TNR Schedule Update and Other News

There have been some changes to the schedule, so be sure to check the latest version of the TNR schedule here.

If you have paid your PBC dues and have not received your membership card please let me know -- send an email to putney.bicycle@gmail.com or directly to me at will.kraham@gmail.com

The next VMBA monthly meeting will be held at Grafton Ponds in Grafton VT, on Wednesday May 21 @ 7pm. Grafton Ponds is interested in becoming a chapter of VMBA, which is excellent news! For more info, contact:

Patrick D. Kell
Executive Director
Vermont Mountain Bike Association
1949 East Main Street Richmond, VT 05477
802-434-3969 x 112
www.vmba.org

I have created a PBC folder for all members to post their favorite routes on Map My Ride, and I will publish the username and password when I finish mapping my hill climber's ride and upload the route to the folder.

Tour of the Valleys Weather Update

It is raining now, but the weather tomorrow for the TOTV ride is promising: At the time of the start, the temperature will be in the high fifties or low sixties, so you may want to start in arm warmers and knee warmers. It will be partly cloudy all day, with only a 20% chance of rain -- it will rain late in the afternoon, but you will be napping with a full belly by then. There will be a 9 mph wind from the west, so we may have a tailwind as we ride from Grafton to Saxtons River. See y'all tomorrow.

TNR Gaps

There are still some gaps in the TNR schedule -- rides w/o leaders. Please look over the schedule here and let me know if you can lead a ride.

Oyez, Oyez, Weekly Mt. Bike Training Races Start on Wednesday, June 4th

The Putney Bicycle Club, through the efforts of John Buser and John Baker, will start weekly mountain bike training races at the race course at the Putney School Lower Farm, every Wednesday at 5:30, beginning on the 1st Wednesday in June -- June 4th. There will be category A, B, and C races -- self-selected. All mountain bike racers are welcome - you do not have to be a member of the PBC to race - but this series would not be possible without the generous volunteer effort of PBC club members. If you want your bicycle club to offer more events of this type, then you need to step up, pay your dues, and take an active part.

Tour of the Valleys

The classic Tour of the Valley ride will take place this Saturday, May 17th. The start location is the West Hill Shop. The start time is 11 a.m. Post-ride food provided courtesy of the West Hill Shop and the Putney Bicycle Club. All riders of all abilities are welcome, but if you are not a Putney Bicycle Club member, now is your chance to join the club. This is a tour -- not a race. Be safe, have fun. Below is the official flyer.

Tour of the Valleys RIDE
This Saturday, May 17th

Leaving from the West Hill Shop at 11AM
This historic 60 mile race loop through Windham County Vermont is now a scenic show-n-go ride, finishing with an apres ride feast with friends. Maps available, but no support. PLEASE sign in before you ride, thanks!
Raindate Sunday the 18th departing @ 12:00pm
Questions....
email Jim Sweitzer at jim@westhillshop.com

Check out West Hill Shop here

Check out Putney Bicycle Club here

TNR - May 13th - Change

The start location for the TNR tomorrow - May 13th - has changed from Marlboro College to the Chesterfield Inn, with the post-ride meal at Top of the Hill Grill. Ride leader is Bob Immler. Pass it on.

TNR May 13th

The Tuesday NIght Ride will be from Chesterfield Inn, with dinner at the Top of the Hill Grill.

The Length of the State Ride - Our Club History

The West Hill Shop today (it was once located on West Hill Road in Putney).

In an earlier post, I informed readers of the 1st Annual Connecticut River Challenge Ride - a one-day event from the Canadian border to the Massachusetts border on Route 5. (See post dated 4/20/08).

Neil Quinn, founder of the West Hill Shop, former racer, promoter of the famous "Tour of the Valleys" road race, and the father lode of historical information about cycling in these here parts for the past 40 years, provided me with the following history of the length of the state ride:

It was Bob Gray (West Hill Shop/Snail Cycles co-founder, many-time national X-C 50k champion) who had the idea to ride the state in one day as a training exercise with several other hot-shot cross country ski racers. Johnny Caldwell had earlier persuaded some ski team members (including Bob) to run the Long Trail from Canada to Massachusetts as a training exercise (a new record, 9 days 4 hours, 270 miles, in 1969). Most of the riders in the first years were national-class X-C skiers; Bob, Jim Galanes ("The Motor"), Tim Caldwell, Chris Osgood, Joe McNulty, Stan Dunklee (I think), Kim Mumford (US downhill team). Bill Koch came along on a number of the rides, although his knees usually gave out after about 150 miles. It was sort of by-invitation-only, trying to include only good riders who would not crash out the others, or start too quickly and not maintain the pace. We would do support with one or two vehicles, often with Bob's wife Sue in their truck. The plan was to keep buying food and drink and pull ahead of the riders every hour or two and stop so they could take on vittles. They would stop most years for an hour for lunch, around Stockbridge. Sometimes there would be a swimming stop, in Plymouth. One year we went up the night before and camped out near North Troy....the mosquitos were so bad we packed up about 9:30pm and had to search out two motel rooms for the rest of the night! One year I was able to fit 13 (count 'em, thirteen) bicycles, along with Bevan and Jeremy, into my red Suburban, while most of the riders went up in other cars. The usual start was at day break at the border checkpoint at North Troy. The usual route was Route 100 all the way to Route 30 then to Route 5 to finish at the Bernardston border. The skiers, just off their season, were not concerned with Terrible Mountain or any other hills. I never rode the whole way myself, but joined in for segments. One year Bill Koch thought it would make sense to start at the Mass border; he said he heard that there would be a wind out of the South all day. They had a head wind most of the way instead.

After many LOTS rides each year, it died out as a West Hill thing, largely due, I think, to too many Bozos wanting to come along.

Other groups have done it, of course, since those early days (I think we were the first). Betsy and I had a friend (Doug Fontaine, a VBT leader) who started up north near Canada with a another rider, rode down one day unsupported to our house on the Massachusetts border, spent the night on our kitchen floor, and rode back up the length of the state the next day.

This is one of those events that exists just in our memories....little was ever written down. We did take a few pictures sometimes. I remember one of Bob by the Massachusetts border sign; he was very obviously thinner than he had been that morning at the start.

Stay tuned for more posts on our club history.

Putney/West Hill Race Bus

I previously floated the idea of buying an old school bus, painting it in the West Hill colors, and converting it to carry bikes and racers to road, mt. bike, and cross races. However, my discussions with the Vermont Dept. of Motor Vehicles went nowhere, and even if we took out most or all of the seats, they maintained that the driver would need to have a commercial driver's license, since the bus was originally designed to carry X number of passengers -- so I gave up.

Now I am considering reviving the concept, and purchasing a panel van instead, so anyone can drive it. Is there any interest in this project? I can locate a vehicle, but will need help painting it in the West Hill colors, and installing bike racks and ski racks and clothing and equipment boxes, and seats for racers. If it is parked in the field in front of the shop, with the side facing I-91, it will serve as mobile advertising for the shop. Anyone interested in forming a committee to work on this project? When I obtain non-profit certification from the IRS as a 501(c) organization for the PBC, any monetary donations or labor can be deductible as charitable expenses. We will need to raise some funds for purchase, supplies, registration, and insurance. If you are interested in helping out, drop me an email.

You're either on the bus or you're off the bus.Tom Wolfe, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. This is a great book by Tom Wolfe first published in 1967. It tracks the story of Ken Kesey following the eye of the storm so to speak as it leaves the Beat Generation, stops by the Perry Lane bohemians and then crashes onto California at full force with the hippies, LSD and psychedelia.


The van could be used to go to races, but can also be used as a support vehicle for long recreational rides, like the Length of the State ride, and can be used for cross country ski events, and we could have the van in the 4th of July parade, with a group of riders in PBC clothing riding behind the van throwing out Gu packets to the crowd.

Will.

Berkshire Brevet 300k

Berkshire Brevet 300K
Westfield, MA
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Register here.

"A hilly route heading west into the Berkshires then south along the Housatonic river to Kent CT. Crosses into eastern NY before returning to Westfield. Route is Lollipop shaped. Climbs include Jacob's Ladder (8 miles) both outbound and inbound and BashBish Falls (4.5 miles long with two short sections of steep, 18% grades)."

Repository of Rides

I will be creating an account on the Map My Ride website for all PBC members to access ride routes. This site permits the creation and viewing of routes in map, satellite, topographical, or hybrid views. I will post the account name and password in the near future, so stay tuned. You may upload any route you already have created using the Map My Ride tools, or that you have created using topographical software, or simply a text based cue sheet or map. Eventually, we will have a repository of all of our favorite rides that all members may access at any time. The link for the Map My Ride website is already on our main page, on the right hand side, under the heading "Our Favorite Spots."

On a personal note, I upgraded to Cat 3 based on my road race results in 2007, but do not have medical clearance to race this year due to my spinal cord injury resulting from the OTH accident last August during the D2R2 endurance ride, which prevented me from competing the Green Mountain Stage Race. I will be competing in the Mt. Ascutney, Mt. Agamenticus, and Mt. Greylock time trials, and participating in endurance events (Brevets, Length of the State ride). I will be having spinal cord surgery in the fall and recovering during the winter (no cross-country skiing for a second consecutive winter).

If you have any suggestions for future posts, please let me know.

Will, PBC, Inc. President

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Star Forming Region NGC 3582
Credit & Copyright: T. A. Rector (U. Alaska), T. Abbott, NOAO, AURA, NSF

This the photo for today. A different photo every day. The link is here.

Syracuse Race Weekend - Stage Race

Syracuse Race Weekend
Syracuse, NY
Saturday, May 17, 2008 to Sunday, May 18, 2008

51 - 111 miles depending upon your category.



A stage race, consisting of the Song Mountain Road Race and the Song Mountain Time Trial (8 miles) on Saturday,
and the Syracuse Criterium on Sunday. The Song Mountain Ski Resort is located in Tully, NY. The road races start at 10 a.m., racing from Song Mountain through Otisco Valley and a climb on Oak Hill Rd. The Individual Time Trial – First rider at 3:30 p.m. The crit starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday and is at Syracuse's Inner Harbor - broad roads and wide turns.
There is a Children's Race – Starting at Noon on Sunday, with free helmets and fittings for children.

Register here.
There is a British style ale brewery in Syracuse - the Middle Ages Brewery, 120 Wilkinson St - Syracuse, NY 13204. Here are their beers, if you are tired of



as your post-race recovery drink:

Race Results - Putney/West Hill

Turtle Pond Circuit Race
Christopher Bagg - 1st place - Cat 3 (former Putney/West Hill -- now races for BikeReg.Com)
Steve Fortier - 35th place - Masters 45+
Bruce Carlson - 22nd place - Masters 55+

Battenkill-Roubaix
Arne Hammarlund - 9th place - Men 5 45+ (a tough course - pavement and dirt - with one climb that usually splits the field)

Myles Standish State Park Road Race
David Bradford - 1st place - Masters 55+ (former Putney/West Hill - now races for Masters Velo Cycling Club)
Steve Fortier - 22nd place - Masters 45+

Sturbride and Palmer races are this weekend.

Windham Wheelmen Weekend Rides Start this Weekend

The Windham Wheelman Weekend Rides officially start this Saturday, April 26th.

Location: Parking lot of Vermont District Court on Linden St.

Start Time: 7:30 a.m. (will start at 7:00 a.m. as the days lengthen) on Saturday and Sunday

Distance: Two to two and one-half hours

Pace: 16-17 m.p.h.

No one will be dropped (they wait for those who come off the back)

For more information, contact Woody at Burrows Specialized Sports (254-9530) Link is here.

PBC Membership

You may renew your membership at the shop, online here, or by sending a check to our Treasurer, Pam Matweecha at 15 Bullock St., Apt. #2, Brattleboro, VT 05301.

Thanks -- our club cannot grow and improve without dues paying members.

Berkshire Brevet 200k

Berkshire Brevet 200K
Westfield, MA
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Open to everyone.
North along the western side of the Connecticut River Valley to Southern Vermont and back. A moderately hilly route.

Register here.

"The Berkshire Brevets are a series of randonneur cycling events in Western Massachusetts. If you enjoy century rides and challenging events, you will find randonnueur cycling a rewarding experience. The randonneur season is broken into a series of brevets of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, and 600 km, a team 24 hr., and a final event of 1200 km. The goal of the randonneur cyclist is to complete all events within time limits. You can expect about 3,000 ft. of climbing for each 100 km. Each brevet is designed to challenge and prepare the long distance cyclists for the next ride in the series and act as a qualifier for Paris - Brest – Paris (1200 km) and other 1200 Km events throughout the world. The purpose of the Berkshire Brevets is to introduce cyclists in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut to the sport of randonneur cycling and to offer alternate dates for riders wishing to qualify for 1200 Km events such P-B-P The next Paris - Brest - Paris is in August 2011.

The Berkshire Brevets are organized and hosted by the Northeast Sport Cyclists Bicycle Club and New Horizons Sports.

Randonneur cycling is long distance (endurance) cycling with minimal or no support. A brevet is not a race, although the ride is timed and some riders will seek a personal best time, the primary goal is simply to finish. The style of riding is characterized by various rules and traditions that date to 1891 in France when the first Paris – Brest – Paris race was held. When one participates in brevet events, one is part of worldwide brotherhood of cyclists, with over 116 years of history and legend."

Recommended Criteriums in May

Cyclonauts Racers Criterium
Safford Springs, CT
Saturday, May 24, 2008

Register here.

Hartford Downtown Criterium
Hartford, CT
Sunday, May 25, 2008

Register here.
Wide sweeping corners around the park -- fast course.

Connecticut River Challenge

The Vermont Border to Border

Connecticut River Challenge

The first annual Vermont Border to Border Connecticut River Challenge
will be held on June 28, 2008. This one-day bike ride will cover the
length of Vermont on Highway 5, mostly along the Connecticut River.
Riders will start at the break of dawn from Derby Line and finish at
the Massachusetts border around 5:00pm. The course is relatively flat
by Vermont standards, and approximately 182 miles long.

This ride is for experienced cyclists who can maintain a 17-18 mph
pace in a group. We will stay at a hotel near the start the night
before the ride, and will ride together along the course. .

This is a completely informal event with no cost. Riders are expected
to arrange transportation to the start and from the finish, as well as
refueling. A caravan of friends, spouses, parole officers, and guys
that owe us money will set up refueling stops about every 30 miles.

Teams can divide the ride into two, 90 mile segments, with one member
driving as the other rides. Cyclists having trouble can also use the
caravan to get to the finish.

We are asking that interested participants commit to the event by June 1.

For more information, contact John Orlando at jorlando@norwich.edu, or
802-878-2860.

Recommended Road Races in May

Jiminy Peak Road Race
Hancock, MA
Saturday, May 03, 2008
60-150 km depending upon your category.
Classic New England race with large fields. Long hill at the end of each lap, with a climber's finish.


Register here.

Blue Hills Classic
Milton, MA
Sunday, May 04, 2008
21-28 miles depending upon your category.

Register here.

The 14th Annual MRC Sterling Classic Road Race
Sterling, MA
Saturday, May 10, 2008
24-80 miles depending upon your category.

Register here.
Finishes at the top of a short hill.
Free pizza after the race.

Lake Sunapee Bike Race
Newbury, NH
Saturday, May 17, 2008
23-69 miles depending upon your category.

Register here.
Great hill finish after the rotary.
The longest running bike race in New England.
Weather is a factor -- sometimes it is cold and rainy.


Lake Auburn Road Race
Auburn, ME
Saturday, May 31, 2008
35-81 miles depending upon your category.

Register here.
Some rollers and a gradual climb at the end of each lap, with a long flat section for a 200m sprint finish.
Well worth the drive.

Hill Climb Rides in Western MA

There is a regular ride that departs every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. from Incline Training (60 Wells St. in Greenfield, MA), and typically goes into the hill towns for some excellent climbing. This group is fast and climbs hard, but they do wait at the top.

Norris Cotton Cancer Center (Prouty) Charity Rides

I have done the Prouty Century ride several times - great route, support and food - and a worthwhile cause - does anyone not know someone who has battled cancer? Here are some options:

The 1st Annual Prouty Ultimate Double Century Ride
July 11 - 12, 2008, Manchester to Hanover, NH

The Prouty Ultimate Double Century Ride, 200 miles in 2 days. Day One is a scenic, challenging 100 mile route from Manchester to Hanover, NH. Day Two riders join the Prouty Century Ride. Minimum pledge of $2,500 is required. All monies raised benefit Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Register here

The 27th Annual Prouty Century Bike Ride and Challenge Walk
July 12, 2008, Hanover, NH

Join more than 4,000 people to help raise money for cancer research and patient services at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Bike ride 100, 50 or 25 miles or walk 5, 10, 15 or 20k through the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. The day will be filled with food, entertainment, kid's activities, great prizes and more! Register for this year's Prouty online here or call Laura Harrington at 1-800-226-8744 for more information.

Charity Ride to Save the Schell Bridge

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Ride for the Schell!
Save May 3, and spread the word to Ride for the Schell and benefit the efforts to restore it for hiking and biking.

On May 3, 2008, Friends of Schell Bridge will sponsor three bike rides in Northfield, starting at 9:00 in the morning. REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 AT THE GREEN TREES PARKING LOT! ALL RIDES WILL BEGIN AT THIS LOCATION TOO.

A 17-mile loop will begin at the boat ramp (with its view of Schell Bridge) on the east side of the river, proceed through the village, cross the river on the route 10 bridge and wind through the hills and back roads of west Northfield (venturing briefly into Vermont). This route returns across the route 10 bridge and ends with post-ride festivities at Green Trees Gallery on Main Street. See the route map on the right-hand panel. This 17-mile ride will be led by experienced bikers and will be family oriented.
A 3-mile loop will cater to those family members preferring a gentler ride.
For the serious biking enthusiast a 35-mile loop on both sides of the river in the tri-state area, begins and ends in Northfield.
The entrance fee is $20 ($25 for families, kids under 12 free), and participants will be required to wear helmets and sign a liability waiver. Register at either of these locations: Bike Reg http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5833 , or at Green Trees Gallery at 105 Main Street, Northfield---on the morning of the event. [Same day registration fees are: $25 for singles, $30 for families] It should be a fun time, so please mark your calendar and come on out!

Several representatives of the Massachusetts Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Board will be present that day and will be joining us on the ride.
All rides start at Green Trees Gallery/Offices of Friends of Schell Bridge 105 Main Street, Northfield, MA. Then we will ride --as a group-- to the State boat launching ramp to view the bridge--and then get underway from there. Plenty of free parking and bathrooms are at Friends of Schell offices.

The Schell Bridge was named one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Resources in 2003.
The Schell Memorial Bridge is a 515--foot long steel cantilever truss bridge donated in 1902 to the town of Northfield by one of its leading citizens, Francis R. Schell, who hoped to obtain easy access from his chateau in downtown Northfield to the East Northfield Railroad Station.

Schell Bridge is the third oldest of five Pennsylvania Truss Bridges and was designed by Edward S. Shaw, an important bridge engineer in Massachusetts from 1873 to 1919. Up until its closing in 1985, the Schell Bridge provided the town with easy transportation between the two sides of the village, which is divided by the Connecticut River.

Lack of funding for maintenance and rehabilitation are ongoing threats to the Schell Bridge. The town never had sufficient funding to maintain the bridge and by 1985, it was too far deteriorated from a structural strength point of view and was closed.

MassHwy devised a plan to repair the bridge, but the town could not justify the costs of assuming responsibility for maintaining the rehabilitated structure. In 1992, with no group willing to take on the responsibility of the bridge, the decision was made to tear it down. Demolition bids were made and contracts awarded in 1999, but the bridge was never torn down.

There’s a funny cycle that occurs in the history of the building,” observed Kent Barwick, former chairman of New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. “It is very much appreciated when it is put up, then it sort of disappears into the city when other buildings become more no ticeable or celebrated.

And just a little while before it is rediscovered, it is thought to be absolutely worthless.
That’s the dangerous moment for a building. . .” [or a bridge---web master]

A bit of the bridge by Tony Jewell
A restored bridge would have a number of positive effects for the region. If reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the Schell would serve to reunite the two sections of town separated by the Connecticut. Northfield has the distinction of being the only Valley community split in two by the river -- but this has a somewhat isolating effect, especially for the western side of town.

Residents of quiet West Northfield would be spared any vehicular traffic inconveniences, but still enjoy the benefit of a car-free shortcut to downtown and Main Street. And a plan could be put in place to make the bridge safe for emergency vehicles only -- an important public safety improvement.

As one of the few quiet bridges over the Connecticut -- free from the traffic and noise of major bridges such as the Route 10 bridge in Northfield -- it could be a surprisingly popular destination for tourists and locals in search of a scenic river view. Shops on both sides of town could see more walk-in business from curious visitors.

Cyclists and hikers from up and down the River might find that the Schell opens up new recreational routes in the Valley, Vermont and New Hampshire.

As one of Massachusetts' Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites, an excellent case can be made from a preservationists' standpoint -- there aren't that many bridges left like the Schell, and even fewer with such a strong link to our past. It is a cherished rarity today, and will be infinitely more so for future generations. Restoring the bridge would be great news for river enthusiasts, history buffs, local businesses, hikers and bikers, the town of Northfield, and the region.

As the 2005 Smith College--Picker Engineering Program report on the condition of the bridge says, a restoration is possible. It would be unfair to put the burden of restoration and upkeep on local taxpayers, but Friends of Schell Bridge knows that similar projects are underway in many places around the U.S. and grant money, from Federal, State and private sources, can be found to restore the bridge.

How did all this get started?

In mid 2003, Tony Jewell of Shelburne Falls submitted the Schell Bridge to PreservatiON Mass, for inclusion on the state's most endangered list. After careful consideration, it was included on the high profile list and shortly thereafter, Friends of Schell Bridge, Inc. was formed to be the entity advocating for its restoration.

FRIENDS OF SCHELL BRIDGE, INC.
P.O. BOX 27
NORTHFIELD, MA 01360
info@SchellBridge.org

Female Cyclist Needed for Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon Race

Hi,

A colleague of mine is seeking a female cyclist to participate in a
team event called the Inferno up at Tuckerman's Ravine. The
information is below and you can contact Ryan directly.

Cheers,
CTodd

________________________________________
From: Ryan Dubois [mailto:ryan.dubois@agencourt.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:46 AM
Subject: Tuckerman Race

Todd,

Here is the website of the organization running the race.
http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/

The race is called the inferno. It is a pentathlon team competition
with each team member doing one leg of the race. The legs consist of
a 8.3 mile run, 6 mile Kayak, 18 mile bike, 3 mile hike and a 1 mile
ski. We had 5 team members but our bicyclist back out last minute.
One of the requirements is that each team must consist of both sexes.
We are in need of female bicyclist to race the 18 mile bike. The cost
to each racer is $100.00. The race is going to be held next weekend
the 18-20th of April.

Here is the 2008 Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon Race Handbook:

http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/2008%20Website/08%20INFERNO/INFERNO%202008/2008%20handbook/2008_Handbook_Officia.pdf

Thanks,
Ryan

Ryan C. DuBois
Quality Assurance Engineer
Agencourt Bioscience Corporation
(978) 867-2993
ryan.dubois@agencourt.com

League of American Bicyclists course is being offered in Montpelier on April 19th

Map My Ride

If you want to create a map or cue sheet for a ride, try out this site: here.

Tuesday Night Ride Schedule

The Tuesday Night Ride (TNR) Schedule is up. We still need leaders for some of the A, B, and C rides. Thanks to Pam for putting this information together.  

The schedule is available here.

Jiminy Peak Road Race Registration Is Open and Filling Up Fast

Jiminy Peak Road Race
Presented by
Berkshire Cycling Association

Hancock, MA

Saturday, May 03, 2008

"The Jiminy Peak Road Race has become a spring classic in New England. It regularly draws racers from all over the Northeast, including professionals and amateurs from some of America's top teams. The unpredictable New England weather is often a factor, but many consider this part of the race's appeal."

Online Registration Closes
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM ET

Register here.

Green Mountain Forest Mountain Bike Access

Hello all - a very simple request - in a nutshell the Green Mountain National Forest is 400,000 acres (not a typo) with practically zero mountain bike trails. VMBA have worked very hard with the Forest Service in 2007 to get access, and the National Forest are now seeking public comments regarding mountain bike access. It is a very simple equation, if we speak up, we will have more access in the future, if we do not speak up, we will not have access, period. Can each of you please take 15 minutes and write a simple letter (addresses below) stating that you would like to see more access for mountain bikes in the Green Mountain National Forest, specifically on the Oak Ridge and Chandler Ridge Trails (believe me, they are excellent trails, I'll lead a ride there once we get them legalized). I hope you can help with this. Thanks, Patrick

Patrick D. Kell
Executive Director
Vermont Mountain Bike Association
1949 East Main Street Richmond, VT 05477
802-434-3969 x 112
www.vmba.org


The Forest is requesting comments before April 21, 2008 on the best trails to provide such uses. Postal, hand-delivered, oral, electronic and facsimile (FAX) comments on the proposal will be accepted. Postal comments and hand-delivered comment can be submitted to the Rochester Ranger District, 99 Ranger Road, Rochester, VT 05767, the Manchester Ranger District 2538 Depot Road, Manchester, VT 05255, or the Middlebury Ranger District, 1007 Route 7 South, Middlebury VT 05753. Oral comments or questions about the project can be directed to David Harloff, North Zone Trails Manager, at (802) 767-4261 ext. 530, or Doug Reeves, South Zone Trails Manager at (802) 362-2307 ext 224. The office hours for those submitting oral or hand-delivered comments are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), Word (.doc) or Portable Document Format (.pdf), to comments-eastern-green-mt-finger-lakes-middlebury@fs.fed.us. Comments must have an identifiable name attached or verification of identity will be required.

TNR Organizational Meeting

The 37th Annual Tuesday Night Ride Organizational Meeting will be held at the Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro, on March 18th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please come prepared with a ride or two or three that you want to lead (A, B, or C pace).

Google Maps and Bicycles

Hello Everyone,
Please sign this:
We are asking Google Maps to incorporate a bike travel as an equal option to automotive and bus transportation.
This would be very cool and useful, especially with the new tracing algorithms they have recently implemented.
Pass it around to all the cyclists you know. Google responds quite well to these things.

Link.

--
Sincerely,
Aaron Goss Owner & Master Mechanic

Aaron's Bicycle Repair
6521 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98136

(206) 938-9795 Fax(206) 923-1597

RideYourBike.com

Earth 1st, People 2nd, Profit 3rd!
(Saving the Earth = Saving Humanity! A profit driven society (capitalism)
cannot survive indefinitely on the planet earth. Continued 'economic growth'
will only deplete our planet's finite resources. We all must use fewer
resources AND energy. The bicycle is one great way!)

Recommended Races in April

Upcoming recommended road races and criteriums in April:

Chris Hinds Memorial Criterium, Charlestown, RI, April 12th: register.


Turtle Pond Circuit Race, Loudon, NH, April 13th: register.



Tour of the Battenkill, Salem, NY, April 19th: register.

Do you recognize this PBC racer from the 2007 race?



February 4, 2008

Salem, NY - Organizers of the 2008 Tour
of the Battenkill (tourofthebattenkill.com) are proud to announce that the total number of registrants for the 2008 race in Salem, NY has reached 1,000 with more than 10 weeks to go. Already the largest Pro/Am race on the East Coast in 2007, the race is now primed to approach 1500 racers by race day, April 19. Hosted by local Junior's cycling team Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) in cooperation with the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com), the Tour of the Battenkill is in only it's 4th year, but drew from more than 25 States and Canada in 2007. Proceeds from the event will benefit Farm Team Cycling and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.



Sturbridge Road Race, Fiskdale, MA, April 26th: register.


Palmer Library Road Race, Warren, MA, April 27th: register.