Bikes for Fat Old Guys

Let's face it, we Fat Old Guys put more stress on our bike. And if you're a tall FOG, it's even worse, as explained in this article by Leonard Zinn on Velonews. If you're much over 6" or 200#, and want to know what to look for in frame, wheel, components, etc., check it out.

Designs for Big Bike Riders, by Leonard Zinn, Velonews

IT'S PARTY TIME- FOGBEE STYLE

Now that Halloween is officially moved to Saturday ( in some jurisdictions) our party Saturday night at 7pm is perfect, with cool blistery halloween weather to Booooooooot  !! And yes, I know it's upside down....that's my trick to you all..

It's SPINNING Time at the YMCA !!!!!

It's hard to believe but our 6th year Spinning at the Y is about to begin!  We will start on Tues., Nov. 5th at 6:30 pm. We spin every Tues. and Thurs. at 6:30 pm and, if the weather is not conducive to outside riding, on Saturdays at 10 am.  Thanks to Mike Grubbs efforts the Y is waiving the registration fee and you can join for 3 months. If you have any questions contact me or you can call Jeremy Tackett, Sr. Program Director at the Y at 8269622. Don't sit around and complain this winter about not riding or trying to keep that Fogbee PHYSIQUE. Come over to the Y and spin, swim, run, walk, lift weights or join a Zumba class. It's a great way to motivate yourself by hanging out with your friends and spinning to be ready for next years riding season. Make sure you let the Y know your a Fogbee. I hope to see you all on Tuesday night....Gary

Cycling the Great Divide

. . I really hesitate announcing this new release from Adventure Cycling, The Second Addition of the Great Divide Handbook, because we just talked Dave Shumaker out of doing it.  Our compromise is the Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the TransAm Tour next September.  Over a dozen Fogbees and friends have already booked it, mostly from the retired old-timers of the club,  but we do have few youngins'. We have a website for this unique and once in a lifetime tour and we're staying IN the parks.   That is something the larger commercial tours of that area may not do.
. . In August I did a portion of the great divide from Glacier to Jasper National Parks.  It was on my bucket list and the scenery was more spectacular than anything I had imagined.  A few years ago I met a lady when I was in Alaska who had just driven it. Her comment to me was, "I just had to pull to the side of the road.  I was in total sensory overload." Although I did it by motor coach, I saw bicyclists all along the route.  I know if I were a lot younger (meaning in better shape), I would find some way to do the Great Divide.
Tom_E

Et tu, Columbidae?

Pigeon racing, the new sport of doping.

As if doping yourself to win is not bad enough... Cheating Pigeons

Free Webinar on Livable Street Design

New NACTO Urban Street Design Guide is Focus of Free Webinar

. . On November 6th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST, The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) and The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) will provide a webinar on the Urban Street Design Guide. The webinar is free, but registration is required.
 . . The leading experts in street design who contributed to the guide's development will address how this resource will change the face of our nation's streets, the ways you can use it in your community, and how specific topics and elements in the document differ from conventional practice.
. . The NACTO Urban Street Design Guide charts the principles and practices of the nation’s foremost engineers, planners and designers working in cities today. The Guide offers a blueprint for designing 21st century streets, and unveils the toolbox and the tactics cities use to make streets safer, more liveable, and more economically vibrant.
. . If you're interested in attending this webinar, send us note at Fogbees@gmail.com and we'll get you an invite.

Multimodal Grants Available

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 Multimodal Access Fund.  The Multimodal Access Fund provides 95% state funds with a 5% local match for the purpose of supporting the transportation needs of transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists through infrastructure projects that address multimodal gaps in the state highway network.

Please find attached documents in reference to the Call for Applications for Multimodal Access Projects for FY 2013-2014.  The attachments are as follows:

1. TDOT Multimodal Access Fund Guidelines
2. TDOT Multimodal Access Fund Application

Project applications must be submitted through your respective RPO or MPO, and must be received by TDOT no later than 4:00 PM Central on Friday, December 20, 2013.  Please be sure to contact your RPO or MPO Coordinator as they will likely require applications be submitted to them prior to the TDOT deadline of December 20^th.

If you have any questions regarding the application process please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Wilson, TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, at Jessica.L.Wilson@tn.gov or (615) 741-5025.

Jessica L. Wilson, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

Division of Multimodal Transportation Resources

The Bikers Choice Customer Appreciation Day

This upcoming Saturday from 4:00 until 6:00, we would like to invite all the Fogbees to come to the Bikers Choice store in Hendersonville for our Customer Appreciation Day. We will be showcasing new 2014 bike products from Trek and Specialized, introducing the new 2014 Fall and Winter clothing lines from Bontrager and Specialized, having great one day sale prices on many 2013 closeout products including bikes and summer clothing, and enjoying some snacks and refreshments.

We would love for the club to make themselves at home at the shop Saturday afternoon, maybe meet some new cycling friends who have not had the opportunity to come out to a Fogbee club ride and check out the exciting new bike lineup from Specialized and Trek.

Christmas Lights Ride

. . Hendersonville's Holiday Fest has posted its calendar for this year's celebrations.  The FOGBEE Christmas Lights Ride on December 14'th is included as Santa's Brigade Ride. In addition to our usual tour of the shopping centers, we have been asked to visit the St. Nicholas Ball at Blue Grass Country Club.
. . Bob and Gary are also planning our Christmas Party immediately after the ride.  They'll have more info soon.  In the meantime start planning your bike lighting and costumes.  Last year, Santa was joined by Frostie and a cute little elf and a very big elf pulling a Christmas Tree with songs of holiday cheer.
. . We will also have our usual Toys for Tots and Tweens. Gary will tell us more about that.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT RIDING SEASON!

We have had a great riding season this year.  The weather has been just about perfect and many new folks have joined our Merry Band of Folks in Tight Shorts.  So many people of different riding calibers started riding with us this year, we had to come up with subsets of Fogbees: Hares, Hounds and Turtles.   Lots of new folk sporting new Fogbee jerseys.   Many great rides and lots of good fellowship following.

Unfortunately, the early setting sun won't let us continue with any further Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday rides.

There will be Saturday rides - weather permitting.  Get out the winter gear.

Also, keep an eye out for the start of  The Gary Williams Spin Class held most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 at the YMCA in Hendersonville.
 
See Ya Round,

Mike Knake

Yellowstone Tour Ride ALERT

If you are considering doing the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Tour next September, please go to the planning blog ASAP (http://ys2014.blogspot.com).  We have big ALERT about accommodations.

Red Boiling Springs 2013, We survived the rain.

Another great outing. Images are at the Fogbee Shutterfly site.  You can tell all were happy to get to Armour's.  Thank you for participating.  Having done it both alone, I can say with no fear of successful dispute, It's more fun with the Fogbees.
Bruce

Saturday -- It Is Red Boiling Springs

. . Bruce has put together another great over-nighter with a different route.  CLICK HERE to go to his webpage with schedules and routes.  You don't have to stay over-night to enjoy this ride.  Several of us are just doing it on Saturday (Oct 19) ride and having family meet them in Red Boiling Springs.  Some are doing a shorten version.  But all are enjoying the group dinner at the Armour House provided by extra-extraordinaire hosts Debra and Dennis (reservations required).
. . The route is different this year.  Most likely Bruce, Phil, and Tom are the only Fogbees who have ever ridden it.
. . Here is a link that brings up all the previous blog posts, this and previous years.  However, the webpage has the final details.  
. .  Want to see some photos and videos from past Red Boiling Springs tours?  Click here and look under the picture in the top left side.

Tonight's Bluegrass Bash

 If you don't see your mug in this picture, it should be.

 Jeff Cashdollar, FINALLY gets his long awaited Fogbee jersey.  Just in time for the RBS Ride.  :-)

Collateral Benefits of USBR-23

USBR 23 is TN's first Bike Route, thanks to Bruce and Dave_S.  TDOT has submitted the paperwork to Adventure Cycling and they expect approval around October 20'th.  As one of the collateral benefits to this project, Jessica Wilson reported in today's TDOT meeting that the state in widening shoulders to benefit bicycle traffic along the route when they come up for re-surfacing.  It's amazing what good things can happen (never part of the plan) when bicyclists "get involved."  Things in government are painfully slow, but they never happen without stakeholder support.

Need a Bike Executive Job

      Bike/Ped is a major focus for Nashville.  It was recently selected by the League of American Bicyclists to join Chattanooga and Knoxville as a Bike Friendly City.  Mayor Dean has a Bike/Ped Advisory Committee and has appointed to his staff a Chief Service Officer to continue Nashville's initiatives in Active Living.  He is opening bike trails, parking, bike rental kiosks, etc. Plus Nashville is this year's site in May for the Tennessee Bike Summit.
     Keeping with this emphasis, Walk/Bike Nashville is seeking an Executive Director (apply here).  So what's happening locally? Not much. 
     David Hardin and I have started discussions on how to establish a project to advance Bike/Ped for Hendersonville and surrounds. I plan to put together promotion of local Greenways.  The Fogbee's Christmas Lights Ride will be featured in this year's Hendersonville's Holiday Fest providing us with lots of positive publicity.  Anyone interested in getting involved?
Tom_E

IT'S THE 6th ANNUAL FOGBEES HALLOWEEN PARTY !! Saturday, Nov. 2nd at 7pm.

Armour House amenities

This from Dennis at Armour's. They also have the only remaining mineral bath in the region.

"It occurred to me that with all of you guys making the ride up here this coming Saturday, Oct 19th ... some of the group may want and enjoy a massage Saturday afternoon or Saturday evening.  A one hour massage is normally $79 (no tax) ... but we could offer a one time special deal by offering massages to your group at the rate of $65 for 1-hour ... and $49 for a 1/2 hour massage. Obviously I have to pay the therapist for her skills and time and I don't want to cut her rates ... but I'm simply shaving off most of the profit the hotel would normally make for this amenity.

If anyone may be interested ... I need to know in advance so I can schedule our therapist in accordingly.

Just an idea ... but I thought that a massage might ease some of your riders' sore muscles after the ride up here!"

Dennis & Debra EmeryArmour's Red Boiling Springs Hotel321 East Main Street
Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150
E-mail:   armourshotel@yahoo.com
Web Site:   www.armourshotel.com
615/699-2180 (Hotel)        
615/289-2441 (Dennis Cell)   
615/289-2442 (Debbie Cell)

October Newsletter

The October newsletter has just been sent to your email box.  If you don't receive it by Monday, send me a note at fogbees@gmail.com and we'll try to find out what went wrong.

Again this month we have great content which we sent to 131 members. Several of the articles are too long for the body of the newsletter and you can read the entire copy by clicking on .

       Here is a list of stuff you'll find in this newsletter.  

• Red Boiling Springs Overnighter
• Halloween Party
• Holiday Fest & Christmas Lights Ride
• Riding in the Wild West
• RAGBRAI
• Cages and Douglas Bend
• Louie's Law - The Legend
• Chain Slipping
• Fixing a Broken Spoke Eyelet
• Beginner Bike Rides
• Administration Stuff

 There will not be a November newsletter

Douglas/Cages Bend Complaints

. . Biker's Choice has received complaints from the residents along Douglas and Cages Bend about the FOGBEEs ride on Thursday October 2'nd.  I don't have all the details but the comments referenced "big group" and safety.  I am not going to try to hypothesize about the motivations of those complaining, but you can get more info from David Hardin.
. . However, keep in mind it is to our benefit not to block and to try to blend with traffic, and to pick routes/times where our rides do not unduly impede too many vehicles, especially when they are trying to get to/from work.  The law requires any slow (10 miles under the speed limit) moving vehicle to pull off the road when five or more vehicles are being blocked.  It is always in our best interests not to be a nuisance and to "blend" (think spread out to cars can safely pass) as best as possible.

Red Boiling Springs 2013 participants

Tomorrow is the promised day to reconcile with Dennis and Debbie at the Armour's of participants. Below is what I can tell from reviewing posts and comments.  Please let me know if you see any errors, either for yourself or anyone you know since not everyone reads the blog regularly. Even I missed Bob's post.
Also note some route changes since the original post. These were done to put the most scenic roads on the first day. First day Lunch will be at Agave's Mexican Restaurant in the Wal-Mart center at mile 44 in Lafayette instead of Hartsville. Also now on that site are downloadable cue sheets for both days. To print them properly you may need to download to Adobe Acrobat. Click the read more to see list.

Having a Jake n Back great time...

Jack n layin Back....

Red Boiling Springs Update

A little over 3 weeks till we ride.  Tom E, Phil and I scouted the unknown part of the route last week and I think you'll be pleased with the new roads.  Armour House is full but  one room will likely open due to a  Fogbee cancellation. The Thomas House has a Ghost Adventure that weekend and is also full but the The Donoho,  1-800-799-1705, has open rooms.  

About October 10 I will firm up the list of riders and especially numbers of diners for supper and breakfast.  So far no one has expressed an interest in parking a car in Hartsville. Several riders will be riding to Red Boiling Springs, eating, then driving back.  These considerations may prompt some route alterations so don't download the route until the last week.
Red Boiling Springs 2013 Website.

As always, send any questions or comments my way at bruceeday at gmail dot com.

10/4/2013  Please note route change. We will not be going through Hartsville on Day 1. I'll need to discuss any shorter options individually. Bruce

Yellowstone in 2014

We briefly mentioned the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park tour in the last newsletter.  The trip is now 90% planned and the details can be found on the website we have setup for the tour.  A brief description follows:

. . 400-mile, 9-day bicycle ride through the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks (NP) with an optional 450-mile, 9-day ride on the Trans America Trail from the Grand Tetons to Winter Park in Colorado. We'll be staying in cabins in the parks and motels otherwise.
. . We'll be driving to/from H'ville with bikes and equipment and picking up others wishing to fly into Jackson Hole. Transportation from Colorado is still TBD.
. . The tour of the NPs is in the second week of September and the TransAm tour will leave from the end of the NP tour.

If you are interested, please send me an email at tnbiketom@gmail.com and I will send you an invite to view this private website.  Unfortunately, lodging in the National Parks sell-out almost a year in advance, so we must semi-commit before November 1'st if we wish to procure our preferences. There is a 48-hour cancellation, so if you later decide you can't do the trip, nothing is lost. Because we have put together a small private tour, the Park Service allows us into the parks themselves.
Tom E

The "Fogtographer" is going to be in Indiana this weekend riding in the Great Pumpkin Metric, so I won't be able to take any pictures of my favorite Hounds, Hares and Turtles.  I hate when this happens!  :-(

Was kinda hoping everyone could take at least ONE picture of something you think is eventful, beautiful, interesting or funny and send it to me.  It would make a great collection of memories for our fb page and shutterfly.

Please! Please! Pretty Please!

Send anything you take to me at 615 289 3157 or Jyoste52@gmail.com
Thanks tons,

Janice Yoste

The Cold Weather Season Is Coming

 and We Don't Want To Get SOFT.

Anyone interested in a little cross-training this winter?  

There's an annual 5K in Nashville called the Rudolph Run.  Up to 2,000 participants run, walk, jog, dance, hula hoop, etc through the streets of Nashville.  They are followed by a holiday parade and then Nashville puts on a fireworks display.

I'm gathering together of team for this occasion called the Red Nosed Runners.  The girls will most likely wear red tutus with candy cane socks or leggings.  Also found some light up Rudolph noses.   Men's outfit hasn't yet been agreed upon.  I personally would like to see us ALL in red tutus but it may not fly.  ;-)  

A 5 K is easy to train for, but you don't have to be a runner to do this.  There will be many walkers and it's only a 5K.  If you can bike 60 miles of hills you can easily do a 5K on your feet. 

I will be doing several events like this throughout the cold winter months in an attempt to maintain a degree of physical conditioning during the off season.  If you'd like to join me in any of these events and/or the training for them, please do.  Everyone's welcome.  Spring comes around quickly and we want to be ready to hit the hills again with strong legs.

Below is the link to the event.  Team name:  Red Nose Runners  Password: Crazytown
If you join a team vs signing up individually, registration is discounted at checkout.

http://whatdoyourunfor.com/33rd-annual-rudolphs-red-nose-run/

Questions? Comments?  You can post here, email or face book me.
Jyoste52@gmail.com  

Another Great Night of Refreshment at Sam's Bar & Grill

Loose Count tonight was about 21 attendees

Including our Three Amigos

Something a little similar about these fellows.  Hmmm...

FOGBEES NEED TO BE SEEN

Dear Fellow Fogbees,

I saw the peloton riding up Drakes Creek tonight. Good rear blinkies, but I encourage all of you to invest in some reflective wear. Ankle, wrist, and vest reflective wear will really make you stand out. If you get the European certified vest, it also makes a great wind vest in the fall/spring.

Remember, the only good Fogbee is a live Fogbee.