2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay Moves To Straub Park From Vinoy Park

SWFBUD is happy to say that we are shifting the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay, presented by Cure on Wheels to Straub Park in downtown St. Petersburg from Vinoy Park. It's not a big move because Straub Park is literally around the corner from Vinoy Park, but SWFBUD is moving the venue to allow a major national senior men's cross-country run to use Vinoy Park on Oct. 11. I'm told that 1,200 out-of-town runners will be partipating on the senior cross-country run and that many local high school and college runners will be running before the senior men's event.

We expect many people from the senior men's 5K run to visit the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay at Straub Park, and much more foot traffic from downtown St. Petersburg than in previous year because Straub Park is closer to The Pier and the downtown business district.

Many of you are familiar with Straub Park from visiting the popular St. Anthony's Triathlon Vendor Expo on the Saturday before the Sunday triathlon in late March.

If you want to be a vendor or sponsor of the Bicycle Bash by the Bay, contact me at alansnel@yahoo.com.

SWFBUD Visits Flatwoods To Find About The Impact Of The County Budget Cuts

It's devastating to hear that Hillsborough County's proposed budgets cuts would mean the closing of Flatwoods county park for TWO days a week. SWFBUD went to Flatwoods and met the nicest ranger in Flatwoods -- Ranger Rick. He's a great guy and SWFBUD talked with Ranger Rick about the fact that he would lose his job and that the park would be closed two days a week.

SWFBUD Supports Bike Lanes On Bayshore and Bayshore Blvd. Improvements

SWFBUD will be attending a Bayshore Blvd. improvement plan info meeting Wednesday to urge Tampa city officials to follow through and fix Bayshore by addibg bike lanes the whole length of the road. The meeting is Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd.

Come along for a bike ride on Bayshore. You'll see the part where a bike lane disappears and get a feel for the bumpy ride.

Bicycle Outfitters Are Pinellas Trail Crimestoppers

Kudos to SWFBUD member store Bicycle Outfitters, which reported concerns from customers that people on the Pinellas Trail in St. Petersburg were beinmg attacked and also getting their bikes stolen.

SWFBUD inquired with the city of St. Petersburg about the trail dangers and learned that the city is starting a citizens patrol on bicycles and golf carts on the Pinellas Trail to watch out for crime and dangers.

Become A Friend of SWFBUD And Help Put On The Bicycle Bash

SWFBUD is proud to put on the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay -- and we welcome your help to help stage Tampa Bay's bicycle festival in St. Petersburg on Oct. 11.

Become a Friend of SWFBUD for only $25 and get a free Polar Bottle, which retails for $12. It's a great deal and you help a great cause.

The Bicycle Bash by the Bay helps promote, grow and advocates bicycling in the Tampa Bay area.



Polar Bottle is a sponsor of the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay.

SWFBUD Invites St. Petersburg City Council To The 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay

This morning I represented SWFBUD in front of the St. Petersburg City Council to invite the council members to the 2009 Bicycle Bash by the Bay, which is put on by SWFBUD.

Later, I visited SWFBUD store Just Ride Bicycles, which had a Grand Opening that included American bike racing icon Bob Roll. David Luppino, the owner of Just Ride Bicycles in Fish Hawk, brought Bob Roll to the store as part of his grand opening.

Bob was great with fans.

SWFBUD Invites Pinellas County and Clearwater Officials To The BBbtB

SWFBUD appeared before the Pinellas County Commission Tuesday morning to invite the commissioners to the Bicycle Bash by the Bay -- Tampa Bay's bicycle festival that is set for Oct. 11 in St. Petersburg.

While in Clearwater, I also visited Clearwater City Hall to invite the City Council members, Mayor Frank Hibbard and other city officials to the BBbtB.