VELO CLUB de VIS - THE CLUB
The Velo Club de VIS is a lightweight (dis)organization that aims to encourage IEEE VIS participants to ride together following the conference each year.
After a few enjoyable bike rides with VIS colleagues over the years we marked IEEE VIS’ own Tour de France in 2014 by establishing an open and informal road cycling club as a post-VIS tradition.
Bonded by our simple Terms of Reference and love of the saddle, we have cycled round the Château de Versailles, under the Tour Eiffel, through the fall leaves in Maryland and along (and in a couple of cases almost into) Lake Michigan. We have shivered, soaked, fixed flats, quaffed coffee, slugged red wine and powered through raging rain and wind together. Memories are logged with the #LeTourDeVIS tag. And we wear colourful tight jerseys.
The annual Tour de VIS is a full day ride of around 80-100 km completed at pace of 20 kmh / 12.5 mph. There are plenty of stops en route and on request, and we make sensible decisions on the day in light of local conditions etc.. But you do need to be able to cycle all day to participate. Feel like a ride? Sign up!
LE TOUR DE VIS 2016 ... SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER 8am-4pm BALTIMORE
An 85km group ride at a steady pace along a pre-determined route on Road Bikes*
To participate :
- comply with our straightforward Terms of Reference
- make sure you get a decent road bike to ride in Baltimore
- sign up in advance
- keep your details up to date on the sign up page - use the little pencil logo to the left of your name
- you might want to buy a club jersey
- attend the MeetUp : 6pm-7pm in Peale C, Thursday 27th Oct.
Oh, and get some miles in your legs before VIS in October: use #LeTourDeVIS as a challenge and excuse to get out on your bike and keep fit.
All riders must attend the MeetUp on Thursday to sign up, share contact details, discuss the route and riding and chat about bikes.
The ride will start at 8am and end by 4pm on Saturday in central Baltimore - please bear this in mind when booking flights or signing up.
RIDING LE TOUR DE VIS ...
Rides will be conducted with a ‘no-drop’ policy, so we ride in a supportive manner as an Autobus at the pace of the slowest rider (la Lanterne Rouge) – no racing. So we’re anticipating a gentle but full day’s cycling. Depending on numbers and preference we may ride in groups - with established times and locations for rendez-vous. This will be determined on the day of the ride.
Rides should begin somewhere near to the conference and / or places where folks can rent bikes and hopefully be indicative of and sympathetic to local conditions and roadie culture.
Riders will participate at their own risk and should ensure that they are prepared, equipped and insured to participate in these activities and complete them safely. Even though 'un tour de vis' suggests a tough day out, we'll go gently. But be sure that you can complete the distance at the required speed given the terrain.
PARTICIPATING IN LE TOUR DE VIS ...
If you are interested in finding out more and perhaps participating, then ...
- sign up for Le Tour de VIS 2016;
- follow @veloclubdevis, check #LeTourdeVIS and see below, for latest news;
- e-mail veloclubdevis@gmail to get in touch;
None of this commits you to riding, but means that we'll let you know what's going on.
LE PROLOG
A Friday afternoon ride using the public bike scheme worked very well in Chicago.
Baltimore does not currently have a public rental scheme, but appears to be attempting to install one for IEEE VIS.
We have half a plan to use this on Friday to get to Cafe Hon for oysters - http://j.mp/cafeHonMap
You can suggest places to add bike stations here: https://www.bmorebikeshare.com/
So feel free to request a station at Cafe Hon on Roland and West 36th.
Watch this space for details.
Les Randonneurs du Velo Club de VIS - veloclubdevis@gmail.com