Bike training for the “Artie”

There’s a bumper sticker that reads: “Work is just what I do between fishing trips.”  Mine might read, “Fishing is what I do when I’m not riding my bike.”

So little summer.  So many great things to do.

Now my bike riding has a purpose, and I hope you’ll join me or pitch in and help the rest of us. 

WSLS-10 has signed on as the media sponsor for, “Best of the Blue Ridge, the Artie Levin Memorial Ride.”

If you’ve been around cycling long you have heard about the Artie Levin bike rides.  They happen every fall (September 27-28, 2008) in honor of the late Artie Levin, an avid cyclist, fitness guru and television personality in the Roanoke Valley.

This year the “Artie” has a new, longer name and an association with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, whose MS Bike rides are legendary for being well run, well supported and lots of fun.

The course is among the most beautiful you will ever ride, and that’s saying something if you ride around here.  You can choose your distance up to 100 miles.  Terrain is typical for this part of Virginia, so you’ll need to train, and don’t show up on your beach cruiser!

I’m excited to see the people at MS getting involved with the Artie.  It’s one of the best rides anywhere, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society has a long, proud tradition with it’s cycling-related fundraising events.  They needed an event based in the Roanoke area, but they didn’t want to do anything that would take away from our established events.

With their marketing savvy and legitimate good cause behind the event, it should grow and prosper.  More people will come here to sample the scenery and learn what most of already know – that these mountains and valleys were made for cycling!

I’ve agreed to lend my name and support to the event, and even a little knowledge.  I’ll be raising money myself, and I’ll be the captain of the WSLS-10 team.  You’ll see periodic entries here in the Carlin Chronicles with suggested training options, so you’ll be ready when September arrives. 

I’d be willing to lead some intermediate level rides here in the Roanoke area, and on the course itself, but you have to let me know you’re interested.

There are links all through this blog to get you started. 

Let’s make this “Artie” the best ever.