september 2007 seattle spin newsletter, cyclists of greater seattle

8/9/2019 September 2007 Seattle Spin Newsletter, Cyclists of Greater Seattle

1/8

Seattle SpinMonthly newsletter of the Seattle Bicycle Club, Seattles Friendliest Bike Club

The Sharrow/Bike LaneControversy"om an article by Kevin Jackson, Silicon Va#ey Bikes

You've probably heard about anew pavement symbol thatmay soon be coming to astreet near you, the shared-lane arrow or "sharrow". Itconsists of two chevrons anda bike symbol placed in theroadway where the lane widthis too narrow for cyclists andmotorists to safely travel side-by-side. They are intended toalert motorists of the need toshare a substandard widthlane, and to promote betterlane positioning by cyclists.The jury is still out on whether

they can actually achievethese goals, and for the timebeing the symbols can chari-tably be described as possiblybetter than nothing providedthat "nothing" is indeed theonly other alternative

The test results available sofar are not very encouraging.From the standpoint of cyclistsafety, sharrows should beconsidered a last resort. Butpolitical and economic factorswill make them extremely at-tractive to traffic engineersbecause they don't requireany of the hard choices that

are necessary in order to pro-vide shareable lane widths.The result is a powerful incen-tive to conclude that sharrowsare "good enough" in all kindsof situations (at least by thepeople who make these deci-sions, but of course will neverride there!).

Adding to the concern is thefact that the most commonlyused position for these sym-bols (centered eleven feetfrom the roadway edge) fre-quently places cyclists in thedoor zone of parked cars.Where there is no street park-ing, sharrows are placed tooclose to the roadway edge sothat cyclists using them to de-termine their lane position willencourage unsafe passing byovertaking motorists.

Especially on the major roads

that are vital for making trans-portation cycling feasible,sharrows will never be a sub-stitute for shareable lanewidths in convincing the vastmajority of potential cyclists toovercome their fear of riding inhigh speed, high volume mo-tor vehicle traffic. For thosewilling to ride in such condi-tions, the studies conducted todate have not demonstratedthat sharrows have any effectin reducing harassment bymotorists. Cyclists deservebetter.

Seattle Bicycle Club www.seattlebike.org September 2007

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Sharrows................

Burke-Gilman Detour

Series Rides...........

Daily Rides..

Planning Ahead..

About SBC.................

Fix Your Flat....

Calendar..
http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/


2/8

October Club Meeting

Hang out and brag about yoursummer with your fellowSBCers while eating anddrinking at the OctoberMeeting.

Date: Monday, Oct 15

Time: 6:30 pm

Bring: your appetite!

Location:6532 Phinney Ave N

Plenty of car and bike parkingavailable; #5 Metro bus stopsoutside.

Open Board Positions

The Seattle Bicycle Club iscurrently seeking people toserve on their Board ofDirectors. If you would liketo get involved with theclub, however small, pleaselet our President, GarryKehr, know. Email:

[email protected]

Renew your membershiponline. Go towww.seattlebike.org andfollow the links to renewwith PayPal.

Blackberry Festival,

September 1-3

Take a ride over to Bremertonfor Labor Day weekend andstuff yourself withblackberries during theBlackberry Festival. Asidefrom the food, there will alsobe a bike race on Sunday,Sept 2. It makes for a niceride to ferry from W Seattle toSouthworth, ride to PortOrchard and ferry back toBremerton, belly full of

berries. For more info:

Blackberry Festival

A Big Thanks to theRAPSody Volunteers!

Thanks to all those whostepped up to volunteer at thisyears RAPSody ride onAugust 25&26. Enthusiasticcomments were heard from

participants regarding the sagsupport and food stop mannedby SBC members.

Be sure to check the photos

page of the website:www.seattlebike.org

A Special Offer for SBC

The adventurous folks atNational Geographic areoffering a free 1-yearsubscription to AdventureMagazine for anyone whopurchases a TOPO! stateseries product or the newWeekend Explorer outdoorrecreation software. This offeris only available to non-profitoutdoor advocacy andrecreational groups and itexpires 10/31/07. A selectionof National Geographic Mapsproducts are on sale, includingWeekend Explorer, at REIduring their Labor Day Sale!


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mailto:[email protected]?subject=Boardhttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://imageevent.com/seattlebicycleclubhttp://imageevent.com/seattlebicycleclubhttp://www.blackberryfestival.org/media/FestivalFlyer07.pdfhttp://www.blackberryfestival.org/media/FestivalFlyer07.pdfhttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=Boardmailto:[email protected]?subject=Board


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4/8

DAILY RIDES, contd

Monday, September 3,2007 PERIMETER RIDE OFSEATTLE - PROS 3Start Location: DiscoveryPark North Parking Lothttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfMeet by: 7:30 a.m.Start at: 8:00 a.m. sharpPace: Moderate 16 - 18 MPHor so. Climb at own pace andregroup on top of hills.Regroup: From time to timeand on top of hillsRide Distance: about 80milesRide Leaders: Dan Wakefieldand Gary Strauss - preferemail contact [email protected] Danor [email protected] GaryDans - cell (206) 795-0585Garys -day of ride cell 206-948-9024; day phone duringweek 206-816-1300; home206-937-1852

Rain Policy: Bad weathercancels.Terrain: Lots of climbing!Cue Sheet: Yes

Ride Details: PROS is Seat-

tle's "Perimeter Ride," mod-eled after those offered in theTours of Tucson and Phoenixto name a few. A Perimeter

Ride covers the circumference

of major geographical loca-tion. This unique ride will startin Discovery Park. It proceedsthrough Magnolia, Downtown,W. Seattle, S. Seattle, LakeWashington, N. Seattle,Shoreline, Blue Ridge and theLocks.

A very challenging, hilly and

beautiful ride. Be prepared forweather changes and to do alot of climbing. This ride is notbeing offered for beginner rid-ers or those who feel a clubride is a race. You are wel-come to pick up a cue sheetand do the ride on your own.However, if you join the group,you are agreeing to stay moreor less with the group. If youdo not arrive within about 5-10minutes of the leader at re-grouping spots, you will be

dropped. Bring at least 2-3new tubes, tire levers, a patchkit, and a pump or CO2 car-tridges. Have plenty of food

with you, as most places are

closed on Labor Day. Pleasecheck your tires and bike con-dition before leaving home.

This ride will take most of theday, depending upon condi-tions, group size, length ofbreaks, etc.,so please do not

join us if you are under a lot oftime pressure. If we get volun-teers to help lead, we may beable to break into 2 or moregroups, one faster than theother. However, the shorter,more moderate course will notbe offered.


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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdfhttp://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/environment/Trails/images/discoverypark.pdf


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Saturday, September 22,

Shoreline Trail CelebrationStart Location: Myrtle Ed-wards Park (North ParkingLot)Meet by: 9:15 amStart at: 9:30 amDistance: 35 miles.Pace: Moderate 14-16 mphTerrain: Some hillsLeader: Mary Jo [email protected]: We will ride mostlytrails and back roads fromMyrtle Edwards to Magnolia,Ballard Locks, Sunset HillPark, then on to the newShoreline trail. There will bemusic and festivities celebrat-ing the completion of the trailat N 175 St. that we will stopand enjoy. We will return viaGreenlake and be back toMyrtle Edwards by 2:00pm.Friday thru Sunday,September 28-30Walla Walla Weekend & The

Gran FondoCome and spend 3 days inscenic Walla Walla. Enjoy bik-ing some of the quaint countrybackroads, visit one of the 35wineries in the area and walkaround the beautifully restoredhistoric downtown.

On Saturday we will be ridingin The Gran Fondo. Takenfrom the Italian tradition of TheGran Fondo, "The GreatRide," this event has a choice

of mileage, Oktoberfest foodand fun on the Walla WallaCommunity College campus.This event offers a wine tour

in downtown Walla Walla. One

hundred percent of net pro-ceeds benefit cancer care andsupport programs at the St.Mary Regional Cancer Center.

Registration fee of $40 regis-tration includes one lunch andone beverage. Upon comple-tion, you will receive a com-plimentary Gran Fondo wineglass.

Friday: ride around the areaTime: 9:30amMeet: City Center MotelDistance:35-40 milesPace: Moderate

Saturday: The Grand Fondo

Ride Start: Walla WallaCommunity CollegeRide Distance: Choice of 22,40, or 60 miles

Ride Details: We have the

choice of a 22 mile ride, TheCrush, led by Dr. Michael Bre-land through the wine countrywith optional winery stops thatstarts at 9am.The Midi Fondo is a 40 mileride looping through Waits-burg, departing at 8am, with arefreshment and restroomstop at Waitsburg Park.Or the Gran Fondo which is a60 mile ride through Prescott,departing at 8am and includesa refreshment and restroomstop at Tuxedo Bar and Grill inPrescott.See The Grand Fondo website for registration and moredetails.http://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.html

Sunday Ride: Ride with localbike club, the WheatlandWheelers

Lodging: We will be staying at

the City Center Motel at 627 WMain St indowntown Walla Walla. For Res-ervations call 800-453-3160.Rooms are58.50/single or 68.50/double.Rooms have refrigerators andsome havemicrowaves. Book soon, lodgingthat weekend will be scarce.Camping isavailable in the area. Use theSBC members list if you need aroommateor want to car pool.

Tour Coordinator: Email MaryJo at [email protected] let her know you are coming.


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mailto:[email protected]://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.htmlhttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.htmlhttp://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.htmlhttp://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.htmlhttp://www.smmc.com/The-Gran-Fondo.granfondo.0.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Planning Ahead...upcoming out-of-town rides

Friday - Sunday, October 5-7 Methow Valley Fall Bike Festival, Winthropwww.mvsta.comThree days of bicycling bliss throughout the Methow Valley plus music, beer and prizes.There are road rides, mountain rides, a bike rodeo and events for kids, too.

Saturday, October 6,CASAs Ride Through Paradise, Klamath Falls, ORwww.kfcasa.orgA fundraising ride for children, this ride has it all: beautiful scenery, gourmet barbequeand even free camping at the start.

Saturday, October 6,Manastash Metric Century, Ellensburgwww.drier-ride.org/A challenging 50k and 104k ride through some of central Washingtons most scenic cy-cling country. Benefits the Bicycle Alliance of WA.

Sunday, October 7, Harvest Century, StPaul, ORwww..harvestcentury.org/

Celebrate the coming of fall with rolling hillsand turning leaves in the Oregon country-side. Ride includes support, a ferry ride, mi-crobrews and a bluegrass concert at the fin-ish festival.

Sunday, October 7, Kitsap Color Classic,Edmondswww.cascade.orgMultiple loops around the Kitsap Penninsula, from 14 to 64, presented by Cascade Bike

Club.


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7/8

THE BICYCLE ALLIANCE

OF WASHINGTON

SEATTLE BICYCLE CLUB

IS A PROUD MEMBER OF

THE LEAGUE OF AMERI-

CAN BICYCLISTS ANDWho We Are: The Seattle Bicycle Club Inc. is anot-for-profit membership organization dedicatedto the interests of recreational cycling enthusiasts.Our interests are recreation, safety, fun and cama-raderie.

We Ride Bicycles: We have two activities weride bicycles and we have fun, all at the same time.We have rides for those training for events likeRAMROD, to rides for anybody who has a bike ingood condition and a body that would like to getout there.

Everyone Is Welcome To Join: Our yearly mem-bership fee is $16 (or $20 per household 2 adultsand all minor children), which gets you monthlyissues of Seattle Spin and all of our rides, sum-mer tours, parties and our spiffy website,(www.seattlebike.org).

Audition Us: Were sure that if you ride with us,youll want to be a part of our club. Come see howmuch fun it is!

Out of town visitors are welcome on all rides!

2007 Board Members

President: Garry Kehr

Vice President: Howard Strickler

Secretary:Judy Kraemer

Treasurer: Rick Stolz

Past President: Mary Jo Gerst

Contact any board member for more information

Non-board Volunteers:

Membership: Mark Peterson

Newsletter: Louise Kornreich

Merchandise:Jimmy Pelaez

Rides Director:Jim Stewart

Seattle Bicycle Club, Inc

PO Box 34123

Seattle,WA 98103-4123

http://www.seattlebicycle.org

[email protected]


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mailto:[email protected]?subject=SBChttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.seattlebicycle.org/http://www.seattlebicycle.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=SBC%20Ridesmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBC%20Ridesmailto:[email protected]?subject=Jerseysmailto:[email protected]?subject=Jerseysmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=membershipmailto:[email protected]?subject=membershipmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBCmailto:[email protected]?subject=SBChttp://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.bikeleague.org/http://www.bikeleague.org/http://www.bikeleague.org/http://www.bikeleague.org/http://www.bicyclealliance.org/http://www.bicyclealliance.org/http://www.bicyclealliance.org/http://www.bicyclealliance.org/


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RULES TO RIDE BY:

All riders are expected to obey therules of the road and show properetiquette towards vehicles, othercyclists and pedestrians.

For example:

Come to a complete stop at stopsigns, look both ways and proceedwhen safe.

Stop before, not within or ahead, ofall crosswalks.

Heed a car back call by calling itforward and riding single file to theright to let cars pass.

Regroup well away from cars.

Riders who show flagrant abuse of

traffic rules will be asked to leavethe ride.

Read On...

Please bring ID specifying emergencycontact name and phone number,blood type, and a list of any allergiesand/or specific medical needs.

All riders under the age of 18 mustbe accompanied by a parent orresponsible adult.

Please arrive 15 minutes before theride starts to sign in, review the ridemap, and get ready to ride. If youhave any questions about the ride, askthe Ride Leader before the ridebegins.

Everyone is welcome on rides.

Ride Pace / Regroup Frequency:

Leisurely (10-12 mph) / constant

Social (12-14 mph) / frequent

Moderate (14-16 mph) / regular

Brisk (16-18 mph) / occasional

(Pace refers to the speed on the flats)

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

When signing the SBC waiverform, please consider who youdlike to have as an Emergency

Contact. It is an importantnumber that the ride leaderneeds to have. In case of anaccident, who will take yourbike home? Who will notify

your loved ones or your boss ofyour whereabouts? Try to

choose someone who has a cellphone and your house keys.

FREE CLASS!

Learn to Fix a Flat

at Recycled Cycles

Wednesdays at 7pm

They welcome cyclingnewcomers as well as veterancyclists.

The class is limited to 10students so that they can offer

personal attention.Call Recycled Cycles at206-547-4491, sign up at thestore, [email protected]

To secure a spot, send your:Full nameContact Phone #Email address

www.recycledcycles.com


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CalendarSaturday, September 1Southend Gary Ride

Monday, September 3PROS Ride

Wednesday, September 5Gasworks Evening Ride

Tuesday, September 10Northend Ride

Wednesday, September 11

Gasworks Evening Ride



Saturday, September 22Shoreline Trail Celebration



Friday, September 28Walla Walla Tour

Saturday, September 29The Gran Fondo

Sunday, September 30Walla Walla Tour
http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.seattlebike.org/http://www.recycledcycles.com/http://www.recycledcycles.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

september 2007 seattle spin newsletter, cyclists of greater seattle

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