NC Delegation

Its nothing like hearing a speech start with this question: “How many people are stuck in traffic on their way to ride a stationary bike in a health club?” That is how Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) began his speech to start the 2^nd day of the National Bike Summit here in DC. Its so very funny that people want to drive to go indoors to exercise when we have the ability to right in their own back yard. But I guess if more people wanted to do that, I wouldn’t be in DC right now!

Janette Sadik-Khan, the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, followed the congressman. She is one of the people responsible for the large-scale improvements in the bicycle infrastructure throughout the city. One of the points she made was that while it would be nice for the Federal government to aid us with inclusion of bike lanes etc…but we can’t wait for Washington. As advocates we can work to get things done locally WITHOUT federal funding. She also announced the creation of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide, something that they hope will become nationally recognized as the standard for bikeway design.

Our last morning speaker was the 2^nd member of the Obama cabinet that I have seen in the last two days. The Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was the final morning speaker…and he managed to give us all a laugh indirectly. Since the Secretary was late arriving Andy Clarke of the League and Mike Van Abel of IMBA had to do a little verbal song and dance to keep us all interested until he arrived. They went back and forth about various “important” topics…none of which I remember simply because we were laughing at their attempt to stall. Luckily though, Mr. Salazar finally arrived to save us all and he gave a delightful little speech as well.

Secretary Salazar

For the next 5+ hours I spent time in various breakout sessions learning as much as I could about various topics. I spent some time in a session that was talking about getting more youth active and engaged in the cycling community. I also took the time to listen to experts help describe to delegates what things they can do to make their pitch sound better and work better. Fun fact, did you know that DC is mostly run by 20 somethings and not the politicians? I bet they survive on red bull instead of coffee these days!

After our breakout sessions we finally got to meet up with the rest of our state delegations. It was great to see some of the same faces from last year like Steven Hardy-Braz from EC Velo and the folks from Liberty Bikes in Asheville. Also, we had new faces from across the state, bringing our grand total to around 20 people. Not bad at all.

A View of the NC Delegation at the National Bike Summit!

At the end of the day after a meet and great with other IMBA delegates I got to have a bite with the rest of the mountain bike nuts at a wonderfully crowded pub down the street. During this time I got to spend some time talking to various people, including David Weins. “David who?”, you might say. Oh he is nobody, just won the Leadville 100 a few times and beat that Lance Armstrong guy at it once.

Tom Sauret, the Southeastern regional director of SORBA made a funny statement about that chat with Dave. It went something like, “First Gary Fisher last year and now Dave Weins, you’re collecting them huh?”

Maybe I am Tom, maybe I am…

Long day tomorrow friends, wish me luck with Mike McIntyre and his staff.

Mountain Bike or Die

Austin Fenwick

Vice President: Cape Fear SORBA

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog from Washington DC during the 2011 National Bike Summit! Today was an active day of both traveling and listening to quite a wonderful array of presentations. So lets start from the beginning!

I started my day in DC with a pre-summit workshop on the IMBA Public Lands Initiative. To give a little background, this workshop has its origins in a battle that IMBA has been fighting to conserve mountain biking in areas that the Federal government has been trying to give the “Wilderness” designation. As it says on the IMBA website, “The Public Lands Initiative targets critical campaigns where public lands policies, legislation and management practices could close important trails to bicycles.”

AKA: Lets keep trails open to Mountain bikes!

Moving on, the workshop also had appearances from the members of the Trail Care Crew as well as all of the IMBA regional directors from across the country. After that I stopped by the IMBA booth to pick up my registration package and hear giggles abound…Favorite quote of the day comes from IMBA Regional Director Hansi Johnson during this time of the day, “The Mountain Bikers are only a small bit of the people here…but we are the ones everyone wants to hang out with!”

The first timers orientation was standing room only, another very good sign for the summit this year.

At this point it was time for dinner and I really got an idea how many people had made the trip to DC this year.

During dinner delegates heard speeches from the President of the League of American Bicyclists Andy Clarke, President of Bikes Belong Tim Blumenthal and the highlight was Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Secreatary LaHood was very proud to be speaking to the delegates again this year, going as far as saying that the Department of Transportation was with us and believed in what we were doing.

In review it was a fun and very tiring day that I wouldn’t have had any other way. Its certainly rewarding to be in a room full of bicycle nuts of all ages and disciplines. Its also very cool to see Dave Wiens and Gary Fisher wandering around…you can’t beat that!

Tomorrow will be a long day of breakout sessions and team planning with the other NC Delegates including the President of EC Velo Steven Hardy-Braz who i caught during dinner grinning away…

I’ll be filling everyone at the end of the day tomorrow as well since I don’t have WiFi access at the summit location. Until then everyone, have fun and be safe out there.

Mountain Bike Or Die

Austin Fenwick

VP Cape Fear SORBA

In preparation for my trip to the National Bike summit I have decided to do a fun little exercise for members of CFSORBA. One of the most important things that you can do when visiting and chatting with our representatives and their staff is make a personal connection with them. You have to find something that you can do that will both memorable and personal. I have to show them that I am not alone up there in DC spouting about Bicycles. I have to show them that I represent a wide range of people. Mountain bikers and road bikers from all walks of life. Those who cycle to work, cycle for fun, use cycling as their livelihood all matter here. So here is what I ask.

I would like as many people as possible to write one page letter about why cycling is important to you. Tell a story about why cycling is a part of your life. Say why having improved cycling infrastructure is important to you, and your family and friends. Tell me (and everyone in DC) why you love cycling and want it to be a part of your life. Make it personal. If your child rides bikes, ask your child to write a short letter saying why they love bikes! I want a binder full of these letters to present to our representatives in DC. Take 10 minutes and tell me why you care about cycling.  It could mean a great deal to everyone.

Please send all letters to me at thecreeper35@gmail.com, and please remember to put your name on them.

If you wish to mail them to me please make sure that you get them in the mail quickly! My mailing address is:

Austin Fenwick
206 Frederica Court
Wilmington, NC 28412

In addition! I will be blogging nightly at www.capefearsorba.com during my trip to DC so if you wish to find out how things are going you should check it out every evening. I will attempt to post throughout the day but if i cannot i will certainly make postings in the evening following the days events.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.

Austin Fenwick
Vice President
Cape Fear SORBA
828-243-7867
thecreeper35@gmail.com