By: Melissa Hall
"The hardest part is over. You showed up." ~Jess Simms
When I step out the door to put my bike in the car, it feels chilly but not uncomfortably so. I make sure I have a jacket and vest thinking I will use one or the other. I debate between shorts and knickers, and thankfully decide on the knickers. But when I arrive at the ride start, it seems like the temperature has dropped significantly and I will end up wearing both.
Most of the riders are having the same dilemma. Larry is sorting through riding apparel he keeps in his car. I notice a new rider, Zeke, age 16, I believe, in a short sleeved jersey. I shiver looking at him. I end up offering to loan him my spare arm warmers and he accepts. Larry loans him long fingered gloves. Meanwhile, Harley is talking about whether to change to long pants rather than his shorts. Amelia struggles with how to dress so as to be warm yet not overdress. Only a few riders seem comfortable with the choice they made leaving home. All of us have ridden enough to know that we should be chilled at the start to be comfortable while riding, but it is hard to know just how chilled because it is not much fun having to ride faster than your preference to stay warm and still being cold. Oh, well, misery loves company. And there is lots of company today.
Despite the bite of the air that seems too sharp for this late in April and is enhanced by the dampness, everyone is laughing, smiling, and chatting as they do when they are a tad nervous but anticipating a good ride, a good course, and good company. The hardest part is, indeed, in some ways over because we made the decision to roll out of bed and come out to play. I briefly think of how seldom that I regret the decision to ride. Occasionally, but not very often. There is just something about a good bike ride that makes me happy, and I know this is a very scenic course, particularly the first half. By the time spring rolls around each year, my eyes and my soul have been starved for green and color and there is just no better way to absorb it than on a bike ride. I am always glad when God grants me another spring on the bike.
Cars continue pulling in even as we near start time. Bob begins to fret about whether there will be enough parking. Twenty one riders show up: Bob Grable, the ride captain, David Frey, Glenn Smith, Amelia Dauer, Larry Preble, Zeke Ledford, Joe Bolen, Harley Wise, Jerry Talley, Steve Rice, Tom Askew, Dave King, Bob Evancho, Glenn Smith, Mike Kamenish, Jon Wineland, Keith Baldwin, Vince Livingston, William Gillen, Sharon Jeter, and Jeremiah Westendorf. It is nice to see two other women riding, though I don't actually see Sharon Jeter except at the start and driving off in her car. Sharon is very strong and fast. And it is nice to see Vince Livingston come to a century. Again, as with Sharon, I see him in the parking lot. I do not see him driving away. In fact, I suspect he has reached home and showered by the time I come in;-) It is also nice to see Southern Indiana Wheelmen joining us again. There are two riders, Joe Bolen and Jeremiah. I also have the pleasure of meeting Joe's wife, Janet, before the ride begins.
Bob gathers everyone for the pre-ride speech and I later tease him about whether he is trying to take the record for the longest pre-ride speech. (The record is probably held by Kirk Roggencamp but Bob comes very close this morning;-) Bob is concerned because just this morning, he was looking at the course and noticed Google has marked a road we are to ride as being closed. It wasn't closed when he drove the route a few days prior, but we all know that can change overnight. He has everyone put their phone number on the sign in sheet just in case and tries to tell everyone a complicated work around that I know I won't remember and I doubt many others will either. I know I will be in the back with Bob, so it is not so very important to me anyway. And if I am not, my GPS has a "reverse route" button on it. It won't be the first time many of us have faced an obstacle on a century ride. He also is concerned that some of the roads may have water on them from all the rain. But they don't other than a few puddles here and there and water lining the sides of the road. The road he was concerned about does not end up being closed either.
While it is cold at first, the beauty of the scenery soon steals one's attention. Everything is turning green. Traffic is light to non-existent in places. The yellow flowers of spring fill some of the fields. Bob says he has learned that some are wild mustard (this I knew) and some are wild beets (this I didn't know). Whenever I see wild flowers that I can't identify on a ride, something that happens quite often as I never was good with names and am worse now), I think of Duc Do. Many of you have never met Duc as he no longer rides with the LBC, but he once was a member. If you are into flowers, I recommend you check out his web page on flowers he has found wandering the roads of Indiana and Kentucky: https://www.kywildflowers.org. Anyway, they are beautiful and like daffodils, a sign that summer and warm weather is knocking. Soon arm warmers, knee warmers, balaclavas, and long fingered gloves will be forgotten and put away and shorts and jerseys and bandanas will rule.
At the first stop store, most of the riders are still there but a few have come and gone. I don't see Jerry or Sharon or Vince. There may be one or two others that weren't there. Someone tells me this is their favorite country store of all the stores we frequent, and I agree that it is a great store. In front of the store sit two liars benches, one labeled for Republicans and one for Democrats that always amuses me. The people that work there are nice. Amelia and I share a glance when a non-rider chides the checkout girl for putting his full order of biscuits and gravy in a small rather than a larger container because neither of us can see what it would matter. David Frey introduces himself and says he rode with the group once last year. It is just so good to see new faces taking on the challenge. One of my dearest wishes is to see the tour continue and grow.
The group takes off for Corydon where the lunch stop is. By this time I am riding with Dave King, Steve Rice, Bob Grable, and Amelia. If you know Dave King, you know that he takes great pleasure in eating, so much so that it is fun to share a meal with him, so I ask where he wants to eat and he says Culver's. After the long climb up the hill we arrive and find that Mike Kamenish and Jon Wineland have chosen to eat there as well. They ask about others and Amelia said she saw bicycles at Subway. Mike and Jon surprise me by waiting for us and we head out together. Everyone is groaning about the headwind, but it does not turn out as bad as I thought it might and we reach Palmyra to find most of the other riders there. The sun comes out and most of us have stripped a layer or two, but it is still nippy and there is not much danger of overheating unless one really overdressed.
We all head out afterward except for one abandon, but the faster riders pull gradually ahead. Near the end we find them waiting for us and we all finish as a group of 15. I try to remember when a stage finished with a group of fifteen. What is unusual now was once the norm and it was rather nice. Zeke has finished his first century and since the course is a bit short, signs in and rides it out. Thanks, Bob, for a pleasant course and thanks to all the riders for a pleasant day. And thanks to all who came out to play. It was a great day!
Finishing groups are as follows:
Joe Bolan 3:19 group of one
Vince Livingston 3:36 group of one
Jerry Talley 3:53 group of three
Jeremiah Westendorf 3:53 group of three
Sharon Jeter 3:53 group of three
The group of 15 which finished at 4:09:
Larry Preble
Mike Kamenish
Jon Wineland
Zeke Ledford
Tom Askew
Keith Baldwin
Bob Evancho
Harley Wise
Steve Rice
Amelia Dauer
Glenn Smith
David Frey
Bob Grable
David King
Melissa Hall
See the April 2025 newsletter HERE
By: Jessica Lawrence
I’ve always loved being on my bike—whether it’s mountain biking, road cycling, or touring. For me, cycling represents freedom, independence, health, and happiness.
In 2013, I cycled 4,200 miles solo on my Road to Rhode trip from the Oregon coast to Rhode Island. Now, as I approach my 50th birthday this summer, I feel incredibly fortunate to be healthy and able to take on this journey again!
This time, I’ve added a new purpose to my ride—raising funds for the LouCity & Racing Foundation, an organization I’m proud to serve on as a Board member. The LouCity & Racing Foundation is the charitable arm of Louisville’s two professional soccer teams, Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville FC. Their goal is to make soccer accessible to all youth, regardless of financial barriers, by providing programming, scholarships, and equipment across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. I’m deeply passionate about this mission, which is why I’ve chosen to dedicate my ride to supporting the Foundation. My role as a Board member is the perfect blend of my professional mission—helping young people thrive—and my love for the game.
Starting in Simsbury, CT, on May 18, after the Louisville City FC May 17 match versus Hartford Athletic, means a lot to me. I will attend three home games on the way back through Louisville early June, and off to Kansas City to see Racing Louisville FC play June 14. From KC, I’ll head to Colorado Springs to watch Louisville City FC take on Colorado Switchbacks, heading west to California and ending in San Diego to watch Racing Louisville FC play San Diego Wave FC August 24.
You can follow along here, donate here, and learn more by going to my website here!
Kick off National Bike Month by joining us for Bike to the Game Night!
In conjunction with my trip, I’ve been passionate about supporting people cycling in their communities. Having lived in Portland, Oregon, for 20 years before moving to Louisville, I regularly cycled to and from Portland Timbers and Thorns soccer matches. When I arrived in Louisville and joined the Board of the LouCity & Racing Foundation, I started conversations with Soccer Holdings, the Foundation, and Metro to bring an event to life that encourages people to cycle to the stadium. And now, it’s happening this May!
Meet at: Trellis Brewing, 827 Logan St., Louisville, KYRide Starts: 6:00 pm, 2-mile ride (Kick-off 7:30pm)Game: Louisville City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SCDate: Saturday, May 10thSpecial Offer: Free tickets to the first 50 riders!Fellowship: Cyclists are welcome in the Seltzer Garden portion of the stadium starting at 6pm for pre-game $2 happy hour beers and networking time!
The Louisville Bicycle Club and Bike Louisville are leading a group ride to and from the Louisville City FC game, arriving in time for a pre-match happy hour and returning after the final whistle.
This event combines my love for cycling and soccer while bringing the community together in an active and meaningful way. I’d love to see you there—whether you’re riding alongside me for part of my journey, cheering from the stands, or simply supporting the LouCity & Racing Foundation in your own way.
Let’s ride for a cause, celebrate the sport, and make a difference together!
"The most difficult thing is the
decision to act, the rest is mere
tenacity. The fears are paper tigers.
You can do anything you decide to do."
Amelia Earhart
It was one of those days when it was hard to force myself to go out and play. It would have been easy to talk myself out of it with the wind prediction and the cold. I weary of the cold. All week the temperature prediction kept coming down and the wind prediction kept going up. Plus, the winter has not been conducive to activity. Weather along with cataract surgery impeded fitness and made me soft despite hiking when permitted. This was not just any century. It was a 107 mile century with somewhere between four to five thousand feet of climb. Lastly, I would need to start to the ride in the dark. Like any human, I use excuse after excuse to justify laziness, but experience has taught me that while there is always the weird exception to the rule, I am almost always happy that I forced myself out the door and rode. Today would turn out to be no exception.
I arrive and am the first in the parking lot, but it is not long before others join me. Thomas Nance, John Dippold, Fritz Kopatz, Larry Preble, Mike Kamenish, Bob Grable, and Dominic Wassserzug are there as well as the ride captain and course designer, Jon Wineland. Shivering, we sign in, and then make our final decisions as to what to wear. There is only supposed to be about a 10 degree temperature change throughout the day which makes it easier, but I still opt to carry a light backpack for possible shedding. Larry heads off into the wind for a pre-ride check for clothing accuracy. The others, like me, seem to be adding and shedding before making a final decision.
Soon we are off. Shortly after our start, the sun comes out which makes a huge difference, both mentally and physically. And with the first hill, we all warm up. The group quickly splits into two groups with Larry Preble, Thomas Nance, Fritz Kopatz, Mike Kamenish, and John Dippold pulling ahead. Thomas rides quite a bit with the Ridenfaden club throughout the winter and is always strong, thus his Mad Dog Name of Thomas the Train. And I know Fritz does Zwift. When I first met Fritz, for some reason I thought he would be a slower rider. Instead, as people talk about later in this ride, he is one of the strongest riders in the club. I'm not sure how John trains or how he rides. I can't remember if this is the rider who came to Medora late or not. Mike later reveals he also has been Zwifting and Larry reveals he has just re-started outside rides after being off due to personal tragedy. Regardless, they are all three quite strong.
Most of the climbs in this ride, the major climbs anyway, are in the first part of the ride. The Garmin shows three climbs,, the Wahoo shows eleven. The climbs that Garmin shows, are all before the first store stop. Shortly after one climb, Bob Grable comments on our "blistering" pace of a bit over 11 mph. I just giggle having expected this. You can't put the bike away when it turns cold and not train inside and expect to have fall legs. And we do pick the pace up so that we end with over a 12 mph average. I am not sure what the average turns out to be as I struggle with my new Wahoo and lose my mileage and data half way through but someone said it had risen. Regardless, my goal is to finish and hopefully finish without it becoming a death march where I begin to hate cycling and myself for coming. I have no illusions of finishing with speed. Indeed, I have my daughter on call in case I am unable to finish.
The last climb before the first store stop is voluntary. It is a descent down to the bridge and then back up the way you came. I toy with the idea of not doing it, but someone mentions the bathrooms at the park there and so I descend making straight for the facilities. Despite the hours sign on the door, the door is locked and the park office is closed. I turn around to go to the store telling the others and momentarily blaming it on Trump forgetting that it is a State park and not a National park. Jon reminds me of this fact and I laugh at my quickness in accessing blame. My laughter dies during the climb but remains in my head because we humans are so weird, myself included. Indeed, at one point during the ride someone, I think Bob, is talking about someone (not a rider) being strange and it strikes me as hilarious as I point out to him that most people are not out here riding 107 miles with a headwind for the first half in cold weather and that many might find this activity strange.
We hit the first store stop. I playfully tease Mike about us now having a jump on Dave King who is not here today. (Mike, Dave, and I are the only three riders who have completed the tour every year since its inception in 2004). After a quick feed, I head out ahead of the others as I am starting to chill. No need spending energy on goosebumps. Bob goes with me. Soon the others, minus Dominic, show up. When asked, they said they could not find Dominic and Jon tells me Dominic said he was not really feeling up to par and might bail. The assumption is that he either left before all of us and we will eventually catch him or he went home. I feel a bit sorry for Jon as I know it is worrying to lose riders when you are captaining. Believe me, I know. I think I am the only LBC captain that once lost ALL the riders on her route. (While chasing a group that went off course and never catching them, the front group went off course. I thought I was chasing them, crossing flood waters while carrying my bike,, and ended up at the ride ending alone. I had just gotten in when I received a phone call from one of the riders asking where I was. I felt so badly about it but also saw the humor. Not sure about the riders.
Anyway, when we reach the first covered bridge, Busching Bridge, Larry and Mike are waiting for us. They say that Thomas, John, and Fritz have sprinted ahead. Larry said he had wanted to spend some time photographing the bridge. Mike and he will ride with us the rest of the day. I enjoy this as I rarely ride with either any more and Mike is cracking me up with the occasional off color joke as he used to do. The only time we will see Thomas, John, and Fritz again is at the lunch stop. They are getting ready to leave when we arrive. They sign in as finishing an hour ahead of the rest of us.
Before lunch we pass Otter Creek Covered Bridge and Westport Covered Bridge. I don't stop with the others and keep pedaling as I am really starting to feel worn out and beginning to worry about finishing. We never catch Dominic and Jon does not have his phone number. We talk about it over lunch. I had warned Jon prior to lunch that I intended to eat quickly and leave before the rest so as not to slow everyone down, however, it turns out everyone but Jon eats quickly and is ready to leave. Right before we finish, however, Dominic walks in. Somehow Jon missed seeing his bike when he left the store. Dominic then went a bit off course. Evidently a dog came out and caused him to miss a turn. (Lots of dogs on this route as is often the case in Indiana). Jon stays to eat with him. The rest of us take off.
I find that lunch has revived me and determine to stay with the others who assure me they want to ride with me and are okay with a slower pace. I find that while I was in the store, I lost the direction arrows on my Wahoo. This and only this keeps me from heading out and letting them catch me since they were all using the facilities and I am not. I end up having to end the ride and restart and reload the route, but I do get my arrows back, a huge relief. The others tease me for my dependence on the arrows. I don't apologize. Mentally, I go back in time to when we rode before GPS with just a cats eye and a written cue sheet, or in my case, occasionally with a pocket full of sidewalk chalk so I would know my return route. How hard I often pedaled to be sure that I was not left somewhere in the middle of nowhere not knowing where to go. But oh, how fun those days were.
When we reach the third store stop, Dominic and Jon come in before we have finished and we all leave together. Prior to this, an old woman stops her car in the parking lot, waving her finger at us and telling us to be careful. Okay, Mom. I am fine with this. As I told the others, it is a refreshing change from being yelled at for being on the road.
Soon after leaving, I realize that Jon and Dominic are not with us. Someone tells me that Dominic was starting to cramp. I have feared cramps the entire ride. They are still not the norm for me, but I do get them more than I used to and I know I am asking a lot of my muscles today. We have been riding long enough and are tired enough that chatting is beginning to fade and everyone is thinking of the finish. My knees are achy and I am so glad there are no long climbs before the end. I can't say I am unhappy to see the end, but I find I am glad that I rode. I don't feel like doing a jig, but I also feel better than I anticipated feeling. Despite my lack of training, I have felt worse following other rides. We sign in and shortly thereafter Jon and Dominic pull in. Dominic said he ate something and it seemed to take care of his cramps.
For this ride, as is often the case when conditions are too hot, too cold, too windy, just not ideal, the hardest part was getting out the door. Fear is, indeed, a paper tiger. Tonight I will rest with my fear of not being capable of finishing assuaged. Until the next hard century. But, oh, how happy I am that riding season is back. Another spring. I am blessed.
By: Steven Sarson
The Louisville Bicycle Club has the rides!!
I would like to take a moment at this time to Honor John Fong. John returned to his Heavenly Father on February 22, 2025. John was an avid cyclist and friend to many in the cycling community. He had a positive impact on everyone he met and always had an encouraging word for you as you worked to become better. John could ride with the best of them - but he also had the patience and subtle encouragement to sweep a Tour De Mad Dog century and ride with the back of the pack. And all of this with a smile on his face!!
We will miss you John!
Rest Forever In Peace
Thanks to a number of dedicated Ride Captains, and in spite of the miserable weather, who seemed to be able to sneak in a ride anytime there seemed to be a window of opportunity. Thanks to those Ride Captains who challenged Mother Nature and snuck in some rides on those good days. Our LBCz (Zwift) group has kept a number of members riding as well. The Tour De Mad Dog has already completed stage 1. Stage 2 is scheduled for March 29th. Overall mileage totals may be down for the winter months, but there is a lot of enthusiasm and a ride schedule that continues to fill. A full ride schedule of local, out of town and fundraiser style rides are already on the schedule. There is a partial list at the end of this article. Let me know of any additional rides that should be on our schedule
As we enter our busy riding “season”, I would like to see more of the riders who come to rides do the actual ride that is on the schedule. The Ride Captains work hard to provide great routes and sweep them during their rides. It is extremely difficult to sweep a route when riders are not on it. Let's ride together in 2025 and encourage everyone to be their best.
Time to get the bike and rider ready to do some miles. Here are some simple pre-ride tips and some suggestions for a great riding season
- Always check your bike before you head out to a ride - The ABC-Quick check gets you ready to ride
- Encourage the new riders and those around you
- Be aware of the traffic around you and ride with it
- Be courteous and obey traffic signals
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Signal your intentions
- Communicate with your group
- Help the rider on the side of the road with a problem. You could be their hero and save someone from a long wait or even longer walk
- Support someone who is doing a Charity FundRaising ride with a donation - any amount helps and adds to the total
- Volunteer to help with club activities, local rides and events and fundraisers for the LBC
- ENJOY THE RIDE!!
Here is a partial list of the upcoming 2025 Rides and Events that are on our schedule. Join us for one or all of them. Have a safe ride in 2025!
Tour De Mad Dog - 20 stages scheduled, Time Trial TBA
Tour de Lou Training Rides - Sundays at Noon until April 6
Tour de Lou - April 19
Five Boro Bike Tour aka Bike NY May 4
Three Steeples Ride - School fundraiser
Bike MS - Bluegrass Bourbon Ride June 14-15 Join The LBC Team or Please Make a Donation
Tour de Pork - Turtle Run Winery August 2
OKHT - August 9
Bike To Beat Cancer - Sept 13 - Join the LBC Team or Please Make a Donation
Harvest Homecoming - Sept 27 - Support the Southern Indiana Wheelmen
Bourbon Burn - September 26, 27, 28 KY Horse Park
Crawdaddy’s LBC Christmas Giving Ride - December 6
The twentieth Tour de Mad Dog begins soon: March 1, 2025. But don't worry if you are not ready then. You have plenty of chances through the end of November to ride your ten centuries and earn one of the coveted finisher jerseys.
First, a short history of the tour. The Tour de Mad Dog is not to be confused with the Mad Dogs or being a Mad Dog. The Mad Dogs were started by Tim “Choo Choo” Chilton, Mike “Sparky” Pitt, Bill “Cisco” Pustow, Anong “Mrs. Mad Dog” Pustow, Eddie “Waldo” Doerr, and some man named Jay who never rode with the club again but did that first Mad Dog Century, BMB, with the founders. The group's goal was to help people complete their first century and to emphasize group riding. If you completed one century, you were considered an official Mad Dog.
Tim Chilton was responsible for designing the Tour de Mad Dog which grew the group in ways nobody imagined. This was is 2004. This year will be the twentieth anniversary of the tour as for two years it was not held because of the Pandemic that swept the country. The tour has changed in many ways since its inception, but continues to be a challenge and to encourage group riding.
The current rules for the TMD are as follows:
To be an official finisher, one must successfully complete 10 stages. This year there will be 21 stages. There will also be a time trial that will be organized by David “Bam Bam” King that will count as a stage.
Anyone who is an LBC (Louisville Bicycle Club) member who finishes 10 stages will be a finisher and will earn one of the coveted finisher jerseys. When enough sponsorship is obtained, the jersey is provided free. At other times it is provided at a minimal cost. Please let one of the Tour Directors know if you are aware of a business that would be willing to sponsor the tour.
There will be a male and female “winner” each year, but winning is limited to every third year. Since this is the first year for this change, last year's winners are eligible to win in 2025. The winner will be determined by points at the end of the season.
The points awarded are as follows:
To receive credit, you MUST sign in legibly and be an LBC club member. No attempt will be made to determine who you are if your signature is unreadable. If you forget to sign in following the ride, please notify us within a week to receive credit. Also, to earn credit for bringing/being a new rider, you must email the TMD directors at Tourde...@LouisvilleBicycleClub.org within one week. Same thing for stopping to help a rider with a mechanical issue or who is having problems with heat, etc.
Stages may be anywhere from 95 to 110 miles in length unless approved by the Touring Director with the exception of the overnight. This exception is for if the overnight is the traditional Mammoth Cave which has higher mileage but is a longstanding Mad Dog tradition. (68 percent wanted an overnight this year).
Cancellations will be announced a minimum of TWO hours prior to the advertised start time. The cancellation announcements are the responsibility of the ride captain and will be at their discretion. The cancellation should be announced on the Mad Dog email list https://groups.google.com/g/tour-de-mad-dog and on the LBC calendar. In the event there is a conflict of information between the Event Calendar and the ride calendar, the ride calendar will be considered correct.
All canceled stages will be made up. This make up should be the next day or the following free Saturday. The Ride Captain should let the Directors know his/her preference. If this won't work for some reason, the Ride Captain should let the TMD Directors know immediately.
All stages of the tour will have a Ride With GPS file, a cue sheet, two rest stops, and a lunch stop. Rides should be swept by the ride captain. If a rider feels he/she cannot reasonably keep the pace advertised by the ride captain, he/she MAY leave early after obtaining permission from the ride captain. If the ride captain says no, you will receive no credit for the ride if you leave early.
The Current TMD Schedule is as follows and should be available on the club ride calendar along with the GPS file:
Challenge yourself. I can't promise it will always be easy. I can't promise that it will always be fun. But I can promise you that you will feel a sense of accomplishment if you stay the course and that you will meet people whose company you will enjoy. Most things in life that are worthwhile do have a degree of difficulty. As Nike says, “Just Do It.” Come out and play!
See it here: January Newsletter
See it here: January Newsletter - Special Edition
See it here: December Newsletter.
See it here: November Newsletter.Editors note: I just noticed that as these have been coming out later and later that I mistakenly titled the communications surrounding the October Newsletter as November. Here is the real November edition.
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