More Bicycling For A Cause

In this case it was to help support a State Representative, Gretchen Driskell.  Politics being what they are the campaign for re-election is sure to require funds and our current representative is building a base along with a base of support.  I've known Gretchen through my affiliation while being Supervisor of Northfield Township and at that time Gretchen was Mayor of Saline. We served together on a transportation policy board at WATS (Washtenaw Area Transportation Study) and had other occasions to meet over government affairs.  While I am a strong Republican, I have found that Gretchen, a Democrat, to be fiscally conservative, has sound judgment and has practical common sense, a rare commodity in political circles today.  While generally favoring party candidates, it's about the person not the party.

Gretchen held a "Ride with the Rep" event last Saturday at one of my favorite bike trails at Hudson Mills Metropark and I was happy to be a part of the event.  Gretchen is an avid rider, competitor and outdoor enthusiast.  A nice crowd turned out for the event.

Wheels in Motion an Ann Arbor bicycle shop helped out at the event by bringing extra bicycles for those who had no bike and wanted to attend and ride and was also available for quick repairs, air for tires and other such last minute cycling needs and safety checks.  PEAC Programs to Educate All Cyclists was also well represented at the ride and helped to educated the riders on trail riding safety and etiquette, right before we took off for the ride.    I was really hoping to be able to take a spin on the tandem that WIM brought to the event, but I was only able to do a single lap with the riders due to other plans in the afternoon.  I guess I'll just have to wait for another opportunity for that tandem ride!

Gretchen is standing in the front row behind her bike in a black tee

 As you can see from the photos, it's a beautiful park and trail, just north of Dexter and south of Pinckney

Being An Advocate & Making Progress

Yesterday I attended an event sponsored in part by the League of Michigan Bicyclists.  It was an advocacy day in the State capitol with pre-arranged meetings with State legislators and informational exchanges.  The day begun with a bike ride from a pre-arranged meeting place and ride to the capitol, registration, meeting with other members of your delegation and information about meeting with the legislators and it was off to meetings with them, followed by announcements, awards a lunch and bike tour of the capitol.   I made it to everything except the bike rides, instead meeting up with the group under a tent on the lawn of the Capitol Building.  The day promised rain and true to it's prediction we had sprinkles on and off all morning and early afternoon. I would have really enjoyed the ride and the camaraderie that would have ensued from that, but there will be other times and places for that.   It wouldn't be the first time I've admitted that I'm a fair weather rider.

The real meat of the event was in the meetings with our State Representatives.  From my past history of having served as Township Supervisor I already knew both our current State Representative Gretchen Driskell and the State Senator representing my area Rebecca Warren.  Gretchen and I had served together on several  boards in Washtenaw County when I was Supervisor and she was Mayor of Saline.  As well, I had known Rebecca since she was a State Representative from Ann Arbor and her husband serves on the County Board of Commissioners and we have had opportunities to work together on common goals.  The agenda put forward by the LMB was to make legislators aware of issues high on the list or priorities for LMB and the other participating cycling advocacy groups.  Highlights of the priorities are;

• Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists.
• Establishing a standard for safe passing of bicyclists on Michigan roads.
• Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan.
• Allowing bicyclists to bypass malfunctioning traffic lights.
• Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects.
• Preventing the Raid on Natural Resources Trust Fund Dollars Available for Trails Projects.
• Adequately funding safe transportation infrastructure that supports multi-modal use.

It was great to be in a position of advocacy and particularly so since I felt a real connection to both legislators.  Senator Warren was instrumental in helping us to secure permitting for phase I of the non motorized path project which was my pet project while Supervisor.  She had been in attendance at our ribbon cutting for the path when it opened, so she was very aware of my passion for the subject matter and Representative Driskell had been in attendance of several transportation meetings where I reported on the progress of our path from it's inception to it's current state.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the opportunity for our collective voices to be heard.  A link to the LMB information about the Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day is here.

Driving home I reflected on my goals for riding in 2013 that I posted here, and realized that I am slowly making progress on this year's goals, almost without thinking.  When creating the list I wanted to take on an advocacy project and this day certainly qualified for that.  I also mulled over wanting to go further and faster and my rides and training are making progress toward those goals.  My mileage per ride is increasing as well as my speed.  My goal is to work toward a 40 mile ride and it's going to happen with a series of 20-25 and 30 mile rides.  Pushing harder gears allows me to gobble up those miles faster.  Pushing myself on hills is like interval training and that will make me stronger and when I am stronger I will be faster.  My last ride averaged 9 MPH over my longest distance yet this year of 23+ miles.  It's a great feeling to challenge yourself physically and mentally like this and the results are rewarding in many ways.  Success feeds on success and right about now I'm feeling pretty successful. 

Considering my frame of mind just a few short weeks ago I find myself very grateful indeed to our loving God who has helped to bring me to the place I currently am. 

Here are some photos of the day in Lansing!