A sad event, and another reminder to watch road conditions, particularly as it gets darker, colder and wetter over here on the west side of the Cascades:
http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/11/13/cascade-man-dies-during-lunchtime-ride-in-redmond/
Luke,
Just read about Bicycle Benefits. Doesn't look to be of much use to me here in Federal Way. Nothing in Tacoma, and I don't get to Seattle often on my bike - particularly to bars, which seem to dominate the list. My Cascade and LAB membership cards are more useful to me here - at least with my bike mechanic. He often gives me a discount that he attributes to 'frequent buyer' or whatever bike clubs/associations I'm a member of.
Are any of you Bicycle Benefits participants? If so, do you benefit from it often?
@Luke, Thanks bro'.
ATAPA should probably get the prize for recruiting participants as well. Well done!
Missing the hoopla for first place team in Washington State.
For Washington bike commuters (and other non-drive-alone modes), RideShareOnline is having its semi-annual Wheel Options campaign. Log commutes via eligible modes 6 times during in the month of October and be eligible in prize drawings. Grand prize is a trip to Hawaii.
Now why am I telling you this and diluting the odds of my winning the Hawaii trip. Just don't know any better, I guess.
http://wheeloptions.icarpool.com
or
http://rideshareonline.com
@Andy & Dixie, WA. Great job. Now we have to get the west side of the Cascades into the mix for the 2014 NBC and push WA to the top of the state standings.
@Andy Pryor, Dixie, WA - Congrats on achieving #1 in the nation in the Communities standings for Sept and for the entire Challenge Period. Great job recruiting family, friends, and neighbors. Thanks for representing WA.
Creative and unique items do well at the Bicycle Alliance auction. Do you have a talent, hobby or skill that you could share with others as a donation to our auction? It supports our work to grow bicycling in communities around the state!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/09/20/creative-unique-and-hard-to-come-by-items-generate-auction-buzz/
Gene: Nice meeting you as well and it was indeed a fun event! I hope they do it again next year. And thanks for fetching some coffee for me--it warmed me up!
@Louise, Thanks for attending the Dome to Defiance event on behalf of BicycleAlliance. The route was so good I rode through it twice. Good to meet you and chat and glad to have an opportunity to thank you for your updates and links on the NBC. I really enjoyed the fully loaded sweet potato from the Caveman and the cake from Celebrity Cake Studio. A great time in spite of the rain.
Sunday's rain didn't stop Tacoma folks from turning out for a waterfront trail celebration and open streets event:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/09/22/2800041/tacoma-residents-brave-rain-from.html
About poor forecasts - today was supposed to be socked in with rain all day. Looked out this afternoon and there was the sun. Got in a brief ride (only 5 miles) before the rain clouds sent me back to the house. Not that I won't ride in the rain; just not today.
Thankful for poor weather forecasts. Saturday was supposed to be a washout. Instead, I got to ride the Iron Horse Trail from Cedar Falls to Hayak and back. Overcast going up, but beautiful blue skies and white, puffy clouds on the way down. And a great group of folks to ride with. It was one of the Cascade "daily ride" series.
On the plus side, today we met with the chair of the Land Use and Transportation committee that will have to buy in to our plan before it goes to Council for approval, and he is very supportive. We'll keep this ball rollin'
Rick: It was a good try and it raised awareness. Next year!
A few Likes shy - 189 for the winner, 185 for Federal Way Biking and 161 for the third place finisher. Ouch! So close.
Thanks to all of you who responded to my call for Likes for our grant funding project. The final tally isn't in, but I believe we fell a few votes shy of winning the challenge. Even so, your support is encouragement as we continue to work to make Federal Way a friendlier, safer place for pedestrians and cyclists.
One last plea for support in our quest to win a $1000 grant to support our efforts to get greenways and other improvements to safety for walkers and cyclists in Federal Way. The link is in my message below, so I won't repeat it here. We're in second place right now and within about a dozen votes of the lead. Your vote matters, and I will appreciate it. If you've already responded, I really do thank you. Ride safe, and ride often!
@Luke - I just looked at the Walla Walla weekend and it sounds great. Unfortunately, I suspect I'll be busy with other activities then. One reason I've had time for the rides this weekend is that I'm 'home alone.' My wife is back in the southeast visiting family. I keep trying to get her comfortable enough on a bike to join me on events like this. It's a slow process.
@Rick, are you coming over here to Walla Walla the first weekend in October with the Cascade group?
Safer communities for human-powered transportation. Safe routes to school & local shopping. Yes this is a reminder of my blatant request for Facebook Likes for our Federal Way Biking project posting on the Weyerhaeuser making WAVEs Facebook page. We're trying to win a $1000 grant to help support our efforts for the first Federal Way greenway (aka bike boulevards). Although the actual expenses for greenways implementation will likely come from city funds or other grant processes, this grant would help fund outreach and advocacy efforts,
If you would like to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it.
The deadline is Sept 18. Thanks for your support.
Rode my first "Cascade Daily Rides" yesterday and today. Yesterday was a 40 mile "7 cities tour" with a 2100' of climbing, Good ride and good conversation. Today was a flat, 38 mile ride from Renton to Alki and back - coffee & pastry run. Another fun ride albeit at a slower pace. Another Cascade Ride Leader qualified. Both rides had about 15 riders. Two of the riders today were from Portland. They were here visiting their son/daughyer. If the weather holds, I plan to ride the Renton to Black Diamond Bakery run with another Cascade group.
Governor Jay Inslee and Chief of Staff Mary Alice Heuschel kicked off a new initiative Tuesday to improve state government performance. It’s called Results Washington.
Goal 1: World class education
Goal 2: Prosperous economy
Goal 3: Sustainable energy and a clean environment
Goal 4: Healthy and safe communities
Goal 5: Efficient, effective and accountable government
There are a couple of ways to let the governor know what you think. At this link http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
OR
He’s also hosting a Twitter town hall Thursday (Sept. 12) on @GovInslee from 10–11 a.m. He will be using the hashtag #ResultsWA.
Bicycling and bicycle infrastructure could definitely have an impact on goals 2-4.
Many cyclists also blog about their biking experiences. Check our list of Washington bike blogs: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-blogs-in-washington-state/
Had an Awesome ride today in the cool air!!
Intense thunder storms in Walla Walla and Tri-cities right now. Be safe out there!
A blatant request for support. My company's volunteer grant program is holding a "Volunteer Champions Challenge" contest. The prize is $1000 for the non-profit or eligible governmental entity of the winning entrant's choice. As shown in the video that Joshua Putnam posted a few days ago, several of us are working to get the first greenway (also called 'bike boulevard') established in one of the residential areas of Federal Way. This first greenway will link people in the Twin Lakes neighborhood to schools, parks, and shopping along a route with signs and pavement markings indicating its shared usage by bikes, pedestrians and cars. If you might be inclined to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it. The posting with the most "Likes" by 9/18 wins the grant. And you may find the post in one of two places on the page. "LIke" either one and your vote will count. The grant could help us make progress toward making our community more "friendly" to human powered transportation. And thanks for your support.
Do you know about PROS?
https://www.facebook.com/events/169695903217156/
@Josh - Thanks for posting the link to the video. I knew it was being edited, but I had not seen the final product. They made us look good.
Bellingham bicyclist writes about her experience riding in the National Bike Challenge:
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/national-bike-challenge/
Some familiar faces pushing for neighborhood greenways in Federal Way:
Did you ride RAPSody this year? Here's a blog post with great photos of day one of the ride: http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com/2013/08/rapsody-day-1.html
Welcome, Sara and congratulations, Kimberly!
I challenged myself and rode 86 miles for the first time in my life on Saturday with the Beaverton Banks and Beyond bike ride. Empowering!
OK.... Here I am. I want to join the challenge. I don't ride very often but every miles counts. Go Team Sierra!
Wendy: What color/s are your lights?
Totally with you Louise... though I have a set of wreath lights wrapped around my frame -- it's fun to be able to use them again (since they're basically invisible in summer sun. :-)
Does anyone else miss those extra hours of daylight? I added some additional miles into evening ride home and had to turn my lights on. <sigh>
LOL. Did I miss something here? This is for fun, right?! Ride more. Stalk the stats less. As far as the possibility of riding those miles...I am a 61 year old lady who rode mileages like that on a cross country bike tour this spring. I am not fast but I'm steady. If I hadn't had to come back to reality (work, family) I'd still be doing it. Ride! Enjoy! Be safe! It's all good!
I agree with you Rick. Not sure why folks get all bent out of shape about somebody riding high miles.
I'm not sure now if Chris is "No Name Provided" or not. If it's not Chris, I apologize to Chris for aiming my earlier remarks at him.
To "No Name Provided" - Long Puget Sound summer days are plenty of time for work and 75 to 100 miles of riding -- when one is accustomed to it, and 40+ miles of that are along a relatively flat valley in place of a car commute. Two 1/2 hours for the commute and a 2-4 hour recreational ride before or after, perhaps with friends in a paceline to get the speed up in the 20's. That's not out of the question, even with a normal workday here in the summer. As to whether or not someone can keep up that pace over time, it looks totally reasonable to me for someone well conditioned to riding. Even I can do back-to-back centuries, at a decent pace, if the terrain is not too challenging. I managed 16.2 mph on both days of the STP and went back to my commute ride the following Monday. I didn't ride a pace line, my steel touring steed is no lightweight, and I'm no athlete. I have no reason to question John's mileage log.
If you're following and/or supporting the Cycling Sojourner Washington Kickstarter campaign, we surpassed our goal! There's still time left to support this project that will produce a new bicycle touring guidebook for our state:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
Believe what you will - I don't buy it
@Chris - At first I thought you were praising John's achievements, but now I'm not so sure. In case you were questioning the validity of his mileage claims, I'll tell you what I think I know. John is a member of Sterna Paradisea, a team that participates regularly in the Commute Challenge in May each year. Those guys are hard-core riders, logging high mileage each year. If John says he rides 500 miles/week, I believe him. He has a 40 mile round trip commute that he rides, so like me, he spends his getting to/from work time on a bike instead of in a car, probably 2 1/2 hours. He rides for fun before or after that. He rides long distances for fun or exercise on weekends and days off. Some people fish, some people play golf, and some ride bikes. And for some people, a 200km bike ride is just getting started. John is clearly a cyclist. I'm working my way in that direction, but I'm a bit older and starting later. Getting in two or thee more 50+ mile rides during this year's NBC would be an achievement. I know there are plenty of high-mileage cyclists out there in Washington. I just wish we had more of them, as well as more of the rest of us, signed up and logging miles in the NBC.
@Gene - total honor system in play on this site. 500+ a week and peak weeks at 750? Someone went to Hempfest if they expect me to believe that nonsense...
@Chris, Rhetorical question? Or do you really want to know if I have ever tried riding 500+ miles a week? Considering I'm averaging 12 mph this month, 500+ would be like working a second full-time job. Yes, John is a stud.
@Gene - you ever try riding 500+ miles a week...every week? He must be a stallion. Riding 5+ hours each day and working full time. Wow thats gotta be tough.
@Rick: I'm pretty sure Bicycle Paper ran an article prior to the start of National Bike Challenge, but we'll have to work with them on follow up posts. Good point.
@Chris, yeah, isn't he incredible? Certainly representing WA at a national level. Well done John!
Kudos to John Cacabelos - he's running an consistant 500+ miles each week! Way to go John!
@Louise - I've made a couple of posts on the national blog about improving outreach for next year's challenge. I don't recall having seen anything in Bicycle Paper promoting the NBC, although they are listed as a sponsor here on the WA page. I just searched the BP web page for "National Bike Challenge," but didn't get any meaningful hits. Did I miss something, or is this an opportunity for next year?
Hey, Lanny! Good job raising funds for any of these great causes. I never expected to be able to ride the Courage Classic but my workplace decided to have a team and I got to be part of it. Is MS Bike America the ride out of Mount Vernon?
@Gene. Great job on the completing the Courage Classic. I've heard nothing but good things about the event and it's one ride I would like to participate in. However, my fundraising is tied up for the MS Bike America. How was the root beer float?
@Jeanie... You Rock! Good job!
Congratulations, Jeanie!
Rode the Hurricane Ridge ride on Sunday and it was gorgeous vistas, but very hard and long ride. I loved the ride down. I did it, and that's all I am saying about this one!
Courage Classic this weekend - Snoqualmie, Blewett, Stevens Passes. Fun time but I just can't descend Stevens worth a darn. I am so slow - top speed 20 mph. The good news - I'm alive. CC is a top class ride.
A Bellingham bicyclist (and National Bike Challenge participant) shares what inspires her to ride on our blog: http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/29/so-i-ride/
If you would like to share your "why I ride" story with us, email me at [email protected].
Plan ahead for next year's challenge and a great way to rack up the miles: bike touring! Preorder an autographed copy of Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Bike Tours in Washington through Kickstarter and help fund the book's creation. Proceeds will benefit bike advocacy to make bicycling better around the state and part of your support is a tax-deductible donation. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
CitiBikes are *very* convenient (many, many locations Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn) and comfort is pretty good, too. With 40-pound heft, only 3 speeds, and a generator hub, performance leaves something to be desired! But just fine for getting from here to there.
Hi Tina: There is bike safety education happening in many (but not all) of the schools in our state through Safe Routes to School programs. Driver's license manual includes info on how a motorist can safely interact with bicyclists and pedestrians AND there are questions about it on the driver's test. And driver's ed programs includes a curriculum module on driving safely around pedestrians and bicyclists - provided by the Bicycle Alliance of WA. Many of us share your frustration with the scofflaws.
@Steve, pretty cool. How convenient and comfortable are the bikes?
@Tina, I have a BOB Yak trailer that I take to the grocery store. What is your trailer?
My 7.5 miles on July 26 were on a CitiBike in NYC!
Attached the trailer to my bike and went ot the grocery store. Added extra miles.. Other than Drivers acting like they were self entitled to speed by and turn in front of me. All was ok. The street I was on had no bike lanes so I used the Sidewalk. There is no other safe way to get to this store.The rest of the time I used the Interurban trail and a roads with bike lanes. I know ther is no drivers Ed now in Schools. Why is there no Bicycle education. Why isn't a part of the drivers test. I mean this for Both Sides. Cause I am also seeing plenty of bad Bicycle Riding as well. Amazing..
It's good to see the neighborhood greenway movement growing!
Last night I attended a neighborhood bike ride & meeting here in Federal Way. We're starting a project to get the first neighborhood greenway funded here in Federal Way. Small group for now, but lots of energy. We'll be reaching out to the target community for input on the route detail and to get them energized to help seek funding.
Looking for a nice bike ride this Sunday? Head to the west side of Puget Sound for Tour de Kitsap!
http://westsoundcycling.com/
This past Saturday was the Chafe 150 in Sandpoint, ID. I participated for the first time. Such a beautiful route! It was very hot and I made the decision to call it a day at the 102 mile food stop since I was feeling very overheated and did not want to experience a heat illness. Then I was off to Seattle on Sunday for 3 days of training for work but was on foot with no bicycle. It was nice to be back home and ride to work this morning!
STP was a lot of fun this year. Great weather, and overnighted at the home of a friend I hadn't seen since he retired 6 years ago. Great things can happen when bikes are involved.
Wish I could say, "Too busy pedaling to blog." Getting my commute miles in, but not much else.
Hey, it's been quiet around here this week. What are folks up to?
Heads up, Seattle bicyclists! Friday, July 26 is last day to offer up written comments on the Draft Bicycle Master Plan Update:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster_materials.htm
Are you a June prize winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/16/june-prize-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Congratulations, Luke!!
Hurray! Platinum!
More rides to go. Next planned "non-commute" ride is up to see the surgeon who fixed my hip fracture in December. I think this is my last follow-up visit, and I thought it would send a good message about my recovery if I were to show up on bike. Weather's forecast to be really nice, so I'll take the afternoon off and ride.
What Lanny said!
For all you STP riders who completed the task in one or two days, my hat is off to you all. However, the cycling season is far from over! No hanging up the bikes yet. Get out there and ride hard/ride safe.
One more STP story. Don't 'short' red lights. Just don't. I was rolling up eastbound behind a group on Sunday at a stop light along a stretch of Highway 30 in Oregon. A westbound car turned left in front of us. This was not a really long light, given it was on the intersection of a major highway and a cross road. But it looked too long to some, and since there were no conflicting vehicles in sight, 3 guys the front of the group jumped the light before it turned green. There was a patrol car sitting off to our right watching it all. Lights flashed and the chase was short. Patrolman and cyclists and bikes were off to the side of the road for a little traffic law education. Somehow I don't think those guys made up any time at all by jumping the light early. They may have even gotten the opportunity to contribute to the local government's income.
Thanks, Luke. There were some mishaps on the STP, but I wasn't one of them, other than a little red skin that I missed with the sunscreen, and almost unavoidable "butt-burn" from chip-seal & rough concrete. There were some glorious stretches of smooth asphalt. I think I could have ridden 150 in a day this weekend, although I probably would have been spent. For encouragement, note that I rode for a while with a woman who had only been riding since last August - and she had signed on with more experienced friends to ride the first 150 of the STP on Saturday. When I left them at what was 120 miles for them, she was still riding strong - not as fast as her friends would have ridden on their own, but she was a valiant rider, given her level of experience. I think you'll do fine. A lot of it is just a head game.
PIcked up a summer cold overnight Friday, so I started the STP with a cough & scratchy throat. Not enough to keep me from the ride. And it was great fun. Pure Pacific NW summer. Ran into a friend who got a last minute registration, and we rode together for a while on Sat & Sun. Also rode with a small band of mostly Cascade ride leaders for my last 20 miles on Saturday.
My meager weight loss attempts didn't yield much this year, but Wilma (my bike) had more success on her diet - lighter rims & tires, and loss of stem bag, rack trunk and associated rack. She just kept wanting to go faster and shed her heavy touring, commuter reputation. Surprised myself with 16.1 mph (while riding) for the 100 on Sat & 16.2 for the 80 miles on Sunday. Had I stopped at 70, Sunday's ride would have been 16.5. Traffic & congestion in Portland slowed things down near the finish line.
I had a great time Saturday night & Sunday morning visiting a retired work colleague on his 42 acre farm. great to reconnect - and that big hunk of salmon Sat. night was a good refuel for Sunday.
I'll post the ride to the NBC, but I didn't log it with Endomondo. My poor Android overheats and runs out of battery in as little as 40 mi., so I logged the ride with my new low end Garmin.
Rick, wishing you and the other 9,999 riders a safe ride this weekend. I'll be heading up to Sandpoint, Idaho next weekend for the Chafe 150. I'm feeling a bit nervous since it will be my longest 1 day ride ever.
Riding the short STP this year - starting from home and joining the throng on West Valley for about 180 total miles . Its a long carbon-spewing trip to the starting line from the Pierce county line just to transport a bike. Overnighting at a friend's house south of the midpoint, so it should be a fun weekend.
Working on Platinum, Diamond's gonna be tough unless I up my game. But that is as it should be.
And the new number is 626 - one more rider!
Way to go, Tina and Roger, and everyone else who continues to ride and log their miles this summer!
Fantastic Tina!
I am at GOLD. Wahoo
Are you riding STP this weekend? Don't forget to log those miles in the National Bike Challenge!
Roger - Nice job making Silver!
625 - One more rider - welcome aboard, whoever you are!
Woo-hoo! Silver!
Did you know that many of our Washington communities have bike maps? Check out our list of bike and trail maps: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-maps/
624 registered riders and only 493 logging any miles during the challenge period. Come on, folks. Where are all those rabid WA cyclists? I'm handing out cards at bike shops and to riders I meet on the road. Where is everyone? There'll be 10,000 of us on the road between Seattle & Portland on Saturday, and the vast majority are probably from this state, right? OK, gotta make more cards to hand out this weekend.
@carmen...I feel the same way. Saw a girl walking her ferret this morning on a side street. Would have never see it if I'd been driving.
This morning I got to ride along side a leaping fawn, slow for a flock of wild turkeys in the road and listen to the songs of the Flicker and Veery. What a beautiful morning!
Added bonus of riding a bike is the things you find that you would normally not see while driving. Such as finding a steel trowel yesterday and $2 this morning. Although the $2 makes up for the coffee I spilled on my morning commute yesterday.
Oh cool, I'm also halfway to platinum. The STP is going to help speed things up.
Catch the latest news in our new edition of Bike Bites:
http://p0.vresp.com/6Up74r
@Luke: 104! The thought of temperatures that hot make me feel sick!
I didn't make it on June 30th but I made it today with my 7.1 miles of commuting. It was a hot ride home from work at 104!
@Luke: did you make it?
Just 6 points short of 2,000 but my psyche just wasn't up for 6 more miles today. I make it tomorrow on the hottest day of te year so far.
Halfway to Platinum.
Sunny day in Sequim WA. So what else in new? He He. What a wonderful ride around the valley!
Halfway to Platinum.
Sunny day in Sequim WA. So what else in new? He He. What a wonderful ride around the valley!
Early morning ride to beat the heat.
Early morning ride to beat the heat.
I have a Motorola Matrix HD from AT&T, and I am,wondering why I cannot download the app as it is not on the list, (or at least I didn't see it anyway). Anyone have any info on this?
I have a Motorola Matrix HD from AT&T, and I am,wondering why I cannot download the app as it is not on the list, (or at least I didn't see it anyway). Anyone have any info on this?
@Louise, know what you mean. My afternoon commute was hot and humid!
Not ready for the heat! I already feel my energy plummeting.
@Louise, know what you mean. My afternoon commute was hot and humid!
Not ready for the heat! I already feel my energy plummeting.
Biscuit Ridge was nice and shaded this evening. Perfect 80 degrees.
Are you all ready for the heat?
Biscuit Ridge was nice and shaded this evening. Perfect 80 degrees.
Are you all ready for the heat?
Rick: I've ridden both Centennial Trails--scenery is very different between the two. Enjoy your ride!
Rick: I've ridden both Centennial Trails--scenery is very different between the two. Enjoy your ride!
Snohomish -- but I'd really like to get over to eastern WA to ride sometime. I'll check into the eastern Centennial Trail.
Rick: I feel your suffering of summer weather in MS! We actually two Centennial Trails in WA - one in Snohomish County and the other one in Spokane. Which one do you plan to ride?
Snohomish -- but I'd really like to get over to eastern WA to ride sometime. I'll check into the eastern Centennial Trail.
Rick: I feel your suffering of summer weather in MS! We actually two Centennial Trails in WA - one in Snohomish County and the other one in Spokane. Which one do you plan to ride?
Steady as she goes Don! Yes, it looks like summer is just around the corner. Does that mean the wind will stop? I don't think we've hit 300 sunny days in the six years I have lived here, so you can blame me. See you out there!
Steady as she goes Don! Yes, it looks like summer is just around the corner. Does that mean the wind will stop? I don't think we've hit 300 sunny days in the six years I have lived here, so you can blame me. See you out there!
@Louise - I hope to have an opinion about the Centennial after the 4th. I'm planing to take my better half there for a ride that weekend. I've heard really good things about it.
Ha! I'm just getting little nibbles this week, partly because I've found summer weather. Out in Starkville, MS, this week, on a business trip. 89 F at 6:30 pm when I got out for a quick few miles. Don't know the area well enough to know where a good ride is, so I'm just exploring. Most of the in-town roads had a lot of 4-way stops . Safer than 2-way for cyclists, but it's hard to get momentum. Found one 'long' drive with bike lanes that was a throughway. That was nice. The heat makes me really appreciate those 60's and occasional 70's back home.
Little nibbles every day. I haven't really done any long rides yet this year. We haven't had our nice, summer weather. Maybe this weekend will be good. It is starting to look like we will get into the upper-nineties. We are most certainly not going to hit our advertised 300 days of sunshine this year!
@Louise - I hope to have an opinion about the Centennial after the 4th. I'm planing to take my better half there for a ride that weekend. I've heard really good things about it.
Ha! I'm just getting little nibbles this week, partly because I've found summer weather. Out in Starkville, MS, this week, on a business trip. 89 F at 6:30 pm when I got out for a quick few miles. Don't know the area well enough to know where a good ride is, so I'm just exploring. Most of the in-town roads had a lot of 4-way stops . Safer than 2-way for cyclists, but it's hard to get momentum. Found one 'long' drive with bike lanes that was a throughway. That was nice. The heat makes me really appreciate those 60's and occasional 70's back home.
Little nibbles every day. I haven't really done any long rides yet this year. We haven't had our nice, summer weather. Maybe this weekend will be good. It is starting to look like we will get into the upper-nineties. We are most certainly not going to hit our advertised 300 days of sunshine this year!
Don't worry Don! You'll get there soon enough!
Don't worry Don! You'll get there soon enough!
Once you hit gold it is a long, long way to the next level!
Why do you enjoy riding the Burke Gilman Trail, Yakima Greenway, Centennial Trail, Columbia Plateau Trail, or any other bike trail in Washington? Tell us about your favorite bike trail: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
Once you hit gold it is a long, long way to the next level!
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/
read and heed these rules
If you commute year round in Washington...you are the epitome of rule #9
Why do you enjoy riding the Burke Gilman Trail, Yakima Greenway, Centennial Trail, Columbia Plateau Trail, or any other bike trail in Washington? Tell us about your favorite bike trail: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/
read and heed these rules
If you commute year round in Washington...you are the epitome of rule #9
thanks for sites like this for the encouragement "to ride on''
Annie
thanks for sites like this for the encouragement "to ride on''
Annie
Maybe this month, Dee Dee! Keep pedaling!
No such luck.
May prize winners have been announced. Were you a winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/06/15/may-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Maybe this month, Dee Dee! Keep pedaling!
No such luck.
May prize winners have been announced. Were you a winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/06/15/may-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Hey Wenatchee folks: How do we keep the bicycle momentum going now that the regional bike plan has been adopted? Join the Bicycle Alliance this evening for a discussion on how we might move bike advocacy forward.
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/wenatchee-keep-the-bike-mo-going/
Hey Wenatchee folks: How do we keep the bicycle momentum going now that the regional bike plan has been adopted? Join the Bicycle Alliance this evening for a discussion on how we might move bike advocacy forward.
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/wenatchee-keep-the-bike-mo-going/
@Louise Thanks for the shout out. Love to see what other bloggers are sayiing about the Challenge
We have a rider in Bellingham who is blogging about the Challenge. Is anyone else in Washington blogging about their Challenge experience?
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/tag/national-bike-challenge-2013/
Thanks Louise! You'll see me around the registration table and at the 3rd food stop. For the second year my food stop will be powered by bicycle. This year I'm excited to have some help hauling all the food and gear up to our spot.
@Louise Thanks for the shout out. Love to see what other bloggers are sayiing about the Challenge
Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic is this Saturday. Pedal past vineyards, orchards and wheatfields as you make your way into the foothills of the Blue Mountains near Walla Walla. Thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting the Bicycle Alliance of WA's advocacy and education efforts! And say hi to Luke!
http://www.wheatlandwheelers.com/2012/02/8th-annual-ann-weatherill-cycling-classic/
We have a rider in Bellingham who is blogging about the Challenge. Is anyone else in Washington blogging about their Challenge experience?
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/tag/national-bike-challenge-2013/
Thanks Louise! You'll see me around the registration table and at the 3rd food stop. For the second year my food stop will be powered by bicycle. This year I'm excited to have some help hauling all the food and gear up to our spot.
Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic is this Saturday. Pedal past vineyards, orchards and wheatfields as you make your way into the foothills of the Blue Mountains near Walla Walla. Thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting the Bicycle Alliance of WA's advocacy and education efforts! And say hi to Luke!
http://www.wheatlandwheelers.com/2012/02/8th-annual-ann-weatherill-cycling-classic/
A cracked real sounds like nothing but bad times.
Good point Rick! :) In my mind I was comparing this giant crack with the micro cracks I am monitoring on my cargo bike wheel.
Curious, Luke. Is there such a thing as an insignificant crack in a rear wheel? Just messing with you.
A cracked real sounds like nothing but bad times.
Good point Rick! :) In my mind I was comparing this giant crack with the micro cracks I am monitoring on my cargo bike wheel.
Curious, Luke. Is there such a thing as an insignificant crack in a rear wheel? Just messing with you.
How was your ride this weekend? I had planned a 70 mile ride on Sat but discovered a significant crack in my rear wheel a short way into the ride and had to head back to town. Got a ride in this morning on a loaner wheel. Beautiful weather here in Walla Walla and the wheat is starting to change color with harvest about a month away.
How was your ride this weekend? I had planned a 70 mile ride on Sat but discovered a significant crack in my rear wheel a short way into the ride and had to head back to town. Got a ride in this morning on a loaner wheel. Beautiful weather here in Walla Walla and the wheat is starting to change color with harvest about a month away.
We at the Bicycle Alliance believe that some of the best bike trails are right here in Washington! Do you have a favorite bike trail? We want you to tell us about it! Please take a minute to complete our trail survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
@ Rick, you're a man after my own heart. I too believe we need to somehow tap that CBC Commute Challenge esprit de corps. I too used the Commute Challenge to recruit members to the NBC by sending them a message in the challenge a rider/team system. Washington State stands to be a huge competitor if we can just coerce our ridership to participate.
I love the statistical breakdown provided by events such as this and use it to leverage local agencies and government representatives to prioritize funding for bicycling infrastructure. My team ATAPA and I and our constituents live in the land of the Olympic Discovery Trail. We are serious about creating an active transportation conduit from Port Townsend to the Pacific Coast but would also like to get some inroads for connecting to ferry service from Seattle and Edmonds.
Several of our group will be riding the Flying Wheels this weekend. Perhaps I'll borrow your card idea and promote the NBC while riding. If we all spread the word and participate, we could get some serious traction on the rankings for our state.
We at the Bicycle Alliance believe that some of the best bike trails are right here in Washington! Do you have a favorite bike trail? We want you to tell us about it! Please take a minute to complete our trail survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
@ Rick, you're a man after my own heart. I too believe we need to somehow tap that CBC Commute Challenge esprit de corps. I too used the Commute Challenge to recruit members to the NBC by sending them a message in the challenge a rider/team system. Washington State stands to be a huge competitor if we can just coerce our ridership to participate.
I love the statistical breakdown provided by events such as this and use it to leverage local agencies and government representatives to prioritize funding for bicycling infrastructure. My team ATAPA and I and our constituents live in the land of the Olympic Discovery Trail. We are serious about creating an active transportation conduit from Port Townsend to the Pacific Coast but would also like to get some inroads for connecting to ferry service from Seattle and Edmonds.
Several of our group will be riding the Flying Wheels this weekend. Perhaps I'll borrow your card idea and promote the NBC while riding. If we all spread the word and participate, we could get some serious traction on the rankings for our state.
Luke, I'm with you. Washington has great potential. The mileage tally in the Commute Challenge in King county dwarfed the NBC mileage for the whole state in May. I see that Sterna Paradisea (a Boeing team) signed up and logged their May miles. That's a huge help. I hope my lobbying at the Captains' Bash and my posting on the Commute Challenge web site brings us some more NBC riders.
Thanks, Louise. I shrank the postcard promo from the NBC marketing materials to business card size and printed up some micro-perf card stock. Two problems that I didn't have time to deal with - the text is very small. Only "National Bike Challenge" is readable without a magnifier for those of us of a certain age. Second, the small text is in a low-contrast, gray font, making it all the harder to read. Still,. it's something I can hand out for a reminder to people I talk with. Cheaper to print and easier to carry on bike than a stack of post cards. It would be great if BAW or NBC offered a more readable business-card-sized template that we could use in our 1:1 marketing efforts.
The weather is great on the here on the we(s)t side of the Cascades. Let's ride!
Luke and Rick: You guys rock!
@Rick - I bought one of the NBC Jerseys and have started wearing it on some group rides and making announcements. I like the card idea. I may need to print some of those up as well. I feel like WA has the potential to be much higher in the state rankings in the NBC if we could just get a bit more participation. With some help from our local Health Department the participation in Walla Walla has jumped from 19 last year to over 80 so far this year.
Luke, I'm with you. Washington has great potential. The mileage tally in the Commute Challenge in King county dwarfed the NBC mileage for the whole state in May. I see that Sterna Paradisea (a Boeing team) signed up and logged their May miles. That's a huge help. I hope my lobbying at the Captains' Bash and my posting on the Commute Challenge web site brings us some more NBC riders.
Thanks, Louise. I shrank the postcard promo from the NBC marketing materials to business card size and printed up some micro-perf card stock. Two problems that I didn't have time to deal with - the text is very small. Only "National Bike Challenge" is readable without a magnifier for those of us of a certain age. Second, the small text is in a low-contrast, gray font, making it all the harder to read. Still,. it's something I can hand out for a reminder to people I talk with. Cheaper to print and easier to carry on bike than a stack of post cards. It would be great if BAW or NBC offered a more readable business-card-sized template that we could use in our 1:1 marketing efforts.
The weather is great on the here on the we(s)t side of the Cascades. Let's ride!
Still handing out my business-card-sized promos for the NBC. One yesterday to my physical therapist, and one this morning to a young lady doing "hill work" -- which happened to be the hill that crests just up from my house. We talked for a few minutes. She was prepping for her 2nd STP, as am I. But she's a marathoner, and, I think, works harder at it than I do. She was familiar with Endomondo, but not the NBC. I hope the card is a reminder for her when she gets home.
Luke and Rick: You guys rock!
@Rick - I bought one of the NBC Jerseys and have started wearing it on some group rides and making announcements. I like the card idea. I may need to print some of those up as well. I feel like WA has the potential to be much higher in the state rankings in the NBC if we could just get a bit more participation. With some help from our local Health Department the participation in Walla Walla has jumped from 19 last year to over 80 so far this year.
Still handing out my business-card-sized promos for the NBC. One yesterday to my physical therapist, and one this morning to a young lady doing "hill work" -- which happened to be the hill that crests just up from my house. We talked for a few minutes. She was prepping for her 2nd STP, as am I. But she's a marathoner, and, I think, works harder at it than I do. She was familiar with Endomondo, but not the NBC. I hope the card is a reminder for her when she gets home.
Looks like we got us some serious contenders in first place. Sterna P. set the bar pretty high. Let's go get 'em team ATAPA! !
@ian You ROCK!
Looks like we got us some serious contenders in first place. Sterna P. set the bar pretty high. Let's go get 'em team ATAPA! !
@ian You ROCK!
After biking Santa Rosa, CA last week, it's great to be back in Bellingham where it's cool, the trails abundant, and the traffic sane!
After biking Santa Rosa, CA last week, it's great to be back in Bellingham where it's cool, the trails abundant, and the traffic sane!
Reminder to all: you need to log your May bike miles before midnight tonight in order for them to count! Have a good weekend, everyone!
Reminder to all: you need to log your May bike miles before midnight tonight in order for them to count! Have a good weekend, everyone!
Let's hear it for your scrappy statewide bike advocates! Bicycle Alliance of Washington currently rounds out the top 3 on the workplace leaderboard--behind Boeing and Microsoft.
Let's hear it for your scrappy statewide bike advocates! Bicycle Alliance of Washington currently rounds out the top 3 on the workplace leaderboard--behind Boeing and Microsoft.
Proud new member supporting ATAPA
Proud new member supporting ATAPA
Yikes--you guys are kicking butt, Randall! C'mon We Bike WA!
Team Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles (ATAPA) takes a commanding lead in WA!
Yikes--you guys are kicking butt, Randall! C'mon We Bike WA!
Celebrate your favorite trail this Sunday, National Trails Day! In honor of National Trails Day, WA State Parks is waiving the Discover Pass requirement at all state parks this Sunday.
Team Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles (ATAPA) takes a commanding lead in WA!
Celebrate your favorite trail this Sunday, National Trails Day! In honor of National Trails Day, WA State Parks is waiving the Discover Pass requirement at all state parks this Sunday.
Bikes everywhere in Walla Walla. Hope everybody enjoyed their Memorial Day. Dixie, WA rocks to #1 community in the nation.
Bikes everywhere in Walla Walla. Hope everybody enjoyed their Memorial Day. Dixie, WA rocks to #1 community in the nation.
It's a good time to be a bike commuter around Mount Vernon.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021049359_bridgedetourxml.html
It's a good time to be a bike commuter around Mount Vernon.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021049359_bridgedetourxml.html
@ Joshua, look out Pacific, Port Angeles is gunning for 1st in state and we won't quit till we're number one! We'll be powered by ATAPA (Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles).
@ Joshua, look out Pacific, Port Angeles is gunning for 1st in state and we won't quit till we're number one! We'll be powered by ATAPA (Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles).
So glad the site lets you go back and log miles when you've let over a week go by without signing on! I'm moving this weekend and will have a much longer commute so from here on through September I'll be racking 'em up.
So glad the site lets you go back and log miles when you've let over a week go by without signing on! I'm moving this weekend and will have a much longer commute so from here on through September I'll be racking 'em up.
Help shape the future of bicycling in Seattle--Bike Advisory Board is seeking new members.
http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2013/05/20/help-get-seattle-moving-on-bikes/
Help shape the future of bicycling in Seattle--Bike Advisory Board is seeking new members.
http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2013/05/20/help-get-seattle-moving-on-bikes/
I was just doing a little calculation, and unless I am mistaken somewhere I won't actually hit the diamond mark unless I ramp up my miles. The daily casual 'around town' riding just isn't going to cut it.
I was just doing a little calculation, and unless I am mistaken somewhere I won't actually hit the diamond mark unless I ramp up my miles. The daily casual 'around town' riding just isn't going to cut it.
LOL... I see Pacific, WA is now in the top 10 communities.
I know I'm not the only bike commuter in town, but I'm the only one on the Challenge ;-)
Hey Wenatchee folks: Garlini's is offering a free personal pizza to bike commuters today until 2PM! Yum!
http://www.wvtc.org/bike-to-work-week-tally/
A little liquid sunshine out there this morning, but not bad. Thanks to Forterra, BAW, City of Federal Way and Phil's Bike Shop for the commute station at the north end of the BPA trail. And thanks to Poverty Bay Coffee for their support. of the station. And I did get a free Hazelnut Macchiato at Starbucks in Safeway, so thanks to Howard, too.
Let the rain deter me from commuting in to work today. Heck no! I got my free "Hand Crafted" beverage from Howard Schultz...
Ride on!
LOL... I see Pacific, WA is now in the top 10 communities.
I know I'm not the only bike commuter in town, but I'm the only one on the Challenge ;-)
Hey Wenatchee folks: Garlini's is offering a free personal pizza to bike commuters today until 2PM! Yum!
http://www.wvtc.org/bike-to-work-week-tally/
A little liquid sunshine out there this morning, but not bad. Thanks to Forterra, BAW, City of Federal Way and Phil's Bike Shop for the commute station at the north end of the BPA trail. And thanks to Poverty Bay Coffee for their support. of the station. And I did get a free Hazelnut Macchiato at Starbucks in Safeway, so thanks to Howard, too.
Let the rain deter me from commuting in to work today. Heck no! I got my free "Hand Crafted" beverage from Howard Schultz...
Ride on!
I'm happy to see 4 Walla Walla County communities in the top 10 so far this month. Keep riding DIxie, Walla Walla, College Place and Burbank!
You're a VIP if you participate in Bike to Work Day tomorrow!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/16/bike-to-work-day-washington-round-up/
I'm happy to see 4 Walla Walla County communities in the top 10 so far this month. Keep riding DIxie, Walla Walla, College Place and Burbank!
You're a VIP if you participate in Bike to Work Day tomorrow!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/16/bike-to-work-day-washington-round-up/
This evening is the national Ride of Silence. The following Washington communities are holding rides: Renton, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Wenatchee. Ride details can be found here: http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php
Rick - We putting the word out abut the FW commute station and you'll see our Share the Road/Share the Trail materials on the table. Grab some to share with friends and co-workers!
Louise,
My thanks to BAW. I just saw the note that BAW is co-sponsoring the commute station down my way. Forterra's name stands out the biggest on the flyer, and BAW is to the right with the City of Federal Way and Cascade. Thanks to you all.
Hey Spokane Valley bike commuters: Fuel up properly tomorrow morning (May 16 at 7am) at the Bike to Work Week Pancake Breakfast at CenterPlace:
http://www.centerplacespokanevalley.com/map_09.pdf
Winter's over and road construction season has begun. Both routes from home to work now have active projects. My primary inbound route includes a wide sidewalk on a 5 lane arterial. That sidewalk was closed, and I had to climb the hill in traffic. I don't mind that so much, but some drivers are going to have to go back to school. It's not safe for two vehicles to occupy the same lane, even if the driver thinks they can both fit (car + bike = 2 vehicles).
Saw lots of bikes on the way home yesterday, and had a chance to mention the NBC to one rider. Went home and printed some business card stock with a reduced image of the NBC postcard from the Marketing Material tab. The print is small and I wish it had better contrast, but it gives me something to hand to folks when I mention the NBC. Maybe it will be a reminder to them to check it out when they get home.
This evening is the national Ride of Silence. The following Washington communities are holding rides: Renton, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Wenatchee. Ride details can be found here: http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php
Rick - We putting the word out abut the FW commute station and you'll see our Share the Road/Share the Trail materials on the table. Grab some to share with friends and co-workers!
Louise,
My thanks to BAW. I just saw the note that BAW is co-sponsoring the commute station down my way. Forterra's name stands out the biggest on the flyer, and BAW is to the right with the City of Federal Way and Cascade. Thanks to you all.
Hey Spokane Valley bike commuters: Fuel up properly tomorrow morning (May 16 at 7am) at the Bike to Work Week Pancake Breakfast at CenterPlace:
http://www.centerplacespokanevalley.com/map_09.pdf
Winter's over and road construction season has begun. Both routes from home to work now have active projects. My primary inbound route includes a wide sidewalk on a 5 lane arterial. That sidewalk was closed, and I had to climb the hill in traffic. I don't mind that so much, but some drivers are going to have to go back to school. It's not safe for two vehicles to occupy the same lane, even if the driver thinks they can both fit (car + bike = 2 vehicles).
Saw lots of bikes on the way home yesterday, and had a chance to mention the NBC to one rider. Went home and printed some business card stock with a reduced image of the NBC postcard from the Marketing Material tab. The print is small and I wish it had better contrast, but it gives me something to hand to folks when I mention the NBC. Maybe it will be a reminder to them to check it out when they get home.
My commute was great today. Happy to be back in the 60s today after the 90 degree temps at the end of last week and over the weekend.
Another Bike to Work reward is being offered by Grand Central Bakery. Drop in one of their retail locations with your helmet and receive a rustic baguette!
http://www.grandcentralbakery.com/locations/
My commute was great today. Happy to be back in the 60s today after the 90 degree temps at the end of last week and over the weekend.
Starbucks is rewarding riders with a 12 oz 'hand-crafted' beverage on May 17, Bike to Work Day -- at participating locations. Show some bike gear to the barista and claim your beverage.
Here’s the list of locations by zip code:
http://www.starbucks.com/assets/18d771d97c884256a49821f641602fa3.pdf
Another Bike to Work reward is being offered by Grand Central Bakery. Drop in one of their retail locations with your helmet and receive a rustic baguette!
http://www.grandcentralbakery.com/locations/
And close by in Auburn, Alaska/Horizon Air are hosting a commute station Friday morning. The Cascade listing shows it at the Auburn Sounder station, but I think they moved it during the event last year out to the Interurban trail to catch more riders. Look for it Friday morning, 6-9.
And... If you're biking in Federal Way on Friday morning, we have what I think is our FIRST commute station. It's hosted by Forterra at the north end of the BPA trail - near the ball fields at Celebration Park, about a block west of Pacific Highway. From the flyer: "Bikers and walkers welcome." Snacks & coffee, plus mechanical support by Phil's Bike Shop. The first one in Federal Way, and it's right on my commute route. Woo hoo!
Cool & sunny this morning. Yesterday afternoon I bailed and took the 'SAG wagon.' My wife was in the area at end of day, and it was too easy to do the impromptu carpool.
After last night's battle with a headwind, this morning's bike commute was downright pleasant. How was your bike commute today?
Starbucks is rewarding riders with a 12 oz 'hand-crafted' beverage on May 17, Bike to Work Day -- at participating locations. Show some bike gear to the barista and claim your beverage.
Here’s the list of locations by zip code:
http://www.starbucks.com/assets/18d771d97c884256a49821f641602fa3.pdf
And close by in Auburn, Alaska/Horizon Air are hosting a commute station Friday morning. The Cascade listing shows it at the Auburn Sounder station, but I think they moved it during the event last year out to the Interurban trail to catch more riders. Look for it Friday morning, 6-9.
And... If you're biking in Federal Way on Friday morning, we have what I think is our FIRST commute station. It's hosted by Forterra at the north end of the BPA trail - near the ball fields at Celebration Park, about a block west of Pacific Highway. From the flyer: "Bikers and walkers welcome." Snacks & coffee, plus mechanical support by Phil's Bike Shop. The first one in Federal Way, and it's right on my commute route. Woo hoo!
Cool & sunny this morning. Yesterday afternoon I bailed and took the 'SAG wagon.' My wife was in the area at end of day, and it was too easy to do the impromptu carpool.
After last night's battle with a headwind, this morning's bike commute was downright pleasant. How was your bike commute today?
Jessica: If you live in Seattle, drop by the Bicycle Alliance office in Pioneer Square Friday morning--we're hosting a commute station.
I don't work on Friday, but I might have to "bike to work" anyway to see all the super commute stations that local organizations have on the street.
Jessica: If you live in Seattle, drop by the Bicycle Alliance office in Pioneer Square Friday morning--we're hosting a commute station.
I don't work on Friday, but I might have to "bike to work" anyway to see all the super commute stations that local organizations have on the street.
Congrats Eric! We look forward to seeing you at the Ann Ride. Today about 32 riders came out for a ride in rememberance of Ann Weatherill who was killed by an oncoming car on Mother's Day 2004. Today we rode her favorite ride and in her favorite color purple. The Ann Law was passed several years ago which prohibits cars to pass another vehicle when there is an oncoming bicycle, horse rider or pedestrian. Keep on riding and be safe everyone!
Congrats Eric! We look forward to seeing you at the Ann Ride. Today about 32 riders came out for a ride in rememberance of Ann Weatherill who was killed by an oncoming car on Mother's Day 2004. Today we rode her favorite ride and in her favorite color purple. The Ann Law was passed several years ago which prohibits cars to pass another vehicle when there is an oncoming bicycle, horse rider or pedestrian. Keep on riding and be safe everyone!
Congratulations to Eric Abbott of Seattle. He is the lucky winner of the Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend raffle. A big thank you to all who participated in the raffle--we raised nearly $1000 from it.
Gene: Hoist a pint for the rest of us!
Thanks, Louise. Glad I happened to look in here. I'll be sure to stop by the Broken Spoke on the way home. Cheers!
For the Tacoma folks: There's a bike commuter meet up this evening at the Broken Spoke. Nice way to end the week!
https://www.facebook.com/events/373479589439009/
Congratulations to Eric Abbott of Seattle. He is the lucky winner of the Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend raffle. A big thank you to all who participated in the raffle--we raised nearly $1000 from it.
Gene: Hoist a pint for the rest of us!
Thanks, Louise. Glad I happened to look in here. I'll be sure to stop by the Broken Spoke on the way home. Cheers!
For the Tacoma folks: There's a bike commuter meet up this evening at the Broken Spoke. Nice way to end the week!
https://www.facebook.com/events/373479589439009/
Three rides coming up this weekend that support statewide bike advocacy: Group Health Inland Empire Century, Skagit Spring Classic, and Women's Living the Dream Ride. More info on these rides here:
http://bicyclealliance.org/events-rides/category/rides-that-support-the-bicycle-alliance/upcoming/
And those miles count in the National Bike Challenge!
Three rides coming up this weekend that support statewide bike advocacy: Group Health Inland Empire Century, Skagit Spring Classic, and Women's Living the Dream Ride. More info on these rides here:
http://bicyclealliance.org/events-rides/category/rides-that-support-the-bicycle-alliance/upcoming/
And those miles count in the National Bike Challenge!
Captain's Bash at Pike Brewery in Seattle tonight for team captains in the Commute Challenge. Now if I only had wallet size cards to pass out for the NBC...
Captain's Bash at Pike Brewery in Seattle tonight for team captains in the Commute Challenge. Now if I only had wallet size cards to pass out for the NBC...
Sunshine for the afternoon commute home!
Sunshine for the afternoon commute home!
May Day ride was a success. I think the registration topped out at 311. Some first-timers said they liked the ride and plan to do it again. I only rode to Wilkerson, which was my goal. Headwinds north from Sumner were tough. It's the first time the 400 ft climb back to Federal Way was more relief than challenge. From the sun and wind to the cool, shady climb on the one-way. Up on the hill, I my legs began complaining. I pedaled the last half mile with my left leg, letting the right one hang free to avoid cramping. We do this for fun. Got over it quickly, but the legs were telling me I was done.
And another note on the ride. Phil always adds his pavement commentary to the climbs. He knows you'll have time to read, and it can take your mind off your legs. That last climb is at least locally known as "Phil's Hill." This year, it is "Lance's Hill." Lance David was a friend of Phil, and the pavement commentary was a remembrance of and memorial to Lance - for us to remember him, and to ride safely.
May Day ride was a success. I think the registration topped out at 311. Some first-timers said they liked the ride and plan to do it again. I only rode to Wilkerson, which was my goal. Headwinds north from Sumner were tough. It's the first time the 400 ft climb back to Federal Way was more relief than challenge. From the sun and wind to the cool, shady climb on the one-way. Up on the hill, I my legs began complaining. I pedaled the last half mile with my left leg, letting the right one hang free to avoid cramping. We do this for fun. Got over it quickly, but the legs were telling me I was done.
And another note on the ride. Phil always adds his pavement commentary to the climbs. He knows you'll have time to read, and it can take your mind off your legs. That last climb is at least locally known as "Phil's Hill." This year, it is "Lance's Hill." Lance David was a friend of Phil, and the pavement commentary was a remembrance of and memorial to Lance - for us to remember him, and to ride safely.
Rick: Most groups that organize local challenges are really focused on their events. I think Cascade and other local challenge hosts will encourage their participants to switch over to the National Bike Challenge as the local events wind down.
And on another topic...how was the May Day ride?
Too bad we can't get all the Commute Challenge riders to register and log their miles in NBC, too. There are almost 7500 riders who have already logged over 223,000 miles this May. These are just commute trips, since that's all that counts in the Commute Challenge. Since the Commute Challenge only covers May, it would be great if we could get Cascade to promote the NBC to its Commute Challenge riders.
Rick: Most groups that organize local challenges are really focused on their events. I think Cascade and other local challenge hosts will encourage their participants to switch over to the National Bike Challenge as the local events wind down.
And on another topic...how was the May Day ride?
Too bad we can't get all the Commute Challenge riders to register and log their miles in NBC, too. There are almost 7500 riders who have already logged over 223,000 miles this May. These are just commute trips, since that's all that counts in the Commute Challenge. Since the Commute Challenge only covers May, it would be great if we could get Cascade to promote the NBC to its Commute Challenge riders.
Such fabulous weather for riding this weekend!
Such fabulous weather for riding this weekend!
I've got a raised veggie bed to dig out, repair and refresh.
And then I'll be prepping my bike for Sunday's ride. Front fender is off already. Rear will be coming off, along with any commute related stuff not needed for riding & climbing. And I'll also be removing some of the grit & grime from the most recent rain. The bike should shine on Sunday. I hope I do, too.
The weekend forecast looks fabulous! What fun things are folks planning to do? I want to spend some time in the garden and take a bike ride along the Alki waterfront for some people watching.
I've got a raised veggie bed to dig out, repair and refresh.
And then I'll be prepping my bike for Sunday's ride. Front fender is off already. Rear will be coming off, along with any commute related stuff not needed for riding & climbing. And I'll also be removing some of the grit & grime from the most recent rain. The bike should shine on Sunday. I hope I do, too.
The weekend forecast looks fabulous! What fun things are folks planning to do? I want to spend some time in the garden and take a bike ride along the Alki waterfront for some people watching.
Hey Seattle folks: Drop by the Bicycle Alliance of WA office in Pioneer Square for our open house this evening! Hoist a pint with us as we celebrate Bike Month and National Bike Challenge! https://www.facebook.com/events/624336694262442/
Luke: Tri-Cities organized a separate Bike Month challenge for May. Not sure if they'll get rolled into this section with the rest of us when their challenge is finished.
Rick: Thanks for giving May Day Classic a thumbs up!
Hey Seattle folks: Drop by the Bicycle Alliance of WA office in Pioneer Square for our open house this evening! Hoist a pint with us as we celebrate Bike Month and National Bike Challenge! https://www.facebook.com/events/624336694262442/
Luke: Tri-Cities organized a separate Bike Month challenge for May. Not sure if they'll get rolled into this section with the rest of us when their challenge is finished.
Rick: Thanks for giving May Day Classic a thumbs up!
Anybody know why the local page shows 289 WA riders but when you go to the National leaderboard and click on WA it shows 412 riders? Also, I notices that there are some riders that show up in the WA leaderboard within the national WA page but don't show up on the local leaderboard for WA.
It's not too late to plan to head down to Federal Way on Sunday for the May Day Classic. The ride starts and ends at Phil's Bike Shop. Looks like great riding weather on Sunday.
And no, I don't work for Phil's, and I don't get anything for posting this other than perhaps a few more riders to chat with on Sunday. I just think it's a good ride. Part of your $25 registration and any residual funds go to BAW and the Orting Food Bank. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Unicycles ride free. :-)
Nicole, the baby might give you a high five, if it's a fun ride.
Anybody know why the local page shows 289 WA riders but when you go to the National leaderboard and click on WA it shows 412 riders? Also, I notices that there are some riders that show up in the WA leaderboard within the national WA page but don't show up on the local leaderboard for WA.
It's not too late to plan to head down to Federal Way on Sunday for the May Day Classic. The ride starts and ends at Phil's Bike Shop. Looks like great riding weather on Sunday.
And no, I don't work for Phil's, and I don't get anything for posting this other than perhaps a few more riders to chat with on Sunday. I just think it's a good ride. Part of your $25 registration and any residual funds go to BAW and the Orting Food Bank. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Unicycles ride free. :-)
Nicole, the baby might give you a high five, if it's a fun ride.
Do I get more points if my commute is pulling a 25# baby in a trailer?! :)
Do I get more points if my commute is pulling a 25# baby in a trailer?! :)
Be attentive and ride safely, everyone. Biking is still a healthy way to travel.
Tragic start to Bike Month here in Seattle:
Here's some great news as we kick off Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge: Washington retains its #1 ranking among Bicycle Friendly States! Ride proudly, folks!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/01/washington-number-one-bicycle-friendly-state-2013/
Be attentive and ride safely, everyone. Biking is still a healthy way to travel.
Tragic start to Bike Month here in Seattle:
Here's some great news as we kick off Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge: Washington retains its #1 ranking among Bicycle Friendly States! Ride proudly, folks!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/01/washington-number-one-bicycle-friendly-state-2013/
Gene, hwy 12 has decent shoulders but is pretty busy. You might try hwy 124 and then come down Middle Waitsburg Rd.
Louise, yes I'm ready!
@Louise - Yes, we are ready.
@Luke - I had the privilege last year of riding from Eatonville to Kennewick. Awesome trip and good roads. I would love to get over to Walla Walla this year. Is Hwy 12 OK to ride from Kennewick or should I be looking for other roads?
The National Bike Challenge starts tomorrow! Are we ready to ride?
Gene, hwy 12 has decent shoulders but is pretty busy. You might try hwy 124 and then come down Middle Waitsburg Rd.
Louise, yes I'm ready!
Can't count last week's Lilac Century mileage, but I'm signed up for three more this season. Hope it warms up in Spokane...I get my newest bike today and I want to go out. 20% chance of rain or SNOW today!?
@Louise - Yes, we are ready.
@Luke - I had the privilege last year of riding from Eatonville to Kennewick. Awesome trip and good roads. I would love to get over to Walla Walla this year. Is Hwy 12 OK to ride from Kennewick or should I be looking for other roads?
The National Bike Challenge starts tomorrow! Are we ready to ride?
Congratulations, Jackie...the wind on this years Lilac Century made for an extra challenge. Its always a fun day with a well deserved baked potato at the end. Keep pedaling.
Can't count last week's Lilac Century mileage, but I'm signed up for three more this season. Hope it warms up in Spokane...I get my newest bike today and I want to go out. 20% chance of rain or SNOW today!?
Jackie: The Lilac is a nice ride and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for joining us in the National Bike Challenge too!
Congratulations, Jackie...the wind on this years Lilac Century made for an extra challenge. Its always a fun day with a well deserved baked potato at the end. Keep pedaling.
Jackie: The Lilac is a nice ride and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for joining us in the National Bike Challenge too!
I rode my first organized bike ride yesterday, the Lilac City Century Bike Ride. It was a great experience, very well organized, friendly and encouraging people in the ride and along the way. I am happy to be a new member of endurance riding training with my friend for the STP in July.
I rode my first organized bike ride yesterday, the Lilac City Century Bike Ride. It was a great experience, very well organized, friendly and encouraging people in the ride and along the way. I am happy to be a new member of endurance riding training with my friend for the STP in July.
Attention greater Seattle bicyclists! Join us for an open house this Thursday in our Pioneer Square office to celebrate the kick-off of Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/first-thurs-bike-to-work-bash-may-2/2013-05-02/
Long range forecast is for sun and perhaps the low 70's for the May Day Classic Sunday, May 5th)
Attention greater Seattle bicyclists! Join us for an open house this Thursday in our Pioneer Square office to celebrate the kick-off of Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/first-thurs-bike-to-work-bash-may-2/2013-05-02/
Long range forecast is for sun and perhaps the low 70's for the May Day Classic Sunday, May 5th)
And a big thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting bicycle advocacy and education! :-)
PS - I would love to win the raffle too!
And a big thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting bicycle advocacy and education! :-)
PS - I would love to win the raffle too!
The Walla Walla Weekend raffle prize the Bicyle Alliance is giving to one lucky winner looks great! We'd love to have you all come out to Walla Walla that weekend (June 15th) for the Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic. I'm on the organizing committee for the ride and we are working hard to make sure we have another great ride this year. This year we will be donating $1 from every entrance fee to the Bicycle Alliance.
The Walla Walla Weekend raffle prize the Bicyle Alliance is giving to one lucky winner looks great! We'd love to have you all come out to Walla Walla that weekend (June 15th) for the Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic. I'm on the organizing committee for the ride and we are working hard to make sure we have another great ride this year. This year we will be donating $1 from every entrance fee to the Bicycle Alliance.
You could win a bicycle weekend in Walla Walla! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off this great package:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
@Lanny. I'm not looking forward to "The Wall," and I haven't tackled Phil's Hill since last September -- but I am looking forward to his "Burma Shave" commentary on the pavement to take my mind off the climb. One of the things I like best about this ride is that it starts about 3 miles from home. None of this "drive somewhere to bike" business. I just ride over the the Start and count those miles as part of my ride.
Hip fracture is no fun at all. Fell in a turn on the way to work when the roads seemed OK. I knew about the fall when I looked up from the pavement - it was that quick. Fortunately the break was simple to set & pin, and recovery has gone really well. Still some weakness & stiffness - of which I'm reminded every time I throw my left leg across the the saddle - but it will get better.
You could win a bicycle weekend in Walla Walla! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off this great package:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
@Lanny. I'm not looking forward to "The Wall," and I haven't tackled Phil's Hill since last September -- but I am looking forward to his "Burma Shave" commentary on the pavement to take my mind off the climb. One of the things I like best about this ride is that it starts about 3 miles from home. None of this "drive somewhere to bike" business. I just ride over the the Start and count those miles as part of my ride.
Hip fracture is no fun at all. Fell in a turn on the way to work when the roads seemed OK. I knew about the fall when I looked up from the pavement - it was that quick. Fortunately the break was simple to set & pin, and recovery has gone really well. Still some weakness & stiffness - of which I'm reminded every time I throw my left leg across the the saddle - but it will get better.
Ah....The May Day Classic and those great "Character Builder" hills..lol Looking forward to the ride.
Ah....The May Day Classic and those great "Character Builder" hills..lol Looking forward to the ride.
Yikes--a hip fracture? That doesn't sound like fun.
Got in my first more-than-10 mile ride of the year with a milk-run up to Tukwila to pick up a ship-to-store order. Good to see that all the parts were working following my December hip fracture. I'm feeling better about the May Day Classic (Federal Way, May 5th).
http://philsbikeshop.com/mayday/
Looking for a great destination bike ride this weekend? How about the Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride in Spokane?
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/lilac-century-and-family-fun-ride/
Yikes--a hip fracture? That doesn't sound like fun.
Got in my first more-than-10 mile ride of the year with a milk-run up to Tukwila to pick up a ship-to-store order. Good to see that all the parts were working following my December hip fracture. I'm feeling better about the May Day Classic (Federal Way, May 5th).
http://philsbikeshop.com/mayday/
Looking for a great destination bike ride this weekend? How about the Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride in Spokane?
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/lilac-century-and-family-fun-ride/
It is a trifecta of Brian/Bryans leading the pack, closely trailed by a William. Hmm...where are the Louises?
It is a trifecta of Brian/Bryans leading the pack, closely trailed by a William. Hmm...where are the Louises?
A trifecta of Brian/Bryan's at the top of the leaderboard today. I've been running into other Brian's everywhere lately.
Oh, and YES, absolutely outstanding weather today.
Excellent weather for biking. Will take wheels home tonight!
A trifecta of Brian/Bryan's at the top of the leaderboard today. I've been running into other Brian's everywhere lately.
Oh, and YES, absolutely outstanding weather today.
Excellent weather for biking. Will take wheels home tonight!
Biked in to work and soon to bike home. Looks like a good week for it.
Ditto for my commute.
Biked in to work and soon to bike home. Looks like a good week for it.
I did. It was a little chilly but the sun was shining.
Who biked to work today?
Ditto for my commute.
I did. It was a little chilly but the sun was shining.
Who biked to work today?
Looking for something to do this weekend? How about:
Earth Day Market ride in Olympia:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/earth-day-market-ride/
Pedaler's Fair in Seattle:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/pedalers-fair/
Other suggestions?
Enjoyed some April showers on my ride to work this morning. I'm looking forward to a weekend of cycling with the Tour of Walla Walla stage race this weekend. We'll have Main St open for bicycles only all day on Saturday with kids races in the morning, Parade of Bikes at noon and the criterium in the afternoon. I'm not a racer but I enjoy spectating and volunteering.
Looking for something to do this weekend? How about:
Earth Day Market ride in Olympia:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/earth-day-market-ride/
Pedaler's Fair in Seattle:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/pedalers-fair/
Other suggestions?
Enjoyed some April showers on my ride to work this morning. I'm looking forward to a weekend of cycling with the Tour of Walla Walla stage race this weekend. We'll have Main St open for bicycles only all day on Saturday with kids races in the morning, Parade of Bikes at noon and the criterium in the afternoon. I'm not a racer but I enjoy spectating and volunteering.
We're celebrating the State Senate's last minute passage of the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/17/neighborhood-safe-streets-passes-washington-state-senate-45-2/
We're celebrating the State Senate's last minute passage of the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/17/neighborhood-safe-streets-passes-washington-state-senate-45-2/
Rick - that's great news! Thanks!
Louise,
I've registered company teams in both the local Commute Challenge and the NBC. The company also has a year-long fitness/wellness campaign that engages company locations across the country. This year, the NBC just happens to fit into one of the 'promotional time slots' of that year-long event. Because of the timing and the "nation-wide" nature of NBC, our fitness/wellness campaign coordinator is promoting NBC to the local coordinators. Yee-ha! I get more publicity and very likely more company colleagues participating in NBC this year.
Now I just have to remember to purchase my Walla Walla Weekend lottery tickets.
Rick - that's great news! Thanks!
Luke - Wheatlland Wheelers have set the bar--right on!
Rick - Local commuter contests are very important and it's important to be involved, so glad to hear you're fielding a team there. If you have team members who don't want to track miles in two places, encourage them to join the National Challenge at the end of May so they can keep that bike mo' going all summer long!
Carmen - A team is more than one person, so even a few folks can be a team!
Thanks, everyone!
Louise,
I've registered company teams in both the local Commute Challenge and the NBC. The company also has a year-long fitness/wellness campaign that engages company locations across the country. This year, the NBC just happens to fit into one of the 'promotional time slots' of that year-long event. Because of the timing and the "nation-wide" nature of NBC, our fitness/wellness campaign coordinator is promoting NBC to the local coordinators. Yee-ha! I get more publicity and very likely more company colleagues participating in NBC this year.
Now I just have to remember to purchase my Walla Walla Weekend lottery tickets.
Would love to get our bike group involved but I don't think enough people want to do this. There are a couple members who have signed up to go at it solo but not enough to represent a team.
Luke - Wheatlland Wheelers have set the bar--right on!
Rick - Local commuter contests are very important and it's important to be involved, so glad to hear you're fielding a team there. If you have team members who don't want to track miles in two places, encourage them to join the National Challenge at the end of May so they can keep that bike mo' going all summer long!
Carmen - A team is more than one person, so even a few folks can be a team!
Thanks, everyone!
Would love to get our bike group involved but I don't think enough people want to do this. There are a couple members who have signed up to go at it solo but not enough to represent a team.
Louise - a company team will be all I can manage. Got Commute Challenge here in King County going simultaneously with NBC from now through May. But what the heck! Let's Ride!
Couldn't agree more Louise! Come on WA bicycle clubs its time to get involved! The least you could do try and push us Wheatland Wheelers out of the top team spot. :)
Two WA bike clubs have Challenge teams so far--Wheatland Wheelers and Tacoma Wheelmen. It's time to issue a challenge to the rest of the clubs!
Louise - a company team will be all I can manage. Got Commute Challenge here in King County going simultaneously with NBC from now through May. But what the heck! Let's Ride!
Couldn't agree more Louise! Come on WA bicycle clubs its time to get involved! The least you could do try and push us Wheatland Wheelers out of the top team spot. :)
Two WA bike clubs have Challenge teams so far--Wheatland Wheelers and Tacoma Wheelmen. It's time to issue a challenge to the rest of the clubs!
Snow. That's messed up.
Snow. That's messed up.
I got snowed on during my ride today!
I got snowed on during my ride today!
19 days until Bike Month and the Nat'l Bike Challenge!!
Walla Walla rocks!
Happy to see we already have 20 people signed up from the Walla Walla area. That's already 1 more than last year and the official event hasn't even started. Keep recruiting!
19 days until Bike Month and the Nat'l Bike Challenge!!
Walla Walla rocks!
Happy to see we already have 20 people signed up from the Walla Walla area. That's already 1 more than last year and the official event hasn't even started. Keep recruiting!
Sell it! Swap it! Shop it! You can do it all this weekend at the Spokane Bike Swap. And drop by our table to say hi!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/07/spokane-bike-swap-sell-it-swap-it-shop-it/
Sell it! Swap it! Shop it! You can do it all this weekend at the Spokane Bike Swap. And drop by our table to say hi!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/07/spokane-bike-swap-sell-it-swap-it-shop-it/
Thanks Louise.
Thanks Louise.
Brian: We're holding another one in May. Keep your eyes peeled here or at http://www.bicyclealliance.org for details!
Brian: We're holding another one in May. Keep your eyes peeled here or at http://www.bicyclealliance.org for details!
Louise - GAH! To bad I saw the open house a day to late.
Louise - GAH! To bad I saw the open house a day to late.
Hey Seattle folks: We're holding our Spring Fling open house this evening in conjunction with the First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square. Drop by and say hi!
https://www.facebook.com/events/159424257554645/
Hey Seattle folks: We're holding our Spring Fling open house this evening in conjunction with the First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square. Drop by and say hi!
https://www.facebook.com/events/159424257554645/
Luke: I think so! I so want to win it!
Luke: I think so! I so want to win it!
Louise, that looks like a great raffle prize!
Hey guys: you have an opportunity to experience the great bike riding around Walla Walla that Luke enjoys every day! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off an awesome Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend - check it out:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
Louise, that looks like a great raffle prize!
Hey guys: you have an opportunity to experience the great bike riding around Walla Walla that Luke enjoys every day! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off an awesome Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend - check it out:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
Great day over on the wet side as well. I had a great group ride today over to the Pennisula and back to T-Town.
Such a fantastic day for a bike ride in Walla Walla!!!
Great day over on the wet side as well. I had a great group ride today over to the Pennisula and back to T-Town.
Such a fantastic day for a bike ride in Walla Walla!!!
Dry, sunny and cold here in Walla Walla this morning. It was 28 when I started my ride at 8. Enjoyed a sunny ride around the valley!
Dry, sunny and cold here in Walla Walla this morning. It was 28 when I started my ride at 8. Enjoyed a sunny ride around the valley!
Everyone enjoying the nice spring weather? At least it's dry on the west (wet) side..lol
Everyone enjoying the nice spring weather? At least it's dry on the west (wet) side..lol
Ah yeah, I think Gene actually gets credit for the link but whatever. As long as you got it now Carmen. There is a 2012 page and a 2013 page. Maybe you were stuck on the 2012 page which is over and I believe wouldn't let you create a team.
Ah yeah, I think Gene actually gets credit for the link but whatever. As long as you got it now Carmen. There is a 2012 page and a 2013 page. Maybe you were stuck on the 2012 page which is over and I believe wouldn't let you create a team.
Thanks for the link Brian. It is the only way I am able to get to that section. Sorry Gene, but when I try to follow your suggestion I can't seem to have it show me 2013, only 2012. It doesn't even show an option for it. All it good now that I bookmarked the link.
Well done, Brian!
Stepanie/Carmen FYi: I still don't know why the toolbar doesn't appear on one of my PC's but you can get to the leaderboard directly by entering the link below. That will allow you to at least connect to Communities. Don't know how to create a team though.
Thanks for the link Brian. It is the only way I am able to get to that section. Sorry Gene, but when I try to follow your suggestion I can't seem to have it show me 2013, only 2012. It doesn't even show an option for it. All it good now that I bookmarked the link.
Well done, Brian!
Stepanie/Carmen FYi: I still don't know why the toolbar doesn't appear on one of my PC's but you can get to the leaderboard directly by entering the link below. That will allow you to at least connect to Communities. Don't know how to create a team though.
I'm liking this #1 position in the leaderboard but I think in the next few days I'm gonna lose it. But it's mine right now! Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!!
I'm liking this #1 position in the leaderboard but I think in the next few days I'm gonna lose it. But it's mine right now! Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!!
Stepanie/Carmen - As Brian P states "click Leaderboard. Then Local or National" at the top of the page. Then we can click on "Communities" to see where riders are from. I'm able to do that on my home PC. It magically appeared when I logged in.
HOWEVER, I don't have the same "menu/toolbar" on my work PC. Haven't figured out yet why the two PC's treat the NBC link differently. I expect this will all clear up by the time the warmup is done but I'll keep looking.
Luke, how do you see what riders are from where? I can see who was riding last year on the leaderboard but I can't figure out how to see anybody current.
Stepanie/Carmen - As Brian P states "click Leaderboard. Then Local or National" at the top of the page. Then we can click on "Communities" to see where riders are from. I'm able to do that on my home PC. It magically appeared when I logged in.
HOWEVER, I don't have the same "menu/toolbar" on my work PC. Haven't figured out yet why the two PC's treat the NBC link differently. I expect this will all clear up by the time the warmup is done but I'll keep looking.
Luke, how do you see what riders are from where? I can see who was riding last year on the leaderboard but I can't figure out how to see anybody current.
Stephanie - You should just be able to scroll up to the top of the page and click Leaderboard. Then Local or National.
Stephanie - You should just be able to scroll up to the top of the page and click Leaderboard. Then Local or National.
How does one access the leaderboard and how can we create a team? I cannot find the links...
How does one access the leaderboard and how can we create a team? I cannot find the links...
Welcome to 4 more Walla Wallans!
Welcome to 4 more Walla Wallans!
Luke, I think between us we should be able to get quite a few BABR people to join. We'll have to bring it up on the ride coming up on the 19th.
Quite the miles packed in already I see. I'm only at around 165 miles this year, but it's more than this time last year. Looking forward to the next two seasons of riding.
Luke, I think between us we should be able to get quite a few BABR people to join. We'll have to bring it up on the ride coming up on the 19th.
Quite the miles packed in already I see. I'm only at around 165 miles this year, but it's more than this time last year. Looking forward to the next two seasons of riding.
Lanny I'm with you, ready to ride more in 2013! I've gotten a good start with 474 miles towards my 3,000 mile goal.
Brian, I'm working hard to get even more of us Walla Wallans. Lets see if the rest of you can keep up. ;)
Greetings Walla Wallans! Looks like a lot of you out there. The local leaderboard is curently all y'all, someone from Kenniwick and me.
Lanny I'm with you, ready to ride more in 2013! I've gotten a good start with 474 miles towards my 3,000 mile goal.
Brian, I'm working hard to get even more of us Walla Wallans. Lets see if the rest of you can keep up. ;)
Greetings Walla Wallans! Looks like a lot of you out there. The local leaderboard is curently all y'all, someone from Kenniwick and me.
I hope everyone had a nice off-season (if you had one) and are ready to Ride More in 2013. I know I am. I have already logged 326 miles this year as oppose to last year at this time when I had ZERO.
Ride safe everyone.
I hope everyone had a nice off-season (if you had one) and are ready to Ride More in 2013. I know I am. I have already logged 326 miles this year as oppose to last year at this time when I had ZERO.
Ride safe everyone.
I just signed up. They just started a new wellness program at Key and are aware of the challenge. There are a few Wheatland Wheeler types here that do 50+ mile rides on the weekends, but I'd like to see the dozen regular guys who commute every day sign up.
I just signed up. They just started a new wellness program at Key and are aware of the challenge. There are a few Wheatland Wheeler types here that do 50+ mile rides on the weekends, but I'd like to see the dozen regular guys who commute every day sign up.
We had a full page feature on it in our county employees news letter that came out yesterday. I'm working with the special projects coordinator at the health dept to promote this with local businesses as part of their wellness programs. And I got support from the leadership of the Wheatland Wheelers club and they will promote this event as well. And Carmen, between you and I we should be able to get more participation from the BABR crew. Watch out Tri-cities, we're coming for you! :)
We had a full page feature on it in our county employees news letter that came out yesterday. I'm working with the special projects coordinator at the health dept to promote this with local businesses as part of their wellness programs. And I got support from the leadership of the Wheatland Wheelers club and they will promote this event as well. And Carmen, between you and I we should be able to get more participation from the BABR crew. Watch out Tri-cities, we're coming for you! :)
Signed up. I hope we can get a lot more people signed up than last year.
Signed up. I hope we can get a lot more people signed up than last year.
The 2013 National Bike Challenge page is up. http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/nbc2013
The 2013 National Bike Challenge page is up. http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/nbc2013
A sad event, and another reminder to watch road conditions, particularly as it gets darker, colder and wetter over here on the west side of the Cascades:
http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/11/13/cascade-man-dies-during-lunchtime-ride-in-redmond/
A sad event, and another reminder to watch road conditions, particularly as it gets darker, colder and wetter over here on the west side of the Cascades:
http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2013/11/13/cascade-man-dies-during-lunchtime-ride-in-redmond/
Luke,
Just read about Bicycle Benefits. Doesn't look to be of much use to me here in Federal Way. Nothing in Tacoma, and I don't get to Seattle often on my bike - particularly to bars, which seem to dominate the list. My Cascade and LAB membership cards are more useful to me here - at least with my bike mechanic. He often gives me a discount that he attributes to 'frequent buyer' or whatever bike clubs/associations I'm a member of.
Luke,
Just read about Bicycle Benefits. Doesn't look to be of much use to me here in Federal Way. Nothing in Tacoma, and I don't get to Seattle often on my bike - particularly to bars, which seem to dominate the list. My Cascade and LAB membership cards are more useful to me here - at least with my bike mechanic. He often gives me a discount that he attributes to 'frequent buyer' or whatever bike clubs/associations I'm a member of.
Are any of you Bicycle Benefits participants? If so, do you benefit from it often?
Are any of you Bicycle Benefits participants? If so, do you benefit from it often?
@Luke, Thanks bro'.
@Luke, Thanks bro'.
ATAPA should probably get the prize for recruiting participants as well. Well done!
ATAPA should probably get the prize for recruiting participants as well. Well done!
Missing the hoopla for first place team in Washington State.
Missing the hoopla for first place team in Washington State.
For Washington bike commuters (and other non-drive-alone modes), RideShareOnline is having its semi-annual Wheel Options campaign. Log commutes via eligible modes 6 times during in the month of October and be eligible in prize drawings. Grand prize is a trip to Hawaii.
Now why am I telling you this and diluting the odds of my winning the Hawaii trip. Just don't know any better, I guess.
http://wheeloptions.icarpool.com
or
http://rideshareonline.com
For Washington bike commuters (and other non-drive-alone modes), RideShareOnline is having its semi-annual Wheel Options campaign. Log commutes via eligible modes 6 times during in the month of October and be eligible in prize drawings. Grand prize is a trip to Hawaii.
Now why am I telling you this and diluting the odds of my winning the Hawaii trip. Just don't know any better, I guess.
http://wheeloptions.icarpool.com
or
http://rideshareonline.com
@Andy & Dixie, WA. Great job. Now we have to get the west side of the Cascades into the mix for the 2014 NBC and push WA to the top of the state standings.
@Andy & Dixie, WA. Great job. Now we have to get the west side of the Cascades into the mix for the 2014 NBC and push WA to the top of the state standings.
@Andy Pryor, Dixie, WA - Congrats on achieving #1 in the nation in the Communities standings for Sept and for the entire Challenge Period. Great job recruiting family, friends, and neighbors. Thanks for representing WA.
@Andy Pryor, Dixie, WA - Congrats on achieving #1 in the nation in the Communities standings for Sept and for the entire Challenge Period. Great job recruiting family, friends, and neighbors. Thanks for representing WA.
Creative and unique items do well at the Bicycle Alliance auction. Do you have a talent, hobby or skill that you could share with others as a donation to our auction? It supports our work to grow bicycling in communities around the state!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/09/20/creative-unique-and-hard-to-come-by-items-generate-auction-buzz/
Creative and unique items do well at the Bicycle Alliance auction. Do you have a talent, hobby or skill that you could share with others as a donation to our auction? It supports our work to grow bicycling in communities around the state!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/09/20/creative-unique-and-hard-to-come-by-items-generate-auction-buzz/
Gene: Nice meeting you as well and it was indeed a fun event! I hope they do it again next year. And thanks for fetching some coffee for me--it warmed me up!
@Louise, Thanks for attending the Dome to Defiance event on behalf of BicycleAlliance. The route was so good I rode through it twice. Good to meet you and chat and glad to have an opportunity to thank you for your updates and links on the NBC. I really enjoyed the fully loaded sweet potato from the Caveman and the cake from Celebrity Cake Studio. A great time in spite of the rain.
Gene: Nice meeting you as well and it was indeed a fun event! I hope they do it again next year. And thanks for fetching some coffee for me--it warmed me up!
@Louise, Thanks for attending the Dome to Defiance event on behalf of BicycleAlliance. The route was so good I rode through it twice. Good to meet you and chat and glad to have an opportunity to thank you for your updates and links on the NBC. I really enjoyed the fully loaded sweet potato from the Caveman and the cake from Celebrity Cake Studio. A great time in spite of the rain.
Sunday's rain didn't stop Tacoma folks from turning out for a waterfront trail celebration and open streets event:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/09/22/2800041/tacoma-residents-brave-rain-from.html
Sunday's rain didn't stop Tacoma folks from turning out for a waterfront trail celebration and open streets event:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/09/22/2800041/tacoma-residents-brave-rain-from.html
About poor forecasts - today was supposed to be socked in with rain all day. Looked out this afternoon and there was the sun. Got in a brief ride (only 5 miles) before the rain clouds sent me back to the house. Not that I won't ride in the rain; just not today.
Thankful for poor weather forecasts. Saturday was supposed to be a washout. Instead, I got to ride the Iron Horse Trail from Cedar Falls to Hayak and back. Overcast going up, but beautiful blue skies and white, puffy clouds on the way down. And a great group of folks to ride with. It was one of the Cascade "daily ride" series.
About poor forecasts - today was supposed to be socked in with rain all day. Looked out this afternoon and there was the sun. Got in a brief ride (only 5 miles) before the rain clouds sent me back to the house. Not that I won't ride in the rain; just not today.
Thankful for poor weather forecasts. Saturday was supposed to be a washout. Instead, I got to ride the Iron Horse Trail from Cedar Falls to Hayak and back. Overcast going up, but beautiful blue skies and white, puffy clouds on the way down. And a great group of folks to ride with. It was one of the Cascade "daily ride" series.
On the plus side, today we met with the chair of the Land Use and Transportation committee that will have to buy in to our plan before it goes to Council for approval, and he is very supportive. We'll keep this ball rollin'
On the plus side, today we met with the chair of the Land Use and Transportation committee that will have to buy in to our plan before it goes to Council for approval, and he is very supportive. We'll keep this ball rollin'
Rick: It was a good try and it raised awareness. Next year!
A few Likes shy - 189 for the winner, 185 for Federal Way Biking and 161 for the third place finisher. Ouch! So close.
Rick: It was a good try and it raised awareness. Next year!
A few Likes shy - 189 for the winner, 185 for Federal Way Biking and 161 for the third place finisher. Ouch! So close.
Thanks to all of you who responded to my call for Likes for our grant funding project. The final tally isn't in, but I believe we fell a few votes shy of winning the challenge. Even so, your support is encouragement as we continue to work to make Federal Way a friendlier, safer place for pedestrians and cyclists.
Thanks to all of you who responded to my call for Likes for our grant funding project. The final tally isn't in, but I believe we fell a few votes shy of winning the challenge. Even so, your support is encouragement as we continue to work to make Federal Way a friendlier, safer place for pedestrians and cyclists.
One last plea for support in our quest to win a $1000 grant to support our efforts to get greenways and other improvements to safety for walkers and cyclists in Federal Way. The link is in my message below, so I won't repeat it here. We're in second place right now and within about a dozen votes of the lead. Your vote matters, and I will appreciate it. If you've already responded, I really do thank you. Ride safe, and ride often!
One last plea for support in our quest to win a $1000 grant to support our efforts to get greenways and other improvements to safety for walkers and cyclists in Federal Way. The link is in my message below, so I won't repeat it here. We're in second place right now and within about a dozen votes of the lead. Your vote matters, and I will appreciate it. If you've already responded, I really do thank you. Ride safe, and ride often!
@Luke - I just looked at the Walla Walla weekend and it sounds great. Unfortunately, I suspect I'll be busy with other activities then. One reason I've had time for the rides this weekend is that I'm 'home alone.' My wife is back in the southeast visiting family. I keep trying to get her comfortable enough on a bike to join me on events like this. It's a slow process.
@Rick, are you coming over here to Walla Walla the first weekend in October with the Cascade group?
Safer communities for human-powered transportation. Safe routes to school & local shopping. Yes this is a reminder of my blatant request for Facebook Likes for our Federal Way Biking project posting on the Weyerhaeuser making WAVEs Facebook page. We're trying to win a $1000 grant to help support our efforts for the first Federal Way greenway (aka bike boulevards). Although the actual expenses for greenways implementation will likely come from city funds or other grant processes, this grant would help fund outreach and advocacy efforts,
If you would like to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it.
The deadline is Sept 18. Thanks for your support.
Rode my first "Cascade Daily Rides" yesterday and today. Yesterday was a 40 mile "7 cities tour" with a 2100' of climbing, Good ride and good conversation. Today was a flat, 38 mile ride from Renton to Alki and back - coffee & pastry run. Another fun ride albeit at a slower pace. Another Cascade Ride Leader qualified. Both rides had about 15 riders. Two of the riders today were from Portland. They were here visiting their son/daughyer. If the weather holds, I plan to ride the Renton to Black Diamond Bakery run with another Cascade group.
@Luke - I just looked at the Walla Walla weekend and it sounds great. Unfortunately, I suspect I'll be busy with other activities then. One reason I've had time for the rides this weekend is that I'm 'home alone.' My wife is back in the southeast visiting family. I keep trying to get her comfortable enough on a bike to join me on events like this. It's a slow process.
@Rick, are you coming over here to Walla Walla the first weekend in October with the Cascade group?
Safer communities for human-powered transportation. Safe routes to school & local shopping. Yes this is a reminder of my blatant request for Facebook Likes for our Federal Way Biking project posting on the Weyerhaeuser making WAVEs Facebook page. We're trying to win a $1000 grant to help support our efforts for the first Federal Way greenway (aka bike boulevards). Although the actual expenses for greenways implementation will likely come from city funds or other grant processes, this grant would help fund outreach and advocacy efforts,
If you would like to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it.
The deadline is Sept 18. Thanks for your support.
Rode my first "Cascade Daily Rides" yesterday and today. Yesterday was a 40 mile "7 cities tour" with a 2100' of climbing, Good ride and good conversation. Today was a flat, 38 mile ride from Renton to Alki and back - coffee & pastry run. Another fun ride albeit at a slower pace. Another Cascade Ride Leader qualified. Both rides had about 15 riders. Two of the riders today were from Portland. They were here visiting their son/daughyer. If the weather holds, I plan to ride the Renton to Black Diamond Bakery run with another Cascade group.
Governor Jay Inslee and Chief of Staff Mary Alice Heuschel kicked off a new initiative Tuesday to improve state government performance. It’s called Results Washington.
Goal 1: World class education
Goal 2: Prosperous economy
Goal 3: Sustainable energy and a clean environment
Goal 4: Healthy and safe communities
Goal 5: Efficient, effective and accountable government
There are a couple of ways to let the governor know what you think. At this link http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
OR
He’s also hosting a Twitter town hall Thursday (Sept. 12) on @GovInslee from 10–11 a.m. He will be using the hashtag #ResultsWA.
Bicycling and bicycle infrastructure could definitely have an impact on goals 2-4.
Governor Jay Inslee and Chief of Staff Mary Alice Heuschel kicked off a new initiative Tuesday to improve state government performance. It’s called Results Washington.
Goal 1: World class education
Goal 2: Prosperous economy
Goal 3: Sustainable energy and a clean environment
Goal 4: Healthy and safe communities
Goal 5: Efficient, effective and accountable government
There are a couple of ways to let the governor know what you think. At this link http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
OR
He’s also hosting a Twitter town hall Thursday (Sept. 12) on @GovInslee from 10–11 a.m. He will be using the hashtag #ResultsWA.
Bicycling and bicycle infrastructure could definitely have an impact on goals 2-4.
Many cyclists also blog about their biking experiences. Check our list of Washington bike blogs: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-blogs-in-washington-state/
Many cyclists also blog about their biking experiences. Check our list of Washington bike blogs: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-blogs-in-washington-state/
Had an Awesome ride today in the cool air!!
Had an Awesome ride today in the cool air!!
Intense thunder storms in Walla Walla and Tri-cities right now. Be safe out there!
A blatant request for support. My company's volunteer grant program is holding a "Volunteer Champions Challenge" contest. The prize is $1000 for the non-profit or eligible governmental entity of the winning entrant's choice. As shown in the video that Joshua Putnam posted a few days ago, several of us are working to get the first greenway (also called 'bike boulevard') established in one of the residential areas of Federal Way. This first greenway will link people in the Twin Lakes neighborhood to schools, parks, and shopping along a route with signs and pavement markings indicating its shared usage by bikes, pedestrians and cars. If you might be inclined to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it. The posting with the most "Likes" by 9/18 wins the grant. And you may find the post in one of two places on the page. "LIke" either one and your vote will count. The grant could help us make progress toward making our community more "friendly" to human powered transportation. And thanks for your support.
Intense thunder storms in Walla Walla and Tri-cities right now. Be safe out there!
A blatant request for support. My company's volunteer grant program is holding a "Volunteer Champions Challenge" contest. The prize is $1000 for the non-profit or eligible governmental entity of the winning entrant's choice. As shown in the video that Joshua Putnam posted a few days ago, several of us are working to get the first greenway (also called 'bike boulevard') established in one of the residential areas of Federal Way. This first greenway will link people in the Twin Lakes neighborhood to schools, parks, and shopping along a route with signs and pavement markings indicating its shared usage by bikes, pedestrians and cars. If you might be inclined to support our cause, please go to the WYmakingWAVES page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/WYMakingWAVES, find the posting from Brent Frandsen that includes the Federal Way Biking video, and 'Like' it. The posting with the most "Likes" by 9/18 wins the grant. And you may find the post in one of two places on the page. "LIke" either one and your vote will count. The grant could help us make progress toward making our community more "friendly" to human powered transportation. And thanks for your support.
Do you know about PROS?
https://www.facebook.com/events/169695903217156/
Do you know about PROS?
https://www.facebook.com/events/169695903217156/
@Josh - Thanks for posting the link to the video. I knew it was being edited, but I had not seen the final product. They made us look good.
@Josh - Thanks for posting the link to the video. I knew it was being edited, but I had not seen the final product. They made us look good.
Bellingham bicyclist writes about her experience riding in the National Bike Challenge:
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/national-bike-challenge/
Some familiar faces pushing for neighborhood greenways in Federal Way:
Did you ride RAPSody this year? Here's a blog post with great photos of day one of the ride: http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com/2013/08/rapsody-day-1.html
Bellingham bicyclist writes about her experience riding in the National Bike Challenge:
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/national-bike-challenge/
Some familiar faces pushing for neighborhood greenways in Federal Way:
Did you ride RAPSody this year? Here's a blog post with great photos of day one of the ride: http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com/2013/08/rapsody-day-1.html
Welcome, Sara and congratulations, Kimberly!
I challenged myself and rode 86 miles for the first time in my life on Saturday with the Beaverton Banks and Beyond bike ride. Empowering!
OK.... Here I am. I want to join the challenge. I don't ride very often but every miles counts. Go Team Sierra!
Welcome, Sara and congratulations, Kimberly!
I challenged myself and rode 86 miles for the first time in my life on Saturday with the Beaverton Banks and Beyond bike ride. Empowering!
Wendy: What color/s are your lights?
OK.... Here I am. I want to join the challenge. I don't ride very often but every miles counts. Go Team Sierra!
Wendy: What color/s are your lights?
Totally with you Louise... though I have a set of wreath lights wrapped around my frame -- it's fun to be able to use them again (since they're basically invisible in summer sun. :-)
Totally with you Louise... though I have a set of wreath lights wrapped around my frame -- it's fun to be able to use them again (since they're basically invisible in summer sun. :-)
Does anyone else miss those extra hours of daylight? I added some additional miles into evening ride home and had to turn my lights on. <sigh>
LOL. Did I miss something here? This is for fun, right?! Ride more. Stalk the stats less. As far as the possibility of riding those miles...I am a 61 year old lady who rode mileages like that on a cross country bike tour this spring. I am not fast but I'm steady. If I hadn't had to come back to reality (work, family) I'd still be doing it. Ride! Enjoy! Be safe! It's all good!
Does anyone else miss those extra hours of daylight? I added some additional miles into evening ride home and had to turn my lights on. <sigh>
LOL. Did I miss something here? This is for fun, right?! Ride more. Stalk the stats less. As far as the possibility of riding those miles...I am a 61 year old lady who rode mileages like that on a cross country bike tour this spring. I am not fast but I'm steady. If I hadn't had to come back to reality (work, family) I'd still be doing it. Ride! Enjoy! Be safe! It's all good!
I agree with you Rick. Not sure why folks get all bent out of shape about somebody riding high miles.
I'm not sure now if Chris is "No Name Provided" or not. If it's not Chris, I apologize to Chris for aiming my earlier remarks at him.
To "No Name Provided" - Long Puget Sound summer days are plenty of time for work and 75 to 100 miles of riding -- when one is accustomed to it, and 40+ miles of that are along a relatively flat valley in place of a car commute. Two 1/2 hours for the commute and a 2-4 hour recreational ride before or after, perhaps with friends in a paceline to get the speed up in the 20's. That's not out of the question, even with a normal workday here in the summer. As to whether or not someone can keep up that pace over time, it looks totally reasonable to me for someone well conditioned to riding. Even I can do back-to-back centuries, at a decent pace, if the terrain is not too challenging. I managed 16.2 mph on both days of the STP and went back to my commute ride the following Monday. I didn't ride a pace line, my steel touring steed is no lightweight, and I'm no athlete. I have no reason to question John's mileage log.
I agree with you Rick. Not sure why folks get all bent out of shape about somebody riding high miles.
I'm not sure now if Chris is "No Name Provided" or not. If it's not Chris, I apologize to Chris for aiming my earlier remarks at him.
To "No Name Provided" - Long Puget Sound summer days are plenty of time for work and 75 to 100 miles of riding -- when one is accustomed to it, and 40+ miles of that are along a relatively flat valley in place of a car commute. Two 1/2 hours for the commute and a 2-4 hour recreational ride before or after, perhaps with friends in a paceline to get the speed up in the 20's. That's not out of the question, even with a normal workday here in the summer. As to whether or not someone can keep up that pace over time, it looks totally reasonable to me for someone well conditioned to riding. Even I can do back-to-back centuries, at a decent pace, if the terrain is not too challenging. I managed 16.2 mph on both days of the STP and went back to my commute ride the following Monday. I didn't ride a pace line, my steel touring steed is no lightweight, and I'm no athlete. I have no reason to question John's mileage log.
If you're following and/or supporting the Cycling Sojourner Washington Kickstarter campaign, we surpassed our goal! There's still time left to support this project that will produce a new bicycle touring guidebook for our state:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
Believe what you will - I don't buy it
@Chris - At first I thought you were praising John's achievements, but now I'm not so sure. In case you were questioning the validity of his mileage claims, I'll tell you what I think I know. John is a member of Sterna Paradisea, a team that participates regularly in the Commute Challenge in May each year. Those guys are hard-core riders, logging high mileage each year. If John says he rides 500 miles/week, I believe him. He has a 40 mile round trip commute that he rides, so like me, he spends his getting to/from work time on a bike instead of in a car, probably 2 1/2 hours. He rides for fun before or after that. He rides long distances for fun or exercise on weekends and days off. Some people fish, some people play golf, and some ride bikes. And for some people, a 200km bike ride is just getting started. John is clearly a cyclist. I'm working my way in that direction, but I'm a bit older and starting later. Getting in two or thee more 50+ mile rides during this year's NBC would be an achievement. I know there are plenty of high-mileage cyclists out there in Washington. I just wish we had more of them, as well as more of the rest of us, signed up and logging miles in the NBC.
@Gene - total honor system in play on this site. 500+ a week and peak weeks at 750? Someone went to Hempfest if they expect me to believe that nonsense...
If you're following and/or supporting the Cycling Sojourner Washington Kickstarter campaign, we surpassed our goal! There's still time left to support this project that will produce a new bicycle touring guidebook for our state:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
Believe what you will - I don't buy it
@Chris - At first I thought you were praising John's achievements, but now I'm not so sure. In case you were questioning the validity of his mileage claims, I'll tell you what I think I know. John is a member of Sterna Paradisea, a team that participates regularly in the Commute Challenge in May each year. Those guys are hard-core riders, logging high mileage each year. If John says he rides 500 miles/week, I believe him. He has a 40 mile round trip commute that he rides, so like me, he spends his getting to/from work time on a bike instead of in a car, probably 2 1/2 hours. He rides for fun before or after that. He rides long distances for fun or exercise on weekends and days off. Some people fish, some people play golf, and some ride bikes. And for some people, a 200km bike ride is just getting started. John is clearly a cyclist. I'm working my way in that direction, but I'm a bit older and starting later. Getting in two or thee more 50+ mile rides during this year's NBC would be an achievement. I know there are plenty of high-mileage cyclists out there in Washington. I just wish we had more of them, as well as more of the rest of us, signed up and logging miles in the NBC.
@Gene - total honor system in play on this site. 500+ a week and peak weeks at 750? Someone went to Hempfest if they expect me to believe that nonsense...
@Chris, Rhetorical question? Or do you really want to know if I have ever tried riding 500+ miles a week? Considering I'm averaging 12 mph this month, 500+ would be like working a second full-time job. Yes, John is a stud.
@Chris, Rhetorical question? Or do you really want to know if I have ever tried riding 500+ miles a week? Considering I'm averaging 12 mph this month, 500+ would be like working a second full-time job. Yes, John is a stud.
@Gene - you ever try riding 500+ miles a week...every week? He must be a stallion. Riding 5+ hours each day and working full time. Wow thats gotta be tough.
@Rick: I'm pretty sure Bicycle Paper ran an article prior to the start of National Bike Challenge, but we'll have to work with them on follow up posts. Good point.
@Chris, yeah, isn't he incredible? Certainly representing WA at a national level. Well done John!
@Gene - you ever try riding 500+ miles a week...every week? He must be a stallion. Riding 5+ hours each day and working full time. Wow thats gotta be tough.
@Gene - you ever try riding 500+ miles a week...every week? He must be a stallion. Riding 5+ hours each day and working full time. Wow thats gotta be tough.
@Rick: I'm pretty sure Bicycle Paper ran an article prior to the start of National Bike Challenge, but we'll have to work with them on follow up posts. Good point.
@Chris, yeah, isn't he incredible? Certainly representing WA at a national level. Well done John!
Kudos to John Cacabelos - he's running an consistant 500+ miles each week! Way to go John!
Kudos to John Cacabelos - he's running an consistant 500+ miles each week! Way to go John!
Kudos to John Cacabelos - he's running an consistant 500+ miles each week! Way to go John!
@Louise - I've made a couple of posts on the national blog about improving outreach for next year's challenge. I don't recall having seen anything in Bicycle Paper promoting the NBC, although they are listed as a sponsor here on the WA page. I just searched the BP web page for "National Bike Challenge," but didn't get any meaningful hits. Did I miss something, or is this an opportunity for next year?
@Louise - I've made a couple of posts on the national blog about improving outreach for next year's challenge. I don't recall having seen anything in Bicycle Paper promoting the NBC, although they are listed as a sponsor here on the WA page. I just searched the BP web page for "National Bike Challenge," but didn't get any meaningful hits. Did I miss something, or is this an opportunity for next year?
Hey, Lanny! Good job raising funds for any of these great causes. I never expected to be able to ride the Courage Classic but my workplace decided to have a team and I got to be part of it. Is MS Bike America the ride out of Mount Vernon?
Hey, Lanny! Good job raising funds for any of these great causes. I never expected to be able to ride the Courage Classic but my workplace decided to have a team and I got to be part of it. Is MS Bike America the ride out of Mount Vernon?
@Gene. Great job on the completing the Courage Classic. I've heard nothing but good things about the event and it's one ride I would like to participate in. However, my fundraising is tied up for the MS Bike America. How was the root beer float?
@Jeanie... You Rock! Good job!
@Gene. Great job on the completing the Courage Classic. I've heard nothing but good things about the event and it's one ride I would like to participate in. However, my fundraising is tied up for the MS Bike America. How was the root beer float?
@Jeanie... You Rock! Good job!
Congratulations, Jeanie!
Congratulations, Jeanie!
Rode the Hurricane Ridge ride on Sunday and it was gorgeous vistas, but very hard and long ride. I loved the ride down. I did it, and that's all I am saying about this one!
Rode the Hurricane Ridge ride on Sunday and it was gorgeous vistas, but very hard and long ride. I loved the ride down. I did it, and that's all I am saying about this one!
Courage Classic this weekend - Snoqualmie, Blewett, Stevens Passes. Fun time but I just can't descend Stevens worth a darn. I am so slow - top speed 20 mph. The good news - I'm alive. CC is a top class ride.
Courage Classic this weekend - Snoqualmie, Blewett, Stevens Passes. Fun time but I just can't descend Stevens worth a darn. I am so slow - top speed 20 mph. The good news - I'm alive. CC is a top class ride.
A Bellingham bicyclist (and National Bike Challenge participant) shares what inspires her to ride on our blog: http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/29/so-i-ride/
If you would like to share your "why I ride" story with us, email me at [email protected].
A Bellingham bicyclist (and National Bike Challenge participant) shares what inspires her to ride on our blog: http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/29/so-i-ride/
If you would like to share your "why I ride" story with us, email me at [email protected].
Plan ahead for next year's challenge and a great way to rack up the miles: bike touring! Preorder an autographed copy of Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Bike Tours in Washington through Kickstarter and help fund the book's creation. Proceeds will benefit bike advocacy to make bicycling better around the state and part of your support is a tax-deductible donation. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
Plan ahead for next year's challenge and a great way to rack up the miles: bike touring! Preorder an autographed copy of Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Bike Tours in Washington through Kickstarter and help fund the book's creation. Proceeds will benefit bike advocacy to make bicycling better around the state and part of your support is a tax-deductible donation. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cyclingsojournerwa/cycling-sojourner-a-guide-to-the-best-multi-day-to
CitiBikes are *very* convenient (many, many locations Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn) and comfort is pretty good, too. With 40-pound heft, only 3 speeds, and a generator hub, performance leaves something to be desired! But just fine for getting from here to there.
Hi Tina: There is bike safety education happening in many (but not all) of the schools in our state through Safe Routes to School programs. Driver's license manual includes info on how a motorist can safely interact with bicyclists and pedestrians AND there are questions about it on the driver's test. And driver's ed programs includes a curriculum module on driving safely around pedestrians and bicyclists - provided by the Bicycle Alliance of WA. Many of us share your frustration with the scofflaws.
@Steve, pretty cool. How convenient and comfortable are the bikes?
@Tina, I have a BOB Yak trailer that I take to the grocery store. What is your trailer?
My 7.5 miles on July 26 were on a CitiBike in NYC!
CitiBikes are *very* convenient (many, many locations Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn) and comfort is pretty good, too. With 40-pound heft, only 3 speeds, and a generator hub, performance leaves something to be desired! But just fine for getting from here to there.
Attached the trailer to my bike and went ot the grocery store. Added extra miles.. Other than Drivers acting like they were self entitled to speed by and turn in front of me. All was ok. The street I was on had no bike lanes so I used the Sidewalk. There is no other safe way to get to this store.The rest of the time I used the Interurban trail and a roads with bike lanes. I know ther is no drivers Ed now in Schools. Why is there no Bicycle education. Why isn't a part of the drivers test. I mean this for Both Sides. Cause I am also seeing plenty of bad Bicycle Riding as well. Amazing..
Hi Tina: There is bike safety education happening in many (but not all) of the schools in our state through Safe Routes to School programs. Driver's license manual includes info on how a motorist can safely interact with bicyclists and pedestrians AND there are questions about it on the driver's test. And driver's ed programs includes a curriculum module on driving safely around pedestrians and bicyclists - provided by the Bicycle Alliance of WA. Many of us share your frustration with the scofflaws.
@Steve, pretty cool. How convenient and comfortable are the bikes?
@Tina, I have a BOB Yak trailer that I take to the grocery store. What is your trailer?
My 7.5 miles on July 26 were on a CitiBike in NYC!
Attached the trailer to my bike and went ot the grocery store. Added extra miles.. Other than Drivers acting like they were self entitled to speed by and turn in front of me. All was ok. The street I was on had no bike lanes so I used the Sidewalk. There is no other safe way to get to this store.The rest of the time I used the Interurban trail and a roads with bike lanes. I know ther is no drivers Ed now in Schools. Why is there no Bicycle education. Why isn't a part of the drivers test. I mean this for Both Sides. Cause I am also seeing plenty of bad Bicycle Riding as well. Amazing..
It's good to see the neighborhood greenway movement growing!
Last night I attended a neighborhood bike ride & meeting here in Federal Way. We're starting a project to get the first neighborhood greenway funded here in Federal Way. Small group for now, but lots of energy. We'll be reaching out to the target community for input on the route detail and to get them energized to help seek funding.
It's good to see the neighborhood greenway movement growing!
Last night I attended a neighborhood bike ride & meeting here in Federal Way. We're starting a project to get the first neighborhood greenway funded here in Federal Way. Small group for now, but lots of energy. We'll be reaching out to the target community for input on the route detail and to get them energized to help seek funding.
Looking for a nice bike ride this Sunday? Head to the west side of Puget Sound for Tour de Kitsap!
http://westsoundcycling.com/
Looking for a nice bike ride this Sunday? Head to the west side of Puget Sound for Tour de Kitsap!
http://westsoundcycling.com/
This past Saturday was the Chafe 150 in Sandpoint, ID. I participated for the first time. Such a beautiful route! It was very hot and I made the decision to call it a day at the 102 mile food stop since I was feeling very overheated and did not want to experience a heat illness. Then I was off to Seattle on Sunday for 3 days of training for work but was on foot with no bicycle. It was nice to be back home and ride to work this morning!
This past Saturday was the Chafe 150 in Sandpoint, ID. I participated for the first time. Such a beautiful route! It was very hot and I made the decision to call it a day at the 102 mile food stop since I was feeling very overheated and did not want to experience a heat illness. Then I was off to Seattle on Sunday for 3 days of training for work but was on foot with no bicycle. It was nice to be back home and ride to work this morning!
STP was a lot of fun this year. Great weather, and overnighted at the home of a friend I hadn't seen since he retired 6 years ago. Great things can happen when bikes are involved.
Wish I could say, "Too busy pedaling to blog." Getting my commute miles in, but not much else.
Hey, it's been quiet around here this week. What are folks up to?
STP was a lot of fun this year. Great weather, and overnighted at the home of a friend I hadn't seen since he retired 6 years ago. Great things can happen when bikes are involved.
Wish I could say, "Too busy pedaling to blog." Getting my commute miles in, but not much else.
Hey, it's been quiet around here this week. What are folks up to?
This past Saturday was the Chafe 150 in Sandpoint, ID. I participated for the first time. Such a beautiful route! It was very hot and I made the decision to call it a day at the 102 mile food stop since I was feeling very overheated and did not want to experience a heat illness. Then I was off to Seattle on Sunday for 3 days of training for work but was on foot with no bicycle. It was nice to be back home and ride to work this morning!
STP was a lot of fun this year. Great weather, and overnighted at the home of a friend I hadn't seen since he retired 6 years ago. Great things can happen when bikes are involved.
Wish I could say, "Too busy pedaling to blog." Getting my commute miles in, but not much else.
Hey, it's been quiet around here this week. What are folks up to?
Heads up, Seattle bicyclists! Friday, July 26 is last day to offer up written comments on the Draft Bicycle Master Plan Update:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster_materials.htm
Heads up, Seattle bicyclists! Friday, July 26 is last day to offer up written comments on the Draft Bicycle Master Plan Update:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaster_materials.htm
Are you a June prize winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/16/june-prize-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Are you a June prize winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/07/16/june-prize-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Congratulations, Luke!!
Congratulations, Luke!!
Hurray! Platinum!
Hurray! Platinum!
More rides to go. Next planned "non-commute" ride is up to see the surgeon who fixed my hip fracture in December. I think this is my last follow-up visit, and I thought it would send a good message about my recovery if I were to show up on bike. Weather's forecast to be really nice, so I'll take the afternoon off and ride.
What Lanny said!
For all you STP riders who completed the task in one or two days, my hat is off to you all. However, the cycling season is far from over! No hanging up the bikes yet. Get out there and ride hard/ride safe.
More rides to go. Next planned "non-commute" ride is up to see the surgeon who fixed my hip fracture in December. I think this is my last follow-up visit, and I thought it would send a good message about my recovery if I were to show up on bike. Weather's forecast to be really nice, so I'll take the afternoon off and ride.
What Lanny said!
One more STP story. Don't 'short' red lights. Just don't. I was rolling up eastbound behind a group on Sunday at a stop light along a stretch of Highway 30 in Oregon. A westbound car turned left in front of us. This was not a really long light, given it was on the intersection of a major highway and a cross road. But it looked too long to some, and since there were no conflicting vehicles in sight, 3 guys the front of the group jumped the light before it turned green. There was a patrol car sitting off to our right watching it all. Lights flashed and the chase was short. Patrolman and cyclists and bikes were off to the side of the road for a little traffic law education. Somehow I don't think those guys made up any time at all by jumping the light early. They may have even gotten the opportunity to contribute to the local government's income.
Thanks, Luke. There were some mishaps on the STP, but I wasn't one of them, other than a little red skin that I missed with the sunscreen, and almost unavoidable "butt-burn" from chip-seal & rough concrete. There were some glorious stretches of smooth asphalt. I think I could have ridden 150 in a day this weekend, although I probably would have been spent. For encouragement, note that I rode for a while with a woman who had only been riding since last August - and she had signed on with more experienced friends to ride the first 150 of the STP on Saturday. When I left them at what was 120 miles for them, she was still riding strong - not as fast as her friends would have ridden on their own, but she was a valiant rider, given her level of experience. I think you'll do fine. A lot of it is just a head game.
PIcked up a summer cold overnight Friday, so I started the STP with a cough & scratchy throat. Not enough to keep me from the ride. And it was great fun. Pure Pacific NW summer. Ran into a friend who got a last minute registration, and we rode together for a while on Sat & Sun. Also rode with a small band of mostly Cascade ride leaders for my last 20 miles on Saturday.
My meager weight loss attempts didn't yield much this year, but Wilma (my bike) had more success on her diet - lighter rims & tires, and loss of stem bag, rack trunk and associated rack. She just kept wanting to go faster and shed her heavy touring, commuter reputation. Surprised myself with 16.1 mph (while riding) for the 100 on Sat & 16.2 for the 80 miles on Sunday. Had I stopped at 70, Sunday's ride would have been 16.5. Traffic & congestion in Portland slowed things down near the finish line.
I had a great time Saturday night & Sunday morning visiting a retired work colleague on his 42 acre farm. great to reconnect - and that big hunk of salmon Sat. night was a good refuel for Sunday.
I'll post the ride to the NBC, but I didn't log it with Endomondo. My poor Android overheats and runs out of battery in as little as 40 mi., so I logged the ride with my new low end Garmin.
For all you STP riders who completed the task in one or two days, my hat is off to you all. However, the cycling season is far from over! No hanging up the bikes yet. Get out there and ride hard/ride safe.
One more STP story. Don't 'short' red lights. Just don't. I was rolling up eastbound behind a group on Sunday at a stop light along a stretch of Highway 30 in Oregon. A westbound car turned left in front of us. This was not a really long light, given it was on the intersection of a major highway and a cross road. But it looked too long to some, and since there were no conflicting vehicles in sight, 3 guys the front of the group jumped the light before it turned green. There was a patrol car sitting off to our right watching it all. Lights flashed and the chase was short. Patrolman and cyclists and bikes were off to the side of the road for a little traffic law education. Somehow I don't think those guys made up any time at all by jumping the light early. They may have even gotten the opportunity to contribute to the local government's income.
Thanks, Luke. There were some mishaps on the STP, but I wasn't one of them, other than a little red skin that I missed with the sunscreen, and almost unavoidable "butt-burn" from chip-seal & rough concrete. There were some glorious stretches of smooth asphalt. I think I could have ridden 150 in a day this weekend, although I probably would have been spent. For encouragement, note that I rode for a while with a woman who had only been riding since last August - and she had signed on with more experienced friends to ride the first 150 of the STP on Saturday. When I left them at what was 120 miles for them, she was still riding strong - not as fast as her friends would have ridden on their own, but she was a valiant rider, given her level of experience. I think you'll do fine. A lot of it is just a head game.
PIcked up a summer cold overnight Friday, so I started the STP with a cough & scratchy throat. Not enough to keep me from the ride. And it was great fun. Pure Pacific NW summer. Ran into a friend who got a last minute registration, and we rode together for a while on Sat & Sun. Also rode with a small band of mostly Cascade ride leaders for my last 20 miles on Saturday.
My meager weight loss attempts didn't yield much this year, but Wilma (my bike) had more success on her diet - lighter rims & tires, and loss of stem bag, rack trunk and associated rack. She just kept wanting to go faster and shed her heavy touring, commuter reputation. Surprised myself with 16.1 mph (while riding) for the 100 on Sat & 16.2 for the 80 miles on Sunday. Had I stopped at 70, Sunday's ride would have been 16.5. Traffic & congestion in Portland slowed things down near the finish line.
I had a great time Saturday night & Sunday morning visiting a retired work colleague on his 42 acre farm. great to reconnect - and that big hunk of salmon Sat. night was a good refuel for Sunday.
I'll post the ride to the NBC, but I didn't log it with Endomondo. My poor Android overheats and runs out of battery in as little as 40 mi., so I logged the ride with my new low end Garmin.
Rick, wishing you and the other 9,999 riders a safe ride this weekend. I'll be heading up to Sandpoint, Idaho next weekend for the Chafe 150. I'm feeling a bit nervous since it will be my longest 1 day ride ever.
Rick, wishing you and the other 9,999 riders a safe ride this weekend. I'll be heading up to Sandpoint, Idaho next weekend for the Chafe 150. I'm feeling a bit nervous since it will be my longest 1 day ride ever.
Riding the short STP this year - starting from home and joining the throng on West Valley for about 180 total miles . Its a long carbon-spewing trip to the starting line from the Pierce county line just to transport a bike. Overnighting at a friend's house south of the midpoint, so it should be a fun weekend.
Working on Platinum, Diamond's gonna be tough unless I up my game. But that is as it should be.
And the new number is 626 - one more rider!
Way to go, Tina and Roger, and everyone else who continues to ride and log their miles this summer!
Riding the short STP this year - starting from home and joining the throng on West Valley for about 180 total miles . Its a long carbon-spewing trip to the starting line from the Pierce county line just to transport a bike. Overnighting at a friend's house south of the midpoint, so it should be a fun weekend.
Working on Platinum, Diamond's gonna be tough unless I up my game. But that is as it should be.
And the new number is 626 - one more rider!
Way to go, Tina and Roger, and everyone else who continues to ride and log their miles this summer!
Fantastic Tina!
Fantastic Tina!
I am at GOLD. Wahoo
Are you riding STP this weekend? Don't forget to log those miles in the National Bike Challenge!
Roger - Nice job making Silver!
625 - One more rider - welcome aboard, whoever you are!
Woo-hoo! Silver!
I am at GOLD. Wahoo
Are you riding STP this weekend? Don't forget to log those miles in the National Bike Challenge!
Roger - Nice job making Silver!
625 - One more rider - welcome aboard, whoever you are!
Woo-hoo! Silver!
Did you know that many of our Washington communities have bike maps? Check out our list of bike and trail maps: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-maps/
624 registered riders and only 493 logging any miles during the challenge period. Come on, folks. Where are all those rabid WA cyclists? I'm handing out cards at bike shops and to riders I meet on the road. Where is everyone? There'll be 10,000 of us on the road between Seattle & Portland on Saturday, and the vast majority are probably from this state, right? OK, gotta make more cards to hand out this weekend.
Did you know that many of our Washington communities have bike maps? Check out our list of bike and trail maps: http://bicyclealliance.org/growing-bicycling/resources/bike-maps/
624 registered riders and only 493 logging any miles during the challenge period. Come on, folks. Where are all those rabid WA cyclists? I'm handing out cards at bike shops and to riders I meet on the road. Where is everyone? There'll be 10,000 of us on the road between Seattle & Portland on Saturday, and the vast majority are probably from this state, right? OK, gotta make more cards to hand out this weekend.
@carmen...I feel the same way. Saw a girl walking her ferret this morning on a side street. Would have never see it if I'd been driving.
This morning I got to ride along side a leaping fawn, slow for a flock of wild turkeys in the road and listen to the songs of the Flicker and Veery. What a beautiful morning!
@carmen...I feel the same way. Saw a girl walking her ferret this morning on a side street. Would have never see it if I'd been driving.
This morning I got to ride along side a leaping fawn, slow for a flock of wild turkeys in the road and listen to the songs of the Flicker and Veery. What a beautiful morning!
Added bonus of riding a bike is the things you find that you would normally not see while driving. Such as finding a steel trowel yesterday and $2 this morning. Although the $2 makes up for the coffee I spilled on my morning commute yesterday.
Added bonus of riding a bike is the things you find that you would normally not see while driving. Such as finding a steel trowel yesterday and $2 this morning. Although the $2 makes up for the coffee I spilled on my morning commute yesterday.
Oh cool, I'm also halfway to platinum. The STP is going to help speed things up.
Oh cool, I'm also halfway to platinum. The STP is going to help speed things up.
Catch the latest news in our new edition of Bike Bites:
http://p0.vresp.com/6Up74r
@Luke: 104! The thought of temperatures that hot make me feel sick!
Catch the latest news in our new edition of Bike Bites:
http://p0.vresp.com/6Up74r
@Luke: 104! The thought of temperatures that hot make me feel sick!
I didn't make it on June 30th but I made it today with my 7.1 miles of commuting. It was a hot ride home from work at 104!
@Luke: did you make it?
I didn't make it on June 30th but I made it today with my 7.1 miles of commuting. It was a hot ride home from work at 104!
@Luke: did you make it?
Just 6 points short of 2,000 but my psyche just wasn't up for 6 more miles today. I make it tomorrow on the hottest day of te year so far.
Just 6 points short of 2,000 but my psyche just wasn't up for 6 more miles today. I make it tomorrow on the hottest day of te year so far.
Halfway to Platinum.
Sunny day in Sequim WA. So what else in new? He He. What a wonderful ride around the valley!
Early morning ride to beat the heat.
I have a Motorola Matrix HD from AT&T, and I am,wondering why I cannot download the app as it is not on the list, (or at least I didn't see it anyway). Anyone have any info on this?
@Louise, know what you mean. My afternoon commute was hot and humid!
Not ready for the heat! I already feel my energy plummeting.
Biscuit Ridge was nice and shaded this evening. Perfect 80 degrees.
Are you all ready for the heat?
Rick: I've ridden both Centennial Trails--scenery is very different between the two. Enjoy your ride!
Snohomish -- but I'd really like to get over to eastern WA to ride sometime. I'll check into the eastern Centennial Trail.
Rick: I feel your suffering of summer weather in MS! We actually two Centennial Trails in WA - one in Snohomish County and the other one in Spokane. Which one do you plan to ride?
Steady as she goes Don! Yes, it looks like summer is just around the corner. Does that mean the wind will stop? I don't think we've hit 300 sunny days in the six years I have lived here, so you can blame me. See you out there!
@Louise - I hope to have an opinion about the Centennial after the 4th. I'm planing to take my better half there for a ride that weekend. I've heard really good things about it.
Ha! I'm just getting little nibbles this week, partly because I've found summer weather. Out in Starkville, MS, this week, on a business trip. 89 F at 6:30 pm when I got out for a quick few miles. Don't know the area well enough to know where a good ride is, so I'm just exploring. Most of the in-town roads had a lot of 4-way stops . Safer than 2-way for cyclists, but it's hard to get momentum. Found one 'long' drive with bike lanes that was a throughway. That was nice. The heat makes me really appreciate those 60's and occasional 70's back home.
Little nibbles every day. I haven't really done any long rides yet this year. We haven't had our nice, summer weather. Maybe this weekend will be good. It is starting to look like we will get into the upper-nineties. We are most certainly not going to hit our advertised 300 days of sunshine this year!
Don't worry Don! You'll get there soon enough!
Once you hit gold it is a long, long way to the next level!
Why do you enjoy riding the Burke Gilman Trail, Yakima Greenway, Centennial Trail, Columbia Plateau Trail, or any other bike trail in Washington? Tell us about your favorite bike trail: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/
read and heed these rules
If you commute year round in Washington...you are the epitome of rule #9
thanks for sites like this for the encouragement "to ride on''
Annie
Maybe this month, Dee Dee! Keep pedaling!
No such luck.
May prize winners have been announced. Were you a winner?
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/06/15/may-winners-announced-for-national-bike-challenge/
Hey Wenatchee folks: How do we keep the bicycle momentum going now that the regional bike plan has been adopted? Join the Bicycle Alliance this evening for a discussion on how we might move bike advocacy forward.
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/wenatchee-keep-the-bike-mo-going/
@Louise Thanks for the shout out. Love to see what other bloggers are sayiing about the Challenge
We have a rider in Bellingham who is blogging about the Challenge. Is anyone else in Washington blogging about their Challenge experience?
http://highonbike.wordpress.com/tag/national-bike-challenge-2013/
Thanks Louise! You'll see me around the registration table and at the 3rd food stop. For the second year my food stop will be powered by bicycle. This year I'm excited to have some help hauling all the food and gear up to our spot.
Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic is this Saturday. Pedal past vineyards, orchards and wheatfields as you make your way into the foothills of the Blue Mountains near Walla Walla. Thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting the Bicycle Alliance of WA's advocacy and education efforts! And say hi to Luke!
http://www.wheatlandwheelers.com/2012/02/8th-annual-ann-weatherill-cycling-classic/
A cracked real sounds like nothing but bad times.
Good point Rick! :) In my mind I was comparing this giant crack with the micro cracks I am monitoring on my cargo bike wheel.
Curious, Luke. Is there such a thing as an insignificant crack in a rear wheel? Just messing with you.
How was your ride this weekend? I had planned a 70 mile ride on Sat but discovered a significant crack in my rear wheel a short way into the ride and had to head back to town. Got a ride in this morning on a loaner wheel. Beautiful weather here in Walla Walla and the wheat is starting to change color with harvest about a month away.
We at the Bicycle Alliance believe that some of the best bike trails are right here in Washington! Do you have a favorite bike trail? We want you to tell us about it! Please take a minute to complete our trail survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WABikeTrails
@ Rick, you're a man after my own heart. I too believe we need to somehow tap that CBC Commute Challenge esprit de corps. I too used the Commute Challenge to recruit members to the NBC by sending them a message in the challenge a rider/team system. Washington State stands to be a huge competitor if we can just coerce our ridership to participate.
I love the statistical breakdown provided by events such as this and use it to leverage local agencies and government representatives to prioritize funding for bicycling infrastructure. My team ATAPA and I and our constituents live in the land of the Olympic Discovery Trail. We are serious about creating an active transportation conduit from Port Townsend to the Pacific Coast but would also like to get some inroads for connecting to ferry service from Seattle and Edmonds.
Several of our group will be riding the Flying Wheels this weekend. Perhaps I'll borrow your card idea and promote the NBC while riding. If we all spread the word and participate, we could get some serious traction on the rankings for our state.
Luke, I'm with you. Washington has great potential. The mileage tally in the Commute Challenge in King county dwarfed the NBC mileage for the whole state in May. I see that Sterna Paradisea (a Boeing team) signed up and logged their May miles. That's a huge help. I hope my lobbying at the Captains' Bash and my posting on the Commute Challenge web site brings us some more NBC riders.
Thanks, Louise. I shrank the postcard promo from the NBC marketing materials to business card size and printed up some micro-perf card stock. Two problems that I didn't have time to deal with - the text is very small. Only "National Bike Challenge" is readable without a magnifier for those of us of a certain age. Second, the small text is in a low-contrast, gray font, making it all the harder to read. Still,. it's something I can hand out for a reminder to people I talk with. Cheaper to print and easier to carry on bike than a stack of post cards. It would be great if BAW or NBC offered a more readable business-card-sized template that we could use in our 1:1 marketing efforts.
The weather is great on the here on the we(s)t side of the Cascades. Let's ride!
Luke and Rick: You guys rock!
@Rick - I bought one of the NBC Jerseys and have started wearing it on some group rides and making announcements. I like the card idea. I may need to print some of those up as well. I feel like WA has the potential to be much higher in the state rankings in the NBC if we could just get a bit more participation. With some help from our local Health Department the participation in Walla Walla has jumped from 19 last year to over 80 so far this year.
Still handing out my business-card-sized promos for the NBC. One yesterday to my physical therapist, and one this morning to a young lady doing "hill work" -- which happened to be the hill that crests just up from my house. We talked for a few minutes. She was prepping for her 2nd STP, as am I. But she's a marathoner, and, I think, works harder at it than I do. She was familiar with Endomondo, but not the NBC. I hope the card is a reminder for her when she gets home.
Looks like we got us some serious contenders in first place. Sterna P. set the bar pretty high. Let's go get 'em team ATAPA! !
@ian You ROCK!
After biking Santa Rosa, CA last week, it's great to be back in Bellingham where it's cool, the trails abundant, and the traffic sane!
Reminder to all: you need to log your May bike miles before midnight tonight in order for them to count! Have a good weekend, everyone!
Let's hear it for your scrappy statewide bike advocates! Bicycle Alliance of Washington currently rounds out the top 3 on the workplace leaderboard--behind Boeing and Microsoft.
Proud new member supporting ATAPA
Proud new member supporting ATAPA
Yikes--you guys are kicking butt, Randall! C'mon We Bike WA!
Team Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles (ATAPA) takes a commanding lead in WA!
Celebrate your favorite trail this Sunday, National Trails Day! In honor of National Trails Day, WA State Parks is waiving the Discover Pass requirement at all state parks this Sunday.
Bikes everywhere in Walla Walla. Hope everybody enjoyed their Memorial Day. Dixie, WA rocks to #1 community in the nation.
It's a good time to be a bike commuter around Mount Vernon.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021049359_bridgedetourxml.html
@ Joshua, look out Pacific, Port Angeles is gunning for 1st in state and we won't quit till we're number one! We'll be powered by ATAPA (Active Transportation Advocacy of Port Angeles).
So glad the site lets you go back and log miles when you've let over a week go by without signing on! I'm moving this weekend and will have a much longer commute so from here on through September I'll be racking 'em up.
Help shape the future of bicycling in Seattle--Bike Advisory Board is seeking new members.
http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2013/05/20/help-get-seattle-moving-on-bikes/
I was just doing a little calculation, and unless I am mistaken somewhere I won't actually hit the diamond mark unless I ramp up my miles. The daily casual 'around town' riding just isn't going to cut it.
LOL... I see Pacific, WA is now in the top 10 communities.
I know I'm not the only bike commuter in town, but I'm the only one on the Challenge ;-)
Hey Wenatchee folks: Garlini's is offering a free personal pizza to bike commuters today until 2PM! Yum!
http://www.wvtc.org/bike-to-work-week-tally/
A little liquid sunshine out there this morning, but not bad. Thanks to Forterra, BAW, City of Federal Way and Phil's Bike Shop for the commute station at the north end of the BPA trail. And thanks to Poverty Bay Coffee for their support. of the station. And I did get a free Hazelnut Macchiato at Starbucks in Safeway, so thanks to Howard, too.
Let the rain deter me from commuting in to work today. Heck no! I got my free "Hand Crafted" beverage from Howard Schultz...
Ride on!
I'm happy to see 4 Walla Walla County communities in the top 10 so far this month. Keep riding DIxie, Walla Walla, College Place and Burbank!
You're a VIP if you participate in Bike to Work Day tomorrow!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/16/bike-to-work-day-washington-round-up/
This evening is the national Ride of Silence. The following Washington communities are holding rides: Renton, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Wenatchee. Ride details can be found here: http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php#WA
Rick - We putting the word out abut the FW commute station and you'll see our Share the Road/Share the Trail materials on the table. Grab some to share with friends and co-workers!
Louise,
My thanks to BAW. I just saw the note that BAW is co-sponsoring the commute station down my way. Forterra's name stands out the biggest on the flyer, and BAW is to the right with the City of Federal Way and Cascade. Thanks to you all.
Hey Spokane Valley bike commuters: Fuel up properly tomorrow morning (May 16 at 7am) at the Bike to Work Week Pancake Breakfast at CenterPlace:
http://www.centerplacespokanevalley.com/map_09.pdf
Winter's over and road construction season has begun. Both routes from home to work now have active projects. My primary inbound route includes a wide sidewalk on a 5 lane arterial. That sidewalk was closed, and I had to climb the hill in traffic. I don't mind that so much, but some drivers are going to have to go back to school. It's not safe for two vehicles to occupy the same lane, even if the driver thinks they can both fit (car + bike = 2 vehicles).
Saw lots of bikes on the way home yesterday, and had a chance to mention the NBC to one rider. Went home and printed some business card stock with a reduced image of the NBC postcard from the Marketing Material tab. The print is small and I wish it had better contrast, but it gives me something to hand to folks when I mention the NBC. Maybe it will be a reminder to them to check it out when they get home.
My commute was great today. Happy to be back in the 60s today after the 90 degree temps at the end of last week and over the weekend.
Another Bike to Work reward is being offered by Grand Central Bakery. Drop in one of their retail locations with your helmet and receive a rustic baguette!
http://www.grandcentralbakery.com/locations/
Starbucks is rewarding riders with a 12 oz 'hand-crafted' beverage on May 17, Bike to Work Day -- at participating locations. Show some bike gear to the barista and claim your beverage.
Here’s the list of locations by zip code:
http://www.starbucks.com/assets/18d771d97c884256a49821f641602fa3.pdf
And close by in Auburn, Alaska/Horizon Air are hosting a commute station Friday morning. The Cascade listing shows it at the Auburn Sounder station, but I think they moved it during the event last year out to the Interurban trail to catch more riders. Look for it Friday morning, 6-9.
And... If you're biking in Federal Way on Friday morning, we have what I think is our FIRST commute station. It's hosted by Forterra at the north end of the BPA trail - near the ball fields at Celebration Park, about a block west of Pacific Highway. From the flyer: "Bikers and walkers welcome." Snacks & coffee, plus mechanical support by Phil's Bike Shop. The first one in Federal Way, and it's right on my commute route. Woo hoo!
Cool & sunny this morning. Yesterday afternoon I bailed and took the 'SAG wagon.' My wife was in the area at end of day, and it was too easy to do the impromptu carpool.
After last night's battle with a headwind, this morning's bike commute was downright pleasant. How was your bike commute today?
Jessica: If you live in Seattle, drop by the Bicycle Alliance office in Pioneer Square Friday morning--we're hosting a commute station.
I don't work on Friday, but I might have to "bike to work" anyway to see all the super commute stations that local organizations have on the street.
Congrats Eric! We look forward to seeing you at the Ann Ride. Today about 32 riders came out for a ride in rememberance of Ann Weatherill who was killed by an oncoming car on Mother's Day 2004. Today we rode her favorite ride and in her favorite color purple. The Ann Law was passed several years ago which prohibits cars to pass another vehicle when there is an oncoming bicycle, horse rider or pedestrian. Keep on riding and be safe everyone!
Congratulations to Eric Abbott of Seattle. He is the lucky winner of the Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend raffle. A big thank you to all who participated in the raffle--we raised nearly $1000 from it.
Gene: Hoist a pint for the rest of us!
Thanks, Louise. Glad I happened to look in here. I'll be sure to stop by the Broken Spoke on the way home. Cheers!
For the Tacoma folks: There's a bike commuter meet up this evening at the Broken Spoke. Nice way to end the week!
https://www.facebook.com/events/373479589439009/
Three rides coming up this weekend that support statewide bike advocacy: Group Health Inland Empire Century, Skagit Spring Classic, and Women's Living the Dream Ride. More info on these rides here:
http://bicyclealliance.org/events-rides/category/rides-that-support-the-bicycle-alliance/upcoming/
And those miles count in the National Bike Challenge!
Captain's Bash at Pike Brewery in Seattle tonight for team captains in the Commute Challenge. Now if I only had wallet size cards to pass out for the NBC...
Sunshine for the afternoon commute home!
May Day ride was a success. I think the registration topped out at 311. Some first-timers said they liked the ride and plan to do it again. I only rode to Wilkerson, which was my goal. Headwinds north from Sumner were tough. It's the first time the 400 ft climb back to Federal Way was more relief than challenge. From the sun and wind to the cool, shady climb on the one-way. Up on the hill, I my legs began complaining. I pedaled the last half mile with my left leg, letting the right one hang free to avoid cramping. We do this for fun. Got over it quickly, but the legs were telling me I was done.
And another note on the ride. Phil always adds his pavement commentary to the climbs. He knows you'll have time to read, and it can take your mind off your legs. That last climb is at least locally known as "Phil's Hill." This year, it is "Lance's Hill." Lance David was a friend of Phil, and the pavement commentary was a remembrance of and memorial to Lance - for us to remember him, and to ride safely.
Rick: Most groups that organize local challenges are really focused on their events. I think Cascade and other local challenge hosts will encourage their participants to switch over to the National Bike Challenge as the local events wind down.
And on another topic...how was the May Day ride?
Too bad we can't get all the Commute Challenge riders to register and log their miles in NBC, too. There are almost 7500 riders who have already logged over 223,000 miles this May. These are just commute trips, since that's all that counts in the Commute Challenge. Since the Commute Challenge only covers May, it would be great if we could get Cascade to promote the NBC to its Commute Challenge riders.
Such fabulous weather for riding this weekend!
I've got a raised veggie bed to dig out, repair and refresh.
And then I'll be prepping my bike for Sunday's ride. Front fender is off already. Rear will be coming off, along with any commute related stuff not needed for riding & climbing. And I'll also be removing some of the grit & grime from the most recent rain. The bike should shine on Sunday. I hope I do, too.
The weekend forecast looks fabulous! What fun things are folks planning to do? I want to spend some time in the garden and take a bike ride along the Alki waterfront for some people watching.
Hey Seattle folks: Drop by the Bicycle Alliance of WA office in Pioneer Square for our open house this evening! Hoist a pint with us as we celebrate Bike Month and National Bike Challenge! https://www.facebook.com/events/624336694262442/
Luke: Tri-Cities organized a separate Bike Month challenge for May. Not sure if they'll get rolled into this section with the rest of us when their challenge is finished.
Rick: Thanks for giving May Day Classic a thumbs up!
Anybody know why the local page shows 289 WA riders but when you go to the National leaderboard and click on WA it shows 412 riders? Also, I notices that there are some riders that show up in the WA leaderboard within the national WA page but don't show up on the local leaderboard for WA.
It's not too late to plan to head down to Federal Way on Sunday for the May Day Classic. The ride starts and ends at Phil's Bike Shop. Looks like great riding weather on Sunday.
And no, I don't work for Phil's, and I don't get anything for posting this other than perhaps a few more riders to chat with on Sunday. I just think it's a good ride. Part of your $25 registration and any residual funds go to BAW and the Orting Food Bank. Oh, yeah, I forgot. Unicycles ride free. :-)
Nicole, the baby might give you a high five, if it's a fun ride.
Do I get more points if my commute is pulling a 25# baby in a trailer?! :)
Be attentive and ride safely, everyone. Biking is still a healthy way to travel.
Tragic start to Bike Month here in Seattle:
Here's some great news as we kick off Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge: Washington retains its #1 ranking among Bicycle Friendly States! Ride proudly, folks!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/05/01/washington-number-one-bicycle-friendly-state-2013/
Gene, hwy 12 has decent shoulders but is pretty busy. You might try hwy 124 and then come down Middle Waitsburg Rd.
Louise, yes I'm ready!
@Louise - Yes, we are ready.
@Luke - I had the privilege last year of riding from Eatonville to Kennewick. Awesome trip and good roads. I would love to get over to Walla Walla this year. Is Hwy 12 OK to ride from Kennewick or should I be looking for other roads?
The National Bike Challenge starts tomorrow! Are we ready to ride?
Can't count last week's Lilac Century mileage, but I'm signed up for three more this season. Hope it warms up in Spokane...I get my newest bike today and I want to go out. 20% chance of rain or SNOW today!?
Congratulations, Jackie...the wind on this years Lilac Century made for an extra challenge. Its always a fun day with a well deserved baked potato at the end. Keep pedaling.
Jackie: The Lilac is a nice ride and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it! Thanks for joining us in the National Bike Challenge too!
I rode my first organized bike ride yesterday, the Lilac City Century Bike Ride. It was a great experience, very well organized, friendly and encouraging people in the ride and along the way. I am happy to be a new member of endurance riding training with my friend for the STP in July.
Attention greater Seattle bicyclists! Join us for an open house this Thursday in our Pioneer Square office to celebrate the kick-off of Bike Month and the National Bike Challenge:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/first-thurs-bike-to-work-bash-may-2/2013-05-02/
Long range forecast is for sun and perhaps the low 70's for the May Day Classic Sunday, May 5th)
And a big thanks to the Wheatland Wheelers for supporting bicycle advocacy and education! :-)
PS - I would love to win the raffle too!
The Walla Walla Weekend raffle prize the Bicyle Alliance is giving to one lucky winner looks great! We'd love to have you all come out to Walla Walla that weekend (June 15th) for the Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic. I'm on the organizing committee for the ride and we are working hard to make sure we have another great ride this year. This year we will be donating $1 from every entrance fee to the Bicycle Alliance.
You could win a bicycle weekend in Walla Walla! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off this great package:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
@Lanny. I'm not looking forward to "The Wall," and I haven't tackled Phil's Hill since last September -- but I am looking forward to his "Burma Shave" commentary on the pavement to take my mind off the climb. One of the things I like best about this ride is that it starts about 3 miles from home. None of this "drive somewhere to bike" business. I just ride over the the Start and count those miles as part of my ride.
Hip fracture is no fun at all. Fell in a turn on the way to work when the roads seemed OK. I knew about the fall when I looked up from the pavement - it was that quick. Fortunately the break was simple to set & pin, and recovery has gone really well. Still some weakness & stiffness - of which I'm reminded every time I throw my left leg across the the saddle - but it will get better.
Ah....The May Day Classic and those great "Character Builder" hills..lol Looking forward to the ride.
Yikes--a hip fracture? That doesn't sound like fun.
Got in my first more-than-10 mile ride of the year with a milk-run up to Tukwila to pick up a ship-to-store order. Good to see that all the parts were working following my December hip fracture. I'm feeling better about the May Day Classic (Federal Way, May 5th).
http://philsbikeshop.com/mayday/
Looking for a great destination bike ride this weekend? How about the Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride in Spokane?
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/lilac-century-and-family-fun-ride/
It is a trifecta of Brian/Bryans leading the pack, closely trailed by a William. Hmm...where are the Louises?
A trifecta of Brian/Bryan's at the top of the leaderboard today. I've been running into other Brian's everywhere lately.
Oh, and YES, absolutely outstanding weather today.
Excellent weather for biking. Will take wheels home tonight!
Biked in to work and soon to bike home. Looks like a good week for it.
Ditto for my commute.
I did. It was a little chilly but the sun was shining.
Who biked to work today?
Looking for something to do this weekend? How about:
Earth Day Market ride in Olympia:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/earth-day-market-ride/
Pedaler's Fair in Seattle:
http://bicyclealliance.org/event-ride/pedalers-fair/
Other suggestions?
Enjoyed some April showers on my ride to work this morning. I'm looking forward to a weekend of cycling with the Tour of Walla Walla stage race this weekend. We'll have Main St open for bicycles only all day on Saturday with kids races in the morning, Parade of Bikes at noon and the criterium in the afternoon. I'm not a racer but I enjoy spectating and volunteering.
We're celebrating the State Senate's last minute passage of the Neighborhood Safe Streets Bill!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/17/neighborhood-safe-streets-passes-washington-state-senate-45-2/
Rick - that's great news! Thanks!
Louise,
I've registered company teams in both the local Commute Challenge and the NBC. The company also has a year-long fitness/wellness campaign that engages company locations across the country. This year, the NBC just happens to fit into one of the 'promotional time slots' of that year-long event. Because of the timing and the "nation-wide" nature of NBC, our fitness/wellness campaign coordinator is promoting NBC to the local coordinators. Yee-ha! I get more publicity and very likely more company colleagues participating in NBC this year.
Now I just have to remember to purchase my Walla Walla Weekend lottery tickets.
Luke - Wheatlland Wheelers have set the bar--right on!
Rick - Local commuter contests are very important and it's important to be involved, so glad to hear you're fielding a team there. If you have team members who don't want to track miles in two places, encourage them to join the National Challenge at the end of May so they can keep that bike mo' going all summer long!
Carmen - A team is more than one person, so even a few folks can be a team!
Thanks, everyone!
Would love to get our bike group involved but I don't think enough people want to do this. There are a couple members who have signed up to go at it solo but not enough to represent a team.
Louise - a company team will be all I can manage. Got Commute Challenge here in King County going simultaneously with NBC from now through May. But what the heck! Let's Ride!
Couldn't agree more Louise! Come on WA bicycle clubs its time to get involved! The least you could do try and push us Wheatland Wheelers out of the top team spot. :)
Two WA bike clubs have Challenge teams so far--Wheatland Wheelers and Tacoma Wheelmen. It's time to issue a challenge to the rest of the clubs!
Snow. That's messed up.
I got snowed on during my ride today!
19 days until Bike Month and the Nat'l Bike Challenge!!
Walla Walla rocks!
Happy to see we already have 20 people signed up from the Walla Walla area. That's already 1 more than last year and the official event hasn't even started. Keep recruiting!
Sell it! Swap it! Shop it! You can do it all this weekend at the Spokane Bike Swap. And drop by our table to say hi!
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/04/07/spokane-bike-swap-sell-it-swap-it-shop-it/
Thanks Louise.
Brian: We're holding another one in May. Keep your eyes peeled here or at http://www.bicyclealliance.org for details!
Louise - GAH! To bad I saw the open house a day to late.
Hey Seattle folks: We're holding our Spring Fling open house this evening in conjunction with the First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square. Drop by and say hi!
https://www.facebook.com/events/159424257554645/
Luke: I think so! I so want to win it!
Louise, that looks like a great raffle prize!
Hey guys: you have an opportunity to experience the great bike riding around Walla Walla that Luke enjoys every day! The Bicycle Alliance of WA is raffling off an awesome Walla Walla Bicycle Weekend - check it out:
http://bicyclealliance.org/2013/03/24/walla-walla-bicycle-weekend-were-offering-you-a-chance-to-win-this/
Great day over on the wet side as well. I had a great group ride today over to the Pennisula and back to T-Town.
Such a fantastic day for a bike ride in Walla Walla!!!
Dry, sunny and cold here in Walla Walla this morning. It was 28 when I started my ride at 8. Enjoyed a sunny ride around the valley!
Everyone enjoying the nice spring weather? At least it's dry on the west (wet) side..lol
Ah yeah, I think Gene actually gets credit for the link but whatever. As long as you got it now Carmen. There is a 2012 page and a 2013 page. Maybe you were stuck on the 2012 page which is over and I believe wouldn't let you create a team.
Thanks for the link Brian. It is the only way I am able to get to that section. Sorry Gene, but when I try to follow your suggestion I can't seem to have it show me 2013, only 2012. It doesn't even show an option for it. All it good now that I bookmarked the link.
Well done, Brian!
Stepanie/Carmen FYi: I still don't know why the toolbar doesn't appear on one of my PC's but you can get to the leaderboard directly by entering the link below. That will allow you to at least connect to Communities. Don't know how to create a team though.
I'm liking this #1 position in the leaderboard but I think in the next few days I'm gonna lose it. But it's mine right now! Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!!
Stepanie/Carmen - As Brian P states "click Leaderboard. Then Local or National" at the top of the page. Then we can click on "Communities" to see where riders are from. I'm able to do that on my home PC. It magically appeared when I logged in.
HOWEVER, I don't have the same "menu/toolbar" on my work PC. Haven't figured out yet why the two PC's treat the NBC link differently. I expect this will all clear up by the time the warmup is done but I'll keep looking.
Luke, how do you see what riders are from where? I can see who was riding last year on the leaderboard but I can't figure out how to see anybody current.
Stephanie - You should just be able to scroll up to the top of the page and click Leaderboard. Then Local or National.
How does one access the leaderboard and how can we create a team? I cannot find the links...
Welcome to 4 more Walla Wallans!
Luke, I think between us we should be able to get quite a few BABR people to join. We'll have to bring it up on the ride coming up on the 19th.
Quite the miles packed in already I see. I'm only at around 165 miles this year, but it's more than this time last year. Looking forward to the next two seasons of riding.
Lanny I'm with you, ready to ride more in 2013! I've gotten a good start with 474 miles towards my 3,000 mile goal.
Brian, I'm working hard to get even more of us Walla Wallans. Lets see if the rest of you can keep up. ;)
Greetings Walla Wallans! Looks like a lot of you out there. The local leaderboard is curently all y'all, someone from Kenniwick and me.
I hope everyone had a nice off-season (if you had one) and are ready to Ride More in 2013. I know I am. I have already logged 326 miles this year as oppose to last year at this time when I had ZERO.
Ride safe everyone.
I just signed up. They just started a new wellness program at Key and are aware of the challenge. There are a few Wheatland Wheeler types here that do 50+ mile rides on the weekends, but I'd like to see the dozen regular guys who commute every day sign up.
We had a full page feature on it in our county employees news letter that came out yesterday. I'm working with the special projects coordinator at the health dept to promote this with local businesses as part of their wellness programs. And I got support from the leadership of the Wheatland Wheelers club and they will promote this event as well. And Carmen, between you and I we should be able to get more participation from the BABR crew. Watch out Tri-cities, we're coming for you! :)
Signed up. I hope we can get a lot more people signed up than last year.
The 2013 National Bike Challenge page is up. http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/nbc2013
Does anyone know how to identify the year of a Univega 12 speed road bike from the serial number?
Does anyone know how to identify the year of a Univega 12 speed road bike from the serial number?
20 degree ride today. Felt good except for the cold ears. Maybe have to wear 2 bennies tomorrow.
20 degree ride today. Felt good except for the cold ears. Maybe have to wear 2 bennies tomorrow.
Sorry to hear about your crash and injury Rick. Hope you heal fast!
Sorry to hear about your crash and injury Rick. Hope you heal fast!
Rode my last 5.5 miles for a while on this past Friday. One too many commutes in icy conditions. It seemed safe enough, and much less chancy than my Tuesday commute, but I found a slick spot in a left hand turn at about 15mph. I was in the turn and, boom, I was down hard on my left side. Lots more details, including kudos to the motorist and cyclist who came to my aid, but the bottom line is a fracture at the neck of my left femur. Surgical repair to install a weight-bearing bracket and screw. Prognosis is good, but no cycling for 3 months. Be careful out there; "Ya cannot change the laws of physics, Cap'n."
Rode my last 5.5 miles for a while on this past Friday. One too many commutes in icy conditions. It seemed safe enough, and much less chancy than my Tuesday commute, but I found a slick spot in a left hand turn at about 15mph. I was in the turn and, boom, I was down hard on my left side. Lots more details, including kudos to the motorist and cyclist who came to my aid, but the bottom line is a fracture at the neck of my left femur. Surgical repair to install a weight-bearing bracket and screw. Prognosis is good, but no cycling for 3 months. Be careful out there; "Ya cannot change the laws of physics, Cap'n."
Rode my last 5.5 miles for a while on this past Friday. One too many commutes in icy conditions. It seemed safe enough, and much less chancy than my Tuesday commute, but I found a slick spot in a left hand turn at about 15mph. I was in the turn and, boom, I was down hard on my left side. Lots more details, including kudos to the motorist and cyclist who came to my aid, but the bottom line is a fracture at the neck of my left femur. Surgical repair to install a weight-bearing bracket and screw. Prognosis is good, but no cycling for 3 months. Be careful out there; "Ya cannot change the laws of physics, Cap'n."
Tammy, a pedestrian was hit a block from my home here in Walla Walla yesterday morning. He was not killed thankfully. I hope efforts in our state to increase the penalties for drivers caught texting and talking on their cell phones while driving are successful.
Tammy, a pedestrian was hit a block from my home here in Walla Walla yesterday morning. He was not killed thankfully. I hope efforts in our state to increase the penalties for drivers caught texting and talking on their cell phones while driving are successful.
A pedestrian was killed and a cyclist seriously injured in separate accidents in Kennewick yesterday. it serves as a reminder to be on the lookout for inattentive drivers.
A pedestrian was killed and a cyclist seriously injured in separate accidents in Kennewick yesterday. it serves as a reminder to be on the lookout for inattentive drivers.
Brisk 35mph head wind for my ride to work this morning. Gave me an extra littl workout. :)
Rare, nice November commute in Puget Sound this morning. Left late enough to see the pink clouds on eastern horizon as the sun was trying to peek over the Cascades.
Then there was the unmarked police car (or maybe unmarked private security car) that exited an apartment complex driveway, crossing to the grocery store lot in front of me - clear failure yield. Not quite a near miss, but I had to brake to avoid collision.
Still, a nice commute in.
What a wet windy ride today. It was nice to go downhill but against the wind felt like it was uphill. I think I would still rather feel nature, even though it was not ideal, than to be in a car separated from the world.
Rare, nice November commute in Puget Sound this morning. Left late enough to see the pink clouds on eastern horizon as the sun was trying to peek over the Cascades.
Then there was the unmarked police car (or maybe unmarked private security car) that exited an apartment complex driveway, crossing to the grocery store lot in front of me - clear failure yield. Not quite a near miss, but I had to brake to avoid collision.
Still, a nice commute in.
What a wet windy ride today. It was nice to go downhill but against the wind felt like it was uphill. I think I would still rather feel nature, even though it was not ideal, than to be in a car separated from the world.
@Gene,
I'm still watching. More traffic on the "National" site but I keep looking back here as well. Thanks for the update. I've not spent much time out east (of the Cascades), but what time I have spent suggested that there would be some fun rides there.
Not sure who all are viewing comments any longer but I realized I never followed up with a ride report from my ride out of Tri-Cities over Labor Day weekend. Had a blast! Good riding around that area, including Benton City - OIE Hwy, Webber Canyon Rd, Badger Rd to name three. I was meeting my ride home in Ritzville rather than Colfax so decided to ride the direct route - north on 395. Decent if you just want to get somewhere. Took a detour through Lind, WA to get to Ritzville and had the best ride of the day on Wahl Rd. All in all a great weekend.
Carmen, what really got me riding back in 2004 was my car breaking down. I couldn't afford to fix it so I started riding. A year later when I could finally afford to fix my car I was in the habit of riding and had found out how easy it was to get around by bike. I'm so glad my car broke down!
After some much needed rain last night the sun came back out this morning for a beautiful fall ride around the Walla Walla valley.
Feeling great at the accomplishment I have made on riding the bike more, even if it was a forced hand.
I've got one more count shift today here in Federal Way, at a roundabout. That will be fun - I take that roundabout every day I ride, so I see lots of interesting approaches to navigation. Occasionally, someone actually pays attention to the signage & lane markings. Weather's pretty nice, so I expect to see some non-motorized traffic, and I'll be comfortable counting.
And I the same tomorrow on Puyallup Ave in Tacoma.
Rick, it was a good day for counting. I was out doing the same in Walla Walla.
Testing to see if we can still post on this blog. Great day today. Counted cyclists and pedestrians at the head of the BPA trail at Celebration Park in Federal Way. Grand weather for late September.
Congratulations to all the Washington riders who participated in the National Bike Challenge! You guys are amazing! Be sure to check the News Feed for a list of August prize winners. We hope you join us again next year. Be sure to sign up for e-news updates from the Bicycle Alliance of Washington at http://oi.vresp.com/ and join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bicyclealliance.
Enjoyed the challenge this year, and everyone's comments on the blog. Made double platinum, but fell 50 miles short of 1500 actual miles. I plan to do more organized rides next year and boost my mileage.
Signed up as a volunteer for the Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project coming up Sep 25-27. Hope to see numbers that will provide pressure for more bike & pedestrian facilities here in Federal Way. If there's a count in your neighborhood and you have time, please consider volunteering to be a counter.
Keep those pedals turning, and, in the words of one of my bike-commuter colleagues, "Keep the rubber side down."
Great work everybody! Also looking forward to next year.
I enjoyed riding with you all during this challenge. I am already thinking about next year and hoping to see our WA participation go to 1,000 or more. I hope we all keep riding and promoting bicycling in our great state.
Can you guys believe that summer and the National Bike Challenge are almost over? Time flies!
Thank you, Kim! I decided to take P-K Highway because it is shorter but I asked about Glade Road because it was on the cue sheet for the Oregon Randonneurs' 1000K route to Whitefish, MT. You know that rando group - If it doesn't have a hill or chip seal, it's not a decent route. Makes me wonder about Lanny.
P.S. Too bad my ride isn't until Saturday, Sept 1!
@Gene Smith - Glade Road North is chip sealed with a minimal shoulder in places. I hate it and I've vowed to stay off of it. But I've never ridden the P-K Highway, either. I've driven it plenty of times and noticed there isn't much a shoulder there, either.
Good luck - I hope our cool weather holds for you!
@Marsha @Jenni. Kudos to both of you. My motto is, "It ain't cycling unless there is a hill involved".
That would be me Jenni, so thanks for the Kudos!! I live in Suquamish, so the Tour de Kitsap included much of my regular fun and training routes. I LOVE the area!! And the hills still offer a challenge, even after 4 years of riding them!
I just want to say that kudos to anyone who lives west of the Narrows Bridge. I've done just about all of the major rides this year (Daffodil Classic, May Day Metric, 7 Hills of Kirkland, Wheels to Meals, Flying Wheels, Tour de Pierce, STP, Tour de Kitsap, Tour de Peaks, and yesterday the Bainbridge Island Hill Climbers Summer Challenge) and the two hardest rides of the year, by far, have been the 75 mile course of the Tour de Kitsap and the 52 mile course on Bainbridge Island. HILLS. ELEVATION. Again kudos to anyone who lives over there and rides them regularly. :)
For you people on bikes in the Tri-Cities, I'm hoping to ride from Pasco to Colfax next week and wondered if it is better to leave Pasco north on Glade Rd to Connell or ENE on Pasco Kahlotus Rd? See you on the road.
I wore my coat as well and I tend to run on the warm side. It's a bit disconcerting to be that cold this soon. Perhaps we'll snap out of it and be wishing it was cool again.
@Rick. Yes it was a cold one this a.m.. Wore my winter gloves and jacket.
Sub-50 degrees this morning near Tacoma. Wore the base layer and the long bike pants for the first time in a while. Bye-bye, summer.
Who cares about rankings? Well it is my opinion that competition is what encourages many people to do more by seeing how well they compare to others. Why do you suppose they have a leaderboard? I always ride solo, but I don't know how many stories I have read about the race to the top of the hill, or to a certain road sign, bicycling magazines are filled with them. It does not matter that there might be 10,000 other riders that could beat you, it only matters that you were first that day, with that group. Yes, I do understand the purpose of this challenge but I also think that the setting of personal goals, (maybe to be first), is what drives a lot of people and probably a big reason why, as a group, we have accomplished so many miles during this "Challenge". I would guess that there are not too many riders that have not checked where they are in the standings.
The City of Spokane is looking for a few good bicycle advocates to serve on the Spokane Bike Advisory Board:
http://bicyclealliance.blogspot.com/2012/08/spokane-bike-board-looking-for-members.html
Well said Lanny!
Doug is well-known in this area to pack on the miles. Anyone seriously doubting how much he rides could always come spend a week over here and try to keep up with him.
Who cares about rankings? I'm in second place in my community, which is Tacoma and I don't even live in Tacoma! Now Tacoma has 30 riders registered and 25 have only logged miles. You telling me there are only 30 cyclists in T-Town or the surrounding area? Doubt that. Also, I know there are some Tacoma cyclists who have already logged 4,000 plus miles this summer. So knowing that, essentially the rankings are a moot point, unless you are trying to outride a friend who maybe doing the NBC as well.
I can't do nothing about Joe Schmoe is Eastern Wa. Especially when I know how many miles I plan on riding in a week.
What matters is we helped the NBC reach its goal of 10 million miles ridden, stayed healthy and became better advocates for cycling and/or bicycling commuting.
Good job everyone and lets hope for some great weather from now until November so our season can be extended.
Keep Pedalin"
I do however live in Eastern WA.
My name isn't Joe Schmoe.
If you want to call someone out, just go ahead and do it. I have GPS data for every ride I did, not that I have to prove it to you. Some of us don't use the app and use our GPS devices and can't upload after every ride. You'd think for someone who appears advanced in age, you might possibly be mature. Stay safe out there, bro.
Well I didn't know we had a celebrity riding with us but the clues all there 500+ miles post in a day, major forest fire in your backyard, so your either Smokey the Bear or Bigfoot so i see why you want to keep it private
I agree with Doug....although I see your point Skeeter! I do believe most of us are being honest with our miles, and I think it's pretty sad if someone feels the need to cheat on this. I mean isn't the point to save the environment, money on gas and get a little excercise in the process, NOT to boost an ego!! There is some pride in sitting at the top of the leaderboard, but I can't imagine feeling it if you've cheated your way to get there!
Meh, I'm okay with rides not showing. I'd rather not share my home and work place as public information. Besides, it's pretty sad if people need to cheat at this. It's not like you get any special prize for first place or anything. Also, I think I read somewhere that the administrators are allowed to look at ride data if there is any question about whether or not it actually happened.
Total agreement with you Skeeter, really not that hard to find an app that will track your miles AND track them accurately. We got some super studly riders in WA, I'm thinking.
Jenni - Hah! I was not nearly so fast. In fact about 20 minutes after I crossed the finish line they started tearing it down.
Brian P.- Yeah I have to agree, the last third I was pulling out the mental stops, trying to find things to think about to take my mind off the distance left. But my riding time was 7 hours on the dot. That first jaunt was sure pretty though!
I really feel that all rides should be shown if you want to be in the rankings tired of people adding 200 to 500 miles in a day of riding if you want to be ranked your rides should be shown won't do this next year people take all the fun out of it
Cooling off here in Puget Sound. Not bad, but it sure is a shift from last week.
Dumb, dumb, dumb. Tried to cross a very dry, very hard, slightly elevated grass strip in going from sidewalk to curb to roadway. I had checked and there were no approaching cars. Didn't try to bunny hop. Just turned my front wheel into the strip and got rejected. Front wheel veered off and I went down hard on my tuckus in the roadway. Bad glute bruise. The good news is that it's less painful to pedal than to walk.
Jenni, how way your Tour de Peaks? My first 60 miles were fantastic. The last 40 were sort of grueling.
A bike path that I really enjoy that Sunset Magazine missed is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in Idaho. This 72 mile paved path takes you from the mountains along the ID MT state line down through the silver valley to Lake Coeur d'Alene and on to the edge of the Palouse. This weekend I enjoyed riding from Kellogg, ID to Wallace and back.
Getting warm out here in western Washington. Keep those water bottles handy.
Whoop whoop!
Tour de Peaks this weekend in Snoqualmie! Can I get a 'whoop-whoop'?
July winners are posted in the news feed. Sorry for delay, everyone! @Mary: thanks for the reminder!
Did you already announce the July winners? Perhaps I missed it...
Bike Share is coming to Seattle:
@Lanny, sounds like a well supported ride. I think I need to get out of Pierce, Kitsap, and King counties to do some other rides. I was lucky to be able to do the Courage Classic this weekend with a team from work. Hope to see you all out on the road.
8 Lakes Leg Ache tomorrow in Spokane. Great ride for anyone whose over there and is looking for an organized ride.
@Scott. Ouch. He couldn't settle for just breaking one thing. And you're right. A week is way too long. I have the good fortune to have Phil's Southside Cyclery within 100 yards of my homeward commute (and < 3 miles from my house). He can usually take care of the things I can't do or don't have time to tackle, and do so in short order for a reasonable price. Sounds like your bike was pretty much disabled, but I've pedaled into Phil's in the afternoon with a worn bottom bracket & ridden out 20 minutes later on a new one. (No, Phil doesn't pay me to say this.) Again, hope you're up and running again by tomorrow.
I think he kept pounding on the pedals after it got caught, putting enough stress on the chainring to bend it and torquing the derailleur completely back on itself. It even ended up bending the aluminum seatpost water bottle cage!
I bought a new chainring yesterday and a new derailleur should be on my doorstep about now via Amazon so I've got a project to complete tonight to get me back on the road. It's been a week and that's way too long.
@Scott -- Trashed the chainring? Wow, that's abuse. I was just thinking about front derailleur longevity on my ride home yesterday. OK, I know that's weird, but weird things happen while pedaling. Rear derailleurs take lots of wear and abuse, particularly with winter riding, but fronts are up and away, and really only see action when changing rings. Seems like they should last almost indefinitely. Part of this train of thought was triggered by a Craigslist posting for an XT FD for $24, when I know I've seen and bought good FD's at bike swaps for $2 or $3. Even those looked pretty new.
Good luck with the repair.
Never let your teen son ride your bike. Mine trashed my front derailleur and largest chainring last Thursday by pedaling too fast backward while stopped. I'm out of commission at least until tomorrow and slipping in the leaderboards.
After a week with a summer cold, I'm back to the bike commute. Felt good to ride this morning!
@Marsha I had every intention of heading up there yesterday to do the 73 miles route, however some things came up Saturday night and I didn't get to bed until late. Too tired to go. Sounds like a good route with some challenging hills. So to make up for it, I'm going to go Climb Mudd Mt. Dam a couple of times tonight.
@Lanny - I did the 73 mile route....it was great. Did you make it out to the ride?
@Lanny, I always seem to have a conflict with TdK. Hope you have a good ride.
If any women bicyclists use a helmet cam, I've started a blog
http://www.womenbike.blogspot.com/
for videos. Upload yours to youtube and send me the link.
Anyone doing the TdK in Silverdale on Sunday?
should be nice tomorrow. I rode in this morning and had my leggings and arms on! when I went home I didnt have to wear any of it.
@ John. This is my 9th year here. No, the weather's not that far from the norm, but I was sure getting used to those 60 degree mornings in the 1st part of last week. Low 50's on Monday was a little shock to the system.
Rick, this is our Puget Sound Summer... did you just move here? ;)
All right. Which one of you ran off with our Puget Sound summer? Just put it back where you found it, and we won't hold it against you.
With thunderstorms spreading across the state today, maybe some of you would like to check out the Bikesuit.
http://momentummag.com/videos/the-bikesuit
Had a lovely ride with the family today along the Trail of the Couer d'Alenes in Northern Idaho. Saw several moose. It's a beautiful, well-maintained asphalt trail and it's very easy riding.
@Lanny...we started at the Ranger station at the bottom...it's a 17 mile climb from there.
More STP. Really liked the routing over the beautiful St. John's bridge and through the neighborhoods from there to Holladay Park. The view of and from the bridge was enough to re-energize the legs for those remaining few miles. Overnighted near Portland and then made the necessary 'pilgrimage' to the cycling section of Powell's Books on Monday before heading back north. Ran into a couple of other STP riders making the same stop.
@Gene and all. STP was great! Perfect temps and only an occasional spritz of rain Sunday. I did have a difference of opinion with a little piece of wire. It thought my tire pressure was too high and I disagreed. Took an extra tube to win the argument, but I finally did. Thanks to Dave Greenwoodl riding Goldwing support for use of his compressor. And congratulations and thanks to all the riders and support folks who made it a great experience. BTW, I was surprised that my ride time to work this morning was about the fastest time so far this year.
@Marsha. How many miles up was it to the top?
Rode up Hurricane Ridge for my first time on Saturday! The climb was HOT, long and slow going, but I made it up in around 2:45, and the awesomely FUN descent made it totally worthwhile!!!
Don't forget to check the News column for a list of June winners!
STP was a great ride this year!! Congrats to all who made it to Portland and Thank you to all those volunteers.
@Rick and all the STP riders, not riding it myself but hope you have an enjoyable ride. Totally expecting a one day mileage record for the NBC. To quote a line from the traditional Irish blessing, "May the wind be always at your back..."
I've been listening to thunder boomers for much of the morning. Haven't seen a drop of yet...
Wow, just got the new update on my phone and it is awesome, only negative is there is no menu option to close it besides the back button...but man this is an awesome redesign.
I am doing it one day this year with my son. I figure I may need some young legs to draft behind.
Anyone else riding the STP this weekend?
And it looks like it (summer) may hang around for a week or so. Woohoo!
Summer has arrived in the Puget Sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps next year we should have a competition between BAW board and staff? That'd be fun!
Yes, Mary is right. Top team for the month of June is Whatcom COG Cyclists, followed by Cycle-M and the Bicycle Alliance's Everyday Cyclists. Walla Walla was the top riding community for June and Doug Wood is top rider for the month. Way to go, everyone! We'll do our random drawing for local prizes after the holiday. Look for an update next week in the news feed.
If the points are final, then it's Whatcom COG Cyclists for the WIN for the month of June! Woohoo! And that's with one team member not entering any points (how many reminders did I send?). What fun. Don't feel too bad BAW staff, third place is great too. :-)
Now they are both correct. I have seen it take a while to update so my guess is it was probably in between updates.
Good question Luke, I just checked my miles vs points and I am coming up 3 points short which is an odd number to be off by
Nevermind, all the points showed up eventually.
Any idea why I got 38 points for my 38 mile ride today instead of 58?
Congrats Pete for taking first in Tri-Cities. I tried to best you but came up short this last week. Doubt I'm going to give you much of a run next month due to scheduling, but I'm gonna do what I can. Congrats again, you earned it.
Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy this musical bike flash mob:
http://bicyclealliance.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-fun-bicycle-flash-mob.html
I have been riding my bike to work here in the tri-cities for the last 25 years on the bike trails through the parks next to the rivers. On Wednesday for only the second time on the boat dock in Howard Amon Park I saw a Black-crowned Night-heron.
Reminder to all: To be eligible for the monthly prize drawings, all rides for each month must be entered by 11:59 pm of the last day of each month.
Come on Tri-Cities, now is the time to make the dash for the finish, we have a lead over Walla Walla but not by all that much.
Join us for Tour de France in Nord Alley:
http://alleynetworkproject.com/
Just got my SPDs all set up and tested, pretty excited to get a decent day to test them out on a good ride instead of just around the neighborhood.
If you're not familiar with Danny MacAskill, check this out. Great bike handling and some beautiful scenery!
http://bicyclealliance.blogspot.com/2012/06/friday-fun-way-back-home.html
@ Don. Participated in the Century Challenge last year for the first time. McNeil Canyon is unforgettable. The first loop to Mason and back was AWESOME! I wish I could do that ride once a week. Great town w/respect towards the cyclist. If anyone in the state hasn't ridden there, I would highly recommend it.
Century or the smaller Cycle de Vine yesterday in Chelan. LOTS of cyclists all over town that day coming and going fromt he various course loops. Among the mix were the dozens of people riding around town on e-bike rentals. Rain and lightening circled the town all day, but I never felt anything other than a minor sprinkle every now and then.
@John That crazy storm system hit here also with penny size hail! That stuff hurts when it hits you!
Washington bicyclists have ridden over 100,000 miles in the National Bike Challenge!
I gambled on the weather and I lost, got to the halfway point and the clouds, wind and rain all hit at once, next time I will trust the weather report.
Pedaled out to Walla Walla Regional Airport today to help set up the course for today's Senior Games crit.
Are you riding the Two County Double Metric tomorrow? Don't forget to log your event miles!
Hey folks: we're on the verge of biking 100,000 miles in Washington. Ride your bike!
Why? It's an addiction.
Happy summer! It's official.
Why do I bike?
1. Fitness
2. To train for the MS Bike America in honor of my sister.
3. For the pure simple enjoyment of it!
I started because of financial reasons, now I do it by choice and have been completely car free since august of last year. If I sit at home for a day or only do my commute I actually go through a mild withdrawal...is that normal?
This blog post from SF Bicycle Coalition describes why I ride a bike. How about you?
http://bit.ly/NqYMsW
Do I get double points for bicycling while pregnant?
I could have used some rain pants this morning. Oh well!
Sounds like some good rides Pete, I'm jealous.
Great ride this week end, rode from Kennewick to Cle Elum, following the Yakima River.
What a beautiful ride, then rode with the Boy Scouts, on the John Wayne trail from Stampede Pass road through the Snoqualmie Tunnel and back.
A gorgeous day for the Ann Ride here in Walla Walla. I'm relaxing at our final food stop 10 miles up Mill Creek Rd. All food a gear transported by my Kona Ute and Bikes At Work trailer.
What a beautiful morning in the Puget Sound! Great day for a morning commute.
Thanks for posting our ride Bicycle Alliance of WA!
Off to go bump Pete off first place in Tri Cities for the day...hahaha,, I'm gunnin for ya buddy
Recommended reading - when you can't ride: Two Wheels North: Bicycling the West Coast in 1909. A short book that's a little bit history, a little bit motivation, and a little bit of insight to how much cycling infrastructure has improved (When did you last ride a corduroy road?). Two teenagers leave Santa Rosa, CA, in late summer with their bikes ("wheels") and about $6 in their pockets, intent on riding to see the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle.
No response to the May Winners story in the news feed. We did a local prize drawing for May and the winners are George Buhlmann (Seattle-Bellevue-Everett) and Dave Braun (Spokane). Gentlemen, please email me at [email protected] to claim your prizes.
Wow! A sunny morning in the Puget Sound Area made for a wonderful commute to work. A far cry from the cool, damp start to the Flying Wheels Century on Saturday where I saw Mr. Black Bear standing on the side of the road waiting to cross....! Fortunately it was on a descent and I was able to zip by him before he decided to cross.
Gorgeous day for a ride. After my 55 the other day I was kind of in limp mode, but today after a couple warm up miles I was really enjoying it.
Luke: hope you feel better soon!
Sorry to hear Luke, hope your back in the saddle soon.
I've been in bed sick for 4 days. :( Missing my daily rides.
I was going to attempt my first century ride today, but the wind is relentless and it seems I am pushing against it no matter which way I go. Still hit a personal best for mileage but I'm headed home to relax.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Wet, wet, wet!
Any idea why the WA local page says there are 484 riders but the WA page on the national leaderboard says 504?
Headwinds and hills today for heart training, lot more fun than I thought it would be.
Yay--sunshine!
Lots of cycling in Kitsap County this weekend - Life Cycle Bremerton today and Peninsula Metric Century on Sunday. Have fun.
Congrats to all the prize drawing winners!
Guess I should clarify that I want top 20 for local, if I get in top 20 for national then it means I got fired hahaha
Fun month congrats to the top tier, wish I had gotten in earlier but hoping to make the top 20 this month if all goes well.
Thumbs up to our Platinum award team! Great job guys!
If anyone out there gets lucky and wins a prize drawing from here, let us know.
Keep Pedalin'!
Thanks Rick! That was fun!! Vacation this month, so I'm really going to have to fight to stay near the top! Let's do it boys!! :)
Congrats to Pete, John, Marsha, Corrie & Brian - way to knock it out of the park in the first month!
Looks like it got fixed. Congrats to Pete and John! A true victory!
Marsha, I didn't get points for today's miles either.
The site never gave me points for my 22road miles I rode today. I'm bummed because I would have held on to my hard earned number one spot! Congrats Pete, I guess?
Hey, Josh. Good to hear from you. Cascade (Group Health Commute Challenge) is just for King & Snohomish, and just commuting. Pierce/Tacoma have another system for Bike Month. Interoperability and data sharing would be a good thing. Cascade's system for commute logging actually worked really well this year. After a couple of flaky years, I think they got the bugs out. My employer uses yet another statewide system for logging commute trip reduction data -- RideShareOnline. So far, Endomondo logging has worked well for me, both for the manual commute entries and using GPS logging on my phone. The GPS logging has been more reliable than MapMyRide was a couple of months back.
It's worth noting that the National Bike Challenge is really about encouraging any activity on a bike, whereas the GHCC and other Bike Month events are focused on making the bike all or part of the daily commute. Then again, for me, bike commuting was the gateway drug. Planning on my first STP this summer.
A plea for interoperability:
Cascade Bicycle Club has tracking for Bike Month in Washington State.
BAW has gone with Endomondo for the National Bike Challenge
The Puget Sound Regional Council is using CycleTracks GPS to document cycling routes for long-range regional planning
Can't even remember who it was using MapMyRide to document cycling routes in the Seattle area...
How about, by next year's Bike Month, someone comes up with one GPS app/site that can report to all these different systems?
@Rick -- another South King rider here, Pacific to Auburn Sounder station, train to downtown, then King Street to Mercer Island.
I hear ya Rick....it put me in Silverdale-Bremerton, when in reality I live in Suquamish and commute across Bainbridge to dowtown Seattle.
Looking at "Communities," it seems a little strange that Federal Way gets aggregated with "Seattle-Bellevue-Everett." My home is just a good rock throw from Tacoma city limits. Of course I'd like to see enough local riders to have a community oi South King County riders - Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Des Moines, Maple Valley, Enumclaw...)
Wow! Pete, Marsha and Corrie have all made platinum this month! You guys rock!
Quick ride in yesterday,but today, in the liquid sunshine, a little slower. At least it's not cold.
It looks like half a dozen riders could conceivably reach platinum status in the first month. There will definitely be a few.
Thursday is the last day of May and marks the end of the first month of the National Bike Challenge. Your monthly miles must be logged in by 11:59 pm on Thursday to qualify for the monthly prize drawing! Refer to the Rules under the Toolkit menu if you have any questions.
Excellent day for a ride today. Hit out to Saca Park from Richland, tailwind most the way out and headwind most the way back. Was looking to make a full loop out to the gates and back but work called me in so I cut it a bit short, next time.
@Lanny I agree! We just got ranked as the number 1 bike friendly state in the US but it is hard to tell by looking here. I would love to see us move past 1000 riders. I put a small piece in our county newsletter, that reaches about 300 employees, about the challenge, have been promoting it at all our local club events and on Facebook. Has Cascade Bicycle Club gotten on board with this challenge? I can imagine that a lot of there energy is going into the Group Health Commute Challenge this month.
I'm with you Lanny! I think Washington is way better than number 15 when it comes to cycling!! Happy Memorial Day and here's to a dry week!
Nice sunny ride up to Mudd Mt. Dam yesterday, and a great recovery ride this morning.
Here's hoping for a relatively dry week. Getting tired of cleaning up the bike after every ride in the rain.
So looking at the number of riders registered on this site from our state I'm a little surprised. 466? I know we have more than that in the state. We need to spread the word a little bit better and get us up in the rankings from 15th. In my book, our state is top 5 material when it comes to cycling.
Keep up the great work everyone! Enjoy the ride!
I'm from Ohio but spent the month here in Seattle, so I hope you don't mind that I logged my miles to your city. I really enjoyed cycling here and the weather has been fabulous. I've visited Seattle many times (my sister lives here), but May is especially beautiful. Your hills are challenging, but they're worth every pedal stroke for the views from the top. I have to go home tomorrow :-(
I did major amounts of bicycle maintenance. It rides so much more smoothly now.
Had a beautiful ride out to Sequim today!
I ride to work just fine, but with lightning happening all around me now, I guess I will call the hubby for a lift.
Yesterday I was wet on the way home, today it was clear but windy and cooler.
I just completed a FTR ride. First half dry. second half wet. Still. Good to be back on the bike and do a little hill climbing.
I just got a glimpse of the sun!
Was sure glad to have a dry ride this morning!!
A rainy day today. Tomorrow looks better.
Happy Bike to Work Week to the folks in Spokane!
From all those of us in the Puget Sound area -- "Hello, liquid sunshine!"
High fives to all of you who biked to work in the rain today!
Dear Mother Nature,
Thank you for the November soaker you will be dumping on us the next two days. Hopefully it will wash away the pollen.
Even though I enjoyed my 30 miler yesterday in your "liquid sunshine" I'm not going to commute in this crud.
Looking forward to sunnier days w/passing showers.
Today my 10 year old son and I were pulled over by a Douglas County deputy for not being far enough to the right in our lane. Needless to say, I will be having a conversation with the sheriff tomorrow.
Rode to church on the tandem this morning with my wife. We love our tandem and being able to ride together that way. Makes it easier to talk to each other which is very important when you're riding a tandem.
Ditto!
Happy Bike to Work day everyone!!
Lots of Bike to Work Day action tomorrow! Check it out:
http://bicyclealliance.org/news/index.html#BikeMonth2012
Tri-cities we're coming for you! :) You better pedal fast.
I've been ousted from the number one position. Congrats Pete, and AWESOME picture!!
The top two teams in the state are from Tri-Cites! I've cycled to work most days this school year, and on Friday I hit 3000 miles since I purchased and began riding a "fun" (i.e. not fast) bike a year ago.
Had a great ride from Manchester to Pt Defiance today. Enjoyed the awesome weather, scenery, and saw the baby snow leopard cubs. GREAT day to ride!!
My wife's Mother's Day wish was to commute to her favorite restaurant in Richland, WA and have lunch. Son came with us and we had a wonderful time. We ate outside with the Columbia River in view. The restaurant we went to even had parking for bicycles. Gotta like that. I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.
Not too shabby. The Bicycle Alliance's team of Everyday Cyclists ranks #6 among the Washington teams, but well behind the leading team, Cycle M. And Marsha Ernst is very mpressive as our overall leading rider! Over 400 riders riding over 19,500 miles--nice job, everyone!
@Ted - I've been in that situation! I was stopped at an intersection on a one-way and a vehicle started to turn into the street the wrong way. Yikes!
OK, a first for me and I've been riding a bike to work since 1980. Going down a one way street and here comes a car going the wrong way. Hmm, 18 lbs. vs. about 2 tons. I gave the car the right of way. Ha!!!
Hey everyone: don't forget to log your miles! You can't be eligible for prizes if you don't log your miles. Thanks for riding!
Olympia folks: you have an opportunity to catch a Willie Weir performance tonight! The Capital Bicycling Club is hosting world bicycle traveler WillieWeir for an engaging and entertaining show, Cycling and Wild Camping Through Portugal.
http://capitalbicycleclub.org/2012/04/07/weir/
Tell us about your commute! It's been a beautiful spring day across Washington State today!
Were there any Cinco de Mayo bike rides?
Puget Sound guy here. All right. Just got registered and ready to go. I'm two months behind this season as compared to last. But last season I put the bike up after 11 Sept. This season I want to extend into November.
Hat's off to all you Sounders who commuted on Thursday! You are dedicated commuter warriors! Looks as if we'll get an extended break from the liquid sunshine.
Well I'm off to starting logging my weekend miles.
Keep Pedalin'
Brian > I got home just before that downpour. Whew!!! That was some pretty heavy rain. I remember cycling between two cities on a country road and it began to hail. The hail stuck to my arm warmers. I'm sure people thought I was crazy. Ha!!!
Happy Friday, everyone!
Pouring rain tonight. I think it may have rained on my harder tonight then any other time this winter. I was thinking about how most people will go their entire lives without knowing what it is like to ride in the rain.
There was a little rain in the Tri-Cities this morning, but not even enough to saturate the pavement. I'm glad. I rode my road bike this morning rather than my all purpose commuter that has fenders. Looks good for this afternoon. Might have som wind, but if you tried to wait till it wasn't windy, one might never get a ride in here.
Just another drizzly day in the Pacific Northwest. Thankful that it's not as dark in the morning or afternoon as it was a couple of months ago. Just gear up and go, and hope for a drier ride home.
It was a drippy bike commute this morning in Seattle. Who else biked in the rain?
Wow! Not a bad start for the National Bike Challenge, Washington! Our state is currently #15 on the national leaderboard and the Tri-Cities is #28 nationally among communities! Let's break 300 riders this week. We've got all summer to ride!
@Luke: I think your mtb miles count, but I will confirm. As of May 1, everyone was zeroed out for the official start of the Challenge. This could be the reason your miles are gone.
Can anybody tell me if mountain bike miles don't count for some reason? I entered my mileage for yesterday and it does not show up in my weekly total miles.
Tri-Cities is on a roll--from 5 riders last week to 25 today!
There's a Bike Swap in Tacoma tomorrow:
http://bit.ly/IoSA2G
From LAB: Reasons to ride in the National Bike Challenge. Pass it on!
http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2012/04/reasons-to-ride-the-national-bike-challenge-even-if-you-dont-need-reasons-to-ride/
Over 10,000 riders registered nationally! We're approaching 200...can we make it by the end of the week?
My ride from Puyalup to Ft. Lewis was a little wet this morning.
Wow--over 9600 riders signed up nationally! Let's go, Washington! Invite your family, friends and colleagues to sign up for the National Bike Challenge.
It was a sprinkly commute from West Seattle this morning. How was it elsewhere?
The numbers are growing. Eighteen teams, 78 workplaces, 15 communities and 134 riders have registered for the Challenge! Keep it up, folks!
Oops! Try this link for the support form:
http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/national/support
The Endomondo folks have set up a support form to report any account issues or to request assistance: http://endomondo.helpserve.com/index.php;_a=submit
Thanks, Endomondo!
How are your recruiting efforts going? Can we get 200 WA cyclists signed up before May 1st? I think we can! We have a lot of cyclists in this great state of ours!
@Luke You see, smell and hear things traveling on a bike that you would never notice in a car.
@Louise Those spring flowers did seem extra fragrant today. So glad I get to enjoy that every day. I left early this morning and took the long way down a bike path and enjoyed listening to all the birds enjoying spring.
Loved smelling the flower blossoms on my bike commute this morning!
Come on Spokane...Let's ride!!!
We moved from 29th to 26th today. Let's keep climbing the ranks WA!
I hope you all are telling your friends about this. I hate to see Washington down in 28 place. Shouldn't we at least be in the top 10?
Gardening is hazardous; I injured my wrist and am off my bike this week. Boo hoo. I could be riding in these April showers
93 Washington riders signed up for the National Bike Challenge so far! Can we break 100 by the end of this week? Invite your friends, family and co-workers to sign up!
Here's another bike rider's tips for road and trail etiquette:
http://outdoorsnw.com/2012/nw-cyclist-trail-etiquette/
Just checking in from Wisconsin - looks like Washington has some great momentum. Good luck to you all and best wishes for sunny skies and warm temps!
There are some interesting teams with some interesting names. I like it!
it's been a year off my commuter green bike, time to get on with it!!
Can it please stop raining and get above 32 Degrees?
It's great to see so many Washington communities signing up for the National Bike Challenge!
Looks like good weather for this weekend's Daffodil Classic!
http://bit.ly/HopNss
Today was a beautiful day for a ride in Walla Walla.
Beautiful morning for a bike commute in Seattle! How is it other parts of Washington?
@Rick. Yes it was a cold one this a.m.. Wore my winter gloves and jacket.