The Bike Lane – CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE  NEWSLETTER

Progress towards a Bicycle Friendly Community, December 2011

IOWA BICYCLE SUMMIT & EXPO AND RAGBRAI ROUTE ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY
Land managers, trail supporters and community officials are encouraged to attend the Iowa Bicycle Summit and Expo sponsored by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition at the Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines on Jan. 27-28, 2012. The technical workshop designed for engineers, planners and community officials is on Friday Jan. 27. Twelve sessions will discuss trail maintenance, design, and policy issues. The consumer bicycle expo on Saturday Jan. 28 is free to the public. Over 60 exhibitors will be on hand to show the latest in new bicycle gear, training, trails and events. A large group of destination exhibitors are slated to participate. The 2012 RAGBRAI XL Route Announcement Party is on Saturday Jan. 28 and features live and silent auctions on bicycling items, door prizes, “Guess the Route” raffles, IBC updates, complimentary RAGBRAI style snacks & soft drinks, complimentary drafts, cash bar, and a special commemorative souvenir gift. Tickets to the route announcement party are $30.

http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/node/121

IOWA GOES BY BICYCLE WINTER BICYCLE CHALLENGE
Sign up for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Winter Bicycle Challenge during the month of December for tips on winter bicycling and a chance to win winter riding gear. If you registered for the Iowa Goes By Bicycle Challenge, you can use your same login. Log three trips in a week and you are automatically entered to win. Drawing dates are 12/12, 12/19, 12/26, and 1/2. No bike ride is too short. Ride around the block from some fresh air. It counts!

http://www.iowagoesbybicycle.com/?q=node/11

CEDAR RAPIDS BLUE ZONES APPLICATION
The City of Cedar Rapids Statement of Interest was approved and the City will submit an application by Jan. 4, 2012 to become one of ten communities to receive assistance from national experts in their quest to become a Blue Zones Community. Show your support and vote for Cedar Rapids at http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup
Applications will be assessed and the finalist communities will be selected to host site visits in March 2012. The first round of demonstration sites will be selected in May 2012.

http://www.bluezonesproject.com/healthiest-state

 

CLUBS AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
 Bicyclists of Iowa City (BIC) www.bicyclistofiowacity.org
 Bikeiowa   www.bikeiowa.com
 Cedar Rapids BMX  www.CedarRapidsBMX.com
 Cedar Valley Running Association (CVRA)  www.CVRA.net 
 Cedar Valley Association for Soft Trails www.cvast.org
 East Iowa Ski Club (EISC)  www.EastIowaSkiClub.com
 Hawkeye Bicycle Association (HBA) www.HawkeyeBike.org
 Iowa Bicycle Coalition  www.iowabicyclecoalition.org
 Iowa Bicycle Racing Association  www.Bikeiowa.org
Iowa City Cycling Club (ICCC)   www.iowacitycyclingclub.com
 Iowa Coalition of Off-Road Riders (ICORR) www.ICORRmtb.org
 League of American Bicyclists  www.bikeleague.org
 Kennedy Mt. Biking Club (Chain Gang)  www.Kenn.cr.d12.ia.us
 Linn Area Cyclers Bike Club  www.lacofcr.com www.lacofcr.org
 Linn Area Mountain Bike Assoc. (LAMBA) www.LAMBAonline.org
 Linn County Trails Association (LCTA) 
 www.LinnCountyTrails.org
 Marion-Cedar Rapids Road Hogs Bike Club 
 http://northtownebikes.com/for/roadhogs
 Midwest Xtreme Triathlon Club www.MWXTRI.com
 Sticks in the Water Paddlers [email protected]
 Think Bicycles  www.thinkbicycles.org
 University of Iowa Cycling Club (UICC)  www.iowacycling.org
 University of Iowa Triathlon Club – Trihawks
 www.trihawks.com

HALL BICYCLE COMPANY
419 2nd Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
319-362-1052 
www.hallbicycle.com

WINTER HOURS:
Monday and Thursday 8:30 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday Closed

NORTHTOWNE CYCLING & FITNESS
1150 Blairs Ferry Road NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-393-6557
www.northtownebikes.com

11/25 through 12/24:
Monday and Thursday 9:00 am–8:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Sunday Noon- 4:00 pm

12/26 through 2/28:
Monday – Friday  9:00 am–6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am–3:00 pm
Sunday Closed
New Year’s Day Closed

Indian Creek Nature Center 5th ANNUAL PADDLE DAY JAN 28, 2012:

Info from ICNC Paddle Day Coordinator Jan Aiels:

Whether you’re an experienced paddler, just getting started or have never dipped a paddle into water before…you’ll find something interesting at Paddle Day! Enjoy engaging presentations, great door prizes and numerous displays.  Here’s our schedule:

 

12:30 pm Registration and Educational Displays Open

1:00 pm  Floating Through History with Writer, Photographer & Lecturer, Larry Stone
Not just for paddlers, this is an entertaining look at the natural and cultural resources that canoeists, visitors and residents may experience along our waterways.

2:00 pm  Seatasea Watersports presents Kayaking Basics
Essential equipment, safety and technique

2:30 pm  What’s Happening
A quick update from our featured organizations on projects and opportunities

2:50 pm  Break

3:05 pm  Watershed Improvements with Iowa DNR Iowa-Cedar River Basin Coordinator, Mary Beth Stevenson
An update on watershed improvements that could improve paddling opportunities.

4:00 pm  Paddling and Fishing Our Lesser Known Waterways with Ben Petty
Eastern Iowa’s small rivers and streams present a wide variety of paddling and fishing experiences. This session will focus on both well-known and lesser known waterways and Ben will share some of the tips and techniques used when targeting smallmouth bass and trout in these streams. Even if you’re not an angler, these waterways provide many intimate and exciting opportunities to paddle in beautiful locations.

5:00 pm Goodbye until next year!

 

Admission is $7 for ICNC members; $10 for non-members. Call 319-362-0664 to register by phone or register online.

Sponsored by an anonymous donor, Indian Creek Nature Center, Sticks in the Water and Seatasea Watersports.

You can access the ICNC Currents newsletter and the Activity Calendar at:

http://www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org/activities/