Biking in the Upstate

Shifting Gears and Switching Lanes

2015-09-30T14:46:00.002-04:00

Biking in the Upstate has been my home to explore and document bike-related stories and issues that have been relevant to the growing bike culture of South Carolina's Upstate. For more than four and a half years I enjoyed sharing and discussing these opportunities and challenges with you. This has been an amazing opportunity to build knowledge, pass along the latest biking news and share

Photos of the Bike Culture in Amsterdam

2015-08-28T16:24:00.002-04:00

My brother has been living in Germany for the last few months. Before that, he spent time in Australia and ventured over to New Zealand. Over the last year, he's had a first-hand experience of how different countries and communities support and promote biking. It's really opened his eyes and gave him a broader appreciation for biking as a means of transportation. His recent adventures took him

Riding the Doodle Trail

2015-08-10T10:19:00.001-04:00

Have you had a chance to get out on the new Doodle Trail that runs between Pickens and Easley? Earlier this summer I had a chance to ride, and I wanted to share my experience. I started from the Easley side of the trail. The City of Easley trailhead is on Fleetwood Drive near the intersection of Fleetwood Drive and West Main Street. Mama Mia’s

Update Coming Soon!

2015-07-29T14:42:00.002-04:00

After a number of great events that have happened recently, it’s time to put together the Spring 2015 edition of Biking in the Upstate News Update. There have been a lot of opportunities to participate in rides and public meetings to support the growing bike culture in the region. The momentum just keeps building! As May and National Bike Month wind down,

Doodle Trail Opening - Saturday, May 23

2015-05-22T15:46:00.000-04:00

This blog has been following the story of the Doodle Trail, the route that runs between the cities of Easley and Pickens in South Carolina, for the last several years. What started out as an idea in the 2010 City of Easley Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan is now a reality in May 2015. The Grand Opening of the biking and walking paved trail will be officially on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 am at

Another Opportunity for Input in Clemson

2015-05-11T16:00:00.001-04:00

Another opportunity to speak up for better biking and pedestrian paths, trails and sidewalks comes to you this week in the City of Clemson. The Pacolet Milliken tract of 350+ acres on the southeast side of town is being master planned, and public input is critical. A photo of the area is shown in the picture below. This is an opportunity to influence the design of a new neighborhood in the

Local Opportunity for 2015 National Bike Month

2015-05-03T18:22:00.000-04:00

What did you do to celebrate the first weekend of Bike Month 2015? If you live in the Central, Clemson, Pendleton and Six Mile area of the Upstate, a group called Friends of the Green Crescent will be providing an opportunity to participate this week. There will be a public meeting related to developing bike trails in the area. On Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00p in the City of Clemson City Hall's

Bike Share Down Under

2015-04-27T15:36:00.000-04:00

Here's another photo from Down Under. My parents went to visit my brother while he was completing some research in Australia. The photo below is from the bike share system in Melbourne. There are a few differences from the bike share station layout seen here and the one in Greenville. One thing to note is that not wearing a helmet while riding a bike - either your own, borrowing a friends or

2015 South Carolina Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety bill

2015-04-15T16:56:00.000-04:00

There's a new State Bill that's currently on the table that aims to make our streets safer. The Palmetto Cycling Coalition has a great write up on it. Once you give it a read, call, email, write and/or tweet out to your state rep to let them know that you support the bill, also known as H. 3909! Here are the Top 5 takeaways from the bill: Amends the pedestrian crosswalk law so that a driver

Sign of the Times

2015-04-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

Fun sign my folks saw while in Christchurch, New Zealand while they were traveling in March. Interesting sign that highlights bicyclists merging. That's a bit different than things I've seen on this side of the world. Would have love to seen it greater context! Signs not seen in the USA

Top 5 Bike Resource Finds

2015-03-24T22:12:00.000-04:00

In my effort to keep up on improvements and growth of the biking movement, I come across some pretty cool resources. Some come across my inbox through some list-serves I subscribe to, others great finds are the latest in peer-reviewed research from international research foundations and, of course, I find some by surfing the interwebs. The following is a list of my Top 5 Biking Finds I've come

Honesty

2015-03-16T16:22:00.001-04:00

It strikes me every so often, and, thankfully, this time, the warm temps and sunny skies are resuscitating me. My desire to bike has fallen flat. Or, really, my desire to commute by bike has fallen flat. It seems to hit every winter. The blues of being cold, darker mornings and evenings and combined with nerves of steal I confess I need to endure my route. I usually spend some time of the year

University Race in the Cradle of the Blue Ridge

2015-03-08T15:09:00.002-04:00

I love living in a small town in the Upstate. There are so many reasons why, but yesterday I was reminded of another. On the way to church Saturday evening, we were passed by a number of cyclists. The first group was lead by a motorcycle, and they were flying! Not far behind were a few other cyclists. And then at a local crossroads, there were police cars and officers ready to direct traffic.

Book Review: Cycling Greenville South Carolina

2015-02-23T12:46:00.000-05:00

I'm ready for spring! What about you? No better way to shake off the cold winter by dreaming and preparing for the spring riding season. And there's a book out about cycling - road, mountain and recreational - that you will want to put on your must read list! As I mentioned in a recent post, I had the opportunity to read the book Cycling Greenville South Carolina. Wendy Lyman, local cyclist,

National Policy Impacts Local Biking

2015-02-15T14:07:00.003-05:00

There are two recent publications put out by the US DOT that are worth knowing about, especially if you are involved or interested in improving bike facilities. Reports from the federal level are important because they have real implications at the state and local level. The Federal Highways Administration, which is a part of the USDOT, published a guide to help state and local official

Upstate News Update Winter 2015 Edition

2015-02-01T21:29:00.001-05:00

2015 has started off with quite the punch. Old project are moving forward and new projects are starting to rise, contributing to the progress of improving biking in the upstate of the state. Without further ado, here's the latest news: Doodle Line Trail. Things just keep moving forward for the nationally noted rail trail that will run between the cities of Easley and Pickens. In late 2014, it

Food Carts, Food Bikes

2015-01-20T20:01:00.000-05:00

NPR did a recent article about food bikes. You've heard of food truck and even food carts. Seems that those on two wheels are getting in on the convenient, enviro-friendly food market. The Popcycle from Austin, TX Bikes "pedaling" ice cream treats, sodas, coffee and other goodies. Though not quite the same, I spotted a pizza delivery bike at Vinnie Van Go Go's in Savannah, GA. And I gotta

Greenville South Carolina: Top 2015 Destination

2015-01-06T22:28:00.001-05:00

Have you heard? Greenville has been listed as one of the top travel destinations for 2015. Locals know about the appeal of Main Street, affordable living, Falls Park and The Liberty Bridge. The #yeahTHATgreenville hashtag took off on Twitter last year, and there's an Instagram page dedicated to the same phrase. #yeahTHATGreenville at night Foodies love the combo of Southern cuisine and

More in 2015

2015-01-03T11:54:00.001-05:00

What will you do to continue the momentum for better biking in South Carolina in 2015? This was a question I posted on Twitter on New Year's Day. I got some great responses from folks. The Swamp Rabbit Inn @swamprabbitin focused on promoting Greenville as a national biking destination. They said that planned on "persistently promoting #GreenvilleSC as one of the best #cycling destination."

Inspirational Rider: My Mom

2014-12-30T08:32:00.001-05:00

In a recent conversation with my family, I learned that my mom has joined the bike commuting community. She has been a recreational rider for years, and now she is riding to her weekly Bible study group at church and to the library. (She's an avid reader.) This has added up to her biking 450 miles in 2014!! My parents church is about a mile from their house. She takes residential side

BITU Celebrates 4 years

2014-12-14T14:08:00.002-05:00

Wow. That's right. Biking in the Upstate is celebrating 4 years this month. Last year was the first time that this blogiversary was ever celebrated, and I briefly looked back on the successes that have happened. This year I decided to continue the tradition since it's this blog's birthday and its close to the end of the year. Let's take a look back over 2014. 2014 Biggest Upstate Bike News

Rolling Bike Summit Round Up

2014-12-06T23:32:00.001-05:00

Last month I participated in the first ever South Carolina Bike Summit. The Palmetto Cycling Coalition took an innovative approach by taking the Summit across the state to Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Aiken, Blufton/Hilton Head and Charleston. Taking an opportunity to get to Spartanburg, was nice to see a part of the Upstate that I'm less familiar with. I met some new people, including a