Dan Henry, Age 98

Jim Schroeder passed along the information that U.S. cycling legend Dan Henry died recently at age 98. He is known especially for his effective system of road markings, built around a 10 inch circle spray-painted circle with a straight line emanating out from the center in the direction of travel. Around here you might have thought those marking were call "Joe Andersons." But Joe developed his skill and style based on the original "Dan Henrys."

His obituary is in today's Santa Ynez Valley News.

Here is a copy of a remembrance by his friend and fellow cyclist John Sherman:

Dan Henry, one of the grand old men of American cycling passed away on March 7 in Solvang, just a few days shy of his 99th birthday and the Solvang Century.


Many of the locals remember him and his wife Trudi riding their tandem nearly every day around the Santa Ynez Valley until she passed away five years ago. And of course there is the Dan Henry Bike Route on Alamo Pintado and Grand Avenue in Los Olivos.


But few know the wide range of his exploits As a young pilot he was a skywriter, towed advertising banners, and was an aerial photographer when he was in his twenties. He then spent 25 years as commercial pilot for American Airlines, starting in 1939 flying first DC-2, DC-3’s and finally the Boeing 707 the, first passenger jet.


His biking interests were wide-ranging. He participated in and led cycling tours through the eastern US and Europe with the International Bicycle Touring Society. Those route markings you see for the Solvang Century and other rides are called Dan Henry Markers. Dan was an innovator. He designed and built a road bike with a front and rear suspension, and a “sling”saddle that he used for years.


He also was an early advocate for biking facilities in Santa Barbara County and promoted and wrote poetry celebrating the benefits of cycling.

In 1992 the League of American Bicyclists awarded Dan their prestigious White award for his efforts on behalf of cyclists over the years.


Dan was one of a kind and will be missed.


-John Sherman,
Local Cyclist and Friend of Dan Henry

OWLS Do Pine Grove

Thanks to Daylight Savings Time the OWLS (Older or Wiser or a little bit Slower) group started its Tuesday-Thursday riding season this week.

For now we are limiting ourselves to about 20 miles. Before sunset at 7:50 it's already dimmer than I like to be out riding.

We had a nice group of 17 riders who left the parking lot promptly at 5:45 to head out to Pine Grove. We went south toward Waterworks, down the big Stip hill to the lake, then up Swartz Ridge to 446. Then down Pine Grove to the boat ramp. There we gathered for a group picture. Just then along came someone in a VW wagon with a kayak on top: It turned out to be Dave Tanner out for an evening voyage across the lake. He snapped a group photo for us. Now that I told you, you can identify Dave and his shadow and his kayak's shadow in the picture (click for larger version):

From there we headed back up Pine Grove to 446 on the second climb of the evening. After a moment to catch our breath we headed back to town on Knights Ridge Road.

Altogether 20 miles, 13.5 mph, two good climbs, two views of the lake (a bit low for so early in the season), temperature in the 70s, no mechanical difficulties, no one lost, home by 7:30. A perfect spring evening. A perfect start to the new riding season.

Hendricksville Ride by Rosie's

Since I missed last Saturday's ride today's Hendricksville Ride marked the beginning of my club biking season. It was a beautiful day, bright and clear. At start time it was a bit nippy at about 39 degrees. Everyone had tights on. Jen Miers led our group of some 19 riders on this club favorite early season ride.

Ron Brown led us out of town via the new part of the B-Line Trail. We took Second Street to Morton and from there got on the trail headed north through town. The new part curves around northwest allowing us to get onto Vernal Pike AFTER the infamous RR crossing. The paved trail comes to an abrupt end at Adams Street. Going straight onto the street involves dropping off a curb probably 4 inches high. The better plan is to stay on the sidewalk for half a block to the intersection and roll onto the street through the curb cut. We took Adams north to 11th Street (where there is an all-ways stop at a T intersection) and then 11th Street west to Vernal.

Our main re-grouping spot was at the R & J Store at 43 and 48.  Although I was in the trailing group, when we got to the store another group of 4 or 5 was missing. We never found them. We suppose they failed to stay on Vernal as it goes up to Highway 48 and took the Oard Road short route by accident. I've done that before, but soon turned around when I hit Rock Crusher Hill. I'm still waiting to hear from those riders.

New Board Meets

The BBC board had its March meeting on Thursday evening, the 8th, at the MCPL. The elected officers Keith Vogelsang (president), John Bassett (VP), Kathy Cummins (Sec), and Jerry Arveson (treasurer). In addition Allan Edmonds (blog), Tammy Berger (membership), and Ron Brown (advocacy) were present for one of the shortest meetings in recent memory.

The meeting started with approval of the minutes of the January meeting and the February annual business meeting.

Jerry made a brief treasurer's report. We currently have a healthy bank balance with RAIN reservations coming in. The RAIN jersey for 2012 has been designed and can be viewed on the club web site. Ron Brown has purchased some special timing and recording equipment for helping at the finish line. With his system in place he plans to post the finisher list by sometime Saturday after the big ride is over. Tammy reported that we still have trouble with people not confirming their addition to the BBC email list at Google. If a new member doesn't click on the confirmation button they will not be added to our list! Blog activity is just starting to pick up as the ride season gets going.

Under new business board members filed their conflict of interest forms with Kathy. We approved Keith, Jerry, and Kathy to have signature rights on our checking account. We also discussed procedures for handling our credit card accounts, which have separate numbers for all users, mainly associated with running RAIN, but all go to the same monthly statement that Jerry receives. One informal goal for later this year is to develop a regular budget based on the last couple of years of experience.

WE named Ron Brown as our club representative to the Citizen Action Committee associated with I-69 Section 5 planning.

More financial business: Keith is preparing the IRS 90 form, with assistance from Jerry, to be submitted by the end of the month. Finally we authorized disbursement of funds to the grant winners determined at the last board meeting. Keith will write to each applicant, explaining as much as possible to those that went unfunded why their application was not approved. Jerry will add a check and mail the letters.

Grant awardees include Banneker Community Center, the Bike Project, Bloomington Parks and Rec, Boys and Girls Club, DeCycles, Girls Inc., Monroe County Parks and Rec, New Hope Familiar Shelter, and Stepping Stones.

For members who are interested, more formal and complete minutes are being posted in the Members-Only part of the club web site (after they are approved at a subsequent board meeting).

Flash: Investigation Ends

By Jim Schroeder


I've seen quite a few interesting signs on roads in southern Indiana since I moved here eight years ago.  There's this one sign that always made me wonder and I've never gotten an explanation from fellow riders and I've never had enough guts to ask the county engineer.


All of you have ridden Vernal Pike just before the western end, haven't you? Remember the sign on both directions "Road Under Investigation"?


Well, it's gone!  


It's been at least a long eight years worth of long hours of detective work, but it's been solved!  What? I have no idea.  All I can say is, "Good bye signs, hello new asphalt!"


Well, at least all the pot holes on this miserable pike have been patched with some decent asphalt.  That stretch of road returning home for supper or a Bakehouse smoothie had always been a struggle, but tonight it was rather enjoyable.


Oh yeah, the case of Vernal Pike in the City has been solved, too.  It's open!

Ride Planning Time

Club Tour Director Mike Finger passes along the following invitation to all club members. Now's the time to have a voice in the planning of club rides for the new season.

And do consider volunteering to lead a ride or two. For those new to the idea: After you get comfortable with going on some club rides, find a route you like, check it out by bike or car on your own if you need to, and then volunteer to lead it sometime. A great place to start on that would be the OWLS or FOWLS.

Let's also give a shout-out to the Sunday afternoon Nice 'n' Easy Rides and to Slow Spokes. It's these rides that have the potential to attract people who haven't been much involved with cycling before. In particular I hope some interested folks step up again with Slow Spokes options. The club is at its best when we have opportunities for all  interest levels. But it often requires one or two people to accept the challenge of taking a turn providing some leadership.

The Ride Planning Meeting will be held at my house on Friday Feb 10th at 7pm. I live at 4500 Blackstone Ct., in Parkridge East. Take 3rd St. east toward Nashville. At the top of the rise before you get to 446, take a left onto Parkridge Rd. Follow Parkridge Rd. past Morningside, the tennis courts and Cambridge, to Blackstone Ct. on the right. I'm down near the the end of the deadend street, on the right.

There are a number of things to be discussed at the meeting, but the main purpose is to set the Saturday touring ride calendar for the season, and to assign leaders for these rides as much as possible. We will discuss the rides for OWLS, FOWLS and the women's specific training rides, as well as the traditional training ride. We will get to talk about the new UnRides that will be on the calendar, and many other things!

Please join us for this annual event. There will be refreshments (beer) and snacks, and good company!

Mike Finger

Annual Meeting and Banquet 2012

The BBC marked the end of the 2011 biking season and the beginning of the 2012 season on Saturday, January 28, 2012, with its annual meeting and banquet. A group of about 60 members and guests gathered at Chapman's Banquet Center for food, fellowship, and (a little) business.

After some informal gathering, the evening began with the business part. President Keith Vogelsang reviewed highlights of the year past, with an emphasis on the success of RAIN, especially the club's emphasis on involving volunteers at all stages of planning and staging this big event.

Then several committee chairs made short presentations. Mark Villanova discussed plans for RAIN 2012: Jennifer Miers is handling registration; Jim Schroeder is doing the route and the start line; John Connell will be handling the finish line at Earlham College in Richmond; Sylvia Stoub is working to recruit additional volunteers needed to staff the event. Keith Vogelsang is also serving on the RAIN committee, as is webmaster Klaus Rothe.

Touring Director Mike Finger discussed plans for the coming year and announced an open meeting coming soon to establish the Saturday ride calendar for 2012. (Jim Schroeder, who is known for his frequent century-length additions to Saturday rides is also planning some "Un-Rides" with more of a focus on fellowship, fun, and food. Look for more details later.) Advocacy Chair Ron Brown mentioned some of the issues he dealt with over the last year. Membership Chair Tammy Berger said we now have about 230 members. Allan Edmonds, Blogmaster, mentioned that we have now completed our third year with the blog venue for sharing club information, with 50+ posts each year. Social Chair Sylvia Stoub talked about the new "second Monday" socials. The next one is Game Night, set for Monday, February 13. More information will be forthcoming by email and on the club web site.


Finally the nominating committee presented its slate of candidates for the elected officers of the club, including two carry-overs and two new people:

• President Keith Vogelsang
• Vice President John Bassett
• Secretary Kathy Cummins
• Treasurer Jerry Arveson

There were no further nominations from the floor, and after the formality of a voice vote, the candidates were declared elected by acclamation. According to the by-laws their terms begin immediately. They join the appointed chairs in forming the governing board of the club.

At that point attention turned to food. Club members enjoyed a nice buffet featuring a roast beef entré, pasta with two different sauces, twice-baked potatoes, green beans, carrots, rolls, and salad. For dessert there was cheesecake with raspberry sauce and carrot cake.

After dinner Jim Schroeder (with technical assistance from John Bassett and Glenn Berger) gave a video presentation related to his experiences at Cycle Oregon in the fall. This is a 7 day fully supported, camping and biking tour that quickly fills up to its limit of 2000 riders. Each year takes different routes through very scenic Oregon mountains, forests, and seashore.

The pleasant evening concluded with a door-prize drawing.