It’s no secret that I’m a bike nut. I’d ride for hours every day if I had the time. I don’t so I can’t…:( I’m serious about biking. I raise thousands of dollars a year for diabetes, Alzheimers
and MS by riding and I love it. If I thought I could make a living on the bike, I’d do it. Sadly, I’m too busy with the Council and running my business (in addition to being too old and fat to pull off such a feat) but I can always wonder “what if?”
The Problem
What I’d also love is if my home town was more bike-centric. We clearly have some fellow bike-nuts here as we have a bike plan that was done almost entirely by the citizens. My problem is that my time is extremely limited as I’m currently consumed with the Neighborhood Conservation initiative, Education Forward and the budget all while running my business and being a part of my family. I’m a notorious “me against the world” thinker and I’m trying to admit and address that here…:)
The Proposition
So, I need some help getting this done. The opportunities are huge, the costs minimal and the ROI would be nice. Sure, there’s the obvious stuff like bike lanes but why couldn’t we work to put a mtn bike path around the Airport? We own all of that land and the Airport folks are receptive to the idea. Many of the surrounding mtn bike paths are maintained by volunteers (Conway Robinson just had a big cleanup effort). It just takes time. It’s something I want to help do but I fear if it waits for me, it’ll never happen. I’m trying to address a self-admitted shortcoming here…:) So, how about it? Let’s setup a volunteer group to get Manassas more bike-friendly and get some work done.
Can we setup Bike Manassas ? I’ve got an email setup, created a twitter account and have registered the website url……I will climb down in the bunker by myself again but would rather not…:)
March 8, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I’m in.
March 8, 2011 at 1:08 pm
As long as the cost to the taxpayer is held low, I’d support a bike track as well. And, it should not be a problem finding a group to volunteer to help build the trail, and I bet if you floated the idea that it could be both a hiking and biking trail, you would attract even more attention and help. One such group might be the Bull Run trail.
March 8, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Thanks Steve! COM, c’mon man! Time to pitch in…:)
The idea is that it costs the City as little as possible. Depending on the requirements imposed on the trail by the gov’t it could be as little as the cost of some signs. Of course, if the requirements are steep it could change.
March 8, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Andy,
Sure, I’ll pitch in, and think it should be both a bike and hiking trail.
As for the costs, yes, I guess it depends, but given the economic reality it should not be overlooked and we should not just support the project regardless of the cost.
Otherwise, I want Lake Manassas opened up so I can take advantage of my “own” lake. And, I’m sure there are plenty of other projects that people want. And, that’s the point I was trying to make. We simply have to watch our money more closely.
March 8, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Agreed on cost.
The only obstacle that’s been mentioned was that we might need a bridge over broad run on the east side of the airport but I’ve not seen it so I don’t know what kind of affair we’re talking about. If it’s just to keep people from getting their tires or feet wet, well, that’s part of it! If it’s too deep to ford then we’ll have to figure out a way to pay for it. Based on what I see on the south side of the airport, it could be either.
If you can bike it, you can probably hike it…:)
March 8, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Andy,
A great resource for getting trails going is PATC (Potomac Appalachian Trail Conference) All volunteer, and they build bridges out of whatever is at hand, in the middle of nowhere.
March 8, 2011 at 3:58 pm
I would also like to explore getting the ponds surrounding the airport stocked, but I’ll take on that crusade myself.
March 8, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Many a Boy Scout Eagle project has involved trail building and maintenance. Dan Nellis is a Eagle Scout, Boy Scout leader, outdoor educator, Appalachian Trail thru hiker (and sled dog trainer!) who helped build the ropes course & Alpine tower at the EDGE on GMU-Prince William’s campus. He’s done many cross-country bike trips, also. Call Susan Johnson, Manager of the EDGE at 703-993-3761.
March 8, 2011 at 4:29 pm
There is a subgroup of the PATC called the Bull Runners. They handle many of the trails in our area. I’ve done work with them in the past and can contact them to see if there is any interest in helping out.
A short/low bridge should not be an issue at all to get a volunteer to do it.
March 8, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Steve,
I’ll help out with the fish effort too.
March 8, 2011 at 4:59 pm
addendum to my loast post: I’d be willing to take the bridge project on. Just show me where the river runs.
March 8, 2011 at 5:01 pm
COM,
Great. As an avid fisherman, I have wanted to make this happen for a long time.
March 8, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Sounds like a plan in the making.
March 8, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I would be glad to do whatever I can to help out. I’m sure I could get more volunteers. I think that the trail is an excellent idea! Not just for bikers, but for hikers too! I have talked to a lot of people who would like a new trail close-by. Let’s get this plan goin’!
March 8, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Too bad the Battlefield has banned cyclists. Supposedly they scare horses. All that battlefield and bikes not allowed. Now there is a ruling to get overturned!
One person won’t have much luck. Many people working together would.
March 8, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I am all for using the natural resources that Manassas is blessed with for the enjoyment of it’s citizens. Neither biking or fishing is all that important to me personally but I sure would like to know that these activities are available and close by. Cost is always an issue but neither of these activities seem out of range especially considering other activites the Council elects to spend money on (i.e. an Old Town lingerie shop study)
Since COM brought it up I would like to point out that it is a real shame that Lake Manassas is not open for fishing. Plenty of people around here remember the lake when it was open to the public. It is a treasure as a natural resource and some claim its the best fishing in NOVa. The position that it is a terrorism risk to open it to the public is a canard. Occoquan reservoir is a water source for tens of thousands and it is open for fishing. If you want to do something to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Manassas find a way to open this lake again for fishing.
There is some excellent blogging going on about Lake Manassas at “Your Piece of the Planet” http://pwconserve.wordpress.com/
It seems that the City would rather pay to fight a lawsuit to keep it closed rather than work with the public and private groups that have stepped forward with money and a plan to open it. Its a real shame.
March 8, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Mountain Bikes really can do a lot of damage over time and cause soil erosion, and that I believe is one of the reasons they are banned from the Battlefield.
The Battlefield should be enjoyed at a walking pace, not just whizzing by on a bike lost to all that has happened there.
We’ll see after the lawsuit is over where opening the lake is. But there is just no evidence opening the lake would cause long term damage to the lake, dam or water supply. I’m sure if there was that concern, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, Washington DC, many Cities in Md, etc, would not allow boats and fishermen to use their respective drinking water sources.
March 9, 2011 at 7:14 am
Lots of momentum above in a good direction. Hiking, biking and fishing. What’s not to like? Good community quality of life initiatives.
March 9, 2011 at 9:12 am
Horses also really tear up paths but they allow them. I will, however, be the first to admit that it’s somewhat easier to put a mtn bike out there than it is a horse…:)
March 9, 2011 at 11:14 am
Horses played a part during the battles that took place there so I’m sure that also has something to do with allowing that and not bikes. I know it sounds funny but it does make a difference. If it were up to me I would not allow pets or any type of ball playing kite flying etc either. The Battlefield is a National Monument and should be treated as such.
March 9, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Horse poop is good for the grass; grease isnt.
March 10, 2011 at 9:54 am
There’s no grass on horse trails…;)
April 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Could we set up some bike paths that run directly into some of the other major citys? I noticed Reston has a nice path into Vienna and Alrington. But is there any chance Manassas would see a path like that leading into Alrington, Dale city, and Reston?
For the daily commuter, I average 26-29mph on 66 in motor traffic. On Bike I Average 17mph; with Pedal Assist 20-35mph. To sum things up, I’m willing to bike it! There just aren’t many safe paths.