Now get out there and enjoy the sunshine!!

GEARs General Meeting- Sharing Your Cycling Philosophy
Thursday, 6:30-8:00 pm
Countryside Pizza

Join us this month to explore several cycling topics and explain/describe your individual philosophy as to how you approach them.  We have so many accomplished members and what a great way to gain knowledge from them as they share their experiences (secrets?) to promote more efficient and enjoyable cycling!  The following five topics can be a “jumping off point” for all of us to share insights and enjoy each other’s company!
1. General Training Plan (Miles per week, Cadence, Mental training)
2. How to train in cycling for a jill (Weight bike/body, Seated vs. standing,Use of markers on the hill, Cadence)
3. Cycle Training Diet (Caloric needs + BMR ProteinFats and Carbs, energy drinks/food)
4. Group cycling vs. Spinning
5. Communication while riding (Verbal & hand signals)

Cycling for Veterans
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30
Alton Baker Park; Picnic Shelter # 1

This ride is open to all veterans, especially disabled veterans, their friends and families.
Contact: Ree  541.337.3710  stumpy@efn.org

Bike Touring 101
Thursday, 5:30-7:30
Outdoor Program Barn (18th and University)

Considering going on a bicycle-assisted adventure this summer, or some other time in your life?  Join the UO Bike Program next Thursday for Bike Touring 101.  We’ll go over all the basics and have a lot of time for questions.The event is FREE.

Several of our staff will talk about trips they’ve done, and go over topics including equipment, shelter, food, route planning, preparing and maintaining your body, bike fixin’, and more.  We will discuss touring locally, nationally, and internationally.  There will be a lot of time for our panel to take questions.
We look forward to seeing you!  Let me know if you have any questions.

Pedals & Pints at Rouge Public House Eugene

On Thursday, April 26th the Collins Bicycle Shop and the Rogue Public House are teaming up to host a bike maintenance clinic featuring bike technicians, bikes, tires to practice flat repair and a lecture on basic bike maintenance and safety.

The event will be hosted at the Rogue Public House in Eugene from 5-7pm. The event is free for Rogue Nation members (free sign-ups at the pub) or $10 for non-members, space is limited so please call for reservations.

Rogue Ales Public House
844 Olive Street
Eugene, OR97401
(541) 345-4155

Luke DeMoe, Evviva’s manager, has invited GEARs members to an interactive evening that will be sure to make this St. Patty’s Day one of the most memorable!  We are invited to learn about and take part in several activities along with soft drinks and snacks.
•    Byron and Caitlin Gold will give us information on their
very popular Crossfit class
•    You are invited to bring your bicycle (700c tires) and participate in a session using the Computrainer, which is computer-generated training.
•    We will move over to Hutch’s to look at Retul, their Bike Fitting station.
•    We will find out about CycleSole, which are form fitted insoles that are made to fit you shoe and riding style.
•    Eric Taylor, Hutch’s manager, will be on hand to answer bike or accessory questions. You can make purchases using your GEARs Rewards Discount.
•    Soft drinks and snacks will be served.
We are most fortunate to have this unique opportunity. Please let us know if you would like to attend and if you would like to bring your bicycle and participate in the Computrainer.  RSVP to Garry Swanson garry@eugenegears.org or Call 541-218-5271

It’s mid winter in Oregon, 2011 and Jeff Sprague and his wife MaryAnne were “shopping” for a cycling vacation. They had concerns about the Euro/Dollar exchange rate and decided that the U.S. was a good destination. He scanned the ads in the back of Bicycling Magazine and the Adventure Cyclist also ran a nice article on a number of multi- day supported cycling tours in the U.S.

The ride from Moab to Cedar City is an amazing adventure through 5 national parks and several state parks. The route is fairly simple (go right or left at the national parks and mostly stay on Utah state highway 12). They also cycled in Zion national park as a bonus. The roads were lightly traveled for the most part and the scenery is amazing! Come and share this cycling experience with Jeff as he “rides” us through his trip!

Loaded Bike Touring in Zion via Flickr user Velaia

The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. Time will be available for public input around 11:25 a.m.. The agenda includes a discussion of the Springfield Pedestrian Safety Project on Highway 126B (Main Street), an update on the grant program, and introduction from ODOT’s new Alternate Modes Engineer Gary Obery, and a discussion of committee bylaws.

All Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Time will be available at the meeting for committee members to hear public comments, and accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please call ODOT’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Program office at (503) 986-3555 (TTY: (503) 986-3854).

AGENDA
Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
November 17, 2011
Springfield Justice Center
230 4th St.
Springfield, OR
Thursday, November 17th

9:00 AM Administrative Business
Welcome; Call to Order & Introduction of Guests; Additional Agenda Items;
Order Lunch (15 minutes)

9:15 AM Minutes – July 2011 – review and discussion (10 minutes)

9:25 AM Committee Reports and 2012 Calendar (60 minutes)

10:25 AM        Break

10:55 AM        Grant Program Update (TE and Bike Ped Revisions) – Sheila (20 minutes)

11:15 AM        Gary Obery – ODOT’s new Alternate Modes Engineer (20 minutes)

11:25 AM        Public Comment Period (20 Minutes)

12:00 Noon      Working Lunch – Springfield      To be delivered

Springfield –  Ped Safety Project on Hwy 126B (Main St.)/Other Items –  David Ressor/Carl Deaton (45 Minutes)

1:00 PM         Travel to Alder St. Grant Project (75 minutes)

2:30ish PM      Adjourn

Recycle Your Bicycle

GEARS will hold its annual meeting and Bike Swap on Monday November 28th from 6 to 8 pm at Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St.  All GEARS members are invited to join for free Pizza and a soft drink ($5 for non members)!  We will vote on a By-Law change, have a presentation about the bRamble and elect and present the Executive Board. A Bike Swap, from 7-8pm, that will offer cyclists an opportunity to sell and exchange bicycles, bike parts and accessories, will follow this. Each “seller” who is not a GEARS member will be charged $5. Memberships are available starting at $12/year at the event or online at http://eugenegears.org/membership

Both events are open to the general public.

The plan will show improvements that will help pedestrians and bicyclists travel safely and efficiently through the city. It will include shared-use paths to standard bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, and tunnels and overpasses that will help getpedestrians and cyclists safely across busy streets. As quoted in theRegister Guard, Rob mentions “We’re looking to hear from people: Did we choose the right projects? Are we looking at the right kind offacilities?  What do people think about the policies we arerecommending?”

Join us for this very informative meeting. Tuesday, October 25, 6pm-8pm, Countryside Pizza, 645 River Road

There are few meetings happening this week that will inform and influence our transportation system in the coming years and your input is needed.

On Thursday (Oct. 13th) from 11:30-1:30 the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) is meeting at the Eugene Public Library (100 West 10th Avenue) and will be discussing the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). It’s a good time to let the Commission know that active transportation options are important and that we need more facilities that allow more people feel comfortable walking and biking throughout our community. Public comments (limited to 3 minutes) are at the beginning of the meeting

This would also be a good time to indicate support for some of the projects called out for funding in the next round of Flexible Funding from ODOT. Those projects include the following (more information on each in these letters of support):

• Blair/Van Buren Active Transportation Corridor
• West Bank Bike Path completion
• Regional Bicycle Wayfinding/Signage/Shared Lane Markings
• Bob Straub Parkway/Mt. Vernon Road Pedestrian Improvements
• A Bikeshare Feasibility Study
• A Regional SmartTrips Program
• Middle Fork Path Phase 2b
• Highway 99/Roosevelt Pedestrian Improvements
• Main Street Safety Improvements

Also on Thursday there is an Open House from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, at the Library to discuss the Regional Transportation Plan. The MPC will adopt the RTP in November and we need to make sure that facilities that make walking and biking just as easy (if not easier) than driving are a center piece of that plan. Go to the open house and give feedback on the importance of a great active transportation system. Connect the paths with a system more people will feel comfortable using (families, kids, and those currently not walking or riding as much as they want because they are not comfortable doing so).

Basic info on the RTP: The MPC adopts an updated RTP every 3-4 years. The Metropolitan Policy Committee is comprised of public officials from Springfield, Eugene, Lane County, Coburg, Lane Transit District, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.  The RTP enables our community to receive federal money for transportation and provides a framework for selecting which projects to build with federal money.  There is a draft RTP now available for public review (also at the Eugene and Springfield Public Libraries).

If you can’t make the meetings comments may be sent to mpo@lcog.org (email) or Lane Council of Governments, 859 Willamette, Suite 500, Eugene, OR 97401-2910.  Questions on the RTP may be directed to Paul Thompson (pthompson@lcog.org), Senior Planner, (541) 682-4405.  Submit comments by November 7, 2011 for consideration as part of the adoption process.

Finally, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will be meeting this Thursday as well (5:30-7:30, Sloat Conference Room, Atrium Building, 99 W. 10th) and will be discussing these and other issues including:

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update (20 min)
• Pavement Preservation Projects-2012 (25 min)
• Grant Applications (10min)
• Regional Transportation Plan (30 min)
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts (20 min)

Finally, to help inspire you, here is a letter from Sue Wolling, the GEARs Advocacy Committee Chair.  She makes some great points about the need to build an active transportation system for everyone, especially that untapped market of ‘potential bicyclists’. Get inspired and get writing.

This closure cuts off a critical north-south connector between the College Hill/Friendly St. and  the Jefferson Westside/Whiteaker neighborhoods.

The County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to close the gates permanently and remove the current Fairgrounds right of way.

Anyone who wants to preserve this public right of way and keep the gates open should plan to be at this hearing. August, 17, 1:30 pm – Lane County Courthouse, 125 E 8th Avenue, Eugene.

Whether you attend the meeting or not be sure to sign the petition opposing this closure here: http://www.petitiononline.com/Lec4all/petition.html