Monthly Archives: February 2014

2014 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo

I have discovered some major flaws with this Epic Mountain Bike Event.  There simply is not enough time to do everything that I want to do in the time allowed.  Friends show up who I only see once or twice a year whom I could spend an entire weekend with, but only get to have casual conversations.  Food and libations are at every camp, but I’m only able to gorge myself so much.  I want to take photos of everything, from El Grupo, the campgrounds, the party scene, my son, Samuel, the night scene, the Desert, and then there is this race.

My proposal is that we expand the event to the entire month of February.

It is Thursday after the race, and I am finally getting back into the “normal” groove of  life.  All of the pictures I took are uploaded to.  This time I broke them down into smaller categories.  If you missed any, here they are.

El Grupo Youth Cycling https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153849121140154.1073742041.228735085153&type=3

Race Photos Part 1 and 2

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153849049860154.1073742040.228735085153&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153848888170154.1073742039.228735085153&type=3

Random Photos around 24 Hour Town

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153848786945154.1073742037.228735085153&type=3

The Full Moon – One of my favorite Albums Ever

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153846058735154.1073742034.228735085153&type=3

The Dedication Dinner

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153842549030154.1073742032.228735085153&type=3

Drunk Cyclist 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Crit Race

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153842113485154.1073742030.228735085153&type=3

Friday Afternoon at the 24 Hours in the OP

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153841888300154.1073742029.228735085153&type=3

Thursday Afternoon in the OP and a ride with the Queen of Pain, Rebecca Rusch

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153833322850154.1073742028.228735085153&type=3

Bike Safety Bills Introduced in Arizona today

Many months ago I called on Arizona House of Rep Ethan Orr and Senator Steve Farley to talk about bike safety laws.  Not long after our first meeting, my good friend and bike safety advocate, Brendan Lyons and his girlfriend Lorena Evans were struck by a car while riding.  What was a tragic day for them has resulted in a passion that has seen 3 bills introduced on bike safety.  This is a great step, but the battle has only just begun.  We need YOU to contact you State legislators and show your support for these laws.  Below is a letter from Brendan and 3 letters you can send, one for each bill.  We have spends hundreds of hours to get it this far, all you need to do is take a few minutes and contact your Representative and Senator

_____________________________________________________________________________

As a Professional, career Firefighter and EMS provider who happens to be an avid cyclist, I recognize that PUBLIC SAFETY is much more than responding to emergency calls. This resides in awareness and educating the public on everyday hazards, moreover encouraging legislation, which could help facilitate the need to prevent such hazards from taking someone’s life.

In early October, I went for a ride with my girlfriend to celebrate her birthday. Unfortunately, an inattentive motorist struck us both from behind. Still in recovery, uncertain of my return to the Fire Department, I am utilizing my “near-fatal” incident to awaken the users of our public byways. I invite and encourage you to take a moment to read this article I wrote, regarding the very incident that nearly took my life. Here is another article, recently released disclosing what I am doing to better not only Tucson, but the entire state of Arizona.

***Attached you will also find two pre-written letters which you may personalize

  •       H.B. 2622      (Vulnerable Users of Public Ways)
  •        S.B. 1147      (Texting While Driving, Prohibition)
  •        H.B. 2545      (Bicyclists, Public Ways)

By sharing my story across the state of Arizona, I’m inviting others to step up to encourage their local leaders to recognize this problem and encourage helping protect the lives of vulnerable users like me who share and utilize our public byways. Click for House Roster, or Senate Roster.

Click here to Find or Contact My Legislators?

I PERSONALLY, THANK YOU FOR TAKING A MOMENT IN EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THESE BILLS.  THEY WILL SAVE LIVES!!

“Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility”

Brendan Lyons

Firefighter / EMT

Founder Look! Save A Life / ARIZONA 

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR H.B. 2622

Vulnerable Users of Public Ways

Your Name

YOUR TITLE/BUSINESS

ADDRESS

DATE

Honorable Senator/Representative [Last Name]

Arizona House of Representatives

Capitol Complex

1700 West Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

 

Dear Representative / Senator [Last Name]:

As a member of (YOUR BUSINESS/AFFILIATION), I write asking for your support in H.B. 2622, the bill is to protect vulnerable users from drivers operating vehicles in a reckless/malicious manner and a presumption of liability on the part of the motorist if a collision occurs.

Representative Orr (H.B. 2376) is the primary sponsor of this bill, which is awaiting consideration from the State of Arizona Sub-Committees.

A “Vulnerable User of a Public Way” includes any LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, EMERGENCY RESPONDER, or a WORKER in a State Highway Work Zone. Also includes Pedestrians, or Person(s) Operating any of the Following on a Public Way, Crosswalk or Shoulder of the Highway: A Farm tractor, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, scooter, wheelchair, and a bicycle.

 We hope to humanize everyone who utilizes our public byways with your support of H.B. 2622. Why not support a law that will protect those (First-Responders) who protect us? To foster such protection of vulnerable users will encourage tourism, inviting comfort to those who travel here for recreation and enjoyment of life. Nobody wants to be struck by a vehicle and no driver wants to crash into anyone, let alone kill them.

Again, thank you for your consideration and support of H.B. 2622. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR S.B. 1147 & H.B. 2376

Texting While Driving, Prohibition

 Your Name

YOUR TITLE/BUSINESS

ADDRESS

DATE

Honorable Senator/Representative [Last Name]

Arizona House of Representatives

Capitol Complex

1700 West Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

Dear Representative / Senator [Last Name]:

As a member of (YOUR BUSINESS/AFFILIATION), I write asking for your support in S.B. 1147, the bill is to prohibit the use of text messaging, which diverts a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Texting while driving is a growing trend, and a national epidemic, quickly becoming one of the nation’s top killers.

Senator Farley (S.B.1147) and Representative Orr (H.B. 2376) are sponsors of these bills. This is awaiting consideration from the State Transportation Committee.

Texting while driving:

  • Causes nearly 25% of all accidents, 1.6 million per year –National Safety Council
  • Is about 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated
  • Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time- VA. Tech Transportation

As you may know, research like this has driven 47 states to pass legislation banning texting/driving. National cell phone carriers, such as AT&T are campaigning, “Texting & Driving, It Can Wait”. As technological distraction increases, Arizona has an opportunity to make a stand, decreasing the number of collisions on our roads.

Your bipartisan support for S.B. 1147 and/or H.B. 2376 shows your compassion to preserve the Life of your citizens. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR   H.B. 2545

Bicyclists, Public Ways

Your Name

YOUR TITLE/BUSINESS

ADDRESS

DATE

Honorable Representative Karen Fann

Arizona House of Representatives

Capitol Complex

1700 West Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890

Dear Representative Fann:

As a member of (YOUR BUSINESS/AFFILIATION), I write to ask your support for H.B. 2545, the bill is to protect the safety of cyclists while riding on a public roadway, shoulder, or bicycle path.

This bill is sponsored by Representative Orr and is awaiting consideration in the State Transportation Committee.

This bill is important because it will provide a broadening of protection to cyclists on the shoulder of a road even if there is no bike lane and will require debris to be cleaned from bike lanes after accidents. As you may know, cyclists ride to commute, for better health, and simply to enjoy life on a daily basis. Our local, city, and state leaders have made significant strides in making it safer, investing millions of dollars to cycling-safe infrastructure. Why not enact laws that will help keep your constituents safe?

The economic impact that cycling brings to this state is substantial.  Arizona is highly ranked as one of our Nation’s Top Cycling Meccas; recognized by “Outside Magazine” with Tucson being the #1 Cycling Town in the United States. The League of American Bicyclists ranks Arizona as the 10th Bicycle Friendly State, hosting 9 Bicycle Friendly Communities, 11 Bicycle Friendly Businesses, and 2 Bicycle Friendly Universities. Your bipartisan support for H.B. 2545 and bills to protect cyclists only show your compassion to preserve the Life of your citizens. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance.

 

Sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)

 

Houghton Road: Irvington to Valencia construction update

Kenneth Lenger shared the following info from the city
We are installing the Florida T intersections, and as soon as these are in we are going to open the entire roadway for travel. I am sure everyone is eager to get to that point.
We are installing irrigation for the landscaping, and as soon as we are certain we are out of the frost season, you will see the landscaping going in….
In April we will put the rubberized asphalt in.
The project is expected to conclude on schedule in May 2014.
Houghton Road Corridor Art Rails
We finally have our corridor art rail colors determined. You are free to look these up online, as scanning, copying etc. electronically often alters the colors:
Tanque Verde to Broadway (5th St.)       ICI 1275 Kingfisher Blue
Broadway (5th St.) to Escalante             ICI 1226 Deep Pool
Escalante to Valencia                           ICI 1180 Great Lake
Valencia to I-10                                    ICI 1139 Racing Green
You can see the Great Lake color on the rails in the Houghton, Irvington to Valencia project, and in the near future, you will see the Deep Pool color rails going in at Broadway.
Thanks to one of our Corridor Planning artists, Nina Borgia-Aberle, for these selections.
Our artists are saying they plan to bring the public art “Cocoon” structure out in April. We are trying to encourage them to do it a bit sooner. We will keep you posted, but it appears they are looking to bring it in on a large flatbed truck and have a crane set it in place. I know everyone is interested in seeing how this will unfold.
Thanks Kenneth for keeping an eye on this project.  If you read this and have insight to a project in your area, let me know so we can share it.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
M.J. Dillard City of Tucson Construction Project Manager 520-837-6616