Volume 14 / Issue 2 sPRING 2012

Bike Locally Challenge

2012 Marin Bicycle network iMpleMentation

May is Bike Month

STAFFKim Baenisch, Executive DirectorTom Boss, Membership DirectorJo Ann Richards, DatabaseBob Trigg, AdministratorAndy Peri, Advocacy DirectorAlisha Oloughlin, Advocacy CoordinatorErik Schmidt; Dirt DirectorApril Spooner; Volunteer and Activities CoordinatorWendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program DirectorLaura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Volunteer LiaisonPeggy Clark, Safe Routes to Schools Project CoordinatorGwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Program CoordinatorShumit DasGupta & James Sievert, Safe Routes to Schools Instructors

DIRECTORSMaureen Gaffney, PresidentScott Klimo, Vice PresidentDon Magdanz, SecretaryIan Roth, TreasurerPhilip BrewerMark CominChris HobbsJennifer KaplanFred MorfitScott PenzarellaJohn Vipiana

ADVISORSMark BirnbaumJoe BreezeTom HaleDeb HubsmithJim JacobsenPatrick SeidlerJulia Violich

PEDAL PRESSEditor: Tom BossCopy Editor: Connie BreezeDesign: Jeremy ThorntonContributors: Tom Boss, Peggy Clark, Charlie Cronk, Miguel Farias, Gwen Froh, Maureen Gaffney, Chris Hobbs, Wendi Kallins, Tim Leonoudakis, Alisha Oloughlin, Andy Peri, Erik Schmidt, Tjiska Van Wykr

733 Center Blvd., Fairfax

CA  94930 • 415-456-3469

www.marinbike.org

Letter from the President ............................... 3

2012 Bicycle Network Implementation in Marin’s Cities and Towns ................................4

Spirit of Community at Kent Middle School ....................................................8

Marin County’s First Bike Park ..................... 10

Meet April Spooner ........................................ 10

Women on Wheels .......................................... 11

“Pedal Driven” Screening Inspires Cyclists ................................................ 11

MCBC Goes to Washington to Save Cycling..................................................12

SMART Officially Breaks Ground .................13

Discover Marin’s Expanding Bicycle Network ............................................... 14

Marin’s Bike Parking Network Grows ..........15

Off-Road Program on Track ...........................16

Dirt Roll III Rolls with Mark Weir at the Helm! .......................................................17

Celebrate National Bike Month This May .. 18

Dear Poison Oak ...............................................19

Spoke Society Profiles ................................... 20

BIKE GEAR REvIEWS

Giro Hex Helmet and Privateer Mountain Bike Shoes ...................................21

Nuun Electrolyte Enhanced Drink Tabs ...21

Serfas True 250 Headlight .........................22

Featured Bike Shop: Summit Bikes .............23

Spring Contest .................................................23

MCBC Store ......................................................24

Join MCBC ........................................................24

Cover: MCBC’s Spoke Members leading the way.

Photo by Ronald Mariano.

Volume 14 / Issue 2 SPRING 2012

DEAR POISON OAK SEE PAgE 19

CONTENTS

Off-ROAD PROgRAMSEE PAgE 16

WOMEN ON WHEELS SEE PAgE 11

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letter froM tHe preSiDent

ah, Spring. While we had no winter to speak of, the longer days and greening of our hillsides nev-

ertheless inspires a sense of awakening and wonder. And what better way to experience Spring in Marin than on a bicycle. Cruiser, commuter, carbon, steel, mountain, road—no matter. All are the perfect vehicle.

Spring is also a time of change. As MCBC gears up for our 2012 Board of Director elections on April 11, alas we must bid adieu to current directors Matt Adams and Tom Woolley. Matt has been with the Board since 2008, has provided invaluable connec-tions to the bike industry and has supported MCBC’s work in numerous ways through Mike’s Bikes, of which he is part owner. Matt was instrumental in guiding the creation of our new Off-Road Program as he Chaired the Off-Road Committee and will remain involved with that group.

Tom Woolley joined the Board of Directors in 2006 and spurred the Coalition to a new level of financial maturity by initiating our operating reserve or “rainy day fund”. While still in its infancy, but over halfway to our $210,000 goal, this was an important step for the MCBC and we are grateful to Tom for this insight, and for his many contributions to our Board Development and Fundraising committees.

On a personal note, I was thrilled to be passed (and startled) by none other than Lance Armstrong while on a road ride in Hawaii in late March. The “Good morning,” as he flew by, and the cyclist salutation as he doubled back made me irrationally giddy. Com-bined with seeing Levi Leipheimer speed training two inches off the wheel of his wife’s moped in Healds-burg, it has been a star-studded Spring.

In keeping with the pro-rider theme, MCBC’s Executive Director Kim Baenisch forwarded to the Board an article from Velo News titled Connecting Pro Cyclists to Advocacy. It is a great article and Kim’s accompanying comments summed up one of our big-gest challenges:

“VeloNews addresses the big issue we have in Marin—MCBC’s need to convince the many, many pro and competitive riders that we bring value to THEM!”

If you’re reading this message, we’re likely preach-ing to the choir. However, you—on your cruiser/com-muter/carbon/steel/mountain/road bike—can share with your on and off-road friends our message: We help bring a better ride to all. Join us!

See you on the road/trail/path. Maureen Gaffney

MCBC Board President

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nel’s condition. The study will result in more accurate cost estimates for rebuilding the tunnel. Some of the funds will be used to conduct a property study, includ-ing determining easement ownership for properties above the tunnel. The property study will help resolve debates about tunnel easement ownership.

Corte Madera Creek Multi-Use PathwayOn December 10th, 2011, the Corte Madera Creek Multi-Use Pathway was re-opened after a five-month closure for improvements. The popular creekside path, which runs from the bridge at Bon Air Road to the pump station across from Kent Middle School, was completely refurbished. The Ross Valley Sanitary District laid new asphalt, refurbished the gravel run-ning path, and relocated the benches to make the path ADA compliant and more user-friendly to all.

FairFaxBicycle ParkingThirty-six new bike racks were installed around town. The new rack locations include: Fair-Anselm Plaza, the new Good Earth Natural Foods store, Avatar, the Post Office, Fairfax Theatre, Sleeping Lady, Roco Dance, Ferraro Gas and Service, and the Crystal Chalice.

Fairfax Bike SpineIn October 2011, the Transportation Authority of Marin awarded the Town of Fairfax $110,000 to install signage and street markings to help make safer routes to three schools in the area. The first phase of the proj-ect, known as the Fairfax Bike Spine, will be designated along Bolinas Road, Park Road, Arroyo and/or Sequoia Roads, Manor Drive, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Oak Manor Drive and Glen Drive, to connect much of Fair-fax with Cascade Canyon School, Manor Elementary School, and White Hill Middle School. The overall goal is to improve the safety of the Town’s streets for student bicyclists and increase the awareness of motorists who share the road with them.

LarkSpurSouth Eliseo Drive: Sharrows Added Sharrows and new striping were painted on South Elis-eo Drive from Bon Air Road to the top of the hill near the path along Corte Madera Creek. The improve-ments provide cyclists of all ages and abilities with a safer and more enjoyable ride.

Magnolia Avenue: Bicycle Lanes and Sharrows AddedThe completion of the Larkspur Magnolia Avenue Signing/Striping project, funded by the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, resulted in the addition

2012 Bicycle network implementation in Marin cities and towns

Every spring, Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) reports on what’s been happening with implementation of the bicycle network in each of Marin’s 12 jurisdictions (including the County of Marin and all of Marin’s incorporated cities and towns). We’re continually collaborating with public works staff and elected officials to expand the network of bike lanes and pathways, bicycle access to public transit, to schools and between neighborhoods, and bike park-ing. These projects will serve to connect communities, facilitate an increase in bicycle ridership, and result in safer, more accessible routes for cyclists.

BELvEdErECommunity Action to Reduce Traffic (CART)A new effort nicknamed CART (Community Action to Reduce Traffic) was launched this year by the Town of Belvedere and the City of Tiburon. The goal of CART is to envision and implement strategies to reduce traffic on Tiburon Boulevard. The hope is to identify and reduce impediments to children walking, biking, busing, or carpooling to school. CART will also be looking at ways in which people exiting and entering the Tiburon Peninsula can modify their travel times or methods to help reduce traffic congestion.

Bicycle ParkingThe City installed two new bike racks around town: one 9-bike capacity U-rack adjacent to Tom Price Park (near the tennis courts) and one 5-bike capacity rack at City Hall, made from recycled materials.

COrTE MadEraAlto TunnelOn August 23rd, the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $600,000 of Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, for studying the Alto Tunnel. Funds will be used to conduct a geotechnical study to more accurately assess the tun-

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of a Class II bicycle route on north Magnolia Avenue, where none previously existed. Where the width was not available to accommodate a separate bike lane, sharrows were added.

Sandra Marker Trail: RampsADA-compliant concrete ramps were constructed at two key locations, one on each side of the San-dra Marker Trail. The ramps make accessing the trail much easier and more convenient for all users. 

Doherty Drive Corridor ImprovementsConstruction will begin in the fall of 2012 on the Doherty Drive Corridor Improvements Project. The project will provide a multi-use pathway and bike lane along the south side of Doherty Drive between Magnolia Avenue and Riviera Circle West to connect Magnolia Avenue and downtown Larkspur with three schools and residential neighborhoods. A bridge over Baltimore Creek is included in the project.

Bicycle ParkingTwenty-seven new bike racks were installed around the town of Larkspur, primarily on Magnolia Avenue, between the Lark Theater and City Hall, and in Piper Park. Eight additional racks will be installed once their locations have been determined. Bicyclists now have several convenient places to park in Downtown Larkspur.

MiLL vaLLEyMiller Avenue Streetscape PlanOn July 6, the Mill Valley City Council adopted the Miller Avenue Streetscape Plan. The overall goal of the Plan is to make Miller Avenue a safe, efficient, and enjoyable street for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users.

Mill Valley 2040 General Plan In January, the City began work on the Mill Valley 2040 General Plan update. This process will have significant implications for the future of bicycle and pedestrian safety and future development of bike/pedestrian facilities throughout Mill Valley.

Neighborhood Traffic Calming GuideThe City Council recently adopted its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guide, with the final version available soon. The Guide reflects the needs of neighborhoods throughout Mill Valley looking to improve the safety of residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and students from vehicular travel speeds, traffic vol-umes, and inappropriate driver behavior on residential streets. The Traffic Calming Program is expected to be in operation by the summer of 2012.

Almonte Boulevard Safe-hit Posts InstalledThe City installed reflective “safe-hit posts” along the curved section of southbound Almonte Boule-vard. This physical barrier, which deters vehicles from infringing upon the bicycle lane, is a welcomed safety improvement and is of particular benefit to students and others cycling to and from Tamalpais High School and Tam Valley.

Alto Tunnel- Please see Corte Madera section above.

NOvaTOEnfrente PathwayDecember 16 marked the grand opening of the Enfr-ente Pathway (a.k.a. Novato Commuter Connection Project). The pathway, which was funded primarily with Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, fills a critical former gap in Marin’s North-South Greenway, providing cyclists and pedestrians with a much needed connection from South Novato Boulevard, just before it merges with Highway 101, to Ignacio Boulevard and Alameda Del Prado.

Hill Road and Indian Valley Road Bicycle Lane Gap ClosurePavement rehabilitation and bikeway, walkway and drainage improvements were completed on Hill Road and Indian Valley Road, successfully closing the gaps in bicycle lane and sidewalks on Indian Valley Road between Arthur and Hill.

2012 BiCyCle Network

New Enfrente Pathway

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Novato Boulevard Pedestrian PathThe City has completed work on the Novato Boulevard Pedestrian Path, successfully stabilizing the asphalt pathway that had been sliding.

Rowland Way/Vintage Oaks Multi-use PathwayThe multi-use pathway at Rowland Way, west of Vin-tage Oaks Shopping Center, was also successfully rehabilitated.

Olive Avenue Bicycle Lane Gap ClosureThe Marin County Board of Supervisors approved $600,000 in funding to close the Class II bicycle lanes gap on Olive Avenue, from Atherton Avenue to the County line near Richardson Way.

Bel Marin Keys Multi-Use PathwayIn November, the Bel Marin Keys Multi-Use Path project received $127,000 from the Transportation Authority of Marin to repave about 3,300 feet of an 8-foot-wide trail connecting Hanna Ranch Road with Frosty Lane. Another Bel Marin Keys project received $35,000; it will add bicycle lanes in both directions on Bel Marin Keys Boulevard from the Novato city limit to near Montego Key.

Hanna Ranch Mixed Use ProjectOn December 13th, the Novato City Council approved a final environmental impact report for the Hanna Ranch Mixed Use Project. The project will include a Class I paved bicycle/pedestrian path beginning at Rowland Blvd/Vintage Way and extending south to Hanna Road along the SMART right-of-way, allowing bicycle access to and from Bel Marin Keys Blvd, and providing a very important link in the North-South Greenway.

rOSSSir Francis Drake/Lagunitas Road Intersection ImprovementsThe Sir Francis Drake and Lagunitas Intersection Improvement Project is currently in the design phase. The intersection improvements, made pos-sible through a federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant, will enhance the safety of the intersection through traffic and pedestrian signal upgrades, sidewalk and curb-ramp improvements, and roadway realignment. MCBC has been actively involved in the design process in an effort to ensure that a bike lane on the south side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is included through Ross as part of this project.

SaN aNSELMOWade Thomas Elementary SchoolWade Thomas Elementary School held a sidewalk dedication to celebrate their first sidewalks since the school was built 114 years ago. San Anselmo’s Public Works Director, Sean Condry, finished the project on time and under budget, enabling him to also repair sidewalks at various locations along school routes.

Student Safety Infrastructure UpgradesThe Town received a grant from CalTrans to make infrastructure upgrades that promote student safety. The five locations that were approved for upgrades include: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Butterfield Road to Broadmoor Avenue; Sir Francis Drake Bou-levard and Tamal Avenue/San Francisco Boulevard; the Lower Brookside Elementary School neighbor-hood; San Francisco Boulevard Neighborhood Route to School; and Barber Avenue Route to Wade Thom-as Elementary School. These projects, currently in the design phase, will include a combination of new sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signal improvements, ADA compliant curb ramps, safety barriers, and traf-fic calming measures. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2013. 

Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Bank Street Intersection ImprovementsSafety improvements have been made at the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Bank Street intersection. They include adjustment of the traffic signal to allow cyclists more time to cross busy Sir Francis Drake, and striping of a pedestrian/bicycle crosswalk through Creekside Parking Lot from the pedestrian/bike bridge to the sidewalk on Sir Francis Drake.

Sierra Avenue/Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Broadmoor Intersection ImprovementsAmong other ADA improvements, a lead pedestrian interval (which allows time for pedestrians to begin

2012 BiCyCle Network

Magnolia at Creekside

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crossing the street prior to cars being allowed to pro-ceed) will be implemented in the summer of 2012 at the Sierra Avenue/Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Broadmoor intersection. The interval will provide pedestrians and cyclists crossing Drake a lead of three to five seconds on the cars at Broadmoor and Sierra. This added safety feature will be of particular benefit to students traveling to and from Drake High School.

SaN raFaELEast Francisco Boulevard Multi-use PathwayThe final project design is complete for an eight-to-ten foot sidewalk/multi-use path on the north side of East Francisco Boulevard between Vivian Way and Second Street. Additionally, the Grand Avenue Bridge will be widened to accommodate the new sidewalk/multi-use facility. This corridor is the primary access route for Canal residents to the Montecito Shopping Center, San Rafael Transit Center, and downtown San Rafael. The project is expected to be complete by summer of 2013.

Downtown San Rafael SMART Station Area PlanThe City is in the final stages of preparation of the Downtown San Rafael SMART Station Area Plan (SAP) for the future Downtown SMART Station. The SAP is intended to set the stage to create a vibrant, mixed-use, livable Downtown area supported by a mix of transit opportunities, including passenger rail service and bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Among other considerations, the Plan should consider the opera-tions and ease of use of the transit complex through better connections for bicyclists and pedestrians, including improvements to the streets, sidewalks and other facilities in the station area. MCBC has provided extensive comments on the Downtown SAP that sup-port inclusion of a separated, multi-use pathway along Tamalpais Avenue between 2nd and 4th Streets, and also on West Tamalpais Avenue along the SMART right-of-way between Mission Avenue and 4th Street.

Puerto Suello-Transit Center ConnectorConstruction on the Puerto Suello-Transit Center Con-nector project (a.k.a Hetherton Pathway) is antici-pated for the summer of 2013. The project will provide a Class I multi-use pathway between the San Rafael Transit Center and the Puerto Suello Hill Pathway (a.k.a. Lincoln Hill Pathway).

San Rafael Transit Center ImprovementsImprovements to the San Rafael Transit Center will be underway soon to improve the functionality of the Center for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as improv-

ing connectivity to the surrounding area. The project is expected to be complete by this summer.

SauSaLiTOBridgeway to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal PathwayThis City of Sausalito recently completed a pedes-trian and cycling path, funded with Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, which serves to connect Bridgeway to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal, previously separated by a large parking lot.

Gate 6 ProjectIn February, the Transportation Authority of Marin programmed $88,530 in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to Sausalito’s Gate 6 project for preliminary engineering/environmental review. The project will ultimately result in traffic signal modi-fications to improve bicycle commuting around the Gate 6 intersection, including indicators, detectors, timing and phase changes, and striping.

2012 BiCyCle Network

Tam Valley Pathway ground-breaking.

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TiBurONTiburon Boulevard Pathway StudyTiburon has been busy gathering community input in the preparation of a pathway study intended to enhance service of bicycle and pedestrian traffic along Tiburon Boulevard from East Strawberry Drive to McKegney Green. The study will develop a plan to close a gap in the Bay Trail.

Community Action to Reduce Traffic (CART)- Please see Belvedere section above.

COuNTy OF MariNMarinwood Avenue Bicycle Lanes

In late 2011, the County of Marin was awarded a grant from the Transportation Authority of Marin to con-struct Class II bicycle lanes along Marinwood Avenue, connecting the Pacheco Pass Pathway along Highway 101 with the existing Class II bike lanes along Las Gal-linas Avenue. Construction is expected to commence in 2012 or 2013.

Marin Avenue/Bell Lane WalkwayTam Valley celebrated the completion of the Marin Avenue/Bell Lane Walkway Improvement project. The project provides an accessible sidewalk from

Green Glen Way along Marin Avenue to Tamalpais Valley Elementary School on Bell Lane, including new curb ramps and crosswalk striping. Also benefiting students was the installation of new crosswalks on Shoreline Highway and Flamingo Road.

Tennessee Valley Pathway & Manzanita ConnectorPhase 1 construction on the Tennessee Valley Pathway has begun. It includes construction of a pedestrian bridge over Coyote Creek and the Pathway segment between Marin Avenue and Shoreline Highway. Ulti-mately, the entire project will provide a new pathway along Coyote Creek between the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway and the Tam Valley Community Center at Marin Avenue. The Manzanita Connector, a spur path between the Tennessee Valley Pathway and the Manzanita Park and Ride lot, is a separate project on Caltrans property. Construction of the Manzanita Connector is planned for 2015.

Resurfacing of County PathwaysMarin County received $118,000 in federal transpor-tation funds to enable resurfacing of portions of the Mill Valley-Sausalito path from Gate 6 Road to Vasco Court, portions of the Corte Madera Creek path from Bon Air to Lagunitas roads, and the Bacich School pathway from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Creek-side Park.

kent Middle School is acting with a spirit of com-munity. Students are using green transportation

to school, and also raising awareness and money for World Bicycle Relief, an organization that builds bicycles and distributes them to families in Africa who otherwise would have no means of transportation to get to school, to the market or to seek medical help. 

Kent students are participating in a month-long Go Green Challenge to win individual prizes and a grand prize of a milkshake party (milkshakes to be made with the famous SR2S Bike Blender). During the same period they are raising money for World Bicycle Relief through donations and sponsors.

Kent’s Eco Action Club has registered their fellow students on an Active4.me trip-tracking site. Partici-pating students received key chains with bar codes. As they arrive at school on weekly Walk and Roll to School Days plus an extra random day during the month long, Go Green Challenge, their key chains are scanned by the club members. The Active4.me system tracks the total mileage and CO2 saved per

student, per class, and for the entire school, and it randomly selects winners for weekly prizes. 

Leslie Canin, club advisor and a science teacher at Kent, has been instrumental in leading the 30-mem-ber lunchtime club.  She and the Eco Action Club embraced the notion that students could benefit others while benefiting themselves. The students launched the Challenge and fundraising venture at an all-school assembly which raised awareness of the benefits of choosing green ways to school and the dangers of burning fossil fuels. The ideas were embraced by their school community. 

Bacich School, the elementary school in the Kent-field school district, is running its own challenge con-currently with Kent. So far more than 1200 green trips have been recorded at Bacich and Kent, on six days over a three-week period. If extrapolated out to the full week that would be over 3000 trips, saving 180 gallons of gas ($778.50) and reducing CO2 by 3400 pounds.

Spirit of community at kent Middle School

2012 BiCyCle Network

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Marin County plans to build a 17-acre bike park within Stafford Lake County Park in Novato.

Stafford Lake County Park offers 139 acres of rec-reational opportunities including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The bike park will complement the park’s existing amenities by creating an exciting new out-door experience especially designed for the cycling community.

The facility will be among the most progressive bike parks in the country and include several zones, each to accommodate a different type of riding.

The Kids Learn-to-Ride Zone will offer a loop trail and skills area for children to practice basic riding skills such as balance, pedaling, turning and stopping.

Located nearby is the Beginners Zone. Designed to accommodate coaching and independent skill devel-opment, it will include a pump track, loop trails and skills area.

The Intermediate Zone will include a dual-slalom, “speed and style” pump that provides riders oppor-tunities to hone their technical jumping and pumping skills. The track will provide a “two up” format dual slalom race course and a modular start system.

Gravity Zone is the largest of the zones. Features will include “gravity fed” downhill trending routes

including a fast, jumpy flow trail, an ultra technical “slope style” course, a rugged downhill short track, and an intensive and dynamic dual slalom.

The Terrain Park Zone will offer the most techni-cally demanding, “North Shore” style features includ-ing dirt jumps, wall rides, radar dishes, drops and more. This area will also include a unique “step up trick booter” practice area with “mulch landing” and “soft dirt landing” step-up jumps.

The Advanced Pump Park Zone, inspired by Mark Weir’s famous “Peacock Pit,” will provide many dif-ferent line options.

In addition, bike park elements such as Skills Progression Zone, Skills Progression Loop Trail, and Observed Trail Course will provide riders with optional challenge opportunities.

All zones and elements will contain signage with maps and tips for riding the areas safely. Centralized plazas and viewing areas will host shade structures, drinking fountains, picnic tables and benches to make this a memorable experience for families, kids, and riders of all ages and skill levels.

To learn more about the bike park and help contrib-ute to Marin’s place in the history of mountain biking, visit http://www.staffordlakebikepark.com

Stafford Lake Bike Park

Marin County, California

The facility will be among the most progressive bike parks in the country and include several zones, each to accommodate a different type of riding.

Marin county’s first Bike park

april Spooner moved to Marin County in April 2011 from Tallahassee, Florida and has been rediscovering her love of cycling (and her helmet)- both on the road and

on the trail since. Before moving to Marin, April served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for

the Early Learning Coalition where she planned community events and worked with volunteers. April also worked with the Florida Film Commission helping the film industry find resources in the state of Florida.

April is excited to share her passion for all things “bike” with Marin residents.

April Spooner, MCBC’s New Volunteer and Activities Coordinator

Photo: Stakeholders survey the 17-acre future of of the Stafford Lake Bike Park.

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the popular Women on Wheels series will be back this summer. This series is designed specifically

for women and taught by women. The classes help women achieve the confidence and skills they need to stretch their ability to travel farther afield. With these clinics, women will learn the foundations of road and path riding; they will become more com-fortable riding in traffic and climbing and descending hills, and they will be prepared for the inevitable flat tire without having to ask for help. This year we are also adding a course to help women prepare for long-distance charity rides. Participants can sign up for one class, or sign up for three or more and get a discount. For more information go to http://www.marinbike.org/Education/WOW/Overview.shtml

$5,000 raised for McBc and norcal teams

on the evening of March 22 the Marin County Bicycle Coalition hosted the Marin premier of Pedal Driven, a Bikeumentary. Over 300 people came out to enjoy the

movie, which raised $5,000 for MCBC and the Drake and Redwood teams in the NorCal High School Cycling League.

The film had plenty of action, driving music and beautiful scenery to please the ardent mountain bike moviegoer, but it also had a message of cooperation and under-standing. Representatives from the Marin Open Space District, MMWD and GGNRA were at the screening. We are sure they related to the embattled land managers in the film who are responsible for striking the right balance between recreation and preserving public lands for future generations.

The movie takes place in the Pacific Northwest, where downhill and freeride are more prevalent. But the overall message about the benefits of working together to build sustainable trails is very applicable for Marin.

A big thank you to sponsors Mike’s Bikes, Sunshine Bicycles and Violich Farms. We’d also like to thank CamelBak, Clif Bar, Howell at the Moon Productions and the Lark Theater for their support.

I attended the WoW Bicycle maintenance class at 3 Ring Cycles in san Anselmo and it was great! Both of the instructors were more than helpful. I think the women-teaching-women thing is an excellent concept. I liked the small class size; every question was answered. explanations on how to do things were clear and the hands-on portion was very helpful. I actually removed a rear tire, took out the tube, replaced it and got it back on the bike (something I’d never really done on my own before). Now I’m really looking forward to the Gearing and Hills class! Thanks for making these classes possible!

– Donna Kalal

➤ BIKe HANDlING –saturday may 19. on the bike exercises to improve your ability to navigate with confidence

➤ BAsIC sTReeT sKIlls – Wednesday may 24 and Thursday July 12. learn the rules of the road and tricks of the trade

➤ BIKe mAINTeNANCe – Thursdays June 7 and 21. Basic adjustments and fixes

➤ GeARING AND HIlls – saturday July 14. learn to climb and descend those hills without fear

➤ CeNTuRy/eNDuRANCe RIDe PRePARATIoN saturday July 21. A new workshop to help prepare for those century rides 

“pedal Driven” Screening inspires cyclists

WOMEN ON WhEELS Bike riding classes for women

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the Marin County Bicycle Coalition once again par-ticipated in the National Bike Summit and lobby

day in Washington DC, during the week of March 19th, 2012. This year’s Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, was significantly different than those in years past, as it took place in the midst of his-toric partisan and inter-party gridlock over the Federal Transportation Bill.

In recent years at the Bike Summit, our lobby days were focused on expanding bike/ped funding to make the streets safer for all users. In the current climate, however, we have been functioning in “survival mode,” barely hanging on to what we have had since the 1991 transportation bill passed 20 years ago. In fact, in Feb-ruary, the House Transportation Committee approved a bill that would have removed all dedicated funding for bike/ped projects and public transit. Hence, this year the Bike Summit was entitled “Save Cycling.”

MCBC staffer Andy Peri and over 800 attendees from 49 states (and from DC) once again swarmed the U.S. Capital, meeting with hundreds of Congres-sional office staffs, this time to ask for a so-called “clean extension” of the 2005 transportation bill, which was known as SAFETEA-LU. A clean extension would allow current transportation bill provisions to continue for three months until the House of Repre-sentatives could pass a bill.

The Senate had already passed its transportation bill, MAP-21, on a strong bipartisan vote, but the legis-

lative process ground to a halt when the House failed to pass a similar bill. The House bill, which eliminated bike/ped/transit funding, collapsed after public out-cry. In the past, transportation bills have been bipar-tisan in nature; until 2011 we had not seen this kind of division.

After returning home we celebrated a victory (albeit short term) when the House and Senate both passed a 3-month “clean extension” of the current transportation bill, as we had urged our Congressional representatives to do. This extension continues fund-ing for Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails through June 30, 2012.

In attendance once again at the Bike Summit was our strong federal champion, U.S. Secretary of Trans-portation Ray LaHood, who in his blog wrote recently that “At the Department of Transportation, we’re hap-py to support innovative policies to give more Ameri-cans the option to embrace cycling, and we’re working to end prejudices that treat riding and walking differ-ently from other forms of transportation.” This is a key point as the failed House transportation bill cut 100% of dedicated bike/ped funding. Such a cut would result in more dangerous roads for cyclists and pedestrians across the nation.

In addition to making visits to a dozen Congres-sional offices on Capital Hill, MCBC had the wonderful opportunity to once again meet with Congresswom-an Lynn Woolsey. “Each year we look forward to our annual meeting with Congresswoman Woolsey on Capitol Hill,” said MCBC Advocacy Director Andy Peri. “Her deep support has continued to be a blessing to those of us who have an opportunity to meet and work with her on bike/ped-related issues.” Congress-woman Woolsey’s leadership for bike/ped issues has been stellar over her career in Congress representing California’s 6th Congressional District. “Our meeting was filled with deep appreciation and some sadness,” added Peri, “as Congresswoman Woolsey is stepping down from her seat after 20 years of public service in the House of Representatives.”

MCBC representative Andy Peri was one of 20 members of the California delegation to also meet with Senator Boxer’s staff. Senator Boxer is the Chair of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Commit-tee, which authored MAP-21. Senator Boxer has been supportive of bike/ped funding, which is included in the Senate’s transportation bill in the form of a new consolidated program called Additional Activities. It was through the hard work of our partner organiza-tions in Washington DC (especially the Safe Routes to School National Partnership) that provisions were added into MAP-21 ensuring that transportation bill funds are spent at the local level on bike/ped projects and programs.

Andy Peri (MCBC), Sandra Lupien (Sonoma County Bicycle Coaliton), and Gary Helfrich (Sonoma County Bicycle Coaliton ) met with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey to discuss bicycle pedestrian issues and to thank her for her years of service to California’s 6th Congressional District. Rep. Woolsey is retiring after 20 years in Congress.

McBc goes to washington to Save cycling

Secretary Ray LaHood speaks at the 2012 Nation Bike Summit”

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on February 24 2012, at the Petaluma Depot SMART station, the Marin County Bicycle Coali-

tion celebrated the groundbreaking of SMART with our U.S. Congresswoman, elected state officials, past and present SMART board members and more than 200 other elected officials and supporters.

This celebration marked the kickoff of SMART project construction after more than a year of some-times tumultuous times. There is much to celebrate regarding SMART. The agency has developed a sound, balanced budget, has purchased $171 million of bonds and has issued contracts for over $100 million to begin construction of the project. The celebration comes less than a month after an opposing group failed in an attempt at derailing the project through the initiative process. The Repeal SMART initiative failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the June 2012 ballot.

At the groundbreaking, Congresswoman Wool-sey’s remarks expressed strong support for the SMART pathway. “The bike and pedestrian path,” she said, “add to the environmental benefits and also make a huge difference to the health and wellness of our people.”

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition continues to work with SMART senior management, fundraising

and engineering staff to find the best and most cost-effective ways of building the SMART multi-use pathway.

The first portions of the pathway to be built in Marin were the Cal Park tunnel and pathway, and the Lin-coln Hill Pathway. The next major segment of pathway to be built will be the segment from North San Pedro Road to Civic Center Drive. This Terra Linda segment is projected to be completed by the end of 2013.

“It’s an exciting time for the SMART Train and Pathway project,” said Andy Peri, Advocacy Director for the MCBC. “MCBC continues to work to make the SMART pathway system a reality as we have been doing for over a decade. We will continue to work with SMART and other partners to move the multiuse pathway forward to completion by the start of train operations.”

WE RIDE WE CARE

T H E

F I R M415.292.4100Andrew DaviesCarter M. Zinn

Marin cyclists representingBay Area cyclists since 2003 zinn-lAW.COM

WE RIDE WE CARE

Grounbreaking at Petaluma Depot SMART station.

SMart officially Breaks groundthe train and pathway are coming to town!

13

the Marin County Bicycle Coalition is giving away bicycles to six lucky novice cyclists, and one car-

go bike to a family or business, in exchange for their pledge to convert themselves from fossil-fuel-burning to food-calorie-burning commuters.

According to the County of Marin’s 2011 Bicycle and Pedestrian Count and Survey, bicycling has increased 172% on weekdays from 1999 to 2011. Bicy-cling benefits all of us in so many ways: it reduces stress, encourages weight loss, reduces time spent in traffic, offers free and easy parking, produces no carbon footprint and gets you energized!

MCBC’s third annual Bike Locally Challenge, a six-month campaign to show new cyclists how to get around Marin County by bicycle, can help you achieve all of these benefits. The Challenge runs from May through October and the seven chosen participants are required to ride a minimum of 50 miles a month and to document their rides through blog posts and social media to inspire many more to try biking for trips to work, school and local errands.

The riders who achieve their goals get to keep the bike at the end of the Challenge.

Here’S How it workS:1. Apply for one of the Bike Locally Challenge posi-

tions. Six Specialized commuter bikes and one Yuba Mundo cargo bike are available.

2. If you are selected, MCBC will set you up to ride with the brand-new bicycle and accessories for six months (May- October).

3. Make the commitment to ride your bicycle a mini-mum of 12.5 miles a week and document your

bicycle riding on Facebook, Twitter, blog posts or in the local media, so everyone can share your experiences.

4. MCBC will provide you with a Bicycle Mentor for the duration of the Challenge. Your Mentor will train you on basic street riding skills, help plan your routes, assist with gear selection, and take training rides with you.

5. Each ride earns you points which go towards the purchase of your bicycle. If you reach 500 points, you get to keep the bike for free!

Who’s eligible? You must be a Marin County resi-dent who does not use a bicycle for commuting or fre-quent recreation. All applicants are required to attend six meet-ups and agree to forfeit their bicycle if they are unable to meet the requirements. All applicants must have health insurance, and applicants under 18 years of age need written permission from their parents.

With the recent opening of the Cal Park Tunnel, Lincoln Avenue and Enfrente pathways, the existence of 40 miles of traffic-free paths and 48 miles of desig-nated bike lanes in Marin, and the placement of over 450 bicycle route signs countywide, there’s never been a greater time to discover the health and envi-ronmental benefits of bicycling. Here’s your chance to try it— on us!

Apply for the Bike Locally Challenge at www.marinbike.org. All entries must be received by Mon-day, April 23, 2012.

Be inspired by past Challenge riders at www.bikelocally.wordpress.com.

Discover Marin’s expanding Bicycle network

on a free Bike!

Bike Locally is sponsored by:

TIMBUK2

14

Marin’s Bike parking network grows

MCBC has been busy over the winter assisting local municipalities and individual property

owners with the installation of public bicycle racks at numerous locations throughout the County. The work included identifying bicycle parking opportunities, discussing rack options with business and property owners, and applying for, locating and installing the new racks. Funding for the racks was provided by a Transportation for Clean Air grant through the County of Marin’s Walk/Bike Marin program.

The Town of Fairfax installed a total of 36 addition-al bike racks around town. The racks were made pos-sible thanks to the efforts and collaboration of town staff and individual property and business owners. The new rack locations include: Fair-Anselm Plaza, the new Good Earth Natural Foods, Avatar, the Fair-fax Post Office, Fairfax Theatre, Sleeping Lady, Roco Dance Studio, Ferraro Gas and Service, and the Crys-tal Chalice. MCBC staff has been extremely pleased to see that Fairfax’s new racks are already receiving good use.

Assisted by bicycle advocates Cindy Winter and Dwayne Price, the Larkspur Department of Public Works installed a dozen new bike racks in six loca-tions in downtown Larkspur, on Magnolia Avenue between the Lark Theater and City Hall. The project was made possible by remarkable public-private col-laboration. When the City was unable to provide funds for installation, Councilmember Kathy Hartzell started looking for donors. Installation funding was provided by the Rotary Club of Central Marin, the Larkspur Library Foundation, Larkspur business owners and pri-vate citizens. Thanks to the efforts of all these people, bicyclists now have several convenient places to park in downtown Larkspur. 

The City of Novato is also working hard to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to expand its bicycle facilities. Sites have already been identi-fied along Grant Avenue for approximately 14 new

U-racks. The new racks will be of great benefit to cyclists, business patrons, and business/property owners. As in many other towns, MCBC is assisting Novato in the application process. Installation of the new racks is anticipated by the end of this summer. We would like to express our utmost thanks to the City of Novato for their cooperation and support in moving this exciting project forward.

In addition to working with local municipalities, MCBC has been very pleased to provide assistance to local schools and to business and property owners to help fulfill their bike parking needs. New racks have been installed, or are planned for, at Short, Bacich, Coleman and Wade Thomas Elementary Schools, Redwood High School, the Dixie School District, Fairfax Library, Canal Alliance, Kaiser Permanente, United Markets and Paradise Foods—to name only a few. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of many, it will now be much easier for commuters, shoppers, students and bicycle enthusiasts of all types to locate secure and convenient bike parking.

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Sixteen new racks outside Good Earth Natural Foods’ new store in Fairfax can accomodate 32 bikes.

15

Just two months after its launch, the Marin Coun-ty Bicycle Coalition’s new Off-Road Program is

already immersed in a host of activities and efforts. As the program’s director I am working with MCBC Executive Director Kim Baenisch and the members of MCBC’s Off-Road Committee. We are focusing on trail-user education, environmental and trail stew-ardship activities, and close involvement in the trail-planning processes of the county, district, state and federal land management agencies.

We intend to build and strengthen partnerships with these agencies and with community groups and other cycling organizations, to improve the climate that has led to a long-standing impasse between mountain bikers, environmental groups and eques-trian groups in Marin, and to nearly 30 years of closed singletrack trails for mountain biking in Marin. Con-sistent with MCBC’s on-road programs such as Safe Routes to Schools and Complete Streets, our Off-Road Program employs a collaborative and professional approach to advocating for shared access to more Marin County trails.

Our Off-Road Program follows the work of many people, both individuals and groups, who over the years have advocated, educated others and volun-teered on behalf of mountain bike access. It is a great challenge, but we are energized and encouraged by successful models of user group cooperation found elsewhere in the U.S. — and by the smiles we encoun-ter daily on the fire roads and trails of Marin. MCBC and its members, like growing numbers of others in our county, know that many mountain bikers are hikers and environmentalists who cherish our open spaces and natural resources; we are community members. We share hellos with our fellow trail users, we slow down or stop as needed to ensure safe and friendly encounters with people on foot and horseback, and we regularly pitch in at volunteer habitat restoration and trail maintenance events organized by State Parks, County Parks and Open Space, Marin Municipal Water District and the National Park Service.

There are tens of thousands of us, and one need look no further than to our local high school mountain bike teams to know that mountain biking is here to stay in Marin. Just about every Marin high school now has a team, with more than 200 young Marin riders participating in 2012. These enthusiastic student-ath-letes join teams in the sanctioned, organized NorCal League, which provides a bicycling code of conduct, trained coaching, countless hours of parent volunteer participation, a series of well-attended cross-country race events and trail stewardship by hundreds of kids.

High school mountain bikers, their numbers increas-ing every year, want and need challenging places to ride and improve their skills, on singletrack trails where riding is legal. Let’s find ways to encourage this exciting new high school sport through inclusive policies for and management of Marin’s public lands.

Yes, there are renegade riders and illegal trail builders – both youths and adults – in Marin, as in other locations. And there are a few folks out on the fire roads and trails who behave badly towards oth-ers. But regrettable behaviors should not be used to characterize the great majority of people who ride mountain bikes respectfully in Marin, just as the actions of hikers who routinely cut across switchbacks and equestrians who ride in sensitive areas in muddy winter conditions should not represent most hikers or horseback riders.

MCBC believes that the time has come to move beyond the unproductive battle that has kept com-munity groups on opposite sides, and to seek out our common interests and shared values rather than our divergences. There are many opportunities and needs:

➤ maintaining our commitment to marin’s unparalleled public lands in the face of severe budget cuts at the state and local level

➤ Working together to reduce widespread erosion and sedimentation, which harm water quality and degrade our aquatic resources

➤ supporting a safe, structured sport for boys and girls that fosters participation, competition and social development

➤ Restoring the riparian, or streamside, habitat that marin’s imperiled steelhead populations depend on for their survival

➤ Improving environmental awareness and user safety on trails and fire roads by partnering on an important new educational signage program

The agencies managing our public open space lands in Marin are moving in some of these directions already, and MCBC is committed to collaborating with them and other non-profit organizations to change the prevailing dynamic and find solutions that work for all of us.

We suggest that environmental and equestrian groups, and land managers—who have been content since the mid-1980s with a status quo that limits mountain bikers almost exclusively to fire roads—be willing to discuss new ideas for more inclusive man-agement of Marin’s trail network. There are many options we can consider together, including:

MCBC believes that the time has come to move beyond the unproductive battle that has kept community groups on opposite sides, and to seek out our common interests and shared values rather than our divergences.

OFF-rOad prOgraM ON TraCkBy Erik Schmidt, Off-Road Director

16

We believe that our friends in the environmental, equestrian and land management communities should be open to considering these and other progressive trail management tools not only because mountain biking is a legitimate, non-motorized form of outdoor recreation that continues to grow in popularity in Marin, but because the alternative is worse. Lacking properly designed, challenging and legal singletrack trails, many thousands of cyclists will continue to ride on Marin’s public lands in an unmanaged way, leading to fragmentation and loss of habitat, trail erosion and other problems.

Already, MCBC is involved in planning for a num-ber of Marin’s trails and fire roads, including options for managing China Camp State Park (on the State Parks’ list of locations to be closed by July 1, 2012); converting selected State Parks trails to full multiple-use trails through a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process; and improving access to the Marin County Parks and Open Space trail net-work through the Roads and Trails Management Plan process. In addition, we anticipate the official opening this spring of the 680 Trail, a new, 2.8-mile multi-use segment connecting two existing open space pre-serves near San Anselmo.

Now is the time for mountain bikers in Marin to engage with MCBC and the land management agen-cies conducting trail planning processes, so that we can truly represent the strength of our community, and reach our ambitious goals. Please contact me directly (415-456-3469 or erik@marinbike.org) if you would like to support the Off-Road Program’s efforts in any way.

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Dirt roll iii rolls with Mark weir at the Helm!

on February 5, MCBC partnered again with the NorCal High School Cycling League to put on the third Dirt Roll mountain bike ride and fundraiser. It was a

great, sunny Super Bowl Sunday. Seventy-five people came out to ride with this year’s Dirt Roll leader, Mark Weir. Mark is one of the most accomplished mountain bikers around. When he’s not winning XC and downhill races like the Downieville Classic, he’s riding his backyard pump track in Novato.

Other local celebrities on the ride included Otis Guy, Joe Breeze and Jim Jacobsen. Participants had two routes to choose from: a moderate twelve-mile ride on the fire roads of Mt. Tam and a more challenging eighteen-mile ride that included a single-track finish through Camp Tamarancho. We had a father/son duo on the long ride. That might not have been such a big deal if it weren’t for the fact that the kid was 5 years old on a Like-a-Bike!

Thank you to all the Dirt Roll sponsors and supporters, including Mike’s Bikes, Cannondale, WTB, Clif Bar, Specialized, Camelbak, Crank Brothers, Marin Cyclists, Marin Sun Farms, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mauro’s Pizza and Pasta, Fairfax Market, Fat Angel Bakery, and T&B Sports.

➤ Determining where limited trail use (hikers and equestrians only) can appropriately be expanded to full multiple use

➤ employing use restrictions, such as alternating days for bikes, uphill-only directional trails, and seasonal closures to prevent erosion, to increase access for cyclists

➤ Designating, and in some cases constructing, bike-specific singletrack trails

➤ Converting some poorly designed and eroding fire roads to narrower, multi-use trails

Above: Staff members from MCBC and Mike’s Bikes assisted with ride support. Below: Mark Weir (center) surrounded by fellow riders.

17

MILL VALLEY

MARIN CITY

TIBURON

CORTE MADERA

LARKSPURLARKSPUR

FAIRFAX

SAN ANSELMO

ROSS

CIVIC CENTER

MARINWOODMARINWOOD

NOVATO

SAN RAFAEL

CANAL COMMUNITY

LINCOLN AVE. PATHWAY

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

CAL PARK TUNNEL

LARKSPUR FERRY TERMINAL

SAUSALITO

NOVATO ➤ Alameda Del Prado at Nave Drive

SAN RAFAEL ➤ Las Gallinas Rd. at Lucas Valley Rd.

hosted by Kaiser Permanente, Marin Bikes & Marinwood Community Center

➤ 4th and H Streets hosted by Summit Bicycles

➤ Lincoln Ave. Pathway hosted by REI- Corte Madera

➤ Marin County Civic Center South Arch at Memorial Drive

➤ San Rafael Canal Bellam and Francisco Blvd. East Hosted by Canal Alliance

FAIRFAX ➤ 737 Center Blvd.

hosted by Sunshine Bicycle Center

SAN ANSELMO ➤ 29 San Anselmo Avenue

Hosted by Caesar’s Cyclery

➤ Sir Francis Drake Blvd. & Saunders Ave. (7 – 9 a.m.) hosted by Drake High School students

ROSS ➤ 7 Ross Common

hosted by Breaking Away Bicycles

CAL PARK TUNNEL ➤ Bike path at south end, near

Larkspur Theatre. hosted by Sports Basement- San Francisco

LARKSPUR ➤ 546 Magnoli Ave.

hosted by California Bike N Bean ➤ 1111 Magnolia Ave.

hosted by Village Peddler ➤ Marin Rowing Club

hosted by 50 Drakes Landing

MILL VALLEY ➤ Richardson Bay Bike Path, north

end hosted by Whole Foods Market and Zinn Law Firm

SAUSALITO ➤ Richardson Bay Bike Path, south

end (6:30 – 9:30 a.m. & 4 – 6 p.m.) hosted by Mike’s Bikes

➤ Vista Point at Golden Gate Bridge (5:30 – 9:30 a.m.) hosted by MCBC, BABC, Kaiser Permanente, MTC, Clif Bar, Cal Trans and City Cycle

May is National Bike Month and Thursday, May 10, is the Bay Area’s 18th Annual Bike to Work

Day. Hundreds of thousands of cyclists will be cel-ebrating bicycling throughout the bay area as a fun, healthy way to make local trips – to work, school, for errands, and recreation.

Here are all the ways you can participated in Bike Month Activities.

Bike Commuter of the Year – Nominations Open April 23Who do you know (yourself) that enjoys cycling and get’s on their bike every day to cycle to work, for errands, general transportation and just for fun? Recognize a cyclist in your community that has been committed to making every day a “Bike to Work Day”. All nomination entries must be submitted by April 23. Don’t wait, do it now at YouCanBikeThere.com!

Bike Locally Challenge – May to October Bike Locally cyclists will be tracking their success on the roads and paths of Marin. These cycling novices have been out fitted with bicycles, accessories and mentors to convert them to non-fossil fuel burning to calorie – burning commuters. Meet them on Bike to Work Day at the evening Celebration Station at Mikes Bikes, Sausalito.

Team Bike Challenge – May 1 to May 31Bike to Work Day’s Team Bike Challenge will officially start on May 1st, 2012. Gather your friends, neighbors, and coworkers and pedal to win. It’s a fun and easy way to see just how much biking does for your health, budget, and the environment. Join the Team Bike Chal-lenge at YouCanBikeThere.com. The team from Marin with the most points will win a Chipotle card, bike prize from REI for each team member and more.

Thursday May 10 6:30 to 9:30 am Bike to Work Day (BTWD)

Start your day a little early and find the Energizer Sta-tion along your morning route. Get loaded up with goodies and remind yourself that you are a part of something big that is good for you, the environment and our community of cyclists!

Celebrate NatioNal bike MoNth this May

open from 6:30 to 9:30 am unless otherwise stated

18

Thursday, May 10, 4 to 6 pm BTWD Celebration Station at Mikes Bikes, SausalitoFellow cyclists will gather to celebrate participanting in one of our nation’s biggest cycling days of the year! Come enjoy refreshments and meet the 2012 Bike Commuter of the Year and the Bike Locally cyclists!

Join MCBC and enter the Bike Month Sweepstakes.If you join on May 10th at one of five select Energizer Stations, you’ll also receive a bonus gift, such as caps, T-shirts and other bike swag.

Register for the Bike Month Sweepstakes at YouCanBikeThere.com – you could win a Commuter Bike (Public C7 or V7) from Public Bikes or a Bike Tour from Grimes Getaways.

Dear Poison Oak, By Maureen Gaffney

Originally Printed in Dirt Rag magazine’s April, 2012 issue

DEAR POISOn OAk, For a long time I didn’t get you. You were something that happened to other

people—people weak of constitution or flesh. While my riding friends created intricate BMX maneuvers to avoid your caress, I’d sally forth through your forest, undaunted. “Leaves of three, leave it be” was not a rhyme intended for me. Oh I’d seen your damage, heard the stories; innocent youngsters toasting marshmallows on your straight strong limbs, only to awake to mouth, throat, stomach erupting with the devil’s pustules. I whistled past that graveyard for 40-plus years.

And then you turned on me. On a volunteer trailwork day, as I cleared inva-sive exotic French broom. You might have shown a little appreciation. Broom is a noxious weed that is wont to take over our entire landscape, choking out iris, native grasses, toyon, tan oak, and you, Toxicodendron diversilobum. Toxic-o-dendron indeed. At least your Latin name is not disingenuous. Sootholavender honeycreamificus, for example, would have been a real slap in the face.

We daylighted many of the native species, and they were thankful. But you, you lurked in the broom jungle with no identifying colors, no three-leaved red flag flying, a veritable eco-menace. Unbeknownst to us, we brought sunlight and song to your wicked thicket—all the better for you to thrive and belch out the evil product of your chemical cauldron. Surely scientists have been employed to replicate your vile secretions and weaponize them.

And to what evolutionary end, I ask? Birds and deer still eat you, so you’ve fallen flat on that front. Your bite is far too tardy and after-the-fact to stop a human from assaulting you, so I have to assume that you and your PO cohorts do it for the pure maniacal joy of knowing the suffering you’ve wrought. Do you join up at the PO tavern at night, slam foaming mugs on the bar and belt out dermatitis ditties? Boast of who deployed the most keenly placed dose of urushiol?

Just a tiny tickle at bedtime, that’s how it started. Little tiny bump, little tiny tickle. Four hours later I was trapped in a nightmare that I couldn’t wake myself from. I was on a trail, at night, by myself, having been sent off on some strange solo journey that was meant to save the village—a journey that only I could take, and that I must take alone. I was being followed. A bright, solitary light from 20 feet behind on the path blinded me menacingly. It stopped when I stopped. It meant to harm me. It was poison oak. Wearing a headlamp.

In much the same way one incorporates life into dreams—say, dreaming of waterfalls and waking to find your roof leaking—I awoke to you, Toxicodendron, ravaging my arm. At least you weren’t shining that damned light in my eyes anymore. I gave in immediately to the scratch-it-to-the-bone impulse. Of course, everybody knows this tops the list of “Things not To Do (that everybody does anyway)”, occupying the same realm as drunk dialing and voting Republican. It only hurt/itched more, no surprise.

By my second meeting of the day, you had turned my left arm into a full relief topo map of Hawaii, complete with erupting peaks, low-slung valleys, and clear (if yellow-tinged) babbling brooks. You’ve made a move for my other arm now, but I’m one step ahead of you this time, Mr. Diversilobum. I’ve thought long and hard about your intentions, and what Mt. Pinatubo will look like on my right arm. To this end, I’ve had the appendage removed so that you’ll not pillage its fine shores. Gotcha.

Bike to Work Day 2012

8.5 x 11 Poster

19

Spoke Society profileS mCBC’s major Donors make a Differencechris Hobbs

i believe that cycling is a force for good—it helps our environment and our health. As we face impending environmental and health crises locally, nationally, and glob-

ally, cycling is a simple but effective part of a solution. Think globally, ride locally… or something like that.

Of course, our communities were designed around cars, and so we still have a lot of work to do to make cycling a safe and easy option for transportation and rec-reation. That is why I am an MCBC member. MCBC works hard to make cycling a viable option for transportation and recreation. I want my young kids to enjoy riding without fear or restrictions.

I have ridden a bike since I was young, but living in Marin has really inspired me to ride more for transportation as well as recreation. I manage to ride often enough that I just dropped off my 2006 truck for its 40,000 mile service, and I am 40 pounds lighter than when I moved here. Riding has saved me a lot of money, which I have reinvested (many times over, in fact) in our local bike and coffee shops ;) .

Most weeks I manage 10 to 15 hours of riding time on the roads and trails of Marin. Some of it will be hammering with other racers, and some will be going 3 mph at Corte Madera marsh with my kids, or riding to school with my son. I am currently considering whether my garage has room for a cargo bike.

My favorite road ride is to go out through Fairfax and Nicasio to Marshall, then down the coast through Point Reyes Station, and up over Mt. Tam. The roads are relatively quiet and the vistas are amazing. On the dirt I love riding at Tamarancho, and I hope that it can be a model for opening up more singletrack in Marin.

no other activity that I can think of delivers so much value to one’s life as bicycling. From the obvious benefit of living a healthy lifestyle, to spending quality time

riding with friends and family exploring the great outdoors of West Marin… there is nothing like the feeling of breezing along in our crystal-clear air enjoying the valleys and hills that surround us. We are indeed blessed with some of the most incredible road and mountain biking on the planet. I’ve ridden all over Italy, France, Croatia, Vietnam and Canada. Marin County can go toe to toe with any place for beauty, challenge and diversity of landscape. Cycling in Marin County is simply a tremendous gift for all of us in the Bay Area.

My support for MCBC is contributing to the smart team that focuses effectively on all communities in and around Marin County, to advocate for and deliver incred-ible value to people who ride bikes. From the bike to school program, to the ever-expanding bike lane grid, to tunnels and overpasses that flatten riding around Marin, the MCBC has made bike commuting easily accessible to every level of cyclist. The MCBC has been effective in raising tens of millions of federal dollars in support of its programs, which are building out physical improvements that enhance and provide a safe experience for the cyclists throughout Marin.

The most exciting project for the future is the SMART train and the bike path that will run alongside it! All Marin riders need to step up and “chip in.” Help out with all the tremendous work that is underway – there is no free lunch!

tim leonoudakis

For more information about mCBC’s spoke society and how to join, visit http://www.marinbike.org/membership/spokesociety.shtml

20

rEviEW: nuun electrolyte enhanced Drink tabsBy Tom Boss

i’ve tried lots of energy powders, but they all seem to become hard as a rock or expire before I finish off

the container. When I discovered Nuun electrolyte-enhanced drink tabs I was eager to check them out. They are not actually energy drinks; they are designed to replenish your electrolytes on medium to long rides.

Until I got my hands on Nuun (pronounced noon), I would either pour some powder in a plastic bag or mix my drink before my ride. Both options can be messy, as the power doesn’t always end up in the bottle. Also, if you misplace the scoop that comes with the powder, you may not know the correct proportions. That all goes away with Nuun. The proportions are already dialed in, in a disc the size of a quarter. Just drop one tablet in a 16 oz bottle, wait two minutes and drink.

The tablets taste good, are refreshing and they achieve this with zero sugar, so they’re under 8 calo-ries each. Pretty good stuff if you’re watching your weight and do not need a full-on energy drink contain-ing sugar and other ingredients for energy/recovery. That lack of sugar also means they won’t leave a toxic mess in your water bottle if you forget to clean it out right after your ride.

Nuun tabs are refreshing and easy to use. Nuun comes in a variety of flavors. I have sampled Citrus (tried and true), Tri-Berry (zesty) and Tropical (tastes like Juicy Fruit gum). I’ve heard the Cola flavor is popu-lar, but it didn’t appeal to me. My favorite flavor is the Strawberry Lemonade. There are many more, includ-ing Banana, Fruit Punch and Lemon Tea. Give them a try if you’re looking for a convenient way to replenish your electrolytes.

at the Advocacy Auction during last fall’s Biketo-berfest, somehow no one bid on a Giro combo of

a Hex helmet and Privateer mountain bike shoes. So I scored the pair for the minimum bid of $90! Lesson: Look carefully at MCBC’s silent auctions, there are some great deals to be had!

Hex Helmet

The Hex is Giro’s mid-price off-road helmet, with an MSRP of $90. It offers many features found on their higher end helmets, including Giro’s Roc Loc 5 fit system and the P.O.V. adjustable visor. I found this helmet very easy to set up and adjust. I appreciate the 15 degrees of vertical adjustment on the visor. It has 21 air vents, which do a great job keeping my head cool. This is the first helmet I’ve worn that has a

free-ride look to it so I get lots of comments when I wear it, mostly good. It feels light on my head, fits well and keeps the sun out of my eyes most of the time.

privateer ShoesThe timing was perfect.

My two-year-old Sidi shoes were pretty shot when the Giro Privateers were dropped off at my door. I was curious how the Giro shoes would compare to one of the most respect-ed brands in bicycle shoes. The Privateers (MSRP $149) fit perfectly right out of the box. The fastening system is similar to the Sidi Domina-tors: two Velcro straps and a third strap with a ratch-eted buckle. I’ve found that the Privateer buckle does not get jammed up with debris as the Sidi buckles did. The shoes also breathe well and feel pretty light on my feet. At 360 grams, they’re almost as light as Giro’s top-of-the-line Code shoes. These shoes offer great traction thanks to thick lugs on the sole. I’ve put the shoes through some abuse in the short time I’ve had them and they’re starting to show some wear. Time will tell if Giro skimped on construction to keep the price down. The Privateers are a a good quality shoe at a reasonable price.

rEviEW: giro Hex Helmet and privateer Mountain Bike Shoesby Tom Boss

21

rEviEW: Serfas true 250 Headlight by Charlie Cronk

i don’t know how the re-energizing of various bits of handheld technology goes in your household,

but in mine the end of the kitchen counter serves as the recharging zone. Cell phones, camera batteries, rechargeable batteries for the flashlight I use to walk the dog at night—all are in their individual charging units, all plugged in to the same wall socket. So it was with great delight that I began charging my new Serfas True 250 headlight—with a USB cord at my computer. A simple thing, but boy was it convenient, and space-freeing.

The True 250 (MSRP $110) is one of a series of headlights from Serfas that offer varying degrees of luminescent power. This small, lightweight unit (com-ing in at just 150 grams with the mounting bracket) provides over 250 lumens of light in overdrive mode. It comes with a handlebar mount, helmet mount, USB charger, and wall-charger adapter. The light can be used in five different modes: overdrive (with battery providing at least 2 hours of light), high (3 hours), standard (7 hours), low (a whopping 15 hours) and flashing (7 hours). You can scroll through the light modes simply by pushing the easy–to-feel rubber but-ton on top, which also serves as the on/off switch. A battery indicator light surrounds the button: blue when fully charged, flashing red when approximately 30 minutes of power remain. Battery charging time is 3.5 hours.

True 250 features a user-replaceable battery. With additional batteries available for purchase, you can charge up an extra, slide it into your jersey pocket or hydration pack, and ride all night long! You’ll never have to worry about overcharging either; the built-in smart charger protects your battery and eliminates any possibility of this happening.

The Serfas True 250 has a beam that lets you see and be seen on the road or in the heart of the darkest mountain trail. I’ve used the light in both scenarios: on my commute as the last rays of daylight faded, and on some of my favorite single-track trails here in Marin. In both cases the headlight provided ample

usable light stretching out far enough in front, even at road-bike speeds.

The beam of light is tight and focused without much spill. Because of this I believe the optimal set-up for fast, technical riding would be to run two lights, one using the fixed bar mount, and a helmet-mounted one to allow you to scan your surroundings. I’m a fan of lots of light when riding at night; though one beam was plenty adequate to see where I was headed, I would be totally golden with the double light set-up. This would also allow combinations of lighting modes, such as one beam on standard or high and the other in flashing mode. See and be seen: great for road riding.

All Serfas Lights are RoHS compliant. The RoHS directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. Although RoHS is not manda-tory in the United States, Serfas has elected to do the right thing for the environment, and only manufac-ture lights that are RoHS compliant. This excellent feature, coupled with the lightweight compactness of the light and the ease of charging it and of mount-ing/dismounting it, make it a very good choice for road or trail.click here

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www.bankofmarin.com | Member FDIC

Making a Difference.At Bank of Marin you’ll bank with people who share your same values and commitment to the community.

We invite you to get to know us.

Marin County Bicycle Coalition Pedal Press

1. Name one of the bicycle advocates who assisted Larkspur in the installation of a dozen new bike racks.

2. Name one of the “elements” of the planned Stafford Lake Bike Park.

3. If you wanted to learn to climb and descend those hills without fear, which Women on Wheels class is best?

Name

Phone

email

Address

City

State Zip

win a chrome citizen Messenger Bag

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ANSWERS

Email tom@marinbike.org or mail this form to MCBC, PO Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978. The drawing will be held Saturday June 9, 2012, at the Fairfax Festival.Thanks to Chrome for contributing our Pedal Press contest prize.

answer these three questions correctly and enter a drawing for a Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag value: $140. The Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag is constructed using tough 1000 denier Cordura outer shell and

18-ounce truck tarp liner, Chrome bags are waterproof and durable enough to survive years of use and abuse.

Summit Bicycles came to San Rafael after the Start to Finish chain went out of business in 2001. Sum-

mit was originally part of a four-store chain, but the San Rafael shop split off from the chain in 2006, when San Rafael native Scott Mccoy took over operations at the store. Summit carries many brands, including Trek, Santa Cruz, Niner, Mirraco and Ellsworth. They also carry a huge selection of local products, includ-ing WTB tires, saddles and grips. The shop was an early advocate of 29-inch-wheel mountain bikes and has a great selection of big-wheel bikes and acces-sories. The push for 29ers was due in large part to Pro MTB racer Jim Hewett, who used to manage the

shop and now organizes the Summit Shorty mountain bike race series at McInnis Park, sponsored by Summit Bicy-cles. The 2012 Summit Shorty series begins April 25th.

Don’t be surprised if you recognize some of the people on the other side of the coun-ter at Summit. Their knowl-edgeable staff is made up of local riders who are connect-ed with the Marin bike scene in a variety of ways. The shop is a great resource for finding great trails, fun road rides and upcoming bike events.

Summit has a large rental fleet and all new bike purchases come with a lifetime of free tune-ups. The shop supports the San Rafael, Marin Catholic, San Marin, Novato and Terra Linda NorCal High School Cycling League teams. Summit also hosts a Bike to Work Day energizer station—that’s on May 10 this year. Stop by the shop and say hello!

Tim P. Cooper, CFP®Financial Advisor 415.391.6644

Securities & investment advisory services offered through Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC.

SPECIALIZING IN:

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550CaliforniaStreet,Suite700SanFrancisco,CA94104

FEaTurEd BikE ShOp: Summit Bicycles

SUMMIT BICYCLES 1820 Fourth Street San Rafael, CA 94901. 415-456-4700 www.summitmarin.com

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I want to volunteer!• Attending public meetings

• Advocacy in your town

• Data entry

• Events

• Newsletter distribution/mailing

• Phone calling

• Safe Routes to Schools

• Share the Road

• Trail/land stewardship

• Staffing an information table

• Valet bicycle parking

• Other

OR JOIN ONLINE: www.marinbike.orgBECOME aN MCBC MEMBEr

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e-mail How you heard about us

• $40 Regular • $60 Family • $100 Century • $250 Tour de France

For Century members and above select your t-shirt size: S M L XL

• Do not share my name with other organizations

make checks payable to: Marin County Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978

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Signature

MCBC STOrE

Men’s and Women’s Tee shirts–$25.00

MCBC Map–$12.00A must-have resource for anyone riding in Marin!

Visit our online store for these items. All proceeds support safer cycling efforts in Marin.

MCBCsocks–$10.00

The MCBC jersey–$69.00

EarTh day MariN april 21

TOur dE MariN May 20

BikE TO WOrk day May 10

MCBC bike shorts–$79.00