For all the folks in the Conway area...."The Ride" is having their Demo Day Saturday, April 2nd, 9am-5pm. Test ride some of the hottest road and tri bikes from Specialized, Quintana Roo, and Javelin. Great sale prices on all left over '04 bikes and equipment. Come Check it out. Demo Day is free of charge.

Chainwheel is hosting Bike Repair Classes over the next few months. Check out the details here if your interested in learning more about how to maintain your Mt/road,(or both) bike:

http://chainwheel.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=421

Two classes - Basic and Comprehensive.
To make your reservation, call the store at 501-224-7651

The 2005 Tour De Rock is gearing up for June 11....see all the details here:

http://www.tourderock.org/

Heads up guys. We need as many people as possible to write in to Mike Wilson showing support for this mountain biking/hiking trail. Even if you don't plan on riding there, it's great to have another option. Thanks for your support.

Don West, AR IMBA Rep

From Mike:
Thank you for your interest in the proposed Cane Creek Lake hiking/biking Trail. I am requesting a letter of support which will identify the prospective users (club members) of the new 20 mile trail, which will be located at Cane Creek State Park, Star City AR (about 1 ½ hours from Little Rock). I am preparing a grant for materials to construct the trail which is why I am seeking support letters. The trail will have several access points for shorter treks if desired. If your club would be interested in aiding in trail construction, please indicate in your support letter. It would be great if I could get letters from IMBA ,OORC and Carp. Below is the mailing address for the support letter. Please, if you have any question do not hesitate to call.

Thanks again,
MIKE WILSON, PARK SUPERINTENDENT
CANE CREEK STATE PARK
P. O. BOX 96
STAR CITY, AR 71667
PHONE: (870) 628-4714
FAX: (870) 628-3611
EMAIL: mike.wilson@arkansas.gov

You may never get a chance to sit behind the wheel of a $200,000 Ferrari or take the controls of a $5 million dollar jet fighter, but you'll be able to test-ride some of the most advanced, high -performance bicycles in the world! Please join us on March 26, 2005 when we host Cannondale's test ride demo truck from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of bikeseller.com at 2222 Cantrell Road. The Cannondale truck is packed with a wide range of Cannondale's award winning high-performance road and mountain bikes, with some carrying a $5,000 retail price tag. Whether you're a hard-core racer or a recreational rider, the Cannondale test ride program offers you a fantastic opportunity to try the very latest handcrafted, American-made speed machines from a true leader in the cycling industry.

Gary

Caught this over at the Arkansas Cycling BB....Lot to tell you bare with me here:
1. There has been a change in where Check Point #1....check it out.

BACA April Meeting - April 7, 7:00 PM Oyster Bar.

CARP Membership housekeeping reminder - When you register for your CARP membership, be it at a local shop or online here...be sure and provide an accurate e-mail. The membership tracker will automatically e-mail you an expiration notice 30 days before your CARP membership actually expires. Gives members plenty of time to renew and never miss a beat. Your membership record here will be marked with a "Future" membership and your new card will show the new expiration date.

Weather is getting Nice! LET'S RIDE !!!

Important - Immediate Advocacy Action Requested

Bryan Day, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Little Rock (& also Interim Assistant City Manager), has made an urgent request for our help. In the Highway & Transportation Bill about to pass Congress....the City of Little Rock was hoping for an appropriation of $800,000 to help repay the loan from the Trust for Public Land for its acquisition on behalf of the City of the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way (the land for the Medical Mile).
The critical problem is that the amount appropriated in the bill that has passed the House of Representatives is $200,000, significantly short of the needed $800,000.

Not all hope is lost because the amount can be increased in the Senate bill. Since Senator Blanche Lincoln is the Senator who can be most influential in getting the funding increased, she needs to know of our support for the increase NOW - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE ON THIS MATTER! Please send Senator Lincoln an e-mail or fax (don’t send a letter) as soon as possible letting her know of your support for the increased funding in the Highway and Transportation Bill for the River Trail. My understanding is that the City’s ability to develop the rest of the trail (the section between the Baring Cross Bridge & the Rebsamen Park Golf Course) will be significantly retarded without the appropriation at the higher level. Please note! - This is the sort of activity that we all must get involved in if BACA is to be an effective advocacy organization.

Senator Lincoln’s contact information is: (fax) 202-228-1371 or go to the Senator’s website www.lincoln.senate.gov, click on “CONTACT ME” in the upper right hand corner and follow the instructions for sending an e-mail to her.

The e-mail (or fax) need not be very long or complicated. You can simply lift material from the foregoing information about the funding problem and from the following statement that points out the benefits the River Trail will bring to Central Arkansas & the entire State of Arkansas.

The River Trail and connecting Presidential Center and Murray Lock and Dam Bridges will become a symbol that sends a signal to the entire country and beyond that Central Arkansas is a highly desirable place to live and raise a family. That symbol will redound to Arkansas’ benefit in numerous ways: In addition to the obvious benefits to the mental and physical health of the citizens of Central Arkansas and the environment, it will attract business, industry & new residents and give current residents - the thousands who will use the River Trail and even those who will never use it - a good feeling and sense of pride about living in a community that places a high value on such amenities.

Thanks very much.

Ken

Ken Gould
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
William H. Bowen School of Law
1201 McMath Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202-5142
Phone: Office - 501-324-9952; Home - 501-225-5343
Fax: 501-324-9992

Check this out!
I received this fantastic email today and will need volunteers to help. Please read and let me know if you are interested. Call me at 835-6721 or email me at gary@carpclub.com

Troop 7 from St. Marks Episcopal Church would like to plan a day at the CARP trails at Camp Robinson on Sunday afternoon, April 17th. We would probably have about 16 participants, including 4 adults, six 13/14/15 year olds, and six 11/12 year olds. My questions are as follows:

Would CARP be able to provide 2 or 3 experienced mountain bikers to:

* Put on a short 30 minute presentation about mountain biking dos and don’ts, particularly in regard to safety issues.

* Have one rider take the group of older boys on about a one hour intermediate ride (along with two of our adults), before setting them loose by themselves on another intermediate level trail.

* Have another rider take the younger boys on a 30 minute ride on beginner trail (with two of our adults) and then direct the group to a another beginner level trail route.

Let me know if any of this might be possible. Thanks in advance.

Greg Yeatman

Here's the official Syllamo's Revenge website addy:

http://www.syllamosrevenge.com/

and ladies....here's your chance to be part of the Dodge Tour De Georgia!

The word is, the tour is looking for woman to serve as "Tour hostesses" for the April 19-24 International stage race. Duties include the presentation of each day's stage and category awards, bestowed along with smooches on salty cheeks...RAWK! According to TdG race organizers, "hostesses" will be photographed extensively and presented in front of the media, fans, and athletes at the team presentation event, all start and finish ceremonies, and other special events." These are volunteer positions but clothing, accommodations, meals, and transportation will be provided during the race. Check it out here:http://www.dodgetourdegeorgia.com. Deadline is March 16...sigh*, sorry for the late notice.

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the short notice, but it looks like the Revenge II is going to be May 7th. Chances are good that the Syllamo will be hosting one of IMBA's 2005 Epic Rides, and that would be in the fall, so we are moving to Spring just in case. We'll be doing registration at Blanchard again this year, but all riders will start at Scrappy Mountain Trail Head up on Green Road. Ride will be plenty tough enough without the brutal climb out of Blanchard. We will have checkpoints along the way, and custom awards will be presented to all who finish under a pre-determined time limit. Website is under construction, and will be up will all the info soon. Just wanted everyone to know what's going on! I'll be in touch when the Website is ready.

Steve

PS Word at the Forest Service is that Phase III matching funds have been allocated in the budget, so Phase III is going to be a reality.

Steve Parker (870)269-3414

Copped this from the Arkansas Bicycling Bulletin Board....really SWEET!

Great news, just like Britany, Syllamo has gone and done it again. Received notice from Sylamore District Ranger Cynthia Snow, that after a struggle, the Forest Service has finally been able to budget their 20% match required to activate an approved grant for construction of Phase III of Syllamo's MTB Trail System Master Plan. My understanding is that this will include another ~15 mile loop connected to Phase II, where a new trailhead will also be built.

In addition plans are being made to produce a much needed map for the current 16 mile Phase II loop. We've worked hard to clear the trails and they are now at 90+%, superfast and smokin', a great time to ride up there.

Part of the success in achieving this third round of funding arose from the efforts of local clubs like BIKE of Batesville, Twin Lakes of Mt Home and WRMC of Mt View who committed cash pledges designed to assist the Forest Service meet their match. But without the additional support of other region's clubs like CARP and OORC we couldn't have done it. Thanks guys.

Also a brief heads up regarding the Revenge II Ride which Steve Parker has now planned for May 7th, a website for this is under construction and will provide all details soon. No sense worrying about the late notice, just the way it turned out. This will be a challenge type endurance ride like Ouachita Challenge, with a special unique award for those that complete the full distance within a specified time. All proceeds from Revenge I this fall went directly into the funding effort described above, as will monies from this upcoming Revenge II.

Finally, Syllamo is still in the running for a fall IMBA Epic.

Rick

If anyone has a link to BIKE of Batesville or the Revenge websites...send to me for updating.

Need another good reason to start commuting by bike? Two bills in the U.S. congress could let you earn as much as $100 per month for riding to work.

The Bicycle Commuter Act would allow an employer to add bicycling to the tax code's definition of "transportation fringe benefit." That's an incentive to get more people to use alternative transportation for commuting -- reducing traffic, pollution and wear on roads.

Under H.R. 807, your employer could grant a monthly cash reimbursement of up to $100 if you pedal to work. The company would get a tax break while you smile all the way to the bank.

The League of American Bicyclists has the legislative details at http://www.bikeleague.org. Aw yeah! Check it out!

Thanks Fred!

(1) BACA MEETING, THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD

Our March BACA Meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3rd at the Oyster Bar, 3003 W. Markham. BACA Board member Dr. Rob Lambert will make a presentation complete with PowerPoint slides on the Medical Mile portion of the River Trail, the possible route for the trail behind the Episcopal Collegiate School, and will discuss exciting new trail developments in North Little Rock. Plan to attend what should be a great program & help show our appreciation for all that Rob, BACA member Dr. Eleanor Kennedy & Heart Clinic Arkansas have done to develop the Medical Mile.

(2) IMPORTANT NOTICE - NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas (www.bacar.org) is proud to announce our sponsorship of the 3rd annual National Bike to Work (BTW) Day in association with the League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org). Bike to Work Day rides will be held on Friday, May 20th. One ride will begin on the North Little Rock side of the River Trail, another simultaneously on the Little Rock side. The two groups will converge in downtown Little Rock Side and finish the ride at the River Market.

Last year's event included over 100 cyclists who pedaled their way along the River Tail lead by a police escort. At the conclusion of the ride participants were treated to a light breakfast and a prize drawing. Also, every rider in the event last year received a bag full of goodies including an official BTW t-shirt.

This year's event will include a competition among businesses for the most riders participating in the event. There will be several categories in the competition, based on the number of employees who work at the business. Winners in the event will receive a certificate and recognition on the BACA website.

Just like last year, we will need volunteers to assist during the event. If you would like to participate in this exciting event, please let us know. You may contact Monty Cole (wcole722@comcast.net; 954.8480)or Renee Buchholtz(Renee.Buchholtz@chanelusa.com; 228.2208).

Thanks in Advance - Monty Cole & Ken Gould

(3) BIKE TO WORK FIRST FRIDAYS CANCELED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 4

Because of the temporary closure of the Jimerson Creek Bridge for repairs & lack of parking at other possible meeting locations, the monthly First Fridays Bike to Work scheduled for Friday, March 4 is canceled. We will resume First Fridays Bike to Work on Friday, April 1 (no fooling).

Ken Gould