AACC News

Diamond Valley Road Litter Pick Up

2008-09-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Diamond Valley Road Litter Pick-Up

Alta Alpina Cycling Club and the Woodford’s Community of the Washo Indian Tribe are joining together for a Diamond Valley Road litter pick-up.

Please make an effort to participate in this “special” clean up of a road that we all love to ride and race on. It is also an opportunity to meet many of the locals who share the road with us.

This will replace our autumn clean up of Hwy 89 this year.

Meet at the firehouse in the Woodford’s Community of the Washo Tribe (on Diamond Valley Rd).

10 AM, Saturday September 27th

Bring Gloves and Wear Appropriate Clothing For Walking and Possible Foraging Through Weeds and Brush.

We will supply Starbucks Coffee and the Washo tribe is providing a “light breakfast” at the firehouse… as well as Helmets, Bags, Pick Up Sticks, Safety Vests…

Ride To Follow…Destination and Length TBD by Attending Volunteers.

Please let me know if you are coming, so we can order enough food and coffee @ IntandemPC@aol.com or 775-782-8493

AACC President Jenny Hamiter Interview in the Nevada Appeal

2008-09-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

AACC president Jenny Hamiter was interviewed by Charles Whisnand of the Nevada Appeal last week. The interview can be viewed @ http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080911/SPORTS/809109941/1068&parentprofile=1059

It's a nice overview of our past year and an introduction to our new ride for next year. I know Jenny is too modest to link it, so I did. Enjoy.

Bike MS 2008

2008-08-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

The Bike MS Ride, September 13-14, based at Northstar-at-Tahoe, is looking for volunteers to help out that weekend.

This year they've have added a Mountain Bike ride on Northstar’s course on Saturday, and on Sunday they’ve added a “cruiser” ride from Truckee to Donner Memorial and back.

Contact Donna Hyatt for more details. Ph #: 775 329 7180 option 2, email Donna.Hyatt@nmss.org.

New "Rides" Section Features

2008-08-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Alta Alpina Webmaster Dennis Pederson for implementing a number of new features in the Rides section of our website. We invite you to check it out at www.altaalpinacyclingclub.com

Here are the new features:

-Clicking on the Rides link still brings up the Ride Board but with the new features on top.

-The Weekend Rides link is the same as the Schedule of Weekend Rides in the Newsletter but is continually updated.-Road Bike Routes We have a fabulous array of routes in our area. This is where you can learn about places you haven't ridden and share great routes with others. Each route has a MapMyRide link, a description and a picture. Several Alta Alpina members have contributed to this collection of routes and you are invited to share your favorite routes and pics. Please email ridedirector@AltaAlpina.org to help out. We especially need routes for Carson City, Washoe Valley and outlying areas.

-Mountain Bike Routes This is next on the to-do list and help is needed. Please email ridedirector@AltaAlpina.org if you would like to help map or contribute routes.

-Ride Board Members can edit or delete posted rides on the Ride Board. Just remember, each time you do so, 200+ emails go out! Eventually the Ride Board and Weekend Ride Calendar may be merged.We hope you take some time to check it all out, provide some feedback and contribute.

Twain

ridedirector@AltaAlpina.org

Tahoe Rim Trail - Trail Work

2008-07-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, folks:

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association has trail building days all summer long. Here is info for some at north shore, for the Tahoe City Project.

This project involves building NEW trails for a Tahoe City-Brockway reroute of 3 miles.

Tuesday, July 8th, from 9am-3pm
Saturday, July 12th, from 9am-3pm
Tuesday, July 15th, from 9am-3pm

All of these work days will meet at the Tahoe City North trailhead. Directions:
Turn on Fairway Drive off Highway 89 on the west end of Tahoe City. The trail is across from the Fairway Community Center on the right. If this parking lot is full, park at the Tahoe City Public Utility District offices about 0.1 mile back toward highway 89.

For trail work days, volunteers will need to bring the following:
1. Water!! (at least 2 liters)
2. Lunch and Snacks
3. Long sleeved shirt
4. Long pants
5. Closed-toed footwear (ie: work or hiking boots)
6. Work Gloves
7. Sunscreen and bug spray
8. Day pack

As a trail work volunteer, the TRTA provides:
1. Hard Hats
2. Tools
3. Crew Leaders

Please show up if you can.

I'll try to keep everyone informed of when there is south shore trail work to be done. Also, check out their website for additional trail work days throughout the summer: http://tahoerimtrail.org.

Mountain Bike Race Tuesday Evening Races

2008-05-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Saddle up your your fat tire machine - the AACC MTB race series commences Tuesday, May 20th and ends June 24th. There are a total of 6 races scheduled. There is a change in this year's staring point, please meet at the west side of the Douglas County Fairgrounds (outside the chain link fence). The fairgrounds are ocated at the end of Pine Nut Road, across from the County Dump. Race registration starts at 5:15 p.m., and the races start at 6:15 p.m.

The race course will range in distance depending upon the race class you enter:
A Class: 12-14 miles,
B's and women: 10-12 miles,
C's and Single Speed: 8-10 miles.

Racer fees are as follows: junior racers $3.00, club members $5.00 and non-club member's 10.00.

There will be refreshments after the events, please venture on out and have some fun with us!

Race Director: Michael Beam 720-0016 or 267-6812
mikebeam@yahoo.com

Assorted AACC News Items

2008-04-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Alta Alpina Spring Membership Party - Monday, 14 April
At CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda in Minden, NV. Directions: From the intersection of 88 and 395, head south about a on 395 for about a mile, through the next light, then turn right at the next block, at 5th street. Go one short block and park. See your March newsletter for a map.
Doors open at 6pm. If you can help staff the membership or clothing tables, please show up by 5:30.

eNewsletters
Those of you who have signed up to receive the Paceline newsletter via email, note that you will receive one last paper newsletter. This is because the mailing label of that edition is your AACC Membership card. Cut out the label, and use it at the Local Merchants called out in our newsletter and website.

Adopt-a-Hiway
Join us on Sunday, April 20th, 9:30am, to clean up our section of Highway 89. Bike ride to follow.

Human Powered Vehicle Competition
The HPVC West is in Reno this year - a treat, because it's normally held somewhere in California. Competition starts Friday, April 18th and runs through the weekend.
See bottom of this email for more info.

South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail
A new alternative route has been added to the plan for the Greenway, and TRPA is looking for public comment on the new route. Two more meetings are scheduled for hearing any and all comments on this project:
Thursday, April 17th, 2pm: TRPA Hearings Office, 128 Market Street , Stateline
Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:30 pm: USFS Supervisor's Office, 35 College Drive, SLT
More info, such as contact info, maps of all the proposed routes, or how to provide input outside these meetings, can be found at .

Cycling Awareness Video
With the onset of warm weather and everyone getting more saddle time, it's time to think about riding safety. If the car is at fault in a car/bike accident, it doesn't mean the cyclist is any less hurt or worse. But here's a timely and fun 1-minute video about cycling awareness, which played as a TV ad in the UK, directed at drivers. Only recommended if you have a high-speed internet connection:
Take the Test

_______________________________________________________
From the UNR HPVC Team:

The Human Powered Vehicle Challenge (HPVC) Celebrates 25 years!

We are extremely excited to have HPVC West in our community this year! UNR competes annually in the HPVC Challenge BUT this year the events will be held right here in the Reno area. The UNR team is frantically working to finish their 2008 Vehicle, now named Battle Born, and want to invite you to attend the competition in Reno, NV. For the past 8 years or so, the competition has been held at various locations in California, so this is a rare opportunity to see the event firsthand. It is free for everything except the awards banquet on Sunday, which requires a $20 registration with ASME. There are going to be at least 20 schools from all over the western U.S. participating in three main events:

Friday, April 18th
12:00-7:00 PM - Design Presentations and Vehicle Displays - Harrah's Reno (Washoe EF Room, The Plaza)

Saturday, April 19th
8:00 AM-12:00 PM - Sprint Event - Reno/Stead Airport
2:15 PM-4:45 PM - Utility Event - Reno/Stead Airport

Sunday, April 20th
8:30 AM-12:00 PM - Endurance Event - IGT
12:30 PM-2:00 PM - Awards Banquet - Harrah's Reno (Douglas/Ormsby Room)

The Endurance Event on Sunday is arguably the big one. It is a 40 mile relay race around IGT's large campus. We encourage you to attend any or all of the events if they sound interesting. A full schedule and competition information is available as ASME's HPV Site. Also, we updated our team web site and we're trying to keep a running log of our progress. It's found at http://web.me.unr.edu/HPV/default.htm.

Questions? Contact:

Scott Waters
UNR HPVC Team Captain
waterss@unr.nevada.edu - 775-843-0082

Bike Advocacy - Tahoe and Reno

2008-03-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Don't think your neighborhood is bike friendly enough? Here are a couple upcoming opportunities for making a difference for cycling in your area.

-- Tahoe--
From Karen Fink, Transportation Planner for the the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA):
The Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted its second draft Public Participation Plan on its website at . The comment period is open until May 7, 2008.

The Public Participation Plan is a document that defines a process for providing citizens, affected public agencies, and other interested parties with opportunities to be involved in the regional transportation planning process. The document was developed based on input gathered during the March 2008 Transportation Roundtables, on-line and written surveys collected in early 2008, and comment on an initial draft circulated in August, 2007. Most importantly, the document should reflect the many suggestions made by different members of the public and public stakeholders as to the best ways to communicate public participation opportunities.

Tahoe residents, please read the plan, and send comments to Karen Fink at kfink@trpa.org, or write to
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
PO Box 5310
Stateline, NV 89449

--Reno--
Terry McAfee, of the Nevada Bicylce Coalition, writes:
The RTC 2040 Plan Steering Committee will be discussing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Element of the Long Term Plan on April 10th at 6:30pm on the 4th floor of the National Bowling Stadium. THIS IS WHERE AREA BIKE LANES AND PATHS ARE BORN. If lots of bicyclists come to this meeting it will send a clear message to the RTC and the Committee that good bicycling facilities are an important part of the Truckee Meadows transportation system and should be adequately funded.

So please come. You need not speak. Having a room full of passionate bicyclists will say all the Committee needs to hear. The meetings generally end between 8:30 and 9:00pm. Parking is available in the Bowling Stadium building. The entrance is on 4th Street. If you ride a bicycle to the event, bring it with you to the meeting.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you have any questions, please give Terry a call at 775-287-7142 or e-mail at tmcafee@gmail.com.

Spring Membership Party

2008-02-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

Mark your Calendar for Alta Alpina's 2008 Spring Membership Party!

Monday, 14 April
6pm 'til Whenever
CVIC Hall in Minden (same place as last year, on Esmeralda by Minden Park

More details as the date approaches. See you there!

Recall on Ritchey WCS and Pro Model Cranksets

2008-02-05T22:21:00.000-08:00

Sent from Jim Strange - the reason for his bad crash last year:

____________________________________________
Ritchey has announced a voluntary recall

Ritchey Design has announced a voluntary recall on certain WCS and Pro level road and 'cross cranksets. According to Ritchey, the non-driveside arms of affected cranks can break unexpectedly during use, possibly resulting in injury. All mountain bike, Pro Cross 130mm BCD, and wholly silver-finished cranksets are not affected. Likewise, all driveside crankarms are not affected by the recall due to the additional reinforcement of the chainring spider.

Owners of questionable crankarms are asked to check the five-digit code stamped into the backside of the left arm. The first digit indicates the alloy used ('6' indicates 6061; '2' indicates 2014) while the following four represents the production date in year/month format (e.g. '0301' refers to January 2003). All WCS cranks with a forging code prior to 0501 and all Pro cranks with a forging code prior to 0508 should be replaced.

Alternatively, users can measure the arm thickness at the lowest point in the cavity of the left arm. WCS models thinner than 7mm or Pro models thinner than 9mm should be replaced.

Affected North American consumers should first obtain a return authorization number directly from Ritchey (650-517-1878 or contact_us@ritcheylogic.com, subject 'crank arm recall'). Crankarms should then be shipped to the following address:

Ritchey Design
575 Old County Road
San Carlos, CA 94070

UNR Spring Road Race

2008-02-05T22:05:00.000-08:00

From Cody Dean, UNR Cycling Team:
_________________________________________
UNR will be putting on a race in April on the 26th and 27th. The tentative race flyer is attached. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, including the order of the racing. We might have to do the road race on Sunday instead of Saturday. It depends on the permits.

There are several questions, below, that would be great if you would like to answer. If so, please email Jake Mestre, the RACE DIRECTOR at jakemestre@yahoo.com.

1) crit course: the flyer says it might be different this year. If it is possible to do either race, would you rather have a new course or the same course as last year (it ran down Evans Street)?

2) uscf categories: right now, the flyer has the same categories as last year. Some people liked them, some didn't. Keeping in mind that will mostly be a local race, what do you think?

The feedback will be appreciated. Remember, the flyer will be updated. Thanks.

Race Flyer

Cody Dean, UNR Cycling Team
|
|

New 2008 Jersey Design - Special Orders Don't Upset Us

2008-01-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

The club has a new jersey design, and we're going to be ordering club clothing from Voler shortly. This isn't the absolute final version - Voler will be tweaking it some, but it's pretty close.

We will be ordering short- and long-sleeved jerseys and shorts. If you want a special item, please let me know. For instance, we probably WON'T order any
- sleeveless jerseys
- windbreakers
- thermal jackets
except by special request. If you want to ensure that we order your size of ANY item, let me know that, too.

Costs will be:
- Short Sleeved Jerseys: $51.25 + tax (if applicable)
- Shorts: $47.50 + tax
To look up any other prices, see
Voler Price List
Use "2 Color" column, and quantity = 50 for shorts/short sleeved jerseys and their like items; use quantity = 25 for anything else. All items are, as always, sold to you at our cost, plus whatever applicable tax.

If you have a special request, please email me at president@AltaAlpina.org by
Monday Feb 4
if possible, but we can take special orders through mid-February. Include your size, and M/W.

Cyclist vs. Car Bias Meeting with the Sheriff

2008-01-16T22:24:00.001-08:00

A note from Terry McAfee, President of Procrastinating Pedalers:

Dear Fellow Bicyclists,

Sheriff Haley is hosting a meeting to discuss "Cyclist vs. Car Bias" in law enforcement as he promised. Frankly, I am amazed at the meeting he has put together.

When: Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Where: Briefing Room, Washoe County Sheriff Office, 911 E. Parr Blvd.

Who: Representatives from:
- Reno Police Department
- Sparks Police Department
- Washoe County School Police
- Nevada Highway Patrol
- UNR Police Dept.
- Reno/Sparks Tribal Police
- Pyramid Lake Tribal Police
- Sheriff Haley and several members of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office

I need 3 things from you:

1) Please attend the meeting. Send me an e-mail telling me if you plan to attend.
2) Send me specific questions that you would like addressed at the meeting. Specific examples of anti-cyclist bias would be particularly helpful.
3) Tell me what actions Law Enforcement should take as a result of this meeting.

Keep in mind that we are talking to Law Enforcement. They can't do anything about installing more bike lanes and paths. They can't change the laws.

Here is a link to a summary of the bicycle laws in Nevada - http://www.bicyclenevada.com/law.html .

I urge you to attend and participate in this meeting. This is a unique opportunity to talk to all of our law enforcement agencies at once and I would hate to see us waste it.

If you have any questions, please give me a call at 775-287-7142 or send me an e-mail at tmcafee@gmail.com .

Thanks,

Terry McAfee
NV Bicycle Coalition

2008 Amgen Tour of California

2007-11-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow cycling enthusiasts:

The 2008 Amgen Tour of California Prologue needs volunteers. The stage will be raced on Sunday, February 17, 2008 in the early afternoon in Palo Alto and Stanford. A variety of positions are available. Course marshals will get the best view of the action and medical escorts will have the opportunity to interact with racers. We need hundreds of volunteers to have the race go smoothly. Sign up soon to reserve the best jobs. Bring your friends. You can view job descriptions and sign up at the Tour's webpage: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Tour/volunteer.html

Thanks,
Rob Meyer
Local Organizing Committee of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California Prologue

UNR Cycling Team Seeks Help Planning Local Stage Race

2007-11-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

On another note, members of Reno Wheelmen and the UNR Cycling Team are exploring the possibility of a 2-3 day road stage race in the Northern Nevada/Lake Tahoe areas. If you have any suggestions on venue, date, or race execution, or are interested in being involved, contact Shawn Pearson at shawndoggy@gmail.com or Cody Deane deanec13@yahoo.com.

Adopt-Hiway Trash Pickup, Nov 18 2007

2007-11-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY is our last Adopt-a-Hiway cleanup for 2007. Please join Pete Costa on 11/18 at 10 am, at Turtle Rock Park (on Hiway 89 near Markleeville), for gathering roadside trash as well as collecting a few karma points. Coffee and muffins to be served beforehand. Bring your bike and helmet, shoes and water for a ride to follow.

Genoa Cyclocross, Saturday, Nov 10 2007

2007-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY is the 3rd Annual Genoa Cyclocross. Mel is Race Director and will be out in downtown Genoa from 8am to 2pm, so please come during those hours to help with course setup/take down, course marshalling, and registration [being a course marshal lets you watch the race while you’re helping out, and watching cyclocross is a kick!]

Racers go off between 10 and noon; so if you're racing you could race AND still volunteer; great, huh?

More info at http://www.renowheelmen.org/cross/sagebrush/2007/Sagebrush_07.htm

Reminder to RSVP for the Fall Dinner

2007-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

One last reminder to RSVP to:

membership@AltaAlpina.org ( not me! )

if you'd like to attend the AACC Fall Dinner, on
- Monday, 22 October
- Doors Open: 5:30pm.
- Cost: Free to club members, $25 for non-member guests
- Location: Lake Tahoe Golf Course, SLT (near Meyers)

Highlights of the evening include:

- Cocktails (No Host Bar), 5:30-6:30pm (with chips & salsa)
- AACC Clothing Sales
- Custom Wheels demo table
- Mexican Buffet Dinner
- Lots of cake for dessert
- Raffle
- Race Series Awards and other recognition
- Elections for 2008
- Seeing your biking buddies again before the snow flies!

**Please RSVP by Monday, October 15th.**

If you have an individual membership, just let us know you're attending. If you have a family membership, please list the names of each person who will be attending and list the ages of each child. RSVP by e-mail to:
membership@AltaAlpina.org
If you've already responded to ME for this, please make sure you've also responded to membership@AltaAlpina.org, or that I acknowledged your RSVP. There's some evidence that I'm not getting all emails sent to this address.

Elections: We've got volunteers for all elected club officer positions, but any club member is welcome to nominate themselves if you'd like to run for an office. Or, if you'd like to otherwise get involved in 2008, drop me a note and we can discuss other positions that you could fill.

Dave's Recovering from Bad Bike Crash

2007-10-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

Club treasurer, "A" racer and super-nice guy Dave Gaskin was in a bad bike accident last week. Here's his own status report from yesterday:

Hi Jennie,
I was released from the hospital Monday and finally have made it down the stairs to the computer. My crash was not very heroic, I was trying to avoid 5 chatting teenage girls on a bike path. Four moved aside okay, the last one could not make up her mind which way to go. In trying to avoid hitting her, I skidded out and landed hard on my right hip. I knew not to try to break my fall with hands or shoulders because I've broken bones that way before, but this is not much better. My femur drove through the pelvis and broke the socket into four large parts, which the doctor was able to reconstruct quite well. I have quite a few pins and plates, and look pretty bad but aside from two very bad pain days I am doing a lot better.

I see the doctor next week, and am ready and anxious to begin rehab. It may be a couple of months before I can do any semi-serious exercise, but I hope to work my way back into things. Please let people know how I am doing, and I appreciate all their concern, support and good wishes. Hope this makes sense, with the meds and all. With luck, I'll see everyone at the end of the year dinner.

Then today...

Hi Jennie
Thanks for your kind thoughts! Today was painful because all my nerves are waking up and I can feel all the pins and plates and stuff. And my long incision which goes from my left abdomen all the way around to the right side of my back. But I'm getting more flexible. Anyway, sure, feel free to put my news on the website. Hopefully I can be a success story working my way up from the D's next year.

2006 Death Ride Cycling Clothing Sale

2007-09-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

2006 Death Ride apparel is on sale now.

Jerseys: $25
Shorts: $25
Wind Vests: $15

Visit www.deathride.com, phone 530-694-2675, or stop by the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce in Markleeville.

End of Year Dinner and Meeting

2007-09-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

To all AACC'ers:

You're invited to the AACC Annual Meeting and End of Year Dinner. The date is Monday, October 22nd, and it's at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course, near Myers. This evening of socializing, buffet dinner, race awards, and more is free to all 2007 club members. Non-member guests are $25.

Please RSVP by Monday, Oct 15. If you have an individual membership, just let us know you're attending. If you have a family membership, please list the names of each person who will be attending and list the ages of each child. RSVP by e-mail to:

membership@AltaAlpina.org

Doors open at 5:30 for socializing and No-Host Bar, and the meeting starts 6:30. See you there!

Jennie Hamiter

P.S. RSVPing for this event by Oct 15 is very important so that the club doesn't buy too many or too few dinners. We'd really appreciate it if you could RSVP as soon as possible, but please don't RSVP until you're sure you can make it. Thanks.

UNR Cycling Team Clothing

2007-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

A message from the UNR cycling team:
The UNR team will be re-ordering clothing at the end of September. We will receive this order in early December. If you would like to special order some Voler UNR cycling gear, please email Max Miller at
mamiller81@sbcglobal.net
To view the clothing designs, see the archived blog AACC news from March 2007 (see bottom of this page).
All items that voler offers will be available. If you decide to order more expensive/odd sized items, we would like to receive a pre-payment so that we don't end up with items that we can't sell. Even if you want something common, like bibs, I would still special order it so that you can for sure get what you want. I will be attending the AACC board meeting in October if anybody would like to discuss it then or have answered any questions. If you order, please specify the exact size/pad/type (eg. thermal vs wind jackets).

Thank you, Cody Deane
President, Nevada Cycling

Welcome Home, Suzy!

2007-07-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

Hi, all:

Good news on the Suzy front: she's leaving the hospital today (Friday). She's getting around really well, but she'll be taking it easy for a while to let everything meld a little more.

Jennie

More Suzy

2007-07-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

I saw Suzy tonight, in the Rehab ward of St Mary's in Reno. She's up and about, wearing street clothes, has no problem walking around, and she's in good spirits. She's being kept a while longer as she still recuperates from the concussion.

Amazingly, they stuck her in a room that has an Alta Alpina sticker on the foot of the bed. :^ )

Update from Suzy's office

2007-07-23T18:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

Suzy continues to improve, however, she's been moved to the rehab section of St. Mary's and will probably be there a week or so. I talked to her yesterday and she wants everyone to know how much she appreciates all the lovely flowers and cards, and your thoughts and prayers.

I apologize if I've been remiss in acknowledging flowers delivered to the office, once we learned she was going to rehab they were taken up over the weekend.

Things are settling down and it's business as usual for us at the office.

Irene Gurley

Stockdale Creative Marketing and Advertising
1650 Lucerne Street, Suite 202
Minden, NV 89423