I just made a few recent trips to the Great Lakes area and had some opportunities to ride around Chicago and Memphis. Chris G in Chicago is a crazy dude who doesn't wear any sort of leg warmer or long underwear under his jeans when he rides in the cold.
Route # 1 http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2592409
I was layered like crazy and he comes rollin' by with his jeans just smiling and flying past me. Jerk! :-) Route # 2 http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2592432
In Memphis, I met Corey, Cort, Dennis, Chase, Kermit, and a few other guys whose names I forgot (I'm sorry!!!) and we rode a pretty amazing route around Memphis. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2592284
All in all, it was a pretty amazing trip! In Chicago, Chris and I cleaned my chain and chainring, and tried to take off my freewheel. It didn't work to well... I tried to go meet him at one of his friend's house for a party during the Academy Awards, but got home too late. By the time I got halfway there, he was on the way back.
The next afternoon, he and I were going to meet up at the Handlebar on North. From looking at the website, it looks like a great spot. They are involved in bicycle issues in Chicago, and seem to be a cool organization. They were closed, however, and catering a private party. So, we rode down Damen to Earwax Cafe. This was a cool little spot in Wicker Park. We ate dinner, then rode back to Chris's pad on Henderson in Roscoe Park. Chicago was a great town, and I really liked the feel for the city that I got from riding around in it.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
B.R.A.S.S.
Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets (BRASS) is having their monthly meeting tonight at the Terrace Ave branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library System. Meeting begins at 6:30 and tonight we have a featured guest!!!
Joining us will be Chief Traffic Engineer for the City of Baton Rouge Ingolf Partenheimer.
Chief Partenheimer wants to make big changes in Baton Rouge quickly. I'm not sure if he will be
fielding questions or if he will simply be reading a statement and then leaving or how exactly his presence will be set up, but he will be there.
Please spread the word about this meeting and get folks out there!!!
Joining us will be Chief Traffic Engineer for the City of Baton Rouge Ingolf Partenheimer.
Chief Partenheimer wants to make big changes in Baton Rouge quickly. I'm not sure if he will be
fielding questions or if he will simply be reading a statement and then leaving or how exactly his presence will be set up, but he will be there.
Please spread the word about this meeting and get folks out there!!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Only a few more Mayor's meetings
There are only a few more opportunities for you to get your concerns, questions, issues, and ideas heard by the mayor. These opportunites are at the following locations:
Feb. 16 — 4 p.m. at the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St.;
6:30 p.m. at Scotlandville Branch Library, 7373 Scenic Highway.
Feb. 17 — 4 p.m. at McKinley Alumni Center, 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Road;
6:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 2025 Stuart Ave.
Feb. 19 — 4 p.m. at Kleinpeter Activity Center (near St. George Church), 7808 St. George Drive; 6:30 p.m, Woodlawn Baptist Church (cafeteria), 5805 Jones Creek Road.
Please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, enemies, and local hobos about these meetings!! Show up to these meetings! Make your voice heard! This opportunity is not going to happen again anytime soon, so please take advantage of it!!
Feb. 16 — 4 p.m. at the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church St.;
6:30 p.m. at Scotlandville Branch Library, 7373 Scenic Highway.
Feb. 17 — 4 p.m. at McKinley Alumni Center, 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Road;
6:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 2025 Stuart Ave.
Feb. 19 — 4 p.m. at Kleinpeter Activity Center (near St. George Church), 7808 St. George Drive; 6:30 p.m, Woodlawn Baptist Church (cafeteria), 5805 Jones Creek Road.
Please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, enemies, and local hobos about these meetings!! Show up to these meetings! Make your voice heard! This opportunity is not going to happen again anytime soon, so please take advantage of it!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Just got this in an email. No mention as to time, but I imagine it is during the day. Please contact Lacey Dupre' or Chelsea's for more information, as I don't have any!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everybody!!!
This Friday, Chelsea's is hosting a meeting for the overpass. This discussion will be about the bridge and the possible bike path it may/should include. The City and State have been invited to attend, I believe the State is doing the bridge. We need to show up show our support for a bike path there!!! COME ON!!!!!!-Lacey
Lacey Dupre'
Manager of Farm Outreach, BREADA
Big River Economic & AgriculturalDevelopment Alliance
P.O. Box 3976, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
FAX 225.387.6153 http://www.breada.org/
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Response to a letter to the editor:
This letter is in response to Maia E. Butler’s letter to the editor that was published on February 10th, 2009 in the Baton Rouge Advocate.
My understanding of the Capital Heights lanes is that they were temporarily striped to gauge interest and survey usage. As they were a roaring success, they have very recently been re-striped with bicycle lanes in both directions. While your claim that cars do not necessarily look in both directions for bicycles is correct, cars should be looking both ways for pedestrians. By looking for pedestrians, they should also see any cyclists traveling on that side of the road.
Maia- I encourage you, and all who are interested in bicycle and pedestrian issues in this city and parish, to attend the monthly BRASS meetings. We meet the 4th Thursday of each month at the Terrace Ave. Branch of the EBR Public Library System at 6:30 PM. Speaking of meetings, the Baton Rouge Bike/Ped Committee meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:30 at the CRPC building on 19th and Florida. I also encourage you to write your council-person, senator, and representative and voice your concerns and ideas. If you don’t tell them, they don’t hear you!
My understanding of the Capital Heights lanes is that they were temporarily striped to gauge interest and survey usage. As they were a roaring success, they have very recently been re-striped with bicycle lanes in both directions. While your claim that cars do not necessarily look in both directions for bicycles is correct, cars should be looking both ways for pedestrians. By looking for pedestrians, they should also see any cyclists traveling on that side of the road.
Maia- I encourage you, and all who are interested in bicycle and pedestrian issues in this city and parish, to attend the monthly BRASS meetings. We meet the 4th Thursday of each month at the Terrace Ave. Branch of the EBR Public Library System at 6:30 PM. Speaking of meetings, the Baton Rouge Bike/Ped Committee meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:30 at the CRPC building on 19th and Florida. I also encourage you to write your council-person, senator, and representative and voice your concerns and ideas. If you don’t tell them, they don’t hear you!
Monday, February 9, 2009
1st b.r.ALLEY CAT a success!!!!
Baton Rouge hosted its first monthly alley cat race this past Friday. The series, called the b.r.ALLEY CAT, will occur the first friday of every month. Registration will always be $5 and will always be at 6:30PM. The race will begin at 7PM, and will be a different theme each month. These races are intended to get people out on the streets riding their bikes and learning about their city at the same time.
For a complete recap, visit brbikepolo.blogspot.com
For a complete recap, visit brbikepolo.blogspot.com
Monday, February 2, 2009
Mayor Holden to hold public meetings
Read this story at the advocate:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/38682507.html
You should all try to make it to these meetings. Talk about how there are no sidewalks in our city. Talk about how the newly opened Perkins Road near Perkins Rowe is built to interstate standards and has no accomodations for bikes (how wide is too wide for a car?) Talk about how a man got killed on Evangeline after he was hit by TWO seperate cars that drove away after hitting him. That is unacceptable! Let's get out there, make our voices heard! We want smarter, safer, healthier streets. We want a smarter, safer, healthier Baton Rouge! Not just for us, but for our future generations.
In my opinion, top issues would include:
1) making Baton Rouge a safer city (crime reduction, increased social awareness, foster a sense of community and social responsibility, help to create a sense of respect for your fellow citizen whether you know them or not)
2) making Baton Rouge a healthier city. As Louisiana is one of the only 2 states in the entire country with an obesity reate over 40%, Baton Rouge should take a charge and make an example of how to live a healthy lifestyle. This should include physical activity, eating healthy, and improving the general quality of life. This includes making Baton Rouge a walkable and bike-able city. We need to create a system of off-street multi-use paths that will let our city walk, rollerblade, jog, run, walk our dogs, ride bikes, or whatever we want to do without having to do it on a public street. We have the capability to convert the land alongside our many water-ways to create such a system. It just needs to be seen as a public health issue and put into practice. We also need to make our streets safer for people to ride bikes and walk on. A comprehensive system of sidewalks needs to be put in place. Bike lanes should be striped on roads that are able to be modified to accept bike lanes. Where bike lanes are not able to be installed, signage needs to be implemented to inform drivers and bike riders that the road is legally both of theirs, and a mutual respect is warrented. Bikes May Use Full Lane!
3) Arts and Entertainment: Baton Rouge needs to create a demand for and a space to accomodate a full spectrum of arts and entertainment. We need a large amphitheatre like venue to attract big name acts. Baton Rouge-eans shouldn't have to drive to New Orleans to Metallica of The Eagles. They should stop in BOTH cities. Baton Rouge is getting better with some areas of art. The Shaw Center has been a great addition to the arts scene in this city. The improvements around City Park and the Baton Rouge Gallery have been a great addition to the arts scene in this city. We need neighborhood art walks, smaller venues for mid-level acts, and venues for our young people. There is especially a need for an All Ages venue that will attract groups that young people are interested in, AND attract the young people to it. This will keep them interested, engaged, and into something that isn't drugs, alcohol, sex, fighting, or other things that can get young people into trouble.
4) Environment. The overall environment in Baton Rouge needs help. In this instance, I mean environment in several ways. First, the earth needs our help. Despite being an oil rich state, we need to work to end our states dependence on the oil industry. The overall environment of our city needs attention too. We need to make Baton Rouge a beautiul place. It is the capital city of our state. It needs to be the best. It needs to be green. It needs flowers. It needs trees. It needs grass in public areas so people can lay in it and enjoy the beauty that is the Louisiana weather. Less trash, a comprehensive city wide recycling system. If possible, feed into recycling systems that are already in place. Budweiser has one of the largest recycling programs in the country. Could we get our recyclables, crush them, and ship them by rail to budweiser so that they could recycle it for us?
These are the types of thinking that we need to implement in order to make Baton Rouge the flagship parish of our state, and an example for other cities to emulate. At least in my opinion. I will be at as many of these meetings as I can make it to. I hope that those of you that live in the city/parish will make it to at least one as well. If you don't live in the city, talk to your local council persons, mayors, representatives. Get Ascension parish to begin doing these things. Get Livingston Parish to start doing these things. In a nation of 300 million, we have got to start living in harmony with those around us. We have got to start leading better, healthier, more productive lives.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/38682507.html
You should all try to make it to these meetings. Talk about how there are no sidewalks in our city. Talk about how the newly opened Perkins Road near Perkins Rowe is built to interstate standards and has no accomodations for bikes (how wide is too wide for a car?) Talk about how a man got killed on Evangeline after he was hit by TWO seperate cars that drove away after hitting him. That is unacceptable! Let's get out there, make our voices heard! We want smarter, safer, healthier streets. We want a smarter, safer, healthier Baton Rouge! Not just for us, but for our future generations.
In my opinion, top issues would include:
1) making Baton Rouge a safer city (crime reduction, increased social awareness, foster a sense of community and social responsibility, help to create a sense of respect for your fellow citizen whether you know them or not)
2) making Baton Rouge a healthier city. As Louisiana is one of the only 2 states in the entire country with an obesity reate over 40%, Baton Rouge should take a charge and make an example of how to live a healthy lifestyle. This should include physical activity, eating healthy, and improving the general quality of life. This includes making Baton Rouge a walkable and bike-able city. We need to create a system of off-street multi-use paths that will let our city walk, rollerblade, jog, run, walk our dogs, ride bikes, or whatever we want to do without having to do it on a public street. We have the capability to convert the land alongside our many water-ways to create such a system. It just needs to be seen as a public health issue and put into practice. We also need to make our streets safer for people to ride bikes and walk on. A comprehensive system of sidewalks needs to be put in place. Bike lanes should be striped on roads that are able to be modified to accept bike lanes. Where bike lanes are not able to be installed, signage needs to be implemented to inform drivers and bike riders that the road is legally both of theirs, and a mutual respect is warrented. Bikes May Use Full Lane!
3) Arts and Entertainment: Baton Rouge needs to create a demand for and a space to accomodate a full spectrum of arts and entertainment. We need a large amphitheatre like venue to attract big name acts. Baton Rouge-eans shouldn't have to drive to New Orleans to Metallica of The Eagles. They should stop in BOTH cities. Baton Rouge is getting better with some areas of art. The Shaw Center has been a great addition to the arts scene in this city. The improvements around City Park and the Baton Rouge Gallery have been a great addition to the arts scene in this city. We need neighborhood art walks, smaller venues for mid-level acts, and venues for our young people. There is especially a need for an All Ages venue that will attract groups that young people are interested in, AND attract the young people to it. This will keep them interested, engaged, and into something that isn't drugs, alcohol, sex, fighting, or other things that can get young people into trouble.
4) Environment. The overall environment in Baton Rouge needs help. In this instance, I mean environment in several ways. First, the earth needs our help. Despite being an oil rich state, we need to work to end our states dependence on the oil industry. The overall environment of our city needs attention too. We need to make Baton Rouge a beautiul place. It is the capital city of our state. It needs to be the best. It needs to be green. It needs flowers. It needs trees. It needs grass in public areas so people can lay in it and enjoy the beauty that is the Louisiana weather. Less trash, a comprehensive city wide recycling system. If possible, feed into recycling systems that are already in place. Budweiser has one of the largest recycling programs in the country. Could we get our recyclables, crush them, and ship them by rail to budweiser so that they could recycle it for us?
These are the types of thinking that we need to implement in order to make Baton Rouge the flagship parish of our state, and an example for other cities to emulate. At least in my opinion. I will be at as many of these meetings as I can make it to. I hope that those of you that live in the city/parish will make it to at least one as well. If you don't live in the city, talk to your local council persons, mayors, representatives. Get Ascension parish to begin doing these things. Get Livingston Parish to start doing these things. In a nation of 300 million, we have got to start living in harmony with those around us. We have got to start leading better, healthier, more productive lives.
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