tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191001552024-03-13T09:19:53.498-04:00Metro Detroit Cycling ClubFounded in September 2003, the MDCC is committed to its mission statement of "Promoting Health and Fitness in the African-American Community."Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-67826093531204931522015-05-05T23:16:00.002-04:002015-05-05T23:16:35.208-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJCipKMsDU/VUmHgqTWLHI/AAAAAAAAAJc/XnITiWFs2Cc/s1600/03-21-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJCipKMsDU/VUmHgqTWLHI/AAAAAAAAAJc/XnITiWFs2Cc/s1600/03-21-15.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-15570091952282018382008-12-14T14:00:00.000-05:002007-12-16T21:00:08.717-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2LWXPmIjjI/AAAAAAAAABc/4PKfXdgkItY/s1600-h/Team+MD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2LWXPmIjjI/AAAAAAAAABc/4PKfXdgkItY/s400/Team+MD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143909419222339122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><a href="http://brown-snout.com/cycling/misc/mdcc_welcome_to_atlanta.mov"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Welcome To Detroit - The Movie!</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(To view the movie, click on title)</span><br /></span></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-39704641548345270292008-02-24T16:55:00.002-05:002008-02-25T08:12:49.610-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R8IipUdWHyI/AAAAAAAAAF4/pRSRr7kumQg/s1600-h/climbdetroit"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R8IipUdWHyI/AAAAAAAAAF4/pRSRr7kumQg/s400/climbdetroit" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170733415436525346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2hB_6VbaSI/AAAAAAAAAB8/qeIP6byhyGA/s1600-h/climb_detroit_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2hB_6VbaSI/AAAAAAAAAB8/qeIP6byhyGA/s400/climb_detroit_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145435140517488930" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;">Members from the Metro Detroit Cycling Club have registered to raise money for the American Lung Association by attempting to walk, run, or crawl up seventy (70) flights of stairs. Please join me in congratulating them on their accomplishment. A special <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank You</span> goes out to Blane Rucker, Nick Graves, and Holly Graves for their support and helping to drag the group up the stairs!</span>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-4225063453628851392008-02-08T14:57:00.001-05:002008-02-09T01:27:16.486-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R61HZEdWHxI/AAAAAAAAAFw/5xelA8UguWU/s1600-h/thaw2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R61HZEdWHxI/AAAAAAAAAFw/5xelA8UguWU/s400/thaw2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164862843682955026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R6y6E503_gI/AAAAAAAAAFo/_Vh5aYE2GVE/s1600-h/thaw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R6y6E503_gI/AAAAAAAAAFo/_Vh5aYE2GVE/s400/thaw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164707466091953666" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGrqhLUQFWM&eurl=http://www.wwj.com/pages/1623608.php"><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Pedal for Power at the 2008 THAW Radiothon</span></span></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(click the link above for YouTube video)</span><br /></div><span>Local athletes pedal for power at Detroit's Boll Family YMCA. Through their exertions they're keeping that light bulb lit for 31 hours straight... raising money for The Heat and Warmth Fund during WWJ Newsradio 950's 2008 Winter Survival Radioton for THAW.</span>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-32670249499625503042008-02-01T13:42:00.001-05:002008-02-01T13:45:33.895-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R6NobZ03_fI/AAAAAAAAAFg/NxEV0toTwDA/s1600-h/eddie-continental+divide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R6NobZ03_fI/AAAAAAAAAFg/NxEV0toTwDA/s400/eddie-continental+divide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162084417895136754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eddie Sloan: Tennessee Pass at 10,000 ft.</span></span></span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-67371979593435228682008-01-09T21:53:00.000-05:002008-01-09T21:55:49.111-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UFwHWSnGM">How not to ride rollers</a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(click the link above)</span></span><br /></span></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-67087639929376413552007-12-22T23:17:00.001-05:002007-12-23T09:48:19.823-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R250mKVbajI/AAAAAAAAAFI/RMYqldk-7tE/s1600-h/12-23-07hitsville2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R250mKVbajI/AAAAAAAAAFI/RMYqldk-7tE/s320/12-23-07hitsville2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147179623089138226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R250UqVbaiI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pYQNF7o9GHY/s1600-h/12-23-07fist3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R250UqVbaiI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pYQNF7o9GHY/s320/12-23-07fist3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147179322441427490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R23iXaVbaeI/AAAAAAAAAEg/hZ76IYJ4w_Q/s1600-h/12-23-07hitsville4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R23iXaVbaeI/AAAAAAAAAEg/hZ76IYJ4w_Q/s320/12-23-07hitsville4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147018840988412386" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R23iYKVbagI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RJ0YoasmYQA/s1600-h/12-23-07tiger.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R23iYKVbagI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RJ0YoasmYQA/s320/12-23-07tiger.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147018853873314306" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Reggie's Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Detroit</span></span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Temps hit the 40's</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" > today and that calls for a ride. The call went out and four (4) hearty souls responded. (Others had "shopping" to do.) Reggie volunteered to lead a tour of the some of the city's landmarks and off we went.<br /><br />We hit the Motown Museum, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Comerica</span> Park, and The Joe Louis Fist. Reggie got a flat and headed down Jefferson toward home and the three of us continued on to Belle Isle. After a lap around the island and a stop for warmth, we hit the road toward home.</span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-86265371527997769292007-12-20T13:06:00.000-05:002007-12-20T13:11:13.719-05:00<h1><headline>A priceless piece of sporting history</headline></h1><h1><headline></headline><span style="font-size:78%;"><date style="font-weight: normal;">September 3, 2004</date></span><br /></h1> <div class="pagetools-wrap"> </div><!--id:pagetools-wrap--> <div class="articleExtrasWrap-widepic"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="featurePic"><div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/09/02/jackwalsh_wideweb__430x276.jpg" alt="null" align="middle" height="276" width="430" /></div><p>Carrying a legend ... Major Taylor rides the black bike - now owned by Jack Walsh - in Sydney in 1903.<br /></p> </div> </div> <p class="article-woff">American cyclist Major Taylor, an early victim of racism in sport, once raced at the SCG, writes Steve Meacham.</p> <bod> </bod><p>Jack Walsh, the veteran Australian cycling champion, is pointing out some unusual features on his most prized possession. "Notice the cotterless cranks, the forked crown, the six-day outrigger ..."</p> <p> Only a fellow cycling enthusiast could possibly understand what he is talking about. But then you don't need to know much about cycling technology to appreciate why the plain old black bike he's pointing at is so precious. You just need to know the story of the man who once rode it.</p> <p> Few people in Australia now recognize the name Major Taylor. But in America, it is revered.</p> <p> A decade before Jack Johnson shocked white supremacists by becoming the world's first black heavyweight boxing champion, Major Taylor overcame the same hostilities. When he arrived in Australia in 1902, Taylor was considered one of the most controversial characters in international sport, as only the second black athlete in history (after bantamweight boxer George Dixon) to earn the title world champion.</p> <p> That's what makes Walsh's "plain old black bike" so remarkable. Though it has been on display virtually unnoticed in Walsh's suburban cycling shop for 15 years, it would excite interest from collectors around the world if he ever put it up for auction. No other cycle ridden by Taylor has ever been identified.<small></small></p> <div class="islandad"> </div><p> Marshall W. Taylor was born in 1878 in Indiana. His nickname, "Major", came from a soldier's uniform he wore as a 14-year-old when he was hired to perform cycling stunts outside an Indianapolis bike shop. "He was only a little bloke," says Walsh, now 83. "About five foot six [168 centimeters]. A bantamweight, but very powerful."</p> <p> In 1896 Taylor unofficially broke his first two world records in Indianapolis. Instead of being lauded as a hero, he was banned from the track - too many whites had been offended.</p> <p> Thereafter he was often refused entry to professional races because of his colour. The southern states wouldn't let him compete at all. Hotels refused to let him stay.</p> <p>Despite this, by 1898 Taylor held no fewer than seven world records. Even bigots found it difficult to argue in 1899 when he defeated all the white riders to become world one mile (1.6 kilometers) champion in Montreal.</p> <p>Taylor would have won more events but for his Baptist principles. Like Eric Liddell, the Scottish runner whose story was told in the film <i>Chariots of Fire</i>, Taylor would not race on Sundays.</p> <p> From 1902 to 1904 he competed annually in Australia, helping to draw crowds of up to 35,000 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (which in those days had a cycling track around it).</p> <p> In his history of the SCG, Phil Derriman records that in 1903 Taylor, "a deeply religious young man with a reputation for fair play on the track and clean living off it", preached at the Wesley Church in Regent Street, "urging the young men in the congregation to forgo all sports and amusements on Sunday".</p> <p>His most notorious race came in 1904 when the Australian promoter Hugh D. McIntosh staged his second annual Sydney Thousand at the SCG, offering a staggering £759 to the winner. All the leading American sprinters took part.</p> <p> Taylor, the favourite who had started up to 165 meters behind some riders under a handicap, finished fourth after appearing to be deliberately boxed in by rivals on the last lap.</p> <p> After the race an investigation proved that two white American rivals, Floyd MacFarland and Ivor Lawson, had ganged up to prevent Taylor winning in a betting scandal. Of the 11 original starters, seven were banned for up to three years. Taylor was given the runner-up's prize of £110.</p> <p> The bike Taylor rode at the SCG is the one now on display in Walsh's Punchbowl shop. Walsh discovered the American had given it to a friend in Melbourne when he sailed from Australia in 1904, and it had remained in the family ever since.</p> <p> Walsh won't disclose how much he paid - "it was a fair bit" - but received confirmation of its cult status recently.</p> <p> A US film company, making a movie of Taylor's life, twice sent experts from America to inspect the bike. After various tests, they agreed it was definitely Taylor's and offered him $30,000 for it. Walsh refused.</p> <p> "I'll never sell it. I admire Major Taylor too much. Not just his ability and the way he rode, but the way he lived his life."</p> <p>Taylor died a pauper in 1932 in Chicago. He was buried in an unmarked grave.</p>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-8165470805517761452007-12-20T12:53:00.000-05:002007-12-20T13:03:53.968-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2quHaVbaTI/AAAAAAAAADE/KS_-_SFhPKs/s1600-h/rollerrace_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2quHaVbaTI/AAAAAAAAADE/KS_-_SFhPKs/s400/rollerrace_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146116966575728946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HznL_QV09Mk"><span style="font-family:arial;">Bicycle Roller Races</span></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(click link above to view video)</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HznL_QV09Mk"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></span></a></span></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-69551410845452267312007-12-16T12:56:00.001-05:002007-12-16T13:01:39.105-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Vm3KVbaRI/AAAAAAAAAB0/kkW8Q0VWs6c/s1600-h/dockrider.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Vm3KVbaRI/AAAAAAAAAB0/kkW8Q0VWs6c/s400/dockrider.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144631247193729298" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.dockridermag.com/2k7MetroDetroit_BrianCox.html"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">MDCC featured in Dockrider Magazine</span></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(click on link above)</span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-79012270861416182552007-06-13T14:00:00.000-04:002007-06-13T14:03:33.739-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RnAxFA_bJoI/AAAAAAAAABU/rPuazhF-6o8/s1600-h/rockymountaincyclist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RnAxFA_bJoI/AAAAAAAAABU/rPuazhF-6o8/s400/rockymountaincyclist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075610742281676418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Smooth Eddie at the Copper Triangle</span></span></span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-33404810645193596492007-05-23T09:10:00.000-04:002007-12-15T23:08:17.192-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Sf7aVbaPI/AAAAAAAAABk/qquFOvPi3DU/s1600-h/myfox_full_logo_1003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Sf7aVbaPI/AAAAAAAAABk/qquFOvPi3DU/s400/myfox_full_logo_1003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144412517394245874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=8B8D54EEEC697FA29113B66F50C66D58?contentId=3230969&version=14&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1">FOX 2 News Detroit Bikes To Work-I</a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(click on title above)</span><a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=8B8D54EEEC697FA29113B66F50C66D58?contentId=3230969&version=14&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></a><br /></span></span></span></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-26742698716001106582007-05-19T12:07:00.000-04:002007-12-15T23:06:12.142-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Sj96VbaQI/AAAAAAAAABs/UqV6J_E7T4o/s1600-h/detroit_skyline.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/R2Sj96VbaQI/AAAAAAAAABs/UqV6J_E7T4o/s400/detroit_skyline.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144416958390429954" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0EF763AABE1B5F3EB25D9CC604790703?contentId=3230969&version=11&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOX2 Detroit Bike To Work Day</span></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(click on title above)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0EF763AABE1B5F3EB25D9CC604790703?contentId=3230969&version=11&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1"></a><a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0EF763AABE1B5F3EB25D9CC604790703?contentId=3230969&version=11&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1"><br /></a></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-72383631217158296342007-05-09T22:18:00.000-04:002007-06-14T09:18:02.287-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/Assault%20On%20Mt%20Mitchell/IMGP1348.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/Assault%20On%20Mt%20Mitchell/IMGP1348.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkKCyV9jHpI/AAAAAAAAABM/RAn-J0wqnwk/s1600-h/07-mt.mitchell-the+vistas%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkKCyV9jHpI/AAAAAAAAABM/RAn-J0wqnwk/s400/07-mt.mitchell-the+vistas%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062752732518227602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina<br />Elevation 6684'<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkKBKV9jHoI/AAAAAAAAABE/WVM13ujieno/s1600-h/bmc07-mt.mitchell-heardronlarry%26Michael.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkKBKV9jHoI/AAAAAAAAABE/WVM13ujieno/s400/bmc07-mt.mitchell-heardronlarry%26Michael.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062750945811832450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-42675170502836289202007-04-30T20:18:00.000-04:002007-05-09T22:10:39.098-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkJ9tF9jHmI/AAAAAAAAAA0/DeQa75pQWGw/s1600-h/bmc07-toe+river+train-swint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkJ9tF9jHmI/AAAAAAAAAA0/DeQa75pQWGw/s400/bmc07-toe+river+train-swint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062747144765775458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkJ-lV9jHnI/AAAAAAAAAA8/vocS7qF_oxs/s1600-h/bmc07-mt.mitchell-sims-heard-sloan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RkJ-lV9jHnI/AAAAAAAAAA8/vocS7qF_oxs/s400/bmc07-mt.mitchell-sims-heard-sloan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062748111133417074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjzXbl9jHlI/AAAAAAAAAAs/5ODN1aN23fA/s1600-h/bmc07-rucker2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjzXbl9jHlI/AAAAAAAAAAs/5ODN1aN23fA/s400/bmc07-rucker2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061156950304300626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjzUZF9jHjI/AAAAAAAAAAc/tY_0qAuxPoo/s1600-h/bmc07-moffitt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjzUZF9jHjI/AAAAAAAAAAc/tY_0qAuxPoo/s400/bmc07-moffitt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061153608819744306" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjtNzF9jHiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/M8XmtPZkG1U/s1600-h/April_26_07_BM+246.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjtNzF9jHiI/AAAAAAAAAAU/M8XmtPZkG1U/s400/April_26_07_BM+246.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060724146449882658" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjaHaqHjZ0I/AAAAAAAAAAM/ax4jzKWgp8o/s1600-h/toeriver1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ydB0UKBV4fE/RjaHaqHjZ0I/AAAAAAAAAAM/ax4jzKWgp8o/s400/toeriver1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059380123449648962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;">North Carolina Spring Camp<br />April 25 - 29</span></span></span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1171259218981454752007-02-12T00:45:00.000-05:002007-02-13T18:09:26.393-05:00<div face="arial" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/1600/296849/Wheel_change_from_car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/400/424922/Wheel_change_from_car.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Smooth Eddie Sloan pictured at www.cyclingnews.com</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:100%;" >(Click on link below for complete story)</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/features/usac_mechanics/Wheel_change_from_car">http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/</a><br /><a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2007/tech/features/usac_mechanics/Wheel_change_from_car">tech/features/usac_mechanics/Wheel_change_from_car</a></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1170623029720576632007-02-04T15:53:00.000-05:002007-02-04T16:03:49.736-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/1600/571017/eddie%20at%20usa%20clinic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/400/40221/eddie%20at%20usa%20clinic.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >MDCC's very own "Smooth" Eddie Sloan among 46<br />to graduate from USA Cycling Mechanics Clinic</span><br /></div><br />Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 25, 2007) – USA Cycling graduated 46 participants from the Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic earlier this month as mechanics from around the country took advantage of a unique, one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from industry instructors, receive hands-on experience and network with leaders in the cycling industry.<br /><br />Students came from all corners of the United States, with a few traveling from Canada. At the completion of the only instructional seminar of its kind in the world, 46 mechanics completed the course and earned the privilege to carry a USA Cycling mechanic’s license.<br /><br />As a USA Cycling-licensed mechanic, individuals become eligible for certain industry jobs with cycling-related companies or professional teams and enhance their employment opportunities at local bike shops.<br />Industry experts from various parts of the racing community made presentations on numerous topics:<br /><br />The lessons were taught by experts from companies such as MAVIC, Park Tool and Shimano to name a few – all companies that put an emphasis on a license issued by the national governing body.<br /><br />“It’s really a neat program and the only one that exists in the world,” commented Andy Stone, neutral support technician for Shimano and guest instructor at the clinic. “If someone with a USA Cycling license comes out to work for my tech program, or Mavic’s tech program, I know they’re going to have basic knowledge of the job so that they can be useful in the field and improve their skills. Being licensed by USA Cycling is very important to Shimano because we know we’re getting a person that’s trained, and if you want to work for Shimano in any of our tech programs or service department, it’s almost a job requirement.” <br /><br />By featuring some of the top instructors in the industry, the Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic hosted by USA Cycling provides instruction by those considered experts in their field.<br /><br />“The instructors are the best part,” commented USA Cycling director of logistics and operations Ken Whelpdale. “They do a phenomenal job for no pay and average about 15 hours per day of instruction and interaction with the students. It’s an extremely valuable part of what we do in terms of out mechanics program. Our clinic actually trains the mechanics before they go out on the job so that they’ll have the hands-on experience before they get there.”<br /><br />The clinic is named after Bill Woodul, who held the first USA Cycling mechanics clinic in the late 1980’s as a way to recruit mechanics for his program.<br /><br />Past graduates of the program have gone on to work for teams all over the world.<br /><br />USA Cycling would like to recognize Eddie Sloan and the other 45 graduates of the 2007 Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic:Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1168882837777418892007-01-15T12:37:00.000-05:002007-01-15T12:40:37.776-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/1600/720857/eddie%20%26%20lance2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/400/238291/eddie%20%26%20lance2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Smooth" Eddie Sloan riding with Lance Armstrong.</span></span></span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1173964662474368992007-01-15T09:10:00.000-05:002007-03-15T23:55:04.626-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/1600/704089/03102007-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/400/338022/03102007-3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Stealth Cyclists</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">These guys took advantage of the unusually warm temperatures to try out their "stealth cycling gear". </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1168881944389019072006-09-04T12:22:00.000-04:002007-03-15T23:56:09.086-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/1600/64984/MetroBeachRide-090406.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2347/1884/400/353721/MetroBeachRide-090406.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >It was warm today so a few of us decided to ride.</span><br /></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1149940775678040982006-06-10T07:54:00.000-04:002006-06-10T07:59:35.700-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/DSCN0334.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/400/DSCN0334.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1149182770698234382006-06-01T13:25:00.000-04:002006-07-11T21:00:23.360-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >The Adventures Of A<br />Michigan Cyclist in Tennessee</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" > - <span style="font-style: italic;">ms</span></span><br /></div><br />I will start this recap to the event with my foolishly taking sinus/allergy medicine the Friday before to combat a sinus headache that I was experiencing. Now from experience I knew that this results in a very poor performance the following day. It was risk that or suffer through the 8-10 hour ride to Tennessee. I took my chances and the results were pretty bad. The first 20 miles were tolerable but the last 40 were a continuous<br />sufferfest. With this being probably the warmest day that I've ridden this year and the terrain being rather different than the "rolling hills" that we have in Michigan, (meaning they had some killer hills and they were stacked one after another), it was a struggle to complete the entire metric century. I thought I was suffering up Roan Mtn. in Tennessee/North Carolina. Every turn of the pedal required a great deal of effort.<br /><br />On a more positive note the MDCC led by Eddie Sloan had a real nice pace line going after the start but we didn't realize how nice it was until we started dropping back. I was first to fall off the pace at about the 10-15 mile mark shortly before the first rest stop. As I pulled off to drop back and ride at a more comfortable pace a continuous line of riders came floating by. I counted at least 15 folks that had jumped on our train. The line was so long that I almost had enough time to recover and hop on the back but not quite. As I understand it Larry dropped shortly after myself and was getting thank you's for the strong pull when he rolled to the back.<br /><br />There wouldn't be a ride with a story of misadventure. Shortly before the final rest stop I had just crested a long climb and was enjoying the descent when I heard "car back!" being yelled behind me. I going to attribute what happened next to my state of extreme fatigue. I ventured over to the right to give the vehicle passing room only I ventured a bit too far and was suddenly off road. Unfortunately there was about 6 inches of gravel next to the pavement and next to the gravel was an incline of grass leading to a ditch. Now all this wouldn't have been so bad had I not been going 30+ mph. To complicate matters there were driveways approaching fast with mailboxes. I had 2 thoughts at this moment and 1 verbal reaction.<br />The 2 thoughts were:1. I'm going to crash in an out of state tour wearing my club uniform and 2. These mailboxes are fast coming pretty fast! My single verbal reaction was: (repeated over and over) Oh darn!<br /><br />The positives from this experience are that I didn't crash nor did anyone I know see all this happen. One of the few advantages of getting dropped. I still felt compelled to confess what had happened first to Eddie who graciously fell back and rode with me all the way to the end of the ride and eventually to the rest of the crew. Which was good because shortly after I admitted to my attempt at cycle-cross, several ladies that witnessed the entire horrific event rolled into the final rest stop to recap this embarrassing experience from their perpective behind me. They did happen to compliment me on my bike handling skills and felt the need to call me Lance (ala the Tour 2003) which I felt was very nice of them to try to boost my morale in this time of utter embarrassment.<br /><br />The rest of the ride was simply a continuation of everything else the preceded this event with continued suffering and struggling to make some of the steep climbs that I still wouldn't have described as rollers had I been in better condition.<br /><br />Again Eddie was there with me giving advice (breathing techniques, climbing etc...) and motivating me probably out of fear that I would be ending up in the sag considering the snails pace that I was forcing him to travel. The final climb into the parking lot was in itself a monumental struggle but I still had the strength (or insanity) to challenge Eddie to a sprint to his van to which he humbly declined saying he was too tired (likely that he was so bored that his legs had fallen asleep from near pedestrian pace). I thanked him for turning down my ludicrous challenge and I made it without the sag. A major accomplishment considering how I felt for more than 50% of the ride. Thanks again to Eddie for escorting me and the same to Larry who did the same for a portion of the ride.<br /><br />The next day was planned as a laid back recovery ride...............until Eddie led us to this hill that had me saying in mid-climb "I'm heading back to the house" and Larry to murmur "Darn Eddie". The worst thing about this hill was where it was in respect to the total miles (mile 3 at most out of a total of 30 for the day). After this wake up climb Eddie says this hill he uses to warm up. I was just seconds earlier saying I wish I had brought my windvest. So steep and long was this climb that had you been a bit chilly before this climb you were definitely unzipping your jersey, clicking to your easiest gear, and out of the saddle throwing your bike from side to side to keep from rolling backwards. This hill made the rest of the ride seem like a piece of cake.<br /><br />We rolled to our midpoint rest destination where we were immediately greeted by the friendliest pit bull you'll ever want to see. Of course the meer sight of this beast made Brian do an amazing disappearing act. The rest was brief but we decided to head back by way of a "swing bridge" that Eddie wanted us to check out all the while with the friendly pit bull following for at least a mile all the way. He had taken a definite liking to me much to Brian's annoyance. After a brief photo opp on the bridge that traversed and beautiful stream we headed to a friend of Eddie's who had crashed the previous day. He's the owner of an extraordinary lodge that I could not describe with any degree of justice. The climb up to it itself is challenging enough. The owner has ambitions, being an avid cyclist, of making it a cycling haven, running tours and rides out of it on a regular basis. The general area surrounding this location is a cyclist's heaven, unless you're a flatlander then you'll probably consider it hell. There are relatively flat routes that run along beautiful babbling brooks and streams but there is almost no way to avoid some steep climbs.<br /><br />Heading back we were rolling at a moderate pace and I was feeling pretty good. Eddie was no longer doing all the pulls and had rolled to the back leaving Brian up front after sharing the front with Eddie. I thought it only right to give the guy a break and do my fair share. Big mistake. I took my brief turn on the front and had purposely had the speed on my computer turned off thus I had no idea what speed we had been traveling. Apparently Daryl and the rest took this as a challenge and I must have increased the tempo because once I pulled off the rest of the group came blazing past me and it took everything I had to hang on for the brief time that I did. It was like they had opened the gates at the Kentucky Derby. I made a mental note to remind myself why I hate doing pulls with these animals. Upon catching back up with them (minus Eddie who again graciously rode with me) which was inevitable because they didn't know where the hell they were going, I let Daryl and Brian know what a dirty deed that was to which they replied "What?" "Who me?". We were all anticipating the climb up Eddie's driveway (17% grade) to his house which can only be described as the type of climb that has you leaning so far over your handle bars that your nose gets burnt on your front tire. It’s so steep that if you're weight is distributed too far forward your rear wheel will begin slipping. Well as we approached Eddie's driveway I made sure I was in my climbing gear so that I wouldn't be doing any shifting during the climb. Daryl was out front with Brian behind him. They seemed to hesitate just as the turn into the driveway got closer so I went wide. Brian announced "let me get out of you guy's way and he seemed be almost going straight because I was coming around in front of him making the turn on to the driveway. Daryl I later found was in the wrong gear so I went by him right at the base. I was leaning over my bars trying to get some leverage when, due in part to the moist pavement my rear wheel began to slip so I had to redistribute my weight to the rear and keep grinding away. Suddenly Eddie comes smoothly cruising by me, still in the saddle mind you, and I thought very briefly of trying to beat him to the top but thought better of it and continued at my current pace till I reached the chairs outside his garage where I dropped my steed (I actually laid it down) and collapsed into one of his chairs. Eddie, once again was so kind as to pick up my bike and move it out of harms way, which I really appreciate. The perfect end to another great cycling adventure with the fellas.<br /><br />Let me add that the hospitality was like a four star inn with wonderful breakfasts and a delicious spaghetti dinner on arrival night. Thank you Kathy who fed us so well and made it difficult to leave the table to get on our bikes for the rides.Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1149096238318154352006-05-31T09:20:00.000-04:002006-05-31T22:37:56.023-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/blount2.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/400/blount2.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Motown meets Blount County</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Detroit cyclists take part in late spring</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">bike kickoff</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >May 24, 2006<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >Sports Editor<br />Blount Today<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br />Chain Reaction co-workers dubbed her "Itchy" after Melissa Brown went three rounds with a stubborn patch of poison ivy in her front yard two years ago.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"She had that lotion all over her, and everybody in the shop just started calling her "Itchy," friend and Walland cyclist Eddie Sloan said.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> Brown, sans the ivy, was a big hit with the Metro Detroit Cycling Club at last weekends Tour de Blount bicycle rally. MDCC cyclists Mark Swint, Larry Carter, Brian Cox and Daryl Heard marveled at Brown's speed on some of the steep hills in and around Laurel Valley.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Carter, 57, a retired supervisor at General Motors Milford Proving Grounds, had ridden with Brown before. They'd shared a ride in the Western North Carolina mountains just last month.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/blount3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/400/blount3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"I came up behind her and said, "Who's that little girl?" Carter said. "We rode back together. I started cramping up, and she rode off and left me."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">The 4-foot-11 Brown, who rides "the smallest bike Cannondale makes," remembers the moment fondly. I left him on the hills. I looked back to find myself riding alone. I wasn't sure if he had stopped or what.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Brown, Sloan and Carter are indicative of the broad sweep of the 700-plus cyclists who gathered at the staging area at Heritage High School for the Tour de Blount's annual run. Evidenced by her climbing prowess, Brown, 31, represents the great equalizer cycling can prove for the smaller athlete. Carter, Sloan and their MDCC teammates represent a place where the sport hopes to go.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Founded by Detroit native MacArthur Davis, MDCC formed after Swint, Cox, Heard, Carter and Davis continued to run into each other at various events. The club grew quickly from its founding five members to a roster now 18-strong. With MDCC's success, Carter said the club decided to take cycling to Detroit's African American communityu at large, a place where the sport traditionally had little following.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"We said, "Why don't we take this to a community where it doesn't get much exposure," Carter said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Sloan, a lifelong f</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">an of 20th century African American cycling champion Marshall W. "Major" Taylor, happened upon Carter and his MDCC teammates at a rally along the Michigan/Canadian border a few years ago. With the pace of the ride not quite to his liking, the Walland bike fit specialist said he began looking around for a group pedaling a quicker tempo. Seconds later, Swint, Cox, Heard, Daelemans, and Carter came hurtling up the road in single file.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"I said, 'Now those guys are probably from a club," Sloan said. "They were cuttin' a good pace. Not only did I jump on their wheel, but 15 or 20 othere people did, too."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Sloan's knowledge of cycling etiquette - ask before sitting in someone's draft uninvited - impressed club members.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"They said, 'People have been jumping on our wheel all day long. You're the first one to ask,'" Sloan said. "You can ride with us anytime."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">When Sloan returned to Walland, MDCC made him President of its newly chartered Tennessee chapter.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"Since I'm the only (Tennessee) member, I kind of got it by default," Sloan quipped. "They've had a great time down here. I really appreciate the hospitality people have shown them."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Swint, Cox, and Heard returned to Detroit on Sunday. Carter stayed on until Tuesday to get in a few more climbs, including Montvale Road's famed "The Wall." The searing 3-mile climb into Happy Valley is something Sloan insisted Carter see before leaving.</span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/blount1.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/400/blount1.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Brown had some advice for Carter as he and a collection of cyclist, which included Brown's husband Ken, set off for the Blount County brute Tuesday morning.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"All the views are worth the climbs," she said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">That was before Sloan and the others included "Sweetie Pie," a stunning 27-percent grade out of Happy Valley, in Tuesday's ride.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"He may never come back," Brown said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Oh, he'll be back, Carter said. Brown's going to get that rematch.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"The riding (this weekend) was excellent," Carter said. "The people were great. The countryside was breathtaking.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"So were the hills."</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /></span></span></span></span>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1148445347306975562006-05-24T00:28:00.000-04:002006-05-24T00:35:47.320-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Coveted Yellow Jersey...</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/catfish%20jersey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/400/catfish%20jersey.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>was awarded to the Original Travel Squad at last weeks Tennessee Training Camp. Additional commentary will be uploaded once all the stories are in. Check back often...there will be some doosies.Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19100155.post-1148311192122675222006-05-22T11:11:00.000-04:002006-05-22T11:56:06.116-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/reggie-bike2work.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/320/reggie-bike2work.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/reggie-bike2work3.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/320/reggie-bike2work3.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/1600/reggie-bike2work2.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2347/1884/320/reggie-bike2work2.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Detroit Bike To Work Day<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May 18th was Bike To Work Day here in Detroit. As you can see neither rain, wind, nor puddles, could keep Reggie from making his appointed rounds. Thanks for representing the MDCC in the "<span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>".</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div></div>Prototypehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139892354149884276noreply@blogger.com1