Welcome - Ride America for Safe Routes - Feb 21-22

Four ambitious women are undertaking a cross country endurance ride that kicked off in Key West on February 5, 2012 and culminates in San Francisco in late April. Two sisters, Jeanie and Chelsea Ward-Waller, their mother, Jane, and close friend Stephanie Palmer are riding across America to benefit the bicycle safety advocacy efforts of the League of American Bicyclists and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Dubbed "Ride America for Safe Routes" (RASR), their ride follows a route traversing 13 southern states and 20 major cities, logging over 5,000 miles between Florida and California. The mission of RASR is to raise $50,000 for the League’s Bike Friendly America program and for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in local communities. In addition, the RASR Team will advocate the critical need for bike safety and promote the public health benefits of bicycling through events with local bicycle groups and SRTS programs in communities along their route.  For all of the details on the Ride America for Safe Routes – including how you can donate to the cause - see the RASR website at http://rideforsaferoutes.blogspot.com or contact rideforsaferoutes@gmail.com.

The RASR team rolls into the CSRA in the late-afternoon on Tuesday, February 21, and Wheel Movement is asking for your support in welcoming them to the metro-Augusta area.  There are many opportunities to join the RASR ladies and Wheel Movement ride escorts on the road, or come hear them speak about their cause and story.  We encourage you to take part in any of the following opportunities:

Tuesday, February 21:

1.A.  Ride with the RASR Team “Long” (Trenton, SC to Augusta, GA) #

Start Time:       2:15 pm (Be ready to ride)

Start Location*:       Douglas Elementary School

                          215 South E. Diggs Rd.

                          Trenton, SC 

Details:  Mileage between 25 to 30 miles.  Edgefield and Aiken County Sheriffs escorts from Trenton to the North Augusta Greeneway.  Join us into downtown North Augusta, or all the way to the 300 block of Greene Street in downtown Augusta.  Expected arrival in downtown Augusta around or before 5:30 pm.

 (*Shuttle to the Trenton starting point being offered.  Contact Martin Cochran at gator@gatorcochran.com or Bill Waters at wheeliamwaters@hotmail.com.)

1.B.  Ride with the RASR Team “Short” (North Augusta, SC to Augusta, GA) #

Start Time:       4:30 – 4:45 pm (Estimate)

Start Location:       North Augusta Greeneway, Bergen Road Trailhead  

Details:  Leisurely trail ride between the Bergen Road and Riverside Drive trailheads,or join us all the way to the 300 block of Greene Street in downtown Augusta.    Arrival at the Bergen Road trailhead will vary.  Allow flexibility in our arrival time.

 2.     Meet the RASR Team

      Time:                              7:45 - 9:00 pm

      Location:                       Riverview Park Activities Center, Crafts Room

                                                100 Riverview Park Drive

                                                North Augusta, SC

Details:  Join the RASR and the North Augusta Greeneway Trust Advisory Committee as the ladies speak about the RASR Safe Routes to School program initiatives.

Wednesday, February 22:

3.      Ride with the RASR Team “First Leg” (Augusta, GA to Evans, GA) #

Start Time:       10:00 am

Start Location:   Outspokin’ Bicycles

                            1904 Walton Way

                            Augusta, GA          

Details:  Following the RASR teams’ morning presentation to Richmond Academy, Brett Ardrey (Outspokin’ Bicycles) will escort the RASR team down the Augusta Tow Path to Fury’s Ferry Road terminating at the Circle K convenience store.  Ride one-way is around 10 miles.

4.      Ride with the RASR Team “Second Leg” (Evans, GA to Washington, GA) #

Start Time:       11:15 am

Start Location:       Circle K (Corner of Evan’s to Lock and Fury’s Ferry Roads.

Details:  Ride segment of roughly 50 miles concluding in Washington, GA.  The RASR team will be escorted by Phil Cohen (Chain Reaction Bicycles), David Willis and Gator Cochran – and will enjoy the support of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department to the GA/SC state line.  Contact Phil, Dave or Gator at: chainreaction4bikes@yahoo.com Dave at davidwillis@wildblue.net or Martin Cochran at gator@gatorcochran.com, respectively to arrange to ride with them (and discuss possible transportation back to Augusta.) 

 

(# For RASR route maps through the CSRA, go to: http://g.co/maps/tujyq [Columbia, SC to Augusta, GA], and http://g.co/maps/4gr2n  [Augusta, GA to Washington, GA].)

Wheel Movement activities in support of the ladies of RASR are being coordinated by Martin (Gator) Cochran, Educational Programs Committee.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gator at:  gator@gatorcochran.com, or contact the organization at: wheelmovement@yahoo.com.   Help us support this worthwhile journey, and in the process, advocate for active transportation in the CSRA.