Thursday, June 25, 2009

Wyss wins 2009 RAAM

Swiss cyclist Dani Wyss has won the 2009 Race Across America men's under-50 solo division. Wyss arrived in Annapolis, Md., at 9:25 p.m. today, completing 3,021.3 miles of cycling in 8 days, 5 hours and 45 minutes. His average speed was 15.29 mph.

Going into the final day, Wyss had been embroiled in a duel with defending champ Jure Robic. However, the 60 minutes of penalties Robic has accumulated over the course of the race were too much for Robic to overcome.

Gerhard Gulewicz of Austria appears to be on his was to third place in the under-50 division. he has made it as far as La Vale, Md.

Daniela Figueiredo Genovesi continues to maintain her lead in the women's under-50 division. She's made it as far as though Blanchester, Ohio, while Janet Christiansen has made it to Oxford, Ohio.

Labels: RAAM

Roger 0 comments 9:13 PM

Cross-country bicyclist killed in accident

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that a 65-year-old man who was riding his bicycle from California to Washington, D.C., to protest government bailouts was killed Sunday by a suspected drunken driver in a hit-and-run crash on U.S. 50 near Carlyle, Ill.

Jim Gafney left his home in Chula Vista, Calif., on April 27 for his "Mad As Hell Bike Ride Across U.S." with the goal of hand-delivering a petition opposing government bailouts to lawmakers sometime in July. Gafney had completed about two-thirds of his 3,000-mile ride, and collected about 500 signatures, before he was killed about 12:40 a.m. Sunday.

The newspaper reported Gafney spent Saturday near Lebanon, and most likely was riding at night to avoid the heat. He was on U.S. 50 at Diamond Springs Road -- about 60 miles east of St. Louis -- when he was struck by a 1997 Nissan Altima driven by Leon K. Marcum, 27, of Centralia, according to Illinois State Police.

Marcum told police he was driving over a hill and saw Gafney, but was not able to stop. He left the scene and later was arrested near Sandoval.Marcum was charged with aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of a fatal crash and failure to reduce speed. He was being held Wednesday at the Clinton County Jail on $100,000 bail.

The San Diego Union-Tribune account of the accident also quoted Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Chris Trame as saying U.S. 50 in that area is just two lanes with no shoulder, Trame said. He described it as “pretty isolated” and “not well lit.”

“We were so worried. We begged him not to go But he had a mission and he was determined to make that dream come true," Gafney's daughter, Colleen Uhden of Temecula, Calif., told the Union-Tribune about her father's decision to ride in the middle of the night instead of throu

The Southwest Free Press, a publication that was supporting Gafney's ride, hopes to complete Gafney's goal of getting 500 to 1,000 bicyclists to ride to Washington and hand-deliver the petition against the bailout to lawmakers.

Here's the last video Gafney posted on YouTube before he died:

Labels: advocacy, bicycling, fatal accidents, Illinois

Roger 0 comments 9:57 AM

RAAM: Robic's in trouble

Four-time Race Across America winner Jure Robic is looking rather vulnerable going into what likely is the final day of racing for the two leaders in the men's under-50 division.

Robic arrived in in Grafton, W.Va., at midnight EDT Wednesday, but Dani Wyss arrived in Grafton just five minutes later.

Given that Robic already has amassed an hour in penalties -- two 15-minute penalties and one 30-minute penalty -- while Wyss has no penalties, Robic is going to have to ride strong and hard today to defend his title.

Robic is projected to cross the finish line in Annapolis, Md., at 8:30 p.m. EDT today, with Wyss projected at finishing at 8:35. That, of course, means Wyss, a Swiss rider, would win the men's solo division because of Robic's time penalties.

Over on the women's side, Brazilian Daniela Figueiredo Genovesi and American Janet Christiansen are dueling out. Both made it through Illinois on Wednesday. Genovesi arrived in Sullivan, Ind., at 10:26 p.m. CDT Wednesday, while Christiansen arrived at 11:14 p.m. Genovesi has 30 minutes of penalties, compared with none for Christiansen.

There are plenty of competitors and teams still making their way through the St. Louis region. One solo male and one solo female competitor have yet to reach the Mississippi River near Alton, Ill., while there were 24 teams that still were either at or still approaching the river.

My hat's off to anyone who's able to ride for so long in such oppressive heat and humidity levels we've had the past few days in the St. Louis area. My hat's also off to the volunteers at the time stations and elsewhere who are putting in long hours for the cause.

Labels: RAAM

Roger 0 comments 12:27 AM

Monday, June 22, 2009

RAAM arrives in St. Louis area

Four-time Race Across America champion Jure Robic once again led the long, lonely parade of ultramarathon cyclists into the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Robic, a solider in the Slovenian army, arrived in Washington, Mo., at 5:59 p.m. CDT today and is making his way to the Mississippi River. He's expected to arrive at the river just across from Alton, Ill., about 10:30 p.m. and Greenville, Ill., about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday.

Dani Wyss will be the next one in. He arrived in Jefferson City, Mo., at 2:45 p.m.

Labels: RAAM

Roger 0 comments 6:40 PM

RAAM leaders expected in St. Louis area today

UPDATED: If you're in the St. Louis area and want to catch a glimpse of the two leaders of the men's division of the Race Across America, today's probably the day.

Four-time champion Jure Robic made it to Jefferson City, Mo., at 12:50 p.m. CDT today, and Dani Wyss arrived in Camdenton, Mo., at 11:15 a.m. today.

If they continue at their current pace, Robic will arrive in Washington, Mo., about 5:30 p.m. today, at the Mississippi River just across from Alton, Ill., about 10 p.m. and Greenville, Ill., shortly about 12:50 a.m. Tuesday. Wyss is expected to arrive in Washington about 7:40 p.m., the Mississippi River at 12:14 a.m. Tuesday and Greenville at 3:08 a.m. Tuesday.

Janet Christiansen continues to lead the women's solo race. She arrived in El Dorado, Kan., at 12:54 p.m. today. She's predicted to arrive in Washington about 9:43 p.m. Tuesday, the Mississippi River about 6:06 a.m. Wednesday and Greenville about 9:09 a.m Wednesday.

In between, many of the teams that started RAAM on Saturday will be catching up with the individual riders.

Keep in mind these times are based on estimates made by RAAM officials and are subject to change. The estimates on the RAAM site are in Eastern time, while I've changed them to Central time.

In case you're interested in seeing the racers, the Washington time station is on Missouri Route 100 just west of Missouri Route 47. They will proceed across the Missouri River through Dutzow, New Melle, Wentzville and O'Fallon before hitting the flatlands of St. Charles County to West Alton. The Mississippi River time station is at a service station just south of the Clark Bridge leading to Alton. Once in Illinois, they will take Illinois Route 140 through Alton, Bethalto, Hamel and Alhambra before getting to Greenville. The Greenville time station is at the intersection of Illinois Route 127 and U.S. 40.

Labels: RAAM, racing

Roger 0 comments 1:30 PM

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Don't forget about Tour de WingHaven

If you're looking for some hot Father's Day bicycle racing, come out tomorrow to the Tour de WingHaven in O'Fallon, Mo.

The Tour de WingHaven is sanctioned by USA Cycling as a National Racing Calendar event, meaning top teams such as Jelly Belly, Team Type 1, and Colavita-Sutter Home will be there. Also slated to be there is 2005 U.S. pro champion Chris Wherry.

Action begins at 8 a.m. with the Cat 4/5 race culiminates with the Pro/Cat 1 race at 2 p.m. The feature event is an 84-mile, 28-lap race.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch had a nice story about the event today.

You can find out more about the event at the race's Web site, including how to get to the parking area.

The competition should be hot, and so will the temperature. Tomorrow's high is expected to be in the mid-90s.

Labels: cycling, Missouri, racing

Roger 0 comments 7:50 PM

Thursday, June 18, 2009

RAAM is off and running

After nearly a day of competition in the men's under-50 solo division of the Race Across America, it should come as no surprise that Jure Robic is in the lead. Robic already has a 46-minute lead over Christoph Stoffer after 397.6 miles of the the 3,021.3-mile race from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md.

Robic and Stoffer were the only two men's under-50 solo competitors to make it to Prescott, Ariz., at the time of this post. At the current pace, Robic should arrive at the Mississippi River near Alton, Ill., sometime Monday. I'll update with a more precise estimate later this weekend.

Robic, a member of the Slovenian Army, won RAAM in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Robic and the other under-50 solo men's competitors took off Wednesday from Oceanside.

The four female competitors started the race Tuesday. Janet Christiansen is leading the three-woman under-50 division, having completed 563 miles so far. Ann Wooldridge is the only competitor in the 50-59 division.

The sole 60-older solo competitor, Paul Danhaus, also started Tuesday. The team competition opens Saturday.

Labels: RAAM

Roger 0 comments 12:00 PM

Gutless wonder in Colorado

It never ceases to amaze me how easy it is to say stupid things when you're hiding behind the cloak on anonymity.

The latest example of this is in the Boulder, Colo., area. An anonymously written flier is calling upon residents of rural mountain communities in Boulder County to stage a blockade of the return leg of the Sunrise Century ride on July 25. Here's what the flier says, according to the Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder:

“On July 25, in celebration of driver’s rights, many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the ‘Sunrise Century.' Many cars and safe drivers all working together can send a message to the Statehouse to restrict cycling on our roads which are our only alternatives during family emergencies, commuting and required duties.”

The Daily Camera reported the the fliers started being distributed days after a Boulder driver was ticketed on suspicion of endangering a cyclist on Lee Hill Road.

Officials in Boulder County say conflicts between cyclists and motorists have been increasing in recent years, but have intensified this year. On Aug. 5, a new law goes in effect in Colorado that increases cyclists' rights. Based upon information from Bicycle Colorado, here's a summary of the law:

• Requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclists. (A similar law went into effect last year in Illinois.)
• Allows cyclists to ride side by side as long as they don't impede the normal flow of traffic.
• Makes throwing items at cyclists and intentionally driving toward a cyclists offenses.
• Allows cyclists to ride as far to the right as safely possible.
  

Bikerpelli Sports, the organizer of the Sunrise Century, has this response to the controversy:

"A special thanks to all our supporters during this interesting time. ... And remember we will do whatever it takes to create a safe, fun & enjoyable ride for all our dedicated athletes regardless of the obstacles that others may try to create. We don't shy away from a challenge any more than you would!"

I've always contended problems would be minimized if motorists -- and cyclists -- simply follow the rules of the road. In this case, I hope common sense prevails and that cyclists and motorists will share the road in Boulder County.

Labels: advocacy, Colorado, safety

Roger 0 comments 11:11 AM

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Columbia, Mo., passes bicycle harassment ordinance

Fresh off its designation as a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, Columbia, Mo., has adopted an ordinance that makes harassment of bicyclists — including throwing objects, verbal assault and other offenses — a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or one year of jail time.

On Monday, the Columbia City Council approved the new ordinance unanimously.

The Columbia Missourian reported that residents cited a number of reasons for their support and shared horror stories from bike riding. The tales ranged from waking up face down in ditches to having ashtrays dumped on their heads. The consensus among supporters was that the ordinance would help protect them on the streets.

“Unfortunately, there are people in our community who believe that roads are for automobiles and bicyclists who dare ride on the road should be honked at, yelled at or even have something thrown at them,” PedNet Education Coordinator Robert Johnson was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

Columbia's ordinance is modeled on similar ordinances in South Carolina and Colorado. Next month, the City Council will decide whether to expand the ordinance to include pedestrians.

Labels: advocacy, Missouri, safety

Roger 0 comments 10:41 AM

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Notes on Madison County trails

Here's a couple of notes of interest about the Madison County Transit network of bicycle trails:

Schoolhouse Trail closure: Fortunately, I found out about this one before I took off riding on the MCT Schoolhouse Trail on Friday afternoon. A segment of the MCT Schoolhouse Trail was closed at Lakeview Acres Road in Maryville on Friday, and it will be closed for subsequent days in coming days. The road is being reconstructed at the trail intersection.

You may be able to walk your bike around the construction, but you might want to consider alternative routes. The suggestions I'm making is based on riding up trail from Collinsville to Edwardsville. Obviously, you would do these in reverse if you're heading south from Edwardsville.

If you're comfortable riding with traffic, you can turn left off the trail at Main Street in Maryville, turn right on Illinois Route 159, turn right on Vadalabene Drive, turn right on Illinois Route 162, turn left on Old Troy Road, then rejoin the trail at the parking lot just north of the intersection.

Otherwise, you can turn right off the trail at Main Street, turn right on Lakeview Acres Road (that portion of the road is not being worked on), turn left on the Interstate 55-70 frontage road and turn left onto a spur trail just east of Wilson Heights Road. The spur trail ties into the Schoolhouse Trail and you can head north toward Edwardsville.

MCT is asking cyclists to use caution on the Schoolhouse Trail through August because stabilization work will be taking place at the trail's intersection with Lakeview Acres Road.

Dedication set for new section of trail: MCT will be dedicating the Worden-Staunton leg of the Quercus Grove Trail at 10 a.m. July 10 near the Staunton water tower at Sixth Street. The dedication had been scheduled for November, but it was postponed because of bad weather. The dedication takes place a day before the Tour de Donut, which also begins and ends in Staunton.

The Worden-Staunton section of the trail has been open for months and has been getting quite a bit of use. In the near future, MCT will be building the Hamel-Worden section of the trail, meaning you will be able to use bike trails or designed on-road bike routes to ride all the way from downtown St. Louis to Staunton.

If you're inclined to ride from Edwardsville to Staunton before the completion of the trail, you can take the Quercus Grove Trail from Edwardsville to Jerusalem Road, take Jerusalem Road to Illinois Route 157, cross Route 157 to rejoin the Quercus Grove Trail, turn left on Staunton Road (crossing Route 157 again), veer right at the Worden Road intersection, turn right on Brakhane Road, turn left on Main Street in Worden, turn right on Kell Street, then turn left onto the trail near the eastern edge of Worden and take the trail into Staunton.

Labels: MCT Trails

Roger 2 comments 2:21 AM

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Lance Armstrong: The Movie

It looks like a movie about Lance Armstrong and his amazing comeback from cancer is in the works.

The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz Blog reports Gary Ross, who wrote and directed multiple-Oscar nominee “Seabiscuit,” has been hired to pen the Armstrong script. Shooting could begin as early as next year.

The blog says the movie the pic is based on Armstrong’s first book, the 2000 tome he wrote with Sally Jenkins titled “It’s Not About the Bike,” which traces his story from his difficult Texas upbringing, his cancer diagnosis in 1996, his relationship to first wife Kristin, the birth of their child and his remarkable comeback from illness that saw him first win the Tour de France in 1999.

Matt Damon supposedly is under consideration to portray Armstrong, although no casting decisions have been made. The blog says the movie has hit several obstacles over the years, but were revived by Armstrong's comeback this year.

Labels: Lance Armstrong

Roger 0 comments 10:14 AM

Monday, June 08, 2009

A small town's effort to promote cycling

I'm all supportive of the big efforts to promote bicycling such as Bike to Work Day, but I'm also supportive of the small efforts as well.

The ITS Trail Committee -- based in Staunton, Ill., the home of the original Tour de Donut bicycle race -- is starting an effort called Second Saturday Tour.

In a press release distributed by ITS Executive Director Jarid Ott, the group says the purpose of the Second Saturday Tour is to encourage everyone throughout the Staunton area to be outdoors between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon on the second Saturday of every month. There are no distance requirements or timetables. Just walk or ride your bike around your block, neighborhood, town or trail on the morning of the second Saturday of each month.

The idea was hatched last month when Jarid and a group of recumbent tricycle riders took what they called an adventure ride from Staunton to Worden on the Quercus Grove Trail. There were no timetables or schedules whatsoever, which made it all the more enjoyable. They visited the Yellow Dog in Worden for coffee and had brunch at the Staunton Family Restaurant upon their return.

Trail committee members want people to ride for health and environmental reasons, but there's more to the effort than that. "The Second Saturday Tour is all about you, so you are encouraged to smile and wave to your neighbors, meet and visit with those around you and enjoy walking or riding on your tour," says the group's press release. "Perhaps you will discover a new trail, an old coffee shop or an old friend along the way."

The first of the Second Saturday Tours is slated for this Saturday, June 13. A group will be leaving from Duda Garden, 205 N. Union St. in Staunton at 8 a.m., riding to Worden and back.
The next Second Saturday Tour happens to be July 11, which is the same day of this year's Tour de Donut.

Speaking of Tour de Donut, the deadline to register at lower rates -- $20 for solo riders and $40 for tandem teams -- is June 15. After that, the fees go up to $30 for solo riders and $50 for tandems. You can sign up for the ride at BikeReg.com. There is no day-of-ride registration, so you have to sign up online.

Labels: bicycling, Illinois, Tour de Donut

Roger 1 comments 12:06 PM

Saturday, June 06, 2009

"Spoked!": An art show for bicycle fans

The Soulard Art Market and Contemporary Gallery is calling for submissions to “Spoked!” a juried exhibition of local artists. Exhibition runs from Sept., 4 through October 2. S.A.M. is looking to represent a select group of artists in our Contemporary Art Gallery, to exhibit alongside our 15 resident artists.

Here's what the gallery has to say about the event: "In conjunction with the Tour of Missouri, which is a world-class cycling event, we are proud to announce our exhibition “Spoked”. We are seeking artworks that feature bicycling as a theme for inclusion in our show. Our gallery is on the race route, and we have special hours and events planned that are sure to draw a crowd. The eyes of the world will be looking our way and we’re gearing up for the liveliest show this town has seen. Get crankin’!"

The gallery looking for any medium of artwork (painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry) that in any way features bikes or cycling. There is no submission fee, and full details can be found at the event's Web site.

Artists are being asked to consider donating bicycle-themed artwork to a charity silent auction. All proceeds will go directly to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi program which assists children of incarcerated parents. Each artist who donates an artwork valued greater than $100 to the auction will have his name entered into a drawing to receive 2 tickets (value $500) to the Tour of Missouri Gala, a black tie affair presenting the best 125 cyclists from around the world. The auction as well as the gala will be held on Sept. 6 at the City Museum.

The gallery is located 2028 S. 12th St. in St. Louis and is on the course for Stage 1 of the Tour of Missouri on Labor Day (Sept. 7).

At left is a piece I'm considering entering in the contest. It's called "Night Ride, Without Lights, in Southern Illinois." Click on the image to see a more detailed view! The inspiration for this piece is the piece "Midnight on the Ocean" featured in The Three Stooges film "Pop Goes the Easel."

I'm sure you can do better!

Labels: art, bicycling, St. Louis, Tour of Missouri

Roger 1 comments 12:11 PM

Free ride ... and free food!

Very early in my journalism career, I learned the importance of the adage "free food is good food."

This Sunday, you can get free food and a free bicycle ride!

The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, in partnership with the Gateway Council of Hostelling International, will be putting on the Bike the Bridges ride. The ride begins at 8:30 a.m. at the top level of the Gateway Arch Parking Garage in downtown St. Louis.

You can do a 4.5-mile ride across the nearby Eads Bridge, a 8-mile ride across the McKinley Bridge or a 26-mile ride across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Starting at 10 a.m., light refreshments will be served at the parking garage. You may be wondering who's paying for the ride and the free food. Well, it's the Great Rivers Greenway District, which provided a grant for the event.

At 8 a.m., a League of American Bicyclists instructor will be giving a Confident Bike Riding workshop at the parking garage.

Labels: bicycle rides, St. Louis, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

Roger 1 comments 11:54 AM

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

2009 Race Across America starts soon

We're about two weeks away from the start of the 2009 Race Across America, and once again the route will be skirting the western and northern parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Female racers and men 60+ will begin their trek Tuesday, June 16, the men solo racers begin June 17, and the team begin their competition June 20. All the races begin in Oceanside, Calif., and will end in Annapolis, Md.

The long, lonely route across America enters the St. Louis region with the Washington, Mo., time stations, and time stations are planned for the Mississippi River near West Alton, Mo., and Greenville, Ill. The Washington time station is a change from recent years, when the time station was in Marthasville, Mo.

Racers are expected to start arriving in Washington on June 22, and will gradually filter through the area over the course of three or four days. As I said earlier, it's a long, lonely route without the pelotons of the Tour de France or the Tour of Missouri.

Volunteers are still needed for time stations throughout the country. For more information, you can contact race director Jake Zmrhal at director@raceacrossamerica.org or call 303-956-7226.

Labels: RAAM

Roger 0 comments 12:44 PM

Katy Trail offshoot proposed

Officials in Portage des Sioux, Mo., are mulling an offshoot of the Katy Trail that would connect the Mississippi River community with the 225-plus mile trail.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the town's leaders are planning a meeting for 7 p.m. Monday at the Portage des Sioux City Hall to gauge reaction to the trail, which would take cyclists to the town's nature area that was created after the Flood of 1993.

A route has yet to be selected, but Mayor Mark Warner told the Post-Dispatch one logical choice would be a shoulder of a mile-long stretch of Payne Road between the town and the eastern tip of the Katy Trail in the Machens area.

Missouri officials are hoping to complete the Katy Trail between Machens and St. Charles by later this year.

Portage des Sioux is best known for the Our Lady of the Rivers statue, which overlooks the Mississippi River at the bluffs across the river near Elsah, Ill. The statue is the home of the annual Blessing of the Fleet. The statue was completed in 1957 after the community was spared by a flood in 1951.

While I think the spur to Portage des Sioux would be a great idea, I personally am in favor of a trail that would tie the Katy to the Clark Bridge in Alton, Ill., and tie the Katy into Madison County's extensive trail system.

Labels: Katy Trail, Missouri, trails

Roger 2 comments 11:12 AM