Swami's Cycling Club: Guru News

April 2022

Fellow Swamis, we have a lot happening in April, including a new kit order window, the first Swami’s Kitchen Creek ride, and a “save the date” for the return of a big spring event, the Poker Ride!

Welcome from our new President!

It's with great honor and pleasure I'd like to announce that I am now the acting president of Swami's. Although I've been a member for 7 years, I often still feel new to the club, given its long history. A history that I respect and constantly seek to learn more about. That being said, I also understand times change and the club has evolved over the years.

What I know for sure, is that thanks to Ryan's leadership, I'm taking over a club that's in excellent shape. A club with active members, attending rides and events and representing Swami's to the cycling community as a focused and energetic performance cycling club. I'd like to continue seeing Swami's as a leader in the San Diego cycling community, promoting performance cycling, in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Let's all work together to make Swami's events and rides bigger and better, year to year.

Besides planning rides and gatherings, we are looking at ways to educate us all about all things related to performance cycling. To that end, one of our sponsors The Feed offered to provide just that, education about sports nutrition via a Zoom call. This is as new to them as it is to us, so as far as the main topic we are keeping it fairly open on this go-around, so attend prepared with questions you might have. I for one know I have a lot to learn about sports nutrition, the only thing I have down, is the post Hoppy Hour beer and pizza regimen. More details below.

Hope you can all join us and let’s see where this leads us. If we like what we hear, we can schedule follow-up calls with more specific topics or search for other parties that can provide us other cycling insights. BTW, be sure to greet Elyse, our The Feed representative as a new Guru! She recently joined Swami’s.

See you on the road,

Mark Steele

4/2 Kit Order

The Swami’s Store will be taking new kit orders from Saturday, April 2 to Sunday, April 10. The Swami’s 2022 jersey design will now be available in the lightweight, summer-friendly Diablo style as well as other popular styles. Order your kit now and it will arrive in time for plenty of summer rides!

To order, go to www.swamis.org and log in starting April 2. Then navigate to the Members Area and go to the Clothing and Merchandise tab.

4/2 Kitchen Creek Ride

Swami’s is exploring new territory! Have you wanted to ride the scenic Kitchen Creek loop, with its challenging but beautiful 11 mile climb featuring no automobile traffic? We’ll be riding this Saturday, April 2, with routes for all interests: a starter 34-mile loop of Kitchen Creek only, a 59-mile excursion that adds Lake Cuyamaca, and the whole enchilada 75 mile route with 7000+ feet of climbing. For gravelholics, there’s also a 45-mile route with 15 miles of gravel. All group levels are welcome. See our website for all the details!

4/14 The Feed informational Zoom session

The Feed, one of our sponsors, spends a lot of their time researching how to get the most out of your cycling through nutrition, recovery, and many other aspects. They are enthusiastic to share their knowledge and have started holding Zoom meetings with cycling clubs and organizations across the country.

All Swamis are invited to a Zoom meeting with the Feed on Thursday, April 14 at 5:00 PM, where we are encouraged to bring all of our questions about training, nutrition, or anything you’ve been wondering about! Past topics have included high-and low-carb trends in fueling, nutritional strategies leading up to races, and ideal approaches to recovery, but the folks at the Feed welcome any and all questions, and no question is too basic!

To join the Zoom call, click this link at the start time of the meeting.
To add the meeting to your calendar, click this link

PS Remember to claim your annual $80 Swamis credit with The Feed at this link!

The Belgian Waffle Ride is coming!

As many of you know, the Belgian Waffle Ride is one of the biggest cycling events in Southern California, attracting hundreds of riders from MAMILs to pros with its mix of road and gravel madness and a fun, wild circus atmosphere. There are many ways to participate, and we encourage you to pick any or all:

1. Ride the BWR. Register at https://www.bikereg.com/belgian-waffle-ride-california#.

2. Muur Van Dubbelberg Spirituosen Cheer Station. Join your Swami’s club members on the top of Double Peak as we cheer on all the riders of the most famous segment of the BWR San Diego, Saturday afternoon, April 30, after our group ride. Show your Swami spirit and let’s have fun! This is not an official SAG, just fun Swamis getting together to cheer on the riders! Swami’s will have more information on times after the route is announced, so please check event details when they’re posted on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

3. Volunteer directly with BWR. To put on the ride, the BWR needs many volunteers to staff aid stations, serve as course marshals, and provide help with the many activities required to support the expo.

They are in need of help in the evenings on Wednesday 4/30 and Thursday 4/31, and all day Friday 5/1 through Sunday 5/3. Volunteers will receive the following benefits:

Full day volunteers 40% off registration
Half day volunteers 20% off registration
Brand discount cards
Lunch cards
Swag bag and bottle
Volunteer T-shirt
Beer voucher (if of age)
Gas cards (for sag & aid station drivers)

If you’re interested in any volunteer role, contact Steve Yeager at steve@almsthre.com.

Save the Date: Swami’s Poker Ride, June 18

On Saturday, June 18, we’re bringing back an old favorite… think Poker, bikes, beer, food and lots of fun! There are no rules, except one… More info to come!

Do you know a cyclist who would make a good Guru?

Please share this newsletter with them and invite them to join Swami’s Cycling Club!

This email has been sent to you because you are a member of Swami's Cycling Club or subscriber to this newsletter. Unsubscribe