Greetings Cyclo-Vets and welcome to the online edition of the newsletter.  It has been designed for your reading pleasure and will feature the following sections:

• The Matching Game - Answers
• Ask the CyclingDivas
• The Gilman Gliders Club
• Cycling with the Stars
• Race Finishes

If you have any submissions, comments, additions or race finishes, please submit them to Barb Donovan via email at donovanbrb@aol.com.

See the June 2009 MasterLink.

The Matching Game

For those who tried to match the face (left column) with the corresponding legs of your fellow Cyclo-Vets in our previous newsletter, here are the answers:
1	No matches
2	H
3	L
4	A
5	G
6	B
7	F
8	I
9	J
10	K
11	C
12	E
13	D

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Ask the CyclingDivas
(email your questions to CyclingDivas@gmail.com)

How does one know when it is time to change cycling shorts due to wear and tear?

The CyclingDivas are so grateful for this inquiry as we have seen some questionable shorts as of late. Check it out:

What are these people thinking?  "Well, it's only a little hole, maybe no one will notice" or "I love, love, love these shorts and no one really cares" or "..but the chamois is still good".

Cycling clothes in general have a finite lifespan and all cyclists should recognize that simple fact.  We really don't care how much you like a particular item of cycling wear, if it has unrepairable holes in it or you just can't get it clean anymore it's time to toss it.

There are, as always, a few exceptions.  Holey shorts that still seem to have an excellent chamois may be worn under tights in the winter because no one will see them.  Butt-ugly jerseys or the red polka dot TDF climber's jersey given to you by a non-cycling friend or spouse can be worn under jackets because, again, no one will see it. The aforementioned items alone, and in view of others, however are absolutely not advised.  So, when is it time to lose the shorts?  Here is a checklist for you to consider:

1.  While wearing, does ANY skin show?  "Any" would be the operative word in that sentence.  It doesn't matter how small or tiny you think it is, if skin shows through your shorts it's time to wave bye-bye.

2.  Hold the shorts up to direct sunlight and place your hand vertically inside the shorts.  Can you see your hand clearly through them?  Time to go.  

3.  Ask a dear, dear friend if your shorts are OK.  Preferably this event would occur before a ride but in a pinch, ask them while on the ride.  If the answer is an unequivocal "No" then you should announce to the peloton that this ride is the last one for the shorts you are wearing.  The peloton is very forgiving if they know you know you have an issue.

4.  As a dear friend of some clueless cyclist, discreetly inform them that they should consider a new pair of shorts.  You have a responsibility as a friend to let your pals know. 

Since going commando is the way to roll when wearing bike shorts, please do us all a favor when you feel your shorts are in question.  Follow the checklist above or you will end up cracking us all up!

Of course, this is a topic of enduring discussion on Cyclo-Vet rides. In fact, Darryl MacKenzie penned his thoughts on the matter in a 2004 MasterLink. Please follow our bottom of the story link to Darryl's "The Behind View."

Please email your question for the CyclingDivas to CyclingDivas@gmail.com

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Gilman Gliders Club

Inspiring email of the day!
The Gilman Gliders Club is proud to not only have fostered some of the slowest riding in San Diego County, but also inspired our members to poetic heights as they battle boredom. Here is our email of the day from Eric Hensel:

Accompanied by Bob Bitterlee, Gary Bezer, and Craig (whose last name I don't know but he has a nice beige Porsche --a real one); I have, today, attained the estimable goal of Gilman-Glider. 

From overpass to overpass, with nary a breeze, aided only by our shared decades of cycling lore and superior aerodynamic positions, and with Arnie Baker as our witness (god declining involvement) verily we Glided. 

Though we were overtaken by a group of baffled, jeering riders, and a mother with her jogging stroller; and after gamely battling fatigue, a marauding bee, and (speaking for myself) a nearly terminal bout of ennui : we soldiered to the finish. 

I humbly submit my name, and those of my comrades, for your consideration, and (dare I say) eventual inclusion among that immortal list of worthies --without whom the only true path down Gilman would have remained a mystery. 


This day of August 23, 2009 
Eric G. Hensel 

Become a member of the exclusive Gilman Gliders Club by making it all the way down Gilman Drive without a pedal stroke. It is an overpass to overpass route. You must make it from the overpass just outside of UCSD campus all the way down to the overpass just before the Rose Canyon Bike Path. You must have a witness and obtain no aid from another source, wind excluded!

Since our last MasterLink announcing our six Inaugural members, the Gilman Gliders Club has expanded to nearly 50 members!

Cycling with the Stars

Instead of Dancing with the Stars, we are starting a new section in the MasterLink called Cycling with the Stars. If you have a picture of you with a famous cyclist, email it to us at the MasterLink. Our inaugural edition of Cycling with the Stars features long-time Cyclo-Vet Kim House with Astana's Chris Horner:

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Race Finishes

2009 World Championships with Cyclo-Vets Gary De Voss.

Please email any of your, or your friends', race results to donovanbrb@aol.com.