Join the board Tuesday night (Feb 17) at 6pm at Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street. There is much to be discussed, including Savannah’s Bicycle Friendly Community application, a presentation on proposed bikeways on Wilmington Island, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.  Click here for the full agenda.

Reminder:  the Savannah/Chatham County MPC’s Destination: Savannah Forward survey review and discussion with the Fred Kent of the Project for Public Spaces is tonight, Feb 5 at the Coastal Georgia Center — reception at 6pm, forum at 7pm.  Check the tagline — it’s right up our lane.

As the population of Chatham County continues to grow, we need to plan appropriately for that expansion. Thoughtful consideration and planning in development of thoroughfares will make a difference to the livability of this community for many generations. 

February 5th – Community-based presentation of survey results and response by Fred Kent on ways to move Savannah Forward at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm St.

Visit pps.org to find out more about Fred Kent and the Project for Public Spaces.

Great news to report — someone was listening when we made a call for materials to fix the bridges out at Tom Triplett Park.  Because of the efforts of Chatham County Commissioner Pat Farrell, County Manager Russ Abolt, and Assistant County Manager Pat Monahan, all of the lumber for replacing the crumbling Triplett bridges is being supplied by the county from some that was donated for their use.  The county has also offered to cut it to size and deliver it to the park.

So, Andy Woods, Mark Prince and Lee Kreutz who led the charge to rebuild the first bridge (above) want your help to rebuild the rest:

Have you crashed your Mountain bike lately? In need of some Good Trail Karma? Well, ya know, nothing will build good Trail Karma like a good maintenance day.

Tom Triplett Workday
Sat, Feb 7.  8a until the work is done

With the help of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, the Pooler Parks and Recreation Association, and Chatham County, we have been successful in securing all building materials needed to repair/replace all of the bridges at the Triplett Trails. Now it is up to us to complete the work. We are asking for volunteers to help with the construction.

Can’t drive a nail? Don’t worry! Can’t read a level, not a problem! Never even heard of a plumb-bob? We still need ya!!!! With this type of work, one of the largest obstacles is the logistics of getting the material to the build site. So if you can tote, lug, cart, carry, drag, slide, move, or transport material in any way, shape or form, WE NEED YOU.

The goal for this workday is to build/replace the first three bridges once you enter the trail from the park service road (past Andy’s Golden Great Bridge).  Park in the main parking lot by the bathrooms for easy access.

Just can’t be there by 8am?  No sweat!  Just call Lee @ 507-1744 and he’ll let you know if we are still a workin’.  So come on out even if it’s after lunch.

I am also asking that anyone who can participate please RSVP to me @ h2ojunke <at> hotmail <dot> com or call 912-224-5805 so we can get a headcount and ensure we have enough volunteers.

Until then, I will see you at the Trailhead,

Mark Prince

Join the board tomorrow night (Tue, Jan 20) at 6pm at Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street.  Our main topic will be Wednesday’s BFC Workshop sponsored by the City of Savannah!

See you there!  Click here for the agenda.

Update, and reminder:  Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League of American Bicyclists, will be in Savannah to facilitate a Bicycle Friendly Community Workshop Wednesday, January 21 from 9am-1pm.  Location is confirmed for the Coastal Georgia Center.  Come by bike or bring one along, as there will likely be an on-bike component to the day’s events.

The LAB administers the Bicycle Friendly Communities Program, and the City of Savannah has completed the first of its two-part application.  The four hour workshop will review facilities and programs in Savannah for their bicycle friendliness, and include a review of the Bikability Checklist.

Whether or not we as a community rise to the national definition of Bicycle Friendly Community (in Georgia, only Roswell has achieved this status), we are sure to learn about how to get better and closer to that goal.

We as bicyclists often face adverse conditions — this workshop represents a chance to look at those and discuss how we can make things better locally.  Please consider joining us and Savannah city officials on Wednesday, January 21.

Heads up, two wheelers!  Bruce & Wain’s 6th annual Elfin Yuletide ride will be this Sunday, December 21st.   Here’s an article about last year’s ride from the SMN.

After the ride, participants will enjoy food, drink, and the company of good friends in Orleans Square.  Sandwiches, soft drinks, and “other” beverages will be provided by the generous ride sponsors and their elves.   Please bring an appetizer, dessert, or side dish.

The Bicycle Link of Savannah, Quality Bike, and the Bicycle Link of Hilton Head will generously provide some cycling goodies.  Costumes are welcome and a prize will be given for best costume.

Organizers will also be collecting food for Second Harvest – please bring canned goods or nonperishable items (cereal etc.). Canned meats and baby formula are among the items needed.  Last year, they collected over 140 lbs of food for those in need.

Where:  Orleans Square
When: 10:00 AM
Distance: approximately 30 miles at moderate pace (around 17mph)
What to bring: appetizer, side, or dessert and canned goods for Second Harvest

The Board of Directors meet again next Tuesday, Dec 16 at 6pm at Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street, open as always to all.  This time we will be finalizing the 2009 schedule including our bike ed classes, Dump the Pump convoys, Savannah Wheelie and the soon-to-be-infamous Night Ride.

Also, be sure you take advantage of Moon River’s indoor bike parking offer and the draft and food specials during Bike to Beer (4-7pm).  We hope to see you there.

End the Wheelie year in style! Get in the holiday spirit with the Savannah Bicycle Campaign at the River Street Holiday Lighted Parade. All are welcome to join our free festive flotilla, provided you have a headlight, taillight, helmet and a great attitude about riding on cobblestones. (We have a limited number of free lights to give away if you need one.) Decorate your bike and wear a costume and you could in a beautiful new cruiser from Quality Bike Shop!*

Meet at the west end of River Street at around 5pm. We will follow the parade to Broughton Street and on to Blowin’ Smoke (514 MLK Jr. Blvd.) for a post parade party. Winners of the costume contest will be announced at the party, though judging will happen before, so don’t be late! You are welcome to park at Blowin’ Smoke before the parade, and we will provide directions to the starting point.

* To protect children in attendance, no Santas or Mrs. Clauses are allowed in the costume contest, so be creative. As far as we know there is no prohibition on sugar plum fairies, tin soldiers, or abominable snowmen. Santa hats are allowed (we checked); just be sure they fit over your helmet.

Many thanks as always to our wonderful sponsors, Georgia Bike Law/Attorney Joe Steffen, Big H little h design and illustration, Quality Bikes, and Blowin’ Smoke!

Next installment of Bike to Beer and the next meeting of the SBC board of directors is Tuesday, November 18. We’re discussing next year’s schedule for Wheelie, an awesome June 2009 event, Bike Ed, Safe Routes to School and Savannah’s BFC application.

Beer specials and indoor bike parking from 4-7pm. Board meeting at 6.   Agenda is here.

Join your Savannah Bicycle Campaign on Sunday, November 16 at 2-4pm, along with park rangers who will lead a guided bicycle tour of the McQueen’s Rail Trail and Fort Pulaski, including the fort and the surrounding dikes — the McQueen’s Trail and dikes are bumpy, so fat tires are recommended. We’ll start and finish at the Fort Pulaski picnic pavilions. Fort Pulaski as a ride sponsor has generously offered free entrance to Wheelie participants. This is a unique opportunity to experience the history of the fort from a a different perspective. As always, kids are welcome — the whole ride should be around 10 miles, though there are opportunities to make it shorter (2 or 6 mile options). We’ll wrap up with a cookout in Fort Pulaski‘s picnic area — burgers and dogs will be provided, but bring a dish to share and BYOB!

Thanks as always to our sponsors Georgia Bike Law and Big H little h design and illustration.