Race Across America rider - from the movie "Bicycle Dreams"
Bicycle Dreams, an award-winning movie about the Race Across America, is coming to Harrisonburg on Wednesday, January 25
Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Harrisonburg at the Court Square Theater on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. as part of the film’s ongoing nationwide winter tour. The screening is presented as a benefit for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.
The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.” [continue reading…]
Smoke pours from the Virginian Markette in Troutville. Photo by Pam Stump.
US Bike Route 76, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, has lost a bicycle friendly establishment. The Virginian Markette is recognized by the Virginia Bicycling Federation as bicycling friendly because of its speedy biscuit breakfast, large servings of Hersey’s ice cream, inviting picnic tables under cover, and a bathroom. Located on US Route 11, the store is between Buchanan and Troutville. Cyclists froom Roanoke regularly frequent the Markette as a destination.
The owners say they are insured and plan to rebuild. Read the story in the Roanoke Times.
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From Bike Virginia’s Executive Director, Kimberly Perry:
Effective January 1, 2012, BikeWalk Virginia changed its name to Bike Virginia. This name change reflects the statewide, non-profit organization’s desire to focus its resources on bicycling and making Virginia a more bicycle-friendly state.
“There were three key reasons behind the decision to change our name,” said Dr. Kimberly Perry Executive Director. “First, we came to realize that because of the success of our Bike Virginia Tour event, most people here in Virginia, as well as bicyclists across the country, already knew us as Bike Virginia. Second, over the years we’ve learned that advocating for bicycle and pedestrian issues often led us down different paths and there simply was not as much synergy in addressing both interests as we originally thought. Third, many towns and cities already have well-organized bicycle clubs and advocacy groups and we felt we could accomplish much more by focusing our work with and through them.”
“We are excited about both the name change and our sharper focus” said Tom Bowden, Board Chair of Bike Virginia and a frequent bicycle commuter to his office in downtown Richmond. “While a recent survey conducted by the League of American Bicyclists ranked Virginia as the 11th most bicycle friendly state in the country, we know a lot more can be done. Our goal is to work with organizations and individuals across the state to improve this ranking.”
You’ll also see our domain name change and there will be a refresh of our website soon. [continue reading…]
Michael Sprick & Larry Blakey
Michael Sprick, a cross-country bicycle tourist from Germany, was riding on Route 100 in Pulaski County when he was hit by a bread truck on Oct. 8. He was seriously injured, and remains in a coma. He was finally able to be flown home today, two months later, to be with his family in Germany.
Norman Richard Merchant, the driver of the truck, stood trial this Tuesday, Dec. 5. He was convicted of reckless driving, and sentenced to a $500 fine. We’ll let you decide whether justice was served — please leave your comments below.
Several cyclists from the New River Valley and Roanoke were present for the trial. Carol Colby of the New River Valley Bicycle Association posted this account on the Friends of Michael P. Sprick Facebook Page:
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