May
2005

Willie Weir returns to Santa Barbara



Cycling and camping within view of Erclyes Dagi in central Turkey, south of Kayseri.

• Want to know what it's like bike touring Turkey during the recent Iraq War? Then come hear celebrated touring cyclist Willie Weir tell us what happened to him and his wife Kat as they biked through the history-rich country for three months.


• Last year, our Bike Week Celebration featuring Willie was so successful that we're bringing him back from Seattle—and this time with Kat too. Our annual Bike Week kick-off Celebration, though, is lots more. You'll enjoy not only Willie's "The Bad Road: Cycling Turkey," but also good company, great dining, and an award ceremony.
• This year we're offering a no-host bar with beer and wine on the terrace overlooking the Cabrillo bikepath. Beer will be from New Belgium, an environmentally-designed brewery in Colorado, the makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale.
• The dinner is from Country Catering: BBQ tri-tip and chiken. Italian pasta with spinach, feta, onions, tomatoes and peppers. Tossed salad with ranch or raspberry dressing. Red potatoes with rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Garlic bread. And save room for dessert.
• Don't miss this stellar event—a bargain evening at $30. It's May 14th, 6:00 PM, at the Chase Palm Park Center, 236 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara. You may have already received an invitation from the Bicycle Coalition. If not, get your reservation form here. See you there!

---

Who is Willie Weir?

• You can learn about Willie Weir at his site www.willieweir.com. For those who belong to Adventure Cycling, you are already familiar with Willie's adventures and thoughts from his articles in Adventure Cycling Magazine. Willie won the gold Lowell Thomas Award from the American Society of Travel Writers for his work. He is known to public radio listeners for his commentaries aired on KUOW in Seattle.

---

Here’s what others said about our 2004 Bike Week Celebration

• The location was good, the food was excellent, the attendees were interesting and Willy Weir's presentation was top-notch. People who did not attend really missed out! — Wilson Hubbell
• Willie put on a very entertaining presentation. And it was fun to share it and bike culture with the other attendees. I am looking forward to next year's celebration already. — Nancy Mulholland
• I thought the event was great. I think the last minute nature of this year's event is the only reason the event was not sold out. — Chuck Anderson
• All was great and we had a good time. Willie was certainly the highlight. The desserts were heavenly. Only compliments all around. — Kathleen Boehm
• Dinner was great. I thought your speaker choice was excellent. Inspirational and entertaining. I am also enjoying his book. I can just hear him talking. — David Madajian
• I loved every minute. Willie spun my biking enthusiasm into a tornado with his great delivery and wonderful stories. — Don Lubach
• Everything worked great. Willie's presentation made it especially fun and gave a focus to the event. — Dave Bourgeois
• Yes, we had a very enjoyable time. Willie's presentation was inspirational, the food was fine, the wine intoxicating, and the company at our table very pleasant. Our compliments to everyone responsible for making this first annual gala event happen. Good job! — Gary Nett

---

Baseline may get shoulders

• Matt Dobberteen has submitted a County application for funding of five-foot wide shoulders for nearly a mile on Baseline Avenue between Highway 154 and Refugio Road north of Santa Ynez. The application was for Bicycle Transportation Account funding and would be used in conjunction with County funds for resurfacing the road that currently has no shoulders. We will hear this summer whether the funding has been approved.

---

“Sideways” sends our site soaring

• Normally, not very many people visit our web site in the first few months of the year, but 2005 is an exceptional year due to the film "Sideways." Not just the film, but our two bike rides based on locations seen in the Oscar-winning movie. While we don't know whether people are cycling our tours, they are interested in seeing them.
• Since February 20th, there have been three mentions of the bike rides in the Santa Barbara News-Press. In addition, it's now linked from at least two local sites: Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau, and Santa Barbara Car Free.
• Although site visitors peaked in early March, the number of people coming to our home page continues way above the levels of three prior years shown above in gray. In general, our visitors numbers have increased by 23% a year over the past five years. Regardless of the reason people initially come to our site, they're learning about who we are and what we're doing.

---

Open Air bike shop targets motorists

• There's a large white board outside Open Air Bicycles in Santa Barbara that tells drivers to free themselves. Written by employee Kali Cowgill, it says in part:
• "BICYCLES your ticket to Freedom. Free yourself from:
• $2.77 per gallon for gas
• Hundreds of $ auto insurance
• Waiting in traffic
• Looking for parking.
• No time for a workout? Get your workout riding to work or school! Add a rack to your bike and you can shop without getting into your car."
• A neat thing about the white board sign is that the price of gas can be changed each day it goes up. Don't let them forget.

---

Bike touring? Learn how on May 19th



Nancy Mulholland and Mark Sapp dip their wheels into the Atlantic Ocean after a splendid transcontinental tour.

• As part of Bike Week, we've brought together some real expert touring cyclists to give you a super evening called "Touring by Bike." Learn from seasoned touring cyclists how to best make the choices that are facing you, like:
• A commercial tour or do-it-myself one?
• How should I pack?
• Loaded touring or touring credit-card light?
• With a group or alone?
• How should I choose a route?
• Panniers or trailer? ... and lots more.
• Presentations by Wilson and Gail Hubbell, Nancy Mulholland, and Mark Sapp. Even if you're not the touring kind, you'll enjoy hearing the adventures that bicycle touring can bring. Come join us at the Java Station, 4447 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM. If you want to learn more beforehand, contact Nancy Mulholland at 563-9073 or nmulhol04@yahoo.com.

---

How to be in a movie

• "You know, traveling by train or car is like watching a movie from some great distance. There's detachment. An invisible glass wall between you and the world. But bicycling, you're in the movie."
• — Mark Jenkins, Outside

---

Caltrans to fix wet undercrossing



Standing water and slick pavers make the Castillo Street undercrossing of Highway 101 a challenge for bicyclists. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• One of the most scary bike routes in the county is the Castillo Street undercrossing of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. What makes it bad for bicyclists and motorists alike is the continual sepage of water that creates not only a slippery surface, but also deterioration of the roadway.
• Caltrans closed the undecrossing for 3 days in late April in order to make a short-term fix, and at the same time do tests to determine a long-term repair strategy. When that new design is finished, the undercrossing will be closed for several weeks for what will hopefully be a long-term, dry pavement solution. We thank Caltrans for taking action on this important bike route connection.

---

Bike to Work locations

• Bike to Work Day is different this year. Traffic Solutions is offering community groups and employers $200 to host Bike to Work Day sites. As Quick Release goes to press on April 21st, locations and times are still being determined, although it's clear that there will be many events throughout our county. Further details on these programs and events are at the Traffic Solutions site www.sbbikeweek.com/Bike_B2WD.htm.

---

Team Bike Challenge moved to June

• Originally scheduled for May, Traffic Solutions has moved their 2005 Team Bike Challenge to June. It's open to all Santa Barbra County workers who will be encouraged to bicycle. The competition will consist of five-member teams making as many trips as possible by bike, not by car. Learn more at www.sbbikeweek.com/Bike_CorporateHome.htm.

---

Greg Siple

CycleSmart bicyclist education news

• Adult Education Street Skills Class
• A Santa Barbara Adult Education class in Street Skills will take place on Saturday, May 7th. We have decided to drop the usual $30 fee for the class to attract more individuals. Look at our flyer online at www.sbbike.org/docs/Street-Skills.pdf, and if you have questions, call instructor Nancy Mulholland at 563-9073. Please attend and bring a friend. The class is open to anyone age 18 years or older.
• Saturday, May 7, 2005
  9:00 AM-1:00 PM
  Schott Center, Room 29
  310 West Padre Street, Santa Barbara
• CycleSmart logo contest

Jim Cody, center, receives a gift certificate for designing our CycleSmart logo. With him are Dru van Hengel (left) and Ralph Fertig. Photo by Nancy Mulholland.

• We held separate contests for our bicycling education program name and logo. The name selected is "CycleSmart" and in early April, a logo winner was chosen—Jim Cody. His art will now appear on all our CycleSmart projects. Congratulations Jim!
• CycleSmart committee
• Chuck Anderson, Coalition Vice President, member of the CycleSmart committee, LCI, and IMBA force is leaving Santa Barbara for a new professional challenge in Pennsylvania. Chuck leaves big bike shoes to fill and the CycleSmart program will miss his enthusiastic and ever ready willingness to help spread the word on bicycle safety. Our best wishes go with Chuck.
• Among the many voids being left is a position on the CycleSmart steering committee. If you would like to join our very vibrant and busy committee, please contact Nancy Mulholland.
• Tennis balls
• Thank you to the Tennis Club of Santa Barbara and their pro, Mark Basham, for donating over 100 used tennis balls to our bicycle education programs. We use the balls (cut in half) as markers for bike handling skills courses. If any LCI needs additional tennis balls for their classes, contact Nancy.
• Fund for Santa Barbara
• In early March, the CycleSmart Committee submitted a request to the Fund for Santa Barbara for $4100 to stock a lending library with teaching materials, and buy audiovisual equipment, including a laptop computer and digital projector. Our goal is to make teaching materials and equipment available with no out-of-pocket costs to LCIs as an incentive for volunteering to teach our various classes.
• Unfortunately, we learned that the Fund was not able to support our request in this grant-making cycle. If you know of anyone who might be willing to donate the computer/projector equipment, please let us know. Also, we would appreciate any ideas for other foundations or supporters that share our goal and vision of decreasing our community's dependence on cars as well as increasing the health and safety of local residents. Please call or email Nancy Mulholland at nmulhol04@yahoo.com or 563-9073 with suggestions.

---

Bike Week May 14-22 is for us all

• As Quick Release goes to press, great bike events are being added to Bike Week. Watch for our flags flying on Santa Barbara's State Street starting May 13th. Consider joining others at these events that we're either sponsoring or coordinating with other organizations:
• May 14-22, Bike to the Zoo, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Zoo. Bike there, show your helmet at the entry, get $1 off admission. Check out the new snow leopards. Info at www.santabarbarazoo.org.
• May 14, Beginner's Ride to Farmers Market, sponsored by the Goleta Valley Cycling Club. This easy ride from Goleta Coffee at Von's Turnpike will go to the Farmers Market in Downtown Santa Barbara. Begins at 9:30 AM. More info at www.goletabike.org.
• May 14, Children's Festival, sponsored by the Family Service Agency. It's at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, from 10:00-4:00. The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition will be there to promote safe bicycling by kids to schools and elsewhere.
• May 14, Bike Week Celebration. Details here.
• May 15, What Matters Most with Willie Weir, sponsored by Santa Barbara City College's Adult Education program. Adventure cyclist Willie Weir will talk about what matters most in life and how acting on those values effects our lives. At the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 21 West Anapamu St, Santa Barbara. Registration from 1:00 PM, presentation and discussion begin at 1:30.
• May 17, Bike to School Day, sponsored by COAST and others. Events are being arranged at individual South Coast schools. Bike rodeos and bicycle safety instruction are offered at some schools prior to Bike Week. Contact Jessica Sheeter at 962-7960.
• May 18, Bike to Work Day. Details here.
• May 18, Old San Marcos Climb, sponsored by the Goleta Valley Cycling Club. This challenging bike ride from Tuckers Grove County Park will climb up Old San Marcos Road. Begins at 5:30 PM. More ride info at www.goletabike.org.
• May 19, Touring by Bike. Details here.
• May 21, Casitas Pass Trek, sponsored by the Goleta Valley Cycling Club. This challenging ride from Carpinteria High School will climb up Casitas Pass Road, around Casitas Lake, and return to Carpinteria via Ventura and the Coast. Begins at 9:00 AM. More ride info at www.goletabike.org.
• May 22, Shop Goleta Farmers Market, sponsored by the Goleta Valley Cycling Club. This ride begins at Starbuck's Coffee at Fairview Center in Goleta, goes to the Camino Real Farmers Market Goleta. Starts at 9:00 AM. More info at www.goletabike.org.

---

Helmets for toddlers

• The question was recently raised about helmets for 6-month old children. Chris Greenfield, an RN at the County's Emergency Medical Service Agency says, "six-month olds don't have the neck strength to wear a helmet or even comfortably sit in a bike carrier seat." Bike helmets exist for children as young as 14-18 months, but typically not younger than that.

---

Santa Ynez Valley bike tours featured



Cyclist Justin Marshall appeared on the cover of the Valley Journal to promote his bike article.

• Not only does Justin Marshall write long articles about the joys of bike rides in the Santa Ynez Valley, but he was even on the cover of the March 13 issue of the Valley Journal. Even though his excursions can be made by car and/or foot, Marshall makes certain that we understand that cycling is clearly his means of travel.
• He started the ongoing series of articles after casually meeting Eva Van Prooyen, the Valley Journal Editor-in-Chief, who invited him to combine his interests in writing, cycling, and travel with a monthly tour that anybody can take. Catch the articles and follow in his tire tracks.

---

Around the bend

• "No matter how you define it, adventure may be waiting just a few pedal strokes away, around the next bend."
• — Willie Weir, Adventure Cycling, Aug 2004

---

April Coalition meeting topics

• Our April 5th Bicycle Coalition was an evening meeting that attracted 16 people to discuss these topics:
• Ralph Fertig talked about existing bike racks at the Goleta Amtrak station, and described the Bicycle Coalition's proposed bike lockers.
• Matt Dobberteen talked about the importance of reauthorizing Measure D, the countywide sales tax that brings in $20-25 million annually for transportation.
• Ralph Fertig talked about our Earth Day participation at the Courthouse, passed around a booth staffing sign-up form.
• Nancy Mulholland asked people to enroll in our Adult Ed Street Skills class May 7th.
• Drew Hunter described preparations for the Firestone MTB races on April 22-24th.
• Matt Dobberteen updated us on the 101 In Motion process that will go to the County Supervisors late this year. Its aim is to ease transportation congestion along the 101 corridor between Winchester Canyon and the Ventura County line.
• Bike Week is coming May 14-22nd; we discussed additional events that might complement the current ones.
• Matt Dobberteen described Traffic Solutions' Team Bike Challenge that will take place in May [it's now in June].
• Soumil Mehta and Kamron Sockolov described UCSB's Associated Students BIKES committee, and sought ideas for attracting new committee members.
• The "Walk & Roll California" conference in Ventura this September was discussed; our Bicycle Coalition is sponsoring a "Santa Barbara Recharge" program afterwards.
• Ralph Fertig promoted the Sustainability Project's "Parade of Green Buildings" April 30, and the Bicycle Coalition's bike ride that will visit 9 of the sites.

---

Shop online & help us

• Now you can contribute to the Bicycle Coalition while you shop onlineÄat no extra cost! We're partnering with the local nonprofit service "Fund It" so you'll be able to shop from numerous online sites. You can, for example, shop at Macy's, Target, Apple or Dell computers, Office Depot, Sharper Image, Petco, Camping World, iTunes, Buy.com and others. Go to www.fundit.org, and select the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition from the menu.

---

Ellwood Mesa saved by local residents

• A milestone was reached this February. After 16 years of crafting a complex land-swap deal, escrow closed on saving 137 oceanfront acres called "Ellwood Mesa." This segment—priced at $20.4 million and entirely within the City of Goleta—is only one part of the entire 665 acres in the Ellwood-Devereux area.
• There will be trails for people on bike, foot and horseback within the new open space; routes and access details are still being considered. We will be watching and continuing to advocate for suitable commuting and recreational trails while preserving all areas of sensitive habitat.
• Considering that the originally-proposed land use was a gated residential development, we're delighted that this spectacular land has been saved for us all. Go out there whenever you have a chance, enjoy the ocean, island views, and native wildlife.

---

House passes transportation bill

• In March, the US House of Representatives approved a six-year $284 billion transportation bill that is a renewal of TEA-21 act that expired in September 2003. Since then, six short-term extensions have kept federal funding flowing. It is expected that the Senate will shortly vote on its version, then send a compromise House-Senate bill to the president by late May.
• Representative Earl Blumenauer, head of the congressional bike caucus, said he's excited about a new $875-million, safe-routes-to-school provision that will enable younger children to bike or walk to school. In addition, there are 158 bicycle and pedestrian "earmark" projects (out of 4128 total projects) in the House bill worth $242 million (out of $12.4 billion). Unfortunately, none are in Santa Barbara County.
• The bill does retain prior components that favor bicycle facilities, notably the Transportation Enhancements program. Stay tuned.

---

Bicycle—a great book

• Simply titled Bicycle, a new book by David Herlihy, is a fun read about the history of bicycles, amply sprinkled with illustrations. Did you know, for example, that NY City department stores sponsored "Bike to Nature" trains full of cyclists from the city to rural areas in order to sell cycling clothing during the Depression? Stories like that pull you through the entertaining book. It's more a social history of the effect of bicycling on people, than the machine itself. List price is $35, but it's worthwhile.

---

We thank our active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Bicycle Bob's, Santa Barbara & Goleta
• Commuter Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Jeffrey Stoutenborough, Architect, Santa Barbara
• King Cycle Group, Portland OR
• Nett & Champion Insurance Services, Santa Barbara
• Open Air Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria
• Piekert Group Architects, Santa Barbara.
• We welcome our newest Bicycle Coalition members Gastón Renjel-Bustinza, Edward Barrier and Rafael Orozco and we certainly thank those who renewed their memberships: Michael Kwan, Burt Romotsky, Greg Janée, and Erika Lindemann.

---

Bike Week flags

• They're flying over State Street in Santa Barbara during Bike Week. Now you can buy one because the manufacturer made an overrun. Our 4'x6' Bike Week Flag has a white bicyclist logo on a terra cotta color background. It's heavy nylon with two grommets at the top for hanging. It's a deal at $30 plus tax and postage. Want one? Write a check to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition for $35.33 per flag (or $33.00 if it's going to a non-California address), mail to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, PO Box 92047, Santa Barbara, CA 93190. Tell us where to ship it and please include a phone number.