Great Ice in Grand Isle

Burlington Free Press
Staff Report
February 13, 2009
www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990213013

SATURDAY (Feb. 14):

Register at 9:30 a.m. for the F-f-frozen Chosen Regatta from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Design your own human-powered machine using a bicycle. All ages, solo or in teams. $20 entry fee benefits North Hero Community Hall restoration. Regatta rules posted at www.champlainislands.com or contact Bob Camp of Hero's Welcome at 372-4161.

Human Powered Vehicle Burlington Bikefest

Bridget M. Burns
Seven Days
October 8, 2008
Photo Slideshow: http://www.7dvt.com/2008human-powered-vehicle-burlington-bikefest

1st Annual Human Powered Vehicle Bike Fest

Burlington Free Press
Photos by Alison Redlich
October 5, 2008
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BT&Date=20081004&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=810040801&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Scores of bike enthusiasts gather at City Hall Park in Burlington for the 1st Annual Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Bike Festival on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

Rachel Siegel and her daughter Gertrude 4 1/2, of Burlington
Tom Jannke of Ledyard, CT in his Velomobile
Mike Beganyi of Burlington who pedaled with his daughter Ava, 8 months, of Burlington, in their Bakfiets bicycle which was made in Amsterdam
Event organizer Phil Hammerslough of Burlington
Leonard Krash of Conneaut, OH, who displays his Belokit and answers questions at City Hall Park
Tom Jannke of Ledyard, CT in his Velomobile
Ty Larson, 3 1/2, of Burlington

Festival Promotes Human Power

Burlington Free Press
By Lauren Ober
October 3, 2008
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810030315

Phil Hammerslough wants you to stop thinking of bikes as sporting goods and start thinking of them as the most efficient way of getting from here to there.

Hammerslough, 65, began biking year-round about 40 years ago and hasn't looked back. He pedals himself through rain, wind, sleet and snow and looks at his bicycle as a vehicle, one that is human-powered.

Helping people see bikes as a viable transportation option has been Hammerslough's goal for years. This weekend's Human Powered Vehicle Burlington Bikefest is largely a result of Hammerslough's enthusiasm and advocacy.

The festival, which runs today through Sunday at locations around Burlington, seeks to introduce people to human powered vehicles including recumbent bikes, trikes and velomobiles -- a single-passenger bicycle with a full fairing, seen mostly in Europe. There will be demonstrations of human powered vehicles, as well as lectures, bike tours and a trailer pull.

Hammerslough points to the downturn in the economy as a reason for people to start biking rather than driving. Becoming fuel-independent can make a huge difference in people's lives, Hammerslough said.

"From an economic standpoint, biking is a fabulous concept," Hammerslough said.

One of the festival's other organizers, Stu Lindsay, said the event is a way to celebrate human ingenuity while showing people how accessible biking for transportation is. The velomobiles might look space-age with their aerodynamic shells, but they are no more complicated than a regular bicycle and are better for riding year-round.

Lindsay, who builds specialty bikes for people with physical disabilities, thinks it's possible for people to bike year-round, if only cities were more accommodating. Burlington isn't a bad place to commute by bike, Lindsay says, but "we are one of those cities that could do an awful lot more."

Lisa Aultman-Hall, director of the Transportation Research Center at the University of Vermont, agrees that Vermont is doing a pretty good job accommodating people who cycle as a primary means of transportation. Aultman-Hall will speak tonight at City Hall's Contois Auditorium on the 10 biggest transportation myths and the reality behind them.

"Given our constraints like winter and the hills, we're doing pretty well," Aultman-Hall said. "I think it's exciting that our advocates and leaders want more."

From a transportation and congestion standpoint, Aultman-Hall said human powered vehicles should be a big part of the discussion. Not everybody needs to ride a bike, she says, but if some people ride instead of drive, the roads are better for everyone.

That is Hammerslough's overarching goal, to show people the benefits of human powered transportation.

"If I can get people to ride one more week a year, I've accomplished something," Hammerslough said.

Contact Lauren Ober at 660-1868 or lober@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Seven Days
Calendar
Photo by Jack Rowell
September 24, 2008
www.7dvt.com/bike-recycle-vermont-benefit

Science-fiction novelist H.G. Wells once wrote, “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” That quote could sum up the old-spokes saviors at Bike Recycle Vermont. Since 2004, BRV has provided hundreds of donated-and-refurbished cycles to low-income folks in need of two-wheeled transportation. The organization also trains disabled and disadvantaged Vermonters to be bike mechanics. A partner of cycling-advocacy nonprofit Local Motion, BRV supports its pedal-powered mission with a fundraising party this Saturday. Bid on silent auction items and bake-sale goodies at 6 p.m., or get your toes tapping at a 7 p.m. hoedown featuring high-toned honky-tonk from the Starline Rhythm Boys (pictured). Bring the family: Kids 15 and younger and seniors 65 and older join the gyrations for half-price.

Bike Recycle Vermont Benefit

Saturday, September 27, 6PM at Shelburne Town Hall in Shelburne. $20-25.

Contact Info:

• 802-652-2453
• Event Website

Seven Days Says:

The Starline Rhythm Boys get rowdy with original rockabilly numbers at a wheel-friendly fundraiser. Silent auction and bake sale, 6 p.m., dance concert 7 p.m.

Frozen Assets

Seven Days
Calendar - Weekly Highlights
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
www.sevendaysvt.com/calendar.html#60272

It’s tempting to hunker down indoors when chilly temps set in, but that wintertime coping strategy can lead straight to cabin fever. Two family-friendly events facilitate fresh-air socializing this weekend. Colchester kicks off its 25th annual winter carnival on Friday with an Italian dinner and fireworks, and Saturday brings snowshoeing, sledding, sleigh rides, live music and a mini-midway hosting a caricature artist, crafts and a chili cook-off. North Hero’s month-long “Great Ice in Grand Isle” event series starts with a kids’ ice-fishing derby on one of Lake Champlain’s few iced-over bays, with equipment and how-to advice provided free to first-timers. Take down your Christmas tree and bring it along, sans decorations: Post-derby, the conifers fuel a festive bonfire as part of a cold-weather cookout.

Colchester Winter Carnival, Friday and Saturday, February 1 & 2, various Colchester locations, see calendar listings for times. $4-5. Info, 264-5640. www.town.colchester.vt.us/recreation

Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby, Saturday, February 2, City Bay, North Hero, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 372-8400. www.localmotionvt.org

Christmas Tree Bonfire & Cookout, Saturday, February 2, City Bay, North Hero, 5:30 p.m. $5, bring your tree. Info, 372-8400.