Here is the latest local cycling news from the Port Townsend Bicycle Association.

1. We had nearly 170 registered riders, from as far away as British Columbia and the San Juans, for the Fifteenth Annual Rhody Tour. Check the photos from this year's ride. The Leader carried a post-ride story featuring the volunteers who ran each of the three rest stops. The PTBA board sends a warm thank you to the following volunteers and public officials who made the ride smooth and fun.

Rest Stops:
Tom Foley and Carol Cahill (Tri Area, for the 3rd year in a row)
Carlos and Emily Quintana (104, for the 10th year in a row)
Peg Furey, Michelle Patton and Zip (HJ Carroll) Zip is the winner of the PTBA President's Award for Best Rest Stop Dog 2007
Route marking: Phil Walkden
Route signage: Theresa Saludo
Route maps: David McCulloch
Traffic control: Jon Boles, Gail Young
Finish line: Theresa Saludo, Carolyn Ramey
Registration: David McCulloch, Jon Muellner, Mary Toews, Rosemarie Lueke
Tech support: Todd Temres, Todd's Peninsula Cyclery (on site support), Bob Chung, PT Cyclery (SAG supplies)
SAG drivers: Dimne Cote, Rosemarie Lueke, Frank Brou
Volunteer coordinators: Mary Toews, Rosemarie Lueke
Special thanks to:
Elevated Ice Cream
Tony Hernandez (Jefferson County Sheriff's Department Animal Control)
Matt Tyler and Molly Hildt (Jefferson County Parks and Rec Department)
Jefferson Transit
Deb Kennedy, Adjunct to the Supreme Allied Commandress

Proceeds from the Rhody Tour are used for PTBA's safe cycling education and advocacy work. As we have done in past years, this year we donated 10% of the gross receipts to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. See below for more BAW news.

2. You've probably been wondering what's going on with the city's promised bicycle and pedestrian safety education program and mandatory helmet law.  PTBA has been wondering, too. To recap, in December, 2005, and despite overwhelming opposition by PTBA, the city's own Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Board, cyclists, parents and other citizens, the city council passed an ordinance requiring helmets to be worn by all bicyclists. It agreed, however, to delay the effective date of the ordinance for 18 months; the reason for the delay was to give the city time to plan, fund and implement a safety education program. (The city's Nonmotorized Plan, passed by the council in 1996, calls for that program, but it has never been implemented.)

The 18 months is nearly up, the helmet ordinance is scheduled to go into effect in July, and the safety education program to date consists of the following: the city has been awarded (but not received) funds that will cover purchase of equipment for a bike education program in the schools, and it has agreed to send Police Officer Troy Surber to the LAB bike education conference this summer. The city and PTBA together are also funding David McCulloch's attendance at the conference. Last week, the council's Public Safety Committee voted 2-1 (Benskin dissenting) to recommend to the council that the effective date of the helmet ordinance be delayed by one year. We expect the matter of the helmet ordinance to be on the city council's agenda soon, certainly this month. Don't be shy about contacting city council members to let them know what you think.

3. PTBA's David McCulloch will be teaching a three-session course on The Art of Cycling and Street Skills through the Jefferson County YMCA. David is Port Townsend's only League of American Bicyclists (LAB) certified instructor. Learn how to safely ride a bicycle for recreation and transportation. Improve your bicycling skills: selecting the right bike for you, fixing a flat tire, riding with traffic, learn your rights and duties on the road, riding at night, crashes and how to deter them, visibility, bikes and transit, negotiating busy intersections, making traffic lights turn green, riding in the rain and more.

The class will meet Thursday June 7 from 6-9pm, Friday June 8 from 6-9pm, and Saturday June 9 from 9am to noon. The classes include presentations, discussion, question/answer periods and on-bike skills work and on-road cycling practice. This is a hands on course. Advance registration required. The fee is $35, and includes a student manual. Class size is limited to 6 adults. Bring a functioning bicycle and a bicycle helmet. Contact David for youth participation and any questions, or to register: 385-3912.

4. News from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington: The BAW is our only statewide organization dedicated to advocating for safe cycling. PTBA is proud to be a member and supporter. You can be, too! BAW membership forms are available at all local bike shops, and at the www.rapsodybikeride.com. The upcoming Rapsody Ride supports BAW. Rapsody is a 2-day, 165 mile ride (with a single day option) on August 25 and 26 and registration fee ($80 until July 21) includes luggage support, overnight campsite and showers, rest stops, SAG support, ride souvenir, ferry fares, and lots of fun.

On October 27, BAW will host its annual fundraising dinner and auction at Seattle's Fisher Pavillion. PTBA would like to gather and donate a “Port Townsend Package” of local products and services. If you are able to donate dining, lodging, gift certificates or services to be included in the package, please contact Jane Whicher at pres@ptbikes.org. If you'd like to make an auction donation directly to BAW, you can find an on line auction donation form at: http://www.bicyclealliance.org/auction/index.html.

Enjoy the fine spring weather on your bike!

The PTBA Board

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Olympic Peninsula Bike Maps East Clallam and East Jefferson County Bike Maps are distributed locally at bike shops, visitor centers, outdoor stores and are free! Online printable versions here!

The City of Port Townsend Walking and Cycling Map is available for $3.95 from Elevated Ice Cream, Sport Townsend and the City of PT.

MEETINGS

Next PTBA Meeting: TBA
Meeting Location: TBA
Agenda: TBA
Information: Jane Whicher - pres@ptbikes.org

Join PTBA and support cycling on the Olympic Peninsula! It's a great investment in the future of cycling for the region and we are now moving toward our next goals with the completion of the Olympic Peninsula Bike Map, bike parking, Safe Routes to School and more. More cycling events are in the works, so join us!
>> PTBA Form (PDF)

If you want to get on PTBA's email list, send your name, phone and email address to: Jane Whicher - pres@ptbikes.org

Quimper Trails Association - Work parties and mailing list. Contact QTA Vice-President Jim Shaver at QuimperTrails@hotmail.com

PTBA CLUB RIDES

• Saturday Road Ride Ride led by Phil Walkden. Meet at Coop at 9:30 and expect to go 40 to 55 miles at about a 15 miles per hour steady state pace. The ride will finish at an agreed upon PT destination eating spot. Call Phil for any questions or details at 385-5979 or email him at allez.ptbike@olympus.net. Rain cancels the ride.
• Sunday Road Ride 9:30 a.m. - Ride starts at Food Co-op on Kearny St., no set plan, no map and no ride leader. Sort of a free-for-all, but tends to regroup during the ride. Distance anywhere from 25 to 60 miles and breaks into smaller groups when riders want to go shorter or longer. Moderate pace. Please wear a helmet and if it rains you must have fenders and mudflaps or you will have no friends in the peloton!

OTHER AREA RIDES

• Tuesday Night Beginners Road Ride Todd Temres of Peninsula Cyclery leads a road ride for beginning riders and those wanting to improve bike handling skills. Leave the coop at 5:00 p.m. Call Todd at 379-9922 for more information.
• Saturday Road Ride 8:30 a.m. - Fast ride, meet at Food Co-op on Kearny St. No contact/show and go.
• Wednesday Night MTB Ride Three groups 4:15 p.m. meet at Cherry and F streets. 5 p.m. meet at P.T. Brewery in the Boat Haven (across from Safeway). 6 p.m. meet at the Larry Scott trailhead. Contact Quimper Trails Association