2012 News Items

Posted 11-9-2012

Cycle Montana

This year a group of club members is taking part in Adventure Cycling’s fully supported Cycle Montana ride. At this point we have 14 members registered. There is still time for you to join us. Go to this Adventure Cycling Link for information on the ride. Send Will Benedict an email when you have registered to be added to the list. Because the SLOBC is a member of Adventure Cycling and is organizing member participation in the tour, all members taking part will receive a discount.

Posted 10-21-2012

2012 Indulgence Ride

This year's Indulgence Ride revisited an old route in reverse. Forty members (16 women and 24 men) took part in the ride that started in Carmel Valley Village and climbed 18 miles before descending 22 miles into Greenfield. The 18 miles of climbing on the short route was easier than anticipated except for an evenly graded one-mile climb of 8 percent that began at 10.7 miles in. The longer route had a tough two-mile climb that started 5 miles in and was described as more difficult than Old Creek. The joy of coasting downhill for 22 miles was dampened somewhat by a strong headwind that required riders to peddle to maintain speed.

It was a glorious warm sunny day with leaves falling as we climbed through the forests. During the descent, we were treated to spectacular views including vineyards perched on bluffs along Arroyo Seco Rd.—it was a very beautiful ride.

A large range of riders took part and those that finished early went to the El Michoacano Restaurant in Greenfield for beer and food before joining everyone at Greenfield High School for showers. From there we went to the 10th Street Basque Café in San Miguel for dinner and then home.

I hope you will join us next October when we will do the ride again.

We've received some photos taken along the route by Ernest Cole and Jeff Kahn.

Posted 10-21-2012

Ontario Cleanup

For all that missed the great cleanup, there were bagels and coffee for all, and I was amazed how much more trash we picked up than I thought would be out there. As you can see lots of full trash bags as well as what I had in recycle material in the back of my Subaru. The Rutters took home a mouse somewhere in their car, and another jumped out of a bag and ran across the road. Nineteen of our club members did a great job of making Ontario look wonderful. We have a club that always steps up to the plate and delivers home runs on a regular basis. Also Heulan Brown brought a bag of Gala apples, and they are great tasting apples.  Here are the club members who should be mentioned: Bob Lindquist, George Birk, Kay Birk, Kathleen McHugh, Ernest Cole, Kathy Cohon, Harvey Cohon, John Long, Sandy Pitt, Gary Havas, Larry Rutter, Judy Rutter, Bruce Smith, Ann Smith, Cil Boughton, Howard Dolinsky, Jim Hanto and his sidekick Molly, Mike Balster,  Marian Balster, Heulan Brown. And a special thanks to Cil, who took three television sets we dragged out of the ditch, and delivered them to SLO high school, where there was a pickup of e-waste.

Posted 10-21-2012

Bike Breakfast

Kathleen McHugh and Ernest Cole (who hosted this year's bike breakfast in support of Bike Week) report:

SLOBC once again hosted a Ride Share breakfast on October 19. Over 80 bike commuters (a record) stopped by and were served delicious home made goodies by Kathy Cohon, Pam Zirion, Arlene Winn, Cil Boughton, Jaine & Stu Goldenberg, Debbie & Dave Abrecht, Gary Havas, Marina Michel, Mike & Marian Balster, Bob Tuman, and John Long. We also served breakfast burritos, coffee, and juice. The food and support were much appreciated by all the commuters! Let's do it again next year!
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Posted 10-12-2012

Memorial for Tom Roberts (UPDATED)

The Memorial will be at the Los Osos Valley Mortuary (2260 Los Osos Valley Rd).

It will be on October 28 at noon.

There will also be a reception at the Moturary afterwards. If you wish, bring some food to share.

Posted 9-11-2012

Cross Country Tour Ends!!

On Monday, September 10, 2012, club member Gary Havas completed his fantastic tour of about 10,000 miles that took him to San Diego, onto Florida, up to Main, across to Oregon and back to San Luis Obispo in just a few days over 6 months. You can read more about his tour in his blog (there is a link to it from the Ride Stories link).

He left on April 1 with Clem Michels (pictures and story below). Then he was met in Portand by Michael Gille who rode home with him.

Gary and Michael Gille as they arrive (Michael started riding with Gary in Portland Oregon)

Gary with some of the club members who greeted him in front of New Frontier

Gary with Clem Michel (who rode with him to Florida and then continued on his own for a total of 5900 miles) and Michael Gille (who did his first tour and rode the last 1000 miles)

Posted 8 -5 -2012

Tortoise Anniversary Ride

The Tortoises had a celebration of six years of riding together.  The event consisted of repeating the original ride as well as we can remember it, followed by a barbecue lunch at the home of the Goldenbergs.  More than two dozen people and one tortoise participated.  The large group picture was in front of Eto Park in San Luis Obispo and the other picture is of the original five participants plus Roger the Tortoise.

Posted 7-13-2012

The Trekkers

Last Wednesday, nine club members gathered to do an all trike ride to Avila. They had so much fun that Dorothy Curhan decided to start a twice monthly ride for club trikers.

Past award winners.

Posted 6-21-2012

Frequent Feeders

Last Wednesday, the Frequent Feeders met at the Pitt's house and rode about 35 miles to the mesa and back (stopping for coffee and conversation along the way, of course). Afterwards they returned to the Pitt's house for a wonderfful lunch and more gabbing.

Posted 6-8-2012

Bob Garing winners -- Gail & Glenn Vanderlinde

This year the club was proud to honor Gail and Glenn Vanderlinde as the newest members of the Bob Garing awardees "club." Thank you for you many services to the club and the community.

Past award winners.

Posted 5-30-2012

Dave Williams Birthday Ride

Twenty Frequent Feeders joined Dave Williams on a birthday ride from SLO, out to Morro Rock and to Dorn's Restaurant for celebratory coffee and muffins (Thanks, Dave!). The guy looks pretty good for 73.

Posted 5-27-2012

SLOBC hosts Record Setting Bike Breakfast

The SLOBC hosted a record setting Bike Breakfast during Bike Month.  Club members Dave and Debbie Abrecht, Walt Bremer, Kathy Cohon, Terry and Sandy Heller, David Innis, Ross Pepper, Sandy and Gil Pitt and Judie Prock volunteered to set up and serve a delicious array of breakfast food to 122 bike commuters, students and passers-by.
The SLOBC has been a staunch supporter of Bike Month and our local Rideshare organization's events and activities that encourage residents to ride their bikes for commuting and healthy recreation.

Posted 4-12-2012

Sheriff's Bike Auction

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Sheriff's Advisory Council, in conjunction with the Honor Farm Christmas Bicycle Program, is announcing the 1st annual Sheriff’s Bike Auction. 

Come view the bikes starting at 11:00 am on Oklahoma Avenue at the Men’s Honor Farm.  From Hwy 1 north of the Men’s Colony, turn left at the Kansas Avenue signal, then turn left to the Honor Farm.

The auction begins at noon. There are approximately 45 bikes currently, ranging from vintage beach cruisers, nice carbon fiber mountain and road bikes and a few vintage road bikes.

This auction is to raise money for the Sheriff's Advisory Council's Bike Fund to provide bicycles and helmets to disadvantaged children within San Luis Obispo County. All purchases are considered charitable donations and will go to purchase bike parts and helmets.

Flyers and additional information are available from Michelle Voisenat, 805-781-4637.

Posted 4-2-2012

Cross Country Tour

On Sunday, April 1, 2012, club members Gary Havas and Clem Michel departed on a tour that is planned to take them to San Diago, then onto Flordia before turning north. Their routes diverge here, but rejoin in Erie, Pennsylvania for a westerly trek to Seattle and then south back to San Luis Obispo -- over 10,000 miles. You can follow their adventures on their blogs. A link to those can be found by clicking on "Ride Stories".

Club members meeting to send to pair off

Gary Havas and gear

Clem Michels and gear

The departure!!

Day 1 in the books. Gary and Clem in Buellton

Posted 3-17-2012

SLO Farmer's Market

Harvey Cohon write

After an absence of a year we just finished our first night at Thursday Night Farmers Market representing SLOBC.  This was a good night with many fun people stopping by. Thanks to Roger Heathcoat for joining me.
There will be some adjustments to our presentation for next April's booth. 
Once every month, 3rd Thursday, we will be represented.  Who will be my next companion?
Check your schedule and let me know.
Thanks in advance.

Posted 3-11-2012

Santa Maria River Bridge (US 101)

Caltrans has begun work on widening the Santa Maria River Bridge which links San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties via US 101. While construction is underway, bicyclists should use the following route:

This condition is expected to persist until the Spring of 2014.

Posted 2-26-2012

Ontario Cleanup

Ken Price, our safety directory, writes

Once again our club has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. I am proud to be a member of a great bike club that comes out in force to make our part of the world cleaner and more beautiful. Also better to bike on cleaner roads as well. Warren and I thought that there would not be much trash, but our club members proved us wrong. The orange bags are still there, so take a look and see how much we collected. Thank you for all your help once again, and ride safely all.

Posted 2-22-2012

Shandon Family Night

The SLOBC was asked by the County of San Luis Obispo to participate in a Family Night event at Shandon High School on February 7.  The event was designed to inform families in Shandon about various county and other community services available to them.  Kathleen McHugh, Ernest Cole and Dave Abrecht represented the club.  They showed kids how to correctly wear a helmet and then offered them a chance to compete for a prize by answering a bike safety question.  Every kid won a prize!  Many Shandon residents mentioned that they enjoy watching the Wildflower come to town and Kathleen, Ernest and Dave received positive comments for promoting safe cycling.

Posted 1-31-2012

President's Day Ride

The planned route up Santa Rosa Creek Road is in jeopardy.  The road is closed because part of it washed out and is being repaired.  It may not open in time for our ride on February 18.
Our fallback is to host a ride up Figueroa Mountain, same day, same time.  Meet at the flagpole in Los Olivos Saturday, February 18, 2012, for a 7:30 am departure. I will know which route we take by Thursday, February 16.  Call Red Davis at 772-0874 for last minute directions.  Thank you for your flexibity.

Posted 1-7-2012

Protect Your Right to the Road

The draft of the Senate’s federal transportation authorization bill includes a mandatory sidepath law for roads on Federal lands.  The proposed law would force cyclists off certain roads and onto trails and paths, regardless of their condition or utility. Tell your Senators that bicyclists have the right to be on the road on federal lands. To sign the petition to protect your right to the road in our national parks and other federal lands, go to 

www.bikeleague.org/petition

Thanks for your interest and concern.
Club Advocate, Dave Abrecht

Posted 1-2-2012

New Year's Day Rides

Tortoises' Ride. As the photo at the right states, 24 members participated in their new year day ride this year. It was a beautiful day to ride.

Raggid Point Ride. Here is a picture from Shamel Park at the start of the ride. We estimate there were more than 50 riders (perhaps as many as 100 riders).