Many thanks to Don Spencer, gunnar, Ryan, Derek and Nick for showing up on their bikes at the Hotel Morgan at 4:30 today and escorting at least 4 WVDOH managers and 1 Mountain State Wheelers rep on the MPO bike ride.

It was a jovial ride throughout. I only regret that we didn't ride up Mon Blvd. to Evansdale and back rather than stopping at the bottom and just discussing it. When I led the guys home in the dark after the picnic and tested them up Elk St., they all balked at my warning that some may choose to walk and sprinted up it. Now, I am sure they would have enjoyed the climb up the Blvd. and moreover the descent.

Overall, the ride was much quicker than I estimated so I'm also grateful to Don for suggesting and to Nick for giving us a tour of his new digs at Marilla where WVDOH's Richard Warner tested a unicycle somewhat unsuccessfully and a tall bike rather successfully.

The cookout was superb with gunnar leading local CXers around the park and by the pavilion, country music singing from a parked SUV, WVDOH engineers grilling and all eating excellent barbecue, burgers, dogs, salads, chips, dessert and of course, an assortment of copious good beers along with the kind of shop talk that I think all of us would enjoy.

Our presentation at the conference was very well received with several participants making a point of contacting the speaker afterward. Bill Robinson, State Trails Coordinator said it was the best presentation of the conference because it provided much useful information.

Ride guests: Rob Pennington, Director WVDOT Program Planning & Administration Division Perry Keller, Unit Leader, Statewide & Urban Planning Richard Warner, Planning Section Head Larry Douglas, Transportation Engineering Technologist Dennis Strawn, Advocacy Coordinator Mountain State Wheelers

Frank