Monthly Archives: May 2009

Bike to Work Week Party at the Firkin and Fox

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As we near the end of Bike to Work Week, I’m amazed at the turnout and the enthusiasm everyone has! As of Wednesday’s night’s reporting, there have been over 600 trips made by bicycle, and over 2,000 miles ridden! And there are still two days to go. This was not something I expected to happen, and I’m blown away. You all deserve a party!

End of BTWW Party
Ride your Bike to the Firkin and Fox Friday night!

It just so happens that we have a party lined up for all you bicycle commuters down at the Firkin and Fox on Friday night, May 15th.   Head on down after work, and we’ll get the party started when you arrive (5 PM ish!)  There will be plenty of refreshments, activities, and entertainment. We even have many prizes to give away from the generous Bike to Work Week sponsors:

Grand Prize: 2 Cruiser bikes from Bicycle Authority, donated by Muscle Powered.
Misc. bike goodies from the Bike Habitat
4 Free oil change coupons from Capitol Automotive
3 $20 gift cards from Fleet Feet Sports
1 day kayak rental from The Sporting Rage
2 $20 gift cards from Firkin & Fox
1 lunch for 2 at Z-Bistro
2 $20 gift cards from Red’s Old 395 Grill
1 Gift Certificate from 702 Skate Shop
Misc. bike goodies from New Belgium Brewing

Raffle Tickets are 1 for $2, or 6 – $10, and the proceeds go to support Muscle Powered. The drawing will be held at the Firkin and Fox Bike to Work Week Party on the evening of May 15th. You MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN, so come on down! Visit the Muscle Powered tent to purchase your raffle tickets.

Tour de Fat 2008
New Belgium Beer. Mmmmmm…..

Featured beers of the night will be Fat Tire Ale and Mighty Arrow Pale Ale from New Belgium Brewing. In addition to the beer, New Belgium’s Team Wonderbike will be on hand to get you to pledge to CONTINUE to keep riding your bike more. Partial sales from Mighty Arrow Pale Ale will go to support Muscle Powered, and you will get a raffle ticket for every Mighty Arrow you purchase! New Belgium will also have a few goodies to give out.

On your mark, get set, SLLLLOOOOOWWWW! Count on participating in a slow drag or two. Line up the bikes, and head for the finish line. Last one across the line WINS! No track stands, and no putting a foot down.

I’m also excited to announce that we have two musical guests lined up for the party.

  • Hick’ry Switch
  • James Wilsey

These musicians have all donated their time, so look for the tip jar during the performances!

Muscle Powered
Support Muscle Powered!

And finally, if you’ve enjoyed May’s Bike Month events, please consider joining Muscle Powered. Established in 1997, Muscle Powered is a community group dedicated to making Nevada’s capital city a better community for bicycling and walking through advocacy, education, and promotion of bike-and-pedestrian-friendly roadways, and bike-and-pedestrian-friendly development and redevelopment. Muscle Powered gets most of its work done by volunteering, but unfortunately, there are administration costs for us to operate effectively. These costs are covered by your memberships fees and donations. In addition to showing support for our goals, membership automatically covers you under our insurance policy, allowing you to participate in Muscle Powered sponsored activities including bike rides and walks.

Muscle Powered Yearly Membership:

  • $10 Students/Seniors
  • $15 Individual
  • $20 Family

We’ll have Muscle Powered memberships forms at the party, and there is also a form available for download on the Muscle Powered resources page HERE. Thank you for your support!

Free Coffee on Bike to Work Day

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Friday is a big day for bicycle commuters. First, it’s National Bike To Work Day. Second, several Carson City coffee shops will offer one free cup of coffee to individuals commuting to work by bike.

Bike to Work Day
Free Coffee at Participating Commuter Stations!

Please take advantage of this generous offer, perhaps making it a fun morning get together for your office. Arrange to meet in the morning and ride together to one of the Commuter Stations, or even attempt to hit as many Commuter Stations as you can before work. You may even run into a competing team at one of these stations!

Participating coffee shops: 7-9 AM

  • Carson Coffee 1825 N Carson (in front of Grocery Outlet)
  • Comma Coffee 312 S. Carson (downtown)
  • Java Girls 3667 S Carson St. (Raley’s shopping center)
  • Starbucks – 4 Locations

3325 Retail Dr. (Wal-Mart)
1410 E. William St. (across from Mills Park)
3228 N. Carson St. (old K-Mart shopping center)
2320 S Carson St.

West Carson Cruiser Ride Report

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We had an excellent turnout for the West Carson Cruiser Ride!  It was a little breezy last night, but that didn’t stop the dozens of riders of all ages from coming out.

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Registration

The ride left the Brewery Arts Center promptly at 6:30 PM, all riders eager to start pedaling. We wandered the quiet streets on the west side of town, barely encountering any traffic. A couple drivers motioned for us to cross in front of them, only seeing the riders in the front ranks. They probably had no idea how long they’d be waiting had we taken them up on their offer.

West Carson Cruiser Ride
The ride began at the Brewery Arts Center

I heard many people commenting on all the sights and smells. Pretty houses, historical buildings, and the smells of spring. You just don’t see this stuff in the car. A slow cruiser ride is the perfect way to take it all in.

West Carson Cruiser Ride
The rowdy Bike Habitat Gang

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Mary Street

West Carson Cruiser Ride
King Street

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Ormsby Blvd

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Ride Leader Charlie

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Turning on to Washington Street

My son and I were up front, but I could see Jason Gardner easily every time I looked back. He had the “privilege” of riding Dan Turner’s Hi-Wheeler the whole route. He was definitely head and shoulders above the rest of us. After 4 miles on that thing, he must be a pro now!

West Carson Cruiser Ride
Jason survived the Hi-Wheeler!!

I think we should do more of these types of rides! I’ll organize a few more cruiser rides throughout the spring, summer, and fall. It’s a great way to socialize and celebrate our city.

The Nevada Appeal was there to cover our event. Continue reading on their site HERE.

Corporate Challenge: Day 3

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As of this morning:

USGS is leading in two categories: Trips, with 66, and mileage, with 357. DETR is a close second with 61 trips. USGS’s closest mileage competitor is Sierra Nevada Cancer Center, with 236.88.

Redrock Family Dental looks to have a lock on the percentage category. Anything can happen though, and The Bike Smith and SNCC could very easily slip into first place if Redrock has a setback.

Wills Stuke is still the leader in the solo competition with 36.43 miles. Tammy Steele is in second place so far (Kiersten hasn’t reported in yet), but she is very motivated and may just run a few more errands to increase her mileage.

And bringing up the rear is….. I’d like to bring up the story of the tortoise and the hare, but I’m afraid that fable is inappropriate for this situation. I don’t think the USPS will be able to catch their nearest competitor. Hell, I don’t think we’d be able to catch a cold at this point.

Good luck!

Flat Tire Repair Clinic at Comma Coffee

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Square Nail
What caused my flat tire?

On Thursday night at 6:30 PM, Dan from the Bicycle Authority will be hosting a Flat Tire Repair Clinic at the Comma Coffee courtyard. Learn how to change a tube, one of the most important repair tasks that will keep your bike running. Learn how to patch a punctured tube. Most punctures only need a simple patch. Save your money! Don’t throw away those perfectly good tubes.  Bring your flat tires and punctured tubes down for some hands-on training.

Corporate Challenge: Day 2

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From the feedback I’m receiving, everyone is having a good time participating in the Corporate Challenge.

In the trips category DETR has the lead with 40. Followed closely by Redrock Dental (35) and USGS (34). This is shaping up to be a tight race.

Redrock Dental is continuing their domination in the percentage category with 100%. Does anybody feel as sick to the stomach as I do that I’m getting beat by a dentist?

In the solo competition Wills Stuke has taken the lead with 24 miles. Not far behind are Kiersten Briggs and Tammy Steele with 15 miles and 14.85 miles respectively.

In the milage category USGS has a big lead with 204.6 miles. They’re not unbeatable, but its a big gap to close. The nearest competitors are the State Public Works Board (126 Miles) and Sierra Nevada Cancer Center (112.24 miles).

An anonymous reader, concerned with the USGS mileage reported, sent me this photo. That a USGS employee was seen rubbing elbows with a convicted doper (Tyler still denies it) shouldn’t cause alarm, but combine that with impressive mileage, it does raise some eyebrows.
tyler.jpg

West Carson Cruiser Ride

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Bike to Work Week Social Ride
Slow Ride on Carson City’s Historical West Side

Tonight is the West Carson Cruiser Ride! Meet at the Brewery Arts Center (corner of King and Division) at 6 PM Wednesday night for sign-in. The ride will begin at 6:30 PM. Slow ride around Carson City’s historical west side. Mileage 4 – 5 Miles. This is a great family event, so bring the kids. Please bring a helmet. We like your brains just the way they are!

This is one event you don’t want to miss. We had a great turnout last year, around 50 riders. Let’s make it even bigger this year!

Bonus: Jason Gardner will be on the hi-wheeler this year.  Come down and watch him sweat!