Sep - Twin Cities Bicycling Club

WOW! The club recently held its
annual Weekend on Wheels (WOW)
ride in Winona and Julie Kosbab, WOW
Coordinator, did not disappoint! She
promised beautiful bluff-top scenery,
air-conditioned apartment-style
dorms, and a delicious meal on the
lakeshore and she wasn't bluffing!
Nice job, Julie!
The ride, our 28th annual, drew
approximately 125 people from the
metro area, outstate MN, Wisconsin,
Illinois, and South Dakota. While many
riders were veteran WOW participants
(with a few riders having ridden most,
if not all, previous WOW's), a
surprisingly large percentage were
first-time WOW riders. It was great to
see so many new people there, as their
enthusiasm brings new energy to the
event!
Thanks to everyone who participated.
The gathering of friends, both old and
new, made the weekend very
enjoyable!
On a separate note, you may recall
seeing a survey in last month's
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
IN SEPTEMBER
WE RECOGNIZE:
newsletter regarding whether you
prefer to receive club news and the
ride schedule online or via a hard copy
newsletter. THANK YOU to those of
you who have responded to the
survey. Your input is helpful in
determining member preferences. If
you haven't yet had a chance to
complete the survey and would like to
do so, just go to www.biketcbc.org and
click on 'newsletter survey'. Watch an
upcoming newsletter for a summary of
the results.
Until next month,
TCBC President- Mary Derks
WEEKEND ON WHEELS
VOLUNTEERS
JULIE KOSBAB, CHAIRPERSON
JON KOSBAB • DAVID GEPNER
HUGH GITLIN • TONY STIFTER
For their superb organization of this year’s 28th annual Weekend
on Wheels (WOW) ride in Winona, MN. The routes, food and
accommodations were all fantastic and enjoyed by the 125+
participants on this year’s ride.
JOB WELL DONE! THANK YOU
MIKE BEADLES • KRISTI LINDER
KRISTINE POELZER
For representing TCBC to the nearly 1,500 people in attendance
at Target’s “Get Yourself Connected” fair, an event which
encourages Target employees to get involved in the community
organizations.
We encourage any member to pass along the names of fellow
TCBC members who deserve recognition for anything that is
worthy of recognition. Just send your suggestions to recognition@
biketcbc.org. Thanks!
in brief
NEXT TCBC NEWS DEADLINE will be
Monday, Sept. 8.
HALLOWEEN RIDE will be Saturday,
October 25. Details in the next issue.
TCBC ANNUAL MEETING is being
scheduled for Sunday, November 2.
TCBC recently had 1600 members,
probably an all-time high.
TCBC was featured in an article
in a new bimonthly magazine called
Home Life: Real Living in the Twin
Cities. President Mary Derks was
interviewed.
TCBC ANNOUNCEMENTS! Do you
want to be in the know on all the latest
and greatest TCBC news, last minute
deadlines, etc.? If so, consider signing
up for TCBC's Announcements, an
e-mail sent to members 1-2 times/
month with information from the
club's leadership on upcoming trips &
deadlines, volunteer opportunities,
etc. If you're not already signed up
and would like to do so, just send an
email message to membership@
biketcbc.org from the email address
you want to receive the messages at
and we will get you signed up! Oh,
and make sure your spam system
accepts messages from Twin_Cities_
Bicycling_Club@mail.vresp.com.
To learn more, go to http://www.
biketcbc.org/documents/
AnnouncementSystem
WEATHER NEWS: The summer so far
has been warmer and drier than
normal, with July two degrees above
normal, the warmest month above
normal since November. With less rain,
and only six 90-degree days so far, it
has been fairly good for biking and not
many rides have needed to be
cancelled.
SAFETY MANTRA: Your editor has
come up with a safe biking saying
which he has not shared with the
public yet: Helmets Always,
Headphones Never. Use if you dare.
TATER TOUR, which had been
promoted in this newsletter for
September, has been cancelled.
ACCIDENTS: In Wisconsin during 2007,
there were 1200 vehicles crashes
involving bicyclists but only 11
bicyclists died.. According to the
League of American Bicyclists, 773
bicyclists were killed in crashes in 2006
nationwide.
BIKE POWER: In June, the U.S.
Conference of Mayors adopted a
resolution to more fully integrate
bicycling into society. It was co-
Mpls Mayor R.T. Rybak
sponsored by Mpls Mayor R.T. Rybak,
among others. It notes that "more than
200 cities throughout the U.S.,
representing more than 35 million
people, have committed to
implementing bicycle-friendly action
plans" According to the resolution, the
U.S. could save 462 million gallons of
gas per year if Americans increased by
just half a percentage point the
number of trips they make by bicycle.
Due in part to a $1.2 million
federal grant, some roads in
Roseville, Falcon Heights, and
Lauderdale will get safer biking and
walking connections, with
construction supposed to start next
summer. They include: Fairview from
Larpenteur to County B2, Larpenteur
from Fairview to Fulham, and Gortner
from Larpenteur to the intercampus
bike route between the St. Paul and
Mpls campuses of the U of M. This will
connect Rosedale to the St. Paul
campus, and via the transitway, to the
Mpls campus.
PARIS FASHION: About 20,000 Velib
bicycles are in service in Paris, easy to
rent and fairly affordable, with more
than 1400 self-service rental stations.
They are a big success, with 27 million
trips in the first year, many of them for
daily commutes. Significant problems:
traffic congestion, safety, vandalism,
and theft - at least 3000 have been
stolen, twice the original estimates.
The three-speed Velib, specially
designed and built by a French
company, weighs nearly 50 pounds
and each costs $3460. Other major
cities, including American ones, are
exploring similar projects.
PRESIDENT
Mary Derks 651-335-6505
maryderks@yahoo.com
VICE PRESIDENT:
Pete Hawkins 763-786-3792
pmh706@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Katie Angle 763-208-3595
Katie.jim@comcast.net
TREASURER
Tony Stifter 651-490-0070
Doctonic@juno.com
MEMBERSHIP
Dave Erick
membership@biketcbc.org
NEW MEMBER COORDINATOR
Garry Glubka 651-303-2207
newmember@biketcbc.
SCHEDULE COORDINATOR
Jim Pederson 763-234-5180
Schedule@biketcbc.org
LEADER LIAISONS
Pete Hawkins & Patt Seleen
leaderliaision@biketcbc.org
RIDE STATISTICS
Richard Franco 651-246-3863
Ridestats@biketcbc.org
WEBMASTER
Webmaster@biketcbc.org
TCBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Lisa Austin 651-698-2498
Laustin@visi.com
Mike Beadles 612-839-5406
mrbikey@gmail.com
Charles Breer 651-699-2029
Charles.breer@comcast.net
Garry Glubka 651-303-2207
GGLubby@comcast.net
Kelly Hazel 612-588-3653
Kellyhazel@msn.com
Laurie Holm 612-724-8850
Laurindaholm@hotmail.com
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Doug Nelson 651-639-9917
News@biketcbc.org
ADVERTISING
Kristine Poelzer 651-633-1127
Ads@biketcbc.org
ART DIRECTOR
Steve Scott 763-560-5646
stevescottdesign@comcast.net
DEADLINES - usually between
the 4th and 10th of each month
for the next month’s issue
TCBC NEWS is published by
the Twin Cities Bicycling Club,
formed in 1993. Mail and checks
can be sent to: TCBC, PO Box
131086, Roseville, MN 55113
TCBC NEWS IS PRINTED ON
100% RECYCLED PAPER
Description
A A/B B B/C C N MB R
Very
Strenuous
Strenuous Brisk Moderate Relaxed Night Mountain Strenuous
Approximate average speed 18 mph* 16 mph* 14 mph 12 mph 10 mph 10 mph Various 12 -20 mph
Rest stops about every
TCBC RIDE CLASSIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION
leader’s
choice
20–30
miles
15–20
miles
10–15
miles
RIDE DESCRIPTIONS on the TCBC web
site or in the TCBC Activity News give
important details about rides. Be sure
to check these descriptions carefully.
They may list special situations or
conditions that apply to a ride, and
they are the most accurate description
of TCBC rides.
AVERAGE SPEEDS The speeds listed
in the ride key are average speeds
maintained for the entire ride, not
the minimum or maximum speeds.
To maintain the average ride speed,
riders will ride far faster and far slower
at times. While not required, a cyclecomputer
is helpful to judge average
speed. In some situations, leaders may
feel the conditions justify a slower
average minimum speed.
FASTER OR SLOWER RIDERS or self–
sufficient riders are welcome on
all daylight rides, but the type and
degree of leader support depends on
the ride type.
RIDE LENGTH Be sure to check the
ride description on the TCBC web site
or Activity News for the distance of the
ride. There may be longer or shorter
rides of any ride type. Ride length is
10–15
miles
10–15
miles
Various
Rider fixes own bike 4 4 4 4
Leader helps rider fix bike 4 4 4 4 4
Leader rides anywhere 4 4 4 4
Leader rides at the rear of
those riding at published level
4 4 4
Leader rides at the rear 4 4
Leaders at both front and back 4
All riders are required to wear a helmet and should carry a spare tube, patch kit
and pump. Night rides require front and rear lights *Riders may ride faster or slower.
A VERY STRENUOUS Fast paced, most difficult terrain, and/or longer distance.
A/B STRENUOUS Swift, more difficult terrain or longer distance.
OUR CLUB The Twin Cities Bicycling
Club (TCBC) is the Twin Cities’ largest
recreational cycling club. We typically
appeal to adult, intermediate cyclists
who like group riding but don’t race.
We ride mostly on low-traffic roads
and use maps. We generally don’t
mark our routes or sag our rides. Please
use the ride key to choose rides suited
to your abilities.
HELMETS: Must be properly worn and
fastened by everyone on all TCBC rides
and must be ANSI or Snell-approved.
TOOLS: Carry these on your bike: tire
levers, a pump, spare tube, patch kit.
WATER: You should drink water
before you ride, and carry water with
you on the ride, drinking frequently.
AT THE RIDE START: Arrive early and
allow time to get yourself and your
equipment ready, sign the registration
sheet, and (if you are not a member)
pay the leader the trip fees. All bike
trips list the time the trip actually
departs from the start. There will be a
briefing by the leader.
DAY TRIP FEES: NO CHARGE for TCBC
members & families, $2.00 for nonmembers,
$4.00 for each non-member
family. Pre-registration isn’t necessary
unless stated.
MOUNTAIN BIKE (MB) RIDES
Mountain bikes are required for MB
rides. Protective glasses are highly
recommended. MB rides may require
more protective clothes. Muddy
30 miles
Social with emphasis on riding. A good choice for experienced riders.
B
BRISK
Generally intermediate or greater pace, terrain or distance.
Social emphasis, but for those with riding experience – generally intermediate
B/C MODERATE
pace, terrain and distance.
Easier for a more laid back time. Perfect for newer riders– slower pace and flatter
C RELAXED
terrain, shorter distance.
N NIGHT C pace, social, safety stressed, front and rear lights required.
TCBC offers various A, A/B, B, and C Mountain Bike ride classifications.
MB VARIOUS
See TCBC website for MB ride key and other details.
Long distance “brevet” ride with time limits and required checkpoints.
R RANDONNEUR
Randonneurs USA rules apply ( see rusa.org ). Cooperative spirit.
not necessarily the same for the same
ride types.
LEADER SPEED Leaders may choose
to ride slower than the Minimum
Average Riding Speed on any ride.
Leaders may choose to ride faster than
the Average Riding Speed on all A and
A/B Rides.
LEADER SUPPORT will be available
only to those who are riding at or
above the minimum average riding
speed on B and B/C rides. Leader
support will be available to all riders
on C rides.
terrain may be common. There will
probably be NO water available, so
bring two full bottles. Experienced
TCBC road riders new to mountain
biking should select MB rides at
least one Ride Type lower than they
normally ride “on-road.”
SPECIAL NOTICE
Any non-bicycling TCBC activity
or any Outreach Ride listed in
this newsletter or on our website
is not covered by our insurance
provided by American Specialty
Insurance Services, Inc.
2 SEPTEMBER TCBC NEWS www.bikeTCBC.org TWIN CITIES BICYCLING CLUB
TWIN CITIES BICYCLING CLUB www.bikeTCBC.org SEPTEMBER TCBC NEWS 3