Cochise County Cycling Classic
El Tour Bike Patrol Needed for El Tour XXI
Welcome Grand Canyon To Mexico Tour Participants!
Pueblo High School Bike Club Needs Your Help!
Announcing New Bike Classes at Pima College
Mid-week Training, in Spite of Shorter Days
The Memorial Ride for Safety - VI
OBERSTAR INTRODUCES SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL BILL
by Russell Clanagan
There are numerous reasons why thousands of people come from different parts of the country to ride in the El Tour de Tucson. Did you ever stop to wonder, "Who are the people that benefit from or need the services of an agency like Tu Nidito?" This is the story of one family that was touched by the generosity and love from the staff and volunteers at Tu Nidito.
Prior to December 12, 2000 we had never heard of Tu Nidito nor could we have imagined the importance that this agency would have in our lives.
This is the story of Sydney Theresa Clanagan, the daughter of Peggy and Russell Clanagan. Although divorced we decided to live only 4 miles apart so that eight-year old Sydney, could have as normal a life as possible. We had joint custody of Sydney and we wanted her to attend the same school and enjoy all the love from her parents as she did when we were married. On the weeks that she was with her mother, Peggy would bring Sydney over to my house and I would ensure that she got on the bus to school every day. Divorce is lousy but we were making the very best decisions we could for the benefit of our child. We had moved to Tucson in 1996 from Pennsylvania and had no other family members to depend upon.
Sydney was always a very special child. I taught her to swim before she could walk. She swam on the neighborhood swimming team and took karate and gymnastics lesson. She was a cheerleader at the YMCA basketball team and played soccer for 2 seasons. She loved to laugh and play with her Barbie Dolls. Sydney was at her best regardless of the activity; playing on the trampoline, riding her bicycle or roller-skating. What ever she was doing she was laughing and her laughter was contagious. Sydney referred to herself as Mommy's girl and Daddy's baby. She was all of that and so much more. However, during the end of the school year in the spring of 2000 it was obvious that something was wrong with Sydney.
Sydney was having behavior problems at school and we were told that she had Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder ADHAD. I did not believe that Sydney had ADHAD but as a single parent at times you can be out numbered and persuaded to believe the experts. Against my better judgment Sydney was prescribed Ritalin. Over time we began to notice that Sydney was developing certain tics and twitches that we learned can be the side effects of Ritalin.
After numerous visits to her primary care doctor and many changes to the dosage and strengths of the Ritalin, Sydney continued to develop problems with her motor skills and her gait. During the summer of 2000 it was very clear that something was wrong with Sydney. She could no longer ride her bike; simple tumbles that she did as a young child were a challenge for her. Finally Peggy contacted a pediatric neurologist to examine Sydney. Unfortunately, the soonest that Sydney could be seen was December - four months away.
Finally December 6, 2000, Dr. Nadia Akhtar of Pediatric Neurology Associates examined Sydney. Following the examination the doctor indicated that additional medical tests would be necessary to determine exactly why Sydney's motor skills were deteriorating. Perhaps it was some type of palsy but nothing certain could be determined until after an MIR and perhaps a CT scan. We were told that because of the pending holidays that the test would probably be scheduled after the New Year. I remember talking to Peggy as we stood in the parking lot; deep down I knew that this was a major issue. I could feel pain deep within my soul. Peggy was optimistic. As long as it was something treatable she was confident that we could deal with whatever needed to be done.
I have 3 daughters from my first marriage. Two of my girls, Cheri and Terri, are pediatric nurses at Dallas Children Hospital. I talked with them over the weekend regarding what we had learned. My daughters indicated that I should contact the doctor on Monday and demand that Sydney be admitted to the hospital and have the test performed as an in-patient procedure. Waiting until after the holidays was not an option.
The following Monday Sydney was off to class at Coyote Trail Elementary school. While waiting for the doctor's office to open we were notified by the school that Sydney was walking with her class mates when her legs gave out and she fell and received a minor cut on her chin. Her teacher saw her fall and indicated that Sydney's legs just gave out and she fell to the ground.
I contacted the doctor's office to make our case to have Sydney admitted to have any test that was necessary to determine why her motor skills were failing. Within the hour I had retrieved Sydney from school and we were on our way to have her admitted to Tucson Medical Center.
It was around 9 PM when the medical staff began to prepare Sydney for an MRI examination. Because Sydney would have to remain still for the duration of the MRI she was given a sedative to put her to sleep. While waiting for the medication to take effect Peggy was talking with Sydney about the procedure. She indicated that once she woke up, it would be the next morning and maybe we would be going home. Sydney said to Peggy, Mommy I am going to die from this!
Peggy tried to reassure her that the procedure was painless and that there was no reason to be afraid. Again in a very calm, composed manner, Sydney repeated her prediction Mommy you don't understand, I know that I am going to die!
What did Sydney know that we did not know will of course remain unknown. Following the examination Sydney was taken back to her hospital room where we all went to sleep for the night. Peggy slept on the bed with Sydney and I slept in the chair.
Approximately 6:30 AM the next morning we were awakened by a gentleman whom we had never seen before. He asked Peggy and me to step out into the hallway to talk with us. We stood by the door as he introduced himself as the partner of the Pediatric Neurologist that had examined Sydney. He said that he had reviewed the results of Sydney's MRI.
He determined that Sydney had a very rare metabolic genetic brain disease called Leukodystrophy. The disease gradually erodes the myelin sheath that surrounds her brain. The disease will continue until it destroys all of Sydney's motor skills, cognitive abilities and her involuntary motor functions. He added that Sydney's arms and legs would become deformed. She would lose her ability to walk, become incontinent and unable to speak or swallow. Over time she would lose interest in food and would stop eating. Her cognitive abilities would decline causing her to become mentally retarded. She would lose her eyesight and would go blind and be a quadriplegic and die within 2 years. He said that there was no known treatment or cures for Leukodystrophy. He cautioned us not to be misled by other doctors wanting to perform a bone marrow transplant. The transplants don't work and only prolong the suffering and agony.
We were horrified!! We asked ourselves how could this happen? His words are forever etched into my heart. Our beautiful child is dying and there is nothing that can be done?
Peggy almost fainted and I wanted to fall on my knees and scream. I asked the doctor if we could sit down and start all over again. I also asked him to write down the name of the disease because neither of us had ever heard of this disease before. We were told that there are several variations of Leukodystrophy and that Sydney should remain in the hospital until additional blood test could be done to determine the exact type of disease that she had.
The next day Sydney was released to go home. But before we left the hospital the social worker introduced us to Martha Bacon from Tu Nidito. Who was Martha Bacon and what could Tu Nidito do for 2 families that had just received the most devastating news in the world? Over the next 28 months we learned a lot about Martha and this wonderful organization called Tu Nidito.
Two weeks later we learned that Sydney had juvenile onset Metachromatic Leuko-dystrophy (MLD). Peggy worked for a medical research company and I was retired as a Captain with the Pennsylvania State Police. We used our investigative skills to research and learn as much as possible about this monster that had invaded our precious little girl. We knew that we were in a fight for the life of our child. Anything that could be done, we were willing to do.
We contacted every pediatric neurologist and pediatric oncologist that had conducted a clinical trial or studied this disease. The more that we learned the more we realized that we were fighting a dreadful disease that was destroying our child a little bit every day. Four weeks later we took Sydney to Minneapolis to meet with the country's leading expert on treating children with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, William Krivit, MD. Ph.D., Hematologist-Oncologist, Professor of Pediatrics, Fairview University Medical Center. We learned that his staff could perform a bone marrow transplant but there was no assurance that the procedure would retard the progression of the disease. The transplant could be successful but Sydney could be reduced to vegetative state without any quality of life.
The disease continued to progress just as we had learned on that early morning in December. Within 4 months Sydney could no longer stand without assistance or walk unaided. Two months later in July 2001, Sydney became incontinent. She was rapidly becoming a quadriplegic; unable to control the use of her arms or legs.
In January 2002, we had to make another difficult decision. Should we use a feeding tube to ensure that Sydney continued to receive proper nourishment because she had stopped eating on her own? Sydney's weight had dropped from a high of 85 pounds to less than 60 pounds. The feeding tube would prolong her death but it would not extend her life. We asked ourselves what Sydney would want. Would she want to be kept alive without any quality of life by feeding tubes and constant trips to the hospital? We both knew the answer to that question. No, she would not. We decided on quality of life instead of quantity of life. There would be no feeding tubes or medical heroics to prolong her suffering. There would be no more nights in the sterile hospital environment. When Sydney was ready to leave this earth we were prepared to accept that decision. We took our baby home to live out her life with the same dignity and enthusiasm that we enjoyed prior to her illness. In April the disease destroyed Sydney's ability to speak. This was one of the most difficult times. The pain of not hearing her voice was over- whelming.
There were many peaks and valleys during the 28-month struggle to maintain the quality of life for Sydney. The one constant in our lives was the unconditional support and presence of the staff and volunteers from Tu Nidito. We were both blessed with friends from work and our church, Casa Adobes Baptist Church. Many people would tell us to call them to let them know if we needed anything. However, the staff at Tu Nidito did not wait for us to call. In many situations, they were Angels sent from Heaven. They maintained a link between Peggy and me, and always looked for ways to make a difference in our lives.
Julie Gell, a member of the staff at Tu Nidito, became like a family member when Martha Bacon moved out of the state. The staff at Tu Nidito was with us through every step of this painful odyssey. They were wonderful people that did their best to ensure that our needs were met by providing support and comfort at every opportunity. Julie became our advocate by doing her best to help us survive the most difficult period in a person's life, the death of their child.
As the New Year began we knew that the end was near for Sydney. She now weighted less that 50 pounds and it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to eat. Her diet consisted of meals made up of Jell-O, ice creams and Eegee's but she just did not want to eat any more. I moved in with my ex-wife as we began to make preparations for Sydney's funeral. Julie's presence and the efforts of her team of volunteers increased as they prepared daily meals, ran errands, and did anything that we asked.
There were many from Tu Nidito who did so much for Sydney's family. Riding in the El Tour de Tucson made it possible for Julie, Laura, Debbie, Susan and many others to enhance our quality of life during the most difficult time in a person's life, the death of their precious child.
This year, I am riding in the El Tour de Tucson to raise money so that Tu Nidito can continue to help families who are dealing with the lost of a love one. I hope to see you along the way.
This is the story of one family that was touched by the generosity and love from the staff and volunteers at Tu Nidito.
Prior to December 12, 2000 we had never heard of Tu Nidito nor could we have imagined the importance that this agency would have in our lives.
The staff at Tu Nidito was with us through every step of this painful odyssey. They were wonderful people that did their best to ensure that our needs were met by providing support and comfort at every opportunity. Julie became our advocate by doing her best to help us survive the most difficult period in a person's life, the death of their child.
20 inch (50.8 cm) Cro-Moly frame, 700 C wheels/tires, straight handlebars with steer horns, and index grip shifters. Trek rack with braze-on mounts, two water bottle braze-on mounts, a Mt Zefal mini-pump, and a neat little bell ! $150. Rich, 623-0017 (Tuc) 7 to 9 PM only.
Size 23 x 21. Lots of extras. Excellent condition. Color: Magenta. Ready for El Tour! $2150 OBO. Rudy, 742-2518 (Tuc).
Saturday, October 4
The 16th Annual Cochise County Cycling Classic is around the corner!
All options start & end at the 10th Street Park in Douglas. Challenge yourself! See how far you can really go!
Four options are available:
252 miles - perimeter of Cochise County;
157 miles - perimeter of Dragoon Mtns;
92 miles - perimeter of Potter Mountain; 45 miles - no perimeter, just a circle!
Organized by PBAA to benefit Douglas Assoc. for Retarded Citizens. For information, call PBAA, (520) 745-2033, or check their website at www.pbaa.com
Bike Patrol are experienced cyclists who make the commitment to ride the "El Tour" route assisting cyclists with mechanical and first aid, as well as offering encouragement. It is not a race for them!
Bike Patrols must have a current certification, good for 2 years. To be certified, you must attend a certification class. Sessions run 2 hours. As Bike Patrol, your El Tour registration fee is waived, but a processing fee of $15 (Must be paid before 11/13) is required to cover cost of T-shirt, medical supplies and support on the route. For more information and to register, call PBAA, 745-2033., or www.pbaa.com
Bike Patrol Certification Classes:
 |
10/29 (Wed) 7 PM -2609 E. Broadway - Basic skills |
|
11/13 (Thu) 7 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Basic Skills |
|
11/17 (Mon)7 PM - 2692 E. Broadway - Advanced Topics |
|
11/18 (Tue) 7 PM - 2609 E. Bdwy -Advanced Mechanics |
|
11/21 (Fri) 4:30 PM -Tucson Conv. Ctr -Late & Out of Town Only |
As Flag Riders, the "Goodwill Ambassadors" of El Tour, you ride the entire route carrying the Flag of El Tour - a symbol of "cycling in pursuit of helping children living life-threatening illnesses". Your name and to whom you are dedicating your Flag Ride will be listed in the Tail Winds. Flag Ride Days are assigned on a first come, first served basis. No more than 4 riders per day.
All Flag Riders receive a special El Tour Flag Ride T-shirt and a packet filled with sponsor-donated items. The Flag Rides run through November 22. Reserve your date as soon as possible to ensure that you will be a part of our unique tradition. There is a fee for doing a Flag Ride. To sign up, call PBAA, 745-2033, or check www.pbaa.com
By Steve Wilson
GABA is providing training rides to help you get ready for the big event. The training rides, led by GABA president Steve Wilson and GABA members Craig Gordon and Mike Wood, will continue through the weekend of November 16th.
The rides have started with a distance of 30-40 miles and steadily will increase each week to 90 miles the weekend before El Tour. This year we are continuing to offer shorter route options for those planning to ride the shorter El Tour routes.
The training 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 the training rides. These centuries are fully supported with three or four SAG stops with lots of good food.
This year, there are 2 starting locations:
|
At the northeast corner of Grant and Silverbell |
|
At Udall Park |
Details of the rides will be in the GABA monthly newsletters and on the GABA website.
Perimeter Bicycling is expecting 6,000 or more riders for this year's event. Early sign-ups are already coming in. Check the Perimeter Bicycling website (www.pbaa.com) for sign-up information and entry forms. Note when the registration fees go up and sign up early and save some money.
So continue putting in the training miles! Join us for the training rides and we'll see you at the start line at sunrise on November 22nd!
by Camille Kershner, native Tucsonan, CFASTS Volunteer Coordinator
As the heat of the summer begins to ebb, it is no longer quite as essential to begin a training ride (or run, or walk) at dawn to be able to complete the intended workout! However, many have begun meeting Sunday mornings to train for the El Tour de Tucson or other rides, or just going out on their own. Others may be using their bikes to commute to work when possible, braving both the remaining heat of the day and the traffic that comes with the daylight hours. Whatever the reason, we are choosing to use two wheels to get around, rather than four. Bus riders also are foregoing the use of private automobiles, whether due to choice or circumstance, and many schoolchildren of all ages walk to their bus stop, if not their school itself.
Alternative modes (bus, light rail, bicycle and pedestrian) are consistently named as people's top priority in transportation planning in public comments from the Livable Tucson study, Rio Nuevo forums, Pima Association of Government planning and Arizona Department of Transportation studies.
The public has shown that they understand the difference between auto-only transportation--eating up virgin desert and condemning businesses every 10 to 20 years for road widening--and multiple modes--bringing development back into the city along transit corridors, increasing capacity with more buses and trains, serving the needs of non-drivers and fostering community instead of isolation.
Unfortunately, nearly all transportation funding goes towards roads and freeways. Tucson did, in fact, have a popular and award-winning bus system in the 1980's. However, two fare increases and three service cuts in the past ten years have made SunTran nearly unridable.
In contrast, road construction and widenings have only increased. Part
of the reason for this is that most of the federal and state funds for transportation are restricted to roads and freeways--they can't be used for transit. However the political will to balance the equation has also been missing.
The Comprehensive Transportation Plan--Propositions 200 and 201--was developed by a grassroots citizens group fed up by government inaction, and put on the ballot by 18,000 voter signatures. We had input from the public in every neighborhood, as well transportation experts who have worked on light rail plans around the country.
Propositions 200 and 201 create a dedicated funding source for the transportation Tucsonans have been asking for and not getting: SunTran, VanTran, light rail, bus rapid transit, Old Pueblo Trolley, bike paths, sidewalks, repaired neighborhood streets and traffic enforcement. Because of restrictions in how cities are allowed to raise money, a sales tax is one of the few options available. In this case, the benefit far outweighs the cost: 30 cents per $100 purchase versus the cost of having to own and maintain a car for every adult in the household. Similarly, the construction contracting tax in the plan will be paid on new homes over a tax-deductible 30-year mortgage, while the transportation improvements greatly benefit the homeowners.
Many people have questions about the plan in general, and light rail specifically, that we are happy to address. There are also those--especially corporate supporters of the failed Proposition 400 road plan--who know better but repeat the questions constantly in order to sow doubt among voters. Please see our website at www.SaveTucson.org for more detailed information about the plan and
responses to frequently raised issues. Following is a brief summary of responses to common questions:
One of the most visionary elements of the plan is a light rail system. Light rail features vehicles on tracks in the street powered by electricity from overhead wires; we are not talking about elevated trains or subways. High population densities are necessary for subways, but not for commuter light rail, as now is being demonstrated successfully in Western, auto-shaped cities like Salt Lake City, San Jose and Dallas. Park-and-ride lots and expanded bus service bring people to the light rail corridor. Light rail is part of the plan because experience shows that it is the best means to attract car commuters to transit; operating costs are lower than for buses; it is clean and quiet; and with its guarantee that potential residents, workers and shoppers will be concentrated along the corridor, it provides incentives to developers to create infill projects around stations.
Questions like "Where exactly will the tracks go?" and "Is light rail a better option in Tucson than bus rapid transit or a parkway?" will be answered through studies required by the Federal Transit Authority to get matching funding. Neighborhoods around the corridor will be closely involved in the planning process to ensure that the final product meets their concerns. However federal funding will not go forward without an approved local funding source in place, so passing Propositions 200 and 201 is the important first step.
Another point to remember is that while it raises the most questions, the light rail component of the initiative is only 22% of the funds raised. The rest of the money will go to work immediately for more bus service, more bike paths and sidewalks, and other too-long deferred improvements.
The Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a positive plan. It does not preclude road building, which is already planned for and funded anyway. And it does not preclude a regional transit system--in fact it will jump-start regional solutions. What it does do is adequately fund ways to get around for all Tucsonans--including young, senior, disabled and low-income citizens. It provides choices for those who choose not to drive for every trip. It lessens development pressure on our Sonoran Desert edge and increases quality of life in the city. It revitalizes the urban and downtown economy. It is the opportunity Tucsonans have been waiting for to change business as usual in Tucson transportation. Vote yes on Propositions 200 and 201 this November
4th!
Citizens for a Sensible Transportation Solution is running a grassroots campaign to get the word out to voters. If you want to help by sporting a bumper sticker or yard sign, wearing a T-shirt, walking your neighborhood with door hangers, showing our video at a party or donating money, please contact us! Visit our website, www.SaveTucson.org; e-mail us, info@savetucson.org; call us, 237-3678; or stop by our office at 312 East Congress (across from Hotel Congress), Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11 AM to 7 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 4 to 7 PM and Saturday 8 to 10 AM.
The Comprehensive Transportation Initiative calls for spending $50.5 million per year on average over the first 20 years of the plan, divided among these specific projects:
* 40% to vastly improve Sun Tran service and Van Tran service, and implement a 47-mile Bus Rapid Transit express system to offer real alternatives to the car, and to relieve congestion immediately;
* 22% to design, build and operate a 13-mile Light Rail Transit system to implement high-quality transit which has been proven to attract former car commuters and boost the local economy;
* 20% to maintain our neighborhood streets and perform deferred repairs immediately;
* 10% to build new sidewalks and bikeways throughout our neighborhoods to make our community more livable and people-friendly;
* 6% to extend Old Pueblo Trolley from the U of A through Downtown to Rio Nuevo as a shuttle operating every day with 10-15 minute headways to relieve parking problems along the entire route;
* 2% to improve enforcement of our current traffic laws to make our streets safer for everyone.
These projects will be paid for from new and dedicated sources of revenue, which will amount to a minimum of $59.8 million per year on average over the first 20 years of the plan, assuming a conservative 2% annual economic growth and conservative estimates of increasing ridership on the transit system. A 20% contingency is built in for financing and unforeseen circumstances. All operation and maintenance is completely funded by these revenues:
* 0.3% increase to the City of Tucson sales tax
* 4% increase in the City of Tucson construction sales tax
(modeled on Marana's tax)
* Increase in fare revenues resulting from increased ridership
(there will be no increase in fares)
By Steve Wilson, GABA President
As the summer weather begins to cool we're looking ahead to the makeup of the club Board of Directors for 2004. Serving on the Board is an excellent opportunity to give back to the club and to support cycling in Tucson. As many of you know, the club is staffed and run by volunteers just like yourself. Without those willing to give of their time and talents, the club would not exist.
Each year we have a need to replace a number of retiring board members. The influx of new ideas and faces is critical to keeping the club dynamic and in touch with the local cycling community. Some of our board positions require special skills, but most simply require a level of personal dedication and commitment and a willingness to learn.
We're very proud of the positive impact we have on the cycling community. GABA sponsors more centuries and overnight rides than all of the other cycling clubs in Arizona combined. We support PBAA and help them put on the El Tour de Tucson and the Tour of the Tucson Mountains. We sponsor the Tucson Bicycle Classic and the 4th of July Tour for Tucson's Children. In addition we schedule day rides every week of the year that are open to public. For many beginning riders, GABA is the first contact they have with organized cycling. And of course there's the monthly newspaper that you're reading now.
There are a number of benefits to being a board member, including a waiver of membership fees and most ride fees. In addition, you are still able earn GABA bucks for tasks outside your area of board responsibility. If you would consider serving on the board or would like to nominate someone, please let me know. My contact information is on page 2 of the Update and can be found on the web.
With your help and that of other volunteers, GABA can be successful well into the future. If you're interested, give me a call. I look forward to hearing for you. Thanks.
By Ram Salcedo
After a fantastic presentation by Chuck Giles on a recent "Across Africa" adventure, several door prizes were given away. Thank you Ralph Phillips of Fair Wheel Bike Shop.
Lucky recipients were Sandi Rousseau, Norm Bosch and Scott Jacobsen. 2nd month in a row for Scott-go buy Powerball tickets!
See you all in September - Safe Pedaling!
by Pam Cullop, Ride Chair
I cannot believe another year has come and gone, and here we are, on our way to the 2003 Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure. Once again, I look forward to greeting old friends and meeting new and interesting people from all walks of life and all parts of this country and beyond!
Amongst the 110 riders with us this year, we are happy to extend a great big desert "Howdy" to - a cyclist from Belgium and 3 from Canada! The "States" shake out like this:
|
AZ: 31 |
|
CA: 14 |
|
CO: 9 |
|
IL: 9 |
|
TX: 8 |
|
OR: 5 |
|
NC: 3 |
|
PA: 3 |
|
FL: 2 |
|
IA: 2 |
|
IN: 2 |
|
MD: 2 |
|
MO: 2 |
|
NJ: 2 |
|
WA: 2 |
|
WV: 2 |
|
MA: 1 |
|
MN: 1 |
|
NM: 1 |
|
OH: 1 |
|
VA: 1 |
Looks like the "Zoni's" took the lead this year, with California turning in a pretty darn good showing.
If you joined the ride a little later, you are probably not counted in this number, but you can be guaranteed to have a really great time just the same! We are thrilled to have each and every one of you with us!
If this issue got to print and back to me on time, you are probably reading this article as you are relaxing in the comfortable charter bus, while munching on a Cousin's Sub sack lunch, on your way to the Grand Canyon and the beginning of an action-packed, fun-filled adventure! Sounds corny, but it is true! Ask any of our return riders, and there are several. I counted at least 17 on first glance of the list! I don't have to tell you that if they did not enjoy themselves the first, second, third or umpteenth time around, they would not keep coming back for more! You won't be disappointed!
Later this evening, after Check In, you will be feasting on a mouth-watering array of entrees and side dishes prepared by our hosts for the 2-day visit in Tusayan; the BW Grand Canyon Squire Inn. At the banquet you will be introduced to your Support Crew; the folks who will be making every effort to keep you happy and content all week long.
Sunday, September 28th is your day at the Grand Canyon. It is all yours, all day to do what it is you enjoy doing best. Hike, bike, take a tram, and visit the famous and fabulous sights from dawn till dusk. Isn't it part of the reason you decided to come on this tour, to see, to feel and to be a part of the Canyon? Enjoy your day!!!
On Monday, your 6-day ride will begin. If you have never been out west, or in our deserts, you will be amazed at the ever-changing vistas that you will experience. Uphill and downhill, around the bend and back again, pine trees, cacti, flat lands, mountain summits, we have it all; and for good measure we toss in wind, heat, rain (sometimes), sun (lots of it), cold and warm starry-night filled skies, and the list goes on!
If you plan your days right, and get an early start, you just might be able to squeeze in some sightseeing other than the Canyon! The opportunity to visit a variety of unique and interesting locations abound as you ride southward towards Mexico. Who knows when you will pass this way again?
Do not doubt for a minute that you will want for food. Our SAG stops are brimming with all sorts of goodies. Our evening meal hosts have menus filled with ample and delicious food to feed you; each morning you will be able to purchase something inexpensive and filling to get your day off to a good start, and each afternoon a Social Hour will be set up with a post-ride table full of salty, sweet and thirst-quenching choices of "munchies".
Stick around for a bit after dinner each evening; some nights we'll have a few things to give away to some lucky winners, and each night we'll have interesting things to share with you about the upcoming day's ride. We even have a few surprises in store for you along the way - fun things - entertainment - that sort of thing.
GABA is so glad that you decided to join us on this 23rd annual tour, that in addition to the commemorative T-shirt and bike socks you get just for coming on the ride, you will also receive 2 water bottles, with the new GABA logo to show off to all of your envious friends who couldn't make the trip! Our aim is to keep you hydrated, and to thank you for making us a part of your bike tour experience in 2003!
So! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of your ride. The Adventure is about to begin!
by Sandi Rousseau
Wow! What a wonderful weekend for the annual GABA Tucson Blue Loop Tour! If you missed it this year, you might want to start planning now for next year. The most incredible group of cyclists, 100 strong, were there in force to enjoy this year's tour. Up 23 cyclists from the 2002 tour, our staff of 11 were kept busy but enjoyed every minute. We had cyclists from California, New Mexico, Colorado and from as far away as Kentucky! The weather was perfect, the food was grand and the staff incredible!
The "Loop" began Saturday morning to beautiful weather for the 66 miles in to Glenwood, New Mexico where we were greeted by our gracious hosts Polly Tipton and Darrell of the Double T Homestead. A wonderful meal of lasagna, both meat and vegetarian, salad, fruit, beverages and dessert was served and all ate their fill. Polly clearly outdid last year's meal with many commenting that it was even better than last year. We were treated to a wonderful relaxing evening, enjoying conversations with our fellow cyclists in the cool breeze.
Sunday morning we were greeted with a morning meal of breakfast burritos, muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, milk and juice. A grand way to start off towards the 58 miles and 5346 foot gain in elevation.
For the first time in many years, we had a group dinner in Alpine, courtesy of the Alpine Inn Bed and Breakfast and owners Sue and Dick Seehusen. The meal was fantastic and very much enjoyed by all. There was a dish of marinated carrots that delighted all - carrots never tasted so good.
Many of the group adjourned after dinner to the Sportsman's Lodge where we were treated to a slide show of the ride to that point by Donna Lewandowski and Steve Wilson. A good time was enjoyed by all.
Monday morning, all cyclists were en route and pedaling by 7:00 a.m. and back in Morenci by 4 p.m.
By most cyclists' accounts, the ride was great and many are already looking toward next year. Our staff certainly rated it as one of the best ever for sure.
The ride could not, and would not, have been so successful if it were not for the wonderful staff. My heartfelt thanks go out to Barbara and Dick Lewandowski who came from Tustin, California to host Sag 1 and the wonderful game we all enjoyed; Pat and Dennis James who were the hosts and set a lovely table for the lunch, Sag 2; Michael Thompson, always cheerful and a huge help, and Robert Fine for Sag 3; Sally and Glen Bouquot who did a fantastic job as sweeps and our baggage truck support of Joy Goldbaum and Norm Osborne who came from Las Cruces, New Mexico to help out and did a fine job once again!
A special thanks to several others whose help was invaluable: BriAnna and Trevor Jackson, my young helpers, who helped with baggage, odd chores, counting the cyclists to ensure we didn't lose anyone en route, and the wonderful cheering section they provided for the cyclists as we passed. Thanks also to Bill Borland for picking up and driving the truck to Morenci, along with assorted chores as I planned this ride and putting up with me, and to Darien Newman and Richard McBain who assisted with setting up munchies at the camp sites, passing out goodies, water, drinks, etc. at the end of the ride, and especially for understanding what a large job the baggage is and helping anyway! The ride was a complete success and we owe it to all of you. Thank you for the smiles, stories, cheerfulness and expertise. We'll look forward to next year for sure.
by Yolanda Sotelo
Pueblo High School's Road Warriors are up and riding again! Student members of the club are starting to train for El Tour de Tucson. In the last couple of years, GABA members and readers of the GABA Update have been generous in helping out the Pueblo High School Bike Club.
As we start year three, we are again in need of help. We still need road bikes and mountain bikes. One of the perks of participating and completing in El Tour de Tucson, is that students who don't have a bike, will get one from the Club.
So, we need used bikes of all sizes. We could also use equipment such as tires, tubes, helmets, used shoes and pedals, etc.
If you don't have a bike or equipment to donate, please consider donating up to $250 in tax credit money. Remember: tax credit money is money that gets donated to the Road Warriors to help out the Club for which you get a tax credit when you file your taxes.
For more info in donating money, bikes or equipment, call Yolanda Sotelo or Jaime at 225-4300 at Pueblo High School, or contact Yolanda at sotelo150@earthlink.net
by Mike Burdick
How about a tandem group within GABA-Tucson? We have enjoyed our tandem for over 5 years now. We love to travel with it. But like most other people, we ride locally the majority of the time and we suspect most other teams do too. We've found that our most pleasant local tandem rides have been with a group, so we thought we would try to put some more structure to the whole thing - we propose an organized tandem group. Here are thoughts on the purposes:
A more social atmosphere than the usual group rides.
Rides where same speed groups could form, but re-group points would be used to get people back together.
One "formal" ride organized each month. Informal rides would hopefully arise as the group forms.
Each ride would have some end point (or near end point) gathering like breakfast or coffee.
Start times late enough so it is not a rush to get there, but early enough so we don't roast.
Distances around 35 - 40 miles till we get a feel for what people want.
If you would like to give some input and get your name on the tandem e-mail list we are building, please write Mike and Susan Burdick (burdick_m_s@att.net) or call us at 722-6001(h).
The first organized event under these objectives was Sunday September 7th. There were six tandems for this east side ride from Udall Park. The route was nothing new for most, except for some of the westsiders! All the teams rode at about the same pace so the two re-grouping stops were short. Most teams stopped for a great breakfast value at Juan's Cafe (used to be Cory's) at Tanque Verde and Bear Canyon. The main topic of common interest seemed to be travels. Watch for the October tandem ride in the next Update.
Saturday, October 4th, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Prepare yourself for a safer and more successful El Tour. The El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol Director, Rich Corbett, will discuss preparing your bike, training your body, safer starts & lineups, group riding skills, eating & drinking for the best energy, and post event recovery. Be prepared for fun and the opportunity to ask any questions about El Tour. Bring bike, helmet, flat tire provisions, and be prepared to ride.
Saturday, October 25th, 8 AM to 1 PM. Learn the basics of caring for your bicycle. Ride without fear of flats, and be more comfortable knowing your bike is properly fitted to you. Learn a simple and inexpensive way to clean and lube your chain. Simple derailleur adjustment included. Bring your bike to class.
How to Care for Your Bike -Intermediate
Saturday, December 13th, 8 AM to 1 PM. Learn intermediate skills to care for your bike. Understand how to adjust and maintain brakes and derailleurs, including cables. Learn to replace your chain, and true a wheel that has gone out of true. Bring your bike to class.
Call Rich Corbett (623-0017, 7-9 PM only) for more info on the Classes. Call Pima College at 206-6468 for registration information.
by Richard E “Rich” Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach and 32 year-round bicycle commuter
As we move into Fall there is a lot less daylight for bicycling, especially if you work a full-time job. To "get your miles in" (training for El Tour?) almost certainly means riding at least part of the time in the dark. I've been riding an hour or more in the dark each day for more than twenty years, with no accidents or close calls, because I use some extra caution & common sense. I share key elements with you here.
First - Ride in the Morning
If at all possible, ride in the morning instead of the evening. There's less traffic, and almost no impaired drivers on the road then. There's a real sense of serenity, and the streets are quieter in the early (< 6:00 am) morning hours.
Remember that how and where you ride, and the way you equip your bicycle and yourself, are the main components of safe nighttime bicycle use. We'll discuss each of these below.
Second - Be a Smart Cyclist
How you ride, such as how steady you ride, whether you signal and check for other vehicles before changing lanes or lane position, whether you obey traffic signals & signs, etc., contribute to both day and nighttime safety. These are especially important at night when your ability to see and be seen is reduced so much. At night, predictability of all road users is even more important than in the daytime.
Where you ride also has much to do with your safety at night. The best places to ride are wide, well-lighted streets with little traffic. And conversely, the worst places are narrow, unlighted streets with heavier traffic. Remember though that even the best places can be dangerous if you and your bicycle are not equipped to be highly visible.
Third - the Legal "Minimums"
Making you and your bicycle easily visible at night is accomplished best by aggressive lighting and reflectorization. Arizona law says a bicycle being used any time from sunset to sunrise must have a white headlight visible from as far as 500 feet away, and a red rear reflector visible from as far as 300 feet away. These are the legal minimums; to help assure safety, you should exceed them as much as you reasonably can.
Fourth - Lights for Your Bike
Your lights should do two important things for you: 1) help you see where you are going, and 2) help others see you (often forgotten by auto drivers this time of year). You should have both a headlight and a taillight (a taillight is essential if you really want to be identified as a vehicle), as well as the legally required red rear reflector. A variety of high quality battery lighting systems have been widely available for many years, so there's really no excuse to not have a decent system. However, if price is important, you may want to choose a generator system, as they are more economical, especially if you only ride occasionally in the dark.
It's my opinion that at least 6 watts of headlight are needed to meet the objectives of both seeing and being seen. The best battery powered lights are the ones that use re-chargeable battery packs (Ni-Cad, Ni-Mh, Li-In). They are powerful and lightweight, but also expensive. An alternative battery type that is less expensive, but heavier, is the gel lead-acid. You will want to balance cost, weight, and service time for alternative battery types and sizes as you decide which will work best for you.
Supplements & Extras
One of the most common and effective rear lights out is the flashing red diode taillight. Vista Lite pioneered this clever light (it comes in a variety of types now). After years of use, I am convinced of their value and their durability. These Lights are excellent to supplement a taillight and a reflector, and greatly enhance your visibility from the rear.
Pedal reflectors (or reflective heels on your shoes) are highly effective, and every bike should have them. You can easily put reflective tape on your pedals and use a hobby knife to trim the excess off. The result will be ultra-light, ultra-thin pedal reflectors! Remember that reflectorized bicycle packs also contribute to nighttime visibility.
Your Body
Finally, to increase your own visibility, you can use reflective Scotchlite tape or Reflexite brand material on your shoes, helmet, and even on your clothing (Reflexite can be sewn on). You can purchase reflectorized clothing, including vests that have Scotchlite or Reflexite material sewn on them. These are convenient to use. Some brands of bike shoes have reflectorization, and you can, of course, use lights that attach to the rider, such as the previously mentioned flashing red diode taillights.
Christmas Tree?
You might be accused of being a Christmas tree if you follow these recommendations, but you will be a lot safer when you ride at night, and your chances of becoming a statistic will be greatly reduced. Would you rather be a Christmas tree, or a statistic ....?
By Rich Corbett
I have seen too many people over the years who show up for a ride and who obviously have not checked their bike before leaving home. They are the ones who are pumping up tires, adjusting brakes, etc. the morning of the ride while all the riders are waiting! It is wise to check your bike the evening BEFORE the ride. Doing this gives you time to fix any problem, should your bike have one. It also lets you relax, not hurry, prior to the ride.
Here is a list of things to check on your bike when preparing for a ride.
TIRES ‑ inflate to the pressure on the sidewall with your floor pump; then check for cuts.
BRAKES ‑ pull both levers as hard as you can. If a cable is going to break, it is much better that it do so at home. Check to see that pads and arms are tight, that there is some toe-in, and that the pads are centered on the rim and do not rub the sidewall(s) of the tire.
CHAIN ‑ wipe it clean; then lubricate if needed (motor oil is fine).
BOTTOM BRACKET - Hold the cranks level with the floor, and push/pull laterally on them to check for any looseness. This will also give you the chance to check the pedals for looseness, or other defects.
QUICK RELEASES - Make sure wheels and are securely fastened ‑ quick releases or wheel nuts should be tight. Be sure brake and seat (if you have it) quick releases are also tight.
OVERALL - Pick your bike up a few inches, then drop it straight down on the tires. Listen for anything loose as it bounces. Ride in the driveway, and check that gear shifting is working smoothly.
CHECK YOU PUMP - There is a small washer inside the pump that might need lubrication - too bad to have the pump with you, but not be able to use it!
Do these simple checks, and you will be less likely to discover a problem while you are on the road, when it will be harder to fix.
Rhonda Smith, our Volunteer Coordinator, had to resign from the Board for personal reasons. We thank Rhonda for all her work in finding volunteers for the various tasks on rides, such as Sag support on the road, Sag station volunteers to handle food to hungry cyclists along the course, etc.
The job of Volunteer Coordinator is a very important one in a Club such as GABA, where we really depend on volunteers for the success of our rides.
Thanks again, Rhonda, and good luck to you!
Saturday, October 11, 2003
The 2003 theme is Share the Road. The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists (CAzB) is currently making a Public Service Announcement to educate the public on the State Law A.R.S. 28-735. Join the Coalition and Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club (GABA-Phoenix) for this great ride! The routes are 100K and 35 miles through Carefree and scenic vistas north in the Tonto National Forest, Pinnacle Peak and for the longer ride, Bartlett Lake.
The start/finish is by AJ's Market, at Pima and Pinnacle Peak Rd. IN PHOENIX. Your entry fee will include a ride map, 2 rest stops, and a BBQ meal at the finish. T-shirts for the ride will be in limited supply, so indicate your size and include an extra $10.
The fee schedule for the ride is as follows:
GABA/ABC/CAzB members pre-registered only . . . . . . . . $18
Non-members pre-registered only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20
Day of Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25
Tandem members pre-registered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30
Tandems - Day of Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35
The Safety Ride and the safety message has grown out of the tragic cycling accident Winston Benson had, approximately 6 years ago. The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is an organization dedicated to educate riders, motorists, and government officials on all issues concerning bicycling in our State.
Join us for a fun ride and a great BBQ! Let's all ride to the Right, "Share the Road" signal turns and point out hazards. Ride goes, rain or shine. For more info, call Rich at 602-953-2585.
Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN), the ranking minority member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a groundbreaking Safe Routes to School bill in the House on June 18. In a press briefing, Oberstar lauded the bill, saying it "encourages children and adults to reacquaint themselves with the joys of human-powered transportation."
The Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 (PACE) would create a national Safe Routes to School program, providing states with a total of $250 million a year to fix unsafe conditions on roads near schools and encourage children to walk and bike to school. Congressman Oberstar was joined by co-sponsors Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Re. Jim Moran (D-VA), and Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX). Fourteen members have co-signed so far, including Republican David Hobson of Ohio.
"The accident rate for pedestrians and bicyclists is disproportionately high, and we need to address this by investing in safe, convenient facilities for biking and walking,' said Anne Canby, president of the Surface Transportation Policy Project. "To the lawmakers who are contemplating how to spend upwards of $300 billion in federal transportation funds over the next six years, we say: Put the users back in the equation and give our citizens the choices they want."
A key reason for the introduction of the bill is the rapid increase of childhood obesity and inactivity-related diseases. "We want to get kids back into the habit of bicycling and walking for fun and transportation," said Oberstar. "With this bill we can change the lifestyle habits of an entire generation." More than 70% of today's parents bicycled and walked to school, while only 18% of their children do today, according to a recent survey conducted by Belden, Russonello and Stewart.
The estimated actual cost of physical inactivity and obesity in the United States is approximately $117 billion.
For more information, visit www.americabikes.org
(Reprinted from the August Tailwind Times, the monthly newsletter from GABA's sister chapter in Phoenix.)