Connecticut leads the nation (again) in the number of Trails Day events happening on Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd.  That's right - Trails Day is such a big deal in Connecticut that we now need to make a whole weekend out of it.

Thanks to our friends at the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) for leading this effort.  Through the involvement of land trusts, watershed associations,
conservation commissions, CFPA volunteers, and many others, there are
259 events that will be held in 152 towns over that weekend.

There are walking, biking, paddling, equestrian, trail-work, and other events scheduled to celebrate and preserve the many truly amazing outdoor recreational opportunities we have in Connecticut. The big question is, what will you be doing?

For more information:

• For more information about Trails Day events, visit http://www.ctwoodlands.org/CT-TrailsDayWeekend2013.
  
• For the online booklet covering all 259 events, visit http://bit.ly/10TMQT1.
  
• Printed Trails Day booklets are available at CFPA, public libraries, recreational outfitters, and Stop & Shop supermarkets while supplies last. 

If you're looking for a worthwhile activity this weekend that also gets you some exercise, please consider the Walk Against Hunger, Sunday May 5, 2013, at 1 pm in Hartford.  When you participate, you’re not just walking against hunger; you’re walking for self-sufficiency, self-respect, and health.  Read More About the Walk and the good organizations it benefits.

The 2nd Annual Village Ride, presented by Aetna, is coming up on June 15th at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, CT. 

The Village Ride is a family-friendly ride through the picturesque Litchfield Hills. The Village Ride offers 100K (62-mile), 40-mile, 20-mile and 10-mile route distances. 

Registration is $35 and riders are asked to raise a $200 minimum to participate. Riders who raise $350 will earn The Village Ride cycling jersey. We offer free breakfast from Whole Foods and a complimentary bike tune-up from one of our many mechanics on-site. When you cross the finish line you will be treated to a cold Thomas Hooker Beer and BBQ lunch at the post-ride celebration. 

Even if you don’t ride, come join the Family Fest from 12-5pm at Ski Sundown.  Relax to great music and great beer, while the kids have fun in the bounce houses, tethered Hot Air Balloon rides, face painting, Fire Truck and SNOW for the kids Rail Jam!  Register at www.thevillageride.org today!  Questions? Contact, Greg Latz, glatz@villageforchildren.org  

Get Pete Salamone's listing of 2013 rides in New England here.

"This is Your Turn to Do Something"

 - Contributed by Peter Heard

On Wednesday, April 24, cyclists will embark on the third annual Tim Johnson’s Ride on Washington to raise funds and awareness for People For Bikes, a national non-profit that works to improve bicycling facilities, opportunities and programs nationwide. “We call this the ride that makes every bike ride better,” said Tim Johnson, a superstar cyclist famous for fostering the popularity of cyclo-cross in America.  “Every time you see a bike path, or a bike lane or a bike program, chances are People For Bikes helped local advocates make that happen.”

-Learn More. Watch the video below.-

Entering its third year, this charity ride's first stop is overnight in Hartford on April 24. While several riders will join for a day or two, the long haul riders will ride more than 500 miles in just five days. After Hartford, the riders stop in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before finishing in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 28.

Riders from Boston are expected to arrive in Hartford are with their support vehicles between 4 and 4:30.  There will be a brief welcoming gathering outdoors on the corner of Prospect Street and Bob Steele Way (formerly Grove Street) very near The Travelers tower.  Anyone is welcome, but parking is limited.  Riders encouraged.  

Then, at 7:00pm, there will be a reception at The Bicycle Studio on Arch Street immediately adjacent to the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford.  This is an opportunity to meet and mingle with Tim Johnson, 6-time U.S. Cyclo-cross Champion, Richard Fries and others.  There is on-street parking on Arch, Sheldon and Prospect Streets.  Also, there is a commercial lot at the new Front Street complex right across the street and, of course, at the Convention Center.  Please be courteous to the Arch Street Tavern next door and not park in their lot.

Please consider supporting this ride with your donations.  Any amount is helpful and will support programs riders care about.  www.RideonWashington.org   Pledge here at https://www.pledgereg.com/41753.

Adventure cycling documentary coming back to Hartford on April 16 

“Reveal The Path,” the visually stunning adventure documentary that will ignite the dreamer in everyone, will be coming back to Hartford for an encore screening on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. after its first show on Feb. 5 sold out the Aetna Theater at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. The event will be presented by Bike Walk Connecticut.

“Reveal The Path” is the followup film from the creators of the wildly popular and award-winning film “Ride The Divide.” The film is an inspirational story of adventure, taking viewers on a 36-day vagabond bike trip to some of the world’s most visually stunning destinations.

Filmed on four continents, “Reveal The Path” features world-class mountain bikers, including Tour Divide founder Matthew Lee, star of “Ride The Divide,” and Kurt Refsnider, 2011 Tour Divide winner.

Sponsored by Salsa Cycles, the full-length feature film explores Europe’s snow-capped mountains, Scotland’s lush valleys, Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches, Nepal’s elevated wonders and Morocco’s high desert landscapes.

Along the way the riders connect with locals who are living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading the filmmakers to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant.

“This adventure will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to faraway lands,” said director Mike Dion, who also co-stars in “Reveal The Path,” as he did in “Ride The Divide.” “Or, simply, you may just want to discover with eyes wide open what is around the next bend.”

Advance tickets to the screening are $11 and are available at www.imathlete.com/events/revealthepath. The Wadsworth Museum of Art is located at 600 Main St. in Hartford. Tickets the day of the show will be $15 at the door.

Bike Walk Connecticut is a member-supported non-profit organization making cycling and walking safe, feasible and attractive for a healthier, cleaner Connecticut.  Bike Walk CT is the only organization working statewide to make Connecticut bike- and pedestrian-friendly. For more information, go to www.bikewalkct.org.

To view the trailer or for more information on the film, go to www.revealthepath.com.

For additional information, contact Garry Harrington at 603-209-5010 or gharrington3165@hotmail.com

If you've been wanting to try commuting by bike but aren't sure where to start, this clinic is for you!  It's the perfect primer for Bike to Work Day (May 17) AND don't forget--Bike to SCHOOL Day (May 8)!

This clinic is presented by Bike Walk Connecticut and the Expo Wheelmen, held at Manchester Community College.

Advance RSVP by email to commuter@expowheelmen.com

Join us for a social at The Shack Hometown Grill to meet Bike Walk Connecticut and Fairfield County enthusiasts for making Fairfield County-- and all of Connecticut--more bikeable and walkable.  

A spokesperson from Bike Walk Connecticut, the Fairfield Bike Walk Coalition, the Merritt Parkway Trail organizers, Sound Cyclists, and the Norwalk River Valley Trail folks will take a few minutes to explain what their group is about and working on.  

The focus of the night will be informal so folks may meet, mingle and create opportunities to work (and play!) together.  

The event is free but registration is required as space is limited; cash bar.  
Register now!

“Reveal The Path,” a visually stunning adventure documentary that will ignite the dreamer in everyone, will be coming to the Aetna Theater at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. 

The event is a benefit for the Bike Walk CT.

“Reveal The Path” is the followup film from the creators of the wildly popular and award-winning film “Ride The Divide.” The film is an inspirational story of adventure, taking viewers on a 36-day vagabond bike trip to some of the world’s most visually stunning destinations.

Filmed on four continents, “Reveal The Path” features world-class mountain bikers, including Tour Divide founder Matthew Lee, star of “Ride The Divide,” and Kurt Refsnider, 2011 Tour Divide winner.

Sponsored by Salsa Cycles, the full-length feature film explores Europe’s snow-capped mountains, Scotland’s lush valleys, Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches, Nepal’s elevated wonders and Morocco’s high desert landscapes.

Along the way the riders connect with locals who are living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading the filmmakers to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant.

“This adventure will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to faraway lands,” said director Mike Dion, who also co-stars in “Reveal The Path,” as he did in “Ride The Divide.” “Or, simply, you may just want to discover with eyes wide open what is around the next bend.”

Advance tickets to the screening are $10 and are available at www.imathlete.com/events/revealthepath. The Wadsworth Museum of Art is located at 600 Main St. in Hartford. Tickets the day of the show will be $15 at the door.

Bike Walk Connecticut is a member-supported non-profit organization making cycling and walking safe, feasible and attractive for a healthier, cleaner Connecticut.  Bike Walk CT is the only organization working statewide to make Connecticut bike- and pedestrian-friendly. For more information, go to www.bikewalkct.org.

To view the trailer or for more information on the film, go to www.revealthepath.com.

For additional information, contact Garry Harrington at 603-209-5010 or gharrington3165@hotmail.com

Bloomfield is advancing a portion of the Bloomfield Greenway, a part of the East Coast Greenway.  While the exact project limits have not yet been determined, funding will construct approximately a ½ mile of new multi-use trail.  A public informational meeting to discuss this project will be held on:

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Common Council Chambers
Town Hall Annex
800 Bloomfield Ave
Bloomfield, CT

6:30 pm Informal Q&A Session
7:30 pm Presentation  

*In the event of inclement weather the meeting will be held on Thursday, January 31st, same time & location