Monkey Around With The Guerrilla Trail Crew

What are you doing Sunday? Maybe you'll be recovering from a good pedal mashing on sunny and warm (high 30s?) Saturday. Maybe you'll be wanting to finally get out of the house after weeks of being snowbound and stir crazy.

If you want some easy riding that includes some upper body strength training and lots of comradery, consider spending a few hours monkeying around with the Guerrilla Trail Crew? In addition to working out your arms and back slinging wet, heavy snow with a shovel, you'll be working out your heart by giving a little something to the community.

Maybe you don't ride trails, but a lot of people do; for fitness, recreation, and transportation. This sort of volunteer action also helps send a message to the community and to local officials that people care about access to the trails all year long.

Learn more about Sunday's Guerrilla Trail Crew action at their website, guerrillatrailcrew.blogspot.com.

Get up to the minute information on the GTC on Twitter: @OmahaTrailCrew.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge May Close During Inclement Weather

According to the City of Omaha Official Web Site, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge may be temporarily closed due to inclement weather and/or periodic maintenance.

During a presentation on the construction of the bridge during the 2008 Omaha Bike Summit on October 18, 2008, I asked about winter maintenance of the bridge. Someone answered that the bridge would be swept, but not salted or sanded.

I can understand how that would lead to icy conditions, but I feel a "cross at your own risk" policy would be more appropriate than an outright closing. This is especially important for year round bike commuters who have come to depend on the bridge for an easy and safe crossing of the river. Regular Winter bike commuters are well aware of handling icy riding conditions and should be allowed to continue to make the crossing.

If you have any questions or comments for the City, please contact the Parks Department at 402-444-5900.