Run, Bike, Run » Rides

Planning for March

The Big Guy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:13:05 +0000

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.

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Chilly Hilly BB Gun Attacks

The Big Guy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:19:22 +0000

Not feeling up to riding a Puget Sound ride “Chilly Hilly” due recent knee surgery. I was catching up on the Amgen Tour of California twitter postings, a note from @mtbakerbike caught my eye.

“From @cascadebicycle – people were shooting BBs at cyclists on the Chilly Hilly? Is that true? Anyone have details (and the outcome?)”

The attacks were confirmed by @cascadebicycle (Cascade Bicycle club puts on the event) and is asking anybody that saw anything about this to contact the Bainbridge Island Police Department.
(206) 842-5211 PoliceDept@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us

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Dangerous Courtesy

The Big Guy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:35:34 +0000

It’s nice to know I’m not the only rider with this problem.
From the Corvallis Gazette Times Opinions story-

Roses ‘n’ Raspberries (Feb. 20)

ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz’ber’e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

One young woman who rides her bicycle to work is pleading with drivers to “treat bicyclists (at intersections) the way you treat cars, which is the law.”

In other words, don’t “give” bicyclists the right-of-way through an intersection when a bicyclist is waiting (as is legal) with the rest of the vehicular traffic for all lanes to clear before proceeding across.

One vehicle stopping creates confusion among the other motorists who have the right-of-way.

No sane bicyclist is going to cross into an intersection where one car is stopped — only to risk being run over by the motorists in the other lanes of traffic who are cruising through the intersection at the speed limit.

It’s simple: Bicyclists and motorists need to know and obey traffic laws to avoid collisions.

• RASPBERRIES — again — to a common — but misplaced — act of motorist “courtesy” that routinely puts bicyclists in danger.

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