All Comer’s Meet

October 10-20, 2012: Kyoto & the Inland Sea Islands of Japan

Explore ancient Kyoto’s World Heritage temples, shrines and gardens on 2-wheels and ride the premier cycling route in western Japan – the Seto Inland Sea Islands. Fall is an ideal time to visit Japan and you’ll see first hand how bicycle-friendly a country it is. Experience the old and new, urban and rural settings – including citrus farms and fishing villages on 10 islands linked by a series of spectacular bridges. Ride the bullet train with your bike, take a hot spring bath, and stay in a traditional inn.
Tour begins and ends in Osaka, 500km west of Tokyo.

Your Personal Guide: Ruthy Kanagy, GEARS member and owner of Japan Cycle Tour LLC.
For details, email info@japancycletour.com

For more inspiration see this series of photos on Picasa of the tour.

Recycle Your Bicycle

GEARS will hold its annual meeting and Bike Swap on Monday November 28th from 6 to 8 pm at Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St.  All GEARS members are invited to join for free Pizza and a soft drink ($5 for non members)!  We will vote on a By-Law change, have a presentation about the bRamble and elect and present the Executive Board. A Bike Swap, from 7-8pm, that will offer cyclists an opportunity to sell and exchange bicycles, bike parts and accessories, will follow this. Each “seller” who is not a GEARS member will be charged $5. Memberships are available starting at $12/year at the event or online at http://eugenegears.org/membership

Both events are open to the general public.

Blackberry bRamble on Sunday, August 7!

For this year’s Blackbery bRamble, we’ve kept everything you loved last year: the scenic routes, spectacular food, friendly volunteers and dependable service.  But this year, after  you finish your ride, you can relax in our beer garden, soak those weary muscles in a hot tub, or watch your kids at the Bike Rodeo!

That’s right!   Besides the Full Century (100 mile), Metric Century (100 kilometer/62-mile) and “Who Needs a” Century (39 mile) rides, we’ve added the following:

• A 10-15 mile Family Ride through the neighborhoods of Eugene
• A Bike Celebration in Amazon Park, featuring bike-powered music, a beer garden, bike stunt competitions, and more
• Post-ride swimming (and showers) at Amazon Pool
• A pre-ride dinner on Saturday night at Hilyard Community Center, to benefit Eugene’s Adaptive Cycling Program
• Overnight camping the night before the ride, including  a free pancake breakfast
• Shakespeare-in-the-Park performances on Saturday and Sunday night

This year’s ride starts/finishes at Hilyard Community Center in Amazon Park, 2580 Hilyard.   For more information, see http://edu.eugenegears.org/bramble

By pre-registering, you’ll save money–and on the day of the ride, you’ll sign in and be on your way in less than a minute!

Registration is open NOW at www.orbike.com.  Registration is limited to the first 500 riders.  Save your spot by registering today!  And pass the word on to your friends!

From my ride last week- near the summit.

Here’s the info from ODOT:

Snow removed from one lane across McKenzie Pass Highway

Highway open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only

BEND— Snow removal on a single lane of The Old McKenzie Pass Highway (OR 242) has been completed, giving pedestrians and bicyclists an opportunity to enjoy the highway before motor vehicle traffic is allowed. The highway is open only to pedestrians and bicyclists and remains closed to motor vehicles.

Pedestrians and bicyclists are urged to travel the single lane with caution and be alert for ODOT trucks or heavy machinery still working along the road.

The highway will not be opened to motor vehicle traffic until all the snow melts off the roadway. There is no firm date for reopening but it’s anticipated it will be in July.

ODOT maintenance crews report that 20-foot snow drifts can still be found along the edge of the cleared lane.

To learn more about the highway, visit:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGION4/McKenzie_Pass_Project/McKenzie_Pass_Project.shtml

June 21; 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Hilyard Community Center

Are you considering a bicycle tour?  Do you need some guidance on what to take and how to pack it?  Do you pack differently if you are carrying your own bags or using a support vehicle?  The purpose of the General Meeting in June is to answer these questions and many more.

We are fortunate to have three GEARS members to share some of their experiences with bicycle touring.  Ray Hull, Jackie Murdoff and Sue Wolling will present their opinions about their motivation for touring, handling the nuts and bolts of an extended tour, and how touring changed their perspective on cycling.  They have varying experiences with touring and represent thousands of miles traveled.

You will learn about essential gear, the use of panniers, trailer or support vehicle and what you need to have a successful tour.  They will share experiences and answer questions.  This is not only for people who are new to touring. People with tour experience will also be invited to share some of their experiences.

The second part of the evening will involve packing panniers and trailers.  Packing your gear for a support vehicle will also be covered.  After you observe what and how to pack panniers or trailers
you will have the opportunity to ride a bike that is fully loaded and ready to go.

GEARS is offering a short 4-day three-night tour in September (see article in this newsletter) and anyone going on that tour would greatly benefit from this presentation. Please join us for this fun and informative evening.  We welcome those new to touring, touring veterans, and those who just love bicycling in any form.

If you missed out on that order here’s a new (and easier to use) order that will go in at the end of the month (for delivery in June).

Front

A GEARs jersey order is now being put together!

If you’re interested in ordering one of these great looking jerseys please read the following points and follow the directions below:

1. This is the jersey being offered (see photos-no other versions are being offered).
2. Minimun order of 15 jerseys is required by Primal( I’m sure we will exceed that number).
3. Description: men’s sport cut, short sleeve, raglan, full zipper front, 3 rear cargo pockets.
4. Women’s jersey cut will only be offered if the total order exceeds 25 jerseys.I will send out an email when I have received orders of more than 25, so you may choose to order a women’s cut at that time. Do not order the women’s cut until that time.
5. Cost is $54 (includes shipping to a single address).
6. Size: consult the attached sizing chart to determine your size. If you are on the tall size you may need a larger size. If you are larger in the waist, hips or chest you’ll need to take that into consideration. If you’re still not sure, you may need to visit REI and compare the Primal Wear jerseys they have on display. If you’re still uncertain, DO NOT ORDER ONE OF THESE JERSEYS AS THEY ARE CUSTOM AND CANNOT BE RETURNED.
7. When you are ready to order Richard will need the following on a separate piece of paper:

Your name, address, phone number and email address.
The size of jersey requested and specifying either a men’s or women’s cut.
A check in the amount of $54, made payable to Primal Wear.
Mail to: Richard Hughes, PO Box 5506, Eugene, OR 97405, with the above info.
Deadline: I need your order by March 1 (all orders received after that date will be returned).

I anticipate receiving the finished jerseys in early May. At that time you will be contacted to pick-up your jersey from a location yet to be determined.

Please let Richard know if you have any questions: richard@eugenegears.org

Back

Sizing Chart

If you have any questions, or would like to help plan a multi-day tour, please contact Sue Wolling at sue@eugenegear.org