It was through a great team effort that this event was possible. Many thanks to the Pedal steering committee and all the volunteers that helped the Center organize and make the ride possible. An incredible group of 80+ volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly by helping with set-up, put out route signs, register cyclists, drive SAG (Support And Gear), serve as ride marshals, staff rest stops, make PB&J sandwiches, put together ride packets and whatever else was necessary to make the event happen. All of the volunteers did a phenomenal job and their time and assistance is truly appreciated.

In addition, our most heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of the event and the many who contributed supplies for the rest stops and other items necessary for the event. Also, thanks to all the cyclists that participated in the ride.

On behalf of the board of directors, staff and most importantly, the clients served by the Family Crisis Center, our sincerest appreciation to everyone that made the Pedal Thru The Pines a wonderful success! What an honor to see so many come together to support the vital work of the Center. The mission of the Center is to be the expert resource and service provider in eliminating domestic and sexual violence in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee and Colorado Counties.

The ride will still be held on March 3, 2012. Several of the familiar rest stop locations will remain the same including St. Mary's, Serbin, and Winchester rest stops. SAG Team support for all routes will be available.

We are working to prepare updated route maps as soon as possible.

Recovery efforts continue in the Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, and we hope to return to a ride through the parks in the near future! We appreciate your patience and support as the Bastrop County area works to recover from the effects of the fires.

Participant Survey

Please consider participating in our online survey in order to help us collect information on the number of cyclists participating in the Pedal Thru The Pines, the number of people staying in local hotels/motels, and your experience at this year's event. The survey is anonymous and is intended to capture information related to the number of people who travel to the area for the event and stay in local hotels and motels.

Survey Link

This year's ride may feel quite different as a result of the devastating fires in the area over Labor Day weekend. The Bastrop County Complex fire of September 4, 2011, was the most destructive wildfire in state history. The fires burned 34,000 acres, destroyed over 1,600 homes, and killed two people. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department , "High winds on that Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend directed the fire quickly southward toward Bastrop State Park, a beloved National Historic Landmark with structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Fire affected 96 percent of the approximately 6,565-acre park. Most notably, the fire had a significant impact on the Lost Pines ecosystem, an area of isolated loblolly pines, and home to the endangered Houston toad."

Rediscover the "Lost Pines"

The park does look different. However, restoration is underway and up from the ashes, like the phoenix, the Bastrop State Park has emerged and embarked on a journey of recovery.

The park has undergone noticeable changes. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department reports, "... the park has already undergone noticeable changes to heal itself. Brief but welcome rains have sprouted a little greenery here and there. Even a wide variety of wildlife has returned to the park, including deer, woodpeckers, owls, lizards, roadrunners, squirrels and osprey. Park visitors will have opportunities to glimpse more wildlife and make new discoveries as they learn to experience the park differently. Parks and Wildlife staff are assessing fire damages to the natural and cultural resources and working on long-term recovery plans. A limited number of park areas and campsites will reopen on December 2, with more to follow in the spring." With a few set-backs due to rain, road work on Park Road 1 C continues with an estimated completion date of February 1, 2012.

Recovery Efforts

Proceeds from the premiere of the forthcoming film "Bernie" (filmed in Bastrop in 2011) were donated to several fire relief groups including the Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks, which received a donation of $45,000. Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks states that 100% of the funds will be used over the next months and years to help restore the park. The organization has purchased a greenhouse for nurturing seedlings and other plants to be used in restoring the forest as well as hard hats and buckets for volunteers participating in restoration activities.

Additionally, the Meadows Foundation provided a grant of $850,000 for wildfire recovery efforts, a large part of which will go to the Texas Forest Service to support volunteer fire departments throughout the state.

As recovery efforts continue for Bastrop State Park, the Family Crisis Center and the Pedal Thru The Pines event steering committee will follow-up with updates as we receive them. We thank you for your support and look forward to a successful ride this year!

For those interested in camping the weekend of the event, please contact the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Reservation Center.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/park_reservations

For more information, including photos, related to the impact the fires had on the Bastrop State Park, please visit the following TPWD page.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/bastrop/fire

For information regarding the Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks, please visit their site.

www.friendsoflostpines.org

Registration is open for Pedal Thru the Pines 2012. This event supports the Family Crisis Center's vision of a safe community built on equality without the existence of violence.

Please visit our website for information about registering for this year's ride. We are looking forward to our 10th annual ride with great roads and wonderful volunteers at all our rest stops.

Many have asked about the fire and yes, even though some of the roads are currently closed, we have confirmed that we will be riding the same routes that go through Bastrop and Buescher state parks which is through some of the badly burned pine forest.

Larry Moomey

Safety Coordinator

Pedal Thru The Pines

Safety is our number one priority. Always ride with caution, awareness and responsibility for yourself and others on the route. For more information, please review our Safe Riding Tips.

We expect to have a great and safe ride again this year.

Packet Pickup is available on Saturday, March 5th from 6:30AM until the ride start time at 9AM.

AUSTIN -- Construction on the new flyovers at Interstate 35 and Ben White Freeway will close the northbound lanes of the interstate for the upcoming weekend. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says northbound traffic will be diverted to the access road just north of Stassney Ln beginning at 10:00 PM Friday. Traffic will remain on the access road past Ben White Fwy and re-enter the main lanes at the entrance ramp near Oltorf St.

Westbound Ben White Fwy will also be closed between Burleson Rd and Congress Ave sometime between 11:00 PM Friday and midnight to allow a crane to be located on the main lanes. Traffic will be detoured via a temporary crossover to the eastbound lanes of Ben White that will be configured to one lane in each direction for about two miles. A second crossover west of the interstate allows traffic to return to the westbound lanes. According to TxDOT, Ben White should be reopened by mid-afternoon Saturday. The main lanes of I-35 should be restored to normal by 5:00 AM Monday.

The closures are associated with TxDOT.s $26-million project to add four new direct-connection ramps to the interchange and are required to place steel beams over the interstate and Ben White main lanes. These beams will provide support for the deck of the direct connector from westbound US 290 to the southbound interstate. When the project is completed, two ramps will connect east and westbound Ben White Freeway to southbound Interstate 35; two additional ramps will connect northbound interstate traffic with east and westbound Ben White.

Additional construction details are available at: http://www.txdot.gov/project_information/projects/austin/ben_white_i35/default.htm

As most of you already know, the 2011 Pedal Thru The Pines will take place on Saturday March 5th 2011. The ride starts at 9:00 AM and we are looking forward to having another safe and successful event.

Getting your bikes and bodies geared up for this or any ride is important! If you've been riding you are probably ready, if not, check your bike for proper operation and start an exercise and nutrition regimen so your bodies will be ready as well.

Go to the web site to register, check out the route maps and read the FAQs and General Information about the ride as well as participating Bastrop businesses.

There are some changes from last year:

• The 65 mile route has reverted to the original route to Serbin and then through Winchester.
• The Alum Creek Rest Stop has moved around the corner from its original location. This was due to the occupation of the property by a new business.

You can see these changes in the Route Photos Gallery.

We also have a new jersey this year which can be seen at the JERSEY tab on the web site. Those of you in Austin can try one on and buy it at Nelo's. They are not charging The Crisis Center anything to sell them.

We are excited about the ride as always and hope to see you all there! Remember that the ride benefits the Family Crisis Center serving Bastrop, Colorado, Fayette and Lee Counties.

You can also check The Family Crisis Center out on Facebook at this link.

Ride on!

Larry Moomey
PTTP Safety Coordinator

Registration is open for Pedal Thru The Pines that supports the Family Crisis Center's vision of a safe community built on equality without the existence of violence.

Please visit our site for information about registering for this year.s ride and information about our new ride jersey this year.

We are looking forward to our 9th annual ride with great roads and wonderful volunteers at all our rest stops.