Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Cycling Discussion on WRKF 89.3, Wednesday 9-10 AM

Forwarding this note from Goldie Domingue on Susan Hayden Moss' appearance on the Jim Engster program Wednesday Morning (25 June) 9-10 AM on WRKF (89.3). Listen and call in if you are available, but please be respectful in comments. I know we have the passion; we also need the persuasive influence that an insult free discussion can bring.

With the discussion, we may need to agree to disagree with the opinions of either the host or other callers.

Bruce

WRKF program on cycling in BR Wed 6/25
Posted by: "Goldie Domingue" goldie3047@gmail.com goldie.domingue
Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:51 am (PDT)
Hi, All,

On Wed morning, June 25th, 9-10 am, WRKF talk show host Jim Engster has invited Susan Moss Hayden to be one of his guests, for a discussion
on cycling in BR. WRKF is on FM radio at 89.3. You can listen in online at
www.wrkf.org, and call in to make comments etc at 225-297-5633.

Goldie Domingue

Monday, June 23, 2008

Free Agent Bicycles Qualified to Compete in Olympics!



Free Agent has 6! People who have qualified to compete in the Olympics:
1) Kyle Bennett - USA, 2) Cristian Becerine - Argentina, 3) Ramiro Ramino - Argentina, 4) Marc Willers - New Zealand, 5) Thomas Hamon - France, 6) Nicole Callisto - Australia
With that much representation we are hoping to make it to the final event! Wishing all our riders the best of luck!

Later,
Tom d

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Gulf Coast Adventure Race

Gulf Coast Adventure Racing is thrilled to announce the second annual
Massey's Professional Outfitters Fontainebleau Off-Road Duathlon and
Adventure Trail Run on Saturday, July 26th. These courses will travel
throughout Fontainebleau State Park for a true off-road adventure! Awards
are given to the top two finishers in each division.

The Off-Road Duathlon will consist of a 2 mile run, 8 mile off-road bike,
and final 2 mile run. The event will be open to solo racers or teams of two
(one runner, one biker). Solo racers or teams of two will compete in age
divisions. No refunds and we race rain or shine. There will be race day
registrations allowed. T-shirts will not be guaranteed for entries received
within 2 weeks of the race. Entry includes great post race party with food,
drinks and prizes. As a USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned event, each racer
must supply their USAT card # or purchase a one-day license.

The Adventure Trail Run will consist of a 4 mile off-road run with fun and
challenging obstacles along the way. Like all Gulf Coast Adventure Racing
events, you can bet there will be twists and turns throughout. The event
will be open to solo racers only. No refunds and we race rain or shine.
There will be race day registrations allowed. T-shirts will not be
guaranteed for entries received within 2 weeks of the event. Entry includes
great post race party with food, drinks and prizes.

Full details and entry forms can be found at http://www.gulfcoastadventure.com

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Did Whitney Van of Channel 2 Really Say That?

Dear Whitney,
As a avid cyclist and Dutch woman living in Baton Rouge, I send you this link. www.virgin-vacations.com/site_vv/11-most-bike-friendly-cities.asp
May be you will see how backward Baton Rouge is considering bicycling and may be you could make a program about ; ' Cycling and how a group of smart Baton Rougians, the rest of America and the world sees it'.
As a kid growing up in the Netherlands we had to do a (cycling) driving test in order to ride your bicycle and the children still have to do this. It is a written test and driving test like you have to do in order to drive a car (May be an idea for the USA).Car drivers also get educated about bicycles and how to use the road together. There are rules for both and they both have rights.
I hope you can do something with this information,
Don't understimate your power as an media person, use it the right way.

Bibi Wolke

OK Ladies and Gents, if you've been an armchair quarterback, it's time to put those computer keys of yours to good use! Whitney Vann is considering doing a story, focusing on the safety issues related to River Road. She wants to explore the problems and work toward positive solutions. THIS STORY NEEDS TO HAPPEN! The more people weigh in on this matter, the more likely the story is to happen. And ultimately, the GOAL is that more public awareness will lead to better understanding of the issues all travelers of River Road facing, and most important, FUNDING of the PHYSCIAL IMPROVEMENTS, create or widen shoulders, paint for dedicated bike lanes and enforcements of traffic laws and speed limits. YOUR active participation is NEEDED: EMAIL WHITNEY and the management of Channel 2, and encourage them to continue the dialogue by doing this story!... whitney@wbrz.com, Chuck@wbrz.com , JP@WBRZ.com, balancednews@wbrz.com, ed@wbrz.com, lmargolis@wbrz.com We must not let the death of another cyclist be in vain, without pushing hard for real change.....Don't just read this. Get Involved!

Hi All, This story ran again this morning, and will run again today
on the noon new cast.

Please DO go to the website link and post your comments:


SQUEEKY BIKE WHEELS REALLY DO GET MORE GREASE!!!! :-)



This is the story that WBRZ did on bike paths (or the lack of) in Baton
Rouge. I did not see the segment, did Ms. Van make her comment after this
segment? If so this is an editorial comment and we can demand equal time to
respond to her comments. I would suggest for the President of Baton Rouge
Bike Club to contact WBRZ and request for for equal time to responded to Ms.
Van comments.

Baton Rouge needs to be educate on cycling.

With the price of gas local bike shops are selling a record number of bikes
but I do not see an increased of bikes on the roads. Are people buying
bikes to ride to work but are to afraid to because of local traffic?


buddy

Please send your E-Mails not only to Whitney but also to the Management of WBRZ also.

Buddy

Please respond to note below. Let's flood Whitney Van of Channel 2
w/comments.

KD

Well, I am furious. Whitney Van on ch. 2 just said on the early 5am
news, "why are the cyclist on river road when they have a perfectly
good bike path on top of the levee?" She complained that the cyclist
were taking up the road, while traffic was "50 cars deep." It is
attitudes such as this that kill cyclist. I am writing a letter to
channel 2 and the Advocate, hopefully later today when I am not so
mad. I need to know exactly how far does the levee bike path go. I
thought it was only 3 miles. Does anyone know for sure how far it is?
Thanks,
Beth

Tour De' Louisiana

Monday, June 09, 2008

On the way home Tre' Haydal called me ask me if I knew of this guy who drove this vehicle, road this kind of bike, color, etc. I could not remember the customer or fellow rider. As soon as I got home I checked the bicycle forums and BR TRI's Susan Haydan and Taylor Alexander posted the accident. Here is what they said:

I'm sorry to report that a rider was killed on River Road today while riding his bike. He was a 3rd year general surgery resident, Colin Didier (spelling?).

Bobby Upp called me to say he was pronounced dead at the hospital. His fellow residents and friends are very sad.

I will post more when details on his funeral/services are announced or I find out more about the accident.

Susan

Tre Haydel met Chris & me as we were about to ride upon the scene this evening. I went on. Chris wouldn't. It was the most chilling site I've ever seen--a red TT bike mangled beyond recognition. I can't imagine what it did to Colin.

Tre spoke with the Police and they did tell him that the driver was foolin' around with his radio and accidentally hit the cyclist. It happened right by the volunteer fire station on the back side of the split where we stop to get water sometimes.

Pray, pray, pray for that family tonight and for a long time to come.

This accident happened just two days from the six year anniversary that killed two of my 
friends on a training race on river road...










Kenny (Dunaway),

Thanks again for a great event (Louisiana Tri in New Roads, LA). I think that makes 9 times in the past 10 years I've done your race (don't look back at my times! I've long since accepted that they won't be any good). You really make the race special, and I always appreciate the FCA affilaitation and the pre-race prayer.

Hopefully, you can pass on some special thank yous:

Thanks to Brian Kinchen for the pre-race prayer.

Thanks to the guy (Scott Mackey) from Pedal Play, who fixed my broken shifter cable before the race in less time than it took me to break it! Tell him he saved my race, and really my entire season, since this is usually the only race I do.

Thanks again to you and the volunteers.

Will Robbins