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ACTIVITY NEWS: July 2005

     What's in this Issue?

1. Bicycling 101: Learning How To Use Clipless Pedals
2. Central Lakes Trails
3. Keeping Up
4. Trails and Routes News
5. Cycle Style - ask Jennifer D. Raylor
6. Ride Recaps
7. Upcoming Events
8. New TCBC Members in the Past Few Months - Welcome to the Club
9. In Brief
10. Three Rivers Parks News
11. Mileages and Stats
12. TCBC Board of Directors and Contacts

BIKE 101 – LEARNING HOW TO USE CLIPLESS PEDALS
By Liz Sands

Let’s start right out with this. When you get clipless pedals for the first time, it is very likely that at some point you will roll up to a stop sign, forget that you need to pull your foot out, compound the error by leaning toward the side that you don’t normally clip out on – and you will tip over. Just like that character on Laugh-in on his tricycle (for those of you under age 45 or so, ignore that reference). You will feel stupid and embarrassed. But, most likely only your pride will be hurt, and this has happened to almost everybody... so try not to feel embarrassed for very long.

Here’s a few things you can do to at least reduce the number of times that this happens to you.

* When you buy your clipless pedals and shoes, work with the bike shop to make sure that the cleat is properly placed on your bike shoe, and the release tension on the pedals is set at an appropriate level (if the pedals are adjustable). You don’t want to start out having the tension at its very tightest, which will make it more difficult to twist your foot out of the pedal.

* Ask if you can be set up on a stationary bike trainer in the bike shop, so you can make sure you understand how to get clipped into the pedals and how to release out of them. If you have a stationary bike trainer at home, it might not hurt to practice a bit more once you get home. If you don’t have a stationary trainer, sit on your bike next to a wall that you can lean up against, and practice clipping in and out.

* For the first few rides with the new pedals, try to think ahead as you’re rolling up to a stop sign or stop light. Remember that you will want to lean slightly toward the side that you clip out on. It’s a good idea to clip out before you actually have to come to a full stop – you will still be able to pedal with your foot lightly on the pedal, the cleat not engaged. It might be best if your first few rides are by yourself, just so you don’t get distracted by other riders and forget to think about when you need to clip out.

I’ll share my own story of clipless pedal embarrassment. I was riding on the Root River Trail outside of Lanesboro. It was very flat, so I had the bike in a hard gear and was cruising along. All of a sudden I turned a corner and there was a steep little hill in front of me. I thought, “Oh, I’ll just power up without shifting into an easier gear.” Halfway up the hill I realized I was running out of momentum fast (and this was on an old bike with downtube shifters, where it was not so easy to do a panic shift into a lower gear). Using my old non-clipless pedal thinking, I thought, “Oh, I’ll just hop off and walk my bike”. I didn’t realize that it is almost impossible to clip out when you have no momentum to coast while clipping out. I tipped over and luckily, fell on the soft ground alongside the trail. My friend came back down the hill and offered me a hand to help me up. Then he looked on the ground where I fell and said, “Liz! You killed a mouse!” Upon closer inspection we decided the mouse had already been dead for some time, but it did add to the hilarity of the moment. And, it provides one last clipless pedal tip – be sure you are in a low enough gear to get up a steep hill, because by the time you “stall out” it may be too late to get your foot out!

CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL

By Doug Nelson

This is a 14-feet-wide blacktop trail open to non-motorized traffic (except in winter) extending 55 miles from Osakis to Fergus Falls, passing through nine towns. It’s not a DNR trail at present. It is the westernmost bike trail in Minnesota. I’ve biked parts of it the past two years, and recently I did just about the whole length, and didn’t even get rained on. It is certainly worth visiting.

The positives: none of this trail is close enough to I-94 to see or hear it. Some parts are nicely isolated through woods and wetlands. The pavement is excellent, and the studded snowmobiles haven’t chewed it up too much yet. New mile markers have replaced most of the old railroad ones to help give a sense of where you are. The gravel crossroads are paved where the trail crosses them – I only found two places where you have to bike over a little gravel! The trail goes through, or close to, the middle of most towns, where refreshments are available.

The not-as-positives: some stretches parallel County 82 within a hundred yards for miles. There are few signs and no maps, and no interpretive areas. Some towns have designated trailheads and parking, some don’t, with few tables. There are rarely water and bathrooms right along the trail (but usually available within a few blocks).

Osakis: You can park in the boat landing parking lot on Lake Osakis just north of downtown near the grain elevator, with a satellite, and the Chamber of Commerce is nearby. Or you could start in the public park at Lake Street and 6th Avenue E. ( Riding around Lake Osakis, which I did, is 19 miles and a nice jaunt on county roads.) Going west, the trail reaches Nelson (great name!) in six miles, named after a former Minnesota governor and U.S. Senator. You’ll pass a few rest stops with a table and roof.

Alexandria: You reach here after another five miles, passing right by a bike store, the Bike and Fitness Company. Half a mile further is Big Ole, the 28-foot-tall Viking, with a big gravel parking lot on Lake Angus. It’s within a block of the Runestone Museum, where I think you can use the bathrooms and get water. Plenty of stores within a few blocks.

Garfield: Seven miles to here, passing plenty of lakes. There is some gravel parking, a satellite, and a shelter with two tables. From here to Evansville is right along the road.

Brandon: Six miles, no parking lot, with a gas station across the street. Another six miles to Evansville, with stores fairly close to the trail.

Ashby: Nine miles, passing by the tiny town of Melby, with a store. This is a particularly nice stretch, quiet, scenic, lakes and wetlands with few roads or buildings, partly through a wildlife area. You pass a snowmobile trail crossing built by the Low Plains Drifters. You pass between two large lakes, Pelican Lake being on the south. At the eastern edge of Ashby, there is a little table and parking. From here, you could stay on the trail and bypass the town, because the trail cuts through a steep hill. Or take a quick left, take the main street through town with stores, down a hill, and you’ll see where to turn off the road to rejoin the trail.

Dalton: Seven miles, running flat and straight through farm fields along County 82. Dalton has a little park with tables and shade, and a spigot if you look for it, but no bathroom. A store is a couple of blocks north. You’ll see the entrance to the world-famous Threshing Show grounds, and a sign there telling of the a nearby ski jump, the highest jump in western Minnesota at 64 feet, destroyed by winds in 1967.

Fergus Falls: Ten miles to the end, one of the best trail stretches in Minnesota I believe, for isolation and scenery. You only see a couple of roads. Plenty of woods, lakes, and fields, and rolling hills. The trail crosses the height of land between the Mississippi and Red River watersheds, but it’s hard to tell just where that is. You reach the Fergus outskirts, then the trail ends suddenly just past a tunnel under Hwy. 210. It’s a gravel parking lot next to a storage rental facility. (Driving through Fergus, take 210 just east of Hwy. 59 and you’ll see it.) The official trailhead is at LeLagoon Park, which has facilities and camping, but the dirt trail connecting the park to the trail isn’t marked and really isn’t very good, so I didn’t ride it. It is supposed to be paved by next year, which would really benefit the town businesses.

The Lake Wobegon Trail runs 35 miles from St. Joseph to Sauk Center, then there is about a ten-mile trail gap to Osakis, where the Central Lakes starts. You can ride good county roads to cross the gap, so yes, it is around 100 miles from St. Joseph (near St. Cloud) to Fergus Falls, and a very bike-able stretch it is. Enjoy!

KEEPING UP

By Marina Lim

Ever been dropped on a TCBC ride? We are gathered around in a parking lot. The ride leader announces some rules of the road, route info, and tells us to not ride beyond our abilities. That sounds good. I wonder what my ability is today?

The race horses, er, bikies mount and click in. The ride is off! Ooh yeah, I’m doing OK today. The road is flat and smooth. There is no wind. 31 riders are in two big groups. But wait, those at the front are just starting to warm up. 17 mph, 18, 20.

Well, who should I follow this time? Maybe the lady in pink. Never seen her before. Uh oh, passed up by the woman with the beautiful long brown hair who beat me twice with a hybrid last month. Today she has her road bike. Zip. She’s gone -- off to the front. I’ll bet she’s 15 years younger than me. The benefits of youth.

It’s 7 miles into the ride. Now there are three groups and I’m still with the first one. This is great, except that fatigue is starting to set in. For a second I think I’d be better off rolling on a C ride, but I wanted a workout today. My respiratory rate increases and each breath gets deeper as I work to stay in the back of the pack. Hmm, now my heart rate is noticeably climbing. I am not terribly tired yet.

Suddenly I flashback and I am in the doctor’s white-walled exam room. I was there a few months ago undergoing some cardiac function tests and scans. My young cardiologist, clad in a neatly pressed shirt and tie is asking: “Do you cycle competitively?” “Nope. I do it for fun”. I told him I could easily get my heart rate to 192 before I pass out. He wondered how often I do that. Now he is wagging his index finger at me saying, “Don’t exceed your maximum heart rate when you ride. DON’T go over 172 beats per minute.” He probably wants to say “you’re not as young as you think you are” but didn’t in fear that I might reach over and slug him. Now I have doctor’s orders. Max of 172. No negotiating. It’s for my own good.

My heart rate is now at 176. Okay doc, it’s time to call it quits. I drop back and find myself tailing the A group. In a minute the gap widens and they shrink to a tiny speck. At a right turn the speck disappears.

I feel like a lone wolf on a peaceful country road edging a lake. It’s a good thing I know this route, so I won’t become a lost lone wolf. For 5 miles I crank along and daydream. Why did I set myself up to be isolated on a club ride tonight?

Voices sneak up behind me! They are saying “on your left”, of course. The B group of six passes me. I trail them from afar. Miles later they seem to slow their pace. I join in when they park at a stoplight. Oh good. I am part of a cycling gang again. They are having lively conversations but I am quiet and tired. There are 6 miles left to go and I have run out of Gatorade.

A block away from the end of the ride I consider sprinting past the four riders in front of me. Aw, c’mon, it’s not a race. Our group slowly rolls in single file. The tiny-specked A group reappears as full-size adults with bikes. They are chatting in the parking lot. I have caught up with them at last. Worn out, I guzzle some water stored in the car, load the bike and drive straight home. Didn’t the ride leader say “don’t ride beyond your ability”?

TRAILS AND ROUTES NEWS

FIRST OFFICIAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL in Minneapolis, in Theodore Wirth Park, opened June 4, with Mayor Rybak present. A team of volunteers from MOCA, the Minneapolis Off-Road Cycling Advocates, put in around 2000 hours building about four miles of single-track trail. On Wirth’s wooded hills, the challenge was to build trails that would handle downpours without flooding, and regular bike traffic without eroding or disturbing surrounding habitats. If the new trails pass inspection this fall, the group may be given permission to expand the trails. The MOCA website is http://www.mocatrails.org.

DNR BUDGET WOES: a recent article mentioned that because of money problems, volunteers are now doing most of the maintenance work along the Gateway Trail, like cutting the grass. Many are from the 150-member Gateway Trail Association. DNR employees do mainly crisis management like filling potholes. So thank the volunteers when you see them. Portable toilets have been removed from most state trails, and volunteers had to fight to keep four of them along the Gateway. Plans to extend the Gateway from Pine Point Park to Marine and Taylors Falls have been put on hold. (EDITOR’S NOTE: This whole issue infuriates me. The Legislature does not give the DNR enough money anymore to maintain our outstanding trails, or to build more. GRRRRR!)

BRUCE VENTO TRAIL, which has run through the East Side of St. Paul for a few years, has been taken out to make room for Phalen Boulevard, a new road which should be completed from Arcade to Johnson Parkway by October. The trail still exists between 7th Street and Arcade, through Swede Hollow. The road follows an old railroad line and there isn’t room for a trail to fit alongside, it would seem. The remaining trail starts around Maryland at the south end of Lake Phalen and runs north to near Maplewood Mall.

ST. PAUL may decide to make much-needed repairs of the bike/hike/running/skating trail running along Mississippi River Boulevard between Summit Avenue and the Hwy. 5 bridge or so. The trail has irregular patches and has drawn plenty of complaints from users. If the City Council approves, construction could take place in August. It needs some costly renovation that should last a long time. (This would not change the one-way bike lane in the street running south along that stretch.)

SOUTH ST PAUL REGIONAL TRAIL, running along the Mississippi, is in good shape in early June. You can walk your bike under the 494 bridge, which is being reconstructed, on a short gravel trail, with an overhead structure to protect trail users from falling debris. The connection out of the valley to cross over Hwy. 52 at Kapiosa Park hasn’t been built yet.

EDGERTON STREET BRIDGE over 694 in Vadnais Heights, used on some bike routes, is scheduled to be open by the end of July.

MINNESOTA TRAILS INITIATIVE (MTI) is a group formed to help develop trail segments along the Upper Minnesota River. A state trail was authorized by the 2001 Legislature along the river’s entire length. Their immediate goal is to complete the anchor segment of 13 miles between Montevideo and Granite Falls, a paved trail running along the scenic valley.

CYCLE STYLE - ask Jennifer D. Raylor

Dear Jen,
How many kinds of cycling shoe cleats are there? I have mountain and road shoes and two bikes. What do I buy that will work with my pedals? N.M.

Dear N.M,
Are you ready for some choices? Currently there are 8 types of cleats on the market. They are: SPD, SPD R, SPD SL, Look, Time, Crank Brothers, Speedplay and Bop. For road riding, single cleat (one sided) pedals are commonly used. The 2005 Crank Brothers Quattro SL is an eggbeater pedal for road bikes. For mountain bike riding you need double sided off road pedals or (Crank Brothers) eggbeaters so you do not have to flip the pedal over to get your foot back in (particularly when going up a steep hill). Your shoe cleats must be compatible with the pedal system on your bike. Cleats for shoes cost $15 to $50 per pair. Pedals will run you from $50 to $400 per pair. When you buy new pedals they come with one pair of cleats. (For $400 you can buy Look Keo Carbon Titanium pedals which weigh 95 grams per pedal).Take a look at the pedals on all your bikes. If you are not sure what kind of pedal system(s) you have, I recommend that you bring your bikes and shoes to a bike store and have a mechanic identify them and check the compatibility.

(Send your questions to jdraylor@hotmail.com)

RIDE RECAPS

MAY 19: a number of TCBCers led rides to various places for Bike to Work Day. The roads were wet from rain the night before, but none fell during the day. Pete Hawkins and I led what became the largest group – about 25 people, including at least ten bike cops. We felt pretty safe. We started from the Roseville Library, and rode with Mayor Randy Kelly from Lake Como to the Capitol Area. Some other rides ended there too. There was a short program with speeches from government dignitaries. A BICYCLING magazine staffer presented 50 bikes to Twin Citians as part of their Biketown promotion – in the fall, they will be interviewed about how using the bikes has changed their lives. About half the recipients were present to get their new Giant bikes and ride around the block in a nice photo op. (DN)

MAY 28: The newly-renamed Memorial Club Ride had 115 attending, with the most riders doing the shortest route this time, due to the forecasted rain. We were fortunate and only scattered light rain materialized which ended by noon or so. A good way to kick off the summer! Leaders were Pete Hawkins, Julie Van Mersbergen, and myself. (DN)

JUNE 4: Eleven brave riders showed up for my Afton ride, despite rain obviously approaching on the radar. (Too many for me to pay them all to go home.) The wet stuff hit us about ten minutes into the ride. It actually was lighter than expected and quit by the time we reached Afton. The ride back was not bad at all, including a new way to get through part of Woodbury, on new roads extending south of 94 on County 17, which ends up in the new Dancing Waters – “A community like no other.” It works, but how can anyone afford to live there? (DN)

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY 9 and 30: Revival of a 1999 ride. Why ride in the heat of the day amidst traffic and noise? How about some cooler air and amazing quiet with nearly traffic-free roads and trails? With these thoughts in mind, Mike and Kristine have revived their wee morning hour night ride, “Before the Rooster Crows.” This ride is aptly titled as the depart time is before sunrise – at 4:00 AM to be precise – on Saturday mornings, July 9th and 30th. Okay, okay. This time isn’t surprising since Kristine is the creator of Sunday Sunrise Solitude which began in 1997. But what’s Mike’s excuse? Well, Mike enjoys seeing star formations in the sky and mist around lakes – just read his ride review at bikeTCBC.org, news archives for October 1999. Both of these ride leaders know how to create a fun ‘ride in the dark with bike lights’ route and recognize a great breakfast menu when they find one! After our ride, our 2005 New Hope location offers goodies like ‘The Lumberjack’s Plate’ and ‘Banana Walnut French Toast’ as well as basic oatmeal and eggs and toast, etc. Ride this ride as the first one of the day or as the only one with the remainder of the day to do chores, play with friends and family, plus take an afternoon nap in the hammock. For the start location and other details, see the TCBC ride schedule for July 9th, and plan now to join other fun cyclists on both July 9th and 30th.

JULY 14-17 A really “cheesy” long weekend in south-central WI focusing on the Sugar River and Military Ridge Trails. This four-day trip-ful of C rides starts in New Glarus with the Sugar River Trail. We’ll combine the 46-mile round-trip trail ride with a cheese fondue dinner at the Chalet Landhaus, shopping the gift shops of “Little Switzerland” and touring one or more of the great WI cheese factories in the area. Then we’ll head to the Military Ridge Trail, starting at Mount Horeb, site of the world’s only Mustard Museum, and the only city officially designated as a “trollway” complete with statues of trolls. The trail connects, via the Capital City Trail, to the Glacial Drumlin Trail, so the truly ambitious pedal-pushers will have an extra-miles option. The area is close to Madison and several major cheese producers, so there will be plenty of after-ride things to do. All trails are crushed limestone except the paved Capital City Trail. Leaders will be Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381, and Don Picard, 952-894-3431.

JULY 17: TOUR DE FRANCE RIDE AND PARTY. Join us in Roseville for a bike ride, followed by a social, private viewing of Tour de France coverage. We’ll have an A/B, B, and C ride leaving at 3 PM from KFAN the Restaurant, near Snelling and County Road C2 in Roseville. Afterwards, we have a private party room with flat-screen TV’s to watch Lance, Levi, Floyd, and maybe even Bobby climb through the Alps in Tour Stage 15. All are welcome to join us for dinner and viewing, even if you can’t make the ride. In the event of rain, we’ll gather between 6 and 6:30 for dinner and viewing anyway.

AUGUST 19-21: Ride “da Range” on the Mesabi Trail. $3.00 daily wheel pass is required. Join this C-plus ride on the Mesabi Trail and experience Minnesota’s Iron Range up close and personal. We will bike on paved surface trails joining the bustling cities of Eveleth, Hibbing, Virginia, and Chisholm. We’ll visit Ironworld, which features a museum with exhibits telling the story of the Range’s geology, mining, immigration, life skills, and traditions. There is a 1920’s Mesabi Railway trolley ride taking us through a mining “town” and showing us the spectacular views of the Glen-Godfrey Open Pit Mine. There will be motel and RV park campground lodging options that you will book on your own. After-ride activities (optional) include dining at the Whistling Bird in Gilbert, a night out at Zimmy’s featuring Bob Dylan memorabilia, and a play at the Hibbing Community Center, or a visit to the Palucci Planetarium. Yes, there are hills – this is the Range. Ambassadors will be Duane and Diana Kasper, 952-448-1608, or kasperddt@aol.com. Leaders: Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381; Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009.

SEPT 10-11 LA CROSSE KILLER HILL REDUX OVERNIGHT+. A/B 70-80 mi on Saturday, plus the SeeSaw to Arkansaw ride from Maiden Rock (A/B 65-70 mi) on Sunday (separate listing). Remember the Old Killer Hill 64 ride the La Crosse Wheelmen used to put on? This will follow that route for about the last 35 miles including the famed Killer Hill climb. A new direction out will add some big climbs and a few miles. The climb out of La Crosse up past Grand Dad Bluff is included. Leader is Bill Simon, bicyclebill@comcast.net. Hotels in La Crosse book early so get reservations ASAP and cancel later if needed. For details including CANCELLATION status, lodging, evening activities and Yahoo Group link, visit web page: http://home.comcast.net/~bicyclebill/KillerHill/

SEPT 16-18 ROOT RIVER VALLEY TRAILS WEEKEND. Welcome C riders and friends to our three days in Lanesboro! We hope you can join us for our third annual event to explore this beautiful area in SE Minn. We will be riding all three days, but come when you can. Some of us will go to the Commonweal Theater to attend their productions. Friday night’s is Moliere’s “Scapin” and Saturday’s will be Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” which is a classic comedy of wit and satire. Call Herb Schultz to reserve your tickets. This is a popular area on weekends, so be sure to reserve a place to stay soon. The Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce number is 1-888-223-4258. Some of us also camp in Lanesboro. Looking forward to seeing old and new friends there! Call us if you have questions and also let us know you will be there! Clareyse Nelson, 612-623-3009, or Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381.

SEPT 23-25 SEPTEMBER (WOBEGON) DAYS. Do your thing on the Wobegon Trail, including the Holdingford and St. Joseph spurs over three autumn days. This C ride features 10-foot-wide paved trails and offers extra miles options. Come for 1, 2, or all 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 at 320-845-2145 is an option.) Leaders: Herb Schultz, 952-941-4381 or herbschl@juno.com; Don Picard, 952-894-3431. Cell phone at ride 952-334-8382.

NEW TCBC MEMBERS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS – WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Allison, Janine
Amir, Bileh
Anderson, Rebecca
Arnold, Chuck
Asmus, Brian
Babcock, Judy
Becquer, Frances
Bennett, Bill
Bischke, Tim
Bliss, Frank
Bonta, Lee
Boyle, Michael
Brix, Tom
Brown, Craig
Brull / Barrett, Harry & Myra
Bueche, James
Burg, Anita
Buse, William
Butcher, Todd
Carlson, John
Carter, Isaac
Caruth, Doreen
Cesta, Michael
Charlton, Marianne
Clark, Nicholas
Colburn, Richard
Coleman, J. Michael
Coleman, Kelly
Creger, Chris
Daniel, Elaine
Danielson, Benjamin
Davis, Sherie
Davis / Mullen, Todd & Maureen
Delarwelle, Dave
Depp, Diana
Deutschman, Gene
Dickerson, Jon
Dugelman, Jim
Duvernois, Bob
Eigner, Alan & Ellen
Engen, Jerry
Epp, Alan
Frederickson, Dean
Friedman, Danny
Fuller, Debbie
Funk, Gloria
Gordon, Marvin
Gottschalk, Bartram
Gravell, Bob
Gray, Richard
Greenwood, Jeffrey
Greiber, Jennifer
Griemann, Christine
Hallet, Katherine
Hanson, Donald
Hartnett, Mary
Heinen, Gary
Henneman, Andrew
Hillger, Eric
Holter, Ann & Gary
Hoopman, Amanda
Jacobusse, Jake
Johnson, Kay
Johnson, Steve
Johnson, Velda
Kane, Suzanne
Keim, Gary
Ketcher, Kristy
Kitchar, Nick
Kitto, Kelly
Klonecki, Shannon
Koester, Kristen
Krueger, Tim
Kujawa, Jan
Kuntz, Gerry
Kuster, Nathaniel & Johann
Larsen, Ellen
Lewis, Susan
Lilja, Michael
Lindquist, Peter
Love, Nicole
Maclennan, Mark
Mandsager, Ron
Mangan, Margaret
Martin, Nancy
Martin, Sean
Masiulis, John & Marise
Mcdowall, Steven
Mchenry, Peter
Miller, David
Miller, Richard
Misgen, Sharon
Mitchell, Mark
Morrris, Norman & Mary
Mulligan, Lisa
Muellner, Jim
Navis, Nancy & Craig
Nelson, Tanja & Bernie
Netick, Jeffrey
Nistler, Anita
Oladibo, Joseph
Olalde / Sopko, Nicki & Peter
Oliver, Robyn
Olson, David & Marla
Oscarson, Matt
Ostrum, Sarah
Peterson, Craig
Rasmussen, Steve
Rayburn, Gene
Reidl, Gwen
Reis, Mark
Remler, Ray
Rickman, Lennie & Dave
Roethlisberger, Emil
Roesthlisberger / Foote, Fred & Constance
Rudberg, John
Rupp, Scott
Ryks, Todd
Sagor, Eli
Sandstrom, Tom & Kari
Sanville, Jeff
Schmaltz, Gary
Schmidt, Joe
Shelton, Richard
Shireman, Justin
Shogren, Kris
Shutter, Dawn
Smith, James
Smith, Kimberly
Sokola, Cynthia & Gary
Sorenson, Steve & Linda
Steiner, Jeffrey
Stewart, Teresa
Stille, Terry
Sunderlin, Robert & Beth
Swearingen, Eric & Diane
Taiwo, Adeola
Taniguchi, Zenaida
Tatro, Chuck
Teplinsky, Scott
Thomas, Asmus
Thompson, Bill
Thompson, Kristen
Tiefenbruck, Brenda
Trench, Bob
Valley, Steve
Vander Vort, Wayne
Voigt, Allen
Von Mosch, Susan
Wacker, Ben
Waisanen, Stephanie
Walker, Thomas
Ward, Rosie & David
Watanabe, Todd
Watkins, Evelyn
Williams, Daniel
Woodfill, Gregory
Wray, Guy
Wrobel, Laurie
Young, Eric
Young, Joyce
Zawadiwsky, Don
Zobel, John

IN BRIEF

NEXT ACTIVITY NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, July 11.

WATERMELON RIDE is July 4 and you can sign up that morning at the start, at Deluxe Corporation in Shoreview, on Victoria just south of 694. Three routes are offered.

WEATHER PROBLEMS in May and early June have cancelled or dampened many rides, although somehow we got LESS rain than normal in the official NOAA rain bucket for May! It was the cloudiest May in 45 years and the month averaged three degrees cooler than normal, the first significantly below-normal month since last August.

NO SUNRISE SOLITUDE RIDE will be scheduled for WOW Weekend on August 14.

BIKES AVAILABLE FOR RENT at the Minnehaha Park Pavilion across from Minnehaha Falls include some upright solo cruisers, recumbents, side-by-side tandems, and bikes for four (kind of a square) with a roof! The Minneapolis Park Board requested this service for each day this summer at least. Some bikes are from Wheel Fun Rentals. Stop by and take a look!

TrailLink 2005, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s international trails and greenways conference, will be held at the U of M from July 27-30. For info, visit their website at http://www.railtrails.org/traillink2005.

HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD tacked on a provision ensuring that space would be preserved for the proposed Cedar Lake Trail extension to the Mississippi if the new Twins stadium is actually built at the Warehouse District site on the north edge of downtown.

WARNING – the bridge over the St. Croix at Stillwater will be closed to all traffic, including bikes, from August 1 to November 1, according to the schedule. Plan accordingly. The 94 bridge at Hudson, with its bike crossing, will get busier.

ADULT BICYCLIST CRASH STATISTICS from one U.S. report shows that by far the most occur on sidewalks, and the least occur on streets with bike lanes. Each year in Minnesota, about 5-10 bicyclists die in collisions with motor vehicles, and hundreds more are injured in about 1000 crashes – of which about half are determined to be the cyclists’ fault.

ACCORDING TO ONE STUDY at the U of M, a 10-mile commute by bicycle costs $150 per year, while the same commute can cost up to $3500 per year for someone who drives alone.

LANCE GOES FOR #7: We’ll be watching as much as possible! Will this really be his last big race? Keep in mind that many athletes retire, then return a few years later.

THREE RIVERS PARKS NEWS

JULY 19: “Mountain Biking 102.” Apply your basic mountain biking skills to single track riding. Tackle roots, rocks, sand, mud, gaining skill and confidence. Held at Elm Creek Park Reserve from 6:30 – 9 PM. Reservations required; call 763-559-6700. $12. Helmets required. Ages 10 and up.

AUGUST 24: “Murphy Mountain Bike Sprint Series.” 5:30 to 9 PM at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. One of the Twin Cities’ most challenging courses. Series of four 10k sprint races. Mass start, awards, and door prizes each week. Registration 5:30, start 6:30 PM. Helmets required. $10. Ages 14 and up.

AUGUST 31: Another sprint series, see above.

Three Rivers just posted new summer trail maps on their website: http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org/parks/

Parking is now free for personal/family vehicles at all TRPD parks. (Some fee signs are still up, but better signage is coming.)

MILEAGES AND STATS

Here are the TCBC mileages from November 1 of last year up to sometime in May. At least 41 rides were cancelled in May due to rain.

MEN
2113 Tony Stifter
2052 Michael McNutt
1947 Richard Franco
1889 Lee Thielman
1773 Jeff Johnson
1763 Scott Larson
1643 Mike Nizielski
1469 John Gesme
1400 Charles Breer
1335 John Pugh
1272 Steve Block
1270 Jim Joy
1119 Mike Bennett
1035 Tim Miller
1032 Bill Corty

WOMEN
1883 Katie Angle
1697 Patt Seleen
1285 Mary Nelsen
1257 Sue Blum
1203 Cindy Hanson
1176 Lisa Dust
1128 Susan Evan
1088 Kate Kovar
1075 Mary Derks
1023 Red Rider
939 Liesa Miller
800 Irene Erickson
793 Julie Dillon
727 Kathleen Lepp
680 Rebecca Lawrence

RIDES: McNutt and Stifter 64, Larson 63, Franco and Johnson 61. Angle 59, Seleen 54, Dust 44, Kovar 42.

OVER 2000 TCBC MILES: Tony Stifter has done it for his ninth year, which is tied for fifth all-time.

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: Mike Beadles
VICE-PRESIDENT: Dave Swaab
SECRETARY: Charles Breer
Mary Derks
Lisa Austin
Pete Hawkins
Katie Angle
Scott Larson
Paul Huntington

OTHER TCBC POSITIONS

TREASURER: Tony Stifter
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Kristine Poelzer
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR: David Erick
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Doug Nelson
SCHEDULE COORDINATOR: Jim Pederson
WEBMASTER: Phil Doi
RIDE STATISTICS: Julie Timm
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Stephan Kieu

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