VDOT partnership...

part-ner-ship, noun, the state or condition of being a partner; participation; association; joint interest.

The Staunton District of VDOT scheduled two informational meetings to discuss the policy for integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian accommodations. The Staunton District Administrator was on hand to lend weight to the policy while Bob Ball ran the meeting on Tuesday. He's the local coordinator for bicycle/pedestrian issues. This was an outreach to begin the process of engaging stakeholders and educating them on this policy.

The policy was adopted in March of 2004 and shows that bicycle and walking are fundamental modes of travel. From the handout: Provides framework to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians with motorized modes during the planning, funding, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the roadway network. One interesting aspect is the 2% rule which states that 2% of the paving budget is to be used for paved shoulders.

There are exceptions to the policy:

• absence of need
• environmental or social impacts outweigh need
• safety would be compromised
• costs excessively disproportiante to need
• project purpose and scope does not facilitate accommodations
• bicycle and pedestrian travel is prohibited by state or federal law

I could see that these could be a problem and voiced my concerns. I wanted to know who determines the exceptions and at what decision making level this takes place. Stakeholder groups (Shenandoah Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee, bike clubs, etc) have to be apprised of the scope of projects and be provided a seat at the table to help VDOT in the process. VDOT and stakeholder groups need and will be partners to ensure the policy is implemented and safe roads are created for all users.

NBC29 was there filming and Daily News Record had reporter there as well. I was disappointed that the News Leader didn't have a reporter, considering they have been proactive on bike/ped issues and had run the meeting notice a couple of times. Anyway, here are links to the reports

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=9005&CHID=2

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=6152860&nav=menu496_2_5

Ovechkin...

yep, I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm a Caps fan.

At least Ovechkin gives me hope...

Advocacy and Event updates...

Here are some upcoming events in the Valley and Virginia...And a noteworthy press release...

VIRGINIA BICYCLING LEADERSHIP WEEKEND
March 2-4, Creasey Lodge, Douthat State Park

http://www.vabike.org/

Attend and network with Virginia's bicycling advocates. Oh, and Douthat State Park is home to some of the best single track in Virginia.


National Bike Summit 2007
March 13-16, Washington, D.C.
The big one. Advocates from all over convene on the capital to discuss and exchanges ideas on making our communities more bike friendly.

http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit07/index.php


Milepost Zero Presents: Jeremiah Bishop

As a mountain bike racer, Jeremiah Bishop has his eye on the 2008Olympic Games. He participated in the 2004 Olympics and the ContinentalGames in March 2007. MPZ invites you to share Jeremiah's adventuresfirsthand through his stories and slides. Learn more about Jeremiah atwww.offroadtoathens.com
Where: Waynesboro Public Library / Meeting Room A
When: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 7 PM
Why: A unique opportunity to both learn andexperience the thrill of cycling competition at a professional level.
http://www.milepostzero.homestead.com/jb.html


IMBA Supports Bicycle-Friendly Virginia Wilderness Bill
http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/02_07/02_15_va_wilderness.html

Good things can come from working with outdoor advocates. Wilderness designation is a good conservation avenue, it would be great if it did not have an obtuse ruling on mountain bikes. Scenic Areas are a great conservation compromise that take into account ALL stakeholders. and remember, Bikes Belong... sidenote on Rep Rick Boucher, he was married on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a gem of trail...

Knocked the ... out...

The bug that I had been battling finally won. Between conjunctivitis in my eye (two doctor visits) and a massive head cold, I was one sick puppy. Staying home from work yesterday and filling myself to the gills with tylenol cold medicine seemed to do the trick. That and coming to a complete stop with my training. The body said STOP and I finally listened much to the relief of the missus.

Now I'm missing James and Joe doing a night ride tonight at Braley's/Dowells. Going to take it easy this weekend and slowly get back into training next week. Shouldn't be too difficult as next week was a scheduled rest week, so I won't be jumping into a hard training section.

Here's to better health...

brrr cold bicycling...

Rolled out on the IF Planet Cross today. 29 degrees and 20+ mph winds. Yeah it was cold, didn't even make it out of Staunton before I stopped and popped a pair of hand warmers into the Craft gloves. Headed north to Bridgewater and then west to Sangerville, hoping for a tailwind. For some reason there seems to be a headwind wherever you are in the Valley. The wind favored me for a few miles on the way back into Springhill, but then a turn and it was back to fighting it. 3 hours on the bike, was supposed to do 4 but had to pull in and warm up. Yeah I wimped out.

Cold, plus wind, I not sure how Jill in Alaska does it. Anyone who puts in the miles in cold weather has my respect. Training, working, or just riding. Cold riding is a different animal...

I'm done with the cold...

Both the cold weather and this damn bug I've been fighting. Usually winter is not a problem for me, I just wear warm clothes. But this year, I've been fighting a resillient little bug. First it was a head cold, no worries, but once it went below the neck I knew to slow down. Once the cough subsided, I was feeling well enough to get back on the bike, in the pool and back running. That worked for almost a week until this bug manifested itstelf in my eye. Damn bug, it's more annoying than anything. I actually went to the doctor, something I'm normally loathe to do.

I'll try to get on the bike for a long ride tomorrow in between snow showers. Can't even begin to think about riding the trainer again after Thursday's 3 hour session. Sam gave me some toe/hand warmers for the ride tomorrow. He doesn't really have much use for them now he's relocated to the deep south.

At least the cold makes the eye feel better...

Happy Valentines Day...

My dad used to own a Hallmark store, so I spent a lot of time in a card shop. Not a big fan of 'card' holidays. Even with that in my past I'm lousy on this holiday. Old stand by. flowers. It's not that I'm unromantic, i'm just not that creative. But I do try.





This flower is for you, my lovely bride. Happy Valentines Day...

back on track...

Back on track with the training after suffering through a chest cold which was compounded by some bruised ribs. I do not recommend the combination. I took a few days off last week and the days I was on, I kept the rides/runs on the easy side. Jumped in the pool tonight and did a set of surges prescribed by Jeff. The ribs were sore but I made it through the workout. The Masters swim club was in the pool and their coach as nice enough to give me some pointers. He said he would help me, so that's encouraging. I like to swim, I'm just slow. And in case you're wondering, I don't pimp the banana hammock.

Spent a great weekend with friends. Al and Chrissy came down from Nova with their son, Owen. It was great to see Parker and him together. For some reason Al and I always seem to tip a few back when they are here. We started off at Baja with a few beers. this was followed up with Abita Restoration Ale and then we went Trappist with bottles of Chimay and Duvel. Needless to say I was hurting Sunday. Blue Mountain Coffee fueled my trainer session in the afternoon. Ben and Alix came over with Max and Nate for dinner. Parker and the twins were checking each other out, I'm looking forward to when they are mobile and can play together. Soon enough.

Tomorrow is an AM run with a trainer session after work. It's good to back on track...

Epic did me in...

So Sam and I met the TriPower crew at Wintergreen on Saturday for a big ride at Big Levels. My kind of people, spend a weekend at a ski resort in February to go mountain biking. They came to the valley to do the Super Bowl ride. Ride reports here, here, and here. Which i missed, damn cough. While they spent the day basking in the busom of the Alleghenys, I was taking a 4+ hour nap. Still feeling the effects of the cough, slowly getting back into the training regimen.

Don't try to be a star and train through a cold...

Adoption of the plan...

Tonight the Staunton City Council adopted the Greenways Plan also known as the Frontier TrailPlan.

Unanimous...

The work has begun...

on training for this season.

I did well last year, even though training was haphazard and undisciplined. Lot of junk miles and minutes made up last year's training.
I don't have that luxury this year if I want to accomplish my goals. And give the family the time they need and deserve.
Jeff has developed a training plan for me that will allow me to peak for the races i've circled on the calendar. I trust him to work with me to help me accomplish what i want. Might even bring some hardware home.
First race is less than two months away, a lot more work needs to be done.

Work that is fun...