Community Sustainability Form

While concern (or more appropriately, respect) for the environment is a large factor in my choice to ride a bicycle instead of drive a car, it's not something I really beat my drum about. First of all, there are many reasons other than the environment to cycle rather than drive and secondly, I don't want to scare anyone off by making them feel like bikes are for 'green people' and therefore not for them. My wish instead is to help bikes become for everyone. Heck, even in Amsterdam, a shining star of bicycle use- it's just normal over there, not a hipster or yuppie or hippie or green thing to do. A quote from today's post at Amsterdamize:

..the locals, [go] from A to B, to C, D, Z and back, ziggedyzag. Day by day, for every errand, for every task, for any venture, we take our bikes and we rule. Mind you, it’s in our blood, we don’t consider it a culture or something quaint. It’s there, we use it, period. We don’t know any better.

So there you have it. My real goal is to make bicycling a normal, fun, convenient, safe, hip activity. BUT, after this long disclaimer of sorts.. there's no denying that bicycling is much, much more sustainable than driving gas hogs for grocery runs. (I'm not against cars- I just think that they're overused. Driving 2 blocks to work is stupid- and yes, I've seen it done.) SO- that is why I deem it relevant to post this very important meeting happening in our community. I hope to see you there!

Are you concerned about the rising price of gas? Or about the rising price of food, and other basic needs? Are you hearing more about climate change and the need to transition to a low-carbon economy and community? Are you thinking about how we can sustain ourselves in an era when fossil fuels are unstable and will keep getting more expensive?

The Road Ahead-- A Community Sustainability Form, will be held on Monday, July 10 from 6:30-9:30pm in the ballroom at Reid Campus Center on the Whitman College campus at Park & Boyer. 

Panelists will include:

• Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Spokane, Susanne Croft
• Whitman scientist, Bob Carson
• Chamber of Commerce President, Tim Larkin
• Port Commissioner, Mike Frederickson
• City Manager, Duane Cole
• Homeless Coalition Member, Noah Leavitt
• Long time resident and householder, Jennie Romine

WWCC President Steve VanAusdle will moderate the forum.

For more information, email sustainableww (at) charter (dot) net, call 509-522-0399, or go online at www.sustainablewallawalla.org

I'm in today's ClimateWire!

Robin Bravender of ClimateWire interviewed me the other day about my gas-free plans for the July 4 weekend. I looks like I made the lead story on the front page!

It also looks like you have to be a subscriber to read the whole story, but I'll just include the tidbits that I'm in so as to entice you to sign up for a worthwhile subscription.

Bicycle enthusiast Rebecca Jensen, 23, is planning to spend the day on a bike trip with her parents, "winery hopping" around Walla Walla, Wash., in the southeast corner of the state.

Jensen doesn't own a car and travels almost everywhere on her bicycle. She commutes to her job at a coffee shop on her bicycle and started a program at a community center teaching others how to fix their own bikes. She said since gas prices have increased, she has seen more bikes and "definitely more two-wheeled vehicles in general" out on the road with her.

"When I'm with people and they complain about gas, I do smile to myself, because I don't have to directly pay for it," Jensen said.

In a country famous for its love of cars, lifestyles like Jensen's are still far from the norm. Yet with gas soaring above $4 per gallon, industry leaders say a growing number of summer travelers are eyeing bike trips with new appreciation.

To sign up for a trial of ClimateWire, click here!

Too few options?

Sometimes it helps to SEE to believe.



by Sightline Daily

More bikes to fix!

A couple bikes have been been parked for over a year, unlocked and unmoved at the apartment building I used to live at. I finally inquired about the bicycles to be sure they were indeed abandoned. To my delight, I was given permission to haul them away and give them new lives. 

One is a Specialized Sirrius, a great commuting bike that's semi-upright, that I hope to fix up for my dad. The other is a Univega Safari Ten that would be nice for my mom, although I hope to get her something that's easier to shift, but this will work great for now. The pink bike you see on top is a Peugeot banana seater (I didn't know they made kids bikes!) that actually belongs to a friend, but will be receiving some greasy love as well.

I now have a growing collection of tired and neglected bicycles in the Toews'  basement, and it was high time to set up a work bench area! Fortunately the Toews already have some important features of a working bike bench including a bike stand, truing stand, a small collection of tools and a peg board! I have hopes of being a sort of bicycling Robin Hood- collecting bikes and redistributing them where they're most needed. Hmm.. maybe that's what I'll name by bike shop someday. Robin Hood Cyclery. :) I like it.

Mill Creek and Friends

My friends Matt and Linda and I went for a ride up Mill Creek the other day. Linda was celebrating her new speedy bike. While her trusty steel KHS will continue to be loved, I think her new all carbon Specialized Ruby Elite will be very welcome to the family. We have more adventures yet to come.

Matt, meanwhile, was stretching his boundaries by riding 30 miles on his second ever recreational ride! Matt does get some miles in while commuting on his bike, to be fair (and he's selling his car!)- but he is new to the constant effort required of longer rides. Linda and I were SO impressed and proud of Matt for rising to the challenge. I can see more pleasant miles spinning by in his future.

First Tour Test

Last Friday I loaded up my Surly and pedaled out to Waitsburg (20 miles north of Walla Walla) in my sneakers. Other than having a good time, my intent was to see how the Surly & Xtracycle combination performed while loaded over longer distances and hillier terrain. While I'm sure I've more than maxxed out my Surly/Xtracycle with ambitious grocery loads- I've only towed those around small and flat Walla Walla. I was pleased to find that I could still stand and rock the bike uphill, and since I enjoy climbing, that scored a lot of points. (Though I did not have a very heavy load on.) It was speedy enough to move along without growing impatient (especially since my other ride is approx. 17 lbs). It was also, unsurprisingly, a solid and stable all around and just plain enjoyable. However, I may still decide to tour without the Xtracycle to simplify things- less weight, less complex mechanical maintenance, etc. So that's the review- but if you want to know what I was really thinking about: dinner! Clint and Patty Froke were so kind to BBQ up some delicious grub for me, let me set up camp in their back yard and have a turn at milking one of the goats in the morning. They were wonderful hosts. I had a grand time. 

Copenhagen & the Netherlands

So, I spend a lot of time on Copenhagenzie.com slobbering over things like this:

A blind spot in the bike lane is indicated by

a painted red and white target in Copenhagen.

and wondering why the crap we can't (or, more accurately, aren't) doing smart things like that here in the US. Or wondering why we don't see Everyday Cool People riding Sweet Ass Bikes like these cargo bikes here:

And while I will continue to feed on Copenhagenize, my NEW favorite slobber site is Hembrow Cycling Holidays. I mean, where else can you see 850 cycle spaces for 725 students at a grade school?

I mean, heck, the rubbish bin is even designed for cyclists!:

Wow. And buck up and put on your woolies! It's 24 degrees F (-4 C) and watch this 1 minute tour through downtown Assen:

Y0u don't see that many bicycles or parked bicycles on a SUNNY day here! Sheesh.

Dream of a better life at Hembrow Cycling Holidays where you can:

• Go on a "Study Tour" to learn about cycling infrastructure
• Browse mind-blowing photos & videos
• Thicken your arsenal with handy & informational articles
• And start t'inkin' about HOW WE CAN DO IT HERE!

I mean, COME ON, people!

Street Corner in Amsterdam

This is the photo of the flippin' week! Young Amsterdam lady pedals in heels while her boyfriend rides side saddle in the back.

I found this shot from "Amsterdam Bicycles," a small but interesting website. The author stood on a street corner and took pictures of cyclists for 73 minutes. The result is a collection of people riding their bicycles..

in suits,
in dresses
with children,
with dogs,
carrying flowers..
oh, and there was ONE person wearing spandex.

Bicycle Workshops!

Since there are so many people saddling up to bicycles these days due to hefty gas prices as well as environmental and personal health concerns, I thought I'd share some good info for all these newbies.

Wed. JUNE 25: Fix a flat & basic maintenance!

Wed. JULY 2: How to not get hit by cars!

Wed. JULY 9: Grocery shopping, weather & more tips!

All workshops are:
@ Pioneer Park, near the gazebo
5:30-6:30pm
& are FREE!

A Daily Market event.

My $15 Motebecane!

I was cruisin' down Second Ave when I spied a YARD SALE and there were BIKES at this yard sale. I pulled over IMMEDIATELY and tried to keep my run to a walk. I casually perused the bicycles. One generic beat up mountain bike and one.. mixte Motebecane! I checked only a few things (how true are the wheels? do the brakes still have life? etc.) and determined that my average bike mechanic skills could take this project on. I then quickly justified ownership since "I always wanted a bike to wear a skirt on!" Reigning in my enthusiasm, I walked over to the yard sale owner, "how much for the bike?" "$15." Jumpin' George! don'tgettooexcited. don'tgettooexcited. "Okay."




And of course, how else do you get a yard sale bike home? Your Xtracycle. I was a tisch concerned since I didn't have my wideloaders with me (doh! I almost always bring them just in case.) and I had an audience. The entire Yard Sale family HAD to be watching me, I was sure. But I calmly laid the bike down on the snap deck, letting the front end hang off the back, and strapped it down with the 3 buckles on the Xtracycle and 2 bungees for good measure. Got it, first try. As I pedaled off into the sunset, I let that goofy smile burst onto my face and let out some good nerdy, self-satisfied chuckles. I didn't take the pictures until I got home, of course.

Bikes I'm Starin' At

It's funny that a lot of people in the US ogle at the bikes you see in the pages of Velonews or Pro Cycling with carbon fiber shoved into every nook and cranny and this is what I ogle at:

The Breezer Greenway: "Be advised, though: commuting by bicycle can be addictive!"

Independent Fabrication's Independence: "extremely durable and timetested world traveler."

Lightfoot Cycles' Courier: "The wide fenders are used to carry oversize loads (and often passengers). There is enough room to carry large tool boxes, and tote boxes.."

Velorbis Victoria Classic: "...Easily and seamlessly integrated into your everyday routine, whether you use it for commuting, shopping or simply arriving in style to meet your friends for a coffee at the local café."

The Ann Ride: success!

Describe your overall experience at the Ann Ride:

Excellent.
An enjoyable day and memorial for Ann.

Fun, fulfilling, an overall good time. Good food, too.

This was an awesome ride, I had a blast!

Riding & remembering riding with Anne.

Great- people were VERY nice.

What did you enjoy the most about the Ann Ride?:

I liked it all: cause, people, organizers, location, course.

The scenery, freedom to take my time to enjoy it.

Support stops. 

Quiet roads, nice people.

The scenery.

How did you hear about this ride?:
Knew Ann.

Bike shop.

Word of mouth.

Would you recommend this ride to friends?
Absolutely!

Yes!!

What made you decide to join us for the Ann Ride?
Knew Ann, wanted to support the cause.
I rode with Ann.

My wife and I wanted to do it together.

Walla Walla wine tasting & the ride, mostly the ride.

How did you like the route?

Loved it- scenery was great.

Gorgeous.

Any other suggestions for next year?

Just do it again.

Don't stop.

Camp Wooten & Windmills!

The other week Debi Toews and I rode  out to Camp Wooten and her husband Jim Toews sagged us- which basically means to frog hop us in a car and pamper us with water, cool rags, cookies and chocolate milk in martini glasses along the way. And yes, Jim was sagging us on Father's Day- but I'm pretty sure that sagging his wife and bird watching all along the way was something that Jim Toews would want to do on Father's Day because Jim likes helping people.

AND THEN, after the ride we drove up to the windmills and I posed alongside one for scale. :) They're big. And super neat. They churn like quiet, fantastical giants with age-old wisdom that have grown weary yet patient with mankind's fretting. In other words, these things popped out of a Tolkien novel or something.

Join the movement; wipe out MS.

Okay, now THIS is how you advertise for an event. Or at least how my sister advertises for an event. :)

Join the movement and go bananas!

Wipe out MS.

the Ann Ride!

The Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic is THIS Saturday.

Not only is the metric-century course beautiful..

Not only is there L'Ecole wine at the finish..

Not only is the ride throughly sagged..

Not only will there Verve coffee & muffins in the morning & a Merchant's lunch in the afternoon..

Not only do the funds go to cycling safety in our valley..

but registration is still open!

Hurry! Go to http://annweatherillcyclingclassic.blogspot.com/ and come ride with us!

The Muenster Demonstration

LEFT: This is how much space cars take up to transport X people.

MIDDLE: This is how much space it takes to move the same amount of people on a bus. (*The picture is zoomed out so the crowd may look smaller.)

RIGHT: This is how much space it takes the same amount of people on bikes.

To learn more interesting facts, watch this video of John Pucher's lively lecture, "Cycling for Everyone." It's 70 minutes, but it can easily be broken up into 10, 20 or 30 minutes chunks for your convenient viewing pleasure. It is a MUST SEE.

This could be you.

In the US..

25% of all trips are within 1 mile of home.

40% of all trips are within 2 miles of home.

50% of the working population commutes 5 miles or less to work.

Yet..

More than 82% of all trips 5 miles ore less are made by personal motor vehicle.

But you work farther away than 5 miles?..

Take a bus, train or car part way and cycle the rest.

You'll get sweaty or wet?..

Ask for a shower to be installed at work, ride slower, and there are lots of handy gadgets out there to keep you try (fenders, rain cape, cute rubber boots, etc).

You don't want to look goofy?..

The info & photo above is from Copenhagen Cycle Chic, a website devoted to style over speed on bicycles. There you will find photo after photo of chic women riding their bikes in heels.

So.. you want to bike commute but don't know where to start? Try these classes!:

JUNE 25

Fix a flat & basic maintenance!

JULY 2

How to not get hit by cars!

JULY 9

Grocery shopping, weather & more commuting tips!

All workshops are @ Pioneer Park,  near the Gazebo, 5:30-6:30PM-

and are FREE!

A Daily Market event.

Learning to Love You More (dot com)

Learning to Love You More is both a web site and series of non-web presentations comprised of work made by the general public in response to assignments given by artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher.

At www.learningtoloveyoumore.com you can find assignments such as:

• Repair something.
• Take a flash photo under your bed.
• Take a picture of your parents kissing.
• Grow a garden in an unexpected spot.
• Recreate a poster you had as a teenager.
• Make an encouraging banner.

Here are some entries for "Make an encouraging banner."

And people wonder why I live in Walla Walla..

Click the photo for a better view.

Hey, Moms & Dads!

The trioBike is brilliant. Ride your bike with your kids safely buckled in front of you (not behind you like with a trailer), then when you get to your destination- simply unhook the bike and it turns into a regular jogger/stroller! Or, if you want to ride without the stroller/cargo portion, once unhooked, you have a regular bike! For a much better explanation, check out this neat and short trioBike video.

Click here to visit the trioBike homepage.