Bike to Work Day registration is open

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03-09-2007, 09:07 AM
7rider

Bike to Work Day registration is open

Hey all in the DC-Metro area....
Bike to Work day is May 18, 2007!
"Join thousands of area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work! Meet up with your neighbors at one of 24 pit stops all over the region, ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys and meet your colleagues at Freedom Plaza. Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections invite you to try bicycling to work as an alternative to solo driving. Help the Washington region become a better place to ride. Bike to Work Day is a FREE event and open to all area commuters!" - www.waba.org

Register at: http://www.waba.org/events/btwd/index.php
03-09-2007, 10:51 AM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

Hey all in the DC-Metro area....
Bike to Work day is May 18, 2007!
"Join thousands of area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work! Meet up with your neighbors at one of 24 pit stops all over the region, ride into the city with experienced commuter convoys and meet your colleagues at Freedom Plaza. Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Commuter Connections invite you to try bicycling to work as an alternative to solo driving. Help the Washington region become a better place to ride. Bike to Work Day is a FREE event and open to all area commuters!" - www.waba.org

Register at: http://www.waba.org/events/btwd/index.php

I registered yesterday, after I got the e-mail from WABA. This year I'm just going to do my normal commute on my own, but end up at Freedom Plaza rather than at my office. For the past two years the caravan from Takoma Park has been rather large (well, one of the years it was rainy so it wasn't THAT large), and I think a herd mentality takes over. People ride two or three abreast and really tick off the drivers, and I don't think that the cause of bike commuters is helped by taking over the roads so completely. But it's fun to see so many people on bikes down at Freedom Plaza, and I definitely don't want to miss it. Plus you get free stuff. :)
03-09-2007, 12:51 PM
HillSlugger

I thought the idea of Bike to Work Day was to *bike to work*. Since I don't work anywhere near Freedom Plaza, how does this work? I'm just not getting it.

Sometimes I think that bike commuting would suck the joy out of biking. Still, I wish I could figure out a safe route that would allow me the opportunity every now and then. I used to bike from Somerville, MA to Harvard Med School in Boston, but I was younger and didn't think about the dangers so much.
03-09-2007, 01:09 PM
Velobambina

I'm with HillSlug. I work in Tysons Corner and there is absolutely no safe way I can bike in, unless I ride the W&OD to Vienna and catch the bus the rest of the way. The office I'm assigned to is moving to the Dulles area in the summer, making the situation worse all around. I could bike out the W&OD to Herndon, but how to get safely from the trail to my building is the million dollar question. I'm hoping to eventually find an assignment in a location where I can commute by bike (there's one I might apply to but it would mean 6 weeks of travel abroad every year--did that during my younger days, but not sure if I want to subject myself to it now.)
03-09-2007, 02:17 PM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I thought the idea of Bike to Work Day was to *bike to work*. Since I don't work anywhere near Freedom Plaza, how does this work? I'm just not getting it.

Sometimes I think that bike commuting would suck the joy out of biking. Still, I wish I could figure out a safe route that would allow me the opportunity every now and then. I used to bike from Somerville, MA to Harvard Med School in Boston, but I was younger and didn't think about the dangers so much.

They've got "pit stops" all around the area. Those of us who work in DC go to Freedom Plaza, where they have a rally, speakers, food, drinks, free t-shirts and waterbottles, etc. I assume they do something similar, although probably on a less-grand scale since they're smaller, at the other pit stops. The pit stops are at these locations:

Washington DC

* Freedom Plaza

Maryland

* Bethesda
* National Institutes of Health
* Bowie Town Center
* Bowie Old Town
* College Park
* Hyattsville
* Frederick
* North Bethesda
* Rockville-Rockville Town Center
* Rockville-Falls Grove Transportation Center
* Silver Spring
* Waldorf

Virginia

* Alexandria
* Arlington
* Dulles-AOL Campus (AOL employees only)
* Fairfax Corner
* Fairfax University Mall
* Leesburg
* Reston
* Springfield
* Sterling
* Tysons Corner
* Vienna

As far as bike commuting sucking the joy out of biking, it's just the opposite for me. I absolutely LOVE my bike commute. The 7 mile ride home makes me leave work behind. I'm riding on city streets, but for the most part they aren't terribly busy, and the busy one is a designated bike route even though it's narrow and doesn't have a bike lane. If I had to ride on four-lane roads with cars whizzing by at 40 or 50 mph, I wouldn't even think about bike commuting.
03-09-2007, 02:21 PM
7rider

You don't HAVE to go to Freedom Plaza. There are many "rest stops" during the morning at various locations. I registered for the one at the Discovery Building in Silver Spring (hopefully, I won't pitch myself over the handlebars in front of everyone, like I did last year! :rolleyes: ). I never go anywhere near Freedom Plaza on BtWD. I have a neighbor who bikes to Arlington, VA. He drives partway in - parks at his synagogue, I think - and rides the CC trail. Multi-modal commute!!

p.s. Oops - I see Janice beat me to it. Yeah, they have entertainment, bike-on-bus demos, food, schwag, etc. at Silver Spring...a smaller crowd than FP, but a crowd nonetheless.
03-09-2007, 02:25 PM
7rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingbiker

As far as bike commuting sucking the joy out of biking, it's just the opposite for me. I absolutely LOVE my bike commute. The 7 mile ride home makes me leave work behind. I'm riding on city streets, but for the most part they aren't terribly busy, and the busy one is a designated bike route even though it's narrow and doesn't have a bike lane. If I had to ride on four-lane roads with cars whizzing by at 40 or 50 mph, I wouldn't even think about bike commuting.

I agree. The only time I arrive at work with a smile on my face is when I rode my bike to get there. Obviously, I haven't been doing much smiling at work. Dang! I gotta get back out there.
03-09-2007, 04:21 PM
HillSlugger

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingbiker

If I had to ride on four-lane roads with cars whizzing by at 40 or 50 mph, I wouldn't even think about bike commuting.

I can't figure out how to commute to work without doing several of these. :(
03-10-2007, 08:43 AM
Kalidurga

I've semi-seriously considered driving to the C&O and then braving 2 or so miles of traffic from the terminus in Georgetown into downtown, but I usually end up so gritty from C&O rides that I don't really think it's a practical idea.

I envy Janice and Regina, though, that they're able to commute on a regular basis. Where is Freedom Plaza, anyway?
03-10-2007, 04:19 PM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

I've semi-seriously considered driving to the C&O and then braving 2 or so miles of traffic from the terminus in Georgetown into downtown, but I usually end up so gritty from C&O rides that I don't really think it's a practical idea.

I envy Janice and Regina, though, that they're able to commute on a regular basis. Where is Freedom Plaza, anyway?

I think you'd definitely need shower facilities after riding the C&O into work! But the trip from the end of the trail to your office isn't bad. I do it when I take the Capital Crescent Trail in--cut up to M from the area under the Whitehurst Freeway, then on Pennsylvania for a bit, then take L (one way) down to Connecticut (or on to 13th, in my case). There's traffic, but it's doable.

Freedom Plaza is across Pennsylvania Ave from the Ronald Reagan Building, between 13th and 14th.
03-19-2007, 08:16 AM
HillSlugger

I think I can!

I noticed today that there are enough service roads and paths to bypass the 6-lane divided road part of Georgia Ave. So, it looks like biking to work could actually be possible, at least for this one special day. I've mapped it and it's not even 10 miles, one way. I'm pretty sure there are showers at work that I have access to, but I need to verify this. This could be great! :cool:
03-19-2007, 11:27 AM
spazzdog

Hey MD... give the route a test run on the weekend to make sure. That way no big surprises on the way to work.

spazz (who will have to ride over a mountain to "ride to work", but is working on it)
03-19-2007, 02:07 PM
dingster1

I live and work in Germantown but I'm going to post a sign as a challenge to my co-workers to ride in that day. I know a couple of them have just bought new bikes and live close enough.We are all healthcare workers so this will be a good thing for us.
03-21-2007, 07:48 AM
HillSlugger

Give it up?

I'm moving to a new building for work on Friday and losing access to the gym with the shower facilities. The new building has none! I may have to abandon the idea of biking to work. :(
03-21-2007, 10:58 AM
dingster1

Can't do a birdbath?? That would suck. Hope it works out for ya
03-21-2007, 11:10 AM
HillSlugger

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingster1

Can't do a birdbath??

Do you mean a spongebath at the bathroom sink? yes, if I feel it's all worth the effort. However, I had been planning on being able to roll out of bed, eat some breakfast, roll on to work, and then be able to shower, allowing me to get my hair into some semblance of normal.
03-21-2007, 11:19 AM
mimitabby

I keep seeing this thread but Bike to work registration is NOT open in Seattle
yet.

:(
04-27-2007, 01:04 PM
F8th637

Anyone headed in the OTHER direction?

I live in the Tysons Corner area about 2 miles from the 7-mile marker on the W&OD. My office (especially on Fridays, these days) is in Herndon and isn't too far from the W&OD. I definitely want to try the route before National Bike to Work Day but was wondering if anyone is heading in that direction versus IN to DC. I'd love a partner if possible. Lucky for me, my husband works in the same office as me so he can have all my stuff waiting for me when I get there. ;) Thanks!
05-02-2007, 07:49 AM
HillSlugger

Yes, Nicole, there is a shower

In fact, there are two, in the bathroom on the lower level.

Today I had a chance encounter in the elevator with a woman who was carrying clothes and had wet hair. Since it looked like she had just showered I asked her if there are showers in the building. As it turns out she hadn't used them but pointed me in the right direction. They are a little bit nasty: they have many dead flies on the floor, apparently from lack of use. A quick spray down before use should take care of that! Now, I just need to figure out how to deal with my left turn issue and figure out where to lockup the bike. :)
05-04-2007, 06:17 AM
HillSlugger

Commuter Logistics

I have been given an OK to bring my bike up into the office (yeah!) So, here's a logistics question:

My office is on the 6th floor, the showers are on the lower level. So, when I arrive in the morning should I first head upstairs with my bike and my lycra-clad self, drop my stuff off, and head down to the showers, OR, should I head straight to the shower and bring the bike with me? :confused:
05-04-2007, 06:48 AM
Trek420

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimitabby

I keep seeing this thread but Bike to work registration is NOT open in Seattle
yet.

:(

I don't get it. Why do I need to register? Can't I just ride to work? ;) :cool:
05-04-2007, 07:01 AM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I have been given an OK to bring my bike up into the office (yeah!) So, here's a logistics question:

My office is on the 6th floor, the showers are on the lower level. So, when I arrive in the morning should I first head upstairs with my bike and my lycra-clad self, drop my stuff off, and head down to the showers, OR, should I head straight to the shower and bring the bike with me? :confused:

Well, I guess I would probably get the bike squared away upstairs and then go to the shower area, unless there's somewhere secure and out of the way to leave the bike down by the showers.
05-04-2007, 07:03 AM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trek420

I don't get it. Why do I need to register? Can't I just ride to work? ;) :cool:

Freebies! That's why we register! I want my Bike to Work Day t-shirt and water bottle!:D
05-04-2007, 07:07 AM
HillSlugger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trek420

I don't get it. Why do I need to register? Can't I just ride to work? ;) :cool:

None of the BTW events are near my home or my work, so I'm just biking to work. Hopefully, it will be the start of a regular thing.
05-04-2007, 08:36 AM
7rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingbiker

Freebies! That's why we register! I want my Bike to Work Day t-shirt and water bottle!:D

Hear, hear! (or, is it "here, here"??)
Schwag!!! Last year, got the t-shirt, the socks, the digital watch, and a multitool. And food.
And then, I proceeded to get all that schwag-in-a-bag tangled up in my fork and do a header over the handlebars onto the sidewalk.
THAT part of BTW day, I hope to NOT repeat!! :D
05-04-2007, 08:47 AM
HillSlugger

Woo Hoo!

I just rechecked the list and discovered that there's a pit stop 1 mile from work, by the White Flint Metro. I'm registered! Cool! :cool:
05-04-2007, 09:51 AM
7rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I just rechecked the list and discovered that there's a pit stop 1 mile from work, by the White Flint Metro. I'm registered! Cool! :cool:

Resistance is futile.

You will be assimilated.

;)
05-04-2007, 10:00 AM
F8th637

I'm definitely doin' it for the cool shwag they'll be giving away. I want to one day get a jersey that says "I do it for the free t-shirts!" :D
05-17-2007, 02:02 PM
HillSlugger

Rain?!?

I really want to do this, but what if it rains! Our crazy drivers tend to get even crazier when the weather is anything less than perfect. :eek:
05-18-2007, 02:17 AM
divingbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I really want to do this, but what if it rains! Our crazy drivers tend to get even crazier when the weather is anything less than perfect. :eek:

Looks like you're good to go this morning, Nicole. Let us know how the maiden commute goes!
05-18-2007, 07:15 AM
HillSlugger

First Commute

It was pretty uneventful, although I dropped my chain just before getting to the rally; had a little bit of other shifting trouble. I haven't ridden the hybrid in ages and it seems the front derrailleur is a bit out of adjustment. My cyclocomputer wasn't working right so I don't know my actual distance or riding time. RouteSlip put it at around 10 miles and I think I did it in a little under 45 minutes.

If I do this some more I'll probably need to invest in panniers and a rack. I was riding with a full backpack and had to be careful about how I shifted my weight.

Got to work and the guard told me to lock my bike up outside, but the building manager was standing there and said it would be OK for me to bring it to my office. Had to wait to shower while they were cleaning the bathroom. It would have been nice it they cleaned the shower, too. It obviously hasn't been used in ages and the shower floor had many dead flies on it.

Too bad it wasn't a nicer day.

I didn't win the bike :(