Club Undulations from the President

George Kyriazis

Get Healthy - Stay Healthy - Save the Environment- RIDE YOUR BIKE at every opportunity

Happy New Year!! And may the wind be at your back wherever you ride in '05. We have new TCBC Officers for the coming year whom we thank very much for volunteering their services. We hope someone will step forward and accept the Treasurer's job before the Annual Banquet January 28th. Please be very careful cycling in the winter.

Bill Painter was riding on a frosty morning and slipped on an icy roadway -- fortunately he only sprained his shoulder. Several weeks before, his daughter, Vicki Patten, wasn't so lucky when a dog ran in to the front wheel of her bike causing her to fall and break her elbow. Definitely painful, certainly changes her life for a while.

About meetings: The majority of Board members voted to eliminate monthly club meetings for 2005. It was felt that they were not very well attended nor a productive use of our efforts. The Board hopes that regularly planned events, weekly rides, use of the Spokesman and the Internet communications will keep TCBC members sufficiently involved and active. This new arrangement will be reviewed by the Board at the end of the year. The real working mechanics of the TCBC is the board of Directors which will continue to meet monthly. These meetings are always open to TCBC members and will be announced to all through email. The minutes of all Board meetings will be sent out by email (or by request, by regular mail).

One of the TCBC's biggest events in years will be our 25TH ANNUAL INLAND EMPIRE CENTURY RIDE on May 7th. I hope you all make yourselves available to help and also to ride on this special occasion. Be safe, be happy.

Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail

Evelyn Painter

If you're searching for something different in a bike ride, you needn't look far from home. Just load up your bike and drive toward Yakima to the little town of Zillah, located just off I-82 by way of Exit 52 or 54. Unload your bike at the spacious parking area on the south side of First Street and start pedaling over some of the most beautiful wine country in the world.

On October l5th, twelve of us TCBC/FFOF members visited five wineries located on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail. The day was perfect, and the roads and byways were framed in flaming colors of red, orange and gold. Traffic was light and road surfaces were good with only one stretch of hard packed gravel that my skinny tires handled with ease. The terrain was easy with gently rolling hills, and turns and intersections were well marked, making it easy to follow our ride maps from one winery to the next with ease.

We visited only five of the fifteen or more wineries in the area, and found each had its own special character. Some of us tasted moderately (after all, we were on two wheels!); others enjoyed the beautiful park-like grounds or browsed the gift shops. The hosts at each place were friendly, helpful and hospitable. I couldn't help making some mental comparisons to wineries I've visited in Germany and Austria and decided that our wineries, with their lovely park-like surroundings, state-of-the art production methods, and varied architectural styles, rival anything one sees in Old Europe. Tasters in our group also reported that the wines were great!

Back in Zillah, while enjoying the best Mexican cuisine in town at El Porton, we all vowed to make this trip an annual event.

For anyone interested in a trip to the area, you may obtain a brochure, complete with map, by writing PO Box l825, Zillah, WA 98953. Or visit the Web site www.rattlesnakehills.com. The brochures can also be picked up at any winery along the trail or from the Zillah Chamber of Commerce, PO Box l294, Zillah, WA 98953.

Touring the Columbia Gorge with
the Adventure Cycling Association

Carl Berkowitz

We’d driven through the Columbia Gorge many times when going to and returning from the Oregon coast and Portland. And though we thought we knew the terrain and scenery well our Adventure Cycling Association ‘Cycle the Gorge’ tour confirmed our past experience that the seat of a bicycle is a much better place to see the world than the view from inside a car. The statistics of the trip belie the actual adventure: almost 400 miles laterally and 5700 feet vertically covered during 6 days of riding with cyclists from around the country. We started at Vancouver, Washington, east to Maryhill State Park and returned along the Oregon side of the Gorge, ending the tour just west of Astoria. Adventure Cycling, provided a sag wagon, meals and roving mechanics.

Days began at sunrise since breakfast typically was served outdoor, buffet style, at 7AM. Breakfast was earlier on days when the weather forecast called for hot conditions so that riders could get an earlier start on the oven-like temperatures found in the eastern part of the Gorge. The warm temperatures made us feel like we were back in the Columbia Basin. Camping each night was in the fields of school yards or county fair grounds. Rachel and I pitched our tent on a high area overlooking many of the other tents during our stay at Cascade Locks, where the tents below were set against a backdrop that included the Columbia River, a steamboat and, to the west, the Bridge of the Gods.

Each morning saw sunshine and blue sky over a field of pastel and earth-colored tents. White soccer nets and trees were covered with bright red, orange and pink jerseys, with black bike shorts nestled in between, all drying after their cold water wash the night before. The western part of the trip consisted of pine-tree greens and river blue, while the eastern part had earth tones of sage and bunch grass. The Columbia River, with its shoreline of either conifers or sage, was the common denominator throughout the trip.

Participants varied widely in cycling experience, fitness, age and the types of bicycles they rode. A show-of-hands survey was done on the last day of the trip to find the youngest and oldest riders of both sex. A young girl from Montana, age 15, riding with her sister, her mom and a friend of her mom, took the category for most youthful (Rachel was second youngest). Rachel was usually up front and riding with the fast ones while her dear old dad rode somewhere in the middle of the pack. Rachel set up camp when she got in, so it was a good deal for both of us.

Most automobiles follow either Highway 14 on the Washington side or Interstate 84 on the Oregon side. TCBC’ers will recognize Highway 14 as the long stretch of two-lane that has many long miles between a few towns and gas stations, with only small recreation areas or state parks …the St. Cloud Recreation area, the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, Spring Creek Hatchery… places most cars would drive by but which were major water stops for the cycling group.

One of our favorite side-tours was a hike up Beacon Rock, two days out of Vancouver. It’s a short hike….about 20 minutes to the top…and the view is comparable to other high points. But the series of see-through trestles that takes you to the top has to be experienced to be believed; at a few points Rachel and I were looking straight down or straight up at the other, with the Columbia River far, far below, beneath our feet. Short hikes that took us behind the plunge pools of Multinomah Falls and other cascades gave us isolation that was very surprising.

On day 3 we rode east-bound from Oregon’s Cascade Locks, across the Bridge of the Gods into Washington and up to Maryhill State Park. Columbia Hills Park is right on the river and, with its shade and sprinklers, a great lunch spot. But the ride out goes straight up to the main highway and from there, takes riders up a steady climb to Maryhill State Park. It’s a relentless grade that puts cyclists in the middle of wide-open territory. Ahead is a long winding road that disappears into the hills ahead while off to the right is a drop-off of several hundred feet ending at the location of former Celilo Falls. Vistas fore and aft are strongly reminiscent to those of the southwest deserts.

The westbound return along the Oregon side of the Gorge took us into the hills high above the Interstate 84, offering hours of looking down at cars far below. It was along this stretch that we rode up to the famous Vista House at Crown Point. Many switch-backs level out the grade to something quite manageable. This can’t be said for an unmarked summit just west of Rowena. A view from the top; no amenities here, just a vista of mountains and oceans that was unlike any we have in eastern Washington.

When we returned to Tri-Cities we found that Webber Canyon and Clodfelter Road looked much less intimidating. But the most lasting impression was one stated at the start of this little article; you’ll see much more of the Gorge from your bicycle than you’ve ever seen of it from your car.

Still Ticking After 16,700 Tire Miles

Gene Weisskopf

These Armadillo tires I've been using for the past two and a half years are becoming a burden -- they work great on the bicycle, but I feel obligated to reaffirm their reputation in every issue of The Spokesman. Here's the latest update.

As of December 31, my front Armadillo tire had rolled 7,179 miles and suffered just two flats. My rear Armadillo had 4,205 miles with just one flat. The first Armadillo tire I had on the rear ended up with 5,336 miles with no flats at all. Am I happy? Well, yes, in terms of tires, I'm ecstatic. In years past, I was averaging a flat every 350 miles and was going through a pair of tires every 3,000 miles.

Eliminating flats has been a boon to my riding. Besides the obvious improvement in safety, the absence of flat tires has also improved my attitude while cycling. I'm much happier when I don't have to stop and fix a flat on a 30-degree day that's dank with fog.

Speaking of happy, I'll also take this opportunity to say "Thanks Bob," to our new editor, Bob Morford, for taking over the newsletter from me. It's great to know the job's been picked up by someone with a lot of years in the bike club and miles on his bikes. Thanks Bob.

Ride Calendar – Winter 2005

Tuesday and Thursday rides start at the Richland Community Center (meet on the north side by the bike racks). These are leaderless rides, with the destination chosen by the group. Morning rides start at 9:30 AM; evening rides are discontinued until spring. If you have a question about the Tuesday and Thursday rides, call Bill Dunbar, at 627-0167.

Saturday rides will generally start at 9:30 AM from their scheduled locations, as specified in the ride calendar.

Ride Codes: Green – less than 15 miles with nearly level terrain; Blue – 15 - 40 miles with moderate terrain; Black – greater than 40 miles with moderate terrain, or fewer than 40 with asphalt moguls.

Riders: No need to call ahead unless otherwise indicated. Just show up at the start. Feel free to call the ride leader for more information.

Leaders and Sweeps: Ride leaders and sweeps are always needed. As a leader, you can choose a ride that’s been done before, or create the ride of your choice and have it immortalized in this Spokesman ride calendar. The day you lead the group on your ride, you may be surprised at the number of riders who have never followed your route before. Ride sweeps provide the “rear guard” for the ride, ensuring that slower riders or those with mechanical troubles don’t fall back behind the pack. Call Ed Nordquist 627-1195, to volunteer.

And two more Very Important Notes: First, WEAR YOUR HELMET! Second, please obey the rules of the road at all times. The Club is active in community affairs, which helps us promote legislation that could provide better facilities for cyclists. Don’t ruin it by blowing through stop signs, tailgating left turns, or riding against traffic. If you wouldn’t do it in a car, don’t do it on a bike!

Beginning riders and those who want a shorter ride: Show up at the longer rides and let the ride Sweep or Leader know you’d like a less strenuous ride. They can help you with a shorter route and try to match you up with someone to ride with. We won’t leave you dangling.

Ride Leaders – Some hints for an enjoyable and successful ride:

• Introduce all the riders before starting.
• Make sure everyone is wearing their helmets
• Brief all riders on the route, where to regroup, any problems expected. (If you are unsure of the route and its conditions, ride it yourself the week before the ride.)
• Provide maps. You can get some maps on the Web, or ask John Ittner for maps, xxx-xxxx.
• Ask about the riding abilities of the group, if you are not personally acquainted with some of the riders. Ask someone to act as sweep (rear guard) if there are riders who can’t keep up with the leaders.
• Ask riders to let you know if they will be leaving the group before the end of the ride.
• In hot weather, carry extra water in case another rider goes dry.
• After a particularly good ride, if the ride leader should ask for a tip, offer him or her the previous one..

Riding in the fresh air and sunshine is its own best reward.

January

Jan 8 - Kennewick Konvoy Leave from Kellogg Cafe in Kennewick at 9:30 am (for those wanting a longer ride, start at Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30). Tour Kennewick via 10th and 4th avenues. Possible stop at O'Henry's on Auburn near 1st St. Return via Columbia Park. Blue, 18 miles. Leader: Bill Dunbar, 627-0167

Jan 15 - Dallas Climb Meet at Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Out I 182 to Kennedy and Dallas. Climb Dallas to I 82 and on to Badger Road. Return on Leslie. The climb up Dallas makes this ride a Dark Blue, 25 miles. (Map: Blue, Dallas Climb). Leader: Gene Weisskopf, 946-1316

Jan 22 - Loop the Parks - Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Ride through Chiawana Park. Return via Cable Bridge and Columbia Drive through Columbia Park, I-182, Jadwin, back to Some Bagels. Blue, approx. 25 miles. Leader: Tom Klinckman, 543-7714

Jan 29 - Wannawish Dam Bombing Run - Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Bike path thru Howard Amon Park and Haines to Van Giesen to Fallon, Canal and Grosscup to Harrington. Follow Harrington to the pavement end beyond the Wannawish Dam. Retrace route back to Some Bagels. For a more challenging ride, go up Bombing Range before returning home. Blue, approx. 30 miles. Leader: Ed Nordquist, 627 1195

February

Feb 5 - West Richland Tour Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 a.m. Out Kennedy to Bombing Range. Ride through residential areas on Ironton, Broadview, Riverside, returning on Van Giesen and Hains. Gradual climbs and a steep downhill; Blue, 19 miles. Leader: Tom Patten, 547-2317

Feb 12 - Benton City, Bear Hut Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Ride to B.C. via Dallas to Badger. Lunch at Bear Hut. Return via DeMoss, Ruppert, and Van Giesen. Blue, approx. 30 miles. Leader: Gene Weisskopf, 946-1316

Feb 19 - Sagemoor Loop - Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Rd 100, Harris, Dent, to Rd 68 at Douglas Fruit. Rd 68 to Sagemoor. Return on Taylor Flats Rd. Black, approx. 35 miles. Leader: Harold Udseth, 946-1202

Feb 26 - Burbank- Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Edison to Columbia Park and over the Blue Bridge. Out "A" Street and Hwy 12 to Burbank. Return same route except go over the Cable Bridge. Blue, approx. 32 miles. Leader: Tom Patten, 547-2317

March

Mar 5 - Zintel Dam - Leave Espresso World in Kennewick at 10:30 am, or get there from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Take Kellogg to 10th, then Union to 27th. Ride up to Dam. Continue through Canyon Lakes to Ely. Left on 27th and retrace back to Kellogg. Black approx. 25 miles (or 40 miles from Richland). Leader: Gene Weisskopf, 946-1316

Mar 12 - Tour de Hanford - Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Ride Rt 4S north to Rt 10 at the Wye Barricade. Rt 10 and Horn Rd to Benton City. Lunch stop at the Bear Hut in Benton City. Return via Kennedy, Queensgate, I-182 trail, Goethals, and Lee. Black, 47 miles. Leader: Bob Morford, 375 0839

Mar 19 - Badger Canyon Loop Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. I-182 to Queensgate, Columbia Drive, Leslie, and Badger. Return on Jacobs Rd from Kiona, then Dallas, Kennedy and Queensgate back to Richland. Blue, approx. 35 miles. Leader: Dave Gerkensmeyer, 628 3084

Mar 26 - Over to Hover - Leave Espresso World in Kennewick at 9:30 am, , or get there from Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am. Kellogg, Metaline, Edison, Columbia Park Trail, Fruitland to First Ave, left on First to Chemical Dr., 3rd, Yew, 7th, Havana, Finley Rd Riek, Meals and Hover Rd. to the Old Hover town site. Return via Game Farm, Haney, Bowles Rd., Oak St., 27th, Washington and 10th. Blue, approx. 35 miles. Leader: Ed Nordquist, 627 1195

Spring Preview

Apr 2 – Cherry Hill Loop Meet at Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am. Car pool to the Dairygold dairy store in Sunnyside. Leave from there about 9 am. Head east to Grandview then loop back around to the west through the orchards and vineyards north of I-182. Around Cherry Hill, return along Yakima River. Late lunch at the dairy store in Sunnyside. Blue, approx. 40 miles. Leader: Larry Thomas, 942-1266

April 3, Sunday - Daylight Savings Time begins

Apr 9 – Chocolate Factory Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 a.m. Cross Columbia River on I 182, out Court to Harris, left on Harris to Dent. Left on Rd. 68, right at fire station, out to Hwy 395, and lunch at the Chocolate Factory. Retrace route to return. Black, 40 miles. Leader: Harold Udseth, 946-1202

Apr 16 – B.C. to Prosser – Leave from Benton City Park & Ride at 9:30 am or, for those wanting a longer ride, start from Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am. Up Webber Canyon to County Wells Rd. Over to Patterson Hwy, and down into Prosser for lunch at Blue Goose. Back via Old Inland Empire Hwy to Benton City. Black approx. 35 miles (or 65 miles from Richland). Leader: Bob Morford, 375 0839

Inland Empire Century

Jane Sereda

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!! First Planning Meeting: January 13, 7:00 PM, 2653 Maidstone Street, Richland

We need your help in putting on the very best Inland Empire Century Ride ever. Our history over the past 4 years has been one of increased ridership, increased support from the communities, and increased enjoyment by all .... a very good trend!!

The date has been set at May 7, the day before Mother's Day, as has been the case the past 2 years. This year is the 25th Annual IEC ride, so we have planned some special changes for the riders. Specifically, these are: newly designed routes for all; wonderful new T shirt designs coordinated with posters and brochures; long and short sleeved T shirts available NOW; and discounted T shirts and ride registration costs for TCBC members.

A lot of work has been done so far... Vicki Patten has designed and ordered great new shirts for the ride - short sleeved and long sleeved T-shirts, available early (at the Annual Banquet) and at a special discounted price for TCBC members; Bill Painter, Bob Morford and George Kyriazis have been planning new routes for the IEC, using much more of the river valleys and the actual Old Inland Empire highway; Prosser Chamber of Commerce is again going to promote and sponsor the IEC, with improved restroom facilities for cyclist comfort; an announcement has been sent to the Bicycle Paper; George Kyriazis and Jerry Lewis have planned for the new brochure and poster; Dave Gerkensmeyer and I have met to set out our overall plans.

Of course, we need lots of volunteer help to make this the most popular and successful ride ever. If you can offer to take a little chunk of the work I can assure you we will try to make it fun. Some of the jobs need to be done on May 7th, but there are many that are part of the promotion and set up tasks, so that you will be free to cycle with 'the folks' that day.

Our first PLANNING MEETING will be held on January 13th at 7PM at our house in Horn Rapids. It should take 90 minutes and will give you a good idea of how the ride will look and let you sign up for your favorite task.

The AGENDA will be:

• Review of recommendations from IEC 2004
• Identifying planned changes to IEC 2005
• Outlining of tasks for IEC 2005
• Assignment of tasks to persons or small committees
• Setting next meeting date

If you cannot come, but would like to help, please call 375-1977 or email me as soon as possible. Some jobs you might think about are:

• Sending brochures and posters to northwest cycling shops and clubs
• Contacting NW cycling and racing calendars to be put on their Web sites
• Buying and supplying food for rest stops
• Driving sag wagon for the ride
• Organizing volunteers for the rest stops (I'll give you lists of past volunteers)
• Helping with registration that morning/ signing in at the end of the ride
• Sending registration forms (and maybe calling) cyclists from previous years' rides
• Developing and collating a rider survey
• Registration records maintenance - requires some prior computer experience
• Other things you think would be good to do....

I'm looking forward to hearing from you

If you will help in some way for IEC 2005, I need to know. Please call me whether you plan to be there January 13th or not. I need to know so that I can have enough nibbles and drinks on hand, and to give you directions if you need them. Call me at 375-1977. See you there, I hope. Jane

Annual TCBC Banquet

The Annual TCBC Banquet will once again be a gala affair that will be held at the Clarion Hotel (was the Royal, was the Tower Inn) in Richland on George Washington Way. On your calendars put Friday, January 28, 6:00 PM social, 7:00 PM dinner, 8:00 PM Introduction of new TCBC Officers then the presentation.

Tickets will be on sale at all Tri-City bike shops, REI or by calling Ed Nordquist at 627-1195. Ticket price is $25 for non-TCBC members and $20 for members (note the $5 discount for members-a New Year's gift for our members!). There will again be great door prizes and interesting equipment demos by vendors before and after dinner.

The presentation will be by one of our own, Jane Sereda, about her experiences bicycling the Lewis and Clark Trail from Astoria OR to St. Louis MO. Jane has outstanding experience as a presenter, and this promises to be an interesting, humorous and entertaining evening.

Please come, bring friends, and enjoy yourself at an evening of socializing, prizes, dinner, drinks and laughs. Last year 60 members and friends enjoyed a terrific event. This year promises to be just as much fun. Get your tickets early!!

Stuff For Sale

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