WHS Party and Sale Saturday Dec. 9

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Cyclocross Race Thanks

Many thanks for everyone’s help on the 16th Annual West Hill Shop Cyclocross Race. PBC members and non-members turned out to pull together the pre-race/race-day details and even the dreaded day-after clean up; the least fun job of all. The weather resisted as long as it could. The course was awesome with lots of compliments from the racers. Many were new to the course this year and are psyched to return to it next year. We had another record breaking number of racers registered. The overall enthusiasm and appreciation was gratifying. It was everyone’s efforts that made it such a memorable event.

Much appreciated!

Diny and Jim Sweitzer

P.S. We still have some unclaimed lost and found items at the shop.

West Hill Cyclocross Race

WHS Cyclocross Race Sunday, Nov. 12

16th Annual West Hill Shop
Cyclocross Race and Sale
Sunday, November 12th

Don’t miss this legendary annual event...the gritty racing, the infamous run up, the spirited atmosphere, and the homemade burritos by P.H.A.C.T.

Come race! Come watch! Come eat! Come shop!

First race starts at 10:00 AM - Every registered racer gets an IBEX wool hat! Volunteers get a free T-Shirt- see the Race Flyer.

15% OFF RACE DAY SALE! PLUS: New Swix Membrane gloves and mitts only $29- New IBEX arrivals 20% off -Isis seamless base layers and jackets 20% off - All new telemark gear 20% off - 2007 Bikes 10% off

Sale prices apply to in-stock items only. WHS clothing and sale items are excluded.

Check out West Hill Shop. 802-387-5718 or email.

Light Sunday Ride Report

We had a GREAT first ride on our Sunday afternoon "light ride," on a perfect fall day last week. Road riders did an easy paced 20-mile loop. Dirt roadies explored about 13 miles of dirt roads in the East Putney area. The weather will be clearing out for the weekend. We are hoping for a gorgeous day. Don't miss out on this Sunday's ride, Sept. 17!

Rides leave from West Hill Shop at 1:00 pm. Contact Els about dirt road rides and Mary about road rides.

Save Northfield's Schell Bridge

The Schell Bridge in Northfield, a historic back roads bridge, was the southern point of a perfect 25-miler from Brattleboro known as the Tri-State Loop. It is a 515-foot long steel cantilever truss bridge donated in 1902 to Northfield by Francis R. Schell. A group of interested citizens is trying to convince the Massachusetts Highway Department to restore the bridge for cycling and pedestrian traffic, instead of tearing it down as currently planned.

If you'd like to help save this bridge or just want to learn more, attend a meeting Wednesday, September 20, at 7 pm at the Pioneer Valley Regional School.

Check out the website at www.SchellBridge.org to learn more. If you can’t make the meeting, stop by your favorite local bike shop and sign a petition.

Cyclocross at WHS Wednesdays

Cyclocross has begun at West Hill Shop. Practices are every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Call 387-5718 for info.

Riders, feel free to post comments or email info.

Thursday Night Time Trial Results

Results from the summer Thursday night time trial series on Route 30, on an approximately 9.6-mile route:
7/20/06
1. Hank Lange 22:51
2. Robert Field 23:14
3. Tony Iovino 24:40
4. Dave Cramer 26:33
5. Rich Norford 27:58

7/27/06 - humid, 84 degrees, calm
1. Ben Coleman 20:17
2. Scott Wade 21:14
3. Dave Bradford 22:02
4. Pip Bannister 22:55
5. Kent Webster 23:05
6. Phil Blood 23:19
7. Robert Field 24:13
8. Dave Cramer 26:42

8/4/06 - 95 degrees, light wind
1. Kurt Hackler 20:19
2. Ben Coleman 20:47
3. Tim Donahue 21:20
4. Noah Elbers 22:21
5. Tom Martyn 23:25
6. John Bentley 23:31
7. Alan Kitscher 23:34
8. Robert Field 23:41
9. Dave Cramer 26:08

8/10/06
1. Tim Donahue 20:58
2. Robert Field 21:38
3. Phil Blood 22:30
4. Bayley Sweitzer 24:57

8/17/06
1. Robert Field 21:25
2. Scott Wade 21:30
3. Kent Webster 23:27
4. Hunter Resek 24:37

8/24/06
1. Chris Bagg 20:02
2. Robert Field 21:45
3. Phil Blood 22:20
4. Hunter Resek 23:03
5. Kent Webster 23:43
6. John Bentley 25:08
7. Brian Burns 25:26
8. Nick Marzano 26:24

8/31/06
1. Scott Wade 22:45
2. Kent Webster 23:21
3. John Bentley 24.12

"Light" Sunday Rides, 1 pm

West Hill Shop is Hosting Sunday Afternoon "Light Rides" starting Sept. 10 and running to Oct. 22, weather permitting. These will be scenic, relaxed road and dirt rides leaving from West Hill Shop at 1 pm. Leaders will be Els Oude Kotte, Mary Heller Osgood and Diny Sweitzer.

Road rides will be 13-23 miles and speed and distance will depend on group. Dirt road rides will be 10-15 miles, but may go further depending on the group. Families are welcome, as long as the kids can keep up. Terrain is hilly so some level of fitness is necessary plus a bike with plenty of gears.

Please call or email no later than 12:15 pm the day of the ride if you plan to ride. Email Els about dirt rides at or Mary about road rides.

Annual Pot Luck Sept. 1

Rescheduled for Friday, September 1
Road
Start: West Hill Shop 5:45
Route: TBD
Food: Putney Bicycle Club / West Hill Shop Summer Feast! 7:15 +/-
Ride Leader: TBD

Come join in applauding a great summer of cycling at the PBC / West Hill Shop's Annual Pot Luck (immediately following the ride @ around 7:15pm)

West Hill Shop will provide goodies on the grill. Please bring a side dish and something to drink. Everyone is welcome, whether you were riding, or not.

Six Gaps

October 1

Start at 7:30 am, weather permitting
Road
Start: Rochester, VT
Route: Six Gaps
Food: TBD
Ride Leader: Kurt Hackler

Head north and bring your climbing legs and your low gears and ride the Six Gaps of Vermont: Brandon, Middlebury, Lincoln, Appalachian, Roxbury, and Rochester.

Contact Kurt Hackler for route specifics, gearing advice, and general questions.
For more information on the ride, visit Northeastcycling's Six Gaps Ride page.

August 15 TNR

August 15
Road
Start: Saxtons River (in front of the post office)
Route: Loop to Grafton and Chester
Food: Potluck BBQ after at Rick Gordon's
Ride Leader: Rick Gordon

Length of the State Ride

September 8-10

Road
Route: Tour the length of the state!
Contact Person: Joe Cook

Ride the length of the state! Tour for 3 days and experience Vermont from the saddle of your bicycle. This ride is sponsored by the Brattleboro chapter of the Green Mountain Club. For more information contact Joe Cook.

Thursday Night Time Trials

July 13 - August 28

6PM Start

Road
Start: Rt. 30, across from Cedar Street
Route: Rt 30 Time Trial - approx 9.6 Miles
Ride Leader: We need volunteers to help with timing!

Test yourself against the clock at the Thursday night Rt. 30 Time Trial Series! Riders will take off in 1-2 minute intervals and ride and out and back along Rt. 30.

June 27 TNR

June 27
Road
Start: West Brattleboro Post Office
Route:
Food: Carl Lynde's for a BBQ potluck - 257 susnset lake rd. 1/2 mile up and turn right.
Ride Leader: Kathy

Mountain
Start: West Brattleboro Post Office
Route: Carl will lead us on some great MTB trails...
Food: Carl Lynde's for a BBQ potluck - 257 susnset lake rd. 1/2 mile up and turn right.
Ride Leader: Carl Lynde

Beginners Road - Approx 10-15 miles
Route: Introduction, mellow, safe country roads for group riding.
Ride Leader: Kirsten Jeppesen

Skin Care for Cyclists, Athletes, and the Health Conscious

June 3, 2006

3pm at the West Hill Shop

Dr. Rebecca Jones, dermatologist and cyclist, is hosting a skin care clinic (with visual aids) at the West Hill Shop.

1. Treatment of road or trail rash (with a new method - samples provided)
2. Derriere Care
3. Techniques for the early detection of skin cancer
   
4. Question and answer session about all your skin care needs. (even that spot that still itches!)

45 minutes with refreshments

Free to current Putney Bicycle Club Members.
$5 suggested donation to the Club by non members.

Beginners Road Cycling Clinic

Tuesdays, June 13 - July 4

5:30 PM

Road - Approx 10-15 miles
Start: TNR Start Point
Route: Parking lot for introduction, mellow, safe country roads for group riding.
Food:
Ride Leader: Kirsten Jeppesen

Join Kirsten Jeppesen for a beginners road riding workshop. The first ride in the series will start in the parking lot at Grafton Ponds - where riders can learn (or re-learn) basic bike handling and safety skills. The group will then head out on the mellow and safe country roads of Grafton to learn group riding techniques and get comfortable with traffic, turning, and on-road safety.

This series will continue on Tuesdays through July 4, at the normal TNR riding location. As skills develop, riders who feel comfortable can head out on our regular Tuesday Night Rides, or continue getting familiar with their bodies and bicycles on the road with the beginners group. You may join the rides at anytime.

Come socialize, make a few new friends, and get comfortable out on the road!

Tuesday, May 16 TNR Cancelled

Grafton Ponds TNR Cancelled
Out of respect for the trails due to the large amount of rain we've had for the last (forever) week, we are cancelling the mountain portion of the TNR at Grafton Ponds.

The road ride is also officially cancelled.

If folks do show up to ride in the rain - travel safe, and have fun!

Bike to Work Day

Friday, May 19

National Bike to Work Day

Leave the car at home and commute to work on your trusty 2 wheeled steed! Do some good for your body and the environment, and you just may get hooked on pedaling away the stress of the day.

For more information on Bike to Work Week, National Bike to Work Day, and Bike Month, visit the League of American Bicyclists.

Roadside Service and Basic Maintenance Workshop

May 28, 2006

1pm at the West Hill Shop

Our first workshop was such a success, we are repeating it for those who didn't get a chance to take it! Join Scott and the crew at the West Hill Shop for a few hours of fun and learn to fix a flat using a pump or CO2 cartridges, tackle emergency roadside repairs, and basic bike cleaning and maintenance.

Bring your bike and get dirty with hands-on instruction!

Free to current Putney Bicycle Club Members. $5 for non-members.

Covered Bridge Ride (Keene, NH)

Covered Bridge Ride Cue Sheet

Road
Start: Wal Mart Parking Lot (Keene, NH)
Route: 23+ Miles
Terrain: Easy to Moderate

Start in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot, Keene, NH
Head south on Winchester Street

0.25 Cross Route 101
0.92 Left Matthews Road
3.00 Left across bridge
Cressom Bridge, Town Lattice Design; built 1812 rebuilt 1859 and mid-1990s.
3.15 Veer Right
3.68 Left Eaton Drive
4.00 Right on Route 32
5.42 Left on Carlton Road at Covered Bridge #7 sign

Carlton Bridge: Queenpost style; 1789, rebuilt 1869
6.54 Scissors-like crossing; veer left, then descend to right

6.61 Left onto unsigned Flat Roof Mill Road

6.73 Veer right over Bridge *****onto Old Richmond Road

7.46 Veer left onto Hale Road****
9.11 at T go right onto Route 32
9.57 Left onto Warmac Road ***Sandy
10.42 ***Sandy***left onto unsigned Swanzey Lake Rd.

11.28 Right onto East Shore Drive
11.68 becomes Dirt
12.54 veer Left through Pilgrim Pines *** regroup by beach

13.77 Right onto Swanzey lake Road
15.53 Right at T towards West Swanzey

17.05 Left onto Main Street/Christian Hill Rd at 3 way stop 17.28 cross Thompson Bridge
Thompson Bridge: built 1832 by Zodiac Taft
17.36 right at 1st Rd after Bridge
17.8 right onto Route 10
18.33 Right onto Sawyer's Crossing Rd at Covered Bridge #6 sign
19.81 Left onto Ash Hills Road
20.32 Cross Route 12 base Hill Road
22.4 Rt onto Route 9
23.08 Left onto Winchester Street
23.15 Back at Start

Covered Bridge Ride Report

Thanks to Bob Immler for leading the April 18 TNR. The "Covered Bridge Ride" brought out 30+ riders of all skill levels to tour the covered bridges near Keene, NH and wander the roads near Swanzey Lake.

20+ hungry Tuesday Night Riders enjoyed a Mexican feast at Margarita's in Keene, sharing a group of tables and taking over 1/2 of the upstairs! Food and drink was abundant - along with conversation covering local and national politics, bike gear, epic rides, and how a few of us managed to get lost, even with Bob's cue sheet.

Sunday Morning Training Rides

Sunday Mornings

Road - "Training Rides"
Start: Brattleboro Common, Ready to ride at 8:30 AM.
Route: TBD, 30-40 Miles
Food:
Ride Leader: Everyone!

Be ready to roll out at 8:30 AM on Sunday mornings from the Brattleboro Commons for a "training" ride averaging 17-18 mph, for 30-40 miles. Friendly, not too competitive training rides with the occasional "town line sprint" and a great workout. Turn it down a notch and use the ride to recover from a Saturday of racing, take in some scenery with light traffic and an eclectic road bunch, or ride up front and get your heart pumping and be ready for that next race or charity ride.

As the season progresses we hope to see recreational and new road riders out at the same time. Don't feel intimidated by the hammerheads - let's get out with a slightly less intense group and enjoy Sunday morning cycling together!

West Hill Shop Grand Opening

Drop in to the West Hill Shop Sunday, April 23, for the grand opening of the new, improved shop. Browse bikes and summer riding gear in the new timber frame addition, reminisce in the old shop, and save your hard earned $$ with special pricing all day!

And... join the Putney Bicycle Club while you are checking out the new space. Membership forms are at the front counter.

Putney Bicycle Club Membership

The PBC is undergoing our annual membership drive. Please join and support the local cycling community. Membership runs for one year. You can join at any time, but as the cycling season is upon us, we ask that you join by May 1, 2006.

PBC Membership Perks

• PBC logo water bottle

• Members may attend PBC sponsored workshops at a discount or for free!

• Members may attend PBC sponsored clinics at a member price!

• Discounts on West Hill Shop sponsored races.

• Discounts on PBC clothing available at the West Hill Shop.

• Access to a future "Members Only" section of the PBC website to share your ride reports, photos, and training tips with other members.

• Future access to online cue sheets and local route and trail information.

• Invitation to the Summer Cycling Feast, following the August 29 at the West Hill Shop.

• Putney Food Coop Coupon
  In support of the PBC and healthy lifestyles, the Putney Food Coop is generously including a one time 10% off Coop Coupon with every PBC membership!

• Ten/Ten at the West Hill Shop
  All PBC members may shop the West Hill Shop on the 10th of the month and receive 10% off any cycling related purchases. Bikes, parts, sale items, labor charges, and West Hill clothing excluded. Dates for TenTen are from April 10 through November 10.

• Support the local cycling community!

Single Memberships are $20
Couples / Family Memberships are $30

Download the membership form here. Drop it off at the West Hill Shop or mail it in to PO Box 804, Putney VT 05346-0804.

WHS Help Wanted

The West Hill Shop is looking for a gregarious "bike sales" multi-tasker who can work weekends. Must love and know bikes, people and retail. References required.

Email or call the shop @ 802-387-5718.

July Tuesday Night Rides

All Tuesday night rides will start promptly. Please arrive with plenty of time to start rolling at 5:45. Email or call the ride leader for directions / questions.

July 4
Independence Day Road Ride - Begins 10AM!
Start: West Hill Shop
Route: Anyone who wants to ride, show up at 10AM. Route is whatever we want!
Food:
Ride Leader: Everyone and Anyone

Beginners Road - Approx 10-15 miles
Route: Introduction, mellow, safe country roads for group riding.
Ride Leader: Kirsten Jeppesen

July 11
Road - Hilly!
Start: Townshend Dam
Route:
Food: Townshend Pizza
Ride Leader: George Bernegger

Mountain - Kids / Family
Start: Townshend Dam
Route:
Food: Townshend Pizza
Ride Leader: Jon Bliss

July 18
Road
Start: Keene, Border's Parking Lot
Route:
Food:
Ride Leader: Jan Murphy (603)-209-2444

Mountain - Kids / Family
Start: Keene, Border's Parking Lot
Route:
Food:
Ride Leader: Andy Beekman (603)-313-5482

July 25
Road
Start: TBD
Route: Spofford
Food:
Ride Leader:

Mountain
Start: TBD
Route: Spofford
Food:
Ride Leader: Jon Bliss

August Tuesday Night Rides

All Tuesday night rides will start promptly. Please arrive with plenty of time to start rolling at 5:45. Email or call the ride leader for directions / questions.

August 1
Road
Start: Bernardston Post Office
Route: 1-50 miles, variable!
Food: Four Leaf Clover Restaurant
Ride Leader: Neil Quinn (802) 257-0734

August 8
Road
Start: West Hill Shop
Route: TBD
Food:
Ride Leader: TBD

August 15
Road
Start: Saxtons River (in front of the post office)
Route: Loop to Grafton and Chester
Food: Potluck BBQ after at Rick Gordon's
Ride Leader: Rick Gordon

August 22
Road
Start: Weatherhead Hollow Pond, Guilford, VT
Route:
Food:
Ride Leader: Neil Quinn (802) 257-0734

Mountain
Start: Weatherhead Hollow Pond, Guildford, VT
Route: TBD
Food:
Ride Leader: TBD

August 29
Road
Start: West Hill Shop
Route: TBD
Food: Putney Bicycle Club / West Hill Shop Summer Feast!
Ride Leader: TBD

Mountain - Kids / Family too!
Start: West Hill Shop
Route: TBD
Food: Putney Bicycle Club / West Hill Shop Summer Feast!
Ride Leader: TBD

'06 PBC Season

We are anxiously awaiting the beginning of a great season of cycling. This year, two enthusiastic Putney cyclists, Mike Beganyi and Scott Wade, will be coordinating the club. We hope to promote plenty of cycling, shared knowledge of the sport, and miles of fun on and off the road. We look forward to building a thriving member’s based organization, and hope to encourage cycling at all levels – from novice, to family cycling, to hardcore endurance and racing athletes. Southern Vermont and our surrounding environment is a great place for cycling, please join us on the road and trail!

We have high ambitions for the coming year, and hope that with your help we can build a stronger community of cyclists who share rides, experiences, routes, knowledge, and a meal or two. We want to strengthen support for new riders, seasoned pros, and racers in our own backyard through a mix of riding, clinics, and social events.

Ride, Rides, Rides

The Tuesday Night Ride (TNR) is a keystone in club history, and we will be continuing with this tradition as a main riding, training, and social event. This year we hope to find more cyclists on the road or trail by coordinating both faster and slower group rides and welcoming all skill levels to participate. We think a two tiered ride that runs from the same starting point and along much of the same route will get new members on the road, sharing techniques, tricks, and great scenery with seasoned pros. Old Pros – don’t worry – we want you to be able to hammer out the miles at your own pace – and new riders – feel comfortable with a group that rides with a “No Rider Left Behind” policy and a ride leader to make sure everyone gets home. Remember – we all ride for different reasons – and the more cyclists on the roads, the better the sport is for all of us! Mountain bikers will be welcomed as some Tuesday nights will also include a mountain bike group ride touring the dirt roads, trails, and single track in our backyard.

In addition to the TNRs we will continue to plan longer weekend rides touring the country side, training for races, or bringing along the family. These rides may be scheduled on Saturday or Sunday mornings, depending on length, schedule, and ride leader. We also hope to continue with the successful kid’s mountain bike rides – which supports the whole family learning skills and sharing the trail.

New cyclists – we hope to see you on the road in May for a “Beginners Road Cycling” series. Learn basic bike adjustment skills, group riding techniques, and how to comfortably ride our wonderful country roads. We hope to choose low traffic roads and short routes to get you out there pedaling. When you feel comfortable on the road we’ll beg you to join us for our group rides – to continue learning road skills and etiquette and sharing knowledge with some of our seasoned riders.

Clinics and Activities

Many other activities are in the idea stage – and all will need volunteers and member energy to be successful. Some on bike ideas are: a BMX ride and clinic, a long road tour, weekend “themed” rides throughout the season (foliage, orchards, covered bridges, etc.), and road bike time trials (for those wishing to test themselves against the clock). Off bike ideas include clinics offered at the West Hill Shop on a wide range of cycling topics from bike fit, basic maintenance, on bike nutrition, developing a training program, road and mountain skill clinics, stretching, to advanced mechanics. We will most certainly be sharing food and drink, and are hoping for an early season kick-off potluck and end of season feast. Share your ideas with us this season and let’s direct the club to offer rides, clinics, and fun for everyone.

Racing

The Putney Bicycle Club supports a member’s racing team. The club is a licensed member of the USCF, the official US amateur cycling organization. Racers compete in the distinctive red and gold West Hill Shop jerseys, and may be out on PBC rides training, recovering, or sharing their knowledge of cycling with other members. This year PBC has a dozen riders who will be training and racing on and off road to their full potential. If you are riding hard and training, ask a team member how you can participate, and even if you do not want to race, the team is always looking for volunteer help (and support) at local events.

Sponsorship and the West Hill Shop

The PBC has traditionally been run as a part of the West Hill Shop, but this year with Jim and Diny’s support, we are moving the coordinating of the club out from under the WHS shadow. We feel this will strengthen the club and its relationship to the local community, as well as let the club grow and reach out to new members. The WHS will continue as primary sponsors of the PBC and the racing team, and will be offering the use of the shop for meetings, ride starts, and clinics along with special perks to club members as the season progresses. The WHS is a great PBC and community asset - drop in and give them a big thank you for their continued support!

For those of you on our email list, membership information will be finding its way to you shortly.
Please join us for a great season of cycling here in Southern Vermont.
We look forward to seeing you on the road and trails!

Mike Beganyi
Scott Wade

For more information, contact putney.bicycle@gmail.com
Note: Please mail forms to PO Box 804, Putney VT 05346, not the address listed on the PDF.