Ride Boldly!

Bikes, bicycling, and road safety.

August 8, 2007
by julie
Comments Off on Still More WOW Attendee Info!

Still More WOW Attendee Info!

  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)

August 6, 2007
by julie
2 Comments

Weekend on Wheels 2007 Info

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.

August 5, 2007
by julie
3 Comments

Stone Arch Bridge Reopens

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.

August 3, 2007
by julie
2 Comments

Bridge Reconstruction Wish List

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!

August 3, 2007
by julie
1 Comment

Minnesota: Do Cyclists Need to Carry ID?

This week, Bob Mionske’s Legally Speaking column discussed the issue of cyclists needing to produce ID for law enforcement, particularly if said cyclists behave in ways they really shouldn’t — like, say, blowing stop signs. While the column discussed a Texas incident, the following caveat was included:

Keep in mind that this requirement will vary by state. For example, in California, if a person can’t produce a driver’s license or other government-issued I.D. when the officer has probable cause to make an arrest, state law requires the law enforcement officer to take that person into custodial arrest-that means the person is taken to jail instead of cited and released. Because identification laws will vary by state, it’s important for cyclists to know what’s required in whatever state they’re riding in.

Minnesota doesn’t seem to have such a requirement. Reading the column, and based on a past experience involving an officer who was really unclear on crosswalk law as it related to trail crossings and cars right-turning on red, I thought I’d check statute. This is what I found:

171.08 LICENSEE TO HAVE LICENSE IN POSSESSION.
Every licensee shall have the license in immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display it upon demand of a peace officer, an authorized representative of the department, or an officer authorized by law to enforce the laws relating to the operation of motor vehicles on public streets and highways. Unless the person is the holder of a limited license issued under section 171.30, no person charged with violating the possession requirement shall be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer a driver’s license previously issued to that person for the class of vehicle being driven which was valid at the time of arrest or satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed for the class of vehicle being driven. The licensee shall also, upon request of any officer, write the licensee’s name in the presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.

While bicycles have vehicular status in Minnesota, they are not motor vehicles. There is no license issued for their operation. Thus, I think it’s safe to say cyclists need not carry ID.