This past weekend's Trail School was a great success. More than 40 people turned out to learn from the International Mountain Bike Association's Trail Care Crew how to build sustainable trails in the Triangle area. As part of the class, the group re-routed some spots on the new singletrack out at Little River Regional Park. Here, a new berm turn allows bikers to make a 180 degree turn in a smaller space, with drainage for rainwater.

Just below the berm is a creek crossing. Here, volunteers are "armoring" the creek crossing -- a process where rocks are used to strengthen the trail bed as it passes through a wet area.

Thanks to DOMBO for organizing this great event.

February's coffee for commuters was such a success, let's do it all again.

This time, at Mad Hatter's, in the same plaza as Whole Foods.

Friday through Sunday MARCH 18 - 20

You can't ride trails that aren't there! Learn to build trails with the best builders in the world--- the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. You can have that opportunity March 19 & 20. DOMBO will host the Trailbuilding School which will include a day and a half of classroom and field instruction. The school combines interactive learning, hands-on trailwork and top-notch instructors to develop skilled trailworkers and crew leaders. Topics covered include designing a contour trail, controlling water flow, building effective trail structures, and routine trail maintenance.

REGISTRATION IS FREE, BUT REQUIRED.

To register send an email to buildright_ride4ever@mindspring.com

Include your name, email address and phone number.

If you don't have email call 929-9001 to register.

Space is limited so register EARLY. Half the spaces are already taken.

Saturday will be a half day of classroom work followed by a half day of field instruction.

You can bring lunch, or a box lunch will be provided at a cost of $5.00

Sunday we will work on a project at Little River Regional Park followed by a group ride.

To all of you dedicated commuter cyclists looking for a little support and camaraderie…..

Come join fellow cyclists at the first ever Durham Bicyclist Breakfast to eat, drink, be merry and talk about bikes, of course!

WHAT: Durham Bicyclist Breakfast WHEN: Friday, February 25 @ 7:30-9:00am (stop by anytime….this is very casual) WHERE: Ooh-La-Latte Coffee Shop 1116 Broad St (near the intersection of Broad & Club)

SAVE THE DATE and come fraternize with other cyclists over coffee and bed-to-helmet-head. Get to know the folks you talk with over email or see some old friends, make connections, learn about local bike resources, and just have some fun! If you’re super excited, download this flyer and help spread the word.

See you there!

A new book about bicycle seats helps cyclists understand the effect of seat design on sexual health. Finding the Perfect Bicycle Seat was researched and written by local author Joshua Cohen, PT, MS.

(from the press release)
Chapel Hill, NC – Every cyclist is eventually confronted by the desire for a more comfortable bicycle seat that helps avoid sexual problems and other groin-related injuries. The difficulty is telling the facts from the marketing hype when shopping for a new seat.

In the first book of its kind, Joshua Cohen details exactly what to look for when selecting a bicycle seat. His cycling experience and extensive research in ergonomic bicycle seat design allows him to clearly explain:

- The history of seat design - Common problems that seats cause for cyclists

- Human anatomy that all cyclists need to know when choosing seats

- The facts about the relationship between bicycle seats and erectile dysfunction

- How various aspects of seat design impact comfort and health for women and men

- A new seat design that addresses the key risks

With a background in biomechanics, product design and physical therapy, Joshua Cohen writes from his knowledge of recent bicycle seat research and findings from a new university testing procedure. He recognizes that no seat is perfect for everyone. His objective is to teach each cyclist how to evaluate any seat objectively to decide if it will provide both comfort and safety.

The book includes 27 photos, illustrations and tables as well as 35 scientific references. The forward is by Ed Pavelka, former editor of Bicycling magazine which was the first cycling publication to explore the potential sexual risks that result from sitting on a bicycle seat.

Finding the Perfect Bicycle Seat will be available on January 27, 2005 in paperback in select bike shops. The primary resource on the internet is RoadBikeRider.com, which also sells the eBook version.

There are some upcoming opportunities for citizen comment on the City Budget process for 2006. Thanks to Alison Carpenter for putting together this list.

February 7, 7:00pm –Public Budget Hearing held by City Council

February 12, 10:00am-12 noon –“Coffee with Council”District 4 (I.R. Holmes Sr. Center at Campus Hills)

February 14, 6:00pm-8:00pm –“Coffee with Council”District 2 (E.K. Powe Elementary School)

February 19, 10:00am-12 noon –“Coffee with Council”District 1 (Eastway Elementary School)

March 8, 7:00pm-9:00pm –“Coffee with Council”Downtown District (City Hall Committee Room)

March 12, 10:00am-12 noon –“Coffee with Council”District 3 (Lyon Park)

Little River Park opened December 5th. Opening day celebrations drew an estimated 200 mountain bikers to the trails. Thanks for coming out, showing support and having fun. This new park is the first joint effort between Durham and Orange County Parks and Recreation departments and the first public mountain biking trails in either county.

More information, a map, and directions to the park are available on the TriangleMTB.com website. Call 732-5505 to see if the trails are open.

On October 30th, more than 180 cyclists took to the roads of Durham in the Halloween Hundred. Capitol Broadcasting and Habitat for Humanity of Durham teamed up to host the 100k ride.

The organizers are already looking forward to next year's event. Mark your calendars for October 29th, 2005.

See more pictures from the event here.

International Car-Free Day was a great success. More than 1,800 people in Durham and Orange counties took the pledge to go either Car-Free or Car-Lite on Wednesday, September 22nd, and more than 100 people stopped by the information booth in downtown Durham. Not bad for the Triangle's first celebration!

Mike Kneis at the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says that Cornwallis Road (from Fayetteville Road and the American Tobacco Trail to Miami Blvd, on the eastern end of Research Triangle Park) is getting 5' bicycle lanes.

"The contract to construct 5' bike lanes by widening both sides of Cornwallis was let on August 12, 2004. The project starts September 7, 2004 -- with an anticipated completion date of December 15, 2004.

The resurfacing contract to then resurface and stripe the 5' bike lanes will be let in the Spring 2005.

This is wonderful news. Durham's main bike & ped trail will finally be connected to RTP's trail system -- with bike lanes on a straight shot along Cornwallis to RTP."