Roberts Mini Bike Book Review: San Diego County Place Names A to Z by Leland Fetzer

Review by Robert Leone

From Admiral Baker Navy Recreation Center to Zuniga Shoal San Diego County Place Names A to Z profiles the entire county, with 178 pages devoted to toponyms and references. Wading into this book in a concerted campaign to read it all is like wading into a shallow lake – until the deep holes appear and what would seem a collection of localized trivia turns into something richer. The role of revolutions in China on tourmaline production near Julian, the presence of a coal mine in Point Loma, and the occasional move to rename Carlsbad are some of the points where the wider world impacted the county. If you're looking for a concentrated swig of history, the forward, treating the origins of San Diego place names in general, is for you. However, you'd miss the charm of the individual entries, and this is where the book has its greatest value. Ever wonder what Leucadia meant while you were riding along the coast? What is it about Carlsbad and water? Did you know Kitchen Creek was NOT named by settlers happy to have a source of water flowing past the cookhouse? Who's the Murphy of Murphy Canyon Road? Ever ride up Engineer Grade and wonder if they passed? If you're planning a ride, or looking for a place to ride in San Diego County, this is a good starting reference if you're looking for more than directions. Note: This review refers to the 2003 edition by Leland Fetzer. Previous and similar titles go as far back as 1975.

Cars Take a Backseat to Bikes on Fourth Bike Local Sunday

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Golden Hill Embrace Cycling on July 21

Golden Hill is the place to be on Sunday, July 21. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), an organization advocating for and protecting the rights of all people who ride bicycles, announces its fourth Bike Local Sunday in Golden Hill. In conjunction with CicloSDias Mini in Golden Hill Park, Bike Local Sunday drives local businesses with a day of bicycling fun in San Diego neighborhoods. A casual organized ride highlights the day. 

SDCBC established this monthly event to encourage any and everyone to hop on their bicycles with friends and family and support local economies in the spirit of healthy fun and liveable communities.

“We wanted to turn the focus from cars to being on two feet and two wheels in our communities. And we’ve seen outstanding response,” says Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. “Everyone from everyday bicycle commuters to families with young ones on tricycles come to these Bike Local Sundays.”

Golden Hill welcomes cyclists all day, and a group ride will kick the morning off (ride location TBA). The neighborhood tour will wind through the most prized areas of Golden Hill, tour CicloSDias Mini in Golden Hill Park and stop at several local businesses along the way.

In partnership with the San Diego Business Improvement District Council and the Golden Hill Business District, local companies are expected to offer specials and wheel-deals on Sunday for those who bike.

The Bike Local Sunday schedule is:

·    July 21 –Golden Hill in conjunction with Golden Hill Mini-CicloSDias

·    August 18, 2013 – San Diego CicloSDias

·    August 25, 2013 - Bike the Bay

·    Sept 22 – Pacific Beach

·    October 20 – Ocean Beach

Business partners and special offers for Bike Local Sunday events will be released as dates get closer.

For more information on Bike Local Sundays, visit www.bikelocal.com. Also visit www.sdcbc.org for more information on other local cycling events in San Diego County.

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION: (SDCBC) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation.  For more information, go to www.sdcbc.org.  

SAN DIEGO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COUNCIL: A 501 (c 6) organization. The Council is an association of San Diego’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) whose mission is to assist in the development and dissemination of information, resources, and expertise to its member BIDs, and to improve the physical, social, and economic environments of San Diego’s small businesses. www.bidcouncil.org

Gordy Shields, San Diego Cycling Legend, Passes

By Kathy Keehan, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Board Member

Gordy Shields, San Diego cycling legend, passed away yesterday from complications from open heart surgery. 

Opening of the H Street to Palomar Street Segment
 of the Bayshore Bikeway (2012)

Cycling record holder (national time trial record holder for the 80, 85, 90 and 95 age groups) and passionate cycling advocate, Gordy was a personal hero to me. We attended many meetings together, most of which were about the Bayshore Bikeway, the regional treasure he championed from the 1970s onward. What struck me most about Gordy was his ability to be a strong advocate for cycling, while still being a warm compassionate person. He was kind to me when I was a new advocate still struggling to find my footing in a confusing bike world. He didn’t care how far I rode or how fast, so long as I spoke up for cyclists. He understood that advocacy took a long time, and  he always said that he hoped the Bayshore Bikeway would be finished before he passed. He never gave up, even during the dark days when it seemed the bikeway would never get started, let alone finished. The legacy of his perseverance lives on in the Bayshore Bikeway, along with other bicycling improvements all throughout the county. In his later years, Gordy was also an inspiring advocate for aging with grace and style, and was recently honored as one of San Diego County’s “San Diego Legends.” 

What made Gordy special to so many was his warmth and kindness. He had a delight in everything he did, and that transferred onto every person whose life he touched. Gordy, we will miss your strength, your spirit, and your joy. Godspeed. 

Groundbreaking for the H to Palomar section (2011)

Opening of the Gordy Shields Bridge on the Bayshore Bikeway (2004)

Bike Friendly Business Spotlight- Snooze

We just wanted to share a great example of bike-friendly business:

One of the pit stop locations on Bike to Work Day was at Snooze AM Eatery in Hillcrest. The lucky cyclists who rode by Snooze that Friday were treated with Noosa yogurt parfaits with Snooze's house made granola while picking up their Bike to Work swag. While we love Snooze for continuing to host delicious pit stops, we really love them how their business embraces bicycling.

Employees at all six Snooze locations (one in our County) participated in Bike to Work Day- and even had a friendly competition between stores. They had 3 Snooze vs. Snooze competitions to see which stores could reduce single occupancy driving miles the most. Great news from Robert Butterfield of Hillcrest Snooze- "I'm proud to say that our Hillcrest store had more biking miles, and fewer driving miles, than our VERY bike friendly brethren in the downtown Denver store!! We're winning!"

We are happy to hear it Robert! Friendly competition is a great way to encourage employees to bike more. What if more businesses operated this way? 

Show Snooze some love by stopping by on your bike for breakfast. Park your bike in one of the first bike parking corrals installed in San Diego- located nearby, eat your heart out and ride off the food coma when you're done! 

BLAH & Tiger!Tiger! Raise Money for SDCBC

Our friends at Blind Lady Ale House and Tiger!Tiger! once again held a fundraiser for SDCBC during Bike Month, this time by raffling off two brand new Linus bikes. Tickets were sold all month along, with proceeds to be donated to SDCBC. Read one of the winner's story below:

Winner of the BLAH Bike, Jonah

"I was in my kitchen making myself dinner actually wishing that I had money to go to blind lady and get a pizza when I got the call. I was extremely excited when I found out I was practically jumping around. I wasn't really expecting to win and when I got the call it blew my mind.

My only other bike is a beach cruiser. I wanted this one because I had been looking for a new one to take with me when I go to school up in Oregon. My beach cruiser is old and wouldn't last a semester in all the rain that they get up in Oregon.

I usually ride to either get from place to place or to get my dogs some really good exercise without having to run myself or drive to a dog park. 

All I'd really like to add is a big thank you to you guys for the bike. You just took a very big ticket item off of my packing list for school :)"

- Jonah

Tiger!Tiger! Bike Winner

SDCBC Bike Month Drawing

Congratulations to the winner of our bike month drawing- Johanna Broeren!

Johanna joined the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition on Bike to Work Day. (what better day to join huh?) She rides her bike to work often and this was her second year participating in the Bike to Work Day festivities.

Born and raised in Holland, riding a bike is in her blood. Not only is she a bike commuter but she also rides recreationally with her boyfriend on weekends. She goes along on 30+ rides with him as he trains for the RAGBRAI.

We were happy to hear that Johanna has already taken the new bike out for a spin. Where did she pedal first after she brought it home?

"From home to OB dog beach along the river bike path.  It's a really nice bike! Thank you!" she said.

Thank you, Johanna-we are glad you like it! Thank you to Mike, our friend and donor, who gave us this Specialized bike to use for this purpose. And thank you everyone who participated! We have lots of new members and were able to raise more than $2,000 for bike advocacy and education.

Mission Hills - The Place to be on Bike Local Sunday, June 16

Car-free movement encourages folks to ride bikes to local businesses

SAN DIEGO, June 4, 2013 – The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the San Diego Business Improvement District Council announce Mission Hills as the next Bike Local Sunday on June 16. In conjunction with the second CicloSDias Mini in Presidio Park, Bike Local Sunday encourages folks to ride bikes to local businesses and support neighborhood economies.

Bike Local Sunday rolls into Mission Hills on June 16 with family-friendly themes and specials at numerous businesses for those on bikes, including Brooklyn Girl, The Red Door, Meshuggah Shack and The Gathering. Simultaneously, CicloSDias Mini opens Presidio Park for bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy without the hassles of car traffic.

Mission Hills welcomes cylists all day, but those seeking a more organized ride should meet at 10 a.m. at the Mission Hills Bike Shop, on the corner of Front Street and 1^st Avenue, to participate in a neighborhood ride that winds through the CicloSDias Mini in Presidio Park and returns to Mission Hills Business District.

“Bike Local Sunday is an all day affair for folks to enjoy when they can,” said Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, which advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. “Grab your family, friends and bicycles and roll into Mission Hill’s Bike Local Sunday at your own pace.”

This Bike Local Sunday is brought to the community by San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, San Diego Business Improvement District Council and the Mission Hills Business District, which will make Treasure Seekers local discount cards available at the Mission Hills Bike Shop.

The Bike Local Sunday schedule is:

·    June 16 - Mission Hills in conjunction with Presidio Park Mini-CicloSDias

·    July 21 – Golden Hill in conjunction with Golden Hill Mini-CicloSDias

·    August 11  – San Diego CicloSDias

·    August 25  - Bike the Bay

·    Sept 22 – Pacific Beach

·    October 20 – Ocean Beach

For more information on Bike Local Sunday, visit www.bikelocal.org. For more information on the Mission Hills Business District and its Treasure Seekers local discount cards, please visit www.ourmissionhills.com. Also visit www.sdcbc.org for more information on other local cycling events in San Diego County.

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION: (SDCBC) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation.  For more information, go to www.sdcbc.org.  

SAN DIEGO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COUNCIL: A 501 (c 6) organization. The Council is an association of San Diego’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) whose mission is to assist in the development and dissemination of information, resources, and expertise to its member BIDs, and to improve the physical, social, and economic environments of San Diego’s small businesses. www.bidcouncil.org