1. Countdown for Bikers Ball Casino Night!
Only ten days left until this event, Sat, Oct 22, at Servino Ristorante, Tiburon

Don’t take chances with the future of bicycle advocacy—take chances and support the MCBC at Casino Night! There’s something for everyone: roulette, craps, blackjack, poker, beer, wine, mixed and soft drinks, appetizers, fantastic casino prizes, silent auction, the beautiful setting and skyline views from Servino, and all of your biker friends.

Membership Status

Member $50.00 Non-Member $60.00

 

Tickets are $50 for members, $60 non-members (Join MCBC and receive a $10 per ticket discount) or $55 and $65 at the door (if we don’t sell out!).

Some of our favorite casino prizes include a Western Spirit cycling trip for two, and a 2012 Specialized Tarmac Elite Road Bike donated by Mike's Bikes. We’ll also have a silent auction featuring several fantastic items, including original "Beecycles" artwork by Matt Lively, a just added LifeCycle Adventures fully supported and customized cycling (etc.) trip for two in Oregon (see below), Capo cycling gear from Studio Velo, and in-home gourmet dining experience, just to name a few. More items are rolling in every day, so check our website for updates.

Table Sponsors:  Maikham Catering, Bolds Insurance Brokerage, and Dr. Laura Sciaroni, The Orthopaedic Group of San Francisco

2. MCBC celebrates the Tennessee Valley Pathway groundbreaking 

On Wednesday, Oct. 5th, after years of hard work and much anticipation, Tam Valley residents and others celebrated the groundbreaking of the Tennessee Valley Pathway.  Supervisor Kathrin Sears, County staff, and dedicated community members shared stories of the numerous players and unyielding commitment that led up to the day’s celebratory event.

MCBC Executive Director, Kim Baenisch, spoke about MCBC’s unique role in bringing $25 million in Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program federal funds to Marin County; $2 million of which were applied to this pathway project. Among those recognized for their commitment and hard work was the late Supervisor Charles McGlashan who was whole heartedly dedicated to improving bicycle and pedestrian transportation and safety within Tam Valley.

The Tennessee Valley Pathway, a Marin County Department of Public Works’ project, is funded by the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP). The project goal is to provide a Class I pathway along Coyote Creek from the Mill Valley/Sausalito path to a signalized crossing of Shoreline Highway at Tennessee Valley Road. The new path will also run along Coyote Creek and Tennessee Valley Road between the Tam Valley Community Center and the Mill Valley/Sausalito Path (Route 5) with a spur to the Manzanita Park and Ride.

The path will provide a much needed link from Tam Valley to the North/South Greenway (Mill Valley/Sausalito Path), including connections to Marin Avenue (the primary cyclist and pedestrian access to the upper valley), Tam Valley Community Center, and Tam Junction commercial strip.  The eastern portion of the path is also a key portion of the community-envisioned Tam Valley Loop.

Specifically, the project includes: a raised boardwalk along Coyote Creek that allows for safe passage during high tide on both sides of Shoreline Hwy; a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that crosses Coyote Creek on the west side of Shoreline connecting to Tam Junction; an offshoot path near Frantoio Ristorante connecting the path to Shoreline closer to Hwy.101, near the Manzanita Park & Ride; and a signalized crossing of Shoreline Highway at Tennessee Valley Road. Construction is scheduled to begin soon.

3. LifeCycle Adventures fully supported and customized trip for two in Oregon
Just added to the silent auction; approximate value $3,500

LifeCycle Adventures self-guided bike tours give you flexibility in designing your vacation and freedom on your trip.

You choose your departure date, trip duration and riding style. They then design an itinerary to match, and you choose from a wide range of accommodation options. If they can arrange something extra, just let them know – they’re all about customization.

During your stay, they take care of all the logistics so you enjoy the freedom of cycling at your own pace. They promise that you’ll ride through breathtaking scenery and will help you find hidden gems and great places to eat. These are just some of the reasons why National Geographic has listed LifeCycle Adventures as one of their “Best Outfitters on Earth” every survey year.

Your Oregon Private Tour for two will be personalized just for you. Lifecycle Adventures has routes to match all levels of cycling ability and will work with you to create the trip of your dreams.  Pick your own:

• Start Date
• Tour Duration
• Destination – Willamette Valley or Columbia River Gorge areas
• Daily Mileage
• Style of Accommodation
• Dining & winery visits

You can also choose from a range of non-cycling activities, from river rafting to balloon rides. They tend to the details so that all you need to do is show up!

Approximate Value $3500

All ground transportation outside of Portland included
Bike rental included
Lodging outside of Portland included
Airfare not included
Meals not included

4. Cyclocross racing comes to Marin
Registration is now open for the Stafford Lake CX

Cyclocross racing is super fun and a great spectator sport. Come see for yourself on Sunday, November 6, as Cyclocross hits the scenic hills at Stafford Lake. Event organizer Murphy Mack says, “Coming to this new venue is good for racing and it’s good to be able to help fund the development of the Stafford Lake Bike Park. Combined with the generous support of our sponsors and a Who’s Who list of great Northern California racers, we are confident that this event will go big in its first running.”

The event’s title sponsor is Marin Bikes and other major sponsors include WTB, New Belgium, Bike Monkey, Sheila Moon, Ritchey Components and Cedar Cycling and Kuat Racks. MCBC will have a Bike Locally Outpost at the race, so come on by to visit, join, or donate to our new Mountain Bike Program!

For more on cyclocross, check out the article on page 6 of the fall 2010 Pedal Press.

What: Stafford Lake CX
When: Sunday, November 6
Where: Stafford Lake, 3549 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA

For more information and to register click here.

5. Women on Wheels: back by popular demand
Bicycle classes just for women; taught by women

Women on Wheels is back this fall! These clinics are taught by women for women.

In these clinics you will learn the foundations of road and path cycling

• Improve your confidence and knowledge
• Learn to turn and shift
• Gain the confidence to bike around cars
• Learn to climb and descend hills

2011 Fall class dates:

• Bicycle Maintenance Work Shop
  Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, in San Anselmo

• On the Bike Clinics: Gearing and Hills
  Saturday, October 22, 10 AM - Noon, in Fairfax

Bring your working bike and helmet

Info / Registration: For details click here, or contact peggy(at)marinbike.org, or 415.456.3469 x 8

6. Circumnavigating the Bay Area Ridge Trail by bicycle

The Bay Area Ridge Trail, a planned 550-mile trail on the spectacular ridgelines circling San Francisco Bay, is nearly two thirds completed; when finished, it will connect more than 75 parks and open spaces for hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians.

In August 2010, mountain bikers Austin McInerny and Yuri Hauswald joined professional photographer Scott Markewitz, to make the first-ever circumnavigation of the Ridge Trail by bicycle. Join Austin and Yuri for digital images and stories of their 214-mile van-supported adventure, which took them pedaling through 25 parks over five days. Learn about sections of the trail perfect for one-day rides, and find out about the great connections to California history along the trail.

MCBC will speak at the Corte Madera event.

• Tuesday, October 18 (7–8:30 pm) at REI Berkeley, 1338 San Pablo Avenue 94702; (510) 527-4140
• Wednesday, October 26 (7–8:30 pm) at REI Corte Madera, 213 Corte Madera Town Center, 94925; (415) 927-1938

If you register for this free presentation at www.rei.com/stores, we will hold a seat for you until the scheduled start time.

7. Children and parents participate in International Walk to School Day

Children and parents of Brookside Schools formed a “kidical mass” on the streets of Butterfield Ave. for International Walk to School Day on October 5th.  Students from more than 44 schools in Marin County joined with millions around the world to celebrate this annual event throughout October. 

Colorful bookmarks (from Safe Routes to Schools) and Clif Kid Fruit Twists (donated by Clif Kid) were given away to all students who walked, biked, carpooled or took the bus. 

Safe Routes to Schools is a program of the Transportation Authority of Marin.

8. Video: Steve Jobs ponders computers and bicycles

The world lost a legendary entrepreneur and visionary creator last week when Steve Jobs passed away. Here's Jobs sharing his thoughts about the incredible leverage a bicycle lends the human body, and the incredible leverage a computer lends the human mind, from a 1990 documentary, Memory & Imagination: New Pathways to the Library of Congress.

Click here if the video does not play in your browser.

Source: The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

9. Upcoming MCBC events

MCBC needs you!  Click here to see our upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Women on Wheels Fall sessions

Bicycle Maintenance Work Shop
Wednesday, October 19
6:30 - 8:30 PM; San Anselmo

On the Bike Clinics: Gearing and Hills
Saturday, October 22
10 AM – Noon;  Fairfax

Bikers Ball & Casino Night
Saturday, October 22
7 PM – 11 PM; Servino Ristorante, 9 Main Street, Tiburon

Stafford Lake CX
Sunday, November 6
Stafford Lake, 3549 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA

Cranksgiving
Saturday, November 12
Location TBA

See an expanded list of events

MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

10. Hiring Regional Policy Managers in DC, Southern California, and the Bay Area
For the Safe Routes to School National Partnership

Deb Hubsmith of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership writes:

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is looking for four (4) energetic and dynamic professionals to work as full-time Regional Policy Managers in Southern California (2 positions), the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Washington D.C. region.

The Regional Policy Managers will build, strengthen, and maintain networks of diverse organizations and individuals to advocate for improved transportation funding allocations and policies for Safe Routes to School, walking and bicycling in conjunction with their regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and surrounding jurisdictions.  Applications are due October 31, and the start date is January 3, 2012.

Click here for more information and details on how to apply.

Marin County Bicycle Coalition
P.O. Box 1115
Fairfax, CA 94978
Office Location: 733 Center Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 456-3469 – phone
(415) 456-9344 – fax
http://www.marinbike.org

The MCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

We are a membership-supported group. If you are not already a paying member, please join today. Printable membership forms are on our website, http://www.marinbike.org.

Thank you for being a part of the solution.

To reach the MCBC Staff:

• Kim Baenisch, Executive Director, 456-3469 x 1#, kim@marinbike.org
• Tom Boss, Membership Director, 272-2756, tom@marinbike.org
• Kristin Nute, Volunteer Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, kristin@marinbike.org
• Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
• Andy Peri, Advocacy Director, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
• Alisha Oloughlin, Advocacy Coordinator, 456-3469 x 4#, alisha@marinbike.org
• Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, 488-4101, wendi@marinbike.org
• Laura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Volunteer Liaison, 456-3469 x 2#, laura@marinbike.org
• Peggy Clark, Share the Road Program Manager, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 8#, peggy@marinbike.org
• Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, gwen@marinbike.org
• James Sievert, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator and Instructor, 510-301-6710, james@marinbike.org

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