End of Season Celebration Scheduling - Jeffrey H. Marks

       The EOS Celebration is well before the playoffs and the Super Bowl.  And football games can be anytime Saturday or Sunday.  In fact the Ravens recently defeated  Denver in a game that began 4:30 pm east coast time on SATURDAY, Jan 12.  Especially with the football schedule not having been set, I don't see the possibility of a football game being a good reason to black out SATURDAY or SUNDAY.

Add'l Comment on 2013 End of Season Celebration - Jeffrey H. Marks

      I just wish to mention that Oregon Ridge Lodge is booked for all fall Saturdays in 2013.

The BBC Board would appreciate hearing from you on whether you prefer to have the Nov 2013 End of Season Celebration on Sunday 5 - 9 pm at Oregon Ridge Lodge, or if you would rather switch to a different location, possibly the Md State Fish & Game Hall in Perry Hall, to be able to have the Celebration on Saturday.  Arguments for having the Celebration on Saturday include not having to go to work the next day and getting in a little more riding time with a later Sat Celebration ( 6 - 10pm or 7 - 11pm).  Reasons for having the Celebration 5 - 9 pm Sunday at Oregon Ridge  include (1) the familiar central location, fire, and atmosphere and (2) reducing conflicts with friends & families & other social activities. Spreading Holiday Season Events over the entire weekend rather than just Saturday allows busy people to enjoy more activities.  Please let the BBC Board know whether you prefer Sat at a different location or Sunday at Oregon Ridge.

Bicyclists should click on the link and let the Park Service know that we want the Blue Ridge Parkway to continue as a full service road, open to bicyclists.  As traffic volumes increase, and more people drive large RV's, the Park Service should have the flexibility to widen the lanes and/or add paved shoulders to keep the Parkway safe for everyone.

        Designating the Parkway as a National Historic Landmark may preclude the Park Service from doing needed modernization.  Promoting the driving experience may be interpreted as  Driving receives priority over other ways to travel, like bicycling; and consequently the number of bicyclists permitted to use the Parkway should be limited to maximixe the driving experience..  It's best to include bicyclists in the planned Parkway users.  Your comments to the Park Service will be most helpful.

On behalf of the four person committee (Jayne Parks Ridgely, Tom Fedewa, Karen Davidson, and myself) I thank everyone for coming.  Doing the logistics  planning - and thanks for all your  help  - made the committee and me  realize the tremendous dedication and hard  work performed by people like Georgia Glashauser, Gloria Epstein, Bob Carson, and Mary and Barry Meene, and countless others; along with the ride leaders, to make sure things go smoothly.  Without these wonderful people, the BBC might not exist - or else be a shadow.  I thought it most appropriate that Georgia recognize and give Awards to Event Leaders and Key Volunteers. Georgia also lent a touch of humor.  The yellow End of Season Celebration program recaps the BBC's respective Events, ride leaders, club officers, and bike shops that have donated door prizes.  I'm  grateful to LBS (local bike shops) that repair our bikes, employ people, and provide mechanical services for our rides.  In my opinion, local bicycling  businesses also help  to give bicycling visibility and  credibility with  Md's influential business community .

   I feel a key part of the evening is to give bicyclists a chance to socialize and renew old friendships.   We are scattered through a wide area and have  many different interests and riding categories.  Bringing everyone together for a night of recognition, door prizes and socializing is nice.

      New ideas are always welcome.  It's an exciting time for bicycling.  Young people moving into the city are using bikes instead of cars.  Many groups incl the BBC and LBS's  are providing instructions to new riders.  Other groups and advisory committees, from Bike Maryland to Baltimore County Bicycle Master Plan Advisory,   are trying to connect with our   elected officals,, SHA  MVA, and planners   to improve cycling.  Mountain bikers are working hard to restore access to Loch Raven Resevoir.  Racing groups sponsor exciting  Events like the Kelly Cup in Patterson Park. The Kinetic Sculpture Race  shows creativity, engineering, and humor. Insurance companies and health professionals are supporting bicycling..  Some BBC members enjoyed  a fantastic tour of the Pacific Coast a couple months ago.  There's lots  to talk about. Give your suggestions to Gloria Epstein for the winter social.



Jeffrey H. Marks

Due to a threat of thunderstorms and the approaching hurricane, I'm cancelling today's Gunpowder Ride.

Jeffrey H. Marks

GREAT PICNIC
        I thank Gloria Epstein, everyone who helped, and the ride leaders for making our picnic special.  Nice to see club members, enjoy tasty food, and great rides.  I commend Bob Wagner for his research in formulating a nice route from Baltimore to the picnic.  Besides passing a blk from my house, Bob showed us scenic shady routes like Pk Heights and the recently completed Deer Pk Bridge over Liberty Resevoir.  In the old days this Deer Park route  was a popular way to reach the Carroll Cty Farm Museum.  I admire the people who did the full 106 miles.  To save my knees for an upcoming trip and avoid the afternoon heat, I lucked out and got a ride back with Rich Burns.  Wonderful day.
Jeffrey H. Marks

After closing for two years, the Nicodemus Road Bridge over Liberty Resevoir is scheduled to reopen at 3pm on June 24.  In the BBC's early years, the bridge was part of our club's frequent rides from Randallstown to the Carroll Cty Farm Museum and Westminster.  Anyhow I'm delighted that the bridge is finally open and intend to try this favorite, old time ride.  Great day for bridge reopenings - Loch Raven bridge has also reopened.
Jeffrey H. Marks

I awoke to a hard rain and was torn between going back to sleep and braving the Westminster Tour de Carroll.  Although  a fair weather rider, I had  cancelled Friday's ride that I had signed up to lead.  Besides I had paid the $35 nonrefundable registration fee and was looking forward to seeing great volunteers, interesting riders, and delicious refreshments ranging from sloopy joes to homemade brownies.  My indecision caused me to get a late start for the 39 mile ride - like 10:30am.  But the bright side was the rain had stopped.  Temps were a little cool and weather was overcast and dreary - like Scotland.  But scenery in the Carroll County countryside was great.  Passed near Union Mills and the Deep Run Watershed.  Turned onto Mayberry Rd onto the reststop at Mayberry Mills.  Just as I was enjoying the rocking chairs and hospitality of Aunt Bee, the rain began pelting the tin roof.   But it soon stopped, and the rest of the ride was fun.  The weather warmed up and the sun came out for the final hour.  Enjoyed the post ride festivities.

Jeffrey H. Marks

Due to rain being predicted today, along with unseasonably cold temp's, I'm cancelling today's 10am ride from Providence P & R.  I will try to reschedule ride for a better day.

Jeffrey H. Marks