Goodlettsville Bike/Ped Plan

The final Goodlettsville Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will be presented at a public meeting tonight at 5pm at the Goodlettsville City Hall? The plan can be viewed at www.bikepedplan.com.

Leslie A. Meehan, AICP | Senior Transportation Planner

Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Register for Rock -n- Roll
Register for Jack -n- Back

BBQ Ride

There has been some discussion of another BBQ ride. I'm thinking June 5. Thoughts?

Because some have proposed doing the Tour de Cave this year, Christy is considering shifting the BBQ ride to the 19'th. Please comment to let her know what is best for everyone.

Rock-N-Roll Ride

Registration is now open for the FedEx "Rock-N-Roll" bike ms ride. The Desoto Civic Center is now the official start and finish line sponsor, located on I55 fifteen minutes south of the Memphis Airport or twenty minutes south of downtown Memphis.

The ride begins in Southaven, MS and rolls down to Tunica, MS and the Harrah's Tunica Resort. This ride offers a variety of rolling hills and flats through the back roads of Mississippi. Relax for FREE at Harrah's resort and try your luck at hitting the Jackpot!

Rest stops with refreshments are every 10-12 miles. SAG & Medical are along the route.

All hotel rooms need to be secured by August 19'th through Shelley DuBose at 615-690-5344 or shelley.dubose@msmidsouth.org.

Bob Miller, FOGBEE Team Captain

For those staying in town on May 15'th

Brett's the Ride Leader to click here

Sumner County Comprehensive Plan

What should Sumner County look like in 2035? Interested? Click here.

The next Technical Input Meeting will be Tuesday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at the Sumner County Administration Building, Room 112.

Vision and objectives: Attached outline

Please feel free to attend and participate in any of the upcoming workshops.

a. May 3: Fairfield, CANCELED, N Sumner Elem. School, Bethpage

b. May 4: Shackle Island, CANCELED,Beech High School, H'ville

c. May 10: Bethpage, 6 pm, Bethpage United Methodist Church, Bethpage

d. May 11: New Deal, 6 pm, Oakmont Elem. School, Cottonwtown

e. May 12: Gallatin, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Sumner County Adm Bldg

Tour de Cave

I came across this ride and thought it might make a good Fogbee Ride.

Not too far away and would put us on some new roads.

Date is June 5. Click on the title to go to the web site.

Another Nashville cyclist hit by car

In the wake of poor Yik that was hit a couple of weeks ago, here is another story of a local cyclist being hit from behind while commuting to work. Please please be careful out on the road!! Wear the proper gear...lights, reflective stripes, etc as well as being defensive. Don't trust that the person driving sees you.


Story

Wednesday Lite Ride

. . . Rhonda has volunteered to lead the Wednesday evening ride again. It is a great ride for new cyclists to experience group riding. Typically she does a 20 miler commencing at 5:30P and leaving from Sumner Station. She is also good at keeping track of all her riders, so everyone should feel comfortable.
. . . Because these ride are in the evening, sometimes lasting until dusk, be sure to have lights, both on the front and back, and light-colored or reflective clothing. When a west-bound motorist has to ride facing the setting sun, it is very difficult to see other cars on the road, let alone a cyclist.
. . . Watch for Rhonda's posts on this blog.

Perfect Day, Perfect Ride

I have placed other pictures that Jeff shared on our Shutterfly account

Season Opener - April 10'th

The weather forecast for Saturday APRIL 10'th is PERFECT

.
There's no better way to test out those dormant legs than doing the
.

Annual FOGBEE Greenway Ride.

.
EVERYONE IS INVITED. It's a ride that everyone of every skill level can enjoy, even the Weenie Patrol. David Irvine has been scouting the repairs on the greenway and says, "She's good to go!"
.
It will be great to see everyone after a much too long winter. You have no excuse to be absent. Bring a friend, bring a spouse, invite other bike club members. We'll have car caravans to the various "pickup points" and veteran FOGBEES to help those of all skill levels.
.

PLANS, MAPS, CUE SHEETS can be had by clicking here

.
If you need a ride from Hendersonville - PLEASE COMMENT. Driver's PLEASE acknowledge cyclist pickups so we know everyone has been accounted for.
.
Doug_D although unable to ride will be managing the after-the-ride party back at Blackstones

Hogan's Branch

I'm happy to report that Hogan's Branch paving has started as of Friday April 9, and the first wheels to touch the new asphalt were Jennifer's and Tom's bicycle wheels.

Might want to avoid this road for a week or so until they finish up, but then let's do laps on it.

Best Wishes to Donna and Randy,

. . . Donna and Randy are going tandem tomorrow (April10) in Destin. A couple of years ago Randy had a massive heart attack from which most doctors were surprised he survived and gave him little chance of recover. But Randy is a Tri-Athlete and was is great shape. He has proven the doctors wrong on all accounts. As they say, "Bicycling beats angioplasty!"
. . . Donna met Randy about a year early this this event on a Triathlon. They have ridden with us on several occasions. The most memorable was their starring role in the Monterey Ride.

CMM Lead Cyclists Needed

I'm coordinating the Cycling Support Crew this year for the Country Music Marathon, April 24.

I'm looking for experienced cyclists to volunteer to serve as "Lead Cyclists" the morning of Saturday, April 24 from 5:20am till as early as 9:15am or as late as Noon (Cyclists supporting celebrities) Most will be finished by 9:30am so you can still get in your Saturday morning ride. Experience as CMM Lead Cyclist in years past is not necessary but cycling experience and excellent bike handling skills are required.

I'm looking for 25 Cyclists to serve as CMM Lead Cyclists. (need 6 more)

"This is an experience unlike any other. It starts with a very empowering pre-dawn ride from LP Stadium through the streets of Nashville-, up Broadway and West End. The "rush" of having 30,000 runners chase you at the start, the hyper-technical ride of keeping up with your assigned Elite Runner or Celebrity...." -Dan Belser

Perks include: T-shirt, parking pass, access to the VIP pre-race tent at the Start Line, Lead Cyclist Credentials allowing them access to most race festivities including the finish line festival and possibly the headliner concert Saturday night.

Interested cyclists should email me at spinjunkie@comcast.net with the following information: Name:, Cell number:, Age:,T-shirt Size:,Cycling Experience:

Charlene Alcorn

"You are an Ironman!"

Fogbee Picture Featured on Adventure Cycling Website

Check out this link.


Tennessee Route System

The first image is of the Fobees on their way to their first overnighter in Red Boiling Springs in 2007. Taken by Ed Thomas with his unique over the shoulder technique.  His picture was chosen from many submitted from TN. Way to Go ED!  Ed reports he will be back to gloat the first week in May.
Bruce

US Bicycle Route and Music Heritage Trail

Recently, I sat in on a meeting with bicycle advocates from Bike Walk Tennesse, Outdoor Chattanooga, Elle Colquitt from Mini Adventure Series, transportation consultants from RPM Consultants, and the Tennessee bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, Jessica Wilson, to talk about a myriad of opportunities for Tennessee bicycle routes, including a Music Heritage Bike Trail from Memphis to Nashville. . . .
. . .This will make route development much easier as will the work by an extraordinary bike route developer named Bruce Day. . .
. . .Another state is primed for implementation. As they say, "Tennesse is America at its best!"

Click here to read Adventure Cycling Blog, plus a picture of FOGBEES on first Red Boiling Springs ride taken by Ed Thomas.

A possible three foot citation in TN?

David Irvine has been scouting the routes out of Nashville from his home to Ashland City and sends this report.  The road involved, Trinity Lane, is not the way he reccommends.

"****then further down after the road changed names to West Trinity a jerk came by me close enough to activate my auto-reflex one-finger salute, when a Metro patrol car came by the next moment and stopped the guy about a hundred yards in front of me.  I don't think he was speeding, he was just oblivious to my presence on the road, so I think I may have witnessed the enforcement of the 3-foot rule; certainly hope so."

Bruce

Fogbee Pancake/Fried Chicken Ride?

Yesterday the owner of the Lunchbox (Next door to the convenience store near Buckingham on LHP) came out to talk to us. He said he had some great fried chicken inside.

We could do Bryan's 43 mile loop and stop there for refueling, then an easy 7 miles back to Beech. The only complication is that he closes on Saturday and open only from 8 to 2 on Sunday. Or we could come back after getting our cars.

We do have a habit of leaning our bikes against his storefront. So, for good public relations, let's try to patronize the places where we are so visible. http://thelunchboxtn.com/

The Lunch Box

Yik Update

I just talked with Yik's wife. He is out of ICU and in a regular room at Vandy.. The swelling has gone down considerably and only the bruising on his face is the majority of discomfort... Though his leg is broken the Dr said it's in the right place so they don't have to do surgery. He only has to wear a boot for awhile. He has been up walking today and is coherent most of the time with brief spells of confusion. He doesn't remember the wreck very well which is probably a good thing. Savanah his wife is really appreciative for our thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayer and also please be safe out there riding....

Fall Natchez Trace Ride Idea.

I think i am gonna start planning a ride in September for the Trace... I'm thinking a 2-3 day ride. Start in Nashville on a Friday and ride as far as we can for about 2 1/2 days, and have someone pick us up on the 3rd day and bring us back. We'll camp or do B&B's along the way. I'll set up areas for food, showers, and sleep. Let me know if your interested and I'll put a date to it soon.

GREAT RIDE

Thanks for a really fine ride on Friday on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It was spectacular and it should definately be on our list of long rides or two day rides this year. It is only 45 minutes from Sam's and if you liked the new North 109 section ( a few miles) then you will love 440 miles of this road!

Accident Last Night

Does anyone know who was hit on Lower Station Camp last night? They were life-lined to Vandy. I don't know many more details but there is an article in the paper.

Yik Yang was hit by a box truck on Long Hollow Pike near Lower Station Camp. He is in critical condition at Vanderbilt. Yik rode with the FOGBEES last Saturday.

Good Friday Natchez Trace Ride

How about a ride out and back on Natchez Trace on Friday? Suggest 9 AM start... ride south for 2 hours and back for 2 hours.

Can't get lost! Groups of various paces can start and finish about same time if we all ride same time to turnaround.

Park at the northern terminus parking lot. Milepost 440

Lunch after at Loveless Cafe perhaps.

See link to see where the start is, but generally one can take I-40 down to Old Hickory Blvd, and then turn right on Route 100. The entrance to the Trace is near Loveless Cafe. If anyone more familiar with the area can give better directions, please do.

Please post to get or share rides. I can take one. Suggest riders and drivers meet at Sams and plan to leave at 8:00 AM.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tn/nashville/241988206

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at Bike Summit

Two weeks ago, (read more) Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood climbed on a table and told a group of bike advocates that federal transportation planners were finished raising the almighty auto above cyclists and walkers.

Trouble on Hogans Branch

. . .Several weeks ago I was riding solo on Hogan’s Branch and had an interesting conversation with one of the residents who live on that road. As I passed her (she was walking) I commented, as a car blew past me, “what are we going to do about the cars that use this as a race track?” She retorted “ what are we going to do about the bikers who won’t move over when cars are trying t o pass .” This caught my interest so I turned and went back to her.
. . . She went on to say that the residents along the road were “very upset about the biker situation” in that the cyclist seem to think they own the road and ride “in the middle of the road” and won’t “let cars pass, holding up traffic.”
. . . She went on to say that she has overheard some residents comment that “maybe we should bump them with our cars to get their attention”. Click for whole Story

FYI: we are visitors in THEIR neighborhood and ought to act accordingly.

Calendar of Events

Tom_B just poked me to remind every one about the FOGBEE calendar. Review it to see what's being planned. BETTER YET -- PLAN SOMETHING and add it to the Calendar. The link is in the right sidebar for those who have forgotten.

Register for Jack and Back Before 3/31 for $15

Fogbees, Register for the Jack and Back for $15. If you register by March 31st use the discount code "SAVEDSPOT". Cheap price to pay as registration will go to $50 on May 1. Go to www.msmidsouth.org go to the bottom of the page and select MS Bike, then choose Jack and Back, then register with a team and type in FOG and click search. Then register CHEAP with team FOGBEES.

For all who are interested, my knee surgery went as well as could be expected. Knee is really sore, but I seem to be recovering well. Hope to be back on the road in June.

Percy Warner Metric Century

Jennifer and I are riding the Assault on Mount Mitchell at the end of May. Come join our training ride of continuous hills in Percy Warner Park.

Plan is to ride 3 laps, bike down the Boulevard to Cheeseburger Charlies, ride slowly back up the boulevard to the park and ride 2 more laps.

Each lap is about 11.5 miles and lore has it contains 1000 feet of climbing. Tentative date is May 15.

Post if interested and we can fine tune the details.

FOGBEES Find New 109 Greenway to Their Liking

Scott Mena and Ken Johnson , along with several additional FOGBEES, ventured beyond the barrier and discovered the sweetest ascent in the Sumner County on the FOGBEES traditional Saturday ride.

The ebony ribbons of freshly paved New Hwy 109 transported us ever upward to the big blue water tower atop South Tunnel Road and onward to the termination at Hollis Chapel Road on Old 109. No cars, no noise, no dogs, and no potholes. Pretty close to bikers heaven !

Hurry and take the ride before the autos claim this passage for themselves. I'm ready to do it again !

GOOD LUCK DOUG

Doug has knee surgery tomorrow and I wanted to wish him well. We will miss him on our rides the next two months. Hang in there Mr. Doug and I hope you have a quick recovery.

Tennessee Music Heritage Trail

Good morning folks, I gave the music tour idea quite a bit of thought on my way home from DC. My thoughts are to create a backcountry road tour the length of the state going from the blues in Memphis to country in Nashville to old time mountain music as you ride into the eastern part of the state. (Picture the logo where the double S in Tennessee is shaped like a swerving road that morphs from piano keys into the fret of a guitar/banjo as we go from blues to country to old time.)

As we collect info on the musical happenings/destinations/museums in the state we can then create a network of rideable roads to connect folks to those areas. Tennessee's version of Virginia's The Crooked Road - http://www.thecrookedroad.org/

We can gather good roads to ride from the numerous folks that have ridden their bicycles touring around the state and to Bonnaroo (another tour destination). WDVX's blue plate special would be a unique tour stop here in Knoxville.

Count me in on this adventure - I'm very interested in working on this as soon as I finish the Chattanooga road riding book. . . Elle Colquitt

Interested? Talk to Bruce Day and visit his blog

Bicycle Tours at the Battlefield

Stones River National Battlefield will present ranger guided BICYCLE tours of Stones River National Battlefield on Saturdays from April 3 through Oct. 30. Tours begin at 9 a.m. of Stones River National Battlefield on Saturdays from April 3 through Oct. 30. Tours begin at 9 a.m.

Get healthy exercise, reduce your carbon footprint, and learn about the major Civil War battle that occurred here in late 1862 and early 1863.

This program will take visitors through the battlefield using the tour road and the Stones River Greenway. The tour is limited to 15 participants per program.

At several points during the ride, the ranger will stop to discuss the major military actions that affected the outcome of the Battle of Stones River. Some of the stories included are the fighting in Slaughter Pen, the desperate stand of the Union army along the Nashville Pike, and the terrible climax to the battle that bloodied the banks of the Stones River.

Participants will meet at the visitor center at 8:45 AM with their bikes. Children, ages 16 and under must wear safety helmets, and all other participants are encouraged to wear them as well. The ride will travel up to 5 miles and last about an hour.

This program is a part of a series of interpretive programs offered at the battlefield during the year. Stones River National Battlefield is located on the Old Nashville Highway, northwest of Murfreesboro. Additional information is available at the visitor center, by calling 615-893-9501 or at the park website (http://www.nps.gov/stri).

Any Interest as a FOGBEE Ride?

Reminder to Join the MS Jack 'n' Back FOGBEES Ride

Accept the Challenge - Bike MS150 Miles.One Destination. A World Free of MS.Will you accept the challenge to ride 150 miles towards a world freeof MS?Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack & Back" Bike MS Ride: October 2-3, 2010WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. REGISTER NOW FOR ONLY $30 AT:http://biketns.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=iL8ef8CmaRt9rLp6tGopig..In case you didn't know before, the 2009 ride raised more than$652,000!!! This is the largest sum we have ever raised in the MidSouth Chapter! Our goal in 2010 is to raise $680,000 - it's a hugegoal, but together we can achieve success!Important Ride Information:Become a VIBE (Very Important Biking Entrepreneur) by raising$1,000 or more. New Veteran's Clubs:Are you a "Bike to Jack & Back" alumni?The Mid South Chapter would like torecognize our alumnicyclists by recognizing them through our new Veteran'sClubs!* WHISKEY LEADERS:If you have ridden 3 or more yearsin the Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack &Back", you are a LEADER! You will get the honor ofhaving your name on banner at the finish line of the rideto recognize your accomplishment. You will also beeligible to be mentor in our Rookie Rider Program. Seebelow on how to become a mentor today!* WHISKEY LEGACIES: If you have ridden 5 or more years, youare a LEGACY! You will receive all the benefits of a 3rdyear rider, plus you will be awarded with a Lifetime RiderPatch to celebrate your commitment to the National MSSociety and Bike MS.* WHISKEY LEGENDS: If you have ridden in our ride for 10 ormore years, you will receive all the same incentives as3rd & 5th year cyclists, plus: A custom Lifetime RiderJersey to commemorate your dedication, invitations to allVIP areas at the event, and invitations and complimentaryattendance to all VIP events year-round within the MidSouth Chapter. Thank you for your generous support andloyalty!Become a Rookie Rider Mentor:Remember your first Bike MSevent...the many questions, concerns, and worries? Now that youare an experienced Bike MS cyclist, you can help ease our newriders' worries by becoming a Bike MS Mentor. Contact MeganWingo at Megan.Wingo@msmidsouth.org if you are interested inbeing added to our list of veteran cyclists that new riders cancontact with questions, concerns or if they need assistance withtraining.

Sumner and Robertson County Bike Routes

. . . Click here to see the Long Range Planning of Bicycle and Greenway facilities in Sumner and Robertson Counties. We (MPO) are now reviewing Project Plans for these areas. If you have any issues or comments please let me know.
. . . MPO has also prepared Design Guidelines for Bicycle Facilities. A copy is available on the Bike Walk Tennessee Web Site in Nashville Region.

NEWS AND OTHER STUFF

OK ..so where is the Thursday ride? Well on an even sadder note...... Again to show you how old the Old guys are I'm sad to announce that Memphis based lead singer Alex Chilton of "The Box Tops" has died. He wrote the famous "Cry Like a Baby" (When I think of the good love you gave me I cry like a baby...) and "The Letter" which was later made famous again by Joe Cocker. Good bye to another person who made my teenage and early 20's groovvvvyyyy.... :)

New Stop Light Law

A new law is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2010 that allows bicyclists to pass through an intersection when the stop light controls do not detect them. To read about this law click here. If you want to know how this became law click here.