Here are what a few of our participants had to say:

“It was a pretty day and nice to see lots of people out on bikes in green.”

“It was a super fun day! We came from Boone to do it. I also liked some of the signs along the way like the tongue twister going up the big hill.”

“Good to see participants from the other bicycle advocacy groups helping out.”

“It was fun to do for the first time. I loved having the route on my phone that talked to me. The checkpoints were fun to find and well spaced.”

Bike of the Irish 2021 would not have been possible without the help of our local partners!

Local businesses that served as checkpoints along the Bike of the Irish routes opened their doors to a number of BOI participants. Here are just a few of the quotes from our checkpoint partners on the day of the event:

“[We saw] steady traffic of visitors. Many stuck around for a complimentary beverage and asked about our bikes and service.”

“Lots of excited participants checking out our spot for the first time!”

“We decided to not play a large role this year and not be there in person because of COVID, but AoB made it very easy for us to display our board and play a small part! Looking forward to doing more in the future.”

And finally, we would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s Bike of the Irish event.

Cruisers:

Best Overall

Team: Team Agan
Members: Steve Agan, Maggie Agan
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64125793

City Centric:

Most Points in the Least Amount of Time (this includes checkpoints and bonus points)

Team: ‘O Bear
Members: Ed Broadbear (solo)
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64116882 

Runner Up and Best Photographs

Team: Leslie’s Team (Team Leslie)
Members: Kristy Carter, Wade Rogers, Leslie Houde, Bronie Reynolds
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64121752

Best Team Name

Team: Very Hungry Catermillers
Members: Wes Miller, Kristi Miller, Brent Miller, Nicole Miller, Trenton Miller, Bellatrix Lestrange
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35410139?privacy_code=osb3QyLKNYJpFcWi

Rough & Rowdy:

Most Points and Most Elevation (this includes checkpoints and bonus points)

Team: Riley and Luke
Members: Luke Paulson and Riley West
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64117321

Most Points and Least Amount of Time

Team: Zoller
Team Member: Jason Zoller (solo)
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64136576

Best Team Name & Best Costume

Team: Irish I Was at the Pub
Members: Garrett Burrell, Monty Burrell, Juanelle Burrell
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64126884

The post Bike of the Irish 2021 (COVID-19 Edition) Winners appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

What’s your favorite type of riding?

There isn’t a style of riding I dislike to be honest! Like many Midwestern kids, I started out on BMX bikes traveling as far as my legs would take me. As an undergrad athlete I fell in love with mountain biking and the escape it gave me from school and soccer—also what a better place for it than WNC?

As I got older and met my future wife, I started road cycling more and more to the point of racing. Now you can find me racing, commuting to work, playing in Pisgah or pulling my son in his trailer in Bent Creek.

Why Do You Support AoB?

I support AoB because of the work they do to pull the cycling community together. AOB has made extensive efforts to increase access for all pedestrians, whether it be walkers or bikers.

It’s mind blowing that we have so few sidewalks and bike lanes. We have such an active community and one can easily see with the RAD protected bike lane and greenway that if you build it, people will use it!

What would you like AoB to accomplish in the next 5 years?

I hope to see AoB to keep doing what they are doing. Specifically, helping collaborate with local communities and helping get more infrastructure built and maintained to increase access and safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Experience the benefits of AOB membership

Jay may have won our latest raffle, but there are plenty of reasons for cyclists in WNC to join AOB now. You’ll be invited to all of our (in)famous events, connect with the regional cycling community, and have a chance to help shape positive cycling and pedestrian infrastructure changes in our community. Join now!

The post Asheville on Bikes Members Rock! Meet Jay Dore. appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

The silent auction catalog includes a variety of cycling goods, local wares, and unique experiences. Peruse the catalog and check back for updates as items continue to arrive.

The post Bike Love Silent Auction appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

AoB thanks our 2020 sponsors for their financial support which enables us to move our mission forward:

Winners Announced: 

Cruiser Winners: 

1st Place:

Team – Spider Bike
Team Member(s): Nate Field & Otis Field
00:45min & 17 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58409098

Runner up (Second Amount of Checkpoints in the Least Amount of Time):

Team – Wagers on Bikes
00:28min & 8 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58394800

City Centric: 

1st Place: 

Team – Monty Rides Again
Team Members: Dave & Linda Copley
01:46hr & 36 checkpoints( including bonus)
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58404772

Runner Up

Team – Jim
Team Members: Jim Grode (Asheville on Bikes’ Board Member)
2:43hr & 31 Checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58407802

Rough & Rowdy:

1st Place:
Team – Honda Insight Fan Club (Official)
Team Member(s): Devin Clancy and Nick Bragg
03:55hr & 28 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58408402 

Runner Up:

Team – Pumpkin Pedaller Fox in Socks
Team Member(s):Christina Montes
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58414982

Best Costume: 

Team: It’s Pronounced Fronkensteen
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58417939

Best Team Name:

Team – Bent Creekers
Team Member(s): William Goodson

Pumpkin Pedaller winners will receive a gift from one of these local companies: 

• Oowee Products
• The Runner Box 
• Taco Billy 
• Riveter

AoB has a three pronged approach to our mission – celebration, education, & advocacy. To learn more about our work in education and advocacy, watch “Education & Infrastructure Moves the Next Generation Forward.”

The post Pumpkin Pedaller 2020 Winners appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Special Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who make our events possible:

Rough and Rowdy:

Most Checkpoints and Elevation

Team Name: Westside Wanderers
Team Members: Karen Ostergaard, Erik Ostergaard, Austin Walker
78.2 miles, 6,405 feet elevation gain, 36 points
@_k_j_o
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56777099

Runner up: Most Elevation

Team Name-Riley West
Team Members- Riley West
64.1 miles, 5989 feet elevation gain, 17 points
@ohitsriley
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56773678?privacy_code=NH6KckzNkIJdQaEA

Best Name, Costume and Photographs

Team Name: Autumn Oddity
Team Members- Christina Montes & Ethan Burns
47.9 miles, 4,466 feet elevation gain, 31 points
@xomontes
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56772533

City Centric:

Most Checkpoints and Elevation:

Team Name: Team SGOT
Team Members: Rebecca Lawton & Trevor
28.9 miles, 2,288 feet elevation gain, 30 pts
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56771222

Runner Up

Team Members- Richie Rozelle & Nick Kroncke
27.3 miles , 1,995 feet elevation gain, 31 pts
@Rozzeller
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56761720

Best Name and Best Photographs:

Team Name: Your Pace or Mine?
Team Members- Rylee Roquemore & Misty Miller
25.8 miles, 1876 feet elevation gain, 31 pts
@ryleeroq
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56770476

Runner Up Best Photograph

Team Name: Little Debbies Conquer City
Team Members: Mackenzie Kramer & Colin McCormick, John and Karly Haddock
@kenziekramer
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56764779

Best Costumes:

Team Name: Flagella and Anchor
Team Members: Katie Green & Ramin Sadeghian
@insideoutandupsidedown
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56769997

Cruiser:

Best All-Around

Team Name: Yancey’s Fancy
Team Members: Katie, Luca and Herb Yancey,
10.5 miles, 415 elevation gain, 13 checkpoints
@katiemccabeyancey
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56760445

The post 2020 The Fall Out Winners appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Re: Merrimon Avenue Project #5782-US 25 Merrimon AV and W.T. Weaver Blvd

Dear Mr. Clark:
Connect Buncombe exists to advocate for the implementation of Buncombe County’s Master Plan for Greenways and Trails, a trail system that meets the needs for safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Recently NCDOT has publicly released a proposal for Project #5782 that includes modifications to the intersection of US 25 Merrimon AV and W.T. Weaver Blvd. This proposal does nothing to improve the connection of Glenn’s Creek Greenway east of Merrimon to the greenway west of Merrimon. As presented the proposal requires pedestrians and bicyclists to cross a road that would be about a third wider with higher vehicular movements and speeds without meeting stipulated design guidelines. We ask that you study this intersection better and present an improved design.

The City of Asheville (COA) has indicated their opposition to the proposal as submitted. Connect Buncombe supports the City Council’s concerns. We ask that NCDOT Division 13 incorporate state and local design guidelines for the Merrimon AV (and all future Buncombe County) street improvements. NCDOT should plan these street modifications in partnership with the City of Asheville’s Transportation Department and incorporate the following:

NCDOT’s 2009 Complete Streets policy states:

• “The North Carolina Department of Transportation, in its role as stewards over the transportation infrastructure, is committed to: …working in partnership with local government agencies, interest groups, and the public to plan, fund, design, construct, and manage complete street networks that sustain mobility while accommodating walking, biking, and transit opportunities safely.”
• “Providing an efficient multi-modal transportation network in North Carolina such that the access, mobility, and safety needs of motorists, transit users, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities are safely accommodated.”

AASHTO Guidelines for the Development of Bicycle Facilities:

• Adopted via NCDOT’s own Bicycle Policy as the accepted guidance. NCDOT’s Bicycle Policy states: “All bicycle transportation facilities approved by the Board of Transportation shall conform with the adopted “Design Guidelines for Bicycle Facilities” on state-funded projects.”

NCDOT’s Community Characteristics Report, US 25 (Merrimon Ave) King Street to Maney Avenue: Operational Improvements City of Asheville, Buncombe County (CCR), originally developed in 2009:

• The report includes several recommendations, including the notation of a need for specialized trail crossings at W.T. Weaver Blvd to facilitate multi-use path. (p.11)

Asheville in Motion

• Merrimon Ave is recognized in the Bicycle Framework Plan as a route “that serve(s) as a support system for primary routes.” (Asheville in Motion Plan, p.76)

Asheville City 2025 Plan

• The need for a bicycle and pedestrian network is identified in the 2025 plan’s Transportation Vision. It states, “Vision: The City of Asheville will have a network of bicycle and pedestrian routes which are safe and provide reasonable transportation choice for its residents as outlined in the Asheville Greenway Master Plan and the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.” Buncombe County’s Master Plan for Greenways and Trails incorporates COA plans that develop a county-wide bike and pedestrian transportation system.

Connect Buncombe requests that NCDOT delay consideration of the Project; that the comment period be extended; that NCDOT consider input from Asheville elected officials; and that NCDOT host neighborhood meetings in order to hear from the public. We request alternatives to the Project that would fulfill connections of our existing greenways, and provide for the safety needs of all street users…automotive, transit, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Respectfully,
Robbie Sweetser, President Connect Buncombe
Friends of Connect Buncombe, Inc.
P.O. Box 16100
Asheville, NC 28816

The post Connect Buncombe: This proposal does nothing to improve the connection of Glenn’s Creek Greenway appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.