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TCBC NEWS: November - December 2006
What's in this Issue?
President's Letter
I’ve seen the season’s first snow showers, just days after riding in short sleeves, and I have to confess that the thought of rides in sub-freezing temperatures is daunting right now. It’s one thing to start a ride in the morning when it’s in the 30s or 40s and then have it warm up during the ride, but as soon as the temperature falls into the 20s and stays there, it’s a whole different situation. Our fingers and toes may lose feeling, our eyes may water, our breathing is different, and there could be snow and ice on the road. Sometimes, the fluid in our water bottles freezes and it may be hard to see when our glasses fog up.
We had a very full summer of wonderful rides, followed by an equally glorious fall, so why could I possibly be thinking about recommending winter rides? For one thing, living in Minnesota, we don’t have much choice in the matter. Some of us enjoy winter sports, but sports such as cross-country skiing are very weather-dependent and local conditions haven’t been so good lately. Another alternative is to ride indoors, but while this can help you stay in shape, it’s clearly not the same as outdoor activity. It is also possible to travel to warmer places to ride during the winter, but for most of us, it’s costly and complicated to actually do this. So if you don’t want to completely abandon bicycling during the cold months, I encourage everyone to give winter rides a try at least once.
First of all, I should be clear that I don’t consider winter riding to be the same activity as bicycling when it’s warmer. I approach it with a different mindset and think of it as something to do outdoors (with TCBC friends, of course) that represents a different kind of challenge. I don’t expect to get a serious aerobic workout in winter riding and in any case, for me there is a built-in time limit when it gets really cold, which means rides are not much more than 25 miles or 2 hours in duration. You just have to be able to get past the first 10 minutes or so, when the biting cold can sometimes seem intolerable. After that, we usually warm up and it’s possible to enjoy the ride. I still haven’t figured out why the self-generated wind chill always feels so much colder on a bike than while skiing, but somehow it does.
The main challenge becomes getting the right clothing to stay warm enough, but not too hot. Marina Lim provided some excellent tips in the October TCBC NEWS – the only thing I would add is some comments about the bike itself. I ride a heavy mountain bike with fat tires and fenders throughout the winter and sometimes change to tires with studs on them. Not only does this provide the necessary traction, but the added weight of a mountain bike provides a bit of a workout and also slows you down so the wind isn’t quite as chilling. Then when you switch back to your smooth-rolling road bike in the spring, you’ll feel incredibly fast. The best thing of all, though, is the sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed a winter ride on a particularly cold day. It seems like you’ve cheated nature and snuck in a ride when no one was looking. Not to mention the feeling of relief and warmth when you roll back into the parking lot and the cold wind stops.
So, I hope to see some more of you out there this winter to join the ever-growing group of “regulars” who go on winter rides. We expect that TCBC ride leaders will once again offer a regular schedule of winter rides, mostly on weekends, but also on some weekdays, so you should have plenty of chances to try it out. You’ll usually find me at Think Spring at 11 AM on Sundays (starting in December). Check for web rides on the schedule too.
Charles Breer
TCBC President
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 19. 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/2006leaders.html
* 1 vote per single membership; 2 votes per household membership
* Deadline to vote is December 31, 2006. (No voting will occur at the banquet.)
Click Here to view a list of 2006 Ride Leaders and instructions on how to vote online
IN BRIEF
NEXT TCBC NEWS DEADLINE will be Monday, December 11. This will be for the combined Jan-Feb issue.
ON A TCBC RIDE SEPT. 29: “I was riding with Herb Schultz’s group from Faribault towards Waterville. I took a nasty spill on a bridge deck close to Waterville. I was multi-tasking, eating while riding, and I lost control. Thanks to my fellow riders (Herb Schultz, Catherine Fretter, Karen Johnson, and John Avoles), I was well taken care of. They temporarily bandaged me up and then located a clinic and stayed with me until I was patched up. Then they got me back to my vehicle so I could get home and begin healing up. They were all wonderfully helpful. God Bless Them! My lessons learned: don’t multi-task while riding – if I want to eat, drink, or answer my cell phone, simply STOP. Be extra careful using my front brake (the food was in my right-hand/back brake). Also, ride leaders should do what Herb did – carry some basic medical supplies and know how to use them.” (Tim Bischke)
AFTON STOP: Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour in Afton, one of the oldest ice cream stores in Minnesota, is for sale. Owner Laine McGee will close for the winter soon and she hopes Selma’s will reopen under new ownership next spring. The shop and the neighboring Run-a-Muk outdoor restaurant are on the market. Many group rides use Afton, usually Selma’s, as a rest stop. How about some TCBCers buying it up? What a great opportunity for retirees!
A recent PIONEER PRESS story profiled Mike Heikes, a bicyclist from Fergus Falls who got seriously into biking after a brain injury. He has ridden his bike in every state in the country, and has ridden more than 150,000 miles since 1990. He raises money to provide free bike helmets for kids, more than 2000 so far.
ON YOUR RIGHT: This year, a traffic psychologist named Ian Walker rode a bike fitted with a computer and an ultrasonic distance sensor around streets and roads in southern England, and recorded how closely 2500 vehicles were from him when they overtook and passed his bike from behind. Some findings: drivers passed 3 inches closer to him when he was wearing a helmet than when he was not; the average car passed 4.4 feet away from the bike, the average truck 7 inches closer, and the average bus 9 inches closer; drivers gave him an average of 5 more inches when he was wearing a wig (appearing to be a woman from behind) and not a helmet. (This of course does not mean that cyclists should exchange wearing their helmets for wigs.) Walker was hit by a bus and a truck when conducting the experiment; thankfully he was wearing a helmet both times.
COOLING IT: September was the first month since May 2005 to average below normal temps in the Twin Cities, about 1.5 degrees. Since then every month was even or had above-average temps. And by October 12, we had flurries and frigid temps in the Twin Cities and cross-country skiing in Upper Michigan.
BikeAzona
Need a winter getaway or Spring Break? Come join us for one of our BikeAzona weeks in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. For both weeks the rides will start on Sundays and wrap up on Saturdays, February 18-24 and again April 1-7. The routes will be planned for the A/B rider with 50-60 mile days. Some routes will offer shortcuts for self-sufficient B riders or extra miles if you just need to go for more. Rides will start in North Scottsdale or will require a short drive to get out of town and into the desert. All routes will be on paved surfaces or bike trails. Most of the rides will include climbs out of the valley with a sweet downhill return to the ride start. Bring your climbing legs and we’ll offer you the option of the ascent of South Mountain.
Want a day off of the road bike? Mountain bike rentals can be arranged, or take a desert hike. How about a round of golf (you’re on your own there) or a spring training game? So much to do and so little time.
Rooms and meals will be on your own, though we’ll plan a Saturday night dinner to kick off each of the weeks. Let us know if you need suggestions on places to stay. Want to ship your bike out? We would be happy to have you send them to us or we can help make arrangements with a local bike shop. Hope to see you in Arizona this winter. Kate Kovar and Jim Pederson katekovar@hotmail.com, jimpederson@gmail.com, 480-515-0714 or 763-234-5180.
Bayfield Wisconsin biking
During September and most of October the Chequamegon Peninsula around Bayfield WI is an ideal place to bike. The boreal hardwoods are blazing in their autumnal garb, apple orchards are being harvested, the clear air makes for exceptional views of Lake Superior and temperatures during the day are in the perfect 60-70 degree range. You’ll find a modest network of low traffic, paved county highways, a stretch of smooth tar through the Chequamegon Natl. Forest and some terrific hills close by the tiny town of Bayfield.
Here are a couple of suggested routes. (Please refer to the map for several of these routes):Sand Bay Loop 27miles.
Follow highway 13 N from Bayfield through Red Cliff. After another mile and a half look for County highway K with the brown sign for “Little Sand Bay” Natl. Park Headquarters. Turn right on Co. K and enjoy some soft rolling hills for about 3 miles. Take the right hand turn down Little Sand Bay Road and take it all the way to the beach and small marina at the Lake. Here you are out on the end of the peninsula with views of big Sand Island, York to the East and secluded Eagle island, a bird sanctuary at the western most edge of the archipelago. There’s a water fountain and bathroom in the park compound. Leave by the same road and return to Co. highway K taking a right at the intersection with Little Sand Bay Road. You will climb to a height of land with good views and swoop down past the Town of Russel Community Hall, 2.5 miles to St. highway #13. Turn left on the highway and proceed about 2 miles looking for Turner Road at the crest of a rise. Highway #13 north of Redcliff receives very little traffic but there is no paved shoulder so maintain a single, safe pace line. A right turn on Turner Road which is new, smooth pavement will give you some fun for several miles leading to a T intersection with Co. highway J. At J you can choose to turn left and descend gradually all the way back to highway #13 just north of Bayfield, or take a right on J and climb up through the apple and cherry orchards to the top near Superior View Orchards. (And it is indeed a superior view). I you’ve chosen this reward, follow J to the right when you come to a 4-way stop at the intersection with Star Route Road and Hatchery Road. Now, you can fly down into town again, completing your circle with a short right hand turn on highway #13 at the bottom of Co. highway J. This is the weekly route taken by a group of road riders from Bayfield who depart from the bike shop on Manypenny Ave. (“Bayfield Bike Route”) every Thursday at 5 PM. You are welcome to join them.Star Route Road 20 miles:
This ride is an “out-and-back” ride but it is so hilly and curving that biking on it in both directions can seem like 2 different roads. It is a paved version the old stage coach route from Bayfield to Cornucopia, passing through mature hardwood and hemlock forests that offer the biker psychedelic visions during leaf change season. It sees very low traffic but visibility is limited and caution is advised.
Leave Bayfield south on highway #13. Climb to the right on Co. highway J. Steady climb to a 4-way stop. Go straight through the intersection and you are on your way. About 8 miles after the intersection you descend Butterfield Hill and drop down into Belanger Settlement, a tiny, peaceful community on the edge of the township. Shortly after you pass St. Anthony’s church (now a restored community building) the road turns to gravel. With touring tires you can continue 8 miles to Cornucopia but with narrow road tires and fragile aluminum bikes you will “dead-head “ and return to Bayfield by the way you came.Brinks Road NF 236: 40 miles
For this ride you may want to obtain Bayfield County Highway map, free from the bike shop or from the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce. The route will take the peloton through 25 miles of the Chequamegon National Forest on a little or no traveled, newly paved road. It passes several lost lakes (maybe for a short dip?) and continues up to the Moquah Barrens, a wild area preserved to demonstrate the barren, scrubby ecology that is the natural course of the high peninsula.
From Washburn (12 miles S of Bayfield on highway #13) take Co. highway C north about 10 miles to Valhalla ski trail head. After the Valhalla entrance climb the hill and look sharp for a left hand turn on the only paved road available. It’s about 1.5 miles beyond Valhalla and signed with “NF 236” to Ino and Highway #2. If you’ve driven in your car to this point, you’ll find a little pull-off to park on. The route begins here and gently rolls south some 22 miles south and west to highway #2 at the Ino Bar. With the county map you can find your way back to Washburn by using some of the same county highways that are used for the Superior Vistas Bike Tour held each June. Otherwise, simply turn around and return on #236. I guarantee you’ll not be disapointed.Recognition Corner
RECOGNITION CORNER
THIS MONTH, WE RECOGNIZE:
HERB SCHULTZ
C RIDE LEADER & INSPIRATION
For tirelessly leading countless C rides in a variety of interesting locations, always welcoming new riders, while sticking to the level of the ride and ensuring rider safety, all with cheerful and contagious enthusiasm. This past summer, Herb’s positive energy inspired at least one new rider to renew his addiction to bicycling and become a stronger rider.
We encourage any members to pass along the names of fellow TCBC members who deserve appreciation for anything that is worthy of recognition. Just send your suggestions to any TCBC board member or to recognition@biketcbc.org.
Trails and Routes News
GATEWAY TRAIL: Work continues. As of this writing, County 12 is once again open, passing over the tunnel the trail will take under the road, but the trail tunnel is not open. From Jamaca (County 9) to County 15, the trail has been repaved and widened, with a center stripe put in, and can be ridden again. (Thanks for the news, Ron Plinske!) The trail is supposed to be fully reopened by mid-November, weather permitting.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER: A new trail to be built in the next five years or so will be part of a 23-mile connection extending from Minneapolis to Elk River. Some parts are already done or run along roads, such as the Riverfront Regional Park and the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Planning is moving forward on the 7.5-mile part from the Rum River in Anoka to the Anoka County line in Elk River, with a 10-foot asphalt trail running between the east side of the Mississippi and the west side of Hwy. 10. It will connect to other regional and local trails and pass near or through parks. The Metropolitan Council is the final step in approval, expected in early 2007. The trail will be eligible for a variety of funding.
Upcoming Events
BONFIRE RIDE: In Britain, November 5 is celebrated as Bonfire Night in honor of the failure of a plot to blow up Parliament in 1605. In St. Paul, Minnesota, we figure: what the heck, fire’s pretty cool. So on November 4, we’re going to ride our bikes and then have a bonfire of our own. (See schedule for details.)
Traditionally, the English set bonfires to remember the occasion, and to burn Guy Fawkes (an organizer of the 1605 plot) in effigy. There was also some religious undertones to events prior to the mid-20th century.
Because TCBC is a nice and peaceable lot, burning of the organizer in effigy is strictly not permitted, and all are welcome. Those who wish to avoid the whole ‘riding’ thing may join us at about 5:00 to set fire to things over at the firepit near the Como West Picnic Grounds, or contact Julie in advance if you might be willing to stake out the pit and get jiggy with the lighter prior to the ride’s end. (Note that no TCBC insurance is provided for activities involving the bonfire.)
REMINDER: TCBC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
We hope you’ll join your fellow TCBC members at the Annual Membership Meeting, where we elect TCBC Board Members, recap the past riding season, and review TCBC financials. Of course, you’ll have a chance to share desserts and socialize with your riding buddies before and after the formal meeting.
Date: Sunday, November 5
Time: Dessert potluck at 5:30 PM -- Meeting from 6-7:30 PM
Location: Brooklyn Center Community Center
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center
(At junction of I-694 & Shingle Creek Parkway)
WELCOME TO NEW TCBC MEMBERS
Here is a listing of those who became new members of TCBC since our last listing. Welcome to the club!
BAILEY, ANGELA & JEFF
BARKER, THERESA & CHINSOO
BIRARDI, KATHRYN
CLARK, SHARON
COHEN, PHIL
COWLES, SHARI
FEINSTEIN, ZACHARY
FITCH, REBECCA
GREGERSON, KEVIN & JAN
HOPKINS, DON
JENSEN, IRENE
JOHNSON, KEVIN
LONG, SHARYN & MARK
LOWE, MARGARET
LUETHOLD, PETER
MARTIN, PHIL
MATHESON, SONET
MORROW, BRENT
PARSONS, CRAIG
SAGEL, JEREMIAH
SHAW, MICHAEL
TOMASZKIEWICZ, TERI
UTIN, SERGE & MICHELLE
VAN AMERONGEN, LECIA
WALLNER, MARIE
WEINBERG, SCOTT & JULIAMILEAGE LEADERS AND STATS
Many records are being set this year. As of this writing, 189 people are over 1000 official miles on TCBC trips, 80 are over 2000, and 39 are over 3000, so we have already broken the group records we set last year. The participation year ends on October 31, so more reports will be added to these totals for the final listings to be discussed and honored at the Recognition Dinner in January. Congrats to so many riders! Please continue to get those trip reports in.
WOMEN
7339 KATIE ANGLE
4650 MARY NELSEN
4182 PATT SELEEN
4022 JULIE DILLON
3800 SUE BLUM
3734 SUSAN EVAN
3486 KATE KOVAR
3441 KIM MYERS
3308 LISA ANDERSON
2956 LIESA MILLER
2944 MARY MILLER
2881 BARBARA LANDIS
2843 KAY MITCHELL
2788 SUSIE ANDERSON
2688 CINDY HANSON
2647 KARI SANDSTROM
2632 MARY DERKS
2336 EVIE WALTERS
2317 LISA DUST
2288 TERRY HEADLINEMEN
7952 LEE THIELMAN
7069 RICHARD FRANCO
6314 JEFF JOHNSON
5593 RICHARD MILLER
5588 MICHAEL MCNUTT
5392 TOMMY IRVIN
4802 MIKE NIZIELSKI
4734 TONY STIFTER
4598 HUGH GITLIN
4473 STEVE BLOCK
4471 MARK GREGORY
4267 SCOTT LARSON
3981 CHARLES BREER
3895 JIM JOY
3785 MARKUS BOHLER
3758 GREG THOMPSON
3722 BOB HOFFMAN
3638 GREGG ERICKSON
3625 STEVE PEARSON
3599 DAVID PETTITTOTAL RIDES WOMEN: Angle 181, Nelsen 122, Seleen 120, Mitchell 113, Kovar 109, Evan 108, Dillon 102, M. Miller 92.
TOTAL RIDES MEN: Theilman 182, Johnson 177, Franco 175, Irvin 172, McNutt 166, Stifter 146, Nizielski 142, Block 128.
TOTAL RIDES LED: Herb Schultz 117, Paul Huntington 109, Kay Mitchell 56, Cindy Hanson and Clareyse Nelson 50, Pete Hall 46, Susan Evan 43, Evie Walters 41, Jim Joy and Joel Stenoien 34.
TOP TEN RIDES FOR SEPTEMBER
9/2 All-Club Ride 176
9/4 Birthday Beauty 44
9/13 Whole Enchilada 35
9/8 TGIF 34
9/4 Pink Express 33
9/24 Fabulous Fall Fun 32
9/1 TGIF 31
9/15 TGIF 31
9/4 Great Riv Meandr 30
9/16 Root River 30SINCE THE LAST LISTINGS: Angle’s lead remains unsurpassable, with Nelsen increasing her hold on second place. For the men, Thielman doubles his lead over Franco with Miller moving up into fourth.
YEARS OVER 1000 MILES: Andy Hartle now has his 15th year.
YEARS OVER 2000 MILES: Shelby Miller has reached 10, tied for fifth all-time.
YEARS OVER 4000 MILES: Tony Stifter has made 8 to extend his all-time record, and Mark Gregory now has 5.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Angle and Franco have become the 14th and 15th members of the all-time 7000-mile club.
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 GlubkaOTHER 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
