ÿþM i c r o s o f t W o r d - p . 1 . d o c
Transcription
ÿþM i c r o s o f t W o r d - p . 1 . d o c
SLO Coaster May 2008 Volume 38 Edition 5 San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club Newsletter To promote safe and legal riding of bicycles and encourage bicycle riding as an acceptable mode of transportation The Presidents Message By Frank Mullin Wildflower I moved here late in 1998 from Los Angles. For several years I had been looking around at various areas to see if I would want to live there. But I wasn’t finding anything that I liked. Then in 1998 I took up cycling again (I had cycled for a couple of years in the 70’s but gave it up when I first moved to Germany and then Thousand Oaks where I had a 35 mile commute to work). This caused me to add the feasibility to cycle year around to my new home criteria. After considering Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara, I finally decided to give San Luis Obispo a try. I rented a house in Pismo Beach and have been living in heaven ever since. What a lucky break for me! When I moved here I was doing 3 or 4 25-mile rides per week. I found a club newsletter at a bike shop, went to a couple of meetings and decided to join. Bruce Collier had just become president and Glen Gold had taken on the job of chairing the Wildflower. Listening to the members talk about this ride, I became determined to get strong enough to ride a century – it would be my first. I found a nifty table in a Bicycling magazine that suggested good ways to train for your first century and I began to prepare. In the weeks before the event, I even drove to Creston and did portions of the route. The Wildflower route in 1999 consisted of riding out 229 to 58, left to Huer Huero, right to Parkhill, back to 58 for the long trip to Shell Creek before getting to Shandon. On the return, we passed Creston and went into Atascadero on South El Pomar before returning on El Pomar. I really enjoyed the challenges of the route. It was a beautiful day when we did the route that year. All was really going well for me. The people and food at all the rest stops were all so very enjoyable. Then I got to the lunch stop and was absolutely blown away! There were several hundred riders being cared for by a team of volunteers and it was all going so smoothly. How could anyone organize such a complex operation? It was then that I really fell in love with the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. The rest of the ride was a little more difficult because the wind picked up and it was in our face all the way to Atascadero. Moreover, I was now getting tired. But I managed to tag along with another rider and we continued to grind it out until we finally got back to Creston and the wonderful BBQ put on by the Creston VFD. What a wonderful experience that was for a first time century rider. After seeing all the club members out there slaving away to help me enjoy this wonderful experience doing the ride, I decided that I wanted to be part of that team in the future. So, when the Lighthouse rolled around, I volunteered to captain a rest stop in Cambria and had another wonderful time being on the other side of the table meeting all the riders racing through as they enjoyed the ride. I think I have volunteered for each of the rides since then and have enjoyed the experience every time because I’ve gotten to do it with this great bunch of members of the club. It’s now mid-April as I write this. By the time you read it, however, this year’s ride may be history. Hopefully it was cooler than last year! But I know we are better prepared for whatever happens because of the contingency planning we’ve done and the formation of the logistics team which is to be prepared to handle emergencies, should they occur. Moreover, with the late, but ample rain we’ve had, there will be plentiful wildflowers to beautify the route. All in all, I’m also sure that the 1300 riders that signed up to do the ride will have had an enjoyable day basking in the vistas and being catered to be the fantastic group of club member volunteers that do such a wonderful job yearafter-year. Thank you all for making this all happen!! Volunteers are needed for our annual picnic on Saturday, August 16! Most importantly, no one has stepped forward to chair the picnic and pick where the picnic will be held. Please contact me (FrankMullin@Charter.Net) if you are willing to take this on. We also need someone to take charge of the fun and games that always add to the enjoyment of the picnic. Unfortunately, if we don’t get any response by our next club meeting, then we’ll have to cancel the picnic. So if you enjoy the event, please come forward to ensure it is continued this year. The SLO Coaster www.slobc.org/Newsletter.html Pamela Nargie & Stu Goldenberg The SLO Coaster is the monthly newsletter for the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. It is distributed to all members, local bicycle shops and some bicycle organizations. No subscriptions are available to non-members. Circulation is approximately 500. All letters, stories of bicycling experiences, appropriate classified ads, artwork etc. are welcome. SLOBC Meetings Thursday,May 1,(7:.00PM):SLOBCMembersMeeting County Library, 995 Palm, downtown in San Luis Obispo. Refreshments are served before the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. See the back cover for information regarding the next meeting. Thursday, May 8, (6:00PM): Board Meeting Coast National Bank, 500 Marsh Street, SLO. All Club members are welcome to attend Board meetings. Special thanks to Coast National and to Ms. Carol Williams for providing this meeting place. SLOBC Contact Information Submittal Deadline: 15th of each month San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club. Inc. P.O. Box 1585 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Email submittals To: Pamela Nargie - nargie@calinet.com Stu Goldenberg - sgoldenb@calpoly.edu Club Hotline (answering machine) at 543-5973. Formats: Provide text in an email or as attachments in Word (.doc) Club Web Site: www.slobc.org Camera-ready material, including artwork, may be used as provided or edited in order to conform to our newsletter standards. Nothing will be accepted verbally. The newsletter is available on-line, so please indicate if you do not wish submitted material to appear on-line Table of Contents Presidents Message 1 General Information 2 The editor reserves the right to edit or reject material. Each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily represent the opinion or endorsement of the SLOBC or the editors. April General Meeting Minutes 3 Advocate’s Report 4 Safety Report 5 Evolution of the Aerodynamic Helmet 6 The Board of Directors Ride Calendar, Special Events, Meetings 7 Weekly Rides 8 Weekly Rides, Directions to Starting Locations 9 Directions to Starting Locations (cont), Ride Ratings 10 Announcements and Letters: Thanks you notes 11 Announcements: Central Coast Double, Bike Month 12 Announcements: Indulgence Ride, Pedaling … Past 13 Membership 14 Photos of the Month 15 May Program 16 President Frank Mullin 518-9003 Vice President Sharon Sutliff 544-4034 Treasurer Alston Paff 462-8662 Secretary Larry Rutter 784-9450 Ride Coordinator Mark Lyon 929-5998 Membership Chris Broome 772-5900 Advocate Dale Sutliff 544-4034 Historian Janie Goldenberg 544-4720 Co-Newsletter Editors Directors at Large Past President May 2008 Pamela Nargie Stu Goldenberg Warren Hockenbary Will Benedict Robert Davis SLO Coaster 434-1920 544-4720 474-4347 544-3504 772-0874 Page 2 General Meeting Minutes - April 3, 2008 By Joan Petersen You guessed it- “The Rutter” was absent so “The Petersen” filled in. Would it suffice to say that the meeting was called to order at 7:27 p.m. by President Frank Mullin, business as usual was conducted, a program was presented and adjournment was moved and approved at 8:57 p.m.? Probably not, so a few more details follow! Introduction of new members: Sharon “Fletch” Fletcher, sister (Anne Kelly's) Kate from Africa, and Hugo (sorry, didn't get the last name; please check directory) Clipboards: Warren Hockenbary - Interested in Bike Ed classes? sign-up. Mark Lyon - Indulgence Ride (Sept. 13) sign-up. Gail Davis - Wildflower Volunteer Brunch (April 27) signup. Tim Long - Wildflower volunteer positions still open. Frank Mullin – Club Picnic scheduled for August 16. Sign up for Chair and teams or no picnic! Approval of March 6, 2008 minutes: moved by Tony Leap/ seconded by Robert Fuller Davis Thank You: Greeters: Ken Price/John Long Refreshment set up – Mark Lyon subbing for Kathy and Harvey Cohon Refreshments – Sandy Pitt, John Long, Kathy (cookies from Poker Ride) Correspondence: Thank You from Shandon scholarship recipient Cody Kessler Announcements: Chris Fylling- suggested a bike tour of Nipomo Mesa greenhouse and floral growers open house on April 5. Brian Stark – looking for SAG drivers for 14th Central Coast Double on May 10th. Safety Director Warren Hockenbary: Reviewed “rules of the road” - again, after riding sweep during a recent ride; Signal when turning; signal when slowing or stopping; shouting “Car Back” and when pointing out road obstacles. If and when riding double, the outside person speeds up and gets in front of the person with whom you have been chatting. We all need to be cycling advocates! Kudos to Chris Fylling who took pictures of road hazards and sent them to the right people. The circled potholes were fixed! No Historian's report. No Newsletter editor, but we all know the deadline is 8 a.m. on April15th. No Wildflower Ride Chairs' report. Adam Fukushima, SLO County Bicycle Coalition: (1) Bike Ed class on May 17th. (2) Attended Federal Bicycle Summit in Washington, D.C. with Robert (Red) Davis. Had meetings with legislators Lois Capps and Kevin McCarthy. (3) Statewide Bicycle Summit on April 30 - May 1 in Sacramento; opportunity to meet with State legislators. May is Bike Month with T-shirt for commuter miles and movie, “Breaking Away”, at YMCA in SLO on May 9th . PROGRAM: Sam Rabourn, who had just driven in from Sacramento, took us on his two-year cycling tour of circumnavigating the four corners of the U.S. plus north into Newfoundland and back via a slide show, photo albums and talk. (Some awesome photography; not always about the trip!). Some of his thoughts about touring; experience the land using all your senses; it as about the people and their genuine hospitality; say Yes to everything to take advantage of some neat experiences; loved his black and white cat that traveled with him since Calgary, only to be killed the next day or two after arriving home in Atascadero. Gail Vanderline moved that meeting adjourn at 8:57 p.m.; approved by membership. Treasurer's Report: Anne Kelly for Alston Paff$105,735.01 May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 3 Advocate’s Report By Dale Sutliff SLO County Communities Are Planning For Expansion. Are They Providing For Bicycles? The magazine insert in the The Tribune at the end of March called “Living Here 2008” contained an excellent summary of each of San Luis Obispo County’s communities, with segments on “key challenges ahead”. The most commonly identified challenges are associated with development, growth, and water supply, with housing, parking, and traffic also cited more than twice. While the economy is taking a hiatus from growth, communities are continuing to plan for it. I attended the April SLO City Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting where the principal item addressed was the planned expansion of the Orcutt Area in the southeast part of the city. (This is a more than 250 acre area that may include more than 1,000 homes, commercial development, a school and park. The area is bounded by Orcutt Road, Tank Farm Road, and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. (For more information you can go to: www.slocity.org/communitydevelopment/oasp.asp). It was encouraging to see that the city’s Orcutt Area Specific Plan draft contains comprehensive bicycle provisions. Included are the extension of the Railroad Safety Trail to Tank Farm Road from its current endpoint at Orcutt Road, near Laurel Lane, with a bike bridge to cross Tank Farm Road, a Class I (separated) path running diagonally across the area along with Class II (bike lanes) along all major streets. A concern for efficiency and safety was shown by the BAC, and within the draft Specific Plan. The most contentious aspect of the proposal is a bike/pedestrian bridge crossing the railroad at Industrial Way. While this item was not supported by the landowners at the meeting, it was retained in the plan by the committee. The draft Specific Plan will next go the city’s Planning Commission for its action and recommendations to the City Council. This example illustrates just one of numerous planning efforts taking place in the County of San Luis Obispo and its communities. Bicyclists throughout the county need to be attentive to what planning is taking place and to assure that bicycle needs are an integral part of all planning decisions if we hope for our county to become a great cycling area for both commuters and recreational riders. When bikes are included each place is a better place – more attractive and efficient for everyone. Bikes R Us: A bike ride is the culmination of hundreds of thoughts and emotions and at times the complete absence of thought and emotion. (The Noblest Invention: An Illustrated History of the Bicycle, Editors of Bicycling Magazine, 2003). May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 4 Safety Director’s Report By Warren Hockenbary Revision of Ride Captain Safety Checklist About six month’s ago I distributed a preliminary Safety Checklist for Ride Captains to review with cyclists prior to participating in the day’s ride. My reason for encouraging the use of a checklist was to assure that everyone on the ride is initiating safe riding practices. Everyone, including newcomers, needs to know what is expected of them when on a SLOBC sponsored ride. I have received feedback from some Ride Captains and I have revised the Checklist, printed below, incorporating their suggestions. Please remember that this Checklist is printed on a small laminated card so it is convenient to carry on a ride. Do not confuse this Checklist with more detailed Safety Guidelines that are being developed and may eventually be included in the SLOBC Policy Statements. I ask everyone to become familiar with this Checklist and insist that the 11 points are discussed prior to every ride. Everyone wants our rides to be fun; an opportunity to talk with friends with a common interest in cycling. But, the most important part of a ride is that it be safe. Ride Captain Safety Checklist 1. Ride single file. If safe to ride two abreast, stay alert to approaching cars. 2. Point out road hazards. 3. Call out approaching cars “Car Up” and “Car Back” 4. Ride as far to the right on roads as practicable 5. Signal you intentions (Stopping, turning, slowing) and call it out 6. Get entirely off the road when stopping to re-group 7. Pass another rider only on the left and call it out “On Your Left” 8. Use your mirror and scan over your shoulder for other riders around you 9. Be predictable – Be alert – Be visible – Be assertive – Be courteous 10. Encourage fellow riders to practice safe riding 11. Obey all traffic laws Safety First May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 5 The Evolution of the Aerodynamic Helmet By Stu Goldenberg It certainly is important to know if a vehicle is approaching from behind, especially on a narrow road, or if riding in a group, side by side. We certainly don’t want to spill out into the road unnecessarily, becoming a hazard when a faster vehicle (car or truck) passes us. There are things we can do to help with awareness of approaching vehicles, like calling out about a car or truck approaching. Of course our response should be appropriate as to what is actually approaching. We can also use our own senses, perhaps with enhancements to be more aware of our surroundings. This might be a handlebar or helmet or glasses mounted mirror. Some people are more comfortable with one type than the other. There is a very real downside to the helmet mirror. After cycling for a while, when walking, one might find that he or she continues to look for what in behind in a mirror that is no longer there. approaching vehicle. The problem here is that the vehicle was already upon them by the time they heard it and moved over. Perhaps we should admit that, especially on higher speed roads, our ears are not as reliable as we would like to think they are, and should rely more on each other calling out about a vehicle approaching and also add a few extra grams to the weight of our bicycle-rider package and use mirrors. We can listen for approaching cars, which is what actually inspired me to write this particular edition of the Aerodynamic Helmet. We are not very fast riders. You can blame it on the small wheels on our bicycles, but the truth is that the blame lies with our bodies. The results of this is that we are often near the back of the pack where we can observe others ahead of us. The adjacent comic is motivated by what we saw. Everyone that was riding side by side did pull into the single file line when they heard the May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 6 May 2008 Ride Calendar By Mark Lyon Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 BW-LO Ride ThNR SLOBC Meeting 2 Breakaways Easy Friday Tortoises Yellowjackets 3 Slabtown Sunday 4 NC Brunch BW/LO Warriors 5 Breakaways Easy Yellowjackets 6 BW-LO Ride TNR 7 Easy Flyers Frequent Feeders SLO Pokes 8 BW-LO Ride ThNR Board Meeting 9 Breakaways Easy Friday Tortoises Yellowjackets 10 Slabtown Favorite 11 NC Brunch BW/LO Warriors 12 Breakaways Easy Yellowjackets 13 BW-LO Ride TNR 14 Easy Flyers Frequent Feeders SLO Pokes 15 BW-LO Ride ThNR Farmer's Market 16 Breakaways Easy Friday Tortoises Yellowjackets 17 Slabtown 18 NC Brunch BW/LO Warriors 19 Breakaways Easy Yellowjackets 20 BW-LO Ride TNR 21 Easy Flyers Frequent Feeders SLO Pokes 22 BW-LO Ride ThNR 23 Breakaways Easy Friday Tortoises Yellowjackets 24 Slabtown 25 NC Brunch BW/LO Warriors 26 Breakaways Easy Yellowjackets 27 BW-LO Ride TNR 28 Easy Flyers Frequent Feeders SLO Pokes 29 BW-LO Ride ThNR 30 Breakaways Easy Friday Tortoises Yellowjackets 31 Slabtown Special Events (Rain Cancels) Meetings Saturday, May 10 (9:00 AM) - Favorite Ride Series (Favorite) (B-4). Meet at Lompoc River Park. Ride out to Jalama Beach for a snack, then return. About 36 miles. Be sure to call if you plan to participate in case of late changes in schedule. Contact Frank Mullin (518-9003) for more information. Saturday, June 14 (8:00 AM) - Favorite Ride Series (Favorite) (B-4). Meet at Gazebo (AG). Do some south county hills including Printz, Ormonde and Prefumo, About 42 miles. Be sure to call if you plan to participate in case of late changes in schedule. Contact Frank Mullin (518-9003) for more information. Saturday, July 12 (7:30 AM) - Favorite Ride Series (Favorite) (B-4). Meet at New Frontiers (SLO). Cuesta Grade. Note 7:30 AM start time. Climb Cuesta Grade, then proceed through Atascadero to coffee at Cider Creek Bakery. Return on High 46, down Old Creek and then Highway 1. Lunch at New Frontier Market. The length is about 60 miles. Call if you plan to participate. Be sure to call if you plan to participate in case of late changes in schedule. Contact Frank Mullin (518-9003) for more information. Thursday, May 1 (7:00 PM) - General Membership Meeting (SLOBC Meeting). 7:00 PM at the Library at 995 Palm in San Luis Obispo May 2008 SLO Coaster Thursday, May 8 (6:00 PM) - Board of Directors Meeting (Board Meeting). Meet at Coast National Bank, 500 Marsh St (SLO). Thursday, May 15 (6:00 PM) - Farmer's Market Support (Farmer's Market). Support club's Farmer's Market booth (located in front of Novo's Restaurant at 726 Higuera Street) by handing out material to or answering questions from people interested in the SLOBC. One benefit of supporting this enterprise is being able to eat the wonderful food served at the market! Page 7 Weekly Rides (Rain Cancels) Sunday (9:00 AM) - North County Brunch Ride (NC Brunch) (B-2). Meet at Vanderlinde's House (Atascadero). A different route each week of 20 to 40 miles. It may stop along the way for breakfast, or hold off until the end of the ride - depends upon the route. Led by Glenn & Gail Vanderlinde (466-4221). Sunday (8:30 AM) - Sunday Baywood / Los Osos Ride (BW/LO) (B-2). Meet at Nazarene Church (BP). Casual pace to coffee shop in Cayucos and nobody gets left behind. Led by Jack Robison (528-3478). Sunday (9:00 AM) - Sunday Warriors (Warriors) (D-4). Show & Go from French Park (SLO). Distance 20-25 miles, with no big hills; this is a recovery ride from Saturday's effort. Monday (9:00 AM) - Breakaways Mondays (Breakaways) (C3). The ride departs from Damon Garcia Sports Field and is led by Russ Robinson (781-0903). Monday (9:00 AM) - Easy Riders (Easy) (B-3). These rides start from various locations in the North County and go to various destinations. The ride is generally decided the day before the ride, so call then. Contact Corry & Gerard Van Boheemen (239-0481) for more information. Monday (9:00 AM) - Yellowjackets SLO Rides (Yellowjackets) (B-2). Meet at Ben's House (SLO). Ride supports one riding group (pace, 12-14 MPH) to various destinations. Be on time because the rides leave at the scheduled time. Led by Ben Patrick (543-2803). Tuesday (8:30 AM) - Baywood / Los Osos Ride (BW-LO Ride) (B-2). Meet at Nazarene Church (BP). Casual pace and nobody gets left behind. The route will go North, South or East to some coffee shop (the route and destination are selected by consensus). Led by Jerry Lundstrom (528-1069). Tuesday (6:00 PM) - Tuesday Night Rides (TNR) (C/D-2). Meet at Gazebo (AG). Join one of three rides: Todd Fourdyce (20+ MPH), John Sasaki (18 MPH) and Donna Sasaki (15 MPH) will be your ride leaders. A knowledge of group riding skills or a willingness to learn are required. "We always go to dinner after the ride." Led by John Sasaki (4741417). Wednesday (9:00 AM) - Easy Riders (Easy) (B-3). See Monday Description. Wednesday (9:00 AM) - Flyers (C-3). Ride starts at various locations and times. 7 The ride departs from Gazebo (AG) and is led by Larry Bradford (474-8764). 14 The ride departs from State Park Marina (MB) and is led by Russ Robinson (781-0903). May 2008 SLO Coaster 21 The ride departs from Santa Margarita Park and is led by Glenn Vanderlinde (466-4221). 28 The ride departs from Santa Margarita Park and is led by Glenn Vanderlinde (466-4221). Wednesday (9:00 AM) - Frequent Feeders (B-2). Rides starts at various locations and times. 7 The ride departs from Santa Margarita Park and is led by Jay Johnson (786-8651). 14 The ride departs from French Park (SLO) and is led by Mark Lyon (929-5998). 21 The ride departs from Gazebo (AG) and is led by Gary Lewis (541-4333). 28 The ride departs from Lila Keiser Park (MB) and is led by Hal Severn (549-8267). Wednesday (9:00 AM) - SLO Pokes (A-2). These rides start at various locations and times. They are tailored for riders wanting to travel no more than 12 miles per hour. 7 Meet at Centennial Park (PR). Ride to San Miguel for coffee at the San Miguel bakery. Note 9:30 AM start time. Led by Bob Lindquist (595-7686). 14 Meet at Old Edna. Ride Price Canyon, Pismo, Avila, SLO loop, coffee at Woodstone Deli on the Bob Jones Bike Trail. Lunch after at Old Edna? Led by Stu & Janie Goldenberg (544-4720). 21 Meet at Beach Ramp (GB). Ride ride the Highway 1, Price Canyon, Corbett Canyon, Highway 1 loop, coffee at the Branch Street Deli. Led by Kathy Cohon (594-1249). 28 Meet at Nipomo Regional Park. Do the Nipomo Mesa loop, coffee at a golf course. Led by Helen Fylling (9340376). Thursday (8:30 AM) - Baywood / Los Osos Ride (BW-LO Ride) (B-2). See Tuesday Description. Thursday (6:00 PM) - Thursday Night Rides (ThNR) (D-3). Meet at French Park (SLO). Ride between 25 and 42 miles, depending on weather, interest and daylight. The routes will include AG via Corbett Cyn, Lopez Lake, Hi Mtn, and out to Huasna. Led by Gary Stansel (544-4079). Friday (9:00 AM) - Breakaways Fridays (Breakaways) (C-3). The ride departs from Gazebo (AG) and is led by Russ Robinson (781-0903). Friday (9:00 AM) - Easy Riders Friday (Easy Friday) (B-2). Meet at Railroad Station (PR). Distance will be 25 to 45 miles. The route, depending upon participants, will include an alternate extended leg so that a faster (15+ MPH) group is accommodated. Both will rendezvous at the same coffee stop. Regroups as requested to rest - or as necessary to wait for riders. There will be weekly reminders / routes sent prior to each ride. Led by Mike Duffy (meahal@sbcglobal.net). Page 8 Weekly Rides (Rain Cancels) Friday (9:00 AM) - Tortoises Introduction Rides (Tortoises) (A-1). This group is intended for people that just want to get out for a short, easy, slow ride. We will ride approximately10 miles and average 10 miles per hour. We will also try to minimize hill climbing. A coffee stop is included. 2 Meet at Gazebo (AG). Ride around parts of South County, lunch afterwards at the Stedman home! Led by Gini Stedman (473-8287). 9 Meet at Bethel Road Park. Ride around Templeton. Led by Bob Behnke (239-4042). 16 Meet at Bob Jones Trail Head. Ride around the Avila area. Led by Heulan and Eva Brown (595-2167). 23 Meet at Hardie Park (Cayucos). Ride out Cayucos Creek Road. Led by Stu & Janie Goldenberg (544-4720). 30 Meet at Sinsheimer Park (SLO). Ride to "new part" of Bob Jones trail. Led by Pat & John Rogers (544-3018). Friday (9:00 AM) - Yellowjackets SLO Rides (Yellowjackets) (B-2). See Monday Description. Saturday (8:00 AM) - Slabtown Rollers (Slabtown) (C-4). Meet at B&A Realty (Cambria). Variable itinerary, call for details. Led by Tom Parsons (927-5514). May 2008 SLO Coaster Directions to Starting Locations B&A Realty (Cambria) Take 101 to Highway 1 west, continue 34 miles to Cambria Rd, then turn left onto Main St. Continue 0.4 miles to B&A Realty on the left. Beach Ramp (GB) End of Grand in Grover Beach. Take 101 to Highway 1 off ramp in Pismo Beach. Go south 1 mile to Grand Avenue. Turn right into and go to the parking area. Ben's House (SLO) Take 101 to Los Osos Valley Road. Go east 0.5 mile to Higuera, left 0.4 mile to Tank Farm Rd, right 1.9 miles to Poinsettia St, right 0.1 mile to Alyssum Court, left one house -- Ben's house is first on left. Bethel Road Park Take 101 north to Templeton, exit at Las Tables Road, turn left 0.9 miles to Bethel Road, turn left one block to park on the right. Bob Jones Trail Head Take 101 toward the five cities. Exit at San Luis Bay drive. Go left on Ontario for 0.8 miles. Park in the lot on your left. Centennial Park (PR) Take 101 to Paso Robles. Exit at Paso Robles Street. Continue 0.7 miles to 13th Street, right 1 mile to Nickerson Street, right 0.2 miles to park on left. Damon Garcia Sports Field Take 101 to Los Osos Valley Road exit, east 0.4 miles to Higuera, left 0.2 miles to Tank Farm, right 1.5 miles to Broad, left 0.2 miles to the park on the left (across from Industrial Way). French Park (SLO) Take 101 to Los Osos Valley Road. East 0.5 mile to Higuera, left 0.4 mile to Tank Farm Rd, right 1.9 miles to Poinsettia St, right 0.4 miles to Fuller, left 0.1 mile to park (on the left). Gazebo (AG) Take 101 to Grand exit in Arroyo Grande. Go east (becomes Branch St) to Bridge Street. Turn right past Ira's Bike Shop and left into parking lot. Gazebo is halfway through lot on your right. Hardie Park (Cayucos) Take 101 to Highway 1. Go west (through Morro Bay) 19 miles to Cayucos Drive. Go west 0.2 miles to Birch, right to park. Lila Keiser Park (MB) Go north/west on highway 1 from 101 to Morro Bay. Take highway 41 off ramp and turn left. Go 0.1 mile and turn left into the park. Lompoc River Park. Take 101 to past Santa Maria to Clark Road, go west 2.2 miles to Rte-135, left 1.9 miles to Highway 1, south 20.1 miles into Lompoc, continue 0.4 miles on Rte-246, left into park. Page 9 Directions to starting Locations continued: Lompoc River Park Take 101 to past Santa Maria to Clark Road, go west 2.2 miles to Rte-135, left 1.9 miles to Highway 1, south 20.1 miles into Lompoc, continue 0.4 miles on Rte-246, left into park. Nazarene Church (BP) Corner of Santa Ysabel and South Bay Blvd in Los Osos. From 101, take Los Osos Valley Rd exit. Travel west for 9 miles to South Bay Blvd. Travel right about 1 mile to light, church is on your right. New Frontiers (SLO) Exit 101 at Highway 1 in SLO, go NW 0.4 miles to Foothill Blvd, left, then right into parking lot. Nipomo Regional Park Take 101 to the Tefft exit (10 miles south of AG), right 0.7 miles to Pomeroy Rd, left 0.1 mile, right into park. Old Edna From the north, take 101 to Marsh exit in SLO, turn onto March St for 0.4 miles, right 5.4 miles on Price (Edna) Street, right into Old Edna parking log. From south, take 101 to Price exit, continue 0.1 mile on Price Street, right 4.8 miles on Hinds Street (Price Canyon Road), right 0.2 miles on Edna Rd, left into Old Edna parking lot. Ride Ratings All scheduled SLOBC rides are designated as to PACE and TERRAIN to give riders a better idea of how hard or easy the ride will be. Here are the definitions (these are for road rides, unless otherwise stated). Pace AA Very Slow A Slow B Moderate C Brisk D Fast Terrain Less than 10 MPH. Regroups often. Waits for slowest riders 1 Generally Flat. About 9 to 12 MPH average. Regroups occasionally. (SLO Pokes) 2 Easy grades with some hills. Averages 12 to 15 MPH. Regroups every 30 minutes. Waits for slower riders (Frequent Feeders) 3 Rolling hills (North county hills such as Peachy Canyon) Averages 14 to 17 MPH. Regroups every 30-45 minutes. Waits for slower riders. (Flyers) 4 Hard hills. (Highway 46 from coast to Paso Robles) Averages over 16 MPH. Requires experienced riders and pace line riding. (Tuesday Night Rides) 5 Very challenging hills. Note: Both Pace and Terrain designations will appear in the descriptions of each ride and are the responsibility of the ride leader to follow. By the way, more than one designation is possible for some rides. When that happens, the Ride Leader is responsible to see that both groups have a leader. May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 10 Announcements & Letters to the Editors All letters received by the SLO Bike Club will be reprinted as space allows. Please submit your letters to Pamela Nargie’s email: nargie@calinet.com and copy Stu Goldenberg at sgoldenb@calpoly.edu in Word format. Every effort will be made to print them all in their entirety. Your letter may be edited for space and format but not for content and acceptance for publication is at the discretion of the editors. Thank you, Pamela Nargie & Stu Goldenberg Hello, We have recently returned from two weeks of tandem cycling in SLO County. We had a wonderful trip and it is all due to your club. While deciding where to go for our early season warmup vacation we Googled "cycling central California coast" and your club website came up. There were ride descriptions by your former fearless leader Red Davis as well as numerous ride cue sheets with descriptions and elevation profiles and numerous club rides every day of the week. We figured SLO County had to be a great place to ride. We stayed in Morro Bay for two weeks and rode with the club 5 times. Three times with Jerry Lundstrom and the BW/LO group. What a group that was - recumbents, uprights and even a trike. The group - Jerry, Mike, Jay, Dan, Will, Garry, Tony, Jack, Jim and Liz were all welcoming and helped get us acquainted with the rides in the area as well as the bakery in Cayucos. We also rode once with the Yellowjackets and Ben Patrick and enjoyed talking and riding with Jerry and Russ, who recommended that we get out to Shell Creek Road for the wildflowers, which we did. Thank you Russ. We also attempted to ride with the Breakaways on a Monday morning with Jeff, Scott and Steve. They were very kind to us and got us out to Lopez Lake before we told them to go on without us. For us it was the beginning of our cycling season and we were not able to keep up the pace but we had a beautiful ride up to Hi Mountain Rd and got some more advice on where to go. We also rode 7 days on our own - San Miguel, Paso Robles, Old Creek Road, Ragged Point, Foxen Canyon, Drum Canyon, Peachy Canyon, Montaña De Oro. For these rides we depended on Red Davis' narrative descriptions as well as cue sheets and maps from the "Favorite Ride Series." Thank you for welcoming us to your cycling paradise. We will be back. Patrick and Mary Clark Middlebury VT April 5, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for choosing me as one of the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club Scholarship winners. This award has helped me pay for my college utilities, which nowadays are really expensive. I wanted to fill you in on what you might be asking yourselves what I have been doing with my education. Well, I have been going to Cuesta College since my graduation in June of 2007. I am taking my general ed classes so I can soon transfer to a CSU or UC. I have also decided to achieve a Master's Degree in Interior Design. With the help of my parents and this scholarship I plan to accomplish my dream of becoming a role model for my family and community. Thank you all once again for selecting me as one of your scholarship winners. Sincerely, Maria Elena Ramirez May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 11 Announcements & Letters continued: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE CENTRAL COAST DOUBLE Positions still need to be filled for some of the rest stops and SAG, also checking in riders at the end. SAG drivers will be reimbursed for gas. All volunteers will receive a T- shirt, ride patch and dinner at the North County Christian Church in Paso Robles. The ride is on Saturday, May 10th. For further information please contact Brian Stark. Home phone (805) 239-4397 Cell Phone (805) 459-2856 Work Phone (805) 549-0161 E-mail bmstark@tcsn.net 3rd Annual SLO Community Happening & Bike-In Movie Come for a “Wheel Experience” at the 3rd Annual San Luis Obispo Community Happening & Bike-In Movie. This free FamilyFriendly, Bike Month event will take place on Friday evening May 9th, 2008. Bring your bikes to the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza meeting location at 6:30pm. At 7:00pm ride leaders will take the group on a courteous downtown bike ride and then to Johnson Park by way of the Morro Street Bicycle Blvd. and Railroad Safety Trail. There will be prizes, food, and refreshments at the park before the 8:15pm showing of the movie Breaking Away, on the YMCA’s white wall: Lawn seating, dress warmly, and bring your lights for the ride home. Secure bicycle parking will be provided by SLO Bike Valet. Visit the Bike section on the www.rideshare.org website for the event calendar that includes this and the other great Bike Month 2008 Wheel Experiences. This event is brought to you by: SLO County Air Pollution Control District, SLO County Bicycle Coalition, SLO YMCA, SLO Chai, Gus’s Grocery, Cambria Bicycle Outfitters, Peak Racks, and SLO Bike Valet. For more information contact Andy Mutziger at 7815956. The Land Conservancy’s Restoration Bike Ride Sunday, May 18th 9-11am (Adult Ride) Meet at the Bob Jones Trailhead at Ontario Rd. Ride with us as we tour various restoration projects in the SLO Creek Watershed. The ride covers nearly 14 miles but brief stops will be made at six different sites where riders will learn first-hand about The Land Conservancy’s work. The route travels busy public roads; Helmet & waiver required. This event is part of SLO County Bike Month 2008. Check out additional bike-related events at: http://www.rideshare.org Thursday Night Farmer’s Market Booth Location Change Our booth downtown on Thursday nights is no longer in front of Kevin Main Jewelry. We are in front of Novo's, and Kevin has moved up Higuera a block for earthquake retrofitting. May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 12 Announcements & Letters continued: Indulgence Ride is coming………. Join us for our annual Indulgence Ride. If you have your name on the list but have not paid, the trip is nearly full. Please send a check. I will take participants that have paid first until the coach is full. Saturday, September 13th 6:30 am, we will load our bikes on our bike trailer. Then we will depart San Luis Obispo on a beautiful motor coach. After a drive up the coast we arrive in Marina. We will mount our bikes and ride down the Monterey class one bike path into the former Fort Ord. There we will meander through the new BLM back country. There are no cars allowed! Next we get back on the Recreation Trail and head for Monterey. We stop for lunch at Bird Rock, on the beautiful 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. After a wonderful lunch we head for Carmel by the Sea, then Carmel Valley. If time permits, and you want to continue riding, we can ride out to Point Lobos State Park. We will have a hot shower at the Carmel Middle School Gym. After our shower we will gather on the coach and ride to a nice Mexican Restaurant on the ocean and Cannery Row. Our trip home will take about 2 hours. We should be back in San Luis Obispo by about 9:30 pm. Cost is $35, not including dinner. To sign up, send a check payable to SLOBC. The distance is either 32 or 49 miles depending on your choice of routes. There are few hills on the short route and one challenging hill on the long route. Contact for more information – Mark Lyon 1071 Olympic Way Nipomo, CA 93444 lyonm@charter.net (805) 929-5998 Pedaling Through the Past By Janie Goldenberg, Historian May 2008 The May 1999 SLO Coaster contained the following article written by Bob Garing, the Historian at that time. Some people just don’t understand the joy of touring by bicycle. It was May 4, 1983 at the Roadside Rest near Gila Bend, my goal for the day. The temperature was 95 in the shade, and there was no shade, when I stopped to fill my water bottles. I was riding my bicycle from San Luis Obispo, California, to Tucson, Arizona, about a 900 mile ride. I had done the ride several times, so I knew where I could fill up bottles. The Arizona dry heat can be easily taken care of by squirting water on your back and shoulders. I was at the fountain when a brand new yellow air conditioned Cadillac pulled into the diagonal parking slot. A young woman got out and I could see that she was immediately struck by the 95 degree temperature as compared with the Cadillac’s comfortable 70 degree air conditioned interior. She saw me, a sweaty 63 year old man in bicycle attire, in the middle of the hot Arizona desert. She was startled. “Why are you doing this?” I said, “I’m going home to visit my Mommy and Daddy, as I do every year.” May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 13 SLOBC Membership News By: Chris Broome The expiration date of your membership is printed above your name and address on the cover of this SLO Coaster. A lot of memberships expired on January 1st and yours might be one of them. A renewal form and instructions can be found on the SLOBC website at: http://www.slobc.org/ApplicationForm.html Note that you now have options for receiving the SLO Coaster and the Membership directory by email, in printed form or not at all. You can check off the options you want on the renewal form. If your membership is current, just send an email to membership@slobc.org indicating how you prefer to receive the publications. If you live in SLO County, or Santa Maria, and you have recently renewed, please pickup your new membership cards at the monthly meeting. We only mail new cards to members who are outside the area – this saves the club a lot of time and money. May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 14 Photos of the Month Birthday Rides Anne Kelly and Stan Cherman Joan Petersen Chris Fylling May 2008 SLO Coaster Page 15 General Meeting May 1, 2008, 7 PM City – County Library 995 Palm Downtown San Luis Obispo Jeri Roberts of Pacific Wildlife Care will give a presentation about local wildlife. Come meet some of the organization's rehabilitated fauna. "Jack" the Merlin falcon San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club P.O. Box 1585 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406