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

With temps only predicted to be in mid 40's, windy, and RAIN predicted for tomorrow; I will probably need to call off the ride.  Final decision will be made by 8am Friday.  Since I also need to let the contractor know that we won't need the escort thru the construction area if we cancel, and to put a notice on the Cycling Seniors website, I could be a little slow in posting a BBC notice.  If the weather looks iffy , call me at (410)358-1321 between 7:30 and 9am tomorrow before going to the Provident P & R.

Jeffrey H. Marks

Arrive early at PRP for this 37 mile scenic ride thru Loch Raven and onto Jerusaleum Mill.  The Watershed Police have arranged with the contractor to escort us thru the construction site on Loch Raven Drive just beyond Morgan Mill.  However, we need to arrive at the site by 10:40am and go thru as a group - wait outside the site for the escort.  Consequently we will need to leave Providence P & R by 10:05 am.  A hillier detour up Morgan Mill Rd will be posted for anyone who arrives late or has mechanical problems.

         This Earth Day ride will be interesting and include wildflowers near the historic Mill.  Bring brownbag lunch to eat at Mill.  Return will incl brief stop at Palmisano's.  Pace will be 10 - 13 mph.  Joint ride with Seniors.
Jeffrey H. Marks  (410)358-1321

Charlie,
            Yes the Gathering was well attended and well organized.  I'm glad a group of BBC members participated.  I saw Rod Brudsbrucker.  Afterwards, I biked with the group up Falls Road and continued with another rider to Mt Washington.

Jeffrey H. Marks

Continuation Cyclists' Gathering for Nathan
        Although bikelanes are sometimes helpful, bicycle programs tend to be judged in terms of the number of bikelane miles.  And novice cyclists get upset where the bikelane ends.  Also, motorists expect bicyclists to always ride in the bikelane.  Motorists give bicyclists a portion of the street and then bicyclists still use the traffic lanes   How rude of bicyclists.
       Bicyclists should only use bikelanes when it's safe for us to do so.  Due to limited street space, driveways, need to accommodate parking, etc many bikelanes are poorly designed. In urban areas where bicyclists are moving fast, especially on downhills, and there are driveways and intersections, bicyclists need to stay far enough left to avoid getting doored or right hooked.  This often means NOT riding in the bikelane.  Maryland Law is written to give motorists a clear path, so the law isn't going to encourage you not to use the bikelane or ride away from the curb or out of the door zone.  But Md Law does allow you to leave the bikelane when reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions.  And it's far better to be courageous and take ta slight risk of getting a ticket to be safe, rather than risk  getting gravely injured.
Jeffrey H. Marks

Cyclist's Gathering in Memory of Nathan Krasnopoler

        Looking at the crash scene and reading postings, it appears that Nathan was riding fast in a downhill bikelane on Univ Pkwy, where an 83 year old lady passed him and abruptly turned right into the entrance to the Broadview parking lot.  Moving fast, Nathan was unable to stop, hit the car, flew over and landed in front of the car, where the woman ran over him.  Awful.

        The most likely cause of the crash was that the woman grossly underestimated the bicyclists speed and thought she had enough space to turn into the driveway.  Many motorists think that bicyclists only move 5 or 8 mph.and don't realize that downhill bicyclists commonly go 25  or even 30 mph.  Nathan was riding properly in a bikelane as Md Law requires him to do.  See Continuation.

Over 100 people attended the cyclists' gathering and to pray for a speedy and full recovery for Nathan Krasnopoler.  Nathan's father spoke at the scene of the crash - Broadview Apts near Univ Pkwy and 39th street.  Then our large group; including Nathan's father, friends, and family; bicycled over to Johns Hopkins hospital, where Nathan who is still in a coma, is being treated.  The family and others read a prayer and psalms for Nathan's recovery.  We then bicycled back to the crash site.

         While I wish it were a happier occassion, I was encouraged by the large outpouring of support for Nathan.  This included City Planners, Nate Evans city bicycle coordinator, advocates, Hopkins students, and professionals.  I was thrilled by the many young people who came.  These students and recent graduates are well educated and use their bicycles for transportation, physical fitness, and recreation.
Jeffrey H. Marks