Grand Valley bikes Officially a 501(c)3 Non Profit !!

In a letter to Grand Valley Bikes (GVB) dated March 22, 2011, the IRS determined that Grand Valley Bikes is "exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code ", and has cladssified us as a Public Charity under section 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi). Contributions to GVB are deductible under section 170 of the Code. We are also now qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers and gifts under sections 2055, 2106 and 2522 of the Code.

Thanks for Coming Out !!!

A big shout out and Thank You to all who came out to support Grand Valley Bikes for the Worst Day of the Year Ride. Costumes were creative and diverse, weather was dissappointingly good, and a fun time was had by all ! How often do we get to ride with Zebras, Smurfs, Wicked Witches and Chickens ?

Thanks also to all the event sponsors: Brown Cycles, Single Tracks, LTR, Board andBuckle, The Bike Shop, Grass Roots Cycles, Bicycle Outfitters, the Free Press, and Dos Hombres, and the Media who covered the event.

Stay tuned for more fun events this spring and summer !

Bicycle Colorado Action Alert

http://co108w.col108.mail.live.com/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=1006036670: "Action Alert:
Colorado Open Roads Act

Please Contact Your State Representative!

Please contact your Colorado Representative and ask them to support House Bill 1092 for Open Roads. Voicemails and emails are great, and be sure to include your home address so they know you are from their district. The House vote may be any day this week, so please call today.

Step 1: Find your Colorado House District (1 through 65)

Enter your home address at this linked website.

Click the 'Find Your Districts' button and see your 'CO House ##' on the right

Step 2: Talking Points (please be polite)

I am asking for your support of House Bill 1092 (Kerr-Brophy)
-This bill will give people the freedom to travel the state by bicycle.
-Banning bikes gives Colorado's bicycle and tourism industries a black eye.
-Bicycles simply need an alternate route if a road is closed.

Step 3: Call or Email the Representative from Your House District

Contact information for each Representative can be found on our website. Please spread the word and share this with other friends of cycling.

Thanks for your help keeping roads open to bicycling!

Learn more about House Bill 1092

email: info@bicyclecolorado.org
phone: 303-417-1544
web: http://www.BicycleColorado.org"

February Events!

Grand Valley Bikes Maintenance Social - February Meeting!

Brown Cycles, 549 Main Street

5:45pm-8pm, Tuesday February 1^st

Do you have a bike in slight disrepair, and with the cold weather have delayed fixing it?

Bring your fix-it project to Brown Cycles at 5:45pm this Tuesday, February 1^st. Repair materials can be purchased from 5:45-6pm, then the doors close and the fixing begins! Two mechanic stations will be available: Basic and Advanced.

Don’t have a project? Learn about GVB doings and bike maintenance or meet and help others.

Pablo’s Pizza buy-in $5, BYO beverages, bikes and repair tools.

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“Worst Day of the Year” Ride--- Support GVB!

Sunday February 27^th 11am – 2pm

Register now at 254-FUNN (3866)

This 10 mile path loop ride is fashioned after the ‘Worst Day Ride’ in Portland, Oregon. It will start and end at Dos Hombres on the Redlands; a ‘Big Eat’ awaits you at the finish line! Dress up in your cheeriest costume to fight off the winter frost; prizes offered for best dressed person and best dressed bike.

Fee: $25 adults, $10 children 12 & under (Admission includes a burrito, a margarita or beer for those 21+, and all the fun of the ride!)

Proceeds to Benefit Grand Valley Bikes!!!!!!!!

Grist.org 2011 in bikes!

Check out this link for a fun article that can give us GJ residents some hope and ideas for the future.

Help improve bike transportation in the Grand Valley this week! Next meeting 12/15!

Mark your calendar and please join us at Kannah Creek Brewery from 5-7pm on Wednesday, December 15^th, at the back of the dining room. We’ll toast the good work we accomplished in 2010, and recap what GVB has been up to and let you know where we are going.

Right now we need your help as there are great opportunities to get involved in shaping safe and accessible biking in Mesa County for the next 25 years by commenting on the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Please send an email and feel free to use our suggestions below. All comments can be sent to Ken Simms at Ken.Simms@mesacounty.us.

Grand Valley Bikes believes:

• Grand Junction needs multiple North / South corridors and arterial routes that are safe and accessible for bicyclists. We strongly feel that 1^st Street and 7^th Street need to be prioritized for improvements.

a. 1st Street – This would be the first and only continuously striped North / South corridor. The existing low volume and speed of cars combined with a relatively low price-tag makes for an irresistible bike route. GVB would like 1st Street included in the top ten non-motorized improvement projects.

b. 7th Street – Our 2009 survey says this is the most frequently bicycled road, yet the fourth-most-difficult place to bicycle. It would connect suburban areas, business district, and downtown to Riverfront Trail and is a great urban north/south corridor. Would probably require infrastructure changes and therefore include a higher price tag.

• Orchard Avenue is a viable East / West corridor that needs improvement so students, families, and commuters can have safe bicycle transport to their destinations. When combined with E ½ Road it connects Clifton, Mesa State College, St. Mary's Hospital, and the Mesa Mall area. It was voted the 2nd Most-Bicycled Route in our survey, but respondents also identify the need for continuously striped lanes for this long-distance and established bike route. Elm Street should be considered in this corridor.

• “Low-hanging fruit” projects that need simple and relatively inexpensive improvements to become great continuous bicycling routes should be prioritized over large and expensive improvements. In brief:

a. Orchard Avenue bike lanes

b. Grand Avenue immediately west of 1^st Street where widening could create a safe bike lane through the five-way intersection and provide continuity from shoulders on Grand Avenue to the bike path on Broadway heading west.

c. Broadway/Hwy 340 bike lanes where shoulder space is already provided

d. Bike Lanes on Elm Avenue

e. Connecting 10^th Street bike lanes with Cannel Avenue in order to intersect with Orchard Avenue.

• Address core commuting and connecting routes within the Grand Valley, not just recreational paths.
• Off-Street Trails - Our survey suggests off-street “greenways” have the most favorable conditions for and most inviting to bicyclists and should be increased in the Grand Valley.
• Majority of the off-street trails emphasize pleasure rides versus a non-motorized commuter route. Below are the off-street trails that provide a commuter route and we think should be prioritized.---
• Riverfront Trail (Palisade to Fruita)
• Leach Creek Crossing (24 Road)
• Beehive Drain
• 31 Road/ Lewis Wash
• Little Salt Wash

Please email us at grandvalleybikes@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Two great events this week!

350 Grand Valley Volunteer work day, Free Bike Maintenance, Group Bike Ride

10/10/10

On October 10, 2010, 350 Grand Valley is hosting a work party in downtown Grand Junction to celebrate climate solutions. The focus of the event is on bicycling and local agriculture as ways to make a difference. Many groups and individuals will be at the GJ Main Street Community Garden and ending the day with a group bike ride around town. As a bonus, several local bike shops have offered free bike maintenance between 12:00 and 3:50 PM. Visit http://350grandvalley.blogspot.com/ for more info. about the special events taking place right here in the Grand Valley in conjunction with a worldwide effort that same day!

10/15/10

CEC's 3rd Annual Barn Dance

Head on out to the CEC's Third Annual Barn Dance in Palisade, CO. This year's barn dance is happening the evening of Friday, October 15th, 6pm-10pm at Varaison Vineyards barn. We'll have live, foot stompin' music, excellent local wines, tasty sangria, food from around the Grand Valley, and a great silent auction. Click here for more information.