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News from the Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap Meet

It's always fun to visit the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's annual Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap, which took place today in Collinsville, Ill. It's always fun to catch up with my cycling friends and let people know about the upcoming Tour de Stooges.

Although the number of vendors appeared to be down there -- I'm sure the recession had a lot to do with that --  Federation officials say attendance was up this year.

The biggest news to come out of the show was the announcement of a partnership between the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation and the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoBikeFed will work with MoDOT and other transportation entities to identify the highest priority bicycle, pedestrian and disabled projects in Missouri.

MoBikeFed Executive Director Brent Hugh revealed the initiative during the show. MoBikeFed has developed an online form for people to nominate a project. The page includes detailed instructions on how to nominate the project.

MoBikeFed will work with MoDOT and their transportation partners to narrow that list down to the best and truly practical projects.The shortened list of projects will then be added to MoDOT's planning process with the hopes of completing them in the next 5 to 7 years, provided funding is available and the projects are supported by the public.

Labels: Missouri, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

Roger 0 comments 11:00 PM

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society: What an awesome name for a bicycle club

I'm a regular reader of Gene Bisbee's Biking Bis blog, but I somehow missed a recent post titled "Biking Bis Top 10 list of awesome names for bicycle clubs".

To my surprise, the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society made the list!

I wish I could take credit for our club's name and its mascot, Weinerman, but they already had been established when I started riding with the group in late 1992. I've been active with the group ever since, first as a rider, then a ride leader, then the club's webmaster when I created the B.A.B.E.S. site in 2001 as a part of the Roger Kramer Cycling site.

Other top names on Gene's list include the Old Kranks Bicycle Club in Ventura, Calif., and the Slow Bicycle Club of Chicago. To find out the rest, read the article.

Speaking for the B.A.B.E.S., we appreciate the recognition Gene gave us!

In case you're wondering, the B.A.B.E.S. Wednesday Evening Rides resume in April in Collinsville, Ill. Later in the season, we'll have several Winery Rides, in which we tour the countryside near several Southwestern Illinois wineries, and some Donut Trail Rides, in which we explore some of St. Louis' best family-owned donut shops.

Labels: Belleville Area Bicycling Eating Society

Roger 1 comments 6:43 PM

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tandem Travails

I'm sure many a first-time tandem rider can relate to this video from KTVI-TV, Channel 2, in St. Louis.

While doing a preview of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's Midwest Bike Expo & Swap Show (Jan. 31 in Collinsville, Ill.), KTVI personalities Tim Ezell and April Simpson attempted to ride a tandem down the studio's hallways.

April's cries of fear and loathing are just precious! Tim's not a whole lot better!

Fortunately for the Bike Expo, the Federation's Joe Torrisi did a fine job of getting the facts out of the event.

Labels: St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, television

Roger 0 comments 12:50 PM

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Review: "Bicycle Dreams"

"Bicycle Dreams," Stephen Auerbach's documentary about the 2005 Race Across America, has been out for some time and has been reviewed by quite a few bloggers. It's my turn.

I've written frequently about RAAM over the years, mainly because RAAM passes through the St. Louis area almost every year. I've always wondered what goes through the heads of anyone who would attempt to bike across America in 8 to 12 days. "Bicycle Dreams" gives me a pretty good clue.

I'm old enough to remember the early days of RAAM in the 1980s and early 1990s, when ABC and NBC aired extended segments about RAAM on their sports anthology shows. Those segments made me aware of ultramarathon cycling giants such as Lon Haldeman, John Marino and Pete Penseyres.

The segments, normally aired weeks or months after the race, did a good job of giving viewers a taste of the race. Sadly, RAAM doesn't get the attention it once got from the networks, so "Bicycle Dreams" fills a major void.

Fortunately for us, "Bicycle Dreams" goes a step further than the networks were able to do.

Stephen and his crew worked around the clock to film RAAM. They had an advantage over the networks; they had 18 cameras in the field to give an more intimate look at RAAM.

While RAAM athletes have to be in incredible shape, "Bicycle Dreams" makes it clear that the mental battles are the biggest challenges they face over the course of the race. Even someone like Slovenian soldier Jure Robic -- a four-time winner of the race -- fights the effects of long days or riding with little sleep. For example, Robic speaks of seeing a dolphin's head in the road and speaks of forgetting what his wife and children look like. He even speaks of quitting the race -- something he wouldn't do until 2009.

Another competitor, Anna Catharina Berge, chews out her crew for allowing her to sleep for four hours, even though it was clear she was in desperate need of it.

While Robic gets his share of face time, the real centerpiece of "Bicycle Dreams" is Dr. Bob Breedlove, who died June 25, 2005, when he was struck head-on by a pickup truck near Trinidad, Colo., during the race. Bob lived in Des Moines, Iowa, attended Illinois State University, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of Missouri School of Medicine Orthopaedic Residency Program.

It's eerie to watch Bob on the roads, riding strong, commenting on his tactics to beat the heat of the Arizona desert, realizing that only days later, he would be dead. His death had a devastating impact on French rider Patrick Autissier, who did not finish the race.

Much of the photography is incredible, especially of the western part of the course. Other than sections of Kansas, the Midwest plays a lesser role in the movie. I recognized a lot of the Missouri River valley near Marthasville, Mo. The uprights of the Clark Bridge, a suspension bridge that crosses the Mississippi River at Alton, Ill., are clearly visible in one scene, although the film does not include images of the river or of cyclists crossing the bridge.

"Bicycle Dreams" has won awards at a wide range of film festivals, including the Fallbrook, Los Angeles Sports and Solstice festivals. It won for a reason: "Bicycle Dreams" both tells and shows the physical -- and mental -- exhaustion RAAM athletes endure.

As an independent filmmaker, Stephen Auerbach is relying on a grassroots campaign to spread the word about the race. You can purchase the film for $19.99 through the film's Web site, http://bicycledreamsmovie.com.

As a longtime follower of RAAM, I recommend "Bicycle Dreams."

Labels: cycling, movies, RAAM

Roger 0 comments 10:03 PM

Central Illinois race is qualifier for Nature Valley Grand Prix

Hillsboro, Ill., may not be Paris, but it does play host to a bicycle race called the Hillsboro-Roubaix Road Race. The 9th annual edition of the race takes place April 10, and it's a qualifier for the Nature Valley Grand Prix, a June stage race taking place in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

So why would a small Central Illinois county seat town about 60 miles north of St. Louis have a race named after the Paris-Roubaix classic? This description from the race sponsors, the International Christian Cycling Club, gives you a clue:

"The racers will traverse the brick streets of Hillsboro while racing over a 28.75 mile loop that has all you want in a spring classic. Flat open back roads with no cover from the spring winds, rolling terrain, short but challenging climbs, twisty descents and village streets paved with bricks.  Sorry no pavé , but the bricks will have you diving for the smooth gutter!"

The additional incentive for amateur men (Cat 1) and women (Cat 1 and Cat 2) is to earn a spot in the Hidden Valley race. Five other races nationwide will serve as qualifiers for the event. Riders selected through these events will earn free entries to the June 16-20 event and receive generous travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite teams. They will also receive pro-level recognition before, during and after the events, including pre-race call-ups and participation in promotional and media appearances.

ICCC uses Hillsboro-Roubaix as a fundraiser for the Montgomery County Cancer Association, which helps county residents in need of financial or transportation help for cancer treatment.

Registration opens Feb. 1.

Labels: cycling, Illinois, racing

Roger 0 comments 4:43 PM

Monday, January 18, 2010

UPDATE: Matt Wilhelm's parents on Oprah

UPDATED (JAN. 18): The parents of Matt Wilhelm. the Champaign-Urbana area cyclist who was killed in 2006 when he was struck by a car driven by a woman downloading cell phone ring tones, appeared on today's episode of Oprah Winfrey's TV show.

Gloria and Chuck Wilhelm briefly described how their son died and how they worked to get Illinois laws changed, culminating in the texting ban that went into effect Jan. 1.

"If you get a ticket, you can blame it on us because we were the ones who went to Springfield to work with the senators," Gloria said on the show.

You can see the video of the Wilhelms and other families who lost loved ones in accidents involving distracted drivers at Oprah's Web site.

Oprah launched her "No Phone Zone" campaign on Monday's show. According to an Associated Press story last week, Oprah said she wants people to know "how absolutely stupid it is that we continue to text and drive." She's asking drivers to take a pledge to avoidt text-messaging or talking on cell phones while driving.

Oprah's show is aired at 4 p.m. CST on KSDK-TV, Channel 5, in St. Louis and WCIA-TV, Channel 3, in Champaign-Urbana. You can check where the show appears in your area here.

Matt Wilhelm's death prompted some changes, including better education about cyclists' right to the road and a task force that recommended more laws to protect users of Illinois highway. While progress has been made, more progress needs to be done, including laws that would make it a felony if a distracted driver kills or critically injuries a cyclist, pedestrian or motorist.

You can see a public service announcement about Matt at the News-Gazette.

Labels: advocacy, Illinois, safety, television

Roger 0 comments 1:30 PM

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap Meet

Mark your calendars for Jan. 31! The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's annual Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap Meet once again visits the Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive in Collinsville, Ill.

The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 15 and under and for Federation members. $2 coupons are available at participating St. Louis-area bicycle shops.

More than 100 vendors are expected at this year's show, and the entertainment includes a demonstration by the St. Louis Arches youth circus troupe, stationary bike races and a track stand contest. Also planned is a panel discussion featuring local and state bicycle advocates.

Once again, I'll be representing the Gateway Council of Hostelling International at a booth. I'll be handing out fliers for the Tour de Stooges on Saturday, May 1, in Highland, Ill., and other great rides the Council will be putting on in 2010. Also, I'll be selling leftover shirts from the 2009 Tour de Stooges at the greatly discounted price of $5!

The Federation is still seeking business, organization and individual vendors for the event. If you sign up through Jan. 18, a 10x10 space is available for $90. After Jan. 18, the price goes up to $120.

Hope to see you there!

Labels: Illinois, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

Roger 0 comments 2:54 PM

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Meetings on Route 66 Trail

Bicycle advocates in Macoupin and Montgomery counties are seeking your support of a proposal to convert a portion of an old alignment of historic Route 66 between Staunton and Litchfield, Ill., into a bicycle trail.

This particular alignment -- the final alignment of Route 66 used before the completion of Interstate 55 -- was a four-lane divided highway between the two communities and also skirted the community of Mount Olive. Today, only two of the lanes are being used. The other two lanes, which are paved with concrete, are partly covered with dirt and grass, which can be easily removed to reveal the concrete surface.

Trail advocates will be meeting Thursday (Jan. 14) with the Route 66 Trail Southern Region Committee to show their support for the bicycle trail. The meeting takes place at 10 a.m. in Room L104 of the Administration Building at the Lincoln Land Community Southern Region Education Center, 1 Lincoln Land Trail in Litchfield.

The Southern Region Committee is expected to bring its recommendation to the Route 66 Trail Executive Council meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 at the Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington.

The advocates, led by Macoupin County native John Fritsche, is asking individuals, village boards and city councils, school districts, counties and chambers of commerce to support the bicycle trail. Here's a sample resolution that people can use to show their support:

"I or We, hereby endorse and support the development of a 17 mile Historic Route 66 Recreational Trail from Staunton through Mt Olive to Litchfield for the health and welfare of the citizenry in our region.  This unique trail would utilize the long abandoned and unused northbound lane of the Historic Route 66 “Mother Road” from Staunton, through Mt.Olive to Litchfield, Illinois."

If you can't make it to the meetings, you can express your support of the trail project by writing John at hroute66rectrail@gmail.com


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is working with the Route 66 Trail Executive Council to develop programs and projects along Route 66 alignments between Chicago and St. Louis.


The roadway where the trail is proposed still belongs to the Illinois Department of Transportation. One thing that should work in the trail advocates favor is that the current IDOT director, Gary Hannig, was a longtime state representative who served Macoupin and Montgomery counties.

Labels: advocacy, Illinois, Route 66, trails

Roger 1 comments 2:50 PM

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Bicycle battle of the sexes

Two of St. Louis’s top cyclists will go head-to-head Saturday in an indoor race for charity. The inaugural Rollin’ for Charity Indoor 100 Bike Race will pit man versus woman and mountain bike versus road bike in a race to raise cash and ride 100 miles on bicycle rollers at Alpine Shop’s Kirkwood store.

Chris Ploch, the reigning and four-time Missouri State NORBA Mountain Bike Champion, and Carrie Cash, the current Missouri State Cyclocross Champion, will be competing for more than four hours to raise funds for the ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

The event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kirkwood store, 440 N. Kirkwood Road. The challenge is part of the store's Outdoor Fitness Festival.

According to a press release, Alpine Shop will give $350 to the winner's charity and $150 to the other charity. Both cyclists -- who work for Alpine Shop -- are hoping people will donate to their causes, and you can find links to them at the Alpine Shop site.

Ploch will be riding a mountain bike, while Cash will be riding a road bike.

Labels: charities, St. Louis

Roger 0 comments 9:07 PM

Monday, January 04, 2010

Facebook Page takes aim at cyclists

One of my Facebook friends who just happens to be a St. Louis cycling advocate today brought to my attention a Facebook Page that doesn't take very kindly to bicyclists.

The page -- There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist! -- sadly has more than 31,500 fans. The picture shown here is the page's profile photo. Here's a message from the group, which appears to be based in Australia.:

"No matter how far to the left you are, you're taking up my road. My car is hard, and i am not slowing down!"

It's also disheartening that a wall post that read "saw a cyclist stack it today" had 399 people liking the post.

Certainly, people who object to the way some bicyclists ride certainly have a right to have a Facebook Page to express their views. But when they cross the line and encourage behavior that could kill or seriously injure a bicyclist, something needs to be done.

If you're a Facebook user and object to the page, you can report it to Facebook. The "Report Page" link is at the bottom of the left column of the page.

Labels: advocacy, safety

Roger 2 comments 12:27 AM

Friday, January 01, 2010

New laws that affect Illinois cyclists

With the start of the new year, there are at least three new laws that go in effect today in Illinois that affect bicyclists.

You're probably aware of two of the new laws -- a ban on text messaging while driving and a ban on cell phone usage in school and construction zones.

You're probably not aware of the other law. As of today, no one under the age of 16 may operate a gas- or electric-powered bicycle in Illinois. In addition, you can't ride a gas- or electric-powered bicycle on a sidewalk, and you can't ride those bikes any faster than 20 mph on Illinois roads.

As for the texting and cell phones. they are moving violations with fines up to $1,000 depending on the circumstances. Texting and cell phone usage during emergencies or if the car is stopped and placed in park or neutral are legal.

"Upon conviction, it would be a mark against your driving record. Three of those means a suspension of your driver's license," Dave Druker, a spokesman for the Illinois Secretary of State, told WLS-TV in Chicago.

The texting and cell phone bans were prompted at least in part by the 2006 death of bicyclist Matt Wilhelm. Matt was riding on Illinois 130 east of Urbana when he struck by a car driven by a woman who was downloading a cell phone ring tone.

The News-Gazette reports that Matt's mother, Gloria Wilhelm, will appear on a January episode of Oprah Winfrey's TV show, but no date has been set for the segment to air.

"We finally have laws on the books that say it's wrong to be driving and texting and using a cell phone. We never had a law before that said it's wrong. The texting applies to all age groups, which is really great," Matt's father, Chuck Wilhelm, told the News-Gazette.

Labels: advocacy, bicycles, Illinois, safety

Roger 1 comments 2:28 PM