Goal Accomplished…Nearly

This morning I ran in the Pottstown Patriotic 5k. I’d been focused on running this event since early spring. I hadn’t been running much so I really started packing in the miles.

I was a little nervous this morning but I tried to follow my normal morning routine that I do for mountain bike races. I knew that I could run the distance but I wanted to hit my time goal. It was a little hotter and more humid than what I typically like but I thought ‘hey, at least I’ll get a good sweat on’. I know I’m weird, I like to sweat. Registration was smooth and quick thanks to having preregistered. I did some stretching, hung out with some family who were also running or walking, and headed over to the start line.

The start was fairly smooth, I started in the middle of the pack and the first hill really stretched everyone out. I hit the first mile mark at 9:15, which was way to fast for me and I knew I couldn’t maintain that speed for the rest of the race. It was HOT along High Street in Pottstown, not much shade and zero breeze. I was happy to see the water station on Franklin and gulped down a cup. When I hit the 2 mile mark I was at 20 minutes and just about on mark for my goal of finishing in 30 minutes.  Just after the 2 mile mark my right foot started hurting. I’ve been struggling with some pain there for the past 2 weeks.  I’m not sure of the cause but it’s right under my 3 outside toes and hurts like hell. I tried to push through it as best I could and did take a few quick walk breaks. Unfortunately, the final mile was up hill which aggravated my foot even more but I wanted to hit my goal. There was a nice spectator who had his garden hose out and gave us a nice spray down as we ran by. This helped me tremendously! Just before the 3 mile mark I could see the finish line and picked up the pace knowing the suffering would be over soon. I finished in just over 32 minutes.

I’m happy with my result and proud of myself for pushing through. I really missed my running partner Oakley today and realized how much more fun it is to run with him. At one point in the race I told myself this would be my last 5k but looking back on it I think I’ll do another. I’m too competitive with myself and already want to improve on my time!

Here is the Strava information from my iPhone (I didn’t stop it as I crossed the finish, probably have about 20 extra seconds on it): http://app.strava.com/runs/12445913

I hope everyone has a very Happy 4th of July!!

Overflow!

Overflow!! And no I’m not talking about our creeks and streams thanks to more rain. I’m talking about the Montgomery County court room!

I wasn’t able to attend the budget hearing today but from the reports I’ve read our concerns were heard and received positively. Bikesport was able to gather 8 brave souls to ride in the rain to the hearing where they encountered about 300 other people all out to show their support for funding our parks, trails, open space, historical sites, arts, and community college. Everyone who wanted to speak was given the opportunity. Speakers included Bikesport staff, fellow cyclists and trail users, park users, arts and community college supporters.

Thanks again to those who attended. The budget has to be approved by December 21st. The commissioners are still taking everyone’s ideas so keep contacting them:

• Send a letter today to the Montco commissioners
• Comment on the budget online
• Post your comments on Facebook and Twitter

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia has a recap of the meeting on their blog and I’m sure the Pottstown Mercury will have the full story tomorrow!

Our Trails and Parks Are in Danger!

Late last week many local cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts received word that our Montgomery County trails and parks are in danger! If you enjoy using the Perkiomen and Schuylkill River Trails or visiting Elmwood Zoo, I suggest you pay attention!

Due to a $40 Million Dollar shortfall in the 2012 budget, Montgomery County Commissioners are proposing to eliminate funding for the entire county park system  along with the County Planning Commission. In short, the County is looking to plug a budget hole by tearing apart the County’s park infrastructure.

Closing parks and trails should not be one of the solutions to Montco’s budget crisis!  Open space and trails have been created and preserved for public use. They generate economic activity which dwarfs the trail’s maintenance costs.  Parks and trails are essential to quality of life in Montgomery County.

• The Perkiomen Trail attracts 400,000 visitors a year who spend $4.4 million in goods and services. Yearly routine maintenance cost: $45,000 (source).
• The Schuylkill River Trail boasts 800,000 visitors a year who spend $7.3 million (source)

Take action today! Let our County Commissioners know how important it is to keep our County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites open:

• Send a letter today to the Montco commissioners
• Comment on the budget online
• Post your comments on Facebook and Twitter
• Attend this hearing:

Proposed 2012 budget Public Hearing

Wednesday, December 7 at 10 AM

Montgomery County Courthouse, Court Room A, Swede Street Entrance, Norristown, PA

If you are planning to attend the hearing, Bikesport is organizing supporters to ride to the hearing on the very trails they want to defund! Meet on your bike at 9 AM at the Pawlings Road trailhead to ride as a group to this hearing. Bring a bike lock for your bike! Dress casually. Wearing your bright lycra may not help this cause.

If you are a user of the trails or parks, I ask that you please consider taking action and let our elected officials know that the parks and trails are important to us and we cannot stand idly by as they defund some of the many things that make living in Montgomery County great!

Used Bike Collection

Rumor has it that we’re in for another snowy winter. Have you been dreaming about a snow blower but don’t have the room in the garage or shed? Do you have bikes that you don’t use any more because the kids have out grown them or maybe you bought yourself a new one this year? Well now is your chance to make room for that snow blower you’ve been dreaming about!!

On Sunday, November 13th from 1-4PM Bikesport in Trappe will be hosting their 4th annual used bike collection for Pedals for Progress.  Pedals for Progress rescues bikes destined for landfills or those abandoned in sheds and garages and sends them to developing countries. These bikes create jobs, provide transportation, and can help the development of local economies. Pedals for Progress has processed and donated over 125,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines, and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries.

You can help by bringing your unwanted adult or children’s bicycles (any condition is acceptable unless the bike is very rusted and/or there are no wheels) on Sunday the 13th to Bikesport. A monetary donation of $10 (if you want you can donate more) is needed to help with the transportation cost of each bike. Cash and bicycle donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided for both. No bikes to donate? Maybe you can help with a monetary donation! Bikesport would like to collect 120 bikes this year! Help them make that a reality! Used sewing machines will also be collected on Sunday.

If November 13th does not work for you contact Bikesport to make arrangements. But they CANNOT accept bikes after November 13th as the Pedals for Progress truck will leave at 4:15 on the day of the collection. If you are interested in volunteering give the shop a call.

What’s happening this weekend….

I know it’s only Tuesday but I’m already dreaming of the weekend. The weather will be in the low 60’s with lots of sunshine. A perfect fall weekend in my mind! There are two great events happening this weekend, so get outside and enjoy!

On Saturday there is a fall foliage bike ride. The ride begins at 10 AM and is meeting at the Collegeville Farmer’s Market on Main Street in Collegeville. The ride will take you on the Perkiomen Trail toward Green Lane and will return by about noon. Families are welcome – but kids should be on a 20″ tire or larger (or you can pull them in a cart or on a child tandem – available for rental at Bikesport).

A picture I took last fall while on a bike ride in Green Lane Park.

On Sunday, there is a 5k trail run in Green Lane Park. The run is being organized by two local high school seniors, Kyle Miller and Gunnar Bergey, as their senior project. The 5K is to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Charity. The course is a 5k trail run that starts on the Perkiomen Trail.  You can expect to experience rocks, roots, and mud. Most of the course is run on single track, with a few sections on a gravel walking path. The race starts at 10 AM. You MUST pre-register on runreg.com. There will be NO DAY OF REGISTRATION as Montgomery County Parks do not allow day of registrations. Registration closes Friday, October 21, at 11 PM. Please help support a great cause and some awesome kids in completing their senior project!

If you know of any other events happening this weekend please share them!

4th Annual Cycle Mania @ Blue Marsh

This weekend there’s a mountain bike race with a great cause behind it. Wood-to-Wonderful’s 4th Annual Cycle Mania at Blue Marsh will be held on Sunday, October 16th, click here for the race flyer and more specific start times, you can also register online at BikeReg. The race will benefit the Wood-to-Wonderful Reading Pedal-ers junior mountain bike team.

The Reading Pedal-ers was formed in April 2011 in partnership with Northeast Middle School in Reading, PA. There are between 15 and 20 members of the club – most of whom have never ridden a mountain bike before joining the club.

The Pedal-ers range in age from 7 to 18. Two members of the club have been racing mountain bikes since 2009. Club members are also learning how to maintain their bikes. The club members plan to race in the MASS races in 2012.

Learning about this new development team makes me really excited. I love to see how the sport of cycling has taken off in the past couple of years. It’s similar to the excitement I experienced growing up playing soccer and watching it go from the obscure to the main stream. I believe that Lance Armstrong has done for cycling what the US Women’s National team did for soccer in the 90’s.

I look forward to seeing this new development team at the races this coming year.  The weather looks to be great this weekend and if you’ve been thinking about trying to race now’s the perfect chance!

For more information about Wood-to-Wonderful and the Reading Pedal-ers, please visit the organization’s website: www.woodtowonderful.org.

The Coal Cracker Classic 2011

The Coal Cracker Classic takes place this Sunday, September 11th in Tamaqua, PA. I’ve been looking forward to this race for many reasons. It sounds like a great course and it’s on a day of significant importance to me. I’m ready to take on these trails and hopefully finish strong. The group that is putting on the race have been working very hard to ready the trails. Even through all this crazy rain the trails are said to be in great shape! This event features both a XC race and endurance race. A description of the course can be found here. Check out this great promo video for the race. It really gets me excited for the beauty we’ll be riding in. Hope to see everyone in the coal region!!

French Creek Iron Tour

My schedule is finally clear for the  weekend of The French Creek Iron Tour! My Dad and I are looking forward to the ride and exploring the scenic country roads that Chester County has to offer!

 The Iron Tour is a cycling event for riders of all levels.  It takes place in northern Chester County.  It will be held rain or shine on Sunday, June 12, 2011, and it includes seven courses ranging from 9 to 100 miles, all of which begin and end at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds.  There are five rest stops, road support, and a free lunch.  All proceeds go to preserving open space through the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust.  Register at www.irontour.org, register by 5 PM on June 8th! There will be NO day of registration.

TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend and I can’t wait to spend some time outside without the heat and humidity!

The weather will be perfect for the 27th running of the Philadelphia International Championship on Sunday, June 5th at 9 AM. The racers complete 10 laps of a 14.4 mile circuit that links the Ben Franklin Parkway with Manayunk. The location of the legendary Manayunk Wall! The wall is a steep half-mile hill that has become a Philly icon and favorite spot for race watchers. The finish is three laps of Lemon Hill and Logan Circle.  You can find course maps here.

The day also includes the Liberty Classic, which is the women’s race. They will do 4 laps of the same course and it is held during the men’s race.

If you plan to head down to the race from the suburbs I suggest taking public transportation as there will be a number of road closures making parking even tougher. A lot of people will even ride their bikes down the trail to catch some of the racing. Friend and fellow cyclist, Rob O’Donnell, is hosting a guided one-way trip down to the Art Museum (location of the start of the race) Sunday morning. Please meet Sunday at 7 AM at the Upper Betzwood Parking lot (Valley Forge) for this road bike ride on the Schuylkill Trail. Once there, everyone is on their own to enjoy the race from various spectator spots. If you need more info, contact me for Rob’s information. This is another great option to see some racing!

There are many spots to watch the race and if you can make it over to the wall, it’s a great party spot.  The race is a family friendly event. I can remember going a few times as a kid and having a blast seeing the racers fly by.  The race features many rising stars, as a kid I saw Lance Armstrong win this race in 1993.  TD Bank does sponsor a family fun zone that is located at the base of the Art Museum steps.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity and have never been to the race you won’t be disappointed!

It’s a Parade!

Collegeville-Trappe is holding their first ever Old Fashion Memorial Day Parade at 8:30 AM on May 30th in Trappe.

The parade will feature a kid’s bike parade, sponsored by Bikesport!

Decorate your bicycles, wagons, strollers, and scooters, in patriotic colors and win prizes!

Registration is required. Register at Bikesport, 325 W. Main St, Trappe, PA by Saturday 5/28. Helmets are required for all bikes and scooters. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet at Augustus Lutheran Church and be ready to ride or walk by 8:30 AM. The parade route ends at Waterworks Park, followed by a Memorial Day Ceremony, music, food and more!

All youth participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and will be entered in a drawing for FREE BIKE from Bikesport!

This is a great chance to show your patriotic side and community pride. You do not need to live in Trappe or Collegeville to participate in the parade. It is open to surrounding communities as well.

Hope to see everyone there!