More about the Cycling Summit and Taste of Wentzville Reception Saturday

Today's St. Charles Journal has an article about the World Class Cycling Commission Summit and Reception in Wentzville on Saturday, April 12th, 2008.

This event is being put together by the Westplex Sports and Entertainment Local Organizing Committee and the Missouri Bicycle Federation and is a fundraiser for the Missouri Bicycle Federation.

Click here to find out how you can be part of the fun Saturday.

From the St. Charles Journal article:

Those cycling enthusiasts have taken the first step toward their goal by organizing cycling summits involving park directors, representatives from local municipalities and the St. Charles County Local Organizing Committee. The next one is scheduled for Saturday in Wentzville.

If Wentzville Mayor Paul Lambi, Watkins and other supporters have their way, Wentzville would be home to an indoor velodrome in the not-too-distant future. . . .

As for this weekend, Watkins said, organizers hope to begin determining what financial support and land would be necessary for a velodrome.

Also planned is a review of the area's strengths and an update on the Tour of Missouri. Organizers now want to team with officials from the St. Louis area to combine all possible assets, Watkins said.

Watkins expects about 150 at the summit Saturday. One of those will be Brent Hugh. Hugh is executive director of the Missouri Bicycling Federation, a non-profit organization that advocates cycling access, safety and education. He said last week he thought a Wentzville velodrome would be an unusual regional attraction that would attract high profile events and cycling enthusiasts from many surrounding states.

What's great, Hugh said, is that support for the advancement of cycling is coming from all directions, particularly because of rising gas prices and a growing concern for the climate.

"People are starting to realize we can either replace our light bulb, which they always tell us is equal to saving so many trips in a car, or you can just save trips in your car," he said.

Hugh said making cities bicycle-friendly is an easy, inexpensive solution, and support for that is growing. That includes proposals currently being considered by state legislators, he said.