July 4th Ride

Let’s get it on from Gil’s Bike Shop at 7:00am tomorrow. Munz Ranch Road? The Cooley Loop?

It’s a holiday so let’s go!!!!!

Fliers call for drivers to blockade Sunrise Century cyclists

I found this article posted on cicle.org disturbing — to say the least. What do you think and what do you think Colorado cyclists should do?

Anti-Bicycle Flier

Published July 16, 2009 by DailyCamera.com
By Heath Urie

BOULDER, Colo. — Tensions between drivers and bicyclists in rural Boulder County have reached a new level, with fliers circulating in mountain neighborhoods asking drivers to blockade next month’s Sunrise Century ride.

Link to Sunrise Century Flier

The fliers — which started appearing in mountain communities last week, a few days after a Boulder driver was ticketed on suspicion of endangering a cyclist on Lee Hill Road — ask residents along the route of the 100-mile annual cycling event to block the return leg of the ride.

“On July 25, in celebration of driver’s rights, many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the ‘Sunrise Century,’” the anonymous, one-page note reads. “Many cars and safe drivers all working together can send a message to the Statehouse to restrict cycling on our roads which are our only alternatives during family emergencies, commuting and required duties.”

David Flores, 46, an avid cyclist who lives near Lee Hill and Left Hand Canyon drives, said he and his neighbors found the fliers stuffed in their mailboxes Thursday.

“There is nothing to be gained in trying to line the roads with cars to try and disrupt people on bicycles,” Flores said. “I don’t hope cyclists unite and decide to block U.S. 36 to make a point.”

Flores said the tone of the letter is obviously meant to incite a confrontation during the ride, despite its suggestion that pulling over to “inspect” vehicles for “engine trouble, sounds or other safety issues” is a form of civil disobedience.

“If that happens, there will be either an accident or some kind of confrontation,” Flores said. “There are people who will go out of their way to light the powder keg on both sides.”

Ride to the Beach Saturday June 27th

From Doug Short:

The ride to the beach is an annual fun ride the club has done for several years. This is an UNSUPPORTED ride, so make sure you have spare tubes, C02 or a pump and a little money for food, water…etc. The idea is to ride from the Antelope Valley to Ventura and have a BBQ at the beach. We also have a ride that begins and ends at San Buenaventura State Beach for those who want a shorter ride or can’t get picked up. Everyone is responsible for there own ride home, so have friends or family meet you (or do the ride from the beach). You can also buddy up with others who are riding and have transportation (one year we had riders who each rode half the distance and took turns driving the vehicle). The High Desert Cyclists bike club is picking up the tab for the BBQ and everyone who participates is welcome (that includes family and friends meeting riders). Bring folding chairs so there will be enough places to sit (not on your bike…with those picking you up).

Here is the info and times:

-First meeting point is Marie Kerr Park (Rancho Vista & 30th St West in Palmdale) The group will leave at 6:00 am so be about 10 minutes early. The group will stop in Santa Clarita at the Wal Mart off Copperhill Rd (just north of Newhall Ranch Rd - 27931 Kelly Johnson Pky, Santa Clarita) for a rest stop and to pick up riders doing the shorter distance. The total distance from Palmdale to Ventura is approximately 82 miles (from map so +/- a couple of miles).

- Second meeting place is the Wal Mart Parking lot at Copperhill Rd (just north of Newhall Ranch Rd - 27931 Kelly Johnson Pky, Santa Clarita). The plan is to leave at approximately 8:30 (when the riders from Palmdale get there) and head to Ventura. The total distance to Ventura from Santa Clarita is approximately 45 miles (+/- a couple of miles).

- The third meeting place is at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura (901 San Pedro St, Ventura). Plan to arrive at the beach in time to leave on the ride at 8:30 am sharp. This ride will follow the bike path from Ventura to Ojai and return. This ride is about 25 miles round trip and very scenic.

We will all meet at San Buenaventura Beach at approximately 11:00 -1200 noon (or when we are able to get there) for a BBQ. I will be at the Palmdale start point at approximately 5:50 am with route sheets and to get a head count of who is riding. I will then drive to Santa Clarita and be there at about 8:15 with route slips for those starting in Santa Clarita and water for the riders coming from Palmdale. I will ride with the group leaving Santa Clarita and help make sure everyone is doing OK…I will not leave anyone behind.

All those planning to participate in the ride this year, please email me with an approximate number in your party (riders and those picking you up) so we can get a head count for purchasing the food. I think this will be a fun ride…hope to see you there,

– Doug Short

Katz N Jammers Ride on Saturday

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Time: 7:00 am

Start: Sierra Hwy at Ave J

Route: From Ave J on the Sierra Hwy Bike Trail to Katz N Jammers on Poncitlan Square in Palmdale and back.

Parking: There is a parking lot across Ave J where you can park your car.

This will be a comfortable pace ride on the Sierra Bike Trail to a lovely breakfast, brunch, or lunch (if you prefer) at the Katz N Jammers cafe restaurant. They even serve burgers in the morning if you don’t want to eat breakfast.

Please join us for the fun and camaraderie!

LA City Big Bike Meeting Wednesday June 17th

From the LA Bicycle Coalition:

The Los Angeles City Council Transportation Committee will be having a meeting dedicated to bicycle issues on Wednesday, June 17th, 8:00 am at LA City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Room 1050.

Please arrive early at 7:45 am.

The three most important issues are:

1) LA BIKE PLAN - make some specific public comments about the Bike Plan. Go to www.labikeplan.org for more info.

2) LAPD report related to the incidents between motorists and cyclists (related to the incident where the Hummer ran over cyclists).

3) LA Bike License Revival - make public comments to oppose this ineffective and unnecessary proposal.

Other items are listed here: http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/12/early-wednesday-morning-transportation-committee-has-full-bike-agenda/.

Show up at 7:45am to ensure that you get to make public comments. Even if you can talk about your experience as a cyclist, the more diverse and united voices the better. Even if you just want to check it out, please come!

Oberstar Will Outline Transportation Bill

Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will release a white paper this week to outline plans for the new surface transportation authorization bill.

The news conference is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 11:00 a.m (10:00 a.m. Central). The event will be held in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The news conference will also be webcast live on the Committee’s website .

The authorization bill is currently being drafted and will replace the current authorization, SAFETEA-LU, which is due to expire on September 30. Oberstar has promised that the new authorization will transform the way the federal government invests highway, safety, and transit funds.

Congressman Oberstar is a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus.

Bicycle Safety!!

It’s Championship Racing time!!!

Yours truly and Pat Hogan will be competing in the Southern California Masters State Championships at the Home Depot Center Velodrome this weekend. The race action starts at 9:00AM on Saturday and runs throughout the day. Featuring various events such as the kilo, match sprints, and pursuits, the best from around SoCal will compete in age groups starting at 30 years of age and up. Sunday features exciting Team Pursuits at ramming speeds! Remember to bring a camera if you make it.
The Home Depot Center Velodrome is a $15,000,000 facility that is state of the art. The surface of the track is Siberian Pine and is very fast. Come on down to the track and cheer Paul and Pat on in their quest for Masters racing glory! The track is located in Carson just off the 405.

Time Trials and the website

We survived the TT’s once again. We were slightly shorthanded on Saturday for the team event but it was a success and the club will benefit. Thanks to all that helped!!
I’ll be adding sponsor info to the site and I am trying to figure out a way to get more topics on this site rather than the old forum.

HDC in the news!

The club has been getting a lot of coverage lately in the AV Press. First with the AVTREC ride mentioned liberally in the news last Sunday then the Dan Stewart Ride was mentioned on Tuesday. Excellent!!!