Training Rides for El Tour de Tucson XXIII
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
10th annual Tour of the White Mountains
26th Annual Tumacacori Century
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee News
Cochise County Cycling Classic XVIII
Bike Patrols Needed for El Tour XXIII
The end of a Dynasty, Armstrong Moves On
Five Basic Training Principles
Hill Climbing for Fun & Profit!
Safer Training During the Week
GABA Tucson Bicycle Driver Classes!
20th anniversary Discount Tire MS150 Best Dam Bike Tour
Looking for a Ride Leader for the Tom Mix Century
(See related articles in this issue for details.)
Ride Date Ride Name Organizers Leaders
9/3-4-5 Blue Loop GABA-Tucson Dorothy Barth
9/10 (Sun) El Tour Training Rides GABA-Tucson 2 starting points
9/10 & 11 Gila Inner Loop Twin Sisters in Silver City For road bikes
9/10 (Sat) Benefit Tour of White Mtns Navapache Reg Med Ctr For mtn bikes
9/30-10/2 TBC Tucson Bicycle ClassicSteve Bohn For racers
10/1-10/8 Great AZ Bicycle AdventureGrand Canyon to Border GABA-Tucson
10/8 (Sat) Memorial Ride for SafetyPhx GABA for CazB
10/15 & 16 Cave Creek Tour GABA Tucson Mike Thompson
10/23 (Sun) Tumacacori Century GABA Tucson Judy & Bob Bolt
NO MEETING ON MONDAY, SEPT. 5th, because of Labor Day Celebration.
See You Next Monday, Sept. 12th.
September Meeting Program
Monday, September 12 at 7 PM
Join us tonight for a special program.
We will have the pleasure of welcoming
Joe Kurmaskie, of Portland, Oregon,
author of Metal Cowboy, Tales from the Road Less Pedaled,
and Riding Outside the Lines.
Joe has been a frequent contributor
to Bicycling magazine
and is a veteran of numerous
bicycle touring adventures around the globe!
Everybody is welcome!
Monday, October 3 at 7 PM
Tonight, join us
as we welcome
Greg Hockensmith,
Tucson's well-known Olympic hand-cyclist!
Greg will discuss the basic history and present standing of hand-cycling,
including his own amazing career.
Greg will focus
on the cycling aspects of his life story
and the overall influence
cycling has had on his life and lifestyle.
SEPTEMBER 2005
Sept. 3-5: THE BLUE LOOP. GABA-Tucson. 55, 60 & 90 miles from Morenci to
Glenwood, NW; Glenwood to Alpine, AZ; and Alpine back to Morenci via the famous
"Coronado Trail". Ride Leader, Dorothy Barth, (520)-349-5932 or
dorothybarth2443@msn.com
Sept. 10 & 11: GILA INNER LOOP. Sponsored by the silver Spokes Bicycle Club of
Silver City, NM. A 2-day tour totaling 80 to 145 miles (you choose your
distances) starting in Silver City, southern New Mexico. Check their website at
www.twinsisterscycling.com/gila_inner_loop_bicycle_tour, or contact Annie at
twinsisters@gilanet.com
Sept. 10 (Sat):10th ANNUAL BENEFIT TOUR OF THE WHITE MTNS. Near Pinetop, for
mountain bikes. 63/46/35/25 mi. single track challenge; 50/25 mi. on forest
service roads thru pine forests near Pinetop. Starting at Thunderhorse Ranch.
Registrations on line: www.nrmc.org/twm.htm
Sept. 11 (Sun): OPENING DAY Of GABA'S “EL TOUR” TRAINING RIDES. GABA-Tucson.
Now's the time to make a commitment! Want to achieve your Personal Best at El
Tour in November? This year, get started early! East side and west side starting
locations. See article for details. www.bikegaba.org
OCTOBER 2005
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2: TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC STAGE RACE. Great Bicycle Racing Event
with national reputation! For info, Steve Bohn, snsbohn@cox.net or
www.casaschurch.org/tbc/
Oct. 1 to Oct. 8: GREAT ARIZONA BICYCLE ADVENTURE. 25th Annual. Grand Canyon to
the Border in 2005. 6-day, 500+ miles, camping or motel tour across Arizona.
Traditional course from Grand Canyon to Nogales this year. GABA-Tucson. (520)
349-5932 or visit www.bikegaba.org
Oct. 8 (Sat): COCHISE COUNTY CLASSIC XVII. Organized by PBAA. 252, 160, 90 & 45
miles. Billed as the "Longest Perimeter Bicycling Event", the 252-mile Cycling
Classic will take you around the Perimeter of Cochise County in southeast
Arizona. www.pbaa.com
Oct. 8 (Sat) : MEMORIAL RIDE FOR SAFETY VIII "Share the Road". In Phoenix. Join
PMBC & the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists for a challenging ride from Pima &
Pinnacle Peak (AJ's parking lot) to Bartlett Lake and back, followed by a BBQ
lunch. For info, contact Rich Rumer at 602-953-2585 or visit our website at
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. Scenic and fairly easy
ride on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains, from Road Forks, NM to
Portal, AZ, and up the Cave Creek Canyon. 45 miles per day. Cozy cabin
accommodations at Southwestern Research Center. Meals included. Mike Thompson,
myklcycl@cox.net or www.bikegaba.org
Oct. 23 (Sun): TUMACACORI CENTURY - GENE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL . GABA-Tucson. Options
for 100, 65 and 25 miles, starting at the Sahuarita High School in Sahuarita,
south of Tucson. Ride south past Green Valley, Arivaca Junction and Tubac to the
well-known Tumacacori Mission. Here the 100-milers continue south, and the other
options return back to the school. Great lunch back in Sahuarita for all the
riders! Judy & Bob Bolt, (520) 512-0442 or bojubolt@aol.com or www.bikegaba.org
Oct. 22 (SAT): TOUR DE FARM. 15th Annual. Diabetes Exercise and Sports
Association. 12, 30 & 62 miles. Start & finish at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek.
Ride in both the Queen Creek and Florence areas, and some of Arizona's fast
disappearing agricultural lands, with views of the beautiful San Tan Mountains.
Enjoy the festivities of the Schnepf Farm's Annual Pumpkin and Chili Festival.
Visit www.tourdefarm.com for all the details.
Oct 30 (Sun) : PALO VERDE NUCLEAR CENTURY. GABA-West Valley. 50 or 100 miles.
Flat course west of Phoenix. Ride begins and ends at Estrella Mountain Park in
Goodyear. Great sag stops! www.sportsfun.com
Oct. 30: SOUL RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKE in Oracle. Todd Sadow, www.epicrides.com
NOVEMBER 2005
Nov. 5 & 6: MS 150. Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://ms150.dsw.nmss.org
Nov. 6 (Sun): TOM MIX CENTURY. GABA-Tucson. Options for 50 or 100 miles Scenic
course north of Tucson. Leader to be announced. www.bikegaba.org
Nov. 12 (Sat): McDOWELL CENTURY. ABC. Options for a metric century and a
half-metric century as well. www.azbikeclub.com
Nov. 12 (Sat): EL BIKE SWAP DE TUCSON. GABA-Tucson. On historic 4th Avenue!
Quaint central area where vendors set up on each side of the avenue. Great
turn-out at no charge to anyone! Greg Yares, (520) 323-9020 or yares@cox.net or
www.bikegaba.org.
Nov. 19 (Sat): EL TOUR DE TUCSON XXIII. PBAA. 23rd annual. Counterclockwise
course again this year! 4 different options! More than 5,000 riders! Lots of sag
stops along the course, as well as thousands of volunteers to make your
experience a pleasant one! For info, (520) 745-2033 or visit www.pbaa.com
DECEMBER 2005
Dec. 4 (Sun): TUMACACORI FESTIVAL RIDE. GABA-Tucson. 30-40 miles to breakfast at
Zula's in Nogales. Start from the Tumacacori Mission and return to enjoy food,
craft & entertainment. South on I-19 to Tubac exit, then south on EAST frontage
road to Mission. For Mission info, call the Tumacacori National Historical Park
at (520) 398-2341. Ride Leader: Tom Ward. www.bikegaba.org
Dec. 5 (Mon): GABA-Tucson ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTLUCK. GABA-Tucson. At regular month
meeting location. Bring a dish to share with others in the spirit of the season!
Everybody is welcome! Short program with awards and recognition to deserving
members! www.bikegaba.org
Dec. 10 (Sat): TOYS FOR TOTS BIKE RIDE. GABA-Tucson. Bring one or more unwrapped
toys to carry on your bike as we pedal to the zoo to deliver our toys.
www.bikegaba.org
Dec. 31 (Sat): FIESTA BOWL PARADE. In Phoenix. - Bike Security.
rcmoeur@aol.com
Mtn Standard Time Tucson AZ
SEPTEMBER
RISE SET
1: 5:59 6:48
7: 6:02 6:41
14: 6.07 6;32
21: 6:11 6:22
28: 6:15 6:13
OCTOBER
RISE SET
1: 6:17 6:09
7: 6:21 6:01
14: 6:26 5:53
21: 6:32 5:45
28: 6:37 5:38
Starting on Sunday,
Sept. 11th
By Steve Wilson
GABA is once again providing "Training Rides" to help you get ready for the big
event. The training rides, led by Craig Gordon and Mike Wood on the East side
and Rich Corbett on the West side, start the weekend of September 11th, and will
continue through the weekend of November 13th.
The rides will start with a distance of 35-50 miles and steadily increase each
week up to 90 miles the weekend before El Tour. We will continue to offer
shorter route options for those who will be riding the shorter El Tour options.
These 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. The
centuries are fully supported with 3/4 SAG stops offering lots of good food.
GABA is offering 2 starting locations: northeast corner of Grant and Silverbell
and Udall Park. Ride details will be in the GABA monthly newsletters and on the
GABA website (www.bikegaba.org). Information about the two centuries can be
found in upcoming GABA monthly newsletters or on our website (www.bikegaba.org).
Perimeter Bicycling is expecting 7,000 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 to save some money.
Date Time Mileage
Sunday, Sept. 11 6:00 AM 35/50
Sunday, Sept. 18 6:00 AM 40/60
Sunday, Sept. 25 6:30 AM 40/65
Sunday, Oct. 2 6:30 AM 40/70
Sunday, Oct. 9 6:30 AM 40/75
Sunday, Oct. 16 6:30 AM 40/80
Sunday, Oct. 23 6:30 AM GABA’s Tumacacori Century
Sunday, Oct. 30 7:00 AM 40/85
Sunday, Nov. 6 7:00 AM GABA’s Tom Mix Century
Sunday, Nov. 13 7:00 AM 40/90
El Tour XXIII will be another special ride. If you’ve thought about doing El
Tour before but couldn’t quite convince yourself to take the plunge, this is the
year! If you’ve done one of the shorter distances in the past, consider moving
up to a longer distance, or even to the 108-mile event. The GABA training rides
will provide an excellent opportunity to get yourself in shape over time, and
for you to evaluate your capability for the event of your choice.
New Members:
Richard Berlin; Susan Wenberg; Cristy Pulliam;
Adam Lundquist; Anthony Tremethick; Bill Shesman; Gloria Miller; Denise Steffen;
Chloe Black & Tom Abens; Dawn Kelly; Jay & Gail Rochlin; Irma & Bill Sondercock.
Renewing Members:
Ray & Diana Thibault; Thomas Altemus; Nicole Burdette; Richard Burns; Dale
Crockatt; Larry Dalbey; Robert Hubbard; Steve & Donna Kanoza; Nance & Jerry
Laney; Mike Markowitz & Peggy Patterson; Gary Ostedt; Jeff Oxman; Don Regole;
Fred & Mary Roby; George Stroud; Charles Weesner; Joyce & Barry Weiss; Ruth
Wenberg; Richard Bailey; Betty Elasowich; Dawn Elvick; Glen Helwig; Kenneth
Kingsley; Chuck Martin; Kathy Mills; Tom Oger; Marcelene Silver;
Dennis & Laura Tallent; Rudy & Kay Van Renterghem; Bill Lazanby; Bo
Guendelsberger; Wendy McCrady; Katrina Ziegweid; Paul Gordon & Eve Shapiro; Mary
anne Facelli; Wayne Gorry;
George Muncrief; Linda Papworth; Annabel Hill, Denise Roe, Zachary Mulder.
- Mountain Bike Rides -
Saturday, Sept. 10th, 2005
An Unforgettable Mountain Biking Event in
Arizona's High Country!
Sponsored by the Navapache Regional Medical Center Foundation.
Thunderhorse Ranch in Pinetop, Arizona
This event showcases some of Arizona's most awesome mountain biking trails.
Discover the challenges of rugged terrain in Ponderosa pine forests at this
popular, word-of-mouth event - a favorite of avid mountain bikers in the state.
It is considered one of Arizona's most fun-filled mountain biking events, with
80 percent of riders returning each year!
There are five challenge courses:
Enjoy the beautiful White Mountain trail system and the forested roads through
Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest when you select one of four officially-timed
courses:
1) 66-mile Single Trail Race -for the very tough seasoned rider.
2) 52-mile Trail Challenge - strong experienced riders.
3) 41-mile Trail Tour - for experienced riders.
4) 35-mile Forest Service Road Tour - for fit riders.
5) 10-mile Breezers and Geezers Tour.
Plus:
- Free kid's Bike Rally!
- Plenty of rest stops with food and drinks!
- Free camping around Thunderhorse Ranch in Pinetop!
- Showers, massages and delicious BBQ after the ride.
- Awards ceremony with prizes to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in all categories!
Proceeds will help fund the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for private
patient rooms in our new three-story tower. The upcoming expansion at NRMC is
scheduled to begin Summer 2005.
For more course details, to get a registration form, to find out ride cost, to
see maps and photos, go online to www.nrmc.org/twm.htm. Registration are
available online. Limited to 300 riders! Register early!
September 10 & 11, 2005
Sponsored by the Silver Spokes Bicycle Club of Silver City, this tour has it all
– beautiful vistas and light traffic on well-paved winding mountain roads
through some of the most beautiful country the Land of Enchantment has to offer,
plenty of good food and entertainment!
DAY 1: Ride 45 miles from Silver City to Camp Thunderbird. For a greater
challenge, add 17 to 43 more miles by taking a side trip to Clinton P. Anderson
Vista or the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Start at 5,900 feet and climb to 7,473 feet
at the highest point. Ride north on New Mexico Highway 15, a narrow, winding
mountain road through Ponderosa forest. There are some fast downhills, tight
curves and no lane markings, so caution is in order. Vehicle traffic is light,
which makes for a very pleasant ride.
DAY 2: Return to Silver City through the Mimbres Valley with optional side trips
through San Lorenzo and to the Kneeling Nun Vista. Distances range from 35 to 52
miles for a week-end total of 84 to 140 miles.
Special after-dinner entertainer is Joe Kurmaskie, author of Metal Cowboy, Tales
from the Road Less Pedaled, and Riding Outside the Lines.
Your Registration Fee Includes:
Sag Support: Baggage transported; you and your bike transported if necessary;
rest stops with fruit, cookies, bagels, water, sports drinks, etc.
Meals: Dinner and breakfast, as well as a lunch buffet upon your arrival at Camp
Thunderbird.
Lodging: Saturday night at Camp Thunderbird, a private camp in the Mimbres
Valley, which will provide dinner, breakfast, shower facilities, bunkhouses with
bunk beds & mattresses, and outdoor camping.
Free hot showers Sunday after the ride just across the street from the finish at
WNMU swimming pool from 1 PM to 4 PM. Thanks to Barbara James, WNMU Director of
Special Events for arranging access to the showers!
Start: Begin and end in the Western New Mexico University parking lot, 12th
Street & Louisiana, in Silver City. Registration & check-in from 8 to 9:30 AM on
Saturday. If planning to go all the way to the Cliff Dwellings, register at 8
AM.
Cost: $60 per rider, $45 per non-rider.
Limit: 130 people.
Weather: Expect daytime temperatures of 70's and 80's, with nights down to the
40's and 50's. Afternoon thundershowers are possible.
New feature: One room of one of the bunkhouses will be designated for snorers,
and heavy sleepers who don't mind those who snore. If you snore, look for this
designated room. Or camp outside. Thank you!
For more information and to register; please visit their website at
www.twinsisterscycling.com/gila_inner_loop_bicycle_tour.
Gene Chapman Memorial Bicycle Ride
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Join us to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the most popular bicycle ride in
Southern Arizona! Three options available for riders - from novice to very
experienced cyclists: 25, 64 & 100 miles!
What makes this such a GREAT ride?
- Beautiful time of year for a bicycle ride.
- Excellent training for El Tour de Tucson, which is one month later.
- Basically flat route with only a few slight hills. Record your best time for
riding a century!
- Well marked route with “Dan Henrys” on the pavement.
- Maps are provided for all the options.
- Best SAG stops with delicious and plentiful food and cheerful people to serve
it!
- Sag support available along the route for tired cyclists and weary bikes.
- Fantastic lunch served to all riders at Sahuarita High School after the ride.
COURSE:
All cyclists ride south through the scenic Santa Cruz River Valley, past Green
Valley and Tubac to the historical Tumacacori Mission. Here, the 24-milers and
the 64-milers turn back. The 100-milers will continue south of the Mission past
the Rio Rico foothills in some of the prettiest scenery in the Santa Cruz
valley. Look forward to fantastic views! There will be a sag stop at their
turn-around point to provide food and energy for the return trip. No steep
hills, only some gentle climbs here & there.
CHECK-IN:
All options must check in at Sahuarita High School, at Exit 75 off I-19, approx.
15 miles south of Ajo Exit. Pick up maps and rider instructions here.
NO MASS START:
Start riding after you have checked in and picked up your map and ride
instructions. CPSC approved helmets are required for all riders. All traffic
rules must be obeyed.
STARTING POINTS & REGISTRATION TIMES:
Option 1: 100 MILES. REGISTER AT 6:30 AM – NO MAJOR CLIMBS!
Starts and ends at Sahuarita High School (Exit 75 off I-19, approx. 15 miles
south of Ajo Exit). Ride south to Tumacacori Mission, continue south through
scenic terrain to turn-around point. Circle back to Sahuarita High School for a
great lunch!
Option 2: 64 MILES. REGISTER AT 7:30 AM
Starts and ends at Sahuarita High School (Exit 75 off I-19, approx. 15 miles
south of Ajo Exit). Ride south along pecan groves past Green Valley, Arivaca
Junction and Tubac to the Tumacacori Mission and return. Flat course. Great
lunch for all afterwards at Sahuarita High School.
Option 3: 24 MILES. REGISTER AT 8:30 AM
After checking in at Sahuarita High School, drive SOUTH to Arivaca Junction
(start and finish point for this option); Exit 48 off I-19, approx. 17 miles
south of the school. Start riding around 9 AM. Ride south past Tubac to the
Tumacacori Mission & return on a flat course. Don’t forget to stop for lunch at
Sahuarita High School after the ride!
RIDE ORGANIZER:
Bob & Judy Bolt, bojubolt@aol.com or (520) 512-0442.
Volunteers appreciated and much needed. Interested? Call Bob or Judy ASAP!
Fee covers 3 terrific sag stops with ice water, fruit, PB & J, various snacks
and cookies; sag support along the route; maps and rider instructions PLUS lunch
back at Sahuarita High School after the ride, from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!!
There were over 400 riders in 2004, and nearly 30% of those registered the day
of the ride! That makes it doubly tough to properly plan to provide YOU with the
best sags, facilities and LUNCH at the end!
Tumacacori Century Ride Fee
Pre-Registration:
GABA/ABC Members: $15. Non-Members: $20.
Day-of-Event Registration:
GABA/ABC Members $25. Non-Members $30.
Fee covers 3 great sag stops with ice water, fruit, PB&J, various snacks &
cookies; sag support along the route; maps & rider instructions; and a fabulous
lunch back at Sahuarita High School after the ride from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.
TUMACACORI CENTURY
GENE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL RIDE
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this Form are acceptable.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leaders: Judy & Bob Bolt, 512-0442 or
bojubolt@aol.com
Return this Form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson AZ 85733
Options chosen: (Please circle):
Vegetarian: Yes No (for sags & lunch)
Mileage chosen: 24 mi 64 mi 100 mi
Pre-Registration fee:
GABA/ABC Members: $15 $_____
Non-Members: $20 $_____
DAY-OF-EVENT FEE:
GABA/ABC Members: $25 $____
Non Members: $30 $_____
Total money enclosed: $_____
I am currently a GABA/ABC member: Yes No
NAME
(Print):__________________________________
ADDRESS:_______________________________
CITY:__________________ ZIP:_____________
PHONE: ( )
E-MAIL: _________________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
STAPLE your SIGNED WAIVER to each form.
Forms and Waivers cut with scissors are appreciated!
by Mike Thompson,
Ride Organizer
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ride this fall?
This 42-mile short, but sweet ride begins in Roadforks, New Mexico, and takes
you to the eastern side of the Chiricahua Mountains and the spectacular little
town of Portal, at the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon.
Cycle the first 30 miles through rolling hills, with one long downhill to the
first SAG stop. Then, turn east to the canyon and start a long gradual climb to
the Portal Country Store at about mile 37. You can stop for a lunch break or
rest here, or continue on to the Southwest Research Station (SWRS), our
destination, about 5 miles further.
After riding along a flowing creek in the shade of lush sycamore trees, riders
meander on the canyon floor between spectacular towering cliffs! You'll be in a
narrow canyon with small meadows where deer graze at dusk. And you'll see birds
of all descriptions everywhere around you!
Our destination is the Southwestern Research Center, located at the end of the
paved road, several miles into the canyon. The dormitory-style lodging it is
operated by the American Museum of Natural History. It is surrounded by the
Coronado National Forest and offers a welcome retreat from the heat of the
desert.
As you come upon this oasis, the beautiful grounds with tall trees and green
grass beckon you! The 60-foot cool creek-fed swimming pool will seem very
inviting at the end of the last gradual climb! Enjoy ping-pong, volleyball,
horseshoes and their interesting library as you await a generous dinner prepared
especially for us!
Cave Creek Bike Tour Fee:
GABA/ABC members: $85 Non-members: $90
Your fee includes:
1. Dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning;
2. Lodging with bedding, towels, and warm showers;
3. Sag support on the road
4. And a social mixer with snacks on Saturday afternoon.
Sounds like fun? Hurry up and tell your friends!
Reservations are limited! We must receive your registration form and check no
later than Sept. 15th! Sorry, no exceptions can be made. This is a ride you
don't want to miss, so sign up early!
Start location: Shady Grove truck stop/restaurant (USA Petroleum) at I-10 & Hwy
80 exit, Road Forks, NM, about 5 miles EAST of the AZ-New Mexico state line.
Park away from the truck stop on the dirt area at north end of parking lot.
Start time: Check-in starts at 8 AM. Start riding no later than 9 AM. Allow
2-1/2 hrs travel time from central Tucson to Road Forks, about 135 miles.
Motel List
Driving over the night before? No lodging at Road Forks, NM. Lordsburg, NM, is
about 15 miles EAST of Road Forks. Willcox, AZ, is about 47 miles WEST of Road
Forks. No endorsement implied by listing these motels:
Willcox, AZ:
Days Inn (520) 384-4222
Best Western Plaza Inn (520) 384-3556
Super 8 Motel (520) 384-0888
Royal Western Lodge, (520) 384-2266
Budget Riteway Motel (520) 384-4655
Motel 8 (520) 384-3270
Lordsburg, NM:
Western Skies Motel (505) 542-8807
Days Inn (505) 543-3600
Super 8 Motel (505) 542-8882
American Motor Inn (505) 542-3591
For more information, contact Mike Thompson at (520) 743-9687 or myklcycl@cox.net.
Volunteers are always appreciated. Please call Mike if interested in helping out
with this scenic ride away from it all.
An Easy Way
To Improve Your Street
Did you know that private contractors who tow away damaged vehicles after
collisions are also required to sweep up glass and debris from the road?
Did you know that Pima County and the City of Tucson have road maintenance crews
whose main job is to respond to citizen complaints about roadway hazards?
Piles of broken glass and trash that may not seem important to motorists can be
hazardous to cyclists (and to their tires). Potholes, broken pavement edges,
construction debris, traffic crash debris, branches, and post-rain deposits of
sand or gravel in the roads are usually cleaned up in less than a week, but only
if the transportation crews know about them.
That's where you, the cycling public, come in. You are the eyes and ears of road
maintenance dispatchers for roadways and bikeways throughout Pima County. Some
crews are assigned to sweep regular routes and others just respond to citizen
requests. The trick is remembering exactly where the hazard is and remembering
to make the call.
Now that I carry a cell phone on my bike, I can pull over and make a call to
notify maintenance. However you feel about their effect on our culture, cell
phones are also extremely useful for unfixable bike breakdowns, rescue from
hailstorms and other minor disasters. Remember not to use that cell phone while
riding - you're four times more likely to crash!
If you don't have a phone, a small note pad in your bike bag is good for
recording the location of your least favorite pothole. In addition to keeping
the streets in better shape, you're also helping to save other cyclists from
flat tires and making sure that crash sites are properly cleaned up.
Here is a listing of some relevant numbers:
1. Report road maintenance needs within Pima County to Pima County Street
Maintenance: 740-2639.
2. Report roadway and maintenance needs within Tucson to City of Tucson Street
Maintenance: 791-3154.
3. Report roadway maintenance needs on state highways to the Arizona Department
of Transportation: 628-5705.
4. Report polluting vehicles to the Smoking Vehicle Hotline: 622-5700.
5. Report aggressive drivers to the Tucson Police Road Rage Hotline: 235-RAGE
(7243).
(Reprinted from Pima County Walkin' and Rollin' August/September 2005
Newsletter, www.dot.pima.gov/tpcbac)
Saturday, October 8th
The 18th 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, starts at 2 AM;
157 miles - perimeter of Dragoon Mtns, starts at 7 AM;
92 miles - perimeter of Potter Mountain, starts at 8 AM;
45 miles - no perimeter, just a circle! starts at 8 AM.
Organized by PBAA to benefit Douglas Association for Retarded Citizens.
Medallions to all finishers; food & water supplied for 92 and 45-mile events
participants; Free post-ride brunch to all registered cyclists and much more!
For info, call PBAA, (520) 745-2033, or check their website at
www.pbaa.com.
Ride with a purpose...
Lend a helping hand...
Help keep our streets safe...
Members of the 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 Bike Patrols!
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 11/9) is required to cover cost of T-shirt, medical
supplies and support on the route.
Bike Patrol Certification Classes:
9/21 (Wed) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Bike Patrol Basics
10/20 (Thu) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Bike Patrol Basics
11/01 (Tue) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Bike Patrol Basics
11/14 (Mon) 7:00 PM - 2692 E. Broadway - Advanced Mechanics
11/15 (Tue) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Advanced Enhanced Skills
11/18 (Fri) 5:30 PM - Tucson Conv. Center Out-of-town Bike Patrol
For info and to register, call PBAA, (520) 745-2033, or check their website at
www.pbaa.com.
As Flag Riders, the "Goodwill Ambassadors" of El Tour, you will ride the entire
route while carrying the Flag of El Tour - a symbol of "cycling in pursuit of
helping children living life- threatening illnesses".
There are around 60 Flag Rides this year, starting September 19th daily through
Friday, November 18th. 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. but one person may ride on
one or more days.
All Flag Riders receive a special El Tour Flag Ride T-shirt and a packet filled
with sponsor-donated items. 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. For more information or to sign up, call PBAA at 745-2033.
Sunday, November 6, 2005
Once again, it's time for one of GABA Tucson's most popular rides! Come join us
for the annual Tom Mix Century. Just two weeks before El Tour, this ride offers
you a great opportunity to prepare for your "Personal Best" on El Tour Day, or
to simply enjoy a wonderful ride. There's just enough hills to give your legs a
good workout, while your eyes feast on the majestic Catalina Mountains!
Options:
- 100 miles for more experienced riders,
- 50 miles for intermediate riders,
or chose the option of riding any other amount you wish. Ride as little or as
much as you want. The course will be monitored during the ride.
SAG 1: 1 mile No. of Oracle Junction, the 50-milers turn-around point.
SAG 2: At Tom Mix Monument, the 100-milers turn-around point.
SAG 3: at the same place as SAG 1.
COURSE DETAILS:
OPTION #1: 100 MILES .
Ride north to Oracle Jct. Continue north on Florence Hwy to Tom Mix Monument,
your turn-around point. Enjoy a sag stop with snacks, fruit & ice water. Return
to Oracle Jct., continue south on Oracle Rd. back to start.
OPTION #2: 50 MILES.
Ride north to Oracle Junction. Continue 1 mile north to SAG 1, your turn-around
point. Enjoy a sag stop with snacks, fruit & ice water. Return south on Oracle
Rd. back to start.
Your fee includes:
- Fully marked course;
- 3 sag stops with ice water, fruit and snacks, as well as at the finish;
- Sag support on the course for tired cyclists as well as sick bikes;
- Map and ride instructions given at the start.
Ride organizer: Ride Leader needed: if interested, contact Sandi Rousseau at
799-4406 or at sandir03@comcast.net. Volunteers are appreciated.
ADVANCED REGISTRATION FEE:
GABA/ABC members: $15 Non-members: $20
DAY-OF-EVENT FEE:
GABA/ABC Members: $25 Non-Members: $30
2004 Cannondale R5000, 58 cm, Dura Ace 10 speed, Ksyrium SSC SL wheels, carbon
fork and seat post. Purchased in October 2004, occasional use only (2nd bike),
absolutely like new. $1850 OBO. Contact Bob Anderson at (520) 297-4475 or (520)
471-3528 (Tucson) or via e-mail at
rjainaz@earthlink.net.
By Bob Beane
GABA Phoenix Newsletter Editor
It's over. The 2005 Tour de France, that is. Lance Armstrong's reign as the most
successful Tour de France rider, ever, has its end point. The record book on his
cycling career is now closed. The list of palmares is complete, to be reviewed,
debated and discussed (relative to Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Lemond and future
riders…) for years to come. Journalists, cyclists and cycling fans now have the
complete dossier…on the bike…of Lance Armstrong.
But, the "Legacy" will be incomplete for some time. In every other circle
outside of competitive athletics, Lance Armstrong is a young man. Though he has
clearly defined himself in the athletic arena, he presumably has years to finish
painting the canvas of his life. A few bricks in the foundation of his story are
these:
- Lance Armstrong has changed a sport: New standards for diet, training,
motivation, focus on preparation, and scientific/technological applications have
been set. Gone are the days when the best athlete can merely arrive at the Tour
and expect to win.
- Having something to prove, and the perspective of returning from a near-death
experience, are very powerful. Mental ammunition can be a great enabler for
physical preparation. Mental toughness (spawned of rejection) is formidable. The
confidence to push yourself to the limit is invaluable (after all, what mountain
climb is tougher than staring death in the face?). And knowing that you are
carrying the hopes and dreams of millions in your jersey pocket (cancer patients
and survivors, everywhere) is a very deep well to draw from.
- Having the best coach or mentor, the best teammates, and the best supporting
cast, can bring out things in a person that truly are amazing. (Johan, Och,
Chris and all the riders over seven years, were simply the best).
Lance Armstrong has elevated "pursuit of goals" to a new level. For millions of
people, cancer is no longer assumed to be a death sentence, and the potential of
"recovery" has been redefined... $1 yellow bands can change attitudes, and,
potentially, outcomes. The power of the mind is remarkable...and many limits are
artificial or self-imposed.
Notable American Placings in the 2005 Tour de France:
* 1st - Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel, team & individual TT stage sins
* 6th - Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner)
* 9th - Floyd Landis (Phonak)
* 14th - George Hincapie (Discovery Channel, Stage 15 winner)
* 17th - Bobby Julich (CSC)
* 33rd - Chris Hoener (Suarnier Duval-Prodir)
Since Lance started winning the Tour de France...
* Road bike sales have increased 10%-17% per year
* USA Cycling's membership is up 30%
* A cyclist finally made the cover of a Wheaties box
"I want you all to know that I will beat this disease...Further, I intend to
ride again as a professional cyclist". Lance Armstrong, Press Conference,
October 8, 1996.
By Jay Stewart,
2005 Event Organizer
One hundred and forty two riders showed up at the Hon-Dah Resort and Casino in
the White Mountains on July 9th to ride the annual White Mountain Tour. This
year the Tour returned to the original route through Show Low and Vernon via Hwy
60 to Springerville and then back on Sunday through Sunrise Ski Resort and Mc
Nary via Hwy 260. Several new additions this year included: a new starting point
at Hon-Dah, a new SAG stop at the Midway Station Store in Vernon, and a Sunday
morning breakfast co-hosted by the Reeds Motor Lodge in Springerville.
Saturday's trip along the northern half of the loop was 63 miles of rolling
terrain, and the riders were treated to temperatures 20 degrees cooler than back
home. By the time the riders had reached the first SAG Stop, there was a great
tailwind! What a treat that it continued all day long to our destination!
Saturday night's dinner was, as usual, a great feast complete with scrumptious
desserts. Lots of door prizes were given away at dinner.
Sunday's trip back to Hon-Dah was uneventful. Everyone finished before noon and
the downhill trip through the pine forests from the SAG stop at Sunrise removed
any thoughts of not coming back next year!
Thanks to all the volunteers who made this tour a successful event again this
year. My son, Ray, his wife Cindy and their twin boys Nick and Tanner all helped
with registration and with the luggage. Tim O'Grady also helped with the
luggage. Leslie Nelson, Jack Graham and Buddy Pylant also worked registration.
My wife, May Lou was a great help in all the preparations prior to the ride. She
also worked the SAG stops with Julie Santamaria and Debi Roberts. Bill Davison,
Leon Smith, and Charlie Price patrolled the roads to keep an eye on riders and
lend their support where needed.
Thanks to all the riders who came, I hope to see you all next year. Bring a
friend!
By Richard E. “Rich” Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
Here are Five important things to do that will help make your training more
effective, and quite possibly, easier:
1. Have a positive attitude.
2. Get and keep your Bike adjusted properly.
3. Keep your cadence up
4. Eat and drink enough.
5. Reduce your wind resistance.
Positive Attitude
You must believe in your ability to succeed! For example, if you accept the wind
as a normal part of your cycling experience, it will not be as bad. Think of the
wind as your >friend= it makes you stronger when you ride into it, and it helps
you when its at your back.
Hills are another negative for too many cyclists. Hills are just like the wind –
they are a ‘friend’! When you are climbing, they make you stronger; and when you
are descending, they help you go faster!
Another part of positive attitude is your ability to visualize yourself being
successful. Many who have used this technique, mentally going over their route,
and thinking positively how they would feel, and about their progress, have done
well, at least partially due to their pre-mental conditioning.
Bike Adjustment
In my many years of teaching and coaching, I have seen way too many riders who
thought their bike was adjusted properly for them, and in fact was not! But, you
say, isn’t discomfort (or even pain) a normal part of longer rides? If you have
a graduated training program, a well-adjusted bike, and proper clothing, you
should not be uncomfortable.
Key factors in Bike adjustment include the saddle and handlebars:
Saddle Adjustment
First, check your saddle height, by sitting on the saddle wearing your riding
shorts and shoes. Resting the heels of your feet on the pedals, bring the pedals
to the 12 and 6 o’clock position. Your down heel should just barely have contact
with the pedal. If your heel too easily contacts the pedal, your saddle is too
low. Pedal backwards with someone watching you from behind. Your hips should not
rock as you pedal. If they do, your saddle is too high. Place the balls of your
feet on the pedals in normal riding position and return the pedals to the 12 and
6 o’clock position. Your down leg should have only a slight bend at the knee.
Next, make sure the tilt of your saddle is set so it is level or only very
slightly nose down (most women like this slight down tilt).
Finally, check the front-rear adjustment of your saddle, by placing your feet on
the pedals in normal riding position and bring the pedals to the 3 and 9 o’clock
position. Looking at your forward leg, drop a plumb line from just behind your
kneecap to the pedal. The line should intersect the pedal at its axis, or within
a half an inch or so of it.
Handlebar Adjustment
Once your Saddle is adjusted correctly, then check and adjust, as needed, the
height of your handlebars. They should be somewhere from level with, to as much
as 2 inches lower than your saddle height.
Next, check the angle of the handlebar. For road (or ‘drop’) bars, most
‘tourists’ (as opposed to racers) have the top of the bars level, or only
slightly inclined to the front. Racers, on the other hand, will have the top of
the bars inclined downward 15 to 30 degrees. The angle used by racers causes
most novices, and even many experienced cyclists, to experience hand, shoulder,
and/or neck discomfort or pain.
Finally, check the reach, or distance of the handlebar from the saddle. It most
often is too far from the saddle. This can be a major cause of soreness in your
arms, neck, and shoulders (as well as genital discomfort). To adjust: sit on the
(properly adjusted) saddle with your feet correctly positioned on the pedals and
place your hands on the top outside curve of the handlebar, with your elbows
slightly bent. In this position, the handlebar should block your view of the
front hub as you look down when it is the correct distance from the saddle.
Cadence
Cadence is merely the rate at which you pedal. It is measured and expressed in
revolutions per minute, or rpms. Revolutions of what? Your pedals! Why was (and
still is) cadence so important? Because when you pedal too slow, you stress your
knees and hips – when you pedal too fast, you lose form and efficiency big time
~ going either too fast or too slow, you waste energy and risk injury.
Proper Cadence
To operate most efficiently, and with least risk of injury, try to pedal at 70
to 90 revolutions per minute (rpm). This is a little more than one, to as much
as one and one half, pedal revolutions per second. This applies when you are
seated. If standing, (which most do for only short periods) cadence must be slow
enough to give you resistance as you apply the greater force that standing while
pedaling provides. This is generally 40 to 50 rpms.
How to Manage Cadence
You truly must make effective and proper use of your gears in order to achieve
good cadence. When you are going slower, you must have your bike in lower gears
in order to maintain a fast enough (but still no more than 90 to 100 rpms)
cadence. As you speed up, you must shift up, into higher gears, to prevent
over-revving, with too fast a cadence. The principal is the same as shifting a
manual transmission car.
Many riders slow their cadence without realizing it when they ride into a head
or cross wind, and have to strain more as a result. Don’t let this happen to
you.
Eating and Drinking
Always >Eat before you are hungry= and >drink before you are thirsty=. Important
basics include:
Drink 16 to 28 ounces of water per hour as you ride. The exact amount will
depend on your size, the temperature, how hard you are riding, the altitude, and
other lesser factors
Test energy drinks carefully to determine your ability to drink them when you
are hot, tired, thirsty and/or mentally down - something that you will
experience later, as our rides get longer. As a general rule, plan on about half
of your liquid intake being water.
If you feel slightly nauseated after riding for some time, it is almost always a
sign of early dehydration. You can >come back= from this condition by eating
something(s) salty, resting a while, and then increasing your liquid intake.
Eat simple, easy to carry foods that are high in carbohydrates and low (less
than 25%) in fat. High carbohydrate foods include cereal, bread, pasta, beans,
rice, potatoes, corn, and pancakes (of course with only small amounts of butter,
margarine, or oil). Fruits and vegetables are excellent foods.
Experiment with different foods, to find out what works best for you when you
are hot, tired, and/or mentally down. What tastes good at home may not taste
good when you ride! Your food should provide three important things: (1)
relatively quick energy (a higher glycemic value); (2) electrolytes (salt,
potassium, etc.); and (3) sustaining energy
Some food ideas: pretzels, fig bars, crackers (especially saltines), bananas,
oranges (pre-peeled), grapes, rice cakes, and baked potatoes (add only a salty
spicing, such as >cajun spice=), are all good.
Reduce Wind Resistance
Clothing is where most cyclists can make gains in reducing wind resistance. I
have several jerseys in two sizes – one for comfort (that is looser fitting, but
does not flap), and one that is snug, and lets me slide thru the air easier.
Shorts are normally snug anyway, but if you are riding in mountain bike shorts,
you are paying a price in wind resistance.
Your position on the bike can make a big difference. If you have them, get down
on the drops! You can also pull your elbows in a little tighter. If you don=t
have drop bars, you can still >get down= somewhat, but not as much. The height
of your handlebars (mentioned above) can make a distinct positive difference.
Aerodynamic ‘things’ for your bike generally don’t make an appreciable
difference. I have seen so many newer cyclists over the years who quickly add
aero bars, and still can’t keep up. Only if you are a top conditioned cyclist
will you be bale to gain much from aerodynamic equipment. In general, don’t
waste your money!
Conclusion
Do all five of these things, and you will have a hugely improved chance to be
successful!! Remember though, the most important of these five is Attitude - If
you don’t believe you can – the chances are good you won’t! Good Luck in El
Tour!
by Richard E. “Rich” Corbett,
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
If you hope to do well in El Tour, you will be well advised to have the
strength, knowledge and experience of climbing well. Some of us mastered hill
climbing long ago, and others didn’t. Hill climbing is one of those things that
just comes with being a complete cyclist, like headwinds ... There are several
keys to doing better on hills. Your conditioning, attitude, knowledge, and
equipment can all combine to make hills easier.
Conditioning
Your quadriceps and your heart are the major muscles used in climbing. Exercises
specific to the quads, usually done with machines or free weights, can prepare
these important muscles. We all know about heart exercise - it's what makes us
breath heavily - aerobic. Many different activities can serve for heart
exercise. I combine exercises for my quads with aerobic by repeatedly climbing
the stairs in the building where I work (12 stories). Of course you can always
use hill climbing to get in better condition to climb hills.
Attitude
What you believe will often turn out to be true. For example, if you believe a
hill is going to be too hard, then it will be. However, if you believe you are
well prepared, and that the hill is well within your capability, then it won't
be too hard. There’s been a lot written about goal setting, visualization, and
similar mental techniques. They can work, if you believe they will!
The hill climbing technique I teach is called 'Swiss-cheesing'. The cyclist
mentally breaks the climb into small 'pieces' by picking a sign, a curve, or a
patch on the pavement, about 100 meters in front, then focuses on riding to it.
When she gets there, she mentally celebrates, then sets a new goal. Ride to it,
and so on. Soon the entire hill will be behind you!
Knowledge
Knowing how to effectively use gears, how to breathe, proper ways and
frequencies to rest, where to ride in a lane, as well as proper eating and
drinking are all important to being a successful hill climber.
Choose a gear that lets you balance the work of climbing between your legs and
your lungs. Remember to breath deeply instead of shallowly, and periodically
take extra deep, 'cleansing' breaths (those who have had natural childbirth
training will know about cleansing breaths - I learned about them as a labor
coach for my wife, many years ago). If you must stop to rest, limit the stop to
no more than one to two minutes, and simply straddle the bike - don't get all
the way 'off'.
Ride closer to the pavement edge, since you are going so much slower. Also, be
especially aware of your lane position on hillcrests and blind curves to the
right. Eat easily digestible snacks, very lightly, on long climbs; drink
lightly, but regularly, on all climbs. The knowledgeable cyclist who does these
things regularly has a much easier time than a cyclist who doesn't.
Equipment
Lower gears can be very helpful. I believe in sitting while climbing. This is
partially because in Arizona there are lots of BIG climbs that take anywhere
from 20 minutes to several hours. You just don't stand that long! Even if I
lived where climbs are a lot shorter (western Pennsylvania), I would still be a
firm believer in sitting, because the stresses that standing up to pedal while
climbing places on your knees are great. This does not mean that short out of
the saddle stints are bad, just make sure you are conditioned and doing them
properly.
Other equipment that makes a difference includes rims, tires, and tubes. All
other things equal, the lighter they are, the easier your climb will be.
Remember though that really light rims are more easily damaged, and really light
tires/tubes are more easily punctured; so your choice will generally be a
compromise between lightness and durability.
Hill climbing may never be easy, but it can be easier for you than it is now, IF
you improve your conditioning, attitude, knowledge, and equipment. Good Luck
with your El Tour training!
(or how to ride when it's dark)
by Richard E “Rich” Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
It's almost Fall, and I bet you're training for El Tour! In the fall there's
less daylight for cycling, especially when you work a full-time job. If you're
training properly for El Tour, you virtually have to ride part of the time in
the dark.
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 AM) morning hours. How
and where you ride, and the way you equip your bicycle and yourself, are the
main components of safe nighttime bicycle use.
Second - Be a Smart Cyclist
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 yourself 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 are widely available, 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.
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 heavier but less expensive
battery type is the gel lead-acid (12 amp-hour gel-cells go for $19.95 and last
3 years). 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 effective rear lights is the flashing red diode tail-light. It
is now available in a variety of brands. These lights are excellent to
supplement a taillight and a reflector, and greatly enhance your visibility from
the rear (but your major threats are in front of you – not behind you).
Pedal reflectors/reflective heels on your shoes are highly effective. You may be
able to put reflective tape on your pedals depending on what type you have. The
result will be ultra-light, ultra-thin pedal reflectors! Reflectorized bike
packs/panniers also help night-time 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 ....?
(Or "How to become a confident and skilled bicycle driver!")
Would you like to learn how to develop the knowledge and skills that will give
you the equivalent of a Bicycle Driver's License? Here is what GABA President
and experienced cyclist Steve Wilson had to say about the" Street Savvy,
Confidence, & Safety Course" he took from League of American Bicyclist (LAB)
Certified Instructors last fall: "I've been riding for many years, and consider
myself a knowledgeable and capable cyclist. I was pleasantly surprised at the
new skills and riding knowledge I gained in the League cycling course, and urge
every GABA member to take advantage of this opportunity to increase your own
skills and knowledge."
Are you 1) A beginning cyclist not very confident about riding on the streets;
2) A more experienced rider wanting to sharpen up your training, bike handling
skills, and traffic savvy; or 3) a young rider just getting used to your bike?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, GABA has what you need! League
Cycling Instructors Rich Corbett, Dick Schaffer, Donna Aversa, Donna
Lewandowski, Ignacio Rivera, and Matt Zoll will be teaching courses, both
classroom and on-bike cycling instruction, for relative beginners, more advanced
cyclists, kids, and aspiring commuter cyclists.
1. Street Savvy, Confidence, and Safety (Road I)
10-hour course, perfect as a primer for those cyclists who wish to gain a full
understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations.
Learn how to perform a quick, easy bicycle safety check, fix a flat, on-bike
skills and practice, interactive discussion, and a student manual. Gain
confidence knowing that they are riding legally and safely. Crash avoidance
techniques and crash types discussed. For adults and children age 14 and above.
Pre-requisite to Road II. Participants will receive a free bike light kit
courtesy of the Brad Gorman Fund and Ordinary Bicycle Shop (a $40 value!).
Classes offered:
Sept. 8 (6:30-9:30 PM, Room 4, Randolph Recreation Ctr, 200 S. Alvernon);
Sept. 10 (7 AM-2 PM,Himmel Park parking by Tennis courts on 1st Street;
Oct. 13 (6:30-9:30 PM, Room 4, Udall Recreation Center);
Oct. 15 (7 AM-2 PM, Udall Park parking lot,Tanque Verde & Sabino Canyon).
Jan. 19, 06 (6:30-9:30 PM, Room 4, Randolph Rec. Ctr, 200 S. Alvernon);
Jan. 21, 06 (7:30 AM-2:30 PM, Himmel Park parking by Tennis courts, 1st St.
2. Training & Fitness (Road II)
For more advanced students with understanding of vehicular cycling principles,
as evidenced by successful completion of Road I. 12-hour course includes fitness
& physiology, advanced mechanics, paceline skills, advanced traffic negotiation,
foul weather riding and night riding. Student manuals included.
Classes offered:
Dec. 1 (6:30-10 PM, Room 4, Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S. Alvernon);
Dec. 3 (7:30 AM-4 PM, Himmel Park parking byTennis courts, 1st Street.
3. Getting to Work Safely & Cheaply (Commuting)
For adult cyclists new to cycling, or thinking about commuting to work/school by
bike. 3-hour follow-up to Road I. Covers route selection, bike choice,
cargo/clothing, bike parking, lighting, reflectorization, foul weather riding.
Handouts and student materials. Participants get a free bike light kit courtesy
of the Brad Gorman Fund and Ordinary Bicycle Shop (a $40 value!)
Classes offered:
Feb. 16, 06 (7-10 PM, Rm 4, Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S. Alvernon);
Mar. 1, 06 (7-10 PM, Udall Recreation Ctr, Tanque Verde & Sabino Canyon).
4. WOW - My kid's first bike! (Kids I)
Designed for GABA members who are parents. Understand how to teach a child to
ride a bike safely and legally, how to perform bicycle safety checks, helmet
fitting & bike sizing. Includes 10-minute 'Kids Eye View' video.
Classes offered:
Feb. 15, 06 (7-9 PM, Rm 4, Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S. Alvernon);
Mar. 9, 06 (7-9 PM, Rm 4, Udall Recreation Center).
5. Let's Cruise (Kids II)
7-hour class for 5th & 6th graders. Covers same topics as Road I, including
on-bike skills and choosing safe routes for riding to school, park, friend's
house, or short ride with friends. Participants receive a free bike light kit
courtesy of the Brad Gorman Fund and Ordinary Bicycle Shop (a $40 value!).
Classes offered:
Mar. 11, 06 (7 AM-3 PM, Himmel Park parking by Tennis courts, 1st Street).
$5 per class for GABA members, $20 per class for non-members. Class size is
limited to 15. Sign up early to get your preferred dates. Matt Zoll, 321-4471 or
mattzoll@cox.net, or Rich Corbett at kc7ovm@dakotacom.net or 623-0017. For info
on the League of American Bicyclists education program, see the League website
at
http://www.bikeleague.org/educenter.
September, 2005
By Steve Wilson
GABA President
Joe Kurmaskie,
the “Metal Cowboy”
Many of you have enjoyed the writings of bicycling adventurer Joe Kurmaskie from
his frequent contributions to Bicycling Magazine and his books “The Metal
Cowboy” and “Riding Outside the Lines”. Joe has been around the world a few
times and seen many, many interesting places and people. His writing style is
humorous and captures the essence of his travels abroad.
Much to our good fortune, Joe will be in town for our September general meeting
on Sept. 12th, and we've invited him to be our program for the evening. For
those of you who enjoyed hearing Willie Weir speak to us last September, this
should be just as good.
It's always inspiring to hear first hand accounts of bicycle adventurers, as
they recount their highs and lows of the adventure. It's great to share their
priceless encounters with locals around the world and fantastic sights and
scenery from the four corners of the globe. If that inspires just a few of us to
get out and try an adventure (however big or small) – well that's a very good
thing. Hope to see you at the September meeting.
Speaking of adventures – our own Bob and Claire Rogers are nearing the end of
their Silk Road travel from Beijing to Turkey. What a ride it's been! Check out
the stories and pictures at www.newbohemians.net. They should be home early this
fall.
For those of you that have been trying out the newly completely Mt. Lemmon
highway – be careful on the stamped concrete section at Windy Point Vista. It's
very bumpy and when wet, it's downright slippery. The county is aware of the
problem and working with the Federal Highway people on short and long-range
solutions. Hopefully, this will be addressed before the September printing of
the Update.
The "Tucson Bicycle Classic" is back in action and will be held this fall on
September 30th through October 2nd. Some of you may remember there were numerous
scheduling problems that prevented the 20th edition of Steve Bohn's Classic from
being held during the springtime. He'll likely be at the September general
meeting to give us an update on things and ask for volunteer help. It's a lot of
fun. If you have the time, please sign up to help.
That's it for now. Here's rooting for cooler weather ahead soon. We'll see you
on the road.
Ride Safe.
"Back to Parker"
November 5-6, 2005
For more information, call 1-800-FightMS or visit their website at
www.nationalmssociety.org/aza
BLUE LOOP BIKE TOUR
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sept. 3-5, 2005
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies accepted.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leader: Dorothy Barth, (520) 349-5932
Or dorothybarth2443@msn.com
Return this Form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson AZ 85733.
Options chosen: (Please circle):
Motel Camping
Vegetarian Non-Vegetarian
Pre-registration Fee:
GABA/ABC Members: $85 $_____
Non-Members: $95 $_____
Glenwood dinner: $12 $_____
Glenwood breakfast: $ 7 $_____
Alpine dinner: $12 $_____
Alpine breakfast: $ $ 6 $_____
DAY-OF-EVENT
GABA/ABC Members: $105 $_____
Non-memers fee: $115 $_____
Total money enclosed: $_____
I am currently a GABA/ABC member: Yes No
NAME
(Print):_________________________________
ADDRESS:______________________________
CITY:__________________ ZIP:____________
PHONE: ( )
E-MAIL: ________________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
STAPLE your SIGNED WAIVER to each registration form.
CAVE CREEK BIKE TOUR
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
OCT. 15 & 16, 2005
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leader: Mike Thompson, (520) 743-9687 or myklcycl@cox.net
Return this Form & your check to: GABA
P.O. Box 43273, Tucson AZ 85733
Options chosen: (Please circle)
Vegetarian Yes No
I would like to room with:
______________________________________
______________________________________
Pre-registration fee:
GABA/ABC Members: $85 $____
Non-Members: $90 $____
(Must be received by 9/15)
Total money enclosed: $____
I am currently a GABA/ABC member: Yes No
NAME
(Print):_________________________________
ADDRESS:_______________________________
CITY:_______________ ZIP:_______________
PHONE: ( )
E-MAIL: ________________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
STAPLE your SIGNED WAIVER to each form.
Forms and Waivers cut with scissors are appreciated!
Been riding all of GABA's Centuries and Overnight Rides, but never volunteered
to help yet? Now could be your chance to give back a little!
The Tom Mix Century, scheduled to take place two weeks before El Tour de Tucson,
offers two options: 100 or 50 miles. The course is out- and-back, making it
easier to use the same sag stops on the way out and on the way back.
GABA offer much help for people wishing to volunteer to lead a century: the
Century Coordinator and the Overnight Ride Coordinator are experienced ride
leaders with the knowledge and the expertise to help you!
If interested in leading the Tom Mix Century, please contact Dorothy Barth,
dorothybarth2443 @msn.com or Sandi Rousseau, sandir03@ comcast.net or President
Steve Wilson, wilsons@us.ibm.com. Now is the time to make that call!
Catalina Highway Under Construction
Catalina Highway, from Tanque Verde Rd. to Houghton Rd., is currently under
construction. The roadway will be widened to 3 lanes including 2 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 Rd. 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. Use extreme caution through the
construction zone.
The UPDATE deadline is the 12th of each month. All submissions including
articles, ads, reports, stories, etc. must be typed. Cartoons welcome.
Submit your articles by E-Mail to: sgcouvrette@aol.com or by fax:(520) 325-8114
or mail directly to:
Suzanne Couvrette, UPDATE Editor
2818 N. Campbell, # 146
Tucson, AZ 85719.
Classified Ad Space:
FREE for GABA members,
ONLY for GABA members.
(For Sponsor Ads (see back cover) contact Ram Salcedo, Bike Shop Coordinator,
733-0230 or salcedo@flash.net)
The Update is published monthly by GABA-Tucson, as a service to its members.
Submissions must be received by the deadline to be included, and may be edited
to meet space requirements. GABA does not make representations on the facts of
information received from its members and other cycling entities.
GABA Chapters Website Addresses
Tucson: www.bikegaba.org
Flagstaff: www.flagstaffbiking.org
Phoenix: www.sportsfun.com/gaba
Prescott: www.topica.com/lists/pcc
Other Cycling Clubs:
Arizona Bicycle Club - (ABC) in Phoenix
http://azbikeclub.r.m6.net/
Purposes and Objectives of GABA
- To promote interest and involvement
in all aspects of bicycling.
- To regularly publish
a comprehensive newsletter
of cycling information,
legislation affecting cyclists,
and other bicycling events.
- To schedule tours
and group riding opportunities
for the development
of individual cycling skills
and to promote safe riding habits.
- To provide education at all levels
of bicycling skills,
such as road safety, bicycle maintenance and emergency repairs;
and to encourage bicycle use
as an energy-efficient, healthful means
of personal transportation.
You Did Not Receive Your UPDATE in the Mail...?
Don't wait! Contact Membership Director Steve Graeber, as soon as possible!
He is the ONLY Board person
who can help you.
The best way is to E-MAIL Steve at: psiclist@worldwerks.com or
call him (second best) (520) 762-1363.
IMPORTANT:
Make Sure that the word GABA appears in the subject line of your message!
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