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ACTIVITY NEWS: Sep 2005

     What's in this Issue?

1. The President's Draft
2. The Road to Fitness
3. TCBC'ers Assist As Needed
4. Recent Trip Recaps
5. Upcoming Events
6. Labor Day Weekend All Club Ride - Sept. 3
7. Save These Dates
8. Sideways Solvang Tour 2006
9. Join Parks and Trails Council and Get The New MN Trails Magazine!
10. TrailLink 2005 Conference
11. Federal Highway Transportation Bill Finally Passes
12. Trails and Routes News
13. Welcome New Members
14. In Brief
15. Mileages and Stats
16. TCBC Board of Directors and Contacts

President’s Column: How Can I Help?
By Mike Beadles

Greetings!

I've had people say to me recently, "I absolutely love TCBC, and I want to do more! How can I help?" Well, funny you should ask! I am writing this issue's President's Column on behalf of our TCBC Board of Directors with a request for these volunteer positions within our club!

This year once again, we are having a record number of total TCBC rides, a record number of TCBC riders, and a record number of TCBC Leaders. Our club is doing very well and as such we have some positions that will be turning over at the end of this participation year (October 31, 2005). Also there are a couple new positions within the club. We are growing and growing! We are eternally grateful to everyone that has taken on these positions in the past and we've built quite an extensive base of knowledge! Fresh and new ideas keep our club ever evolving as well!

Each of the positions and the descriptions are below. We would like to fill these before Oct 31 to offer some hands-on training with the current person. Please take some time to read over and consider a position on this list. Ask yourself if there's a position that sounds interesting to possibly become more involved and to even further support TCBC.

To be considered for one of the positions, please contact me, Mike Beadles, via e-mail at MrBikey@MrBikey.com or contact by phone at 612-432-5393 and I will present all offers to the TCBC Board for consideration. Thank you! Here are the positions available:

Ride Statistics Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Web Master Coordinators
"Bike U" coordinator
Photo Editor
Watermelon Chair "In Training"

Ride Statistics Coordinator

Responsible for receiving ride signup sheets and then inputting the data into a Microsoft Access database for reporting. Also, follow up with leaders to track missing ride signup sheets.

Volunteer Coordinator

Responsible for determining volunteer needs as required by the club, and being an ambassador to represent TCBC for ad hoc volunteer requests from the public, and fill those requests as desired.

Web Master Group

This task will be performed by a group of people. Responsible for updating the TCBC web pages on an ongoing basis - at least once per month for the news and events to be the same as the printed version of the newsletter. Also responsible for posting "Web Rides" onto the schedule webpage with a 10-day notice from a Ride Leader. Most popular web pages are currently - the schedule, the welcome page, the news, the want ads. In season, other web pages are the Watermelon page and the WOW page.

"Bike U" coordinator

Responsible for coordinating "Bike U" events during the winter months. Includes obtaining location, speakers, liquid refreshments (food is generally potluck), napkins, plates, and plastic forks, knives, and serving utensils, and for organizing volunteers. All supplies and rent (if applicable) are paid from a budgeted amount for "Bike U".

Photo Editor

Responsible for choosing two photographs per newsletter issue (mostly monthly) from the various photos taken by TCBC riders for printing in the newsletter. Many photos are linked to the TCBC "Photo Albums" website. Photos must be chosen based on the ability of the picture to be able to be printed in the newsletter in "black and white" as our newsletter is not in color. Photos are to be e-mailed from our Photo Editor to our Newsletter Editor by the due date for each issue.

Watermelon Chair - in training

Responsible for everything Watermelon. This is a perfect position for more than one person to share as co-chairs. Responsible for getting volunteers, food, beverages, rest stops, biffies, it's all documented. 2006 will be Patt & Irene's final year, and we would like Watermelon co-Chairs in training in 2006 to take over completely in 2007 for at least two years.

The Road to Fitness
by Marina Lim

The day my second kid was born I weighed 172 pounds. That is bad, since I am 5 feet, 4 inches tall. Over time I lost some weight but still tipped the scale by 30 pounds. I used to be rail-thin at 115 pounds and could ride 50 miles, then go for a swim in the pool at my apartment. What happened? I was tired all the time from chasing after and disciplining little kids. There was no energy left. I’d become fat and frumpy with a figure like a 2-liter pop bottle.

We moved to New York and pelotons of chatty roadies whizzed by our house on beautiful weekend mornings. I didn’t have the guts to waddle into the local pro level bike store. Instead my old bike sat forlorn and lonely in the garage with flat tires. I had ousted my two men’s extra small wool jerseys and wool shorts years earlier. They wouldn’t have fit anyway. Taking an aqua aerobics class was not physically beneficial. The other women in the class were 10 years older than me and double my size.

A few years later, on a spring day in Minnesota, I decided it was time to start riding again. I looked through the Yellow Pages, found a bike store and dropped my bike off to get new Campy components installed. The flat tires needed to be fixed anyway. It’s too bad I didn’t look at new bikes first to compare the total cost -- it would have been cheaper to buy a whole new bike. But I was attached to my custom frame and wanted to ride that bike. In any event, while waiting a few weeks for the refit, I pulled out an old Miyata from the basement. I rode a mile around my neighborhood and was winded. It was clear I was way out of shape.

Like many beginners, I rode a little farther each week as the months wore on. Fall came and I went to another bike store to get some winter attire. I tried on women’s XL black winter tights - the only size I could squeeze into. Turning around in the tiny, dimly lit dressing room I saw a large black bowling ball with black sticks for legs. I thought: I can’t wear this in public. But I did, because it’s what you wear to ride in the cold.

Finally I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. At the evaluation the trainer took my history and measured me with calipers. I was 35% fat (above 30% is unacceptable for my age) and weighed 130 pounds. She tested me for 5 minutes on an elliptical machine. My heart rate zoomed to 169. It should have been below 150. She said I was “pretty out of shape.”

A week later I was put on a strict diet : 1700 calories per day, 60% carbohydrates, 20% protein, 20% fat. Over a few months I changed my eating habits. Gone are pink lemonade, cheesecake, pizza, donuts, ice cream and deep fried chicken wings with fried rice. More importantly she taught me how to lift weights (and made me do it too). I got hooked on weight lifting and became a gym rat.

In 5 months I gained 9.3 pounds of muscle and lost 6.4% fat. I was down one clothing size and finally had a waistline again. I weighed 133 but my body was totally reshaped. She eyed me critically and said “I see you’ve lost the cellulite on the back of your thighs”. (What cellulite?)

My trainer and I became friends. We went to San Francisco and rented bikes to ride from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin County headlands. When we got to the moderately hilly mountain bike trail, she promptly kicked my butt in the first mile (without gloating, of course). I still have plenty of work to do. Getting and staying fit requires a permanent change in my lifestyle and eating habits.

TCBC’ers Assist as Needed
By Cindy Hanson

Paul Huntington and I led our Ice Cream Cruiser Ride yesterday Afternoon (August 7). On our way back down Summit Avenue from the Cathedral, as we approached the intersection of Summit and Dale, we saw about half a dozen bikes parked or lying in the bike lane, and several of our riders crowded around a person who was sitting in the grass. Her face, arms and legs were covered in blood. A cyclist--NOT one of our riders--had fallen and hit her head. She was probably in her late teens, riding a hybrid, wearing teeny shorts, a tank top, shower flip-flops... and NO HELMET. She was shaking and bleeding profusely from a large gash above her left eye, and she had some pretty serious road rash on her left arm and shoulder.

A couple of walkers had already called 911 on their cell phones, and the TCBC folks did a nice job of lending additional support. Paul got down on the ground with the victim and held her up and talked to her to calm her down and make sure she stayed conscious. Deb drained her water bottle and used the ice and my Watermelon Ride bandana to make an ice pack for the victim. Another TCBC rider called the victim's parents on her cell phone. We all moved the bikes out of the road to make room for the emergency vehicles and made arrangements with a local resident to keep the victim's bike in their garage. Everybody stayed until the victim was loaded in the ambulance.

Shortly before the first emergency vehicle arrived, the victim asked: "Are you going to tell me I shouldn't have been riding without a helmet?" "I'm not going to yell at you," Paul replied, "but . . YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RIDING WITHOUT A HELMET." She asked the same question of the first EMT who attended to her, and he told her she should ALWAYS wear a helmet.

A police officer asked if the victim was with us. We told him that she was not, that we were on an organized ride with TCBC, that we arrived on the scene shortly after the accident and stayed to offer assistance and support.

I thought the TCBC folks acquitted themselves admirably in this situation and wanted to let everybody know.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: A few days later, the victim’s father called to say she was doing well and how grateful he was to TCBC members for helping us. He said she’ll be wearing a helmet from now on!)

Recent Trip Recaps
(by Doug Nelson unless otherwise indicated)

JUNE 17: I finally became a member of Herb’s Herd by going on a day trip in out state MN led by Herb Schultz, co-led by Don Picard. We checked out the western half of the Sakatah Trail and had lunch in Mankato. A beautiful day on a sometimes-bumpy trail. We had a nice turnout for a Friday.

JUNE 18: Some of us started in Mankato and did the Red Jacket Trail south to Rapidan and had lunch at the Dam Store, which of course featured damburgers, and they were gooood. We checked the new trail connection between the Red Jacket (starting at the high school) and the Sakatah, a trail which is right along the Minnesota River and sometimes atop the dike. There is one tricky blind corner, and no signs, but head north from the high school and follow the trails along the river. Another splendid day.

JULY 2: I led my Bass Lake ride into Wisconsin, crossing the Stillwater Bridge for the last time till next year. The hills were still there, and some of the roads were improved from two years ago. There is more development underway in spots in western WI, unfortunately. We ran into an unexpected parade in Hudson but it was mellow and we found ways around it.

JULY 4: Only 15 or so turned out for perfect weather for the Boom-Boom Ride. Kristine Poelzer planned it nicely and we ended up along the Mississippi just below the Science Museum, a fine vantage point for the fireworks. A rather confused man kept walking around and touching some of our parked bikes and we had to encourage him as a group not to do that. Riding back in the dark worked fine.

JULY 10: I had eight riders show up for this Outreach Ride; that was amazing. Trying to find riders in the many parking lots turned out to be a bad idea. The more seasoned TCBC’ers found the registration area to be a better location to meet. Got members signed up and used the Pink Card to explain the ride. Off we went at different speeds enjoying the route with many other riders. First rest stop at Cold Spring had all kinds of treats with cold water and Gatorade. Lisa was told to look for a guy with a dog in a trailer and she found me at that stop. My dog was starting to complain about the heat now, so we stopped more often for the rest of the ride. Second stop was the St. John’s Parish Center. Again good treats and cool liquids to revive us as we pedaled. Second member found me at this stop. Now the temps were getting real warm. For me and my dog, the final miles were a test to see if we could make it back to St. Joseph, and we did. For the longer route riders (50 mi), there was another rest stop at St. Wendel. The e-mails that I received once I returned home were that everyone liked the ride, which I’m glad. Still pedaling. (Gil Clounie)

JULY 16: I led my Hugo Ride, which I probably won’t do next year because of planned route construction. It was one of our hottest summer days, topping out at 97. Even by shortly after noon, it was so hot some of us got off the road to stand in some shade for a few minutes. Glad to get done with that one.

JULY 29: on the Cruising the Suburbs Ride, my husband, Don Sletten, “fell” in a large hole in the cement street. Of course, his tire and rim were damaged. Bob Schwob offered to bike back with me to our van. He graciously drove our van back to pick up Don and his bike. This meant that he could not continue to ride, but we want to thank him and express our appreciation for helping us. We want to thank Nancy Selz, the leader, who left the group and came back twice to offer advice, etc. Thank you Nancy! (Marion Stief)

JULY 31 – AUG 1: Thirteen of us biked 80 miles to Hinckley and back, and stayed near the casino. Dave Swaab did a wonderful job driving his car as sag support. About 90 both days, with a great tail wind going up. Some gambled, some didn’t, but we all seemed to have a good time. Thank goodness for the pool and whirlpool.

Upcoming Events

SEPT 10-11 LA CROSSE KILLER HILL REDUX OVERNIGHT+. A/B 70-80 mi on Saturday, plus the Seesaw to Arkansaw ride from Maiden Rock (A/B 65-70 mi) on Sunday (separate listing). Remember the Old Killer Hill 64 ride the La Crosse Wheelmen used to put on? This will follow that route for about the last 35 miles including the famed Killer Hill climb. A new direction out will add some big climbs and a few miles. The climb out of La Crosse up past Grand Dad Bluff is included. Leader is Bill Simon, bicyclebill@comcast.net. Hotels in La Crosse book early so get reservations ASAP and cancel later if needed. For details including CANCELLATION status, lodging, evening activities and Yahoo Group link, visit web page: http://home.comcast.net/~bicyclebill/KillerHill/

SEPT 10: 2ND ANNUAL SCANDIA CLOVERLEAF RIDE. If you're a Twin Cities Bike Club member you probably aren't intimidated by organized rides, but do you know someone who is? Or are you an experienced rider who wants to tour one of the most beautiful biking areas in the Twin Cities? Whatever your biking skills, here's your chance to join your neighbors in Scandia for the second annual Cloverleaf Bike Ride on the morning of Taco Daze, Saturday, Sept 10th. All ages and abilities are welcome. Enjoy the ride, then stay for lunch and activities at Scandia's annual Taco Daze Festival (http://www.scandiamn.com).

The Scandia Cloverleaf Ride is well suited to less experienced riders (and those who are a bit out-of-shape) because one can ride a loop, return to the start point, then choose another loop if desired. The looping cloverleaf format is unlike most organized rides that require cyclists to choose the total distance they will ride at the starting point.

The 2005 Cloverleaf routes are the same as last year's tour, with options of 3, 8, 15, and 30 miles. The short and easy 3-miler is great for light riders and youngsters. The Cloverleaf routes are flat to gently rolling, with only a few hills to challenge riders. Most of the miles will be on low traffic back roads, with a portion of the 15/30 mile route following the trail through William O'Brien State Park. The Cloverleaf routes wind through quiet woods and open farmland, skirting scenic ponds and lakes with destinations of Marine-on-St Croix, Bone Lake, and the east side of Big Marine Lake. The watchful rider should be able to spot a variety of wildlife and exotic farms along the way. Watch for turkey, buffalo, camels, and llamas!

This year riders and spectators will have the opportunity to purchase Livestrong wristbands or have their picture taken with Lance Armstrong (or his likeness, anyway). Proceeds from the sales will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to support the battle against cancer.

Riders may check-in and depart between 9-10 am from Hay Lake Lions Pavilion, 2 miles south of Scandia at the corner of Old Marine Trail and Olinda Trail (Cty 3). Routes will be marked and maps provided. Pre-registration is encouraged so we have an idea of how many riders to expect (http://www.twinpinefarm.com/tacodaze) or riders may register on the day of the ride. For more information, contact Jan Hogle (cloverleaf@twinpinefarm.com) at 651-433-3362. The Scandia Cloverleaf Bike Ride is co-sponsored by the Twin Cities Bike Club and the New Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee.

SEPT 16-18 ROOT RIVER VALLEY TRAILS WEEKEND. Welcome C riders and friends to our three days in Lanesboro! We hope you can join us for our third annual event to explore this beautiful area in SE Minn. We will be riding all three days, but come when you can. Some of us will go to the Commonweal Theater to attend their productions. Friday night’s is Moliere’s “Scapin” and Saturday’s will be Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” which is a classic comedy of wit and satire. Call Herb Schultz to reserve your tickets. This is a popular area on weekends, so be sure to reserve a place to stay soon. The Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce number is 1-888-223-4258. Some of us also camp in Lanesboro. Looking forward to seeing old and new friends there! Call us if you have questions and also let us know you will be there! Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009, or Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381.

SEPT 23-25 SEPTEMBER (WOBEGON) DAYS. Do your thing on the Wobegon Trail, including the Holdingford and St. Joseph spurs over three autumn days. This C ride features 10-foot-wide paved trails and offers extra miles options. Come for 1, 2, or all 3 days. Each day will feature activities en route and/or after ride. You will book your own lodging accommodations in or around Albany, MN. Country Inn and Suites at 320-845-2145 is an option.) Leaders: Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381 or herbschl@juno.com; Don Picard, 952-894-3431. Cell phone at ride 952-334-8382.

MARCH 1-7, 2006: Another fun TCBC overnight trip is in the works! The fourth annual “Cruising California’s Coast” trip is planned for March 1-7. Plan ahead for this scenic and challenging bicycle trip along the Pacific Ocean during a winter week of warmth in sunny southern CA! Trip includes five days of cycling that is ROUND TRIP from Santa Monica to San Diego. Enjoy all paved surfaces, 55-75 vigorous miles per day, and six nights of lodging in motels/hotels. Van support for gear and supplies is included in the trip price.

For registration, cost, and other trip details, see the ad in this newsletter issue or click on Overnight Trips, http://www.bikeTCBC.org. Trip limited to 30 participants. Early bird registrations are the best value with deposit due 11/30/05. TCBC Co-leaders: Kristine Poelzer 651-633-1127; Tom Sullivan 562-233-4022.

Labor Day Weekend All Club Ride – Sept 3

I hope that many of you will join us for our traditional Labor Day Weekend TCBC ride for all levels of riders, on what was formerly known as “The Big Picnic Ride.”

The format for the ride will remain the same: there will be three route/level options consisting of a 29-mile C ride, a 48-mile B ride, and a 63-mile A/B ride. Each ride will have its own leader. The ride briefing will start at 9:30 AM and the various levels will leave in a staggered start soon thereafter.

The start location is the main picnic shelter on top of the hill in Snail Lake Park in Shoreview; to find it, go north from 694 on Victoria to Snail Lake Blvd, then east to the shelter parking lot. (We also used this location for the All-Club Memorial Ride in May and the Watermelon Ride rest stop in July.) Please come early to socialize and also to help us start on time.

There will be a bike mechanic from REI in the parking lot to help riders with checks and adjustments, from about 8:30 until the riders leave, but he will not be bringing items for sale!

Although there are no formal arrangements for after the ride, everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or snack and socialize. If you have any questions, contact Pete Hawkins at 763-786-3792 or pmh@peoplepc.com. (Pete and Doug Nelson will be two of the leaders.)

Save These Dates!

TCBC ANNUAL MEETING
Saturday, November 5, 2005
Brooklyn Center Community Center

TCBC ANNUAL RECOGNITION DINNER
Friday, January 27, 2006
Bloomington

Watch for details in upcoming newsletters and http://www.bikeTCBC.org.

Sideways Solvang Tour 2006

Join us in March for the 2nd annual Solvang, CA, ride. We will meet in Solvang on Sunday, March 5, for an evening group dinner meeting. Then we will ride from March 6-10. You may also want to consider doing the Solvang Century on March 11 (non-TCBC). For details, go to: http://www.bikescor.com/solvang/welcome/htm.

Solvang is located about 43 miles north of Santa Barbara. The movie “Sideways” was filmed there. If you are the least bit interested in this ride, you really must see the movie first. It will give you an idea of the beautiful countryside in and around Solvang. It is dotted with horses, wineries, nice restaurants, and lovely green hills. Above all, there is wonderful biking on good country roads. Did I mention the wineries? We’ll be headquartered at the Svendsgaard’s Danish Lodge in Solvang, with daily rides beginning and ending there. If the Danish Lodge is full, you could also stay at the King Frederick Motel, which is nearby. Call Nancy for other lodging choices. There is a possibility of a short drive out of Solvang for a starting point on one or two days, but no changing motels will be necessary.

There will be regular TCBC A/B rides of 30 to 60 miles. Of course, self-sufficient B riders are welcome to join us. There are no upfront costs. You will be responsible for your own transportation, lodging, and meals. You have the option of flying into Santa Barbara via connecting flights, or you can fly direct to Los Angeles and drive up from there. There are several bike shops in the Solvang area where you can ship your bike. Last year we had a great time on this ride. We are limiting this ride to 25 riders.

Ride leader: Nancy Wall, 651-335-0009, nancy.wall@co.dakota.mn.us
Co-leader: Susan Evan, 612-729-1441, bikersusan@hotmail.com

Join the Parks and Trails Council and Get The New MN Trails Magazine!

Most of you know that we in Minnesota enjoy one of the best systems of parks and trails in the United States, and that those facilities add much to our quality of life here. Did you know that Parks & Trails bought the original corridor for the Cannon Valley Trail and most of the Gateway Trail, has loaned money to the Root River system to help it grow, and has protected the Paul Bunyan Trail (and as a result trails across Minnesota and the nation) all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court? Well, here is your chance to show your support for the maintenance and improvement of our parks and trails by joining the Parks and Trails Council of MN at a bargain rate. Since TCBC is a member organization of Parks and Trails, our members are eligible to join for just a $10 annual fee.

Your voice as a Parks & Trails member is very important, especially when Parks and Trails staff lobby the state legislature for system funding. Please consider supporting this worthy organization that is working hard to protect and enhance your recreational opportunities in MN. To join, go to the Parks and Trails website at: http:/www.parksandtrails.org, click on “join” and then “use our secure server.” On the membership form under amount, fill in 10.00 on the “other” line and then write “member of TCBC” in the comments line. You can pay on-line with a credit card or an electronic check. Joining is easy and expensive and your membership is important.

Supporters of silent sports are often a fairly silent majority, and as advocates at the State Capitol, the Council is able to present a stronger voice for the importance of these places when we have a larger coalition of members, so TCBC members are wanted! Also, when you join you will get the Parks and Trails newsletter and the brand-new MN Trails Magazine, a Journal of Parks and Trails. This magazine is a new step for Parks & Trails and the MN Bike Trails and Rides newspaper, and you will not want to miss it! It is available free at assorted outlets across Minnesota, such as state parks, bed and breakfasts, restaurants near trails, etc., and via mail to all Parks & Trails members.

Julia Cuchna
Development Director
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
275 East 4th Street, Suite #642
St Paul, MN 55101
phone 651-726-2457
fax 651-726-2458

TrailLink 2005 Conference

The Twin Cities was the proud host of the International TrailLink 2005 Conference on July 27-30, 2005. The conference held every other year and is sponsored by the Rails to Trails Conservancy. Hundreds of attendees from around the country represented government agencies and non-profits that work on the development, maintenance, and promotion of parks and trails. Seminars on a wide variety of topics were offered to help participants learn new skills and share ideas. Attendees also had the opportunity to enjoy some of our state-of-the-art biking and walking facilities here in the Twin Cities!

The conference sessions I attended included: Trail Maintenance Tricks and Techniques, Marketing Trails, Solving Jurisdictional Issues, Linking Art and Trails, Trails and Tourism, and Counting Trail Users. For a full list of seminar topics visit http://www.railstotrails.org

Several TCBC members attended the sightseeing bike tour in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon and helped to make our guests from around the country feel welcome.

FEDERAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION BILL FINALLY PASSES

After two years of temporary extension the Federal Highway Transportation Bill finally was passed by the House and Senate on July 28, 2005. The new bill named TEA-LU retains most of the previous bill, TEA-21’s programs.

This bill has $286.5 billion dollars of funding over the next 6 years for transportation including federal highways, public transit and safety projects. There are several programs for biking and walking facilities included in the bill. Two new programs for biking and walking include Safe Routes to Schools and the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Project.

Safe Routes to Schools: The Safe Routes to School program provides money for communities to improve facilities and fix hazards that are obstacles for kids to bike and walk to school.

Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project: In this program, four communities in the country were awarded $25 million each for a non-motorized transportation system. After the pilot projects are complete, these communities will be asked to evaluate how the additional facilities changed the modes of transportation people use. The big question will be, “Does having better biking and walking facilities reduce trips by car?”

The Twin Cities was named one of the recipients of this funding because we already have a good foundation; the additional funding will help fill in some critical gaps and get us closer to having a more complete system. The other three communities are Columbia, MO; Marin County, CA; and Sheboygan County, WI.

The funds will be available in October of 2006, so there is some time to plan what improvements will have the greatest impact on transportation. If you are aware of areas in our current system where there are obstacles for people wanting to bike or walk for transportation, please send me your suggestions, I will pass them on to Mn/DOT.

For a more complete summary of the bicycle related programs in the TEA-LU bill visit http://www.americabikes.org

Lisa Austin, laustin@visi.com
TCBC Board Member and
Mn/DOT State Bicycle Advisory Committee Member (SBAC)
http://www.mnsbac.org

Trails and Routes News

ANOTHER MILE: A stretch of the Intercampus Transitway between the Mpls and St. Paul campuses of the U of M is now open to bikers. The transitway crosses Energy Park Drive (stop light) just west of Raymond Ave and goes one mile to where it ends at Como Ave (stop light) at the SW corner of the State Fairgrounds. There is no path – bikers share the road with occasional buses. This road was posted off-limits to bikers for years, but now has fences along the walls over the railroad bridge, so bikers can’t fall over the edge if they happen to crash! (Of course, this safety improvement could have been easily done years ago.) Thanks to Susie Anderson and Paul Huntington for using this on a ride.

GATEWAY TRAIL: Word is that there is money to widen some of it. (Your editor remembers hearing that soon after it opened in the early 90’s that the DNR was already wishing they had paved it wider.)

EDGERTON BRIDGE over 694 opened in late July and is excellent, smooth with wide shoulders.

CEDAR LAKE TRAIL now has a nice bike path linking it to Wirth Parkway at the NW corner of Cedar Lake.

MURPHY-HANREHAN PARK RESERVE’S six-mile turf mountain bike trail is now open for the season, until October 31. The park is located at 15501 Murphy Lake Road in Savage.

ST. CROIX VALLEY REGIONAL TRAIL is in the planning process in Washington County. The original plan for the 10-mile route from Afton to near Prescott and Hastings, linking several parks including Afton State Park, would cross some private land. The current plan is to put a 10-foot-wide paved trail along the east side of County 21 from Afton to U.S. 10. Yes, as we know, that will include some steep hills. Actual construction will probably not start for 5-10 years. (For those who know the history of this area, looks like the landowners have won again!)

Welcome to These Recent New TCBC Members!

Bach, Bob
Battles, Jeff
Bohler, Markus
Cook, Carrie
Davies, Joan
Debaun, Barb
Del Castillo, Ron
Dooley, Bill
Dunnavan, Mary
Gaffaney, Greg
Hall, Michael
Haskell, Seth
Henke, Molly
Holmdahl, Sara & Dan
Janson, Wade
Kegel, Ralph & Dayna
Keller, Steve
Koenig, Peter
Kreilich, Leslie
Kuss, Tim
Landis, Barbara Jo
Lantta, Keith
Lee, Dan
Lee, Victor
Maas, Garrett
Meirovitz, Marc
Mogilevsky, Ella
Moltumyr, Barbara
Palahniuk, Patricia
Park, Ina
Pearson, Steve
Polk, Earle
Quinn, Paul
Ramberg, Jeff
Reis, Tom
Rexon, Mike
Rodman, John
Saunders, Barb
Seltz, John
Skalbeck, Cheryl & Bruce
Skalbeck, Jay
Statz, Catherine
Stich, Mike
Trout, Dennis
Valentino, Natalie
Wall, Stephen
Wierschem, Mary
Wilcox, Bob
Willgohs, Diane
Williams, Benjamin
York, Steve

In Brief

NEXT ACTIVITY NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, Sept 12.

TCBC ANNUAL MEETING will be Saturday evening, November 5, at the same site at the Brooklyn Center Community Center.

WOW 25 was a tremendous success at Menomonie! Perfect weather each day and around 150 bikers on Saturday. More info in the next issue.

WELCOME TO CONTROVERSY AGAIN! St. Paul Pioneer Press columnists Bob Sansevere and Joe Soucheray, both commenting on Lance Armstrong’s great victory #7, have fueled the fires in late July by criticizing local bicyclists. Sansevere said in part that he holds Armstrong “directly responsible for the surge in scofflaw bicyclists…. Who think they own whatever road they’re on.” Soucheray, who has ranted against bicyclists for years, criticized bikers for their clothes and that they can’t name other top-flight cyclists, mentioning the “hordes of uninformed bicycle riders who ignore the traffic laws because they are in training to become the next Lance Armstrong and cannot be bothered with trivial matters such as red lights.” Some bikers were firing back Letters to the Editor as of August 7. We need to have Joe, especially, join us on some TCBC rides.

WEATHER NEWS: Each summer month has been warmer than normal, with 23 days hitting at least 90 degrees so far. No too many rides have been rained out.

SAD NEWS: A Wisconsin man biking on the MS TRAM ride in late July died in an accident near Tower. Dale Campbell was 62. It was a bike-bike accident and no motor vehicles were involved.

EFFORTS UNDERWAY to raise funds to install snowmaking and lighting equipment on a 3.5k loop at Theodore Wirth Park, making X-C skiing possible even during our recent “bad” winters. Wirth has advantages over the current sites with snowmaking like Elm Creek and Hyland Park Reserves.

MONEY NEEDED: According to the Chairman of the Governor’s State Trails Council, Wisconsin ranked 50th in 2004 of all states in percent of the state budget spent on parks and trails.

HOWEVER, in a recent state-by-state study for the percentage of people meeting moderate physical activity guidelines, Wisconsin has the 3rd-highest percentage of residents who exercise. Montana was first. Minnesota ranks 17th. Iowa is 41st.

BIKE WANTED: Looking for a good used road bike, preferably steel – around 53 cm for a 5’6” woman rider. Triple crank, or double suitable to upgrade. 7 or 8 SPD okay. Call Tom, 651-484-5519.

FOR SALE: New pair of size 5 ½ - 6 women’s mountain bike shoes by LAKE. Walking is easy even if you install the cleats for clip-less pedals. Bought for on-sale-no-return for $50, will sell for a bargain at $25 or best offer. See photo and details: http://imageevent.com/kpoelzer/4sale/womensbikeshoes. Kristine Poelzer, 651-633-1127, kpoelzer@msn.com.

DANGER DENIED: Burnett County in Wisconsin applied for funds to buy back the 20 miles of the Gandy Dancer limestone trail within its boundaries, in order to lift restrictions on non-motorized use and allow December to March ATV riding in addition to snowmobiling. The DNR denied the request. There have been rumors of ATV clubs trying to buy back pedestrian and biking trails. (This is less likely in Minnesota, as most of our trails are paved.)

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TRANSIT CONFERENCE will be held Oct 24-26 at the Hilton/MOA, Mpls Airport. October is Disability Awareness Month. Topics include transit promotion, advocacy, non-profit funding, what makes a good bus, mobility planning, and much more.

Mileages and Stats

Monthly ride totals: TCBC set new records for June and July with at least 180 rides going each month! Largest rides reported recently (signing up for mileage credit):

July 4 Watermelon Ride 86
July 26 GTF 66
July 2 Done by One 59
July 9 Strawberry Fields 54
July 23 Done by One 51
July 1 TGIF Dinner 51

MEN
5502 Tony Stifter
5394 Lee Thielman
4241 Michael McNutt
4155 Jeff Johnson
3985 Richard Franco
3483 Mike Nizielski
3202 Steve Block
2847 Scott Larson
2704 Jeff Hofstede
2604 Garry Glubka
2587 John Pugh
2583 Charles Breer
2546 Hugh Gitlin
2279 Dan Miller
2272 Mark Gregory
2242 Mike Bennett
2229 Kim Lundin
2095 Jim Joy
2046 Shelby Miller
2033 Jim Angle

WOMEN
3565 Katie Angle
3295 Patt Seleen
3194 Mary Nelsen
2386 Susan Evan
2293 Cindy Hanson
2157 Lisa Dust
2117 Kate Kovar
2073 Mary Derks
2029 Red Rider
1952 Liesa Miller
1783 Irene Erickson
1759 Sue Blum
1751 Kay Mitchell
1730 Kristine Poelzer
1574 Julie Dillon
1497 Rebecca Lawrence
1298 Dona Devine
1284 Kathleen Lepp
1280 Kristi Linder
1229 Evie Walters

TOTAL RIDES: Stifter 150, Thielman 126, Johnson 124, McNutt 118. Seleen 98, Angle 90, Nelsen 84, Dust 73.

SINCE THE LAST LISTING: It’s now a close two-person race for the men, with McNutt dropping to third. For the women, it’s slightly closer between the same top three.

OVER 1000 TCBC MILES: Doug Nelson has done that for the 25th year, and Pete Hawkins is right behind (as usual) with 24 years. Dona and Tom Devine (despite their limited riding schedule) have reached 16 years, and Jim Walker now has 14.

OVER 2000 TCBC MILES: Shelby Miller now has 9 years, tied for sixth all-time.

OVER 4000 TCBC MILES: Tony Stifter has broken the mark he held with Bob Dean and now has a record 7 years!

OVER 5000 TCBC MILES: Tony Stifter has 4 years, tied for third all-time.

TCBC Contacts

ACTIVITY NEWS is published by the Twin Cities Bicycling Club, formed in 1993.
Mail and checks should be sent to TCBC, PO Box 131086, Roseville, MN 55113.

TCBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT: Mike Beadles
VICE-PRESIDENT: Dave Swaab
SECRETARY: Charles Breer
Mary Derks
Lisa Austin
Pete Hawkins
Katie Angle
Scott Larson
Paul Huntington

OTHER TCBC POSITIONS

TREASURER: Tony Stifter
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Kristine Poelzer
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: David Erick
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Doug Nelson
SCHEDULE COORDINATOR: Jim Pederson
WEBMASTER: Phil Doi
RIDE STATISTICS: Julie Timm
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Stephan Kieu

Contact ACTIVITY NEWS Editor: Doug Nelson if you have information at 2800 Hamline, #208, Roseville, MN 55113. (651-639-9917) tcbcdoug@mtn.org  Deadlines will usually be during the first week of the month for the next month's issue.

To submit items for the Activities Schedule, send e-mail to Jim Pederson: schedule@biketcbc.org

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