Lost in OK

On this Thursday (3/15/2012), the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be seeking community input on their plans to widen Highway 4 north of Yukon out to Northwest Expressway.  From the emails I’ve seen going around on the subject, the new road will be four lanes wide with 8 foot shoulders. Cyclists are encouraged to attend this meeting to encourage ODOT to paint a cycle path along with wide shoulder.

The meeting will take place at 6:00 PM at the Yukon Police Community Room at 100 S. Ranchwood Blvd in Yukon.  Wear a jersey and help make this popular cycling area even better!

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Mick Cornett, Republican Mayor of Oklahoma City along with Eugene A. Conti, Jr., Secretary of Transportation, N.C. and Steve Heminger, Exec. Dir., Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission have written an editorial in The Hill urging the House to reconsider many of the controversial measures in the current transportation bill including the removal of funding for both walking and bicycling initiatives.  After thanking the House for restoring funding to public transportation and asking for an effective bridge repair plan, the editorial goes on to ask the House to restore both Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancement funding:

Sorry for the short notice, but I missed this one somehow.  However, tonight (March 8th) , the City of Edmond will kick off its bicycle master plan development process with an open house:

City of Edmond invites you to participate in the Bicycle Master Plan Open House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 8 in the Downtown Community Center. The Bicycle Master Plan will identify a network of connected bicycle facilities that will serve all areas of the city. It will also communicate and prioritize recommended infrastructure improvements, provide implementation strategies and recommend policies and facility design practices that enhance the comfort and safety of bicyclists.

[Read More]

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I’ve received numerous questions and have a small amount of new information regarding the crash on Monday that involved Pastor Gary Caldwell of the First Baptist Church of Piedmont and church staff member, Eric Johnson.

Pastor Still in Serious Condition

From comments, emails and news stories, it seems that Mr. Caldwell suffered several broken bones and lacerations including a broken vertebrae, ankle and pelvis and loss of his right ear. Additionally, he experienced a torn/ruptured artery and some bleeding on the brain that has lead to several “minor strokes” which in turn have lead to short and long term memory loss.  From official reports, he is still listed as being in serious condition.

Gary Caldwell, senior pastor for the First Baptist Church of Piedmont and church staff member, Eric Johnson, were struck from behind by a Ford F-150 pickup while cycling near 150th Street and Piedmont Road today around 12:45 PM.  As of this afternoon, Mr. Caldwell is listed as being in serious condition and Mr. Johnson was listed as being in good condition.

Police are investigating the case but the driver was not ticked at the scene.  Police say they will turn over their investigation results to the District Attorney for review.

State Troopers are seeking the driver of a vehicle who struck a cyclist just west of Cement, OK last night:

The crash occurred at about 7:15 p.m. on U.S. 277, just west of Cement.

Troopers said Josh Steven Henderson, 17, of Chickasha, was riding his bike west on the two-lane road when the vehicle, also traveling west, hit him and caused him to veer to the right. The vehicle fled the scene, troopers said.

[Read More]

Had a great evening out for dinner. I even convinced Gwen to try some sushi, but she really, really, really didn’t like it. I still admire her adventuresome spirt.

I had pretty much convinced myself that we wouldn’t see any of the white stuff this year. Admittedly, it was really just a light dusting, but given this mild winter, it was still nice to get a little bit of appropriate weather.

Finally got a chance to assemble my Chi-qoo Solar Kit from Bootstrap Solar (www.bootstrapsolar.com). I am hoping to use this to keep all of my gadgets charged during my bicycle trip this summer.

Instead of facing the hordes of amateurs out on the streets for Valentine’s Day, I did my best for a feast at home with Maple Glazed tuna steaks with curry and pear potato salad and a nice goat cheese covered salad followed up with some chocolate “explosion” cake.