FOGBEE Web Site

The holiday has provide time to work on the FOGBEE Web Site. I have made the following major additions: Site Map, which shows all content, plus drafts Fogbee Policies, Procedures, and Practices; and Bruce Day Page. The site belongs to the Fogbee Cycling Club and can be only as good as the contributions from its members. Please take time to visit and offer suggestions for improvement.

Advocacy

The Nashville Area MPO is currently working with local governments, state and federal agencies, various business and non-profit civic groups, and the general public to prepare a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan for the greater Nashville region. We need your help in preparing that plan. Click here for MPO Web Site.

The FOGBEES have representation on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). Please visit the MPO Site and post comments that you want communicated in the plan.

For other advocacy efforts on YOUR behalf visit Tennessee Bicycling Advocates.

Help make a difference. GET INVOLVED!

DJ's in Training (aka DIT's)

More . . . Gary Humor

TOM: please put on our site which has been very quiet lately. I call this "Inspecting your tire way too closely" !

FOGBees "Rumble" with TDOT

For those who don't know, a FOGBee contingent met with TDOT and other bike/ped advocates yesterday cycling safety issues, primarily how rumble strips, in certain circumstances, pose a hazard. Go to the Rumble page on the FOGBee site to see the excellent information presented to TDOT and related communications.

Special thanks to Tom, Bruce and Nik for preparing a great case and representing us at the meeting, and to everyone else who helped get the process to this point. Thanks to Tom for keeping us informed via the site, also.

Let's all keep up with this, act in any way we can, and keep building the momentum! F-O-G-B...FOGBees, FOGBees, FOGBees!!!

Rumble Strips . . .and FOGBEES Advocacy Efforts

This issue is a great reason, as I see it, to become better organized as an advocacy group. While not all of our humble little riding group will be interested in, or have the time to do, advocacy work (and I'm not sure how we would begin to organize), those of us who are interested, and who have the time, need to focus our energies and efforts.

As a group we cannot expect, for example, Tom (E or B), Bryan, Bruce, myself, etc., to take on a lion's share of responsibility. Burnout will result and some of us have been in groups where that happens.

I don't know about everyone else but my monetary investment in cycling over the past two years has represented a significant portion of my resources. In fact, many of us, due to being active in the FOGBEES, have bought completely new bikes from David in the last half-year.

And I want to make sure I am doing everything possible not only for current cycling folks, but our future cyclists.

Now, hopefully if I haven't pissed anyone off, I suggest we have a meeting of the minds, at BL's or someplace else large enough to roomily accommodate whoever is interested, where we can talk about this idea and see where we stand.

I, for one, see potential here for great things that will go far beyond rumble strips. We are the FOGBEES . . . the Mighty, Mighty, FOGBEES! (Sorry, I just watched "Remember the Titans")

Rumble Strips

As a result of Bryan's and Dave Miley's note on the rumble strip on RT 109, Bruce, David Hardin, Frank Bowyer, and I have been contacting State and County Transportation Planners, TDOT Safety and Maintenance Managers, and our Congressional Reps to see what we could do to find a compromise to this developing issue. As noted in the attached note (click here) we are asking for input from everyone who should have a concern in order to forward their comments to our Region #3 Transportion Planner, Leslie Meehan. Please contribute with your suggestions and with forwarding of the attached note to anyone you believe needs to get involved.

WEB PAGE ON RUMBLE STRIP ISSUE

. . . Tom_E

Meanwhile... Back in Hendersonville

Looks like the Fall Foliage Tour was a big success. Not to be left indoors all weekend, Bryan led a small but hardy group of Lites on a ride Saturday PM and again on Sunday AM. It was just as miserable and wet here on Saturday, I am happy to report, and still cold on Sunday but at least the sun came out.

Thanks Bryan.

Fall Foliage report

OK. Our luck finally ran out but some of us claim to have had a good time anyway. A sunny day in the 70's would have been nice. We got one in the 40's with rain and mist. No fog but only because of the 20 mph wind. Congratulations to the hardy crew of seven who struck out from a rainy Smithville with the vain hope things would improve. Things I learned:
1. Sparta has a nice warm place to eat on Spring street. Someone who remembers the name please post.
2. The route worked. Some riders took issue with my description of the "gently" rolling hills
3. The climb to Monterey is not the worst we have done.
4. Fall comes two weeks earlier in Monterey.
5. The Garden Inn is a fantastic B&B. Not really news, but confirmed by our group.
6. It's good to have friends. Also not news but very much re enforced this weekend. Our goose would have been cooked, or more accurately, frozen without our support group.
Bruce

Click here to visit the Web Page for pictures and PhotoShow.

THANKS EVERYONE

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT FOGBEE TURNOUT FOR THE SPIN CLASS TONIGHT BUT EVEN BETTER, WHAT A TURNOUT AT BIG LOOY'S TONIGHT! GREG WAS OVERWHELMED TO SEE ALL OF US TAKING UP THREE TABLES, DRINKING AND EATING AND I WAS VERY PROUD OF THE GROUP THAT CAME.
WE WILL TRY TO MEET ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOR A WHILE AFTER SPIN CLASS AROUND 7:30 AND STAY FOR A LITTLE WHILE. WE WERE HOME TONIGHT BY 8:45. I KNOW ITS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US TO BE AT LOOY'S DURING THE WEEK BUT, IF YOU CAN, COME OVER TO SPIN AND/OR COME OVER TO LOOY'S FOR A WHILE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. THANKS AGAIN.

How Not to do AB crunches while cycling

In my continuing effortn to make sure the FOGBEES appreciate the dangers of cycling, I present you with my latest informative picture.

. . . GARY

For more Gary click here to visit GARY's PAGE

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

HELLO FELLOW FOGBEES. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THAT TODAY I WAS AT PUBLIC'S GROCERY IN H'VILLE AT LUNCH AND I RAN INTO GREG FROM BIG LOOY'S. GREG IS NOW EMPLOYED AT PUBLIC'S AND INFORMED ME THAT LOOY'S IS ONLY OPEN THURSDAY-SUNDAY. HE WILL WORK A LITTLE ON THURSDAY NIGHTS AND LATE ON SATURDAY'S. BIG LOOY'S IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CYCLE CLUB. IT'S THE MEETING PLACE FOR RIDES, GREG HAS OPENED EARLY FOR US ON SOME SATURDAY'S, ETC. I AM ASKING OUR FOGBEE'S TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LOOY'S AND THEREFORE I'M SUGGESTING THAT WE TRY AND MEET ON THURSDAY (AFTER THE YMCA SPIN) EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO MEET AND DISCUSS OUR CYCLE CLUB, EAT AND DRINK A LITTLE AND HELP LOOY'S OUT. IS ANYONE WILLING TO MEET TOMORROW AROUND 7:30 PM AND WE CAN JUST HAVE A FOGFBEE'S MEETING AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT? I KNOW WE ALL HAVE JOBS, FAMILIES, ETC. BUT I, FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ONE OF OUR SPONSERS. I KNOW THIS IS SHORT NOTICE BUT I JUST SAW GREG TODAY.

The Wounded Warrior ride and other points of view

Wounded Warrior POSTS & COMMENTS moved to Web Page (Click Here)

On a different note I just want to say "thanks" to the spinners who came to the YMCA on thursday night (there were 9 of us). Keep up the spirit, invite your family and friends and I'll keep the music lively, LOUD and different each week. Who knows we may fill the place in a few weeks :) Next spin this Thursday at 6:30 pm.

HALLOWEEN PICS

LISA & TOM HAVE SOME HALLOWEEN PARTY PICS ON SNAPFISH IF YOU WANT A GOOD LAUGH! Click here for Web Page for Halloween Party

Sick Humor - a la Gary

Tom, My latest contribution! I call it "Raindrops keep falling on my head."

Gary

Great Time

As David Hardin left the party he said, "The FOGBEES are an asset to the community and Gary Williams is a CLASS ACT!"

Thanks again to Gary and his party makers led by Marsha Depew and to all the FOGBEES and friends who made this evening another great one to remember.

FOGBEES Fund Raising Standing for MS 150

Please note that all of us who participated in the to Jack 'n' Back MS Ride qualify for "Recycle" savings if you pre register before November 7. Read below for instructions as to what this means and how to do it. Sounds simple enough.

Good Afternoon Team Captains!

We are only 15 days away from the donation deadline. Let’s continue to amplify our fundraising for these last few, enormously important days! Keep in mind the deadline is November 7.

If you would be interested in a post-bike Team Rally to help boost your team’s donations in the next 2 weeks, please let me know as soon as possible. I would love to help organize an event for your team to raise more money - the competition is getting close!

The TOP 10 teams as of 10/23/08 are as follows:
1. KC Cruisers $ 29,423.00
2. Team Trace Bikes $ 27,073.50
3. Harpeth Bike Club $ 24,090.01
4. BAMS Bike Team $ 23,736.01
5. RAI Renal Riders $ 14,213.00
6. FOGBees $ 13,095.00
7. URSlowriders $ 12,328.50
8. Jack Daniel’s $ 12,122.50
9. Sewanee Conglomerate $ 11,748.25
10. Team 5/3 $ 11,330.00

Reminders:

1. RECYCLE – it’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for your health! RECYCLE for next year’s ride on October 3-4, 2009. Either email me, or call the office to recycle. The registration fee is still only $25, but that won’t last long! Also, if you recycle by the end of the month, you will still receive a free, “in-training” t-shirt during March. VIBES register for free!

2. Remember to turn in your prize forms. These forms are located on the website. Please fill one out and return it to the Mid South Chapter office by mail or fax. The fax number is 615-269-9470.

3. Photographs are still available at http://www.kimmorris.com/ to view or purchase.

4. The Tour of Champions trip is in January 2009, in Las Vegas! To qualify, simply turn in a minimum of $7,000 by November 7th. We would love for you to join us!

Sponsorship Information:
If you or your company would be interested in sponsorship for the 2009 “Bike to Jack & Back”, or if you are interested in being a member of the 2009 Committee, please contact me as soon as possible at Megan.Wingo@msmidsouth.org

Please feel free to email me with any questions at Megan.Wingo@msmidsouth.org or give me a call at
615-690-5349.

Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
Megan Wingo, Development Coordinator
National Multiple Sclerosis Society -Mid South Chapter
4219 Hillsboro Road, Suite 306
Nashville, TN 37215
tel +1 615 690 5349 fax +1 615 269 9470

MS Vibes Can

Hello VIBES!

I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for the awesome job you did fundraising for the 2008 “Bike to Jack and Back.” This event would not be successful without you and I am sincerely grateful for all of the Fifth Third VIBES!

Although the 2009 Jack ride is eleven months away, we want to ensure that we have all of your support for next year! If you respond to this email and Recycle as riders for next year, you will receive a FREE In-Training t-shirt during the month of March. You will also receive free registration. It’s that easy! You must email or call me by November 7th to get the free t-shirt.

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Best Wishes!
Megan Wingo , Development Coordinator
National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Mid South Chapter
4219 Hillsboro Road, Suite 306
Nashville, TN 37215
tel +1 615 690 5349 fax +1 615 269 9470

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Biker's Choice Grand Opening 11/1/08

Saturday, November 1st, at 9:00 am. Bikers Choice will celebrate a Grand Opening of its new location at 709 West Main. Activities are to include 30 and 60 mile bike tours, refreshments, and prizes. Walk through of the new store. Pre-ride refreshments will be offered in the morning, and light post ride refreshments will be offered between 11:00am and 1:30pm.

Kissing the Pavement

In my continuing saga to find bike pictures that make you cringe I found this one.
Gary

Bell Witch Ride

Awesome, awesome, awesome ! Again I'm amazed by the opportunities to ride in relatively unspoiled beauty just outside my door. Phil and Lisa you out did yourselves picking the route we road today. The white tufted blue sky and warm comraderie were the perfect recipe for a most pleasurable trek. Tell the truth, Lisa, did you think at any time about swapping your bike for your convertible ? The Depot is now on my favorites list as well.

FOGARY Gets Rave Review

Thanks to FOGBEES Gary Williams for leading a fun filled, invigorating spin session at the Y last night. We were missing the familiar faces of several of you who usually participate. You're absence was noted ....... and you WERE talked about !

Let's support one another and especially Gary as we seek to maintain our legs and waistlines ( mine hasn't changed a bit in 4000 miles of riding ) through the dark , cold , rainy days of winter. Spring rides will beckon us sooner than we might think.

See ya next Thursday @ the Y for our next weekly FOGARY. And remember, if you take the GARY out of the FOGARY you just got fat and old. Let's support him !

The YMCA Spin

To further elaborate on the last post, there are several Fogbees that, during late October to daylight savings time in March, spin at the YMCA in Hendersonville. This includes myself, Doug, Mike K., Brett, Tom E., Allen, Phil, Bob, Andrew and a few others. We spin with others in a class on Tuesday's at 5:30 pm (we reserve a bike by calling the Y 24 hrs beforehand). We also started spinning together (Fogbees) last year on Thursday's at 6:30 for at least one hour. It developed into me bringing music and the group having a great time. We are doing this again starting tomorrow at 6:30 pm. I am NOT an instructor and I do not lead a class. I bring music and we ride together and we kind of follow each others lead. We do not, and can not, exclude other Y members although our prior experiance tells us that, at this time slot on Thursday, there will be mostly Fogbees. We would love to see the Fogbees Lites at this spin and there is no "leave in the dust" issue bc we each do our own pace on the stationary bike and we talk, joke and socialize with each other. We also get a good workout out of it. Of course, you do have to join the YMCA to spin but it's a great facility and you may be able to join monthly (You will have to ask about that with the staff). If anything just try it out once and see if you like it tomorrow as a guest. Anyway, see you all either at the Y or on Saturday.

Jersey Order in Production 10/23/08

Click here to view Jersey Order on Web Page. All artwork/layout approvals done; submitted to Production on 10/23. Our contract price from Louie Garneau is LESS than budget.

All is in the hands of our CPA - Doug Depew who will calculate the refund (about $4/ea) that we give you with your Jersey at delivery a little before December 19'th.

Tom_E

Tuesday and Thursday are back to the Y (Gym)

Due to the lack of sunlight we are back to the gym during the week until spring. Remember to reserve you bike a day ahead of time. Normally the FOGBEES spin 5:30 on Tuesday.

On Thursdays, Gary will host the FOGBEE one hour spin at the Y at 6:30pm, no reservation needed (YMCA membership required), but we would appreciate a post each Wednesday or Thursday morning so we know the interest level.

Gary is certified in CPR and will have his spin certification soon. We had a great time last year and plan on more great spin music this year, including ABJ. Gary will take requests on the blog, 24 hours before class. Come keep your legs in shape!!

Posted by the Secretary of Spin

I Need Help.

Several of us on the Hendersonville Greenway Committee are working with Shannon Hornsby (Walk/Bike Nashville) to get a Safe Routes to School Grant for Hendersonville, but we need the assistance of a Civil Engineer to "speak the language" when we make our proposal to the County and City. Does anyone know someone who can help us?

Also, anybody care to join me at Walk/Bike Nashville Birthday Party?

New FOGBEE Web Site

To assist those who wish to promote our Club, I have build a FOGBEE Web site using many of the links that were once part of this Blog. Our site (click here to visit) is larger than most Cycling Web Sites, but can still use contributions from you. Got some ideas? Got some movies we can put on YouTube? Found some problems with our pages? Please comment.

Little Miami Photoshow.

Below is a link to a photoshow done from my images of the Fogbee trip to Ohio. It's called part 1 because my images stop at Corwin. I see Tommy has some later shots but there appear to be no shots at the Fish Market. If anyone has more images of later on the trail and that evening, please let me know and I'll fetch them for a part two.
Bruce
Little Miami Ride Part 1

HALLOWEEN PARTY UPDATE!

HEY FOGBEES! IT'S NOW LESS THAN 3 WEEKS BEFORE OUR BIG FRIGHT NIGHT PARTY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT GLEN OAKS CLUBHOUSE IN HENDERSONVILLE. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS RIGHT NOW SO THEY CAN MAKE PLANS TO BE THERE! I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH EVERYONE AND I EVEN CONVINCED CINDY (MY WIFE) TO GO OUT AND GET A COSTUME ON SATURDAY!
REMEMBER FOGBEES TO PAY MARSHA, DOUG OR MYSELF YOUR $15 PARTY FEE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. THIS WILL PAY FOR THE CLUBHOUSE RENTAL, DOOR PRIZES AND DECORATIONS!
WE HAD A GREAT TIME IN AUGUST AND THIS HALLOWEEN SHOULD BE EVEN MORE FUN. START ON YOUR COSTUME BC NOVEMBER 1 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU CAN SAY "FRANKENSTEIN" 3 TIMES FAST!

Medical Update

Hi All. I have recently begun riding with the Fogbees and have gotten to know a few of you fairly well. With that said, I wanted to provide a quick medical update. Some of you know that I suffered an embolic event (TIA) this summer and have been undergoing tests to try to figure out what caused it. They found a small hole in my heart that they repaired surgically this week. The good news is that the surgery was a complete success and I am back home doing well. The better news is that the doctors have cleared me to begin riding again in a couple of weeks. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers and I look forward to riding with the group again very soon. I hope you don't mind me sharing.

Chad Moss

Ride from Hartsville Next Wed

I will be leading a 60 mile ride from Hartsville next Wednesday, October 15. It's partly Fall Foliage and partly Avery Trace Scouting, but mostly a nice ride in a new place on what is my "weekend" this week. There are country stores about miles 15 and 40. Proposed route can be viewed at mapmyride Fort Blount West.
Plan to leave Big Looys Hendersonville 8:30 am and get back about 4:30 pm.
Bruce

If We Rode Bicycles

If you think about it, a bicycle is the solution to all of the world's problems. If we all rode bicycles, it would eliminate our increasing dependency on oil. If we all rode bicycles, we wouldn't have to worry about a faltering automobile industry bringing down our economy with lagging sales and layoffs. If we all rode bicycles, we wouldn't have to worry about health care costs outpacing our wages by 5 times or more; everyone would be healthy and wouldn't need to use health care for much other than annual physicals. If we all rode bicycles, we wouldn't have an obesity problem in children and adults. If we all rode bicycles, the world would spin a little slower and families could have more time together. If we all rode bicycles, bike lanes and greenways would be a no-brainer. The Chinese used to ride bicycles and everything was doing just fine...now that they are westernizing, the world is going to hell in a hand basket...so everyone needs to go back to riding bicycles. I think David would support this idea.

Frank Bowyer IV

CLUB PROMOTION

The best way to promote an organization is through its Web Site, not through Blogs, MySpace, Facebook, or other personal Internet sites. Google FOGBEES and you can see what others use to find us. Surprisingly, our best links are through MapMyRide and Multiple Sclerosis sites. . . Click here to read more . . .

Back from Jack 'n' Back

Comments transfered to Web Page

Ward 5 Residents, Please read...

Please support incumbent Tommy Elsten in the Ward 5 Alderman election. If you wish to support Tommy financially or just want to show your support with a sign in your yard, please e-mail Hamilton Frost at hfrost@hvilletn.org. Also, please read the linked article for more information about the race. Thank you and please, remember to vote on November 4.

http://bikinhville.homestead.com/tmp/you_have_a_voice.pdf

Transportation Planning Meetings

Yesterday, I was informed of several regional transportation planning meeting for Robertson, Sumner, and Wilson counties. Because of the late notice I missed last night's and will miss tonight's. Click here for attachment of the communications I have had on these meetings. If you wish to get involved and insure adequate facilities for cycling or other transportation modes, here is your chance to advocate on our behalf.
Tom_E