free! Northwest cYcliNG authoritY siNce 1972 www.bicYclePaPer.coM JulY 2009 Prepping for the Big Tour ride for a cause Pick Your Passion and Cycle For It! BY MEGHAN MCCAUSLAND doesn’t include unknown or unre- ported incidents. any people around the North- Ride director Sharon Anderson west are putting their passion describes that the event is mainly forM cycling to use, riding for more than about finding balance and educat- just personal health and enjoyment. ing women and stated, “So many of Charity rides are a rampant part of the women don’t even realize that touring and this summer offers an they’re being abused.” Clinics will array of events to choose from. be held prior to the ride when volun- In Washington, Wom- teers will inform women en Against Violence Every- about domestic abuse. where (WAVE) is pedaling Also, WAVE is placing for women’s empower- educational signs on the ment on September 20, 25-mile “Girly-Girl” route 2009, in Issaquah. Aiming in Bellevue to further raise to increase awareness awareness to both bikers esigns d about domestic violence, “Cycle the and curious motorists who use the ver Wave” is a women’s-only event, rais- busy corridor. o ing money for the Eastside Domestic The ride begins and ends in Tib- rkel a Violence Program (EDVP), whose betts Valley Park. There’s a 40-mile main goal is to, “provide services to “Middle Sister” and a 62-mile “Burly people, primarily women and chil- Girl” route in addition to the 25-mile dren, who have experienced physical, “Girly Girl” distance for those who emotional or sexual abuse.” Statistics are excited to be a part of the event Photo courtesy of show that in 2000 there were 4,999 but are more moderate riders. Find Things to do before you go: Choose a destination, pick a date and book time off at work, then find a friend to go along (optional). Find a map, plan the route, train, check your equipment, pack and go. Remember to take photos. reported domestic violence incidents out more at cyclethewave.com. in King County alone; that number SEE PASSION ON PAGE 6 BY MICHAEL MCCOY , ADVENTURE CYCLING ASSOCIATION “Epic” is, of course, a relative term. Depending on the individual, it might mean two years, two months, MouNtaiN bike touriNG n epic bicycle tour can be an eye-opener, even a two weeks, or even two days. (For some enlightening life-changer. Consider my own experience: In the and entertaining thoughts on how to make a two-day trip Change of Scenery — Ride the summerA of 1974, I set out with the girl I’d met the previ- approach epic status, visit Russ Roca’s epicureancyclist. ous winter at Grand Targhee Ski Resort (we both were blogspot.com and search for “weekend adventures.”) Kokopelli Trail working there) on a long-distance ride that began in There’s also a large range of tour styles possible — from BY DAN NORTON trainer in a microwave. The sun there her hometown of Bellevue, Wash. On that unforgettable roughing it by cooking over a camp stove and sleeping is very intense. A full suspension bike, trip 35 years ago, I discovered the fledgling non-profit in a tent, to light touring where you carry little more here are many “classic” must-do hydration pack and long sleeve jersey known then as Bikecentennial, now Adventure Cycling than a credit card and change of clothing. For the rides on all riders’ wish lists. will add to your riding enjoyment. Association. I’ve been working for that organization purposes of this article, I’ll focus on self-contained, WhatT follows is a how-to for riding ever since, and Nancy and I have been married for campground touring. one of the West’s classic mountain nearly as long. Choosing a Route bike epics, The Kokopelli Trail. Many ousu A life-changing experience? I guess so! Few resources existed in the mid-’70s that helped of your friends or riding companions b To prepare and train for our ride, Nancy and I traveling bicyclists find their way across the country, so have heard of the trail, have ridden the ouglas purchased a pair of Peugeot UO8 ten-speed bicycles Nancy and I devised our own route as we pedaled our trail, or know someone who has. So d at Redmond Cyclery, along with some primitive pan- way from Seattle to northeast Wisconsin. (Or, you could let’s pump up the tires, fill the water niers and camping gear at REI in Seattle (the only REI say the route chose us; we’d intended to bicycle across bottles and go! ourtesy of at the time, I believe). Then we packed up and went Canada, but the border guards protecting our neighbor The Kokopelli goes from Fruita, c for a shakedown ride around Lake Sammamish. At 30 to the north denied us entry into the country because we Colo. to Moab, Utah — approximately miles, it was the farthest either of us had ever ridden lacked the minimum amount of cash required. So, we 140 miles. The trail travels through The trail can be ridden in one stupidly in one sitting. The next day we set off for the ride up rode across the northern United States instead.) the Colorado River Basin, the La long 24-hour day or it can be better and over Stevens Pass and points eastward, but as of That situation has changed a great deal, thanks in Sal Mountains and some very awe- enjoyed as a multi-day ride. I recom- then still unknown. large part to Adventure Cycling’s ongoing efforts to inspiring terrain along the way. The mend a 5-day ride to enjoy the scenery, I’ve learned quite a bit since then. How Nancy and I map cycling routes throughout the states and parts trail is best travelled in April/May have fun with friends, and bask in the did it is definitely not the way I would advise a person of Canada. It is still possible, of course, to pick one’s or September/October, as riding the beauty of the area. The campgrounds to get ready for their own epic bicycle tour today. own way, turning left or right at that next junction on very exposed route in the summer are all accessible by automobile, but SEE BIG TOUR ON PAGE 5 months would not be unlike riding a SEE KOKOPELLI ON PAGE 8 Product reviews Material world uP North Two of them: The Jango 7.1 Titanium: Light and strong, Vancouver’s North Shore and its accessories, as well as it makes for versatile, smooth trails welcome the first MTB Serfas baggy shorts. and responsive bikes. races in more than five years. PG 3 PG 7 PG 9 header News 2009 Northwest Cyclocross Expo The Other Side BY DAN NORTON Kore components, Limar helmets, FSA bicycle BY DARREN DENCKLAU He realizes that the media’s spotlight hasn’t components, Selle Italia saddles and Shimano been on the current wars in Iraq and Afghani- Now that the heat of summer is here, some components. On Monday, June 15, 2009, former Marine stan. He wants to engage people and talk about riders are thinking ahead and planning for the Cycle U will be on hand holding training Corps officer Tyler Boudreau set out from Gas- it. It’s his therapy. joy of riding in the mud, rain and cold of fall/ clinics and cross demos for riders of all abilities. works Park in Seattle, Wash. to ride his bike “I want to move forward on my own terms winter. Yes, it is time to open the doors of the Special guest Ryan Trebon, the dominant rider across the country to his home in Massachusetts. and to stir the pot … to get people thinking. We asylum and let the ‘cross crazies out. In antici- on the American scene, will be holding court, Along the way he will be joined by other cyclists need to resolve this [war] as a nation. To me it’s pation of the weather turning and the release signing autographs and talking with young rid- and also riding on his own. a journey about healing. And riding home.” of the inmates, Seattlecyclocross.com will hold ers about the excitement of cyclocross racing. For the combat veteran who saw action as When I asked him where he got the idea the first Northwest Cyclocross Expo, on August New Belgium Brewing Company, a long- an infantryman and took part in the Battle of to ride across the country he stated, “from a 1, 2009. The event is not a race, rather it will be time supporter of cycling events around the Fallujah in 2004, it isn’t so collection of inspirations.” As a chance for riders to look at equipment, talk country, is sponsoring the event. much about protesting war, a former Marine who is well to manufacturers, and meet riders. The event Seattle Cyclocross promoters will be on hand rather, it’s to get people to familiarized with physical will take place at the long time Seattle mountain to pre-register racers for the upcoming season, think — and talk — about challenges, he wanted to bring bike course at South SeaTac Park. The site will answer questions about the how’s and why’s war and its effects. Bou- something physical to the situ- enable riders to ride and try out different bikes of putting on the series, the history of it all and dreau especially wants ation. He openly admits that and equipment in real life terrain.