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May 13, 2007
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In this issue

-- SB 248: Safe Passing Becomes Law Approved by Senate (corrected 5/31/07)
-- Let’s show motorists we deserve the Safe Passing Law
-- Mileage update
-- Cross Timbers Classic
-- Burleson Honey Tour
-- Over the Hill
-- Help Wanted! 

Greetings,

Here’s the latest news on cycling events in the Lewisville / Flower Mound area.

SB 248: Safe Passing Bill Becomes Law Approved by Senate (corrected 5/31/07)

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Thanks to all of you who took the time to contact your state senators. and representatives.  Effective 9/1/2007 Motorists must give cyclists a 3ft space when passing.  The bill has been approved by the senate and forwarded to the house for their approval.

Let’s show motorists we deserve the Safe Passing Law
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We’ve had lots of great cycling weather lately and I’ve seen lots of folks taking advantage of it.  Let’s make sure we’re not also taking advantage of the motorists who share the road with us.  I’ve seen numerous quotes that cyclists in Texas can ride two abreast in a single lane.  The part that’s often left out is that this is only permissible when the cyclist do not impede traffic.  Many of the roads in our riding area (Flower Mound, Double Oak, Bartonville, Argyle, Copper Canyon, etc.) are not marked for passing and are therefore “no passing” roads.  When cyclist ride two abreast, we’re forcing motorists to pass us.  This is the most frequent reason that conflicts arise between motorists and cyclists.  I was witness to this twice this weekend and each time the cyclists were impeding traffic.  I’ve been informed that the police in Double Oak, Keller, and Roanoke are now looking for situations like these and are freely writing tickets.  Either way you look at it, playing “chicken” with a motorist or getting a ticket; it’s just not worth it!

Mileage Update
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Congratulations to Raynelle again!  Last month she was the first one in the club to hit the 2000 mile mark for the year.  This month she’s gone over 3,000 (knocking on the door to 4,000).  We have three other members (Ken, Joe, and Stacy) who are over 2,000 miles for the year.  The club is now at 23,371 miles for the year (up nearly 10,000 from the last newsletter).  And that’s with only 20 members tracking their mileage.  Imagine where we could be if we all participated (hint, hint).   Check out bikejournal.com for more details. 

Cross Timbers Classic
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Next weekend is the Cross Timbers Classic.  The starting point has been move from Flower Mound High School to the Texas Motor Speedway (should be plenty of parking!).  The routes are similar to what they’ve been in the past and the event planning seems to have improved.  Let’s support our “home town” rally!  http://www.crosstimbersclassic.org/

Burleson Honey Tour
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We have two “rallies of the month” this month.  The second is the “Honey Tour” in Burleson.  http://www.honeytour.org/

Over the Hill
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Well last month I hit the big 50.  My travel schedule kept me pretty busy, so I didn’t have time to sit and reflect on the past 50 years.  I did find myself in Palm Beach, FL the day after the big event so I decided to see what the over 50 crowd tools around on down there.  Check out the photo gallery to see the first bike I got to ride “over the hill”. 

Help Wanted!
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I know we’ve got lots of talented and opinionated folks in the club.  Let’s hear you.  We need articles for the website and newsletter.  Please e-mail myself or BikingKen and we’ll get them published for you.  If you’re really interested we’ll show you how to publish them yourself.

Quick Links...
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•  Our Website - If you haven’t taken the time to register at our forum, please do so.  Everyone is welcome to use the forum and registering assures that you’ll be kept up to date on cycling news & events in the area.