Sunday, March 15, 2015
Friday, March 23, 2012
2012 Cycling Season is Here!
Dust off your roadie gear and bicycle. Time to get out there and start riding.
Stay tuned for ride information and updates, especially Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis Charity training ride information.
Stay tuned for ride information and updates, especially Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis Charity training ride information.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Cycling in Missouri - St. Charles County Cycling Bill Introduction
St. Charles County is looking to ban cyclists from certain roads.
St. Charles County Council website: http://council.sccmo.org/council
Bills for introduction are on the agenda for Monday, July 12, 2010. Bill No. 3620 - Prohibit bicycles on HWY DD, D, F, Z & 94 from HWY 40 to County Line until shoulders or bicycle lanes are in place.
Bill sponsor is Mr. Joe Brazil (District 2). Contact information is:
636-399-2975 or jbrazil@sccmo.org
No idea if bicycle lanes or shoulders are planned in the near term or long term. The language is creative and does allow for the ban to be lifted if bicycle lanes or shoulders are in the works but no idea if that is the case and given budgets and economics, it isn't likely a priority, if it is even on the agenda at all for the future.
The real concern is that this may set a new precedent. Tour of Missouri gone, banning main thoroughfares, etc. What's next? Cyclists are taxpayers too.
See the Momentum Cycles website as well for a brief article:
http://www.momentumcycles.com/
Refer to Missouri Revised Statutes. Specifically, see Title XIX related to Motor Vehicles, etc.
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/statutes.htm
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/statutes.htm#T19
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3000000330.HTM
Contact information above if you feel compelled to send a quick note to Mr. Brazil.
Mogman
St. Charles County Council website: http://council.sccmo.org/council
Bills for introduction are on the agenda for Monday, July 12, 2010. Bill No. 3620 - Prohibit bicycles on HWY DD, D, F, Z & 94 from HWY 40 to County Line until shoulders or bicycle lanes are in place.
Bill sponsor is Mr. Joe Brazil (District 2). Contact information is:
636-399-2975 or jbrazil@sccmo.org
No idea if bicycle lanes or shoulders are planned in the near term or long term. The language is creative and does allow for the ban to be lifted if bicycle lanes or shoulders are in the works but no idea if that is the case and given budgets and economics, it isn't likely a priority, if it is even on the agenda at all for the future.
The real concern is that this may set a new precedent. Tour of Missouri gone, banning main thoroughfares, etc. What's next? Cyclists are taxpayers too.
See the Momentum Cycles website as well for a brief article:
http://www.momentumcycles.com/
Refer to Missouri Revised Statutes. Specifically, see Title XIX related to Motor Vehicles, etc.
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/statutes.htm
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/statutes.htm#T19
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3000000330.HTM
Contact information above if you feel compelled to send a quick note to Mr. Brazil.
Mogman
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Colorado Triple Bypass 2010
For those of you familiar with the Colorado Triple Bypass, you know that registration for the 2010 ride was on January 13, 2010. For those who tried to register, many did not succeed. The event is limited to 3000 participants and it sold out in less than one hour this year (rumored to have taken 33 minutes to fill up).
If you know of anyone who was able to register and is not going to ride, please send me an email at mogman@earthlink.net. Have several riders interested in picking up available slots should someone not be able to go and use their slot. Alternatively, also let me know if you know of riders looking for slots.
Visit http://www.teamevergreen.org/ for information on the Triple Bypass.
For those who aren't familiar with the Triple Bypass, see the following link for the 2009 Triple Bypass start line video (9:27 minutes in length) :
http://www.teamevergreen.org/node/168
In this video from 2009, you can see the Affton Terminal Services Team from St. Louis from the 5:27 minute mark to the 5:32 minute mark.
Hope to see folks getting out on the cycles soon!
Mogman
If you know of anyone who was able to register and is not going to ride, please send me an email at mogman@earthlink.net. Have several riders interested in picking up available slots should someone not be able to go and use their slot. Alternatively, also let me know if you know of riders looking for slots.
Visit http://www.teamevergreen.org/ for information on the Triple Bypass.
For those who aren't familiar with the Triple Bypass, see the following link for the 2009 Triple Bypass start line video (9:27 minutes in length) :
http://www.teamevergreen.org/node/168
In this video from 2009, you can see the Affton Terminal Services Team from St. Louis from the 5:27 minute mark to the 5:32 minute mark.
Hope to see folks getting out on the cycles soon!
Mogman
Monday, January 4, 2010
Hoppe Park and Watershed Nature Center, Edwardsville, Illinois
Click on a picture for full screen picture view. Five pictures total.
Pic #1: MCT Watershed bike trail with Hoppe Park to the left (looking Eastward on trail). Ball fields and Hoppe Park parking lot to the left (just out of view).
Pic # 2: MCT Watershed bike trail (looking Eastward) with Hoppe Park parking lot and ball fields to the left.
Pic # 3: Looking North across MCT Watershed bike trail to Hoppe Park parking lot and ball fields. Picture shows snow on ball field in center of picture (that is not a pool or water).
Pic #4: Looking across Hoppe Park parking lot at rest room facilities.
Pic #5: Watershed Nature Center parking lot and rest room facilities in the distance (center of picture). Picnic shelter can be seen at the fare left of the picture.
Pic #1: MCT Watershed bike trail with Hoppe Park to the left (looking Eastward on trail). Ball fields and Hoppe Park parking lot to the left (just out of view).
Pic # 2: MCT Watershed bike trail (looking Eastward) with Hoppe Park parking lot and ball fields to the left.
Pic # 3: Looking North across MCT Watershed bike trail to Hoppe Park parking lot and ball fields. Picture shows snow on ball field in center of picture (that is not a pool or water).
Pic #4: Looking across Hoppe Park parking lot at rest room facilities.
Pic #5: Watershed Nature Center parking lot and rest room facilities in the distance (center of picture). Picnic shelter can be seen at the fare left of the picture.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
St.Louis Metro Area Trails Information and Article
See article in St. Louis Post Dispatch dated 12/26/09...
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/59F335091ECB2EE58625769800043193?OpenDocument
Momentum is growing for the St. Lousi area trails.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/59F335091ECB2EE58625769800043193?OpenDocument
Momentum is growing for the St. Lousi area trails.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Route Planning - City of St.Louis Streets
Boyle and Olive Streets intersection; Looking East on Olive towards City of St. Louis.
Just East of Boyle and Olive Streets intersection looking East towards City of St. Louis
Boyle and Olive Streets intersection; looking East on Olive towards City of St. Louis
Boyle and Lindell Streets interscetion; looking South on Boyle
Pine Street; looking West towards Forest Park
Pine Street; looking West towards Forest Park
Just East of Boyle and Olive Streets intersection looking East towards City of St. Louis
Boyle and Olive Streets intersection; looking East on Olive towards City of St. Louis
Boyle and Lindell Streets interscetion; looking South on Boyle
Pine Street; looking West towards Forest Park
Pine Street; looking West towards Forest Park
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails Route Pics 11/21/2009
Following pics are from a ride on the MCT Trails. Excellent Trails and Trail Network!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
11/14/2009 Just another Fall ride...or maybe not...
Today started out as a nice day to take a fall ride. One of my goals today was to take a ride that would put me past my 3000th mile mark for this year. I only needed 15 miles to acheive this goal. Another goal was to chart some route possibilities for a charity ride next year. So another rider and I proceeded to drive out to Forest Park to launch off for a 50 mile ride out to Madison County, Ill to check out some of the MCT Trails. Well, three miles out, had the first flat. So after getting that tube replaced and reseating the tire, well, guess what? Another pinched flat. Apparently a result of the repair technique. Two flats and no more cartridges. Fortunately I carry three spare tubes and hand pump. After having spent a nice 1/2 hour on the SLU campus changing tires, we were on our way again.
We were now back on the road heading down to the city. All was well as we were zig zagging our way towards the convention center. So, we are heading East on Cole with the convention center on our right and come across three large charter busses as you see in the picture below.
As you can see, the busses were extending out into the right lane of the eastbound lanes. We approached the busses from the west and came through the cones and around the parked busses. Well, as we came around the busses, I see a gathering of people waiting at the service entrance as if there were some VIPs in the area but the other rider hadn't cleared the busses yet and didn't see the activity until a few seconds later.
As it turns out, the busses were there for the New Orleans Saints that were in the stadium doing pre-game preparations for Sunday's game with the St. Louis Rams. The crowd was waiting for the team to exit to get a glimpse of the team and players.
Well, no doubt that the crowd had caught my attention and I immediately did a double take to my right and then started to apply my brakes slowing me down. About a split second after that, I either heard the other rider behind me yell or something caught my attention (or a premonition) that something wasn't quite right. Remember, this was all happening in fractions of a second but seemed like a lot longer as I replay everything in my mind. After turning my head right to see what was going on, I immediately turned back to my left, about a 180 degree head turn, only to realize that the other rider and I were about to share some close moments together. Remember, there was a crowd of about 25+ people or so watching the service entrance to the convention center.
Then it happened! Just 5 miles into our 50 mile ride, and it happened! All of those people waiting for those football players to come out of the convention center heard some yelling, commotion, etc., and immediately turned to the street to see what was happening. All eyes were now on these two cyclists in all their spandex glory passing by and then immediately colliding in front of a captive crowd. In a split second, two cyclists went down on the street due to no fault of vehicular traffic or the like. I immediately went from a left slow banking maneuver to a hard right turn into a parked vehicle. The other rider went veering left to the ground. So here we are laying on the ground staring and looking up at the horror on the spectators faces, a few of which ran out to see if we were okay. So we dusted ourselves off, stood up and did some bike checks and then moved to the sidewalk, somewhat in a state of dismay as to what just happened.
So after a few minutes of tinkering with the bikes to ensure we had safe transport back home, we noticed the crowd was still looking at us in amazement and wonder. Or maybe I should say they were staring in awe and disbelief of what just happened. Some asked again if we were okay and of course, we replied all was well. Although they may not have believed us, and the physical evidence seemed to say otherwise, we were basically okay and the bikes didn't appear to get damaged other than some chain jamming. In spite of the gouged knees and blood running down the other rider's legs as well as the damage my body impact inflicted on that poor parked vehicle, we were in fact generally okay.
I have always been very cautious cycling around or alongside parked cars. Sometimes parked cars have doors open into the street with no notice and sometimes parked cars pull out without notice or warning. However, I never envisioned that parked cars should be looking out for me instead. We didn't notice anything unusual about the parked car right after the accident occurred but one of the spectators went around to the parked vehicle later and noticed some damage. Observing their action and movements, I went around to notice what they had seen. My body impact (right thigh, right arm and right shoulder) actually dented this large SUV on the upper side of the wheel well, across the crease of all places (creases are a high strength area to stiffen the metal for better support). The pictures below show my impact on the car.
The interesting part was that there was no evidence of metal on metal so it appears that I only made body contact with the vehicle. Didn't see any scratches from my brake levers or metal handle bars, etc. There was also juice on the vehicle from my juice bottle which was a no drip bottle. I can only surmise that upon impact, I hit hard enough to compress my water bottle with my right leg or right knee as the forces pushed me into the car. Now think about it, my bottle was no drip and it is mounted on the center upright. I am not sure I could ever get into a position to squeeze my drip proof water bottle with my knees under normal circumstances. Some weird stuff happens when forces like that are exerted during those split seconds for sure!
Just glad that we were able to ride away with as few injuries as we did. We decided that the ride started out weird with two flats, and then the incident at the convention center happened. All within 5 miles of the start. We decided that was sufficient revelation to turn us back and head back to Forest Park to head home.
Now the ride back also proved interesting. I was riding in front and the other rider was in back. Every time we passed an intersection, especially when the vehicles were stopped in the other direction, they did double takes at the legs of the other rider as he rode by them. Quite a sight it was I am sure. Those knees were nasty looking with blood stains that had run from the knees down to the socks. The knee scrapes pretty much covered 90% of the knee with the left knee a bit worse than the other. Of course, at least two different drivers we passed along the way looked in amazement and said to the rider, "hey your knees are all messed up." We actually got a laugh or two out of those responses as it was fairly obvious that the other riders knees were in fact messed up. No kidding! Nothing like stating the obvious.
So to finish off this story with the final kicker, and what I find to be a "go figure" type of situation or statement given the weirdness of this ever so short ride, I leave you with the following picture. Feel free to laugh or chuckle at this as I certainly have given the situation and circumstances. Kind of ironic really.
Yes, that was a new St. Louis City Police vehicle! Go figure! But it was an accident Officer!
So, not sure if I will be in court pleading my case as an uninsured/underinsured cyclist. Should be fun explaining this to my insurance agent Monday morning. I can just hear them saying, "Can you explain that to me one more time again?"
So instead of this blog title being "Just another Fall ride...", it is more aptly stated, "Just another fall..."
In the end, I fell short of both goals I set out to achieve today. The ride was around 11 miles when all was said and done. I fell short of my goal of passing the 3000th mile mark by 4 miles. It was a hard earned 11 miles! Also, I did not make it to Madison County, IL to chart any new routes. However, we did make it home without any ambulance rides or broken bones.
Mogman
We were now back on the road heading down to the city. All was well as we were zig zagging our way towards the convention center. So, we are heading East on Cole with the convention center on our right and come across three large charter busses as you see in the picture below.
As you can see, the busses were extending out into the right lane of the eastbound lanes. We approached the busses from the west and came through the cones and around the parked busses. Well, as we came around the busses, I see a gathering of people waiting at the service entrance as if there were some VIPs in the area but the other rider hadn't cleared the busses yet and didn't see the activity until a few seconds later.
As it turns out, the busses were there for the New Orleans Saints that were in the stadium doing pre-game preparations for Sunday's game with the St. Louis Rams. The crowd was waiting for the team to exit to get a glimpse of the team and players.
Well, no doubt that the crowd had caught my attention and I immediately did a double take to my right and then started to apply my brakes slowing me down. About a split second after that, I either heard the other rider behind me yell or something caught my attention (or a premonition) that something wasn't quite right. Remember, this was all happening in fractions of a second but seemed like a lot longer as I replay everything in my mind. After turning my head right to see what was going on, I immediately turned back to my left, about a 180 degree head turn, only to realize that the other rider and I were about to share some close moments together. Remember, there was a crowd of about 25+ people or so watching the service entrance to the convention center.
Then it happened! Just 5 miles into our 50 mile ride, and it happened! All of those people waiting for those football players to come out of the convention center heard some yelling, commotion, etc., and immediately turned to the street to see what was happening. All eyes were now on these two cyclists in all their spandex glory passing by and then immediately colliding in front of a captive crowd. In a split second, two cyclists went down on the street due to no fault of vehicular traffic or the like. I immediately went from a left slow banking maneuver to a hard right turn into a parked vehicle. The other rider went veering left to the ground. So here we are laying on the ground staring and looking up at the horror on the spectators faces, a few of which ran out to see if we were okay. So we dusted ourselves off, stood up and did some bike checks and then moved to the sidewalk, somewhat in a state of dismay as to what just happened.
So after a few minutes of tinkering with the bikes to ensure we had safe transport back home, we noticed the crowd was still looking at us in amazement and wonder. Or maybe I should say they were staring in awe and disbelief of what just happened. Some asked again if we were okay and of course, we replied all was well. Although they may not have believed us, and the physical evidence seemed to say otherwise, we were basically okay and the bikes didn't appear to get damaged other than some chain jamming. In spite of the gouged knees and blood running down the other rider's legs as well as the damage my body impact inflicted on that poor parked vehicle, we were in fact generally okay.
I have always been very cautious cycling around or alongside parked cars. Sometimes parked cars have doors open into the street with no notice and sometimes parked cars pull out without notice or warning. However, I never envisioned that parked cars should be looking out for me instead. We didn't notice anything unusual about the parked car right after the accident occurred but one of the spectators went around to the parked vehicle later and noticed some damage. Observing their action and movements, I went around to notice what they had seen. My body impact (right thigh, right arm and right shoulder) actually dented this large SUV on the upper side of the wheel well, across the crease of all places (creases are a high strength area to stiffen the metal for better support). The pictures below show my impact on the car.
The interesting part was that there was no evidence of metal on metal so it appears that I only made body contact with the vehicle. Didn't see any scratches from my brake levers or metal handle bars, etc. There was also juice on the vehicle from my juice bottle which was a no drip bottle. I can only surmise that upon impact, I hit hard enough to compress my water bottle with my right leg or right knee as the forces pushed me into the car. Now think about it, my bottle was no drip and it is mounted on the center upright. I am not sure I could ever get into a position to squeeze my drip proof water bottle with my knees under normal circumstances. Some weird stuff happens when forces like that are exerted during those split seconds for sure!
Just glad that we were able to ride away with as few injuries as we did. We decided that the ride started out weird with two flats, and then the incident at the convention center happened. All within 5 miles of the start. We decided that was sufficient revelation to turn us back and head back to Forest Park to head home.
Now the ride back also proved interesting. I was riding in front and the other rider was in back. Every time we passed an intersection, especially when the vehicles were stopped in the other direction, they did double takes at the legs of the other rider as he rode by them. Quite a sight it was I am sure. Those knees were nasty looking with blood stains that had run from the knees down to the socks. The knee scrapes pretty much covered 90% of the knee with the left knee a bit worse than the other. Of course, at least two different drivers we passed along the way looked in amazement and said to the rider, "hey your knees are all messed up." We actually got a laugh or two out of those responses as it was fairly obvious that the other riders knees were in fact messed up. No kidding! Nothing like stating the obvious.
So to finish off this story with the final kicker, and what I find to be a "go figure" type of situation or statement given the weirdness of this ever so short ride, I leave you with the following picture. Feel free to laugh or chuckle at this as I certainly have given the situation and circumstances. Kind of ironic really.
Yes, that was a new St. Louis City Police vehicle! Go figure! But it was an accident Officer!
So, not sure if I will be in court pleading my case as an uninsured/underinsured cyclist. Should be fun explaining this to my insurance agent Monday morning. I can just hear them saying, "Can you explain that to me one more time again?"
So instead of this blog title being "Just another Fall ride...", it is more aptly stated, "Just another fall..."
In the end, I fell short of both goals I set out to achieve today. The ride was around 11 miles when all was said and done. I fell short of my goal of passing the 3000th mile mark by 4 miles. It was a hard earned 11 miles! Also, I did not make it to Madison County, IL to chart any new routes. However, we did make it home without any ambulance rides or broken bones.
Mogman
Sunday, September 13, 2009
MS Ride 2009 - Aftton Truckers
Had a great weekend for the MS Ride 2009. We did have one accident and wish that rider well during his recovery.
See below for some pictures and a start roll out video of the Aftton Truckers team.
Boone County Fairgrounds - MS Ride 2009 Tent City
I was pretty sure I put my bike right here. I wish you guys would stop moving my bike around the rest areas! It's not funny the second and third time!
Double Century Riders
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