Early April is coming up, which means my pal Ellen is putting together the 2009 Police Unity Tour sendoff ceremony.
It's April 2 from 5-9 PM at Hattricks at 107 S. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa -- bar number is 813-225-4288.
Silent Auction Items Include But Not Limited To:
-- One Week at Pierson’s Cottage in Boone NC
-- Wine Baskets
-- Bucs Stuff
-- Starbucks Coffee
-- Super Bowl Jacket and Basket
Raffle Prizes Include But Not Limited To:
-- Gift Certificates for Local Restaurants, Bike Stuff, Wine, T-Shirts, NASCAR items, and more
For info, visit www.policeunitytourVIII.org or call Ellen Pierson at 813-225-7160 x35.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Bookish While Bicycling
One of my favorite hobbies while cycling is checking out libraries along the route. This one was along a popular route in Spring Hill in the Alps of east Pasco County. Then you have bicyclists who are also librarians such as the famed Ghost Rider of bikecommuters.com.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bicycle Tidbits From Around The USA
Some interesting bicycle scuttlebutt from around the nation. Check out item no. 2 and you'll see what I mean about scuttleBUTT.
Quick Tip: Lube in Advance. When you hear your chain chirp or are due for regular chain maintenance, lubricate the links right after riding. First, you won't forget. Second, it will give the lube's carrier a day to evaporate before your next ride. There will be less lube on the chain's surface to attract grit and be flung onto the frame, derailleurs and rear wheel. Lube belongs inside the links, not thickly coating them, so before riding again run the chain through a clean rag. Then go out and enjoy the difference a well-maintained chain makes.
An 87-year-old man died in suburban New York after he caught fire while riding his bicycle, reports the New York Post. Authorities say the elderly gent was likely smoking a cigarette that ignited his nylon jacket, engulfing him in flames. A passing motorist used a fire extinguisher but it was too late.
In Oregon, there's a move afoot to charge bicycle owners $54 every 2 years (per bike) for a license and registration. The law would apply to people 18 or older who ride their bike(s) on public roads. Four state legislators have introduced the bill, which stipulates various other fees and requirements. The revenue would go toward development and maintenance of bike lanes, paths and related "transportation improvement projects." Some cyclists aren't too happy. More details at http://tinyurl.com/dhtevq
Quick Tip: Lube in Advance. When you hear your chain chirp or are due for regular chain maintenance, lubricate the links right after riding. First, you won't forget. Second, it will give the lube's carrier a day to evaporate before your next ride. There will be less lube on the chain's surface to attract grit and be flung onto the frame, derailleurs and rear wheel. Lube belongs inside the links, not thickly coating them, so before riding again run the chain through a clean rag. Then go out and enjoy the difference a well-maintained chain makes.
An 87-year-old man died in suburban New York after he caught fire while riding his bicycle, reports the New York Post. Authorities say the elderly gent was likely smoking a cigarette that ignited his nylon jacket, engulfing him in flames. A passing motorist used a fire extinguisher but it was too late.
In Oregon, there's a move afoot to charge bicycle owners $54 every 2 years (per bike) for a license and registration. The law would apply to people 18 or older who ride their bike(s) on public roads. Four state legislators have introduced the bill, which stipulates various other fees and requirements. The revenue would go toward development and maintenance of bike lanes, paths and related "transportation improvement projects." Some cyclists aren't too happy. More details at http://tinyurl.com/dhtevq
Making Money From Finding Nuts At Intersections
Well, well, well. I got a lot of laughs from people who I told about my little intersection "Nut" project. It consisted of picking up bolts, nuts and nails at Tampa-area intersections while I waited on my bicycle at red lights.
Road crews are so lax about cleaning up intersections around here that I decided to pick up the hardware myself and drop the bolts and nails and nuts into my bike jersey's rear pockets. I came home and deposited the hardware into jars.
Well, this week, I hit paydirt. I sold the three jars of hardware for $5 to Gene of Brandon thanks to my sale advertised on Craig's List.
Here is my framed tribute to my intersection-cleaning ways. Stop by the SWFBUD table Saturday at the downtown Tampa crit and festival. And bring some hardware -- I'll have a new jar I'm beinning to fill.
By the way, I also collect golf balls along the Rogers Park Golf Course on Rowlett Park Drive while bicycling and sold 180 for $30 to Jerry of Spring Hill thanks to a Craig's List hookup.
Cycling pays!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Upper Tampa Bay Trail Extension Meeting Tonight
Tonight it was more chatter about the Upper Tampa Bay Trail extension project, which would be extended to connect with the Suncoast Trail.
A group of Hillsborough County employees met with about 30 residents at a rec center in Carrollwood. The trail project manager said they have $1.9 million to spend, so the county wanted to feedback from residents -- start building a trail at the north part of the connector trail or buy land on the southern part of the connector trail.
The land deal negotiations along the proposed alignment hit snags with no less than four landowners, so the county is looking to veer the proposed route across Gunn Highway to lake land owned by the city if St. Pete and then veer it back across Gunn Highway to the alignment.
I say start building the segment that's in the bag just south of the Suncoast Trail, build a bike lane by widening Gunn Highway by three or four feet and continue the land deal negotiations that will take who knows how long.
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