Missouri Bicycle News Article

The Missouri Bicycle Federation and the Westplex Sports & Entertainment LOC invite you to join cycling legend John Howard (who grew up in Springfield and is known as "the Babe Ruth of Cycling") and the members of the new World Class Cycling Commission from the St. Louis region at the

"Taste of Wentzville" Reception/Dinner
5:15-7:00PM Saturday, April 12th
100 Mall Parkway at the Crossings in Wentzville, Southeast entrance (map)

The event is a fundraiser and all funds raised will go to benefit the Missouri Bicycle Federation. You can join us for the reception/dinner April 12th or join the World Class Cycling Commission by supporting MoBikeFed at one of three levels--email Caryn Giarratano (nonmotorizedsolutions@mchsi.com) or see below for details.

The afternoon of April 12th, members of the World Class Cycling Commission will meet to begin development of a strategic plan to create a World Class Cycling Center in metropolitan St. Louis that will include:

* Making the region a model bicycle friendly community and "bicycling mecca" in all ways
* Making streets and roads friendlier and safer for bicycling
* Creating a complete and connected network of trails
* Adopting more bicycle friendly policies
* Encouraging more people to get out and bicycle
* Encouraging more bicycle-related events--rides, races, triathlons, major pro events like the Tour of Missouri, and others
* Promoting bicycling and lifting its status as part of what makes a community a great place to live
* A greater presence of MoBikeFed in the St. Louis area, including a "virtual office"
* Construction of a new indoor Velodrome in Wentzville, Missouri, to complement the existing outdoor Penrose Park Velodrome

We first explored these ideas, and began to assemble a team of citizens interested in supporting them, in December with the World Class Cycling seminar in Wentzville, hosted by the Westplex Sports and Entertainment Local Organizing Committee (L.O.C.) and the Missouri Bicycle Federation.

Taking the World Class Cycling Commission across Missouri
This event in St. Louis is the first step.

Once the World Class Cycling Commission is successfully established in the St. Louis area, our plan is to establish World Class Cycling Commissions in every area of Missouri, with Commission members from throughout Missouri. Commission members are supporters of walking and bicycling in Missouri who are willing to take their support of active transportation to the next level.

This will generate the support we need to implement MoBikeFed's new Vision of Active Transportation across Missouri.

Sponsorship levels for the event April 12th
Join us April 12th by donating at one of the sponsorship levels below.

Checks may be made out to: "Missouri Bicycle Federation" and mailed to St. Louis Regional Cycling Commission, POB 104731, Jefferson City, MO
65110-4731.

Questions? Email MoBikeFed Board Member Caryn Giarratano (nonmotorizedsolutions@mchsi.com).

Gold Sponsorship Benefits for a donation to MoBikeFed of $600:

* One seat on the World Class Cycling Commission
* Two spots at the World Class Cycling Seminar from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
* Two seats for the "Taste of Wentzville" reception/dinner featuring John Howard from 5:15 to 7 pm.

Silver Sponsorship Benefits for a donation to MoBikeFed of $300:

* One seat on the World Class Cycling Commission
* One spot at the World Class Cycling Seminar from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
* One seat for the "Taste of Wentzville" reception/dinner featuring John Howard from 5:15 to 7 pm.

"Friend" Sponsorship Benefits for a donation to MoBikeFed of $150:

* One seat for the "Taste of Wentzville" reception/dinner featuring John Howard from 5:15 to 7 pm.

Event Schedule on April 12, 2008

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Commissioners meet to identify the assets present in the metro St. Louis area (including the Katy Trail and the Tour of Missouri) that form the foundation for a World Class Cycling Center designation. Identify those assets that would need to be added, including a world class Velodrome, in order for the metro St. Louis area to receive the above designation.

5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Commissioners and other guests are invited to a "Taste of Wentzville" Reception/dinner that follows the World Class Cycling Center Seminar featuring "Outstanding Missourian" and triathlete, John Howard, the "Babe Ruth of Cycling."

How does supporting MoBikeFed help St. Louis become a World Class Cycling Center?

* With its advocacy work at the statewide and national level, MoBikeFed complements and amplifies the work of important local organizations and clubs, like TrailNet, Great Rivers Greenway, the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, many local bicycling, running, walking, and triathlon clubs, and organizations like the Westplex Sports and Entertainment Local Organizing Committee

* MoBikeFed’s work with the Missouri legislature and with statewide agencies like MoDOT results in better planning, policy, and spending decisions on the local level.

* MoBikeFed’s work with national leaders and Missouri’s members of Congress has dramatic potential to improve conditions for walking and bicycling in Missouri cities, by helping support funding for needed local projects, by changing federal transportation policy and funding guidelines

* With a greater amount of financial support from key supporters like you, MoBikeFed’s role in organizing bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail supporters into a grassroots political force has the potential to become much more effective in changing local, metropolitan, state, and national policies and goals.

About John Howard
John Howard, who will be speaking at the reception, grew up in Springfield and became one of the first Americans of his era to break into the international bicycle racing scene--a predecessor to famous American bicycle racers like Greg Lemond, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and George Hincapie.

Some of John Howard's accomplishments:

• 3 Time Cycling Olympian
• 10 Years on the US National Team
• 14 time USCF & NORBA Elite & Masters Champion
• Ironman Triathlon World Champion (1981)
• 2 Time UCI World Championship
• Medalist Ironman Triathlon
• Champion Cycling 24-Hour World Record Holder - 539 miles (drafting)
• Cycling World Absolute Speed Record Holder, 152.2 mph
• Competitive Cycling Magazine’s Cyclist of the Decade -- 1970s
• Pan Am Games Gold Medalist

Related:

TourOfMO: Tour of Missouri newsletter issue #1

News: Summer membership drive final results: over 500 new/renewing members

TourOfMO: Tour of MO 2009 route announced

News: MoBikeFed's St. Louis Cycling Commission meets in Wentzville

TourOfMO: Tour of Missouri, One Day And Four New Cities Added, St. Joseph Will Host the Grand Depart!