March 2015
ohbike.org
43th Annual Meeting
Saturday, March 14. 4:30 pm
OHBTC’s Annual Meeting and Potluck will be
held at Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701
Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD. Bring a
dish – salad, entrée, dessert or some other kind of
food to share. RSVP at www.ohbike.org.
Joan Oppel will do a presentation on Bike
Touring. In 2014, Joan’s bike tours involved fewer
logistics– but were no less exciting and fun. For a
week in April and again for a week in July, Holly
Carr and Joan rode bikes “out of bounds” of our
familiar territory.
Bike Maryland Symposium
The 18th Annual Bicycle Symposium
will be held on Tuesday, March 15,
10 am – 3 pm in Annapolis. For more
information see page 6. To register,
go to https://www.bikemaryland.org/events/bikemaryland-symposium/.
Saturday April 25, 2015
Chesapeake Church
6201 Solomons Island Road
Huntingtown, MD 20639
7:00AM – 3:00PM
Registration $39 through March 1
For more information and to register, visit
endhungercalvert.org/events/bike-ride
Joan Oppel and Holly Carr
You never
know what
you’ll see on a
bike tour.
Come to the
annual meeting
to see where
this elephant
was found.
Featured in this Issue
Prez Sez Calvin Conyers……………………….... page 3
From the Bike Doctor…………………………… page 3
Road Captain’s Report Eric Petersen………… page 4
Bike Maryland Bicycle Symposium…………… page 6
What’s Up with the IHRT? Blake Altman……… page 7
Take it Away! Joel Katz……………………..…… page 8
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The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club March 2015
Welcome, New Members
Terri Cooper
Kirk Fedder
Stephen Forman
Lanham, MD
Alexandria, VA
McLean, VA
C
Kwesi Walker
Bowie,MD
B
Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
CC
Club Officers
President
Vice Pres.
Road Capt.
Secretary
Treasurer
Need to Renew your Membership?
Go to http://ohbike.memberlodge.org and log in with
your email address and password. If you don’t have a
password, click on “Forgot Password” and a
temporary password will be mailed to you. After you
log in, click “View profile” in the upper right-hand
corner to view your membership information. Click
the “Renew” button to extend your membership for
one or two years. If you have a problem, contact
[email protected].
OHBIKE is on
Facebook
Visit facebook.com/ohbike
to see photos from club
rides like the one on the
right from Debby’s Sweet
Sue Ride.
Do You YAHOO?
OHBTC members use the Yahoo
group’s e-mail list to share clubrelated information, especially
changes in the ride schedule.
Joining the OHBIKE Yahoo group is free and easy.
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohbike.
The OHBIKE Yahoo group is for OHBTC
members only. When you join, please include your
name in the box for “Comments to List Owner.”
Members of the Yahoo group can send email to
the list at [email protected].
Calvin Conyers
Blake Altman
Eric Petersen
Holly Carr
Mimi Newcastle
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ride Coordinators
Class AA
Class A
Class B
Class CC
Class C
Class D
Mountain Bike
Overnighters
Scott Walker
Darin King
Michael Saizan
George Martin
Herman Young
Randy Schoch
Judy Mutty
Barry Howard
Steve Palincsar
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Standing Committees
Program
Public Relations
Newsletter
Advocacy
Safety/Ed
Jerseys
Mike Butler
Jim Hudnall
Jane Hudnall
Walt Roscello
George Martin
Claire Chiamulera
Janell Saunders
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Handy Telephone Numbers
SHA MD Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
Dustin Kuzan
24-hr tape
M-NCPPC Trails and Bikeways Information
Fred Shaffer
Prince George's Co. Bike/Ped Coordinator
Victor Weissberg
City of Bowie Bike/Ped Information
Frank Stevens
Pothole Repair Hot Lines:
Alexandria
Calvert County
Charles County
Prince George’s County
St. Mary’s County
410-545-5656
800-252-8776
301-952-3661
301-883-5650
301-809-3053
703-838-4488
410-535-0905
301-932-3450
301-499-8520
301-863-8400
MD-SHA non-emergency contacts to report road problems:
http://marylandsha.force.com/customercare/request_for_service
March 2015
The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
Prez Sez by Calvin Conyers
Thanks to the many members that have already registered online for the
OHBike Annual Meeting and Potluck Dinner to be held on March 14, 4:30
p.m. at Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort
Washington, MD. For those that have attended in the past, you know what’s in
store. However, for members and guests that were unable to attend before, I
have provided a few tidbits of what you can look forward to.
1) Expect to meet, reunite, and dine with your fellow club members.
It’s a Pot-Luck, so bring your favorite dish to share or just pick up a
simple dish (as I do, since I have no culinary skills). The food is
always great!
2) Expect to participate in the meeting with your vote to elect officers
and to give your input on other club matters
3) Expect to see and hear a variety of cycling related presentations by fellow members.
4) Expect information on our Safety, Special Events, and re-opening plans for the Indian Head Rail
Trail.
5) Expect to learn the identity of the 2014 OHBike Ride Leader of the Year. (Still not too late to send
your nomination to me at [email protected]
6) Expect to enjoy yourself. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the evening.
So, with so much promised for the Annual Meeting, don’t be left out. Register you and your guest at
http://ohbike.memberlodge.org/event-1844176.
News from the Bike Doctor of Waldorf
HELP WANTED: The Bike Doctor Waldorf is seeking cycling enthusiasts for
both sales and service positions. Part-time and full-time positions are available. In
service, mechanical inclination is a plus and training is provided. Please email
resumes and letters of interest to [email protected].
AN INVITATION: You are invited to attend a Bike Doctor Event on March 2nd from 7-8pm with Benjamin
Sharp from Stages Cycling Power Meters and formerly a USA Cycling Coach. Sign up at
benjaminsharpevent.eventbrite.com
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The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
March 2015
From the Desk of the Road Captain by Eric Petersen
As we approach a new cycling season, what better than to once again hit on
some of the highlights of Maryland Law as it covers cycling. In Maryland
Bicycles are considered vehicles, and therefore, we must observe traffic rules.
The following is taken verbatim from the Maryland Motor Vehicle
Administration’s Bicycle Safety web page at
http://www.mva.maryland.gov/safety/mhso/program-bicycle-safety.htm.
I would encourage everyone to visit this page, because it contains information
not included here. Please refresh yourselves with these rules so that we can all
look forward to another safe and fun cycling season.
RIDING IN TRAFFIC LANES AND ON SHOULDERS
•
•
•
•
•
A bicyclist riding slower than the speed of traffic is confined to the right hand
through lane (much the same way as a slow moving vehicle is) and as close to
the right side of the road as is safe. A bicyclist can move further left to:
o Make or attempt to make a vehicular style left turn
o Pass a stopped or slower moving vehicle
o Avoid pedestrians or road hazards.
This ride-to-the-right provision does not apply when operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle to travel
safely side-by-side with another vehicle within the lane. The provision also does not apply where the right-hand
lane is a turn lane, or the bicyclist is operating on a one-way street.
A bicyclist riding at the speed of traffic can operate in any lane, just as any other vehicle can. Where there is not
a bike lane, a bicyclist may also use the shoulder of the roadway.
Bicycles may not be ridden in the travel lanes of any roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more
than 50 miles an hour; however, bicycles may be operated on the shoulder of these roadways.
Bicycles may not be operated on expressways (access-controlled freeways and interstate highways), except on
an adjacent path or facility approved by the State Highway Administration.
RIDING IN BIKE LANES
Where there are marked bicycle lanes paved to a smooth surface, a person operating a bicycle must use the bike
lane and may not ride on the roadway, except in the following situations:
•
•
•
•
When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motor scooter, pedestrian, or other vehicle within the bike lane if
the overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the bike lane;
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway;
When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane to avoid debris or other hazardous condition; or
When reasonably necessary to leave the bike lane because the bike lane is overlaid with a right turn lane,
merge lane, or other marking that breaks the continuity of the bike lane.
March 2015
The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
5
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
•
•
•
•
By law, all bicycles must be equipped with brakes capable of stopping from a speed of 10 miles per hour within
15 feet on dry, level, clean pavement.
If operated in low visibility conditions, bicycles must also be equipped with a white beam headlight visible at a
distance of 500 feet, and a red rear reflector visible at a distance of 600 feet if night time or during unfavorable
visibility conditions. Alternately, a bicyclist may be equipped with a functioning lamp that acts as a reflector and
emits a red light or a flashing amber light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear instead of, or in addition
to the red reflector above.
A bicycle or motor scooter may be equipped with a bell or other audible device, but not a siren or whistle.
Any rider under the age of 16 must also wear a helmet that meets or exceeds the standards of the American
National Standards Institute, the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials.
TIPS FOR BICYCLISTS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Obey the Rules of the Road: Ride straight and single file in a predictable manner. Plan ahead and allow time
to maneuver around road hazards and to negotiate with traffic and open car doors. Yield to pedestrians and
obey all traffic signals and signs.
Ride with Traffic: Always ride on the right side. Use caution if passing other traffic on the right. When
approaching an intersection, use the appropriate lane for the direction you intend to travel (left, straight, or right).
Signal All Turns: Look back before you make a lane change or turn. Signal safely in advance.
Make Left Hand Turns Safely: You may turn left as a vehicle by moving into the left side of the travel lane (or
left turn lane) OR cross like a pedestrian by stopping, dismounting, and walking across crosswalks.
Be Prepared for Conditions: When braking in the rain or snow, allow extra distance to stop and look for
pavement markings and utility covers which may become slippery.
Be Visible - Use Lights at Night: When riding at night, Maryland State Law requires a white headlight on front
and a red reflector on the back visible from at least 600 feet. In addition, we recommend you wear bright
clothing in the daytime and reflective clothing for night riding.
Maintain your Bike: Check your tires, chain, and brakes before every trip. Take your bicycle to a bike shop at
least once a year for a professional inspection and tune-up. Make sure your reflectors and lights are in working
condition.
Wear a Helmet Correctly: Helmets are required by law for anyone under 16, but everyone should wear a
helmet to prevent a head injury. Your helmet should be level and snug and should not shift while riding.
As always, I look forward to riding with you and hope to see you all on the road soon!
Ride Strong and Stay Safe
Eric
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The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
March 2015
Bike Maryland Bicycle Symposium
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Miller Senate Office Building
Address: 11 Bladen St, Annapolis, MD
AGENDA
9:00 am - Social Hour with Coffee
10:00 am - Nate Evans: Welcome
10:10 am - Vinnie DeMarco: Keynote
Jim Hudnall, Eric Petersen, Walt Roscello and Jane Hudnall
10:40 am - Paul Cavalleri: How NOT to lobby
11:15 am - Emily Ranson: Update on bike-specific legislation, talking points
11:30 am - Meet with your legislators
1:00 pm - Joe Lynagh: Welcome Back
1:05 pm - Nate Evans: Guide to Getting Bike Stuff Done, How to Navigate SHA
1:35 pm - Bill Schultheiss: 'Burbs Bike Improvements/Developer’s Review
1:50 pm - Mountain Biking Panel
2:30 pm - Celebrating Achievements across the State
2:45 pm - Nate Evans: Closing remarks
3:00 pm - Adjourn
4:00 pm - Happy Hour Hosted by Bike Maryland
OHBTC will have a table to promote the club and OHBTS’s sponsored events. To register for the
Symposium, go to https://www.bikemaryland.org/events/bike-maryland-symposium/.
Bike advocates from around Maryland met in Annapolis for the 2014 Bicycle Symposium
March 2015
The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
7
What is going on with the Indian Head Rail Trail?
Blake Altman, OHBTC Vice President
As most everyone in club knows, eight miles of the Indian Head Rail Trail have
been closed since late summer. The trail was closed to allow the installation of a
water pipeline by Competitive Power Ventures (CPV). The pipeline will supply
reclaimed water from the Mattawoman Water Reclamation Facility to the natural
gas-fired power plant being built in Piney Reach Industrial Park on Billingsley
Road in Waldorf.
I last saw the closed sections of the trail about six weeks ago from crossings on Bumpy Oak Road and
Pomfret Road. The trail pavement was completely torn up at the crossings and the sections of the trail that were
not removed had obviously been significantly damaged by heavy equipment. Seeing this damage, I became
concerned that the trail would not be restored to the conditions that existed before the construction. It seemed to
me that there was a high potential for a rough repaving job of the sections that had been torn up. Further, I was
worried about the cracking of the pavement that was sure to have occurred with the use of heavy equipment on
the trail; in a few years these cracks will result in potholes.
The condition of the trail spurred the club’s executive board to action. I contacted Tom Roland, the head of
the Charles County Parks and Recreation Department, and expressed my concerns. Also, the chair of the
Advocacy Committee, Walt Roscello, and I attended a “town hall” meeting with Charles County Commissioner
Ken Robinson and we expressed our concerns about the restoration of the trail. President Calvin Conyers, Walt,
and I sent a letter to CPV expressing our desire to see the trail restored to its prior condition. Without fail,
everyone has expressed support for restoring the trail to as good as or better than it was before the pipeline
construction began. However, we plan to continue to maintain a polite but insistent presence to advocate for the
full restoration of the trail.
According to a February 13 article in the Southern Maryland Newspaper the pipeline construction is to be
completed in May and the closed section of the trail will be reopened in June. Until the trail reconstruction has
completed, the club board will work with the county and CPV to ensure we will once again have a first class rail
trail in Charles County.
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20150213/NEWS/150219545/1055/construction-on-rail-trail-water-linenearly-finished.
Editor’s note: OHBTC passed a resolution at the 2013 Annual Meeting asking the Charles County
Commissioners to see that the Indian Head Rail Trail is restored to A-1 condition after construction of the
pipeline. In August, 2014, former President Mike Bivens and Advocate Chairman Walt Roscello spoke with
County Commissioners about OHBTC’s concerns about the trail.
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The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
March 2015
South America – Take it Away! Joel Katz
Thoughts on cycling in cold weather:
Be there a man with soul so dead
that to himself hath never said.
To hell with the ride,
I’ll stay in bed.
I have seen it stay cold here through May. I hope not this
year – I just can’t take anymore. I have opened up discussion with my wife once again. Let’s go south, really
south like Brazil. Fat chance – we have grandchildren in Germantown.
Take back your mumbo - aye, your conga - aye, your samba aye aye aye! That from the 1944 Irving Berlin
Broadway hit “This is the Army”. In the show an army nurse on r&r in Brazil sings she has hurt her sacroiliac
doing Latin dances. Hey, the same thing happened to me in Zumba class. I am a 74 year old white dude from
Pittsburgh with two missing discs. Unfortunately there is not a drop of Latina blood in me. In order to get
some I tried injecting salsa into my veins, but all I got was acid reflux. I hurt my back in that class and was out
for two weeks. I gave up on Zumba. I will just have to find another way to learn to shake my bootie.
That’s the kind of concession one has to make with advancing age. Another one I just made was to change
my cassette from 11/25 to 11/28. I got to thinking seriously about that after struggling to get up St George
Barber.
I face spring with excitement and trepidation. I can’t wait to start riding but wonder how much I lost over
this long winter. Stay tuned.
About the author: Joel Katz has been a member Potomac Pedalers for 36 years
and of OHBTC for 4 years. He is 76 years old, married and has 2 children and 4
grandchildren. His background includes a BA in Labor Relations from Penn State,
US Army service, Greenbelt City Councilman 1969-1971, Masters in secondary
education from the University of Pittsburgh, a Ford Foundation Scholarship
Education of the Blind and Visually Limited and owner, now retired, industrial
supply company. He has a wonderful sense of humor and has agreed to share
some of his thoughts with us.
Sunday, March 8