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The Next Ladies Only Track Session (LOTS) will be on Saturday October 13th from 12:00-2:00pm at the LA Velodreome.
Maine ~ New bicycle laws include helmet requirement
By Tom GroeningThursday, September 20, 2007 - Bangor Daily News http://www.bangordailynews.com/
Beginning today, your child can be fined for not wearing a helmet while bicycling.
And if you’re driving, you must give bicyclists a 3-foot safety cushion as you pass them on the road.
Also, you can now pedal up to your bank’s drive-through window on two wheels and not be turned away.
A state law taking effect today addresses these and other bicycling concerns
The new law directs bicyclists to stay on the right side of the road, except under certain circumstances, and creates an exception for cars to cross a solid yellow line on the road in order to pass a bicyclist safely.
Jeff Miller, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a nonprofit group advocating for cyclists, said Wednesday the law’s provisions are based on common sense and safety.
Since 1999, state law has required children 15 and younger to wear helmets while bicycling. That law is consistent with helmet laws for ATV users and those on motorcycles, he said.
With the new law, police now have the ability to summon an offender. In the past, only warnings could be issued.
"You can only tell a 14- or 15-year-old so many times that they have to wear a helmet," Miller said. The inevitable reply from young bicyclists, officers have said, is "Why?" And when youth learned there was no consequence to failing to comply, well, not much changed.
The law now directs officers to warn a youth for the first offense, then issue a summons with a $25 fine for the second offense. But by showing police proof of purchasing a helmet before the fine is due, offenders can have the fine waived, Miller said.
Helmets generally cost less than $25, he said.
The fine was added, Miller said, because of evidence showing helmet use among children was declining.
"You’ve got to wear a helmet. It’s sensible," he said.
Bicyclists should operate responsibly, Miller said, and that means riding on the right, as called for in the law. Exceptions provided for are when a bicyclist plans to continue through an intersection with a right-turn lane, and when the bicyclist is planning a left turn, for which he should use hand signals.
The 3-foot cushion to be given by drivers has long been recommended, he said, and with the law, Maine becomes the 10th U.S. state to require it. Last week, Illinois became the 11th state to pass the requirement.
Miller urges drivers to be patient when approaching a bicyclist on a narrow rural road and to wait until there is a clear line of sight before passing the bicyclist. Often, the wait is only a matter of seconds.
"That patience is important," he said.
A component of the law creates a liability waiver for businesses with drive-through windows, so bicyclists cannot sue the bank or coffee shop if a driver in the line injures them.
A bank president, who along with employees bicycled to work on the annual Commute Another Way Day, headed off with his staff at break time to a Dunkin’ Donuts on their bikes, Miller said, only to be told the store — which only had a drive-through — had a policy prohibiting bikes.
The incident highlighted the need for a law change, Miller said.
Above all, bicyclists should ride responsibly; their newly codified rights come with responsibilities, he said.
"You can wear a helmet and blow through a stop sign and get hit by a truck," Miller said. "Using what’s inside the helmet is what’s important."
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The Next Ladies Only Track Session (LOTS) will be on Saturday October 13th from 12:00-2:00pm at the LA Velodreome.
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October 3-7th ~ US Elite Track Nationals ~ The very best track racers in the USA will make their way to the LA Velodrome next week to compete against one another for the honor of receiving the Stars and Stripes Jersey of a National Champion.
For a complete event schedule, registration information and a list of qualified athletes, please see http://www.usacycling.org/events/2007/elitetrack/
Attn Volunteers: This event depends on a sizable team of volunteers to assist with many different activities. If you are interested and available to help before or during these events, please email me.
As a volunteer, you and your team (if your team president registers the entire team) are eligible for reduced (50%) track fees to train and race.
To join our year round list of available volunteers for ongoing events please visit http://www.lavelodrome.org/Events/Volunteer.htm
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Saturday October 13th ~ Training Races Return to ADT!! For everyone who has been missing this exciting addition to your training program….IT’S BACK!!!! A group of enthusiastic folks have gotten together and resurrected the 3:00-6:00pm Saturday Afternoon Training Races at ADT. With a new look, a new crew and an entirely new format we are excited to invite all the Ladies to join us.
This 9 wk series will teach you all the In's & Out's of each track racing discipline as we teach you the rules, the techniques and the equipment requirements that you will need to compete in Time Trials, Sprints, Mass Start races, Team Events and more giving you the confidence you need to toe the line in almost any racing situation.
Total cost => $90 for all 9 Sessions due at the beginning of the first session plus your regular track fee. Since each session is designed to build on the previous session, you should plan to pay for and attend all 9 Sessions. Session dates are as follows: Saturday Oct 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, & 17, Dec 1, 8, 15. All 9 Sessions will run 3-6PM.
You will need to bring your current racing license along with your own track bike, helmet, shoes, pedals and any additional equipment that you may need. Rental bikes will be available for Juniors only (at no charge).
All participants must be certified by the velodrome director, Roger Young prior to the first session. If you are a female & have attended one or more LOTS then you are considered to be certified. If you are a male then check the LA Velodrome website for a schedule of upcoming Certification Classes.
There will be a Ladies Only Track Session (LOTS) at the LA Velodrome on Saturday October 13th from 12-2pm. Anyone attending that session (with their own bike!) is invited to stay for the first Race Training Session immediately following.
Class size is limited. Pre-Registration is Required. To pre-register SEND ME AN EMAIL at julia@crossins.com .
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Saturday October 13th & Saturday November 10th ~ Santiago Canyon TT Series. With Elite, Master & Junior categories, there is something for everyone. The crit season may be ending but the Time Trial season is just beginning. So dust off your aero helmet and your TT bike and head on down to beautiful Saddle Back Mountain. For more info, please reference the race flyer http://www.scnca.com/2007RaceFlyers/csmscTT.pdf
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Saturday October 20th ~ The Encino Invitational Madison & Open Omnium. Racing starts at 2:00PM. The Encino Velodrome invites you to join us for one more track race this year!! Online Pre-Registration is available and Highly recommended for the Encino Invitational Madison and Open Omniums Women's Omnium starts at 2:00 PM and includes a Snowball Points Race, a Miss & Out and a "One Mile" Scratch Race.
And of course the music will be extra special - it's "OKTOBERFAST"
Come out to race at 2PM, bring the family and stay to watch the Pros race at 6PM. The Pros will have a Keirin Tournament and Day 1 of the 2 day Madison starting at 6 PM. Day 2 of the Madison will be held at the LA Velodrome on Sunday Oct 21st.
Flyer available at http://encinovelodrome.org/pdf/2DayFlyer.pdf
DISCOUNTED (ONLY $10) Online pre-registration available at
https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item.aspx?id=1932
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Saturday November 10th ~ The Prostate Cancer Prevention Project and the LA Velodrome Invite You to Form a Team to Participate in the: 2007 Black Tire Affair™ Corporate Challenge to Prevent Prostate Cancer. Registration opens at 11AM. Racing begins at 1:00pm. This event will consist of 4 person teams racing the Italian Sprint. Four riders start with one rider dropping off each lap. Each team rides twice, with their final time being an average of the two runs.
For more information including how to register, please see the attached flyer. Information is also available at http://www.lavelodrome.org/
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The Women’s Cycling Challenge is always looking for quality sponsors who appreciate the sport of women’s cycling. If you know of anyone or any company who may want to invest in what we are doing please have them contact Dorothy Wong at wongwongway@aol.com For more information on the WCC please visit the website at http://womenscyclingchallenge.org/
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The Next Ladies Only Track Session (LOTS) will be on Saturday October 13th from 12:00-2:00pm at the LA Velodreome.
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Have a super week Ladies!!
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Julia Cross
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