Two Capitols/Capitals

This week I went to Jefferson City to lobby the politicos for bicycling issues, and it was a big success.  This year we more than tripled the turnout of bicyclists at the Capitol and had some great conversations about transportation policy, recreation policy, funding, and transportation safety.  Unfortunately the notoriously troubled Missouri Amtrak route got us home at almost one in the morning

While almost all of our state legislators are very nice and personable people, I have to say that a lot of our Kansas City delegation is underwhelming.   There doesn’t seem to be the same sense of unity and passion that that is there among the St. Louis and Springfield contingents. Those legislators are not shy about fighting for their communities and making sure their interests are represented. You can be sure St. Louis reps are fighting for transportation and mass transit dollars, while I hear very little from KC reps about light rail.  The Kansas City delegation seems to be less engaged and active than others. Kansas City is Missouri’s biggest city by far, but we have to start acting like it.

Anyway, on Monday I’m off to Washington, D.C. to repeat the whole process on the national level as part of the Missouri delegation to the National Bike Summit. It’s kinda cool that the League of American Bicyclists is headquartered on K Street with all the bigwig lobbyists.

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Teh Big City

I’m writing this from a coffee house on the Plaza.  The suburban-looking couple at the next table is freaked out at the fact that the staff knows and is friendly with Cheeseburger Jerry, the guy that panhandles outside of the Barnes & Noble down the block.  Someone gave Jerry a bag of frozen shrimp, and the barista is letting him keep it in their freezer while he is out “working”. I predict this little story will be the highlight of the couple’s next P.T.A. meeting.

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DC Bound

Next month I’m heading out to Washington for the National Bike Summit to agitate for us folks on two wheels. So, I’d be much obliged for your recommendations on food, drink, and general diversions.  I’ve done the big sites like museums and such, including a pilgrimage to the Magic of Myth – so this time I’m looking for stuff off the beaten path.  I’m staying in the Shaw neighborhood near U Street and Howard University.

Hopefully I’ll be able to scout out venues to return to in January 2009 for the Barack and/or Hillary inauguration.

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Columbian Food

Thanks to Logtar for inviting Michelle and I to his birthday dinner.  Rincon Colombiano on Strawberry Hill in KCK was delicious.  South Americans sure know how to handle their meat, so to speak.

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Columbia Ritual

I usually visit Columbia several times a year, and on today’s visit I realized I seem to have developed a bit of routine.  There many stops along the way, but these three are obligatory on every trip.

First, when I get halfway there I tune the radio to 102.3 FM, or “BXR.”  I think it might be the only decent radio station left in Missouri.

Second, as soon as get into town I head Downtown and get some excellent coffee at Lakota on 9th Street.

Finally, on the way out of town I stop by Flat Branch Brewery and refill my growler with some awesome beer

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