There were several events during May 2008 in support of Bike For Fun & Health. Below are a few of the pictures for some of the cyclists at the Meals On Wheels Office in Elmira on May 10.
The Southern Tier Bicycle League (STBL) is a volunteer agency who’s mission is to promote year-round bicycling in the Southern Tier of New York through educational and recreational cycling activities for people of all ages and abilities.
The STBL Vision
Have the New York Southern Tier region be a great place to bicycle, with appealing cycling activities all year long.
The STBL leads the way through effective regional programs for cycling safety, rides, races, children’s events, facilitating commuting to work and school and providing bikes to persons in need.
The STBL is the primary source for regional information on the benefits of bicycling including better health and reducing our impact on the environment.
The STBL is an effective advocate for expanding cycling opportunities in the region, including participation in planning, implementation and management of bike trails and routes
We provide bikes for those in need, and are seeking bike donations
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Elmira Police Department, Southside Community Center, and many other local organizations are planning to sponsor a bicycle rodeo on May 17th, 2008 from 11am-2pm for children in our community.
There will be a bicycle obstacle course supervised by Elmira Police Department police officers, along with an inflatable play station, bicycle helmet giveaway and fitting of their own helmets, light refreshments, and health and safety literature distribution.
May 1
Bike Month Kick-Off Event
Andrew Sperr Memorial Park, Kahler Road, Big Flats, NY
Kick-Off begins at 1:00 p.m.
Join the Southern Tier Bicycle League committee for a short media kick-off event where seven local celebrities will compete in a "small" bicycle race! A brief press conference will announce local Bike Month activities.
BICYCLE MONTH KICK OFF
BIKE FOR FUN AND HEALTH!
Meals On Wheels, 150 Fox Street, Elmira, NY
Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Races begin at 9 a.m.
People of all ages are invited to participate in this fun event to benefit Meals On Wheels of Chemung County. The “races” are really bike rides for people in three age categories: children, adults and seniors. There are four distances to choose from:
1. 3.1 mile fun ride for children and their escorts.
2. 7.5 mile short tour for a shorter challenge.
3. 34 mile bike tour to Canton and back.
4. 61 mile tour to Chemung and back.
To enter a race, children are asked to donate $5 or two cans of food; adults are asked to donate $25; and seniors are asked to donate $15. In all race categories, additional donations are encouraged to benefit Meals On Wheels. Pre-registration is encouraged (but not required) by calling MOW at 734-9535, or download the form online at www.mealsonwheelschemung.org.
Registration forms are also available at the Chemung County Office for the Aging (see brochure back panel for address), Corning Bike Works, Kingsbury Cycle Shop in Elmira, and both the Elmira and Corning YMCAs. Participants may also register at the event. Bring your bikes; helmets are required. For a map of the course, click here (this is a large file and may take some time to download)
Bicycling is good for the earth, it’s great exercise
for your body, and it’s really fun!
Kids, ask your parents if you can ride your bike to school this week, weather permitting. Be sure to follow the safety rules of the road, and wear your bike helmet. (You may also want to lock your bike once it’s parked at school.)
Teachers at these local schools are encouraging
students to ride their bike this week, and will give prizes and certificates to those who participate:
Elmira Free Academy, Elmira, NY
Gregg Elementary, Corning, NY
Gardner Road Elementary, Horseheads, NY
Hendy Elementary, Elmira, NY
Coburn Elementary, Elmira, NY
Adults, why not “go green” and ride your bike to work this week? Think of the gas savings and the great exercise you’ll get!
BIKE TO WORK AND SCHOOL WEEK
BIKE RACE FOR SENIORS
May 12 at 10:00 a.m.
Eldridge Park, Elmira, NY
Area seniors are invited to a one-mile bike race sponsored by the Chemung County Senior Games. Details are still be arranged. Contact Angela Cavaluzzi at 737-5520 for details or to register.
For people 50 and older, this a bicycle time trial where each rider races against the clock, not against each other. Each rider starts one minute apart and races the flat, 3.1 mile course for their best speed. This event is part of the Chemung
County Senior Games. Fee is $10 to enter. Medals will be awarded. Helmets are required. Contact Angela Cavaluzzi at 737-5520 for details or to register.
Riders under 50 are welcome to participate for "bragging rights".
We provide bikes for those in need, and are seeking bike donations
The Southern Tier Bicycle League gives away free bikes to people who need one in our community!
For adults in need, we renew about one bike every month, giving away about a dozen a year.
For children whose families can’t afford a new bike, we renew and give away more than 50 a year.
If you have a bike in good condition that you’re not using, please consider donating it to the Southern Tier Bicycle League. We particularly need kids’ bikes that are 16” to 24” in size.
Donations of your time, parts and money are always appreciated too.
By Frances VanderMeer, 4th Grade, Hendy Elementary
May is National Bike Month and a few weeks ago was "Ride your Bike to School Week". I participated in this great event with a group of 7 friends and neighbors which included kindergarten to fourth grade students. We usually had two to three adults with us, one in front, one in back and, if a third, one in the middle. We try to ride to school on other days too.
Riding to school is fun. I like the crisp morning air whipping past my face as I go down hills. I like the hot afternoon sun coming down on me and my bike. It is very nice being able to chat with my friends, and start the day with exercise even if I have to get up earlier. If it is drizzling, we might get a little wet but we have fun anyway and look forward to hot chocolate at the end. Last year we had a down pour and were completely soaked, but everyone was laughing and we had a great time.
Riding your bike is so much fun. Sometimes I wish my ride to school was even longer than 1.5 miles. Biking is a great way to exercise, it saves gas and is good for the environment, and biking is a life long skill--even my parents ride bikes! We ride bikes to parks, beaches and on bike trails! In Europe 70 and 80 year-old people still ride bicycles! I think it would be great if we could all ride bikes more often, don't you?
