The Bicycle Escape, in conjunction with M.O.R.E., is hosting night mountain bike rides at Gambrill State Park on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month through the end of April. Gambrill offers some of the most technical terrain in the region so these rides are for experienced mountain bikers only. It is also necessary to have a high quality lighting system. These are specialty, high powered lights with a minimum output of 10 watts or greater. Safe and properly functioning equipment is required by all riders. Helmets will be required to be worn by all riders at all times. The ride will leave from the main trailhead parking lot located off of Gambrill Park Road. The parking is on the right as you climb the mountain, if you reach an intersection at the top of the mountain, you have gone too far. Rides will leave from the parking area at 7 pm sharp and will last approximately 2 hours. Please allow enough time upon your arrival to sign-in, prepare yourself for the ride and be ready to hit the trail on time. Liability waivers must be signed by all riders and parking passes will be issued for each vehicle. We are in the park with special permission so these parking passes must be displayed on all vehicles! We must be out of the park by 10 pm. |
Pace for the rides will be moderately fast. Speed is not as important as technical riding ability.
Because this ride exists with special permission from the Department of Natural Resources riders must follow the guidelines below in order to participate.
Please send any questions regarding the ride to tom@thebicycleescape.com
We just got in newly designed TBE socks. This time we had them made by Swiftwick, makers of the best socks on the Planet!
FBC Fall BBQ and Picnic
Join the Frederick Bicycle Coalition for our first annual Fall Picnic and Bike Rides taking place on Sunday, October 10, 2010. The picnic will take place at Cunningham Falls State Park in the large pavilion in the Manor area. The road rides will leave from the same location, the mountain bike rides will start at the Sand Flats Parking area of the Frederick Watershed.
FBC will provide burgers and hot dogs (veggie versions too). You bring a potluck dish to share. We’ll have some adult beverages as well.
Members and non-members are welcome. You can RSVP by posting to the web site, ourFacebook page or emailing communication@frederickbicyclecoalition.com
The picnic is rain or shine, check the web site for ride information if the weather looks questionable.
A map showing picnic and ride start locations can be found here.
When: 12:30pm Picnic;
9am MTB rides , 9am road rides
About the rides:
Helmets required. The rides will start at 9am. Road rides will leave from the picnic area. Phil VanWerkhoven will lead a road ride doing rolling hills and covered bridges which will cover around 35 miles at a moderate pace. James Johnson will lead a ride up the mountain and on some of the nearby dirt roads, 25-30 miles at a relaxed pace.
The mountain bike rides will consist of two moderate rides, one will be a women’s only ride and the other will be open to all. The terrain ranges from smooth to rocky and technical with some decent climbs. The start location is approximately 7 miles from the picnic location. Following the ride we’ll head over to Cunningham Falls.
All rides will return in time for the picnic start.
Where: Cunningham Falls (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunningham.asp) for the picnic and road rides, Sand Flats (http://tinyurl.com/sandflatsparkinglot) for MTB rides
Questions? Contact communication@frederickbicyclecoalition.com
| Frederick Bicycle Coalition plans ride to 'Sunday Funday' Keys game Originally published August 26, 2010 By Teresa Bell-Stockman News-Post Staff | ||||
Although not quite a year old, The Frederick Bicycle Coalition, a nonprofit Frederick County bicycle advocacy organization, is on track and keeping pace to reach its objectives. "Our real focus is to improve in cycyling in Frederick ... for recreation and transportation. To make it a safe, viable option," said Anna Kelso, treasurer of the coalition. Another goal is to help Frederick become a recognized bicycle community by the League of American Bicyclists, she added, and the group is working with the mayor and board of alderman to achieve this designation and to establish a bicycle advisory committee. "People perceive bicycling to be more dangerous than it is," Kelso said, and "we really want to drive home the point that (bicycling) is something you can do" anytime. The coalition has organized a family friendly ride to the Frederick Keys game Sunday, departing from the Baker Park bell tower at 12:45 p.m.-- Kelso said Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement will lead the group to Grove Stadium, where he will also throw out the first pitch. Free general admission will be provided to all participants courtesy of The Frederick Keys. The 1.2-mile ride will take place on an established, low traffic route with experienced cyclists escorting the group and a police presence to help with directing traffic. -- In addition to the bicycle ride, the game is scheduled as a "Sunday Funday" event, where kids can meet the Keys players prior to the game. Participants should bring a helmet, a bicycle lock and will be required to sign a release waiver. |
Have you seen the cool bike taxis rolling around downtown Frederick lately? They are so cool. Geo and I took our first ride in one last week and it was fun! It is such a great idea to have these in the city. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we were able to enjoy the weather and get to the our restaurant in no time at all. The driver was really friendly. He said he has been busy pedaling people all over town. If you ever need to get somewhere downtown quick or if you just want to enjoy the evening air, consider hopping on one of these bike taxis. All you have to do is text your location to the number below and they will pick you up!
BICYCLE CLASSES OFFERED
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Frederick, Md. -- The Frederick Bicycle Coalition, The Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club and The City of Frederick Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce the following bicycle programs. For more information or to register, please call 301.600.1492 or stop by the William Talley Recreation Center.
Mountain Biking (MTB) 101 for Beginner Teens
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 the day of 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
The Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club along with The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the following bicycle program.
Basic Bicycle Program
This program will be an introduction to safe bicycle riding on city and county roads for purposes of commuting, shopping and recreation. Each class session will include one hour of instruction and one hour of riding. First class will cover safety issues including protective clothing / helmets and hand signals. Bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning chains is covered in second session Final class will be on handling techniques such as shifting, braking and traffic control.. Bicycles and helmets required for all classes.
Minimum enrollment 10 / Maximum enrollment 25
(Age 17 & under must be accompanied by a parent from 7:30 – 8:30 pm on the bike ride.)
Call the cancellation / information line for cancellations due to weather 301-600-6970
A parent / legal guardian will need to sign a waiver the day of class on 8/17 for age under age 18.
