Bike Michiana » Events

Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association Midweek Club Time Trial

Paul Taylor — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:31:48 +0000

This will be a great way for any rider beginner or expert to gauge their improvement or for some just racing for bragging rights with their friends or even just coming out to have some fun, fellowship and getting some quality trail time in.
Based on Insurance coverage, the Race is FOR MEMBERS ONLY.
Entry is free for NIMBA members (bring your card)
NON NIMBA MEMBERS can purchase a NIMBA membership for only $20. Membership forms will be available at the races.
Arrive and sign up before 7 PM, first rider out at 7:10 PM
Depending on the venue, we may create a beginner loop.
Depending on how many show up, we may create classes.

Dates and places

TK Lawless May 23
TK Lawless May 30
Rum Village June 6
Rum Village June 13
Potato Creek?
Bendix Woods?

Process:

Sign up as you arrive
Start times are based on when you sign in
Start one minute apart
Number plates (paper plates or real number plates) will be issued
A timing person will be available to record times

Michiana Bike to Work Week 2012: May 21 -27

Paul Taylor — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:47:08 +0000

Michiana Bike to Work Week 2012, on the heels of Bike the Bend, kicks off Monday, May 21^st and continues into the Memorial Day weekend through Sunday, May 27^th throughout the Michiana area. Events for the week include activities for commuting adults, competitive teams, school children, a ride-in luncheon, and an organic blueberry pancake breakfast.

Anyone can join the fun and compete on mileage individually or as teams for recognition and sponsor discounts by registering with friends and co-workers at michianabiketowork.org

Tuesday, May 22^nd brings the most popular event of Bike to Work Week, the Organic Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. and running through

9 a.m., sponsored by 1^st Source Bank and hosted by LaSalle Grill. In addition, a bicycle-decorating contest will be judged at 8:00 a.m. during the pancake breakfast. Should it rain, the entire breakfast event schedule will be moved to Wednesday, May 23^rd.

School kids can join the fun on Bike to School Day, Thursday, May 24^th. Children are encouraged to ride to school with friends, providing their schools pre-approve riding to their particular school as safe.

Friday, May 25^th is the annual bike to lunch feature event, located on the College Football Hall of Fame gridiron in downtown South Bend. The event offers cyclist fellowship and special visits by local supporting dignitaries. Lunches will be available for purchase on-site.

Goshen Bicycle to Work Week starts May 14

Paul Taylor — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:38:26 +0000

Ride with Mayor Allan Kauffman on Monday, May 14, to kick off Goshen’s Bicycle-to-Work Week. The City’s Week is May 14-18, and the Maple City Bicycle Advisory Committee (MCBAC) is encouraging people in Goshen to consider the possibility of biking to work that week.

As a way to kick off the week, the MCBAC has asked Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman to lead an after-work “Mayor’s Ride” on Monday, May 14. Any interested cyclist is welcome to join the 4.5 mile ride. Last year the first Mayor’s Ride attracted about thirty riders.

The Mayor’s Ride will start at 5:15 p.m. from the parking lot east of City Hall, 202 South Fifth Street, proceed south to the Goshen dam pond, return north on the Mill Race Trail and end at The Chief. The Ride is free, and no advanced registration is necessary.

The purpose of Bicycle-to-Work week is to encourage people to leave their cars at home for a week and try cycling instead. “For trips of less than two miles, it’s often faster to go by bicycle than by car in the city,” said Evan Bontrager, a MCBAC member. “We hope people will ‘test the water’ of bicycle commuting next week and enjoy the exercise and not having to pay the high price of gas.”

The MCBAC is a partnership between dedicated residents and City employees to address bicycle-related issues covering recreation, commerce, transportation, parking, and safety.

Note that Goshen is celebrating two Bike to Work Weeks. The first (May 14 – 18) coincides with the National week, and the second (May 21-25) coincides with the Michiana week.

Share the Road…Every Life Counts procession was a success

Paul Taylor — Sat, 05 May 2012 22:10:54 +0000

About 70 cyclists, along with over a dozen walkers/runners, and motor vehicles joined in the procession meant to draw attention to the need for all users to share the roadway and crosswalks. The procession concluded at the County-City building in downtown South Bend where there was a press conference, and short speeches by local dignitaries. The gathered crowd seemed especially inspired by the words of Yatish Yoshi, the chairman of the event. I am re-printing his speech below, and it is well worth reading.

Let it be known to humanity of mankind, to citizens of South Bend, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County and all surrounding counties and cities: we as bicyclists, we as walkers and runners, we as wheel chair users, are here to stay. We as motorists and motorcyclists are here to stay. The roads and streets belong to all of us: bicyclists, motorists, walkers/runners, motorcyclists, wheel chair users. We all must feel safe all the time while we are using the roads/streets/sidewalks/bike paths and trails.

Hi, my name is Yatish Joshi, appointed Chair of the Procession Committee. The Procession Committee came about because various groups and citizens in our community wanted to raise the awareness “Share the Road….Every Life Counts”.

The fact is that accidents will happen: the most important thing is how we as individuals and citizens of our community can reduce the number of accidents; how we can make our community, our city, our state, our nation and world as a whole a better place to live where everyone can enjoy their freedom: freedom to walk, freedom to ride bicycles, freedom to drive motor vehicles.

As Louise Addicott said “It is not what we can do for ourselves but what we can do for others: that is what matters”.

The accidents of Steve Carey, a bicyclist hit by a car from behind in St. Joseph County, and Edna Mast, a motorist who was hit by a semi-truck from behind in Goshen while stopping for a bicyclist: they both were killed and are the catalysts for this procession. We as individuals and as community have to take these accidents as a starting point and make our community better. And by doing that, bicyclists, motorists and walkers/runners all can coexist side by side and share the road. It is not about “them” vs. “us”. We as a community, we as news media, we as elected officials must focus dialog and solutions on a common approach that all users of the roads can live by.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said “I have a dream……” and yes, we all are here because we also have a dream to make our communities, our cities better places to live. Another great man said “We as an ordinary people have a capacity to do extra ordinary things” and that we shall do.

I will now present to you Mike Keen, Office of Sustainability, Indiana University-South Bend, Alfred Guillaume, Vice Chancellor, IUSB, representing area higher education institutions, Hodge Patel, representing Congressman Joe Donnelly, and our Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Thank you for believing in yourself and having a dream.

Michiana Bike Month is filled with May events

Paul Taylor — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:45:33 +0000

A few years back (2005 if my memory serves me correctly), area cyclists joined the National Bike to Work week with a local event centered at the College Football Hall of Fame. Organizers provided coffee, Danish pastry, and a selection of healthful fruits as bikers stopped off on their way to work. Since then…wow. The activities during Bike Month have exploded. Below, I am listing the Michiana events that come to mind, and I’m asking readers to add those I was not aware of, or have overlooked.

May – all month. South Bend Bike Month, as proclaimed by Mayor Pete of South Bend. And, of course, National Bike Month and Indiana Bike Month.

May 2- Mishawaka & South Bend. The Share The Road…Every Life Counts procession. This procession is an outgrowth of cyclists wanting to give final respects to Steven Carey, an area biker who was recently struck and killed by a motorist. But further, the cyclists wanted to raise awareness that roads and crosswalks are to be shared by a lot of folks: cars, motorcyclists, pedestrians, people with disabilities, even infants in strollers.

May 20 – South Bend, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County. Bike the Bend. This will be the third year for this event, which is causing a lot of excitement in St. Joseph County and beyond. It is a unique, non-competitive bicycle tour for all ages and skill levels – riding side-by-side on vehicle-restricted streets. Riders may start and stop at any point along the 34-mile route. Highlights are St. Patrick’s County Park, the St. Joseph River, Monkey Island, historic neighborhoods, Potawatomi Park and Zoo, Northern Indiana Center for History/Studebaker National Museum, the Indiana University South Bend campus, Kamm Island, Beutter Park and Eberhart-Petro Golf Course. Overnight camping is available at St. Patrick’s Park, the northern terminus of the ride. Last year there were 1,926 registered riders coming from 7 states. Within the state of Indiana, there were registered riders from 17 counties. Bike the Bend is the kickoff event for Michiana Bike to Work Week.

May 20 – Elkhart. The city is inviting people to try three newly established bicycle routes through Elkhart from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Riders are meeting at NIBCO Water and Ice Park on the Riverwalk in downtown Elkhart. Cyclists who are considering riding their bicycle to work, will get a chance to experience the Elkhart routes and make suggestions to the city. The city is in the process of making maps available online at the city’s web site www.ElkhartIndiana.org.

May 21 – 25. Michiana Bike to Work Week is the oldest annual urban event in the area. The main highlight is the Corporate Challenge, where teams compete for bragging rights based on how many miles a team can log on their bikes (even public transit miles counts as a bike miles!). In 2011, colleges led the way with three teams in the top ten: Notre Dame, Indiana University at South Bend, and Goshen College. Other highlights of the week are the Tuesday Organic blueberry pancake breakfast, free to those on a bike, and Bike to School Day on May 24.

Goshen. A repeat of last year’s Mayor’s Ride is being planned, but details are forthcoming.

Inaugural ‘Share the Road….Every Life Counts’ Procession

Paul Taylor — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:37:21 +0000

Wednesday, May 2nd

Call for Riders, Walkers, Drivers and Wheelchair Users in South Bend, Indiana

A coalition of local citizens seeking to promote road-sharing awareness and enhance area transportation safety announces its inaugural Share the Road….Every Life Counts procession, Wednesday, May 2. This event is the first of its kind featuring a positive, proactive approach to urge road-sharing awareness. All citizens are encouraged to join the Share the Road….Every Life Counts procession.

The procession can be joined by bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists at the Medical Plaza parking lot immediately north of the Indiana 23 Toll Road overpass at 5:30 p.m. Citizens wishing to walk, parents with strollers and wheelchair users will meet at Howard Park at 6:15.

Both legs of the procession will conclude at the north side of the County-City building in downtown South Bend. A news conference highlighting the need for understanding and mutual respect among public transportation pathway users will be held at 7:00 p.m. and will feature procession organizers, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and other elected officials.

For more information please contact Yatish Joshi at yjoshi@gtacontainers.com or at
(574) 288-3459.

IMBA To Visit Trail Build At Bendix Woods – April 14

nimbabike — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:04:30 +0000

Andy Williamson, the Great Lakes region representative for IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association) will be attending the NIMBA Bendix Woods trail workday on April 14, from 10 to 2. Andy will be sharing information regarding IMBA and what’s happening with Mountain Biking at a national, regional and state level over lunch with the trail builders. Come out and help NIMBA finish the trail at Bendix Woods and hear what’s happening in the Mountain Biking world. For more information contact NIMBA at NIMBA.BIKE @GMAIL.COM

MWCCC Road Championship: April 21-22

Henry Scott — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:34:02 +0000

Based on the success of last year’s ND Cycling Classic, The University of Notre Dame has been selected to host the 2012 Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference Championships.

The race series will again include Team Time Trial (TTT), Road Race (RR) and Criterium (crit) events, but it will be even bigger this year with over 300 collegiate cyclists from about forty schools.

As was the case last year, many volunteers will be needed. If you’re free that weekend and can lend a hand, please see below for details on how to get involved.

The events will take place Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd. The most pressing of our volunteer needs is corner marshals for the Road Race on Saturday. If you can, please consider working this day!

Event Locations:
The Saturday events will be held immediately to the northeast of Potato Creek State Park, and the Sunday events will be held in downtown South Bend. Course maps, labeled with volunteer locations, are below (click the maps for larger versions).

Volunteer Instructions and Sign-Up Sheets:

Saturday April 21st (TTT and RR)
On Saturday, the Team Time Trial event will be held in the morning, while the Road Race event will be held in the afternoon. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. The main volunteer roles on Saturday are that of Corner Marshall and Registration.

All volunteer roles are described in detail HERE.

A sign up sheet to volunteer for the Team Time Trial and Road Race can be found HERE.

Navigate between the Time Trial and Road Race using the tabs on the bottom of the spreadsheet. Simply place your name in a desired time slot and location on the sign up sheet. Please consider signing up for more than one shift if time allows! Each volunteer location is numbered on the map at right. Also, be sure to add your email address and cell number.

Sunday April 22nd (Crit)
On Sunday, the Criterium Event event will be held in the morning and early afternoon. Breakfast will be provided for all volunteers. The main volunteer roles on Saturday are that of Corner Marshall and Registration. All volunteer roles are described in detail HERE.

A sign up sheet to volunteer for the criterium can be found HERE. Simply place your name in a desired time slot and location on the sign up sheet. Each volunteer location is numbered on on the map shown at right. Also, be sure to add your email address and cell number.

Questions?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the Volunteer Coordinator, Joe Magro, at bike@nd.edu.

April 24th – Save the Date for May 2012 Bike Month Announcement

Paul Taylor — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:07:57 +0000

A special press conference will be held, and the center of the news will be bicycles! The announcement will take place at Noon, April 24th at Jon Hunt Plaza (in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center). Please save the date and bring your bike. If this press conference is like the ones held in the past, the TV stations will want footage of people on bikes, and the more bikes, the better.

The purpose of the announcement is to: proclaim May 2012 as bike month in South Bend, announce upcoming events in May, including Bike the Bend (May 20) and Bike to Work Week (May 21-25), and note other recent City of South Bend bicycling related accomplishments.

NIMBA Workday at Bendix Woods: Sunday, March 25

Henry Scott — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:38:10 +0000

The Northern Indiana Mountain Bike Association (NIMBA) will be having a Trail Build day at Bendix Woods, this Sunday, 3/25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and they are looking for helping hands.

If you’d like to participate, enter the park through the gate off of SR2. The gate is just west of the Bosch facility. They will meet at the Otahnagon Shelter area.

They have all the tools needed to build the trail, and volunteers just need to bring a pair of gloves to help out. They will have water and lunch for everyone. Spring time is the best time to build trail so come out an give them a hand!

If you want to get a better understanding of what they are doing when building the trail, check out the following video:

For any additional information, please contact NIMBA president, John Marquardt at the following email address: NIMB.BIKE@GMAIL.COM