My reaction to Neistat’s demonstration was, “What the hell?” followed by, “Oh my Gosh!” and finally: laughter; lots of laughter. This video is hilarious, but it demonstrates a very real problem. Bike lanes are necessary, but too many people use them for standing, parking, displaying, setting up construction tools, and other odd things. As Neistat demonstrated, even a New York City policeman parked his car in the bike lane; and yet, cyclists, according to the cop who ticketed Neistat, must always ride in the bicycle lane.

I took the first person out and taught her a few things on the trail. She was pretty amazing. She tried everything that we told her and she seemed to have a great experience. I think she felt like she was going to die after a while, but I felt the same because it was pretty hot. I needed water.

After we broke down the bike tents, I walked around a bit and took some pictures of the sunset, the water, and dragonflies. I didn’t get any good pictures of the dragonflies, although one showed up in the following picture.

I was going to stick around for the 8:00 fire-building and s’more-making, but I chose to leave because I had a headache from the heat. Fire and sugar were not the answer.

Sec. 504. (7) The department shall issue orders necessary to implement rules promulgated under this section. These orders shall be effective upon posting. HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT ISSUE OR ENFORCE AN ORDER UNDER THIS SECTION THAT RESTRICTS THE USE OF PACK AND SADDLE ANIMALS ON PACK AND SADDLE TRAILWAYS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 72101.

Sec. 504. (8)(h) “Pack and saddle trailways” means Trailways TRAILS and equine access locations that may be CURRENTLY ARE OR AT ANY TIME PREVIOUSLY WERE used by pack and saddle animals.

(i) “Rail-trail” means a former railroad bed that is in public ownership and used as a trailway AT ANY TIME.

Sec. 72102. (B) IN PROVIDING AND DEVELOPING FACILITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION UNDER SECTIONS 503 AND 70301, THE USE OF TRAILS, TRAILWAYS, AND PACK AND SADDLE TRAILWAYS BY PACK AND SADDLE ANIMALS AND OTHER NONMOTORIZED USERS IS AN ALLOWED RECREATIONAL USE AND IS PERMITTED UNDER CHAPTER 21 OF PART 522 OF THE SERVICES MANUAL OF THE FEDERAL FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.

Sec. 72114. (2) After the plan for a statewide trail network is established under subsection (1), if the department is informed that additional trails should be added to the plan or that uses on particular trail segments should be modified, the department may modify the plan to include additional trails or to modify the uses on particular trails. However, any modifications shall be in conformance with section 72115. and determinations made under section 72115.

Sec. 72115 is particularly important because it is the section that protects the mountain bike trails that are built and maintained by mountain bikers. Of particular interest are the following parts of Sec. 72115 that have been struck out:

(a) Access on land of the state forest system is allowed unless restricted by statute, deed restriction, land use order, or other legal mechanism, in effect on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section.

(b) Access on land of the state park system or state game area system is prohibited unless authorized by land use order or other legal mechanism in effect on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section.

(c) Access on other land managed by the department is allowed according to the specific authorization or restriction applicable to the land.

(2) Access by pack and saddle animals may only be restricted on lands described in subsection (1) after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section if conditions are not suitable for pack and saddle animals because of public safety concerns, necessary maintenance, or for reasons related to the mission of the department. Restrictions related to the mission of the department shall be supported, to the greatest extent practicable, by a written science-based rationale that is supported with documentation that is made available to the public. Prior to determining that access by pack and saddle animals be restricted, the department shall make every effort to resolve any public safety or maintenance concerns.

Sec. 72115. (2) (4) A person shall not use pack and saddle animals on state-owned land except on pack and saddle trailways. that are open for access by pack and saddle animals.

Fortunately, this bill was only introduced on May 26, 2011 to the Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee.

I met the riders, once again, as they approached the Michigan State Capitol from Michigan Avenue while I waited in the dry refuge of the Capitol steps. The riders gathered to talk about the importance of the Ride of Silence and to remember those who were hurt or injured in automobile-bicycle accidents. They then made their way back to MSU. Afterward, some of us met at the Peanut Barrel for food, beverage, and lively conversation, although not necessarily in that order. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow cyclists.

The following are some photos that I took, last night. They may seem drab and dreary, but that is because it was raining the whole time. Even so, they tell an interesting story.

Unfortunately, there were some smartasses along the way. One guy on the side of the street commented, “Same Roads, same rules, same rights. Then why are they riding through the stop signs without stopping?” Apparently, this man is an inexperienced driver who never met with a funeral procession at an intersection, or a parade, or anything else that might have a police escort. The fact is, when you have a group of people as large as we did, it’s best to have a police escort that can keep things smoothly moving along.

I plan to attend tonight’s Ride of Silence in East Lansing. I still need to check on a few things to make sure it can happen, but I do have the intention. Maybe the clouds will part like the Red Sea and we cyclists will have a beautiful evening. One can dream during a Michigan spring!

Bike-to-Work Week is May 16—20, with Bike-to-Work Day occurring on Friday, May 20. Some communities hold special events and randomly award bicycle commuters on these days. This is the perfect time to try bicycle commuting if you haven’t, already.

The Ride of Silence will be held at a location near you on May 18 at 7:00 p.m. This is a memorial event for cyclists who were killed in bicycle-automobile accidents. It also serves as a reminder that cyclists and drivers need to be safety-conscious.

The Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day will be held at the Michigan State Capitol on May 25. This is an excellent opportunity for cyclists to speak with their state legislators about important issues concerning bicycle laws.

The first annual Great Lakes Mountain Bike Summit will be in the rugged country of Copper Harbor the weekend of May 27. The event is hosted by the International Mountain Bicycling Association in coordination with the Keweenaw Trails Alliance and Copper Harbor Trails Club.

Nate Phelps and Jason Dew (I believe that’s Jason Dew) showing us how it’s done with the Ditch Witch. I know that’s Nate because he turned to look at the camera as I snapped the photo.

Jason Wells (orange shirt) of Trail Solutions working with volunteers to build the pump track.

Marty Shue, Nick Shue, Jon Rose (I think), and Martin Hall.

Bob is a sensitive man who freely expresses his feelings.

Nick sporting his “old man” look.

This is what Nick looks like when he’s randy for Hopslam.

IMBA’s Executive Director Mike Van Abel was the keynote speaker for this year’s expo. I was mildly intoxicated, the night before, when I whipped out the iPhone and starting showing him pictures from the 2010 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit (see Velocity!). He approved. That was before I realized that he was IMBA’s Executive Director.

Whitey wanted me to document the fact that his MMBA sticker is proudly displayed on his mountain bike. Thanks, Whitey!

Whitey thinks people who wear helmets are hot. I *think* he’s talking about bike helmets.

The Metro South Chapter added a little fun with a game of spin-the-wheel.

Ah, Metro South. They competed with MBRA for the most lively expo vendor. They are definitely a breed of their own.

I tried to steal the Holdridge Lakes trail map (see MMBA Annual Meeting and Expo – A Photo Essay to see the map), but the Holly/Flint people tackled me as I tried to run with it. There was a little blood, but I’ll be okay.

I had to point the camera towards the window during Sunday’s meet and greet at Harper’s in East Lansing. I don’t know why. I just felt compelled to do so.

This ad has been causing a cycling mini-outrage in the cyber world, today. Someone had always intended to post it when the Internet finally provided him with the right cyber tools, and today, he found the ad and did just that.

I first saw it on Facebook when it gained attention through the League of Michigan Bicyclists Facebook page. I knew there would be hell to pay. I thought about posting it on the MMBA forum, but chose not to, knowing full well that someone else was going to do it. They did. Not only did several people comment in that passionate forum, but some even called the dealership to chew them out.

So what’s the truth behind this ad? Well, it is about five or six years old, and word on the street is that the dealership published this ad with the safety of cyclists in mind.

Okay.

Do you want a job? Come on, you know you do.

A pretty good chunk of you reading this blog are MMBA members. Yeah, I’m on to you. Some of you even need something to do, and are begging for volunteer opportunities. Well isn’t this your lucky day? I have something for you to do!

Bent Rim Bugle

I am currently looking for people for the following:

• Writers to create or help with articles when needed––this is really not a demanding position, but I don’t have time to do it with all of my other writing projects;
• Editors to catch errors and smooth out articles;
• Graphic artists who can put the BRB together in PDF format––our last graphic artist used Adobe Illustrator; no, as far as I know, we (the MMBA) cannot supply the software;
• Facilitator to coordinate the efforts of the above people and to put out calls for articles and other promotional information from chapter representatives.

Volunteers must be able to commit. My goal is to create a team of many people to lessen the burden. To get this done right, it is a process of several weeks, so it feels like you’ve just published a BRB when you start getting ready for the next one, which is why I want to assemble a team. Ideally, people would work on every other issue.

After I get a list of volunteers, we’ll discuss how to go about getting this publication going, again.

Interested? Send an email to me at communications@mmba.org and I’ll add you to my special Excel spreadsheet.

• Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner: Eastgate Park Pump Track Grand Opening was a great success
• MMBA Midstate: Eastgate Park Pump Track Grand Opening a Success!
• The State News: Bicycle pump track unites community