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Closing the gaps on Erie Canal will draw bicycle travelers

Just like the movie says, “If you build it, he will come.”

In the case of the Erie Canalway Trail in New York state, “he” is 500,000 bicyclists annually.

The Canalway Trails Association of New York says that about 75% of the 365-mile canal towpath between Buffalo to Albany is complete as an off-road bicycle path.

Completing the remaining 75 to 80 miles will cost about $35 million, according to a report issued this month by the association: “Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail”.

In addition to creating jobs for hundreds of workers, the completion of an off-road link from …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/27/closing-the-gaps-on-erie-canal-will-draw-bicycle-travelers/

Remembering Cycle Across Maryland; crossing the Bay Bridge

Somewhere in this mass of bicyclists wearing T-shirts and “beer-cooler” helmets you can find my friend Bruce and me.

We're riding our bicycles across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as part of Cycle Across Maryland — a wonderful event that petered out in the latter part of this decade.

As you can guess from our cycling gear, this photo was taken in the early 1990s. It was 1994, in fact, the first and maybe only time that the 4.3-mile-long eastbound span of the Bay Bridge on US Route 50 was closed to everyone but bicyclists.

The photo was taken by Bob Gilbert, a former colleague at the Annapolis Capital newspaper who loved shooting pictures from anything up high. I just stumbled across this photo ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/26/remembering-cycle-across-maryland-crossing-the-bay-bridge/

Bicycle ban issue going to Colorado Supreme Court

Three bicyclists who were ticketed for riding their bicycles in Black Hawk, Colorado, are fighting those tickets all the way to the Supreme Court.

The highest court in Colorado has agreed to hear the case that dates back to the summer of 2010 when the small gambling town in Colorado started enforcing its bicycle ban.

The justices will hear arguments and rule on three issues:

“Whether municipalities may ban bicycling on local streets …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/23/bicycle-ban-issue-going-to-colorado-supreme-court/

“Bicycle Friendly” stickers say you're willing to lend a hand

Stick it on your car, your home, your roadside mailbox or the entrance to your business.

The blue “Bicycle Friendly” sticker tells passersby that you support bicyclists, and any cyclist in need is welcome to stop in.

The sticker idea originated in Columbia, Kentucky, home to the four-year Lindsey Wilson College, which distributes the stickers online.

The college cycling team's coach, David Grigsby, explains that he was speaking at a local Rotary club meeting when one member asked if there was a way to communicate to the cyclists that it was OK to stop at his house to use the restroom, get water, make a call, or get directions …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/22/bicycle-friendly-stickers-say-youre-willing-to-lend-a-hand/

That new bicycle path in Bellevue

A few days ago I posted a story about a short bicycle path opened in Bellevue that avoids some busy roads and intersections in the Factoria shopping district.

Here's a video the City of Bellevue posted online about the bike path.

One interesting note about this route is how the city used state and federal funds to help pay the …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/21/that-new-bicycle-path-in-bellevue/

Mt. Washington bike race suits the masochist in us

If you revel in cycling challenges and you keep a bucket list, then the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb is a perfect candidate for it.

The 7.6-mile scramble to the summit of the New Hampshire peak has an average gradient of 12% with sections of 18%. The last 50 yards, where it really counts, maxes out at 22%.

Viewing the unnatural upward tilt of some bicycles in this video makes my thighs burn, but I can understand some cyclists' desire to return here year after year. …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/20/mt-washington-bike-race-suits-the-masochist-in-us/

2012: The year of around-the-world bicycling?

The coming year will probably witness more bicyclists embarking on around-the-world journeys than ever before.

In February, endurance cyclists will set off on their own from London on the Global Bicycle Race. Each participant will be seeking to break the current Guinness World Record of 163 days for a 18,000-mile circumnavigation by bike.

Then, in September, a group of bicyclists will leave London together for a fully supported world tour called the World Cycle Challenge. Their mileage — 18,010 — would qualify for a global bicycle journey, but the 9-month journey isn't designed for a world record.

Two global bicycling world record holders are at the heart of each endeavor …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/19/2012-the-year-of-around-the-world-bicycling/

A favorite piece of bicycling gear: eyeglass mirror

I've attached lots of different lights, pedals, saddles, handlebar grips and other gizmos and gadgets to my bike or myself in the past 10 years.

The one thing that's given me the most pleasure is a simple rectangular eyeglass mirror that cost me less than $10.

Like my helmet, I can't leave home without it. That's the mirror in the photo at left as I'm being trailed across Kansas by my son this summer.

If you're searching for a holiday present for a bicyclist, a mirror would be a good choice. Any local bicycle store will have a good selection….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/18/a-favorite-piece-of-bicycling-gear-eyeglass-mirror/

New bike path in Bellevue; Burke-Gilman update

As bicycle paths go it isn't very long, less than a half mile.

But Bellevue city officials say it will make travel safer for bicyclists and pedestrians in the Factoria shopping area of Bellevue.

A work in progress since late summer, the 124th Avenue connector trail opened this week.

The 10-foot-wide path connects the I-90 bike trail (also known as the Mountains to Sound Trail) to 124th Avenue SE.

Meanwhile, the county says only part of Burke Gilman renovation will be ready by the end of the month, and Seattle returns to court to complete the “missing link” in Ballard…

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/16/new-bike-path-in-bellevue-burke-gilman-update/

Lees-McRae College mourns death of cycling team member

Megan Baab, a freshman member of the Lees-McRae College cycling team, was struck head-on and killed while on a training ride near the North Carolina college on Thursday afternoon.

The driver of the pickup truck, a student at a nearby college, had fallen asleep at the wheel and veered into the oncoming lane.

College president Barry Buxton said she was airlifted to the Johnson City (Tennessee) Medical Center, but was unable to survive her injuries.

“We all remember Megan as a bright and bubbly member of our campus community.  She always had a smile and on her face and a friendly word to say …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/12/16/lees-mcrae-college-mourns-death-of-cycling-team-member/