Rides, News and Other Links from Around San Diego
Posted By Sam Ollinger on September 26, 2011
- New bike racks appear all over downtown Escondido. The racks were built and installed through a $14,000 grant from SANDAG. According to Community Development Director, Barbara Redlitz, the city installed “more racks than originally anticipated because we were able to get a good price for them, and saved money by using city crews for installation.” The designs of the racks are more aesthetically pleasing and have been installed in visible and convenient locations to prevent theft and vandalism.
- San Diego Police Department launches a bike patrol team in Hillcrest. We’re waiting to hear back from the SDPD on a projection of how much money the department expects to save by reducing the wear and tear on their patrol cars.
- One of the local weekly newspapers, San Diego CityBeat, does a very good review of local bike businesses in the region. The coverage includes the local Steel Pine Bike Stand, Hjeltness Panniers, JB Bicycle Refinishing among others.
- Local cycling and hiking guide author, Jerry Schad, passes away from cancer.
- Last weekend’s Moving Planet rally drew many bicycle and environmental activists. The rally’s participants “signed cards pledging to decrease their driving, consumption of meat and water usage. Most participants truly began the rally as they transported themselves to Balboa Park via alternative transportation including: walking, train, trolley, and biking.”
- Local cycling legend, Gordy Shields, set a new record last weekend in the 20K time trial in the California Masters Games competition.
Last Sunday I started 57 riders on FIesta Island in the Cyclo-Vets Super Masters Individual Time Trial State Championships. Gordy Shields was first off at 7:00:30 wearing #1. At 93 he is still sharp as a tack!
Years ago friends and I named a megalith on the cross country hike up to The Thimble (5,779′). “Jerry Schad Rock” was the background of a photo of Jerry. I’ll be thinking of him next time I make the climb. I will miss having him lead coteries of college students through my camp at midnight during meteor showers. We shared some favorite campgrounds in San Diego County.
Glad to hear SDPD is continuing to deploy bicycle officers. They are able to silently roll up to crime scenes where a Crown Vic would be too large, noisy, or obvious. I heard anecdotally that a team pulled a driver over recently in North Park.
New bike lanes on B Street in Golden HIll! The street was already pretty wide, and a comfortable ride. It looks like they repaved the street at the same time as adding striping. I think the bike lanes were pretty much low hanging fruit for the City to say they are doing something for bicyclists – but, hey, gotta start somewhere!