Posts from — August 2007

Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters appeared on PBS on August 15 to discuss federal transportation funding in the wake of the I35-W bridge collapse. Cyclists and others may be surprised that she considers funding funneled into programs like ‘bike paths, trails and lighthouses’ as spending not related to transportation.

These two quotes are separated in the conversation, but the first is really required to give context to the second:

MARY PETERS: You know, I think Americans would be shocked to learn that only about 60 percent of the gas tax money that they pay today actually goes into highway and bridge construction. Much of it goes in many, many other areas.

…

GWEN IFILL: Aren’t many of those projects, even though they’re special interest projects, aren’t they roads and bridges, often?

MARY PETERS: Gwen, some of them are, but many of them are not. There are museums that are being built with that money, bike paths, trails, repairing lighthouses. Those are some of the kind of things that that money is being spent on, as opposed to our infrastructure.

Bike paths and lighthouses ARE infrastructure. Transportation is not only about highways. Lighthouse maintenance (and construction) is traditionally used in college economics courses as an example of a ‘public good’ — something that governments build for safety purposes that may not be suited for privatization. And proper road planning where bicycles are accounted for can often include some form of ‘bicycle path,’ such as Minnesota’s various bridge projects where bicycle river crossings have been incorporated (such as the I494 Wakota Bridge, the I35E Lexington Bridge, and even the long-term plan to turn the Stillwater Lift Bridge, the least ’sufficient’ bridge in the state, into a cycle/pedestrian crossing only).

The League of American Bicyclists has prepared a response, and encourage cycle-minded citizens to contact Madam Secretary with their own views on the subject.

After a weekend spent riding in rural areas, I am reminded of a number of rural riding ‘coping techniques.’ I use the term coping loosely, as rural riding offers the bucolic pleasures of cows, pastures, and miles without traffic controls. However, for those used to distance riding in more urban areas, some things are quite different.

1. Water is always available. Cheap yellow beer is always available. Don’t count on anything more. I’ve found that carrying a ziploc with enough Gatorade powder or even those ’single serve’ TANG packets designed for use with bottled water is really helpful. (Note to the unfamiliar: I love TANG. If it’s nutritious enough for astronauts, it’s good enough for me!)
2. Know that a bar may be your best stop opportunity. In the country, everything is a bar, often with off/on-sale, and propane exchange. If you get water and use a restroom, try to buy a Snickers or something. Be nice to the nice proprietors, who think your nice little spandex pants are a little bit fruity.
3. Watch out for cow turds in the road. This is self-explanatory.
4. Railroad crossings are often pretty old-school in a lot of rural areas, meaning they eat tires. Watch for the signs and be prepared to slow, stop, and even carry that bike across.
5. Carry a bit more than a tube and a patch kit. I recommend electrical tape. There are only about 5 things that can’t be fixed with electrical tape (exaggeration).

None of this should suggest opposition to the country. Some of my best riding experiences have been deeply rural. I’ve had Mennonite families refill my water bottle and give me apples. You don’t get that in Minneapolis. But you need to be more prepared, or be with some prepared people, in the country. There are fewer rescue points, and if you get stranded or bonk… hoo.

1. Saturday’s dinner registrations have come piling in beyond our projections. While we have PLENTY of chow to go around, and our numbers guarantee great company, we encourage people to bring a lawn chair or other folding chair. This will ensure that everyone gets a seat in which to eat and meet.
2. The weekend weather looks to be warm. Warm enough to swim in Lake Superior if you choose. Consider packing a suit if you think this is a great idea.
3. Dan Miller and Kate Kovar are hosting a pre-WOW ride up north for those of you interested. Here are the details:

   10 FRI 1:30 pm. A/B 35-40 mi. North Shore Waves, Lighthouse, Ore Docks and Smoked Fish. Rev up the WOW weekend with an out and back ride on scenic old highway 61. Starting at Brighton Beach, aka Kitchi Gammi Park, we’ll hug the Lake Superior shoreline up to Two Harbors and visit the Lighthouse and world famous Ore Docks. On the way back we’ll stop at Russ Kendalls in Knife River for a performance snack of sugar cured lake trout and saltines. This ride will afford you sightseeing, watching, washing out the soul listening to Lake Superior waves and the comeraderie to get the WOW weekend going. Directions to start - mapquest Brighton Beach, 6100 Brighton Beach Road, Duluth, MN 5580, Its on Duluth’s north end. or enter http://www.eventective.com/provider/map.aspx?num=112927 .Co Leaders - Kate Kovar katekovar@hotmail.com 763-234-5180 and Dan Miller 612/789-8876, mplsmn1959@aol.com (Web Ride)

A helpful aid to this info is the UW Superior Campus Map.

Logding Info
1. For those staying in the dorms, we have been assigned Ross Hall at UW Superior. A map and directions at at the end of this post.

2. Check-in for Friday night will be from 5-8:00 PM. If you need to check in later than that, please call Julie at 651-253-2493 to make arrangements. We will try to accomodate.

3. Check-in for Saturday night will be available at Saturday’s ride start. It looks like everyone looking for Saturday-only lodging will be riding. Again, if you need other arrangements, please call Julie.

4. If you are staying Friday only, check out can be after you shower Saturday afternoon. I’ll let you know where to drop off your key when we have you check-in.

5. Sunday check-out should be by 3:00.

Ride Start
1. Ride start will be at 9:30 AM both days. All riders will need to sign an insurance waiver both days. Please arrive in time to check in and sign the waiver. If you need to register on-site, exact change or a check, as well as a pre-filled registration form, would be appreciated. A LOT.

2. We will be starting from the parking lots across from Rothwell Student Center. For those staying at UW Superior, these lots are directly across from our breakfast location.

3. Leader briefing will begin at 9:30. We will start each route as a group together. TCBC leaders will be riding with each group.

4. Mechanical assistance will be available at the ride start.

5. Gatorade and bars or trail mix will be available at ride start.

Other Info
1. Map to dinner will be available at the ride start Saturday.

2. Day-of registration is available for the ride only. Lodging and dinner is no longer available as of today (8/6).

To get to Superior from the Twin Cities, take I35 to Duluth, and exit at US2 for the Bong Bridge. Turn right at Catlin Avenue. The Rothwell Student Center will be ahead on your right, with parking lots across the street on 16th Street. Ross Hall is near Catlin and 26th.

The Star-Tribune reports that the Stone Arch Bridge has re-opened in Minneapolis. The City’s website hasn’t caught up.

I use ‘reopen’ loosely, given that it will be a prime vantage point for spectators. The usual people on the Stone Arch follow lane conventions — they’re marked. I’m not optimistic that some of the people who come to view the late I-35W bridge will pay attention.

Once the weekend is over, it provides a usable crossing for bike commuters, as while W. River Road remains closed, much of the surrounding area can be accessed via Portland going up from the river.

According to one of the local rags, the I35-E bridge over the Mississippi between St. Paul and Lilydale was a deficient bridge that was prioritized for replacement. When it was replaced, it gained a bike bridge.

I’m hoping that as the I35-W bridge is reconstructed, the same is considered there. While that section of the Minneapolis riverway is pretty decent for river crossings, having another if it can be done as part of an existing major project — much like the I35-E bridge project — would be nice.

When I look at the list of deficient bridges in Minnesota, once I get over being horrified by the Lafayette Bridge (US52) being on the list (over 1100 feet that I travel daily!), it’s one of the bridges I’d just love to see an additional bicycle link on. That section of the river, once you pass Robert Street, gets low on crossings for a while. More bridges would encourage more cycle commuting.

Note that the I494 bridge mentioned on the list is the Wakota Bridge, which is presently being ripped down. The new bridge built is a net gain of 0 lanes until the second new bridge is built, but the first of the new bridges does include a bicycle crossing that was sorely needed in that stretch. Given that the two most recent new river crossings have bicycle crossings, it’s a good sign for lanes on the new I35-W bridge and any other major bridges that get replaced under increased safety scrutiny!