Ride to the Community Service

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Here’s an opportunity for a Sunday bike outing prior to the GABBF gathering at Centre College. We’ll enjoy our most popular and scenic route, and then roll into town together to worship with the community. Because this is a promoted event offered to fans of The Great American Brass Band Festival, there may be some out-of-town guests joining us. Let’s make this a memorable ride, sharing with visitors the beauty of our county and the hospitality of local bicyclists.

• 7:30 am — Bicyclists gather for departure at Danville Bike and Footwear, Main Street
• 9 to 9:15 am — Bicyclists arrive back downtown at Centre College
• 9:30 am — Community worship service begins at main stage, Centre campus

Course: Over the viaduct and out to the beautiful countryside of Boyle County. A rolling course with several medium hills. About 14-15 miles. Experienced leaders will help divide the group into desired levels of pace.

• Main St / Perryville Rd / Bluegrass Pk / Gentry Ln / Dry Branch.
• Turn around at Dry Branch Baptist Church; return along same route.
• Faster riders may go to the end of Dry Branch (Add about 7 miles).

Safety: Participant responsibility
Medical Emergencies: Call 911
Breakdowns: Participant responsibility, but others will try to help.
Traffic Control: None; this is a typical on-your-own road ride.
Weather: Ride will take place if dry, with no lightning in the area.

For more information: Contact John Dixon or Ernst Crown-Weber

2009 “Ride Around the Block”

Message from Dan:

Hey Gang,

It’s almost time again for the Ride Around the Block – Sunday, 1 Feb 2008.

Should we make this a big year for the ride and make an extra effort to get everyone out? “C” Group? Bring in Bluegrass Cycling Club and more? Get the word out to the bike stores in Louisville & Lex?

We could offer a third route for the street bikers using the Forkland road and the road that leads to Penn’s Store. That bypasses the gravel and mud on Elk Cave and Minors Branch.

Start at 2 pm or earlier?

Anyone that rides gets to eat what ever they want during the Super Bowl.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!!!!!

Dan

Message from Ernst:

Hi to All,

Dan, thanks for bringing up the ride around the block. You are free to organize it to any level you wish, however my vote would be to keep it simple and spontaneous as in past years. Due to the weather conditions, this thing is always tentative up to ride time. I would hate to put expectations and responsibility for an extended group of folks that we don’t know, on anyone’s shoulders. I would prefer to keep it local word of mouth and intimate knowledge that each person is responsible for their own safety. Just my thoughts.

I hope the weather is reasonable and I hope to be there!

Thanks again for your enthusiasm and inclusiveness!

Ernst

Mark calendars for the Pound & Pedal!

Saturday, August 30
8 am, Gwinn Island Circle

Multiple options for the 20-mile course:

• Classic teamwork— two people plus two
wheels, alternating five-mile legs.

• Run five miles and pick up your bike
at the water stop; ride the final 15.

• Time-trial the full 20 miles and clock
your five-mile splits.

• Put together a group and ride the
course at a recreational pace.

• Anything else you can think up!

• Or just show up around ten-ish with a
covered dish; enjoy the social hour
and a friendly pot-luck meal.

For more information or to find a teammate,
contact Ernst Crown-Weber, 859-238-7669,
or visit Danville Bike and Footwear.

Ride Before the Community Service

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Here’s an opportunity for a Sunday bike outing prior to the GABBF gathering at Centre College. We’ll enjoy our most popular and scenic route, and then roll into town together to worship with the community. Because this is a promoted event offered to fans of The Great American Brass Band Festival, there may be some out-of-town guests joining us. Let’s make this a memorable ride, sharing with visitors the beauty of our county and the hospitality of local bicyclists.

• 7:30 am — Bicyclists gather at the parking lot next to City Hall, Main Street
• 9 to 9:15 am — Bicyclists arrive back downtown at Centre College
• 9:30 am — Community worship service begins at main stage, Centre campus

Course: Over the viaduct and out to the beautiful countryside of Boyle County. A rolling course with several medium hills. About 14-15 miles. Experienced leaders will help divide the group into desired levels of pace.

• Main Street / Perryville Road / Bluegrass Pike / Gentry Lane / Dry Branch
• Turn around at Dry Branch Baptist Church and return along same route.
• Faster riders may go on to the end of Dry Branch (Add about 7 miles).

Safety: Participant responsibility
Medical Emergencies: Call 911
Breakdowns: Participant responsibility, but others will try to help.
Traffic Control: None; this is a typical on-your-own road ride.
Weather: Ride will take place if dry, with no lightning in the area.

For more information: Contact John Dixon or Ernst Crown-Weber

B.I.K.E. recommendations presented at Forum

A large group of participants from a wide spectrum of community organizations met last night at the Trails Forum sponsored by CREEC and hosted by the Boyle County Extension Service. The two-hour session was jam-packed with informative, motivational content. It lays the foundation for developing a comprehensive, multi-modal master plan that includes alternative transportation routes and shared-use paths and trails.

Please use these links to review the final recommendations from B.I.K.E. and the maps that go with them:

Trails Forum Recommendations — PDF format

Trails Forum Powerpoint Presentation — large file

Map One — B.I.K.E. Priority Corridors — JPEG format

Map Two — Urban Connecting Corridors — JPEG format

Map Three — Boyle County Corridors — JPEG format

Map Four — Ky-2168 Connector Trails — JPEG format

Map Five — Midland Kentucky Tour — JPEG format

Map Six — Popular Bicycling Routes — JPEG format

Gather for the Trails Forum

This event is shaping up to be an important milestone toward our shared goals. Reflecting a broad, long-term outlook, our B.I.K.E. recommendations emphasize a comprehensive view that includes more than trails (as beneficial as their construction may be). In addition to identifying appropriate locations for recreational trails, we encourage planners to look at other improvements to the transportation system, including paved shoulders on rural roads, striped bike lanes or wide curb lanes on urban streets, shared-lane pavement markings, new signage, and separate multi-use paths where feasible.

Click to download our recommendations.

Click to download the reference maps.

We’ve been working on these ideas for nearly two years, so let’s have a big turnout Tuesday evening in support of a more bicycle friendly Boyle County.

2008 “RATB” a huge success

The annual “Ride Around the Block” in the Forkland knobs enjoyed a record turnout, thanks to the mild weather. As usual, the winter mountain-bike event took place on Super Sunday, and there was even a group of road riders who came down for the start (just in time for a great photo by Milton Scarborough). According to legend, the four-knob excursion was founded years ago by Mark Morgan, and, like many local fitness traditions, the exact origins have been obscured by the mists of time. We’ll leave all that to the historians. The rest of us just welcome the excuse to shake the cabin fever and take on a few of the most challenging road climbs in the region. A tip of the helmet to Dan Wells and Ernst Crown-Weber for their promotional efforts on behalf of a fun ride.

Preliminary notes for Trails Forum

B.I.K.E. will prepare recommendations for the upcoming Trails Forum sponsored by C.R.E.E.C. The following notes will provide the basis for discussion at the next B.I.K.E. meeting on February 19. Please share your ideas and comments.

Primary highway corridors within Danville city center, previously identified for bike/ped accommodations

• CORRIDOR ONE — US-150 / Perryville Road — Viaduct to By-Pass (SRTS enhancements pending)
• CORRIDOR TWO — Ky-34 / Lexington Road — Wilderness Road to proposed Ky-2168 By-Pass connector
• CORRIDOR THREE — Ky-34 / Lebanon Road — Perryville Road intersection to By-Pass
• CORRIDOR FOUR — Ky-33 / Burgin Road — Downtown to existing Ky-2168 By-Pass connector
• CORRIDOR FIVE — US-127 / Hustonville Road — Downtown to By-Pass
• CORRIDOR SIX — US-150 / Stanford Road — Downtown to By-Pass

Primary corridors within city center with potential for shared-use path or trail

• CONNECTORS TO CLARK’S RUN TRAIL —
Goal: seek funding for integration of Clark’s Run access with other community assets.
a) Downtown Danville to eastern leg of Clark’s Run Trail via Town Branch / KSD
b) Millennium Park to western leg of Clark’s Run Trail via RR property / Perryville Road
c) Industrial Park to western leg of Clark’s Run Trail via Lebanon Road

• CONNECTORS TO MILLENNIUM PARK TRAIL —
Goal: seek funding for integration of Millennium Park access with other community assets.
a) Wellness District to Park Trail via Man-O-War Boulevard / Fairgrounds
b) Clark’s Run Trail to Park Trail via RR property / Perryville Road (same as “b” above)

Primary corridors outside city center with potential for shared-use path or trail (“Healthway”)

• PROPOSED Ky-2168 CONNECTOR (Ky-33 to Ky-34) —
Goal: ensure construction of separate “Healthway” when connector is built by state highway district.
• EXISTING Ky-2168 CONNECTOR (US-127 to Ky-33) —
Goal: seek funding now for extension of “Healthway” concurrent with construction of new connector.
• INDUSTRIAL PARK FRONTAGE — Ky-34 / Lebanon Road —
Goal: seek funding for a “Healthway” that extends from By-Pass to Corporate Drive.
• DANVILLE TO DOWNTOWN JUNCTION CITY —
Long-term plan: a “Healthway” that extends from Lebanon Road to Alum Springs Cross Pike to the abandoned rail line that runs along Alum Springs Road / Ky-300 to downtown Junction City.
• DOWNTOWN PERRYVILLE TO BATTLEFIELD —
Long-term plan: a “Healthway” that extends from downtown Perryville along Ky-1920 to the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.

Alert to all bicycling advocates:

The summary from our September 18th discussion at InterCounty Energy is now posted here at B.I.K.E. buzz.

Please note the “Year In Review” link in the right column. It takes you to a page with the summary.

You’re invited to set up a free WordPress account and make comments about this “Year In Review” report, as well as any item posted below.

Please become a participant in our forum. We need to have an active dialog in this space, because none of us wants to have more meetings on our schedule. Unless we pull our ideas and energy together, we won’t achieve the “critical mass” necessary to make our community more “bike friendly.” And make no mistake about it—it’s not just about cycling. More shared-use paths and trails are good for runners, walkers, bladers, and the disabled, too!

As a reminder to all, here are the simple steps to get involved:

To register now as a contributor at B.I.K.E. buzz:

1) Click here to set up a free WordPress account.

2) Create a username as you prefer to be identified on-line.

3) Designate “Just a username, please.”

4) After you register, you can use the “comments” feature.

Let everyone know what you think of the “Year In Review.”

Be sure to attend this key discussion!

Next meeting of B.I.K.E. | Boyle County
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
6:15 – 7:45 pm, Inter-County Energy, Danville

B.I.K.E. | Boyle County has an open discussion planned for this Tuesday at the Community Room in the Inter-County Energy building. Participants will focus an action-oriented agenda to move forward with high-priority projects.

This is an important meeting for everyone interested in helping the community become more accommodating to bicyclists, runners, walkers, and exercisers.

For more information, please call John Dixon at 859-238-9498.

City to move on B.I.K.E.-endorsed projects

Many of us have been pushing for cleaner, safer highway shoulders in Boyle County. Josh Morgan, Danville’s assistant city engineer, tells us that money to purchase the shoulder brusher is approved. He’s currently examining various equipment options to decide which is best. We also expect that this coming Monday the city will give final approval to the “Corridor One” Safe Routes to School project, bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly improvements that will proceed west from the viaduct past the park entrance to the by-pass.

We must urge our friends at City Hall to make sure that these Perryville Road enhancements are constructed as originally proposed.

Mark calendars for the Pound & Pedal!

Saturday, September 1st
8 am, Gwinn Island Circle

Multiple options for the 20-mile course:

• Classic teamwork— two people plus two
wheels, alternating five-mile legs.

• Run five miles and pick up your bike
at the water stop; ride the final 15.

• Time-trial the full 20 miles and clock
your five-mile splits.

• Put together a group and ride the
course at a recreational pace.

• Anything else you can think up!

• Or just show up around ten-ish with a
covered dish; enjoy the social hour
and a friendly pot-luck meal.

For more information or to find a teammate,
contact Ernst Crown-Weber, 859-238-7669,
or visit Danville Bike and Footwear.

Recent Ride Numbers

Interested in a few numbers from some recent Wednesday evening rides? Hot temperatures, but good participation!

8-15-07 (air temp over 100 degrees at the start)
A/2 — B/5 — C/7

8-8-07 (air temp in the 90s)
A/2 — B/13 — C/?

8-1-07
A/7 — B/17 — C/7

7-25-07
A/? — B/11 — C/7

7-18-07
A/7 — B/7 — C/?

7-11-07
A/8 — B/7 — C/12

“Sharrows” deployed after tragedy

Many of you have heard about the death in Louisville of Chips Cronen, bike commuter and popular cycling advocate. The loss has energized a city already dedicated to improved safety and greater bicycle friendliness.

Courier-Journal — Sunday, August 12, 2007

Courier-Journal — Thursday, August 9, 2007

Courier-Journal — Saturday, July 28, 2007

Upcoming rides and events

Sunday, August 12, 2007
Bardstown to Berea Century Ride — relaxed pace
Contact Ernst Crown-Weber for details: 859-238-7669

Sunday, August 12, 2007
“Bridge to a Bike-Friendly Louisville” Memorial Ride
A tribute to Chips Cronen — suitable for all bicyclists
Sponsored by the Louisville Bicycle Club
Contact Eric Sellers for details: 859-216-8248
Free T-shirt to the first 1,000 riders.

Saturday, September 1, 2007
Annual “Pound & Pedal”
8 am — The route and parameters will stay the same.
Contact Ernst Crown-Weber for details: 859-238-7669

September 8–9, 2007
Tour de London 2007 — USA Cycling sanctioned
KY State Road Race & Criterium Championships — More details

Saturday, September 15–16, 2007
Bike Trek to Shakertown
Organized annually by the American Lung Association
Steve’s Fundraising Page

Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Kentucky Senior Olympics —50 years of age and over
10 am, 5K time trial (flat) — 2 pm, 20K road race (very hilly)
Ashland, Kentucky — Calendar and more event info

Pace line, anyone?

Congratulations, group!
B.I.K.E. | Boyle County has received a “thumbs up” from the Advocate-Messenger editorial page. Now, let’s get this discussion forum up and running (or perhaps I should say, cranking).

Alert—Public Hearing for Comp-Plan Update

Attend the Planning and Zoning meeting this Thursday evening (6:30 pm, Danville City Hall). Express your opinion about the future of Boyle County and its home communities. Indicate your support for a strong bicycle-friendly vision.

What is your vision?

This chart from America Bikes indicates that Kentucky has been apportioned quite a few dollars for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Danville and Boyle County can become the model for smaller cities in predominantly rural counties throughout the Commonwealth, if we lead the way with:

• A strong vision for a more bikable and walkable community
• Grassroots support for shared-use infrastructure and recreational trails
• Comprehensive monetary requests based on well-defined projects
• A unified effort by local leaders to push for our fair share of funding

Let’s use this forum at B.I.K.E. buzz to talk about the kinds of projects and facilities we envision. Based on the various resources and programs available, we can simultaneously work on multiple concepts with an array of desirable enhancements. What does your “wish list” look like?

“Corridor One” project funded

The Governor presented the city of Danville with a $200,000 check to fund a “Safe Routes to School” project that affects several local area schools including Toliver Elementary, Woodlawn Elementary, Boyle County Middle School and Boyle County High School. B.I.K.E. | Boyle County members defined the project in late 2006 as the top-priority “corridor” project, and then worked closely with the City Manager to frame the grant application as a SRTS request. Danville’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to direct city staff to pursue the funds. The Transportation Cabinet anticipates the project’s completion by late 2007.

Read more about the grant announcement at the SRTS Website.

Download the project proposal — prepared by B.I.K.E. as a service to the community (PDF, approximately 225 KB).

Welcome to B.I.K.E. buzz — a public forum

This interactive space is devoted to promoting new ideas and
easy communication within our community of cycling advocates.
Ladies and Gentlemen— What are we waiting for?