Everyone will have a chance of getting the application at the same time as everyone else. This only works if everyone knows we are going to do this and the date on which we are going to do it. To this end we are going to mail out postcards to everyone on our mailing list announcing the date that they will be able to download the application.

As you can see we have our work cut out for us. We will be getting the word out in all kind of ways, this blog being one of them. Please, if you know anyone who is interested on PALM, let them know of this change. The only way to get the PALM 2012 application will be to download it from our website. We will announce the date when it will be available on Facebook, this  blog, our our website. Everyone on the PALM mailing list will receive a postcard with the details. Keep your eye out for an oversized postcard with the PALM logo.

Last Chance Before PALM

Ok, it's only a week before PALM check-in. Are you ready? You still have time to get a few rides in before PALM. As I've often said, it's more about saddle time that fitness when it comes to multi-day rides.

Is your bike ready? You still can get your bike into the shop or service it yourself prior to leaving for PALM. Don't wait for PALM and have to wait in line at the PALM bike shops for service. Make sure you have a proper tube, tire levers, pump, and multi tool in your seat pack so you can take care of minor issues on the road.

See you next Saturday at the PALM check-in.

Mirrors

In the past, one of the controversies in cycling was the use of mirrors.

The cons stated that mirrors had a small field of view, could not replace scanning with you head and eyes, and give a false sense of security.

The pros said that mirrors were an addition to scanning and one mounted on one’s helmet or glasses actually could enhance your field of view by turning the head a bit to look behind.

Personally, I have a difficult time riding on the road without a mirror. With one mounted on my helmet, I have over an 180 degree field of view behind me by turning my head while looking in the mirror. It can even help me keep track of my riding partner when on my single or my stoker when on the tandem.

I highly recommend a mirror when riding. Would you drive a car without rear and side-view mirrors?

Here is a link to a mirror that I use on one of my helmets:

http://www.cycleaware.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1

Enter code RFLX11 before the end of May and receive a free parts kit.

Whether you use a mirror on your helmet, glasses, or handle bars, it greatly enhances you rearward vision.

Time to Begin to Prepare

Well, the weather seems to have finally turned, so it’s time to get out on your bike. It’s not that PALM is difficult, but being physically prepared (especially your posterior) makes for a more enjoyable ride. At this point you should be riding 15 to 20 miles 2 to 3 times a week. As PALM approaches, throw in a 40 to 50 miler once a week while still doing multiple shorter rides.

And don’t forget your bike. Have you really checked it over? How are the tires (worn, dry rotted, cuts)? Are the brake pads in need of replacing? Are the wheels straight? Does it shift well? What's in your seat bag? If any of these (and more) come to mind, and you don’t do your own maintenance, please take the bike to your local shop. Having a properly prepared bike, just like your body, make for a much better experience.

If you have any questions about your bike or preparing for PALM, please let me know by posing a comment or sending an email to: sproketsandspokes@tir.com

May 15 Deadline

April was not only the cruelest month, it was the wetest. I read on our Facebook page that it rained 20 out of the 30 days in April. A lot of that was 40 degree rain. It was cool, well, cold most of the month. I left the straw on my garden bed until the last week of April. The ground was too cold to germinate seeds anyway. I got cold crops from the Garden Resource Program on April 16 but couldn't even harden them off because it was too cold outside.

But time marches on. The May 15 deadline for adding/changing meals and buses is this week. If you sent in your registration and planned to order meals and buses later, it's later now. Download an application and make your choices. Mail it in with a check and a stamped self addressed envelope (for your new confirmation) to the PALM address: PO Box 7161; Ann Arbor, MI 48107. May 15 is also the last day that you can cancel from PALM  and get a refund (minus a cancellation fee). It must be done in writing, no emails will be accepted. There will be no refunds or changes after May 15.

Thank goodness it's May. I was only able to ride once in April. The last two weekends I've been able to ride at last. Only 20 miles or so but at least it's a start. And the last time I rode I could sit on the bike seat. PALM  is closer to becoming a reality.

May 15 Deadline for Meals and Buses

If you are like me you are wondering when spring will come. Baseball season has been going on for over 2 weeks now and we are still getting sleet and snow (2-3 inches on Monday). I've been able to ride my bike exactly once, the one Sunday it was warm. 10 miles into the wind, 10 miles back and I was done for the rest of the day. I have a lot of work to do before I'm ready for PALM.

Speaking of PALM, May 15 is the deadline for making changes to your application. (Except fo jerseys. If you wanted a jersey, you had to get your order in by April 1 so that Voler could manufacture them.) So if you sent in your application quickly so that you could reserve your spot on PALM and meant to add meals/busses later, now is the time. The way to do this is to download an application from the website, fill in your name and address, the meals, buses, extra t shirts you want and mail it in to the PALM address with your check and a stamped self addressed envelope. (The stamped self addressed envelope is so that I can send you a new confirmation letter.) The meal totals we have now are about 20 below the meals totals from last year when we had 100 fewer people on the ride so I know that there are people out there who haven't ordered their meals yet. Do it now.

May 15 is also the last day that you can cancel from PALM and get a refund (minus a cancellation fee of $15 for an individual, $20 for a whole application). Cancellations must be done in writing, no emails are accepted. And please include a stamped self addressed envelope so that we can mail the check back to you. There will be no refunds after May 15 for any reason.

Meet Your Bike

Here is a nice video that does a good job of showing all the various parts of a bike:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l-ZAbZ1Rzs&feature=related

This may help clarify what us bike geeks are talking about around the dinner table each evening on PALM.