Central Indiana Bicycling Association

CIBA News blog

  • Thu, March 10, 2022 9:22 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    CIBA is co-sponsoring a clean-up of trails in Indianapolis beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, followed by an after party from 4 to 6:30.  We will gather at 10:30 at the intersection of the Fall Creek and Monon Trails, south of 38th St.  From this location, participants will be sent out to various locations on the Fall Creek and Monon Trails.  (Note that this is a departure from our original plan to begin at different locations.) We encourage participants to come on two wheels, and to use their bicycles to move from place as they pick up trash.  If you arrive by automobile, there is a parking lot on the Fall Creek Trail, just east of Central Avenue.  From there, you can easily walk or ride to the starting point.

    We expect to have simple food, such as hotdogs (with a vegan option!) and potato chips, and beer available at the party afterwards at 4557 Winthrop Avenue, just off the Monon Trail.  For the purpose of buying food and drink, we ask people to RSVP; the easiest way to do that is on the Facebook site for the event, which is accessible through the CIBA FB page. Contact Bill Watts for further information.

  • Mon, March 07, 2022 5:23 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    You are invited to send your kids or grandkids ages 13-22 on a trip of a lifetime.  The deCycles will be cycling from Key West, FL to Bloomington, IN this summer from June 16 – July 10.  This is the deCycles 29th annual summer trip taking teens and college students all over the U.S. and Canada on a bicycle.  The experience is unforgettable, and the fitness is unbelievable. 

    Trip details and application can be found on the deCycles website:  www.decyclesindiana.org

    Movie trailer from last summer’s trip:  https://youtu.be/D7H_pOSwWss



  • Tue, March 01, 2022 9:03 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Check out the 2022 CIBA goals and ride adventures planned for this year!  Members may view the latest news by logging into this website and finding the CIBA March Newsletter within the Member tabs > CIBANews.

  • Mon, January 03, 2022 9:48 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    • Saturday, February 12, 2022
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Hamilton County 4-H Fair Grounds- Lama Barn
    • 2003 Pleasant Street Noblesville, IN, 46060 (map)

    The 2022 SWAP Meet will be open to the public free of charge. CIBA members can reserve one table at no cost. A second table is $10. Doors open to the public at 10:00. Charges for non-members are listed on the registration page. People selling merchandise can access a table starting at 9:00. Table selection is first come first served; two (2) table maximum. All bikes for sale will be entered into the bike corral. This will help prevent accidents and better flow of foot traffic through the hall. Payment for tables and/or the bike corral will be made at the door in cash. No credit card charges. Register to secure a table or selling a bike. It's not required to register to attend the event. The 2022 SWAP Meet will be open to the public free of charge. CIBA members can reserve one table at no cost. A second table is $10. Doors open to the public at 10:00. Charges for non-members are listed on the registration page. People selling merchandise can access a table starting at 9:00. Table selection is first come first served; two (2) table maximum. All bikes for sale will be entered into the bike corral. This will help prevent accidents and better flow of foot traffic through the hall. Payment for tables and/or the bike corral will be made at the door in cash. No credit card charges. Register to secure a table or selling a bike. It's not required to register to attend the event.

    Jay Hardcastle - Director, CIBA Swap Meet

  • Tue, September 15, 2020 8:34 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    CIBA Fall 30 Day Challenge 2020

    September 16 – October 15

    Why:  Ride to ride and ride to support the CIBA Foundation.  Without the Hilly or NITE Ride this year, CIBA has not donated as a club to the CIBA Foundation.  CIBA will donate a maximum of $2000 with this challenge.

    Who:  CIBA Members

    What:  Ride indoors or outside and accumulate 150, 300, 600 or 900 miles between 9/16-10/15

    Where:  Routes of your choice with social distancing if not solo, Zwift, your indoor bike

    When:  September 16 – October 15, 2020

    We invite you to share this experience with other CIBA members by posting your progress on the CIBA Facebook Page → CIBA-Central Indiana Bicycling Association

    https://www.facebook.com/cibaride

    Recognition:  Names will be listed in the club newsletter and website for their level of achievement.

                150 miles – CIBA donates $2 to CIBA Foundation (5 miles/day average)

                300 miles – CIBA donates $3 to CIBA Foundation (10 miles/day average)

                600 miles – CIBA donates $5 to CIBA Foundation (20 miles/day average)

                900 miles – CIBA donates $10 to CIBA Foundation (40 miles/day average)

    COVID guidelines for CIBA are listed on the blog at cibaride.org

    Tally sheet is attached for your use. Submit your record by October 20, 2020, to Bill Linhart at billlinhart56@gmail.com

    CIBAFALLChallenge 2020.docx


  • Sun, June 28, 2020 10:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Guidelines for CIBA repeating rides starting June 2020:

    -Masks are required at the start and end of any rides and any gathering element when bicyclists are not riding. 

    -As of 6/28/2020, CIBA is allowing all ride formats repeating rides to resume/start at the ride leader's discretion/decision on June 4th, 2020. Please note there will be modifications to many of the rides including:

    -Online sign in is required. No paper sign in. 

    -Rides may have limited or no support - locations to purchase water and with other amenities will be noted. Rides may also have limited or no car SAG support, be on your own or self-supported. Some rides will be marked and others will not.        

    ***Please check the calendar so you are aware of the ride format, distance and support level before arriving. There will be modifications to our rides that we are unaccustomed to - CIBA appreciates your patience while we strive to protect rides and our communities. 

    USA Cycling’s Group Ride Guidelines:

    https://usacycling.org/event-organizer/covid-19-event-resources

    -Contactless sign-in is being implemented via the CIBA website and is required to participate in a scheduled CIBA ride. It will take place online and will follow the same “sign in once” protocol for repeating rides for the season - all other rides require sign in for each ride. Ride participants will be asked by ride leaders if they have signed in and if not, you will be asked to sign in using your mobile device at the ride start.

    -Riders choose to join CIBA’s rides at your own risk and this is outlined in CIBA’s waiver. This is always the case but it needs to be acknowledged that COVID-19 presents a new risk when participating in group activities.  

    -DO NOT come to rides if you are ill, have been ill recently or live with someone who has been ill.  If you have been ill, please do not come to a ride until you have been symptom-free for 14 days. 

    -DO NOT come to rides if you have traveled to areas of spread (ie Florida) or had contact with known or possible COVID-19 patients. 

    -Wash your hands. Cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing. Do not touch your face, mouth or eyes.  

    -We ask that everyone (ride leaders and riders) remain physically distant and wear a mask at the ride start and ride end in the parking lot/start point and during any mid-ride stops.

    -Riders should bring masks to wear at SAG stops, exercise physical distance and be sure to not litter PPE.

    -Pacelines are highly discouraged and at the risk of the participants. We know this is counterintuitive to starting up rides however the data remains unclear as to transmission of COVID in groups. Note that research, while inconclusive, indicates that in order to avoid inhaling droplets or having them land on others, there is a need for 65 feet of distance - 10 bike lengths at 18 miles/hour with no wind. If riding in a paceline, riders will be exposed to those riding in front of them.

    -After ride food/drinks/group socialization is at the risk of participants.

    -For weekly repeating rides and any other rides where noted in the description, riders should be prepared to support yourself. 

    -No communal/high touch water sources to be provided at ride start. 

    -If the group is larger than 25 riders, ride leaders will institute staggered starts.  Groups may not be larger than 25. 

     If close groups and/or pacelines form:

    -We ask that riders make sure and ask permission to join a group or paceline - do not do so without consent and riders should not expect automatic acceptance.

    -All involved need to respect anyone’s stated consent on joining a group or paceline or asking someone to move out of their space. Circumstances remain far from normal and individuals will need to exercise understanding and respect in all communications. 

    -If riders get to a “safe” spacing distance in a group, this will potentially cause traffic interference. Longer/spread out lines may be an impediment to traffic and create safety hazards.  We ask that riders space the groups out and leave passing zones for cars.

    -Passing riders:  move out the full width of a lane if possible.  Pull out 20 feet back and don't pull back in too quickly.

    -Any coughing/sneezing/spitting needs to be well away from others.  Pull out of line.


  • Thu, April 23, 2020 8:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Tired of riding by yourself? Missing your CIBA friends and the weekly CIBA rides?


    Let’s try CIBA Rides on Zwift!


    We can set up a group ride where you can see your friends virtually and ride with them for an hour or so. You can chat with them (via keyboard) and, unlike real life, you can ride as fast or as slow as you want. Zwift will keep us all together in a bunch – if only it were that easy the rest of the time!


    Riding in Zwift, you’ll see yourself riding alongside other CIBA members. As you pedal, you’ll see the sights and sounds of London, Innsbruck, Richmond, or the made-up world of Watopia, wherever we decide to visit.



    If that sounds like fun to you, you’ll need to sign yourself up for a  Zwift account and a phone or computer to run the Zwift app. Zwift offers limited free trials and monthly memberships ($15). You’ll also need an indoor trainer and at least a speed and cadence sensor (or a power meter) for your bike. If you have a smart trainer, a Kickr for example, that’s all you need.


    Then, to be able to join a CIBA group ride (or Meetup as it’s called in Zwift), you’ll need to “follow” Charlie Barrows in Zwift. We can then send you an invitation to the scheduled Meetup. When it’s time for the ride to start, get there early (Zwift doesn’t allow late starts! No getting to the parking lot 30 seconds too late!) Join the ride and start pedaling!


    All you need:


    • Zwift account (monthly membership or short free trial you will need to register for yourself)

    • Indoor trainer

    • Speed and cadence sensor (or power meter or smart trainer)

    • Follow Charlie Barrows on Zwift


    To help us get going, fill out the accompanying survey to determine the best time to schedule a ride or two.


    https://forms.gle/LDjTtfJkyc4Yqy3r9


    Hope to see you riding online, CIBA!



  • Mon, March 16, 2020 10:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The CIBA leadership is committed to keeping our members, those attending our rides and events and our communities safe and updated in this rapidly changing environment. To that end, we wanted to send a communication about our upcoming ride and event schedules.

    We have been carefully monitoring several sources including Governor Holcomb/the state of Indiana, the WHO, CDC, and looking to governing bodies like USA Cycling. Currently, we feel it is in the best interest of our community and our members to suspend all club rides at this time.

    The CIBA board will watch the situation daily and remain in contact. We will make a decision about whether to extend this suspension during our April 20th, 2020 board meeting.  We wish we could predict the future but given this unprecedented situation, we need to take it one day at a time.

    You have our commitment we will be transparent and proactive in our communications and will follow evidence-informed sources and observe the guidelines of local, state and federal bodies and make decisions with the safety and health of our members and our community in mind.  

    We encourage you to continue to find ways to be physically active and remind members that you all have access to CIBA’s RidewithGPS account where there are many ride routes you may download to your GPS device or print out maps. Please note CIBA will not be hosting/supporting any rides at this time.  

    CIBA Hilly Hundred Weekend 2020 As of now, the Hilly Hundred Weekend scheduled for October 2020 will take place as planned. As we continue to monitor and assess the COVID-19 situation we will make sure all those interested and registered attendees know of any decisions well in advance of the event.

    Upcoming 500 in May Incentive  At this time it is not clear what the current state of group gatherings will be in May. As we continue to monitor and assess the COVID-19 situation we will make sure we account for a potential impact to the popular 500 in May program and will work to adjust it to “500 in May in October” or provide a different method for accruing miles for the incentive.

    The board talked about our CIBA community tonight. We are a community whether on or off our bicycles. Instead of stopping to help a bicycling pal change their tire, take this time to reach out to your community and see if anyone needs help going to the grocery or running errands or picking up things they need.  We are all going to experience extraordinary levels of isolation so even a quick text or call to see how someone is doing would be appreciated. Or you can share sweaty photos on your trainer or out on a solitary ride.

    CIBA has been a leader in the bicycling community for many years and these challenging times are no different. We will always strive to do what’s in the best interest of our members and the central Indiana bicycling community.


  • Thu, December 12, 2019 8:54 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Save the date for Central Indiana’s largest bicycle swap meet. Space options big and small, consignment sales and a secure bicycle sales corral.  Our venue is again the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN

    The CIBAride.org Swap Meet will again offer a great selection and great deals, and helps to support CIBA activities throughout the year.

    You will also find event information for some of your favorite rides in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan

    Hours of operation - Sales 9:30  AM to 1 PM  

    • General Admission: $3 (Children under 12 Free)
    • Doors open for sales setup at 8:15 AM
    • This will be a great time to become a member!


    Swap Meet Amenities:  FREE Wi-Fi Access,  Tables and Chairs, Secure Bike Corral, Electrical service available (pre-registration required)


    Saturday, February 8, 2019 - REGISTRATION Opens in Earl January 

    Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN

    Director/Contact:  Jay Hardcastle    swap@cibaride.org

  • Tue, September 24, 2019 7:07 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    CIBA is a bicycle club that functions because of our member volunteers.  Full stop. Whether it’s an hour here and there at Pedal and Park or you spend the many hours it takes to host a weekend ride, or you are a board member  - or you are a volunteer at Pedal and Park and you host a weekend ride and you serve as a board member and and and and….the list goes on - all roles play a critical function in the operations of the club.

    CIBA has reached our tipping point, friends, and we need your help. I don’t know the exact percentages but if we had to guess roughly 20% of our membership is volunteering to do 80% of the work needed to make the club function.  

    We need more members to step up and into roles ranging from the board to leading rides to supporting events to simply putting a couple of hours in at events like Pedal and Park.

    You would be hard pressed to identify volunteers not doing multiple things for the club while also dealing with life outside of CIBA including work, family obligations and more. The very real consequence of that is burnout.  I see the same dedicated people volunteering at our events year in and year out. When people get burned out, it usually results in an inevitable complete withdrawal from volunteering rather than scaling back.   

    My presidency has been marked with a record number of key roles within the club that need to be filled.   Perhaps that says something about me. Most of these individuals tried to step away/give warning in advance and replacements were not successfully recruited. I don’t note that to deflect blame but rather to note how dedicated people who had been serving in roles for 5, 6, and 7 years finally had to walk away. Others have life and work changes that interfere with the ability to dedicate time to volunteer activities. People move away, people move on, circumstances change. This is life. No matter who is sitting in the board leadership roles, CIBA must do a better job of nurturing new volunteers.   

    Are you sitting there scratching your head saying but wait! What do I pay my member dues if I am going to be asked to do things and volunteer?  

    All members pay dues - incredibly reasonable dues for what is provided. Those dues go towards the operations of the club. CIBA’s financial reports are always made available during the Annual Meeting that takes place each year and you can see the breakdown of how those funds are used. The key takeaway for the purposes of this communication is CIBA has no paid staff. The member dues go towards a long list of things but the big ones are:

    1.       Insurance

    2.       Costs to put rides on/reimburse ride leaders - all those Fig Newtons and cans of spray paint aren’t donated

    3.       Other member benefits like the newsletter and incentives

    We all have a role in making CIBA what we want it to be. CIBA is not about what the board wants or dictates. The board does not meet monthly to advance personal agendas. We meet to try and sustain and realize fulfillment of the mission of the club.  Everyone has a voice in what you want YOUR club to be. Do you love weekend rides? Host one. Don’t want to host one? Volunteer to help another ride leader out to lessen the burden.  Have opinions about the direction of the club? Run for the board. Care about the fiscal stability of CIBA? Volunteer for Pedal and Park or the Hilly Hundred.

    CIBA’s mission is important. And CIBA has long been a place where many of us have found lifelong friends, a love of cycling and a sense of community.

    The board had a long discussion during our September meeting, and it was agreed I should pen a note to our membership. While my words, this ask represents the current board putting a call to action out to our entire membership.

    CIBA has reached a critical point where if we don’t bring new volunteers in, we are going to cease to be able to provide the kinds of activities that are why we all belong to CIBA in the first place. All the member dues in the world don’t matter if we don’t have ride leaders, board members and folks to fill key positions within pillars and committees to name just a few.  

    We have several areas of critical need which include director for the N.I.T.E Ride, board officers, board members and ride leaders.  Our board is a working board. We don’t just meet to talk for 90 minutes once a month. We could also use some individuals to consistently volunteer their time supporting key functions within the committee/pillar structure specifically in the ride pillar and fiscal responsibility pillar though any area would welcome volunteers whether community engagement, technology, PR – the list goes on.  These do not require board commitments – just an interest in helping. 

    I realize some of the items above are big commitments. Not all volunteer positions require that. The above are the most pressing positions that we are on short timelines to fill.   The board asks this: Consider volunteering your time now and in 2020 to CIBA. It can be a few hours here and there or interest in filling a more prominent and ongoing role as noted above.

    I encourage you to reach out to me at president@cibaride.org or anyone on the board for more information on the positions we are hoping to fill  - all of our information is located in the newsletter and on the website.

    The board thanks you all for considering this ask from us.

    Katie Feltman

    president@cibaride.org

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