What Are Your Plans for the Fall?

On Sunday September 5th, Rainbow Cycling coach, riders, and friends met to discuss the team's plan leading up to the Little 5 event. Everyone gathered at the Maxwell Terrace Apartments, enjoyed a snack, and learned what is in store for the team.

Coach Jacob organized the meeting and facilitated discussions. New and veteran riders shared their summer progress as well as overall cycling experience. Team members eagerly volunteered to promote Rainbow Cycling through attendance at the Student Involvement fair (thanks to the generous offer of the GBLTSS to share a table). Plans were made to gain status as a student group, talk to local businesses about supporting the team, and creating a budget.

Administrative pieces aside, Coach Jacob presented the training plan he developed and discussed other riding opportunities for the team to gain some additional experience such as the Hilly Hundred, Fall Cycling Series, and IU Cycling Club rides later in the spring. Cyclists will send journals of their training progress so that Jacob can monitor where the team is at and how to adjust as the race comes closer.

As riders scramble to find bikes, pull out warmer clothing for fall rides, and balance it all with school, Rainbow Cycling is moving forward with an enthusiastic group of cyclists and friends.

Pedaling Strong Into the Fall!

Rainbow Cycling continues to attract potential riders. An opportunity to advertise at the CultureFest (part of IU's Welcome Week for incoming students) table sponsored by the GBLTSS introduced the team to students as they waited in line for rainbow sherbet. Several students left their names at the table and left with the possibility of becoming future Little 5 riders.

Following the success of CultureFest, a large group gathered for the usual Monday bike ride. New faces, including Adam and Zach, continue to join the established presence of Job and Carrie. On this particular ride, the team rode to Griffy Lake, down Old 37, back up the Firehouse hill, and through the Cascades Park attempting to beat sundown.

Cyclists continue to improve, riding up hills faster and looking stronger as a team. A planning meeting is set for the 5th of September following an afternoon ride. The goals of the meeting are to establish the team and discuss a training plan through the fall and spring.

Cyclebration Success

Rainbow Cycling riders, friends, and family took part in Rainbow Cycling's First End of Summer Cyclebration on August the 22nd. As 8 a.m. on Sunday morning rolled around and a few late starts thanks (or no thanks?) to alarm clocks, riders faced the option of a 40 mile or 90 mile route. Final count: four cyclists took on the 90 mile and six chose the 40 mile route.

The planned route around Lake Monroe was tackled by Carrie, Job, and Torrey as well as Don Byrd (Torrey's father), Charlie Sinex, and Linda Sinex (Coach Jacob's parents). Although there were a few wrong turns, making the ride a little longer than 40 miles, the cyclists enjoyed the ride where they were able to build their relationship and support each other along the way.

Coach Jacob along with Rachell Morley, Michael Glasgow and Bob Bley (friends of Rainbow Cycling) completed the Nashville 90. Beginning on 446, traveling down 58 and 135, the cyclists took a much needed break in Freetown and enjoyed the hospitality of the (thankfully) open local grocer. Water bottles refilled, sandwiches in stomach, and ready to go, the riders continued on 135 toward Brown County State Park. Through the park, tough hills were climbed and the effort was rewarded with a delicious lunch at the Big Woods brewery in Nashville. From Nashville, the route was modified to avoid traffic. Leaving Helmsburg, the riders rode Owl Ridge and took Laman Road to 45. After 45, the route was completed on Mt Gelead and 446.

After naps and showers, riders and friends met at the Sinex family home to enjoy a cook out and relaxation following a tough day of riding. Former Coach Barry attended and announced an opportunity for the team to advertise at an IU event later in the week. Delicious food and good company was enjoyed by all.

Finals Week?

Mark your calendars! Rainbow Cycling riders, family, and friends will gather on Sunday, August 22nd for Rainbow Cycling's First Annual End of Summer Cyclebration. This event will celebrate the summer spent training and give riders a chance to show off what they have accomplished the past few months.

The day will begin with a bike ride. Cyclists will chose to complete either a 90 mile (through Nashville) or 40 mile (around Lake Monroe) course. In case a few breaks and the "no-drop" policy aren't enough, cyclists will come prepared with snacks and water for a long day of riding.

Following the ride (and perhaps a shower), cyclists will join their family and friends at the Sinex family home for a cookout/birthday celebration. Good food and company will be an excellent way to relax and reflect over the summer and what's to come as April nears.

See you on the 22nd!

Making Progress

Riders have been using the summer months well. The team continues to participate in group rides, logging miles and gaining experience. Weekly rides will continue through the summer months.

May Wrapup

Rainbow Cycling riders Torrey Byrd and Job Armendariz completed several rides during the final weeks of May. The most notable was an annual ride that follows the former Hilly Hundred course planned by CIBA. The Spring Hilly Hundred is organized by cyclists and provides family and friends unable to make the fall event an opportunity to ride 100 miles with a few hills thrown in.

Torrey and Job both rode on Saturday May 29, conquering both the heat and Mt. Tabor. These riders displayed excellent effort during the ride and were still standing to enjoy the traditional pot luck supper that riders and friends attend.

Great job to the progress made in May by Rainbow Cycling riders.

Team Meeting 5/6/10

Coach and riders met on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the Laughing Planet Cafe. While enjoying burritos and a warm evening, the team discussed training and acquiring equipment during the summer months.

Group rides will be planned for those staying in Bloomington over the summer and all riders were encouraged to get on a bike as much as possible. Riders left the meeting with a challenge: decide how far they could individually ride (10 miles? 30 miles? What about 50?) and to accomplish that distance by mid-summer. By the end of the summer and start of the fall semester, the challenge is to ride double that distance.

With a preliminary plan in place and the promise of wonderful summer weather perfect for riding, Rainbow Cycling is moving forward!

Successful Call Out Meetings

Rainbow Cycling continues to make progress toward competing in the 2011 race. On Tuesday, April 27, two call out meetings were held to orient potential riders to the team and its mission. Over the course of these two meetings held at Indiana University's GLBT Student Support Services Office, a total of 7 interested riders attended. Thank you to those students for attending and bringing their enthusiasm to make 2011 teams possible. With the current interest, the goal of having both a women's and a men's team could be a reality!

Overview and Mission

The 2006 Little 500 race marked the emergence of Rainbow Cycling. Founded in 2006, the men's team competed, qualifying and finishing 27th. This accomplishment was only the beginning for Rainbow Cycling.

Following the excitement of the 2010 Little 500 race, Rainbow Cycling looks to form a men's and a women's team for the 2011 competition. Not only would these teams foster the return of Rainbow Cycling, they would support the team's mission of celebrating diversity and encouraging positive race experiences for men and women.

Join us on the the journey of Rainbow Cycling toward the 2011 Little 500 race! There are several ways to show your support:

• Follow the Rainbow Cycling Blog
• Become a fan of Rainbow Cycling on Facebook
• Follow the latest news on Twitter
• Contact the team by sending an e-mail to rainbowcycling@gmail.com