Sponsored by Ride Solutions, the Roanoke Valley Regional Commission and the New River Valley Planning District Commission, the Roanoke Bike Summit will be held Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 27-28, at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. The purpose is to help area municipalities, universities and businesses work toward achieving a Bicycle Friendly award from the League of American Bicyclists. Target audience is officials and staff from these entities, and key citizen volunteers. But all are welcome, and the Summit is free of charge.

Three sessions will be offered:

• Bicycle Friendly University, Monday, Feb. 27, 9:00am-noon
• Bicycle Friendly Business, Monday, Feb. 27, !:30-3:30pm
• Bicycle Friendly Community, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 9:00am-noon

Again — all are welcome, but advance registration is requested. Register online.

Download the official announcement (PDF).

Also check out Bike Roanoke.

Race Across America rider - from the movie "Bicycle Dreams"

Bicycle Dreams, an award-winning movie about the Race Across America, is coming to Harrisonburg on Wednesday, January 25

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Harrisonburg at the Court Square Theater on Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. as part of the film’s ongoing nationwide winter tour. The screening is presented as a benefit for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.

The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.”

“Bicycle Dreams is a spectacular and heartfelt film that offers a riveting portrait of extreme courage in the face of inhuman obstacles,” writes TheLoveOfMovies.com. “It is an artistic triumph that renewed my belief in the power of desire and the strength of the human will.”

“We are very excited to be able to bring Bicycle Dreams to so many locations along the route that have never had access to the film before,” says Auerbach. “Viewers will be overwhelmed by the amount of pain and suffering these riders go through.”

To capture the mammoth scope of the race, Auerbach worked around the clock with a complement of 18 cameras. Embedded camera operators traveled inside the racers’ support crew vehicles, gaining unprecedented access to the cyclists and their teams. Their footage captured emotional and physical breakdowns, late-night strategy sessions, and great moments of personal triumph, all in intimate detail. Auerbach then took on the enormous task of editing hundreds of hours of material and forming it into a powerful and inspiring look inside the most difficult race on the planet.

Bicycle Dreams has won major awards at the Fallbrook and Breckenridge film festivals, as well as the Yosemite, Grand Rapids, Red Rock and All Sports LA film festivals, among many others.

Most recently the film added the Best Foreign Film trophy from the Krasnogorski International Festival of Sports Films in Moscow and was also invited to be included in the 2011 World Cinema Showcase in New Zealand as well as the Mountain Film Festival in Istanbul, Turkey. And before that it made its Australian debut at the Big Pond Film Festival in Adelaide.

Critical acclaim for the film continues to pour in from all sources.

“An astonishing documentary,” declares Pez Cycling. “This film is a ride of many stark contrasts; when it ended I felt both shattered and triumphant. I realized I was experiencing its genius. A central theme of Bicycle Dreams is the profoundly inspiring strength of the human in facing monumental challenge and tragedy. Bicycle Dreams is a race of truth.”

“This film isn’t for those who want to shy away from the tragic side of the human experience, unwilling to risk the cracking of their shell of denial, not willing to risk their coping mechanism,” writes Cycling-Review.com. “Bicycle Dreams captures the human condition like few other films. Bicycle Dreams moves us to break through the barrier of the fear of death. I have seldom found a film that captures this ‘life drama’ as powerfully as does Bicycle Dreams.”
Adds Podium Café, “Bicycle Dreams is the ultimate inner journey. If you thought the life of a cyclist was an internal struggle, wait until you see what Auerbach unearths in this film. Bicycle Dreams is an unprecedented exploration of the subject of the suffering on the bike.”

About.com writes, “As we fall deeper and deeper into Bicycle Dreams, what we witness grows more terrifying, yet more compelling. Auerbach’s masterful direction exposes the raw lessons that drive people to push beyond the limits of human endurance. Revealing what lies at the heart of every impossible human endeavor is what Bicycle Dreams is all about.”

And finally, Bicycle Touring Pro comments, “If you’ve ever dreamed of challenging yourself to a place far beyond what you previously thought was possible, Bicycle Dreams is a film you must see. It’s beautiful, thought provoking, exciting, emotional and scary. The experience of watching this film will leave you with a new perspective on life that will remain with you for a very long time to come.”

Bicycle Dreams also has been named one of the top 10 adventure films of all time by both The Matador Network and Playground Magazine, calling it the best bicycle film since “Breaking Away.”

Tickets will be $9 in advance and $13 at the door the night of the show. To purchase advance tickets, order online at www.courtsquaretheater.com/bicycle-dreams.

The Court Square Theater is located at 61 Graham St. in Harrisonburg.

For more information on the film, go to www.svbcolation.org or www.bicycledreamsmovie.com, or visit us on Facebook.

Media contact: Garry Harrington 603-209-5010, harrington3165@hotmail.com

Roanoke’s Cityworks XPO, “a festival conference” of “big ideas for small cities,” takes place this week, Thursday through Saturday, October 27-29.

One of those big ideas is bicycling. To help further that cause, Mia Birk will present her “Joyride” talk. Southwest Virginia cyclists, and especially planners, should not miss this. The rest of the program looks great too.

As the Bicycle Program Manager for Portland, Oregon, Ms. Birk led that city’s transformation to becoming America’s most bicycle friendly city. Now a principal of Alta Planning, she and her firm help other cities attain what Portland has achieved.

If you can’t see Ms. Birk in Roanoke, you might catch her Thursday, October 27 in Charlottesville.

At the very least, read her book, and watch her video from TEDx Portland:

Join VBF for a weekend of training, strategizing, riding, and fellowship Nov. 11 -13 at Sophia House, near Louisa, VA.

Stay the whole weekend, or just for the main program on Saturday.

Come Friday evening to meet everyone, and have open discussion over drinks and snacks.

The all day Saturday session will include discussions of the Virginia State Bike Plan, state bike routes, the East Coast Greenway, US Bicycle Routes, plans for the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly, national policy issues, and the World Cycling Championships in Richmond. We’ll end the day Saturday with a ride on the quiet back roads of beautiful Louisa County.

Stay through Sunday afternoon for VBF’s board meeting, and of course, more riding.

These weekends are subsidized by VBF, so cost is reasonable —  with lodging and food included.  If you’re not a member already, you can join on the spot.

Registration for the Saturday session is $10 and includes lunch. The entire weekend is $70. To register for the event, click here.

Mia Birk, the former Bicycle Program Manager and driving force behind Portland’s efforts to become one of the most bike friendly cities in the United States, will be presenting the story in Charlottesville, October 27.

Ms. Birk is now a principal with Alta Planning, and the author of “Joyride: Pedaling toward a Healthier Planet.”

Learn the inspiring story of Portland’s transformation including the programs, plans, and policies, while sharing experiences and strategies that have led to their balanced and sustainable transportation system.

Mia will demonstrate the dramatically positive impact this change can have on a neighborhood, a city and the way people in it live.

October 27, 7 – 9 p.m.

Albemarle County Office Building – Lane Auditorium,

401 McIntire Road

Charlottesville, VA

VBF has been awarded a Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Grant - the purpose of the grant is to provide bicycling traffic skills education on college and university campuses in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Virginia Beach / Norfolk region. On October 24th VBF partners with Virginia Commonwealth University for the first of these courses. College and University campuses are prime targets for cyclist education, thousands of students, leave home to live on or near campus with a bike to get to and from classes and other locations. The problem, many of these new college students haven’t ridden a bike in urban areas, are fearful of traffic, and as a result ride unpredictably in their efforts to “staying out of the way.” VBF will conduct courses will be based on the classroom portion of the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Safety courses. The University of Georgia has recently conducted similar classes - BikeAthens. To register for the VCU course go to www.vabike.camp8.org/events

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Don’t miss Roanoke’s first annual Tweed Run, Saturday Nov. 5. Registration begins at 10:30am at CUPS coffee in Grandin Village. The 3.5 mile ride starts at 11:30, followed by awards and merrymaking at Flanary’s Pub downtown.

Update: congratulations to new board members Tom Bowden, Michael Gilbert, Beth Lohman, and Joe Morgan. Many thanks and best wishes to departing board members Barbara Duerk, Gary Duerk, and Bill Hart. The new board will elect officers for 2012 at our Fall Retreat, Nov. 11-13. Join us then — help strategize for the upcoming legislative session.

As promised, the Virginia Bicycling Federation will hold our annual meeting during the Heart of Virginia Bike Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17, 4pm, at the YMCA in Ashland. Come ride the Heart of Virginia, then join us to help elect our 2012 board and officers.

Currently we have 11 board members, drawn from all aspects of bicycling. Three or four will probably be leaving, and we have four candidates to replace them:

• Michael Gilbert (Richmond and northern VA)
• Joe Morgan (Norfolk)
• Beth Lohman (Blacksburg)
• Tom Bowden (Richmond)

(If you think you should be on this list and you’re not, contact Bruce or Champe immediately.) Any member may cast a vote, or run for a board position.

We’ll also discuss our strategy for the 2012 legislative session, and plan our upcoming fall retreat (Nov. 12-13 at Sophia House).

RSVP to Champe if you want to, or just show up. You can even join on the spot. Bring us your issues, and your ideas. All are welcome!

Update: please attend the public input meeting Thursday, Sept. 1, 3-8pm at the Explore Park Visitors Center Auditorium, Milepost 115 on the Parkway. Also see the discussion at mtbr.com, which includes some analysis.

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s management has inflamed some of its biggest fans and supporters, and users throughout the Roanoke region, with a trail plan that threatens to close many of the feeder trails that provide access to Parkway property.

Mountain bikers will be especially affected, but road bikers will be affected too. Dan Casey’s editorial in the Roanoke Times explains much of the how and why.

Roanoke’s planning director called the plan “totally contrary to an outdoor destination” — which is what city leaders have been hoping the city could be.

Roanoke Outside has done a great job explaining the issues, and how you can respond. Your comments are needed now.

From Jessica Barton, at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation:

Understand the short notice, but if possible to get the word out, please see below information on a Bay Watershed Ride that 2 Chesapeake Bay Foundation riders are in the midst of right now, and pass it along if possible.

Thanks for your time,

Jess

Join the riders this Monday morning in Charlottesville, and Tuesday morning in Richmond.

Ride around the Watershed: Join us in Charlottesville!

Two staffers from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, John and Beth, are past the midpoint of a 1,200-mile bike ride through the bay watershed. John Rodenhausen and Beth McGee are heading through Charlottesville on Monday August, 15th and they want you to join them for the start of their day!

The Ride: The two Watershed riders started Aug. 1 in Marietta, Pa., and saw some of New York before heading south into Maryland. They plan to visit West Virginia, Virginia and Delaware before arriving home Aug. 19 in Annapolis.

The Cause: Rodenhausen says they hope to raise $20,000 during the ride. Half the money would go to the foundation, with the rest split between the pediatric oncology department at Johns Hopkins University and the American Diabetes Association.

Join them! You too can be a part of the Ride around the Watershed this Monday. Cyclists can meet John and Beth at 9:00am at Bluegrass Grill and Bakery in Charlottesville. Bring your bike and helmet and help send the Watershed riders for their journey to Richmond. Cyclists will join the two bay riders for an out-and-back distance of their choice.

Follow their ride, see their adventures around the Watershed, and learn more about the cause on their blog at: http://chesapeakewatershedrideblog.tumblr.com/

When: Monday, August 15th 9:00am

Where: Bluegrass Grill and Bakery, 313 2nd Streett, Charlottesville, VA 22902

What: Meet-n-greet the Bay Watershed riders, grab a coffee, and help send them off on their ride!

Questions? Please contact Jess Barton at Jnbarton@gmail.com or 804-780-1392 (cell: 843-813-8095)

Ride around the Watershed: Join us in Richmond!

Two staffers from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, John and Beth, are past the midpoint of a 1,200-mile bike ride through the bay watershed. John Rodenhausen and Beth McGee are heading through Richmond on Tuesday, August 16th and they want you to join them for the start of their day!

The Ride: The two Watershed riders started Aug. 1 in Marietta, Pa., and saw some of New York before heading south into Maryland. They plan to visit West Virginia, Virginia and Delaware before arriving home Aug. 19 in Annapolis.

The Cause: The riders hope to raise $20,000 during the ride. Half the money would go to the foundation, with the rest split between the pediatric oncology department at Johns Hopkins University and the American Diabetes Association.

Join them! You too can be a part of the Ride around the Watershed this Monday. Cyclists can meet John and Beth at 8:00am at Lamplighter Café in Richmond. Bring your bike and helmet and help send the Watershed riders for their journey to Richmond. Cyclists will join the two bay riders for an out-and-back distance of their choice.

Follow their ride, see their adventures around the Watershed, and learn more about the cause on their blog at: http://chesapeakewatershedrideblog.tumblr.com/

When: Tuesday, August 16th 8:00am

Where: Lamplighter Café, 116 S. Addison Street, Richmond, VA 23220 (one block off Cary Street)

What: Meet-n-greet the Bay Watershed riders, grab a coffee, and help send them off!

Questions? Please contact Jess Barton at Jnbarton@gmail.com or 804-780-1392 (cell: 843-813-8095)