improving lives through bicycling
Bike Camping Trips Pg. 5 July 2014 / Vol. 44 No. 7
cascade.org
The rise of protected bike lanes By McKayla Dunfey, AmeriCorps Volunteer
KEY FINDINGS • 96 percent of people reported feeling safer riding in a protected bike lane. • Protected bike lane can increase safety by 72 percent. • 76 percent of people who lived near a protected bike lane supported installing more protected bike lanes, even if they didn’t personally use the lane. • Protected bike lanes were found to promote predictable traffic behavior. • Over half of residents interviewed believed a protected bike lane improved their street for “all people”. • About 50 percent of riders interviewed indicated they ride more frequently now that they have access to a protected bike lane. • About 19 percent of riders and 20 percent of residents who had bicycled on the street stated how they shopped at businesses along the protected bike lane more frequently after the protected bike lane was installed.
Since 2011 the miles of protected bike lanes have doubled* Miles
Photo courtesy of SF Examiner The protected bike lane is emerging as one of the most effective ways to get people riding
In the fall of 2010, I hopped off a train in Amsterdam. Within an instant, hundreds of bicycles came into view. I rolled my bicycle up to the edge of a bustling on-street bike route where I anxiously waited for a gap in a dense sea of people riding along a completely protected bicycle lane. Riding seemed to be a habitual routine for everyone. I tucked my wheels in behind a woman comfortably pedaling her young son and daughter on a sturdy cargo bike, and I was immediately
caught up in the allure and novelty of riding among such seasoned bicycle commuters of all ages on a street with ample space dedicated to bicyclists. Before 2010, I had never seen an on-street bicycle lane that was completely separated from car traffic. I had never heard of a protected bicycle lane or cycle track. I couldn’t imagine what this kind of bicycle facility might look like and how it might feel to ride my bike on a brightly green painted lane exclusively for bicycles until I experienced riding through the streets of Amsterdam.
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172
At the time, protected bicycle lanes were a rarity in the United States with only 80 facilities spread thin on select streets around the country. Fast forward three years and we have 142, which means we’ve nearly doubled the number of protected bike lanes in the United States in a few short years.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA 98115 www.cascade.org
TIME DATED MATERIAL
The protected bicycle lane is emerging as one of the most effective ways to increase the safety, comfort and the number of people riding bicycles in a city. And a recent groundbreaking research by Portland State University has the numbers to prove it. The new study, entitled Lessons from the Green Lanes: Evaluating Protected Bike Lanes in the U.S., examines the impact of protected
*Recreated based on infographic data from PeopleForBikes
bike lanes in five U.S. cities: Austin, Texas; Portland, Ore.; Chicago, Ill.; Washington DC; and San Francisco, Calif. Using more than 200 hours of intersection video footage and thousands of interviews with people who live near and/or use protected bike lanes, the PSU team reveals valuable findings that support the case for installing more protected bike lanes around the country. This new research is the first academic report on protected bike lanes in the United States, and has real potential to change the conversation around bike infrastructure and what bicycling means for communities around the country. We all want better school systems for our children, and having safe, convenient, protected bike facilities to schools is an important part of this equation. Schools, safety, bicycling and city vitality are all intricately linked together. Cities like Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle now realize
that bikes are truly an important part of building an attractive, competitive, sustainable, lively, healthy city where people want to live. When more people start riding because of protected bike lanes, cities thrive. It’s that simple. Though Seattle has a long way to go toward making our streets safer for everyone who chooses to ride a bike, I’m proud to live in a city that’s prioritizing 100 miles of protected bike lanes as part of the newly adopted 2014 Bike Master Plan. As I think back to my first eyeopening experiences riding on a protected bike lane in Amsterdam just a few years ago, I’m encouraged by the fact that I’ve since had similar experiences riding on protected bike lanes in Seattle along Linden Ave., Broadway Ave., and 65th St. I look forward to many more of these comfortable rides once Seattle builds out the Westlake Protected Bike Lane and 2nd Ave. Protected Bike Lane later this year.
IN THIS ISSUE: A breath of (mostly) fresh air. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3 Bike Camping Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3 Remembering the Major Taylor Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 5 Letter to the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 6 Human-powered Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 8
July 2014
The awards we’ve been waiting for… Bike to School Ceremony Recap!
Winter’s Thaw
By Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
By Khatsini Simani, Program Coordinator
My husband and three children quickly, almost immediately, fell in love with Seattle. From our mid-winter family bike purchase (my husband and kids passed 650 miles on it at the Fremont Solstice Parade last weekend) to my children’s wholehearted love of rain, they were immediately immersed and gleeful here.
In the world of slam poetry, a famous saying is “the point is not the points, the point is the poetry.” In the same light, during Bike to School Month, we encouraged students to ride and log as many minutes as possible but the point was to be active, be safe and have fun!
It took me a bit longer. My friends were a long way away, back in DC, as were my familiar bike routes and routines. People kept asking me if it was the weather, and I airily dismissed Elizabeth’s husband and kids have already ridden 650 miles in Seattle. them with a “no, it’s been snowing for MONTHS back in D.C.—and I’ll take cool rain over that any day.” I was wrong. Because then came May. Glorious, warm May. To go on a hike (the Cable Line Trail of Tiger Mountain) with a Cascade supporter, I had to buy trail runners. I was out of breath on the trip but had a great time. That weekend, I talked my husband into going with me on another hike, to Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey—our kids cheerfully hiked all 5 miles. We went to the Olympic National Forest and hiked to a waterfall. We … bought a tent! And I started biking more—I had been planning my meetings back to back where it was impossible to bike to them, but with May I found I had plenty of time. Some weeks I was biking downtown and back every day, as well as my regular commute. And I remembered: Biking makes me happy. Hills make me happy—especially when I make it up them successfully. Riding with colleagues and biking downtown and talking with other cyclists and contemplating new infrastructure … this makes me happy. In addition, Cascade is hitting its stride. Last week, our board unanimously approved a new strategic plan that the entire staff and board wrote together (more about this very soon!). We signed a lease with the city, and are awaiting permits on our new space. The 2nd Avenue Protected Bike Lane will be built this summer, and the Seattle Times wrote a great article supporting the Westlake Protected Bike Lane. We’re all hitting our stride, together. Thanks for staying with us this long, gray winter: we’re bursting into blossom, thanks to you.
That being said, a friendly competition can often be a motivator and an exciting way for school communities to reach a goal, or rise to a challenge. By working with school coordinators to track logged minutes we were able to gather an incredible picture of what Bike to School Month looked like in our region. More than half a million minutes were logged by elementary, middle and high school students in May! For some schools, this year marked their first Bike to School Day. For others, their first time asking kids to track minutes of riding. Success was relative in each community and we applaud the efforts by all students and coordinators for their participation in Bike to School Month. On Saturday, June 14, we joined Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Livable Streets celebration and hosted a Bike to School awards ceremony, acknowledging the exceptional achievements of select schools and individuals. Representatives from nearly all of the Bike to School Challenge winners were represented at our awards ceremony. This year we also chose to highlight a rider who has shown exceptional commitment not only in May, but throughout the year.
Best, Our Bike to School Challenge categories were the following: K-8, elementary, middle and high school. Below are the results!
Elizabeth
Golden Pedal Award Winners Most School-wide Minutes Logged - Elementary Stevens Elementary • 44,497 minutes Most School-wide Minutes Logged - K-8 Salmon Bay K-8 • 21,489 minutes Most School-wide Minutes Logged Middle School Eckstein • 4,035 minutes Most School-wide Minutes Logged - High School Roosevelt • 4,085 minutes C Y C L I N G
AT T O R N E Y
Member of Cascade Bicycle Club & Washington Bikes
Grand Prize Winners
Sponsor of Fischer Plumbing, Bikesale.com, Recycled Cycles, Garage, Cucina Fresca, Blue Rooster, SCCA/Starbucks, Lakemont, Bikecafe, Attachmate and Group Health Cycling Teams
Raffle Winner Middle Schooler with More than 240 minutes Parker L.
206-343-1888 or 206-714-1085 john@dugganbikelaw.com
Most Individual Minutes Logged - High School Josh V. • 1,555 minutes Best Newcomer McDonald Int’l Elementary • 26,070 minutes
Caileigh S. won the Bike to School Challenge superstar award
Caileigh S. from the Perkins School won the Bike to School Challenge superstar award! Caileigh’s mother shared her daughter’s inspiring story with us and these stand-out stats: Over the past two years, Caileigh has ridden to school daily in all types of weather (with the exception of three days which she could not avoid). Her two year elevation gain is 144,000 feet or 10 times up Mt. Rainier! During a thunder and lightning storm, Caileigh is quoted saying, “Mom, I feel sorry for those people in the cars because they are not experiencing this like we are!” Caileigh averaged 7.6 miles roundtrip from Ballard to Maple Leaf and had decreased her commute time from 55 minutes to about 30 minutes each way. Her total Bike to School Month minutes were 1,020 (or 17 hours!) and her trips have saved her around 2,300 pounds of CO2. Wow! We applaud your work Caileigh! All Bike to School Challenge participants received either an LED bicycle light or a Frisbee for tracking at least 1 minute of biking in May. We thank our sponsors, Clif Kid, Raleigh and Seattle Children’s for their generous support of Bike to School Month and congratulate all participants and coordinators for a job well done. *Note: this year we chose to log minutes instead of trips in an effort to align with physical education recommendations for minutes of physical activity, and to allow for kids to track weekend minutes of riding and riding during P.E. class. This option also allowed students without bikes to earn minutes by riding unicycles provided by their schools. For Education Department news, events, photos and more follow me on twitter: @CascadeKhatsini
Free Consultation 2
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 7
A breath of (mostly) fresh air
By Phil Swartzendruber, Ph.D., Air Quality Scientist at the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Cascade member
Get out of town
By Kelli Refer, Volunteer Coordinator
clear that air pollution can have health impacts at even lower levels than previously thought. We are moving from an era dominated by a few large sources that impact large areas, to many smaller sources that have much more localized impacts. Heather McAuliffe with an air quality monitor
As an atmospheric scientist specializing in air pollution, riding a bike has been many things including entertainment, fitness, meditation and scientific research. My love of cycling started, like many kids, with a dirt bike on trails full of dips, jumps and bumps. I have since had many great biking experiences, including commuting everyday along a picturesque causeway in South Miami; riding the STP with my wife on a tandem; and doing some commuting on a unicycle. On most days, however, I enjoy commuting from Shoreline to downtown using varying lengths of rides and buses. Inevitably, as a burn starts to build in my legs and I wish for larger lungs, the question returns to my mind… what did I just breathe? Bike to Work Month this year has let the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency bring these two issues together in an innovative and local way. We developed a set of air monitoring instruments that our staff can carry on their bicycles for Air Quality Rides (AQRs). We have to use smaller, more portable instruments, which may not be as accurate and reliable as those we use at our official sites, but they still give us useful information about where things are better or worse, or if there’s a hotspot and we need to investigate further. The air we breathe is a complex mixture that includes gases and some very small particles (known as “fine particles”) that can be a mix of solid and liquid. Most of what we breathe is mostly inert (nitrogen), helpful to us (oxygen) or helpful to plants and the ecosystem in moderate or stable amounts. But there are many other more dilute components which can have mixed effects (for example: ozone is good up high, bad in our lungs) or mostly bad effects (for example: carbon monoxide, fine particles). Regulations coming from the Federal Clean Air Act have significantly reduced pollution from big industrial sources and from cars and trucks. We’ve made good progress but there’s still more to do! Over the past several decades, the science has become increasingly
In the Puget Sound during the summer, diesel vehicles and cars dominate the air pollution issues. In the winter, residential wood burning is the biggest source. To keep our knowledge current, we’re developing new tools and approaches to look at the smaller scale air quality impacts in more detail. And, there’s no better way to see what’s happening on your block than to… head out around your block! Our staff doing AQRs are gathering information about their neighborhoods and bike routes. This data will be analyzed with the hopes of finding new ideas about how to address air quality in specific neighborhoods, how we can connect with local communities, and ultimately give us direction about
A close look at the on-the-bike air monitor
our continued mission to keep everyone breathing clean air. The early word on the data is mostly good. We generally see elevated fine particle pollution near I-5, in industrial areas to the south of downtown, and some more modest elevations at busy intersections. Most neighborhoods and quiet streets look good. On my first AQR, the “highest” values my instruments read was when I caught up to a cyclist who was smoking! Biking has a range of benefits, from the personal like keeping fit, saving gas, and avoiding vehicle commute stress, to the public benefits such as reduced pollution and congestion especially when it replaces miles driven in a single occupancy vehicle. Biking may expose you to some occasional whiffs of exhaust, but remember that sitting in your car in the middle of a congested highway exposes you to that very same pollution at its most concentrated levels. In the end, the health benefits of biking are overwhelmingly positive, and the bike is helping us collect new air quality data!
Kelli Refer on a recent bike camping trip in Spencer Spit State Park
Camping by bicycle makes for excellent summer adventures. Plus it is easier than you might think. In the Seattle area we are lucky to have many great parks that are easily bikeable to for a weekend trip or even an overnight. A little bit of planning goes a long way in creating the ideal bicycle camping getaway. Think about what you want your trip to be. Are you taking this trip to help you train for an event or is it a trip to kick back and enjoy the journey. Whatever you are looking for in a bike getaway, you can make it happen! Many state parks have hiker/ biker campsites reserved for car free campers like Twanoh State Park near the Hood Canal. These sites are a huge blessing for bike camping, not to mention they tend to be quieter. If you want to be close to amenities like a grocery store or even places to grab a bite to eat after your ride try Tolt-McDonald State Park (If you went on Flying Wheels you biked right by it). If you are not into the pitch-atent kind of camping there are still lots of great options. Wallace Falls is a great destination that has little cabins available for rent. Yurts and cabins are also great way to extend bike camping into fall or winter. Ferries and trains expand your range of where you can travel. Bainbridge Island is a great place to whet your bike camping appetite. Fay Bainbridge State Park is only six hilly miles away from the ferry dock. The Victoria Clipper has a bike surcharge, but is a fun and sce-
nic way to get to Victoria, B.C., or to Friday Harbor for a San Juan Island trip. Plus, when you are in the San Juan Islands all inter-island ferry travel is free for people on bikes. Spencer Spit State Park is an easy four- mile ride from the ferry. For train travel, the Amtrak Cascades line has several bike spots that must be reserved ahead of time and cost $5, but you don’t have to put your bike in a box. Pro tips
Don’t worry if you don’t have the perfect touring bike or all of the high- tech camping gear! A sturdy set of panniers and a good tent will get you far. Check to see if the campsite has potable water. If not, make sure you know where you can buy an extra gallon of water or two before you head to the park. Or invest in one of those handy dandy water filtration systems. Throw all of the clothes you think you’ll need on the bed while packing. Then reduce that by half! Make reservations for any trips you’d like to go on. If your schedule can swing it, try camping during the week it will be less busy. Bring more snacks than you think you need, or just take the time to stop along the way. Farm stands are my absolute favorite place to find a treat! It is OK to get a little lost sometimes. Have Fun!
Need to renew your membership? Renew now at cascade.org/renew Improving Lives Through Bicycling
3
June 2014
Getting reaquainted with my bike By Julie Garren, a succesful Learn-2-Ride graduate
I’ve always loved bicycles, but they haven’t always loved me back. As a child, an attempt to “jump a curb” resulted in a permanently lopsided smile. As a teen, I broke an arm flipping over the handlebars during a poorly-executed braking attempt. It’s no wonder all my bikes mysteriously disappeared – my parents were just trying to save on medical expenses! Now, as an adult pursuing weight loss through diet change and exercise, cycling was one of the activities I desired to pursue. I craved that feeling of the wind in my face, taking in the local urban trails faster than on foot. In January, as a reward for losing almost 50 lbs, I purchased my Specialized Dolce Elite Compact from the friendly folks at Woodinville Bicycle. With my history, I knew I was going to need some professional guidance before setting out to ride. It’s been at least 15 years since I’d been on a bike and I wasn’t eager to get off on the wrong foot. That’s where the Cascade Bicycle Club came in! Their Back to Basics course seemed perfect for my needs. I was a little too eager to wait for a group class offering, so I opted for private education that could get me rolling sooner. At Magnuson Park HQ, instructor William Gerdes had no problem identifying me – I was the confused woman spending far too long attempting to re-install her bicycle’s “quick release” rear wheel. Fortunately, William was happy to assist, and I got some much-needed practice in. After the wheel replacement, introductions, and a quick once-over of my bike and helmet, he asked me to mount up and ride along one of
THE COURIER CREW Julie Garren
the Park streets so he could watch me in action. The verdict? The seat looked a little high for me, and boy, was I fast! He kindly shared that he was accustomed to new students getting on a bike slowly, starting slow, and staying…well, slow. It felt good knowing that I had a little power under the hood to work with! The lesson covered many basics, such as how to properly mount and dismount my bike, braking techniques, gearing, and cadence.
” What I gained most from this
lesson was confidence. Being able to emulate someone while riding was a big boost to feeling comfortable. “
We even tackled a small hill where I “tucked into the drops” for the first time. Speedy downhills frighten me, but with the benefit of a little training, it was thrilling! Since the lesson I’ve spent my time on the Sammamish River Trail, getting seat time in and increasing my ride distance. I hope to be able to make the roundtrip between Bothell and Ballard on the BGT by fall. I’m also happy to report that cycling, along with my other efforts, has helped me drop nearly 80 lbs since last August.
Heard at the Front Desk: STP Rider emails By Dave Eggleston, Front Desk Operative
STP is only a month away! We’ve been sending helpful emails to registered participants for the past few weeks that answer many common questions about the ride. The Front Desk is hearing from people with friends who received the emails but they didn’t. We believe that spam filters at email providers are causing the emails to be routed into the spam or junk folders for some email accounts. If this is happening to you, don’t despair! We have posted every rider email online for your reference. Just go to the STP main page: www. cascade.org/stp and look for the link to rider emails. And if you have a question that isn’t covered on the website or in those emails give us a call! 4
Anne-Marije Rook, Editor Diane English and Chris Partridge, Editorial Assistants Contributors: Diana Bryant, McKayla Dunfey, Dave Eggleston, Larry Gales, Julie Garren, Elizabeth Kiker, Chris Partridge, Daniel Poppe, Anne-Marije Rook, Phil Swartzendruber, Tarrell Wright Layout by: Tom Eibling
We welcome your contributions!
Advertising:
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.
We welcome ads and inserts. To check availability and inquire about prices, please contact Anne-Marije Rook at amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org. Let’s be social! Follow Cascade on Facebook and Twitter. @cascadebicycle facebook.com/cascadebicycleclub
Queries can be emailed to: amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org.
CASCADE CONTACTS Home Page: www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 or 206-522-BIKE Fax: 206-522-2407 Email: info@cascadebicycleclub.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Note: All email addresses are @cascadebicycleclub.org President Charles Ruthford • charles.ruthford@ Vice President Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@ Treasurer Don Volta • don.volta@ Secretary George Durham • george.durham@
Cascade Bicycle Club 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA 98115
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Kiker • (206) 523-9495 or Elizabeth.kiker@ SENIOR STAFF Ed Ewing, Director of Diversity & Inclusion (206) 778-4671 • ed.ewing@ Thomas Goldstein, Advocacy Director (206) 799-7775 • thomasg@ Shannon Koller, Director of Education
Executive Committee Member-at-large Catherine Hennings • catherine. hennings@
(206) 696-4425 • shannonk@
Directors Maggie Sue Anderson • maggiesue. anderson@
(206) 291-4032 • serenal@
Dr. Rayburn Lewis • rayburn.lewis@
Serena Lehman, Director of Membership & Outreach Kathy Mania, Finance Director (206) 498-2607 • kathy.mania@
Mo McBroom • mo.mcbroom@
Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
Joe Platzner • joe.platzner@
(208) 870-9406 • amrook@
Merlin Rainwater • merlin.rainwater@
Tarrell Wright, Development Director
Ron Sher • ron.sher@
(206) 240-2235 • tarrell.wright@
Jessica Szelag • Jessica.szelag@ Ed Yoshida • ed.yoshida@
Any future questions for our front desk? Call us at (206) 522-3222 or email info@ cascadebicycleclub.org.
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 7
Remembering the Major Taylor Project By Diana Bryant, Grant Writer
Your support can help a Major Taylor youth ride the Group Health STP By Daniel Poppe, Development Coordinator
For the Turners, the undeniable rewards of life on a bicycle are what continue to connect them to the Major Taylor Project. As a boy, Mark often rode from Edmonds to Greenlake, exploring parts of the city he could only see by bike. Now, he and Jeanne most value how much the Major Taylor Project helps teens slow things down and see the world. The Turners, longtime Seattle residents and bicycle enthusiasts, recently included Cascade’s Major Taylor Project as a beneficiary in their will.
“Don’t forget what’s meaningful to you,” was the advice Jeanne Turner’s father gave her as she and her husband, Mark, reviewed their will. The couple, who have been active volunteers with the youth development program since its beginning in 2009, knew immediately that the Major Taylor Project fit the bill for her father’s advice. Mark explains his connection to Major Taylor by recalling the moment his own father pulled into the driveway with a Schwinn 10-speed in tow: “Someone brought me a bicycle and changed my whole world.” Over the years, Mark and Jeanne have assisted with bicycle repair workshops, participated in the annual Major Taylor Spinathon and completed the 200-mile Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, right alongside the Major Taylor students.
For Mark and Jeanne Turner, remembering the Major Taylor Project in their will was an easy thing to do. The advice imparted by Jeanne’s father to remember what’s meaningful—and to find a way to sustain it—has instilled hope that others will do the same. Mark, a learning strategist and performance consultant, and Jeanne, a former teacher and school administrator, believe the ability to give lies within everyone’s reach. “You don’t need to have a large estate,” Jeanne explains. “Something will be there, and if enough people do it, we can all sustain the Major Taylor Project way past us.” Cascade’s ability to change lives through bicycling is made possible by people like you. To join Mark and Jeanne’s journey by remembering Cascade in your will, please contact Tarrell Wright, Development Director, at 206-240-2235 or tarrell.wright@ cascadebicycleclub.org.
For all but a few seasoned longdistance cyclists, the Seattle to Portland ride is a once in a lifetime accomplishment. Two days and more than 200 miles of gruelling biking tests the limits of a person’s endurance. But for the high school students from the Major Taylor Project, it is a defining life experience. These students approach the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic with the maturity and experience that comes from being part of a team and a member of a community.
your support they can ride in one of the largest recreational rides in the country. It costs $500 to send a kid on the Group Health STP and we expect at least 30 kids to ride with us this year.
” I thought, there is no way I’m gonna ride 10 miles—my legs will break. But I did it, and then I rode 200. I knew there was nothing I couldn’t do.“ -Brook Negussie, Major Taylor Project student and incoming freshman at the University of Washington 2014-15
The Major Taylor Project is focused on introducing youth from diverse communities to the recreation of cycling while creating an inclusive culture of bicycling that will continue through future generations. We believe that everyone should have a chance to ride. Every year, the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation helps 30 kids cross the finish line in Portland, Ore. These students come from underserved communities in the Puget Sound region, but with
Your generous donation of $50, $250, $500 or any amount can help these kids test their limits and grow together. Please visit www.cascade.org/ major-taylor-project to learn more about the Major Taylor Project and to make a donation. Or send your donation to: Major Taylor/STP 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA 98115
Turn your summer cycling into big donations for the Education Foundation! By Tarrell Wright, Director of Development
Many companies including Boeing, Microsoft and others offer cash donations to match hours their employees volunteer at local non-profits. These matching programs mean your generosity will have an even greater impact on organizations like the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. Boeing Company Matching
Volunteer Match: Any current employee who volunteers for the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation can register their time with Boeing. The company will give the Education Foundation a gift of $250 for every 25 hours volunteered, up to $6,000 per employee. This includes time spent on advocacy, working in the Education Foundation office, or volunteering on our event rides like the Group Health STP. Walk/Run/Bike Match: Any current Boeing employee who rides one of our paid events can have $100 per ride donated to the Education Foundation. Thank you! Your support of the Education Foundation provides for programs that help us get more people on bikes and fight for safer streets. Similar programs are available to employees of Microsoft and other companies. If you have any questions about match programs or are experiencing difficulties logging your donations/hours, please give me a call at (206) 240-2235 or email tarrell.wright@cascadebicycleclub.org. Your donations support the next generation of bicyclist!
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
5
July 2014
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Electric Bicycles: Fun, Practical and Ready to Help Save the Planet
Thank you for riding Red-Bell 100. Your fundraising dollars benefit the work of World Bicycle Relief in Africa. Locally your support funds the next generation of bicyclists. Heres how:
By Larry Gales
$50
Someone recently wrote a public letter to the Seattle Times about bicycles in Denmark, where they are a major part of daily transportation. The writer said that cycling for transportation only works, however, because Denmark is flat, and argued that bicycles are impractical in Seattle for commuting and general transportation due to our many hills.
buys 15 reflective lights for kids on a bike train
• There is now a new kid on the block: the electric bicycle -- or e-bike-which can ease hills. Today’s E-bikes are not heavy clunky mopeds, but are true bicycles. Like conventional bikes they: Are the same size, fit the same bike racks, and are of similar appearance • Are usually as quiet • Have the same TOP speed as they are legally limited to 20 mph under power • Co-exist easily in the same bike lanes • Are pedaled in almost the same way • Follow almost all the same laws Allow for a range of exercise from almost none, to as much as desired Their only disadvantages are somewhat greater expense and weight (about 15-to-25 lbs more than conventional bikes). But even these disadvantages are lessening as technology improves and production increases. But e-bikes offer major advantages:
$100
buys a bike rodeo kit
They open up the bicycle market to a far larger population by eliminating the barriers of hills, headwinds, sickness, injury, age, or sweat (important for commuting to work or most social activities). E-bikes are much more comfortable in bad weather as you can dress to be as warm or dry as you desire without being drenched from within by sweat.
$325
• The much larger population that would use e-bikes would insurethe political power to develop safer bicycle lanes for all bicycles. • E-bikes have many safety advantages:
buys a full
• You can maintain sufficient speed going up steep hills to avoid weaving left to right, close to auto traffic
scholarship
• You can ride fully erect without regard to wind resistance, improving visibility for yourself and others.
for a week-long summer bike camp
• You can press the throttle to accelerate out of a dangerous situation • Regenerative braking gives you a third braking option, even if your brake pads are wet • But most of all, you lack the temptation to maintain your momentum at all costs, running lights or stop signs, especially at the base of a hill: it takes no more effort to climb a steep hill on an e-bike than to ride on the flats, so you are no longer tempted to take such chances. • They generally require less maintenance: all the electric parts are sealed and generally maintenance free, the stresses on the chain and sprockets are much less, there is often no need for the complex derailleur/gear changing mechanism (I always ride in high gear even going up steep hills), and regenerative braking greatly reduces the wear on brakes. There are over 100 million e-bikes in China, and their popularity is rising in Europe. But they are generally unknown in this country, and that is what we would like to change. Because of the benefits to the world, our community, and the bicycle riding population, we would like to raise the awareness about the fun, the practicality, and the environmental benefits of e-bikes. Write to us! Send your letters to amrook@cascadebicycleclub.org 6
$1000 buys 133
bike helmets to giveaway at community events to kids that could otherwise not afford them
www.cascade.org/world-bicycle-relief-red-bell-100 www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 7
Creating a long-term impact in Edmonds By Diana Bryant, Grant Writer
Women Ride: Riding while having your period by Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
I found that the cup is not only a great option for backpacking and trekking, it also makes cycling while menstruating so much more comfortable and stress-free.
The menstrual cup
The Hazel Miller Foundation awarded an $18,000 grant to Cascade in support of Edmonds-based school and community programming.
The old Seattle Quilt Co. building still stands at 310 First Avenue South, in the Pioneer Square neighborhood where Hazel Miller’s legacy began with her connection to the early 20th century business. Hazel Miller and her husband, Morris, ran the Seattle business until the early 1970s, when they sold the bedding supply company and moved north to become permanent residents of Edmonds. It’s here that Hazel Miller’s legacy lives on through her foundation, which benefits nonprofits doing work in the Edmonds and South Snohomish County communities. Last month, the Hazel Miller Foundation awarded a grant of $18,000 to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation in support of our Edmonds-based school and community programming. The grant will support Basics of Bicycling, Urban Cycling Club and Bike to School Month programming. Together, these bicycle education programs, which focus on riding and safety skills, reach more than 4,000 students annually in the Edmonds School District. With the Hazel Miller Foundation’s generous support, we are well on our way to creating long-term
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
As women, there are a lot of topics relating to cycling comfort which are either not frequently talked about or just too embarrassing to ask a male salesperson at the local bike shop. Topics like: “I’m hurting down there” or “Do you have any tips about riding while menstruating?” or “Why can’t I find cycling clothes that fit?”
It’s good for bike riding because, while on a long ride, you may not know when or where your next potty stop will be. With menstrual cups holding much more fluid than even the most super-absorbent tampon, you don’t have to stress about leaks. Plus, it’s reusable so you don’t have to carry extras on you or dispose of anything!
You get the idea: personal, women-specific and potentially awkward to explain. We’ll do our best in addressing these topics here.
As long as you have potable water to clean the cup every eight hours, you’re good to go.
Today’s topic: riding while having your period impact in the Edmonds community--but there is still much work to be done. Our community and schoolbased programs serve thousands of students throughout the Edmonds, Seattle, Highline and Lake Washington School Districts. 2014 has been a monumental year for getting kids on bikes, and your support is what makes it happen. By making a gift to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, your support will help Cascade continue to bring bicycle education to the school most in need. To learn more about our education programs, please visit www.cascade. org/learn and give today! Thank you for your support!
Made from medical grade silicone, the cup is worn inside the vagina during your period to collect your menstrual fluid. Manufacturers say it can collect up to a day’s worth of fluid, but the cup should be removed, rinsed and reinserted every eight hours.
Cycling is a great way to battle those pesky mood swings and cramps that come with our monthly period. Yet, that bloated feeling or the thought of having to change your tampon every few hours during a heavy flow can make spending time in the saddle less than appealing. Here’s a tip on making cycling while menstruating a bit more comfortable: the menstrual cup. A few months ago, as I was preparing for a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, I decided to give the Diva Cup a try. The menstrual cup, a silicone insert, eliminates the need for tampons or pads and can be reused over and over again for up to a year, thus preventing having to pack in/ pack out tampons and the waste they create.
The downside, however, (there’s always at least one) is that it can be a bit messy and inserting it takes some getting used to. But for me, not having to worry about my period when I’m spending four or five hours in the saddle is a such a relief, it outweighs the cons. Looking to give the menstrual cup a try? There are various brands on the market offering different designs, colors and capacities. More commonly available brands include Diva Cup, Moon Cup, Soft Cup and Lunette. Check the web on where to buy. Hope these tips help! Please email me your questions at amrook@ cascadebicycleclub.org and I’ll answer them anonymously here.
7
July 2014
Human-powered coffee
by Anne-Marije Rook, Communications Director
Pure coffee
Since espresso machines are too heavy to pedal around on a bike cart, Handlebar Coffee only serves brewed coffee by airpress, pourover and French press. And when you order a cup of coffee, the choice is yours. “Not having an espresso machine teaches people about the different brew methods and it frequently turns into a 10-minute conversation,” said Dave. The guys behind Handlebar Coffee: David Rothstein and Alex Johnstone
Business Founders Industry Find them
Currently operating as Handlebar Coffee Alex Johnstone and David Rothstein Mobile vendors At the Wallingord and South Lake Union Farmers Markets and Coyle’s Bakeshop in Fremont
How do you like your coffee? Black, with milk or sugar? How about human powered? Two Seattle coffee enthusiast have set out to supply customers with high quality coffee and a free coffee education, and they’re doing it all by bike. Barely two months up and running, Alex Johnstone and David Rothstein pedal their custom, 100-pound coffee carts from farmers markets to neighborhood events where a following of their pop-up business – Handlebar Coffee –is quickly growing.
From crop to your cup
Handlebar Coffee is as much an educational endeavor as it is entrepreneurial. “Part of our business is to educate people. To teach them that coffee is a crop, farmed by experts and roasted by specialists,” said Dave. “We want to teach people about the whole journey of coffee as well as the different beans, brewing methods and the artisanship of roasting.”
Friends since their Nathan Hale High School days, Dave and Alex share a common love for the great outdoors, quality coffee and small businesses.
“Seattle has a great coffee reputation and yet a coffee ignorance at the same time,” Alex explained. “People want coffee. It’s what they start their day with and ingest in insane amounts. But few people know anything about the crop that is coffee.”
“Dave and I have always talked about starting a small business,” said Alex.
“People should know what they’re drinking and where it comes from.”
So a little of a year ago, inspired by small, human-powered food vendors around the world, Alex and Dave got crafty. They put their old woodshop skills to use and started building one-of-a-kind coffee carts. “We could have done something else but we both have a passion for quality coffee,” said Dave, a former Seattle Coffee Works barista. “The moment I stepped a foot in the specialty coffee world, I was intrigued.” Alex a ‘home coffee enthusiast’ and organic chemistry major, got into coffee brewing while camping and rock climbing. “Even while camping, I make quality, pour-over coffee,” he said. Coffee, bikes and Seattle –it seems like a natural fit. “It’s conscionable and people love it!” said Dave. 8
You also won’t find a refrigerator on the Handlebar Coffee carts, thus no milk. Alex and Dave probably wouldn’t even offer milk if they could carry it. Outspoken black coffee advocates, Alex and Dave belief that single-origin coffee is so good that it doesn’t have to be dressed up with milk, sweeteners or syrups. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a latte but we encourage people to drink coffee as it was intended: black,” Alex stated. Alex and Dave not only want to do right by their roasters –whose art, science and passions lie in roasting single-origin beans –but also by the small farmers who devote themselves to varietal, quality coffee crops. “When you buy quality coffee, you pay not just for aroma and
taste but for someone’s livelihood,” said Dave. Handlebar Coffee is currently brewing a rotating list of single origin beans from local roasters Conduit, Kuma and Velton’s. Business
Starting a small, self-funded business can be risky, especially for two college-aged guys dipping their toes in entrepreneurship. But Handlebar Coffee is doing well. “We’re still developing but things are going well,” said Alex. “It’s amazing to us how supportive and inspired people are by this idea.” “It’s been such a rewarding process. We’re meeting a demand, while educating people and operating sustainably,” added Dave. “We want it to be profitable without a bad impact. At the end of the day, it’s about changing the status quo and making difference.” Look for Alex and David operating under a new name soon. In the meantime, follow them on Facebook ( facebook.com/handlebarcoffee) and Twitter (@handlebarNW). Know a bikey business that should be featured? Email us at amrook@ cascadebicycleclub.org
The journey of a coffee beans kind of goes like this: • Coffee “cherries” are harvested by hand
Alex and David are tackling Seattle’s hills and coffee scene.
• And soon thereafter depulped to separate the coffee seeds from the outer layer of flesh • These seeds (beans) will then ferment and be laid out in the sun to dry. • The now fermented beans are sorted either by hand or by machine to remove any defects • Ready to be roasted, the beans are shipped off to roasters around the world. • Once roasted according to taste —light, medium or dark—the beans are ready to be ground and brewed. • Handlebar Coffee pedals the beans from the roaster to your cup
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 6
FREE GROUP RIDES 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. LEISURELY PACE (10-12 mph) Thursday July 3 Gas Works Thursday Social 6:30 p.m. 18 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Scott Kralik Thursday July 10 Gas Works Thursday Social 6:30 p.m. 18 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Scott Kralik Friday July 11 FRIDAY RIDERS: Snohomish to Lake Cassidy 10 a.m. 28 miles from Snohomish City restrooms, on 1st Ave, Snohomish; Ride Leader: Jan Johnson Thursday July 17 Gas Works Thursday Social 6:30 p.m. 18 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Scott Kralik Friday July 18 Friday Riders bike Everett and Lowell/ Snohomish Loop 10 a.m. 25 miles from Lowell Riverfront Park, Everett; Ride Leader: William Lemke
Tuesday July 8 TREATS: Marymoor-MonroeSnohomish Loop 9:30 a.m. 58 miles from Marymoor Park,(East Free Parking Lot), Redmond; Leader : Bill Hanna Tuesday July 15 TREATS: Kirkland North Loop 10 a.m. 33 miles from Crestwoods Park, Kirkland; Ride Leader(s): Jane Volta, Donald Volta Tuesday July 22 TREATS: Redmond Ridge to Carnation 10:00 a.m. 36 miles from QFC Redmond Ridge, Redmond; Ride Leader: Clarice Sackett Tuesday July 29 TREATS: Fremont to Edmonds 10 a.m. 37 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Leslie Weppler
MODERATE PACE (14-16 mph) Wednesday July 2 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): David Fisher, Bob Cornwell
Saturday July 5 CATS Magnuson #15: Lake Joy 9 a.m. 60 miles from Kenmore Park & Ride, Kenmore; Ride Leader: Mark Keithly Monday July 7 MUMPS: Head Up North 9:30 a.m. 70 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore; Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Small Chainring Monday 6:30 p.m. 19 miles from Sam Smith Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: David Longdon Wednesday July 9 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 25 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alexa Volwiler, Pete P, James Coliz Saturday July 12 RAMROD Training Series 10th Annual - Ride #13 7:30 a.m. 100 miles from Challenger Elementary School, Issaquah; Ride Leader(s): Per Sunde, Shana Sunde, Grant McAlister,Paul Franks, Francis Gan Monday July 14 MUMPS: Head Up North 9:30 a.m. 70 miles from Tracy Owen Station/Log Boom Park, Kenmore; Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Small Chainring Monday
Wednesday July 16 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): David Fisher, Bob Cornwell Saturday July 19 S.P.O.K.E.S. What’s New 520? 10 a.m. 20 miles from Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland; Ride Leader(s): Jim Hunt, Michelle Burton Thursday July 24 Gas Works Thursday Social 6:30 p.m. 18 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Scott Kralik Friday July 25 FRIDAY RIDERS: To Port Orchard 10 a.m. 30 miles from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, Seattle; Ride Leader: Norm Tjaden Thursday July 31 Gas Works Thursday Social 6:30 p.m. 18 miles from Gas Works Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: Scott Kralik
STEADY PACE (12-14 mph) Tuesday July 1 TREATS: Ride the Ridge 10 a.m. 30 miles from Burien Community Center, Burien; Ride Leader: Michael Moreland Friday July 4 4th of July Lk Sammamish Loop 9 a.m. 34 miles from Red Hook Brewery, Woodinville; Ride Leader: Joni Griffis
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Wednesday July 23 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Rob Latino Saturday July 26 International Day of Friendship Ride Redmond 10 a.m. 47 miles from Bear Creek Park and Ride, Redmond; Ride Leader: Dorothe Reijnders Wednesday July 30 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): David Fisher, Bob Cornwell
BRISK PACE (16-18 mph) Wednesday July 2 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alexa Volwiler, James Coliz Saturday July 5 CATS Eastside Week 14: Maple Valley Classic 9 a.m. 120 miles from Newport Hills Park and Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Carl Wainwright, Joe Shih, Cathy Henley, James Coliz
STRENUOUS PACE (18-21 mph) Wednesday July 2 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader: Keith Hovda Saturday July 5 CATS Eastside Week 14: Maple Valley Classic 9 a.m. 120 miles from Newport Hills Park and Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alan Tagstrom, Keith Hovda, Robert Dennis, James Coliz Wednesday July 9 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader: Keith Hovda, Robert Dennis, James Coliz Wednesday July 16 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader: Keith Hovda, Robert Dennis, James Coliz Wednesday July 23 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader: Robert Dennis Wednesday July 30 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader: Keith Hovda, Robert Dennis, James Coliz
Wednesday July 9 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): David Fisher, Bob Cornwell Friday July 11 FRUMPS: Brown’s Point and the BPA Trail 10 a.m. 39.5 miles from Russell Rd. Park, Kent; Ride Leader: Jan Van Fredenberg
Wednesday July 30 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 25 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alexa Volwiler, Pete P, James Coliz
6:30 p.m. 19 miles from Sam Smith Park, Seattle; Ride Leader: David Longdon Wednesday July 16 MEETS: South Bellevue 6 p.m. 25 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alexa Volwiler, Pete P, James Coliz Saturday July 19 RAMROD Training Series 10th Annual - Ride #14 7:30 a.m. 106 miles from Newport Hills Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Per Sunde, Shana Sunde, Grant McAlister, Paul Franks, Francis Gan Monday July 21 MUMPS: Head Up North 9:30 a.m. 70 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore; Ride Leader: Craig Mohn Wednesday July 23 MEETS: South Bellevue 6:00 p.m. 30 miles from South Bellevue Park & Ride, Bellevue; Ride Leader(s): Alexa Volwiler, Pete P Saturday July 26 RAMROD Training Series 10th Annual - Ride #15 9:00 a.m. 56 miles from Ron Regis Park, Renton; Ride Leader(s): Per Sunde, Shana Sunde , Grant McAlister, Paul Franks, Francis Gan Monday July 28 MUMPS: Head Up North 9:30 a.m. 70 miles from Tracy Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore; Ride Leader: Craig Mohn
SUPER-STRENUOUS PACE (+22 mph) Tuesday July 1 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader: Vincent Haag Thursday July 3 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. 35 mile from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader(s): Lola Jacobsen, Tom Baker Tuesday July 8 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader(s): Vincent Haag Tuesday July 15 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader(s): Vincent Haag Tuesday July 22 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader: Vincent Haag Tuesday July 29 Cycle Tuesday 5:45 p.m. 35 miles from Gene Coulon Park, Renton; Ride Leader(s): Vincent Haag
Weather conditions may cancel the ride. Helmets are required on all rides. Earbuds/headphones are not allowed on any Cascade ride. All riders are required to sign a waiver form. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Riders are expected to be ready to ride at the time listed. Participants do not have to RSVP, simply show up to join the fun!
On Twitter? Tag your tweets and twitpics with #grouprides. 9
July 2014
The Cyclists are coming! Watch out Portland! On Saturday, July 12, 10,000 cyclists will be heading your way, traversing more than 200 miles from the University of Washington campus to center of the City of Roses. Now in its 35th year, the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic is the quintessential Northwest ride, and a bucket list item for many. It’s also the largest bicycle event in the region with 10,000 riders participating every year, a quarter of whom will tackle the 200+ mile course in a single day. The STP is a challenge, a party and a memory-making bonanza all in one. If you’ve missed this year’s event, become a Cascade member and register early in January of 2015. It’s an event you’ve got to do at least once!
Thank you riders!
We’d like to thank all 2014 Group Health STP participants. Your registration fee makes our work possible. This event is the primary fundraiser for the Cascade Bicycle Club. Thanks to riders like yourself, Cascade Bicycle Club introduces thousands of students in the Puget Sound region the joys, empowerment and practicality of riding a bike. Your fee helps us advocate for roads and trails that are safe and convenient for families and commuters. And thanks to you, we’re able to host fun and challenging events for riders of all ages and abilities. None of these amazing projects would be possible without STP riders like you. Thank you. Thank you to our sponsors!
10
www.cascade.org
Vol. 44, No. 7
A Summer Fling with a Single Speed By Chris Partridge, Communications Specialist
Bicycle Accident?
Avoid The Mistakes That Can Leave You Holding The Bag.
ycle to bic on guide IMATE in Washingt The ULT
accide
Don’t make one of the 7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Bicycle Accident Case.
es nt cas
ID E N
T
S B IC RET S ELCO C K E D ACC YC L E
UN Tricks
ps and tra
that
wreck
Wa shi
ngton
inju ry
cases.
Ever had a car turn left directly in front of you without even looking? If you are hit by a car do you know what to do? Do you know who to talk to and who you shouldn’t? Do you know what mistakes some people make in the days or weeks following the accident that wreck an injury case? Find the answers in this free book.
When the insurance company calls wanting a recorded statement and asking you to sign a few forms, what should you do? Politely hang up and get the MOST important information about Washington Bicycle Accident claims before talking to the insurance company, hiring a lawyer, or signing anything. Order this NO COST Book at:
www.WashingtonBicycleBook.com or call 425.242.5595
Chris’ new crush: his single speed bike
“Is that one of those single-speed bikes?” a co-worker asked me on a recent afternoon ride to the beach at Magnuson Park. “Huh, I don’t get those at all.” “It is,” I said, surprised by her surprise. “But what’s to get?”
Inspiring Your Exceptional Cycling Experience Serving Seattle Cyclist for over 81 years
The truth is, six months ago I too was mystified by the Seattle singlespeed. Why, in a town this hilly, would you refuse the option of down-shifting? Like my colleague, I was sure style and affectation were the only things driving the messenger bike craze. But at Bike Happy Hour, my friends sung the praises of these simple bikes, told me I wouldn’t understand until I tried it for myself. I denied any interest at the time, but I found myself inexplicably browsing Craigslist bikes over the following days. “Just a little harmless internet window-shopping,” I told myself. Do I even have to tell you what happened next? That weekend I found a great deal on a tragically hip single-speed with a flip-flop rear hub, and I joined the ranks of the Tecate-swilling cool. It took a couple trips to the bike shop to get things dialed in, but after three weeks commuting to work, the farmers market and just about everywhere else, I was hooked. Call it cliché, but everything joyous about riding a single stems from its simplicity. There’s an elegant aesthetic to the single-speed, something downright sexy about the teardrop shape of the chain. Singles and fixies are stripped to their barest essentials—classic beauty. But it’s not just the visual simplicity that gets me. Frequent Courier readers will recall that I am a self-diagnosed “bi-pochondriac” who obsesses over subtle noises and imagined friction. I experience weird shame about shifting
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
gears on subtle inclines. Riding a single-speed has quieted my mind. When you take derailleurs, multiple chainrings, shifters and complicated cassettes out of the equation, there’s less to fuss over. And there’s less to manage on the ride. Thoughts like “Should I switch gears?” or “Am I cross-chaining?” don’t even enter my mind. I can be completely present on the trail, only concerned with the chirping of morning birds, instead of the squeak of my derailleur. I’ve spent much of my cycling life chasing the carefree joy of riding my first BMX Huffy. And hitting those open flats on my single is pretty darn close to being ten years old again. I’m overcome with the urge to stand up and pump until my legs burn, to pop wheelies that would certainly taco my road wheels. Simple bikes are time machines, they are fountains of youth. And the hills? I commute 6 miles each way with an elevation gain of 200 feet. I must admit, it’s among the most single-friendly commutes in Seattle. But when I do face hills, I conquer them much faster and happily than on my twelve-speed. It may not work for everyone, but a little on-the-fly re-routing can do wonders. My single lit a fire inside me. It’s my manic pixie dream bike—new and beautiful, fun and enlivening (okay, and occasionally frustrating). When the winter wet returns, I’ll hop back on my reliable twelvespeed commuter with its fenders and accessories, but summer is the time for rejuvenation, for an uncomplicated fling with a singlespeed.
11
July 2014
RSVP 2! Saturday, August 16, 2014 The 101st
Tour de France kicks off on July 5th Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2014, the 101th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,664 kilometers. After taking off from the United Kingdom for a 20th Grand Départ abroad, the Tour de France will also go through Belgium and Spain, and end on the historic Paris Champs-Élysées as is tradition. Two dozen teams will compete for the honor, the glory and of course, the yellow jersey. Who will it be? Can Andrew Talansky beat Chris Froome? Or maybe Alberto Contador will find his peak fitness.
Enjoy 188 miles of scenic back roads (106 miles/3500’ on day one and 82 miles/2400’ on day two). RSVP2 starts on Saturday, Aug. 16 (one day after RSVP1) at the north end of the University of Washington’s E1 parking lot and finish in downtown Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday. The finish line festival includes a no-host bar, barbecue and music.
Watch it live at the following place: Café Presse, 1117 12th Avenue. Seattle, Wa.
Every morning at 7 a.m. with occasional replays in the afternoons. Empire Espresso Bar, 3823 S Edmunds St.
Empire opens at 6 a.m. every morning and will have the Tour playing on their screens live as well as replays in the afternoon. Nord Alley
Come to Pioneer Square for free screenings of the Tour in Nord Alley. www.alleynetworkproject.com
12
www.cascade.org