From Larry Staub, Director of County Parks

Help us draft and design a pilot program for
off-road bicycling in Monroe County Parks.

Pilot sites to be located at
Tryon Park and Irondequoit Bay Park West

ALL ARE WELCOME!

MONDAY, MAY 24 at 6:00 pm

Dolomite Lodge (located behind Penfield Town Hall)
3100 Atlantic Avenue, Penfield, NY 14526

When: Wednesday March 10 @ 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: Genesee Waterways Center Boathouse at Genesee Valley Park
DIRECTIONS: http://geneseewaterways.org/directions_gwc.htm.

A meeting for anyone interested in helping out with the RCA’s many planned events for Bike Week, May 21-28 2010. Learn about the RCA, the events planned, and how you can help.

NEWS RELEASE
Brighton, NY, July 3, 2009 – The Town of Brighton will hold a Public Meeting to review the concept of a multi-use trail connecting Town Hall and the Erie Canal. The meeting will be held on July 27th from 7pm-9pm at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave. The I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass Trail Feasibility Study is nearing completion, and the Town wishes to gather additional feedback on the preferred trail alignment identified in the Draft Report.

In its 2000 Comprehensive Plan, the Town identified a concept for a trail connecting the Town Hall Complex on Elmwood Avenue to the Erie Canal at Meridian Centre Park. This Feasibility Study explores the viability of the whole corridor of the I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass trail, with consideration given to location alternatives, design recommendations, funding sources, and phasing strategies. The Preferred Trail Alignment map, along with the full Draft Report, is available on the Town’s website:http://www.townofbrighton.org/.

All are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide comments and suggestions.

The nature nights are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 25. A brochure listing all the rides is available via the city of Rochester Parks & Recreation Dept. Helmets required and riders under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Call (585) 428.6770.

Information about our aptly timed Ride of Silence is here.

The Mission of Corn Hill Navigation (a not-for-profit organization) operators of the Sam Patch and Mary Jemison canal boats: to foster the improvement and sustainability of the Erie Canal and Genesee River for current and future generations through education, awareness, and enjoyment.

Bike & Boat Tour
Start location of the Mary Jemison boat tour and bicycle tour: Corn Hill Port, Exchange Blvd., Rochester.

Bike tour of Genesee Riverway Trail & the Erie Canal start time: 10:00 a.m. (90 minute ride)
Lead by Richard DeSarra, Rochester Bicycling Club Board member

Boat tour of the Genesee Rive and the Erie Canal start time: 12:00 noon. (75 minute tour)

Bike and boat tour options: cost associated with the boat tour & box lunch (optional),
bike tour is free.

For reservations you may call us at 585-262-5661 or online @ http://www.samandmary.org.

Veer is a documentary about the Portland, Oregon, bike scene. It is large and multifaceted. They follow a couple of groups around, from the DIY bike repair shops, to the lobbyists, to the synchronized mini-bike dancers, to the bike chariot racers. There’s a lot, so it’s worth seeing, whether you ride your bike or not.

I think people in Oregon are perhaps too interested in riding mini-bikes (kids bikes) and tall bikes. But at least they’re having fun. And that’s what I think is important. The majority of this documentary is about people having fun on bikes and changing what riding a bike means. They talk about how it’s not just about fitness or transportation anymore.

If Veer is meant to be inspirational and make you think about the bike community in your city, I think it sets the bar unreasonably high. Portland has been building their bicycle community for decades. I didn’t see anyone in that documentary whining about being passed too closely by a car, or crying about a lack of bike lanes. In fact, one guy got a ticket for breaking traffic laws and actually shook the officer’s hand. Cyclists in Portland are responsible riders. In Albany, we’re still struggling to get people (drivers and cyclists alike) to recognize that bikes belong in the streets.

Jungle Coaster was really impressive. The movie starts with footage of them goofing around in Panama. You get to see them jump up stairs two at a time, and then ride all the way down. These guys obviously know what they’re doing. So you can appreciate it when you see the “trail” they rode on to get to the Pacific and they have to walk. Climb. Carry their unis. Ouch. There’s footage of them crossing bridges I would be reluctant to cross on my own two legs, and leaping up onto fallen logs, and it’s really exciting to watch them go. But, no machetes? Ha ha. Everybody really enjoyed it, and half the crowd left when it was over.

The other movie was Red Light Go, which is about alleycat racing in NYC. They introduce you to some bike messengers who are your main characters, and they explain why they’re bike messengers. Then they get into the races. Which scare the crap out of me. It’s super cool to watch these guys careen through traffic, pedestrians, each other, but I’m glad I don’t have to do it. There are no rules, no concern for anybody’s safety. It’s about being a daredevil and winning. And they’re very good at it.

As I was riding home I was thinking about going to the Troy Bike Rescue and building my own alleycat bike. I wanted to treat each ride to work and ride home like a race. Go go go. I was all hepped up on heavy metal and attitude. By the time I got home I had come to my senses. I’ve never even raced in an alleycat.

Perry Woodin’s “Jungle Coaster” followed by the classic feature — “Red Light Go”
Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, 247 Lark St. (across from Ben & Jerry’s at Jay St.)
Doors open – 6:30
Showtime – 7:00 (Some announcements stated a 7:30 show time. We will have a special “critical mass” video as a warm up while we wait for latecomers.)
Contribution please ($5 suggested) to offset UAG’s costs.

It’s Bike to Work Week
Go ahead, use the full lane
‘Cause you deserve it

I showed up for the group ride. I watched the people coming and going on their boats.

Nobody showed up, so I took off on my own. It took me about 40 minutes to get there, and I felt like I was “booking.” The Corning Trail was like running a gauntlet of bugs. I couldn’t keep my head up because they’d get in my mouth, nose, and eyes. I could hear them pinging off my helmet, and feel them getting stuck in the hair on my arms. Ew.

The valet parking left a little to be desired. But then, maybe I was just too early. Still, it’s nice to see people’s bikes.

Troy Bicycle Rescue was raffling off this sweet cruiser bike.

Eventually the movies started. They were wonderful. There really was something for everyone. Monty Python. Footage of unicyclists in an ice race in Schenectady. A bit about not doping in bike racing. Women biking across the country, or cutting down mountain trails. DIY bike repair. Everything.

My favorite was “Ski Boys” by Benny Zenga. It made me want to be a kid again. You can watch that one here.

Then the ride home. I got stopped on 6th by some young guys who loved the MonkeyLectric lights on my bike. Perhaps it’s racist of me to say this, but white people do not appreciate the glory of LEDs that make a pattern when they spin around. I rode home alone. Going through Menands was wonderful. The traffic was light, the street lights were on. I just took the whole lane and sped along. I rode with no hands for blocks and blocks, my windbreaker flapping like a flag.

More pics here.

The 2009 Bicycle Road Map is now available at all Monroe County Bicycle Shops

The Times Union published a story today about a 14-year-old cyclist hit in Albany.

COLONIE – A 14-year-old is in stable condition at Albany Medical Center Hospital after being hit by an SUV Monday as he crossed Central Avenue.

Police said the incident occurred at 5:47 p.m. between Colonie Center and Northway Mall when Carlos Perez of Albany rode into the path of a Honda CRV driven by Colleen Williams of Albany.

Perez was thrown from the bike and landed on the hood of the SUV before rolling to the ground, police said. He suffered a concussion, broken bones and cuts on his head and neck, police said.

No tickets were issued. Witnesses said Perez was not crossing in a designated area and also said Williams had a green light.

Anyone who witnessed the crash can call Sgt. Robert Donnelly at 783-2744.

Class limit is 30.

When: Thursday, May 21st, 7PM – 9PM

Where: Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611 (585) 328-3960

Please fill in the application (Click on “Registration link”), and send to Richard DeSarra by May 17, 2009.

Registration link: http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Transportation/Bike_Course.html.

Sponsored by:
Rochester Bicycling Club and
Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club.

More than 1,000 walkers will be starting at the Genesee Valley Park – Roundhouse Pavilion, on the east side of the river, to raise funds in the fight to stop Multiple Sclerosis.

We are in need of four patrollers to ride your bicycle or walk in the parking lot and along the route. You will be the eyes and ears of the medical and security staff of the MS WALK.

You will need a cell phone, along with your bicycle or walking shoes, and appropriate clothing. The event is held rain or shine.

Patrollers will be needed from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Food and beverage provided.

Please RSVP to rdsbike@rochester.rr.com

Thank you,
Richard DeSarra
585.461.5363

Free & Open to the Public

Thursday – March 19, 2009 7:00pm

Brighton Town Auditorium
2300 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618

This discussion will provide information on the vehicle and traffic laws of NYS and how they apply to new or experienced bicyclists.

We will cover:
common collision scenarios and how to avoid them.
safe riding techniques to keep bicyclists safe on the streets.
useful information on riding safely and legally in traffic.
preparing new or experienced bicyclists for an understanding of vehicular cycling.

Questions? Please contact:
Jean Triest (585) 753-3016 jtriest@monroecounty.gov |
Frank Regan (585) 224-9075 frankregan@rochesterenvironment.com

This image was featured today at one of my favorite blogs, BAGnewsNotes. Head over there for details and discussion.

The Initiative for Healthy Infrastructure at the University of Albany has completed its feasibility study on the Central Avenue Bikeway. You can download a PDF of the study at the IHI site.

After a pilot run in 2007, United Parcel Service is once again adding bicycle carriers to meet its holiday demand. It’s a tack that, like alternative fuel vehicles and other measures the company has historically taken to reduce operational costs, provides an attending environmental benefit in the form of reduced carbon-dioxide emissions.

According to Norman Black, a company spokesman, the bikes simply make sense at this time of year. “You and I are having this conversation on the peak day of the peak season when all the volumes come together and hit us at once,” Mr. Black said. “You can imagine what a challenge it is to be able to dramatically increase your network’s capacity to reliably deliver packages,” he added.

The company typically delivers nearly 15.8 million packages a day. During one five-day stretch of the pre-Christmas peak last year, that jumped to over 20 million a day.

Read the rest of the story at the Times site.

But what does it mean when we insist on waging war upon ourselves, flagrantly dismissing dubious weather forecasts, common sense, and good advice from friends in some perverse determination to ride 100 miles in bitter cold temperatures at the end of November—just because we could? Nearly 72 hours have passed since I completed the coldest century ride of my life and I’m still trying to figure that one out while I de-thaw.

Background: over the past eight years, Heather Rizzi’s (in)famous Sweat & Ice Century has become an annual tradition cyclists from around the region (and those willing to travel) look forward to and swap tall tales about. Starting in Clifton Park, you traverse mostly rural and low-traffic roads through Saratoga County, into Corinth, up and over West Mountain, around part of Sacandaga Lake, over the Bachelorville Bridge and then hit a series of (perpetually-upwards) rolling hills in Edinburgh and Fayetteville before shooting through Charlton and back to the starting line. Designed to test a cyclist’s strength, hill-climbing capabilities, pace and endurance levels, many return to the Sweat course through the Adirondack Park year after year as a means of testing and benchmarking their fitness.

Three years prior, having purchased my first road bike that August and only completing one century in my life two months beforehand, Heather duped me into signing up that fateful day in November 2005 by promising: “You’ve only done one ride before this distance? And you haven’t ridden much at all the last 4 wks. b/c of rain? And you’re still riding in sneakers with toe clips & basket pedals? No problem! It’s a flat course. I tell people it’s a flat course—only one small hill.” Ummm, yeah…she failed to mention that her definition of “flat” included almost 5,000 ft. of total elevation gain, and “one small hill” was named WEST MOUNTAIN. During my first introduction to that beast I had to stop 4 separate times to bring my asthma under control. I ended up finishing in the dark that year…But from that experience, a biker chick addicted to long-distance rides that push one’s boundaries of endurance all definitions of “reasonable” was born.

Flash forward to this past Sunday: 7 cyclists assemble in a frozen parking lot and assess the situation. Thermometer is currently reading 21 degrees (and that’s not factoring the fierce winds blowing upon us). Wool? Check! Winter gloves and booties? Check! Craziness? Double Check! Let’s get moving before we change our minds.

Decked in my finest layers of winter cycling attire, I came prepared for the cold. Weather.com predicted a high of 37 degrees for the day; I figured as long as we kept moving, we’d be fine. After all, I rode last year’s Sweat & Ice Century in 28 degree temps, enjoyed myself thoroughly, and rocked it with a 5:48:33 course time (a new personal record). What I was NOT prepared for were the galling headwinds that plagued us for nearly 90 miles: factoring wind chill, 21 degrees become FIVE. Any body heat generated on the hills or climb up West Mountain was rapidly whisked away by the ferocious winds blowing off Sacandaga Lake: pedaling along the naked shore with trees stripped to their bark, you could see large waves being blown toward you churning in a dark and angry maelstrom. In desperation, I put my head down and cranked those pedals as hard as I could in hopes of escaping that wind.

When I arrived at the Edinburgh General Store, our 58 rest stop, I was dismayed to learn our warm-up oasis was closed and a bunch of cold and tired cyclists were forlornly huddled on its front stoop. Jon Stillman, along with Terry and Bryna, had ridden out to say hello and join folks for part of the course: it was nice to see them, at least for the first 5 minutes until I got dropped. :) No hard feelings, guys: Sunday’s ride was all about SURVIVAL.

Words cannot begin to describe how damned cold I was the entire ride, or how much extra force had to be exerted to battle the wind, simultaneously draining you of your energy and will to live. My lips and fingertips were quite literally turning blue and it was difficult to form words or sentences—not that I was in a coherent state of mind, regardless. LUNA bars and bananas, frozen solid, became difficult to chew and swallow. Good luck washing it down or replenishing liquids lost during your hard efforts: water literally froze in our bottles, preventing you from drinking unless you stopped to pick a few slushy ice chips out of desperation—the consumption of which only cooled you down further. According to the sag vehicle’s thermometer, the maximum temperature of the day was 24 degrees, which quickly plummeted after the sun disappeared behind the clouds ~1:30pm or so. True to the ride’s namesake, it was eerie to feel sweat trickling down your back while at the same time shivering so hard I had difficulty maintaining a straight line. When it started snowing on us around mile 75 and I spotted solid ice formations within the longitudinal cracks and potholes in the roads around Charlton, it was a surreal experience.

Never had I been so thrilled to roll back into the parking lot and peel off those cold and sweaty cycling clothes so I could ensconce myself in all the layers of the thickest wool clothing I own. Sunday’s ride was more difficult than the Riedlbauer`s Round Top Rally MTB Race in the Catskills, or the ADK 200K and 300K Brevets back in March and April…and it had very little to do with the course.

So, if you’ve read this far, you might be asking: why put yourself through such an endeavor? Are you trying to prove something? Have deep masochistic tendencies that need to be fulfilled? Or just plain nuts?

My answer: perhaps D) all of the above? But I’d like to share a quote from A Cherokee Feast Of Days that’s served as my mantra on more than one occasion: “The effort put forth to move gives strength to do it-and moves us to more effort. But like the tide, the effort to move is followed by a rest, and then movement again. Each effort makes the next time a little easier until there is maximum strength or full growth. Some things challenge our very existence. It is the nature of things. But every effort we make weakens the challenge. If we will not give up, but we move and rest, move and rest, the breakthrough will come.”

I have put forth great effort…and now I look forward to reaping the benefits of a great rest. (Well, at least until Friday. :) )

Read Paul Lambrie’s ride report: http://web.mac.com/paullabrie/Paul_Labrie_photos/Winter_Nutz_Blog/Entries/2008/11/24_Sweat_%26_Ice_Century.html

For the number-crunchers and data geeks: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7194998

On Saturday, September 27 at 9:30 AM, Save the Pine Bush is sponsoring a bicycle ride from the Civil War Monument in Washington Park to the Pine Bush Discovery Center on Route 155, north of Washington Avenue Extension. Once at the Discovery Center, we be given a short tour.

When riding, we will follow all traffic laws, and stay together as a group. I have a route picked out (but, I always welcome suggestions!).

I would really like to have one or two more ride leaders to come with me. Would anyone be interested?

And, if you don’t want to be a ride leader, please, be a ride participant! Its a lot of fun to ride to our beautiful Pine Bush!

I expect we will return to Albany sometime in the afternoon, around 3:00 PM, depending on how fast we go, how long we stay at the Discovery Center, and whether we stop for food.

For more information:
http://www.savethepinebush.org/Current/Ski.html

And then there’s this one, which I’m psyched about.

After two years of recovery from a hit-and-run accident, cyclist Pearson Constantino and his brother Pete are riding across America to make our roads safer and inspire more bicycling. A documentary film, THE LONG BIKE BACK, is being made about Pearson’s inspirational comeback and the brothers’ epic ride.

Pearson was one of 44,000 cyclists to be injured by a motor vehicle in the United States in 2006; an additional 68,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes.

On August 12th, brothers Pearson and Pete set out from Newport, Oregon, and will continue their cross-continental journey all the way to Cape Cod, Massachusetts along US Route 20, Main Street America.

Support NYBC’s Share the Road Campaign and join “The Long Bike Back” as they ride through NYS’s Capital.

Saturday, September 27th:
4:00pm: Pearson & Pete have invited cyclists, advocates and friends to accompany them the last 15 miles on their route to Washington Park, downtown Albany. Meet at the corner of Dunnesville Rd. & Route 20 (Western Ave), Dunnesville, NY, ready to ride (Please note: all riders must wear helmets–a rider will not be allowed on a ride if he/she does not have a helmet. Riders are expected and required to follow all traffic rules and regulations.)

5:00PM: arrival in Washington Park, downtown Albany.

5:30pm-6:30pm: “The Long Bike Back” Reception/Preview Screening at the Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, 247 Lark Street Albany NY 12210, co-sponsored by NYBC and the Upstate Artists Guild. Join us for a warm welcoming reception and early preview screening of a segment of “The Long Bike Back,” after which our featured guests will speak briefly about their journey, including Pearson’s recovery, and the need for motorists to be aware of vulnerable road-users. $10 donation ($5 student/low-income); proceeds for the event would benefit NYBC’s Share the Road campaign to increase bicycle safety awareness. For more information, please contact NYBC at nybc@nybc.net or (518) 436-0889. We hope you can join us for this event!

I have no idea where Dunnesville even is. As usual, anybody in the Helderberg neighborhood who wants to ride together, let me know.

Via Cyclelicious

Scott Kellogg’s brief talk was interesting, if a little too dogmatic. Carlsson’s talk was very thought-provoking. It’s good to hear someone else say what you’ve been thinking for months.

But, honestly, the best part was the ride home. A half dozen of us, lit up to varying degrees, cycling through mostly empty streets. Really a lot of fun. I met many people, and hopefully I’ll see them again.

How do the Open Source software movement, bicycle sub-culture, guerilla gardening, and the Burning Man Festival fit together?

Author and Critical Mass co-founder Chris Carlsson connects these dots as he profiles the social networks that are cooperating outside of economic regulation and laying the foundation for a genuine movement of liberation from market life.

NOWTOPIA is, I believe, Monday, September 15th, at 7pm. I’m thinking about biking there, so if anybody from Albany is going, bump me.

Not only was it an awe-inspiring race, but you could get close enough to get vertigo from the wheels spinning by as a hundred cyclists rode flat out in the rain.

And, it being Rochester and all (the city that’s more like a small town), I ran into a lot of people I knew, including Kyle from Full Moon Vista, who verbally ambushed me after my awkward ohmygodcrossthestreetbeforemorecyclistscome run across Broad Street with a, “Nice sprint, Julie.”

I do have one complaint…what’s up with the pro women being relegated to a 5:00 start, before all the men, a lower purse, and little to no media coverage. The men’s race was billed as “the main event.”

Anyway, you can find media coverage here.

Put it on your 2009 calendar!

The GVG is a flat trail with a hard packed dirt surface. Fat tire or hybrid style bicycle is best suited for this trail ride.

Bring water. Lunch in Scottsville after the ride is optional. Helmets required.

Ride Leader: Richard DeSarra, rdsbike@rochester.rr.com

Saturday, August 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 10, 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Start your Omnium weekend fun at Strong National Museum of Play.

On Saturday, see artist Nancy Goethel create a colorful bicycling scene made entirely of…balloons! (Her completed work will be on view Sunday.)

On both Saturday and Sunday, cruise over to a special display of bike-related photos, toys, and cycles from the museum’s renowned collections including a 1890s bicycle built for four.

Make a sun visor and a sign to cheer on the bicyclists before you head out to the races.

All activities are included with general museum admission fees. For more information and easy directions visit www.museumofplay.org.

Seasonal Exhibit on Bicycling August 1 to September 30.

The museum has tapped into its world-renowned collections to create a special bicycle display in honor of the Rochester Omnium.

See modern and historic cycles including a four-in-hand (a cycle built for four riders from the 1890s); a 1910 safety bicycle with a skirt guard (designed especially for women); several modern racing bikes; and children’s bikes and tricycles of various eras.

Also on view are historical photos, paper dolls, and paper toys that document the popularity of cycling over the past century.

This exhibit will be on display on the museum’s second floor from August 1 to September 30.

Come one, come all, to the first officially promoted cruiser ride of the season!

Meet at 8:00pm at Monty’s Krown, or join us an hour earlier at Dog Town just down the street. To learn more about the cruises, visit the RocBike Cruise section!

Retro Ride. Rolling 40 miles.

Relive those happier days. Enjoy that old bike and equipment that would ordinarily be an embarrassment to your image. Down tube shifters, dorky helmet, old MHWM jersey, mickey mouse socks- wear them proudly on this ride (We’ll be out in Columbia County so whose gonna see you anyway?) Something outdated but roadworthy required. Remember, it’s not what you ride, but how you ride it.

Schodack Park n Ride, Rts. 20 & 150 (90 East, Exit 11E).

CONTACT: Tim Dormady
(766-2161)
timlor@taconic.net

John Berninger
(439-6473)
jwilbern3333@yahoo.com

Join fellow cyclists around the world to commemorate bikers killed while riding. The Albany route will pass three ghost bikes. For more information, visit the Ride of Silence site.

For more information, visit Cycling the Erie Canal.

Here’s the latest cool idea from the folks at Full Moon Vista bike shop:

Sunday June 1st, 2008, 9 a.m. — 1 p.m.
A bicycle ride to benefit the city of Rochester, NY

Adore Your City was created to raise funds, awareness, and community involvement to directly aid in the beautification of our city. Let’s face it, as cyclists we enjoy the good life! It almost seems unfair at times that non-cyclists don’t know what they’re missing, but we can do something to show the world how thrilled we are to be on our bikes… We can start a bike ride with the purpose of making our city a more beautiful place!

The event has three parts:

1. Entry fee: Every participant raises $180. The proceeds go directly to the City of Rochester project Clean Sweep.
2. Cleaning up: All participants commit to four hours of community service in May, 2008.
3. Ride: Here’s the fun part — riding your bike all over the greater Rochester area with people who are enthusiastic about cycling and the world we live in. There are four routes that will be ridden consecutively. Each route is a loop that starts and ends at Full Moon Vista Bike & Sport. Some riders may choose to ride one route, and others may choose to ride all four. Everyone can ride as little or as much as they want.

For more information and to register, visit the Adore Your City site.

Here’s a MAP.

For more about Critical Mass, visit WikiPedia.

See you there!

Contact: Dan Lill via e-mail or by phone at (585) 865-9872.

Santa’s Bike Shop (226 Hudson Avenue) will be giving away bicycles to approximately 30-40 kids @ 226 Hudson Avenue at 10am, Saturday December 8th. FHF Exec. Director Andrew Stankevich will be dressed up as a clown making balloon animals for neighborhood kids. The kids have already been pre-selected; no more kids are needed.

In addition to servicing individuals from the immediate neighborhood and from referrals through area
nonprofits, Santa’s Bike Shop will be providing free bicycles to the boys and girls through the First
Genesis Missionary Church (292 Hudson Avenue), an immediate neighbor of the Hudson Ave. bike shop. Dan
Lill (“the bike santa”) said, “We got the sled out of the basement and were gearing the reindeer up so that I could fly from house to house, drop down the chimney and leave bikes under the Christmas trees for all of the nice boys and girls of the poverty-stricken Upper Falls neighborhood. However, after coordinating an extensive feasibility study, Friends Helping Friends determined that it would be most efficient to partner with another neighborhood organization and invite kids to the warehouse so that we could better customize the bikes for each individual kid.”

Missionary Vera Crumpler (First Missionary Baptist Church/Citywide Youth Crusade) said, “I organized all of the kids who really wanted bikes for Christmas, but their moms and dads couldn’t afford to buy them one. The kids will come with their parents to pick up their bicycle.”

Andrew Stankevich will be performing as a clown and making balloon animals for neighborhood kids during the bike giveaway. “We’ve got our own strategic initiative to combat crime & violence in the “crescent” of Rochester. It’s called neighbors working together to spread God’s love by giving away free bicycles,” said Stankevich.

People of all ages and backgrounds ride through the city of Rochester and surrounding areas on their mountain bikes. Scott Page, the owner of Full Moon Vista, leads the ride and the route is never predetermined. The only guarantee is that you will explore the city in a way that can only be done on a bicycle. Come out and join riders of all abilities who refuse to let the forecast tell them they can’t go out and play on their bikes!

We leave from the Adams Street Center promptly at 6:15 so don’t be late! Hope to see you there next week!

Here’s the plug that ran on RocBike

Meet at 8 p.m. outside of Monty’s Krown, 875 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14620

Join us for a fun-filled Cruiser Ride through Rochester neighborhoods. Cruiser rides are laid-back moving social gatherings with music, lights, and all sorts of bikes, and all are welcome!

This Wednesday join us for a fun-filled Cruiser Ride through Rochester neighborhoods. Cruiser rides are laid-back moving social gatherings with music, lights, and all sorts of bikes, and all are welcome! Some of us will be dressing up as super-heroes this week, and we encourage you to do so as well, but costumes are optional. Be sure to bundle up as we approach the colder season!

RocBike.com at an institution of higher learning? Strange, but true!

Come on down to learn about what YOU can do to make the world a little better. And come see the Packet Boat (Xtracycle)! Heck, if the room is large enough, come RIDE the Packet Boat!

Save Money and the Planet at DCC’s Sustainability Day!

Reduce your RG&E bill! Recycle everything you can! Buy healthy, local fruits and veggies for dinner! Wake up to fair trade with some coffee! Save money and get a workout by bicycling! Save money on gas by improving your car’s fuel efficiency!

Don’t know how or where to start? How about DCC’s celebration of National Campus Sustainability Day on Monday, October 29, from 12-1, where you’ll find a campus and community fair, located in the Fourth Floor Atrium, focusing on sustainability in the areas of:

• Energy
• Transportation
• Recycling
• Food

The following organizations will be represented: RG&E, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, STEP Program at MCC, Rochester Bicycling Club, RocBike.com, Applied Technology Center, Rochester Department of Environmental Conservation, Abundance Co-operative Market, Coffee Connection, and South Wedge Farmers Market.

(Please note that the Damon City Campus is in the Sibley Building at 228 E. Main St., Rochester.)

Have Columbus Day, Monday October 8th off? Looking for a nice long ride to wrap up the season?

Join us on a ride from Scottsville to Letchworth!

We plan to meet at Johnson Park in Scottsville at 8am on Monday October 8.

Proposed route is here

This route avoids the huge craft show at the north end of the park. Crafters may want to break off early and take in the show. This is an informal, unsupported ride, so bring your spares, food and bevvies. Expected pace: 13-15 mph avg, maybe less depending on who joins us. And certainly less on the climbs! Total distance: 86 miles, including riding in the park)

For more info:

• bikeforums.net
• bikejournal.com
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/holiday-leaf-peeping-ride/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/rochester-cyclocross/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/rochester-cyclocross/#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:54:22 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/rochester-cyclocross/

  

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/rochester-cyclocross/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/tuesday-night-urban-assault-tnua-ride/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/tuesday-night-urban-assault-tnua-ride/#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:43:51 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/tuesday-night-urban-assault-tnua-ride/

  People of all ages and backgrounds ride through the city of Rochester and surrounding areas on their mountain bikes. Scott Page, the owner of Full Moon Vista, leads the ride and the route is never predetermined. The only guarantee is that you will explore the city in a way that can only be done on a bicycle. Come out and join riders of all abilities who refuse to let the forecast tell them they can’t go out and play on their bikes!

  We leave from the Adams Street Center promptly at 6:15 so don’t be late! Hope to see you there next week!

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/10/02/tuesday-night-urban-assault-tnua-ride/feed/ 1 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-7/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-7/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:48:56 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-7/

  Critical Mass ride departs:

  • From the Wilson Commons clock tower on the UR campus at 5:30pm and
  • From the Liberty Pole (downtown) at 6:00pm.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-7/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-6/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-6/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:46:29 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-6/

  Critical Mass ride departs:

  • From the Wilson Commons clock tower on the UR campus at 5:30pm and
  • From the Liberty Pole (downtown) at 6:00pm.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-6/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-5/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-5/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:45:30 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-5/

  Critical Mass ride departs:

  • From the Wilson Commons clock tower on the UR campus at 5:30pm and
  • From the Liberty Pole (downtown) at 6:00pm.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-5/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-4/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-4/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:44:50 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-4/

  Critical Mass ride departs:

  • From the Wilson Commons clock tower on the UR campus at 5:30pm and
  • From the Liberty Pole (downtown) at 6:00pm.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/critical-mass-4/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/new-history-tour-political-protest-and-direct-action-in-rochester-history/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/new-history-tour-political-protest-and-direct-action-in-rochester-history/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:43:12 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/new-history-tour-political-protest-and-direct-action-in-rochester-history/ Not-So-Smugtown After All: Political Protest and Direct Action in Rochester History
  (NOTE: this tour departs at 4pm)

  This tour will visit sites in and near Downtown Rochester where people have taken their political, social, and economic grievances to the streets, and often prevailed. The physical landscape has changed somewhat, but the sites still bring history back to life -a history that includes the Vietnam anti-war movement (the “Flower City Conspiracy,” etc.), the rise of organized labor (1946 General Strike), the Civil Rights movement (especially the misnamed “Race Riot” of 1964) protests and civil disobedience against Reagan-era US attacks on Central America, and popular agitation against urban poverty and injustice.

  Guide: Jack Bradigan Spula

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/14/new-history-tour-political-protest-and-direct-action-in-rochester-history/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/01/critical-mass-at-the-labor-day-parade/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/01/critical-mass-at-the-labor-day-parade/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:59:47 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/01/critical-mass-at-the-labor-day-parade/

  Are you a union cyclist, or a cyclist who believes in worker justice? Then this is for you:

  Hey Folks,

  Last night a majority of the critical mass crowd said they would be interested in being apart of the labor day parade. Therefore, there will be a bicycle/skateboard/inline and rollerskating contingent in the anti-war portion of the labor day parade.

  Let’s meet at East Ave and sibley place (across from the boy scouts) where division 6 is meeting. Division 6 is the division that has rochester against war in it.

  The parade starts at 11am.

  Noise makers, costumes, et al are very welcome!

  <3 and bikes,

  Ted

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/09/01/critical-mass-at-the-labor-day-parade/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/08/28/critical-mass-3/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/08/28/critical-mass-3/#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:32:07 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/08/28/critical-mass-3/

  Critical Mass ride departs this Friday, August 31:

  • From the Wilson Commons clock tower on the UR campus at 5:30pm and
  • From the Liberty Pole (downtown) at 6:00pm.

  After Mass

  Ted and other local media renegades bring you this after Critical Mass event:

  At 8pm, Rochester Indymedia is putting on a screening of “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave.

  [no religious recruiting, preaching, or the like will occur, in case you are nervous about going to a venue with St. as a prefix]

  The space is wheelchair accessible and popcorn may or may not be served (we’ll see!). Discussion to follow!

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/08/28/critical-mass-3/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop-2/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop-2/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:56:25 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop-2/ ]]> Mayor Robert J. Duffy keeps downtown rocking with “Summer Loop!” Summer Loop provides an opportunity for runners, walkers, rollerbladers and bikers to use the Inner Loop downtown as their personal playground, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sundays, July 15, 22 and 29.

  >

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop-2/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:55:01 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop/ ]]> Mayor Robert J. Duffy keeps downtown rocking with “Summer Loop!” Summer Loop provides an opportunity for runners, walkers, rollerbladers and bikers to use the Inner Loop downtown as their personal playground, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sundays, July 15, 22 and 29.

  >

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/19/summer-loop/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-4/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-4/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:07:33 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-4/

  August 28 – Guided Bike Ride, Corn Hill neighborhood. Meet at 6:15 p.m. at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave., bike on the Genesee Riverway Trial and explore the Corn Hill neighborhood. Enjoy ice cream at Corn Hill Landing.

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-4/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-3/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-3/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:06:44 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-3/ August 21 – Guided Bike Ride, Charlotte Neighborhood. Meet at 6:15 p.m. at the Port of Rochester boat launch parking lot, ride through historic Charlotte, the Port of Rochester, Beach Ave. and Edgemere Dr. Includes a climb up the 1822 Genesee Lighthouse Tower.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-3/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-2/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-2/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:05:32 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-2/ August 7: South River Loop neighborhood. Meet at the Genesee Valley Park pool parking lot, 131 Elmwood Ave. and ride along the Genesee Riverway Trail, through downtown Rochester and the Corn Hill neighborhood. Enjoy ice cream at Corn Hill Landing.
  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride-2/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:04:24 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride/

  July 24 – Guided Bike Ride: Park Avenue Neighborhood. Meet at 6:15 p.m. at Towner’s Bicycle Shop at 1048 University Ave. and ride along East Ave. Enjoy Cobbs Hill Reservoir and the Park Ave neighborhood. Sponsored by City of Rochester and Preferred Care.

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/18/tuesday-nature-night-guided-bike-ride/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/12/fk-your-gender-bike-ride/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/12/fk-your-gender-bike-ride/#comments Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:40:40 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/12/fk-your-gender-bike-ride/

  EVENT: F**k Your Gender! Bike Ride (Critical-Mass-style)
  DATE: Friday, July 20
  TIME: 6 p.m. (ride) / 7 p.m. (workshop)
  LOCATION: Liberty Pole @ East & Main, Rochester (ride) / St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality @ 402 South Ave (workshop)

  Notes from the organizers:

  6 p.m. Critical Mass Bike Ride. Theme: F*ck your Gender! Meet at the Liberty Pole (at the intersection of East and Main) at 6:00PM on Friday, July 20th, for a celebration of free gender expression and bicycle riding!

  “Gender f**k” is the lovely practice of purposely bending, blending, or breaking stereotypical gender appearances and mannerisms, resulting in a mixture of non-stereotypical gender identifiers that provoke the onlooker to question their gender assumptions. Fuck your gender! Yaaaaaay gender fuck!

  Critical Mass is a slow-moving, leaderless bicycle ride that celebrates cycling and cyclists’ right to the road. CM is an event and not an organization. Rochester Critical Mass has it’s monthly ride on the last Friday of the month, 6PM, at the Liberty Pole in Downtown. Ride Daily … Celebrate Monthly!

  7PM: Deconstructing Gender (a gender 101 workshop): After the ride, come out for an evening of deconstructing and challenging societal assumptions on gender and sexuality. Come view a dazzling film montage and join an exciting dialogue on personal experiences with gender roles. With activities inspired by Kate Bornstein’s Gender Workbook, find out what it means to be “perfectly gendered” or a gender outlaw. Location: St. Joe’s House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave.

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/12/fk-your-gender-bike-ride/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/06/friends-helping-friends-bike-drive/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/06/friends-helping-friends-bike-drive/#comments Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:18:19 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/06/friends-helping-friends-bike-drive/

  Bike Drive at the DoubleTree Hotel

  On Friday July 13th, the DoubleTree Hotel Rochester at 1111 Jefferson Road (near the intersection of E. Henrietta & Jefferson Rd) will be accepting donations of used bicycles in any condition ALL DAY. Friends Helping Friends repairs and provides bikes to those in need. DoubleTree employees will be grilling hots and hamburgers and washing cars from 10am – 2pm at the DoubleTree Hotel Rochester at 1111 Jefferson Road. Carwashes will be free for bike donors; donations accepted for BBQ and carwashes. All proceeds go to Friends Helping Friends.

  Call Friends Helping Friends @ 436-5605 or email fhf2004@hotmail.com for more info.

  Featuring “Reduce, Reuse, Reunicycle” Children’s & Adult’s Recycling Performance with “Flash In The Pan” and “Greta Garbage”: juggling, storytelling, music, ballooning & unicycle tricks @ 10am. Be there!

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/07/06/friends-helping-friends-bike-drive/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-down-by-the-river-obscure-rochester-river-history/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-down-by-the-river-obscure-rochester-river-history/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:26:45 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-down-by-the-river-obscure-rochester-river-history/

  This tour will travel to High Falls and follow the Genesee River Gorge north along Saint Paul St., parts of the River Trail, and Lake Avenue. Along the way will visit some historic, and not so historic sites important to Rochester’s history. The underlying theme will be the Genesee River Gorge area, but many lesser known, and obscure historical facts will be presented, such as High Falls daredevil Sam Patch, Rochester’s connection to the 1977 New York City blackout, the 1972 Brink’s armored car heist, a foiled suicide lottery, and one of Rochester’s most colorful historical figures “Rattlesnake” Pete, famous for treating goiter by wrapping Rattlesnakes around patient’s necks. We’ll also be visiting some city landmarks that include The Underground Railroad at Maplewood Rose Garden, memorials to Henry Lomb, and George Eatman (Mr. Eastman’s tomb at Kodak Park), Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, and Kodak’s Hawkeye Plant.

  Guide: Erik Olsson

  Tour starts at Rochester Contemporary, 137 East Ave. More info: New History Tours

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-down-by-the-river-obscure-rochester-river-history/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-emma-goldman-rochester%e2%80%99s-most-famous-rebel/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-emma-goldman-rochester%e2%80%99s-most-famous-rebel/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:23:49 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-emma-goldman-rochester%e2%80%99s-most-famous-rebel/ J. Edgar Hoover described Emma Goldman as “the most dangerous woman in America.” This tour will travel to the sites where Emma worked and lived in Rochester and address why Hoover hated her and millions of men and women throughout the world loved her. George Campbell McDade, is the author of “If I Can’t Dance, Its Not My Revolution!” a play about the life, times, triumphs and trials of Emma Goldman.

  guide: George Campbell McDade

  Tour starts at Rochester Contemporary, 137 East Ave. More info: New History Tours

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-emma-goldman-rochester%e2%80%99s-most-famous-rebel/feed/ 2 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-from-grave-to-cradle-sites-insights-and-foresights-of-great-rochester-innovators/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-from-grave-to-cradle-sites-insights-and-foresights-of-great-rochester-innovators/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:21:59 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-from-grave-to-cradle-sites-insights-and-foresights-of-great-rochester-innovators/

  This tour will travel to Mt. Hope Cemetery, the first municipal rural landscape cemetery in the country. After visiting their current locations in the cemetery, we will visit significant sites around the city of Rochester where some of these innovators made their earlier marks on the world. Included will be Hiram Sibley and Don Alonzo Watson (Western Union, Purchase of Alaska), Henry Augustus Ward (Ward’s Natural Science Establishment), George Baldwin Selden (Automobile), James Goold Cutler (Mail Chute) and Josephus Requa (Machine Gun).

  Guide: Ron Richardson

  Tour starts at Rochester Contemporary, 137 East Ave. More info: New History Tours

  ]]> http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/bike-tour-from-grave-to-cradle-sites-insights-and-foresights-of-great-rochester-innovators/feed/ 0 http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/critical-mass-2/ http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/critical-mass-2/#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:37:02 +0000 Jason Crane http://www.rocbike.com/2007/06/26/critical-mass-2/
• Event: Critical Mass
• Date: Friday, July 27th
• Time: 6PM at the Liberty Pole (or 5:30PM at the U of R clock tower)
• Details: Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road. The idea started in San Francisco in September 1992 and quickly spread to cities all over the world. Critical Mass has no leaders, and no central organization licenses rides. In every city that has a CM ride, some locals simply picked a date, time, and location for the ride and publicized it, and thus the ride was born. CM is an idea and an event, not an organization.