TACOMA WHEELMAN'S CLUB NEWSLETTER
634 North Howard, Tacoma, Wash 98406

JANUARY 1977

FOURTH ANNUAL ENGINE HOUSE #9 FIREWHEELERS FROSTBITE TOUR OF TACOMA AND UNANIMOUS REELECTION

OF THE PRESIDENT is scheduled January 9, 1977 to meet at 12 noon at the Engine House #9.

The tour is scheduled to cover approximately 22 miles of Tacoma, including legendary hills, - both up and down. Tentative arrangements have been made to include a gathering of the

participants for refreshments in the 2nd floor quarters in order to accomodate the under

age participants. Firewheelers patch is available for $2.50.

or ak ta ek nC ae et nt ey at rt kat 0nd ne mt eet ke Oo ans OS on

PRESIDENT......... BOB DAHLKE......-4> 858-8289
VICE PRESIDENT,.,.CHRIS BUCKNER...... 759-6745
SECRETARY.....-..+MARY ANN WILSON....

TREASURER,......--STEVE NEWTON....+-. 565~3859
TOURING CAPTAIN,..DOROTHY KEENE......858-8774
RACING CAPTAIN....GARY SINGLETON..... 474-3523
BICYCLE ACTION....DAN FELDHAUS....... 752-0794
NEWSLETTER. .....+-BRUCE SPONG...--+++ 472-3201

RALEIGH - PEUGEOT °
CANUCK CANOES

558-2245

BICYCLING WITH JACK (by Mary Ann‘Wilson) :

"Hi, Mary Ann, this is Chris. I wasn't going to tell anyone this, but since you're doing the story for the newsletter ----".

"Oh, no, he had a crazy accident", I thought.

"A pig chased me when I was riding ahead of you guys and he beat me!" i

A pig! Chris finally met his speed match in a pig. The farm animal spotted Chris barrelling along and decided to outrun him. An ensuing race the entire length of the farmyard left the pig the winner! Chris was extremely disconcerted, and I could see him shaking his head in confusion, even as we laughed about it over the phone.

"The last thing I saw was this curly little tail sticking up out of a favorite mudhole:"

Thank you for a wonderful day, Chris! You did a beautiful job of charting and leading one of the most scenic and enjoyable rides that we have pedalled.

Our trip on Sunday, December 12th was to the Green River Gorge, through mountains,
farmland, sunshine and forest. Green River Gorge really is green, even at this time of
year, with new grass and ferns growing everywhere and green moss climbing up the bark
of the evergreens. I didn't begin to see color, however, until the initial series of
hills was well behind us.

Qur ride began with one winding, steady hill. One portion of it was so steep that many of the riders chose to walk their bikes for the short distance. Well, I hadn't walked a hill yet, and thts one was going to be no exception, so I stood up on my bike to get a push on those pedals----and fell over sideways: Up the hill I walked.

After the hills came the dogs! They came from everywhere and nowhere to check us out and have a little fun. Were there any repairs to be made on this trip? I don't know of any mishaps. Mostly, we just enjoyed ourselves. To see the gorge from the wooden bridge above was worth all the hills that led up there. It was beautiful!

The Biack Diamond Bakery sells the most wonderful donuts I have ever eaten. I squirreled away a dozen in my pack which Chris, Rosanne and I enjoyed after the ride.

We gathered for lunch at a little restaurant in Black Diamond, but most of us
were already full of donuts: ™

An amazing series of hills led down to the Flaming Geyser. Bruce climbed the hills)twice, at least, just so he could go back down again: "I came back because I never get to talk to you people," he said, but then he was gone again. He rides so fast! Bruce, Melody, Weldon and Barbara had to wait some length of time for us at the geyser, even after getting lost and going 10 miles or so out of their way: They must be some marvelous, winged gods with no human impediments to restrain them.

For the first time on a.ride, my back, knees and neck began to hurt so I couldn't go any further. I stopped on the side of the road, and using a cow fence for a barre, did some ballet and yoga exercises. Just a couple of minutes of streching, and I was good as new, ready to finish out those last few miles. I must have looked like a fool, though. Jack was kind enough to stop and wait for me, but became greatly confused about what I was doing. "Does that really work, Mary?" Yes, Jack, it really works:

Nobody should miss our next ride to Green River Gorge: There's something for
everyone, but the part I like best is when we al] get in a line and pedal along in
silence, each with our own private thoughts, not feeling the need to say anything.
"These are the greatest people, and this is the most beautiful ride!" I keep thinking,
and we all just pedal along.

Well it is time once again to be thinking of the new year and what it will bring
us. I hope it will bring the Tacoma Wheelman Club many more victories. I know the Zz
racing team will give it our best: ; »)
Last year the TWC was known as ‘the team from Washington'to the Oregonians os
because we were the team that showed up at the most races. This year will be no

RACING WITH GARY (con't)

,—exception, plus we should have twice the number of racers this year.

January is the month we will start to train. L.S.D. (long, slow and distance)
training is scheduled for a few months plus spinning our legs off. This is the time
of year you should ride your spinning gears to build up your muscles and breathing
again. Also, this is a good time to read all of your Competitive Cycling, Bike World,
Velo-News and the like so you will be itching to get into your first race of the year.
Later on, you will not have the time to read, just sleep, eat, train and, oh yes, work!

It is not too soon to be thinking about our club race. To be a success, we need
to start planning and getting prizes now. If you have ideas or wish to help, please
give me a call.

TRAINING RIDES - These training rides will take place if the weather is fair (or better).
If interested, call me at 474-3523.
Jan. 1. for all you non-drinkers
Jan. 8 will start around noon
~ Jan. 22 will start around noon
Jan. 30 will start around noon

POINT DEFIANCE TIME TRIALS - Start at the top of the Owens Beach hill where the road is closed to cars on Saturday. Remember, these time trials are for everyone - slow - medium - or fast riders. Try to beat your best time, not someone else.

Jan. 29 yearly T.T. opener :
Feb. 5 :

Learn to adjust or repair or rebuild just about anything on your bike. But be prepared to get your fingers and jeans dirty, cause we will fix most anything.

Jan. 4 and Jan..18 7:30 PM at Frank Weldon's 565-2181 4401 60th Ave W.

Feb. 8 and Feb, 22 7:30 PM at Ben Colby's 272-0152 123 1/2 N. Yakima

CHRISTIAN CYCLE
WEST 27TH & GRANDVIEW
TACOMA, WA 98466
(206) 564-8644

¢

Do not forget to come to the TWC award banquet. YOU may just win an award. And if
you don't, the night will still be fun. If any of you have not voted, hurry and find
your official ‘AWARD BANQUET VOTER FORM', fill it in and send it to Gary Singleton
5410 East C street Tacoma 98404 ;

: SOUTHWELL’S
t Schwinn Cyclery

SCHWINN i=