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Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club N e w s l e t t e r August 2000 |
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Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club N e w s l e t t e r August 2000 |
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This month:
• Members thanked • Government Report • Headwaters ride update • A non-cyclist's view • Around the world report • Members • Want Ads • Kettle Valley trip Other bicycle information
• Rideline: • Headwaters Century: Sept. 10 • Free want ads |
Anne Heller
TWBC President
The Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club is an organization that rolls along not on its “wheels," but on the hard work of the many people willing to donate their time and energy and imagination to furthering bicycling interests and enjoyment.
With the election of new officers at the June general meeting, it is time to thank both those people who gave so generously of themselves in the past and those people willing to take over the responsibilities in the coming year. Departing Board members are Steve Brown as president, Jack Woods vice president, Ernie Stephenson past president, Karin Stephenson treasurer, Connie Reitzug touring captain, Ralph Wessels special events and Dorian Smith newsletter editor. This group of people contributed greatly to making the Club an organization that effectively promotes cycling while providing bicycling opportunities to the hundreds of members of the Club.
New and returning Board members are John Campbell as vice president, Reggie Tison secretary, Joy Roelofsz treasurer, Carol Davis touring captain, Jim Powell newsletter editor, Bob Myrick government affairs and Janice Jensen special events. Steve Brown accepted the promotion to past president.
Our club is much more than board members, however. It is the hundreds of members who do the work to make the sponsored rides a pleasurable and financial success. The Club is:
• The person who leads the 10 mile, 1A ride and the person who leads the 90 mile 4D ride.
• The person who fits helmets on children for Helmets on Wheels.
• The member who spends an afternoon working at Bicycle Expo.
• The person who sends out the email, designs and maintains the website, updates the rideline, stuffs the envelopes and maintains the membership roster.
If you are not currently doing any of the above, consider contacting a Board member for ideas about how you can contribute. The Club depends on people like you to accomplish its mission of promoting safe, enjoyable cycling opportunities in our community. Besides advancing the cause of cycling, you will find it is a great way to meet people who share your interests.
Ralph Wessels
TWBC Events Coordinator
On Sunday, September 10, TWBC will host the Headwaters Century which starts at the Enumclaw High School.
This ride was previously held in the Spring by the Green River Bicycle Club until they disbanded two years ago. TWBC will host the Headwaters as a Fall event. The ride has options of 40 mile, 100 K, or 100 mile routes.
TWBC received glowing comments in the past for the quality of our rides. A big factor in this are the volunteers.
There are currently 20 positions remaining to be filled. Volunteers will receive one of the souvenir ceramic mugs, get to ride for free, and have lots of fun as well.
On August 14th at 7PM at Jan Brame’s home there will be a Headwaters Century meeting.
Contact Jan at 759-6984, Her home is located at 1209 N. Anderson street in Tacoma. If you would like to volunteer to assist in this event, please contact Ralph Wessels at 857-5658.
So don't be shy, give a call today!
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Government report bob myrick |
I have learned finally how to group addresses together so don't be surprised if you get a message urging you to attend a meeting in your community.
University Place: On July 17, I have urged UP members to attend a City Council meeting at 7:00 P.M. where the subject of neighborhood trail connections will be discussed.
Kathryn Schultz (565-7079) has requested that a non-motorized trail connection be created for her neighborhood so that people can walk or bike to the City Hall area. Presently, her neighborhood is forced to use 67th Ave. W. for access to and from the neighborhood.
They live just east of the City Hall area and a foot path would allow them access to Bridgeport Way and beyond. There are several other trail connections be requested as well. It is important for supporters to attend the meeting because many of the neighbors are afraid for their peace and tranquility.
On July 10, I attended the City Council public hearing on the possible conversion of 67th Ave. W from a 4 lane arterial to a 2 lane arterial with a turning lane and bike shoulders. It seemed to be about 2/3 or more in favor of the conversion for a one year test period.
It was great to have Janice Jensen and Matt and Connie Reitzug there together with Karen Comer to advocate on behalf of cyclists. I believe the City Council will approve the test and it should be successful as speed reduction and accident reduction will be used as the criteria for evaluating the test project.
Tacoma Avenue Angle Parking: Carla Gramlich talked with Councilman Kevin Phelps about this proposal. He seemed to feel the business community was demanding this parking. Carla explained our concern for safety.
I later spoke with several downtown cyclists and they pointed out their is no turning lane on this stretch of road so motorists will be slowed down by cyclists trying to ride in the lane since they can't use the turning lane as a passing lane. We don't want any more road rage or any accidents so Duncan Parks will try to attend a City Council meeting and voice our concern.
Carla is attempting to contact the local Neighborhood Council who apparently have been left out of this decision making.
Narrows Bridge: Duncan, Carla, and Steve Brown at tended the public meeting on Government the bridge layout and design. They advocated a possible better link to the future Cushman powerline trail near the existing golf driving range since a series of drainage ponds will be constructed and maintained at that location.
Some members are still concerned about the connection on the Tacoma side since it will terminate on Jackson Ave. They want the existing neighborhood and other visitors to have access to the water and to the land under the bridge like they presently enjoy.
There will be a Shoreline Permit hearing for the Tacoma side of the bridge on July 20 at 9:00 A.M. We will be there or try to submit written comments.
Bike Racks: We have received a grant from the Northeast Tacoma Neighborhood Council, but bike lid type lockers are not presently available for purchase. We will pursue this matter over the next few months.
Bicycle Alliance of Washington: Anne Heller, our president, will be requested to attend a special meeting on August 6 from 9:00 A.M. to noon at REI in Seattle to consider a new charter for the BAW legislative advisory committee. We are advocating a return to the Town Meeting type format where all interested parties can participate and vote on positions and questions of vast importance. Then, the Executive Director and the Lobbyist can make the day to day decisions during the legislative sessions with guidance as they see fit to obtain from different interested and affected members.
Statewide Bicycle Route Network: Scott Pierson has volunteered to write a report outlining how a system could work based on the meetings of an ad hoc committee of interested persons. The report would have an executive summary explaining the need and proposed solutions. Hopefully, the report can be presented to the State's Transportation Commission for their acceptance and approval of such a program.
SR 167 Environmental Impact Statement and Design: Bob Cook is a member of the citizen committee advising on this proposed project. I will be interviewed as a person of interest on Monday, July 17. Several TWBC members including Milt of Milton have contributed significantly to the discussion relating to saving the existing and future bicycle roads and trails through this area. Hopefully, our situation can be improved as a result of this project.
As indicated last month, the next meetings of the TWBC Governmental Affairs Committee will be held at 7 P.M. on Tuesdays, August 8, September 12 and October 10 at the Shakabrah Java restaurant. Hopefully, someone will volunteer to write these reports because I will be travelling with Steve and Phyllis Lay during August and September. I should return sometime in October. Please continue to monitor your local government actions and advocate for cyclists' rights as the need arises.
I have watched in awe (and sometimes in horror) the many times poor Ernie has gone where no cyclist has dared to go before- and really had a tough time of it. Often I have thought, "Hmmmm... if he had this, or was equipped with that,..." it really got my head to spinning (oh no- here we go again!). What if . . .
Cyclists could "retro-fit" their cycles with the following assist devices:
• Heated saddles, for those many cold-weather rides... completely body-temperature controlled.
• For those who need motivation to do a REAL workout: remove saddle altogether.
• Handlebar mounted GPS system... for those who tend to get lost in the woods frequently. Push a button, and "This is OnBike... How may I...oh, it's you, Ernie..."
• Doppler radar for spotting on-coming cycle chasers (this includes dogs).
• Doggy-snack "whirlybird" distributor, which with the flick of a switch, would automatically distract any would-be ankle-nippers.
• Quick-inflation Airbag, to help cushion those annoying end-overs.
• On-frame oxygen tank with pop-up mask, for high-altitude climbing.
• Laser beacon to change the traffic lights from red to green, as you approach an intersection.
• Police siren, to clear out slower traffic ahead of you.
• Multidirectional laser-guided, handlebar-mounted pepper spray. Just "point and click", and the offending animal is history. Distance and spray force will automatically be calculated.
• Special saddle attachment for those "long rides" where there just isn't any place around to heed Nature's call. Or- you simply don't want to take the time to stop. Fully equipped with discreet, personalised design "waste pouch".
July 4:
Peace here still fragile. Helicopters up last hour, scouting neighborhoods where "Orange" patriots are agitating to march and hassle Catholics. Security around key points and small gray armored police vehicles (Belfast Taxis) on patrol seem oddly out of place where 95 percent of community appears totally normal and functions with apparent disinterest. A distinguishing border between the Republic and Northern Ireland has vanished.
July 5:
Riding north through Belfast toward the Stena ferry, 0600 hrs, I pull left down the Shankill Road to see what all the fuss is about. Having come north along Victoria Street, approaching the heart of the city, one intersection adjacent to a broad paved area where several streets merge into one crossing.
The space is cluttered with wooden pallets and old tires, accumulations of litter and piles of accumulated debris. Dying fires of revelry and rebellion smolder untended, still blocking major sections of this central thoroughfare. One presumes that city sanitation people will hasten to tidy up when the duty whistle sounds. Otherwise rush-hour won't be rushing anywhere on more than two wheels.
Broken glass hazards our path together with chunks of pavement and other improbable missiles, now scattered evidence of midnight mayhem.
A detour of discovery brings me directly into the heart of UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters) territory - Shankill Road. British banners, flags and pennants festoon almost every building and lamp post. Curb sections are painted red, white and blue, the militant colors of Protestant Ireland.
Large murals and graphic insignia paint a harsh presence and swift reaction by the resident "battalion." Red and black, hooded and armed, the eyeless stares of hateful avengers peer with leering menace from the windowless walls.
This lower middle-class two story brick townhouse neighborhood shows a fearful face of hatred - dressed for the duke of doom or a mardigras of madness. This is a community seized by some compelling need to signify.
One imagines, at this hour, that people are stirring inside their dwellings for a new day of normal activity. But outside the streets are deserted. It is 0608. I am off my bike, kick stand down, pulling my camera from the handlebar bag, when a small blue sedan pulls around in the middle of the street.
A slightly pudgy fellow, mid-thirties, rather pale and nervous, gets out.
"Good morning," I offer.
"G'mornin'. What do ye think of that?" referring to the territorial tattoo boldly painted and detailed across a brick wall by the sidewalk. This is territory of the 2d Battalion, UFF, armed and ready - when the toast is up.
But for the two of us, no one else is seen.
"Well, it looks like someone doesn't approve." I motion toward a splatter of sky blue paint, still glistening and wet from a recent assault, and near miss, against the battalion's declaration.
"Isn't that St. Patrick¹s Cathedral over there?" I ask, nodding toward a pair of prominent gray spires several blocks south.
"St. Peter's," he notes.
"Of course." I recall, corrected.
"It's Catholic, isn't it?"
"Yes, and I'm Catholic."
"Ye didn't see anything, did ye?" A tone slightly off his question.
"What?" I ask, unsure of his meaning. He is opening a rear door on the car.
"Ye didn't see anything?" As - apparent purpose revealing - he retrieves a container from the seat.
"Look," I say, "You don't have to do this on my account." I have distanced to a hasty reserve of innocence for self and camera, assuming a posture lacking my intention to photograph his. He throws his missile. It breaks against the wall, oddly cushioned from within, and cracks again, striking the pavement and coming to rest.
His paint bomb was produced as ineptly as hurled. I feel some relief, though in sympathy - and it would have made a great before/after photo. I am also a little ashamed that I was too slow to realize the moment as an instant opportunity to appeal for reason in the long twilight that lies ahead.
I pedaled off toward St. Peter's for a brief look. Entering the Catholic neighborhood through a pair of huge iron gates, tall, spiked and hinged to close and wall their resilient bastion of faith, I was surprised by the contrasting absence of any display of flags. Directly in front of St. Peter's was the burned out shell of a Protestant church, derelict for some time before it was finished by fire four years ago, all for reasons unknown to me (quite possibly abandoned by is parishioners, who surely lived elsewhere. With no knowledge of related facts, I could only observe that it was regrettable that its presence could not have endured as a bridge toward reason over the troubled waters that still flow.
My next detour brought me into another defined Catholic neighborhood.
Here, two large murals depicted recent and past events of historical moment: the 1845-49 potato famine, and street scene of normalcy with two people reading newspapers headlining matters of current offense.
Parked in a cul-de-sac just around the corner from one painting was a "Belfast Taxi" (doubt if anyone else calls them that), a small armored police vehicle with thick glass and heavy gauge screens for windows and lights above gun ports. Waiting for solar warmth, light and relief, pending any from a human source, were three policemen clad in blue and wired for radio assistance.
Relaxed and casual, they allowed me a photo and reassured me that the trouble of the previous night, and week, were seasonal. I parted with good wishes, wondering what seasons may come, but recognizing that much of the manifest disorder recoiled from the cranial muscles of youth buying peer regard and having a good time of it to simply raise hell. Unfortunately, in my view, insufficiently progressive Protestant will furnished altogether too much excuse, traditions notwithstanding.
Proceeding further toward the ferry, I came to Brougham Road. Here was plenty of evidence, still smoldering and wet in the street: paint missiles and spent pavement chunks - truly serious weapons even to those shielded by fiberglass and padding, attempting to hold a line of civil order. Some days earlier, a sweet but square-jawed gentleman, walking with his lady by the Giants Causeway, asked if I was American. Offering to the happily received affirmative, he reassured, "I'm very glad to see you, and we're not all crazy over here, you know. Please tell your friends at home."
Karen Nye
(253) 756-0167
Address: 1902 N Madison
Tacoma, 98406
WANTED TO BUY an adult 17" hybrid - comfort bike with front fork suspension. Would prefer seat suspension, too.
Claire Hagens
(253) 752-0857
FOR SALE Green Trek 1200 Road Bike 49 cm Ritchie clipless pedals, Shimano RSX components, Aluminum frame, chromoly stem. About 200 miles. $600.
Carla Gramlich
About five years ago, I heard about the Kettle Valley Rail-Trail in South Central British Columbia. Steve Brown and I spent a long weekend in that area exploring the trail to see if we could do a week of touring.
The day we rode down the trail and encountered our first trestle, we knew that it would be a few years before we could do the trip. That trestle was high over a river and didn't have any decking or handrails. The route would include more bridges in about the same condition. I filed it away possible trip in the future.
The time is now. I found an internet site by the author of the book "Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway". This site had new information by Dan Langford that some 18 trestles have been decked and handrails have been added. I went back to the book and used the latest information from his site to put together six days of biking the trail.
We will head northeast on Saturday, August 26 to Midway BC, southeast of Penticton BC. On Sunday, August 27, will head up the trail about fifty miles to Beaverdell, BC and stay in the oldest hotel in British Columbia.