Lots of people are concerned about pueblo closures.  Lynn drove the route and I called and spoke to a Cochiti pueblo representative on Tuesday.  Yes the pueblos are closed so we cannot do our traditional loop.  However, A and B groups will start at the usual parking place at 0830.  We will ride down 16, turn right on NM22, climb to the lookout and regroup.  We will then reverse back down 22 toward Santo Domingo and go up to the gas station.  Regroup.  Then return via NM 22 to our cars.  Not sure of the mileage, maybe a bit less than we usually get with the loop so if you need more miles you can go past the parking lot to the end of the road at the dam, which is also closed, but for different reasons.

You do not have to ride.  If you want to do something else, feel free.

Note that the C ride is not starting at Pena Blanca on July 22.  See below post for C ride.

The C ride is changed and will start at the 599 rail station and do the Bonanza Creek Ride.  It is about 20 miles and very scenic.. We will be rolling at 8:30!

Please disregard the previous post for the Cochiti Ride. Start will be along Hwy 16 near I 25 at 8:30 AM as per the website for both A & B groups.  Christine

Calling All SOBs!  I know that many of us already donate to The Food Depot and I hope you will continue.  Our Food Depot makes a huge difference in the food security of our neighbors here in Santa Fe and in 9 Northern New Mexico Counties.  They need our help through donations of money.  Any amount will help.  Every dollar delivers 5 pounds of food.  If you donate, please indicate that you are a N-N (Neighbor to Neighbor member) SOB.  You can write it in the memo line of your check or on the donation slip for your credit card.  It is to say that the SOBs are partnering with The Food Depot during their fall fund raising.  Address:  Food Depot 1222 Siler Rd.  Santa Fe. 87507 or   thefooddepot.org   click on take action and donate to Neighbor to Neighbor before Sept. 18th .      Thank you for your donation and to the Food Depot for helping our neighbors in this time of need.

I drove to town this morning (monday 12) using bishops lodge road and it’s a mess. It must have received much rain and hail last night resulting in ALOT of sand/gravel tree branches, leaves all over the road. Pretty thick in places too. FYI, dangerous riding conditions from tesuque village mkt to bishops lodge itself

Hi all, Cyndy and I loaded up our bikes and went for a road trip up to Montana recently to visit relatives up there. Along the way we stopped and rode a number of the rail to trail routes including the Mickleson Trail in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I have been wanting to get out on some sort of tour this year but have not been feeling fully up to speed for a longer tour. But I did have Cyndy drop me off in Colorado on the way home and I rode a chunk of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route south for about a week. Great trip, but it was colder and wetter than I expected and I was a pretty worn out camper when she picked me up in Horca last weekend. I just posted a blog of the Colorado ride with a bunch of pics if interested on the link below,

Ed

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=23717&v=8x

The C riders will meet at Ft Marcy on July 15th for a ride TBD, ready to roll at 8:30.
The Folk Art Market is in full swing and we cannot ride around there.
So, we are not going to Cafe Fina.  It could be a time to explore some new trails.  Join us!

Effective July 10 and until further notice, relaxed ad hoc Saturday rides will start at El Camino Real Academy on South Meadows.

This will bring all ad hoc rides, both on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and both energetic and relaxed, to the same uniform starting location – Tuesdays at DeVargas and Saturdays at El Camino Real Academy.

C riders are starting our ride at the intersection of Highways 14 and 42.  There is a pullout there and you can park your car.The intersection is about 10 miles south of the 599 Rail station on Highway 14.  See you tomorrow morning!

Hi All you C riders.  This Thursday we are starting at El Camino Real Park ready to roll at 9 am sharp! 

Registration ends tomorrow the 15th.

The Directions to the Park are:   As you Drive South on 599

                                                    Left on Airport Road

                                                   Left on Constellation (next stoplight)

                                                    Continue straight over gravel rd until it ends at the Park

Since the Governor has accepted the CDC guidance that vaccinated people can go on about their business without masks and since the current limitation on mass gatherings is 150 people, all groups will start at the same time and place again, starting in July, and we will schedule our memorial ride, luncheon, and group photo accordingly. Sign-ups will still be on line. If you are vaccinated, you need not wear a mask. If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask, and you may want to err on the side of caution and not ride

Tonight, Friday, the riders in the Rockies group is  northwest of Dallas and will arrive in Santa Fe next Tuesday.

The schedule for SOB members participating in escorting Texas 4000 riders to their motel in Santa Fe and for joining the group for dinner:

2:00 p.m.- SOB riders arrive at parking lot next to Agora Market in Eldorado. After a brief rest stop, the SOB and Texas riders head to Santa Fe via, Old Las Vegas, El Gancho Way, Old Santa Fe Trail, the Plaza and to the motel at Cerrillos and Guadalupe–Motel 6.

5:30 p.m,, Las Campanas Country Club for cocktails and dinner at 6:30. The Country Club chef is preparing a dinner of chicken enchiladas and other items. Cost of the dinner is $60.00 per person. Pay via a check on arrival. Short program presented by Texas 4000 follows dinner.

It is helpful for planning to know how many SOB members, spouses, friends will attend the ride from Eldorado and the dinner. Please send an email to me at pollockb@aol.com.

Looking forward to seeing you. If you haven’t yet looked at the Texas 4000 website, it is www.texas4000.org/route/rockies/  You will see individual pictures of the riders in the Rockies group. Or, you can go to the home website at www.texas4000.org

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Next Tuesday, June 15, 24 riders and some support members arrive in Santa Fe on their way to the Canadian border. Spending two nights in Santa Fe, the riders will leave on June 17, headed to Denver.

Two great opportunities for SOB members to interact with the students from the University of Texas:

Meet the riders as they arrive in Eldorado and escort the riders to the Old Santa Fe Trail and to the Plaza and finally to their hotel in the Rail Yard area. The riders should arrive 2.00  to 3:00 p.m. After a brief rest stop, SOB members will assist the riders by dividing into two groups for safety reasons. SOB members can either ride from DeVargas Center to Eldorado and return with the students. Or, as I will do, leave a car at DeVargas and get a ride to Eldorado and just ride one way with the group. Weather predictions indicate warm temperatures and perhaps just riding one way makes sense. Imagine the Texas 4000 riders–they will have ridden uphill for more than 75 miles in the heat and still have to 168 miles to go to get to their motel. Rested SOB members will enjoy the handicap.

The second opportunity is to share dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club. Great facilities and the atmosphere is very collegiate meeting the students and alumni of the University of Texas, Santa Fe chapter. Activities will begin about 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. A special menu of chicken enchiladas and other items, including desert prepared by the Club’s chef will be served. The cost is $60.00 per person. So, bring your best friend, spouse, or partner and have a dinner out. It will be a beautiful night.

To assist in arranging details, especially helping Las Campanas plan for the dinner, it will be very helpful if you can email me if you plan to:

Meet the riders at Eldorado

Join the Texas 4000 for dinner–how many people in your reservation?

Send an email to pollockb@aol.com

Submitted by Bill Pollock

The start location for the A ride this coming Thursday is listed as West Las Vegas High School. I have looked at the street view on Google Maps and it appears that the lot is gated and we might not be able to park there.

There is a public parking lot on Moreno St. between Morrison St. and Hot Springs Blvd that will be a sure thing.
I will be parking there. Should be safe as it is next to the police station.

Google maps coordinates:
HQRC+JX Las Vegas, New Mexico

FYI reminder that rumble strips are dangerous.  They exist between Cafe Fina and Eldorado and beyond on both sides of the road and may be on other roads around Santa Fe too (and on many other roads around the country like in Iowa on the RAGBRAI route). I suggest you avoid riding across or on them. Hmmm. Tell the Texas 4000 about them when you see them in Eldorado

Texas 4000 riders of the Rockies Route are on their way to Santa Fe! The riders began the ride Saturday and they will be here in 10 days. The two opportunities for SOB members to meet the riders is when they arrive in Eldorado on Tuesday, June 15 at which point SOB members will ride with the group along the Old Santa Fe Trail to the Plaza and then to their motel in the Railyard area.

The second opportunity is to join the riders and the University of Texas alumns at Las Campanas Country Club for cocktails, dinner, and a brief program. Among the students you will meet is Lexi Bohannon. Lexi plans to enroll in medical school and to practice as an ob-gyn. Lexi took some time off of college to explore other areas of the country, including Vail, CO, before enrolling at UT.

And you will also be able to meet Javier Romero. A computer major, he graduates this year and already employed in the tech field in Seattle. He has completed a study abroad program at the University of Edinburgh. Javier is the Ride Leader for the Rockies group.

Get ready to meet the Texas 4000!

Saturday, June 5, the riders of all 4 groups riding in the annual 4000-mile ride leave from a large recreation area in Lampassas, Texas, a few miles northwest of Austin. The Rockies group will arrive in Santa Fe ten days later on June 15. The distance from Austin to Santa Fe is about the same as that from St. Louis to Santa Fe which the wagon trains of yore traveled the Old Santa Fe Trail. However, it took the wagons almost 3 months to make the journey. Texas 4000 riders will cover the distance in just 10 days! Oh, the magnificent quality of the bicycle!

At a brief rest stop in Eldorado, members of Seniors on Bikes will join the group and lead them to the motel in the Rail Yard area. Riding with 24 Texas riders, who are wearing unique jerseys and riding identical bicycles,  down Old Santa Fe Trail is a bit of excitement itself. When the group reaches the Plaza, the crows there take note immediately of a large group of cyclists. In the past, Texas alumni who just happened to be at the Plaza at the moment, approach the Texas riders to donate money to their cause.

The day of arrival is Tuesday. SOB members participating in the Texas 4000 arrival may want to plan the regular Tuesday ride to begin around noon from DeVargas Center. Ride to Eldorado to stop at the Agora Market and await the Texas 4000 riders. Then after leading the ride to the motel, returning the short distance to DeVargas. Another alternative that I plan to do–drive to DeVargas and park my car and get a ride back to Eldorado to meet the riders. After the ride back to the motel, I can drive back home, shower, and get to the dinner. 

The Las Campanas Country Club is hosting a dinner to honor the Texas 4000 riders and their motivation to raise substantial funds for cancer research. The dinner begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starting shortly after 6:30. The menu is a dinner of the club’s famous chicken enchiladas, preceded by a smoke house salad and other items. The cost of the dinner is $60/person. Following the dinner, the riders will present a brief program describing their route and their goals.

Meeting and conversing with the students on the ride is stimulating. One recognizes immediately that these students are committed to leading a nation and world to wonderful opportunities in the future. The students are upper division and graduate students studying in many different fields. They are knowledgeable about their areas of study and what they plan to do in the field.

Jenna Guzman is one of the Rockies group leaders and is coordinating their arrival in Santa Fe. Jenna is a senior and plans to complete graduate work in Public Health and she looks forward in a career in Public Health. She is riding to support her mother who is a cancer survivor and for a friend who has been dealing with a rare liver cancer. You will meet Jenna at dinner and, of course, on the arrival in Eldorado.

Schedule the activity on your calendars now! June 15–arrival in Eldorado and dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club.

Submitted by Bill Pollock

The members of the Rockies Ride of the Texas 4000 and members of the other rides have just completed a mandatory test to ride 100 miles in less than 10 hours to qualify to ride to the Canadian border from Austin, Texas and back this summer. On the way to Montana, the group will stop in Santa Fe on June 15 and 16. SOB members and guests will have the opportunity to meet the group in Eldorado and ride with them to their motel in downtown Santa Fe. And then, enjoy dinnerwith the groiup and members of the University of Texas Alumni of Santa Fe at the magnificent Las Campanas Country Club. Meeting the students is a meaningful experience–the students, all leaders, are stimulating with their enthusiasm for the ride and the future.

And, here’s some great news! Susy Battaglia and the Battaglia children and grandchildren have stepped up to cover the motel expenses of the Rockies team for both nights here in Santa Fe. In past years, Frank Battaglia donated the cost of the motel. Frank graduated from Southwestern Louisiana University, but he said he was also proud of the University of Texas and welcomed the opportunity to help the students of the Texas.

Below is a brief profile of two students who will be riding this year with the Rockies Route:

Shroothi Ramesh is an upper division mechanical engineering major focused on making the world a sustainable environment. Ms. Ramesh is from Sugarland, TX and is in the President’s Award Program to study developing sustainable products for living and in textiles. She has dedicated herself to a community that can make a difference, she writes.

Alexander Mutamarra, reports that he is an Arab and a graduate student in Finance at the University of Texas. He is also from Sugarland. He says to call him “Alex,” and he is a member of a large Arabian family living in Sugarland. Alex rides to support cancer research. Alex feels grateful for the opportunity to commit to the purpose of raising funds for cancer research. “You don’t deserve anything that you have unless you are grateful for it,” he writes.

Get ready to meet these and the other 22 students of the Texas 4000 when they arrive in Santa Fe. Visit their website and read more about the routes and the riders at

www.texas4000.org

Submitted by Bill Pollock

The pandemic forced cancellation of Texas 4000 Ride last year. But Texas 4000 is coming to Santa Fe in June! This ride is organized by students at the University of Texas to raise funds for cancer research in support of family members of the students, friends and supporters of cancer research, and by several of the students who are survivors themselves. For the past several years, the group has come through Santa Fe for one or two nights on their way to Alaska from Austin, Texas– 4000 miles. They begin about June 1 in Austin and end in Anchorage, Alaska in mid-August. They follow four separate routes to Alaska.

This year, the pandemic issues still are concerns, so this year they only get to Montana, and then turn around to follow different routes back to Austin–still close to 4000 miles. Nearly 100 students will participate this year in four groups. One group heads north up the Mississippi River and then goes east to Washington, D.C. and back to Austin via the Carolinas, Arkansas, and other states. The second heads north along the MIssissippi to the Dakotas and then west to Montana. A third group, the Sierra, goes west through Las Cruces, Tucson , to San Diego and then up the West Coast to Washington and then east to Montana and back to Austin. The Rockies group will pass through Santa Fe, to Denver, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, and Montana and then return to Austin.

The Rockies group will arrive in Santa Fe on June 15, stay the 16th, and leave for Denver the 17th. In the past years, the SOBs have met the group in Eldorado and then led the Texans to their motel in Santa Fe. We have joined them for dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club hosted by the University of Texas Alumni of Santa Fe. At the dinner, we have split up to fill the tables with several different students with SOB members and spouses/partners and U of Texas Alumni. The students put on a brief program describing their selection from over 1000 students to participate in the ride and their goals. During the dinner, conversations with these upper division and graduate students will renew your own spirits and reinforce your own confidence in the youth that will guide this country in the future. Former students on this ride are now doctors, attorneys, scientists, and business executives. They are selected because of their abilities to converse and engage in conversations.

In the past, one of our members, Frank Battaglia, donated the motel costs for the group in Santa Fe. Frank passed away in November. 2020. Many of us may want to donate some funds to the Texas 4000 to cover their housing costs in Santa Fe in addition to their goals to raise money for cancer research.

Mark your calendars for the arrival of the Texas 4000 on June 15. Look for future postings in the coming days about the plans for participating. So many of our members have stated their enthusiasm to meet the students and engage in conversation with them for a few hours. Having completed a career in higher education, I can tell you that mixing as equals with intelligent, eager, and committed university students is an unforgettable experience. One looks forward to every day at work with students. And this will be how you will feel when the dinner at the Las Campanas Country Club is over. You owe it to yourself to experience the feeling.

Look for more announcements in the coming days at this SOB website. Plan to join in. You can read about and see pictures of the approximate 25 students that will ride with Texas 4000 Rockies Group at the link below:

Submitted by Bill Pollock

I want to order a cap only and they say you have to sign for it, which I’m not sure I can do. If anyone is ordering and willing to let me add my cap to your order, I’d greatly appreciate it. Please email lynnpickard1 at yahoo. Thanks.

The Free Bikes For Kids program still needs help in cleaning and “mechanicing” all the bikes they got donated. They have a lot! Once clean and made safe the bikes are donated to kids for free. FB4K can be queried on to find their website to sign up for a shift. It’s a worthy cause I think. I am doing it. I encourage you to help out too. They are in the Santa Fe Place Mall.

Hi Everyone, We did not get to do our annual ride last year and I am feeling like I would love to go away for a few days in the Fall and ride in new places with friends. So, before I start doing all the research and planning I would like to know how many of you would seriously consider a fall trip to Carbondale or Glenwood Springs, Colorado for four nights after Labor Day, the 7th through the 10th of September. It would be a fixed base with three full days of cycling.
Carbondale has miles of cycling trails- Aspen is 26 miles away (could even do Independence Pass or McClure Pass) and Glenwood Springs is 12 miles away. I have just begun to look at possible lodging. Let me know if you would seriously be interested. I am thinking Carbondale, but Glenwood Springs may also be a possibility. Email Judy at j.costlow@gmail.com

At the new ride leader training yesterday, it was determined to recommend that all riders, and especially ride leaders, read or reread the Ride Leaders Manual that is posted to the website under the tab “All the Info.”

Please note that the ordinances reproduced at the back of the manual are the Santa Fe City Ordinances, which copy the state statutes with one exception. Section 5 of the ordinances is “reserved,” but the same section of the state statutes says, “66-3-705. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. C. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, no bicycle shall be operated on any roadway in a manner that would create a public safety hazard.” Other portions of the city ordinance, which are not in the manual say, “When a bicyclist is traveling in the center of a lane, the bicyclist should move right when it is safe to do so,” and “Bicyclists must move to the right to allow vehicles to overtake at the earliest and safest location.”

Included in this post are links to the pertinent pages of the NM Driver’s Manual relating to the rights and responsibilities of drivers of cars and bicycles to one another, and a safety quiz that we urge all to take. Answers are provided at the end of the quiz.

NM Driver’s Manual

SOB Safety Quiz LP

Come one and all for the first (annual ??) trash and recycling clean-up on Bonanza Creek Road on Monday May 3^rd or May 10^th.  I will organize all the volunteers and drivers on the site when we start.  I will have garbage bags and smaller bags to do the cleanup.  I suggest that the volunteers wear long pants and sturdy shoes and maybe your SOB jersey or the socks or buffs and have some work gloves.  If you have a safety vest then bring that too.  Please let me know by Saturday May 1^st if you will be there and what distance you plan on the road for cleaning.  For example, if you only want to walk 1 mile, then you can clean up ½ mile on both sides of the road.  If you have a vehicle to pick up the bags (1 driver for each group) let me know that also.  I will pair up people and divide the volunteers when you arrive.

We plan to start at the intersection of Route 14 (Cerrillos Road) and Bonanza Creek and organize by 9:30 AM.  Any extra vehicles may be parked in the parking lot at Beer Creek Restaurant.  We plan to celebrate with a beer and LUNCH AT Beer Creek after the event.

Contact by email wildernessriders@yahoo.com

Contact by text 505-979-4802 (Christine)

There are many SOBs who haven’t signed both waivers. It is easy and if you do, you can ride with us on our Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday rides. Otherwise, you are on your own and will miss our company and fun! They are on the website under Join SOB 2021, pull it down and sign.  Easy and done!  Judy 

Used once.  Helmet attachment.. Purchased from REI.

$250

Dana Root/Kris Hansen

Hello, People!

Lily

—

Lily O’Leary

505-930-1308

Volunteer Coordinator

volunteer@fb4knm.org

The ride leader training was canceled last year because of the pandemic. As you know, our rides this year are going to be considerably different because of the pandemic. Your ride director and assistants have decided that we can always use more ride leaders and that we can accommodate ride leader training in a pandemic-friendly and abbreviated way. If you are interested, contact Lynn Pickard at lynnpickard1 at yahoo.com and she can fill you in on the details. We have enough leaders for the May rides, and we are thinking of doing the abbreviated training in late May or June.

Hi all, just checking in to say hi. I got my second Pfizer vaccine last week. Sure feels good to have that done and under my belt. I am not sure if I am going to do it or not, but I have been planning a bit of a bike tour sometime this month. With a tour possible, I have been doing my riding lately with my gravel bike loaded up with my touring kit whenever I go out for any rides. I recently did a two day shakedown ride when visiting Cyndy’s mom in Phoenix, here is a link to the ride if you are interested: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=612792&v=y. Hope everyone is safe and doing well (that includes you Bud….).

Cheers,

Ed

Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes

Board Meeting

March 19, 2021

The Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes Board met via Zoom due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.  Those participating via Zoom were Judy Costlow, Bob Bogart, Ian Norrish, Michael Knarr, Lore Thorpe, Lynn Pickard, Steve Gitomer, and Christine Van Dornick.  The meeting began at 3:00 pm

The agenda for this meeting was sent to Board members by President Judy Costlow on March 19.  After a general welcome back since the board has not met since July 27, 2020, each board member was asked to give a short synopsis of how each person was doing and provide information if they had received the vaccine.  Most board members had either been fully vaccinated or were in the process of doing so.

Steve Gitomer gave a brief report on the status of the Treasury.  He stated that even though the SOB Blog had been posted that if members had paid their dues in 2020 they would not need to pay in 2021, some members had still paid in 2021.  To be clear, members were still asked to sign both the standard SOB waiver and the COVID 19 waiver for membership.  Lynn proposed that Steve and Bob would generally keep track of this issue with dues.  However, each member should be responsible to record their own payment.

Bob Bogart concurred with Steve Gitomer’s report and the issue with dues.  All board members concurred with Lynn’s proposal.

The next agenda item was the organization Bikes for Kids.  Board members were asked via email whether the SOB email list should be made available to solicit help and/or donations for this organization.  The Board’s response was not to provide the SOB email list.  However, the Blog would provide information for individuals to make their own choice whether to assist Bikes for Kids.

Lynn reported on the recent League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Bike Conference that was held online.  Lynn provided a general synopsis of the conference including the participation of New Mexico legislators.  She reported that the general focus of the conference was geared toward potential infrastructure improvements such as dedicated and protected bike lanes or traffic signal improvements that allow more of a delay in signal timing to accommodate cyclists.  A general poll was taken online during this conference by the Doctor who led the discussion about Navigating Group Riding during the COVID pandemic. During this online poll, 96% of participating cyclists wanted the vaccine and 37% of clubs were already riding or planned to begin group rides this spring.

The next item discussed was the planned opening of sanctioned SOB rides and procedures relative to the current Public Health Order (PHO) and the status of Santa Fe County in terms of the level of new COVID cases with respect to the spread of the virus in the local population.  Santa Fe is currently in the green color (one level less than optimum at turquoise).  This item was broken into three separate discussions.

1. We continue to allow “official” SOB rides under the protocols that we have established, i.e., small groups put together by email, led by a ride leader, and all the other requirements. This is in case some small groups want to continue riding with their groups; they should still be SOB rides for insurance purposes.  Individual group ride leaders can communicate with their respective group by email with this information.  A ride leaders meeting will be scheduled prior to the official start of group rides. Prior to that meeting, a survey will be sent to the ride leaders.
2. The tentative first Thursday Group Ride is scheduled for May 6. Starting in May, in addition to the rides in paragraph a., we operate the ad hoc Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday rides the same way.
3. Starting in May, we publish our usual list of Thursday rides with three rides being listed under protocols that will be explained in a blog that will be posted on the SOB website  and emailed to the members who have signed up for notifications of blog posts. The protocols will be similar to those under which the small groups have been riding, but will require riders to sign up on-line.

There was no other business to discuss.  The Board agreed to meet via Zoom on April 23 to review any changes in the PHO and other factors relative to reopening the SOB’s for group riding.

There was a split in the Zoom meeting due to time limits set.  The original meeting temporarily adjourned at 3:40 PM.  The meeting resumed at 4 PM and then adjourned at 4:10 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Van Dornick

SOB Secretary

Hi folks. I’m wondering if anyone has ridden the La Sal loop, Moab, 65 miles that includes the little and big nasty climbs? How does it compare to any rides around here (or the Iron Horse ride.) contact me at juliejacobs2303@yahoo.com if you can tell me about the ride. Thanks

I took my mtn bike and two more road bike projects to sincere bicycles and they did a great job and at a great price. I highly recommend them. Bailey the owner and mechanic is very knowledgable. FYI

I would like to thank everyone who opened their hearts and wallets to provide bicycles to people like Ethel. World Bicycle Relief helps people in the long term, not just for a day, or even a year.

https://give.worldbicyclerelief.org/team/334567

I just saw this article on the Cycling Weekly website:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/e-bike-rider-died-after-his-brakes-failed-on-yorkshire-descent-486191

Apparently the rider crashed when his brakes failed during a 16% descent.
But the kicker is, he knew that his brakes were defective and rode anyway.

I was told many, many years back in regard to automobiles, to never take chances when it comes to tires or brakes. This advice obviously applies to bicycles as well. Replace your tires regularly before they suffer a catastrophic failure on a fast descent. Check that your brakes are in good working order often.

And pray for some decent riding weather!

We SOBs revel in the healthy exercise and recreation of riding our two wheelers around. Folks in poorer countries use and need bicycles for transportation to school, work, the markets and for transport of food, water, supplies, and everything else.

World Bicycle Relief manufactures and distributes sturdy, low-cost Buffalo bicycles to people throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Just $147 puts a brand new bike in the field and forever changes the trajectory of an individual’s life.

If we all could make just a small (or large) contribution (suggest $25 each) we would give pedal power to 10 or 20 people and their families and transform their lives.

Please consider supporting the Santa Fe Seniors On Bikes fundraising efforts to help mobilize individuals in rural developing countries.

To make a contribution go to:

https://give.worldbicyclerelief.org/SFSOB

Spread the word by sharing this page with others who may want to donate to help individuals challenged by distance.

Thank you for your support!

Hi Everyone, I want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday! This has been a challenging year for the SOBs and everyone else. But I think we have all made it work. A special thanks to our Leaders who have stepped up to guide each of our groups. I will miss seeing you all at our annual Holiday Party, but I think we are finally on the right track to get us back to a new normal. I hope for us a new year of hope, joy, spending lots of time with family and bicycling with friends.

Frank Battaglia, an early member of the SOBs, died of heart disease on November 29. Frank has not been able to ride with SOBs for about 3 years due to his condition. He and Susy had their primary home in Corpus Christi, Texas, though they enjoyed their frequent stays in their Santa Fe home very much. Frank’s last visit to Santa Fe was in late Auguest, 2019. A complete obituary can be viewed at

Frank was fun to be around! He was a friend to all and enjoyed riding with the SOBs for many years. Frank rode most of the extended rides each September, the last one being the ride from Trinidad, CO via Cimarron, Angel Fire, Las Vegas and home. I had the pleasure of riding with Frank on these trips and often sharing hotel rooms. The hills were often steep and long, and Frank and I would talk to each other, wondering what the fronts of the jerseys of the other riders looked like. But we made it. Probably the most difficult was Slumgulion Pass. By the time we arrived, the wine and crackers and cheese were already spread out and we could dig in quickly.

Frank was very generous and often surprised the group with sandwiches and drinks at the Santa Fe house where Susy welcomed us all. Frank also paid for the motel rooms of all the Texas 4000 riders for several years, and he donated the same amount to the group this past year when COVID forced them to cancel. Frank never attended the University of Texas and I asked him why he was so eager to support the Texas 4000. One of his sons graduated from UT, Frank said, and he wanted to show his appreciation for the university.

Frank served on a re-fueling tanker in the Navy. He said he was glad to serve on that ship because it would never “run out of gas in the middle of the ocean.” His service took him to most of the major ports in Europe and South America.

Frank was very tight with his family. Susy and three sons and one daughter and four grandchildren survive him. Frank’s father was an immigrant from Italy who lived to a little over 100 years old. On a trip a few years ago, Frank and Susy spent time on Sicily where his father had lived. “No,” Frank told me, “my father was not in the Mafia. But Susy kept a gun under the mattress just in case.”  Frank and Susy were devoted to the Roman Catholic Church and on another trip actually had a brief visit with the Pope– a highlight in their dedication to that faith.

Frank is one of those one meets in life whose friendship one savors for a lifetime.

Frank, if you are listening, your friends in Seniors on Bikes salute you!

Submitted by Bill Pollock

I’ve been meaning to post this for months now, but keep having those SOB moments.

https://www.portsmouthctc.org.uk/a-fighter-pilots-guide-to-surviving-on-the-roads/

One of my favorite charities.

https://worldbicyclerelief.org/

Wesley Horner was a member of Seniors on Bikes about 5 years ago. After a cycling injury he moved to Boulder, CO and resided in a retirement community. Rennie Finney has learned that Wes died October 27 in Bozeman, Montana where he was living with his daughter who worked at the university there. Wes rode usually in the C and B- groups. Wes retired from teaching at Santa Fe Prep where he taught science–geology being his field of study. On one of the SOB rides, the group went to Cafe Fina for lunch after the ride. While there, a young woman probably in late 20s approached me and told me that she was so glad to see Wes, because he was one of the best teachers she had ever had in her education.  I told Wes about her comment and he was very pleased and still knew her background and her work. To a teacher, no compliment can be better.

Submitted by Bill Pollock

Quartermill Gallery, 10 Via La Puente, Galisteo.  10am to 4pm

click to view PDF flyer

Day of the Tread ride in ABQ is not a live or in person event anymore. They’re going virtual due to the virus. Query day of the Tread for more info

Used this stuff to clean our bikes yesterday:
https://us.muc-off.com/collections/bicycle-step-1-clean/products/nano-tech-bike-cleaner

1. Rinse the bike
2. Spray on cleaner
3. Let sit for 5 minutes (out of the sun)
4. Rinse off
5. Clean bicycle!

Highly recommended!

Ride in ABQ in October is still on. virtual and live. Oct 25. See dayofthetread.com

We learn something new every day:

Save the Gaiters!
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/live/coronavirus-gaiters-masks.html?referringSource=articleShare

Dr. Scrase, DOH Secretary, presented the below very helpful summary of the Duke University study at the Governor’s press conference today. As you can see, N95 masks and surgical masks are best. Various other cotton masks are pretty good, capturing 70-95% of droplets. Double layer bandanas capture only 45%, no mask captures 0, and neck gaiters not only don’t capture but create 20% more droplets than no face covering at all. Dr.Scrase said that there was no public health order regarding neck gaiters or bandanas yet, but he personally would stay away from people wearing them just as he stays away from people with no face covering. 

I’m sure that many of you have seen the articles alleging that wearing a gaiter is worse than useless. The media likes sensationalism and doesn’t like nuance. Take a look at this article which provides a more balanced view before deciding whether or not to wear your new SOB buff.

https://slate.com/technology/2020/08/gaiter-study-flawed.html

Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes

Board Meeting

July 27, 2020

On July 27, 2020 the Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes held a Board Meeting via Zoom Meeting Service due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.  Those participating via Zoom were Judy Costlow, Bob Bogart, Lynn Pickard, Ian Norrish, Steve Gitomer, Michael Knarr, Lore Thorpe, and Christine Van Dornick.  The meeting began at 3:35 PM.  All participants were asked to mute themselves except when speaking.

Lynn Pickard began the meeting by asking how those who are currently participating in ad hoc ride groups are complying with the Governor’s latest Public Health Order.  To be specific, that means wearing masks, keeping social distance, and keeping the group size to 4 persons or less.  Several board members expressed concern in wearing masks during all parts of the ride but focus on wearing them when in locations where there are more people around.  Some groups are starting at more remote locations to avoid close contact with other people.  Some people wear masks all the time when riding; others wear them all the time except when riding uphill; all wear masks at least near the downtown in Santa Fe and at any location where cyclists are entering a building.  One group was observed riding too close together and seen wearing the SOB jersey.  Ride leaders should continue to inform participants of the latest Public Health Order.  Lynn will update language that will be placed on the ride guidelines page on the website.  In general groups will continue to communicate and schedule rides via email, and will strive to limit participation to 4 or less, practice social distancing, and wear masks. The language regarding out-of-town travel will also be modified in the SOB guidelines.

Michael Knarr stated that a new bike shop had opened at 411 Water Street Suite B near the downtown business district.  Sincere Cycle is primarily a mountain bike shop with parts and accessories geared to mountain bikes.  Michael asked the owner if they would like to be a sponsor of the SOBs.  The rules for a shop to be listed as a sponsor are that the shop agrees to a 15% discount for merchandise, not on labor or on the purchase of a bicycle.  The Board agreed to add this shop to the list of sponsors by consensus.

Steve Gitomer stated that the insurance company issued a refund on the premium, apparently  because of few events and less participation in rides during the pandemic.

A screen shot was taken during the Zoom meeting with all Board Members wearing their SOB jersey and a mask.

Bob reported that the SOB buffs were realistically arriving in the first week of August.  All paid members will receive one and be able to purchase more at $9.00 each if there are enough left over after the paid members take theirs.  More information will follow on the website once the order is received.

The Board agreed to meet again on August 24 at 3:30 PM via Zoom.  The meeting adjourned at 4:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Van Dornick

Secretary

Hi all, hope you are all being safe and having fun out there. I was surfing YouTube lately and found this video very interesting. After having accumulated a couple sets of carbon rims, the video made me to rethink the importance of lightweight wheels and tires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QDnUkUaQfk.

Ed

June 29, 2020
Sante Fe Senior’s on Bikes Board Meeting
Meeting Minutes
This meeting was held via Zoom Meeting Service online due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. Those participating via Zoom were Judy Costlow, Bob Bogart, Lynn Pickard, Ian Norrish, Steve Gitomer, Michael Knarr, and Christine Van Dornick. Please note that Michael Knarr was experiencing technical difficulties and disconnected at 3:10 PM and rejoined the meeting at 3:22 PM. Lore Thorpe was absent.
Lynn began the meeting at 3PM and asked for participants to remain muted unless they wanted to speak and to then raise their hand. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the proposal that was sent by email from Judy, Bob, and Lynn to all board members on June 24, 2020, to open the SOB club in limited fashion. The proposal contained guidelines for the reopening with consideration of the current pandemic. Board members were asked in the June 24 email to consider the proposal and reply to all with any particular concerns about the content in the proposal. Lore Thorpe agreed with the proposal by email. Board members at this Zoom meeting agreed to the proposal by consensus. Michael Knarr was not connected to the meeting at this time and later stated that he was not in favor of the SOB’s opening up in any fashion.
Lynn suggested that the proposal should be placed on the website blog. All board members present agreed to this action. Lynn suggested the following language to accompany the proposal on the blog being “The following guidelines apply until further notice”.
Moving forward with the limited reopening proposal, ride leaders should ask any ride participants if they have both paid their membership dues and signed the standard SOB waiver and the COVID 19 waiver. To date Bob reported that there are approximately 114 members who have signed the standard waiver and paid their dues. There is a list of members on the website. In June, there was a notice posted on the blog that small groups were riding on a regular basis and a form attached that anyone accessing the blog could respond to a request to participate in a group. Additional ride leaders may be necessary to keep group sizes small per the current State of New Mexico CDC guidelines (5 or fewer). Bob and Judy will contact ride leaders to lead other groups as necessary.
The next item to consider was to purchase buffs with the SOB logo. The buffs are a yellow background with the SOB logo in various sizes and the chain logo. The board agreed to order 150 buffs.
The board agreed to meet again by Zoom on July 27 at 3 PM. The meeting adjourned at 3:37 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Van Dornick
SOB Secretary