Cycling For Cancer

So I have been wanting a disc wheel for time trialing for some time now. The problem is that I cannot plunk down $795 for a Renn 5ive-5ive-5ive wheel nor did I have time to order the the Aero Disc Covers for $90 at WheelBuilder.com.

So I fired up Google and found this ARTICLE and this YOUTUBE VIDEO. This got me fired up thinking I could actually do this.

So I called around and finally got in touch with Josh at Vital Signs and Graphics in Webster, NY. Josh was nice enough to sell me a 4′ x 8′ sheet of corrugated plastic for this experiment.

This is what I ended up with:

Now I still have to attach it to the wheel. I could use zip ties, but that would leave me with a nub sticking out for each zip tie I used. It probably won’t hurt the aerodynamics too much, but I’d like it to look as clean as possible.

If I could find something like this:

I’ve searched online at Lowes and Home Depot and haven’t seen anything. So hopefully I will get it all mounted tonight and can tested it tomorrow before the Jon Dechau TT on Saturday.

UPDATE: (06/19/2010)

I was able to get the disc mounted, but the problem I discovered is 4mm corrugated plastic really is too thick to make a rear wheel cover. It wouldn’t allow my rear hub to spin freely. So I removed everything and will just run my 1996 HED Alps wheelset. I’ll have to source some thinner corrugated plastic (2mm?).

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The Jon Dechau Memorial Time Trial is this weekend (June 19, 2010) in Rushville, NY.

It is a great event and helps support the Jon Dechau Foundation.

From the GVCC website:

Come experience Rushville, Jon’s hometown that he loved and trained in for many years. Time Trial on a rolling ~35 Km out and back course on Route 245 through the Middlesex Valley from Rushville to Italy. Tune up for the NYS TT Championships on the roads that created a TT legend. Chip timing will be provided.

There are currently 30+ riders signed up as of this afternoon. I’ve done this event twice so far. Once in 2007 and again last year in 2009. If you race and you have nothing to do on Saturday please come out and show your support. Nothing beats riding as hard as you can with snot and slobber covering your face for 35Km!

Registration:

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11044

Confirmed Rider List:

http://www.bikereg.com/events/ConfList.asp?EventID=11044

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Since there wasn’t a Time Trial this week I decided to give the GVCC Road Race a try again. This week the training race was on the Victor course. Finally got to meet Mike Minerva. Really nice guy. Actually did drills with him as I didn’t have a partner. I never realized how unnerving it is to bump shoulders with someone on a bike or rub wheels. I didn’t fall though and was more comfortable with it the 2nd time around.

I think I did much better this time. I was able to stay with peloton during the warm up lap running pace lines. On the 1st lap I was on the back end of the peloton and then fell off about 3/4 of the way down Cline Rd. I could see another guy up ahead of me though. I think it was his first night as well. I got on his wheel to recover a little and then saw that he was hurting too so I went by him to let him draft me. When I made it to the start of the hill on Blazey Rd and I just kicked it right into my 34 tooth gear up front. I looked back and the guy isn’t there anymore. I felt bad for leaving him, but was thinking there was still a chance I could catch up to everyone on the downhill.

I caught a glimpse of everyone @ turn #1, but just couldn’t get back on with the peloton. Started to pour halfway through lap 3. When I got to turn #1 the marshal said the B5s went by a long time ago and I should just stop for the night.

I was in HR Zone 6 most of the time. It was tough, but fun.

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During the month of January, Western New York Wellness will be hosting their 3rd annual “Spin with the Survivors” Virtual Spin Tour and Fundraiser (www.wnywp.org), which focuses on bringing maximum visibility to the fight against cancer. Centered on cycling, the Western New York Wellness Program makes available FREE indoor and outdoor cycling services to all cancer survivors in the Rochester, New York and surrounding areas.

I cannot tell you how much this group has helped me since I became a member in 2006. This December 31st will mark 5 years that I have been cancer free. I credit this group with keeping me active and healthy.

Please help in this fundraising event with your generous pledge. We all know someone touched by cancer. The money that you pledge will contribute to funding the FREE physical activity programs offered by Western New York including:

- weekly outdoor bike rides (during the summer)
- weekly indoor spin classes (during the winter)
- outreach and education programs
- walking program for those just emerging from treatment and are not yet able to ride
- gym membership grants

The “Spin with the Survivors” event also provides a unique opportunity for all to help. This is our chance to help directly and in that spirit, I’ve chosen to Spin with the Survivors, and ask that you support me, remembering that your donations are tax-deductible.

To make an on–line pledge:
Step 1: go to http://www.wnywp.org/spin_about.htm
Step 2: Select the a name (Shannon Case) from the drop down list.
Step 3: Select a pledge amount.
Step 4: When ready to donate, click the “Submit Pledge” button.

Thank you for your support. Together, we will make a difference in so many lives!

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So using the Internet Archive: Wayback Machine I was able to recover most of my cancer journal that I started in May of 2003. You will now see a list of categories on the left hand side of the page listing the different topic categories.

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