March 2003 Update Index
2003 Desert Double Training Schedule
Winterspring Time Trials
NOVA DESERT CLASSIC
The 11th Annual Mining Country Challenge
Education Workshop Schedule
Words from Steve
Where To Ride On The Road Which Lane
2003 Race Across America
Letter from Tim Travis,
200K Brevet Ride Report
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
RENEWING MEMBERS:
Letter from the Latin American Social Club
Bike Swap Volunteer Meeting!
Proposed Changes to GABA, Inc. By-Laws
Etiquette for Ride Leaders and Ride Participants
Tucson Bicycle Classic
2003 Desert Double Training Schedule
(Editor's Note: The following list includes some organized rides that need pre-registration. See related articles for info)
MARCH:
WEEK 9: 110 easy miles.
March 1 (Sat): Le Grande. (add 45 mi = 110 miles) (pre-registration needed ).
March 2 (Sun): John Heller's ride, see Biketivities for details.
WEEK 10: 120 fast miles.
March 8 (Sat) or March 9 (Sun)
WEEK 11: 125 easy miles.
March 15 (Sat): Mining Country Cen-tury.100 hilly miles. Registration needed.
or March 16 (Sun): Ride to Tumacacori from Tucson, 105 miles. Paceline and fast pace training. See Biketivities for details.
WEEK 12: 135 fast miles.
March 22 & 23: Organ Pipe Bike Tour. 100 or 80 miles each day, or on your own.
WEEK 13: 135 easy miles.
March 29 (Sat) or March 30 (Sun)
APRIL
WEEK 14: 125 fast miles.
April 5 (Sat): El Tour de Phoenix. 100 fast miles. Pre-registration needed).
or April 6 (Sun):
WEEK 15: 100 easy miles.
April 12 & 13: Sonoita Bisbee Bike Tour. Back to back 65 miles.
WEEK 16:
April 19 (Sat): The Desert Double!
In addition to weekend training rides, you need to ride at least 3 times during the week, about 50-75 minutes each time.
Back to the top
Winterspring Time Trials
Three more Sunday morning Time Trials at 3 different Tucson locations. Low-key events, safe and sane, fun for all!
Riders compete against the clock, not each other. Starts are at one minute intervals, not all at once elbow-to-elbow. No drafting, no twisting descents or high speed corners. Anyone can ride! Events start at 7 AM Sunday mornings in light or non-existent traffic. You should be finished by 9 AM.
$5 per event. Four classes: Men, Women, Tandem Teams, and Single-speed bikes, either fixed-gear or freewheel. If you win an event, we refund your entry fee.
The courses are:
March 9: East end of Speedway from Tanque Verde Loop Rd to dead end: 7.9 miles RT.
March 23: Gates Pass, from west side of Greasewood & Speedway into parking lot at top of pass: approximately 4 miles.
April 13: Swan Road at Sunrise, from Wells Fargo Bank to top of Swan and left into cul-de-sac: 2 miles.
For more information, please contact Tamar at Full Cycle Speedway, 327-3232.
NOVA DESERT CLASSIC
March 21, 22 & 23, 2003
By Jerry Sieve
Biggest Mountain Bike Race news in Arizona for quite some time! Once called the "Cactus Cup", this event will be reborn this March as the NOVA DESERT CLASSIC!
It will take place at McDowell Regional Park on March 21, 22 & 23. The format will be a 3-day stage race similar to the old event, but with several unique features added such as a "Tour De France" style TEAM TIME TRIAL. It is the only AMBC designated cross country race in the state this year.
We already have commitments from many of the major MTB PRO trade teams. We will have NORBA National Champions, the Men's World Champions and the women's World Cup champion in attendance! We also expect to have a sizable EXPO area for all to enjoy.
For more info, visit the race website at www.teamnova.org or you can call me at (480) 488-9561, or email me at jerrysieve@teamnova.org
The 11th Annual Mining Country Challenge
Saturday, March 15th
96 very hilly scenic miles or 66 hilly scenic miles!
Organized by Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club (GABA-Phoenix).The Classic 96-mile Cen-tury has 6,000 feet of climbing. The New 66-mile Metric Century has only 2,215 feet of climbing! The challenge is the "End of the World", a 1.5-mile, 11% grade ascent!
Registration: From 7 AM to 8:30 AM.
Century starts at 8:30 AM. Metric Century starts at 9 AM. Mass Starts for both events.
Where: Registration & Start is in Superior at the Chamber of Commerce, 350 Main St. Finish is at Magma Ave. and Main St.
Directions: From Tucson, take Hwy 77 to Oracle Junction, then Hwy 79 to Florence Jct. Turn E on Hwy 60 to Superior. Main Street is on north side of Highway.
Parking Restrictions: No parking on Main Street West of Magma Ave because of the Superior Mountain Festival.
Fees: PMBC/GABA/ABC Members: $20
Non-Members:$25. Late Fee after 3/2: $10
Fee include a pair of cycling socks.
Make checks payable to:
PMBC, PO Box 26788, Tempe AZ 85285-6788. Use Generic Registration on Page 15.
Ride director: Kathy Hendricks, 480-775-1108 or kate1967@msn.com Forms/ride info available at www. sportsfun.com/gaba
Education Workshop Schedule
March 25th (Tuesday)
Reaching your Personal Best
Nanini Library - 6:30 to 8 PM
April 22nd (Tuesday)
Trail Riding
Udall Park - 6:30 to 8 PM
May 13th (Tuesday)
Bicycle Touring
Columbus Park - 6:30 to 8 PM
June
Summer Break. NO PROGRAM.
July 10th (Thursday)
Spinning on your bike
Downtown Library - 6:30 to 8 PM
August 21st (Thursday)
Tandem & Recumbent Riding
Wilmot Library - 6:30 to 8 PM
September 18th (Thursday)
Riding Pace Lines
Columbus Library - 6:30 to 8 PM
October 23th (Thursday)
Riding Bike Patrol
Himmel Library - 6:30 to 8 PM
November 18th (Tuesday)
Effective Cycling
Udall Park - 6:30 to 8 PM
December
Winter Break NO PROGRAM
Words from Steve
By Steve Wilson, GABA President
2004 Grand Canyon to Mexico Ride Chairperson Needed
It seems like 2003 had just gotten started and already we're thinking ahead to 2004. GABA's premier ride of the year, the Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure - Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour, may be in jeopardy if we are unable to locate a ride chairperson for next year. The Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour is a week long 500-mile ride through some of Arizona's finest scenery. This year's ride chairperson is Roy Schoonover. He is assisted by our overnight and century coordinator, Pam Cullop.
Leading the Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour can be a rewarding experience. We expect to have between 150 and 200 riders. In the past, these riders have come from across the United States and several countries. It's a great opportunity to meet riders from across the country and create friendships that will last a lifetime.
The Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour chair is a paid position, with the pay ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the overall profitability of the ride. As Grand Canyon to Mexico Tour chairperson you also have your expenses paid as you prepare for the ride.
The chairperson needs to be organized, work well with others, be able to respond to the unexpected in a positive way, and be able to recruit your supporting cast. The ride will require a few hundred hours of your time in preparation and promotion prior to the ride, and then a full week during the ride itself. The chairperson does not cycle on the ride, so no worries about dealing with things at the end of the long ride day!
Experience in leading overnight tours is preferable, but not an absolute requirement. Participation in this year's tour as a co-chairperson would be an excellent opportunity to learn the ropes. Riding this year's tour or coming along as a member of the staff is required. Selection of the ride chairperson is subject to approval of the GABA board of directors.
If interested, or for more information, contact Pam Cullop at 290-4321. If you're not interested, but know someone who might be, let us know. You'll get $50 in GABA bucks for a referral for the eventual ride chairperson!
We hope you'll join us on the 2003 Grand Canyon to Mexico Bicycle Tour. We'll make arrangements for shuttles from and back to Tucson if there is enough interest. See you on the road!
Where To Ride On The Road Which Lane?
Where in the Lane?
by Richard E Corbett,
Certified Cycling Instructor/Coach
Where do you ride when you come to an intersection? Which lane do you choose? Where in the lane do you ride? This article will address these questions, providing the answers that Effective Cycling™ has given us since the early 1970s.
Which Lane to Choose
You always want to be in a lane that goes legally where you want to go (i.e. straight, right, or left), especially at intersections. When there is only one lane, the choice is simple. But what about when there are two or more, or the lane goes to more than one place (i.e. combination straight and right)?
When there are two or more lanes that go to your destination, a cyclist should be in the rightmost lane that goes to their destination. For example, when there are two left turn lanes, you want to be in the rightmost of the two, and when there are two right turn lanes, again you want to be in the rightmost lane.
When a lane goes to more than one destination, such as a combined straight and right turn lane, the cyclist should be in the part of the lane that goes to their destination. For example, when the lane is marked for straight and right turns, think of the lane as having two halves, and then position yourself in the half that goes to your destination. If you are going straight, be in the left half of the lane; if you are going right, be in the right half of the lane.
Where to Ride in a Lane
Once you know which lane to ride in, then do you know where in the lane to ride? I observe that many cyclists who have ridden for years ride too close to the edge of the pavement! Please read on, and you may come to understand. Keep in mind that every study done for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that the major collision threats for cyclists are in front of us, not behind us!
The law says we should ride as near to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway as is practicable. For most cyclists, "as near to the right as practicable" means as close to the edge of the pavement as they can get. The very edge of the pavement may seem to be, but is almost never the safest place to bicycle, nor is it the only legal place. Why do I say this? Consider the following key points.
First, the general provision in Arizona law (ARS 28-815 A) about where a cyclist should ride on the road is that when you are traveling less than the normal speed of traffic, you must ride as close as "practicable" to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.
"Practicable" is the key term here. Cycling law authority Paul Hill has reported that practicable means "reasonably possible". To me, this means that in virtually every case I am entitled to maneuver room ranging from two to five feet or more, depending on my speed. It also means that if my position to the right will 'invite' too-close passing, I may be entitled to 'additional' space.
For example, if I am traveling downhill at 30 mph, I need to be several feet (e.g. 5') from the edge of the road, in order to give me room to safely maneuver and avoid surface hazards. On the other hand, traveling at 10 mph, I can be closer (e.g. 2') to the road edge. Typically, if I ride any closer to the edge than 2', I will have a greater risk of "going off" the edge, or hitting the curb.
Second, the law provides several specific, and one general exception to the overall requirement to ride as close to the right as practicable. These exceptions are:
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When passing another bicycle or vehicle;
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When preparing for a left turn;
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When necessary to avoid "conditions" including (but not limited to):
Fixed or moving objects
Parked or moving vehicles
Bicycles or pedestrians
Animals or surface hazards
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When the lane is too narrow for the bicyclist and a motor vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane (can they pass you with at least 3' of clearance, staying in the lane?).
The discussion here relies on definitions based on the view "generally" held by cyclists, and may not match your own perception. When in doubt, use your own perception! In the following discussions, the cyclist is assumed to be traveling on a level road, in normal daylight, at a speed of 12 to 15 mph, unless otherwise stated.
Very Wide Lanes (20+ ft) - These lanes typically have on-street parking, with several feet of space between parked vehicles and the part of the lane where auto traffic moves.
Ride 3 to 4 feet to the right of where auto traffic moves. This positions you where drivers at intersecting streets & driveways look before they enter the roadway, yet keeps you clear of overtaking traffic. If parking is present, this position should also keep you far enough away from car doors that may open unexpectedly. This will also help guard against the right-turn-in-front-of-you collision.
Wide Lanes (16 - 19 ft) - These lanes often have a concrete gutter "pan" and no parking. They may have a striped shoulder or bike lane.
Ride at least 2 feet from the curb or pavement edge, which should keep you 3 feet or more to the right of the auto traffic. If there is a striped shoulder or bike lane, ride in the center if this keeps you out of the surface debris; if it doesn't, ride in the left half.
Ambiguous Lanes (13 - 15 ft) - These lanes often have a concrete gutter pan" and are too narrow for parking. There may be an edge stripe, but it is not meant to define a rideable area. I call these lanes ambiguous because while most vehicles can share the lane with you side-by-side, anything wider, like a bus, RV, rent-truck, or similar, is too wide to safely do so.
Ride another street if you can. If not, ride 3 feet or so from the side, and monitor overtaking traffic. If a wider vehicle approaches from the rear, signal "slowing" (arm and hand extended downward), and if there is time to do so SAFELY, move left a foot or two, to emphasize to the overtaking driver the need for them to move into the next lane to pass you. If there is not time to move left safely, give the "don't pass me" signal - left arm extended almost level, with your palm facing to the rear and fingers spread, and be prepared to move right as far as you safely can, and hold a VERY straight line if the wide vehicle passes you dangerously and illegally closely. By using a rear view mirror, you can detect the wide vehicles soon enough to move left safely, which gives you more room to move to the right IF the wide vehicle starts to pass too closely.
Narrow Lanes (12 ft or less) - These lanes often have a concrete gutter "pan" and are too narrow for parking.
Ride another street if you can. If not, ride in the right half of the lane, at least 4 to 5 feet from the side, and monitor overtaking traffic. This should let overtaking drivers see clearly that they have to move into the next lane to pass you. DO ride as fast as you reasonably can, and use a higher cadence (this looks "good" to drivers you may delay, and minimizes their delay). By using a rear view mirror, you can watch for vehicles that might pass you too closely, and use your "extra" space to move to the right sooner.
Summary
Being in the right lane, especially at intersections, is important. The rightmost lane that goes to your destination is the correct one to be in. If a lane goes to more than one destination, be in the part of the lane that goes to your destination.
Where to ride in a lane depends on the width of the lane, but should virtually never be any closer than two feet, and in many cases will be more. Remember that virtually all your ‘threats’ are in front of you, and that if you take an assertive lane position, people will pass you, not run over you.
And, in closing, remember to always do the same thing you would do in your car, if you were traveling the same speed !
2003 Race Across America
RAAM Starts June 15th
Have you ever wondered how far you can push yourself physically and mentally? Race Across America (RAAM) - the World's toughest endurance bicycle race goes from San Diego, California to Kennedy Plaza on the Famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The legendary RAAM with its mystique is now in its 22nd year!
Solo RAAM presents the unbelievable challenge of 22 hours and 350 miles per day for more than 8 days to finish! For those of us in the realm of mortals, 2 and 4 person relay teams will break the ride up into manageable pieces for any well trained cyclist. Expect to ride 6 hours per day on a 4-person team doing 100 miles each. There are up to 8-rider teams riding 3 hours per day for 50 to 60 miles each. Prize money of $40,000 will be divided between the Solo winners, 2 and 4-person divisions, plus several $10,000 bonus awards to the first to beat certain existing records.
Checkout the RAAM website at www. raceacrossamerica.org for details, and sign up for the ride of your life! You will be on Outdoor Life Network (OLN-TV).
RAAM 2003 Route (new): 2970 miles.
From downtown harbor, San Diego, CA to the Famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ.
Solo Start: Sunday, June 15, 03 at 7 AM.
Team Start: Monday, June 16, 03 at 2 PM.
Race complete, June 27, 2003 12 Noon.
Lanie Mason, USCF/UCI # B0083740.
RAAM Public Relations
8500 E. Southern Ave. #98
Mesa, Arizona 85208
480-664-3883 or Fax 215-895-9863
racerlanie@raceacrossamerica.org www.raceacrossamerica.org
Letter from Tim Travis,
Past President of the GABA-Prescott Chapter
On a Cycling World Trip with Wife Cindie
My name is Tim Travis. I was the president of the GABA chapter in Prescott for several years. My wife Cindie and I were also GABA members for several years as well.
In March 2002, Cindie and I left on a 7-year around-the-world bicycle tour. We are currently in Honduras and heading south. We still have many friends in GABA and regret that, when we left, we did not have enough time to say "good-bye" to everyone. I bet many of them are wondering what happened to us!
Is it possible to link to our web site http://www.DownTheRoad.org from the new and improved GABA web site. Also it would be nice to get mentioned in the GABA newsletter, so our non-internet friends will know what happened to us!
Thank you very much for your time
Tim Travis, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
200K Brevet Ride Report
By John Heller
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 7 AM, 12 cyclists met for a 200K ride "Brevet-Style." Though the course had not been accepted by the international society, the ride was organized to be consistent with an official Brevet Series ride.
Course Descriptions, Cue Sheets, and Brevet Cards were handed out, and riders were signed in to coincide with a pre-ride instructional meeting at 7:25 and a mass start at 7:30 AM. Brevet rides are not races but must be completed within a pres-cribed time frame. Cards are to be signed at various check points (Controles) on the course recording the arrival time of the rider at the Controle. Controles have a set open and close time and, for successful completion of the ride, each rider must arrive at each controle within the time allotments, in addition to finishing within the time limit. The time limit for 200K (125 miles) is 13 hours and 30 minutes.
The course was a loop from of Ajo & Mission Rds to Green Valley, Amado, Arivaca, Three Points & back. Conditions were quite favor-able for January, with starting temper-atures in the 40's and highs in the mid 70's. Though winds were often unfavorable, they were not strong. Controles consisted of local businesses where supplies could be purchased, and people at each one were quite supportive and more than favorable regarding participating in signing cards.
All riders finished in times close enough to allow social time and personal recaps of their adventures, a nice aspect of group riding. Thanks to all who participated! Let's look forward to another Brevet experience!
Randonneurs completing the 200K: Nancy Abbott, Thomas Carstens, Bruce Chandler, Jack dePagter, Eric Ewing, David Glasgow, Gerald Goode, John Heller, Marie Heller, Rob Kilpatrick, Kat Minnella, Tony Perrin.
20th Annual Answer to the Challenge
April 25, 26, 27 2003
Sponsored by Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club. This is the 600-lbs. gorilla of Arizona cycling! Before you can claim yourself among the best, you must Answer to the Challenge. At 325 miles, Answer to the Challenge confronts us with 3 consecutive days of century riding! Along the way, you'll ride over 22,000 feet of climbing and the weather can range anywhere from cold and wet to hot and dry - and probably will.
The route takes you from Scottsdale to Strawberry on Day One with over 9,000 feet of climbing. Day Two continues on to Prescott over Mingus Mountain. Figure on another 6,600 feet. Day Three takes you back to Scottsdale after negotiating the long, fast descent of Yarnell Hill. Sound like fun? Well it is, and the scenery along the way is some of the best that Arizona has to offer!
Your gear will be transported for you. Dick Landis and his expert crew will make sure all you have to do is ride your bike. We hope to have a masseuse available again this year.
Lodging and meals are your responsibility. Early reservations are strongly recommen-ded. Answer to the Challenge will test your physical abilities. It's suited for strong riders experienced at multi-day centuries with long and steep climbs.
Check-in opens at 5 AM
First riders out at 5:30 AM.
Last sag leaves at 6:30 AM.
Slower riders should plan to start early.
START: at Landis Cyclery, SE corner of Scottsdale Rd & Shea Blvd.
REGISTRATION FEE:
PMBC/GABA/ABC/USCF members - $40.
Non-members - $45.
AFTER 4/19/03, ADD $5 late fee.
Make checks payable to PHOENIX METRO BICYCLE CLUB, and mail to Dick Landis c/o Landis Cyclery, 2180 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282. Use generic registration
form on page 15. For further info, contact Dick Landis, 480-839-9383.
STRAWBERRY ACCOMMODATIONS :
Strawberry Lodge: 928-476-3333.
Strawberry Hill Cabins: 480-575-7866.
Strawberry Motel: 928-476-3040.
Windmill Court Inn: 928-476-3064.
Pine Haven B & B: 928-476-3809.
PRESCOTT ACCOMMODATIONS;
Super 8: 1-800-800-8000.
Motel 6: 1-800-466-8356.
Prescottonian: 1-800-528-1234.
Hotel St. Michael: 928-776-1999.
Colony Inn: 928-445-7057.
American Motel: 928-778-4322.
Senator Inn: 928-445-1440.
Apache Lodge: 928-445-1422.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
DEDE SEDER
LEE MAX
LEN WEST
MIKE BURKHOLDER
PATRICK O'CONNOR
SHIRLEY COOPER
DONALD MCGRAW
BILL KATZEL
LENORA KAISER
DAVID HARMON
JESSICA CASANOVA
SERGIO CUEVAS
ELISABETH HEALAGO
SHELLEY OJEDA
JESSICA KELLER
TARA CRAIG
ROCIO GONZALES
DAVID SHELLER
CARRIE HOWARD
GILBERT NEZ
MERCED MAVARRO
CHRIS RICH
BRENT RICHTER
JENNIFER THOMPSON
ERNESTO URQUIJO
JAMES KISSEL
BRETT OLSON
STEVE ZUCARELLI
THOMAS VELJIC
WILLIAM KUZENKO
KELLI OLSON ALICIA SCHAUB
PETE KENNEY
DOUG SMITH
BUZZ WHITE
THOMAS LOUCHHEIM
SETH BRODY
CAMERON BEDIENT
ERVIN FRANKSON
ERIC GILLETTE
BENJAMIN DURAZO
ANDREA ENCINAS
NINA RAMESH
ERIC ADAME
MONICA LANEY
RUBEN TAFOYA
WALTER GARDINER
VERONICA OZOZCO
WAYNE CARTER
RICHARD CASZATT
SALLY PASCHAL
CENISEROS ORASIO
CARSON DODDS
JILL GOOLER
NICOLE HUGHES
CATHY OLANE
JOSE SANCHEZ
RON & KATHY CAMPANA
LYNN & BETH STALKER
BELINDA TORREY
RENEWING MEMBERS:
Pete & Pam Baum
Mike Blatcher
Pat Young & Tom Chabot
Cathy Crandall & George Mortimer
Lee Fiegel
Bruce Moehlman
Bob Turnbull
Barney Young
Jay & Jane Appleby
Chuck Shultz
Bob & Claire RogersJim & Elena Chapman
Richard, Brian & Jason Corbett
John Craven
Kevin Eaton
Teresa Johnson
James Kirsten
Norm Land
Mark Pagel
Bill & Vicki Phillippi
Dan Selmer
Ike & Rhonda Smith
Letter from the Latin American Social Club
1/28/03
Dear GABA,
On behalf of Latin American Social Club (El Casino Ballroom) we want to thank your organization again for your generous contribution to the 7th Annual Grand Christmas Party that was held on Dec. 22, 2002. At noon, Santa and his elves arrived in the City of South Tucson's firetruck and greeted over 1,000 children from ages 3 to 12. They were all treated to lunch, received a gift and stocking filled with goodies.
GABA's platinum contribution that provided 5 new bicycles, was the first of many that helped raise enough funds for a grand total of 435 new bicycles for this year's Christmas Giveaway!
Many other contributors participated, too numerous to list here. On behalf of the LASC President Edward Lopez, Operations Manager Fred Martinez and Administrator Olivia Lopez, we thank you! You made many children happy as witnessed with smiles and joy in their eyes as they experienced the Season of Giving.
Wishing you the best in the New Year,
Very Truly Yours,
Jesse S. Lugo
Bike Swap Volunteer Meeting!
Thursday, 3/27 at 6 PM at Brooklyn Pizza, 534 N. 4th Avenue
By Greg Yares
This FUN "planning" meeting is for anyone interested in helping out. Come and join us!
After getting some pizza for sustenance, let's all walk down the street for hands-on planning! Duties to be allocated: cordon off some areas; assign vendors spaces; direct buyers to parking areas; traffic control; list of all the vendors; GABA booth; etc.
Are you interested in volunteering for this FUN event? Contact Greg Yares, 323-9020 or Yares@cox.net; or simply just show up for pizza! Your help is very appreciated!
Proposed Changes to GABA, Inc. By-Laws
Article III. Board of Directors, Powers & Duties, Election, Term of Office.
Current By-Law:
Section 4. Term of office. Directors shall serve one (1) year terms of office beginning March 1st immediately following the annual meeting.
Proposed By-Law:
Section 4. Term of Office. Directors shall serve one (1) year terms of office immediately upon their election at the annual meeting in January.
Article IV. Officers and Their Duties.
Current By-Law:
Section 6. Disbursement of funds. All checks written on the GABA General Fund Account shall be signed by a combination of the President or Treasurer and any Officer of the Board. Both the President and Treasurer may jointly sign checks without the signature of any other Officer of GABA.
Proposed By-Law:
Section 6. Disbursement of funds. All checks written on the GABA General Fund Account shall be signed by the President or the Treasurer.
Article V. General.
Current By-Law:
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the members shall be held annually on the First Monday of February at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Proposed By-Law:
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the members shall be held on the
Monday meeting in January at a place to be determined by the Board of Directors.
These changes will be voted on at the April 7 monthly meeting.
"Etiquette" for Ride Leaders and Ride Participants
By Wayne & Pam Cullop
Have you ever been on a GABA Day Ride, and been frustrated with the way things have been run, or with the cyclists who came out to join you? Well, having been in the position of a ride leading team, as well as ride participants on rides that others lead, we have seen both sides of the frustration and would like to offer a few tips that might make the ride run a little more smoothly.
Ride Leaders:
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Arrive at least 15 minutes before the designated Start Time of the ride.
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Bring along the required Ride Waiver and a pen to insure the ride is “legal”. If expecting a large group, bring extra waivers and pens.
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Have your route prepared; maps or a written description is needed when the route is not a simple loop, or an out & back.
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Before leaving the designated parking location, explain the route – pointing out possible traffic congestions or hazards, and other road conditions that need special note.
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If you have C or D groups, make sure you allow for re-grouping at regular intervals.
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With C or D riders, if there is anyone in your group that you can ask to help cover the front or the back of the group, don’t hesitate to enlist their help.
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Follow safe and responsible ride practices. Obey traffic laws; do not set a bad example for the riders that you are responsible for.
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If for any reason you cannot lead the ride on the designated date, 1) find a replace-ment; 2) call the day ride coordinator if need be; or 3) send someone to the start of the ride to let participants know the ride is either called off – or appoint someone in that group to lead your ride. Do not simply “blow off” the ride – for any reason.
Ride Participants:
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Arrive early enough before the ride to be ready to go at the designated start time. You should be ready to go 5 minutes before the ride. This means that, if you have to pump up your tires, put on your bike shoes and required helmet, or it takes a goodly amount of time to take your bike off its rack, allow ample time for all of it.
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Make sure your bike is in good repair before attempting any kind of a group ride. If your tires are worn out – replace them.
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If you are new to group or pace line riding, let the ride leader know. They will be able to explain the various facets of the ride etiquette.
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Always carry a tire pump or CO2 cartridges, two spare tubes, a tube patch kit and basic tools for most roadside repairs.
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Always have the equivalent of two water bottles filled before starting the ride.
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Let the ride leader know if you plan on leaving the ride before getting back to the start/finish location.
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Take a good look at the route description and ride level of the ride that you decide to join. Those are two key factors in the ride being either enjoyable or the exact opposite! Yes, we all need to stretch on occasion, work a little harder to improve, but please make realistic judgment calls with your capability. A quick call to the ride leader could help you make that final decision between available ride options.
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Follow safe and courteous rules of the road. Ride single-file if road conditions dictate the need. Do not put yourself or others in jeopardy because of unsafe passing or riding practices.
We hope that these ride suggestions will help make your day rides a more enjoyable and pleasant experience for all.
Tucson Bicycle Classic
Info: Please call Race Director, Steve Bohn at (520) 884-5564 or visit our TBC website at www.casaschurch.org/tbc/
Volunteers Needed: Email Steve Bohn at snsbohn@mindspring.com
Help Needed:
Friday: 11 AM-3 PM: Parking attendants;
Noon -6 PM:
some corner marshals.
Saturday and Sunday:
6 AM - Noon
Support vehicle drivers, race official help.
Host Housing : can you put up some racers for the weekend?