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ACTIVITY NEWS: October 2005

     What's in this Issue?

1. President's Column: Ever-evolving while keepin an eye on the past
2. In Brief
3. Halloween Ride is Saturday October 29
4. Vote for New and Returning Board Members
5. New TCBC Jersey in '06: Committee Members Being Sought!
6. Are You The One?
7. Trail News
8. Gitchi-Gami Trail Growing
9. Mileages and Stats
10. Welcome New Members!
11. TCBC Board of Directors and Contacts

President’s Column: Ever-Evolving While Keeping an Eye on the Past
By Mike Beadles

I have seen some very good changes in recent years, and want to take this moment to chat about one specifically, and also to encourage more new ideas while keeping what’s important from our past.

I have been very impressed with the success of “Outreach Rides.” The “new idea” of getting TCBC riders out and visible at organized public bicycle rides has been a true vision to behold. I have seen in person, and also heard, that TCBC has been a real “roll” model and a fine example of good riding behavior while on Outreach Rides. We have shown that riding legally on a bike is an extremely good thing – by our stopping at stop signs and stop lights, riding no more than two abreast, being helpful and watchful for others while in a group. All the things that our Ride Leaders repeat at our ride briefings, that we practice by example on the road, and that we encourage through casual coaching of individuals and groups on our rides. People do notice! I have also heard of one ride in which there was a “blue train” of TCBC riders wearing our club jerseys rolling down the road to be seen. You have made your President very proud of TCBC!

The real point of this article, however, is the fresh ideas that are brought up, then modifying them as needed. Then implementing and finally keeping our ears and eyes open to feedback to improve on the idea even further. We are lucky to have so many dedicated and passionate members and leaders to keep the new ideas churning and being produced, while keeping the past in our hearts and minds to keep everything in balance. Your President stands in awe at the accomplishments we have completed, and the potential new ideas that keep our bike club fresh and ever-evolving, while keeping an eye on the past. Thank you!

In Brief

NEXT ACTIVITY NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, October 10. This will be for the combined Nov/Dec issue. Please try to plan events through early January if possible.

TCBC ANNUAL MEETING will be Saturday evening, November 5, at the same site at the Brooklyn Center Community Center.

FAMILY RIDES: Remember the Griswold family’s truckster? Shirley Partridge driving the plaid family bus? The Clampetts truck full of hillbillies? Families like to go places together. Wouldn’t it be nice to get together with your family and go on a bike ride? Yeah, we thought so too, that’s why we would like to ask you to volunteer to be part of a committee to help design a new ride category – F-RIDES (Family Rides). We need people to help determine the guidelines for these rides, if you are interested in participating in this great opportunity to help open up our membership. And who knows; you might see the Partridge Family peloton or Granny Clampett in leotards instead of a rocking chair! Please contact Paul Huntington at 651-486-2731 or huntingtonpaul@yahoo.com.

WILL THE WEATHER HOLD: We have 11 rides listed for Sat, October 8. Your editor believes that is a record for one day’s schedule. Hope they all go!

ACCOLADES TO KRISTINE POELZER: To those of us who don’t emphasize miles on bike rides, but relate to interesting sites, historical info and learning about new places, I want to thank Kristine. Her 85th anniversary ride on August 26 exposed our group to facts about the 19th Amendment (giving women the right to vote). We also viewed the memorials to the Vietnam and Korean military personnel. Most of us just drive by these sites. On a bicycle, we can observe and discuss. The sidewalk window café was a new experience – even standing in the rain ordering and eating. Thanks Kristine! Your rides are adventures in learning! (Marion)

MORE APPRECIATION: Many, many thanks to everyone who sent me get-well cards, get-well wishes via e-mail, and phone calls of encouraging words during the past couple of weeks. The injuries from my bicycle accident get better day by day. Special thanks to all of the ride leaders who offered to lead my rides that I am unable to do. Your thoughtfulness is a wonderful gift to receive! (Kristine Poelzer)

WONDERFUL NEW BIKE BRIDGE IS OPEN over Hwy. 61 in Newport near Glen Road! This one is a winner. More info in upcoming issues.

HI-MN AYH 2005 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is Thursday, November 3, from 7 to 8:30 PM at Sweeney’s Tavern (upstairs) on Dale Street in St. Paul. Join us for an evening to thank our great volunteers and look at the progress of the past year. A short program that highlights hostels of North America will kickoff the evening. Snacks and beverages provided. Everyone is welcome.

TRAIL HOURS: The Hennepin County parks and trails are closed at sunset, with the fine of using their parks and trails after sunset being $112. However, in Anoka County they are open 24 hours a day. Minneapolis parks close at 10 PM. Food for thought, especially in the fall. (Dennis Larson)

TCBC OFFICIAL LIAISON with MORC is now Don Youngdahl, replacing Bob Bryan. Thanks to both for serving.

We're thrilled to learn that the 4 bike corrals at the 2005 MN State Fair provided secure, free parking to 5,700 bikes this year! For the first time TWIN CITIES BICYCLING CLUB sponsored the bike corrals that have full-time onsite security provided by state fair employees who provide trustworthy bike check in/out . With the four (4) ads in the monthly TCBC ACTIVITY NEWS issues, flyers at WOW weekend & several metro bike shops, mutual links to our web sites, TCBC rides scheduled with the state fair destination, and huge banners hung over each corral touting "Free Bicycle Parking sponsored by the TWIN CITIES BICYCLING CLUB http://www.bikeTCBC.org " there was an increase of almost 1,400 more bikes this year than last year. Many thanks to all of the TCBC riders & Ride Leaders who helped make this increase possible. (Kristine Poelzer)

OCTOBER 1 is being celebrated as Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). Pass along a passion for pedaling!

Halloween Ride is Saturday, October 29

BOO! Join us October 29 for the TCBC Halloween Ride. This fantastic tradition is a great way to end your riding year, celebrating the season with your cycling friends.

We’ll be holding a leader briefing and fashion show starting at 9:30 AM in the parking lot of Park Tool, at 6 Long Lake Road in Mahtomedi (zip 55115) – take 694 to the MN 120 exit and go north on 120. Go right on Long Lake Road to find the lot.

Afterwards, our social route will take us through White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi, and Birchwood Village and the surrounding areas, with two refreshment stops hosted by TCBC members and sponsored by TCBC. (You may need to take off your footwear at the stops.) Our 25-30 mile route is mostly flat, and will be led at a social pace – all riders are welcome.

Halloween costumes are encouraged, but not required. However, we are encouraging everyone to consider dressing for the occasion, complete with a costume contest – prizes will be given in several categories. Check out the TCBC website to look for pictures from past years to start your creativity flowing. Remember, Halloween can be foul (blizzard!) or fair – if the weather looks suspicious, the rest stops will still happen, but the ride may not involve bicycles.

See you on October 29!

Vote for New and Returning Board Members

At the November 5 Annual Meeting, TCBC members have the opportunity to vote for five directors, each for a two-year term. The Nominating Committee (Paul Huntington, Cindy Hanson, Susan Evan, and Katie Angle) recommends the following two new members:

GARRY GLUBKA: Garry participates in many TCBC events with an accumulation of 4000 miles for this year. He commutes to work on a mountain bike when the temp is above 30 degrees, and rides tandem with his wife. He says, “I love the social times and teamwork of riding in a group.” The concerns with TCBC that he would promote: “One critical issue is the slowing at stop signs….. my suggestion would be a campaign for stopping, say a stop sign in the corner of the web page with a saying, STOP AT STOP SIGNS. Another critical issue is the newsletter. I understand it is a big expense for the club. Being a printer I might be able to come up with low-cost printing….. the club has been a great addition to my life. I would hope to serve it well.”

KELLY HAZEL: All of Kelly’s bikes have been and are burgundy colored. She has taken two extended tours in Europe and describes herself as “a good B rider with A/B aspirations.” Kelly has also been a ride leader for two years. In her professional life, she has written grants, carried out long-term research projects, and believes that TCBC “is very successful at meeting the needs of its members.” Her concerns for the club: “As more and more people in the Twin Cities take to the roads on their bikes, it is important for the club to provide leadership in safety and positive relations with motorists….. Now more than ever, it is imperative for the club to establish good working relationships with various agencies and communities, and to get involved in promoting SHARE THE ROAD and safe driving messages for the benefit of all riders/drivers.” She would also work on expanding the membership to members of “different ethnic groups, abilities, economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, etc.”

The Nominating Committee also recommends for re-election to the Board the following Directors:

LISA AUSTIN: “One of my goals as a Board Member is to facilitate outreach into the greater bicycling community….. I serve on MN/DOT’s State Bicycle Advisory Committee (SBAC) representing TCBC. Through SBAC I have attended the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC.” Lisa has also been an advisor for the state’s Share the Road campaign and is currently looking at a redesign of the club newsletter.

CHARLES BREER: Currently Secretary for TCBC. Critical issues for the TCBC Board are: “member satisfaction and retention, continued focus on cycling safety, strong ride leader training, interesting rides, promotion of cycling in general and volunteer commitment and fatigue.” Charles in active in randonneuring (long-distance cycling) as well.

MARY DERKS: "I would like to see TCBC continue to promote safety, recognize members and volunteers, and ensure the club meets the needs of its members." Mary is an active Ride Leader who has provided leadership in a new type of ride this year---Outreach Rides.

Additional nominations can be made at the general meeting on November 5.

To complete the nine-person voting Board are returning Directors: Scott Larson, Pete Hawkins, Paul Huntington and Katie Angle.

Our current President, Mike Beadles, will continue to serve on the Board for one year in the position of Past President. Retiring from the Board is the current Vice President, Dave Swaab.

New TCBC Jersey in ’06: Committee Members Being Sought!

Yes, TCBC is planning to get a new club jersey in ’06! We’d like to try something a little different this time---we’d like to run a contest for the jersey design; basically allow any club member to submit a design based on criteria determined by a Jersey Committee. Club members would then vote for the winner!

Since ’06 will be here before we know it, we’d like to develop the Jersey Committee in the next few weeks. The goal of the committee would be to ensure the timely design, production, and ordering of the jerseys for early ’06 distribution. Specific responsibilities include determining criteria for jersey design, soliciting design ideas for the contest, organizing the contest and voting, selecting and working with the jersey vendor, arranging to have the design created to meet specifications required by the jersey vendor, setting deadlines, and taking and fulfilling jersey orders.

Interested in being on the Committee? If so, please contact Mary Derks at mderks@comcast.net or 651-482-9605 by 10/10/05.

Are You the One?
By Mike Beadles

Three very important TCBC positions remain open, and I will continue to accept offers by e-mail at mrbikey@mn.rr.com or by phone at 612-432-5393 for these positions until October 10, to present at the Board of Directors meeting on October 11.

The three positions are:
“BIKE U” Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Watermelon Ride Chair(s) in Training

This is your opportunity to help TCBC become an even better club! Fresh ideas from fresh minds are needed and always appreciated! Let’s hear a “Woohoo!”

BIKE U COORDINATOR: Responsible for coordinating TCBC’s BIKE U events during the winter months. Includes: obtaining location, obtaining speakers (the Board has a good list of potential names already), submitting BIKE U events to our Schedule Coordinator for publication, supplying liquid refreshments (food is potluck), napkins, plates, plastic ware and serving utensils, and organizing a small BIKE U volunteer cadre. All supplies and rent (if applicable) are paid from the BIKE U budget amount. BIKE U is extremely important to TCBC as it helps immensely in our non-profit status requirements based on bicycling education.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Responsible for determining volunteer needs as required by the club. Also, responsible for being an ambassador to represent TCBC for ad hoc volunteer requests from the public, and to fill those request as desired.

WATERMELON RIDE CHAIR(s) IN TRAINING: Responsible for everything Watermelon. This is a perfect position for more than one person to share as co-chairs. Responsible for getting volunteers, food, beverages, rest stops, biffies, it’s all documented. 2006 will be Patt and Irene’s final year, and we would like to have a Watermelon Chair(s) in training in 2006 to take over completely in 2007 for at least two years.

Trails News

BIG MONEY: As you probably know, the $286 billion, 5-year transportation bill passed Congress, as mentioned in the last issue. Congressman Jim Oberstar’s district in northeast Minnesota got $120 million, including $16 million to work on the Mesabi, Munger, and Gitchi-Gami Trails. $800,000 is now available for a bike/ped bridge over Hwy. 169 in Onamia on the Soo Line Trail.

TWIN CITIES MONEY: A recent PIONEER PRESS article highlighted the organization Transit for Liveable Communities, based in St. Paul. The group was chosen by Congress to distribute a $25 million grant in the metro area over the next four years to improve walking and biking options. First funding will not arrive until next summer. St. Paul will be looking at extending several bike trails. Featured in an accompanying photo were TCBC members Augie Muller, Tony Stifter, and Andy and Judy Emerson biking on the Gateway (and fixing a flat).

ST. PAUL: The promised work has been taking place on the walking/bike paths along Mississippi River Blvd, mainly between Summit Avenue and the Hwy. 5 bridge. Repaving was done in spots to fix cracks and erosion on this path, one of the most heavily-used in the Twin Cities. The city hopes this will last 5-8 years. (The Boulevard also has a bike lane for southbound traffic, which some bikers use.)

GATEWAY TRAIL: Design work is now being done on a bridge or tunnel to cross County 12 east of Mahtomedi. (This has always been a bad crossing with limited visibility.) $400,000 has been bonded by the state to widen and repair the trail by two feet from County 12 to the end at Pine Point Park, about six miles. Also, the Gateway will be on a detour route through North St. Paul for a couple of years starting next summer, because Hwy. 36 is being reconstructed nearby.

Gitchi-Gami Trail Growing
By Doug Nelson

The Gitchi-Gami Trail is an official paved non-motorized state trail paralleling Hwy. 61 from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. A few more miles in various sections are built each year, and now a lot more federal money is on the way as part of the transportation bill! Here are a few notes from their newsletter and a few observations – I was on the North Shore recently and biked some of the segments.

Some of us will remember the old Split Rock Century ride, mainly from biking from Duluth to Split Rock and back in the 1980’s. A tunnel was built through Silver Creek Cliff in 1994, and the old road along the rocky edge overlooking Lake Superior was discontinued. However, it has now been repaved as part of the Gitchi-Gami. It’s only 0.6 miles, but it brings back the memories! ( I remember doing it once with lightning hitting nearby.) It’s just as easy to part at the north end (beyond the tunnel) and walk up to the very nice overlook. This was the original Hwy 61 alignment which opened around 1924.

An 8.4 mile stretch from Split Rock River (western edge of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park) reaches to Hwy. 4 at the eastern edge of Beaver Bay and is very well-paved, with plenty of safety railings. There are some large hills and curves in the state park! Awfully scenic though. Some of the trail follows right along 61, and some goes through woods and isolation. You can easily stop at the lighthouse or the Trail Center if you like. Many parts of the trail are being built in state parks first because it’s easier for jurisdiction and ownership issues.

Four miles of the trail just opened between Schroeder and Tofte. Some uses frontage road. It’s 2.5 miles from the east side of Tofte to trail’s end just past Chateaux Leveaux. There’s a mile gap by Tofte/Bluefin Bay. Coming from Duluth, this section starts on the inland side of 61, just beyond the road to Father Baraga’s Cross. This is a beautiful segment through Temperance River State Park, crossing nicely over the walking/Superior Hiking Trail bridge over the Temperance. I was impressed at this woodsy and somewhat rolling stretch. There is a spur paved trail from the park office to connect with the trail.

A 3-mile segment under construction will connect Gooseberry Falls State Park with the trail bridge at the Split Rock River, which will total 12 miles to Beaver Bay. There is also a 1.5 mile segment in Grand Marais. Stretches near Silver Bay and Lutsen should be worked on next year, and maybe more.

In a few years they will really have something, with longer segments of the trail, and tourism will certainly benefit! The Trail Association’s website is http://www.ggta.org.

Mileages and Stats

What an amazing year it has been! More than 120 people are already over 1000 TCBC miles so we may be setting some individual and group records. 156 riders participated in Saturday’s WOW rides. About 140 did the All-Club Ride on Sept 3, and many of us got rained on before the end!

Here are the TCBC mileages from November 1, 2004. The participation year for these figures, as usual, ends on October 31.

WOMEN
4160 Mary Nelsen
4117 Patt Seleen
4115 Katie Angle
2835 Kate Kovar
2831 Cindy Hanson
2716 Susan Evan
2525 Mary Derks
2519 Lisa Dust
2507 Irene Erickson
2323 Red Rider
2315 Kay Mitchell
2215 Sue Blum
2198 Liesa Miller
2079 Julie Dillon
2055 Kristine Poelzer
1893 Rebecca Lawrence
1739 Evie Walters
1725 Kristi Linder
1600 Mary Miller
1559 Julie Van Mersbergen
1520 Susie Anderson
1512 Diana Cohen
1496 Catherine Fritter
1460 Dona Devine
1450 Leann Plinske

MEN
7193 Tony Stifter
6214 Lee Thielman
5330 Jeff Johnson
4891 Michael McNutt
4848 Richard Franco
4312 Mike Nizielski
4101 Steve Block
3501 Scott Larson
3485 Hugh Gitlin
3257 Jeff Hofstede
3148 Garry Glubka
3129 Charles Breer
3089 Kim Lundin
3075 Mark Gregory
3025 John Pugh
2845 Mike Bennett
2601 Dan Miller
2558 Bob Hoffman
2470 Jim Pederson
2429 Jim Joy
2398 David Pettit
2333 Jim Angle
2315 Bill Corty
2301 Rich Swenson
2223 Bill Simon

TOTAL RIDES: Seleen 122, Nelsen 109, Angle 101, Kovar 94, Mitchell 89. Stifter 197, Johnson 159, Thielman 149, McNutt 136, Nizielski 130.

SINCE THE LAST LISTING: It’s now a virtual tie amongst the three women, with Nelsen jumping way up into first. For the men, defending champ Stifter has increased his lead considerably, with Johnson climbing into third.

YEARS OVER 1000 TCBC MILES: Dick Hartmann now has reached 23, and Meg Schaefer leads all women and is fourth overall with 19 years.

YEARS OVER 2000 MILES: Sue Blum now has 11, tied for second and only one year behind Eric Kuno’s record of 12. Bob Hoffman has 9 years, and John Gamradt has done it 8 times.

YEARS OVER 4000 MILES: Mike Nizielski has reached 6 years, one year behind Tony Stifter’s record (which Tony just set this summer).

Welcome to These Recent New TCBC Members

Aeling, Mark
Aizpuru, Rick
Boorsma, Pam
Bourdage, Alex
Brakken, Jane
Cahill, John & Christine
Ciadelli, Jerry
Cohen, Bob
Crossen, Nancy
Essex, Louellen
Frechette, Steve
Giesecke, Daniel
Hagemann, George & Barbara
Hagerty, Bill
Hansen, Dan
Hanson, Rob
Hays, Joe
Hilf, Heidi
Hobert, Kim
Kiesling, Stacey & Greg
Koser, Jon & Renae
Kriauciunas, Pam
Lindeman, Ronald
Muehlbauer, Mary
Nelson, Dianne
O’Connell, E.T.
Rosenstein, Marty
Sironen, Diane
Smaagaard, Craig
Stark, Bart
Teoh, Kuan & Heidi
Tordoff, Jamie
Williams, Wendy
Wydra, Larry & Jan

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