Calendar for Feb 2010

THE BULL-A-TON
FEBRUARY 2010
Vol. 36 No 9

“Sighing for new worlds to conquer, I determined that I would learn to ride the bicycle.” ~ Frances Willard - 19th Century feminist; author of How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle

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BICYCLING SAFETY AND COURTESY!

- Ride single file (in most cases). If you are going to ride two- abreast, do so in an area that can be done safely and without compromising other cyclists or other drivers. NEVER EVER ride more than two abreast. We all hate road-hogs when we are driving our cars, and there is simply no reason to have to take up whole non-bike lanes when riding in a peloton on city streets. Everyone has a right to the road, cars and cyclist alike. Let's not incite road rage.

- Come to a stop when the sign or light says STOP. No short-cut "fake" U-turns to avoid a light. Stop.

- When passing other cyclists, call out "on your left" when at an appropriate distance from other riders. Give them a chance to yield the road. They will comply. Just let them know that you are there.

- Never, ever, pass a cyclist on the right side. Never. Ever.

- If you are out for a training ride and need to ride at high speeds, the place NOT to do this is on shared bikeways that include roller skaters, dog walkers, and other, rookie, cyclists. We all need to get in good workouts from time to time. Choose your routes carefully.

- Wearing a Spandex club jersey does not give you the right to blow people off the road or abruptly cutting in front of a passed cyclist. Never. Ever.

- Look up from the road immediately in front of you from time to time. You'd be surprised at how much fun you will get if you are not grimacing all the time with your sole intent on speed competitions (either alone or in a peloton). You'll live longer and might afford a less experienced cyclists to enjoy their ride, too.

- Get in the habit of acknowledging other cyclists that are SHARING the road with you. If they say hello, say hello back! They might not have the fanciest, lightest, bikes or that really cool Spandex outfit, but they are your cycling brothers and sisters. Say hello - FIRST.

- If you don't like the way someone is riding near you, tell them IN A NICE WAY HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE. No barking. Never. Ever. A little education, delivered in a calm voice, goes a long way. The rookies are usually terrified being out in traffic. If you share with them the right way to ride, they will likely share this with someone else and look up to their more senior cyclists for offering good advice instead of disdaining their behavior. Sort of a Golden Rule thing, you know?

- SHARE the road, courteously, safely. Is it really that hard?

Steve Gebler
bentrider@stevegebler.com

Steve teaches adult cycling classes and makes every effort to teach the right way to cycle (courteously and safely). While on some of the "joy rides" with his classes, he’s observed (and been the recipient of) some simply appalling behavior. If you'd like to chat about this, give Steve a shout at 760 487 8723.

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Reminder:

Since there seems to be some interest in another Knickerbiker club jersey order (even though we have almost 50 cyclists wearing it now!). If we can reach the minimum order (15) in the next month we can have them that much sooner, so order now! The total cost is $91 and a $45 deposit gets your name on the list. Send the money to 8590 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037. The check won't be cashed until the order is placed.

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The Knickerbiker Selkirk loop of 2007 is featured at http://www.selkirkloop.org/index.php/travel/activities/biking/road-cycling.html
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TUE FEB 02
KNICKERBIKER KNIGHTRIDERS
6:00 PM WALK ****
6:45 PM DINNER
SAFFRON NOODLES AND SATE
3737 India St.
619 574 0177

SAT FEB 06 9:00 AM 30 MILES **
MT. HELIX AND BEYOND
YE OLDE BICYCLE SHOPPE
6792 University Avenue
West of 70th Street, across from Joan Kroc Center
619 582 4024

SUN FEB 07 9:00 AM 28 MILES ***
POWAY/RANCHO BERNARDO RAMBLE
OAK KNOLL RD., at the corner of Poway Rd.
one block west of Pomerado & Poway Roads

TUE FEB 09
KNICKERBIKER KNIGHTRIDERS
6:00 PM WALK ****
6:45 PM DINNER
LA CHINA Tierrasanta Gateway Center
5910 Santo Road, Tierrasanta
858 576 9898

SAT FEB 13 9:30 AM 27 MILES ***
RANCHO SANTE FE
SAN ANDRES DR., 0.3 miles East of l-5 and just south of Via de la Valle, Del Mar.
Parking curbside on San Andreas Dr.

SUN FEB 14 9:00 AM 25 MILES ***
TWO RIDES TODAY: RIDE #1
EASY SUNDAY RIDE
VONS PARKING LOT, south east corner
5630 Lake Murray Boulevard, La Mesa

SUN FEB 14 9:00 AM 50 MILES ***
TWO RIDES TODAY: RIDE #2
BORREGO TO THE SEA
BORREGO SPRINGS AIRPORT
1816 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs
3 miles east of Christmas Circle

TUE FEB 16 6:30 PM 0 MILES ****
KNICKERBIKER KNIGHTRIDERS
GULF COAST GRILL
4130 Park Blvd.
619 295 2244

THU FEB 18 7:00 PM 0 MILES ****
KNICKERBIKER GAME NIGHT
KINGS' KABIN
8590 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla

SAT FEB 20 9:00 AM 40 MILES ***
COASTAL BACKSTREETS
GLEN PARK
2149 Orinda Drive, Encinitas

SUN FEB 21 9:00 AM 25 MILES ***
IT’S FUN TO BE A KID AGAIN
MISSION BAY VISITOR’S CENTER
North parking lot
E. Mission Bay Drive & Clairemont Drive
Mission Bay

TUE FEB 23 6:30 PM 0 MILES ****
KNICKERBIKER KNIGHTRIGHTERS
MANDARIN PLAZA RESTAURANT
3760 Sports Arena Blvd (at Hancock St)
619 224 4222

SAT FEB 27 through SUN FEB 28 7:45 AM 60 MILES ***
REALLY BEACH’N CAMPING RIDE
NORTH CLAIREMONT to DOHENY BEACH STATE PARK
2967 Havasupai Avenue, 92117

SAT FEB 27 8:30 AM 61 MILES **1/2
SEASIDE SLOPEY METRIC HUNDRED
MISSION BAY
South Shores Boat Ramp located along Seaworld Drive, just east of Seaworld

SUN FEB 28 9:00 AM 24 MILES ***
CLAIREMONT CAFFEINE & DOWNTOWN KEBABS
TARGET parking lot, Mission Valley
1288 Camino Del Rio North, at Mission Center Rd.
619 542 0025

SUN FEB 28 6:30 PM 10 MILES ****
FULL MOON OB DINNER RIDE
MISSION BAY VISITOR’S CENTER
North parking lot
E. Mission Bay Drive & Clairemont Drive
Mission Bay

Coming Events:

SAT MAR 06 7:00 AM 125 MILES **
DEAN’S GRAND TOUR
(HIGH MILEAGE TRAINING RIDE)
NORTH COUNTY FAIR
Escondido

SUN MAR 14 7:15 AM 100 MILES **
5th ANNUAL SEA LEVEL CENTURY
CARMEL VALLEY PARK & RIDE

SUN JUN 06 through SAT JUN 12 ~ 545 MILES
AIDS/LifeCycle
San Francisco to Los Angeles
http://www.aidslifecycle.org/

Got some friends you’d like to see on a bike ride? The Knickerbikers will be pleased to send a complimentary Bull-A-Ton if you provide the pertinent info’ below:

? Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
City __________________Zip _________
? Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
City __________________Zip _________

? Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
City __________________Zip _________
? Name ____________________________
Address __________________________
City __________________Zip _________
Please send this form to: Knickerbikers of San Diego County
8590 Cliffridge Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037

PHILOSOPHY. Our club, the Knickerbikers of San Diego County, was established on Friday, JUN 31, 1974. Forty-three charter members subscribed to the idea that a regular program of bicycle touring experiences could be offered without involving institutional encumbrances. In effect, our club was purposefully not organized. There are neither rules nor regulations, no club officers - aside from our tongue-in-cheek representative office of Knickercommander (the club servant) - and no business quorum. Everyone is still responsible for himself or herself. It was and still is a simple idea, which is to go ride our bikes! Two founding principles guide our group
behavior: it’s nice to be noticed, and it’s fun to be a kid again.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Please make check payable to Knickerbikers and mail to 8590 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037

Name(s)

Street

City

State Zip

E-mail address____________________________

Phone _________________________________

Check: ___ 1-year print subscription $20.00

___ 1-year e-mail subscription $10.00

All subscriptions include membership in the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

09/06