There are a lot of cool organized bike tours, fund-raisers and rides coming up.
Like Sunday, for instance.
St. Pete Times bike tour
Proceeds from the ride in Pasco County will help the Police Unity Tour, a great bike ride cause that raises money for a law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tour de Spring Training: Dunedin For The Toronto Blue Jays
The Bicycle Stories Tour de Spring Training stopped in Dunedin today for the Toronto Blue Jays' home opener between the Birds of Toronto and the Detroit Tigers. The Dunedin ballpark is a small and non-descript ballyard with not much character. It's kind of quaint -- but also kind of plan with no real distinctive feel like the giant concrete spaciousness of the Yankees' 11,000-seat palaca off North Dale Mabry in Tampa or the Phillies' modern amenity-filled ballyard off US 19 in Clearwater.
But these Toronto-ites are awfully pleasant and courteous and nice -- if not pasty-white. And there's a certain earnestness to the atmosphere of the stadium that harkens back to a time when baseball wasn't dominated by talk of steroids and Congressional hearings and drug-enhanced cheaters.
I met my pal Jeff, author of the famed sidesalad.net Web site, for the festivities today -- and let's just say we didn't shy aware from our usual fare of hijinks.
You have to love fans at these spring games. This lovely couple dressed up their baby for the game.
That's JP Peterson, radio sports guy for AM-1470 and the Channel 8 sportscaster.
Some creative marketing -- this gal was handing out a free grapefruit to every fan because spring training in Florida is also known as -- all together now -- the Grapefruit League.
So, Major League Baseball is finally back -- there are some real major leaguers in that spring training opening lineup at the Dunedin ballyard named for a local cable TV provider.
This Toronto Blue Jays fan thought he ordered a Canadian brew, but just found out it's an American beer. Tough luck, bro.
Guess which guy is the real major leaguer -- it's the fella on the left. I believe his name is John McDonald.
That's the Big Hurt himself, Frank Thomas, signing autographs for Jays fans.
They have cliche contests like who can put on the frozen shirt the fastest.
Let's just say the Dunedin stadium is a bit shy in amenities, but the beerman made up for the dearth in entertainment.
They ride their bikes to games.
And, here's my favorite seat in the place.
New Web Site For SHBC
Folks, the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club has a new Web site:
SHBC Web Site
Thank you SHBC members Steve Swiger, and Lisa and Rick Hickman.
Also, a reminder that the SHBC's next bike ride is tomorrow at 9 AM at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue. It will be a very slow, leisurely family/kids/adults ride of about 4 miles.
SHBC Web Site
Thank you SHBC members Steve Swiger, and Lisa and Rick Hickman.
Also, a reminder that the SHBC's next bike ride is tomorrow at 9 AM at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue. It will be a very slow, leisurely family/kids/adults ride of about 4 miles.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Biking Into Downtown Tampa
While biking south on Tampa Street into downtown this afternoon, I encountered this fella -- a sidewalk bicycle repairman who set up shop at this bus stop. It's not every day you see a bicycle wrench working right on the street.
The bike lane on Tampa Street ends in the middle of downtown Tampa, but at least this "Share the Road" sign was installed on the south side of Kennedy Blvd.
While I was biking on Jackson Street, which has a bike lane in downtown Tampa, I saw your Hillsborough County tax dollars in action at the county office building. This is my favorite waste of county dollars -- Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman found $68,000 to build these smoking area shelters. Yet, I rarely see county employee-smokers ever use these pricy smoking shelters.
The bike lane on Tampa Street ends in the middle of downtown Tampa, but at least this "Share the Road" sign was installed on the south side of Kennedy Blvd.
While I was biking on Jackson Street, which has a bike lane in downtown Tampa, I saw your Hillsborough County tax dollars in action at the county office building. This is my favorite waste of county dollars -- Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman found $68,000 to build these smoking area shelters. Yet, I rarely see county employee-smokers ever use these pricy smoking shelters.
Time To Unite
Bicycling gets a nice plug from this columnist for the Washington Post -- I'll be representing South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD) at the 2008 National Bike Summit from March 4-6 next week.
NEAL PEIRCE COLUMN
For Release Sunday, March 2, 2008
© 2008 Washington Post Writers Group
YEAR OF THE BICYCLE?
By Neal Peirce
Bicycling’s best year since the start of the auto age? That’s the argument likely to be made March 4-6 as hundreds of cyclists from across the nation gather in Washington for the National Bike Summit sponsored of the League of American Bicyclists.
A crescendo of trends and developments makes the case.
First the trends: oil costs are surpassing $100 a barrel, global warming alarm calls are mounting, polluting autos and trucks increasingly clog city streets, and health concerns about a sedentary and fattening society are mounting.
And now the developments: Handy bike-for-hire stations are proving instant hits in Paris and other European cities and seem poised to invade urban America. Moves to add painted bike lanes along city roadways are being eclipsed by proposals for entire networks of “bike boulevards” -- roadways altered radically to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. And a companion “Complete Streets” movement -- making roadway space for cyclists and pedestrians, not just cars and trucks -- is gaining traction nationwide.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), founder of the Congressional Bike caucus (now 160-bipartisan members strong), claims a new pro-bike politics is forming, that it can mobilize a 1-million-plus national constituency and force clear recognition of the role of bicycles in the next (2009) federal transportation bill. He and the Bike Summit will be pushing a sense of Congress resolution recognizing the potential of bikes to undergird a greener, healthier and more efficient national future.
Cycling, nationwide, still counts for tiny portions of commuting and shopping trips. But Portland’s experience shows the potential, Blumenauer insists: since that city’s bike program began in the 1990s, the “modal split” for bikes has quadrupled and a $100 million industry of bike shops, bike sales, a start of manufacturing and bike tourism, accounting for 1,000 jobs, has emerged.
Paris’ “velib” bike rental program -- the name combines “velo” (bicycle) and “liberte (freedom) -- opened last July and registered an astounding 2 million trips in its first 40 days. Twenty-thousand bikes are available at 1,450 cycling stations across the city. Insert a credit card to sign up ($1.50 a day to $43 a year) and you can drop your bike off at any other station, the first 30 minutes free.
Paris’ sturdy bikes have three gears, good hand brakes, adjustable seat levels and “sit-up” handlebars. They’re equipped with antitheft and global positioning devices. Cost of the biking operation is offset by revenues from advertising at bus shelters and other “outdoor furniture.”
Almost identical systems are sprouting up across Europe -- in Lyons, Rennes, Barcelona, Oslo, Stockholm, Seville, Brussels, Vienna. Many others are soon to come including London and Rome. There’s also reported interest in Moscow and Beijing.
This April the first serious U.S. fast bike-rental system is due to open in Washington, D.C., followed shortly by San Francisco. Considering the idea or in active negotiations are Houston, Tucson, San Antonio, Portland, Cambridge and Boulder.
Among possible U.S. cities is Chicago -- Mayor Richard Daley tested a Velib bike in Paris last summer and came back a fan. Add Louisville: the health giant Humana has bikes for its own workers and Mayor Jerry Abramson likes the idea of a citywide system. And the U.S. Capitol complex -- It’s a small city of 12,000 workers and, Blumenauer suggests, “government needs to lead by example.”
On the bike boulevard front, London sprang to world leadership with Mayor Ken Livingstone’s February announcement of a £400 million ($787 million) system of 12 two-wheeler superhighways connecting popular residential areas to city center. The roadways will have continuous, wide cycle lanes, dedicated junctions and clear signs, cutting a swath through traffic.
Planners hope the London system will attract a “critical mass” of cyclists. Even diverting 5 percent of people from their cars and the tubes and buses, it’s estimated, would result in 1.7 million cycle trips each day.
The Londoners also hope to set up special cycle networks around 15 suburban towns, connecting residences with schools, train and bus stations, parks and shops.
Portland has its own version of bike boulevards -- remakes of residential streets that had been degraded by motorists using them as cut-throughs. With a minimum of traffic-calming devices such as speed bumps and traffic islands, cut-through traffic was effectively excluded.
Contentious when they were first introduced a decade ago, the Portland bike boulevards have created quality environments raising nearby home prices significantly. But perhaps most important, they’ve marked a major shift from meeting needs of expert and intermediate cyclists. The focus, instead, is on making cycling welcoming for everyone -- kids, families and novice cyclists included.
And in the long run, that’s what the worldwide and U.S. bike reforms will have to achieve -- a world of safe cycling for people of all ages, both sexes, all skill levels. If we get there, you can mark 2008 as a big year on the route.
NEAL PEIRCE COLUMN
For Release Sunday, March 2, 2008
© 2008 Washington Post Writers Group
YEAR OF THE BICYCLE?
By Neal Peirce
Bicycling’s best year since the start of the auto age? That’s the argument likely to be made March 4-6 as hundreds of cyclists from across the nation gather in Washington for the National Bike Summit sponsored of the League of American Bicyclists.
A crescendo of trends and developments makes the case.
First the trends: oil costs are surpassing $100 a barrel, global warming alarm calls are mounting, polluting autos and trucks increasingly clog city streets, and health concerns about a sedentary and fattening society are mounting.
And now the developments: Handy bike-for-hire stations are proving instant hits in Paris and other European cities and seem poised to invade urban America. Moves to add painted bike lanes along city roadways are being eclipsed by proposals for entire networks of “bike boulevards” -- roadways altered radically to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. And a companion “Complete Streets” movement -- making roadway space for cyclists and pedestrians, not just cars and trucks -- is gaining traction nationwide.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), founder of the Congressional Bike caucus (now 160-bipartisan members strong), claims a new pro-bike politics is forming, that it can mobilize a 1-million-plus national constituency and force clear recognition of the role of bicycles in the next (2009) federal transportation bill. He and the Bike Summit will be pushing a sense of Congress resolution recognizing the potential of bikes to undergird a greener, healthier and more efficient national future.
Cycling, nationwide, still counts for tiny portions of commuting and shopping trips. But Portland’s experience shows the potential, Blumenauer insists: since that city’s bike program began in the 1990s, the “modal split” for bikes has quadrupled and a $100 million industry of bike shops, bike sales, a start of manufacturing and bike tourism, accounting for 1,000 jobs, has emerged.
Paris’ “velib” bike rental program -- the name combines “velo” (bicycle) and “liberte (freedom) -- opened last July and registered an astounding 2 million trips in its first 40 days. Twenty-thousand bikes are available at 1,450 cycling stations across the city. Insert a credit card to sign up ($1.50 a day to $43 a year) and you can drop your bike off at any other station, the first 30 minutes free.
Paris’ sturdy bikes have three gears, good hand brakes, adjustable seat levels and “sit-up” handlebars. They’re equipped with antitheft and global positioning devices. Cost of the biking operation is offset by revenues from advertising at bus shelters and other “outdoor furniture.”
Almost identical systems are sprouting up across Europe -- in Lyons, Rennes, Barcelona, Oslo, Stockholm, Seville, Brussels, Vienna. Many others are soon to come including London and Rome. There’s also reported interest in Moscow and Beijing.
This April the first serious U.S. fast bike-rental system is due to open in Washington, D.C., followed shortly by San Francisco. Considering the idea or in active negotiations are Houston, Tucson, San Antonio, Portland, Cambridge and Boulder.
Among possible U.S. cities is Chicago -- Mayor Richard Daley tested a Velib bike in Paris last summer and came back a fan. Add Louisville: the health giant Humana has bikes for its own workers and Mayor Jerry Abramson likes the idea of a citywide system. And the U.S. Capitol complex -- It’s a small city of 12,000 workers and, Blumenauer suggests, “government needs to lead by example.”
On the bike boulevard front, London sprang to world leadership with Mayor Ken Livingstone’s February announcement of a £400 million ($787 million) system of 12 two-wheeler superhighways connecting popular residential areas to city center. The roadways will have continuous, wide cycle lanes, dedicated junctions and clear signs, cutting a swath through traffic.
Planners hope the London system will attract a “critical mass” of cyclists. Even diverting 5 percent of people from their cars and the tubes and buses, it’s estimated, would result in 1.7 million cycle trips each day.
The Londoners also hope to set up special cycle networks around 15 suburban towns, connecting residences with schools, train and bus stations, parks and shops.
Portland has its own version of bike boulevards -- remakes of residential streets that had been degraded by motorists using them as cut-throughs. With a minimum of traffic-calming devices such as speed bumps and traffic islands, cut-through traffic was effectively excluded.
Contentious when they were first introduced a decade ago, the Portland bike boulevards have created quality environments raising nearby home prices significantly. But perhaps most important, they’ve marked a major shift from meeting needs of expert and intermediate cyclists. The focus, instead, is on making cycling welcoming for everyone -- kids, families and novice cyclists included.
And in the long run, that’s what the worldwide and U.S. bike reforms will have to achieve -- a world of safe cycling for people of all ages, both sexes, all skill levels. If we get there, you can mark 2008 as a big year on the route.
A Few Trees Grow in Seminole Heights
Sometimes the most in-your-face, obvious things in your life are so transparent in their daily presence that you just assume they're part of the daily routine like breathing.
Which brings me to the trees in my Seminole Heights neihghborhood -- and breathing.
I always wondered why developers would clear-cut woods since, after all, it's the trees that supply us with something called oxygen.
And this morning when I took a jaunt around the neighborhood when the sun is just inches above the horizon and the light is just so lovely, it's hard not to be mesmerized by the big oaks that live in Seminole Heights.
It's what makes this neighborhood so cool. Take a look.
Which brings me to the trees in my Seminole Heights neihghborhood -- and breathing.
I always wondered why developers would clear-cut woods since, after all, it's the trees that supply us with something called oxygen.
And this morning when I took a jaunt around the neighborhood when the sun is just inches above the horizon and the light is just so lovely, it's hard not to be mesmerized by the big oaks that live in Seminole Heights.
It's what makes this neighborhood so cool. Take a look.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
End Of An Era For The Local Hockey Team
Tonight, Bicycle Stories journeyed to the hockey arena in downtown Tampa to catch the new-look Tampa Bay Lightning. Nearly four years ago, I was working on the news side of the local newspaper while covering the Lightning's historic march to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004. But this week, the Lightning traded the hero of that championship run, a popular fella by the name of Brad Richards, amid some major changes like a potential new owner trying to buy the club.
Tonight, some fans still could not part with their Richards' jersey -- the number 19 sweater.
Even with a popular player such as Richards gone, the show must go on. Here's the Lightning mascot -- ThunderBug -- getting ready to hit the ice before the game between the Lightning and the Minnesota Wild (that's the actual nickname).
A bit alarming tonight was the hundreds of unoccupied seats. There was a subdued feeling in the building, as the Lightning lost to the Minnesota Wild by a score of 3-2. It seemed like fans were trying to adjust to the Lightning's new players.
On the way to the arena, I saw a car parked by the county office building with a bicycle-theme tag and this sticker.
Uh-oh. Our bicycle friend's car got ticketed by the Tampa parking gestapo. Looks like the driver better drive his bike downtown next time to avoid the ticket hit.
i
Tonight, some fans still could not part with their Richards' jersey -- the number 19 sweater.
Even with a popular player such as Richards gone, the show must go on. Here's the Lightning mascot -- ThunderBug -- getting ready to hit the ice before the game between the Lightning and the Minnesota Wild (that's the actual nickname).
A bit alarming tonight was the hundreds of unoccupied seats. There was a subdued feeling in the building, as the Lightning lost to the Minnesota Wild by a score of 3-2. It seemed like fans were trying to adjust to the Lightning's new players.
On the way to the arena, I saw a car parked by the county office building with a bicycle-theme tag and this sticker.
Uh-oh. Our bicycle friend's car got ticketed by the Tampa parking gestapo. Looks like the driver better drive his bike downtown next time to avoid the ticket hit.
i
What Drivers Will Look Like At An Airport Near You
Matt Swenson of the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club sent in this item.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
No Way I'm Biking In This Bike Lane
Literally around the corner from the local DOT office on Fowler Avenue near the USF campus, Fowler's bike lane surface has been stripped and this "turtleback" bumpy layer is all that's left. Someone from the DOT told me last week that a fresh, smooth surface of asphalt will be applied, but they don't know when. Today while biking home from Flatwoods on the north side of Fowler, I saw a bike lane symbol painted on this turtleback surface. But here's why I don't and won't bike on this surface -- take a look. Would you want to be biking on this surface? Instead, I bike inside the traffic lane and won't go in the "bike lane" as long as it's in this very rough and bumpy condition.
Bicycling The Neighborhood
During my Seminole Heights walk last night, I see all types of bicyclists. Like this fella, who told me that he was cycling this recumbent for the first time. No matter what the age, the smile of the bicyclist transcends everything.
These kids were trying to pump air in the front tire when they called over and asked for help. Bicycle Stories obliged and advised the kids to wear helmets when they pedal.
These kids were trying to pump air in the front tire when they called over and asked for help. Bicycle Stories obliged and advised the kids to wear helmets when they pedal.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Triking It In Tampa
Biking back from Flatwoods this morning, I saw this fella on Rowlett Park Drive in the Sulphur Springs area. Check out his wheels -- it's a literal chariot with a space in back that he said he uses to carry his kid.
A Bicycle Parking Space Grows in Boca Raton
I made a pit stop in Century Village in Boca Raton over the weekend and saw my favorite parking space -- the owner of this space uses a bike rack to secure his wheels.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Boca Raton to Palm Beach -- And Back
This morning I biked some 54 miles from Boca Raton to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach and back under cloudy skies. I've biked all around Florida and I'm here to say that Boca Raton is the friendliest city for bicyclists in the state. There are bike lanes all around the sprawling city in south Palm Beach County, and there are literally hundreds of cyclists zipping up and down A1A between Miami and Palm Beach.
I noticed the epicenter for A1A cycling was Boca Raton, which has bike lanes along A1A AND a paved path along the side of the road for joggers, walkers and roller-bladers.
There's a lot of wealth along A1A. Here's a cyclist zipping along A1A in the town of Highland Beach, which is just north of Boca Raton.
They take their landscape trimming very seriously in Palm Beach.
The famous royal Palms of Palm Beach.
They sure build those hedges high in Palm Beach.
OK, maybe the lawns in Palm Beach are a bit nicer -- and smoother -- than mine. You can play billiards on this front lawn on A1A in Palm Beach.
Terrific bridgework on the drawbridge spanning the Intracoastal at Boynton Beach.
In Delray Beach, they love Bush.
The famous barefoot mailman of Hypoluxo.
History is so easy, isn't it? Rec center on US 1 in Lantana.
While biking back from Palm Beach to Boca, I pedaled into an accident scene. It looks like a car leaving a parking lot struck a cyclist who was biking past the lot.
I'm Glad When You're Glad
I had the distinct honor of accompanying Bicycle Stories Mom to a concert first for me -- seeing Barry Manilow at the Florida Panthers hockey arena in Sunrise about 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night.
Mom adored the show. Must be the fact that Barry is a nice Jewish biy from Brooklyn.
But after seeing Barry in action and not seeing too many heterosexual males younger than 50 in the audience, the momster had to admit: "I guess he's gay."
Outside of the arena that's named after a bank, the Barry fans sat and waited to get in. That's Tom Cruise's flyer saucer coming in for a landing for the concert. Only kidding folks. That's the Bank Atlantic Arena's idea of a South Florida decorations on its plaza outside the arena.
Inside the arena, we sat behind three drunk 40-something women. I know, 15,000 people in the joint the only three women who show up wasted end up sitting right in front of us. Here's the drunkest one of the bunch.
Mom adored the show. Must be the fact that Barry is a nice Jewish biy from Brooklyn.
But after seeing Barry in action and not seeing too many heterosexual males younger than 50 in the audience, the momster had to admit: "I guess he's gay."
Outside of the arena that's named after a bank, the Barry fans sat and waited to get in. That's Tom Cruise's flyer saucer coming in for a landing for the concert. Only kidding folks. That's the Bank Atlantic Arena's idea of a South Florida decorations on its plaza outside the arena.
Inside the arena, we sat behind three drunk 40-something women. I know, 15,000 people in the joint the only three women who show up wasted end up sitting right in front of us. Here's the drunkest one of the bunch.
Saturday, Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale and Back
Welcome to Saturday morning in Boca Raton. I was at the start of a 52.4-mile roundtrip to Fort Lauderdale, where I used to live and work as a newspaper reporter about 10 years ago.
The Boca bus stops are a little different than the 1-800-Call-Gary ones in Tampa.
The Pompano Beach Pier is a popular hangout.
Good ol' Fort Lauderdale Beach. I know her well. I used to live and work in Fort Lauderdale in 1998-99 when I worked at the Sun-Sentinel.
Without bike lanes, cyclists pedal in the traffic lane. They have a right to be there in the lane, but there's not as much room on the road to share and an inattentive motorist can can get dangerously close to a bicyclist.
With bike lanes, cyclists safely pass me, then return to the bike lane and cars also have room to pass when we're in the bike lane.
In Boca, on the way back from Fort Lauderdale.
The Boca bus stops are a little different than the 1-800-Call-Gary ones in Tampa.
The Pompano Beach Pier is a popular hangout.
Good ol' Fort Lauderdale Beach. I know her well. I used to live and work in Fort Lauderdale in 1998-99 when I worked at the Sun-Sentinel.
Without bike lanes, cyclists pedal in the traffic lane. They have a right to be there in the lane, but there's not as much room on the road to share and an inattentive motorist can can get dangerously close to a bicyclist.
With bike lanes, cyclists safely pass me, then return to the bike lane and cars also have room to pass when we're in the bike lane.
In Boca, on the way back from Fort Lauderdale.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
BGoSH and Bicycling
After enjoying meeting customers at Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium's customer appreciation night, I stopped off at the Business Guild of Seminole Heights (BGoSH) membership meeting tonight. Several of the members participated in and knew about the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club's inaugural ride on Saturday. Here's a lovely shot of the BGoSH leaders with Councilwoman Mary Mulhern.
Appreciating Your Customers
Brian Eckman, pictured here, and David Luppino held a customer appreciation day at Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium tonight, drawing a steady stream of bicyclists into the store. People enjoyed munching and drinking a few beers, checking out the bikes and chatting with reps and local bicycle leaders such as Tina Russo, chair of the bicycle-pedestrian advisory committee in Hillsborough County.
How do you grow bicycling? By connecting with everyday average bicyclists who care about their community. Here's Lisa and Rick Hickman of Seminole Heights who rode the inaugural Seminole Heights Bicycle Club ride on Saturday morning, where she learned about the Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium customer appreciation day. So there they were, five days later, checking out the gear and having fun while they were doing it. That's what building a bicycle community is all about -- building a healthy spirit and comradery about bicycling, no matter what your experience level is.
Central Florida Trek rep Andrew Young chats with Ellen Pierson, who helps promote the Police Unity Tour -- a bike ride of pedaling cops who are raising money for a law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C.
Tina Russo, who oversees the Upper Tampa bay Trail for Hillsborough County and is the local Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee chair, tells folks the importance of having the county commissioners approve the $11 million necessary to hook the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with the Suncoast Trail. This would be the longest continuous paved trail in Florida and has been planned for years.
Ellen and Bill of American Classic wheels were on the scene displaying their dreamy wheels.
Here's Picot Floyd of Seminole Heights checking out the merchandise. You might recall Picot as the bike commuter who raised a red flag about a concrete island built wrongly in a bike lane on Fletcher Avenue at the Telecom business area. Picot contacted South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD), which prompted the developer to remove the concrete island from the bike lane.
Maintaining The Bike Lane
People had a great time tonight.
How do you grow bicycling? By connecting with everyday average bicyclists who care about their community. Here's Lisa and Rick Hickman of Seminole Heights who rode the inaugural Seminole Heights Bicycle Club ride on Saturday morning, where she learned about the Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium customer appreciation day. So there they were, five days later, checking out the gear and having fun while they were doing it. That's what building a bicycle community is all about -- building a healthy spirit and comradery about bicycling, no matter what your experience level is.
Central Florida Trek rep Andrew Young chats with Ellen Pierson, who helps promote the Police Unity Tour -- a bike ride of pedaling cops who are raising money for a law enforcement memorial in Washington, D.C.
Tina Russo, who oversees the Upper Tampa bay Trail for Hillsborough County and is the local Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee chair, tells folks the importance of having the county commissioners approve the $11 million necessary to hook the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with the Suncoast Trail. This would be the longest continuous paved trail in Florida and has been planned for years.
Ellen and Bill of American Classic wheels were on the scene displaying their dreamy wheels.
Here's Picot Floyd of Seminole Heights checking out the merchandise. You might recall Picot as the bike commuter who raised a red flag about a concrete island built wrongly in a bike lane on Fletcher Avenue at the Telecom business area. Picot contacted South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD), which prompted the developer to remove the concrete island from the bike lane.
Maintaining The Bike Lane
People had a great time tonight.
Strawberry Ride Is March 30
The Tampa Bay Freewheelers are pleased to present the 26th Annual Strawberry Century on March 30. The ride is called the "Strawberry Century", but there are four ride
distances of 20, 38, 62 or 100 miles. The ride offers a long-sleeved t-shirt,
hot breakfast, hot lunch, fully stocked SAG stops, mechanical support, vendor
displays, strawberry shortcake and door prize giveaways from the club's supporting
cycling businesses.
As always, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to worthy cycling-related causes. We are working on a few thousand dollars in door prizes for our pre-registered riders. Pre-registration deadline is March 17 and remained at a cost of $35. Visit us at www.tbfreewheelers.com for additional event details and to register online. Please note that day-of-ride registration increases to $40 and you are not gauranteed a long-sleeve t-shirt. We do order some extra ride t-shirts and these are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis until no longer available.
For you MS 150 registrants, this is a great tune-up for your MS 150 ride. The Freewheelers are working on getting a special door prize drawing just for you.
Out of Towners? A list of hotels offering discounted rates willl be posted on
our website as soon as the prices are finalized. You will easily be able to
ride your bike to the start from these Plant City hotels.
In town on Saturday AM? If you are in town on Saturday morning, come join us on
our Stanley ride (free for everyone). Details on the TBF website at www.tbfreewheelers.com.
And there is an ice cream stop on the ride this year.
distances of 20, 38, 62 or 100 miles. The ride offers a long-sleeved t-shirt,
hot breakfast, hot lunch, fully stocked SAG stops, mechanical support, vendor
displays, strawberry shortcake and door prize giveaways from the club's supporting
cycling businesses.
As always, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to worthy cycling-related causes. We are working on a few thousand dollars in door prizes for our pre-registered riders. Pre-registration deadline is March 17 and remained at a cost of $35. Visit us at www.tbfreewheelers.com for additional event details and to register online. Please note that day-of-ride registration increases to $40 and you are not gauranteed a long-sleeve t-shirt. We do order some extra ride t-shirts and these are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis until no longer available.
For you MS 150 registrants, this is a great tune-up for your MS 150 ride. The Freewheelers are working on getting a special door prize drawing just for you.
Out of Towners? A list of hotels offering discounted rates willl be posted on
our website as soon as the prices are finalized. You will easily be able to
ride your bike to the start from these Plant City hotels.
In town on Saturday AM? If you are in town on Saturday morning, come join us on
our Stanley ride (free for everyone). Details on the TBF website at www.tbfreewheelers.com.
And there is an ice cream stop on the ride this year.
Bike To College And Leave The Car At Home
A few friends have informed about a bicycle initiative at a liberal arts college in Wisconsin. Here's the blurb:
Ripon College, a small liberal-arts school in Wisconsin, is offering to give incoming freshmen a free bike (a Badger State-made Trek, of course) IF they promise not to bring a car to campus for an entire year. The primary impetus -- driven by school president David Joyce, who's an avid cyclist--is to help cure the problem of too many cars and too few parking spaces on the tiny campus. But just think of all
the other positive repercussions this could have! Let's hope it catches on at other schools. http://tinyurl.com/2g4tw8
Ripon College, a small liberal-arts school in Wisconsin, is offering to give incoming freshmen a free bike (a Badger State-made Trek, of course) IF they promise not to bring a car to campus for an entire year. The primary impetus -- driven by school president David Joyce, who's an avid cyclist--is to help cure the problem of too many cars and too few parking spaces on the tiny campus. But just think of all
the other positive repercussions this could have! Let's hope it catches on at other schools. http://tinyurl.com/2g4tw8
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
MS Fund-raiser at the Green Iguana
Bicylist Dennis Gauvin of Team Pricewaterhouse Coopers informs me that he and a teammate are hosting a charity event to raise money for the MS bike ride. Here's the info:
It's Thursday, March 13, from 5:30-8:30 PM, at the Green Iguana at 9202 Anderson Rd. in Tampa. Contact number is 813-288-9076.
The Greg Billings band will provide music, there will be dozens of prizes including a bike and admission is free.
It's Thursday, March 13, from 5:30-8:30 PM, at the Green Iguana at 9202 Anderson Rd. in Tampa. Contact number is 813-288-9076.
The Greg Billings band will provide music, there will be dozens of prizes including a bike and admission is free.
Drunk Drivers Can Hurt Bicyclists, Too
I bike thousands and thousands of miles on roads in Hillsborough County every year and I'm in no mood to be hit by a drunk driver. Unfortunately, there are a lot of drunk drivers out there on the roads. No other county in Florida has more drivers busted for drunk driving than Hillsborough. Which is why I attend meetings of the Tampa Alcohol Coalition, which is a group of law enforcement officials, college representatives and anti-drunk driving folks who work on getting drunks off of roads before they cause any damage.
At today's meeting, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee gave an award to the Dallas Bull bar/country-western hall for its work on trying to keep under-age drinkers from bellying up to the bar.
At today's meeting, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee gave an award to the Dallas Bull bar/country-western hall for its work on trying to keep under-age drinkers from bellying up to the bar.
Police Unity Tour Fund-raiser at Hattricks
We have a diverse bicycle community here in the Tampa Bay area and one of the players is the Police Unity Tour (PUT).
Local police will join their pedaling brethren in biking to Washington, D.C. to raise money for a law enforcement memorial to remember police who have been killed in the line of duty. You might recall that Mayor Iorio did the final miles of the ride last year to memorialize the life of her police driver who was killed. In fact, here's a photo of Mayor Iorio wearing her PUT windbreaker during a neighborhood bike ride in Seminole Heights on Saturday.
Ellen Pierson, who helps in the local Police Unity Tour efforts, sent me some background info on a local fund-raiser here in Tampa.
It will be on a Thursday, April 10, from 5-9 PM at Hattricks at 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602. Phone number is 813-225-4288
WIN A 2008 GIANT OCR A1 Bicycle Valued at $1500. Suggested Donation $10.00. Drawing to be held at 8:00 p.m.
Silent Auction Items Include But Not Limited To:
One Week at Pierson's cottage in Boone, NC
One Week in Lake Tahoe Ski Resort
PUT Graphics Print
YMCA Downtown 3 month membership
Digital Camera
Starbucks Baskets
Wine Baskets
Raffle Prizes Include But Not Limited To:
Gift Certificates for Local Restaurants
Massages, Bike Stuff, Bottles of Wine, PUT Duffle Bags,
TICKETS are $1 each, 10 for $5, a whole lot for $20
For More Information visit our website at www.policeunitytourVIII.org
Or call Ellen Pierson at 813-225-7160 x35
Local police will join their pedaling brethren in biking to Washington, D.C. to raise money for a law enforcement memorial to remember police who have been killed in the line of duty. You might recall that Mayor Iorio did the final miles of the ride last year to memorialize the life of her police driver who was killed. In fact, here's a photo of Mayor Iorio wearing her PUT windbreaker during a neighborhood bike ride in Seminole Heights on Saturday.
Ellen Pierson, who helps in the local Police Unity Tour efforts, sent me some background info on a local fund-raiser here in Tampa.
It will be on a Thursday, April 10, from 5-9 PM at Hattricks at 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602. Phone number is 813-225-4288
WIN A 2008 GIANT OCR A1 Bicycle Valued at $1500. Suggested Donation $10.00. Drawing to be held at 8:00 p.m.
Silent Auction Items Include But Not Limited To:
One Week at Pierson's cottage in Boone, NC
One Week in Lake Tahoe Ski Resort
PUT Graphics Print
YMCA Downtown 3 month membership
Digital Camera
Starbucks Baskets
Wine Baskets
Raffle Prizes Include But Not Limited To:
Gift Certificates for Local Restaurants
Massages, Bike Stuff, Bottles of Wine, PUT Duffle Bags,
TICKETS are $1 each, 10 for $5, a whole lot for $20
For More Information visit our website at www.policeunitytourVIII.org
Or call Ellen Pierson at 813-225-7160 x35
Spring Training Stop: Clearwater for the Philadelphia Phillies
The Tour de Spring Training arrived in Clearwater this morning amid a crystal-clear sky and a cool breeze out of the north. Here, the Philadelphia Phillies train, drawing a bunch of friendly fans from the eastern half of the Keystone State. The Phils train at the Brighthouse Networks Field complex, a modern facility of emerald practice fields and my favorite spring training ball yard.
It was the first day for all players to be on the field and stretch, throw, field and jog.
Soaking Up the St. Petersburg Waterfront
On a nice day in the the Tampa Bay area, there are few nicer things to do than simply walk the St. Petersburg waterfront. The city's waterfront is amazingly accessible and easily reached from the downtown business district.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sweeney The Sweeper
Jack Sweeney just doesn't talk the talk -- he rides the ride. Jack is a fellow Seminole Heights neighbor, bikes to his job in downtown Tampa and spreads the gospel about cycling. Jack played sweeper during Saturday's bike ride, making sure that no cyclist was left behind.
Check out his outstanding coverage of the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club ride on his www.bikecommuters.com web site:
Jack's coverage
Here's a photo of Jack with his favorite Tampa mayor and son.
Check out his outstanding coverage of the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club ride on his www.bikecommuters.com web site:
Jack's coverage
Here's a photo of Jack with his favorite Tampa mayor and son.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Mayor Talks About Bicycling in Tampa
One of the highlights of today's Seminole Heights Bicycle Club inaugural ride was having Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio pedaling along for the ride.
The mayor was smartly decked out in bike shorts and a Police Unity Tour top and spoke to the 60 riders who participated in the bike club's maiden trek during a break at Patterson Street Park on the Hillsborough River.
Florence Marsan, the SHBC mediawoman, videotaped the mayor saying a few words about bicycling in Tampa and in Seminole Heights, including her promise to paint a bike lane on Platt Street -- a wide three-lane, one-way road that leads into downtown Tampa from the Hyde Park area. Way to go mayor!
Platt Street Bike Lane
The mayor was smartly decked out in bike shorts and a Police Unity Tour top and spoke to the 60 riders who participated in the bike club's maiden trek during a break at Patterson Street Park on the Hillsborough River.
Florence Marsan, the SHBC mediawoman, videotaped the mayor saying a few words about bicycling in Tampa and in Seminole Heights, including her promise to paint a bike lane on Platt Street -- a wide three-lane, one-way road that leads into downtown Tampa from the Hyde Park area. Way to go mayor!
Platt Street Bike Lane
Seminole Heights Bicycle Club's Inaugural Bike Ride
On a gorgeous morning, about 60 bicyclists of all ages and riding all types of bicycles launched the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club maiden bike ride.
We welcomed our special guess bicyclist, Mayor Pam Iorio, who pedaled with us on the club's inaugural 6-mile bike ride. Mayor Iorio said a few words during a ride break at Patterson Street Park, where the mayor praised Seminole Heights as a great neighborhood and said she supports bicycling.
In fact, the mayor said the city was behind a DOT project to resurface Nebraska Avenue from Hillsborough Avenue to downtown and even said she will make sure that Platt Street -- a wide three-lane, one-way road that leads from the Hyde Park area to downtown -- will also get a striped bike lane.
I want to thank Tiffany Cox, the manager of the Seminole Heights Starbucks, for providing free coffee and water at Patterson Street Park about halfway through our bike ride.
There was a wonderful spirit of bicycling comradery and the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club looks forward to building on this morning's successful bike ride.
We took a class photo at the park along the route.
That's Tampa bicycle enthusiast Eddie Wall, who has been around the block a few times on his bike. Eddie does a great job listing the weekend's bike rides.
The victory lap around Lake Roberta.
That's Matt biking along, with Mike Limerick right behind.
I was happy that Mayor Iorio came for the ride and said she will help put a bike lane on Platt Street, a wide one-way road that leads from the Hyde Park area into downtown Tampa.
Mary enjoys some coffee courtesy of Starbucks
Neighbor Ian had a great time on the bike ride.
We welcomed our special guess bicyclist, Mayor Pam Iorio, who pedaled with us on the club's inaugural 6-mile bike ride. Mayor Iorio said a few words during a ride break at Patterson Street Park, where the mayor praised Seminole Heights as a great neighborhood and said she supports bicycling.
In fact, the mayor said the city was behind a DOT project to resurface Nebraska Avenue from Hillsborough Avenue to downtown and even said she will make sure that Platt Street -- a wide three-lane, one-way road that leads from the Hyde Park area to downtown -- will also get a striped bike lane.
I want to thank Tiffany Cox, the manager of the Seminole Heights Starbucks, for providing free coffee and water at Patterson Street Park about halfway through our bike ride.
There was a wonderful spirit of bicycling comradery and the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club looks forward to building on this morning's successful bike ride.
We took a class photo at the park along the route.
That's Tampa bicycle enthusiast Eddie Wall, who has been around the block a few times on his bike. Eddie does a great job listing the weekend's bike rides.
The victory lap around Lake Roberta.
That's Matt biking along, with Mike Limerick right behind.
I was happy that Mayor Iorio came for the ride and said she will help put a bike lane on Platt Street, a wide one-way road that leads from the Hyde Park area into downtown Tampa.
Mary enjoys some coffee courtesy of Starbucks
Neighbor Ian had a great time on the bike ride.
Florence's Photos
I want to thank Florence Marsan, who has assumed the role of Seminole Heights Bicycle Club photographer. Forence did a wonderful job capturing photos throughout the morning.
Friday, February 15, 2008
My Neighbors Are Always So Hungry
Back from a bike ride and what do I see, another local resident here in the neighborhood doing some serious carbo-loading.
The Drugged-up Boys Of Summer Are Back
Major League Baseball isn't played during the day when the sun is out the majority of the time. And the stadiums are big and the tickets for the fancy seats are really expensive and it's hard to emotionally get attached to players who are muscled up on designer drugs.
But here in the Tampa Bay area, we have six weeks of glorious spring training baseball when it's still awfully cold out there in most of the rest of the country.
It's when the big teams from up North come to the area -- such as the Yankees in Tampa and Phillies in Clearwater and the Blue Jays in Dunedin and the Tigers in Lakeland and the Pirates in Bradenton.
And the games are mostly played when the sun is way above the horizon. And the spring stadiums are small and quaint and the tickets to get into the games are not devastating to your wallet.
Which is why Bicycle Stories is proud to present its 2008 Tour de Spring Training. I'll be pedaling to spring baseball sites around the Tampa Bay area and offering you reports you won't see in the papers.
First stop: Yankeeville at Legends/Steinbrenner Field off North Dale Mabry in Tampa.
On the first day of spring training, you park at Legends/Steinbrenner Field for free, stroll right into the big concrete stadium bowl for free and watch Hideki Matsui take his cuts under a cloudless blue sky in the middle of February for free and remember when you were a little kid and watching baseball for the first time.
Everybody is a Jaba Chamberlain fan at Legends/Steinbrenner Field.
One word for you Mr. Securityman: Coppertone.
Yankees pitchers are getting in great shape by jogging on a practice field.
You're looking at the hard-working media in action. It's a tough job to bathe in the Florida sunshine and write stories about how Jorge Posada is working on his throws to second base.
Here are the new rightfield bleachers. More seats, more cash. By the way, at Yankee Stadium, the hard-core fans who sit in the rightfield bleachers are known as the "Bleacher Creatures" and they're famous for their Yankees lineup roll call when Yanks players in the field acknowledge the Creatures' chants of their names.
But here in the Tampa Bay area, we have six weeks of glorious spring training baseball when it's still awfully cold out there in most of the rest of the country.
It's when the big teams from up North come to the area -- such as the Yankees in Tampa and Phillies in Clearwater and the Blue Jays in Dunedin and the Tigers in Lakeland and the Pirates in Bradenton.
And the games are mostly played when the sun is way above the horizon. And the spring stadiums are small and quaint and the tickets to get into the games are not devastating to your wallet.
Which is why Bicycle Stories is proud to present its 2008 Tour de Spring Training. I'll be pedaling to spring baseball sites around the Tampa Bay area and offering you reports you won't see in the papers.
First stop: Yankeeville at Legends/Steinbrenner Field off North Dale Mabry in Tampa.
On the first day of spring training, you park at Legends/Steinbrenner Field for free, stroll right into the big concrete stadium bowl for free and watch Hideki Matsui take his cuts under a cloudless blue sky in the middle of February for free and remember when you were a little kid and watching baseball for the first time.
Everybody is a Jaba Chamberlain fan at Legends/Steinbrenner Field.
One word for you Mr. Securityman: Coppertone.
Yankees pitchers are getting in great shape by jogging on a practice field.
You're looking at the hard-working media in action. It's a tough job to bathe in the Florida sunshine and write stories about how Jorge Posada is working on his throws to second base.
Here are the new rightfield bleachers. More seats, more cash. By the way, at Yankee Stadium, the hard-core fans who sit in the rightfield bleachers are known as the "Bleacher Creatures" and they're famous for their Yankees lineup roll call when Yanks players in the field acknowledge the Creatures' chants of their names.
Come Flyover With Me
If you have ventured along the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. area near the I-75 interchange, you'll notice a flyover being built and some cranes. It makes for cool photos.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Trek To The State Fair
This afternoon, Bicycle Stories journeyed a mere seven miles to attend the Florida State Fair. There were a ton of sausage and onion booths and culinary fare of that sort; lots of rides and Midway-style games of chance and buildings housing commercial hawkers, animals and ribbon-winning work. Like a county fair, but just a very very very big version of one.
I wandered into a history-theme rural Florida village at the Fair called "Cracker Country" and visited the local "newspaper" office where I met this printer fella. He was yukking it up with some visitors by saying that a person was talking like a "New York Jew."
So I asked Mr. Printer, "What does a New York Jew" sound like?
Because, you know, I'm kinda curious.
The early port-a-john
After leaving Cracker Country and returning to Fairville, I saw more modern sights.
This guy really enjoys his job.
It was slow at the rose booth on Valentines Day.
Want to buy a sticker?
We have a bicycle sighting.
Inside the main fairgrounds hangar facility is a variety of commercial hawkers, including a fleet of vegematic demo people. This guy is named, "Zig," and he was very photogenic.
There was also a few organ and piano players in the house, too.
The Florida State Fair has an impressive array of freak scenes. Take a look.
This giant inflated Jack Daniels bottle was next to a restaurant that was sponsored by the Tennessee icon company.
And here's the real Jack Daniels sitting next to two statue boys.
Come to the Fair and get your photo taken. Maybe I can get a job there.
Here's a Fair goer getting his official photo.
This fella got a homemade cap made to celebrate the New York Giants' big win in the Super Bowl
I wandered into a history-theme rural Florida village at the Fair called "Cracker Country" and visited the local "newspaper" office where I met this printer fella. He was yukking it up with some visitors by saying that a person was talking like a "New York Jew."
So I asked Mr. Printer, "What does a New York Jew" sound like?
Because, you know, I'm kinda curious.
The early port-a-john
After leaving Cracker Country and returning to Fairville, I saw more modern sights.
This guy really enjoys his job.
It was slow at the rose booth on Valentines Day.
Want to buy a sticker?
We have a bicycle sighting.
Inside the main fairgrounds hangar facility is a variety of commercial hawkers, including a fleet of vegematic demo people. This guy is named, "Zig," and he was very photogenic.
There was also a few organ and piano players in the house, too.
The Florida State Fair has an impressive array of freak scenes. Take a look.
This giant inflated Jack Daniels bottle was next to a restaurant that was sponsored by the Tennessee icon company.
And here's the real Jack Daniels sitting next to two statue boys.
Come to the Fair and get your photo taken. Maybe I can get a job there.
Here's a Fair goer getting his official photo.
This fella got a homemade cap made to celebrate the New York Giants' big win in the Super Bowl
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Let's Bike Down North Dale Mabry Highway
It's been a while since I biked down Dale Mabry Highway at the heart of its commercial district, meaning the lovely stretch of asphalt, stripper joints and plazas north of the I-275 exit.
The great thing about bicycling is that you get a terrific upclose version of reality and can often make human connections that would never otherwise happen.
Like this fella hawking Valentines goodies out front of the Sweetbay supermarket this afternoon. Those are red Converse sneakers he's wearing -- a real classic. And he obviously does summer summer stock theater on the side.
At the lovely open pastures of grassy parking lots at Bucs stadium, there were inflated gorillas to add that homespun charm.
Dale Mabry is not exactly a scenic boulevard. Yet get beyond the entrances and you're in Yankees-town.
It's not even training camp time, yet these hardcores of the hardcore Yankees fans are waiting out new Yankees manager Joe Girardi in hopes of snagging an autograph outside Legends/Steinbrenner Field.
The great thing about bicycling is that you get a terrific upclose version of reality and can often make human connections that would never otherwise happen.
Like this fella hawking Valentines goodies out front of the Sweetbay supermarket this afternoon. Those are red Converse sneakers he's wearing -- a real classic. And he obviously does summer summer stock theater on the side.
At the lovely open pastures of grassy parking lots at Bucs stadium, there were inflated gorillas to add that homespun charm.
Dale Mabry is not exactly a scenic boulevard. Yet get beyond the entrances and you're in Yankees-town.
It's not even training camp time, yet these hardcores of the hardcore Yankees fans are waiting out new Yankees manager Joe Girardi in hopes of snagging an autograph outside Legends/Steinbrenner Field.
Parkin' on the River During the SHBC's Inaugural Ride Saturday
The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club kicks off its club rides with a 6-Miler, including a stretch along the Hillsborough River. We will stop at the 3.5-mile mark at Patterson Street Park, a lovely haven on the river where Starbucks will be on hand to provide bottled water and coffee.
And for local color, the park is next-door to River Rat Jims' house.
And for local color, the park is next-door to River Rat Jims' house.
Feeling Empty and Blue at the Ice Palace
On Tuesday night, Bicycle Stories journeyed to the arena named after a Tampa Bay-area newspaper and confronted a sports venue that was not exactly filled with fans.
It's not exactly Tampa Bay Rays-esque empty venue quite yet, but look at all those empty blue seats and all those fans wearing red -- for the Montreal Canadiens, who were in town and were losers to the Bolts by a 3-2 score.
It's not exactly Tampa Bay Rays-esque empty venue quite yet, but look at all those empty blue seats and all those fans wearing red -- for the Montreal Canadiens, who were in town and were losers to the Bolts by a 3-2 score.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Century Day
Today was a wonderous day in the weather category -- so I called a "Century Day." It means 100 miles of cycling are mandated -- actually 101.7 miles today -- from Seminole Heights through Flatwoods and out to Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio before pedaling from Pasco County to good ol' Seminole Heights.
You have seen the The Century ride sights on previous posts. But this time I stopped at a Confederate flag stand on Rt 301 outside Dade City.
I grew up outside New York City, so the confederate flag was not exactly a common scene for me. Which is why I'm fascinated that this symbol of the Old South is still pitched around these here parts.
It makes me edgy when I approach these Confederate flag salesmen. But the guy let me take a few shots and I was on my way.
You have seen the The Century ride sights on previous posts. But this time I stopped at a Confederate flag stand on Rt 301 outside Dade City.
I grew up outside New York City, so the confederate flag was not exactly a common scene for me. Which is why I'm fascinated that this symbol of the Old South is still pitched around these here parts.
It makes me edgy when I approach these Confederate flag salesmen. But the guy let me take a few shots and I was on my way.
A Bicycle Burns Rubber At The Speedway
Nicycle Stories correspondent Jeff Houck of sidesalad.net fame was on assignment at the ol' Speedway when he noticed that at the place where speed is everything the preferred way to get around was via two wheels.
Super Bowl Bicycles
Bicycle Stories reader Ellen Pierson was out at the Super Bowl in Arizona last week and offered this visual bike report.
This is a bike rack at the Scottsdale Mall.
This is a bike rack at the Scottsdale Mall.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Free Water and Coffee Courtesy of Starbucks During SHBC's Inaugural Bike Ride
The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club's inaugural bike ride will include a cameo by the bicycling mayor of Tampa and also some free water and coffee courtesy of the local Starbucks in SH. Tiffany the Starbucks manager said bottled water and coffee will be provided at a park on the Hillsborough River about halfway through our bike ride. Thank you Starbucks.
The bike ride is scheduled for 8:15 AM on Saturday, Feb 16. We will start at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue. It will be a slow, leisurely ride of about six miles. See you then.
The bike ride is scheduled for 8:15 AM on Saturday, Feb 16. We will start at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue. It will be a slow, leisurely ride of about six miles. See you then.
Hawley Rep Likes To Bike Flatwoods, Too
You never know you will meet at Flatwoods county park, and one day this week I caught up with Bruce McCarthy, who is an account manager for The Hawley Company, who moved recently from Atlanta to sell bicycle products here in the Tampa Bay area and in South Florida. Bruce, also a photographer, was cycling in Flatwoods because he lives off Bruce B. Downs close to Oliver's Cycle Sports.
Good Reasons To Pedal
If you ever meet someone who doesn't think bicycling is good public policy, you might want to cite some the reasons listed here.
Reasons to Bike
Reasons to Bike
Friday, February 8, 2008
Some Rare Fan Mail
It's not like Bicycle Stories has much of a fan base. But every now and then -- as in I don't remember the last time -- Bicycle Stories gets a pleasant missive from someone who appreciates the efforts to promote and sell bicycling around these here parts.
A bicyclist by the name of Warren Denby who appreciates the scenic environs of Flatwoods county park much like I do sent me this nice note -- and all I could say was aw shucks. That's Warren pictured below.
Hello Alan,
I just want to thank you for the wonderful bike stories you have written and photos taken in Flatwoods Park.
For 3 years, I was a weekly biker in the park (living in Hunter's Green) but unfortunately I had to move back to New Hampshire last summer and sadly miss my friend's and the wonderful camaraderie among those who ride in Flatwoods. You can imagine my delight when I found your blog!
I am waiting for the snowdrifts to melt before I can return to the mountain trails here.in New England. So I really enjoy all your editorials. Keep up the good work and again thank you.
Warren Denby
Manchester, New Hampshire
A bicyclist by the name of Warren Denby who appreciates the scenic environs of Flatwoods county park much like I do sent me this nice note -- and all I could say was aw shucks. That's Warren pictured below.
Hello Alan,
I just want to thank you for the wonderful bike stories you have written and photos taken in Flatwoods Park.
For 3 years, I was a weekly biker in the park (living in Hunter's Green) but unfortunately I had to move back to New Hampshire last summer and sadly miss my friend's and the wonderful camaraderie among those who ride in Flatwoods. You can imagine my delight when I found your blog!
I am waiting for the snowdrifts to melt before I can return to the mountain trails here.in New England. So I really enjoy all your editorials. Keep up the good work and again thank you.
Warren Denby
Manchester, New Hampshire
A Bicycle That Knows How To Carry The Load
To the rest of the country, Tampa is known for football, tittie bars and a drunken parade. But once a year, some healthy-looking folks take over the convention center, set up booths and dole out a whole lot of free stuff for the big Gasparilla run weekend.
I sauntered in myself to check the scene this morning.
But I couldn't help but be distracted by this fine-looking chariot with some nice storage space.
I sauntered in myself to check the scene this morning.
But I couldn't help but be distracted by this fine-looking chariot with some nice storage space.
Fun at the Running Expo
The Gasparilla run expo is the one of the bigger events in Tampa that doesn't involve public drunkeness and football. I enjoy trolling down the aisles and getting a look at the teeth-whitening booths, the energy drink tables and the scores of running equipment.
It seemed to me this expo was smaller and more quiet than those in the past. So when a couple of gals with wings were trying to pitch their product, it was a Bicycle Stories photo moment.
Nice touch by the guy walking by and apparently oblivious to it all.
It seemed to me this expo was smaller and more quiet than those in the past. So when a couple of gals with wings were trying to pitch their product, it was a Bicycle Stories photo moment.
Nice touch by the guy walking by and apparently oblivious to it all.
Housing Market Blues
Just in case you're wondering whether the housing market has bottomed out yet, you might want to take a look at this lovely place off Hillsborough Avenue between Central and Florida Avenues.
My Favorite Tampa Intersection
I have no idea when that day will come. But one day, I will leave Tampa and this intersection a few blocks from my house will haunt me -- the ol' Hillsborough-Nebraska intersection that has so many gaps between its concrete sections that it's amazing that I have avoided my front wheel from being swallowed up by the space between the concrete slabs. Its gap-filled surface is embarassing to any legitimate road engineer and quite dangerous to the bicyclist.
Another endearing feature are the endless number of cars that routinely run red lights at this intersection. Tampa Police can cite motorists on every cycle of the turn signal. I was waiting to cross Hillsborough this week and took a photo of this pickup truck racing through the intersection obviously running the red light.
Just a suggestion: Count 1 Mississippi before you cross the intersection when a light turns green.
Another endearing feature are the endless number of cars that routinely run red lights at this intersection. Tampa Police can cite motorists on every cycle of the turn signal. I was waiting to cross Hillsborough this week and took a photo of this pickup truck racing through the intersection obviously running the red light.
Just a suggestion: Count 1 Mississippi before you cross the intersection when a light turns green.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Customer Appreciation Day at CBE
Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium, Oliver's Cycle Sports and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles are having their 2008 Customer Appreciation Night on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Everything is on sale: 5% off bikes, 10% off accessories. SWAMP, Freewheelers, and Team In Training Club members earn DOUBLE DISCOUNTS (on accessories only) with membership card.
Plus:
--Drinks and munchies
--Prizes and giveaways
--Vendor representatives from Trek / Gary Fisher / Lemond; Shimano; Camelback; PowerBar and American Classic.
--Mini-Clinics on Bike Commuting, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Triathlon Racing, and other topics of interest
--Representatives and/or informational and instructional handouts from:
o Trek’s “One World, Two Wheels” campaign www.1world2wheels.org
o God’s Pedal Power Ministry – Bring any bike or parts donations that you may have. They will go to good use!
o Hillsborough County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
o Pasco County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
o International Mountain Bicycling Association www.imba.com
o League of American Bicyclists www.bikeleague.org
o Bikes Belong www.bikesbelong.org
o MS150 ride sign up www.bikems.org
Suncoast Trailside Bicycles has created a team for the MS150 and would
love to have you. The link to the ride is below and contains a lot of
great information. STS Bikes will be providing FREE jerseys to the
first 20 who register before 2/28...If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact Tamara Inauen @ inauen@verizon.net or 727-735-5556.
If registering online, choose to register for a team, Team STS. After
registering, your information will be sent to us and we will be in
contact... The password is syrup
http://bikeflc.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=7120&pg=entry
Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium
www.cbebikes.com
(813) 963-5765
14407-B North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33618
Everything is on sale: 5% off bikes, 10% off accessories. SWAMP, Freewheelers, and Team In Training Club members earn DOUBLE DISCOUNTS (on accessories only) with membership card.
Plus:
--Drinks and munchies
--Prizes and giveaways
--Vendor representatives from Trek / Gary Fisher / Lemond; Shimano; Camelback; PowerBar and American Classic.
--Mini-Clinics on Bike Commuting, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Triathlon Racing, and other topics of interest
--Representatives and/or informational and instructional handouts from:
o Trek’s “One World, Two Wheels” campaign www.1world2wheels.org
o God’s Pedal Power Ministry – Bring any bike or parts donations that you may have. They will go to good use!
o Hillsborough County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
o Pasco County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
o International Mountain Bicycling Association www.imba.com
o League of American Bicyclists www.bikeleague.org
o Bikes Belong www.bikesbelong.org
o MS150 ride sign up www.bikems.org
Suncoast Trailside Bicycles has created a team for the MS150 and would
love to have you. The link to the ride is below and contains a lot of
great information. STS Bikes will be providing FREE jerseys to the
first 20 who register before 2/28...If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact Tamara Inauen @ inauen@verizon.net or 727-735-5556.
If registering online, choose to register for a team, Team STS. After
registering, your information will be sent to us and we will be in
contact... The password is syrup
http://bikeflc.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=7120&pg=entry
Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium
www.cbebikes.com
(813) 963-5765
14407-B North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33618
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Bicycling Scene in Miami
I have biked just about everywhere in Florida, including the roads of South Florida in the Miami area. So I can relate to this New Times story about cycling in Miami. In most cases, you can swap "Tampa" for "Miami" in this story because there are so many similarities as far as those cities' disinterest in making city roads safer and wider for bicyclists.
Miami New Times story
A compelling quotation from the story:
Ochoa's theory is that cars have isolated Americans from each other, especially in Miami. "Here people drive all the time, and it makes them lonely," he says. "It's like a cloud of loneliness hanging over the city."
Miami New Times story
A compelling quotation from the story:
Ochoa's theory is that cars have isolated Americans from each other, especially in Miami. "Here people drive all the time, and it makes them lonely," he says. "It's like a cloud of loneliness hanging over the city."
Upcoming Bike Ride along the Pinellas Trail
The Florida Highway Patrol has a ride scheduled for Sunday, March 9. Here's the info:
Meet at Taylor Park parking lot at 1100 8th Avenue Southwest, Largo, which connects to the Pinellas Trail (The Pinellas Trail runs parallel to the parking lot).
You can enter the Taylor Park parking lot on 8th Avenue Southwest and park next to the Pinellas Trail in the Taylor Park parking lot.
The bicycle ride will start at approximately at 9:30 A.M.
The ride will start at Taylor Park parking lot and we will ride to Tarpon Springs, approximately 18.5 miles, for a 37-mile round trip.
We will eat in Tarpon Springs and then ride back. Families are invited but children will have to keep up with the pace of the group. The pace will be 13 to 16 miles per hour. There are bicycle shops in the area, but you may want to bring a spare tube in case of a flat.
Bring water or sports drinks for hydration while riding and energy bars if needed, also bring money for lunch. (Maps/directions to the Pinellas Trail will be provided.)
Your contact - Kurt Arbogast (941)807-4456 or wheelsucker@verizon.net
Meet at Taylor Park parking lot at 1100 8th Avenue Southwest, Largo, which connects to the Pinellas Trail (The Pinellas Trail runs parallel to the parking lot).
You can enter the Taylor Park parking lot on 8th Avenue Southwest and park next to the Pinellas Trail in the Taylor Park parking lot.
The bicycle ride will start at approximately at 9:30 A.M.
The ride will start at Taylor Park parking lot and we will ride to Tarpon Springs, approximately 18.5 miles, for a 37-mile round trip.
We will eat in Tarpon Springs and then ride back. Families are invited but children will have to keep up with the pace of the group. The pace will be 13 to 16 miles per hour. There are bicycle shops in the area, but you may want to bring a spare tube in case of a flat.
Bring water or sports drinks for hydration while riding and energy bars if needed, also bring money for lunch. (Maps/directions to the Pinellas Trail will be provided.)
Your contact - Kurt Arbogast (941)807-4456 or wheelsucker@verizon.net
The Ormond Loop Bicycle Ride
Every few weeks or so, Bicycle Stories will re-print a Florida Travel story that might prompt you take your bike to a different part of the state and try a different route. This is a story I wrote for the Bergen Record of Hackensack, NJ that ran last November. I highly recommend this ride.
Ormond Beach -- If you enjoy bicycling and have only one chance for an out-of-town bike ride in Florida, this is the bike ride you have to take.
The Ormond Loop.
Haven't heard about this bike route? Most Floridians haven't either.
It's a 23-mile ride through old-time Florida trees, swamps and plants, starting and ending in Ormond Beach, which is about five miles north of Daytona Beach in Volusia County.
I have biked every inch of oceanside A1A and pedaled up and down the scenic hills outside of Clermont in central Florida.
But mile for mile, few bikes rides in Florida can match the Ormond Loop, which received an official state Scenic Designation label in July.
"It's a throwback to old Florida before the advent of condos on the beach and overpopulation. This is a real taste of what the land used to look like before development," said Joel Greenstein, a bicyclist and promotions company owner in Daytona Beach who rides the Loop regularly with his bicycle pals.
Even the executive director of the local chamber of commerce is a bicyclist who rides the Loop.
"It's sort of undiscovered unless you live locally. It's a lot of protected areas with cool native foliage," said Mike Del Ninno, executive director of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. "It's a hidden gem."
What makes the Ormond Loop so alluring?
Healthy stretches of the Loop run along the Intracoastal under a leafy canopy, giving bicyclists a feel that they're pedaling through a tunnel of oak and swamp maple tree foliage.
The Loop even runs through the Tomoka State Park, while the swamp maple leaves turn yellow and red in the fall. And the Loop has historic significance, too, because the ruins of 11 sugar mill plantations are along the route.
“There’s an emotional attachment to that road for me,” said Rick Smith, chairman of a local organization called, Save The Loop, which is trying to preserve the road’s scenic and environmental roots from encroaching development. “There’s not too many old Florida roads any more.”
The Loop starts from State Road 40 at North Beach Street in Ormond Beach on the mainland side of the Intracoastal. It runs north, then heads east for a short stretch before returning south along John Anderson Drive on the barrier island side of the Intracoastal. About half-way through the Loop, bicyclists enjoy a few S-curves that offer some water views.
"If you hit the Loop during a certain time of the day, the sunlight comes through the canopy and gives it that mystical type of quality," Greenstein said. ”You get a certain enjoyment of riding those S-curves. It’s just back and forth. It's very relaxing.”
A few months ago when I biked the Loop, I was part of a contingent of eight bicyclists, who rode two-wheelers that ranged from heavy mountain bikes to sleek road bicycles. That's emblematic of the wide variety of bicyclists who you will see pedaling the Loop on any given day.
"There's a certain comradery of riding the Loop. There are so many bicyclists out there that you will see someone you know and people will start riding in a group and end up joining other groups and start riding together," Greenstein said.
"It's a very social thing. I don' know any location where you get that good feeling and atmosphere," he said. "The bottom line is that everyone rides the Loop, whether you're on a beach cruiser or a high-performance road bike."
While Florida statewide is known as a dangerous place for bicyclists because of the state's narrow roads and intolerant motorists, the Loop is one stretch of pavement where bicyclist and driver share the road in harmony.
Indeed, I witnesses cars slow down behind our bicycle group and carefully pass us.
"It is a very narrow road and, for the most part, the motorists are pretty forgiving," Del Ninno said.
Greenstein thought likewise.
'"The people driving the Loop are educated about it and are aware of bicyclists. For the most part, they do make an effort to share the road. When people drive through the Loop, they’re not in the same hurry as they are on the city streets," he said. "People ride in cars to stop and smell the roses, too. There's more harmony between motorist and bicyclist."
To celebrate the Loop’s scenic designation by the state, Save The Loop members plan to hold an event at Tomoka State Park in October, Smith said.
The group was successful in winning 175-foot buffers along the Loop as part of a court settlement with Volusia County in hopes of maintaining the route’s scenic flavor, Smith said. He also noted Save The Loop is asking that the speed limit be reduced to 35 from 45 mph.
“It's a very cool place,” Del Ninno of the local chamber said. “We encourage people to come into town and enjoy it.”
Ormond Beach -- If you enjoy bicycling and have only one chance for an out-of-town bike ride in Florida, this is the bike ride you have to take.
The Ormond Loop.
Haven't heard about this bike route? Most Floridians haven't either.
It's a 23-mile ride through old-time Florida trees, swamps and plants, starting and ending in Ormond Beach, which is about five miles north of Daytona Beach in Volusia County.
I have biked every inch of oceanside A1A and pedaled up and down the scenic hills outside of Clermont in central Florida.
But mile for mile, few bikes rides in Florida can match the Ormond Loop, which received an official state Scenic Designation label in July.
"It's a throwback to old Florida before the advent of condos on the beach and overpopulation. This is a real taste of what the land used to look like before development," said Joel Greenstein, a bicyclist and promotions company owner in Daytona Beach who rides the Loop regularly with his bicycle pals.
Even the executive director of the local chamber of commerce is a bicyclist who rides the Loop.
"It's sort of undiscovered unless you live locally. It's a lot of protected areas with cool native foliage," said Mike Del Ninno, executive director of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. "It's a hidden gem."
What makes the Ormond Loop so alluring?
Healthy stretches of the Loop run along the Intracoastal under a leafy canopy, giving bicyclists a feel that they're pedaling through a tunnel of oak and swamp maple tree foliage.
The Loop even runs through the Tomoka State Park, while the swamp maple leaves turn yellow and red in the fall. And the Loop has historic significance, too, because the ruins of 11 sugar mill plantations are along the route.
“There’s an emotional attachment to that road for me,” said Rick Smith, chairman of a local organization called, Save The Loop, which is trying to preserve the road’s scenic and environmental roots from encroaching development. “There’s not too many old Florida roads any more.”
The Loop starts from State Road 40 at North Beach Street in Ormond Beach on the mainland side of the Intracoastal. It runs north, then heads east for a short stretch before returning south along John Anderson Drive on the barrier island side of the Intracoastal. About half-way through the Loop, bicyclists enjoy a few S-curves that offer some water views.
"If you hit the Loop during a certain time of the day, the sunlight comes through the canopy and gives it that mystical type of quality," Greenstein said. ”You get a certain enjoyment of riding those S-curves. It’s just back and forth. It's very relaxing.”
A few months ago when I biked the Loop, I was part of a contingent of eight bicyclists, who rode two-wheelers that ranged from heavy mountain bikes to sleek road bicycles. That's emblematic of the wide variety of bicyclists who you will see pedaling the Loop on any given day.
"There's a certain comradery of riding the Loop. There are so many bicyclists out there that you will see someone you know and people will start riding in a group and end up joining other groups and start riding together," Greenstein said.
"It's a very social thing. I don' know any location where you get that good feeling and atmosphere," he said. "The bottom line is that everyone rides the Loop, whether you're on a beach cruiser or a high-performance road bike."
While Florida statewide is known as a dangerous place for bicyclists because of the state's narrow roads and intolerant motorists, the Loop is one stretch of pavement where bicyclist and driver share the road in harmony.
Indeed, I witnesses cars slow down behind our bicycle group and carefully pass us.
"It is a very narrow road and, for the most part, the motorists are pretty forgiving," Del Ninno said.
Greenstein thought likewise.
'"The people driving the Loop are educated about it and are aware of bicyclists. For the most part, they do make an effort to share the road. When people drive through the Loop, they’re not in the same hurry as they are on the city streets," he said. "People ride in cars to stop and smell the roses, too. There's more harmony between motorist and bicyclist."
To celebrate the Loop’s scenic designation by the state, Save The Loop members plan to hold an event at Tomoka State Park in October, Smith said.
The group was successful in winning 175-foot buffers along the Loop as part of a court settlement with Volusia County in hopes of maintaining the route’s scenic flavor, Smith said. He also noted Save The Loop is asking that the speed limit be reduced to 35 from 45 mph.
“It's a very cool place,” Del Ninno of the local chamber said. “We encourage people to come into town and enjoy it.”
BayCycle Photography Contest
Tampa BayCycle, a cool bike-commuter initiative developed last year, is off and running again this year and has a cool photo contest as part of its activities. Keep those cameras handy. Here is the program:
Are you a bicyclist? Do you love to take pictures? Then don't hesitate to enter the 1st Annual BayCycle Photography contest! Help celebrate the relationship between bicycling and daily life in Tampa Bay.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The contest is open to everyone, from the amateur photographer to the casual or experienced cyclist living in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Pasco and Hernando counties. The contest is designed to offer participants the opportunity to share their love of bicycling with our community and the general public. Winning photographs will be on display at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) during the month of May 2008. Photos will be evaluated by a panel of three judges. All decisions are final and at the discretion of Tampa BayCycle. All entries must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2008.
SUBMISSION DETAILS: Photograph guidelines: 8”x10” print, color or black and white; must include a bicycle or some part of a bicycle and have been taken in the Tampa Bay area. Participants are allowed to submit five photos per entry. A digital image of the photo or photos on CD must be included with submission. Label the disc and back of photo with contact information. All submitted photos become property of Tampa BayCycle.
AWARDS: Prizes will be awarded in two categories, General Public and Student, and include a combination of bike gear and gift certificates worth the following amounts:
*1st place - $500
*2nd place - $250
*3rd place - $100
*Honorable Mention - $25
In addition, all winning photographs will be showcased in an exhibition during May 2008 at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
FEE: General Public, $10 per entry (max. five photos per entry); Student, $5 per entry (max. 5 photos per entry). Payment must be made by cash or check made payable to Bay Area Commuter Services.
RULES AND INFORMATION: Questions? Call (813) 974-9799, or visit http://www.tampabaycycle.com/. Registration form is available on website.
Are you a bicyclist? Do you love to take pictures? Then don't hesitate to enter the 1st Annual BayCycle Photography contest! Help celebrate the relationship between bicycling and daily life in Tampa Bay.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The contest is open to everyone, from the amateur photographer to the casual or experienced cyclist living in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Pasco and Hernando counties. The contest is designed to offer participants the opportunity to share their love of bicycling with our community and the general public. Winning photographs will be on display at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) during the month of May 2008. Photos will be evaluated by a panel of three judges. All decisions are final and at the discretion of Tampa BayCycle. All entries must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2008.
SUBMISSION DETAILS: Photograph guidelines: 8”x10” print, color or black and white; must include a bicycle or some part of a bicycle and have been taken in the Tampa Bay area. Participants are allowed to submit five photos per entry. A digital image of the photo or photos on CD must be included with submission. Label the disc and back of photo with contact information. All submitted photos become property of Tampa BayCycle.
AWARDS: Prizes will be awarded in two categories, General Public and Student, and include a combination of bike gear and gift certificates worth the following amounts:
*1st place - $500
*2nd place - $250
*3rd place - $100
*Honorable Mention - $25
In addition, all winning photographs will be showcased in an exhibition during May 2008 at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
FEE: General Public, $10 per entry (max. five photos per entry); Student, $5 per entry (max. 5 photos per entry). Payment must be made by cash or check made payable to Bay Area Commuter Services.
RULES AND INFORMATION: Questions? Call (813) 974-9799, or visit http://www.tampabaycycle.com/. Registration form is available on website.
Heed The Advice From This 1963 Safety Video
All-around cool bicyclist Jim Shirk, who helps at every bike event in the area, sends in this classic 1963 bike safety video in. Thanks Jim. Some good advice here.
Classic stuff
The Video
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
RIP Sheldon
By now, many of you know that Sheldon Brown, a passionate icon in the bicycle world, has died. RIP Sheldon
You will be missed.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Seminole Heights Bicycle Club Is Born
I'm happy to report the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club was officially conceived tonight and we have a steering committee to map out routes for three different types of monthly bike rides -- short rides of less than 5 miles for kids and families; longer rides of 5-10 miles on local SG streets; and the longest rides of 15-30 miles that will begin and end in SH. Each rides will be on a different Saturday morning so that people can do multiple rides if they'd like.
Mike Limerick and I hosted 25 bicyclists on the front porch of my good ol' bungalow and we talked biking for a solid hour. I'd like to introduce the luminary members of the SH Bicycle Club core committee, which will focus on getting things up and biking: Ken and Amy Sturrock; Steve Swiger; Jack Sweeney; Ann Hipson; Richard Straw; and Rick and Lisa Hickman. I also want to thank the presidents of two of the three local civic associations in SH for attending: Susan Long of Old Seminole Heights and Gary Ellsworth of South Seminole Heights. In addition, Raquel Coryer, vice president of the Business Guild of Seminole Heights (BGoSH), attended as well.
Rick and Lisa Hickman have already sketched out a preliminary Seminole Heights Bicycle Club logo, which will feature a bicyclist and a big ol' oak tree among its elements. Rick has also volunteered to put together a simple Web site to announce upcoming bike rides.
Speaking of upcoming bike rides, the inaugural Seminole Heights Bicycle Club ride will be Saturday, February 16 with special guest bicyclist Mayor Pam Iorio. It will be a slow neighborhood ride of about eight miles. We will meet at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue for the ride.
Everyone in the SH Bicycle Club agreed we will all wear helmets during club rides and will comply with all traffic rules such as riding on the right side of the road. Bicycles are legal vehicles under the law and we must obey traffic rules.
Here's Matt Swenson, who said he could help on the music front for any SH Bicycle Club events. We had about five cyclists who showed up via bicycle at tonight's organizing meeting.
Some post-meeting chatter on the porch -- a common scene in Bungalow City.
Kid Gets Replacement Helmet
The St. Pete Times has the tale of the bicycle helmet that saved the life of a kid in Largo. Seems like guys who drive motorcycles might want to don a helmet, too.
LARGO -- Sixth grader Johathon Ferland got quite a reception Monday, his first day back at school after being injured in a bizarre accident last week.
Officials from various city and community agencies honored the 11-year-old Largo Middle School student for wearing a bicycle helmet. The black Razor helmet probably saved Johnathon's life after a pole fell on his head, police officials say.
Largo police chief Lester Aradi praised Johnathon for making good decisions. "We have too many examples of people who did things the wrong way, with tragic consequences," he said. Johnathon is a good example of how paying attention and following the rules can keep kids safe, Aradi added.
Aradi gave Johnathon a new helmet and a certificate of recognition before honoring the crossing guards who attended to him before paramedics arrived that afternoon.
On Jan. 29, Johnathon was standing with his bicycle and waiting to cross at the corner of Clearwater-Largo Road and Eighth Ave. SW. A truck in a nearby parking lot rolled down an embankment and knocked down two poles. The first sign struck Johnathon on the neck, slicing it near a major artery. It required 22 stitches to close the gash, Johnathon said.
The second pole, a 40-pound walk signal pole, him him on top of the head, causing a mild concussion.
Johnathon said he was still sore from the accident, which strengthened his resolve to always wear his helmet. Clad in a blue jersey with bruises still visible on his face, Johnathon said that a lot of kids don't wear helmets because they think it makes them look "uncool." But Johnathon agreed with Marcy Tilmann, the founder of a nonprofit group that gives free helmets to kids who pledge to wear them. Tilmann's adult son wasn't wearing a helmet when he died in a skateboarding accident in 2005.
"You made a cool decision to wear a helmet," Tilmann told Johnathon after presenting him with another new helmet, an extreme sports model. Johnathon was also recognized by Largo city commissioner Rodney Woods and All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he was transported after the accident.
Johnathon said he was feeling lucky since the incident. His bike survived intact, and he has a bag full of goodies to take home from the ceremony, including an autographed bat and two free tickets to a spring training baseball game, courtesy of the Clearwater Threshers. And it didn't hurt that the team he was rooting for just happened to pull out a Super Bowl victory the night before, he said.
"Go, Giants!" Johnathon said before heading back to class.
LARGO -- Sixth grader Johathon Ferland got quite a reception Monday, his first day back at school after being injured in a bizarre accident last week.
Officials from various city and community agencies honored the 11-year-old Largo Middle School student for wearing a bicycle helmet. The black Razor helmet probably saved Johnathon's life after a pole fell on his head, police officials say.
Largo police chief Lester Aradi praised Johnathon for making good decisions. "We have too many examples of people who did things the wrong way, with tragic consequences," he said. Johnathon is a good example of how paying attention and following the rules can keep kids safe, Aradi added.
Aradi gave Johnathon a new helmet and a certificate of recognition before honoring the crossing guards who attended to him before paramedics arrived that afternoon.
On Jan. 29, Johnathon was standing with his bicycle and waiting to cross at the corner of Clearwater-Largo Road and Eighth Ave. SW. A truck in a nearby parking lot rolled down an embankment and knocked down two poles. The first sign struck Johnathon on the neck, slicing it near a major artery. It required 22 stitches to close the gash, Johnathon said.
The second pole, a 40-pound walk signal pole, him him on top of the head, causing a mild concussion.
Johnathon said he was still sore from the accident, which strengthened his resolve to always wear his helmet. Clad in a blue jersey with bruises still visible on his face, Johnathon said that a lot of kids don't wear helmets because they think it makes them look "uncool." But Johnathon agreed with Marcy Tilmann, the founder of a nonprofit group that gives free helmets to kids who pledge to wear them. Tilmann's adult son wasn't wearing a helmet when he died in a skateboarding accident in 2005.
"You made a cool decision to wear a helmet," Tilmann told Johnathon after presenting him with another new helmet, an extreme sports model. Johnathon was also recognized by Largo city commissioner Rodney Woods and All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he was transported after the accident.
Johnathon said he was feeling lucky since the incident. His bike survived intact, and he has a bag full of goodies to take home from the ceremony, including an autographed bat and two free tickets to a spring training baseball game, courtesy of the Clearwater Threshers. And it didn't hurt that the team he was rooting for just happened to pull out a Super Bowl victory the night before, he said.
"Go, Giants!" Johnathon said before heading back to class.
Entertainment at the Lightning Games These Days
You never know who you'll meet at a Tampa Bay Lightning game these days. With the time hitting a rough patch -- as in the entire season -- you have to catch a smile when you can. Like getting a glimpse of this strapping fella, who is part of the in-game entertainment squad...
Or this street musician atempting to play the theme song from the "I Dream of Jeannie" Tv show.
Or this street musician atempting to play the theme song from the "I Dream of Jeannie" Tv show.
Take a Seat
Whenever I visit good ol' FunLan to stock up on fruits and veggies, I always enjoy checking out the latest in bicycle gear -- like this unusual seat apparatus I saw on Sunday.
Seminole Heights Bicycle Club
Tonight I am working with fellow Seminole Heights resident Mike Limerick to have an organizing meeting to form the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club.
I have had several bike rides in the neighborhood during the past few months and those Seminole Heights jaunts have given rise to a meeting tonight to create a bicycle club that will focus on short rides on local streets inside Seminole Height's borders and longer rides that will begin and end in Seminole Heights.
It's at 7:30 PM tonight at my house. If you'd like to attend, drop me an email at alansnel@yahoo.com
I have had several bike rides in the neighborhood during the past few months and those Seminole Heights jaunts have given rise to a meeting tonight to create a bicycle club that will focus on short rides on local streets inside Seminole Height's borders and longer rides that will begin and end in Seminole Heights.
It's at 7:30 PM tonight at my house. If you'd like to attend, drop me an email at alansnel@yahoo.com
Driving A Bike
It's unclear to me why a previous blog mysteriously got zapped in cyber space.
But we're back and forging ahead with a new blog called, "Alan Snel's Bicycle Stories."
Its link is http://www.alansnel.blogspot.com/
Here's the first official picture of a local bike -- this guy literally enjoys driving his bike around Tampa.
But we're back and forging ahead with a new blog called, "Alan Snel's Bicycle Stories."
Its link is http://www.alansnel.blogspot.com/
Here's the first official picture of a local bike -- this guy literally enjoys driving his bike around Tampa.
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