Tri-County Triangle Trail
Newsletter
November 30, 2012
Dear Members & Friends of the Trail,
As the winter weather sneaks up on us and the Holidays are getting close, it is time to assess our past deeds and plan for days to come.
As always, my first activity of the year will be the New Year's Daze Ride, a fun, free community ride starting in Frankfort at 1 p.m. on January 1, 2013. Bring your bike, wear warm clothes, and leave your brain at home. Invite all of your crazy biker friends so we can enjoy it or freeze together. It has become a New Year's tradition.
Next, you need to get into shape for the 6th Annual TTT 5k/Half Marathon to be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 9 am, starting at Brad Lightle Park in Frankfort, Ohio. This is one of our major fundraisers, so plan to come out and support your trail, tell your friends who run about it, volunteer to work the event, or cook beans and bake cornbread or cookies for the event. If you can help, please let us know jsdoles@horizonview.net.
Our August "Cookie" Bike Ride was a huge success. We had a record turnout of 183 riders and made over $3,300 to be used for trail development and maintenance. The lure of the new section of trail from Austin to Fairview Road, new ride routes, the greatly hyped "Cookie Ride" name change, and Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) exposure brought out many first-time participants. The 2013 ride will be Sunday, August 18. Mark your calendar and bring family and friends to support one of our biggest fundraisers. If you would be willing to work the event or bake cookies—we need LOTS of them contact us at jsdoles@horizonview.net. Also, we need a "Cookie Ride" logo for a t-shirt. Any artists out there who could help develop one?
The newly organized volunteer maintenance program is a huge success, with many dedicated trail users working hard toward the upkeep of their adopted portions of trail. We now have a tool shed in Frankfort with a variety of tools for volunteers to use The purchase of a Gator greatly reduced designated maintenance funds. If you have not made all of your tax deductible donations for 2012, remember us in your plans. If you would like join other volunteers in maintaining our trail, send us a note at jsdoles@horizonview.net. Any amount of time you can donate will be appreciated. We will also have a Spring maintenance day, April 6, 2013.
Xenia, Ohio is a recreational trail hub, with trails coming in from all directions. Thousands of riders each year provide a financial boon to their economy. Washington C.H. will be in a similar position as planned trail development continues. For that reason, I feel it is imperative that Fayette County form a park district to help with in the creation and promotion of this hub. Tri-County Triangle Trail now has 32 miles of paved trail and we can already see a significant increase in riders and trail users. If you have the opportunity, please contact your governmental leaders and support creation of a park district to benefit Fayette County.
Christmas shopping will be going into fast forward very soon. Remember that Tri-County Triangle Trail t-shirts are stocked by Central Center Hardware in Chillicothe, priced at $14 for short sleeve and $18 for long sleeves.
The annual meeting, including the election of officers, will be at the Northside Library in Chillicothe on January 15, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend and vote.
I have served my time as Corresponding Secretary, so this will be my last newsletter. I want to thank all of you for putting up with my insanity and for your loyal support of trail projects. We have other dedicated members – someone will take over my duties, starting in January, and do a good job. I just got a total knee replacement on November 13, so with less work and more fun in mind, I want to sign off by saying "See you on the Trail!"
Delbert J. Doles, V.P. & Corresponding Secy.
