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Gears 4 Beers
A drinking group with a cycling problem

Beer is good...drink responsibly

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A TriState Cycling Group - We ride out of Nisbet Park - Loveland, Ohio

Updated 3/12/2008
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Welcome to Gears4Beers.org!
Gears 4 Beers is THE best cycling group in the tri-state area and perhaps anywhere! We've been riding as group for roughly four years now and number over 100. The group is composed of several speed groups and we generally have a sweeper to make sure new comers never get lost. We have several bike routes painted on the roadways so finding your way is only an arrow away. We welcome all riders and only ask that you ride safely and be considerate of the other cyclists in the group. We generally socialize after the rides (best part in my opinion) either at the gazebo or the local street side eatery. We always have a good showing at the Cincinnati Cycle Club sponsored rides. We hope soon to have our new jerseys so folks can spot us easily (-:

Picture of the Week -->
....to remind us that riding in Ohio could be more dangerous....submitted by Fraser

Support the Tour De Montgomery -> G4B is once again proud to back the fund raising efforts of the  HeartStone Foundation to support cancer patients with the hosting of the annual TdM bike festival in Mid-July. We'll post more information here as details get firmed up. Look for a bigger badder event for 2008!  

 

News! Check the Blog for selected stories

Wow is this out of date...sorry been really busy lately (like a whole year? Doh). Will get the nose back to the grind stone now that the new photo gallery is finished...goat-webmeister

10/04/2006 - Brian Hazelwood wins the prestigious and quite elusive "Emperor Penguin Achievement Award" for putting in the most miles and powering up the steepest of climbs in a G4B four day period to date on the NC trip.
10/14/2006 - To our G4B'ers Leanne Jepson, Rod Roof, Shawna Rookwood and JoAnne Gerwe
for finishing the Columbus Marathon! Additional congrats go to Rod Roof and Leanne Jepson - who both qualified for Boston Marathon 2007!!
11/19/2006 - G4Bers conquer the Northgate Hills (9 big hills in 40 miles)
1/8/2007 - more pics of Fraser & Kathys wedding..Works celebration video (Quicktime video get player here)

 


    Goatboy and Fraser at SOG 2005

G4B Bike Rides current start times are in blue

Know the rules of the Road before you ride - Read the Ohio Revised Code here => Bicycle Laws ORC.doc

Want to know how much riding you can squeeze in each and every day?? Try our 2006  sunset graph.pdf

Wed Night Spring/Summer/Fall Ride 6:30pm - We generally ride every Wed night, spring to fall, at 6 or 6:30pm from Nisbet Park on the Loveland bike trail in Loveland, OH. Start time depends on the amount of daylight we have. Don't be late as this is a VERY impatient group. The rides are typically 25-45 miles, over various marked routes, with the fast group going longer and the slower group taking a short cut so everyone arrives roughly at the time for post ride festivities. The fast group is very competitive on Wed's ride and generally finish the ride with an all out sprint for the champion honors (bragging rights). We meet in the park gazebo after the ride for food and drinks, which members volunteer to bring in rotation. Ride maps will be posted below as they become available.

Saturday Morning Tri Practice coming soon! - If you would like to try your hand at a Triathlon (swim, bike, run) or Duathlon (run, bike, run) we have a number of Tri folks that practice at 8am at Caesars Creek State Park Beach Saturday mornings. New comers are always welcome. The bike race course map will be posted below soon (I hope), the run course is near the beach and easy to follow. This is not as sure as the other rides so email us to make sure or get on the email list to see the notices. Alternate practice location is at East Fork Lake Reserve east of Cincinnati.

Saturday/Sunday Morning Ride 11:00am (Early Bird Special sometimes leaves at 9:00 too!) - We generally ride each Sunday morning at 7:30-9am in warmer weather. Start time depends on temperature and sunrise. Typically start time is 8:30am all summer. Be prompt or be left behind (see Wed above). The rides are a little longer and the pace is more relaxed, occasionally the whole group stays together. The EBT is for the early risers, check the ride line to see which days is on.

If you are late to any of the rides and the group has left, and you think you can catch them, look for a Black BMW with GRS4BR license plate. the days route will be on a card in the window. Follow the route arrows and pedal hard.... If the owner of the bimmer decides to sleep in that day you are on your own...

A typical end of ride sprint by the gazelles (if you like FAST) - there was much anticipation this time (twitchy hands on the bars, I ratcheted up my shoes, who would lead out, etc.) Jerry, Justin, Me (Rod), Rob, Pontius and Fraser were about the only ones "thinking" about it. I'm not sure a couple of others knew about the location. After an early and serious break away by Joe (the very muscular Asian gentleman) who thought he would just ride away, the pace-line formed to help chase him down with great results. As the pace-line passed Joe, each fell away towards the fabled Yellow sign as the pace slowly increased over 30 mph until just Rod and Rob were left for the prize. Rob edged me by a wheel (probably over 40 mph). Fun to see the heart rate at 195 (yikes!) at the end....Respectfully submitted by Rod

Bike Maps as of 8/03/2007

Favorite Group Quotes

Riding Etiquette

  1. We use the standard verbal commands as well as hand commands. Yell "Car back" when a car is approaching from the rear, yell "Car up" when a car is approaching up ahead, Yell "Car Right/Left" when a car is approaching from the side or pulling out of a driveway etc. Yell "Slowing" or "Stopping" depending on the degree of deceleration. Don't assume the person in back of you sees the same thing you are slowing for. Yell "Hole" or "Bump" and point at it with a finger as you pass to prevent the next guy from diving into a pot hole etc. Yell "Gravel" and wiggle your fingers at it to warn others of bad traction ahead. If turning, the person in front needs to yell the direction and use the hand signal well in advance of the turn. In general, use your common sense to warn folks behind you of imminent danger.

  2. Most important,  yell "DOG <direction>" at first sign that a canine is approaching with ill intent. A squirt of mace or a kick in the head (ask Gig) can often ward off mean dogs. Be prepared ... sooner or later one WILL find you on the road.

  3. Pace lines allow you to go fast, because the rider in the front is doing most of the work (breaking the wind) at a pace he/she can't maintain. When he tires, he pulls out to the left, then catches on to the back of the pack. It's pretty exhilarating. Problem is, you're nose to ass of the person in front of you, so you can't see much of the road - particularly things like holes in pavement. For this reason there is a lot of verbal  and hand signaling that needs to occur. Use standard verbal commands as well as hand commands liberally. This is most important for the rider in front, who has the best forward view; don't get so tired in the front that you can't do this job well.

  4. If you are not comfortable riding in a close pace line...don't do it. If you do do it, don't overlap your tire with the rider in front of you (like wise the person in back of you should not). This means you must be alert to the use of your brakes and adjust your pedal cadence to maintain a reasonably constant separation with the biker in front of you. Try to travel in a straight line. Bouncing around adds a level of unpredictability. Pace lines are fun and fast but a little dangerous, know your skill level.

  5. Obey the Rules of the road. In Ohio we are treated like a car, we have a right to ride on the road. However don't tempt fate. When cars approach from the rear GET IN SINGLE FILE and let the person pass the group. It just pisses folks off if you stay double wide (or worse triple wide which is illegal I believe). And yes I know its a pain but STOP at stop signs. We have had folks pulled over by the police for blowing through stop signs. You can be ticketed.

  6. Adams Hill is VERY dangerous, until you know it, hit the binders coming down it. Also traffic coming up the hill can't see you.

  7. Wear a helmet...duh

  8. Carry a spare tube and a supply of air (pump or CO2 cartridge inflator)

  9. Have fun...     Let me know if there are others to add to the list ... john anast

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