Cascade Courier - August 2011

RSVP 1 and 2: Aug 5/6 and 6/7 High Pass Challenge: Sept. 11 Kitsap Color Classic: Sept. 25

AUGUST 2011 / Vol. 41, No. 08

July Policy and Government Affairs news

by John Mauro, Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs

I

t’s been a great month for our new policy shop. Aside from our ongoing work with jurisdictions and businesses, we’ve had three great outcomes, each of which includes another chapter looking ahead.

THE $34 MILLION RECOMMENDATION The Citizen’s Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC3) made its final recommendation to the Seattle City Council for how to invest $34 million each year. We heard from hundreds of citizens in surveys, polls, open houses and public testimony.

Taking that and excellent briefings from city staff into account, we recommended that a bucket of money from an $80 per vehicle license fee (VLF) should go to preserving what we have (roughly $11 million), another to investing in transit (about $14 million) and a third dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian improvements (around $8 million). The council will decide this month whether or not to put it on the ballot in November. We’re hopeful that they will and it’ll help build a safe, equitable, sustainable and livable transportation system (and city!) If you’re a Seattle resident, you can add your support to our online petition: http://ow.ly/5KiFk

PROTECTING STATE BIKE FUNDING Each year or so, State Transportation Departments from across the land occasionally have to send back unspent funds—“rescinding” the funds—to help the USDOT clear the books. The Feds decide how much money each state returns, but the states decide where the money comes

Another chapter in the saga. Score one for the home team when, once again, a Hearing Examiner (think of her like a judge) ruled in our favor—namely that there will be no “probable significant adverse environmental impacts” from the construction of that tiny but essential trail section. Among other things, four main points stand out about the City’s second environmental review which was under appeal: • Construction of the Shilshole section won’t cause traffic impacts or hazards like overall average peak hour delays at driveways due to proposed sight distance, width or design.

• Construction of the trail won’t cause significant parking loss.

• Construction of the trail is compatible with existing or zoned land use.

• Construction of a 2-way multi-use trail won’t be inherently unsafe.

Makes sense to us! While we expect that the Ballard Business Appellants will appeal yet again, we’re close to finally closing this epic saga with a complete and connected trail that’s safe for all users.

Stay up to date on the latest news at http://blog.cascade.org.

F

rom the STP start line on Saturday morning, 25 students and 20 volunteers hit the road to Portland, representing months of training and commitment to the Major Taylor Project. On Sunday, we cheered their inspiring arrival in Portland!

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA 98115 www.cascade.org

BURKE-GILMAN MISSING LINK

Major Taylor riders finish strong at STP!

PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172 TIME DATED MATERIAL

from. Most states (including ours) often give funds from bicycle and pedestrian sources back in far greater percentages than, say, highway funding. Last month we sent more than 1,000 emails to the governor and the WSDOT asking for a change of business as usual. And while we still lost $3 million from one important source, it was far different than last time: this time, they listened to us and kept a large percentage of the funds for bikes.

Last minute vacation planning? It’s not too late for the Ride Around Washington!

RAW 2011 “Cranberries to Apples” August 20 to 26 Register online at http://shop.cascade.org/

F

or the first time in six years, we have spots available for latecomers to join us on Ride Around Washington (RAW). This week-long, fully supported ride is an ideal way to get into bike touring.

With food, camping, luggage transport, and road support all arranged for you, you’re free to ride at your own pace while you enjoy the scenery along beautiful, low-traffic rural roads.

The six days of riding, (including an optional day off or wine tour in Yakima), will take you from the lowlands of the Washington coast to the highlands of the Cascade Mountains and the rivers, canyons and lakes of eastern Washington. You have all day to complete the daily routes and this year’s route is very doable by any fit rider. The roads are less travelled and you will enjoy having nothing to worry about during the ride other than taking that extra dessert at supper!

RAW is also a great place to make new friends and ride buddies — whatever your pace and style you’re bound to find somebody like-minded to ride with during the week. Each night in camp is also a very social affair featuring nightly route briefings, wine tastings, interesting local speakers and even a New Belgium Brewing happy hour.

So if you are looking for a low cost, memorable and rewarding vacation experience this summer, don’t miss RAW 2011!

Your support helps make our work possible

C

reating a better community through bicycling” means more than just putting on the great rides like the STP. As the largest cycling organization in the country we have tremendous power, but with that power comes responsibility. Our hardworking staff and volunteers are out there 365 days a year fighting to make your voice heard and to train a future generation of cyclists ready to take the street.

But we can’t do it without you.

Inserted into this month’s Courier is an envelope to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation.

Your tax-deductible investment provides: • A powerfu. voice helping elected officials and government agencies build bicyclefriendly communities • Legal defense to fix the missing link and keep the Burke-Gilman Trail safe and accessible • Expert planning advice to cities and counties working to develop and implement bike-friendly transportation plans

• Bike safety classes in the schools for more than 14,000 kids annually and implementation of “Safe Routes to Schools” for school districts throughout our region.

• Safety, maintenance, and commuting classes for more than 500 adults • Low and no cost helmets for hundreds • Road and mountain bike camps and bike rodeos for almost 10,000 children • Programs that incentivize bike-friendly workplaces in businesses throughout the region , which helps to reduce congestion and create a healthier workforce • Bicycle Ambassadors who coach over 10,000 people throughout our community on safe bicycle transportation. And, • The Major Taylor Project which works in five of Seattle’s most struggling communities to teach kids leadership, responsibility, and the joys of cycling.

AND SO MUCH MORE! Please help make our work possible with your tax-deductible donation today.

Thank You!

In This Issue Cascade endorses bike-friendly candidates..........2 August neighborhood events.................................2 In memoriam..........................................................3 Windbreaker: A cautionary tale ...........................3 Spin straight into great event riding this September........................................................3 On tour with the steady crowd ..........................3 Ride Referees report back on STP ......................4

Dear Miss Panniers ................................................4 STP stories ..........................................................5-6 August rides ........................................................7-9 Cyclist of the month ...........................................10 August volunteers ...........................................10-11 Cascade contacts ..................................................11 Membership form .................................................11 Welcome new members ......................................12

August 2011

Cascade endorses bike-friendly candidates Your vote in the Aug. 16 election can make a difference

by Chris Rule, Political Program Manager

T

uesday, Aug. 16, is the deadline to mail in your ballot in Washington’s primary election. Odd-year elections like this year have a strong local flavor and are the most crucial for bicycling because local elected officials have the most impact on our neighborhood streets. Have you been turned off from bicycling because of a dangerous intersection? Do you wish you or your kids felt safer walking or biking to school or to the store? Cascade is working to educate candidates for local office and elect those who will plan communities that support safe and convenient bicycling and walking.

The good news is that there are leaders working to make your ride safer. In June, Cascade’s board of directors approved the recommendation by staff to endorse ten incumbents who the Club feels have made a difference for bicycling (http://tinyurl.com/ CBCearly).

In Seattle, Tim Burgess and Sally Clark have participated in the council Bike Caucus with our staff and largely share our vision.

We look forward to working with them to secure funding for the Bicycle Master Plan.

In Kirkland, Jessica Greenway and Dave Asher led in passing one of the first Complete Streets laws in the state and have made

Kirkland a bike-friendly city. They now need your help in the election.

Even the small city of Pacific is making strides in bicycling – thanks to Mayor Rich Hildreth, who is seeking creative ways to find grants and fund bike lanes in his little downtown — and of course, Councilmember Joshua Putnam — a Cascade member and bike commuter all the way to Mercer Island -- brings a wealth of information.

Josh Schaer chairs the Issaquah City Council Transportation Committee and fought for Complete Streets funding for safe crosswalks in downtown Issaquah. And Catherine Stanford has been a crucial voice for rebuilding the Burke-Gilman Trail through Lake Forest Park. She now chairs Great City, an important partner organization to Cascade.

Most of these candidates have only one challenger and will proceed straight to the general election – however, many bicyclefriendly leaders need your help to put them over the top on Aug. 16. Our staff and board will continue evaluating candidates for the primary until ballots are mailed at the end of July. Please check Cascade’s blog and website for the latest election news. We will post the final list of candidates who appear on the August ballot at cascade.org/elections.

Check out Cascade’s primary endorsements at cascade.org/elections.

August neighborhood events

by Serena Lehman, Outreach Coordinator

Y

ou already commuted to work during the month of May. You rode the STP during July. You aren’t planning on attending Ride Around Washington or RSVP. What’s an enthusiastic bicyclist to do?

Never fear, friendly rider, there are plenty of bicycle related activities throughout the month of August. You just need to choose!

Bike to Baseball PhinneyWood Summer Streets Friday, August 12, 6 - 9 p.m.

Greenwood Ave/Phinney Ave from N 87th St to N 67th St. The city of Seattle along with the “PhinneyWood” neighborhood are opening up the streets for people to walk, bicycle, play, roller skate and do pretty much anything as long as it doesn’t require a motor. There will be music, the art walk, dance lessons and more. More details here: http://www.seattle. gov/transportation/summer_green.htm

Consider a gift to Cascade when planning your estate

M.J. Kelly, Editor Diane English, Editorial Assistant; Susan Hiles, Photography; September Contributors: Emma Agosta, Mary Davies, Stephanie Frans, Diana Larson, Serena Lehman, John Mauro, Erica Meurk, Robin Randels, Tarrell Wright The contents of this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of the Club or any of its members. The views expressed are those of the individual contributors.

Submissions guidelines: Article ideas should be discussed with the Editor in advance as the publication calendar is planned two months prior to publication. Final materials are due the first Tuesday of the month, though earlier is appreciated. Articles submitted after that will be considered on a space-available basis. Items can be emailed to. m.j.kelly@cascadebicycleclub.org. If you send text attachments, please format files as native MS Word files or .RTF. For line art please use an .eps format and for photos please use .jpg or .tiff format. The Courier is printed at 300 dpi, so a small 72 dpi photo will not reproduce. If you attach your name and phone number, I will do my best (conditions permitting) to discuss any major changes with you.

All submissions are subject to editing for comprehension, grammar or space requirements. Please be concise!

2

Sunday, August 28, 1:10 p.m. at Safeco field The Mariners have run on hard times lately with a tough West Coast stretch, but our pitching is still top notch (with not one but three 2011 all-stars), and our batting can only get better. Veterans Ichiro and Figgins always finish strong, and with youngsters like Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak, the future looks exciting for the M’s. Bike to the Aug. 28 game against Paul Konerko and the White Sox and get $7 off your ticket! You’ll save yourself the hassle of trying to find parking, while reducing your carbon emissions and even saving a few bucks. Win! Win! Win! Buy tickets at mariners.com/bicycle to get your discount.

Northwest Film Forum 6th Annual Bike-In

L

eaving a will ensures that you, not the government, decide how and to whom your estate will be distributed. You can designate your estate to go to your heirs, a charity, or both. A will that includes contributions to a charity can possibly lower the taxes your heirs will pay.

When planning your estate, please consider a gift to Cascade. Bequeathing part of your estate to our tax-deductible organization not only offers tax relief to your heirs, it is also a great way to make sure that an organization you care about will thrive well into the future.

For more information and sample bequest language, please contact Tarrell Wright, Development Director at tarrell.wright@cascadebicycleclub.org or 206.240.223.

hood. There will be family bikes to try out.

Test your skills in a slow bike race. It is the one time of year you get to play in the street on Rainier Ave. More information here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_rainier.htm

Rainier Summer Streets Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Rainier Ave S from S Brandon to Alaska St. Arrive at 10 a.m. at the Group Health parking lot to decorate your bike for the bike parade. At 11 a.m. watch the Rainier Heritage Parade. The bike parade will close the Heritage Parade, and the streets will open to all non-motorized users at noon.

Then the real fun starts. Like the PhinneyWood Summer Streets, Rainier will be opened up to all non-motorized users to enjoy while getting to know the neighbor-

Saturday, August 27, 6 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park Come early for music curated by the Vera Project, and check out booths from merchants and local bicycle organizations.

Stay late for the 1986 classic bicycle movie, Quicksilver, starring Kevin Bacon, with a new live score by local musicians. And the best news is this event is free! More details here: www.northwestfilmforum.org

Bicycle Sunday Sundays, Aug. 21 and 28, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Lake Washington Blvd.

And, of course, if you just want to get out there and ride your bicycle come to Bicycle Sunday down on Lake Washington Boulevard on August 21 and 28. Drop by the $10 helmet sales booth from 1 to 4 p.m. at Seward Park.

Classified ads are free to Cascade members. See the Classifieds section for further details about submitting a classified ad.

Inserts: We have room for 6 single sheet qualifying inserts in each issue. The minimum fee is $300 per insert. Please contact Erica Meurk, 206-522-7517, for a copy of our insert policy and request form. The request and fee are due by the first of the month prior to the desired month.

Advertising: Advertising: Display ads can be placed in the Courier. Prices range from $125-$300 per month. Discounts available for multiple ads. Contact Erica Meurk, 206-522-7517, erica.meurk@ cascadebicycleclub.org.

Reprints: Articles may be reprinted or abstracted in publications of nonprofit groups provided that the author and Club are credited.

Please send us a copy of the reprinted material.

Membership Information: Club records and finances are available to members upon request from the club office at 206-522-3222.

www.cascade.org

Vol. 41, No. 8

Spin straight into great event riding this September

In memoriam

Sally Eustis and Gary Strauss

W

e are deeply saddened to bid farewell to two members of the Cascade community.

SALLY EUSTIS Sally Eustis, wife to Howard and sister-in-law to Jeff, died on May 21 outside of Walla Walla. Sally was visiting eastern Washington to attend her nephew’s graduation from Whitman College.

She was on a ride with her sister-in-law Terri when she was struck by a vehicle at 10:30 a.m. Here are Howard’s words: The hills are rolling in this part of eastern Washington with young green spring wheat grass about a foot high, no trees, just fields. It was sunny and they were riding up a series of low rolling hills, near the top of the last one before they crossed into the city of Walla Walla. A truck driven by a Dayton City local decided to pass the two of them near the crest of the hill where the no passing line must have startled him. He did not brake, he pulled in too fast and his side view extended mirror hit Sally at 60 miles per hour and shot her like a rag doll off her bike past her sister in-law. She was killed instantly with a separated spine.

GARY STRAUSS “I want folks to smile on my rides, meet others, develop connections and get interested in leading rides.

I want riders to explore new areas and do so at reasonable paces and in ways that gets them turned on to the magic I find in bicycling.

I want riders to know that when they ride with me, they will get support.”

–Gary Strauss Gary Strauss, a longtime Cascade member and our 2008 Ride Leader of the Year, passed away on July 11 after a long battle with lymphatic leukemia.

Gary was a dedicated bicycle advocate with a passion for bringing the joy of bicycling to others. He touched many lives through his work with Cascade, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and the bicycling community at large, and he will be missed greatly.

Gary’s friends and family held a bike ride and memorial service to honor his life on Thursday, July 14 on Mercer Island. Notes and memories can be shared online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ straussgary

Windbreaker: A cautionary tale

by Emma Agosta, Cascade Training Series rider

O

n my last Cascade Training Series ride, the taper ride before STP, I had my scariest bike accident so far, a good cautionary tale I wish to share because, unlike many accidents, this is completely avoidable.

We had just climbed Sand Point Way and made a very quick regrouping stop at the Taco Bell parking lot on Lake City Way. I was hot and sweaty, wearing a very light (brand-new, I would like to add) wind breaker and I took the opportunity to slide the sleeves off and tie them around my waist since this stop was too short for me to take it completely off and stow it away in my jersey pocket.

I barely had time to do this quick operation that we are rolling again and fast flying down Bothell Way. We were taking the whole right lane as a group and I was riding at about 30 mph alongside one of the ride leaders. Everything was fine l until I felt the wind breaker coming loose. Before I had time to grab it, it was completely off me and flew into my back wheel, getting tightly tangled into the spokes, the cogs and the chain. All of this I did not really see, but I could feel as my back wheel locked and the bike started fishtailing.

My fellow riders and ride leaders later reported seeing smoke coming from the tire and rubber burning. Somehow, I must have reacted in the right away, did not slam on the breaks and managed to hold on to the handlebars and slow down, staying upright until the bike was almost still and I finally leaned over to a stop. I was miraculously unscathed and up on my feet right again and off to the side of the road. No one else crashed against me – another small miracle – and everyone was immediately around me checking for my safety and congratulating me on my bike handling skills. I just felt lucky to be alive and unhurt and that no

Take on the High Pass Challenge

Ride the Kitsap Color Classic Sunday, Sept. 25

Sunday, Sept. 11 114 miles, 600 rider limit 10-hour time limit

Fri., Sept. 23 marks the first day of autumn, ushering in a great time to ride a bike on the Kitsap Peninsula, and we invite you join us two days later forthe 19th annual Kitsap Color Classic. Make your way across Puget Sound on Sunday, Sept. 25 for a pleasant event on the lovely Kitsap Peninsula. The Kitsap Color Classic is a fine way to finish out the Cascade event season, with rolling hills, scenic views and great company.

I

f you’ve been training hard and breezed through the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic in one day this year, you might consider taking on the High Pass Challenge. The 2011 HPC is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 11. If you’ve thought about signing up for the HPC but aren’t quite sure if you’re up for the challenge, the route follows a spectacular, challenging route.

Expect incredible views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and of course, of Mount St. Helens. As opposed to Johnson’s Ridge, Windy Ridge offers close-up views of the blast zone. One gets a real feel for the destruction wrought by the 1980 eruption (the one that canceled STP that year), especially when peering down at Spirit Lake on the way up to the viewpoint. If you’re planning on riding in this Cascade event, you’re in for a real treat.

2010 Results: • First rider finished at 12:47 p.m., at an elapsed time of 5 hours, 47 minutes • First female rider finished at 1:33 p.m., at an elapsed time of 6 hours, 33 minutes • Gold medalists (finish before 2 p.m.): 27% • Silver medalists (finish between 2 and 4 p.m.): 54% • Bronze medals (finish between 4 and 5 p.m.): 18%

The Routes The Kitsap Color Classic base routes range from 14 miles to 36 miles with combination loops up to 64 miles.

Registration Online registration is open through Sept.

21. Adult registration is $28. Kids under age 13 are $10. Cascade members receive a $5 discount. Ferry fare for you and your bike is included in the fee.

Ferry Schedule Be sure to leave enough time to catch one of the following ferries: 8:40, 9:20 or 10:10 a.m. Ferry times are subject to change. Visit Washington State Ferries website to confirm sailing times. Your KCC bib is your ferry ticket. Fees for other ferries are not covered.

Return rides are free.

Edmonds pancake breakfast The Edmonds Bicycle Group is holding an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the Masonic Lodge in Edmonds from 7 to 10 a.m.

Funds raised support local bicycle advocacy work.

HPC registration Online registration is open through Sept.

7 and costs $80. All riders will receive a complimentary BBQ coupon good for an entrée and a soft drink at the finish line party. Visit www.cascade.org/hpc to sign up.

On tour with the steady crowd

by Mary Davies, Cascade member

one else got hurt either. I also felt very stupid for a completely avoidable and potentially deadly mistake. I will never again tie a jacket on my waist while bike riding or letting anyone around me do the same. Yet I have seen countless people doing that in the past and never thought any better.

After extricating the wind breaker from the cogs and the chain, I was ready to ride again but upon inspecting the tire, we noticed a huge gouge on it. As the tire had locked against the pavement, the rubber had worn down all the way to the cords. At first I planned to stop by the bike shop on Bothell to get a replacement tire but they were close till noon, so my husband and I separated from the group and rode to a much farther bike shop in Kirkland to have it replaced. Despite the thumping of the tire, I did not get a flat and I was able to make it there just fine. The bike shop guy was very surprised that I was able to ride on that tire.

He quickly replaced it and we were back on our way in no time, rejoining the ride and eventually catching up with another CTS green group and finally with our own group back at Magnuson Park for the end of the series BBQ party.

All in all, it was another good day with our Cascades friends and one very memorable learning experience for me. Please do me a favor and never tie a jacket on your waist when you are riding.

“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”

R

alph and Carol Nussbaum built a steady-pace tour in June for cyclists who might never have taken the leap into the moderate and advanced tours the Club traditionally offers.

But a week in Oregon’s rural Willamette Valley, averaging 50-mile days and climbs around a thousand feet? Sounds doable.

And we did it, riders aged 39 to 80.

Our longest day, at 70 miles, was a personal best for three of us. Old-hands used the trip as training for tougher rides planned later in the summer, or a chance to slow down and smell—the coffee.

And roses too, because wild roses lined the roads we pedaled. From beer-to-nuts, we cycled past Oregon’s towers of hops and fabled hazelnut orchards. Mount Hood shone white on our last day. We saw every domestic animal, as well as osprey, hawks, and goldfinches. And vultures, but they kept their distance.

The shortest cycling day was the longest on activity, including a ferrying across the river, a winery tour and tasting, and a visit to the aviation museum that houses the Spruce Goose and so much more.

Photo credit: Ken Condray

Our chain-motel accommodations, always comfortable, had riverfront views on three nights. We hit farmers’ market day in Corvallis. When it started once to sprinkle, Cam stopped pedaling to don her waterproof vest, a sure way to stop it, she said. It worked.

Half the flats occurred at rest stops or in rooms, and all our crashes were minor.

Was it the lollygagging pace? The Golden Helmet awards competitions to be our helpful best? Quirky ourselves, are we unusually open to the quirks of others?

Whatever the reason, Cascade’s Steady Tour is a winner. More, please.

3

August 2011

Who was that striped rider? Ride Referees report back on STP

by Robin Randels, Classes Coordinator

A

nother Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle classic has rolled by and from what we’ve heard, it was an excellent experience for the majority of our riders. Thank you to all participants who practiced SMART riding while contributing to a safer riding environment for all.

Many of you may have seen the STP Ride Refs out on the course reminding people to lose the ear buds so they could hea. yo. call out “on your Left!” while trying to pass them at a safe distance. Thank you for moving off the road if you needed to fix a flat or take a breather.

Here are some comments from the 26 Refs sharing the course with you this year.

Please extend them a hand for their tireless efforts. It’s not an easy job. Kudos!

Summary: Compared to last year, less rudeness, more ear bud use. Some groups are using bells now (even on their “serious racer bikes”) which is great, and should be encouraged. Many times I just smiled as a gentle “ring ring” was heard, and a train of four or so very serious people whizzed by. The Gold Wing motorcycle folks were omnipresent and awesome.

The main problem is that the one-dayers are trying to make time, drafting too closely for the conditions, encountering road hazards at high speeds with no time to react, and riding unsafely in order to pass slower riders etc., etc.

Oh, and unbeknownst me, the ride ref jerseys must have a note that says “sneak up on me and take a free pull” on the back. I can’t believe the number of stealth drafters I had over the course of two days.

I noticed a guy on my left with earbuds in. After finally getting his attention (he

couldn’t hear me yelling) I told him to remove the earbuds, and then I told him to put them in his pocket.

From Spanaway to Yelm, the pavement was in somewhat better shape, but the narrow shoulder led to major safety problems: faster cyclists got impatient with slower riders clogging the shoulder, and jumped into the lane of traffic, where semis, logging trucks and heavy traffic buzzed the cyclists.

I saw some really close calls.

There was such a disregard of traffic laws that it appeared that all traffic laws were suspended for the STP. [My perception is that] nobody stopped at the stop lights.

On two-lane roads, the cyclists were taking the whole right lane. I said, “Please move to the right” over and over. It was a joke. One person listens and moves over and a hundred more move left and take the whole road. Cars and trucks started passing unsafely, swerving into oncoming traffic across double yellows to get around the swarms of cyclists.

Many, many ear bud users. IF anyone is serious about curbing their usage, find an efficient way to do it. It would probably be better to post six volunteers at the start line as riders are going through the channel in groups, while they are standing still, before the start, to remind them that they should not use them. Really care about them? Make them take them off and put them away, or put them in a sandwich bag with their rider number on it for pickup, after the STP, at the Cascade office.

Many instances of folks saying that they were glad to see a ride referee. Also, many more cases of mute left passers. “Please call out as you pass,” was usually met with nothing. Maybe the bike stores should be selling courtesy along with carbon bikes.

Saw Seattle PD with two cyclists pulled over just after the stop sign where (IIRC) Henderson meets Seward Park Ave — the one at the bottom of the hill that many cyclists blow through. Just seconds before, people behind me were grousing for being behind a ride ref that “stops for every stop sign.” They shut up a bit when they overheard the officer telling the cyclists about the ticket for running a stop sign.

Day 2 seemed to have more impatient people doing things that could be injurious to themselves and others. On some of the curves on those narrow two-lane roads between Chehalis and Castle Rock, the people passing the people passing the people ran out of lane, and insisted on going into the oncoming traffic lanes; I caught up to and whistled (those are really loud whistles) those folks and politely explained that it’s not safe to ride in the oncoming traffic lane.

Kudos to the Gold Wing Folks who seemed to be everywhere, as were the support vehicles. Thanks for allowing me to be a Ride Ref! As you can see from the above “words on the street,” though the overall event went well, it looks as if there is room for

DEAR MISS PANNIERS Dear Miss Panniers, I live along a popular bike route and am frequently disturbed by the conversations of passing bicyclists. There are actually two issues: volume and subject matter. Volume is the primary disturbance, especially in the early summer mornings, when I am trying to sleep and large groups of cyclists are trying to shout conversations at one another. The subject matter is sometimes more disturbing yet. It seems to me that men, especially, open up and talk about things when they are riding. Deeply personal things.

Any etiquette advice that will help us all avoid such disturbances?

R. Boretum Gentle sleeper, “Polite conversation is rarely either.” –Fran Lebowitz Miss Panniers feels for you, my dear. She lives within earshot of a major highway and experiences the daily toll of horns, compression brakes, subwoofers, sirens and construction projects. While Miss Panniers must admonish those loud bicyclists, she must also point out that the bicycle is a comparatively silent form of conveyance.

That said, the etiquette of polite conversation applies to bicycling as well as the rest of refined society.

4

improvement. Let’s lose the ear buds, stay to the right, and call out when passing (quack). Duck calling Ride Refs for next year!

Use indoor voices. Miss Panniers suggests that if you cannot have a conversation without going hoarse, you may be breaching etiquette as well as your vocal range. Consider narrowing your audience to the person(s) immediately surrounding you, rather than the entire ten-person paceline (and subsequently anyone within a three-block radius.)

Choose acceptable subject matter. When bicycling, please consider whether anyone really truly wants to know about the origin, location or removal of that unfortunate wart.

Bikes, not bombs. Miss Panniers is aghast at some of the expletives she hears from passing bicyclists. Please do not inflict innocent bystanders with your arsenal of indiscriminate f-bombs. (Miss Panniers may even venture to extend this advice to transit riders and sporting fans as well.)

Avoid eye contact. Contrary to standard conversational etiquette, frequent eye contact is not advised for a bicycle-based conversation.

Extend every courtesy. Be sure to liberally sprinkle your conversation with outward extensions of courtesy as well. It is completely appropriate to interrupt a sentence to alert a pedestrian that you are passing. Don’t let an engaging conversation hinder thankyous and friendly acknowledgements to motorists.

www.cascade.org

Vol. 41, No. 8

STP STORIES Diana Salazar Registered Nurse

C

ongratulations on all the people who bicycled on the 32nd annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic! The weather was nearly perfect this year, and it was inspiring to see 10,000 happy cyclists using their pedal power to bicycle 200+ miles, an impressive accomplishment.

We extend a big thank you to the communities along the route that welcomed the event with open arms. A very big thank you to hundreds of the volunteers who lined the course and helped it run smoothly for all participating. Many thanks to our sponsors for supporting the event, in particular Group Health, which has been with us for many years.

The STP is Cascade’s largest fund-raising event and supports bicycle education, advocacy, commute and riding programs. This year’s event sold out 10,000 spots on March 21. Next year’s event will be held on July 14 and 15, 2012. Members will have advance registration. More information about event registration will follow in future issues of the Cascade Courier.

2011 STP FACTS • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

Cody Rogers At work, I was talking with friends about different activities to try around the Seattle area.

A friend mentioned the STP and told us about the Cascade Bicycle Club and what they represent and promote.

We were registered within a week and can’t wait to help support cyclists and have a great adventure at the same time!

Attorney Notwithstanding 10 previous rides, I’ve come back once again to do the ride with my three siblings, two brothers-inlaw and some friends. But most importantly, my 80-year-old father is riding it for the first time. Go dad!

Stephen Snider Engineer I rode STP last year with a buddy from work and had a blast. It was such a laid back and excellent experience that I was trying to recruit everyone I knew to ride with me in 2011. I managed to talk my dad into riding, and he started riding in January.

I found him a new old bike at the Swap in February, and the rest is history. I’ve been mountain biking this spring and neglecting my poor road bike, so I imagine my dad (see below) is going to be pulling me to Portland.

Mike Snider, Student I started training in January of this year after hearing about my son’s (Stephen, see above) experience last year. I also quit a 35-year smoking habit and replaced it with bicycling.

Canada (Alberta, B.C., Ontario), England, United States.

42 States Kansas Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana North Carolina Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York

“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”

Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming Washington, DC

Marketing Consultant I bought a new road bike last fall and publically announced that I wanted to do the 2011 STP. I managed to talk seven other new riders into the ride.

Outhorn Keophila Consultant Being from Portland and living in Seattle now, I thought that this would be a great ride. I started cycling a few years ago and I wish I would have started earlier. After playing rugby for over 10 years, I wanted to find a sport that was less damaging to my body. Inspired by the Tour de France, I fell in love with cycling.

I ride with a grin every time I’m out on the road. Cheers to good health!

Josh Dano Manager, Digital Marketing Originally, I sought to bring on five new riders to experience the ride, but my priorities have changed as my cousin Keegan, who grabbed life by the horns, died this morning after valiantly fighting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the past six months. I’ll keep him pushing me the entire way and honor his memory throughout the ride. You’ve got to live life, not let it happen to you. RIP Keegan Heavey.

Andy Larpenteur US Postal Service Clerk Well, it’s been 22 years since my last STP, back in 1989. I rode on my own last time, but knew a lot of friends on the ride. So after several years of planning with a friend, with a couple of delays, like two heart operations, I’m clear and free to ride. It was worth the wait, and I look forward to our STP at last.

Jeff Jacobson Electrical Contractor Many years ago, my buddy Tommy told me of this event and challenged me to try it. Six years ago, I made it happen, thanks

Gabriel Morales IT Consultant

3 Countries:

Amy Novak O’Farrell

US Navy - Submariner

Matt Osborne

Produced by the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Title sponsor: Group Health.

Other sponsors: Raleigh, Nuun, Clif Bar, Jamba Juice, Darigold, Windermere, New Belgium, REI, Dave’s Killer Bread, Performance Bicycle, Rack ‘N’ Road, AT&T, Super Supplements.

10,000 registered riders 32nd annual ride. Sold out on March 21, 2011.

First event was a time trial race between Seattle and Portland City Halls.

Jerry Baker won the race.

Total distance (miles) 202.25 Uphill distance (miles) 30.87 Uphill altitude (feet) 1,951 Maximum altitude (feet) 463 Start: University of Washington just north of Husky Stadium Five major rest stops en route to Portland Midpoint: Centralia, Washington Finish: Holladay Park in northeast Portland 100 safety and medical riders on the course 30 Ride Referees on the course 12 support vehicles 200 Gold Wing Touring Association motorcyclists How much food? Here’s a sample: 26,000 sandwiches 35,000 cookies 43,000 snack bars & treats 11,000 fig bars 16,000 servings of bananas 10,000 servings of oranges 9,500 servings of grapes And a LOT more!

42 states represented Eldest rider: 85.

2,624 female riders; 7,376 male riders 47 riders will have ridden 20+ times 228 riders will have ridden 10+ times.

Jerry Baker (70) of Seattle has ridden each of the 32 rides.

7,953 Washington riders (2,276 from Seattle) 1,194 Oregon riders (561 from Portland)

Alaska Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and I never learned how to ride a bike.

As I got older, I became too scared to learn. Last year I decided to learn and my friends encouraged me to make STP my goal. I had a blast learning, riding with friends, and I’m so excited to ride my first STP!

avoid cancer and heart disease. I have gained my life back and continue to ride and recruit friends. I love it.

I have been riding since I was four. Ten mile rides in Bogota, Columbia were the norm growing up. I found out about STP four years ago, and have wanted to do it for years.

My ex was registered and told me about a chance of getting one of the cancellations.

I woke up early, and I registered in time.

Looking forward to making it a yearly event.

A 2,500 mile trek from Atlanta to the Pacific Northwest sounds like something to strive for and keep my health.

Annie Merritt Health Consultant I started riding after I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

This was a way for me to gain my life back and

to my best friend.

Sangeetha Viseweswaran Software Engineer I needed a fitness goal after not doing anything and being a couch potato for almost five years after using multiple excuses like pregnancy, delivery, kids, work, etc. When I looked for options, I figured running was not my thing.

I tried biking -- loved it. Signed up for the challenging STP to keep me motivated, and I used CTS to train. I loved the freedom of biking... the air on my face, the strength I gained and I am looking forward to the achievement of crossing the finish line. continued on page 6

5

August 2011

STP STORIES Erika Wagner Just moved to Seattle from Boston this year and registering for the STP was the first thing I did! Great way to see the region, and the perfect excuse to log miles around my hometown.

With this bib number, I ride in honor of my hubby, working on the 787 line at Boeing and watching our one and three year olds all weekend so mom can ride.

Jason Pittman

Pat Noonan Architect I decided to become a bicycle commuter… and loved it. STP just felt like a great next step for me.

Shai Greenberg Kid I’m riding this year because I rode last year, and I rode last year because I love riding. Also because I took it as a challenge.

Tech Support STP is an awesome social event. You never know who you will meet and make new friends. Thanks to my wife for 10 years of support.

Adrienne Contos Barista And Math Tutor I moved to Washington last year. I was a triathlete and on a cycling team in Arizona, so I was searching for a similar experience in Seattle. I joined the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Every time I went on a Cascade ride, I heard about how fun STP was. So I convinced my friend from Arizona to ride STP with me.

She is flying in and we plan to spend the whole 204 miles catching up.

David Wiegand IT Manager This is my “bucket list” ride for the year, STP in one day! I got into it following cute girls.

Sandra McKellar Lawyer My husband Scott Kennedy (74) and I have been bike riding and touring for over 30 years. Five years ago, we “discovered” the STP ride and haven’t looked back. This will be our fifth STP. From the STP, we’ve also done many of the century rides in Washington and the Gran Fondo from Vancouver to Whistler. We ride for health and fitness and love the opportunities to meet new friends.

Leah Isaacson Nanny I grew up in Centralia, halfway between Seattle and Portland, and have always loved seeing the STPers pass through. This is my first time doing it. I have fallen in love with riding. I look forward to many more rides with the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Vina Mogg Housewife

Shabnam Basmani Software Developer This is my first year riding a bicycle. I started training for a half Ironman back in December and had to get used to being on the bike.

After weeks of training three times plus per week and several classes, I was able to get my speed up to where it needed to be to complete my Half. I’m within the cut-off.

My fiancé has always wanted to ride STP and now I was able to tell him no problem, I can do it. I was really excited last week when I rode 92 miles in 5.5 hours. My challenge is if I successfully ride STP without pushing my physical limits, I plan to ride Seattle to San Francisco in September.

Dianne Marie Poirier Tibbs Legal Assistant My mother made me do it… just kidding! She did it three or four times prekids; now 25 years later, she and I are doing it together.

Ron Whitman Software Engineer I was diagnosed with moderate/severe hip arthritis in 2009. Biking seems to help. Losing 15to 20 pounds would help too.

Riding the STP is a good way to motivate me to ride more and lose some weight. So far this is working great. My hip is better than it was two years ago, when the orthopedic surgeon said he would need to give me a hip replacement in about six months.

6

2010 and the day of the ride. 205 miles later... an incredible, life-changing experience we plan to repeat every year together.

Emily Braunz I ride because I have fun doing it. It’s fun riding bikes with my dad and sister. I have ridden STP three times before and finished one out of three.

I plan to finish again this year.

Nicole Braunz I ride because it’s fun to be around friends and family. I also do it because I love a challenge and love the feeling you get after working hard on the bike. This will be my first STP (and my longest ride), so I’m looking for a good time.

Travis Kreuger Navy [Riding with his eightyear-old son, Jacob.] We are doing a father and son ride. Last year I did the STP after a deployment in the desert. My son thought it was really cool.

Afterward, he said he would do it next year, so we trained together, and now we are ready for STP 11. I think this is a good way to show him how hard work and training pays off.

Heather Sinnott Environmental Science Officer I live in Victoria, BC and ride my bike every day to work — not only is it a green mode of transportation, but it is a great way to exercise. As far as I’m concerned, any day on my bike is better than one in a car. I decided last year that here were a few things I wanted to accomplish before turning 40. This year I did my first half marathon, did the Escape from Alcatraz swim? The next day, my husband and I did the Golden Gate triathlon. I did both the swim and run, and he did the ride. We rocked it and came in first!

Herbert Purganan Lab Tech Each time I sit atop my two-wheeled horse, only God is taller and mightier than me. Gliding across the landscape is so precious and at times, when the rising sun pervades the horizon and graces my face with its ruby rays. I am illuminated, shining and engulfed in euphoria. Aristotle once uttered, “What are friends but one soul divided among many bodies?” My bicycle and I share this same communion and only a few things on this earth will rival that kinship.

Thanks STP.

Keith Wiggins Pizza Chef Dreamed of riding the STP for 30 years. I started riding again, lost 30 pounds and will completed this life goal.

Two years ago, at my 30year high school reunion, a group of us made a challenge that we would do the STP when we turned 50.

Four of us will ride this weekend as Team ‘79 Lakes Lancers! I have flown in from Orlando, Florida to join my classmates in this ride.

Completing the STP has always been on my bucket list. I love returning to the Northwest, which has always been my home and my roots. As I turned 50 this year, I celebrate many challenges, including caring for my 87-year-old mom with Alzheimer’s. Training and preparing for this ride and returning “home” to complete it is a benchmark and a reminder to me to take in the challenges in this journey of life and enjoy the ride along the way.

Aaryea Naik Student I have fun riding a bicycle. My uncle rode a bicycle from new York to Seattle in 48 days. That was inspirational, so I decided to train and ride the STP on my own bicycle. Since February, I got a new bike, gear and roe about 1500 miles, adjusting seats, cleats, pedals and everything on the bike. I am looking forward to the ride this weekend.

Candy Casetellanos Project Manager Last year, I decided the best way to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary was to train for the one-day STP together. As a new cyclist, I trained in the rain, snow, hail and finally sunshine, clocking 3000 miles between January 3, www.cascade.org

Vol. 41, No. 8

AUGUST RIDES Cascade Bicycle Club Ride Classification FOR MORE RIDES SEE WWW.CASCADE.ORG AND CLICK ON FREE DAILY RIDES CALENDAR. LOOK FOR WEB-ONLY LISTINGS. In order to pick the rides that suit your skills and energy level, use the following guidelines: • PACE: The speed on level ground without breaks: Easy: Under 10 mph Leisurely: 10-12 mph Steady: 12-14 mph Moderate: 14-16 mph Brisk: 16-18 mph Strenuous: 18-21 mph Super Strenuous: 22+ mph • TERRAIN: These descriptions should be considered in the context of the pace and length of the ride: Mostly Flat: Trails and/or mostly flat roads with a possible gentle upgrade Rolling: Climbs are short and easy, not too numerous.

Some Hills: A few short steep hills, some moderate upgrades and/or longer gentle climbs.

MONDAY, AUG 1

MUMPS: Head Up North 40-80 mi • Moderate • Hilly • Map • Occasional regroup • 9:30 a.m. • Tracy Owen Station/Logboom Park, Kenmore • Steady rain cancels • Craig Mohn, 425890-5234 cell, 425-313-3669 NOTE THE NEW TIME-9:30!!! Contact the ride leader if you want to join us somewhere north (probably McCollum Park, depending on the route) a little after 10 a.m. A fun loop ride in south Snohomish County with a food stop en route. Distance and pace may vary to suit weather conditions and group. The pace will be a fast Moderate; a Brisk pace group may be added if certified ride leader volunteers are available for both paces. Check with leader if weather appears questionable.

TUESDAY, AUG 2

Hilly: Many true hills, but none outrageous.

Extremely Hilly: Steep & long climbs with grades >9% and/ or mountain passes Unlimited: “Out of category”; only for those very sure of their ability to climb any grade, any length at the advertised pace.

Off Road: Significant unpaved sections.

• MAP: Whether a map or cue sheet is provided.

• REGROUP: None and Occasional regroup categories expect experienced riders who can fix their own mechanical problems and follow a map/cue sheet if they are separated.

• RAIN: Weather conditions that cancel the ride.

Helmets are required on all rides. When using a cell phone you must pull off the road/trail and STOP. Put away all earbuds/headphones/music devices before the ride starts.

All riders are required to sign a waiver form. Rides are cancelled or are no longer considered Cascade rides in the event that the ride leader does not show up or does not provide a waiver form for signatures of riders. Riders are expected to be ready to ride at the time listed (i.e. that’s not the time to drive

into the parking lot with a full bladder and empty tires) and to ride in a safe, courteous, legal manner. Riders are expected to cooperate with the leader(s) and ride within the advertised pace.

If unsure of your ability to keep up, try a slower level ride to get an idea of ride paces. For “Hilly” rides, consider choosing a pace down from your usual level. Unless indicated, it is not necessary to RSVP the ride leader to participate in a ride.

Riders should: be able to ride at a strenuous effort level on the flats and in the hills; possess the endurance to ride more than 50 miles; be comfortable with, or have desire to, master paceline riding techniques.

Youth riders may also join regular club rides.

Permission must be obtained from the ride leader at least 24 hours in advance for youth to join a regular club ride. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian OR must have parent/legal guardian sign a consent form designating a guardian for them on the ride; youth ages 16-17 may ride without a parent or guardian

with advance permission of the ride leader AND a signed parental consent form (available at www. cascade.org) which must be given to the ride leader at the start of the ride.

Cascade does not sponsor or endorse any non-bicycling activities that people may participate in while on these rides.

Each cyclist is responsible for his/her conduct and decisions while on a Cascade ride.

Cascade membership and activities are open to anyone able and willing to participate in a safe, courteous and cooperative manner and in support of the purposes of the club. Ride information is also available at: www.cascade. org. Only Cascade certified ride leaders may post and lead Cascade Daily Rides. See Ride Leader Information on our website or email the Rides Chair at cbcrides@ cascadebicycleclub.org.

regroups from Renton to surrounding areas.

Large turnout splits into multiple groups. ** No parking in Coulon parking lot.

Blue Angels Ride--Part II

see breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound and rural farm country all with low traffic. We’ll end up at the Tides tavern for lunch before heading back over the bridge.

We’ll be riding at a moderate pace on the flats, but expect some hills. Ride is about 30 miles, we can shorten or lengthen it depending on group. Poker run? You will get one card at five stops, prize for the high hand. If I can get a co-lead (any volunteers?) this will be a no-drop ride, otherwise, we will try to be reasonable and wait for tire changes, etc. You don’t need to be single, but consider bringing a single friend! Drive from central Seattle takes about 35 minutes to Skyline Park and Ride. Take I-5 to W. Hwy 16, Jackson Ave exit. Head south on Jackson one block, turn east on 6th. Lot on north side of the street. For more information check link: http://elementsofbicycling.net/customerfiles/ locat

Gas Works Thursday Social < 20 mi • Leisurely • Hilly • Map • Stay together • 6:30 p.m. • East end of the Gas Works Park parking lot • Ice/snow cancels • Scott Kralik, 206-523-6042, scottk@ cascade.org Explore Seattle’s backstreets at a comfortable pace with a sociable crowd. Every Thursday, a regular crowd of old friends and a curious crowd of new friends ride as far as evening light permits, venturing places seldom seen via routes seldom taken. We don’t go looking for a challenge (we’ll never ride the Counterbalance), but neither do we avoid one (we’ve topped a hill or two and waited for the sightseers among us). Bring money for dinner afterward. Heavy rain means we eat early.

FRIDAY, AUG 5

TREATS: Some Seattle Parks 32 mi • Steady • Some hills • Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Gas Works Park, Seattle • Showers cancel • Jim Shedd, 206772-0955 From Gas Works Park we’ll ride thru Montlake, Interlaken, Pratt and Judkins parks to Jefferson Park for a break; then on the Sealth Trail thru Genesee, Seward, and Leschi parks for lunch at Pert’s Deli. Return via Madison and Washington parks—18 in all......the fun never stops!!

FRUMPS: South County Tour 47 mi • Moderate • Hilly • Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Renton Comm Ctr (Carco) • Showers cancel • Jim Shedd, 206-772-0955 A scenic tour via Lake Francis and Ravensdale into Black Diamond for lunch, then return via Lake Sawyer, Covington, down 196th to the Cedar River, then along Jones Road.

Blue Angels Ride

25-35 mi • Super strenuous • Some hills • No Map • Occasional regroup • 5:45 p.m.

• Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley, Renton Ice/snow cancels • Russell Moul, 206-2007314, 253-657-9568 • Pete Grey, 425558-0451, pgrey@hotmail.com Year-round training rides for one day STP riders. Rides stress safety, cooperation and group riding skills. Fast pacelines with regroups from Renton to surrounding areas.

Large turnout splits into multiple groups. **No Parking in the Coulon parking lot.

10-20 mi • Leisurely • Moderate • Some hills • No Map Stay together • 11 a.m. • Bellevue Park & Ride • Steady rain cancels • Bruce Zunser, 206-459-5990, bruce_ zunser@hotmail.com We’ll ride to and around Mercer Island, stop for a bite of lunch and time it to arrive at a rooftop deck about the time the I-90 floating bridge closes. We’ll watch the Blue Angels air show and then head back. Meet at the P&R on Bellevue Way just north of the I-90/ Bellevue Way interchange. We’ll probably have several pace groups from leisurely to moderate.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 3.

SATURDAY, AUG 6

Cycle Tuesdays

Please check the cascade.org Daily Rides Calendar for possible WEB-ONLY rides today.

THURSDAY, AUG 4

More Cycle Tuesdays 25-35 mi • Super strenuous • Some hills • No Map • Occasional regroup • 5:45 p.m.

• Gene Coulon Park/Next to Kidd Valley, Renton • Ice/snow cancels • Tom Baker, 425-221-0631, tommbaker@hotmail.com • Brian Ohlemeier, 425-985-6980 cell Year-round training rides for one-day STP riders. Rides stress safety, cooperation and group riding skills. Fast pacelines with

Blue Angels Ride 10-20 mi • Leisurely • Moderate • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 11 a.m. • Bellevue Park & Ride • Steady rain cancels • Bruce Zunser, 206-459-5990, bruce_ zunser@hotmail.com We’ll ride to and around Mercer Island, stop for a bite of lunch and time it to arrive at a rooftop deck about the time the I-90 floating bridge closes. We’ll watch the Blue Angels air show and then head back. Meet at the P&R on Bellevue Way just north of the I-90/ Bellevue Way interchange. We’ll probably have several pace groups from leisurely to moderate

“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”

30 mi • Steady • Moderate • Hilly • No Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Bellevue Park & Ride • Steady rain cancels • Jim Eanes, 206-232-1967 We’ll start with a fun 12-mile loop going north around Medina, returning back to the Mercer Slough where we continue on to Mercer Island and the Mercer Island Loop.

On Mercer Island we will stop for lunch with other cyclists from the morning Leisure Ride, arriving at Blue Angels viewing area about time I-90 floating bridge closes. After air show we will return to start. Meet at the Bellevue P&R (2700 Bellevue Way SE, Bellevue). With demand and assistance we can have a moderate group.

SPOKESPEOPLE rides!

8 mi • Easy • Rolling • Map • Stay together • 2 p.m. • 4219 Wallingford Ave N. at the south end of Wallingford Playfield • Steady rain cancels • Cathy Tuttle, 206-547-9569, 206-713-6269, cathy.tuttle@gmail.com • Michael Snyder, 206-781-7221, msnyder@zserf.com Please join SPOKESPEOPLE, http:// www.spokespeople.us/ride.php, on the first Saturday of every month for a fun, lowcarbon, community ride. All Spokespeople rides meet at the south end of Wallingford Playfield at 42nd & Densmore and ride on the road to an adjacent urban center. New riders welcome! Please come by 1:45 if you are new to riding in groups or if you need help with adjusting your helmet or bike. All ages and skill levels welcome! All rides are on the road with traffic, and include expert commuters who accompany us to offer encouragement and model good road riding techniques for new, returning and reluctant cyclists. Please join us! This is a Bike Smart Seattle ride. All are welcome!

SUNDAY, AUG 7

Crepe Cruise 25-35 mi • Leisurely • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 9 a.m. • Gas Works Park, Seattle • Steady rain cancels • Don Martin, 206-363-9964 Come and join us with an empty stomach and $9.00, and head immediately to the nearby Swedish Club for their Sunday pancake breakfast. We’ll spend the rest of the day cruising the City working off all the Ham & Crepes we ate. If weather is questionable check with leader.

Cascade Singles Narrows Bridge Poker Run

MONDAY, AUG 8

MUMPS: Head Up North See MUMPS, 8/1.

Small Chainring Mondays 18 mi • Brisk • Strenuous • Rolling • No Map • No regroup • 6 p.m. • Sam Smith Park, West side of I-90 Bike Tunnel • Showers cancel • David Longdon, 541514-1502, cascade.cyclist@gmail.com Suffering a lactate hangover? Then Small Chainring Mondays is for you. This is a recovery ride for cyclists who have spent the weekend riding at a strenuous, super strenuous, or race pace. The pace for this ride is <18mph, though depending on who shows up, we may form a faster and a slower group.

Ride leaves promptly at 6 p.m. Plan on about 60 mins of riding time. Route is clockwise around Mercer Island, with an emphasis is on safe group riding etiquette and respect for Mercer residents driving home at that time of day.

TUESDAY, AUG 9

TREATS: Eastside Up’s and Down’s 38 mi • Steady • Hilly • Map • Occasional regroup • 10 a.m. • Juanita Beach Park • Showers cancel • Jane and Don Volta, 425-828-0138 A HILLY ride in and out of Kirkland with a lunch stop. NOTE: If Juanita Beach Park still not open, park in the lot across the street from park entrance.

Cycle Tuesdays See Cycle Tuesdays, 8/2.

30 mi • Moderate • Some hills • Map • Stay together • 9 a.m. • Skyline Park and Ride, 7100 6th Ave, Tacoma • Showers cancel • Crystal Vaarvik, 253-961-5443, vaarvik@centurytel.net Ride the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor and

7

August 2011

AUGUST RIDES WEDNESDAY, AUG 10

Lower Duwamish River Tour +/-10 mi • Easy • Mostly flat • Map • Frequent regroup • 1 p.m. • Herrings House Park, 4700 W Marginal Way • Steady rain cancels • Don Martin, 206363-9964 A bike tour of “What’s Happening” along the Lower Duwamish Super Fund Site, hosted by representatives of The Seattle Parks Foundation, The Port of Seattle, and The Friends of Street Ends. We’ll visit several parks, potential parks, and trails in the South Park area. Tour will be approximately 3 1/2 hours long. RSVP to lydia@seattleparksfoundation.org or 206332-9900 ext 15 (for adequate handouts & maps). Herrings House Park, Terminal 107, is located across the street from The Duwamish Longhouse.

THURSDAY AUG 11

THUMPS: Home for Lunch 20-35 mi • Moderate • Some hills • No Map • Occasional regroup • 9:30 a.m.

• Leschi Starbucks, Seattle • Steady rain cancels • Mike Nelson, 206-325-9068 Be home in time for lunch after some urban exploration. Fixies and single speed bikes welcome. Ride leader will be riding a single speed.

More Cycle Tuesdays See More Cycle Tuesdays, 8/4.

Gas Works Thursday Social See Gas Works Social, 8/4.

FRIDAY, AUG 12

FRUMPS: Southern Exposure 55/60 m • Moderate • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 9:30 a.m. • Brannan Park, Auburn • Showers cancel • Jim Taylor, 253-537-7356 cell, 206-979-1941 The ride will take us out the Green Valley Rd. from Auburn, then up a steep climb as we head to Buckley and historic Wilkison for lunch. Restaurant does not take credit cards. Checks or cash only. From Wilkison we will pick up the Foothills Trail and head on into Orting and Sumner. From Sumner we will pick up the Interurban back to Auburn.

For directions to Brannan Park, check the web site’s “Ride Start Points.” Call the ride leader to confirm the ride if the weather looks questionable. I will not go to the start point to cancel the ride.

FRIDAY RIDERS: Ride Three Hills: Queen Anne, Beacon and Capitol ~25 mi • Leisurely • Some hills • No Map • Frequent regroup • 10 a.m. • Gas Works Park, Seattle • Steady rain cancels • Bill Lemke, 206-284-2843 For great City views and some nice down sections, we will ride to, up and across or around Capitol, Beacon and Queen Anne hills with the least climbing necessary. Lunch stop. Senior, new, and slower-paced riders welcome. We will ride very slowly up the hills and wait for walkers on a few steep spots.

SATURDAY, AUG 13

Winery Ride 18 mi • Steady • Mostly flat • No Map • Stay together • Noon Parking Lot at 9320 15th Ave S • Steady rain cancels • Bruce Zunser, 206-459-5990, bruce_zunser@ hotmail.com This ride starts and ends in a parking lot where 3 of the wineries in the South Seattle Artisan Wineries are located. We’ll ride to Tully’s at Alki for coffee and a nosh and then back. After the ride, we’ll have an optional (and non-Cascade) wine tasting. I sell grapes to Nota Bene Winery and as a courtesy, they

8

will offer us a substantial discount. Another winery, where the winemaker is a serious cyclist, probably will also. Bring money for coffee and (refundable) tasting fees and wine if you want to purchase some. The South Park bridge is gone so check the directions online.

Full Moon Fun 20 mi • Moderate • Rolling • No Map • Stay together • 7:30 p.m • Gas Works Park, Seattle No rain cancellation • Saul Kinderis, 206313-0107 Come join us as we wander the streets of Seattle by twilight and moonlight. We plan on going out for post-ride refreshments.

Lights and helmet required.

Moonlight Meander 15 mi • Leisurely • Hilly • Map • Stay together • 10 p.m. • Parking lot N1, University of Washington campus (south of the Burke Museum) • No rain cancellation Scott Kralik, 206-523-6042, scottk@ cascade.org Forget Paris, Seattle is the City of Lights. See for yourself on this twinkling tour of Seattle by moonlight. Add some sparkle to the spectacle by bringing something special for a snack at the midpoint. Lights required, light or reflective clothes/vests recommended.

SUNDAY, AUG 14

Hares Do Black Diamond +/-40 mi • Steady • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 9 a.m. • 512 Ramsay Way/ Kent Station, Kent • Steady rain cancels • Allyson Welsh, 206-356-8134 cell • Rick Groves, 425-208-5199 Join us for a friendly ride with our Strenuous counterparts (the Hounds) and see if we can stay one step ahead of them! This ride will be at HIGH-STEADY pace but the Hounds will have more hills and distance.

Can we outsmart them?? Are brains better than brawn?? Or maybe we should just ‘let them win.’ There will be one long gentle hill (Auburn-Black Diamond Rd) and one short steep hill leading up to the bakery which can be walked. Quick midpoint break at the Black Diamond bakery before heading to our destination. Enjoy some post-ride food and drink at the RAM in Kent Station with the Hounds. THIS RIDE IS 15 MPH MAX ON THE FLATS (assuming no tailwind)!!! All joking aside, the point of this ride is to allow riders of two different speeds to ride and meet up at the break/finish. Park in any of the Kent Station open lots and meet in the north parking lot closest to James St, behind the RAM. For directions contact the ride leader.

See you there

Hounds Do Black Diamond +/-55 mi • Strenuous • Hilly • Map • Frequent regroup • 9 a.m. • 512 Ramsay Way/Kent Station, Kent • Steady rain cancels • Albert Meerscheidt, 253-7974647 cell Join us for a friendly ride with our Steady/ Moderate counterparts (the Hares**) ending at one of our local breweries/brewpubs. We’ll try to catch the hares; of course we’ll take a somewhat longer and hillier route to make it more of a challenge. (Yes, the hares are smarter—we will tackle the 13% grade hill.)

The ride will be at a low-strenuous/high-brisk pace. This is a roundabout ride to the Green River Gorge and Black Diamond. Bring legs or gears for Whitney Hill Rd. We will regroup at the top of hills. We will meet (or beat) the hares at a quick midpoint break at the Black Diamond Bakery before heading to back to enjoy some post-ride food and drink with them at the RAM in Kent Station. All joking aside, the point of this ride is to allow riders of two different speeds to ride and then

meet up at the break and/or finish. Call ride leader if weather appears questionable. Park in any of the Kent Station open lots and meet in the north parking lot behind the RAM (closest to James St near the RAM). For more detailed directions, contact the ride leader.

See you there! (**Why Hares and Hounds?

One winter many years ago in northern Idaho, I watched a snowshoe rabbit wander around our yard. It was about 20 feet from the door when my dad let our beagle outside.

The hare watched calmly as the beagle spent 20 minutes following the track the hare had made. The hound may have been faster, but she never did catch the hare!)

Tukwila to Alki Coffee Run 35 mi • Moderate • Mostly flat • Map • Occasional regroup • 9 a.m. • Bicentennial Park, Tukwila • Steady rain cancels • Jeffrey Silbaugh, 206-399-3221 We start at Bicentennial Park in Tukwila and follow the Green River/Duwamish River Trail to South Park and on to Alki. There will be a coffee and pastry break at Tully’s at Alki before returning to Tukwila. Arrive early enough to ready your bike and sign the ride waiver. The pace of this ride is based on having no wind. If we have a headwind, the pace will be lower, if we have a tailwind, the pace may be higher. Keep this in mind when deciding to do this ride. Take Exit 1 from I-405; turn south on W. Valley Hwy and turn right again at Strander Blvd; go over the small bridge and immediately turn right into the park.

SAL cycle the Upper Green Valley 20 mi • Leisurely • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Auburn Park & Ride and Hwy 18 • Showers cancel • Jan Paige, 253-946-0207, jandjpaige@yahoo. com We will cycle to Black Diamond where we will have lunch. We will return through the Green River Valley. Head east on Hwy 18, take Auburn/Black Diamond exit, go left at exit under Hwy 18, Park & Ride lot is on left.

Wine, Spice and Everything Nice

regular ride leader is unavailable, so unless a substitute is found, today’s MUMPS ride will not happen. In the past, we have always found a leader, so check the website for a WEB-ONLY submission.

Small Chainring Mondays See Small Chainring Mondays, 8/8.

TUESDAY, AUG 16

TREATS: Lowell Riverfront Park Loop 30-35 mi • Steady • Some hills • No Map • Frequent regroup • 10 a.m. • Lowell Riverfront Park/WEST Rotary Park • Showers cancel • Jan Johnson, 425-6720617 For experienced ADULT cyclists; NO MINORS please. We will ride along the river to Snohomish and then to Everett; mileage depends on the weather. Lowell Riverfront Park is just west of the Rotary Park boat launch ramp at the end of Lenora Street and across the railroad tracks. NOTE: MANY INTERNET SITES still list the gravel parking lot of Lowell Riverfront Park as Rotary Park. Take I-5 north to Exit 192/41st St and turn quickly right on 3rd, angle left with the arterial continuing along the river to the stop sign on Lenora, then downhill to the gravel parking lot; sign says Lowell Riverfront Trail.

Cycle Tuesdays See Cycle Tuesdays, 8/2.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 17

Juanita-Issaquah-Juanita 45 mi • Steady • Hilly • Map • No regroup • 10 a.m. • Juanita Beach Park • Showers cancel • Loretta Goetsch, 206-525-4714, lagoetsch@aol.com Ride will take us over ridge via Forbes Creek and Old Redmond Rd to West Lake Sammamish Pkwy for lunch in Issaquah.

Return via I-90 corridor, Bellevue, and Kirkland.

THURSDAY, AUG 18

25 mi • Leisurely • Rolling • No Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Northshore Athletic Fields Pkg Lot • Steady rain cancels • Jeff Stewart, 206-356-6755, jeff@ cyclepathescapes.com The ride starts on the Sammamish River Trail (SRT), heading southeast thru Redmond/ Avondale, then north on Paradise Lake Rd to the Maltby Cafe where we will enjoy a cinnamon roll/coffee break the quick way on the covered back porch (“Maltby Café thru the Back Door”). We’ll then head back to Woodinville and the SRT. Optional Stop afterwards around 1:30-2 at nearby Columbia Winery for Flat Pizza and wine tasting. Northshore Athletic Fields Pkg Lot is just east of Sammamish River Trail on N.E. 145th (SR-202) and just west of Woodinville Redmond Rd (Hollywood District).

Gas Works Thursday Social

SAL Cycle the Upper Green Valley

Meet the High Performance Cycling Team

35 mi • Steady • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 10:30 a.m. • Auburn Park & Ride and Hwy 18 • Showers cancel • Jim Paige, 253-946-0207, jandjpaige@ yahoo.com We will cycle to Black Diamond where we will have lunch. Then we will go down thru the Green River Gorge and return by the Green River Valley. Take Hwy 18 East, take Auburn/Black Diamond exit, left under Hwy 18, Park & Ride lot will be on left

MONDAY, AUG 15

MUMPS: Head Up North (possible cancellation!)

For ride details see MUMPS, 8/1.

POSSIBLE CANCELLATION: The

See Gas Works Social, 8/4.

FRIDAY, AUG 19

FRUMPS: Fourth Annual to the Pass ~60 mi • Moderate • Extremely hilly • No Map • Occasional regroup • 9 a.m. • Quigley Park, Fall City-across from the market Showers cancel • Dan Garretson, 425-985857. • Pamela Austin, 206-525-1020 A fun ride from Fall City to Snoqualmie Pass.

Lunch will be at the Pancake House. Note the early start time. This ride will not have a sweep.

SATURDAY, AUG 20

22-34 mi • Brisk • Mostly flat • No Map • Occasional regroup • 9 a.m. • Pert’s Deli, Leschi, Seattle • Showers cancel • David Longdon, 541-514-1502, cascade.cyclist@ gmail.com Tom Meloy, tmeloy@ureach.com This ride is for cyclists interested in joining Cascade’s High Performance Cycling (HPC) Team. A description of the team can be found on the CBC HPC Team webpage (http:// www.cascade.org/EandR/Ride_HPC.cfm), or at www.cycleu.com. After a discussion about the team we’ll go for a ride. The route will depend on weather and turnout. If it’s nice, we’ll ride across or around Mercer Island and around the south end of Lake Washington at

www.cascade.org

Vol. 41, No. 8

AUGUST RIDES approximately 18 mph on the flats. Distance will be about 22–30 miles. If there is interest, there may be optional mileage and/ or some team members may be available to meet for a post-ride coffee.

Joy of Cycling: West Seattle/ Tacoma/Vashon 60+ mi • Steady • Hilly • Map • Frequent regroup • 9 a.m. • Lincoln Park West Seattle, N. parking lot (SW Rose St) • Showers cancel • Marge Evans, 206938-2247, cyclingmarge@msn.com • Ron Evans, 206-938-2247, dearbandit@ yahoo.com A fun loop ride with beautiful water views and hilly country roads. We start in West Seattle, go to Tacoma, ride the ferry to Vashon, cycle the length of the Island and return via the ferry to West Seattle. Please be prepared with food, water and money for the Pt. Defiance-Tahlequah boat. New and slower riders welcome.

Renton-Lake Sammamish Coffee Run 50 mi • Moderate • Hilly • Map • Frequent Regroup • 9 a.m. • Ron Regis Park/Maple Valley Hwy, Renton • Showers cancel • Jeffrey Silbaugh, 206399-3221 To avoid the new 10 mph speed limit on the Renton portion of the Cedar River Trail, we’ll start this ride at Ron Regis Park.

We’ll ride out to Cedar Grove Rd, take it to Issaquah-Hobart Rd, on to Issaquah, then up East Lake Sammamish Pkwy to Marymoor. We will stop for lunch at the Subway in Marymoor before returning via West Lake Sammamish, Newport Way, Newcastle, and finish with a 1-mile descent back to Maple Valley Hwy. From I-405 south, take Exit #4 (Renton/Enumclaw); drive east on Maple Valley Highway past the Maplewood Golf Course and turn left on 149th Ave SE/Orcas Ave; the entrance to the sports park is on your left. From I-405 north: Take Exit #4A (Maple Valley/ Enumclaw); drive east on Maple Valley Highway past the Maplewood Golf Course and turn left on 149th Ave SE/Orcas Ave; the entrance to the sports park is on your left.

SUNDAY, AUG 21

A Sunday Ride on Bainbridge 30 mi • Leisurely • Hilly • Map • Frequent regroup • 9:15 a.m. • Seattle Ferry Terminal - Pier 52 • Steady rain cancels • Don Martin, 206-363-9964 We’ll take the 9:35 a.m. ferry and follow the standard counterclockwise route around the edge of the Island with rest stops and a food stop en route. Bikes load on ferry first so buy ticket and meet leader at car loading

ramp. Distance and pace may be adjusted to suit weather conditions. Call leader if weather appears questionable. Parking downtown adjacent to terminal is free on Sunday.

MONDAY, AUG 22

MUMPS: Head Up North (possible cancellation!)

See MUMPS, 8/1 for ride details.

POSSIBLE CANCELLATION: The regular ride leader is unavailable, so unless a substitute is found, today’s MUMPS ride will not happen. In the past, we have always found a leader, so check the website for a WEB-ONLY submission.

Small Chainring Mondays See Small Chainring, 8/8.

TUESDAY, AUG 23

TREATS: Do the Dahlia Pedal to Bud’s Garden 30 mi • Steady • Some hills • Map • Occasional regroup • 10 a.m. • Magnuson Park, BEACH Parking Lot • Steady rain cancels • Bud Hunt, 206-546-337. • Meet at Magnuson Park, Sand Point Way NE and NE 65th Street at the BEACH Parking Lot, 10 a.m. We will pedal to Bud & Sue’s home to see prize winning Dahlias. Bring a sandwich. Host will provide drinks and desert.

Afternoon with light 12-18 mi • Leisurely • Mostly flat • No Map • No regroup • 1:15 p.m. • Gas Works Park, Seattle • Showers cancel • Bill Lemke, 206-284-2843 Pedal through neighborhoods within an eight-mile vicinity of Gas Works Park and stop at points of interest. Ride will return to Gas Works by or before 4 p.m. If we do ride hills, we’ll do it slowly. Seniors and new riders welcome.

Cycle Tuesdays See Cycle Tuesdays, 8/2.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 24 Please check the cascade.org Daily Rides Calendar for possible WEB-ONLY rides today.

THURSDAY, AUG 25

More Cycle Tuesdays See More Cycle Tuesdays, 8/4.

Gas Works Thursday Social See Gas Works Social, 8/4.

“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”

FRIDAY, AUG 26

SUNDAY, AUG 28

FRUMPS: Licton Springs to Alki

Tukwila to Alki Coffee Run

45-50 mi • Moderate • Some hills • No Map • Occasional regroup • 10 a.m. • Licton Springs Park, N. Seattle • Showers cancel • Dan Garretson, 425-985-8570 • Pamela Austin, 206-525-1020 We’ll ride from Licton Springs to Discovery Park and then on to Alki for lunch. Licton Springs Park is at 9536 Ashworth Ave N in Seattle. Meet by the playground. NOTE: There are restrooms at the start.

See Tukwila to Alki, 8/14.

SATURDAY, AUG 27

S.P.O.K.E.S. (Sunday Pedalers On Kinda Easy Streets) Return to Port Orchard’s Farmers Market 30 mi • Leisurely • Some hills • Map • Frequent regroup • 9:45 a.m. • Lincoln Park in West Seattle, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle • Steady rain cancels • Michelle Burton, 425-890-4936 cell Jim Hunt, 425-823-6701, 425-681-4640 cell S.P.O.K.E.S. will start from Lincoln Park in West Seattle, catch the 10:10 a.m. Fauntleroy Ferry (~$6.30) to Southworth, then ride on to Port Orchard for lunch and take in the Farmers Market. Note: this is on a Saturday.

Take the West Seattle exit (stay to the left if you are heading North on I-5; stay to the right if you are heading South on I-5); follow the signs to Fauntleroy Way SW; stay on Fauntleroy Way SW until you see the Park on the right hand side; you can also follow the signs for Vashon (Fauntleroy) Ferry. The ferry terminal is south of the Park (you will reach the Park before the ferry terminal.) Then ride to the ferry dock bypass the long line of cars, and pay down below. Meet at passenger ferry terminal (on left where you pay) at 9:45 for departure on 10:10 a.m. boat.

Port of Seattle bicycle tour 25+ mi • Leisurely • Some hills • No Map • Stay together • 10 a.m. • Jack Block Park, West Seattle Terminal 5, 2130 Harbor Ave S (take the Harbor Ave exit) • Showers cancel • Ron Evans, 206-9382247, dearbandit@yahoo.com The Port of Seattle maintains 19 recreational sites, such as marinas, bike paths, parks, shoreline access, and fishing and concert piers. We will ride by 12 of them, stopping at some to provide interesting details but just noting the others as we pass. This is a slow recreational ride with frequent stops. Bring lunch or lunch money for a stop at an eatery half way.

West Seattle Farm and Fowl social ride 10-17 mi • Leisurely • Hilly • No Map • Stay together • 9:45 a.m. • South Seattle Community College north lot, by Chinese Garden • No rain cancellation • John Reardon, 206-762-2411 Be inspired by urban orchards, gardens and chicken raising in West Seattle. The fruit should be hanging heavy on the trees and it is a good time to see what people are doing about raising food. Meet, see, ask questions and share enthusiastic karma with people who enjoy growing and raising food. Meet in the northernmost parking area of South Seattle Community College near the Chinese Garden. Parking lot entrance is about 5700 block 16th SW. Google maps will show you the Chinese Garden. We have hills, but this is a leisurely social ride and we will stay together. Ride leaves promptly at 10 a.m.

MONDAY, AUG 29

MUMPS: Head Up North See MUMPS 8/1.

Small Chainring Mondays See Small Chainring, 8/8.

TUESDAY, AUG 30

TREATS: Cycle Snohomish Centennial Trailhead to Granite Falls 38-41 mi • Steady • Hilly • No Map • Occasional regroup • 10 a.m. • Centennial Trailhead, Snohomish • Showers cancel • Jan Johnson, 425-6720617 For experienced ADULT cyclists; NO MINORS please. Most of this ride is NOT on the Centennial Trail. Take US-2 or SR-9 to the town of Snohomish. Travel east on 2nd Ave, turn left on Maple, continue for 4 blocks around a slight curve to the start of the Trail. Park along the street. We’ll have lunch in Granite Falls.

Cycle Tuesdays See Cycle Tuesdays, 8/2.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 31 Please check the cascade.org Daily Rides Calendar for possible WEB-ONLY rides today.

9

August 2011

AUGUST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

CYCLIST OF THE MONTH

RSVP Date and Time: Aug. 5 through 7, one driver for the weekend (1 volunteer).

Task or Event: RSVP Baggage Truck driver (may bring an assistant).

Where: RSVP route.

How Long: The weekend.

Doing What: Driving a baggage truck for the event. Involves driving, handling radio/phone communications, lifting of heavy bags and luggage in loading and unloading trucks. Must have a current (clean) driver’s license, auto insurance and a current passport or Enhanced Drivers License, as you will be crossing the Canadian border. (Candidates on this particular task can earn a “volunteer registration” to ride the 2012 Group Health STP or RSVP).

AARYEA NAIK

by Erica Meurk, staff writer Age: 9 Wheels: 2010 Fuji Newest 1.0

Y

ou may remember his smiling face from the front page of The Seattle Times on July 11, the Monday after he crossed the Group Health STP finish line on his own two wheels. At nine years old, Aaryea Naik is among the youngest to have ridden those 205 miles with us. I met up with him to find out how it went.

Aaryea and his dad show up to the Marymoor Velodrome, where Aaryea is taking a track-riding class, on their bikes.

I take it as a good sign that he’s back in the saddle after only a week. It’s their first ride since the STP, and it’s only a couple of miles. But Aaryea is wearing his STP jersey and bike shorts, and it looks to me like he’s ready for the road.

I ask him whether he prefers track sprints or long rides. “I’d rather do sprints and long rides together.” By which he means: he has energy to spare. According to his father, he breezed into Portland at 15 miles per hour, passing many riders and waiting impatiently at every stop light.

How did Aaryea become a long-distance bicyclist? One might suspect that his father, Ashvin, had something to do with it. And he did, in that he encouraged and trained with Aaryea. But riding the STP was Aaryea’s idea. He went on his first long ride with his uncle last year – 37 miles on the Burke-Gilman trail, on his single-speed kiddie bike. They got milkshakes. He was hooked.

So his parents bought him a bike – a 2010 Fuji Newest, with gears. And, since Aaryea needed a training partner, Ashvin bought a new bike, too. They started out slowly, on the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River trails and without proper training gear. That was in February. Ashvin tells me, “Our hands started to freeze, so we got gloves. Then our feet started to freeze, so we got booties.” Aaryea started using cleats in March. “I kept on falling down because I was creeped out. I had never had my feet stuck to pedals before.”

But they kept at it, following a training plan from one of the STP training seminars at REI. Training with a nine-yearold, Ashvin tells me, “You have to play it by ear. Some of those goals we had to hit, some we didn’t.” Ashvin had trouble finding resources for training with kids younger than 15, but the community of STP riders (and parents) on the Cascade message boards were there to help with training tips for younger riders.

10

During the 15 hours per week that they trained together, they talked a lot to pass the time, and Ashvin tried to teach him things.

“Like how to get better grades,” Aaryea tells me. “I got bored a bajillion times,” he says.

“But I just thought about donuts.” This was another trick: as a reward for the training rides, they would get donuts at Sunrise Donuts on their way home. The shop closes at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays – a powerful incentive to keep things moving.

All told, they put in 1,600 training miles. Aaryea kept his STP training a secret from his friends at school for fear that he wouldn’t finish. But by the week before the event, he was sure he could do it: “I had trained well. I had done everything I needed to do.”

During the ride, Ashvin tells me, Aaryea watched the tandem riders longingly, thinking that sharing a bike with his dad would save him some effort. Now that he’s reached his goal, though, he has even bigger aspirations. He wants to ride RAPsody, a 170mile ride around the Puget Sound featuring 9,600 feet in elevation gain. And they’re already planning to ride STP again next year – in just one day.

They’ll start training again in December, this time on trainers, indoors. They went on only one training ride in the rain this year and, Aaryea says, “It was horrifying.”

But first, Aaryea is going to need a new bike. When he started training five months ago, his bike was too big for him. He’s grown six inches since then, and now it’s too small.

What’s his next bike going to be? “Dad’s GT,” he says. “It’s a good climber, since it’s made out of carbon fiber. I just have to grow six more centimeters.” And it’s true.

Ashvin has promised that once he’s big enough, that bike will be his.

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5 through Saturday, Aug. 6 (2 volunteers).

Task or Event: Washington RSVP Gear and Food Truck driver and helper.

Where: Meet at the CBC Office and pick up gear truck (to be ready on Thursday by 5pm).

How Long: Working Friday and the weekend.

Doing What: Delivering food to the food stops and returning material back to the CBC office. Set up Machias food stop, a water stop, and Mt Vernon food stop. Help with breakdown of stops. Saturday is a repeat of Friday schedule. Must feel comfortable driving through congested areas of riders and pedestrians, and be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Must have a current (clean) driver’s license and auto insurance. (Candidates on this particular task can earn a “volunteer registration” to ride the 2012 Group Health STP or RSVP).

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 7 (2 volunteers).

Task or Event: Canada RSVP Gear and Food Truck driver and helper.

Where: Meet at the CBC Office and pick up gear truck (to be ready on Thursday by 5pm).

How Long: Working Friday and the weekend.

Doing What: Delivering food to the food stops and returning material back to the CBC office. Pick up loaded cargo van from CBC office, Drive to Ft Langley Hotel and stay Friday evening. Set up and run the Ft Langley food stop. Will run food stop on Saturday and Sunday. Close down food stop on Sunday, return to Seattle and unload van in storage and return van to Penske. Must feel comfortable driving through congested areas of riders and pedestrians, and be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Must have a current (clean)

driver’s license, auto insurance and a current passport or Enhanced Drivers License, as you will be crossing the Canadian border. (Candidates on this particular task can earn a “volunteer registration” to ride the 201.

Group Health STP or RSVP).

Date and Time: Thursday, Aug. 4, 12 noon (2 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP gear truck loading.

Where: Meet at the CBC Office.

How Long: Until truck is loaded.

Doing What: Loading the gear truck with material to set up and run the food stops along the route.

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5, 5 – 7:30am (3 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP parking.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Help to control and direct parking traffic.

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5, 5 – 7:30am (3 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP cashiers.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Cashier for parking tickets. Previous experience working with cash and checks is desired.

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5, 5 – 7:30am (8 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP baggage loaders.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Loading baggage on trucks.

Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5, 8am – 12noon. (3-4 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSV. Machias rest stop.

Where:. Machias Road, Machias, WA. How Long: 4 hours.

Doing What: Set up of the rest stop. Greet riders as they come into the stop. Rest Stop volunteers are responsible for the maintenance of Rest stops (water coolers, table and chairs, bike supplies, first-aid kit, trash bags, bananas and sports drink mix) Distribute food and beverages to riders. Provide encouragement and assist riders with questions related to the route.

Break down the stop and clean up.

www.cascade.org

Vol. 41, No. 8

AUGUST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Date and Time: Friday, Aug. 5, 1st shift 1:30 - 4:30pm; 2nd shift 4:30 – 7pm (1 volunteer per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP information booth.

Where: Days Inn, 215 Samish Way, Bellingham, WA. How Long: 2.5 hours.

Doing What: Providing rider information and information about CBC.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 5:30 – 7:30am (3 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP Souvenir Distribution.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Help in passing out the RSVP souvenir to riders.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 11am – 2pm (6 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP baggage unloaders.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Unloading baggage off trucks.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 5:30 – 7:30am (8 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP baggage loaders.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Loading baggage on trucks.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 3:30 – 5:30pm (2volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP Bike Corral.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Direct cyclists on where to stow bikes in bike corral. Check in and checkout bikes. Monitor area to maintain security of bike corral.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 1st shift 11:30am – 2pm; 2nd shift 1:45 – 3:45pm; 3rd shift 3:30 – 5:30pm; 4 shift 5:15 – 7pm (12 volunteers, 3 per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP Finish Line Greeters.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Greet riders as they cross finish line and direct them to bike corral.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 1st shift 1:45 – 3:45pm; 2nd shift 3:30 – 5:30pm; 3r. shift 5:15 – 7pm (3 volunteers, 1 per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP Finish Line Baggage Check.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Checkout baggage. Monitor area to maintain security of baggage area.

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7 (5 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP bike unload.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: Please contact for time.

Doing What: Unloading bikes off trucks.

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7, 3 – 5pm (2 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP bike monitors.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 3 hours.

Doing What: Monitor bike pickup. Check out bike to the rider.

RSVP2 Date and Time: Aug. 6 through 8, three teams of two for the weekend (6 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP support car driver and assistant.

Where: RSVP route.

How Long: The weekend.

Doing What: Driving a support car for the event. The job is to move riders forward along the route who are unable to continue riding, and to encourage and support the riders. It involves driving and handling radio/phone communications. Must feel comfortable driving through tight rider and pedestrian areas, and be able to lift up to 40 pounds. It is important for SAG drivers to practice patience and be able to handle pressure situations. Monday tasks will involve helping with loading bikes for the trip home. Must have a current (clean) driver’s license, auto insurance and a current passport or Enhanced Drivers License, as you will be crossing the Canadian border. (Candidates on this particular task can earn a “volunteer registration” to ride the 2012 Group Health STP or RSVP).

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 5:30 – 7:30am (3 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP parking.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Help to control and direct parking traffic.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 5:30 – 7:30am (3 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP cashiers.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Cashier for parking tickets. Previous experience working with cash and checks is desired.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 8am – 12noon. (3-4 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSV. Machias rest stop.

Where:. Machias Road, Machias, WA. How Long: 4 hours.

Doing What: Set up of the rest stop. Greet riders as they come into your stop. Rest Stop volunteers are responsible for the maintenance of Rest stops (water coolers, table and chairs, bike supplies, first-aid kit, trash bags, bananas and sports drink mix) Distribute food and beverages to riders. Provide encouragement and assist riders with questions related to the route.

Break down the stop and clean up.

CASCADE CONTACTS Home Page: www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 or 206-522-BIKE Fax: 206-522-2407 Email: info@cascadebicycleclub.org

CBC Office 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S Seattle, WA 98115

STAFF

Erica Meurk, Staff Writer

Note: All email address are @cascadebicycleclub.org

(206) 522-7517 erica.meurk@…

Jennifer Almgren Americorps Member, Youth Programs (206) 861-9875 ypa@…

Darcy Mullen, Americorps Member, Outreach

Chuck Ayers, Executive Director

(206) 446-7457 robin.randels@…

(206) 523-9495 chuck.ayers@…

Chris Rule, Political Program Manager

Alison Cantor , Americorps Member, Community Program.

(206) 371-1242 chris.rule@…

(206) 957-6960 opa@…

Robin Randels, Classes Coordinator

Julie Salathé, Education Director

(206) 204-1168 cmpa@…

(206) 523-1952 julies@…

Dave Douglas, Event Producer

Kat Sweet, Youth Program Manager

(206) 522-BIKE david.douglas@…

(206) 957-0651 kat.sweet@…

Diane English, Office & Member Services Manager

Anna Telensky, Events and Sponsorship Coordinator

(206) 957-7944 diane.english@…

(206) 778-6099 annat@…

Ed Ewing, Major Taylor Project Manager

Kim Thompson, Operations Coordinator

(206) 778-4671 ed.ewing@…

(206) 526-1677 kim.thompson@…

Stephanie Frans, Manager of Commute Programs

Peter Verbrugge, Event Producer

(206) 522-9479 stephanie.frans@…

(206) 517-4826 peterv@…

Tessa Greegor, Principal Planner

Teagan Walden, Administrative Assistant

(206) 204-0913 tessa.greegor@…

(206) 226-1858 teagan.walden@…

Chris Hanger. Individual Giving Officer

Tarrell Wright, Development Director

(206) 226-1774 chris.hanger@…

(206) 240-2235 tarrell.wright@...

Luke Harris, Americorps Member, Commute

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 6, 1st shift 1:30 4:30pm; 2nd shift 4:30 – 7pm (1 volunteer per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP information booth.

Where: Days Inn, 215 Samish Way, Bellingham, WA. How Long: 2.5 hours.

Doing What: Providing rider information and information about CBC.

(206) 861-9890 cpa@…

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7, 11 am – 2pm (6 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP baggage unloaders.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Unloading baggage off trucks.

M.J. Kelly, Director of Communications & Marketing

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7, 1st shift 11:30am – 2pm; 2nd shift 1:45 – 3:45pm; 3rd shift 3:30 – 5:30pm; 4 shift 5:15 – 7pm (8 volunteers, 2 per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP Bike Corral.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Direct cyclists on where to stow bikes in bike corral. Check in and checkout bikes. Monitor area to maintain security of bike corral.

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7, 1st shift 1:45 – 3:45pm; 2n. shift 3:30 – 5:30pm; 3r. shift 5:15 – 7pm (3 volunteers, 1 per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP Finish Line Baggage Check.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Checkout baggage. Monitor area to maintain security of baggage area.

Date and Time: Sunday, Aug. 7, 1st shift 11:30am – 2pm; 2nd shift 1:45 – 3:45pm; 3rd shift 3:30 – 5:30pm; 4 shift 5:15 – 7pm (12 volunteers, 3 per shift).

Task or Event: RSVP Finish Line Greeters.

Where: Coast Plaza Suite Hotel in downtown Vancouver, B.C. How Long: 2 hours.

Doing What: Greet riders as they cross finish line and direct them to bike corral.

Date and Time: Monday, Aug. 8, (5 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP bike unload.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: Please contact for time.

Doing What: Unloading bikes off trucks.

Date and Time: Monday, Aug. 8, 3 – 5pm (2 volunteers).

Task or Event: RSVP bike monitors.

Where: North end of UW E-1 parking lot.

How Long: 3 hours.

Doing What: Monitor bike pickup. Check out bike to the rider.

Date and Time: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 9am – 5pm (1 volunteer).

Task or Event: RSVP bike monitors.

Where: 7400 Sand Point Way NE, CBC storage, Mountaineers building.

How Long: 8 hours.

Doing What: Monitor bike pickup. Check out bike to the rider.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Max Hepp-Buchanan, Advocacy Campaigns Manager

Note: All email address are @cascadebicycleclub.org

(206) 226-1040 MaxHB@…

President

Michael Housten, Commute Intern

George Durham • george.durham@...

(206) 694-9148 btw@...

Vice President

Mike Inocencio, Corporate Development Director

Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@...

(206) 522-2403 mikei@…

Treasurer Michael Snyder • michael.snyder@...

(206) 853-2188 m.j.kelly@…

Secretary

Diana Larson, Volunteer Coordinator

Don Volta • don.volta@cascadebicycleclub.org

(206) 852-6827 diana.larson@…

Executive Committee Member-at-large

Sander Lazar, Rides Program Coordinator

Emily Moran • emily.moran@cascadebicycleclub.org

(206) 694-9108 sander.lazar@…

Directors

Serena Lehman, Outreach Coordinator

Ron Sher • ron.sher@...

(206) 957-4439 serena.lehman@…

Kevin Carrabine • kevin.carrabine@...

Kathy Mania, Finance Director

Joey Gray • joey.gray@...

(206) 522-4639 kathy.mania@…

Bill Ptacek • bill.ptacek@...

John Mauro, Director of Policy, Planning & Government Affairs (206) 446-3688 john.mauro@…

Kathy McCabe, Deputy Director (206) 204-0587 kathy.mccabe@…

MEMBERSHIP FORM Please detach form and return to: Cascade Bicycle Club •7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S • Seattle, WA 98115 ❏ New member ❏ Renewal FIRST NAME

MI LAST NAME

M/F DATE OF BIRTH

EMAIL

STATE

ZIP

ADDRESS CITY HOME PH

WORK PH

CELL PH

To help promote cycling, we occasionally share names with other organizations.

We never share telephone numbers or email addresses, only postal addresses. May we share your name? ◊ Yes ◊ No TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP 1 YEAR 2 YEARS GIFT SOCK SIZE OFFICE NOTES

Individual

❏ $ 35

❏ $ 65

Household/Family*

❏ $ 60

❏ $ 115

Supporter*

❏ $ 100

❏ $ 195

Cycling socks

S M L XL

Advocate*

❏ $ 250

❏ $ 495

Cycling socks

S M L XL

Champion*

❏ $ 500

❏ $ 995

Cycling socks

S M L XL

Student/limited income (e-news only)

❏ $ 15

❏ $ 25

Tax-deductible donation to the CBC Education Foundation** TOTAL ENCLOSED ❏

A check payable to the Cascade Bicycle Club is enclosed. ($20 fee for returned checks.)

❏

Please charge my VISA/MASTERCARD: Cardholder’s name (Please print):

—

— Exp. date

— /

Cardholder’s signature: *Contributing members may include household and family members on their membership. **The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation (CBCEF) is an IRS 501(c)(3) charity. Donations to the CBCEF are tax-deductible.

Membership contributions or gifts to the Cascade Bicycle Club 501(c)(4) are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

“Creating a Better Community Through Bicycling”

11

Welcome New Members Cohni Acevedo Jennife. Adams Chris Adams Lucy Adams Coletha Albert Chris Allan Amy Anderson David Anderson Michelle Atkins Ryne Bailey Steven Baird Arne Bakker Patricia Banasky Charles Barrett Claudia Bayer Conrad Bayer Cameron Bayer Carter Bayer Andy Bennison Brad Benz Susan Berg Michael Bernard Nathan Bernstein Joel Bernstein Eli Bernstein Seujan Bertram Scott Bowmer John Burton

12

Glenn Cambria Josh Campbell Brandon Carlisle Kathy Cater Elizabeth Cater Diana Cater Josh Chambers Coeann Church Thomas Clark Tracy Cole Emma Cole Amelia Cole Glenn Cole Heather Cole David Cooley Steve Costa Jason Cowin Brent Curran Dan Dake Cary Davis Linette Demers Renee Derby Mike Dixon Michelle Doppe Michael Drake Michelle Dulaney Tom Easthope Robert Eberle

Lynda Eklund Julie Ellner Caleb Falconer Jo Fasen Da. Fennell Betty Franks Virgil Gaddy Brenda Gammie David Gartland Kevin Gartland Kylie Gartland Cynthia Gaudio Robert Geller Sukwinder Gill Jon Givens Deborah Goldman Juanita Eldine Gomez Oleg Gouts Cary Granger Michael Gray Terri Gray-Ujifusa Dustin Guy David Gwinn Curtis Hammond Douglas Hansen Christine Harris Steve Haskell Stephanie Haslam

Tom Haupt Mariclaire Healy Sarah Heineman Craig Henningsen Bev Hesterberg Nathan Hesterberg Adam Hesterberg Chris Holder William Hollman Mike Hopf Jesse Hunter Robert Jacobson Tom Jahnke Robert Johnson Benjamin Johnson Eric Jongeling Kenryo Kanaya Allen Kaplan Cheryl Kaplan Steven Kaufman Jamelyn Keatts Jody Keeler Jim Keller Sean Kelly Jennifer Kelly Kimberly Kennedy Victoria King Justin Klettke

Eric Klump Jon Kocarnik Cory Kocher Lucy Korten Zoe Korten Kristi Kosmata Karisa Kuhn Mike Kuna Kaila Landis Bill LaPorte sean larkin Carrie Lee JC Leveque Julie MacLean Cara Maclean Gavin Maclean Craig Maclean Graeme Maclean Steve Mallouk Sallie Maron Brent Mason Naomi Mason James Mathis Richard McLellan Mark Melnyk Rachel Merryman David Meucci Brian Michalowski

Sam Minkoff Jeff Mixdorf Alex Morcos Joe Morelli Christine Moruzzi Kim Murillo Susan Murphy Josh Musgrave Michael Nelson Matt Neubauer Hyoson Neubauer Cameron Neubauer Ozzie Nordheim Bill Nyland Gar. Oltman George Opsahl Loretta Ostgaard Mark Palmer Greta Pass Aaron Pass Michele Peterson Alan Pickerill Frank Pita Francois Prinsloo John Przychodzen Courtney Puidk April Putney David Raible

Rico Recardo Michael Rockhold Ken Roscoe Anita Ross Suzanne Scheele Leonard Scheele Steve Scheele Kate Scheele John Schwager Allison Schwartz Dan Schwartz Robert Schwartz Edward Seid Patrick C Sheahan Ray Shine Donald Simas Rachel Smith Carlos Sola-Llonch Nahappan Somasundaram Karen Sommer Alexei Sotnikov Evelyn Spence Suzanne Stampfl Brian Stampfl Preston Stampfl Brayden Stampfl Glenn Stehr Erie Stone

Peter Streit Katie Streit Liz Strongman Diane Strycula Natalie Stults Steven Stults Heli Suokko Lucy Templeton Richard Thurston Michael Tran Raymond Tsao Todd Ujifusa Shannon Underwood Sean Underwood Bryan Urakawa Sarah Urakawa Janice Vallis Jagannathan Venkatesh Cara Vincent David von Wolffersdorff Sharon von Wolffersdorff Brenda Voth Avry Vranesh Stephen Walton Richard Walton R Watkins Kevin Wheeler Hannah White

The Cascade Courier is printed on recycled paper. We support recycling. Please recycle this paper when you are finished with it.

David Whitney Ryan Wietholter Jennifer Williams Luke Williams Dougla. Wilson Qing Wood Nancy Wright Cong Yu

www.cascade.org