Next Big BCC Event: The Wrencher's Ball!

Annual Wrenchers Ball: Friday, April 27, Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave NE, Olympia, WA. A free Safety Check for registered participants in the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest. Participants may bring their bicycles to the Olympia Transit Center from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and pick them up by 5 pm (One bike per participant, please). Mechanics from our sponsor bicycle shops will do free safety checks on bicycles that belong to Commuter Contest participants. This is not a major tune up and we are not equipped to do major repairs nor do we have replacement parts such as tubes, tires, cables, brake pads, etc. If your bike needs major work or replacement parts we will refer you to your local bike shop. There are several bike shops in the area. If your bike has a flat, pick up a tube or whatever parts you need and we may be able to install them. To have your bike checked in, you must register for the contest in advance or in person at the event. Space is limited so first come, first served!

A Lovely Day for the Earth Day Market Ride

Yay, thanks everyone for coming out for the best Earth Day Market Ride yet! I hope you all had a great time and a lovely afternoon on your bikes in the sun!

Earth Day Market Ride Details

Join the EARTH DAY MARKET RIDE THIS SATURDAY- here's how: 

Volunteer leaders will lead groups of cyclists from their neighborhoods to Heritage Park Fountain, arriving at 11am, THIS Saturday, April 21. Meet your neighborhood Ride Leader at one of the meeting points below- rides will depart the meeting points approximately 15 minutes after the posted meeting time. You'll bike with your group down to the fountain (across from the Oyster house), following all rules of the road. After some brief announcements including greetings from Intercity Transit general Manager Mike Harbour, we all proceed as a large group to the Olympia Farmers Market where the Bicycle Commuter Contest will have a booth set up to register participants. Ride into town, register for the BCC, meet old friends and new. Stick around for the food, shopping, music and festivities at the Market.

Helmet and liability waiver required.
 

MEETING POINTS AND TIMES:

*NEW RIDE FOR 2012: Horizon Pointe Park 5700 Balustrade Blvd. Lacey  -9:30-

 Leader Terran Wheeling. Meet at picnic tables and depart about 9:50.

* South Sound Center flagpoles at Sleater-Kinney and the bike path- 10 am - Leaders Dane Clay and Yogi Fox (Yogi will be meeting a group at Cutters Coffee at the Lacey Blvd/Pacific Ave. roundabout at 9:30 am for coffee before the ride, leaving there at 9:50 to join Dane at South Sound Center)

* Olympia High School, at bike racks on Carlyon Ave side,  Olympia, 10 am - Leader Paul Brewster

* Roosevelt Elementary School, San Francisco Ave NE, 10:15 am – Leader Kris Franzen

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

* Garfield Elementary School, Garfield Ave. and Plymouth St NW. 10:15 am - Leaders John Druelinger and Susan Lasiter

 

 

Sustainability Summit, Sat. April 14 at SPSCC

We'll be there during the noon hour registering for the BCC.
You can also get an "Undriver's License" from Intercity Transit at the same time! Check the link for all the info...   http://www.oly-wa.us/transitionolympia/

East Capitol Campus Bike Commuter Fair

Local Bike-Related Businesses Gather for Pedalers Fair

Check out this nice event if you're in Seattle on April 21,22
http://pedalersfair.com/

25th Annual BCC T-Shirts and Bike Bells Available Now

Extremely limited quantities of 25th Annual BCC T-Shirts and Bike Bells are now available at the Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave NE, in downtown Olympia! T-shirts are bright red, long sleeve 6.1 oz. cotton and cost $15.

These super cool bike bells are all metal with a durable acrylic logo on top: Only $7.

Move fast, these are not going to last long!

Registration is Open for 25th BCC!

No Foolin'! The 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest is open for registration! Who will be the first to register??

You can register online by clicking on the button to the right, or head down to the Olympia Transit Center to register in person.
Register in April, Ride in May in the BCC!

Countdown to the 25th Annual BCC!

Spring is here, and there is less than a week to go until the launch of registrations for the 25th Annual Bicycle Commuter Contest! Registration opens on April 1st. You'll be able to register in all the same ways you always have (in person at the The Olympia Transit Center, by mail and at some workplaces), PLUS: Individuals and members of most teams will be able to register ONLINE, right from this blog! We'll install a "Register Now" button on the eve of April 1st, which will take you to our Regsitration Page, where you can register and pay with Paypal (if applicable). Adults $5.00. Those 18 and under, or currently enrolled college students are FREE.

So, register in April, Ride in May, in the 25th BCC!

Local Bicycle and Gear Swap Meet: Wed March 7

The Capital Bicycling Club's Annual Bike and Gear Swap is coming up on Wed. March 7 from 7:30 to 9pm at the Capital Museum Coach House (entrance off of 22nd Ave SW at Water St.).
This is a popular event where CBC members can bring their bikes and gear to swap or sell, and the public is invited to come and shop! There will be some great bike gear at bargain prices! If you are not a club member and would like to sell bike gear, join the club! Sellers may show up at 7:15 to set up (tables provided).

Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Job opening at Intercity Transit

Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Job opening at Intercity Transit It will be highly competitive, but if you are qualified, check it out!

Eloquent Pictures and Testimony for Practical Cycling

Olympia Cycling Infrastructure...

Check out this great Sightline Institute blog post for inspiration!

17th Annual Seattle Bike Swap

This Sunday, 9am-2pm, Seattle Center Check it out here. Have a great weekend!

Nice weather for biking, but all that debris in the bike lane!

 Most of the large branches and debris have been removed from area road shoulders and bike lanes, but there is still a lot of smaller debris including gravel, small rocks, branches, broken glass, etc. If you are affected by debris on your bike route, call or email the appropriate jurisdiction’s Public Works department and tell them- specifically where you have seen debris in the bike lane or road shoulder on your route.


I know the bike lanes are trashed everywhere, and the Public Works people know that too, and they are working to get them swept. But if you make a request for a particular location, they are likely to get there much quicker. If your route is in the City of Olympia, publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us is the address to send your request to. The number for Olympia Public Works dispatch is: 753-8333. Ask them nicely to sweep your location (for example, “Division St NW between 20th and 26th Aves NW”), and they will send the sweeper there as soon as they can.

Here are contact numbers and emails or request for service forms from the other local jurisdictions:

• Thurston County: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/publicworks/servreq.htm or or call 360-786-5495
• Lacey Public Works: http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/public-works/operations-and-maintenance/report-a-problem or call (360) 491-5600
• Tumwater Public Works: email jeaton@ci.tumwater.wa.us or call (360) 754-4150

Thurston County Bike Map Update

A team is updating the Thurston County Bicycle Map and would like your feedback. Please take a short survey to improve the new map: http://svy.mk/wdGryg


2012 Thurston County Bike Map Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/

Safely Navigating Storm Debris on Your Bike

Here in Thurston County, we're still cleaning up from the snow and ice storm that broke many trees and left a lot of debris on our roads. Many bike lanes and road shoulers in the area still have a lot of sand and gravel and smaller tree debris covering them in certain places. Here are a few tips to safely ride your bike in these conditions:

Winter Cycling Tips

We've had some requests for information on how to prepare for and successfully navigate commuting by bike in the winter. We are fortunate in our area to be able to ride almost all year round. I have compiled a few thoughts and tips on the subject, including some specific to the kind of weather we've been having.

In the longer term, an excellent source of information on bicycle commuting, including inclement weather tips is the WSDOT Bicycle Commute Guide, by Larry Leveen, of OlyBikes. It is available online (also in a print-friendly version), and will be available in print sometime this spring.

WINTER BICYCLE COMMUTING

Commuting by bicycle in inclement weather, especially in the winter, requires a bit more commitment, preparation, care and attention, but also offers its own rewards. Breathe the fresh outside air while staying fit and healthy year round. Feel the comeraderie when you see another intrepid winter commuter! Save money on gas and car repairs. Be good to the planet and your community by reducing your carbon footprint and reducing traffic congestion. Feel the satisfaction of knowing you got there on your own steam...

Depending on the distance and conditions of your commute:

The bus is a great option in this weather!

Riding Intercity Transit in the Snow

...and if you happen to be stuck in the snow with your bike, you can always put it on the rack on the front of the bus to get home!

Bike Shop Profiles coming soon....

We have posted Commuter Profiles for the last few years, with a picture and some details about the featured commuter's bike, commute routines, how they adapt to inclement weather, etc. This year we'll add profiles of the bike shops in town who are sponsors of the BCC- in part to thank them for their HUGE contribution to the continued success of the BCC, and to inform you of their locations, services, brands, hours and specialties. Stay tuned for the first profile in the next week or so!

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!