What the Beez are all about …

Left

Recently, we have been speaking to the group before heading out on our group rides, to reinforce what the Beez are all about. As a reminder, we are a social group, with no pace goal for our rides, but with the clear rule to wait at strategic points and not to drop anyone (though anyone can opt to leave the ride/cut it shorter after letting us know). If you want to hammer out a strong pace without waiting, we would prefer you go on your own.

Rail Trail: This is a great option to get out of or back into town quickly. However, it can be busy with pedestrians and casual cyclists so please use good judgement when using it. A loose group of 5-8 of us, stretched out and going at a casual pace while being conscious of other users is fine. A bulk of 15 road riders going 40km/h is not.

We usually do not ride pacelines unless on the highway. For those situations, please note the following:

The Killer Beez is a social riding group rather than a gung-ho bunch of racers. We do not ride with the speed or intensity that requires a structured paceline most of the time. However, there are some basic rules that come from a racing paceline that we should be using as standard procedures to maximize safety and to spread the workload (not to ride faster); we should also use this when doing a paceline on the highway. 

The Killer Beez always try to remember the mantra of “Do not pass on the right”. This is because you may get trapped between the cyclist ahead and a hazard at the side of the road. Also, the rider ahead is not aware of your passing attempt. However, riding in a paceline seems contrary to our most basic rule, because we pass a former leader on their right. So let’s try and clear up this contradiction:

Always ride as far to the right as possible (safety permitting), which is usually in a marked bike lane, or to the right of a white line painted on the right of a roadway (a shoulder). Leaders of Killer Beez groups will try to choose routes with such a lane or shoulder along the route.

Bicycles have the same rights as all other vehicles and are allowed to use the roadway (i.e. to the left of the white line) if a bike lane or shoulder is not available or is unsafe (due to debris etc.). But be careful because some drivers don’t understand your need for space in their roadway.

When leading:

  • Point to any hazards in the lane, plus call and signal any upcoming turns or stops.
  • Don’t over-accelerate after a tight turn or climb because the riders behind are still going slowly and will get dropped.
  • When ready to give-up the lead, check there is no traffic behind, move slightly to the left, give a ”flick” with your right elbow so the second rider knows to assume the lead.
  • Ease off on your power slightly and “slide” to the back of the group. Note that you are “abreast” of other riders.

From the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

183 (2) A person operating a cycle……must not ride abreast of another person operating a cycle.

However if you checked the road was clear of traffic there should be no conflicts with drivers.

  • Not all of our Beez are strong enough to take a pull at the front. If that is you, please merge back as described above.

When taking over the lead:

  • DO NOT speed up.
  • DO NOT change gears, unless really necessary.
  • You should just feel a little more strain in your quads as you start to pull into the headwind.
  • Don’t overdo your effort and rip the group apart.
  • Listen for a call of “Gapping” from behind in case you start pulling away and need to slow down a little.
  • Remember that you are now responsible to send back hand (and voice) signals to other riders behind you.
  • If the previous leader rode faster or slower than normal for the group, try to reset to the normal pace.
  • The length of time each leader spends at the front will vary for each rider. Don’t be a hog at the front. When safe, pull out, do an elbow flick and slide back.

In the paceline:

The pull rider will ride at a constant pace and therefore will not coast. In order for the whole pace line to stay together and maintain a constant pace, no rider should be coasting. If you must slow slightly, a soft pedal may become necessary, or even a slight use of brake while maintaining soft pedal.


To summarize: The riders are not really “passing on the right”. It is more a case of the former leader “regressing on the left”. This is quite safe because both the former leader and the followers are aware of that happening. Also, the roadway to the left should be clear of traffic and safe for the former leader to slide back.


Climbing

The pace and structure of the group will change dynamically when climbing a hill due to the different speeds of each rider. A lot of passing will occur.

Our basic rule of ‘No passing on the right’ applies here as this is not a paceline situation. The steepness of the hill will determine when the group dynamic changes. Leaders are no longer sliding back, and strong riders are moving to the front.

Remember to keep as far to the RIGHT as possible, so that a stronger rider can pass on your left. If you are a slow climber, stay right. Other riders will pass on your left when they can safely do so. The onus of safety is on the rider that is overtaking.

If you wish to pass a slower rider, wait until it is safe to do so, and pass on their LEFT side. Call “On your left” (unless there is lots of room and the group is going very slowly). Then move to the right so that a faster rider can pass you.

 

Green Mountain Ride! Yeehah!

Green Mountain Ride

Green Mountain Ride September 8th (weather permitting) 

Meet at 7:45am at Starbucks on 2231 Louie Drive in West Kelowna to carpool. If you have room for another rider or are looking for a ride, please meet us there!  The ride starts in Penticton at 9am in the Skaha Lake Parking lot (corner Elm Ave and Cypress St). 

The ride is approximately 90km long with almost 1100m of climbing, see GPS here. Bring enough food and drinks for this distance (one resupply point at 47km).

We will regroup and wait for everybody at the very least at the Apex turnoff, the junction with Highway 3A, Twin Lake Golf Course (to resupply) and Okanagan Falls. If waiting to regroup is not for you, feel free to organize a separate ride!

Watch this blog for a last update on Sept 8th at 6am to confirm (or cancel) the ride, based on weather.

After this wonderful Green Mountain ride, please mark your calendars for another favourite, the Armstrong Ride for the following Sunday, September 15th. This one is organized by Tom Ferguson.

BC Senior Games

From Mel:

Leslie and I are volunteering in the BC Senior Games, which are being held in Kelowna on September 10 – 14, 2019.  As they still require over 600 volunteers, would you consider volunteering? 

The link for the BC Senior Games website is https://www.55plusbcgames.org/.

Thanks! Mel Saari

Let’s do our part!

Plastic

Bob recently shared this link to a BC Government survey on plastics waste:

“It helps if more people participate. You can be one.”

https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics/

Please make sure to fill it out! We want to continue riding in an unpolluted environment, and we have to do our part. On that note, Frances’ suggestion makes a lot of sense:

“Lots of people making small changes can make a big difference. As cyclists who often stop at coffee shops after our rides, we can be big users of plastic. This applies more to those of us that drink cold drinks as those tend to be sold in plastic cups with straws. Since we usually have empty water bottles on our bikes by the time we stop at the coffee shop, consider asking the staff to put your purchased drink in your empty water bottle instead of using a single use plastic cup!”

For all our hot and cold beverages before and after a ride, let’s make sure to use reusable containers, whether it’s our water bottle or a porcelain mug at the coffee store. No more paper or plastic cups!

Claudio’s MS Ride

Please have a look at Claudio’s pictures and read his story below:

My name is Claudio Incrocci. I am fairly new to the group and cycling.  You might see me at the beginning of each ride but I am still not fast enough to finish with the group but an honor to be just a small part of it.

The “before” picture …

I want to tell you my story because if anyone says they can’t cycle and can’t do it, you can share my story.  Eighteen months ago I could hardly spin an indoor bike at zero resistance.  I lost 40 pounds just to be able to ride outside and lost a total of 70 pounds.

 Fourteen months ago I started to ride outside when my daughter got me to do the “Bike to Work Week”.  It took me 20 minutes to do my first 5km, and each day of BTWW it took 3 hours to do most of the stations of the day.  I won the individual rider class for most participation and kilometers, and won a free month at Steve Nash Fitness. My daughter got me to do the MS Ride last September.  I didn’t get much training last summer because of all the smoke.  We did a few 25km to 35km rides. I was very slow and my daughter had to wait for me a few times and I had to rest a few times up each hill.  I used my free month at the gym for spin classes and got me ready for the MS Ride.

I did the 53km first day MS Ride and 52 km (mostly hills) second day MS Ride.  I made it both days and at the top of those hills the second day.  I wanted to do the 105km first day MS Ride this year (now shortened to 72km), so I wanted to push myself this year.  I did 4 months of spin classes and my first ride this year was with the Kelowna Killer Beez and I did 71.5 km. Since then I have done charity rides of 50km, 100km and 118km, and I also did the Great Cycle Challenge and the 160.9km Grand Fondo . 

The MS Ride got me going and inspired me to continue. The Kelowna Killer Beez inspired me to want to do better.  I have been training very hard for a novice cyclist.  It can be very intimidating at first and hard to fit in with any group but slowly any of us can become a good cyclist.  Last year I got smiles but this year I get the wave and nod, so I know I’m on the right path.  I also need more cyclist friends on Facebook.

I donated a lot of money to charity rides of all kinds for the love of cycling.  I need your help to fundraise for Multiple Sclerosis for my MS Ride on September 7 and 8, 2019.  Every day 3 or more Canadians get diagnosed with MS. Any amount will be appreciated and $20.00 and up gets you an official tax receipt.  You can be totally anonymous if you would prefer.  

Thank you for any donations you can give. You can click on my link or copy and paste, and then click Donate on my personal page below.

http://mssoc.convio.net/site/TR/BikeTour/BCandYukonDivision?px=1983940&pg=personal&fr_id=6518

Thank you

Claudio

Party and Arm Warmers reminder!

Lots going on next week! The arm warmers will be available for pickup at 7pm on Wednesday after Joyce’s Ride at Blenz coffee shop (Pandosy Village). They will also be available on Friday at the Killer Beez potluck and on Sunday after the Sunday ride at 12noon at the Bean Scene. I might be out of town after that so please pick up yours next week at one of the three spots.

Again I would prefer an interac email transfer (biggi07@hotmail.com; password: killerbeez) or PayPal (same email). Otherwise cash at pickup.

Also a last reminder to join the Killer Beez potluck:

“You are hereby invited to our Summer Killer Beez Potluck Party!

Date and Time: Friday, August 9, 2019 – 6pm

Address: 5005 Treadgold Court, Kelowna

To bring: One dish and your own drinks (food categories will be allocated)

Please RSVP to jeanette@hoft.ca by August 3, 2019

Looking forward to seeing you!”

Arm warmers have arrived!

I am still out of town but will distribute them next Wednesday (August 7) at 7pm after the ride at Blenz Coffee shop (Pandosy village) and next week Sunday (August 11) at 12pm after the ride at Bean Scene HQ on Dickson.

I would most prefer if you could send me the money ($15 per pair) via email bank transfer or PayPal (biggi07@hotmail.com).

Thanks!

Westside Special Ride

From Michael:

“We would like to do a different ride on Friday, August 09, this time in Summerland. We meet at Starbucks in West Kelowna for car pooling at 08:20am and start the ride at 9:00am in Summerland. Parking is on Kelly Ave at the Summerland Middle School. The ride is mostly on quiet roads with some hills; distance is about 65KM. Hope the weather will be good and see you there.

Michael

PARRRRRTY! Please join us …

Jeanette and Tony are throwing a party for the Killer Beez:

“You are hereby invited to our Summer Killer Beez Potluck Party!

Date and Time: Friday, August 9, 2019 – 6pm

Address: 5005 Treadgold Court, Kelowna

To bring: One dish and your own drinks (food categories will be allocated)

Please RSVP to jeanette@hoft.ca by August 3, 2019

Looking forward to seeing you!”

Also remember that this is a great opportunity to give a birthday hug to Joyce!!!

Waiver and Safety Rules

To view the content of the Kelowna Killer Beez website, you must read and agree to the following Waiver and Safety Rules that apply to all our rides. Compliance with these rules and the signing of an annual waiver is mandatory in order to participate in our group rides.

  • You are riding at your own risk!
  • All road rules and traffic signals must be followed.
  • A helmet must be worn. It’s the law.
  • You should have liability insurance to cover any potential accidents.
  • All participants must ride single file and in bike lanes where available.
  • Highly visible clothing should be worn at all times while riding.
  • Pass only on the left when it is safe to do so. Passing or pulling up to riders on their right is not permitted.
  • Use of headphones or cell phones while riding is not permitted.

By clicking “AGREE” you acknowledge that you ride at your own risk and comply with the safety rules.