News and Upcoming Events 5-17-99

Dear Prescott Chain Gang Cycling Club members and friends:

This email contains information about the ride schedule up to the July 4th weekend. The ride schedule is located at the following URL http://surf-ici.com/chaingang/Schedule/Text%20Schedule.htm The completion of this ride schedule concludes my three month term (April - June) as ride coordinator. I am still president! George Woods will be taking over as ride coordinator for the months of July, August, and September. If you would like to lead a ride during this time please contact George at gwoodsno smamnorthlink.com

There are three events that I would like to point out in the ride schedule.

Beginning June 3rd on Thursdays at 5:30 PM will be the Spar Wars Time Trail on White Spar Rd. This event will occur every Thursday during the summer. This is approx. 22 miles out and back on scenic and challenging White Spar Rd. To the turnaround just before M.P. 298. Riders will be self seeded and self timed leaving at 1-minute intervals. This ride is open to all levels, with road bike, Mt. bike, and tandem categories. Timing is not mandatory-just come out and ride if you like. Once a month we will have an "official" timer and hope to be able to give awards for "the most improved", "60/69 club", and "fastest of category". Any awards will be dependent on donations from local shops. Phoenicians beware this ride takes place between 5500-6000 ft. elevation with plenty of climbing. With interest there may be a dirt option up jack pine Dr. Past the spars to the aspen creek turnaround and back.

For more info call Steve Becker 520-778-5945 before 9 PM. or email: beckersno smamnorthlink.com

On June 26 we are having an easy ride starting from Yavapai College and riding to the end of the newly finished Rails to Trail Project. After the ride we will have a meeting with the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists. This meeting is about an unfriendly bicycle bill (SB 1280) in the works. The meeting will be at 11 AM and held at the of the Prescott Alternative Transportation office at 710 White Spar Road just past Safeway Supermarket.

Another event I would like to draw attention to is the July 4th Weekend Unofficial AZ Fat Tire Festival. A few weeks ago I sent an email to all bike club presidents in the state asking them if they were interested in meeting in Flagstaff during the July 4th weekend for rides, camping, and fun. I received an overwhelming response and have made plans for meeting several clubs in Flagstaff. I guess it is getting pretty hot in the desert towns and riding in Flagstaff sounds good to them. You will not want to miss this epic event and I urge you all to go. A full description and up to date information can be found at http://surf-ici.com/chaingang/AZFTF.htm

I would like to mail out another newsletter by mid summer. I am looking for several writers from the club and beyond to write articles for the newsletter. These articles don’t have to be long and can cover a wide range of topics and concerns for the club and other bike related topics. I will edit nothing that is rated "G" so make sure that you check your own spelling and grammar. Articles could include entertaining accounts from previous rides, stories, opinions, complaints, complements, and anything else that is relevant to the club. After the newsletter is assembled I will need help printing, folding, stapling, etc.

The Collation of Arizona Bicyclist (CazB) has asked our club to join their ranks. The annual cost to the club would be $150. CazB is a state wide advocacy organization that works with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and local governments, conducts effective cycling classes, and influences the legislative process at the capitol. This year CazB was instrumental in tabling a bill that would have made bicyclists "unintended users" of Arizona roads. Although I see our club as a riding and social club I see membership in the CazB a worth while investment in our cycling rights. I will not join this group without a vote from registered members of the Chain Gang. Because I do not believe in meetings that don’t involve a bike ride I will gather the vote informally. During the next month I will be talking to members during the rides, on the phone, through email, and in our printed newsletter. Please let me know where you stand. Questions concerning the AZbC can be directed to Doug Banfelder.bikeguyno smamearthlink.net   Doug will also be at Rails to Trails ride and meeting on June 26.

The Prescott Off Road Summer Training Series on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 PM is off to a great start. We have had a large number of riders of all ability levels meet at the Groom Creek 307 Trailhead and ride the racecourse. Some like to spin around the course chatting and looking at the scenery while other see it as a regular training race and an integral component of their training routine. Ability levels in-between these two groups are present as well. Something for everyone! I have had many inquiries about this BI-weekly event and I expect our numbers grow quickly.

Leader: Tim Travis,  520-541-7604  e-mail    if you have questions.

There is a new section coming to the Chain Gang web site. It will be called Bike Politics (unless I can think of something better) and aims to inform you about topics concerning bicycle policy and laws in Prescott and the state. I will have a representative at all Prescott Bicycle Advisory Committee meetings and, if possible, Prescott Alternative Transportation (PAT) meetings. These representatives will be responsible for taking notes during the meeting and writing a brief summery for the web site afterwards. If you are interested in being the Chain Gang’s representative at these meetings please contact me. The web site will also include the Prescott Bicycle Plan, meeting schedules, events, and information concerning the Guinea Pig Project. I will email the URL of this new section as soon as it is up.

Thanks for reading and don’t be a stranger.

Tim Travis President Prescott Chain Gang Cycling Club

Email:

Phone: 520-541-7604

Prescott Chain Gang Cycling Club Web Site

http://surf-ici.com/chaingang/