Classifieds
ForumBikeWriter – September 2010
Click here for the PDF versionSeptember 10, 2010
Prez Sez
John Chester
September is one of my favorite months on a bicycle in Cincinnati. I just wish we had a few more weekends in September! Two of my favorite non CCC rides are this month – The My Old Kentucky Home Ride and The HOPE RIDE. But this year, I am adding TWO President’s Fun Rides to September: Ride to Reds game on Sunday September 12 and the Shepard Fairey Mural Ride on Saturday September 25th. There are articles about both later in the BikeWriter.
August was a busy month for the CCC, and I need to send a few thanks out.
Andi Daum did a fine job on the ACACAC ride. His new routes took you down to the Ohio River and through some beautiful scenery, while keeping my favorite part of the ride – THE AMISH BAKERY.
The Central City Cluster held our annual picnic. This was our first club picnic in an urban setting, and our first club picnic that I now of with music! Jim Lindner and Glenn Talaska are to be thanked for the 25 and 40 mile routes and Larry Bloomfield is to be thanked for bringing the live music. But most of our thanks should go to Dianne Lindner for all the food prep she did. All of the shopping and organizing was done by Dianne. THANK YOU DIANNE!!!
A number of our cluster leaders have stated that they are going to be retiring after the end of the year. Look for articles in this month and next month’s newsletters. If you are interested in helping the club continue to provided rides and events, give any of us officers a buzz and we will help you out. If you are a well organized individual, you can set things up for your cluster and get on your bike and ride.
Next month we will be having the Great Ghost Rider Ramble on Saturday October 2nd. Scott and Carrie could use a few volunteers!
Speaking of volunteers – if you have volunteered with the CCC this year, mark your calendars for Saturday October 23rd for the second annual – VOLUNTEER BASH – THE RIDE. Your cluster leaders should be getting some info to you soon. And if you’ve volunteered, be sure to remind your cluster leader so you get an invite!
The City is considering several possible modifications to the lane configuration on Riverside Drive (Bains to Congress). Before they undertake any changes, they would like to receive feedback from the bicycling community. The website www.cincinnati-oh.gov/riverside explains the project, includes a link to drawings of the concepts that have been developed, and allows you to submit feedback online.
Melissa McVay, our contact with the city, would appreciate any help you can provide in getting the word out to the community. They are hoping to wrap up the initial phase of public participation by September 30.
Lastly, a safety note – this comes from a ride that I led in 1997. As the weather is getting cooler, please be certain to properly secure any clothing items on your bike. Lots of us start the day off with an extra layer of clothes, and then peel them off as the day gets a bit warmer. In 1997, Bill Mears was on a ride I led in Northern Kentucky. He peeled off a layer and tied it around his waist. That worked great until he was riding down hill and the clothes came loose and shot into his back wheel. His bike tire locked up, he crashed and flipped going downhill and ended up being sent via Air Care to the hospital with severe injuries including brain injuries. I make a point of trying to stop anyone that I see with their jacket tied around their waist to get them to secure thing differently. Most accept the info and stick their jacket in their jersey pocket. But a few adamantly tell me that they tied a good knot. I always wish them good luck and hope I don’t have to call 911 for them.
Remember – Get on your bike; go for a ride – it’s fun!
Volunteer Reward Program Announced
The Cincinnati Cycle Club is proud to announce the Volunteer Reward Program.
The goal of the volunteer reward plan is to reward individuals for continuing service to the Cincinnati Cycle Club and to encourage others to become volunteers. Volunteering is the backbone of the CCC and we all recognize that we need to offer more in the way of thanks.
Volunteer Definition – Any combination of the following:
- BOD member
- National Ride Chair
- Weekly ride leader, recognizing that these volunteers are typically seasonal.
- Other – any person deemed worthy of the reward as decided by vote of the BOD.
- Nomination either by personal request of the volunteer or if nominated by another
- club member.
Rewards:
- 5 -9 Years – Earn one free National Ride for each of these years that a member continues volunteering.
- 10 – 14 Years – Earn free entry into all the National Rides for each of these successive years that a member continues volunteering.
- 15 – 19 Years – Earn entry into all the National Rides and one year free personal membership to the CCC for each of these successive years that a member continues volunteering.
- 20 Years Plus – Never pay any club fee again (excludes club merchandise); free lifetime membership and entry into all National Rides forever.
Rewards are for club members only and you must remain a member for any ongoing benefits you have qualified for. Eligibility is retroactive, we already have people who qualify for 20+ year benefits. The years of volunteering do not need to be in succession but are cumulative. You must pre-register for an earned free National Ride. Earned entry into the National Rides includes the optional meals.
Management of the Volunteer Program is the responsibility of the Membership
Director. The dollar value of the free rides will be reimbursed to the National Ride Leaders
from the general fund of the CCC. This program is subject to yearly renewal and possible modification, to be decided on at the monthly BOT meeting that follows the Annual Meeting.
Reward candidates will have until October 31st to submit a written request for the reward to the Membership Director, by mail or e-mail. This request will need to include a documentation of their volunteer activities to include what they did for the club and the associated dates. The Membership Director will provide the list of candidates to the BOD no later than 2 weeks from the November board meeting. The BOD will have until the December meeting to review and consider the applications and a vote will then be taken to decide on each member’s request.
The CCC will publicly honor the reward recipients at the Annual Meeting. In the month following the Annual Meeting an article will be placed in the Bikewriter to again announce and thank the reward recipients, for the benefit of those who did not attend the meeting. An article will be run in the July Bikewriter to serve as a reminder for the October 31 application deadline.
Brenda Moffitt
Irvin Lewin
New Cincinnati Cycle Club Jersey
It’s taken all year to get it just right, but it’s finally here and only available by pre-order until September 20th. To order, please go to: http://2010cccjersey.eventbrite.com
Village of Evendale Bike Plan
John Chester
The Village of Evendale held a Bike Plan meeting on Tuesday August 24, 2010. First off, we learned that Evendale is a Village! As such, they are limited in what they can do to the roads in their village by state law. Ohio 42 / Reading Road and Glendale Milford are the two major roads, and both are state roads. Secondly, one of the Village council persons SEEMS to be against this (my opinion). His current concerns are financial. But the solution that he proposes – while it gives a bike lane to Evendale – would not be that great of an item.
His initial concerns are financial. Rightly so. The 2010 Village budget was approved in late 2009. The initial $5,000 for the Bike Plan beginnings was NOT in the budget. They found the Money. Another $10,000 is being requested for fiscal 2010. Might be tough to find. It can (probably) be found for 2010. But THE FINAL PART of the plan – implementation is estimated at $400K.
His suggestion is to wait until 2014 or 2015 when the state redoes I-75 from Cross County to I-275. (yes commuters, if you live north of Cross County, you are not going to like those next few years). When this reconstruction occurs, a new road will be built on the east side of 1-75 and will be called GE Boulevard. The new road will go from the Lockland Split to Glendale Milford. His suggestion is to simply put a bike lane on it next to I-75.
I stressed that a bike plan is more than just a striped bike lane – it needs to go places, have places to stop, have things it gets you to. It needs to connect to things.
If the GE Boulevard becomes the plan, then Evendale will become a flyover state. Bikers will go from A to B and never stop in Evendale to do anything or spend any money. Then when all we do is go through, there will be a “why are we helping them attitude”. So… if you are ever interested in riding in Evendale, even if it is just from Sharonville to downtown, you might just want to read the forum and have your voice heard the next time Evendale asks us.
I walked around the Village building after the meeting – no bike rack near it. I walked over to the Tennis courts – no bike rack near it. I hope the plan goes forth and they put some facilities in, bike racks, put some bike lanes in – perhaps to Gorman Heritage Farm, or the Root Beer Stand, just a mile north of town.
Now for the plan notes:
Goals & Objectives: Utilizing input from the stakeholders, public survey and Evendale officials, the project team developed final goals and objectives for the Bicycle Master Plan to meet the needs of the Evendale community.
GOAL 1: Provide facilities for recreational bicycling
A. Develop a paved bicycle / walking trail along the Mill Creek.
B. Develop paved bicycle trails and mountain bike trails in Village recreation areas.
C. Make Evendale a regional destination for recreational bicycling.
GOAL 2: Improve bicycle safety
A. Provide safe bicycle access to recreation center from residential
neighborhoods.
B. Improve safety of crossing major streets.
C. Separate bicycle traffic from vehicle traffic on major streets.
D. Reduce vehicle speeds.
E. Increase bicycle awareness signage.
GOAL 3: Improve connectivity for bicycle travel
A. Provide bicycle access to Evendale business district.
B. Provide bicycle access to Recreation Center and Village recreation
areas.
C. Improve connectivity for bicycle commuting to neighboring
communities and beyond.
D. Provide links to the proposed Mill Creek Trail from residential
areas and businesses such as GE.
GOAL 4: Promote bicycle education, encouragement and enforcement
programs with supportive village policies.
A. Implement public policies that encourage bicycle use and promote safety.
B. Revise current village policies, codes, etc. to support bicycling.
C. Implement bicycle safety programs in schools.
D. Implement bicycle programming through the village recreation department to encourage bicycle use.
E. Provide maps of bicycle routes in Evendale.
F. Provide bike racks at recreation facilities, businesses and schools.
G. Encourage healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship.
GOAL 5: Promote business and economic growth
A. Attract businesses to trail heads of the Mill Creek Trail such as restaurants, bicycle rental shop and ice cream parlors.
B. Encourage residents to patronize local businesses by providing bicycle access to business district.
GOAL 6: Identify funding sources for bicycle improvements
A. Recommend funding sources such as grants and state/federal programs.
B. Develop a business sponsorships program.
C. Establish a bicycle fund to which businesses and residents can make contributions.
The ACACAC After Ride Report
Andi Daum
The Great, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, The Just Plain BS.
The Great: All new routes, catered postride meal, over 6,200 ft. of climbing for the 75 and 100 mile routes. Two rest stops in State Parks with pavilions and rest rooms. New roads and great scenery. Routes from Seaman to Manchester on the Ohio. The new routes were a big hit with all the riders who chose them. Some old familiar roads with names like Compton Hill Road, Spurgeon Hill Road and Wheat Ridge Road were still there along with a long difficult climb up Island Creek Road and Pumpkin Ridge. The fifty stayed about the same just with and added trip to West Union and Adams Lake State Park for a rest stop. Wonderful roads with friendly people who like seeing us in their County.
The Good: Most riders loved the routes, the State Parks. the post ride spread and the post ride showers. The Amish stores as always were very popular. The magnificent scenery in State Parks, special preserves like the edge of the Appalachian Wilderness and Shawnee State Forest, the views from the 1.200′ ridge tops. All of these things made this a very special ride.
The Bad: While reactions from the majority of riders were excellent, there were a few who did not follow the marking and thus missed turns. A few blew past Adams Lake State Park which was on a slight downhill with out bothering to look for the marks (there were 5, I double checked) or ignored the orange sign in front of the park. There were a small number who were not prepared for the heat and did not bring enough water. Adams County is the poorest County in the State and thus there were not a lot of stores and those that are there are struggling, two more closed this summer. The complaints were few in number and I have learned that there will always be some no matter what I do.
The Ugly: There have been many times over the last few years when while rolling along on some beautiful roads in Adams County scouting for routes, chatting with Mr. Tom Cross of the travel and visitors bureau, Mr. Miller (of Millers store) or the people of Adams County that I come away stoked to put on the best ride ever. Then, when I get home, reality begins to set in. Trying to get club support for this ride is like pulling teeth. I have painted half the routes with my nephews, help from Lloyd Schadley and Glenn Talaska (the difficult parts of the 75 and 100, thank you!). The remaining 25, 35, and most of the 50 I do alone. The BOD provides most of the support day of ride with registration, rest stops and SAG.
This year I was very thankful to receive day of ride help from some club members. And to all who helped, thank you!! But having some well intentioned and hard working people show up on the day of ride to help out causes problems of it’s own. Starting with a complete lack of knowledge of the area, routes, and the ride in general. I do not have time to give all of the information required while trying to get the ride set up done, especially since the school is opened for us at 6:00 am, and the ride starts at 7:00 am. There were several major problems caused by the lack of information and wrong information provided at the check in desk. This after I made it crystal clear in the morning that the routes were all new. Several riders were told that the routes were the same as in the past. All of the big routes, 62 and up were much harder this year. Yet riders were told that if they rode the 62 last year then they could do this one. Wrong! Last year’s 62 had about 3,000 ft. of climbing, this year it was close to 6000 ft.! Riders were not told that Adams Lake State Park was just outside of West Union and that Island Creek State Park on the Ohio was also a rest stop. So some missed one or both stops.
Like last year, details about the routes the riders needed for a safe and enjoyable ride was withheld. The check-in workers did not know the routes or what information to provide when asked for details. I am often on the road in the morning trying to put out fires, and making sure everything is getting done, I cannot stand by the check-in desk to answer every question. In the hot weather of August it is critical that riders have the information they need to choose the route best suited to their abilities. That was not being done.
The Just Plain B.S.: Simply put, no club support. Not just the lack of volunteers, it’s the lack of riders! This club has about 900 members yet we are lucky if 70 show up for the ride. The River Rendezvous is no more. The Chili has terrible numbers. The Ghost Rider is barely pulling in 200. This from a club of 900! It is inexcusable that these rides DO NOT have 300 pre-registered club riders. There should be an additional 2-300 day of ride registrations from club members. Not only do these rides support the club they also support cycling! Having large numbers of cyclist’s riding on the same roads at the same time opens the eyes of the general public that we are out there! We need the exposure. We also need the good will that we generate when we ride into small towns and leave a little money behind. And Adam’s County for one, welcomes us.
So where are the club members? And yeah, spare me! I have heard all the excuses: The guy on his $7,000 bike whining that the weather may be bad that day so he doesn’t want to spend the $25.00 to pre-register. The one who says that the hour and fifteen minute drive is too much (this from someone who gets up at 6:00 a.m. every Saturday and drives 45 to 50 minutes to get to a ride start. So every one needs to ask themselves two simple questions: “What do I want from my club?”, “What am I willing to do for the club?”. These are simple but important questions.
On paper this is a thriving organization. The number of members, an area with a booming number of cyclists to pull from. Roadies, mountain, ‘cross, tri; all of these aspects of cycling are exploding in numbers in the OKI region, but what do we have to show for this? We need to look at why ride numbers are down, how we can work with other clubs and how we are promoting ourselves. And you, the club membership needs to consider them. The club can grow into something great or it will continue to stagnate as its members continue to age and pass away. I do not know what will happen to the ACACAC.
John Orben has been kind enough to step up and help me run the ride next year. I love riding in Adams County and I want to continue to work with the people there, but even with John’s help if the club doesn’t support the ride I do not see it continuing much longer.
Another Good Month for Cycling
Jim Lindner
The weather was great for the club picnic. Many people showed up and many rode the routes provided. The food, entertainment and social time were great.
I think that there were few days that rain would interfere with commuting and I saw a lot of bikes on the road this month. I saw a school bike rack with a lot of bikes on my route to work one morning. That made me smile. The city is talking about and moving on various bike projects in various locations. I even heard that due to the great success of the previous Cincinnati Bike Route Map, new bike routes, and improvements a revised map is being developed.
Please report your commuter miles to Don Burell (dburrell@oki.org). We may need those miles to give Dayton’s Bike Club a run for the Commuter Miles Trophy. My daughter Adelaide is regularly asking to ride to the park on her 2-wheel bike to accumulate her Commuter miles. I know we cover more distance faster when she rides on the trailer bike, but she sure has caught that bike-riding bug.
The Cincinnati Cycle Club is about all kinds of riding. I appreciate the opportunity to watch a race and would encourage everyone to get out to see the races. I have seen road racing in Cincinnati in Eden Park racing down the hill by the Krohn Conservatory. I have seen a Cycle Cross race at Harbin Park and explained a broken collarbone to a 5 year old, and I have hiked part of the Mountain Bike trail at Fort Duffield (West Point), Ky. Having seen this challenging trail I plan to see a mountain bike race sometime.
Personally I am not a bike racer and enjoy a more leisurely pace be it a Club Ride or a commute to work. I think it is most important to enjoy the ride. For some that means avoiding all motor traffic and for others it may be to travel to a distant destination. Please send ride reports or other information of interest to club members to the Bike Writer Editor Ron Callahan (newsletter@cincinnaticycleclub.org). You may have better content than what your club officers write 
.
This month my favorite ride was the slowest. Some of you have seen my daughter behind me in the last couple of years, but at the club Picnic I was sure she would be disappointed as, although they played well together, none of the kids at the cycle club picnic had brought bikes. To my relief, Trinity, a member of her soccer team that she had invited, brought her bike with training wheels. Adelaide led the three of us around the park trail with a stop for ice cream. It was slow but enjoyable.
I hope everyone gets a chance this year to just enjoy life. I think some days the best view is on my bike.
Cluster News:
Campbell County Cluster
Carrie Schneider
My oh my!! Where has the summer gone?!?!?! We are getting close to Fall, kids are back in school, and days are getting shorter. But this gorgeous weather we are still having will not stop us from riding!!
On a serious note, it is now time to schedule the annual cluster meeting for Campbell County. This year’s meeting will be held on October 30 at 1:30 PM and will be held at the Bellevue Bistro (313 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073). The meeting will consist of discussing the future plans for the cluster as well as voting on a new cluster leader. Due to conflicts of work and now attending school part-time, I am unable to continue on as the 2011 Campbell County Cluster Leader. If you are interested in taking on this position, please contact me
at cc@cincinnaticycleclub.org so we can take a vote at the cluster meeting.
See you on October 30 and be safe out there!!
Ride To A Reds Game
John Chester
After some negotiation with the Reds, we have been able to give cyclists a way to ride to a Reds game: Sunday September 12, 2010. There will be 2 route options: North and East
Join us for the first Bike 2 Baseball event in Cincinnati Reds history! Grab your follow Reds fans and join the “Reds Riders” and bike to the game. Free and secure bicycle parking will be available at the SE corner of 2nd Street and Joe Nuxhall Way from Noon until 30 minutes after end of the game, thanks to The City of Cincinnati Transportation Department and Reser Bicycle Outfitters.
The first 50 Reds Riders to purchase their tickets by Sep 8th will receive a complimentary gift bag provided by Queen City Bike. The Reds Riders will all be sitting together in the Sun/Moon Deck and will enjoy half price tickets: regularly $22, Reds Riders pay only $11! All tickets will be picked up at bicycle drop-off.
For a limited time only, use this link to purchase tickets:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ticketing/group_theme_dates.jsp?
loc=bike2bball
Enter the password (PEDAL). Select the number of tickets to purchase. Select Sun/Moon Deck. Click the “Continue” button.
If you can’t join on a Reds Riders group ride, plan your bike route using the Cincinnati Bike Map from the Ohio Kentucky Indiana (OKI) Regional Transportation Planning Council.
If you’d like to help or get more details, please contact Danny Cooper at charliefunny@hotmail.com.
Northern Route:
Start Point: Hartwell Krogers, corner of Vine and Galbraith, 8241 Vine Street, Cincinnati Ohio
Start Time: 11:00 AM departure
Ride leader: John Chester 513-543-1929 (president@cincinnaticycleclub.org)
Eastern Route:
Start Point: Columbia-Tusculum, Riverview East Academy Parking Lot, Corner of Delta & 3555 Kellogg, Cincinnati
Start time: 11:30 a.m.
Ride Leader: Frank Henson (fhenson@frankhenson.com)
Great Ghost Rider Ramble
Carrie Schneider
Attention all ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. October 2 marks a day of great riding, horrifying people, and the best company to ride with: the Greater Ghost Rider Ramble. This year, we have decided to do a theme. And the lucky theme is cemeteries.
You may ask yourself, what exactly is this ride? The Great Ghost Rider Ramble bicycle tour is geared for both the casual, recreational rider and the serious bicyclist with ride distances to suit any skill level. The GGRR is NOT a race. So ride at your own pace and enjoy the rural autumn countryside of Indiana. There are multiple routes to choose from: beginning at 25 miles all the way up to 100 miles.
If you want to bring the kids out and enjoy a fun family ride together, we have one for you as well. This begins at 11 AM and the route will be about 20 miles. There are games and prizes at the food stop for Family Fun Ride participants. Dress the kids in their bike-friendly Halloween costumes. Experienced cyclists will accompany your family to the rest/food stop and return with you to the ride start. (No day of ride registration available for Family Fun Ride. All Fun Rides applicants must ride with a GGRR ride leader.) This route is relatively flat; only 1 hill returning to headquarters. Children under 10 must accompany a parent on a tandem or tag-a-long bike only. No children under 10 will be permitted to ride solo.
Keep a look-out on the Cycle Club’s website for more information!! If you should have any questions prior to information being posted, please contact ggrr@cincinnaticycleclub.org. Ride safe everyone!!
BLOC Aid Bike Ride
Stephanie Russo
The BLOC Aid Bike Ride is coming up on Sunday, October 17th. In addition to a scenic view of the Ohio River for most of their journey, riders will be treated to free sag support, water and snack stops, free lunch by JTM, and a great “goodie bag” with coupons and fun stuff. Many area bike shops are participating through coupons, with some also donating bike paraphernalia of $50 or more value for our post-ride raffle. (Participants are automatically entered in raffles through their registration.)
The BLOC Aid Bike Ride is sponsored by North Bend Yacht Club to benefit BLOC Ministries, Inc. BLOC Ministries is a a local non-profit organization that provides free programs and activities for at-risk students and families living in disadvantaged greater Cincinnati communities.
Organizers have been hard at work to ensure the ride will be a well-organized, safe and enjoyable event, thanks to the expert teamwork of Greg Thielmeyer of TEAM Cycling and Fitness and District Three Police. The 30-mile bicycle ride begins in Price Hill, then follows State Route 50 to Cleves, Ohio, and back — visually connecting the areas BLOC Ministries serves for the riders.
BLOC’s primary mission is to reach out to at-risk youth who aren’t involved in or after school, in church, or any productive pursuit. They serve over 1500 students and families each month:
* Teens trying to raise themselves because dad is in jail and mom’s a drug addict
* Single moms struggling to get the kids to do homework and stay out of trouble until she gets home from work
* Hard-working families striving to keep their middle and high school aged children crime and drug free
* Youngsters bored, lonely, and tempted toward risky behavior after school
* People with limitless personal potential but whose socio-economic, educational or physical needs were unmet or served as obstacles to development.
For over twelve years, BLOC has offered a positive alternative, expanding from serving the Cleves/North Bend/Addyston area initially to serve in three urban Price Hill neighborhoods as well. They’ve developed a diverse depth of free programs and activities after school, including tutoring, fitness and game rooms, arts, computer and video production classes, drug/alcohol awareness and prevention programs, and more. For more details, please visit their website: http://www.blochead.org.
