Capital Bicycling Club's Bike and Gear Swap This Wednesday

CBC will be holding it’s annual bike and gear swap at the March general meeting – Wednesday, March 4 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Capital Museum Coach House. This is a great opportunity to sell or trade all that great bike gear you’ve realized you aren’t going to use anytime soon.
Table space is free to anyone who would like to come. Non-members are welcome.

For more info: http://www.capitalbicycleclub.org/wp/events/bike-gear-swap/

2015 Commuter Profile Number 2: Lillian

Lillian fixes her tour-mate's flat tire on a trip across Arizona

• What is your age, roughly speaking?  29.61 years

• What is your occupation or area of study?  I work as a bike mechanic!  And I clean stalls at a horse boarding stable on weekends.

• What is your most frequent destination on your bike?  Work is a pretty boring answer, so I'm going to have to go with the other half of that trip: home!  That said, Spuds Produce, Groc.Out, and the Evergreen Bike Shop are top hits as well.

• How did you hear about the Bicycle Commuter Contest?  I can't remember!  It just seems like everyone knows about it.  

• How many times have you participated in the Bicycle Commuter Contest?  Just once, but I only moved to Olympia a little over a year ago.  I participated in one the year before in Smithers, BC, and inadvertently participated in many more just by the fact that I ride almost everywhere.

• What got you started riding your bike to get around (practical cycling)?  When I was a young lass I lived 2 miles from the place where I kept my horse, and didn't like having to pester my older brother or parents for rides.  One time I got in big trouble for riding home just after dark, and that led to an enlightening realization: I could ride DAY OR NIGHT as long as I had lights on.  From then on, I was FREE! I also found if I rode my bike to school, I could sleep in a little later than if I took the bus.

Like to Bike? Got Kids? Go Kidical Mass!

 Kidical Mass Thurston County is all about family friendly bike rides that emphasize bike safety and celebrate the joy and practicality of bike riding. We promote family friendly bike rides that meet on the second Sunday of each month at 2 pm.  Find out more...

  The next Kidical Mass ride is Sunday, March 8th at 2pm starting from Nova MS and this time we're raffling off a new Kona youth bike donated by Capital Bicycling Club!  All youth under 18 who are riding their own bikes on the March 8th ride are eligible for the raffle.  

2015 Commuter Profile Number 1: Matthew

• What is your age, roughly speaking? This year, I’ll be halfway between L and LX.

• What is your occupation or area of study? I’ve been really fortunate to have made a career in archaeology. After more than 20 years as an archaeologist in the private sector, I accepted a job with the State and now review and evaluate transportation projects across Washington for potential impacts to archaeological sites, historic structures, or places of cultural significance.

• What is your most frequent destination on your bike? Like most commuters, I have to say work. I don’t have a super long commute (just under ten miles a day round trip), but rain or shine I’m on my bike heading to work four days out of every seven! During the “nicer” months, I’ll often do errands or joyride on my days off (shout out for the Chehalis Western!) and some years I’ll do the STP or some other century-type ride just for the fun of it.

Winter Mini-BCC Winner, Week 3 - PLUS: Winter Bike To Work Day

Melanie won this solid brass bell from PDW in this week's drawing in the Winter mini-BCC!

 The Mini-BCC celebrates Thurston County residents who use their bikes for transportation year-round. 

If you are regularly biking for transportation this winter, email dgreen"at"intercitytransit to find out more! 

Plus, follow this link to check out International Winter Bike To Work Day- it's tomorrow!

Winter Mini-BCC Winner, Week 2

Hooray, we're in Week 3 of the lo-fi Winter Mini-BCC!
Last week's winner was Doug, who won this sweet "Spaceship 3" headlight from PDW /Portland Design Works. We'll do another drawing later this week and once each week this month. 
email dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com for more info. 
Thanks PDW! —

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.

Kidical Mass Ride This Sunday

Tom J. is our first random prize-drawing winner in the "Winter Mini-BCC"! Tom won a nice pair of
Serfas cycling glasses, which were not claimed by a BCC winner last year. To get involved in the Winter Mini-BCC, email dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com We'll do another random drawing next week!

 

Real World Tips from Winter Bike Commuters

Some great reasons for getting around by bike: 

Even in the rain it’s not a problem because I have rain gear and I’m not out there long enough to get really wet.  I love the feeling of the cool fresh air on my face at the end of the day.  That first little hill always makes me smile. ~from Charlotte

I ride every day regardless of the weather since I no longer have a car. This is my first winter riding and it is going great. My favorite part about riding is that when I arrive home after a long day at work, my stress has melted away and I feel refreshed and ready to spend the evening with my family. ~from Yoshi

 

I commute everywhere [by bicycle] because I have a broken car! ~from Io

And some tips from commuters who are out there doing it year-round:
 
My best tip for winter cycling is to take the long way home.  It's too dark by 5:30 to safely ride a heavy traffic road in rush hour. However, finding back roads to ride at a casual pace helps to keep me in the saddle day after day.  Oh, don't underestimate the fantastic services provided by Intercity Transit through highly congested areas!!!! ~from Abe

I’ve been a bike commuter off and on for decades—only doing the year-round thing since 2008. The keys for me were good lights, a commute that is mostly off busy roads, and a work schedule that keeps me within ½ an hour of sunrise/sunset. While I don’t ride in slippery conditions (no snow or ice for me!), I’m not deterred by rain, wind, sleet, or cold/dry (at least until it gets below 25, and then I wimp out). ~from Melanie

"Lo-Fi" Winter Mini BCC

Are you ready to kick the winter blues and try getting around by bike this winter? Seasoned winter cyclist already? Either way, if you live or work in Thurston County and are biking for transportation this winter, join our "Lo-Fi" Winter mini-BCC! Just email dgreen"at"intercitytransit.com and let me know you'd like to participate. Tell me a little about your commute or other practical bicycling habits and Like our Facebook page or follow this blog. I'll enter you in random drawings for some cool prizes!

Stay tuned to the BCC with our quasi-monthly Newsletters!

Don't be in the dark!
Click here to see the current BCC Newsletter- check it out and join our mailing list!
We look forward to being in touch. We won't flood your inbox, or share your info with anyone.
Bike Love!

Bridge The Gap Opening Photos

In case you missed the event and the photos on our Facebook page, here are a few photos from the Pacific Avenue Crossing "ribbon cutting" event, back in December. What a milestone- the gap is bridged, and now it is possible to bicycle the Chehalis-Western Trail from Woodard Bay Wildlife Preserve to Yelm or Tenino without having to cross a major arterial at grade.

BCC office opens for 2015

We're back in the saddle! The BCC office is officially open for Bicycle Commuter Contest 2015. I look forward very much to seeing you out on the roads, and hearing from you as we begin another year of celebrating practical cycling! Best wishes for the next trip around the sun from Duncan and the rest of the BCC team.

Kidical Mass Ride This Sunday

Your chance to help shape the next edition of the Thurston County Bike Map!

Riders Wanted Help Improve the Thurston County Bike Map July 16th | 6 - 7:30 p.m. What: Review and comment on the Thurston County Bicycle Map, 2014 Edition Where: Thurston Regional Planning Council, Conference Room A. 2424 Heritage Court SW Olympia How: Attend an open House style meeting. Drop in. Share your ideas. Scribble on a map. Take a copy with you and return it with your edits later. Send us an email: bikemap@trpc.org.

2014 BCC Overall Results Are In

Lots of number crunching going on here at BCC Central- and the preliminary results are in- it has been a good year for the BCC! Total participants: 1437 (1018 Mileage Logs returned)
Total Miles biked in May: 110,859
Total Days commuted by bike in May: 13,093
Average Miles per rider: 111
Average Days per Rider: 13
Greenhouse gases prevented: 55 tons 

Intercity Transit Hosts Dump The Pump Events

Do you know someone who could use information about transportation options or encouragement to drive less? Let them know about these fun events coming soon to a location near you!

June Bike-related Events and BCC News

The BCC is heading into the Sunset for 2014, but the fun is not over yet! There's still the Prize Ceremony, and other bike-related events coming up this month.
You can still return your  

mileage log or report your
BCC participation online. Don't miss out on prizes, valuable coupons and free goodies from our awesome sponsors! Rewards Coupons are being mailed out this week.

   

BCC Prize Ceremony Sat, June 28, 9:30am sharp, Olympia Farmers Market Main Stage

Prizes Awarded, Bike Winners Announced, Fun for All! You need not be present to win BCC prizes, but there will also be prize drawings for those who are present

MoonCycle

Here's an independent monthly night ride you might enjoy, organized by a BCC team captain. This Friday, 9pm, meet at the Kissing Statue
on Percival Landing Read More...

GEARHEADS

This Friday, June 13, 6:30-9:30pm

At the Hands On Children's Museum 

Must be 21 or older to attend.

$15 cover - pre-registration strongly recommended!

Buy tickets here:

 https://46203.blackbaudhosting.com/46203/Adult-Swim---GearHeads