TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy

. . I am pleased to announce that TDOT Commissioner Nicely has signed the TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy, effective December 1st, 2010!  This policy is a Complete Streets policy that supercedes the 2004 TDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy.  The new policy can be found on our website at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/bikeped/pdfs/policy.pdf

. . This policy is very similar to the 2004 policy, but we wanted to update the language for several reasons:  First, in accordance with FHWA policy, we needed to update the TDOT bicycle and pedestrian policy to reflect federal guidelines regarding bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on federal-aid bridge projects.  Secondly, through bicycle and pedestrian conference calls and meetings with advocates and members of local government, we received feedback on how to improve the language of the 2004 policy so that it reflects the initiatives we've developed over the past few years (i.e. accommodating bicycles and pedestrians in resurfacing projects where applicable, creation of bicycle-friendly rumble stripe standards, and coordinating better with local governments to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians on both state managed projects and locally-managed projects that utilize federal funds).  Lastly, the policy is updated to reflect the growing need to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, not only on roadway projects, but also projects involving air, rail, transit, and marine.

. . Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Jessica L. Wilson, TDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator

Tour de Cure Kick-off

Come join us for our  

Tour de Cure Kick-Off!

Thursday, December 2, 2010 

(6:00 - 7:30 PM)

Blackstone Restaurant & Brewery

1918 West End Ave.

RSVP to Greg Lessley at glessley@diabetes.org or 615-298-3066 x3331

If you register by December 31^st  for the Early Bird registration fee of only $10 you will receive one of these!

This is when you know your a "Fogbee"addict-my B-day cake surprize!

Happy Thanksgiving (it's my B-day too) I'm catching up to Tom!

This free digital ecard personalized with Smilebox

Saturday - Nov 20 Cranksgiving

Attached is a flyer about the very fun and exciting Cranksgiving event happening this Saturday. From 10am-12pm, bicyclists will be riding from the Nashville Farmers' Market to area grocery stores purchasing up to $15 of nonperishable groceries to donate to Second Harvest. This is a free ride and we are promoting the event word-of-mouth style. This is going to be a lot of fun and we hope you'll join us!

Cranksgiving events are happening all over the nation, and we know that the Nashville event will be a huge success!

Leslie A. Meehan, Senior Transportation Planner, Nashville Area MPO

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Customize a free newsletter

Night Riding?

Just wanted to gauge the interest in doing some night rides until the weather gets really too cold. I would propose Thursday nights starting about 6:30 PM to let traffic die down a bit.

I have been doing rides from my house in Goodlettsville out the neighborhood, Madison Creek, Hogans Branch, Happy Hollow and add Long Hollow Pike occasionally. It is actually quite nice once you get used to it. Need to stay off 258 after dark though.

If you are interested let me know. I would propose Thursday evenings to avoid conflict with Gary's Tuesday night spin. Rides would be about 15 to 20 to 25 miles long. Everyone would need a good headlight, a steady rear light, reflective clothing (the more the better). Pace would be slower than daytime and no downhill bomb runs. There are always some nice little uphills but you can't see them.

If we start this and someone else has some good night routes we can move it around a bit.

My daughter and future granddaughter

I just wanted to share this with my friends.

DIY Station at Bike Shop

This is pretty neat, albeit not too practical. Fix-it-yourself bike station Last month Eastside Cycles had a FREE seminar on bicycle advocacy to which they invited speakers from Mayor Dean's office, Walk/Bike Nashville, the MPO, and Bike Walk Tennessee.  Kudos to Eastside Cycles for wanting to do more bicycling community than just sell bikes.

Spin at the Y begins next Tues Nov 16 6:30 pm

Don't lose your legs for lack of riding. If you have a Y membership, come and spin with TEAM FOGBEE at the Hendersonville YMCA. Enjoy an hour with friends and occaisionally an after Y meeting at one of our favorite watering holes. Gary is our Spin Meister playing the latest in music and taking our requests. He is our MEDICINE and will ease our PAIN. We are planning a spin kickoff at 6:30pm. Post if you are coming. We will move this to the top after next weekend's ride.

Congrats Mike Poole

I am not sure if any of the Fogbees are aware of this, but we have developed one of the state's top racers. Mike Poole who has ridden with the Fogbees for the last couple of years decided to try his hand at racing this year with great results. He finished 8th overall in the state TBRA catagory 4 standings and won the Nashville Cyclist Criterium Series overall title! Next season Mike will be racing as a Cat 3 racer.

My Fellow Fogbians

Don't give up too soon on the Saturday rides bc of the weather. Today there were eight riders (lite and and a few high test) that easily did 24 and 40 miles on a beautful brisk sunny day that was very enjoyable. You worked hard most of this year so hang in there bc the Fogbees are still planning on riding this fall and winter and we want to see you out on the pavement pushing those pedals!

Plaque

Gary brought over the plaque that he planned to present at the Annual Halloween party.  I am sorry to has missed it (family tradition had me spending my birthday in Montgomery).  I very much appreciate the thought and wish I had been with everyone to accept it.  Thank you.

FOGBEE on the MEND

alan ehmling had surgery ttoday, reportedly dooing well

And the winner is?

SLIDE SHOW BY MARSHA

Great Times!

Thanks to the nearly 40 people who dined, drank and danced the night away at the 3rd Annual Fogbee Halloween party. Even the long lost Andrew showed up! Some great costumes and good food. Mark, your bottle of wine for best costume was given to Mike K. for "safe keeping" but you better get it before it disappears. Thanks to Postman, Marsha, Doug n Mark for helping set up---Phil, Lisa, Phil V. and Postman for staying late and helping clean up---and everyone who attended, brought food, etc. Hope to see some of you at spinning and the whole group riding again early next year.

Your Fogbee party invite for Halloween

This digital invite made with Smilebox

FOGBEES 3RD ANNUAL HALLOWEEN JAM

I have had numerous inquiries as to whether the Halloween party is a reality. The answer is absolutely. The party is Saturday, October 30th at 7 pm at Glen Oaks Clubhouse. I tried very hard to work out catering the food but its just too expensive so we will go with Pot Luck -bring a dish or dessert. Non-alcoholic beverages are already purchased but BYOB on the other. DJ DraftMaster will provide the tunes. Costumes are requested but not required. You can invite any friends that you would like to bring. THIS IS REALLY OUR LAST TIME TOGETHER FOR THE YEAR SO PLEASE TRY TO MAKE IT . You should also receive an invitation by email to the party this week. I could use help with the party so just contact me in this regard. (ALSO, Please do not post if you can't come to the party.) Thanks...Gary

Bell Witch Post Ride

Phil n Lisa. 20 Fogbees! Great ride and a really scenic tour. I had a really good time and thanks for this annual ride to Adams Tennessee. Click here for the Slide Show.

Fogbeee Jerseys

I have Fogbee Jerseys for the following people. lease post if you are planning to ride so I can get them to you, or we can make other arrangements.

Mike Keller, Bobbie Manis, Mark & Monica
Jeff & Kerrie, Lenny, Danny Denning

Bandanna's: Jeff, Gary
I have 4 Bandannas for sale $10 each first come

TUNNEL HILL TRAIL

FOGBEES do Tunnel Hill State Trail in Southern Illinois.  Visit our PhotoAlbum on Shutterfly, where many have already posted their pictures or watch a couple of slide shows by Phil or by Tom (select FULL screen mode).  For those who wondered how road bikes w/25-mm tires do on the trail hard-pack, the easiest answer is -- we were able to pedal along at 22mph whenever we chose.  We rode from Vienna to Stonefort on one of the most ideal days for cycling, with great colors, great weather, and great company. Thanks Bob for this great find.

H'ville Planners Receive Award

. . Hendersonville Planners receive award for Outstanding Land Use and Transportation Plans (See article in Tennessean). A highlight of this work is Hendersonville’s COMPLETE STREETS planning (read the plan).

. . Hendersonville did a great job incorporating citizens in charrets and the Bike/Ped Plan of the Hendersonville Greenway Committee, which was a sub-committee of Hendersonville Tomorrow. Many of us participated in this work and we are pleased to see the support Hendersonville is giving to these interests and setting role models for neighboring communities.

. . These awards come on the heels of the many awards that Nashville MPO has received for its outstanding  Bike and Pedestrian work.  Bike Walk TN Region 2 is on the move.

Biker's Choice News

Click here for latest information from Bikers Choice on following topics:

1) TREK DEMO DAY (assume this weekend)
2) Joey Holland says Goodbye
3) Josh Lewis becomes Team Organizer for Team BC

Fall Colors Extraordinaire Tour

The Tunnel Hill State Trail will mesmerize and captivate its visitors by surrounding them with nature's best show.  A hard-pack trail surface provides easy peddling on the bed of a turn of the century railroad lane. You may feel the presence of spirits from the far past or of those pioneers who carved out a place in this southern Illinois forest as you ride effortlessly along the trail.  Don't miss out on this experience. from Nostalgiaville

This Fall Colors Tour has been timed perfectly with perfect weather.  Even the car ride out&back should be scenic.  We need to plan transportation.  Please check the DETAILED PLAN on the website by clicking here and comment as to whether you plan to join us, if you can drive, and how many passengers/bikes you can carry.

Oct 1 update from Metro Development Services

Upcoming public meetings at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, 2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard

 

October 25: 6-7:30PM Community Character Manual

-Topic: an update to the Community Character Manual (CCM) and related amendments to the West Nashville and Madison Community Plans. Details are on our Community Character Manual page.

 

October 26 and November 9: 6-7:30PM Major & Collector Street Plan update

-Topic:  local transportation infrastructure and potential improvements to major roads and related pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities.  Contact: Transportation Planner Michael Briggs at michael.briggs@nashville.gov  or 862-7219.

 

Questions or comments:Craig Owensby – Public Information Officer, Metro Planning Dept.

(615) 862-7192,craig.owensby@nashville.gov  

Scottsboro Ride Report

While many of you were on the Jack and Back David Irvine and I were reveling in Scottsboro, AL. We crisscrossed the J&B route as evidenced by road markings along the way.  The ride was terrific, especially the great climb out of Winchester. David did get dog bit and despite continued worrisome drainage for a few days, has recovered. The Marshall county Sheriff's department were on the case and very helpful. 

One of the pictures shows some new rumbles on SR 270 between Chapel Hill and Shelbyville. The road was not rumbled in Marshall county but was in Bedford.  Best I can tell the rumbles fit the new TDOT minimum rumble specifications but they were still bad enough to have us seeking and alternate route after two miles.  There's just no way around it, any rumble on a road with narrow shoulders makes it very difficult for cycling if there is any motorized traffic.

Scottsboro ride images

Bruce

Complete Streets Formalized for Nashville

. . In the spirit of Walk Nashville Week, Mayor Karl Dean today signed an Executive Order formalizing Nashville’s “Complete Streets” policy, which ensures that public streets are built to accommodate all modes of transportation, including walking, bicycling and mass transit.
. . In the 2010-2011 capital spending plan, which was unanimously approved by the Metro Council last month, the mayor set aside $12.5 million dollars for sidewalks, $3 million for bikeways, and more than $10 million for mass transit. Nashville overall is spending nearly 60 percent of its local transportation dollars on walking, biking and transit infrastructure.  This excludes funding for projects like the 28th Avenue connector that will include dedicated space for walking and bicycling.

"Share the Road" Stinks

Steve Magas, Bike Lawyer, says “'Share The Road', actually STINKS as a marketing legal concept in fact, it’s not legal at all."

http://ohiobikelawyer.com/uncategorized/2010/09/share-the-road-stinks/

Can you SEE the bicylist?

A motorist who drove into two bicyclists in Waukesha County last week was blinded by the sun and didn't see the victims until after he hit them, according to a report released by the sheriff's department on Monday. Read Story
 
The pictures in the following link are from the Cyclists Against Reckless Drivers Foundation.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=245019&id=128247983291
Unfortunately, in late afternoon and early morning, drivers on our roads have the same problem.
BE CAREFUL.
.
DRIVING BLIND?

Been to Jack 'n' Back

Thanks to the FOGBEES who raised funds ( $ 5,250.00) for and rode ( 60 to 175 miles each ) for our many family and friends stricken with Multiple Sclerosis.

Like past rides to Jack 'n' Back, the 2010 edition had times for coasting and times for pulling hard. Hm-m-m, not unlike living with MS. That's what I love about biking ... it keeps the road ahead in perspective. You never know when a PUC will jump out and get you or the previous day's tailwind becomes today's headwind.

That's why it's good to have friends to share the road with. Amen !

Day 1 Jack n Back photos

Click here  for jack Slide Show

GREAT RIDE THIS WEEKEND

This weekends ride to and back from Jack Daniels was a fun experience. Saturday was beautiful and proud to say Miley, Jon, myself and Mike did almost 80 miles at around 19 MPH. The ride Sunday was a lesson in tolerance. With a 15-25 mph headwind all the way back everyone was exhausted. A shout out to the 14 Fogbees that rode (plus the Postman who rode 60+ miles from Gallatin Sunday am to meet us in Shelbyville at 8am for the 59 mile ride back!!!). Congrat's to Jimmy, Doug M., Roger, Doug D., Phil, Allen, James, Mark, Nicole and Bob for their efforts. (hope i didn't leave anyone out). Look forward to next years ride.

New FREE On-line Mapping Tool

RIDE WITH GPS -  This NEW Web Site is spectacular and easy to use. Quickly plot a route and it automatically adds a Cue Sheet (which you can print for FREE) and display a dynamic elevation profile. You can also view your route by satellite, combo, and terrain.  Save your route and share with friends.  View key stats like mileage and elevation. Embed it DYNAMICALLY to a blog (warning uses FLASH which does not work with iPhone.) And UNLIKE MapMyRide its completely free and FREE is GOOD..

MS to Jack 'n' Back October 2010

TEAM FOGBEES 2010 Webpage 

.
- Time to talk strategy !
Please post which ride ( 55 or 75 miler ) you intend to take on the Jack 'n' Back.
Also please post vehicular / bike / rider transportation availability and needs so that we may coordinate our gathering for the event.

Thanks, and keep the fund raising effort up as we rally for MS.

Photo Op - Team FOGBEES

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE !!!

Megan Wingo has reserved time with the MS event photographer @ 6:40 a. m. the morning of the Jack 'n' Back. You can see an example of this on our website taken at previous event.

We will assemble at the far end of the main entry hallway @ 6:35 for our group photo. Be sure to wear your FOGBEES attire for the occasion. If you don't have a FOGBEES jersey, then ask to borrow one for the photo shoot , if not for the entire weekend .

See you @ Motlow !

Dog Bite Law

The state Bike organization has had reports of Dog Problems in Wilson County.  As a consequence I have added Tennessee State Law to our Web Page so everyone is aware of rights.  A paraphrase of the report appears below:

I was bitten by a large dog while on a training ride for a triathlon, and needed 13 stitches.   The owner had to pay my medical bills through court restitution.  I've several friends who have been harmed by dogs running at large -- wrecks and bites.  I went to county meetings, got some good media attention on Channel 2 "That is Messed Up" along with several newspaper articles.  We now have a dedicated committee that will oversee animal control and I am a citizen member of that committee.

We have a limited budget in the county for animal control, and I feel strongly that we need to make sure our roadways and neighborhoods are safe for those who want to use them to pursue health and fitness.  As the judge in my case said, cyclists and runners have a right to be on the roadway, doing what we are supposed to be doing, without being attacked by crazed animals.

If you have a dog issue report it to the sheriff.  That makes the roads safer for everyone.