improving lives through bicycling
5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN p. 5-8
October 2016 / Vol. 47 No. 9
cascade.org
Let’s Go program launches in the Puget Sound region By Clarissa Allen, School-based Programs Manager
Lawton Elementary School students help Cascade Fleet Coordinator Stephen Rowley (right) unload the 30 new bikes for their school.
This school year, more Washington school children than ever before will have the chance to experience the joy of bicycling for three weeks in their physical education class. September 9 marked the launch of Cascade’s new in-school bicycle and pedestrian safety program, Let’s Go. The creation of this three-week, in-school
bike and pedestrian safety program for third through fifth graders was a collaborative effort between bicycle and pedestrian safety educators, transportation professionals, neighborhood safe street advocates, curriculum specialists, teachers, adapted physical education specialists and school administrators. Building on the success of Cascade’s previous in-school program, Basics of Bicycling, Let’s Go is a revised
curriculum that now incorporates pedestrian safety content and mapping to the new Washington state Physical Education standards. The program focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to prevent the most common causes of collisions and errors of the upper-elementary age group as they navigate the built environment. As students learn to safely navigate as walkers and rollers, Let’s Go is an invitation for students to be healthy and active in their daily lives. Let’s Go is also a call to action, encouraging students to power themselves to their destinations and providing the foundation of skills and knowledge to walk and roll safely through the built environment and show respect for others. “I am excited to teach my students ways to independently travel around their neighborhoods safely,” said Shirley Briones, who teaches physical education at Cascadia Elementary School. “Having community partners like Cascade is extremely important to my job as a P.E. teacher to make my students’ lives better and their learning stronger.” So, just how big of a feat is it to serve this many students? It will take:
A win on Westlake PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Seattle, WA PERMIT No. 2172
By Kelsey Mesher, Puget Sound Policy Manager
Are you interested in supporting the Let’s Go program through delivery assistance or bicycle maintenance? Check out current opportunities at cascade.org/ volunteerportal.
Thanks to our sponsor
If you want to see more kids on bikes and safer streets for all, please consider returning a year-end gift in the enclosed envelope. Thanks for your support!
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
TIME DATED MATERIAL
7787 62nd Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98115 www.cascade.org
• 100 P.E. teachers committed to bringing Let’s Go to their students • 400 bicycles and helmets • 50 delivery days (moving bikes from school to school) • 300 volunteer hours dedicated to bike maintenance Volunteers play a huge role in Cascade’s successful implementation of this program, doing everything from bike maintenance to grading tests to helping deliver bikes to schools. Thank you to our volunteers — we couldn’t do this without you! In addition to offering Let’s Go in every Seattle Public Elementary School this year, Cascade will continue to serve many schools in the Highline, Edmonds and Lake Washington school districts, and hopes to expand the program into even more schools in 2017-18. The joy of bicycling is waiting... so Let’s Go!
With the Westlake protected bike lane officially open, people bicycling, walking and driving can enjoy their own dedicated space on the street.
More than 200 people came out on a sunny September afternoon to celebrate the official opening of the 1.2-mile Westlake protected bike lane in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. “It took 11 years, but it’s a better bike lane than the one I first
envisioned,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brian. Westlake used to be a chaotic mess. A typical bicycle ride on Westlake meant dodging cars backing up and turning into the parking lot, or navigating slowly on the narrow sidewalk weaving in and out of
groups of people walking. The protected bike lane is a dramatic improvement — for everyone who travels on Westlake. At the opening celebration, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray praised advocates, community members and businesses for finding common ground and coming together to build a new Westlake Avenue, resulting in an improved street for all users. “We built a cycle track,” said Mayor Murray, “but we also straightened things out for people walking and we straightened things out for people driving.” Though parties did collaborate, for people who bike, this vital new connection was hard fought. In the face of obstacles and attempts to Continued on page 2
October 2016
A win on Westlake, continued from page 1
Meet your Board of Director candidates By Brent Tongco, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
The Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors represents the voice of its members and is responsible to the membership. Its role is to ensure that Cascade’s resources are being used to the greatest benefit for all members as well as the larger community. We are happy to present the following slate of candidates to the Club’s Board of Directors. If elected, the new or re-elected board members will serve a three-year term beginning 2017. Electronic voting will be More than 200 people came out to celebrate the official opening of the 1.2-mile Westlake protected bike lane.
stall this project, caring neighbors showed up and spoke up around our shared concerns for safety. With help from dedicated volunteers, Cascade collected hundreds of postcards and petition signatures from supporters urging the city of Seattle and Mayor Ed Murray to build the Westlake protected bike lane. In total over 1,020 people took action to show support for the Westlake protected bike lane. With the protected bike lane officially open, people bicycling,
walking and driving can enjoy their own dedicated space on the street. Westlake is now a great place for tourists to ride a Pronto bike, for families and kids on scoot bikes, and for people who are commuting to work. And this 1.2 miles along Westlake doesn’t just help get people on bikes from Fremont to South Lake Union — it marks the beginning of an all-ages and abilities network from Everett to South Lake Union, to Redmond and beyond.
2007 — A protected bike lane on Westlake is the second most requested bicycle facility in the Bicycle Master Plan. 2009 — Seattle Parks Foundation’s Bands of Green Report leads to the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Master Plan, which proposes improvements to Westlake Avenue North. October 2013 — SDOT begins research on the project; the public expresses strong support for reducing bicycle collisions and increasing pedestrian safety at the first open house. December 2013 — The Westlake Stakeholders Group files a lawsuit to block the Bike Master Plan, appealing the results of the city’s environmental impact study. January 2014 — Cascade rallies advocates, holding a policy ride with more than 100 people in attendance.
You’re invited! Cascade’s Annual Membership Meeting is your chance to connect with new and returning members, ask questions and see what we have been working on.
Membership Meeting
Cascade Bicycling Center, 7787 62nd Ave. NE in Magnuson Park, Seattle
Come greet fellow members, meet our board of directors candidates and hear a “state of the club” address given by Cascade staff and board members. Light refreshments provided. We’re delighted to invite you to check out your newly improved
June 2015 — Despite more than a year’s worth of community process and buy-in from the Design Advisory Committee, “superyacht” marina Nautical Landing sues over the project, arguing that the city has not done its due diligence in assessing environmental impacts. January 2016 — After another intervention from Mayor Murray, ground finally breaks on Westlake construction. Instead of going to court, a deal is made to narrow the bike lane in front of Nautical Landing’s office space to eight feet (from 10 feet) in order to preserve parking. September 2016 — The Westlake Protected Bike Lane officially opens.
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Cascade Bicycling Center in Magnuson Park. Tour the Fix-it Garage, check out our European-style Traffic Garden, and relax under the Ride Leader Welcome Pavilion! We hope to see you for the 2016 Annual Membership Meeting and Open House. The presentation starts at 4:30 p.m. sharp. Agenda 4 p.m. Meet & greet with Cascade staff & board of directors candidates 4:30 p.m. Introduction & welcome by Tarrell Kullaway, senior director of membership & development 4:45 p.m. State of the Club by Elizabeth Kiker, executive director 5:10 p.m. Q & A
Support a bike friendly washington... even when you drive
June 2014 — Seattle Times Editorial Board praises the Mayor for brokering a deal between diverse stakeholders and moving the project forward.
June 2015 — After 11 meetings of the Design Advisory Committee, SDOT unveils a final design; stakeholders come to an agreement that preserves 90 percent of parking.
More information on the candidates can be found online at cascade.org/ board-directors-candidates.
By Ariana Rundquist, Membership & Development Manager
February 2014 — With intervention from Mayor Murray, the Westlake Stakeholders Group drops its lawsuit under an agreement to form a Design Advisory Committee to oversee the Westlake project.
May 2015 — Connect Seattle Group presents postcards signed in support of the Westlake Protected Bike Lane to Mayor Murray’s office on Bike Everywhere Day.
Candidates: Marie Dymkoski Catherine Hennings Rayburn Lewis Doug Pfeffer John Pope
Annual Membership Meeting and Open House
Saturday, Oct. 22 4-5:30 p.m.
Westlake timeline
available to all Cascade members in December.
A portion of proceeds from the license plate purchases and renewals now support Cascade’s safety education programs statewide.
Share your love of bikes with a Share the Road license plate.
Available at any license office. Details at cascade.org/sharetheroad
Help us transform Washington State! Renew now at cascade.org/renew www.cascade.org
Vol. 47, No. 9
Tiva to Tekoa: A rescue dog travels a rescued
trail (a presentation to benefit the John Wayne Pioneer Trail) TIVA TO TEKOA: A Rescue Dog Travels a Rescued Trail A presentation to benefit Friends of John Wayne Pioneer Trail by WILLIE
WEIR
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 7–8:30pm Cascade Bicycling Center 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA $10 suggested donation at the door
www.friendsofjohnwaynepioneertrail.org
Adventure Cyclist columnist Willie Weir and his partner Kat Marriner have been cycling exotic and amazing places together for twenty years ... then they got a dog. Tiva came to them via Taiwan. Rescued from a garbage dump, this scared little Formosan Mountain Dog was deemed “The Reluctant Traveler.” For the next three years, Kat and Willie worked with the goal of taking Tiva on a bike trip. Little did they know that the trail they’d selected was a recent rescue as well. If you love bicycle travel, dogs or public trails, you won’t want to miss this heartwarming tale of love, patience and persistence.
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Join us at the Cascade Bicycling Center on Tuesday, Oct. 11, or catch Willie as he travels to Ellensburg and Spokane to present! Ellensburg Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Gallery One Visual Arts Center 408 N Pearl Street Spokane Thursday, Oct. 13, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Mountain Gear Headquarters 6021 E Mansfield Ave, Spokane Valley Suggested donation of $10 at the door will benefit the Friends of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. More details at cascade.org/calendar.
Major Taylor Project rolls into fall! By Ed Ewing, Major Taylor Project Director
“Back to School Sale” has a completely different meaning in the Major Taylor Project. In addition to notebooks, No. 2 Dixon Ticonderoga pencils and giant tubes of Elmer’s glue, Major Taylor Project students are reaching for water bottles, helmets and bike maps of the Puget Sound region! Fall is always an exciting time for the Major Taylor Project. It’s the start of a new school year, and students return energized from their STP accomplishments. You see it in their faces and hear it in conversations with classmates: “Dude, so like in July we like, rode our bikes to Portland and stuff. It was totally cool…and stuff.” To this day, I still don’t know what “and stuff ’’ means; perhaps it’s student speak for “Yadda-Yadda-Yadda.” Regardless, we’re excited to start our ninth season of fall riding with the Major Taylor Project students. The fall launch of the Major Taylor Project is a well-orchestrated blend of careful planning, school partnerships and the sharing of unbridled passion for bicycling and its possibilities. Instead of “student recruitment,” the Major Taylor Project engages an approach of “student outreach.” Lead by Major Taylor Project Coordinator, Rich Brown, our student outreach plan incorporates careful planning with school and community leaders, district administration, faculty, student advisers, volunteers, ride leaders and most importantly, the students. Student outreach allows us to engage as a partner, working on behalf of the students and the school. Student outreach also allows for student voices to be heard and to be involved in planning weekly rides. It’s a holistic approach to holding student and school best interests first and foremost. Through the assistance of interested and dedicated faculty,
Major Taylor Ride Leaders are invited into the classroom and engage students in a discussion regarding exploration, fun, good food and their community. You may notice that biking is not the primary focus. The primary focus is developing important relationships with students and faculty. The bike is the means to that very same exploration, fun, friendships, good food and community. We hear from faculty and administration that good friendships and positive mentor relationships are key to keeping students engaged in school. We hear that the Major Taylor Project and the bike are ways to keep some students engaged in school…period. If you live in the Tacoma or Seattle metro area, chances are you’ll see a group of Major Taylor Project students exploring the community or in search of a good food truck. If you do, please join the ride—the Ride Leaders and students welcome your company. To learn more, visit majortaylorproject.org.
If you care about supporting Major Taylor Project students’ journeys, please consider returning a year-end gift in the enclosed envelope. Thanks for your support!
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October 2016
Letters to the editor I recently took the Back to Basics class. Since I hadn’t ridden for 60 years, I needed to learn a lot. AND I DID! Renee and William were exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and understanding instructors. I now feel more confident in riding trails. I know bike safety, rules of the road, basic techniques for gearing and braking, and hazard awareness. Thanks for a great class! – Gail Bleeker, Bellevue, Wash.
THE COURIER CREW
When I was debriefing with my wife Monday morning over a big cup of coffee, I was trying to share what I had experienced [riding the Group Health Seattle to Portland with the Major Taylor Project]...the bicycle as a vehicle, and riding this weekend with all of you as a metaphor for living in community. We settled down (or not quite) Friday evening at Cascade Bicycling Center, rolled out in the early morning pre-light...hushed magic quiet of the Burke-Gilman Trail into the cacophony of the UW parking lot...and on our way to Chehalis... the MTP train, riding with class and style...to the first night camping...a mushroom village of small tents...and a super, albeit too short, sleep on the grass carpet. Day two, more of the same, classy riding, shared challenges...think Kelso Bridge into Oregon...followed by 40 miles or so of chip seal...and for a few lucky ones, Krispy Crème donuts...and finally over the bridge into Portland, and ahh..like a cool and refined world-renowned city… Rome? Paris? Portland will do...and then 37 stop lights later we all roll in, together at the finish. I have always experienced cycling through a competitive lens, but this shared weekend with all of you has been far more satisfying. I look forward to sharing miles together in the future. — Paul Bernstein, Major Taylor Project Volunteer
Editor in Chief: Briana Orr Editor: Diana Bryant Layout: Sarah Kulfan Additional design: Tom Eibling Photographers: Marie Koltchak, Briana Orr, Brent Tongco Contributors: Jeff Aken, Clarissa Allen, Diana Bryant, Barb Chamberlain, Ed Ewing, Ross Griffith, Charlie Hockett, Elizabeth Kiker, Marie Koltchak, Tarrell Kullaway, Kelsey Mesher, Briana Orr, Ariana Rundquist
We welcome your contributions!
Advertising:
Got an inspiring story or a great photo? We welcome submissions. The editorial calendar is planned one month in advance. If you wish to contribute an article to a future issue, contact the editor as early as possible. Articles and photographic submissions are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Articles submitted after that will be considered on a space-available basis. All submissions are subject to editing for content and space.
We welcome ads and inserts. To check availability and inquire about prices, please contact Briana Orr at brianao@ cascade.org.
Queries can be emailed to: brianao@cascade.org.
What will you teach? What will you learn?
Let’s be social! Follow Cascade Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. cascade.org facebook.com/cascadebicycleclub @cascadebicycle @cascadebicycle
CONTACT US
By Barb Chamberlain, Chief Strategic Officer
We hope you’ll answer both these questions in the next few months as we gear up for the next Washington Bike Summit, to be held March 20-21, 2017, in Olympia. What will you teach? Submit your proposal for a session using the form at cascade.org/summit. Whether you recruit and moderate a panel presentation, lead a hands-on workshop, showcase a great event or project, or run everyone through a maze representing the process of infrastructure design, permitting and construction, tell us what you’d like to share at the Summit. Broadly, your presentation should address creative and inspiring approaches — or lessons learned from something that didn’t go as planned — for one or more of the “E’s”: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement,
Evaluation, Equity, Economy. Presentations need to include diverse speakers and examples from multiple parts of the state, or be designed in such a way as to show how lessons learned could be applied in urban, suburban and rural contexts and different types of communities and demographic groups. What will you learn? Tell us what topics are of most interest to you with the survey linked at cascade. org/summit. We’ll use your input to help us select and shape sessions. The 2017 Summit is being held during the legislative session. Advocates will have the chance to connect with legislators and state leaders. Public agency staff and others will have professional development content options.
Cascade Bicycle Club 7787 62nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115
www.cascade.org Office phone: 206-522-3222 Email: info@cascade.org
SENIOR STAFF Note: All email addresses are @cascade.org Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director (202) 425-0627 • elizabethk@ Barb Chamberlain, Chief Strategic Officer (509) 869-2949 • barbc@ David Douglas, Senior Director of Events & Rides (206) 939-4323 • davidd@ Shannon Koller, Senior Director of Education (206) 939-4335 • shannonk@
Tarrell Kullaway, Senior Director of Development & Membership (206) 939-4312 • tarrellk@ Kathy Mania, Senior Director of Finance & Operations (206) 939-4321 • kathym@ Brent Tongco, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing (206) 939-4307 • brentt@ Blake Trask, Senior Director of Policy (206) 310-4762 • blake@
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Catherine Hennings • catherine. hennings@ Vice President Nate Glissmeyer • nate.glissmeyer@
Secretary Sandi Navarro • sandin@ Director at large Charles Ruthford • charles.ruthford@
Treasurer Alexa Volwiler • alexa.volwiler@ DIRECTORS George Durham • george.durham@ Marie Dymkoski • maried@ Ted Inkley • tedi@ Haley Keller • Haleyw@ Kevin McDonald • kevin.mcdonald@ Bill Montero • bill.montero@ John Pope • johnp@
Merlin Rainwater • merlin.rainwater@ Tamara Schmautz • tamara.schmautz@ Jim Stanton • jim.stanton@ Don Volta • don.volta@ Daniel Weise • daniel.weise@ Ed Yoshida • ed.yoshida@
The Cascade Bicycle Club Board of Directors meets six times per year at the Cascade Bicycling Center, 7787 62nd Ave. NE, Seattle. Board meetings are open to the public. Board of Directors meetings take place on the third Wednesday of the month. Upcoming meetings are: Nov. 16.
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www.cascade.org
CASCADE BICYCLE CLUB
5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN Mission
Improving lives through bicycling
Bicycling for all. Stronger together. 2016 was a transformative year for Cascade Bicycle Club. When we merged with Washington Bikes in January we became the nation’s largest statewide bicycle nonprofit, bringing together two strong and distinctive organizations to leverage our overlapping missions. We immediately expanded our focus from just the Puget Sound region to the entire state of Washington, exponentially increasing the reach of our mission: to improve lives through bicycling. With the merger and our new statewide approach, we needed to update our 5-year strategic plan to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of our restructured organization. This plan is the shared vision of board, staff, volunteers and members — created together. We were guided by our history as well as our desire to provide a clear vision of the future. The plan also reflects Cascade’s move to functioning as a 501(c)(3) organization; Washington Bikes has taken on our former activities in candidate endorsement. We are excited about this strategic plan, and it will succeed with the help and support from you: the members, volunteers, donors and active supporters of Cascade Bicycle Club. You are the reason for the current level of success, and you will be the reason for our successes the next five years and beyond. Thank you, Catherine Hennings, Board President & Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director
Vision
Bicycling for all
BECOME A RESOURCE HUB FOR THE STATE
PROMOTE BICYCLE-FRIENDLY
POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS We will be a connector and central clearinghouse, serving as THE go-to source on bicycling in the state of Washington. Whether you’re a local bicycle leader wanting to know how to put on a fundraiser ride or get a bike master plan adopted, a parent wanting to start a bike train, or a tourism agency looking for ways to attract more biking travelers to town, you’ll be able to turn to us to learn what you need to grow and improve bicycling in your hometown.
What we will do In addition to developing downloadable toolkits and templates, we’ll go beyond the website with webinars and workshops. Cascade staff will develop partnerships in every region of the state to identify and address issues and opportunities. With the objective to increase to 500,000 the number of unique visitors per year from within Washington state to Cascade’s online resource hub, and to provide services and information to 100 organizations across the state, we’ll enable people and groups to connect, share and work together to improve lives and communities through bicycling.
Our current level of success In 2015 we had over 250,000 website visitors from within Washington, and partnered with organizations in the greater Seattle region and along the routes of our ma jor rides. Tracking partnerships statewide will reflect our new, larger geographic scope.
You’re at a city council meeting celebrating adoption of the new bicycle master plan and a commitment to building it out. You’re at the ribbon cutting for the final connection of local bike lanes to the regional trail system. Your town is named a Bicycle Friendly Community and you can see why. This happens because local bike leaders and Cascade collaborate in identifying and promoting bicycle-friendly policies and investments that make bicycling safer and more accessible. You’re part of a community where your voice is not only heard, but acted upon.
What we will do “What is the city but the people.” — William Shakespeare. We will double the actions taken to contact elected officials and representatives to promote policies and increase investments for better bicycling. We want your voice heard and we will train you on the value and methods of community-based advocacy, giving you the tools to be effective leaders. We’ll work with you to develop and communicate annual policy priorities and grow partnerships and coalitions that support bike-friendly goals that work for your town.
Our current level of success By the end of 2016 we’ll record an initial baseline measurement of 2015 and 2016 advocacy volunteer support hours. This will serve as our initial baseline as we identify the places and issues that will benefit from increased local advocacy.
INCREASE
RIDERSHIP STATEWIDE
INCREASE
DIVERSITY OF RIDERSHIP
Imagine how different your next ride down a city street or county road would feel if everyone were used to seeing twice as many people riding. Whether you bike 100+ miles every weekend, enjoy a casual family bike ride to a park, or bike to work, school or across the state, more people of all ages and abilities riding bikes means healthier communities and safer streets. There’s strength in numbers.
What we will do We will build on our strengths to double ridership statewide by expanding our education programs; getting more people riding by working for safer and more inviting infrastructure throughout the state; expanding Free Group Rides and ma jor event rides; and enhancing other programs such as the statewide Bike to School Challenge.
Our current level of success Measurable 2015 participation in our Free Group Rides, education programs, bike challenges and Cascade events approximated 71,000. By the end of 2016 we’ll incorporate statewide bicycle counts and update our baseline figure. Tracking these figures will reflect our new statewide scope.
Our work will invest in equity as well as equality, focusing on a signature program with lasting impacts. Five years from now, we envision biking from Seattle to Portland with the largest group of Ma jor Taylor Project students on record. They participate in the iconic Group Health STP presented by Alaska Airlines ride as the culmination of a year of leadership development along with growth in their biking skills. Picture a group of MTP students from the Tri-Cities or Wenatchee or Spokane pedaling along the Columbia River, traveling farther on their bikes and in life than ever before possible because of the confidence they’ve gained in their own abilities. We will also double efforts to diversify our staff and board, and thread equity into each person’s work at Cascade.
What we will do Expanding our reach, we aim to double the number of schools in which we offer the Ma jor Taylor Project. We will triple the number of communities of color and those with lower average income levels in which we develop a deeper connection grounded in a spirit of partnership and respect, collaborating and listening to identify community opportunities and needs we can address. In our policy agenda we will advocate for equity-based bicycle education funding. Underpinning our programmatic efforts, we will strive to develop a staff, board and volunteers that reflect the communities of the state of Washington.
Our current level of success Today we offer the Ma jor Taylor Project in 16 schools and have a strong partnership with nonprofit leaders in White Center, focused on the creation of a bike playground.
COMMUNICATE OUR PURPOSE Each part of our work grows and improves bicycling in a different way, and now we’re in new places with a statewide mission. The more you know about your Cascade, the more you can connect with the activities that fit your focus. Whether we’re advocating for safe, connected bicycle infrastructure, putting on world-class bicycle rides that people dream of completing, or expanding bicycle safety education to more schools across the state, we want you to know what Cascade means for you, your family and your community.
What we will do We will double the number of people who are aware of the full range of our mission and the value of our work by sharing the many faces of bicycling from all over Washington and the ways we serve you. You’ll see (and perhaps contribute to) new print and digital communications as part of this effort. We also seek to increase membership past 25,000, growing what is already the largest statewide bicycle nonprofit in the nation.
Our current level of success Today we have over 17,000 members. We’ll create a baseline measurement of mission awareness by the end of 2016.
Vol. 47, No. 9
FREE GROUP RIDES Ride Leader Certification Class Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Cascade Bicycling Center 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle Saturday, Dec. 3, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Cascade Bicycling Center 7787 62nd Ave NE, Seattle
EASY PACE (UNDER 10 mph) Please check the Cascade Free Group Rides Calendar for listings of easy rides.
LEISURELY PACE (10-12 mph) Saturday, Oct. 8 Gasworks Saturday Bakery Ride 9:30 a.m. • 18 miles from Gasworks Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: Scott Kralik
Sunday, Oct. 9 Tour de Hills 10:00 a.m. • 28 miles from Tracey Owen Station/ Log Boom Park, Kenmore • Ride Leader: Steve Hastings Tuesday, Oct. 18 TREATS: 60 Acres/Redmond Ridge 10 a.m. • 40 miles from Sixty Acres Park, Redmond, Seattle • Ride Leader: Teresa Lee Lehr-Franks Tuesday, Oct. 25 TREATS: Over the water and through the woods to Gig Harbor 10 a.m. • 40 miles from Sixty Acres Park, Redmond, Seattle • Ride Leader: Teresa Lee Lehr-Franks Ride Leader: Les Weppler
MODERATE PACE (14-16 mph)
Please check the Cascade Free Group Rides Calendar for listings of strenuous rides.
BRISK (16-18 mph)
Friday, Oct. 21 Friday Riders Bike Queen Anne and Magnolia 10:00 a.m. • 24 miles from Gasworks Park, Seattle • Ride Leader: William Lemke
Saturday, Oct. 8 Saturday Morning Rides in Snohomish County 9:30 a.m. • 40 miles from Lake Tye Park, Monroe● Ride Leader: Dorothe Reijnders
STEADY PACE (12-14 mph)
VIGOROUS (18-20 mph)
Tuesday, Oct. 4 TREATS: Redmond Ridge, Cherry Valley, Carnation 10 a.m. • 34 miles from QFC Redmond Parking Lot, Redmond • Ride Leader: Clarice Sackett
Friday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day Velo #3 9:15 a.m. • 61 miles from Cascade Bicycle Club Headquarters, Seattle • Ride Leader: Jeffrey Powers
STRENUOUS: (20-22 mph) Please check the Cascade Free Group Rides Calendar for listings of strenuous rides.
SUPER STRENUOUS: (22mph +)
next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul Thursday, Nov. 3 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Tuesday, Oct. 4 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Tuesday, Nov. 8 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Tuesday, Oct. 11 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Thursday, Nov. 10 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Tuesday, Oct. 18 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Monday, Nov. 14 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Tuesday, Oct. 25 Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Vincent Haag and Russ Moul
Thursday, Nov. 17 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park, next to Kidd Valley Restaurant, Renton • Ride Leaders: Tom Baker and Lola Jacobsen
Tuesday, Nov. 1 More Cycle Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. • 25 miles from Gene Coulon Park,
This is a sampling of this month’s rides.
Join us for a Free Group Ride
For a complete listing, see cascade.org/calendar. For full details of the listed rides, see cascade.org/grouprides. This is also where you’ll find ride guidelines to help you select a ride that suits your style, skills and energy level.
By Charlie Hockett, Rides and Events Coordinator
I moved to Seattle this summer. Being new to the area, I was eager to begin getting to know my community and the landscape around me. I spent my first two weeks riding around the city, trying to find the best routes and shortcuts that can only really come from riding in an area regularly. I went on my first Free Group Ride and realized that there is a large, established and welcoming community of people who were ready to help me. Seven days a week, 365 days a year there are Free Group Rides throughout the Puget Sound region. If you want to train for a bike race, get back on your bike or anything in between, there is a ride for that. There are rides at every speed, over all kinds of terrain and varying distances. They are all completely free and open to anyone. My first ride met near Green Lake and went down by UW, along the Burke-Gilman Trail, and ended with coffee and tasty snacks. Everyone on the ride was welcoming, encouraging, and had something in common — a love for riding bikes. I knew that this community was one I would be happy to be a part of. When riding with a group I feel more confident exploring new areas, riding on busier roads and going longer distances. I can ride with the peace of mind that if anything happens to me, I will have friends there to help. Plus, committing to other people always helps me follow through with my plans to ride. The Free Group Rides are a great way to meet fellow bike riders, practice riding safely in a group Improving Lives Through Bicycling
and explore new areas. If you would like to join a Free Group Ride, visit the Cascade website. There you can find info about the different classifications of rides so you can find one that best fits your riding style. The rides are all listed in the calendar section. Each ride description will tell you exactly where to meet, how long the ride will be, when the ride will stop for bathrooms and water and will often even include a map of the route so you can ride it on your own. You can sign up online so you can show up ready to roll. Every ride is led by a certified ride leader who will welcome everyone, know the route and keep everyone informed of road hazards, cool sights and directions. After joining five Free Group Rides you can even take the certification class, complete a few mentored rides and become a ride leader yourself. Come ride with us, meet some fellow bike riders and join the Free Group Rides Community.
Member of Cascade Bicycle Club & Washington Bikes Sponsor of Bikecafe, Bikesale.com, Dyna, Egencia Racing, Fell Swoop, Fischer Plumbing, Garage, Group Health, Lakemont, Project13, Recycled Cycles, SCCA/Starbucks, Snoqualamie Ice Cream Racing, SnoValley Velo, Spin, SPU and Taco Time NW Cycling Teams
If you care about supporting Free Group Rides every day of the year, please consider returning a year-end gift in the enclosed envelope. Thanks for your support!
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October 2016
Riding in the rain
From scratch
By Charlie Hockett, Rides & Outreach Coordinator
By Ross Griffith, Cascade Member & Guest Contributor
Enjoying riding in the rain just takes a bit of extra gear and a shift in perspective!
As the weather inevitably gets colder, cloudier and rainier, many of us are tempted to hang up our bikes and hop on a bus or in a car. Riding a bike — for fun, transportation or exercise — has positive benefits which, when you think about it, can outweigh the perceived discomfort of riding in rainy weather. While riding on a sunny day can seem more enjoyable, a few easy changes to your attire, bike, riding style and attitude can make a rainy day ride just as (maybe even more!) fun. Outfit your bike It might seem unintuitive, but the biggest source of wetness isn’t water falling from above — it’s from the spinning of your tires. Fenders are your best way of combating this. Visit your local bike shop and consider picking up some full fenders that cover most of your back wheel and at least the rear section of your front wheel. Mud flaps on the fenders are an added bonus to keep your feet (and your friends riding behind you) nice and dry. Outfit yourself First things first — a good rain jacket is key. Consider a jacket made of a bright/reflective material that has proper ventilation (keep an eye out for a jacket with zippers under the armpits). While a good set of fenders should keep your bottom half dry, you
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might also consider waterproof pants, a rain cape or shoe covers. Waterproof fabric tends to be windproof as well, which means that it can be easy to sweat more than usual when riding. I find it helps to ride a little more slowly to keep my heart rate down and body temperature comfortable.
Think a little further ahead Think of the phrase, “slippery when wet.” While a wet road can feel the same as a dry one, there are situations when you need to think a step or two ahead to keep cruising comfortably. If you ride a bike with rim brakes, your brakes need more time to generate friction on wet rims. To combat this, use your brakes earlier than usual and apply pressure gradually. Also, watch out for things like manhole covers, thick road paint and mud, which get especially slippery and can make taking corners a little more exciting than needed. It’s all a matter of perspective Having grown up in Southern California, the rainy months of the Northwest really took a toll on me when I moved here. I felt like aspects of my life had to come to a stop because of the weather. But, after a while, I began trying to look at the rain as less of a barrier and more of a challenge. Rather than focusing on how I would rather be dry, I like to think about how I am doing something that I enjoy, regardless of Mother Nature. Anyone can be a fair weather pedaler . It takes a little more determination to ride all year round, but in the end, I think it’s worth it. Keep riding, keep exploring and prove that a little rain can’t slow your roll!
Have you ever thought about building a bike from scratch that conforms to exactly what you want? Fall is the perfect time to dive into building your own project bike. Here’s how I did it, and the lessons I learned along the way. Define your purpose When I decided to build a bike, I started with a vision that would be a road-going machine for wet Seattle commutes, but would also be easily modifiable for a more dirt-and-gravel ride. This was to be a bike that eliminated excuses, be it wet or rough, cargo or comfort. Find your frame Obviously, the frame of the bicycle is key. What “look” do I want? What range of attributes — weight, comfort, durability — was I seeking in the bike? Once I decided on the components like disc brakes and wheel size, my frame options narrowed considerably. Once I factored in the price, I realistically only had three choices. I went with a Soma Wolverine. The Wolverine is cyclocross oriented — beefy for a road bike, has tons of clearance for grippy tires and disc brake mounts. The heft and dampening properties of steel add comfort. It also
comes in pumpkin orange. Assemble your components Each part of a bicycle — from the shape and thickness of the spokes down to the color and material of the handlebar tape — lives in its own universe of options. Even if there are some standard lengths, there is never simply one universal fit. It took no small amount of soul searching and begging the internet for advice to assemble all of the parts. At every step, I found myself grappling with unanticipated questions, like: “Are my shifter levers mounted too high or too low?” Problem solve & modify The wheels I originally ordered didn’t fit the frame, so I had to order a not-very-cheap kit to modify them. Cruise All told, I estimate that it took me about 10 hours to assemble the bike. It’s an awesome feeling to take your very own bicycle out for its inaugural cruise around the block. And it’s still a great feeling when your new bike starts to make undesirable noises. That’s the other lesson I learned: You have to assume that the bike you are building will be a bit of a Frankenstein. It’s taken me months to iron out issues like brake rub and chain noises. It’s tough, practical and fun. But now that I seem to be past the bike’s teething stage, I love the thing.
www.cascade.org
Vol. 47, No. 9
Help us outfit the new Fix-it Garage with a tool donation today!
What bike dreams are made of … bikepacking Idaho
By Stephen Rowley, Fleet Coordinator
By Jeff Aken, Regional Planning Director
Do you have extra tools you could donate or lend to help us outfit the new Fix-it Garage? The Fix-it Garage is already bustling with activity, as we are fixing up our 350-bike fleet for Let’s Go (our new in-school bike and walk safety curriculum) and our growing Major Taylor Project fleet. We already own many of the bike maintenance tool essentials, but we’ll need a handful of specialized tools for long-term operation: • Handheld power drill • Drill press • Air compressor • A-frame ladders, any size 4–8 feet tall • Bench grinder • Work benches • Tool chest/storage • Bench top vice Other tools that would be super handy for at least borrowing for short-term construction in the
Improving Lives Through Bicycling
Garage, storage and other projects include: • Chop saw • Circular saw • Cordless drill • Hammers • Impact driver As always, your donation will be tax-deductible. You can drop off during our regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have a tool that’s not on this list that you think would be a good addition, please contact Stephen at stephenr@ cascade.org.
If you care about getting more kids on bikes and improving access to all, please return the enclosed envelope with your year-end gift today. Thanks for your support!
The seven-day route starts and ends in Ketchum, Idaho and takes us over Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains.
Day three started in a way I wish every day could: frost on the sleeping bag, sunshine on the nearby hills and a short quarter-mile ride to the hot springs where we made coffee and soaked for an hour. After switching out with the late risers, I went fly fishing for an hour on the East Fork of the Salmon River before saddling up to ride miles of mountain trails over a high pass, eating dinner at a general store/restaurant with live music and then pedaling off to camp for the night. Bikepacking — think backpacking but with mountain bikes — in the mountain ranges north of Ketchum, Idaho is a bike traveler’s dream. Our group of four put together a seven-day route starting and ending in Ketchum, Idaho that was loosely based on Casey Greene’s work detailing the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route for Adventure Cycling. While we didn’t have enough time to do the whole loop, we were able to create a figure eight route that guaranteed two hot meals and took in about 200 miles of gravel roads and singletrack. The complete route takes in more than 500 miles of pedaling and over 40 soakable hot springs to loosen up tired legs. Ketchum is a great starting point with many bike shops, bakeries and the Wood River Bike Path that takes you north out of town and connects with
the Harriman Trail. The Harriman Trail is non-motorized and has camping and hot springs, and is used for cross-country skiing in the winter. It ultimately connects with Galena Lodge, which caters to people riding bikes. The route continues over Galena Pass, and dozens of options exist from there. These options (and hot springs) are what makes bike travel in this area of Idaho so good. You can easily plan a route that takes in bike paths and gravel trails for two or three days eating at restaurants along the way, or a weeks-long, singletrack heavy, mountain bike tour with little or no resupply. By the seventh day under the unrelenting sun, we were down to our last few energy bars, and everything we owned had a fine patina of dust. One last monster climb defeated our attempts to pedal and had us pushing our bikes, and then it was a bittersweet, long downhill roller coaster through sage and aspen back to where we started. First order of business was to gorge on burritos and everything else we’d been craving for the last week before driving back home to “real life” in Seattle. For more information, visit: bikepacking. com and adventurecycling.org/ routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network
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October 2016
Your generosity
Driving the point home
By Tarrell Kullaway, Senior Director of Membership & Development
By Marie Koltchak, Cascade Member & Guest Contributor
Every year when we conduct our membership survey, we hear so many heartwarming stories about why people care about Cascade. There are those of you who got fit training for the STP and stayed healthy and happy through the Free Group Rides program. Many of you came to us because you want to build a state where people are more connected to their neighbors, families and friends, and you see Cascade’s work as a way to make that possible. Whatever your reason for joining Cascade, know that your continued support is what keeps us rolling. Each fall, we ask that you consider Cascade when making your year-end gifts. The small white envelope in this month’s Courier is your opportunity.
If you want: • More kids on bikes and improved access to bicycling for all • Safer places to ride • More opportunities to ride Then please return the return the enclosed envelope with your year-end gift today or give online at cascade.org/yearend.
Thanks for your support!
It’s a big deal to be a Big Wheel Your support goes further as a Big Wheel — Cascade’s new monthly donor club. For a minimum of $5/month, you too can be a Big Wheel! Big Wheels are a big deal, since your support keeps the bicycle movement rolling year-round. All Big Wheels enjoy a complimentary Cascade Bicycle Club one-year family membership, plus special rides and event meet-ups. Save paper • save time • cancel anytime Big Wheels, ride assured that you are helping to make Washington better for people who bike all year long! 12
Aiming to fit an adventure into our crammed schedules, my NMBB (newly minted biking buddy) and I tie our bikes to the rack, snarf breakfast sandwiches and make a beeline for the Cascade Mountains one Saturday in July. We have the highways to ourselves. Early morning light filters between tree trunks. In the foothills the car zooms through alternating shafts of light and black-green shadows cast by massive trees. A strobe light in slow motion. We’ve planned a ~23-mile there-and-back on Icicle Creek Road to the Jack Trout Trailhead in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a faux-Bavarian town and economic turn-around erfolgsgeschichte (success story) nestled in spectacular scenery. Icicle Creek Road leads to the Enchantments — massive saw-toothed mountains bounding glacial basins, lakes and tarns. Not too shabby for an adventure closer to home. Unfortunately we and about a gazillion other people have the same idea at the same time. Icicle Creek Road has two primary trailheads to reach the Enchantments, which is code for: heavy tourist traffic. By the time we pluck bikes off the car and snap helmets on, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Icicle Road we flow into a stream of motor vehicles churned by gas station/ convenience store traffic. Oh joy. Homes and commercial buildings (der lederhosen B&Bs) line the roadside for the first few miles. Traffic eases somewhat but pickup trucks, cars, motorcycles and RVs stuffed
with hikers and rock climbers surge past all day. We all share the road with an easy vibe but the constant whooshing of wind shoved by tons of rolling metal makes us apprehensive. Hoping drivers see you distracts from the disconnection and flights of fancy cut loose in the natural world. Not for nothing however, we fill our eyes with views of granitic mountain peaks that loom and revolve, seeming to lean over and consider us as we roll by. We sidle up to the roar of unbound green-white waters plunging and careening to the Wenatchee River. The air is thick with the smell of wet rocks and earth. We climb a gentle grade (~1,208 feet) for the first half of the ride, and let gravity push us home for the second half. Noses pointed into fresh air like dogs at car windows, we enjoy a breezy glide all the way down. In his book, “75 Classic Rides: Washington,” author and cyclist Mike McQuaide said, “[Icicle] road’s remoteness translates into sparse traffic.” I would add: “Off peak, for the love of Pete.” Midweek, early fall has got to be gorgeous. Lesson learned and duly noted. More riding insight: If a bike seat hurts your butt on a short ride it will also hurt your butt on a long one. And if you have knowledge about unremitting pain on a bike, you should share it with a NMBB who might scare off if his butt feels tormented for hours on end — no matter how cute you think you are...
July/August Cascade Bicycle Club Donors $5,000-$9,999
Arthur Burrill, in memory of Nancy Burrill
$1,000-$4,999
Jim Beach Nate & Kelly Glissmeyer Matt & Leslie Leber
Sign up and become a Big Wheel at cascade.org/give.
Victoria Reed John & Nancy Rudolf
$250-$999
Anonymous Don Barden Scott Blachowicz Matthew & Christine Clark John Klepack & Josephine Ennis
Eric Jensen Archana Pillaipakkam John Sims Jeanne Thorsen & Tom Mayer Ed Zuckerman
Microsoft Corporation Peddler Brewing Company StraightEight Films The Seattle Foundation
Businesses
Adobe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Donations make our work possible—Thank you! www.cascade.org