Two Wheel Tammy Tours

3rd Annual NM Bicycle Education Summit

2011-10-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Annual NM Bicycle Education Summit (formerly known as the NM LCI Conference) November 11, 12, & 13, 2011, in Albuquerque, NM. For a list of National and New Mexico presenters, Summit Activities, and to register to attend the Summit go to www.BikeNM.org.

National Bike Summit Day 1

2011-03-08T19:43:00.000-08:00

I arrived yesterday via car, plane, bus, train and walking. The bus ride was terribly crowded but the Metro ride was easy. I had a lovely dinner with Preston Tyree and Gail Spann in the East Market area upon arrival at the "condo." Gail made it possible for me to come and graciously provided me a place to stay while at the Summit - thank you Gail!

Today I went to the Nat'l Art Gallery then decided to walk to the Hyatt where the Nat'l Summit is taking place. I met up with the other 6 from New Mexico to go over our meeting schedule with our representatives and strategy tomorrow and Thurs. Most of us went to the New Comers orientation where I certainly learned some pointers. Tonight we heard from the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, and several others. It's energizing to be among so many bicycling advocates from around the state and Canada - yes there are people here from Canada. Tomorrow we have our first meeting with Senator Udall bright and early. Thursday we meet with staffers of our other representatives. More to come... tune in!

Two Wheel Tues. Bike Train and the Nat'l Bike Summit

2011-02-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

After an unusual cold snap in early February I'm ready to get back on my bike! When I'm in town, not nursing a cold, and it's not too cold outside I like to ride with the kids at Mesilla Elementary for their weekly Two Wheel Tuesday's Bike Train from the Mesilla Plaza to school. My route is a bit longer as I ride from my home in Las Cruces out to Mesilla. I'm happy to report that the days are indeed getting longer and my bike lights are now used to increase my visibility not to see the road by. All that said, what's impressive about this bike train is that they ride every Tuesday rain, shine, cold, hot or in between. So hears a "SHOUT OUT" to the kids who ride the Mesilla Bike Train!

My Tuesday morning rides give me an opportunity to use all the bike clothing I own and aspire to own including: lobster mitts; toe warmers; skull cap; long sleeved insulated underwear; bright green outer wear jacket; wind pants; and my signature bandanna across my mouth and nose. I know that my bike buddies who live in truly cold wintry places scoff at me and I'm okay with that. Riding my bike makes me happy, bundled up or not, and I like spreading my bike happiness. Towards that end I'm attending my first National Bike Summit in Washington DC March 8, 9, & 10, 2011. I'm hoping to spread some cycling love and convenience my elected representatives to support cycling initiatives in the Transportation bill and my kid cycling buddies through the Safe Routes to School Program. I, and my fellow New Mexican attending the summit, have our work cut out for us.

To help us support and advocate for all cyclist consider becoming a member of the League of American Bicyclists at www.bikeleague.org and consider becoming a member of your local bike advocacy group. If you live in New Mexico consider joining the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico at www.BikeNM.org.

2011: Predicting An Adventurous and Fun New Year!

2010-12-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

2011 is shaping up to be unique, fun and adventurous!

I was disappointed to learn earlier this week that the CA Kick Start (formerly known as the CA Winter Warmer Tour) was canceled due to low sign ups. Having given up the other two ACA spring tours, the Southern AZ Road and the TX Hill Country Tours, I now have a winter/spring free of tour travel and winter camping. While I'll miss the touring I won't miss the below 30 degree nights camping in or near Julian, CA, Patagonia, AZ, and Bisbee. This will free me up to develope my newest ACA tour, the Katy Trail Family Fun, and teaching bike education courses throughout NM. Due to the departure of the current NM LCI Coach, for a job in Isreal, I've be asked and agreed to become the new NM LCI Coach. I'll travel to Austin in late Jan. for training as an LCI Coach and then if all goes well I'll teach my first LCI Seminar, under the supervision of Fred Meredith, in April in Hobbs.

In March I'll head out to Missouri to do research for the Katy Trail Family Fun Tour. I haven't done tour research for a couple of years and I'm looking forward to honing my skills again. Speaking of tours I have a personal self-contained tour planned, with some special touring
friends, in southwestern Utah next fall. I'm so excited about this tour I've already purchased maps and highlighted our route! Over the spring I hope to get my new personal "bike shop" in order. This Dec. I had an 8' X 12' portable building built to house all my touring and bike equipment complete with a work bench, and electricity. I have a Lowe's gift certificate burning in my pocket to outfit my new "shop."

In retrospect 2010, like most years, had it's lows and highs. I'm chosing to remember the "highs." In 2011 my new resolution is to learn from the previous years lessons and keep looking and moving forward. May all your hopes and dreams for 2011 be realized!

Adventure Cycling Announces - Get Your Fix on Route 66

2010-12-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

Adventure Cycling Association www.adventurecycling.org recently announced that it's next long-distance cycling route will be the historic Route 66. The famous route will follow the corridor from Chicago to Los Angeles and specifically for this blog, right through the heart of New Mexico! The Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico, along with the New Mexico Touring Society, hope to partner with Adventure Cycling on the route through New Mexico. Adventure Cycling hopes to complete mapping the bicycling Route 66 over the next 4+ years!

To read Adventure Cycling's entire Press Release on the subject go to www.adventurecycling.org/news/20101122.cfm?use=web.

2nd Annual NM LCI Conference Nov 13 & 14, 2010

2010-11-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

This weekend I'm head north to Socorro, NM for the 2nd Annual NM LCI Conference sponsored by BCNM and coordinated by me. Hopefully this time next week I'll have an up date on the conference and photos to share. If you're interested in what's on the conference schedule go to http://www.bikenm.org/.

Summer Travels 2010

2010-08-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

My summer travels took me to Albuquerque in early June for the National Bike Rally; late July to the panhandle of Idaho for Adventure Cycling’s Idaho Family Fun Tour; in early August to the southeast corner of New Mexico for the Hobbs s 2010 Roll for the Cure Ride; and in mid August to the middle Rio Grande Valley to meet cyclists in Alb. and talk with the newest BCNM LCI Team in Santa Fe.

The National Bike Rally, held in Alb. June 4 - 6 was a fun filled week for me of guest attending the LCI Seminar, riding with the New Mexico Touring Society to Belen and back on the NM Railrunner Train, riding part of the Alb Century, and catching up with old friends and meeting new friends. Saturday night at the banquet we were entertained by the Black Tie Cyclists (a.k.a. LCI Coach, Craig Degenhardt) and the Gal from Down Under (a.k.a. Lynette Chiang). I especially enjoyed Lynette’s movie about her bike tour on Route 66. Lynette films from the saddle of her Bike Friday which impresses the heck out of me. I have a new helmet cam that has me mystified, but I’m learning how to use it! To learn more about Lynette Chiang check out www.galfromdownunder.com.

Off to run the Idaho Family Fun Tour late July. It was a fun filled week for the little and big campers alike. The weather held and the riding was excellent. I actually had the opportunity to ride one day due to participant, Bob Westgate, bringing me a loaner bike. The two highlights of the tour are the indoor Water Park at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, ID and the day we spend on the Trail of the Hiawatha just over the Montana state line. The panhandle of Idaho, while like anyplace has its problems, is beautiful place to ride your bike on a multi-use path that’s used almost exclusively by cyclists. To learn more about the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Route of the Hiawatha visit www.friendsofcdatrails.org. .

Back in NM a few weeks from Idaho and I was off to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos. In Albuquerque the New Mexico Touring Society invited me to give a presentation on the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico’s Train the Trainer Program and a presentation on the bike trip I did with several friends last Sept. from the border of NM/CO to the south border of NM/TX at Anthony NM/TX. It was great meeting members from the NMTS and their friends. In Santa Fe I met with BCNM’s newest LCI Team that grew from 1 to 5 members since the Alb LCI Seminar. A great group of people that are eager to offer quality bike education to the citizens of Santa Fe. Finally I did a quick dinner drive from Santa Fe to the Atomic City of Los Alamos to visit with LCI Khal and his wife Meena about bike education in Los Alamos. What a beautiful drive as I remember riding my bike this direction last Sept. going to Bandlier NM. It’s up, up, up for awhile there and it kind of takes your breath away even driving a vehicle. Check out the New Mexico Touring Society at www.nmts.org. And more about the Train the Trainer Program visit www.BikeNM.org.

Home for now until I take off again, this time on my loaded touring bike to visit southwestern NM and a route called The Gila Inner Loop. My friends Kathy, Tom and Cindy will join me on what’s sure to be a mini adventure starting/ending from our own front porches in Las Cruces. Stay tuned….

Ride of Silence 2010

2010-05-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

For me it's become a tradition to ride with my friend, Jean, commemorating those who've been killed while riding their bicycles. Jean and I have ridden side-by-side, or near each other, for each local ROS. This was the 5th ROS and to date this year was the best attended with twice as many cyclists as last year. Estimates range between 130 - 150 cyclists participated while 35 others walked in silence throughout the streets of Mesilla. It's a somber yet empowering experience to ride with so many in silent remembrance.

For more information about the Ride of Silence visit: www.RideofSilence.org.

Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico New Website!

2010-05-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Bycycle Coalition of New Mexico recently re-launched their website at BikeNM.org. The revamped site makes it easy to become a member of BCNM and become involved in the five "E's" of bicycle advocacy. The site is not complete yet so consider re-visiting it over the next few weeks to see what's new!

To visit Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico's website go to

www.BikeNM.org

Texas Hill Country Tour 2010

2010-04-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

They say, “April showers bring May flowers,” and this is certainly true in the TX Hill Country this season. Actually it’s been a rainy spring in the Hill Country and thus this is one of the best TX Bluebonnet and wildflower seasons in several years. Also with rain come a few slick roads and some challenging cycling but our adventurers seemed to do just fine. Once again we had a great group of participants who were up to the challenge of the Hill Country.

The best day of riding, and one of the most beautiful places we stay, was our ride to Blanco, TX staying at Blanco State Park. We have an opportunity to use a CCC era pavilion that overlooks the Blanco River which provides a scenic backdrop to our dinner and breakfast. Speaking of meals, once again Kathy and Jack delivered scrumptious meals to write home about.

This year we stayed at a new location in Fredericksburg, Oakwood RV, and this proved to be a wonderful place to camp two nights. We had the use of a Hall for indoor eating which provided some much needed relief from the rain as well as a nice place to meet old friends and make new ones.

All in all, though the rain made cycling challenging, everyone seemed to have a good time while meeting their individual goals for the tour. It was a pleasure to serve with this staff and to meet the great people who are members of Adventure Cycling. I hope you all have a safe and happy touring season! Until next year…don’t run over any armadillos!

See the side bar for a TXHC Tour Survey . . . .

The Pleasures of Leading Adventure Cycling Tours

2010-04-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

Three of the greatest pleasures I have leading ACA tours are meeting wonderful participants, working with fine ACA leaders and eating the food of creative caterers.

While leading the CA Winter Warmer tour this year I had the pleasure of meeting Susan Skyler from Austin, TX. Susan, besides being exceedingly nice, makes lightweight, tough, storage sacks for tubes, tools, cell phones, etc. These little stuff sacks are made of a material that is water proof and air tight yet flexible. Susan gave me, as well as the rest of the staff, a stow sack for a bike tube. Where I live, southern NM, tubes dry out with accelerated efficiency leaving me with useless tubes within less than a year. So now, with Susan’s ”Stow Stuff” stuff sack, I can prolong the life of my tube in my saddle bag. If you’d like to check out or purchase a “Stow Stuff” stuff sack visit www.stowstuff.biz. Thanks Susan for the “Stow Stuff” sack!

www.stowstuff.biz

I also have the pleasure of working with Adventure Cycling Famous Caterer, Kathy Jordan. Kathy has been providing creative, five-star meals for Adventure Cycling Tours for 15+ years. She just recently started her own blog, feeding-the-tribe.blogspot.com , to keep us all updated what ACA tours you can eat her fine meals on, some of her recipes, as well as her, and her partner Jack Turner’s, adventures while on tour – places they’ve visited and not things not to miss should you visit that same area.

www.feeding-the-tribe.blogspot.com

The Adventure Cycling leaders that I have the pleasure of serving ACA participants with, on both supported events and self-contained tours, are top notch individuals. They are ACA members, avid cyclists, and possess a variety of talents. As ACA members we are all blessed with these individual’s service to the larger membership through their tour leadership. I’m privileged to call them my friends.

CAWW ’10 Staff
Brian Williams – Route Marker by Bicycle
Kevin McAfee – Bike Mechanic
Sue Davendonis – Lunch Stops
Tom Hester – Water Stops
Jack Pettry – Luggage

CAWW ’10 Staff
Bob Kaphammer – Route Marker
Kevin McAfee – Bike Mechanic
Sue Ann Miles – Lunch Stops
Dave Patterson – Water Stops
Rich Miles - Luggage

TXHC '10 Staff
Bob Kaphammer - Route Marker
Tom Hester - Bike Mechanic
Sue Davendonis - Lunch Stops
Joe Loviska - Water Stops
Jack Pettry - Luggage

Southern AZ Road Tour 2010

2010-03-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

We finished the Southern AZ Road Tour last Friday with a great group of riders and staff from around the USA and Canada. The tour started in Tucson with a warming trend, sunny skies with slight breezes, but spring in the southwest can turn blustery anytime. Day 3 proved to be the windiest day coming out of Tombstone headed to Bisbee. The normally quick ride to Water Stop proved a challenge but by the turn towards Lunch all riders had a welcomed tailwind. After celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Bisbee with a Bar Crawl, organized by tour mechanic Kevin, ending at Bisbee’s newest brewery, Old Bisbee Brewing Co., all made it safely back to camp without incident. More celebrating followed at the Tombstone saloon the last night of the tour. Back in Tucson we all bid a sad but fond farewell with hopes of connecting again on yet another ACA bike adventure. Take a survey on the SAR, see sidebar.

Starting the Southern AZ Road Tour

2010-03-13T19:50:00.000-08:00

Great weather to start Day 1 of the ACA Southern AZ Road Tour! The group of 51 riders includes vetrans of previous ACA tours as well as a number of new cyclists to bike touring. I'm looking forward to sharing the adventure of southern AZ with all of them. More to come at tours end. Happy and safe cycling to all....

CA Winter Warmer 2010

2010-03-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

I just finished directing Adventure Cycling’s CA Winter Warmer tour out of Chula Vista, CA. While Day 1 was soggy the attitudes and demeanors of the participants were not. What a great bunch of people! We were fortunate that the weather cleared up Sunday, Day 2, with plenty of sunshine and smiles to go around. The “winter” part of the tour is highlighted both nights we camp near Julian, CA, at 5000 ft, and the “warmer” part comes when we drop into Borrego Springs (slightly below sea level) for three nights and two days. Spirits really soared with the warmth and wildflowers of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Our stay at Palm Canyon Resort in Borrego Springs offers two days for riding, one 80 mile loop out to Salton City and back, the other a shorter 36 miles triangle, these rides were just the ticket for those wanting to log bicycle miles. Some participants rode both days out of Borrego Springs while others opted to ride one day and hike in Anza Borrego Desert State Park the other day. This year the wildflowers were just beginning to bloom with anticipation of full bloom just around the corner. While there’s plenty of climbing in this early season tour all did exceedingly well and the staff thoroughly enjoyed supporting these fine folks. I’m off to AZ next week to direct the Southern AZ Road Tour with a fresh group of riders and another excellent group of support staff. Here’s to good riding weather! Adios!

ROYALS December Birthday Ride

2009-12-17T21:35:00.000-08:00

So my last post we had hurricane wind speeds but Sat. Dec. 12 on our annual ROYALS Dec. birthday ride we had nothing but sunshine and blue skies. A good sign upon our arrival at Ft. Selden Monument, our meeting/starting point, the American flag wasn't moving. Four of us arrived and two of us donned the required birthday tiaras for our out/back journey. Our destination, Hatch the Chile Capital of the World and lunch at the Pepper Pot. Something happened twice on our ride that rarely happens to me, we had a tailwind the last 5+ miles into Hatch and then we had a tailwind for 5+ miles out of Hatch. This is so rare I had to write about it for documentation. Besides the nice tailwinds the company of fellow ROYALS Ashleigh, Cindy and fellow birthday girl Jean was outstanding. We all forgot to bring real cameras. So I'm so so sorry, there are no pictures to share with you of me and my tiara. My New Years wish for you,may the wind always be at your back! Happy Holidays!

Blustery Day on Visibility Ride Year One Anniversary

2009-12-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

Last year we rode in sleet and near freezing temperatures and today two of us braved the blustery 30+mph winds with occasional gust upwards. I called Tom, a friend and fellow cyclists, to see if he was still planning to meet me to ride to the start of the Viz Ride. Expecting him to say “Tammy I really think it’s too windy,” he instead said “I’m already too hot but I’m ready to ride.” So I got myself outfitted for wind riding (which is slightly different than wet riding) while Tom had to wait for me as I fumbled to change the batteries in my taillight. As we were leaving my house Ellen, our Viz Ride inspirational leader & ride coordinator, called to let me know the ride was canceled due to high winds. Already dressed and ready to ride I informed her Tom and I were still riding. Our ride reminded me of several days on the first Adventure Cycling NM Land of Enchantment Tour when we endured many days of sustained headwinds of 20+ mph with gusts up to 50+ mph. Today I credit Tom for keeping my cycling reputation in tack of riding to a ride, riding the ride, and riding home as well as riding in adverse weather conditions – hey I’m a tour cyclist! But today I almost wimped out, thanks Tom for not letting that happen! Shush Tom don’t tell anyone that Kathy picked us up post ride after everyone left…..

Check out the Visibility Ride blogspot, see sidebar, click on the Visibility Ride Photo

Cycling Opportunities in Southeastern New Mexico

2009-12-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

As I get deeper into my new job as BCNM's Bicycle Education Coordinator I'm learning more about cycling opportunities all over New Mexico. As a native New Mexican I'm reluctant to admit that I know very little about cycling in southeastern NM despite the fact that I attended Eastern New Mexico University, in Portales, for a year way back in 1979. Until recently I've know nothing of cycling in this area until I had the pleasure of meeting Bob Reid, Hobbs resident, promoter of cycling in southeastern NM, and all around nice guy. I've discovered that southeastern NM not only offers a wealth of cycling opportunities but is home to some really wonderful people. I haven't been able to get out to Hobbs to join them for a ride yet but I definitely have it on my "To Do List" of places I want to ride and people I want to meet. To discover what cycling opportunities exist in Southeastern NM and West TX visit Southeastern New Mexico Cycling at www.senmcycling.org.

Living & Riding on the Southern Tier Route

2009-11-21T19:28:00.000-08:00

I met a fellow Southern Tier traveler today just before he entered the pecan grove pictured above. I was riding north on NM 28 with my ROYALS friends on our monthly ride when I spotted him riding south with his loaded bike. I couldn't resist making a U-turn and introducing myself and asking about his tour. His name is Hassan Sachedina he's an African environmental and political economist currently cycling the RhinoRide across America to raise awarness for rhino conservation. If you are intersted in his cause and ride he's sending tweets. I Googled him and he's quite an accomplished individual, check out http://www.kilimanyika.com/ppl_hs.htm. Living in southern NM on the Southern Tier Route has it perks, the weather, the people, and the interesting travelers you can meet on a routine Saturday ride.

Check Hassan Sachedina tweets at http://twitter.com/hsachedina

Successful First Ever NM LCI Conference!

2009-11-15T21:26:00.000-08:00

I just finished planning, hosting and presenting at the first ever Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico (BCNM) League Cycling Instructor (LCI) Conference held in Las Cruces, NM this weekend, Nov. 13 & 14. We started and ended with fun activities. We started with a reception on Friday night and ending with a 20 mile bike ride up the Mesilla Valley on Saturday afternoon. We heard four presentation including two by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) National Education Director, Preston Tyree. His first was about why NM ranks 46 out of 50 on Bike Friendly States and his second was on Smart Cycling, which is LABs Bike Education Program. Craig Degenhardt, President of BikeABQ updated us on the Albuquerque Bike Ralley scheduled for June 2010. And I gave a presentation on BCNM's "Train the Trainer" Program which is a support program for LCIs in teaching their Smart Cycling Courses and Bike Events. Next year New Mexico is bound to go up in the State rankings for Bike Friendly States!

Tours for Beginner Bike Tourists

2009-10-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Explore NM asked what tours would be good for someone new to bicycle touring. Adventure Cycling Association offers two multi-day "relaxed" tours, the Idaho Relaxed Tour and the Colorado Relaxed Tour. Both offer low mileage per day on mult-use paths as well as on low traffic roads. Both tours feature spectacular scenery and numerous off-bike activities like fishing, rafting, hiking, shopping, swimming as well as just resting at camp. I've had the pleasure of leading the CO Relaxed Tour ('09) and have lead a Family Tour on the same route as the ID Relaxed. If you are a beginner traveler by bicycle, or if you're trying to introduce a family member or friend to bike touring, these are good tours to start with. To learn more about them visit www.adventurecycling.org.