Alpena Man to Rollerblade Across US

Al Schiller (from sk8thestates)

complied from several sources

An Alpena man, Al Schiller, leaves Sunday, August 29 on a 3500 mile trek across the United States. On eight wheels. On roller blades.

Schiller is an Olympic speed skating hopeful, but decided to temporarily divert his energy toward this project after his application to the Pepsi Refresh Project was accepted. Pepsi is granting millions of dollars to people who "refresh the world," and make it a better place. They have given Schiller $25,000 to finance his efforts to raise even more for a good cause.

Along his route from Atlantic City to Los Angeles, Schiller will raise money for the Youth Heart Watch program, which places defibrillators in schools. Schools can apply to Schiller, and he will distribute the devices to the winners after his journey is complete.

He will also speak at high schools along the way. "I am thankful for the backing I have and the amount of effort that my team is putting into this. People will know exactly what Sudden Cardiac Arrest is," he explained. He has a heart for those who have died for lack of a simple medical device, and their families.

The journey is expected to take four months. You can read more about the quest at Schiller's web page, and his blog.

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See Sk8thestates blog
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Triathlon Kicks off Third Coast Bike Festival

still from video at 9&10 News

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from a news article at 9&10 News
and Third Coast Bike Festival

Sunday morning, 300 triathletes kicked off the Third Coast Bicycle Festival as they swam, biked and ran on the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City. Both Olympic and sprint length events were offered. Participants came from as far as California to compete in this second annual race.

The course began with a swim of Bowers Harbor, followed by a bicycle leg up the peninsula and a foot race back to the harbor. Participation was up by 50% from last year's initial event.

From the triathlon yesterday, through the 29th of August, the Traverse City, Michigan Third Coast Bicycle Festival will offer something for every bicycle enthusiast. Family fun is an important component, but fixed gear, road racing, touring and cyclocross events are also offered.

Curb-to-curb races of the 3rd Annual Cherry Roubaix Criterium Road Races will be just two blocks from downtown on Saturday. Hell Yes Roller Sprints and a Cyclocross Race are scheduled for the evening in conjunction with the the 2nd Annual TC Microbrew and Music Festival held on the lawn at The Grand Traverse Commons.

Bicycle art, a film night, local rides and more will round out the week.

See Third Coast Bike Festival for more info
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Southwest Michigan Non-Motorized Trails Project

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a news release of theSouthwest Michigan Planning Commission

August 15, 2010- Comment Period For 9 County Project Ending
Last day that the SWMPC will be taking comment on the county existing and planned maps for the 9 County Non-Motorized Project. If you have any comments please send them to Suzann Flowers at (269) 925-1137 x 17 or flowerss@swmpc.org. You can view the maps at SWMPC. A big thank you to everyone for all the great participation and feedback that we have gotten. Please forward the maps to anyone you think may want to comment on the maps.

August 23, 2010 Connecting Communities and People With Trails Workshop Session 3
The SWMPC and West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition will host its next session of the 4-part workshop series on Liability and Maintenance for Trails. Josh DeBruyn from the Michigan Department of Transportation will be discussing Liability for Bike Routes and Jeff Mitchell from the Van Buren County Road Commission will be discussing Maintenance Part 1 and 2. Please join us on August 23, 2010 from 8:30am-noon at the Van Buren County Conference Center in Lawrence, MI. For more details please visit SWMPC Trails Workshop

If you have any trail related events in the 9-county region of SW Michigan that you would like to share with our friends, please become a member of the Southwest Michigan Alliance for Recreational Trails friend on Facebook or send Suzann Flowers a message. There are usually updates every couple of months.

Contact Suzann Flowers
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