I was invited back to the Tom Matt Show for my 3rd appearance on this nationally syndicated show today. Tom is a fellow Spartan colleague whom I’ve known for over 20 years since my days working for the MSU Alumni Association. He’s been broadcasting his show for over 11 years now and is now on WKAR as well as a bunch of other radio stations around the state and country.
Today we focused on getting back on our bikes now that spring is on our doorstep. Here’s a link to Tom’s web site for lots of other podcasts touching on many other aspects of healthy living.
Show Notes:
Here are my show notes for anyone who’d like to learn more about what I talked about:
*The Basics:
What should you check when getting on your bike after it’s sat idle for some time? The ABC Quick check is a handy way to remember these basics.
Does your bike fit you? Is it comfortable? MSU Bikes offers inexpensive fit services if you’d like a careful analysis of all the factors of a well-fitting bike, or just stop by the shop anytime we’re open and we’ll be happy to give some quick fit advice.
The League of Michigan Bicyclists is our state-wide bike advocacy organization. They’ve produced and distributed thousands of the “What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know” booklets to help people understand all the basics of bicycling in Michigan. Hard-copies are available at MSU Bikes and most bike shops in Michigan.
A Pic is Worth a 1000 Words & a Video 10,000!!
MSU Bikes’ staff created a series of videos during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 for younger students in the Okemos Public School district. These short, hopefully entertaining videos feature an Okemos student and was produced by OPS highschool students.
Enjoy Riding Stress-free: Avoid These Common Hazards
• Be seen/ visible to motorists: yes, motor vehicle drivers (and some bicyclists too!) are very distracted these days, so we need to make sure we’re easy to see!
• Wear bright colored clothing: Don’t be the moon-walking gorilla!
• Use strong front and rear lights DAY & NIGHT! Daytime-running-lights (DRLs) have been long proven to prevent many crashes for motor vehicles; the same concept works for bicyclists too! Read more here about lights.
• Time of day (position of sun very important): “I didn’t see them! The sun was in my eyes!” is a very common excuse car/ truck drivers have given after hitting bicyclists. Don’t give them that excuse: be very careful about riding into the sun when its close to rising/ setting; drivers can be temporarily blinded and have trouble seeing you.
• Where & how you ride: read more about sidewalk riding vs. road riding here.
Riding with Others: More Fun & Safer!
Here’s a list of Greater Lansing-area biking groups to help you get more fun out of your riding, learn more about all the bike fun this area has to offer:
- Lansing Bike Party – Weekly (Friday evenings) slow & short rides around Greater Lansing whenever it’s above 40 degrees and decent weather (approx. mid-March thru October). The motto of the group “It’s about the smiles not the miles!”. Started in 2009 on the MSU campus and since grown to almost 2500 members on Facebook! Meet-up and leave from the Lansing Bike Co-op. Members also organize many other rides on other days.
- Tri-County Bike Association (TCBA) – The largest member-based bike club in the Tri-Co. area; organized rides for all ages/ abilities. TCBA organizes longer tours as well including the famous DALMAC tour.
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EPIC Mountain Bike group: Regular group MTB rides on Wed. nights at trails in the Mid-Michigan area (Burchfield Park, Sleepy Hollow State Park, Anderson Park, West Lansing Trails, or the Lansing River Trail).
- Thursday Evening Gravel Grind– A spirited weekly ride of approx. 34 mi. for those wanting to test their gravel riding skills and stamina. Meet-up at the MSUFCU parking lot north of Lk. Lansing Rd off of Coolidge Rd. 5:45pm, roll out at 6:00pm.
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SPIN Bicycle Shop Monday Night Rides – Much more spirited ride with some organized sprints but always regrouping, so no one gets left behind.
- Denny’s Central Park Women & MTB rides – Occasional rides for women-only are “…easy paced group ride designed to be fun, not fast, and great for those looking to build skills and confidence.” Thursday evenings are MTB ride nights for employees, customers, and more importantly friends of the shop.
- Scooters Pro-Cycle rides – These are weekly (Thursdays I think) slow-roll rides similar to the Lansing Bike Party vibe, and open to the public.
Where to Report problems?
It’s happened to all of us; you’re riding along and suddenly encounter a massive pothole that just about swallows you up! You’re riding along the river trail and come up on a tree fallen across the trail. You curse under your breath at these inconveniences and wonder why “someone” doesn’t care about such things. Well, if YOU don’t report the problem chances are no one will, so take the time to take a photo or video and then send a quick email or text to the right agency below:
City of Lansing: The city has provided the Lansing Connect app which they pay attention to and act on quite quickly based on my experience. Here’s more info. and the web version you can use from a desktop/ laptop.
MSU related roads/ paths: Unfortunately we don’t have an app yet. Send an email to: contactmsu@msu.edu or call: (517) 353-1760
– You can also submit issues to the MSU Police here
– Or to the MSU All University Traffic & Transportation Committee which exists to address campus-wide traffic/ transportation issues, using this form.
City of E. Lansing problems: Sadly, they no app. Call in problem to: (517) 351-4220 or submit comments/ complaints via this form. Longer term issues/ problems can also be submitted to their Transportation Commission. Staff email addresses are listed on that page.
Meridian Township problems: Submit general comments/ complaints here.
– Pathways/ parks comments/ complaints: Call 517.853.4600 or email.
– Longer term issues/ problems can also be submitted to their Transportation Commission. Staff email addresses are listed on that page.
– Call the non-emergency police for road hazards: (517) 332-6526
Ingham County Road Department: For those country roads way out in the county or parts of the River Trail (south of Mt. Hope Rd. I think), email the Road Dept. here: roads@ingham.org or call: 517.676.9722
MSU Bikes Blog 
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