The NRVBA has applied for a $10,000 Facility Grant from the Bikes Belong Coalition.  If awarded, the grant will be used to leverage Blacksburg Town Council and Town staff support the construction of the 2-mile Central Downtown Loop connecting commercial, university and residential areas. Once completed, the loop will serve as the centerpiece to a town-wide system of routes.  With the construction of the loop, our goal is to increase ridership in Blacksburg by 25%.

The NRVBA would like to thank Keith Moore, Town Corridor Committee Chair, and Adele Schirmer, Director of Engineering and GIS for the Town of Blacksburg for their assistance in preparing the application.  The NRVBA would also like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their support of the application:  Eastcoasters (a Bikes Belong member), Hokie Spokes, Bike Barn, YMCA at VT, Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, Sustainable Blacksburg, Blacksburg Corridor Committee, New River Valley Planning District Commission.  (http://www.nrvbike.com/archives/265)

Beth Lohman
NRVBA President

Courtesty of Dan Casey (Roanoke Times)

A few weeks ago we launched a Temporary version of RoanokeOutside.com which includes a beta version of an outdoor-events calendar. The goal is for this calendar to be a clearinghouse for all outdoor events going on in the Roanoke and NRV Valleys (anyone can submit an event).  I was simply amazed at the amount of weekly bicycle rides that exist. The folks at the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Roanoke Cycling Organization, and East Coasters bike shop should be commended (if I left anyone off that list please let me know)!

The great thing about these organizations and weekly rides is that EVERYONE IS WELCOME! These people just want to see more people out there riding! We are blessed with amazing roads for riding and trails for mountain biking – Get Outside and RIDE!

Here are the weekly rides I know of (please let me know if any are missing or you see any discrepancies):

MONDAYS:

Mill Mountain Mondays (mtn. bike)
Time: 5:45pm
Location:  Starts from parking lot behind Roanoke Parks and Rec, Reserve Ave.
What = Ride Roanoke’s amazing “city” trails on and around Mill Mountain.
Terrain = Slightly technical, with fair amount of climbing.
Ride Length = 1-1.5 hours
Average Pace = Moderate Pace
Leader Email = kyleinman@bikeva.com

TUESDAYS:

Tuesday Night Beer Ride (road ride)
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Transportation Museum in downtown Roanoke
What = nice bike ride with nice friends capped of with a nice beer at a nice local bar
Terrain = Hilly – some steep or long climbs
Ride Length = 20 -25 miles
Average Pace = Brisk 14 – 16 mph
Leader Phone = 540-400-8475
Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

Lowlanders Ride (road ride)
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Transportation Museum Parking lot
The lowlanders ride compliments the big dog hill climbers on the Beer Ride. Leaves from the Transportation Museum Parking lot just like the Beer Ride. The route is approximately 17-20 miles and mostly flat.
Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

“Chicky” Ride (Mountain Bike Ride)
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Carvins Cove (Bennett Springs side)The ride is for GIRLS/WOMEN ONLY and is a social ride geared for intermediate to advanced mountain bikettes – let’s face it, even the “beginner” trails can be tough! The distance and time will be determined by who shows up.  We will probably stick to the beginner loop but we can do more if folks are comfortable. Paula Schimizzi of Team RoanokeOutside.com will be your ride leader.
Link: http://www.roanokecycling.org/rides/chickyride.asp

WEDNESDAYS:

Mill Mountain Momma Ladies Bike Ride
Time: 10:00am
Location: Wasena Park Parking Lot in Roanoke
Ride Type = Off Road, Greenway, or Hybrid Ride
Ride Length = 10 +/= miles
Description = Girl’s get your bikes out of storage! Refresh your riding skills and learn new safe cycling habits in a supportive, environment. Ride leaders can help with proper seat height, types of bikes, stopping and starting techniques and helmet safety. Meets every Wed. morning, if the weather is nice, for a slow paced ride on the Roanoke River Greenway.  Leader Phone = 540-343-1616; c: 540-580-1621.  Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

Women’s Only Mtn. Bike Ride (Pandapas Pond)
Time: 5:30PM
Location: Pandapas Pond Upper Parking Lot (Blacksburg)
Ride Type: Single Track, off road
Ride Length: depends on who shows
Contact: Blacksburg@eastcoasters or call 540-951-2369
http://eastcoasters.com/page.cfm?pageID=37

Classic Wednesday Night Road Cycling Ride
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Roanoke City Parks & Rec parking lot (210 Reserve). Variety of courses and lengths depending on who shows up.  Link: http://www.roanokecycling.org/rides/classicwednesdaynightride.asp

THURSDAYS:

The Kinder-Gentler East Coasters Ride
Time: 5:45pm
Location: East Coasters Bike Shop
Ride Type = Road Ride
Terrain = Gently Rolling
Ride Length = 25-30 miles
Average Pace = Brisk 16-18 mph
Description = For those who want to ride but not at a blistering pace.
Classic East Coasters ride… we’ll ride to Green Hill Park then tackle Wildwood Rd. before returning to the shop. There will be at least 2 regroups along the way.  View the route:  Questions – contact Dick Bradshaw at Rides@BRBCVA.org. Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

East Coasters Thursday Night Ride
Time: 6:oopm
Location: East Coasters Bike Shop
Ride Type = Road Ride
Terrain = Gently Rolling
Ride Length = 25-30 miles
Average Pace = Very Fast > 18 mph
Description = Meet at 5:45pm, depart at 6:00pm.
Classic East Coasters ride… we’ll ride to Green Hill Park then tackle Wildwood Rd. before returning to the shop.
New for 2008: Two regroups for those that can stay within two minutes of the lead group. First rider to Green Hill Park (and then again at Academy/Main St.) starts the timer! We’ll depart after waiting two minutes.
View the route:  Leader Phone = 540-774-7933:  Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

Mtn. Bike Ride All Levels (Pandapas Pond)
Time: 6:30PM
Location: Pandapas Pond Upper Parking Lot (Blacksburg)
Ride Type: Single Track, off road
Ride Length: depends on who shows
Contact: Blacksburg@eastcoasters or call 540-951-2369
http://eastcoasters.com/page.cfm?pageID=37

Explore Park Night Ride (mountain bike)
Time: 6:00pm (this ride does not begin until after fall day light savings time)
Location: Explore Park entrance
Explore Park hosts mountain bike night rides from November through February. Warren Schimizzi of Team RoanokeOutside.com is your ride leader. The ride is intended to be a friendly social intermediate ride (those with mountain bike experience, especially at night) for all who have lights to burn for night time fun! The distance and time out in the woods is determined by who shows up. Oh, and it’s free to get in! Being that this will be held at night, real bicycle lights are mandatory that will burn for at least 1.5-2 hours. Real lights are halogen or halide light systems with a rechargeable battery pack, basically, enough light so you can see where you’re going! Please fill out the appropriate RCO Release Waiver and bring it to the ride – this only has to be signed once for the calendar year or if you’re already a member! Link: http://www.roanokecycling.org/rides/exploreparknightride.asp

Get Dirty at the Cove Ride (Mountain Bike Ride)
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Bennett Springs Parking Lot entrance
Now that there is enough daylight, every Thursday night, Carvins Cove hosts mountain bike rides from May through the end of October. Warren Schimizzi of Team RoanokeOutside.com is your ride leader. The ride is intended to be a friendly social intermediate ride (those with mountain bike experience) for all who have a few hours to get dirty! Distance and time in the woods is determined by who shows up. – IMPORTANT – You must have a park pass to use Carvins Cove Natural Reserve. Please stop by Just the Right Gear or East Coasters.  Also, to speed up the start of the ride, please fill out the appropriate RCO Release Waiver and bring it to the ride – this only has to be signed once for the calendar year. Link: http://www.roanokecycling.org/rides/getdirty.asp

Night Rides At Pandapas (Mountain Bike)
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Upper Parking Lot at Pandapas Pond
Meet at the upper parking lot at Pandapas for a night ride every Thursday at 6:30. Lights required, but if you don’t have any, call us East Coasters at 540-951-2369 and we can hook you up with a set of loaners for the ride. Link to Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145313591175

SUNDAYS:

Coffee Pot Afternoon Ride
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Nations Bank across from MoJo’s on Brambleton
Coffee Pot Sunday AFTERNOON Ride
Ride Type = Road Ride
Terrain = Gently Rolling
Ride Length = 25 – 30 miles
Average Pace = Decided by the Group! Usually a Moderately Fast Ride.
Link: http://www.brbcva.org/RideCalendar.asp

CLICK HERE for a list of BIKE SHOPS & Other outdoor stores

Look I understand we need rain, we’ve been in a drought for years, and we really needed to catch up. Mountain Lake was no longer a lake, or a pond, or a bird bath, it was nothing.  With all the rain we’ve gotten it’s back up to 29 feet….since March…

We had 10 inches of rain, just last month breaking all time records…we are on target for the same this month….enough is enough!  It seems for like the past 3 months we’ve had one sunny day to 6 rainy days.  I’ve spoken with a local contractor about building a boat…I’ve already got two goats with me that want on.

This is not Seattle, this is the New River Valley….but I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference by looking outside!  Give me a rain break please!

Dish Network finally turned on HD for the Roanoke area local channels.  No more will I have to watch House, or Fringe, or American Idol with a cruddy SD signal.  Watching AI in HD and 5.1 last night made the whole watching experience 1000 times better than before.  Now I just need to clean up my DVR so there will be space to record all this HD goodness.  

For anyone in the NRV that has Dish you can find the locals in HD starting at channel 5200.  Not everything is broadcast in HD, so don’t be surprised if you still see some SD shows.

and it’s snowing…

Time to blame Canada…

The good news (great news really!)  Radford was given the 16th seed in the Southern bracket yesterday. 

The not so good news is that they have been matched against the 1st seed UNC Tarheels.  

The good news is that Radford has won the past 10 out of 11 games.  

The not so good news is that the Big South Conference is 2-17 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

If you would like to read a short preview of the Highlanders game which will be held on Thursday at 2:50 p.m. on CBS, click here.

Last Friday gas price: $1.77

Last Sunday gas price: $1.76

Last Monday gas price: $1.60

Today’s gas price: $1.71

If someone with a advanced math degree can please explain how supply and demand are at work here I would appreciate it.  I know that people were leaving for spring break this weekend and that’s why gas prices went up a bit, but I dont understand why the prices in the area dropped for a single day and then jumped back up.  

I am sure the pundits will say this hot weather we are having is driving up demand…they come up with an explanation for everything…

Unless Governor Kaine goes crazy, starting December 1st, 2009, all restaurants and bars in the State of Virginia will be smoke free.  The only exceptions to the rule are private clubs, and areas with a sealed door and seperate ventilation.  There has been some wording added to allow smoking in outdoor areas, but this exception worried me a whole lot less than the defeated amendment which would have allowed smoking in places that don’t allow minors.  Since most of the places around me are bars, this would have ruined the use of the bill for me.  Luckily the amendment was dropped.  I’ve been waiting for something like to get passed for years, and I am glad we have finally gotten to that point.  If you would like to read more, here is an article from the RT:

Click Me

Not many people will know what I am talking about, but for the first time ever next year female students will be living in Pritchard Hall on Virginia Tech’s campus.  In what was the largest male-only dorm outside of the Naval Acadamy, Pritchard Hall has been a male-only haven since the building opened in 1969.  Housing 1016 people, 400 of them will be females next year.  For anyone that lived there, it was know for its smell, and bathrooms that weren’t the most pleasant.  The school says they will need to perform some maintenance and renovations to get it girl-worthy.  

It should be noted that the good news for the guys at VT is that the reason that women will be moving into Pritchard is because the ratio of incoming students which are female continues to increase.  The ratio is quite close to 50/50, which can only be good news for the guys looking for “the one”.  If you would like to read more click the link below:

Click Me

If you need gas, go get it now…don’t wait!  For the first time since September, gas prices are on the rise.  Local stations are up 8-10 cents overnight…hmmm could it be that a bunch of students are on their way out…or could it be that one of the top busiest travel day is coming up?  Naaaaa…You don’t suppose the oil/gas companies are trying to make a few extra bucks at the expense of the drivers?  Naaaaa

Continuing our Gas Watch series of posts, I just wanted to let folks know that gas prices have reached a new milestone…it has broken the $1.50 barrier.  I really never thought I would have seen the day…especially seeing that gas was over 4 bucks just 4 months ago.  I guess that’s what happens during a recession.  

Now that I am using wordpress I hope to introduce a Gas Buddy type widget that will keep better track of the local gas prices and the locations. I could use Gas Buddy’s widget, but I wanted to try and come up with something on my own.  Hopefully I will have more soon.

Um estudo da organização Tranparência Brasil concluiu que o minuto trabalhado custa para o contribuinte R$ 11.545,00.

Veja mais sobre o custo da política no brasil.

Não escreveria e nem é minha intenção falar sobre isto aqui. Mas o que tenho visto me assusta.
E mais ainda quando vejo comentários culpando o presidente. Não defendo ele, mas qualquer um vê que todos ali estão no mesmo balaio. Se sobra algum não sei.

Cada senador não sai por menos de 33 milhões de reais, um deputado custa 6,6 milhões. Na assembléia legistaliva do DF cada um sai por 10 milhões e um vereador do Rio ou São Paulo sai por cerca de 5 milhões de reais.

Aqui em Belo Horizonte por exemplo cada habitante paga R$ 46,84 por cada um dos vereadores (Cãmara Municipal). Cada Brasileiro paga R$ 19,26 para manter a Câmara dos Deputados e R$ 15,02 para o Senado.
Usando Belo Horizonte então como exemplo, onde pagamos ainda mais R$ 36,26 para manter a Assembléia Legistativa, temos um total de R$ 117,37. Do seu bolso.

Clique para ampliar.

No site do Transparência Brasil você pode baixar um arquivo .pdf com os valores de custo das casas políticas em 2008:

http://www.transparencia.org.br/docs/custoCasas2008.pdf

ou pelo Rapidshare:

http://rapidshare.com/files/97380870/Custopolitico2008.pdf

Veja no vídeo a matéria da Globo sobre:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27jwMFb8lOY

E cada um que mora em Boa Vista (RR) está pagando um total de quase R$ 300,00 por isto.