Training Rides for El Tour de Tucson XXIV
Bike Patrols Needed for El Tour XXIV
Make a Tax-Credit Donation to the Pueblo High School Bike Club
The Ride Around Willcox Was Wonderful!
Holiday Season Pot Luck Party!
Its GABA’s Annual Toys For Tots Ride
Check the following sites for more rides!
Great Arizona Bicycling Adventure
Drafting, Pace Line, & Group Riding Skills for El Tour de Tucson
Training for & Riding El Tour Part 2
Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Thanks to All Who Sent a Design for the New GABA Jersey!
23rd Annual Senior Olympic Cycling Events
GABA-Tucson SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2007
Tucson/Pima County Bicycle Advisory Committee
The Prescott Loop Challenge 2006, A Roaring Success!
(See related articles in this issue for details.)
Ride Date Ride Name Organizers Leaders E-Mail
11/4 (Sat) McDowell Mountain Cycling ABC Ken Love www.azbikeclub.com
11/5 (Sun) Silverbell Century GABA-Tucson Suzanne Couvrette sgcouvrette@aol.com
11/11 (Sat) El Bike Swap de Tucson GABA-Tucson Greg Yares yares@cox.net
12/3 (Sun) Tumacacori Festival ride GABA-Tucson Tom Ward tward@dakotacom.net
12/4 (Mon) Holiday Season Pot Luck GABA-Tucson Pam Cullop socialdirector@bikegaba.org
12/9 (Sat) Toys for Tots Ride GABA-Tucson Pam Cullop socialdirector@bikegaba.org
1/1/07 (Mon) I Hate Football Ride GABA-Tucson TBA
1/7/07 (Sun) Casa Grande Century PMBC Jane Larson jlreports@aol.com
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Holiday Season Pot Luck Party!
Monday, December 4 at 7 PM
Bring a can of food ++
for the Community Food Bank,
in addition to YOUR food contribution
to the Pot Luck:
side dish, vegetable dish, green salads,
yummy desserts!
We need to feed over 100 people!
Turkey & ham provided by GABA.
Awards! Recognition of deserving members!
See related article for details.
Questions? Call Pam Cullop, 290-4321.
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Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 PM
Please join us
for an adventure in New Zealand,
as Steve & Donna Kanoza
and Joe Dana
share with us
their 5-week odyssey
during a 1,100-mile journey
in the land of the Kiwis.
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NOVEMBER 2006
Nov. 4 (Sat): McDOWELL CENTURY. ABC. Options for a metric century and a
half-metric century as well. www.azbikeclub.com
Nov. 5 (Sun): SILVERBELL CENTURY. With a brand new course on roads less
traveled, the Silverbell Century will offer 2 options: 100 miles and 65 miles.
Come join us for this opportunity to maximize your training efforts for the El
Tour de Tucson coming up in 2 more weeks on Saturday November 18.
Nov. 11 (Sat): EL BIKE SWAP DE TUCSON. GABA-Tucson. On historic 4th Avenue!
Quaint central area of Tucson 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.
Volunteers are needed: if interested, call Greg.
Nov. 18 (Sat): EL TOUR DE TUCSON XXIV. PBAA. 24th annual. Counterclockwise
course again this year! 4 different options! More than 7,000 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.perimeterbicycling.com.
DECEMBER 2006
Dec. 3 (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. www.bikegaba.org.
Dec. 4 (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. 9 (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
JANUARY 2007
Jan. 1 (Mon): I HATE FOOTBALL RIDE. GABA-Tucson. Leader, course and starting
point to be announced in the December issue.
Jan. 7 (Sun): CASA GRANDE CENTURY. PMBC. Options for 100, 62 or 34 miles. Ride
from Chandler to Casa Grande for lunch and back. Jane Larson, jlreports@aol.com.
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Tucson Az Mtn Standard Time
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
DECEMBER
RISE SET
A.M. P.M.
1: 7:06 5:19
7: 7:11 5:19
14: 7:16 5:20
21: 7:21 5:23
28: 7:24 5:27
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By Tony Everett
GABA-Tucson President
There is still time to continue your training with the training rides provided
by GABA to help you get ready for the big event. The training rides, led by
CRAIG GORDON and MIKE WOOD on the east side starting at Udall Park, and by RICH
CORBETT on the west side starting at Grant & Silverbell, are continuing through
the weekend of November 11th.
The training rides are designed to gradually increase your riding distance and
endurance, familiarize you with the El Tour route, let you practice your ride
strategy and ride with others who are at your riding skill level. With the
exception of the two centuries, there is no cost for the training rides. The
centuries are fully supported with 3 or 4 SAG stops with lots of good food.
Date Time Mileage
Sunday, Oct. 29 7:00 AM 40/85
Sunday, Nov. 5 7:00 AM GABA’s Silverbell Century
Sunday, Nov. 12 7:00 AM 50/90
Perimeter Bicycling is expecting over 9,000 riders for this year’s event. El
Tour XXIV will be another very 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.
Perimeter Bicycling’s El Tour de Tucson is one of the finest century rides in
the country. There’s nothing quite like cruising through intersection after
inter-section with police officers holding back the traffic just for you. The
camaraderie shared with your fellow riders is special and not soon forgotten. In
case you were wondering, the majority of the riders are not from Tucson, but
hail from across the state, the nation, and a few from other countries.
Proper training is a critical prerequisite to a successful and enjoyable El Tour
experience. It’s key to start early and slowly build your mileage base to the
point you can comfortably ride 60-80% of the distance you plan to ride on El
Tour day. If you can ride 100%, that’s a bonus, but the excitement and support
on El Tour day will help carry you the extra miles beyond your normal training
ride distances.
So get ready to start putting in the training miles. Come join us for the
training rides and we’ll see you at the start line at sunrise on November 18th!
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Sunday, November 5, 2006
Options for 100 and 65 miles
Scheduled just 2 weeks before El Tour, the Silverbell Century comes at a time
when your training needs to intensify for the last time before the great event!
Ride on a portion of the "El Tour" route on the northwest side of town, with
long stretches of straight flat roads, perfect to practice riding in a group
and/or paceline. The course will not climb to the Silverbell Ghost town as it
did in the past; riders will turn around at the bottom of the climb.
Care has been given in choosing a course with less traffic and in avoiding major
intersections. Everyone should be aware that there may still be dips with soft
sands on the route. Please slow down and let other riders behind you know of
these hazards. Riding at high speed in a group requires complete focus to avoid
accidents.
The first 100 pre-registered riders will receive
a FREE 25th Anniversary T-shirt!
General Course: Mostly flat with a few gentle climbs.
From River and Campbell, riders will go west on River Rd., then north on La
Canada to Rancho Vistoso (via some neighborhoods). Then, the course will take
you west on Moore Rd. and Tangerine Rd. all the way to the west end of Avra
Valley, turning around at the bottom of the climb to the Silverbell Ghost Town.
The return will be via Airline Rd. and back on River Rd.
Starting Location:
Meet at River & Campbell, SE corner, near the Rillito River Bike Path. Sign in
and pick up your Ride Maps. The FREE T-shirts for the first 100 pre-registered
riders will be available at sign-in.
Starting Time:
Volunteers will be ready to sign in Pre-registered riders, and to collect the
ride fee from the Day-of-the-Event riders, starting at 7 AM. Everyone must be on
the road no later than 8 AM.
Route Info: Both options are on your route map. The turn-around point will be
marked with a GABA sign. 65-milers who wants to continue and add a few more
miles can easily do so by turning around a little further.
No Mass start:
Start when you are ready. CPSC-approved helmets are mandatory. All traffic laws
must be obeyed. Ride two abreast ONLY when the bike lane is wide enough;
otherwise, riders must ride single-file.
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.
Ride Support:
This ride will be fully supported with SAG stops with fruit, water, snacks and
sandwich makings. There will be roving vans along the course to help out in case
of mechanical failure. The course will be marked with GABA "sandwich" signs to
indicate all the turns of the course.
Ride Organizer: Suzanne Couvrette, (520) 891-4661, or e-mail for more
information at update-editor@bikegaba.org. Volunteers are needed: call Suzanne
if interested.
SILVERBELL CENTURY
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006
(ONE FORM PER RIDER)
Photocopies of this form are acceptable.
Please fill out all blanks.
Leader: Suzanne Couvrette, 891-4661 or update-editor@bikegaba.org
Return this form & your check to: GABA
P. O. Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733
FREE 25TH ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT TO THE FIRST 100 PRE-REGISTERED RIDERS!
Option chosen: (Please circle)
#1 (100 miles) #2 (65 miles)
All options must sign in at River Rd. & Campbell Ave., SE corner near Bike Path.
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_________________________________
Participation in this event requires
use of a CPSC-approved helmet.
Staple your signed Waiver to each form.
Forms & Waivers cut with scissors are appreciated!
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 and moral support. 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 about 2 hours.
As Bike Patrol, your El Tour registration fee is waived, but a processing fee of
$15 (Must be paid before 11/8) is required to cover cost of T-shirt, medical
supplies and support on the route.
Bike Patrol Certification Classes:
11/02 (Thu) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Bike Patrol Basics
11/13 (Mon) 7:00 PM - 2692 E. Broadway - Advanced Mechanics
11/14 (Tue) 7:00 PM - 2609 E. Broadway - Advanced Enhanced Skills
11/17 (Fri) 5:30 PM - Convention Center - Bike Patrol Basics
For information and to register, call PBAA, (520) 745-2033, or check their
website at
www.perimeterbicycling.com.
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On Historic 4th Avenue!
Saturday, November 11th
- From 8 AM to 2 PM -
Come one, come all! Don't miss the Fall 2006 Bike Swap! Tell your friends! Bring
the whole family! This is 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 Rd, then go East on St Mary's Rd, 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 Rd exit is closed).
NEW in the last year: BIKE VALET SERVICE! Just bring your bike at Winsett Park,
the little concrete area on the north side of Value Village between 7th & 8th
Streets.
Again this year, Bike Swap Organizer Greg Yares will need several volunteers. If
interested in helping out, come to the Volunteers Pizza Party. See article for
details. For more information of the Bike Swap, call Greg at 323-9020 or contact
him at yares@cox.net. Mark your calendar! See you at the Bike Swap!
Visit the Bike Swap
Stop by for a visit at the GABA table while at the Bike Swap. You can get some
Tucson area Bicycle Route Maps, GABA ridewear including jerseys, socks, and
water bottles; and information on bicycling with GABA and Club membership
applications.
Anyone interested in being a "GABA Table" volunteer, please contact Sandi
Rousseau, 577-1187 or secretary@bikegaba.org. Volunteers can choose at what time
and for how long they will be at the GABA Table: 1 hour, 2 hours, or whatever
you like!
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Had T-Shirts And Much More!
by Clifford Papin, Ride Leader
The Blue Loop had more than just t-shirts. There was plenty of riding through
some of the most beautiful country Arizona and New Mexico have to offer. There
were mountain passes, screaming descents, broken down baggage trucks and
wonderful meals. There were even movies in Glenwood and Alpine for the die-hards
who could stay up late enough to watch them. It was a wonderful trip for all
individuals involved.
But wait, did I say broken down baggage truck? On the first day, through the
first mountain pass, the truck did indeed reach the top of the pass and then
spewed all of its coolant out. The truck overheated! No problem, we just called
to have someone come out to fix it. Of course, there were limited facilities
available to us. Luckily, we were at the top of a mountain pass, giving us
static and spotty cell phone service. Five hours later, the repairman, from
Willcox no less, fixed the truck and we were again on our way. Of course, the
riders had plenty of time to relax and get to know each other better. I
considered it a communion of cyclists, which helped to bring everyone closer.
98 cyclists joined us from all over the country. Some of the states represented
included Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado and California. Not only were the
cyclists from all over the country, there were also a great diversity of
cyclists. There were the standard multi-day GABA riders who where quite familiar
with the Blue Loop, as well as many first-time Blue Loop riders. I was happy to
see the new faces mingle with the veterans, as I could see the anxieties from
the first day all but disappear through the second day. One of the riders had a
discussion with me about how much the ride has changed since the early days. He
mentioned that the sag stops consisted of a table with a few gallon jugs of
water and a stack of cups. This year, there were three sag stops each day. These
sag stops have become quite a fixture of the ride. The congregation of people
filled the sag stops so much that I almost thought I saw a line to consume the
goodies at each of the stops.
Riding into Glenwood, cyclists were met with an array of hunters. No, these
hunters were not looking to hunt the game in spandex on two-wheeled machines.
They were there because, as I found out, it was the opening of a 15-day Elk
season. Glenwood was hopping, and it was not just because we cyclists came into
town.
The meals of the ride were in a word…. Fabulous! Polly and her crew in Glenwood
produced a beef brisket meal that hit the spot for all the hungry cyclists,
especially after their long wait for their bags. After everything was cleaned
up, the projector came out to show Star Wars. I could not stay up, though I
understand there were a few who enjoyed it. Breakfast the next day was just
right for the cyclists as they rode out of Glenwood.
In Alpine, Jenn and crew from the Little Adobe Café produced what was a meal
begging for an encore. Jenn, who was ready to burst with a newborn, was all
smiles, as the cyclists could not get enough of her mealtime offerings. There
was lasagna with salad and amazing desserts. The encore came in the form of
breakfast the next morning that had an array of frittata and fruit pastry
quickly consumed by the cyclists. Jenn was not there to serve, as she had gone
into labor that night and was due to give birth that morning. I spoke with her
family later, and she had a boy, Elias John.
The volunteer crew that assisted in making this ride possible were invaluable.
It was truly a group effort, one that made the trip most enjoyable. There was
Linda Kurick and Teresa McConnell who took care of SAG 1. Nanette Bernier and
Suzanne Phillips and Tom FAUCETT were in charge of SAG 2, and Kristin Post and
family took care of SAG 3. Most had volunteered with GABA on previous rides, so
we were working with a veteran crew. Jerry Imel had an assistant, Sean
Fairchild, and as usual, had everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. Thank
you Jerry. Stuart Carter, previously known as the Sweep “extra-ordinaire” was
there to prove why we all rely on Stuart. You never have to worry about the last
riders when Stuart is the Sweep.
Bill Ogroski joined us for the Blue Loop this year. Snapping away, Bill captured
the complete feel of the ride. If you have not seen the images from the ride,
contact Bill so that he may send them to you. The contact info for Bill is:
wrodist@cox.net.
The ride was truly an amazing event this year. There was rain on the last day.
However, there were also mountain sheep going into Morenci. There was something
for everyone. No matter what the riders were faced with, they enjoyed it all.
Someone started the mantra “Best Blue Loop Ever!” Could that be true? Maybe you
will have to ride next year just to see why people were raving about this ride!
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For Sale: LeMond Revmaster Stationary bicycle. Bought new one year ago for
$1100. Used very little and in excellent condition. Asking $800. which includes
many extras: heartrate monitor and several Spinervals training DVDs. Contact
Cathy, (520) 360-7833 (Tuc) or cahoffmanrn@cox.net.
For Sale: Teschner 56 cm Euro Pro Scandium/ Carbon race bike. Full 10-speed Dura
Ace, Ksyrium SL wheels. Excellent shape, never raced. Only 16.9 pounds. $1,650
($4,950 retail). Teschner bikes have won World Championships. Contact Matt Zoll,
(520) 419-1713 (Tuc) or education@bikegaba.org.
For Sale: One EZ 1 Recumbent bicycle with rack & basket. Good Condition. Asking
$300.
For Sale: One EZ 1 SC Lite Recumbent bicycle with Mitsubishi Encore 49cc
Integrated Gas Motor. Includes rack and basket. Excellent condition, slightly
used. Bought new for $1,600. Asking $850. Contact Norman Couvrette, (520)
358-3347 (Tuc).
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by Yolanda Sotelo, Teacher
Pueblo High School's Road Warriors are off and pedaling away getting ready to
participate in El Tour de Tucson. This is the 6th year that Pueblo students have
participated and completed El Tour.
This year, there are 21 students who will be getting up early on Sunday mornings
to get ready. As in the past, GABA members and readers of the GABA Update have
been generous to the club by donating bikes, equipment, their time, and
tax-credit monies. We hope that this year won't be any different and that we
will continue to get help from the bicycling community.
We would love to have your used bikes, spare equipment, and especially
tax-credit donations. The tax-credit monies are used to buy gloves, tires,
tubes, repair bikes and other equipment. We couldn't exist as a club if we
didn't have the help of the generous supporters of cycling.
If you can help in any way, please contact Yolanda Sotelo or Jaime Moore at
Pueblo High School at 225-4300. You can mail your checks to Pueblo High School
at: 3500 S. 12th Ave, 85713, and indicate that your donation is to go to the
Road Warriors, Pueblo High School's bike team.
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by Rudy and Kay Van Renterghem
If you survived the summer of 2006 in the Tucson Valley, you’d be likely to ask:
“What are they talkin’ about? It was hot, it was wet, had a humdinger of a much
needed monsoon . . . but hey, enough is enough!”
OOPS! Need to tell you that we did not spend our summer in the Tucson Valley,
but in Cache Valley, way up in northern Utah!
Spent many summers here in Tucson working and riding our tandem. We know the
drill for summer riding: Get up at O-dark-thirty, grab some breakfast, put on
the cycling stuff, check the tires, load up with some extra water and hit the
blacktop just as the sun peeks over the mountains! That’s one way to beat some
of the heat and get in some comfortable riding in the Old Pueblo.
However, being retired does have some advantages!
We made arrangements to stay in the town of Logan, Utah . . . that’s about 80
miles north of SLC (Salt Lake City) for 3 months. The Utah State University has
a program for senior citizens that’s unique. As the kids leave USU for the
summer, senior citizens move into those just vacated apartments. Students leave
in mid-May and come back mid-August, and we then reverse roles.
Been doing these summer get-a-ways for ‘bout half-dozen years now to various
college towns in the US . . . and we like it.
Gets us away from the desert’s heat and gives us new places to explore. Of
course, being avid cyclists, we manage to squeeze our tandem bike plus Rudy’s
single bike and all our gear for three months inside our Honda station wagon.
Yeah, we know how to pack!
Logan is located in the Cache Valley, which is about 60 miles long and 15 miles
wide at 4,400 feet elevation. The valley’s surrounded by mountain peaks that’ll
show snow on their higher elevations ‘til mid-July. Logan has a population of
about 40,000, about 18,000 of which are students attending USU.
So when the college folk leave for summer, the merchants are glad to see the
senior citizens move in for a spell to take up the slack in the slower summer
economy. We are collectively referred to as “Summer Citizens” or ‘Sunbirds.’
Word has gotten around a bit in GABA that we escape the valley for the summer,
so now we’ve had a few more GABA members join us in Cache Valley. We actually
end up having a few mini-GABA rides in the Logan area!
So what’s the bike riding like?
Temperatures: daily temps will vary up to 40 degrees from morning to afternoon.
In May/June it is from hi 30s to low 40s in the A.M. to 70s and maybe low 80s in
the P.M. In July/August temps rise a bit and we may end with a couple weeks in
the 90s, and a few days just breaking the 100 degree mark. And, yes, the
humidity is lower than Tucson! This summer, we experienced only six days of
rain. Of course, Rudy was out on his single bike on a 50-mile ride with the
local bike club; ended up getting poured on halfway through the loop!
Fortunately, he carried some rain gear as the temps dropped another 20 degrees
but was miserable and cold getting back home. Well, that let's us appreciate the
good riding days so much more!
Our apartment was located on the second floor, so each day of riding meant
hauling that tandem or single up and down 15 outside steps, with two landings,
to our front door. Just some extra exercise for a couple 70+-year-olds and
another good excuse for buying lightweight machines!
The area roads were light in traffic except for ‘downtown’ at lunch or commuting
time, but soon you learn how to avoid the mini traffic snarl and take convenient
side roads.
Terrain: generally flat in the middle of the valley, but rising dramatically as
one heads up toward campus, that is located on a ‘bench’ . . . that’s Utah-talk
for a high bluff. Well, there are some hills, with a couple at 12 to 14%. Want
to test your legs on paved roads and up some steeper dead-end canyons? Or
indulge in some trick off-road cycling instead? All available within a few miles
of town!
This valley itself is great and very green; many quaint and very small farming
communities, devoid of convenience stores or gas stations! Farm tractors on the
back roads, and the driver always giving us a five-fingered wave. Friendly!
The nearby Cutler Marshland Preserve teems with all kinds of wildlife: deer,
fox, raccoons and skunks (phew!). All types of birds from egrets, to herons and
Avocets, huge Canadian geese and even pelicans! One time hearing a raucous
screeching . . . looked up to see two bald eagles having an argument and finally
settling down on separate telephone poles!
And, so as not to feel ‘homesick’, heard a rattlesnake sound as were taking a
break on a bridge and refilling out water bottles . . there was a 6-foot snake
sunning itself near the river pretending to be rattler by shaking its tail and
rattling some dry leaves.
The Cache Valley has the highest concentration of dairy cattle in the state, so
quite often our noses would detect that distinct whiff . . . McD’s on the hoof!
Along with dairy cows, they raise lots of horses, some llamas, and even spotted
a herd of bison. There is also some high tech industry in town, an electric
company that makes most of the neon signs for the folks in Las Vegas, a sock
manufacturer (yes, they make biking socks!), several cheese and ice cream
factories. Even a Pepperidge Farms outlet if you care to pedal about 20-some
miles further north to buy some sweet, and cheap, calories!
Utah was primarily settled by Mormons in the mid-1800s; Sundays are not a day
for fun activities, but for religious observance. The Mormon weekend was defined
to us as: Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday . . . but never on
Sunday! Pedaling on Sundays is most pleasurable as the roads are devoid of cars
and most retailers and grocery stores are not open for business.
And they love parades and celebrations! Each ‘weekend’ there was stuff happening
around town: Summerfest, a three day arts/crafts/food celebration at the county
fairgrounds; Cruise-In is a full weekend of antique cars, customs, hotrods and
collectibles from all over the west that has a grand finale on Saturday night:
1,200+ cars a-vrooming and revving around a big loop on Main Street, with the
police re-routing traffic so these folks can cruise the city for several hours.
Rodeo? Of course, and don’t forget the county fair and free music presentations
in local parks. Also, the Saturday farmers market, featuring locally grown fruit
and veggies, bakery goodies, food vendors, arts and crafts plus musical
entertainment. We usually did a 20-mile tandem ride on Saturdays that invariably
ended up at the farmers market to load up our trunk rack bag with fresh and
wholesome foods and our stomachs full.
Lots of parades, fireworks and the city had several theatres for live
perfor-mances, from opera to Broadway plays. Can you do this in Tucson: attend a
great Broadway play in a converted barn, have dinner al fresco, plus home-made
dessert during intermission, all for the grand price of $25 … per couple?!
The adjacent town of Wellsville celebrated its sesquicentennial this summer;
folks in period costumes from the old Mormon trekking days, music, dancing and
performances and for the finale: a huge Dutch-oven dinner (a yummy Mormon
invention) free to all attendees from far and wide . . . yikes, there were over
1,200 of us for dinner!
Us, summer citizens, are easy to spot: we are the old folks with the tans,
wearing shorts. Mormons do not condone real shorts for the ladies, nor do they
imbibe in alcohol or coffee; yet there are several great coffee shops and a
coffee roasting company in town and even two bars! Got to go to the state liquor
store for that alcohol fix, not available in your local markets. Nearly 800
seniors, most from Arizona, spent their summer in this neat town of Logan.
During our summer stay, we pedaled almost 1,200 miles on our tandem plus several
hundred more miles on single bike on the Cache Valley’s back roads and highways.
Hated to pack up and head back home to ‘enjoy’ the last three weeks of the
monsoons and high humidity!
Yes, we had a ‘cool summer’ in more ways than one!
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“WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE,
NOR A DROP TO DRINK”
By Tony Everett, President
When Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote those words, I don’t believe he was in
Tucson, or any place in Arizona. While this may have been written on an ocean
voyage, it does relate to Tucson, in one sense. There IS water available almost
everywhere we ride.
The heat of the summer is finally gone for a few months, and, we could become
complacent about hydration. The fact is, however, we continue to lose body
fluids at an alarming rate during intense exercise, and must hydrate at the rate
of at least one bottle (24 oz) every hour. That is a minimum! Absolutely nothing
good comes from lack of fluid.
The physiological effect of dehydration results in the destruction of muscle and
neurological functions at a cellular level.
For longer rides, there are many hydration systems available like the Camelback,
which can serve us well. Several come with capacities of 100 oz. With the sip
tube at shoulder level, they can also make us safer. We don’t have to reach for
the down-tube to pull a bottle from the cage.
We also have several choices in electrolyte replacement available to us.
Accelerade, Gator-ade, and Poweraide are probably the most visible, and all work
well. These help replace the loss of sodium, potassium and minerals that we are
losing through perspiration.
Just remember that as the temperatures cool, we still need to drink plenty
fluids to keep us hydrated, avoid cramps, and other heat related problems. The
result is a more enjoyable ride, and isn’t that one of the reasons we’re out
there?
Be Careful, Ride Safe, and Enjoy!
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By Pam Cullop
The first, and hopefully, annual Ride Around Willcox took place this year on
September 16th. First-time Ride Organizer, Earl Humphries pulled together an
enjoyable mix of activities on this 44-mile round trip event which included
selling raffle tickets for a brand new bike and a tour of the EuroFresh Farms
greenhouse at the turn-around point.
The Willcox Rural Fire Department and Sunsites Fire, added a great measure of
safety to the ride by blocking some intersections, and closely monitoring
bicycle traffic in both directions, to and from the starting/ending location at
the Cochise County Airport. Talk about “Sweep Support”! Earl was also on the
road with his great big pickup truck, and did a great job of monitoring his ride
crew! The weather was picture-perfect, and the scenic roads with meandering
gentle climbs, made for welcomed family participation.
A few of Earl’s family members set up a “SAG Stop” in the cafeteria, at the
EuroFresh plant. With donated (thanks to Earl’s persuasiveness) bananas, cookies
and bottled water from the local Safeway, Bob’s IGA, Pepsi and the Willcox Rural
Fire Department, everyone had plenty to eat. EuroFresh also donated platters of
sliced tomatoes and cucumbers to munch on until the greenhouse tour started. At
the end of the ride, bunches of tomatoes and packaged cucumbers, were also
available for everyone to take home, compliments of EuroFresh Farms!
After our informal, but interesting “tomato-growing tour”, Earl held the much
anticipated bike raffle. Winner of the FUJI Newest 2.0 was a “local” to Willcox:
Carl Hestead. Earl was also able to persuade a local Radio Shack into donating a
second raffle item. Another lucky non-present winner received a “rock” for the
patio that was really a stereo speaker in disguise. (I was hoping to win that
for our backyard, oh well)
Earl mentioned that he’d like to make this an annual event; possibly turn it
into a Willcox Century Ride. One thing for is certain: if the Willcox Rural Fire
Department, Sunsites Fire and Earl form the same alliance, and offer the same
level of ride support for future rides, you are encouraged to make the 80-mile
(more or less) drive from Tucson to participate. It will be worth the effort!
What a team they make, and what a great way for cyclists of all skill levels to
enjoy this beautiful countryside route!
Kudos to Earl for a ride well done!
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New Members:
Joe Miller; Brice Leonard; Bob & Lois Lamb; Sandy Murchison; John Hall; Jim
Harsha; Randy Harris; Jeff Ross; Tom & Sue Hausam; Gary Rumack; James Sweeitzer;
Melinda & Steve Correll; David & Pauline Renner.
Renewing Members:
Eve Shapiro & Paul Gordon; Colin & Mandy Cordell; Andreas Wiedenfeld; Alicia
Heiserer; Debbie Haas-Wyrsch; H. & Tracy Bigelow; Laura Horvath; Debbie Irwin;
Jim Magnan; Carl & Jacqualina McAbee; Don Pittenger; Chris & Christina Roberts;
Susie De Concini & Joe Aurilio; Bill Sherman; Karen & Samuel Raglkand;
Anabel Hill & Denise Roe; Irma & Bill Sandercock; Larry & Jean Gossman.
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Sunday, January 7, 2007
By Jane Larson, Ride Organizer
The terrain is flat with low traffic, and if history repeats itself, the weather
will be a sunny 70 degree! What more could you want?
Two sag stops with water, fruit & snacks; a hot BBQ lunch at the turnaround
point, Dave White Regional Park in Casa Grande; a route map, commemorative socks
and a raffle ticket for bike-related prizes. Join 200-plus cycling friends for
PMBC's biggest ride of the year!
OPTIONS: 34 mi, flat out-and-back;
62 mi, metric century, out-and-back w/ slight hill.;
100 mi, flat loop.
START: Safeway: 4970 S. Alma School Rd, at Alma School Rd & Chandler Heights Rd,
NW corner (Chandler Heights Rd is between Queen Creek & Riggs Roads.) Please
park at lot edges, so we don't block Safeway customers.
DIRECTIONS: From Tucson take I-10 to Riggs Rd exit, go 3 miles east to Alma
School Rd, then 1 mile north to Chandler Heights Rd.
REGISTRATION: 8:30-9:30 AM. No mass start: leave after registering.
SUPPORT: Vehicles will be available to collect those suffering from physical,
mechanical or mental breakdowns.
QUESTIONS: Leader Jane Larson at JLreports@aol.com or call (602) 319-2238.
Registration forms available at www.sportsfun.com/gaba. This ride is organized
by Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club.
Ride Fee:
PMBC/GABA/ABC members by 12/30/06: $15
Non-members by 12/30/06: $20
PMBC/GABA/ABC members after 12/30/06: $25
Non-members after 12/30/06: $30
Note: Why not join PMBC now? Get our monthly newsletter, and this ride at member
prices! Add $15 for a one-year individual membership, or $20 for a one-year
family membership.
Make checks payable to PMBC, PO Box 26788, Tempe AZ 85285-6788. Riders must obey
all Arizona traffic laws and must wear ANSI, ASTM or Snell-approved helmets.
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Monday, December 4th, 2006
7 PM to 9 PM
Come and join other GABA members in the festive annual event!
WHERE:
Pima County Medical Society Building
5199 E. Farness
(see inside cover of this issue for directions)
PLEASE BRING A CAN OF FOOD
TO BE DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK!
Please join us for our annual Holiday Pot Luck
and Special Awards Ceremony
on the first Monday of the month in December.
The club will provide the turkeys and hams,
as well as the traditional sides of dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Sodas, a holiday fruit punch and water will also be on hand.
We ask that you bring one of the following to share:
bread, vegetable, salad, casserole or any type of side dish of your choice.
Dessert is always a good choice too; one can never have too many sweets!
We are pleased to announce that Howard Wooten will return for a third year,
to compliment mealtime with truly enjoyable “dinner music”
played on an acoustic guitar.
If you have been at this event for the past year or two,
you already know what a treat this is!
A short meeting will follow dinner.
Awards will be given to certain club members
for their various contributions to club rides and other club events.
These VIP’s have donated countless hours to the betterment of cycling,
and this is an opportunity for all of us to thank them for these efforts!
After dinner and the meeting,
you are invited to sit and visit, eat some more dessert,
and enjoy the holiday season with your favorite “pedal pals”!
If you would like to bring a can (or two) of food to contribute to the Community
Food Bank, boxes will be available for your donation.
Mark your calendar now so you don’t forget to attend
this last 25th Anniversary GABA event!
For more information about the Holiday Party or to volunteer to help out, please
contact Pam Cullop, Social Director and Organizer of the Pot Luck
at 290-4321 or at
socialdirector@bikegaba.org.
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Saturday, December 9, 2006
By Pam Cullop
Many have come to love this ride, and you will too! This is the event that we
ride for a worthy cause, (other than for our good health, or just because we
love to). Motorists and pedestrians alike, honk or wave, smile and laugh as we
ride the city and county streets of Tucson. We are rolling machines carrying
toys in some unique fashion. Sometimes, toys are attached by bungees to the
bike, or placed in panniers, or baskets. Riders may wear a backpack and all you
see is the cute little head of a stuffed animal or doll poking out of the top
opening. On occasion, very large toys or stuffed animals are uniquely attached
to a cyclist's back with bungees and worn like backpacks, or placed in bike
trailers; both methods create quite an audience.
And, “Why” you say, do we do this? Because we love participating in the toy
drive for the Toys for Tots program, and we really love pedaling to the zoo to
put brand new toys into the great big box just inside of the zoo gates. We know
that the Marines will come to empty the contents of that box, and distribute
them to many of Tucson’s needy kids at Christmas time!
We want to make sure everyone of each skill level can participate, so we have
two starting locations. Two different groups of bicyclists starting at two
different locations, and riding different distances and pace, will make this
annual pilgrimage to the Reid Park Zoo on the 2nd Saturday of December.
From Udall Park (south side of Tanque Verde just east of Sabino Canyon), the
ride will leave at 9 AM for a “longer” 30-35 mile round trip with a “faster”
pace of 12-16 MPH. This group is for more experienced riders.
If you want to bring your small children or just want a ride with fewer miles,
and a slower pace, then head to McCormick Park (east side of Columbus, just
north of Glenn). Arrive early enough to set up your bikes, and kid carriers, etc
for a 10 AM departure. This shorter option will be a 10-mile round-trip ride, at
about 8-10 MPH. It’s a great way to teach the kids about the spirit of giving to
those less fortunate, while having a blast along the way!
The toys are the “entrance fee” into the zoo, so plan on bringing one toy per
person. Arrival time for both rides is expected between 10:30 AM and 11 AM. Once
inside the zoo, you can sit, eat and visit with other cyclists. The Snack Bar
menu has recently been expanded to include various breakfast items. There’s
nothing like basking in the warm December desert sun, while sipping on a hot cup
of coffee or chocolate, munching a blueberry muffin or a breakfast croissant,
and enjoying the company of fellow cyclists!
The zoo is open in the morning and the animals are waiting for visitors. If you
want to ride, and have your family meet you at the zoo, they too can gain
entrance with a toy for the box. Lots of riders choose this the one-way
route-option each year!
You can stay as long as you like, but both ride leaders will be ready for the
return ride about an hour after arrival at the zoo. Regroup and ride back to
each respective park via the return route, or leave at will, on your own.
Please remember to bring your bike lock because you cannot bring your bike into
the main part of the zoo. Parking for bikes will be behind the normally locked
gates, on side of the Snack Bar - courtesy of Hugh (the manager). Gates will not
be closed after all the bikes have been parked, so a lock is your “insurance
policy”!
Circle your calendar now for this Very Cool Ride! Ride Leaders and route details
will published in the December Update.
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Street Savvy, Confidence, and Safety (Road 1)
This course is perfect as a primer for those cyclists who wish to gain a full
understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations. The
class includes learning how to perform a quick, easy bicycle safety check, fix a
flat, on-bike skills and practice, interactive discussion, and a student manual.
Students will gain confidence knowing that they are riding legally and safely.
Crash avoidance techniques and crash types will be discussed. Recommended for
adults and youth ages 16 and above (ages 13-15 okay with a parent). This course
is a pre-requisite to Road 2.
Participants in this class will receive a free bike light kit, a bike frame
pump, insulated water bottle, helmet, and safety reflective tape (a $125
value)—plus free lunch!
Classes offered:
Wed. Nov. 29, 6:30-9:30 PM, East meeting room, Ward VI Council Office, 3202 E.
1st St. & Sat Dec. 2, 7:30 AM-2 PM, West meeting room, Ward VI Council Office,
3202 E. 1st St.
Training & Fitness (Road 2)
For more advanced students who have an understanding of vehicular cycling
principles, as evidenced by successful completion of Road 1, this 12-hour course
includes fitness and physiology, training for longer rides, advanced mechanics,
pace line skills, advanced traffic negotiation, foul weather riding and night
riding. Student manuals included. Free insulated water bottle, bike lock and
lunch!
Classes offered:
Thu. Nov. 2, 6:30-9:30 PM, Room 4, Randolph Park & Rec Center, 200 S. Alvernon
Way & Sat. Nov. 4, 7 AM-2:30 PM, Room 4, Randolph Park & Rec Center, 200 S.
Alvernon Way.
Updated August 30, 2006
For more information on these classes, please contact the Pima County Department
of Transportation, 740-6403.
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GABA Chapters Website Addresses
Tucson: www.bikegaba.org
Flagstaff: www.flagstaffbiking.org
Phoenix: www.sportsfun.com/gaba
Prescott: www.prescottcycling.org
Other Cycling Clubs/Ride Lists:
Alicia's Ride Calendar ……………….
www.aliciarides.com
AZ Bicycle Club - (ABC) Phx……..
www.azbikeclub.com Bullshifters…………………….
www.bullshifters.org
Cactus Cycling Club ........
www.cactuscycling.com
Doo Dah Road Club ......
www.doodahroadclub.org
Green Valley Hiking Club …………. www.gvrhc.org
PBAA ............................................www.pbaa.com
Pima Trails Association ..........
www.pimatrails.org
Alicia's Ride Calendar ……………….
www.aliciarides.com
AZ Bicycle Club - (ABC) Phx……..
www.azbikeclub.com
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"Grand Canyon to the Border"
Bicycle Tour 2007
First Week in October
P. O. Box 40814, Tucson AZ 85717
2007 Chair:
Tour Message Line: 520-349-5932
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P. O. Box 26788
Tempe, AZ 85285-6788
President: Jay Stewart 480-893-0303
Web Site: www.sportsfun.com
Newsletter: Tailwind Times
Editor: Bob Beane: 480-961-1951
E-Mail: Marco3@cox.net
P. O. Box 8125
Glendale, AZ 85312-8125
President: Jared Williams
Treasurer: Betsy Turner 623-979-8110
E-Mail: bettur@qwest.net
P. O. Box 23851
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
President:
E-Mail:
Web Site: www.flagstaffbiking.org
Prescott Cycling Club
P. O. Box 3570
Prescott, AZ 86302
President: Karen Warrick 928-713-9811
E-mail: kwarrick@cableone.net
Web Site: www.prescottcycling.org
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By Richard “Rich” Corbett, PBAA Bike Patrol Director
In August, I made a point to say THANK YOU to all the GABA members who have
ridden as Bike Patrol over the years, especially those who come back, year after
year. In September, I wrote about the fact that Bike Patrol is truly one of the
longest standing traditions of GABA. Last month I shared the perspective of
personal satisfaction. This month, I want to share the perspective of fun that
we bike patrollers have, as we ride around the course, helping people, not
worrying about our time.
I know that most of the "year-after-year" Bike Patrollers have already
discovered the fun that we have. For those who are thinking about bike
patrolling for the first time, let me share some of the fun experiences I have
had. Here are two examples:
Last year I decided to stop at the aid station on Skyline (at about mile 60).I
had already had 9 help contacts, and 2 counseling contacts (for illegal personal
SAG stops). I found a shady spot and sat down, while eating a pancake and
drinking some water. It was so pleasant there that I lay back and before I knew
it I had fallen asleep! I dozed for about 15 minutes, and then woke up, a little
startled, but quickly realized it was okay – I had no reason not to nap – I had
gotten up at 2:30 am to get to the start area early. I did not rush off, I got
some fruit, more water, then headed on out, seeking more people to help.
Another example is from the year before, when I was riding tandem Bike Patrol
with Marlene Dekker, and we stopped at the Oreo Cookie rest stop (Irvington Road
I think), and we were treating ourselves to some of the Oreos, just enjoying the
stop in general (we had helped about six riders up to that point). Along came a
man who was having repeated flats. He was not in a hurry, and we were able to
find an exposed spoke nipple head, and cover it with medical adhesive tape,
while having a nice chat about his adventure ups to that point. What could you
call this, other than fun!
There are more stories that illustrate the fun you can have while helping others
as Bike Patrol, but these two stories help you understand better.
We really need more Bike Patrol than we've had in the last few years. If you
have never Bike Patrolled, or have not Bike Patrolled in a few years, please
help us by volunteering this year.
Bike Patrol members pay only a very modest fee to enter – just enough to cover
the direct costs (we really do not want to take anything away from the event
charities), ranging from $15 if postmarked by Wed, November 8, to $25 if
postmarked Fri, November 10 and after. Contact PBAA at 745-2033 or go on-line to
http://www.pbaa.com/pdf/BikePatrol.htm to get an application.
Here's your chance to have fun, while getting a lot of personal satisfaction,
and helping maintain a GABA Tradition – helping others. Won’t you please join?
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By Richard E “Rich” Corbett, Certified Master Cycling Instructor & Coach,
and El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol Director
Most of the crashes that happen on El Tour result from cyclists running into
each other, and most of these are when someone’s wheel just barely touches a
wheel in front of them. So read on, and be safer!
Drafting is riding closely behind the rider(s) who is (are) in front of you, to
gain an aerodynamic advantage. Drafting allows you to ride 2-4 mph faster than
you can alone, for the same energy output. Develop your drafting skills by
starting out approximately one bike length behind the rider ahead. Once you feel
confident in your bike handling skills and know the riding habits of the person
you are following, you may close the gap more and more, until you are riding one
foot from to the person ahead of you.
Drafting saves you energy: this is very important over long distances! Riding in
a paceline will use at least 20-25% less energy for the same speed compared to
riding alone. Riding in a pack may boosts this energy savings up to 30-40%.
Drafting/Paceline ‘Etiquette’:
Because a paceline is several cyclists drafting each other in single file at
higher speeds, often with less than 12 inches between their wheels, everyone in
the paceline has responsibilities to everyone else in the line. These include:
The lead (front) rider gives hand signals or calls out verbally to point out
road hazards to those behind her. Each following rider sees the signal and
repeats it for the riders behind him, on down through the end of the line.
The lead rider maintains a steady pace to keep the line moving briskly and
prevent it from breaking up; they do not coast, or otherwise quit pedaling.
The lead rider ‘pulls’, or rides at the front, for as little as 10 seconds, to
as long as 5 minutes, depending on the pace, terrain, purpose of the ride, and
the lead rider's strength. Do not ‘pull’ longer than is comfortable, or so long
that the group’s pace drops!
When the leader is ready to “pull off the front of the line, she looks over her
shoulder to see that the road is clear, signals left, and moves to the left of
the line. She then (and only then) slows down slightly, drifting gradually to
the back of the line. When even with the last rider, she begins to pedal more
strongly, to pick up speed. When her front wheel is even with the last rider's
rear wheel, she moves toward the last rider, and as the last rider passes her,
she quickly and smoothly moves behind him, into his slipstream.
The rider assuming the lead checks his speed as the old leader pulls off the
front, then maintains the same speed. He does not speed up or surge forward to
replace the old leader - doing so disrupts the line. He may also check his watch
or cyclometer to know roughly how long he should pull.
Everyone watches the shoulders of the person ahead of him or her. This helps
keep you aware of potential problems or changes ahead of you in the line. Do NOT
watch their rear wheel!
Everyone rides a steady pace. Do not abruptly accelerate or decelerate with
someone riding just inches behind you. If you slow suddenly and someone brushes
your rear wheel, you will stay up but the rider who touched your wheel will
fall. Don't be a dufus by bringing down the rider behind you! If you must slow a
little, keep pedaling, and move to the side just a bit, so you catch slightly
more wind resistance, and slow very slightly. You can also ‘feather’ your rear
brake, while continuing to pedal (my preference) – but remember, just barely
apply the brake.
Everyone must signal slowing or stopping to the riders behind them (arm down and
back with open palm toward the rider behind – more visible to riders behind you
than the fist behind the back). If you can't take your hands off the bars, call
out Slowing! or Stopping! Signal all turns as well (straight arm pointing in the
direction of the turn, either right or left). Everyone in the line behind you
should repeat your signal as they too slow, stop, or prepare to turn. Cattle
guards are always called out verbally and loudly.
Everyone in the paceline should separate a little as they approach cattle
guards, turns, or stops. Cyclists should separate enough so everyone in the
group can see for themselves where they're going and that there is no danger of
hitting a gap in the cattle guard grate, touching wheels, or running into
someone or some thing.
Group or ‘Pack’ Riding:
Virtually all the rules for a paceline apply when riding in a group/pack. Two
important differences include position awareness and position in turns.
Position awareness means there will be cyclists on all sides of you, not just
ahead and behind. This requires that you also watch those on both sides of your
position and their movements.
Position in turns. When turning in a pack, it is critical that everyone ‘hold
their line’ in turns. What does this mean? If you have been riding in the center
of the pack (and traffic lane), that is the lane position you will maintain as
you go through the turn. If you were on the outside, hold that lane position.
Steadiness: It is important that everyone in a paceline or pack ride a steady,
and straight line. Steadiness is best described as smooth, continuous, and
predictable. Do Not Stop Pedaling!! Use one of the two methods described above,
and you will be more secure in the line/group. If you want to practice straight
riding and become steadier at the same time, try riding the white line on a
street when there is no overtaking traffic, or a large empty parking lot.
Riding in pace lines and groups is exciting, FAST, and fun! Once you master it,
you will be prepared to ride a distinctly faster El Tour time, and to really
know the joy of cycling!
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by Richard E. “Rich” Corbett, Certified Master Cycling Instructor & Coach
This month’s article covers equipment, how to bring ‘all the pieces’ together,
and wraps up with good ways to recover after your personal best ride.
Equipment: Last in importance (after training your body for solid performance,
and improving your group riding skills) is your equipment. Common equipment
errors include the use of thorn-resistant tubes (because they are afraid of
flats), improper saddle height adjustment, lack of regular chain
cleaning/lubrication, and lack of proper tire inflation.
Thorn resistant Tubes: These do help reduce flats, but at a price in weight and
additional pedaling effort that you should not have to pay! Instead, learn to
avoid flats by riding farther from the curb, and keeping your tires fully
inflated. Also, learn to change your flats easily and quickly (I teach this in
my Pima College Bicycle Maintenance I classes).
Saddle Height Adjustment: Proper saddle height makes it possible to achieve best
biomechanical efficiency as you pedal. For proper saddle height, your leg should
be fully extended, with your knee locked and your foot level with the ground.
Chain Cleaning/lubrication: Chains need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly
for smooth, low-friction performance. If you ride regularly, such as the
training schedule set forth above, weekly would not be too often. Clean your
chain with a light spray such as WD-40, and lube it with White Lighting.
Proper Tire Inflation: Low tire pressure does two bad things: It cause more
flats, and it increases your pedaling effort/slows you down. A good floor pump,
with a built in gauge, makes it easier to keep your tires inflated to proper
pressure. Try to establish a routine, so you pump your tires up to full pressure
on the same schedule every week.
Put All the Pieces Together on Ride Day
In General: Believe in yourself. You have trained, and you have the preparation
behind you, so you are ready. Do not change anything on your bike, or your
food/drink. I made the mistake of making changes in both of these areas the
Thursday before the 2001 El Tour de Tucson, and guess what? I paid the price, as
my well laid plans for a sub-5 hour time fell apart!
Mental: Having the confidence that you are ready and capable is just as
important as having your equipment ready. Your long training ride, two weeks
before your event, was a demonstration that told you, “I am ready”. The
confidence you feel will help assure your success, and can contribute to even
more improvement in the future.
Physical: The most important thing you can do, after your long training ride, is
to rest. Rest both your muscles, and your body in general. Get plenty of sleep,
and taper off your training. Do be careful with your body, as I know more than a
few who injured themselves in the week or two before their event. Do not do
anything sudden while riding (such as a spur-of-the-moment sprint), unless you
are thoroughly warmed up.
Bike: Do not make changes in your equipment (tires, brakes, derailleurs, cleats,
etc.) after your long training ride, as you will certainly not be able to test
the new/re-adjusted part sufficiently. Work to get everything the way you will
use it for ride day, set on your long training ride two weeks prior.
Food/drink: Be sure to use the food and drink that you have used and determined
to be okay for you by testing and getting used to it. You will have confidence
that, even under the adverse conditions of a maximum effort ride, you will still
be able to eat and drink. Then remember to eat and drink regularly as you ride.
Eat approximately 100-150 calories every hour as you ride, and drink even more
frequently (at least a swallow or two), every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the
weather and how hard you are working.
Strategy: Have a plan. Know 1) what you want to accomplish, and 2) what you need
to do to achieve your goal. I usually look at the course, and calculate when I
need to be at key points, in order to achieve my goal.
Recovering after your Ride : To understand recovery, it is desirable to
understand how to eat and drink 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 50-75 grams of carbohydrate (200-300 calories) per hour while
exercising hard will significantly increase your stamina. Drinking enough, but
not too much, requires experimentation on your part. 12-16 oz of water, 30 to 60
minutes before you begin exercise is needed. Then for most conditioned cyclists,
16-32 oz of water per hour during moderate to hard ex-ercise 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 in the energy drink.
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.
Put all these ‘things’ together and you can be successful. Good luck in the 24th
El Tour de Tucson.
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October 11th 2006 Meeting
Report By Richard E “Rich” Corbett
#1: Law Enforcement Reports and Related Topics: Tucson Police Lt Mike was unable
to attend. Deputy Smith was there as a substitute for Sgt Karl Woolridge, and
reported there were six bicycle-motor vehicle collisions, all with injury. The
most serious was on the Mt Lemmon Hwy, where a cyclist was hit by a suicidal
driver, who fled the scene, but was later apprehended. This plus two others
required transportation of the cyclists. The other three did not require
transportation.
Member Hank Rowe asked about a crash in Catalina, and member Eric Post added two
more, a left hook on Campbell, and a 16-year old hit in a crosswalk while
‘straddling’ his bike. County Staff Matt Zoll mentioned a crash where two
cyclists were riding single file, and a passing trailer hit one.
#2: Call to the Public: Citizen Danielle Diamante asked about the Aviation Hwy
extension plans, and was told that according to City Staff Melissa Antol, the
City will provide a Downtown Links report at the November meeting.
#3: BAC list of recommendations for RTA: PAG Staff member Richard Corbett
explained the process that had started in June with the PAG sponsored retreat,
to get cyclist input as to priorities for the RTA bike projects list. He put up
and explained a large bike map showing the bike projects that matched the
corrected RTA master bike projects list that he handed out (replacing the one in
the agenda packet). He then passed the presentation off to Bill Adamson, BAC
Facilities Sub-committee Chair.
Adamson thanked Corbett for all the work staff has put into the process, and
pointed out to the Committee that the RTA is moving ahead with or without BAC
input, so timely BAC action is needed. He urged BAC members to ‘push’ their
jurisdictions to advance bike projects, as only one has been authorized so far –
Kolb Road, Valencia to I-10. He handed out a list showing the recommended
priorities from the Facilities sub-committee, and explained some of the changes
from the complied results of the retreat process. Discussion followed as to
specific projects and some of the changes.
Adamson moved to accept the recommended sub-committee list as the BAC’s
recommendation, Merritt Howard seconded, and it was passed unanimously.
#4: BAC Sub-Committee & Staff Reports: Secretary Corbett gave a report for City
staff Melissa Antol, who could not be at the meeting: 1) Downtown Links report
will be given in November, 2) two projects on 22nd Street are not far enough
along to report on yet – Kino-22nd overpass, and 22nd Street overpass; 3) The
TDOT Bike Planner Position has 20 applications, and TDOT hopes to make a
decision within a month. This position will report to Melissa, who will stay
involved with BAC and the RTA processes, as well as working on some events
including bike-to-work day. In the future she will wean herself from events
involvement as the new planner becomes comfortable. TDOT remains committed to
the bike program, and this change should be looked at as an opportunity to make
the program stronger; and 4) She is working with the Brain Injury Institute to
plan one of their local education events and is looking for volunteers (Corbett
handed out a flier on this).
Zoll reported that the County would interview soon for their bicycle engineer
position.
Member Wayne Cullop gave a reminder about the November 11th Bike Swap meet.
Secretary Corbett handed out for Grant Road Corridor project information sheets
provided by Antol.
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Sunday, December 3
Meet at 9 AM at the Tumacacori Mission for a ride to Nogales on remote and quiet
backroads. Experience the traditional Mexican breakfast at Zula's in Nogales at
mid-point!
After the ride, enjoy local-cooked food, Mexican and Native arts & crafts, and
entertainment/music at the annual Tumacacori Festival! The Festival is usually
set up in a field, just north of the Mission and goes on all day.
Directions to start: drive south on I-19 to the Tubac exit; then, cross under
the freeway and drive south on the EAST frontage road to the Mission.
For more information, call Tom Ward, (520) 625-3649.
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The GABA Board wants to thank all those
who took the time and made the effort
to send in their design for a possible
new GABA Jersey!
The Board will review all the designs
and make a decision
in the next month or so.
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Saturday, January 20, 2007
Volunteers Needed!
The 23rd Annual Senior Olympic Festival is quickly approaching. As in the past,
the City of Tucson Parks & Recreation will be hosting the cycling events on
Saturday, January 20, at a location still not yet determined at time of
printing.
Participants, ranging in age from 50 and above, will be competing in a 1-mile
time trial, 5K-time trial, 10K-road race, and 20K-road race. Races are divided
by age brackets in increments of 5.
You must register between Tuesday, January 2 and Friday, January 5. Check the
website for this year's cost at: www.tucsonseniorgames.org. Check-in is ½ hour
before event starts.
Helmets are mandatory. Multi-gear bikes with front and rear brakes are required.
Fixed-gear bikes are not permitted. Recumbent bikes which meet USCF rules are
permitted. No protective shield, faring or other device on any part of the
bicycle which has the effect of reducing air resistance are allowed, except
those permitted by the USCF. No drafting allowed. U. S. Cycling Federation (USCF)
rules apply.
Volunteers are still needed in the following areas; traffic control,
start/finish attendants, participants check-in, bike holder, turn around
attendants and results coordinators. Volunteers will be needed from
approximately 8 AM to 3 PM. You may volunteer for just one job if you want. A
few hours of your time would be greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in volunteering on that day, or would like more
information about participating in the cycling events, please contact (520)
791-3244, or fax at (520) 791-5914 or visit our website at
www.tucsonseniorgames.org
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John Woolf, PT, ATC, will coordinate local experts in providing students with
information about the course, methods to safely prepare for El Tour, and
strategies to meet your goals.
Classes Schedule:
El Tour 103: Wed. Nov. 8, at 7 PM.
Topics:
El Tour 103: experience your winning edge.
These classes will be held at ProActive Performance Institute, 4570 N. First
Ave, Ste 150. For more information, call 293-1456 or check their website at:
www.proactivept.com.
The El tour Training Classes are open to the public and are free of charge.
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President: TONY EVERETT
Vice President:
Treasurer: PEGGY JACOBSEN
Secretary: SANDI ROUSSEAU
Membership: STEVEN GRAEBER
Publicity: SALLY KRUSING
Education: MATT ZOLL
Touring-Day: JEANIE DARNALL
Touring-Centuries: SANDI ROUSSEAU
Touring-Overniters: JUDY BOLT
Editor: SUZANNE COUVRETTE
Volunteer: DICK SCHAFFER
Web Master: DAVE SWANSON
Legal Advisor: DONNA AVERSA
Social Director: PAM CULLOP
Bike Shop Coord.: RAM SALCEDO
Correspondence: DONNA LEWANDOWSKI
GABA Merchandise:
Shed Master: BILL BORLAND
Bike Swap Coord.: GREG YARES
Great AZ Bike Adventure:
Elections of officers will take place at the January Monthly Meeting, on Monday,
January 8, 2007 at 7 PM. Anyone interested in serving on the Board? Contact Tony
Everett ahead of time at 760-0458 or
president@bikegaba.org.
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By Brian Beck, Ward 2 Representative, Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory
Committee
From regulating motorized bicycles to how to spend millions of dollars on
bicycling improve-ments, the Tucson-Pima County Bicycling Advi-sory Committee is
helping to shape the future of bicycling in Pima County. The BAC is a citizens
committee that advises local governments on bicycling-related issues.
Recent BAC actions included helping local trans-portation planners prioritize
the more than 100 bicycling-related projects included in the Regional
Transportation Authority program that voters approved in May. RTA funding will
make about $60 million available for bicycling facilities over the next 20
years.
The BAC also recently weighted in on the issue of motorized bicycles. Citing
safety and other concerns, the committee urged local govern-ments to keep
motorized bikes off of multi-use paths and out of striped bike routes.
Meanwhile, BAC members have been involved in planning for the new 4th Avenue
underpass, the extension of the Barraza-Aviation Parkway through downtown, and
other transportation programs.
If you have concerns or ideas about making the region more bicycle-safe and
friendly, the BAC welcomes your input. The BAC meets the 2nd Wednesday or each
month from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave. To
learn more about the BAC, call 740-6746 or visit
www.pima.gov/tpcbac/.
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Picture an attractive 240-foot steel bridge decorated to look like an O'odham
basket. Like the Rattlesnake Bridge, it will attract national attention and be
destined to win many design awards! The Basket Bridge will connect the portion
of the bike path that dead-ends south of the Rattle-snake Bridge with the bike
route that leads to Kolb and Escalante roads on the Southeast Side.
Tucson has a reputation for being bicycle-friendly, but it has a long way to go
before enough money trickles in to connect all the bits and pieces of bicycle
routes into dedicated bike paths that get cyclist away from vehicular traffic.
Eventually, it will be possible to ride from the Santa Cruz River Park on the
West Side to the Far East Side near Golf Links and Pantano roads, and then turn
north to the Rillito River Park and complete a loop west to Interstate 10 and
the Santa Cruz River, using dedicated bike paths for most of the distance.
The Euclid-Park Basket Bridge is a major piece of this puzzle. Construction is
scheduled to begin in the spring and last 9 to 12 months. The 240-foot bridge
will be 14 feet wide. The bridge's deck will be 17 feet above the street and the
top of the span will be 21 feet above the deck. The top of the bridge will be
covered with a mesh material attached to steel struts. At night the bridge will
look like an immense O'odham basket glowing in the dark. Although entirely made
of steel, it will look like a traditional basket made of yucca and catclaw. It
was designed by Rosemary Lonewolf, an artist in Santa Clara Pueblo, N.M.
The Basket Bridge will be a fine complement to the Diamondback span across
Broadway. The new bridge contributes a practical asset to bike riders and
pedestrians, and with luck, it will also help stimulate interest in the use of
architecture not only as nuts and bolts infrastructure, but also as a way to add
striking visual enhancements to the city's landscape.
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By Karen Warrick, Prescott Cycling Club President
kwarrick@cableone.net
928-713-9811
Kim Disney (left), Director of Heritage Park Zoo and Wildlife Refuge, accepts a
check for $2148.91 from Prescott Cycling Club President Karen Warrick while
Samson, the tiger, takes center stage. Jim Knaup, owner of Ironclad Bikes, and
Mayor Rowle Simmons lend a hand.
The donation, made in memory of Jerry Doss, was raised by the Prescott Cycling
Club’s 54-Mile Loop Challenge and Jerry Doss Memorial Ride held on Sunday,
September 24. The first-time ride event went off safely and successfully with
one hundred twenty-five participants. Riders came from all parts of Arizona.
Some came from as far away as San Diego and New Mexico. More than 50 local
volunteers provided support for the event.
Jerry Doss, age 71, dreamed up the concept for this ride and chaired the
sub-committee. Sadly, he passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2006. He was on a
3-Day Route 66 ride that he also organized. He loved bicycles and he loved a
challenge.
Contributions from more than 30 local businesses helped reduce expenses for the
event. PCC would like to thank High Gear Bike Shop, Ironclad Bikes, Bikesmith,
Southwest Sounds and Cyclery, Dirt Works, Heritage Park Zoo and Wildlife
Sanctuary, and the Comfort Inn.
Others that supported our ride include Yavapai Amateur Radio Club, Yavapai VIP
Citizen’s Patrol, KKLD-FM of Yavapai Broadcasting, Bashas, Albertson’s in
Prescott and Prescott Valley, Safeway in Chino Valley, Prescott Valley and both
Prescott locations, Costco, Fry’s in Prescott Valley and in Prescott on Willow
Creek Rd, Goodwin Pharmacy, Prescott Unified School District, Mile-Hi Animal
Hospital, Canyon Run Commercial Real Estate, Prescott Bicycle Advisory
Committee, and Prescott Alternative Transportation.
Plans for next year’s Jerry Doss Memorial Ride are already under way. PCC hopes
to attract more riders and to share another great ride in and around our
community.