Hello, I hope everyone is gearing up for the race, Sunday, Sept. 4th. Pat should have a great challenge for us again this year. Just a reminder, if you plan on preriding the trails at Camp before the race you need to do before Sat., Sept. 3., because the trails will be closed for the marking of the super-secret course. Again, Camp Robinson will be closed Saturday, Sept. 3.

Registar online at Active.com:
http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1250982

Need more info, check out Chainwheels website: http://chainwheel.com/site/index.cfm

Baptist Health's Raid the Rock 2005, scheduled for October 15, promises to be yet another exciting race. Set in the heart of Central Arkansas, racers can expect this year's course to be as exciting and challenging as year's past. Registration is now open at www.raidtherock.com. Raid the Rock features over $5,000 in cash and prizes (including a Turner Flux frame!) with the help of strong sponsor support from Baptist Health, Competitive Cyclist, Doublebee's, Lab of Pathology, OneBanc, Ozark Outdoor Supply and Turner Suspension Bicycles (www.turnerbikes.com).

The race will consist of approximately 50 miles of various terrains in and around the city of Little Rock. The course will roughly be divided into thirds between the disciplines of trekking/running, paddling and mountain biking. For those of you needing to fortify your gear for the race, Competitive Cyclist www.competitivecyclist.com) on Cantrell and Ozark Outdoor Supply (www.ozarkoutdoor.com) on Kavanaugh are each offering a 10% discount to registered racers.

There are two divisions for teams: Premier & Masters. Both divisions will consist of 3-person teams with at least one female. To qualify for the Masters division every member of the team must be at least 40 years old. The field will be limited to 60 teams. Team members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to participate. Racers may register at http://www.raidtherock.com/public/login.asp

New this year is the Solo Division. Solo racers must submit a resume to the Raid the Rock race directors (teamtraveler@comcast.net) before registering. The field will be limited to 10 racers. Each must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to participate -- there will be no exceptions. The same rules apply to solo racers as team racers. Racers may register at http://www.raidtherock.com/public/login.asp

As in previous years, a series of clinics are available to help racers polish their skills before the race. The Adventure Racing 101 clinic will be held September 11 at the Ferndale 4-H center. Participants will learn basic navigation, canoeing, mountain biking, and rappelling skills. Registration available at http://www.raidtherock.com/pdf/Clinic_Registration_2005.pdf

Navigation will again play an important part in the race this year. To assist racers in developing these crucial skills, an advanced navigation clinic will be held at Lake Sylvia and surrounding National Forrest on September 24. Disciplines covered include daytime and nighttime navigation, team dynamics, racing and navigation strategies, route finding, and more. Registration available at http://www.raidtherock.com/pdf/Clinic_Registration_2005.pdf

Additional race information can be found at www.raidtherock.com. Please be sure to support each of our presenting sponsors as their participation drives the success of the Raid.

Baptist Health (www.baptist-health.org)
Competitive Cyclist (www.competitivecyclist.com)
Doublebee's Convenience Stores -- Gas it. Grab it. Go!
Lab of Pathology (www.labofpath.com)
OneBanc (www.onebanc.com)
Ozark Outdoor Supply (www.ozarkoutdoor.com)

Every Cyclist is welcome to come to the first Better Life Counseling Center’s Ride for a Better Life. The Better Life Counseling Center is a non-profit organization that provides Christian counseling to families, couples and individuals based on their ability to pay. The money raised in this event will go to the Samaritan Fund that helps pay for the services that our clients receive. The course is about 62 miles of rolling hills on scenic Crowley’s Ridge near Jonesboro, AR. There will also be a 10 and 25 mile course.

The ride will begin and end at the offices of the Better Life Counseling Center which is located at the Southwest Church of Christ, behind the YMCA on Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro, AR. Registration, Pancake Breakfast, and Packet Pickup will start at 8:00 am. The ride will start promptly at 9:00 am. There will be several rest stations along the way with complimentary drinks and food. There will be ice cream at the end of the event. All riders will receive free items from our sponsors.

The fee for Riding is $30.00 in Advance or $40.00 on day of event. Download the form here and join us for some rocking North East Arkansas riding!

Hey Everyone...

Due to the earlier Sept date of the 2005 100 minutes of C.A.R.P. this year and the increased Arkansas heat which accompanies Sept, we won't have the time bonuses this year. Costumes are very welcome however. Due to the heat, use discretion - comfort and kewlness is king! We've updated the Event page. Be sure to refresh your browser if your checking the event page. The 100 Minutes of CARP info once again:

100 Minutes of CARP - 10:00 AM - Sunday Sept 4th Aw yeah! 100 Minutes of CARP Hosted by Chainwheel is ramping up to rawk. Prepare your steed and see you there for some fine single track racing! Online Registration is here at Active.com. Get all the details over at the Chainwheel, or a summary off the CARP event page. Browse the pics from 2004 while gearing up.

Three Important Items:

(1) BACA Reward Press Conference, Monday @ 1 p.m. & Report - Saturday Morning Ride of Silence.

The BACA Press Conference to announce a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of Little Rock cyclist Jason Pratt will be held this coming Monday, August 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the steps of the Little Rock Police Department. The Little Rock Police Department is located at 700 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas. The reward has now grown to approximately $1,700. If at all possible, please attend to demonstrate concern about Jason's death & for making central Arkansas streets safe for bicycling for transportation & recreation. Wear your BACA t-shirt if you have one.

On Saturday morning more than 75 bicyclists participated in a Ride of Silence to honor the memory of Jason Pratt & call public attention to the need for motorists to share the road with bicyclists using the streets for transportation & recreation. The ride started from Hughes and Markham at 6:25 a.m. (the approximate time of the accident) & proceeded east along Markham to the State Capitol. A stirring reverential silence was maintained during the ride.

(2) Reminder - Important Meeting - Rails to Trails VP to Make River Trail Presentation this Coming Wednesday @ 7 p.m. Little Rock Parks and Recreation has invited Jeffrey Ciabotti, Vice President of Rails to Trails Conservancy in Washington D.C. to present recommendations and suggestions following the Conservancy's study of what is necessary to complete the remainder of the River Trail. Jeff's report will focus on the section of the trail behind the Episcopal Collegiate School and problems with crossing the Union Pacific railroad tracks & constructing the trail in the proximity of the tracks. Please make plans to attend this important meeting. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the River Market in the third floor meeting room. Refreshments will be provided. To get to the third floor, enter through Andina's, go to the back of the restaurant and take the elevators.

(3) Reminder - Next BACA Meeting, 7 p.m., Thursday, Sep. 1 at the Oyster Bar. Another interesting & exciting program - BACA Board member George Cobb will report on his recently completed bicycle ride around the perimeter of Arkansas. George's talk will include his impressions about bicycle advocacy issues that he encountered. Share the Road bumper stickers will be available at the meeting.

Thanks.
Ken Gould

100 Minutes of CARP - 10:00 AM - Sunday Sept 4th Aw yeah! 100 Minutes of CARP Hosted by Chainwheel is ramping up to rawk. Prepare your steed and see you there for some fine single track racing! Online Registration is here at Active.com. Get all the details over at the Chainwheel, or a summary off the CARP event page. Browse the pics from 2004 while gearing up.

All,

We urge you to attend the BACA press conference concering the $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jason Pratt's death.

The Press Conference will be Monday @ 1:00 pm, at the steps of the LRPD. We urge everyone who can to attend and to bring your bikes. Look forward to seeing everyone Saturday on the Ride of Silence.

Your friendly VP- Monty Cole

Many of you have heard of the bicycle fatality that occured last Saturday near the intersection of Hughes and Markham. The young man who was killed by the hit and run driver was named Jason Pratt and we feel that this insident should not go by without a response from the cycling community. To that end, several members of the Arkansas Bicycle Club have arranged a "Ride of Silence" to draw attention to the accident. Here are the details:

Meet at intersection of Hughes and Markham. Ride starts at 6:25 a.m. August 13th - Parking at Lutheran School and Church on Hughes just south of Markham.

Ride in silence to the state capitol, where riders can break silence and go their separate ways.

We should be at the capitol before 7:00 a.m.

The point is to make a point; the cycling community will not stand for this type of behavior. The more riders that show up for this event the more of an impact it will have. Please make every effort to attend, even if it means giving up your regular Saturday ride. This is important.


Thanks, Ian
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And last but not least....the 411 on 100 Minutes of CARP!

Visit the Chainwheel.com

Gary

Should be getting some 100 Minutes of CARP info up and/or over at Chainwheel's website here soon....

Thx
Gary

Aw yeah!...check out the Sting Ray Criterium up at PedroFest....Rawk!...put on some DEEP PURPLE baby... and turn it up loud!

I wanted to thank everyone who donated bicycles for the Kenya trip. I got about 55 bicycles to build so far! Thanks again!

Gary

Ugh....Depressing Update...from www.kark.com - A Little Rock man was killed eary saturday morning when a car struck his bicycle. It happened around 6:40 in the 6900 block of West Markham. Police say 29-year old Jason Pratt was headed eastbound when a car struck him from behind. The car flipped Pratt and bicycle into a nearby yard. He was pronounced dead on the scene, and police are still trying to track down the driver. Right now, they have no description of the vehicle. If you have any information contact the Little Rock police department.

This is an open Wed. night. We have no cookout planned. However we will be tearing up the trails as usual. So come one, come all, bring a fan and a big water bottle and let's see if we can keep up with Scott Saunders on the best trails in Arkansas!

Gary