CORRECTION TO SABINO CYCLES AD:
Sign up for FREE Bicycle Driver Classes Today!
ABC’s 26th ANNUAL GILA VALLEY TOUR
14th Annual Mining Country Challenge
The Platinum Challenge Status Report
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
GABA Has Now Been Around For 25 Years And Is Still Going Strong!
Great Arizona Bicycling Adventure
Recollections: GABA’s Early Years
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee
Ride Around the White Tank Mountains
Its the 24nd annual TUCSON PEACE FAIR & MUSIC FESTIVAL
(See related articles in this issue for details.)
Ride Date Ride Name Organizers Leaders E-Mail
2/12 (Sun) Picacho Century GABA-Tucson Suzanne Couvrette www.bikegaba.org
2/12 (Sun) Laveen Country Challenge Town of Laveen www.lensenet.com
3/4 (Sat) Le Grande Tour XIX AZ Parks & Rec In Casa Grande www.azpra.org
3/4 & 5 Gila Valley Tour ABC www.azbikeclub.com
3/11 (Sat) Tour de Cure Diabetes Foundation www.diabetes.org/tour
3/12 (Sat) Coolidge Century GABA-Tucson www.bikegaba.org
3/18 (Sat) Mining Century PMBC Buddy Pylant www.sportsfun.com
3/19 (Sun) Around the White Tanks GABA West Valley JOplinger5200@msn.com
4/1 (Sat) El Bike Swap de Tucson GABA-Tucson Greg Yares yares@cox.net
4/1 (Sat) El Tour de Phoenix PBAA www.pbaa.com
4/8 & 9 Sonoita Bisbee Bike Tour GABA-Tucson Suzanne Couvrette
www.bikegaba.org
Monday, March 6 at 7 PM
"Life as a Professional Cyclist"
Chloe Black has been on Team Terry
for the last 6 years
and will share with us
the thrills and the hardships
of professional cycling.
The training, the travel, the pain,
all make up the world of professional cycling.
This is a chance to hear the reality
from an insider,
and it's not all "champagne"
on the Champs Elysees!
Everybody is welcome!
Monday, February 6 at 7 PM
Let's welcome Sue Wenberg,
long-time GABA member,
and her friend, Jeff Berringer
who will share with us
photos and stories
of their "essentially all downhill" tour
following the banks
of the famous "Blue Danube".
Last May, they spend a couple of weeks
enjoying the bike paths
and the rural roads
between Vienna and Budapest.
Everybody is welcome!
FEBRUARY 2006
Feb. 12 (Sun): PICACHO CENTURY. GABA-Tucson. 100, 65, 35 & 15 miles. Flat course
north of Tucson with meandering in Avra Valley. Turn-around point at Picacho
Peak. Ride Organizer: Suzanne Couvrette, (520) 891-4661 or sgcouvrette@aol.com.
Feb. 12 (Sun): LAVEEN COUNTRY CHALLENGE. Starts and ends at Laveen Elementary
School, 51st Ave & Dobbins Rd. in Laveen AZ. For more info, check their website
at: www.lensenet.com
Feb. 18: 24 HOURS IN THE OLD PUEBLO. For more info, contact Todd Sadow at
www.epicrides.com
Feb. 25 & 26: AZ SENIOR OLYMPICS, PHOENIX. Cycling Events. State Competitions.
602-261-8765 OR www.seniorgames.org
MARCH 2006
Mar. 4 (Sat): LE GRANDE TOUR XIX (in Casa Grande). AZ Parks & Rec. 800-335-PARK
or www.azpra.org
Mar. 4 & 5: GILA VALLEY TOUR. ABC. www.azbikeclub.com
Mar. 11 (Sat): TOUR DE CURE. Benefits the Diabetes Foundation. For more
information, www.diabetes.org/tour or (520) 795-3711 x 7112.
Mar. 12 (Sun): COOLIDGE CENTURY. GABA-Tucson. Leader: TBA. Flat course from Avra
Valley to Coolidge and back. Great opportunity to achieve your Personal Best.
Mar. 18 (Sat): MINING COUNTRY CENTURY. PMBC. For info, www.sportsfun.com or
Kathy Mills, 480-759-7675.
Mar. 19 (Sun): AROUND THE WHITE TANKS. GABA West Valley. Betsy turner, BetTur@qwest.net
APRIL 2006
Apr. 1 (Sat): EL BIKE SWAP DE TUCSON. GABA-Tucson On 4th Avenue, 7 AM-2 PM. Free
to all. Organizer: Greg Yares, 323-9020, or yares@cox.net In conjunction with
City of Tucson Clean Air Fair Events.
April 1 (Sat): EL TOUR DE PHOENIX XV Organized by PBAA. www.pbaa.com
April 8 (Sat): DESERT CLASSIC. ABC. Richard Utterback: www.azbikeclub.com
April 8 & 9: SONOITA-BISBEE BIKE TOUR. GABA-Tucson. Suzanne Couvrette,
sgcouvrette@aol.com Approx. 65 miles each day. Sonoita to Bisbee and back the
next day. Rolling terrain, a few good hills. Great dinner at the Copper Queen
Hotel in Bisbee on Saturday night.
April 15 (Sat): BIKE SWAP - Phoenix. Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6 AM-1 PM. CAzB.
www.cazbike.com
April 21-23 -TUCSON BICYCLE CLASSIC STAGE RACE. TBC. Ride Organizer: Steve Bohn,
snsbohn@cox.net or www.casaschurch.org/tbc/ or www.azcycling.com.
April 22 (Sat): GABA GALA! GABA CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY! Festivities &
catered meal at Mc CORMICK PARK, on Columbus Blvd. between Glenn & Ft Lowell.
Event Organizer: Pam Cullop, 290-4321 or pjcullop@comcast.net.
Apr. 28-30: LA VUELTA DE BISBEE.
April 28-30: ANSWER TO THE CHALLENGE. PMBC. www.sportsfun. com/gaba
April 30 (Sun): TTM XX - TOUR OF THE TUCSON MOUNTAINS. PBAA. www.pbaa.com
MAY 2006
May 5 (Fri): Mt Lemmon Hill Climb. GABA-Tucson. Steve Wilson, 870-5282 or
wilsons@us.ibm.com. Small fee to cover sag support. Lunch in Summerhaven.
May 6 & 7: SALT RIVER CANYON TOUR. GABA-Tucson. www.bikegaba.org. Globe to show
Low and back the next day. Great scenery, major climbs for experienced riders.
Leader TBA.
May 13 (Sat): WHISKEY OFF-ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE. Prescott. Todd Sadow,
epicrides.com.
May 13 : TOUR OF PAYSON. PMBC. www.sportsfun.com/gaba.
May 27-29: LUNA LAKE TOUR GABA-Tucson www.bikegaba,org Approx. 60 miles per day,
from Springerville to Quemado, to Reserve and back to Springerville on 3rd day.
Little traffic, a few climbs, great scenery.
JUNE 2006
June 4 (Sun): MT HOPKINS HILLCLIMB MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE. GABA-Tucson. Tom Ward.
www.bikegaba.org Mt Hopkins is a 9,000 foot peak south of Green Valley. Mix of
dirt and paved roads.
June 10 & 11: GRAND CANYON TOUR. ABC – Richard Utterback.
www.azbikeclub.com
Mtn Standard Time, Tucson Az
FEBRUARY
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 7:18 5:57
7: 7:14 6:03
14: 7:08 6:09
21: 7:01 6:15
28: 6:53 6:20
MARCH
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 6:52 6:21
7: 6:45 6:26
14: 6:36 6:31
21: 6:27 6:36
28: 6:18 6:41
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Options for 100, 65, 35 & 15 miles
By Suzanne Couvrette, Ride Organizer
Free Picacho T-Shirt to the first 200 pre-registered riders!
Celebrating our 25th Anniversary This Year!
New this year as part of GABA's 25th Anniversary Celebrations: Free Picacho
Century T-Shirts to the first 200 pre-registered riders! Registrations must be
received no later than Wednesday, February 8th! Don't miss out on this
opportunity! Sign up early!
With a course almost entirely flat and a variety of options, this century offers
many opportunities for cyclists of different abilities. Distances offered are
suitable for families and novice riders, as well as more experienced riders.
This is also a good century to set a new Personal Best!
Starting at Cortaro & Silverbell this year, cyclists head north on Silverbell
Rd., continuing over Shadow Pass, a short hill at the north end of the Tucson
Mountains. The course follows back roads in Marana and Avra Valley before
continuing north on the east frontage road to Picacho Peak, the turn-around
point for all options except the 100-milers, who will continue on to turn around
at the Town of Picacho, 7 miles further. The return uses the same route, in
reverse. Maps will be provided.
Look for a lunch stop stocked with good sandwich makings & snacks, located near
Picacho Peak. Two other sag stops along the route will furnish water, fruit &
goodies, to give cyclists fuel and some time to socialize.
Most of the course has little traffic. Scenic Picacho Peak looming in the
distance keeps changing shape as you get closer and closer!
Pre-registration is VERY much appreciated. Helmets and good riding practices are
mandatory.
PRE-REGISTRATION FEE:
GABA Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
DAY OF EVENT FEE:
GABA-Members: $25
Non-Members: $30
Why not join GABA-Tucson today?
Get our monthly news-letter delivered
to your door AND this ride at member prices!
Add $15 for a one-year individual membership,
$18 for a family membership,
or $10 for student members.
New this year as part of GABA's 25th Anniversary Celebrations: Free Picacho
Century T-Shirts to the first 200 pre-registered riders! Registrations must be
received no later than Wednesday, February 8th! Don't miss out on this
opportunity! Sign up early!
Sign In Location For All Options:
Cortaro & Silverbell (NE corner).
Park in the north/northwest edges of parking lot
along Silverbell,
so we don’t block regular customers.
Everybody Must Sign In At This Location
And Pick Up A Course Map.
Registration Time at Cortaro & Silverbell:
8 AM to 8:30 AM for the 100 & 65 milers.
After 8:30 AM for the 35 and 15 milers.
After you sign in, 100-milers AND 65-milers will start riding from here -
Cortaro & Silverbell. Everyone riding from Cortaro & Silverbell MUST be on the
road no later than 8:30 AM.
Riders choosing the 35 and 15-mile options will drive to their specific starting
point according to their selected option, and start riding from there when
ready.
35-milers will start riding from Marana at Sandario Rd. & I-10 Exit (Exit 236)
(Park WEST of the Circle K, or ACROSS the street. Please DO NOT park right in
the Circle K parking lot. We do not want to interfere with their regular
business customers. You should be on the road no later than 9:30 AM.
15-milers will start riding from Red Rock exit. (exit 226) Park along east
frontage road near exit. You should be on the road no later than 10 AM.
DIRECTIONS TO THE START:
FROM TUCSON, TAKE I-10 NORTH TO EXIT 246 (CORTARO RD.)
FROM PHOENIX, TAKE I-10 SOUTH TO EXIT 246 (CORTARO RD.)
For more information on this ride, contact Ride Organizer Suzanne Couvrette at
sgcouvrette@aol.com or (520) 891-4661.
Want to help? Everyone needs to take a turn to help make all our GABA rides a
success! Please call Suzanne if interested.
PICACHO CENTURY PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006
Free Picacho T-Shirt for the first
200 pre-registered riders! Registration must be received
no later than Wed. Feb. 8
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leader: Suzanne Couvrette, 891-4661 or sgcouvrette@aol.com
Return this form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
All options must sign in at Cortaro & Silverbell
Option chosen: (Please circle)
#1 (100 miles) #2 (65 miles)
#3 (35 miles) #4 (15 miles)
T-Shirt Size: (CIRCLE) S M L XL XXL
Money enclosed:
Member fee $15 $____
Non-member fee: $20 $____
DAY OF EVENT - members $25 $____
DAY OF EVENT - non members $30 $____
Total money enclosed: $______
I AM Currently a GABA member: yes no
NAME
(print)_________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________
CITY____________________ ZIP __________
PHONE ________________________________
E-Mail_________________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
Staple your signed Waiver to each form.
Forms & Waivers cut with scissors are appreciated!
NEW LOCATION:
7045 E. Tanque Verde
NW corner at Sabino Canyon Rd.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Options for 100 and 60 miles
Come and join us for GABA-Tucson’s 2nd Century of the new year! It could easily
be one of the “fastest” centuries you have done, as this is one of the flattest
routes in southern Arizona. This should be a fantastic day with the great sag
stops and the ride support that set the standard for organized rides.
The ride is suitable for novice, intermediate and advanced riders. Choose a
distance that suits your cycling ability. This ride gives you an excellent
opportunity to exercise your legs for distance and speed!
STARTING TIME:
8 AM to 8:30 AM. Every rider must be on the road no later than 8:45 AM.
STARTING POINT:
I-10 & Avra Valley Rd., exit 243. (West side of freeway, follow GABA signs. All
riders start here. Each option has a different turn-around point.
ROUTE: This is an-out-and back course. Riders pedal north on the frontage road
past PICACHO Peak to the town of Picacho, Turn-Around-Point for the 60-milers.
The 100-milers continue north, cycling through cotton fields to the town of
Coolidge to their Turn-Around-Point near the Casa Grande Ruins.
RIDE FEE for Pre-Registered Riders:
$15 for GABA/ABC members.
$20 for Non-members.
DAY-OF-EVENT FEES:
GABA/ABC Members: $25.
Non Members: $30.
Why not join GABA-Tucson today?
Get our monthly news-letter delivered
to your door AND this ride at member prices!
Add $15 for a one-year individual membership,
$18 for a family membership,
or $10 for student members.
Your fee covers route maps and riders instructions; three sag stops with plenty
of great food along the course; and sag vehicles covering the route.
Use the Coolidge Ride Pre-Registration Form and Waiver on Page 15.
Pre-registration is needed for this ride. Helmets are mandatory.
RIDE LEADER: For more information on the ride, call Sandi Rousseau, 799-4406 or
sandir03@comcast.net. Volunteers are needed at the starting point and along the
course. Please call if you can assist as we need your help!
COOLIDGE CENTURY PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sunday, March 12, 2006
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable
Please fill out all the blanks.
For information, contact Sandi Rousseau
at 799-4406 or at sandir03@comcast.net
Return this form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
Option chosen: (Please circle)
#1 (100 mi) #2 (60 mi)
PRE-REGISTRATION FEE:
GABA/ABC Member: $15 $____
Non-member: $20 $____
DAY OF EVENT FEE:
GABA/ABC member $25 $____
Non-member $30 $____
Total money enclosed: $____
I AM Currently a GABA member: yes no
NAME
(print)_________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________
CITY_________________ ZIP ____________
PHONE _______________________________
E-Mail_________________________________
CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory.
STAPLE your signed WAIVER to each Form.
Forms & Waivers cut with scissors are much appreciated!
Would you like to learn how to develop the knowledge and skills that will give
you the equivalent of a Bicycle Driver's License?
1. Street Savvy, Confidence, and Safety (Road I) - Lunch included!
For adults and children age 14 and up. 9-hour course for cyclists wishing to
gain a full understanding of safely operating a bicycle in a variety of
situations. Class includes learning how to perform a quick & easy bicycle safety
check; fixing a flat; on-bike skills & practice; interactive discussion; and a
student manual. Gain confidence knowing that you are riding legally and safely.
Crash avoidance techniques and crash types will be discussed. Pre-requisite to
Road II. Participant receive a free bike light kit ( $40 value!) or bike frame
pump. Classes offered at 3202 E. 1st St. (Ward 6 council office), use SOUTH
entrance to building:
Wed. Feb. 1: 6:30-9 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. Feb. 4: 8 AM to 2:30 PM, East
meeting room.
Wed. Feb. 22: 6:30-9 PM, Community meeting room, & Sat. Feb. 25: 8 AM-2:30 PM,
East meeting room.
Tue. Feb. 28: 6:30-9 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. Mar. 4: 8 AM to 2:30 PM, East
meeting room.
Wed. Mar. 15: 6:30-9 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. Mar. 18: 8 AM-2:30 PM, East
meeting room.
Wed. April 5: 6:30 to 9 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. April 8: 7 AM to 1:30 PM,
East meeting room.
Wed. April 19: 6:30-9 PM, East meeting room, & Sat. April 22: 7 AM to 1:30 PM,
East meeting room.
2. Training & Fitness (Road II) - Lunch included!
For more advanced students with an understanding of vehicular cycling
principles, as evidenced by successful completion of Road I. 12-hour course
including fitness & physiology, training for longer rides, advanced mechanics,
paceline skills, advanced traffic negotiation, foul weather & night riding, and
student manuals. Participants receive a free bike light kit (a $40 value!) or
bike frame pump. Classes offered at 3202 E. 1st St. (Ward 6 council office), use
SOUTH entrance:
Wed. Feb. 15: 6:30-9 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. Feb. 18: 8 AM to 2:30 PM,
East meeting room. Room available at 11 AM on; we'll do a bike ride first.
Thu. March 30: 6-9:30 PM, West meeting room, & Sat. April 1: 7:30 AM to 4 PM,
East meeting room.
3. Getting to Work Safely & Cheaply (Commuting)
For novice adult cyclists, or those thinking about commuting to work or school
by bike. 3-hour follow-up to Road I class. Topics include route selection,
bicycle choice, dealing with cargo & clothing, bike parking, lighting,
reflectorization, and foul weather riding (extreme heat, cold or rain). Student
materials included. Participants receive a free bike light kit (a $40 value!) or
bike frame pump. Classes offered in Room 4 at Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S.
Alvernon:
Thu. Feb. 16: 6 to 9 PM.
Wed. March 1: 6 to 9 PM.
4. WOW - My kid's first bike! (Kids I)
For GABA members who are parents. Instructors will help parents understand how
to: teach a child to ride a bike safely and legally; perform a bike safety
check, helmet fitting & bike sizing. Includes the 'Kids Eye View' video and
parents' brochure. Participants receive a free bike light kit (a $40 value!) or
bike frame pump. Classes offered in Room 4 at Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S.
Alvernon:
Wed. Feb. 15: 7 to 9 PM.
Thu. March 9: 7 to 9 PM.
5. Let's Cruise (Kids II) - Lunch included!
7-hour class for 5th and 6th graders. Covers essentially the same topics as Road
I, including on-bike skills and choosing safe routes for riding to school, the
park, a friend's house, or a short ride with friends. Participants receive a
free bike light kit (a $40 value!) or bike frame pump. Classes offered:
Sat. March 11: 8 AM to 4 PM, at Himmel Park parking lot by the Tennis courts, on
1st St., 1 block east of Tucson Blvd.
Class size limited to 15. Sign up early to get your preferred dates. For more
info, contact the Pima County Dept. of Transp. at 740-6403.
April 6-9, 2006
Bicycling events abound during the 2006 Clean Air Fair! In addition to the
events to encourage carpooling, walking, transit and clean-fueled vehicles, lots
of activities are scheduled to promote bicycling in our community. Check out the
Clean Air Fair website at www.tucsonaz.gov/caf for details and updates or call
740-3947 for more information.
The Clean Air Fair is brought to you by many local businesses and agencies who
care for the air including the City of Tucson and Pima County Department of
Transportation, Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, Pima
Association of Governments, Sun Tran, Pima Community College, UofA, Wild Oats
Natural Foods Market, the Mountain radio station, and KOLD TV 13.
Thursday, April 6
Bicycle Registration: The UofA is registering bikes on the west end of the Mall
around noon, for everyone. Help locate your bike if it is ever stolen.
Friday, April 7
Bike to Work Day: Bike commuters are urged to stop in at the Bike-to-Work-Fair
at Jacome Plaza, in front of the main library on Stone Ave from 7 – 9 AM for a
free continental breakfast, bike demos, info, raffle and register to participate
in a long-term bike commuting program.
Walk N’ Roll to School Day: Area schools are encouraged to promote walking &
cycling to school to reduce air pollution & increase pedestrian safety.
Saturday, April 8
Alley Cat Bike Scavenger Hunt - BICAS is organizing a fun event where solving
clues leads you to the next location. Two courses of different lengths &
difficulties are offered for families & adults, both highlighting special
destinations throughout downtown area. Prizes will be awarded for finishers in
each category with correct answers. Family Hunt from 8-9 AM, Adult Hunt from
8-10 AM. The fun begins at the Downtown Historic Train Depot.
Sunday, April 9
Sun Tran Ride Free Day – Ride the bus free all day and use the bike racks as
space is available.
Bike to the Zoo – Free admission when you ride your bike to the Zoo and free
valet bicycle parking inside the zoo until 3 PM.
Clean Air Jam - At Reid Park’s DeMeester Performance Center from noon until 4 PM
for music, family fun, bicycle rodeo, educational displays, and more.
Can you ride a century EVERY month in 2006?
Club centuries are the highlight of many endurance riders' season: the fun of a
day on the bike with friends and the challenge of riding 100 miles. And, at
least for the day, an unrestricted diet! The UMCA Year-Rounder is designed to
showcase consistent endurance performance in your cycling throughout the year.
The Year-Rounder provides a structure to motivate you throughout the season and
to recognize your personal achievements.
Y-R awards recognize either riding a century every month or total endurance
mileage. Make either your goal ... or both!
-- The Y-R Larry Schwartz award honors riders who complete at least a century
every month. Centuries can be either Organized centuries or Personal Rides that
you design yourself (explained below). Longer rides also count toward the Larry
Schwartz award.
Other awards recognize your total endurance mileage throughout the year:
--The Y-R Gold award recognizes riders who log at least 3,000 mi. in Y-R rides.
--The Y-R Platinum award is for cyclists who complete at least 5,000 mi. in Y-R
rides, including at least 2,000 miles in one of the divisions (explained below).
--The Y-R Who's Who riders are the top five Platinum riders in each division.
Year-Rounder participants receive:
- an e-book Century Tips on training, nutrition, equipment and technique;
- an e-newsletter, sharing tips and stats;
- a bi-monthly Year Rounder column by Russ Loomis, who ride centuries every
weekend;
- a section at ultracycling.com for to the best century stories sent in by
riders;
- a discount on Accelerade and EnduroxR4 for riders with at least 1,000 miles in
the Year-Rounder,
For routing reasons, some centuries are just under 100 miles, or exceed 100. So
the Year-Rounder counts a Century as a ride of 90 - 149 miles. Rides 150-miles
and over count as "Long" rides.
The Larry Schwartz Award allows make-ups for up to two months, in case it's too
snowy or icy some months. For example, if you get snowed out in January, just do
two centuries in February or another month.
The Larry Schwartz Award honors Larry Schwartz, who finished 1st in the UMCA
Mileage Challenge (predecessor to the Year-Rounder) in 2001, was 2nd in 2002,
and was leading in 2003 when he was struck and killed by a school bus. For
Schwartz's profile: www.ultracycling.com/about/hof_schwartz.html.
To get started, join the UltraMarathon Cycling Association at:
www.ultracycling.com/about/join.html; add in 10 bucks for the Year-Rounder, put
on your wool jersey and head out the door!
Rules Summary: The Y-R is structured in 4 divisions:
An "Organized Century" is a ride of 90 to 149 miles and has: a name, designated
start/finish location and starting time(s), route plan, organizer, and advance
publication of the ride or ride series in club newsletters, etc.
A "Personal Century" is a personally designed ride. For credit, you must
complete at least 90 miles in a 12-hour period including off the bike time (and
maintain an 8.33 mph average after that). Personal centuries provide riding
opportunities for riders in seasons/locales with sparse Organized centuries.
An "Organized Long" ride is organized like a Century, but is 150 miles or more.
A "Personal Long" ride is a Personally designed ride of 150 miles or more.
Any Year-Rounder ride counts toward the Larry Schwartz award- centuries,
brevets, double centuries, 12-hour races, etc. We like to keep the holidays free
for time with the family, so the Year-Rounder ends on December 21 of each year.
(The next year's Y-R Challenge starts 12/22.) For complete rules and ride
documentation form, go to:www.ultracycling.com/standings/umcrules.html
For Sale: 52 cm Surly Cross Check, black in color, Ritchey OCR Comp 700c wheels,
new Ritchey headset, Cane Creek stem, Shimano 600 crankset, Shimano Deore
Derailleur. Great commuter or cyclocross bike. $450. Cathy at (520) 360-7833 or
cahoffmanrn@cox.net.
Wanted to buy: Women's 24" frame road bike, 12 speed or more, prefer original
very good condition.Tires not important. Also need a used no-horn men's saddle
and seat post shock absorber. Bud O'Toole, 319-1121 (Tuc).
MARCH 4 - 5, 2006
Time again to get Crazy in Gila Bend! Join us on this spring ride through the
desert and find out why the Arizona Bicycle Club has sponsored this traditional
tour for TWENTY-Six years!
Start from Litchfield Park on Saturday morning, March 4 at 8 AM sharp! Ride
through the lovely Gila River Valley, covering 67 miles each day, on this
basically flat ride. Spend the night in Gila Bend and return Sunday. Included in
your fee are SAG stops Saturday and Sunday, the traditional Saturday night
dinner, the optional trip to the Dairy Queen and the Space Age spa. Sag drivers
will tote your luggage and keep an eye on you as well.
Motel accommodations are arranged and paid for by you. The traditional motels
are the Payless Inn (928) 683-2294 (inexpensive) and the Space Age motel (928)
683-2273. See ABC web site for a full list of motels.
Other traditions: Breakfast at the Sheep camp in Buckeye Saturday, Sunday’s
breakfast at the Orbit restaurant and the stop at the Desert Rose Bar on Sunday
(ask the old-timers).
Ride Fees: members $28; Non-members $32; all postmarked after February 26, $35.
Make checks payable to ABC and Send to: Dennis Mac Leod, 7340 N. 34th Ave.,
Phoenix, AZ 85051. You may also register on line at www.azbikeclub.com. For more
information: Call (602) 841-6072, or email dennismacleod@yahoo.com. No refunds
after 2/26, and NO rain cancellation. WE WILL HAVE FUN REGARDLESS OF WEATHER OR
ROAD CONDITIONS. Include e-mail address for registration confirmation.
By Troy Peterson,
Tucson, AZ (Eastside Native)
Out on a fantastic group ride last spring, I had three blowouts within a fairly
short time. What ensued after… makes the story very memorable and funny to those
I was riding with that day. Upon the third blowout, we determined my tire bead
was failing, and nothing more could be done since no one had a spare tire in
their pocket. So, one of the ladies on our ride, “Carrie” immediately called a
friend of hers, “Jimmie” to pick me up.
Not knowing what kind of truck Jimmie drove, I walked west, back toward the
Circle-K on Ajo near Kinney Road, expecting him to see me with my bike over my
shoulder and pick me up at anytime. Sure enough, a white GMC truck does a U-turn
in front of me right there on Ajo, pulls over, and immediately puts his flashers
on. As I walked to the passenger side window, he rolled it down and said, “Need
a lift?” I immediately asked, "You must be Jimmie?" He said, “yes” and told me
to throw my bike in the back and get in.
I did, and off we went. I started to get a strange feeling about “Jimmie” when I
asked him if I inconvenienced him too much. He told me it was no trouble because
he was headed home from the feed store and saw me walking with my bike over my
shoulder. He then asked where I needed to go and I told him Grant and Silverbell.
He seemed rather put out by that, but I told him I'd pay for his gas and
trouble. Happy again, he talked some more, and while he went on, something just
didn't add up with what he had said about heading home from the feed store. So I
interrupted him and asked, "Jimmie, you got a call to pick me up, right?"
He said in a very questioning tone, "Call??"
I said, "Carrie didn't call you??"
He said, "Who's Carrie?"
I said, "Wait a minute, isn’t your name Jimmie???"
He said, "My name is Jose, but I sometimes go by Jimmie."
I started to laugh because I was in a truck with a "sometimes-Jimmie” now headed
toward Mission and Ajo, and the real Jimmie was somewhere probably looking for
me. The laughter turned to serious thought as I quickly realized I could not
only be in a truck with the wrong “Jimmie” but a psycho ta-boot. I immediately
got my cell phone out and called the “real" Jimmie (Carrie had given me the #)
and he had just passed us headed out Ajo. He whipped a U-turn and headed back
toward town as Jose`/Jimmie dropped me off on a corner at Mission and Ajo. The
rest is history.
After the group returned to the shopping center from the ride, I shared the
story with them. Once the laughter stopped and the group started to mull over
the whole thing, the funny question that came up was, “Do you think Jose`/Jimmie
wondered how you knew to call him Jimmie? Maybe he thought you were psychic?”
…Maybe? …But I also learned that day that there are two people in Tucson (Jose
and Jimmie) who still have a heart for someone in need - just be careful that
you get all the details worked out before jumping in their vehicle!
…all rights reserved.
bikejournal.com
By Steve Wilson, GABA President
We had a couple of cycling visitors stay with us over the holidays that got me
hooked on a website that I wanted to share. The site is www.bikejournal.com and
it has a number of nifty features that can help you keep track of your miles,
compare yourself to others, get ride information from around the world, and
connect yourself to a huge number of active cyclists.
It’s all relatively self explanatory and even free if you want to go with the
basic membership. The upgraded membership is only $10 a year and enables some
advanced features and helps keep the site in business. As of this writing
(mid-January) there were about 12,000 cyclists as members, of which about 2,000
had logged rides for 2006.
The primary feature of the site is a personal log to record each of your rides
for the year. The site will keep totals by bike and by ride type and by just
about anything you want to keep track. On the home page the site lists the top 5
cyclists at the site (ranked by total 2006 miles) and where you are with the 2
cyclists ahead of you and the 2 behind. It’s updated every time you add a ride
or refresh the page.
When you start you fill out a basic profile and list the bike or bikes you’ll be
riding. You can also select a club you are in, like say, GABA-Tucson. Since all
the information is in a big database, you can then look at cyclists sorted by
state, or cycling club, or whatever. It’s pretty clear that the GABA-Phoenix
Metro club is in to it pretty big. Even though GABA-Tucson has a larger mileage
per cyclist, they have so many more cyclists registered that they are pounding
us in the total mileage category.
There’s also a variety of forums and chat rooms for exchanging information or
getting tips. It’s likely the answer to any bike question you could ask will be
known by someone checking the forums.
We all use different techniques and mental games to motivate ourselves to ride.
For many people, keeping track of rides and miles is a great motivator to keep
going or to reach a specific goal. If this works for you then bikejournal.com is
likely a tool that can help your riding. I hope it works for you. Hope to see
you in the GABA-Tucson club on bikejournal.com
Ride safe, see you on the road.
Options for 96 or 66 miles
Be there… Sat. March 18th, 2006
Saddle up, Pardner, it’s time to hit the trail…and some trail it is! We’re not
talking an easy jaunt into the desert on some mule with no name (apologies to
America) No, siree! However, when you see what you’ll be climbin’, you may want
to reconsider! Climb, climb. Then climb some more…That’s the Mining Country
Challenge. It’s not for everyone, but if you have aspirations (with guaranteed
perspirations) to put your climbing abilities to the test, this is the ride for
you. By the end of the 96-mi ride, you’ll have climbed nearly 7,000 ft!
The 96 mile starts in Old Town Superior. From Superior, ride through the Queen
Creek Tunnel (bring your blinking red tail light or highly reflective tape) and
head on toward Miami on the climb nicknamed “Top of the Hill.” The road has a
narrow shoulder or no shoulder in some spots and it is a 2-lane road – please
ride single file. The route passes the Inspiration Mine near Globe and then
heads southeast. Tackle a long 8% grade into the Pinal Mountains to the top of
“El Capitan”, a great place for a rest stop. The downhill into Winkelman is your
reward… Lunch stop after you turn the corner toward Superior.
Out of Winkelman, head north to Kearney, passing Ray Mine. The climb culminates
on a “hill” known as “The End of the World,” a 1.5 mile climb that averages 11%.
After you make it up that hill, you will think it is the end of the world! From
the top, it is downhill into Superior.
Again this year we are offering a Metric Century Option (66 miles) from Superior
to Winkelman & return. Great route for those who want to test their climbing
abilities, but are not certain they can ride the full 96-mile route. But, don’t
feel left out: cyclists riding the metric century will still have the challenge
of surviving the 11% “End of the World” climb on their way back to Superior.
Directions: From Tucson, take Hwy 77 north to Hwy 79. Continue until you get to
Hwy 60. East on 60 and exit at the 177 Winkelman exit, then north 1 mile.
Parking: Main Street and the courthouse on the east end have parking spaces. Or
park along a side street.
Registration and Start: Look for signs & registration table near the
intersection of Main Street and Magma Ave. Registration begins at 7 AM and
closes at 8:30 AM. Start time for the full century is 8 and for the metric is
8:30.
Pre-registration and fees: PMBC, GABA, and ABC members: $20. Non-members $25.
Late fee (after March 1) add $5. Print and fill out the form at
www.sportsfun.com/gaba. Mail registration form and signed waiver of liability
with check to PMBC, P.O. Box 26788, Tempe, AZ 85285-6788. Questions? Contact
Buddy Pylant at BuddyPylant@aol.com or 480-838-2531.
Saturday, March 11th
The Top Fundraising team for the 2005 Tour de Cure was the Sonoita Pedalers from
Sonoita, Arizona. Teammates Jeff Becker, Debbie Briles, Penny Higdon, Jennifer
Isaac and Mike Isaac pedaled 62 miles and raised over $6,000. in donations for
the American Diabetes Association. All the team members have been affected by
diabetes in some way, so they are determined to help find a cure for this
terrible disease. Team Captain, Debbie Briles has had Type 1 diabetes for the
past 32 years. She controls her diabetes with an insulin pump, which is a small
computerized device connected to her via catheter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
She hopes her participation in this event will inspire other diabetics to take
control of their disease, not let the disease control them.
The Sonoita Pedalers are a team with a lot of heart, like the town they
represent. They are hoping to have more riders participate in this great event
this year and top their 2005 fundraising goals! Four of the five members of this
current team are GABA members and they would love to have you join them on the
ride!
The 2006 Jim Click Tour de Cure will be held on Sat., March 11th with a 100K,
50K, 30K and 12K family fun ride. Register online at www.diabetes.org/tour or
call (520) 795-3711 x7112. Registration fee is $25 with an additional $25
fundraising minimum per person. Raise even more and you can earn great incentive
prizes! After the ride, enjoy lunch and entertainment.
Tour de Cure is a signature event of the American Diabetes Assn, America's
leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research and public
education. Currently, there are 21 million people affected by diabetes in the
US, 250,000 here in Arizona alone. You can make a difference. Register today and
join us on Saturday, March 11 as we ride for a cure!
By Richard E. Corbett,
Platinum Challenge Education Committee Chair
The Platinum Challenge is a coordinated effort by dedicated cycling leaders to
address our various ‘weaknesses’ relative to cycling. The list below iterates
the Five E's that make up the criteria for Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC)
ratings.
The Platinum Steering Committee and many others have been on a mission for about
18 months to earn a "Platinum" BFC rating for the entire Tucson metropolitan
area. This effort has been endorsed by the Mayor & Council of the City of
Tucson, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and The Pima Association of
Governments. Many other area local governments' staff members have been actively
involved in supporting the Platinum Challenge.
The Platinum Steering Committee, with Melissa Antol, Matt Zoll and I doing the
actual preparation, developed and submitted a 'trial' application last October,
on the promise of League of American Bicyclists' staff that they would give us
feedback to help us, especially since our regional application will be the first
in America! We should get feedback from the League before we finalize the
application that we will be submitting in March. This 'final' application will
be our best shot. We are fortunate in that we will be able to submit an updated
application in August of this year, if we do not achieve a regional Platinum
rating in this round, as we have been aiming for.
Meanwhile, I will bring you up to date on what we have been doing in each of the
5 E's so far, for our upcoming application.
Education: We are still asking the question: Do you know how to drive your
Bicycle? And also, do you know how to drive your car around cyclists? Education,
and getting both cyclists and motorists to behave predictably and responsibly is
still very much a key to our Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) rating – what we
are seeking to achieve with the Platinum Challenge.
We remind you that no one would think of operating a motorcycle, snow skiing, or
sky diving without specific, qualified instruction. Yet it is common practice
for people to bicycle with little or no training/instruction. This has changed,
as GABA-Tucson has been fielding bicycle drivers' training steadily since last
year. We believe this is an important part of improving the Tucson areas’
Bicycle Friendly Community rating.
Engineering: Looking at the physical facilities side of the region's efforts to
further improve our BFC rating, we have much to be proud, especially in the last
year.The City of Tucson added about 63.5 miles of bike lanes/routes/paved
shoulders, Pima County added about 50 miles, the Arizona Department of
transportation added about 15 miles, the Town of Oro Valley added about 8 miles,
the Town of Marana added about 7 miles, the Town of Sahuarita added about 2.5
miles, and the City of South Tucson added 1 mile. This means we added about 146
miles of bike lanes/routes/paved shoulders throughout the region!
Another very important aspect of engineering is the policy framework that is in
place. In the last year, the City of Tucson has put two important and bicycle
friendly policies in place: 1) “Roadway Development Policies,” approved in 1998,
and updated in 2005; and 2) Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) policy,
“A Standard Guidance for the Installation of a Bike Route With Striped Shoulder
on an Existing City of Tucson Arterial or Collector Street.” The Roadway
Development Policies apply to new construction, and the TDOT policy applies to
existing roadways.
Provisions under the Roadway Development Policies include policy and
specifications for on-street bike lanes, under and over pass accommodation, and
crossings of major bikeways and major streets. The TDOT Policy provides guidance
for the installation of a Bike Route with a Striped Shoulder (effectively a Bike
Lane) on existing City of Tucson arterial or collector streets. Factors
addressed include minimum lane widths for both travel and turn lanes.
Enforcement: Local law enforcement officers are more aware than ever of the
concerns of cyclists in our community. Both the Tucson Police Department and the
Pima County Sheriff’s Office have police representatives who attend the
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee meetings and are the liaisons
between the community and the respective police departments. Further, the Tucson
Police Department has bicycle officers in all geographic divisions who not only
provide community policing, but also share the concerns of fellow cyclists.
The Tucson Police Department’s has had a police on bikes program for almost 17
years. Cycling Instructor Richard Corbett was the original trainer for the
Tucson Police Department’s police on bikes program, and civilian Instructors
have continued to have influence on successive classes of bike-mounted police.
Regular rotation of bicycle-mounted police officers has also helped increase the
awareness of cycling issues in this community.
The Tucson Police Department, under the auspices of the Governor's Office of
Highway Safety, as part of it's annual traffic safety grant, allotted $15,000
for targeted enforcement of pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist violations. 2005
was the first year this allotment was awarded. While some controversy ensued, it
generated media interest and publicity concerning the issue of pedestrian and
bicycle safety, and raised awareness on these issues both in the community and
the Tucson Police Department.
A new guide for cyclists and motorists was created in 2005 for police to
distribute as a positive way of educational enforcement for both.
Encouragement: Bike Month here is promoted earlier than the official national
date (May) due to Tucson’s higher temperature weather. Bike month is celebrated
here with an event called the Clean Air Fair from April 6th thru the 9th. The
Clean Air Fair has more than 30 separate events within that period of time. GABA,
the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Sonoran Desert
Mountain Bicyclists all play a role in this event. Local governments combine
their resources and funds and use this opportunity to promote bicycling, as well
as other alternative modes of transportation.
Included in the events are a Bike to the Zoo event, the amazing “Bike Race”
(scavenger hunt), and Bike to Work Day. An advertising campaign is conducted and
several thousand brochures and posters are distributed throughout the community.
Part of the brochure includes a pledge card that offers the participant the
opportunity to pledge their use of alternative modes of transportation over a
set period of time. The card is then mailed in to enter into a drawing for
several high profile prizes. On top of the 3,000 attendees at our events, there
are several thousand entries pledging use of alternative modes of
transportation.
Evaluation & Planning: An important aspect of this E is to have a system in
place that allows bicyclists to submit ideas and concerns to public officials.
The Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) has a Bicycle/Pedestrian Spot
Improvement Request Program. Comments can be mailed to TDOT on a yellow,
self-addressed request form that is available at all bike shops, libraries, Ward
offices and bike-related businesses. An electronic form is also available on
line. Upon receipt of the comments, TDOT is committed to addressing the problem
within 48 hours.
City residents may also call the City of Tucson's 'Mayor & Council Hot Line'.
Comments & questions are forwarded to the Tucson Bicycle Coordinator, or Traffic
Engineering staff, as appropriate. Oro Valley has a form on the Town’s Web site
for citizens to submit concerns and road issues to Town staff. Citizens are also
encouraged to contact the Town’s Bicycle Coordinator or engineering staff
directly to convey concerns. The other PAG Jurisdictions also offer convenient
ways for cyclists to report ideas or concerns, and the phone numbers for road
maintenance needs are published on the Regional Bike Map.
Another important aspect is to have a comprehensive bicycle plan. The Pima
Association of Governments developed the first regional bicycling plan in 1974.
Updates were made to the Plan in 1977, 1981, 1993 and 2000 (which is the current
adopted Plan). A major update to the PAG Regional Plan for Bicycling is
scheduled to be completed later this year.
Funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities is included in the Tucson, Pima,
Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita and South Tucson budgets. The existing regional
bikeway and shared-use path system currently contains ~ 560 miles of on-street
bikeways and ~55 miles of urban and suburban paths. This is a significant
advance over the 250 miles that existed in 1993, when the previous Regional Plan
for Bicycling was prepared. The plan calls for developing 400 more miles of
bikeways in the region by 2010.
Summary: A successful effort on the Platinum Challenge will bring a variety of
benefits to our community and the people who make it up. The benefits will not
only be for cycling, but also the entire community. It has been recently
estimated that the El Tour de Tucson brings in an estimated event weekend
financial impact of $10.0 million to $11.2 million, and a year round impact of
$12.4 million to $25.2 million.
We believe you'll agree that bicycling is not only good for our local economy,
but also for the health of our citizens and our air quality. Find ways to
support and maintain the Platinum Challenge!! For more information, or to
volunteer to help, contact Jesse Morales, Platinum Steering Committee Chair, at
790-0720 or jlmoral@aol.com.
- The Early History -
By Richard E. 'Rich' Corbett, one of GABA's Founders
I don't remember the exact day, or for that matter even the month, but I do
remember clearly the ride, and where we were when Clara Dow, GABA Tucson's first
President, said to me, "I would like to start a CABA chapter here in Tucson,
what do you think?"
The ride was on a Sunday in 1980 (the early spring I think), and it was a Los
Turistas Bike Club ride. We were on Gates Pass Road, between Kinney and the
actual Pass. Clara was relatively newly arrived from the Phoenix area, and had
been a member of the club there called the Central Arizona Bicycling Association
(CABA).
The thing that had impressed Clara and caused her to want to replace our small
but friendly and effective Tucson club (Los Turistas) was the 501.3 (C) status
that CABA had achieved with the IRS. They were incorporated, and this was
another advantage that she saw.
My response was a reserved yes, as I had picked up on the 'chapter' aspect, and
being a solid Tucsonan and U of A graduate, I definitely did not want to be a
chapter of anything in Phoenix, especially my Tucson bike club!
I did realize the advantages she was talking about, the incorporation, and the
non-profit tax status, so I kept my reservations under my helmet, and asked her
some questions as we rode along, up the steep backside of Gates Pass.
One thing lead to another, and after a number of phone conversations, in a month
or so, we had a Los Turistas meeting at Barb & Don Hill's house, as I recall, to
discuss Clara's proposal (which she had meanwhile discussed with her contacts in
Phoenix). There was a lot of discussion (as you can well imagine), and after a
couple of hours we voted to dissolve Los Turistas and become a CABA chapter.
It is at this point that I became involved in a way that led to my being
identified as one of the GABA Founders. I made the motion to dissolve Los
Turistas, and become a CABA chapter, contingent on the name and the bylaws being
revised in no more than a year. The name and bylaws both needed to be changed to
reflect 1) the statewide aspect of the club - not just 'central' - , and 2) the
equality of all the chapters - no one chapter would be superior to the others.
These conditions were communicated to the CABA leaders and they acknowledged
them, and promised to address them.
Many months passed, and my perception was that the Phoenix CABA leaders were not
doing anything to address our conditions, and the clock was ticking. So I asked
Clara to raise this issue at the next Board Meeting in Phoenix, and remind them
that if they did not honor the conditions, we in Tucson would be left with
little choice but to form our own independent club again.
She did, and I guess it made them realize that we were serious, so a draft of
new by-laws came to us in about a month, with the name of Greater Arizona
Bicycling Association (GABA) suggested as the name. I can tell you that the
reason the name GABA was so close to CABA was to retain, with only slight
modification, the logo that had been created for CABA, as G could substitute for
C, pretty easily!
Within the month, we met at Cathy Crandall's on West Anklam Rd, and voted to
accept the bylaws, with substantive modifications that I had identified to make
sure that Tucson did not have a subordinate status to the Phoenix chapter.
And that is how GABA came into being!
New Members:
Don Peters; Jim Pirolli; Dori Fisher; Lana Chaffee; Larry Coffin; Mary Scott;
Dwight Shenk; Dave Marascio; Kathleen Garrison; Ron Lisney; Robert Sepersky;
Kevin Coyle; Cynthia McCahon; Van Nguyen; Charles Iverson; Thomas & Julia Zahn;
Nee Lanjan Hash.
Renewing Members:
Bill Adamson; Michael McCarthy; Jim & Jody Herzman; Jim Lumpkin; Rick Olafson;
Mike Robinette; Robert Anderson; Dave Burnett; Fred Finney; Donald McGraw; Bob
Norem; Patrick Payne; Dede Seder & Lee Max; Chuck Shultz; Ellie Washington;
Rupert Laumann; Cass Faux; Gary Bakken; Bud O'Toole; Jan Smith; Gene Applegate;
Jon Bradford; Bob Brown; Joan D'Alonzo; Kevin Eaton; Russ Hall; Vicky
Litchfield; Mark Pagel; Bill Phillippi; Jay Woolsey; Vern Hines; Rich Daly; Dick
& Susan Hall; Sam & Anne Ward; Paul & Joyce Vyriotes; Mike & Jennifer Isaac;
Richard Corbett; Vicki & Steve Somerville.
Let's Celebrate!
By Pam Cullop, Social Director
Last month Suzanne Couvrette, our Update Editor, changed the look of our
newsletter; do you know what is different? Check out the very top of the front
page, you will see what I am talking about; it will be there all year long in
2006. “Celebrating our 25th Anniversary This Year!”
Yes, we are doing just that. We are busy in the planning and implementation
stages of this celebration. “We” are a small committee of 3: Suzanne Couvrette,
Update Editor, Sally Krusing, Publicity Director and me, Pam Cullop, your Social
Director.
A special anniversary T-shirt designed to honor the occasion was presented at
the January General Meeting. Sally worked with graphic artist and designer Dave
Burnham, who, by the way, is also a GABA member. The front of the tee is an
artistic rendering of the state flag, saguaro cacti, and a bicycle chainring.
“GABA” and the “25th Anniversary” and the dates “1981-2006” are prominently
displayed in and around the circular design. On the back of the tee, is a list
of major GABA rides and events; the dates they were established (or as near to
those dates as our records allowed us to be), and separated by categories. The
list is surrounded by an outline of the shape of Arizona, and the current GABA
logo. The shirt is good quality preshrunk cotton, and sells for $10.
Look for commemorative T-shirts on some GABA rides this year, as well Volunteer
T-shirts. Volunteer tees will be available for those who volunteer to help at
GABA rides or Events (such as the Swap Meet). The shirt will be awarded to you
the first time you sign up to help. You will also get your GABA Bucks. How cool
is that!
On Saturday, April 22, we will host the biggest bash in all of GABA history! We
are in the planning stages of the GABA GALA. A MEXICAN BUFFET, ICE CREAM SOCIAL
AND BIKE RIDE all rolled into one! Yes, this will be an all-inclusive event! Can
you believe it? All in one day you will be able to do a group-ride from
McCormick Park at any level you wish (B, C or D). When you return, you will be
treated to a catered Mexican Buffet, eat ice cream from Schwan’s for dessert,
and even enjoy a little live entertainment while you eat!
We have an aggressive agenda in the making, and are trying to locate and invite
as many of the original GABA members to be our VIP Guests as we can find. If you
are one of those very important people, or know where we might be able to
contact some that are no longer in the area or active in the club, we sure would
like to hear from you!
All year long, Suzanne will be publishing in the Update interviews or articles
written by or about some of the founding GABA members. We hope you will find
these articles entertaining and interesting, as we learn together how the club
was formed; how particular rides got started; how they have evolved and changed
over the years; and about the people who established the solid foundation that
has kept this club active and always striving to improve over these past 25
years.
Our little committee of three needs a lot of help to pull all of this together.
If you are interested in any of the projects included in this article, please
contact one of us, so we can include you in the planning activities!
Pam’s Committee Needs: 290-4321 or E-Mail: pjcullop@comcast.net
1. Phone Tree “callers” – will mean contacting founding members to invite them
as VIP’s to the GABA GALA.
2. Internet or Phone Investigators – will be a way of tracking down founding
members that may have moved out of the area, or are no longer actively cycling
in GABA, to invite as VIP’s.
3. Set up/take down people interested in helping at the GABA GALA on April 22 at
McCormick Park, on Columbus between Ft Lowell & Glenn.
4. Ride leaders for the celebration rides leaving and returning to McCormick
Park on April 22. All rides would benefit from 2 “leaders”. One for the front of
the pack, and one to act as a “sweep”.
Sally Committee Needs: 296-0319 or E-Mail: supersal@cox.net
1. Artistic people interested in working with Sally on a design, for one of the
following GABA Anniversary Ride Tees, to be completed and delivered to the ride
leaders by the following deadlines:
Sonoita-Bisbee - Ride date: April 8 & 9 – completed by 4/3.
Luna Lake - Ride date: May 27-29 – completed by 5/19.
Blue Loop - Ride date: Sep 2-4 – completed by 8/25. Tumacacori - Ride date: Oct
22 – completed by 10/16.
2. Need someone to coordinate the selling of the special t-shirts at various
club rides and events.
Suzanne Committee Needs: 891-4661 or E-Mail: sgcouvrette@aol.com
1. Volunteers to interview various founding club members, and/or to write
articles for the Update based on these interviews. All articles need to be done
by the end of April, but will be published throughout the year. Each interviewer
will be provided with an outline of questions to ask and information needed on
how to contact the VIP.
2. Photo Display Coordinators – At various GABA events: picnic, swap meets, etc,
we are planning a pictorial display of the club’s evolution over the years.
Coordinators will help track down old photos, old club t-shirts, patches, old
Updates, etc. and make them ready to set up at these events. Everything loaned
to the club will be marked so they can be returned to their owner at the end of
the year.
We welcome ideas, suggestions and comments now and throughout the coming months.
Our hope is that we are on track for bringing together the past and the present
for a truly GABA GALA Year!
GABA-Tucson
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
President: Steve Wilson 870-5282
wilsons@us.ibm.com
Vice President: Tony Everett 760-0458
teverettaz@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Peggy Jacobsen 791-3049
pjtucson@earthlink.net
Secretary: Sandi Rousseau 799-4406
sandir03@comcast.net
Membership: Steve Graeber 762-1363
psiclist@worldwerks.com
Publicity: Sally Krusing 296-0319
supersal@cox.net
Bike Shops Coord.: Ram Salcedo 733-0230
salcedo@flash.net
Education: Matt Zoll 321-4471
mattzoll@cox.net
Overnight Rides: Judy Bolt 512-0442
bojubolt@aol.com
Centuries: Sandi Rousseau 799-4406
sandir03@comcast.net
Update Editor: Suzanne Couvrette 891-4661
sgcouvrette@aol.com
Corrsp/Rgstration: DonnaLewandowski 740-6941
gabamail@comcast.net
Volunteers Coord: Dick Schaffer 326-4807
bikeschaf@aol.com
Merchandise: Andy Stevens 990-1459
andy@solvomassage.com
Webmaster: Dave Swanson 664-0429
daveswan@us.ibm.com
Social Director: Pam Cullop 290-4321
pjcullop@comcast.net
Bike Swap: Greg Yares 323-9020
Yares@cox.net
Shed Master: Bill Borland 299-3509
bborland@theriver.com
Legal Advisor: Donna Aversa 742-0440
dmaversa@aol.com
Cycling Advocacy: Wayne Cullop 290-4321
pwcullop@comcast.net
Top of Page
"Grand Canyon to the Border"
Bicycle Tour 2006
(First Week in October)
P. O. Box 40814, Tucson, AZ 85717
2006 Chair: Dorothy Barth
Tour Message Line: 520-349-5932
By Rudy and Kay Van Renterghem
WOW!!! The Greater Arizona Bicycling Association is celebrating its 25th
anniversary in 2006! For a cycling club to be successful for 25 years is indeed
a great and momentous achievement. Congratulations to us all! Perhaps you’ll
allow a couple of ‘old timers’ to reminisce a bit about GABA’s beginnings and
early years?
We arrived in the ‘Old Pueblo’ in the spring of 1978, and, being confirmed
cyclist, we promptly joined the local club, the Tucson Wheelmen. The Wheelmen
suffered severe financial and organizational issues, and disbanded within six
months of us joining. A bad omen?
After TW’s last ride, a few of us gathered in downtown Tucson, on the grassy
lawn of the courthouse, lamenting the club’s demise. Don and Barbara Hill
volunteered the use of their home for a rap and brain storming session. A dozen
interested folks showed up at the Hills’, including Paul Guertin, Anne Newell,
Carole Stengel, Pam and Don Ashbaugh, Joanne and Kip Metzger, Augie Gustillo and
the two of us
.
The big question: “What do we do now?”
None of us were really racers but more into touring/distance/day rides. After
witnessing what had happened to the Wheelmen, we were not overly keen on being a
structured group with all the affiliated responsibilities. No club officers; all
we really wanted to do was to ride our bikes. Isn’t that simple enough? So we
decided on our next ride; and, at the finish of each ride as a group, we’d
determine where we would meet for the next event.
Well now, that was settled; what to call our group? Augie came up with the
perfect name: Los Turistas . . . Spanish for ‘the tourists' . . . we all thought
that was quite appropriate.
In spite of our lack of structure, word spread about Los Turistas. Soon we felt
we needed to publish a ride schedule and newsletter to be put in bike shops and
mailed to a growing list of participants. I recall spending evenings at
somebody’s kitchen table with Scott Jacobsen, Phil Smith, Jay Rochlin, among
others, getting the Los Turistas bulletin ready for the next month. Meeting
places and editors/writers varied; we all chipped in time-wise and volunteered
to lead rides. We needed some funds to keep things a-going and membership dues
became necessary: for an individual $6 and a family at $9 for one year. We were
now affiliated with the national cycling group, League of American Wheelmen
(LAW), and all was rosy!
Sometimes folks jokingly referred to our group as the “Lost” Turistas, but who
cares?! We were having fun! L/T got ambitious and set up century rides. One of
the first was the Florence Century (later named Wildflower Century); starting in
Catalina and going north all the way to Florence. Arriving in Florence, we
gathered at our favorite convenience store to fuel up for the uphill return trip
back to Catalina. Most riders would take a break at the Tom Mix Monument ramada
and then at the old Loading Chute bar . . . no sag support in those days! Just
think: no traffic lights for a full hundred miles. Yippee!
Another favorite 100-mile event was from Tucson to Sonoita and back . . .
grunting up the hills of Hwy 83 to Sonoita, but then enjoying the mainly
downhill hoot back to the Old Pueblo. We rode that event on our Assenmacher
tandem and about 30 miles from the finish, stoker Kay broke a seat rail on her
Brooks B-72 saddle! Her solution to that dilemma? Find a big rock; jam it
between her saddle and the rear rack and . . . go! She literally rode a saddle
as ‘hard as a rock’ to the finish!
In 1980, Phil Smith came up with a novel ride idea . . . The Kit Peak Hill
Climb. Starting at Himmel Park, Ryan Field or Three Points we had a choice of
three different route lengths. We’d then take the turnoff and head up the
11-mile long 7% grade road, to Kitt Peak’s summit. Our arduous climbing was
rewarded by a very speedy, and curving, descent. Wheeee!
Some “Lost” Turistas’ favorite day rides were from Broadway and Old Spanish
Trail up to Colossal Cave and sometimes up to Vail. The town of Vail was
basically a couple of buildings, including a church and a feed store, by the
railroad tracks. The feed store was the only place with a pop machine and some
pickings, and also the turnaround point.
Another regular ride was from Casas Adobes Shopping Center, Ina and Oracle
roads, up to the town of Oracle where we always made a stop at our favorite
hippie-type restaurant, Mother Cody’s, to enjoy that famous 99c breakfast.
In October of 1980, L/T set up Tucson’s first tandem ride, a metric century (63
miles), appropriately called the Tucson TandeMetric.
The first double century (200 miler) took place that same year and the Papago
Double Century was off and going! The ride has been on-going (albeit under
different names) every year . . . but it’s still 200 miles l-o-n-g!
By December 1980 Los Turistas had nearly 100 members! Clara Dow, and daughters
Linda and Carole, now often joined us on some rides; Clara was a very feisty
lady and she bemoaned the club’s lack of organization and structure. Well,
Clara, why not put your ideas into action? She did!
She was elected our first president and opined it would be good that, for legal
and insurance protection, we’d join up with the Phoenix-based Central Arizona
Bicycle Association (CABA) in January, 1981. OK, Clara, no problem for any of
us, let’s go for it! Later that year, a name change was proposed to reflect the
area where these two associated clubs were riding. The rather grandiose name of
‘Greater Arizona Bicycling Association’ was proposed and adopted, and soon
affiliated chapters popped up in other towns in Arizona.
Wow, what a change! From Los Turistas to CABA and now GABA! Way to go Clara!
That year, GABA even got its first official club T-shirt! Monthly meetings were
getting bigger and we started getting the group together in one of the U of A
classrooms.
By 1981, some GABA members had an idea for a real ambitious event. Why not pedal
across the whole state? There were a couple states already doing that, like BAM
(Bicycle Across Missouri) and the famous RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike
Ride Across Iowa). Certainly Arizona had as much, if not lots more, to offer in
scenery and challenges than those rides!
Ed and Lori Stiles headed a test group of about 23 riders that started at the
Grand Canyon and headed south . . . well, they had to scale down their ambitious
ride schedule a bit as the distances and extreme weather conditions took their
toll on the riders.
But they got a committee going to set up an ‘open to the public’ event for the
first week of October, 1982. Ed, Suzanne Couvrette, Mark Harkness, Richard
Corbett, Joe Shields and us formed part of the planning group. We tried to get
monetary support for the event, but met with skepticism: ‘Going all the way from
the Grand Canyon to Mexico on a bicycle?’ was the typical retort.
Stiles’ employer, the Arizona Daily Star, did let him go on the ride with the
proviso he’d call in daily with a ride report that would be run as a feature
column in the next day’s edition. Hey, free publicity! We also needed transport
and a sag wagon, but lack of funds made us look for another ‘freebee.’ Erroll
Dimenstein, owner of the Repairs Plus, offered to let us use his shop’s stake
truck, for free!
This was originally planned to be a camping tour, until Kay and I opined that
our way of roughing it was to stay in . . . motels! So we were assigned the task
of setting up campgrounds (and motels) along the 500-mile route!
Other assignments were handed out and we all were excited about the big ‘Cross
State Ride! The plan was to have a civic group do a dinner at each overnight
stop . . . simultaneously feeding the riders while generating some welcome
tourist dollars into the local economies. Got publicity in bike shops, local and
national cycling publications and the registrations rolled in.
There was no organized way to get with our bikes up to the canyon or back from
the border town of Nogales. But folks managed; cyclists are a determined and
resourceful lot. Things were a bit spartan then; there were no food/water stops
along the way, no showers available for the campers for the first three days . .
. Phewwww! Our stake truck did extra duty: hauling luggage each morning to the
next overnight stop; sag wagon service; and taking the riders from their
campground/motel to the group evening meal. We affectionately referred to that
little red truck as our ‘cattle wagon!’
At the start, we had 85 riders, coming from several states, and going from the
USA to Mexico made this an ‘international tour!’ The route covered 500 miles
with 20,000+ feet of elevation gain, starting at the Grand Canyon with stops in
Cameron, Flagstaff, Mormon Lake, Payson, Roosevelt Lake, Mammoth, Tucson and
then to our final destination: Nogales, Mexico.
The tour started at 8,000 ft. elevation and wound through canyon lands and
Ponderosa pine forest, a swooping descent into the stark Navajo reservation,
views of the snowcapped San Francisco Peaks, thence by Wupatki Indian ruins and
volcanic Sunset Crater, by scenic Lake Mary and Mormon Lake, on past Happy Jack
to Payson; a rest stop at Punkin Center before tackling the 14 miles of rough
dirt road with twisting mountain curves next to sparkling Roosevelt Lake and
over that very narrow one-lane bridge. Out-of-state riders ‘ooh-ed’ and ‘aah-ed’
at the sight of the first saguaro cacti. Then, up the long hill towards Globe.
Up and over El Capitan Pass into Mammoth, a steep staircasing-type climb toward
Oracle and d-o-w-n to miniscule Oracle Junction into Tucson; thence to San
Xavier Mission and Green Valley and on to the international border! What an
exhilarating bicycling adventure!
Arriving at the Mexican border, our tour group received a grand welcome to
Nogales, Sonora. His honor, the mayor, accompanied by Miss Tourism, plus a
mariachi band in the back of a pickup truck serenaded us, and thence led the
motley-looking riders, parade-like, to Elvira’s Restaurant for a farewell
celebration. But then, the local bicycle club showed up, in full racing regalia,
and challenged the tired gringo riders to . . . a bicycle race!
Several tourists obliged; Ed Stiles doffed the panniers off his bike and . . .
promptly won the race! Our new found Mexican friends now had a bit more respect
for ‘los turistas!!’
Thus ended the first official ride from the Grand Canyon to Mexico. With each
succeeding tour, things improved and more amenities were added. It now became a
well- known cross state ride and folks participated from as far away as Denmark,
Belgium and Korea!
By 1985, the event was so popular that 350 riders registered. The small towns
that this horde of hungry cyclist would pass through could not handle that big
of an overnight influx! So we opted for two groups of riders, starting one day
apart, plus taking different paths; one the Traditional Route, the other by way
of Oak Creek Canyon/Sedona with both groups meeting the last day outside of
Tucson, at Oracle and Magee. It made for a grand entrance into Tucson proper:
350 colorfully attired bicyclists a-whoopin’ and a-hollerin’ with full police
escort with lights a-flashin’ . . . all the way to San Xavier Mission! No
traffic lights to stop for! What a ride! And we even had TV coverage!
Years later, the name of the yearly tour was changed to Greater Arizona
Bicycling Adventure (GABA). For a bit of variety, it was held in varying parts
of the state, eventually returning to its roots again. It is still one of GABA’s
big rides; Bicycling magazine listed it as one of the ten best, and difficult,
tours in the country.
Another popular, and still ongoing tour, is the Sonoita/Bisbee overnighter,
established by the Bisbee Rotary Club and run by them for seven years until 1983
when GABA took over the reins of that still popular event. We had 75
participants in ’83 and by the next year, 175 cyclists rode Sonoita/Bisbee.
A new arrival to Tucson, and GABA member, was Richard DeBernardis who had this
idea of riding the perimeter of Tucson . . . all in one day!
So, "El Tour de Tucson" got its start with 198 riders that cold November morning
at Sabino Canyon, riding the perimeter of Tucson which included several miles of
dirt road.
In 1984, GABA got national attention, sponsoring/hosting the League of American
Wheelmen’s National Rally in Flagstaff with hundreds of participants enjoying
northern Arizona’s environs and scenic splendor.
Gene Chapman started the Tumacacori Century; the Casa Grande Century in
conjunction with the Phoenix Chapter; the Luna Lake Bike Tour and the Blue Loop
Bike Tour, most still very successful annual events.
Cathy Crandall initiated several overnighters: the Rancho de la Osa Ride to
Sasabe, the Oracle B&B Tour, the Cave Creek Bike Tour, among others.
Tom Ward started the Mt. Hopkins Hill Climb and Green Valley area rides, even
venturing into Mexico with the multi-day tour, Hands-Across-The-Border, which
was run for 4 years.
Dick Case was a prime mover in bringing Senior Olympics competition to our area,
culminating in Tucson hosting the National Senior Olympics Cycling Challenge
with hundreds of male and female competitors from across the nation
participating.
There just is not enough space to recall/list all the members and great rides!
Jay Rochlin, an early and very active L/T member, was a big promoter/organizer
of Richard DeBernardis' U of A scholarship benefit ride, the 63-mile Tour of the
Tucson Mountains, a cycling event circumnavigating the Tucson Mountains. Another
great Tucson tradition was born!
In spring of 1984, our Phoenix Chapter hosted the two-day North Rim of the Grand
Canyon Tour, going from Jacobs Lake to the canyon’s rim, and back. A spectacular
spring ride with temps in the 70s and snow on the ground in the shady spots!
Also, the first "Answer to the Arizona Challenge" took place that year. A 3-day,
325-mile ride with over 22,000 feet of climbing! Going from Phoenix to
Strawberry, through Cottonwood, past Jerome and over the top of Mingus Mountain
and d-o-w-n into Prescott. The last day, a 125-miler was the easiest
climbing-wise, but finished back in Phoenix with a temperature of only 102
degrees! Needless to say, we did not attempt that ride again on our tandem! The
next year on that event, it snowed on Mingus Mountain!
In 1987, Bev and Jerry Pitcock started the very popular La Independencia Ride,
from Sierra Vista to Douglas and back, to help the town celebrate Mexico’s
Independence Day. GABA riders took part in the local parade with their mayor
riding her 3-speed bicycle with us!
That same year we had our first GABA Swap Meet . . .first held in our meeting
room at the U of A. A few years later, it was moved to Campbell Plaza, then to
Pima college West, and thanks to Greg Yares and his able crew, it has morphed
into a twice-a-year huge event on Fourth Avenue with over 5,000 attendees.
This has been a quickie review of GABA’s roots and early years . . . In case you
surmise that GABA has a bunch of old folks pedaling their bikes, you are partly
correct! We have several riders, male and female, in their 80s frequently
riding/volunteering at GABA events! In your 70s or 60s? You call that old? We
have a multitude of younger folks that regularly participate in GABA weekly
rides and special events. GABA is a great mix of newbie and seasoned cyclists!
The organization grew and prospered, but it did not just limit itself to fun
bike rides.
It became a non-profit entity that led the way in bicycle safety education in
schools; lobbied in our state legislature, county and cities for better bike
laws; taught Effective Cycling classes; donated helmets to kids and more. GABA
has contributed funds to worthwhile causes, rides and events. It also gave two
brand new mountain bikes to the Tucson Police Department so it could get a head
start on its now well-established police-on-bikes program!
But, this club could not have been successful without the support of its
members, local bike shops and businesses; plus the great bunch of volunteers,
including its board members, throughout its now 25 year history. So step up to
the plate and volunteer to do something for YOUR bicycle club!
Who could have thought that a dozen bike nuts 25 years ago would see a very
successful bicycle club with over 1,800 members in its Tucson chapter?!
Happy 25th Anniversary GABA!!!
Pedal on!
This proved to be a great ride, if you didn’t listen to the media reports, at
least that is what I have been told.
Unfortunately, I got all of the early “News”, and therefore begged Wayne, who
had left to go to Winterhaven, to come back home that night. I was a bit under
the weather and had stayed home. He was off on his “bent-bike” to be the ride
leader – and was enjoying the ride from home, tremendously. I spoke with him and
relayed all of the media reports for the 3rd time since he had left (aren’t cell
phones great?). He finally relented and came back home. He was quite
disappointed that some “crazy guy” was running loose in Winterhaven with a
knife. This was an exceptional night for a ride, a nice warm December night, how
often can you say that?
After convincing Wayne to return home, the thought occurred to me that there
were likely others who had not heard the news, and were either already at the
“meeting place” or on their way to the annual Winterhaven Ride. I acted fast. I
called Steve Wilson, because I knew his number, and because I knew he was
planning to do the ride. Darn! I had to leave a message on his phone. Would he
call back? Would he be able to turn away our riders and keep them safely out of
danger?
He was chuckling when he returned my call just a moment later. What was this
erratic message that I left him? Yes, he was there. Just got there in fact when
the phone rang. No, they weren’t turning people away, but they would have to
wait a bit longer before allowing anyone to enter Winterhaven! Yes, he would
cover for us (Wayne) and lead the ride.
Needless to say, Wayne was a bit put out with me when he arrived back home (safe
and sound, I might add) and saw that the public was now being allowed to come
see the lights. Luckily for me, the UofA basketball game about to begin
distracted his attention, and I was let off of the hook with some mild eye
rolling, head-shaking, and heavy sighing! GO Wildcats!
This following is the report I got from Steve the following morning: "Patricia
and I arrived on the tandem just when you called. The police said they were
looking for a "bad guy" and asked us to hold on for a bit. Just 5 minutes later,
they gave everyone the all clear to go in. We ended up with about 22 riders
including 2 tandems. I led the group around and we saw most of the houses in 45
minutes. The group really dis-persed at the end, so there was no organized group
heading to Rincon Market for coffee or hot chocolate. Compared to past years, it
was amazingly warm. I had 82 on my thermometer earlier in the afternoon riding
down Broadway. Must have been around 60 for the ride, very pleasant. The police
did have one short section of street blocked at the apparent crime scene."
Thank you, Steve and Patricia for leading the Winterhaven Ride of 2005!
January 11th 2006 Meeting
By Richard E “Rich” Corbett
#1: Introductions: Committee members, staff and members of the public introduced
themselves. Donna Aversa, the new (almost) representative for Oro Valley, was
introduced. Chairman Morales said he had checked on the issue of when a quorum
is present, and what number of members a quorum is based on. He said that he has
been led to understand that only the 7 City of Tucson Members, and the 10 Pima
County members count as the basis for a quorum, and he will act on that basis
until instructed differently.
#2: City of Tucson Police Dept & Pima County Sheriff’s Dept Reports: Tucson
Police Lieutenant Mike Pryor, who replaced Lieutenant Stella Bay, was
introduced. Tucson Police Sergeant Tim Beam reported that the numbers of
bicycle-motor vehicle crashes are for last year ended up one less than 2004, but
fatals were two more than 2004. There were 23 crashes in December (lower than
Dec 2004). The crash at Mountain Ave & Grant Rd involving the red-light-running
minivan could have been much worse, but the cyclist, who reportedly had his head
down pushing hard, hit the side of the minivan as it ran through the red light,
and as a result, suffered less injury than might have been the case otherwise.
Sgt Beam was asked how the "right hook" education of officers was coming along.
A steady course of ‘six-minute trainings (verbal statements/lectures) on "right
hook" crashes had been given. Is it possible to track these types of citations?
He responded that it is cumbersome to do so, and requires getting information on
individual cases from City Courts.
Pima County Sheriff’s Sergeant Karl Woolridge reported there were only 2
bicycle-motor vehicle crashes in December – one where the cyclist was riding at
night with no lights; the other was an 8-year-old girl who lost control and hit
a car backing out of a driveway. He mentioned that the driver in the fatal crash
last fall is out on bond, awaiting trial on 2nd degree murder charges.
Matt Zoll indicated that the Adult Ped-Bike Safety Program will roll out a
series of safety ads in March that may help with these crashes. Also, the
Coalition of Phoenix Bicyclists is working on strengthening the 3-foot passing
law (ARS 28-735), and an effort to establish a diversion program for bicycle
offenders is advancing.
Retired Tucson Police Lieutenant Roger Carrillo, now an Aide to Council- member
Nina Trasoff, said Nina fully supports establishing such a diversion program,
and also that they are looking for a Ward VI appointee to the BAC.
#3: Call to the Public: Bill Katzel announced a Platinum Committee meeting on
January 19th and suggested that even if the region gets Gold instead of
Platinum, it will still be possible to file an enhanced application in the 2nd
2006 submittal window, to try again. Jim Jordan handed out copies of a letter to
the editor that appeared in the Arivaca newspaper, and was unfavorable to
cyclists. He asked for help developing a solid response.
Eric Post asked about: 1) bike lanes on Craycroft south of the Tanque Verde
bridge, where there is a drop off from the new pavement, and especially a 6-inch
drop near a drain inlet, that has been there since shortly after the road was
reconstructed by Pima County a number of years ago; 2) traffic barriers and
signs that stick out into bike lanes, especially along Oracle Road; and 3) glass
left after auto crashes that is swept into the shoulder/bike lane.
Eric Gonnason stated he was recovered from his crash injuries, and had ridden in
Washington State and was SO very impressed with the way drivers there treated
him and other cyclists.
State Bicycle-Pedestrian Program Manager Mike Sanders said that the decision had
been made to place the State Safe Routes to School Coordinator in the
Bicycle-Pedestrian Program Office. There will be approx. $2 to 3 Million a year
for this State Program.
#4: Grant/Kolb/Tanque Verde Intersection Study: Jim Glock, Director of Tucson
Dept. of Transp. presented the good news that TDOT has completed their study of
this intersection, and that it can be re-striped to include a 4-foot bike lane
on the east approach to the intersection, to the left of the two right turn only
lanes, and to the right of the through lanes. He said that it will require
resurfacing to accomplish the re-striping, and that the TDOT budget does not
have the money in this current budget year, so it may have to wait until after
July 1st. He emphasized that both right turn lanes will be right turn only (not
one as a combination lane as it is now-), and that the approach from the bridge
will be striped with dashed lines to give cyclists the right of way over traffic
merging into the right turn lanes. The Committee vigorously applauded this news
and TDOT’s positive efforts.
#5: Letter to ADOT – Ref Mr. Dan Williams: Roy Schoonover went over the letter
he had developed to ADOT Director Victor Mendez complimenting local Tucson
District Maintenance Engineer Dan Williams on the many things he has done for
bicycling in our region. He explained why the letter is important. A Motion
passed unanimously to authorize the Chair to send this letter.
#6: Bike Lanes – Irvington Rd West of Houghton: Roy Schoonover related recent
discussions on how to get the last 1/3 mile paved with shoul-der bike lanes. If
the BAC supported this, Councilmember Shirley Scott would probably be able to
support the cost out of her Ward’s back-to-basics fund. A question was asked –
why not do Houghton too? It was explained that small chunks are easier to get
than bigger ones. A motion was passed unanimously to authorize the Chair to send
a letter expressing support for the use of these funds for the bike lanes. There
was then discussion as to whether Ward II might have funds available for the
Grant/Kolb/Tanque Verde Intersection repaving needed in order to re-stripe. The
Ward II member will find out if funds might be available and report back next
month.
# 7: BAC Reports/Announcements: Roy Schoonover reported that the RTA plan for
bicycle and pedestrian improvements, (presented last month by Rich Corbett & Tom
Fisher) when coupled with the Regional Transportation Plan’s list of projects,
gives the community the opportunity to add hundreds of miles of bike lanes,
sidewalks, and shared-use paths in coming years. He stressed his belief that the
projects need to be prioritized, and reported that this process had already
started.
Several suggestions were offered as to how to accomplish prioritization:
Jonathon Mabry suggested everyone bring their preferred project to the next
meeting; PAG Staff member Rich Corbett said he could E-mail the Excel project
list out to the members; Wayne Cullop said he wants to see specific criteria,
not just ‘I like this road because I ride it’; Rosemary Carmody suggested that
Wayne could develop criteria, then E-mail to the Committee.
Steve Cohen reported he was involved with raising money to support the RTA Plan,
and asked if members had contact ideas for the fundraising. Bill Adamson said
that Mission Road’s bad condition came up recently; his Green Valley Bicycle
Committee supports doing something to improve it.
PAG Staff member Rich Corbett announced that Roy Schoonover, who has served four
consecutive years on first the RTP Task Force, then more recently on the RTA
Citizen Advisory Committee, has been given special recognition by PAG and the
RTA. Corbett presented Roy with a Plaque, and several other personalized items,
all in gratitude for Roy’s exemplary service.
For More Info: If you have any bicycle related concern, you are invited to
attend the T-PCBAC meetings on the 2nd Wed. of the month, 6-8 PM, at Himmel
Library (Treat Ave & 1st St), 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 Co.
740-6747, or Nancy Ellis, Oro Valley 229-5057.
Top of Page
Another Great GABA West Valley Bicycle Club Ride!
Sunday – March 19, 2006
Feel like you’re going ‘round in circles? Join the West Valley Bicycle Club for
a breezy ride around the White Tank Mountains. 70 miles will give you a great
workout and still get you back in time for lunch – or an afternoon repast,
depending on how much time you spend at the famous West Valley rest stops. Want
to do a shorter ride? There’s also a 50-mile, out-and-back option.
The ride begins and ends in White Tank Mountain Regional Park in the West
Valley. You’ll have little traffic to deal with and it’s flat. F-L-A-T, FLAT!
You’re going AROUND the White Tank Mountains, not over them. What goes down must
come up and you’ll climb back up INTO the park.
When: Sunday, March 19, 7:30 AM
Registration/check-in opens at 7 AM
Day-of-Ride registrations accepted with the $5 late fee.
Where: Ride begins and ends at White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell,
west of Phoenix.
Directions: West on I-10 to Cotton Lane exit, north on Cotton /or Loop 303 to
Olive Ave., then west 4 miles on Olive to Park gate.
Or take the 101 Loop to Olive Ave. and go west 14 miles to Park gate.
Park Fee: There is a $5 per vehicle charge to enter the Park. Save $$ and our
environment: carpool with a friend!
Once in the Park, look for Area 4, around the corner, up the hill on the east
side of the road, about 2 miles from the gate. If you get to the Trailhead
staging area, you’ve gone too far! http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank/
Included: Sag support ; roving support throughout your ride. A spaghetti dinner
will be served back at the Park after the ride.
Ride Fee: (Includes meal) Members pay $20; non-members, $25.
Late Fee: Add $5 if you haven’t mailed your registration by March 11th.
Need more info? Contact John, 928.684.3331 or
JOplinger5200@msn.com
By Cathy Crandall, GABA Member since 1981
Happy Silver Anniversary, GABA! I’m a ghost rider from the past to tell you a
tale of my many miles with Greater Arizona Bicycling Association. Here's a toast
to Clara Dow, the original founder and first president of the GABA-Tucson. I had
the honor of serving on the Board of Directors as Club Treasurer, Membership
Director and Tour Director. I want to thank Clara for making it possible for
GABA-Tucson to be what it is today!
My spirit flashes back to the great rides I conjured: the Annual Cave Creek
Tour, the Tucson Poker Run, Halloween in Tombstone Territory, Bisbee Crazy
Eight, Picacho Peak Bike & Hike, the Gila Wilderness Tour, the Rancho de la Osa
Overnighter, the Triangle L Ranch Overnighter, the Santa Cruz Ranch Tour, Marsh
Station Road Ride , Sanctuary Cove Ride, and Fred's Arena Breakfast Run. My most
memorable ride was the one from San Xavier Mission to Madera Canyon.
I met my husband through GABA when I led that ride from San Xavier Mission to
Madera Canyon on 11-11-1982. He was the first rider to arrive, dressed in
yellow. Fifteen years and thousands of bicycling miles later, we were married on
11-11-1996 on the very spot where we met at the San Xavier Mission.
As a girl scout, my first badge was as a cyclist, and I've been cycling ever
since. GABA was my life. I came home early from my dates to clean my chain, so I
could ride early the next morning. I still consider myself a girl scout and my
husband George was even an eagle scout. Last year was my 50th Birthday. We both
cycled from Death Valley to the trailhead of Mt Whitney, then backpacked to the
top. We ride a yellow tandem Tuesday from Bike Friday, Moulton's from England,
and I have a Bike Friday Air Glide.
I want to encourage you to do ALL the GABA rides. Take your family, and ride
with them more than once. It was great fun taking my mother on the back of our
tandem on the GABA Cross State Tour. Arizona is a great cycling state and the
Club is your ticket to see it all! I trained for the John Farr Memorial Desert
Double and rode it when it was called the Papago Desert Double. It was the Big
One, a 200-mile day, the ride of a lifetime.
Thank you, GABA, for the husband, good exercise, many miles of scenery and the
lifetime friends! Tailwinds and Downhills to all of the membership.
April 8 & 9, 2006
Mark your calendar! Make your reservations early! We are in the process of
confirming all the arrangements for this great ride. An article with all the
details will be published in the March Newsletter. There will also be camping
available, as in previous years.
Motel List (updated 1/06)
Make your reservations early as Bisbee Accommodations can fill up quickly!
We will deliver luggage ONLY to the following 14 places:
# on Map
1. Bisbee Grand Hotel: 800-421-1909 www.bisbeegrandhotel.com
5. Inn at Castle Rock: 800-566-4449 www.theinn.org
6. Main Street Inn: 800-467-5237 www.mainstreetinn.net
7. Oliver House: 520-432-1900 oliverhouse@theriver.com
10. Canyon Rose suites 866-296-7673 www.canyonrose.com
11. Copper Queen: 520-432-4298 www.copperqueen.com
(NO BIKES ALLOWED IN HOTEL - CAN BE STORED IN GABA TRUCK.)
13. Gardens at Mile High 520-432-3866 www.gardensatmilehighranch.com
18. Old Bisbee B&B 520-432-2080 www.oldbisbeebnb.com
21. Silverking Hotel 520-432-3723 sparkyriviera@earthlink.net
22. Striped Stoking 520-432-1832 www.stripedstocking.com
23. Audrey’s 888-437-4263 www.bisbeerentals.us
27. Clawson House 520-432-7434 www.okproperty.com
30. OK St. Jailhouse: 800-821-0678 www.okrealtyinc.com
33. Walker Guest Apts. 520-432-4829
Chamber of Commerce 520-432-5421 www.bisbeearizona.com
(Numbers on left refer to the location of these places on the Bisbee Map.)
PLEASE! DO NOT use the Hotel La More, or any other accommodations NOT listed
here unless you make your own arrangements to get your luggage delivered there.
Please contact
Tony Everett, GABA Vice President,
who is temporarily taking over
the job of Day Rides Coordinator.
You may e-mail him at
teverettaz@hotmail.com
or call him at 760-0458.
This Club would not exist
without Members like you volunteering
to lead rides every weekend!
Thank you!
A new position has been created on the GABA-Tucson Board: Cycling Advocacy.
Wayne has agreed to serve on the board in this capacity, and we welcome him
"back" on the board, as he was our President a few years ago.
Saturday, February 25th 2006
11 AM to 5 PM
at Reid Park's Bandshell
Free admission!
A whole day of music for the entire family!
Arizona's largest gathering of local peace, justice and environmental groups!
Childrens' activities, food, booths!
------ --------- ------- ------- ------- -----
Sponsored by the Tucson Peace Center, a nonprofit organizational network. For
more infomration, please call 624-4789.
As spring approaches, bicycle tire pressure is checked, handlebars are
tightened, and chains lubricated for the start of the riding season.
Unfortunately, at times the bicycle receives more maintenance than does the
human body. In some cases,because of improper conditioning, the body starts to
break down before the machine does.
Listed below are some of the common injuries related to bicycling and how to
treat them so that the body can be in as good a condition as the bike.
Acute Injuries:
Sprains: a twisting type of injury that stretches or tears a ligament. Knees and
ankles are the most common sprains.
Strains: an overstretching or tearing of muscle fibers. Strains usually occur
early in the season with explosive type movements. Common muscle strains include
the quads, hamstrings and hip flexors.
Overuse Injuries:
Patellar tendonitis: an inflammation of the patella (knee) tendon.
Iliotibial band tendonitis: inflammation of tissue on the outside of the leg,
connecting hip to knee.
Heat illness: the body's core temperature rises too rapidly in relation to the
sport.
Treatment Methods:
The single best treatment remedy for injuries is prevention. Unfortunately, all
injuries cannot be prevented, but these are proven ways for reducing biking
injuries:
- Stretch major muscle groups.
- Wear protective riding equipment.
- Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after riding.
If an injury occurs, the treatments of choice are ice first and massage second.
There are many therapeutic effects of ice. It reduces swelling, decreases skin
temperature which combats the inflammation process, and it decreases pain.
The therapeutic effects of massage are:
- Decreasing scar tissue;
- Decreasing muscle soreness and spasms;
- Healing of microtears in muscle;
- Decreasing lactic and acid buildup post-race;
- Relieving mental stress.
Reprinted from Adventure cycling Association.