Greetings LCBC members! The delivery date of the 2nd quarter Newsletter has been quickly approaching, and content has been slowly building. Summer is in full swing with plenty of heat and humidity. If you haven’t made it to any of the Saturday morning rides, get on out there!! Participation has been steady, including some new faces. Look for introductions towards the end of the Newsletter.
Updates from the last newsletter:
Licking County Parks Levy - update
Unfortunately for the residents of Licking and adjoining counties, the levy failed in May. I copied part of an article from “This Week” online news and pasted below. The full article can be found at this link.
“The parks of the Licking Park District remain open for now, but closure is likely next year if an operating levy isn't approved or an alternative source of funding found.
Director Russ Edgington said it's likely the parks would be back on the ballot in November, following the May 4 defeat at the polls. Voters rejected the 0.2-mill levy 17,932 votes to 19,895 votes, or 47.4 percent in favor to 52.59 percent against it.
"We had an effective, bare-bones campaign," he said. "We had difficulty raising funds to promote the levy. Now we have to go back to supporters and ask them to give more to do a more effective job."
The park district sought approval of a five-year, 0.2-mill levy that would have raised about $740,000 annually for park operations. It would have cost an additional $6 annually for every $100,000 of assessed property value.
"We ask them not to consider it a tax, " Edgington said. "Fifty cents a month isn't a significant amount of money. It's less than you spend on a pop. It's an investment in the community. These are treasures that are used and scrutinized when businesses and families look at relocating."
The May primary marked the district's seventh try at the ballot in about 20 years, with the most recent unsuccessful attempt in 2006.
"Residents have enjoyed 20 years of not spending money for the parks, and it's running out," Edgington said. "We need to find an alternative source of funding."
As a side note, during the club ride on Saturday morning, it was apparent that the bridge over the river by Cherry Valley Road has been struck by vandals. There are multiple holes in the bridge deck where boards have been broken out. These appear to be intentional damage, and not that from rotten lumber, etc.. It’s a shame that some find enjoyment in the destruction of public property. As most of us realize, we are fortunate to have such a variety of trails and woodlands around Licking County. In tight financial times, it’s hard to say if and when this damage will be repaired.
Bike-to-Work Week - update
Gary Hartz, from the Licking County Trails Alliance, reported that there were 60 confirmed riders on the road, which logged a total of 1050 miles! An amazing result given the rain we experienced all week. Gary calculated that 1050 miles of bicycle commute means they eliminated 3780 pounds of automobile pollution from Licking County skies!!
Weekend Bike/Camping in Pennsylvania - update
A handful of Club members headed east and met with several West Virginia cyclists. Mike Smith documented the adventure, which can be found from the Photo Gallery/Ohio Pyle Camping link. I felt I should include at least one picture from the trip. Below is a picture of our one and only club president with her new Walmart bag-shoes. Quite stylish! Go to the link and read more about the trip, with pictures attached.
Memorial Weekend in West Virginia 2010
The web photo gallery has yet to be updated with photos and narration of the Memorial Weekend trip to WV, but keep checking back. Mike and a few LCBC members made the trek to the Canaan Valley area.
Upcoming trip to WV
Our resident MTB Adventure Specialist (Mike Smith) doesn’t let the mud dry on his mountain bike before he’s planning another trip. The next weekend getaway will be August 7-8 in West Virginia, down around the Elkins area. Accommodations are still being ironed out, but camping will definitely be included. The gang from the WV Country Cyclists will be leading us down some of their favorite trails. Mark your calendars and get your camping gear together! If interested, or you’d like more information, email Mike or post your question on the LCBC Forum under the Mountain Biking Forum.
Land of Legend Tour 2010
The 2010 LOL tour is less than two weeks away. Here's an update from Bob Rush:
"We made good progress on Tuesday on preparing the designated roads for the ride. Most of the painting was accomplished, with a partial section yet to be done; thanks to Susan Haas and Bob Rousculp for doing extra work. Several of us will finish that work. Some new difficulties were found and we are addressing them thru Knox County road dept, Newark City, and the Licking Parks District. No problems forseen in resolving them.
As a result, we won't be doing any painting on Sat, July,10 as we had planned to do. NO painting req'd on the 10th!! Come on the 10th prepared to ride!
One Sunday, July 11th, we plan to test ride all three routes --32, 60, and 100 mile routes -- starting at 7am (early start so that any 100 milers can get an early start). Should be fun and let us note and/or correct any deficiencies.
We are still looking for two volunteers to direct parking on the day of the ride.
Don't forget your cookie promise and delivery to the Y on Friday, July 16th.
Yahoo LCBCOnine
As a reminder, the Yahoo Group account, LCBCOnline, has been deleted! Ken Apacki officially removed the group from Yahoo last month. All LCBC communication is now directed to the Forum. Stop by and check it out, if you haven’t been there yet. Interesting stories and photos are available to all.
Ride Schedules
Saturday morning rides continue to depart the YMCA at 8am. As I mentioned previously, groups have been large enough to often break into smaller groups and head in different directions, accommodating various lengths of rides and destinations. Although most rides seem to be determined minutes before departure, sometimes they are pre-determined and posted on the Forum and/or the LCBC Event Calendar.
We have also been getting a rather large group assembling for the Wednesday night ride, which meets on the east parking lot at the YMCA, and departs at 6pm. Routes are typically posted on the Forum and a link to MapMyRide for route maps.
Again, we’ve been breaking into a couple groups for faster/slower, longer/shorter rides.
Come and join the fun.
(As always, a helmet and current waiver is required to be included in club rides.)
Of Great Concern
As some of you may know, the Paisley’s have decided to spread the wealth, and build a new home near Phoenix, Arizona. They are also considering moving from their home in Granville (which we all consider the LCBC party location), to a smaller, less maintenance home in the Granville area. Don thinks that 18 acres, a lake, etc., takes too much of his retirement time to take care of.
I’m thinking that maybe we should all volunteer a few hours of our time to help Don with his chores. This would give Don more free time to play tennis and enjoy his retirement. In return, he keeps the LCBC party house!!
Sound like a plan?? (yeah…sure)
Welcome New Members
We have a handful of new members since the beginning of the year. If you see some new faces in the group, please introduce yourself and welcome the new members.
Patrick AubourgSamantha Cesh
Greg Hartz
Shirley Kagle
John Leighton
Erin Lennon
Gloria Livingstone and son Jaz
Jeffery Wolfe
And a Final Note...
I found an interesting article from BikePortland.org, describing a Portland Cyclist's confrontation with a motorist. It was posted today, 7/7/2010, so the link should be good for a while. Check it out!
Learning From a Road Rage Interaction
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA....Read all about it..
I left out a note that Debbie Belcher had sent to me almost a month ago to include in the Newsletter! Click this link to see what she had to say..The Debbie Belcher Addendum
Licking County Bicycle Club Officers
Debbie Belcher/President
Ray Brown/Treasurer
John Krumlauf/Newsletter/Web
Bob Rush/Secretary
Don Paisley/New Membership
Club Mailing Address
LCBC
Box 402
Granville, OH 43023
That's it for this quarter! Now get out and ride safe!!!!!