Reason #107 For Singletrack @ Leaders

Imagine eastside snowshoeing.

Inside Town Hall - City Channel 16

In the current episode of Inside Town Hall on City Channel 16 Councilman Kenny Anderson Jr and Parks Director Don Kearney talk about our proposal to allow Singletrack in Leaders Park.

See it now...here. The segment is middle third of the show.

Are We There Yet?

FAST has been in the news a couple times since the neighborhood meeting. Both articles chose headlines highlighting the “fretting” of the neighbor(s?) over the coming together of the cycling community to improve healthy recreational opportunities in Sioux Falls.

The Argus Leader story is here.

The KELO story is here.

The best response to this media coverage is to share support for singletrack in Sioux Falls with the Parks Department. Do that through their website devoted to FAST and this project, which is here.

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In the meantime communication remains open between FAST and the parks department. They are gathering feedback and doing their best to address the concerns of the neighborhood. It sounds like the FAST proposal will go before the Parks Board in the early part of next year.

We are not there. Yet.

Neighborhood Meeting Complete

Wednesday Chris presented the FAST proposal to roughly 40 people. Many in attendance were residents living near Leaders Park. There were lots of really good questions. There was plenty of support for our proposal. There were a few folks who were not supportive.

The Park and Recreation people continue to solicit feedback from the public through their website. Please visit the page here and leave some feedback.

The next step for the proposal is a review by the Park's Board. They will review the feedback and weigh the feedback...

Leaders Park Public Input Meeting

Yesterday's meeting was well attended. Participants were engaged and excited for the possibilities.

The big announcment was the scheduled Leaders Park Public Input Meeting.



December 2, 5:30 to 6:30pm, Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E 3rd St

The City is also inviting public input through this webpage.

Meeting Of The Minds

On Saturday November 21st, beginning at 10 AM, at the Caille Branch Library meeting room, (4100 Carnegie Cir. on W 49th Street) we’ll be having a Meeting of the Minds.

During this meeting you’ll be given an update on all that’s transpired with the singletrack project, we’ll talk about the upcoming neighborhood meeting, and we’ll discuss other things such as the future of FAST. We’ll also touch on trail building itself including the Spring Kick-Off.

50/50 Chance Of Cyclocross!

Sioux Falls' first ever cyclocross event occurred Saturday morning. 19 riders were available enough and game enough to come out and enjoy the opportunity to ride in 0.4 mile circles with others.



What you don't see there is 40ft of climbing. Yeah, that's right, I said 40.



Cyclocross is known for its special flavors. We’re all pretty new at this so there were no men or women in skirts, no bonfires at the top of the climb, and no bacon hand-ups.

There was also no trouble with the neighbors, parks officials, or police.

...and we secured a lost dog too. Oh yes, we’re that good.

Here is some of the special sauce at our event.

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First, Snakebite. Who one day thought, hey, let's do cyclocross and suddenly there were people riding around in circles. He has a way of doing that.

Jason Harms showed up early and said he was there to help - and he was - and he did.
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Adam rode his bike through town with a 10 pound sledge in one hand after the hammer we were using to place barriers malfunctioned.

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One racer tied a cowbell to his handlebar because, especially at cyclocross, there is no such thing as too much cowbell.

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Before the race we took a moment to observe THE MONOLITH. It’s an electrical utility.



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Antknee filled the role of the guy with no hair and a beard that goes to 11.



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It’s important to have an Irish Guy in a Team Ireland kit.



That’s Kathy on the left from the Sioux City contingent. Tammy One-Speed chased her around the course all day. How about a special shout out for Madeline the youngest (12) participant! YES!!!!!!!!!

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No, this is not Team Ireland carrying his brand spanking new Surly 1x1 Anniversary Edition with Large Marge rims and even larger tires because he didn’t want it to get dirty. The most striking feature of cyclocross is the torturous placement of barriers on the course. That’s a barrier he’s stepping over.


*photo Chad Pickard

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Thankfully we didn’t need his professional skills (no last rites?) on the course. It’s always nice to have a minister on hand. Any chance we’ll make tomorrow’s sermon Rev?


*photo Chad Pickard

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At the end it’s good to have a lot of cold, sweaty, drained people being held up by their bikes. The Muscle was a long way out in fourth, clawed his way back to 2nd and finally landed in 3rd after succumbing to Kyle’s tactics.



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At least one team photo, it’s winner of the B event Peter on the right. 2nd place in the A event Kyle is second from left.



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I’m ever so pleased that heretofore unknown to us, 15-year-old Zack from Crooks, SD rode away from everybody and won the A event. The enthusiasm of his family was warmth.

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See Saturday's article in The Local Daily.

See Sunday's article in The Local Daily.

The Local Daily's photo gallery of the event is here.

See The Hooterville Mayor's photo/video montage on his blog.