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MMM…Fresh Dirt!
Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve is home to new mountain bike trails
Thanks to a bunch of climbers from Kentucky, mountain bikers will soon have a great place to spin their wheels. In 2004 the Red Rivers Gorge Climbers Coalition (RRGCC), a recognized 501(c) charitable organization, bought 700 acres of land known as the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP) located in Lee County, Kentucky. This land was purchased from Mattie Murray, a descendent of Daniel Boone Pendergrass. The PMRP is already home to over 200 climbing routes. For years climbers have had tentative access to this privately owned land. The intention of this purchase was to secure access to these climbing routes and preserve this piece of land. Unfortunately, the surface rights and mineral rights to this land are severed. Charmane Oil of Beattyville, KY owns the rights to extract oil from beneath the surface of the Pendergrass-Murray area. Tensions have run high between the oil company and the climbing community. In an effort to ease tensions, the RRGCC has asked climbers to park in designated areas and respect the rights of Charmane Oil to access their oil wells. A restraining order has been issued against Charmane Oil preventing them from towing the cars of climbers parked in designated areas.
The members of the RRGCC have fought tooth and nail to come up with mortgage payments to keep the land in tact for the use of climbers, hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The recognition of the RRGCC as a 501 (c) has opened the door to corporate sponsorship and grants. Petzl and Prana have recently come on board as corporate sponsors. Michelle Ellington, a well-known climber in the Red, and her husband Ray (author of the Red River Gorge climbing guide book) are singularly responsible for raising about $27,000.00 towards the purchase of the PMRP. The 2007 mortgage payment is due in June and only about 30% of the funds have been raised. Fundraising efforts are continuous and donations at any level are always greatly appreciated.
In December 2005, Matt Tackett of Red River Outdoors, organized volunteers from the mountain biking community and began to mark and cut a 3 ½ mile single-track loop in the PMRP. Along with Charlie Rittenberry, Tackett secured a $7,000.00 grant for their efforts in the PMRP. Utilizing a portion of these funds, in spring of 2006 a small section of trail was built and progress was being made towards completing the loop. Unfortunately, about a week after this small section of trail was built; workers from Charmane Oil bulldozed most of the trail. Kentucky Cycling News attempted on several occasions to contact Charmane Oil in regards to this action and their future plans, but no one could be reached for comment.
Future plans for mountain biking in the PMRP are extensive. With 700 acres of land, feasibility studies showed that about 30-40 miles of mountain bike trails could be developed and still preserve the environmental integrity of the area. The tentative plan calls for the development of mountain bike trails that will be rated between moderate and difficult. The small section that exists has a climb that might get weekend warriors off their bikes and pushing, but is mostly a moderate trail. Some technical sections will be added, challenging riders with rock gardens and log piles. For those who wish to check out the PMRP, several gravel roads currently exist and are great for exploring the area. The future of the trail development is largely dependent upon volunteers. When asked to what extent mountain bike trails will be developed Tackett said “as much as people want to come out and help.” Whatever becomes of this area, we have only ourselves to either blame or congratulate. Like so many other cycling issues, things only get done when cyclists give of themselves. Time, money, and commitment are needed to make these trails a reality. To volunteer time or donate money visit www.rrgcc.org or contact Matt Tackett at (606)663-7625 or email redriveroutdoors@gmail.com.
New Cycling Forums
Pedal the Planet designs cycling forums around the needs of cyclists
Everyone has visited a cycling forum at one time or another only to find that the strings were vague or a group of regulars controlled the direction of the topics. In an effort to meet the needs of the local cycling community, Pedal the Planet has added a series of categories to their cycling forums. Topics range from “Find a Riding Partner” to “Gear Talk” and “As the Wheel Turns” (a general cycling topic discussion). These categories are designed to keep the discussion on topic and provide the cycling community with the tools they need to grow and prosper.
Pedal the Planet hosts two websites; lexingtonbikeshop.com, which is directed toward locals and spotlights local cycling events, new cycling products, and Bluegrass riding. The forums on lexingtonbikeshop.com are local in flavor. A visitor can post a ride, talk gear, find a riding partner, discuss latest training and nutrition, and check in with fellow cyclists. A category has even been provided for local racers and gearheads to discuss racing without having to disturb the more civilized sector of the cycling population. The second website, found at pedaltheplanet.com, is a bicycle touring specific site and specializes in self-supported bicycle touring. The forums on this site are designed to have international appeal and address topics more specific to bicycle touring. Mark Trimble, owner of Pedal the Planet, said “we have set these forums up with the hope that local cyclists will use them to strengthen communication and spread the word about all the beautiful cycling to be had in the Bluegrass”.
Visitors to either site will need to register an email address and password in order to add topics to the forums. Being an anonymous visitor will allow the forums to be read, but anonymous visitors will not be allowed to add new topics. The forums are monitored and discussion will be kept on topic. To check out these forums go to www.pedaltheplanet.com or www.lexingtonbikeshop.com and click on “Forums”.
Northern Kentucky City Gets Bike Path
Fort Thomas to see 5,300 foot bike path installed along Memorial Parkway
10 years ago the Fort Thomas Public Works Committee began talking about adding a bike path along the Memorial Parkway from Clover Ridge Avenue north to the Newport city line. In late summer 2006 the city of Fort Thomas received $200,000 from the State for construction of the bike path.
The “Fort Thomas Memorial Pathway” will be 5-feet wide and set back 5 feet from the road. This multi-use path is set to begin construction in the next few months, after an environmental impact study is completed. Once begun, the project will take about 10 months to complete.
An additional 4,000 foot bike path is scheduled for construction inside Campbell County lines that will run from the A.J. Jolly Park to nearby subdivision. The State has kicked in $89,000 and Campbell County has contributed an additional $32,000 to the development of this path. For additional information on this program visit www.tea21.ky.gov.
A CYSLIST’S WONDERLAND
Interbike 2006 showcases hottest new bikes and gear for the coming season
Mark Trimble, owner of Pedal the Planet, pals around with the guys from Elite at InterBike 2006 in Las Vegas.
You walk through a door at the end of a long, carpeted hallway. All around you is the pungent smell of new tires, an endless shimmer of cycling jerseys in spectacular colors, and everywhere you turn the shiny glint of new bikes. You are carried along by the subtle hint of promise, like a scent on a breeze. As you turn you see what has called to the depths of your soul. She is sleek and beautiful; A full carbon frame with Dura Ace grouppo and Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels. It is the brand, spanking new bike of your dreams. Only you aren’t dreaming. This is Interbike 2006 and you are standing in an exhibition hall with over 300,000 square feet of the hottest new cycling gear and bikes anywhere! Be sure to pace yourself because you’ve got five days to languish over the new goodies bicycle manufacturers have designed for your riding pleasure.
With 19,000+ attendees, Interbike is more than the largest bicycle trade show in the world; it is a celebration of all things cycling. Interbike is “the show” for the international cycling community and attracts thousands of bicycle brands and bicycle retailers from all over the world. Interbike celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. The week kicked off with a “Dirt Demo” at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, Nevada on Sept.25-26, 2006. This area is home to one of the IMBA’s (International Mountain Bike Association) epic rides. Attendees tested the coming year’s newest bikes on three cross country loops, a downhill trail with shuttle service, and a two mile closed circuit for the skinny tires. The festivities continued Sept.27-29, 2006 with the International Bicycle Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cycling’s hottest celebrities were on hand to make the event a real celebration. Eddie Merckx spent his week signing copies of his new book “Cycling’s Golden Age”. Sinclair Imports hosted their annual party at the Voodoo Lounge, 51 floors above the strip at the Rio Casino. An invitation to this rooftop party meant rubbing elbows with Mario Cipollini and Dennis Rodman, and less known, but no less popular, “podium girls”.
Pedal the Planet bike shop in Lexington, KY sent a number of their staff to scope out this year’s Interbike and find out what new bikes and cycling gear are on the market. The staff reported back to work the following week, a bit worse for the wear, but armed with the latest information for the 2007 cycling season. Specialized has really dialed in their women’s bikes this year. Specialized also hosted a focus group to address future development of the women’s line. Wendy Trimble, co-owner of Pedal the Planet, was one of three women invited to attend the focus group in which female cyclists spoke directly with Specialized representatives about what women who ride are really looking for in a bike. This type of opportunity is what makes InterBike special.
The staff of Pedal the Planet also got a chance to check out the latest technology from companies like Shimano, CompuTrainer, and Elite. A display from FSA featured ceramic bearings. Ceramics are more uniform in shape than steel, so users get better performance. They are still a bit pricey, but not out of reach for those tech weenies out there. The world’s lightest bike was also on display, weighing in at a mere 7 lbs. 6 oz. And bike maker Santana has come out with a cool set of bike shipping cases for their tandems. Both cases are regulation suitcase size for airline travel. This means no charge to take your tandem along on vacation. Bill Crank, service manager for Pedal the Planet, said “I really didn’t see anything surprisingly innovative. Companies are refining products for 2007, not inventing new ones. Carbon frames and 29ers were also everywhere at InterBike.”
InterBike is intended to bring together those who make bikes and those who ride bikes. This annual event allows manufacturers to get a better sense of who their customer is and what they want. This cool Vegas meeting gives bike makers a chance to show off their latest innovations and get the cycling community excited for the coming season. So as winter approaches and you take to your indoor trainers and “Spinerval” vidoes, rest assured that the 2007 season will be rockin’ and there is a new bike at your local bike shop with your name on it.
