30 Days of Biking, Day 27: Jerseys

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 27, 2014

It’s not often I suit up in what many people regard as the uniform of cycling: a jersey & padded shorts. Most of my daily riding consists of commuting in regular clothing and any type of shoe.

On weekends, however, I often head out on a bike date with my sweetheart and for those I sometimes do put on something bikey. In summer it will always, always be a Nuu-Muu — the amazingly versatile athletic dresses made in Bellingham. These days while the weather can still be coolish I have my snazzy new WA Bikes jersey.

Washington state bike jersey

We like to think of this as the OFFICIAL Washington state bike jersey. Posing with the fun bike racks at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

How fortuitous for me that our logo green was already one of my signature colors before I ever started to work here. I already owned a matching wool base layer for a day like today with its deceptively sunny skies and slightly nippy winds.

The utility of the jersey pockets comes in handy. I carried my phone to grab a few photos along the way, my ID and debit card, and a few copies of our pocket guide to Washington state bike laws, which I left on the brochure rack at our destination, Honey Bear Bakery in the Lake Forest Park Town Centre Mall.

Honey Bear sits inside Third Place Books, which sports the same signature bright yellow racks of leaning bikes you’ll see at their Ravenna location on 65th. We preferentially spend our (not insubstantial) bakery budget at places that show us they’re bike-friendly by offering bike parking. The place was hopping and the rack was pretty full — we’re not the only ones who bring our wallets on wheels into businesses that welcome bikes.

Jersey pockets can hold quite a bit of stuff, so I ducked into the Ace Hardware next door to pick up charcoal filters for our countertop compost bucket. But my husband grabbed those and stuffed them under the leg of his bike shorts above his tights — a handy spot to tuck something that isn’t too lumpy, since the elastic grippers will hold a smallish item.

While I was checking out the brochure rack I also picked up a copy of the Camano Island Studio Tour catalog, thinking I might plan a bike trip into Snohomish County to tour some art studios. The tour is coming up Mother’s Day Weekend May 9-10-11 with an encore weekend May 17-18, and the catalog rolled up and fit right into that jersey pocket.

Related Reading

30 Days of Biking

Your Turn

  • Do you wear bike jerseys?
  • Is that a deliberate statement or do you just not own any?

 

 

Posted in Camano Island, News, Travel | 1 Comment

Love Your Bike? Turn It Into Art!

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 27, 2014

Do you love your bike? Do you really, really love your bike? Let the love show by capturing it in art!

Andy Goulding sketch of road bike

Get your own original sketch of your bike (or the one belonging to someone special) when you donate $100 or more. Donations to Washington Bikes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are tax-deductible.

Seattle artist and long-time member Andy Goulding has made a standing offer to anyone who donates $100 or more to WA Bikes. Working from a photo of your bike (or the bike of the bicycling friend or loved one you’re going to surprise with a truly original gift), he’ll create an original sketch and send it to you as a JPEG to use however you like it.

Screen it on a shirt, frame it to hang on your wall, blow it up to mural size, print it on your business card, buy a billboard. . . . Well, okay, we’re getting a little carried away.

Photo of original bike sketches by Andy Goulding on display at Washington Bikes in Seattle's Pioneer Square for First Thursday May 1, 2014

Tandem? Folding? No matter your bike style, Andy Goulding can capture it as original artwork. Sketches on display in our Pioneer Square store at 314 1st Ave. S., Seattle 

Some of Andy’s sketches are shown here, along with the surprise Louise McGrody in our office got from her partner Steve. He printed the sketch onto an unusual background to make it extra-special.

Original bike sketch by Andy Goulding, printed on a sky and clouds background

The sky’s the limit to what you can do with a JPEG of your original bike sketch. Here’s what Steve did for Louise’s birthday present.

Posted in Bike Culture, News | Comments Off on Love Your Bike? Turn It Into Art!

30 Days of Biking, Day 26: Shopping

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 26, 2014
Bike with loaded Detours bag and Po Campo bag.

On the left, my Detours bag made in Seattle. On the right, my Po Campo bag, which gets me lots of compliments because it just looks like a purse.

Today’s ride is an answer to the question, “But how do I carry stuff if I ride a bike?” It calls for two pictures: one of my stuffed bags mounted on my bike after spending several hours at Pike Place Market, one of what fit inside those bags.

These are not even particularly big bags. I could carry much larger ones, and in a few days I’ll be picking up an awesome custom rando bag and saddlebag from Swift Industries that will give me even more capacity.

I could also load more items on top of the rack, especially if I ever remembered to carry a couple of short bungee cords. The Po Campo Logan Tote shown on the right actually should buckle on top of the rack but that’s a little incompatible with the handy clamps of the Detours bag so I improvise and it works just fine.

The day of shopping the contents of two ordinary bike bags represents:

  • Breakfast at CJ’s: Leftovers from my Greek skillet
  • Sur Le Table: cookie cup baking sheet, silicon bowl/pan cover, and rubber scraper
  • So Much Yarn: Hardcover pattern book for top-down knitting (can’t wait to try this technique — no more sewing pieces together at the end!), big set of double-pointed needles I’ve been wanting to get forever because then I’ll have lots of sizes/lengths available without a special trip, one more single set of DPs because the big set starts at size 4 and I need a 3, and yarn for a tank top
A load of groceries that fit into two bike bags

Not shown: The bike lock I carry in the outer pocket of the Detours bag.

  • My Kindle to keep me company at breakfast
  • My Po Campo small wallet that can attach to the handlebars if I need more room in the Logan
  • Mee Sum: two sesame seed balls with red bean paste
  • Beecher’s: Flagship cheese
  • BLMF Used Books, my new favorite used bookstore: 3 books in the Master and Commander series for my sweetie
  • The Souk: Coriander and mint chutneys, fig jam, and two bags of Punjabi snack mix from the Middle East market (one bag for my younger daughter who’s away at college
  • In the center: The sweater and scarf I was wearing that I took off to stuff in a bag partway home because the sun shone so brightly

So now, tell me again how you can’t ride a bike because you need to carry stuff.

Day 26 in the 30 Days of Biking, 30 Words, 30 Picture series

Related Reading

30 Days of Biking

Your Turn

  • What kind of bags do you use and what do you like about them?
  • What’s the biggest item you ever carried on your bike without using a trailer?

 

 

Posted in Gear/Maintenance, News | Comments Off on 30 Days of Biking, Day 26: Shopping

30 Days of Biking, Day 25: Don’t

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 25, 2014

red circle slashMy Judgy Judgerton voice spoke at full throttle inside my head. “Don’t do that!”

The guy on the bike weaving across multiple lanes while splitting the lanes between cars and a Metro bus waiting at the  Sixth and Pike stoplight couldn’t hear me, of course.

He couldn’t hear my opinion about the wisdom of placing his bicycle and body between a few 4,000-pound cars and a bus weighing somewhere around 67,000 pounds, give or take a few passengers.

He couldn’t hear what I thought about a maneuver that he undertook without being able to see the traffic light, meaning he didn’t have a clue when all of them were going to start moving those thousands of pounds, possibly without really seeing him.

None of them can hear me — those people who do things my internal Mom Voice considers to be tests of Darwinism in action. No one loves unsolicited advice so I don’t ride around yelling, “Don’t do that!” or “What would your mother say, young man?” or “Let me give you our pocket guide to bike laws!” I give a lot of sad head shakes and they probably don’t see those, either.

By the way, my Judgy Judgerton passes judgment on people biking, driving, and walking — that’s a multimodal judge I have there. He/she responds strongly to anything that endangers others, shows deep thoughtlessness about the physics of traffic, or violates the law in egregious ways that make others resentful.

I may swallow a lot of “don’t do that!” admonitions over the course of a ride. This is my chance to just put them out there. And by doing so, to confess.

I passed judgment on myself today. I was all set to have sunshine as today’s word because Seattle was living up to that “bluest skies you’ve ever seen” lyric. Then I pulled an absolute “don’t” leaving a building in downtown.

I wanted to get from the sidewalk at the intersection across Fourth Ave. to its far right lane because I needed to turn right at the next corner and head up a block to Fifth. I perched at the crosswalk, figuring I’d cross with the light to the far side of the street and then turn and be on my way in the lane. This maneuver would enable me to get across four lanes of traffic in one block without having to change lanes through the cars on an uphill.

So far, so good, as far as route planning. But behavior planning? Not good.

What I did not do was behave with consideration for the people walking around me. The crosswalk was unusually full and I should have gotten off and walked. In an empty crosswalk, riding across would do no harm. In the mass I wove through I was being one of the rude people my inner judge sentences with a swift bang of the gavel.

I wasn’t even halfway across Fourth when I knew I had pulled a really bonehead move. When I tried to move to the outside of the crowd more people appeared from behind others. But stopping would create more havoc for the people behind me so I got through, vowing never again to ride when I should get off and walk.

When I saw the “don’t” behavior on Pike, Judgy spoke right up. I rode a couple of blocks and then thought, “Maybe he’s having his own personal ‘doh!’ realization right about now. Just like me earlier today.” So I may judge you. But I understand.

Just don’t do that again.

Day 25 in the 30 Days of Biking, 30 Words, 30 Picture series

30 Days of Biking

Your Turn

  • What was your last headsmack moment when you realized you had done something on your bike you generally frown upon in others?
  • Do you say things out loud about the behavior of others in traffic?

 

Posted in Attitudes, Commuting, Safety | 1 Comment

May is Bike Month and It’s Huge!

By Louise McGrody | Published April 25, 2014

photo (15)Washington bikes and May is our month! Bicyclists from Port Angeles to Pullman, and places in between will be biking to work, to school, for recreation, and more. We’re all kinds of riders and we ride for all kinds of reasons, but we share something in common: our joy of bicycling!

Here’s a quick round-up of Bike Month activities that we are aware of. If we’re missing your community bike event, please use our Event Submission Form and we’ll add it to our calendar.

Bike to Work Challenges

Washington communities large and small are organizing Bike to Work Challenges. Some challenges are a week long while others run the entire month. Cascade Bicycle Club’s Commute Challenge drew over 14,000 participants in King and Snohomish Counties last year. Intercity Transit’s Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest is the longest running bike challenge in our state, having started in 1988. Check our Bike Month Challenges page for a complete list of local Bike to Work challenges.

Washington Bike Challenge/National Bike Challenge

The League of American Bicyclists runs a summer-long National Bike Challenge and we host the challenge locally as the Washington Bike Challenge. This challenge kicks off May 1 and ends September 30. Riders earn points to qualify for monthly prize drawings. All bike riding counts, not just commute miles. When you register at the National Bike Challenge you will be assigned to our local one.

Bike Month Celebration Open House – May 1

Join Washington Bikes as we toast Bike Month with beer, art and travel! Bike travel author Ellee Thalheimer will be on hand to sign copies of Cycling Sojourner Washington (hot off the press!). We’re featuring artwork from the 5th Grade Bicycle Poster Contest and Andy Goulding, and we’re tapping the first keg of this year’s release of Ale-Liance IPA by Schooner Exact. Learn more and RSVP.

Bike to School Day: May 7

May is Bike to School month and May 7 is Bike to School Day. Join students, parents and teachers in bringing a Bike to School Day event to your elementary, middle or high school. You can register your school event at WalkBiketoSchool.org.

CycloFemme: May 11

CycloFemme is a global celebration of women on bikes. The first event occurred on Mother’s Day 2012 with 163 rides in 14 countries. In 2013, the event grew to 229 rides in 31 countries. This year’s CycloFemme event is again on Mother’s Day and, at this posting, CycleFemme rides are being organized in five Washington communities: Eastsound, Seattle, Redmond, Spokane and Tacoma. Check our CycloFemme calendar listing for more details.

Bike to Work Day: May 16

Many of our communities organize Bike to Work Day activities. Please consult our Bike Month Challenge page, as most of those participating groups also organize Bike to Work Day events.

Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence honors bicyclists who have been injured or killed on public roads. Rides are held in communities around the world. At posting time, rides are scheduled for Seattle and Spokane.

There are many more Bike Month activities than we can list here, like the Tacoma Wheelmen’s Tweed Ride or Bellingham’s Adaptive Cycling Expo. Follow your community link on our Bike Month Challenges page to find out what’s happening in your town. You can also find additional bike events listed on our May calendar.

Posted in Bike Culture, Bike to Work, Encouragement, Events, News | Tagged | Comments Off on May is Bike Month and It’s Huge!

Dennis Madsen Gives BIG for the Next Generation

By Jack Hilovsky | Published April 24, 2014

When former Board President Dennis Madsen first joined NOWBike in the early 1990’s, he was drawn to the passion of the people—staff, board, and volunteers—who would continue over two decades to build an organization committed to improving bicycling in the Northwest.

Dennis Madsen, April 24, 2104, reflecting on his two decade association with WA Bikes

Dennis Madsen, April 24, 2014, reflecting on his two-decade association with WA Bikes

In a café in downtown Seattle, Madsen reminisced about the little engine that could, which eventually grew into Bicycle Alliance of Washington and more recently Washington Bikes. “The organization may have changed its name but the passion is still there,” he said. “It’s more than the activity of biking. WA Bikes helped create the infrastructure, influence the laws, and shape the programs that would encourage everyone, school-age kids included, to get out and bicycle. We’ve made a difference.”

When founder Amy Carlson approached him about getting involved, he’d never heard of the statewide advocacy group. A participant in several Cascade Bicycle Club rides, he agreed to attend a NOWBike board meeting to learn more. “Everything starts with an ask,” he chuckles.

Madsen soon realized Washington Bikes put more value on improving the statewide climate for bicycle riders than taking credit for progress made or chasing headlines. He is most proud of Washington Bikes’ work inspiring youth through Safe Routes to School (SRTS).  “I’m an environmentalist and a bike rider,” he confides. “Both bicycling and environmental activists must cultivate the next generation of leaders, enthusiasts, and stewards of place, whether it’s creating safe communities to bicycle or protecting open space.”

He recalled the thrill of his first bicycle. “My father bought me my first bike from Sears–a 26” J.S. Higgins with coaster breaks, single speed, and way too big for me. I grew up in West Seattle and participated in high school bicycle rodeos, where kids decked out their bikes with balloons, crepe paper, and cards in their spokes. I rode my bike everywhere within a five-mile radius of my house.  I loved the freedom.”

For Madsen, cycling became a big part of growing up and a first step in discovering the bigger world.  His hope is that Safe Routes to School can inspire and engage a new generation of kids, just like his bike rodeos and exploration inspired him in the 1950’s.

The biking landscape has changed in large and small ways since those days of his boyhood in West Seattle. “Washington Bikes has a history of making an impact where it counts. We’ve partnered with organizations across the state to get people on bikes riding on safer and well-marked roads. We’ve facilitated strategic planning and influenced behavior, like insuring bike racks were installed on Seattle buses in the late 90’s, and we’re working to engage the next generation of health-conscious and environmentally aware riders.

Philanthropy, especially in support of youth and the outdoors, makes a huge difference in people’s lives. I encourage each and every supporter of Washington Bikes to make a personally significant gift during GiveBIG on May 6. You are supporting an organization that through humble beginnings has made a tremendous impact on biking in Washington today.”

Give Big 2014

Posted in News | Comments Off on Dennis Madsen Gives BIG for the Next Generation

30 Days of Biking, Day 24: Wind

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 24, 2014

“Wow, look at that wind!” I remarked as I assessed the day’s riding conditions. My husband was gearing up for his bike ride to a meeting to the northeast of our house. “At least you’ll have a tailwind on your way to the meeting.”

“And a headwind on the way back. Uphill,” he noted.

Rainbow windsock blowing straight upThe forecast for today showed 100% chance of rain early this morning, but the winds (15-25mph, according to my weather app) appeared to be blowing the clouds past before they could darken and dump on us and blue skies beckoned. The whipping of the tree branches discouraged me a bit, though.

Rain is only discomfort but wind means work. And boy, did I work on my ride today. Seattle may not be Ellensburg, where the trees lean all the time, but with the water effects the wind gets quite strong.

(Fun fact: Despite those windy conditions, Ellensburg has the highest bicycle commuting rates of any city in Washington state, according to the last census.)

My route involves some tacking back and forth, so sometimes I had a crosswind and sometimes a headwind. I never, ever had a tailwind — it was work-work-work the entire 10.5 miles.

A strong wind at the wrong angle creates a certain sense of insecurity in a turn; the gusts caught my bike like a sail. On the downhills I tucked like a racer to try to minimize my personal windcatcher size. The biggest unfairness of wind is that it steals the acceleration on a downhill that you earned by climbing an uphill.

Occasionally it might die down to a bit of breeze and I’d get a little respite. But when I hit the University Bridge, wow! A strong sideways wind across Lake Union swirled pink petals in mad spirals across the road and my bike swayed and veered in the gusts.

When I got to downtown with its tall buildings I got a bit of shelter as long as I pointed toward Puget Sound. As soon as I turned onto the wind tunnel that is Second Avenue, though…. Usually I fly down the righthand bus lane, the slight downhill giving me the ability to keep up with traffic pretty well. Today I was just glad there were few cars around as the wind pushed me this way and that.

Despite the work, the wind made the air fresh and clean, the sun was shining, and I arrived invigorated by the battle. Maybe I prefer wind to rain after all.

30 Days of Biking

Your Turn

  • Which would you rather ride in — wind or rain?
  • Do you pay more attention to weather now that you ride?

 

Posted in Weather | 1 Comment

On May 1 Toast National Bike Month with Beer, Art, and Bike Travel!

By Jack Hilovsky | Published April 24, 2014

National Bicycle Month really gets rolling May 1 at Washington Bikes! Come celebrate spring weather and the uninhibited desire we all have to hop on our bikes for travel and exploration!

WA-Bike-Tour-Book_Mountain-Road

  • Come meet bike travel author Ellee Thalheimer and get your ticket to bicycle adventure with an autographed copy of Cycling Sojourner, her new detailed guide to multi-day bike tours in Washington.
  • The fun keeps rolling as Schooner Exact taps the first barrels of Ale-Liance, their delicious IPA that supports the bicycle advocacy work of Washington Bikes.
  • Check out the waterproof bike bags made by event sponsor Ortlieb USA and talk with their knowledge staff.
  • Get your bike art fix two ways: Bicycle sketches by featured Seattle artist Andy Goulding hang alongside the entries in the Saris Fifth-Grade Bicycle Poster Contest.

We don’t want to run out of goodies; RSVP with the form below for our food/beverage count and to be added to our email list for future event invitations and bike news.

Event is free and open to the public; $10 tax-deductible donation greatly appreciated.

SONY DSCTHE DETAILS:

DATE:  Thurs, May 1

TIME: 5:30-7:30 PM

PLACE:  Washington Bikes, Nord Building, Pioneer Square, 314 First Ave South, Seattle WA 98104

SPONSORS:  Event sponsor Ortlieb USA, makers of waterproof bike bags great for touring, and beer sponsor Schooner Exact Brewing Co.

BOOK SPONSOR: Red Lion Hotels

Please select a valid form
Posted in Events, News, Travel | Comments Off on On May 1 Toast National Bike Month with Beer, Art, and Bike Travel!

30 Days of Biking, Day 23: Eyes

By Barb Chamberlain | Published April 23, 2014

The driver looked directly at me as I stepped into the crosswalk at First and Jackson and rolled through his right turn without stopping. Guess that red light was just a suggestion, huh, buddy?

Failure to yield being one of the top causes of collisions, this driver’s behavior didn’t come as a total surprise. What saved me from what could have been a tragic — possibly fatal — encounter was that I made eye contact. It told me that he knew I was there and he didn’t give the hindquarters of a rodent. Closeup of woman's blue eyes

I learned the importance of eye contact when I took the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 course taught in Spokane by Eileen Hyatt, a League-Certified Instructor who served on this organization’s board at the time. I’d been riding to work at WSU Spokane for a while (having met with Eileen early on as my Bike Buddy who helped analyze a good route and reminded me of the rules of the road for bicycling). Eileen assured me that I’d still benefit from the course despite my experience.

She was right, and one of the best tips I took away was always make eye contact. Coming to a turn, look at the drivers coming toward you. Look at the pedestrians stepping into the crosswalk. Turn your head while waiting at a red light, make eye contact with the driver behind you, and smile. That way he/she knows that you know there’s someone waiting behind you as you start to turn your cranks coming out of a dead stop and you’ve provided that little bit of human connection that takes you out of the “speed bump” classification.

Special note for riding around big rigs of any kind — RVs, semis, pick-up trucks, commercial vans: Position yourself where you can see the driver’s side-view mirrors. If you can’t see them, the driver can’t see you.

When you look, you get to see if the people you see actually see you and acknowledge you, and you increase the odds they’ll adjust their behavior accordingly.

I’m especially attuned to this because the closest I ever came to getting hit by a driver was when she turned her head in my general direction but her eyes didn’t actually do their work. Because I was looking at her, I knew this and had time to adjust and prevent a collision.

This evening as I left the office and rolled my bike along the sidewalk toward the same corner as this morning’s crosswalk encounter I made eye contact with a driver waiting to turn left into the lane I’d be entering with my bike.

This time the driver saw me and held position rather than hitting the gas and trying to beat me into the curve. Thanks, Driver #2. The eyes have it.

Day 23 in the 30 Days of Biking, 30 Words, Nearly 30 Pictures series

Related Reading

30 Days of Biking

Your Turn

  • Have you taken (or taught!) a TS101 class? What did you take away from it that changed the way you ride?
  • Know about other classes besides the ones coming up in Spokane? Share them in the comments for others and give us the details for our events calendar. We use that as our reminder for social media promo — happy to help people get their eyes on your Washington state bike events!

 

Posted in News | 2 Comments

Ferry County Rail Trail Celebration This Saturday

By Louise McGrody | Published April 23, 2014
FC Rail Trail -Curlew Lake Trestle

Photo by Ferry County Rail Trail Partners

Ferry County Rail Trail Partners and the county commissioners’ Rail Corridor Committee are pleased to announce the opening of the recently completed Curlew Lake Trestle Decking Project. This project represents the culmination of several years of planning and effort by local, state and federal agencies and volunteers who are working together to improve the Ferry County Rail-Trail. Festivities will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday April 26th at the east end of the trestle. Parking is available at Kiwanis Road just east of the trestle. After the ribbon cutting ceremony refreshments will be served and followed by a guided walk to Black’s Beach, a distance of about 2.5 miles.

The Ferry County Rail Trail is a scenic 28-mile unpaved corridor extending from the community of Republic north to the Canadian border. The trail offers the bicycle traveler views of Curlew Lake and the Kettle River. The trail can be off a jump-off spot for US Bike Route 10 at Republic.

View trail map here.

Want to get news about other trail projects and great places to ride? Make sure you sign up on our email form or send an email to info@WAbikes.org.

Posted in Infrastructure, Stevens County, Trails, Travel | 2 Comments