MEC Club Activities

CLUB ACTIVITIES

O'Fallon Grand Prix Bicycle Race

O'Fallon Mayfest

Unicorn Ride

Developing Endurance and Distance in Cycling (DED-C)

Fund Raising Rides

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The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Fulton Jr. High in O'Fallon. We are currently looking for volunteers to help out with all aspects of the race. Please click here to sign up as a volunteer. Check back here for updated information on the race.

Updated 5/6/08

Unicorn Ride

Due to the manpower requirement for the Grand Prix race the Unicorn ride has been postponed. Volunteers and sponsors are still needed. Click here for the message board discussion.

Updated 5/6/08

O'Fallon Mayfest

Metro East Cycling is scheduled to help with the Mayfest by working in the soda stand and the bratwurst stand on Saturday, May 17th. Our slots are the two hours before the parade and the two hours after the parade. A total of 16 volunteers are needed. If you can help out please click here. For the discussion board click here.

Updated 5/6/08

Developing Endurance and Distance in Cycling (DED-C)

Instructor: Bob Norman

The first two seminars in this 4-part series have concluded. We've discussed Strength, Flexibility, and Conditioning in December, and followed up with Nutrition and Hydration in January. Thanks to all who came, listened and participated. The next seminar will cover some cycling tips to include bike fit, handling the mental aspects of increased distances, and various other conventional and unconventional items of wisdom. We will once again meet at 7 PM in the O'Fallon (IL) Public Safety Building on Seven Hills Road across from the YMCA on Sunday, February 24.

Strength training about 3 times should continue through February (two times minimum) a week, and I've been jumping on the bike at least once a week. Spinning class to help with your strength and intensity workouts are also encouraged.

This program is offered at no-charge to any persons who wish to improve their ability to ride longer distance with greater endurance. It will provide the novice cyclist with some information and techniques to help them gain more confidence and keep your energy level up to ride distances longer than they have in the past. The group will meet continue to meet over the next few months, so watch the calendar and the web site.

The ultimate goal for some cyclists is to accomplish a "century" or a ride of 100 miles. However, that may not be everyone's goal. And everyone may have goals that span several months or years. No matter!! This program will focus on helping everyone improve their ability to ride any distance (short of across multiple states or greater than 12 hours) in any time-frame that they might have in mind. As a group, we will have no distance goals and will ride in support of each other when rides are planned.

Each person will have to monitor and adhere to their own workout regimen after receiving the "tools" to be able to prepare for the riding season. Exercises will focus on cycling specific muscle strength and conditioning, but cyclists do not have to limit their workouts to these exercises. Likewise with stretching and flexibility exercises. Overall conditioning is the goal.

Updated 02/16/08

Fund Raising Rides

Tour de Cure (American Diabetes Association)

www.diabetes.org/tour

Team Captain: Bob Norman

This ride is held in many locations around the US at different times during the year. The St Louis ADA holds the ride in June each year and starts from Raging Rivers Water Park in Grafton, Illinois. Ride distances include options for 16, 50, and 100 miles, with most folks doing the 50-mile option. This is a moderately challenging course at times, but the scenery along the River Road, along the Illinois River, and through the farmlands east of the Mississippi River, is well worth the effort. Support stops are set up every 10-15 miles along the route manned by volunteers who serve up water, Gatorade, fruits, sandwiches, and other carb-rich snacks. Individuals or teams may sign up for a $15 (early sign-up) fee and $150 fund-raising. Prizes are given to those who raise a significant amount of funds. Several teams participate, along with several individuals. At the end of the ride, each rider is offered a free lunch (brats, burgers, or hot dogs, cole slaw, chips, and soft drinks) and entertainment. Sometimes there is even a group of massage therapy students to help relieve the stress from the ride. It's a great time and a great cause, so come on out and join the fun. Last year, more than 32,000 cyclists in 78 Tour events raised nearly $13 million to support the mission of the ADA: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Let's show them what MEC can do!! Please visit the Tour de Cure web site today and start training and raising funds!!

Sign-up is now in progress. We currently have 3 members of the MEC team. It's a great ride as a century, but also works as a 50-miler or even just a short family ride. Great rest stops and a wonderful party atmosphere at the end. Plus, each rider and volunteer receives free admission to Raging Rivers after the ride! So you can shower and swim ...... or just sit back and recover! Try it ..... you might like it! And it's a worthy cause.

Updated 02/16/08

MS 150 (Multiple Sclerosis Society)

www.bikemos.nationalmssociety.org/site/

Team Captain: David Kniepkamp

More information coming soon!! This ride is held in September each year and is hosted out of Columbia, Missouri.