April 2011 - Spokes Magazine
April 2011 - Spokes Magazine
April 2011 - Spokes Magazine
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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 />
Chesapeake landscapes in<br />
Caroline<br />
Come cycle<br />
this weekend with<br />
Caroline!<br />
Our FREE<br />
Cycling Guide has:<br />
• 11 Bike Routes<br />
• Attractions<br />
• Lodging<br />
Call 410-479-0655 or<br />
visit tourcaroline.com<br />
Don’t Miss an Issue!<br />
Subscribe to<br />
■ Yes!<br />
Send me<br />
the next<br />
8 issues<br />
first class<br />
for $25.<br />
Name_____________________________________<br />
Address___________________________________<br />
City/State/Zip_____________________________<br />
Send check or money order<br />
payable to:<br />
SPOKES, 5911 Jefferson Boulevard<br />
Frederick, MD 21703<br />
OR subscribe online at:<br />
www.spokesmagazine.com
May 7, <strong>2011</strong> | The Capital to Capital Bike Event | Registration is open!<br />
Presented by:<br />
Sycom Half Century<br />
Smithfield Foods Century<br />
BikeBeat 25-miler<br />
Official Feed Zone Sponsor<br />
Visit: www.virginiacapitaltrail.org for more<br />
information or email info@virginiacapitaltrail.org<br />
Central Florida’s Polk County is your<br />
Cycling Adventure Destination!<br />
F<br />
rom off-road locations and road courses, to leisure trails,<br />
there’s a location to suit every cycling enthusiast’s need.<br />
NEW!<br />
With our Cycling Guide, you have every tool at<br />
your fingertips for the ultimate cycling<br />
experience. Featuring a detailed map<br />
of n popular cycling opportunities n laws<br />
and guidelines n emergency numbers and<br />
n local bike shops, this pocket guide is<br />
perfect to have on your adventure.<br />
Pocket-sized<br />
for your convenience!<br />
Whether you are here for a leisure<br />
ride or high-energy cycling<br />
adventure –<br />
Polk County is<br />
your path to<br />
a great cycling<br />
experience!<br />
Reach Over 30,000<br />
Bicycling Enthusiasts<br />
Call 301-418-1039<br />
or email<br />
neil@spokesmagazine.com<br />
FOLDERS =<br />
Convenience<br />
Why buy and ride a folding bike?<br />
It probably fits in the trunk of your car —<br />
no bike rack to wrestle on and off the car.<br />
Ride it to the Metro instead of driving and<br />
you save $3+ per day for vehicle parking.<br />
If space is at a premium at your place then<br />
a bike that fits in the closet would be nice.<br />
We keep hearing more and more reasons<br />
from our folding bike customers.<br />
2009 Recipient of<br />
Adventure Cycling Association's<br />
Most Prestigious Bike Shop Honor<br />
"The Sam Braxton Bicycle Shop Award"<br />
bikes@vienna, LLC<br />
128A Church St, NW Vienna, VA 22180<br />
703-938-8900<br />
FREE!<br />
Visit www.VisitCentralFlorida.org/cycling and click the “Map My ride”<br />
feature to plan your adventure and view a road suitability map. Request a FREE<br />
copy of the NEW Cycling Guide or call 800-828-7655, ext. SP7 to start<br />
your cycling adventure today!<br />
www.bikesatvienna.com<br />
come to our website for information<br />
about our unusual products and<br />
click used bikes for photos,<br />
descriptions, and prices of<br />
our pre-owned bikes.
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 />
TheAthletesLawyer.com<br />
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 />
Introducing the Gary Fisher Collection. A fresh batch of Trek bikes that do most<br />
anything, and one bike that does it all: Dual Sport. It’s road bike fast. Mountain<br />
bike durable. Perfect for tow paths, riding singletrack or just riding to work. Ideal<br />
for someone who wants to ride a little bit of everything.<br />
T R E K B I K E S . C O M / F I S H E R C O L L E C T I O N<br />
© 2010 TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION<br />
AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING AUTHORIZED FISHER DEALERS<br />
dual_sport_spokes_mag.indd 1<br />
2/10/11 10:57 AM<br />
VIRGINIA<br />
ARLINGTON<br />
REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />
2731 Wilson Boulevard<br />
(703) 312-0007<br />
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 />
(301) 253-5800<br />
ELLICOTT CITY<br />
RACE PACE<br />
8450 Baltimore National Pike<br />
(410) 461-7878<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 />
FOREST HILL<br />
THE BICYCLE CONNECTION EXPRESS<br />
2203 Commerce Road<br />
(410) 420-2500<br />
HAGERSTOWN<br />
HUB CITY SPORTS<br />
35 N. Prospect Street<br />
(301) 797-9877<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 />
WALDORF<br />
BIKE DOCTOR<br />
3200 Leonardtown Road<br />
(301) 932-9980<br />
WESTMINSTER<br />
RACE PACE<br />
459 Baltimore Boulevard<br />
(410) 876-3001<br />
WASHINGTON, D.C.<br />
GEORGETOWN<br />
REVOLUTION CYCLES<br />
3411 M Street, N.W.<br />
(202) 965-3601
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 />
Speed Studio utilizes some of the most advanced fitting systems available, including<br />
Retul, and the Slowtwitch F.I.S.T. fit to help cyclists choose the optimum bicycle for their<br />
performance needs or to refine their current position. We are dedicated to the idea that fit<br />
accuracy will yield both speed and comfort. Speed Studio features such brands as:<br />
In addition to our premium Fit Systems, we offer a comprehensive selection of fit services<br />
including static pro performance and aero fits, clean alignment (including the LOOK Keo Fit<br />
Adjustment System), and the Fit Kit Measuring System.<br />
Speed Studio is brought to you by:<br />
Bike Doctor Arnold of Maryland<br />
Please contact Steve Ruck at 410.544.3532 or at sruck@bikedoctor.com<br />
to schedule a fit consultation<br />
12 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong>
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 />
PERFECT<br />
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 />
A-1 Cycling<br />
Two Locations Open 7<br />
Days a Week!<br />
Mon - Sat 10am-9pm<br />
Sun 12pm-6pm<br />
herndon<br />
Clock Tower Shopping Center<br />
2451-13 Centreville Rd.<br />
(703) 793-0400<br />
manassas<br />
Next to Best Buy<br />
7705 Sudley Rd.<br />
(703) 361-6101<br />
www.A1Cycling.com<br />
Bicycles & Equipment for the Whole Family!<br />
competitive prices with home town service since 1980<br />
A-1 is a family-run business focusing on quality and service. Our staff is trained<br />
to superior standards to create a bicycle enthusiast's dependable source.<br />
Come experience the difference!<br />
We stock products from:<br />
Giant<br />
Thule<br />
Specialized Burley<br />
Raleigh Speedplay<br />
Felt<br />
Sigma Sport<br />
Haro<br />
Descente<br />
Hoffman Camelbak<br />
Minoura Continental<br />
CTS<br />
Serfas<br />
<strong>April</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />
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>
THE<br />
PERFECT<br />
RIDE<br />
NO MATTER HOW YOU DESCRIBE IT, THERE’S<br />
NOTHING BETTER THAN THE PERFECT RIDE—<br />
WHERE YOU, YOUR BIKE, AND THE TRAIL<br />
ALIGN FOR ONE INCREDIBLE DAY. ONLY YOUR<br />
MID-ATLANTIC SPECIALIZED DEALER HAS THE<br />
KNOWLEDGE, BIKES AND EQUIPMENT TO MAKE<br />
EVERY RIDE THE PERFECT RIDE.<br />
VIRGINIA<br />
ALEXANDRIA<br />
SPOKES, ETC.<br />
1545 N. Quaker Lane<br />
(703) 820-2200<br />
ASHBURN<br />
SPOKES, ETC.<br />
20070 Ashbrook<br />
Commons Plaza<br />
(703) 858-5501<br />
BELLEVIEW<br />
SPOKES, ETC.<br />
1506 Belle View Boulevard<br />
(703) 765-8005<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 />
HERNDON<br />
A-1 CYCLING<br />
2451 I-3 Centerville Road<br />
(703) 793-0400<br />
MANASSAS<br />
A-1 CYCLING<br />
7705 Sudley Road<br />
(703) 361-6101<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 />
MARYLAND<br />
ANNAPOLIS<br />
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 />
PRINCETON SPORTS<br />
10730 Little Patuxent Parkway<br />
(410) 995-1894<br />
FREDERICK<br />
THE BICYCLE ESCAPE<br />
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 />
PATAPSCO BIKE & SPORT<br />
5 North Main Street<br />
(301) 829-5604<br />
WASHINGTON, D.C.<br />
GEORGETOWN<br />
BICYCLE PRO SHOP<br />
3403 M Street, NW<br />
(202) 337-0311<br />
<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 />
by ron cassie ron_cassie@yahoo.com<br />
we make<br />
cycling more<br />
cycling more<br />
l o v e y o u r<br />
bike [more]<br />
fun<br />
fun<br />
Takoma Bicycle<br />
KHS | ReDline | ToRKeR | PARTS | ACCeSSoRieS | RePAiRS<br />
7030 Carroll Avenue<br />
Takoma Park, MD 20912<br />
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.