Flagstaff Biking Organization » newsletter

Loop Trail Day September 19th at SKUNK Canyon!

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:24:53 +0000

Our Sept 19th Loop Trail Day had to be moved from Observatory Mesa to Skunk Canyon.

Legal issues with the easement will delay, but not prevent, completion of our coveted link to Cheshire, so FEAR NOT! We have some great new trail to work above Skunk Canyon that will be perfect for the waning days of summer, which are forecast to be “partly cloudy- high 76″–perfecto.

We will be picking up where the CREC crew left off this summer… you’ll want to check out the sweet trail we have all built so far! There’s about a mile to go for us to reach the Fisher Point trail.

DIRECTIONS: Take Lone Tree Road south to J.W. Powell Blvd and turn left/east. Go to the barricades and turn into Pine Canyon Club’s NORTH entrance: Important! Get a visitor’s pass at the booth. Follow signs: take an immediate left on Clubhouse Circle, drive 1.3 miles and turn left/east on Del Rae, following it 0.6 miles to the end circle. We will stage in front of “Lot 191″. Try this mapquest MAP.

Please come with sturdy shoes, long pants, water, sunscreen, and a hat or bike helmet; and gloves if you have some. Consider bringing raingear, weather is changesome. We will provide hard-hats, tools and equipment, guidance and training. Kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

You can help us prepare for the Loop Trail Day by pre-registering now so we can estimate lunch, coffee and equipment quantities. Contact Susan@flagstaffbiking.org with questions. THANKS!

Helmet Ordinance passed 4 to 3 on Tuesday, Sept 15th.

Flagstaff Biking Organization — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:43:06 +0000

On September 15th, the Flagstaff City Council passed the Helmet ordinance for minors 4:3, with Mayor Presler, Vice Mayor White, Councilmembers Brewster and Swanson supporting, and Councilmembers Haughey, Overton and Evans opposing. The ordinance will go into effect January 2010.

There was a sizeable crowd of helmet-wearing public attending the final reading and vote on the law. FBO, in conjunction with SafeKids Coalition, will continue its efforts to educate grade school aged children through its bike rodeos as well as its program to provide helmets to kids at low or no cost. FBO welcomes the positive reinforcement that the Helmet law will provide, producing a new generation of savy cyclists.

Supporters for Flagstaff’s Helmet law needed at the City Council TONIGHT!

Flagstaff Biking Organization — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:13:03 +0000

The final vote on a Helmet Law for minors (kids under 18 years) will get it’s last reading and vote tonight. The vote on the initial reading was close: 4:3.

We would like to see Flag’s dedicated cyclists show up (with helmets in hand) in the Council Chambers at City Hall (211 W. Aspen) tonight at 5:30 pm– the council can’t ignore the need to protect kids, and kids in Flagstaff will get a head start on good bike riding habits … And ALL of us will get a pay off down the road in safer cyclists and better habits as more and more bike commuters take to the streets. To read more on FBO’s position on the helmet law, go HERE.

Thanks! See you there!

Valet Parking attracted nearly 300 cyclists on Labor Day!

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:08:21 +0000

Valet bike parking was an outstanding success Labor Day when 270 cyclists pedaled to the Coconino County Fair with a free entrance for cycle-commuters. Our fair commuting cyclists then enjoyed decorative prize-winning chickens, deep-fat fried everything, and wild inverting rides; in addition to their refreshing and scenic commute along one of Flagstaff’s beautiful FUTS out to the Fair Grounds at Ft Tuthill.

The 4 day fair saw nearly 400 folks take advantage of Flagstaff Biking Org’s first ever “Valet Bike Parking Service” with reduced or free fair tickets. Friends of Coconino County Park’s also helped run the Ramada’s booth. In conjunction with the booth, Jack Welch lead a hike each morning of the fair that garnered 160 hikers free admittance to the fair.

That was a great deal for cyclists and hikers, and given the cost of building and maintaining parking lots, not a bad deal for the county either. The response was overwhelmingly positive and many grateful folks expressed the hope the service would continue next year! YOUR WELCOME… We hope to!

FREE Valet bicycle parking at the Coconino County Fair

Flagstaff Biking Organization — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:05:30 +0000

Ride your bicycle to the County Fair this year (Friday Sept 4th through Monday Sept 7th) and you’ll be able to leave your bicycle in the personal care of FBO/ Jack Welch & Co. / who will be responsible for the fair’s bicycle parking located at Cochise Ramada near tennis courts east of the main entrance. Riding out to the fair is super fun and easy with the FUTS trail that you can start just west of Big 5 Sports. The scenic trail keeps you and yours out of traffic and shoots straight to Ft Tuthill. AVOID CAR PARKING and Enjoy a beautiful ride!

Friday through Sunday the bicycle parking will be free, and you will get a $1.00 off the entry fee into the fair on those days. On Monday riding to the fair and using the valet bicycle parking will entitle you to free entry into the fair.

There are also 4 hikes scheduled on each day of the fair that will entitle you to free entry into the fair.

All the hikes (3-5 miles long) will start at 8:00 AM from the Cochise Ramada lead by Jack Welch.

Friday Sept 4: ~5 miles on the FUTS to FR 532 to the old dam in Sinclair Wash
Saturday Sept 5: ~4 miles on the Soldiers Trail behind the Race Track and Amphitheater
Sunday Sept 6: ~4 miles using the Bridge Trail off the Soldier trail
Monday Sept 7: ~5 miles on the Highland Trail to the Kachina Village wetlands

Ride your bike to the fair – do a hike – and get free parking for your bicycle plus free entry into the fair.

Fair Opens daily at 10:00 AM

Bicycle Parking Available from 9:30 AM until 3:00 PM

Questions? Contact Jack Welch, 928.714.0504 or at ADILLLO@aol.com

THANKS for great Loop Trail help Saturday

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:34:30 +0000

We had a fantastic turnout for Loop Trail work Saturday Aug 15th. Flagstaff can deliver! FBO, Coconino County, Coconino Forest Service and the City of Flagstaff send their thanks to the 54 generous spirits that donated their time to complete Segment 55 of the Loop Trail on Observatory Mesa.

Next stop… Segment 56… the challenging and beautiful final link to Cheshire. We’ll need your help even more for that final piece, be sure to Save the Dates.. September 19th, October 3rd, and November 7th!

Thanks also to Biff’s Bagels, Late for the Train and Coconino County Supervisor Matt Ryan for sponsoring Saturday’s event. We’ve completed over 1.5 miles of trail this summer!

Lost and Found! A pair of Lady’s eye glasses were found at our lunch site. Please call 928.853.5542 if you lost these!

FBO-supported Helmet Ordinance passes 4-3

Flagstaff Biking Organization — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:53:28 +0000

Aug 19th, 2010 UPDATE: the City Council meeting of Aug 18th passed the FBO/SafeKids-supported Helmet law for Minors 4 to 3. This law will go into effect January 10th, 2010, and will be preceded by FBO’s ongoing education campaign and the effort to provide low or no-cost helmets to kids will be sustained and enhanced with a possible grant supporting that effort.

August 13th: Join FBO at the City Council Meeting on August 18th to support the proposed Helmet Law Ordinance. The meeting is at City Hall (Aspen Street) and starts at 4:30pm. Below are points that FBO will be presenting to the Council in support of this Ordinance:

Flagstaff Biking Organization has worked collaboratively with the Coconino County Safe Kids Coalition for the past six years to promote bicycle safety rodeos and a free and discounted helmet distribution program through local schools and other community organizations and events.

As part of the presentation and clinic that we do for children in the schools and at other public events throughout the year, we informally poll kids on how many own helmets and wear them when they ride their bikes. We are often astounded at how few even own helmets, let alone how few are encouraged to wear them while riding.

A mandatory helmet law for kids would at bare minimum raise awareness amongst parents and kids as to the importance of this inexpensive, simple step towards preventing serious injury and potentially death from what might otherwise be a minor accident. An enforceable law is often the best way to get kids to act in a more responsible manner than they might otherwise when outside of the oversight of their parents.

We disagree with those who insist that requiring helmets will cause parents to view cycling as too dangerous an activity for their children. Our efforts have shown that by encouraging children to ride safely and use appropriate safety equipment, we are able to generate more enthusiasm amongst the kids for cycling. Parents have many times thanked us for giving their kids more reasons to wear their helmets. Never have we been made aware of a scenario in which a parent discouraged his or her child from riding a bike because we had stressed the importance of wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws while riding. We are first and foremost cycling advocates and we would not support this law if we felt that its implementation might adversely affect the perception of cycling as a safe, attractive and fun means of transportation and recreation.

We also find fault with the argument that this law’s enactment would be adding encumbrance to the legal system or that this ordinance would be an infringement on a person’s civil liberties. There are numerous laws that presume that a child’s well being lies ultimately with the community. For example, children are required to receive some sort of schooling and are required to travel in a child seat when in a motor vehicle. None of these laws are implemented with the intent of interceding in the deliberate intent and direction of a parent in raising his or her child. Rather, these laws are intended to protect the greater good of the community and/or the well being of the child in lieu of poor decisions on the part of an ill informed or misguided parent. We also point to the fact that this ordinance has the support of the Flagstaff Police Department in spite of any addition workload that it might create.

Flagstaff Biking Organization will continue its efforts in promoting safe bicycling and helmet use to children and adults in the greater Flagstaff area. Given appropriate funding and support, we are amenable to an increase in these efforts that might include assisting in a broader discounted or free helmet distribution program.

As Flagstaff continues to grow as a bicycle friendly community, it becomes increasingly important to act proactively in matters such as this. Bicycles are a safe and attractive means of transportation and recreation, and focusing on keeping this activity as safe as possible will help to promote bicycling in our community, thereby making Flagstaff even more livable, environmentally friendly and fun!

For more information, please contact Melissa at melissa@flagstaffbiking.org.

Bike to Work Week Concludes…

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:15:37 +0000

So ends another triumphant Bike to Work, School and Errands Week!

But does bike to work week really ever conclude…??? I don’t think so!

It is a Spectacular and Never-Ending EVENT!

Over 1250 pedalers logged in 3400 times last week for a distance of 28,000 miles! That’s more than 8000 miles and 850 more log-ins than 2008!

What we accomplished…

We pedaled away 260 pounds of fat…
The equivalent of eating either 1300 Big Macs, 5400 veggie burgers, 6000 Fat Tire ales, or 21,000 servings of broccoli.
We spared our air… 1800 gallons of gasoline, 9300 pounds of CARBON, and 15.4 Metric TONS of Carbon Dioxide!
We burned of 2200 hours of stress!
The average commute was 8.3 miles and took about 38 minutes.

Bikes are awesome! As are the folks that ride them!

Winners of the Worksites Challenge were announced on The EAGLE on Monday May 18th at 9:12 am. And they are…

Large Worksite: Lowell Observatory under Allison Bair’s leadership: 52%, 8.3 miles/commute. Contenders at the USGS were once again squeezed out at 46%, FMC-ICU and COF Public Library tied for 3rd. This is Lowell’s 3rd Breezer Bike win.

Medium Worksite: AZ Raft Adventures under Kim Lucy 57.4% and 7.7 miles/commute, in a very tight competition with NAU Ecological Restoration Inst and Bookmans… all within 1.5%. AZRA’s high mileage was their trump card. This is AZRA’s FIRST (correction-we got it wrong) Breezer Bike. Congratulations!

Small Worksite: Absolute Bikes under Anthony Quintile’s firm hand, garnering 100% once again. This prize they’re keeping! Lunch at Fratelli Pizza. They were chased by COF Sustainability & Environmental Management, and tied COF Police-Community Relations and NAU Honors Program, all in the 80%’s.

Nanos: Project TIA Elementary, 100%, and Flag Metro Planning Org 80%.

The MTB v Roadies Challenge: The ambidextrous and commuters came out on top with 14,500 mi pedaled, but perhaps not surprisingly, the mountain bikers (5,750 miles) trumped the roadies (2,780 miles) in this mountain town with limited clear pavement… Next year may change things when the Lk Mary road expansion is open!

Friday… the Cyclo-bration at Uptown Billiards was a nice and mellow conclusion to the week. Diane Peterson held the lucky ticket for the New Belgium Brewery Red Cruiser Bike. That was one happy gal! Photo contest entries were up for voting but the winner of the Burley Flatbed Trailer is still in the air. We will post the digital photos as soon as possible.

See detailed worksite challenge results HERE.

JOIN FBO! FBO can’t support events like these without your help. Please join our membership drive and keep us thriving!

Today’s Bonus Commuter of the Day is 8th grader Zach Morris. In honor of school commuters everywhere and our push to expand that demographic, Zach is a student at Flagstaff Middle School. See our interview with this everyday student biker Here.

The 2009 Bicycle Commuter Survey is OPEN! Please take 10 minutes to fill it out and let FBO and city planners know what you think about cycling in Flagstaff.

Friday’s Prize Winners!

Charlie Silver – WL Gore-Medical West: Altitudes Bar & Grill: $25 gift certificate & Frisbee
Jon Hall – Southwest Windpower: Batteries Plus: Streamlight LED Headlamp
Megan Plunkett – Flagstaff Middle School-Staff: Coconino County: 1 ticket to Queensrÿche, May 31st
Marty Eckrem – Coco Co Health Dept: Coconino County: Family pack tickets to County Fair in September
Mike MacPhee – NAU School of Communication: Coconino County: Family pack tickets to Ft Tuthill horse races
Kathee Rose – NAU Cline Library: CompuTech “Break/Fix”: $150 computer Tuneup
Amanda Bosh – Lowell Observatory: Cosmic Cycles T-shirt
Emily Clough – Lowell Observatory: Emmitt Barks Cartography: Sedona & Flagstaff Trails Map Set
Mark Steddom – NAU ITS Comp & Comm Systems: Flagstaff Bike & Fitness: $20 Gift certificate
Rick Stanionis – COF Engineering- Chasement: Green Room: $25 gift certificate
Angela Crossley – USFS Peaks Ranger Stn-Main: Jandd Mountaineering/ Absolute Bikes: Jandd Grocery Bag Pannier
Janet Wilson – FMC Pediatrics: Jandd Mountaineering/ Absolute Bikes: Jandd Grocery Bag Pannier
CeAnn Myers – NAU Gateway Success Center: Mountain Sports: Life is good Biker Chic Tee $25
Rick Ernenwein – Grand Canyon National Park: NAU Bookstore: Bike books Goodie bundle
David Bereson – Summit Center: Synergy Total Fitness: “4 Class” Passes

Prize winners will be reached by email to instruct them where to get their prizes SOMETIME THIS WEEK! THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

Thanks TO EVERYONE for participating BTWW 2009! From our sponsors big and small, our heroic worksite coordinators, our super-volunteers and each and every participant, from FLAGSTAFF BIKING…

THANKS TO ALL!

And remember: Everyday is Bike to Work, School or Errands Day in Northern Arizona!

Pedal Safe & Friendly! ––Susan and everyone at Flagstaff Biking Organization

Last Day of Bike to Everything Week

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:15:05 +0000

It’s the LAST DAY of Bike to Work Week! Log in now. See about our Amnesty for if you missed log-ins earlier this week. ENDS AT MIDNIGHT!!

Winners of the Worksites Challenge will be announced on The EAGLE on Monday May 18th at 9:10 am.

Coming up…TONIGHT! Cyclo-bration at Uptown Billiards, 5-7pm. Friday night we draw the winner for the New Belgium Brewery Red Cruiser Bike. Get your tickets while you still can… online sales close at 1pm, tickets can be purchased at Uptown until the drawing. Photo contest entries will be up and voting will determine the winner of the Burley Flatbed Trailer. We will post the digital photos as soon as possible.

Golden Sprocket Winners: Flagstaff schools did great on Thursday: The Bonito Street Schools swept the awards!

Marshall Elementary School raged with a whopping 29%! The bike corral overfloweth!
Flagstaff Middle School’s was bike-friendly and parked their steeds inside, and 6% of the kids pedaled!
Flagstaff High School broke Sinagua’s hold on the Golden Sprocket with 7%.
Mt Calvary Lutheran School trumped the “Alternative School” category amongst some very stiff competition from Pine Forest Charter, Montessori-Cedar Middle School, and Northland Prep Academy.

See complete school challenge results HERE.

School Film Night: Three students produced exciting videos for the short film contest and did an outstanding job! Once again, Flag High & Middle School students prevailed. Thanks to SafeKids Coalition for Huge Cash Prizes!

1st Place- $200: Derek Dresler: Rolling Wheels Productions, Grade 10
2nd Place- $100: Julien Dresler: Grade 7
3rd Place- $50: Ian VonSchulze: “Bootleg Canyon” Grade 7

The Bike to Potluck was a smashing success! Like a swarm of locusts, Tom’s grill was picked clean. Over 60 cyclists filled the perfect evening, creative side-dishes graced the buffet line, and everyone had fun. Raffle drawings and Cupcake’s Creations added spice to the repast. Thanks Tom & Jolene!

JOIN FBO! FBO can’t support events like these without your help.Please join our membership drive and keep us thriving!

Thursday’s Commuter of the Day is Cindy Perger. Cindy’s commute is not long, but she is dedicated to making it everyday. She also takes time to help FBO and Flagstaff with our trails programs. See our interview with this multi-tasker Here.

The 2009 Bicycle Commuter Survey is OPEN! Please take 10 minutes to fill it out and let FBO and city planners know what you think about cycling in Flagstaff.

Thursday’s Prize Winners!

Andy Lane- Absolute Bikes: Jandd Mountaineering/ Absolute Bikes: Grocery Bag Pannier
Brad Heck- FMC ER: Duffy Westheimer: small bike t-shirt
Eric Peterson- WL Gore-Medical West: AZ Raft Adventures: Women’s M, L or XL AzRA fleece jacket OR a men’s AzRA fleece pullover
Jason Hansen- Knoles Elementary – students: Aspen Sports: Base layer bib, Large
Kate Behn- Flags Community Supported Ag Project: Bookmans: $50 Gift Certificate
Kelly Teach- Beaver Street Brewery: Emmitt Barks Cartography: Sedona & Flagstaff Trails Map Set
Lisa Adams- COF Wildcat Hill WWTP: Cosmic Cycles T-shirt
Mackenzie Lurie- Mountain Heart: Aspen Sports: Base layer bib, Large
Mary Machula- FMC Surgical Services: Cosmic Cycles T-shirt
Michele Hall- WL Gore-Medical West: NiMarcos Pizza: 1 Large Pizza
Mike Devlin- Beaver Street Brewery: AZ Bikes: 1 Tuneup, $60 value
Regina Eason- Southwest Windpower: Flagstaff Athletic Club: 2 guest passes
Richard Hart- NAU Bookstore: Arizona Raft Adventures: Camelbak Better Bottle water bottle & Chums eye glasses retainer
Rusty Tweed- Lowell Observatory: Jandd Mountaineering/ Absolute Bikes: Grocery Bag Pannier
Sarah Sherry- Summit Center: Synergy Total Fitness: “4 Class” Passes
Tyson Skelton- WL Gore-Echo Ridge: Green Room T-shirt

Prize winners will be reached by email to instruct them where to get their prizes NEXT WEEK!:

THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS! Thanks for participating BTWW 2009!

And remember: Everyday is Bike to Work, School or Errands Day in Northern Arizona!

Pedal Safe & Friendly! ––Flagstaff Biking Organization

Bike to School, Kids & Family’s Thursday

Psiouxan, Flagstaff Biking Org — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:29:36 +0000

Northern Arizona rocks! 1100 people logged 17,500 miles as of Wednesday. Another BeaUUTimous Day! It’s excuse-free!

Go HERE to see current Challenge results.

School Representatives! Report your Bike to School Day numbers HERE!

Coming up….TONIGHT! Family & Fun at Thorpe Park!

Bike to Potluck at the Thorpe Park Ramada, 5:30 – 7pm. Bring a Side-dish to share (yum!-salads-n-sides!), via bike if possible, and join us for the 2nd Annual Bike to Potluck. Coconino County’s Tom Hanecak will once again be grilling up burgers, dogs and veggie burgers for the good cyclists of Flagstaff. We will be providing table service, water, lemonade, some raffle prizes and other treats. We ask you to bring your water bottles or mugs. And immediately following…

School Film Night & Awards: We will show the 3 student films we received and award prizes! Four schools will walk away with beautiful Golden Sprocket trophies, and our film contestants will walk off with $250 of prizes. There will be prizes for kids with helmet, and a few other raffles as well.

Friday: We will wind the week down Friday from 5-7pm at Uptown. The photos for the contest will be up for viewing, judging and awarding of the $300 Burley Flatbed Trailer. And the New Belgium Brewery Cruiser Bike Raffle winner will be drawn, so buy your tickets while there is still time, and SUPPORT FBO.

Cyclo-bration at Uptown Billiards!

JOIN! FBO Can’t support events like Bike to Work Week without your help. Please join our membership drive and keep us thriving!

TODAY: The Bike School Day Challenge is on and who will win in each of the 3 categories? Find out tonight!

YESTERDAY: Bike to Breakfast fueled hundreds of hungry cyclists through their day. Maybe it will make up for that 160 pounds of fat our 1100 riders have burned off so far this week.
Wednesday’s Commuters of the Day is the Twomey Family: Maggie, Will, Claire and Nixon. The Twomey’s have made bike commuting a family affair. See our interview with this caravan of travellers Here.

The 2009 Bicycle Commuter Survey is OPEN! Please take 10 minutes to fill it out and let FBO and city planners know what you think about cycling in Flagstaff.

GO HERE to review the BTWW Schedule of Events:

Wednesday’s Prize Winners!

Marty Curran-FMC ER: Cuvee 928 Wine Bar $20 Gift Certificate
Tobias Armstrong-Montessori-Switzer Mesa – students: Flagstaff Bike & Fitness: $20 Gift certificate
Eli Allan-Coco Co Health Dept: Fratelli Pizza: Gift certificates for 1 small pizza & a slice
Patrick Schnell-NAU Applied R&D Bldg: Jandd Mountaineering/ Absolute Bikes: Jandd Grocery Bag Pannier
Andrea Casavant-FMC SDU: Beaver Street Brewery: $25 gift certificate
Myles Martin-New Frontiers: Emmitt Barks Cartography: Sedona & Flagstaff Trails Map Set
Matthew Maurer-Flagstaff Athletic Club: Serfas and Absolute Bikes: Serfas CP-600 LED light combo set
Angi Christiansen-Bookmans: Flagstaff Athletic Club: 2 guest passes
Rebecca Corbett-NAU Ecological Restoration Institute: Monsoons: $25 gift certificate
Ben Fillerup-WL Gore-Kendrick Peak: Melissa Dunstan Photography: Original 11×14″ print of Flagstaff landscape
Christopher Kuehl-WL Gore-Kendrick Peak: Emmitt Barks Cartography: Sedona & Flagstaff Trails Map Set
Kurtis Kegley-NACOG Admin Building: Specialized/ Absolute Bikes: 1 pair Specialized Armadillo Tires
Martin Ince-COF Flag Metro Planning Org: Beaver Street Brewery: $25 gift certificate
Mark Daniels-NAU Ecological Restoration Institute: Coconino County: Family pack tickets to Ft Tuthill horse races
Natasha Cain-Flagstaff Athletic Club: Monsoons: $25 gift certificate
Jeff Davis-WL Gore-Woody Springs Eng: Emmitt Barks Cartography: Sedona & Flagstaff Trails Map Set

Prize winners will be reached by email to instruct them where to get their prizes NEXT WEEK!: THANKS TO ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

Thanks for participating! Pedal Safe & Friendly!

–Flagstaff Biking Organization