Walla Walla Cycling News Page

Home
News
Rides
Events
Routes
Maps
Photos
Links
Contacts
Training
For Sale
Feedback
Contents

News Page

Here I will try to keep you up to date regarding late breaking news. Local riders participating in sponsored events, last minute schedule changes, new web sites, and other news that might be of interest can be found on this page. Changes to the web site will also be posted to keep you apprised of new information. While you are here, why not check out our PHOTO ALBUM pages.

Walla Walla Weather Report
Local Time

June 30, 2008	Pendleton, OR is having their first annual We Will Because We Can Bike Ride. If you visit In Pendleton, OR we will be having our first annual We Will Because We Can Bike Ride. If you visit www.wewillbecausewecan.org you will get all the details. But briefly, this is a ride with a variety of options from family rides to the hilly challenge ride up Cabbage Hill. It is a fundraising ride for The Cancer Community Renewal Project a LOCAL non profit organization offering free programs to cancer survivors. We provide free exercise, yoga and massage and raise awareness about the benefits of regular physical activity as a way to heal and recover from a cancer diagnosis AND reduce the risk of ever getting a cancer diagnosis. We are hoping you will list our event: again, details on the website, or the local Pendleton contact will be Herb Bitting: 541-276-6312. We are also hoping that perhaps some folks from your cycling club(s) cold form a team and support LOCAL cancer survivors, their families and communities you will get all the details.
April 12, 2008	The 2008 Tour of Walla Walla is here next weekend April 18-20^th and your support is needed. Now Washington state's largest Stage Race, the Tour relies on the efforts of roughly 150 local volunteers. Typical shifts lasts about 3 hours, with the road race on Saturday afternoon demanding the most volunteer support. If you are available to help this coming weekend Please contact: Jeff Bolander or Monte Willis 301-3941 529-0908 jbolander@bannerbank.com Monte@willistoews.com
Mar, 26, 2008	WOMEN’S ONLY INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING CLINIC A women's only cycling clinic is being hosted by the Bicycle Barn on March 30th at 1pm. The clinic will start at the Bicycle Barn and will last about 1 1/2-2 hours. Reggie Gonzalez and Shawn Ongers will be instructing on basic cycling skills including how to ride in a group, drafting skills, hand signals and how to navigate through traffic. The clinic is free to all levels of cyclists. A road bike is preferred as part of the course will be on the road. A DOT/ANSI/SNELL helmet is mandatory.
Mar 25, 2008	This year's Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic will be hosted on June 21st, so mark your calendars! Also check out the website for updates on this year's details & when to register!
Mar 8, 2008	A new race has been announced. The Lewis & Clark Ultra is a 12 and 24 hour time trial. It is being held in Vancouver, WA on May 24th starting at 6:30 AM. The day loop is 144 miles with 5,700 feet of climbing. Night loop is 10 miles with 600 feet of climbing. Ride as many miles as you can in the 12 or 24 hours. Visit their website or contact Glenn Johnson at 360.260.5879 if you want additional information.
Feb 29, 2008	A call for help!!!! My bike JUST got stolen (between 8:20-9:30pm) outside my house the FAH and wanted to send out an internet plea asking if anyone has seen it or please keep an eye out for: Red and Black Raleigh Technium Racing Bike Down Tube shifters Perfect condition, Mid 90's Recycled Cycle sticker on the body Toe straps It is really important to me. If you have any information please let me know. Thank you, Lauren Imbrock imbrocls@whitman.edu 509-527-5744
Feb 19, 2008	Good news on a key bill backed by the Bicycle Alliance A bill (HB 2564) that beefs up safety content of the drivers' education curriculum by adding information about bicyclists to the drivers' manual has cleared the state House. The bill was voted out of the House on Tuesday afternoon. To make it into law, the Senate must now likewise give its approval. The Senate will begin looking at this bill immediately. The Senate companion bill is SB 6420. Sometime this week please contact your senator to urge his or her support for this important piece of legislation to help ensure a generation of better trained drivers more informed about how to share our roads safely with bicyclists. They need to hear from many people across the state in order to understand how important this is! Key points to make when calling or writing your senator: * This bill had overwhelming support in the House (73-22, 3 excused) * There is no cost (no fiscal note) to the state to add bicyclists to the drivers' manual * It's in line with material already prepared by the Department of Licensing, which supports the legislation * Recognizes changing conditions on our roadways (more bicyclists) * Will increase safety for bicyclists by better training a new generation of drivers Without delay, contact your senator and urge support for this important piece of safety legislation.
Feb 12, 2008	Jean Byrne, former Bicycle Alliance of Washington Board Member has stepped down creating an opening. If anyone is interested in filling her position, please contact her at jeanpbyrne@yahoo.com For more information about the BAW, go to www.bicyclealliance.org

Jan 26, 2008	For those who help sponsor this site, here is one of the comments I received. Thank you for keeping this site fiscally sound. Wally From NY: "Very good site. My wife and I are traveling to WW w/ bikes and are looking for rides in your area. Good info. Wish all towns had a site covering the subject as well as yours does. Thanks." And from another visitor: "I would like to thank you for you write up on saddle soars. I spent 20 minutes looking up the definition. Many remedies but no true definitions until I found your site. I have had a problem with soars and I was not sure if what I was experiencing was saddle soars or another skin affliction. I am sure now it is in fact saddle soars and have a clear course of treating. Thanks again"

Jan 21, 2008	For those interested in training for the 1 Day STP ride this year, I have posted my training schedule based on the Cascade Bike Club's proposed training schedule. I have used this in the past and found it prepared me very well for the 1 day ride. I will be updating it with routes and other rides that others may send me. To have your ride added to the schedule, please me and I will add it to the calendar.

Jan 4, 2008	March 8th -9th are the dates for the Seattle Bike Expo.

Sept 10, 2007	Check out some of the new links for the Techo-inclined on the links of interest page.

July 28, 2007	Here is a cycling website you might find interesting. It has an online repair manual for everything, cycling jigsaw puzzles and much more. You might want to check this site out. Pretty cool.

May 20, 2007	Ever wondered how to properly care or clean your bicycle's chain. Check out the article I found titled Chain Maintenance.

May 1, 2007	The Marilyn Jensen Memorial Bike Ride was held in Weston on June 2nd. Marilyn was killed August 10th, 2005 just north of Weston. The ride was free and offers 8 and 50 mile routes. For more information contact Gary Jensen at grj@bmi.net or call 541-566-3915.

April 20, 2007	Just published a new training article entitled "Quick Guide to Heart Rate Zones - And what they can do for you". A straight forward, non-technical article that will help everyone improve. Check it out.

February 12, 2007	A new training post on how to calculate Calorie Burn Rate.

January 29, 2007	If the visitor from Romania visits this blog again, please leave a note by clicking the email icon at the bottom of the page. We would love hearing from you. Webmaster.

November 11, 2006	Walla Walla Riders Win at State Cyclocross. Thomas Butler of the L'Ecole 41 team took Gold in the Master Men B, which is Cat. 3 35+. Soren Klingsporn, future L'Ecole 41 team member, took Gold in the Men Cat. 3 race, while Duncan McGovern of Whitman took Bronze in the Cat 3 race, and also took Gold in the Junior Male A race. Steve Rapp of the L'Ecole 41 team took Silver in the Master Men D, which is Men 50+. Joanne Schmitz of NWHP took Gold in the Master Female B. Kally Rapp took Silver in the Junior Female B race. Tatum Tyynismae of RAD Racing took Gold in the Junior Female C race. Taylor Tyynismae of RAD Racing took Silver in the Junior Female D race.
October 12, 2006	Even more interesting, a visitor from Amsterdam check this site out. Soooo cool.

October 10, 2006	An interesting fact: in the past week to this site has had visitors from Louisiana, Colorado and Utah, just to mention a few......

June 10, 2006	Link to the City of Walla Walla Bicycling Map:

March 7, 2006	The following is a message from Jon Bren. It is with great pleasure that I announce that the first phase of the "Bikes on the Road" signs have been installed on two significant cycling routes. This is the result of nearly two years work (persistence) by Tom Baffney, Jeff Bolander and myself meeting with Phil Merrill and Dick Williams from the WW County Engineer's office. My thanks to Tom for his persuasive skills and to Jeff for heading the sub-committee that designed the network of signs. Most all will recall that this project was begun as a tribute to Ann Weatherill, but it is not done yet. This first phase only signs Russell Creek, Five Mile and Mill Creek. I will consider the project done when all the major cycling routes of WW County are signed. This first phase of 9 signs (one in reserve) was paid for by a $4000. grant from the Welch Trust that is handled by Baker Boyer Bank. There are adequate funds left to erect another 20 or more signs, but the County wants to wait some 60 days for public comment before beginning another phase of the project. Next time you ride up and back on Mill Creek, look at the signs and think of Ann. Some good has come from all the pain. Regards, Jon

Jan 6, 2006	Allegro Cyclery has announced they are starting organized group rides starting Sunday January 8th. Ride details will be listed on the yearly ride schedule. The ride schedule will change as the season progresses. Check the rides page for up to date rides or call Allegro Cyclery at 525-4949. Beginning in a week or two: fixed gear rides. They have fixed gear bikes in stock. Or, pick up an old bike with horizontal drop outs and retrofit it for a fixed gear. They can take care of you that way too, if you don't choose to do it yourself. If you'd like to do it yourself, they have open workstand night from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays. Use their stands and tools for free. They may ask for a deposit to keep their tools in good operating order. You should call ahead to find out if the workspace is available before heading that way. For further information....obviously....call Allegro Cyclery at 525-4949.

Nov 16, 2005	Congratulations to Debi Toews! View the pictures Bicycle Alliance of Washington Recognizes Debi Toews for Community Activism in Washington State The Bicycle Alliance of Washington recently awarded Debi Toews with The Susie Stephens Award at a function in Tacoma on November 5. The Susie Stephens Award is presented to an individual for public or private activism that causes change in policy, environment or infrastructures that promote bicycle-friendly communities. Susie Stephens was a nationally recognized bicycle and pedestrian advocate, and former executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. She was struck and killed by a bus as she was legally walking across a street in a crosswalk in St. Louis. The Susie Stephens Award was created to recognize leaders in bicycle advocacy who are driven to make their communities more bicycle-friendly and inspire others to do the same. The Bicycle Alliance Recognition and Awards program honors outstanding contributions by organizations and individuals, public or private, who have improved bicycle transportation and safety in their communities in the state of Washington, reflecting its mission to advocate for bicyclists and a bicycle-friendly Washington. The program reinforces the importance of these ideals and encourages members of the community to incorporate them into their daily personal and work activities. After the death of her friend, Ann Weatherill, Debi was tireless in her efforts to help pass the Safe Passing Act. She lobbied with phone calls and emails to senators and representatives. She testified in Olympia and also was present when Governor Gregoire signed the bill into law. Her activism continues throughout Walla Walla County by helping to find funding to purchase, erect and maintain "Share the Road, Bicyclists on Roadway" signs on favored bicycle routes in the county. She continues to work at the local and state level to increase awareness of additional laws that promote safety for cyclists and pedestrians. The Ann Weatherill Safe Passing Act, HB 1108, prohibits passing when bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement or farm equipment is in view and approaching from the opposite direction.

Nov 11, 2005	Here is a link to Women Cyclists website: http://www.womencyclists.com/index.php

Aug 30, 2005	Here is an article everyone should read....cyclists and drivers alike. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/238184_bikecarinto.html
July 25, 2005	Walla Walla Hailstone cycling hits the big time news. The September issue of Bicycling magazine listed Walla Walla's Hailstone Cycling weekly rides in their national magazine. It is so great to know that Walla Walla's is now being recognized for its great cycling community as well as for it's wine, downtown re-vitalization, and hospitality.
July 25, 2005	Way to go Walla Walla!!!!!!!

June 29, 2005	Here is the link to the WA DOT site that might help you plan your next ride in Washington. Here you will find that WA DOT has digitally photographed every mile of highway in Washington and you can view it on-line. Riding in Oregon? OR DOT has a link with images of Oregon roads.

May 18, 2005	As a result of the fatal accident which took Ann Weatherill on Mother's Day last year, the House has passed a new bill (we'll call it the 'Ann' bill) regarding vehicles passing other vehicles. The May 5th signing was attended by Ann's husband Charles, daughter Natalie and best friend Debi Toews. Debi wore a purple jersey (Ann's favorite color). The Walla Walla cyclist community thank all who worked on and made this bill possible. Here is a photo of the signing....

April 26, 2005	Great news for anyone who rides a bicycle in Washington: thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates all across Washington three bills passed the 2005 legislature that will help make bicycling safer for all users. The bills include: HB 1108 which prohibits passing when bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement or farm equipment is in view and approaching from the opposite direction. HB 1254 creates a Share the Road license plate available for purchase in late ’05 or early ’06 with the funds to be used for bicycle and pedestrian education and safety programs; and SB 5186 calls for comprehensive plans to include an inventory of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Feb 2, 2005	Found this article on Saddle Sores....read it.

January 7, 2005	I am in the process of updating all the links and information for this site. Over the next month there should be new and updated information. Ride safely and have a great ride.

	An short article on The History of the Bike is something most will find interesting reading.

	How to Perfect Your Riding Position and Technique is a very good article. Check it out.

	Previously posted training tips and articles of interest can be found on the History of Articles page.


	I need your help. If you have any of the following, please the information. Links to pages that contain information about rides you want to keep track of on this site Routes and mileage not shown on this site. Persons volunteering to monitor 5-6 sites for new information (primarily new dates for state and regional rides.)

Send with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: June 30, 2008

Webmaster: Wallace Fisher

WOMEN’S ONLY INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING CLINIC