tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52765252010-02-27T19:56:31.516-06:00Veteran bicycle tourist Roger Kramer discusses his current rides, bicycle safety and advocacy issues and other issues of the day.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-80933274292656270572010-02-17T01:14:00.000-06:002010-02-17T01:14:55.953-06:00

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has placed Jerry Dowell, the executive director of the Tour of Missouri bicycle race and the state's deputy lieutenant governor, on five days of unpaid leave because he sent information about a political fundraiser via a Tour of Missouri's e-mail account. The leave took effect Tuesday. Kinder and his staff considered the mailing an "honest mistake" but one that

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-7473532609079536822010-02-15T14:01:00.000-06:002010-02-15T14:01:24.759-06:00

Earlier today, Gene Bisbee at the Biking Bis blog wrote about how ciclova-style celebrations -- in which a thoroughfare or park is open only to bicyclists, pedestrians and skaters for one or more weekend days -- are catching on in the United States. Gene's post cited celebrations in Kansas City, Mo.; San Jose, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle. The inspiration for many of those events has been

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-85926515801525945912010-02-15T12:59:00.000-06:002010-02-15T12:59:09.560-06:00

Floyd Landis, who had his 2006 Tour de France victory stripped from him because of abnormally elevated testosterone levels, is in trouble again. A French judge has issued an international arrest warrant for U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis in connection with a case of data hacking at a doping laboratory, The Associated Press reported today. French authorities allege that Landis used hacked files in

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-51289784769652728282010-02-13T13:17:00.000-06:002010-02-13T13:17:28.539-06:00

Efforts to make Iowa roads safer for bicyclists are still alive. This week, an Iowa House subcommittee approved the Bike Safety and Responsibility Bill, and it goes before a House Human Respirces Committee next week. The Iowa Senate passed the bill last winter, but the bill stalled in the House last year before the subcommittee took up the issue. Here's a summary of what the bill would do,

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-14204944399406963852010-02-10T12:25:00.001-06:002010-02-10T12:30:59.863-06:00

There are some trail closures you should be aware of if you live in the St. Louis area: OLD CHAIN OF ROCKS BRIDGE: Because of icy conditions at the Missouri parking lot for the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Trailnet has decided to close access for the bridge for now. This time of year, the Mississippi River bridge is a favorite spot for watching bald eagles. No word on when the bridge may reopen.

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-84830735752794669472010-02-09T00:48:00.002-06:002010-02-09T11:17:21.281-06:00

In a recent interview with KMOX-AM radio in St. Louis, Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder says the money should be in place soon for the 2010 Tour of Missouri, slated for Aug. 31-Sept. 6 Kinder, the biggest supporter of the race in state government, says the professional cycling�event could still go on, even if state funding�falls through, "It's possible, but it becomes much more challenging because

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-43785872061701433942010-02-07T03:06:00.001-06:002010-02-07T13:51:19.911-06:00

If you've ever heard of Olney, Ill., you probably know it for its white squirrels -- albino squirrels that seemed to have found a permanent home in the Southern Illinois community. But did you know the town's known for bicycle distribution? I didn't until I read a story in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News about the community, located about 150 miles east of St. Louis. Here are at least six

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-24012402673357031592010-02-05T00:51:00.000-06:002010-02-05T00:51:01.214-06:00

Bicycle advocates concerned about the future of the Katy Trail won a victory Thursday when Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced that the Union Pacific Railroad has agreed to give the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) Railroad bridge that spans the Missouri River to the city of Boonville. The Union Pacific had planned to tear down the historic bridge and use the scrap metal to build a bridge across

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-83974306297878098382010-02-01T12:45:00.000-06:002010-02-01T12:45:12.526-06:00

Registration for the 2010 Tour de Stooges bicycle ride is open! The 13th edition of the Tour de Stooges takes place Saturday, May 1, at Lindendale Park in Highland, Ill. We've made it more economical to attend this year's ride. If you pre-register for the ride, the cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children 5-12 and $50 for a family pack (2 adults, 2 children). On the day of the ride, the cost is

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-20861629926605713012010-01-31T23:00:00.001-06:002010-02-01T12:57:18.194-06:00

It's always fun to visit the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's annual Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap, which took place today in Collinsville, Ill. It's always fun to catch up with my cycling friends and let people know about the upcoming Tour de Stooges. Although the number of vendors appeared to be down there -- I'm sure the recession had a lot to do with that --� Federation officials say

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-2890183382576052122010-01-24T18:43:00.000-06:002010-01-24T18:43:29.017-06:00

I'm a regular reader of Gene Bisbee's Biking Bis blog, but I somehow missed a recent post titled "Biking Bis Top 10 list of awesome names for bicycle clubs". To my surprise, the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society made the list! I wish I could take credit for our club's name and its mascot, Weinerman, but they already had been established when I started riding with the group in late

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-40392886494798600852010-01-21T12:50:00.000-06:002010-01-21T12:50:17.849-06:00

I'm sure many a first-time tandem rider can relate to this video from KTVI-TV, Channel 2, in St. Louis. While doing a preview of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's Midwest Bike Expo & Swap Show (Jan. 31 in Collinsville, Ill.), KTVI personalities Tim Ezell and April Simpson attempted to ride a tandem down the studio's hallways. April's cries of fear and loathing are just precious!

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-13721206182706646702010-01-20T22:03:00.000-06:002010-01-20T22:03:23.641-06:00

"Bicycle Dreams," Stephen Auerbach's documentary about the 2005 Race Across America, has been out for some time and has been reviewed by quite a few bloggers. It's my turn. I've written frequently about RAAM over the years, mainly because RAAM passes through the St. Louis area almost every year. I've always wondered what goes through the heads of anyone who would attempt to bike across America

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-85881294065849896792010-01-20T16:43:00.000-06:002010-01-20T16:43:28.186-06:00

Hillsboro, Ill., may not be Paris, but it does play host to a bicycle race called the Hillsboro-Roubaix Road Race. The 9th annual edition of the race takes place April 10, and it's a qualifier for the Nature Valley Grand Prix, a June stage race taking place in Minnesota and Wisconsin. So why would a small Central Illinois county seat town about 60 miles north of St. Louis have a race named after

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-5847175700206612272010-01-18T13:30:00.000-06:002010-01-18T13:33:07.223-06:00

UPDATED (JAN. 18): The parents of Matt Wilhelm. the Champaign-Urbana area cyclist who was killed in 2006 when he was struck by a car driven by a woman downloading cell phone ring tones, appeared on today's episode of Oprah Winfrey's TV show. Gloria and Chuck Wilhelm briefly described how their son died and how they worked to get Illinois laws changed, culminating in the texting ban that went

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-48505974414151901922010-01-17T14:54:00.000-06:002010-01-17T14:54:30.584-06:00

Mark your calendars for Jan. 31! The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's annual Midwest Bicycle Expo & Swap Meet once again visits the Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive in Collinsville, Ill. The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 15 and under and for Federation members. $2 coupons are available at participating St. Louis-area bicycle shops.

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-25733220897651725602010-01-12T14:50:00.002-06:002010-01-15T19:52:46.247-06:00

Bicycle advocates in Macoupin and Montgomery counties are seeking your support of a proposal to convert a portion of an old alignment of historic Route 66 between Staunton and Litchfield, Ill., into a bicycle trail. This particular alignment -- the final alignment of Route 66 used before the completion of Interstate 55 -- was a four-lane divided highway between the two communities and also

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-15015641696987458412010-01-06T21:07:00.000-06:002010-01-06T21:07:42.150-06:00

Two of St. Louis�s top cyclists will go head-to-head Saturday in an indoor race for charity. The inaugural Rollin� for Charity Indoor 100 Bike Race will pit man versus woman and mountain bike versus road bike in a race to raise cash and ride 100 miles on bicycle rollers at Alpine Shop�s Kirkwood store. Chris Ploch, the reigning and four-time Missouri State NORBA Mountain Bike Champion, and

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-21200618619212873712010-01-04T00:27:00.000-06:002010-01-04T00:27:45.431-06:00

One of my Facebook friends who just happens to be a St. Louis cycling advocate today brought to my attention a Facebook Page that doesn't take very kindly to bicyclists. The page -- There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist! -- sadly has more than 31,500 fans. The picture shown here is the page's profile photo. Here's a message from the group, which appears to be

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-44762748993804859642010-01-01T14:28:00.000-06:002010-01-01T14:28:27.907-06:00

With the start of the new year, there are at least three new laws that go in effect today in Illinois that affect bicyclists. You're probably aware of two of the new laws -- a ban on text messaging while driving and a ban on cell phone usage in school and construction zones. You're probably not aware of the other law. As of today, no one under the age of 16 may operate a gas- or

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-45593767803653103092009-12-31T23:43:00.001-06:002009-12-31T23:46:24.179-06:00

Here's a missing bicycle story with a happy ending out of Columbia, Ill.: Garrett Betts was driving on Illinois Route 3 in the Columbia area when his Christmas gift -- a $400 bicycle -- flew out of the back end of his pickup truck. Fortunately for Garrett, Steve Blosser saw the bike along the side of the highway on Christmas Eve. "I'm so happy to find it, that the little boy is getting his

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-41812737477360324262009-12-29T00:50:00.002-06:002009-12-31T23:43:41.434-06:00

In the past few years, I've taken the progressive political blog Fired Up! Missouri to task for its criticism of the Tour of Missouri. Rather than basing its arguments against state funding upon facts and critical thinking, it's been guilty to using hyperbole and loaded terms such as "French-style bicycle race" to attempt to make it points. But I have to laud Fired Up! Missouri for obtaining the

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-47219439633779354372009-12-27T14:26:00.000-06:002009-12-27T14:26:48.465-06:00

Once again, the League of Illinois Bicyclists will be offering "Share the Road" license plates in honor of National Bicycle Month. The plates can be legally displayed on licensed Illinois vehicles during April and May. LIB is trying to take the concept one step further. LIB is pushing to make permanent, year-round "Share the Road" plates. Twelve already have the year-round plate, but LIB would

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-17937443321492066182009-12-27T13:59:00.002-06:002009-12-27T14:30:06.055-06:00

Professional cyclist Phil Gaimon has created a series of cycling jerseys under the name Share the Damn Road. Phil says on his Web site he was "tired of being honked at, buzzed, and cussed out while he trained, and frustrated that the speed of motor vehicles made witty and insulting replies impossible. To solve that problem, he set out to create a line of jerseys that express what he's always

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-90096410865739838962009-12-24T11:39:00.002-06:002009-12-24T11:51:48.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas season! My present to my family this Christmas -- and by extension, all of you -- is a web site honoring my late brother, Wes Kramer. "Wes Kramer | A Retrospective: 1955-1986" includes a variety of his work from his high school and college days. Special galleries have been created for his major works, a series of pieces

Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.com1