Bits & Pieces August 2006
Calendar
August 12 - Thurmont Breakfast Ride - See BelowAugust 28 - Club Meeting - 7:15 pm @ Jennifer's
September 24 - Club Century
October 2 - Club Meeting - 7:15 pm @ Jennifer's
October 14 - Adopt-A-Road Pickup
November 4 or 11 - Club Dinner - 6:30 pm @ Cozy Restaurant
Chain Links
Did Lance Armstrong Cheat?http://www.drmirkin.com/public/ezine071606.html
Graham Watson Tour de France Pictures
http://www.apple.com/pro/profiles/watson
Bikely ??
http://www.bikely.com
Have a favorite website? Send it to us at clubmail@frederickpedalers.org
Safety Reminders
Most cyclists understand the need for safe riding practices out on the road, but it's easy to take safety for granted on the quiet rural roads we all enjoy in the Frederick area. A recent incident reminds us that safety must always be a top priority on all club and individual rides.On June 24th, 2006 a large group of riders heading south on Hessong Bridge Road were observed by Richard and Melody Jamieson running the stop sign at Angleberger Road. As everyone who rides in that area knows, this is an unusual intersection that is not a 4-way stop. The Jamieson's were rightfully upset and sent a strongly worded message to the Frederick Pedalers club email account and a similar letter to the editor of the Frederick News Post.
They made several excellent points including:
-- Everyone can share the road if we all follow the same rules
-- Cyclists expect courtesy from motor vehicle drivers, but they don't offer the same courtesy in return, and wonder why drivers become so angry with them.
Unfortunately the Jamieson's mistakenly believed it was cyclists on a Frederick Pedalers club ride that ran the stop sign. It turned out to be riders from a Potomac Pedalers ride and upon learning of the incident, that PPTC ride coordinator and their club leaders took steps to notify and remind their membership to "...obey the traffic signs for all vehicles. Cyclists cannot run stop signs without risking injury, traffic violations, and good will from those who share the road."
An excellent refresher on cycling rules of the road can be found at this link from the College Park Area Bicycle Coalition:
http://www.cpabc.org/mdlaws.htm
Additional safe cycling resources can be found on the Frederick Pedalers web site:
http://www.frederickpedalers.org/pages/links.htm
Cycling is a wonderful activity that we are lucky to enjoy in such abundance. Let's work together to ride safely and promote the idea that all vehicles including bicycles can safely share the road.
Thurmont Breakfast Ride
Join us for a symbolic recreation of the Woodsboro breakfast ride, except it's not to Woodsboro, and it doesn't start in downtown Frederick. We'll have both D and B/C routes from Lewistown Elementary School up to the Kountry Kitchen in Thurmont where we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before returning to Lewistown. Please see the August Ride Schedule for more information.Mike in France
Frederick Pedalers member Mike Procario was lucky enough to catch Stage 18 of the Tour de France while on a business trip. Here are some photos he took as the race went by:http://procario.org/Tour_de_France_photos.shtml
Funny Foto of the Month
There are some parts of Pennsylvania Dutch Country you should simply avoid . . .