Document

November 2007
At Last... A Kansas Statewide Bicycle Advocacy Organization Is in the Making
by Dale Crawford, JCBC Advocacy Chair

At last months Kansas Trails Summit in Lawrence, a group of bicyclists from around Kansas gathered to discuss the
formation of a statewide bicycle advocacy organization for Kansas. It is the hope of this group that this organization will
quickly grow to become as or more effective than the Missouri Bicycle Federation is at affecting legislation and improv-
ing conditions and acceptance among local governments for bicycling.

The first organizational meeting was scheduled, tentative dates for meetings through all of 2008 were set and a chair-
person was announced. Gina Poertner, Emporia, avid cyclist and current Kanza Rail Trail Conservancy president, has
agreed to be the chair during the crucial establishment period. She is an energetic, connected person with lots of ex-
perience in volunteer-based organizations and should be a valuable leader during this critical period.

Get Involved
First Organizational Meeting:

Where: Emporia Public Library 110 E 6th Ave Emporia, KS 66801 -3922

When: Sunday, December 2, 2007
2:00-5:00 PM

Please RSVP to advocacy@jcbikeclub .org so we can get a handle on the number of attending and coordinate car pools.


There is a lot of opportunity to improve conditions for bicycling in Kansas, which translates into a lot of work. It was re-
freshing to see interest from many areas of the state, not just the major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Wichita.
Such a group will need this dispersed representation to be effective and to be truly representative of all Kansas bicy-
clists. Anyone interested in becoming involved at the ground level and making Kansas a safer place to bicycle is wel-
come to attend the first meeting. Your involvement at any effort level will be needed. JCBC Board Meeting Dates: The JCBC Board Meet-
ings are held @ 7pm
on the 2nd Wednesday
of each month at:

Community America
Credit Union
5601 95th St.
Overland Park, KS

Members are
welcome to attend.
November 14 December 12 January 9

To ensure that you receive your newsletter, please notify us of any address change by send-
ing an email to: membership@jcbikeclub.org

Or in writing to: JCBC, P.O. Box 2203, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-2203.

Newsletter contributions are welcome and may be sent to chainchatter@jcbikeclub.org.
Please type JCBC Newsletter in subject line. Newsletter Deadline is the 20th of each
month. 2007 JCBC Officers & Board of Directors President Scott Stiles 913-385-9023 president@jcbikeclub.org Vice President Rich Davis 913-498-3689 vicepresident@jcbikeclub.org Treasurer Kent Fulton 913-236-7223 treasurer@jcbikeclub.org Marketing Fred Wohlgemuth 913-385-9438 marketing@jcbikeclub.org Secretary Nan Borchardt 913-397-6976 secretary@jcbikeclub.org Touring Director Maggi Hacker 913-498-3689 tourdir@jcbikeclub.org Membership Connie Conner 913-393-2882 membership@jcbikeclub.org Advocacy Dale Crawford 913-829-6588 advocacy@jcbikeclub.org Board Member Marsha Wilson 913-432-8159 mjanshaf@sbcglobal.net Board Member Jan Hudzicki 913-432-0677 janhudkc@sbcglobal.net MARC Rep Doug Polson 913-894-1766 dokepo@everestkc.net Webmaster Jim Coggins 816-721-6524 webmaster@jcbikeclub.org Newsletter Maury Brown 816-561-9258 chainchatter@jcbikeclub.org By Fred Wohlgemuth, JCBC Marketing Director


Through last summers member survey, many of you indicated that you would like to participate in Tours of Europe and
the US. Well, we have great news! Before we were willing to recommend to a particular tour agency, several JCBC
members "volunteered" (at their own expense of course) to take the trip to see if this would be something that we could
endorse. Jill and I with several of our cycling friends made the trip to Spain and Michele and Mike Souder with several of
their cycling friends made the trip to Italy. Both groups can now state that these were trips of a life time.
JCBC Member Survey Results Indicate an Interest in Bicycle Tours Bicycle Touring In Italy Tour of Italy Arranged by Bike Tours Direct
By Michele Souder

Tour of Italy with Mike, Michele, Phil, Dee, and Keith arranged by Bike Tours Direct.
Our ride was from Bolzano to Venice over 6 days. Hotels were definitely 4 star hotels, the bikes were very nicely
equipped hybrids. You had the options of doing a guided or unguided tour. We did the unguided tour. We viewed get-
ting lost by ourselves as opportunity to see more things and places!

Most of our ride was on excellently maintained bike paths. Occasionally, usually when we went into the destination
town, we had to be on roads. However, the Italian drivers are very aware of and courteous of bikers! Everyone there
bikes, including women in stiletto heels (they just hang them off the back of the pedals). We had a written explanation of
our directions, a marked map of our directions and then there were stickers placed on various poles etc that were used
to help mark our way. Those stickers sometimes were akin to finding Where's Waldo, but helped point us in the right
direction.

Our ride began in Bolzano where the language is German. The climate there is very mild and beautiful. The Alps sur-
rounded us. We were within a valley of the Dolomites so it was very beautiful. As a matter of fact, the people them-
selves were very beautiful in that area. We managed to squeeze in a visit to the famous Otzi - the ice mummy that sur-
faced in Otztaler glacier. He is about 5300 years old! Would absolutely recommend this museum!

We traveled from Bolzano to Trient the first day - a distance of 68 km of relatively flat terrain. The route was along the
river Etsch. We traveled to Trient where the 16th century architecture was magnificent! It is at this city mark that the
language turns back to Italian.

On Day 2 we traveled from Trient to Lake Garda South. This was 52 km of somewhat hilly terrain. We traveled thru val-
leys of olives, apples and kiwi vines along with the expected vineyards to Riva del Garda where we caught a very large
Ferry to Desenzano. This was a 4 hour boat ride! Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and positively breathtaking!
There were thousands of wind surfers on it the day we arrived. The city of Desenzano was obviously a European tourist
destination with restaurants and night life galore!

On day 3 we rode from Desenzano to Verona, a distance of 53 km. This day was also a bit hilly since we were climbing
out of Lake Garda. The views were breathtaking and there were a number of "castles" to be seen in the hills. Verona is
the city where supposedly the Romeo and Juliet story took place. We visited the bronze statue of Juliet and did the cus-
tomary rubbing of the left breast of the statue for good luck. It was amazing how many tourists partook of this adventure.
We also made a visit to the Anfiteatro Arena. It is the largest preserved amphitheatre in Italy and stage for many famous
operas in July and August.

Day 4 we rode from Verona to Vicenza, a distance of 68 km. This stage was the hilliest yet. We took the Berici hills (an
ascent of 4 km, 300 altitude meters) to the top where the Holy Mary sanctuary, a baroque basilica was located. The
view from up there into the valleys that held the towns, including Vicenza, was magnificent! We had purchased pizza,
wine and cheese at a small village and open market along the way which made for quite the lunch feast!

Day 5 Vicenza to Abano Terme (city of spas). This day was the shortest of the trip, 35 km to allow us to take advantage
of the thermal springs and spas at the hotel. Rain and clouds were part of our day but we hid out in local cafes when
necessary. We scheduled an early morning massage as a way to start the next day. The town of Abano Terme was not
much to talk about.

Day 6 Abano Terme to Venice 49 km. Beautiful route with numerous points of interest including the city of Padova. Pa-
dova is the most modern city of the region Veneto. We went to a very small chapel there to see the paintings done de-
picting the story of Christ. Beautiful ride into Venice where we enjoyed yet another fine meal and an evening of getting
lost in the twists and turns of the canal city. Tour of Spain With Pack & Pedal Europe
By Fred Wohlgemuth

Tour of Spain with Fred, Jill, Mark, Michelle, Cheryel, Bob, Jody and Paul - - arranged by Pack and Pedal Europe. www.tripsite.com As an added benefit for your JCBC membership, Pack and Pedal is now offering a 5% discount for their Europe and US tours. I have included a letter from them later in this news letter.
What a great trip! 6 days of cycling through some of the most scenic country that we have ever seen. Great hotel ac-
commodations, fantastic meals in every city, no hassle transfer of our luggage to each destination. This is definitely the
way to see a European country. I have included a day by day account of the trip from the web site. We rode about 270
miles total, through hilly and mountainous terrain, stopping in many small villages and local bars along the way to absorb
the local culture. I can tell you that the Spanish people were extremely friendly and helpful everywhere we went. All of
the towns were beautiful, extremely clean with many sites to see. You must make this trip a priority in your future.
DAY 1: Arrival into Oviedo.
This old Royal city has many treasures to offer.
DAY 2: Oviedo - Le