Cycling Santa Fe
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Cycling, Santa Fe
Santa Fe Bike News -- March
Here is a quick compilation of upcoming local events, in no particular order.
---Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba DayNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has proclaimed Thursday, March 4, 2010 as Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba Day, to pay tribute to New Mexico's foremost bicycle advocate. The Proclamation honors Dr. Ryba for her bicycle advocacy work in New Mexico and her encouragement efforts. For more information on Ride Your Bicycle in Honor of Gail Ryba Day, contact: Diane Albert at 505.235.2277 or president@bikenm.org.There will be another ride honoring Gail at the National Bike Rally. See details below.League National Rally 2010: New Mexico Bike RallyJune 3-6, 2010 • Albuquerque, N.M.
Register today!The League's National Rally is a beloved tradition; and this year we will be celebrating our 130th rally anniversary by teaming up with the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico! We will ride to honor Gail Ryba, founder of the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico. Join cyclists from across the country for three days of riding through the colorful and historic New Mexican terrain. The rally offers several ride options and routes that will cater to and challenge all abilities. Enjoy scenic views of the city and beautiful Sandia mountains as you pedal off the miles on this 100 mile perimeter loop. There are also 10-25-50-65 mile routes available.
Register your friends and family today for the 2010 League Rally!Bike Race Official ClinicHave you ever wanted to be an official at a bike race? BikeABQ member Al Watters will be teaching a FREE clinic on Sunday March, 21st, from noon to 4pm at REI in Albuquerque. There will be a short test, and registration fees are $35. Click here for more information.
Santa Fe CenturyCome ride with us on Santa Fe's 25th Annual Century Ride on Sunday, May 16th. Register here.
Bike to Work Week/DaySanta Fe is celebrating Bike to Work Week 2010 from May 17-21 and Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21.The next Bike to Work Week Meeting will be on Monday March 15, at 5:15 pm, in the City Councilor’s Conference Room (First Floor of City Hall, across from the City Manager’s Office) Contact Rachel Wexler at rfwexler@ci.santa-fe.nm.us for more information and to volunteer.
Santa Fe World Naked Bike RideIt's time to put a stop to the indecent exposure of people and the planet to cars and the pollution they create. The World Naked Bike Ride will take place in Santa Fe on Saturday, June 12th, 2010. A body painting party is planned to begin around 10:00 AM with the ride kicking off at Noon. The ride will last about an hour with a post ride party to follow. Exact location and route still to be determined. All are welcome! From the shy to the bold. Cyclists, rollerbladers, rollerskaters, skate boarders. All ages, sizes, and colors welcome. Bring your family and your co-workers! What to wear? Do not fear! The World Naked Bike Ride dress code is "As Bare As You Dare"... How bare is that? How dare is that? It's all up to you. You decide what you are comfortable with. No one is excluded or discriminated against based on levels of clothing, bodypaint, or anything else for that matter!
Click here for more info
---Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba DayNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has proclaimed Thursday, March 4, 2010 as Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba Day, to pay tribute to New Mexico's foremost bicycle advocate. The Proclamation honors Dr. Ryba for her bicycle advocacy work in New Mexico and her encouragement efforts. For more information on Ride Your Bicycle in Honor of Gail Ryba Day, contact: Diane Albert at 505.235.2277 or president@bikenm.org.There will be another ride honoring Gail at the National Bike Rally. See details below.League National Rally 2010: New Mexico Bike RallyJune 3-6, 2010 • Albuquerque, N.M.
Register today!The League's National Rally is a beloved tradition; and this year we will be celebrating our 130th rally anniversary by teaming up with the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico! We will ride to honor Gail Ryba, founder of the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico. Join cyclists from across the country for three days of riding through the colorful and historic New Mexican terrain. The rally offers several ride options and routes that will cater to and challenge all abilities. Enjoy scenic views of the city and beautiful Sandia mountains as you pedal off the miles on this 100 mile perimeter loop. There are also 10-25-50-65 mile routes available.
Register your friends and family today for the 2010 League Rally!Bike Race Official ClinicHave you ever wanted to be an official at a bike race? BikeABQ member Al Watters will be teaching a FREE clinic on Sunday March, 21st, from noon to 4pm at REI in Albuquerque. There will be a short test, and registration fees are $35. Click here for more information.
Santa Fe CenturyCome ride with us on Santa Fe's 25th Annual Century Ride on Sunday, May 16th. Register here.
Bike to Work Week/DaySanta Fe is celebrating Bike to Work Week 2010 from May 17-21 and Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21.The next Bike to Work Week Meeting will be on Monday March 15, at 5:15 pm, in the City Councilor’s Conference Room (First Floor of City Hall, across from the City Manager’s Office) Contact Rachel Wexler at rfwexler@ci.santa-fe.nm.us for more information and to volunteer.
Santa Fe World Naked Bike RideIt's time to put a stop to the indecent exposure of people and the planet to cars and the pollution they create. The World Naked Bike Ride will take place in Santa Fe on Saturday, June 12th, 2010. A body painting party is planned to begin around 10:00 AM with the ride kicking off at Noon. The ride will last about an hour with a post ride party to follow. Exact location and route still to be determined. All are welcome! From the shy to the bold. Cyclists, rollerbladers, rollerskaters, skate boarders. All ages, sizes, and colors welcome. Bring your family and your co-workers! What to wear? Do not fear! The World Naked Bike Ride dress code is "As Bare As You Dare"... How bare is that? How dare is that? It's all up to you. You decide what you are comfortable with. No one is excluded or discriminated against based on levels of clothing, bodypaint, or anything else for that matter!
Click here for more info
Crash City...local cyclists unite to save their skins (SF Reporter article on Saturday's meeting)
check out the article here:
SFR.hy.pr/crashcity
SOB Info News February 2010
The 2010 Ride Schedule is posted on the web at: the SOB Website. Thanks to Judy Costlow and Ian Norrish for their efforts in getting it posted.
On Feb. 20, that’s a Saturday at 2:00 pm the Santa Fe Bike Summit will be held at Second Street Brewery on 2nd Street. I am planning on being there so please join me.
We are looking for people to sign up for the Ride Leaders training classes which will be March 18, 25, and April 1. These 2 hour sessions will be held on Thursdays starting at 10:30 am in the REI Community Room at the Rail Yard location. There is no charge for SOB members and a certificate of completion will be awarded the last class for those that pass the written leadership training test. Participatents will be issued a text and there will be reading assignments but there will be no actual bike riding. If you are interested attend the first class or e-mail Edwin at ecrosswhite@cybermesa.com.
Mayor Coss met with some SOBs on January 25 at City Hall. We presented him with a copy of Gary Katz's DVD production Senior On Bikes aka SOBs, and Edwin Crosswhite's 2009 SOB History. The video can be viewed on the SOB web site.
Edwin Crosswhite
On Feb. 20, that’s a Saturday at 2:00 pm the Santa Fe Bike Summit will be held at Second Street Brewery on 2nd Street. I am planning on being there so please join me.
We are looking for people to sign up for the Ride Leaders training classes which will be March 18, 25, and April 1. These 2 hour sessions will be held on Thursdays starting at 10:30 am in the REI Community Room at the Rail Yard location. There is no charge for SOB members and a certificate of completion will be awarded the last class for those that pass the written leadership training test. Participatents will be issued a text and there will be reading assignments but there will be no actual bike riding. If you are interested attend the first class or e-mail Edwin at ecrosswhite@cybermesa.com.
Mayor Coss met with some SOBs on January 25 at City Hall. We presented him with a copy of Gary Katz's DVD production Senior On Bikes aka SOBs, and Edwin Crosswhite's 2009 SOB History. The video can be viewed on the SOB web site.
Edwin Crosswhite
2010 SOB Planning Meeting
The planning meeting (see photos below) was well attended and 26 SOBs signed up for the 2010 cycling season. The membership drive will continue through the month of April.
There are 10 that signed up for the Leadership Training Classes; March 18, 25. & April 1. We will need more certified ride leaders this year to handle the new short and mountain bike rides. Please e-mail me to sign-up.
Karen is organizing a 5 day, 254 mile, Colorado cycling trip for Sept. 8 - 12. She called the Gunnison Inn at Gunnison, CO (866-641-0700) and they said it would be o.k. to park our cars at the motel while on our bike trip. The rates there are $65.00 for 2 queen or single king or backside area $59.00 for 2 queen or single king (Ask for senior rate). There will be more info and sign up sheets later in the year. About 10 riders expressed interest in this years event.
For those that would like to view the Santa Fe Seniors On Bikes aka SOB video Click Here:
Judy was in charge of the 2010 ride calendar discussion. There will be three rides on Thursday: A - longer distance, B - medium length, and C - shortened course or mountain bike course. The dates for the off road rides are: May 6 (Spur Trail), May 27 (Sapello), Aug 19 (Caldera), Sept. 23 (Museum Hill). New rides for this year are: July 15 Train trip to Albuquerque and bike back, Sept 9 Petroglyphs ride, and Oct. 21 La Cueva. The official club picture will be taken on June 24th at Frank Ortiz Park.
The officers for 2010 are:
Edwin Crosswhite. President
Judy Costlow, Ride Director
Ian Norrish, Web Master
Steve Gitomer, Treasurer
Devon Dalzell, Social Chair
Stephen Hazen, Special Events
Bill Pollock, Media Coordinator
See you all on April 8th, 10:00 am, at the Museum Hill Complex parking lot. Happy trails to you until then.
Edwin Crosswhite
There are 10 that signed up for the Leadership Training Classes; March 18, 25. & April 1. We will need more certified ride leaders this year to handle the new short and mountain bike rides. Please e-mail me to sign-up.
Karen is organizing a 5 day, 254 mile, Colorado cycling trip for Sept. 8 - 12. She called the Gunnison Inn at Gunnison, CO (866-641-0700) and they said it would be o.k. to park our cars at the motel while on our bike trip. The rates there are $65.00 for 2 queen or single king or backside area $59.00 for 2 queen or single king (Ask for senior rate). There will be more info and sign up sheets later in the year. About 10 riders expressed interest in this years event.
For those that would like to view the Santa Fe Seniors On Bikes aka SOB video Click Here:
Judy was in charge of the 2010 ride calendar discussion. There will be three rides on Thursday: A - longer distance, B - medium length, and C - shortened course or mountain bike course. The dates for the off road rides are: May 6 (Spur Trail), May 27 (Sapello), Aug 19 (Caldera), Sept. 23 (Museum Hill). New rides for this year are: July 15 Train trip to Albuquerque and bike back, Sept 9 Petroglyphs ride, and Oct. 21 La Cueva. The official club picture will be taken on June 24th at Frank Ortiz Park.
The officers for 2010 are:
Edwin Crosswhite. President
Judy Costlow, Ride Director
Ian Norrish, Web Master
Steve Gitomer, Treasurer
Devon Dalzell, Social Chair
Stephen Hazen, Special Events
Bill Pollock, Media Coordinator
See you all on April 8th, 10:00 am, at the Museum Hill Complex parking lot. Happy trails to you until then.
Edwin Crosswhite
Latest News
So who are these SOBs! - a brief history..
“You’re only young once but you can be
immature forever.” –Germaine Greer
And just because you’re pushing 50—or 65 or 80—doesn’t mean you can’t wear spandex shorts and form-fitting shirts and ride around on a bicycle. Just ask any of the several dozen members of the whimsically named SOB bike club of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The concept for the SOBs, Seniors on Bikes, was imported by cyclist Joel Stein when he and his wife, Mary, moved to Santa Fe from Boulder in 1997. Through a newspaper ad, he put the word out that he was seeking riders-of-a-certain-age for regular Thursday-morning jaunts. Among the charter members were Rennie Finlay, Jim Hallquist and Bob Hilley—all still active members…except when joints or other body parts need replacing.
Joel established regular routes and snail-mailed out the season’s plan to members. Word of mouth attracted Herb Schon, newly arrived from New York City and eager to have people to ride with. He brought in some of his Eldorado neighbors, and with the help of a computer—and his wife--took over the maintenance and dissemination of the membership roster and the annual ride plan. He instituted a Tuesday ski-hill ride and also injected a social aspect to the club by hosting a summer cook-out. In 2008, he designed and had manufactured a club uniform, nagging members unmercifully until they agreed to order enough to make the price break. Those bright red and yellow shirts are now collectors’ items!
Other innovations introduced since Joel came south include the formation of a board of directors, heading by the unflaggingly enthusiastic Edwin Crosswhite, who established the club’s affiliation with the League of American Cyclists (and its liability insurance coverage) and instituted modest dues to help defray the costs of his colorful weekly newsletter. He also rounded up sponsors to provide discounts to card-carrying SOBs, and with his ubiquitous camera he supplies much material for the club web site, www.santafesobs.com, which was created and is maintained by the brilliant ex-Kiwi Ian Norrish.
The SOBs’ social side has grown too, and overnight rides introduced, most recently a three-day Enchanted Circle trip, but the biggest change perhaps is the structure of the Thursday rides: once a casual collection of riders of differing skills who did what they felt like, Thursdays now offer a choice of longer, faster rides (40-60 miles) or rides that average 30 miles at a gentler pace. Each is overseen by a leader, and a sweeper (or HERO—High Energy Rear Observer) is always designated to make sure stragglers aren’t eaten by coyotes. Route sheets are provided at each ride’s sign-in so getting lost isn’t as easy as it used to be. Most rides conclude with a coffee or snack before the members separate.
Though the name Seniors on Bikes implies geezerhood, in fact most members are in their 60’s and a number are a decade younger. And a few pushing 80, God bless ‘em. Some are retirees, some, alas, still work. There are currently about 50 members, a mix of men and women, and an average ride generally attracts half of them. Several rides offer an option for mountain bikes, but most are designed for road bikes. Members are required to wear helmets and obey all traffic laws. Those who flout the rules of the road risk the wrath of Judy Costlow and Devon Dalzell, both frequent ride leaders and sticklers for cycling etiquette. Members are encouraged to know how to fix flats and to carry the appropriate tools and equipment, although no one will be abandoned (unless Judy is late for her next caffeine fix).
The SOBs welcomes all: some of our members are really good, really fast riders, some are, um, less so. We do look for a sense of humor and a willingness to help out when needed (but we also have a number of cranky, dour characters we keep for old times’ sake, so don’t let that deter you). Check out the web site; if you like what you see, and you think you’ll look good in red-and-yellow Lycra, come join us.
Enchanted Circle SOB Ride September 2009
Supported by two SAG wagons, a group of 10 SOB riders conquered the Enchanted Circle hills and weather in a three day tour this past week. A fun tour, covering 150 miles from Penasco, through Angelfire, Red River, Questa and Taos, including the legendary Bobcat Pass, Holman Hill and U.S Hill. Check out the photos here
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For these SOBs, it's all about the ride
Club members with Seniors on Bikes enjoy exercise, companionship
7/8/2009
Photo by: Courtesy photo
In the past year and a half, the club, which stands for Seniors on Bikes, has seen its membership double to 51 riders between the ages of 50 and 83, said member Bill Pollock.
Wearing their bright red and yellow biking outfits with SOBs stenciled on the back of their jerseys, the seniors are not hard to spot as they ride single file on the highways or fill a nearby coffee shop.
As might be imagined, there are multiple interpretations of the SOBs acronym.
"I had a guy come up to me in a cafe recently who said, 'I wish I had the nerve to wear a jersey with SOB on it,' " Pollock said. "We've heard many, some unmentionable, translations of SOB since we started wearing our colors."
Every Thursday, the SOBs meet at a local cafe before embarking on planned rides that average around 40 to 50 miles.
Last week, they biked to Madrid, stopping at Java Junction Cafe for coffee before they cycled back to Santa Fe.
"All of our rides are on highways" said club president Ed Crosswhite. "We are not like a lot of young bikers who ride to see how fast than can go. We average between 13-15 mph. We wear helmets and look out for one another."
Crosswhite, 66, said every ride has a "high energy rear observer" who backs up the pack to help a rider who might happen to break down. The group also stops every 10 miles to pick up stragglers.
Many of the club members are former runners who have turned to cycling because it's easier on the knees, said Judy Costlow, the club's ride director.
And many have elevated their cycling game to compete in the Senior Olympics. Club members Dale Goering, 70, and Ramon Montoya, 75, are both former Senior Olympic champions.
Members also participate in the Santa Fe Century Ride. This March, the 100-mile ride attracted more than 3,000 bicyclists from around the nation, Crosswhite said.
The SOBs exude high energy as illustrated by their planned three-day September ride into the Sangre de Cristos.
"We call it the Enchanted Circle Ride," Pollock said. "We begin in Peñasco, ride 67 miles to Angel Fire and spend the night. On the second day, it's a 64-mile ride to Questa, and on the third day we bike 25 miles back to Peñasco."
All of the hard work the bikers put in during the summer comes to fruition for the Enchanted Circle Ride, Crosswhite said.
Crosswhite, Pollock and Costlow all agreed they ride with the SOBs for two reasons: It's an opportunity to stay healthy and to meet interesting people.
But it was Costlow who put the biking experience in poetic terms: "I ride because the bike is my convertible. The other day, I biked to Hyde Park and roses lined the road for miles. The smell of the roses and being in the open air made me feel empowered. It was wonderful."
For more information, go to santafesobs.com.
2. The latest "Ride Calendar" for 2009 is now posted on the website.
3. Ride Slips (ride directions) Posted during the week of the upcoming rides: Pick up your copies here
4. Minutes from the February Planning Meeting are now available online here.
5. While we have no formally scheduled Tuesday rides over the Winter, we will still keep the
Tuesday meeting at Java Joes, De Vargas Center, at 10AM, plus a Thursday meeting at 10AM
for a local ride, weather permitting. Just to be sure, if you would like to join in, please email info@santafesobs.com or add an entry to the blog, so we will know to look out for you.
Check out the latest Rider pics at: Rider pics
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Unscheduled Rides
New Roads.
1. Railyard Trail:
It is now possible to ride from the Downtown Railyard all the way to Lamy via new and exisitng trails, or ride to the Spur Trail and exit at the SFCC on Richards Ave.
The newer sections of the trail are now sealed. There is a new coffee shop in the Railyard area and the trail passes in back of the Second St. Brewery, so refreshment stops abound.
2. Rabbit road extension:
Good for riding now and I ride this regularly (very low traffic)
Dinosaur Road is now paved all the way through from Rancho Viejo Blvd
(at Cerrillos Road) to Richards. Also, there is a new road, an extension of Rabbit Road, that
goes from Oshara Village (which is a new sub division on Richards just
norht of the Community College) and connects to Old Agua Fria Road -
which leads to St. Francis and then up to Old Pecos Trail via the old Rabbit
Road.
The good thing about the two of these new roads is that you can
essentially go from 14 to Old Pecos Trail by staying on the south side
of I25 and avoiding the heavier traffic on Rodeo, Zia, etc.
This new road is now officially open to traffic
Check them out at the SOB Website
Welcome
The idea for this area is that it be a forum for comments, ideas, reviews of Bike rides plus all the things you wanted to ask or say on the ride but didn't have the breath to do so.
Ian
Ian
Log your ride on-line
If you currently keep a record of your rides, you may be interested in using a very user friendly logging site at:
Bikejournal
The site has the SOBs as a "club" in their records, so you can log your rides in the SOBs area.
A few of us are logging rides here so check it out. I think you will enjoy the site and the data.
Ian
Bikejournal
The site has the SOBs as a "club" in their records, so you can log your rides in the SOBs area.
A few of us are logging rides here so check it out. I think you will enjoy the site and the data.
Ian
Ride Reports
Add your ride reports to this area by commenting below.