Happy Bike To Work Day
#53
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I actuyally got my wife to ride to work today! You wouldn;t beleive all the crap she packed into that pannier! My favorite was the extra set of riding clothes because it would be "gross" to put on the same clothes on for the ride home. ha!
#54
Didn't see any other commuters today, but that's nothing new. Also no words about BTWD in the local fish wrappers either, so I assume the lack of publicity impacted the participation.
#55
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BTWD was a bust here. I worked at home for a while so I could time my commute with the BTWD events downtown, which adds another 5 miles each way to my commute. By the time I was getting ready to roll, the radar showed a line of showers approaching downtown from the west (even though the forecasts had predicted almost zero chance of rain). I figured the showers would be past by the time I rode 15 miles downtown. Not. I got hit by heavy downpours right as I approached my office at the 9 mile point, so I waited out the rain there for about 15 minutes. However, by the time I got there, the "big" BTWD events were over. There was no schwag, no coffee, no donuts, nothing. Apparently the entire event consisted of some politicians talking in the rain for a few minutes. I saw perhaps 10 other bike commuters downtown, but not a single one on my ride down there -- which is understandable given the weather.
They should rename the event Bike to Work in the Rain Day here because it rains every year, no matter how dry the weather has been or how optimistic the forecast is. This shows problem with tying outdoor events to a single day. Although there is also Bike to Work Week, it seems like any related events are always planned for a single BTWD, which is inevitably a flop around here. Oh well, the upside is that I'll rack up a 32-mile commute on a day I might have otherwise chosen to drive.
They should rename the event Bike to Work in the Rain Day here because it rains every year, no matter how dry the weather has been or how optimistic the forecast is. This shows problem with tying outdoor events to a single day. Although there is also Bike to Work Week, it seems like any related events are always planned for a single BTWD, which is inevitably a flop around here. Oh well, the upside is that I'll rack up a 32-mile commute on a day I might have otherwise chosen to drive.
#56
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Enjoy ! Haha I have the day off but right after breakfast I am heading out to downtown and the beack to look for a part time job =)
#57
GATC
Today's the day for us. I kind of regret not stopping at the trailhead for some fellowship or whatever but man I gotta get to work... I did take some extra slacker time at home w/ my wife and kids so at least it was not all go-go-go this morning. Also riding out for lunch w/ some coworkers.
#58
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Wow, your wife can ride vertically up walls! That is amazing!
#59
These go to eleven
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Always fun in DC area. The pit stops make for a nice social venue plus free T-shirt and free bananas! I went to a quieter pitstop this time and had a very enjoyable time. I have been going to the Bethesda one (where CCT crosses downtown, for those in the area) but it gets to be a zoo--contest giveaways announced over P.A's, crowded (though that's a GOOD thing for cycle commuting!), etc. Have fun folks!
#61
You gonna eat that?
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I drove because I suck. The forecast calls for t-storms but the front is moving through and I think will be long gone by the ride home. Did I mention that I suck?
#62
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And BTW days are different than what other workweek of the year? I haven't taken a riding day off in a long time. I have a few converts but they usually don't ride all year. So I look at the weather, laugh, then get on the bike and ride. After a few years of cycling I feel I have sinned to have ridden in a cage. I somehow feel dirty. Saved a bunch of money without gieco though. And some day I will have to renew the license on my pickup. Later all you in commuterland. Blues Frog
#63
It's true, man.
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#64
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I was considering riding to Raleigh and back for their BTWD event, but home and work obligations came up that conflicted with that schedule. I did ride to work, starting in a light rain, and was the only cyclists I saw.
#65
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Always fun in DC area. The pit stops make for a nice social venue plus free T-shirt and free bananas! I went to a quieter pitstop this time and had a very enjoyable time. I have been going to the Bethesda one (where CCT crosses downtown, for those in the area) but it gets to be a zoo--contest giveaways announced over P.A's, crowded (though that's a GOOD thing for cycle commuting!), etc. Have fun folks!
I missed it this year kind of on purpose because my knee's been troubling me and I can't keep up with other riders. A couple years ago I was put in difficulty trying to hang with a fast group that (intentionally?) took a hilly route into town.
I wanted to go to the pit stop for the free bananas, coffee and muffins but I didn't get out of the house on time. By the time I got to Freedom Plaza (elevenish), these were the only bikes there.
Around lunch time though I saw these riders on Pennsylvania Avenue. Most wore T shirts that said "Bike to Work Day" on them and the Great Seal of the United States. I don't know who they were or why they're 'riding to work' in the middle of the day, but I got some pictures.
I stopped on the bike path after work to take some pictures of bike commuters rolling home on their special day.
#66
good post
I actuyally got my wife to ride to work today! You wouldn;t beleive all the crap she packed into that pannier! My favorite was the extra set of riding clothes because it would be "gross" to put on the same clothes on for the ride home. ha!
Last edited by Franky; 05-20-11 at 06:50 PM.
#68
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About 25 of us rode in this morning as a group from my side of town to join lots and lots of others at The Circle downtown. Biggest crowd I've ever seen for BTWD in Indy.
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#70
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I've been off the bike this whole week due to a stretched hamstring, but I rode in today, Albeit slower than usual. I saw lot's of people cycling presumably home from work. One officer asked me if I was looking for the pitstop as for some reason the road on my usual route was closed.
#71
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LA Metro celebrated BTWD by handing out free patch kits and letting anyone with a bike or helmet free rides on their busses, subways, & trains. There were also pit stops but none were on my way so I didn't get any other schwag or food. It was very nice of them to be so supportive. Of course, on the way home, some over adrenalized pickup driver decided celebrate BTWD by honking at me for riding in the right lane faster than the cars in the left lane were moving... (in a 30MPH zone near a police station mind you).
#72
GATC
After the ride to work and then out to lunch w/ coworkers (big hill!) they closed the office early because it was warm and sunny (rare). So I rode home, got the kids, and rode back w/ them to Chinese Buffet across from where my wife works, and we met for dinner then all rode home. 35 miles for me.
#74
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Actually saw another rider on my way in. Lady riding the sidewalk but its a dangerous section of road so I really dont blame her. She was new to it and had the seat way too low and the bike may have been too small. I was running late for work and she was on the other side of the divided 4 lane (GA has a lot of areas with sidewalks on only one side if there is one at all) otherwise I would have stopped and talked for a minute and recommended a seat adjustment (god her knees had to be screaming).
#75
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Bike to work day in San Diego was yesterday, 20th. Morning ride was lot of fun, stopping at pit stops getting Starbucks coffee (free), T-shirts (free) and various Clif bars (free) (you can see I get happy with little things that costs nothing). Got to chat with some really nice people, sharing commute miles, etc. Ride home was bit tough since 72 miles round trip after all day at work is not something I'm used to. Conked out immediately after I got home. At least I built on my reputation at work as the "crazy bicycle rider".