Cycling as sport

After two years as cycling art exhibits, the timing seemed right for Team CoeBRAI to adopt a sporty look in 2011. As a result, the Kohawk logo designed a decade ago by Lance Lethcoe ’02 for Coe athletics is the dominant feature of this year’s jerseys by Coe graphic designer Christina Kroemer.

Team CoeBRAI will be modeling them on the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) July 24-30. For the first time, the jerseys are not RAGBRAI specific, which we hope appeals to cycling Kohawks everywhere.

In addition to long-sleeve, short-sleeve and sleeveless versions of the jersey, Kroemer designed Coe biking shorts featuring the school’s crimson and gold and Charlie Kohawk logo. While the jersey design changes each year, the shorts are intended to stand the test of time.

The designs will soon be submitted to Champion Systems and orders are now being taken. Each weeklong rider who was part of our group registration gets one free jersey. Additional jerseys and shorts may be ordered.

Two jerseys will be awarded as prizes in an upcoming bike ride sponsored by the Alumni Office, Coe GOLD (graduates of the last decade) and Team CoeBRAI. Clear your calendar for May 14 and stay tuned for details on the second occasional CoeBRAT (bike ride across towns): Flunk Day 50.

Anyone else is welcome to buy jerseys -- $60 for short sleeve and sleeveless, $70 for long sleeve – and shorts for $65. Order forms are available on the right column of this page. All orders must be received by May 15 and will be shipped by mid July.

St. Patty's Day is for CR Bikers

"Ride The Divide", the award-winning feature-length documentary about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, will comes to Cedar Rapids on Thursday, March 17, at the Collins Road Theatres in Marion. The event will be a fundraiser for the Linn Area Mountain Bike Association.

The film chronicles the story of several mountain bikers who attempt the 2,711-mile race named the Tour Divide along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The movie was named the best adventure film at the 2010 Vail Film Festival.

This film has become an instant cycling classic, and made its television premiere in September on the Documentary Channel. But the Adventure Cycling Association said the film should be seen on the big screen: “The cinematography is stunning!” Added UpaDowna, “Ride The Divide is one of the most inspiring real cycling movies … in a long time.” Epic Riding summed the movie up as follows: “In a word? Fantastic. In more words? Moving, funny, inspiring.”

"Ride The Divide" embraces the inspiring stories of three of the racers who experience the immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. There’s Mike, a 40-year-old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his fifth time; and Mary, the first female rider to race this route. As they set out, they will attempt to accomplish what very few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks, they’ll attempt to climb over 200,000 vertical feet along the backbone of the Rocky Mountains.

They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters, and total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support – at times in total isolation. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout "Ride the Divide" prompt us to reflect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest.

"Ride The Divide" made its debut at the Vail Film Festival and was named the best adventure film at the event. Outside Magazine proclaimed that “(t)he toughest bike race in the world is not in France,” after reviewing the film.

"Ride The Divide" will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Collins Road Theatres, located at 1462 Twixt Town Road in Marion. Tickets are $15 at the door, and $10 in advance at www.IMAthlete.com/Events/RideTheDividemovie. This event is sponsored by Hall Bicycle Co. of Cedar Rapids.

For a good time, call CoeBRAI ASAP

As the April 1 RAGBRAI registration deadline nears, this is my final push for week-long riders. (Part-timers are a subject for another day.)

Of the 30 full-time biker slots on Team CoeBRAI, 27 have been claimed. That leaves three openings.

After obtaining my blessing, you will want to register on the RAGBRAI Web site and join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact. (Checks made out to Coe sent to my attention at 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.)

Fees for Team CoeBRAI will remain $400, despite a $10 RAGBRAI increase to $150. Of this, $200 is due immediately along with a completed (online) entry form and signed waiver. The remaining $200 will be due July 1. (Don't forget to add the cost of any merchandise you may choose to order through RAGBRAI.)

The fee includes the official $150 RAGBRAI entry fee, a Team CoeBRAI jersey and license plate, bus transportation to and from Cedar Rapids and the starting/ending towns, some meals, and snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at each overnight stop.

Please don't wait until March 31 to contact me as I will surely have closed our group by then. Also, part-timers, relax. I'll get to you after lottery results are announced May 1.