Registration Now Open for BCC 2014

REGISTRATION for the 27th Annual Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest is now open! You may register at the Olympia Transit Center, 222 State Ave E. in downtown Olympia, or online by clicking the orange button at the right or the links in this text.
NEW this year: Membership in the Capital Bicycling Club for just $5! Receive a coupon code when you register for the BCC online, or a paper coupon if you register in person.

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.

Another fun way to change up your commute!

http://thurstonheretothere.org/2014-travel-challenge/

Drive Less and Save Cash! The Thurston Here to There Travel Challenge 

It’s Simple – Enter weekly for a chance to win a prize!

March 1^st – April 30^th

March Moon Cycle Social Ride This Sunday, 8pm

Meet at Percival Landing Kissing Statue, 8pm Sunday 3/16

Free Bike Repair Classes at Evergreen Bike Shop

The Evergreen Bike Shop is offering free bicycle repair classes every Monday and Friday from 6-8 for the entire month of March. Everyone is welcome.
3/03 Tune up/general maintenance
3/07 Wheel hubs
3/10 Wheel truing
3/14 Brakes
3/17 Gears
3/21 Bottom brackets
3/24 Headset + handlebar alignment
3/28 Roadside repair + accident recovery
For more info about The Evergreen Bike Shop, check out their blog: http://www.evergreenbikeshop.blogspot.com/

Seattle Bicycle Expo This Weekend

It's the 26th Annual Seattle Bicycle Expo!

Love bikes? This year's Seattle Bicycle Expo will feature more than 175 vendors showing off the latest and greatest in bikes, accessories and more. Plus, Expo has three stages of how-to presentations, panels and expert demos. Whether you're looking to learn how to go car-free, meet your favorite authors, watch graceful bicycle acrobats or even make some pedal-powered art, Expo has something for everyone. For more info, check out the complete schedule.

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!