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Berkshire Bike Path Council
April 2010 Update
Subcommittees continued to work thru the winter identifying routes, holding public meetings and planning Spring/Summer events. North County's engineering firm held two meeting with abutters and a joint committee meeting in South County helped connect the Stockbridge and Great Barrington routes. The Pittsfield committee has taken on the challenge of finding a route south of Williams Street. Lenox and Adams held productive public meetings in March. Great Barrington and Stockbridge are planning events. Lee reviewed proposal from engineering firms for the next phase of their feasibility study.
Watch for notices of public meetings and events. Please attend and support the efforts of all the communities along the countywide route. DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE the importance of having positive advocates at these meetings. Too often it is only the people who are not for a bike path that attend. YOUR SUPPORT is critical!
Upcoming Presentations
Monday April 26, 7 PM - Stockbridge Selectmen Meeting - Town offices
Tuesday April 27, 7 PM - Adams Public Hearing - Town Hall
Thursday April 29, 7:30 PM- Pittsfield Community Development - City Hall
Committee Meetings
Monday April 5, 4:30 PM - Stockbridge Town - Offices
Wednesday April 7, 5 PM - Great Barrington - Town Hall
Marge CohanMarge Cohan President, Berkshire Bike Path Council
Look for the earliest flowers of coltsfoot that come out before its leaves
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Volunteers Needed
Trail Counters on Ashuwillticook
Saturday May 22 7-7 and Tuesday May 25 7:30-9:30 and 4-6
Call Patricia Mullins 442 1521 Ex. 17
Or email: pmullins@berkshireplanning.org
Data gathered is used in many ways. Last year we identified that many adults are not using helmets and often helmets are not used properly. This year we plan to have information about proper helmet usage. |
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Calendar-
UPCOMING EVENTS
Berkshire Cycling Association (BCA) Tire Repair Clinic Thurs, April 22 - 5:30 PM- 1 Fenn Street Pittsfield. Parking is available in the city lot. Enter through the third door from North Street and proceed to Board Room on the 3rd floor. Doors will lock at 6 PM for security.
This event is open to the public. It will also be a chance to meet with other bikers and join BCA.
To maximize your tire changing skills bring your front wheel and tire irons.
For further information, send inquiries to shaun@berkshirebikepath.com and please include your email address in the text message.
BCA will begin group rides in April. Rides are available for various levels of road riders. They provide a safe and fun way to ride all over Berkshire County. Check the BCA web page for more information www.berkshirecycling.org.
Everyone needs to change a tire sometime or another!
Stockbridge Community Ride - Saturday, May 15 Looking for volunteers - contact mraftery@roadrunner.com
Pittsfield Community Bike Ride - Saturday, May 29
Where: Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake at Burbank Park
Ride begins at 10 AM with registration from 9 to 9:45 AM
Route: Controy Pavilion to Pittsfield State Forest and back along the same roads. Just under 6 miles round trip.
Younger riders are welcome and encouraged to ride the trail along the lake within Burbank Park.
Great Barrington Community Ride - Saturday, July 17
Spring Clean Up of the Ashuwillticook
Ashuwillticook will not be participating in the Annual Park Service Clean Up Day, but work still needs to be done. Folks interested in helping DCR with spring clean up can contact Becky Barnes directly at Rebecca.Barnes@state.ma.us |
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Spotlight on-
SPRING TUNE UP
March brought a couple of warm days and the bikes hit the road. To ensure safe and pleasurable riding when Spring really returns, consider a comprehensive bike tune up. Minimally, check tires, seats and gears. A comprehensive service could include any or all of the following:
New Cables and Housing for Brakes and Shifters
Remove bottom bracket, grease and clean
Overhaul headset, clean and lube
Overhaul hubs, clean and lube
Pull seat post/clean and re-grease
Remove chain, cassette/freewheel and clean.
Clean wheel rims, spokes, hubs, brake calipers and frame.
Lube brake/shift levers, brake caliper pivot points, brake caliper posts, and derailleurs.
True and tension front and rear wheels, so brakes can be properly adjusted.
Adjust front and rear hubs, headset, bottom bracket, brake pads (center and balance clearance), shift levers, front and rear derailleurs.
Secure/tighten brake/shift levers, brake calipers, handlebars, stem, seatpost, seat, crankarms, chainrings, pedals, and accessories.
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ADVOCACY
This year's Transportation Funding Bill is currently stalled in congress. Thus it is more important than ever to express your support for programs that are in place and encourage their roll-over into the transportation bill when it is funded. For more information on the issues and how to reach your congressmen, see http://www.massbike.org/. We can make a difference. Virtual lobbying for the Active Community Transportation Act during March resulted in Massachusetts as the state with the highest percentage of representatives supporting the bill. |
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DCR News
DCR received permits for construction of a bike storage shed at the Mall entrance to the Ashuwillticook Trail. This shed will house the adaptative equipment to be purchased with funds raised at the Farnum's Challenges in cooperation with UCP. Construction may be delayed due to road work in that area and is dependent on availability of DCR staff.
Bathrooms along the trail will open in early May. Limited funds have reduced summer staff. |
_______________________________________________ Local Woman Writes A Woman's Bike Book Julie Harrell's A Woman's Bike Book, which will be available in hardcopy within the week, is available now on amazon and on her website http://photonicgirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/woman.html. Also check bike shops and independent bookstores. Those of you who would like a hardcopy for review, please contact julie with your mailing address. Retail price is $15.95, For more information email her at photonicgirl@gmail.com |
_______________________________________________ We recognize the recent passing of George Rocklin
George Rocklin was an Ashuwillticook Ambassador. As his obituary read "Some of his happiest moments were spend on the Ashuwillticook Trail. He enjoyed riding his bicycle and greeting people along the way." We will miss his cheery smile. |
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Thank you for your continued support!
Please support our efforts to advocate for better bicycling in Berkshire County. Mail your check, made out to Berkshire Bike Path Council, 55 South Mountain Rd, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Per IRS regulations, your donation to the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be treated similarly to a donation made to a 501(c)(3) organization and will be tax deductible. | |
