Vol. 43, No. 7
Helmet sales and donations are going strong
Dust Off Days volunteers tune up bikes in need
by Hanna McFall, AmeriCorps Community Programs Assistant
by Hanna McFall, AmeriCorps Community Programs Assistant
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ascade Bicycle Club sells bicycle helmets for $15 and also provides them for free* throughout the Puget Sound region to those in need. Adults and children can be fitted for a helmets at the Cascade office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by making an appointment with the Community Programs Assistant at 206957-6623 or emailing cmpa@cascadebicycleclub.org. There are also helmet sales at Green Lake and Seward Park throughout the spring and summer.
Green Lake:
Saturday, July 20 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Seward Park/Bicycle Sunday: Sunday, July 7 from 1:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 25 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 1 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 15, from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 22 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
The YMCA Bailey Gatzert Discovery Camp will be utilizing donated Cascade helmets for their scooters and wheels day, and their before and after school program. The YWCA’s Passage Point program in Maple Valley houses more than 35 children who
can ride their bikes wearing donated Cascade helmets in a safe, car-free area. In August, Cascade will be outfitting youth competitors with helmets in a skateboard competition as a part of the annual Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival and Parade. The festival takes place on August 2-4 in Judkins Park, and includes the African Heritage parade, UNCF Walk and Cook Off for Education, a basketball tournament, voter registration, a vendor marketplace and community resource fair, and three stages of live music including African drum and dance, jazz, soul, hip-hop and spoken word.
THE FASTEST SHOW ON TWO WHEELS !
2013 MARYMOOR
GRANDPRIX PRESENTED BY THE
JULY 19 & 20
Racing starts at 7p
Marymoor Park Redmond, WA
he first two in a new series of free bike tune-up events, found Cascade Bicycle Club AmeriCorps members partnered with local bike shops and volunteers to host Cascade’s initial Dust Off Day on Saturday, April 27, and Tuesday, June 18. With Bike Month on the horizon, the grey and windy morning didn’t stop an April crowd from gathering in anticipation of free maintenance for bikes in need. Volunteer mechanics provided free tune-ups for 85 attendees on nearly 100 bicycles of all shapes, sizes and levels of dustiness and disrepair. Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors answered questions and distributed all kinds of bikerelated info alongside experienced helmet fitters, who sold discounted helmets and ensured that they fit correctly. True to the name, one could “dust off ” their bike at the bike wash station, and chat with like-minded folks while they waited their turn. Four mechanics, four hours and 100 bikes is no small feat! Special thanks to our mechanics Gary and Ben from Montlake Bicycle Shop, Greg from WRENCH Bicycle Workshop and Bob from Elliott Bay Bicycles for volunteering their services to make this event possible. Additionally, thank you to the Swedish Cultural Center for hosting us. The second event on June 18 took place on a sunny afternoon at Brettler Family Place, Sand Point community housing that assists formerly homeless families with children under 18. Thirty helmets were distributed for free to kids of all ages while volunteers Bob Radowick and Joe Sand-
schulte (The Bicycle Fixer) wrenched on over 40 bikes! Thanks again to our wonderful volunteers. Stay tuned for another free maintenance opportunity at this year’s Central Area Community Festival, and please let us know if you have any feedback.
Major Taylor ready for fifth ride to Portland and 100,000 miles by Ed Ewing, Major Taylor Project Director
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he 2013 Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic will mark two major accomplishments for the Major Taylor Project. This year’s STP will be the Major Taylor students fifth year of participation and, with its completion, the Major Taylor cyclists will have collectively ridden more than 100,000 miles! Rafael Ramos is excited for his fourth Seattle to Portland journey. He is so excited that his consistent inquiry and trip suggestions have earned him the title of “Trip Captain.” Many of you have had the pleasure of meeting Rafael, AKA Rafa. You may have even seen Rafael and the Rafa Crew working together in pursuit of the Portland finish line. Rafael is graduating from SeaTac’s Global Connections High School and has participated in the Major Taylor Project for the last four years.
Over the past five years, Rafael and several other Major Taylor Project students have logged more than 90,000 miles in the saddle and reaching Portland will mark 100,000. A sketch on a napkin five years ago has evolved into a successful effort to reach amazing students through biking. That’s quite an accomplishment from a simple sketch on a napkin. We’re reaching young minds and creating new possibilities. Most importantly, we’re learning the needs, goals and dreams of tomorrow’s leaders. We’re learning exactly what these students want and need to be successful in school and in life. Having ridden 100,000 miles, they are now asking: “What’s next? What else ya got? Can we tour on our bikes? How can the bike get me into college?” Five years and 100,000 plus miles. Think about that and what else is possible.
Cascade Bicycle Club Members Free
Bring the whole family and a picnic Beer garden opens at 6:30pm
AvAilAble At Any vehicle licensing office or get A mAil-in ApplicAtion from bicycleAlliance.org
“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”
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