Frederick Bicycle Coalition

OK boys and girls, it’s Bike To Work week. Are you one of those DC commuters, making your way from beautiful Frederick County to the bowels of commuting hell known as Washington DC? If so, and you want to get on two wheels and make your way into work full of vigor and in the right state of mind from a refreshing bike ride, join FBC treasurer Anna K. as she leads a convoy from Poolsville to DC on Friday.

For those lucky enough to work locally or biking to the train, there will be a ride with Frederick’s Mayor starting at City Hall and ending at the Marc train station in downtown Frederick, leaving at 7am. Rumor has it all of the Alderman have signed up as well. Come on out and see if it’s true. Check our calendar for this and other Bike to Work week activities.

Are there any other communities in Frederick County doing Bike to Work rides? Post it in the comments and let us know.

Update: The MTB classes are canceled due to low enrollment. If they are rescheduled we will post an update.

The Frederick Bicycle Coalition with the City of Frederick Parks & Recreation presents:

Mountain Biking (MTB) 101 for Beginner Adults

Age: 18 & up
Dates: Saturday, 8/14
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: River Bend Park, 1775 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick, MD 21701 (Parking Lot by Boat Launch)
Registration: Pre registration required at the Wm. Talley Rec. Center
Instructors: Rebecca Bafford / Mic Dunn
Fee: $25 city / $30 non city
Rain Date: Saturday, August 21st, same time and place.

Call the cancellation / information line for cancellations due to weather 301-600-6970

Introduction to mountain biking, including: basic elements that make a mountain bike different from a road bike, required safety and maintenance tools, advice on preparation for rides (food, drink, extra clothing), demonstration of changing a flat tire, and teaching the basics of dealing with technical trail sections. Training will include a short mountain bike ride that includes general mountain biking challenges. General biking skills, a mountain bike, helmet and water are required.

Minimum enrollment:10 / Maximum enrollment: 20

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Mountain Biking (MTB) 101 for Beginner Teens

Age: 13 to17
Dates: Saturday, 8/14
Time: 1:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: River Bend Park, 1775 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick, MD 21701 (Parking Lot by Boat Launch)
Registration: Pre registration required at the Wm. Talley Rec. Center
Instructors: Rebecca Bafford / Mic Dunn
Fee: $25 city / $30 non city
Rain Date: Saturday, August 21st, same time and place.

Call the cancellation / information line for cancellations due to weather 301-600-6970

A parent / legal guardian will need to sign a waiver before class on 8/14.

Introduction to mountain biking, including: basic elements that make a mountain bike different from a road bike, required safety and maintenance tools, advice on preparation for rides (food, drink, extra clothing), demonstration of changing a flat tire, and teaching the basics of dealing with technical trail sections. Training will include a short mountain bike ride that includes general mountain biking challenges. All students will receive written information and references for mountain biking, bike stores, and safety tips. General biking skills, a mountain bike, helmet and water are required.

Minimum enrollment:10 / Maximum enrollment: 20

More info:
THE CITY OF FREDERICK
Parks & Recreation Department
121 North Bentz Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone 301-600- 6238

Our first newsletter went out this morning to people on our mailing list. What, you aren’t on our mailing list? Look over on the right side, scroll down and fill your email address in and you’ll be signed up. For those of you who missed the newsletter, don’t worry, you can read it online right here. Included is an overview of FBC’s recent meeting with Frederick City Mayor as well as news about beginner mountain bike classes that will take place in August.

Don’t forget, Bike to Work day is next week and the Parkway Bike Rodeo is this Saturday. Check our calendar for local activities.

The Gazette has a great article about the Frederick Bicycle Coalition and our desire to get Frederick City designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community. To do that, we need to work on some cycling improvements.

Understanding bicycle usage in Frederick City and County will help us work toward this goal. Please take 5 minutes to fill out our quick and easy survey. The survey is completely anonymous and it will help us when talking about issues with local government officials. Thanks!

Remember, there is power in numbers, so if you haven’t become a member of FBC, please consider signing up and helping us meet our goal of a Bicycle Friendly Community designation!

It’s not quite summer yet, but it feels like it. While out on a mountain bike ride in the Frederick Municipal Forest (a.k.a. the Frederick Watershed) this weekend I encountered my first rattlesnake of the season. So, just a friendly reminder to stay on your toes and be alert, there are plenty of them up there in the rocky environment of the Catoctin Mountains. The other thing we found while out playing in the woods were plenty of ticks. As the Beastie Boys said, Check Your Head.

This one is for the kids!

There will be a bike rodeo at Parkway Elementary School on May 15th from 12 – 4pm. Rain date is May 22nd. Come on out for some bicycle fun including:

• bike inspection
• helmet inspection
• bike safety quiz
• sign reading
• skill stations
• challenges

Check the Bike Rodeo flier for full details.

Smart Company magazine leads off this article with a cycling photo and then goes on to mention outdoor recreation and the C&O Canal as tourist draws for Frederick and Washington Counties.

We’ve said it before, Frederick County’s excellent cycling draws people here. Both to visit and to live!