Bike to Work Day...in the rain?

[divingbiker]

Well, I went back and forth but finally hauled my butt off the couch and rode over to Silver Spring in a light rain, and I'm so glad I did! It was a fun ride. Not many people at the SS pit stop.

I got some nice schwag, and I registered my bike with the county police. After picking up a few things at Whole Foods, the rain picked up a bit on the way home. But it's mostly downhill until the big uphill at the end. Funny how that big hill is so much easier in the morning than it is at the end of a long work day!

Here's the loot: a t-shirt, chamois towel, two reflective thingys for the spokes, reflectors for the bike, key ring with carabiner and compass, and a water bottle from the police.

[Trek420]

Bike to Work day in San Francisco had twice as many bikes as cars going down Market street.

[HillSlugger]

I biked to work! The rain was worst right as I left the house and then eased up to a drizzly/mist by the time I got to the rally point.

I helped myself to their breakfast spread and picked up my goodies: T-shirt (as seen in DB's post), a hideous-green water bottle, and a handlebar bag (wouldn't you know I just ordered one!); also got a set of tire levers from REI. I also had the REI guy try to adjust my rear derrailleur.

The one guy I had a conversation with turns out to live within a 1/2 mile from me. We compared our routes and do the exact same thing.

Light turnout compared to last year.

[F8th637]

Man, you guys got great stuff!! My pit stop in Vienna had way less swag than they had last year. A chamois towel, a handlebar bag?!?! You guys made out like bandits! I got my t-shirt and the water bottle of course and my Fairfax County bike map fresh off the presses! It started drizzling a bit right before the pit stop but it let up as I ate my breakfast there. All in all, fairly uneventful. I think my body was tired or maybe my mind and I kept it easy and used all the granny gears I wanted. Kudos to all you who rode this week!

[7rider]

I also rode in. It was pouring at 5 a.m. when I woke up, but fortunately it was just a light mist when I left the house. I passed Terry's truck, still at my house...and that was kind of sad. No riding partner. It alternated b/t drizzle and mist all the way in. I saw only one of the yellow crowned night herons by the tennis courts off Sligo Creek. It was also missing it's buddy.
I picked up the same schwag as Janice. I was there at 6:40 - got interviewed by a reporter from the Gazette...so look for me on Wednesday! Not many folks where there and they were still setting up, really. Disco Health had some fanny packs, but I didn't take one. I also didn't visit the MoCoPo, so my haul was minimal. I did pick up the clippy things...they're for your spokes?? I thought they were for your shoe laces (oh...go them, too). Spoke seem better, actually. I got some stuff for Terry. We'll visit him tonight, I think. He's been coming 'round so it'll be nice to visit with him.
I got quite a lot of interest in my Bike Bucks program. We had a "juicer" at our office - bagels (thankfully...I was starved by the time they came over with them) and coffee. Yum! Had a great crowd at our juicer. A real boost.

Glad everyone had a good - and safe - Bike to Work Day morning. Safe ride going home!

[HillSlugger]

I got some stuff for Terry. We'll visit him tonight, I think. He's been coming 'round so it'll be nice to visit with him.
I got quite a lot of interest in my Bike Bucks program.

I'm glad that Terry is doing better!

What's your "Bike Bucks" program?

[7rider]

I'm glad that Terry is doing better!

What's your "Bike Bucks" program?

Thanks.

Bike Bucks is a program we are implementing (unfunded - by the grace of our LBSs) to offer financial incentives to bike commuters...ride 100 miles, earn $5 bike bucks that you can spend at area shops. We "borrowed" the program...nearly verbatim and with their blessing and assistance...from a similar program run at NIH: http://www.recgov.org/r&w/nihbike/#bucks Currently, The Bicycle Place and Proteus accept Bike Bucks. Hopefully, we'll get other shops to sign on.

[divingbiker]

got interviewed by a reporter from the Gazette...so look for me on Wednesday!

I took a quick look at the Gazette on my way out the door, and saw your paragraph near the end of the article--they said you like to save gas $ and see all the traffic backed up on the beltway every day. A guy on an Xtracycle got a lot of coverage.

[7rider]

Ithey said you like to save gas $ and see all the traffic backed up on the beltway every day.

Oooohhhh...geez......