Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Craig's List Special
On Craig's List:
"Hundreds of bolts, nuts and hardware found by bicyclist at Tampa intersections because highway workers don't clean! 3 containers worth. $5"
What a deal!
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Bicycle Events Keep on Coming -- Tour de Vino Saturday
TOUR DE VINO
MS FUND RAISING EVENT
On Feb 28 Grupetto-USA will be hosting an evening of libation, food and fun to raise awareness and money for the multiple sclerosis Citrus Tour 2009. All proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Jenn's Wines located on Dale Mabry in Tampa has reserved this evening for us. Attendance is limited to the first 125 responses.
What: TOUR DE VINO - Wines From Around the World & Appetizers. Raffle tickets for some local restaurants too!!!
Where: Jenn's Wines 11724 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Next to Michaels Grill
When: Saturday February 28th from 6 'till 8 PM
Cost: $25 per person – limited to the first 125. RSVP
Proceeds go to our MS Society -- divided as donations to the Grupetto-USA MS riders who sign up to ride before 2/28/2009!
Thank you for your great support of this cause!
Mark Eberbach & Anna Radmanesh, Team Captains
MS FUND RAISING EVENT
On Feb 28 Grupetto-USA will be hosting an evening of libation, food and fun to raise awareness and money for the multiple sclerosis Citrus Tour 2009. All proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Jenn's Wines located on Dale Mabry in Tampa has reserved this evening for us. Attendance is limited to the first 125 responses.
What: TOUR DE VINO - Wines From Around the World & Appetizers. Raffle tickets for some local restaurants too!!!
Where: Jenn's Wines 11724 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Next to Michaels Grill
When: Saturday February 28th from 6 'till 8 PM
Cost: $25 per person – limited to the first 125. RSVP
Proceeds go to our MS Society -- divided as donations to the Grupetto-USA MS riders who sign up to ride before 2/28/2009!
Thank you for your great support of this cause!
Mark Eberbach & Anna Radmanesh, Team Captains
Bike Commuter Movie 2 PM Saturday at Channelside
"Dear Mr. Gore: A Somewhat Cinematic Correspondence Awkwardly Tracing a Circular Journey Constructed on a Warming Planet" will screen Saturday, February 28 at 2pm at the Channelside 3 venue of the Gasparilla International Film Festival.
The film was shot aboard a commuter bike in Orlando, Tampa, Sweden and Denmark.
It uses a letter to Al Gore as a vehicle to explore the relationship between cyclists and motorists while a woman attempts to ride her bicycle to work in order to reduce her carbon footprint.
The film maker will attend the screening with her commuter bike!
"I strap a camera to my bike. I teach documentary film at UCF. Hope you can make it tomorrow,!" Lisa Mills tells me in an email.
The film was shot aboard a commuter bike in Orlando, Tampa, Sweden and Denmark.
It uses a letter to Al Gore as a vehicle to explore the relationship between cyclists and motorists while a woman attempts to ride her bicycle to work in order to reduce her carbon footprint.
The film maker will attend the screening with her commuter bike!
"I strap a camera to my bike. I teach documentary film at UCF. Hope you can make it tomorrow,!" Lisa Mills tells me in an email.
Cure of Wheels Events
Another Event:
1Voice Foundation will serve as a benefitting charity for two Cure on Wheels events, beginning with the Third Annual Crack-Up Cancer Comedy Benefit on Wednesday, April 22at The Improv in Tampa.
The lineup includes four local and regional comedians, including Mike McCarthy, Al Romas, Karen Fitzgerald and Susan Giudi. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the night of the show, if available. A raffle and silent auction are also planned. All the profits from the event will go directly to fund local cancer research and family support efforts through Cure on Wheels. The benefiting charities for Cure on Wheels events include Moffitt Cancer Center and 1Voice Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at www.cureonwheels.org or www.improvtampa.com.
“Cancer has affected my family quite a bit, losing both parents within the last six years to the disease,” says organizer Jack Bevilacqua. “Putting together this show enables me to help ensure that other families don’t have to go through what my family went through.”
The second event, named Cure on Wheels, will take place May 29-31, 2009 at Saint Leo University. The endurance bike-a-thon allows bikers to traverse one of several routes, covering anywhere from approximately 30 in one day to 165 miles over two days. In just two short years, Cure on Wheels has become the premier cycling cancer fundraiser in Florida in terms of benefits to riders, location, support, and entertainment.
For additional information, tickets and registration for the events, visit www.cureonwheels.org. Cure on Wheels is in its second year and is a Tampa Bay area fundraising organization that makes an annual donation to Moffitt Cancer Center and the 1Voice Foundation. The non-profit organization is committed to raising awareness and money for cancer research and family support services.
The 1Voice Foundation’s mission is to support children with childhood cancer during their time of need by creating one voice to connect families with helpful resources, assistance, and treatments to foster happiness and hope. For more information on the 1Voice Foundation, please visit www.1voicefoundation.org.
1Voice Foundation will serve as a benefitting charity for two Cure on Wheels events, beginning with the Third Annual Crack-Up Cancer Comedy Benefit on Wednesday, April 22at The Improv in Tampa.
The lineup includes four local and regional comedians, including Mike McCarthy, Al Romas, Karen Fitzgerald and Susan Giudi. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the night of the show, if available. A raffle and silent auction are also planned. All the profits from the event will go directly to fund local cancer research and family support efforts through Cure on Wheels. The benefiting charities for Cure on Wheels events include Moffitt Cancer Center and 1Voice Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at www.cureonwheels.org or www.improvtampa.com.
“Cancer has affected my family quite a bit, losing both parents within the last six years to the disease,” says organizer Jack Bevilacqua. “Putting together this show enables me to help ensure that other families don’t have to go through what my family went through.”
The second event, named Cure on Wheels, will take place May 29-31, 2009 at Saint Leo University. The endurance bike-a-thon allows bikers to traverse one of several routes, covering anywhere from approximately 30 in one day to 165 miles over two days. In just two short years, Cure on Wheels has become the premier cycling cancer fundraiser in Florida in terms of benefits to riders, location, support, and entertainment.
For additional information, tickets and registration for the events, visit www.cureonwheels.org. Cure on Wheels is in its second year and is a Tampa Bay area fundraising organization that makes an annual donation to Moffitt Cancer Center and the 1Voice Foundation. The non-profit organization is committed to raising awareness and money for cancer research and family support services.
The 1Voice Foundation’s mission is to support children with childhood cancer during their time of need by creating one voice to connect families with helpful resources, assistance, and treatments to foster happiness and hope. For more information on the 1Voice Foundation, please visit www.1voicefoundation.org.
Tampa and Bicycling -- There is a Glimmer of Hope
On Thursday afternoon I went on behalf of SWFBUD to the hallowed halls of the city council meeting room and chatted with two Tampa City Council members and two city staffers about a topic you don't hear much in city government -- bicycling on the streets of Tampa.
I waited a long time for this meeting and Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena arranged the session. Councilwoman Mary Mulhern was also there.
Tampa is like no other major city I have lived in -- for years and year its city government appeared to follow a philosophy of funnelling bicyclists off paved streets and onto off-road trails and sidewalks. By the lack of bike lanes it's apparent city government is not keen on bicycling in city streets as a way to get around.
When most big cities see the logic of swapping cars for bicyclists to lighten the commuter congestion load, Tampa has had a history of trying to keep bicyles off the road. When I arrived here five years ago I did not see a bike lane in the city.
Times have changed -- a little. The state DOT installed bike lanes on Nebraska and Tampa Streets. And the city of Tampa striped what might be its longest bike lane in the city when it repaved Manhattan Avenue a year or two ago.
So against this backdrop I joined Seminole Heights bicyclists Chip Thomas and Ken Surrock along with Karen Kress of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Gena Torres, the Hillsborough County MPO bicycle/ped coordinator with a session with Steve Daignault, an engineer by trade and the administrator of the city's Public Works and Utilities Services and Karla Price, who handles trails for the city.
Irvin Lee, director of the city's public works department, watched the meeting on in-house city TV from his office.
I asked the city to establish a bicycle transportation program complete with a bicycle coordinator and a policy of striping bike lanes when road work is done. In fact, we all asked Daignault for the city to establish a bicycle point person to make sure bicyclists' interests were included when road work as done. I also asked that bike lanes be striped on wide one-way streets such as Platt and Cleveland and to install Share the Road signs when the few bike lanes do end.
I thought Karen Kress made one of the most salient points when she asked why if other cities can figure out how to integrate bike lanes into a transportation network why can't Tampa do likewise?
Ken Sturrock pointed out that he takes his bicycle and dollars to St. Petersburg because that city welcomes bicyclists with a legitimate bicycle infrastructure system.
Steve Daignault heard us out, though he grew frustrated at times.
Irvin Lee, the city public works chief, was polite to return my call after the meeting and pledged his commitment to do all he could to get more bike lanes in the city, though he cautioned that he's facing staff and budget cuts. I have talked with Irvin Lee in the past and I believe he's sincere about trying to improve bicycling conditions in Tampa. he pointed out, for example, that the city will have bike lanes as part of the 40th Street improvement project.
He admitted the city is behind and has a way to catch up when it comes to bicycling. ut at least he acknowledged the problem and appeared willing to do something about. Let's just hope he instructs his staff to do likewise.
I can say that bicycling is on the radar of city government -- which is a step in the right direction. It will take time to change the attitude of Tampa city government. Eventually, they will see what we see -- more bike shops are opening because more people want to ride bicycles. We have a new Tampa Bicycle Co-op, a Tampa BayCycle comuting program and a new bike club -- Seminole Heights Bicycle Club. It's all part of a movement and it will happen -- it just takes time to change old ways.
March is a big month for bicycling in the Tampa Bay area with the Tampa BayCycle program off and biking.
Sunday, March 1, 8 AM-2PM: Cyclovia in Clearwater. Two miles of downtown Cleveland Street is closed to cars and people are encouraged to bike, walk or do any non-vehicular activity they want.
Saturday, March 7, 10AM-4PM: Swap Meet at Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium. Come to a bicycle flea market and get great deals!!
Saturday, March 21, 11 AM+: Downtown Tampa tutns into a bicycle-race crit and enjoy a health fair!
I waited a long time for this meeting and Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena arranged the session. Councilwoman Mary Mulhern was also there.
Tampa is like no other major city I have lived in -- for years and year its city government appeared to follow a philosophy of funnelling bicyclists off paved streets and onto off-road trails and sidewalks. By the lack of bike lanes it's apparent city government is not keen on bicycling in city streets as a way to get around.
When most big cities see the logic of swapping cars for bicyclists to lighten the commuter congestion load, Tampa has had a history of trying to keep bicyles off the road. When I arrived here five years ago I did not see a bike lane in the city.
Times have changed -- a little. The state DOT installed bike lanes on Nebraska and Tampa Streets. And the city of Tampa striped what might be its longest bike lane in the city when it repaved Manhattan Avenue a year or two ago.
So against this backdrop I joined Seminole Heights bicyclists Chip Thomas and Ken Surrock along with Karen Kress of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Gena Torres, the Hillsborough County MPO bicycle/ped coordinator with a session with Steve Daignault, an engineer by trade and the administrator of the city's Public Works and Utilities Services and Karla Price, who handles trails for the city.
Irvin Lee, director of the city's public works department, watched the meeting on in-house city TV from his office.
I asked the city to establish a bicycle transportation program complete with a bicycle coordinator and a policy of striping bike lanes when road work is done. In fact, we all asked Daignault for the city to establish a bicycle point person to make sure bicyclists' interests were included when road work as done. I also asked that bike lanes be striped on wide one-way streets such as Platt and Cleveland and to install Share the Road signs when the few bike lanes do end.
I thought Karen Kress made one of the most salient points when she asked why if other cities can figure out how to integrate bike lanes into a transportation network why can't Tampa do likewise?
Ken Sturrock pointed out that he takes his bicycle and dollars to St. Petersburg because that city welcomes bicyclists with a legitimate bicycle infrastructure system.
Steve Daignault heard us out, though he grew frustrated at times.
Irvin Lee, the city public works chief, was polite to return my call after the meeting and pledged his commitment to do all he could to get more bike lanes in the city, though he cautioned that he's facing staff and budget cuts. I have talked with Irvin Lee in the past and I believe he's sincere about trying to improve bicycling conditions in Tampa. he pointed out, for example, that the city will have bike lanes as part of the 40th Street improvement project.
He admitted the city is behind and has a way to catch up when it comes to bicycling. ut at least he acknowledged the problem and appeared willing to do something about. Let's just hope he instructs his staff to do likewise.
I can say that bicycling is on the radar of city government -- which is a step in the right direction. It will take time to change the attitude of Tampa city government. Eventually, they will see what we see -- more bike shops are opening because more people want to ride bicycles. We have a new Tampa Bicycle Co-op, a Tampa BayCycle comuting program and a new bike club -- Seminole Heights Bicycle Club. It's all part of a movement and it will happen -- it just takes time to change old ways.
March is a big month for bicycling in the Tampa Bay area with the Tampa BayCycle program off and biking.
Sunday, March 1, 8 AM-2PM: Cyclovia in Clearwater. Two miles of downtown Cleveland Street is closed to cars and people are encouraged to bike, walk or do any non-vehicular activity they want.
Saturday, March 7, 10AM-4PM: Swap Meet at Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium. Come to a bicycle flea market and get great deals!!
Saturday, March 21, 11 AM+: Downtown Tampa tutns into a bicycle-race crit and enjoy a health fair!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bicycling Before the Crack of Dawn
This morning I got up and biked early. The western sky was inky black when I was cycling around 6:15 am, but an ever-changing cycle of blues was beginning to kick in on the eastern horizon.
First stop was Rogers park Golf Course off Rowlett Park Drive.
Then, it was a pitstop at Busch Gardens for a shot of the SheiKra ride.
Then it was finally Flatwoods county park. where the soft light and layer of mist amid the pines and palmettos made for a sweet cycling environment.
First stop was Rogers park Golf Course off Rowlett Park Drive.
Then, it was a pitstop at Busch Gardens for a shot of the SheiKra ride.
Then it was finally Flatwoods county park. where the soft light and layer of mist amid the pines and palmettos made for a sweet cycling environment.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bicyclist Struck on USF Campus
A bicyclist was involved in a vehicle crash at USF today and I loved the headline on this St. Pete Times story. It seems the pickup truck crossed a double yellow line and apparently struck the bicyclist because the vehicle driver was given a careless driving ticket.
Bicycle and truck collide at USF
TAMPA - A bicycle and pickup collided at the University of South Florida this afternoon, sending the student bicyclist to the hospital.
The crash occurred about 1 p.m. at USF Bull Run Drive and USF Orange Drive, campus police reported. The truck driver crossed a double yellow line, police said. Francisco Hernandez, 33, was charged with driving on a suspended license and careless driving.
Times staff
Bicycle and truck collide at USF
TAMPA - A bicycle and pickup collided at the University of South Florida this afternoon, sending the student bicyclist to the hospital.
The crash occurred about 1 p.m. at USF Bull Run Drive and USF Orange Drive, campus police reported. The truck driver crossed a double yellow line, police said. Francisco Hernandez, 33, was charged with driving on a suspended license and careless driving.
Times staff
CBE Swap Meet Set For March 7, 10AM-4PM
Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium's popular swap meet returns in early March!
It's set for Saturday March 7 from 10 am to 4 pm in the parking lot behind the CBE store.
Tampa City Workshop on Bike Lanes: Thursday, 1:30PM City Council Chambers
Reminder: Bicyclists concerned about road conditions in Tampa are encourged to attend a City of Tampa bike lane workshop Thursday at 1:30 PM in the city council chambers at 315 E. Kennedy Blvd in downtown Tampa.
We all know the city can do better for bicyclists when designing and building roads. Here is a chance to speak to city staff face-to-face about your concerns.
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena will be there and she wants staff to adopt a new policy of making roads more hospitable for bicyclists instead of thinking of reasons not to stripe a bike lane or make a road safer for bicylists.
Please make every effort to attend. City staff needs to hear from you.
We all know the city can do better for bicyclists when designing and building roads. Here is a chance to speak to city staff face-to-face about your concerns.
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena will be there and she wants staff to adopt a new policy of making roads more hospitable for bicyclists instead of thinking of reasons not to stripe a bike lane or make a road safer for bicylists.
Please make every effort to attend. City staff needs to hear from you.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Public Art in Tampa Bay Region
When I was biking to a Tampa Alcohol Coalition meeting today, I biked by some businesses with some creative artwork.
The Cave's Inn had some artwork that caught my attention. The portrait of man and fire is just so compelling.
As cavemen advanced, they quickly mastered darts and billiards.
As man evolved into Bam! chefs, man became more sophisticated in taming fire to cook animals BBQ-style. Here's a good example in Brandon.
After eating the ribs, it looks like you can use the bones to play the xylophone.
After arriving at O'Briens where the Tampa Alcohol Coalition was meeting, friendly Sheriff Gee gave an award to O'Briens for watching out for drunken customers. And there's our own Rick Hickman of the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club on the spot for some photo action for the sheriff's office. Rick did a terrific job on the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club Web site.
The Cave's Inn had some artwork that caught my attention. The portrait of man and fire is just so compelling.
As cavemen advanced, they quickly mastered darts and billiards.
As man evolved into Bam! chefs, man became more sophisticated in taming fire to cook animals BBQ-style. Here's a good example in Brandon.
After eating the ribs, it looks like you can use the bones to play the xylophone.
After arriving at O'Briens where the Tampa Alcohol Coalition was meeting, friendly Sheriff Gee gave an award to O'Briens for watching out for drunken customers. And there's our own Rick Hickman of the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club on the spot for some photo action for the sheriff's office. Rick did a terrific job on the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club Web site.
No Go On Selmon Expressway
You won't be seeing this scene any time soon.
The Highway Authority's executive director. Joe Waggoner, estimated it would cost $118,520 to $133,270 -- mostly on temporary barriers -- to hold a bicycle ride on the top deck of the Selmon Expressway.
Naturally, for that money, the Authority board decided against allowing bicyclists.
I had requested the Authority board look into bike rides of only two or three hours on an occasional early Sunday morning. But Waggoner came back with toll losses for an entire weekend -- not just the two- or three-hour period of a bike ride.
The board did instruct the executive director, Waggoner, to continue discussing the matter with SWFBUD and any other interested parties.
Waggoner said railings must be 54 inches tall for bicyclists. He said the current barrier railings are 32 inches on the top deck.
The Highway Authority's executive director. Joe Waggoner, estimated it would cost $118,520 to $133,270 -- mostly on temporary barriers -- to hold a bicycle ride on the top deck of the Selmon Expressway.
Naturally, for that money, the Authority board decided against allowing bicyclists.
I had requested the Authority board look into bike rides of only two or three hours on an occasional early Sunday morning. But Waggoner came back with toll losses for an entire weekend -- not just the two- or three-hour period of a bike ride.
The board did instruct the executive director, Waggoner, to continue discussing the matter with SWFBUD and any other interested parties.
Waggoner said railings must be 54 inches tall for bicyclists. He said the current barrier railings are 32 inches on the top deck.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Selmon Expressway Upper Deck Cycling
REMINDER:
The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority Board will hear a staff report on closing the upper deck of the Selmon Expresway to allow bicyclists to use the top tier for two or three hours at a time on select early Sunday mornings when few commuters are using the upper deck.
The meeting is 3 PM Today at the Expressway office at 1104 East Twiggs Street, Tampa.
SWFBUD (South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers), a coalition of Tampa Bay retail bicycle stores, made the proposal at last month's Expressway board meeting.
Please attend at 3 PM and speak in favor of this at the public comment period.
The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority Board will hear a staff report on closing the upper deck of the Selmon Expresway to allow bicyclists to use the top tier for two or three hours at a time on select early Sunday mornings when few commuters are using the upper deck.
The meeting is 3 PM Today at the Expressway office at 1104 East Twiggs Street, Tampa.
SWFBUD (South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers), a coalition of Tampa Bay retail bicycle stores, made the proposal at last month's Expressway board meeting.
Please attend at 3 PM and speak in favor of this at the public comment period.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bridges of Tampa Bay
Bridges.
I have biked a few.
George Washington Bridge. Used to bike this one every workday as part of my bike commute into Manhattan from Jersey in 2000 and 2001.
One of most memorable visits to the GWB was when I started on the Manhattan side of the bridge and biked 158 miles in one day to Albany in 2005 to remember a fallen bicyclist who lost his life while cycling.
Golden Gate Bridge. I crossed it on my first cross-country bike trip way back in the fall of 1983.
How about the Tappan Zee Bridge? Ever hear of this one? Bicyclists are not allowed on this one -- it's an amazing string of pearls that spans the Hudson River and links Westchester County with Rockland County about 30 miles north of the GWB. Didn't stop me. Got a ticket. But it was worth the ride in the late summer of 1982.
I like bridges.
So, today I did a 50-mile bridge ride. The Courtney Campbell Causeway, the Bayside Bridge and the Gandy Bridge. And what the hell, I threw in the little Platt Street Bridge in Tampa.
For you folks who are curious about the route, it was the Causeway to the Bayside to 49th Street South to US 19 to Gandy to Bayshore back in Tampa to Channelside to 15th Street in Ybor City and back to Seminole Heights.
These are rare bicyclists along SR 60 in Rocky Point. They followed a path next to SR 60 and ran into a blockade and just turned around and headed back. I won't see these folks on the causeway.
Here's why biking on the Causeway is fine. You just have to get there. There is a terrific frontage road that I took. But you do have to bike on the main road when all you have is the main span and a smaller span closer to Clearwater.
You're on top of the main span of the Clearwater causeway. Not much of a shoulder up here. Maybe 4 1/2 feet or so. It takes strong nerves to bike up here with cars whizzing by at 65-70 mph.
Now you see why biking across the causeway is incredible. Look how close you can wheel next to the Bay.
You're looking at the Bayside Bridge. It was a first for me. Lots of room on the shoulder. No problem biking on this bridge.
While on Gandy on the way to the bridge, I stopped by the Frankie memorial in front of the Derby Lane dog track to pay my respects. RIP Frankie.
Here you go -- the Gandy Bridge, heading east from Pinellas County/St. Pete into Hillsborough County/Tampa. Check out the shoulder. Lots of room. To me, I feel safe when I bike on this shoulder. The cars pass with feet to spare. It feels safer to me than biking on most Tampa streets.
Just another day of biking in the Tampa bay area where other bicyclists are biking the wrong way against traffic without a bike helmet.
SWFBUD efforts prompted the DOT to install this Share the Road sign on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge.
Back in Tampa I followed Bayshore Blvd. It reminded me why I don't bike on the road. The road surface is jarring. And then the bike lane disappears about a mile from downtown.
I have biked a few.
George Washington Bridge. Used to bike this one every workday as part of my bike commute into Manhattan from Jersey in 2000 and 2001.
One of most memorable visits to the GWB was when I started on the Manhattan side of the bridge and biked 158 miles in one day to Albany in 2005 to remember a fallen bicyclist who lost his life while cycling.
Golden Gate Bridge. I crossed it on my first cross-country bike trip way back in the fall of 1983.
How about the Tappan Zee Bridge? Ever hear of this one? Bicyclists are not allowed on this one -- it's an amazing string of pearls that spans the Hudson River and links Westchester County with Rockland County about 30 miles north of the GWB. Didn't stop me. Got a ticket. But it was worth the ride in the late summer of 1982.
I like bridges.
So, today I did a 50-mile bridge ride. The Courtney Campbell Causeway, the Bayside Bridge and the Gandy Bridge. And what the hell, I threw in the little Platt Street Bridge in Tampa.
For you folks who are curious about the route, it was the Causeway to the Bayside to 49th Street South to US 19 to Gandy to Bayshore back in Tampa to Channelside to 15th Street in Ybor City and back to Seminole Heights.
These are rare bicyclists along SR 60 in Rocky Point. They followed a path next to SR 60 and ran into a blockade and just turned around and headed back. I won't see these folks on the causeway.
Here's why biking on the Causeway is fine. You just have to get there. There is a terrific frontage road that I took. But you do have to bike on the main road when all you have is the main span and a smaller span closer to Clearwater.
You're on top of the main span of the Clearwater causeway. Not much of a shoulder up here. Maybe 4 1/2 feet or so. It takes strong nerves to bike up here with cars whizzing by at 65-70 mph.
Now you see why biking across the causeway is incredible. Look how close you can wheel next to the Bay.
You're looking at the Bayside Bridge. It was a first for me. Lots of room on the shoulder. No problem biking on this bridge.
While on Gandy on the way to the bridge, I stopped by the Frankie memorial in front of the Derby Lane dog track to pay my respects. RIP Frankie.
Here you go -- the Gandy Bridge, heading east from Pinellas County/St. Pete into Hillsborough County/Tampa. Check out the shoulder. Lots of room. To me, I feel safe when I bike on this shoulder. The cars pass with feet to spare. It feels safer to me than biking on most Tampa streets.
Just another day of biking in the Tampa bay area where other bicyclists are biking the wrong way against traffic without a bike helmet.
SWFBUD efforts prompted the DOT to install this Share the Road sign on the Tampa side of the Gandy Bridge.
Back in Tampa I followed Bayshore Blvd. It reminded me why I don't bike on the road. The road surface is jarring. And then the bike lane disappears about a mile from downtown.
The Case of the Stolen Bicycle at USF
The St. Pete Times caught up with the two grad students who were involved with their bike being stolen by a USF vice president who makes $384,000 a year.
Rebecca Catalanello and Alex Zayas focused on the two grad students and their integrity. Good read.
The VP withdrew his resignation in response to the stolen bike, but USF considers the VP a former employee at this point.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
He's Getting Ready for the Next Alley Cat Race
His intensity reminds me of Lance Armstrong in a time trial.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Please Attend Monday's Expressway Board Meeting
I know it's difficult for 9-5 workers to attend 3 pm government meetings. But if you're free at 3 pm Monday, it might be a good idea to stop off at the Tampa-Hillsborough Express Authority board meeting. The Expressway staff will be briefing the board on a SWFBUD proposal to close the upper deck of the expressway for two or three hours on limited early Sunday mornings and opening it up to bicyclists. I floated this idea about a month ago to the board, which voted to instruct staff to check out the feasibility of bicyclists on the closed upper deck for limited times on early Sunday mornings.
Check out the St. Pete Times story on the issue.
If you think this is a good idea, come to the board meeting a few minutes before 3 pm and tell the members what you think. The Authority office is located at 1104 E. Twiggs Street on the edge of downtown Tampa.
SHBC Rides on Saturday
The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club will be holding its usual long ride Saturday at 8:30am. It leaves from the Garden Center on Central Avenue, about a half-mile north of Hillsborough Avenue
There will be two groups. Steve Swiger usually leads the faster ride, but he can't make it so I will lead a 22-mile ride to Temple Terrace and back. Steve wanted to inaugurate this ride Saturday and we will return to the 22-mile Davis Islands ride in March.
Margaret will lead a slower ride to Davis Islands and if you want to bike at a slower pace and get in 22 miles, then this is the ride for you.
Happy riding all.
Trek/Gary Fisher Demo at Flatwoods Saturday
I'm passing on info about new Meetup for The Tampa Bicycling Meetup on Saturday.
What: Trek/Gary Fisher Demo at Flatwoods
When: February 21 9am-3pm
Meetup Description: Oliver's Cycle Sports wanted to pass it along to everyone in Meetup. If you would like to meet up with others, please note it in your RSVP.
This will be a host-free event!
This Saturday, Feb. 21st, at Flatwoods Morris Bridge entrance, come try out the latest from Trek and Gary Fisher from 9am-3pm.
If you can't make it out Saturday, then come out Sunday to Alafia River state park, also from 9am-3pm.
It's a free demo but bring your helmet and ID, and maybe your pedals and be prepared to ride the best. From the Madone, to the Fisher Roscoe, a 29er or even the hot new Top Fuel there's sure to be something that will put a smile on your face.
From now to the end of the month at Oliver's Cycle Sports:
Get $20 off a $90 tune up, get $50 off a $200 overhaul. See something you like at the demo? Starting Saturday, get 10% of the purchase price of any in-stock bike as credit toward any accessories. For example -- buy a Madone for $3699.99 and get $369.99 in accessories.
Oliver's Cycle Sports is a SWFBUD store member and owned by Randy Myhre.
What: Trek/Gary Fisher Demo at Flatwoods
When: February 21 9am-3pm
Meetup Description: Oliver's Cycle Sports wanted to pass it along to everyone in Meetup. If you would like to meet up with others, please note it in your RSVP.
This will be a host-free event!
This Saturday, Feb. 21st, at Flatwoods Morris Bridge entrance, come try out the latest from Trek and Gary Fisher from 9am-3pm.
If you can't make it out Saturday, then come out Sunday to Alafia River state park, also from 9am-3pm.
It's a free demo but bring your helmet and ID, and maybe your pedals and be prepared to ride the best. From the Madone, to the Fisher Roscoe, a 29er or even the hot new Top Fuel there's sure to be something that will put a smile on your face.
From now to the end of the month at Oliver's Cycle Sports:
Get $20 off a $90 tune up, get $50 off a $200 overhaul. See something you like at the demo? Starting Saturday, get 10% of the purchase price of any in-stock bike as credit toward any accessories. For example -- buy a Madone for $3699.99 and get $369.99 in accessories.
Oliver's Cycle Sports is a SWFBUD store member and owned by Randy Myhre.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tribune Piles on Regarding Upper Tampa Bay Trail Extension
Even the Tampa Tribune editorial folks -- not exactly the most progressively-minded writers in the world -- want Hillsborough County to extend the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and find an alternative route around the Wilson property. Read on:
The Upper Tampa Bay Trail, when completed, will run 15 miles from Memorial Highway to the Suncoast Parkway Trail, which runs another 42 miles to Citrus County. The recreational possibilities will stretch as far for bikers, hikers, rollerbladers and others.
But the county must buy another seven miles of right of way, from where the trial now ends at Peterson Road Park to the Suncoast Parkway.
So it is concerning that Hillsborough County commissioner today may remove a key parcel from the proposed route of the trail.
County Park Director Mark Thornton says the move is necessary because a landowner does not want the trail going through her property, which she plans to develop. Should the county try to acquire it through eminent domain, the price likely would be far more than the county could afford. And if the county does not remove the land from the approved alignment for the trail, the county could be liable for the landowners' legal bills and diminishing the value of the land.
"We only have $1.8 million left for all the right of way," Thornton says. "This could end up jeopardizing the project."
He stresses the change represents no backdoor way to undermine funding for the trail. "The trail is in the county's comprehensive plan," he says. "This doesn't change the county's commitment ...."
The trail can be rerouted to avoid the contested property and still ensure the connection to the Suncoast, he says.
Commissioners, understandably, want to avoid the eminent-domain process with unwilling landowners. They can't be faulted for wanting to avoid a costly showdown. It appears they have no option but to remove the parcel from the trail's route.
But commissioners, when making the move, should also insist that another trail alignment is quickly identified and make clear this detour won't derail the prospects for a completed trail.
The Upper Tampa Bay Trail, when completed, will run 15 miles from Memorial Highway to the Suncoast Parkway Trail, which runs another 42 miles to Citrus County. The recreational possibilities will stretch as far for bikers, hikers, rollerbladers and others.
But the county must buy another seven miles of right of way, from where the trial now ends at Peterson Road Park to the Suncoast Parkway.
So it is concerning that Hillsborough County commissioner today may remove a key parcel from the proposed route of the trail.
County Park Director Mark Thornton says the move is necessary because a landowner does not want the trail going through her property, which she plans to develop. Should the county try to acquire it through eminent domain, the price likely would be far more than the county could afford. And if the county does not remove the land from the approved alignment for the trail, the county could be liable for the landowners' legal bills and diminishing the value of the land.
"We only have $1.8 million left for all the right of way," Thornton says. "This could end up jeopardizing the project."
He stresses the change represents no backdoor way to undermine funding for the trail. "The trail is in the county's comprehensive plan," he says. "This doesn't change the county's commitment ...."
The trail can be rerouted to avoid the contested property and still ensure the connection to the Suncoast, he says.
Commissioners, understandably, want to avoid the eminent-domain process with unwilling landowners. They can't be faulted for wanting to avoid a costly showdown. It appears they have no option but to remove the parcel from the trail's route.
But commissioners, when making the move, should also insist that another trail alignment is quickly identified and make clear this detour won't derail the prospects for a completed trail.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Update of the Upper Tampa Bay/Suncoast Trail Connection
This morning I ventured to the Hillsborough County Commission meeting to see what action the commissioners would take about extending the Upper Tampa Bay Trail seven miles and extending it to the Suncoast Trail.
Don't hold your breath, folks.
The commissioners voted to re-align a section of the UTBT connector trail to remove it from the property of Carolyn Wilson, a prominent developer who wants to build some 30 homes on the site. Informed folks know that trails enhance property values, but staff says Ms. Wilson the property owner is adament about not having any part of a trail that would be the gem of the state of Florida.
Commissioner Mark Sharpe pledged his efforts to connect the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Suncoast Trail. So did Commissioner Kevin Beckner. The other commissioners? Who knows. Here's Sharpe talking with county Real Estate Direcor Mike Kelly at the mike.
I was there along with other bicycle advocates in Hillsborough County: MPO bike-pedestrian coordinator Gena Torres, CBE bike shop owner Brian Eckman, all-around bike guy Jim Shirk, Karen Kress of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Michael Edgerley. None of us were able to talk during the public comment because the public comment period was closed by the commission before our names were called.
After the morning part of the meeting, I met four county staffers who are working on his project. I suggest you contact these people for information.
Susan Fernandez of the County Attorney's Office; FernandezS@HillsboroughCounty.ORG
Bill Hand, putting the properties together; HandW@HillsboroughCounty.ORG
Mike Kelly, property manager; KellyM@HillsboroughCounty.ORG
Peggy Hamric, Technical Services Manager; hamricp@HillsboroughCounty.ORG
They plan to hold a public meeting in a month or so to inform the public what's going on.
Here's the deal. The seven-mile extension connector is split into four segments. The top section goes along the Lutz Lake Fern Road and a section just below that goes through swiftmud land. That's about half of the connector trail and those sections are in good shape. The county commissioners need to allocate money to make those segments happen, but they stiffed the project when they approved ZERO dollars from the $40 million in community investment tax money.
The third and fourth sections are more dicey. Section A ran through Carolyn Wilson's land and she told the county she doesn't want no trail. So Sharpe wants to re-route the trail just north of where the Upper Tampa Bay Trail currently ends to the west side of Gunn Highway through the Lake Rogers Park area, which is owned by the city of St. Petersburg. The trail would then have to veer back east across Gunn Highway and head up to Van Dyle Road and the swiftmud land.
This is not going to be easy. We need to lean on the county commissioners to fund the first and second sections, which are ready to go, and lean on staff to come up with a workable re-alignment for the rest of the connection.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Please Attend Wednesday's 9 AM Hillsborough County Comission Meeting
Urgent Reminder: Please attend Wednesday's 9 a.m. Hillsborough County Commission meeting to protest the county's proposed derailing of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail's 7-mile extension to connect with the Suncoast Trail.
Sign up at 8:45 am to speak to the commission.
The county commission is scheduled to deal with this trail issue at 10:45 am
I have looked at the county parks staff report and it appears the staff are advising the commissioners that are already plenty of trails in the county.
Make your voice heard Wednesday and tell the county commissioners to link the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with the Sunncoast Trail along the planned alignment that has been in the works for years. This would create the longest continuous paved trail in the state of Florida, a superhighway trail.
Here are the points you can make:
-- County spent $400,000 to investigate and confirm the best alignment
-- BOCC previously approved the alignment and acquired property through eminent domain
-- County purchased 16 acres south of Van Dyke for the trail
-- Notices sent to affected property owners to the north in this final phase anticipating this alignment
-- Negotiations underway to utility easement anticipating this alignment
-- Voted the region's #1 multi-use trail priority
-- BOCC's commitment building this trail leaves residents and visitors with expectations
-- Creating almost 60 miles of trail by connecting to Suncoast is an opportunity our community should not take lightly
-- Network of on-road bike lanes extensive in NW Hillsborough (Sheldon, Linebaugh, Ehrlich) that a real transportation network mixing on and off road facilities is allowing folks to access the trail without driving
-- IF justification for rescinding is that construction $ not lined up yet, we set aside alignments for ROADS
-- IF rescinded, how will this affect other properties acquired through eminent domain?
-- Can property owners in Phase IV notified that the county wants to purchase their property for the trail sue for attorney fees if county backs out of project?
Sign up at 8:45 am to speak to the commission.
The county commission is scheduled to deal with this trail issue at 10:45 am
I have looked at the county parks staff report and it appears the staff are advising the commissioners that are already plenty of trails in the county.
Make your voice heard Wednesday and tell the county commissioners to link the Upper Tampa Bay Trail with the Sunncoast Trail along the planned alignment that has been in the works for years. This would create the longest continuous paved trail in the state of Florida, a superhighway trail.
Here are the points you can make:
-- County spent $400,000 to investigate and confirm the best alignment
-- BOCC previously approved the alignment and acquired property through eminent domain
-- County purchased 16 acres south of Van Dyke for the trail
-- Notices sent to affected property owners to the north in this final phase anticipating this alignment
-- Negotiations underway to utility easement anticipating this alignment
-- Voted the region's #1 multi-use trail priority
-- BOCC's commitment building this trail leaves residents and visitors with expectations
-- Creating almost 60 miles of trail by connecting to Suncoast is an opportunity our community should not take lightly
-- Network of on-road bike lanes extensive in NW Hillsborough (Sheldon, Linebaugh, Ehrlich) that a real transportation network mixing on and off road facilities is allowing folks to access the trail without driving
-- IF justification for rescinding is that construction $ not lined up yet, we set aside alignments for ROADS
-- IF rescinded, how will this affect other properties acquired through eminent domain?
-- Can property owners in Phase IV notified that the county wants to purchase their property for the trail sue for attorney fees if county backs out of project?
Date Announced for the Bicycle Bash by the Bay
SWFBUD is proud to announce the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay is set for OCTOBER 11 from 11 AM to 4 PM at Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg.
SWFBUD is looking to partner with the Share the Road Ride, which would be held before the Bicycle Bash by the Bay.
SWFBUD is also proud to announce that it has struck a strategic partnership with the Youth Triathlon Series Season Celebration, which will be among the many activities at this year's Bicycle Bash by the Bay.
If you want to participate in this year's Bicycle Bash by the Bay, contact SWFBUD at alansnel@yahoo.com
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Cloudy Century -- Felt Like Early June Up North
It was century day on this overcast Sunday, so I did my usual 100-miler to Zephyrhills/Dade City/San Antonio from good ol' Seminole Heights.
Little did I know that I would bump into:
-- The Dade City Crit, where I met friendly Tall Ed Collins, a fellow Seminole Heights Veloman.
-- And the Specialized demo at Flatwoods, where I met Manny and Carlos Mirabal, owners of SWFBUD store University Bicycle Center.
In Dade City, I caught the final few laps of an intense crit. Here they are with about three laps to go. It was about a minute per lap.
And now they're coming down the stretch.
After the heavy-duty pro-style race, it was time for the kids.
This is hilarious. The kids race actually included this girl on a unicycle.
Earlier in the day when I biked through Flatwoods and back, I stopped at the Specialized demo and saw Manny and Carlos Mirabal, owners of University Bicycle Center.
Little did I know that I would bump into:
-- The Dade City Crit, where I met friendly Tall Ed Collins, a fellow Seminole Heights Veloman.
-- And the Specialized demo at Flatwoods, where I met Manny and Carlos Mirabal, owners of SWFBUD store University Bicycle Center.
In Dade City, I caught the final few laps of an intense crit. Here they are with about three laps to go. It was about a minute per lap.
And now they're coming down the stretch.
After the heavy-duty pro-style race, it was time for the kids.
This is hilarious. The kids race actually included this girl on a unicycle.
Earlier in the day when I biked through Flatwoods and back, I stopped at the Specialized demo and saw Manny and Carlos Mirabal, owners of University Bicycle Center.
Today's Bicycle Brunch of News
Bicycle Stories reader Picot Floyd chips in with this fun story on a pretty snazzy gear system.
In other news, tweed and cycling are not exactly good partners in Florida. But they're fine together in San Francisco. Which is why a friendly fella named Colin has created the Thursday Tweed Ride in San Francisco, where folks are encourged to done their wool finery, adjust their cap at just the right angle and engage in pedals from an elegant bicycle era. Premier Tampa superblogger Jeff Houck of sidesalad.net fame sent me this wooly item.
Let's switch gears to close to home.
At the Seminole Heights Post Office, one hard-core roadie decides the best place to park a bike is inside. Good idea.
In other news, tweed and cycling are not exactly good partners in Florida. But they're fine together in San Francisco. Which is why a friendly fella named Colin has created the Thursday Tweed Ride in San Francisco, where folks are encourged to done their wool finery, adjust their cap at just the right angle and engage in pedals from an elegant bicycle era. Premier Tampa superblogger Jeff Houck of sidesalad.net fame sent me this wooly item.
Let's switch gears to close to home.
At the Seminole Heights Post Office, one hard-core roadie decides the best place to park a bike is inside. Good idea.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Lance Has Words For Reporter
Lance Armstrong verbally slices up a reporter who refers to Lance as a "cancer" for returning to the Tour de France.
I'm also adding some fun reading from ESPN.com's Jim Caple.
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