Bike to work Week

[spokewench]

May 12th - Bike to Work Week

Well, Bike to work week is in full Swing - Get out there and ride people!

We started out this week with bike bazaar on Sunday downtown and this morning was the official Ride with the Mayor ride at 7:30 a.m. where we go a few blocks on the bikes and then end up downtown at Heritage square for coffee and pastries.

Anyone else ride to work today for Bike to Work Week. Does your town do anything special?

[GLC1968]

I made a commitment to bike to work every day in May. I was doing well until today. I had a non-bike related accident yesterday and am in too much pain to bike today (figures that it's the start of the official bike to work week!!).

I'll be back on the bike again tomorrow.

My office doesn't do anything special for bike to work week, but a lot of people regularly ride. They are putting in another bike rack, so that's something!!

[ikkin]

rode in today...beautuiful day in NH.

isn't it bike to work month? hoping to ride in 1-2 times per week for most of the summer starting now. :D

[SalsaMTB]

I commuted in today, hopefully I'll do it tomorrow also. The ride started off a little rough....I went down my driveway and my light mysteriously turned off. Then, I went about a mile on a really rough rode, slowed down for a light, heard a clunk, turned around and saw my tail light fell off! Hmmm....strange, that has never happened before. Thankfully, it was 5am so there was no traffic and I was able to recover my tail light.

There was extremely heavy fog this morning, which made me a little nervous, but no close calls so I guess the cars could see me OK. Overall, it was a nice commute. I'm looking forward to the ride home...sunny and 70. Can't wait!

Our town isn't doing much for bike to work week. I didn't see any other commuters. My company definitely isn't doing anything (I work for an auto OEM).

[mimitabby]

I made a commitment to bike to work every day in May. I was doing well until today. I had a non-bike related accident yesterday and am in too much pain to bike today (figures that it's the start of the official bike to work week!!).

I'll be back on the bike again tomorrow.

My office doesn't do anything special for bike to work week, but a lot of people regularly ride. They are putting in another bike rack, so that's something!!

oops today's the first day i didn't ride either. Had multiple excuses including gut cramps. I'm sorry you hurt yourself.
If it's not pouring tomorrow morning, i'll be on the bike again too.

[Trek420]

Our town/area does a lot for Bike to Work Day. Check the link on

www.bayareabikes.org/btwd/index.php

I have not ridden to work this week yet. A fire on a BART substation has delays on our light rail. I'm trying to see how this effects my commute.

I'm taking the day off on BTWD and going to see how many refresher stations I can swing by and how much SWAG I can get :p

[spokewench]

I don't know how to attach this; so go to www.flagstaffbiking.org to see what is going on in our town - it is a great bike to work week celebration.

Today, I did not ride - ITS SNOWING!:D

spoke

[7rider]

I just finished giving a presentation for our office Bike Team at a seminar titled "You CAN Bike to Work". Some co-workers and I went over rules of the road, routes into the city, commuting mentors, bike basics (equipment, including personal safety stuff), and where to park and shower in our building campus. We also had 2 reps from our Health office to talk about the physical and health benefits of riding a bike. It was pretty well attended (by office standards here), and most had SOME level of bike riding skill.
We're hosting a "juicer" on Friday for Bike to Work Day where we'll have schwag, coffee and juice, and bagels. I'll be signing folks up for a new, pilot program called "Bike Bucks" - where you earn $5 cash coupons for each 100 miles commuted.

Oh, and WABA - the Washington D.C. Bike advocacy group - does up BTWD in a big way, with thousands of registered participants and "pit stops" set up at various spots in the tri-state (VA, MD, and D.C.) area.

[NoNo]

I keep wanting to do it, but weather and road conditions (and my own fears) have prevented me. There's normally a crazy amount of traffic, but now there's tons of construction making the already shoulder-less lanes even more narrow. I haven't mustered the nerve to go through with it. However, I did buy my train pass today, so at least I won't be driving!:D

[Aint Doody]

I rode my bike to work today. It's all downhill for about 3/4 mile. (Ususally I just walk.) Of course, the ride home is all uphill!

[Aint Doody]

I rode my bike to work today. It's all downhill for about 3/4 mile. (Usually I just walk.) Of course, the ride home is all uphill!

[OakLeaf]

I'm wussing out today, the only day I work this week.

We're going to drive the route I'd mapped out and see whether the roads are paved. There's an alternate route - but okay I'm just too much of a wuss today. It's 14-16 miles depending how I go, and NONE of it is fun. Nasty high-traffic roads, torn up or narrow or both.

[nicole309]

I actually started my commute this week not realizing it was bike to work week. It just so happened that this was the week that the snow finally melted in Fairbanks! It has been a really nice ride ito work the last two days (15 miles). The ride home was tough last night, mostly uphill and a headwind! Much different than my 1 mile commute when I was living in Washington. I actually feel like a "real" bike commuter now. It is huge incentive with gas prices here knowing that I am saving nearly $10 each day by commuting.

[Crankin]

I led 3 co workers on an after work ride from about 2:55 to 3:30. They all had heavy mountain or hybrid bikes, but they did fine. We went 7 miles. It was a gorgeous day out and they enjoyed it. It was kind of hard to go at an average of 10, but it was actually a relief to not be trying to go fast. I had some others interested, but they couldn't come for various reasons.
The neatest thing was I had another teacher come and talk to me about helping her get started cycling. She said she could never ride 10 miles! So I told her to bring her bike to school next week one day and I would show her the basics on some neighborhood streets. Maybe I've hooked a few?
I am riding in tomorrow and maybe Thursday.

[mimitabby]

I rode my bike to work today. It's all downhill for about 3/4 mile. (Usually I just walk.) Of course, the ride home is all uphill!

same here. Works pretty well, i don't get to work sweaty

[bounceswoosh]

Colorado's bike to work day isn't till mid June. I guess they have the right idea -- this week it's rainy and nasty, with snow possibly in the forecast today.

[sbctwin]

I didn't ride yesterday because when I woke up at 3:30am, it was pouring rain. Today was different. I had a nice ride to and from work, headwinds both ways but the air was so pleasant:)

[jobob]

This morning was one of those perfect rides into work. The sun was shining, it was pleasantly cool, and there was no freakin' wind!! :D I felt strong and full of energy. Just an awesome morning.

Which means I'll probably get run over by a semi on my way home tonight. :p

[Trek420]

jobob? did you get home?

It's ok folks she's probably still battling headwinds on the way home. :D That's what you get around here for saying "there was no freakin' wind" it hears you.

[jobob]

yep, on both counts. :cool:

[emaline]

Austin has a lot of events going on all month for bike month. There are several rides every weekend listed in Cycling News, lots of classes on commuting, and bicycle maintainence. I've seen tons more cyclists on the road this week then usual (I bike commute full time) and on Friday there will be many, many stations all over downtown offering bagels, basic bike adjustments/repairs, juices and who knows what else! Austin is trying to become a Gold city for bicycling, the first in Texas.

[dachshund]

My company's bike-to-work day is tomorrow. They've had a sign in the lobby for several weeks. I work for a huge financial based in SF, but I recently moved to an office out in the burbs. I don't expect much in the way of 'activism', so I'm impressed that they're doing an event. Maybe I can find out where they're keeping their bikes during the day.

There's been a lot in the news about entire executive teams getting out on bikes and being good examples. It's pretty cute.

I waited until I got home last night to go out. It was Perfect out, 85 degrees with a "good breeze". (I'd faint dead away if the wind ever stopped out here. It builds character, I know... :D )

[pyxichick]

Yay! I did my first commute of the year today, and there was free food from Whole Foods at a morning commuter event in St. Paul, which is right on my way to work :)

I hope to ride at least once a week this summer. It's funny, the first question from coworkers is what route I take to work, because apparently they can't imagine how to get there without driving on the freeway. The next question is "how long does it take you?" (answer: 1 hour of beautiful scenery)

I hope we get lots of nice days like today from now on. I finally got to take off my armwarmers for the first time this year.

Kate :)

[jennrod12]

Biking every day this week!

Jenn

[tc1]

Wednesday I put the car on the rack, drove to the trailhead and rode to work. Then rode back. I plan on doing it again Friday, which is the bike-to-work day part of bike to work month. There will be promotions and giveaways at popular riding locations, since this is Seattle, of course COFFEE! will be given away.

I figure I can bike all the way about a month from now. It's not that much farther, but I start work really early (0630) and there is not enough daylight yet to start riding at 0500 on city streets. I am going to try to bike 2-3 times a week.

And yes, I have heard of electric lights:D

[MALcontent]

I rode 30 miles into work in Boston today. I promised to lead a convoy that never materialized, so it was mostly me riding alone. I really enjoyed it aside from the parts on the city streets. I need to do some more work on identifying a good route because I might do it again! I only rode part way back (8 miles) because it started raining mid-afternoon.

The cities of Cambridge and Boston both did great jobs of supporting riders. My swag take for today includes:

A rear blinking light
A water bottle
A mini Clif Bar (my favorite flavor, Banana Nut)
2 packets of Clif Shot Bloks (my favorite mountain biking energy snack)
A t-shirt
A "coffee beverage of my choice" coupon for Peet's
A coupon for 1/2 pound of coffee if I buy 1/2 a pound from Peet's
A reflective arm or ankle band
A free cup of Peet's coffee this morning
Two free breakfast pastries and an orange slice

Can you tell I like free stuff? :p

[Crankin]

I only rode to work on Wednesday, because rain was predicted for Thursday and Friday (it was in the 30s on Tuesday AM). Of course, it did not rain...
But, I feel like I had a successful mini bike week at my school. I led a ride of 3 people after work, who thanked me profusely. I got the interest of 2-3 others,including one newbie who is getting her bike tuned and then I am going to take her out on neighborhood streets to give her some "lessons." One other person asked if I would ride with her after school, because she couldn't come this week.
It's nice to ride with beginners who help put what I do in perspective. I am always down on myself for being "weak" compared to many on this forum. I think it helps keep the fun in cycling.

[hipersons]

I biked to work on Wednesday for the first time ever. I hope to get on the bike two times next week, three times the week after, etc. The way to work is really hard because its filled with hills and I'm out of shape, so I need to work up to going every day.

[JennyPi]

I'm so sad. I usually bike to work everyday, and this entire week was the only week that I couldn't. Early in the week I was sick with a cold so I couldn't breath clearly enough to even think about hopping onto my bike, and then I got the monthly curse which usually knocks me out from regular activity for the first 2-3 days. Sum: I didn't ride one single day. Bummer. Although, I am making up for it today. I'm going to ride to meet up with friends, go to the bank, and then run some errands. I'll feel better about bike to work week once I get some road time down today.

[BarbaraAlys]

I rode my new bike to work yesterday. I have put less than 50 miles on it, so I'm still figuring out the fit, but it is SOOOOO much better than my old ride (which was a used Trek 1200 from about 1999; the rear hub is shot, and it is not really the right size for me, but it got me going.)

My new bike is a trek 2.1 WSD, I am trying to attach a pic, but I'm not sure it's going to work. The pic is off of the Trek site; I have put a black seat and handle bar tape on mine.

I met up with a man who works where I do who rides to work every day. He offered to guide me in on Ride to Work day. The ride was challenging, longer than I had thought (14 miles going, 16 returning, we took a different route back), and you would not believe how hilly Fort Worth is! I still stink at hills.

Anyway, I would like to be able to ride to work more often, but I have to get better at hills, and my head light is not really bright enough for night riding (I have to be at my desk by 6:30AM, so the ride to work is in the dark).

Barbara

[MtnBikerChk]

I led 3 co workers on an after work ride from about 2:55 to 3:30. They all had heavy mountain or hybrid bikes, but they did fine. We went 7 miles. It was a gorgeous day out and they enjoyed it. It was kind of hard to go at an average of 10, but it was actually a relief to not be trying to go fast. I had some others interested, but they couldn't come for various reasons.


NICE!

I've been riding with a few people in my office after work one day a week since April. We're riding in the BIKE MS ride in CT on June 1st and for the first time, my office is fired up about it so I've taken a never ever rider who was recently dianosed with ms from our first ride of 8 miles, to our last one of 16. This week, I'm pushing for 20 so hopefully she'll be ready for the 25 on June 1st!