In This Issue
- Needed: Social Coordinator
- Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
- Pima County Bike Buddy Program
- El Grupo Fall Fondo Fundraiser
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Support The People Who Support Us!!
Sabino Cycles
7045 E. Tanque Verde
520-885-3666
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For Sale or Items Wanted
GABA Classifieds Added to our Website
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Extra, Extra, Read all about it... In addition to the listings that we've started in the Paceline, you can now post your own classified ads on the GABA website. You'll find the link on the left side of the home page and when you click on it you'll find yourself on a page titled Want Ads. You do have to be a GABA member in order to post an ad, so...if you're reading this and you're not already signed up, here's just one more great reason to join GABA.
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If you have a bike related item you'd like to buy, sell, or trade, send the details to me and I'll put it into the next issue. Be sure to include your contact info so an interested party can contact you directly.
In order to keep the ads fresh, we're going to run them for a couple of issues, then make room for new merchandise.
If your item sells before I drop it, please let me know and I'll save you some phone calls by removing it sooner.
And, of course, if you'd like to re-list your bike... just send it in again.
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Bikes and Links of Interest....
2014 Fall Cyclovia
with thanks to Damion Alexander
Art Car Parade Bicycles
Houston Art Car Parade
And yes, there are bicycles in the longer video at about the 3 minute mark.
Why do I have this link?
Is it the banners on the bikes that ask cars to give them 3 feet of clearance?
No...it's just that a few years ago I got to ride in the parade and I really like wacky cars.
I hope you do too.
Please send your ideas for new links to ...
paceline@bikegaba.org
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Greetings!
Fall has finally arrived..
The mornings are cool and it's a great time to ride.
Now that our winter friends are back in town after a summer in their home towns (or traveling) I'm sure they have lots of stories to share with us...
So hey - winter riding buddies - send your "What I did on my summer vacation," stories to me and I'll put them into the Paceline. Be sure to include a photo or two to show us where you've been.
And, as always, I'd like to remind everyone that the Paceline is your newsletter... so... Please send us your articles and stories so we can share them with all of our GABA members.
BT.
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Our
December Meeting
is a
Holiday Party
&
Food/Toy Drive
Monday, December 1, 2014 - 7:00 PM
A party for GABA members and their guests takes the place of the usual meeting in December.
GABA provides hand-carved, home-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread dressing, fresh vegetables, orange-apple-cranberry relish, rolls,salad, and dessert, plus drinks. GABA Members and their guests are asked to bring canned goods to donate to the food bank.
We will also be collecting new toys for 2014 Toy Drive. This holiday season, GABA will be working with the South Tucson Fire Department to play Santa to a number of needy children. Will have a box at the party were you can drop off your toy. You'll find additional information on how you can participate in the Toy Drive in the next article in this issue of the Paceline.
Contact social@bikegaba.org to volunteer to help set up beforehand or cleanup afterward.
Pima County Medical Society Building 5199 E Farness Tucson, AZ
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2014 Toy Drive
by Susan Reed and Wayne Cullop
GABA has a long-standing and honored tradition of collecting toys for some of Tucson's neediest children and then delivering the toys on their holiday-decorated bikes to a collection site, e.g the Reid Park Zoo or Brandi Fenton Park.
Our 2014 Toy Drive is expected to be AMAZING!
GABA is partnering with the Fire Department of South Tucson and the Ochoa and Mission View Elementary Schools also in South Tucson. Families of at least 225 children from these two schools are experiencing severe economic hardships which will make gifting their children at Christmas most difficult.
The South Tucson Fire Department will concurrently be working with South Tucson businesses to collect toys (Helmet Drive) to help round out the registry of needed gifts for the identified children.
GABA's Holiday Party will be Monday, December 1st at Pima County Medical Society, 5199 E. Farness. Riders who are unable to participate in the Toy Ride, but who want to contribute a gift for one of the children, may bring their gifts to the Holiday Party.
As in the past on December 7th, there will be several rides to deliver the toys to the South Tucson Fire Department. Riders will be treated to refreshments when they arrive at the Fire Department. These rides will be posted on GABA MeetUp and in a special edition of the Paceline. Also holding with GABA tradition, riders are encouraged to decorate themselves and their bikes.
As you can see, there are still details to be worked out and LOTS of opportunities for riders to pitch in to help make this year's Toy Drive amazing.
We will keep you posted on the details as well as ways you can be involved.
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The Bike Ranch Needs Our Help
Bike Ranch is an innovative proposal that combines fine lodging and amenities with affordable team lodging and a world-class training facility. It will be the first-of-its-kind destination that will attract more cycling enthusiasts to Tucson. The project is proposed on a 45 acre parcel on Old Spanish Trail across from Saguaro Park. The owners need a conditional approval for a 49-room Minor Resort, an allowed use within Suburban Ranch zoning. The design is based on Tucson's historic guest ranches of the 1930s, and is meant to be a model of green and sustainable development preserving over 70% of the land as native habitat, and using natural materials and solar power to strive for Platinum LEED certification. The Bike Ranch will add to cyclo-tourism, and generate much needed jobs for cycling professionals and others. The owners describe the $15 million project as a logical springboard off the nine figure investment that Tucson has made in cycling infrastructure.
District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll has promised to defeat the Bike Ranch application when it comes for approval before the Board of Supervisors on November 18th. . The owners, who are longtime residents and cyclists, are stressing the need for community support and are reaching out to the bicycling community for letters and attendance at the Board of Supervisors' Hearing. Information can be found at www.bikeranch.com and on the Facebook page Bike Ranch Tucson.
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Planning for The Loop Ride is underway!
"The Loop Ride" is on again for this coming January 1st. Performance Bikes on Broadway and The Loop Bike Shop and GABA are working together to put on this great event.
The current plan is to have two starting points (east side and west side), SAG support, ride sweeps and bike patrol/ambassador support. The ride will be open from 9 AM to 3 PM with no mass starts.
The two bike shops will provide mechanical assistance at the starting/SAG points. Oh yes, the ride will be free! Look for more details in the December Paceline, GABA's website and MeetUp. Click HERE for more information
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A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
by Chuck Martin
Day Ride Coordinator
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich under the shade of a big eucalyptus tree in Arivaca Junction. That is my most favorite memory of my first GABA ride. This event occurred many years ago on the Tumacacori Century, the first time I had ridden a supported ride. I couldn't believe all of the fruit and snack choices, the water, the sodas, etc. The volunteers were all so nice and friendly.
I started riding more GABA rides and eventually did the Sonoita Bisbee overnight ride with a group of friends. As always the food at the SAG stops was great, but on this ride GABA volunteers took care of the luggage too. All I had to do was ride and of course stop at the SAG stops to eat. I thought "how great is this".
I started to notice that the same volunteers were at the same ride doing the same job year after year. Or I would see them doing other jobs on other GABA rides. I always thanked them and appreciated the time they spent making my ride so wonderful. It took a while to realize that they were also riders like me, but instead of riding they were donating their time so others could ride.
It was soon after that realization that I started trying to give back to GABA so they would be able to take a turn on a ride. Once you are a volunteer, it doesn't take long to see that rides would not happen without all of the people who volunteer. The ride organizers, the people at the registration tables at 0 dark 30, at all of the SAG stops, sweeping the route, hauling luggage, the list goes on.
I didn't know that there were benefits for volunteering until I volunteered myself. First of all you get GABA credits, which start at $5.00 and increase depending on what position you volunteer for. These credits never expire and you can use to pay for your membership dues and ride fees. GABA also pays you for your mileage getting to and from the ride and out of pocket expenses. If it's an overnight ride, they pay for your lodging and reimburse your food expenses. It's a great way to get out of town basically for the cost of a couple hours of volunteering.
As you may have noticed, most GABA rides have a note that says that they need volunteers. I hope if you are reading this, you think back about that peanut butter and jelly sandwich under a tree on a GABA ride you enjoyed and maybe take time to volunteer.
There is more information at http://bikegaba.org If you are interested in volunteering for any of our ride events and volunteer positions, please contact the GABA Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@bikegaba.org.
Thanks, Chuck Martin
GABA Day Ride Coordinator
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by Greg Yares
"Sunday, November 2, 2014 saw the 31st consecutive Greater Arizona Bicycling Association(GABA) Bicycle swap meet in the 4th Avenue shopping area. We had them for years before elsewhere (at a smaller scale), but this combination is one of the best in the West, with sellers and buyers coming from near and far.
This one was a beauty. The weather was fine, the crowds were crowded and lots of fun filled commerce occurred throughout the day.
We've had two swaps per year here with the gracious help of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association(FAMA) starting in the Fall of 1999. We couldn't ask for better partners than FAMA.
We moved the date up two weeks early this time to accommodate the latest Tucson Cyclovia, that was held on the same day and for which we were the anchor attraction at the South end of their venue.
Our leader was Todd D'Addario, who did an excellent job with both of the 2014 events. He committed to this task a year ago. In June Todd made a work related move to Los Angeles. He stood by his word and drove to Tucson to deliver another great GABA bike swap.
We had some concern that the pool of volunteers would be compromised by Cyclovia's needs and it was, but the crew that we had took excellent care of business. Our team included Todd D'addario, Wayne Cullop, Andy Depew (gababikeswap facebook manager), Susan Reed, Tony Everett, Richard Mayers, Rick Langert, Bill Sarnack-Alley, Jorge Ruiz, Bob Willman, Janet Shannon, Michael Shannon, Susan Reed, Rene Castelo
Greg Yares and I'm sure there were more. To those I've left out, I apologize. Please forgive my memory lapse.
The next GABA bike swap is scheduled to be held on Sunday, April 12, 2015 in the same general area. Keep as current as you want to with http://www.bikegaba.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/GabaBikeSwap
We welcome comments, reviews, ideas, and help with this all volunteer event.
The funds raised by the vendor spaces help GABA to provide funds to various bicycle related groups and activities in Arizona.
https://www.facebook.com/GabaBikeSwap
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GABA Social Coordinator needed for 2015
The primary function of this volunteer is to bring refreshments to the monthly Club meetings, and also join efforts with the Advocacy/Outreach Gruppo (committee) to plan for and organize the annual Holiday Dinner. This in a advisory position, which means that you are not required to commit to either the Gruppo or the Board meetings, but are certainly welcome to both.
All food and beverage expenses are paid for by GABA, but the Social Coordinator purchases and transports them to the Pima County Medical Society Building on East Farness, no later than 6:30 pm on the first Monday (with exceptions) of each month.
Benefits for this non-voting, advisory position include:
1. Free GABA Membership for each year of volunteer service
2. Four Free GABA Rides (except TMS & CC - discounts apply) per year; (overnight ride meals not included)
Do any of the following statements apply to you?
* How you can I volunteer for GABA with a limited time-commitment?
* I feel a need to 'give back' to the Club
* I am looking for a fun way to interact with others GABA members
* I've had experience running a SAG stop for a GABA ride, and it was fun. I am sure I could handle this!
* GABA needs a volunteer. I could reap some pretty cool benefits. I should find out more about this position!
If any of the above statements singly or combined apply to you, please consider so that GABA can consider serving meeting refreshments.
Contact: GABA Club President - Wayne Cullop - president@bikegaba.org
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Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists Striving for Significant Advocacy Milestones in 2015
by Bob Beane, President
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists began in 1991 with a dream of developing an effective statewide bicycling advocacy organization/network in Arizona. When we consider that meant developing a functioning team across geography the size of New England, with 45% of New England's population, this was no small task. Early on, the founders expanded the group to include members from metro-Phoenix and metro-Tucson. In more recent years, the CAzB built a leadership team that included advocates from Kingman and the Verde Valley. In 2014, the group expanded further to add board and advisory board members from Yuma and Flagstaff, and we have assisted and/or worked with advocates in Sierra Vista, Green Valley, Prescott and Casa Grande.
As we continue to broaden and strengthen the team, we are finding more ways to make a difference for bicyclists in Arizona. Here are a few examples of programs in progress or on the docket for 2015:
* We have been given an opportunity to review and comment on AZ's bicycle-related standardized training outline for law enforcement officers (POST training). Our interest is in trying to get bicyclists and law enforcement officers closer to a common understanding of bicycle-related laws in Arizona, and to become a resource for law enforcement in that area.
* Complementing the above, we have been invited to draft content for a short (15 minute) on-line police officer training course, bicycling related, for the City of Glendale PD. The reaction to the material has been extremely positive (of course, we provided much too much content), to the extent that the reviewers are suggesting that a second module be done to include more of the material.
* The US Bicycle Route system is taking shape across the country, and we are being asked to help foster bicycle community involvement and comment on proposed route segments in Arizona.
* After a presentation by Michael Sanders, ADOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator, that touched on Federal Highway Administration priorities, we want to alert the bicycling community to the potential for rumble strip issues in our future. FHWA is increasingly concerned about lane departure vehicle crashes, for which the top perceived remedy is rumble strips. Location, design and frequency of using rumble strips are all on the table. We want to publicize this and make sure our advocates keep a watchful eye for this issue in 2015.
* Helping AZ Tourism promote bicycle-related tourism is another opportunity for us in 2015. We believe that AZ Tourism needs web site content (great ride descriptions, photos, video, etc.), and there has been initial feedback that we can work with them to accomplish this.
Other projects on the horizon include continued involvement in the ADOT bicycle-related safety plan and ongoing programs where bicyclist input is needed. Also, at least three new bicycle parks are being built between 2014-2015 (Mesa, Sedona and Flagstaff), and the Maricopa Association of Governments is in the design stage of a project to brand and sign the network of canal paths throughout metro-Phoenix. Great strides are being made in Yuma to revitalize bicycling there, including nearly monthly recreational events and a return of the North End Classic road race...Articles for IMBA and the LAB are planned to help promote these positive developments. There are "bicycle friendly" applications to review, infrastructure project rankings to do, and so much more.
So much is going on, and so many opportunities exist, that the CAzB leadership has come to the conclusion that we are primarily constrained by volunteer/member resources. That leads us to the final goal I'll discuss for 2015: more resources. Please take a few minutes to visit our Facebook page (hopefully, you'll "like" us while you are there) and our web site. Also, please consider becoming a member and/or making a donation of time or financial assistance. We are a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. All of us are volunteers, and many work long hours for nothing more than the satisfaction of knowing that we are helping Arizona become a better, more safe place to ride a bicycle. Thanks for your time!
Bob Beane, President
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
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Contact:
Matt Zoll, Program Manager
Pima County Bicycle & Pedestrian Program
520-724-2453
Pima County expands bike education
and "Bike Buddy" program
The U.S. Census American Community Survey recently released data showing that bicycling in the Tucson region has increased by 75 percent over just the past five years. With this great news, Pima County is pleased to announce the expansion of its bike education and "Bike Buddy" program to help even more people get into bicycling and make more trips by bike for commuting, school, health, shopping, and (of course) fun.
The Bike Buddy program includes personalized, one-on-one support services by experienced bicycle instructors who help people learn to ride if they were never taught as children, provide more advanced training for novice cyclists including youth, help folks get their bicycles in good mechanical working order, and assist individuals with finding and using bicycle routes appropriate to their abilities.
When you sign up for the Bike Buddy program, you can receive a free helmet, bicycle U-lock, front and rear bicycle lights, bike bell, and other items to help you get rolling on the roads and paths.
Pima County also has numerous support services and projects that have helped increase bicycling throughout the region over the past decade, saving people money and improving their health. Some of our initiatives include:
* Providing bicycle and pedestrian safety training and free BMX-style helmets in over 50 elementary and middle schools per year throughout the Tucson metropolitan area.
* Hosting bicycle safety classes for youth and adults at various levels of cycling ability provided by our trained Bike Ambassadors.
* Building 104 miles of bike lanes and 62 miles of shared use pathways over the past decade, including The Loop.
* Providing support services and funding for events such as the Julian Wash Greenway Celebration (Nov. 1), Cyclovia (Nov. 2), El Tour de Tucson (Nov. 22), back-to-school celebrations, and numerous helmet and safety promotion events.
The County has helped increase bicycling throughout the region in partnership with Perimeter Bicycling Association of America and the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, and with regional partners including Marana, Oro Valley, the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Sahuarita, South Tucson and Tucson.
Thanks to continuing development of The Loop, a 100-plus-mile shared use pathway system serving Pima County residents and visitors, more people than ever will have the ability to get into bicycling or to expand their bicycling activities.
If you would like to learn more about the Bike Buddy program or to sign up for our individualized bicycle support service and free helmets, lights, locks and other items, please contact the Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program at (520) 724-BIKE or go to www.bikeped.pima.gov for more information.
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El Grupo Fall Fondo Fundraiser Sunday, November 16, 2014 Location: El Grupo Clubhouse Time: 7am for 80-mile ride, 8am for 40-mile ride Cost: $100 per rider (registration, t-shirt, swag bag, food and beer tokens) Taken from the Italian version of Gran Fondo: El Grupo's Fall Fondo is a Fundraising ride with planned routes around the beautiful west side of Tucson. Whether you choose the 40 or 80 mile option, this Fall Fondo is designed to be a non-competitive, enjoyable ride that you do at your own pace. There will be a sag stop on each route with delectable snacks to whet your appetite. The finish is back at the clubhouse, where there will be a full-fledged Festa (italian for party) underway with food, beer, a raffle, and a DJ. Fall Fondo Riders will receive a bag with an official Fall Fondo t-shirt, food and beer tokens, and great swag. If family members cannot make it on the ride, invite them to the after-party where food and beer can be purchased to fuel the jolly ambiance. El Grupo's Fall Fondo is a fundraiser to support El Grupo's youth riders and programs, while also celebrating our two-wheeled lifestyle! More information and sign up can be found at www.elgrupocycling.org or contact Lindsay Walker, El Grupo, Assistant Director at lindsay@elgrupocycling.org |
Wright Flight is Looking for a few El Tour de Tucson Riders
"Will you ride for us? El Tour is just around the corner and we're looking for a few riders. Wright Flight, a Tucson-based 501(c)3 non-profit, is hoping you'll be part of our team. We will pay your registration fees, provide a team jersey and well as a social event in the weeks before the race that will include our volunteer pilots and supporters, as well as dinner after the race.
We are asking a minimum contribution of $250. For contributions of $500 or above, we will provide a flight in a small aircraft over Tucson. For more information about our charity, please visit us at http://www.wrightflight.org. For questions or a registration form, please contact Ramona Mangum at ramona.mangum@wrightflight.org or (505)908-5483."
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Grant Anderson's Ride
by Grant Anderson
5) First Day, Morning
This is the fifth installment, in which I describe the first morning of my first day. A relatively short 80 miles or so were planned with a stop in Scenic for breakfast.
First stop for Breakfast". The owner is Kim and the other gentleman is Adam and he's going to Yellowstone and Seattle. He's just come the way that I am going and gave a lot of good info. His "ride" is pictured below. The final picture is Adam's bike. He's the cross country rider I mention in a prior post. Note the old-time leather seat. You can still get them, but I would not find it adequate for my style of riding. He's doing full packs and tents, etc. good sturdy steel bike.
He reports that 44 is really good and not busy and the best food is in Woods, where I will probably have a late lunch tomorrow. Kim is a special ed teacher during the school year and runs this establishment in the summer which she co-owns. She raises buffalo and so buffalo jerky was my protein--home made buffalo jerky! Got to get back on the bike...
6) Summary of the First Day
This is the 6th installment, in which I describe how the first day went, and some explanation for my non-bike-riding readers.
So, except for the 1.5 hour rain delay things went well today. Here's some select pics from the ride. I already posted about the store in Scenic. That was fun and serendipitous to find a fellow rider going the exact opposite direction.
The first pic in this post is me heading out with rain gear (except for helmet which, yes, I was wearing.). Pic 2 is a look back at the black mountains about 1 hr (20 miles) down the road. Pic three is my first view of the badlands with the following showing more. I did not go through the heart of the badlands. Three reasons for that: One, the road from the backside I came from is hard packed dirt, not good for a road bike...especially after a long storm. Second, it would have made my 1st day closer to 100 miles and I wanted to keep it easier. Third, one of the most dangerous biking roads is the in-park tourist roads. People paying attention to sites, taking pictures, settling bored children and perhaps unfamiliar with traffic laws...bad place for a bicyclist to be.
Note how green the landscape is. Locals are telling that by now the hills should be brown, but it's been too wet. I know I saw some pastures were the cows were not keeping up with the growth. Makes for beautiful countryside, but the ground certainly is saturated...there were many non-permanent lakes along the road.
The second-to-last picture is what I see when I look straight ahead. From left to right is the white line, the "rumble strips" and the rest of the shoulder. These three, on the SD roads I've seen so far, vary in width. This particular shot shows an area that isn't too bad at about 6 inches, 8 inches and 2 ft, respectively. But sometimes the actual shoulder gets too thin, or is blocked by debris and plants (you see one coming up.). In that case, you have no choice but to "ride the line" and I spend a fair amount of time weaving through the gaps in the rumble strips (being careful to know what's coming up behind me) and riding the line. One difference between biking in Arizona vs here is that if there are plants blocking the way here, you can plow through them and get nothing but a whipping. If you do that in AZ, it's going to look like you stuck your right ankle into a bucket of mad feral cats. Everything has spikes in AZ.
One advantage of riding the line when it's safe is that the coefficient of friction of the paint strip is less than the road, and I usually gain 1mph when riding it. But it's also slippery sometimes so you can't make sudden turns to avoid something.
Early to bed and to rise tomorrow. 129 miles does NOT go by fast, no matter how much tailwind I may have!
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Ride for World Health
Hello fellow cyclers!
* Have you ever wanted to ride a bike across the country?
* Have you ever wanted to support health initiatives at home and abroad?
* Did you know that there is a great way to do both?
Ride for World Health is looking for riders for its 2015 team!
Founded by medical students at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, The Ride for World Health is a 3,200-mile bike ride across the United States that will take place from late-March to mid-May 2015 to raise awareness of global and domestic health issues through education, advocacy and fundraising. In addition to biking, riders give a Coast-to-Coast lecture series on topics relating to global health, relevant domestic health, general safety, and health maintenance. Riders raise funds year-round to support two chosen not-for-profit organizations in line with our overall mission. In previous years, R4WH campaigns have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various global health initiatives.
The Ride for World Health 2015 leadership is looking for individuals who are motivated and interested in creating a dialogue for discussing global and domestic health needs. No biking experience necessary! R4WH is seeking both national team riders to go the whole distance and portion team riders who can ride for part of the trip. For those who are not interested in riding but still want to help, R4WH needs volunteers to help organize events and donations to help fundraising efforts.
Please consider this unique opportunity! For more information and access to the application visit the R4WH website or contact our recruitment chairs at recruitment@r4wh.org
Ride for World Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
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Your Article Could Go Here
Do you have something interesting to share with the Tucson cycling community? A link to an event? An article that we don't know about? A topic that might be worth looking into? We publish the Paceline every two weeks and need content...
If you have something that you think others would like to find out about, please share them with me, Bruce Tucker at - paceline@bikegaba.org
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