Spring is a wonderful and exciting time to live in the Roanoke Valley. While many enjoy the all four seasons year- round, the fun seems to really ramp up for the outdoor enthusiast when the weather turns just a bit warmer. To celebrate this warm air and the luxury of being outside without a parka, there are several planned events this month that all who live here should be aware.
Why Are All of These Crazy People Running Up to the Star?
If you’ve been out on a Saturday morning recently, you have probably seen an extraordinary number of people dressed as highlighters running on grueling mountainous streets such as Walnut, Peakwood, Avenham, and throughout downtown Roanoke. Don’t be alarmed, our city is not being invaded by aliens with very little fashion sense. These people are training for The Blue Ridge Marathon, The Blue Ridge Half-Marathon, and the Star 10k. The Blue Ridge Marathon is also known as America’s Toughest Road Marathon and attracts runners from all over the world.
The best thing you can do for runners and pedestrians is to be an attentive driver. Watch out for them as they cross roadways and give them plenty of room when you pass. A friendly wave or a thumbs up is also very encouraging.
The Blue Ridge Marathon will be held on April 16,2016. There are several road closures:
- Jefferson Street (from Church Ave to Franklin Rd): 5:30am-8:00am
- Jefferson Street (from Franklin Rd. to Elm Ave): 5:30am-5:00pm
- Jefferson Street (all lanes, from Elm to Walnut Ave): 7:00am-8:30am
- Franklin Road (2nd St to Williamson Rd): 5:30am-3:30pm
- Walnut Avenue (from Jefferson to JB Fishburn Parkway): all lanes closed 7:00am to 8:30am; Westbound lanes open at 8:30am; Eastbound lanes from Hamilton Terrace to JB Fishburn Parkway open at 8:30am; Eastbound Walnut Avenue Bridge opens at approximately 10:00 am.
- JB Fishburn Parkway (road up to Star): 7:30am-11:30am (or when last runner clears the road)
- Mill Mountain Parkway: 7:00am to ~11:30am (or when last runner clears the road)
- Roanoke Mountain Loop Road: 7:00am-11:30am
- Wiley Drive (next to Rivers Edge Sports Complex): 8:00am-1:00pm
- Luck Avenue (eastbound, from 6th Street to 1st Street): 9:00am- 3:30pm
- Bullitt Avenue (Eastbound lane, 1st St to Jefferson St): 5:30am- 5:00pm
- Elm Avenue (1st St to Williamson Rd): 7:00am-1:00pm
- Laurel Street (Southbound lane, Riverland Road to Walnut Avenue): 7:00am-12:15pm
- Ivy Street (Northbound lane, Camilla to Walnut Avenue): 7:00am- 12:15pm
- Camilla Street (Eastbound lane, Ivy Street to Sylvan Avenue): 7:00am-12:15pm
- Peakwood Drive (The “Uphill” Lane, entire length): 8:00am-2:00pm
- West Ridge Road (The “Downhill” Lane, Peakwood Dr. to Rosalind Ave): 8:00am-2:00pm
- Cars will be allowed to travel UP West Ridge/Rosalind and DOWN Peakwood. West Ridge from Peakwood to the top will be open
- Winchester Ave (Eastbound lane, Main St to 12th St): 9:00am- 3:30pm
- 12th St (Wasena Ave to Winchester Ave): 9:00am-3:30pm
- 8th St (Southbound, Day to Elm): 9:00am-3:30pm
- Alleys between Elm and Luck: 9:00am-3:30pm
- Mill Mountain Zoo will be open for business at 12pm
Cycling in the Roanoke Valley
Again, with the Blue Ridge Parkway, our challenging hills and mountains, a serious cyclist can’t resist the punishment of riding in the Roanoke Valley. Spring offers an open Blue Ridge Parkway, and many rural routes to take in vast landscapes.Roanoke Outside suggests the following rides:
- Alleghany County: Dolly Anne Hollow, Lime Kiln Road, Highland Scenic Tour
- Botetourt County: Blue Ridge Parkway and Routes 43, 615, 621, 606
- Craig County: Routes 311, 621, 42, 615, 658, 18, 617, Forest Service Road 176 & 179
- Franklin County: Blue Ridge Parkway and Routes 602, 640, 748, & 623
- Giles County: Routes 42, 635, 61, & 40
- Montgomery County: Routes 624, 785, & 723
- Floyd County: Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 8
It is especially important to concentrate on the task of driving when sharing the road with cyclists. It can be difficult to judge the speed of the cyclist and therefore predict the best time to pass a cyclist. As a driver, exercise utmost caution when preparing to pass and be patient. Separate risks and don’t pass a cyclist when oncoming traffic is approaching. In Virginia, drivers are required by law to allow at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the cyclist when passing. When traveling on rural routes, please keep in mind that many of these roads have high shoulders or no shoulders. A road with no shoulder does not allow a cyclist any extra room so be careful not force them off the road. In the past 2 years, I have represented 3 victims in serious cyclist-vehicle accidents. Two of those clients were killed at the scene by a drunk driver and the other sustained permanent catastrophic injuries. All three accidents were caused by driver error.
Motorcycle Season is Here
VisitRoanokeVA.com offers a list of scenic routes and descriptions for some of the most spectacular spring rides in the country. Like the proposed routes for the cyclists, many of these are rural routes and meant to be savored and enjoyed, not raced through.
When riding a motorcycle in Roanoke, Virginia keep in mind that there are many hairpin turns and “s” curves to deal with. There also may be loose gravel patches on roadways left over from snow removal efforts. Use caution and know your bike well before tackling these routes.
To gain more experience and learn strategies for handling your motorcycle, enroll in a Motorcycle Rider Safety Course. There just so happens to be one beginning May 13 at Virginia Western Community College. More details can be found here http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/btt/motorcycle.php
As a vehicle driver, you should know:
- Motorcycles have complete use of traffic lanes. They are never required to share.
- Most accidents are caused by the vehicle driver failing to yield the right of way to a motorcycle rider.
- Many drivers admit that they did not see a motorcyclist until it was too late to prevent the accident. As a driver, continually scan the roadways for motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Increase your following distance when behind a motorcycle. The motorcycle is more likely to be affected by debris on the roadway or to loose control than a vehicle. Increasing your following distance will give you more time to react if the biker in front of you looses control.
Contact a Roanoke Lawyer
If you have been injured in any type of accident, call Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE Case Evaluation today. An intake specialist is waiting to take your call. The call is free and all you need to do is tell us about your accident. Call today and get the help you need. (540) 777-4900
