I would like to get some feedback on, how to get the city to fix the streets. We have streets done in brick, concrete, asphalt and, gravel. There are patches where the brick has, either, come completely out or, is very loose. It has also become unsettled by, the ground. In terms of the concrete portions, those, and the ones with asphalt, have chunks missing from them, all over the city. With, both, the asphalt and, concrete, there are numerous spots, where the city's Public Works department has used 'filler' to fill in the cracks. That may be fine for cars but, not bikes. The filler hardens and, creates tiny bumps in the road. I wrote an e-mail to the new mayor. I don't know if I will hear back from him so, I am going to call his office in the morning.

If there are specific problem locations where the street has defects like missing bricks or potholes, you could try calling the streets department for the city and requesting they fix those specific areas. However, a general 'fix all the problem areas' effort over and above the current maintenance plans would almost certainly require some significant extra financing and may need a bond election or similar to make happen. You'll need to get some kind of grassroots campaign going for that.

Sound like perfect training conditions for the Paris-Roubaix - go to it!

Sound like perfect training conditions for the Paris-Roubaix - go to it!

Just what I'd expect from one of you cobblestonaphiliacs from the other side of the Atlantic. We Americans are a delicate people and can't tollerate severe bone rattling.

Chris, you might look into some serious suspension systems at the least, or a pedal-powered hovercraft at the most. Good Luck!

I wrote an e-mail to the new mayor. I don't know if I will hear back from him so, I am going to call his office in the morning.

Keep pestering them, increase the pestering as you draw closer to the next council election.

Hmmm I'll need to put slicks on the FSR when I come up next time. Been wanting to do those hills towards the DECC

I would like to get some feedback on, how to get the city to fix the streets. We have streets done in brick, concrete, asphalt and, gravel. There are patches where the brick has, either, come completely out or, is very loose. It has also become unsettled by, the ground. In terms of the concrete portions, those, and the ones with asphalt, have chunks missing from them, all over the city. With, both, the asphalt and, concrete, there are numerous spots, where the city's Public Works department has used 'filler' to fill in the cracks. That may be fine for cars but, not bikes. The filler hardens and, creates tiny bumps in the road. I wrote an e-mail to the new mayor. I don't know if I will hear back from him so, I am going to call his office in the morning.

Fixing roads is very expensive. Cities and towns that fix roads tax their residents to repair the local roads. If the locals do not like taxes, they usually vote for a person who just lets the roads go to hell but keeps expenses at a minimum. I doubt you'll get anywhere.

Just what I'd expect from one of you cobblestonaphiliacs from the other side of the Atlantic. We Americans are a delicate people and can't tollerate severe bone rattling.

Chris, you might look into some serious suspension systems at the least, or a pedal-powered hovercraft at the most. Good Luck!
I talked to the Mayor's Administrative Assistant who, coincidentally, use to be one of the city engineers. He told me that, the brick portion is, just for esthetics. The asphalt is the cheapest to maintain but is also, the surface that wears out the fastest. I also found out that, the former 3-Term mayor had not done anything about the problem. While it is good training for putting up with the unexpected, sometimes going over a bump made from asphalt filler, makes me feel like I am going to loose my lunch.

They just put down a layer of tar, covered by a layer of little 1/4inch stone on one of the streets that's a large part of my commute home.

I'm not too happy about it, but it is an excuse to take the long route...

Dunno what it's like up in Duluth, but that's my MN road story...

There isn't a lot you can do about the roads. Well, you could make a massive donation to get them fixed, but I'm almost sure you don't have that kind of money. None of us do. Roads are an expensive area for the municipality. If you want to see your taxes increase by a few bounds, you can get substantially better public roads. However, people don't always know where their tax money goes. Since it begins as their money they would rather see it stay their money. Thus voting for people who lower taxes, and thus your conundrum with terrible roads. There are trade-offs that are made when it comes to public service. Some people consider helping the poor and elderly or keeping water treatment up to code a more necessary thing to sink money into instead of roads. When public education is cut year after year, we have to think about what is really important. Unfortunately we have to watch the roads deteriorate sometimes. It sucks. Believe me I know. Since Wisconsin has many townships each township is responsible for their own road repair. Those with few people, usually have the worst roads. In fact the township I live in still has many gravel roads. It's the price we pay for putting other programs above our transportation system.

They just put down a layer of tar, covered by a layer of little 1/4inch stone on one of the streets that's a large part of my commute home.

I'm not too happy about it, but it is an excuse to take the long route...

Dunno what it's like up in Duluth, but that's my MN road story...

I hate that stuff! They use about 1/2 inch chip and seal down here in Texas. It takes a year of traffic to wear it down to acceptable smoothness - and I'm not that picky.

They just put down a layer of tar, covered by a layer of little 1/4inch stone on one of the streets that's a large part of my commute home.

I'm not too happy about it, but it is an excuse to take the long route...

Dunno what it's like up in Duluth, but that's my MN road story...

Ha, yeah up here in NE mpls they are pulling that same thing. A bunch of my fastest routes are now out of commission due to that. All in the name of progress I guess.