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April 2011 - Spokes Magazine

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Serving Cyclists in the Mid-Atlantic States april <strong>2011</strong><br />

FREE<br />

RIDE WITH<br />

HEROES<br />


I’m one rider,<br />

inspired by one little boy with diabetes,<br />

to join thousands of other riders across<br />

the nation, supported by contributions<br />

from thousands more. I ride for the 26<br />

million people living with diabetes, and<br />

the 79 million more Americans currently<br />

at risk. I ride for one little boy.<br />

Who will you ride for?<br />

START A CHAIN REACTION.<br />

STOP DIABETES.<br />

Saturday, May 7, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Gary J Arthur Community Center<br />

at Glenwood<br />

62 Mile - Metric Century Ride<br />

32 Mile - Metric Half Century Ride<br />

10 Mile - Family Fun Ride<br />

Sunday, June 5, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Reston Town Center<br />

100 Mile - Century Ride 17 Mile - Mountain Bike Ride<br />

63 Mile - Metric Century 12 Mile - Family Fun Ride<br />

33 Mile - Metric Half Century Stationary Cycle-A-Thon<br />

20 Mile - Fitness Test<br />

REGISTER AT<br />

DIABETES.ORG/TOUR<br />

1-888-DIABETES


On<br />

theCover<br />

Ride with heroes and World TEAM President, former<br />

U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremer in the Face of America<br />

Ride, <strong>April</strong> 15-17.<br />

is it possible to tell if a mouse, running<br />

round and round on an exercise wheel, is smiling?<br />

The reason I wonder about this is I recently heard<br />

that more than half the runners in America run<br />

indoors on treadmills rather than outside in the fresh<br />

air. When I heard this I prayed that this was not the<br />

case with bicyclists.<br />

Sure, I do spin classes at my gym and ride on a trainer<br />

at home when the weather or daylight doesn’t permit<br />

riding outdoors. But it makes me feel sad to hear of<br />

my fellow spin class riders who never ride outdoors.<br />

They think spin bike classes are like riding outside.<br />

Earlier this year a woman I work with, and who loves<br />

spin classes at our local Y, asked me if I could loan<br />

her a wind trainer I wasn’t using so she could mount<br />

her road bike and ride indoors at home.<br />

I am a life long cyclist who has experienced most of<br />

which the sport has to offer. Bike touring with fully<br />

loaded panniers in some of the nicest most scenic<br />

places there are to ride. I’ve done some mountain<br />

biking, although road is my passion, and I’ve done<br />

tons of group rides, where you spend the best part of<br />

a day mixing and matching your riding companions,<br />

one group before a break, another group after the<br />

break, and so on. What a great way of meeting new<br />

people.<br />

But the best part of the riding is being outdoors with<br />

the fresh air, the ever changing scenery, the smells<br />

and sounds of the lives of the thousands of people<br />

and their homes or places of work that you pass on<br />

virtually every mile of the ride.<br />

One of my favorite memories was on a Sunday morning<br />

in Pennsylvania’s Amish country. A group of us<br />

was spinning towards what appeared to be a stream<br />

of horse and buggies transporting families to a place<br />

of worship. Later in the morning, as we spun along,<br />

we began hearing a singing and chanting off in the<br />

distance. Sure enough, we approached a large pavilion<br />

surrounded by probably 100 parked horses and<br />

buggies, all black of course. The owners and their<br />

children were all indoors celebrating their own religion<br />

and their lives on our planet.<br />

It was a religious experience for everyone and that<br />

included our group of cyclists who were moved by<br />

the sounds, smells, and spirit of the moment.<br />

Would this ever be possible in a spin class? You know<br />

the answer.<br />

As for those mice running full speed on a wheel, I<br />

can only imagine that the only reason they do it is<br />

the hope that one day, when the opportunity arises,<br />

they’ll use their speed to break free and head to the<br />

outdoors where fresh air and freedom await.<br />

Happy trails.<br />

Neil Sandler<br />

Editor & Publisher<br />

page 6<br />

Touring • Racing • Off-Road<br />

Recreation • Triathlon • Commuting<br />

SPOKES is published monthly eight times a year — monthly<br />

March through September, plus one winter issue. It is available<br />

free of charge at most area bicycle stores, fitness centers and<br />

related sporting establishments throughout Maryland, Virginia,<br />

the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and<br />

West Virginia.<br />

Circulation: 30,000. Copyright©2010 SPOKES.<br />

All rights reserved. No reprinting without the publisher’s written permission.<br />

Opinions expressed and facts presented are attributed to the respective<br />

authors and not SPOKES. Editorial and photographic submissions are welcome.<br />

Material can only be returned if it is accompanied by a self-addressed,<br />

stamped envelope. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising<br />

which may be inappropriate to the magazine’s purpose.<br />

Editorial and Advertising Office:<br />

SPOKES<br />

5911 Jefferson Boulevard<br />

Frederick, MD 21703<br />

Phone/Fax: (301) 371-5309<br />

GRAPHIC DESIGN<br />

Studio 22<br />

www.studio20two.com<br />

april <strong>2011</strong><br />

EDITOR & PUBLISHER<br />

Neil W. Sandler<br />

neil@spokesmagazine.com<br />

CALENDAR EDITOR<br />

Sonja P. Sandler<br />

sonja@spokesmagazine.com<br />

www.spokesmagazine.com<br />

Cycle on gently curving roadways<br />

through picturesque small towns and majestic<br />

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this weekend with<br />

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Our FREE<br />

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• 11 Bike Routes<br />

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Call 410-479-0655 or<br />

visit tourcaroline.com<br />

Don’t Miss an Issue!<br />

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OR subscribe online at:<br />

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May 7, <strong>2011</strong> | The Capital to Capital Bike Event | Registration is open!<br />

Presented by:<br />

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Central Florida’s Polk County is your<br />

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BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS GEORGIA<br />

32nd annual BRAG RIDE<br />

Touring Ride In Rural Indiana®<br />

TRIRI® presents four tours in <strong>2011</strong>,<br />

visiting Indiana’s beautiful state parks<br />

along lightly traveled, scenic routes.<br />

Overnights in state parks<br />

Catered breakfasts and dinners<br />

TRIRI® Bicycle Rallies <strong>2011</strong>:<br />

June 12-15 at Spring Mill State Park<br />

August 14-17 at Clifty Falls State Park<br />

Loop rides from a single state park<br />

RAINSTORM <strong>2011</strong>:<br />

July 11-16<br />

Five century rides over<br />

five days, with 160 miles<br />

on day six<br />

SEPTEMBER ESCAPADE <strong>2011</strong>:<br />

September 11-16 • South central Indiana<br />

Join BRAG <strong>2011</strong>, June 4-11,<br />

begin in Atlanta and March to the Sea, with<br />

overnight stops in Oxford, Milledgeville, Dublin,<br />

Metter, Hinesville, and ending in Savannah.<br />

1300 Riders • Street Dances • Ice Cream Social<br />

End-Of-The-Road Meal • Great Fun for Families<br />

60 Miles Average per Day<br />

Hammerhead Options (for additional mileage)<br />

Layover Day • Rest Stops Every 10 – 15 Miles<br />

For more information, visit www.brag.org,<br />

or email info@brag.org, or call 770-498-5153.<br />

Other <strong>2011</strong> Rides:<br />

• Spring Tune-Up Ride,<br />

Madison, GA, <strong>April</strong> 15 -17<br />

• Georgia BikeFest,<br />

Columbus, GA, October 14-16<br />

8<br />

www.triri.org (812) 333-8176<br />

“10 Mistakes That Can Derail Your<br />

Bike Injury Case”<br />

By “Triathlon Trial Lawyer”<br />

Doug Landau<br />

Free e-book<br />

to <strong>Spokes</strong> Readers!<br />

to request your<br />

complimentary copy please visit<br />

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and click “Contact Us”<br />

You may also give us a call at<br />

703-796-9555<br />

Abrams Landau, Ltd. is located near the<br />

Herndon W&OD trail in Herndon. Handling<br />

serious auto accidents, catastrophic injuries,<br />

workers’ compensation, & Social Security<br />

disability claims, Doug is always<br />

eager to help a fellow cyclist.


Ride Among Heroes<br />

by neil sandler photos by van p. brinson iii<br />

An Air Force Staff Sergeant who had lost his leg below his knee during the Iraq war,<br />

rode his bike cross country last summer as a part of World TEAM Sports’ Sea to<br />

Shining Sea event. His goal was to prove to the Air Force medical board that he could<br />

go back onto flight orders.<br />

world team sports president and cycling enthusiast<br />

Paul “Jerry” Bremer told SPOKES: “He said to<br />

them, ‘Hey, I just rode a bicycle 4,000 miles across the<br />

country. Are you going to tell me I can’t fly in a C-130<br />

anymore? Guess what? He’s now back on full<br />

flight status.”<br />

“There are a lot of stories like these among our riders.<br />

And when you come out (to the Face of America ride,<br />

<strong>April</strong> 15-17, from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg,<br />

Pa.) and meet them it’s quite impressive. A lot of the<br />

wounded warriors who ride Face of America are still<br />

in rehab at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) or<br />

Bethesda Naval Hospital.”<br />

Bremer, former Ambassador to The Netherlands<br />

under President Reagan, and former Ambassador at<br />

Large for Counter Terrorism under President Clinton,<br />

but better known for serving as Presidential Envoy<br />

to Iraq during the year following Saddam Hussein’s<br />

ouster, has his own war stories to tell.<br />

On September 11, 2001, at the very moment terrorists<br />

were flying planes into the two World Trade Center<br />

towers in Manhattan, Bremer, who was then in the<br />

private sector and chairman of a global crisis managing<br />

company, was on a flight from Washington to New<br />

York City to conduct his weekly meeting with employ-<br />

Paul "Jerry" Bremer<br />

ees who worked at the very spot the second plane<br />

would strike tower number two.<br />

Bremer’s flight was stuck in a holding pattern over<br />

Philadelphia when he figured out what had happened.<br />

“It was a very clear day and I’d been commuting to<br />

New York for 14 years, so I knew the pattern. I knew<br />

there was no weather reason why we should be circling<br />

Philadelphia at 8:45 in the morning. The captain<br />

came on and said ‘we’re in a hold here because<br />

a plane crashed into the World Trade Center and<br />

LaGuardia is closed.’<br />

“They had phones on the planes back then and I<br />

called my secretary in New York (in mid-town offices<br />

facing directly south to the World Trade Center). She<br />

was looking directly out the window and said ‘oh my<br />

God, a second plane just struck the second tower.’ I<br />

hung up the phone and I knew at that moment that<br />

we were looking at a terrorist attack.”<br />

Within hours of the attack, Bremer, who was then<br />

retired from his 23 year career of government work<br />

and now working as chairman and CEO of Marsh<br />

Crisis Consulting, came out as one of the first to<br />

authoritatively tell the news media that the country<br />

had been attacked by terrorists under the direction of<br />

Osama bin Laden.<br />

“I had been involved in counter terrorism for over 30<br />

years, I chaired the Bipartisan National Commission<br />

on Terrorism, a Congressionally-mandated commission<br />

on terrorism, in 1999 and 2000, and we reported<br />

to President Clinton 15 months before 9/11, that we<br />

faced a major growing threat from Islamic terrorists,<br />

particularly Al-Qaida. As usually happens with such<br />

commissions’ recommendations, ours were ignored,”<br />

he told SPOKES.<br />

In perhaps the saddest moment of his career,<br />

it turned out that 295 employees of Marsh &<br />

McLennan, were killed that day in the World Trade<br />

Center attack. Fortunately, most of the firm’s 1,700<br />

employees in the World Trade Center managed<br />

to survive.<br />

Flash forward, 2010.<br />

Now formally retired from his career in government<br />

service, his final year 2004 as Presidential Envoy to<br />

Iraq where he was charged with overseeing the country’s<br />

political and economic reconstruction after the<br />

2003 invasion, Jerry, as he is known to friends, family<br />

and colleagues, is out on a bike ride.<br />

No ordinary bike ride this. It is a 4,000 mile cross U.S.<br />

ride with able-bodied Marine Major Van Brinson, and<br />

16 wounded warriors. It is a two month long ride that<br />

Bremer and Brinson helped plan with the goal of<br />

proving that just because someone is wounded in war<br />

does not mean they cannot do anything they set their<br />

minds to achieving.<br />

This ride, dubbed Sea to Shining Sea, is one of five<br />

major events organized by Washington, D.C. - based<br />

World TEAM Sports (TEAM is an acronym for The<br />

Exceptional Athlete Matters), three of which are<br />

bicycle projects. The other two bicycling events are<br />

the Face of America ride, in which cyclists, many disabled<br />

veterans and non-veterans climb aboard their<br />

bikes on the front steps of the U.S. Capitol Building<br />

in Washington, D.C., ride to an overnight stop in<br />

Frederick, Md., and head north to Gettysburg for<br />

a final day bike tour of the legendary battlefields.<br />

The third cycling event is a similar one hosted this<br />

Veterans’ Day in Texas.<br />

“We say we are changing lives through sports,” Bremer<br />

recently told SPOKES at his 16th Street,<br />

NW offices.<br />

“In many ways biking is the best sport for us because<br />

anybody with a disability can participate in a bike ride.<br />

They can be blind... we put them on the back of a<br />

tandem. They can be quadriplegic... we can get them<br />

across the mountains. They can have one leg or one<br />

arm or whatever, they can have TBI (traumatic brain<br />

injury) or PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)...<br />

anybody can ride. You can’t say that about<br />

most sports.”<br />

Bremer said last year’s cross country ride had “a huge<br />

impact” on him. “We started at the Golden Gate<br />

Bridge in San Francisco and ended 64 days later at<br />

Virginia Beach. We averaged 70 miles a day. Overall<br />

we rode almost 4,000 miles; but more importantly<br />

climbed over 110,000 feet. Imagine the challenge that<br />

presented to our hand cyclists.”<br />

“My hardest moment was the day we rode from Nevada<br />

into Utah. It was a very hot day. The stage was not that<br />

long, 84 miles, but I was asked by the ride leader to<br />

ride as tail gunner, basically sweeping the ride.<br />

“I wound up pushing a disabled Army vet who rode a<br />

recumbent bike and who was not in very good shape<br />

at that point, yet. Later in the ride he got into good<br />

shape. So I wound up having to push him up quite a<br />

few hills, while I was on my bike. His recumbent bike<br />

was not rigged very well and was inappropriate for<br />

the demands of a cross country ride. The bike was the<br />

kind you would use to go down to the grocery store<br />

on the sidewalk. And he was trying to get across the<br />

mountains. World TEAM Sports gave him a new bike<br />

when we got across Utah, because he obviously wasn’t<br />

going to make it across the Rockies on that bike.<br />

6 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


It was a day that pretty much finished me. He was<br />

very proud because he said ‘I damn near killed Jerry<br />

today.’ But he made it. It was the longest ride he’d<br />

ever done.<br />

“Every day was emotional. These are heroes we were<br />

riding with. It was a very emotional experience, both<br />

for the riders and for the towns’ people and farmers<br />

supporting us along the way. I think we had no one<br />

on the ride other than me who’d ever ridden a century.<br />

And we had a couple of back to back centuries in<br />

Nevada, one of which was a 120 mile day. Most of us<br />

will remember that as one of our most difficult days,<br />

because the last 93 miles were straight into a 40 knot<br />

wind. It was a very rough day.”<br />

Bremer, a self-professed sports fanatic, got involved<br />

a few years ago in World TEAM Sports, a 20 year old<br />

non-profit that hosts athletic events for disabled<br />

citizens. The events include biking, mountain climbing,<br />

white water rafting and a growing number of<br />

other challenges.<br />

Growing up in New England, Bremer was primarily<br />

a downhill skier, which he’s been doing for 65 years.<br />

After graduation from Yale in 1963, then Harvard’s<br />

MBA program in 1966, he moved to Paris to study<br />

political science.<br />

“But I didn’t ride there then. I used the Metro or<br />

walked most places.”<br />

He joined the Foreign Service and was stationed in<br />

Afghanistan. Bremer eventually went to work for<br />

Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and then was stationed<br />

in Oslo, Norway in the late 70s. It was there<br />

that he became a passionate cross country skier, having<br />

completed a number of long distance races.<br />

When transferred back to Washington to work under<br />

Reagan’s Chief of Staff Alexander Haig, he got into<br />

marathon running. “You’re lucky if you get one day<br />

a year when you can get on your cross country skis<br />

here,” he explained.<br />

Running became his passion and he completed 20<br />

marathons, including five Bostons. His final marathon<br />

was at the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in<br />

1996. His best time for a marathon, 3 hours, 34 seconds,<br />

was also in Boston.<br />

“Those 34 seconds will go with me to my grave unfortunately.<br />

I know exactly where I lost the 34 seconds...<br />

in the first mile. I couldn’t run at my pace because<br />

the crowd wasn’t moving at my pace.”<br />

After his final marathon, Bremer underwent knee surgery<br />

and he turned to bicycling which he had begun<br />

some years earlier to compete in triathlons.<br />

“I have no cartilage left in either knee; it’s basically<br />

bone on bone. So, I went over to riding and after that<br />

I said to my wife (Francie) I don’t know why I wasted<br />

14 years running. I ruined my knees and bicycling is<br />

much more fun.”<br />

In 1983, President Reagan appointed Bremer<br />

Ambassador to The Netherlands, which all bicyclists<br />

know is bicycle heaven.<br />

“No, I couldn’t ride in The Netherlands because security<br />

wouldn’t let me. I had a 24 hour security detail<br />

and it was hard enough for them to cover me when I<br />

ran, so they were not keen at all on my riding. I rode<br />

a couple of times but basically it was not easy to do.”<br />

In the years since leaving public service, Bremer and<br />

his wife have taken several upscale bike tours including<br />

tours of California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys,<br />

and a variety of bike tours of France. He also enjoyed<br />

riding from a home they own in southeast Vermont.<br />

He owns two carbon fiber Trek road bikes, the one<br />

heroes continued on p.8<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

7


heroes continued from p.7<br />

stored in Vermont having a triple chainwheel for<br />

the hills.<br />

He also took to bike commuting, riding from their<br />

home just off the Capital Crescent Trail in Chevy<br />

Chase, Md., to offices in downtown Washington.<br />

But the foray into long distance bike riding last year<br />

was something he hadn’t even considered until he<br />

rode with wounded warriors two years ago.<br />

“I went on one of their (World TEAM Sports) rides,<br />

th e Face of America ride, two years ago (this year<br />

on <strong>April</strong> 15-17, from the steps of the U.S. Capitol in<br />

Washington, D.C., through Frederick, Md., and ending<br />

at Gettysburg Battlefield, Pa.), and it made such<br />

an impression on me that I joined the board (of<br />

World TEAM Sports).<br />

“I worked with the then president of World TEAM<br />

Sports to design the route and policies and procedures<br />

for a cross country bike ride last summer, which<br />

I led with Van Brinson (now Chief Operations Officer<br />

of World TEAM Sports).<br />

“The purpose of that cross country ride was to demonstrate<br />

that disabled people, in this case they were<br />

wounded warriors, could do anything. To demonstrate<br />

that you should not let your disability dissuade you<br />

from undertaking athletic events. Three things happen<br />

in all of our events: the disabled participants<br />

develop self confidence and some degree of physical<br />

fitness depending on what the event is. Obviously, on a<br />

cross country ride they develop a lot of physical fitness.<br />

“Secondly, the disabled become a model for other disabled<br />

people who may be just sitting on the couch not<br />

doing anything athletic and they would come out and<br />

see us on this cross country ride and they would say ‘I’m<br />

sitting in a wheel chair. Why can’t I do something like<br />

that, mom?’ Or ‘why shouldn’t I get out and do something?’<br />

Maybe not ride a bike--it might be anything.<br />

“And thirdly, all of our events are what we call inclusive.<br />

That means we always mix both able bodied and<br />

disabled bodied people together in our events and<br />

what happens then, during the actual event, is the<br />

able and disabled bodies participants work as a team.<br />

“Disabled are a true inspiration for the able bodied<br />

people, both the riders and the spectators. Because<br />

when you see the disabled people riding across the<br />

country or whatever they are doing it’s very hard to<br />

convincingly say that you as an able bodied person<br />

have a real lot of trouble. You basically say, ‘boy,<br />

watching that person, paralyzed from the waist down,<br />

ride across the continental divide and on a hand bike.<br />

If she can do that, and we had a woman from the<br />

Navy who did that, how can I start complaining about<br />

my day?’<br />

Bremer just took the reins of World TEAM Sports over<br />

the winter but he intends to return to being a bike<br />

commuter, riding downtown nine miles each way on<br />

the Capital Crescent Trail from his home in Chevy<br />

Chase, Md. Bremer commuted to work by bike for<br />

two and a half years when he was managing partner of<br />

Marsh Crisis Consulting, located at 23rd and N Streets.<br />

“This is a wonderful area to ride in. There’s the obvious<br />

iconic riding around the monuments, which is<br />

very impressive, but the real bicyclists are out on the<br />

rural roads of Maryland and Virginia. I ride mostly<br />

in Maryland because I live there. I tend to ride up<br />

towards Frederick. I don’t ride in Rock Creek Park<br />

that often. In the summertime, I sometimes do a<br />

short 10 or 20 mile ride from my house. We live 100<br />

yards from the (Capital) Crescent Trail, so I just take<br />

the Crescent Trail and I’m there.”<br />

On <strong>April</strong> 15-17 you can ride with Bremer and many<br />

American heroes at the Face of America ride, beginning<br />

on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, and ending on<br />

the battlefields of Gettysburg. For details log onto<br />

www.worldteamsports.org/events/face-of-america<br />

8 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


F I S H E R D R E A M E D . T R E K U N L E A S H E D .<br />

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ARLINGTON<br />

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2731 Wilson Boulevard<br />

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BURKE<br />

THE BIKE LANE<br />

9544 Old Keene Mill Road<br />

(703) 440-8701<br />

LEESBURG<br />

BICYCLE OUTFITTERS<br />

34D Catoctin Circle, SE<br />

(703) 777-6126<br />

RESTON<br />

THE BIKE LANE<br />

Reston Town Center<br />

(703) 689-2671<br />

STAFFORD<br />

REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />

100 Susa Drive, #103-15<br />

(540) 657-6900<br />

MARYLAND<br />

ARNOLD<br />

BIKE DOCTOR<br />

953 Ritchie Highway<br />

(410) 544-3532<br />

BALTIMORE<br />

MT. WASHINGTON BIKE SHOP<br />

5813 Falls Road<br />

(410) 323-2788<br />

RACE PACE<br />

1414 Key Parkway<br />

(410) 986-0001<br />

COCKEYSVILLE<br />

THE BICYCLE CONNECTION<br />

York & Warren Roads<br />

(410) 667-1040<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

RACE PACE<br />

6925 Oakland Mills Road<br />

(410) 290-6880<br />

DAMASCUS<br />

ALL AMERICAN BICYCLES<br />

Weis Market Center<br />

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ELLICOTT CITY<br />

RACE PACE<br />

8450 Baltimore National Pike<br />

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FREDERICK<br />

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5732 Buckeystown Pike<br />

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WHEELBASE<br />

229 N. Market Street<br />

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FOREST HILL<br />

THE BICYCLE CONNECTION EXPRESS<br />

2203 Commerce Road<br />

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HAGERSTOWN<br />

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OWINGS MILLS<br />

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WASHINGTON, D.C.<br />

GEORGETOWN<br />

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Bike to the Blossoms<br />

by brenda ruby bruby@verizon.net<br />

You will succumb to the sublime beauty of Washington in the springtime. Whether<br />

you eagerly anticipate the blossoming cherry trees or see them as a harbinger of<br />

crowds, the fluttering petals beckon to everyone but how you experience them may<br />

be the key to averting a nightmare.<br />

there is no better way to see them than on your<br />

bike and with a little bit of insider information your<br />

experience will leave you giddy, not grumpy, helping<br />

you understand why even jaded residents aren’t<br />

immune to the blossoms allure. Officially, the <strong>2011</strong><br />

National Cherry Blossom Festival runs between March<br />

26 and <strong>April</strong> 10. Look to the official website for information<br />

about events or just to get ideas about where<br />

to go. (www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/)<br />

Getting into Town<br />

There are several trails that head into town, but if<br />

you’re not familiar with them or need help planning<br />

a route, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association<br />

(www.waba.org) offers maps and resources that can<br />

guide you.<br />

• The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT)—this paved trail<br />

starts in Bethesda (with many parking lots and<br />

meters nearby) and is a great option for families.<br />

To get to the Tidal Basin, follow it as it turns into<br />

the C&O Canal Towpath, hang a right onto the<br />

Rock Creek Park Trail, then exit that trail at the<br />

Lincoln Memorial. Note that this trail is Metro<br />

accessible and can be reached from the connecting<br />

Georgetown Branch Trail. If your youngster can’t<br />

bike the whole length, consider parking in one<br />

of the neighborhoods along the trail and join the<br />

route closer into town. (www.cctrail.org)<br />

• Rock Creek Park Trail—starting in Maryland’s<br />

northern Montgomery County and ending at the<br />

Lincoln Memorial, you could make your trip to the<br />

blossoms a near century ride! (http://bikewashington.org/trails/rockcreek/dc.htm)<br />

• Custis Trail / WO&D Trail / Mt. Vernon Trail—<br />

whether you’re coming from Purcellville or<br />

Arlington, this network of trails will accommodate<br />

the Virginia rider. The Custis Trail intersects the<br />

WO&D at the 4.0 mile marker and follows along I-66<br />

into Rosslyn, at which point you can go left, crossing<br />

the Key Bridge into Georgetown or continue<br />

straight onto the Mt. Vernon Trail towards Arlington<br />

National Cemetery. (www.bikewashington.org)<br />

Let’s not forget about Metro! Whether you want<br />

to make your ride shorter or need to access a trail,<br />

bikes are allowed during non-rush hour times (that<br />

includes weekends). Just enter through the first or<br />

last door of any rail car. While the closest Metrorail<br />

station to the Tidal Basin is the Smithsonian, you<br />

should plan for that to be overly congested. Consider<br />

the L’Enfant Plaza station as an alternate to avoid the<br />

headaches.<br />

Once downtown, you may find biking a challenge<br />

near the congested Tidal Basin but with additional<br />

bike racks in place and a return of the popular bike<br />

valet service you can bike in then be free to walk<br />

around unencumbered. On all three weekends of<br />

the Festival, Valet Bike Parking, sponsored by goDCgo,<br />

will be available at the Jefferson Memorial on<br />

Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM – 6 PM. On Weekdays<br />

those racks will be open and available for use which<br />

cyclists can utilize with their own locks. Also, during<br />

the Festival, the National Park Service will place bike<br />

racks at Independence Avenue & 15th Street, SW,<br />

close to the Tidal Basin, which bikers with their own<br />

locks can utilize for free. A great map showing all<br />

your transportation options (including routes into<br />

10 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


town and bike valet/parking locations) can be found<br />

at the goDCgo website. (www.godcgo.com/)<br />

Tip: It’s a well known among bikers familiar with the<br />

area that East Potomac Park and Hains Point tend to<br />

be free of the pedestrian congestion which plagues<br />

the Tidal Basin and with its nearly 1700 trees, it<br />

should be an equal draw. If you’re visiting the blossoms<br />

a bit after the predicted peak, you’ll be pleased<br />

to learn that the deeper pink double-blossomed<br />

Kwanzan trees which dominate this area peak a little<br />

later than the Yoshinos which surround the Basin.<br />

• Sligo Creek Park in Silver Spring—meander along<br />

the parkway, parts of which are closed to car traffic<br />

on the weekends.<br />

• Birdsong Lane near Seneca Creek State Park in<br />

Gaithersburg—perhaps not a bike destination<br />

unless you're local, but a quick drive down this<br />

dead-end street would make for a nice detour during<br />

your commute or weekend errands.<br />

• Watts Branch Parkway & College Gardens in<br />

Rockville—if you find yourself by Montgomery<br />

College, Rockville campus, take a ride down College<br />

Parkway, or a little further south, but still in the<br />

vicinity, try Watts Branch by Woottons Mill Park.<br />

• Cherrydale in Arlington—take the Custis Trail to<br />

North Quincy Street; Cherrydale will be immediately<br />

before you hit Lee Highway.<br />

• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna—close<br />

to the Dulles Toll Road and Beulah Road, this may<br />

prove a little more difficult to get to by bike, but<br />

well worth the visit with over20 varieties of cherry<br />

trees in this 95-acre park.<br />

• US National Arboretum—great for biking, this is<br />

one of the best places to avoid the Tidal Basin.<br />

• Anacostia Park—you’ll find 1,200 acres spanning<br />

the river shoreline and dozens of cherry trees.<br />

• Foxhall Village—west of Georgetown at Foxhall and<br />

Reservoir Roads, the story-book Tudor-style houses<br />

are made all the more enchanting by bursts of cherry<br />

trees throughout the neighborhood.<br />

• Stanton Park on Capitol Hill—off the beaten path<br />

in northeast Washington at the intersection of<br />

Maryland Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, you'll<br />

find mostly neighborhood children and dog walkers<br />

beneath the cherry tree canopy at this four-acre park.<br />

30,000<br />

active cyclists will read your ad here!<br />

Call<br />

301-418-1039<br />

Renting A Ride<br />

What to do with friends or family without bikes? Rent<br />

one. There are several options with many places offering<br />

kids bikes and other specialty rides (like trail-abike<br />

attachments and tandems).<br />

• Capital Bikeshare— Cost is $5/day; $15 for 5 days.<br />

Take a bike from any station, enjoy your ride, and<br />

return the bike to the station of your choosing.<br />

With 110 bike stations around DC and Arlington<br />

you’re likely to find one convenient to you. Staff<br />

will be on hand to assist at the Independence<br />

Avenue and 12th Street location all three weekends<br />

of the festival. Trips under thirty minutes are free!<br />

(http://capitalbikeshare.com/)<br />

• Big Wheel Bikes—Cost: $7/hour; $25/day. Area<br />

locations. (http://bigwheelbikes.com)<br />

• Bike and Roll—Cost: $10-$20/2 hours; $18-$40/4<br />

hours; $35-$70/day; actual cost dependent on type<br />

of bike rented. Location: Old Post Office Pavilion<br />

and Union Station. (http://www.bikethesites.com)<br />

• Bikes to Borrow—Cost: $45/day. Free delivery to<br />

NE and NW Washington.<br />

(http://www.bikestoborrow.com)<br />

• Revolution Cycles—Cost: $5/hour; $35/day.<br />

Location: Georgetown. Area locations.<br />

(http://revolutioncycles.com/)<br />

• Rollin Cycles—Cost: $8/hour; $30/day. Location:<br />

Logan Circle. (http://rollincyclesdc.com)<br />

• Thompson Boat Center—Cost: $7/hour; $28/day.<br />

Location: Georgetown.<br />

(http://www.thompsonboatcenter.com/)<br />

Not The Mall<br />

If visiting the Tidal Basin still seems like an act of<br />

insanity, be sure to take advantage of the beauty<br />

around town and, quite possibly, in your own backyard.<br />

Note, trees in outer areas usually blossom slightly<br />

later than those on the Mall.<br />

• Kenwood neighborhood in Bethesda—this notso-secret<br />

gem is located right off of the Capital<br />

Crescent Trail (barely a mile after the trail starts in<br />

Bethesda; turn off on Dorset Avenue which crosses<br />

the path).<br />

pack your imagination<br />

and hold on.<br />

bike virginia tour<br />

june 24-29, <strong>2011</strong><br />

In <strong>2011</strong> the tour will visit the New River Valley. We will camp in two host towns and visit several others on the<br />

tour. An area rich in history, geology, culture and scenery, the valley is home to portions of both the New River<br />

(one of the oldest rivers in the world) and Bike Route 76 (stretches from Oregon to Virginia). The Wilderness<br />

Road, Virginia’s heritage migration route, also passes through many of the communities we will visit!<br />

Bike Raffle!<br />

Win a custom painted Breezer<br />

commuting bike painted in<br />

<strong>2011</strong> BVT colors!<br />

Register at www.bikevirginia.org<br />

Each adult registering for the full tour by 4/1/11<br />

will receive a FREE Jersey!<br />

Children under 18, Non Riders, and Day Riders<br />

registered by 4/1/11 will receive a FREE T-Shirt!<br />

Brought to you by:<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

11


Complete Streets<br />

An Interview with Barbara McCann<br />

by brenda ruby bruby@verizon.net<br />

Has this ever happened to you? You’re biking along when, suddenly, a bike lane appears<br />

but then disappears just as quickly as it started. Or the paved path you’re riding<br />

on abruptly ends…in the grass. Rolling through a swampy ditch back to the road<br />

you wonder, “What was the point of that?!”<br />

as a biker you’ve probably experienced and<br />

been frustrated by these roads (or more aptly, these<br />

paths and bike lanes) to nowhere, but to Barbara<br />

McCann, executive director of the National Complete<br />

Streets Coalition, it’s a sign of progress.<br />

The goal of the National Complete Streets Coalition<br />

is to “complete the streets” for everyone and to bring<br />

awareness that “too many of our streets are designed<br />

for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.”<br />

And while the disappearing bike lane might seem like<br />

it’s another sign that bikes aren’t seen as belonging, it<br />

is actually just the opposite.<br />

McCann recently told SPOKES that when a community<br />

adopts a “Complete Streets” policy, accessibility<br />

is added when road upgrades are made. So if a<br />

three-block section of road is being resurfaced and<br />

restriped, that three-block section might also add bike<br />

lanes and crosswalks at the same time. Eventually the<br />

entire road would be slated for repair and, therefore,<br />

added accessibility for all users.<br />

“Over time,” McCann explained, “the idea is that<br />

these paths and lanes would get hooked up into a network<br />

of trails.”<br />

Complete bike lanes are only part of the deal, too,<br />

because “Complete Streets” isn’t just a term covering<br />

cars and bikes. The Coalition believes that streets “are<br />

an important part of the livability of our communities”<br />

and should be for everyone, “whether young or<br />

old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user,<br />

bus rider or shopkeeper.”<br />

“The Complete Streets basic idea is to make sure that<br />

in all future projects, the transportation board takes<br />

into account all users,” she added.<br />

The concept seems simple enough and it’s one that<br />

McCann says bicyclists instantly get. Recalling her<br />

own “a-ha” moment, McCann found herself dreaming<br />

about “bike lanes everywhere” while having a particularly<br />

difficult time trying to navigate Ponce de Leon,<br />

the main retail and residential arterial in Atlanta,<br />

where she worked for CNN as a writer.<br />

Though she jokingly says she “got sucked into activism”<br />

McCann’s own path to involvement has been an<br />

organic one. As she says, “Riding your bike in Atlanta<br />

is not a prescription for happiness” and noticed<br />

the distinct lack of riders when she participated in<br />

her first Bike to Work Day in 1992. Up to that point<br />

McCann had solely been a recreational rider but<br />

wanted to try bike commuting the 4½ miles to work.<br />

After that first Bike to Work Day McCann became<br />

so engaged in the program that she ended up running<br />

it for a few years. At the same time, Atlanta was<br />

really struggling with its air quality requirements and<br />

a housemate who worked for a transportation reform<br />

organization introduced her to what was happening at<br />

a policy level.<br />

As she started to report on transportation issues for<br />

CNN, McCann realized that Atlanta’s problems were<br />

not unique.<br />

This confluence of events left McCann ready<br />

for a career shift and in 1998 when the Surface<br />

Transportation Policy Project, the main organization<br />

doing federal transportation reform work at the<br />

time, needed a media person, McCann decided that<br />

was her calling. The switch moved her to DC and<br />

introduced her to all the players in the transportation<br />

reform movement—bike people, environmentalists,<br />

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public health people, and low-income advocates, to<br />

name a few.<br />

McCann used these experiences to further her advocacy<br />

work, becoming a transportation issues consultant<br />

in 2002. Though she credits another with coming<br />

up with the term “Complete Streets,” it came out of<br />

an advisory group she convened when tasked to come<br />

up with a less-wonky term for “routine accommodation”—the<br />

idea that bicycles are routinely accommodated<br />

in transportation planning. McCann says, “That<br />

was the one that rose to the top and I realized very<br />

quickly that it wasn’t just bikes. It was a phrase that<br />

covered everyone who used the roads and all types<br />

of transportation—pedestrians, people who use mass<br />

transit, and bikers.” The movement had a name.<br />

Because “Complete Streets” encompasses all users, it<br />

quickly drew support from non-bike groups as well,<br />

such as the American Heart Association, AARP, user<br />

groups like the Paralyzed Veterans, and practitioner<br />

groups like the American Planning Association and<br />

the Institute for Transportation Engineers.<br />

“Part of it was to say this is not just a bike thing, this is<br />

something that a lot of different people and areas are<br />

going to benefit from, which is really helpful when<br />

you’re talking to Congress,” she said.<br />

While the ultimate goal would be to have the<br />

Transportation Bill make “Complete Streets” a federal<br />

mandate, McCann saw their miss on being included<br />

in the 2005 Bill as an opportunity to bring the movement<br />

to the local level. The Transportation Bill is a<br />

multi-billion dollar bill which authorizes and appropriates<br />

federal funding to states for a six-year period<br />

and “without the federal mandate [for “Complete<br />

Streets”], states have to decide this is how they want to<br />

spend the money.”<br />

Believing that this ownership is an important component<br />

to the success of “Complete Streets” McCann felt<br />

so compelled to try to continue working in this direction<br />

that she succeeded in converting the existing<br />

task force into the “Complete Streets Coalition” with<br />

member groups pledging funding to move it forward.<br />

Moving it forward is now McCann’s job.<br />

How DO you get people excited and invested in this?<br />

McCann says the interest isn’t new. “There’s been a lot<br />

of activity in this area for a while but the “Complete<br />

Streets” movement gave it a brain. People have been<br />

struggling for years on a project-by-project basis but<br />

this gives people something to organize around and<br />

gives people a way to talk about wanting things<br />

done differently.”<br />

Momentum is growing, with 80 policies adopted in<br />

2010 that makes over 200 policies that have been<br />

adopted overall, including towns, cities, and states.<br />

Though McCann points out that committing and<br />

implementation are two different things with community<br />

pressure being the only real repercussion.<br />

“The devil’s in the details with ‘Complete Streets,’”<br />

McCann says and a real challenge is changing agency<br />

culture and practice. Again, what’s an inherent concept<br />

to cyclists is not so inherent to the non-cyclists,<br />

particularly to those designing the roads.<br />

“The traditional line of thinking for engineers has<br />

been that if it’s dangerous for pedestrians then let’s<br />

prohibit pedestrians. But we need to look for other<br />

answers.” McCann continues saying, “The power of<br />

‘Complete Streets’ is it brings that conversation out in<br />

the open so the whole community can talk and figure<br />

out what they want. It brings the engineers who are<br />

thinking ‘my job is to move cars’ together with cyclists<br />

and pedestrians who are thinking ‘I want to use this<br />

road to get around.’”<br />

Get the light bulb to go on and McCann says engineers<br />

do amazing things.<br />

“Engineers are problem solvers and what’s really<br />

inspiring is seeing what they can do when they’re<br />

convinced the problem they need to solve isn’t moving<br />

cars, but moving people. A lot of engineers<br />

around the country have gotten this and they’re our<br />

biggest allies.<br />

“You can put up a ‘Share the Road’ sign but if there<br />

are no other cues that cyclists or pedestrians belong<br />

then it’s not very useful” which is why the physical<br />

cue of actually having a bike lane or sidewalk is so<br />

important. McCann knows that these physical cues are<br />

integral to changing the mindset that roads are just<br />

for cars.<br />

YOUR<br />

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FIT<br />

“When you see someone stumbling along the side<br />

of the road because there’s no sidewalk or path you<br />

think, ‘What are they trying to do?’ because all the<br />

signals you get are ‘This is for cars, this is for going<br />

as fast as you can.” But change the way a road looks<br />

and performs and everyone, motorists and pedestrians<br />

alike, behave better. Motorists pay attention more<br />

because they have the cues that tell them the road<br />

isn’t just for cars and cyclists that have flaunted traffic<br />

laws because of incomplete roads and lights that<br />

complete continued on p.14<br />

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13


complete continued from p.13<br />

don’t change have a system that includes and works<br />

for them.<br />

McCann points to the recent addition of the counterflow<br />

lane and bike signals on New Hampshire Avenue<br />

crossing 16th (in D.C.) as a perfect example. “Adding<br />

a double-yellow line for bikers and suddenly people<br />

went from being scofflaws to law-abiding citizens.”<br />

McCann notes that Washington, D.C., “has really<br />

embraced multi-modal roads and making roads<br />

work for everybody.” D.C. has a “Complete Streets”<br />

policy which was signed by Gabe Klein before he left<br />

his position. D.C. has been designing multi-modally<br />

for several years and especially in the last two and<br />

McCann commends the “creativity and thinking<br />

ahead” as the “spirit you want to see with ‘Complete<br />

Street.’” For example, when Pennsylvania Avenue<br />

received the unusual treatment where bike lanes<br />

were put in the middle of the road, initially, there<br />

were problems.<br />

“They got a lot of pushback and ended up redoing it,”<br />

she said, “but they were still committed to doing it;<br />

they didn’t take it out.”<br />

While Maryland has had a “Complete Streets” law<br />

that was passed in 1996, McCann says it’s not really<br />

enforced. “Part of it is that ‘Complete Streets’ is in<br />

regard to new roads and reconstruction, so it’s really<br />

slow, but they haven’t grabbed it and run with it.” She<br />

adds, “Montgomery County has a ‘Complete Streets’<br />

policy which is new so they haven’t really had time to<br />

implement it.<br />

In Virginia there’s a “Complete Streets” policy that’s<br />

internal to the DOT which McCann says they’re working<br />

on implementing and are slowly moving in the<br />

right direction. With a new governor she hopes this<br />

continues to be the case. Arlington, however, is like<br />

D.C. in that they’ve been doing “Complete Streets” for<br />

a while. McCann notes that they started doing it more<br />

from a transit perspective, trying to make best use of<br />

the metro.<br />

While McCann works at making “Complete Streets” a<br />

national objective, she points to the “shared spaces”<br />

movement happening in Europe as a similar concept.<br />

“The idea is that you get rid of all the signals, and<br />

signs, and pavement markings, usually at major intersections<br />

or plazas, and the drivers automatically slow<br />

down because they have to be watching for pedestrians<br />

and everyone else.” While this might sound<br />

crazy to a population used to zoning out behind the<br />

wheel, McCann says that studies are showing it’s safer<br />

because everybody has to be paying attention.<br />

“In the U.S. people get road rage because people are<br />

reacting to what others are supposed to be doing rather<br />

than reacting to what’s happening.” McCann says<br />

the concept is partly based on third world countries<br />

where everybody is watching and paying attention and<br />

adjusting to what’s happening around them.<br />

Because McCann’s own bike experiences include biking<br />

across the country, various countries in Europe,<br />

and biking in Cambodia and Southeast Asia she’s very<br />

familiar with people having a completely different system<br />

of handling traffic.<br />

Of biking in the third world she says, “Erase what you<br />

think about biking in the country, it was such an eyeopener.<br />

Everyone’s out there mixing it up but somehow<br />

it works. You move predictably and steadily and<br />

people behind you react. ‘Complete Streets’ seems<br />

irrelevant there because they have another set of<br />

rules and other cultural conventions about how<br />

they travel.”<br />

Whether or not your future involves discovering the cultural<br />

bike norms of another locale, navigating your current<br />

environment is on its way to becoming easier. While<br />

bike commuting logistics may be overwhelming, McCann<br />

believes that “Complete Streets” will initially allow for<br />

more errand running and simple transportation.<br />

So the next time you find yourself dumped off an<br />

all-too-short bike lane, consider that with continued<br />

commitment and rising awareness, these “paths<br />

to nowhere” might actually be paving the way to<br />

“Complete Streets” for everyone.<br />

To find out if your community has adopted a<br />

“Complete Streets” policy or for ways to become<br />

involved, visit www.completestreets.org.<br />

14 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


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RIDE<br />

NO MATTER HOW YOU DESCRIBE IT, THERE’S<br />

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ALIGN FOR ONE INCREDIBLE DAY. ONLY YOUR<br />

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EVERY RIDE THE PERFECT RIDE.<br />

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(703) 858-5501<br />

BELLEVIEW<br />

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1506 Belle View Boulevard<br />

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1907 Plank Road<br />

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HERNDON<br />

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2451 I-3 Centerville Road<br />

(703) 793-0400<br />

MANASSAS<br />

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7705 Sudley Road<br />

(703) 361-6101<br />

VIENNA<br />

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224 Maple Avenue East<br />

(703) 281-2004<br />

WOODBRIDGE<br />

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14477 Potomac Mills Road<br />

(703) 491-5700<br />

MARYLAND<br />

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CAPITAL BICYCLE, INC.<br />

436 Chinquapin Round Road<br />

(410) 626-2197<br />

BALTIMORE<br />

PRINCETON SPORTS<br />

6239 Falls Road<br />

(410) 828-1127<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

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10730 Little Patuxent Parkway<br />

(410) 995-1894<br />

FREDERICK<br />

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Rt. 26 & Monocacy Boulevard<br />

(301) 663-0007<br />

HYATTSVILLE<br />

ARROW BICYCLE<br />

5108 Baltimore Avenue<br />

(301) 531-9250<br />

LUTHERVILLE<br />

LUTHERVILLE BIKE SHOP<br />

1544 York Road<br />

(410) 583-8734<br />

MT. AIRY<br />

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5 North Main Street<br />

(301) 829-5604<br />

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3403 M Street, NW<br />

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<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

15


worthy causes<br />

ROAR for Autism Set for May 1st<br />

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s ROAR for Autism will<br />

feature events and activities for everyone, including<br />

challenging 50- and 25- mile rides, a 10-mile ride for<br />

recreational bikers, a 5-mile ride designed for beginner<br />

cyclists, and a youth fun ride. Participants can also<br />

enjoy nature walks on the trails at Oregon Ridge Park.<br />

The popular Wegmans Wellness Village will be back<br />

once again featuring healthy foods for all families<br />

including those with children on special autism diets.<br />

In addition, the family fun festival will provide entertainment<br />

for all participants and includes carnival<br />

games, balloon animals and musical entertainment.<br />

For more information visit www.roar.kennedykrieger.<br />

org or call (443) 923-7300.<br />

Mark Trexler ROARS for Autism because…<br />

How did you get involved with ROAR for Autism?<br />

Cycling in ROAR for Autism was a natural fit for<br />

me. As the educational coordinator for the Kennedy<br />

Krieger High School, every day I work with children<br />

that have a range of disabilities including autism.<br />

ROAR for Autism benefits autism research which is<br />

close to my heart because of the work that I do and<br />

the challenges our students face on a daily basis.<br />

How many years have you participated in ROAR?<br />

I have been participating in ROAR for Autism since<br />

its inception 7 years ago and it has been great to see<br />

its evolution.<br />

How long have you been a cyclist?<br />

I’ve been cycling for close to 15 years.<br />

Why and how did you become interested in riding?<br />

I guess you might say I caught the riding bug when<br />

I began following Lance Armstrong. My family<br />

and I have always followed the major races and I<br />

watched my first professional road race in 1993 when<br />

Lance Armstrong won the United States National<br />

Professional Road Race Championships. I also began<br />

cycling because I was looking for an alternative to<br />

running and needed something that put less stress on<br />

my body. My brother really encouraged me to get into<br />

cycling and I began as a recreational cyclist, but as<br />

the years went on I became more serious about training<br />

for long distance races. For me, cycling is a family<br />

affair. We pass down and share our equipment, enter<br />

races together and are constantly e-mailing each other<br />

racing and training tips. Recently, I began coaching<br />

and training special Olympic athletes to ride in ROAR<br />

for Autism.<br />

How did you get involved with the special Olympic<br />

athletes?<br />

I first became interested because of my connection<br />

to Kennedy Krieger. I was looking for a way to volunteer<br />

with a sport that I loved to do and knew that<br />

the Special Olympics of Maryland Baltimore County<br />

(SOMDBA) offered cycling. Although the program<br />

had been dormant for five years, the sports director<br />

for the county strongly encouraged me to become a<br />

coach and help build up the program again. I had<br />

never volunteered with the Special Olympics, but<br />

thought I could be helpful because many of the skills<br />

I use at work translate well into coaching special<br />

Olympic athletes.<br />

What do you enjoy most about coaching the special<br />

Olympic athletes?<br />

The best part of coaching is being able to share the<br />

joy that I get from cycling with others. It is my hope<br />

that my athletes enjoy cycling as much as I do and<br />

continue to train for even longer distances. One of<br />

my favorite moments is the first time we all rode more<br />

The Will Group<br />

Foundation, Inc.<br />

presents the 2 nd annual<br />

Tour Frederick<br />

de<br />

Also sponsored by:<br />

August 12-14, <strong>2011</strong><br />

the best of<br />

Frederick County,<br />

Maryland<br />

Proceeds will benefit:<br />

Visit us on the web at www.tourdefrederick.com for more information!<br />

16 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


than two miles on the NCR trail together. It was the<br />

best two miles of my cycling career because I knew at<br />

that point they had learned the enjoyment of<br />

the sport.<br />

How many special Olympic athletes are you coaching?<br />

What ride are they training for?<br />

Right now, I have five people signed up for the training<br />

program. Two athletes are returning from last<br />

year and three are new. They are all training to participate<br />

in the five-mile loop at ROAR for Autism. We<br />

are always looking for volunteers and participants,<br />

and I encourage anyone who is interested to visit www.<br />

somdba.org.<br />

What is your training regimen for the special<br />

Olympic athletes?<br />

Our training program begins one month before<br />

ROAR for Autism and we will be meeting at the NCR<br />

trail for our practices. This is a great environment<br />

for the special Olympic athletes because they see<br />

people doing the same thing and there is a variety of<br />

people training at all different levels. The mile markers<br />

are also very helpful. Each week we focus on bike<br />

handling and safety. At the beginning of each training<br />

session we stretch, and then I ask each athlete<br />

to look over their bike and check their brakes, tire<br />

pressure and gears. While we are riding, I explain the<br />

importance of hydration and the need to drink water<br />

during each ride which is its own unique skill. I also<br />

encourage each of the athletes to practice on their<br />

own one or two additional times a week.<br />

What advice do you have for beginner cyclists?<br />

A reporter once asked Fausto Coppi, a very famous<br />

Italian bike racer who won the Giro d'Italia five times,<br />

“What does it take to become such a great champion?”<br />

Coppi answered, “Ride your bike, ride your bike,<br />

ride your bike.” It takes years to build up the strength<br />

in your legs, but the only way to accomplish this is to<br />

practice riding as often as you can on the roads or<br />

trails. Cycling is also a great activity to add to your<br />

vacation or your weekend fun.<br />

Do any other members of your family participate in<br />

ROAR, the ride or walk?<br />

Almost every year I have done ROAR for Autism with<br />

my brother-in-law, father-in-law and my two nephews.<br />

My nephews were my biggest source of encouragement<br />

while riding the 25-mile course for the first time<br />

last year.<br />

What do you personally like or find special about<br />

ROAR?<br />

ROAR for Autism is the one time each year the entire<br />

Kennedy Krieger community gets together and celebrates<br />

the field of disabilities through recreation.<br />

Everybody comes to ROAR with a goal whether it is<br />

accomplished through fundraising and/or the goal<br />

of cycling, hiking and walking a specific distance with<br />

family and friends.<br />

How has the event changed in 7 years?<br />

ROAR for Autism has come a long way since its first<br />

year. I still remember cycling through the streets of<br />

downtown Baltimore when it was just a small event<br />

and there were only two ride options. Now, there are<br />

four different courses and it is accessible for all types<br />

of riders. The number of people attending has quadrupled.<br />

They have added a walk, family fun festival<br />

and have plenty of entertainment for those that are<br />

not riding. It has been great to be a part of this event<br />

every year and watch it grow, however we can always<br />

use more riders!<br />

What ride-mileage will you be tackling this year?<br />

This year, I would like to ride with my athletes for<br />

the five-mile ride and continue on to do at least the<br />

25-mile ride. I will be very satisfied just to see my<br />

Special Olympic athletes complete the five mile loop<br />

distance.<br />

Why is it important to support this event?<br />

I think we are very lucky to have some of the top<br />

autism researchers in the country at the Kennedy<br />

Krieger Institute, which is right here in Baltimore.<br />

They are working hard to advance the study of autism<br />

spectrum disorders and this event supports the<br />

groundbreaking research that I am fortunate enough<br />

to see the benefits of every day. I hope that everyone<br />

can rally for this cause to support the critically<br />

needed funds for autism research. If you are interested<br />

in riding or just want to donate to a great cause,<br />

check the event out online by visiting www.ROAR.<br />

KennedyKrieger.org.<br />

Editor’s Note:<br />

Cyclists in the mid-Atlantic are very fortunate to have a large<br />

variety of cycling events that raise money for worthwhile<br />

causes. These events are almost always well supported,<br />

meaning in most cases a riders just shows up and rides. The<br />

rest, like a safe route, stocked rest stops, plenty of goodies,<br />

and a guaranteed good time, are taken of by the sponsoring<br />

organization and its many volunteers.<br />

SPOKES is offering some of these organizations the opportunity<br />

to tell our readers about themselves and what they do.<br />

The passion<br />

for cycling<br />

starts young…<br />

and lasts forever.<br />

The Bicycle Place –<br />

the friendliest<br />

shop in town.<br />

Let us help<br />

you explore<br />

your passion.<br />

8313 Grubb Road, Silver Spring MD 301-588-6160<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

17


trispokes by ron cassie ron_cassie@yahoo.com<br />

Vigorito Working Into Shape After Frightening<br />

Collision In Kona<br />

As many triathletes in Maryland, the mid-Atlantic<br />

region and around the country know, beloved<br />

Columbia Triathlon Association race director Rob<br />

Vigorito was seriously injured in a bicycle accident in<br />

Kona, Hawaii in October. Vigorito was there to compete<br />

in the Ironman World Championships for the<br />

seventh time.<br />

Two days after arriving in Kona, Vigorito was two<br />

miles into an early morning training ride when a<br />

truck pulled out in front of him as it attempted to<br />

make a left turn onto the Queen K Highway – just<br />

as Vigorito peddled through the intersection. The<br />

63-year-old Vigorito wound up going over his handlebars<br />

and plowing into the truck.<br />

Flown to a trauma center, Vigorito was treated for<br />

numerous broken ribs, a punctured lung and broken<br />

shoulder, among other injuries. Thankfully, he’s recovered<br />

from the worst injuries after a long rehabilitation.<br />

He’s even back in the saddle now, but not yet where he<br />

hopes to be, still suffering from some shoulder issues.<br />

He’s also looking forward to the upcoming triathlon<br />

season, both as director – and athlete.<br />

Hospitalized for two weeks, it was another four weeks<br />

before Vigorito could be flown home from Hawaii.<br />

He’s fully recovered from the punctured lung and<br />

rib injuries, and his left shoulder is improving. His<br />

biggest concern at the moment is his right shoulder,<br />

re-injured, he said, after tripping and falling a couple<br />

of months ago.<br />

“I’m trying to get well,” Vigorito told <strong>Spokes</strong> in<br />

mid-March from Naples, Fla., where he and his<br />

wife Sharon built a winter home a year and a half<br />

ago. “I had left shoulder surgery in the first part of<br />

December to remove a broken bone they couldn’t fix.<br />

I’ve been undergoing physical therapy on the left arm<br />

and shoulder, and basically it’s a little tight. But I’ve<br />

got about 90 percent of my range of motion.<br />

“The problem is the right shoulder,” Vigorito continued.<br />

“I tripped and fell about three weeks after I had<br />

shoulder surgery on my left shoulder – I’d messed<br />

it up in the fall – and I’ve got all different kinds of<br />

sprains and strains in there and it’s not getting better.”<br />

Vigorito said that’s it quite possible he may need surgery<br />

on the right shoulder, adding the specialists have<br />

told him the injury could be related to tightness in his<br />

neck and nerve impingement there.<br />

“The lungs have healed, the ribs have healed, and I’m<br />

riding with two cycling groups here, but it’s hard with<br />

the right arm in pain,” Vigorito said.<br />

Despite the ongoing shoulder struggles, Vigorito considers<br />

himself lucky, and cautiously optimistic about<br />

the season.<br />

“Fortunately, everything below the belly button, nothing<br />

happened,” he said, laughing. “It’s been a long<br />

road, believe me, but I’m hoping to do some races<br />

this summer. It’s just hard to know what I’ll be able to<br />

do, and what I won’t be able to do right now.”<br />

Initially, Vigorito said he was a little skittish about<br />

getting back on the bike, but the resort community<br />

where he and his wife reside in Naples, has about 20<br />

miles of road riding available with very little traffic.<br />

“I was able to slowly rebuild stamina and my comfort<br />

level to where I felt ready to go,” he said. “The two<br />

groups I ride with here, it’s all hammer heads, they<br />

like to pace-line. I’ve been riding about 100-110 miles<br />

a week, at a high pace, about 18 miles per hour, all<br />

flat, no hills.”<br />

As far as the accident, the driver of truck did stop at<br />

the scene, Vigorito said, and was cited for failure to<br />

yield, but that’s it. Vigorito said he retained a lawyer<br />

to possibly help recoup monetary damages. However,<br />

it took five month just to get a copy of the citation<br />

and he’s not sure whether anything further will come<br />

from pursuing a civil suit or settlement.<br />

“The good part is I’m getting better, the bad part is<br />

that’s taking a lot of time,” said Vigorito, adding that<br />

he’s on his way back to Maryland this month. “It also<br />

could’ve been a lot worse.”<br />

Meanwhile, Vigorito is keeping things moving forward<br />

at the Columbia Triathlon Association…<br />

Columbia Triathlon Association: Adding Events<br />

and USAT Championship Designations<br />

The Columbia Triathlon Association is best known<br />

for its two signature events, the nearly three-decade<br />

and running Columbia Triathlon in late May, and<br />

Eagleman, the hyper-competitive Ironman 70.3 event<br />

in Cambridge in mid-June.<br />

Of course, there’s the incredibly popular Iron Girl<br />

event, the five-year-old all-woman’s sprint distance<br />

triathlon that regularly attracts 2,000 participants in<br />

August – and sold out by February this year.<br />

But there’s much more that’s been added in recent<br />

years, and for this season as well.<br />

The Columbia Triathlon Association year actually<br />

starts off with the third annual TriColumbia LIFEfest,<br />

a running festival, featuring the Blossoms of Hope<br />

Half Marathon, the Ulman Cancer Fund 5K and a<br />

Kidz Fun Run.<br />

The Columbia Celebration Sprint Triathlon, launched<br />

last year, also returns this year, on June 26, offering<br />

trispokes continued on p.20<br />

18 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


Triathlete Doug Landau (right) was among 2,000 triathletes at Multisport World Expo in Bethesda March 27.<br />

trispokes continued from p.18<br />

a top local sprint distance race for triathletes – and<br />

would-be triathletes – of both sexes. As of SPOKES’<br />

mid-March deadline, slots remain open for that event.<br />

The inaugural event last year also attracted 2,000 registrants.<br />

The new event this year is the TriColumbia Kidz<br />

Triathlon, scheduled for June 24, open to youths<br />

aged seven to 14 years old. Starting at the Clemens<br />

Crossing Pool in Hickory Ridge Village in Columbia<br />

and organized around Clemens Crossing Elementary<br />

School, the event offers four varying distances for kids<br />

to race. The TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon, is partnering<br />

with similar events in Frederick, Nottingham and<br />

Annapolis, part of a mini youth triathlon series, said<br />

Linda Congedo, communications director with the<br />

Columbia Triathlon.<br />

“It’s a first of its kind of event locally and the idea is<br />

to engage youth in a healthy lifestyle in the state, and<br />

hopefully get kids to compete in more than one event<br />

and become eligible for prizes,” Congedo said. “The<br />

priority is on fun and safety, with the bulk of donations<br />

raised through the event going to the Joanna<br />

Nicolay Melanoma Foundation.”<br />

ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon<br />

Swim 2.4mi • Bike 112mi • Run 26.2mi<br />

ChesapeakeMan AquaVelo<br />

Swim 2.4mi • Bike 112mi<br />

Skipjack 75.2 Triathlon<br />

Swim 1.2mi • Bike 64mi • Run 10mi<br />

The Bugeye Sprint<br />

Swim 800yd • Bike 15mi • Run 3.1mi<br />

Aqua Velo & ChesapeakeMan<br />

There’s also other big news this season for the<br />

Columbia Triathlon Association from USA Triathlon,<br />

the sport’s governing body.<br />

The Eagleman half-Ironman event, a 1.2-mile swim,<br />

56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run, a qualifying event for the<br />

<strong>2011</strong> Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii<br />

and the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater,<br />

Fla., has also been named the host of the USAT mid-<br />

Atlantic Aqua Velo Regional Championship for the<br />

first time.<br />

“The aqua velo events are really a growing trend,”<br />

Congedo said. “There’s national rankings now. What<br />

many triathletes like about it is that it doesn’t take the<br />

toll on their knees like running does.”<br />

Congedo also announced that 2010 Ironman world<br />

champion Mirinda Carfrae has committed to race at<br />

Eagleman again this summer. The New Zealand-native<br />

won Eagleman in 2009.<br />

The other major news at the Columbia Triathlon<br />

Association is that the <strong>2011</strong> ChesapeakeMan Ultra<br />

Distance Triathlon has been selected as the USAT<br />

Mid-Atlantic Ultra Distance Regional Championship.<br />

The ChesapeakeMan, was also named one of the<br />

world's “10 Best” 140.6 races by Triathlete magazine.<br />

A full 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-<br />

mile run, without the “Ironman” affiliation, the<br />

ChesapeakeMan, Sept. 24 this year, has become<br />

a tradition for many local triathletes. And<br />

ChesapeakeMan has grown into what’s known as at<br />

the ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival. Last year, the<br />

Columbia Triathlon Association added the inaugural<br />

Skipjack Triathlon, a 1.2-mile swim, 64-mile bike,<br />

10-mile run event to coincide with ChesapeakeMan,<br />

open again this year.<br />

“It’s really a little gem,” Congedo said of the<br />

Cambridge festival. “Just a great event, in the heart<br />

of the season, with something for everyone. The temperatures<br />

are generally better than for Eagleman,”<br />

Congedo added with laugh.<br />

20 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


Ever thought of Trying a Tri or Doing a Du?<br />

Look to Piranha Sports ® to get you Tri-ing and Du-ing!<br />

<strong>2011</strong> Greater Atlantic Multisport Series ® Events—$10,000 in<br />

cash and prizes. Go to website for details.<br />

New Jersey Devilman® Triathlon<br />

Half Lite 50: 0.8 Mile Swim~40.3 Mile Bike~8.8 Mile Run<br />

Sprint: 0.4 Mile Swim~20.5 Mile Bike~4 Mile Run<br />

Cumberland County, NJ - May 7, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Cascade Lake Triathlon & Duathlon<br />

Tri: 0.31 Mile Swim~15 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Du: 1.86 Mile Run~15 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Cascade Lake Park in Hampstead, MD - May 15, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Escape from Fort Delaware® Triathlon<br />

1500 Meter~40K Bike~10K Run<br />

Delaware City, DE - May 22, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Independence Triathlon<br />

1/4 Mile Swim~10 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run<br />

Lake Nockamixon State Park—Quakertown, PA - June 5, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Tri-It Triathlon<br />

1/4 Mile Swim~10 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run<br />

Bear, DE - June 12, <strong>2011</strong><br />

A Triathlon for First Timers. Open to all levels including<br />

“regular” triathletes. Bring your kids to Escape from<br />

School Youth Tri the day before.<br />

Diamond in the Rough® Triathlon<br />

1 Mile Swim~27 Mile Bike~5 Mile Run<br />

Perryville, MD - July 9, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Patriot’s Triathlon<br />

Half Lite 50: 1300 Meter Swim~38 Mile Bike~7 Mile Run<br />

Sprint: 650 Meter Swim~13.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile Run<br />

Bath, PA - July 17, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Lums Pond Triathlon & Duathlon<br />

Tri: 0.5 Mile Swim~19.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile Run<br />

Du: 2 Mile Run~19.5 Mile Bike~3 Mile run<br />

Bear, DE - August 14, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Bring your kids to the Lums Pond Youth Tri the day<br />

before<br />

Cannonman® Triathlon<br />

Half: 1.2 Mile Swim~54 Mile Bike~13.1 Mile Run<br />

Sprint: 0.31 Mile Swim~10.5 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Shawnee State Park, Bedford County, PA - August 21, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Delaware Diamondman® Triathlon<br />

Half: 1.2 Mile Swim~56 Mile Bike~13.1 Mile Run<br />

Sprint: 0.6 Mile Swim~16 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run<br />

Bear, DE - September 11, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Marshman Triathlon<br />

1/4 Mile Swim~12.5 Mile Bike~2 Mile Run<br />

Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown, PA - Sept. 18, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Cape Henlopen Triathlon & Duathlon<br />

Tri: 1/4 Mile Swim~14 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Du: 1.5 Mile Run~14 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Lewes, DE - October 9, <strong>2011</strong><br />

<strong>2011</strong> Escape from School ® Youth Series<br />

For Kids Only-Aged 7-14<br />

Indian Valley Y Youth Triathlon<br />

Age 7-10: 75 Yd Pool Swim~1 Mile Bike~0.5 Mile Run<br />

Age 11-14: 175 Yd Pool Swim~3 Mile Bike~1 Mile Run<br />

Harleysville, PA - May 1, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Escape from School® Youth Triathlon<br />

100 Yard Swim~2.4 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run<br />

Bear, DE - June 11, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Bring your Moms and Dads to the Tri-It Triathlon the next<br />

day.<br />

KAY Good Kids Triathlon<br />

125 Yard Pool Swim~2.2 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run<br />

Kennett Square, PA - TDB—July 24, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Lums Pond Youth Triathlon<br />

100 Yard Swim~2.4 Mile Bike~0.4 Mile Run<br />

Bear, DE - August 13, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Bring your Moms and Dads to the Lums Pond Tri and Du the<br />

next day<br />

Other <strong>2011</strong> Piranha Events<br />

Tri for Our Veterans IV—In Memory of Matt McCulley<br />

Tri: 1/4 Mile Swim~8.3 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Du: 2 Mile Run~8.3 Mile Bike~3.1 Mile Run<br />

Sea Isle City, NJ - May 28, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adv Race<br />

Tri: 1500 Meter Swim~40K Bike~10K Run<br />

Sprint Tri: 600 Meter Swim~20K Bike~5K Run<br />

Adv: 2 Mile Paddle~20K Bike~5K Mile Run<br />

Pittsburgh, PA - July 31, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Piranha Sports is a full Multi-Sport Event<br />

Management company. We provide Chip<br />

timing for Triathlons and Running<br />

Events; Race Directing; Online<br />

Registration, and Consulting Services.<br />

Visit www.piranha-sports.com for more<br />

information.<br />

Visit www.piranha-sports.com frequently for updated information about our races, sponsors, and specials.<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

21


Behind Bars<br />

Let’s Talk About Bikes<br />

Like many of you, bikes and bike transportation find<br />

their way into many of my conversations. Of course, I<br />

don’t mind. I love to talk about bikes! These interactions<br />

generally fall into three categories, depending<br />

on the background of the person I’m talking to:<br />

• Biker to Biker<br />

• Biker to non-believer<br />

• Bike to curious non-biker<br />

Category 1 is the most comfortable. If I’m talking to<br />

someone who rides themselves, they usually “get it”<br />

and the banter generally moves in the direction of<br />

by chris eatough info@bikearlington.com<br />

a great trail to ride on, a recent epic ride, the current<br />

weather and riding conditions, or the latest bike<br />

equipment. All fun stuff that leaves everyone energized<br />

and thinking about the next ride.<br />

Category 2 can be more awkward and difficult, but<br />

can also be satisfying in their own way. The nonbelievers<br />

often have the attitude of “never in a million<br />

years” and might see bikes as a kid’s toy or a recreational<br />

vehicle that some people use for exercise. The<br />

fact that biking is a valid transportation mode that is<br />

very practical and sustainable is usually lost on these<br />

folks and the reasons that it’s not for them (whether<br />

these reasons are valid or not) may well be deeply<br />

cemented in their minds. These conversations can be<br />

frustrating, but usually there is some ego boost value<br />

in the conversation, to know that I easily accomplish<br />

something healthy and beneficial to the community<br />

that they consider so impossible and unrealistic.<br />

Category 3 is maybe the most interesting to me. These<br />

are the people that are not biking currently, but are<br />

at least somewhat intrigued in the concept. They are<br />

often curious, ask many questions, and you can almost<br />

see them visualizing themselves riding to work, riding<br />

to run errands, and riding for many of the short trips<br />

they currently make by car. They probably see some<br />

barriers (again, they may or may not be valid), but<br />

they also show at least some awareness of the benefits<br />

of bike transportation, and they might even be thinking<br />

“maybe I could do that too, if…” I love having<br />

conversations with these individuals, helping them<br />

break down their barriers and obstacles, and giving<br />

them the confidence to try integrating bike riding<br />

into their everyday lives.<br />

For some insight into the fascinating category 3<br />

group, take a look at the graphic below. This slide<br />

shows just one small piece of the results of the 2009<br />

Resident Transportation and Green Study, conducted<br />

by the Southeastern Institute of Research and LDA<br />

Consulting for Arlington County, Va. The full survey<br />

and results can be found at Commuterpage.com/<br />

research.<br />

The question asked was “what could Arlington County<br />

do to make it easier for you to ride a bicycle” and the<br />

survey group is representative of the general population.<br />

Note the most common response at 38% was<br />

“Nothing would encourage me.” Bah humbug. These<br />

are probably the Category 2 folks from my classification<br />

above. They are not biking now, and there is not<br />

much that can be done to get them biking.<br />

However, the good news is that 62% of Arlington<br />

residents do have some input on what can be done<br />

to make it easier to ride. Some of these folks might<br />

be riding already, but many fall in the “curious non<br />

-biker” group of Category 3. These are the people<br />

with at least a glimmer of hope that can be helped!<br />

The responses are mostly infrastructure related, and<br />

many of them are being addressed, particularly in the<br />

more urban areas of Arlington, D.C. and Baltimore.<br />

Of course, we need more, and the survey results<br />

certainly strengthen the case for separated bike facilities<br />

such as bike lanes, cycletracks and off street bike<br />

trails. These features also contribute to “make it safer”<br />

covering all of the top three on the wish list.<br />

I also believe that many of these curious non bikers<br />

often just need a nudge of encouragement, a vote of<br />

confidence, and some information on safe routes for<br />

bike riding, safe cycling classes, and other resources such<br />

as BikeArlington.com, goDCgo.com and WABA.org.<br />

We can all provide this nudge in our daily conversations<br />

and interactions, especially when we notice we<br />

are talking to someone in the most likely to be influenced<br />

category 3 group.<br />

What’s in it for us bikers? More people riding means<br />

more motorist awareness of cyclists which leads to<br />

safer riding conditions. Increased bike transportation<br />

also justifies increased investment in bike lanes and<br />

other infrastructure, leading to more people biking.<br />

The virtuous circle that benefits all of us.<br />

So enjoy your conversations about bikes at the water<br />

cooler, the stop light, or the grocery store, and be<br />

aware of what category your acquaintance falls in.<br />

Focus in on those that show a glimmer of interest and<br />

whenever possible, give them some encouragement<br />

and help them envision themselves incorporating<br />

cycling into their daily lives. The right nudge might<br />

just lead to one more person on a bike and that<br />

means better biking for all of us.<br />

22 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


Editor’s Note:<br />

SPOKES is excited to welcome one of the world’s legendary<br />

bicycle racers to our group of featured columnists. Six-time<br />

24-hour solo World Cup champion and five-time 24-hour<br />

solo National Cup champion Chris Eatough has been a<br />

professional mountain bike racer since 1998. The Baltimore<br />

area resident dominated 24-hour mountain bike racing for<br />

over half a decade, revolutionizing the sport by combining<br />

cross country race speed with meticulously choreographed<br />

pit stop strategies. Eatough gained considerable world wide<br />

fame as the subject of the full-length motion picture 24<br />

Solo, which told the gripping story of his bid for a seventhconsecutive<br />

24-hour Solo World Championship.<br />

In addition to his World and National solo titles, Eatough<br />

won the 2007 24 Hours of Moab; 2007 National Ultra Endurance<br />

Champion; 2007 “BC Bike Race” Champion; and ten<br />

victories in 100-mile mountain bike races.<br />

The married father of two young children has joined the<br />

ranks of the non-pro bicycle workers. Chris, who has a degree<br />

in engineering was hired in 2009 as program manager<br />

for BikeArlington.<br />

Chris would like to know what topics<br />

you would like him to cover in upcoming<br />

columns. If you have a particular<br />

interest or questions you’d like to ask Chris, email them<br />

to him at info@bikearlington.com. For more information<br />

about Bike Arlington, log onto www.BikeArlington.com.<br />

Long + Mini<br />

Survey<br />

n = 4,344<br />

multiple<br />

responses<br />

permitted<br />

62% of Residents Note One or More Actions<br />

that Could Make it Easier for Them to Bicycle<br />

They primarily note a need for more extensive and separate<br />

bicycle facilities and for amenities to make cycling safer. But<br />

residents’ particular concerns vary by area.<br />

Separate bicycle lanes 15%<br />

Social<br />

More bike trails 10%<br />

Make it safer 6%<br />

More bike racks / lockers 5%<br />

Shop<br />

Lighting on bike paths / lanes 3%<br />

Roadway signs to alert motorists 3%<br />

Provide bike share / rentals 3%<br />

More connections to bike trails 3%<br />

Other 16%<br />

Don't know 8%<br />

Nothing would encourage me<br />

38%<br />

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%<br />

Q33j What could Arlington County do to make it easier for your to ride a bicycle?<br />

50<br />

Particular Concerns by Area<br />

Safer – Columbia Pike and Other<br />

Bike trails – Shirlington<br />

Bike share – R-B and Jeff Davis<br />

Signs – R-B and Jeff Davis<br />

Southeastern Institute of Research<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

23


COMMUTER CONNECTION<br />

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301.270.0202<br />

www.takomabicycle.com<br />

MDOT Report: Few Maryland Schools Encouraging<br />

Students To Bicycle Or Walk<br />

According to a new report released by the Maryland<br />

Department of Transportation, less than 20 percent of<br />

all schools in the state actively encourage walking or<br />

bicycling to school by students.<br />

Among the key finding of MDOT’s 94-page report<br />

and survey, completed with partners in the education<br />

community and the bicycle and pedestrian community,<br />

was that none of the 24 school districts in the state<br />

had an explicit student pedestrian or biking policy.<br />

Only 12 percent of survey respondents said their<br />

school had an active Safe Routes to School group.<br />

Nationally, 16 percent of students, aged five to eight,<br />

walk or bike to school. At the same time, the U.S.<br />

Center for Disease Control reports that obesity among<br />

children aged 6 to 11 has tripled since the early<br />

1980s, from roughly six percent to more than 19 percent.<br />

The results of the Maryland survey suggest that<br />

it’s important for state officials to understand local<br />

school policies regarding walking or biking to school,<br />

suggesting this could be an untapped resource for<br />

increasing children’s daily physical activity.<br />

“With obesity on the rise across our country, we need<br />

to create more opportunities for children to get<br />

exercise by safely walking or biking to school,” said<br />

Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-<br />

Staley in a statement.<br />

“The value of this survey is that we now understand<br />

the obstacles across the state that may keep students<br />

from walking or biking to school,” she continued.<br />

“With this information, we can now work with principals<br />

and school districts on ways to improve sidewalks<br />

and other infrastructure, as well as develop policies<br />

that support walking and biking to school.”<br />

Statewide, elementary schools have the highest percentage<br />

of schools promoting walking or biking at 22<br />

percent. Middle schools are the lowest overall, with<br />

just nine percent promoting walking or biking.<br />

The majority of schools discouraging walking and<br />

bicycling report that they do so because of lack of a<br />

adequate infrastructure or concerns about the personal<br />

safety and conduct of children while walking<br />

and bicycling to and from school. Not surprisingly,<br />

most schools that discouraged walking and bicycling<br />

indicated that sidewalk and crossing improvements<br />

needed improvement to reverse a restrictive policy.<br />

There’s also strong correlation between population<br />

density and school attitudes towards walking and bicycling.<br />

Schools in urban and suburban areas are more<br />

likely to encourage students to walk and bike, and<br />

rural areas had higher rates of schools discouraging<br />

the practice.<br />

According to 59 percent of survey respondents at<br />

schools that currently discourage or prohibit student<br />

walking or biking, improving pedestrian and bicycle<br />

infrastructure, such as sidewalks or bicycle lanes, is<br />

one of the keys to improving accessibility for students.<br />

However, non-infrastructure improvements, such as<br />

crossing guards, promoting Walk to School and Bike<br />

to School days, and parental involvement, could also<br />

boost student walking and biking.<br />

Yellow School Bus Blues<br />

A primary goal of the recently released survey was<br />

to provide Maryland officials with an understanding<br />

of the policies and practices governing walking and<br />

biking at individual schools and within entire school<br />

systems. The survey identified a number of challenges<br />

that stand in the way of walking and biking to<br />

school and developed a series of recommendations to<br />

address those challenges.<br />

Beyond the children’s health issues, the cost of transporting<br />

such a high percentage of children to school<br />

continues to rise.<br />

In 2007, 1,000 Friends of Maryland released a report,<br />

Yellow School Bus Blues, illustrating trends in busing<br />

costs for Maryland’s school districts. Since 1992, statewide<br />

expenditures for school bus transportation have<br />

more than doubled, reaching $438 million by 2006.<br />

Done in cooperation with the Maryland Bicycle and<br />

Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the University of<br />

Maryland and the Maryland State Department of<br />

Education, survey partners identified eight key issues<br />

making it difficult for principals and superintendents<br />

to promote walking and biking.<br />

The issues as stated in an MDOT press release:<br />

1) Many school principals are unaware of Maryland’s<br />

Safe Routes to School program, administered by<br />

the State Highway Administration to improve<br />

sidewalks and pedestrian crossings in the vicinity<br />

of schools.<br />

2) Principals are concerned that students lack the<br />

skills needed to walk and bike safely.<br />

3) Principals noted that there are no safe pathways<br />

leading to the school, citing a lack of sidewalks,<br />

traffic volume and speed, and poor crossing<br />

conditions for pedestrians.<br />

4) Some principals are concerned about liability issues.<br />

5) Schools with higher rates of free and reduced<br />

lunch are less likely to have received SRTS funds<br />

and have active SRTS groups. Yet, according to survey<br />

results, these schools are more likely to encourage<br />

walking and biking to school.<br />

6) School district transportation departments focus<br />

on busing.<br />

7) Principals are overburdened with responsibilities.<br />

8) Schools are located in areas not conducive to<br />

walking or biking.<br />

Based on the results of this project, survey partners<br />

developed an extensive series of recommendations.<br />

Some of those recommendations include:<br />

1) Increasing outreach to principals and school districts<br />

to make them aware of existing programs<br />

and information already available on creating safer<br />

bike and pedestrian routes around schools.<br />

2) Maryland should continue to work with local<br />

schools and partner organizations to provide<br />

students with bike and pedestrian training.<br />

3) Schools should be required to develop route plans<br />

identifying the safest routes for children to walk or<br />

bike to and from school.<br />

4) Increase targeted law enforcement where appropriate.<br />

5) Urge school district transportation departments to<br />

adopt a holistic approach to school transportation,<br />

including walking, bicycling and carpooling – as<br />

well as busing.<br />

24 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


6) Create incentives for principals to encourage<br />

walking and biking.<br />

7) Encourage new schools to be located in areas that<br />

are pedestrian and bike friendly.<br />

The complete Maryland Statewide Student Travel<br />

Policy Survey can be found on the internet at: www.<br />

mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Bicycle/Documents/<br />

School_Survey_Report.pdf.<br />

“designed and operated to enable safe, attractive<br />

and comfortable access and travel for all users.<br />

Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transport<br />

users of all ages and abilities are able to safely<br />

and comfortably move along and across a complete<br />

street.”<br />

• Establishing an education and safety program.<br />

• Establishing greenways, special paths for bicyclists,<br />

trails and pedestrian routes — and promote them<br />

so residents and travelers are more aware of the<br />

networks. The proposal also seeks development of<br />

blueways – water trails for canoeists and kayakers.<br />

“We recognize that funding and other constraints are<br />

likely to impact the progress that has begun with the<br />

execution of this document,” the commission’s report<br />

stated. “However, we are hopeful that ultimately, as a<br />

community, we can move the hopes and aspirations<br />

embodied in this document forward, such that within<br />

the next five years we can look back and see a city that<br />

is clean, safe, and friendly to everyone: walkers, the<br />

disabled, bikers, and those who choose more traditional<br />

modes of transportation.”<br />

The full report of the Commission can be viewed<br />

at: www.richmondgov.com//mayor/documents/<br />

MayorsPBTCommissionReportOpt.pdf<br />

Bootcamp for Cycling Advocates Coming to Baltimore<br />

Richmond Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails<br />

Planning Commission releases report<br />

Last summer, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones put<br />

together a Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails Planning<br />

Commission made up of “a group of committed individuals<br />

— government employees, citizens, neighbors<br />

and friends — who believed that the city of Richmond<br />

can achieve the goal of a pedestrian/bike friendly way<br />

of being over the next two years.”<br />

According to an earlier City Master Plan report,<br />

“Currently, much of the roadway systems in the city<br />

is conducive to neither bicycle or pedestrian travel.<br />

Many of the city’s major transportation corridors lack<br />

streetscape elements to encourage pedestrian use.”<br />

In November, the mayor’s commission published its<br />

218-page report, the goals of which include:<br />

• Setting aside between $80,000 and $105,000 for the<br />

creation of a pedestrian, bicycle and trails coordinator<br />

position. Plus, up to another $300,000 for public<br />

relations, marketing and education.<br />

• Setting policy and design standards for a Complete<br />

Streets program, including spending up to $1.25<br />

million for the installation of signs and labeling<br />

streets with paint to “balance safety and convenience<br />

for everyone using the road.” Complete<br />

streets are roadways, the commission stated,<br />

A bootcamp, entitled “Winning Campaigns Trainings”<br />

designed to help bicycle and pedestrian advocates learn<br />

the tools necessary to create and manage powerful<br />

campaigns to increase biking and walking in their<br />

communities, is coming to Baltimore, Md., May 13-15.<br />

Hosted by Bike Maryland, the boot camp will begin Friday<br />

from 5-9, continue on Saturday, from 8-4:30, and finish on<br />

Sunday, from 8-1.<br />

The proven curriculum is led by long time advocates and<br />

national experts with first-hand experience conducting –<br />

and winning – bicycle and pedestrian campaigns.<br />

Participants will learn how to:<br />

Ride!<br />

(just plain fun)<br />

• Focus on a specific, winnable campaign for<br />

their community<br />

• Identify and map the key decision makers<br />

• Craft a persuasive message to rally members and<br />

policy makers<br />

• Use media outlets to communicate to a broad audience<br />

• Become an effective fund raiser, and<br />

• Create a detailed campaign blue print that ensures<br />

success and builds toward even greater victories.<br />

For details or to register contact People Powered<br />

Movement at (202) 449-9692 or log onto<br />

www.peoplepoweredmovement.org<br />

BIKE SHOP<br />

Owners: Ron & Trina Taylor, 2-time Ironmen<br />

Drop by and test ride the<br />

new <strong>2011</strong> jamis tri-bike line.<br />

See and feel what the<br />

buzz is all about!<br />

Monday-Friday 11am - 7pm<br />

Saturday 9am - 6pm<br />

Sunday 10am - 5pm<br />

703-548-5116<br />

302 Montgomery Street<br />

Alexandria, VA 22314<br />

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones<br />

Now selling essential tri-gear: clothing, shoes, wetsuits, bike accessories.<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

25


Progress Continues on Black Rock Mill/Seneca<br />

Connector Trail<br />

Once only a glimmer in the imaginations of a few forward<br />

thinking Montgomery County mountain bikers,<br />

the connection between the Clopper Lake day use<br />

area of Seneca Creek State Park, Schaeffer Farms, and<br />

River Road is inching forward to reality with construction<br />

now underway. The trail, which hasn't been officially<br />

been named by the county is variously called the<br />

Black Rock Mill trail and the Seneca connector.<br />

In its original form -- a four mile connector between<br />

the Seneca Creek State Park and Schaeffer Farms --<br />

the trail would have provided over 25 miles of continuous<br />

trails by linking the two trail systems, not to mention<br />

the onward connections through the Hoyles Mill<br />

connector to Black Hills regional park. The project<br />

has grown in scope from the original plan to include<br />

a southern section that will connect from Schaeffer<br />

Farms to Montevideo Road just short of River Road<br />

near Riley's Lock and make for an easy connection to<br />

the C & O towpath.<br />

Construction of the southern section of trail between<br />

Rt. 28 and the southern end of Montevideo Road is<br />

Brought to you by:<br />

singletrack<br />

by joe foley jfoley441@gmail.com<br />

NEW<br />

CENTURY<br />

ROUTE!<br />

already underway and the Maryland’s Department<br />

of Natural Resources (DNR) has given conceptual<br />

approval for a short connector that will link an existing<br />

trail head parking lot along Rt. 28 and the yellow<br />

trail at Schaeffer Farms. That connector trail, however,<br />

will need to cross Seneca Creek and finding an<br />

appropriate location to ford may be challenging. Even<br />

if a safe location can be found, it’s possible that crossing<br />

via a ford would be a very wet experience, given<br />

the depth and soft bottom of Seneca Creek.<br />

If an appropriate location to ford Seneca Creek can’t<br />

be found, cyclists and other trail users will use Rt. 28<br />

and Black Rock Road to complete the southern section<br />

of the trail to Schaeffer Farms.<br />

According to MORE’s trail liaison for Schaeffer<br />

Farms, Dave Magill, the good news is that “DNR recognizes<br />

the desire of equestrians and bikers to have<br />

a full dirt connection,” adding that it may “just [be]<br />

hard to find right now.”<br />

The northern section of the trail that was originally<br />

approved will start at Riffle Ford Road, just south<br />

of Clopper Lake and connect to the white trail at<br />

Schaeffer Farms. When complete, the trail will be<br />

almost eight miles long.<br />

Meet old friends, make new ones!<br />

This is a weekend festival of beautiful<br />

cycling on flat roads, fun live music,<br />

and great food that you don't want<br />

to miss! Join us in celebrating the Bay<br />

with partners Chesapeake Bay Foundation<br />

and Mathews County. Take a<br />

short spin in the Family Fun Ride or ride<br />

one of our rides of 18 to 100 miles.<br />

Fully supported event. It's the perfect<br />

place to do your first century!<br />

Register Online at:<br />

www.bikechesapeake.org<br />

For all information about Mathews:<br />

www.visitmathews.com<br />

or 804-725-4BAY.<br />

May 13, 14 and 15, <strong>2011</strong><br />

The trail is being built by MORE in collaboration with<br />

TROT, a local equestrian group, and The Amigos,<br />

a hiking group. Workdays on the southern section<br />

of the trail, from Black Rock Mill to River Road are<br />

being led by The Amigos and MORE is leading the<br />

workdays on the southern section of the trail.<br />

The northern section of the trail is on track to be<br />

open in time for the next running of the MoCo epic<br />

ride in October and MORE are hoping to have it<br />

open this summer. The southern section will form<br />

part of the metric century route at the MoCo epic if<br />

it's ready to opened.<br />

Because of the terrain involved in the project, the<br />

trail will require approximately $11,000 to complete<br />

in addition to volunteer hours. MORE has committed<br />

$7,000 of its own funds to the project to help pay for<br />

bridges, stream fords, signage and mechanized trail<br />

building to help move construction along. In addition<br />

to the funding committed by MORE, two anonymous<br />

donors have also stepped up, contributing $2,000 of<br />

matching funds that will be used to match any additional<br />

private donation to dollar for dollar to help<br />

raise the required amount Donors can contribute<br />

online at http://tinyurl.com/45tbou5<br />

MORE Workdays on the Black Rock Mill trail<br />

are scheduled every other week through June on<br />

Saturdays. Workdays are schedule for 4/9, 4/23, 5/7,<br />

5/21, 6/4, and 6/18 and will start at 9 a.m. Meeting<br />

locations will be determined closer to each workday<br />

depending on the section of trail to be worked on so<br />

please check the MORE website at www.more-mtb.org<br />

Dirt Fest Returns to Raystown Lake<br />

Spring is mountain bike festival time in the mid<br />

Atlantic, and Dirt Rag <strong>Magazine</strong>’s Dirt Fest is being<br />

held once again at Raystown Lake, Pa.. The festival<br />

will be held the weekend of May 20th-22nd and will<br />

include a brewer’s grove, bike toss, mud bog, events<br />

for kids, women’s only rides, and a demo zone in<br />

addition to plenty of chances to ride the IMBA<br />

designed Allegripis trail system. Camping is available<br />

on site. If you’re interested in attending, you can get<br />

more information at www.dirtragmag.com/dirtfest<br />

It’s Spring Trailwork Season Again<br />

It’s spring, which means the weather gets warmer, and<br />

almost inevitably, wetter, which can do a number on<br />

trails. Take some time to give back to the trails that<br />

you ride. Take a look at your local club’s website and<br />

see when they’ve got trailwork scheduled. Here’s a<br />

quick cheat sheet of places to look.<br />

MORE trailwork days scheduled for Saturday and<br />

Sunday mornings and they’re posted on the front page<br />

and the event calendar at http://www.more-mtb.org<br />

The Richmond area chapter of MORE has trail work<br />

scheduled for Saturday mornings throughout <strong>April</strong>.<br />

Locations are being announced on their website at<br />

http://richmond-more.org and through their facebook<br />

page.<br />

The Shenadoah Valley Bicycle Coalition schedules<br />

weekend and weekday evening workdays. To check<br />

to see what they’ve got coming up, visit http://www.<br />

svbcoalition.org<br />

Rally in The Valley V to be held <strong>April</strong> 16th<br />

Philadelphia Mountain Bike Association will be holding<br />

Rally in the Valley V in Wissahickon Park on <strong>April</strong><br />

16th. The festival, which will feature an expo area featuring<br />

PMBA supporters, a skills clinic by endurance<br />

mountain bike racer Harlan Price, family, beginner,<br />

and intermediate group rides, events for kids, and a<br />

raffle giveaway will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.<br />

Manned skills challenge areas will also be set up<br />

throughout the park to allow intermediate riders to<br />

try out some of Wissahickon’s most challenging spots<br />

with coaches and spotters. Tickets will cost $25 and<br />

proceeds will be used to help fund mountain bike<br />

trail projects in the Philadelphia area. For more information,<br />

visit the PMBA website at www.phillymtb.org<br />

26 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


World T.E.A.M. Sports makes a point of challenging<br />

mentally and physically disabled adult athletes and<br />

encouraging them to reach for new achievements. Last<br />

year World T.E.A.M. Sports was challenged when they<br />

decided to team up with the Center For Discovery to<br />

hold an Adventure Team Challenge for disabled youth<br />

in Frost Valley, New York.<br />

Instead of single common activity as normally sponsored<br />

by World T.E.A.M. Sports, WTS, such as riding<br />

from Washington DC to Gettysburg or hiking to<br />

the top Mt Kilimanjaro, the Adventure Team Sports<br />

focused on 5 teams participating in a number of different<br />

activities such as rowing, biking, hiking mountain<br />

climbing and orienteering. These athletes have a wide<br />

range of disabilities, and each team consisted of 1<br />

wheelchair-bound athlete and 1 intellectually disabled<br />

athlete. Each two person team had two coaches from<br />

the Center for Discovery, CFD, and two coaches from<br />

WTS. In addition there were support staffs from both<br />

CFD and WTS assisting with equipment, setting up the<br />

challenges and providing logistical support for all the<br />

special equipment needed by the participants.<br />

One of the participants in the 2010 was 17 year<br />

old Garett, a resident of the Center for Discovery.<br />

Garett lives at CDF and was excited to be in the first<br />

Adventure Team Challenge. Although Garett is wheelchair<br />

bound, it did not confine Garett as he competed<br />

in the different activities finally deciding that rowing<br />

was his favorite. To meet the needs of each of the students,<br />

much of the support equipment had to be specially<br />

adapted. For example, Garett was able to participate<br />

in the bicycling portion of the camp using a bike<br />

was adapted to allow Garett to ride despite his balance<br />

and motor skill challenges.<br />

The idea of the team challenge was the brain child<br />

of Joel Forman and Lon Dolber. Joel is on the Board<br />

of Directors for the Center and Lon is the on the<br />

Board of Directors for World T.E.A.M. Sports and the<br />

President of American Portfolios Financial Services .<br />

While originally professional colleagues, their professional<br />

relationship had turned into a personal friendship<br />

and Lon tried to recruit Joel into participating in<br />

a WTS activity. Instead Joel got Lon interested in hosting<br />

a Team Challenge activity for the Center.<br />

Early on it was obvious that a normal World T.E.A.M.<br />

Sports would not work for these participants from the<br />

Center. Although the goals of both organizations are<br />

similar; to motivate, challenge and develop the participants<br />

as complete individuals, the age and range of<br />

physical and mental disabilities and required support<br />

was not feasible at this time for a traditional event.<br />

Instead, in a team effort between the two organizations,<br />

a 3 day adventure camp was coordinated to<br />

allow for a full range of physical challenges that were<br />

both challenging and achievable. True to other World<br />

T.E.A.M. Sports challenges, a bond was quickly built up<br />

between the participants and their coaches.<br />

The Adventure Team Challenge started on Thursday<br />

night when the WTS coaches came up to the Center<br />

for the activity and meet the team members and local<br />

coaches. Then the next day, the teams and coaches<br />

were all briefed on the events that were to occur in the<br />

morning. In the afternoon all the participants and all<br />

their gear were shuttled up to Frost Valley where they<br />

had “Get to Know You” activities and a concert. On<br />

Saturday they had the lake and orienteering challenges.<br />

On Sunday the participants had the Slide Mountain<br />

Climbing and biking challenge. Following the end of<br />

the team challenges was a celebratory victory lap for<br />

all the participants followed by an Awards Ceremony.<br />

Each of the participants and the coaches received<br />

some level of award.<br />

During the Awards Ceremony there was not a dry eye<br />

in the house. Over the course of the competition an<br />

expected closeness developed amongst the team mates.<br />

Even more so was the camaraderie that developed<br />

between the participants and the coaches. At a banquet<br />

some time later at the Center For Development,<br />

Family Cycling 101<br />

one of the staff members asked Joel and Lon and their<br />

wives to come back to her office. In her office on the<br />

wall was the medal that she had received as a coach.<br />

She was so proud of that medal that she had had it<br />

mounted and framed and wanted Joel and Lon to<br />

know what it meant to her.<br />

For any activity like this to occur, it takes a strong<br />

leader and a lot of volunteers. Leading the effort was<br />

Lon Dolber. Lon had not been involved with World<br />

T.E.A.M. Sports for long, but as one person said,<br />

Lon never does something halfway. Four years ago,<br />

after speaking about how he and his son had raised<br />

$7,000 for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Lon was<br />

approached by Jim Benson, Chairman and Founder of<br />

World T.E.A.M. Sports to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with 7<br />

Laurel<br />

Bicycle<br />

Center<br />

14805 Baltimore Ave.<br />

Laurel, MD 20707<br />

301 953-1223<br />

301 490-7744<br />

Monday–Friday: 10-7<br />

Saturday: 9-6<br />

Sunday: closed<br />

www.bicyclefun.com<br />

by kevin brugman kbrugman@cox.net<br />

mentally and physically challenged athletes. From<br />

that start, Lon was soon on the Board of World<br />

T.E.A.M. Sports.<br />

Lon and many of his staff at American Portfolios participated<br />

as coaches, logistics support, and any other<br />

job that needed doing. Even though Lon was the primary<br />

organizer for the event, he was constantly getting<br />

his hands dirty making sure the smallest details were<br />

completed.<br />

For <strong>2011</strong>, they plan on repeating the event in June, but<br />

this year they plan on doubling the participants. The<br />

premise is that they are going to invite all the 2010 participants<br />

back not only to participate again, but to act<br />

as mentors to the new participants. If this works, it will<br />

be the model for future Team Challenges coordinated<br />

through the Center For Discovery.<br />

Even though many of the participants were not able to<br />

complete all the challenges, the most important thing<br />

the participants learn is that it is not about winning or<br />

even finishing, but how you got there and how far you<br />

can go.<br />

Note from the author:<br />

I am working on several articles for the upcoming year<br />

about some people who are doing fantastic things<br />

through biking.<br />

If you have any stories of how bicycles have helped kids<br />

through adversity or they are exceeding expectations,<br />

please drop me a line. I would love to share their stori<br />

We can get<br />

your bike in<br />

and out of the<br />

shop quickly<br />

and riding<br />

great again!<br />

Repairs<br />

Service<br />

Tune-Ups<br />

Featuring great new bikes from<br />

Raleigh | Giant | Specialized<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

27


calendar of events<br />

To be listed, send information to <strong>Spokes</strong>,<br />

5911 Jefferson Boulevard, Frederick, MD 21703 or<br />

e-mail: neil@spokesmagazine.com<br />

G RIF FIN CYCLE<br />

4949 Bethesda Ave.<br />

Bethesda, MD 20814<br />

(301) 656-6188<br />

www.griffincycle.com<br />

ES T. 19 71<br />

G R IF F IN CY C L E . CO M<br />

Road, Hybrids, Mountain, Kids<br />

Parts & Accessories for All Makes<br />

Trailers & Trikes<br />

Family Owned – In Bethesda for 40 Years<br />

Featuring Bikes from:<br />

For a more comprehensive list check out<br />

www.spokesmagazine.com.<br />

APRIL 14-17 – ST. MICHAELS SINGLE & TANDEMS WEEKEND<br />

Members of the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club and<br />

tandemists who attend the Eastern Tandem Rally will<br />

join forces for this Eastern Shore weekend. Lodging<br />

will be both at the Best Western Motor Inn and<br />

nearby camping facilities. Four days of riding: no hills,<br />

sparse traffic, wide shoulders, many roads near the<br />

water. To register for the event contact Ed and Cindy<br />

Brandt ed.b.brandt@gmail.com (301) 657-4657 or<br />

Bob and Willa Friedman at bob-f@cox.net or<br />

(703) 978-7937.<br />

APRIL 15-17 – FACE OF AMERICA<br />

This is the 11th anniversary of this powerful cycling<br />

event. World T.E.A.M. Sports (The Exceptional Athlete<br />

Matters) uses the powerful platform of sports to bring<br />

together participants with and without disabilities.<br />

There are an increasing number of servicemen and<br />

women returning from the wars with severe injuries.<br />

This ride will honor them and thank these young men<br />

and women for their service. We will also be honoring<br />

active duty and retired military who will be riding with<br />

us. The ride begins Saturday in Washington with a 55+<br />

mile ride to Frederick, Md. The ride continues Sunday<br />

from Frederick another 45+ miles to Gettysburg, PA.<br />

Our dramatic arrival into Gettysburg will thru the<br />

battlefield and end at Marine Barrack Gettysburg for<br />

our famous ‘Steaks and Beers’ celebration. There is<br />

NO charge for injured service men and women. There<br />

is a $50 registration fee for active duty and fully retired<br />

military and a minimum fund raising goal. For all<br />

other participants, the registration fee is $100 and a<br />

suggested fund raising goal. For details or to register<br />

go to www.worldteamsports.org<br />

APRIL 15-17 – SPRING TUNE-UP<br />

All cyclists and their families are invited to join this<br />

17th annual weekend ride held in Madison, Ga.,<br />

hosted by BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia). Flat<br />

to gently rolling hills. This is a fun time for the whole<br />

family and a great time to get in shape for BRAG!<br />

Various ride options available daily as well as daily<br />

rates for those who cannot ride all weekend. Plenty<br />

of food, music and entertainment. For more info visit<br />

www.brag.org or email info@brag.org or call (770)<br />

498-5153.<br />

APRIL 16 – OCEAN TO BAY TOUR<br />

Pedal along coastal Delaware’s beaches and bays on<br />

the 22th annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour, beginning<br />

at 8 a.m.. Routes begin and end at Garfield Parkway<br />

and the boardwalk in Bethany Beach, Del. Cyclists<br />

will tour coastal and inland bay areas on 25-, 35- and<br />

50-mile circuits. Rest stops along the way provide<br />

light snacks and refreshments. Visit the Bethany-<br />

Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce web site at www.<br />

TheQuietResorts.com or call 800-962-SURF toll-free<br />

for more information or a registration brochure.<br />

APRIL 23 – TOUR DE CARROLL<br />

Join 750 other cyclists in checking out the scenery of<br />

Carroll County, Md., and get those winter-lazy legs in<br />

shape for the summer. Ride the 7th Annual Tour de<br />

Carroll and enjoy the beauty and great rides that the<br />

county has to offer. All proceeds benefit local charities.<br />

There are four rides for all skill levels ranging<br />

from a full metric (63 miles) 39 mile spring classic,<br />

25 mile recreational ride, and 8 mile family fun ride.<br />

Check out this event at www.tourdecarroll, register at<br />

active.com, or call (410) 840-8381 for details.<br />

E S C A P E T H E O R D I N A R Y<br />

BIKE MS: BEYOND THE BELTWAY<br />

JUNE 11 & 12, <strong>2011</strong><br />

1 OR 2 DAYS /// 30 TO 150 MILES<br />

MSANDYOU.ORG/BIKE<br />

Purcellville, Virginia<br />

www.TrailsEndCycling.com<br />

ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY<br />

28 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


APRIL 30 – END HUNGER RIDE<br />

A day of biking along the scenic western shore of the<br />

Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Md. . Pedal along<br />

the bay front, marinas, farmland and a local winery,<br />

knowing that your registration fee will help feed a<br />

hungry family. This is a fully supported event with<br />

routes ranging from 15 miles to a full metric century.<br />

Check out our new beginner ride which includes<br />

safety orientation, road rules and a ride leader to<br />

make sure even our newest riders have a great day.<br />

For details log onto endhungercalvert.org<br />

MAY 1 – ROAR<br />

The Kennedy Krieger Institute’s ROAR for Autism will<br />

feature events and activities for all family members,<br />

including a 50 and 25 mile ride, a 10 miler for recreational<br />

cyclists and a five miler designed for beginner<br />

cyclists and a youth fun ride. Oregon Ridge Nature<br />

Center will also lead nature walks. The popular<br />

Wegmans Wellness Village will provide healthy food<br />

for all families including those with children on special<br />

autism diets. A festival will also provide entertainment<br />

for all participants. For details or registration<br />

log onto www.ROAR.kennedykrieger.org or call (443)<br />

923-7300.<br />

MAY 7 – SIX PILLARS CENTURY<br />

Character Counts Mid-Shore is sponsoring this fundraiser<br />

at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near<br />

Cambridge, MD. The event includes four ride choices,<br />

including an 11-mile family ride, a 37-mile fun &<br />

fitness ride, a 56 miler Eagleman Ironman course,<br />

and a full century. The event will support Character<br />

Counts Mid-Shore, Inc., an agency which provides<br />

the Winners Walk Tall Program in the public schools<br />

in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties free of<br />

charge. The lessons, provided by over 200 character<br />

coaches, are based on the six pillars of character:<br />

Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness,<br />

Caring and Citizenship. For details visit www.charactercountsmidshore.org<br />

or call (410) 819-0386.<br />

MAY 7 – CAPITAL TO CAPITAL RIDE<br />

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation is hosting the<br />

Capital to Capital bike ride. Riders can choose to<br />

start from either Richmond or Williamsburg, ride<br />

100, 50 or 25 miles through Henrico and Charles City<br />

Counties. The Williamsburg side will offer a 15-mile<br />

family ride on the completed portion of the Virginia<br />

Capital Trail. For more information and online registration,<br />

visit: www.virginiacapitaltrail.org<br />

MAY 13-15 – BIKES, BANDS & THE BAY<br />

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a bike tour<br />

through the wonderful, scenic and flat Mathews<br />

County backroads along the Chesapeake Bay. Join<br />

800 cycling enthusiasts on this tour, perfect as a family’s<br />

first biking adventure, or maybe the intermediate<br />

rider’s, and even the experienced veteran’s, season<br />

warm-up. Choose tours of 18, 40, 60, 80 miles and<br />

new this year a full century. Families especially will<br />

enjoy the abundant quiet, scenic lanes winding down<br />

to forgotten coves on the Chesapeake Bay, the East<br />

River and the North River. Pedal in and out of the<br />

beautiful salt marshes instead of traffic. Visit www.<br />

bikechesapeake.org for details and to register online.<br />

For inquiries, call (757) 645-1861 log onto www.bikewalkvirginia.org<br />

or email info@bikechesapeake.org.<br />

MAY 22 – COLUMBIA TRIATHLON<br />

Celebrating its 28th year, the Columbia Triathlon is<br />

famous for its outstanding race organization and its<br />

fun and extremely challenging race course. Held in<br />

Centennial Park, Ellicott City, Md. Consists of a 1.5k<br />

swim, 41k bike, and 10k run. Even though the event<br />

is full, it’s a great spectacle for on-lookers. For more<br />

info call (410) 964-1246 or visit www.tricolumbia.org<br />

MAY 22 – GREENBRIER CHALLENGE<br />

This eighth annual USA Cycling-affiliated event is<br />

the largest mountain bike race in the Mid-Atlantic<br />

Region, with several opportunities for all levels of racers,<br />

from beginners to pros. It includes the Maryland<br />

State Championships, a Junior Olympic race for 18<br />

yr olds and under, a Marathon race, a Kids race,<br />

is one of three races in the Mid Atlantic Regional<br />

Championship (MARC) series, and is a qualifier<br />

for the U.S. National Championships. See www.<br />

potomacvelo.com for details. Potomac Velo Club puts<br />

on the race for the benefit of the racers and for Trips<br />

for Kids Charity, but added volunteer workers are<br />

needed to make it all happen. If interested in volunteering<br />

or needing more info, contact Jim Carlson,<br />

jcarlsonida@yahoo.com or (703) 569-9875.<br />

MAY 27-30 – KENT COUNTY SPRING FLING<br />

Join the Baltimore Bicycling Club and Washington<br />

College as they host this 28th annual weekend event<br />

along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Rides range from<br />

11 to 100 miles on flat to rolling terrain. Stay at<br />

Washington College’s dorm and enjoy great food, an<br />

ice cream social, live music, blue grass on the square,<br />

contra dancing, sock hop, and much more. For details<br />

contact Frank and Kathy Anders at (410) 628-4018 or<br />

email KCSF@verizon.net<br />

MAY 28 – BIKE JAM<br />

One of the area’s biggest cycling festivals, the 13th<br />

annual Bike Jam and the Kelly Cup, sponsored by<br />

Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Racing Team and Bicycle<br />

Club and Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE) will be<br />

held at Baltimore’s Patterson Park. This full day of<br />

high caliber pro-am cycling, featuring the marquee<br />

race, the Kelly Cup Pro Race, and includes bike safety<br />

presentations, live music, and other family friendly<br />

activities, is free and open to the public. More than<br />

7th ANNUAL<br />

TOUR DE CARROLL<br />

Save the date: APRIL 23, <strong>2011</strong><br />

Get those bikes and<br />

cycling legs in shape<br />

& enjoy the beautiful<br />

Carroll County countryside!!<br />

8,000 spectators and 1,200 participants are expected<br />

this year. For information visit www.bikejam.org.<br />

JUNE 4-11 – BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS GEORGIA<br />

Come discover Georgia by bicycle on the 32st annual<br />

Bicycle Ride Across Georgia. This year’s loop ride<br />

will begin in Atlanta, with overnights in Oxford,<br />

Milledgeville, Dublin, Metter, and Hinesville, before<br />

ending in lovely Savannah. Join over 1,500 riders for<br />

street dances, ice cream social, end-of-the-road meal<br />

60 miles average per day, hammerhead options. For<br />

more information, visit www.brag.org, or email info@<br />

brag.org, or call (770) 498-5153.<br />

JUNE 5 – RESTON TOUR DE CURE<br />

The American Diabetes Association again hosts this<br />

very popular (last year over 1,200 cyclists participated)<br />

series of bike rides, ranging from a 12 mile family<br />

fun ride, to more challenging 32 and 64 mile fitness<br />

challenges, and a full century. Starting and finishing<br />

at the Reston Town Center Pavilion the longer rides<br />

head through scenic Northern Virginia countryside<br />

including the W&OD Trail and western Loudoun<br />

County. Register online at www.diabetes.org/tour or<br />

call 1 (888) DIABETES.<br />

JUNE 11-12 – US AIR FORCE CYCLING CLASSIC<br />

Registration for participation in the Air Force Cycling<br />

Classic, now spread over an entire weekend has<br />

opened. The Cycling Classic, positioned at the center<br />

of the U.S. national road racing calendar and expected<br />

to attract some of the nation’s top racers to its pro<br />

events, will now allow more opportunities for cycling<br />

enthusiasts of all abilities to participate. The weekend's<br />

events in Arlington begin on Saturday with ama-<br />

Show and Go – 7am to 10am<br />

Lunch (included) – until 3pm<br />

4 New Sensational Bike Routes:<br />

High Tech Metric Century, 63 miles<br />

Spring Classic, 39 miles<br />

Recreational, 25 miles<br />

Family Fun, 8 miles<br />

Radio sag and sweep on all routes until 3pm.<br />

Rest stops, maps, cue sheets.<br />

Plenty of free parking and nearby motels.<br />

Easy location at Dutterer’s Park in Westminster, MD<br />

(just off Rt.140; 25 miles W of Baltimore, 20 miles E of Frederick).<br />

$40.00 Registration includes:<br />

Lunch<br />

T-shirt<br />

Brownies and Ice Cream<br />

50/50 Raffle Drawing at Noon<br />

calendar continued on p.30<br />

Rain<br />

or<br />

Shine!<br />

30 day pass to Westminster<br />

Family Center, full service<br />

gym. ($55 value) Sponsored<br />

by the City of Westminster Parks<br />

and Recreation Department<br />

To register and for further information go to or call:<br />

www.active.com or www.tourdecarroll.com<br />

Call 410-840-8381<br />

100% of the funds raised directly benefit our partners, West End<br />

Place (Carroll County’s only private, non-profit service for low<br />

income seniors) and the Humane Society of Carroll County.<br />

<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />

29


calendar continued from p.29<br />

teur and professional criterium races in Clarendon.<br />

On Sunday cycling enthusiasts of all abilities can<br />

challenge themselves on the U.S. Air Force Cycling<br />

Classic's circuit in Crystal City during the Crystal Ride,<br />

a non-competitive ride with an option to raise money<br />

for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Following this<br />

amateur ride, the men's pro race will take place on<br />

the same course. Registration for the amateur participatory<br />

ride is now open through the event's website:<br />

www.usairforcecyclingclassic.com.<br />

JUNE 11–12 – BIKE MS: BEYOND THE BELTWAY<br />

Join 1000 participants from across the mid-Atlantic<br />

region for the National MS Society, National Capital<br />

Chapter’s annual Bike MS event in Middleburg, Va.<br />

Choose from several mileage options along our challenging<br />

new routes ranging from a 30-mile one day<br />

ride to 150 miles over two days, and enjoy great food,<br />

beverages, and live music at the finish line. Ride for<br />

one day or two. For details, visit www.MSandYOU.org/<br />

bike, or call (202) 296-5363, option 2.<br />

JUNE 11-12 – CHESAPEAKE CHALLENGE<br />

Join the Maryland Chapter of the National MS<br />

Society for a one or two day ride on Maryland's<br />

Eastern Shore. Routes range from 30 -100 miles on<br />

Saturday and 30 & 50 mile on Sunday. Overnight<br />

at Chestertown, Md.’s Washington College campus.<br />

Route is fully supported with rest stops, bike techs and<br />

support vehicles. To Register or find out more, visit<br />

www.marylandmsbikeride.org or call (443) 641-1200.<br />

JUNE 12 – TOUR DEM PARKS HON!<br />

The eighth annual Tour dem Parks, Hon! Bike Ride<br />

begins at 8 a.m. at the Carriage House in Carroll<br />

Park in southwest Baltimore. Choose from 12, 20, 30<br />

mile rides and – new this year-- a metric century (60<br />

miles). Routes wind through cool Baltimore neighborhoods<br />

and parks. A barbecue with live music follows<br />

the ride. Proceeds benefit bike and park groups in<br />

the city. Register online at www.tourdemparks.org.<br />

For more information, call Gary at (410) 396-4369 or<br />

Anne at (410) 926-4195.<br />

JUNE 24-29 – BIKE VIRGINIA<br />

Twenty four years ago, 117 men, women and children<br />

embarked on an adventure crossing Virginia on bicycles.<br />

They rode from Charlottesville to our nation's<br />

colonial capital in Williamsburg, establishing what<br />

has become the largest, multi-day, recreational bicycle<br />

event in the Commonwealth. In <strong>2011</strong>, Bike Virginia<br />

will “roll through time” exploring the prehistoric<br />

New River valley, which was a popular portion of the<br />

legendary 1976 inaugural Bike 76 cross country tour.<br />

Cyclists will need to be able to ride up to 50-60 miles<br />

each day. For inquiries, call (757) 229.0507 or email<br />

info@bikevirginia.org.<br />

AUGUST 12-14 – TOUR DE FREDERICK<br />

Riders proclaimed it one of the best cycling weekends<br />

of their season last year. Everything is first class from<br />

the food to the riding. Explore Frederick County,<br />

Maryland, as only the locals can show you. Ride the<br />

legendary covered bridge route, tackle Sugarloaf if<br />

you dare, see many of Frederick County’s finest sights<br />

including wine tastings, a special evening at the local<br />

minor league baseball set up just for us, and a gourmet<br />

dinner at the local arts center. All proceeds go to<br />

the Boys and Girls Club of Frederick County. Space is<br />

limited on this second annual <strong>Spokes</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> weekend.<br />

Call 301-371-5309 or log onto www.tourde<br />

frederick.com for details.<br />

SPIRITED SUNDAY ROAD RIDES<br />

Join the folks of the Bicycle Place, just off Rock Creek<br />

Park, every Sunday morning (beginning at 8:30<br />

a.m.) for a “spirited” 36-40 mile jaunt up to Potomac<br />

and back. This is a true classic road ride that runs<br />

year round. While the pace is kept up, no one is<br />

left behind. No rainy day rides. The Bicycle Place<br />

is located in the Rock Creek Shopping Center, 8313<br />

Grubb Road (just off East-West Highway). Call (301)<br />

588-6160 for details.<br />

BIKES FOR THE WORLD – Collection Schedule<br />

Bikes for the World collects repairable bicycles in the<br />

United States, for donation to charities overseas, for<br />

productive use by those in need of affordable transport.<br />

Note: $10/bike donation suggested to defray<br />

shipping to overseas charity partners. Receipt provided<br />

for all material and cash donations. Bikes for<br />

the World is a sponsored project of the Washington<br />

Area Bicyclist Association, a 501 c 3 non-profit charity.<br />

Collections will take place rain or shine. For further<br />

info, visit www.bikesfortheworld.org or call (703) 525-<br />

0931.<br />

Bicycles may also be dropped off for Bikes for the<br />

World during store hours at selected bicycle retailers:<br />

Bikes of Vienna, 128-A Church Street, Vienna VA;<br />

Bob’s Bike Shop, 19961 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville MD;<br />

Race Pace, 8450 Baltimore Natl Pike, Normandy<br />

Shopping Center, Ellicott City MD;<br />

Pedal Pushers, 546 Baltimore & Annapolis Road,<br />

Severna Park MD.<br />

Please remember to leave a $10 donation (check<br />

preferred, payable to “BfW”) with each bike; BfW will<br />

mail you a receipt good for tax purposes.<br />

Help Us Get<br />

50 Miles Closer To<br />

Understanding<br />

Autism.<br />

Pump up your tires and join us for the adrenalin-laced camaraderie of ROAR for Autism,<br />

a biking event to benefit autism research at Kennedy Krieger Institute.<br />

• Bike Ride - Sunday, May 1, <strong>2011</strong><br />

• 5, 10, 25 or 50-mile courses through scenic Baltimore County<br />

• Check-in/Registration: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Oregon Ridge Park<br />

• Rest stops and bike repair services provided<br />

• Plenty of food, fanfare, and good cheer in the Wegmans Wellness Village<br />

• Advance Registration: Adults - $25, Children 12 to 5 - $5, Children 4 & under - FREE<br />

Presented by:<br />

Help us break the silence that surrounds autism. Come together to ROAR for the millions of children who can’t!<br />

To register or create an online fundraising page where you can build a team, post<br />

pictures and track donations, visit www.ROAR.kennedykrieger.org or call 443-923-7300.<br />

www.facebook.com/ROARforAutism<br />

30 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>


“TREK WILL<br />

MAKE US<br />

FASTER.”<br />

Fränk Schleck, LEOPARD TREK<br />

The world’s top-ranked road team rides on Trek bikes.<br />

Find out why at www.trekbikes.com/leopardtrek.<br />

LEOPARD_TREK_SPREAD_AD.indd 1<br />

available at these authorized dealers:<br />

MARYLAND<br />

ARNOLD<br />

BIKE DOCTOR<br />

953 Ritchie Highway<br />

(410) 544-3532<br />

BALTIMORE<br />

MT. WASHINGTON<br />

BIKE SHOP<br />

5813 Falls Road<br />

(410) 323-2788<br />

RACE PACE<br />

1414 Key Parkway<br />

(410) 986-0001<br />

BETHESDA<br />

GRIFFIN CYCLE<br />

4949 Bethesda Avenue<br />

(301) 656-6188<br />

COCKEYSVILLE<br />

THE BICYCLE CONNECTION<br />

York & Warren Roads<br />

(410) 667-1040<br />

COLLEGE PARK<br />

COLLEGE PARK BICYCLES<br />

4360 Knox Road<br />

(301) 864-2211<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

RACE PACE<br />

6925 Oakland Mills Road<br />

(410) 290-6880<br />

DAMASCUS<br />

ALL AMERICAN BICYCLES<br />

Weis Market Center<br />

(301) 253-5800<br />

ELLICOTT CITY<br />

RACE PACE<br />

8450 Baltimore National Pike<br />

(410) 461-7878<br />

FOREST HILL<br />

BICYCLE CONNECTION EXPRESS<br />

2203 Commerce Drive<br />

(410) 420-2500<br />

FREDERICK<br />

BIKE DOCTOR<br />

5732 Buckeystown Pike<br />

(301) 620-8868<br />

WHEELBASE<br />

229 N. Market Street<br />

(301) 663-9288<br />

HAGERSTOWN<br />

HUB CITY SPORTS<br />

35 N. Prospect Street<br />

(301) 797-9877<br />

MT. AIRY<br />

MT. AIRY BICYCLES<br />

4540 Old National Pike<br />

(301) 831-5151<br />

OWINGS MILLS<br />

RACE PACE<br />

9930 Reisterstown Road<br />

(410) 581-9700<br />

ROCKVILLE<br />

REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />

1066 Rockville Pike<br />

(301) 984-7655<br />

SALISBURY<br />

SALISBURY CYCLE & FITNESS<br />

1404 S. Salisbury Blvd.<br />

(866) 758-4477<br />

SILVER SPRING<br />

THE BICYCLE PLACE<br />

8313 Grubb Road<br />

(301) 588-6160<br />

WALDORF<br />

BIKE DOCTOR<br />

3200 Leonardtown Road<br />

(301) 932-9980<br />

WESTMINSTER<br />

RACE PACE<br />

459 Baltimore Blvd.<br />

(410) 876-3001<br />

VIRGINIA<br />

ALEXANDRIA<br />

SPOKES, ETC.<br />

1545 N. Quaker Lane<br />

(703) 820-2200<br />

ARLINGTON<br />

REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />

2731 Wilson Boulevard<br />

(703) 312-0007<br />

ASHBURN<br />

SPOKES, ETC.<br />

20070 Ashbrook Commons Plaza<br />

(703) 858-5501<br />

BELLE VIEW<br />

SPOKES, ETC.<br />

Belle View Blvd.<br />

(703) 765-8005<br />

BURKE<br />

THE BIKE LANE<br />

9544 Old Keene Mill Road<br />

(703) 440-8701<br />

FAIRFAX<br />

SPOKES, ETC.<br />

10937 Fairfax Boulevard<br />

(703) 591-2200<br />

FREDERICKSBURG<br />

OLDE TOWNE BICYCLES<br />

1907 Plank Road<br />

(540) 371-6383<br />

LEESBURG<br />

BICYCLE OUTFITTERS<br />

34D Catoctin Circle, SE<br />

(703) 777-6126<br />

RESTON<br />

THE BIKE LANE<br />

Reston Town Center<br />

(703) 689-2671<br />

STAFFORD<br />

REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />

100 Susa Drive, #103-15<br />

(540) 657-6900<br />

VIENNA<br />

SPOKES, ETC.<br />

224 Maple Avenue East<br />

(703) 281-2004<br />

WOODBRIDGE<br />

OLDE TOWNE BICYCLES<br />

14477 Potomac Mills Road<br />

(703) 491-5700<br />

WASHINGTON, D.C.<br />

GEORGETOWN<br />

REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />

3411 M Street, N.W.<br />

(202) 965-3601<br />

2/7/11 9:06 AM


SATURDAY & SUNDAY | JUNE 11-12, <strong>2011</strong><br />

ARLINGTON,VIRGINIA<br />

Proudly brought to you by The Boeing Company.<br />

Pros compete in Clarendon on Saturday, and in Crystal City<br />

on Sunday. Participants in the Air Force Cycling Challenge<br />

Crystal Ride, Sunday, will be able to ride for up to 3 1/2 hours<br />

on the 12.5km course in and around Crystal City.<br />

For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities contact us<br />

info@arlingtonsports.org or visit our website.<br />

www.AirForcecyclingclAssic.com<br />

No Federal endorsement intended or implied.

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