WORSMTBCommunity

juniors with help from the best

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:49:55 -0400

thank you WORS for being here to make this all happen. Wilhelm you are the tech go to guy and deserve more $. your help has been Godsent. the juniors racing has been growing, Leah k. Fletcher has found a passion that is kind weird for a 8yr old . Lucas J. is right there behind her. (dad) in there somewhere?. The family time cranking has been great and WORS brings it all together. THANK YOU to all the venues and volunteers. thanks Don E. for your help in junior WORS philosophy. check out YOUTUBE (leahs climb), thanks again and may GOD bless you all.

Metro Mountain Bikers - learn more!

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:41:43 -0400

Are you curious about what goes on before we get to build all those sweet trails? Do ever say to yourself “I’d love to help but I don’t know the who, what or where”? Do you have a question as simple as “Where are the trails”? You can get your questions answered and your curiosity satisfied at the monthly Metro Mountain Bikers meeting. 7:00 pm Bennos Bar and Grill 74th and Greenfield West Allis.

E-mail me agenda items and I will add them. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. As discussed at the last several Metro meetings, election of officers will happen at the upcoming October meeting.

The current slate of candidates includes;

President— Harold Schmidt

Vice President— Chris Cooper

Secretary- Danielle Noel Cychosz

Treasurer- Marty Weigel

Terms are 2 years each with initial Pres/VP terms being just one year. Terms are not renewable. Candidates may not hold an office for more than one term. Any paid member interested in running for one of the above listed offices

PLEASE post your intention before October 10 as well as a short bio if you’d like and plan on being at the October meeting. Paid Metro members will cast votes at the October meeting. Members unable to attend may send proxies to the meeting. Proxies must be signed and the voter’s include name and address. Please post any questions or comments in this discussion. Marty Weigel

Off the Couch Off the Couch In a quiet way, the thousands of...

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:09:24 -0400

Off the Couch Off the Couch In a quiet way, the thousands of people who run, bike, hike, ski and paddle make a lot of noise in Wisconsin Share Shorewood, Sheboygan join ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities e-mail print By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel Sept. 14, 2011 6:00 a.m. |(0) Comments Shorewood and Sheboygan earned bronze status in the latest rankings of Bicycle Friendly Communities. Those two lakeside communities join Madison, Eau Claire, La Crosse and Milwaukee among the Wisconsin towns recognized for accommodating bicyclists turning the pedals for transportation and recreation. Madison, which has been a gold-level city since 2006, is one of the highest-rated cities in the country. The rankings were issued by the American League of Bicyclists at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. “The league congratulates all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long-term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens,” said Andy Clarke, the league president. “Cities are choosing investment in bicycling, even in tough economic times, as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit.” The League of American Bicyclists has designated 190 bicycle friendly communities in 46 states. (via Shorewood, Sheboygan join ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities - JSOnline)

Dear Claire, Don’t fall asleep at the wheel and miss...

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:23:19 -0400

Dear Claire,

Don’t fall asleep at the wheel and miss your chance to win an all-expenses-paid biking or walking trip to Italy! Enter your best pictures in the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest today.

With more than $8,000 in prizes for the winning entries, the Alliance invites professional, amateur and advocate photographers to celebrate the beauty and energy of active transportation and continue to build an online library of high-quality images that can be used by bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations across North America.

Don’t wait: There’s just one month left to submit your photos in the following categories:
Women: Historically, men have far outnumbered women in active transportation in the U.S. — but that’s changing quickly. We want to see college women pedaling to class, female professionals using bike share to commute to work, mothers walking their kids to school, female advocates and engineers leading the charge to make their communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and more…
Diversity / Equity / Building an Inclusive Movement: This category includes photos of the faces and efforts of the incredible diversity of people, from all racial and economic backgrounds, who walk and bike for transportation and recreation in their unique neighborhoods. Submit your images of Major Taylor Bicycle Club events, social justice rides, transportation equity rallies, outreach efforts to non-English-speaking communities, classes and bicycle giveaways at community cycling centers, recycle-a-bicycle programs and more…
Open Streets / Ciclovias: Open Streets temporarily close streets to automobiles, allowing residents to walk, bike, skate, dance and utilize the roadways in countless creative and active ways. From Los Angeles to New York to Miami, Open Streets have become an effective and high-energy means to build community, promote active transportation and reconnect neighborhoods divided by traffic. We want to see how your community is engaging in this growing movement.
Walking: Photos of walkers and pedestrians moving their feet for fitness or mobility.
Advocates in Action: Images of biking and/or walking advocates making the case for active transportation.
Biking: Photos that showcase the joy and utility of bicycling for transportation and recreation.
Individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website until September 31. From October 1st to 31st, public voting will determine the finalists in each category. A panel of expert and advocate judges from across the continent will then determine the winners, to be announced in March 2012.

The overall grand prize is an all-expenses-paid biking or walking trip to Italy, from VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. Additional prizes include: A new bicycle from PUBLIC Bikes; bags from Ortlieb; lights from Planet Bike; gear from Fyxation; helmets from Bern and more! Plus, all winning photos will be featured in a 2012 issue of Momentum magazine.

Enter today at PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact photocontest@peoplepoweredmovement.org.

We can’t wait to see your photos! (via Photo Contest | Alliance for Biking & Walking: PeoplePoweredMovement.org)

Lamers Connect Bus Line Now Bicycle Friendly! | Over the Bars in Wisconsin

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:29:52 -0400

Lamers Connect Bus Line Now Bicycle Friendly! | Over the Bars in Wisconsin:

Thanks to the efforts of some members of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and the open minds of management at Lamers Bus Lines, Inc., it is now possible to more conveniently and affordably transport bicycles on the network of Lamers Connect intercity bus routes across Wisconsin..

Bicycle transport policies of the intercity bus industry often require at least partial disassembly and packaging of a bicycle. Charges used by other intercity carriers are based on package freight rates, often $25.00 to $35.00. The new Lamers Connect policy now allows bicycles for transport un-boxed and fully assembled. For a daily fee of only $10.00, passengers may transport their bicycles between any of the 28 bus stops in 22 communities served by Lamers Connect routes.

Lamers made these new policies in response to customer suggestions and to reflect a refreshing common sense approach to passenger needs. About a month ago, the Bicycle Federation received an email from Sally S who complained that she and a group of friends in Madison liked to do bicycle rides around different parts of the state, but preferred to travel on bus rather than drive. The problem at the time was that Lamers Connect intercity buses required bicycles to be boxed prior to transport.

I responded to Sally that I would contact Lamers, but it is always best if companies hear from their customers with requests for better bicycle accommodations. I followed through with a pleasant email exchange with Lamers customer support. I mentioned that Badger Bus Lines recently changed their policy to allow assembled, unboxed bikes to in the under-bus storage area for a nominal fee.

Sally and her friends followed through and sent emails and letters to Lamers customer support as well. Here is what Sally wrote:

”Just a suggestion, I do lots of biking around the state with friends. We don’t like to use cars so would like to have the ability to put our bikes on a rack on the bus to get to another city quickly. Please check out the bike racks that go on the front of busses for easy on and off. I think you might be surprised how many people would use this service. More and more people are doing bike touring, I think it would be a wonderful addition to your already increased service. By the way, it is wonderful that you have expanded service. Thanks”

Note the positive tone and constructive suggestion Sally took. This is always more effective than a complaint or rant. Here is Lamers response to the suggestions made by the Bike Fed, Sally and her friends:

“We recognize Wisconsin’s diverse network of bicycle routes and trails, and the positive impact of cycling in Wisconsin,” said Allen Lamers, President of Lamers Bus Lines. “While exterior bus racks used by city transit buses are not an option for intercity motor coaches, our generous under-bus luggage compartments provide the ability for Lamers Connect to transport bicycles safely and efficiently.”

How awesome is that? How about three cheers to Sally and her friends for working with the Bike Fed to make Wisconsin a better place to bike? How about three cheers for Lamers connect for their common sense and fast customer responsive policy change? With this one effort, and the thoughtful response from Lamers management, it is now possible to get to more great places to ride in Wisconsin, get there in comfort, leave the car in the garage and the driving to someone else.

Lamers Connect routes provide essential daily intercity route service between Green Bay and Madison, Wausau and Madison, Dubuque and Madison, and Wausau and Milwaukee. Overall, 22 communities are served with 28 bus stops are now more bicycle friendly. The company, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Green Bay is the Midwest’s largest passenger transportation provider, with services that include school bus charters and route services, motor coach charters and escorted tours, trolley buses, mini-coaches, medical transport service, limo coaches and limousines.

Thanks Sally and friends! Send us some photos of the next cross state bicycle trip you take that you use Lamers. We will share them here on Over the Bars in Wisconsin. Thanks Lamers! Perhaps it is time for Lamers to apply to be one of the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Businesses?

(via Rhinelander in Pics | Titletown Flyers Cycling Team)

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:39:38 -0400

(via Rhinelander in Pics | Titletown Flyers Cycling Team)

"Leading a WORS race is a bit intimidating at times, especially early in the year with as much talent..."

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:38:59 -0400

“Leading a WORS race is a bit intimidating at times, especially early in the year with as much talent as had showed up to Rhinelander, so I didn’t work too hard as to go into the red and be counter attacked by someone. After a few sections of single-track I looked back and seven had made the initial break, Me, B. Matter, Tristan, B. Eppen, Mike Anderson, Tyler Gauthier, and Ben Koenig. I punched it up every climb to keep anyone from just sitting on and made sure to use the single track skills to make em work, even though I did lay it down once while leading…”

- Nathan Guerra

"I’m looking for just a few more clients before I reach my set limit for the season. If your..."

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:37:38 -0400

“I’m looking for just a few more clients before I reach my set limit for the season. If your interested in details shoot me an e-mail at bmatter@momentumendurance.com After the weekend I’ll be hanging up the road bike for a while and hitting the dirt. WORS #3, Jr. Mtn Bike Camp, and the Subaru Cup. Can’t wait for this..”

- b-matter.com

"We learned last week, with the release of the League of American Bicyclists Fair Share for Safety..."

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:25:10 -0400

“

We learned last week, with the release of the League of American Bicyclists Fair Share for Safety from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) report, and Transportation for America’s Dangerous by Design report, that the federal government and many state departments of transportation have made a dangerous choice by prioritizing speeding traffic over the safety of people.

From 2000 to 2009, 47,700 Americans were struck and killed while walking and another 688,000 were injured. Furthermore, since 2009, only half a dozen states actually dedicated Highway Safety Funds specifically to bicycle and pedestrian projects. This is clearly a national problem, as 67 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in the last ten years occurred on federal-aid roads eligible to receive federal funding for improvements.

Congress is currently contemplating the elimina tion of key bicycle and pedestrian funding programs in the next transportation bill such as, Transporta tion Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and the Recreational Trails program.

Contact your Representative today and tell them that without dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects and the Complete Streets Act of 2011, H.R. 1780, to ensure that all federally funded road projects take into account the needs of all users, states will likely reduce spending for safety features like sidewalks, crosswalks and trails.

Thank you in advance for your help!

”

- League of American Bicyclists * Take Action

"Time: May 28, 2011 from 9:30am to 12:30pm Location: Crystal Ridge Organized By: Marty Weigel Event..."

Thu, 26 May 2011 23:55:07 -0400

“

Time: May 28, 2011 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Crystal Ridge
Organized By: Marty Weigel

Event Description:
Lend a hand as Metro works with the Alterra MTB Team to tune up and upgrade the Crystal Ridge and Alpha Trail MTB system. Meet in the Crystal Ridge lot. Weed whackers (string trimmers) and rough duty mowers needed. Deberming and rock armoring also. Dress for the weather.

”

- Come join me at Crystal Ridge Trail Work on Metro Mountain Bikers

"Cycling enthusiasts in Wisconsin could proudly cheer “we’re number two” through..."

Tue, 24 May 2011 16:29:47 -0400

“Cycling enthusiasts in Wisconsin could proudly cheer “we’re number two” through the first three years of the League of American Bicyclists rankings. Not anymore. The Badger State fell off the pace a bit and dropped to third in the League’s 2011 bike-friendly state rankings, released Monday. Maine passed Wisconsin into the second spot, behind Washington. To come up with the rankings, the League gives each state a grade (A through F) in six categories: Legislation, Policies & Programs, Infrastructure, Education & Encouragement, Evaluation & Planning, and Enforcement. Wisconsin took home As in policies and encouragement and planning; a C in legislation and Ds in infrastructure and enforcement. That D in infrastructure - bike paths, bike lanes and signs that make cycling easier - was costly. Maine received a B grade for its biking infrastructure, the highest score of the 50 states in the rankings. As the BikePortland blog explains, dozens of states gave ground on infrastructure by returning millions of dollars in unspent federal transportation enhancement funds. Kevin Hardman, executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, said the advocacy group would use the grades to focus its work. The Share and Be Aware campaign launched this year to educate motorists and cyclists on the rules of the road should help boost that D in enforcement, he said. Ambassadors have been deployed to meet with local officials, law enforcement and community groups to promote safety. “These are helpful tools, I would say,” Hardman said of the League’s report card. ” When you’re all the way at the top, it’s not unreasonable to expect there are going to be some movements year-after-year. “It underscores for me, we have a lot of work ahead of us. We’re working every day to get to number one.””

- Wisconsin slips to third in bike-friendly state rankings - JSOnline

"Check out “Trail Work day - Estabrook” on Metro Mountain Bikers Harold Schmidt Time:..."

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:13:00 -0400

“

Check out “Trail Work day - Estabrook” on Metro Mountain Bikers

Harold Schmidt

Time: May 27, 2011 from 9am to 12pm
Location: Dam parking lot in Estabrook
Organized By: Harold Schmidt

Event Description:
Tune up the north end of the new trail in Estabrook. Need to do some stone work and a bit of benching

See more details and RSVP on Metro Mountain Bikers.

”

"Saturday – New Trail Day at CamRock: I got the official word from Dane County Parks today that we..."

Tue, 24 May 2011 12:35:22 -0400

“Saturday – New Trail Day at CamRock: I got the official word from Dane County Parks today that we can start cutting the corridor for the new trail at CamRock! Starting at 8a in the CamRock parking lot we will be clearing the corridor for a new trail that has not been discussed here much. It will be called the B double E double R you en. This trail will go down the hill from CR III parking area to the bridge in Rockdale. It will be an uphill for the WORS race, but we are building it to be a ton of fun as a downhill trail. To do it right and make it fun will be some work, but the payoff will be huge. Huge fun that is! so come on out Sat if you can make it. If you come late head down the start of the trail from the parking lot and you will find us a couple hundred feet in. As usual coffee and donuts start at 7:45. Free beers and burgers at Heather’s afterwards!”

- CORP – Madison Mountain Biking » Capital Off Road Pathfinders

"The City of Waukesha, ALTA Planning Consultants, and the Bike Federation of WI are developing a..."

Tue, 24 May 2011 01:29:24 -0400

“

The City of Waukesha, ALTA Planning Consultants, and the Bike Federation of WI are developing a comprehensive Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan.

They are inviting the public to attend a public workshop/input meeting on Wednesday, May 25. Public input will help shape the development of safe, functional, convenient, and attractive bike and pedestrian facilities throughout the City.

For more information contact Ron Grall, Director of the City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry: 524-3734, rgrall@ci.waukesha.wi.us

”

- Public Input Meeting on Waukesha Bike and Ped Plan

"They will be silent to be noticed. At nine locations around Wisconsin, cyclists will start..."

Tue, 17 May 2011 09:36:27 -0400

“

They will be silent to be noticed.

At nine locations around Wisconsin, cyclists will start pedaling at 7 p.m. Wednesday as part of the international Ride of Silence, slow-moving memorials to bikers killed and injured on the road. By grieving and riding quietly, they hope to remind motorists and fellow bicyclists to follow the law and share the road. The consequences of not doing so will be exemplified with emotion in Waukesha, where the widows and families of two men killed in crashes last year will join the riders. Brett Netke, 42, was hit by a car while riding on Highway 18 in the Village of Summit on Father’s Day, May 20. Jeff Littmann, 56, was hit by a car while riding on Wisconsin Ave. in Nashotah on Oct. 1. They were among the nine bicyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles in Wisconsin in 2010. “I’ll be there to support Darlene (Netke) and to put a face to what has happened, just so that people know this is life and death,” said Rachel Bishop, Netke’s sister. “I want people to know that this has been a major disruption for everyone involved.” Bishop will travel from Holland, Mich., to join the memorial with Netke’s widow and his children, Tyer, 8, Alyssa, 6, and Gabrielle, 4. “My hope and my prayer for Darlene is she gets some peace from this, and some comfort,” Bishop said. “I hope she can see that people are standing up for some sort of awareness, and for safety on the road. “It won’t heal her completely. Nothing will. But I hope this will, a little bit.” Littmann’s widow, Kelly James-Littmann, said she hopes motorists will notice the memorial ride and remember to be more watchful and more compassionate. That might help ease the fears she has for her children, Ashley and Michael James, two cyclists who train and compete like their stepfather. The Ride of Silence started in Texas in 2003, in memory of Larry Schwartz, a cyclist who was hit and killed by the mirror of a school bus. Rides are expected to take place this year in 150 locations. In Waukesha, the Spring City Spinners Bicycle Club will host its memorial event for a second year. The ride will start at the Waukesha State Bank, 151 E. St. Paul Ave. Similarly, this will be year two for the ride starting at the Wheel & Sprocket store in Fox Point. The Warshafsky Law Office helped coordinate the ride in Fox Point and promoted the cause with a list of five bicycle-related laws motorists should know. Topping the list is the requirement that motorists provide three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. The driver who killed Brett Netke was ticketed for failing to yield the three feet and paid a $114 fine. On a more basic point, the participants want to remind drivers that they have a right to be on the road. In addition to the events listed above, rides will be held in Appleton, Green Bay, Lake Geneva, Madison, Oshkosh, Racine and Viroqua. Details can be found at www.rideofsilence.org. Comments (22) View Comments » Tags: cycling : advocacy Permalink | Email This Blog

”

- Families of cyclists killed in Waukesha County join Ride of Silence - JSOnline

"The loading zone in front of Alterra’s 2211 N. Prospect Ave. location is Milwaukee’s first..."

Sat, 14 May 2011 10:40:37 -0400

“The loading zone in front of Alterra’s 2211 N. Prospect Ave. location is Milwaukee’s first on-street bicycle parking corral. ”

- Alterra Opens Milwaukee’s First On-Street Bike Corral | Urban Milwaukee

"‘Oak Hill Trail Work’ on Metro Mountain Bikers! Please RSVP if your coming so we can..."

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:54:31 -0400

“

‘Oak Hill Trail Work’ on Metro Mountain Bikers!

Please RSVP if your coming so we can plan work/bevs.

Oak Hill Trail Work Time: May 15, 2011 from 4pm to 7pm
Location: Oak Hill
Organized By: Marty Weigel

Event Description:
It’s spring cleanup time! Come help tune up and clean up the Oak Hill Trails (aka Harley Woods) along the Menomonee River north of Capitol Drive. Meet along the Parkway in Tosa just north of Capitol. Trash pick-up, deberming and minor reroutes. Weather permitting.

See more details and RSVP on Metro Mountain Bikers:
http://metromountainbikers.com/events/event/show?id=2974397%3AEvent%3A21159&xgi=4A1WcoqcBJn12W&xg_source=msg_invite_event

”

- Oak Hill Trail Work on Metro Mountain Bikers

"Tax for bike lanes dropped in Maine, debated elsewhere e-mail print By Tom Held of the Journal..."

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:01:21 -0400

“

Tax for bike lanes dropped in Maine, debated elsewhere
e-mail print By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel
May 10, 2011 2:12 p.m. |(3) COMMENTS

A proposal to impose a 2% tax on sales of new bicycles failed to win approval in Maine, but with tight budgets in states around the country, similar suggestions for funding cycling improvements are likely to follow.

“If bicyclists want bike lanes they should pay for them” is a common argument following stories about bike and pedestrian paths. The point was made again last week, after a blog post on the decision to cut $5 million for bike and pedestrian enhancements from Wisconsin’s 2012-‘13 transportation budget.

Across the country, local and state authorities have considered various proposals to generate revenue for bike projects - from licensing to the special tax considered in Maine.

Under that proposal, revenue from the 2% tax would have been devoted to building, improving and maintaining “bikeways” along the state’s roads. The purpose, according to the bill’s sponsor, was to make cycling safer, particularly along Maine’s thousands of miles of narrow, rural roadways.

In Milwaukee, blogger Dave Schlabowske offers a variation on that idea: devote all the tax revenue generated on bikes and accessories sales to bike projects.

“If we took the 5% sales tax those sales generate for the general fund and put them in transportation, we would have $7,500,000 to spend on bicycles,” Schlabowske wrote in a piece directed to Gov. Scott Walker. “That is way more than you had to cut from the budget.”

”

- Tax for bike lanes dropped in Maine, debated elsewhere - JSOnline

"‘Trail Work day - Estabrook’ on Metro Mountain Bikers! Check out “Trail Work day -..."

Tue, 10 May 2011 10:36:20 -0400

“

‘Trail Work day - Estabrook’ on Metro Mountain Bikers!

Check out “Trail Work day - Estabrook” on Metro Mountain Bikers

Harold Schmidt

Trail Work day - Estabrook Time: May 12, 2011 from 9am to 12pm
Location: Central Parking lot above the falls Estabrook is located on the east side of the Milwaukee River between Capitol and Hampton
Organized By: Harold Schmidt

Event Description:
Need a few people to help finish the new line in Estabrook

See more details and RSVP on Metro Mountain Bikers:
http://metromountainbikers.com/events/event/show?id=2974397%3AEvent%3A21143&xgi=3NLzVVdKMKpQ2P&xg_source=msg_invite_event

”

- Metro Mountain Bikers

RASTA (Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association)

Sun, 08 May 2011 20:26:40 -0400

Posted at 5:33 PM May 7, 2011 on Facebook

“We had a great work session on a beautiful day in the Northwood’s! The trails are now free of leaves & sticks. I’m going out to Mud Lk. tomorrow but just to finish up on some marking. So take a ride on Sunday & spend some time with your mom. I can’t help but feel Wayne has inspired folks to come out and help as we’ve had a lot of help & completed a lot of work in a very short window. Thanks everyone!”