improving lives through bicycling
Bike Camps p. 6-7
September 2015 / Vol. 45 No. 09
Cascade and Washington Bikes announce merger discussions
Executive Directors Barb Chamberlain of Washington Bikes and Elizabeth Kiker of Cascade.
The boards of directors of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes are discussing a non-binding Letter of Intent to merge the two organizations at the end of 2015. This powerful move would amplify the work of both organizations and power bicycling to another level in Washington State, already the #1 state in the U.S. for bicycling.
Cascade Bicycle Club’s board voted unanimously in favor of signing the joint Letter of Intent in late August. At the time of print, the Washington Bikes board was discussing the letter and was planning to vote the last Friday of August. “Washington Bikes is a dedicated and effective organization, in Olympia and across the state, and partners with many local advocacy groups and bike clubs across the state,” said Catherine Hennings, board chair of the Cascade Bicycle
cascade.org Club. “This proposed merger would truly yield more than the sum of its parts.” Bringing the two organizations together would result in a unified bicycle education curriculum for students across the state and in the Puget Sound region. The advocacy work of both organizations would be strengthened if unified. “This could prove to be a big win for people who welcome improved bicycling connections,” said Brian Foley, board chair of Washington Bikes. Small committees from each board are meeting to talk about processes, review ideas for program integration and plan for the future, with the hope that the process will move toward a formal proposal for consideration by each organization’s board later this fall. Both boards are particularly interested in hearing from people who ride bikes and from members of Cascade and Washington Bikes. “We are considering this merger to continue the great work we’ve each been doing with even better results and successes,” said Barb Chamberlain, executive director of Washington Bikes. The merger would result in saved overhead costs and more money
directly funding current work and new programs, like Cascade’s Major Taylor program and Washington Bikes’ state bike tourism initiative. Washington Bikes’ grassroots successes across the state would also be a great partner for Cascade’s statewide tours, events and rides.
“We are considering this merger to continue the great work we’ve each been doing with even better results and successes.” -Barb Chamberlain, executive director of Washington Bikes “We would be an even stronger force for improving lives through bicycling and growing bicycling statewide together than we are individually,” said Cascade Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker. Please send your thoughts, feedback and ideas for the two groups to consider to washingtonbikes@ cascadebicycleclub.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Fund our future: let’s Move Seattle
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
7787 62nd Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98115 www.cascade.org
TIME DATED MATERIAL
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172
By Jeff Aken, Advocacy Director
Cascade’s top priority in Seattle this fall is to ensure passage of the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle, which will be on Seattle voters ballots this November. The levy is a $930-million dollar ask to fund transportation improvements across the city over the next nine years. It replaces the Bridging the Gap (BTG) levy, which expires at the end of 2015. Under the proposed Move Seattle, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will build 50 miles of Protected Bike Lanes and 60 miles of Greenways. These investments will keep Seattle’s ambitious Bicycle Master plan 100 percent on track for completion in the 20-year horizon of the plan. The levy will also fund more than 1,500 bicycle parking spots across the city, as well as safe walking and biking routes to all Seattle’s Public Schools. Move Seattle also makes
investments in many of Cascade’s priority projects: Dollars are allocated for completing the Missing Link of the Burke-Gilman Trail and the Northgate Bike and Pedestrian Bridge. Money from the levy could also be used to improve safety for people walking and bicycling on the Ballard Bridge, and provide funding to Accessible Mt. Baker, a project in the Rainier Valley that improves connections to LINK light rail for those who bike or walk. Move Seattle invests in Vision Zero, which is one of Cascade’s strategic plan objectives. Vision Zero’s goal is to eliminate serious injuries and traffic fatalities. This includes investments mentioned earlier for bicycles and additional funds for traffic signals, improving transit corridors and building new sidewalks all of which improve safety.
If you want to see a city that is safe, comfortable and connected for people riding bicycles, take action: 1. Learn more about projects in your neighborhood at seattle.gov/transportation/ levytomoveseattle.htm. 2. Help spread the word. Contact Kelli at kellir@ cascade.org to join our Connect Seattle team and volunteer. 3. Vote YES on Prop. 1 on the November ballot.
September 2015
Riding SMART
Ride with Cascade, and ride SMART
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
by Robbie Phillips, Director of Strategic Development
Vision Zero, one of Cascade’s strategic plan objectives, aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2019. One target identified in support of this objective is creation of a rider code of conduct for our organization, to be followed by people of all ages and abilities riding in different environments. Cascade’s Free Group Rides program had already developed their own safety code called Ride SMART, which has been an effective tool for encouraging safe riding among participants. Building on that strong foundation, a committee of ride leaders, board, staff, members and participants collaborated to develop a new and updated rider code of conduct. Soon the new Ride SMART will be part of event registration, online waivers, education efforts, policy rides and more. By asking our community to follow this code, Cascade helps ensure we all ride safe and SMART.
Stay alert: Ride Leaders teach SMART on every one of our more than 2,000 free group rides annually.
I didn’t do it. I didn’t finish RSVP. I rode to Blaine, Wash., which is on the border of Canada (I could see it, really!), but from there, things got complicated. I had to be back in Seattle for an 8 a.m. Sunday morning meeting (on a yet-to-be-announced HUGE ride for early 2016 — stay tuned!) and my husband and I had forgotten to get a notarized letter that he was able to drive our children across the international border without me. By the time he caught up with me, and we plotted how I was going to bike 70 miles while he drove 70 miles to pick me up and drive me back to Seattle the same night for my early morning meeting ... well, I just decided sometimes saying, “I actually can’t do all of this,” is a smart sentence. I got in the car, and we drove home. The first 130 miles of the ride were lovely! ~ Speaking of SMART sentences, those of you who have been on an (awesome) Free Group Ride are surely familiar with Cascade’s Ride Leader Ride SMART code. It’s taught to our more than 300 ride leaders, and each Ride Leader teaches it on every one of our more than 2,500 free group rides annually. During the strategic planning process last year, board member George Durham was talking about how people who ride bikes get a lot of flak for “running red lights and not following the rules.” We started talking about how Cascade could help change this tone, and educate cyclists on behavior at the same time. We came up with the idea of creating an organization-wide rider code of conduct, that we’d ask all Cascade members, riders and event and class participants to sign. It would have to be short, to the point, and work for all people who ride bikes — from my husband taking our three kids to preschool and elementary school to the super-fast cyclists who Climb Hills on the Eastside in Winter. (Want to get better at climbing? Sign up for CHEW!) After creating a taskforce to work on this idea, we realized we had the basis in front of our faces: The long used, well-reviewed Ride SMART plan. It needed to be tweaked, to be inclusive of all types of people who ride bikes, but it was generally exactly what we’d been looking for all along. After a year of reviewing, discussing, meeting and the occasional compromise, we have a new Ride SMART (more details in the adjacent article), and will be rolling it out across the entire organization in the coming months. I try to ride as this code says every time I get on my bike, and I hope you’ll join me in both riding safely and spreading the word. Ride SMART — it’s the best way to say safe and spread the word about bicycling in the Puget Sound region. Best,
Momentary inattention is the number one cause of incidents. Watch for vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and hazards. Do not wear earbuds or use phones while riding.
Maintain space: Leave enough room in front of you to avoid other riders, vehicles and hazards. Ride outside the door zone, and move off the road or trail when stopping.
Act safely and predictably: Wear a properly fitted helmet. Make sure you can see and be seen. Ride a straight line and only pass on the left. Be courteous.
Respect the rules of the road: Obey all traffic laws; stop for all red lights and stop signs. Signal turns whenever safe, ride no more than two abreast (single file is safer) and yield right-of-way when appropriate.
Think ahead and talk: Scan ahead and anticipate what others will do. Communicate actions and hazards, tell others when passing and cross railroad tracks at a right angle when possible.
Elizabeth Kiker
2
www.cascade.org
Vol. 45, No. 09
Join us for Seattle Summer Parkways
Bike-n-Brews El Norte
From our friends at the Seattle Department of Transportation
By Meghna Jaradi, Events and Sponsorship Coordinator
Event dates Central District Summer Parkways: Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Three miles of streets closed to traffic and 46 blocks to explore Ballard Summer Parkways: Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Seven miles of streets closed to traffic and 131 blocks to explore
Kids of all ages enjoy activities at Summer Parkways.
In 1965, Seattle community leaders established Bicycle Sundays, opening a three-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard just to people walking, riding bicycles and skating, connecting several parks along the shore of Lake Washington on summer Sundays. As Seattle celebrates 50 years of successful events like Bicycle Sundays and Seattle Summer Streets, the city is expanding its Open Streets program and unveiling an exciting new event series called Seattle Summer Parkways. Seattle Summer Parkways launches mid-September with two events that will turn more than 10 miles of city streets— for eight hours, on two days—into open street zones for neighborhoods to use in creative, active ways. “Seattle Summer Parkways is a celebration of community, engaging and energizing neighborhoods,” said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly. “We hope that Seattle Summer Parkways will become an annual street festival that neighbors look forward to.” These free, all- ages celebrations will create expansive, temporary open space on Seattle’s streets, where thousands of friends, families and visitors can participate in dozens of community-based activities — from skateboard demos, to puppeteers, to art activities to food truck dining. Neighbors are encouraged to plan additional activities, as these events
are intended to highlight what makes these communities great. This year’s events will take place in the Central District on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Ballard on Saturday, Sept. 19. We hope you will celebrate people-powered play and and come out — with your bike, your skateboard and your neighbors!
Just the beginning These first two events are just the beginning. The city of Seattle hopes to grow the Summer Parkways series and expand the program to additional neighborhoods in future years. Seattle Summer Parkways is being produced in partnership between the city of Seattle, Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and many other community organizations.
Did you miss our sold out Seattle Bike-n-Brews event in May? Looking for a fun way to extend the summer riding season? Join us on Sunday, Sept. 13 for Bike-n-Brews El Norte, a relaxed urban riding event for anyone who appreciates flat city riding and tipping back quality local microbrews. The 38-mile route begins and ends at scenic Myrtle Edwards Park near downtown Seattle. Bike-n-Brewers are taken on an out-and-back ride to Kenmore, utilizing the Elliott Bay, Ship Canal and Burke-Gilman trails, and lightly-traveled roads in between. Registered riders will receive a Bike-n-Brews souvenir and beverage tickets for both the midpoint and finish line party. At the midpoint — 192 Brewing Company in Kenmore — riders can
use a beverage ticket to fuel up on a brew or soft drink and ride snacks. Hot food will be available for purchase. The Myrtle Edwards finish line festival location overlooks beautiful Elliott Bay, and will feature beer from both Fremont Brewing and Peddler Brewing companies! Register today at cascade.org/elnorte
Thanks to our sponsors: EMONT FR BREWING
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We can’t do it without you! Volunteer for Summer Parkways Volunteers are critical to making Summer Parkways events a success. There are many different types of volunteer opportunities — we need intersection superheroes, mobile mechanics, info booth ambassadors, route set-up assistants and more. Volunteers will receive delicious snacks and a cool Summer Parkways T-shirt as a thank-you.
Riders cheers at Bike-n-Brews.
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WE BSPACE
Kitsap Color Classic closes out 2015 BLACK
PANTONE Medium Blue
PANTONE Cool Gray 9
PANTONE Cool Gray 5
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BLUE # 0095D9
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By Dave Douglas, Recreational Riding Director
Be a part of the first-ever Seattle Summer Parkways — volunteer with Cascade! For more information, visit cascade.org/summerparkways or email Dylan at dylanj@cascade.org.
Riders pedal through fall colors on the Kitsap Color Classic.
Autumn is nearly here! The morning air is crisp and the leaves are turning shades of gold and scarlet. Some of you are thinking of calling it a bicycling season and staring at the tube until next spring. But no! On Sunday, Sept. 27, Cascade Bicycle Club presents the 22nd Annual
Kitsap Color Classic, our season finale. Pedal along the gorgeous Kitsap Peninsula and through some of the best riding country in the state! Friendly communities and terrific fall scenery make this a fun, must-do event. Register at cascade.org/ kcc-registration
Thanks to our sponsors:
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
3
September 2015
Cascade Members: learn to fix your bike for $15 By Ariana Rundquist, Membership Manager
It’s time to stop relying on the kindness of strangers. You know what I mean. It’s time to stop dreading the occasional flat tire on your ride, finicky shifting and inadequate brakes. It’s the perfect time to to empower yourself to fix your own bike. Cascade Bicycle Club offers an incredible series of bike maintenance classes tailored to fit your skill level, your bicycle and your lifestyle. And now, you — the members who make all our work possible, get to take ANY 2015 Cascade Bike Maintenance class happening through December 2015 for only $15! Use the discount code FIXYOURBIKE2015 during checkout before Wednesday, Sept. 9, and empower yourself to maintain your own bike! Cascade loves our members and their bicycles, and we want all of you to be as self-sufficient as possible so your bicycles will be running smoothly while you pedal around our beautiful region. Our popular She Bikes women-friendly maintenance classes fill up fast, as do our fix-a-flat workshops, disc brake classes and more. So don’t wait, empower yourself today! To register for a Cascade bike maintenance, class visit cascade.org/maintenance
Daniel’s Joke Corner By Daniel Poppe, Development Coordinator
Q: Where do they make bike clothing?
THE COURIER CREW Editor: Briana Orr Editorial assistants: Diana Bryant, Robbie Phillips Layout: Sarah Kulfan Additional design: Tom Eibling Photographers: Cynthia Mullis, Briana Orr Contributors: Jeff Aken, Andrea Clinkscales, Diana Bryant, McKayla Dunfey, Elizabeth Kiker, Tim O’Connor, Briana Orr, Daniel Poppe, Robin Randels, Seattle Department of Transportation, Ariana Rundquist, Stacey Williams, Alexa Volwiler, Holly Young
We welcome your contributions! Got an inspiring story or a great photo? We welcome submissions. The editorial calendar is planned one month in advance. If you wish to contribute an article to a future issue, contact the editor as early as possible. Articles and photographic submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Articles submitted after that will be considered on a space-available basis. All submissions are subject to editing for content and space. Queries can be emailed to: brianao@cascade.org.
Let’s be social! Follow Cascade on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. cascade.org facebook.com/cascadebicycleclub @cascadebicycle @cascadebicycle
CONTACT US
A: New Jersey!
Sign up for the 2015 Bicycle & Pedestrian count
Advertising: We welcome ads and inserts. To check availability and inquire about prices, please contact Briana Orr at brianao@ cascade.org.
Cascade Bicycle Club 7787 62nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115
www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 Email: info@cascade.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SENIOR STAFF
Note: All email addresses are @cascade.org
Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director (206) 939-4343 • elizabethk@
By Andrea Clinkscales, Principal Planner
New in 2015
Last year, volunteers counted 72,000 people walking and biking.
Fall brings with it fenders, cozy sweaters and hot tea. But change of the season also means it is once again time to count how many people are walking and bicycling in our state. As part of the Washington State Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, for three days at the end of September and beginning of October, volunteers like you will be standing at key intersections in cities all around the state to count people as they ride and walk by.
We can’t do it without you! Community participation is vital to the success of this project. Last year we counted over 72,000 people walking and bicycling! The valuable data you collect helps advocates like us make the case for better policies to improve safety and more funding for walking and bicycling projects in our state. 4
This year we have been working hard on a new website that features an interactive map, making volunteer registration and data entry a breeze. We are also excited to announce we are counting in more cities than ever before. This year we anticipate 50 cities will participate. Please sign up to help count and encourage your friends and family to join you! Count dates: Tuesday, Sept. 29 Wednesday, Sept. 30 Thursday, Oct. 1 Count times: 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. Count cities: Anacortes, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Burlington, Burien, Ellensburg, Everett, Federal Way, Ferndale, Gig Harbor, Issaquah, Kelso, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, La Conner, Lakewood, Longview, Lynden, Mercer Island, Milton, Mountlake, Mount Vernon, Terrace, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Orting, Parkland, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Shoreline, Snoqualmie, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, Vancouver, Vashon Island, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima. For more information, visit wsdot. wa.gov/bike/Count.htm. Email Andrea at andreac@cascade.org with questions or to sign up as a volunteer count coordinator for your city.
President Catherine Hennings • catherine. hennings@
Jeff Aken, Advocacy Director (206) 939-4301 • jeffa@
Vice President Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@
David Douglas, Rec. Riding Director (206) 939-4323 • davidd@
Treasurer Alexa Volwiler • alexa.volwiler@
Ed Ewing, Director of Diversity & Inclusion (206) 939-4315 • ede@
Secretary George Durham • george.durham@ Director at large Charles Ruthford • charles.ruthford@ DIRECTORS Nate Glissmeyer • nate.glissmeyer@ Sandi Navarro • sandin@ Joe Platzner • joe.platzner@ Merlin Rainwater • merlin.rainwater@ Jim Stanton • jim.stanton@ Don Volta • don.volta@ Haley Woods • haleyw@ Ed Yoshida • ed.yoshida@
Shannon Koller, Director of Education (206) 939-4335 • shannonk@ Tarrell Kullaway, Development Director (206) 939-4312 • tarrellk@ Kathy Mania, Finance Director (206) 939-4321 • kathym@ Robbie Phillips, Director of Strategic Development (206) 939-4334 • robbiep@
The Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors meets five times a year. All meetings take place at the Cascade Bicycling Center, 7787 62nd Avenue NE, at 5:30 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public. Upcoming meetings are: Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Help us transform the Puget Sound! Renew now at cascade.org/renew
www.cascade.org
Vol. 45, No. 09
Progress and delay along the East Lake Sammamish Trail By McKayla Dunfey, Eastside Government & Policy Affairs Coordinator
Enter Ride The Hurricane And Cycle The Famed Hurricane Ridge Road Without Cars August 2, One Day Only.
Ride The Olympic Discovery Trail and its 70 Mile Paved Cycling Path, EDIZ HOOK Any Day Of The Week. ENE
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For details about Ride The Hurricane and The Olympic Discovery Trail and all things cycling on the North Olympic Peninsula visit or call:
PortAngeles.org
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
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(360) 452-2363
If you’re a frequent regional trail user on the Eastside, you might have already ridden on the recently opened northern section of the East Lake Sammamish Trail. This June, King County finished construction along a 2.6-mile stretch of the rail-trail from 187th Street to Inglewood Hill Road in Sammamish. Adorned with fresh pavement, soft surface shoulders, great sightlines, clear signage and safe intersection treatments, the new section of trail provides a comfortable place for people to walk and bike and connects trail users to Marymoor Park and the Sammamish River Trail, as well as public spaces along Lake Sammamish. Once the entire trail is complete, bicyclists and pedestrians will have an 11-mile, off-street, north-south connection from the 1-90 trail in Issaquah to the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond. With the southern and northern sections in Redmond and Issaquah now paved, the City and County are working on completing the final two sections of trail, which they have divided into two segments, A and B. This summer, progress on the “South Sammamish Segment A,” stretching from Southeast 43rd Way to Southeast 33rd Street, was delayed after the City of Sammamish put 19 conditions on King County’s permit request. In late July, King County appealed the City of Sammamish’s conditions with a request that the hearing examiner remove 10 of the 19 conditions. “Many of the 19 conditions in the city’s permit preclude us from building a safe trail with good sightlines and enough width to meet regional trail standards,” noted Christie True, director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks in a recent press release. “These conditions would result in a lesser trail for the residents of Sammamish and King County.” Cascade also supports a trail design that meets national trail width standards to reduce the risk of collisions and injuries. As the City of Sammamish and King County negotiated permitting rights for segment A earlier this year, Cascade collected more than 150 comments and signatures from Sammamish residents who supported a safe trail width. Petition comments and signatures were sent to Sammamish City councilmembers as a reminder of the many people, of all ages and abilities, who look forward to the day they can safely walk or ride a bike on the paved, off-street trail. The County’s decision to appeal the permit will delay construction
Activist Jan Bird collects signatures in support of the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
of segment A, but comes as no major surprise to those who have followed the project since its infancy. Ever since King County purchased the corridor in 1998, trailside homeowner concerns have delayed the trail building process, and councilmembers continue to hear from members of the Sammamish Homeowners Association who don’t want a paved trail directly adjacent to the backyards. Sammamish resident and trail advocate Jan Bird has actively participated in grassroots advocacy efforts since moving to the region in 1999 and considers the pace of on-going trail progress to be “glacial.” Bird explained how she no longer rides a bike, but that hasn’t changed her desire to see the trail completed. “I see how I have aged and my activities have changed over time and it makes me more motivated than ever to finish the trail.” She realizes that she will eventually not be able to hike strenuous mountain trails, but hopes to still walk this rail trail. She recognizes the challenge in maintaining community support and enthusiasm for a project that has been in the works for nearly 16 years, but continues to emphasize the great value in completing a trail that will “provide a sense of community where those of all ages and abilities can enjoy the outdoors together,” she said. We share Jan Bird’s vision of building a trail for all ages and abilities and look forward to garnering community support as the city of Sammamish and King County work together to build the final two sections of trail. Once complete, the East Lake Sammamish Trail will enable more people to feel comfortable riding a bike and will provide key connections to other regional trails, like the Burke-Gilman and the Issaquah-Preston trails. 5
That’s a wrap! Cascade Bike Camps celebrate the end of a fun, successful season Cascade’s Education Department just wrapped up yet another successful season of summer camp! During the nine weeks of camp, we hosted 155 campers, up 58 percent from 2014 camp enrollment. This summer, the campers collectively rode about 6,000 miles during the 4,050 hours of thoughtful instruction. We were very excited to host two new specialty camps this year: Girls Gearheads Camp and Bike and Sail Camp. Both sold out quickly and had waiting lists, so we are considering expanding the capacity of those camps for next year. But our excitement about these speciality camps pales in comparison to our enthusiasm for more improvements in our camps based on facilities upgrades at our new Cascade Bicycling Center location. In November 2014, we moved our office to its current location at the north end of Magnuson Park. The new Cascade Bicycling Center has facilitated the development of our bike and sail camp as we are now co-located with Sail Sand Point. It also presents wonderful opportunities for future improvements. Cascade is currently in the design stages of developing a bicycle skills course and traffic garden behind our office which will be used by our summer campers as well as adult learners. Please support our efforts to become an epicenter center for teaching and learning by donating to our capital campaign. Next year’s summer campers — our next generation of cyclists — will be able to learn and thrive with this innovative addition to your Cascade Bicycling Center. Find out how you can support the Capital Campaign on the front page of this issue. Please consider making a gift today in the enclosed envelope to support bicycle education.
Campers learned about
Riding & Maintenance Group Decision-Making
Nutrition
Map Reading Urban Design & Environmental Education
Oh, the places we’ve been! This summer,
Log Boom Park
6,000
Burke-Gilman Trail
Golden Gardens
155
campers rode
miles
Cascade Bicycling Club
through
University of Washington
15
neighborhoods
And we had...
0
broken bones
Volunteer Park
0
sunburns
and a million smiles per mile!
“
Judkins Park
If I could convert my bike into a bed, I would sleep on it. -Cascade Camper
”
Thanks to our sponsors
September 2015
Bicycle Adventures becomes Cascade Business Member
Walla Walla Cycling Weekend is here again!
By Ariana Rundquist, Membership Manager
Come join us for a weekend of riding in beautiful Walla Walla. This is a great finale ride to your season after the weather starts to turn in Seattle. Come and experience the sights of yellow wheat fields, rows of grapevines and orchards along low-traffic roads. We will ride each day from Saturday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 12. Distances start Saturday with 50- and 69-mile options, followed by Sunday with 70- and 77-mile options and then tapering off to 30 miles on Monday. We’ll enjoy post-ride food and wine on Saturday and Sunday evenings at local wineries. Rides are led by Cascade volunteer Ride Leaders with multiple paces between 14 and 22 mph (on flats) offered. Riding all days is not required, so do what works for you. Riding with us is free, but you are responsible for your own accommodations, meals and snacks on route.
Are you ready for a bicycle adventure? Here at Cascade Bicycle Club we are thrilled to welcome Bicycle Adventures, North America’s premier bicycling vacation company, to our community of business members. Bicycle Adventures offers deluxe, fully supported cycling tours in the United States, Canada and New Zealand, featuring deluxe lodging and dining, full van support and expert certified guides. “With a recent move from Preston to a home base in Redmond–just a couple of blocks from the Marymoor Velodrome–we’re excited about the opportunities for involvement in the local cycling scene, including the many opportunities offered by Cascade,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures owner & president, and active member of Cascade Bicycle Club. Since 1984, each tour has been “painstakingly planned, thoughtfully paced, and full of vivid adventure.” Indeed, Bicycling Adventures has just announced that tourist expert Joshua Samuel Brown, a lifelong cyclist and accomplished travel writer, will guide their in-depth bicycle tours of Taiwan. Bicycle Adventures will launch its
new Taiwan Bike Tour in 2015 with two scheduled 11-day trip departures in October and November. And because they love Cascade Bicycle Club, Cascade members can now receive $200 off this bicycle adventure of a lifetime by entering the code CCTWN at checkout. Our business members are organizations who strongly support Cascade’s mission to improve lives through bicycling and wish to extend the benefits of Cascade membership to their business. Employees of these businesses receive a discount on their own Cascade memberships, Cascade classes and clinics held at their workplace and many, many opportunities to ride! Our current business members love what we do, and seek to build a relationship with Cascade and our community of enthusiastic members. They include Sail Sand Point, Central Cinema, Forum One, Corpore Sano physical therapy, Anchor QEA and now, Bicycling Adventures. Learn more at cascade.org/ businessmembership
Keep pace after your big ride!
By Alexa Volwiler, Cascade Board Member and Ride Leader
Walla Walla offers fantastic wine, food and views.
Please check the Cascade calendar, cascade.org/calendar for more information or contact Alexa at alexa. volwiler@gmail.com or 360-303-0526.
VIETNAM 15% o tt discouande Casc rs membe
By Stacey Williams, Rides Manager
You have been training all summer. You celebrated a successful Flying Wheels, STP and RSVP ... so what now? Does it leave you wondering how you’ll maintain your fitness through the fall and winter months? We have the answer for you: Cascade has Free Group Rides every day of the year! Cascade has more than 300 trained and experienced volunteer ride leaders who can keep you motivated and pedaling every day of the year. One of the biggest motivators of keeping up a fitness program is having a group you are accountable to. Come on some Free Group Rides, find a group of riders you enjoy riding with and keep riding! What do riders say about Cascade Free Group Rides program? “Great! Got to meet some fun, cool people. The ride leaders did an awesome job and the route was easy to follow.” – Stephen T. “Never been on a ride where I saw jumping salmon, passenger plane fuselages on trains and rode around the inside of a fountain! Weird, fun, hilly stuff. Thanks Dave!” – Ian G. Check out these weekly rides on the 8
Free Group Rides calendar: Magnolia Loop for coffee
A mid-week recovery ride departing from Cascade Bicycling Center in Magnuson Park heading toward Green Lake, across the Ballard Locks to Magnolia. This group makes a coffee stop in Magnolia.
www.pedaltours.co.nz
Friday riders go to Lake Forest Park
This group pedals to Lake Forest Park via the Interurban trail, to Lake Forest Park and returns on the Burke-Gilman Trail. The group stops for points of interest, including the Gehrke Windmills, a p-patch and art. We’ll have a lunch stop at Third Place Books. New riders young and older welcome. Leader pedals at a leisurely pace and slower up hills, but enjoys down hills, particularly Perkins Way.
VACATIONS FOR CYCLISTS SINCE 1985
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Tri-County ramble
Join this group for their annual trek through three counties (King, Kitsap and Pierce). Meet at Lincoln Park in West Seattle before heading down to the Fauntleroy Ferry dock for the 9:15 a.m. crossing to Southworth. This route takes riders through some terrific scenery. Visit cascade.org/grouprides for more details
C Y C L I N G
AT T O R N E Y
Member of Cascade Bicycle Club & Washington Bikes Sponsor of Bikecafe, Bikesale.com, Blue Rooster, Cucina Fresca, Fischer Plumbing, Garage, Group Health, Lakemont, Project 13, Recycled Cycles, SCCA/Starbucks, SnoValley Velo and Spin Cycling Teams
206-343-1888 or 206-714-1085 john@dugganbikelaw.com Free Consultation www.cascade.org
Vol. 45, No. 09
FREE GROUP RIDES RIDE LEADER CERTIFICATION CLASS Thursday, Sept. 10 6:30 p.m. • Cascade Bicycle Club, 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle • Contact: Jane Volta
EASY PACE (UNDER 10 mph) Saturday, Sept. 12 SLOW Ride to Central District Summer Parkways 10 a.m. •2 miles from Northwest African American Museum, Seattle • Ride Leader: Merlin Rainwater
LEISURELY PACE (10-12 mph) Tuesday, Sept. 1 Flat Tuesday “Pie Ride” to Bothell 11 a.m. • 20 miles from Magnuson Park Tennis Center Parking Lot, Seattle • Ride Leaders: Don Martin, Dottie Smith Thursday, Sept. 3 She Bikes to End of Summer Social and Art Walk 4:45 p.m. • 10 miles from Yellow Dot Plaza in Fremont, Seattle •Ride Leader: Robin Randels Friday, Sept. 4 FRIDAY RIDERS: Gas Works to Alki 10 a.m. • 25 miles from Gasworks Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: Norm Tjaden Saturday, Sept. 5 She Bikes: Cycle the Wave Little Sister training ride #7 11 a.m. • 10 miles from Eastgate Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leader: Louise Johnson Friday, Sept. 11 Friday Riders bike to the Japanese Garden 10 a.m. • 20 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: William Lemke Saturday, Sept. 12 She Bikes: Cycle the Wave Little Sister training ride #8 11 a.m. • 10 miles from Lake Hills Park, Bellevue • Ride Leader: Louise Johnson Sunday, Sept. 13 Sunday Crepes Ride 9 a.m. • 33 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: David Bordewick Friday, Sept. 18 FRIDAY RIDERS: Everett Scenic Views and Garden 10 a.m. • 23 miles from McCollum Park, Everett • Ride Leader: Jan Johnson Sunday, Sept. 20 Fall City-Carnation Romp 10 a.m. • 18 miles from Olive Quigley Park, Fall City •Ride Leaders: Michelle Burton, Jim Hunt
STEADY PACE (12-14 mph) Tuesday, Sept. 1 TREATS - Kitsap Peninsula and Sawdust Hill 9:10 a.m. • 42 miles from Edmonds Ferry dock, Edmonds • Ride Leaders: Peter Hallson, James “Bud” H Hunt Wednesday, Sept. 2 SHE BIKES - Seattle Cycle Sirens Ride around Mercer Island 6 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park - South Parking Lot, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Windsor Lewis Thursday, Sept. 3 North End Ride before Dark - NERD 6 p.m. • 26 miles from Lynnwood Transit Center (SE corner), Lynnwood • Ride Leaders: Susan Miller, Cheryl Philipp Saturday, Sept. 5 She Bikes: Seattle Cycle Sirens; #6 - Group Riding 101 Clinic with a Lake Sammamish Loop 9 a.m. • 23 miles from Postdoc Brewing, Redmond • Ride Leaders: Melanie Kelsey, Windsor Lewis Sunday, Sept. 6 She Bikes - Seattle Cycle Sirens: Cycle the Wave Middle Sister Prep Ride 10 a.m. • 37 miles from Eastgate Park N Ride - 4th Floor of parking garage, Bellevue • Ride Leader: Melanie Kelsey
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Tuesday, Sept. 8 Eastside Meander, a Social Ride for New and Experienced Cyclists (TREATS) 10 a.m. • 37 miles from Crestwoods Park, Kirkland • Ride Leaders: Don Volta, Jane Volta Wednesday, Sept. 9 SHE BIKES - Seattle Cycle Sirens - Ride around Mercer Island 6 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park - South Parking Lot, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Windsor Lewis Thursday, Sept. 10 North End Ride before Dark - NERD 6 p.m. • 26 miles from Lynnwood Transit Center (SE corner), Lynnwood • Ride Leaders: Susan Miller, Cheryl Philipp
6:30 p.m. • 19 miles from Sam Smith Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: David Longdon Thursday, Sept. 10 NERD - Northside Evening Riding before Dark 6 p.m. • 21 miles from Lynnwood Transit Center (SE corner), Lynnwood • Ride Leaders: Daniel Kelly, Terence Shelton
VIGOROUS (18-20 mph) Monday, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 MUMPS: Head Up North 10 a.m. • 60 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Craig Mohn
STRENUOUS: (20-22 mph)
Friday, Sept. 11 FRUMPS: Redhook-Trilogy-Carnation 9:30 a.m. • 55 miles from Redhook Brewery, Woodinville • Ride Leader: Loretta Goetsch
See the Multipace listing
Saturday, Sept. 12 SHE BIKES- Seattle Cycle Sirens; #7 - Group Riding 101 Clinic with a South Lake WA Loop 9 a.m. • 25 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue • Ride Leader: Windsor Lewis
Tuesday, Sept. 1, Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag, Russ Moul
Tuesday, Sept. 15 TREATS: Port Orchard and then some 9:10 a.m. • 35 miles from Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, Seattle • Ride Leader: Michael Moreland Wednesday, Sept. 16 SHE BIKES - Seattle Cycle Sirens - Ride around Mercer Island 6 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park - South Parking Lot, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Windsor Lewis Tuesday, Sept. 22 Mount Vernon to Anacortes for lunch/ TREATS 10 a.m. • 43 miles from Edgewater Park, Mount Vernon • Ride Leader: Teresa Lee Lehr-Franks Tuesday, Sept. 29 TREATS:Seattle Loop 10 a.m. • 30 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle •Ride Leader: Leslie Weppler
MODERATE PACE (14-16 mph) Wednesday, Sept. 2 She Bikes: Seattle Cycle Sirens - Ride around Mercer Island 6:15 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park South Parking Lot, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Anne-Gigi Chan Saturday, Sept. 5 Lake Cavanaugh Gravel Bike Ride 9 a.m. • 63 miles from Haller Park, Arlington • Ride Leader: Craig Daly Saturday, Sept. 5 SHE BIKES- Seattle Cycle Sirens; #6 - Group Riding 101 Clinic with a Lake Sammamish Loop 9 a.m. • 23.2 miles from Postdoc Brewing, Redmond • Ride Leader: Anne-Gigi Chan Wednesday, Sept. 9 SHE BIKES - Seattle Cycle Sirens - Ride around Mercer Island 6:15 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park - South Parking, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Anne-Gigi Chan Wednesday, Sept. 16 She Bikes - Seattle Cycle Sirens - Ride around Mercer Island 6:15 p.m. • 14 miles from Luther Burbank Park South Parking Lot, Mercer Island • Ride Leader: Anne-Gigi Chan
BRISK PACE (16-18 mph) Thursday, Sept. 3 NERD - Northside Evening Riding before Dark 6 p.m. • 23 miles from Lynnwood Transit Center (SE corner), Lynnwood • Ride Leaders: Daniel Kelly, Terence Shelton Monday, Sept. 7 Small Chainring Monday
SUPER STRENUOUS: (22mph +)
Thursday, Sept. 3 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen Tuesday, Sept. 8 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag, Russ Moul Thursday, Sept. 10 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen
5:45 p.m. • 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag, Russ Moul Thursday, Sept. 17 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen Tuesday, Sept. 22 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag, Russ Moul Thursday, Sept. 24 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker, Lola Jacobsen Tuesday, Sept. 29 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag, Russ Moul
MULTIPACE RIDES Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Midweek Eastside Evening Training Series (MEETS): Leisurely to Vigorous 6:15 p.m. • 32 miles from East Lake Sammamish Trail, Redmond • Ride Leaders: Chao Chen, Mary Hoshizaki, Louise Johnson, Zach Johnson, Melanie Kelsey, Bruce Klouzal, Cameron McLean, Alexa Volwiler, Carl Wainwright, Rick Wiltfong Saturday, Sept. 26 Washington Pass Excursion: Newhalem to Winthrop 2-day- Self Paced: Brisk, Vigorous, Strenuous 8:30 a.m. • 146 miles from Newhalem - Gravel Lot across from Skagit General Store, Newhalem • Ride Leaders: Wilfried Mack, Alexa Volwiler
Tuesday, Sept. 15 Cycle Tuesdays
This is a sampling of this month’s rides. For a complete listing, see cascade.org/calendar. For full details of the listed rides, see cascade.org/grouprides. This is also where you’ll find ride guidelines to help you select a ride that suits your style, skills and energy level.
Exceptional Ride Leaders – Jane and Don Volta By Stacey Williams, Rides Manager
We are recognizing Jane and Don Volta as Exceptional Ride Leaders for their efforts in encouraging and supporting new riders. Jane and Don began cycling in 2000 when they were looking for something they could do together to keep them active and healthy. They bought road bikes and began participating in Cascade Bicycle Club’s Free Group Rides and classes for newer riders, giving them the opportunity to meet other bicyclists and learn the mechanics of cycling. Soon they were riding in Cascade’s events like the STP and Chilly Hilly, and then they became ride leaders and active volunteers in Cascade’s rides program. Don now serves on the Board of Directors. Together Jane and Don have traveled the world on bicycling adventures. Their longest one-day ride was the 206-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) but the Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day (RAMROD) — with 150+ miles and 10,000 feet of climbing took the hardest.
Jane and Don Volta
Depending on the weather, they ride two to four days a week and lead several rides a month mostly oriented at helping others develop their bicycling skills. Whenever Jane and Don lead a ride, there is always a group of regular riders who know that they will have a safe and fun ride. But Jane and Don always take time to welcome new riders, make them feel part of the group and make sure they know the route and feel safe. When asked why do you bike? Don and Jane replied: “we bike for fun, fitness and the friendship!” If you join Don and Jane for a ride, be sure to thank them for all their work! 9
September 2015
Women Bike: seven ways men can be allies By Briana Orr, Communications Manager
Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery takes off in Greenwood By Tim O’Connor, Technology Manager & Flying Bike Cooperative Member
Riding together can be one way to support women in bicycling.
In this column, we’ve given advice on nearly everything that touches our bodies when it comes to riding a bicycle — from sports bras to saddles to the perfect summer shoes. We see a lack of discussion on these topics, and we’re happy to open up the conversation. Without discounting the importance of bicycling (often women-specific) products to a good experience on-the-bike, I think it’s fair to say we’ve covered “Women Bike” skin-deep thus far. What are other barriers women face when it comes to bicycling? Sometimes, it’s the culture of bicycling. Sometimes, it’s actually the guys around us, even those who are well-intentioned and think they are being encouraging. So fellas, listen up. Here’s how you can be an ally to women in bicycling. To clarify, when we’re talking about “women in bicycling,” we’re talking about women who are interested in bicycling, but aren’t riding; women who are riding; and women who are in the bicycling industry — mechanics, advocates, business owners and transportation planners. From a recent, very scientific poll and discussion with a focus group of women (ahem, my Facebook wall) I’ve compiled seven recommendations:
3. Ride together. If you are going to ride with women, really ride with women. There’s nothing worse than being dropped on your first ride or knowing your friend is breathing on your back wheel.
1. Assume she knows what’s up. Many women know things about bicycling, maintenance and (gasp!) maybe even more than you do. Give her the benefit of the doubt, especially if you are in a bike shop and being helped by a woman.
7. Make room at the table. Women’s voices are important on boards and committees, so if you are in a position of power, advocate for more women to be present at the table as well and give them space to speak.
2. Put the tools in her hands. By taking a step back and empowering your women friends to fix their own flat, they’ll gain confidence and develop the knowledge to do it on their own the next time. It’s a pretty cool feeling.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a few of the themes and stories I heard repeated in a community of women I am a part of. Thank you for taking the time to listen.
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b e l l evue Br ewi n g Co m p a n y 1820 130th Ave. NE
Sept. 9 at 5 : 3 o p m 10
4. Listen. Listening is a powerful tool to understand what your women friends or your partner need from you in order to feel supported. As men make up a majority of the bicycling community, women’s issues, fears, preferences and styles are often diminished or ignored. It is up to you to listen and help make space for women’s voices in the bicycling community. 5. Swallow your ego and ride your own pace. Nearly every woman I talk to has a story of “that one guy who passed me, then slowed down after a block.” Go your own pace, regardless if a man or a women is ahead of you. 6. Acknowledge that women experience street harassment. Street harassment can be a daily part of the daily female-bodied experience. Don’t contribute to it — don’t comment on her smile, her body, her fitness or pace.
When last we checked in with Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery, they were still in the planning stages for their Brewery and Tasting Room (see November 2014 issue of the Courier). Well, a lot has happened since then, and now they are open for beer in the Greenwood neighborhood! Flying Bike has opened to much acclaim, with nine beers on tap (I’ve enjoyed them all) and one cider from Finnriver. They also have a tight relationship with Munch Café next door, so that you can order beer, Flying Bike swag and food all on the same tab. You are also welcome to bring in your own food from another restaurant in the neighborhood. Flying Bike is quickly becoming the popular go-to location for families and cyclists alike, with 16 new bike racks out front (thank you SDOT!) and welcome to kids and canines. The tasting room is adorned with art made from bicycle parts, the bar front is woven bike tubes, and two outstanding member-donated murals adorn the walls incorporating biking themes. “85 percent of the brewery and tasting room was built using the talents and time of Flying Bike member volunteers, from the layout of the brewery, to the cold room, floor drains, custom made bar and even the tasting room tables made from the old-growth fir salvaged from a removed dividing wall!” said Board Member David Wiegand. “One thing that constantly humbled me was the outpouring, week after week, of volunteer help to push this project through. People who had talents amazed us with their creations, and others amazed us with
Flying Bikes’ grand opening had a good showing.
their willingness to take on tasks they had never done before – it’s really been very inspirational to all of us on the board of directors to see this support!” he said. Flying Bike has already participated in its first beer fest this summer at the PNA Beer Taste (tying for second with its Bike Rye’d Saison), and is scheduling other events for the fall. They plan to hold their next beer competition (open to members) in October, with the named style being “Winter Warmer.” All Flying Bike member-owners are invited in for the tasting and judging, and picking of the winner. Last year my friends and I really enjoyed competing in the “Cascadian Dark Ale” style and came in ninth place. I’m stoked to compete in this year’s competition, and with a little luck you’ll be tasting my Winter Warmer beer recipe at Flying Bike this winter! To learn more, visit FlyingBike.coop or drop by their location at 8570 Greenwood Ave. North in Seattle.
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P i ke Brew ery 415 1st Ave.
Sept. 17
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www.cascade.org
Vol. 45, No. 09
Cascade Members: renew and benefit!
Cascade communities at work
By Ariana Rundquist, Membership Manager
By Robin Randels, Community Connections Advocate
You’ve seen these stickers around town, right? That little line drawing of a bicyclist? Well those little stickers are whizzing around Seattle on the helmets of some very savvy bicyclists and posted in the windows of businesses that welcome and support people who bike. Thousands of businesses participate in the nationwide Bicycle Benefits program to provide special perks and benefits to any bicyclist who rolls in with this sticker on their helmet. The non-profit program not only encourages would-be drivers to take more urban trips by bicycle, but shows businesses that catering to bicyclists can bring even more business than focusing on store-front parking spots. September’s “Bicycle Benefits Member of the Month” happens to be Seattle’s own Mighty O Donuts, who provide not only bike parking and pumps at their Wallingford enclave but also offer two donuts for the price of one for any bicyclist sporting a Bicycle Benefits helmet sticker. That’s a pretty sweet deal (pardon the pun), and we at Cascade think our members deserve to enjoy these perks, too!
You probably know that Cascade is active in empowering new advocates through our Advocacy Leadership Institute and Connect Seattle teams, but you may not know about our community partnerships. Collaboration is the theme of our year at Cascade (hand-picked by staff ), and is one of our core values in our strategic plan. Through collaboration, we have been working especially hard this year to bring people together and transform the region through bicycling. One of our partners is Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, an umbrella organization for 20+ groups around the city make their neighborhoods safer and more inviting for people walking and biking. Greenwood-Phinney and Licton-Haller Greenways are two such groups. Cascade amplifies their efforts to submit successful grant proposals; plan and implement campaigns; and connect to local officials, partner organizations and coalitions. Here are highlights from two of the many groups working towards safer streets:
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Businesses displaying these stickers offer discounts to customers who bike.
While supplies last, renewing members of Cascade Bicycle Club will receive a FREE Bicycle Benefits sticker with their membership card in the mail. If you want a sticker but are not up for renewal, you can renew and Cascade will extend your membership an extra year. So Cascade members, renew your membership today and enjoy even more rewards for riding your bike! To find out more about becoming a Bicycle Benefits business member, or look up a Bicycle Benefits business near you, visit bicyclebenefits.org
Greenwood-Phinney Greenways
In the Greenwood neighborhood, north of 85th Street, many streets lack sidewalks which create hazards for people walking, particularly for children walking or biking to school. Cascade was one of the participants in a bike/walk audit, hosted by our partners at Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Feet First, to determine the safest ways for kids to walk and bike to school. Participants identified recommendations for kid-friendliest streets and safer intersection designs have been made to the Seattle School District. Greenwood-Phinney Greenways also submitted an application to the
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways’ Park(ing) Day Competition (being held Friday, Sept. 18 — save the date!). The project calls for traffic diverters to be added to the Fremont Avenue N to encourage people driving cars to turn off of the greenway route at 80th and 85th Streets. People driving are currently directed by signage but it is often ignored. This Greenways group will demonstrate how a simple, inexpensive planter can make the street more welcoming and comfortable for all ages and abilities. Licton-Haller Greenways
Licton-Haller Greenways is focussed on safe routes to the new schools currently under construction at the old Wilson-Pacific site. Three schools are being built — an elementary, middle and K-12 — which will serve 1,700 students when opened in fall of 2017. Providing a safe crossing of Aurora Avenue is their main goal. The group plans to conduct an audit, produce a video illustrating the difficulties faced by people crossing Aurora Avenue and sponsor a workshop on conducting Safe Routes to Schools audits. Planning for Safe Routes to Schools events and audits is also underway for Northgate Elementary. The efforts of these and other community groups create a Seattle that is welcoming and safe for the people who live and pass through our neighborhoods. Cascade is proud to be a part of this ever-growing movement with our partners and community members. It’s likely that there is a Greenways group in your neighborhood. If not, you can start one! Find out more and get involved at seattlegreenways.org or contact Robin at robinr@cascade.org.
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September 2015
Crank it up By Diana Bryant, Grant Writer
You may have read in our last issue that we’re embarking on a fundraising effort to transform the Cascade Bicycling Center into a world-class destination for people of all ages and abilities. With your support, we’ve raised more than $1,370,000 toward our $1,944,000 goal! But we need YOUR support to fully achieve this milestone. Over the next few months, we’ll highlight here each of the three new features of your Cascade Bicycling Center. This month, let’s take a look at the Fix-it Garage.
A bike mechanic in the making!
Remember when you were a kid and the best way to spend a summer day was exploring the treasure trove in the old family garage? Maybe the garage was where your parents kept the tool box full of wrenches, screws and all kinds of trinkets for building the best robot on the block. Or maybe you watched in awe while your sister made the biggest and most explosive baking soda volcano science project in the seventh grade. Or if you’re like some, your grandparents grew their woodworking business from their very own garage, and the smell of sawdust became a childhood staple. Better yet, maybe you handed tools to your older brother as he worked
on his Mustang on balmy summer nights. A garage is a place for rolling up your sleeves, getting a little dirty and watching a project come to life. But it’s not just for cars anymore. Next summer, Cascade will open your very own Fix-it Garage, a bicycle learning studio and repair station. Located in the alleyway behind the Cascade Bicycling Center, the Fix-it Garage will be loaded with tools, parts and the best teaching staff around. With so many exciting programs and offerings rolling out in the coming year, the Fix-it Garage will serve many functions and have a little something to offer community members of all experience levels.
Summer camps will reach new heights when kids not only learn how to ride bikes, but how to make their own repairs in the Fix-it Garage. Bicycle maintenance classes for youth and adults alike will set the stage for cyclists of all ages and abilities to roll up their sleeves and get elbow-deep in chains, brakes and derailleurs. Staff and volunteers will keep Cascade’s fleet of more than 500 bikes in tip-top shape for our education programs, and cyclists passing by on the Burke-Gilman Trail will stop in to fill some tires or finish a quick tune-up. With the Fix-it Garage in full swing, our region will be alive with bicyclists who can fix a flat in a flash! With our ultimate goal of getting more people on bikes, preparing cyclists — especially kids — to be knowledgeable and independent will be critical. The Fix-it Garage will do just that. Your support will turn young cyclists into lifelong learners. Together, let’s crank up the fun and make some memories in this garage. We can’t do it without your help. Please consider making a gift today in the enclosed envelope to support bicycle education. Every gift makes a difference. Donating is easy, and gifts of $1,000 or more will be recognized on plaques in our new Welcome Pavilion. For your ease,
$1,000 donations can be paid in monthly installments of $42 over two years. Contact us for other flexible options. You can also donate online at cascade.org/ campaigndonation or contact Tarrell at tarrellk@cascade.org.
Beer & wine tours Stop by any Wednesday at 7 p.m. now through October for a beer or glass of wine, and we’ll show you around the Center and the drawings of your new space.
I said “Yes!” on RSVP By Holly Young
Holly Young with her financé Kyle Applebury.
It all started in 2011 at spin class. Our spin instructor asked if anyone was doing any major event rides this summer. I said “I’m doing RSVP — I’m riding my bike to Canada.” I honestly only started cycling on the road earlier that day. It was May — Bike to Work Month. After class another spin student, Kyle Applebury, came up to me and said, “hey, if you want help training for that ride, I will help you train.” After that day, my personal trainer told me that I needed to train on my actual bike to prepare for RSVP, so I didn’t see Kyle for a couple of months. 12
In July I decided I needed a training buddy. I passed my email address to Kyle through a friend who was still attending class. We went for a short 30-mile bike ride together. I didn’t really think of this as a date; we were just riding bikes. After some convincing, Kyle agreed to ride RSVP with me. A couple weeks later, off we went on what we both call “our longest first date.” It could have all gone horribly wrong. We didn’t know each other very well. He was a strong cyclist, while I only had three months of cycling under my belt. I was dealing with an overuse injury, and my cycling gear was that of a newbie. I remember stopping on Chuckanut Drive, completely wiped out, and he offered to have his friends come pick me up. I didn’t want to quit, so we continued on, slowly. Kyle stuck with me the whole way to Canada. I knew after this ride that he was a remarkable man. I wanted to see where this would go... Fast-forward to 2015: Kyle and I rode RSVP with friends to celebrate our fifth anniversary. Our training had not been as consistent, but we couldn’t miss this RSVP. It had become a tradition. It rained on us for about an hour. We were cold and muddy, and I was feeling the effects of the inconsistent training.
We reached the climb to Chuckanut, and Kyle and our friends sped off ahead. I pulled up for our annual pictures. They all seemed exceptionally preoccupied with the angle and lighting this year, which I thought was odd. They had Kyle and me sit together on the rocks to take our picture for what they said was our “Christmas card” — but Kyle and I don’t send Christmas cards. And then Kyle pulled out a ring box. His exact words escape me — I was shocked at the sight of the box, and right there on Chuckanut Drive, Kyle asked me to marry him. I giggled like
a schoolgirl and said yes. I put the ring on my finger and felt just shocked — happy and shocked. My dreams had come true! Cycling is what brought Kyle and me together. If I hadn’t decided to make changes in my life, and get physically active, and take up cycling and decide to do RSVP back in 2011, we may have never met. We try to do at least one long event together every year. This year it was RSVP. We’ve also travelled to event rides in Las Vegas, Idaho and Okinawa, Japan. I suspect our list will grow longer with every year we spend together.
July Education Foundation Donor List Corporate Support
Anchor QEA, LLC Bank of the West Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Hellam, Varon & Co. Inc. P.S. Microsoft Corporation Peddler Brewing Company
Individual Support $500-$999
The Painter Family Rebecca Wellington
$150-499
Caglayan Arkan Bryn & Michael Black Bernadette Chan Aaron Darwin Steven Gill Alan Heywood Rick E Himmel Scott Jacobson Richard Kosterman Lori Lizotte Norma J Marsh Claudio Simon Ann Weiner Carlos L White
New pledges to the campaign for your Bicycling Center from July $10,000 & up
Don & Jane Volta
$5,000-$9,999
Alexa Volwiler & Frieder Mack George & Rosalie Whyel
$1,000-$4,999
Mary Beth Hasselquist Brian F Klimeck
Bruce M Leaman Mary Ann & Bill Mundy Bea, Rui & Hugo Santos John Sullivan & Paula Stokes Stacey & Shane Williams
$500-$999
Les & Mike Weppler
Donations make our work possible—Thank you!
www.cascade.org