The rumors are true. A fixture in the Richmond bike scene for 95 years, Rowlett’s, near Staples Mill and Broad, is closing. The store website has this to say:

Store Closing Sale
EVERYTHING IS ON SALE
SAVE 15%-25%-50%
AND MORE…
AFTER 95 YEARS IN RICHMOND, ROWLETT’S
IS CLOSING ITS DOORS FOR THE LAST TIME.
WE APPRECIATE THE LOYALTY OF OUR LONG-TIME
VALUED CUSTOMERS; HOWEVER
ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.
THANKS FROM FRED, JAMES, KATE, J.P. AND DENNIS!

• ALL REPAIRS & LAYAWAYS MUST BE PAID AND PICKED UP NOT LATER THAN APRIL 15, 2012.
• THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT TAKE ANY NEW WORK AFTER MAR. 24
• SALE HOURS MON-SAT 10-6, SUNDAY 1-5 1904 STAPLES MILL RD. | (804)353-4489

Remember when you ordered a special James River Park license plate 15 months ago (some 27 months or more)? People who originally ordered their plates were recently informed that they should expect the plates within a month, but that date has been pushed back indefinitely.Read More

While not exactly a well-kept secret for the past few months, it is now official: Carytown Bicycle Company is moving down the street to 3112 Cary. Here’s a pic from their online newsletter, of the new, three-times-as-large CBC shop:

And here are some details, again from the newsletter : Three times the space!
·A designated community room…with free WiFi for the masses!
·Bike rentals!
·A service entrance!
·A DIY repair stand out back, stocked with tools!
·Morning and evening cycling classes, courtesy of Central Virginia Endurance!
·Skylights!
·A mural by Richmond’s art-hero Ed Trask!

 
CBC is also in the middle of a Dutch auction — trying to sell a bunch of inventory instead of move it. Click here to learn more.

Mrs. Burke, who died March 9 at 91 in a Henrico hospital, led successful efforts during the early 1970s to stop a proposed Richmond Metropolitan Authority expressway that would have overbuilt the most beautiful stretch of Riverside Drive — the city’s first scenic roadway. It also would have destroyed the area now comprising four riverside parks south of the James.

Paul Keefer is a passionate and persistent man, which is why he might just pull off the idea he has in mind for the Richmond waterfront. If nothing else, he figures, he and some friends can go for a walk this Sunday for a good cause. And he wants as many Richmonders as possible to be among those friends.

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Hikers and bikers who’ve used the North Bank Trail in the past week or so may have noticed some changes to the trail. Coming from underneath the Lee Bridge, the trail has been widened considerably and had gravel added to the tread in the area between where Hollywood Cemetery starts and the wooden bridge that goes over a small drainage.

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The celebration for the grand opening of the Dogwood Dell Trails has been postponed, according to Richmond MORE, “so that city officials may attend.” The trails are officially open to bikers and hikers. Only the picnic is cancelled. We’ll have the new date for you as soon as it’s announced.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has just started accepting submissions for its eighth annual watershed photo contest. Photo submissions are being accepted through April 13. Photographers of all skill levels (ages 13 and up) are eligible to win the top cash prize of $500 and have their photo featured in CBF’s publications. (The above photo of Elliott Island near Vienna, Md. was taken by Graham Slaughter.)

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Photo credit: Jesse Peters/Sports Backers

The Sports Backers announced the prize payouts for Dominion Riverrock recently. Last year, competitors in events like mountain biking, bouldering, trail running, kayaking and more took home $18,150 in cash prizes. This year that number will be $29,300, a very sizable increase. To choose a few at random: prize money was doubled in bouldering, the Urban Assault MTB race and kayak boatercross.

I spoke recently with Jackie Holt, the Sports Backers’ PR manager, about the investment in prize money the group is making. She said part of the motivation is to try to attract the best possible athletes in these events. “We have always (and will always) want Dominion Riverrock to be a spectator-friendly event that draws top-tier athletes,” she said in an email. “Being able to come down to the festival and watch [competitors like] Eric Jackson, a world-class athlete, compete in the kayaking events is very cool – for both individuals and for the city of Richmond.”

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According to a new post on the Richmond Tree Stewards website, Richmond’s Urban Forestry Department has been busy this winter, planting almost 2,000 new trees.

This investment will repay us many times over by cleaning our air and water, shading our homes, providing habitat, etc. The list of benefits that a healthy urban canopy provides is very long and even includes such things as less childhood asthma and decreased health care costs. However, our urban foresters cannot do it alone. These young trees will need many other people willing assist in getting them off to a healthy start. And EVERY TREE COUNTS! The urban canopy includes all trees, including the ones in your yard. Learning how to properly plant, maintain, and care for your own trees is the most effective action any citizen can take.

The tree stewards have been hard at work planning events for Arbor Day in April. Every weekend there’ll be tree walks in places like Byrd Park. Forest Hill Park, Bryan Park and Capitol Square. A “Tree Academy” is also available for those who want to learn more about our urban canopy. Check out their website for more information