| Home | Join Us! | Contact Us | News | Schedule |

ACTIVITY NEWS: May 2006

1. President's Column 2. In Brief 3. Upcoming Events 4. 25th Annual Watermelon Ride 5. New Leaders 6. Incident Survey 7. Biking 101: Top Ten Tips for New Members 8. All Club Memorial Ride and New Jersey Pickup 9. New Riders Enjoy the Elm Creek Ease Into Biking Series 10. Bike To Work Day is May 19th 11. The Non-Riding Spouse 12. Bicycle Culture by Total Immersion Therapy 13. Paul Bunyan Double Century Returns on July 1 14. Web Resources Update 15. Mileage Leaders and Stats

Printable PDF version of this newsletter (3 mb) News Archives

President’s Column

I'd like to extend hearty congratulations and thanks to all who rode in or volunteered for the Minnesota IRONMAN Bike Ride, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Some of you are receiving this issue of the Twin Cities Bicycling Club ACTIVITY NEWS because you were registered for IRONMAN. I would like to warmly welcome you to continue to expand your bicycling horizons by coming out and riding with our club.

As the largest bike club in Minnesota, we offer rides that suit every interest, starting in many different locations, with friendly fellow riders. We’re lucky to be in one of the best bicycling areas in the country and our trained ride leaders work hard to ensure that our rides take us to interesting places, usually on quiet roads and sometimes on trails. Some TCBC rides offer considerable challenges such as hills or longer distances, while others are entirely social with a focus on relaxed riding and eating. TCBC also offers several multi-day rides in rural locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin (and sometimes California and Texas!), which allow us to explore new territory. All told, we ran over 1,000 rides in 2005 and we expect to run even more in 2006.

There are great benefits if you join TCBC, including:

* Lots of great rides for a full range of abilities and interests
* Trained ride leaders, who provide route maps and/or cue sheets
* 10 issues of our terrific newsletter, which lists our ride schedule
* Liability and medical coverage during TCBC rides
* Tracking and recognition of club ride mileage
* Discounts at many area bike shops
* Free classified listings in newsletter and on website
* Fantastic TCBC website
* And did I mention lots of great rides in great locations?

We can even help you train for next year's IRONMAN with our unique series of progressively challenging rides on each weekend preceding the big event, called Paper Man, Straw Man, Aluminum Man, and Tin Man. So we hope to see you on one of our rides this season.

Charles Breer
TCBC President

 

IN BRIEF

NEXT ACTIVITY NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, May 8.

NOTE TO MEMBERS: Those of you who pre-registered to ride the IRONMAN by mid-April will probably be receiving two copies of this issue, because it’s being sent to all pre-registrants, in addition to TCBC members.

REMINDER TO TRIPPERS: Our schedule lists the times a bike ride is actually supposed to be pulling out of the parking lot, so you should arrive at least 15-30 minutes before that, with enough time to get yourself and your bike ready, and probably have some fellowship too.

SCHEDULE NOTES: Rides listed beyond the current month are subject to change. Many will be added in each month to come. For example, for June rides, you should check the June newsletter, or check the web page at www.biketcbc.org.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION: Please be considerate of your family and fellow bikers and carry an ID, insurance card, and emergency contact numbers on your person when participating in any bike ride. It’s the responsible thing to do!

TERRIFIC TURNOUT of around 100 leaders, current and new, at the Leader Forum on April 8. Thanks to those who organized and conducted it. Let’s have another safe and wonderful year!

Over 250 new TCBC jersey orders were received, including many at the Leader Forum. We’ll see them being worn starting on May 27……

CONGRATS to Sharon Boesch, who was married recently.

CREDIT FOR THE WATERMELON RIDE GRAPHICS goes to Pete May and Monkey in a Dryer Custom T-shirts and Apparel Screen Printing. Thanks very much for your work.

MOVING: After 45 years in St. Louis Park, Hoigaards’s store will be relocating to the Miracle Mile Shopping Center on Excelsior Blvd. The new store is expected to open this fall, in time for ski season.

ANOKA COUNTY is planning for a new free biking/hiking trails map of the county to be released in May.

NO TRAIL NEWS to be found this issue! Your editor will be out there looking for some, as usual.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 23-25: Paul Bunyan and Heartland Trail Weekend. Join in on a three-day trek of C(+) trail rides and after-ride fun activities. Trails are railroad grade with 10-foot blacktopped surface and generally level. Routes pass through northern hardwood forests and stands of jack, red, and white pine. On Friday we bike 34 miles from Pine River to Hackensack and return. We set up our accommodations for the weekend in Walker and get acquainted at a local eatery. Saturday is 43 miles from Walker to Cass Lake and back. Fun options include dining at Brauhaus German Restaurant and an evening out at the Woodtick Musical Comedy Revue at Akeley. Sunday we wind up with a 42-mile trek from Walker to Dorset, with a feature lunch stop at the famous Mexican restaurant in Dorset. You will book your own accommodations (motel, camping, etc.). Come for one, two, or preferably all three days. Early bookings are suggested. Ambassadors: Diana and Duane Kasper, 952-448-1608, or kasperddt@chaska.net for motel, camping, theater and evening information. Co-Leaders: Herb Schultz, 952-334-5382; Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009. Cell at ride: 952-334-5382.

JULY 7-9: Bayfield Biking Bash. Join us for a three-day set of B/C rides on paved roads around the gorgeous Bayfield, WI, area. Come for one, two, or all three. On Friday we’ll bike a particularly scenic, though short, 16-mile loop from nearby Red Cliff with views of Lake Superior, and a stop at the Apostle Island National Lakeshore Museum (rated at moderate difficulty). Saturday is a special treat; we’ll ferry our bikes over to Madeline Island and ride about 25 miles of trails and paved roads on this historic island (rated easy to moderate). Sunday we’ll head back toward the Twin Cities, stopping at Cable, WI, for an easy 28-mile ride, the Cable-Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Loop (easy to moderate) and then head home. There’s lots to do and see in this popular resort area, including the famous Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua tent shows, Bayfield Maritime Museum, and much more. Plenty of hotels, motels, resorts, and campgrounds are available, but make your reservations early. Bayfield is a very popular summer destination for vacationers and boaters. Details in the June issue. Don Picard, 952-894-3431; Herb Schultz, 951-941-4381; John Hoffman, 715-834-7897. Mobile phone at ride: 612-396-3884.

JULY 21-23: Elroy Was Here. A trio of B/C rides on former railroad beds centered on Elroy, WI. Friday’s ride will be on “the 400” trail, about 40 miles, crushed limestone with one tunnel. Saturday’s ride will be the “granddaddy”, the Sparta-Elroy Trail, also crushed limestone, with three tunnels. We’ll do the 30-mile trail one-way, with a shuttle. Sunday we’ll finish up with the Omaha Trail, also out of Elroy, about 25 miles, paved. Great trails with great scenery. Don Picard, 952-894-3431; Herb Schultz, 951-941-4381; John Hoffman, 715-834-7897. Mobile phone at ride: 612-396-3884.

AUGUST 4-6: Central Lakes Trail (C rides). If you haven’t experienced this trail, you will not want to let the opportunity pass. And if you were on this ride last year, you understand the need for a return visit. The trail runs through a scenic blend of lakes, prairie potholes, and open farmland and wooded lots, with small towns at 7-10 mile intervals. The 14-foot trail is paved and is fairly new and smooth. We will divide the 3-day ride into nearly equal round-trip segments and accomplish a century plus in the three days. Day 1 is Osakis to Garfield and return; Day 2 is Garfield to Ashby and return; Day 3 is Ashby to Fergus Falls and return. Optional post-ride activities centered in and around Alexandria. You will make your own lodging accommodations. EARLY IS BETTER. Alexandria Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-235-9441 is a good contact. Come for 1, 2, or all 3 days. Co-leaders: Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009; Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381. Cell phone at ride: 952-334-5382.

AUGUST 18-20: Summer Wobegon Days. Do your thing on the Lake Wobegon Trail, including the St. Joseph and Holdingford spurs, over three sultry summer days/nights. This C+ ride features paved 10-foot paved trails and offers some extra mile options. The trail passes through towns that could have been the model for the famed Lake Wobegon. The trail is mostly flat and has both open and wooded stretches. Come for 1, 2, or 3 days. Each day will feature activities en route and/or after ride. You will book your own lodging accommodations in or around Albany, MN. Country Inn and Suites is an option at 320-845-2145. Don Picard, 952-894-3431; Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381, or herbschl@juno.com. Cell phone at ride: 952-334-8382.

SEPT 15-17: Root River Valley Trail Weekend. Welcome C riders and friends to our three days in Lanesboro. We hope you can join us again on this beautiful trip in SE Minn. We will be riding for three days, but come whenever you can. Some of us will be going to the plays at the Commonweal Theater for two different plays on Fri and Sat nights. Further info about the specific plays will be available. Call Clareyse Nelson to reserve your tickets at 612-623-3009. This is a popular biking area in the fall so be sure to reserve a place to stay soon. The Lanesboro Chamber number is 1-888-223-4258. Some of us also camp in Lanesboro. Call us with questions and to let us know you will be coming. Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009, or Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381.

25th ANNUAL WATERMELON RIDE

by Mary C. Miller

Family time, building family memories, or a family tradition are all opportunities provided by this warm and fun 4th of July activity.
For me, it brings back memories of my first bike. Having grown up in the country, most things I enjoyed doing as a child involved my bike, whether it was holding my dismantled cane pole across the handlebars and peddling over to the Cobb River to fish, or we were sneaking off for a swim at the gravel pit down the road. Some of my best memories were biking down to the slough and laying on a knoll there looking up at the clouds skating across the sky, losing myself in the blue of the sky, or just watching the birds in the little apple tree above me.

So, TCBC welcomes you. In fact, we encourage you to show up with the whole family to build more great memories for your family. You will also be teaching your children how to build a lifestyle that offers exercise, adventure, beauty, camaraderie, and joy. Now is a great time to fit everyone out with bikes and helmets or reserve a rental burley for that day with a local shop for the younger members.

The ride starts at Deluxe Corporation, 5689 Victoria Avenue, just south of 694 in Shoreview. Registration/check-in kicks off at 7:30 AM for the 50-mile route; and is between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM for all routes. There are three routes of varying distance at 15, 25, and 50 miles; and you will see some of the best scenery that part of town has to offer. The 15-mile route is the one ideal for young families with elementary-aged children or younger. Families with teen or adult children may want to tackle the longer routes. Of course, you singles are all welcome, on any route you can handle.

Some of the benefits of the greatest 4th of July biking event in the Twin Cities follow:

* Special commemorative t-shirt sized for children, women and men available.
* Bike rodeo to hone your ability riding in tight places, figures, and within parallel lines.
* Route maps.
* Ride marshalls on all routes and mechanical support to the 15- and 25-mile routes.
* Rest stops with great food and smiling faces.
* Watermelon and hot dogs with picnic lunch (and vegetarian option) after the ride at Snail Lake Regional Park in Shoreview.

To register, pick up a brochure at a local bike shop, or go online at www.bikeTCBC.org for electronic submission, or download the form and mail it with your check by June 2, 2006, the early deadline for a discount. You may register at the ride as well and you need not be a TCBC member, although we would love to have you join.

Volunteers are needed. TCBC members who volunteer for 3 hours have the fee waived. Please sign up at the web site www.bikeTCBC.org. It will speed registration the day of the ride to fill out the separate waiver form for each participant in advance.

 

NEW TCBC LEADERS FOR 2006

This year, for the second time in the 20 years of our leader training program, we have a baker’s dozen of fine new leaders. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming our new ride leaders. Without them, our vibrant biking program would not continue to thrive. Adding these 13 gives a grand total of 337 leaders trained since 1986!

TCBC is unique among bike clubs in our nation in several ways, but I think the most significant is the number of members willing to volunteer as ride leaders. Last year we had a total of 119 active leaders lead a phenomenal 1112 rides! All indications seem to point in the direction of exceeding those numbers in 2006.

So please keep all of this in mind when you participate in a TCBC ride and give our leaders the cooperation and respect they deserve. One significant way you can do that is to give them your undivided attention during the ride leader briefing. Also, a THANK YOU now and then will help them feel good about the time and effort they put into providing us with such a superb biking program.

Front row: Pete Hawkins (instructor), Jeff Ramberg, Randall Huskamp, Catherine Roach, George Hagemann, Debra Matchinsky, Patrick Exley. Back row: Bruce Berry, Pete Hall, Robert Brown, Jim Elwell, Neil Millam, Reid Priedhorsky, Markus Bohler.

- by Pete Hawkins

 

TCBC INCIDENT SURVEY

Have you ever wondered what the primary causes of bicycling accidents are? We (the TCBC Board) have too. With safety being a top priority of TCBC, the more we know about accidents, the better we can help to prevent them. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of “hard data” for us to go by. Sure, the official data and reports available from police departments and government offices are a start. But those reports are limited to the few accidents in which the police are actually involved. Most biking accidents are not officially reported; especially the ones in which no automobile is involved and no one is seriously injured.

So, TCBC is embarking on a new project. This year we will be piloting an “Incident Survey” in order to begin tracking the various ways in which bicycle riders get into accidents. We’re interested in hearing about ALL accidents, not just the ones in which the police get involved, or someone gets seriously injured. If you ever find yourself on the ground rather than on your bike seat while riding and you didn’t plan it that way, we want to hear about it. We think that by keeping track of accidents, we may be able to identify areas for improved ride leader training, ride safety briefings, and other measures the club can take to continue to offer safe and enjoyable riding experiences for our members and community.

There are two ways you can help in this process. One, if you have been involved in an accident while riding your bicycle in the past 3 years, you can fill out the survey and tell us about your experience. And two, if you experience an accident this year (and let’s hope that doesn’t happen), you can fill out a survey and tell us what happened. We’d like to hear about accidents that happen on TCBC rides especially, but it also helps to hear about accidents that TCBC members have when not on our rides. We’d like to hear about ALL accidents TCBC members experience while riding (as few as they may be given the amount of riding we do!).

If you want to tell us about your accident, you can get a copy of the survey by contacting Kelly Hazel (612-588-3653 or kellyhazel at msn dot com) or by going to the TCBC website (www.biketcbc.org/docs) and under “Forms” clicking on “Incident Survey.” Please be sure you have the incident survey (the first page is a letter from the board), not the accident insurance form. When you have finished filling out the survey, you can return it by e-mail to Kelly or by regular mail to: TCBC, Attention: Incident Survey at P.O. Box 131086, Roseville, MN 55113. All the information you provide will be kept confidential. This survey is completely voluntary. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

BIKING 101: The Top Ten Tips For New Members

We often hear from new members after their first ride: “I showed up and everybody knew each other and I felt like an outsider” or “I got dropped and rode by myself the whole way – why bother going to a club ride?” These tips will help you to get to know people faster and make those first few rides with the club be more enjoyable.

#10 Be prepared. If your bike has been hanging in the garage all winter, take time to put lube on the chain and to inspect the tires for cuts or wear. Take your bike for a “shakedown” ride on your own before going to a club ride, so you can be sure that it’s shifting and braking properly and there aren’t any mysterious squeaks or creaks.

#9 When you’re signing in at the ride, let the ride leader know that you’re a new member. Many ride leaders try to take time to introduce new members to the group during their ride briefing.

#8 Try one of the many rides where the group goes out to dinner after the ride. It’s a lot easier to get acquainted around a dinner table, than out on the road with the wind blowing in your ears.

#7 Practice your riding skills. Learn how to ride a steady line without wavering. Visit the club web site to read tips on group riding etiquette. If other riders sense that you are unsafe or unpredictable, they will probably give you a wide berth.

#6 Volunteer for a club event – it’s a great way to get to know other members. There’s lots of volunteer opportunities including the Watermelon Ride, Weekend on Wheels, and other events. Volunteer opportunities will be in the newsletter and are often sent out to the club e-group.

#5 Be observant on rides and try to figure out which other riders are of similar pace to you. Position yourself close to those people at the ride start so that you don’t start out with a group who is too fast or too slow for you. During the initial miles of a ride, there can be a lot of ‘sorting’ of abilities and it will be easier for you if you don’t have to try to jockey for position.

#4 Try not to get caught up in chasing the “fast group” if you can’t hang with them for the long haul. You might have the perception that you can keep up, only to realize that you can’t maintain that pace for a two-hour ride. In the meantime, the fast group has pulled you way ahead of the people who are closer to your pace. If you do get dropped, remember that you’ll have to slow down a lot if you want other people who you can ride with, to catch up with you.

#3 If you find that you’re always ending up on rides where everyone’s a lot stronger, try a ride one level down. If you’ve been going to A/B rides, try a B ride or a B/C ride.

#2 Pay attention as the group is moving away from corners or stop signs. Experienced riders will often accelerate out of a corner in order to quickly get back up to cruising speed. If you’re not prepared for that, you might get left behind.

#1 If you do end up riding on your own, keep a good attitude. Remember that you’re getting a good workout, and learning some new roads that you haven’t been on before. Smell the lilacs, listen to the birds, and appreciate the fact that you’re fit and healthy enough to do a long bike ride.

HAVE FUN, and a big welcome to all of our new members!

- Liz Sands

 

ALL-CLUB MEMORIAL RIDE AND NEW JERSEY PICKUP

For Memorial Day Weekend, TCBC will again be holding an All-Club Memorial Ride to celebrate and remember TCBC members who have passed away over the years, such as Paul Grisim, Gail Elliott, and Bahram Daneshvar. We will reminisce about them briefly as a group before the ride. The ride itself, named after Paul in 1994, will not change.

This ride will be Saturday, May 27. We will use the three basic routes we have been using for a few years. We think of this event as a great chance to socialize and start the summer together, and we hope you can join us. Last year’s event had around 120 people attending.

Also, the new TCBC jerseys will be distributed before the ride to those present who did not pay $5 to have the jerseys mailed to them. If you cannot attend this ride and did not pay for the mailing, please call Tim Brinkmann at 612-310-4912 for delivery at another ride, or e-mail him at timothybrinkmann@yahoo.com. In the event you are unable to make arrangements for jersey delivery before the end of June, you can pick up your jersey at the Watermelon Ride on July 4th in Shoreview.

We’ll be starting again at Snail Lake Park in Shoreview, the big pavilion at the top of the hill, NOT the parking lot by the beach. It has bathrooms, tables, and a big play area. Other recreation, such as volleyball and frisbee, may be possible. The location is on Snail Lake Blvd in Shoreview. From 694, go north on Victoria and east on Snail Lake Blvd.

Routes will again be northeast into Washington County. Mileages on the overlapping routes will be about 29, 48, and 63 miles, with the longest route running through Marine on St. Croix. Route leaders will include Doug Nelson, 651-639-9917, tcbcdoug@mtn.org, and Pete Hawkins, 763-786-3792, pmh@peoplepc.com.

We will not be reserving the picnic shelter, but riders are welcome to bring their own snacks or lunches to enjoy after the ride. There is a pop machine and rest rooms. There’s no need to make reservations for the ride.

Please arrive in time to form into three groups for the leader briefing, which will start around 9:30 AM. Groups will start a few minutes apart. We hope to see many of you there!

- Doug Nelson

 

Newer Riders Enjoy The Elm Creek "Ease Into Biking" Series!

Fairly new to biking? Want to EASE back into riding after a long winter? Welcome to a set of six C rides aimed at newer riders or those who want friendly rides at a relaxed pace.

We will be exploring the mostly-flat North Hennepin Trail Corridor between the Coon Rapids Dam and the more rolling Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Over 6 Saturday morning rides (May 13 and 20, and June 3, 10, 17, 24), we’ll gradually increase our distance from 15 to 20 to 25 miles while having fun! (On May 27, the Saturday this ride doesn’t meet, our All-Club Memorial Day Ride will include a C-level route.) Come to one ride, several, or all. You may stay afterwards for lunch at nearby 5-8 Grill.

Arrive about 9 AM so you have time to get your bike and yourself ready,
especially if you want to check your tire pressure, adjust a seat, or review shifting. We will have a pre-ride gathering at about 9:20. Bring at least one filled water bottle, a spare tube, and any questions.

DIRECTIONS: from Hwy 694, take Hwy 252 north 3.4 miles to the new Hwy 610. Get in LEFT lane. Turn left (west) on Hwy 610 for 3 miles. Turn right (north) on Zane Ave. N./CR 14 for 1.6 miles. Zane becomes Douglas Drive. At 109th Ave. N, turn right into Holiday lot. (If coming from the west, from Hwy 694 go north on Hwy 169 for 5.1 miles, turn right at the lights on 109th Ave. N. for 1.6 miles; left into the Holiday at Douglas Drive).

Please call any of us before the ride if you have ANY questions about
biking, clothing, weather, or directions. We are looking forward to seeing you there! Carolyn Caswell 763-315-3687, Deb Matchinsky 612-374-2158, or Neil Millam 763-862-3780.

 

BIKE TO WORK DAY IS MAY 19

St. Paul and Minneapolis will both be having Bike To Work Day events on Friday, May 19. Here is the info we have at press time.

The St. Paul gathering event will be downtown at Rice Park from 7:15 to 8 AM. There will be food, displays, clinics for bike-related info, speakers, drawings, and giveaways. The overall emphasis is to celebrate and educate, including showing how Transit fits in with biking (a bus with bike rack demo), especially for those who haven’t biked before, and also promoting walking as a means to get where people need to go! Contact Mary Jackson for more information on the St. Paul event. mary.jackson@dot.state.mn.us, 

There will be two TCBC rides from Menard's on Univesity starting at 7:15 AM and heading to Minneapolis and St. Paul. This ride is designed to highlight the needs to accommodate bicycles on University in the plans for redevelopment. Lisa Austin is leading one and Cindy Hanson is leading the other. See the schedule for info.

Contact Russ Stark for more information on the Midway corridor/ traffic management and future plans. rstark@universityunited.com

Contact Mary Kay Guider for more information on the Minneapolis Bike to Work Day event. marykay.guider@metc.state.mn.us

The ABC Ramps in downtown Minneapolis will have a drawing to win 6 months free locker rental in the C ramp with shower privileges. (showers located in the A Ramp)

 

The Non-Riding Spouse

by Marina Lim

I zip out of the driveway to get to TCBC ride starts alone in my car. No honey or sweetheart to bring along. No Thule rack with two matching bikes on the roof and someone to get it down for me. It’s just me, some cleated shoes, and a bike.

Is it bad to be a cycling enthusiast married to someone who doesn’t ride? It would be great if I were part of a cycling pair. I could chirp, “We ride together and go on bike trips together!” Instead, I am solo. I used to wish he’d come along. But maybe if he did I wouldn’t be my wild and crazy self. I wouldn’t focus on meeting new people or ride at the speed I like. He says he rides. I clocked him once on flat terrain at 8 miles an hour with a cadence of 56. I prefer going a little faster than that.

When I first joined TCBC it was mythical that I am married. Where’s your husband? Some club members would ask. “Working” or “out of town” was the standard response. I understand his love for his work just as he understands my obsession for bicycles. I like anything that says “bicycle” on it. He is an internationally renowned scientist in the world of brain imaging research. He flies over 100,000 miles a year and is a bona fide workaholic. We keep relocating because of his career moves. I am waiting for the day when we end up living in Novosibirsk or Marrakech.

Kelvin has a daily schedule of grant writing, meetings, and running research projects at the University of Minnesota. Throw in 8 hours of sleep and it’s a 24/7 schedule. Right now there are 40 projects going on at “The U”. Why? Because he wants to make a contribution to mankind (you know, find a cure). I can accept that.

My overweight neighbor suffers from fitness envy. She’d like it if I gave up the exercise lifestyle and put on 50 pounds. She recommends that I garden (a task I loathe), take cooking classes (zero interest) and wait for my man to take a less demanding job to spend time with me. Is she kidding? I need to live life to its fullest right now. I am not going to sit around wishing and waiting for my husband to change.

To be the only bikie in the house is not too bad a deal. The bike budget doesn’t have to be shared. The more the man works, the more rides I can go on because he does not notice my absence. The kids like it because they can tear up the house while I am gone, and they know I won’t be back for hours. If I am really tired afterwards any damage goes unnoticed.

The family joins me on the Watermelon Ride. They get a kick out of the 15- mile trail ride. To them it is a whole new experience, once a year. This year I’m going to ride a nice, heavy mountain bike on it so they won’t be left behind.

As for my non-riding spouse, you may have spotted him at the last two TCBC recognition dinners. He’s the one in the tuxedo who stays through the “dinner is served” agenda of the evening (30 minutes), and then leaves. It’s an agreement that we have.

 

BICYCLE CULTURE BY TOTAL IMMERSION THERAPY

If you see the difference between riding a bike and being part of the bicycle culture, then mark your calendar for June 14 – 18. The Great River Energy Bicycle Festival is coming back to town.

The Festival is a five-day celebration of Minnesota cycling that will visit the downtowns of Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato and Stillwater. The highlight of the Festival is the Nature Valley Grand Prix, one of the top three pro races in North America. Imagine packs of over 100 riders flying around corners at 30 mph just inches apart and you’ll start to get the picture. You’ll also find a carnival atmosphere with stunt riders, live music, bike expos and Caribou Coffee Kids’ Fun Races.

Stop by the Saint Paul Riverfront Time Trial on Wednesday to watch some of the world’s fastest riders race against the clock along the Mississippi River, then jump on your bike and test yourself on the same course. Cannon Falls, one of Minnesota’s favorite bicycle destinations, hosts a new event on Thursday. On Friday evening, you’ll enjoy a free outdoor concert during the Minneapolis Downtown Classic. Spend Saturday in Mankato during a community festival. Then wrap up your week of cycling immersion with a ride out to Stillwater to watch the most brutal bike race in the country.

One of the highlights of this year’s Festival will be the Caribou Coffee Peloton Perks game at the Minneapolis Downtown Classic. Stop by the Caribou Coffee booth to pick up your team card. If your team wins, so do you!

And all of this is for a great cause. The Great River Energy Bicycle Festival is run by volunteers from the cycling community and all of the profits are donated to Children’s Hospitals and Clinic of Minnesota.

More info at www.MinnBikeFestival.com

PAUL BUNYAN D.C. RETURNS ON JULY 1

Now in its 40th year, the Paul Bunyan Double Century will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2006. This is an AA ride of 202 miles from Anoka to Mille Lacs Lake, around it, and back again. After a year's hiatus due to massive road reconstruction, the "Old Man" is back!!! (Ah... that would be Mr. Bunyan, not me).

We’ll meet at Anoka Senior High School, 3939 7th Ave (County Road 7) from 4:30 to 4:45 AM. We’ll begin the ride en masse at about 5 AM. The high school is about 1.5 miles north of Hwy. 10 on County 7. It’s a left turn at 38th Ave, which is the second set of stoplights after the exit from Hwy. 10. (Look for Casey’s General Store on the left at this intersection.) The ride is FREE for members and only $2.00 for non-members of TCBC. No pre-registration necessary. As always, finishers will be timed to the minute (no sprints) and a certificate will be awarded to all who ride the Bunyan, all 202 or the best you can do. The ride is mostly flat with some rollers and has moderate traffic counts. It’s not all that difficult IF the winds cooperate.

Nevertheless, it is a challenge and you must come prepared and trained for the distance. It’s essential to eat smart (often), drink smart (before you are thirsty), and ride smart (ride your pace, no need to go for the hour record here). Food and water (convenience stores) are located on average at 20-mile or so intervals and will be well marked on the ride map. I will be driving the route, but NOT in an official sag capacity. I'll have water, a limited tool selection, and a floor pump (maybe even some bananas!). Official lunch stop will be the Spotlight Svoboda Café in Garrison at the 100-mile point. Want some bragging rights? Come along for the fun on this long-standing Minnesota tradition! As always, same old leader: Bob Hoffman, 651-430-2676.

Web Resources Update

We’ve been making some changes and trying some new things in the area of web resources, so I thought it would be helpful to bring everyone up to date on what we’re doing and why. Most of you are probably familiar with our terrific website, which many of you now use to see the most current ride schedule information. Phil Doi and his team of webmasters do a great job keeping things up to date and easy to use.

Many TCBC members also make use of the TCBC Yahoo Group (sometimes called the “e-group”), which has grown into a great way to quickly communicate to the general club membership. However, as the number of people on the main e-group has grown to over 600, it has become increasingly difficult to administer. At the same time, there is an increasing need for members to communicate with each other on a variety of bicycling-related topics, many of them not related to TCBC events.

One of our e-group moderators, Bill Simon, has activated a new tool that I would like to encourage all of us to start using. The new TCBC Message Boards, hosted by msn Groups, presents discussion forums in a way that some of you may already have seen elsewhere. A key benefit is that anyone who joins may post anything they like as long as it’s related to bicycling. There are 7 broad topic areas but within each, an unlimited number of subjects may be posted and members are free to reply and read other replies whenever they want. Unlike the Yahoo e-group, each posting is not immediately broadcast to everyone’s inboxes, unless you request them to be.

Over time, we expect that TCBC will transition to the new Message Board as the primary means of communication to the general membership, but in the meantime, please give it a try. You don’t even need to join to check out the messages, so go ahead and have a look.

I would also like to let you know about two other new web resources that have recently been launched. One is the TCBC Ride Submission Form, which is a very slick web form created by dedicated member Jan Hogle. We are now asking all ride leaders to use this form when submitting rides for the next month’s ride schedule because it immensely helps Ride Schedule Coordinator Jim Pederson do his job efficiently with our ever-increasing number of rides. The other new web tool is the TCBC Ride Alert system, which can be used to get the word out when a ride is cancelled or delayed. While ride leaders remain under their normal obligation to show up for their ride at the scheduled time, leaders can post messages to the Ride Alert as an additional means to let people know if rides are cancelled or delayed. Only ride leaders may join this group, but anyone may view the messages. Please give this a try.

The websites for each of these new TCBC web resources are listed below:

TCBC Message Boards: http://groups.msn.com/twincitiesbicyclingclub/
TCBC Ride Submission Form: http://www.twinpinefarm.com/tcbc/
TCBC Ride Alert: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/TCBC-Cancel-Delay/

By Charles Breer

 

MILEAGE LEADERS AND STATS

Here are the updated numbers for our new activity year. You needed to do plenty of winter biking to get listed here!

WOMEN
1803 KATIE ANGLE
810 ROHANDA VICTORSEN
729 JULIE DILLON
701 LISA DUST
683 BARBARA LANDIS
653 LISA ANDERSON
625 SUSAN EVAN
603 SUE BLUM
575 MARY MILLER
574 MARY NELSEN
546 KATE KOVAR
527 PATT SELEEN
496 KIM MYERS
468 IRENE ERICKSON
457 MARY DERKS

MEN
1994 TOMMY IRVIN
1635 MICHAEL MCNUTT
1579 JIM JOY
1228 MIKE NIZIELSKI
1071 RICHARD FRANCO
951 SCOTT LARSON
928 TIM MILLER
901 GARRY GLUBKA
855 MARCUS BOHLER
847 JOE HAYS
763 JOE HAMLIN
748 JIM VICTORSEN
740 CHARLES BREER
725 JEFF JOHNSON
684 STEVE BLOCK

TOTAL RIDES WOMEN: Angle 60, Dust 27, Dillon 20, Kovar and Miller 19.
TOTAL RIDES MEN: Irvin 77, Joy 60, McNutt 57, Nizielski 43, Franco 42.
TOTAL RIDES LED: Joy 28, McNutt 15, Blum and Evan 12, Angle 11.

BIGGEST RIDES IN MARCH:
Mar 26 52 Think Spring
Mar 19 37 Think Spring
Mar 11 32 Winter Warmer
Mar 12 32 Think Spring
Mar 18 30 St. Paddy’s Day Pedal

SINCE THE LAST LISTING: Newcomber Irvin continues to impress and increases his lead. Two-time winner Angle has quite a lead for this early.

TCBC Contacts

ACTIVITY NEWS is published by the Twin Cities Bicycling Club, formed in 1993.
Mail and checks should be sent to TCBC, PO Box 131086, Roseville, MN 55113.

TCBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT: Charles Breer
VICE-PRESIDENT: Mary Derks
SECRETARY: Katie Angle
Lisa Austin
Pete Hawkins
Scott Larson
Paul Huntington
Kelly Hazel
Garry Glubka

OTHER TCBC POSITIONS

TREASURER: Tony Stifter
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Kristine Poelzer
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: David Erick
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Doug Nelson
ART DIRECTOR: Steve Scott
SCHEDULE COORDINATOR: Jim Pederson
RIDE STATISTICS: Richard Franco
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Dave Swaab
WEBMASTER: Phil Doi

Contact ACTIVITY NEWS Editor: Doug Nelson if you have information at 2800 Hamline, #208, Roseville, MN 55113. (651-639-9917) tcbcdoug@mtn.org  Deadlines will usually be during the first week of the month for the next month's issue.

To submit items for the Activities Schedule, send e-mail to Jim Pederson: schedule@biketcbc.org