this week's fun event: roundabout opening!

Come celebrate the completion of HUB Junction (the new bicycle roundabout at the intersection of the Chehalis-Western Trail and Woodland Trail) with the contributing jurisdictions this Thursday, March 17 at 2pm. There will be a short program followed by a commemorative photo around the HUB. Yay for our trails!!

MoonCycle! Full Snow Moon Ride This Saturday, 7pm Tivoli Fountain

 Moon Cycle Olympia is an independently organized  monthly casual night ride on the first Saturday following the full moon. To join us, just show up at Tivoli Fountain on the State Capitol Campus with lights & a helmet. We only ride as fast as the slowest. All ages welcome.

2014 Earth Day Market Ride Beats Expectations

Intrepid Earth Day Riders

Earth Day Market Ride 2014 was a splashing success! Over 80 riders braved the gush and the gusts to meet at the Heritage Park Fountain and bike together to the Farmers Market. One participant biked from Lakewood (about 25 miles) to meet the group starting at South Sound Center, and then turned around to bike home after this picture was taken! Many thanks to all who came out today, anbd to Batdorf and Bronson and San Francisco St Bakery for coffee and treats.

Coming April 3: “The Bicycle Diaries: My 21,000-Mile Ride for the Climate”

21,000 miles, 16 countries, 100 talks . . . and at least one life transformed

Join author and climate researcher David Kroodsma for a slideshow of his two-year bicycle journey through North and South America.

Thursday, April 3, 7 p.m.

Traditions Fair Trade

300 5th Ave SW

Olympia, WA

Free admission

(Café not serving)

www.rideforclimate.org

Climate researcher David Kroodsma dreamed of bicycling down his driveway in Palo Alto, California, and pedaling for months until he reached the tip of South America. When he finally planned his trip, he wanted more than just adventure; he also wanted to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on the countries he would explore. So he set out on a well-packed bicycle with a business card, a laptop, and an eagerness to share his knowledge. His project, Ride for Climate, caught on; he gave over 100 school and assembly presentations, garnered dozens of newspaper accounts of his journey, and appeared on international television.

2014 Winter Bike Commuter Profile #4: Steve

•What is your age, roughly speaking?
Mid 50’s (exactly)
•What is your occupation or area of study?
Fish Biologist
•What is your most frequent destination on your bike?
Riding to work at the Natural Resources Building is my daily commute. I also visit friends in the neighborhood or do light shopping by bike, but most miles are daily commute.
•How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest?
The Fish & Wildlife BCC team coordinator sent out an agency email. Thank you Tiffany!
•How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?
Six times- 2008-2013, plus I rode one year with my daughter when she was on the Lincoln Elementary School BCC team.
•What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)?
The Bicycle Commuter Contest- I actually started riding a month prior to the 2008 contest to get into shape. It took all of April, 2008 before I could make it to the top of San Francisco Street. I was so excited, I rode back down and up again.

Winter Riders, WHO ARE YOU??

For years, I've been trying to figure out the best way to encourage and celebrate our community's year-round practical cyclists. Why don't we just start by getting in touch? If you let me know who you are, maybe I can dig up some prizes for a few random drawings, and we could do a few "Winter Rider Profiles" on the BCC blog and here on FB.
SO, If bicycling is your first choice of transportation year-round (not necessarily your ONLY mode), and you're riding regularly this winter (and are local to Thurston County), why don't you email me at: dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com and we'll see what we can come up with?
Thanks!
Duncan

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!

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!

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!

Eloquent Pictures and Testimony for Practical Cycling

Olympia Cycling Infrastructure...

Check out this great Sightline Institute blog post for inspiration!

Winter: A great time to get your bike tuned up!

Where is your bike right now? Stored away for the winter? Parked outside your house or workplace in the elements? Waiting patiently for better weather? Carrying you reliably through the rainy season?

Wherever your bike is and whether you are riding through the winter or not, chances are it could use a little TLC. The Olympia area is lucky to have a nice choice of great bike shops, well distributed around town.

Now is a great time to take your bike in to your Local Bike Shop for a tune up, and to install any winter riding accessories you may need, like fenders and lights. The bike shops are less busy at this time of year, which means your bike will be ready quicker, and the shop staff will be extra happy to see you!

Most likely your Local Bike Shop is a generous sponsor of the Bicycle Commuter Contest, for which we are very grateful. When you take your bike in, tell them Duncan sent you, and thanks from the BCC!

Urban Cycling Class: this Saturday!

Want to learn how to confidently ride in traffic?

Take the Capitol Bicycling Club’s Urban Cycling class

on Saturday, June 11^th from 9AM – 3PM and learn:

• How to outfit yourself and your bike
• How to navigate intersections and ride comfortably with traffic
• Minor bike up-keeping and flat tire repair

Classes end with an on-bike lesson and group ride through urban downtown practicing all that is learned. Instructors are League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructors. Bike in good working order and helmet required. $35, includes materials. To register or for more information visit www.decidetoride.org 

Questions? Contact: 

Kerry Tarullo Associate Planner

Public Works Transportation
City of Olympia
360.753.8575

10% Discount on Urban Cycling Classes!

Want to learn how to confidently ride in traffic?

Take the Capitol Bicycling Club’s Urban Cycling class on Saturday, April 16^th from 9AM – 3PM and learn:

• How to outfit yourself and your bike
• How to navigate intersections and ride comfortably with traffic
• Minor bike up-keeping and flat tire repair

 Classes end with an on-bike lesson and group ride through urban downtown practicing all that is learned. Instructors are League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructors. Bike in good working order and helmet required. $35, includes materials. To register or for more information visit www.decidetoride.org 

Get a discount of 10% off our Urban Cycling Classes  in April or May by entering
the Bicycle Commuter Contest!

When you register for the Bicycle Commuter Contest...

You will receive a Mileage Log to keep track of your miles ridden in May.

On the back of your Mileage Log, find the coupon code to enter when you register

for the Urban Cycling Class at www.decidetoride.org 

Register early for the BCC and the Urban Cycling Class- the April class is on April 16 and could fill up!

Food for thought

Seen from the saddle, all pictures taken within 1/2 hour and 1/2 mile of each other.

Intrepid Winter Commuter

Rain nor sleet nor snow nor ice...

Worthwhile new website to check out...

Bike To Work website

Interesting video...

Moving Beyond the Automobile video series

Youth taking bike culture to the streets of Africa

Check out Wafalme's "Me and My Bike" video on You Tube.

Bike of the Week

Just keeping my eyes open on the way to work this morning,
I counted nine other bike commuters as I pedaled through town
on a chilly February morning. I like it!

A Typical Parisian Utility Bike, c.1970 (Bike of the Week- Jan. 28)

    So simple and elegant- how much more does one really need?
    Have a good weekend!