At this month’s Club meeting, we welcome special guests Sgt. Dennis Keys of the Tucson Police Department Bicycle Patrol. Sgt. Keys will discuss the operation of the Police Bicycle Patrol, the types of enforcement they are involved in, and special equipment used for policing from bicycles.
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7 PM in the Pima County Medical Society Building
Directions: Take Grant Road to Rosemont (look for the University of Phoenix Building), go south on Rosemont, then east on Farness
Pat and I hadn't bike toured since 1996; that 12,000-mile, six-and-a-half-month tour of the lower 48 had kept us satisfied until our retirements this Spring. Last year I began planning a trip to celebrate "freedom" from work’s pressures. As the start date approached, we realized that about two months' time was available. It worked out that a car rental, carrying our bikes and gear to the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace prime venue for early Spring bike touring was the most feasible.
After a three-day drive from Tucson to Baton Rouge we dropped our little rental and loaded our Trek 520 touring bikes and headed North. We got in a Cajun mood at the first night's campsite where we had Catfish Courtbouillon and dirty rice dinner. Ai-eee! The bon temps had begun!
Spanish moss and cypress swamps lined the Feliciana Parish roads up to Natchez, Mississippi, where we entered the 440-mile Trace. The Trace is an easy, quiet, truck-free throughway with lots of green forest, bucolic farmlands, and of course plenty of rain to keep it all green.
A note: we learned of free bicycle-only campsites all along the Trace and took advantage of them. Our trip thus got off on an under-budget footing. Pat and I budget $30 daily for the two of us when we tour. That includes everything; food, camping, all expenses. It became chilly when we got to Central Tennessee, so we rested three days at one of these free sites very pretty, the Meriwether Lewis Site.
As we headed southwest, off the Trace through Tennessee, the roads became rougher. There was no bike routing in either that state or Mississippi. Good state parks for camping though. Mr. Lois Montgomery at the T.V.A. campground in Perryville, Tennessee, so enjoyed our travel tails that he waived out camp fees. Yes, the traveling may have gotten more arduous, but the omnipresent Southern Hospitality covered for that.
Worst scary weather; day sixteen near Holly Springs, Mississippi, where there was golf-ball-sized hail and a full afternoon of severe lightening in gully-washer rain.
We crossed the Mississippi River during another severe storm and had to walk our loaded bikes on Route 49 to west Helena, Arkansas.
God bless the long-haul truckers; they had CB’d each other to look out for us during our perilous crossing. We only had (no fooling) about a one-foot clearance as each big rig passed us on the over one-mile-long bridge during the rainstorm.
Arkansas' roads were very friendly. The lanes are there for farm machinery clearance during transit. Lots of rice fields and, again, mighty friendly folk. We spent one night as guests of the whole town of Clarendon when we road into that town during the Birding Festival. We were quizzed as to what it would take to bring more tourists their way. I could only say, "Promote your bike-friendly highways, they are flat, have low traffic, big bike lanes, and lots of friendly small towns with good cafes!"
Our pal from Road Island met us mid-tour in Little Rock. His flight arrived sans bike but the airline found it and had it delivered to him undamaged at out campsite within a half-day. So far, 1,000 miles in 20 days.
Those nice flatlands gave way to the Ouchita Mountains of the Oklahoma boarder where we climbed up to Queen Wilhelmena State Park. It was only a 3,000-foot climb, but the roller-coaster ridgeline went westward for a full day.
A thunderstorm sent us down to more level terrain where we had tailwinds for the next week! We rolled across Oklahoma, again friendly people and nice small-town country. We ran into a big bike club tour in Ardmore, Oklahoma, called the RED RIVER ROADKILL BIKE FEST!
We clicked off several very easy 70-mile days; even side-tripped and ended up on gravel farm roads. Now that's how to see our America!
As we made our way west to the Texas Panhandle, the great plains turned the wind against us. Near Turkey, Texas (birthplace of Bob Willis, the Texas Troubadour), worked ten hours into a 30-40 mph wind to reach Caprock Canyon State Park, kind of a mini Grand Canyon all in red. That night we slept very well. Actually, I had been fearful of tenting this trip. I'm 62 and had begun to believe my ground sleeping days were numbered. However, I was so tired these nights that most nights I felt nothing.
The towns of Childress and Quanah, Texas, are remarkable in that 25 to 40 years ago they were vibrant, bustling farm centers. Now they're barely shells of a town having lots of big, wide streets and solid early 20th Century commercial buildings, but all are empty with no businesses, and almost no people. Big agri-businesses moved them all out.
Sheriff in Tulia, Texas, sent his Sergeant in a cruiser to guide us to a free camping spot. The next morning at a local cafe, the Sergeant introduced us to his wife; he had driven by our campsite during the night and had taken the missus out to "show her these bikers." Not much entertainment some nights in these Panhandle towns I guess.
We crossed into New Mexico at Clovis facing two days with no facilities to Roswell. We were lucky in one regard, on-going highway construction and Memorial Day weekend gave us one-half of an otherwise closed divided freeway for our own personal three-lane bike path. We fought the winds, but no traffic. This was a welcome respite for two days. We crossed two sets of mountains at Ruidosa and then Emory Pass and came down into the desert from Silver City to Lordsburg. It was early June but our usual 5:00 AM daily starts and moderate mid-90s temperatures allowed us to get to Tucson in only two more days.
In all, we rode 44 days covering 2,506 miles finishing $148 under budget. Oh yeah, our next tour is already being planned. Probably up to Nebraska and Iowa, the best yet remaining of the lower 48 states we haven't ridden.
Sponsored by the Navapache Regional Medical Center Foundation
Proceeds benefit the Chemotherapy Department
~ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ~
Friday, September 20
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Rider Reception Packet pickup and refreshments served at Navapache Regional Medical Center Lobby
Saturday, September 21 All Activities at Thunderhorse Ranch, Pinetop, AZ
6:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Barn
Start times for all courses are officially timed.
7:00 a.m. 66-mile Trail Race: Tough, for experienced riders only (6.5 to 8.5 hours)
7:30 a.m. 52-mile Trail Challenge: Strong, for experienced riders only (4.5 to 6.5 hours)
8:00 a.m. 41-mile Trail Tour: Good for experienced riders (3 to 4.5 hours)
8:30 a.m. 35-mile Forest Service Road Ride: Suitable for most fit folks (3+ hours)
9:00 a.m. 10-mile Forest Service Road Breeze Ride: Great introduction to cycling in the White Mountains; this event is not timed (1.5+ hours)
11:00 a.m. Kids Bike Rally
3:00 p.m. Outdoor BBQ
4:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
5:00 p.m. until well into the night; we relax around the campfire, share stories about the ride.
Sunday, September 22 All Activities at Thunderhorse Ranch, Pinetop, AZ
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
11:00 a.m. Free Leisure Ride
REGISTRATION FEES
Trail Events - $65 ($55 if postmarked or received by 8/01/02)
Forest Service Road Events - $55 ($45 if postmarked or received by 8/01/02)
Junior Registration for riders ages 16 and under pay $30.
Bike Club Discount $5 off the advertised rate for each bike club member.
Tandem Riders: first rider pays, second rider is free (two for one).
Cost of the event is tax-deductible and is non-refundable.
COURSE & AID STATIONS
The White Mountain Trail System and the beautiful forested roads throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest offer some of the best Mountain biking in Arizona. Enthusiastic aid station volunteers will provide snacks, water, and Gatorade along all of the tour courses.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information or event questions, please contact Cynthia Clements at (928) 537-6319
Navapache Regional Medical Center Foundation, 2000 Show Low Lake Road, Show Low, AZ 85901 or email her at cclements@nrmc.org
For tour course questions, please contact Dave Mathews at (928) 368-6700 or email him at davidontrails4fun@excite.com
Check out our Web site at http://nrmc.org/twm/htm
RISE SET
8/1 5:38 AM 7:21 PM
8/7 5:42 AM 7:16 PM
8/14 5:47 AM 7:09 PM
8/21 5:52 AM 7:02 PM
8/28 5:56 AM 6:53 PM
[Adopted by GABA-Tucson Board]
If you cancel one week (7 days) or less prior to a ride, you do not receive a refund.
If you cancel between two weeks (14 days) and one week (7 days) prior to a ride, you get one-half of your money back.
If you cancel more than two weeks (14 days) prior to a ride, you get a full refund.
We are sorry that we cannot make exceptions. Rides are organized based on the number of riders, and money is spent in advance for food, permits, reservations, etc. We keep ride fees as low as possible. This Club is non-profit, and must cover its own expenses.
RAIN OR SNOW??
IF you have pre-registered for an event that is RAINED or SNOWED OUT, you will get a Credit Voucher applicable to any other ride for the amount you originally paid. Vouchers must be used before the end of the year and a NEW Pre-registration Form must be filled out and sent in for the subsequent ride.
A great week-long bicycle vacation bestows on the rider priceless lifelong memories. Vistas are experienced, not glanced from a window. For better or worse, the elements are experienced as well. But stories are more interesting. Rain on the helmet versus the squeaky slap of windshield wipers.
Daring the desert sun from the saddle versus the drone of an air conditioner. Most important, life-long bonds are more likely to form when car doors don’t get in the way. The physical challenge and camaraderie compels many to repeat.
Dennis Krakow of Bend, Oregon, is returning for his third GABA event. “I’m always shocked at how few people from Arizona ride this ride,” he says. A veteran of commercial tours in Oregon, he finds the low-key, volunteer character of the ride refreshing. “I’m amazed that a local club puts on a ride of this magnitude.” And besides, he says, “Riding in small groups is pretty cool,” unlike large commercial tours. So impressed is he, that he’s bringing his wife, Jackie.
His first GABA tour was the “Challenge Ride” from Nogales to Tusayan several years back. He later did the “Wild Wild West Tour,” forever remembered for rain. A fond memory involved arriving in Tombstone dripping wet and finding bunk space in a cabin at the KOA with three people who up until then, were strangers. One became his partner in crime as they later “toughed it out in the rain” instead of hopping on the SAG vehicles.
“You don’t go through Phoenix or Yuma. You’re going through places you wouldn’t expect in Arizona. It’s surprising how pretty Arizona is. It’s not mile after mile of flat stuff.”
He was impressed by more than natural beauty. His first sighting of San Xavier Mission stands out vividly.
The most impressive thing he finds about the tour, he says, is “the level of concern for the riders,” and that “most notable is how caring everyone is.”
Gene Morrissey’s first GABA experience was on the 1989 tour: “It rained in 1989 on the route from Roosevelt Lake to Miami. Almost everyone was miserable. Wet gear was all over the indoor camping facility in Miami. It was a mess. It rained again the next day on the road to Florence. At about noon, it stopped raining and got really hot.”
Between weather and feeling indifference from the crew, he waited a few to return. “I did it again in 1996, 1998 and again in 2001. In 1998 we started at the Utah border and went to Nogales, a true cross state ride. Since then all of the GABA rides that I did offered great crew support. I met a number of GABA crew members but Pam really stands out.”
When asked about finding a dearth of “flat stuff” on which to ride in Arizona, he replied: “The ride itself is challenging but with a granny gear, any climb is possible.”
Other week-long tours include: Ride the Rockies five times, Bicycle Tour of Colorado twice, and the San Diego AYH Christmas Ride every year since 1990.
“They are all unique and occur at their own proper time of the year. I do see a number of repeat riders on the GABA ride and also riders that I’ve seen on other rides. It’s always good to see them on the ride.”
“I would tell anyone who is thinking about this ride to sign up as soon as possible. They’ll never regret it.” Gene says. “The biggest joy of this and any ride is meeting the various people who also do the ride. It’s always saddest when the ride ends.”
By Dick Forcier
Independence Day. The 4th of July. By the dawn's early light, members of GABA arrived at the community center to set up our information booth for the Tour for Tucson's Children. It was a worthwhile effort. We answered questions for the public and signed up new members. The 1896 vintage Racing Eagle was on display and raffle tickets were sold along with GABA jerseys and socks. GABA members also assisted Tucson Parks and Recreation in the 6.5-mile children's event. Parks and Recreation had organized a ride for low-income children to attend and ride bikes supplied by Safe Kids. Members of the Fair Wheels Bicycle Shop racing team helped out as did EMTs from the Fire Department. One EMT didn't ride a bike; he skated the course this roller blades.
The children's ride went well. Chains that fell off were replaced on the gears. However, the coaster hub on one bike disintegrated and the boy was sagged back to the start. He must have been quite disappointed as the kids had been training three weeks for this ride. Maybe he won one of the two bikes for these kids that was raffled off at the end of the ride.
It was a great morning to celebrate our nation's birthday. The weather was fine and lots of socializing with bagels and juice after the ride. THANK YOU to the GABA members who helped out: Tom Chabot, Pat Young, Jim Chapman, Alicia Heiserer, Janet Landis, Bridget Owers and Dick Forcier.
For Sale: Giant Kronos road bike, 54-cm Cr-Mo frame with Shimano RSX 21-spd. Excellent condition, good entry level bike. $250 or best offer.
Call Val or Mike, 743-9687.
Classified Ad Space
FREE for GABA members
ONLY for GABA members
Everyone here always talks about the importance of keeping your bicycle in sound working order and of always having enough water on a ride. So what we will be talking about at the GABA Education Workshop on August 13th is how to keep the bike and body in good working order.
Given the fact that the fall riding season is practically at hand it is definitely time to get the bike a fall check up and the engine that runs it one to. A well-maintained bicycle, all greased; balanced and ready to ride is as much fun as working a well-conditioned body.
So join me at Udall Park, Ramada #3, on August 13th from 6:30 till 8:30 where we will go over some bicycle mechanic basics and some important hydration and nutrition facts. Bring your bike! We’ll have pizza under the evening desert skies.
See you on the road!
October 2, and the third day of riding will take you on a scenic adventure through the Coconino National Forest. Pedaling past Lake Mary and Morman Lake, on backcountry roads with little traffic, is a treat for the senses. If you leave early enough that morning, you might spy a deer amongst the ponderosa pine groves along the way. A stop is in order for anyone with a hankering for Strawberry Pie (or any of a variety of flavors) served up by the Strawberry Lodge Cafe. We already put in a special request for extra pies, which are hand-made by Joyce, for your pie-eating enjoyment! The steep descents down Hwy 87 will keep you alert and on your toes, and that will be hard to do considering the breath-taking beauty of the route, as you make your way into Payson.
The host hotel for this night is what some may know of as The Inn of Payson, which is now Best Western Payson Inn. But what’s in a name? Not much here, because all else is the same. Same great lawn for the campers, same great pool to relax by at the end of the day, same great sleeping accommodations for the “motelers,” and same great Manager, Corky Barker. I have just realized that I have forgotten to mention that Ken Brecheisen (Colorado) and Laura Dituri (Mexico), Massage Therapists extraordinaire, will once again be joining us on this tour. I guess what brought them to mind at this point, is recalling their choices of working locations. I have seen their tables set up around a pool area, under a cabana, off in a serenely grassy area, or even on the balcony of a motel room. The tables are rarely empty, as the nightly “client list” is filled up during the day when Ken and Laura take over a water stop on the route. Everyone has their “favorite” of either Ken or Laura, but from what I hear, both are equally talented when it comes to matters of relaxing your body. We appreciate that they take this trip year after year to drive out to Arizona, and work on this tour, because they are so much fun to have around! They tell me that it’s not for the money, because they often only break even. They simply come for the pleasure of our company, which speaks volumes to me.
What would dinner be in Payson without the Ladies of the Eastern Star? I cannot imagine a visit to this sweet little town in the mountains without a homemade meal prepared by these delightfully friendly women. Of course the men of the Ponderosa Lodge #64 are always there to lend a helping hand and do whatever is necessary to see to our needs. I cannot tell you how many people look forward to this meal, more than any other, for the simple fact that it is just darned good food. This year will be the first time that we won’t have to eat in shifts. Why you ask? Well, it is because of fund-raisers such as our bike tour that enabled lodge members to build an annex to the back of the existing building, which is big enough to feed a crowd such as ours. Now, when we have filled our tummies, we won’t have to hurry out of our seats to make room for the next guy; we can sit and visit for a time and eat seconds on dessert?
October 3, and day four of the ride gives us long descents within the Tonto National Forest, past the vast stretches of the 23-mile long Roosevelt Lake, and past the historic Theodore Roosevelt Dam, which was built with stone and blocks between 1905 and 1911, quite the engineering feat. The 284-feet-high structure is still the world’s highest masonry dam.
Crossing over the world’s longest steel suspension bridge will give you a great view of the dam and the lake. Bring along the camera for great photo-ops in this area. Get ready for some climbing; the Big Hill on the road into Miami is a 5.5-mile climb, at a 9% grade. It’s a toughie, but once at the top you will be able to stop for a rest at the SAG station before tackling the remaining 13 or so miles of the day.
In Globe our host motel will be the Copper Hills Inn. The new owners of this location are getting ready for our visit. This tour has stayed here many times in past years, but because of the change in ownership last year (closed for upgrades), we had to re-route the tour through an alternate city. This is the original and preferred route by those who know the difference. The pool will be a welcome retreat for many, and it might be a day that you will want to be on the massage table for a good rub down. Miami High School, just up the road about 1/4 of a mile, has once again welcomed us by opening up a section of the athletic field for the tents. We do appreciate this camping location because of proximity to the motel and restaurant, and because of the absence of lawn around the motel property.
October 4, and day five of riding; the longest day’s ride on the tour! A century and then some. This day begins early with a rolling ride through the old Copper-mining twin-towns of Miami/Globe and south onto Hwy 77. Ride up to the summit of El Capitan at 4,983 feet, stop and rest for a spell, then enjoy a picturesque 300-foot descent into the Gila River Gorge country. Those who experience this thrill, often rave long afterwards about the exhilaration and excitement with that descent. You might notice old Copper mining smelter smokestacks as you pass through the twin towns of Winkleman/Hayden. This once predominant industry has left many a relic to give pause to along the route. The outskirts of Tucson is over 90 miles into the ride. Views of the Catalina Mountain Range in the east and the Tucson Mountain Range in the west of Oracle Road are spectacular. Saguaro cactus abound the many hills, roadways, and landscaped areas. Making your way to the hotel for the evening, over the bustling, ever-expanding city streets, will give you a real appreciation for the unexpectedly quiet, peaceful surroundings at the Ghost Ranch Lodge. This delightful oasis in the desert will greet the campers with a plush green lawn and graceful old trees. The evening meal will be taken at the poolside dining area, and a long-awaited rest will be relished by one and all. This is our first visit to the Ghost Ranch, but our host manager Mary is doing everything in her power to make sure that we enjoy our stay.
This location wants to cater to more bicycling tours and bicyclists in general Ð so why wouldn’t we want to stay and come back another day?
October 4, and the final day of riding; Nogales, Arizona here we come! Early morning hours will find you on San Xavier Indian Reservation land. Passing by the beautifully restored, San Xavier Mission, known as the White Dove of the Desert, may entice you to pay it a visit. It’s worth a stop. This leg of the tour will highlight the Santa Cruz River Valley, one of the first areas in Arizona to be colonized by the Spanish. A Jesuit priest, Eusebio Francisco Kino, and later missionaries, forever changed the lives of the Tohono O’Odham Indians in this area. If you want a treat, stop in and visit the artsy community of Tubac. The shops are full of take-home treasures, and there are several unique cafés to grab a bite at. The Tumacacori Mission is just down the road, with a nice visitor’s center where you can learn more about the origins of the area. The frontage roads and scenic residential areas will eventually bring you to the place we call home for the night, Nogales, Arizona. If you have made good time, you might be able to catch a cab and go pay a visit to Nogales, Mexico, which is five miles from the motel, a little too far to walk. Tonight’s motel/meal facility will be playing host to the tour for the third year in a row. The Super 8 Motel, with its close proximity to the camping location, has welcomed us back in fine fashion. The Ron Turley Soccer Field, which will once again be our camping location (sorry, no lawn area for the campers at the motel), has again opened up its lawn and gym areas giving us the option of indoor or outdoor sleeping. The Farewell Banquet, featuring of course, a Mexican Buffet, and the announcement of the winners of the ever-popular “Creative Contest Award” are a given. If all goes well, we may even have some Mariachi Music for you to enjoy while dining. The evening will be one for sharing stories, laughing, celebrating, and trading addresses with some newfound friends. Last year, one couple’s friendship turned to love; now they are engaged to be married! You just never know whom you might meet far away from home, now do you?
Please join us for this memorable experience. Even those who have ridden this tour several times enjoy every new twist, which is added to the “old ride.” We look forward to seeing you again, or meeting you for the first time. You are special to us, and we will take good care of you!
AUGUST
Maintenance Clinic
Tuesday, August 13. 7 to 9 PM. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde. Outside in Ramada #3. Look for the GABA sign.
SEPTEMBER
Safety Workshop
Wednesday, September 18. 6:30 to 8 PM. Columbus Library, Columbus & 22nd St., SE corner.
OCTOBER
Ride Leaders Workshop
Tuesday, October 22. 6:30 to 8 PM. Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot.
NOVEMBER
El Tour Education & Safety Wednesday, November 6. 6:30 to 8 PM. Himmel Library, 1035 N. Treat.
DECEMBER
No class. Holiday Break.
The Bike Shop Coordinator has a very important job in the Club as a liaison between GABA, the bike shops and our printing company for a smooth delivery of newsletters to each bike shop every month, as well as serving the advertising needs of our sponsor bike shops.
Here are the main duties of the Bike Shop Coordinator:
1. Work with bike shops and other potential advertisers to get their ads in our news-letter, as well as changes in existing ads.
2. Work with the Territorial Printing Co. to ensure that the newsletters are delivered to all bike shops in a timely manner.
3. Provide an updated bike shop address list for the Territorial each month.
4. Maintain current information on: fax and phone numbers, email addresses, and contact names for all our advertisers.
5. be willing and able to deliver newsletters to bike shops when their supply is low.
A published day phone with voice messaging system to accept calls from existing and potential advertisers is a must.
Ability to create mail merge letters, address labels, work in MS Word & Excel are a plus.
Mileage expenses are reimbursed.
If interested, contact Sheryl at 743-7402.
The hot summary is almost over, baseball is entering its home stretch for the playoffs and football training camps and preseason games are underway. What this means is El Tour is less than four months away and the training rides will be starting soon, actually on August 25.
Everyone is welcome to take part in the weekly training rides that will start from the corner of Grant and Silver bell to avoid being fenced into a fee for parking at TCC several times during the training season.
There are a few things that should be remembered; as these rides are not typical GABA day rides.
The rides will start in the 30 to 40-mile range and gradually build up to about 90 miles. As in years past most of the El Tour route will be covered on one ride or another. A map and cue sheet will be provided for each ride but once riders leave the parking lot they are basically on their own.
There will not be a sweep vehicle or rider to offer any assistance to a rider. Riders make sure their equipment is in good working order; i.e. derailleur are working, chain is clean and lubed, tires are in good shape and properly inflated and brakes are in working order.
Items that should be carried on the ride include new tubes, a tire pump, patch kit, money for food or other emergencies, plenty of water (and food) and a phone.
Last year there were about 80 participants on the first training ride. With this being the 20th El Tour Perimeter Bicycle Association of America is expecting exceed last years record. I hope to see everyone at all of the training rides.
PS: In case there is someone who has not heard, El Tour this year will be done in the counterclockwise order. This is the more traditional way.
Our guest at the September meeting will be the Perimeter Bicycling Association of America’s founder and director, Richard DeBernardis. Richard will recount the history of Perimeter Bicycling and its premier event, the El Tour de Tucson.
This year’s event will be El Tour XX, and will feature a return to the counter-clockwise direction.
Please join us for Richard’s informative presentation.
The Board position of Social Director is now open. This a very EASY and FUN job!
The Social Director is in charge of bringing the refreshments for the monthly meeting ONCE a month on the first Monday. What refreshments? That is left to his/her creativity!
In addition, the Social Director is in charge of bringing the "catered" dinner for the Board Meeting on the second Monday of the month. Again, the kind of food is decided by the Social Director, with suggestions from the Board Members of course!
All Board positions have many perks that come with it, such as FREE overnighters or centuries, for example!
Interested? Please call President Wayne Cullop at (520) 290-4321 for more information and to volunteer.
To promote interest and involvement in all aspects of bicycling.
To regularly publish a comprehensive newsletter of cycling information, legislation affecting cyclists and other bicycling news.
To schedule tours and group riding opportunities for the development of individual cycling skills and to promote safe riding habits.
To provide education at all levels of bicycling skills, such as road and safety, bicycle maintenance and emergency repairs; and to encourage bicycle use as an energy-efficient, healthful means of personal transportation.
The UPDATE deadline is on the 15th of each month. All submissions, including ads, articles, ride reports, cycling stories, etc. should be typed. Cartoons are welcome.
Submit your articles by e-mail to: sgcouvrette@aol.com or by fax: (520) 325-8114 or mail submissions directly to:
Suzanne Couvrette, UPDATE Editor
2818 N. Campbell, Box 146
Tucson, AZ 85719
Classified Ad Space
FREE for GABA members
ONLY for GABA members
The UPDATE is published monthly by GABA-Tucson as a service to its members. Submissions must be received by the deadline to be included and may be edited to meet space requirements. GABA does not make representations on the facts of information received from its members and other cycling entities.
Come out with us and escape the heavy traffic and pressure of the big city, and relax in the remote Arizona and New Mexico scenic mountain countryside.
This year’s ride is the traditional route that you have grown to know and love: Morenci to Glenwood to Alpine and back to Morenci. Two hundred and fifteen miles worth of an end-of-the-summer hurrah!
This ride is for experienced riders who are conditioned for long gradual climbs as well as long exhilarating descents.
This is a scenic ride with demanding terrain!
If you are looking for a great training ride for GABA’s “7-day Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour,” which begins September 29th, this is the ride you want!
Be ready for all kinds of weather. It will rain at one point or another and the temperature is likely to drop considerably! Very cool mornings in the mountains will alternate with very hot afternoons.
Registration is Friday, Aug 30th Check in for pre-registered riders, and registration for Day of Event riders will be held in the lobby of the Morenci Motel from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday night. To find us, look for a yellow GABA sign pointing the way. The Morenci Motel will be serving dinner in the restaurant until 9:00 pm if you arrive hungry.
Day 1, Saturday, Aug 31st, Morenci to Glenwood, 65 miles. Start your day right with a great breakfast at the Morenci Motel, serving starts at 5:30 am. Menu includes oatmeal, eggs, bagels, sweet rolls, juice and coffee for only $5.50. After breakfast get on your bike and roll on down into Clifton, then climb out of the Gila River Valley heading northeast on Hwy 78 through Mule Creek and on to Glenwood, following the San Francisco River Valley. A lasagna dinner (meat & vegetarian) will be cooked and served by your Ride Leaders, Sandi and Pam, with the expert assistance of the proprietor and owner of the Double T Homestead B&B, Polly Tipton. The meal will also include salad, garlic bread, cake, iced tea and lemonade, all priced at a very reasonable $8 per person.
Day 2, Sunday, Sept. 1st, Glenwood to Alpine, 60 miles. To get your body ready for this day’s ride, Sandi and Pam, again with the able assistance of Polly, will prepare a delicious breakfast consisting of breakfast burritos containing egg, hash browns onions and bell pepper, a side of salsa, a variety of muffins, watermelon chunks, coffee and juice, starting at 6 am, for only $6. Then it’s back on the bike with a gradual climb through pine forests in New Mexico as you negotiate Saliz Pass and Luna Summit to the small town of Alpine at approximately 8000 feet elevation.
Day 3, Monday, Sept. 2nd, Alpine to Morenci, 90 miles. The famous “Coronado Trail” brings blue vistas, green forests, and long descents!
After a series of ups and downs in high forests, riders arrive at Hannagan Meadow. Prepare yourself for breath-taking scenery while cycling down many miles and many tight curves, and another long gradual climb up to the lunch spot at Rose Peak.
There are many more downs and ups over small ridges, always with tremendous views, before the final 20 miles of spectacular vistas while pedaling your way back down into Morenci.
Camping
Friday night: In Morenci, at the Morenci Motel on the large grassy area behind the motel. Shower rooms will be available.
Saturday night: In Glenwood at the park, across the street from the Double T Homestead B&B, approximately 1/2 mile east of town on the Catwalk Road. Rustic, friendly atmosphere with smooth camping spots! Hot and cold water is available for showers.
Sunday night: In Alpine at the Alpine Village RV Park at the beginning of town, follow the GABA signs. Hot showers available.
Pre-registration is required and helmets are mandatory.
For further information, contact either ride leader Sandi Rousseau at (520) 577-1187, e-mail srousseau@juno.com ; or contact Pam Cullop at (520) 290-4321, e-mail pjcullop@comcast.net.
Costs
GABA members pay $75, non-members pay $85.
After the August 18th deadline add a $10 late fee. Ride Leaders appreciate early registrations, this helps them better prepare the ride for you.
Day of Event costs: members pay $100; and non-members pay $110.
Motel List
Available information as of 6/17/02
Friday Night: In Morenci
Morenci Motel (928) 865-4111
Friday Night: In Clifton
Rode Inn (928) 865-4536
Saturday Night: In Glenwood
Double T Homestead B&B (505) 539-2812
Lariat Motel (505) 539-2361
Crab Apple (505) 539-2400 None available
White Water Motel (505) 539-2581
Sunday Night: In Alpine
Sportsman Lodge (928) 339-4576
Mountain High Lodge (928) 339-4311
Coronado Trail Cabins (928) 339-4772 three-night min, one mile past town
Alpine Country Club (928) 339-1840 one mile before town
Tal-Wi-Wi Lodge (928) 339-4319 two-night min, four miles past town towards Springerville.
Alpine Cabins at customer’s request (phone # has been temporarily disconnected).
This year's ride was spectacular in spite of the drought conditions in AZ and NM. We had great weather and the wind was a little strong on Monday but we did get a little rain. We would like to thank all of the bicyclists who joined us on the 2002, Luna Lake Ride. Lynn Buchanan came from Yakama, Washington, flying his own aircraft into Springerville for the ride.
Steve Wilson took some beautiful pictures of the ride; everything from the riders to the cloud patterns, trees, flowers, and the territory. The real "kicker" was the slide show on Sunday, when we saw not only this years Sonita - Bisbee ride but also saw the Luna Lake ride just hours after we rode it. Fantastic "slide show" Steve. Steve is offering to make CD copies of the ride for a no-profit-to-him price of $5 per CD. Steve's e-mail address is wilsons@us.ibm.com or see them on-line here.
We would also like to give special thanks to all of the volunteers that assisted us on this years ride. Thank you very much volunteers. We could not have done it without you all. Sandi Rousseau, Rhonda Smith, Sally Bouquot, and Kate McCarthy all did a great job running the Sags each day. The baggage handling was done by Norm Osborn and Joy Goldbaum, volunteers from Las Cruces. Great job Joy, and Norm! The ride mechanic was Patrick Uebel, who also did sweeps of the route. Thanks for keeping the bikes in good repair, Pat.
(P.S., there is a new Ice Cream shop across from the Bear Wallow restaurant that has very rich ice cream and fudge; and that's a fact!)
Thanks,
Pat and Dennis James
The Silver Spokes Bicycle Club of Silver City, New Mexico, will again sponsor the Gila Inner Loop Bicycle Tour. This two-day event has been held yearly for more than a decade.
Beautiful vistas, light traffic and winding mountain roads make for a fabulous tour, suitable for intermediate and experienced cyclists. Well-stocked food and beverage stops, a satisfying dinner and breakfast at Camp Thunderbird, and the after-dinner bonfire keep many riders coming back year after year.
Cyclists ride 43 miles on the first day, from Silver City to Camp Thunderbird. Those desiring a greater challenge may add 17 to 43 more miles by taking a side trip to the Clinton P. Anderson Vista or the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The second day’s ride returns to Silver City through the Mimbres Valley with optional side trips through San Lorenzo and to the Kneeling nun Vista. Distance ranges from 35 to 52 miles, for a two-day total of 78 to 138 miles.
Registration is $40 per rider. There is a limit of 100 riders. Registration forms are available from Twin Sisters Cycling and Fitness, 303 N. Bullard Street, Silver City, NM 88661. For more information, or to have a form mailed to you, call Annie at Twin Sisters at 538-3388, or email twinsisters@gilanet.com
I used to be poor. I ain’t rich now, but I own a Ritchey with Chris King wheels, among other bikes.
Let me tell you, you get treated differently when you wheel in a Ritchey with top-of-the-heap components than when you bring in a beat to hell Fuji. In the same way a hot blond at a bar treats a lawyer differently from a dishwasher.
I understand why. Cheapo bike parts are a pain to work on compared to high-end. You figure the person couldn’t really care if you do a good job, since they ride such a pathetic bike.
You figure they probably aren’t serious riders.
I just want to encourage those of you working in bike shops to fight these natural tendencies and make a real effort to find ways to make every customer feel like part of the team / click / tribe / nation / revolution (!) of cyclists. YOU are on the front lines recruiting new members.
You really can and do make a HUGE difference in turning people on or off to cycling. Remember, a Huffy is a huge step up from an S.U.V.
The Cave Creek Bike Tour will be back again this fall! This is a 40-mile (each day) bike ride to Cave Creek Canyon, starting from Roadforks, New Mexico. The ride takes you on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains to the spectacular little town of Portal, the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon.
As you pedal along the Peloncillo Mountains, soon you will view the scenic Chiricahua Mountains which rise from a broad valley to heights of nearly 9,800 feet, with five life zones: lower Sonoran, upper Sonoran, transition, Canadian and Hudsonian.
The magic does not end: the route takes you down across this broad valley, and then gradually climbs up to the foot of these spectacular mountains!
As you reach Portal, stop for a few minutes at the old General Store for a cool drink, taking a step back in time to enjoy this quiet and beautiful little town.
Continue to slowly and gradually climb in a windy canyon which narrows as you cycle through tall sycamores following a lazy-flowing creek to the Southwestern Research Center at the end of the paved road.
Lodging will be dormitory style at the Center operated by the American Museum of Natural History on 88 acres surrounded by the Coronado National Forest. There is a 60-foot creek-fed swimming pool, ping pong, volleyball court, horseshoe pit and library, as well as beautiful grounds with tall trees and green grass.
You might be lucky to see deer grazing early in the morning! This ride promises to be a refreshing change of scenery after months of hot desert riding and hiking. Expect red rock, maybe some red maples, and definitely some colorful company.
The ride fee of $70 for members and $75 for non-members includes: three meals, lodging, sag support, happy hour goodies, and a great slide show.
Reservations are limited. So sign up early!
For more information, contact Cathy Crandall at cathygeorge@theriver.com , or call (520) 400-8476.
El Tour time will be upon us before you know it. Two notable changes are in store for this year’s riders.
The first is a reversal of the route direction back to counter-clockwise. The other is the return of the river crossing on Drexel early in the 111-mile event. The El Tour start and finish line will remain at the same location by TCC, with the start of the 31-mile and 75-mile events more or less swapping.
GABA will once again be providing training rides to help you get ready for the big event. The training rides, led by GABA President Wayne Cullop, start the weekend of August 24th and continue through the weekend of November 16th.
These training rides start with a distance of 30-40 miles and steadily increase each week to 80-90 miles the weekend before El Tour. These rides are designed to gradually increase your riding distance and endurance, familiarize you with the El Tour route, let you practice your ride strategy and ride with others who are at your riding skill level.
With the exception of the two centuries, there is no cost for GABA training rides. Centuries are fully supported with three or four SAG stops and lots of good food.
All training rides will begin at the northeast corner of Grant and Silverbell. Information about the two centuries can be found in upcoming GABA monthly newsletters or on our website, www.bikegaba.org.
Date Time Mileage
Aug 25 6:00 AM 30/40
Sept 1 6:00 AM 35/45
Sept 8 6:00 AM 40/50
Sept 15 6:00 AM 45/55
Sept 22 6:00 AM 50/60
Sept 29 6:30 AM 55/65
Oct 6 6:30 AM 60/70
Oct 13 6:30 AM GABA’s Tumacacori Century
Oct 20 6:30 AM 65/75
Oct 27 6:30 AM 70/80
Nov 3 7:00 AM GABA’s Evergreen Century
Nov 10 7:00 AM 75/85
Nov 17 7:00 AM 80/90
Perimeter Bicycling is expecting 5,000 or more riders for this year’s event. Early sign-ups are already coming in. Check the Perimeter Bicycling website (www.pbaa.org) for sign-up information and entry forms. Note the registration fees go up on August 26th and October 21st, so sign up early and save some money.
El Tour XX will be a special ride. If you’ve thought about doing El Tour before but couldn’t quite convince yourself to take the plunge, this is the year. If you’ve done one of the shorter distances in the past, consider moving up to a longer distance, or even to the 111-mile event. The GABA training rides will provide an excellent opportunity to get yourself in shape over time, and for you to evaluate your capability for the event of your choice.
Perimeter Bicycling’s El Tour de Tucson is one of the finest century rides in the country. You’ll find it difficult to find a better supported ride anywhere. There’s nothing quite like cruising through intersection after intersection with police officers holding back the traffic just for you. The camaraderie shared with your fellow riders is special and not soon forgotten.
In case you were wondering, the majority of the riders are not from Tucson, but hail from across the state, the nation, and a few from other countries.
Proper training is a critical prerequisite to a successful and enjoyable El Tour experience. It’s key to start early and slowly build your mileage base to the point you can comfortably ride 60-80% of the distance you plan to ride in El Tour. If you can ride 100% that’s a bonus, but the excitement and support on El Tour day will help carry you the extra miles beyond your normal training ride distances.
It’s very important to experiment with foods and fluids during training, not on El Tour day. Trying out a new energy bar or drink on El Tour day can lead to a very unpleasant experience. As you’re training, try different combinations of snacks and drinks and make a note of how you feel and how they affect your energy level. If they don’t work for you, try something else. Remember, there is no magic formula that works for every rider. If your snack or drink doesn’t taste good to you, you’re likely to avoid it just when your body needs it most. Proper hydration is, of course, an absolute must. If you go out for a four-hour ride and don’t have to urinate somewhere along the route, you are not properly hydrated. Low fluid and electrolyte levels can rob your body of much needed energy and endurance, and make your El Tour experience an unpleasant one.
So get ready to start putting in the training miles. Come join us for the training rides and we’ll see you at the start line at sunrise on November 23rd!
Nationals are now over this year, and we are driving home to Tucson as I type. It was exhilarating and a wonderful learning experience on so many different levels. For me (and I believe others) it was also somewhat intimidating.
Dave and I drove to Bakersfield on Monday from Tucson. We left early in the morning and arrived in the early evening with plenty of time to check in, get our packets and see friends. Unloading all the bicycle equipment was a little daunting especially when we would have to load it back in 1st thing in the morning to do the Time Trial.
I’ll tell you, even though none of us podiumed (my own word) we (Dave, Richard, Tom and myself) looked great. Between the skinsuits, helmets, borrowed bikes and wheels (thank you everyone), we looked like we really knew what we were doing and Tom and Richard did. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the three teammates all in matching gear.
I felt as if I was having my best time trial ever that day and passed the two rabbits I had in front of me (I was 3rd) within the first 5k easily and then was out there on my own for another 15k till this woman (Catherine) went by me so fast that I felt my bike knock around from the wind. I would find out later that she won our category and beat me by 4+ minutes. I still think it was my best time trial and am impressed with the other women there. I finished 10th in my field.
Dave’s second half time trial was wonderful, but he had a lousy 1st half. Luckily, he was still smiling at the end of the morning and had a great time hanging with Tom and Richard. They thought they had OK Time Trials but nothing spectacular. All three finished mid-field.
That afternoon we decided to ride the Road Race Course and we did so at 2:40 in the afternoon, which was right around the time that Richard and I would Race. Dave and Tom would race at 8 a.m., so it would be slightly cooler for them. It was 107 as we did the course and I am so glad we did because I decided right then to bring a camel back. We would do this course twice and it was 2000+ feet of climbing each lap and each lap was 24 miles.
My race was 1st out of our group and we already heard stories of only 1/3 to 1/2 of the fields were finishing because of the heat. The rest of the racers were quitting after one lap due to heat exhaustion.
It was up to 109 during my race and the climbing was hard for me. The women were tough and we had 17 finishers out of 25-30 starters. I finished 28 minutes behind the lead female in 15th position and was actually very happy as I am not a climber. Something I must improve.
Dave and Tom’s race was the next morning and it was probably only 90 when they started. I was in the feed zone to feed them after their first lap and it was so exciting to see them come around in the lead pack and looking so fresh. They are both great climbers and I knew they could do well. And they did. Dave crossed the line in a mass sprint for 3rd after the 1st two men came over the line just seconds ahead. Dave crossed over in 11th place and Tom placed 18th. That was out of 117 starters and 80+ finishers.
Richard did not fair as well as he went off at 3:40 p.m. that day and the race temp was 112. He thought he was ready for the race and was until he put too much into the first climbs and blew himself up. When he came through the feed zone where Dave, Tom and myself were spread out to support him, he pulled over by me and took some water as I poured more over him and he didn’t continue. He was bummed and even talked about going on but when we found out he had chills, we talked him out of it quickly and it wasn’t that hard. Over half of his field did not continue.
For the guys, that was the end of their racing as they were not doing the Criterium. I had to race on Saturday at 11:40, so expected the heat to be only about 102 at that time.
I once again got to the start line and look at the women around me. There were teams that would work together and most of these women have been racing for years and are pros. I tried to figure out what I was doing there but didn’t have much time to think about it as the ref started our race. OH YAH, I love this, that is why I am here and as the attacks from the teams start and the games begin, I feel right at home. The pace went up and down for the 35k and women pulled off and quit and we lost four others to a crash but I felt comfortable enough to even joke around with a few women. We got to the last few laps and tried to figure out our position for the sprint finish that would be coming up.
Coming into the last turn the women take off to the finish line and I was right in the mist of them. The finish line comes up and I was so thrilled to be there that I forgot to basically get off the saddle and hammer it.
I went over the line in the pack in 9th position and was very happy with that.
We went back later and watched a buddy race in her age group and had a whole side line of people cheering for her. Many of them had no idea who she was but she definitely had the most fans. Marie is a wonderful competitor and person and did very well in her hard field.
It was wonderful to see so many Arizona-ions and so many Tucson-ions. We did wonderful overall and I think that WE (our team) will be very hard to beat next year, especially as we gain more knowledge.
I want to thank some very special people, Jean, thank you so much for all your help in training. Cindy, thank you so much for letting me use your time trial bike, she is sweet. Marie, thank you so much for the use of your Tri Spokes for Cindy’s s TT bike and the new aero helmet. Kenton, thank you so much for the use of your road wheels to help climb quicker. They were sweet but my legs didn’t listen to them. Matt Zoll, thanks for the use of your deep Zipps just in case. Hugh, Dave looked awesome in all your TT getups. Dave, for all your help and support. Neil, you gave us a great start and alot to work with, Thank you too. Thanks to Gary at Bikes West for getting my tires in at the last minute. AND to all my friends, who cycled Colorado while I did Nationals but kept me informed of their trip, thank you.