Published Article

My first newspaper article published in March 2007: "Bike Edina Task Force keeps rolling along"

Bike Edina Task Force keeps rolling along

By Kirk Johnson - Guest Columnist
(Created: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:30 PM CDT

MN Sun-Current

According to survey work completed by the Bike Edina Task Force, bicycling is an important activity to many Edina residents.

More than 18,000 residents indicated that they ride their bikes each year. Even though Edina is home to these thousands of bicyclists, for the first time we are seeing specific efforts to create a sense of community for Edina bicyclers. This is an exciting time for bicycling in Edina.

All residents are invited to consider themselves a part of the Bike Edina community. How can you specifically be involved in the Bike Edina community?



Some simple steps include joining one of many Edina group bicycle rides, using the Bike Edina website (explained below), visiting Edina's local bike shop, and taking part in various classes, seminars, and other educational activities.

There are now biking activities during all seasons, even in the winter. Even if you are not a biker, you can appreciate the benefits of biking. Additionally, if you are a motorist, you can offer courtesy to bicyclists on the road: Minnesota state law gives bicyclists full privileges to ride on the road, so remember to be kind and share the road.

To give more visibility to biking and offer a social group outlet for bikers in Edina, several community residents are involved in ride-leader training with the Hiawatha Bicycle Club. The result is more group rides originating in Edina.

Already this year, Edina enjoyed its inaugural Polar Bear Ride: Starting near City Hall, a group ventured out for a brisk 12-mile ride on Jan. 1. Additionally members from the Bike Edina Task Force have organized a Winter Ride Series that runs through March. Another spring series will start in April and run through May.

All riders are invited, and different rides have different focuses for speed, distance, and terrain. For example, one ride was designed around some of the steepest hills in Edina. Another ride recently featured a slower, flatter pace and looped around Lake Harriet and was suitable for children accompanied by adults.

Where can residents find news, learn about group rides, meet other bicyclists, share tips on commuting, and engage in interesting bike-related discussions? For the first time in Edina's history, we now have our own community website and interactive forums to accomplish all of those things.

At www.BikeEdina.com, the Bike Edina community can engage in the interactive forums area, stay informed on the latest community news, plan for upcoming rides and seminars, ask questions about bicycle safety and maintenance, etc. The site features information on commuting as well.

Another way to engage in the Edina bicycling community is to visit Edina's one and only local bike shop, Edina Bike and Sport, on Valley View Drive. The shop has been kind enough to sponsor the Bike Edina website and some related efforts. This is a great source of advice, products, and service for biking and other sports.

Edina Public Schools offers community education for all ages. The website is http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/ces/, plus you may have received periodic catalogs. The recent catalog features some bicycle classes such as bicycle commuting and a class on bicycle maintenance.

Additionally, clubs like the Hiawatha Bicycle Club offer "Smart Cycling" events where you can learn more about specific topics such as training, touring, safety, etc. The Club's site is www.hiawathabike.org.

For a consolidated list of events and education specifically related to or located in Edina, visit the BikeEdina.org site and register in the Forums area to view the calendar.

Steve Rusk is chair of the Bike Edina Task Force and can be reached at BikeEdina@earthlink.net or 952-929-9771.

Kirk Johnson, is an organizer of several group rides in Edina and is also a bicycle commuting advocate and webmaster for the BikeEdina website. He can be reached at Kirk@BikeEdina.org or 952-922-3344

Muchacha y Su Cabello

Here is my sister's recent horse and person portrait, completed March 2007 in oil. I think it is one of my favorites of this type. Comments anyone?

Fun with Artem

Here are a few pics of recent fun activities with Artem. His vocabulary is increasing. Instead of asking "Are we going back to that thing?" while on a ride around Lake Harriet getting back to the bandshell structures, he actually asked, "Are we getting closer to that little stadium?" Also, we watched some snow windsurfers, and instead of commenting on "Those people doing those things" he asked if we were getting near the people doing the "winter activities." Great!

So, here is Artem clowning with Dad after dinner with the big arms. Also pictured before riding off to Lake Harriet. The photo by the door is on his way to an old fashioned school study trip. Snow tubing. Aliya's half birthday. And the guy doing that thing back at the thing.

Ice Biking at Lake Harriet

Alex, Hans, and I had a good time on Lake Harriet. John is looking on from the shore. This is during the heavy snow storm that we all enjoyed this weekend. But not quite enough to shut down schools and offices. Maybe next time!

BikeEdina Website

Check it out! BikeEdina.org

Some Favorite Stupor Bowl Pics

At sub-zero temps, my camera and its battery didn't cooperate. But, I did get a few shots. These are thumbnails, so you can click to enlarge. You can see how packed we were in part of the One on One Bike Studio for the Stupor Bowl X. As you can see, it was a friendly crowd. I think between 200 and 300 riders were there.

-9F and Dropping

It was a GREAT day. Completed 11 of the 19 stops and picked up all the poker cards. More on that later. Jeff is OK and hit several stops, too. For memory's sake, here is the weather during part of today. My total miles were 43. I brought home all my body parts.

Anyone ready for Stupor Bowl XI? Yo, over here! Saturday, February 2. And I'm hittin' all them stops!

Dressing for Success

How does someone dress for a 3-hour outdoor bike race? In the winter? When windchill is MINUS 35F and the high temp of the day is only -2F? That's the forecast for today on Stupor Bowl Saturday! Yeah! Check out My overall clothing scheme. Really, with a little planning, anyone can enjoy cold winter weather very comfortably. You can do it! There's nothing like riding out in sub-zero temps and being "dressed for success" because you will feel like you have super powers!

On really cold days like today I wear most but not all of those layers. You can see all the stuff in the bag (I really don't take the first aid kit, but it's a good idea in theory). Finally, here is my night visibility stuff.

Later this month I'm going to assist with a winter commuting clinic, so I'm thinking about putting together a pamphlet. I'd be interested in hearing your comments for what you like to use for cold weather riding.

Cars-R-Coffins Visit

Visited Cars-R-Coffins coffee shop today to see StuporBowl X artifacts and check out the scene. Cool stuff! The photo of the people running is the start of a previous Stupor Bowl. The poster is for this year's event (10th annual). The other is just a snapshot I took in the coffee shop. The crowd was pleasant...I sort of expected something rougher. I'm looking forward to the race!

Pinewood Derby

Here are a few photos from the recent event. Alex's car is the one that looks like a light rail commuter car (modeled after the Hiawatha line). Artem is shown by the track with his back to the camera looking to his right. It was a fun day for all.

Natasha & Cheetah

Here is a recent painting from my sister, Karen. She started drawing horses and playing with horses as a toddler, so it is fitting that today she has two horses, an Arabian (Chewy) and a Friesian (Vinny). I will post upcoming paintings. We may have a website, also, in the future. Click on the image to see it a little big bigger. Beautiful!

Edina Hill Climber

Today we enjoyed a group ride to cover some of the interesting hills in Edina. Pictured here is all 11 of us (including Steve's shadow in lower left). This completed our ride leader training for Steve and me.

Edina Polar Bear Ride

Today was a great day for biking. Thanks to Steve Rusk, leader of the Bike Edina Task Force and also to the Hiawatha Bicycling Club, we had a great group ride. Pictured in the large group (click photo to expand) are Barry, Mark, Steve, Janis, Dan, Troy, Kirk, Charley Brown (dog), and Jim.

Prior to the ride, I received my training session with Steve for the Rider Leader Guideliness. Hans delivered it. I then had my first ride as a leader in training under the tutelage of Janice/Dan.

The temp was in the low 30s, perfect for creating a variety of surfaces: Slushy, powdery, watery, icey, and other. I don't think anyone dumped a bike. It was a good time and I'm looking forward to more group rides. One of our hopes for 2007 is increased visibility for biking activities in Edina as resident bikers become a closer community.

Snow White

Finally...some snow. Perfect for biking. Front garden and house shot.

New Years Eve Dinner

Another fun-filled evening with family and friend (MW). BBQ chips and Boggle! Yesssssss.

TEFKAD

The Engineers Formerly Known as DID saw Tom off prior to his cross-country escapades. We've been meeting as a group several times per year since 1996, but we hope to see Tom back in Minnesota in April or May this year. Charlie: WTF?

Minnesota River Trip

We went to the river trails at the south end of Lyndale Avenue. Unfortunately, it was too muddy. Instead, we biked around the paved part and explored the ice.

Christmas Day

We all enjoyed Christmas Day 2006. The day started off with the new dollhouses assembled and ready for the kids when they came downstairs. The P.'s brought fishing poles for the boys! Joining us for dinner were Barb, Greg, Beth, Julie, and Shree. Lisa says everyone else had plans.

Trains & Trams

Today we went on an adventure via light rail. Stopped at the Minneapolis airport (Lindberg Terminal) to get my pocket knife from the business office. The photos here of the lightrail stop remind me of a launching pad in a space ship for a science fiction move set.

Alex stayed home to assemble some shelves with Mom.

Violin Lesson

Alex takes violin lessons at school and at MacPhail. Here he is with Jeremy. Alex is getting ready for his first violin recital on January 12th.