RAPSody: A Ride for Bicyclists and Bicycling

Kristin Kinnamon is today's guest blogger.  A resident of Marysville, Kristin is a former Bicycle Alliance board member and a current member of the RAPSody planning team.

The Ride Around Puget Sound  is like many bicycle events around the country. There are tasty food stops, a carefully marked and well-considered course, and friendly locals happy to have you visit on two wheels.

What sets RAPSody apart from some events, however, is that this is a bike ride that raises money for bicycling - not for cancer or animals or Dream Dinners (I kid you not), although most of those worthy causes I happily support when not on my bike.

However, when riding I like to support safe streets, bicycle education, advocacy in Olympia. It just seems a fitting way to "walk the talk," so to speak. Many bike club event rides support cycling. 

RAPSody is organized by five bike clubs on behalf of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington:  BIKES of Snohomish County, Capital Bicycling Club, Cyclists of Greater Seattle, Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club, and West Sound Cycling Club. Such cooperation across clubs is unique, and it demonstrates how the Bicycle Alliance often brings people together. RAPSody organizers are from Thurston, Pierce, Kitsap, King and Snohomish counties.

This is our 9th year, and we're getting pretty good at this. It doesn't hurt to have beautiful Northwest roads and trails as part of the route, and great community partners like the Port of Allyn  (where we have a beautiful rest stop) and SOCK, which hosts meals at our Shelton overnight.

If you want a challenging but friendly event to finish off your summer, consider riding 170 miles on behalf of bicycling.  Register by July 15 to receive the early bird discount.  Bicycle Alliance members receive an additional $10 discount!

Biking in Bend

Mirror Pond.

Steve and I recently spent some time in Bend, Oregon to ski Mount Bachelor.  We also brought our bikes along so we could better explore the community.  Good move.

Bend is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts.  This central Oregon community sits in the shadows of Mount Bachelor and The Sisters on a high desert plateau.  The region offers opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, desert and mountain hiking, kayaking, and lots of mountain and road biking.

What impressed me, tho, was the level of everyday biking I observed in town.  I saw lots of folks on bikes!  I saw residents biking to work and kids biking to school.  I saw shoppers carrying their goods in baskets.  I saw college students on bikes.  I watched kids arrive at the library and community center on bikes.  I saw patrons arriving and departing on bikes at brew pubs.

A typical Bend bicyclist.

Overall, we felt welcomed as a bicyclists.  Bike parking was everywhere.  Bike racks are easy to find in downtown Bend and they have a bike corral.  We found bike parking at the library, parks, pubs and shopping centers.  We saw a number of artistic bike racks too.

The bike corral gets plenty of use.

One of the many decorative bike racks in Bend.

You can even ride the Cyclepub--a rolling pub--on the streets of Bend.

The Cyclepub cruises through downtown Bend.

 

Grade-separated bike lane in Bend.

Bend has a pretty decent network of bike lanes and a nice mix of paved and soft surface trails.  We even encountered a grade-separated bike lane.  The city has also installed over a dozen roundabouts, many of which display public art.

The one thing that we missed as a bicyclists was a local bike map.  As visitors, we really could have benefited from a bike map showing us where bike lanes and trails were located and offering some suggested routes. 

Friday Fun: Pedal Your Blues Away

Here's your feel good song for Friday!

It's been a short, sweet ride

This is the last post from regular contributor Alexa Heidrich, who has returned to Portland.  We will miss her energy and enthusiasm.  Thanks, Alexa!

That's me in the red freezing on the Seattle Neighborhood Greenways ride with Elly Blue during Bike Expo.  Elly appears to be handling the wind better than me.

Well Bicycle Alliance blog readers, it’s been short but sweet.  My one year anniversary in Seattle was quickly approaching when I was offered an opportunity to relocate back to Portland.  I will miss Seattle, the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had, especially with bike and pedestrian advocacy.  (In addition to Off the Rez, the roaming Native American food cart that everyone in Seattle should find.)  I am keeping the door open to return, and think there is such a great community spirit up here in the Puget Sound region. I cannot endorse more the unique grassroots Greenways movement which I feel lucky to have been a small part of, and which continues to gain traction with City Hall and the Department of Transportation.  I look forward to continuing my advocacy efforts in Portland, even though I suspect it will have a slightly different flavor.  Already on my ‘commute’ to work I’ve encountered 8am rush hour bike traffic on the Broadway Bridge! 

Happy pedaling, and I wish you all happy National Bike Month!

Here’s some fellow bikers on our way home. 

Photo credit: John Maus

Great June Bike Rides

Now that you’re in good riding shape from participating in your local Bike to Work events and the National Bike Challenge, it’s time to sign up for some June bike rides!  There are some wonderful June rides that support the Bicycle Alliance’s efforts to grow bicycling statewide.

You'll have an opportunity to ride with US National Team rider Logan Owen or Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent on Life Cyle - Bremerton ride on June 2.  The ride starts and finishes at Rotary Evergreen Park on the city's waterfront--easily accessed by the Seattle-Bremerton ferry.  The event includes a kid's bike rodeo and an after-ride meal.

Ann Weatherill Classic view. Photo by Wheatland Wheelers.

The Tacoma Wheelmen's Peninsula Metric Century on June 3 also showcases the beauty of the Kitsap Peninsula.  This challenging ride offers panoramic waterfront views, roads through the rural countryside, lots of rolling hills, and dessert at the finish line.

The Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic on June 16 is presented by the Wheatland Wheelers Cycling Club.  This eastern Washington ride highlights the beauty of the Walla Walla Valley, and treats riders to views of the Blue Mountains, wheat fields, and Walla Walla vineyards.  Entry includes a post-ride lunch.

Capital Bicycling Club's Two County Double Metric Century on June 24 takes riders on the less traveled roads of Lewis and Thurston Counties.  This ride offers five scenic routes ranging from 20 to 126 miles.

Over twenty event rides support growing bicycling statewide with a contribution to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.  View our Ride Calendar for a complete listing.

Friday Fun: Maryhill Freeride

I was traveling through the Columbia Gorge recently and encountered this adrenaline event:  the Maryhill Freeride!  This two-day event near Goldendale offers downhill skaters, boarders and gravity bikers 2+ miles of winding, twisty pavement free of vehicles and all downhill.  Over 100 riders from across the US and Canada flocked to the spring freeride.  Now here's your chance to experience the Maryhill course from the perspective of a gravity bike.  Enjoy!

Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Hunt

Let me introduce you to Jim Hunt. He’s a Bicycle Alliance volunteer and stalwart biker—wait until you read about his graveyard commute! He also gives a technical set-up preference for getting around the Seattle topography, and tips for getting comfortable on a bike again!
 
Thanks for your time Jim, and happy trails out there!
 
What is your first memory of biking? 

As a child, bicycling through the woods and crossing a small creek.  I had to go through at just the right speed – too fast and you would not be able to handle traversing the creek bed and if too slow you would get stuck in the creek.

What roles have you filled as volunteer for the Bicycle Alliance over the years?  

A few monthly work parties, a few Fat Tire beer festival events, a couple of auctions, some office work, and assistance with the strategic planning summit.

When and how did you become involved with the Bicycle Alliance?

In 2004 after I was unemployed I was interested in meeting some new folks and helping out.  Bicycle advocacy for me has involved attending city transportation committee meetings, volunteering for bike/ped annual counts and stopping on my commute to move a fallen tree branch out of the bicycle path.  I try to say hello to folks on my morning commute and try to stay calm with motorist.

What is your favorite ride, in the Seattle region or elsewhere?

Fall City to North Bend area with a stop at George’s Bakery for lunch.

What are you riding these days?

To and from work – started a new job on the graveyard shift and have yet to find many folks interested in riding together after midnight.

What is your winter riding gear set-up?

Light & Motion Seca 800 front light, DiNotte 120r back lite, a safety vest from Western Safety Products and an old Burly rain cape and gators.  Fenders, rack and panniers to carry lunch and rain gear when not in use.

What is your strategy for tackling the topography of the region? 

A modified front triple crank with a 26t small chain ring and mountain rear cassette with a 32 tooth cog that allows me to spin up most hills.

How does biking improve your quality of life? 

I enjoy the exercise, seeing other folks out running, walking the dog or pushing baby strollers.  It is nice to see the seasons change and observe what trees and plants are blooming.  If I am lucky, I will see a bald eagle in the Juanita Marsh park area.

Lastly, any tips for people who may be tentative in dusting off that old bike in the garage? 

Load the bike up in the car (if necessary) and head down to the Burke Gilman or Sammamish River Trails after work on a nice spring or summer relaxing ride.  Turn around before you get tired.  When starting out try to pedal into the wind, if it is windy.  Don’t overdo it and practice shifting and braking. Before tackling the city streets read Bicycling Street Smarts at www.bikexprt.com.  Some air in the tires always helps.

I agree Jim! Thanks so much for your dedication to integrating biking into your everyday life. If you too are interested in volunteering with the Bicycle Alliance, visit our website to get involved!