Run, Bike, Run

It’s May, that means it’s National Bike Month.  Check out these links for activities around the sound,

King County – Cascade Bicycle Club http://www.cbcef.org/btw/btwschedule.html

Pierce County – Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club – http://www.twbc.org/

Snohomish County – Community Transit – http://www.communitytransit.org/Programs/BikeToWork.cfm

Thurston County – Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest -http://thurstonbcc.blogspot.com/

Whatcom County – Mt Baker Bicycle Club – http://www.mtbakerbikeclub.org/BTWS/BTWS.htm

The morning of April 19th turned out the nicest day of year so far, also made a great day for the Tacoma WheelmenBicycle Club’s Daffodil Classic. With expected high temperatures to be near 70, the 500-600 pre registered riders were joined nearly 1000 more riders signing up the day of the ride. 

Not having voluntered for a while I signed up for driving Sag. I was one of 2 drivers on the 60 mile Eatonville Loop. This loop amount, with 3,341 feet of climbing, was going to be a good early season challange.

While driving I was able to stop and help 6 riders having  problems with flats. Due to the amount of snow this area got this year and the amount of shoulder debris, I think most did pretty well. But I’ll let you know, nothing makes a rider smile more than having some one walk up with a floor pump after they had been  trying to use a micro pump to get a tire up 120 psi.

While at the rest stop in Eatonville I did see the first recumbent of the day, a couple riding a Rans Tandem Recumbent.

Along with the assistance with the flats, I also ended up with a few  passengers, 2 with leg cramps and 2 more with mechanical problems. I was able to drop off the rider who taco’ed his rim sending him flying, at the local bike store. The owner didn’t have any rims in stock but he was going to really try and get the wheel straight enough for him to finish the ride. Big thanks for the guys at the Eatonville Outdoor center for giving the rider a hand.

 Back at the rest stop, at the end of my shift, it was 1pm and riders were still coming in droves. I needed to head back to the start and ended up taking a rider back with me, same story as my first passenger, having leg cramps. Prior to arriving in Orting, I stopped and picked up another rider that had his 2nd flat in 5 miles and just wanted to call it quits. All in all it was an awsome day for the ride and judging by all the smiles I think many would agree.

It’s March so it’s time for the big Seattle International Bicycle Expo put by the Cascade Bicycle Club. This years event was held at Magnuson Park’s Hanger 30. For those who might not have known, this area was apart of the Sand Point Naval Airstation that was closed back in 1995. 

Being wise I chose to ignore the driving directions listed on the Expo’s web site that tells of heading I5 to 45 and heading East (really bad choice) and headed over the Montlake Bridge up to the park. Once there the first parking lot I rode through was a mess. But I was able to find a spot in grassy area, had I thought about it a little longer I would have kept looking. 

Inside the show it was packed, kinda hard to move down the aisles. But the first order of business was to see Sally Edwards talk “Cycling X-Your ‘bike path’ to a healthier life!”

Sally Edwards talking about training with heart rate zones.

After the talk it was time to wander the show. By this time the crowds had grown and moving around was even more difficult.

Some recumbents were found, with displays of Rans and Bacchetta bikes at the Angle Lake Cyclery display.

And with a varied display was Lightfoot Cycles. Not only did they have a couple of long wheel base bikes they also showed a Velocycle as well as a trike trailer that can be used for both kids or special needs riders.

Not that it was a great day to be outside, a test track was set up. I had a chance to watch some one trying out a cyclocross bike, I guess it was good weather for that.

And if you were luckey enough to see the signs, you could have gone over to another building to find a nice classic bicycle display.  One last run through the tents and buildings I stopped and got information on some up coming events as well talked with a few people about all of the utility bikes on display. I also stopped by and said hi to “tweeter” I follow @jkl2 who was working the Mount Baker Bicycle Club booth.

All in all it was a fun show even with the fact it took 3 people to help me get my motorcycle sidecar rig out of the mud in the parking lot. Special thanks to those were willing to help push.

With the snow and ice that covered Western Washington today it’s hard to think that March is starting this weekend. But with March comes 2 of my favorite events.

The first of the events is the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike Expo on the 14th & 15th.  Held at the Warren G. Magnuson Park in hanger 30. This show is huge, with all of this years exhibitor booths sold out. There will be more than 150 exhibits ranging from local shops, training and cycling events from around the state. More at Cascade.org

The next event is the following weekend on Saturday the 21st. It’s the McClinchy Mile bike ride that is put on by the B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County. The ride starts in Arlington Washington and depending on the particular loop you take,  the distance can be 20, 34 or 47 miles. And if you feel up for it you can do multiple loops for a full century. I have done this ride before and it will be my first event to test my post surgery knee. Go to the BIKES web site for registration info.