6 Apr
2nd. “Get on the Road for the Trail” Bicycle Ride
Please join us for a 10 mile bicycle ride on Sunday May 3rd to raise local awareness of the proposed Albany-Corvallis Multi-Use Path.
We will be meeting at the fountain in Corvallis Riverfront Park at 11.30 a.m and departing for our destination, the Calapooia Brewing Company in Albany at noon. Our route is as follows: (map)
- Take a straight shot along Hwy. 20 from Corvallis.
- After crossing the Ellsworth St.Bridge into Albany take an immediate right on 1st.
- Then the next right on Broadalbin St.
- Then right on Water Ave. for 10 blocks until you see the Calapooia Brewery (big red and green building)
- Make yourself at home and have a beer!
Last year the fastest riders made it in 34 minutes, while the slowest took a leisurely 2 hours, so all levels of riders are encouraged to ride. This year we would like to ask the group to stay together for a few miles to allow for photo opportunities on the road.
The proposed Albany-Corvallis Multi-Use Path has been discussed for many years now though no actual work on the ground has been started from the Albany end yet. The purpose of these pages is to keep you informed of the present status of funding, planning etc. and to let you what you can do that would be most helpful in persuading those with the purse strings to send some in the direction of this important project.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call, email or write to the Albany City Councilors:
Sharon Konopa, Mayor
632 35th Avenue SE 97322
926-6812Dick Olsen, Ward I(a)
732 Broadalbin Street SW 97321
926-7348Floyd Collins, Ward I(b)
754 Quarry Road NW 97321
928-2961Ralph Reid, Jr., Ward II(a)
1085 22nd Avenue SE 97322
928-7382Bill Coburn, Ward II(b)
6317 Chapman Court SW 97321
928-0649Bessie Johnson, Ward III(a)
2911 Geary Street SE 97322
791-2494Jeff Christman, Ward III(b)
3802 Chicago Street SE 97322
926-0528
Encourage them to raise the priority of funding for the Path from medium (it’s present status in the City Budget) to high. This will mean funding will be made available in 1 to 5 years instead of 5- 10 years.
Thanks for taking the time to help with this important effort! Please leave a comment below if you plan to attend (and how many will join you), or if you would just like to add your voice to this effort!
Nick Hawley
Posted by admin on April 13, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’ll be there Nick and look forward to getting some great photographs of the group!
Dan Crouch
Crouch Consulting
Posted by Glenn on April 15, 2009 at 8:38 am
Nick,
Thanks for your efforts and I will be there on May 3rd for ride #2. Look forward to supporting the cause. Glenn
Posted by Laura Bryngelson on April 15, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I’ll be there! Thanks for taking on this project, Nick… So many people in both cities will benefit from the path, and for two cities that pride themselves on bring Tree City USA and Bike Friendly, it’s puzzling that this project hasn’t been completed long ago, let alone even started!
Posted by Gordon Kirbey on April 16, 2009 at 11:23 am
The Albany Visitors Association has a grant program avalible for events. The deadline for submission is April 30, 2009. Please contact me for more information
Posted by Gabriel on April 16, 2009 at 7:10 pm
In case others want to use all or portions of this letter, here is the letter I wrote to the full list of Mayor and Councilors:
Thank you for giving strong consideration to the Albany-Corvallis multi-use path. I currently cycle between Albany and Corvallis along Hwy 20 about 6-8 times a month as part of my commute. I have been doing this commute for more than 3 years now, and I feel that the ride is getting more dangerous for us cyclists.
The shoulder of the road always has significant gravel that can make a bicycle wheel slip very easily. There are also quite a few nails and other metal trash that can easily puncture tires.
When you add these road conditions to fact that cars drive very fast on Hwy 20, and that there is often rain (which reduces visibility, so cars cannot see cyclists as well), it means that I am taking my life in my hands very frequently.
I would very much like to see Albany and Corvallis support our community of people who are minimizing our usage of cars, trying to live a more energy-sustainable existence, and also appreciating our beautiful natural surroundings.
I hope there is funding soon for an Albany-Corvallis multi-use path.
Thank you for your consideration.
Posted by Allison Jacobs on April 16, 2009 at 9:55 pm
My husband and I will be there!
Posted by Beth on April 17, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I will be attending with at least one friend. This is a much-needed path.
Posted by THekkala on April 19, 2009 at 9:56 am
could you give us some info here about this? Those of us not following the decade long battle have no idea what you’re talking about but it sounds good.
Posted by Ted Harbaugh on April 19, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I’ll be there, with friends hopefully.
Posted by Nathan Ebbs on April 20, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I will be there and I’m trying to encourage more people to join in.
Posted by Paul Hawley on April 23, 2009 at 1:35 am
I hope the event brings the communities together & all who take part really enjoy the day. May it be the catalyst that stimulates the completion of the multi-use path.
To all city councillors: Sustainable, green transport, health benefits from exercise, social & economic benefits from improved infrastructure. Sounds like a no-brainer to me … come on.
I am walking up Helvellyn in the Lake District with some friends that day, so cannot be there however, I will carry a rock & place it on the cairn at the top in spiritual support & will toast the success of the event with a fine wine on the summit.
I wish you every success in this venture … Carpe diem!
Paul (Nick’s Brother in Blighty)
Posted by Colin Steeves on April 23, 2009 at 9:02 am
Excellent web site. How did you find the time? Jen and I are planning to join the ride on May third. Have you posted any info. in the local bike shops or pubs? Can we help? Thanks, Colin.
Posted by Nick on April 26, 2009 at 12:17 am
The proposed trail will potentially run between the towns along the Railroad but there are many right of way issues to contend with, as well as some serious expense in crossing small watercourses along the way. A detailed proposal can be found at http://www.co.benton.or.us/pw/documents/cor_alb_path_feasibility.pdf.
Posted by Jim Castor on April 27, 2009 at 7:15 am
My son-in-law and I will be there. We road highway 20 and 34 last year and neither are very safe. This path is needed by both communities. I hope our local politicians can see how important this is to so many people.
Posted by Doug Smart on April 27, 2009 at 7:33 am
I spoke with a gentleman named Jim from the City of Corvallis on April 23rd and he told me that the first segment, out from Circle Boulevard to the Corvallis city limits, is funded for construction this season. Also, there is funding for an engineering study for much of the rest of the route – wetlands issues, right of way acquisition, etc.
Also good news is that more widening of Highway 20 will be done this season – widening out ot full five foot shoulders in the area mile post 9 – the ‘S’ curves between Hyak Park and North Albany.
In response to Gabriel’s comment, Jim recommends calling ODOT to request sweeping of the highway shoulder as needed.
Posted by Bruce on April 29, 2009 at 9:17 am
Two of us will ride there and back, should be fun. I have wondered why both cities have not seen the value in the path being built as a recreation asset.
It is great Nick that you have put this together. Raising public awareness that the plan exists and letting our public servants know their employers/voters desire positive action will help move this along.
Posted by Juan on May 1, 2009 at 3:29 pm
My wife and I will attend. Sounds like fun!
Posted by Vince Nowell on May 1, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I know this is a long shot, but is there any chance that members of the community can offer to help with the actual construction of this path? If I thought it would help get the trail built faster, I would join in on work parties that could help with clearing of the path, or whatever else needed to be done. I just want to get the path built as quickly as possible. I live in North Albany and work in Corvallis, and my current alternative to driving to work is to take the Linn-Benton Loop Bus. The problem with that is I am then tied to a bus schedule. The sooner this path gets built, the better.
Posted by Vince Nowell on May 1, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I will try to attend the ride on Sunday.
Posted by Dick and Dottie Miller on May 2, 2009 at 8:56 am
Two of us are planning to ride.
Posted by Hilary White on May 2, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I like to ride my bicycle to & from Amtrak station for trips to Eugene and Seattle. I’ve had to limit my cycling due to asthma problems resulting from car exhaust and home wood burning. I will join the group as you pass by Waldorf School along Hwy 20. Yes, I will definitely ride regularly if the path is not so close to the vehicles. The same with footpaths walking my dog. Getting a few yards away from vehicle traffic is better.
Posted by Robert White on May 2, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I will also join my wife Hilary on the ride. I work in Albany and when possible I try to ride. When not riding with the MVBC, I attempt to do “errands” on my bike around Corvallis and Albany. With improved access to Albany, travel will be much nicer via bicycle.
Posted by Keith Moore on May 2, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I hope this is still on. I’ll be heading over by bike from Albany at about 9am.
See you there!
Posted by Keith Barton on May 3, 2009 at 8:54 am
Thanks for the organizing Nick! I’ll be there as one Albany-Corvallis Commuter.
I encourage everone to check out the Portland City Club talk last Friday night–it was was very inspiring.–Three of the the major people responsible for portland’s bike-infrastructure development spoke. The last was the man from Wales who started Cycle Oregon. There is lots of room for developing local government champions of cycling in Albany & Corvallis.
I’ve wanted to organize the Hiway 20 commuters for some time now to promote more frequent sweeping of the shoulder. (Hiway 20 from Conifer north is the responsibility of the ODOT office in Albany, not the one on the way to Philomath.) Compliments and other expressions of support can be called to Ken Lamb at the ODOT office just past 53rd on the way to Philomath.
Looking forward to meeting other riders. Keith 223-1504
Posted by Bruce on May 3, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Thank you Nick and everyone else for organizing a good ride. Good weather, good people, and a good ride.
Posted by Nick on May 3, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Thanks to everyone who turned up for the ride and also to those who helped, particularly Dan, who did the photography ( soon on this website) and Nick whose injured arm precluded him from the ride but who was of great help.
The final count of riders was 150. Very impressive.
Look for the KVAL coverage tonight on the 6 o’clock news.
Anyone interested in helping this network of concerned cyclists network better please let me know here. Thanks again to everyone. It was fun.
Posted by Keith Moore on May 3, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Thank you to all of those involved in organizing, supporting and sponsoring this event. I was expecting a lot more people than last year but WOW!! The turnout was spectacular especially considering the weather leading up to the ride. It just goes to show how people feel about this issue. Let’s hope it makes a positive impression.
I also wanted to comment that from what I saw, people did a great job of not impeding car traffic. Props to the woman who stood up at the start point and reminded us that while bikes have equal rights to the road, not all drivers see it that way and today was not a good time to “flex.”
I had a great time riding and talking with many of you and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to do this again.
Ride safe and often!
Posted by Keith Barton on May 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Hey Nick, What’s your email address? and phone #?
I have the MP3 from the Portland City Club Friday Forum. –
Keith Barton
enuf4all@gmail.com
541.223.1504
Posted by John Norris on October 9, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Any news? I’d heard in May that the stimulus funds would help do a bike path to the Corvallis city limits..any word?
Thx,
John