Category: Recreational

Bike Tour Japan with a GEARs Member

Posted on by RideCoordinator

If you’ve ever wanted to tour Japan by bicycle, but didn’t know how, here’s your chance:

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.

 

General Meeting & Elections PLUS a Bike Swap

Posted on by RideCoordinator
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.

 

Order Your GEARs Jersey

Posted on by RideCoordinator
The GEARs jerseys have proved very popular. They are good looking, are great quality, and are a nice way to represent GEARs out on any ride. Another order is going in soon so read on to find out how to get yours.
To order your GEARs jersey read the following very carefully:
1. See this PDF (Primal Mock3 white) for the jersey being offered.
2. Minimum order of 15 jerseys is required by Primal Wear( I’m sure we will exceed that number).
3. Description: (unisex) men’s sport cut, short sleeve, raglan, full zipper front, 3 rear cargo pockets(women’s cut is not being offered at this time).
4. The cost is $54 ( includes shipping to a single address in Eugene).
5. If you choose not to pick-up your jersey in Eugene, it may be shipped to you for an additional cost(see below).
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. My experience with these jerseys is that they run a tad on the small size and you may need the next size larger? So, if you are still uncertain, DO NOT ORDER ONE OF THESE JERSEYS AS THEY ARE CUSTOM AND CANNOT BE RETURNED.

6. When you are ready to order I will need the following on a separate piece of paper:
  • Your name, address, phone number and email address.
  • The size of jersey requested (unisex-men’s cut only).
  • A check in the amount of $54, made payable to Primal Wear.
  • If you do not want to pick-up your jersey in Eugene, but would preferred it be shipped, indicate the address where it is to be delivered. Also tell me how you want it shipped, for example, the post office, FedX, or UPS. I will notify you of that cost at a later time. Otherwise you may pick-up your jersey in Eugene at no additional cost.
  • Mail to: Richard Hughes, PO Box 5506, Eugene, OR 97405, with the above info.
  • Deadline: I need your order by Nov 30( all orders received after that date will be returned).
  • I anticipate receiving the finished jerseys in about two months after they have been ordered. Once received, you will be contacted to pick-up your jersey from a location in Eugene, yet to be determined.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Richard Hughes
GEARs President
PO Box 5506
Eugene, OR 97405
541-933-5542

 

GEARs Jersey on top of Ventoux

Register for the Blackberry bRamble!

Posted on by RideCoordinator

The sun is shining, blackberry vines are growing several feet each day–and momentum is  building toward the

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!

McKenzie Pass Open!

Posted on by RideCoordinator

ODOT has given the official word. Hwy 242, McKenzie Pass is open to bikes and pedestrians (would be great for longboards too I think).  I rode it last week before it was open and it was great! The first time I’d ridden it. Parked at the ranger station, rode 24 miles (about to milepost 77), then turned back for an amazing downhill. Only one car near the very end, going the other direction. Seven foot tall snowbanks, peaceful road, great views….definitely one of the stellar rides in our area!

 

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

 

Bicycle Touring Informational General Meeting

Posted on by RideCoordinator

Bicycle Touring: What is touring all about?  What to take on a tour and how to pack it.

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.