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| Tahoe Cycling News |
September - 2011 |
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Tahoe Bike Fun Ride - Sept. 18
On Sunday, Sept. 18, join members of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors as they lead a fun recreational bike ride along South Lake Tahoe's bicycle path system. The ride starts at Van Sickle Bi-State Park, travels to Camp Richardson, and ends at Blue Dog Pizza, located on the north end of Raley's Shopping Center.
Meet at the Van Sickle Barn at 12:30. The ride begins at 1:00 pm and is expected to last 3 to 4 hours. The ride is free and open for everyone interested in a relaxed pace ride, stopping for photos, and chatting about the bike paths and surrounding areas as there is interest.
Please ride your bikes to the start as parking is prohibited in Raley's Shopping center. You may park in the adjacent lots behind Harrah's if needed. Wear your helmet. A support vehicle will be available in the event you choose to get a ride back to Stateline with your bike. We will return to Blue Dog Pizza for food and refreshments.
Let us know if you will be joining us so that we can have a better sense about the group size. You can let us know by just e-mailing biketahoe@aol.com. Looking forward to riding with you.
$2 Million Saved for Hwy 50 Bike Path
The highest priority bike path connector, in South Lake Tahoe (El Dorado Beach to Ski Run Blvd.) will receive an infusion of approximately $2 million in construction capital thanks to the collaborative efforts of TRPA, City of So. Lake Tahoe, and Caltrans. The money was rescued when the bid for Caltrans Hwy 50 project came in under initial estimates.
This bike path project parallels the existing Hwy 50 construction between Trout Creek and Ski Run Blvd. - which includes water quality improvements, sidewalks, and street lighting. Work will continue on this section of roadway until 2014. When complete, it will significantly enhance safety, and improve mobility and connectivity in the City. It will also provide a model for future highway improvements planned for Trout Creek to the "Y".
South Shore to Vote on Bike Path Maintenance Funds
 Voters in South Lake Tahoe area (city and county) will have a chance to support additional funding for bicycle trail maintenance using existing unused tax revenues. Called Measure R, the November ballot measure would amend Measure S to allow accumulating recreation funds to be used on older bike paths and bike bridge maintenance not currently allowed under Measure S.
The Bike Coalition provided extensive input on the language of the measure to ensure that it broadened the bicycling uses of Measure S funding while protecting the original intent of Measure S - to provide maintenance funding for new bike trails. The Bike Coalition is strongly in support of Measure R because it is consistent with its mission of promoting improved bicycle facilities and a more livable and sustainable community.
Bike Coalition Developing T.L.C. Program
T.L.C.: Tahoe Lodging for Cyclists is a program for developing a network of lodging properties around the Lake to serve the needs of visiting cyclists. TLC properties must meet minimum bicycle-friendly standards to become a member of the network and receive valuable benefits in return. Interested lodging properties may e-mail BikeTahoe@aol.com to receive an information packet. Properties are encouraged to request the info packet ASAP so they can be sufficiently informed about the opportunity to be included on the new Lake Tahoe Bike Trail Map.
New Lake Tahoe Bike Trail Map in the Works.
The third edition of the Lake Tahoe Bike Trail Map is in the planning stages for improved accuracy of trailheads, North Tahoe trail system, more mountain bike trails, elevation grid, and generally easier to use and download from the web site. 50,000 copies will be printed. Funding for design updates and printing are dependent upon grants and sponsors. Companies, organizations and agencies interested in sponsoring the map and receiving branding and marketing benefits for more than two years, may contact Ty Polastri for details at BikeTahoe@aol.com.
Lake Tahoe Bicycle Achievement Award Nominations Open
The third annual Bicycle Achievement Award nominations are now open in four categories: Individual, Business, Agency and Organization. The Achievement Award is given in four categories for exemplary contribution to advancing bicycling in Lake Tahoe. Nominations must include a biography, and a detailed description of the advancement of bicycling. The LTBC Board of Directors will review all nominations and deliberate on whom shall receive this prestigious award. Nominations end October 15, 2011 and may be sent to BikeTahoe@aol.com or by mail to: LTBC, PO Box 1147, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448. Anyone can make a nomination.
Coalition President Speaks at Summit
 On August 16, Ty Polastri, Coalition President, presented at the 15th annual Lake Tahoe Summit presided by Senator Dianne Feinstein. Presenters included Governors Brown (CA) and Sandoval (NV), Senators Feinstein (CA), Reed and Heller (NV), and the director of the EPA.
Ty spoke about the need to transform Lake Tahoe into a more people centric community where the roadway is seen as an 'avenue of livability' accommodating for all users and taking into design consideration the types of business uses on the streetscape. He mentioned the streetscape as encompassing more than the highway metrics between curbs, but extending beyond the curb and inclusive of business uses and people's needs/activities where the automobile is no longer the dominate transportation mode. To view his presentation, go to www.TahoeBike.org.
Upcoming Events
- Great Tahoe Flume Race. Sept. 10. Spooner Lake Sate Park. 9:30-1:00pm (more info: www.renowheelman.org)
- Tour de Tahoe. Sunday, Sept. 11. 9th annual ride around the Lake. 35/72 mile options (more info: www.bikethewest.com).
- Tahoe Bike Fun Ride. Sept. 18. Van Sickle Bi-State Park. 1:00 PM start, ride to Camp Richardson, and back to Stateline.
If you have bicycle related events that you would like posted on Tahoe Cycling News, then e-mail me a fact sheet with sufficient lead time. E-mail: biketahoe@aol.com.
Tip of the Month - Daily Bike Maintenance
Daily maintenance of your bike helps keep it running reliably, can offset potential problems and keep you safe, and gets you more involved with your bike so that you know what is going on with it. Here are some basic tips you can be doing:
PRE-RIDE
- Brakes. Check they are working properly and if pads need replacing.
- Tires. Check wear and make sure they are properly inflated.
- Rims. Check they are tracking straight and not bent.
- Drive train. Check chain rings, front/rear derailleurs, and cogs shifting properly and free of mud/dirt.
POST-RIDE
- Clean Frame. Use dry cloth to wipe down. Avoid using water hose may cause damage.
- Clean Drive Train. Use dry cloth and brush to remove mud/dirt from gears. Lube chain. Wipe off excess lube.
- Check Tires. Look for cuts, punctures, thorns, and wear. If needed repair/replace.
- Check Brakes. Look at pads, clean/replace as needed. Look for kinks, leaks on hydraulic lines.
- Inspect Frame for cracks.
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On Trail Sightings
 
Tom Daley Pat & Natalie
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Become a member of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition & Help Build a Legacy.
The mission of the Coalition is to promote liveable and sustainable communities by encouraging more bicycle/pedestrain-friendly facilities and promoting educational programs in which residents and visitors can safely and conveniently ride and walk on a more frequent basis.
Our next monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 5:30-7:00PM at Design Workshop Conference Roon, 128 Market St., Suite 3 E, Stateline, NV.
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Hi Tahoe Bike Buddies,
One of the essential keys in life and in business is to make plans, work the plans, and then trust the process - particularly when it seems there is no apparent progress. Such is the case with the announcement of the $2 million wind fall for the South Shore's critically missing link in the bike path network - the plans were complete, no funds were in sight, and we held the intention for success and trusted the process while others said, 'no way'.
Another example of trusting the process could be applied to the upcoming ballot Measure R. Initially, many of us in the bicycle community were against it because we didn't want accumulating bike path maintenance funds diverted to any other use, and we didn't really understand the full details of Measure S or the JPA proposal for Measure R.
The Bike Coalition Board of Directors spent hundreds of hours in the process of challenging the JPA proposal: asking questions, making requests for details and documents, and helping draft clear and accurate language with the purpose of insisting on transparency of process; and, providing the community with clear and accurate information about the intent of and benefits derived from Measure R.
Now, the Coalition Board has moved unanimously in support of Measure R because it believes it best serves the community's recreational needs for improved bike paths. And, the support is consistent with the Coalition's mission.
If anyone has any questions regarding Measure R, please feel welcome in contacting the Coalition and a Board member will be available to address your interests or concerns.
Heads up for our visiting cyclists as they arrive to ride around the Lake during the Tour de Tahoe and enjoy some of the best time of the year to be on a Tahoe cycling holiday. Please be patient, Share the Road, and cyclists please follow common sense and the traffic laws. Thank you.
'Keepin it Real and Rollin'
Ty Polastri
President, LTBC
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