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MAY IS 'NATIONAL BIKE MONTH'
During May, National Bike Month, the League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week, May 15-19, and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 19.
As stated on the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin website, "If you live within five miles of work or school, a
bicycle is often the quickest and most efficient mode of travel. Many bicyclists commute longer distances as well. Commuting to school or work by bicycle can become an enjoyable part of your daily routine."
The league is maintaining a list of Bike Month and Bike-to-Work events at www.bikeleague.org/programs/bike month/index.php. At press time, the following events were
scheduled to take place in the upper Midwest:
WISCONSIN
Madison
May 13: Art Bike Rally sponsored by Budget Bicycle Center: 9:30-10:30 a.m., Kids' Decorating Party at the Children's Museum; 11 a.m., Art Bike Rally begins at State Street and the Capitol.
May 14: Bike-to-Shop Day: 8:30-11 a.m., bike to the pancake breakfast at Wil-Mar Center; 12:30 p.m., do it yourself bike waterproofing at the Wil-Mar Center.
May 15: 10 a.m., call to action press conference at State Street and the Capitol.
May 16: Think Globally, Bike Locally: 6:30 p.m., dessert potluck at Wil-Mar Center.
May 18: Youth Bike Day, Bike-to-School at participating middle schools; 6:30 p.m., biking with toddlers and kids interactive discussion at Happy Bambino.
May 19: Final Fiesta sponsored by Saris Cycling Group, Vilas Park: 4-7 p.m., live band, food, drink, raffle.
Eau Claire
May 15: Try Out Biking Day
May 16: Bike-to-Work Day
May 17: Everyone encouraged to get on a bike and/or walk somewhere, in conjunction with National Employee Health and Fitness Day
May 18: Bike-to-School Day
May 19: Bike-for-Fun Day
May 20: Bike-to-Events Day
May 21: Bike-to-Worship Day
Kenosha
May 13: Bike Rodeo, city hall parking lot.
May 16: Bike to the Velodrome Races. Races starting at 7 p.m. are sanctioned by the U.S. Cycling Federation.
May 19: Three breakfast stations will serve bike commuters free morning refreshments. Call event planner Penney Haney in the mayor's office at 262/653-4444.
Milwaukee
May 15: 8:30 a.m., Bike Buddies Ride to the Zeidler Municipal Building, 840 N. Broadway at Kilbourn Ave. Start locations: East Library, 1910 E. North Ave.; Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
(Bike with Mayor Barrett); Bayview Library, 2566 S. KK Ave.; Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.; Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.; 9 a.m., press conference; 9:45 a.m.,
pedestrian and bike facilities tour starting at the Zeidler Municipal Building.
May 16: 5:30 p.m., tour of Hank Aaron State Trail and Bike to Brewers Game. Meet at the corner of 6th
and Canal streets. Tailgating before the game.
May 17: 7:30 a.m., the infamous commuter race a car, a bus and bicyclists race to see who will arrive first to Zeidler Park. Start at 55nd and Wisconsin Avenue.
May 18: Bike with your child to school and then bike to work; 5:30 p.m., a free screening of a bike-themed movie at the Urban Ecology Center.
May 19: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Happy Hour at the Urban Ecology Center; 6:30 p.m., scavenger hunt starting at the entrance of the Marsupial Bridge under the south end of the Holton Street viaduct on Water Street; 8
p.m., bike-in movie in the Media Garden. Contact Shea Schachameyer at the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin at shea@bfw.org or call 414/431-1761.
MICHIGAN
Ypsilanti
A bicycle fair in Riverside Park including free children's bicycle helmets and safety talks followed by a short ride on the newly constructed bicycle paths linking Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Contact Bob Krzewinski at wolverbob@cs.com or call 734/487-9058.
ILLINOIS
Worth
May 20: 10 a.m.-1 p.m, bike rodeo and round-up at 10707 S. Oak Park Ave., including a bike obstacle
course, safety instruction and the seasonal opening of the bike and skate park. Contact the Worth Park Park District at www.worthparkdistrict.org or call 708/448-7080.
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CHEQUAMEGON FAT TIRE FEST SPOTS TO BE AWARDED TO ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
With a lottery-selected registration limit of 2,500 riders, one of the toughest challenges presented by the
September 15-17 Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival sponsored by Trek is simply getting in. Shortly after the March 15 entry submission deadline, fate in the form of a random drawing decided the 1,700
Chequamegon 40 and 800 Short and Fat 16-mile participants.
This year nearly 1,000 individuals who were not so lucky in the drawing received their checks back with the
dreaded "better luck next time" letter.
To address the pleas of those who were not chosen, festival director Gary Crandall created the "50 Ways
to Ride the Chequamegon" essay contest. The competition awards 50 reserved registrations to the authors of the best essays explaining why they should get in the sold-out event.
In spite of the contest title, past contest submissions that have impressed the judges were songs, poems, drawings, parodies and notes from children. Past essays have sighted family relationships, health
considerations, personal event history, advocacy efforts, race résumés or demographics.
In making their 50 selections, the judges consider originality, creativity, humor, sincerity, special effort and a
variety of other undisclosed factors.
Essays must be legible, 500 words or less and be postmarked or e-mailed to the Chequamegon office no
later than July 1. Shortly after that date, submissions will be judged and the winners selected. All those who
entered the contest will be notified of the outcome by July 15. The decisions of the judges are final. All essays become property of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, will not be returned and may be
reproduced at some future date without notification.
Chequamegon Crew Cleans Up
To ensure that the race routes are left in great shape, Clif Bar and the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival will
again organize an all volunteer pick-up patrol.
To be considered for the crew, complete the statement, "I want to be on the Chequamegon/Clif Bar
Cleanup Crew because ." Written statements should be postmarked by July 1 to the Chequamegon race office. All applicants will be notified of the crew selections by July 15. Those selected will receive further
instructions about their specific race day assignment.
Each volunteer cleanup crew member will receive an assortment of Clif Bar products and apparel, including
a Clif Bar cycling jersey. In addition, guaranteed reserved registrations for the 2007 Chequamegon event will be presented to each crew member.
To apply for cleanup crew membership or enter the 50 Ways to Ride the Chequamegon essay contest, postmark your essays by July 1 to Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821 or
e-mail submissions to cheqfat@cheqnet.net.
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JUNE IS 'NATIONAL TRAILS DAY'
Now in its 14th year, National Trails Day (NTD) has inspired nearly a million trail enthusiasts to flock to their favorite trails and take part in trail dedications, instructional workshops and trail work projects. In
2005, a record 1,132 NTD events were held.
NTD provides an opportunity to thank volunteers, land managing agencies and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails.
NTD events in the Midwest
WISCONSIN
Caledonia: Poker Ride Trail Cleaning, Caledonia Conservancy
Dodgeville: Trail Trotters Equestrian work day, Friends of Governor Dodge State Park
Springfield Corners: Family Trail Mix II, Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council
Cornell: Camp Nawakwa Open House, Girl Scouts of Indian Waters Council
Lodi: Luke Kloberdanz, Lodi Valley Chapter of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation
New Prospect: Jersey Flats Trailhead and parking improvement, Northern Kettle Moraine Horse Trails Association
Milwaukee: Teen Adventure Challenge, Urban Ecology Center
MINNESOTA
Inger: Backcountry Trail Patrol Association
Ely: 16th Anniversary of the Kekekabic Trail, Boundary Waters Advisory Committee
Cass Lake: Chippewa National Forest hike
Mendota Heights: Mendota Heights 50th anniversary, Mendota Heights Park and Rec.
Hackensack: Camp Sneak a Peek, Girl Scouts Land of Lakes Council
Park Rapids: Hike North Country Trail Itasca Park Segment, Itasca Moraine Chapt.
Mankato: Mankato Family YMCA
Maplewood: All-Star Summer Kick Off, Maplewood Parks and Recreation
Zimmerman: Guided Birding Tour, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
MICHIGAN
Midland: Chippewa Nature Center
Muskegon: Earth Day Open House, Girl Scouts of Michigan Pine and Dunes Council
Gwinn: Outdoor Training Workshop, Girl Scouts of Peninsula Waters
Cedar Rapids: Progressive Breakfast, Linn County Trails Association
Dryden: Even Ponds Nature Center
Baldwin: Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association
Gaylord: Tittabawassee Chapter of the North Country Trail Association
ILLINOIS
Sycamore: De Kalb Co. Forest Preserve District
Joliet: Forest Preserve District of Will Co.
Wilmington: Trail construction, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Brimfield: Peoria Area Mountain Bike Assoc.
Peoria: Pimiteoui Trail Association hike
Sterling: Brad Onken Memorial/SMART Summer Sizzler 5K, Sterling Park District
IOWA
Carroll: Sauk Rail Trail Days
Missouri Valley: De Soto National Wildlife Refuge Fest
For more events, go to www.americanhiking.org.
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ONLINE BICYCLE ROUTE FINDER FOR MILWAUKEE LAUNCHED
MILWAUKEE, Wis. The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, under contract with the city of Milwaukee and in collaboration with www.byCycle.org, has developed an online mapping system that helps bicyclists select safe and convenient routes through the state's largest city.
The application is one of the first of its kind in the country.
The route-finding application, available at www.milwaukeebycycle.org, selects streets and/or bicycle trails
once the user enters origin and destination addresses. The application returns travel directions in the form of
a route overlaid on a map, along with a cue sheet with directions. The application picks streets based on available bicycle facilities and traffic and road conditions.
"It's definitely a win when the same Internet application available for car travel is now available for
bicyclists," Bicycle Federation project coordinator Jack Hirt said. "The Milwaukeebycycle application takes
the selection of travel directions a step further by choosing routes that are safe and suitable for bicyclists, as well as the most direct."
The online tool is available only for cycling in Milwaukee for the time being, said Marjorie Ward, executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.
"We hope to also get one up and running for Madison and for the state highway/county highway/town road
system but we do not yet have funding to do either," she said. "The city of Madison and the state are both aware of the application and of our interest."
The current program will be improved by the city of Milwaukee over time. E-mail dschla@mpw.net with comments or suggestions for improving the application.
More information on bicycling in Milwaukee is available at www.milwaukeebybike.org and www.bfw.org
or by calling the Milwaukee office of the Bicycle Federation at 414/271-9685.
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PITTSVILLE HEART & SOLE RACE TURNS 20
The first Pittsville Heart and Sole Road Race, held in 1986, commemorated the city of Pittsville's centennial and drew 150 competitors. Now the race typically attracts 600 entrants from central Wisconsin and around
the state even a few running enthusiasts from across the country visiting friends and family back home in Wisconsin over the Independence Day weekend.
The race has continued annually, benefiting local community activities. It is is now sponsored by the Pittsville
Volunteer Fire Department and EMS. Volunteers of this organization provide course supervision and traffic control.
The 5-mile race and 2-mile run/walk will start at 7 p.m., July 3 the race always has been an evening event and serves as the kick-off for the community's annual July 4 celebration, which includes a carnival,
entertainment and noon parade sponsored by the local Lions Club and American Legion. A free quarter-mile kids' race starts at 6:15 p.m.
Arnie Schraeder of Nekoosa holds both the 2- and 5-mile men's course records of 9:10 and 23:40. Tricia Breu holds the women's 2-mile mark of 11:27, while the 5-mile women's record of 30:05 was set by Suzy Stanley.
Awards are given to the overall male and female finishers, the top three age group winners and special
recognition is given to participants age 70 and over. All participants receive a T-shirt. There will also be a wide variety of complimentary refreshments and numerous door prizes.
The races start at Riverside Park behind the high school. Pittsville is on State Highway 13 between Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids in central Wisconsin.
For more information, call Casey John at 715/884-6461.
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KR BIKE CLUB RIDE TO BENEFIT PUBLIC
On Saturday, May 20, 2006, the KR Bike Club is hosting the third edition of its annual ride. This year's ride, Two Wheels for Two Counties, will support bicycle projects and organizations in Wisconsin's
Kenosha and Racine counties.
One dollar of each registration will go to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. Hayes OnTrack, a
grass-roots program dedicated to helping youth 8 to 18 years of age experience the sport of cycling, is slated to receive $1,200. After all expenses are paid, an additional 10 percent of net proceeds is designated
for Hayes OnTrack. The Kenosha area, the city of Racine and the Waterford area will each receive 30 percent of the net proceeds.
In 2004, the KR Bike Club assisted with the BikeTown Racine project by distributing bikes, helmets, locks and other assorted gear to 50 Racine area residents.
This year's ride will begin at 6:30 a.m. at Waterford Union High School, 100 Field Drive, Waterford, Wisconsin. There will be four distances to choose from: 10, 25, 62 and 100 miles. The routes will run
through the rolling hills of Kenosha and Racine counties with a centralized rest stop at Eagle Lake. The 10-mile route is especially suited to families, and there is special pricing for families that want to ride
together.
For more information, contact Rick Wadleigh, KR Bike Club president at 262/681-1368, or Patrick Hastings at 262/492-1160, or visit the club website, www.krbikeclub.com.
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NEW ORGANIZATION FOR RACE DIRECTORS
Race directors have a quick, reliable source of race management information in the form of the new nonprofit Association of Running Event Directors based in Skokie, Illinois. Led by David Patt, former CEO
of the Chicago Area Runners Association, the group offers free online race management consiulting, a monthly e-newsletter, information exchange for members, and discounts on race supplies and services.
For more information, see www.racedirectors.org, call 847/ 675-8413 or e-mail info@racedirector.org.
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WESTBY SYTTENDE MAI BIKE TOUR TURNS 20 ON MAY 20
WESTBY, Wis. On May 20, cyclists are invited to participate in the fourth annual Westby Syttende Mai Bike Tour, a scenic ride through the region's iconic ridges and coulees.
Known to early explorers as the Ocooch Mountains, this "driftless" area of Vernon County features rolling terrain that was unscathed by glacial flows 10,000 years ago. With its topographical beauty and the
emergence of rural cottage industries, this region is attracting an increasing number of recreational and competitive cyclists.
The tour, which takes place during Westby's Norwegian Syttende Mai Festival, commences at 8 a.m. at the Ben Logan Mill on Second Street and Bekkedahl Avenue, in Westby, 25 miles southeast of La Crosse.
The 100K route (about 62 miles) features a combination of rolling hills and long flats with a few moderate ascents. Four rest stops will offer bathrooms, water, sports drink, cookies and bananas.
The first rest stop, at Snowflake Ski & Golf Club, will provide riders with breathtaking views of the Timber Coulee region. The second stop is the Kickapoo Valley Ranch, home to riding horses, luxurious rustic
cabins and the General Store gift shop. Bike tour organizers have added a new stop at Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center. The final stop is Avalanche Looms, a Scandinavian weaving and farm shop.
The 60K route (about 35 miles) has three hills two moderate, one easy and two rest stops. The 30K route (about 16.5 miles) features one moderate climb and one rest stop.
For those worried about keeping up, this year the bike tour will offer more SAG wagons to assist tired riders. Several bike mechanics from Bluedog Cycles will be on hand to help with breakdowns.
Preregistration costs $15 ($25 day of event) and covers route support, refreshments and cool schwag. To register, contact Dave Maxwell at 608/634-7475. For more information and registration forms, go to www.westbywi.com or www.benloganmill.com.
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BAYFIELD & ASHLAND COUNTIES: BACKROADS BIKING PARADISE
The best-kept secret in the state is getting out. Road biking on the back roads of Bayfield and Ashland counties is every bit as good or better than on the famed roads in Door, Western, Dane, or Trempealeau
counties. Informal bike clubs in the area, such as the Chequama Mamas and the Penokee Mountain Pedalers, have known about these roads for years, but who spilled the beans to the outside world?
Three years ago, the Bay Area Active Sports Alliance (BAASA) and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce produced a colorful bike map that documented 19 paved bike routes in both counties. The routes range
from 14 to 52 miles, some of which can be combined to make longer routes. The map can be ordered by calling 800/284-9484 or clicking on http://travelbayfieldcounty.com.
Then in June 2005, BAASA and the Ashland and Washburn chambers of commerce sponsored the Superior Vistas Bike Tour, a multi-loop, one-day, fully supported bike ride starting and finishing on the
banks of Lake Superior. This first-time event attracted over 200 riders, nearly 100 of whom traveled from Duluth, the Twin Cities area, Wausau, La Crosse and other destinations at least an hour and a half away.
The event's purpose was to offer a high-quality, safe, family-oriented bike tour that would put the Chequamegon Bay area on the map as a great place for road biking.
The same year, a new bike shop opened in Bayfield, and the city of Ashland began a master plan for a series of bike trails within the city and linking the bay area to other scenic destinations. These developments,
coupled with the yearly Firehouse 50 Road Race out of Grand View and the Penokee Mountain Classic out of Mellen, are creating a greater awareness of the road biking opportunities in far northern Wisconsin.
What's in store for 2006?
The Washburn City Recreation Department will host a series of time trials one evening a week in June and
July for fun and to help prepare both kids and adults for the various bike racing opportunities in the area.
The second annual Superior Vistas Bike Tour will be June 24. Participants will ride 13-, 19-, 32-, 52- or 68-mile loops, with food and beverage stops along the way. For those who select the 19- or 32-mile loop,
there are opportunities to swim at Long Lake.
The 52- or 68-mile loops take riders on 20 miles of some of the smoothest, sweetest blacktop through the
wilderness of the Chequamegon Forest and the famed Moquah Barrens.
With the enthusiasm generated at last year's event, an increase in the number of business supporters and
beneficiaries, and improvements to the ride itself, including more food, music and festivities at the finish, ride coordinators expect the number of registrants to double.
New to all this is a weeklong workshop for middle school students who will create fish on bicycles out of recycled materials, escort the bike tour riders out to Main Street.
No wonder the secret is out. Call 800/284-9484 to register or click on www.superiorvistas.org or www.active.com.
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A QUARTER CENTURY OF THE MENOMINEE RIVER CENTURY RIDE
MARINETTE, Wis. One of the largest bicycle rides in the Midwest is about to celebrate its silver anniversary. And to celebrate, organizers for the BAMC Menominee River Century are hoping to bring
over 1,500 bicyclists to Marinette, Wis., on Sunday, June 25.
The ride, including 10-, 25-, 50- and 75-mile routes, will begin at Marinette High School and proceed
through scenic areas and historical sites in Marinette and Menominee counties.
"It's the 25th anniversary of the ride and we plan to celebrate in style," said John Hofer, ride chairman and
director of marketing at Bay Area Medical Center, the ride's title sponsor.
Hofer said there will be many new additions to this year's ride, not least of which are a post-ride brat fry
and band concert at Marinette High School, a discounted 10-mile family fun ride, a colorful rider T-shirt,
historical pictures and articles showing the ride's rich history, special sales booths at registration and a prize raffle for a new bike.
Registrations are now being taken by mail or online at www.mrcride.com. Mail-in forms and brochures are available at local chambers of commerce and bike shops.
The fee per rider before June 15 is $25, which includes a T-shirt, or $18 without a T-shirt. Registration for
children 12 and under is $10, and the 10-mile family fun ride will be $5 per person. Children in carts are free. Team registration is also encouraged.
"This is a great ride because our routes cater to the avid biker as well as the novice family. We're also known for our great food and top-notch service," Hofer said.
Dory's rest stop will have grilled burgers and music starting at 8 a.m., SAG service will be on each route to repair bicycles, and Audubon and nature guides will be available at the Bloch Oxbow and Pines Primeval
Natural Area and Chappee Rapids stops to point out special historical and botanical features.
Participants are also encouraged to attend a free concert in the park on Saturday, June 24, and an art fair
the day of the ride from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both at Menominee's Great Lakes Memorial Park.
For more information on the BAMC Menominee River Century Bike Ride, call 715/735-4200, Ext. 3116 or visit www.mrcride.com.
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