Local Cycling Issues
(Although it looks more like the
WaterDog Lake Supporters Page!)
09/01/07- RANT ABOUT LOCAL BIKE PATHS, BIKE ROUTES AND THE
DUMBARTON BRIDGE
Last Sunday we had to head out from Redwood City to the Sacramento
Valley to check out a potential new Corgi puppy. As this had the
potential to severely cut into what little riding time I have with
my 14-year-old son, I decided hey, why not ride out to Modesto? A
one-way trip of maybe 70 miles, meeting up with my daughter in her
car once there.
Hmm. In a car, you just get on the appropriate
freeway, take the correct exits and voila, you're there. On a bike?
When it's not any sort of popular place to ride?
Well, you do the google maps thing, tell it to avoid highways,
and see what you get. That, plus some local knowledge, and you find
yourself on a few commuter bike routes, a path here & there, some
really bike-unfriendly roads and, considering this is the SF Bay
Area, an amazing lack of places to buy food or get water (which can
be an issue when it's 90+ degrees out).
I experienced a local bike path, one that runs alongside the east
side of the Bayfront Expressway on the way to the Dumbarton Bridge
bay crossing, that had far more gravel than would have been the case
on the road's shoulder, and as it neared the bridge, the bike route
just simply ceases to exist on the east side at the intersection
with Sun Microsystems and takes up again on the other side of the
road, without signage, and requiring two signal crossings.
The Dumbarton Bridge crossing includes poorly-defined entry &
exit points, and the eastern approach to the bridge has a bike lane
that, if you were to ride in it, would put you at risk for serious
injury due to the condition of the road.
None of those things are going to stop the experienced cyclist,
who will simply take to the road and is adept at handling whatever
he or she comes across. But what about someone just starting out,
thinking that maybe they ought to try the bike-to-work thing and see
what it's like? Yikes!
But that's not what really bothers me. What really bothers me are
the missed opportunities because bike paths and routes aren't
adequately signed, and by signed, I mean there's no indication where
the bike route might take you.
Nothing saying it's "x" miles to Livermore, or where connecting
bike routes intersect, and where those might go. Things that are the
norm for cars.
Things that, if you think about it, essentially market the roads,
by telling you what you can do, where you can go, if you drive. We
don't have that for bike routes & bike paths. Why?
The ultimate insult is the California Aqueduct Bikeway. I
remember when this seemed like such a big thing 30 or whatever years
ago. My son and I rode part of it on the way towards Modesto,
because there were no other roads available (the freeway had
replaced them). So we (cyclists) are forced onto this poorly-paved
gravel-strewn access road along one side of the aqueduct, but that's
not the worst of it. When you're on the aqueduct bike path, you
simply have no clue where you are, because not only is there no
signage along the bike path, but when you intersect a road, out in
the middle of nowhere, the road has no signage to tell you what *IT*
is. A truly bizarre, almost twilight-zone scenario. Fortunately,
there was a gas station about half a mile off the bike route where
we thought we might need to exit, so we were able to get our
bearings.
But it didn't end there. You see, on the map, we take the bike
path to Highway 132, which we then ride into Modesto on. But the map
didn't show that this one section of 132 was a freeway, and, even
though it was the only route available, it was a freeway that didn't
allow bicycles. Fortunately it didn't take long for my daughter to
catch up with us, and we drove the remaining 20 miles into Modesto
(so we got to ride 65 instead of 85 miles).
Signage, boys & girls. Think signage if you want to see increases
in people cycling to work or simply cycling for any reason other
than just recreation.
Let people know where they might go, where they might find food &
water, and that someone thinks bicycling is a legit way of getting
from point-A to point-B, not just riding in a big loop.
And hold a bike path to minimum standards. If it falls below
those standards, eliminate the bike path. Don't mark a 2-foot-wide
piece of shoulder with a line and bike markings when somebody riding
within that zone could seriously hurt themselves due to the
condition of the roadway. To do otherwise is to send the message to
cyclists that we don't really care that much about you, and this is
what you're going to face if you really want to commute. It can only
make things worse.
05/07/03 MORE WATERDOG LAKE OPPORTUNITIES
Friends,
This late, wet spring has given us the rare opportunity to complete
the new trail at Water Dog Lake, in Belmont, this year. Please come
out & help bring this nearly finished trail to completion this
season. We have 80% of the trail ready to ride, but we need help to
get it done.
We'll be working every Wednesday PM this month, at
6PM 'till dark. Please e-mail me for details and so I'll know how
many tools to bring. Also we'll be working Saturdays, the10th & the
17th and possibly the 31st if soil moisture holds up. Again, email
me for details so I can provide tools & info for you.
Come on out and help add this outstanding NEW trail to our
inventory of riding opportunities here.
Thanks, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
04/01/03- WATERDOG LAKE (STILL) NEEDS YOU!
Friends,
We're running out of time to get the new trail at Water Dog Lake in
Belmont finished this season. Please come out for one of the few
remaining work dates and we can still get it done. We have a work
day this Sunday April 6 again on April 19 and then May 3. We may
schedule future dates if soil moisture allows, but that is unknown
at present. To help those of you who are weekend challenged,
training, riding, racing, yard work, we will start Wednesday evening
work sessions April 9 and running until the soil gets too dry,
probably in early to mid May. To sign up for either the weekend or
Wednesday eve work dates, please reply to me via e-mail with the
date(s) of your choice.
Sign up, let's get it done!!
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
This Saturday (March 1st), Major Taylor Cycling Club will offer a
free/low cost bicycle repair clinic to low income children and
individuals 11-3pm. Find us at East Palo Alto Charter School, south
end of Runnymede Ave. (end of the street, beside the Bay Trail).
What we can do: repair flats, low cost new tubes and tires, true
wheels, brake repair/adjustment, hub rebuilds, bottom bracket
greasing, headset greasing, chain oiling/fitting, bike size fitting,
cable/cable housing replacement, derailleur adjustment/fixes. We'll
show you how to fix it, you turn the screws and do the work. See and
do. Also, donate your bike and parts and receive a tax deductable
receipt. We can use your cast off bikes (road, hybrid, mountain,
youth, clubs), and your usable spare parts. And if you care to
donate some time as a volunteer mechanic, please join us.
01/26/03 WATERDOG LAKE PROJECT THIS SUNDAY!
Subject: Massage, BBQ, and trail work (not in that order)
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 21:00:07 -0800
X-Priority: 3
Hi,
Last Saturday, a collection of Water Dog Lake trail volunteers, in
collaboration with the Belmont Parks and Recreation, completed the
first section of bench cutting on an entirely new trail (for
pictures: <http://www.romp.org/modules/gallery/waterdog/aaa>http://www.romp.org/modules/gallery/waterdog/aaa).
We are particularly happy with the results and think you will be
too. To celebrate, we are going to do it again on Sunday the 2nd
(see details below) and are hoping that you will join us. We are
trying to make a big push so we can complete the new trail this
trail building season! We need and would appreciate your help. To
make this offer even more enticing, there will be a BBQ afterwards
at Becky, Dave, and Nick’s (the Wonder Dog) for all Water Dog Lake
trail workers, past and present. But wait, there’s more! Our friend,
fellow trail worker, and certified massage therapist Nicole has
volunteered to donate a couple of hours of massage therapy to the
day’s trail workers (sign up will be first signed up, first served).
Here’s the trail work and BBQ details. RSVP to Berry if you a coming
for trail work so we can make sure there are enough tools. RSVP to
Becky and Dave: rgray@thegrid.net for the BBQ.
Water Dog Lake Park, Belmont
What: Trail construction and maintenance
When: Feb: Sun 2, Sat 22, Mar: 23 ; 9 AM
Details: Here it is, the long awaited opportunity to build more
trail and expand our riding options in the Bay Area. First & seventh
attendees will get a brand new, free mt bike tire. We will be
building an entirely new trail this season, half way up the Western
wall of the canyon. It will connect the CCC built trail with the
Heinous fire road that climbs up behind the parking area at the end
of Carlmont Drive. It should work out to about 2/3 to 3/4 mile long
with a lot of visual & riding interest along the way. We'll need
lots of help to finish it in one season, so be sure to make time to
come out and work at least once. There is PO, but we hope to cut
most of the vegetation before the rains begin, while the PO is
dormant. For those who are sensitive, I can assign work away from
most risk, and provide info on avoiding it in the first place. RSVP
with Berry Stevens (650-364-6785 or bt3mtbiker@earthlink.net). Bring
water, lunch, sturdy boots and clothing appropriate to the weather.
Wear long sleeves and pants for poison oak protection (though we try
to avoid it, some contact is inevitable).
The BBQ:
Who: Trail workers past and present. Friends and
acquaintances. If you haven’t done trail work yet and would like to
come to the BBQ it is OK. Come and help out with the BBQ.
Where: 1622 Ralston Ave, x-street Notre Dame. Ralston runs
between 280/92 and 101 and exits from both highways. 650-598-9597.
When: Starting after the trail work day. (2:30 to 3:00 pm for
guests and acquaintances).
Duration: That’s up to you. We live here and aren't going
anywhere.
Special Features: We’ll have plenty of towels, two showers,
and a bunch of Technu to clean off with after trail work. Bring a
change of clothes. I'm sure your fellow party goers will be happy
you did.
Food: A variety of grillables and side dishes aimed at a
variety of dietary preferences.
Wine: Yes we have it. A lot of it. Please don't bring any
more.
Beer: We believe in beer also, don’t you?
RSVP: To rgray@thegrid.net. We have no idea how many folks
will show.
Nick, Becky, and Dave
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
Here it
is, the long awaited opportunity to build more trail and expand our
riding options in the Bay Area. We will be building an entirely new
trail this season, half way up the Western wall of the canyon. It
will connect the CCC built trail with the Heinous fire road that
climbs up behind the parking area at the end of Carlmont
Drive. It should work out to about 2/3 to 3/4 mile long with alot of
visual & riding interest along the way. We'll need lots of help to
finish it in one season, so be sure to make time to come out and
work at least once. There is PO, but we hope to cut most of the
vegetation before the rains begin, while the PO is dormant. For
those who are sensitive, I can assign work away from most
risk, and provide info on avoiding it in the first place.
The work
days are nominally two weeks apart with some Sundays thrown in for
those of you who are Saturday challenged. The general program is to
show up at 9AM SHARP with water, lunch, sturdy boots and
clothing appropriate to the weather. We will work 'till around 2PM
(with a break for lunch) but if you need to leave sooner, no
problem; we appreciate whatever time you can spare. Here's the
teaser: Tom Ritchey wants this trail built, so he donated a case of
Z-Max 2.1 tires, the ones w/ the spiffy blue sidewalls, to be given
away to the FIRST and SEVENTH volunteers who commit and actually
show up to work for each work date. Order will be determined by the
sequence of my Eudora in-box, and given out on work days. So be
ready and reply to which ever dates work for you; volunteer early &
often. Reply to this e-mail or post to this account to get signed
up, get your tires and build more trail. If you have weather related
questions the morning of the work feel free to phone the number
below. Meet location and details about that project will be given to
those who commit to work, 2-3 days before the work date. The first
work day will be brushing on the Finch trail, then we start the new
trail.
Nov Sat 2
Sat 16
Dec Sun 8
Sat 21
Jan Sat 4
Sat 18
Feb Sun 2
Sat 22
Mar Sat 8
Berry T Stevens Build 'em
& Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
01/17/02 WaterDog Lake needs volunteers!
Friends,
Sorry for the late post, but we've had small turnouts
lately for the work days and I'd like to be able to finish the new
connector, this Saturday, Jan 19. In order to do that I'll need 3-4
volunteers to assist me Saturday. Currently no one has volunteered.
Any time you can spare would be appreciated, 2-3 hours would be
wonderful. We meet at the end of Carlmont Drive in Belmont, near
Alameda de Las Pulgas & Rlston at 9 AM.
If you can spare some time, please reply to this post so I can be
sure to have enough tools available, thank you very much, Berry
Berry T Stevens
ColorMagic
2551A Casey Ave
Mt. View, CA 94043
650/968-7661
12/17/01
WaterDog Lake update
Friends,
Six eager trail volunteers showed up Sat Dec 15 and finished
the 1/5
mile long trail connector from the
bottom of the canyon up to the Tot Lot on
Hastings. This will allow the neighbors up top to easily access
the trail network and make shorter loops of the existing trails.
The trail was inspected by Karl Mittelstat Director of Belmont
Park & Rec, immediately upon completion and he was pleased;
as was a neighbor who was walking his dog a few
minutes later. It's hard to underestimate
the impact these new trails and trail connectors
have had on this area and the people who use them. We've improved
the existing trails and built new ones that improve access and
allow many more loops and circulation patterns. Children, families
and couples who would never have ventured in prior to our work,
now find the trails inviting and fun. Many thanks to all who've
contributed over the last two years, you've done a
truly useful and appreciated deed.
We've laid out the next project and will begin work Jan 5,
2002.
Please log onto the ROMP web site
to see the work dates scheduled for
next
year and pick a date when you can come out and contribute to the
effort and get that good feeling from knowing many
will benefit from and enjoy your efforts.
Please reply to this post with the date of your
choice and I'll sign you up and send the details on that dates
work.
Thanks, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
10/29/01-
WaterDog Lake trail work this Sunday! A great opportunity
for Mountain Bikers.
Friends,
We have made an effort to accommodate all
schedules by having a Sunday work day, this coming Sunday, Nov 4.
Please reply to this post with your eager desire to help maintain
the trails. For those who are Poison Oak challenged, this is the
time to work as the PO is dormant and the least active it gets. We
had a low turnout yesterday and we need lots of folks to come out
this Sunday to keep our progress on track. Also see my original
post below with the season's schedule so you can participate in
the future as well, thanks for your support,
Berry
Water Dog Lake Park, Belmont Do you enjoy the
new trails at Water Dog Lake ? Did you know that these trails have
been built by a group of the users in cooperation with the Belmont
Parks and Recreation Department ? This year's trail building and
repair season is nearly upon us and we need your help building new
trails and maintaining the existing ones. Come out and lend us a
hand !
Why do trail work? It's fun! The City of Belmont
does not have the resources to maintain the trail system at Water
Dog Lake. You use the trails; you should help take care of them !
You can meet and connect with other users of the area. You can
contribute to the choices and decisions that are made when
designing and building trails. No experience necessary. Trail
workdays are mostly on Saturdays with a couple of Sunday's. We
meet at the entrance at end of Carlmont Drive 9 AM. For more
information contact
Belmont Parks and Rec at 650-595-7441; RSVP for
trail work with Berry Stevens (650-364-6785 or bt3mtbiker@earthlink.net)
so we will be sure to have enough trail tools available. All you
need to bring is yourself and all the friends you can muster, food
and water forthe day.
Although we try to avoid it, some contact with
poison oak is inevitable so come dressed with long sleeves and
pants. The dates in 2001 are
Oct 27, Nov 4, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 15. In 2002 they are Jan 5, Jan
13 (Sunday), Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, March 2 and more ? Remember to
share the trails and pass the word!
Friends,
A new season of trail building is here and it's
time to renew our efforts at maintaining and building trails. We
have met with the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of
Belmont and have worked out a schedule to maintain and repair the
existing trails, finish a prior project and build at least one new
trail this year. For those who aren't familiar, Water Dog Lake, in
Belmont near Alameda de Las Pulgas And Ralston, is a great place
for those after work or shorter rides or for when the Open Spaces
up on Skyline are too wet to ride. Water Dog Lake soils have a
high sand content and dry quickly.
So, log onto the ROMP home page or follow this
link <http://www.romp.org/volunteer/schedule.html>for
the whole scoop and full schedule. We have a work day this
Saturday and will be cutting back vegetation and doing other
maintenance. Please reply to this post to let me know if you're
coming, so I can have enough tools and I'll also give you
directions to the meeting place. Please start your volunteer
efforts off by committing your time to this project, Thanks, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave|
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
09/03/01-
If you like to descend West Old La Honda, READ THIS! (From
Stella Hackell, originally posted on ba.bicycles)
West Old La Honda has a thick layer of fresh gravel across it from
the junction with W 84 to about a third of the way from the top.
There are no "road work" signs.
The gravel starts on the far side of a blind turn--the left-hand
turn that takes you from the wooded section to the open section
(where you can see the road doubling back on the other side).
There is no warning--you come around the turn and you're in it.
It would be very easy to lose control and slide--either on your
wheels or on your butt--to the far edge of the road, if you aren't
expecting it. The gravel extends the full width of the road, so
you can't avoid it by riding on the edge.
The road is rideable, though not much fun. I imagine it will stay
that way for quite a while.
Also, Hwy 84 from West Old La Honda to the coast has recently been
chip-sealed. There isn't much gravel, but the surface is really
rough, the kind that makes everything vibrate like crazy.
09/02/01-
AN ENCOUNTER WITH RANGER RICK AND HIS MAGICAL RADAR GUN
at Skeggs/El Corte Madera. Read
all about it!
08/28/01
DOWNIEVILLE NEWS
Fellow Dirt Movers,
This late in the summer I know many of you are
experiencing withdrawal and are looking forward to Trail Work
Season. Well, GOOD NEWS! It's here! There are two projects you can
now choose from to work off your pent up need. Both offer a day of
trail work followed by a ride, so fun is on the agenda too! The
first project is described at the bottom of this post, on the
Donner Rim Trail, helping to complete the loop around the lake.
There is free lodging courtesy of the Land Trust.
The second project is in Downieville, October
13-14, to extend the South Yuba Trail from Downieville down to
Goodyear's Bar. ROMP had at least a dozen dedicated folks turn out
for this work day last year and we hope to do at least that well
this year. Same deal, do trail work on Saturday for 4-5 hours then
enjoy free beer 'till the keg is dry, dip in the river and kick
back. Sunday I'll lead a ride on a trail none of you have ever
ridden, the Bunker Hill Trail. It drops off the Chimney Rock
Trail, descends sharply on singletrack for several miles, then
joins the Downie River Trail in the middle of the singletrack, for
more fun. I was planning a slow ride up Saddleback Fireroad to the
'B' Tree to get there, but if enough of you want to shuttle, let
me know and I'll arrange it. I will also facilitate reserving
motel rooms, tho every one will have to pay there own way on that.
So fill up my in-box with your eager replies and I'll sign you up;
let's get some dirt on those ROMP trail tools! Berry
Romp members,
The wknd of Sept 22-23rd is your chance to work
and ride on this developing shared trail at Donner Lake. I've yet
to hear from ANYONE regarding their ability to throw in and help
for this event. So C'mon folks, get in touch and slot in to assist
with trail chipping on Sat, and if your wknd allows, ride with us
on Sunday at the Hole in the Ground trail.
Ridesharing is available, lodging is available,
Kids are welcome, This is a great time of year to enjoy the
Sierra's, the vacationers are pretty much gone, and the trails are
magnificent.
The hours you commit are also eligible for the
volunteer appreciation drawing at the romp picnic the week
before(sept15th). The stack of GREAT bike stuff keeps getting
bigger, and your odds are real good right now. If you don't have
any hours to report, this will be your last chance to get in on
this years drawing.
Sent via the ROMP email list. To learn more
about ROMP, visit http://www.romp.org.
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
3/17/01
The latest Waterdog Lake Trail News from Berry Stevens
Friends,
The early spring projects have gone well at Water Dog Lake, in
Belmont, and the trail is now over 1/3 done! We now need good turn
outs for the next work days in order to finish the trail this season
and be able to ride it this summer. The next work day will be Sat April 21, California State Trail Day. This THE day to come out, if
you only work one day a year, this is the one to make. Please make
time to show the land managers and the rest of the trail community
how mt bikers can do their share of trail work. We will also work Saturday May 5
and Sat May 19. We meet at 9AM and work until 2 or so. We're flexible, if you can only work part of the day,
that's fine, all help is appreciated, just let me know when you reply. So, fill up
my in-box with your replies with your date or dates of choice and I
will send you meeting time/place details. Let's finish this trail this season! Berry Berry
T Stevens Build
'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
1/12/01-
More Waterdog Lake Trail News from Berry Stevens
Friends,
We had a good turn out last project and now it's time to get
signed up for the next work dates. this is
your chance to do local trail work that
benefits our use and our image with land managers. Water Dog
Lake, in Belmont, is in close, stays dry when trails up on the
ridge lines are wet and can be gotten to quickly
for that short after work ride. A great
opportunity to improve our riding options. Please reply
with your availability for at least one date. Your efforts will
be appreciated by all, and will benefit all
cyclists in the area. All the February and
march dates will be dedicated to new trail construction.
I need more volunteers for the Jan 27 date, pleaseconsider that
day; I apologize for the late reminder. I've changed the
date for the last work date in March, as my original date conflicted
with the Sea Otter. Please note the change. The Dates are:
Jan 27, Saturday
Feb 3, Saturday
Feb 17, Saturday
March 4, Sunday
March 17, Saturday (new date)
Thanks, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
1/2/01-
Berry Stevens Waterdog Lake Trail Work dates Friends,
I apologize if any of you have received multiple copies of this post;
just trying to make sure all willing volunteers have been contacted.
We now have gotten all the necessary prerequisites in place and we
have picked a couple of dates, each month, over the next 3 months or
so. I hope that one or more dates are convenient for ALL of you to
come out and help construct a new trail at Water Dog lake in Belmont,
or help repair some of the existing trails there. The January dates
are likely to be maintenance, the later dates will be new
construction. This new trail will climb the canyon wall from the
spillway at the dam and connect to the relatively new singletrack
(CCC trail) that bypasses the private property at the chainlink
fence. This will allow an intermediate loop instead of taking the
fireroad up to Hallmark. We will be setting a type of cinder block
into the trail surface because the first 50' or so will have ~ 35%
grade; the rest of the trail will be ~ 10-15%. The dates are:
Sunday, Jan 14,
Saturday, Jan 27,
Saturday, Feb 3,
Saturday, Feb 17,
Sunday, March 4,
Saturday, March 24
We will meet @ 9AM, break for lunch and work until 2-3PM. Those on
tight schedules who are only available for 1/2 day of work are
welcome. We will provide all tools, gloves and guidance; please bring
your own water, food and clothing appropriate to the weather. I
strongly recommend layered clothing; coolmax if you have it. Sturdy
boots are recommended as well. Although we have already cut most of
it, there is Poison Oak in the area. We will instruct on how to
recognize it & avoid it as well as how to clean up if exposed. We
will also assign sensitive volunteers to work sites that are PO free,
or to duties that eliminate exposure.
Please reply to this e-mail and let me know which dates you would
like to come out and help increase trail mileage on the peninsula. I
will reply with meeting location and more details on that date's
project.
Thanks, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
06/08/00
Mom in SUV (with small kid in car) drives crazy on Jefferson
So what else is new? Don't even
know why I bother to bring it up, but here I am, coming back from
my Tuesday/Thursday ride up King's Mtn, heading down Jefferson at
about 32mph...which means I'm an outlaw since the posted speed
limit is 25mph. Still, not wishing to be run over like a
possum by cars behind me, 32mph seems like a reasonable
speed. That is, until this woman turns onto Jefferson behind
me near the top, just as I'm beginning to make my speed run as it
descends. Just past the day-care center she decides she's
had enough and goes flying past me, and has to move quickly back
over because a car's coming up the hill in the other lane.
What's with people these days??? This woman is putting
herself and her kid in peril, not to mention risking damage to her
little fortress on wheels (I don't even mention myself because
clearly I don't count for anything in her world), so she can pass
me and go racing well above the speed limit? I guess she's
probably late for work and has to drop her kid off at childcare on
the way. Pretty amazing how the stereotypical mad-dog driver
has changed over the years! --Mike--
06/04/00
Cyclists do their cause a lot of harm sometimes...
The Sequoia Century, run 6/4/00, was a great ride. Wonderful
support, perfect weather, generally good roads. It was also
a day where there were organized rides everywhere, including the
Tour de Cure (Woodside), Ride Around the Lake (Tahoe) and the Aids
Ride down the coast. So, cycling got a lot of exposure!
But was it good exposure? In many cases, no. While
riding the Sequoia Century, I saw quite a few people blow through
stop signs as if they weren't even there...and it was easy to read
the reaction on the faces of the people in the cars. This
doesn't do us any good, especially when cities do have some
ability to regulate organized rides! Please keep in mind
that the next time you get hassled by a car, it may not have
anything to do with something you did, but rather the last cyclist
they came across. Let's try to make it that much more
pleasant for the cyclist in front when you're that last cyclist.
04/22/00
Noon Ride infiltrated by undercover FBI & County Sheriff's
officers!
That's right, if you're one of the many cyclists taking part in
the Peninsula's infamous noon ride (which starts at Page Mill
& Foothill, and is infamous for infuriating local residents as
many of the cyclists run stop signs and sometimes take over the
road)...you've got some interesting company. On Tuesday,
April 18th, you had a pair of FBI agents tagging along, and on
Thursday, April 20th, a local Sheriff was in your midst.
Just think...that guy riding next to you...how well do you really
know him? Something to think about at that next stop sign!
04/27/00
Waterdog Lake (in Belmont) needs
YOU...NOW!
Friends,
Just a friendly reminder (read begging) that we (hopefully more
than
just me) will be out doing trail work
this Sunday, 4/30, at Water Dog Lake, in
Belmont. The switchbacks (12, count'em) were all completed
last Saturday, so the main project now is to finish
the trail entrance; we left it rough and
minimalist in the hope the trail wouldn't
be discovered and get much use until complete. Now is the time
to finish the entrance and fine tune a couple of spots as well.
So, please reply to this e-mail and let me know you'll be out
to help
complete this very fun trail. We
meet at the end of Carlmont Drive, at the
cul-de-sac, at 9AM. Carlmont is one block south of Ralston off
Alameda de las Pulgas. Please bring water and
lunch, as well as long sleeved shirt and
long pants (PO prevention); I will supply gloves, all
tools and guidance. thanks, hope to see you out there, Berry
Berry T Stevens Build 'em & Ride 'em
3265 Fair oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
650/364-6785
03/07/00
Good news for Mountain Biking in Belmont as Berry Stevens
organizes Water Dog Lake trail work! Trail Volunteers,
The weather hasn't been encouraging to the many who've expressed
interest in helping with the project @ Water Dog
Lake, but progress has been made and 3/4 of
the trail has been brushed, and most of that
is ready to ride, so there is an opportunity to dig up stumps
and cut trail with little risk of PO. Please look
over the schedule and let me know when you
can come out, WE NEED HELP! Thanks, Berry
02/27/00Friends,
Here is the long awaited and much anticipated trail work schedule
for the on going project at Water Dog Lake. We are now over 1/3
complete on the first trail and have worked out the alignment for
the next segment; things are going well. The weather held until
after the work this past Saturday was complete and we all worked
as much as we were able. Thanks to all who made a precious
Saturday available to do trail work. Leadership of these events
will rotate among the four of us planning the project, John finch,
Dave Oare, Dave McQuire and myself; there are a couple of others
that may also lead events laterin the season. So please look over
the dates and see if they work for you; please reply to me as I
will be coordinating all volunteer efforts. Thanks, Berry
Sunday 3/5, Dave
McQuire
Sat 3/11, Dave Oare
Sat 3/25, John Finch
Sunday 4/2, Berry Stevens
Sat 4/8, Dave Oare
Sat 4/15, Berry Stevens
Sat 4/22, John Finch
Sun 4/30, Berry Stevens
Sat 5/6, Dave McQuire
Sat 5/13, Dave Oare
Sat 5/20, John Finch
Sun 5/21, Dave McQuire
Sat 6/3, Berry Stevens
3/07/00
Amendment to California's basic speed laws in the works
AB
1885 has been introduced as a way to get around the
"Everybody drives that speed in that area" defense that
drivers have been using, when in fact that speed is in excess of
what is safe when considerations are made for cyclists and
pedestrians in the area. This will give the police, CHP etc the
ability to enforce lower speeds in areas around schools, for
example, or where the presence of cyclists might require lower
speeds for safety reasons. In the past, cyclists and
pedestrians were apparently irrelevant!
2/14/00
Mid-Peninsula Bicycle Coalition loses tireless Scott Mace to the
East Bay, needs replacement
Any inquiries concerning the future of the Mid-Peninsula Bicycle
Coalition should be directed to the Silicon Valley Bicycle
Coalition.
With my resignation as MPBC director February 10, San Mateo County
cyclists lost their representative on the SVBC board. MPBC has
been the northern chapter of SVBC since 1997.
The MPBC Web site, www.smbike.org,
(note from Mike, as of 4/13/03, this site no
longer appears in operation) will continue with a variety of interesting bicycle resources
& links, occasionally updated by myself.
I will be moving to Oakland in March and will remain active with
REBAC, the Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee of the Bay Area.
Any individual wishing to use the MPBC name or charter under SVBC
must contact the SVBC board, apply for the position of MPBC
director, and be appointed by SVBC. Any unauthorized use of the
MPBC name is prohibited by SVBC. Anyone wishing to ban or
discourage use of bicycles on roadways, in the misguided interest
of bicyclist, pedestrian or motorist "safety", would
not be a worthy candidate to run MPBC, or any other bicycle
coalition for that matter.
Scott Mace
Santa
Clara Bicycling Routes
Santa Clara County Bikeways Map- This website, part of the
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, takes you to
city-by-city maps detailing both suggested bike routes and
separated bike paths.
SF
Peninsula Cycling Resources
The Mid-Peninsula
Bicycle Coalition, which is currently in limbo-land, still has
a website with excellent resources for cycling in San Mateo
County. Or not. As of 11/01/02, it appears to be
off-line.
R.O.M.P
- Responsible
Organized Mountain Pedalers The only local
organization actively looking after the interests of mountain
biking in San Mateo County! Well worth supporting.
Chain Reaction sells bicycles & accessories
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