Palmetto Trail Master Plan

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a public meeting for the Palmetto Trail master plan development. The Palmetto Trail is the vision for a 425 mile hiking and biking trail "from the mountains to the sea" running across the heart of South Carolina.

Palmetto Trail (Spring 2013)

There are about 315 miles (to date) of established trail. A good portion of the trail in the southern half of the state is complete. Segments in the Upstate are underdeveloped and unconnected. The trail in the upstate, however, is needs to be further developed. The public meeting I attended last week was a chance for folks from Oconee, Pickens and Greenville counties to share their ideas and experiences for the largely undeveloped portion that will run through the northern parts of these counties. People representing a variety of organizations were there:  Upstate Forever, the Greenville News, Half Moon Outfitters, Upstate SORBA and many folks from the general public. Discussions took place with maps and markers, post-it notes and pens, listening and laughter. It was great to see people making time to take part in a project that will benefit them and other communities throughout the state. If you'd like to add your input, please consider contacting the project team.

Palmetto Trail plan development with input from the public.

National, regional and local organizations are pooling their resources and energy to get the completion of the statewide greenway off the ground. Spearheaded by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the effort is focused on expanding and completing the trail. This project will result in a master plan that will guide development and decision making for the trail's future. Designated as the state's only Millennium Legacy Trail, the trail is meant to capture the essence of the state's natural and cultural history, transportation system history and be a place where people can go to have fun.

The plan's development will take about a year, so there's certainly time for you to weigh in and make your ideas known! Another great trail developing for bike riding in the Upstate. Stay tuned to the project website Finishthepalmettotrail.org to get the latest and follow the trail and master plan's development.

Biking at Clemson Updates

Happy Friday! (Or whatever the day of the week it is when you read this.) The ride in this morning was beautiful:  perfect weather on National Bike to Work Day. This is my favorite time of year to commute to work:  fewer folks on the road in my hometown, the air is cool and the morning sun is just right. Talking about biking (because that’s what this blog is about), there are a few updates about some biking-related news at Clemson University (because that’s where I work.)

Bicycle Friendly University award.  There has yet to be a formal announcement (update:  formally announced here!), but Clemson received recognition as being a Bicycle Friendly University at the Bronze Level in April. Clemson is 1 of only 58 institutions of higher education to earn such honors. With the adoption of the university bike plan last year followed by the installation of the first bike lane on campus since the mid-1990’s, the University is hard at work to improve facilities for those who cycle. There are quite a few projects that are planned for this summer to continue improvements following the recommendations of the plan. Keep an eye out on the campus for these improvements as the summer rolls on.

Bike Week.  In support of May being National Bike Month, Clemson University is also hosting its inaugural Bike Week. A series of events that are supported by the University Police Department, Campus Recreation and Parking & Transportation Services will be going on at the Big Red Barn Campus Beach (formally known as the “Y Beach”) all week long. Consider joining in on the fun, learning some good tips and meeting others who ride. The events include:

• Tuesday, May 21 @ 5:30:  A bike repair workshop
• Wednesday, May 22 @ 3:00:  A bike safety seminar 
• Friday, May 24 all day:  Launching of the University Park + Bike pilot program
• All week:  Participate in Bike Bingo to win prizes from the local bike shop Bike Street USA (formally Ride On Bicycles). Additionally, University students, staff and employees will receive a discount at Bike Street USA all week.

Clemson University Bike Bingo

Hope you join in the fun next week. Take part in whatever way you can! There have been some good things going on at Clemson University over the past year. With interest, momentum and a little bit of luck, things - like this - will continue to move biking forward at Clemson.

HTCBB: Preparations the Night Before

It's time for another installment of the "How to Commute by Bike" series. Previous posts outlined some tips for a week and then a few days before the ride. Hopefully a route has been established, the gear has been checked out and there's a bit of excitement in the air. It's to be expected. Bike riding is some fun business! Here are some things to do the night before your ride:

1. Gather your gear. Gather the bag or pack that you'll use to transport your stuff. I like to pack my stuff in the morning because I've been doing it so long. It's just part of my morning routine. However, if you're out of practice or a novice, I'd gather everything together and make sure it fits - one more time. Things to pack:  Bike lock, keys, helmet, wallet/ID and cell phone. Other considerations:  Change of clothes, brush, makeup, jewelry, a lunch or snacks, books, laptop map, an extra tube, patch kit, tire levers, hex key....
   **Please note:  Woah. That list of other things to pack is growing. Here's a helpful hint:  The amount of stuff you pack should be based on what you need to help you feel comfortable - during the ride and for the day. Some folks are light packers, others take the "Always Be Prepared" approach. The basics for commuting are listed in first, and then add to that based on preference. And be aware preferences may change over time.
   
   My experience:   Since I've been commuting for a while, I pack the morning of, but when I was starting out, I made sure everything was together the night before.
   
   
2. Double check - the weather, your bike & route. The Route:  You should already have a planned route at this point. If you don't, just hop online and do a bit of researching of roads, streets and/or paths to take. Consider having your smart phone handy to help with navigation, print or draw out a map or write down street names. There's no shame in having a few things to help you out. In riding new places, I've been known to stash a map in a spare pocket. The Bike:  The best way to have a good ride is to have your bike in good, safe, working condition. Hopefully the bike of your choice has been given a solid tune-up. (If not, spending an extra 10 - 30 minutes to pump up tires and lube the chain will be worth it.) Spend a quick 5 minutes going over the tires for flats, gear shifters, working brakes and a well-lubed chain. The Weather:  Take an extra minute to double check the forecast. If all goes as planned, smooth sailing - or bike riding - should be in store for you tomorrow!
   
   My experience:  When it comes to the weather, I keep an eye on things throughout the week since I commute 3-5 times a week by bike. If it's going to rain or a chance for rain, I have a back up plan in mind. When it comes to my bike, I pump up the tires once a week, and give a good once over my chain...realistically 2-3 times a month. This makes a noticeable improvement in my bike riding. My route is pretty routine, but I've made a few adjustments from time to time.
   
   
3. Plan extra time. Here, I strongly recommend giving yourself plenty. Of extra. Time. Time to get ready in the morning. Time to prepare your bike to ride. Time to get to work or destination. And, if necessary (as it is in my case), time to change into workplace attire. Your morning routine may need some adjustment. Do you want to bike before or after eating breakfast? Do you need to back a few things on your bike or are you ready to roll? How long will it take you to get to work? What takes me 12 minutes by car takes me 30 by bike. The time it takes to get to your destination also depends on how fast you ride.
   
   My experience:  Extra time is really important, especially when you're starting out. Planning your arrival to meet the demands, expectations and responsibilities of your job is important. I typically arrive 5-10 minutes before my work day, giving myself time to cool down while I check my email. Then I take anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes to change based on the day's attire. (Hey, a girl's gotta look good, right?) Then, I settle into my work day.

Phew! With these and other tips, you are ready to ride! Congrats! Be excited! (Ha! So many exclamation points!!!)  You'll be joining the gang of riders in National Bike to Work Month and Week. Rest easy and wake up ready to roll. The preparation and planning is complete and it's time to enjoy the adventure that lies ahead.

Bicycle Birthday

I had a birthday earlier this spring. Friends and family got me (not all that surprisingly) a bushel of bicycle-related gifts. My peeps know my interest! I thought it might be fun to share some possible bicycle-related gifts that are out there for the giving.

I got bicycle stationary and a bicycle key chain from a friend in Madison. The stationary is very cute, a great bright blue and made sustainability by an international women's co-op. I'm old fashioned and still like to send kind notes and love via the post. I do have to say with this gift that this has gotta be at least a triple score on the environmentally/socially-just/home-made score card. The key chain is cute, too!

Bike stationary & key chain.

My husband worked with an artist on Etsy to craft this one-of-a-kind bicycle journal. It's a leather-covered journal with a bicycle printed on the front cover. He says that he exchanged several emails with the artisan to create the unique gift. I'm a journal-er (since way back in the 2nd grade), and he knew that this was right up my alley! It's lovely, sturdy and will be used someday soon!

Hand-crafted leather journal with bike stamp & button.

I also got a book called Women on Wheels which is available on Taking the Lane. The book is a cute, information/story-rich book filled with W.O.W (that's Woman on Wheels) stories, data and studies related to women cycling, tips on how to handle hair and the helmet, kids and cycling, etc. I really like this fun, inspirational read and have thought about getting it for other women who are into cycling. I am treating this book like fine chocolate, taking in the sections one at a time and reading them slooowly to savor.

It seems that these days bikes can be found just about anywhere on just about anything. Consider these or other fun gifts for an upcoming celebration. If you have any fun things to share, I would love to hear about them, too.

National Bike Month 2013

National Bike to Work Month is just around the corner. Celebrating 55 years of bike riding fun, there are events taking place across the country, region and upstate to mark May 2013 as National Bike to Work month.

May 2013 dates of significance. Wednesday May 8 is National Bike to School Day. The week of May 13 - 17 is National Bike to Work week. Friday, May 17 is National Bike to Work Day. Invite co-workers to ride to work or go for a ride during the lunch hour. Ask school leaders to encourage bike riding and rewarding students for their choice to participate. Talk to a local leader to host an event for National Bike Month. Consider committing to participating in one of these events this year.

Learn or refresh on how to commute by bike. To help potential or novice bike commuters, I've been writing a series called "How to Commute by Bike." This is a min-series of posts about the process of preparing for bike commuting It's meant to be a 'how-to' guide for beginners and a refresher for veteran riders. If you're considering adding a bike commute to your routine, I would encourage you to check it out. The series will continue throughout May.

Join the National Bike Challenge. If you aren't able to bike to work during the week of May 13 - 17 or on National Bike to Work Day May 17, you can still participate. The League of American Bicyclists is encouraging folks to track their bike rides in May and over the course of the summer by joining the National Bike Challenge. Last year over 30,000 folks rode over 12,000,000 miles! That's a lot of time - and fun - on two wheels.

You can ride "solo" or join a team. Consider challenging friends, neighbors, family or co-workers to join in the fun and log miles. Stats and stories can be tracked at the national and state level. It was kind of fun to watch the number of miles I commuted (and CO2 I saved) during the challenged. If you're looking for a team to join and you're a part of the Clemson University community, consider joining the team called "Clemson University."

Local events. The City of Greenville has information on local events listed on the city website. Stay tuned and search other community websites to see what other events will be happening in the upstate.

National Bike to Work Month is a fun way to get out and get moving in the spring before the summer heat hits. Make a commitment to tuning up that bike and getting out on one (or a few) bike rides. Invite others and explore familiar places in a new way. Get outside and have fun!

Bicycles & Comics

A fun, recent internet distraction of mine has been bikeyface.com and it's corresponding flickr account. Bikeyface.com is a kind of comic strip about bike riding. Bike riding in the city, in traffic, interactions with pedestrians, motorists, racing, riding, etc. It's a fun, yet powerful comic. A picture, or illustration in this instance, is worth a thousand words in a blog post.

Ideas shared via illustrations. Credit:  Bikeyface.com.

I like the women's perspective in the comic, too. Sometimes it's more apparent than others. Even as assertive and outspoken as I am, I can still relate. (There's  nothing more intimidating than going into a bike shop where the guy mechanics start talking in a foreign language of parts and lingo! Brother, slow it down and back it up for a second!)

This is another way that the thoughts, ideas, infrastructure, community, issues, challenges, rewards and culture related to bicycles can be shared. The illustrator has brought to light interesting topics and perspectives to light over the course of developing this character and her adventures. How many of us like to share a link, photo or though via social media? How fast can one image or video go viral? How many of us can relate to an idea, an event and a perspective when information is conveyed like this? Information like this is quickly shared because it's powerful, simple and interesting.

Keep Calm and Commute On. Illustration:  Bikeyface.com.

HTCBB: Preparations a Few Days before the Commute

Continuing the "How to Commute by Bike" series, let's 'brake' down preparations a few days before the commute. It's just a few days before the ride to work, school or around town! Excited? Nervous? Good! With anticipation in the air, a little bit of nerves is alright and to be expected.

Soon, this will be you!

You're trying something new or doing something you maybe haven't done in a while. Preparations to ride started about a week earlier. You should have started to consider a route, your attire, how to transport your stuff and get your bike in working condition. With these things behind you, it's time to get a little bit more serious about the preparations. Read on for some suggestions about what to do a few days before the commute.

1. Gather your gear. It's best not to wait until the night before to make sure you have everything you need and that it will fit in whatever thing you choose to use. If you travel light, packing might not take long. If you need to bring a change of clothes, are transporting groceries or maybe are traveling with kids in tow, take some time to plan the space you'll need to transport stuff by bike.
   
   
   
   My experience:  Since I've used anything from backpacks to milks crates to panniers to transport my stuff, I recommend taking your time with this one. Try a few backpacks out or make sure that the milk crate is secure to the bike. I've taken off a few times and left my milk carton in the dust. I've also overpacked a bag and busted a zipper. Having enough space to pack your stuff is important.
   
2. Choose your route. Know how to get where you need to go. After taking some time to consider a couple of different routes over the last week, decide on one. In choosing a route, consider the safety, distance, speed of traffic (bike or automobile) and time requirements and constraints. Going by bike may take more or less time than your typical mode of transit. Consider this in your planning! To help with the trips, consider bringing a paper map, memorizing the route or use gps applications a smart phone or other device.
   

   

   Bags? Check! Basket? Check! Ready to ride!

   My experience:  The travel time between the workplace and home has varied for me. When I was a student, I could get to campus in 10 minutes by bike or, if finding parking was included, 45 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus. My current situation provides me with a 25 minutes bike commute or a 10 car ride or an hour bus ride. Planning a route and considering alternatives helped me figure out what was best for me. The more I rode the more I learned how to adjust my schedule.
   
   
3. Go for a (short) test ride. Combine1. and 2., and the experience is likely to be more enjoyable. Pack it all up and go for a (short) test ride around the neighborhood or maybe the first bit of the route you choose. This will help you become a little bit more familiar with how it feels to ride with your pack, crate or pannier; how it might feel to manuever in traffic; what riding in a neighborhood street versus a commercial corridor or on a path feels like. Becoming familiar with a route can increase your comfort.
   
   My experience:  Every time I ride it's different, and anything I can do to make my experience more comfortable helps me stay safer and have more fun. A test ride is a good idea to embark on when planning a new route or ride. It can give you a feel what to expect. And, if it's a short ride, it's a great way to go for a short ride with a friend! Invite someone who hasn't been on a bike for a while.
   
   
4. Check the forecast.  I would be remiss to leave this out! No matter how much excitement is building for the inaugural ride, consider rescheduling if there is a good chance of poor weather. Riding in the rain may start the day or experience off on the wrong foot (or pedal). Forecasts for strong storms or extreme weather may not be the best way to start something new. There's no shame in postponing your ride until a better day.
   
   

   

   Prepared for the weather.

   My experience:  When I was starting out using my bike to get around, one time I got caught in a downpour without any rain gear. The rain was initially light, so I took a few moments to tuck my electronics and school papers deep into my backpack. However, by the time I was half way between where I started and my destination, the drizzle turned into a downpour! I hadn't watched the forecast and I didn't have anything with me to keep me or my stuff dry. By the time I got home I was drenched. I made a promise to myself that, if I could help it, I would never let that happen again! Now part of my weekly routine is to keep an eye on forecasts to help me plan ahead in adjusting how I might get to and from work.

With just a few days to go, you should be feeling pretty prepared. Get some rest, talk about your new plans with friends and get ready for fun! Your commute is just a few days away.