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In This Issue
- Sonoita Bisbee Spring Bike Tour
- Owl's Head Butte Century Wrap-Up
- From the GABA Advocacy Desk
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Support The People Who Support Us!!
Sabino Cycles
7045 E. Tanque Verde
520-885-3666
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Editorial Column
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This month we have two action items. The first was submitted by Brendon Lyons and the second was sent to us by Keith Laughlin.
We also have a short piece, "Anatomy of an Accident," written by Steve Watts. This is a companion piece to Bob Willman's article, "Riding an Obstacle Course 'The Loop,'" which you'll find in the main body of this newsletter.
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Petition to Ban Texting While Driving Failed for the 9th Time in a row......
Feb 24, 2015 - "We have laws on the books that work,'' Biggs said.
Apparently Senate President Andy Biggs believes that the current laws on the books have drastically cut down on driving distracted. I would love to be utilizing whichever public roads he uses to justify this statement. Unbelievable. By the way, Mr. Biggs, DPS is forced to find ulterior ways to cite distracted driving because you fail to put life saving measures into law.
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Stand with First-Responders to support strong anti-distracted driving laws.
On behalf of the safety for all who utilize our public roadways, vulnerable users such as First Responders, victims of distracted driving and the families left behind to pick up the pieces, we respectfully encourage your consideration for S.B. 1102 (Texting While Driving, Prohibition) andS.B. 1302 (Vulnerable Users of Public Ways).
A texting while driving prohibition will make it unlawful for an individual operating a motor vehicle to send or read messages by means of a wireless communication device.
Researchers observe that texting while driving decreases reaction time to a greater extent than drunk driving. Research like this has driven 47 states to pass legislation banning drivers from texting while driving. Arizona, the first state to propose a prohibition nine years ago, however, has failed to adopt this law.
The purpose of a Vulnerable Road User Law is to protect people who utilize the road who are not otherwise protected by being encased in the protective steel shell of a motor vehicle (First-Responders, Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Wheelchair Bound, etc.). The vulnerable user law provides for increased fines in cases where a vulnerable road user is injured or killed because of negligence or as the result of a traffic violation.
Currently, unless there is proof of gross negligence or circumstances such as alcohol or drug use, there are inadequate provisions in state law to support bringing meaningful and significant charges against the motor vehicle driver who has caused such harm to a vulnerable user. Arizona law is far too lenient in punishing careless drivers who injure vulnerable users. Non-motorists using a road or street have every right to expect that drivers will be alert and avoid them. For those drivers who are unable to comply, there needs to be a provision in state law where their driving skills are called into question and penalties applied.
In 2013, a DPS Officer writing a report at an accident scene was killed by a distracted motorist driving a semi-truck.
Arizona ranks among the most dangerous states in the U.S. for fatalities caused by distracted driving. This small change in legislation will bring a renewed focus to safety for all who utilize our public byways throughout Arizona.
By signing this petition you are simply asking Arizona's Legislature and Governor to pass a meaningful Vulnerable User law as well as a Texting/Driving Prohibition.
Thank you for taking the time to sign this petition and voice your concern.
Click Here to get to the petition
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 The attacks on federal funding for trails have already started. Several organizations have sent a misguided letter urging Congress to eliminate vital funding for trails, and biking and walking programs. But their request is simply out of touch with what Americans want and expect. Americans overwhelmingly want federal funding for trails, and biking and walking programs. Our recent transportation poll* found that U.S. voters support maintaining or increasing funding for these programs by nearly a 4-1 margin!
People across the country said they would spend an average of 18 times more federal transportation dollars on sidewalks, and walking and biking paths than we currently spend. And these active-transportation programs have the strong support of voters-regardless of political affiliation! There's no doubt about it. The American public knows a good deal when they see it-so let's show Congress that they should continue to support wise investments in trails, and biking and walking programs. Help us reach our goal of generating 10,000 signatures! As Congress creates a new transportation bill, lawmakers will need to decide whether to make wise investments in our transportation future-or continue attacking the vital, healthy transportation choices that Americans want. Please take action today. Together, we can defend critical funding for trails, and biking and walking programs. Sincerely, Keith Laughlin
President
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy info@railstotrails.org
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Anatomy of an Accident
by Steve Watts
Years ago I was learning to fly hot air balloons and was pretty nervous when setting up the balloon for my first solo flight.
Understandable, right? There you are, suspended in a wicker basket with nothing but thousands of feet of air under your feet and huge, hot propane flame firing over your head threatening to cook this sack of tent cloth that you hang from. What was I thinking?
My coach helped me out with a story that really stuck in my brain and has been a huge help ever since.
He said that no accident happens with one screw up, it takes five. Huh?
He went on to explain... If you analyze any accident, you will always find at least five lapses of judgment that occurred to get you into "this fine mess" (as Oliver Hardy used to say).
This story came vividly back the other day as we stood around helplessly waiting for the paramedics to check out and transport one of our fellow riders while on The Loop. As we were thinking about "our fine mess", we did an inventory the screw ups that got us here.
1. We were playing, talking, laughing (a bit distracted) because we on a bike path after all. No 3000 lb. weapons of mass destruction hurtling past our handlebars at high velocity.
2. We did line up single file at the last second to go under a bridge BUT we may have been going a bit fast since you are temporarily blinded when you come out of bright light into darkness wearing sunglasses.
3. Oh crap.... that underpass was narrower than I expected with some homeless guys sleeping bag draped over bent STEEL railing that I'm trying not to brush against, so I MIGHT have been a bit over the yellow line.
4. Since it was a downhill going into the dark abyss with an uphill curve coming out the other side, I MIGHT have been following the rider ahead too closely so as not to lose precious momentum. (momentum is a very dear friend of mine) My visibility could have been a bit impaired by this.
5.I love my comfortable recumbent but is a bit wide when negotiating in skinny passages but do a pretty good job of hanging in there with my more experienced friends who are leading me down this path I have never ridden before. I might have been riding on the edge of my ability.
6.Now for the screw-ups I really have no control over.... Those made by the dipstick riding 25+ mph round a blind corner, into a narrow spot on a bike path. Sure, he could have hit a shopping cart parking under the bridge (I mean transient mobile home), but noooo... I put myself in the wrong spot at precisely the right moment.
CRASH!!!!!!! - 911 off the bike for weeks - vacation ruined - bike ruined - medical bills - PAIN
Sure, we've all gotten away with making this same or similar set of mistakes a hundred times.
The point is NOT doing any ONE of the items above will help you get away with it again.
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Where Am I
Photo Contest
We know you ride all over Tucson, but can you identify these two places?
The answers will appear in the next issue of the Paceline
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Please send your Where Am I photos (along with where you actually were) to:
paceline@bikegaba.org
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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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Greetings!
It's March and the winds are picking up. Which is great if they're behind you but not so much if you're riding into them.
Speaking of which, don't forget that the Sonoita-Bisbee ride is just around the corner. You'll find lots of info and a link to the sign-up page in this issue.
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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President's Corner
Safety First!
Friends, I want to talk about something that is near and dear to the hearts of all the folks who volunteer at GABA. It is a simple word that requires constant diligence and attention. We all know that riding is fun. And we all know that there are certain bike handling skills that make a ride even funner. So here are a few thoughts about safety.
Scanning: Flight instructors know a little trick that we teach to our students. Instructors always teach the students to know their situational awareness. Where are they, what is around them, etc. This is especially important for bicycle riders. It is important to scan the road for cracks that can grab your wheel, or potholes, or just blemishes in the asphalt. We need to be aware of vehicles approaching from the rear. A glance to the right for folks coming out of private drives and roadway intersections. A glance to the left to see if a driver is about to make a bad left turn. Other riders near and around us. In aviation, we teach pilots to avoid just swinging the head around sweeping the area, we teach them to scan. Take all of the sectors of the sky that are visible, break them up into six areas, and look stead at each for one second, then back to the instrument panel. The airplane (or vehicle) that is hardest to detect is the one that is not moving across your retina. It is coming straight towards you, or even an angle, but not moving, just getting bigger. That is a vehicle on a collision course. If it is moving across your retina, it is easier to see, and likely, you won't be on a collision course. Because it is easier to see moving vehicles across the retina when the eye is in a fixed position, the one second stabilization of your scan becomes very important. So try it some time. Scan ahead to your left (left turn vehicles), give your brain a second to take in what it sees. Look ahead both at roadway and for vehicles in front of you as well as other hazards. Then scan to the right. Then back in front for vehicles and roadway. Then if you have a mirror, or you are comfortable with the technique of turning and looking behind, do that, then back to the front. Look for turn signals. You may add additional areas to scan as you approach different areas in your travel. Modify your scan as you see fit. Look for bumpers beginning to move towards you. Look for tires that start to turn. I'm sure you can add to this list, just keep in mind that looking ahead at the roadway and what is in front of you is still very important.
Duties: So we all know that there are traffic laws, or rules. Arizona requires that the rider of a bicycle follow all the same laws (or duties) as the driver of a vehicle (notice I didn't say "motor vehicle - more on that another time). So if a driver of a vehicle must stop (cessation of movement) at a stop sign or red light, then too, the rider of a bicycle must stop. The Arizona Driver's Manual is online. It has been updated in the last couple of years to include more roadway markings and bicycle information. When was the last time you read it? Do you have to wait for a pedestrian in a crosswalk with hash bars to get all the way to the other side of the road or can you go once they are clear? Does it really matter if I am 3 abreast or more with my friends? It may seem like a little extra effort to learn the roadway duties and follow them. Certainly we will stand out because, uh, "nobody else does that." Just remember, these are safety rules that are designed to keep you and others safe.
It is vitally important for us to know and follow the traffic laws because:
1. We should not unnecessarily expose ourselves to more danger as a result of ignoring our duties and safety rules.
2. Cyclists fare better when they are seen and are predictable on the roadways.
3. It makes GABA look good!!!! Come on, we set the standard for how to run a bicycle club. Now let's set the standard for how to correctly and safely ride in traffic.
4. Remember politics. Every motorist that gets upset at riders who violate the rules, ride the wrong way, don't stop a stop signs, don't signal turns, etc, etc, gets to speak out at election time. More and more we are seeing some goofy laws introduced that would make cycling less safe so we need to be the trend setters and the example that everyone looks up to.
5. Awww, do it for the kids, they watch us as adults and do what we do.
Training: Have you taken one of the Traffic Skills classes that GABA teaches through its Ambassador program? They're free. You might even get a new helmet or water bottle. You'll learn about the traffic laws of course. The class also goes over bikemanship such as how to make a quick stop without flipping over the bars. How to make a quick right turn to reduce or avoid the impact from a right hook or a left cross vehicle. The rock dodge is also a life saver to know. And, how to turn and look behind while still holding a straight line with the bike. If you want to change lanes, mirrors are nice, unfortunately you cannot rely on them. As Matt Zoll from the Pima County DOT likes to say, "A mirror might say no if you see a car, but it will never say yes." Always turn and look. The class will also teach a bit about nutrition, electrolytes, clothing, helmets, ABC Quick Check and many more tips for a good safe ride. You can get signed up for the class in Tucson by calling (520) 243-BIKE.
You know the old saying, "Safety is no accident." I actually don't use that word much. The word accident has now been removed from our Driver's Manual and from police reports. The word crash is now used. This is because after an extensive study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was determined that we take the word "accident" with too much flippancy. A crash is preventable, so let's call it what it is.
Be safe, friends. Set a good example. Limit your exposure by doing these simple things.
And if a crash does happen, know that GABA has up to $10,000 in MEDPAY for all of its members while on a GABA ride. This may also be available to first time guests but not to guests who have ridden with us before (so that is a good incentive to join GABA). We also separately purchase some medical coverage for non-members who are on our paid event rides only.
http://azdot.gov/docs/default-source/mvd-forms-pubs/99-0117.pdf
http://azbikelaw.org/blog/was-that-an-accident-or-a-crash/
Very Truly Yours,
Eric Post, Esq.
GABA President
president@bikegaba.org
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March General Meeting
Monday, April 6, 2015
7:00 p.m.
It's a mystery to me . . .
Dr. Bruce Sadilek will be our speaker, but as of this moment I don't have the details on what his topic will be
Whoo Hoo - A surprise
Pima County Medical Society Building
5199 E Farness
Tucson, AZ
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Sonoita-Bisbee Spring Bike Tour
Saturday, March 21 - Sunday March 22
With the spring sun beckoning you to Bisbee and the wind at your back, travel east on Hwy 82, and feast your eyes on rolling grassland country with the lofty Huachuca Mountains at the horizon. Join us for a weekend of camaraderie, fitness and fun in Bisbee! Pedal long rolling hills and enjoy scenic vistas as you make your way to the quaint old mining town of Bisbee, now an arts colony, nestled in Southeast Arizona's Mule Mountains.
Click HERE for more details
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I'm Telling You Twice
7:00 AM until 2:00 PM
At the corner of 5th Avenue and 7th Street
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Owls Head Butte Century Ride Report
by Pam Cullop and Jim Harms
On Sunday, February 15th, 227 cyclists and 20 volunteers came together for this year's Owl Head Butte Century ride. Last minute route changes, due to road construction on Hwy 77, meant the big loop down Oracle road on the return portion for the century riders was out of the question. In spite of the flatter ride, a majority seemed to enjoy this year's out and back (frontage road potholes aside).
The predicted rain may have produced a few spotty drizzles, but the partly cloudy/mostly sunny skies for the majority of the day, were not enough to dampen spirits or enthusiasm on this annual club event. GABA volunteers are always on hand to distribute a variety of delicious food, warm and happy greetings, and a great deal of support - mechanical or otherwise, to insure ride participants are well-cared for. The end of the ride, Ora Mae Harn Park and an Eegee's lunch, was no exception. Volunteers ladled out scoops of slushes, cut varieties of 3' subs into bite-sized portions, kept containers of chips, sides, fruit and desserts open, filled, and accessible, iced tubs with containing sodas and bottled water, and warmly greeted each returning rider.
This year we were blessed with an exceptional group of volunteers and Jim and I would like to extend a special not of thanks to each of them for their efforts! If you have ever been on the "working end" of the ride, you know that much of what you do in support of a ride or event, goes unnoticed...the meeting to prepare, the gathering and returning of supplies, the shopping, the set up of stops, routes, etc.... They do this with willingly and helpfully, and are the backbone of each and every GABA ride. Again...to those who helped make this year's ride a pleasurable experience. Thank you.
Participants of GABA rides are emailed a survey afterwards as we are interested in the feedback. Our goal is always to see what works, and what doesn't, and to continue providing the best ride possible for our members...well really to anyone who rides with us. The results of this year's survey were overwhelmingly positive. We appreciate that so many of you came to spend the day with us, that you provided us with some feedback to consider, and for your overall support of GABA! |
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HEIRLOOM FARMERS' MARKET & LIVING STREETS ALLIANCE PRESENT:
"TUCSON TANDEM: VIVA LA LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL MEETS CYCLOVIA TUCSON"
TUCSON, AZ (February 24, 2015) - Heirloom Farmers Markets and Living StreetsAlliance is proud to announce "Tucson Tandem," a weekend of fun celebrating joyous local food and five miles of carfree city streets. On Saturday, April 18th, Heirloom Farmers Markets will present Viva La Local Food Festival from 9am-5pm at Rillito Park. And, on Sunday, April 19th, Living Streets Alliance presents Cyclovia Tucson from 10am-3pm, connecting Downtown Tucson to South Tucson. These two events are working in tandem - Tucson Tandem, that is - to promote community, health and wellness, active living and sustainability. The weekend kicks off with the Viva La Local Food Festival.
Celebrating the joyous local flavors of Baja Arizona, Viva La Local showcases more than 25 of Tucson's top restaurants, 80+ farmers market vendors, local beer and wine, and live, local music on the East Field at Rillito Park. Admission is $6, and kids under age 12 enter free. Festival goers can shop Baja Arizona's finest farmers market and conveniently store their fresh purchases at the complimentary Veggie Valet before exploring the mecca of restaurants. With all plates, wines, and beers priced at $5 each, the event encourages attendees to sample and share a wide variety of culinary offerings while enjoying a festive atmosphere complete with live music under the clear Tucson skies. If you choose to ride your bike to the festival, conveniently located off The Loop, Living Streets Alliance will have complimentary, full-service bike valet sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.
Then, on Sunday, April 19th, Living Streets Alliance presents the 6th annual Cyclovia Tucson. The popular biannual "open streets" event gives people from the greater Tucson region the chance to enjoy great weather, see neighbors, friends and people from throughout the area, and get a little exercise - all on city streets that are closed to car traffic and open to walkers, joggers, cyclists, skaters and all other forms of peoplepowered movement. Cyclovia isn't a race, parade, or competition. Instead, it's a chance to enjoy Tucson from a new perspective (outside of the car). Walk your dog, roller skate, blow bubbles. Have fun because, during Cyclovia, the streets are yours!
Coming in the fall, save the date for another great Tucson Tandem weekend - October 31st and November 1st, when Viva La Local Fall and Cyclovia Tucson pair up once again for another fun-filled, family-friendly weekend.
For more information on Viva La Local Food Festival, visit www.vivalalocalfoodfest.com
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For more information on Cyclovia Tucson, visit www.cycloviatucson.org
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2015 Tour de Cure is in the Books
by Laura Horvath
Despite the weather warnings, Sunday, March 1st proved to be a great day for riding in the American Diabetes Association's annual Tucson Tour de Cure. Tour de Cure is a bicycling event to raise money for diabetes research in the hopes of finding a cure for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The Tour de Cure is a serious of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. Seventy thousand cyclists nationwide raise close to $30 million. Our Tucson event had 266 cyclists who chose from 100K, 50K or 10K distances. We rode a beautiful scenic route in North West Tucson. All routes were fully supported with well-stocked rest stops full of friendly faces and SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles. Riders returned to a post-ride celebration party, that included music, prizes, vendors, and great food or drink.
Tucson's participants were all ages and cycling abilities and raised $83,000. ADA Tucson Manager, Briana Biondo says "It was wonderful to see all the people who came out to support such the mission of the ADA and our diabetic community here in AZ. Everyone seemed to have a great time on the routes and enjoyed the post-ride celebration party. I want to thank all the riders, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their support and commitment to helping us stop diabetes. I am looking forward to begin planning for next year already! This includes special thanks to GABA for supporting our ride and our mission."
The date for next year's Tour de Cure is still to be determined, but you can be sure it will be a Saturday in early March. Join us for a great ride and to get in on the fun.
 
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Riding an Obstacle Course "The Loop"
by Bob Willman
A few days ago there was an incident on "The Loop" where two people riding bikes, going in opposite directions, going under an overpass, one slightly in the wrong lane, one going VERY fast (In their own words "I was flying"), a very narrow section of the path, on a blind corner... 911 was called. One person ended up with gravel rash left leg and arm, one person ended up with a cracked pelvis and sacrum, torn shoulder ligaments and muscle tissue, scrapes and scratches on both arms, both legs AND a broken helmet. Could this have been avoided, you bet! Were BOTH people at fault? YES.
Riding "The Loop" and other bike paths is an easy, fun, safe, enjoyable, car free, way to pedal your way around Tucson BUT.............................
There is a common temporary blindness condition that we all get when we have our heads in places that make it difficult to see while riding. It happens most frequently in safe places like a bike path.
We, the people who ride bikes on the bike paths are our own worst enemy. We become very complacent, lackadaisical, and/or care free when we ride the loop. We are away from traffic and those stupid people driving cars. Oh wait; I'm one of those drivers.
With no traffic lights or stop signs that slow us down, we just charge ahead with reckless abandonment. You are probably saying to yourself "I never speed on the bike path", this MAY be true but think about the last time you rode on the path:
* Did you ride side by side talking to someone and "sort of" but not completely get single file when someone was riding in the opposite direction?
* Did you start pedaling a little harder going down an underpass, to gain the momentum to go up the other side, without having a clear view of what was ahead?
* Did you just "Space Out" because you're not worried about having to ride defensibly because there are no cars around?
* Did you wander across the center line without ever realizing you did?
* Did you slow down when you came to an underpass or bridge AND make sure you were single file BEFORE you got to the underpass or bridge?
* Did you say "passing on your left", ring a bell, or whistle when overtaking another person on a bike or walking? And not just 5 feet away but far enough for them to be aware you are coming?
* Did you slow down when you approached someone that had ear buds in and could not hear you?
* What about that kid on the bicycle with training wheels?
* What about the person walking on the path talking on the phone swinging their arms?
* What about the homeless that are living under the overpass, are you going slow enough to go around them and get out of the way of the cyclist coming in the other direction?
The Loop and other bike paths are a multi-use infrastructure. The bike paths are a convenient, easy, fun, safe, enjoyable, car free way to commute. Yes, not all people using the multi-use paths follow the rules or have common courtesy. On the other hand we, who are on bikes, have a responsibility to ride in a courteous manner and we must ride DEFENSIBLY.
If you want to do a training ride find some surface street you can ride hard on. Ride Oracle from Catalina to Biosphere, ride Old Spanish Trail from Houghton to Pistol Hill, charge up Catalina Highway, ride the frontage road to Picacho Peak, do a time trial up Park Link Drive. There are lots of places to go fast with very little traffic.
The next time you ride the bike path obey the rules, say hi, good morning, or some other pleasantry to everyone you pass. Try going one or two miles per hour slower. We, the people in the cycling community, need to put our best pedal forward, so when other people see us on the bike paths they will see us just as someone else on the path and not as "another $%#@! cyclist"
Remember to Ride Safely, Responsibly and Have Fun!
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BICAS Calendar 2015!
Arizona Gives Day (Tuesday, April 7th) -
Help build a better BICAS! Donate on April 7th to help us succeed in our fundraising goals as we attempt our 1st AZ Gives Day. We hope to get the most Celebrate with us at selected location or online, as we keep you informed of money raised. Location TBA.
Cyclovia (Sunday, April 19th) - A car-free celebration that happens twice a year in Tucson. Come celebrate at our corner with the Mini Mutant Bikes, Bike Raffle, Decoration Station, Free Bike Repair and more! Dress up!
Hottest Day of the Year Ride (Saturday, June 27th) -Our hot 14 mile ride and pool party was a success! Thanks to all who braved the heat and joined us for ride and pool party! Special thanks to Milenkovich Eightysix for your generous $1000 donation. Dragoon Beer, Brooklyn Pizza & homemade lemonade from Transit Cycles!
Cyclovia (Sunday, Nov 1st) - A car-free celebration that happens twice a year in Tucson. Come celebrate at our corner with the Mini Mutant Bikes, Bike Raffle, Decoration Station, Free Bike Repair and more! Dress up!
El Tour de Tucson (Saturday, Nov 21st) - Bike repair support!
20th BICAS Art Auction (Dec 4th & 5th) - An annual art exhibition with bicycle art, entertainment, music, drink and more! You won't want to miss our 20th Annual Art Auction! ART AUCTION! Location TBA.
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Marvelous March
by Jack Wolfman
There are a million cases a year of child abuse in this country. Help put a stop to this disaster by riding an event to raise money to help battered children:
Register to the 4th Annual
Nogales Bicycle Classic!
"The most scenic ride in Arizona"
March 28, 2015
Registration is now open!
We are excited to announce we are added a "Century Ride" this year that will take riders from Nogales to Sonoita and back! Ride lengths are: 112, 51 & 31. Route descriptions and maps have been posted and can be downloaded to your GPS and smartphone!. This ride really is the "most scenic ride in Arizona."
Start and stop location will change to the Nogales High School to accommodate our growing numbers. All information on the Nogales Bicycle Classic website.
For children under 12, we will have a "Fund Ride" to raise money for the Circles of Peace. This is a fun way for children to participate in the event in a safe location. Lots of activities, music and booths are planned.
Early Bird Registration by March 1, 2015 - $65
There is no "day of event registration"
All Riders and participants must pre-register online |
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Lots of Interesting Info from the
Living Streets Alliance
http://www.livingstreetsalliance.org/category/news/
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From the GABA Advocacy Desk...
Are "they" motorists or people driving cars? Are "they" pedestrians or people walking?
Do the words we use really make a difference in our attitudes, our behavior? GABA believes the answer to that question has been well documented. The answer is a resounding YES!
But what difference does it make if we say people on bikes rather than cyclists, or people driving cars rather than motorists, or people walking on our streets rather than pedestrians?
Tom Fucolor, in the Seattle Bike Blog (lots of good information in Tom's Blog) says that talking about streets in this manner emphasizes the common humanity of all users, rather than dividing them into tribes or warring interests. Seattle bike advocates even began to see themselves differently! No longer were they just bike advocates. They were becoming neighborhood advocates.
The Seattle neighborhood advocates say they've been able to foster a much more civil debate by changing up the language they use and the "war between cars and cyclists" is beginning to shift toward a commitment to safety for all who use their streets.
Seattleites reported that the phrase "war on cars" had come to characterize the way many felt about local policy changes that altered streets and fueled the animosity between those in cars and those on bikes or, maybe another way of saying it could be: those who use carbon fuels versus those who use carbon frames.
Such a shift in our own thinking and language here in Tucson could lead to our more active support of local organizations like Living Streets Alliance and many others who are committed to Open Streets. Our goal would be that Tucsonans would eventually be able to reclaim their freedom to enjoy the beauty of our city and be able to participate in our parks and on our streets with safety.
GABA's tag line is GABA, where cycling is more than just riding a bike. GABA will always host Day Rides and Supported Rides. But some of GABA's leadership is taking the lead in Tucson to build a coalition of stakeholders who want to improve safety on all of our streets. GABA, too, believes that we can begin to help make our city's streets safer simply by the way we talk about them.
Those of us who ride our bikes have expressed our concern that it seems like there is often, at best, an active disrespect between those on bikes or on foot, and those in cars. Many of us have experienced the acrimonious buzz, angry honk, left or right hook, or some other perceived or actual aggressive act by a person driving a motorized vehicle.
Call To Action: What can you do to help make Tucson safer for all of us who ride, walk or drive on our streets?
* Practice shifting your own use of words using terms like people on bikes or people driving cars.
* Look for the GABA's Monthly Advocacy Update in The Paceline
* If you are interested in joining GABA's cycling coalition for safe street use, email Susan Reed or Wayne Cullop at advocacy@bikegaba.org
* If you are aware of intersections or segments of roads in Tucson that present high safety risks, email advocacy@bikegaba.org with your observation/concern and be sure to include your name.
* If you come across articles or information that you think would be helpful to GABA's efforts to improve safety for all of us who use the roads, please email the links to the article to advocacy@bikegaba.org
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Grant Anderson's Ride
by Grant Anderson
Editors Note: Grant is quite the shutterbug and his article refers to many photos that I did not include due to the space limitations of the Paceline. I've tried to pick one or two photos from each of his days on the road that I think best show what he was seeing.
13) Fifth Day, summary
This is 13th installment in which I finally see some sun, cross between soggy fields and climb the Loess Hills to a fun stay in Mapleton, IA.
Sunrise on the last day, Thursday. It cool out by July standards with my weather app saying 48F. There's a smoky mist in the air that smells like burning grass so maybe something is being burnt down in the valley. No winds at all so the mist nestles between hills, rises and even large grain bins. Good sunny and mild day of riding. I estimate I'll get into Gowrie between one and two pm but that is changeable if I get into conversation during breakfast.
The morning was cold and beautiful. Just a pleasant ride through countryside and small towns. The mist this morning persisted as the sun stayed behind high clouds. Pic 1 today is the mist shrouded Maple River just 300 yards down the road from my start.
Pic 2 shows the valley with the silver grain bins reflecting the morning light. 3, 4 and 5 are attempts to capture the beauty of the morning along the road.
Coming into Ida Grove the first sight was a park with flying hardware and a Veteran's memorial. If you look closely on the left there is a castle themed building. It turns out that's normal.
Ida Grove is the home of a large company called Midwest Industries. The owner is a medieval period fan and he has built castle structures all over. There are numerous buildings throughout town that have turrets and full night's armor at the entrance and torch-like light sconces. Even the UPS transfer station has this. The local golf course has a "draw bridge" with rook-like towers as you can see in the last picture in the background. It definitely makes things unique.
Breakfast is at Zimmy's. The local "boys" were having coffee when I came in. It was everything like the "coffee" that is had in Gowrie every morning. They even threatened to make the new guy in town (me) pay. I wasn't roped in!
Well, off on the road for my last leg. I'll post a conclusion piece to describe the last 70 miles or so, but it may not hit the electronic media until the weekend. And the promised wrap up.
14) Sixth and final Day, Morning
This is 14th installment in which I encounter beautiful morning ground fog and struggle to find a restaurant in Ida Grove, where I almost have to buy for the guys.
Going out of Ida Grove I was able to get a close up of the drawbridge shown before, another castle with a 1/5 or so scale of the "Bounty" of mutiny fame and another of the entrance to the eccentric's ranch named after his wife June.
I had a slow morning averaging something like 13.5 mph. After ending the ride the GPS showed that the first 40 miles was climbing out of the Missouri-bound River valleys so no wonder it was slow. Roughly Lake View to Gowrie was level to downhill.
Watching the Farnhamville elevators coming into view really brought home that I was close to the end of the journey. It's always been a landmark that says my journey was almost over. Even back in high school when I was dating a girl in Glidden and driving home from there.
I have two other pictures of the Farnhamville elevators both from about 1/2 mile away (from south and north) just to give the non-Iowan readers an idea of how BIG they are. Easily the biggest on my journey. The two "fat" units on the right in picture 4 and left in pic 5 (with the white tops) I laid the steel for back in the summer of 1982 while working for Younglove Construction. My brother Jon Anderson worked on the ones in the middle if my memory is right and my brother Miles worked on ones in Payson. I also worked on building the ones in Boxholm. Glad they are still standing.
Pic 6 is my first sighting of Gowrie's water tower from about 5.5 miles out and 7 is the sign on the outskirts of town. 8 and 9 are views of the Main Street (named Market a Street) of Gowrie. My odometer flipped over to 600 miles 10 ft before I turned onto this street. Number 10 shows the final reading (601.4 miles)
It was quite a journey but I'm glad to be home with most of my family. Unfortunately one of my brothers will not make it due to cancelled flights from the East coast. He should have planned on coming early to do the glow-in-the-dark golf ball tourney!
The final picture is the carnival setting up to open tonight. Rides tend to be longer today than tomorrow due to smaller crowds. But I think I've done enough riding today already so will skip tonight to get an early start on sleep.
Thanks for following me over the last month. I will do one or two posts to wrap up things over the next few days.
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Stories Wanted
It will soon be time for our winter visitors to pack up and leave for home, but before you do ... 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.
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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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