Blog & News - Page 64 of 116 - Washington BikesWashington Bikes

Washington State Bicycle Travel Photo Sampling: Researching a Bike Tour Guide Doesn’t Look Like Work, Does It?

By Barb Chamberlain | Published August 7, 2013

Ellee Thalheimer, author of the Cycling Sojourner Washington bicycle tour book we’ll be bringing out next spring, is hard at work. That is to say, she and husband Joe Partridge are riding their bikes all over Washington, as are the four Washington state co-authors Katherine Widing, Josh Cohen, Martina Brimmer, and Steve Krippner. They’re mapping, annotating, tasting, sipping, shopping, and photographing along with all the pedaling to make sure they bring you the details you need to plan an amazing bike travel experience.

Ellee sent a few photos from the road we’re sharing to give you a taste of the experience (more to come in future posts).

You can also catch up with Martina Brimmer of Swift Industries for an introduction to bicycle touring at Island Hoppin’ Brewery on Orcas Island Thursday, Aug. 15, 7-9 pm. She’s working on the San Juan Islands tour that will be included in the book and will share her expertise to help inspire you and get you ready to roll.

Preorder an autographed copy of the book by backing it on Kickstarter. We’re using that as a tool to help raise the money to print the book and you’re supporting bike education and advocacy with your backing too.*

Related Reading

*Part of your Kickstarter pledge may be a tax-deductible donation to the Bicycle Alliance depending on what level you pick, what goodies you get, and your personal tax situation. You’ll get information from us about your donation for your taxes.

Posted in Adventure, Events, News, Travel | Tagged San Juans | 1 Comment

Bicycling is STILL Funny!

By Louise McGrody | Published August 2, 2013

Bicycle advocacy is serious business. We think it’s important to step back every now and then to look at the lighter side of bicycling. It’s been over a year since we’ve done a Bicycling is Funny post, so we are overdue for some chuckles. Like biking, laughter is good for your health!

Q. What happened to the cyclist’s enthusiasm when the thunderstorm hit?
A. It began to wane.

You know you’re a serious cyclist when you no longer need a hankie to blow your nose.

Q. What’s the best way to get around in a snow storm?
A. On an icicle!

Q. Why are bank tellers not allowed to ride bikes?
A. They tend to lose their balances.

Two cargo bikes roll into a bar and the bartender says, “I presume you’re here to get loaded?”

First cyclist: I’ve had it with my dog—he keeps chasing bicyclists!
Second cyclist: What are you going to do about it?
First cyclist: I’m going to confiscate his bike.

Q. When is a bicycle not a bicycle?
A. When it turns into a driveway.

Q. What do you get when you cross a bicycle with a flower?
A. Bike pedals!

Q. Why couldn’t Cinderella win the bike race?
A. She had a pumpkin for a coach.

Okay, now it’s your turn! Do you have a bicycle joke that you can share with us?

Posted in Humor | Comments Off

Taking Stock of the 2013 Washington Legislature: Part 2 – What Didn’t Go Our Way

By Blake Trask | Published August 1, 2013

With the 2013 Washington Legislature’s regular and special sessions complete, Washington Bikes reviews our victories (part 1), disappointments, and outlines next steps. Part 2 catalogues the policy and funding efforts that didn’t go our way, thanks those that fought hard to make it safer and easier to bicycle, and outlines some of the next steps forward to continue growing bicycling statewide.

Not everything comes out perfect in the Washington state legislature and the following fell short.

Transportation Revenue Package. This almost-$10 billion revenue package fell short in the State Senate during the final days of the second special session. The final packaged that passed the House of Representatives included $323 million for investments in Safe Routes to Schools, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and complete streets. The package eclipsed the roughly $30 million funded in the last 2005 transportation revenue package.

Vashon school children wrote to Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon asking for safer connections to Chautauqua Elementary School!

While ultimately not successful, getting the proposed transportation revenue package to include biking and investments to this level was made possible from leadership from Representatives Marko Liias (sponsor of the Liias Amendment that added the bulk of these investments in the proposal), Joe Fitzgibbon and Cyrus Habib who provided critical amendments, as well as Representative Jessyn Farrell and others who fought to retain these investments.

In addition, the transportation revenue package contained critical investments in transit and stormwater, and granted local control for certain counties to raise revenue to fix roads and retain critical transit service that will see drastic cuts in 2014 without new local funding options.

Washington Bikes and our partners will be working in the interim to refine and continue to improve the package, if and when it is reintroduced in the Washington state legislature.

Additive Safe Routes to School Investments. Another top priority included removing an outdated 1939 revenue exemption for gasoline losses during the distribution of gasoline to fuel stations (because of technological advances, gas isn’t lost like it was in 1939 but this old exemption still lives on). The transportation budget passed by the House and Senate directed $5.2 million to build ten Safe Routes to School projects in Edmonds, Spokane, Marysville, Kirkland and other cities statewide.

Unfortunately, HB 2041 – the bill required to authorize this revenue – did not pass. Its failure was due in part to later being tagged as a component of the failed transportation revenue package.

Safe Passing Legislation. The Bicycle Alliance introduced a Safe Passing bill that would have provided more flexibility for motor vehicle drivers to safely pass people biking or walking, while better aligning state law with what is taught by the Department of Licensing.

Driver crossing double yellow line on an empty rural road in order to leave a safe passing distance around a bicyclist.

Despite the bipartisan sponsorship, the bill faced some concerns in the Senate Transportation Committee and was ultimately held by its sponsors. We wish to thank our Senate and House sponsors, Senator John Smith and Representative Kevin Parker for their support.

In the interim leading up to the 2014 legislative session, the Bicycle Alliance will be working with our partners to ensure that all sides better understand the legislation moving forward.

Establishing Health as a State Transportation System Policy Goal. This legislation would have recognized the impacts that the state’s transportation system has on our kids, neighbors, and visitors alike. By including health as the seventh goal in the state’s transportation system policy goals, it would have required new metrics to judge the success of our investments on how well they affect the health of Washingtonians.

Despite the good work of the bill’s sponsor, Representative Laurie Jenkins and the other bill supporters, this bill ran out of time on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Posted in Advocacy, Complete Streets, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Legislature, News, Safe Routes to School, Safety, Share the Road, Trails, Transit, Transportation, WSDOT | 1 Comment

Federal Transportation Update: In the Next 24 Hours Biking & Walking Investments Are At Risk – Act Now!

By Blake Trask | Published July 30, 2013

Federal investments make it possible for kids to safely walk and bike to school. www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

Following the June end to the Washington state legislative session, the US Congress is now closing out debate before its August recess on transportation budget issues that could eliminate federal biking and walking investments.

Our friends at the League of American Bicyclists are leading the charge to protect Transportation Alternatives program funding – AKA, the federal transportation funding bucket used to invest in biking and walking projects nationwide.

Right now two amendments from Senators Paul and Lee propose to strip Transportation Alternatives funding. Bike League provides an accompanying action alert for you to use to contact Senators Murray and Cantwell.

Please, act now to save biking and walking investments.

For federal fiscal year 2013 Washington state projects are set to receive $12,334,077. About $1.8 million of this goes to the ever-popular Recreational Trails Program, and the rest (approximately $10.4 million) is split up from the state and local governments.

Out of the $10.4 million made available for walking and biking projects, $4.2 million of that is already targeted to about 13 Safe Routes to Schools projects across Washington. This loss of federal funding would stall the growing momentum for making it easier for kids to safely walk and bike to school in Washington state. Washington Bikes is deeply concerned that Senators Paul and Lee’s amendments would propose an amendment that would seek to impose a federal mandate against what Washington state leaders and local communities are seeking – safer streets for our kids and families.

Also, stay tuned on the Washington Bikes Twitter feed tonight. Word is that certain members of the House of Representatives could propose additional attacks on walking and biking investments. We’ll be sending out the most up-to-date information as the night progresses.

Posted in Advocacy, Alert, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, News, Safe Routes to School, Transportation | 1 Comment

So I Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published July 29, 2013

This story and accompanying images originally appeared on the blog High on Bike. Author Dee Dee is a Bellinghamster on wheels. She rides because it’s fun and she spends more time on her bike than in her car. She is happily riding in the National Bike Challenge.

I ride because it’s fun. It’s also healthy, good for the environment, and my gas budget, but if it weren’t fun, none of that would matter. It’s what gets me on my bike almost every day, even when I’m tired, not feeling my best, or just not in the mood. No other form of “exercise” has equaled it. I used to love to run but I was injury-prone and couldn’t do it every day. I certainly couldn’t jog down to the store and come home with a 6-pound chicken for dinner. Walking is okay but definitely falls around midpoint on the fun scale. I enjoy it, especially when I’m walking with a friend, but I’m not exhilarated by it. Walking won’t get me out on a chilly, wet day like riding will either. I do go to the gym to work on strength training regularly. I’ve done so since I was in my mid 30s, which means I started around the Jurassic period. But until I started riding, it had become increasingly (and alarmingly) easy to blow off going when the mood struck. Now I eagerly look forward to the gym simply because I can get there on my bike.

And I absolutely love getting places by bike. Doesn’t matter where. Drug store, groceries, hair appointment, library, even my doctor’s office (although my doctor would probably prefer me not showing up all sweaty and stinking), all easily within riding distance. Some places I don’t ride to because the trails won’t take me there and the traffic is insanely scary which I hate because Bellingham is a relatively small city and I feel there shouldn’t be anywhere where I can’t go without fearing for my life. Yeah I know, there are cyclists who’d say go anyway, but I’m not having fun if I think I might actually die. But those places are few so I really can’t complain…too much anyway.

Because I ride, Bellingham feels more intimate. Side streets and neighborhoods come alive with people, gardens, cats, dogs, and even wildlife like deer and raccoons. The trails are full of people—walkers, runners, other cyclists, bird watchers—who smile and wave at me as I cruise on by. I’m more connected to the rhythms of town as they pulse fast or slow depending on the time of day, the weather, the season. Every day is a new adventure. Every day is fun. So I ride.

Posted in Attitudes, Bike Blogs, Encouragement, Guest Blogger, Whatcom County | 2 Comments

Bikes + Wine = Outstanding Bike Tour in Washington Wine Country–AND You Help Write Our Bike Tour Book

By Barb Chamberlain | Published July 26, 2013

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a cycling guidebook writer? And to be in a book? Well, here’s an opportunity for you to find out and, at the same time, support the production of a much-needed and fabulous multi-day cycle touring guide to Washington. Come on this tour and take the opportunity to become a contributor in Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-day Tours Washington.

Two bonus elements: Part of the cost of participating is a tax-deductible donation to the Bicycle Alliance* and we’re partnering with the wonderful folks at Bike Works for our tour guide needs so you’re supporting them too!

Two more bonus elements: You’ll receive an autographed copy of the book and special “Washington Bikes” commemorative items.

The tour will take you through the gently rolling hills of some of Washington’s beautiful, bountiful wine country. We’ll keep the route a secret for a while, but rest assured that it’s rated easy so you can relax and enjoy the ride. You don’t have to worry about either riding or writing; you can leave the tedious, nitty-gritty parts of the chapter to author Ellee Thelheimer and you’ll get to contribute to the restaurant, lodging, and attraction listings, as well as route description.

Don’t like to write? Not a problem! You can help with creating cue sheets and marking up maps.
Want to review wineries along the route? Perfect–that’s an essential element of this chapter!
Intrigued by a quirky historical event or interesting trend in the area? Awesome; you can contribute a boxed-text highlight.
Great photographer? Oustanding; you can capture images we use in the book and/or online as extra-rich content.
Videographer? Wow, we would love to have you along for the ride for a show & tell we can put online to draw attention to the book and Washington state’s great bike travel (and great wine!). (Note: Other tour participants may want to review footage before final edit just in case you caught them in an off moment….)

Before the tour, specific research assignments will be given to the riders so your task will be clear from the get-go, based on your interests and what needs to be done.

In the book at the beginning of the wine country chapter, you will be given credit beside your photo as a contributor.

Cycling Sojourner Washington will help attract folks from all over the nation and world to ride in the state that the League of American Bicyclists hails as the most bicycle-friendly state in the country. That’s great for bicycling advocacy in Washington, as well as a huge boost for the local economy. Royalties from the book will support the efforts of Washington Bikes to increase investments in bike infrastructure and improve public policy that supports getting more people riding more often for more reasons.

Be a part of the movement to help get Washington state more widely recognized as the top bicycling destination we know it is!

Details:

When: September 19-22, 2013

Where: Walla Walla wine country

Registration limit: 10 participants

Cost: $1,800 (covers the costs of putting on the tour and a tax-deductible donation to the Bicycle Alliance)*

Includes: Lodging, guide, awesome snacks to fuel your ride, welcoming special beverages at the end of each day, an autographed copy of the book when it’s released April 2014, and special commemorative gifts. Tour participants are responsible for transportation to/from the starting point in Walla Walla and for meals–many times the group will split up for meals in order to follow their taste buds and investigate potential listings in the book.

For more information: Contact Louise McGrody, louisemc@wabikes.org.

*You will receive a letter indicating the amount of the registration fee that is tax-deductible; it will vary somewhat depending on the number of people who participate in the tour, as some costs are fixed.

Posted in Events, News, Tourism, Travel, Walla Walla | Tagged bike tours, Walla Walla | Comments Off

Amtrak Cascades increases bike storage

By Louise McGrody | Published July 25, 2013

Photo by Don Willott.

Traveling the Pacific Northwest by bicycle just got easier.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Amtrak announced that additional bike storage racks have been added to all Amtrak Cascade trains, with space for 10 bikes per train now available. Riders can reserve a seat and bike space through http://www.amtrakcascades.com/ or by calling 1-800 -USA- RAIL.

Washington State Bike Tour Book to Launch with Kickstarter, Benefit Tour

By Barb Chamberlain | Published July 25, 2013

First book in over a decade to focus on multi-day bike tours in the Evergreen State will benefit statewide bike advocacy

It’s not every cycling guidebook that gives the bike-loving public a chance to help write the content, but Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Washington is doing just that. Participants in Washington Bikes’s Walla Walla Wine Country benefit bike tour* will join author Ellee Thalheimer in writing and researching this Southeastern Washington route on September 19-22. The tour fees will go directly to supporting the bike travel book’s creation and Washington bike tourism advocacy.

Along with the bike tour, the guidebook’s Kickstarter campaign is running now through August 26 and allows backers to get everything from an autographed copy of the book to an original bike-themed musical performance to an organizational or business logo on the back cover, all helping fund the book’s development.

Ellee Thalheimer is owner of Into Action Publications and author of Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Bike Tours in Oregon and Hop in the Saddle: A Guide to Portland’s Craft Beer Scene, by Bike. For Cycling Sojourner Washington, she recruited four Washington authors, including: Katherine Widing, author of several books on bike travel; Josh Cohen of the The Bicycle Story; Martina Brimmer, founder and co-owner of Swift Industries, a Seattle manufacturer of handmade bicycle bags and panniers; and Steve Krippner, a GIS consultant who researched the John Wayne Trail for his master’s thesis.

The book will include 9-10 multi-day tours from all over the state from islands and river valleys to mountain climbs and the rolling hills of the Palouse. With detailed cue sheets and maps, as well as information on food, lodging, attractions, activities, and how to arrive by train, the book provides high-quality, in-depth coverage for riders with all budgets and all levels of cycle touring experience.

Yet the soul of the book, and what makes it unique in the guidebook genre, lies in the voices of the five authors who use storytelling, local history, and humor to elevate the book beyond just an everyday guidebook to an inspirational muse that draws out your inner adventurer.

Washington Bikes is leading the fundraising effort for the book to promote Washington state’s opportunities for bike travel, which supports local economies and increases biking opportunities for individuals and families. Royalties from the book will support the efforts of the Bicycle Alliance to increase investments in bike infrastructure for everyday riders as well as bike travelers through its policy work on the state level, where it has led the efforts around passage of the majority of bike legislation adopted in the past 26 years since its founding.

As I’ve been telling the community leaders, advocates, and legislators we meet with, bike travelers are fueled by calories and spend money in just about every town along the route. It’s increasingly evident that bicycle tourism can benefit small towns and rural areas and help save and create jobs. We know bikes are business-friendly and the towns that welcome bike travelers will reap the benefits.

As the voice of bicycling statewide it’s part of our mission to showcase some of the hidden gems of our outstanding variety of riding experiences as a way of getting more people on bicycles. This book will help us grow bicycling and prove yet again why Washington is the nation’s #1 Bicycle-Friendly State.

Kickstarter campaign: http://bit.ly/WAbiketourbook
The book’s website on Ellee’s site and on ours

*About that tour…. watch for our blog post on its features and highlights! In the meantime, preorder your autographed copy now via Kickstarter and be among the first to get a copy.

Posted in News, Tourism, Travel | Tagged bike tours, books, travel | 1 Comment

Bike Bites E-newsletter: Is it arriving in your email box?

By Louise McGrody | Published July 24, 2013

The latest edition of our Bike Bites E-newsletter is out and here’s a quick sampling of stories in this issue:

Take Action: Stop Rand Paul From Slashing Bike-Ped Funding
Washington State Bike Tour Book to Launch with Kickstarter, Benefit Tour
Taking Stock of 2013 Washington Legislature
Vancouver Bike Advocates Gain Improved Bike Lanes on MacArthur Boulevard
List of upcoming bike rides that support statewide bike advocacy

View the e-newsletter to read the stories.

We distribute Bike Bites monthly and if this is the first time you are seeing it, then you’re not on our email list. You can use this form to sign up for Bike Bites and timely action alerts. You don’t want your bike news to be stale, right?

Posted in Advocacy, News, Rides | Comments Off

Exploring the Methow Valley on two wheels

By Louise McGrody | Published July 23, 2013

When you think of outdoor recreation in the Methow Valley, it likely brings to mind miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter or some epic mountain bike adventure in the summer. Few folks consider this region as a road biking destination. Think again.

Some friends and I recently spent a weekend exploring the Methow Valley on our road bikes. We found some pleasant, lightly traveled roads that offered great local scenery and varied terrain. Our pace was social, and allowed for opportunities to explore our destinations and savor the local food and drinks.

Here’s a sampling of the bike riding that’s available:

Winthrop to Twisp

This scenic stretch of road could become a part of USBR 10.

The towns of Winthrop and Twisp are popular Valley destinations and you can bike between the two communities via the less-traveled Twisp-Winthrop Road on the east side of the Methow River. This scenic and mostly level route is being evaluated for possible incorporation into US Bicycle Route 10, the cross-state northern route under development by the Bicycle Alliance for the US Bicycle Route System.

If you do this ride on a Saturday, make sure you land in Twisp in time for the Twisp Farmers Market. Other great cycling stops in Twisp include Cinnamon Twisp Bakery and Twisp River Pub. When you’re in Winthrop, check out Rocking Horse Bakery and Old Schoolhouse Brewery for treats and eats.

Susie Stephens Trail in Winthrop.

Don’t forget to visit the Susie Stephens Trail when you’re in Winthrop. This community trail is named in honor of former Bicycle Alliance executive director Susie Stephens who relocated to the Methow Valley when she left our organization. Susie remained a passionate bicycle advocate until her untimely death in 2002.

Winthrop to Twisp is about 20 miles roundtrip. You can turn this into a 40-mile ride by pedaling the Twisp-Carlton Road out and back as it follows the Methow River to the tiny town of Carlton. Methow Valley Sport Trails Association has a map for this entire ride on their website.

Chewuch River

The roads that parallel the Chewuch River offer some fine bike exploration into forest lands. The MVSTA site suggests a 14-mile loop ride, starting and ending in Winthrop, that follows the West Chewuch Road north to where it is joined by the East Chewuch Road. Return to town by pedaling south on the east road. Be sure to stop at Methow Valley Ciderhouse for some tasty handcrafted hard cider on your way back to town.

A longer bike ride is possible by following the West Chewuch Road up to its paved ending at Andrews Creek in Okanogan National Forest—about 24 miles one way. Traffic is light and you are treated to views of the river and nearby peaks. If you have a sturdy bike that can handle dirt and gravel roads, you can roam miles and miles of Forest Service roads on both sides of the river. Check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest site for information on ranger district offices, maps, campgrounds, road conditions, and other useful information.

Elbow Coulee Loop

This 20-mile ride starts/ends in Twisp, uses portions of Highway 20, includes riding 5 miles on a dirt and gravel road, and does not have a watering stop along the route. That said, I like this loop ride! If you ride it counterclockwise like I did, you can escape from Highway 20 for a couple of miles by making a right onto Old Twisp Highway. This route will take you by pastoral scenes and woodlands and ends with a mostly downhill ride back into town on Twisp River Road.

Where to Stay

The Methow Valley is a popular tourist destination and you can find listings for vacation homes, cabins, inns and B&Bs at Central Reservations. A more social—and less expensive—alternative is North Cascades Mountain Hostel. If you’re a bicycle camper, check out the Barn Bicycle Camping located near milepost 186 on Highway 20 (west of Winthrop). My friends and I opted to camp at a Forest Service campground and there are plenty of them in the region.

Bicyclists welcome here!

Methow Valley Biking Info

Winthrop Chamber Biking page

Methow Valley Sport Trails Association biking page

Interested in bike travel? You’ll want to check out Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Washington. With tours around the state for every budget, every level of experience, this detailed bicycle travel guidebook will give you the how, when, and where that will inspire you to get the best possible view of Washington: from the bike saddle! Preorder an autographed copy through our Kickstarter campaign, which runs through Aug. 28, 2013. Wherever it’s possible to take a train to begin or end your travels, the book will let you know.

Posted in Adventure, Okanogan County, Rides, Tourism, Travel, USBRS | Comments Off