Hendersonville Land Use & Transportation Plan

The City of Hendersonville is in the process of developing a long range plan that identifies a future land use and transportation strategy for the entire community. The transportation element of the plan will function as the City’s Major Thoroughfare Plan and the remainder of the plan will serve as the foundation for the City’s future comprehensive planning efforts. In order to accomplish this task the community is invited to participate in a week long planning activity called a charrette. Click here for more details. I can not attend and request your help for the Bike/Ped Session on Wednesday Jan 21.

TDOT addresses cyclists' rumble strip concerns

. . .Leslie Meehan (MPO) told us that TDOT had a meeting with bike/ped coordinators across the state in which they stated they are relooking their approach to rumble strips and are asking cyclist to participate in future designs. TDOT has also begun avoiding application of rumble on shoulders less than 4' in the past few weeks in a few places around the region.
. . .We are pleased with TDOT consideration of cyclist's interests. Thanks guys for your help. Click here for additional details on our Web Site.
. . . The BPAC Blog (see lower right side-bar) in the last couple of weeks has had several articles of interest to FOGBEES. Latest was a POST about people being fined for dogs that injure cyclists. I hope you are monitoring it.

Happy New Year from Montgomery

More pictures

My latest picture for our viewing audience. . . Gary

Good News For Christmas!

Randy has made wonderful progress these last two days!
He is now off the vent, only on a nasal capula set at 4 liters.
They are getting ready to bring himj a chair and try to get him up out of that bed!
(Nurses said they weren't sure how strong his legs were going to be, I asked them if they looked at them! He'll be riding again before we know it!)
Gave his shirt to him the other day and he is very proud of it. Wanted to put it on last night, but the nurses wouldn't let him (wonder why???) lol!
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.
He's going to make it through this, and will be just a tough on hills as he was before!
FOGBEES are great!

Year End Newsletter

Click here for a copy of my version of the FOGBEE Year in review. Please add your comments for the many things that I probably overlooked.

Randy Has Serious Heart Attack

Have some bad news for you all. Randy has suffered a major heart attack and is in the hospital CVICU in Huntsville. He had a 100% block in his left descending artery which they put two stints in, and is having a terrible time with the sedation they have him on. I heard today thata he has two more blocks that are not the cause of the CVI but they need to be tended to as well. they are waiting to gt him awake and coherent enuf to run more tests. He's fighting all the way, so they have him restrained. Will most likely be spending Christmas in hospital, maybe hopefully in a room not CVICU where visitation is very limited.

Keep Randy in your prayers. He thinks our group is a hoot! (we are!) :o)

Thanks!
. . . Donna

12/20/08 Update: Randy came off the respirators today.

WANT A GOOD LAUGH?

IF YOU WANT TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE GO TO THE FOGBEE'S CHRISTMAS TREE (click here) AND CLICK ON THE FOGBEE DANCE I POSTED. IT'S A HOOT! PHIL, DOUG, AND MIKE WERE NOT COMPENSATED FOR THEIR APPEARANCE!

Gone missing, Basic Bike mechanics

Tom is aware of my periodic going missing. It would seem this is one as far as Fogbee activity is concerned. Work and out of town family visits. My schedule really lightens up after Christmas, just in time for really fowl weather. Which means Jan will be a good time for Bryan and I to deliver on our promised basic bike service session. A couple of things before we make specific plans.

1. Is there any interest.?

2. If so, what do you want presented? Basic stuff like puncture repair, chain lube, barrel adjustments? More advance like truing a wheel, headset adjustment, replacing the chain, cables or brake pads? Really advanced stuff like headset, bottom bracket and hub service.

Please respond as our plans to do or not, and what and where will depend on the response.

Merry Christmas,

Bruce

Used Bicycle Shop

Please see Regional Forum for Walking/Biking Blog on the lower right hand side-bar for more information.

DOT Encourages Funding for Bicycling

The Department of Transportation has issued a Memorandum of Understanding in cooperation with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Interior, and Army to promote uses and benefits of the Nation's public lands and water resources to enhance the physical and mental health and quality of life for all Americans. This effort will encourage healthier lifestyle through diet, exercise and outdoor recreation. This means that the Department of Transportation will further encourage the use of its funding programs to support projects that promote accessibility, walking, bicycling, safe routes to school and other highway safety programs, recreational trails, transportation enhancements, scenic byways, and access to recreation on federal lands. Click here to view the entire MOU.

Posted by League of American Bicyclists.

Nashville Makes it Illegal to Park in Bike Lanes

Nashville, Tenn. passed an ordinance on December 2, 2008 officially making it illegal to park in bike lanes. This ordinance expressly prohibits parking in the bicycle lanes unless the traffic and parking commission has determined that parking within the bicycle lane in specific locations is appropriate during certain hours, and signs have been erected in the designated areas allowing parking in the bicycle lane. Otherwise, parking in a bicycle lane would be punishable by a fine of $50, which is to be assessed through the issuance of a parking citation by the police department. This ordinance has been approved by the traffic and parking commission.

Posted by League of American Bicyclists.

Safe Routes To School

Bruce, Cathy Haley, Shannon Hornsby, and I are working to obtain a grant to provide safe biking and walking access to schools in Hendersonville. We have reviewed Indian Lake, Nannie Berry, and Whitten Elementary Schools. Nannie Berry, championed by Cathy, is our leading candidate. If you would like to recommend/champion a school please comment ASAP. We are fourtunate to have Shannon's assistance. In the last year she has submitted requests for six schools and has obtained three grants.

Click here for more Safe-Routes-to-School Information.

Never too cold for a Rumble

Thanks to FOGBEES who braved the colder than normal temperatures - Bryan, Gary, Mike P, new Italian guy plus a few miles back Christy, Daphnie, and Bob wonder "Where is everyone?" It's a balmy 34-degrees. Special thanks to RUMBLE VICTIM Bob who also braved RT 109. See YouTube Movies and Flickr pictures by clicking here.

What's our name?

Hey Gang,

Isn't this a great time to be a FOGBEE! Since we will now have a larger group of uniformed folks who will, by necessity of wearing those colors with pride, be asked the header question by a greater number of non-cyclists, I think we should have a complete name that we all agree on.

I have heard or seen:

• Team FOGBEES
• FOGBEES Cycling Club
• FOGBEES Bicycling Club

But, unless I'm mistaken, I haven't seen a moniker that is being used consistently.

Many of us use every opportunity to get the FOGBEES name out 'there'. Tom Evans (and maybe others) created business cards, I have a sports blog on The Sporting News and my profile lists FOGBEES as an interest (including my variation on the 'Remember the Titans' chant), and I'm sure other folks have created ideas to let everyone know how proud they are to be a FOGBEE.

All of the names are excellent choices and state who we are, and the last two, of course, what we do.

Does anyone else have suggestions? Other ideas and thoughts?

Remember the mantra . . . WE ARE THE FOGBEES . . . THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FOGBEES!

Have a great day Fellow FOGBEES!

No Parking in Bike Lane

The following ordinance is in second reading in Nashville (see Blog link in lower right of this screen).

Nashville ORDINANCE NO. BL2008-307 - An ordinance amending Chapters 12.40 and 12.60 of the Metropolitan Code to prohibit the parking of motor vehicles within bicycle lanes.

Does Gallatin have similar restrictions for Cambridge Farm's Bike Lane?

Gary's Not to be Out-done

It looks like I have inspired a new generation of Fogbee picture hunters. Regardless, I prefer the rough and tumble bike shots like the one enclosed. VIVA LA FOGBEES! . . .Gary

One of Gary's Proteges

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