blog@BumsOnTheSaddle.com

Fun Sustainable Transport

The Tour de France starts today.

In case the video does not appear, click here for the video preview on TdF 2009

Check out the official site for more details, live video, route map and a ton of other stuff.

Our very own Bangalore Bicycle Championships is gonna get there soon ;)

Multiple celebrations are in order

• A successful 2nd race of the Bangalore Bicycle Championships 2009
• our bicycle club, Bangalore Bikers Club crossing the 1000 member mark
• more bikers in the city

we plan to celebrate all this and more on the 4th of July (the coming Saturday) with some delicious cake (I hope) followed by a movie nite.

yahoooo .. a perfect case of have ones cake and eating it too

Location: at BumsOnTheSaddle ( map and address )
When: 6:30pm on the 4th July 2009 (a Saturday)
What to expect: No idea. The biking movie is yet to be short listed, but we guarantee its going to be loads of fun.

And its a Bring Your Own Bottle (B.Y.O.B) event (Bottle can be interpreted as Orange Juice or Beer. Whatever floats your boat. Dont plan to get too high, remember we are already three stories high – dont feel shy, get your drink. One for you one n for your neighbour).

This is a good time to bring those unsuspecting soon-to-be-converted-non-biker friends and proudly showcase your biking buddies. (be discreet, dont point n laugh at the ones in tight spandex)

Please do leave a comment in case you plan to drop in. If you feel like helping us setup before the show let us know (hey you, dont call me Tom Sawyer behind my back. Buggers)

Spread the word and let the show begin !

other movie nites@BOTS

• ROAM and what happened
• Seasons and what happened

Quick info

Race Route

• From start point, continue on Bellary Road for 17.89 km till you hit Nandi Hills turnoff
• Take left, continue for 9.83 km till you hit a dead end (Idly Point)
• Take a left, continue for 3.88 km till you hit the circle
• Take a right climb up to Nandi hill top (7.57 km climb). The race ends at the arch. Please do not crowd the entrance.

Total race distance: 40km

Entry fee

You can contribute any amount you wish, we will publish an account of expenses and contributions. Excess amounts will be utilized for the next race in this Championship (in July).

All details will be posted on the race page

Race Support

Due to shortage of volunteers, we will have minimal support on the course. Support will be provided at designated support stations. You will be on your own between the support stations. Please be as self sufficient as possible (tool kit, puncture, water, electral etc). The volunteer team will do their best, but there is no guarantee of support.

Do check out the bicycling notebook for a checklist for longer rides

Support stations along the race route

Stop 1 – Nandi Hills turnoff at Bellary Road (open till 8am)
Stop 2- Idly Point (open till 9am)
Stop 3- Coconut Jump point on the Nandi climb (open till 10am)
Stop 4- Summit of Nandi Hills (open till 11am – end of race)

• Each of the stations will have some basic stuff – water, banana, electral, biscuits. Water will be provided to you in your own bottles, we will not be using paper/plastic cups (lets try and be as environment friendly as we can)
• A support car will be available to deposit your belongings at the start point. The car will transport the belongings to the end point. Please avoid items of high value.
• The support stations will have basic repair facilities (puncture patches, pump, tool kit)

Very important – Please do appreciate the work the volunteers do, the only reason they are supporting us and not racing is because they love biking as much as you do, and they understand that without volunteerism there can be no race. Think about this and register as volunteers for the future races.

Keep in mind

• Helmets are mandatory. No helmet no race
• The volunteers will be noting the timings for each of the participants at the intermediate stations. Please slow down and inform them of the timings.
• Bellary Road is an extremely busy road with a lot of high speed traffic. All participants should stay on the extreme left of the road and ride in a single file
• There are no major intersections in the race course. We advise participants to follow all traffic rules and exercise caution at these points.
• There is ample parking on both sides on the service road in case you want to get your cars. Please be aware that there is no security, you will be leaving the car at your own risk. It may be safer to park somewhere near Columbia Asia and ride up to the start point
• The race will begin at 7:00 am sharp. If you don’t make it to the start point by 7:00, don’t worry, we will still “enter” you, but the clock will start ticking at 7:00 am.
• The road is not closed for this event. Participants should expect to encounter traffic at various stages and should apply the same precautions that they would normally apply.

Important links

• Register for the race
• About the Bangalore Bicycle Championships 09
• more details on the championships
• First race – Time trial Results

• getting your bicycle race ready

Critical masses in the Bangalore and Pune this weekend – 27th June.

more details

• Critical Mass tracking site for Bangalore
• ZenOfCycling – talking about the CM in Pune
• Mumbai Bikers talking about the critical mass in Mumbai