A Green Artery Grows In Central Tampa -- Let's Hope

SWFBUD was in the house tonight at the Howard Johnson Hotel in downtown Tampa where Mayor Bob Buckhorn spoke at the monthly Green Artery meeting. The Green Artery is a central Tampa movement to connect the green spaces with bike trails, bike lanes, sharrows and the mayor talked in glowing terms about the importance of connecting neighborhoods and these green spaces.

Words are nice to hear but actions are the best, Bob. Let's make it happen. More Green Artery meetings will be held in other central Tampa neighbrohoods each month.

The meeting drew more than 100 folks -- including city council members Yolie Capin, Lisa Montelione and Mike Suarez.

My friends Myron and Lena have led the charge for the Green Artery, holding a meeting a month in a new central Tampa neighborhood. They have held about 10 with another nine or ten to go. Keep on plugging away Myron and Lena -- your efforts will pay off.

Salmons Everywhere

So,I'm cycling south on Nebraska Avenue and see the usual salmon cyclists pedaling against traffic.

Most of them usually don't drag a lawn mower along the way, though.

Richard Gonzmart Introduces 3 Wines and a Tequila Named "Screaming Richard"

Tonight I had the chance to see the incomparable Richard Gonzmart, owner of Tampa's iconic Columbia Restaurant, unveil three new wines and a tequila named, "Screaming Richard," at a wonderful dinner that raised money for multiple causes.

The Screaming Richard label is based on Richard's experience of participating in The Running of the Bulls in 2007. The label is a beauty -- it's a pic of Richard with a nearby bull that got some air play on the morning news shows.

Richard is a former 4-Her who had a black angus as a kid, so Richard wanted to help the bull up.

Richard also introduced three RG wines, including telling the amazing story behind a red wine unveiled to honor Rusty, his beloved German shepherd. Richard said Rusty fell ill and suffered from a near-fatal disease, but he took his four-legged pal to a University of Florida small animal hospital, where Rusty got some medication and he's still alive. Richard loves raising German shepherds, but he said Rusty was the best ever.

Here's Richard talking about Rusty tonight.


The Columbia also just introduced a new menu packed with cool stories, great new dishes and its signature items.

Richard also loves bicycling, so I hope he can attend the Bicycle Bash on NOV 6.

SWFBUD Talks About Bike Lanes On Bayshore Blvd. In Tampa

SWFBUD has urged the city of Tampa to re-pave Bayshore Boulevard and stripe bike lanes for years and we welcome the city on doing the job now.

WMNF radio in Tampa did a cool report on the Bayshore project.

Share the Roads on North Boulevard in Tampa

These are just a few of the Share the Rpad signs and sharrows on North Boulevard heading north as you approach MLK Blvd. in Tampa.

Tampa has come come a long way since seven years ago when I called the city's public works office and I asked for a Share the Road sign on Rowlett Park Srive. At the time, I was told the city could not post a Share the Road sign because it costs too much to maintain.

Now check all these sharrows and accompanying Share the Road signs on this small stretch alone. Well done here, city of Tampa -- keep them coming.

Convergence in Seminole Heights

You never know who will meet on a bicycle on the roads around here. Like big Ron Swiger, whimsical Mimi and a host of thers Seminole Heights Bicycle Club folks returning from Davis Islands.

I met up with them coming back from the 3 Bridges Ride.

The Good and The Bad

Few areas of the country have both so many bicyclists and motorists who are unaware about driving their vehicles and sharing the road together safely AND so many YEAR_ROUND cool ares to cycle such as the hills of the San Antonio/Dade City area and the Bay.

This morning at 7:15 am, I was cycling on Hillsborough Avenue as part of a ride to bike over the Courtney Campbell Causeway and I counted no less than 3 salmon cyclists coming at me in the bike lane in 10 minutes.

Here's one of those bicyclists biking against traffic.



On the way home, I crested the Courtney Campbell Causeway span on the way to Tampa and biking over water is a wonderful experience. The DOT is scheduled to build a separate causeway span as part of a trail that will provide access for a wider group of cyclists and pedestrians. Right now, it's a rare bicyclist who crosses the causeway because of the narrow shoulder on the main bridge and also speeding cars that routinely go 65 mph and faster across the causeway.