My idea is to purchase a used yellow school bus (already half of the team colors), and convert it into a Putney/West Hill racing team vehicle that can be used to transport bikes, equipment, and racers to events (road races, crits, mt. bike races, cross races). We can paint it to match the jersey. Putney on the back, West Hill on the front, Putney/West Hill Race Team on the sides, with the shop phone number and website address. Take out a few rows of seats and install bike racks on the floor, bolt a set of rollers or two to the floor, hang a curtain for a changing area, park it in the field to be seen from I-91 when not in use to help drivers spot the shop. Not a full size bus, but not a converted van either -- mid-size. Preferably diesel. I am checking with DMV to see if the driver would need a CDL - probably not if used for strictly recreational purposes and noncommercial uses.
Here is a link to a possible bus: http://www.buscrazy.net/upload/L1745.htm
Any interest? Any ideas how to raise the money to buy one?
Will.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Tour of the Valleys, 2007
The annual Tour of the Valleys ride, which starts and ends at West HIll Shop, took place on the rain date of Sunday, May 20 - check out some pics here.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Do Your Part to Avoid Road Rage
We're reprinting this recent letter to the Brattleboro Reformer, because the writer has made some valid points. Safety (and road rage, which can result from one too many cyclists flaunting one too many rules of the road) are no laughing matter.
The rules of the road are simple, and there for specific reasons. Signal your turns and stops, stop at red lights and stop signs, use a portable light at dusk.
Drivers appreciate it. Other cyclists appreciate it. Your family appreciates it when they don't have to come visit you in the hospital.
When you're in the Tour de France, you can break all the rules you want.
In the meantime, use good sense and common courtesy. Protect yourself and be considerate toward those folks you are sharing the roads with - particularly the ones driving large heavy four-wheel objects traveling at high rates of speed.
Editor of the Reformer:
Now that the warm weather has arrived we are once again facing another "bicycle season." Last night while I was on my way to Townshend on an errand I saw the start of the season up close and personal -- two of the "Team Putney" cyclist were making a left hand turn out of Grassy Brook Road onto Route 30 without a pause or a second glance to see if there was any oncoming traffic. Now mind you, this was at dusk and they had no lights on their bikes whatsoever -- I am hoping that this year we can FINALLY see some enforcement of the rules as they pertain to bicyclists.
Growing up in Brattleboro we always had an officer from either the Brattleboro Police or Windham County Sheriffs Department hold an assembly where they went over the rules of the road regarding bicycles. It was stressed that all bikes needed to be registered, you rode with the flow of traffic, used hand signals (the proper kind and not the more commonly used vulgarities that seem so common these days), obeyed street signs and lights, rode single file except on specific paths or wide shoulders, etc.
Many times over the past several years I have come close to colliding with bikers simply because they did not adhere to these common sense rules -- they seem to think that they are invincible or that the laws do not apply where they are concerned. I have seen bikers ride through walk lights and come close to hitting pedestrians without missing a beat, ride on the sidewalks downtown, continue straight through a red light in the left hand turning lane and many more violations than I have the time to list.
I, for one, would like to see a crackdown and tickets given to these people who so wantonly disregard the rules of the road not only as a punishment but also as a lesson: A driver cannot always see them when they do things such as this especially when the light is fading or if the sun is shining brightly in our eyes. If I can receive a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt, then why is it a bicyclist is not ticketed for endangering themselves? It's all the same principle.
Andrew Buttery
Williamsville, May 9
The rules of the road are simple, and there for specific reasons. Signal your turns and stops, stop at red lights and stop signs, use a portable light at dusk.
Drivers appreciate it. Other cyclists appreciate it. Your family appreciates it when they don't have to come visit you in the hospital.
When you're in the Tour de France, you can break all the rules you want.
In the meantime, use good sense and common courtesy. Protect yourself and be considerate toward those folks you are sharing the roads with - particularly the ones driving large heavy four-wheel objects traveling at high rates of speed.
Editor of the Reformer:
Now that the warm weather has arrived we are once again facing another "bicycle season." Last night while I was on my way to Townshend on an errand I saw the start of the season up close and personal -- two of the "Team Putney" cyclist were making a left hand turn out of Grassy Brook Road onto Route 30 without a pause or a second glance to see if there was any oncoming traffic. Now mind you, this was at dusk and they had no lights on their bikes whatsoever -- I am hoping that this year we can FINALLY see some enforcement of the rules as they pertain to bicyclists.
Growing up in Brattleboro we always had an officer from either the Brattleboro Police or Windham County Sheriffs Department hold an assembly where they went over the rules of the road regarding bicycles. It was stressed that all bikes needed to be registered, you rode with the flow of traffic, used hand signals (the proper kind and not the more commonly used vulgarities that seem so common these days), obeyed street signs and lights, rode single file except on specific paths or wide shoulders, etc.
Many times over the past several years I have come close to colliding with bikers simply because they did not adhere to these common sense rules -- they seem to think that they are invincible or that the laws do not apply where they are concerned. I have seen bikers ride through walk lights and come close to hitting pedestrians without missing a beat, ride on the sidewalks downtown, continue straight through a red light in the left hand turning lane and many more violations than I have the time to list.
I, for one, would like to see a crackdown and tickets given to these people who so wantonly disregard the rules of the road not only as a punishment but also as a lesson: A driver cannot always see them when they do things such as this especially when the light is fading or if the sun is shining brightly in our eyes. If I can receive a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt, then why is it a bicyclist is not ticketed for endangering themselves? It's all the same principle.
Andrew Buttery
Williamsville, May 9
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Bike Workshop May 27th
Post Oil Solutions will sponsor a bike repair workshop Sunday, May 27, from 10:00 AM to noon, at the Brattleboro Commons.
This is part of the group's support for the Curb Your Car Challenge, running from 1 May-15 June, that it is co-sponsoring with the Brattleboro chapter of the Bike/Ped Coalition and the Upper Valley Ride Share (details of Challenge at www.postoilsolutions.org orwww.bike2work-day.com ).
The workshop will be led by Eric Bye, who has worked with bikes for 38 years, including time as a pro under the tutelage of Olympic cyclist Dave Chauner at Valuga Sports, in South Burlington, Vermont. It will focus on safety and adjustments, with particular attention to brakes, derailleurs and shifters, headset, bottom bracket, and wheels.
Participants are encouraged to bring the following tools if they have them:
- general tools, such as 6" adjustable wrench, old toothbrush, Swiss Army knife or screwdriver, tire pump, chain lubricant, WD-40, and a couple of rags; and
- any specialized bike tools (Allen wrenches, spoke tool, chain rivet tool, pedal wrench, bottom bracked tool, etc.)
However, don't worry if you don't have any tools--we'll share as needed during the workshop. And if the weather cooperates, we'll take a group ride to make sure the bikes are working satisfactorily, so bring your helmets!
Workshop fee $5; pre-registration required: 802 869 2141.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Membership Forms Available - Dues Due!
The 2007 Putney Bicycle Club membership forms are now available, both online and at the West Hill Shop. For your $20 annual membership fee ($30 for couples and families) you get:
*10% off tubes and tires
*10% off cycling tops and bottoms (jerseys, shorts, tights, etc.)
*10% off West Hill Shop clothing
*Free or discounted admission to bike clinics and workshops
*Invitation to the Summer Cycling Feast at the West Hill Shop
*Discounted entries to any West Hill Shop-sponsored bike races
*Ability to post to this website
*Putney Co-Op one-time 10% off coupon
You can mail the application with check or can pay at the West Hill Shop, 49 Brickyard Ln., Putney. Once dues are paid, you'll immediately be eligible for all these discounts, and we'll email you an invitation that will let you post reports, photos, or whatever to this website.
Questions? Email Sara. For ride schedule questions, contact Pedr.
*10% off tubes and tires
*10% off cycling tops and bottoms (jerseys, shorts, tights, etc.)
*10% off West Hill Shop clothing
*Free or discounted admission to bike clinics and workshops
*Invitation to the Summer Cycling Feast at the West Hill Shop
*Discounted entries to any West Hill Shop-sponsored bike races
*Ability to post to this website
*Putney Co-Op one-time 10% off coupon
You can mail the application with check or can pay at the West Hill Shop, 49 Brickyard Ln., Putney. Once dues are paid, you'll immediately be eligible for all these discounts, and we'll email you an invitation that will let you post reports, photos, or whatever to this website.
Questions? Email Sara. For ride schedule questions, contact Pedr.
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