BICYCLIST Magazine #155

issue 155

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CONTENTS 12

COLUMNS

Est. 1994

Issue

155

Winter 2018

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06 Legal Cycling

Bicyclist's Rights Against Public Entities Potholes to Trails: immunity Shield Richard L. Duquette

08 ask the coach Workout Stretch Sequence For Your Pre/Post Ride Rick Schultz

09 electric Age The Real Electric Disruption Electrifying Your Commute Carl Lawton

10 Destinations

Finding Community and Open Trails Toy Drive Crit and Fun in Fullerton Chris Reynolds

12 In Search of dirt

Photo by Chris Reynolds

16

Self-Supported in the Pisgah Forest Riding over Rocks in Appalachia James Murren

16 Asphalt, Please Fondo the West 2019 A Curation of Upcoming Gran Fondos John Woodson

23 Last Page

The Driver Experience Gap Be a better driver by being a bicyclist Kelley O'Toole

Regulars 04 Prologue 05 analog/digital 07 Gear Patrol 08 King's Cartoon 17 Bicyclist Challenge 20 event calendar Photo courtesy James Murren

BICYCLIST.xyz

Photo courtesyRBG

Cover

The sharp end of the pack pedal the Juanita Cooke Trail in Fullerton while riding the OC Brakeless Fixmas Toy Drive Crit, an annual charity gift drive held on the first Saturday of December. See our profile of Fullerton for our guide to navigating, training, and making your way by bicycle around the college town, including the Fixmas route. See page 11 Photo by Chris Reynolds

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Br oad Inve s tiga tion o f Challeng ing Your s el f, C ycling L i f e s t y le and In s pir ing S u s t ainable Tran s por t a tion

MAGAZINE EDITORIAL

Chris Reynolds | Managing Director chris@bicyclist.xyz Kelley O’Toole | Managing Editor kelley@bicyclist.xyz

COLUMN CONTRIBUTORS

Carl Lawton | carl@bicyclist.xyz James Murren | james@bicyclist.xyz Rick Schultz | coach@bicyclist.xyz John Woodson | john@bicyclist.xyz

ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Duquette, Marc Olivier Jodoin, Jerry King, Victor Prestinary, Thom Parks

ILLUSTRATIONS & DESIGN Christopher Massaad Erik Scott

ADVERTISING, SPONSORSHIP AND DISTRIBUTION Chris Reynolds | Advertising chris@bicyclist.xyz

Chris Vopinek | Delivery & Distribution cvopinek@bicyclist.xyz

SOCIAL MEDIA

Luis Suarez | luis@bicyclist.xyz

READ/FOLLOW/LIKE

issue 155 - Winter 2018

VITALS & DETAILS

BICYCLIST Magazine publishes stories of experience that fall under our namesake, BICYCLIST: Broad Investigation of Challenging Yourself, Cycling Lifestyle and Inspiring Sustainable Transportation.

The magazine serves as an inspirational guide celebrating the arts, skills, events, and culture of the cycling life.

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BICYCLIST Magazine is available in print and digital editions. Complimenting the magazine is our cycling podcast, The BICYCLIST Experience. We also maintain the BICYCLIST Friendly Shop Locater, and the BICYCLIST Event Calendar, the largest online calendar of cycling events, races and festivals in the United States, all available online at BICYCLIST.xyz.

We have published a print magazine since 1994, distributing to bike shops throughout the western US and made available free to the public. We launched our online platform in 2014, and our podcast in 2015 and now reach readers and listeners in more than 72 countries. Advertise with us to share your message, bicyclist.xyz/ads. Use the code "fineprint" to save an additional 20% off your placement.

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Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on an issue basis.

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The views and opinions expressed in this magazine reflect the opinions of their respective author’s and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or digital] without prior consent of the publisher.

Bicycling can be a dangerous sport and can lead to serious injury or death. Make it safer for everyone and obey all traffic laws, ride responsibly, use common sense, and wear a helmet.

Prologue

Winter 2018 F

or the last issue of 2018, we bring you 'The Travel Issue'. While many of us ride the same routes and trails, we find the end of the year is the best time to plan the upcoming events and races - plenty of time to schedule training and travel logistics. It's the season to try something new, out with the old, in with the new- new events, new routes, new experiences await you in 2019.

James Murren has taken his marching orders and set out in his column, In Search of Dirt, the latest in our ongoing hunt for the best single-track, trails and places to ride mountain bikes in SoCal and Beyond. This issue, James is taking us beyond - we're going to North Carolina. From the airport to the campground, we have the scene set for a weekend, week or month riding bikes, 'hangin' at the Hub' and taking in the scene of the slate and oak landscapes.

John Woodson offers his unique perspective on the Gran Fondo's for 2019 in Asphalt, Please. With a preview of keystone events in the Southwest (and the Canada Extra Credit!) many opportunities to challenge yourself and find community amongst fellow riders await you in the upcoming year. Tucking in alongside, we are opening up the BICYCLIST Challenge to include many of these events. If you've been following along, each issue we (try to) include a BICYCLIST Challenge, a route profile and guide to a particular area. Complete three challenges in a 365-day period and we'll send you a BICYCLIST Challenge patch, announcement in the magazine and you'll hold eternal fame on the BICYCLIST Challenge board (www.bicyclist.xyz/ challenge). The person to complete the most BICYCLIST Challenges in a year will win a bike, be featured in the magazine and other undecided awesomeness that we've yet to come up with.

We have a fresh installment of Reader's Rides, an opportunity for us to share your 'ride', either machine or experience. We're biased to photos of experience, but a solid bike shot with bags filled and ready to embark earns big points with us. See one of this issue's winners, Brandon Scales @shutuplegzz, for a great example. See the next page for the rest of the winners, what they're getting, and how you can enter. Hint: #iambicyclist Destinations Within Reach stops in Fullerton and follows the Fix-mas Dirt Crit as a foil for navigating the Orange County city. If you haven't been to Fullerton recently, I encourage you to ride your bike and enjoy many of the trails that offer a refuge from the business of Orange County. Keeping to the trails offers an endless loop of dirt trail, and an understanding of which streets are friendly to bikes makes navigating a breeze.

We are happy to announce The Law Offices of Richard Duquette as our Title Sponsor for 2019. This sponsorship ensures the magazine will continue to be available for free, online and in print at a bike shop near you. Visit 911law.com and subscribe to Richard's podcast for the latest information at the intersection of riding bikes and the law.

Happy Holidays wherever and with whomever you find yourself with. On behalf of myself, Kelley O'Toole and the entire BICYCLIST team, thank you for your readership, attention and support in 2018. We'll see you back on the road and trail in the New Year with Issue 156.

See you on the route. Stay safe. Peace,

Chris R eynold s

- Chris Reynolds, Managing Director BICYCLIST Magazine

analog/digital

reader's rides

#iambicyclist @bicyclist.xyz

A Cycling Podcast To keep You Pedaling Tune in to our cycling podcast where the people who bring you this publication discuss the news and stories behind the scenes. Visit www.bicyclist.fm to listen and view show notes.

135: Merry Fixmas, Rule Change Shenanigans, Issue 154- over the shoulder, Ban the Race Radio, and School Drop-off Chaos 135: We talk after visiting with friends at Merry Fixmas,

followed by a discussion of the motivation for recent changes related to driving team cars during races, as well as a talk about race radios and the desire to ban them. The episode rounds out with a discussion on solutions for school drop-off chaos.

134: The Pete Rose of Pro Cycling, Team Abuse Allegations, Electric Bikes Better Than Walking, Clif Embracing A Solar Destiny

Don Elliot @dje_1 Hollywood Heights, CA

Yes! I voted, Yes, I rode my bike there, and then I rode my fixie up to the #hollywoodsign. I just figured you'd enjoy this photo way more than a selfie of me with a sticker!

134:

We discuss some revelations of serious misconduct from team Cervelo-Bigla under reign of manager, how Clif Bar company plans to do their part in lowering CO2 emissions, and the studies that prove that ebike riding requires more physical activity than walking.

133: Big (and Small) Changes to the Racing Rulebook, Bankruptcy Strikes the Industry Landscape, Excerpts from the New Sagan Book, Notes From the Commute 133: UCI makes changes to the World Tour requirements,

including in apparel, ASE, parent company to Performance Bikes, files Chapter 11, and we read an excerpt on sprinting from Peter Sagan's new book "My World".

132: The Latest Electrifying Debate, Pushing Back Against Helmet Apathy, and those Millennials Are at it Again 132: We discuss how cyclists are not the problem with electric

scooter share acceptance, how we push against helmet apathy, and how millennials' relationship to cars is vastly different than older generations.

Listen at BICYCLIST.fm / Listen on Apple Podcasts / Get it on Google Play BICYCLIST.xyz

Brandon Scales @shutuplegzz

Crystal Cove, CA

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

JosĂŠ Galaz @bajamtnbkr San Diego County, CA Sometimes I like to rock & roll.

TAG YOUR RIDES ON INSTAGRAM #iambicyclist OR SEND BY EMAIL TO readersrides@bicyclist.xyz This issues selected photographers receive a BICYCLIST care package including a set of #awesomesauce BICYCLIS T bidons, The BICYCLIS T tee-shir t, random SWAG and a permanent place in the BICYCLIS T #r eader sride s Wall of Fame.

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Potholes to Trails

Bicyclists' Rights Against Public Entities

Public entities, local governments and municipalities enjoy immunity for a variety of situations, but understanding the limits of such immunity is critical for bicyclists' to understand their rights on the road and trail.

Photo by Marc Olivier Jodoin

By Richard L. Duquette

T

his article focuses on imposing liability against state and local public entities in California.

It does not address Federal liability, which is governed by the Federal Tort Claims Act. The intent is to generally explain how bicyclists can protect themselves in a variety of situations, including when they face pitfalls such as governmental immunity.

The various immunities to liability that governments enjoy, and the pitfalls imposed by substantive law make it a complex and difficult landscape to navigate. Of these, the biggest pitfalls are the statutory public entity immunities. We will list a few, but the reader should be warned that the following information is not legal advice specific to any case. A careful study of their application and exceptions in any given case is required by a skilled lawyer.

Examples of Public Entity Immunities •

• • • • • •

Recreation Immunities Civil Code §846, also known as the Recreational Use Statute, states

that land used for recreational purposes need immunities so the public and private lands aren't closed off for use. Note, however, that the statute has an exception for gross negligence, and some cases have refused to extend this statute's application to government entities (See Delta Farms Reclamation District v. Superior Court of San Joaquin County, 33 Cal.3d. 700 (1983)).

Design Immunity See Hampton v. County of San Diego, 62 Cal. 4th 340 (2015) shields public officials from liability for negligent road design.

Traffic Control Immunity Public entities are immune from liability for stop sign placement, speed and yield signs, right of ways and more.

Natural or Unimproved Conditions Gov. Code §§818.b, 830.4, and 831.2 provide that a government entity will not be held liable for someone injured by a fallen tree (an exception would be no immunity to a non-user on adjacent property).

Discretionary Immunity Gov. Code §820.2 provides immunity for judgment calls within the scope of employment.

Trails and Roads Although Civil Code §846 generally protects the private owners of land used for recreation from liability, unless people pay to use the land or participate in the activity.

Hazardous Recreational Activity Under Gov. Code §831.7, public entity immunity exists whenever the injured person is participating in a hazardous activity. Hazardous activities are defined as: bike racing, jumping, moto-cross, mountain biking.

We noted above that the "recreational use" immunity is not absolute for government entities.

However, Gov. Code §831.4 establishes a very specific category of immunity for unpaved trails and roads, whether they are used for recreation themselves, or used to access recreational areas. As we noted in part two of this series, immunity does not apply on paved roads the government holds in easement

EXPERT ADVICE

unless the public entity made a reasonable effort to warn users of potentially dangerous conditions (Gov. Code §831.4(c)).

However, immunity does apply to unpaved roads and trails, because these are classified as "unimproved land." If you are mountain biking on an unpaved public trail and you crash as a result of striking a protruding tree root, sovereign immunity will shield the public entity from liability.

The theory behind this form of immunity, in contrast with that of liability for dangerous condition on paved roads, is that these dangerous conditions are naturally occurring, not the result of negligent maintenance. Where the land is unimproved, the user is on notice that such conditions may exist, and the public entity in control of the land is not expected to be aware of every possible hazard, nor would this be reasonable. Contrast this with the user's reasonable expectation that a paved road will be well enough maintained that clearly dangerous conditions will be remedied in a reasonable time.

Paved Trails are Still Trails

The courts have interpreted this statute of "unimproved land" very broadly. Gov. Code §831.4 provides immunity for three categories of trails :

"Any unpaved road which provides access to (recreational activities)," "Any trail used for the above purposes," and "Any paved trail, walkway, path, or sidewalk on an easement of way which has been granted to a public entity…so long as such public entity shall reasonably attempt to provide adequate warnings."

a. b. c.

Noting the apparent higher standard of care in the warning requirement for paved trails, many injured cyclists have attempted to hold public entities liable under subsection (c) for failure to warn of dangerous conditions on paved trails. However, courts have consistently rejected this argument, holding that subsection (c) did not exist to provide a different standard of care for paved vs. unpaved trails, but for paved trails on a government easement, as opposed to paved trails on land that the government owns (Armenio v. County of San Mateo, 28 Cal. App. 4th 413(1994)).

Recognizing this, other cases have determined that most paved bicycle trails on public land in fact fall under subsection (b) as "any trail" used for recreational purposes. See Carroll v. County of Los Angeles, 60 Cal.App.4th 606 (1997), Farnham v. City of Los Angeles, 68 Cal.App.4th 1097 (1998).

Courts have further held that even if you are walking on one of these paved trails and injured due to a dangerous condition, sovereign immunity still attaches. See Amberger-Warren v.

City of Piedmont, 143 Cal.App.4th 1074 (2006), Montenegro v. City of Bradbury, 215 Cal. App.4th 924 (2013). Plaintiffs in both of these cases attempted to characterize the paved trails in question as sidewalks, as opposed to trails used for recreational activities. However, because they were in parks and not adjacent to the street, these trails were held to be recreational use trails and immunity was found.

Exceptions to hazardous recreational activity immunity • • • • • •

When the public entity knows of a dangerous condition.

When participants pay money to use the land or participate in the activity.

When the condition arises from a failure to properly maintain the land.

When the condition arises from gross negligence.

The Pothole Law. When the condition is identified by activism (putting public entity on notice by ground spray paint, and contacting City engineers).

If you have been injured riding a bicycle due to a dangerous condition on public land, you need the best representation you can get. While it is true that many categories of cases involve public entity immunity, each case is different, and yours may fall into an exception. Contact experienced bicycle injury attorney Richard Duquette today. He will fight to protect your right to just compensation, so you aren't left injured without a remedy. ▲

has been fighting for his clients since 1983. His family-owned law firm specializes in providing personal attention and quality representation to the people of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties. Read his blog at www.911law.com and listen to his podcast, Bicycling and the Law, covering legal cycling topics.

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BICYCLIST Magazine

The Gift List For The Road Warrior or Armchair racer A seasoned veteran of turning pedals can be a difficult person to shop for when holidays

are near. Most will already have all the gear they require; if it was needed they would have it. Solution? Books, a fresh set of tires and some new warmers. Simple pleasures.

By Chris Reynolds APPAREL | PROV IZ R EFLEC T 3 6 0 A R M/LEG WA R M ERS are a welcomed luxury for anyone that spends a lot of miles on the road. The usefulness-to-cost ratio is high, a set of warmers are applicable for all seasons, all locations. Even in the middle of summer, early morning mountain rides can be chilly wearing only a summer jersey; a set of warmers fit the gap as they are the next step of provisioning after the basics have been sorted. And in winter, they are a no-brainer. The Proviz set brings the Reflect 360 visibility treatment especially effective because of limb movement while travelling. And most importantly, the anti-slip silicone bands do what they're supposed to keep the warmers in place. They aren't just handy in the saddle, activities such as camping, hiking and running all make this layering option ideal. ($35 / $45 Legs | www.bicyclist.xyz/155a) BOOK | HO W TH E R ACE WA S WO N brings together insights gleaned from some of the top minds of bike racing. Veteran cycling journalist Peter Cossins authors this analysis of professional cycling, and takes a historic look all the way back to the moment George Pilkington Mills was paced to victory in the 1891 Bordeaux—Paris. Going forward from there, he continues to the current crop of winners, Peter Sagan, Marcel Kittel and Marc Cavedish. Along the way, Cossins gives thoughtful insight on how tactics evolved, and how today's winning teams continue to build on what has been previous demonstrated. Coming in at over 280 pages, the illuminating digest of so many smart thoughts and game-winning strategies will keep the active racer or armchair spectator occupied and inspired all year long. ($19 | www.bicyclist.xyz/155c)

BOOK | TO M A KE R I DERS FA S TER is the story of Cervelo, the frame-maker at the top tier of bike racing that irrevocably changed the design of road bikes. The hardcover title provides an in-depth and exhaustive look at the company built between Phil White and Gerard Vroomen.

Authored and published by Anna Dopico, a fascinating individual in her own right, the collector-tome contains 250 glorious pages of photos, sketches, email correspondence that help color-in the story of the 16-year voyage from a Montreal garage to the WorldTour, to IronMan and Olympic podiums. ($70 | www.bicyclist.xyz/155b) TIRES | CO NTI N ENTA L GR A N D PR IX 5 0 0 0 / TL The 5000 iteration of the Grand Prix series of road tires lead a family of Continental road tires that hold a special place in many road riders hearts. Updates are significant with an entirely redesigned carcass and layering composition both meant to lighten while improving puncture resistance. And all while keeping comfort as plush as can be.

In addition, they are bringing a tube-less version of the clincher (not to be confused with a tubular) for those running with the goo. ($80 / TL $95 | www.bicyclist.xyz/155d)

BOOK | S AG A N: M Y WO R LD isn't a weepy-eyed story of motivation, or a decadent 'insider' view of professional opulence, those being popular themes of other athlete memoirs. Instead, the Velo Press publication gives an authentic insight into the struggles and strengths that populate the world of Peter Sagan. Unlike aforementioned memoirs, My World offers quite a bit of useful and pragmatic strategy, expressed through the experience of Sagan's legendary c a r e e r. ($25 | www.bicyclist.xyz/155e)

JOIN THE GEAR PATROL Interested in writing for Gear Patrol? Send a 500-word review of the last bike-related piece of gear you purchased. Contributors keep reviewed gear, and reviews published in t h e magaz in e re ceive com p e nsat ion .

Reach out at editor@bicyclist.xyz

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JOIN US! Stretch It Out

The best STRETCHES FOR Pre/post-RIDE

Following is a series of stretches that every cyclist should do before and after each ride to improve flexibility, recovery and performance - on and off the bike.

By Rick Schultz with Amy Schultz, PT, DPT, CSCS

A

long with the help of my daughter who is a physical therapist, I’ve comprised a list of stretches that I will run my clients through during a fit or coaching session. These stretches are designed to help warm up the psoas (hip flexors), hamstrings, glutes, lower back, calves, and quads. Any perceived Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) and other functional tightness usually disappears with pre-ride stretching. Just remember not to overstretch when you're cold. Sometimes it’s better to do an active warm up like walking or jogging around the block in that case. Do a couple rounds of these stretches for better flexibility and movement. ▲

Stretch 1 - START

Stretch 1 - FINISH

Photo: Jose Galaz

HELP INCREASE ACCESS TO YOUR TRAILS The San Diego Mountain Biking Association is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and increasing sustainable trail access for mountain biking in San Diego County.

Join now at SDMBA.com and learn how you can help.

Lay flat on your back with your knees bent and your arms by your sides.

Lift your hips to the sky while keeping your head and neck still. Release your hips back down to the ground to start position.

Stretch 2 OPTION 1 LIGHT STRETCH

Stretch 2 OPTION 2 DEEP STRETCH

Bring your knee toward your chest by interlocking your fingers behind your knee and tugging lightly on the leg.

Bring your knee toward your chest by interlocking your fingers over your knee and tugging lightly on the leg.

Stretch 3 OPTION 1 Both Legs Engaged

Stretch 3 OPTION 2 One leg engaged

Cross one leg over the bent leg, interlock your fingers behind your knee and pull the leg towards your center for a deep stretch.

With one leg straight on the mat, bend one knee and bring your leg towards your center and gently across the body.

Coach Rick Schultz specializes in coaching cyclists so that they can

achieve their best. He is a certified bike fitter and author of Bike Fit 101: Your Toolset for a Great Bike Fit. Send your questions to coach@bicyclist.xyz or ask on twitter @BICYCLISTxyz #askthecoach

SOCAL LOCAL? 8

Make an appointment for coaching and bike fits. Mobile services available, visit bicyclist.xyz/fit

"I just dropped by to make sure you got my letters, texts, emails and phone calls asking for a bicycle for Christmas. Is this a bad time?"

Jerry King is one of the most published cartoonists in America, a U.S. Army Veteran, and a graduate of Ohio State University. Go Buckeyes!

SIGN UP FOR THE BICYCLIST NEWVSLETTER AND RECEIVE A NEW CARTOON PANEL FROM JERRY KING EVERY WEEK - FREE!

VISIT BICYCLIST.xyz

BICYCLIST Magazine

Electric Age

The Real Electric Disruption Build your own E-Bike and start your commute

Why not electrify the bike you already have? Technologies for motors and batteries have changed significantly in the past couple of years, and an add-on drive is a less complex affair, with much better results.

By Carl Lawton

M

ore people have turned to riding electric bikes these days now that they have become more useful with powerful Li-Ion batteries. The first consideration that comes to mind for most is what kind of e-bike to choose and at what cost? Some e-bikes are touted as 'The Best In The World' - for tens of thousands of dollars. There are also e-bikes for a few hundred dollars at many big box stores, perhaps you wouldn’t know the difference. As an avid e-bike rider myself, I am familiar with their ownership and daily use, I will be completely frank here and tell you that 'The Best E-Bike In The World' is the one that you are riding now.

If you are currently riding a normal pedal bike that you like, but are tired of the pedaling or simply no longer have the stamina of your younger self to continue, electric conversion may be the best solution. Converting your own bike to e-bike is actually the easiest thing to do: electrify it with one of many kits that you can buy on-line and install it yourself.

There are many different options to do this with, hub motors being the most common way, with more expensive mid-drive and friction drives also available. To my dismay, even the most powerful systems are not all that great due to the inevitable result of a heavy bike that is harder to control, harder to steer, and harder to stop, even with disc brakes that we Ricky Racers already know about.

In my case, I decided to use the lowest amount of power needed to get the extra help in pedaling, but without the high cost and none of the drawbacks of an overpowered and overweight e-bike. The leg power of a very strong athlete like Lance Armstrong (pre-doping) is about 300W max power for short burst and about 150W continuous power. The electric assist feels like riding a tandem with Armstrong (post-doping) behind you pedaling away like crazy.

The low power and super light (2lbs) motors are not available in hub form because hub motors are direct drive (the wheel speed is the same as the hub motor speed) so hub motors need to be big in diameter in order to produce the torque required. I found the small drives made for skateboard/ scooter applications can power the wheel by friction on the bike tire. An electric motor is most efficient at its maximum rpms and this little motor can spin to 10,000rpm - compare that to the low 300rpm of a hub motor!

By attaching the motor under the rear bike frame and rubbing on the tire and adding the 4AH Li-ion battery and small controller, I soon had an e-bike that was absolutely and definitely the best I ever built. The whole thing added just 4.5 lbs to the bicycle, and I can carry it up and down the stairs with no hassle - something that would never happen with an 40lb hub motor e-bike. The best part is the low cost of this conversion - around $300. You will also have a very discreet e-bike. If you want to later change bikes you can easily remove this kit and bolt it up to a new bike in mere minutes.

Riding my e-bike is a very pleasant revelation when compared to the overpowered, overweight and overpriced e-bikes I had before. I can still maintain the legal maximum speed of 20mph on level ground in top gear with very light pedaling.

For more info about this conversion project, email your questions to carl@bicyclist.xyz.â–˛

BICYCLIST.xyz

A DIY electric mountain bike that was built by one of our contributors, Bob Becker.

The conversion of the hard-tail frame with a mid-drive motor provides ample power for exploring the world without the physical endurance setting the limits of adventure.

Carl's proof of concept, and also his regular city-bike, attaches the drive from an electric skateboard against the rear tire, providing more than enough power for the hills.

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Fullerton, California

Rail & Trail Thanks to Poseidon Bike (www.poseidonbike.com) for sponsoring DWR Their support allows us to bring you articles such as these.

Finding Community and open trail in Orange County

A collection of trails and side roads make up a fun way to spend the day in Fullerton, as demonstrated by riders of the OC Brakeless Fixmas Toy Drive Crit on the first week in December.

This college town has a classic downtown with numerous food stops and bike shops. The mix of road and trail make for a fun training ground, or even a local grassroots ride.

Words and Photos By Chris Reynolds

F

or all the miles I've ridden and the years I've lived in Southern California, I was unfamiliar with Fullerton as a destination for riding bikes. The view through the automotive windshield when passing through has previously depicted a potholed city with few bike lanes. Luckily, Luis Suarez, leader of the social media efforts here at BICYCLIST, did his part to set me right and we're all better for it.

Named for George Fullerton, one of the original historic towns of early Orange County is home to Cal State Fullerton. The preponderance of college students riding bicycles helps inculcate the local drivers to be aware of people on bikes. The city does have work to due in terms of bike infrastructure. The majority of north to south streets near downtown are too conjested and without bike lanes for anxiety-free daily commuting. But a network of protected bike lanes, off-road trails, and sleepy side-streets make Fullerton quite bike-friendly with a little bit of planning.

In terms of recreation, there is fun to be had while perched from the saddle. If you're not living close enough to ride to, either drive and park at Laguna Lake for free, or take the train to the Fullerton Amtrak station and start pedaling. Spend the morning riding the Panorama Trail and head up the Craig Park Trail for a loop around the local green space. Head back down N Brea Blvd. and head downtown for a snack or a coffee. Alternatively, take the Bud Turner Trail until it intersects W Valencia Mesa Dr., Take N. Richman Knoll and follow it until you hit Malvern, where you make a left. Ride for four blocks and you're in downtown. Both Fullerton Bikes and East West bikes are blocks from downtown, and Jax Bicycle Center is down the road a block south of the university.

It is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of setting; you have the guide, we look forward to what you'll do. Share your explorations, recreation and good times on our Instagram, @bic yclist.x yz. Luis wil l be happy to see this Destination Within Reach getting the love it deserves. â–˛

MORE INFORMATION AND EVENT PHOTOS? Visit www.bicyclist.xyz and search 'fixmas'

Riders come together for the grass-roots Fixmas Toy Drive Crit, held at noon on the first Saturday of December. The Juanita Cooke Trail and surrounding road becomes a 2.5 mile mixed terrain loop (See map 'Fixmas Loop').

The railroad tracks that pass under the beginning of the Juanita Cooke Trail offer a mellow and peaceful ride back in time. The section connects on a steep drop-off after passing the bridge, travelling towards downtown from Laguna Lake.

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BICYCLIST Magazine

Fullerton, California Orange County, California, USA

lmas dr

Laguna Lake

w las pa

N

Amtrak

Fullerton Station 120 E Santa Fe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832

Recommended Day Parking

Laguna Lake (Open Year-Round) Fullerton, CA 92835

Local Bike Shops

East West Bikes | www.ewbikes.com 206 North Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92832 Fullerton Bikes | www.fullertonbicycle.com 424 E Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832 Jax Bicycle Center | www.jaxbicycles.com 2520 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831 bastanchury rd

cra ig p ark t

rai l

Fixmas Loop

Craig Park

east coyote hills trail

Panorama Trail Loop ury rd

bastanch

rea

nb

d

blv

CSUF

w valley view dr

harbor blvd

alley shortcut

n malden ave

highland ave

Jax Bicycle Center

Downtown

East West Bikes

w wilshire ave lemon street

Amtrak Station

e santa fe ave

Fullerton Bikes

w walnut ave

Trail BICYCLIST.xyz

BICYCLIST-Friendly Street

e chapman avenue

Caution - Traffic

MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS? Visit www.bicyclist.xyz and search 'fullerton'

1 Mile

1 kilometer 11

in search of dirt Self-Supported in the Pisgah Forest Going Home to Appalachia in Search of Dirt Rocks

An experiential guide to exploring the North Carolina destination for mountain biking, 17 miles from the Asheville airport. Book your tickets, trail beers and campfires are waiting.

Words and Photos By James Murren

A

s a native-born East Coast mountain biker, who learned to bike on trails in the mountains at a place called Michaux, but now living in sunny southern California, I missed rocks.

Specifically, I immensely missed the rocks of Appalachia, those piles of bocce and bowling balls that sit scattered amongst slabs, some sharp-edged enough to gash your shin or ankle, made

by Mother Nature over eons that are a kick-in-the-fun bone for many mountain bikers, if fun equals strenuous, technical riding through rocks. So, when the news came in that friends were gathering in Pisgah National Forest for a week of autumnal riding in western North Carolina, I moved things off the calendar, asked my bride for blessings, and checked the airline miles account.

MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS?

Visit www.bicyclist.xyz and search 'PISGAH'

Arriving in Asheville

Landing in Asheville, the weather was what you would order if you wanted idyllic October days for mountain biking in the surrounding mountains that the native Cherokee people called Warwasseeta (the Pisgah ridge) and Elseetoss (Mt. Pisgah) for centuries before the government moved in and attempted to eradicate the Cherokee via slaughter and forced migration on the “Trail of Tears;” it was in early “American” history when the newcomers likened the area to the Biblical Promised Land that Moses saw when looking around from the top of Mount Pisgah and named it such. Today, it is well-known as an eastern USA mountain biking (MTB) mecca.

On this trip we had dry, sunshine-y, warm afternoons followed by cool, crisp overnights, which was nothing but perfect for five days of pedaling up and down the topographic folds that lie in the vicinity of the Davidson River campground. The tree canopy shone in leaf colors of varying hues of yellow, orange, and red. Up high, the breezes softly chilled the skin, causing us to laze less and move more.

Day 1 477 › Clawhammer › Black Mountain › Buckwheat › Bennett Gap › 477

Camaraderie, smiles, and simple good cheer was in the air, with friends coming together after not seeing each other for a while because of jobs, life, and moves to new locations. When I heard that the plan was to ride Bennett, I could not have been happier. I had not ridden it, ever, and was looking forward to the rocks and descent. While it did not disappoint, Buckwheat was the humdinger for me. When we finished it, I was thinking “That is a mountain biking trail.”

Navigating the downhills, picking my way, finding lines and not bombing them (which is not my skillset) and doing so unscathed put me in a mountain biking high from the get-go on day one of five.

Cruising on the forest road to the hard road and back to camp, we decided the next day’s route.

No doubt, it was going to be a good one. Uncertainty hung in the air.

Day 2

Black Mountain › Turkey Pen › South Mills River › Mullinax › Squirrel › South Mills River › Buckhorn Gap › Clawhammer › 477 We woke early, ate breakfast, and pedaled out of camp over to Black Mountain. Up we went, taking our time, but also keeping an eye on the timepiece, knowing about where we should be at what approximate hour. The plan being was to finish with the hike-a-bike up the back of Black and then descend all of it back to camp.

As we continued on to the upper reaches of Black, before Turkey Pen, we saw what people had been talking about: Black was getting blown out. Dry weather over months to the point of drought created sketchy lines characterized by bones, a.k.a. rocks that were more pronounced than when the soil is moist and plump.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere and after a few spirited hollers of “coming downs” and “rider” from ahead, a blur came ripping down the trail. I stood mouth agape at what I had seen.

(Continued Page 14) 12

BICYCLIST Magazine

To Ashville - 13 miles

AVL Warwasseeta Forest Pisgah National Forest North Carolina, USA

Nearest Airport

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) ~17.2 miles NE

Camping

Davidson River Campground (Open Year-Round) 1 Davidson River Circle, Pisgah Forest, NC, 28768

Local Bike Shops

Sycamore Cycles | www.sycamorecycles.com 12 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC, 28768 Hub and Pisgah Tavern | www.thehubpisgah.com 11 Mama's Place, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

2 Miles 5 kilometers

Squatch Bikes & Brews | www.squatchbikes.com 170 King St, Brevard, NC 28712

OPPOSITE PAGE Technical water crossings are part of the fun, but sometimes the 'hike-a-bike' is the safest bet, especially amongst the slate monoliths shrouding the North Carolina trails. BELOW The open space punctuated by tree groups narrates the days riding and camping south west of Ashville.

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION AND WATCH VIDEOS THAT EXPLAIN EVERYTHING.

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13

(Continuing from page 12) We found out from his riding partner a few minutes later that the guy with the mad skills was a former pro downhill racer.

Humbled, I was.

We arrived to Turkey Pen and turned onto it. My memory of the trail was that it was somewhat “dirty”, a.k.a. not a groomed flow trail, possibly with some trees down and other trail litter. My memory was not wrong, but I did forget the number of hike-abikes (was it three or four). Fortunately, I also forgot the technical descent to the parking area, which was an absolute blast in the late morning.

Down by the river, we ate lunch and basked in the sunshine.

Admittedly at this point, I knew I was in for a long day. My legs were not there; it was setting up to be one of those days.

Out on Squirrel, I took my time riding in the middle of the group. When it came time for the rock gardens, I pushed the “hammer” button and made it through, grunting and smiling. I even let out a chuckle because I was so damn happy to be there.

Then we had the slog back up to Black. Though not strenuous, it is long and requires near constant pedaling which, on another day, would likely be my game. I hung on the back wheel of a new-found mountain biking friend in front of me. Up at the junction, we sat our bikes on the ground and I told my friend, “I am not climbing up Black. I am beat.”

The others arrived and I told them the same thing. We agreed that it would be too much to add-on that late in the ride. What’s more for me, seeing what I saw of upper Black, I had no business riding that trail. The possibility of messing up and getting hurt was increased from the last time I had ridden it. With three more days of riding ahead of me, I threw in the towel and headed down Clawhammer.

Day 3. Shuttle to Laurel Mountain Trail / “Inner” Pilot

Cove to Slate Rock Loop I knew when I woke up in the tent before dawn that I was not going to do the climb up Laurel to Pilot Rock and then down. I felt “off.” Since my bout with rhabdomyolysis [Ed. A breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood, a common resultant of overtraining. Can kill you.] earlier in the year, I had decided that I would play shuttle driver and then hike/ ride the inner loop with a friend and then meet them at Slate Rock.

And that is what I did, telling myself that I still had another two days of riding to go and there was still a possibility that I could do the Laurel-to-Pilot ride (Laurel being a “zen” climb that I enjoy).

Out on the Slate Rock vista, I could hear them coming across, their voices carrying through the trees and floating on the fall air.

Not long after, we met up, enjoyed the spectacular view, and made plans to go The Hub for beers since two of the group had to get back on the road home in the morning.

Day 4 Upper Daniels › Farlow Gap to Shuck Ridge Creek › Lower Daniels / Local's M Loop

I liked Daniels Ridge. It felt remote, had back country flavor, and seemed little-traveled. The connection in with Farlow and a little out-and-back made for a nice, couple hours ride. The hike-a-bikes were par for the course, so to speak.

We both cleaned the sketchy descent to Shuck Ridge Creek, a first for us. There, I sat on “my” boulder overlooking the drop off where you can hear the creek, but not see how it gets to the forest floor. Deep in the heart of Appalachia is a place I like to be. I thought of my bride’s grandmother, whom I met only once, and of her great-grandfather.

He was 100% Cherokee. I never met him.

Generations have passed by and people continue to persevere. I thanked them, my bride’s bloodline, offered them a prayer of goodwill and peace. I offered it to their people as well. Feeling content, I did not feel a need to go up farther on Farlow.

Back through on Farlow, we went the way we came and then down Lower Daniels. If you do not have fun on that stretch of trail with the water flowing below on your right, then you really are doing it all wrong. Lower Daniels is good ol' mountain biking defined.

(Continued Next Page) 14

BICYCLIST Magazine

(Continuing from previous page) We drove back to camp, knowing that another friend was due to arrive in the late afternoon. Text messages noted that he would want to stretch his legs after seven in the car. He arrived, set up his tent, changed clothes, and with an hour or so of light left in the sky, we pedaled through the campground and rode the locals M Loop. Campfire beers and positive cheer set us up well for the next morning.

Day 5 South Mills › Mullinax › Squirrel › South Mills ›

Buckhorn › Black Mountain › Buckwheat › Bennett Gap › 477 › Clawhammer › Presley › Black Mountain Another friend arrived in the morning, bringing our group back up to four riders. The day’s plan required driving to the trailhead, but finishing up back at the campground.

For whatever reason, I was feeling it. What I mean to say is that I was feeling great. The climb up to Squirrel rolled with ease, and it was a blast. Climbing back up to Black was an enjoyable, all-out crank fest. I turned and turned the pedals, having such a good time clippin’ off the miles. Up on Buckwheat, I picked and slashed, hootin’ and hollerin’ as I went. My legs were there, the day was glorious, and I was in the middle of a ride that I did not want to end.

Back up Clawhammer and across on Presley, we went.

Then, I saw it, a sighting that was the dream ending of a week in Warwasseeta.

A black bear ran across the side of the ridge below me. S/he, with head down, dodged downed trees and those still standing, completely in her/his element, making the steep mountain side terrain look like s/he was on smooth pavement. Excitement filled my being, and the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. I was so darn happy.

I thought again of Grandma and Great Grandpa. I thought of and thanked my bride for supporting my love of mountain biking. I offered thanks and spoke it on to the air to my mountain biking friends--old, new, and those still to come.

The bear kept running and then I lost it in the trees, s/he giving way to the Warwasseeta Forest. ▲ You can read more from James Murren's travels on his website www.jamesmurren.com, and on bicyclist.xyz, search 'murren'.

LEFT The Slate Rock Vista, part of the Pilot Cove Slate Rock Trail, overlooking the North Carolina autumnal greatness. ABOVE Taking a break trail-side for a snack and moment of reflection amongst the native black and scarlet oaks.

BICYCLIST.xyz

15

Asphalt, please

Photo courtesy JKrystof Andres

BICYCLIST challenge

Fondo the West A curation of upcoming Gran Fondo Road rides (and a bit of dirt) for 2019 taking place in the western United States and canada

By John Woodson

Gran

Fondos, or, "great rides," as they're known in Italy, continue to gain popularity with more and more riders (and licensed racers) participating, and with good reason. As traditional road races disappear faster than a watermelon in the hands of G allagher, gran fondos are growing exponentially by offering a unique combination o f coo l ve n u es , s a fe t y i n numbers, spectacular scenery, challenging courses, exciting media coverage, superb organization, and grassroots competition for ever yone.

With the grueling job of riding, reviewing and writing about road events, I have the opportunity to experience many, especially in my backyard - Western USA and Canada. Here are my top picks for 2019’s Best of The West Gran Fondos. You can’t go wrong adding one (or three BICYCLIST Challenges - see opposite page) to your 2019 bucket list. ▲

ABOVE Phil's Cookie Fondo takes a flat-land respite moving through the farm lands of Oxnard before returning to the task at hand, chewing through the 88 miles and 8,469 feet of climbing on the 'Chocolate Chip' route. If tackling the 'Double Fudge', a BICYCLIST CHALLENGE, prepare yourself for 11,396 feet of sugary sweetness, all while enjoying the curated route brainstormed by former proracer Phil Gaimon, a Georgia transplant that has made the most of his 'Best Retirement Ever' efforts while living in Southern California.

Socal Malibu Gran Fondo Socal Phil's Cookie Fondo Socal Tour de Big Bear Big Bear Lake, CAlifornia Westlake Village, California Malibu, California August 3, 2019 107 miles, 9,000’ (HC 125 miles | 12,000')

LOCAL

SoCal gran fondo-ing doesn’t get much better than riding at 7000’ in the cool air of the San Bernardino National Forest in August. If you train at sea level, don’t be surprised if it feels like you are breathing through a straw and can’t generate power, you can’t. Without acclimatizing power is down by 15-20%, so don’t over-do it. Sign up for the HC version at 125 miles with 12 ,000’ climbing if you thin k the reg ular gran fondo is just too easy.

www.tourdebigbear.com

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE 16

March 16, 2019 93 miles | 5,800'

LOCAL

The Malibu Gran Fondo has been a consistent provider of the experience of luxury cycling beginning and ending at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village. Organizers pull out all the stops in providing amenities for a challenging ride through the roads of Malibu, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. Also part of the Gran Fondo National Series, the event provides an exemplary fondo experience on the California coast, just a 30-minute Uber ride from LAX for those visiting. Yes, it is worth flying in for.

www.ridemalibugranfondo.com

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE

LOCAL

OCTOBER 2019 88 miles | 8,469' (Double Fudge 113 Miles, 11,396')

Phil Gaimon, former professional racer, has spent his retirement plotting and planning various excursions in the media landscape, his most significant contribution to the community of cycling is the 'Cookie Fondo', an excursion expertly curated using the multitude of roads and climbs making up the Malibu highlands.

Looking to go the distance? The 'Double Fudge' will satisfy, just crossing the 1:100 ratio of miles to climbing feet required for inclusion as a BICYCLIST CHALLENGE. Giddy-up!

www.philsfondo.com

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE BICYCLIST Magazine

RI D E . WI N . B E FAM O US .

#155

The BICYCLIST Challenge provides a selected list of accredited routes that meet specific criteria, including the following:

Routes 125+ miles Routes 100+ miles with 100% of route at elevation over 6,000' Routes 85+ miles with 1:60 miles to climbing feet Routes 75+ miles outside the USA (See Canada Extra Credit) Routes 65+ miles with 1:100 miles to climbing feet After completing a BICYCLIST Challenge, submit your GPS link at www.bicyclist.xyz/challenge to record your effort and gain entry to the Challenge Board . Complete three challenges in 365 days to receive the BICYCLIST Challenge patch. The rider with the most submitted BICYCLIST challenges will WIN A BIKE and be profiled in a future issue of BICYCLIST Magazine, and the BICYCLIST Experience podcast. If you have a route you think should be a BICYCLIST Challenge, let us know, visit www.bicyclist.xyz/challenge

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE

Golden Gran Fondo West elk bicycle classic Desparado Duel

mammoth gran fondo

Tour De Acoma Malibu Gran Fondo Phil's Cookie Fondo

Tour de Big Bear El Tour De Tucson

Mammoth Gran Fondo Mammoth Lakes, California SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 102 miles | 6,600’

2, 2019 BICYCLIST CHALLENGE SEPTEMBER 134 miles | 11,000’

Located on the peaceful and stunning eastern slopes of the Sier ra Nevada far f rom urban jungles, Mam moth i s si m pl y a m a z i n g. N o t on l y a r e t he v iew s A n s el Adams postcard-worthy, you’ll enjoy 75 miles on roads closed to t ra f f ic. Yes , that mean s NO car s. I f that’s not enough, aid stops of fer hard-to -pa ss-up del icacies like chocolate-covered bacon and chocolate-covered espresso bean s. Han g i n g with the f ront g roup of l icen sed racer s is ea s y for the f i r st few m i les. It’s down hi l l af ter that, and al l bets are of f.

www.fallcentury.org BICYCLIST.xyz

West Elk Bicycle Classic Golden Gran Fondo Crested Butte, Colorado Golden, Colorado 9, 2019 BICYCLIST CHALLENGE June 91 miles | 11,000’

A fter skipping 2017, the W EBC came back to life for 2018. With wonderful Southern Colorado as a backdrop, rural roads, challenging climbing (Kebler Pass) and a roaring party in Crested Butte to finish things off, this event gives new meaning to the term “epic ride.” Plus see how you stack-up against the “old man”, six-time Leadville champ and Pro Dave Wiens who usually wins and takes home the custom elk antler trophy. This event is worth making the distance to ride Gunnison to Crested Butte.

+DIRT

www.westelkbicycleclassic.com

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE

Just a stone’s throw from Denver, Golden is a hip lit tle town with plent y of brew pubs, restaurants and activities to keep compan ion s happy wh i le th is cour se k ick s your tai l feather s . With a sha rk-tooth prof i le that cl i mbs up into the Front Range on paved and a few dir t road s, this course thri l ls ever y m inute, and ever y m i le. Wel l exceeding the 1:10 0 m i les to cl i mbing feet required for a BICYCLIST CH A LLENGE , this beast of a ride is waiting for you on the wester n slopes of the Rock ies.

+DIRT

www.granfondonationalseries.com

17

Desperado Duel Panguitch UTah

Tour de Acoma Acoma, NM

El Tour de Tucson Tucson, AZ

Offering the best of Southern Utah via bike this event is a real treat. Hoodoos, gradual climbs, fun descents and a wonderful bike path make it perfect for riders of all abilities. Expect the pointy end of the pack to average ~25mph, but with great aid stations and many picture-perfect views riders often take time to savor Southern Utah. The 150-mile route takes a run up to Panguitch Lake, after the initial 109-mile experience and qualifies as a BICYCLIST CHALLENGE by virtue of distance.

Showcasing the 'Land of Enchantment', this event takes riders back in time through historical pueblo lands, up sheer walled mesas and past stunning cities perched atop monoliths. The winner of this flat land experience riding through history takes home one of the coolest cycling trophies in the USA – a piece of original Acoma pottery. The course is fast and flat, but the scenery will seem to slow time and space as it winds through the Acoma and Laguna Pueblo Reservations.

A perfect way to end the season in sunny, warm Tucson.

With close to 10,000 riders, this cycling friendly town rolls out the red carpet for the cycling community. If you want to start up front, better be a licensed Cat 1/2, Pro or somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody.

The front group races aggressively while everyone else enjoys riding past Saguaro cactus and working with new friends in the perfect time to ride the southern Arizona.

BICYCLIST CHALLENGE JULY 27, 2019 109 miles | 2,800’ (150 miles | 7,485')

www.tourdeacoma.com

NOVEMBER 2019 102 miles | 3,500’

www.perimeterbicycling.com

Photo courtesy El Tour de Tucson

www.ridesouthernutah.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 100 miles | 2,500’

non-profit

JOHN WOODSON lives and rides in New Mexico,

a legendary character that is always on the lookout for legendary rides. Or even less than legendary.

But always a good experience. Do you organize or participate in a recurring event or club ride that qualifies? Let him know: jwoodson@bicyclist.xyz 18

ABOVE The El Tour De Tuscon brings more than 9,000 from all across the Western US for a legendary ride that is built on philanthropy. The non-profit ride has continued for 36 years under the organization that has raised over $90 million for local, regional, national and international charities. OPPOSITE TOP The historic Tour de Acoma is an opportunity to cross both the Laguna and Pueblo reservations in New Mexico, and the first to finish the 100 mile ride receives a truly unique trophy, a piece of original Acoma pottery. OPPOSITE BOTTOM West Elk Bicycle Classic is a recent addition to the landscape of amateur events, but the scenery and terrain is all professional.

BICYCLIST Magazine

The Canada extra credit BICYCLIST CHALLENGE

Routes 75+ miles outside the USA.

RBC GranFondo Whistler Vancouver BC SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 76 miles | 6,200’

UCI QUALIFIER

Full disclosure – I’ve not ridden this one, but it’s on my list. Several trusted friends swear it’s “bucket list worthy” to start at the Pacific Ocean and finish high in the sky atop Whistler. Plus, I hear Vancouver is a happening place to visit. The 2019 event is a qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to be held in Vancouver on the same course in 2020. See Issue #153/154 for more info.

www.rbcgranfondo.com

September 7, 2019 98 miles | 4,300’

Starting and finishing at the beautiful old St. Eugene Resor t with breatht a k i ng mount ai n views i n ever y direction as wel l as a golf course, casino and spa this gran fondo real ly delivers, both on and of f the bike.

Enjoy rolling out on the North Star Rails 2 Trails path a s it wi nd s 17 m i les th rough old g row th Canadian f or e s t s t o K i m b er l y ’s wond er f u l B av a r i a n Pl a t z l .

www.krgf.ca

Photo courtesy West Elk Bicycle Classic

Photo courtesy Tour d Acoma

Kooteney Rockies Gran Fondo Cranbrook, BC, Canada

BICYCLIST.xyz

19

GUIDE TO THE CALENDAR

We do our best to comb the wild west of cycling event websites to get the information you need to make the most of your time in the saddle. We provide this comprehensive listing, without endorsement, but we ask that you support the events that support the magazine.

To submit your event, and view the full calendar with event details, visit www.BICYCLIST.events.

www.bicyclist.events

SIGNS & SYMBOLS Date

January 2019 5-6 Multi

Cross Fever 1-2: Corriganville SoCalCross CX: Competitive Location TBA

Simi Valley

11-13 Multi

BWR Survival Camp Santa Barbara Source Endurance MIXED: Camp SCa Lakehouse Hotel

SCa CX

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R

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13 Sunday

MTB Kickstart TBF Racing MTB: XC Granite Beach

Folsom Lake

NCa MTB

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13-15 Multi

Tour Del Sol St. George Ride Southern Utah MTB: Group rides MTB Red Rock Bicycle Co.

26 Saturday

Low Gap Grasshopper Adventure Series MIXED: 43 miles Low Gap Park

27 Sunday

MTB Classic TBF Racing MTB: XC Granite Beach

B

___________________________________________________________________

Ukiah

NCa MX

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Folsom Lake

NCa MTB

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TBF Wildflower Century Class TBF Racing MTB: Clinic Beals Point

Granite Bay

NCa MTB

February 2019 2 Saturday

Fat Bike Aspen Aspen Park & Rec MTB: Enduro, XC

Aspen

9 Saturday

Velo Love Ride Chico Velo ROAD: 40, 60, 100 miles Belmont Shores

Co

MTB

Aspen Cross Country Center ___________________________________________________________________

Chico

SCa

R

____________________________________________________ Tour de Palm Springs Palm Springs

CVSPIN ROAD: 9-100 miles Palm Canyon Drive

SCa

R

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10 Sunday

The MTB Challenge TBF Racing MTB: 6 mile course Granite Beach

Folsom Lake

16 Saturday

Camino Real Double Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles La Quinta Inn

NCa MTB

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20

Irvine

SCa

R

Super Sweetwater Grasshopper Adventure Series MIXED: 43 miles Low Gap Park

17 Sunday

YHSA Bike-A-Thon Scottsdale Yeshiva High School of Arizona ROAD: 2.5-67 miles Az Mountain View Park

23 Saturday

Stagecoach Century Shadow Tour ROAD: 26-150 miles Ocotillo

Ukiah

NCa MX

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R

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Ocotillo

SCa

R

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Harding TT SAW Sports Productions MTB: XC, Enduro Cook's Corner

24 Sunday

MTB Madness TBF Racing MTB: XC Granite Beach

Trabuco Canyon

SCa

MTB

___________________________________________________________________

Folsom Lake

NCa MTB

March 2019 2 Saturday

Mesquite Madness Ride Southern Utah ROAD: 35, 65, 90 miles

Mesquite

B

R

Mesquite Community Center ____________________________________________________

Mulholland Prelude Planet Ultra ROAD: 70 miles Hampton Inn

Day

Agoura Hills

SCa

R

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Southern Inyo Double Century

Lone Pine

Event Name Organizer TYPE: length

City, State

FEATURES

Location

MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS support the sponsors COMPETITION events with posted participants and results R ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MTB MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail MX MIXED events containing both road and dirt FX FIXED events requiring fixed geared bicycles T TRACK events on a closed oval track CX CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GX GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides Tri TRIATHLON running, swimming, and biking BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! SCa NCa

Nv Co

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEVADA COLORADO

16 Saturday

Or Wa

Az

B

OREGON WASHINGTON ARIZONA AND BEYOND

Malibu Gran Fondo Westlake Village Serious Cycling ROAD: 106, 151 kms SCa Four Seasons

R

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Saddleback Gran Fondo

Irvine

Renegade Racing ROAD: 1-100 miles Irvine Valley College

SCa

R

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Strada Rossa VI IE Biking Alliance MIXED: 100 miles, 100 kms, 50 kms

___________________________________________________________________

8-10 Multi

KOM Training Camp Planet Ultra ROAD: 40-60 miles

Hampton Inn ___________________________________________________________________

16-17 Multi

Malibu Complete Experience Westlake Village Serious Cycling ROAD: 35, 106, 151 kms SCa Four Seasons

9 Saturday

Solvang Century, Metric and Half Bike SCOR ROAD: 51, 55, 70, 100 miles Marriott Hotel

___________________________________________________________________

23 Saturday

Tour of Paso Bike Ride Paso Robles Founder's Team Challenge ROAD: 26, 50 miles SCa Niner Wine Estates

10 Sunday

MTB Showdown TBF Racing MTB: XC, 8-32 miles Granite Beach

___________________________________________________________________

Nogales Bicycle Classic Nogales Bicycle Classic ROAD: 40, 60, 87 miles Nogales

15-17 Multi

NAHBS Sacramento North American Handmade Bike Show FESTIVAL: Bike Makers & Builders NCa Sacramento Convention Center

Bike MS: Los Angeles National MS Society ROAD: 30, 55, 100 miles

___________________________________________________________________

15-17 Multi

Malibu Invitational Westlake Village Haute Route ROAD: 203 miles total SCa Four Seasons

Inyo Ultra Cyclists ROAD: 199 miles Comfort Inn

SCa

R

Agoura Hills

SCa

R

Buellton

SCa

R

Folsom Lake

NCa MTB

R

Redlands

SCa

MX

Wildwood Canyon State Park ___________________________________________________________________

R

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R

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Nogales

Az

R

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Pasadena

SCa

R

Rose Bowl ____________________________________________________

Solvang Double Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles Santa Ynez Valley Mariott

Solvang

SCa

R

BICYCLIST Magazine

Lake Sonoma MTB Grasshopper Adventure Series MTB: 25 miles

Geyserville

Bike for Bender Pioneertown Bike for Bender MTB: 25, 35, 50 miles

Pioneertown

24 Sunday

MTB Championship TBF Racing MTB: XC, 9-36 miles Granite Beach

25-31 Multi

Solvang Spring Tour Planet Ultra ROAD: Tour TBD

30 Saturday

Inaugural Gran Fondo Hincapie Hincapie Events LLC ROAD: 15, 50, 80 miles The Shops at Clearfork

31 Sunday

Operation Ride for Red American Red Cross of Ventura ROAD: 30, 61, 99 miles Camarillo

NCa MX

Warm Springs Rec. Area ____________________________________________________

NCa MTB

Pioneertown Sound Stage ___________________________________________________________________

Folsom Lake

NCa MTB

___________________________________________________________________

Solvang

SCa

R

___________________________________________________________________

Fort Worth

B

R

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Camarillo

SCa

R

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Tour de Cure San Diego American Diabetes Association ROAD: 12, 30, 63, 100 miles

San Diego

SCa

Del Mar Fairgrounds

R

Mulholland Challenge Double Los Angeles Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles SCa Agoura Hills

26-28 Multi

CampoVelo St. Helena CampoVelo ROAD: 3 days of rides NCa Clif Family Winery

27 Saturday

Wildflower Century SLOBC ROAD: 45, 75 Miles

R

SIGNS & SYMBOLS Date

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R

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Creston

NCa

R

Creston Community Center ____________________________________________________

Skaggs and Super Skaggs

Grasshopper Adventure Series MIXED: 96 miles Warm Springs Rec. Area

Geyserville

NCa MX

___________________________________________________________________

28 Sunday

The Great Auburn Epic Race TBF Racing MTB: 25 mile course Auburn State Rec Area

Auburn

NCa MTB

May 2019 3-5 Multi

Wildflower Experience Wildflower Experience TRI: Sprint and Relay Lake San Antonio Shore

Bradley

NCa Tri

Day

Event Name Organizer TYPE: length

City, State

FEATURES

Location

MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS support the sponsors COMPETITION events with posted participants and results R ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MTB MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail MX MIXED events containing both road and dirt FX FIXED events requiring fixed geared bicycles T TRACK events on a closed oval track CX CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GX GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides Tri TRIATHLON running, swimming, and biking BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES! SCa NCa

Nv Co

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEVADA COLORADO

Or Wa

Az

B

OREGON WASHINGTON ARIZONA AND BEYOND

April 2019 6 Saturday

SDMBA Archipelago Ride San Diego Mountain Biking Assoc.

MTB: 20, 50 miles

San Marcos

Party Pardee Metric Century Sacramento Bike Hikers ROAD: 50, 100k

Sacramento

SCa

MTB

San Elijo Park ____________________________________________________

NCa

R

TBA ____________________________________________________

Gran Fondo Las Vegas Planet Ultra ROAD: 70-100 miles

Las Vegas

Nv

R

Las Vegas Cyclery ____________________________________________________

Non Dot Gran FUNdo Non Dot Adventures MTB: TBA TBA

Tustin

SCa

R

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Spring Tour of St. George St. George Ride Southern Utah ROAD: 35, 75, 100 miles St. George's Town Square

6-7 Multi

Eroica California L'Eroica ROAD: 35-130 miles Cambria

7 Sunday

Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego San Diego GranFondo Cycling Tours ROAD: 21-100 miles SCa Downtown San Diego

11-14 Multi

Sea Otter Classic Festival Monterey North American Handmade Bike Show FESTIVAL: Races and Rides NCa Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway

13 Saturday

Mulholland Challenge Los Angeles Planet Ultra ROAD: 60, 90, 120 miles SCa Agoura Hills

B

R

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Cambria

SCa

R

___________________________________________________________________

R

___________________________________________________________________

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BICYCLIST.xyz

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GUIDE TO THE CALENDAR

We do our best to comb the wild west of cycling event websites to get the information you need to make the most of your time in the saddle. We provide this comprehensive listing, without endorsement, but we ask that you support the events that support the magazine.

To submit your event, and view the full calendar with event details, visit www.BICYCLIST.events.

www.bicyclist.events

SIGNS & SYMBOLS Date

May 2019 4 Saturday

Fremont XC Race OC MTB MTB: 17 miles Fremont Canyon

Irvine

SCa

MTB

____________________________________________________

Oregon Coast Gravel Epic

Oregon Triple Crown Series MTB: 37, 62 miles

Waldport, OR

Waldport

Or MTB

___________________________________________________________________

4-5 Multi

Canyon Belgian Waffle Ride Belgian Waffle Ride MIXED: 74, 133 miles Lost Abbey Brewery

San Marcos

SCa

R

___________________________________________________________________

5 Sunday

Five Boro Bike Tour Bike New York ROAD: 40 miles

Lower Manhattan

B

R

Franklin St. & Church St. ___________________________________________________________________

11 Saturday

King Ridge Supreme Grasshopper Adventure Series MIXED: 62, 80 miles Duncan Mills

Duncan Mills

NCa MX

____________________________________________________

Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride Extra Mile Racing ROAD: 82.5 kms

Rosarito

18 Saturday

Pacific Electric Challenge Rancho Cucamonga Friends of the PET ROAD: 25, 50 miles SCa Central Park Center

B

R

Rosarito Beach Hotel ___________________________________________________________________

R

____________________________________________________ Heartbreak Hundred Lebec

Gran Fondo Salt Lake Extra Mile Racing ROAD: 35, 65, 100 miles

Saltair

R

B

W. Saltair ____________________________________________________

Oregon Gran Fondo Oregon Triple Crown Series ROAD: 42-134 miles

Cottage Grove

R

Or

400 E. Main Street ____________________________________________________

Mojave Death Race Mojave Death Race MTB: Relay Race

Primm

2-8 Multi

AIDS/LifeCycle Daly City Planet Ultra ROAD: Tour, 545 miles NCa Cow Palace

9 Sunday

Golden Gran Fondo Gran Fondo Nat'l Series ROAD: 20, 60, 90 710 10th St.

15 Saturday

Mammoth Bar OHV TBF Racing MTB: Expert, XC

22 Saturday

Jackson Forest Grasshopper Adventure Series MIXED: 50, 75 miles TBD

Nv

MTB

Las Vegas Blvd. ___________________________________________________________________

R

___________________________________________________________________

Golden

R

Co

Auburn

Mammoth Bar OHV Area ___________________________________________________________________

NCa MX

July 2019 27 Saturday

Desperado Duel St. George Ride Southern Utah ROAD: 50, 109, 150 miles TBD

August 2019

R R

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Heartbreak Double Palmdale Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles SCa Holiday Inn Palmdale

R

____________________________________________________

Logan

B

R

___________________________________________________________________

B

R

Sasquatch Duro Oakridge Oregon Triple Crown ROAD: 30, 45 miles Or MX Uptown 1st & Pine

3 Saturday

Tour de Big Bear Big Bear Cycling ROAD: 25, 50, 70, 107 miles The Village at Big Bear Lake

June 2019

18 Sunday

SBT GRVL SBT GRVL MIXED: 37, 100, 141 miles Yampa St.

1 Saturday

September 2019

22

Fast Freddie Challenge Sebastapol Fast Freddie Cycle Club ROAD: 21, 54, 82 miles NCa The Barlow

R

FEATURES

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NEVADA COLORADO

OREGON WASHINGTON ARIZONA AND BEYOND

Or Wa

Az

B

Fort Bragg

Operation Ride for Red Camarillo American Red Cross ROAD: 30, 61, 99 miles SCa

Calle Plano

SCa

NCa

Co

Cache Gran Fondo Gran Fondo National Series ROAD: 38, 50, 70, 112 miles Logan Regional Hospital

____________________________________________________

City, State

MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS support the sponsors COMPETITION events with posted participants and results R ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MTB MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail MX MIXED events containing both road and dirt FX FIXED events requiring fixed geared bicycles T TRACK events on a closed oval track CX CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GX GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides Tri TRIATHLON running, swimming, and biking BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES!

Nv

NCa MTB

Event Name Organizer TYPE: length Location

SCa

___________________________________________________________________

13 Saturday

Planet Ultra ROAD: 100 miles

Holiday Inn Express

Day

Big Bear Lake

SCa

R

___________________________________________________________________

Steamboat Springs

Co

MX

1 Sunday

West Elk Bicycle Classic Crested Butte West Elk Bicycle Classic ROAD: 34/46, 52, 134 miles Co MX Crested Butte Town Park

7 Saturday

Mammoth Gran Fondo Eastside Velo Bicycle Club ROAD: 42, 70, 102 miles 1 Minaret Rd.

___________________________________________________________________

Mammoth Lakes

NCa

R

____________________________________________________

Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo Cranbrook, BC Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club ROAD: 58, 102, 152 kms St. Eugene

B

R

____________________________________________________

RBC Gran Fondo Whistler RBC Gran Fondo Whistler ROAD: 34, 76, 97 miles

Whistler, BC

B

R

Whistler Village ____________________________________________________

OC MTB Limestone XC Race OC MTB Races MTB: 12.3, 24.6 miles

21 Saturday

Gold Rush Growler MTB TBF Racing MTB: 10, 20, 30, 40 miles Mammoth Bar OHV Area

28 Saturday

Jensie Gran Fondo Marin County Bicycle Coalition ROAD: 40, 70, 100 miles Stafford Lake Park

Silverado

SCa

MTB

Limestone Canyon ___________________________________________________________________

Auburn

NCa MTB

___________________________________________________________________

Novato

NCa

R

Visit www.BICYCLIST.events to find more bike events or races near you!

BICYCLIST Magazine

last page

The driver experience gap How riding bikes made be a better driver

Social trust depends on people following the rules, but the outweighed consequences bicyclists face when rules get broken remind us all to do our part when behind the wheel.

By Kelley O'Toole

I

confess that at times I have been a bad driver in that I haven’t always followed traffic laws as dutifully as I should have. I haven’t been in many accidents, and the ones I have were not my fault. I’ve only ever been ticketed once (a rolling stop through a neighborhood stop sign when I was 16), but I have gone faster than the speed limit, I have looked at my phone while driving, I have rolled through stop signs in neighborhoods, and I have sped past cyclists and pedestrians on city roads. Usually these instances would occur when I was in a rush and so they would seem like rational decisions to make given the circumstances. And anyway, I'd watched drivers around me since I got my license, behave in a similar and sometimes worse fashion. However, it wasn't until I started road cycling that I understood how participating in bad driving behavior was contributing to the problem of cars and bicycles sharing the road.

Once I started road cycling I began to fully understand the ways that my bad driving was hurting other road users, specifically bicyclists. What previously seemed rather innocuous, like rolling through a stop sign, I now realize is dangerously unpredictable for bicyclists and pedestrians on the road. It only takes one instance of bad luck and poor judgment to inadvertently collide with an innocent bystander.

Having my own experience of nearly being hit by a car while the driver rolled through a stop sign looking the other way, I am reminded of that when I approach a four-way stop. I remember the look of fear and panic in the driver's face as he slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting me and I remember the sharp pain in the pit of my stomach when I thought I would be street meat. Luckily no other cars were on the road so I could swerve into the street away from him, but the rest of the ride I thought about what would have happened if I was killed and the car drove away. Who would find me and how long would it take? The stress was almost enough to convince me to stop cycling, but what good would that do? I love riding my bike, in fact it's the mode in which I work through any feelings of sadness or stress.

In getting a front row view to the ways in which bad drivers drive, I made a conscious effort to be a better driver, and to be more alert and aware while behind the wheel. It is not possible to be a perfect driver, and in certain situations it may seem that breaking traffic laws/norms is worth the trouble. But to be a safe road user it takes a conscious effort every day to make that promise to yourself and your community.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo

Fresh perspective

Stop signs are NOT suggestions

It wasn’t until I started cycling that I really understood the trouble with rolling stops and the danger it poses to cyclists. I've gotten a front row seat to the unnerving hypocrisy that some drivers have when they shout at cyclists who ride through stop signs, when I often see more cars rolling stops in my neighborhood on a daily basis. Now when I approach stop signs while driving, I take the opportunity to fully stop behind the line, and look to my surroundings for signs of pedestrians or cyclists. While it’s obvious that you must stop when a car approaches the “intersection” before you do, it can be harder to tell if a cyclist or pedestrian is crossing the “intersection” if not stopped. I’ve also realized how important it is to stop behind the line, especially when merging onto a one way street. I often see drivers looking for on coming cars while rolling over the line, simultaneously a bicyclist is riding on the sidewalk to the drivers right. There are many close calls when a driver could roll right into a bicyclist by not looking in both directions.

Distracted Driving is Not an Option

On the bike you can get a front seat to all the bad behaviors drivers engage in, especially if you’re riding road. While cycling I can predict with near accuracy which drivers are texting while driving by watching their cars in prime time traffic. The ones who are engaged in their phones are usually swerving into other lanes at varying degrees. This poses a great risk to bicyclist and pedestrians for obvious reasons. A distracted river ahead of bicyclists on the road could come to an abrupt stop and create a dangerous situation.

Or they might not even realize their swerving into the bike lane, for instance. There's almost no excuse to text while driving, given all the apps and smart car connectivity in most modern vehicles, and even the new addition of "Driving Mode" on iPhone iOS (which sends automatic text responses stating you are driving.) But if that doesn't do it for me, I will put my phone in the far corner of the back seat. Don't underestimate the temptation to text back.

BICYCLIST.xyz

Be cautious before turning right on a red at an intersection

Similarly to stop signs, its tempting to inch forward at a stop light when preparing to turn right at an intersection. If traffic is heavy as I approach a right turn, I make it a point to assume that a pedestrian or bicyclist is crossing the street ahead of me. Rolling over the line at a red light while a pedestrian or bicyclist is crossing, could turn into a disaster, especially when you can't see the victim and the victim can't see you. Consider this before you release the brakes and glide into that right turn on a red light.

Turn signals are helpful for everyone

Part of what’s so scary about being with cars on the road is how unpredictable drivers can be. On the road you notice when drivers unexpectedly diverge into another lane causing surprise to the road users around, despite the convenience of having a signal to indicate your direction. The benefits of hand signals while cycling are similar to the benefits of applying turn signals while driving. For road cyclists, hand signals are common practice on a busy road so that other road users can anticipate your next moves. This is most important particularly at a four way stop. Just as it is beneficial for cyclists ahead of the pack to indicate when they will be turning, it is beneficial for drivers to use their turn signals when preparing to divert course. This is especially important if a bicyclist is not far behind you, and they can slow down to prepare for your turn. Sometimes the smallest effort can make the biggest impact. ▲ 23