Oct 2007
LOCAL SPONSORED RIDES
See you when Biking Season re-opens.
Don't forget the FALL TOUR
LOCAL GROUP RIDES
Our area is blessed with many Road-Bike Riding Clubs. Since our goal is to promote biking as a sport and leisure activity, many of the clubs send us their schedules, which we share on our Web Site.
If your club would like to share its schedule, please forward it to Doug Depew at
BikeNwalk@comcast.net
.
Your Participation is Important
Please write a short note to your Alderman and tell them you support the efforts of the Hendersonville Greenways Committee. Find list at www.hvilletn.org/aldermen.aspx.
The Hendersonville Greenway Committee, which was re-established as a sub-committee of the Hendersonville Tomor-row Committee, has been in existence for a year. However, many of the members of the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee have been active since 1999 when the initial Master Plan for Hendersonville was compiled. Our mission is to promote, advocate, and assist City Leaders in the development for safe corridors for walking and biking for citizens of all ages. In pursuit of that objective Greenways are the best alternative, assuring the tranquility and recreational benefits of environmentally responsible green space for the greatest number of people.
For more information and to sign up to receive this newsletter, contact Doug Depew at BikeNwalk@comcast.net
Visit our Web Site at http://bikinhville.homestead.com. You can find past newsletters there.
BikeNwalk Newsletter is edited, often written, and distributed by Tom Evans (tom@evanscenter.com)
RIDE SAFELY - It's the Law
PARK RANGERS
Mayor Scott Foster placed city Parks Director Dave LeMarbre on paid administrative leave for one week earlier this month directing him to use the time to find ways to improve the city's troubled park ranger department. Foster placed LeMarbre on leave for the first week of September, telling him he wanted the parks director to use the time off to think of ways to get the parks ranger division on track.
Bike Routes in and around Hendersonville
Red Boiling Springs Fall Tour
The sun doesn't rise until almost 7A and its setting around 6:30P. That doesn't leave much time riding before or after work. However, before you relegate yourself to spin class at the Y, the FOGBEES have one final season wrap-up - the Fall Tour planned and led by Bruce Day with an open invitation to anyone wanting to join them. This 120-mile overnight excursion leaves Big Looy's in the old Walmart Shopping Center in Hendersonville and leisurely peddles to Red Boiling Springs,TN. Non-cycling significant others are encouraged to meet bikers at the Donoho Hotel in Red Boiling Springs. If you are interested please email Bruce Day (bruday@comcast.com) orTom Evans (tom@evanscenter.com) so we can develop a contact list for any change in plans. Click here for more details.
The number one reason my non-cycling friends give for not riding their bikes is the lack of a safe place to ride. With a few exceptions Hendersonville is a cycle friendly city. Over the next few newsletters we plan to give readers some suggested cycleable routes right in our area. There will be traffic but all safety studies indicate that cycling is still very safe and cars seldom strike cyclists. Click here to download excellent safe cycling guidelines.
Getting to most of the rides will involve cycling along Main Street, variously known as US 31E, Gallatin Road, Johnny Cash Parkway and that *!%$# busy road. Don't be put off by the heavy traffic because except for the section from New Shackle to Sanders Ferry, Main has very good shoulders. I have cycled along Main for fifteen years and have never had a near miss while I was on the shoulder proceeding in the proper direction. Crossing Main can require some patience, but can also be done safely. So don't let Main Street keep you pinned in your neighborhood. This month I've added the Indian Lake Loop. It is ten miles, is the best and safest route in Hendersonville for a beginning cyclist to follow, is marked with Share the Road signs, and has NO hills and minimal traffic.
... Bruce Day
HAPPENINGS WITH WALK/BIKE NASHVILLE
On Tuesday October 16'th Walk/Bike Nashville held their 9'th Annual Meeting reviewing the progress they made in the last nine years and presenting their course for the next year, which focuses on advocacy, awareness, and education. It was attended by Nashville's new mayor, Karl Dean. In a brief presentation he committed his administration to continuing with the fine example set by Mayor Purcell to make Nashville a walkable, bikeable, livable community, who in his eight year term expanding Nashville's Bikeways from ZERO to over eighty miles. The new mayor added, "I try to get on a bike myself and my assistant mayor owns a bike shop."
The highlight of the evening was the review of the outstanding success of the Tour de Nash now in its fourth year and aimed to introduce Nashville's Greenways, Bikeways, and Walkways to the residents. Last year they saw 44% growth and over a thousand enthusiastic participants of all ages and it is becoming the major family event of the City.
Shannon Hornsby, Executive Director, presented the organization's Strategic Plan and talked about its outreach into the schools and education on bike safety (see Web Site 3Feet-TN.ORG). In the social hour Bruce Day and Tom Evans talked with Leslie Thompson, Metro Regional Planner and lead on the Safe Routes to School Program in our area, about setting up a pilot program for Indian Lake Elementary School. (we suggested this school because of its relatively safe location for kids to walk and bike and because of its progressive school administration). Leslie was enthusiastic about establishing pilot programs in cities neighboring Nashville and volunteered her assistance. The program provides grant money to the school. Before we can begin we need a volunteer to coordinate with the school and champion the program. Please volunteer by forwarding yourself to Tom at (tom@evanscenter.com) or David Hardin at the Bike Shop.
2007 JACK 'n BACK
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Middle Tennessee did a great job on the 2007 Jack ‘n Back Charity Ride. The well-organized event attracted 710 riders from 12 states who collected contributions of $496,755 by Saturday, October 6’th. Starting at Page High School in Franklin Tennessee, participants rode seventy-eight (78) miles through Tennessee hills to Motlow State Community College near the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the primary sponsor. Then after a brief evening rest, they turned around and rode back to Page High School.
Volunteers lined the route clanking bells, blowing horns, and cheering the cyclists as they passed. They also served drinks and energy food at five rest stops and offered words of encouragement and praise to those often feeling too sore or tired to continue.
David Hardin & Bikers Choice fixin' bikes & one of hundreds of volunteers that make this event a huge success
LEGS FOR LINDSEY
On September 8 & 9, Frank Bowyer participating in the Cox MS150 Atlanta Challenge, which included 1100 cyclist from 16 states and over 500 volunteers. This 21st annual MS150 event beat last year's fundraising amount of $985,000 and has a goal of over $1 million. Most of this money stays in the Georgia chapter and help people with MS with counseling, transportation services, medical equipment, and research. Franks's younger sister, Lindsey, who lives in Atlanta, has MS. For the third year she captained the "Legs for Lindsey" team comprised of family and friends. The team raised $2,400 and hopes to meet its goal of $3,000. In prior years, Lindsey has tried to participate, but has been unable to due to MS symptoms; however, this year, Lindsey completed each day's rides.
The event was hosted by Callaway Gardens and the course transverses through the rolling hills around Pine Mountain and then back up the mountain. The weather was beautiful and everyone on Legs for Lindsey team finished without incident.
One of Frank's teammates was David Crites who heads up the Georgiabikes.org web-site, a bicycle advocacy group on a much larger scale than the Hendersonville Greenways Committee. David lives this stuff! He "carpools" his two sons to/from their school on a tandem/tag-along combo. What a great example! David is Georgia's version of Bruce Day.
. . . Frank P. Bowyer, IV
Indian Like Village Greenway
The October 10'th issue of the Hendersonville Star News announced the Planning Commission approval of westside of Indian Lake Village with an extensive greenway system. In our May Newsletter we discussed the plans by Halo Properties for this development and have documented it as explained to us. If all of Halo's plans come to fruition, the design would be in compliance with safety and design requests from our Committee. As a point of information, the most impressive and impor-tant portions of the greenway are on the eastside, which have not yet been submitted to the Planning Commission.
Thornton Market Gallatin Road Frontage
In our September Newsletter we reported on the timely and supportive response from Mayor Foster to construction error in the frontage of Thorton Market on Gallatin Road that put a curb in the bike lane cutting it off and creating a traffic safety hazard for vehicles turning right from Saundersville Road onto Gallatin Road. Since it has been nearly seventy-five (75) days from when we notified and documented the problem to the city, Frank Bowyer asked the owners of Thornton Market about their progress to correct the problem. They reported that no one from the City has contacted them, but want to take action to resolve the issue.
Dear Frank, I appreciated the opportunity to meet you and work with you toward the shared goals of keeping Saundersville Road open and the surrounding neighborhoods well-served with convenient access. Strong partnerships between concerned neighbors and conscientious businesses can definitely have a positive impact on the community. Regarding the bike route that we discussed, I have submitted your concerns to our vice-president of construction and environmental affairs. I hope we can resolve the issue to your satisfaction. I look forward to seeing you again soon, if not on my next visit to Hendersonville then our next meeting with the legislative delegation and the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Very Truly Yours, Shawn Goodpaster
Dave LeMarbre does a great job of utilizing volunteer resources in the Community greatly augmenting his department for the benefit of Hendersonville. Although Jeremy Johnson provided a pretty good timeline on the park ranger development in his September 9'th article in the Hendersonville Star News, this craziness with the Park Rangers is confusing and we guess one has to be "on the inside" to know what has transpired.
Our parks have a vandalism problem that must be addressed, especially in Kids' Kingdom. Those of us who led that project are particularly concerned that the efforts of hundreds of volunteers be secured. We suspect that Dave acted to fix this problem, but the solution was outside the scope of his volunteer staff that he utilizes so well. That meant he had to rely on the expertise and leadership elsewhere in the City and apparently that has not served him as well.
BICYCLE SAFETY FOR KIDS
Every year, about 300,000 kids go to the emergency department because of bike injuries. Some of these injuries are so serious that children die, usually from head injuries. That is why this month we have a short list on bicycle safety for kids (and maybe some adults).
Always wear a bike helmet, even if you are going for a short ride. It should fit you properly and never wear a hat under your helmet. A bike helmet is not a toy. Don't throw it around. If your helmet is damaged in a fall replace it. If you're unsure of your helmet, show it to David at the Bike Shop.
Wear your helmet level and covering your forehead. Don't tip it backward. Always keep the straps fastened and snug enough that you can't pull or twist the helmet around on your head.
Ride a bike that is the right size. As you stand straddling the top bar of your bike with both feet flat on the ground, the space between you and the top bar should be 1 to 3 inches.
Other safety checks are:
• Make sure your seat, handlebars, and wheels fit tightly.
• Check your brakes to be sure they work well and aren't sticking.
• Check your tires to make sure they have enough air and the right amount of tire pressure.
Be sure other people on the road can see you. Wear bright clothes and put reflectors on your bike.
Wear the right clothes. Avoid loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces that could get caught in your bike chain.
Wear the right shoes. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels, and cleats won't grip the pedals. Never ride barefoot!
Don’t wear headphones. The music can distract you from hearing important sounds, such as a car blowing its horn.
Always get your parent’s approval for where you ride your bike and if you may ride on the street. Kids younger than 10 years should ride on the sidewalk. Even if you're riding on a sidewalk watch for cars and trucks pulling out of driveways into your path. Walk your bike when crossing a busy road.
If you are lucky and your town has Greenways with multi-use paths, they are great places to ride bikes. Just remember to share the path with the other riders, walkers, and strollers who also might be using it!
Keep an eye on the road for obstacles that can cause falls, such as:
• wet leaves
• big puddles
• changes in the road surface
• storm grates
• gravel or rocks
• curbs
• little kids in your way!
Follow these road rules, if you're allowed to ride on the street:
• Always ride with your hands on the handlebars.
• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, an alley, or a curb.
• Cross at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, drivers can't see you coming.
• Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals.
• Ride on the right-hand side of the street, in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.
• Use bike lanes or designated bike routes wherever you can.
• Don't ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly.
• Stop at all stop signs and obey street (red) lights just as cars do.
• Ride single file on the street with friends.
• When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side, and call out "On your left!" so they know that you are coming.
Biking for a Clean, Green Tennessee
Dear B.R.A.T. 2007 riders and others who live or bicycle in Tennessee:
You don't know me, but I'm one of you--a cyclist who loves the great Tennessee outdoors but hates flat tires.That's why, this coming Saturday, I'm heading off on an 800-mile bicycle ride around Tennessee to promote a piece of anti-litter/pro-recycling legislation known as the "bottle bill."
This is where the customer pays a deposit (5 cents in our bill) on soda, beer, bottled water and so on, and gets it back when he or she returns the empty container to a redemption site. (Our bill uses independent "redemption centers" to take back the empties, not grocery stores.)
Eleven states have container deposits, some of them since the early 1970s, and they have proved to be phenomenal litter-busters as well as great incentives to recycle. (The 11 bottle-bill states recycle more glass, plastic and aluminum beverage containers than the 29 other states combined. They also tend to have the highest overall recycling.)
Currently, Tennessee recycles only 10 percent of the 4.2 billion beverage containers we buy each year.
There's TONS more information at our website, www.tnbottlebill.org, as well as a downloadable map of my route. (Note that the date listed with each stopover town is for the date I'll be departing that town and heading for the next one.)
I'd like to invite all of you to take part in this venture in some way:
First, even though this is not really a group ride, I'm hoping that fellow cyclists will join me for segments of it, especially when I depart Nashville's Legislative Plaza on October 6 following a rally from 9 to 10 am. I believe small groups are also organizing to ride out of Murfreesboro, Memphis, Martin, Clarksville, Chattanooga and Johnson City. If you live in another town along the route and would like to get some friends together to join me--go for it. I'll usually head of the stopover towns between 8 and 9 am.
A few other notes:
1. I'll be riding on major roads, partly for the visibility but mainly for safety, as I'm hauling a bicycle trailer with a sign ("Biking for a Clean, Green Tennessee") and I don't want to become a road hazard.
2. I'll be riding at a very modest pace, averaging about 40 miles a day, with frequent stops to talk to voters, legislators and so on.
3. I'll be staying each night in private homes.
4. The mountain bike in the photo on the website is NOT the bike I'll be riding. (I just bought a Trek Portland.)
Even if you can't ride, you can still support the cause:
1. Tell your friends about this cause.
2. Tie a couple of plastic bottles to a GREEN ribbon, and hang them from your mailbox, on a tree limb, outside your office cubicle.
3. IF YOU LIVE IN TENNESSEE, CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS! (http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/). This bill will be decided by 132 people: the men and women of Tennessee's General Assembly. We already have 14 sponsors--a miracle in itself--and we can have many more if they hear that their constituents want them to vote for this bill.
4. Contact your local media,urging them to give news coverage to this ride.
5. Write a letter to the editor, expressing your support for the legislation.
6. Send me an e-mail asking to be added to our network of supporters. I send out periodic updates when the legislators are in session.
7. If you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Arkansas, Maryland or West Virginia, support THEIR bottle bills!
8. If you live in Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi or Alabama, call your legislators and suggest that they introduce their own bills. Every one of these states has introduced bottle bills in the past, and most are willing to do so again.
Thanks!
Marge Davis, Ph.D., Coordinator
PRIDE OF PLACE/Tennessee Bottle Bill Project, A project of Scenic Tennessee, Inc.
45 Burris Court, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
(615) 758-8647 home, (615) 754-0966 fax, (615) 294-2651 cell
margedavis@comcast.net
Hendersonville Endurance Athletic Team
Who are we? We’re the Hendersonville Endurance Athletic Team (HEAT). We’re people just like you…we have jobs and families….but we also share a passion for cycling, running, swimming, and staying active, fit, and healthy.
We want to help you meet – even exceed – your goals for next season.
We’re working to create a community of athletes spanning all abilities, goals, and endurance disciplines. Whether you’re just starting out – or you’re a competitive age-grouper, HEAT is the perfect group with whom to share, learn, and refine your abilities.
A team. A club. A Network.
When you’re a member of HEAT, you’re part of a team. We have a weekly workout schedule, attend races as both athletes and team support, and we get together socially (we have an awesome end-of-season / holiday party).
You’re never alone at a race when you’re part of the HEAT!
Sure, you can work out with anyone. But we’re not just anyone. Our members have taken part in everything from local 5k races to Master’s Swim meets to Ironman triathlons. Our depth of experience, willingness to help, and wealth of training opportuni-ties will keep you motivated, on track, and ready to race!
Beginners Welcome.
If you’re new to endurance sports, HEAT is the group for you.
Ever wanted to try a triathlon? Run a 5k, 10k, or even a marathon? Maybe open water swimming appeals to you. Or maybe you’re just someone who wants to get fit and live a healthy lifestyle.
You can do it! And we can help.
Every member in our group had to make the leap…from unsure beginner with a hundred questions…to race veteran with a thousand questions. We’ve been there and done that…and we can help you, whatever your goals.
Interested? For more information or to learn more:
Stop by the HEAT tent at the First Annual “Indian Lake Loop” on Thanksgiving Day!
Stop by the HEAT tent at the First Annual “Indian Lake Loop” on Thanksgiving Day! Visit or call Acme Multisports and ask for Mark Evans at (615) 855-1760
Visit or call Acme Multisports and ask for Mark Evans at (615) 855-1760. . . Marilyn Meyer
GALLATIN GREENWAYS
October 14’th marks the two year anniversary since Mike Goff, Gallatin Engineering Assistant, pulled together State, County, and City planners in the Town Hall meeting, Making the Connection with Greenways. Guest speakers were Mike Moulton, Sumner County Planning Director; David Utley, TDOT Bicycle Coordinator; Bob Richardson, State Greenway Governor’s Council; and Congressman Bart Gordon. Comments were offered from an audience of approximately fifty attendees from Hank Thompson, County Executive; Diane Black, State Senator; and Joyce Hoyle, Retired Director-Tennessee Parks. Bart Gordon had recently obtained funding for the County Greenway at Lower Station Camp Creek and for Gallatin Greenway projects. The County was collecting Impact Fees for the construction of a Greenway along Long Hollow Pike. Hendersonville had just formed the Bike and Pedestrian Sub-Committee of the Hendersonville Tomorrow Committee with promises of Two Million Dollars in Greenway funding. The discussions were progressive, enthusiastic, and promising for the future of an extensive Greenway System in our community. So what has happened?
Mike is no longer actively involved in promoting Gallatin Greenways and several members of the Citizen Advisor Committee have resigned. We are told Mayor Graves’ office is managing the Greenway Projects and has selected Architectural firm Kimley-Horn for planning. We have contacted Rosemary Bates on a couple of occasions for an update on their projects, but have received nothing. Mike says the City is ready to install bike lanes off Browns Lane, but as traffic calming and it seems to be working.
The Lower Station Camp Creek project team is working with the Wiser Company. They have run into difficulty with their original plans to dedicate the entire road to a Greenway, requiring re-rerouting, re-planning, and project costs that are significantly greater than the original funding. The last input we had is they plan to proceed with portions.
No Greenway construction has occurred or planned in the near future for Long Hollow Pike. Although marked as an official Bike Way, construction and other debris make it dangerous for that use and confrontations between bikers trying to avoid the mess and motor vehicles trying to avoid bikers have led to assaults and criminal prosecution.
The Bike and Pedestrian Sub-committee has never been able to locate the promised Hendersonville funding. They identified about a million in Transportation Enhancement Project funding but work has not proceeding in accordance to original 2003 Public Works proposals for use of that money.
In general the Hendersonville Greenways Committee is not optimistic about the future of publicly funded Greenway Projects. The best (and only) successes have resulting from private funding where the Hendersonville Planning Commission has worked with developers to include Greenway Systems within their proposals. We have lots of great plans, but are still waiting on that first spade full of dirt.
From: Al Wagner, President Harpeth Bicycle Club
Subject: [HBC Announcements] Williamson Co Commissioners Meeting, Safety, etc
Date: 11 Oct 2007
HBC Members,
As most of you know, either from seeing the article in Sunday's paper and subsequent articles today, or the buzz on the general email list, or actually saw the replay of the County Commissioners meeting on channel 3, the topic of bicycles on county roads, the rules that apply, and complaints about cyclists were on the agenda.
I was given the opportunity to speak at the meeting along with a motorist who presented his issues and samples of common complaints and another cyclist.
The good news, as indicated by a discussion the following day on "Commission in Review" by the Houston Naron Jr, Chairman of the Commission and the Rogers Anderson, County Mayor, is that they acknowledge that we have a right to use the roads, they have no intention of limiting access, they are primarily concerned about safety, they understand that not all cyclist break the rules, not all of the "bad cyclists" are members of the Harpeth Bike Club, that there is a 3-foot rule requiring cars to give us at least 3 feet when passing, and that there are also motorists who do not follow the rules.
The bad news is that there have been numerous complaints about cyclists, many of them warranted. All cyclist do NOT follow all of the rules of the road as we are required to do. Two major ones are 1) stopping at stop signs and stop lights and 2) riding in such a manner as to not impede the flow of traffic. The law allows us to ride no more than two abreast, and only if we are not impeding the flow of traffic. If there are cars behind us, we must ride single file.
The club officers are working on solutions to this and there will be further communication in the near future. We have received numerous ideas from our members, all very good, some more enforceable than others. All suggestions are welcomed, but just send them to me, in lieu of copying the entire list and filling everyone's email box.
While we would all like to fix the motorist side of the problem, and we will try to do what we can, the first item is to insure each of you are riding in a safe and legal manner. Be aware of your surroundings, use a mirror to know what's behind you, work with motorists to get them around you safely, ride single file when required, stop at stop signs, do NOT pass cars who are stopped at stop lights only to have them pass you again, and try to avoid the problem roads (no shoulder, high traffic, no passing spots, etc)
Thanks for being a safe, legal, and considerate cyclist. More info will be forthcoming.
MOTORIST COMPLAINTS ON COUNTY ROADS
The following letter was submitted to our attention by Barbara Loudermilk. Although it is addressed to the Harpeth Bike Club and Williamson County, this problem is universal.
OBNOXIOUS BIKER BEHAVIOR
[This] reminds me of a conversation I had with Joey Holland on our Saturday ride. I'm not sure if you heard of this but the Franklin, TN city commission recently heard arguments for restricting cyclists on their roads. There is a war brewing in Williamson Co between motorists and cyclists. The cyclists are blocking roads and motorists are fed up with it. Whatever resolution before the board on which comment was argued did not get passed, but I fear it will rear its ugly head again in the future with more power from motorists.
I tried to drive through Leiper's Fork on a Saturday morning to meet up with a group on the Natchez Trace Parkway. I got caught behind (what I assume was) the Harpeth Club's ride groups. There were literally hundreds of cyclists strung out over a 5-10 mile stretch. Some rode single file, which made passing easy and safe, others blocked the road, riding up to 3 abreast, which made passing either impossible or unsafe.
Short honks of the horn went largely ignored, although in some cases, the cyclist would turn around and look right at me and then ignore me, which really pissed me off because I was starting to run late meeting my group due to this unforeseen blockage. Even with a bicycle on top of my car, the cyclists continued to block the road, not letting even a fellow cyclist through. I can see how a non-cyclist would be fed up, particularly someone who lives in the area and has to deal with this type of situation frequently. Even as a cyclist, I was fed up because it's not fair that a few ignorant [expletive deleted] on bikes screw it up for the rest of us; in fact, I was ready to pull over and give a few of these ignorant jerks a piece of my mind (but fearing assault charges, I bit my upper lip and proceeded with caution).
But, the cyclists had no shoulder, no bike lane area, the over-developed roads are narrow and not adequate for the increasing vehicular traffic caused by increasing development. I see Hendersonville being in this same situation in about 5-10 more years as we become more and more developed and more and more "white-collar." This makes our goal even more important now so we can be pro-active in moving cyclists out of the way. I still want greenways for me and my kids, but as a "high-speed" cyclist (although the speed is starting to slow down...) I still want shared space on our roads; for me, for bike commuters like Bruce and other "nuts" who dare to travel our roads on a bike (like Tom and Jamie! ha!).
. . . Frank P. Bowyer, IV
