Team Mang Rides for 2014

The team's been growing over the past year and with growth in number is the inevitable divergence of cycling goals. Although we all share in our love of cycling, different folks have different priorities in life and where cycling falls in that hierarchy is different for different people. In order to keep everyone on the same page as far as Team Mang rides, we've chosen to rate the rides so people know what to expect when they come out and decide for themselves if they're up for that particular challenge.   Here are the simple ratings:
 
EASY Lang, Mama' ride:
This is the kind of ride that is slightly slower than our normal brisk pace.  Timangs and Alings rarely ride at a very leisurely pace unless it's a family ride.  They typically ride at a brisk pace and usually wait for everyone.  However, there are times in the year when not everyone is quite up to the challenge yet.  Maybe they're recovering from an injury or the holiday hiatus.  So there's a need for them to ride at a slightly slower pace than the others for a few weeks - and that's perfectly okay.  Hopefully, as riders do this type of ride a few times, they will be able to build up the strength to keep up with the jackrabbits.  There's nothing wrong, too, if folks choose to always ride at that level - just don't expect those at the faster pace to always wait for them.

TIMANGAN ride:
This is our most common type of ride - there's a fun atmosphere at a brisk pace; the occasional sprint and an attack on the hills every now and then - still, we like to wait for everyone who's attempting the ride.  This would be the 1-day STP training kind of pace so it's not always a walk in the park. Some of our riders ride all year and want to maintain a certain level of fitness so when they lead a ride at this pace, expect to have a good workout.  Organizers will post their expectations of a ride and if riders don't think they're ready for that type of pace, they can coordinate with the ride leader to have an alternative route - or get familiar with the route and ride it at their own easy lang, mama' pace. Inevitably others will join that alternative.

We don't want to make this too technical or difficult but we do want to recognize that some rides are easy, others are hard and it's up to each rider to recognize their fitness level and whether the ride suits them.  

If you haven't noticed, we don't have "official" ride leaders. That's because anyone can organize a ride at their desired pace so others can join him/her at that pace. We don't encourage anyone who's not at a specific fitness level to attempt to participate in a ride that's way above what they can achieve.  Just as we don't want folks getting left behind, we also don't want to weigh down a fast ride.

 As 2014 rolls around, we're expecting that more Mangers and Alings will organize rides at their desired pace and folks will ride at the level and effort they want  in order to reach their own individual fitness goals.

Last "Official" rides of the year for Team Mang

Mangs and Alings with members of another team brave the wind
and rain to complete the short loop of the Kitsap Color Classic.

The last weekend of September is usually rainy as the Fall season has officially landed.  This year wasn't any different.  Advance weather reports had predicted at least some clearing for the Kitsap Color Classic - a romp through Kitsap county with a choice of 3 loops - a 25 miler, a 37 miler or a combined 57 mile ride.  Some Team Mangs had signed up but with the rain dumping cats and dogs the day before and with just a little bit of a let up on Sunday morning, many felt it safer to stay home and enjoy the game on TV. 

Nevertheless, a few brave Mangers and an Aling braved the weather and rode to close the season.  They were blessed with a few bouts of clearing and sun but for the most part, the roads were wet and treacherous.  After one of the riders experienced a flat, the group decided to complete just the 25 miler.  The ride itself may have been wet and cold but the company, as always, was good.

Eric's selfie in Hawaii

On the other side of the Pacific, one of our own proudly represented in the Pineapple Century in Oahu, Hawaii.  Eric took the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with a century ride on the west side of Oahu through scenic highways and spectacular weather and views in paradise.

And so ends the official cycling calendar for 2013.

Countless miles, memories and laughter later, Mangs and Alings are looking forward to off season riding to keep in shape - maybe some weekend mountain biking and cyclocross or other fun activities for the cold and wet weather.  Whatever it is, Team Mang exits 2013 with a stronger bond among its members.  Some of us grew leaps and bounds as individual cyclists, others maintained their fitness, others met different cycling goals (like getting loved ones into the sport).  Regardless, we all maintained our friendships and had fun doing it - Team Mang is family and that's what it's all about after all.

Team Aling Cycles the W.A.V.E.

Team Alings get in on the action!

Among all the rides of the year, the Cycle the W.a.v.e. Ride is probably the most significant.  It may not be the longest nor the most epic nor the most technical nor the most hilly ride.  But it certainly draws attention to the team - specially this year.  Four women from our group plus a friend rode the event while another volunteered for support.  The rest of the Mangs (the guys) and kids provided the cheering section.

CTW is an all women's ride for all cyclist levels designed to bring awareness to the cause of fighting violence against women (Women Against Violence Everywhere).

Team Alings with their support team - Mang!

 It's a fund raiser, too, so for Team Alings to simply ride already contributes to the cause.  The whole team made a splash because we seemed to be the only group where the men, along with their families, were cheering on the women - some of who are themselves victims of violence from the hands of men.

So to see a group of men taking the time and cheering on the fairer sex with no regard for how silly they looked in public is a significant sight.  Both Team Mangs and Team Alings kept getting complimented for their show of unity, camaraderie and friendship throughout the ride.

Team Alings share the same fun loving attitude as
their Team Mang counterparts!

Our Alings rode the 42 mile route while the Mangs provided cheering, cowbells, picture and video support at strategic locations and at the stops.  It was all for a good time but once again, team orange caught the attention of cycling organizers for their positive contribution to the cycling community.  On our way out, one of the sponsors even chased us down to give us freebies that we weren't asking for - because our colors matched theirs.  And we got lots of good feedback from bystanders and other cyclists.

See, Team Mang and Team Aling is not just about cycling - it's about being good friends, being a positive influence on the community and promoting good cycling behavior...all while having fun.

Go Team Aling and Team Mang!