Thursday, January 22, 2009

M.U.N.R

What could bring two Ball State Professors, Two Ball State Faculty, One Ball State Grad Student, Three Bike Shop Employees and one police officer together to endure two hours of 15 degree temperatures out in the snow? M.U.N.R! That's what!

A couple months ago Layne Cameron, a Ball State Faculty and avid cyclist, had an idea to keep him cycling through the winter w/o having to resort to the indoor trainer. He called up the guys at Kirk's Bike Shop and said he'd be by the shop at closing if anyone wanted to join him for a night mountain bike ride around Muncie. So it began with three riders covered head to toe with hats, glasses, gloves, fleece, windbreakers, windproof pants, and shoe covers along with headlamps for what is now called M.U.N.R (Muncie Urban Night Ride).

M.U.N.R has grown from one guys idea to a regular "come one, come all" standing Tuesday night group ride that meets at Kirks Bike Shop at 6pm. These are fun rides but can also be what some participants have called "grinders!" and "epic" rides. This was the case this past Tuesday with 6 inches of snow on top of icy trail and grass. Many fell into the powdery fluff simply to rise up and proclaim, "That was awesome!". Some ride what has become the regular 13 mile loop and others choose to turn home early for a shorter loop. This is a great ride for all levels of riders because it stays in town, close to everyones home or vehicle.

Want to join the ride next week? Here's what you need to know:
This is a mountain bike ride so nobby tires are best. This is a night ride so put on a camping headlight, tape a flashlight to your handlebars or stop by Kirk's Bike shop and purchase a light. It's winter time! So dress warm! Don't want to do the full 13 miles? No problem. About half way through the group passes through down town Muncie again and you can cut out at that point.

Here's a couple pictures from M.U.N.R this past week

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