Capital Bicycling Club Annual Bike and Parts Swap

Don't miss the Capital Bicycling Club Annual Bike and Parts Swap!
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
This event is free and open to the public. Come find the bargain of a lifetime, or bring your gear to trade or sell. Tables are
free for club members (if you don’t have a membership you can join on site for $15.00). 
Capital Museum Coach House (211 21st Ave, SW, Olympia, 98501)

For more information about the swap and the Capital Bicycling Club, see their Newsletter, Website or Facebook Page

2nd Moon Cycle Social Ride

The second monthly Moon Cycle social ride fell on Valentine's Day this month.
Several BCC regulars attended, and fun was had by all (and pizza and beer by some!)
See http://mooncycle.cc/ for more pictures and the full report! Next month's Moon Cycle will be on Sunday, March 16, and is planned to be a longer ride of about 15 miles. Meet at the Kissing Statue at 6pm!

Fearless Leader Points the Way

A reflective bunch, these Moon Cyclers!

WEST-SIDE BIKE RIDERS - FOUND REAR BLINKY LIGHT

Found on Division St NW near Elliot/20th at about 7:30 pm tonight (still blinking). If this could be your light, message me and tell me the brand of your missing light. If it's yours we'll figure out a way to get it to you. email dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com

Moon Cycle Bike Ride on Valentine's Day

http://mooncycleoly.tumblr.com/

Full Moon Bike Ride on Valentine's Day
The Bicycle Commuter Contest is all about encouraging people to try (or continue) biking as a means of transportation. We also love to ride our bikes for fun, fitness, and to connect with community. What better way to build a biking community than to meet for a social ride? We don't have time to organize any more events here at the BCC right now, but here's an independently organized monthly night ride that looks like tons of fun: Moon Cycle is a full-moon bike ride that happens to fall on Valentines Day this month! Meet at the Kissing Couple statue on Percival Landing at 6pm this Friday and build some community! 

The Capital Bicycling Club also offers Social Rides, check out their newsletter here. The CBC is a big sponsor of the Bicycle Commuter Contest, and are offering free club membership to all participants in the BCC this year!

Seattle Bike Swap This Sunday

Event date:
Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 9:00am

The Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on new and used bike related goods of all types and sizes. This sale is one day only so don’t miss it!

Admission:
    Adult Entry:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5 (sold morning of the Swap)
    Free entry hour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    Kids 15 and under are FREE all day!

http://www.cascade.org/bikeswap

Event date: 

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 9:00am

The Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on new and used bike related goods of all types and sizes. This sale is one day only so don’t miss it!

Admission:

• Adult Entry:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5 (sold morning of the Swap)
• Free entry hour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Kids 15 and under are FREE all day!

- See more at: http://www.cascade.org/bikeswap#sthash.9W5EhMqL.dpuf

Event date: 

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 9:00am

The Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on new and used bike related goods of all types and sizes. This sale is one day only so don’t miss it!

Admission:

• Adult Entry:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5 (sold morning of the Swap)
• Free entry hour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Kids 15 and under are FREE all day!

- See more at: http://www.cascade.org/bikeswap#sthash.9W5EhMqL.dpuf

Event date: 

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 9:00am

The Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on new and used bike related goods of all types and sizes. This sale is one day only so don’t miss it!

Admission:

• Adult Entry:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5 (sold morning of the Swap)
• Free entry hour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Kids 15 and under are FREE all day!

- See more at: http://www.cascade.org/bikeswap#sthash.9W5EhMqL.dpuf

Event date: 

Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 9:00am

The Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on new and used bike related goods of all types and sizes. This sale is one day only so don’t miss it!

Admission:

• Adult Entry:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5 (sold morning of the Swap)
• Free entry hour: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Kids 15 and under are FREE all day!

- See more at: http://www.cascade.org/bikeswap#sthash.9W5EhMqL.dpuf

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.

2014 Winter Bike Commuter Profile #3: Kristin

Editor's Note: This is a really great Rider Profile to read if you are thinking about trying out bike commuting for the first time- lots of good perspective, permission, and encouragement!

What is your age, roughly speaking?

Late 20's.

What is your occupation or area of study?

Library associate at Timberland Regional Library.

What is your most frequent destination on your bike?

Work! And various coffee shops & Spud's Market on Capitol for groceries.

How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest?

A flyer on the window of Ralph's Thriftway. I'd just moved here from the Bay Area and was beyond excited to see some sort of bicycle contest!

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

Three, one for each year I've lived in Olympia. Unfortunately I've also changed bicycles three times so I only have one sticker!

2014 Winter Bike Commuter Profile #2: Antonio

Here are Antonio's answers to our "Interview Questions":

What is your age, roughly speaking?

 --25 

What is your occupation or area of study?
--Scribe. 

What is your most frequent destination on your bike?

--Downtown Olympia from the Westside

How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest?

--I can't remember how I heard about the BCC the first time, but I've been on my work-team for a couple years now.

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

--Four; I think. Enough to know it's awesome!

2014 Winter Bike Commuter Profile #1: Ruth

I'm Ruth, a 30-year letter carrier at the Olympia Main Post Office, to which I commute from my Southeast Olympia home.  I ride the paved trails, bike lanes and road shoulders that are well-used by many other riders.

I've ridden bikes recreationally since my teenage years, but started riding as a commuter sporadically and seasonally, only upon moving to Olympia in '93. My boyfriend and I really love riding in this town, as well as in the County. Freddie Mercury said it well: "I want to ride my bicycle." Purchasing the 2008 Trek Soho in the picture facilitated my plan to commute year round, which I have since that year. Two bad winter snows, with road debris hanging around after snow melt, interrupted that run. With the exception of the last few months when family health matters took me out of town a few times a week, my car has remained in the garage, except for Sundays, days off work and roughly two other days of the month. 

Sadly, somebody nicked my Trek from our bike rack at work on January 4th of this year. Cut right through the cable on my Kryptonite lock! This has prompted the postmaster to arrange for secure, indoor parking for bikes. I hope others who commute downtown either have indoor bike storage, or the heaviest duty locks available.

This morning I'll ride my Trek Lexa road bike, but have also used my '96 Trek mountain bike since losing my hybrid. I'm in the market for a new bike, so would like to ask fellow commuters: What do you ride?*

Safe and happy riding!

Ruth
 *To reply to Ruth's question, please email dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com, or post a comment on our Facebook Page. Leaving your bike parked outside is always a risk, but with a good lock and a few other tricks, the risk can be lessened. Use the best lock you can afford and always lock your bike TO an immovable object. Try not to leave your bike locked in the exact same location every day, or for a prolonged period. One view is that an old ratty-looking bike is less likely to be stolen, but I am not sure this has been proven. Olympia Police have told me that most of the bikes stolen here are lower-end bikes that have been left unlocked. If your bike is stolen, DO report it to the police. A significant number of bikes are actually recovered. It helps to have recorded your serial number, and to have a photo of your bike! You can also register your bike at nationalbikeregistry.com and see our "How to Lock Your Bike" posting.

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

BCC Office Opens for 2014

The office is open for the 27th Annual Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest!! Here's what I saw on my first commute in for the year. If you're biking for transportation these days, or just looking forward to warmer days ahead for biking, follow our blog or like us on Facebook! You can also join our mailing list for monthly our newsletter. Feel free to contact us at anytime for information about the BCC or any aspect of practical cycling. Yay for practical cycling!

BCC Participants: Please Take our Brief Survey

If you participated in the BCC...
Please take a moment to answer just a few questions in our annual year-end survey! It's short and sweet, and we pay attention, so this is a great opportunity to make your voice heard regarding any aspect of the BCC. If you have an opinion, we want to hear it. Thanks!

Leslie Claims Her BCC Bike Prize!

Leslie is one of the three people who won a new bike in random drawings in the 2013 BCC!
Leslie's bike is a Norco VFR-3 from Joy Ride Bikes. Congratulations Leslie!

Leslie says: "I got my new bike! It's a totally new style for me - my one and only (till now) bike is a 29 year-old Bianchi road bike. Today was day 2 of bicycle commuting on my new bike - a Norco VFR 3 - and it's been very enjoyable!"

BCC RESULTS AVAILABLE

Top Team and Individual Results are now on their own pages on this blog. See the tabs above to access the Results Pages. Overall Results are in a post below.
These pages are meant to show the individuals and teams with top results in various categories in the BCC. Not all of these participants or teams won prizes. Some categories favor large teams, some favor small teams.

The BCC appreciates ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND TEAMS who participated, regardless of how many miles or days they rode. The number of individuals or teams shown in each category is not the same. This is due to a complex interaction of multiple factors. :) Click on the lists to see them larger.   

 Enjoy! ...and keep on pedaling!

BCC 2013 Awards Ceremony

Over 100 BCC participants turned out on a beautiful sunny summer solstice morning for the 2013 BCC Awards Ceremony, and fun was had by all! Lots of people won prizes for their efforts and others won in random drawings. We awarded three new bikes as prizes to unsuspecting winners, and it was really fun to see the looks on their faces! There are still more prizes to come. We'll be doing random prize drawings this week, and notifying prize winners by email, so participants, watch your inbox!

Updated Official Final Overall Results of BCC 2013

Participants Registered: 1655 (Most Ever)
Mileage Logs returned: 1177 (Most Ever)
Travel Days reported: 14,954 (Most Ever)
Miles Traveled: 119,128 (2nd Most Ever)
New participants: 545
Teams Returning Mileage Logs: 77 (Most Ever)
Average Miles per Rider: 101.5
CO2 emissions prevented: 59 tons
Sponsors: 52 (44 are local Thurston County businesses)

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION!

Coupons will be mailed out early next week.
Random Prize Drawings next week.
Award Ceremony and announcements:
Sat. June 22, Oly Farmers Mkt, 9:30am Main Stage

BCC Breaks Record Again!

We've done it! We have broken the all-time record for the number of people to register for the BCC! Over 1640 Thurston County residents and workers signed up and committed to ride their bikes for transportation in May.
Our next challenge is to collect mileage data from as many participants as we can, so we can measure the contributions we have made, and send out coupons and award prizes! :)  
1. Enter your totals online by clicking here or on the BCC Logo image at right.
2. Drop off your Mileage Log at the Olympia Transit Center at State and Washington downtown.
3. Mail in your Log to BCC c/o Intercity Transit PO Box 659, Olympia, WA 98507-0659

Time to submit your participation data for the BCC!

It's time to submit your Mileage Logs for the BCC!
There are so many options for getting your mileage info to us:
1. Enter your totals online by clicking on the BCC logo at right.
2. Drop off your Mileage Log at the Olympia Transit Center
3. Mail in your Log to BCC c/o Intercity Transit PO Box 659, Olympia, WA 98507-0659

Get your info to us this week (by June 7) please, so we can enter you to win prizes! Yay, thanks for participating!! We had near-record sign-ups this year, now let's rock the follow-through!  :)

Last Day to Record Your Miles!

Friday, May 31 is the LAST DAY to ride and record your miles in the 2013 Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest!  We sure hope you've enjoyed your month of practical cycling, in spite of the soggy second half of May. Keep on pedaling through the summer and you might like it so much you'll just keep going all year. Remember to return your Mileage Log by June 7 to be eligible to win a NEW BIKE and other great prizes!  RETURN YOUR MILEAGE LOG TO THE  OLYMPIA TRANSIT CENTER OR MAIL IT TO: BCC c/o INTERCITY TRANSIT PO BOX 659 OLYMPIA, WA 98507-0659