Email Newsletter September 12, 2001
Issue 36

UPCOMING MEETINGS:
* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 9/12 -- Smith College, Northampton
* Northampton Transportation Committee Mon. 9/24
* Northampton Transportation Plan Public Forums: Oct. 3 and 17

NEWS:
* UMass Rail-Trail extension: mostly paved!
* Manhan Rail-Trail funding released
* MassBikers run bike repair clinic on Norwottuck RT

OTHER EVENTS:
* Critical Mass rides Fri. 9/28: Northampton and Amherst
* Amherst/La Paz benefit ride 9/29

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

* Next MB/PV meeting Wed. 9/12 -- Smith College, Northampton
------------------------------------------------------------

MassBike/Pioneer Valley meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at
7:00 pm. (Next meetings: Oct. 10, Nov. 14...)

Place: Room 304, Seelye Hall, Smith College, Northampton
Date: Wed. Sep. 12
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Agenda:
-- Northampton extension of Norwottuck RT
-- Northampton Rail-Trail Challenge Grant
-- MB/PV's new video - come watch it!

As usual, pot-luck refreshments provided and consumed by you and us.

* Northampton Transportation Committee Mon. 9/24
------------------------------------------------

Open to the public. This will be the final meeting to discuss the new
Northampton transportation plan before the....

* Northampton Transportation Plan Public Forums: Oct. 3 and 17
--------------------------------------------------------------

Not just open to the public -- FOR the public. Here's a chance to put
in your two cents about the future of transportation in Northampton
and the region. Does the plan reflect your priorities? Let the City
know at these two evening forums, one in the
Florence area (10/3), the other in downtown (10/17). Check out the
Daily Hampshire Gazette or visit the Planning Dept's website at
www.northamptonplanning.org for details and a copy of the plan draft.

NEWS:

* Norwottuck Rail-Trail completion: Damon Rd. xing OK'd!
--------------------------------------------------------

* UMass Rail-Trail extension: mostly paved!
-------------------------------------------

It's still got a few bugs to work out, including an unpaved stretch
just north of Route 9. But the new UMass Rail-Trail connector, which
runs from the Norwottuck Rail-Trail along Snell Street, across Route
9, then along University Drive all the way to Massachusetts Avenue at
UMass
provides a new, mostly car-free route for potentially hundreds or
even thousands of bike commuters to get to and from Western Mass's
largest employer and educational institution. Thanks to all those
involved in its planning and execution for their many years of hard
work!

* Manhan Rail-Trail funding released
------------------------------------

$1.6 million has been released by MassHighway for construction of the
Manhan Rail-Trail in Easthampton. Paving could begin as soon as next
spring.

* MassBikers run bike repair clinic on Norwottuck RT
----------------------------------------------------

If you had a flat tire or other mishap on the Norwottuck Rail-Trail on
Sunday, August 26, you might have been helped by a MassBike/Pioneer
Valley dynamic duo. MB/PV members Alex von Braun and Adam Novitt ran
a bike repair clinic that day at which dozens of people got free tech
assistance and advice. Thanks, Alex and Adam!

OTHER EVENTS:

* Critical Mass rides Fri. 9/28: Northampton and Amherst
--------------------------------------------------------

Following the success of August's twin rides (Amherst: in search of a
keg for Nathan Salwen's going-away party...Northampton: passengers
reclined on a sofa pulled through town on a utilitarian bike trailer),
Pioneer Valley Critical Mass will run as two rides until further
notice:

Friday 9/28
Northampton: 5:30, Academy of Music, route TBD
Amherst: 5:15 (meet), 5:30 (ride), route TBD

* Amherst/La Paz benefit ride 9/29
----------------------------------
From Ellen Bollier (Amherst):

From ebollier@mediaone.net Wed Aug 22 14:16:50 2001
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 11:45:46 -0400

James -
Could you send notice of this bike ride to subscribers of your list
serve? It would be a great help and we'd appreciate it very much.
[...]

The Amherst-La Paz Centro Sister City Project is holding a benefit
bike ride on September 29 (rain date September 30). Tour the beautiful
Pioneer Valley and raise funds for sustainable development projects in
La Paz Centro, Nicaragua. Choose a 2, 27, 43, or 65-mile ride. Food,
drink, rest stops and detailed route maps provided. Start at Amherst
Regional High School between 8am and 10 am (65-mile riders must start
by
9am). Donations are $20 adults, $10 students. For more information and
to register visit our web site at
www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~woodhull/sistercity/bikeride or call 549-1061.
See you there!