Hey PT Trails Volunteers! The Non-Motorized Transportation Board (NMTAB) is sponsoring a work party next Saturday, November 21st, 9 am to noon,
to spread gravel on 30th Street Trail between Holcomb and Gise Streets.
This trail section was completed last January; but considering that the
rainy season is here, graveling the hill is very important!
Best
parking is along Gise between the 29th and 30th Street right-of-ways.
There are no houses on the east side of this block, and it is on the
uphill side of the project where the gravel pile is located. Please
bring wheel barrows, shovels, rakes and good work gloves. Be sure to
wear sturdy boots and dress for the weather, as we will work rain or
shine to get this done. Hot beverages and snacks will be provided for
all volunteers (under a tent, if needed). The arrow on the map shows the
trail work site. For questions or more information, please contact
Jolly Wahlstrom at jollywahlstrom@yahoo.com.
Come join us to work up your appetite before the big meal.
Thursday November 26th 10:00am
Meet in front of The Broken Spoke bicycle shop. Bring your friends, family, pet turkey. Everyone is welcome. We will be riding until the hunger overcomes us and the smell of mom's apple pie draws us home (approx. 2hrs). The ride will happen rain or shine so please come prepared. Cider and snacks at the finish.
Wishing there was one last XC mountain bike race this season? Wish granted! Spend Halloween day testing what’s left of your trail mojo at 360 Park in Gig Harbor. Trailmeister Courtland Capwell partners with Key Peninsula Parks to present the 360 Harvester on October 31, 2015 for your gear-grinding, lung-busting, trail-swooping enjoyment. Race the 42-mile course (six 7-mile laps) in two- or three-person teams, or crank it solo as an ironman (or ironwoman). Proceeds from the entry fee of $40/racer go to Key Peninsula Parks for trail building and maintenance. Register online at bikereg.com/the360harvester.
No day of race registration.
Registration closes 5pm Thursday, October 29, 2015.
Begin October 1st and continue through March 31st.
And looking to the holiday season... we'll be closed on Thanksgiving day, Christmas eve is short hours, and Christmas day we are closed.
Port Gamble Upland Trails Opened for Recreational Use:
As of September 4, 2015 the Port Gamble Uplands will be re-opened
for non-motorized recreational use due to the significant local
rainfall. All other Pope Resources lands will remain closed until
further notice. As a reminder, there are still portions of the Port
Gamble Uplands that are closed due to the active logging. We sincerely
appreciate the trail user communities understanding of our needs for
seasonal closure and for your continued respect for the lands we own and
manage. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Adrian
Miller at amiller@orminc.com or 360-394-0595.
Looking for some ways to support trail?
REI Port Gamble Park Stewardship Day Oct. 3
Fall is upon us and with the rains and lower fire danger we can now get out onto the trails and into the park to do some work! Help build a new reroute of the Beaver Pond trail in Port Gamble. Stay for a BBQ lunch and go home with an REI T-shirt and water bottle. Saturday Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Your effort will build on the work of Kitsap Forest and Bay Project partners who helped create this park, providing access to the bay and over 500 acres of forest trail. Volunteers should wear long pants, sturdy shoes and wear gloves. RSVP kate@greatpeninsula.org. Meet at the Port Gamble Uplands trailhead south of Port Gamble.
Sponsored by REI, NKTA, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Kitsap County Parks, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance West Sound, Kitsap Audubon and Backcountry Horsemen, Olympic Chapter.
Pope Resources announced they'll be closing all their timber lands
including the Port Gamble Trails, effective Friday 6/26. The Company
sent a Press Release
announcing they will temporarily close all general public access to its
Hood Canal Tree Farm properties in Kitsap, Jefferson, and Mason
counties effective June 26, 2015. The closure will remain in effect
until significant rainfall occurs. NKTA will send an email update when
the closure is over.
Women's trail rides start at the shop at 6pm on Mondays.
Where we ride, and how slow/far/technical we go is all based on who is riding. Join us, whatever your level, for a bit of fun!
Call ahead to let us know you'll be joining or just show up a few minutes prior, ready to roll.
Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. Larry Scott Memorial Trail, Port Townsend
Celebrate the summer solstice and support the Peninsula Trails Coalition at the Longest Day of Trails 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. This Saturday, June 20, beginning at 9 a.m. on the beautiful Larry Scott Trail in Port Townsend.
This race is organized by the Peninsula Trails Coalition. All proceeds directly benefit the work of our many volunteers on the Olympic Discovery Trail.
The Buckhorn Range Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) will be
teaming up with the PNTA for our annual National Trails Day clearing of
the Larry Scott Trail located in Port Townsend, WA starting at 10:00 AM.
Work will include moving gravel on horse trails between Mill Road and
Jacob Miller Road as well as mowing and clipping brush. Meet at the Cape
George Trailhead.
For more information, visit the National Trails Day website or contact Jeff Chapman: bbbranch@olympus.net.
Let's get out there and help slick up the trail for the Longest Day of Trails runs on the 20th of June. Bring gloves, brush cutters, weed whackers, mowers, ... and sun screen! Yay! Thanks for your help.
A
bike lane is a striped and signed lane that provides a dedicated space
on the road for people on bikes. They should be used the same as any
other travel lane, so follow the same rules of the road.
Things to look out for: • Parked cars. Be sure you ride far enough over to stay clear of an opening car door • Vehicles that are turning right without a signal
Even if your community has a law that says you have to ride in a bike lane, there are exceptions: • Making a left turn • Passing another bicyclist • Going around hazards
As with any other lane changes, be sure to first scan, signal and yield.
_________________________________________________________________________________Taken from the League of American Bicyclist's website: bikeleague.org/content/bike-lanes
Hey PT Trail Volunteers! The Non-Motorized Transportation Board (NMTAB) is sponsoring a short maintenance hike along the Cleveland Street Trail between the hospital and 19th Street to remove overgrown and overhanging vegetation along four intermittent blocks of pathway (and along the short pathway on the 17th Street right-of-way from Cleveland to Sheridan). See image map. This pathway provides access to Grant Street School, QFC shopping center and the hospital complex away from traffic; so it is an important one.
Volunteers can start anywhere along this corridor, walk either direction and clip along the way. Hand tools such as clippers and loppers are best, along with work gloves. As always, dress for the weather, as we will work rain or shine.
The work party will be held this Saturday, May 30th from 9 am to Noon. After clipping has been done, meet in the middle at the Cleveland & 17th St Trail intersection to enjoy beverages and snacks to make it a real party! For more information or any questions, please contact Scott Walker at walkers@olympus.net or 301-2159.
Since
the path can be congested it’s important to follow the same rules as
everyone else in order to have a safe and enjoyable time.
• Be courteous • Know the rules of the trail you are using • Give a clear signal when passing • Be cautious and yield to crossing traffic • Always be predictable by riding in a straight line • If you are riding while it is dark, be sure to use lights • Only use half the width of the trail • Keep it clean
_________________________________________________________________________________Taken from the League of American Bicyclist's website: bikeleague.org/content/sharing-trail
In all 50 states, people on bikes are required to follow the same laws as other drivers.
Here are a few key principles that underpin all US traffic laws:
First Come, First Served
Everyone on the road is
entitled to the lane width they need. This includes the space behind, to
each side and the space in front. If you want to use someone else’s
space you must yield to whoever is using it.
Ride on the Right
In the United States, everyone must drive on the right-hand side of the roadway.
Yielding to Crossing Traffic
When you come to an intersection, if you don’t have the right of way, you must yield.
Yielding when Changing Lanes
If you want to change lanes, you must yield to traffic that is in your new lane of travel.
Speed Positioning
The slowest vehicles on the
road should be the furthest to the right. Where you position yourself on
the road depends on the location of any parked cars, your speed, and
your destination. Always pass on the left.
Lane Positioning
Bikes can share the same lane
with other drivers. If a lane is wide enough to share with another
vehicle (about 14 feet), ride three feet to the right of traffic. If the
lane is not wide enough to share, “take the lane” by riding in the
middle.
Intersection positioning
When there is a lane that is used for more than one direction, use the rightmost lane going in the direction you are traveling.
Follow all street signs, signals, and markings
Drive your bike as you would any vehicle.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Taken from the League of American Bicyclist's website: bikeleague.org/content/traffic-laws
North Kitsap Trail Association is kicking off a crowd funding campaign to purchase 270 acres of the Grovers Creek Preserve.
Donating to the campaign completes two major goals
preservation of valuable wetland
securing an east-west path for the Sound to the Olympics Trail.
Head over to kitsapmtb.com for more details and a great movie!
Since
most crashes happen at intersections, be sure to reduce your risk by
being visible, positioning yourself clearly on the road, and making eye
contact with other drivers.
When you are coming up to a multi-lane intersection, you will want to be in the right-most lane that is traveling in the direction you are going. Where you are within the lane depends on the intersection.
Bike to school day is WEDNESDAY! Volunteer some of your time to support biking!
"Dear Bicycle Community -
We need help with National Bike to School Day, on Wednesday, May 6th, especially at Grant Street Elementary School.
They are looking for crossing guards to assist students on foot and
bicycle across as many as 6 street crossings near the school. We need
folks' help morning and afternoon, as school opens and during school
release as students migrate home. This event was very popular at the school last year, and hundreds of kids participated!!
YOU can help at either (or both):
Morning Shift: 7:15 am - 8:00 am
Afternoon Shift: 2:30 - 3:15 pm
We
will furnish safety vests for crossing guards courtesy of WSU Extension
and provide home-made mini muffins, coffee and juice in the morning for
volunteers and cookies! in the afternoon. We will also be handing out
prizes to student who participate in the morning: stickers, spoke lights
and a few bicycle bells. (Bused students may participate by walking
around the school yard.)
Please let me know if you can help make this a very special day in promoting active living (biking and walking to school) by email WPburden (at) aol.com or giving me a call at 301-0982. Make sure to let me know at which shift you would like to help.
The law states that people on bikes should ride as far right as practicable, but what exactly does that mean?
It
does not mean that you have to ride in the gutter -- never ride there.
If you’re on a road that is too narrow to share with another vehicle,
you should be in the middle of the lane. You do not want to give
motorists the opportunity to try to squeeze past you. When the lane is wide enough to share (around 14 feet), you should place yourself three feet away from traffic.
This
also applies to riding on trails. Stay to the right and allow room for
those who are traveling faster than you to pass on your left.
As bike month approaches, we want to prepare for a great cycling season. Whether we've been biking throughout the winter, dusting our bike off, or brand new to cycling. A little refresher is always good.
The League’s five “Rules of the Road” are the core of the Smart
Cycling program and will prepare you for a safe and fun bike commute
no matter where you are riding.
Your safety and image of bicyclists depend on you. You have the same
rights and duties as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs.
Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you
are going.
Be Predictable
Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a
straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and
check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.
Be Conspicuous
Ride where people can see you and wear bright clothing. Use a front
white light, red rear light and reflectors when visibility is poor.
Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks.
Think Ahead
Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other people on bikes will
do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of
parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards.
Cross railroad tracks at right angles.
Ride Ready
Check that your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain
runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and
supplies that are appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.
Here are a few events that you may like to be aware of. By all means let us know if you know of some that we don't have listed. Please note this list is by no means all encompassing.
- Mark your calendar for the Peninsula Trails Coalition's 2nd annual Bike Tune-Up Fundraiser. It is March 20-21, and April 10-11. See website and flier for full details.
-March 29th is the first of four Washington Student Cycling League races! It's in our neighborhood at Port Gamble trails. washingtonleague.org Support our local Olympic Mountain Bike Team and cheer them on!
-We switch to summer hours on April 1st! Get out there and bike!
Port Gamble Trailheads Cleanup Day Sat. Feb. 21, 8:30AM - 1PM
Come help support the Port Gamble trails!
Good cause, good people, good fun!
Lots of prizes donated by Platypus!
BBQ afterwards!
Please join North Kitsap Trails Association, EMBA-West Sound, Great Peninsula Conservancy and Kitsap County Parks in cleaning up the Port Gamble Trailheads.
Bring gloves and wear your old clothes. We'll be picking up garbage and loading it onto trucks. We'll be working near the roads, so not the best for small kids. If you're late, that's ok! Come to the Uplands Parking and we'll tell you where to head.
Getting there: there is plenty of parking at the Upland trailhead, 1/2 mile south of Port Gamble off Hwy 104. Look for the gate & brown trail signs south of the town near the remote control airfield. We'll spread out to the other trailheads from the Uplands Parking lot and return for the BBQ.
The Broken Spoke will be closed Tuesday February 10th for inventory. Customers can still drop off bikes for repair but no sales will be made. We will return to normal hours the following day of 10-6pm.
Thanks everyone for all your support and keep riding!
The Broken Spoke Staff
Hey PT Trails Volunteers!
The Non-Motorized
Transportation Board (NMTAB) is sponsoring another opportunity to fix a
missing link in Port Townsend's Trail System. This one is on the 30th
Street Right-of-way between Holcomb and Gise Streets (see attached map
for location details). The work party will be held on Saturday, January 31st from 9 am to Noon.
Best parking is along Gise between the 29th and 30th Street
Right-of-ways. There are no houses on the east side of this block, and
it is on the uphill side of the project.
Once complete, the 30th Street Trail will be a
major east-west corridor between San Juan Street and 35th Street Park.
It will provide a public off-street way to climb the hill on the west
side of San Juan Valley and avoid traffic on Hastings and Umatilla
Avenues. It is also a very scenic trail!
This block of the right-of-way is on an open
hillside, so the work will involve "duff" removal to clear the treadway
and perhaps planting some native shrubs. Also we'll be placing trail
signs at each end. Please bring tools such as shovels, hoes, rakes, grub
hoes, mattox and McLeods, as well as good work gloves and work boots,
as the grass can get slippery going down hill. We plan to place a gentle
switch back on the steeper section to prevent erosion and provide a
gentler climbing gradient. As always, dress for the weather, as we will
work rain or shine. Beverages and snacks will be provided to make it a
party! For questions or more information, please contact Scott Walker at
walkers@olympus.net
Thank you everyone for another great year of cycling. We look forward to helping you with all your riding needs and goals for 2015.
We continue to strive to offer everything for every rider.
We have expanded our road bike line to include the Emonda series.
We now carry an entire Women Specific line (road, mountain, and fitness)
As always, if you desire something we don't have in stock, we most likely can get it for you. Don't hesitate to ask.
Make 2015 your year to support local youth cyclists. The Olympic Mountain Bike Team (OMBT) is our composite high school team of riders grades 9 - 12, additionally there is a middle school team of riders 7 - 8. Their season starts next week and raps up in May. They have 4 races in Western Washington, which are listed on this site : washingtonleague
Support our OMBT... by volunteering, donationing, or supporting them at a race. Ask us how you can help.
Cheers to another full year of cycling!
~The Broken Spoke staff
