Latest News

The new 2012 club jersey is now available for order. The sizing kit and order forms are at Clemmons Bike, and the cost is $65/jersey. Please bring cash or check made out to Piedmont Flyers to place an order!

Jersey color scheme

 

LYRMC THIS SATURDAY!!!
Breakfast, SAG food and lunch have been ordered – first 100 riders will get a free BBQ lunch. This Saturday, May 14^th is our club’s only yearly event that helps to raise funds for “Bikes for Kids” at Christmastime. Our club is dedicated to providing bike shop quality bikes for underprivileged kids at Christmas thru WXII and Fox8. All our proceeds from membership fees to this one event go toward this mission. Please come out and support us! We have SAG support for 3 routes (24 miles, 42 and 62); the links follow:

62 miles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/lewisville/703461173986

42 miles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/lewisville/79528216

24 miles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/lewisville/514829988

You can register online at Active.com or go to our website www.piedmontflyers.com!

If you wish to join us in bringing smiles to kids in the Triad this Christmas but cannot come to our LYRMC this Saturday, you may mail your check made payable to the Piedmont Flyers Bicycle Club to: Piedmont Flyers Bicycle Club, P.O. Box 5032, Winston Salem, NC 27113. If you can come – THANK YOU!!! Be sure to thank our volunteers who are volunteering their time to pull off this event and therefore, who are not able to ride Sat.

 

WRITE UP FROM PAUL ARMFIELD

RAW – Rides Around Wilkes

Like all residents of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, cyclists in this area are fortunate to live so close to the mountains and the coast.  When one wants a change of terrain and/or scenery for riding, it's just a short car trip away.  Such was the case on the first Saturday in May when a few friends and I decided to make the hour-long drive up to Wilkesboro for RAW – Rides Around Wilkes, organized by the Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club.  I like riding out of Lewisville as much as anyone, but we decided to “think outside The Square (box)” and head for the hills. 

It was an unseasonably cool (high 40s) morning, so there was much debate in the parking lot at the start as to how to dress for our trek.  Arm warmers and leg/knee warmers were the clothing of choice, as we knew the temperature would approach 70 by the time we were done.  The rides start at a YMCA Express and the folks there were kind enough to let us use their facilities before (and after) we set out.   

RAW offers 25, 40 and 65 mile routes and we opted for the latter.  $30 buys your entry for any of the above.  The overall elevation gain for our ride was advertised at around 4,000 feet, including two challenging climbs.  The first, Windy Gap Road, begins at about mile 12 and is enough to get you out of the saddle, elevate your heart rate and make you want to peel those arm warmers off.  The latter, Brushy Mountain Road, is much longer and more robust, covering roughly miles 50-56 and rising about 1,000 feet.  All of that hard work is rewarded by sweeping views off to your left and a really fun descent back into town.

Rest stops were somewhat lacking (water, cheap cookies and bananas) and there wasn't a port-a-john on the route, much to the consternation of the lone female in our group.  Another minor quibble  was a poorly marked turn at the very end, leading you onto a greenway.  Those small negatives, however, were offset by a  passable lunch of Subway sandwiches and showers at the YMCA. 

So, next year if you're wanting to get some early-season hill training in (3 Mountain Madness is in early June!), head on up to Wilkesboro for RAW.  You'll be glad you did.

 

NEWS FROM LOUIS NEWTON

Ken's ride and eat event is Sunday, May 15th.  Meet at Flint Hill Vineyards/New Century Kitchen at 10:00 ready to ride.  Bring a clothing change to wear for the meal at 12:00ish when the 34 mile ride ends back at the start.  To take part, go by Ken's Bike Shop and pay $10 club dues and sign the club waiver.

My new web site address is:  http://web.me.com/louis.newton/forsythbike  also, I have a forsythbike presence on Facebook.  Just use FB's search feature for forsythbike.

 

NEWS FROM MATTHEW BURCZYK

For Immediate Release 9:00 A.M. EDT For more information, please contact:

Aaron Daniel OR Phone: 336-686-5683 aarski@bellsouth.net

Jeff Sovich Phone: 336-215-1890 ottergoof@yahoo.com

Bicycling In Greensboro, INC.

Helping Transform the Greater Greensboro Area Into a More Bicycle-Friendly Community!

P. O. Box 5764 Greensboro, NC 27435 www.bikegso.org

Bicycling In Greensboro, Inc. (BIG) Hosts 5th Annual Ride of Silence on May 18, 2011

Greensboro, NC May 1, 2011 – Bicycling In Greensboro (BIG) will host the fifth annual Greensboro Ride of Silence, in memory of bicyclists who have been killed or injured during the past year while riding on public roadways in the Greensboro area. The Ride of Silence will begin and end in the parking lot of Wrangler / VF Corporation, located at 400 North Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. Sign-in begins at 6pm, followed by safety instructions and brief remarks from invited speakers. The assembled riders will depart promptly at 7pm, on a silent, slow-paced ride around the City. At a maximum speed of 12 mph, the riders will travel approximately 8.5 miles before returning to the start point.

The Ride of Silence is intended to have a solemn atmosphere to mourn bicyclists who have lost their lives, such as David Sherman of Summerfield, who was killed in October, 2009. Red armbands will be provided for riders who have been injured in a crash; black armbands will be given to all other riders, in memory of bicyclists who have been killed.      The Ride of Silence is free of charge, and bicyclists of every skill level and age are encouraged to ride – no one will be left behind. No Ride of Silence has been scheduled in Winston-Salem this year, so the Greensboro event will be the only Ride of Silence in the Triad metro area.

The Ride of Silence was organized in Dallas, TX in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus, on an empty road. Each year, on the third Wednesday of May, the Ride of Silence draws hundreds of thousands of riders in cities around the world. The Ride’s purpose is to raise awareness of bicycle safety, and the importance of all road users sharing the road safely. The League of American Bicyclists has designated May as National Bike Month, and the Ride of Silence is one of the most important events during the month.

BIG’s mission is to help transform the greater Greensboro area into a more bicycle-friendly community through advocacy, alliances, education, events, and service. For more information, including a full listing of Bike Month events, please visit: www.bikegso.org

###

DAVIDSON RIDES CANCELLED:

PFBC is cancelling the Davidson County ride until further notice just in case anybody planned on coming out tomorrow night. Only a few emailed Andrew regarding this ride and nobody showed up last week. Anyone that has interest in riding in Davidson County in the future can notify Andrew and if there’s interest he can start something up again later in the year. Andrew Mason, cell (336)225-3159, email masonrcr@ptmc.net

IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY:

Due to recent ride concerns, I find myself wanting to review with the club our “Rules of the Road”. Please understand that these rules are asked of all the riders on all the club rides, which include all the various speed groups departing on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Rules of the Ride:

At the Lewisville Square at 5:55pm there will be a long whistle blow signifying everyone to mount his or her bike. Three short whistle blows signify 23+ mph group to roll out of the parking lot at 5:56pm.  The two short whistle blows alert the 20-23 mph group to roll out at 5:58pm. The single short blow signifies the 17-20 mph group to roll out from the Square at 6:00pm. The reason for this fast to slower group sequence of departing is for keeping the same sequence of departure from the regrouping site. We CANNOT have faster groups passing slower groups as this is a major safety concern for motorists and cyclists. If you see you are going to miss your group’s departure time – you need to drive to the regrouping site and start with your desired speed group from that point. Also keep in mind that the speeds are AVERAGES – for example the 17mph group may ride 25 or more on the flats, but after the whole route with hills will typically average 17-20mph. The newly formed 14-17 mph group meets at the Jack Warren Park in Lewisville for a 6pm departure.

 

We will ride departing Belnette Drive in groups of 8 to 10, single file to a regrouping site (typically either the Huntsville Church after crossing over the Yadkin River on Shallowford/Courtney Huntsville or Enon Church after crossing over the Yadkin River on Old 421). The object of this single file paceline is to allow motorist to pass safely.  It is not a rotating paceline designed to catch the group in front.  The object is to keep the groups separated so that cars can safely pass. Regrouping sites are listed in the route list or in the route description (or simply ask your group leader). If you are the last group to the regrouping site, stop so that everyone has a chance to regroup. If you roll past and there is traffic behind you, it makes it difficult for those who have stopped to get on the paceline.

 

Once we regroup, we will then form a double paceline.  For those who do not know – a double paceline is two lines of cyclists side by side. As the 2 front pullers come off their perspective side, they rotate toward the back of the group on the outside of their line by staggering (so there are not 4 cyclists abreast the road). Hopefully this will keep some motorist from being so irritated with us, as the group will be large but not a long singe file line.

 

Helmets are required.  If you show up without one, the group will ask that you not ride with us.

 

Stay off your aero bars if you have them on your bike.  You cannot point out obstacles nor can you break quickly.

 

Use the restrooms at the Square.  If they are locked, use the restrooms at the library.  DO NOT urinate behind the shopping center buildings where we park.  If it is reported that cyclists are urinating behind the building, we will not be allowed to park there.

 

These are training rides.  Don’t expect the group to stop for you if you have a flat or a mechanical problem.  Be self sufficient.  Carry a spare tube, an inflation device and a cell phone. While we do not intend to leave others behind, it is suggested that all riders have a copy of each night's route to refer if necessary (as a PFBC member you have access to the routes and schedules).  If you are new to the ride, introduce yourself to some of our riders (find the leader of your speed group) and ask them any questions you may have.

 

All rides are on open roads and all traffic rules must be obeyed (for example, do NOT cross the yellow line and stop at stop signs). While we probably have all been guilty of throwing caution to the wind in an attempt to stay out of the wind or to take advantage of a traffic gap, remember that these are training rides on open roads.  While the pay outs, the glory, the endorsements and the adulation from the Lewisville podium boys and girls that all result from a local training/group ride win are immense, I doubt any of us want to be responsible for a serious crash or worse.   There are plenty of opportunities to inflict pain on your friends and fellow cyclists that don't involve rolling them out into oncoming traffic or forcing them across the center line into oncoming traffic.  Hurt them on the climb out of the river and not by running them off the road or into traffic.  Everyone must realize that with different levels of experience, skill and fitness – typically on a hill, cyclists fan/spread out, and there will be several abreast the road – DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOW LINE OR BE SO INCONSIDERATE AS TO FORCE OTHER CYCLISTS OFF THE ROAD. Not only does this type of behavior endanger other riders in the group, it also reflects badly on cyclist in the community.  If we expect motorist to respect our rights to the road, we need to be sure we are respect the rules of the road. 

Lastly, we have an unofficial “finish line” when coming back in on our Courtney-Huntsville-Shallowford routes. After you cross over the 421 bridge and go up the slight hill – at the top of the hill is a yellow turn ahead caution sign. A secondary finish line (whenever applicable) is the “Welcome to Lewisville” sign right before Hauser Rd on the right within the line of Leyland Cypress trees (however, I noticed this sign was missing). Typically on a training sprint, cyclists fan/spread out and there will be several abreast the road – DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOW LINE OR BE SO INCONSIDERATE AS TO FORCE OTHER CYCLISTS OFF THE ROAD! PLEASE AFTER HAUSER road cease the sprinting and going really fast in a disorderly fashion (our new rule is we need to be single file past this point) as motorist traffic picks up significantly after this road. I suggest 18mph or less after this point.

PLEASE FOR YOUR SAFETY and those around you, adhere to these rules of the road.

 

14th Annual Lewisville Yadkinville River Metric Century is set for Saturday, May 14th, 2011:Registration now available on Active.com

 

Help us by contacting Travis Beane to distribute our flyer to whatever races/event you attend between now and then (local bike shops have them)! We still need some May 14^th LYRMC volunteers. Please folks; consider helping the club, as this is our main event to receive funds for Bikes for Kids at Christmas time. Contact montibeasley@gmail.com      

2. We learned last night that sometimes the leader could call an audible and change the route at the last minute (he/she may also be bribed)- so show up in time for the final briefing before 5:55pm! And we found a couple of our cycling roads have some construction issues: Watkins (powerline) Road has the bridge out and is NOT PASSABLE. Farmington Road also has a sign up (Construction- local traffic only), and so I’m unsure of what to expect there as well. Please contact me on our road conditions so I can post to all under our Road Conditions tab (and via these lovely emails).

3. Our next club meeting is Monday, May 9^th, and I’m working on getting a couple speakers regarding rules and tactics of racing. Even if you are not a racer, please come to Big Shotz Lewisville at 6pm as we will be discussing final issues for our above ride.

 4. Our Facebook page link – check us out - login and LIKE US!!!!:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Piedmont-Flyers/161777483877664?ref=ts

 5. Piedmont Flyers will be starting a ride in Davidson County. Our volunteer leader is Andrew Mason, and he will start on Thursday 4/21. His contact information is:  Andrew Mason, cell (336)225-3159, email masonrcr@ptmc.net  This will begin as a weekly (Thursday) ride departing at 6pm from the Richard Childress Racing Museum (100 Industrial Dr., Welcome, NC). The ride will be 30-40 mile loops and go at a 19-21 mph pace. Tentatively his planned routes are as follows (eventually we will post on our website future routes like the others):

Tentative Ride Schedule

•    4/21 - Big House to Tanglewood http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/31427518

•    4/28 - Little Piggy http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/31429616

•    5/5 - Big House to Cookie Factory http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/31428692

•    5/12 - Not So Friendly http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/31430544

 Also, our 14mph group ride out of Jack Warren Park in Lewisville on Tues/Thursdays still needs some leader help for May – please contact Bob Schwartz bobo071553@yahoo.com

 6. Greetings from Matthew Burczyk! The Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Planning Department is getting set to kick off their effort to update the City/County comprehensive plan, also known as Legacy. Legacy will guide our growth and development for the next 20 years, so it is vital that bicycle and pedestrian transportation interests are fully represented. Please get involved in the Legacy update process to encourage greater emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian travel, as well as community development that promotes multi-modal transportation.

Forsyth County is expected to grow by 120,000 people by 2030, bringing our total population to almost half a million. With only 62,000 acres of developable land left, how do we accommodate this growth, have room for future growth after that, and keep or improve our current quality of life?

Please join us Tuesday, April 26, at 2PM and 7PM at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, 251 N Spruce Street, downtown Winston-Salem as we begin to update the City-County comprehensive plan at the Legacy Update Kick-off.

Go to www.legacy2030.com for more information and watch our music video!

 Legacy is Forsyth County's comprehensive plan -- the official public document that guides the growth and development of our community. The title, Legacy, identifies the overarching theme – we are stewards of the community and we have an obligation to protect and enhance it as our legacy to future generations.

Hello! I am pleased to report that a GREAT number of folks are turning up for our group rides! From 14mph -23+ average groups on Tuesday - we had over 60 cyclists show up! Our first ever 14mph group (social, NO DROP ride) left from Jack Warren Park and had an awesome ride without incident! They have decided to continue meeting 6pm every Tuesday and starting next week (sorry, not tonight) on Thursday. Bob and Norma are the leaders, but they need some help expecially in May.

The 17mph and 20mph groups left from the Square Tuesday, but a few kinks need working out. Our leaders will be trying hard to enforce that the groups depart the square from fastest to slowest group. The departure from the sqaure as promised to the civic leaders in Lewisville will be in single file with only 8 cyclists until we get to the regrouping point. At this spot, we depart gathered as our average speed groups in a double paceline. Again, this departure will be in fastest to slowest group. The 23+ers will park at Jack Warren and determine their plan. If they come to the square to do the same route as the 20mph - they MUST depart first so as to not be forced to pass the other groups. 

To help with this process, I purchased a whistle and will be giving a LONG BLOW (no jokes please) signaling fast groups to prepare (several minutes before 6pm). 3 blows means the 23+ers need to depart (couple minutes before 6pm); 2 blows means the 20mph group departs (6pm); 1 blow means the 17mph group departs (a minute or so after 6pm). PLEASE DO NOT GO UNTIL YOUR GROUP IS SIGNALED!

We appreciate your patience as we work out our kinks and are very excited that you are out riding with us!

Sincerely, Monti

Piedmont Flyers has joined the Facebook world..."Like" us to keep up with the latest PFBC news:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewisville-NC/Piedmont-Flyers/161777483877664

Join the Flyers ever Tuesday and Thursday night for training rides. 

On Tuesdays, all groups leave from Lewisville Town Square at 6pm.  On Thursdays, the 23+mph group leaves from Jack Warren Park on Clemmons-Lewisville Rd about half a mile from the Square. Please park here and not at the Square.

Check out the Events page for more ride details; the weeknight ride schedules are also in our Scheduled Rides tab in the member-only section.  If you're not yet a Piedmont Flyers member, it's only $20 to join!