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In This Issue
- Trail of Mountain Spirits
- General Meeting Announcement
- New GABA Sponsor
- El Tour Training
- Wilcox Flyer Ride
- Bike Boulvard
- GABA Ride Organizer
- Traffic Allert
- Why GABA MeetUp
- BICAS Calendar
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ASK GABA
Dear GABA,
Why does GABA have an ice cream social in August? Because it's hot, and we like ice cream! And to socialize with members like YOU! So come on out an join us!
Have a Question:
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ATTENTION!!
GABA has just learned that our general meeting space, Pima County Medical Society, 5199 E Fairness has been sold. As soon as October of this year, we will have to find another meeting space. We are asking our Paceline readers if they have any suggestions. Space should be able to hold a minimum of 50 people.
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Where In Tucson?
(see below for location)
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GABA Classifieds
Do you have a bike related item you would like to buy, sell or trade? We now have two ways you can get the word out.
POST IT ON THE GABA WEBSITE To find out how to post CLICK HERE To do the you MUST be a GABA member. So, if you aren't, here is one more good reason to join GABA. AND/ OR POST IT IN PACELINE To send in a Classified CLICK HERE Please be sure to include all details, including your contact info so an interested party can contact you directly. We can take a (single) photo for your item. We will run them for 2 issues, then remove (unless you let us know they have been sold/found). |
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SEND US NEWS, STORY IDEAS OR ARTICLES!
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 monthly, but with more news from you we can publish every two weeks.
If you have something that you think others would like to find out about, please share them with me, Laura H at - paceline@bikegaba.org
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SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT US!
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You can find this boat up a tree 1/3 mile east of La Cholla on Overton.
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Greetings!
So I thought the dog days of summer would mean I wouldn't have enough interesting news for the AUGUST Paceline. I was wrong! August brings you a plethora of interesting and informative cycling and GABA newsI Looking for a great supported ride in a cool and scenic location for Labor Day Weekend? Check out our Tour of the Mountain Spirits. Volunteering is what makes GABA run so, read up on how to volunteer for GABA supported rides in both TMS article and Colleen's on Ride Leading. Lastly, it's time for ICE CREAM. GABA's annual Ice Cream Social will be held as our August General Meeting, on Monday, August 3rd. So even if you haven't been to a meeting in awhile, or ever, come on out and join your GABA friends for some nice conversation and ice cream. If you e-mail me your favorite, I promise to have it!
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President's Corner
How to Pre-Flight a Bicycle
Very few folks take helicopters for granted. Pilots do extensive and
thorough safety checks before startup and that not only includes the machine, but a personal assessment as to fitness to be flying that day. But do we do that with our automobiles and bicycles? Do we perform an extensive walk around or just jump on and ride?
The League of American Bicyclists teaches the ABC Quick Check as a sort of pre-flight for bicycles. This is a 2 to 5 minute safety check that can prevent a crash.
A = Air. Do check the air pressure. Under inflated tires are prone to pinch flats from hitting rocks and pot holes. They can roll off the rim in a hard turn. They take more energy to pedal. They hydroplane faster. The check shouldn't stop just with the air, look at the tread for flat spots, age and wear. For safety reasons, replace the tire before it wears out. Tires deteriorate - never use a tire more than 6 years old because they deteriorate. Look at the wheels and spokes as well.
B = Brakes. Pull the brake levers and when fully engaged with pressure you should still be able to put your fingers between the levers and the handle bars. If your fingers do not fit, the cable is too slack. Make sure the brake springs open and the cables are not binding. Make sure the brake shoes are clean, in good condition, and adjusted properly. Look at the wheel where the brake pads touch. Is it clean? Or worn out? If the brakes are not at a peak working condition, then it is time for servicing. Spin the wheels and check for wobbles or out of true conditions. Make sure the bearings are free and smooth.
C = Chain. The chain also includes the drive train so make sure the chain is clean and properly lubed (everyone can see those chain tattoos or "Fred marks"). Spin the crank arm to make sure the bottom bracket bearings are free and smooth. Repeat this process with the pedals. Look for damage on the pedals and overall condition. Are the chain rings clean? Or are they worn out? Make sure the derailleur ("derailer" as Sheldon Brown suggests) shifts well. Check the cogs in the back for cleanliness and that the rear derailleur moves smooth. Make sure the shifters are working properly.
Quick Check = Quick release, Make sure the quick releases are properly engaged and tightened properly. Make sure the lever is pointing back and slightly upward so it won't catch any tree branches or twigs, etc.
You can turn the ABC Quick Check into a far more detailed weekly inspection. At the minimum, make sure you do the basics every time you ride. It is all too common to see crashes because the quick release was not properly tightened after transporting the bike, or tires lost air, and/or brakes are wearing.
Be safe, enjoy the ride.
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Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway September 5th - 7th, 2015
Beat the heat and enjoy a great trip!
This three day, 105 mile loop tour offers camping & lodging offers one of the finest cycling routes in America. Starting and ending in Silver City, New Mexico it's only 200 miles and a 3 hour drive from Tucson.
GABA is looking for
BOTH
Riders and Volunteers
for this ride.
Riders
Day one, you will cycle 31.5 miles through the mining town of Bayard with a lunch stop in Hurley. The route has good shoulder and minimal traffic. Saturday night we will camp at The City of Rocks State Park. The park is an amazing result of geologic activity, offering visitors hiking and mountain biking trails, a visitor center, and hot showers.
Day two will take us 36 miles up into the Membres Valley. This scenic route follows the Membres River through green orchards, small farms, and even a couple of ghost town sites. Lodging will be provided at Camp Thunderbird, with either a grassy field with trees for camping, dormitory style accommodations both with hot showers and meals provided.
Day three is 40 miles with a good 3.5 mile climb to test your lower gears as we ride to the historic town of Pinos Altos ("Tall Pines"). A ride down their short main street will take you back in time to the late 1800s. Our last 8 miles is a fast downhill to the finish.
For more information, or to sign up to ride CLICK HERE
Volunteers
Due to the great efforts of GABA volunteers who help with baggage transportation, food stops, SAG support on the road, minor bike repairs and general rider assistance, this ride has been successfully put on by GABA for many years.
Currently, we are needing volunteers in all these areas to help make this ride a success again this year.
As a volunteer, you get to delight in the beauty and wonder of the land as the route winds its way from desert-lands and giant rocks to high mountain pines and meadows. Volunteers enjoy the scrumptious dinners and breakfasts made by local caterers along with rider fun and camaraderie. It is truly a great experience. And your hard work pays off in keeping riders happy and safe.
If you are interested in helping, please don't hesitate to contact us or sign up using the information below.
GABA provides volunteers free meals, lodging, and pays for mileage used on your car. For more information about volunteering for Trail of the Mountain Spirits, please CLICK HERE
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AUGUST General Meeting
Monday, August 3, 2015
7:00 pm
Plan on attending our AUGUST General Meeting as it will be our annual ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Pima County Medical Society Building
5199 E Farness
Tucson, AZ
MAP
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SEPTEMBER General Meeting
Monday, September 7, 2015
7:00 p.m
RACING UA CYCLING STYLE
Joey Iuliano, President
University of Arizona Cycling (2014-2015).
The UA Cycling National Team is eager to bring to you what it is like to race at a National Championship against the best riders in the country. Both the men and women who attended this year's nationals, will share a piece of their race. You will be given a front row view of the event from the racers perspective.
Our goal is to make you feel as if you were in the race rubbing elbows with 150 riders from the US!
Pima County Medical Society Building
5199 E Farness
Tucson, AZ
MAP
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New GABA Sponsor
BikeTucson.com
Rents and Delivers Carbon Bikes Metro Wide
Tourists arriving in Tucson, Arizona can now leave their bikes behind, opting instead to rent top of the line Trek and Specialized carbon road bikes. BikeTucson.com is the first full service pick up and delivery bicycle rental service to serve the Tucson/Green Valley area. Boasting Tucson's largest fleet of bike rentals, the new bike rental company also rents mountain, hybrid and children's bikes.
BikeTucson.com delivers bicycles from sunrise to sunset. In addition to delivering bikes to hotels and vacation rentals, BikeTucson.com rents as well as performs delivery and pick up service to Tucson International Airport. Tourists can have bicycles delivered personally or they can do pick up at a self service location.
"I got off the airplane, picked up my SUV and had a local expert hand me my bike, fit me and give me maps and itineraries, " said James Lunney, a physician from Ottawa, Ontario. "I was able to get biking right away."
BikeTucson.com offers bicycle delivery to Tucson mountain bike trails. There are few destinations that boast the incredible array of mountain bike trails as Tucson, Arizona. Mountain bikers quickly discover they need transportation as the trails are located far away from rentals shops. BikeTucson.com now rents and performs pick up and delivery to the local trail heads. For about $100 per bike, bikers can show up and bike from one to 5 hours. Helmets and water are provided. The mountain bike delivery service is great for mountain bikers of all calibers and ages. Those who do not bike can choose a hiking friendly trail head.
BikeTucson.com founder Kirby Rodriguez, a retired Air Force veteran, says the service has been really popular. "From the casual to the serious mountain biker, riders can enjoy one of the greatest biking destinations in the world. Mountain biking is one of the great 'things to do' in our area. Just meet us at the trail head and we will give you everything you need."
BikeTucson.com also provides private road and mountain bike guided and self-guided tours and instruction for those looking to to really experience Arizona.
To book reservations, call 520-260-8293 or book online at BikeTucson.com
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2015 GABA El Tour Training Rides Start
Sunday, September 13th
The 2015 GABA El Tour training rides begin on Sunday, September 13th and run through November 15th, the Sunday before El Tour
There will be a total of eight training rides from the below locations, with the GABA http://bikegaba.org/ Tumacacori Century (10/18) and Silverbell Century (11/8) , acting as the two additional training rides to get us ready for El Tour de Tucson. Additional information on our training rides can be found on the GABA MeetUp website. http://www.meetup.com/bikegaba/
We will be offering a total of five training rides each training ride week which will start on the Eastside, Westside and Central. Start times, and additional information will soon be on GABA MeetUp and in the September issue of PACELINE.
EAST SIDE - Long rides starting from Udall Park. Short rides starting from Swan & Ft. Lowell in front of Basha's
WEST SIDE - Both long and short training rides starting from the Fry's Marketplace at Thornydale Road and Tangerine Road.
CENTRAL - First rides to be short, turning into long Both long and short training rides to start from a soon to be announced location Downtown.
The ride leaders, and co-leaders are always needed to help out on these rides. If you can help, or have any questions, please contact Chuck Martin at dayrides@bikegaba.org or at 795-1000 or 906-0719.
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Willcox Flyer Bike Ride
Please know this is NOT a GABA sponsored ride, but organizers have asked us if we could spread the word.
The Aridus Wine Company with help from Brian and Melinda Nash are organizing the 3rd Annual Willcox Flyer Bike Ride on Saturday September 5th.
This event is a re-vamped version of a once very popular event in Southern Arizona that went into hibernation (The Magic Circle).
Melinda's brother, Matt Peterson, was an avid cyclist. This ride in Willcox was actually his first event in 1992 that started his love affair with cycling. Matt was tragically killed on his bike while on a training ride in Cupertino, California back in 2008.
In 2013 they brought The Willcox Flyer out of hiding and re-introduced cycling to their hometown! Last year they had about 325 riders participating and this year are anticipating 400.
All proceeds (100%) from this event will go to "Small Town, Big Dreams" a 501(c)(3) that gives money to students, teachers and graduating seniors for projects and further education.
Every rider gets a T-Shirt  and the first 100 to register also get a pair of custom cycling socks made possible by Presta Coffee Roasters! Riders can choose between a 33 or 66 mile, out and back course. All riders leave town on Highway 186 and make their way up a gradual climb until they reach the 33 mile turn around point on top of the iconic Dos Cabezas Mountains. If continuing, riders enjoy a scenic route with rolling hills and wide open rangeland until they reach the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument.
This year they will be again offering a special distance for kids, families and those who are just getting started. The 8 mile fun ride will be led by Olympian Mike Allen of Willcox!
The 33 mile course will gain 1,129 feet of elevation while the 66 mile gains 1,965 feet.
The ride will be fully supported with three aid and snack stations and a sag wagon covering the course.
Post ride festivities in Railroad Avenue Park include live music, food and local vendors! It will be a beautiful time of year in Willcox. Temperatures are on average 10 degrees cooler than Tucson. The U-Pick Farms are full of apples, pears and produce. There are four tasting rooms within walking distance from finish line. They have arranged for "Flyer" rates at The Holiday Inn Express in town. They also have tons of prizes and giveaways that their generous supporters have provided!
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Andrew Bemis
Bicycle & Pedestrian Planner, City of Tucson - DOT
At the City of Tucson's Department of Transportation, we believe that an important part of living up to our status as a gold-level bicycle friendly community means working to make all major destinations in Tucson as easily and safely accessible by bike as possible. As a first order of business, that means providing bike lanes on our major arterial and collector streets since that is where most commercial destinations are located. The City of Tucson and Pima County have done a great job over that past few decades building this vital network and now proudly boast 700 miles of dedicated bike lanes. While this work is ongoing and there are important bike lane projects yet to complete, we are in a good position to ask ourselves, what is the next important step for encouraging more people to choose a bicycle for their transportation needs while increasing their safety when doing so?
Research shows that developing a network of low-stress bike ways that appeal to people of all ages and abilities is an effective tool for increasing bicycle ridership by helping less confident riders feel safer on the streets. The City of Portland for example was able to increase bike use between 2000 and 2010 by 238%. They credit the rise, which far outpaced the rest of the country, to the development of a low-cost, low-stress network of bicycle boulevards (as a comparison, Tucson's ridership increased by 34% for the same period).
At the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program we are working to develop a network of bicycle boulevards on residential streets where people can comfortably and conveniently get around town without braving the high traffic speeds and volumes on our major arteries.
Sixty-five corridors totaling more than 180 miles have been identified using a demand methodology that incorporates: proximity to bicycle generators and attractors like schools, parks, and commercial centers; current biking and walking to work rates; measures of urban density; and demographic data about populations most likely to be dependent on alternate modes of travel.
Click Here for Interactive Map of Bike Boulevard
So, what is a bicycle boulevard?
Bicycle boulevards are residential streets optimized for bicycle travel through treatments such as traffic calming and traffic reduction, signage and pavement markings, and special traffic signals to enhance safety at major street crossings. These treatments allow through movements for cyclists while discouraging similar through trips by non-local motorized traffic. Bicycle boulevards work in conjunction with other bike facilities (bike lanes, green ways, and other roadways) to get users where they are going. Conveniently, the urban street grid that dominates Tucson's development pattern is perfectly laid out to have a network of bike boulevards intersecting each other at roughly a half mile apart.
We are currently in the process of completing a bicycle boulevard Master Plan that includes all proposed amenities along each corridor with associated cost estimates for their construction. These costs estimates will be overlaid on the demand model described above to prioritize segments for construction when funding becomes available. The Master Plan will be complete in the fall of this year.
Thanks to Regional Transportation Authority funding, several proposed bicycle boulevards are slated to receive enhancements this year. New signalized bike crossings at major streets will be installed along the Copper/Flower, Fifth Street, and Treat Avenue Bicycle Boulevards. Additional traffic calming treatments and signage will also be added. Within the next few years, more than 20 miles of the bicycle boulevard network will be completed.
Investing in low-stress bicycle infrastructure with the goals of attracting new riders and increasing safety is a priority for Tucson's Department of Transportation. To learn more about TDOT's bicycle boulevard project
For updates on all of our activities, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook HERE
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Be A GABA Ride Organizer
So this year's Sonoita-Bisbee ride turned out to be a great success, especially weather wise. On March 21st the day's temperatures started out in the mid-40's and a clear blue sky becoming brighter as the morning came on. There was no wind. That was a big deal and a lot of the riders took notice of it. After the rider check in was complete, the bulk of the riders started their way down Hwy 82 towards Mustang Corners. The ride was beautiful with the rolling hills and the sun moving higher into the sky.
The paragraph above is some of my thoughts on the day of my first time being a Ride Organizer of the Sonoita-Bisbee Overnight Tour back in March of this year. I really enjoyed the two days of overseeing the riders and the volunteer support crew, which helped make this a great ride for everyone. As a bicyclist myself, volunteering to be a Ride Organizer gave me the opportunity to give back to my fellow riders and provide them with a great experience on a two day bike ride through one of Arizona's great landscapes. Riders also enjoyed the chance to ride through a few historic towns like Tombstone and Bisbee. I lived in Sierra Vista a few years back, so I've ridden through the same areas the Sonoita-Bisbee Overnight route takes supporting the fact that this is a very beautiful ride.
I first got involved with GABA and Supported Rides in the fall on 2014. I wanted to get some experience as a Ride Organizer so I became the Co-organizer for the Silverbell Century Bike ride. Pam Cullop was the organizer for the ride. Both Jim and Pam took me under their wing and helped me see how everything was done for the ride. It wasn't very hard at all. Everything is documented and archived. There's a Ride Organizer timeline that tells you what you need to do and when to do it. There's also a contact list with names, numbers, e-mail addresses, and what organization or company they are with. I was not left to my own devices, Jim and Pam were there for me ready to answer my questions or ease my concerns.
Becoming a Co-organizer for one of the GABA rides gave me the confidence and experience to navigate through the ride folders to begin the process of setting up a GABA ride. Not to mention, the help from Jim Harms and Pam Cullop certainly kept me on track and in step with what I needed to do for my success. Now this year, I'm the Ride Organizer for the Silverbell Century Bike ride. That will be a fun day. I was also Co-organizer for the Mount Lemmon Hill Climb.
To other bicyclists, consider being a Ride Co-organizer and Ride organizer. Get your feet wet, and volunteer to organize one of GABA's single day or multi-day rides and put on a great ride for your fellow bicyclists. If you don't ride as often but enjoy organizing events for others, consider the opportunity to volunteer in your community and meet your fellow community members.
Some rides coming up are-
* Trail of the Mountain Spirits on September 5-7 (Need Volunteers).
*The Tumacacori Century Bike Ride October 18th (Need Volunteers/ Organizer).
* The Silverbell Century Bike Ride November 8th (Need Volunteers).
For more information on being a Ride Organizer, or any of our other volunteer opportunities, such as SAG Stop, Sweep Vehicle, Baggage truck (overnight only), or Ride Registration Volunteer CLICK HERE. Look on the left hand column and click on "volunteer opportunities" or "volunteer".
Volunteers make each ride happen. One person can't do it on their own, it is truly a team effort. Please consider volunteering to support one of Tucson's great organizations that supports our bicycling community, The Greater Arizona Bicycle Association.
Thanks, and we'll see you on the road!
Colleen Giles
Supported Rides
The Greater Arizona Bicycle Association
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM
The Pima County North Rillito Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project
Traffic Allert
On Monday, August 3 through late September 2015 the contractor will complete sewer rehabilitation work in the westbound lanes of Tanque Verde Road.
- Westbound travel lanes on Tanque Verde Road will be closed between Woodland (west end) and Pantano Roads.
- Center medians will be removed to allow westbound Tanque Verde Road traffic to be shifted into the eastbound travel lanes.
- Traffic along eastbound Tanque Verde Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction through this area.
Motorist traveling through the area should plan for long delays and use alternate routes when possible. Bicyclists and pedestrians should use caution when riding/walking through the area.
For additional information or to view detailed maps of the area, visit
sewerimprovements.info or call the information line at 520-622-2527
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Why GABA MeetUp?
GABA has been sponsoring day rides and supported rides for cyclists in the Tucson area since the last century. Until recently, we used a centuries old method to inform people about these rides. Remember the printed monthly newsletter that you got in the mail as a GABA member, or the one you could pick up at the local bike shops. The whole process of scheduling rides, getting it printed getting it mailed and to the bike shops was quite cumbersome. We also had a ride calendar on our old web site, but that site was difficult at best to navigate and use.
Thanks to several forward thinking board members, GABA was able to find and move to the MeetUp site to schedule and announce our day rides. As most modern web sites, GABA MeetUp allows users to more than post and find our rides. It allows RSVPs, posting of photos, member to member communication and more.
GABA MeetUp has been the site for our Day Ride Calendar for almost two years. It has been incredible to see the increase in the number of ride leaders, the number of day rides, and the resulting total rider miles. The process to schedule and communicate about rides has become so simple. Day rides can be scheduled days before the ride date instead of the weeks or months before.
Now someone who is a GABA member and a GABA MeetUp member can become a MeetUp event organizer. With that role they can schedule rides anytime, anywhere and any speed.
Please let Chuck Martin, the Day Ride Coordinator, know if you would like to know more or are interested in leading day rides dayrides@bikegaba.org. Don't forget that as a day ride leader you will get five dollars of GABA credits for every ride you lead.
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BICAS will be CLOSED every Monday in AUGUST
Basic Bicycle Maintenance Class 8/20, 3-6pm
Volunteer Orientation 8/26, 6-7pm
http://bicas.org/calendar/
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