TWBC Newsletter - November 1995
TACOMA WHEELMEN'S CLUB
On. Nn Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club P.O. Box 112078-TACOMA, WA 98411 RIDELINE (206) 759-2800 Inside: *Ride calendar begins on page 2—TWEC An- nual Pancake Break- fast.
TWBC
NEWSLETTER
Favorite Ride Night
Featured At TWBC
November Meeting
Club members will have the opportunity
“to tell about their favorite ride of the year,
eRide and Activity
notes on page 3—Turn
in your ride log!
‘Portland Bike Fest,
bicycle donations, and
have you been biking
too long? See page 4.
Clearing Project a
Success, and TWBC
minutes, on page 5.
eMailbox Morsels, up-
date your discount list,
and new members, on
page 6.
‘Letters, ads, Around
The Wheel, and Ban-
quet reservation form,
all on page 7.
TWBC Board Meeting: All members are in- vited to attend the Board meeting on No- vember 2, 1993, at Carla Gramlich's home, 3218 N. 28th, in Ta- coma, at 7:00 p.m. The Board welcomes your help and ideas.
Send in your reserva-
tion for the Annual
Banquet!
at TWBC's November meeting on Tuesday,
the 16th. You will have this chance to regale
everyone with tales of intrigue, mystery,
and general foolishness. Contact Kent
Wienker at 474-9395 and coordinate your
story with others for an evening of hilarity.
Bring slides, the bike you rode, clothes,
equipment—anything that will embellish
your story. You could be the hit of the year.
Our Club meetings are held at the South End Community Center and Pool, located at 402 E. 56th Street, between Pacific and McKinley Avenues, just past Concordia Lutheran School. The building is about 300 feet off the street. This location is on a bus line, and is easily reached by bicycle.
Club meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., and are
characterized by door prizes and food and
drink.
This is the last Club meeting of the year,
so come on out. If you need additional
information about our Club meetings, call
Kent.
Comments From
The President
by Carla Gramlich
Every year the Club takes time for our Annual Banquet. The Banquet is a social event that recognizes all the hard work that members have done over the past year. Thanks go to Bob Myrick for organizing this year's banquet (see following article). I hope that many members will take part in this annual event.
The first weekend of November is the
time for the Bicycle Federation of Washing-
ton's annual meeting, which includes
planning next year's ride calendar. Members
Page One
November, 1993
Founded In 1888
will receive a calendar in the first part of 1994, to schedule their bicycling year. I will also be attending a BFW President's Caucus.
Last month the Newsletter was late due to a printer breakdown. The short period from deadline to printing to mailing does not provide any cushion if equipment malfunc- tions. We will try to provide a back-up for our mailing list. Meanwhile, everyone can help by turning in copy for the Newsletter by the third Tuesday of each month.
Bob Myrick Reveals
Plans For The Annual
TWBC Banquet—1994
We have a place and date picked for the 1994 Annual Banquet. The banquet will return to the Mountaineer's Club on Satur- day, January 22, 1994. The dinner will be catered by Grazie Ristorante Italiano. We will have freshly baked breads, Campagnola salad, Caesar salad, Penne primavera pasta with vegetables and cheese, chicken par- magiano, and dessert.
Some of us had this buffet dinner at a
recent Foothills Rails To Trails event, and it
was magnifico. The cost will be held to
$13.00 for adults, and $9.00 for children
under 14.
Our theme will be “Continental Cross- ings”, starring TWBC members who have bicycled across America. If you have crossed America, please contact Laurie Hatch at 850- 2436. Refreshments will be served about 6:00 p-m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m., so you will have time to mingle and learn from the continental crossers.
After dinner, Louis Boitano will present
highlights and lowlights from the past year's
riding. Send in your ride logs to receive a
mileage certificate and recognition. There
will also be a great slide show recalling our
1993 adventures.
You will find a reservation form on page
7 of this Newsletter. Send it in!
November, 1993
TWBC RIDE CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 2 to DECEMBER 4, 1993 Questions about rides or activities? Call the leader!
DATE TIME MILES START POINT CODE LEADER
Tues AM 30+ Call The Ride Leader 2 Carol Rushton
11/2 537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
Carla Gramlich's
home, 3218 N. 28th
Street, Tacoma, WA
Carla Gramlich
752-4038
Peggy Fjetland
See Ride Calendar
below for December
5th.
ACTIVITY
Tuesday Ride
TWBC Board Meeting
RSVP for Leaven-
worth Tree Lighting
Bus Trip.
Peggy Fjetland
841-4458
20-30
Dupont Exit—used to
be school parking lot.
Joy Roelofsz
847-1843
Peggy Fjetland
841-4458
Tour de Fort Lewis
Steilacoom Cyclocross
Race—watch the race
for one hour.
S. 25th & D Street
30 UPS Fieldhouse 2 No Ride Leader
N. 11th & Union Call Bob Myrick, 473-
7455, for information.
Call The Ride Leader | Tuesday Ride 2 Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
20 Freighthouse Square | Sumner Bakery 2 Louis Boitano
922-6156
Southcenter for lunch.
45+ Sumner Library z Louis Boitano
922-6156
20 Carla's House TWBC's Annual Pan- 2 Carla Gramlich
3218 N. 28th cake Breakfast. 752-4038
20+ Park 'N Ride lot at Black Diamond 2: No Ride Leader Auburn, Black Cyclocross Race. Call Bob Myrick, 473- Diamond Road. Watch the race for 7455, for information.
one hour.
Call The Ride Line Tuesday Ride 2 Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
South End Commun-
ity Center & Pool. 402
E. 56th Street.
TWBC Club Meeting.
Favorite Ride Night.
922-6156
Kent Wienker
474-9395
UPS Fieldhouse
N. 11th & Union
Pancake Breakfast |
2 Steve & Phyllis Lay
759-1816
(TWBC Ride Calendar continues on page 3)
Page Two
November, 1993
(TWBC Ride Calendar continued from page 2)
11/30
Sat 5:45
12/4 AM
Ee ee
N. 21st & Pearl
| TIME | MILES START POINT ACTIVITY CODE LEADER |
|---|---|
| 10:00 50-60 | Park 'N Ride lot at Cougar Mountain 4 Bob Myrick |
| AM Auburn, Black Challenge. 473-7455 | |
| Diamond Road Rain or snow will | |
| cancel. | |
| AM Tuesday Ride 2 Carol Rushton | |
| 537-3888 | |
| Louis Boitano | |
| 922-6156 | |
| TENG Thanksgiving Da | |
| fe og = | |
| Sat 10:00 Freighthouse Square Decide To Ride Call The Ride Line | |
| 11/27 AM S. 25th & D Street 759-2800 | |
| Sun 10:00 McDonald's Westgate | Decide To Ride Call The Ride Line |
759-2800
30+
eae Bs
Call The Ride Leader
Pierce County Fire
District #7, 176 St. E
& 22nd Ave., Spana-
Tuesday Ride
Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
Leavenworth Tree
Lighting Bus Trip.
RSVP by November
Sth.
Le
Peggy Fjetland
841-4458
Joy Roelofsz
847-1843
Ride Code Definitions (See column six in ride calendar): 1.Easy pace—frequent stops to catch-up and re-group. 10-13
mph. 2. Moderate pace—occasional stops to catch-up and re-group. 13-16 mph. 3. Steady pace—limited stops. Cue
sheets or map provided. 13-16 mph. 4. Fast pace—very limited stops. Cue sheets or map provided. 16+mph. Maps
provided for all rides over 35 miles.
For More Information About Rides, Call The Ride Line At 759-2800. (To record
your message on the ride line without waiting for the other messages to play, press the
- button on a touch tone phone.)
Wear A Helmet, And Carry Repair Items And First Aid Supplies On Your Ride!
Ride And Activity Notes:
Don't Forget—Ride Logs Are Due: Remember! Your ride logs are due no later than November 6th. This is
your list of Club rides you have participated in from November 1, 1992 through October 31, 1993.
Members who ride 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 miles will receive a certificate of merit and a special patch at the
annual banquet in January.
If you do not turn in a log we will not have an accurate count of each individual's miles.
Logs need to be submitted early so patches and awards can be ordered.
Turn in your log to Steve or Phyllis Lay at the Halloween Party, or send it to them using the Club
address—The Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club, P.O. Box 112078, Tacoma, WA 98411.
Tuesday Rides: Throughout the fall and winter, the Tuesday rides will continue, weather permitting. The
length and speed of the rides will vary depending on the ability of the riders. Bring a picnic lunch. On cooler days we
will find an inside lunch spot such as one of the local shopping malls. So do not let the calendar fool you, come out on Tuesday. Call the ride leaders for starting times and
locations.
Page Three
November, 1993
The Tacoma Wheelmen's
Bicycle Club
Board Members
PRESIDENT
Carla Gramlich -752-4038
VICE-PRESIDENT
Kent Wienker -474-9395
SECRETARY
Dena Wessels - 857-5658
TREASURER
Hazel Giddings - 894-2643
TOURING CAPTAINS
Steve & Phyllis Lay -759-1816
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
William Hoehne -759-4464
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Bob Myrick -473-7455
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Sue Given -565-0535
PAST PRESIDENT
Greg Grenier -752-4348
Staff
MEMBERSHIP
Phyllis Lay -759-1816
PUBLICITY
Cynthia Hammer -752-0801
L.A.W. REPRESENTATIVE.
Sue Given -565-0535
B.F.W. COORDINATOR
Diane Lister -752-8636
SAFETY & EDUCATION
Jan Wieser -833-6346
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Steve Brown -752-4038
RIDE LINE
Steve Lay -759-1816
MAILING
Don Izenman -565-2720
Annual Committees DAFFODIL CLASSIC Jim Davis -759-5616 PENINSULA METRIC Cynthia Hammer - 752-0801 BICYCLE SHOW BOOTH Sylvia Russell -862-3288 Brian Wester - 862-3288 S.T.P. COORDINATOR Hank Giddings - 894-2643 BANQUET COMMITTEE Bob Myrick -473-7455 ANNUAL PICNIC Hank & Hazel Giddings - 894-2643
For correspondence, indicat.
ppropriate officer, and send to: Th
Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club, P.O]
Box 112078, Tacoma, WA 98411.
Ten Ways To Tell
If You Have Been
Biking Too Long
by Louis Boitano
10. You cannot remember how to get
somewhere by auto, that you often go
to by bike.
9. You have more money invested in
bicycle components than in_ stereo
gear.
8. You think empty bread bags are for
keeping feet dry in the rain.
7. You have a name for each of your
bikes.
6. You think everybody has a third
hand.
5. You think a century is a
measurement of distance instead of
time.
4. “Recycle” means buying a new bike.
3. When a peanut butter and jelly
sandwich becomes a fuel of choice.
2. You put more miles on your bike
than on your car.
1. You only shop for clothing at stores
that sell Lycra.
Portland Bike Fest
by Steve Brown & Carla Gramlich
On October 2nd, the City of Portland closed off the Burnside Bridge so bicyclists could celebrate the first bridge in that city to have bike lanes added. After a tour of Fort Lewis with Joy Roelofsz, Steve and I drove down to participate in the celebration.
Joy spent many hours gaining access to Fort Lewis for our members. She was thrilled to show us an area most members had not seen before. After a short ride we had pancakes at the Fire Department as part of annual open house. The group rode back to the parking lot, and Steve and I headed south to Portland.
After arriving in Portland, we parked the truck and bicycled over the Burnside Bridge. We knew booths would be part of the celebration, but we were surprised that the entertainment was Jim Messnia of Loggins and Messnia. I felt old when I had to explain who he was to a woman. We spent some time browsing the booths. We saw several people we
Page Four
had met on summer rides.
After picking up some food, we sat on the curb to enjoy the sun and music. Cyclists rode by in the new bicycle lane that was kept open during the festival. $19,000.00 was donated by the city to make this celebration a success. Cyclists and non-cyclists were able to gain more information on commuting by bicycle in Portland.
On Sunday we drove over to Sauvie Island to participate in a Portland Wheelmen Touring Club ride. This ride had several length options. A couple of rest stops were included along the way. We took off, with our map, to the Island loop. At the intersection indicating a left turn, we went right to see more of the Island.
The road became gravel, but we
continued because we were on our
mountain bikes. Many people were
parking and heading to the beach on
this sunny, fall day. A woman told us
to continue about three miles after the
road ends to see the lighthouse. After
a couple of hours exploring the island
we headed back on route to our truck.
The lot was full of people who also
came out to cycle on this warm day.
The weather and the bicycle events
made this a very wonderful weekend.
The celebration deserved to become an
annual event. Steve and I would go
again.
Bicycles Make Great Gifts
by Kent Wienker
I am looking for a few bikes that
could use a little TLC and a new
home—especially the smaller frames,
for children and young adults.
These bikes will be repaired by Club members, and the Lakewood Kiwanis Club will help get these reconditioned bicycles to appropriate families during the holiday season. Four bicycles have been donated so far. We could use a few more.
TWEC has contributed $100.00 for
repair parts, and we will try to give a
helmet with each bicycle. Anyone
good at truing wheels?
If you are interested in participating
call me at 474-9395.
November, 1993
Clearing Project
A Success
by Kent Wienker
The trail clearing project at Steila-
coom Park on October 3rd was a
success. On a hot Sunday morning five
of us spent four hours brushing some
of the many trails that are shared by
equestrians, hikers, and bikers.
One of the main reasons this activity is necessary is that this park property is actually leased from the Department of Natural Resources. The lease expires in the year 2004. The County provides overall maintenance, includ- ing baseball and soccer fields, and a children’s play area. The trails in the more remote areas usually do not receive regular maintenance.
This park has miles of mountain bike trails, some of which run down- hill into a paved walkway around the lake. This, along with blind corners caused by woods and brush, mean that bikers need to be conscious of other people in the park.
The following week Bob Myrick led
a ride to watch a cyclocross, mountain
bike race at Steilacoom Park. This was
the second year the Parks Department
allowed this event. I know the racers
love it, and the spectating was fun.
Thanks go to Vitt “Skip” Ferrucci of
the Park Department, and grounds
superintendent John Howard. Also,
Mike Brazel of Bridgeport Cyclery and
his crew—Philip Marstrom, George
Cherry, and Bret Stephenson.
Mini Minutes
TWBC Board Meeting
by Dena M.E. Wessels, TWBC Secretary
TWEC Board Members met at Carla
Gramlich's home on October 5, 1993.
The following items were covered:
°A guest to the board meeting was
Carolyn Price, publisher of NW Cyclist
& Sports Etc., who presented infor-
mation regarding TWBC's month to
month subscription to NWC, as well as
public access to the magazine, number
of issues per year, future increase in
subscription rates, and how the
Cascade Bicycle Club offers the
magazine to its members.
The Board voted to have each
TWEBC member decide for themselves
to subscribe as an individual to NWC.
Carla will write an article for the
November Newsletter explaining this
decision. Carla and Bob Myrick will
see if the Bicycle Paper will give the
same or similar rate to TWBC mem-
bers as it does to the Cascade mem-
bers.
eA back-up printer for Don Izen-
man was discussed. A printer break-
down caused the October Newsletter
to be mailed late.
eA red “Last Issue” stamp will be
placed on the Newsletter when the
next issue past a member's expired
membership is mailed.
*Greg Grenier told the board that
Sylvia Russell reported an increase of
$50.00 to the total cost of a booth at
the 1994 Bike Expo. This was due to
an increase in the entry fee.
*Sue Given and Greg Grenier are
hunting up volunteers to chair the
various committees for 1994, especially
the Daffodil Classic, the Peninsula
Metric Century, and the STP.
The date for the Annual Banquet is
January 22, 1994. Cost will be the same
as last year.
Bicycle Federation of Washington's annual calendar meeting is scheduled for November 6-7. Possible attendees so far include Carla Gramlich, Bob Myrick, and Diane Lister. Other possible attendees would be the chairpersons for the Daffodil Classic and the Peninsula Metric Century. The Club's budget allows payment of registration fees.
eCarla Gramlich handed out a Ride
Fee Sheet, made up from various rides
around Washington. Some discussion
occurred regarding TWBC's annual
rides.
*Bicycle donations through the Lakewood Kiwanis Club is a project Kent Wienker is working on. He asked the Board for $100.00 to be placed in an account at Harvey Lister's bike shop, to be used for parts and repairs for these bikes. The 10% discount would be in effect, and volunteers would be utilized to ready these donated bikes for safe riding. Carla will work on acquiring helmets
Page Five
through Mary Bridge's Pierce County
Prevention Providers Coalition, to be
issued with each bike.
*Phyllis Lay reported that more
patches are needed to go with new
membership packets. Questions arose
to purchase patches or pins. This was
tabled until the next Board meeting.
°TWEC was asked to donate a Club
family membership to the NowBike
Auction. No objections were raised.
Mini Minutes
TWEBC General Meeting
October 19, 1993
by Dena M.E. Wessels, TWBC Secretary
Hazel Giddings, Club Treasurer, reported that TWBC received a check for the STP check point in the amount of $4,773.57 from the Cascade Bicycle Club. Currently, TWBC's checking account balance is approximately $19,000.00.
Kent Wienker spoke about the Lakewood Kiwanis bicycle redistri- bution program. He reiterated that he is mainly in need of smaller bikes, and is looking for volunteer repair me- chanics, especially someone who is good at working on the wheels.
Carla Gramlich and Bob Myrick are working with Mary Bridge to see if some helmets can be acquired and matched to the children who receive these donated and repaired bikes. Child size helmets can be purchased by Mary Bridge for $13.50. Perhaps some TWBC members would like to donate the purchase price, so a child who receives a donated bike will have a protected ride, and starts with good bicycling habits.
Bob Myrick is thinking about start- ing an aerobics bench class, oriented to bicycle riders. Depending upon how many are interested, cost could run about $5.00 per session. Possible nights are Tuesday and Thursday. Give Bob a call at 473-7455 if you are interested.
Bob Myrick also reported that
TWBC's annual banquet is scheduled
for January 22, 1994, at the Tacoma
Mountaineers Clubhouse, located at
2302 N. 30th Street, Tacoma(in Old
Town). Grazie Ristorante will cater,
(Continued on page 6)
November, 1993
Mini Minutes
TWBC General Meeting
October 19, 1993
(Continued from page 5)
and the menu looks delicious. The cost will be the same as last year. The theme for the 1994 Banquet will be “Continental Crossings”, ‘and those members who have biked across the U.S. are encouraged to contact Laurie Hatch with stories about their adven- tures. Louis Boitano has graciously offered to present the highlights and low lights of the past year's activities. Yearly mileage awards will also be given, as well as the presentation of the annual slide show of TWBC events.
Peggy Fjetland reported that enough TWBC members have signed up to fill one bus for the Christmas tree lighting activity in Leavenworth. She pointed out that non-members of TWBC are also welcome. Tentative plans call for leaving Pierce County Fire District #7 Fire Station on December 4th, at 6:00 a.m. Once it gets dark, and the Christ- mas lights are turned on, the bus(es) will then depart shortly afterwards. Post-functioning will be allowed on the return trip. Peggy emphasized that the fire station is occupied day and night, so vehicles parked there should be fairly secure.
Carla Gramlich reminded members
that NowBike's Silent Auction and
Benefit will occur on October 22nd at
7:00 p.m. She plans to ride via Vashon
Island, then over to Seattle by ferry.
Friday night will be spent at the Youth
Hostel, with the return slated for
Saturday. Relevant information can be
found on the Ride Line.
Dena Wessels will provide the
minutes of previous Board and
General Club meetings at each general
meeting. They will be posted on a
board in the back of the meeting room.
After a short break, Bob Myrick gave a slide presentation on the 1992 Cycle Washington One Ride. Bob and three other TWBC members joined the ride for a total of 13. At a cost of $150.00 plus food, and a late June start, this counter clockwise route was in the northern part of Washington. Total mileage was 770. Bob experi-
enced a blown wheel rim while driving to the ride departure point. A combination of his bicycle loaded on the back of his car, the heated exhaust from the tailpipe, and the altitude of the mountain pass he was crossing, gave him this glorious start to the tour.
Mail Box Morsels
by Dena M.E. Wessels
From Backcountry Tracks, September,
1993: An article by Steve Hall points
out another place to ride—private tree
farms. On the Olympia Peninsula,
Steve recommended Merrill & Rings
Psyst Tree Farm, 206-452-2367, located
40 minutes west of Port Angeles. Some
costs are involved—$9.00 per day at
the 30,000 acre Psyst farm, but there
are many benefits—acres of tree farm,
with miles of trails.
From NowBike Memo, September, 1993: A manual of bicycle planning is available from the American Associa- tion of State Highway & Transporta- tion Officials (AASHTO). This $11.00 “Guide For The Development of Bicycle Facilities” is used by transpor- tation planners around the country, and provides information on the development of new bike facilities, “attaining good design which is sensitive to the needs of bicyclists and other users of the roads.” Write to AASHTO, 444 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 225, Washington, D.C. 20029.
From the Bicyclist Advocacy Bulletin,
September, October, 1993: Connecticut
has just passed a statewide mandatory
bicycle helmet bill for children under
12 years of age, “...when bicycling on
the traveled portion of any highway.”
However, there are now enforcement
provisions or educational clauses
within the bill, and failure to wear a
helmet is not considered contributory
negligence. The Connecticut DOT
Bicycle Coordinator does not believe
the new law applies to bicycle paths.
In Fairfax and Arlington Counties,
Virginia, bicyclists 14 years of age and
younger are now required to wear
helmets. Tickets of $25.00 can be
issued by police, but first-time viola-
tors, as well as repeat offenders, can
Page Six
have the fine waived if they purchase
a helmet before the court date. The
Fairfax Police Department is applying
for a grant to provide a four person
bicycle patrol to ride major country
bike paths and serve as role models.
New York City Transit authorities now allow bicycles on their subway trains. Stipulations include that “...bi- cyclists must stay with their bikes, and are not to obstruct train crews or passengers...” This would probably be a problem during peak use times. On the plus side, no permit is needed and “...bikes are not restricted to certain hours, train lines or cars.”
From Scott Martin, Bicycle Magazine, via The International Bicycle Fund News, #2, 1993: The world's best cities for cycling: 1)Groningen, The Netherlands; 2)Tainjin, China; 3)Copenhagen, Denmark; 4)Harare, Zimbabwe; 5)Seattle, WA. Honorable Mention: Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Bogota, Columbia; Delft, The Netherlands; Ouagadougon, Burkina Faso; Padova, Italy; and Perth, Australia.
Kudos to TWBC member Louis
Boitano, for having his “Ten Ways To
Tell If You Have Been Biking Too
Long”, published in the Bicycle
Federation of Washington's The
Advocate, for October/November, 1993.
Update Your TWBC
Bicycle Shop Discount List
Northwest Mountain Bike has
moved to 6304 6th Avenue, Tacoma,
WA 98406. Phone # is 206-565-9050.
Bear Bike has moved. The new
address is 13812 Canyon Road E.,
Puyallup, WA 98373. The phone # is
206-536-1879.
TWBC Welcomes The
Following New Members
For October, 1993:
Roy D. Bueler, Richard and Laura
Derevensky, and Craig Scott.
November, 1993
Letters To The
Editor:
I am inspired to follow Louis Boitano's letter (September, 1993 TWBC Newsletter) regarding the recently amended Club name with a second shot, probably not to the amusement of dedicated stalwarts who have doubtless strived to put this matter well beyond further debate.
Frankly, the Club's name _ hasn't made a lot of sense to this backpedaler for nearly twenty years. I recognize the long and glorious tracks of the “Wheelmen” over a century of puddle jumping along the dank byways of Puget Sound offers something of a distinguished history. But when I asked the seemingly obvious “TBC” question more than a decade ago, after having been smoked by more than a few fast wheeling females, all I got for
response was an empty water bottle. Strikes me that “TWBC” takes redundancy to a new and ridiculous high, that the ghosts of guys who once terrorized the neighborhood chickens on sixty inch rims would concur with “TBC”, and that we ain't had the last of this. Time we heard from some swift women. Bob Warfield Tacoma, WA
I, as a TWBC member, have an
opportunity and a responsibility to
teach Boy Scout Troop #28 about
sensible cycling, as I have been made
a merit badge counselor.
This means the youth of Troop 28
have specific tasks to learn through
my experience, and the individuals
of the Club who have greater experi-
ence and skill levels than I.
In requesting advice, I hope to use
the information provided in the
Newsletter to support my class to
these youth, but I would welcome
professional tips from other cyclists.
Daniel Newlander
Tacoma, WA
Classified Ads
For the asking: Bob Branson has
saved bicycle magazines since 1970.
He will be glad to let you select the
ones you want. Call Bob at 848-3714.
For sale: 12 speed road Andre Bertin
(France) in silver. Old 600 EX sealed
bearings. 22" frame (56mm). 700 x
20 clincher wheels. Computer.
$190.00.
Also: 6 tubular sew-up wheels.
$60.00.
Ask for Tim Reid on Bill's answer-
ing machine, 572-5131.
Around The Wheel: The ZPG Reporter for September, 1992, tells us that American motorists are being subsidized to the tune of about $300 billion a year, resulting in an explosion of driving that is clogging the nation’s roads and undermining efforts to reduce air pollution, according to a new World Resources Institute (WRI) report. Today Americans are driving a record 190 million vehicles, logging more than 2 trillion miles behind the wheel each year.
Costs drivers do not directly bear include: government-funded road construction and services, free commuter parking, security costs of importing oil, and the cost to human and environmental health caused by air pollution. WRI estimates that if drivers paid those costs directly, they would be shelling out as much as several dollars a gallon more to fill up the tank. And that, in turn, would get more drivers off the road.
What are the greatest risks for your children? The National SAFE KIDS Campaign, C. Everett Koop, MD, Chairman, reports that most parents think the three greatest risks are kidnappings, drive-by shootings, and drugs, in that order. The actual risks, in descending order, are motor vehicle crashes, bike accidents, drownings, and home fires.
Got the blahs? The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports that a recent position statement of the International Society of Sport Psychology states that studies on depressed people reveal that “aerobic exercise is as effective a treatment as different forms of psychotherapy.”
Need an emergency lubricant for your bicycle while touring in rainy weather? Do not forget the wax in your ears.
TWBC 1994 Banquet Reservation Form
Saturday, January 22, 1994
Tacoma Mountaineer’s Club, 2302 North 30th Street (Old Town)
Continental Crossings 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m.
Adult Child (Under 14)
Names ee $13.00 $9.00
Name. Roane me, oes $13.00 $9.00
Name, ee $13.00 $9.00
Name. $13.00 $9.00
Complete and return this form with check by January 10, 1994. Send to: TWBC Banquet, P.O. Box 112078, Tacoma, WA
98411. Total amount enclosed $.
TWBC NEWSLETTER Page Seven November, 1993
Tacoma Wheelmen’s
Bicycle Club
P.O, Box 112078-TACOMA, WA 98411
RIDELINE (206) 759-2800
Inside This Issue:
“Around The Wheel”
on page 2.
November ride
calendar on pages 3-4.
Government Affairs
Committee Report on
page 5.
Neighborhood
Councils and TWBC
Board minutes on page
6.
“Rider’s Block”
page 7.
on
The next TWBC Board
meeting is on Tuesday,
November 7, 1995, at
the Skyline Village
Apartments Recreation
Building, 5702 N. 33rd
St., Tacoma, WA.
The meeting starts at
7:00 p.m. All members
are welcome. Bring
your own food and bev-
erage. Call 759-4464
for directions.
TWBC Or. 5
Gear Up For Winter
Riding
by Mat Reitzug, TWBC Vice-President
Last winter I participated in several
winter rides, including some great dinner
rides. Joyce Clifford also discovered the joys
of cool weather riding, and has decided to
tell of her experiences at our next Club
meeting.
Therefore, our November Club meeting
will feature Joyce Clifford and friends
presenting various facets of winter riding,
such as choosing warm riding clothes,
buying headlamps, and other pertinent
issues.
Our Club meeting will be at the South
Tacoma Community Center, 4851 South
Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA, on Tuesday,
November 21st, at 7:00 p.m.
I hope you will join us. If you have any
questions or suggestions for future Club
meetings, give me a call at 593-2725 and
leave a message. Iam moving and will have
a new number next month.
Tire Tracts
by Dave Tison, TWBC President
Last month I was in San Francisco for a week of meetings. I had a chance to ride the BART from the Oakland airport over to the city. I also used the bus to get around a number of times. I prefer mass transit to taxis since it is much more reasonable in cost and I have yet to have a bus ride that scared me silly, something I can’t say about several cab rides I’ve had.
So, what does a cyclist do in an unfamiliar city with no bike for a week? Well, I managed to check out several bike shops, and I rented bikes a couple of days. I have found that bike shop employees are very willing to share information on their favorite bike routes. After three and a half days of sitting through meetings I was getting restless. Nice sunny weather didn’t help. I had come across a shop which rented bikes down by Fisherman’s Wharf. I got to the bike shop, picked out a bike,
Founded In 1888
November, 1995
changed into my cycling gear (I usually
bring along my cycling gear when I travel
out of town), and I was off.
The bike shop was just a few blocks from the Wharf and the Bay Trail. The trail took me past the marina and Presidio to the Golden Gate bridge. A clear, sunny afternoon with only a bit of wind made a perfect day for seeing the spectacular views of the city, the Bay area, and the bridge. Bikes are routed along the side of the bridge with the least amount of traffic. Fortunately, my timing was perfect and I got on the bridge to cross on the Bay side just a few minutes before that side was closed and the ocean side was opened. The
(Continued on page 5)
Ride Log Deadline
Is Here Again!
by Connie Reitzug, TWBC Touring Captain
As the weather cools and the days
shorten, so too comes the rain—and what's
this? All I hear these days is “gotta get
those miles!”
Our ride log calendar ends October 31st,
so start your calculators if you are one of
those who have not already done so. Tally
up those miles and get them in to me by
November 15th, so you can _ receive
recognition at the annual banquet. This year
don’t forget your commuter miles on the
commuter log. You probably better send
them to the Club P.O. Box number since I
feel like Waldo. You know, “where’s
Waldo?”
Everyone is probably
wondering—“Whatever happened to the
touring captain? Does she ride anymore?”
Uh, well, yeah, but it has been interrupted
with moving away from the “Quaint little
fishing village just this side of the Narrows
Bridge”, otherwise known as Gig Harbor.
Yes, it is true. Come November we will
relocate in University Place, and I’ll be back
in the saddle, rustling and rounding up ride
leaders again. Ah, what a relief that will be.
(Continued on page 5)
The Tacoma Wheelmen's
Bicycle Club
Board Members
PRESIDENT
Dave Tison -272-4571
VICE-PRESIDENT
Mat Reitzug «265-2127
SECRETARY
Dena Wessels «857-5658
TREASURER
Jan Brame -759-6984
TOURING CAPTAIN
Connie Reitzug - 265-2127
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
William Hoehne - 759-4464
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Bob Myrick - 473-7455
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Karen Forbush - 752-0764
PAST PRESIDENT
Kent Wienker - 752-0764
Staff
MEMBERSHIP
Phyllis Lay-759-1816
PUBLICITY
L.A.B. REPRESENTATIVE Scott Pierson: 759-9519 x SAFETY & EDUCATION Ks Jan Wieser - 833-6346 EQUIPMENT MANAGER Steve Brown: 752-4038 RIDE LINE Connie Reitzug- 265-2127 MAILING Don Izenman- 756-6711
Annual Committees
DAFFODIL CLASSIC
Joyce Clifford- 759-2393
PENINSULA METRIC
Carla Gramlich - 752-4038
BICYCLE SHOW BOOTH
Kent Wienker- 474-9395
BANQUET COMMITTEE
Bob Myrick: 473-7455
ANNUAL PICNIC
Jan Brame 759-6984
Karen Forbush -752-0764
Around The Wheel:
Bike Boxes: TWBC owns two bike boxes members can reserve for their travel plans. These are good quality boxes (they cost the Club about $400.00 a piece). If you are planning a trip with your bicycle, and see a need for a bike box, you can arrange to use one or both by calling Bob Myrick at 473-7455. A deposit and donation charge is required for the use of each box. Planning ahead is a good idea to avoid conflicts in scheduling, especially during the peak cycling seasons.
Amtrak Has Bike Racks: Further help in your traveling with a bicyle is
now provided by Amtrak. Member's attention is directed to the insert in this
Newsletter telling you all about it. Bike rack room is available by reservation
only. Please read and save the insert. If you cannot read, call Amtrak at 1-800-
USA-RAIL, or your travel agent.
Entertainment '96 Books: Proceeds from the sale of Entertainment 96 books will go to the Foothills Rails To Trails work. The books cost $35.00, and include Tacoma, Olympia, and the Peninsula. These two for one coupon books make a great gift. Call Carla Gramlich at 752-4038 to reserve your copy(s).
Bicycles From Heaven: This bicycle program was started by the Clover Park Kiwanis to redistribute bikes to families at Christmas. A long time Club member, Eldon Stratton, is the mechanic who works the miracles. He gets a lot of help when it comes to the paint and polish time.
This year TWBC will provide helmets for all or most of these bikes.
Please call Kent Wienker at 752-0764, or Dave Sellars of Clover Park Kiwanis at
582-1630, to donate.
TWBC Annual Banquet: Bob Myrick says that the annual banquet will be on Saturday, January 20, 1996. Two locations are currently being considered—the Tacoma Yacht Club building near Point Defiance Park, and The Mountaineer’s Club building on North 30th Street.
Bob also says he really would like another Club member to chair this social event of the year in Puget Sound. A friend suggested that if no one steps forward to take this prestigious position, Bob should pose nude at the banquet for centerfold pictures to be published in the Club newsletter until someone volunteers for the next banquet. This should find a new chairperson quick!
Our annual banquet celebrates the past cycling year and looks forward to the next season’s activities. Faithful volunteers and riders are recognized, and a slide show of rides throughout the past year is featured.
A few good, enthusiastic volunteers are needed to work on this event, with creative ideas for a theme and decorations. If you would like to go down in
history, please call Bob immediately at 473-7455.
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995
TWBC Members are encouraged to submit articles, information, and letters to the editor for our newsletter. All .
submissions must be signed and written by the signatory, and are subject to editing. Views expressed in this
newsletter belong to individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Tacoma Wheelmen’s
Bicycle Club or any of its members.
Deadline: Deadline for all copy is the third Tuesday of each month for the following month’s newsletter. This is also our regular Club meeting day. Copy can be given to the editor at the meeting or mailed to: William F. Hoehne, 5702 N. 33rd, Apt. 17B, Tacoma, WA 98407. Articles and correspondence can also be sent to the editor via e-mail and fax modem. Send e-mail to Compuserve, User #71570,446, or America Online, WHOEHNE. Send faxes to 206-759-4464 after calling the editor first to ensure the computer is on.
Cycling Ads: Ads must be directly related to bicycling, and will be printed free of charge to Club members. Space limitations may require editing. All ads must be accompanied with name, address, and phone number of person submitting ad. Budget costs for the newsletter preclude publishing ads for non-members. Ads for local bicycle shops will be printed free of charge if the business offers a discount to TWBC Club members. “Local” is defined as within the Puget Sound area. Bicycle shop ads can have a maximum of 6 lines, and each shop can have up to two ads per year. These ads are also subject to editing and space limitations.
Inserts: Inserts for TWBC Club rides and activities must be coordinated with the ride leader or chairperson in terms of format, cost, printer, and distribution. The cost of inserts for bicycle related activities by agencies or businesses outside the Club will be bome by the agency or business. Mailing costs may limit number of inserts. TWBC Internet Address: http://pages.prodigy.com/WA/tacomawheelmensbicycleclub/
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 2
eee
TWBC RIDE CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 4 to NOVEMBER 26, 1995 Questions about rides or activities? Call the leader!
Skyline Park & Ride Tony’s in Lakewood Louis Marret
6th & Skyline for breakfast. 564-8599
Tacoma, WA
Auburn High School Maple Valley to Jan Wieser
Main Street Issaquah. Rain will 833-6346
cancel.
McDonald’s Watch Cyclocross at Bob Myrick
Spanaway Fort Lewis. Hard rain 473-7455
will cancel.
McDonald’s Decide to ride. Call The Ride Line
112th & Pacific 759-2800
Tues a.m. 30+ Tuesday Ride Call The Ride Line 2 Call The Ride Line
11/7 759-2800
Skyline Village Apts. TWEC Board Meeting Dave Tison :
Recreation Building Call 759-4464 for 272-4571
5702 N. 33rd, Tacoma. | directions. a
Pattison’s West Rollerblade Bob Myrick
473-7455
Freighthouse Square Watch Cyclocross at
SeaTac Park. Rain may
cancel.
Fort Lewis DuPont. Rain will 2 Joy Roelofsz
Explore cancel. 847-1843
Tuesday Ride Call The Ride Line 2 Call The Ride Line
759-2800
2804 N. 19th Street Government Affairs Bob Myrick
Tacoma, WA Committee Meeting. 473-7455
UPS Fieldhouse Spanaway Senior 2 Steve & Phyllis Lay
11th & Union Pancake Breakfast. 759-1816
Kent Park & Ride lot. Seattle for lunch 3 Bob Myrick Hwy. 167 & James St. | through I-90 tunnel. 473-7455
Bob Myrick
473-7455
McDonald’s Fort Lewis to Yelm for 3 Bob Myrick
Spanaway lunch. Rain will cancel. 473-7455
3
Rain may cancel.
Bob’s home, 6015 Tacoma Pipeline Trail Bob Myrick
Pacific Avenue. Cross bike ride. 473-7455
(Gravel road)
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 3
| Steve & Carla’s home, | Annual Club Pancake Carla & Steve |
|---|---|
| 3218 N. 28th, Tacoma. | Breakfast. Eat at 10:00 752-4038 |
| a.m.,and ride at 11:00 |
DATE TIME MILES
25
Sun
11/19
a.m.
Tues a.m. 30+ Tuesday Ride Call The Ride Line. 2 Call The Ride Line
11/21 759-2800
South Tacoma Com- TWEC Club Meeting. Mat Reitzug munity Center, 4851 Joyce Clifford and 205-2127
South Tacoma Way, friends on winter
Tues
11/21
Tacoma, WA. riding.
/ Sat 9:00 a.m. Spoke & Sprocket Decide To Ride 2 Call The Ride Line
25 27th & Bridgeport 759-2800
VY Sun 10:00 a.m. 30 McDonald’s Watch Cyclocross race 2 No Leader
11/26 Spanaway at Steilacoom.
Sun 10:00 a.m. 2 Call The Ride Line
11/26 759-2800
Ride Code Definitions (See column six in ride calendar): 1.Easy pace—frequent stops to catch-up and re-group. 10-13 mph.
2. Moderate pace—occasional stops to catch-up and re-group. 13-16 mph. 3. Steady pace—limited stops. Cue sheets or map
provided. 13-16 mph. 4. Fast pace—very limited stops. Cue sheets or map provided. 16+mph. Maps provided for all rides
over 35 miles.
Fred Meyer Decide To Ride
Puyallup
: For More Information About Rides, Call The Ride Line At 759-2800. (To record
“your message on the ride line without waiting for the other messages to play, press the *
button on a touch tone phone.)
Wear A Helmet, And Carry Repair Items And First Aid Supplies On Your Ride!
TWEE welcomes aud thanks the folloucug new aud renewing members far October, 1995:
Kevin Thomas.
One Hundred Dear Old Jews vy Bor myrick
Bicycle Insurance—In 1895 there will be not less than 400,000 bicycles manufactured. From April 1st to July 1st,
1895, the Traveler’s Insurance Company paid $3,173.84 for injuries received in bicycle accidents. The moral is
obvious—Insure in the Travelers.
Geo. R. Delprat, Agent. Washington Bldg. August 27, 1895.
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 4
Tire Tracts
(Continued from page 1)
sidewalk over the bridge is as wide as a traffic lane, so cyclists going in both directions, as well as pedestrians, have plenty of room (something to keep in mind if another bridge is built across the Tacoma Narrows). After crossing the Golden Gate I climbed up the road on the edge of the Marin headlands for more amazing views. With the map and directions I obtained from the bike shop, I was easily able to find the trail head for some off-road riding. My route took me over fire roads and single track for a great afternoon of trail riding. I made it back to the bike shop before it closed and headed up the street for a muey bueno burrito in a little neighborhood cafe, to finish off a fantastic day.
I spent an additional day in the Bay area after my meeting for a day of mountain biking on the hallowed trails of Marin, where mountain biking is said to have originated. When I left San Francisco that morning the city was foggy, as was my drive over the Golden Gate. As I went further north into Marin the weather cleared, and the day was beautiful by the time I was on the trail.
I had rented a bike from a shop in Fairfax a couple of years ago and rode some of the area around Mt. Tamalpais. I had tried to ride up to the top of Mt. Tamalpais on my first visit to the area, buta wrong turn sent me ona different route that time. This time I had studied my map and had a better sense of where I wanted to go. The first rider I encoun- tered was on horseback, so I pulled over to the side of the trail as the horse and rider approached. I respect the IMBA rules of the trail, and I was especially aware of trail courtesy, since the Marin area has a long history of trail access conflict, with many of the trails closed to biking.
My route took me over several of the trails that have been favorites in the area since the first days of mountain bik- ing—past a Lake Bon Temps, up Eld- ridge Grade to the Indian Fire Trail, and up to the east peak of Mt. Tamalpais. A couple of tiny groves of redwoods tuck- ed into pockets on north-facing slopes, as well as some vistas which exploded into view as I rounded corners, made for
an interesting climb. There was about a
half mile hike up from the parking lot
where the road ended to the fire lookout
on the peak.
I felt pretty beat after a couple hours of riding, and the buzzards circling over- head as I hiked up to the top made me think I probably needed to fuel up on water and an energy bar, or I might be their lunch! The view from the top of Mt. Tamalpais was amazing—the city and ocean were still fogged in, but the views of the east Bay and Marin were well worth the climb. A fun descent is the reward for a long climb, and before I knew it I was down the mountain and back in town. Another great ride, over too soon!
Ride Log Deadline
(Continued from page 1)
No longer searching, searching, down
endless side streets, over every hill,
around each corner, for that magnetic
sign “Open House.” Remember the tea
ride when we went house hunting?
Mat and I did manage to get out of town with our bicycles a couple of times this summer. Our first get away was to his family reunion in Wisconsin. We traveled with our two kids and Mat’s sister and her two kids. We all wanted to take our bikes along, and that was quite an adventure.
We used the Club bike boxes for our
bikes. They were wonderful. Hard-
sided, well padded, with adequate
strapping inside, our bikes were nestled
neatly into these large cocoons with
wheels.
Now the other four bikes were in card
board boxes. No padding, no straps, and
no wheels, and even bigger than the
bike suitcases, and very awkward to
handle.
Adventures at the airport! You should
have seen Mat’s brother’s face when he
picked us up in Milwaukee! How do
you get six bike boxes into a car?
Our second get away was for Cycle
Montana. I UPSd my bike. $35.00, and
my bike had to leave a week before I did
and come home a couple of days after I
did. At that point I didn’t miss it!
The Cycle Montana organizers would
transport one piece of luggage for us
and one flattened cardboard bike box.
We were not as creative as a fellow
cyclist, who just packed all his camping
and personal gear into his bike suit case.
What a concept!
Since we belong to Adventure Cy-
cling, and our travel arrangements were
made through Wide World Of Travel,
our bikes flew to Milwaukee free. The
League Of American Bicyclists has a
similar agreement with certain carriers.
If you would like to reserve the Club
bike boxes contact Bob Myrick. A de-
posit and donation fee constitute a rea-
sonable price to pay for exploring new
territory, or getting away from a family
reunion fora few hours!
Government Affairs
Committee Report
by Scott Pierson
The GAC met twice to discuss Pierce County’s draft non-motorized plan. The Committee hopes to meet with Bob Vogel, County Planner, to submit ideas to improve the plan. For a copy of the draft plan, call Bob Vogel at 591-7172. Check our Club Ride Line, 759-2800, for the time and place of our November GAC meeting.
At the TWBC Club meeting in October Kent Wienker read a local newspaper article about problems with bicycling in Tacoma. He urged Club members to attend Club and community meetings dealing with transportation and cycling issues. A recent city meeting was attend- ed by six people.
Tacoma city staff working on the city’s non-motorized plan will meet with the Community Council, and offer to meet with each of the eight Tacoma neighbor- hood councils. Club members are en- couraged to call their area neighbor- hood council contact person and ask them to invite city staff to speak at their next meeting.
The city staff contact person is Lori Larkin at 591-5200. On the following page (page 6) Club members can find their area neighborhood council infor- mation. Please attend the meetings in your area, and have the council invite city staff to discuss non-motorized is- sues.
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 5
(The following table continues the GAC article on page 5. Find your Neighborhood Council and attend its meetings. Help your council evaluate non-motorized elements in your neighborhood and make recommen-
dations.)
aS Tacoma 2nd sae
sae 45 p.m.
TWBC Board Minutes
by Dena Wessels, TWBC Secretary
TWBC Board Members met on Octo- ber 3, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. at the Skyline Village Apartment’s Recreation Build- ing. Board Members present were Dave Tison, Dena Wessels, Jan Brame, Wil- liam Hoehne, Bob Myrick, Karen For- bush, and Kent Wienker. TWBC mem- bers present were Steve Brown, Ralph Wessels, and Carla Gramlich.
The previous minutes were reviewed
and approved.
Old Business:
Treasurer's Report: Jan reported
$15,637.39 in the checking account. The
Club received $222.00 and spent
$1759.78 in September. $500.00 from the
1994-95 budget went to Kapowsin’s
Grange for the 1995 Daffodil Classic.
Board members discussed whether this
amount should be a standard gift, or be
based on a percentage of the ride’s in-
come. The Board will decide with the
Daffodil committee.
Main Library
L. Keith Stone —| 572-7340
1102 Tacoma Ave. S.
oe (Alternate Thonn
1996 Bike Expo: Kent Wienker report-
ed that the Club’s booth has been re-
served. The location will change.
New Club Members: Kent expressed a desire to involve more new members in Club activities. Two suggestions were to follow-up on new member applications, and have sections in the newsletter for special interests such as tandems and mountain bikes.
Ride Year: Bob Myrick distributed a report from Connie Reitzug indicating ride log sheets not yet received. The ride year ends on October 31st. At that time the number of riders is determined for insurance payment purposes. A sugges- tion was made to make the ride year and the fiscal year the same.
Newsletter: William Hoehne has an
updated member roster from Don
Izenman, so he can check name spell-
ings, phone numbers, and membership
status. The print run for the newsletter
will be reduced to 450 from 500 to elimi-
nate excess copies.
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 6
Government Affairs: The Pierce Coun- ty Non-Motorized Plan is being review- ed. Club members will be attending the Bike Pedestrian Conference and the NowBike Auction. The Club will donate one individual and one family Club membership, free applications for one individual, two individuals, and one family for the 1996 Daffodil Classic and the Peninsula Metric, and one bike box rental for one or two weeks, to the auc- tion.
Bike Box Policy: The Board approved
an Equipment Policy for two bike boxes.
A deposit of $200.00 and a donation of
$20-$35 per person per week will be
charged. Bob Myrick is the contact per-
son.
Special Events: Bob Myrick will get the
Annual Banquet planning started, but is
looking for a new chairperson. Daffodil
Classic date is April 21, 1996. PMC is
June 2, 1996. Chairpersons are needed
for these rides.
Lge
(|
lZ
‘\
Bicycle News from the
by Joe Kubera of the Staten Island Bicycling Association
RIDER'S
BLOCK
Utility cycling is becoming a hot topic--even the glitzy bike mags and equipment catalogs have taken notice. So why aren't more of us doing it? I believe there are subtle (even subcon- scious) barriers to day-to-day cycling. Fortunately, a little thought and plan- ning can eliminate these.
First of all, few of us have escaped an all-American car-oriented upbring- ing. Part of that upbringing involves what Effective Cycling author John Forester calls the “cyclist inferiority complex,” a set of misguided assump- tions about cycling manifested in fear- motivated childhood cycling training, dangerous and inefficient road use, etc. No wonder it's so much easier to reach for the ignition key than your helmet.
Secondly, we've been sold many
times over on the idea that cycling is a
leisure-time, sporty, somewhat exotic
activity. Utility is a dirty word in the
U.S. bicycle industry. Since at least the
late 60's, its emphasis has been on
bikes designed for sport or recreation--
racing, light touring and off-road use--
notably not utility.
Another problem is that your bike's setup or storage may actually discour- age utility riding. Let's say you sud- denly have to run down to the deli for a half-gallon of milk. Quick, which vehicle is instantly available and up to the task? It's not your bicycle if:
a) you have to drag it up or down
stairs, get it down off a ceiling hook,
or retrieve it from an obscure corner,
b) you have to don special apparel
to mount it,
¢) you're concerned about darkness
or rain,
d) there's no place on the bike to
conveniently carry your purchases,
e) you're worried about theft,
f) you feel you don't have the time.
It's easy to skim over these points, but they are precisely the subtle kinds of things that affect your decision whether to drive or bike. Let's look at these items individually and see how we can correct them to make it easy to “think bike.”
a) If at all possible, keep your bike
right near a home or garage entrance.
Believe me, it makes a big difference.
After all, your car is already at street level, and never more than a few feet from the roadway; that's why it's so easy to use. Theft worries keep us from leaving our bikes outdoors or on the front porch, so take a tip from our Manhattan friends whose bikes are poised just inside the apartment or loft door. Corollary: Keep your helmet, pump, trouser bands, maybe a jacket, with your bike--again, make it easy.
b) Clothing. You don't need cycling gloves; you're not going that far. And if your pedals require you to change out of your street shoes into bike shoes, forget it--you'll never do it. Get plastic or padded toe clips to pro- tect your street shoes; consider plat- form or double-sided ATB pedals.
c) You really do need lights for rid-
ing after dark; it's not a lot to ask.
Inexpensive battery lights are fine in
my experience. And rain riding is
more pleasant if lightweight, plastic
fenders are installed. (Blackburn
makes fender attachment points for
frames without eyelets). A bike pon-
cho is a good idea for rain, too.
d) Use a serviceable handlebar, or a rear rack with panniers or brackets (permanently attached for easy on/off). For big shopping trips, consider a trail- er. I do grocery shopping with one, and my U-lock secures both bike and trailer to the shopping-cart barricades.
e) The time factor. Your bike may well be faster than the car for a quick local trip. For longer trips (since you already enjoy cycling) think of extra riding time as a bonus, not a deficit. As you use your bike more, you'll easi- ly make mental "room" for this activi- ty.
f) Security. I keep my Kryptonite
lock bungeed to my rear rack. Or use
a cheap bike.
The type of bike you use is up to you. Many riders like doing errands on a mountain bike equipped for utili- ty. Used bikes can be had through classifieds (I once bought a handsome Schwinn 5-speed for $80 this way), garage sales, or the police auction in your city. It's fun to search out the ideal accessories for your ultimate util- ity bike, like racks, lights, internal hub gears, etc.
A final note. I feel utility cycling
can really enhance our visibility in
public. Cyclists are pretty easy to
ignore if we're only out on weekends,
in exotic clothing, on back-country
roads. By being out on the main
streets, day in and day out, and in
increasing numbers, we are demanding
respect for our right to the road.
a2 S50 .C-1 i
P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 721-1776
TWBC NEWSLETTER November, 1995 Page 7
Heal Your Bicycle
With Skill And TLC
Our November Club meeting will finally fulfill the promise of instruction on bicycle repair. Bon- nie Wegner, manager from Twin Lake Cyclery, will help us learn bicycle repair while on the road. Bonnie has taught many classes on bicycle repair and is also an avid cyclist. You might learn something new at this meeting.
Come early to enjoy food and drink and talk to other Club mem- bers. We will start the meeting with an update on club activities. An announcement on the dates for our spring rides will be made. Yes, we need to start thinking about daffodils and metric centuries now.
We meet at the South End Com- munity Pool, located at 402 E. 56th Street, between Pacific and McKin- ley Avenues, just past Concordia Lutheran School. The Pool is about 300 feet off the street. This location is ona bus line, and is easily acces- sible by bicycle. Time is 7:00 pm.
If you need any information
about our Club meetings, call Carla
Gramlich at 752-4038.
Next Month: No Club meeting.
Go to the Christmas Party and
Night Ride instead.
TWC
NEWSLETTER
Tacoma Wheelmen’s Club
P.O. Box 112078
Tacoma, WA 98411
TWC Officers will meet for a Board
of Directors meeting on Tuesday,
November 3, 1992, at Greg Grenier’s
home, 3715 N. Shirley, Tacoma, WA.
Time is 7:30 pm. Members are invited
to attend. Call Greg Grenier at 752-
4348 for information.
Hip...Hip...Hooray
For New Members
Rumors of initiation rites (loin cloths, chest slashes, and riding up the middle of the Green River led by our Club president) to the con- trary, we are cheering for our new members who joined us in Septem- ber and October. They are:
Steven Bowman, Robert Weaver,
Ed Lewis, Lee & Corinne Johnson,
Thomas Bell, Don White, Sharon &
John Meluin, Armida Montemayor,
Maria Retzug, David Juarez, Jason
Cohen, Arthur Dunn, Sylvia Mc-
Kenzie, John & Diane Church,
Peggy Fjetland, Jim Wagner, Steph-
en L. Mauer & Family, James L.
Meyer, and Pat & Sher Malloy.
May they go on every ride, eat
all the food, and otherwise make
their presence known to all of us.
Page One
Founded In 1888
SS EE
November, 1992
Boitano’s Make The
Tandem Rally. . .
Through Hedt, Hills,
And Vultures
by Louis Boitano
By car we made Mountain View. Along the way we visited San Francisco. At Mountain View, with full camping gear (puff), we rode to the tandem rally at Monterey. The balance of our itinerary took us down the coast on Hwy 1 to Cambria, over the hills to Paso Robles, and north to King City.
At King City my knee started to complain of soreness, the large cog of the freewheel lost half its teeth, and the heat was at 90 degrees and rising. This sent Marie by bus to Mountain View to get the car. Our trip was an exercise in hill climb- ing, riding in the heat, and sight- seeing.
The Tandem Rally was a two day event on Saturday and Sun- day. Saturday was an all day ride, which varied from 25 to 100 miles. We rode with Bob and Joyce Joy- ner, TWC members who moved to Las Vegas. Saturday night served- up a banquet at a golf club near Carmel. Sunday morning, a 25 mile ride ended with brunch. The sights in San Francisco, and the bicycle tour, were the most memorable parts of the trip.
In San Francisco we saw a ma-
rina where sea lions took over part
(Continued on page 5)
November, 1992
TWC RIDE CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 1 to DECEMBER 5, 1992 Questions about rides or activities? Call the leader!
MILES START POINT ACTIVITY CODE LEADER
12+ Tiger Mountain Mountain bike on All Bob Myrick
Summit on SR 18. Preston RR trail. 473-7455
Greg Grenier’s Home
3715 N. Shirley
TWC Board Meeting.
Greg Grenier
752-4348
30+ Call The Ride Line.
759-2800
Tuesday Ride.
Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
25 McDonald’s Westgate
N. 21st & Pearl
Peggy’s & more.
Diane Taylor
759-4971
35 McDonald’s Westgate
N. 21st & Pearl
Phyllis’ Birthday
Ride.
Phyllis Lay
759-1816
30+ Call The Ride Line.
759-2800
Tuesday Ride.
Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156 |
20 3218 N. 28th
Tacoma, WA
Steve’s Buttermilk
Pancake Breakfast.
(See Ride Notes on
page 3.)
Carla Gramlich
752-4038
Sun
40+ a UPS Fieldhouse
To Puyallup.
Kent Wienker
.
L
11/15 N. 11th & Union 474-9395
Sun 30 McDonald’s Westgate | Brunch at Little Park. | Phil Burgess
11/15 LN. 21st & Pearl 884-3234
Tues 30+ Call The Ride Line Tuesday Ride. Carol Rushton
11/17 759-2800 537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
Tues 4 South End Commun- | TWC Club Meeting. Carla Gramlich
11/17 PM ity Center & Pool. 402 | Bonnie Wegner on 752-4038
E. 56th Street. bicycle repair. |
Sat ae 8:30 25+ UPS Fieldhouse Pancake Breakfast | Steve & Phyllis Lay
11/21 AM N. 11th & Union $2.50. 759-1816
Sun 10:00 10-20 | Fort Steilacoom Park Mountain bike before | Bob Myrick
11/22 AM Waughop Lake FSRC Turkey Trot 473-7455
Run at 2:00 pm.
Tues AM 30+ Call The Ride Line Tuesday Ride. Carol Rushton
11/24 759-2800 537-3888
Louis Boitano
| EE 922-6156 |
(TWC Ride Calendar continues on page 3)
TWC NEWSLETTER Page Two November, 1992
(TWC Ride Calendar continued from page 2)
Call The Ride Line
759-2800
Carol Rushton
537-3888
Louis Boitano
922-6156
Tuesday Ride.
Sat
12/5
UPS Fieldhouse
N. 11th & Union
Bazaar Ride &
Breakfast.
Phyllis Lay
759-1816
Ride Code Definitions (See column six in ride calendar): 1. Easy pace—frequent stops to catch-up and re-group. 10-13
mph. 2. Moderate pace—occasional stops to catch-up and re-group. 13-16 mph. 3. Steady pace—limited stops. Cue
sheets or map provided. 13-16 mph. 4. Fast pace—very limited stops. Cue sheets or map provided. 16+mph. Maps
provided for all rides over 35 miles.
For More Information About Rides, Call The Ride Line At 759-2800. (To record
your message on the ride line without waiting for the other messages to play, press the
# button on a touch tone phone.)
Wear A Helmet, And Carry Repair Items And First Aid Supplies On Your Ride!
Alert Notices From Our Touring Captains:
Ride Sign-up Sheets: Due to our insurance policy requirements, we are required to have all
members of each ride, and parents or guardians of minors on each ride, sign a release form. Enclosed in
this Newsletter is a copy of the release form. Feel free to copy the form as much as needed, or give the
Touring Captains a call and forms will be sent to you.
These forms are to be returned to the Touring Captains via mail, or hand delivered, whichever is
easiest.
Your help in leading rides forms the basis for our Club, and is much appreciated.
Cue Sheets and Maps: So far everyone has been doing a good job of providing cue sheets or maps for their rides. We want to remind members, and especially newer members who would like to lead a ride, to give cue sheets or maps to ride participants for any ride over 35 miles. This is a consideration for riders of all abilities. Getting lost on a ride is no fun for any rider, new or old. Keep up the good work and bring those cue sheets or maps to your next ride.
If you have any questions about the release forms, cue sheets or maps, or anything else about our rides call the Touring Captains, Steve and Phyllis Lay, at 759-1816.
Ride Notes:
Pancake breakfast and ride—On November 14th everyone is invited to Steve and Carla’s house for a pancake breakfast. The breakfast will start at 9:30 am. Steve will prepare pancakes and all the fixings. After breakfast be prepared to take a 20 mile ride around Tacoma, led by Carla. Steve and Carla’s address is 3218 N. 28th, between Alder and Lawrence. Call 752-4038 for information.
Ride Report:
The Camping Trip Mystery—The October ride calendar listed a camping trip that had four ride
leaders. On Sunday of that weekend I ran into the “Lone Camper.” On Saturday, this camper was
supposed to meet up with these ride leaders for a weekend of camping. After waiting and checking every
bakery on the route, he headed for the park by himself. He never did find the leaders, and spent the night
alone in the shelter that sleeps eight.
(Continued on page 4)
TWC NEWSLETTER Page Three November, 1992
Tacoma Wheelmen’s Club
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Greg Grenier - 752-4348
Carla Gramlich - 752-4038
SECRETARY
Dena Wessels - 857-5658
TREASURER
Joyce Clifford - 759-2393
Staff
TOURING CAPTAINS
Steve & Phyllis Lay - 759-1816
MEMBERSHIP
Phyllis Lay - 759-1816
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Bob Myrick . 473-7455
PUBLICITY
Cynthia Hammer - 752-0801
L.A.W. REPRESENTATIVE
Sue Given - 565-0535
B.F.W. COORDINATOR
Diane Lister . 752-8636
SAFETY & EDUCATION
Jan Wieser - 833-6346
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Steve Brown - 752-4038
RIDE LINE
Steve Lay - 759-1816
Annual Committees
DAFFODIL CLASSIC
Jim Davis - 759-5616
PENINSULA METRIC
Cynthia Hammer - 752-0801
BICYCLE SHOW BOOTH
Sylvia Russell - 862-3288
Brian Wester - 862-3288
S.T.P. COORDINATOR
Rock Hauge - 752-6257
Steve Lay - 759-1816
BANQUET COMMITTEE
Jan Wieser - 833-6346
ANNUAL PICNIC
Diane Taylor - 759-4971
Newsletter
EDITOR
William Hoehne - 759-4464
MAILING
Don Izenman - 565-2720
For correspondence, indicate appropriate
officer, and send to: Tacoma Wheelmen’s
Club, P.O. Box 112078, Tacoma, WA
98411.
Ride Report
(Continued from page 3)
Sources place two of these ride leaders in Tacoma early Sunday morning, riding in the northend with no camping gear in sight. A source from Weyerhaeuser said another leader told him that he got to experience camping in a trailer during the weekend in question. This did not sound like a bicycle camping trip to me.
This is a sad story, because our
“lone camper” is very dependent
on other campers. This is probably
the first time he had to eat his
Rice-a-Roni for six without
supplements from camping
companions. At least he had a
book to read. He was very happy
to run into some TWC members on
Sunday, after this long, lonely, wet
weekend. If he only could have
found the ride leaders.
From The Handlebars
Of Carla G.
by Carla Gramlich
On October 3rd, three hardy TWC members rode in the rain along the Interurban Path from Pacific to Southcenter. This trail has some recent improvements near Kent. A new bridge was added this summer over the Green River. The section out of Auburn into Kent has also been completed. When you enter Kent the route is now well marked to cut across the city. No more guessing which way to go to find the trail.
On this new section in Kent two railroad crossings have not been improved for bicycles. We found that rain made these railroad crossings very difficult. I hope these crossings are taken care of soon, but for now walking your bicycle is recommended.
The following day’s weather was
much improved over Saturday. The
sun brought out seven cyclists to
Page Four
ride and eat. After taking the long route from UPS to Fircrest, we all enjoyed the Foothills Salmon Barbecue. TWC and _ Foothills’ member Stan Engle put on another of his great Salmon feeds. All who attended highly recommended the food and ambience. After being fed, and touring the wonderful grounds of the Engle’s residence, we took the easy way back to the UPS Fieldhouse.
The month of October has been very stressful for me. I found out at the beginning of the month I was 300 miles short of 2000 Club miles. Since I made this goal last year I am doing my darndest to hit this goal this season. At the time of this writing I have 100 miles to go. T hope I do not have to do it all on the last day of the month.
Ski Party Opens Season The Mount Tahoma Scenic Ski Trails Association starts the new season with a party on November 19, 1992. The party will be at the Rialto Theater, 9th & Broadway, with doors opening at 6:00 pm.
A Multi Media slide show begins
at 8:00 pm, with food and drink
provided. Overnight
accommodations in the
Association’s hut system will be
discussed.
One member is a professional ski
instructor, who offers free classes
this coming winter. His name is Ed
Strauss, and his first class will be
on December 19, 1992.
Call Bob Myrick at 473-7455 for
further information.
November, 1992
Boitano’s Tandem Rally
(Continued from page 1)
of the boat moorage area. We rode
BART and the cable cars. Our
harbor cruise coincided with a
speed boat race. We visited a Frank
Lloyd Wright building, and walked
to the top of Nob Hill. We spent a
Sunday in Golden Gate Park.
On Sundays the main road in the park is closed to auto traffic. Bi- cycles of all types and roller blades were on the road. The park was full of activity, with many events going on at once. The San Francis- co Fire Department paraded 130 units to celebrate its 125th anniver- sary. There was a crochet tour- nament where many of the players dressed as if they were in Alice’s Wonderland. Baseball, soccer, vol- leyball, and other games were testing the skills of all sorts of people. In San Francisco we found a bank that would not change any bill larger than $20.00.
The biking portion of our trip gave us many new sights. In Mor- gan Hill there is a pumpkin farm which had pumpkins piled as high as a two-story building. Lettuce, broccoli, bell and chili pepper fields spread out before us.
From a campsite at Laguna Seca we could see grand prix race cars practicing. Supermarket vending machines dispensed drinking wat- er. Canadian snow birds practiced for an air show, and pelicans flied in formation. Sea otters were sleep- ing in the ocean. The Monterey Aquarium showed fish, sharks, seals, and jelly fish, including a fresh water jelly fish. Deer roamed the golf courses at Pebble Beach.
During the tandem rally a taran-
tula walked down the road. In
Carmel small houses on small lots
were selling for $2,000,000.00. We
visited four missions and Hearst
Castle.
Miles of ocean shore, oak trees,
brown hills, and lots of open space
were in evidence.
Along the coast traffic consisted
of tourist busses, motor homes,
and lots of rental cars. In Cambria
there is the Tin Soldier Factory,
and building lots were on sale with
a waiting list for water.
We stood nose to nose with a
young buck deer, which was trying
to enjoy lunch. Vendors along the
road were selling 15 bell peppers
for $1.00, and sacks of oranges for
the same price.
When we thought we had seen
everything, there were two vul-
tures sitting on a fence, waiting for
bicyclists.
Mini-Minutes
TWC Board Meeting
The Board of Directors met on
October 6, 1992. Present were Greg
Grenier, presiding; Carla Gramlich,
Joyce Clifford, Steve Lay, Phyllis
Lay, Steve Brown, William Hoehne,
and Gina Grenier.
Coordinators: STP is being held on the weekend of July 17-18, 1993. Steve Lay, Rocky and Hank will be the coordinators of the Spanaway Checkpoint. Cynthia Hammer will be in charge of the Peninsula Met- ric in 1993. Greg continues to seek members to fill other positions.
BFW annual meeting: This meet- ing will take place on Vashon Is- land the first weekend of Novem- ber. The Board approved sending 2 or 3 members to this meeting and pay expenses ($35.00 per person). At this meeting the Washington
- - Board would like to send the coor-
- - dinators of the Peninsula Metric
- - Century and the Daffodil Classic,
- - Page Five
- - so they can establish the dates for
- - these rides.
- - New member forms: Carla has
- - printed more new member forms,
- - and has distributed them to some
- - of the bicycle shops in the area.
- - Most shops have been without
- - forms. During this effort, Carla is
- - updating the shop discount list.
- - She will get the update ready for
- - the December Newsletter. Carla
- - showed a sample business card she
- - had made with TWC information.
- - Members have requested a card to
- - hand out. Also, card stands could
- - be purchased for bicycle shops to
- - help publicize the Club. Steve and
- - Carla will work on printing 1000
- - cards by next meeting.
- - Stationery: Steve and William
- - will work on getting some Club
Tacoma Wheelmen Ciub Budget &,
July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1993 es
Approved At Special Budget Meeting On
September 22, 1992
Sources of Funds:
Cash in Bank $15, 225.00
Interest $400.00
Daffodil Classic (net includes T-shirts) $7,500.00
STP Receipts $4,700.00
Peninsula Metric (net) $2,000.00
Membership Dues $5.000.00
$19,600.00
Reserves:
Pre-Daffodil Cost $9,000.00
Pre-Peninsula Cost $1,500.00
Emergency Funds
$1,500.00
$12,000.00
Expenses:
Ride Program (Board approved for
expenditure) $2,000.00
NW Cyclist Magazine $2,500.00
Club Banquet $1,500.00
Club Picnic $1,100.00
Education and Public Relations
(Includes Sprocket Person and
Carless Commute) $2,250.00
Club Meetings $750.00
Membership Costs $600.00
Newsletter (Printing) $3000.00
Newsletter (Mailing) $1000.00
Other Postage and Administrative Costs $300.00
Ride Line (Phone cost) $550.00
Club Insurance $500.00
Bike Expo $250.00
Supplies and Equipment $400.00
Other and Social Events $600.00
Affiliations $250.00
$17,550.00
Donations: BFW $1,200.00 Rails To Trails (Dedicated to land acquisition) $500.00 Pierce County Sheriff (Bicycle patrol equipment) $500.00 $2,200.00 Net at Year End $3,075.00 Plus Reserves $12,000.00 Balance Forwarded For 1992 to 1993 $15,075.00