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ohbike.orgYou are invited to the
OHBTC 46th Annual Meeting Saturday, March 3, 4:30 pm
Join us at St. John’s Episcopal Church/Broad
Creek, 9801 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD for OHBTC’s 46th annual meeting and potluck dinner. If you plan to attend, sign up at http://ohbike.memberlodge.org/event-2791612.
Bring a favorite dish to share (no store-bought cookies). Club business will include the election of officers, the presentation of awards and special presentations.
Bicycle Symposium February 13, 8:30-4:00 PM
Miller Senate Office Building 11 Bladen St. Annapolis, MD 21401
The annual Bike Maryland Symposium in
Annapolis is a great way to stay up-to-date on Maryland bicycling advocacy, network with other like-minded bicycling advocates, meet your legislators, and lobby for legislation benefitting cyclists.
The event is free and open to the public, but you must register if you plan to attend. Register at www.bikemaryland.org/events/2018-symposium/.
Nominate a Ride Leader Help choose the recepient of the Dorothy Hodges
Ride Leader Award by nominating someone who has done an exceptional job of leading rides, welcoming visitors, and looking after fellow riders. Send his or her name and a statement of why that person deserves recognition to Club President Holly Carr at [email protected] by February 20. See the Prez Sez on page 3 and page 5 for more info.
Join the 2018 OHBIKE Challenge. Let’s see how many miles OHBTC members can
ride in 2018. Join the 2018 OHBIKE Challenge at www.endomondo.com/challenges/35585864/.
Congratulations to those at the top of the 2017 OHBIKE Challenge leaderboard: Brad Francisco (11,775 miles), Steve Palincsar (10,716), Kirk Saunders (8,313), Ron Altemus (7,171), and Lynne Blake-Hedges (6,685). Full results at https://www.endomondo.com/challenges/31637142.
Featured in This Issue
Prez Sez Holly Carr.…………………..……...… page 3
Road Captain’s Report Sherwood Byers….... page 4 New Bike Trail over the Patuxent River........ page 4
Welcome to the Club’s Youngest Member... page 4
Dorothy Hodges Ride Leader Award….…… page 5 We Are All Advocates Walt Roscello….….… page 6
Want a Bike Lane on the Nice Bridge? …… page 7 Bicycle and Trail Advisory Group………..… page 8
Remembering Bill Kelly Jim Hudnall……….. page 9
Bike and Barge in Germany Belinda Acre …. page 10 Bicycling Events in Maryland …………….… page 12
February 2018
2 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018
CClub Jerseys OHBTC short sleeve and sleeveless jerseys are
available for $60 per jersey plus $5 shipping. Arm-warmers are $25, and arm-coolers are $10. You can order using the order form at www.ohbike.org or contact Janell Saunders at [email protected].
Join the Club’s YAHOO Email List OHBTC members use the Yahoo group’s e-mail list to share club-
related information, especially changes in the ride schedule. Joining the OHBIKE Yahoo group is free and easy. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohbike.
The OHBIKE Yahoo group is for OHBTC members only. When you join, please include your name in the box for “Comments to List Owner.” Members of the Yahoo group can send email to the list at [email protected].
Welcome, New Members Pam Commerford White Plains MD C Tim Commerford White Plains MD C Tom Fedewa Baltimore MD A-B Dennis Holden Waldorf MD B
Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
Club Officers
President Holly Carr [email protected] Vice Pres. Janell Saunders [email protected] Road Captain Sherwood Byers [email protected]
Secretary Diane Harris [email protected]
Treasurer Ron Altemus [email protected]
Ride Coordinators Class AA Scott Walker [email protected] Class A Bruce Wright [email protected] Jean Wright [email protected] Class B Michael Saizan [email protected] Lynne Blake-Hedges [email protected] Class CC Steve Palincsar [email protected] Melissa Watson [email protected] Class C open Class D Charles Williams [email protected] Mountain Bike Barry Howard [email protected] Overnighters Steve Palincsar [email protected] Family Rides Linda Bankerd [email protected]
Committee Chairs
Program Susanne Kohl-Parker [email protected]
Public Relations Jim Hudnall [email protected] Newsletter Jane Hudnall [email protected] Advocacy Walt Roscello [email protected] Safety/Ed George Martin [email protected] Jerseys Janell Saunders [email protected] Communications Joan Oppel [email protected]
Handy Telephone Numbers SHA MD Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Tony Campbell 410-545-5656 24-hr tape 800-252-8776 M-NCPPC Trails and Bikeways Information Fred Shaffer 301-952-3661 Pothole Repair Hot Lines: Alexandria 703-838-4488 Calvert County 410-535-0905 Charles County 301-932-3450 Prince George’s County 301-499-8520 St. Mary’s County 301-863-8400
Washington, DC Citywide Call Center - 311
MD-SHA non-emergency contacts to report road problems: http://marylandsha.force.com/customercare/request_for_service
3 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018
Prez Sez by Holly Carr HAPPY NEW YEAR OHBIKE 2018! I hope everyone is staying warm and
healthy. Many members are busy on Zwift or other indoor trainers clocking rides on Strava. Please know that OHBIKE has a Strava Club account. If you go to OHBIKE.org, you will find a Strava link. Once you are in, you can click on “Join Club” and log your rides. Motivate yourself by seeing what others are doing!
I would like to take this opportunity to announce the formation of the OHBIKE Publicity committee, which, so far, consists of the “Arlington Contingent”: Sarah Clement, Debby Bowman, Leslie Tierstein, Joan Oppel, Tom Roberson, and Ellen Goodwin. They are developing ideas to publicize our club, its activities, and promote events. They are looking at ways to welcome new members, provide retention, and offer mentoring to new riders. They are also looking at ways to make the best use of social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, Ride With GPS, Endomondo, and Strava) to promote our activities, events, and the accomplishments of our members.
Once again, it is time of the year to send in your nominations for the Dorothy Hodges Ride Leader Award. Send me the names of people who have provided outstanding rides for our club members throughout the year. If you know someone who fits into this category as a ride leader, please email me at [email protected], provide the name of the individual, and the rides you notably remember, and the reason why you think this person should receive the Outstanding Ride Leader Award. The winner will be presented the award at the Annual Meeting - on Saturday March 3, at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 4:30 p.m. All club members and their guest ate invited to come, bring a dish to share and enjoy a fun evening with people who enjoy bicycling.
In November, the Board met to discuss the dates for 2018 club activities. All class rides and supported rides are scheduled for this year.
Saturday, March 3 – Annual Meeting – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Broad Creek, Fort Washington
Saturday, April 14 – Start the Season Right Ride – Indian Head Village Green
Saturday, May 5 – May Metric – Cosca Regional Park, Clinton
Saturday, June 9 – Patuxent River Rural Legacy Metric – Patuxent River Park, Croom
Sunday July 8 – Watermelon Ride – Accokeek Fire Station
Sunday August 11 (tentative) – Annual Picnic – Fresh Meadows Farm, Huntingtown
Monday, Labor Day, September 3 – Southern Maryland Century - Indian Head 100
A nominating committee selected Janell Saunders for vice-president and Barbara Haney for road captain. The Board is grateful to retiring Vice-President Mia Haynes and Road Captain Sherwood Byers for significant contributions to the club during the past two years. Nominations for Club Officers will be accepted and votes cast at the Annual Meeting on March 3.
Save the dates. I look forward to seeing you all!
4 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018 Road Captain’s Report by Sherwood Byers
Happy New Year to All. I hope that you have had a joyous and safe holiday season.
Now that we have moved into a new calendar year, the board has been planning for upcoming events -the club's All Class Rides, Rider Awards, Annual Meeting, Budgets, Transitioning for New Club Leaders and lots more.
Some riders have taken advantage of an occasional warm day to ride, and a chance to get off their trainers. Others have continued to ride in the frigid cold weather and risky conditions. My message to all is to be aware of the road conditions, ice potholes, excessive salt, etc. BE SAFE while you are out there and enjoy your ride.
If you have ridden in salty conditions, remember to thoroughly clean your bike when you finish your ride. This prevents corrosion problems where the metal is hard to get to and is not so protected. It is best to perform this chore when you get off of the bike, because the salt begins to attack immediately.
Thank you for a good season of riding and let us all find ways we can contribute to OHBTC and help maintain the wealth and healthiness of our organization.
Thank You and Always Safe Riding.
New Trail Bridge over the Patuxent River The Maryland Department of Transportation is funding a
bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the Patuxent River to connect the six miles miles of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis (WB&A) Trail in Prince George’s County to the six miles of the WB&A Trail in Anne Arundel County. Thank MDOT Secretary Rahn for investing in trail infrastructure by going to http://www.waba.org/blog/2018/01/a-new-trail-bridge-over-the-patuxent/ and clicking on the SAY THANKS button.
Welcome to the Club’s Youngest Member Congratulations to Karen and Darin King, proud parents of Townsend
Fitzgerald King, 9 lbs 7 oz, born on December 31, 2017.
Townsend Fitzgerald King
February 2018 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club 5
Dorothy Hodges Ride Leader of the Year Award by Mike Bivens
Description: The ride leader award was established in 2009 and named for Dorothy Hodges, a founding member of OHBTC. Dorothy held many offices in the club, published the newsletter and served as membership chairman. She insisted that ride leaders be inclusive and lead rides at the advertised pace. She helped make OHBTC the bicycle club it is today. The award is presented at the OHBTC Annual Meeting and is based on nominations submitted by OHBTC members. Selection is made by the club officers and is based on a qualitative assessment of the nominations received and the nominee meeting Ride Leader criteria and responsibilities.
Criteria: Nominations are requested by the club president in February for rides which occurred during the previous calendar year. Nominations reflect the attributes a nominee has exhibited during the previous year and include a short description of how the nominee met or exceeded most, if not all, of the following Ride Leader responsibilities:
• Prepared a cue sheet and/or map (either new or existing club route) and scouted the route before the ride.
• Submitted the ride to the Ride Schedule with the online Ride Submission Form.
• Provided a cell phone or contact number on the cue sheet and had his/her cell phone on during the ride.
• Arrived 10-15 minutes before the ride start time. • Had all riders sign a release sign-up form. • Gave all riders a cue sheet and/or map. • Welcomed the riders and briefed them on details of ride • Made sure the riders wore helmets. • "Led from the rear" or appointed someone to "ride sweep.” • Rode at the advertised pace! • Carried the sign-up sheet on the ride so that rider’s
emergency contact information was available, if needed. • After the ride, posted a ride report at
http://ohbike.memberlodge.org/reports.
Eligibility: • Must be a member in good standing • Must have led at least six rides during the year and submitted a Ride Report for each • May not be an OHBTC Officer or Committee Chair
Dorothy Hodges May 18, 1919 – June 20, 2013
Ride Leader Award Winners
Mike Bivens – 2015 Ron Altemus - 2016
6 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018 We Are All Advocates by Walt Roscello
We all like to ride, but wouldn't you like to make riding conditions better? Every rider should consider themselves an advocate for better cycling. Local riders know the conditions and use patterns best, which is why we need advocates from all parts of our riding area. It doesn't have to be a big commitment: resolve to go to just one public project meeting this year and ask how cyclists will be accommodated, or support a separate cycle facility. You can also advocate by calling or writing your local legislators and highway department to comment on projects and legislation.
The Southern Maryland Tri-County Council will be recommending three projects to link Indian Head to Lexington Park: (1) completion of the Three Notch Trail; (2) an extension of the Three Notch Trail to Hughesville, and (3) development of a trail from the Indian Head Rail Trail at White Plains to Hughesville. Together, when these projects form a continuous path it will be at least 54 miles of trail!
The replacement for the Nice bridge continues to move forward and needs steady pressure supporting the bike lane. The Maryland toll authority plans to request bids in a few months for two options: one with a 10 foot separated bicycle/pedestrian path, and one with bicyclists permitted to share the travel lane. The second option is unacceptable: the speed limit will be 50 or 55 mph and the bridge is planned to have a 4% grade. Comments are now open on this plan at www.newnicebridge.com. Please submit comments on the project and also contact your state legislators (from any county) and the governor and ask them to press the toll authority to select the bike lane option. (See next page for more about the new Nice Bridge.)
We need advocates to monitor and review highway project plans on all roads we want to use. The designs of the new interchanges and bridges on Rt. 210 will be ongoing for some time. We want to ensure cyclists can ride through these areas to cross 210 without high speed merging of motor vehicles. There are also projects at Brandywine and Great Mills on roads we use. Watch for project announcements in the paper and elsewhere and make sure other advocates are aware of them.
We also have some long-term vision projects underway. Completing a connection from Oxon Hill Farm to the bike lanes on Oxon Hill Road at National Harbor is on the Capital Trail Coalition and National Park Service trail plans. Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (www.smrtmaryland.com/smrt) may be decades away but we are advocating for a parallel path for as much of the route as practical, especially through Waldorf and to Brandywine. We are also in the early stages of designating an on-road US Bicycle Route, BR 5, from DC to the new Nice bridge and on to Yorktown, VA (https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/us-bicycle-route-system/).
I'd like to end by inviting and encouraging you to attend the yearly Bike Maryland Legislative Symposium on February 13th. Not only can you hear interesting presentations about outreach and advocacy around the state and meet members from our partner organizations like WABA, BikeAAA, and the CTC, but your attendance shows our state legislators how strong support for bicycling and bicycle facilities is among their constituents. You can register at https://www.bikemaryland.org/events/2018-symposium/.
February 2018 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club 7
Do You Want a Bike Lane on the Nice Bridge? If you want a bike lane on the new Nice Bridge, now is the time for you to act! Go to the Maryland Transportation Authority’s new website at www.newnicebridge.com and leave your
comments. Screen captures from the 12-minute video on the website show the two options.
OPTION 1 (with Bike/Ped lane)
The 10-foot bike/ped lane of the earlier plan has been reduced to 8 feet.
OPTION 2 (NO Bike/Ped lane)
The bike/lane has been removed. Cyclists take the right-hand travel lane.
Speed limit 50 or 55 mph. Max grade of 4%.
No pedestrian access. Bicycle access will not be 24/7.
For more on bikes sharing travel lanes on a bridge, read about the Hatem Bridge at http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Hatem_Bike_Access.html
8 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018 Prince George’s County’s Bicycle and Trail Advisory Group (BTAG)
The Bicycle and Trails Advisory Group (BTAG) was founded January 1998 at the direction of the County Executive's Office. BTAG facilitates discussion between local implementing agencies and trail advocates, residents, and others interested in bicycle and pedestrian access. BTAG is chaired and organized by the Transportation Planning Section of the Prince George's County Planning Department. BTAG meets quarterly, with more frequent subcommittee meetings on specific topics, scheduled as needed.
At the most recent BTAG meeting on January 19th, the main topic was a report on the Task Force to Study Bike Safety on Maryland Highways. Jon Korin, Chairman of Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) and a member of the Task Force presented highlights of the study.
The Task Force was created as a result of legislation passed last year by the Maryland General Assembly. The Task Force put their findings and recommendations into five categories: Legislative Tools and Operations for Bicycle Safety; Infrastructure Tools, Guidance, and Performance Measures; Site Access and Utilities; Enforcement; and Funding.
Task Force recommendations are leading to legislation to address vulnerable road users, contributory neglience, exceptions to the three-foot law, enforcement, and speed limits.
Other topics addressed at the meeting included 2018 Bike to Work Day on May 18; feasibility of an extension of the WB&A Trail along MD 704, the county’s Strategic Roadway Safety Plan, the priorities letter for natural surface trails, and concerns regarding a bike/ped bridge across the Anacostia.
BTAG meets quarterly and is open to anyone interested in improving for bicycle and pedestrian access in Prince George’s County. It is an excellent opportunity for advocates and planners to address issues affecting cyclists, pedestrians and trail users. If you are interested in attending a BTAG meeting, contact Fred Shaffer, County Trails Planner and Chairman of BTAG ([email protected].)
DRAFT Report of the Task Force to Study Bike Safety on Maryland Highways. https://goo.gl/AfFHX2
February 2018 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club 9
Remembering Bill Kelly by Jim Hudnall Maryland lost a staunch advocate for bicyclists and OHBTC lost a
longtime member with the death of Bill Kelly on Monday, January 22.
Before his move to Howard County ten years ago, Bill was an active member of the Prince George’s Bicycle and Trails Advisory Group (BTAG). He worked with government agencies and elected officials to bring about many of the trails and road improvements now enjoyed by cyclists, including the Anacostia Trails System, the WB&A Trail, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, and bike lanes on Oxon Hill Road.
Bill formed the College Park Area Bicycle Coalition (CPABC) in 1988 – one of the oldest bicycle advocacy organizations in Maryland. He and CPABC organized Bicycle Awareness Rides to get local citizens and elected officials onto bicycles and aware of needed improvements on roads and trails.
On February 13th, bicycling advocates will gather in Annapolis for the annual Maryland Bicycle Symposium. Bill organized the first Maryland Bike Symposium in the 1990’s. He worked with state legislators on the passage of bills establishing the Maryland Bicycle Advisory Committee and served as its chairman. Bill was a founding member of One Less Car, which later became Bike Maryland.
Bill moved to Ellicott City with his wife of 51 years Sue, to be closer to his
four children and ten grandkids (who all ride bikes). He loved to travel and traveled often to Ireland and had just visited China in 2017 to see the Great Wall.
Bill retired 25 years ago as a Washington DC Fire Department Captain with 27 years of public safety experience. He had been a bicycle commuter from his home in College Park to the DC fire station on 8th Street SE before bike commuting was common – or very safe. Bill worked for decades making roads safer for cyclists and encouraging more people to ride bikes. After moving to Howard County, Bill helped found Bike HoCo and was instrumental in their accomplishments over the past ten years.
Bill Kelly, Jim Hudnall and Fred Shaffer in 2002 at one the six Dutch “mushroom” signs installed on the Henson Creek Trail.
Bill Kelly March 22, 1940 - January 22, 2018
Bill Kelly (on right) at the 2004 Maryland Bicycle Symposium with Delegate Bill Bronrott, advocate Bridget Chadwick and Michael Jackson, MDOT Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access)
10 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018 Bike and Barge in Germany by Belinda Acre
This past August, I had the opportunity to join a group of cyclists from Southern California on a bike and barge trip in Germany. I had a good time and it was an excellent excuse to visit Germany.
If you're not familiar with this form of travel, participants sleep and eat on a boat and cycle during the day. Specifically, our boat, the M.V. Merlijn, traveled along the Main River from Bamberg in northern Bavaria to Frankfurt. We occupied 11 compact cabins and had a dining/lounge area and space on the deck to relax (and store bikes). The boat traveled during the day while we biked but sometimes moved during breakfast or in the late afternoon after we had returned to the boat. Breakfasts and all
but two dinners were served on the boat.
The bikes were European style with built-in locks. Probably heavier than our hybrids but they were good for climbing up cobble-stoned streets in towns. Each bike had a pannier to carry lunch, jackets, etc. Our cyclists ranged from Californians planning to ride the Amtrak Century when they returned home and two couples from India. I don't believe the Indian women had ever ridden outside.
We rode mostly on the Main bikeway, along the river through fields and vineyards, through or around towns and villages. So that no one strayed from our route, a rider behind the guide was left at forks or turns to point the way. One rider volunteered as sweep. I think some of the faster riders enjoyed being the "signposts" so they could zip up to the front of the group from the rear. Occasionally our guide sent them up a hill for more strenuous exercise.
There was plenty to see on the trip and we enjoyed walking through the towns we stopped in. Bamberg itself is described as "a true gem of medieval and baroque architecture." One day we visited an old church with interior decorations from the 1500s. On another we spent several hours in Wurzburg visiting the magnificently decorated prince-bishop's residence and its gardens. Given time to wander through town, I found an exhibit depicting the city after the bombing by the British in 1945. After 1,000 tons of bombs hit, little was left standing and 5,000 people were estimated to have died.
February 2018 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club 11
Miltenberg was a fun destination. It turned out there was a fair along the riverfront. There were amusement rides, a dance hall tent, plenty of food, and vendors selling most anything--underwear, household goods, home remodeling products. After dinner, we had a tour of a brewery. This included walking up and down the steps of the very old building from the roof to the basement, where special barrels of beer were stored, passing vats of beer. Bottles from among their twelve varieties of beer were offered to assuage our thirst.
Just riding in the boat was interesting because we could watch the barges and other boats on the river and our boat passed through several locks. We could wave to people as we cruised along--including two small boys waving enthusiastically while wading in the river and wearing only their birthday suits . On most of our route, the river was between hills, often covered with vineyards.
After passing through more towns and finding more beer, bakeries and ice cream, we finally made it to Frankfurt where we disembarked early on Saturday morning (so another group could board in the afternoon). Those staying the weekend on the north side of Frankfurt had to evacuate that part of the city on Sunday so that a World War II bomb left could be removed.
I said I had the opportunity to join this tour because these tours book up well in advance and often by groups. I replaced someone who was unable to make the trip. The Merlijn was already booking up for 2019 then. Anyone want to do a tour in 2020? Maybe spring in the Netherlands?
For information on Bike and Barge trips on the Merlijn, visit http://merlijn.nu/
12 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club February 2018 Bicycling Events in Maryland and Surrounding States
Other bicycle clubs have fully-supported metrics and centuries similar to OHBTC’s Patuxent River Rural Legacy Metric and the Indian Head 100. Supported rides are also staged by other organizations to raise funds for worthy causes. For information on many of these events, see www.ohbike.org/events.
For the convenience of those who use Google calendars, the events are also posted on a Google calendar at https://goo.gl/qCSGAR. If you know of other events that should be listed, please send the event information to [email protected].
