Twenty Second Annual Answer to the Challenge 2005
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
Catalina Highway Under Construction
GABA-Tucson Supporting Members
GABA’s Annual Ice Cream Social
Mt Lemmon Bicycle Travel Restricted at Construction Site
12th Annual Tour for Tucson’s Children 2005
Announcing the 4th Annual “Tour de Payson”
Life In The Hutongs of Beijing
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee News
GREAT ARIZONA BICYCLE ADVENTURE
Mt Hopkins Mountain Bike Hill Climb
GABA-Tucson Board of Directors
14th Annual
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley Hill Climb CANCELLED
Bicycle Commuter Act & Conserve by Bicycling Bills Reintroduced in Congress
Broadway Blvd Expanded to 8 Lanes
League of American Bicyclists Director Visits Tucson
New League Cycling Instructors
Coolidge Century 2005, A Great Success!
(See related articles in this issue
for details.)
Ride Date Ride Name Organizers Leaders
4/29-30 & 5/1 Answer to Challenge PMBC -Phx Dick Landis
4/30 (Sat) Ice Cream Social GABA-Tucson Pam Cullop
5/14 & 15 Salt River Canyon Tour GABA Tucson Kathy Mills
5/21 (Sat) Tour de Payson Phoenix Metro Bob Beane
5/28-30 Luna Lake Tour GABA-Tucson Rhonda Smith
6/5 (Sun) Mt Hopkins (Mtn Bike) GABA-Tucson Tom Ward
Monday, May 2 at 7 PM
The Unusual Bike Show.
Weird, Whacky and Cool Bikes!
Functional and not so functional bikes!
Bikes that are "Works of Art", of "Science", and of the "Deranged"!
Ride or bring a bike to share.
Bring a guest and your camera too.
Contact Dave Griffis @ 325-3600 or
Email at dgriffis@griffisconsulting.com
if you have a special bike you’d like to show.
Everybody is welcome!
Have a program suggestion?
Have a presentation you’d like to make? Contact Griff Griffis at 325-3600 or
Email him at
dgriffis@griffisconsulting.com.
Monday, June 6 at 7 PM
Join us in welcoming Diana Tolton, of the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory
Committee, who will give a presentation with slides on the “Platinum Challenge”.
Obtaining this prestigious award will benefit the whole community but will also
necessitate that we all participate in making it happen.
Have a program suggestion?
Have a presentation you’d like to make?
Contact Griff Griffis at 325-3600 or
Email him at
dgriffis@griffisconsulting.com
APRIL 2005
April 29-30 & May 1: ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGE. PMBC.
www.sportsfun.com/gaba .
April 30 (Sat): ICE CREAM SOCIAL. GABA-Tucson. At McCormick Park. Organizer: Pam
Cullop, 290-4321 or pjcullop@comcast.net.
MAY 2005
May 6 (Fri): Mt LEMMON HILLCLIMB. GABA-Tucson. Steve Wilson, 749-9014 or
wilsons@us.ibm.com . Depending on road
construction.
May 14 & 15: SALT RIVER CANYON TOUR. GABA-Tucson. Kathy Mills, 480-759-7675 or
www.bikegaba.org .
May 14 (Sat): WHISKEY OFF-ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE. Prescott. Todd Sadow,
http://www.epicrides.com
May 21: TOUR OF PAYSON. PMBC.
www.sportsfun.com/gaba .
May 28-30: LUNA LAKE TOUR GABA-Tucson. Rhonda Smith, 886-2919 or
onekewlmom@hotmail.com or
www.bikegaba.org
JUNE 2005
June 5 (Sun): MT HOPKINS HILLCLIMB MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE. GABA-Tucson. Tom Ward,
625-3649 or tward@dakotacom.net
or www.bikegaba.org
June 11 & 12: GRAND CANYON TOUR. ABC – Richard Utterback.
www.azbikeclub.com
JULY 2005
July 4th (Mon): TOUR FOR TUCSON’S CHILDREN. City of Tucson Parks & Rec. Lisa or
Jesus at 791-4969, or contact
Lisa.Sommer@tucsonaz.gov .
July 9 & 10 : DAVE FREUND MEMORIAL WHITE MOUNTAIN TOUR. PMBC. Leader: Jay
Stewart, Jay.Stewart@Honeywell.com or
www.sportsfun.com
July ?: TAYLOR HOUSE BENEFIT CENTURY. Absolute Bikes in Flagstaff.
www.absolutebikes.net/flag_frset.html
AUGUST 2005
Aug. ?: FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL. Absolute Bikes in Flagstaff.
www.absolutebikes.net/flag_frset.html
SEPTEMBER 2005
Sept. 3-5: THE BLUE LOOP. GABA-Tucson.
www.bikegaba.org
Sept. ?: GILA INNER LOOP. In Silver City, New Mexico. Contact
twinsisters@gilanet.com
Sept. 11 (Sun): OPENING DAY OF “EL TOUR” TRAINING RIDES. GABA-Tucson.
www.bikegaba.org
Sept. ? (Sat):10th ANNUAL BENEFIT TOUR OF THE WHITE MTNS. Near Pinetop, for
mountain bikes. Cynthia, cclements@nrmc.org
OCTOBER 2005
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC STAGE RACE. Steve Bohn,
snsbohn@cox.net or
www.casaschurch.org/tbc/
Oct. 1-8: GREAT ARIZONA BICYCLE ADVENTURE. 25th Annual. GABA-Tucson.
www.bikegaba.org
Oct. 1 (Sat): COCHISE COUNTY CLASSIC XVII. Organized by PBAA.
www.pbaa.com
Oct. ? : MEMORIAL RIDE FOR SAFETY. In Phoenix. PMBC for CAzB.
www.sportsfun.com
Oct. 9 (Sun): HEART OF ARIZONA CENTURY. GABA-West Valley, Bullshifters, & ABC.
www.sportsfun.com
Oct. 15 & 16: CAVE CREEK OVERNIGHT RIDE. GABA-Tucson. Mike Thompson,
myklcycl@cox.net or www.bikegaba.org
Oct. 23 (Sun): GENE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL TUMACACORI CENTURY. GABA-Tucson. Judy & Bob
Bolt, 512-0442 or bojubolt@aol.com or
www.bikegaba.org
Oct. ?: SOUL RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE in Oracle. Todd Sadow,
www.epicrides.com
Oct. ?: TOUR DE FARM. Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association.
www.tourdefarm.com
Oct 30 (Sun) : PALO VERDE NUCLEAR CENTURY. GABA-West Valley.
www.sportsfun.com
Proposed Programs for 2005
Subject to change; check monthly articles.
May: The Unusual bike Show. Weird, Whacky and Cool Bikes! Griff Griffis.
June: Diana Tolton on the Platinum Challenge for the City of Tucson.
More than a bike ride—A cult
happening!
Friday, Saturday & Sunday April 29, 30 & May 1
There are three types of riders who attempt this ride. The racers start at first
light, stop only for Cytomax and water and arrive in beautiful downtown
Strawberry (population 35) ready for a full afternoon of sightseeing. The
tourists actually take time to look at the great scenery, enjoy the generous sag
stops, and arrive just early enough for a nap before dinner. The clueless
realize at mile 45 on the first day that they should be somewhere else.
Don’t be clueless. This ride covers 325 miles and 22,000 feet of climbing over
three days. The first day from Scottsdale to Strawberry climbs about 10,000 ft.
The second day to Prescott climbs another 6,600 ft. and crosses the inevitably
windy Prescott Valley. Distance on the third day is 127 miles. Be prepared for
cold in the mountains and heat crossing the desert. And sometimes (rarely) snow.
The crew from Landis Cyclery will transport your bags and provide sag stops with
snacks and water. They will also pick you up if you can’t go on, but space is
very limited. If you start, be prepared to finish!
LODGING: Strawberry accommodations are limited. If all hotels are full, call
Cheryl Holland at the Windmill Corner Inn (below) for additional suggestions:
Strawberry Lodge 928-476-3333
Strawberry Motel 928-476-3040
Windmill Corner Inn 928-476-3064
Strawberry Hill Cabins 928-476-4252 or 480-575-7866
Prescott baggage drop-off and pickup at the Super 8 Sheldon Street, which fills
up early. Close by hotels are:
Super 8 (Sheldon St.) 800-800-8000
Motel 6 (Sheldon St.) 800-466-8356
Best Western (Gurley St.) 800-528-1234
Colony Inn (Gurley St.) 928-445-7057
Start: Friday, April 29. Check-in opens at 5:00 AM. First riders out at 5:30 AM,
last sag leaves at 6:30 AM. Slower riders, please start early.
Where: Landis Cyclery Scottsdale, Scottsdale Rd. & Shea Blvd., SE corner. For
additional information, call Dick Landis at 480-839-9383.
Tucson AZ, Mountain Standard Time
MAY
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 5:38 7:04
7: 5:33 7:08
14: 5:27 7:13
21: 5:23 7:18
28: 5:19 7:23
JUNE
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 5:18 7:25
7: 5:17 7:28
14: 5:17 7:31
21: 5:18 7:33
28: 5:20 7:34
2004 Cannondale R5000, 58 cm, Dura
Ace 20-speed, Ksyrium SL wheelset, full carbon fork. Ridden less than 500 mi by
senior citizen exclusively. Like new. $2600. Contact Bob Anderson, 297-4475, or
471-3528, (Tuc) or at
rjainaz@earthlink.net.
2003 Scattante CFR/ULT (T) 53 Black. Speedplays. Keyless carbon bottle cages.
Terry Butterfly seat. Turbo Elite cyclocomputer. All accessories included.
Under 100 miles on it! Paid $1,299. in 5/04 GREAT DEAL! Best offer. Holly
Gillette (520) 320-9063 or
hgillette1@msn.com (Tucson).
New Members:
Michael Woodlock; Pat Cisneros; Michael Johnson; Manette Bernier; Petro Family;
Roger Trott; William Fine; Mark Davis; Michael Aird; Jamie Woodmansee;
Lynn/Aaron Crew/Miller; Deb Erickson; Eduardo Bermudez; John & Amy Pilger; Dave
La Ravia; Gale Simpson; Walter Lambertson; E. Simpson; Anna Cassidy; Julia
Taylor; Robert Cash; Dawn Davis; Dave Hollly; Lloyd & Marilyn Kallman; Miguel &
Claudia Folch.
Renewing Members:
Jane Kramer & Edwin Rios; Joan D'Alonzo; Mark Pagel; Chris & Cheryl Toal; Joanne
Dowdy; Betty-Sue & Don Gage; Bob Beane; Bill Mangold; Norma Feldman; James &
Mary Ann Jordan; Andy & Laura Meyer; Richard & Mel Rineer; Barton Santello; Jim
Carley; L.J. Haden; Ted & Gloria Belanger; Linda Benea; Doug Crockett; Joy
Goldbaum & Norm Osborne; Roger McGhee; Mike McNamara; Monty Morgher; Dennis &
Viv Peterson; Suzanne Phillips & Tom Faucett; Sylvia & Gordon Young; James Abel;
Gus Aragon; Dick Bryant & Kathy Feeney; Tom & Janie Ebenhack; Kathy Eldred; Vern
Hines; Daniel Kongs; John Manzione; Rich Marciari; Ed & Sue Roberts; Julie & Ed
Schenck; Chris Florko; Lyndy Cranson; Dave Stevenson; Higginios Family; Jack
Welch; Marge Germain; Chad Kurtzman; Dennis Larson; Dwight Nuehring; Doug
Thompson; Tony & Diane Everett; Ed Rogoff; Jerry Short; Richard Phelps; Larry
Brooks; Wayne Coates; Ben & Doris Isaacman; Roy Schoonover; Ike & Rhonda Smith;
Clarence Warrior; Mark & Rowena Dehanke; Brenden & Amanda O'Brian; George &
Theresa Schnepf; George & Eileen Dudley; George & Carol Franklin.
Catalina Highway from Tanque Verde Rd. to Houghton Rd. is currently under
construction. The roadway will be widened to three lanes including two travel
lanes and a center turn lane. As part of this construction, Catalina Highway
will include 6-foot wide bike lanes which are officially designated the Brad P.
Gorman Memorial Bikeway. Bike lanes will also be added to Catalina Highway
between Houghton Road and the base of Mt. Lemmon.
When possible, please utilize the Two New Bicycle Routes as indicated on the
map. The routes may be reviewed on the Tucson Metro Region Bike Map or at
www.pagnet.org/bikemap/bike_maps.htm . Drivers and cyclists are requested to
use extreme caution through the construction zone.
Alphabetical listing of GABA-Tucson's
Supporting Members. See back page for individual ads.
Abygail's Café 615-6280
Ajo Bikes 294-1434
Bicycles West 887-7770
Broadway Bicycles 296-7819
Fair Wheel Bicycles 884-9018
Green Valley Bike & Hike 393-7433
Irish, Peter 625-3930
New Body Studios 360-5912
Oro Valley Bicycle- 544-5999
2 locations 825-2751
Performance Bicycle 296-4715
Pima Street Bicycle 326-4044
R & R Bicycle 579-7829
Sabino Cycles 885-3666
Stevens, Andy, LMT 990-1459
Supergo Bike Shops 327-3232
TriSports.com 884-8743
Tucson Bicycles 577-7374
Wenberg, Susan, DC 326-1322
Yares, Greg, Realtor 323-9020
(Editor's Note: Supporting Members ads run for 1 year, July 1-June 30 the next
year. Ad sizes are 2" x 3". For info, contact Ram Salcedo, Bike Shop
Coordinator, salcedo@flash.net or
733-0230.)
May 14 & 15, 2005
Two options:
85 miles per day with all the hills or
65 miles per day with fewer hills!
NEW THIS YEAR:
Location for Sign-in, Weekend Parking and Baggage Loading: The Gila County
Courthouse, 1400 E. Ash (main street, on south side near Jack-in-the-Box). Load
your dufflebag in the baggage vehicle and pick up your map & ride instructions.
Start riding when ready, no later than 7 AM! Baggage van will depart by 7:15 AM.
Breakfast location (same as in previous years):
Joe’s Grill on Broad Street, between 6 AM and 7 AM. Take Broad Street off US 60
and follow it past Sycamore.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Buffet Dinner on Saturday night at Licano's Restaurant. Menu includes
enchiladas; tacos; tamales; rice, & beans; as well as chips & salsa; soda,
coffee, or tea for $17.50 per person. Minimum of 50 people needed for this
buffet!
Join us for the spectacular scenery and challenging hills of the Salt River
Canyon May 14 and 15. With over 6,500 feet of climbing on the first day, this
ride is for strong, experienced riders.
OPTIONS:
Choose the full 85 scenic hilly miles, or a 65-mile easier course. The full
course takes you from the mining town of Globe through desert vistas up into
pine trees and open vistas of the rocky canyon.
On the 1st day, the shorter version includes a 20-mile ride in the sag vehicle
to the 1st Sag Stop, eliminating about 3,000 feet of climb out of Globe. Both
options include the curvy steep descent to the bottom of the canyon, climbing up
and up on the other side, a downhill to Carrizo Creek and the final rolling
climb in the pine trees into Show Low. On the 2nd day, the course may be
shortened by a 20-mile sag van ride down the hill to Carrizo Canyon, or
"shorter-version" cyclists may just decide to tackle the full 85 miles and 5,000
feet of climbing.
If you decide on the shorter version with fewer hills, but still a good "scenic"
workout, call Kathy Mills ahead of time at 480-235-5052 or Email her at
kmills@flusol.com to reserve your
seat in the sag van. First come, first serve.
It is important to re-hydrate yourself at each sag stop, even if you don't feel
thirsty. Consumption of enough calories over the course of the day will help you
feel strong until you reach your destination.
SALT RIVER CANYON BIKE RIDE COST:
PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS: GABA/ABC members: $65
Non-members: $75
DAY-OF-THE-EVENT: GABA/ABC members: $80
Non-members: $90
Why not join GABA-Tucson today? Get our monthly news-letter delivered to your
door AND this ride at member price!
Add $15 for a one-year individual membership,
$18 for a family membership, or $10 for students.
HELMETS ARE MANDATORY.
A minimum of 25 riders required for this event to take place. If there are not
25 committed & paid cyclists by 4/25, the ride will be canceled.
Fee includes camping at Fool's Hollow State Park in Show Low; baggage transport;
3 sag stops including a lunch stop each day; sag vehicles covering the route;
sag ride from campground to dinner & back; maps and riders instructions.
RIDE LEADER: Kathy Mills, 480-235-5052 (cell), 602-274-6725 (work) or Email
kmills@flusol.com . Rest stop and sag
vehicle volunteers are needed. Earn GABA bucks toward ride entry in another ride
or GABA gear items! Contact Kathy in Phoenix, or Dorothy Barth in Tucson at
323-7203, or at
dorothybarth2443@msn.com if you or your friends/family want to help.
SALT RIVER CANYON BIKE RIDE MOTEL LIST
IN GLOBE:
El Rey: (928)425-4427. Economy Inn: (928)425-5736.
El Rancho Motel: (928)425-5757. Motel 6: (928)425-5741.
Comfort Inn: (928)425-7575. Super 8: (928)425-7124.
Days Inn: (928)425-5500. Travelodge: (928)425-7008.
IN SHOW LOW:
Sleep Inn: (928)532-7323. Pool, Jacuzzi, breakfast.
Kiva: (928)537-4542. Jacuzzi.
Best Western Paint Pony: (928)537-5773. (Ask for GABA rates - includes extended
continental breakfast.)
Days Inn: (928)537-4356. Motel 6: (928)537-7694.
Holiday Inn: (928)537-5115. Thunderbird : (928)537-4391.
Salt River Canyon Ride
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
May 14 & 15
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable.
Please fill out all the blanks.
Leader: Kathy Mills, (480) 759-7675 or
kmills@flusol.com
Return this form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
Option chosen: (Please circle) 85mi 65mi
Motel ______________ Camping ___
Vegetarian: Yes No (SAG stops food/meal)
PRE-REGISTRATION FEE:
GABA/ABC Member: $65 $____
Non-member: $75 $____
Mexican Buffet: $17.50 $____
DAY-OF-EVENT:
GABA/ABC members: $80 $____
Non-members: $90 $____
Total money enclosed: $______
I AM Currently a GABA member: yes no
NAME
(print)_________________________
ADDRESS________________________
CITY_________ ZIP _______
PHONE ________
E-Mail_________________________
CPSC-approved helmets mandatory.
STAPLE your signed WAIVER to each form.
Forms & Waivers cut with scissors are much appreciated!
Saturday, April 30, 2005
At McCormick Park,
on Columbus Blvd. between Glenn & Fort Lowell
By Pam Cullop, Social Director
It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up. Rides are starting
earlier. All of that adds up to “Ice Cream Eating Time”! This is the annual
event we all look forward to: our Ice Cream Social and Bike Ride! We will meet
at McCormick Park located at 2950 N. Columbus Blvd (Glenn on the South, River on
the North, Swan on the East and Alvernon on the West).
Ride Leaders will be on hand to lead B, C and D rides selected so that everyone
can find a ride that suits them best. There's something for everyone! More
experienced “faster riders” will be taken into the hills at a pretty good clip;
a flat and safe route is planned for families or less experienced riders…and for
those who don’t want to exert too much, but need a “good workout”, we have a
ride designed for you, too!
B riders (16-18 MPH): 40-45 mile ride. Departure time: 7 AM.
C riders (12-14 MPH): 30-35 mile ride. Departure time: 8 AM.
D riders ( 8-12 MPH): 10-15 mile ride. Departure time: 9 AM.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your selected ride so that you can
sign in, get your bike unloaded and be ready to leave by the designated
departure time. All rides start and finish at McCormick Park.
Once you return from your ride, come on over to Ramada #3, where you can choose
from an assortment of ice cream flavors! It isn’t everyday that you have the
good fortune to indulge to your heart’s content with a cool, delicious and
creamy treat! Yummy for your tummy!!!!! If you prefer not to ride, but would
like to come and eat some ice cream and/or just “hang out” for a while, you are
welcome too!
Ice Cream will be served between 10 and 10:30 AM; visiting will last the entire
time you are at the park and on the ride! Please – don’t be shy – come on out
and enjoy the day with us!
If you have any questions, would like to volunteer to lead a ride, or help with
the ice cream social (think GABA Bucks), I would love to talk with you. Give me
(Pam Cullop) a call at 290-4321 or 271-6678. Thanks, and hope to see you there!
2 Single Bikes Travel Cases
or
a Tandem Travel Case
May Be Borrowed by Members
GABA now has one tandem travel case and two hard-shell single bike travel cases
that members can borrow. The procedure for borrowing a case is as follows:
1. Travel cases are available to GABA members on a first come basis.
2. A $150 deposit per case is required. Deposit will be returned to borrower
when the case(s) is returned in usable condition.
3. Travel case(s) is to be returned to GABA within 3 days of borrower's return
to town.
4. Individual borrowing the case(s) is responsible for pick-up and return of the
travel case to the designated location.
Contact Peggy Jacobsen at 694-4742 or
pjtucson@earthlink.net to arrange for rental of a bike travel case.
Bicyclists are no longer be allowed to travel through a construction zone on the
Mt Lemmon Highway from 9 AM to 7 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Bicyclists are allowed to travel from Milepost 11.2 to Milepost 15.9 (Cypress
Picnic Area to Lizard Rock) ONLY on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The ban on bicycle travel midweek is because it is unsafe for bicyclists to
attempt to travel through the construction zone as they are unable to keep up
the pace with the pilot car during passage times. For more info, call the hot
line at 751-9405.
Monday July 4th
The Tour for Tucson’s Children was created in response to the passage of the
1994 City of Tucson Bicycle Helmet Ordinance. At the time, we were concerned
with the inevitable need to provide helmets for low-income youth.
The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department and Tucson Fire Department were
already actively involved in a bicycle safety program. As a result of both
departments’ commitment to Childhood Injury Prevention Programs, the staffs from
both these departments became the event organizers and have continued to manage
the Tour since its inception.
GABA has been a strong and active supporter of the event. GABA assists with the
promotion of the event through its newsletters, has made considerable annual
donations, and encourages its members to participate and volunteer in this
event.
The Tour for Tucson’s Children board members would like to extend its gratitude
to the GABA Board of Directors and its members for their continued support of
the Tour for Tucson’s Children event.
The start/finish line for all events is on the east side of the Tucson
Convention Center in downtown Tucson. This is also where the venue is located.
On site registration, packet pick up and refreshments are all located in the
venue. The 3-mile walk and the 6 ½ & 10-mile rides will take you through
downtown and along the Santa Cruz river path. The 27-mile ride takes you out
west along Mission, Irvington, Valencia and a short part of Ajo before returning
you downtown. Participation medals are handed out to all event participants.
Options:
27-mile challenge 6:00 AM start
3-mile Run/Walk 6:05 AM start
10-mile Family Ride 6:45 AM start
6 ½-mile Family Ride 6:45 AM start
½ mile Kid's Ride (6 and under) and activities 8:00 AM start
Ride Fee:
Adults (16+): $15 (on or before 6/21, $20 after 6/21)
Youth (Under 16): $10 (on or before 6/21, $15 after 6/21)
Kids event is free.
Packet pick up is July 3rd 9-3 @ 900 S. Randolph Way and at the venue on 7/4.
Proceeds benefit Tucson SAFEKIDS Injury Prevention Program. Registration forms
will be available beginning May 23rd. For more information, call Lisa or Jesus
at 791-4969, or contact Lisa.Sommer@tucsonaz.gov
.
We need volunteers to work not only at the venue, but also to ride the course.
The 6 1⁄2 and 10-mile rides have a lot of younger riders that tend to straggle.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Virginia Martinez at 791-4683, or
Lisa.Sommer@tucsonaz.gov.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Brought to you by the Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club (GABA)
Rollout: 8:30 AM (sign-in beginning at 8 AM).
Start/Finish: Rumsey Park, Ramada #5, on North McLane Rd in NW Payson.
Join the Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club, Mad Dawg & Mel’s and fellow cyclists from
the Rim Country, for a scenic tour of the Payson area at the base of the
Mogollon Rim.
Here’s what we have lined up…so far:
• A tour route around and outside the Town of Payson, with plenty of pine trees
and cooler-than-the-Valley temperatures. The full route (45+ miles) will have
hills, and will vary in altitude between 4,700 and 5,500 feet, so triple chain
rings, mountain gearing and/or strong legs are recommended. This route will
include a 10-mile out/back spur on beautiful and challenging Houston Mesa Road,
running NE from Payson toward the Mogollon Rim. Shorter route options will be
available.
• Sag support provided.
• Post-ride lunch at Ramada #5 nestled in the trees at Rumsey Park (BBQ chicken,
potato salad, cole slaw, mini corn-on-cob, and soft drink) served 11:30 AM - 1
PM.
• Prize drawing for cycling-related prizes and other items during lunch.
• Photos of last year’s ride are posted at the club web site:
www.sportsfun.com.
• Look for additional details on the website in April…
Payson area hotels/motels include:
- Majestic Mountain Inn, 602 E. Hwy 260, Payson, 800-408-2442.
- Best Western Payson, 801 N. Beeline Hwy, Payson,
800-247-9477/928-474-3241.
- Holiday Inn Express, 206 S. Beeline Hwy, Payson, 928-472-7484.
- Budget Inn Suites, 302 S. Beeline Hwy, Payson,
800-474-2201/928-474-2201.
Please register by May 14. You can get the pre-registration forms on the website
at: www.sportsfun.com.
For additional questions/information, e-mail
marco3@cox.net or call Bob Beane at 480-961-1951.
GABA Gear Order Form
Club Jerseys Sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL.
(If not sure of your size, check
www.louisgarneau.com for proper sizing)
Styles & Prices: Sleeveless, Men's and Women’s: $47
W/Sleeves, Men's & Women's: $50
Postage & handling per jersey/T-Shirt: $ 7.50
Club Socks: $ 6
Cross State Socks: $ 6
Bar Map Holders: $ 7
Postage & handling per pair of socks/holder: $ 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Size How Many Price
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sleeveless - men's: ___ ___ ____
Sleeveless – women’s: ___ ___ ___ _
With Sleeves, - men's: ____ ____ _____
With Sleeves, - women's: ____ ____ _____
Club Socks (Defeet): ____ ____ _____
Cross State Socks (Sock Guy): ____ ____ _____
Bar Map Holders: ____ ____ _____
Add for postage & handling: jerseys: _____
Add for postage & handling: socks/holders: _____
Total money enclosed (checks or money orders ONLY) $_________
Make checks payable to GABA-Tucson. Mail to PO Box 43273 Tucson AZ 85733
NAME: ______________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________________
CITY: __________________________ STATE: ___ ZIP: ________
Purchase your jersey at GABA meetings on the 1st Monday of the month,
OR contact Andy Stevens, (520) 990-1459 or
andy@solvomassage.com
July 9 & 10, 2005
Course May Be Going Back
to the Full Loop this Year!
The White Mountain Tour, presented by PMBC, is just around the corner! July is
going to be hot in the lower elevations, so plan on joining us in the cool pines
of the White Mountains on the 9th and 10th for our annual tour.
This year, we are hoping to change the route to make the loop through Show Low,
as we did in the earlier years. You will still have the fully supported ride
that riders have come to expect from this great 2-day ride with a catered dinner
on Saturday night and plenty of snacks to keep the energy levels high during the
ride.
Check our website for more details as they become available. Your new ride
leader this year is Jay Stewart, and you may contact him at 480-250-1613 or at
Jay.Stewart@Honeywell.com
Top of Page
By Bob & Claire Rogers
clairebike@yahoo.com
brogers644@yahoo.com
(Editor’s Note: Bob & Claire are biking along the old Silk Road in Asia.)
Your first dawn in Beijing. You look out over a gray rolling prairie of tile
roofs; a fuzzy peach orb rises through a gray haze, warming the white fur of a
cat prowling for pigeons. The roofs are broken by a maze of alleys; here they
are known as hutongs, and they refer also to the neighborhoods they encompass.
You walk through Tieshuxie Jie, in search of breakfast: an old man places cages
of singing birds in the morning sunshine; another bends to the task of planting
garlic in a tiny raised bed; a young woman beckons you into a noodle shop,
another offers pastries; an old woman shuffles past, oblivious to the honking of
a delivery van; bicycles weave between walkers and three wheeled pedal trucks
hauling recyclables; the ring of bicycle bells bounces off the narrow walls; men
ponder moves in a game of Chinese chess, nearly blocking the hutong as friends
offer advice; in a tiny shop a woman on her couch holds a Pomeranian on her lap
and it bares it’s teeth; a man welds a bicycle frame as bicycles and walkers
swerve around him. After a time you are absorbed into it and flow with it; but
make no mistake, as a foreigner, you are noticed; another foreigner, passing
through.
Life in the hutongs is close and public, and real. It goes on as it has for
centuries; there is no differentiating life and commerce; here they are the
same, for 18 hours a day, seven days a week, life and work are one, there is no
privacy, or seemingly a need for it. The hutongs have a smell that is their own:
pastries frying, recycled beer bottles add yeast, sewage sometimes, and sausages
and corn on a smoking grill, and spices and tea and others a westerner can not
know.
The hutongs are the life of Beijing. If you go, walk past the ones that front
the boulevards offering upscale accommodations and the newest DVDs, the newest
pop records and knock-offs of luxury watches. Keep moving until you find where
the people live and work and birth and die. The hutongs are disappearing, being
bulldozed to build high-rise apartments and shopping centers and Western style
commerce. Progress. Visit a real one before they are gone.
Zippy Thanotopsis
We couldn’t leave Zippy (our tandem) behind; not after all we’d been through
together; 35,000 miles of self-contained touring: bone-shaking outback tracks in
Australia, grueling mountain passes in the US and windblown prairies in Canada.
No, Zippy is family, we would find a way to cure him, somehow.
I pack our tandem as carefully as I can, before offering him up to the airline
baggage gods, but it wasn’t enough this time. We noticed the box had a couple of
holes when we claimed it at Beijing airport, but there was no major damage to
the exterior. Negotiating a mini-van into town revealed the enormity of the
language issue, which would bite us again soon enough (see Claire’s take on
that).
Things went well with the rebuilding until I tried to adjust the headset: it
went from loosie goosie to bound up tight, and no degree of subtlety helped. The
headset had obviously been driven into the box with enough force to break
through, and it appeared to both of us that the headset was slightly bent. Bad.
Bad. This is a 1.25-inch headset, the production of which ended nearly a decade
ago; how would we ever find one and get it to Beijing?
Okay, take a break, have some breakfast, send an email or two, and try again. No
change. Take it apart and start over again. Damn, no change. Okay, work on the
rest of the bike. Oh no; why does the drum brake rub the frame; is it bent!
Major panic; wake and dirge time; there is no fixing a bent aluminum frame.
But no; closer inspection revealed an axle spacer missing from the non-drive
side. It must have been knocked loose and found one of the holes in the box. We
turned the room upside down several times to no avail. This very specific part
is available nowhere in Beijing, one of the world’s major capitals. The most
up-to-date bike mechanics in town all shook their heads, “Mei you.” (no), they
couldn’t order the part. Don’t ask me why; the language problem wouldn’t allow
us to ask, or to understand.
But one young man with a bit of English at Wind Speed bicycle shop, located in
the heart of the expatriate part of town, was able to machine a nut to serve as
a temporary spacer. After close inspection of the headset, he determined that it
was not bent enough to cause the problem. Apparently a jet-lagged mechanic (me)
had not seen that the bottom dust cap was obstructing the top bearing race,
black on dark green grease. I was not nearly so embarrassed as relieved.
By this point Phil and Judy Slattery of Pima Street Bicycles (our saviors once
again) had somehow found a headset and axle spacer and had them on the way to
their shop for express shipment to us.
Bike Friendly City, Beijing Style
The bicycle traffic in Beijing is thick, competing with busses and cars. Horns
constantly blare, beep, bike bells ding, bus brakes screech; all manner of
unencumbered partially burned petro-chemicals assault lungs and eyes, and that’s
just the fun part. No really. Beijing should get an award for the most bicycle
friendly city on the planet; the major exception being that the standard issue
set of lungs is probably good for five years max. The major boulevards (courtesy
of Soviet style modernization) all have 5-meter wide bike lanes, or a complete
bikeway separated completely from the vehicles.
However, the system sort of falls apart at intersections; here the laws of
physics, social order and chaos theory meet in a nexus of terror. Cars nose into
a mob of cyclists, claiming their right of greater mass to avoid themselves
being run over by a bus, claiming its own right of greater mass. And whom do the
bicycles pick on? Pedestrians be damned! Zippy, having greater mass than other
cycles has a bit of advantage, unless meeting a three wheeled pedal truck
carrying a load of tin and cardboard two-meter wide! Often the separation
between panniers and objects come down to centimeters; Claire has learned to
keep her hands inside the stoker handlebar ends.
This cacophony lays siege to the eardrums; yet in retrospect, it is an oddly
musical assault, sort of like John Cage on speed. The regular sudden panic
stops, the odd stare-down with a motorist, a near miss with little old lady with
cane, and the shoulder bumping with a too intimate fellow cyclist become
tolerable just as we arrive at our cross-town destination. Then we have lunch,
visit a site, whatever, and enter the maelstrom once again. Fortunately all this
happens at a relative slow speed and serious accidents are few. Perhaps chaos
has gotten a bad rap as traffic control; it seems to work here.
Two days of this and my shoulders, neck and hands are toast. I am looking
forward to getting into the countryside, I think; we got a better map, and the
mountains just west of the city reach nearly 3,000 meters!
Smart Alecks, Don’t Mess With Zippy!
Claire abandoned Zippy and me to shop for an atlas of China in a bookstore. We
were immediately surrounded by about a dozen men of varying ages, pointing and
poking, smiling and asking questions in Mandarin. All I could do was smile and
nod, smile and nod. One young man knew a little English, and asked, “Where you
from?” I answered US, and the response seemed positive. “Where you go?” This was
not so easy, since he didn’t seem to understand my pronunciation of Urumchi, a
city in the far west. Then I remembered the Tyvek ™ jackets Norm Land got for us
in Tucson printed with a huge world map. I showed them our routes around
Australia, and North America. Big eyes stared back at me, as they comprehended.
One man patted his chest to indicate I must have a strong heart. Another braved
to squeeze my quad. The English speaker then asked my age, and they registered
shock at the, 60 he translated for them. An old man insisted on a friend taking
our picture with my camera (see web page) and then gave me a packet of postcards
he was selling, “For you free!” I was feeling a little nervous about so many
people so close to our bags and had to turn often to check.
One man of 30 or so had been strutting around the group making remarks, and
pointing at me, a very rude thing to do in China. I felt something shake Zippy
and turned to find him grinning at me from Claire’s seat. He aggressively pushed
against my shoulder and pointed to indicate we should ride. He was baiting,
making fun. Zippy doesn’t like being taken lightly. I smiled back, turned and
waved the group away, “Okay Zippy, lets take this dude for a ride.” We took off,
fast, with him desperately getting his feet on the pedals. We pedaled through
the courtyard at a good middle chainring clip to the applause and laughter of a
bigger crowd. I could imagine the surprise on my passenger’s face. Zippy decided
to show off a bit, swerving in and out of parked cars, leaving inches to spare
and increasing the speed, he even sped under a makeshift clothesline. That was
too much for our passenger; he found the only English he knew; “Ok, ok. Ok, ok,”
came his plaintiff plea. I stopped and let him off in front of his laughing
friends. I turned and gave him a smile, and a big, face-saving, thumbs up before
riding off to pick up my preferred stoker.
(To be continued next month.)
5th In A Series of Five
How to Bicycle When it is Hot
by Richard E. “Rich” Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
Tucson and eastern Pima County are well known for hot weather. Most who have
lived and cycled here for a few years have learned how to ride in the hotter
summer months. Here are some special approaches, to help you be able to enjoy
cycling more during the hotter months.
Drink plenty of fluids, and get some salt intake.
Energy & Sport drinks provide you both fluid & food, but are not needed if your
ride is a lower intensity one, or less than about 90 minutes. When you ride at a
lower intensity, you should eat solids (fig bars, apples, bananas, etc.) and
drink water. If you ride harder, but for less than 90 minutes, you still can
drink water, and eat food that is convenient, or use an energy drink – your
choice. The benefit of energy drinks when one rides harder is that you get more
electrolytes, and they help you perform a little better, as well as helping
prevent cramping.
Pretzels or saltine crackers are good ways to get the small amount of salt that
help power your body's 'cooling system'. Or, add a pinch of salt to your energy
drink, or your water (if you do this with water, try a little lemon juice too –
it will taste better). DO avoid anything with alcohol in it - as little as one
ounce of alcohol (i.e. one beer) can throw your body's cooling system out of
balance for as long as a week!
When you ride is important
You're in luck if you’re an early riser, because early morning when it's
cooler, is the best time to ride. Finishing by 10 AM is best, so depending on
your distance, starting as early as “sunrise” may be indicated. Try to avoid
riding between 11 AM and 4 PM, when it's very hot, and the sun's rays are more
direct and powerful.
Use Sunscreen
The sun can burn you in the summer, as early as 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning!
Use at least 15 SPF, and preferably 30 or 40 SPF. If you seek to be tanned,
'worshiping' the sun, be prepared to look 10 to 15 years OLDER that you actually
are in future years.
Dress for Comfort
Wear cycle specific clothing made especially for hot weather. T-shirts,
especially 100% cotton, are warmer in summer than a good lighter colored jersey
that wicks perspiration (such as coolmax). The zipper in front allows variable
venting, and the long zippers can really let the air flow in! Lighter weight
Lycra shorts will feel distinctly cooler than heavier weight Lycra, or other
materials.
And remember, cycling shorts are meant to be worn without underwear- you’ll
defeat the purpose of the lighter-weight Lycra if you double-layer with
underwear. Your socks should be coolmax or some similar synthetic material--100%
cotton socks work better in the fall and spring—they’re actually warmer in
summer than similar weight synthetic materials.
When prepared, riding when it’s hot can be not too uncomfortable and even fun!
“Miscellaneous Ramblings”
By Steve Wilson
GABA President
Just some observations and thoughts on things happening with cycling in Tucson
for May. Is it just my imagination or has the number of bicycle commuters on the
road shot up in direct correlation to the price of gas? Seems like I see more
and more commuters going to and from work on Houghton Road now that gas is $2.25
a gallon or more. At my workplace we have indoor bicycle parking under the
stairs and it’s getting a little crowded some days. It’s nice to see.
The LAB Platinum Challenge continues to gain momentum in the community. One of
the primary ways GABA will be involved is in helping to improve the cycling
education available in the metro area. GABA helped with subsidies of the LAB
League Certified Instructor courses that were recently held in Tucson and will
likely do this again in the future. Rich Corbett is a long time LCI who was the
primary instructor for the course. Matt Zoll has just joined the GABA board as
our new education director and we’re looking forward to expanding GABA’s role in
helping to improve our educational offerings.
We ended up hosting a total of 10 cyclists this winter for training in Tucson
(not all at the same time!) They came from Vancouver, BC; Ontario; New York,
Maine, Washington state, and Florida. You might wonder why someone would come to
Tucson from Florida to train. In a word – hills. It’s a great time meeting new
cyclists and showing off what we have to offer in Tucson. As always, if you are
interested in hosting cyclists visiting for training in the winter, send me an
email and I’ll try to match you up with a compatible visitor.
If you are interested in bicycle art for around the house or workplace, mark
your calendar for the next BICAS bicycle art auction to be held during the El
Tour de Tucson festivities in the fall. We picked up some wonderful unique
things last fall that are fun to have and look at. Of course, the money goes to
a very good cause also.
We hope you’re having a good spring riding season and that you can join us for 2
of our best overnight rides of the year – Salt River Canyon and Luna Lake. Salt
River is one of the most beautiful rides in the state, but it is difficult. If
you like riding to Summerhaven then it’s a ride for you. Luna Lake is in the
intermediate category – if you like Sonoita-Bisbee, then it’s your speed. Hope
to see you on one of both of them.
Ride safe.
April 13th 2005 Meeting
By Richard E “Rich” Corbett
This column will share with you news from the meetings of the Tucson-Pima County
Bicycle Advisory Committee (TPCBAC) with two major sections, Announcements/News,
and Actions.
Announcements/News:
• Jim Jordan, well-known Green Valley cyclist and PBAA Bike Patroler, in the
call to the public, announced that the new continental Road Bike lanes would be
dedicated at 11:30 am on April 21st at La Posada. That same day, there will also
be the “Spring Spin” to introduce the 1st ‘Tour de Trauma’.
• Ignacio Rivera, Head of BICAS, in the call to the public, urged that the City
of Tucson establish an educational diversion program for cyclists who have been
cited, especially in light of the recent enforcement campaign.
• Tucson Police Lieutenant Roger Carrillo, along with Sgt Tim Beam, made a
special report on the enforcement program that is currently underway. Lt.
Carrillo made the point that the reason there has been such an uproar about the
citations is that cyclists and pedestrians have had so little enforcement for so
long that there is a feeling of entitlement to do whatever they want. He pledged
that this is going to change as a key element of the Platinum 2006 effort. Sgt
Beam reported that his study of crashes for ten years shows approximately a
50-50 fault share between cyclists and motorists. He said the a special bicycle
& pedestrian enforcement effort began Monday, March 7th, and will continue for
about six weeks, thru April 18th. There were lots of comments and questions from
BAC members.
• Member GJ Anderson arrived in a wheel chair, and revealed that he had suffered
multiple fractures in a collision on his motorcycle three weeks prior, when hit
while making a U-Turn.
• Member Bill Katzel announced that the Bicycle Parking Standards were moving to
implementation, thanks to Planning Administrator Craig Grossman.
• Member George Dudley announced that he and Bill Adamson met with four
Sahuarita Town Council members to discuss the Sahuarita Road bike lanes.
• Member Roy Schoonover announced that Valencia Rd at I-10 bike lanes are
currently under construction, after 6 years of efforts.
• Member Diana Tolton announced an upcoming ADOT meeting regarding Oracle Road
in Oro Valley, and asked if Member John Nowak would be attending. .
•
•
• Staffer Matt Zoll announced that he had written a personal letter of thanks to
the City of Tucson for the recent implementation of 20 additional miles of bike
lanes, filling gaps, and adding continuity. It was pointed out that the
Committee had sent a similar letter two months ago.
• Item #9 – Fantasy Island. Member Bill Katzel explained recent developments in
the threat to the Fantasy Island mountain biking area. Councilmember Shirley
Scott made the motion at the April 12th Tucson City Council meeting to adopt a
land designation of Open Space & Recreation. It appears that Fantasy Island will
be preserved as the Mountain Bike Mecca that it is.
Actions:
Item # 2 – Following a correction by Member Bill Adamson, the minutes of the
March 9th meeting were approved by motion and unanimous vote of the members
present.
• Items # 4 & 10 – Law Enforcement Report. Following considerable discussion,
Member Dick Schaffer offered a motion to compliment the Tucson Police Department
for the enforcement program, and to ask that a continuing program be instituted,
with the addition of more education and a diversion program for offenders.
• Item # 6 – Nominations. Chairman Jesse Morales appointed member Dick Schaffer
as nominating Sub-committee Chair, and called for anyone interested to contact
Dick.
• Item # 7 – Road Diets - Staffer Matt Zoll announced that there appears to be
more opportunities for slimming roads down, generally from four lanes to three
with Bike Lanes. Roy Schoonover brought up Five-Points, and that brought up the
proposed Sixth Avenue conversion to two-way traffic, and the potential for the
infamous ‘door zone’ bike lanes to be implemented. Staffer Richard Corbett
pointed out that there were at least two high profile deaths in the last couple
of years nationally, as a result of door zone bike lanes, and urged that
sharrows be used instead to try to keep cyclists from riding too close to parked
cars. A motion to explore other opportunities for Road Diets was passed
unanimously.
• Item # 8 – Member Bill Adamson and Jim Jordan presented their concerns about
and a plan to address the .7 mile gap in the bike lanes on Camino Del Sol.. A
motion was made and passed unanimously to support the proposal to add bike lanes
in the .7 mile gap.
For More Information
If you have any bicycle related concern, you are invited to attend the T-PCBAC
meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 6 to 8 PM, at Himmel Library (Treat
Ave & 1st Street), and present your concern during the "Call to the Public". You
may also call the appropriate Bicycle Coordinator: Richard Corbett, PAG
792-1093, Trace Tang, City of Tucson 791-4372, Matt Zoll, Pima County 740-6747,
and Nancy Ellis, Oro Valley 229-5057.
GRAND CANYON TO MEXICO
OCTOBER 1 – 8, 2005
By Dorothy Barth
2005 Ride Chair
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure,
GABA’s annual weeklong cycling event! Over the years, the Club has run several
different routes in order to provide participants an opportunity to experience
the diversity of our state. This year, we return to the traditional “Cross
State” route, beginning our cycling at the Grand Canyon, and ending at the
Mexico border.
If you’re looking for something to motivate you to put in more miles this year,
this tour is it! Because it is later in the season, there’s plenty of time to
train. If you’re planning on riding “El Tour de Tucson” next November, this tour
is a great preparation. If you’d like to challenge yourself on a scenic 520-mile
ride with great camaraderie and excellent support, this tour is for you.
We will gather at the Best Western Phoenix Airport Inn on Friday evening,
September 30th. Ron Hall, hotel manager extraordinaire, always welcomes us and
manages every request, routine and otherwise. Excited and anxious cyclists
gather around the topographical map that he provides for us - with our route
depicted on it. Also posted is the weather forecast for each day of the ride.
Tour check-in will begin at 5:30 PM for early arrivers. A social hour will also
run from 6 to 7 PM, giving cyclists a chance to meet. Our welcome banquet will
begin at 7 PM. Participants will also get to meet the Tour Committee and Staff.
We’ll also review basic safety precautions, and remind cyclists of specific
hazards related to the southwest environment. After checking in any late
arrivals, everyone will want to get lights out as fast as possible to be ready
for the next day.
On Saturday, we will rise at the crack of dawn. The moving van will arrive
first. Bikes will be wrapped in transport blankets and carefully tucked in to
prevent any damage. The ride crew will give each of you a sack lunch for the bus
trip and reading material after having checked off all the names to ensure that
everyone has boarded. Campers’ luggage will be loaded into the baggage truck,
all other bags into the bays of the motor coaches, and we will be on our way by
8 AM.
On arrival in Tusayan, everyone will retrieve his bags & bike, and begin the
Adventure! Many will head immediately for Grand Canyon National Park where they
will be able to ride their bikes out to the West Rim. At this busy time of year,
motorists must leave their cars in parking lots and board park busses to see the
various West Rim vista points.
Certainly, some will get in a hike, mindful of the limited number of daylight
hours, and the need for sunscreen and water. Many will head over to the IMAX
Theater to see a 34-minute movie introduction to the world-known 277- mile Grand
Canyon on a 60 X 80 foot giant screen. Much of the footage is taken from the
river, emulating Powell’s explorations more than a century ago.
Ride Day 1 – Grand Canyon to Gray Mountain – Sunday
Wake up to a cool, crisp morning at 7,000’ elevation. The excitement of getting
to the National Park will warm the chill, and cyclists will head out of Tusayan
towards the Park. Inside the Park, make a right turn to towards the East Rim
Drive. Some of the Grand Canyon’s most scenic overlooks await, including
Grandview Point, as well as Moran, Zuni, Papago, and Lipan Points. Farther down
the road, the Tusayan Ruins have a short loop through an 800-year old ruin,
offering our first glimpse at Pueblo Indian life. After Desert View and the
Watchtower, look forward to a swift downhill before lunch.
After turning south onto U.S. 89, prepare for the longest climb of the day, an
4-mile stretch with sweeping views of the painted desert and of 12,000 foot Mt
Humphrey in the distance. Before you know it, you’re at Gray Mountain, our
destination for the day. A motel and convenience store sits on one side of the
highway while the restaurant and gift shop providing us with a filling meal is
on the other. After a short group meeting, hit the hay to be ready for the next
day.
Ride Day 2 – Gray Mountain to Flagstaff – Monday
Rise early, get a hearty breakfast at the restaurant, and start pedaling. This
day features a very scenic loop route through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National
Monuments. Less than 800 years ago, Wupatki was the tallest, largest, and
perhaps the richest and most influential pueblo around. Give yourself 20-30
minutes to visit Wupatki Pueblo - located behind the Visitor Center.
The loop brings you to a view of Sunset Crater, the 1,000 foot cinder cone left
from a volcanic eruption 900 years ago. By the end of the day, you will have
gained about 2,500 feet of elevation! On arrival at the Little America Hotel in
Flagstaff, get freshened up for a night out in town.
Ride Day 3 – Flagstaff to Payson – Tuesday
Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet elevation, so most likely the morning will start off
very chilly. Expect a normal, beautiful and sunny, Arizona day! However, if the
weather is chilly and wet, our crew will be ready to ferry cyclists if needed.
Cycle past Lower and Upper Lake Mary, and perhaps even see some water in Mormon
Lake after this year’s heavy rains. Of course, everyone will make the obligatory
stop for a scrumptious piece of pie at the Strawberry Café! The course then
takes you further down the Mogollon Rim to the small town of Pine, and after a
few more miles through oak forests, you are in Payson.
Ride Day 4 – Payson to San Carlos – Wednesday
Riders will be greeted with a long, fast and scenic descent leaving Payson. The
route continues south along Roosevelt Lake. When full, Roosevelt Lake covers
more than 17,000 acres, and is a popular Arizona recreation area. You will also
have a great opportunity to view Roosevelt Dam, which is 357 feet high and 723
feet long. The bridge crossing Roosevelt Lake is the longest two-lane,
single-span, steel-arch bridge in North America. Built to take traffic off the
top of Roosevelt Dam, the bridge spans some 1,080 feet across Roosevelt Lake.
After crossing the bridge, riders will encounter the steepest climb of the Tour,
with grades ranging to 9%.
After a SAG stop at the top, cyclists are rewarded with a long downhill coming
into Globe. Continue riding a few miles east of town and arrive at the Apache
Gold Casino & Resort, our destination for this day. Enjoy a fabulous meal
prepared by award-winning Chef Terry! Those who are feeling lucky can then visit
the casino. Others will fall asleep indoors or under the stars, anticipating the
next day’s ride.
Ride Day 5 – San Carlos to Tucson – Thursday
This is the longest day of the Tour, punctuated by 2 long climbs. But expect a
long, steady downhill coming into Tucson, a pleasant respite for tired cyclists!
Most riders will start this day shortly after sunrise to avoid the southerly
winds common to Tucson afternoons. This year, our destination will be in
northern Tucson, making for a shorter day than in previous years.
Ride Day 6 – Tucson to Patagonia – Friday
We’ll cycle through the Tucson’s foothills, with great views of the Santa
Catalina Mountains. Our route will take us past Saguaro National Park, where
early and energetic cyclists can pedal the 8-mile scenic loop. Leaving Tucson,
pedal south on Scenic Highway 83. Long climbs will take us to Arizona’s high
desert rangeland in Sonoita. Savor a 12-mile gentle downhill to our destination,
the town of Patagonia.
Ride Day 7 – Patagonia to Nogales – Saturday
This is your morning to sleep in! Today’s ride is a short one through Arizona’s
rolling hills. Enjoy breakfast and explore a bit of Patagonia before you jump on
your bike to cycle the last 20 miles to the border. Meet up with the new friends
you’ve made during the week, and walk across the border to experience Nogales,
Mexico. Do some shopping, have a cerveza or a margarita to relax, and celebrate
a great week of cycling!
Travel Day – Sunday – October 9th
Once again, rise early to get bicycles wrapped and loaded in the moving van for
the trip back to Phoenix. Motor coaches will take our distant travelers back to
the Phoenix airport. Share phone numbers and e-mail addresses with newfound
friends! Once on the bus, relax and dream about the magical week you just passed
on the Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure!
This tour is limited to 200 riders. There is an early entry discount of $25 for
registrations postmarked before 7/1/05. Sign up now to make sure that you have a
spot on this year’s tour!
Cross State Tour Information
ROUTE: The 520-mile route begins at the south entrance of the Grand Canyon, and
ends in Nogales on the Mexico Border. The ride features 7 days of riding, for an
average of about 75 miles per day, but the last day is quite short. The total
elevation gain over the course of the Tour exceeds 25,000’.
TEMPERATURES: Be prepared for very cool temperatures at higher elevations; frost
is possible at night or early mornings. It can and does rain and snow in
Arizona. At lower elevations, temperatures can reach 100 degrees at times.
LODGING: A large percentage of our Tour participants choose the motel option for
all or part of the week. A list of host lodging locations will be furnished upon
receiving a completed, paid registration form. Early reservations are necessary
to ensure receiving our group rate price, and room availability.
CAMPING: The camping site is usually at the daily host motels. Showers are
provided. There is no indoor camping.
LUGGAGE: Maximum of 2 duffel bags per person, with a maximum weight of 40 lbs.
each, transported to daily host locations only.
MEALS: The Tour includes 6 group dinners, and after-ride snacks. Please note: We
do make both meat and vegetarian dinners and snacks available. However, if you
have special dietary needs, be prepared to supplement your meals accordingly.
SAG STOPS: At designated locations along the daily route, quality food stops
offer a variety of fresh fruits, juices, great snacks, luncheon meats and other
sandwich fixings at mid-day, sodas and water.
MECHANIC SUPPORT: A mechanic will accompany our Tour for minor repairs and
adjustments. Bike parts will be available at competitive prices. Your bike
should be in excellent working order before leaving home, including low gears
for the BIG climbs. Recommendation: A 520-mile ride is not the time to try out
untested or new bicycle parts or components.
TRAINING: To fully enjoy Arizona’s spectacular scenery, training is recommended.
Throughout the riding season, cyclists should build up to at least one 50-80
mile ride each week. By October, riders should be prepared to complete a century
ride. This route contains several challenging climbs and elevation gains.
MASSAGES ($): There will be a massage team at the host motel each night.
Scheduling can be done each day, or at tour check-in. Drop-ins are welcome as
time is available.
BICYCLE SHIPPING: Bicycles may be shipped to Landis Cyclery Bicycle Shop for
assembly (includes a tune-up) and delivery to the Best Western Airport Inn in
Phoenix, for a fee. Contact Joe:
jwilson@landiscyclery.com or (602)264-5681 for more information. If you
prefer, you may ship your bike directly to the Best Western Airport Inn, where
it will be stored in a locked storage room for you to assemble upon arrival.
BICYCLES: All bicycles must be assembled before leaving the hotel in Phoenix.
Please understand that, due to limited storage space on the tour, no bike boxes
or bags can be carried on our luggage truck. A locked storage room will be made
available for those items at the Best Western Airport Inn in Phoenix, for the
duration of the Tour.
RETURN FLIGHT INFO: When you are making your return flight plans, please take
into consideration that, if you are taking your bike back with you, or having it
shipped from the hotel rather than using Landis Cyclery, you will need to allow
enough time for the disassembly and packaging of the bike and shuttle time to
the airport. For these reasons, it is generally wise to not plan on flying out
before 3 PM on Sunday, Oct. 9th.
OPTIONAL BUS TRIP AND BIKE TRANSPORT FROM PHOENIX TO THE GRAND CANYON on
Saturday, Oct. 1st: Bus and bike transportation from Phoenix (Best Western
Airport Inn) to Tusayan is available for $50 per person. Assembled bikes will
begin loading at approximately 6:30 AM (boxes will remain in a locked room at
the Best Western Airport Inn). Motor coaches will begin loading at approximately
7:30 AM. A complimentary sack lunch will be provided to all passengers for the
trip to the Grand Canyon.
OPTIONAL BUS TRIP AND BIKE TRANSPORT FROM NOGALES TO PHOENIX on Sunday, Oct.
9TH: Bus and bike transportation will be available at the cost of $45 per person
for the trip from Nogales to Phoenix. Bikes will begin loading at approximately
6 AM, and motor coaches will begin loading at approximately 6:45 AM, arriving
into Phoenix around 10:30 AM.
CONFIRMATION LETTER: This will be e-mailed to you (or mailed as required)
shortly after receiving your check with a completed and signed registration form
and signed waiver. The letter will contain a designated motel and camping
locations list, and a list of suggested equipment and clothing items for the
Tour.
TOUR COST: Tour registration fee is $525 per person. If postmarked before
7/1/05, deduct $25 from that amount. If postmarked after 8/31/05, add $25 to
that amount. Motor coach and bike transport from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon at
the beginning of the Tour: $50. Motor coach and bike transport from Nogales back
to Phoenix at end of Tour: $45. Transportation from Tucson to Phoenix at the
beginning: $25. Transportation from Nogales back to Tucson at end of Tour: $20.
Meals Only option for individuals accompanying riders on Tour: $130.
6 RIDERS FOR THE PRICE OF 5: This special is offered for 6 riders joining the
Tour together, and sending all their registration forms, waivers and payments
together.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Refund requests must be made in writing if you are unable
to make the Tour for any reason. If postmarked by 7/1/05, total amount less $50
will be refunded. If postmarked by 8/31/05, total amount less $100 will be
refunded. If postmarked by 9/15/05, only $75 will be refunded. Sorry, no refund
if postmarked after 9/15/05.
Sunday, June 5, 2005
This ride is not for the faint of heart! It will require all the strength that
your legs have, and then some!
Imagine climbing 5,000 feet on a fairly steep dirt road for the first 7 miles,
then continuing on a steeper paved road for the last 5 miles to the summit,
where the grade then gets very steep for the last 1/2 mile! Come enjoy this ride
and find out for yourself if it really is that hard!
Meet at 6 AM at Whipple Visitor Center. Directions: from Tucson, drive south on
I-19 past Green Valley. Exit at Canoa Rd. and continue south on the EAST
frontage road to Elephant Head Rd. Turn LEFT here and continue for a mile or so
until you see Hopkins Rd. Turn RIGHT and continue up this road about 6 miles
until you reach Whipple Visitor Center.
Park your car here and get your mountain bike out: you are about to find out
what mountain biking is all about! Bring plenty of WATER and energy food! As you
sweat and grind mile after mile keep in mind the final reward: fantastic
360-degree views at the top! And, don't go too fast downhill: watch for the
occasional car coming up.
Ride leader: Tom Ward, tward@dakotacom.net
or (520) 625-3649.
May 28th, 29th & 30th
Spend Memorial Weekend cycling a moderately difficult ride on some of the least
traveled roads in the cool mountains of Eastern Arizona and Western New Mexico!
The GREAT Luna Lake Bike Tour, offered for many years by GABA-Tucson, is back
again!
Day 1: 48 Miles: Springerville, AZ to Quemado, NM
Check in at the Safeway parking lot in Springerville, from 8 to 9 AM. Ride 48
miles on rolling hills to Quemado, New Mexico. Lunch served just before a
cyclist's dream: an 8-mile fast descent into Quemado! Camping & showers at the
Quemado High School. Optional dinner of spaghetti, with meatballs on the side,
green salad, dessert and beverage will be served at the high school. For
breakfast, there will scrambled eggs, pancakes, mild sausage, cold cereal,
juice, coffee and milk.
Day 2: 55 Miles: Quemado, NM to Reserve, NM
Pedal on lightly-traveled roads through the Gallo Mountains. The 1st SAG stop is
at the top of the climb. Then, a thrilling descent to Apache Corners for lunch!
Continue on to Reserve, our destination for the day. If 55 miles is not enough
for you, there's an optional side trip to the Continental Divide, adding 32 more
miles to your day. We will have camping and shower facilities at the Reserve
High School. Walk west, a mere .3 miles from the Rode Inn and you'll be there.
Dinner will be both vegetarian and meat lasagna, salad, dessert and a beverage
served at the community center located directly across the street from the high
school. Breakfast the following morning will be meat and meatless breakfast
burritos, coffee and juice also served at the Community Center across the street
from the High School.
Day 3: 62 Miles: Reserve, NM to Springerville, AZ
This is the most challenging day! The first SAG stop is at Luna Summit, top of
the day's major climb! The lunch SAG is at Luna Lake picnic grounds and a 3rd
SAG for emergency refueling and re-hydration will be offered prior to going into
Springerville.
Registration Fee:
Pre-registration Fee: GABA/ABC Members: $65
Non-Members: $75
DAY-OF-EVENT Fee: GABA/ABC Members: $85 Non-Members: $95
OPTIONAL MEALS MUST BE PRE-PAID WITH YOUR RIDE FEE.
IN QUEMADO:
Dinner in Quemado: $7.50
Breakfast in Quemado: $7.00
IN RESERVE:
Dinner in Reserve: $7.50
Breakfast in Reserve: $7.00
Why not join GABA-Tucson today? Get our monthly newsletter delivered to your
door AND this ride at member price!
Add $15 for a one-year individual membership;
$18 for a family membership, or $10 for students.
HELMETS ARE MANDATORY.
YOUR FEE INCLUDES:
- Luggage transport;
- 2 SAG stops with snacks, fruit, sandwich-makings & cold water on each day;
- A 3rd SAG stop added on Day 3, the longest day;
- Camping & showers at Quemado High School and at Reserve High School on
Saturday and Sunday nights;
- End of ride showers at the Rode Inn in Springerville, so you can go home
refreshed;
- And a SAG vehicle to help out throughout the course.
Please register as soon as possible to assist us in adequately preparing for a
well-supported ride. This remote area has few super-markets!
We must also give our “optional meals” hosts a 2-week advance head count for
meals, which means that those who wait to register on the day of the event will
NOT be guaranteed a meal.
RIDE ORGANIZER: Rhonda Smith, 886-2919 or
onekewlmom@hotmail.com. Anyone
interested in helping out? Call Rhonda as soon as possible!
LUNA LAKE BIKE TOUR MOTEL LIST:
Springerville:
Rode Inn: (877)220-6553 or (928)333-4365
Super 8: (800)800-8000 or (928)333-2655
Quemado:
Allison: (505)773-4550
Allegre: (505)773-4520
Reserve:
Rode Inn: (505)533-6661
Village Motel: (505)533-6600
LUNA LAKE TOUR
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
May 28, 29 & 30, 2005
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable.
Please fill out all the blanks.
Ride Leader: Rhonda Smith: 886-2919 or
onekewlmom@hotmail.com
Return this form & your check to: GABA
P.O. Box 43273, Tucson AZ 85733
Option chosen: (Please circle):
Motel _________ Camping ________
Vegetarian: Yes No (for SAG stops/meals)
Money enclosed:
GABA/ABC Members: $65.00 $____
Non-Members: $75.00 $____
Dinner, Quemado: $ 7.50 $____
Breakfast, Quemado: $ 7.00 $____
Dinner, Reserve: $ 7.50 $____
Breakfast, Reserve: $ 7.00 $____
Day-of-Event GABA/ABC: $85.00 $____
Day-of-Event Non-Members: $95.00 $____
Total money enclosed: $______
I am currently a GABA member: Yes No
NAME:
(print)_________________________
ADDRESS:________________________
CITY:_______________ ZIP ________
PHONE: _____________
E-MAIL _________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
STAPLE your SIGNED WAIVER to each form.
Forms & Waivers cut with scissors are appreciated!
P. O. Box 43273
Tucson, AZ 85733
President: Steve Wilson 749-9014
wilsons@us.ibm.com
Vice President: David "Griff" Griffis 325-3600
dgriffis@griffisconsulting.com
Treasurer: Peggy Jacobsen 791-3049
pjtucson@earthlink.net
Secretary: Andy Stevens 990-1459
andy@solvomassage.com
Membership: Steve Graeber 762-1363
psiclist@worldwerks.com
Publicity: Sally Krusing 296-0319
supersal@cox.net
Bike Shops Coord.:Ram Salcedo 733-0230
salcedo@flash.net
Education: Matt Zoll 321-4471
mattzoll@cox.net
Touring-Day: Judy Bolt 512-0442
bojubolt@aol.com
Overnight Rides: Dorothy Barth 323-7203
dorothybarth2443@msn.com
Centuries: Sandi Rousseau 799-4406
sandir03@comcast.net
Update Editor:Suzanne Couvrette 891-4661
sgcouvrette@aol.com
Corrsp/Registration:DonnaLewandowski 749-9014
gabamail@comcast.net
Volunteer Coord: Dick Schaffer 326-4807
bikeschaf@aol.com
Webmaster: Dave Swanson 664-0429
daveswan@us.ibm.com
Social Director: Pam Cullop 290-4321
pjcullop@comcast.net
Bike Swap: Greg Yares 323-9020
Yares@cox.net
Shed Master: Bill Borland 299-3509
bborland@theriver.com
Cycling Advocacy: Donna Aversa 742-0440
dmaversa@aol.com
Friday, May 6, 2005
By Steve Wilson
Join us for the 14th annual installment of the Mt. Lemmon Hill Climb! It is sag-
supported for only $5 with four sag stops along the way with lots of drinks and
goodies. The sag stop moves with us, so lots of opportunities for regrouping and
socializing along the way.
It's a great opportunity for a first attempt at climbing the mountain if you
haven't ever made it all the way to the top.
Last year, we had over 50 riders with over 15 making the summit for the first
time! A special bonus is free lunch for the winner of the optional race from
Bear Wallow to the Ski Valley parking lot. Optional lunch back down in
Summerhaven after the climb is complete.
Looks like the road construction is almost completed. If there are any last
minute changes to the highway condition, we'll post them on the ride description
on the website.
Meet at Steve Wilson's house, 4601 N Via Noriega near the base of Mt. Lemmon for
check in at 6:45 AM. We roll out at 7 AM. No pre-registration needed, but please
call Steve at 749-9014 to confirm your plan to attend so we can be sure to have
enough supplies.
Ample parking in the neighborhood. Maps on-line at Yahoo Maps or MapQuest.com,
call if you need directions. Hope to see you on the Lemmon.
By Matthew Zoll
Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian
Program Manager
The City of Tucson has brought to life a new "bird" that will greatly assist
pedestrians and bicyclists in crossing a major street.
Known among traffic engineers as a "toucan", for "two groups can cross"
(pedestrians and bicyclists), this new traffic signal located at 3rd Street and
Alvernon is the third toucan to be built in the region. Tucson has the highest
number of these specialized traffic signals in the nation. Two other toucans are
located at 3rd Street and Country Club Road and at University Boulevard and
Stone Avenue.
The signal permits only pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the major street,
requiring drivers on the minor street to turn right rather than being able to
cross or turn left onto the street. Although it could cause some inconvenience
to drivers, the signals are located on local streets with very little automotive
traffic but with high pedestrian and bicycle traffic, where it's difficult for
pedestrians and bicyclists to cross safely.
The 3rd Street and Alvernon Way toucan not only will facilitate bicyclists using
the 3rd Street bikeway but also will also greatly improve access for residents
west of Alvernon Way to reach Alvernon Park, located one block east. This
crossing will also increase safety for elementary school children and their
families that live west of Alvernon but attend Peter Howell Elementary School,
one of seven elementary schools in the Pima County-Tucson Safe Routes to Schools
Program.
3rd Street and University Boulevard are gradually being developed as a "bicycle
boulevard" where special crossings have been installed for cyclists and
pedestrians at Stone Avenue, Campbell Avenue, Country Club Road, and Alvernon
Way. The city also plans a future pedestrian and bicycle signal at 3rd Street
and Tucson Boulevard, which will improve access to Himmel Park, Sam Hughes
School and the University of Arizona. Sam Hughes Elementary School is one of the
pilot elementary schools in the Safe Routes to Schools Program.
The next time you're bird watching in Tucson, check out the new toucan at 3rd
Street and Alvernon Way. There are also numerous other bird signals in the
region, including "pelicans", "hawks", and even a "puffin"—but that's another
story.
(Reprinted from the Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac )
The bicycling agenda is alive and well in the halls of Congress with less than
three weeks to go before the National Bike Summit® (March 16-18 in Washington,
DC). In addition to transportation reauthorization, bicycling commuter and
conserve by bike legislation are once again being considered in the 109th
Congress.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mark Foley (R-FL) have reintroduced the
Bicycle Commuter Act (H.R. 807). It is anticipated that
Senators Olympia Snow (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) will reintroduce the Senate
companion measure prior to the Summit. The Bicycle Commuter Act would allow an
employer to add bicycling to the definition of transportation fringe benefit in
the tax code. The transportation fringe benefit was added as an incentive to get
more people to use alternative modes of transportation for commuting. The goal
is to reduce traffic congestion, pollution and wear and tear on the roads. Under
H.R. 807, employers could offer monthly cash reimbursement of up to $100 to an
employee who commutes to work by bicycle, providing a tax benefit to the
employer and helping defray commuting expenses for the bicyclist.
In addition, Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) has introduced H.R. 722, the
Securing Transportation Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow Act of 2005. This bill
also includes language very similar to H.R. 807, but with a $75 a month cap.
Furthermore, H.R. 722 includes conserve by bicycling language, comparable to the
language in last year's energy bill. This language would provide $10 million to
establish a pilot program with up to 10 geographically dispersed projects to use
education and marketing and provide facilities to convert motor vehicle trips to
bike trips as an energy savings measure. For more information, visit
http://www.bikeleague.org or
http://thomas.loc.gov .
Reprinted from the League of American Bicyclists Bike League News, February,
2005. Bills could authorize financial incentives from employers for cycling to
work
By Dave Burnham,
Pima County Graphic Services
You may love cruising through town on a superlight road racer or dualie mountain
bike on the way to work, but when you've got three days worth of groceries and
only a backpack to carry them in, it can be uncomfortable or even hazardous.
If you're serious about commuting, I suggest building up a bike just for around
town. The good news is that bikes don't have to be expensive to be good
commuters. For shorter distances through town, flat bar mountain bikes can work
quite well. Most mid-level bikes come with threaded fittings to attach
accessories. Used bikes depreciate quickly, and good deals can be found at local
shops.
* Pick a good used bike with a decent frame and add racks and bags for carrying
work clothes or groceries. Bike bags come in every size and
shape and can be removed when not needed.
* Get some lights - the more the better. At least one good headlight and a red
blinky for the rear. A red rear reflector is required by law.
* Fenders come in lightweight plastic and will help to keep you dry when the
streets are wet. Some types can be removed for dry weather.
* Helmet mirrors give you 360º vision when you're dealing with traffic.
* A good strong lock is essential for protecting your investment. Ask your local
shop for the best type.
Riding a purpose-built commuting bike will be safer, easier, and save wear and
tear on your best mountain bike or road racer. You won't have to worry about
having your best weekend bike stolen off the street.
(Reprinted from the Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac )
By Matthew Zoll, Pima County DOT
Recently, Broadway Boulevard was quietly expanded to eight lanes between Country
Club Road and Columbus Boulevard, and to seven lanes between Park Avenue and
Country Club Road. This expansion slipped under the radar screen to most of the
population, except for a group of very interested and thankful citizens:
Cyclists.
These new lanes are actually travel lanes for bicyclists, striped in at the
roadway edge as part of recent repaving projects. Many people don't realize
these lanes are actually expanded transportation facilities, offering new travel
opportunities for the public. Hence the "Eight-lane expansion" of Broadway
Boulevard.
The City of Tucson's 2004 Roadway Recovery Program, which subsidizes roadway
repaving projects throughout the city using monies from the general fund, has
resulted in new bike lanes on Broadway Boulevard, Swan Road, Campbell Avenue,
Valencia Road, Ajo Highway, First Avenue, and other locations.
Exciting opportunities are occurring in the region for the bicycling public and
for all roadway users, thanks to the City's aggressive repaving of streets. A
great deal of new funding has also been dedicated to constructing sidewalks and
crossing signals for pedestrians.
So remember that roadway widenings to six, seven or eight lanes include those
travel lanes at the edge for bicyclists, a benefit to all.
(Reprinted from the Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac)
By Matthew Zoll, Pima County DOT
Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, visited
Tucson in February and gave a great boost to efforts within the community to
become a "Platinum" Bicycle Friendly Community over the next few years.
Currently Tucson is ranked as a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community.
Founded 125 years ago, the League worked to secure funding for paved roadways,
particularly to build them to standards for bicycle use. Known as the "Good
Roads" movement, the League was the number one force in the nation behind
improving roads. Ironically, as Andy noted in talks with Mayor and Council and
the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the League is now working to ensure that
bicyclists will be welcomed on many of the roadways that the League helped
establish.
Andy was impressed with the development of bicycle facilities within the region
and with the new Safe Routes to Schools Program and the upcoming regional
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and Education Program.
His advice to advocates and staff working to achieve the Platinum designation is
to improve education and enforcement for both bicyclists and drivers in order to
bring down the number of bicycling injuries and fatalities.
The League now has a membership of over 300,000 affiliated bicyclists and is
influential in\ improving conditions for bicyclists nationwide. For more
information on the League, please see
www.bikeleague.org.
(Reprinted from the Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac)
By Matthew Zoll, Pima County DOT
Thanks to popular demand, Pima County has scheduled re-striping of Mt. Lemmon
Highway to include paved shoulders from the base of the mountain to the top.
Steve Wilson, President of the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, worked
with local officials to make this improvement a reality. The goal is to have a
minimum of 3.5-foot wide paved shoulders for the entire 26-mile road. In some
locations the shoulder will be slightly narrower but in many others it will be
wider. The shoulder is scheduled to be re-striped as of this printing.
Also, cyclists now have unrestricted access through the ongoing highway
construction project between mileposts 12 & 16 during non-work hours.
Restrictions will be kept in place during work hours because cyclists can't keep
up with the pilot car.
The overlook at Windy Point is scheduled for completion in mid-May. Substantial
completion of all work is expected by Memorial Day. Some added work to repair
damage to other parts of the route may continue past Memorial Day, but this work
will require only very short delays or traffic speed restrictions for safety
purposes.
(Reprinted from Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac)
By Matthew Zoll, Pima County DOT
Two projects have recently begun design that will provide significant benefits
for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Sunset Villa Sidewalks and Landscaping Project will be constructed by Pima
County to provide sidewalks and shade trees in the Sunset Villa neighborhood,
located between 12th & 16th Ave. and between 41st St. & Ajo Hwy. Sidewalks will
improve access for pedestrians; meet requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act; and also improve access for Pueblo High School students.
Construction is will begin in 2006.
A second project by Pima County develops a critical pedestrian and bicycle link
across the Rillito River. The Dodge Boulevard Sidewalks, Shade Landscaping and
Bike Lanes Project will provide facilities from Ft. Lowell Rd. north to River
Rd. The project connects numerous businesses and residences as well as makes a
link to the regional bikeway system along the Rillito and along River Road. This
project starts in 2006.
The River Road and Alvernon Way Roadway Bond Projects are slated to start
construction this spring. Alvernon Way will be extended north as a
4-lane roadway with bike lanes and sidewalks across the Rillito River. It will
curve west and connect with Dodge Boulevard at an intersection just north of the
Rillito River. At that point the new River Road will continue west as a
four-lane and five-lane facility with bike lanes and pedestrian facilities all
the way to Campbell Avenue.
Projects soon to begin design are the Hohokham Middle School Bicycle and
Pedestrian Project and the Laguna Elementary School Pedestrian Enhancement
Project. Both will improve travel routes for children to get to school. Laguna
Elementary is one of 7 regional pilot schools in the Pima County-Tucson “Safe
Routes to Schools” Program.
(Reprinted from the Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' Newsletter,
www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac)
By Matthew Zoll, Pima County DOT
On March 11-13, Richard Corbett of the League of American Bicyclists presented a
League Cycling Instructor (LCI) training course to 8 prospective bicycle safety
instructors.
The training is provided by the League to increase the capabilities of cyclists
to cycle more safely as "vehicular cyclists" in traffic, as well as to develop
LCI instructors who are able to train other cyclists to cycle with confidence on
our streets.
The League course will increase the number of certified instructors within the
region to 12 and will be beneficial to the ongoing “Safe Routes to Schools
Program” and to an upcoming regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety and Education
Program.
Useful phone numbers
Report polluting vehicles to the
Smoking Vehicle Hotline, 622-5700
Report road maintenance needs within
Pima County to Pima County Street
Maintenance, 740-2639
Report roadway maintenance needs
within Tucson to City of Tucson Street
Maintenance, 791-3154
Report roadway maintenance needs on
state highways to Arizona Department
of Transportation, 628-5705
Report aggressive drivers to the Tucson
Police Department's Road Rage Hotline,
235-RAGE (7243)
By Roberta Toussaint, Ride Organizer
54 riders and 12 volunteers showed up on Sunday, March 13th for the Coolidge
Century. Riders enjoyed sunny skies, desert landscape, beautiful wildflowers and
a welcome tailwind on the way out, which unfortunately turned into a brutal head
wind on the way back!
As usual for a GABA ride, there was plenty of food. Riders especially enjoyed
the baked goodies - thank you, Anne Reas and Chris Salcedo! Despite the wind, I
think a good time was had by all.
Thank you to all the volunteers who made the ride possible, especially Donna
Aversa, Tony Williamson, Marty Gawlik, Karl Rifenbark and Chris Salcedo at
registration; Michael Thompson and Rosemary Carmody at SAG 1; Chris & Ram
Salcedo and Carole Leiker at SAG 2; Jim Lumpkin for vehicular Sweep; Jerry Reas
for bicycle sweep; and an extra thanks to Carole Leiker and Jim Lumpkin for
accompanying me to the GABA shed to pick up supplies and equipment before the
ride, and to return them afterwards.
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