Tour de France 2013 – Twelve Tips for Viewing

By Bob Beane, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Whether you are an experienced bicyclist, new to the sport or a curious spectator, you probably “only have so much time” in your life for TV viewing of sporting events. For the uninitiated, Le Tour de France is a 3-week odyssey, pain-fest and festival of sport that happens every July (Note: This year, it starts on Saturday, June 29). It will be broadcast in the USA on the NBC Sports Network (formerly OLN, Versus). Broadcasts will be both live and repeat each day. Here are my Twelve Tips for getting the most out of limited time for following Le Tour 2013:

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Lunch and Learn about Bike Safety

League Certified Instructor Kathy Mills recently gave lunchtime presentation on bike safety for six Lovitt and Touche employees in Tempe during National Bike Month.

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Church group, Singles group, clubs of any kind, business, any group at all!...
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists can provide speakers and customized presentations for any group; Brief presentations in the Phoenix metro area can generally be provided free-of-charge.
 Please contact Coalition Vice President of Education, Kathy Mills at kathym@cazbike.org for more info.

League Announces Spring 2013 Bicycle Friendly Communities

League Announces Spring 2013 Bicycle Friendly Communities

Gilbert's bronze status was renewed; Glendale garners an honorable mention on their application.

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Arizona back in top-ten in LAB Bike Friendly States Ranking

The League of American Bicyclists released their Bicycle Friendly State rankings for 2013 last week. Arizona was ranked as the 10th most bike friendly state, after having fallen to 16th spot in the 2011 rankings.


"...In the Southwest, Arizona moved back into the top 10. Among other strides, the state completed its Bicycle Safety Action plan to improve bicyclist safety on Arizona's highways.
 'The goal is to reduce the number of bicyclist fatalities and injury crashes with motor vehicles,' said Michael Sanders, Arizona Department of Transportation's bicycle and pedestrian program coordinator. "We 'crash-typed' nearly 750 reported crashes that occurred over a five-year period to better define the sequence of actions leading to the collision. For example, we found that over half of all crashes occurred while a motorist was making a right turn. The Plan consists of action items addressing potential changes to policies and education programs, or new tools, such as bicycle road safety audit guidelines, to improve bicyclist safety.'


More info and links to the LAB rankings and report card at tucsonvelo.com.

Traffic Skills 101 Yuma, June 1, 2013

League-certified instructors from the Coalition will be traveling to Yuma to offer Traffic Skills 101 on June 1, 2013. Time and specific location will be announced later. Registration is now open, and the class is offered without charge -- HURRY -- class size is limited to 12 students.

Register instantly online

Traffic Skills 101 is our nation's premiere street bicycling program taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Learn the basics of bicycle and helmet fit. Learn state bicycle laws. Learn how to predict and prevent crashes, and how to bail out as a last resort! Learn how to operate your bicycle in a skillful and confident manner, in any traffic -- any time!


For more info contact Kathy Mills kmills@cazbike.org.

Better Mountain Biking? : Dead Horse Ranch State Park

March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4: Better Mountain Biking
If you ...

• Have a mountain bike, and want to try taking it off-road.
• Are nervous riding with friends or significant others because they ride "those hard trails".
• Don't want to slow your friends down, because "they're a lot better than me".
• Have tried to teach friends how to mountain bike, but find it hard to explain things.
• Have been riding for a few years and would like to take it to the next level.
• Are experienced and want to refine your technique ... then check out this workshop!

Better Mountain Biking sessions start at Noon on Saturdays and go until 4:00, "or when everyone gets tired", according to Ranger Randy Victory. "These will be trail rides on the dirt, with some instruction on the pavement." Victory, a certified cycling instructor (a mountain biker since 1977), will offer everything from basic riding techniques, to physics, to trail etiquette. The rides are fun and educational for beginners, but even experienced bikers ride away with new skills & knowledge. "There's always a certain amount of interaction between riders," explains Victory. "Group rides where the beginners are supportive of each other, and more experienced riders can offer their insight are an excellent way to build skills, and have a great time doing it. The focus is on fun!" Riders will be REQUIRED to wear a helmet and complete an Acknowledgment of Risk Form (parents must sign for riders under 18 years old, minimum age 14-16). They should also bring water and make sure their bike is in good working order. Flat protection (Slime tire sealant, for example) and riding gloves are strongly recommended. The rides will start at the Raptor Trailhead at the top of Roadrunner Road in the park. For more information, call Ranger Victory at 928-301-1190 or email rvictory(at)azstateparks.gov. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted. In addition there will be a program fee of $5.00 per rider collected at the time of the session.

visit www.pr.state.az.us/parks/DEHO/ for forms and more info.

2013 Ride of Silence: May 15

Hundreds of events are scheduled worldwide on May 15, 2013 in the annual Ride of Silence. (always the third Wednesday in May).

Details of other Arizona rides as they are announced (check back often) can be found at rideofsilence.org.... events are currently planned around Arizona for Flagstaff, Phoenix (multiple), Mesa, Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley, Tucson, and Kingman.

More info about the Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley / Sahuarita area ride can be found at Santa Cruz Valley Bicycle Advocacy Committee scvbac.org . View event flyer.

Wayne Cullop of Tucson Appointed to CAzBike Advisory Board

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is pleased to announce that Wayne Cullop of Tucson has joined the CAzB as an Advisory Board member effective March 19, 2013.

Wayne has been very active cyclist in the Tucson area for 18 years. He has served on Tucson's GABA Board for more than 15 years holding such positions as web master and advocacy coordinator. He is currently GABA President and had served in that position in the past. Wayne was selected to serve as the bike and pedestrian representative on the Grant Road Task Force, a major road improvement in Tucson. He is currently representing Pima County on the the Tucson/Pima County Bicycle Advisor Board, and is an active LCI instructor. To get in touch with Wayne, or any other board or advisory member, visit CAzBike's contact page.

Chandler Family Bike Ride

The annual Chandler Family Bike Ride is back!  The 7.4-mile ride is free, but pre-registration is recommended.  The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free t-shirt.  The ride starts and ends at the Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)

City of Chandler Family Bike Ride
Saturday, April 13, 2013
7.4-mile ride along the Paseo Canal (click here for map)
Registration 8:00 - 8:45AM; Ride begins at 9:00AM
Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)
FREE!!!!

Pre-Registration is encouraged.  Pre-register now to reserve your free t-shirt.  Click here to access the on-line pre-registration form.
For more information, contact Ann Marie Riley at 480-782-3442 or annmarie.riley@chandleraz.gov.