Riding Indoors

Although it is not idea, we have started doing some indoor workouts. Everyone is on their own schedules right now trying to balance finals and riding.

Next week is the last week of the semester. On the 2nd of January, the bike team will be heading down to Hilton Head South Carolina for a week until school starts back up.

Over break I will try to keep everyone updated on the status of our training efforts and our rides in SC.

Please contact me if you would like to help fund our trip. We greatly appreciate all the support that we get.

Stay warm.

-kai-
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First Snow Of the Winter

Finals, snow, girls... all things to distract the team from riding and training together in the winter. Luckily, we had some financial support to purchase some nice warm gear and get out on the roads in the freezing cold weather. As for the girls we might be helpless.

This past weekend we rode both days logging some good winter miles. We are really excited for the winter trip to South Carolina. It is going to be a great break from Bloomington and also an awesome opportunity for us to bond and become stronger as a team. We will be sure to take lots of pictures.

We could really use some strong financial backing for the winter trip. I have been absolutely impressed and proud of the alumni support that we have received so far but we can defiantly use more. We are going to be paying for food and gas. Both of which can be pretty expensive when traveling with 6 college guys. We need lots of fuel.

That’s all I have for now. If you would like to come ride in the cold with us please contact me. We can use some outside motivation and influence to get out in the elements.

-kai-
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Thanksgiving

New blog post! YES.  The thanksgiving break was pretty distracting and kept me away from the computer.  Over break we were spread thin as a team but the few of us that were in Indy had the opportunity to do some fast paced rides.  I am thankful that we have had such great weather to continue our training efforts outdoors.

I am also thankful for all of those that have donated.  Just this past weekend, a recent alumni Nathan  Miller, donated some money to the team.  Miller offers more than just money.  He is a three time top 10 finisher in the little 500 and has stayed close with the team since his graduate.  We appreciate his support.  I am going to be posting regularly.  Keep checking in.

-kai-
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This Weekend

Two of our riders are not going to be on their bikes this weekend, rather they are going to be standing for 36 hours in the Indiana University Dance Marathon. To date, the event as raised over $7 million. Good luck to them.

For those of us that are riding, we will be enduring the Nashville 90.  The ride should take about 6 hours.  Shane and Dave have never ridden more than 4 hours at a time so I am assuming that this will be a big challenge for all of us.

I am going to setup an alumni riding event for early spring.  The event will be an easy paced 30 mile ride.  I really want to get a large group alumni out in Bloomington to enjoy a ride and have a good time.

-kai-
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Winter Trip

Hilton Head South Carolina is where we will spend a week in the winter.  We are going to put together a training program for the week but I am assuming that it is just going to be long rides every day.  It will absolutely be great to get away from the cold weather for a week and get some longer rides in. 

We are staying in a time share provided by one of the riders parents. If you have any resources to aid for our trip, we would be more than appreciative. We would need cash for food, gas, etc...

Recently in Bloomington we have had some great weather allowing for longer rides.  The great conditions have really been key to motivating everyone to get out and log the miles. 

I am going to put together an alumni ride for the spring. I am going to encourage all interested alumni to attend as it will be a good opportunity to meet the bike team and enjoy Bloomington for a night.

If you would like to donate $100.00 or more, we will put one of these plaques in the mail for you. I have only 26 left!

-kai-
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Conclave and Thanks!

The Indiana Beta Conclave was this past Friday. I had a great time hearing about other Indiana chapters and meeting IU alum. Some honorable IU alumni to mention are below. These beta's (and friend of Beta) each donated money toward the team. In appreciation of their donations, we supplied them with a plaque containing a replicate miniature jersey from this years kit.

James Dugan          - $100.00
Charles McCormick - $100.00
Bill McCarthy          - $100.00
Fred Pfenninger      - $100.00

I really appreciate your generosity and we will be sure to keep you up to date on the status of the team and how your contributions are being put to use!

If you would like to donate $100.00 or more, we will put one of these plaques in the mail for you. I have only 26 left!

-kai-
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Night Riding

The time change has effectively ruined our team riding schedule. It is now getting dark at 6:00 so to find time and ride as a team, we have been pairing up durring the day and still logging our miles.

Tomorrow I will be at the Indianapolis Beta Conclave to share more information about the cycling team. This will be a great opportunity for you to come out and meet a few of the members.

Recently I have been very busy trying to find a job. I am going to keep this blog more up to date once I have a regular schedule and am not traveling two days a week for interviews.

-kai-
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Meeting Recap

The meeting went well. As a team we discussed our current financial situation, goals, fund raising opportunities and a winter trip. We are dedicated to performing well and being strong competitors in this season of Indiana University Cycling Club and little 500 races.


Financials

Budget	$4000
Clothes	$1,600
Bike Room Maintenance	$200
Bike Repairs	$500
Little 500 Registration and Parts	$1000
Winter Trip	$700?

Goals

1. Work as a team through the winter motivating each other to ride and encourage miles.
2. Qualify top 10 for the race.
3. Finish on the lead lap and in a top 5 position.

Fund raising opportunities are goign to be huge for our team this year. We need finaicial support to complete the activities that are going to allow us to train and perform. Financially, we currenly only have 900 budgeted for a trip. This number is goign to continue to drop due to other aspects of the budget unless we can get financial support.

One thing we are doing to gain support is keeping this blog up to date and get alumni involved. Recently, I had the chance to talk to Doug Glenn who rode for Beta when he was at IU. Doug has been a great resource not because of financial support but because he wants to come ride with us and share his insight on the race. It is always great to have more people out on these rides.

Next Friday November 6th members of the bike team will be attending the Indiana Beta Conclave. Information found here. This will be a great opportunity for us to build some support through alumni and rekindle their interest. Please come if you would be interested in talking to the cycling team and meet some IU Betas.

Trip:
We are planning on taking a trip down south during the last week of our winter break. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please send them my way.

As for riding this week we had a few big team rides and also had a beta follow us and take some pictures. Check them out.

-kai-
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Riding This Week

The weather looks as if it is going to hold up for the week. At this part of the season, the team is trying to log as many miles as we can and also start planning for the rest of the season. Tonight we have a team meeting at 9:00 to discuss financials, a trip, goals and our training plan. I will post some of this information on the blog after the meeting.

This winter we would like to take a trip either down south or out west. In the past, we have not taken a trip but I think that this year it will be supper beneficial to get the team together during the winter break. If you have any ideas or resources for a trip, please let me know because we would be very appreciative in using them.

-kai-
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Fall in Bloomington

The riding is great. The fall weather has been amazing the last few days. Mid to high 60's and the sun shining. This weather wont last long. Today we rode through the Morgan Monroe forest. After the hill on old 37 leading up to forest someone attacked causing everyone to fall in behind. Next thing I knew we were coasting at 26-30 mph through the forest while taking turns pulling. After the team effort we coasted down Bean Blossom and averaged about 21 for the rest of the ride. The team is looking strong and were are having a good time.

We are holding a meeting this week to set goals, discuss trip options and talk about ways that we can earn some money from alumni. If any alumni want to participate in the discussion, please contact me.

-kai-
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Homecoming

IU won another game. Collin Taylor a senior in Beta started for the first time in his five year career as a member of the IU Football team. Collin, number 37 started in the safety position and in special teams.

As for riding, we rode on Saturday before the tailgate and later this afternoon. We had great weather in Bloomington this weekend. The past few weekends we have had some recent alumni come out and ride with us. Having some alumni support out on rides is always a good thing and a fun time. If you are interested in coming out for a longer weekend ride, please contact me and we will set something up.

Go Hoosiers

-kai-
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Cold Days

The real fall weather is here. Cold, wet, dark rides are eminent. A ride rolling out at 5:30 will encounter all of these elements. It is important have the proper gear at this time of the season. We spend nearly half of our budget on clothes to keep us warm for the next four months. We are asking for some alumni support with the cost of our winter clothes. If you would be interested in paying for these, please drop me an email.

Keep checking the blog for updates.

-kai-
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Day Off

Tuesdays are usually our off days due to class schedules and campus involvement. Instead of riding, I made a conscious effort to clean the bike room, my bike and organize some items for the team.


Outside of cycling I got my haircut, did laundry and cleaned my room. Mom would be proud.

-kai-
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First Blog Post

The 2009-2010 Little 500 training season in under way. Currently the Beta Cycling team has 5 riders made up of 3 active brothers and 2 pledges. This year we are focused on redemption. Last little 500 season was a disappointment but also a good learning opportunity for the team. This year is already a totally different story. Our team is made of strong riders including an Ironman Triathlete, a Category 3 racer and three category 4's. Rider profiles to come.

Since the beginning of August we have ridden nearly 2000 miles as a team. We are working to ride long miles, ride as a team and have fun doing it. Currently, we are looking for donations and sponsorships to help fund our efforts to be a super competitive team. If you are interested in donating, please email me at ekiser@indiana.edu.

Keep checking out the blog for weekly updates!

-kai-
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