Rider Profile #2

Meet Gene!

Age: 40-50

Occupation: Test Lab Manager

Years of Bike Commuting: 1.5 yrs on the Oly to Dupont commute plus I commuted by bike to class when I was in college, 1976-1980, a few miles round trip most days

Current Average Commute Trip: 23 or 36 miles round trip. My commute frequently combines bike and vanpool.

Q. What got you started bike commuting? I have ridden for years, racing bikes in college then continuing to ride for fun and fitness. Leaving the car at home was the right thing to do. I was already hauling my bike to work a few days a week to ride at noon so it made sense to get more out of the time I spent riding each day. My wife and best friend, Karin, strongly encouraged me to ride to work. Once Pacific Hwy construction over the railroad was completed I had no excuse not to ride.

Q.What keeps you pedaling? I always enjoy riding. It never feels like a chore. There are few things more fun than the bike, but cycling is something I can do almost every day. It keeps me healthy and satisfies my “need for speed”.

Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available? Safest and fastest. Some days after work I hang the bike on an Intercity Transit Van in Dupont. I take the van to Sleater-Kinney where I get on the bike for a quick 5 mile ride to the house via the Chehalis-Western Trail.

Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? 1992 GT Karakoram MTB frame with an outrageous paint job for visibility and theft deterrence, high pressure road tires for speed, full fenders with extensions and mudflaps for a dry ride on wet days, clipless pedals, cyclocross shoes for easy walking, a rear rack and pannier for cargo, an HID headlight, flashing tail lights, a bell and a compass.

Q. How long have you been a BCC participant? First time was last year. I won the “most miles for a first time participant” award.

Rider Profile #1

Meet Elaine! (see bike in background!)

Age: 25-35

Occupation: Webmaster, TwinStar Credit Union

Years of Bike Commuting: 3


Current Average Commute Trip: 11 miles

Q. What got you started bike commuting? I started bike commuting for the exercise and to be able to enjoy the nice weather (I've never been much of a driver.)

Q.What keeps you pedaling? I keep at it because it's the easiest way for me to get exercise; it's a quicker commute than the bus; I get time to think and enjoy the weather on nice days; and it's a huge boost to my overall mental health. Once I get into the rhythm of it, then it's just part of my routine. Plus, it's fun to ride the really short distances to go out to lunch.

Q. Is the route you chose the safest, fastest, most fun, or the only route available?
I picked my current route for a combination of reasons--it's reasonably safe, because the Boulevard stretch is all bike lane and the rest is low-traffic; I find Yelm Highway, which is more direct, too intimidating with the heavy traffic and really dirty bike lane; it's one of the less hilly routes so I'm not totally exhausted when I'm done, and that stretch through the side streets is a lot of fun to ride. Once the Woodland Trail is further along, though, I'll probably switch to that and the Chehalis-Western trail, because the Chehalis-Western is one of my very favorite places to ride.

Q. What style of bike do you ride on your commutes? The unusual part of my bike commuting story is that I only learned how to ride a bicycle at all 3 years ago, at the age of 29. I had some childhood experiences that led to my never learning how to ride, and then once you're an adult, it's tricky to get started. My husband, who is an avid mountain biker, found an unusual bike that is designed for putting your feet down easily. I bought my Electra Townie three years ago next month, and quickly discovered that I love riding, just the feel of it, the speed, and so on.

Q. How long have you been a BCC participant, and what are the benifits of participating? This is my second year. I like participating in the BCC as a challenge to myself, and this year as a way to encourage other people at work to bike. This year I persuaded 5 other people to take part as a work team, which makes me feel pretty good. My small part for the environment. And my current employer is paying the registration fees as part of their commitment to employee health.

Ride of Silence, May 16th

Unfortunately included in the realm of bicycle commuting, as in all of life's circumstances, are accidents. The Capitol Bicycling Club organized Olympia's local Ride of Silence to honor those who have been killed or injured on their bikes to conjoin with the National Ride of Silence on May 16th. The turnout was great with about 30 people attending. Mayor Foutch came to speak about rising environmental issues and the city's plans for more bike lanes, and thanked us for pedaling.

The more bikers we have out on the roads, the more awareness there will be which will hopefully lead to less accidents. So share the roads and keep on pedaling!

A NEW RECORD!

The BCC continues to grow! We have set a new record this year for participation in the BCC, as of right now we have 1002 participants!

• 2006: 889 participants
• 2005: Over 600 participants
• 2004: Previous record of 928 participants

What a way to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the contest. Thank you everybody for signing up and pedaling, both veterans and first timers. You are making a difference!

Thanks to all for their help with the 2007 Wrencher's Ball!

Thanks to local bike shop mechanics, community volunteers, and their wrenching abilities, we were able to tune-up 80 bikes at our annual Wrencher’s Ball! The Wrencher’s Ball is an all day, annual event that takes place the last Friday in April, right before the contest starts. It is a last chance effort to offer free bike service to those who wish to commute by bike and have signed up for the contest.

Thank you to Larry, Sam and Adam at OlyBikes for their professional mechanical work and all of their help and support with the BCC!




Thank you to Evergreen Bike Shop for their involvement and support with the Wrencher's Ball and the BCC!

Thank you to Min Lee from Joy Ride in Lacey for your help and wrenching!

Thank you to Neil Siviy from Bike Guy, a bike repair service on Lybarger St NE, for your help wrenching!

And thank you to all of the community members who offered their help and/or wrenching abilities at the Wrencher's Ball!

The day ran very smoothly, thank you to everyone for your help! Great job!

If you missed this year's Wrencher's Ball, be sure to make next year's! Tune-up and safety check is free to all who sign up for the Bicycle Commuter Contest!

If you are missing a frame pack or lock, please email ktarullo@intercitytransit.com or call 705-5839.