The Santa Cruz NBG (National Bicycle Greenway) Bike Fest is the final destination for a 25 city relay ride that began in Washington DC on May 2, 2003. Toward the end of connecting Santa Cruz, Davenport and Watsonville with a Coastal Rail Path along the Union Pacific right of way, this event will show why we need such an important through way -- NOW.
As a festival also celebrating cycling, and the bigger picture of reaching out to other large population centers with bikeways that connect to one another, the best of Santa Cruz will be on display for all the world to see. The Santa Cruz NBG Bike Fest will feature live music (five bands including Prince Lawsha's only US appearance) and speakers including Congressman Sam Farr, County Supervisor Mardi Warmhoudt, Assemblyman John Laird and Capitola City Councilman Dennis Norton. There will also be prize giveaways and vendor booths featuring antique bikes, new bikes, electric bikes, recumbent bikes, bike clothing, massage, food and drink and more!
And as we put our best foot forward, the world will see not only the natural beauty that we serve as the wise stewards for but the tremendous talent and out of the box thinking that has made us the envy of cities and towns far and wide. And the new thought with which we have led the edge with everything from the internet to bill of rights politics to medical marijuana and etc have all had their beginnings in the mental clarity that results from our being most arguably the #1 bike community in the US.
What does cycling in Santa Cruz have to do with an unblocked mind you wonder? Well when the healthy lifestyle that bicycling is synonymous with is fortified with more of the simple clean foods that are more prevalent here than anywhere in the world and he or she breathes air scrubbed clean by the ocean, the ability to produce advanced thought is greatly enhanced. Couple this with the strong desire many cyclists have to do what it takes to live in and amongst fellow members of their tribe and innovations and bike events and building oneself into the politics of improving the local infrastructure for better biking can't help but be the result. And as we take the fruit of our work out into the world, everyone wins.
The example we are setting will fully dispel the notion that has pushed us into a downward spiral of environmental, physical and social ills that 'what is good for GM is good for America'. It is no doubt time for bicycling to lead a new way.
It is toward this end that our Festival will show:
What is good for cycling is good for Santa Cruz, the US and the world!
Please come Sunday, August 17 - more info: BikeRoute.com
Festival promoter and NBG founder, Martin Krieg,
is the author of the book Awake Again which
details his two bike rides across America after two
months in a coma, partial paralysis and clinical death
- Hold the presses!!! Not only is "Connection" going to run our program guide in the middle of their magazine and KPIG Radio going to soon begin promoting our event here during the summer on their station, but we just have learned that Prince H. Lawsha (http://PrinceLawsha.com) will be appearing with Paul Contos and Thai Fitzpatrick (16 yr. old violinist sensation) at our second annual Santa Cruz NBG Bike Fest . With playing for the National Bicycle Greenway being his only US appearance, last year the Prince left the crowd spellbound. We had heard a rare living master deliver pure music from the innermost depths of his heart...
Josh Lukins, a driving force in making ours a most successful event., underwent brain surgery a week after our Des Moines reception when he crashed in a bicycle race. Lorna Davros, the Des Moines Mayor's Senior aide, recently spoke with him and here is her report:
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Josh Lukins called me at home yesterday in very good spirits. Only one week after his brain surgery and he is already campaigning for bike safety and helmet safety. He said that the helmet saved his life and he would like to get the word out. We will work with Mayor Daniels and the press to see what we can do to help him. He is a great young man with a terrific sense of humor. He said that if you didn't count the brain surgery this was the best crash he has ever had - "No Strawberries!" Also, he is thinking of working with TREK to see if they can develop a new material to patch the hole in his head, left from the surgery. Not a bad idea I told him, many modern day miracles are the result of an accident.
Anyway, he is still a little weak and recovering at home, surrounded by his family and friends, but otherwise in good spirits. It was good to talk with him and find out the extent of his injuries and the progress of his recovery. If it hadn't been for NBG he would still be just a face in the crowd, now he is part of the family.
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Indeed he was upbeat and a joy to work with for everyone he touched. Being a brain injury survivor myself, I know first hand how serious this setback really is. And I know that his attitude will go a long ways toward helping him get to the other side of this tragedy. Keep it burning Josh!!
There's picture of Josh, THX to Jeff Reser at the Des Moines web: http://www.bikeroute.com/NationalMayorsRide/DesMoines2003