Bike News

December Bike News

Bike Cleveland and your local chapter Bike Euclid has had a busy year. Shout out and thank you to everyone who volunteered in 2017! In our ever growing collaborative relationships with community groups and organizations, we look forward to doing even more in 2018. Bike Euclid is a chapter of Bike Cleveland. This close working relationship benefits residents of both communities as well as bicyclists throughout the region. Join us! Go to www.bikecleveland.org and www.bikeEuclid.org to learn how to become a member and get involved. In your Bike Cleveland membership application, check that you also want to be a member of Bike Euclid. In doing so half of your membership dollars will be spent directly on outreach and programming within the City of Euclid. 

We send out a special thank you to all of our 2017 Bicyclists of the Month, both Euclid and Collinwood residents, for taking the time to share with us their personal stories and for helping us better understand why safe streets matter.

To wrap up this fabulous year, we recognize both Darren W. Carter and Duane Mierzejewski as December Bicyclist of the Month. These two individuals represent some of the variety of ways we can all make a difference.

December Bicyclist of the Month, Duane Mierzejewski, Euclid resident.

Where do you enjoy riding? Is it for transportation, recreation, or both? Describe the experience.

I enjoy riding through new neighborhoods. I get a KICK out of the passersby when they see me riding an older bike from the 60's or 70's. I ride for both transportation and fitness. Especially if it is within 5 miles it is easier, cheaper and faster than getting in your car and wasting gas and polluting the economy.

If you have a roadside emergency or need to repair something, how do you handle it? For example, are you able to fix a flat?

Emergency? I carry everything in a backpack I wear, from bike tools, to change a flat or bike repair of any type water, food and change of clothing when I commute to work, etc.

Do you ride year round? How do you dress for the weather? Do you wear any special clothing?

No. I have always been a March through November kind of rider. I used to train and race pretty hard in my 20's. So those were my off months. I used to go full gear mode. Lycra shorts, gloves etc., for comfort and efficiency. But now my rides are 5-20 miles so it is just shorts, t-shirts and tennis shoes...AND a helmet of course.

Do you ride your bike to work or school? Describe the experience.

I used to commute to work, in my 20's, 30's and 40's thru the age of 55. Loved the feeling of spinning down the road, and all you could hear is the whir of the chain and your Heartbeat in the early AM Hours. I just turned 58 so it is a bit different.

What unique way do you support and enjoy bicycling?

Now, for the last 4 seasons have gotten into collecting, trading, buying and selling of OLD Vintage bicycles. 1979 and older. I knew i was truly hooked and couldn't stop so i rented a storage box for 2 years. That got to expensive for 100 plus bikes to just sit there and no one able to enjoy them. So i dropped the box. Got into selling and restoration of ANY old bikes. Balloon Cruisers to BMX to Classic Muscle ( 20 inch Banana seat & Chopper bars).....Now i am down to only 58 inside my Condo

Lately i enjoy finding OLD frames and building a Creative fun looking bike.Using Mag rims and Springer Forks to Multi- Spoked wheels (more than 64 spokes). Low Riders, BMX  Muscle and Rat-Rod (a mix of BMX, low-rider, muscle).

What one cycling experience stands out most in your memory.

Favorite cycling experience? 1987 when I Qualified for the 1988 RAAM. Race Across AMerica...and riding OVER 400 miles in a 24 hr period twice.

If you could change or improve one thing about your cycling experience, what would it be?

Change one thing? To have finished that 1988 Cross country race. I had hopes of returning next year but I tore up my knee that fall playing SEMI-PRO football which required ACL Reconstruction surgery.

Why do you ride? For the pure feeling of freedom. I am so at peace. All of the daily stress of life go's away for that period of time.

December Bicyclist of the Month, Darren W. Carter, Euclid resident and founder of All Geared Up, which he plans to bring to Euclid in 2018. To learn more go to http://allgearedup.info/

Where do you enjoy riding? Is it for transportation, recreation, or both? Describe the experience.

Anywhere around the neighborhood.  I’m more of a street rider than park rider. My rides are recreational and for exercise, I’m not a spring chicken and riding is better on my legs than running or walking.

If you have a roadside emergency or need to repair something, how do you handle it? For example, are you able to fix a flat?

I always have my cell phone lol! But I do carry tools and supplies if I need to fix a flat or my chain comes off. I believe all riders should have a bike bag for such emergencies.

Do you ride year round? How do you dress for the weather? Do you wear any special clothing?

I ride three seasons out of the year and my bike is put up in the winter. I attempt to dress for the conditions but there have been many times the rain has caught me on a ride. Since my riding is recreational I haven’t heavily invested in bike wear.

Do you ride your bike to work or school? Describe the experience.

Unfortunately I can’t ride to work.

What one cycling experience stands out most in your memory?

Riding with my then 4 year old son and him wishing we could ride with other families. That inspired me to create All Geared Up – A Family Bike Event, which is in its third year as a community bike festival.

If you could change or improve one thing about your cycling experience, what would it be?

I like how my cycling experience has progressed. I wouldn’t change a thing.  

Why do you ride?

It’s great exercise and it’s therapeutic. A good ride can clear my head of all the issues of the day and give me that release of pressure and stress. It’s a freedom of sorts.

If you would like to be considered for Bicyclist of the Month, submit a photograph of yourself on your bike and your responses to bikeEuclid@gmail.com.