RIDE CALENDAR – Fall 2006

Tuesday and Thursday Morning 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 8:30 AM. 

Tuesday and Thursday Evening 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. Evening rides start at 6:00 PM.

Betsy Colburn  will lead rides from the Columbia Basin Racquet Club at 6:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday evenings

Saturday rides will usually start at 8:30 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 Tom Klinckman at 543-7714, 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 maps on the Web at Tri-City Bicycle Club Ride Maps.
• 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.

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

Oct 7 – Benton City ‑ Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am . Ride to B.C. via Ruppert & DeMoss, Lunch at Shadow Mountain . Return via 224. Blue, approx. 30 miles. Leader: Bob Morford, 375-0839

Oct 14 – Zintel Dam – Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am . Take Goethals to the I-182 bike path up to Queensgate. Left to Keene Rd to Gauge, right on Leslie, cross Badger, and around to 10^th Ave. Right on Union to 27^th. Ride up to Dam. Continue through Canyon Lakes to Ely. Left on 27^th and retrace back to Kellogg, down to 10^th. Lunch stop at the Sandstone on Washington in Kennewick . Over the Cable Bridge and back to Richland on the Pasco bike path. Black, about 40 miles. Leader: Larry Thomas, 942-1266

Oct 21 – Nostalgic Ride –  Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am.   Bring your oldest bike and wear your oldest clothes.  Ride up Sandifur to Rd. 68^th Place to Burden to Rd. 36 to Andy's and enjoy 10 cent coffee.  Blue, approx.  30 miles.  Leader: Bill Painter, 946-1076

Oct 28 – Sagemoor Loop –  Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 8:30 am.  Rd 100 to Harris to Dent to Rd 68 at Douglas Fruit.  Rd 68 to Sagemoor.  Return on Taylor Flats Rd.   Black, approx. 35 miles.  Leader: Bob Morford, 375‑0839

Oct 29 – Daylight Savings Time ends (rides now start at 9:30 am)

Nov 4 – Rancho Reata ‑ Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Out Leslie to Rachel Rd, right on Rachel, left on Clover Rd, left on Bermuda, right on Sagebrush, left on Summit View. Climb to top. Return same route. Black, approx. 25 miles. Leader: Gene Weisskopf,  946-1316

Nov 11 – 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. Leader: Ed Nordquist, 627-1195

Nov 18 – Chocolate Factory ‑ Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am Cross Col. 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 mi. Leader: Dave Gerkensmeyer, 628-3084

Nov 23 – Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25 – Pick a ride –  Leave from Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am.  After thoughtful negotiations over a bagel, the leader will lead the ride.  Leaderless Ride

Dec 2 – 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 .  Blue, approx. 25 miles.  Leader: Bob Morford, 375‑0839

Dec 9 – 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: Ed Nordquist, 627-1195

Dec 16 – Tour de Hanford - Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Go north out of Richland onto Rt. 4S to the Wye Barricade. Turn back on Rt. 10 to Horn Road to Benton City , back on Rupert/Demoss, Black, 48 miles. Leader: Bill Dunbar, 627-0167

Dec 23 – Free Ride –  Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am. Take a few turns, ride for a while and come back.  Leaderless ride

Dec 25 – Merry Christmas!

Dec 30 – Free Ride –  Leave Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 am.  Take a loop; during the loop plan a 2 mile sprint.  Leaderless ride

Dec 31 – Happy New Year’s Eve!  Polar Bear Ride –  Ride a mile for each degree-F.  Meet at the Community Center in Richland at 9:30 am.  ~20 miles.  Leaderless ride

Jan 6 – Queensgate/Wannawish –  Meet at Some Bagels in Richland at 9:30 a.m.  Out Queensgate and up to Bombing Range detour road, down Bombing Range to Wannawish Dam and back to Golf Course Café. Blue/Black, 35 miles.  Leader: Dave Gerkensmeyer, 628-3084

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

The club has enjoyed another summer season of fine riding weather in the Tri Cities with essentially no rain and generally moderate wind conditions.  These fine riding conditions added to the slowness of club business in the summer months and it caught up with us so that the time for a summer picnic has passed and we have started planning for the annual Christmas party.  Vicky Patten will be leading the planning and we are looking forward to a merry gathering.

The TCBC actively works with the governments of the Tri Cities to identify and ameliorate hazards that the road system and bicycle paths may present to cyclists.  In an effort to encourage the cities to take action and create a public record of areas of concern, the bike club will begin to post photos and descriptions of areas of particular concern on its web site.  I would ask the members or interested parties to send me candidate sites to be posted on the web site.  Please include a photo, a description of the location and a description of the hazard posed, if it isn’t obvious.

Weekend rides continue to see more participation by recumbent riders and on occasion they have outnumbered the upright riders.  The club welcomes all types of bicycles and encourages participation.  Routes can be adjusted and modified as needed depending on the interests of the riders that show up on any given day.  We are always interested for suggestions for new routes for the Saturday rides and suggestions should be sent to the ride coordinator, Tom Klinckman, who can be contacted at (509) 543-7714.

Harold R Udseth

RIDE COORDINATOR

I have had a great time scheduling rides for the last couple of years.  I feel it is time for me to resign and allow another lucky cyclist to continue as Ride Coordinator.  I would greatly appreciate if you or someone you know would like to take over this prestigious position.   Please call for details.  Tom Klinckman 543-7714

SPOKESMAN EDITOR

2006 IEC T-SHIRTS

We still have a large number of 2006 IEC T-shirts available for sale.  They will go for $5.00 plus postage.  Call John Ittner or email him at jpittner@owt.com to order your shirt.  Sizes available are S, M, L and XL.

BIKEWAY POLICY COMMITTEE

The city of Pasco has formed a Bikeway Policy Committee to improve bicycling around the city. The stated objectives of the committee are:

1) Propose design standards and options for bikeways throughout the city

2) Propose policies regarding bicycle accommodation in the city

3. Maintenance standards for the bikeway system.

As a member of this committee, I welcome your comments and suggestions to improve cycling in Pasco .  Please provide to Becky Bechtold at bbechtold2b@charter.net

BIKE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN

League of American Bicyclists has started a Bicycle Friendly Community  Campaign (BFC).  The TCBC Board recently voted in favor of supporting this program.    A $300.00 donation will be made and in return a BFC Action Kit will be mailed to the mayors of each of our three cities to get them started on the road to improving conditions for cyclists in our area.

Ever wonder where the best places to cycle are?  Check out LAB's current list for the best towns and cities in the country at

CHRISTMAS PARTY - DEC. 14

Yep, another year has flown by.  Time to mark your calendars for the annual TCBC Christmas party on THURSDAY, DEC 14.at 6:00 p.m.  It will be held once again at the Horn Rapids multi-purpose room.  The Club will provide the main course (probably ham + a vegetarian selection) and non-alcoholic drinks.  Members are asked to contribute accompaniments, salads and desserts.    AND don't forget your gifts for the gift exchange. 

Vicki Patten

SUPPORTERS OF THE TRI-CITY BICYCLE CLUB

Discounts include: Markee's - 10% off for accessories Scott's - 10% off for accessories Richland (Schwinn) - 10% off for accessories, bicycles, and exercise equipment