On.

Bicycle Club

P.O. Box 112078-TACOMA, WA 98411

Inside This Issue:

August ride calendar
on pages 2-4—Bike
Maintenance and
Cleaning Seminar.

Ride Notes and
Reports on pages £5.

STP Volunteers and
Picnic Palaver on page
5.

Bicycle Advisory Com-
mittee and Helmets,
Trails, and Salmon
Barbecue on page 6.

Bicycle Rodeo
“Thank You” on page
7.

Remember, the next
TWEC Club meeting is
September 20, 1994, at
the new location:
South End Community
Center, 4851 S.
Tacoma Way, Tacoma,
WA. Meeting time is
7:00 p.m.

The next TWBC
Board Meeting is on
Tuesday, August 2,
1994 at Scott Pierson's
home. The address is
2804 N. 19th Street,
Tacoma, WA, and the
meeting starts at 7:00
p.m. All members are
welcome.

Wn

Tacoma Wheelmen’s

TWBC
NEWSLETTER

Touring Captains Ride

Into New Club Year
by Mat & Connie Reitzug, TWBC Touring Captains

Since we were “elected” to the office of
Touring Captain, we felt that we have been
given license to ruminate and explicate the
profound wisdom we have garnered in our
one year as members of the Tacoma Wheel-
men's Bicycle Club.

The first thing we want to say is that our predecessors Steve and Phyllis Lay have done one heck of a job, not only in putting out the ride calendar, but also in planning and leading hundreds of rides over the years. Connie and I spent about an hour at their house the other day and were amazed at the number of visitors, phone calls, and reference manuals hovering around their kitchen, all with the end of putting on good rides and information for other Club members. Here are two Wheelmen that truly appreciate all their efforts!

We will try to continue to deliver the
information regarding rides in the same
tradition as Steve and Phyllis. There are a
few things we would appreciate your
noting:

eOur deadline for turning in the typed

• - iately after our monthly Club meeting,
• - which is the third Tuesday of the month.
• - Therefore, the absolute deadline for turning
• - in rides to be listed in the Newsletter is at
• - the monthly meeting. If you could call us
• - earlier with your planned rides, it would be
• - much appreciated.
• - eWe will update the ride line once a
• - week. We will need all rides, that are to be
• - listed on the ride line, by 5:00 p.m. on
• - Thursday. You can always leave an
• - extended message on our answering
• - machine if we are not at home.
• - *Please be as accurate as possible in
• - coding your ride and giving the distance.
• - ¢Please remember that it takes a lot of
• - planning and time to lead a ride. Leaders
• - lead out of the kindness of their hearts, so
• - please do not give them grief! If the ride
• - does not suit your schedule, change your
• - schedule or find another ride.
• - Please lead your share of rides!
• - Please keep track of all your Club rides
• - with mileage. We will need this information
• - before October 31st in order to give you

TWBC RIDE CALERDAR FOR AUGUST 1 to SEPTEMBER 4, 1994 Questions about rides or activities? Call the leader!

Tues AM 30+ Call The Ride Leader Tuesday Ride 3 Louis Boitano

8/2 922-6156
Carol Rushton
537-3888

Tues After 30-35 | Call Ride Leader or Joyful Cycling 3 Joyce Clifford
8/2 5:00 PM Ride Line. 759-2393

Kent Wienker

474-9395

Mat & Connie Reitzug 265-2127 Louis Marret 564-8599 B.LK.E.S. 206-339-7655 Bob Myrick 473-7455

Call 888-4440 for
information.

3 Louis Boitano
922-6156
Carol Rushton
537-3888

Tues 7:00 Scott Pierson's home, TWEC Board Meeting
8/2 PM 2804 N. 19th St.,
Tacoma, WA.
Thur 6:00 2 Park & Ride Thursday Night Ride
8/4 PM 6th & Skyline
Sat 8:30 3 McDonald's Port Orchard Pancake
8/6 Olympic Village Breakfast.
Sat-Sun 7-10:00 Marysville 14th Annual T.O.S.R.V
8/6-7 AM Camping, Sag, Sweep
Sat-Sun 9:00 West Side Road Mt. Rainier Overnight
8/6-7 AM Mt. Rainier Bike Hike.
8, 35,62 | Log Pavilion Tour de Peaks
8/7 Railroad Ave. & 1st
Snoqualmie, WA
3
a

2 Es se
8/9

After 30-35 | Call Ride Leader or Joyful Cycling
8/9 5:00 PM Ride Line.
Wed 6:00 Victor Falls Mountain Bike
8/10 PM

Joyce Clifford :
759-2393

Thur 6:00 Park & Ride Thursday Night Ride

8/11 PM Roy Y

Kent Wienker
474-9395

Hank & Hazel
Giddings 894-2643
Kent Wienker
474-9395

Kent Wienker
474-9395

Steve & Phyllis Lay
759-1816

Fri 6:00 Entrance Parking Lot Bike Maintenance and
8/12 PM Point Defiance Park Cleaning Seminar.

Sat 6:00 Olympic Sports To Union Store.
8/13 AM Lakewood Mall

Sat 8:00 AM 25-35 | McDs-21st & Pearl Anderson Island
8/13 9:30 AM Steilacoom Dock Picnic Lunch

ey S|
3 5

0

8
0+
10
15
35
15

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 2

Meet at U.P.S. (N. 11th | Nisqually Valley Ride
& Union) to carpool to

Mother Nature Acres Karen Forbush
on Reservation Road. 752-0764

Call The Ride Leader Tuesday Ride 3 Louis Boitano
922-6156

. Carol Rushton
537-3888

Tues After 30-35 | Call Ride Leader or Joyful Cycling Joyce Clifford
8/16 5:00 PM Ride Line. 759-2393

Jan Brame
759-6984

Wed 6:00 10 Fort Steilacoom Mountain Bike Kent Wienker
8/17 PM 474-9395
Thur 6:00 15 McDonald's Westgate | Thursday Night Ride 1 Mat & Connie
8/18 PM N. 21st & Pearl Reitzug 265-2127
Sat 6:30 70+ Carpool from Park & Shelton-Schafer State 3 Steve & Phyllis Lay
8/20 AM Ride, 6th & Skyline. Park Loop. Picnic at 759-1816
Park.

Sun 9:30
8/21 A

Park & Ride, 6th & Seattle via Bremerton Bob Myrick
Skyline, or Donut 473-7455
Shop.

Sun 11:00
8/21

Kopachuck State Park | Abbreviated PMC in Mat & Connie

M reverse. Reitzug 265-2127

M :
M

3
2
Al
Tues A 30+ Call The Ride Leader Tuesday Ride 6 Louis Boitano
8/23 922-6156
Carol Rushton
537-3888
Tues After 30-35 | Call Ride Leader or Joyful Cycling 3
8/23 5:00 PM Ride Line.
Wed 6:00
8/24 M

Joyce Clifford
759-2393
Pp
Thur 6:45
8/25 PM
iN

10 Victor Falls Mountain Bike Kent Wienker
474-9395
10 UPS. Fieldhouse Thursday Night Ride Steve & Phyllis Lay
N. 11th & Union 759-1816
29 Buckley, WA River Ride Steve & Phyllis Lay
Picnic Lunch 759-1816
172 Snoqualmie Winery Courage Classic All Dave Tison
See ride notes below. 272-4571
Tim Kneeland
206-329-6090

1
2
Call The Ride Leader Tuesday Ride 3 Louis Boitano
922-6156
Carol Rushton

Sat 9:30
8/27 A
Sat-Mon 7:00
8/27-29

A
8/30

Wed 6:00
8/31 PM

537-3888

Fort Steilacoom Mountain Bike Kent Wienker
474-9395

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 3

ie)
77)

Mat & Connie
Reitzug 265-2127

Jerisich Park
Downtown Gig
Harbor.

Crescent Valley Loop

Tron Horse Trail to
Easton State Park.

A 3-Day Labor Day
Excursion. See article
in Ride Notes below.

Steve & Phyllis Lay
759-1816

Ride Code Definitions (See column six in ride calendar): 1.Easy pace—frequent stops to catch-up and re-group. 10-13 mph.
2. Moderate pace—occasional stops to catch-up and re-group. 13-16 mph. 3. Steady pace—limited stops. Cue sheets or map
provided. 13-16 mph. 4. Fast pace—very limited stops. Cue sheets or map provided. 16+mph. Maps provided for allrides
over 35 miles.

For More Information About Rides, Call The Ride Line At 759-2800. (To record
your message on the ride line without waiting for the other messages to play, press the *
button on a touch tone phone.)

Wear A Helmet, And Carry Repair Items And First Aid Supplies On Your
Ride!

Ride Notes:

A Labor Day Excursion: Have you ever wanted to ride the rails and get away from the mess of crowds and automobiles? To go where you only have to concentrate on keeping your balance and not riding in a straight line? Where you can ride and observe the flora and fauna without someone honking or yelling at you? If so, maybe this trip is for you.

This should be an interesting ride over Snoqualmie Pass via the old railroad route. The grade should be no greater
than 3 per cent, and the scenery is some of the most beautiful in the state, previously only accessible by rain. The route goes
across train trestles and through a tunnel that is 2.5 miles long, so lights are required. The ride will be about 40-50 miles ona
cinder type trail to the park.

We will offer a couple of other options for those who do not have cross or mountain bikes, and would still like to go on the camping trip. We will provide que sheets for a road ride, as well as the trail route. The third option would be to drive to the park and do day rides, or just hang out and enjoy the company of your companion cyclist.

The ride would begin on Saturday, going to Lake Easton State Park. Sunday can be a day ride exploring the area, or just relaxing in camp. We would return the same route on Monday.

The Club has made reservations at Lake Easton State Park for September 3 & 4 at the group site. The tour is set-up as a tent camping trip. The group camp is not designed for motorhomes or trailers, but the regular camp is.

We do not require reservations, but we would like to hear from you if interested, to get an idea of how many we can expect. This should be an exciting trip, so please let us know if you are interested. You can call Steve or Phyllis Lay at 759-1816, or leave a message on the ride line at 759-2800.

TWBC Team for the Courage Classic, August 27-29, 1994, by Dave Tison: Are any TWBC members who are riding the Courage Classic interested in joining up for a TWBC Team for the ride? I have spoken with several Club members who rode the Courage Classic last year, and there seemed to be some interest in forming a TWBC Team.

I think this would be a great way to show the support of Club members for this worthy cause and have some fun! Team riders get a special Courage Classic t-shirt. Maybe we could have them use our new Club iron-on logo on our shirts.

The Courage Classic is a fund raising ride for the Children's Trust Foundation, which supports the work on the
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Sexual Assault Program. This program provides services for child victims of sexual assault
and their families.

The Courage Classic is a three day, 172 mile ride, over Snoqualmie, Blewett, and Stevens Passes.

If any Club members would like to provide a pledge to support TWBC Team riders I will see that any pledges received are distributed to our riders. Let's all do what we can to help these kids.

Please contact me if you would like to ride as TEAM TWBC! Address: 607 N. Sheridan Ave., Tacoma, WA 98403.
Phone: 272-4571.

Ride Report:

The Singing Bicyclist, by Joy Roelofsz: On July 16th I went ona ride on my other vehicle, my horse. We rode at the Capitol Forest, and there were about 140 of us. (Continued on page 5)

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 4

About midway through the ride I started hearing a weird noise. Rounding a corner I came upon a mountain biker who was, per suggestion of preceding riders, singing to warn the horses of his presence.

Now, this guy could not sing. He was very courteous and polite, but singing just was not his bag. We had quite a little discussion on the trail and came to the conclusion that maybe having some bells on the bike might work as a warning to horses. Not bells that have to be chimed by the riders, but bells which just keep jingling—something like “bear bells”.

Just a suggestion to all of you mountain bikers, so we can all use the trails together safely.

Lots Of Folks Make Spanaway STP Checkpoint A Success

The following members and friends of TWBC worked at the Spanaway STP checkpoint (rest stop) during all or part
of the weekend of June 25-26. 92 workers put in a total of 634 hours to pull this thing off. That averages 7 hours per person!
These figures do not include paramedics, sheriff deputies, Washington State Patrol, Goldwing Club, and the many other
people associated with this event.

Marco Ahtinen Janis Grenier Bob Myrick
Sue Batali-Knox Lisa Grenier Vickie Myrick
Tom Bell Taylor Grenier Ken Neukom
Louis Boitano Davey Grochowski Mary Neukom
Marie Boitano Stan Grochowski Gail Palumbo
Alice Brown Scott Groff Dave Parker
Steve Brown Noel Hagens Earl Perdue
Jocko Burks Martha Hartley Scott Pierson
Joyce Clifford Rocky Hauge Jeff Powloski
Karen Comer Bill Horn Joy Roelofsz
Arlene Conde George Houser Carol Rushton
Cy Davis Don Izenman Joan Sanders
Jim Davis Joe Izenman Stan Sanders
Theresa Davis Kim Izenman Richard Severy
Ray Dezutter Sam Izenman Josh Severy
Christa Dillard Joan Johnson Elizabeth Stewart
Bernie Dixon Fran Jones Ralph Stewart
Doug Dretzke Jeri Jones Howard Stedham
Stan Engle Fred Knox Mary Stedham
Brita Fjetland Scott Kubiszewski Tony Thomas
Betty Fleming-Jones Mary Kubsizewski Reggie Tison
Diane Fox Edna Lay Jon Turnipseed.
Hank Giddings Phyllis Lay Linda Walters
Hazel Giddings Steve Lay Richard Walters
Linda Goodman Foy Leatherman Troy Wells
Carla Gramlich Monique Martin Brian Wester
Alex Grenier Crista Marton Kent Wienker
Anne Grenier Marty Mayock Carol Wilson
Dave Grenier Viola McCabe Aaron Wisher
Gina Grenier John Morgan Mike Woods
Greg Grenier Shirley Morgan

Many thanks to all of these people, and especially those who came on board at the last minute, from the STP Coordination Committee, composed of: Hank & Hazel Giddings and Steve & Phyllis Lay.

Picnic Palaver For Pedal Pushers

by Peggy Fjetland

Picnic plans are well underway. The committee is grateful to the members who have been kind enough to R.S.V.P. with the registration form (inside back page of this Newsletter for those who have not done this).

Paid members may attend the picnic free. For a small fee, guests are welcome: Adults, $5.00; Children under 12, $2.50. Ride your bike to the picnic and park it for free. If you drive your car there is a parking charge. Organized rides will be in next month's ride calendar. Remember: Wapato Park, Tacoma, Sunday, September 11, 1994 at high noon.

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 5

The Tacoma Wheelmen's

Bicycle Club

Board Members
PRESIDENT
Kent Wienker -474-9395
VICE-PRESIDENT

SECRETARY
Dena Wessels -857-5658
TREASURER
Hazel Giddings -894-2643
TOURING CAPTAINS
Mat & Connie Reitzug -265-2127
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
William Hoehne «759-4464
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Bob Myrick -473-7455
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Carol Wilson -272-0804
PAST PRESIDENT
Carla Gramlich :752-4038

Staff
MEMBERSHIP
Phyllis Lay -759-1816
PUBLICITY
Cynthia Hammer -752-0801
L.A.W. REPRESENTATIVE
Sue Given 565-0535
B.F.W. COORDINATOR
Diane Lister -752-8636
SAFETY & EDUCATION
Jan Wieser -833-6346
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Steve Brown -752-4038
RIDE LINE
Steve Lay °759-1816
MAILING
Don Izenman -565-2720

Annual Committees
DAFFODIL CLASSIC
Brian Wester -862-3288
Sylvia Russell -862-3288
PENINSULA METRIC
Kent Wienker 474-9395

BICYCLE SHOW BOOTH
Sylvia Russell 862-3288
Brian Wester -862-3288

Hank Giddings ‘894-2643

ANNUAL PICNIC
Peggy Fjetland -841-4458
Joy Roelofsz 847-1843
Send correspondence to: The Tacoma
|Wheelmen's Bicycle Club, P.O. Box 112078,
{Tacoma, WA 98411.

Send articles, for our Newsletter, to the editor it: 5702 N. 33rd, Apt. 17B, Tacoma, WA 98407. [Email can be sent to the editor via Compuserve,

ser # 71570,446,
Article deadline for the September, 1994 issue is
August 16, 1994.

Bicycle Advisory

Committee Meets
by Kent Wienker

On July 17, 1994 the BAC met at the
Department Of Transportation (DOT)
Lakeview Maintenance Facility in
Tacoma.

The Director of the Washington State
DOT opened the meeting by
recognizing and validating cyclists’
needs and issues. He stated his
intentions to listen to Michael Dornfeld's
Department of Pedestrian concerns with
cooperation toward shoulders on state
roads in the future.

Ralph Wessels gave the results of his
survey on bicycle accidents in our state.
14% of these accidents are caused by
cyclists going the wrong way, facing
traffic.

Funding for new cycling projects will
generally start in 1997, according to the
budget schedule. Do not be discouraged,
as new projects will continually appear.

Things are changing, folks. As these
projects unravel, we have to get out of
our cars more, or the need for non-
motorized projects will not be perceived
as necessary.

There are six districts in our state, each
represented by one person. Each
representative gave a progress report.
Our district representative was not at
this meeting.

If you would like a copy of the
minutes call me at 474-9395.

Helmets, Trails, And

A Salmon Barbecue
by Carla Gramlich
Helmets:

A group of medical professionals, cyclists, and concerned citizens are helping to make wearing a bicycle helmet the law. Meetings in Pierce County, Tacoma, and Puyallup gave information to law makers. These communities have chosen to make wearing a helmet the standard while cycling. We hope that adding more cities to this list will help to reduce serious head injuries.

In addition to enacting laws, we are
providing low cost helmets to anyone in
need around Pierce County (See letter

and photographs on page 7 of this
Newsletter). These ANSI/SNELL
approved helmets are also being fitted
by several TWBC members at events
like Health Fair, Bicycle Rodeos, and
organized rides. Helmets have been sold
to children, adults, and seniors to help
them comply with the new laws.

If you are interested in helping with
these projects you can join Helmets on
Wheels. People are needed for helmet
fitting and bicycle safety education. Call
Carla at 752-4038 or Bob Myrick at 473-
7459.

Trails:

In May, a small portion of the Foothills Rails to Trails was paved in Buckley. Take the time to visit this trail. This is the start of 26 miles of paved trail linking several towns in Pierce County. The corridor will provide a scenic ride along an old railroad right away. Call me if you would like to help with this project.

Salmon Barbecue:

In August you can show your support
for the trail and have a great meal. Our
very own TWBC members, Stan and
Helen Engles, are hosting their famous
Salmon Barbecue.

A couple of years ago I led a ride to
this event and the group was impressed
with the fabulous meal and the
wonderful ambience of the Engle's
home.

The Salmon Barbecue is on August 14,
starting at 2:00 p.m. The address is 4011
Alameda. The cost for this great meal is
$15.00, with proceeds going to trail
paving. Call Stan at 564-3112 for
information.

Remember, the next TWBC Club
meeting is September 20, 1994, at the
new location: South End Community
Center, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma,
WA. Meeting time is 7:00 p.m.

The next TWBC Board Meeting is on
Tuesday, August 2, 1994 at Scott
Pierson's home. The address is 2804 N.
19th Street, Tacoma, WA, and the
meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. All members
are welcome.

TWBC NEWSLETIER August, 1994 Page 6

Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to
TWBC Past President Carla Gramlich on 20 June
1994. The photographs are from the event referred to
in the letter, which took place on June 4, 1994 in Gig
Harbor. TWBC volunteers in this Bicycle Rodeo
included Carla Gramlich, Peggy Fjetland, Karen
Forbush, Jim & Judy Wagonfeld, and Dena Wessels.

Dear Carla:

As President of the Gig Harbor
Kiwanis I want to extend my sincere
thanks and appreciation to you and
your Club for joining us in making
this year’s Bicycle Rodeo the best
ever. . oe

Your Club’s expertise in fitting Karen Forbush (left) and Peggy Fjetland (center) help this boy fit his helmet. helmets was just the extra touch that made this year so effective. The individual contact, by pleasant, caring adults, will go a long way in insuring that those children will be wearing their helmets in the future. I can assure you that many parents expressed their appreciation for the helmet fitting station.

Again my thanks, and we hope to
see the Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle
Club come next June.

Sincerely,
Kathy Peterson
President, Gig Harbor Kiwanis

Dena Wessels (left) and Carla Gramlich (right) start to prepare a good helmet fit for this girl.

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 7

Kent's Corner
by Kent Wienker, TWBC President
The Torch & The Cyclist

As my year of serving the Club as
President begins, I should look back.

Carla Gramlich became a friend—I
remember the first time I heard her
laugh. Her sense of humor has made
this last year very enjoyable.

The Board meetings in Carla and
Steve’s home always had the snacks,
coffee, and atmosphere for results.

Her year of work was productive. As a member of the Foothills Rails To Trails Board she saw the first three fourths of a mile of this project paved. She was present at many meetings involving bicycle helmet use, and saw a mandatory helmet law in our county and city passed through her work with Helmets on Wheels.

As the year unfolds, I and the other
Board members look to you to par-
ticipate in the process, make sugges-
tions, and contribute so we as a Club
can continue to set a standard.

Also, please feel free to call me for
anything related to Club business.
New Director of Special Events:

Carol Wilson will be our new Direc-
tor of Special Events for 1994-95. She
will be doing publicity for our rides,
and work with the chairpersons of
these events.

We are looking for a Vice-President,
and also need someone who could
coordinate the annual banquet in
January.

Shirt Transfers:

Looking for a Club jersey? I took a
Peninsula Metric t-shirt and had the
new iron on Club logo applied for
$2.00.

I discovered a box of t-shirts that
would have sold the day of the Pen-
insula Metric ride, so maybe this
would be a good way for you to use
your logos.

I have 25 shirts. They cost $10.00
each. They are blue, tye-dyed shirts,
and make a good looking Club shirt. I
am going to have three back pockets
sewn on mine.

Activity Reports:
I took the first chair at Crystal
Mountain on opening day on my

mountain bike, and found out I
should have stayed in bed. Watch
out, the down hills are tricky. Crash.

STP weekend was fun. Jocko Burks and I directed about 7000 people into our check point at Spanaway. Hey, it gets hectic, but that is what it is, a spectacle. Good work to our TWBC volunteers for a well organized feed- ing. In the future we will look at the official videotape and see some slides.

Bob Myrick’s leg has healed well enough for him to have ridden on some long rides in July. Jan Wieser beat us to Reflection Lakes on Mt. Rainier, so I guess that makes her queen of the Mountain. Seriously, she is really strong this year.

The ride to Windy Ridge viewpoint
near Mt. St. Helens was great—a nice
climb from Randle on the Ryan Lake
road to the Spirit Lake viewpoint.
Ken Blaha spent $8.00 on lunch at the
snack bar. He and George Hauser,
Laura McGinity, Dave Bourne, Tom
Barocan, and Marty Mayock found
out about the old saying “what goes
up must go down.” Our only prob-
lems were cars that got in the way on
the descents.

Bicycle Bonding

(Continued from page 1)

and supplies, weave through bicycle
choked streets, their bells clanging.
These clunky, one gear, foot brake
monsters, regulated by Dutch law,
would languish in U.S. shops. To be
street legal bikes come equipped with
bells, chain guards, white striped
fenders, front and rear lights illumi-
nated by a prehistoric looking wheel-
run generator, reflective tires, and
sturdy back racks.

Babies doze in handlebar seats, shielded by plastic windbreaks. Strollers, wicker baskets (often filled with dogs), and canvas bags dangle from racks. No provision for cellular phones and absolutely no helmets in sight.

Leaving these technical marvels, I
want to mention that my teenage
daughter and I visited Holland to
bond. An organized tour eliminated

decision making or disputes, freeing
us to soak up atmosphere, friends,
tulips, exercise, and food. Holland’s
signposted bicycle trail network, a
futuristic wonder to my white line
habituated mind, spoiled me quickly.
Granted, some paths abut roads, but
tons meander through pastoral fields
and edge serene canals.

Cycling Holland mixes history with the industrial age. Classic, wooden windmills juxtapose against sleek white 90s towers whose tops resem- ble airplane propellers. Built in the sea (reclaimed from it, they say), the country banks on windmills to drain the land. Steaming factories dot the flat horizon, no matter what pasture, sea dikes, or picturesque villages we traverse. Nothing seems wild—every spec of earth serving a purpose.

Indicative of the population density, new villages sprout like weeds, con- suming former fields. Farming, an economic mainstay, moved indoors to prolific hot house acreage. Perfect tomatoes, peppers, radishes, and on- ions appear machine made, looking like a still life painting but lacking taste.

Flowers bloom in antiseptic green-
houses, though sprawling brilliant
red, yellow, blue, and purple outdoor
fields remain, grand tourist attrac-
tions at which we gaped.

The modern glass farms, protected from nature’s elements, surround brick tract houses nestled in minia- ture yards. Children romp on swings, their images reflected in the win- dows. Not quite like Little House On The Prairie. We peer in, glimpsing veggies we can’t smell or touch. Out- door farms continue, raising cows for dairy products. I worry that if I re- turn in ten years I will find these beasts enclosed. We will ride in glass tunnels, the world untouchable like candy behind shop cases.

Unlike our frenzied society, Hol- land’s pace seems sublimely sluggish. Shops open about ten and close sharply at six, except for one night a week in rotating towns. Locals relax and chatter at sidewalk cafes. No one orders espresso to go. Clothing, like

(Continued on page 9)

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 8

Bicycle Bonding

(Continued from page 8)

the people, remains basic—leave the Armani and DKNY at _ home. Charming hotels lack U.S. Precision or amenities but spew forth character. Climbing steep ladder like stairs (no elevators), we entered our individu- ally decorated garret rooms, closet sized baths tucked in a corner. Lazy buffet breakfasts of bread, cheese, coffee, cereals, and crackers hinted at Holland’s bland cuisine we later ex- perienced at dinner. For spice, people eat Indonesian, food and flavors lin- gering from Holland’s once extensive empire.

Cycling beneath massive church spires, through 1600s brick tower gates, and along bustling shopping streets imparts a distinctly European feel. Farmer’s markets, deluged with produce, flowers, baked goods, cheese, meat, and clothing, trek on appointed days to scattered villages, like giant progressive parties.

Stumbling on these outdoor de- lights seemed ironic, knowing the produce grew indoors. Dragging our- selves away, gilders (money) spent on almond cookies, apple pastries, and fresh fruit, we cycled off to savor sea- shore dikes and dunes or to isolated picnics in the windy lake district. This week of carefree wandering calmed our spirits and energized our minds.

Though others may bond differ-
ently, bicycling in a group tour with
my daughter offered distinct advan-
tages. Sharing another country’s cul-
ture and people equalizes teens and
adults, dispelling differences. Ac-
cepted as a grown-up, she sometimes
rode with me and at times with oth-
ers. We sweated, froze, got drenched,
nibbled foods, toured churches,
sipped espresso, drank Dutch beer,
ate chocolates, lugged luggage,
stuffed ourselves at dinner, dashed
for flight connections, laughed up-
roariously, and made terrific new
friends.

Memories to last a lifetime.

To go on your own:

Netherland Board of Tourism: Fax
011-31-70-320-2611. Offers _do-it-
yourself packages of routes, rules,
tips, and accommodations. They
transport luggage. Ask for “Cycling
in Holland” information to be sent.

For group tours:

Backroads: 1-800-462-2848.

Bon Voyage Specialty Tours: 303-493-
8511.

Classic Adventures: 1-800-777-8090.
Euro-Bike Tours: 1-800-321-6060.
Vermont Bicycle Tours: 1-800-325-
3009.

Van Gogh Bicycle Tours: 1-800-435-
6192.

Reading Up:

Amsterdam by Rodney Bolt.

Insight Guides Holland by Christo-
pher Catling.

Visitor's Guide Holland by Pat & Ha-
zel Constance.

Classified Ads
For Sale:

53cm Eddy Merckx frame. Columbus
TSX. $700.00. Call Dave at 272-5261.

For Sale:
1986 Basso, handbuilt Italian racing
bike, custom paint-emerald green. 56cm.

Campy components with some Dura Ace.
Araya composite disc rear wheel, tubular.
This is a very nice, fast bike. $1150.00.
Call Steve Forsness at 952-7224.

For Sale:
Road bike components-new-Dura Ace,
Ultegra 600, Campagnolo. New and used,

miscellaneous components. NTB compo- nents-new. Shimano LX, XT & XTR. Headsets, grip shift STR 500s, Suntour derailleurs, control tech comps and many more. For complete list at prices below mailorder, send SASE to: Steve Forsness, 2412-B Milton Way, Milton, WA 98354. 206-952-7224.

Name(s):

TWBC 1994 Picnic
Sunday, September 11, 1994
Wapato Park, Tacoma, WA

Number who will attend:

Please complete this form and return it by August 31, 1994. Send to TWBC Picnic, 11710-80th Avenue East, Puyallup, WA 98373. Picnic start time ts 12:00 noon.

TWBC NEWSLETTER August, 1994 Page 9