Training Rides for El Tour de Tucson XXIII
26th Annual Tumacacori Century
Cochise County Cycling Classic XVIII
Bike Patrols Needed for El Tour XXIII
Catalina Highway Under Construction
Bike Swap Volunteer Pizza Party!
2005 Great Arizona Bicycle Adventure Committee & Staff
GREAT ARIZONA BICYCLE ADVENTURE
15th Annual Palo Verde Nuclear Century
Best Dam Bike Tour - Lake Pleasant to Parker
15th Annual Tour de Farm Bike Ride
Bicycling and the Meaning of Life
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee News
(See related articles in this issue for details.)
Ride Date Ride Name Organizers Leaders
9/30-10/2 TBC - Tucson Bicycle Classic Steve Bohn For racers
10/1-10/8 Great AZ Bicycle Adventure Grand Canyon to Border GABA-Tucson
10/8 (Sat) Cochise Cycling Classic PBAA
10/22 (Sat) Tour de Farm Diabetes Society near Phoenix
10/8 (Sat) Memorial Ride for Safety Phx GABA for CazB
10/15 & 16 Cave Creek Tour GABA Tucson Mike Thompson
10/23 (Sun) Tumacacori Century GABA Tucson Judy & Bob Bolt
10/30 (Sun) Palo Verde Nuclear Century GABA West Valley Betsy Turner
11/5 & 6 MS150 MS Society To Parker, AZ
11/6 (Sun) Tom Mix Century GABA-Tucson
11/12 (Sat) McDowell Century ABC
11/12 (Sat) El Bike Swap de Tucson GABA-Tucson Greg Yares
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.
Monday, November 7th
at 7 PM
Join us as we welcome
Steve Anderson
from Pima County Parks & Recreation.
Steve's presentation
will bring us up to date
on mountain biking opportunities
in Pima County,
with a focus on Fantasy Island,
the Arizona Trail,
proposed urban trails parks,
and more!
Everybody is welcome!
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
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Mtn Standard Time Tucson AZ
OCTOBER
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
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
NOVEMBER
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 6:40 5:34
7: 6:45 5:29
14: 6:52 5:25
21: 6:58 5:21
28: 7:04 5:19
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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.
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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 ORGANIZERS:
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.
on October 15 & 16, 2005!
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.
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.
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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.
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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 MILE.
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
TOM MIX CENTURY
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sunday, Nov. 6 , 2005
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this Form are acceptable.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leader: To be announced
Return this Form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson AZ 85733.
Options chosen: (Please circle):
Vegetarian Non-Vegetarian (for sag stops)
100 miles 50 miles
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 much appreciated!
Saturday, November 12th
On Historic 4th Avenue!
- From 8 AM to 2 PM -
Come one, come all! Don't miss the Fall 2005 Bike Swap! Tell your friends! Bring
the whole family! The Largest Bike Swap in the Southwest!
Everybody is welcome! No charge for selling or buying! Vendors may arrive at the
site - 4th Avenue, south of 6th Street, between 6th Street and 9th Street, as
early as 6:30 AM to set up. Shortly afterwards, buyers will start showing up,
ready to find the bargains!
DIRECTIONS: If you are coming from out of town (from the north, such as
Phoenix), follow I-10 until Speedway (Exit 257), then take the frontage road
south to St Mary's Road, then go East on St Mary's Road, which will turn into
6th Street after you cross the railroad tracks. Continue until 4th Avenue, and
follow GABA signs to parking on side streets. (St Mary's Road exit is closed).
Again this year, Bike Swap Organizer Greg Yares will need several volunteers to
bring supplies from the GABA storage unit, to cordon off some areas in the
morning, to direct traffic and for other miscellaneous tasks. After the event,
volunteers are needed to police the area, return all the supplies back to the
storage unit, etc. If interested, call Greg at 323-9020, or contact him at yares@cox.net
If interested in helping out, come to our semi-annual Volunteers Get-Together
Pizza Party on Thursday, November 10th, at 6 PM, at Brooklyn Pizza, 534 N. 4th
Avenue, just a few doors from the Bike Swap site. After eating and getting
acquainted, Greg will walk down the Avenue to show volunteers what they will
need to do and where things will be set up. Please call Greg to let him know you
are coming - we need to have enough pizzas ready!
Mark your calendar! See you at the Bike Swap!
Thursday, 11/10/05 at 6 PM
at Brooklyn Pizza, 534 N. 4th Ave
By Greg Yares
Interested in helping out for an hour, or maybe more? This event requires only a
few volunteers to set up and take down. Anyone interested in helping gets a free
pizza dinner, courtesy of GABA-Tucson! Come on and join us! Everybody is
welcome!
After getting some pizza for sustenance, let's all walk down the street for
hands-on planning!
Duties to be allocated: picking up supplies from the GABA storage unit;
cordoning off certain areas; allocating spaces for vendors; directing buyers to
nearby parking areas; some traffic control; cleaning up after the event;
returning all supplies, etc.
Pick the time and the length of time that you are willing to help: there is
something for everyone!
Also, anyone willing to spend an hour or two at the GABA table giving out
information on Club membership and week-end rides, come to the Party! We welcome
your help!
YOU MUST CALL GREG AHEAD OF TIME at 323-9020 or via e-mail at Yares@cox.net to
let him know you are coming, so he can figure out how many pizzas to order!
See you there!
October, 2005
By Steve Wilson
GABA President
El Tour de Tucson XXIII
Hopefully by now many of you are well into your training regimens for the
upcoming El Tour de Tucson. The ridership in Richard De Bernardis’ classic has
steadily increased every year, and it’s looking like 7,000 or more riders will
participate in this year’s event, 4,500 of which will likely do the 110-mile
event.
The coordination required to make this event run smoothly year after year is
remarkable. The route has to be coordinated with a dozen or so law enforcement
and transportation agencies. On ride day, there are a few hundred officers out
on the course making passage through intersections a breeze. One of the features
that attracts so many out of state riders is the ability to ride 110 miles
around a populated city without stopping for traffic a single time (if you’re a
little lucky ). Your odds increase the faster you are, of course.
Oranges, pretzels, water, and porta-potties are all needed by the truckload. And
in the right place at the right time. Sweep vehicles, first-aid assistance,
mechanical support – the list goes on and on. And that’s just race day.
The prep for the El Tour expo is a major effort all its own. The expo has become
a major exhibition for bicycling related items. I strongly recommend that, even
if you aren’t riding in this year’s tour, that you go down to the Tucson
Community Center on Thursday or Friday before the ride to check out the
wonderful array of exhibitors. Surely you will find something that you “have to
have” .
This year the Perimeter Bicycling team is working closely with the Tucson
Downtown Alliance to make the event on Saturday a downtown wide event with music
and other attractions. Stay tuned for more info on this. The goal is to bring
more Tucsonans downtown for the event and to have more participants and fans
stay in the area after the ride is complete. Should be one very big party.
We’ll look for you. Ride Safe.
Basic Skills
By Richard E. “Rich” Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
Riding in a group, close to other cyclists, especially lots of them, calls for
extra care. I share here the tried and proven ways to keep your body intact when
riding around others in a major event such as the El Tour de Tucson.
Basic Principles of Group Riding
There are several basic principles for more enjoyable, safer group riding:
1. Make your own decisions.
2. Keep a reaction space "cushion" around you.
3. Ride without swerving, in a straight line.
4. Try to always pass other cyclists on the left.
5. Look, then signal whenever you move sideways, i.e. to pass another cyclist.
6. Avoid slowing suddenly - signal before you do slow.
7. Get Completely off the road when you stop.
8. Before entering the road, look for and yield to anyone already there.
Make Your Own Decisions means just that - don't ride into the road or an
intersection, or through a stop sign just because someone in front of you may
have done so, or said "clear". Do you REALLY trust their judgment?
Keep a Reaction Space "Cushion" Around You. This will give you room and time to
avoid the person who falls in the road in front of you because they lapped
wheels with the cyclist in front of them, or, space to avoid the cyclist riding
beside you who swerves to avoid the water bottle in the road. Space is a form of
insurance - don't ride without it!
Ride Without Swerving, in a Straight Line. This helps others pass you safely,
and lets you concentrate your attention to the front, where almost all potential
threats are located.
Try to Always Pass Other Cyclists on the Left. Most people are conditioned to
being passed on their left when they are on the road, so there is a much better
chance they will look before moving to the left. The opposite is true for their
right, where they are not used to being passed. And, of course, say "Your Left",
or "Passing", as you pass (“on your left” is too long and often not understood.
Look, Then Signal Whenever You Move Sideways or Pass Another Cyclist. Moving to
either side, or passing another cyclist without looking means you trust someone
else to watch out for you. Do you really want to trust a stranger?
Avoid Slowing Suddenly - Signal Before You Do So. I've seen more than one
accident where a cyclist brakes suddenly, resulting in someone close behind them
piling into them, knocking them both down. Don't let this happen to you!
Get Completely off the Road When You Stop. I've seen several crashes where
someone stops at a SAG stop, in the road, only to have another cyclist behind
them crash into them. This is especially a problem in the big events where there
can be fifty to a hundred or more cyclists stopped at the same time. Ride to the
FAR end of the group before you stop, then, get well off the road.
Before Getting back on the Road, Look for and Yield to Anyone Already There. I
continue to be amazed at how many people will ride or walk into the road from a
SAG stop without even looking! Realize that those who are approaching the SAG
stop are often not watching carefully, due to tiredness, or just plain
carelessness. You have to watch out for them.
Do all these things and you will be a lot safer in your next major event. Do
these things all the time when you ride, and you'll be a lot safer all the time!
And, most of all, you’ll have more fun while you’re riding safely! Good Luck on
El Tour!
By Richard E “Rich” Corbett,
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach,
El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol Director
As we continue to train hard for the 23rd riding of El Tour de Tucson, it will
be quite helpful to know the basics of recovery, for those times when we have
completed a ‘hammering hard’ training ride, and don’t want to ‘crash’ for the
rest of the day. But first, lets look at how we are powered, as we can better
guard against ‘crashing’ if we understand athletic nutrition.
What Makes you ‘Tick’
"Metabolism" refers to the various chains of chemical reactions that our bodies
use to produce energy. There are two ways metabolism acts. "Anaerobic" reactions
are those that do not require air or oxygen, using instead oxygen atoms that are
bound up in caloric fuel. "Aerobic" reactions are those that require an oxygen
supply.
Anaerobic metabolism provides instantaneous high-energy output for brief
periods, from a few seconds to a minute or two. A 100-yard dash or sprint
finishes in a pro bike race are examples of anaerobic metabolism. Aerobic
metabolism, on the other hand, provides a lower energy output for a longer,
sustained effort like a marathon or century ride. Both metabolic ‘pathways’ are
involved at some level in every muscular effort; what changes is the relative
emphasis placed on one or the other.
A chemical called ATP ultimately powers all muscular movement. The body makes
ATP in the muscle cells using either carbohydrates (in the form of glucose), fat
(in the form of fatty acids), or protein (in the form of amino acids).
Glucose is stored in your muscles and liver in the form of glycogen (which is
just a long chain of glucose molecules strung together like beads). The body
breaks down glucose in two stages.
The first stage is the anaerobic reaction, and converts the glucose into a
substance called pyruvate. If oxygen is not available, the pyruvate will be
converted into lactic acid and two units of ATP. In an anaerobic effort, the
lactic acid accumulates in amounts greater than your body can metabolize, which
is what produces deep muscular aches or burning after an all-out sprint.
The second stage is the aerobic reaction. If enough oxygen is available, most of
the pyruvate produced in the first stage will not be broken down into lactic
acid, but will instead be oxidized to produce 36 to 38 units of ATP, resulting
in much less muscle fatigue, and much more muscular fuel.
The body can also use fat, in the form of fatty acids, which can be broken down
aerobically for energy. The advantage of this is that even the thinnest of us
have enough stored fat to fuel hundreds, even thousands, of miles of cycling, so
burning fat for energy will conserve the limited supply of muscle glycogen.
However, you can't run on fat alone; metabolizing fat requires that significant
amounts of carbohydrates be burned too. The use of fat in exercise is maximized
at lower intensities, typically below 70% of VO2 max. At this level you may be
able to get as much as 40% of your caloric energy from fat. But it takes 30-60
minutes of continuous exercise to activate the enzymes that mobilize stored body
fat into the bloodstream as free fatty acids. Also, lactic acid buildup from
anaerobic efforts will inhibit this mobilization process. So too much intensity,
too early in an exercise session or event will keep you from being able to use
fat for fuel.
The body can also use protein, in the form of amino acids, for energy, but will
usually do so only when carbohydrates are unavailable, such as when fasting or
on a severely calorie-restricted diet.
The average 150 lb. male has about 1800 calories of stored carbohydrates,
located as follows:
Muscle glycogen 1400 cal
Liver glycogen 320 cal
Blood glucose 80 cal
When muscle glycogen runs out you "hit the wall" -- extreme muscular fatigue
making you feel like you can't ride another 100 feet. When liver glycogen is
depleted you "bonk" -- you feel woozy, your thinking becomes difficult, and your
will to go on disappears. In extreme cases seizure is possible. Liver glycogen
is used to maintain blood glucose level, which is directly related to mental
processes, since brain cells can't burn fat or protein, but must have glucose to
function, and don't have local stores to draw on.
Carbo Loading.
Assuming that you've trained properly, the best way to ensure success in an
endurance event like a century ride is to maximize your reserves of muscle
glycogen. The way to do that is by carbohydrate loading.
Endurance training increases the muscles' glycogen capacity even without
following a high carbohydrate diet. The average American gets 50% of their
calories from carbohydrates. Glycogen storage is maximized on a diet that raises
this to 70% of calories from carbohydrates. This doesn't mean eating more
calories overall, but rather eating less fat and protein and more carbohydrates
instead.
High carbohydrate foods include cereal, bread, pasta, beans, rice, potatoes,
corn, pancakes (with only small amounts of butter, or margarine). It also
includes fruit and vegetables. If you choose mostly refined carbohydrates (white
bread, white pasta, white rice) you will get fewer vitamins and minerals, so a
vitamin supplement may be required. Carbo loading may not be appropriate for
those at risk of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood triglycerides. If this
is you, seek medical advice.
Once you're on a high carbohydrate diet, the next element of carbo-loading is
‘the taper’. Begin to reduce the amount and intensity of exercise two weeks
prior to the big event, all the way down to little or no workout for two or
three days prior. "Active rest" is encouraged: easy walks, a little dancing,
light yard or garden work, or an easy cruise on the bike. Maintain the 70%
carbohydrate diet. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol. Your glycogen tank
will be full to the brim for your big day.
The term "Glycemic Index" is a measure of how quickly the energy in a food is
absorbed into the bloodstream.
How Not to ‘Crash’
Now that you understand how your body produces energy output, we can look at
specific ways to avoid ‘crashing’, or hitting an energy ‘low’, during, and
especially after, an intense exercise effort. Remember, if you want to feel okay
after your ride, you must eat (and drink) properly during your ride.
During your ride, high glycemic index foods (rice and potatoes are two of the
best – many energy products use rice) will get into your system faster.
Consuming 50 to 75 grams of carbohydrate (200 to 300 calories) per hour while
exercising hard will significantly increase your stamina. For example, two large
bottles of energy drink, or one large bottle of energy drink and an energy bar,
along with a bottle of water, will provide this level of energy renewal.
Drinking enough, but not too much, requires experimentation on your part. 12 to
16 ounces of water, 30 to 60 minutes before you begin exercise is needed. Then
for most reasonably conditioned cyclists, 16 to 32 oz of water per hour during
moderate to hard exercise will be sufficient. If energy drink is used instead of
water, more liquid must be taken, as it is required for digestion of the food
contained in the energy drink.
After Your Ride
Now, finally, after your ride, continue consuming high glycemic index foods.
Immediately after completing your workout, the enzymes that make glycogen are
most active, and foods consumed have the greatest potential to replenish your
muscles. The first 15 minutes after the workout is especially important,
continuing for as much as two hours. Eat 200 to 300 calories of carbohydrate,
such as an energy bar. Some additional protein (contained in many energy bars)
will enhance glycogen replacement and muscle recovery during this period. Be
sure to drink 24 to 36 oz of water (not soda) to assist in this recovery.
Good luck with your training and in the big event – El Tour de Tucson XXIII !
by Richard E. Corbett
Certified Cycling Instructor & Coach
If your knees have not ached yet, it is virtually certain that they will in the
future. But why, you ask? To answer this obvious question, let’s look at the
most common causes of knee problems, the remedies, and what you can do to avoid
having knees problems.
Common Causes
Your position on the bicycle (saddle and cleat adjustment) is the most common
cause of knee problems, however, there are other causes. These include overuse,
impacts, and genetics.
Position generally causes most knee problems. Saddle height, and cleat
adjustment are by far the two most important position elements.
■ Saddle height is quite often too low. If you have knee pain in the rear of the
knee, the saddle is too low; on the other hand, if the pain is in the front of
the knee, the saddle is too high (rare).
■ Cleat adjustment is not as predictable as saddle height
. There are just as many cyclists who have their heels too far out as there are
who have them too far in, or just right. In any case, pain on the outside of the
knee indicates the heel is too far out, and pain on the inside of the knee
indicates the heel is too far in.
Overuse can come from a variety of sources, such as cycling, or weight training.
Overuse can be accentuated by a lack of stretching – just remember that
stretching is best done after you have warmed up, not before (we cyclists are
blessed in that we can warm up on our bikes, then do on-the-bike stretches).
Impacts are another cause of knee problems. The principle source of impacts that
affect the knees is from running, especially with improper shoes. Obviously
falls, while cycling or while involved in sports, are a major source of impacts
to the body, including knees.
Genetics is something you cannot change, but you can recognize and adapt to your
body’s uniqueness. For example, a person with a wider than ‘average’ pelvis may
have pain on the outside of their knees.
How to ‘Fix’, or Avoid Knee Problems
If you have knee problems, how do you get rid of them, and how might you avoid
getting them to begin with? All the problems in the section above have intuitive
preventive actions and remedies, but are these enough? Lets see.
Position on your bicycle (saddle and cleat adjustment) can be one of the easiest
to address. There are many sources for how to set your saddle height,
front-back, and tilt. Be careful though, in accepting advice from a friend, as
studies have shown that more than a third of cyclists believe they know proper
adjustment, but err in one or more of its elements! Remember, since this is the
most common cause of knee problems, it deserves very careful attention! To get
proper and accurate advice, consider consulting a knowledgeable Instructor or
Coach.
Overuse is remedied by reducing the causative activity (i.e. weight training).
It is prevented by approaching the causative activity more gradually, and being
certain to warm up before any significant loading of the muscles and joints. As
mentioned above, we cyclists can warm up by riding (without straining/pushing),
then do stretches on the bike. If you are not familiar with on-bike stretching,
consider consulting a knowledgeable Instructor or Coach.
Impacts are remedied and prevented by avoiding them! If they result from
running, check your shoes, and consider upgrading them. If you are using good
shoes, then perhaps your stride is off, or you are simply going beyond the level
of activity you should be at. Again, consider consulting a knowledgeable
Instructor or Coach (running of course).
Genetics are not as easy to remedy, but can be addressed. For example, a wider
than average pelvis that contributes to knee aches can be addressed with
orthotics or shims. Orthotics are shoe inserts that can help re-align the leg
and the knee, to reduce or eliminate aches. Shims, on the other hand, help
address the surprisingly common matter of differential leg length, generally by
placement between the cleat and the shoe.
Many of us will experience knee pains at some point. Knowing or getting an
accurate assessment, and taking prompt corrective action will help keep our
cycling something that we continue to look forward to.
Author’s Note: An excellent book on ‘bicycle medicine’ is Dr. Arnie Baker’s
Bicycling Medicine (ISBN 0-9640601-8-3). Arnie is National Team in Training
Coach, a National Champion, and a U.S. Record Holder.
Top of Page
By Dorothy Barth
Each year, a dedicated staff works together to organize this week-long tour. The
following people have put great energy into providing the best tour possible.
2005 Tour Committee
Richard McBain: Richard is our staff artist. He designed the brochure,
poster, socks, and T-shirt. His artistic ability, along with experience running
Centric Photo Processing, give us the opportunity to develop first rate
promotional materials.
Melanie Rineer: Melanie handles the publicity for our tour. She has worked hard
recruiting riders from prior years to promote our tour, contacting other clubs
to publicize our tour, and she also handles all press releases. Her experience
with publicity at PBAA is a huge asset to our committee.
Richard Rineer: Richard does the meal planning for our dinners, which are
designed to be filling and nutritious for all, with special emphasis on
vegetarian fare. He comes to this position with many years of experience working
in the health food industry, and also is a vegetarian, which makes him a natural
for the task.
Steve Wilson: Steve handles all the financial matters for the tour. As
treasurer, he ensures that all the bills get paid, and makes an effort to
provide financial reports that keep us on track to providing a quality tour for
the participants, while avoiding cost overruns.
Donna Lewandowski: Donna is our registration coordinator. She handles incoming
registrations, and sends out correspondence to all registrants. She does this
for so many club events that it is staggering to think of the volume of mail she
processes.
Dave Swanson: Dave prepares the route guide and maintains the website. This
includes creating the route maps, elevation profiles, and supplementary
information. His knowledge of systems, from experience at IBM, make him ideal
for this work.
Mary Jo Erickson: Mary Jo coordinates transportation for our tour. She arranges
the rental of trucks, vans, and other vehicles required to provide the services
needed by our cyclists.
2005 Tour Staff
Mo & Mikey Kitchen – Mechanics. One of the great things about our tour is having
skilled mechanics with us. Although we encourage our cyclists to ensure that
their bikes are in good working condition prior to starting the tour, we all
know that something mechanical can sometimes go wrong even when best efforts are
made. Mo and Mikey can be found in the morning before the start of the day’s
ride, at sag stops, and at the end of the ride each day. We are privileged to
have two qualified mechanics along on our tour.
Sharon Matt, Pam Cullop, Donna & Steve Kanoza – SAG Support Staff. We all know
how important it is to have fun, friendly, and able support at our refreshment
stops. Sharon has helped with this ride for many years. Pam has agreed to come
and help me this year, after successfully leading the GABA tour many years
herself. Donna & Steve Kanoza will be along this year to invigorate our riders
with their infectious enthusiasm.
Norm Martin and Marv Hanin – Sweeps. Our tour provides the extra support needed
in case of mechanical breakdown, or if a rider needs a boost to the top of the
hill, the next sag stop, or that day’s destination. Norm and Marv have helped us
in the past, and are a great asset to our tour staff.
Ray Rai – Baggage Truck Driver. Ray did baggage support on the Sonoita-Bisbee
and Salt River Canyon tours. He did such a great job that, when I needed a
baggage handler, he was the first person I thought of.
Joe Dana – Scout. Joe is a member of GABA, and has done a lot of work directing
running events. Our scout marks the route, and takes off first thing in the
morning to ensure that the road is clear.
Laura & Ken – Massage Therapists. Even on this small tour we are able to attract
first class help for sore muscles. We are very fortunate to have them along;
usually they are busy supporting larger tours in Colorado.
October 1st - October 8th
Come and Have a Great Time on this Very Scenic Ride!
What other ride gives you the chance to experience two national parks and three
national monuments?
By Dorothy Barth
It is our goal to provide every rider on the GABA Tour the opportunity to enjoy
a challenging ride, filled with spectacular scenery, and away from the routines
of everyday life. You will have the chance to ride with a group of new-found
friends, or pedal down the road solo, enjoying the solitude of the
lesser-traveled roads of Arizona. After all, this is your vacation. The tour
committee has planned the week's events to give you an adventure you won’t
forget!
At check-in on Friday, Sept. 30th, at the Best Western Phoenix Airport Inn, each
tour participant will receive a commemorative T-Shirt, a pair of GABA Tour 2005
cycling socks, a GABA water bottle, a 2005 Route Guide with elevation profiles,
a name and bike badge, and some “extras”. Passes for the Grand Canyon National
Park, and Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments are also included
in the tour fee. We'll start our tour this year with an opening banquet. The
Inn's staff has always been very friendly and helpful over all the years that we
have run this ride.
The next morning, we'll get up early, carefully load the bicycles into the
moving van, and then ease into a comfortable seat on the motor coach for the
ride from Phoenix to Tusayan/Grand Canyon. A sack lunch and cold drinks will be
provided as well as an Arizona Highways magazine to read during the 4-5 hour
trip up to the southern entrance to the Grand Canyon, our starting point.
We'll arrive early Saturday afternoon so that everyone has the opportunity to
spend that afternoon and evening at the Grand Canyon. Take a short hike to
experience a bit of the canyon below the rim or catch the IMAX movie, with the
perspective of the Grand Canyon from the Colorado River. The evening will be
crisp and cool, and everyone will undoubtedly be excited about the next
morning’s ride along Desert View Drive.
Every day at each rest stop, you'll find a wide assortment of foods to choose
from, giving you well-rounded nourishment throughout the day. No need to worry
about extra money for lunch, as you may choose from selected meats, cheeses, or
peanut butter & jelly to build yourself a mouth-watering sandwich.
During the riding hours, our conscientious ride crew will monitor your progress.
The personal focus of our friendly ride crew is to help you master the
challenges that this tour presents. Our tour mechanic will help you keep your
bicycle in good repair, should you need routine parts or an adjustment.
Motels and camping locations have been selected to promote togetherness. Tents
will, as often as possible, be pitched on motel/hotel property. At those sites,
showers/restrooms for campers will be located inside those motels, and these
rooms will be kept open all night long for your convenience.
Our route will take us near Tonto National Monument. Take a quick break and stop
to see the cliff dwellings inhabited hundreds of years ago. InTucson, we will
ride out of town to Saguaro National Park. All riders will have the opportunity
to ride the well-known 8-mile loop through the Park. In a week of riding you
will have visited visit two National Parks: Grand Canyon and Saguaro National
Parks; and three national monuments: Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki, and Tonto
National Monuments.
Our ending banquet will be at the Americana Motor Hotel in Nogales. This is the
ideal location for a farewell gathering. Cyclists can take a dip in the pool, or
join some friends and walk across the border for an end of the ride celebration.
In the evening, we will have a festive farewell gathering, and be able to toast
each other in our accomplishments in another delightful week of cycling.
Come along on this grand 7-day adventure! Don't forget, this package includes an
afternoon of sightseeing at the Grand Canyon on Saturday, October 1st, and 520
miles of fabulous scenery to enjoy, with quad-testing uphills and thrilling
downhills, and people from all walks of life and of all ages to meet. Put your
registration form in the mail today – you’ll be glad you did!
50 & 100-Mile Options
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Sponsored by GABA West Valley
Trick or treat! It may be Halloween, but there'll be no tricks, just treats.
This ride is a treat — relatively flat with relatively little traffic. And the
rest of the treat is that the proceeds from this ride will be donated to Safe
Kids of Maricopa County to buy helmets for children. Help us support this worthy
cause, and treat yourself to a great ride at the same time.
The Palo Verde Nuclear Century is the West Valley's signature ride! There are 4
sag stops on the 100-mile ride, 2 on the 50-mile ride, all well stocked with
homemade cookies and banana bread, fruit and water; roving support & lunch at
the park after the ride. Great training ride for other fall rides!
Registration/Check-in opens at 7 AM
Ride Starts at 8 AM
No mass start — it's not a race.
Ride begins and ends at Estrella Mountain Park in Goodyear, AZ.
DIRECTIONS to the park: West on I-10 to the Litchfield Rd exit; South on
Litchfield Rd to Hwy. 85; Right on Hwy 85 heading west to Bullard Ave; South
(left) on Bullard to Vineyard; Right on Vineyard to park entrance. Follow GABA
signs to the big Ramada on the west end.
NOTE: $5 per vehicle charge to enter the park. Save $ and our environment —
carpool with a friend!
REGISTRATION FEES
GABA/ABC Members: $20
Non-Members: $25
Late Fee - $5 if you haven't mailed your registration by 10/22.
Contact Betsy Turner, 623-979-8110 or visit
www.sportsfun.com.
November 5 & 6, 2005
The discount Tire MS 150 Best Dam Bike Tour begins at Lake Pleasant (Carefree
Highway exit, off I-17). Cyclists will ride to Centennial Park in Salome for an
evening stay and party.
The next day, riders will enjoy a pancake breakfast that they will never forget!
Riders will then pedal all the way to Parker, near the Colorado River. At La Paz
County Park, cyclists will enjoy a delicious lunch and the celebration of
another successful Discount Tire MW 150 Bike Tour! All meals are provided.
Participants with their bikes and luggage will be transported back to Lake
Pleasant from the finishin Parker.
This ride is limited to 2,500 riders. Riders need to have at least $250 in
pledges, plus the registration fee which must be paid before receiving your
packet. For more information, contact Peter Loguda, 480-968-2488, ext. 209, or
e-mail ploguda@ dsw.nmss.org or info@dsw.nmss.org
The MS150 best dam bike tour is Arizona's premiere cycling event. This year
marks the 20th anniversary of the ride! This event raises over $600,000 annually
to support local programs and research for over 8,000 Arizonans living with the
devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.
This is a two-day cycling event, covering over 174 miles. The ride is fully
supported with many rest stops, medical personnel, and SAG vehicles to help you
along the way. There will be a special overnight celebration in Salome for all
of the dedicated cyclists and volunteers that make this event such a huge
success.
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005
100K (60 miles) and 35 miles Options
Share the Road!
Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club is hosting the Safety Ride with the support of the
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists (CazB). The 2005 theme again this year is SHARE
THE ROAD. CAzB has made a Public Service Announcement to educate the public on
the Sate Law A.R.S. 28-735.
Join PMBC and the CAzB for this great ride. The 100K and 35-mile routes take you
through Carefree and scenic vistas north in the Tonto National Forest, Pinnacle
Peak, and to beautiful Bartlett Lake. The start/finish is by AJ's Market, at
Pima and Pinnacle Peak Rd. in Scottsdale. Your entry fee will include a ride
map, 2 rest stops, and a BBQ meal at the finish.
The Safety Ride and the Safety Message grew out of the tragic cycling accident
that killed Winston Benson 8 years ago. The CAzB is an organization dedicated to
the education of riders, motorists, and government officials on all issues
concerning bicycling in our state. Join PMBC and the Coalition (CAzB) for a fun
ride and a great BBQ after the ride!
Let's all "Ride to the Right", "Share the Road", signal turns and hazards. CazB
is out there fighting for your rights as cyclists, so come out and support the
Memorial Ride for Safety. Ride goes, rain or shine. For more information, call
Rich Rumer at 602-953-2585, or
www.sportsfun.com.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
In its 15th year, Tour de Farm is an annual bicycle event, hosted by H304, Inc.,
and benefiting organizations which strive to prevent the pain and suffering of
chronic diseases and emotional and physical abuse in Arizona's children and
adults.
In addition to a wonderful fun ride which takes in both the Queen Creek and
Florence areas and some of Arizona's fast-disappearing agricultural lands,
riders will enjoy views of the beautiful San Tan mountains and have the
opportunity to take part in the festivities at Schnepf Farms' Annual Pumpkin &
Chili Festival.
We invite you to join one of the Tour de Farm's 3 great rides - for the
dedicated enthusiast, the weekend athlete, and the family members.
Start/finish: Schnepf Farms, 22601 E. Cloud Rd. Queen Creek, AZ
Distances: 62.5, 30 & 12 miles.
Information at: www.tourdefarm.com
Top of Page
by Mark Flint
(Reprinted from Tail Winds, Aug/Sept. 2005)
My love affair with bicycling began, as with many cyclists, in my pre-teens,
when the bicycle represented freedom, the opportunity to expand my world and
explore beyond those places my feet or my horse could take me.
In my senior year of high school, and through college, I rode for transportation
and for fun, before putting the bike away and turning to other pursuits. I came
back to it as a fitness activity when triathlons burst on the scene in the
mid-1980s. My knees nixed running, and the combination of inconvenience and
chlorine-related problems gradually moved swimming out of the picture.
The road and mountain bike became my primary recreational toys, and I evolved
from semi-serious citizen racer to training just so I could enjoy long, hard
rides. For more than 20 years now, the bicycle has been a constant. If I go
three or four days without a ride I become agitated, and longer periods off the
bike become frustrating ordeals.
The benefits of this affair are numerous, from the good friends met in the
cycling community to the high fitness level that contributes to an overall
feeling of well-being. The pain of a long, hard climb somehow becomes
pleasurable, and the thrill of a fast descent is a rush that never grows old.
When told I needed surgery recently, I turned to the bike as a way of preparing.
The stronger I could get my body, I reasoned, the faster and easier my recovery.
My doctor agreed, and encouraged me to ride. For me, it was like a license to go
play. Ride my bike more? You bet! I wasn't goofing off. I was preparing for
surgery.
What neither of us knew then was the role my fitness level would play in a
medical crisis that followed the surgery. Clots developed in my legs and
migrated to both lungs, a condition known as a bilateral pulmonary embolism.
Unless they are in a hospital being treated, about one in three people die from
this condition. It took me about three days to figure out what was wrong and get
treatment.
The entire experience was brutally painful, and frightening. My first night in
the hospital I had an irrational fear that, if I fell asleep, I wouldn't wake
up. The second night I spent gently forcing myself to deepen each breath,
inhaling to the point of pain and then taking in a little bit more air. It was a
long night, but by morning I had improved.
Those long hard rides prepared me psychologically for the ordeal. I told myself
that staying awake all night and working on breathing was just another kind of
century. And when I was forced to lie flat for a CT scan - a position that was
extremely painful and caused uncontrollable spasms in my chest - I changed it in
my head to finishing the climb up Mt Hopkins. "Just a couple hundred feet to
go…Now it's under 100, now 50…"
I was inspired by other cyclists who had undergone similar ordeals, or worse.
Alex Oden, who went through 8 brain surgeries, chemo, radiation and bone marrow
transplants in his battle to defeat germinoma (the juvenile form of the cancer
that Lance Armstrong had), came through incredible pain and one challenge after
another with a positive outlook and determination to be back on his bicycle as
soon as possible. He confronted his fear and refused to let his cancer define
him, even to the point of wearing cycling jerseys instead of hospital gowns.
I rode with Alex and one other close friend a couple of days before the surgery,
getting a physical and spiritual boost from their presence.
Before the surgery, I knew bicycling was good for me, but now my relationship
with the sport has deepened. It sustained and gave me life, and is helping me
regain quality of life - mobility, positive outlook and even joy - that will
grow as the medical problems fade.
There's a spiritual side to exercise that is often drowned out in the clutter
and noise of day-to-day life. When you exercise you are giving yourself a gift
that has the potential to give back a thousand-fold. You are giving yourself
mental toughness, physical stamina and spiritual strength. The bonds you form
through involvement with the cycling community become a support network that
nurtures your spirit and helps you with chores and errands that may be outside
your ability for a few weeks.
I can't say that my passion for cycling has increased - it has always been
pretty high. But I do know that it has shifted. I feel a deep appreciation for
the many ways it can give me strength and confidence. there's a newly coined
word, one you will find on those yellow bracelets, that pretty sums it up:
LiveStrong
(Mark Flint is the Editor of Tail Winds.)
Saturday, October 22, 2005
The Soul Ride in Oracle, AZ will offer participants 4 distances to choose from;
10, 30, 60, and 100 miles.
Multiple distances will allow beginner level riders the opportunity to
experience a race atmosphere & challenge without the intimidation or major
undertaking of completing the 100-mile course while simultaneously catering to a
more seasoned mountain biker with the optional 30, 60 and 100-mile distances.
The multiple distance format provides for an environment conducive to personal
achievement no matter what level of rider you are.
Event Summary -
The Soul Ride was created to provide an experience that captures the essence of
an "Epic Ride." A true epic ride lasts hours, guides you over amazing terrain,
exposes you to some of the most scenic vistas on earth and leaves you with an
unforgettable experience.
Epic Rides serve up an endorphin high beyond belief. The scenery becomes
euphoric; you and your bike become one and the moments you spend alone or share
with friends are memories you'll savor for the rest of your life. The Soul Ride
has been created to provide each participant with an epic experience.
Epic Rides & Arizona Bicycle Experts bike shop would like to extend an
invitation to all who are interested in sharing a euphoric moment with us at the
4th Annual Soul Ride Saturday, October 22, 2005.
For more information, visit
www.epicrides.com/soul_ride.
Top of Page
September 14th 2005 Meeting
By
Richard E “Rich” Corbett
1: Introductions and Approval of Meeting Minutes
Member and members of the public introduced themselves. A motion to approve the
minutes of the July meeting (the last meeting held) was made and passed
unanimously.
2: Call to the Public
Charles Franz announced that the 3rd Street-University bikeway crossing the U of
A will be closed Oct 1st, from about 3-11 pm, due to a major on-campus event.
3: City of Tucson Police Dept & Pima County Sheriff's Dept Reports
Tucson Sgt Tim Beam Reported there were 2 bicycle crashes in July, and 8 in
August. Of these 10, Police assigned blame to cyclists in 9 crashes (4 will be
followed up on, as the summary report raises questions).
Pima County Sheriff’s Sgt Karl Woolridge reported no crashes in July, and 4 in
August, 2 with injuries, and 1 hit & run fatality. The motorist in the hit & run
was identified and charged with 2nd degree murder.
Roy Schoonover asked about the fatality last year on Sahuarita Rd, and was told
the truck driver was cited for improper passing.
4: Grande Avenue North of Congress Street
Mac Hudson and David Walker of the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association presented
plans for traffic calming Grande Avenue between St Mary’s and Congress. This
effort was started in 2003, and has succeeded in getting a Transportation
Enhancement grant, which funded development of a Plan. Phase I of three is
funded and due to be implemented before the end of this year. It includes a HAWK
pedestrian crossing, and two other enhanced crosswalks, plus bulbouts to define
on-street parking areas.
The second and third phases will evolve as experience is gained from the first
phase, and may include additional traffic calming measures, including
experimental sharrows. Corbett noted that the Grande Avenue sharrows would
probably be part of a larger recommendation made for about 6 locations around
Tucson. He said that the recommendation would come back in month or two.
5: Mountain Avenue and Grant Intersection
Diahn Swartz of City Traffic Engineering presented a draft plan for the
Intersection of Mountain Avenue & Grant Road. The plan emphasizes the Bike Lane
continuing all the way to the intersection, with 1) blue painted pavement, and
2) extending the buffer to become a ‘gore’ on the left side of the lane, making
it illegal for any operator to cross the ‘gore’ (for more info, see: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/28/00644.htm
City Traffic Engineering Chief Richard Nassi said that the push buttons at that
location would be replaced with video detection.
A suggestion was made to modify the proposed “No Right Turn of Red” sign to
allow right turns on red when no bicyclists are present, similar to the ones at
school intersections (No Turn on Red when children are in crosswalk).
A motion was made and passed unanimously to support the experimental
intersection treatment.
6: Mandatory Red Rear Lights on Bicycles
Council Member Kathleen Dunbar's Aide, Ramon Gaanderse, explained concerns that
cyclists need to be more visible from the rear, perhaps by having a red light.
Discussion ensued and it was noted that the primary complaints have been in the
area north of the U of A campus.
A motion was made and passed unanimously to encourage the U of A Bicycle Program
to recommend use of both white headlights (legally required) and red taillights
(not required, but helpful for being seen).
7: BAC Meeting Format and Public Participation
Member Diana Tolton offered these ideas for consideration:
• Not all topics can or should be fully discussed at the meetings
• Standard agenda reports might streamline the meeting.
• Should questions and clarifications be allowed as the agenda progresses?
• Wayne Cullop shared importance of seeing the BAC agenda before the meeting.
• Jonathon Mabry noted that he is a member of the Tucson Historical Commission,
and they accomplish their meetings in one hour and suggested moving the Call to
the Public to right after the Police report.
A motion was made and passed unanimously that the BAC forward these draft ideas
to the City Clerk’s Office to get ‘Official’ feedback on them.
8: BAC Reports/Announcements
It was noted that the bike lane stripes have been painted on the new section of
Catalina Hwy to Houghton (properly pronounced like ‘dough’) Road.
Shellie Ginn announced that Melissa Antol will be starting as the new Tucson
Bicycle Coordinator next week.
Diahn Swartz mentioned concerns about Congress west of Granada Ave not having
bike/shoulder lanes. She said re-striping cannot be done until the median is
reduced in width, which should be in the next 12 months.
Roy Schoonover reported that 1) the El Tour de Tucson route may change to Camino
de Mañana, and 2) His work at RTA CAC has been helped by support from PAG &
local staff. There are about 75 bike lane projects in the RTA draft now, all are
safety projects closing system gaps, adding about 130 miles,
The recent comprehensive update to the Regional Bike Map is now posted on the
PAG Website (see http://www.pagnet.org/bikemap/bike_maps.htm)
9: Potential Items for Next Agenda
- Tanque Verde and Grant Intersection
If you have any bicycle related concern, you are invited to attend the T-PCBAC
meetings, which take place the second Wednesday of each month, 6:00 to 8:00 pm,
at the 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, Melissa Antol, City of Tucson 791-4372, Matthew
Zoll, Pima County 740-6747, and Nancy Ellis, Oro Valley 229-5057.