Ready to kick off the 2012 season?

[Ready or not, it is almost here]

Kickoff Party

Our friends at Tonka Cycle and Ski want us to start our season right, so they are throwing us a Kick-off Party on Wednesday, March 14th from 7:00 to 9:00pm.  That's right, Wednesday night means Twin Cities Spoke night and this is a great way to kick off the season.

Please plan to stop by and check it out. There will be something for everyone. If you are new to the club, come and talk to us about what we do and why we are so strange.  If you have not seen Tonka's beautiful new location, you really need to check that out.  If you have both ridden with the club and been in the new shop, come by to see old friends, make new ones and see what we have new up our sleeves [we even surprise ourselves sometimes].

Encouraging Sponsors

We are surrounded by the best sponsors in the world! I encourage you to check out each and every one [full list on the bottom of this newsletter] and I think you will be surprised how they will uplift and encourage you at every turn.  

Many clubs need to beg their sponsors for support, but ours not only support us finacially, but also lift us in prayer and encourage us with their words and actions.  Please take the time to get to know them and thank them for all that they do to support this ministry.

Spring Training

The Twin Cities Spoke IC3 is hosting our third spring training trip, the end of March. Every year has been a unique experience so far, and while we don’t guarantee beach-like weather, we do expect a fantastic time of cycling and fellowship. We are currently expecting 22 people to attend, with a few more still deciding if they can make it. If you are still debating joining us or are even just becoming aware and are interested, we encourage you to come if you can!

Ferryville, WI is the destination (just North of Prairie du Chien). Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, a wide range of riding is available, with plenty of scenic beauty. Last year our competitive riders found sufficiently challenging terrain, while our recreational group was satisfied with beautiful scenery and great fellowship (but yes, there will even be some hills for the rec riders).

A few highlights to look forward to:

• Diverse rider group: everyone will have a group they can enjoy
• Superb cycling: challenging hills can be found if testing yourself is your agenda, beautifulscenery if you prefer a casual and peaceful ride
• Fantastic fellowship
• Great accommodations: comfortable cabins, great scenery, and hot tubs!
• Cheap: $150 gets you four days of lodging, all food, and even Hammer Nutrition products to testout. (We split gas costs depending on how carpools end up)
• Encourage your faith: Movie night coupled with a related Bible study is planned to share what you know and learn from others
• Easy: A great group of leaders is busy planning, you just have to show up (with your bike, of course)

TC.IC3 2012 Spring Training Thurs-Sun March 22-25 8:30 am Thurs depart & 4’ish pm Sun return*

*(departure and return from Wooddale parking lot if you take advantage of carpool, return is flexible depending on how tired we are!)

Contact Joel Boelke if you have any questions or need your arm twisted into coming along.

Race/Ride Season Starts soon

Are you ready to race? Some highlights of the early Minnesota Racing Scene include:

• The Opus Criteriums start April 10th 
• The Durand Road Race is the following Saturday, April 21th
• The first weekend in May is a weekend race that includes a Crit and TT in LaCrosse, Wi.

Not a racer? How about getting out in your Twin Cities Spoke jersey for a simple ride with some friends? Here are a few of the Charity Rides and Tours coming up.

• Ironman Minnesota May 6th and we always look forward to great weather for this early season classic.
• Tour de Cure, Rotchester ride is May 14th to ride for diabeties.
• June 2nd you have a choice of the Tour de Pepin or Tour de Cure, Minneapolis.

Saturday Mornings:

Already we have group rides going on in the Hillside Room at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 [be set up and ready to ride at 8:30].  Bring your bike and your trainer for a great "no drop" workout. These rides will go until the Spring Training Camp in late March.

Then our outdoor rides start April 7th at Christ Victoria 9am.  Different group levels. Race guys, endurance guys. Watch website if we need to cancel due to weather. Contact Steve Gerber

TnT

TC.IC3 is preparing to host our third year of Tuesday Night Time Trials (TnT), an 8-race TT series in Medina, MN (on Co. Rd. 24). Planning is underway and the schedule is set. Mark your calendars for every other Tuesday starting May 8!

• May 8, 22
• June 4, 18
• July 3, 17, 31
• August 14

We will be looking for volunteers to help us continue to make this a top-notch event. Keep an eye on our website for info. This event is a great way to try out racing and has proven to be a great place to build relationships in our cycling community. Mark your calendar!

Contact Joel Boelke if you have any questions

Randonneuring

Are you looking for a new challenge? Look at Randonneuring!Randonneuring  is a long-distance cycling sport with its origins in audax cycling. In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" (checkpoints) every few tens of kilometers.

Riders aim to complete the course within specified time limits, and receive equal recognition regardless of their finishing order. Riders may travel in groups or alone as they wish, and are expected to be self-sufficient between controls.  It is like a a self sufficient century (or longer ride). Not big spreads, just you and the road. If this sounds interesting contact Steve Gerber.

Request prayer

Our website has a new feature where you can get tens if not hundreds of fellow bikers praying about whatever is near and dear to your heart.  Check it out: the form to request a prayer is here and to read prayers that have been posted to site go to our Prayer Page. We would love to add you to our prayer lists. Also, if you are intersted in praying for others, contact me, Tim, here and I will add you to the Prayer Team.

Your IC3 membership

Membership in the IC3 means that you are not only riding for the Lord, but you also get other perks as well. Some of our sponsors have great deals that you can take advantage of AND it means you get to wear the great looking IC3 jersey!  

If you are not a member yet, I encourage you to read the 'Membership Agreement' and 'Statement of Faith' on the IC3 main site [click here] and prayerfully consider becoming a member. If you are already a member, please remember to renew your IC3 membership for 2012. And while you are at it, don't forget to support our local spoke by making a donation to keep our jersey program and other ministries going.  You can donate at any time on our site by going to the Donation Page.

Check out our sponsors