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TCBC NEWS: June 2006
What's in this Issue?
WATERMELON RIDE RETURNS
The 4th of July is such a special day to many of us. The Watermelon Ride is a perfect way to spend a day by being outside with your family and friends and being active in the community. We start with a bike rodeo - which is a super introduction for teaching riding skills to young riders - and we end with a picnic. So far, we've had 24 years of satisfied riders - many who keep returning for this special July 4th event. Come and help make this 25th anniversary ride our best ever!
2006 Watermelon Ride features:
* Special commemorative t-shirt sized for children, women and men available for purchase with registration
* FREE Bike rodeo to hone your ability riding in tight places, figures and within parallel lines.
* Route maps.
* Ride marshalls on all routes and mechanical support to the 15- and 25-mile routes.
* Rest stops with great food and smiling faces.
* Watermelon and hot dogs (with vegetarian option) picnic lunch after the ride at Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview.
The ride starts at Deluxe Corporation, 3660 Victoria Avenue, just south of 694 in Shoreview. Registration/check-in kicks off at 7:30 am for the 50-mile route; and is between 8:30 am and 10:00 am for all routes. There are three routes of varying distance at 15, 25, and 50 miles; and you will see some of the best scenery that part of town has to offer. The 15 mile route is the one ideal for young families with elementary-aged children or younger. Families with teen or adult children may want to tackle the longer routes. Of course, you singles are all welcome, on any route you can handle.
To register, pick up a brochure at a local bike shop, register online at ww.bikeTCBC.org or download the form and mail it with your check by June 2, '06, the early deadline for a discount. You may register at the ride as well and you need not be a TCBC member, although we would love to have you join.
Volunteers are needed. TCBC members who volunteer for 3 hours have the fee waived. Please sign up at the web site www.bikeTCBC.org or express your interest on the registration form if you do not access the web; and someone will contact you. It will speed registration to fill out the separate waiver form for each participant in advance.
WEEKEND ON WHEELS 26
WOW 26 is scheduled to take place in scenic and fabulous Menomonie, Wisconsin, from August 11-13, 2006. This year's routes will mimic last year's, with scenic vistas, quiet country roads, and many many cows. On both Saturday and Sunday, we will again have a trail route open of 10-40 miles. Regardless of your riding choices, the legendary WOW rest stop food will keep you going (or slow you down, as the case may be!).
A banquet will be held Saturday night, featuring delicious food in a casual, air-conditioned environment. Celebrate your achievements and be social with your TCBC pals.
Lodging will again be offered at UW-Stout, and rides on both Saturday and Sunday will depart from Phelan Park, in Menomonie. Breakfast is included with Stout lodging. We may also have a group rate at a Menomonie-area hotel -- check the TCBC web site for updates. Complete information on the weekend -- including registration forms -- available on the TCBC web site at www.biketcbc.org/wow. Register today, and make your plans to join us!
IN BRIEF
THIS NEWSLETTER, named for years now the ACTIVITY NEWS, will now be called the TCBC NEWS….
NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE will be Monday, June 5….
RIDE OF SILENCE: A May 7 article in the PIONEER PRESS discussed the upcoming ride on May 17, mentioning that TCBC was organizing the Twin Cities ride of a growing “international movement to stage annual bike rides to honor the memories of cyclists killed by motor vehicles….” More than 200 cities around the world were planning May 17 events. From MNDOT 2004 bicycle/motor vehicle statistics on crashes, the leading cause for both bikes and motor vehicles was failure to yield the right of way (except for those accidents with no clear contributing factors). Second-highest cause for bikes was disregarding traffic control devices. From 2001-04, Minnesota averaged 7.5 bikers killed from vehicle collisions.
ERIK’S COUPONS: From January through mid-April, NEW TCBC MEMBERS were unwittingly send an outdated Erik’s Bike Shop discount coupon sheet in their New Member Packet. Erik’s has graciously stepped forward and requested all their stores to honor the coupons SAA 1290-1291-1292 through July 31, 2006.
BIKE TRAILS AND ROUTES
ST. PAUL: The new power plant being built along the Mississippi near the High Bridge makes it necessary to close off part of the Samuel Morgan Trail along the river. Trail users will need to take the parallel path along Shepard Road until fall, when it should be finished.
EAST RIVER PARKWAY RECONSTRUCTION: the parkway will be closed to all traffic, including bikes and pedestrians, between Arlington Street (near Appleby Hall) and Norris Hall from June 1 till the end of August. Major reconstruction work will be done on the roadway, due to last year’s storm-related washout.
COMO AVENUE SE: Como is blocked to all traffic near Dinkytown between 22nd and 23rd Aves while a railroad bridge is being replaced. A detour is offered. The road is expected to be reopened by late July, with roadway work continuing till October.
GRAND ROUND: a recent article in the PIONEER PRESS highlighted the biking/walking/driving route that follows the parkways in a big loop around Minneapolis. The full route is 53 miles, was named a national scenic byway in 1998, and is the only urban national byway. The trail along Victory Memorial and Webber Parkways in north Mpls was recently paved and good for biking. The Midtown Greenway offers a nice shortcut, sort of, across the middle of the loop (except the eastern unfinished section). There is still a 2 ½-mile gap in the northeast section, where bikers can use streets such as Stinson and 15th Ave SE.
LILYDALE PARK TRAIL: A paved trail along the Mississippi will cover some of the territory between Harriet Island and where the Big Rivers Regional Trail begins near the Yacht Club (parallelling Water Street). This $300,000 extension may start this fall and might be finished by summer 2007. Lilydale, Dakota County, and the National Park Service will be coordinating it.
ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE: A new Visitor Center should be finished by fall. While construction continues, the center’s parking lot and a segment of the bike trail will be closed. A detour will be provided. Also, there is road construction with the Hwy. 610 project along the park’s southern end, which should be done by summer 2007.
- by Doug Nelson
League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructor Training
Last September, TCBC sponsored two ride leaders to become League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors (LCIs). In a four-day trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Lisa Austin and Julie VanMersbergen became authorized to teach the League’s curriculum relating to the safe and effective use of bicycles as transportation.
The League’s BikeEd programs focus chiefly on the use of a bicycle as a vehicle. On the roads in most states, including Minnesota, bikes are treated as vehicles under law. Simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely and legally. BikeEd programs focus on safely sharing congested roads and trails with other users of these throughways. Students also learn important safety maneuvers, crash avoidance techniques, and even basic bicycle maintenance.
As LCIs, Lisa and Julie are reaching out to TCBC and other organizations to share these courses with the Twin Cities and Minnesota cycling communities. As a member of the State Bicycle Advisory Committee, Lisa presented at the Bike Expo in March. Julie is working with several community organizations on risk management and safety programs. One goal of their outreach is to qualify others in the state to become LCIs by getting them the prerequisite course (Road I).
Where does TCBC fit in? First of all, Julie and Lisa will be offering an accelerated Road I course to interested Ride Leaders in July – leaders, watch for details on the TCBC Leaders e-group. They are also developing more general opportunities to come for all riders. In the longer term, they hope to encourage others to seek LCI certification, and encourage TCBC and other local organizations to sponsor bringing an LCI Trainer to the Twin Cities to hold the course.
For more information on League of American Bicyclists education programs, visit their site at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/.
SOGGY IRONMAN ROLLS ON
Well, we needed the rain! This year’s Minnesota IRONMAN was the wettest in years, one of the five wettest in the ride’s 40-year history, with over half an inch of rain on April 30. It rained fairly steadily most of the morning, mostly stopping around noon for awhile, with east winds. These were the worst conditions since the horribly cold but dry ride the day after it snowed in 2002.
However, the majority of registered riders were not to be stopped (although plenty probably rode a shorter route than they intended, including yours truly). Around 3000 bikers mounted their machines and took part in the event! The volunteers did their usual superlative job, the signs and maps were great, and the food plentiful.
The reassuring part was that the daily low around ride start was 50 degrees, not too bad. It rose to 55 at noon, with a daily high of 59. Fairly average IRONMAN temps. Rain gear was more important than cold-weather gear, but no matter how good your gear, it couldn’t keep the rain (or the sweat) out indefinitely. And millions of worms were crawling across the roads, many of which were impossible to miss with your tires.
The committee seemed pleased with how things went and there were many compliments on the event. Surely it will be heaven in 2007!
By Doug Nelson
THANKS TO TCBC!
I received two thank-you notes from the recent Swap Meet that I want to share with all of you. If you have any additional items to donate to CVT <http://www.cvt.org/> please contact Cynthia at CMcArthur@att.net. I'll say it one more time... TCBC members are the best!
Valerie Olson
http://HarpoVal.com=========================
Dear Ms. Olson: The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is so grateful for the donations facilitated by you and the Twin Cities Bicycling Club! Cynthia McArthur told me that you invited her to request donations for her volunteer work with CVT during your annual bike/gear swap/sale on April 15th. Cynthia noted that she was able to pick up lots of useful items, including brand new children's bike helmets (retail $30 each), as well as bike parts that will be used to replace torn, used, or worn equipment such as seats, tires, brake cables, etc.
CVT is really lucky that Cynthia has volunteered her time over the years to organize the donation of bicycles for clients, and she's delighted that the Twin Cities Bicycling Club provided the opportunity to for her to pick up these very useful items, which will certainly help keep clients and their children safe on well-maintained bikes. Donated bikes have had such a positive impact on the lives of CVT clients; as you know better than I, they're great for commuting to work and school, exploring a new community, and just having fun.
Your gift helps the Center achieve its goal of making Minnesota a community where torture survivors are welcomed, protected, and healed. We are very appreciative of your support.
Best regards,
Beth Wickum
Director of Volunteer Services
The Center for Victims of Torture=========================
Valerie and Twin Cities Bicycling Club Members,
Thanks for including me in your donations at the swap on the 15th. The helmets & bike parts will help clients at CVT get, & ride, bikes this year. I appreciate your support as the bike volunteer for CVT.
Cynthia McArthur
WELCOME TO NEW TCBC MEMBERS
Here are the people who became new members of TCBC since last month’s listing. Welcome to the club and we hope you are able to participate in plenty of events.
ANDERSON, BRETT
ANDREWS, DEBBIE
BLACKSTAD, PETER
CARUSO, JERRY
CHRISTIAN, HEIDI
CLAPP, MARY & GREG
CLEARY, JOYCE
COOPER, BEN
CORBETT, BECKY
DAVENPORT, GREG
DAVIES, DONALD
DAVIS, CHRIS
EASTVOLD, JANET & RICHARD
ERICKSON, DARLYNE
ERICKSON, PAMELA
ESTLUND, PAULA
FINDEN, EARL
GAMBLE, STEVE
GAVIN, THOMAS
GROVE/RUSSELL, TERRY & PRISCILLA
HAGEN, JAMES
HICKS/KLUVER, NATALIE & NIKKI
HILGER, PETER
HOUST, KATE
HUSSAIN, RAHFAT
IREY, REBECCA
JETTER, KURT
JOHNSON, BEN & DIANE
JOHNSON, CURT
JOHNSON, KRIS
JOHNSON, FAITH
JOHNSON, JEFFREY & REBECCA
KIEHN, STEVE
KIENE, BETH
KILLIAN, THOMAS
KLOBUCHAR, RICH
KOHRS, LINDA
KORAB, RICK
KRINKE, MARK
KOVACS, J. EVA
LACY, R. MICHAEL
LADUKE, JANICE
LAGESON, ROBB
LAVIGNE, RICHARD
LONGBALLA, JOHN
LYNCH, LYNN & MICHAEL
MACDONALD, EDWIN
MAIER, MELISSA
MCDOWELL/BURNS, DUANE & SHEILA
MELBY, BJORN & BETH
MERLE, TAMARA
MIDDLEBROOK, GEORGE & LINDA
MISSEN, S.
MOORE, KATY
MOORE, SIGLINDE
MORAVEC, TOM & CAROLYN
MORE, KATHY
MORGAN, TERESA & KYLE
MOSER, ROBERT
NEACE, JON
NELSON, PATRICIA
NELSON, TOM & JANE
NESJE, NATHAN
PETERSON, REBECCA
POPPELE, JONATHAN
REMINGTON, JIM
RIGELHOF, ERIK
ROMULD, SCOTT
ROY, RENEE
SCHMIDT, JULIE
SCHNEIDER, HOWARD
SIS, STEVE
SMITH, TIM
SOELBERG, RILEY
STENSAAS, KARL
STONE, BEN
STREITZ, DAVID
SUPER, SHANNON
SWARTZ, STEVE
THOMPSON, TERRY
TUESCHER, NICOLE
TUSHAUS, LEO
UNDERLEAK, BRIAN
VOELKEL, JASON
WACHHOLZ, STEVE
WALSH, DAVID
WALTERS, TED
WEBB, KIMBERLY & ERIC
WONDERGERN, JENNIFER
YOCHIM, SUSAN & PAUL
YONG, PATRICK
ZEISS, JOHN & DIANEMILEAGE LEADERS AND STATS
A fairly warm winter and a really warm April helped boost our riders up fast in the mileage listings! For rides since November 1, 2005, here are those with the most:
MEN
2644 TOMMY IRVIN
2002 MICHAEL MCNUTT
1757 RICHARD FRANCO
1692 JIM JOY
1655 MIKE NIZIELSKI
1309 SCOTT LARSON
1230 GARRY GLUBKA
1176 JOE HAYS
1172 MARKUS BOHLER
1154 JEFF JOHNSON
1149 TIM MILLER
1052 RICHARD MILLER
1026 STEVE BLOCK
930 CHARLES BREER
924 JOE HAMLINWOMEN
2362 KATIE ANGLE
1150 JULIE DILLON
1008 MARY NELSEN
996 LISA DUST
945 SUE BLUM
940 SUSAN EVAN
928 KIM MYERS
903 PATT SELEEN
845 KATE KOVAR
844 BARBARA LANDIS
812 MARY MILLER
810 ROHANDA VICTORSEN
758 MARY DERKS
735 LISA ANDERSON
725 IRENE ERICKSONTOTAL RIDES MEN: Irvin 95, McNutt 67, Joy 63, Franco 58, Nizielski 53.
TOTAL RIDES WOMEN: Angle 74, Dust 36, Dillon 30, Seleen 29, Kovar and Nelsen 28.
TOTAL RIDES LED: Joy 28, McNutt 19, Evan 16, Angle 15, Blum and Schultz 12.
BIGGEST RIDES IN APRIL:
Apr 23 76 Tin Man
Apr 9 73 Straw Man
Apr 1 56 Chain of Fools
Apr 15 56 Loose Wheel
Apr 26 48 White Bear Lake
Apr 15 46 Watermelon Loop
Apr 1 43 So Washington CoOVER 1000 CLUB MILES: Jeff Johnson has reached it for his 17th year.
SINCE THE LAST LISTING: Irvin nearly doubles his lead, with Franco climbing to third. Angle increases her lead slightly and Dillon takes second.
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: Charles Breer
VICE-PRESIDENT: Mary Derks
SECRETARY: Katie Angle
Lisa Austin
Pete Hawkins
Scott Larson
Paul Huntington
Kelly Hazel
Garry GlubkaOTHER TCBC POSITIONS
TREASURER: Tony Stifter
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Kristine Poelzer
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: David Erick
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Doug Nelson
ART DIRECTOR: Steve Scott
SCHEDULE COORDINATOR: Jim Pederson
RIDE STATISTICS: Richard Franco
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Dave Swaab
WEBMASTER: Phil Doi
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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