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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Save the Planet (or just our corner of it)

With yesterday being Earth Day (which I totally missed) I thought I would play catch up by giving you information on a great Columbia event that combines seeing our beautiful bike path system and learning a little about Columbia that you didn’t know.


The Columbia Association’s (CA) 11th annual BikeAbout and Town Center walking tour will be held on Saturday, May 14 at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Participants in the BikeAbout may begin the ride anytime between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. The Town Center walking tour will begin at 10:30 a.m. After the ride or walk, participants are invited to think “green” and participate in Save the Planet Day, beginning at 11 a.m.


This year’s BikeAbout route will take riders through Town Center, Wilde Lake, Harper’s Choice and Hickory Ridge, highlighting history in Harper’s Choice and the Middle Patuxent Valley and traversing some of the most picturesque pathways in Hobbit’s Glen and Clary’s Forest. Walkers will follow a route to Oakland Mills; explore a historic cemetery and outdoor sculpture; as well as take in the art and architecture in Town Center.


Bicycling and walking for recreation and as alternative transportation are two key factors of environmental sustainability. The Save the Planet Day event will feature other green initiatives and highlight what CA and the community are doing to make Columbia more environmentally-friendly. The Save the Planet Day event is being coordinated by the CA Teen Advisory Committee.


BikeAbout, organized by CA’s Columbia Archives and Open Space Division is a popular event drawing several hundred bicyclists annually. The route takes advantage of Columbia’s extensive pathways while uncovering the area’s historic and natural beauty. Signage and guides at key stops make this not only a bike ride, but also a tour that helps area residents discover the history of where they live.


Pre-registration for BikeAbout is encouraged. Registration forms are available here; CA headquarters, located at 10221 Wincopin Circle; and Columbia Archives, located at 10227 Wincopin Circle. For more information, please contact Barbara Kellner at 410-715-3103 or mailto:columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.com


Watch video of the BikeAbout


Having just driven to Pennsylvania on Route 81 I appreciate the roads we have in Maryland. Why does PA make their roads out of concrete that break up and need to be constantly repaired when the blacktop roads of Maryland hold up so much better??? We get spoiled.

2 comments:

Barbara Kellner said...

Thanks for helping to get the word out about the BikeAbout. I am passionate about this event. It's such a great way to see Columbia, learn some history, have fun with family and friends and promote bikeability. We hope to see lots of new faces this year. We've got very cool BikeAbout reflectors for your bike and helmet!
We also need a few more volunteers to help out on the course. If you would like to help make this a great success give us a call 410 715 6781.

Jessie at CA said...

Duane, I just love how your citizen journalist blog is developing! To add on to Barbara's comment, here's the Patch link with more info about volunteering at the BikeAbout http://columbia.patch.com/announcements/bikeabout-volunteers-needed