April 2014
Lycra-Clad Middle Aged Guys: A Love Letter
From Germany to Seattle: Artistic cyclists bring fun and physicality to local schools
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
I love diversity, and I’m glad we’re talking about it. The Seattle Times article on Cascade Bicycle Club last month, while definitely filled with details we would love to clarify, was a great conversation starter for our club. We need more women riders, more cyclists of color and more people on bikes of all ages and abilities. At the same time, I think the discussions around diversity might have obscured how Cascade feels about the cyclists who ride STP, the cyclists who participate in our daily rides, the cyclists who volunteer for Cascade as they have done for years. You know who you are: the beloved men and women in Lycra! I started riding in cycling-specific gear when I began cycling again as an adult. For years, the only riding I did was long rides—and long rides are made better by gear. My 22-mile round-trip commute was infinitely more comfortable because of my gear. My cross-country journey was only survivable thanks to bike shorts and Chamois Butt’r. All the tours I’ve participated in are ones where I am proud to wear bike Lycra and join a crowd of smart, fun, charming people (with a preponderance of middle-aged men). I want more people to join us—and I don’t want to lose a single one of you.
by Khatsini Simani, Education Program Coordinator
Elizabeth and her dad bike touring in 2006
As Cascade continues to grow, we need to emphasize the strengths of each part of our organization, and be sure to be inclusive of everyone. We are who we are today because of the great work of the staff, volunteers and members who came before us and who made their vision a reality. When I talk about inclusion, I mean bringing more people into the fold. From the Lycra-clad weekend warrior to the broke college student riding her Craigslist bike to campus, we are your club. Join us on the journey! Best, Elizabeth
Women Bike: Cycling Wisdom by Women, for Women Tuesday, April 8, 7-9 p.m.
After a very successful panel discussion at the Seattle Bicycle Expo, “Cycling Wisdom by Women, for Women” will expand into an evening at REI Seattle. More panelists and more time will allow more opportunity to answer the questions you have about cycling. If you or women you know would like to cycle more or meet others who are doing the kind of cycling you are doing, please join us for this event on Tuesday, April 8, from 7 to 9 pm. We want to build a community where you can find rides and riding partners. We will help you build confidence and overcome your fears. We will share information on bike maintenance and riding skills classes to support you in your goal 2
to get out on your bike. There will also be lots of information about getting comfortable on the bike, bike fit, finding the right saddle and optimal clothing for the kind of biking that excites you! Come and join us, and bring your questions! We can help. Panel members (all women) share a passion for cycling at all levels, whether it’s exploring the neighborhood, riding with family and friends, world touring or racing. They all started somewhere and are eager to share their enthusiasm and insights. Panel Moderator: Gina Kavesh Panel Members: Jan Acuff, Madi Carlson, Windsor Lewis, Merlin Rainwater, Khatsini Simani, Kari Studley and Quanetta West
Amidst the excitement surrounding Seattle Bike Expo (shout out to our extraordinary volunteers and event staff!), our Education Department awaited the arrival of the artistic cyclists. Travel with me in time for a moment. It is noon at Roxhill Elementary and Corinna Hein, one of the three visiting cyclists from Germany, is explaining to students how her fixed gear bike is uniquely built to support her balance. This moment’s focus by students on the cyclist is a stark contrast to the undulating waves of “ooh’s and ahh’s” that occurred just moments before. Imagine 400 children cheering at the top of their lungs while Stefan Musu and Lukas Matla balance gracefully atop one another’s shoulders--no hands, all smiles. (Of course, we prefaced the performance with an “eyes, ears and mouth” helmet fit lesson and emphasized the importance of always wearing a helmet while riding.) Bringing the artistic cyclists to local elementary schools was a special opportunity that the Education Department was able to provide. Shannon Koller, Cascade’s Director of Education, and Peter Verbrugge, Event Director, worked together to coordinate three pre-Expo performances at Dearborn Park, Hawthorne and Roxhill Elementary Schools, as part of our Safe Routes to School grant work.
“The delivery is fueled primarily by P.E. teachers’ passion and dedication to bringing bicycle skills to their students.” Many of these schools receive bikes on a three-week rotation as part of our Basics of Bicycling program. If you aren’t familiar with Basics of Bicycling, it serves third, fourth and fifth grade students, providing them the opportunity to learn bicycle handling skills, rules of the road, safety tips and more during their physical education classes. Classes are taught by trained P.E. teachers with assistance from myself and Miranda, our Youth Programs Assistant. The middle school program builds upon Basics by providing more in-depth classroom instruction in the Edmonds School District. Cascade provides bikes, helmets and all necessary instructional supplies for these programs. The delivery is fueled primarily by the P.E. teachers’ passion and dedication to bringing bicycle skills to
Artistic cyclists Stefan Musu and Lukas Matla balance gracefully at the 2014 Seattle Bike Expo
their students. The bicycle is introduced (or reintroduced) as a vehicle and instrument of exercise and expression, and a responsibility. In this light, bringing the artistic cyclists to these local schools was about more than just wow factor. It was an opportunity for kids to experience people and art from across the world. It was a way of celebrating non-competitive physicality and, yes, showing how much fun bicycling can be. Looking ahead to the future, Cascade’s Education Department is finding ways to connect more communities to bike resources throughout the region, both on the web and through family-oriented events. Some of the current resources offered are Bike Rodeo kits, Bike to School resources and assistance and bicycle education programming, which is expanding and developing to meet an array of needs and wants in our communities. From the Education Department to Germany and to you at home, a big thank you for supporting our work! For more Education Department events and happenings, follow me on Twitter at @CascadeKhatsini. Happy riding!
www.cascade.org