“The Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is thrilled to be hosting our 2012 Bike MS in order to raise money to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis.

The Bike MS series provides a significant source of funding for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Our organization is dedicated to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis. Our community events are the perfect forum for the activism we encourage. The fundraising our participants accomplish allows us to support research and educational programs that will lead to the discovery of a cure for MS. The Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports the 19,000 individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Below is our list of events with the dates, description and locations.

May-05
Saturday
Bike MS: Ride the Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
The 2012 Bike MS season opens with Ride the Vineyard. Riders choose from 15, 30 and 60 mile scenic rides along the winding roads of Martha’s Vineyard. With the quaint charm and beautiful ocean views, there’s a route for everyone, regardless of your cycling experience.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

May-19
Saturday
Bike MS: Ride Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, ME
Based in one of Maine’s great vacation spots, cyclists ride along Maine’s rocky coast, past stonewall-lined and tree-covered roads through the many villages that dot Bar Harbor’s rugged coast. This one-day ride, with routes from 15 miles to 60 miles, is an attractive adventure for a wide range of riders, including recreational and family riders, to the serious enthusiast.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

June 23-24
Sat-Sun
Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway
Boston to Provincetown, MA
The Cape Cod Getaway is the largest MS ride in New England. Beginning on the morning of Saturday June 23, you will join more than 2,000 riders pedaling from Boston, Massachusetts, through the coastal towns of Massachusetts’ South Shore to the beginning of Cape Cod. The end of day one is at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne where you are welcomed with music, great food and maybe even a beer or two. Early Sunday morning, you will cross the Bourne Bridge and ride through picturesque Cape Cod making your way to Provincetown.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

Jul-14
Saturday
Bike MS: Minuteman Ride
Concord, MA
Join us as we ride the beautiful roads of historic Concord and surrounding metro-west towns. Revolutionary-era homes and beautiful New England scenery are just some of the sights you’ll enjoy on this ride, close to Boston. Riders choose between two routes, 25 or 60 miles.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

Aug 4-5
Sat-Sun
Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway
Standish, ME
Join us for Bike MS: Great Maine Getaway and cycle to celebrate Maine and support MS. The start, finish and overnight for the ride is at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, ME, on the shore of Lake Sebago. Cyclists ride by farms, over hills and by the sea. An annual tradition is our Maine Lobster Bake. Join us for the weekend or ride Saturday only. Either way you will have a memorable ride and share the experience with fellow cyclists riding and fundraising to create a work free of multiple sclerosis.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-526-8890

Aug 11-12
Sat-Sun
Bike MS: Green Mountain Getaway
Burlington, VT
Our Vermont ride combines the great support Bike MS rides are known for with some of the most beautiful, and undiscovered, cycling roads in New England. While the hills of the Green Mountain state present cycling enthusiasts with an appreciated challenge, the variety of distances offered provide a route for any cyclist. Each of the two days starts and ends at the University of Vermont in Burlington. On Saturday cycle 20, 40, 75 or 100 miles and on Sunday select 40, 75 or 100 miles. Both days offer amazing scenery, great support and Bike MS camaraderie.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

Aug-18
Saturday
Bike MS: NH Seacoast Escape
Stratham, NH
This August ride features the beauty of New Hampshire’s scenic, less-traveled roads, and quaint villages from the comfort and quiet of your bicycle. Route options include 25 or 60 mile rides. This event has a family atmosphere and features a post-ride barbecue.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

Sep-22
Saturday
Bike MS: Bike & Hike the Berkshires
Hancock, MA
Explore the beauty of the Berkshires in the fall with 25- and 50-mile bike routes, the 100 mile Mt. Greylock Challenge, or two hiking routes on Mt. Greylock. So, whether you wear hiking boots or cycling shoes, Bike and Hike the Berkshires has something for everyone.
www.bikemsgne.org
1-800-344-4867

Join Mari Ruddy, Founder of the Red Rider Program, at American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure Kick Off

Danvers, Massachusetts – [January 27, 2012] – The American Diabetes Association will host a Kick Off Event to launch Tour De Cure North Shore 2012 on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the Village Green in Danvers, MA from 6:00-8:00pm. This year, the event will have a Special Guest Mari Ruddy! Ruddy the founder of the American Diabetes Associations’ Red Rider Program, Team Red, Founder and Director of TeamWILD, will be a guest speaker that night along with hosting an exclusive meet and greet for all Red Riders from 5:30-6:00.

Mari Ruddy, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 30 years and now a two time breast cancer survivor, created the Red Rider program and ran the program in Colorado for two years. Red Riders are people with diabetes who are raising awareness of diabetes and raising money to stop diabetes by participating in American Diabetes Association sponsored cycling events across the country. The purpose of Red Rider program is to support everyone who lives with diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, and showcases the courage it takes to live every day with this difficult disease.

At the Kick Off, Ruddy will share her struggles and triumphs with “25 years of blood testing, shots, insulin pumping, carb counting, and meal planning.” She will provide encouragement and inspiration, “If you are a person surviving diabetes, I implore you to ride this year and do everything you can to declare your status, so others on the course and in the wider community have the opportunity to celebrate and be inspired by you,”. “I ask you to get on your bike and ride strong and sure. Riding in a Tour de Cure is the affirmation of your courage and perseverance.”

The Tour de Cure Staff, Committee, and Mari Ruddy invite friends, family members, cyclists, those with diabetes and those who support someone with diabetes to take part in this motivational event. Become one of the 1,000+ cyclists from around the region that will gather at one of four routes to participate in the event to help raise funds to stop this devastating disease. You can join more than 50,000 other cyclists and volunteers from across the country. Individuals and teams composed of co-workers, family and friends are taking the ride of their life by helping raise funds for the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes. Sponsored nationally by Gold’s Gym and Clif Bar, Fit Werx, North Shore Magazine, Beverly Hospital, Pinnacle Bike Shop, Seaside Cycle, Guru Cycles, Cervelo, & Parlee Cycles ,Tour de Cure is designed for anyone from the occasional to the experienced cyclist with routes from 15-mile family rides to 100-mile century rides. The route will feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey and volunteers to cheer riders on! Tour de Cure Page 2

RSVP today to join us and Mari Ruddy for door prizes, light appetizers, registration specials, and exciting details about what is in store for the May 20, Tour de Cure at Pingree School, South Hamilton.

For more information about the Kick Off Party on February 7th or the North Shore Tour De Cure at Pingree School, please contact Karen Bagley at 617-482-4580 ext. 3487 or kbagley@diabetes.org . Or sign up today at http://diabetes.org/northshoretour .

# # #

For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org/northshoretour.

To schedule an interview with Mari Ruddy or with one of the North Shore Tour de Cure Red Riders, please contact Karen Bagley at 617-482-5480 ext. 3461 or by email at kbagley@diabetes.org.

http://vtsports.com/2012-black-diamond-of-excellence-awards-winners-gear-heads

Shrouded in secrecy, the new Cervelo P5 launch has been full of speculation for almost a year now.  Well the speculation is finally over and the results are really good.  The 2012 Cervelo P5 is now an official model and we are taking orders for first shipment delivery now.  If you want to be on a P5 this coming season, get your name on one now as they are just about guaranteed to sell beyond the initial production.

Some highlights:

• TT and TRI frameset models.  The TT model is UCI legal, the TRI model maximizes aerodynamics, but is not.  The UCI compliant TT model is only available as a frameset at $4500, which includes the rear brake.    The top of the line TRI model is available as a $6500 frameset that includes an impressively adjustable and aero new bar from 3T called the Aduro.
• There are two pre-built bike options currently – mechanical Dura Ace ($6000) and Di2 ($10,000).  The mechanical Dura Ace model uses the UCI compatible “P5-3″ fork while the Di2 version includes Magura RT-8 carbon brakes, removable fairing, 3T Aduro bar and the deeper “P5-6″ fork.
• “Magura RT-8 brakes” = carbon hydraulic road brakes and the P5 is the first production aero bike to offer hydraulic brakes.  This could be a game changer and a sign for all TT bikes in the future as we expect these to work extremely well.  The prebuilt mechanical Dura Ace bike comes with the RT-6 hydraulic brake, the alloy version of the RT-8.
• A third party company will offer a variety of add-on integrated storage solutions for the P5.
• BBRight.   Cervelo’s smart asymmetric bottom bracket/chainstay design is now on the P5 and that means even better drivetrain response.
• Aerodynamics.  In a few words – “better than ever”.   The P5 takes the already impressive aero numbers of the P4 and improves upon them in every way.  Thankfully, the P5 does this without a lot of the limiting complexity found in most of the integrated aero bikes on the market right now.
• Simplicity.  Unlike a number of competitors, the P5 is compatible with any standard aerobar/stem and doesn’t use much of anything that requires special componentry.   Another benefit is that there are no mechanically proprietary parts, meaning that you can get parts for the P5 anywhere in the world that carries standard bike parts.  This is something many of the P5′s competitors cannot claim.  From what we’ve heard, it is awful having your “super bike” out of commission because you can’t get a proprietary bolt or the like when doing in Ironman in Spain…
• Storage.  A range of integrated aero storage solutions for nutrition, hydration and tools will be available.
• Geometry.   A wider range of athletes will fit on the P5 well compared to the P4.
• A tri bike first and foremost.  While previous Cervelo aero bikes were designed with TT use as the primary focus and with tri as the secondary, the P5 shows that Cervelo is focusing 100% on making the best tri bike they can.   From fit to features, this bike is a triathletes ride first and foremost.  Luckily, the TT abilities of the P5 were not harmed in doing so – the P5 is still going to make an excellent TT specific bike.
• AeroZone Engineering takes into account that all aspects of the bike and rider interface are unique and require small detailed solutions to maximize the aerodynamics.  From small sweeps at the end of the top tube to the unique shape of the seatpost, these details were created based on the fact that a dynamic rider is the major aerodynamic impediment and you have to minimize the rider’s negative effects to maximize aero time savings.

With the P5, Cervelo managed to progress while going back to basics and simplifying many things from the P4 – a notable accomplishment.  We look forward to getting our first one in March and finding out more!

Call or email us for more info and/or to get your name on the list!

ITU Pro Ethan Brown talks about his experience at Fit Werx working with Dean Phillips to shave seconds by making his road based ITU position more aerodynamic and take the win!  This shows what is possible when an athlete has not mitigating circumstances and we can just focus on pure speed.  Thanks for working with us Ethan and have a great 2012 season!

For more information and to register visit http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2000644.  USAT Coaching credits available.

Date:  Saturday, January 14
Location:  Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA

By Jim Weaver, Service Manager

Fit Werx, VT

I just finished building two bikes with the new Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting group.  One bike is a very nice Serotta Ottrott SE.  Saying an Ottrott SE is “very nice” is redundant, as I cannot imagine an Ottrott that is not “very nice”.  But I digress.  The other bike I finished is a Cyfac Spirit, with internal cable routing specific to Di2.  Cyfac may be an unfamiliar name to riders in the United States; they are a custom frame manufacturer from France that builds using carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum, and steel, in a very wide variety of frame designs.  The Spirit is one of their steel offerings and we were impressed with the quality and finish and we liked that it was a bit out of the ordinary.   Well, “out of the ordinary” is really not the right term; Serotta, Parlee, Guru, Independent Fabrication, Seven, or Moots, other hand built manufacturers we represent, are definitely not “ordinary” bicycles.    Perhaps I should use the adjective “rare”, “scarce”, maybe even “esoteric”, rather than “out of the ordinary”.  The bottom line is that if you are riding a Cyfac, odds are that you will have the only one on that next group ride.  But again, I digress.

The topic at hand is a first report on the Ultegra Di2 group.  From a mechanic’s perspective, the electronic group goes together fairly easily, arguably slightly easier than with Dura Ace Di2.  If the bike has internal cable routing, the Ultegra Di2 is much easier to build than the Dura Ace as the cable junctions for Dura Ace require the use of heat shrink tubes around each joint to make them water-tight.  The Ultegra connections are water-tight without the need for any additional sealing.  This is much easier for me, the builder, not to have to mess with using a heat gun, in tight spaces, around painted surfaces.  Presumably Shimano will adopt this type of connection on the next generation of Dura Ace components.

The setup and operation of the Ultegra is the same as the Dura Ace.  Initial alignment of the derailleurs is very easy, and the process is the same for both groups.  I did not notice any difference between the two when riding.  Shifts are spot on, no misses because you did not swing the lever far enough, and are totally predictable.  The front shifting is of particular note, being very quick, no misses, no rattling, and with the entertaining and functional computer controlled automatic trimming to prevent the chain from rubbing the derailleur.  These same comments apply to Dura Ace as well.  The only drawback I see to Shimano’s electronic shifting is the inability to shift more than one cog at a time, but if you move your finger rapidly this doesn’t seem like much of an issue.

Unfortunately, my rides of both Di2 systems have been limited to brief test rides of new bikes to insure that everything is working properly, and that the build of the bike is correct.  Perhaps back-to-back, longer rides would reveal operational differences between Ultegra and Dura Ace that I could not detect.   It is worth noting that there are some other notable “non-operational” differences between Ultegra and Dura Ace Di2.   All of the Ultegra parts, particularly the front and rear derailleurs, are noticeably heavier than their Dura Ace counterparts – 263 grams, about half a pound.  For high performance bikes these days, half a pound is a lot.  This being said, the Ultegra Di2 is only 80 grams heavier than the mechanical Ultegra group, so the weight penalty for going to electronic shifting is minor.  The Ultegra Di2 derailleurs are also larger and bit chunkier in appearance than their Dura Ace siblings.  The primary reason for the bulkier look is that the Dura Ace derailleurs use motors designed by Shimano specifically for that application while the Ultegra derailleurs use “off the shelf” motors in order to achieve significant cost savings.  I do not find the larger, bulkier look of the Ultegra to be a significant detraction, but they don’t appear quite as refined.  The battery is the same lithium ion battery as used in the Dura Ace group, and the battery life is predicted to be the same.  Shimano says the battery should last at least 1,500 miles.   Recharge takes 90 minutes, and the battery can be recharged 5,000 times.  That’s a lot of miles!

Simply stated, everything you have read about the Dura Ace Di2 operation applies to the Ultegra group.  If you want the ultimate, go with the Dura Ace for its lighter weight, better esthetics, and all the durability and bearing quality advantages that Dura Ace components offer over Ultegra in the long-term.  On the other hand, if you want the benefits of electronic shifting for half the price of the Dura Ace group, Ultegra Di2 offers a lot of “bang for the buck” and will likely be very popular over the next few years.

In the beginning of the 2011 season I came up with a lofty goal of getting my pro card in triathlon so that I could compete in my first Ironman in the fall. Any of you familiar with Ironman knows that the races typically sell out a year in advance and since I hadn’t already registered in 2010 becoming a professional was my only shot at getting into a race. I was of course a bit intimidated at the thought of jumping into my first Ironman and the professional ranks all at once but I am never one to shy away from a challenge so I decided to go for it. The beginning of the season went well and I was able to meet the necessary criteria in my first three 1/2 Ironmans of the season to make the jump. My training for Ironman Arizona started fast and furious at the end of the summer. I started working with a new coach, Jesse Kropelniki of QT2 Systems, and immediately increased both my training volume and my overall commitment to the sport. It was definitely an adjustment, I have a full time job and three young children so my life is far from your typical professional triathlete. There were certainly days when I thought what am I doing, my life epitomizes that of an “Age Grouper”, how can I do this? A typical day for me includes packing lunches, biking the kids to school, working and bedtime stories but it also began to include 100+ mile rides, gallons of sports drink, dozens of Gels, bars, running and more running and hours in the pool. After a month of working with Jesse I began to feel ready to take on the Ironman distance and believe that I could compete with the Pros.
I went into Arizona with a solid plan, I was going to finish feeling strong, stick to my pacing and nutrition plan no matter what and race my own race. The days leading up to the big day were a bit nerve racking at times, here I was racing as a professional but I just wanted to shout out to the person next to me, “Can you believe we’re going to do an Ironman tomorrow! This is so exciting!!” Not really something you shout out at the Pro meeting so I kept my cool and blended into the crowd. Before I knew it race day was here and I was treading water in Tempe Town Lake waiting for the gun to go off. I lined up in the back as planned and just put my head down and swam. Swimming is definitely my weak link and I came out of the water 20mins back from the top women, lots of time to make up! I jumped onto my new Cervelo P3, thank you Fitwerx!, and headed out on the bike course. I felt great throughout the whole 112 miles and slowly picked up my HR and pace throughout as planned, I couldn’t believe how quickly it flew by and I definitely finished feeling like I had so much more to give out there. I started the run feeling strong, telling myself to just run an easy 13 miles and then the race could start so I settled into my pace and ran. It was at this point that I started to feel a bit nervous, I had all of the horror stories of Ironman swirling through my head and I was watching many of the professional men around me crumble, they were one lap ahead of me on the run, but I tried to remain focused and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I had been warned of the dark zone from mile 18-22 on the marathon so when I got to mile 18 feeling like my legs were on the verge of cramping up for good I stayed focused on just getting to mile 22, forget 26, just focus on 22. Sure enough I was soon at mile 22 and I wasn’t ready for the race to end. I was still feeling pretty good and I knew the longer the race went the more chances I would have to catch the women ahead of me. Pretty much the only advantage of coming out of the water last is that you get to spend the whole rest of the day passing people, I try to stay positive about these things. When I crossed the finish line in 9:24 I was ecstatic, I had definitely put together a great first ironman and I was able to show that I can be competitive with the best. I was excited about the results but more importantly I was excited that I had done it and finished feeling strong, smiling and knowing that my family was all watching online at home cheering for me as I came towards the finish. Training and competing in an Ironman is definitely a journey and I did my best to soak up every minute of running down the finish chute, smiling ear to ear and already thinking about the next one.