National Bike-To-Work Day this Friday, May 17!

We appreciate you riding your bike to work, school or on any practical trip!
Visit one of the FIVE Bike Commuter Stations around town on your morning commute this Friday and let us show our appreciation.
Our awesome Local Bike Shops will be hosting the  stations with a bike mechanic on hand, bike maps, coffee, and possibly a few treats and trinkets to give away. Your miles on this day count double on your BCC Mileage Log. Plus, if you are registered in the BCC, enter your name on the list at the Bike Station to be included in a drawing for a prize!


Bike Station Locations, 7am - 9am, Friday, May 17:

• 5th Ave & Sylvester St. in Heritage Park
• Woodland Trail trail-head at Eastside St.
• Ralph's Thriftway, 1908 4th Ave E.
• Intersection of Chehalis-Western and I-5 Bike Trails (South end of I-5 overpass)
• South Sound Running, 3409 Capitol Blvd SE, near Custer Way

You're welcome to visit as many of the Bike Stations as you like, but if you visit more than one, please don't hog the BCC swag; thanks for your understanding! :-)

THANKS TO THE AWESOME SPONSORS helping to host the Bike Stations:

• Bike Tech
• Bike Stand
• Joy Ride Bikes
• Deschutes River Cyclery
• Old Town Bicycles
• Batdorf and Bronson Coffee
• Olympia Coffee Roasters
• Ralph's Thriftway
• South Sound Running
• Thurston Here-to-There

There is Still Time to Register For BCC 2013!

Registration for the Bicycle Commuter Contest is open and the "official" deadline to register is Friday, May 10. You can register online by clicking the big yellow button at the right side of the page, or in person at the Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave NE, in downtown Olympia. Open until 7pm daily.

It's Bike Month: Bicycle Commuter Contest Begins Today!

May is National Bike Month and groups, organizations, clubs and cities all over the country are celebrating, advocating, and getting out on their bikes by the millions. Here at the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest, we've been doing all of those things each May for 26 years. We sure hope you'll join us!

Register now for the BCC and receive a cool reflective sticker and a packet of valuable discount coupons at most of our Local Bike Shops. Return your Mileage Record at the end of May and receive more coupons from many of our local business sponsors, and be entered to win a new bike and many other excellent prizes!

Simply click on the yellow button at the right side of the page and fill in the blanks! If you would prefer to register in person you may do so at the Olympia Transit Center downtown.

Happy Bike Month, and Happy Biking!

Wrenchers Ball 2013 A Big Success!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the Local Bike Shops, Sponsor Businesses, and Volunteers who made this year’s Wrenchers Ball a great success! We gave safety checks to over 80 BCC participants’ bicycles. Thurston County’s bicycle community rocks!

·         Bike Shops: Bike Stand, Bike Tech, Deschutes River Cyclery, Joy Ride Bikes, Old Town Bicycles and OlyBikes

·         Business Sponsors for the WB: Intercity Transit, Old School Pizzeria, Olympia Coffee Roasters and San Francisco St. Bakery

·         Intercity Transit Staff: Erin, Lee, Kris, Meg, Dean, Mike, Donna, Carolyn, Tony and all the great folks at Intercity Transit Customer Service

·         Volunteers: Linda L., Nancy T., Ross, Tom S., Dane C., Bob and John from Bike PARTners, Tiger (Bike Tech), Larry (OlyBikes), Pete(Old Town Bicycle), Neil (Deschutes), Bill (Bike Stand), Brian (Joy Ride)

Thanks, we couldn’t have done it without you!

WRENCHERS BALL THIS FRIDAY, OLYMPIA TRANSIT CENTER

REGISTER FOR THE BICYCLE COMMUTER CONTEST AND GET A FREE SAFETY CHECK ON YOUR BIKE

Bring your bike (one bike per BCC participant) to the Olympia Transit Center between 7:30 am and 3 pm
Pick up your bike no later than 5pm. Bring your BCC mileage log, sticker or receipt to show you are registered in the BCC. You may also register at the Wrenchers Ball.

Mechanics from our local bike shop sponsors will perform a safety check on your bike to make sure you;re ready to ride in the BCC in May. If you need major repairs or parts to fix your bike, you will be referred to one of the local bike shops. We will not have spare parts on hand. There are three bike shops within three blocks of the Transit Center, so if your bike needs an inner tube or a cable, bring it with you or be prepared to go get it.

Our resources are limited, so First Come, First Served!

EARTH DAY TODAY, and everyday at Intercity Transit and the BCC

Over 150 riders showed up for the Earth Day Market Ride on Saturday, and fun was had by all!
The rain held off and we signed up lots of folks for the BCC. The coffee from Batdorf and Bronson was a hit, along with pastries from San Francisco Street Bakery.

Every Day is Earth Day at Intercity Transit and the BCC, and today we won a Silver Award form the League of American Bicyclists for being a "Bicycle Friendly Business"!

Stay tuned here or check out Events Page for the Wrenchers Ball, coming up this Friday!
While you're at it, cruise over and Like our Facebook page- help us reach 400 Likes!

2013 Earth Day Market Ride: SAT. APRIL 20- RAIN OR SHINE!

Meet neighbors, enjoy a Saturday bike ride into town and get a head start on your BCC miles while you're at it! The miles you ride this day can count as your first commute trip on your mileage log. The Earth Day Market Ride is also a great opportunity to gain confidence riding with traffic and meet other riders in your neighborhood.

Volunteer leaders will lead groups of cyclists from their neighborhoods to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at around 10:45am. (Coffee and pastries await, courtesy of Batdorf and Bronson, and San Francisco St Bakery). Meet your neighborhood Ride Leader at one of the neighborhood meeting points- meeting points shown below. You'll bike with your group down to the fountain (across from the Oyster House restaurant), following all rules of the road. After a welcome by Intercity Transit Authority Chair Martin Thies and a group photo, we all proceed to the Olympia Farmers Market. Once we arrive, you can register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest, catch some great live music and enjoy the food and shopping at the Market!

Helmet and liability waiver are required. 

Earth Day Market Ride Meeting points and times:

Cutters Point Coffee at Lacey Blvd/Pacific Ave. roundabout. Meet at 9:30 am for coffee before the ride, depart at 10:00 to meet more folks at South Sound Center flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the bike path, departing there at 10:15 am - Leader: Dane Clay

Olympia High School, meet at bike racks on Carlyon Ave side, Olympia, Departs at 10:15 am - Leader: Paul Brewster

San Francisco St. Bakery
San Francisco Ave & Bethel St. NE, Departs 10:15 am - Leader: Jessie Weaver

The Evergreen State College Red Square bus stop area, 10 am - Leader: Linda Weaver

Garfield Elementary School, Garfield Ave. and Plymouth St NW. 10:30 am - Leaders:Susan, Paul & Cruz 


  To get BCC updates and news, including details about our events like the Earth Day Ride, join our mailing list! We won't flood your inbox, and we won't share your name. We'll just send you an email once every week or two during the BCC, with important news.

2013 BCC Rider Profile #5: The Brewster Family

 

The Brewsters:

What are your ages, roughly speaking? 

40s, 12, and 8

What is your most frequent destination on your bike? Everywhere within reasonable distance— mostly work and school, but regularly to grocery stores, Farmers’ Market, friends’ homes, parks and trails, bike shops, pet stores, restaurants, even dental checkups and weddings!

How many years have you been getting around by bike? Jack and Chloe have pedaled to school and accompanied their parents on trips ever since each has learned to ride or be strapped into a bike trailer. Stacey, a dedicated transit user, has ramped up her bike trips to work over the last five years, often combining bike with bus trips. Paul is a year-round daily rider - for the past nine years.

How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? Combined our family has worn at least16 contests off our tires.

How did you hear about the BCC? Workplace. We enjoy everything the contest has to offer!

What got you started with practical cycling? Regular short trips made by a car are excessive when one weighs the cost and benefits of automotive travel. In 2005, we sold our second car to achieve a more active lifestyle and reduce our dependence on driving. We enjoy the freedom our car offers us, but cycling is liberating. The decision and the benefits were clear—making a larger portion of our local trips by bike is practical, economical and healthier than driving.

Registration for BCC 2013 is Open!!

Simply click on the red button at the right, read the notes on registration, and proceed to the registration page to fill out the form. You may also register in person at the Olympia Transit Center or by mail, see earlier post for details.

BCC 2013 Rider Profile #4: Riley and Marissa

ñ What is your age, roughly speaking?

We're both 24.

ñ What is your occupation or area of study?

Riley is the online store manager for Batdorf and Bronson. He studied nature photography and evolutionary biology at The Evergreen State College. Marissa is a copy editor at a web-hosting company and studied political economy at Evergreen.

ñ What is your most frequent destination on your bike?

Going to work and running errands around town.

ñ How did you hear about the BCC?

We heard about the BCC through word of mouth.

ñ How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?

This is our first year participating, although we've always wanted to do so.

ñ What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)?

When we were going to Evergreen, we lived so close to campus that it made more sense to ride our bikes to class and work on campus. It was actually faster than driving or taking the bus.

Last year we moved to Steamboat Island, since it's about a 20 minute drive to town, we realized that commuting by car wouldn't be cost effective due to gas and wear-and-tear on the car. But riding the bus would take nearly an hour which is the same amount of time, if not longer, than riding our bike to town. We resolved to begin riding daily. 

Registration opens for the BCC on April 1

To participate in the 2013 BCC:

Register in April (or by May 10) online, or in person at the Olympia Transit Center.
(you can also register by mail: BCC c/o Intercity Transit PO Box 659 Olympia, WA 98507-0659)
Adults: $5. Up to age 18 and currently enrolled college students register FREE.
Record your miles and days biked in May (on provided Mileage Log*)
Report your participation by June 7 (by returning your mileage log or reporting online)

On April 1, we'll post a link to the online Registration Page (pay with PayPal) and to a downloadable Mileage Log* and mail-in Registration Form, in case you'd rather register by mail.

*When you register online or by mail, we'll send you your mileage log. You'll also receive valuable discount coupons to local bike shops, and a cool reflective sticker for your bike!

Rewards! When you return your mileage log, we'll send you a fat envelope full of great discounts and free offers from local merchants: grocers, gift shops, bakeries, gyms, a flower shop, bike shops and others. We'll also enter you in a random drawing for one of several new bikes and other great prizes!

You can earn extra miles by participating in our Earth Day Market Ride on Saturday, April 20.
Join our mailing list to receive complete info, or watch this blog and our Facebook Page for regular updates.

See you in April and May, on your bike!

Spring Countdown!

Count down: Spring is only two days away! And, registration opens for the 2013 BCC two weeks from today! If you haven't already signed up for our mailing list, this would be a really good time to do so. We'll send out a FEW well-timed info-blasts to keep you informed of upcoming events and BCC deadlines. Find the "Join Our Mailing List" button at right...

Seattle Bike Expo this weekend

If you're up in Seattle this weekend and are enthusiastic about bikes and related activities, check out the Seattle Bike Expo!

https://shop.cascade.org/content/events/expo

Capitol Bicycling Club events

Upcoming Events with our partner, Capitol Bicycling Club:
 
Our own local Bike Swap Meet is this Wednesday evening at the Capitol Museum Coach House starting at 7:30pm. Bring bike-related 

stuff to swap, or just come and shop!
 

Also, registration is now open for the 2-County ride:
http://capitalbicycleclub.org/2County/

2013 BCC Rider Profile# 3 Anne Marie

We're interviewing a few intrepid practical cyclists who commute by bike year-round, to find out how they do it! 

* What is your age, roughly speaking? 39
* What is your occupation or area of study? Pre-nursing student and Navy Reservist
* What is your most frequent destination on your bike? School - preschool for my son, and SPSCC for me
* How did you hear about the BCC? Not sure, but we moved to Olympia in March 2012 and I tend to notice things that have to do with bicycles. I probably googled it after seeing signs around town.
* How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest? This year will be my first. I am looking forward to it.
* What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)? When I lived in Germany a few years ago, my office was within 2 miles of my apartment. I started biking to work then and realized I was much happier than when I drove. We moved to the DC area after that, and I started to hate driving more because of the traffic congestion there. After moving here, we decided to try being a one-car family to save money, so my commitment to daily cycling became much greater.

2013 BCC Rider Profile# 2 Jonathan H.

We're interviewing a few intrepid practical cyclists who commute by bike year-round, to find out how they do it!
 What is your age, roughly speaking? 
2013 will be my last year in my 20s!

•What is your occupation or area of study?
I manage the Customer Care department for The Spa Depot. We are an online retailer of hot tubs and spa supplies based here in Olympia.

•What is your most frequent destination on your bike?
Work, the grocery store, laundromat, Eastside tavern, Ralph's - I bike pretty much everywhere. The majority of my miles, however, are commuting to work.

•How did you hear about the BCC?
I believe a friend of mine encouraged me to sign up when I first moved to Olympia about 4 years ago.

•How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?
Every year since 2009. In that first year, I had just moved to Olympia from
Centralia, but I was still employed down in Lewis County. I commuted 5-6 days a
week from Olympia to Centralia by bike and ended up winning the overall
mileage category with 1,763 miles!

Winter: a good time for bike maintenance

The cold, dark, rainy season of winter may not be your favorite time to ride your bike (though many of us do it anyway!), but it is a great time to get your bike tuned up.If you don't have your own back-yard bike shop, Thurston County has eight professional bike shops to choose from, all scattered around the urbanized area of the county. All of these shops are equipped to tackle your bike maintenance needs, and they are not swamped with work right now! Bike shops get really busy in the spring- even as early as March. You could wait a week for your bike to get a tuneup in the busy season. Right now though, bike shops are hungry for work and want your business, and you shouldn't have to wait so long for your bike.  Remember to shop local for your bike accessories and clothing. Support the local bike shops that offer professional service to keep us rolling!

BCC 2013 Rider Profile #1: Beth R.

We're interviewing a few intrepid practical cyclists who commute by bike year-round, to find out how they do it!

BCC: What is your age, roughly speaking?

Beth: Roughly speaking?!?  Is that question worded like that for those who fear growing old?  I’m 47!

BCC: What is your occupation or area of study?
Beth:I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.  I own my own business near downtown, Olympia.  I work with individuals who are suicidal and who self harm.  I love my work and I love the people I work with (both clients and other therapists). 

BCC: What is your most frequent destination on your bike?
Beth:Sadly, work.  I’d say 90 % of my bike riding is to get me to work or home from work.  I want to do the CUPPA rides with Capital Bike Club, but errands and family commitments rarely make it possible for me to take that much time to ride on a Sat. 

BCC: How did you hear about the BCC?
Beth:Originally, I’m not absolutely sure, but I think it was one of those street banners across State Ave by the bus station.  I remember the first year I did it (I think maybe 2010) running into Duncan right after I had registered.  I was commuting that day and I stopped at the bus station to sign up.  After signing up, I went to Olympia Hardware to pick something up on my way to work.  When I was coming out of the store, he asked me,  “Hey, do you ride much?  Have you heard about the Bicycle Commuter Contest?” (or something similar to that).  And, I said, “Well, as a matter of fact, I just signed up.”  It was really cool to meet the “Director” of the BCC within minutes of signing up!

Early Season Events of Interest

Transportation-Advocacy-Day-2013 February 12 in Olympia- a chance to let our legislature know about our transportation needs and preferences.  
Seattle-Bike-Swap Hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club- hundreds of booths with vendors from individuals to large area bike shops. February 10, 9am - 2pm Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.
Seattle Bicycle Expo  The largest consumer bicycle show in the United States. Exhibitors from the United States and Canada fill over 250 booths with exhibits of bikes, gear, travel, health and fitness.  Every top event producer in the region is represented as are most bicycle tour companies, local bike shops and top national manufacturers. Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal in Seattle.
Capitol Bicycling Club Newsletter and Website Check out your local bicycling club (and even join)! Our local club hosts great rides year-round and offers classes and instructional rides for the novice cyclist.

BCC office opens for 2013- Theme ideas?

Preparations for the 26th Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest begin today! We'll post updates on our progress here periodically, so stay tuned. Also check out our Facebook page for updates and to offer your input. Speaking of input, we're looking for inspiration for this year's theme and graphics- want to help out? Submit your ideas to dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com. If we use your idea or incorporate it into our theme, we'll give you a prize!