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ACTIVITY NEWS: November - December 2005

     What's in this Issue?

1. Public Relations Committee
2. In Brief
3. Heads Up for Holidazzle
4. Bike Trails and Routes
5. Welcome New Members
6. Mileages and Stats
7. Do Your Part - Vote
8. TCBC Board of Directors and Contacts

Public Relations Committee

The TCBC Board is actively seeking members interested in serving on the Public Relations Committee. This committee was recently created by the Board for a few different reasons, the main being as follows; As you know, during the past year, TCBC has started taking great interest in, and have participated with, the available resources to help promote our great sport of cycling. These resources include all levels of involvement, from local municipalities, state governing bodies, different national organizations, and including commitment from the federal government.

The Board is looking for persons with creative talents to be used in conveying the interests of TCBC via the written word. Interested persons will help draft letters and other documents with direction and input from the Board. Also, the committee will be used to draft press releases. These documents will be used to promote different TCBC activities, such as the Watermelon Ride, WOW, and the Halloween Ride to the local media, including television, newspaper, and radio.

Persons interested in joining the committee can contact Dave Swaab, either by e-mail (swaabd@hotmail.com) or by phone at 612-709-1174.

In Brief

NEXT ACTIVITY NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, December 5. This will be for the combined Jan-Feb issue.

TCBC ANNUAL MEETING will be Saturday evening, November 5, at the same site at the Brooklyn Center Community Center on Shingle Creek Blvd, just south of 694. Dessert potluck starts at 6 PM and the meeting is at 7.

BIKE U PROGRAMS will not be held until at least January. Watch the next newsletter and the website for further info.

ANNUAL LEADER FORUM is already scheduled for Saturday, April 8.

WARMED UP: August, September, and (so far) October have each had above-normal temps in the metro area, and most of our rides seem to have been going. Two big rainstorms in the past month were a challenge!

THANK YOU to Paul Huntington for organizing today’s Family Ride. My kids (ages 13 and 10) had a good time, and my son said he wants to come with me next time I go on a club ride. It’s great that there was a slower shorter ride available to help introduce them to this great activity! (Donna Byrne)

ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY: A recent article highlighted Paul Fischer of St. Paul, who left Minnesota in September 2004 to literally ride around the U.S. He rode 13,566 miles in one year and recently returned. He headed east to New Hampshire, south to escape the winter, through Texas and the Grand Canyon, up to Seattle and across North Dakota. He is now 24. He pulled a trailer behind his bike. Congrats! See: http://netzodiac.org/blogs/paul/

LAB (League of American Bicyclists) magazine, still celebrating the organization’s 125th anniversary, has selected the top people who most changed the face of cycling in America in these 125 years. 1) Lance Armstrong, no explanation needed! 2) The Schwinn family, who founded the Schwinn Company in Chicago in 1895. 3) Col. Albert Pope, world’s largest manufacturer of bikes (brand name Columbia) in the late 1800’s. 4) Charles Pratt, founder of LAB, father of bicycle advocacy in the U.S. 5) Greg LeMond, three-time Tour de France winner in the 1980’s, the first non-European. 10) Jim Oberstar, D-MN, longtime advocate of bicycling in the nation’s capital. See: http://www.bikeleague.org/

HI-USA NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING: On November 17-20, representatives from national and international hostels and hostelling groups will meet at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel at 1001 Marquette Avenue. The last time Minnesota hosted this national meeting was in 1973. Volunteers are needed to staff the Hostelling International Welcome Center. Also, those interested may be able to attend some workshops and meetings. For more info, contact the council office at 651-251-1495. See: http://www.himinnesota.org/

MINNESOTA IRONMAN BICYCLE RIDE: This event will have its 40th birthday on April 30, 2006. It should be quite a party! More than 100,000 people have ridden in this event. It has averaged over 4000 riders each year for the past decade. See: http://www.ironmanbikeride.org/

STATE OF MINNESOTA BICYCLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM has ended and no more licenses are being sold. Apparently not enough bikers were buying them and there was not enough money to keep the system operating. This was helpful for identifying stolen bikes and also providing aid to accident victims if they could not identify themselves. Another plan may be formed within a few years.

RACE ACROSS AMERICA: The RAAM solo record is Rob Kish in 1992: 8 days, 3 hours, averaging 14.9 mph. The youngest finisher in history, Ben Couturier, only 18, biked across the country in 11 days last June. See: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Heads Up for Holidazzle 2005!
By Kristine Poelzer

Do you have a burning desire to be a Holidazzle Toy Soldier, lit up from head to toe, pushing a lighted banner with a partner, walking the entire one-mile length of the Nicollet Mall, while many faces along the way are enjoying the magic and spectacle that is the Holidazzle Parade, smiling back at you whilst little mittened hands give you “high-fives” at the same time? Are you READY for it?

Once again, TCBC plans to sign up to provide volunteers (28 for each parade night) to be Toy Soldiers during two of this year’s upcoming parades! We have two separate opportunities for volunteers: Thursday, December 15, and Saturday, December 17. On top of all this fun, Holidazzle will “pay us” $250 per parade, which TCBC will then be donating as a gift to the Gifts for Seniors Program, http://www.GiftsForSeniors.org

If you are interested in participating in this fun social event, please let me know as soon as possible. Contact me by phone at 651-633-1127 or by e-mail, kpoelzer@msn.com. This has been extremely popular in past years and the volunteer positions fill up quickly! Act now to reserve your spot!

See: http://www.holidazzle.com/

Bike Trails and Routes News
By Doug Nelson

NEW BIKE BRIDGE IN NEWPORT: As a part of the Hwy. 61 reconstruction there, a road/railroad crossing at 12th Street was taken out. In its place is an excellently planned and paved bike/hike bridge, with wide curves at both ends – at the east end you revolve 540 degrees! I used it on my South Washington County Tour in September. From the east, you can approach it from Glen Road, then go south on 11th, and west on 12th, where you see the bridge start across the road. On the west end, you can turn right and go south on 7th Avenue to go past the refinery and perhaps to Grey Cloud Island. The curb cuts aren’t quite as good as they should be, but otherwise it’s a great way to cross 61.

PHALEN BOULEVARD COMPLETED IN ST PAUL: This road just opened in mid-October. Part of it was built along an old railroad right-of-way, where a bike trail has connected Swede Hollow with Lake Phalen (and the Gateway Trail) for a few years.

The old trail is gone, but the road has good four-foot shoulders and a trail will be built alongside by next year. From Johnson Parkway three blocks south of Lake Phalen, the new road heads southwest, crossing under two bridges before crossing under Arcade and heading west to 35E. Just west of Arcade, you can find a junction where the old Swede Hollow Trail is still there, which heads southwest past the old Hamms Brewery to its end at Seventh Street and Payne Avenue. From Payne to Johnson Parkway on the boulevard is about 1.7 miles, with no stop signs or lights, and it looks good for biking.

SHOW US THE PROJECTS: Other segments in the Federal Transportation bill approved this summer (if state and local governments can raise their shares of the costs) include: Building the Paul Bunyan Trail from Walker to Bemidji, 24 miles. Extending the Bunyan Trail from Baxter south to cross the Mississippi to reach Crow Wing State Park. Creating bike trails in and around Aitkin to extend the Cuyuna Range and Great River Road Trails. Extending the Munger State Trail from where it ends near 75th Street to connect with the Lakewalk Trail in downtown Duluth. Completing portions of the Mesabi and Gitchi-Gami State Trails. Improving the Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis. Thanks again to Congressman Jim Oberstar for his legislative leadership!

TRAIL SEGMENT OPEN IN OCTOBER: The first significant part of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is ready, which is a multi-use, multi-seasonal, dual treadway (paved and unpaved trails paralleling each other) trail that will be about 38 miles when completed, stretching from Brainerd/Baxter to Aitkin. The 5-mile open segment goes from the Croft Mine Historical Park in Crosby through the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area to the intersection of Crow Wing County 128 and township road 208.

GATEWAY EXTENSION: The DNR has purchased the right-of-way across Wilder Forest, where the Gateway Trail will someday follow it (we hope) from Pine Point Park to Marine on St. Croix.

SILENT SPORTS in its current issue features a fine article about biking in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin! Many TCBC’ers already have experienced the scenic wonders and hospitality of the area. See “Heavenly fall bicycling in Trempealeau County” at: http://www.silentsports.net/heavenly_fall_bicycling_in_tre.html

Welcome New TCBC Members!

Broker, Barbara Ann
Buskirk, Lauri
Crampton, Tim
Debaggis, Amelia
Dumas, Douglas
Hirokawa, Melissa
Hoeppner, Jim
Johnson, Karen
Quinn, Jane
Stoeckleir, Mike & Peg
Swanson, David
Zamorano, Rodrigo

Mileages and Stats

The 2004-05 participation year passes into history after October 31, and a new year begins. This has been TCBC’s biggest year ever in many ways. At least 960 rides have taken place through early October, so it looks like we may top the magic 1000 figure for the year! Recent monthly records have been amazing: 189 rides in June, 193 in July, and 176 in August.

Through early October: we have already set a new record of at least 140 bikers over 1000 miles on TCBC rides, with a record 64 of them being over 2000 miles. We are approaching other group records too. Over 3000 TCBC miles: Sue Blum has reached 10 years to extend her record, and Susan Evan has 7 years to tie for fourth. Andy Hartle is over 1000 miles for his 14th year.

Here are the top TCBC mileage leaders from November 1, 2004, to as up to date as possible:

MEN
8452 Tony Stifter
7981 Lee Thielman
5811 Jeff Johnson
5552 Richard Franco
5129 Michael McNutt
4769 Steve Block
4610 Mike Nizielski
4023 Hugh Gitlin
4015 Garry Glubka
4001 Scott Larson
3662 Mark Gregory
3606 Jeff Hofstede
3491 John Pugh
3474 Charles Breer
3381 Kim Lundin
3336 Bob Hoffman
3069 Mike Bennett
3050 Bill Corty
2869 David Pettit
2793 Dan Miller
2713 Jim Angle
2698 Jim Pederson
2570 Jim Joy
2554 Rich Swenson
2487 Paul Huntington

WOMEN
5257 Katie Angle
4834 Mary Nelsen
4472 Patt Seleen
3618 Sue Blum
3362 Susan Evan
3132 Cindy Hanson
3103 Kate Kovar
3007 Irene Erickson
2804 Mary Derks
2725 Red Rider
2633 Kay Mitchell
2567 Lisa Dust
2504 Liesa Miller
2294 Julie Dillon
2208 Kristi Linder
2055 Kristine Poelzer
2039 Evie Walters
1893 Rebecca Lawrence
1833 Cheryl Christopherson
1827 Mary Miller
1710 Susie Anderson
1710 Debra Matchinsky
1686 Susan Micks
1684 Catherine Fritter
1595 Julie Van Mersbergen

TOTAL RIDES: Stifter 230, Thielman 181, Johnson 174, Block 144, McNutt 143. TOTAL RIDES WOMEN: Seleen 132, Nelsen 127, Angle 122, Kovar 104, Mitchell 103.

SINCE THE LAST LISTING: Thielman has cut defending champ Stifter’s lead about in half. For the women, Angle has jumped out of a very close three-way race to take a more considerable lead.

NOTE: Stifter will end up with one of the biggest years ever. His 230 rides are already third all-time, behind Shelby and Liesa Miller’s incredible year in 1998, and his mileage might end up there too.

Do Your Part – Vote!
(For Ride Leaders of the Year, That Is)

Ride leaders are the heart and soul of TCBC. Now is the time to recognize our ride leaders for the time and effort they devote to making all of our great rides possible. So we urge you to cast your vote for the best three ride leaders of this past year, the best new ride leader and best leader of “C” rides. We will celebrate the accomplishments of our ride leaders at the TCBC annual recognition banquet on Friday, January 27. Again this year, we will be voting in advance of the banquet in order to encourage as many members to vote as possible since not everyone is able to attend the banquet.

Here’s how to vote:
• Choose your nominees for:

1. Best three ride leaders
2. Best new ride leader
3. Best leader of “C” rides

• Vote using the ballot in this newsletter or online at http://www.mtn.org/tcbc/2005leaders.html (thanks to Phil Doi for setting this up!)

• 1 vote per single membership; 2 votes per household membership
• Deadline to vote is December 31, 2005. (No voting will occur at the banquet.)

ALL RIDE LEADERS (VOTE FOR 3): Anderson, Susie; Angle, Jim; Angle, Katie; Anthonisen, Tony; Austin, Lisa; Baird, David; Beadles, Mike; Bell, Dianne; Block, Steve; Blum, Sue; Breer, Charles; Broste, Perry; Bryan, Bob; Caswell, Carolyn; Caswell, Charlie; Clounie, Gil; Cohen, Diana; Corty, Bill; Cox, Paul; Daniels, Michael; Danielson, Andy; Derks, Mary; Devine, Dona; Devine, Tom; Dohogne, Elizabeth; Dohogne, James; Doi, Phil; Dugan, Dave; Duoos, Doug; Dust, Lisa; Eenigenburg, Dave; Erick, Dave; Erickson, Irene; Evan, Susan; Feld, Eric; Fischer, Peter; Franco, Richard; Gabriel, Connie; Gamradt, John; Gepner, David; Gitlin, Hugh; Gregory, Mark; Griffin, Walter; Haerle, David; Hanson, Cindy; Hartmann, Dick; Hawkins, Pete; Hazel, Kelly; Hilgers, Ken; Hoffman, Bob; Hoffman, John; Hofstede, Jeff; Hogle, Jan; Howley, Fran; Huntington, Paul; Johnson, Jeff; Joy, Jim; Kallestad, Judy; Kelly, Margaret; Kieu, Stephan; Kovar, Kate; Kujawa, Jan; Larson, Scott; Lawrence, Rebecca; Lawson, Phillip; Liebfried, Mike; Lim, Marina; McNutt, Michael; Meserve, Paula; Miller, Dan; Miller, Larry; Miller, Mary; Miller, Shelby; Miller, Liesa; Mitchell, Kay; Moe, Kathy; Muller, Augie; Murphy, John; Nelson, Clareyse; Nelson, Doug; Nizielski, Mike; O’Rourke, Steve; Ostertag, Fran; Ostertag, Tom; Pederson, Jim; Peterson, Linda; Pfuhl, Dave; Picard, Don; Pierson, Lucia; Pittenger, Jim; Plinske, LeAnn; Plinske, Ron; Poelzer, Kristine; Pugh, John; Robertson, Steve; Rusinko, Dave; Sands, Liz; Schaffhausen, Roger; Schlechter, Joe; Scholl, Steve; Schultz, Herb; Scott, Steve; Seleen, Patt; Selz, Nancy; Simon, Bill; Stagg, Lee; Stenoien, Joel; Steuck, Steve; Sullivan, Tom; Sunder, Chuck; Swaab, Dave; Swanstrom, Mary; Swoyer, John; Thielman, Lee; Timm, Julie; Van Mersbergen, Julie; Volkers, Al; Walker, Jim; Wall, Nancy; Walters, Evie; Wanschura, Tony; Webster, Leon; Wichman, Alan; Wilson, Cliff; Zurn, Darryl

NEW LEADERS (VOTE FOR 1): Anderson, Susie; Block, Steve; Clounie, Gil; Fischer, Peter; Franco, Richard; Griffin, Walter; Hanson, Cindy; Hoffman, John; Hofstede, Jeff; Lepp, Kathleen; Lim, Marina; Miller, Dan; Miller, Mary; O’Rourke, Steve; Pederson, Jim; Pfuhl, Dave; Picard, Don; Pittenger, Jim; Scholl, Steve; Steuck, Steve; Wall, Nancy; Webster, Leon

"C" RIDE LEADERS (VOTE FOR 1): Caswell, Carolyn; Clounie, Gil; Daniels, Mike; Devine, Dona; Devine, Tom; Griffin, Walter; Hanson, Cindy; Hoffman, John; Hogle, Jan; Huntington, Paul; Lawson, Phillip; Lim, Marina; McNutt, Michael; Meserve, Paula; Miller, Mary; Mitchell, Kay; Muller, Augie; Nelson, Clareyse; Nelson, Doug; Ostertag, Fran; Ostertag, Tom; Picard, Don; Poelzer, Kristine; Rusinko, Dave; Schultz, Herb; Steuck, Steve; Swaab, Dave; Swanstrom, Mary; Swoyer, John

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