tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20950010241904733272024-03-18T20:14:01.906-07:00Tacoma Bike RanchRiding bikes more and driving cars less in Grit CityMatt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-86655905436021353292020-02-13T08:29:00.002-08:002020-02-13T10:57:44.700-08:00Community Bike Shops - Part 4Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit a handful of community bike shops around the United States. This is the fourth of five posts to show the shops I've seen first-hand, even if I stopped by when they were closed.<br />
<br />
Community bike shops (also called community bike projects or co-ops) tend to be non-profit organizations with brick-and-mortar locations that serve the specific bicycling needs of a community. Some have large budgets and paid staff, others are completely volunteer-run. Most shops have a mission statement, which is the best way to learn about what they do and how they operate.<br />
<br />
The general model:<br />
<ul>
<li>Reduce the barriers of entry to cycling by taking donated bicycles and parts to be salvaged, rebuilt, and sold at very affordable prices;</li>
<li>Empower people with knowledge of how to repair and maintain their own bikes with either classes or DIY shop space and tool libraries;</li>
<li>Host events; either for fun, education, or fund-raising; and</li>
<li>(From my experience) they also function as safe spaces for people to learn and hang-out.</li>
</ul>
The shops I've been to are geographically distant from one another, but the similarities are evident. I highly recommend seeking out a co-op bike shop in your neighborhood or the next time you are traveling. Supporting them with a purchase or donation is a great way to share the love of bikes with others.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ptrecyclery.org/" target="_blank">The ReCyclery</a>, Port Townsend, Washington</span></b></div>
<br />
From their website:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Through our education programs and bicycle recycling services, we inform the public about the social, environmental and health benefits of cycling. We strive to increase bicycle ridership in Jefferson County by empowering and motivating people to live active and healthy lifestyles. Our vision is to see a world empowered, fulfilled and engaged in communities that foster the health of people and our planet through bicycling.</i></blockquote>
Port Townsend is a small town on a little peninsula at the northeast corner of Washington's big peninsula. Two old forts (now run as state parks) bookend the town and harbor on the east and west. It's somewhat isolated geographically and doesn't seem like the place one would likely find a grassroots bike community or a sprawling bike project. But that's what they have!<br />
<br />
I happened to find The ReCyclery during a weekend trip in February of 2018. The shop was unfortunately closed, though it was obvious that winter activities still happen here. I wandered around the compound and peeked in the windows, amazed by what I'd found. The photos will have to tell some of the story.<br />
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The Recyclery is in it's own building on the corner of a large grassy lot. The main structure appears to be built around a large shipping container and cobbled together with found objects and reclaimed lumber. There's a sense that the place started much smaller and grew organically over time.</div>
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Windows and doors are creatively covered in metal artwork made from reclaimed bike parts, fixtures that also double as security features. The main shop space inside was nicely organized and bathed in natural light. From the signage outside, I can see that they offer bike rentals, classes, sell bikes and parts, and do repairs. </div>
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The large Bike to School banner was encouraging, but from their website I learn that they also teach bike handling classes at a local middle school, run a middle school mountain bike team, and teach classes to homeschooled children as well. There's a large paved courtyard behind the building that obviously gets used for bike safety classes and other programs.<br />
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Overall, this seems like an ideal setup for a non-profit bike shop. I can't wait to come back when they are open! Port Townsend is a super cool destination and I highly recommend planning even a day-trip there if you are in the area.</div>
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Stay tuned for the next and final installment as we <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/search/label/Community%20Bike%20Project" target="_blank">check out more community bike projects</a>.</div>
<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-261874429494669122020-01-16T10:11:00.000-08:002020-01-16T10:11:48.263-08:00Community Bike Shops - Part 3Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit a handful of community bike shops around the United States. This is the third of five posts to show the shops I've seen first-hand, even if I stopped by when they were closed.<br />
<br />
Community bike shops (also called community bike projects or co-ops) tend to be non-profit organizations with brick-and-mortar locations that serve the specific bicycling needs of a community. Some have large budgets and paid staff, others are completely volunteer-run. Most shops have a mission statement, which is the best way to learn about what they do and how they operate.<br />
<br />
The general model:<br />
<ul>
<li>Reduce the barriers of entry to cycling by taking donated bicycles and parts to be salvaged, rebuilt, and sold at very affordable prices;</li>
<li>Empower people with knowledge of how to repair and maintain their own bikes with either classes or DIY shop space and tool libraries;</li>
<li>Host events; either for fun, education, or fund-raising; and</li>
<li>(From my experience) they also function as safe spaces for people to learn and hang-out.</li>
</ul>
The shops I've been to are geographically distant from one another, but the similarities are evident. I highly recommend seeking out a co-op bike shop in your neighborhood or the next time you are traveling. Supporting them with a purchase or donation is a great way to share the love of bikes with others.<br />
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<b><a href="https://velocitycoop.org/" target="_blank">Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative</a></b></div>
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<b>Alexandria, Virginia</b></div>
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From their website: Vélocity strives to <i>"grow and empower a more inclusive biking community through affordability, education, and embracing the fun of riding."</i></div>
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I stumbled upon the non-profit Vélocity Bike Co-op while visiting my mom in Alexandria in March 2018. We were out for ice cream in the upscale Del Ray neighborhood (Tacomans would equate this area to their Proctor neighborhood.) Rents are higher here and it seemed an unlikely place to find a non-profit bike shop. Even though the shop was closed, a set of night owl volunteers let us in to have a peek.</div>
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It's a relatively small space, covered with everything bike-related from floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall. Bikes for sale would normally be outside on the sidewalk during business hours, but they were inside for the evening and it was a tight fit to maneuver our family inside. With spring just around the corner, the volunteers were working hard to add more used-bikes to their inventory.</div>
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My mom hit it off with the volunteers, explaining our interest in their shop based on our own bike co-op in Tacoma, 2nd Cycle. You may recall that my mom enjoys riding bikes, too, and once <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/2012/08/care-packages-mailing-folding-bike-to.html" target="_blank">I even shipped her a folding bike through the mail while she was stationed overseas</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-QJrKx4Px3uma8fAk0Cb94MfdtIoPoSubN25GwIxKxJfv4i2S9AM2vKICryeYoj2KxgNfiirudxWWCcnSjGlWZykaexpDTaCTp55TsnxrdMRxPesKZA1A9T1adehlS1QeyzuPuQ7X48/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-QJrKx4Px3uma8fAk0Cb94MfdtIoPoSubN25GwIxKxJfv4i2S9AM2vKICryeYoj2KxgNfiirudxWWCcnSjGlWZykaexpDTaCTp55TsnxrdMRxPesKZA1A9T1adehlS1QeyzuPuQ7X48/s320/IMG_4496.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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We quickly learn that they warehouse their overstock at a separate location and focus on using this storefront for DIY repairs, parts and accessory sales, as well as some classes. Not wanting to overstay our welcome, we thank the volunteers for their time and efforts and leave a cash donation. They gave us a water bottle and an area bike map in return.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpY336DD1wGnKe4WQm1qJNU1WnX7HzJSVO563HtCvJz0Jx8IQiGGOtYkyHmDwCoA3yPcfJzn9isxSiby1i_jZwl_ws3RwdTOGDc8nJVIJVmT8kdqrnylkVBktJlwZ9-n0bBzC11P0SBU/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpY336DD1wGnKe4WQm1qJNU1WnX7HzJSVO563HtCvJz0Jx8IQiGGOtYkyHmDwCoA3yPcfJzn9isxSiby1i_jZwl_ws3RwdTOGDc8nJVIJVmT8kdqrnylkVBktJlwZ9-n0bBzC11P0SBU/s320/IMG_4498.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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With the smell of old tires and grease still fresh on my mind, I make time the next day to tune-up Mom's Kettler city bike that she picked up while stationed in Germany. I was planning to take advantage of the Mount Vernon Trail, which partly runs along the Potomac River from Alexandria to Arlington and would connect me to Washington, D.C. Mom offers to babysit that evening and I set out after dinner for a 15-mile round-trip to the Lincoln Memorial.<br />
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Only a few miles into the ride, the bike starts gear-skipping. It had been fine earlier on a test ride. Isn't this always how these things happen? It's now dark and I can't seem to locate the exact problem. Deciding to press on, I find a gear that seems to minimize the skipping. No sooner had I reached the Lincoln Memorial and taken a photo, my phone died. Great. Good thing the volunteers at Vélocity hooked me up with a paper map! The trail is not well lit, but I feel better about finding my way back home with the map in-hand. Somewhere around the Ronald Reagan Airport, I pull over again under a bright lamppost along the trail to take another look at the skipping issue. It's driving me mad. With the bike flipped over I can now see a damaged link in the chain that's sticking. I soft pedal back to Mom's house, knowing exactly where I'll be heading the next day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3hQBKX5EHOihNkeyNv4f6oCAKInN7OOogkoJeNbK9L0XnOz-dEUEuApwLRu23uE19y7_ZeK9WAEtKZpBGItopngp0u897qoCpQYKzYxl09egayE1Pb6sxIum3O8yjvakHkg3Xwi35sw/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3hQBKX5EHOihNkeyNv4f6oCAKInN7OOogkoJeNbK9L0XnOz-dEUEuApwLRu23uE19y7_ZeK9WAEtKZpBGItopngp0u897qoCpQYKzYxl09egayE1Pb6sxIum3O8yjvakHkg3Xwi35sw/s320/IMG_4583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back at Vélocity, we grab an open work stand and point out the damaged chain to a volunteer. The rest of the chain isn't worn out, so he points us to a bucket of old chains and suggests finding a similar one and harvest a link. This works great and is essentially a free repair. In the daylight, we spot a few Vélocity ball caps that we can't live without and make another donation to cover our shop time. It was great to fix the bike ourselves in the neighborhood, just like we would back home in Tacoma.</div>
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Stay tuned for the next installment as we <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/search/label/Community%20Bike%20Project" target="_blank">check out more community bike projects</a>.</div>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-49109149921597975692020-01-13T09:55:00.001-08:002020-01-16T10:04:22.990-08:00Community Bike Shops - Part 2Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit a handful of community bike shops around the United States. This is the second of five posts to show the shops I've seen first-hand, even if I stopped by when they were closed.<br />
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Community bike shops (also called community bike projects or co-ops) tend to be non-profit organizations with brick-and-mortar locations that serve the specific bicycling needs of a community. Some have large budgets and paid staff, others are completely volunteer-run. Most shops have a mission statement, which is the best way to learn about what they do and how they operate.<br />
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The general model:<br />
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<li>Reduce the barriers of entry to cycling by taking donated bicycles and parts to be salvaged, rebuilt, and sold at very affordable prices;</li>
<li>Empower people with knowledge of how to repair and maintain their own bikes with either classes or DIY shop space and tool libraries;</li>
<li>Host events; either for fun, education, or fund-raising; and</li>
<li>(From my experience) they also function as safe spaces for people to learn and hang-out.</li>
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The shops I've been to are geographically distant from one another, but the similarities are evident. I highly recommend seeking out a co-op bike shop in your neighborhood or the next time you are traveling. Supporting them with a purchase or donation is a great way to share the love of bikes with others.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuHDvttjyCw3DGbiNdD8TUAuytZ5nim1_qrhIcp7T9uzYbuy70HsZsjPQvVwR1GqzTAYUv2Tz4l7ANo9nU2pBhEIn5um0x-XA6vWfZt-8VEUY9tCkmcnD7whcFeHXzSQ2cTRbDEbfx2n2/s1600/Ogden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuHDvttjyCw3DGbiNdD8TUAuytZ5nim1_qrhIcp7T9uzYbuy70HsZsjPQvVwR1GqzTAYUv2Tz4l7ANo9nU2pBhEIn5um0x-XA6vWfZt-8VEUY9tCkmcnD7whcFeHXzSQ2cTRbDEbfx2n2/s320/Ogden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ogden Bike Collective</td></tr>
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<b><a href="https://bicyclecollective.org/ogden" target="_blank">Ogden Bike Collective</a></b></div>
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<b>Ogden, Utah</b></div>
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Mission Statement from their website: </div>
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<i>"The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation, recreation, and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households."</i></blockquote>
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During a road trip in July 2018, we stopped in Ogden to visit our friend Terry who had moved there from Tacoma a year earlier. Terry worked in the bike industry for many years and jumped in as a volunteer at the Ogden Bike Collective shortly after arriving there. He was even working in the shop the afternoon we rolled into town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroeyGy0PK8qPNYbWFabrmnS4vTOOnkDvfTLeuY3KEFOi8I56-CuN229OomVIj_GULQfo73G7K9MOymbeMF1LbyTUS2z9hWeVbgZq1j06eOLwajJxuSNDKO8p3DBRufDHzWLcILJxA6FnO/s1600/IMG_5814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroeyGy0PK8qPNYbWFabrmnS4vTOOnkDvfTLeuY3KEFOi8I56-CuN229OomVIj_GULQfo73G7K9MOymbeMF1LbyTUS2z9hWeVbgZq1j06eOLwajJxuSNDKO8p3DBRufDHzWLcILJxA6FnO/s320/IMG_5814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To my surprise, the Ogden Bike Collective occupies its own large building. Owning your own building is the Holy Grail for co-ops. As a former dry-cleaning site, it was obtained in a deal with the City of Ogden after being repossessed. More recently it's needed a new roof and foundation work, but these considerable investments are worth it to maintain this spacious location.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JEbPUturCSb9WDvNLj7EV2sQLbUkBaAO-qpvYZvNXudZ8Twh0y-MvYTDc7GQhXaM1AZoz9Y-184mopJw-VIzhSZYrK6r25517rUklFJNfcVzN9qvdtb57jFSAVU1FzSpq490wS-bsSl2/s1600/IMG_5823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JEbPUturCSb9WDvNLj7EV2sQLbUkBaAO-qpvYZvNXudZ8Twh0y-MvYTDc7GQhXaM1AZoz9Y-184mopJw-VIzhSZYrK6r25517rUklFJNfcVzN9qvdtb57jFSAVU1FzSpq490wS-bsSl2/s320/IMG_5823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The collective needs the cavernous space to maintain the volume and scale of the Ogden operations. Terry tells me that they currently have around 400 volunteers on their roster who donate anywhere from 1 hour to 500 hours of time annually. Those volunteers are sorting parts, stripping and rebuilding used bikes for sale, and teaching youth volunteers through an Earn-A-Bike program.<br />
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They also refurbish bikes for charitable redistribution to the community. They gave away 150 bikes to kids just before the holidays in December 2019 and another 100 kids bikes during the year at smaller events. They also work with other goodwill programs to provide bikes for people in transitional housing situations. Terry says that if they had the means they could easily double the number of bikes they give away as there is always a high need in the community.</div>
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Besides selling refurbished bikes and parts, the second most important thing they offer is tools and guidance. "People roll in bikes that are broken and then ride them out fixed," says Terry. "Most are lower income." For folks on a limited budget, it is empowering to give them the skills and space to maintain their bikes, especially if biking is their primary mode of transportation. </div>
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Ogden is just one of four locations of the Bicycle Collective in Utah, but Terry says each shop is unique. Based on volunteer interests and abilities, they have different fundraising events and different shop rides specific to the needs of each community. In Ogden they run a Bike Valet service at city events, taking donations for monitored bike parking at twilight concerts and festivals. They also host an annual Bike Prom. I like that they also have a few freak bikes on-hand and my kids jumped right in to try them out. (That trike above has a seat for a stem and no handlebars!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka2ylLkJ2StBY30Wg3j9jEUK7LgpezqUk7nyIiPXUwr4xRJ-NNS_sN7hNekUQ1eTvZVssajsTLyKSv97aFSWjtdrD-NO0tIOHjM3Cd00I1x3yoqX4bwwD6tCv7UhDoQx3OSRxjqw0eVa/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka2ylLkJ2StBY30Wg3j9jEUK7LgpezqUk7nyIiPXUwr4xRJ-NNS_sN7hNekUQ1eTvZVssajsTLyKSv97aFSWjtdrD-NO0tIOHjM3Cd00I1x3yoqX4bwwD6tCv7UhDoQx3OSRxjqw0eVa/s320/IMG_5818.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ogden Bike Collective is doing amazing things for their community. Thanks for the tour, Terry! Stay tuned for the next installment as we <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/search/label/Community%20Bike%20Project" target="_blank">check out more community bike projects</a>.</div>
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<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-8620182331740130352020-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:002020-01-10T11:16:27.207-08:00Community Bike Shops - Part 1Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit a handful of community bike shops around the United States. This is a series of posts to show the ones I've seen first-hand, even if I stopped by when they were closed.<br />
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Community bike shops (also called community bike projects or co-ops) tend to be non-profit organizations with brick-and-mortar locations that serve the specific bicycling needs of a community. Some have large budgets and paid staff, others are completely volunteer-run. Most shops have a mission statement, which is the best way to learn about what they do and how they operate.<br />
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The general model:<br />
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<li>Reduce the barriers of entry to cycling by taking donated bicycles and parts to be salvaged, rebuilt, and sold at very affordable prices;</li>
<li>Empower people with knowledge of how to repair and maintain their own bikes with either classes or DIY shop space and tool libraries;</li>
<li>Most shops host events; either for fun, education, or fund-raising; </li>
<li>From my experience, they also function as safe spaces for people to hang-out.</li>
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The shops I've been to are geographically distant from one another, but the similarities are evident. I highly recommend seeking out a co-op bike shop in your neighborhood or the next time you are traveling. Supporting them with a purchase or donation is a great way to share the love of bikes with others.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.2ndcycle.org/" target="_blank">2nd Cycle Community Cycle Center</a> </b><br />
<b>Tacoma, WA</b><br />
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Mission Statement: <i>"To demystify and normalize bike riding as a part of daily life, and realize the bicycle as tool for personal and community empowerment."</i><br />
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Here in Tacoma we are fortunate to have <a href="http://www.2ndcycle.org/" target="_blank">2nd Cycle</a>, a non-profit community bike shop that has been operating for about 10 years in the Hilltop neighborhood. The folks at 2nd Cycle have really opened my eyes to the added value a co-op shop brings to a community.<br />
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They have had to relocate three times over the years, mostly for reasons of growth. They had humble beginnings in a small room off an alley behind a Vietnamese restaurant, but they are currently in their largest space yet with retail, DIY shop space, and warehousing all happening under one roof. They have a large stock of used bikes and parts, as well as new parts and accessories. For a small fee, cyclists can gain access to the shop space, which includes repair stands, tools, reference books, and knowledgeable volunteers and staff who can help guide you through a repair or maintenance project. </div>
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As a shop founded by folks in their late 20s, 2nd Cycle has always had a youthful, vibrant atmosphere. I've watched neighborhood kids grow up with the shop, kids who started just hanging-out there after school and on weekends. They are now trained volunteers who are taking on leadership roles to organize alley cat races and cycling teams, donating their time and energy to the shop. 2nd Cycle regularly offers youth programming including Summer Camps and an Earn-a-Bike program where kids learn the basics of bicycle mechanics and earn the bike they build. They also work with the Pierce County Juvenile Court to offer a diversion program to youth, giving them a chance to learn bike maintenance skills. </div>
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Also, it can't go unsaid that in a male-dominated industry, it's refreshing and awesome to find two women, both certified bike mechanics, wrenching on bikes when you wander in. Shelbi and Emily host a twice-monthly WTF Night, inviting womxn, trans, femme, non-binary folx to come together and use the shop. This is just one example of the inclusivity found on a daily basis at 2nd Cycle.</div>
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The DIY empowerment philosophy of 2nd Cycle shines through in their artwork as well. Nearly every poster or t-shirt design has been created in-house by staff members. There is often an art+bike connection in co-op shops and 2nd Cycle is no exception.<br />
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There have been many official (and many more unofficial) events hosted by 2nd Cycle over the last decade. The nearly-annual Bike Jump fund-raising event features local legend Gaylen Turner riding his trusty bmx bike through a giant neon sign of his own creation. Other one-off events like the Worksman Criterium have given a breath of vitality to vacant lots in the area.</div>
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The shop has also played host to numerous <a href="http://kidicalmasstacoma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kidical Mass Tacoma</a> rides. Following a ride through the Hilltop Neighborhood and some playtime at McCarver Park, 100 riders returned to the shop to watch local family rock band Pig Snout! play a massively loud show. Yes, the shop even doubles as a part-time venue for local musicians and fund-raising parties. It's a pretty rad place.</div>
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Stay tuned for the next installment as we check out more community bike projects!Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-59110195224279227082019-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:002019-01-08T11:15:03.303-08:00Biking with Tiny Kids<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This post is for parents with babies around one year old that are trying to figure out how to bring their precious cargo along for the ride. Obviously, this is just what worked for me and what I was willing to do. Consider your skill level, equipment, road conditions, etc., before attempting any of this at your own risk. <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/2013/05/tacomas-helmet-law.html" target="_blank">In Tacoma, we also have a helmet law</a> that applies to all riders, so you may have to deal with that in your area, too.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've personally had success with two methods when my kids were tiny. The key was neck strength: kids need to be strong enough to hold their head up firmly when helmeted in order to handle the acceleration/braking force. Keep in mind that the helmet makes their head more top-heavy, so this is a bit different than kids riding without a helmet in a jogger stroller.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My Kid #2 was a slow grower and, early on, couldn't keep her head up comfortably with the helmet in the bike trailer. When she was about 11 months old, I would put her carrier carseat in the bike trailer facing forward. I lap-buckled the carseat in the trailer (Burley d'Lite) and left the carrier handle up like a roll bar. She was then buckled into the 5 point carseat harness as usual and </span><span style="font-weight: 600; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="gmail-_3oh- gmail-_58nk" style="user-select: text;">did not</span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> wear a helmet. This was good for slow riding (maybe 10mph) with gentle acceleration and braking (barely faster than a jogger stroller). She would often fall asleep and I could slow pedal the neighborhood for an hour on quiet streets. Some additional visuals <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/2009/01/buying-local.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Kid #3 was small but very strong. He started riding in a Yepp Mini stem-mounted kid seat at age 8 months, with a helmet. It was awesome: he was perched right in front of me and could see what I could see. I could see him point at things and tell him what they were called. I think this led to him speaking well at an early age. The downside is that those seats are hard to get fitted properly so that the parent rider isn't pedaling knees-out to avoid hitting the seat. They don't fit perfectly on every bike. I purchased my Yepp seat (and a larger one later on) from <a href="https://familycyclery.com/" target="_blank">G & O Family Cyclery in Seattle</a>, which is the go-to place to find a wide assortment of family bikes in the greater Tacoma area. Here is my son on one of his first rides. That Lazer helmet was the smallest I could find and he still needed the hat to make it snug.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are also cargobikes/boxbikes with boxes or buckets on the front or back that are perfect for carrying small kids or carrier carseats. We had a <a href="https://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/search/label/Madsen" target="_blank">Madsen "bucket bike"</a> when Kid #2 was 14 months and she sat in it with a lap buckle and helmet, along with her 3yo sis and 3yo cousin. I've seen other parents buckle carseats into the bucket and still have room for another small kid or groceries. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This is certainly not an all-inclusive post, just a summary of my experience with my own children. The one thing I will add pertains to the upfront cost of family bikes, trailers, kid seats, etc. Most of the name-brand gear holds up well and retains its value over time. The bucket bike was a about $1200 new, and we used it 5 days a week for 2 years, then sold it for $600. That was an excellent value to me (both physically, mentally, emotionally!) and just part of our transportation budget during that time.</span></span></div>
Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-56003549586264496652018-09-24T09:51:00.000-07:002018-09-24T13:24:19.054-07:00Mile after Mile at Swan Creek Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a day at <a href="https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/swan-creek-park" target="_blank">Swan Creek Park</a>! We rolled in at sun-up to setup for <a href="http://tacomabikeranch.blogspot.com/2018/08/century-swan.html" target="_blank">Century Swan</a>, an attempt at 100 one-mile laps on the paved roads of the Lister Uplands. About ten riders set off around 8:30am. Not all of us we're aiming for 100, but we all needed an early start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was pretty cool. There were riders on road bikes, city bikes, kid bikes, mountain bikes, and even one fixed gear bike. One friend came out to take photos and others brought kids and dogs to just hang-out and cheer us on. With the support tent fully stocked, we rolled on into the afternoon with plenty of breaks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The miles started taking their toll around 2pm. Some folks had reached their goals, some were adding a few bonus miles, and others were trying to dig deep to find a second wind. We were still smiling though! At lap 54, I hooked up the trailer and took my kindergartner for a few slow laps and somehow that helped get my legs ready for another 10 laps on my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By 4pm t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he little kids had all gone home, our fixed gear rider finally threw in the towel at lap 81, and only one person could still pull off the century. Jeremy rode the last two laps on his own and completed the first ever Century Swan! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was rad. We each set our own goal, we each set our own pace, but we all still rode together on this tiny course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some take-aways:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you bring a pop-up tent, it's officially a major event.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daniel can carry that pop-up tent on his road bike handlebars.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Invite everyone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Figure out who you didn't invite so you can invite them next time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There will be another Century Swan!</span></li>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-89978878884895967262018-08-06T09:09:00.002-07:002018-09-16T21:49:21.061-07:00Century Swan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You all want to ride bikes on Sunday September 23rd? I found a one mile paved loop at <a href="https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/swan-creek-park/" target="_blank">Swan Creek Park</a> and I'm going to attempt 100 laps. It's nearly flat, closed to cars, and mostly wooded - the perfect Century Swan! I'll be there at 8am by the pump track with a pop-up tent, chairs, water, tools, tubes, snacks, and hopefully a bunch of you to share the day with. Ride as much or as little as you want - it's not a race - just a reason to show Swan Creek Park some extra love. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R4NoBV_w3d5Dc7jy_JJuDlaIlxTaDhyphenhyphenWjmCMswOFBm87lBsnB-SAwYNFQTFSHxMOIHW1WVxOzAjv0BsGxKTTk4APoFUFlbZo7wA8r4vnGuSjqyAi_0FarF3aOCofG3YtKZRuHIjqIZnN/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R4NoBV_w3d5Dc7jy_JJuDlaIlxTaDhyphenhyphenWjmCMswOFBm87lBsnB-SAwYNFQTFSHxMOIHW1WVxOzAjv0BsGxKTTk4APoFUFlbZo7wA8r4vnGuSjqyAi_0FarF3aOCofG3YtKZRuHIjqIZnN/s320/IMG_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Some Details</b></i></div>
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Swan Creek Park is the second largest in Tacoma. It's enormous. There was a housing project here in the 1940s, which was razed in the 1950s. The roads remain and the housing blocks are filled with trees. Mountain bike trails have been built in recent years, but the roads are great for folks trying to put in some saddle time without getting too far from their home in Tacoma.</div>
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One perimeter lap of the purple area shown above is a nearly perfect mile and there's only 25 feet of elevation gain/drop per lap. There's just enough downhill to coast a bit and just enough uphill that you may want to shift once or twice. </div>
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The best part is that, for now, the park is closed to motorized vehicle traffic. For folks who are new to cycling, especially families that want their youngsters to work on handling and learning some Rules of the Road, this space is perfect.</div>
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Access to the park is somewhat limited. You can enter around a gate by the Lister Elementary parking lot or from a paved path at the Swan Creek Community Garden parking lot (porta-potty at this entrance also). The dot on the map above is by the pump track and the mtb trailhead (also a porta-potty location.) You can also reach Swan Creek Park on <a href="https://www.piercetransit.org/route-41-portland-ave/" target="_blank">Pierce Transit Route 41</a>.</div>
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Leave a comment if you think you can join me!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-56189784317343781912017-11-17T21:26:00.000-08:002017-12-24T10:32:57.122-08:00It's Time to Fund and Implement our Safe Routes to School Plan: An Open Letter to the Tacoma City Council<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>[I emailed this letter on 17 November, 2017, but felt it was worth sharing publicly here. To find out more about how you can advocate for better Safe Routes to School programming in Tacoma, visit <a href="https://www.pwi.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewpage&pageid=507" target="_blank">Puyallup Watershed Initiative's website</a>. -Matt]</i></div>
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<b>Subject: Please support funding for a full-time Safe Routes to School Coordinator</b></div>
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Dear Mayor Strickland, Tacoma City Council, and City Manager Pauli,</div>
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My family and I request that you please fund a full-time Safe Routes to School Coordinator position in 2018 as part of the mid-biennium budget process. </div>
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As a parent of three children, I've been walking and biking to our neighborhood schools, Grant Elementary and Jason Lee Middle School, nearly every day for 8 years. We prefer using active transportation for our school commute for many reasons: fun, exercise, fresh air, less pollution, and the chance meet and know the neighbors in our community. However, even as some of the the fortunate few in Tacoma who don't leave our neighborhood, we still struggle daily with traffic dangers around the schools. </div>
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As a ride leader for <a href="http://www.kidicalmasstacoma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kidical Mass Tacoma</a>, I have coached kids and their families on bike safety and the Rules of the Road. Our public family bike rides have happened all over Tacoma, including many areas that are underserved by bicycle infrastructure. By using school playgrounds as stopping points on our rides, I've noticed the safety challenges that many Tacoma children face when walking or biking to school. I've also talked to many parents who want to walk and bike to school with their children, but don't feel it's safe. Their concerns are valid: <a href="http://www.pwi.org/saferoutestoschoolreport" target="_blank">there is a child hit by a car every eight days in the City of Tacoma while walking or biking</a>, with crashes concentrated in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.</div>
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Over the past two years, the community came together with the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, the Puyallup Watershed Initiative Active Transportation COI, and countless partners, to develop the <a href="http://www.cityoftacoma.org/srts" target="_blank">Safe Routes to School Action Plan</a>, outlining what’s needed to address this safety crisis.</div>
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The top recommendation in the plan is for the City of Tacoma to fund and hire a full-time Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Coordinator. Without this position, there will be no one to work with the community to identify where safety improvements are needed, develop and distribute maps highlighting safe walking and bicycling routes to schools, support parents and school staff to organize SRTS programs and events, or implement the other action items outlined in the plan.</div>
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Again, on behalf of my family and the many pedal parents I have met through Kidical Mass Tacoma, please fund the Safe Routes to School Coordinator position so students and their families can get the resources and support they need and deserve.</div>
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With sincere thanks,</div>
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Matt Newport</div>
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Ride Leader/Pedal Parent</div>
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Kidical Mass Tacoma</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDWt0uM8dbFy82OjciLmzwEqNlcz1TUvgqlYcxiAeIAXe5K2AMLdG0STMBi4jTx82xcWU-_Aw6DOZ4GixKph5NL6fdVuUVpZZb1Sk0o4bAb8l9QssUH6BylFAsvDl5XnnAbA1XWulXrdp/s1600/IMG_1710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDWt0uM8dbFy82OjciLmzwEqNlcz1TUvgqlYcxiAeIAXe5K2AMLdG0STMBi4jTx82xcWU-_Aw6DOZ4GixKph5NL6fdVuUVpZZb1Sk0o4bAb8l9QssUH6BylFAsvDl5XnnAbA1XWulXrdp/s320/IMG_1710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Rodeo Skills Course sponsored by Grant PTA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BP8B8Y-8xiVOkB0oDl2VDObLw4Ckv3pV1RWlvdf0rW0wcN-XCUkU5LHqTJGHhTyO9m7q6Fa9aDM7AmbZxHOlLh9ya0SGb-bNed3jbU8Dz5n-K3hUlSSlgt8x5xGQ8xRFUxwY7X4Cs7eC/s1600/IMG_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BP8B8Y-8xiVOkB0oDl2VDObLw4Ckv3pV1RWlvdf0rW0wcN-XCUkU5LHqTJGHhTyO9m7q6Fa9aDM7AmbZxHOlLh9ya0SGb-bNed3jbU8Dz5n-K3hUlSSlgt8x5xGQ8xRFUxwY7X4Cs7eC/s320/IMG_2348.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We should not need to depend on signs like this one. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKNG-rR6duvvnMqnZp1kaDS0aU0KN1bnw9gJtE1Rpuy6VRMz3Y7qIcEm-MluQO3wtR54Mb_1MGd9q2fHI89zC4MiJCWwQa4bgfIYaQoChZbdf6PcJZ_C5cK4itN7En0dtHOd2bIGH6kZF/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKNG-rR6duvvnMqnZp1kaDS0aU0KN1bnw9gJtE1Rpuy6VRMz3Y7qIcEm-MluQO3wtR54Mb_1MGd9q2fHI89zC4MiJCWwQa4bgfIYaQoChZbdf6PcJZ_C5cK4itN7En0dtHOd2bIGH6kZF/s320/IMG_2822.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even middle schoolers can enjoy riding to school!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUCxkvrfauQOPXjWk5AIWyQ5DGIHM3_oxiyR0ki-gvDvBEMkzc5I9pczzFjUsZQmBEIRz65VcBBikjkK0LxYygAr6xj8Zxg18ZVHEYsJ9tjsccuRt-JEo1xCg-3IP6xsv1W3WABlj6eJM/s1600/IMG_8880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUCxkvrfauQOPXjWk5AIWyQ5DGIHM3_oxiyR0ki-gvDvBEMkzc5I9pczzFjUsZQmBEIRz65VcBBikjkK0LxYygAr6xj8Zxg18ZVHEYsJ9tjsccuRt-JEo1xCg-3IP6xsv1W3WABlj6eJM/s320/IMG_8880.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th graders at Grant can volunteer as crossing guards.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASazb1g7H3JDYptNYcOYxe8mryF9JEPbYrureF0akY62W9LVXgu-ryTp_8famYY8BqE-Z4R4K5QNC10X7MTy3fIR69J0ZjzbSfvnepHZHjtkmbNchcnE42b8SqbBbwrvFCWW2kJ7KWZvT/s1600/IMG_9068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASazb1g7H3JDYptNYcOYxe8mryF9JEPbYrureF0akY62W9LVXgu-ryTp_8famYY8BqE-Z4R4K5QNC10X7MTy3fIR69J0ZjzbSfvnepHZHjtkmbNchcnE42b8SqbBbwrvFCWW2kJ7KWZvT/s320/IMG_9068.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SRTS events can boost active transportation involvement and reduce car traffic</td></tr>
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<b><br />UPDATE: </b>The City of Tacoma did include the funding necessary for the SRTS Coordinator in the proposed adjusted mid-biennium budget. Below is a screen shot of the presentation slide shown at the Nov. 28, 2017, City Council meeting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKLJQtNYvLdsmyW9N5Thk9mp4O93qIbdJ0coy2qg0iLYUFh07iwzTuZHzbGxpiYTD0wMJoLrHUKq0ArBLkBnd5APWzwgRZRhnVgXrEas8fW064dcJiU4cbnKJjAlyPaMbc-cC2Il_wfhV/s1600/SRTSatTacomaCityCouncil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="985" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKLJQtNYvLdsmyW9N5Thk9mp4O93qIbdJ0coy2qg0iLYUFh07iwzTuZHzbGxpiYTD0wMJoLrHUKq0ArBLkBnd5APWzwgRZRhnVgXrEas8fW064dcJiU4cbnKJjAlyPaMbc-cC2Il_wfhV/s400/SRTSatTacomaCityCouncil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-62369761935843938852017-01-24T14:28:00.004-08:002017-01-24T14:28:55.217-08:00You'll Bike Tacoma Patches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw47cJjUrrI8taVUPGsVT5a33BOiVLknIoRHP0sofhWFHxY-0LY3nKADveWflJsGQNQmoZIQHYGqmZ9WTLWpd-t3Un8fEA2plhgHn1mDFQGUsAT1ogCyZjPKBXN7IA40XdZBqOQrDfHmS/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw47cJjUrrI8taVUPGsVT5a33BOiVLknIoRHP0sofhWFHxY-0LY3nKADveWflJsGQNQmoZIQHYGqmZ9WTLWpd-t3Un8fEA2plhgHn1mDFQGUsAT1ogCyZjPKBXN7IA40XdZBqOQrDfHmS/s400/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">In case you missed out last time, I ordered more You'll Bike Tacoma patches. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Second verse, same as the first: 1"x4" iron-on, glow-in-the dark letters, made by Falls Creek Outfitters in the USA, five dollars each. Proceeds will go to local charities that help kids. Stop me on the sidewalk or drop me a line if you need this. <matt at="" dot="" gmail="" newport=""></matt></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Thanks again to Joe Korbuszewski for collaborating!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">#Cascadia #Bike253</span></span>Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-53404634129659516362016-11-16T10:53:00.000-08:002016-11-16T11:23:27.063-08:00TWBC LegacyAbout a year ago, I was talking with a neighbor and amateur historian about what I knew of Tacoma's bicycle history. Specifically, I referenced the "World's Longest Highest and Only Exclusive Bicycle Bridge in the World" that was built by the Tacoma Wheelmen in the 1890's. To my surprise, he not only knew of the bridge, but owned an original copy of Scientific American from May 8, 1897, that highlighted this very bridge. Here is a scan of the cover and the article.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uJTSfEytid0CIODyN_MYBIxodkRKUWwd245NCnxUk7dPa5x2hbUW3MZT0bk9WBnMx7NiaB4evf2zvhK6Lhvt57eNcX2ahIHXaVlSrat-JftAXwD0pNsA5iy-4AvrcGihWLbPY2hm8g33/s1600/Scientific+American+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uJTSfEytid0CIODyN_MYBIxodkRKUWwd245NCnxUk7dPa5x2hbUW3MZT0bk9WBnMx7NiaB4evf2zvhK6Lhvt57eNcX2ahIHXaVlSrat-JftAXwD0pNsA5iy-4AvrcGihWLbPY2hm8g33/s400/Scientific+American+Cover.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yWmAr9_EkkKyz5OXldhEPm2uocIYkwkGm115cDg5d-sxf6yUSJqNSmO_3xQ7MYL3AKQ82D2OXaiysZZtcTnRE4yP-C_JacP-XqwhiOj4ezBNPSWAhl_FJyW6hTSUeGPNDuldIe1QAE7e/s1600/Scientific+American+Bridge+Article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yWmAr9_EkkKyz5OXldhEPm2uocIYkwkGm115cDg5d-sxf6yUSJqNSmO_3xQ7MYL3AKQ82D2OXaiysZZtcTnRE4yP-C_JacP-XqwhiOj4ezBNPSWAhl_FJyW6hTSUeGPNDuldIe1QAE7e/s400/Scientific+American+Bridge+Article.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Here's a partial transcription:</span></div>
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<i> "Many people from the East visit Tacoma every summer. A good proportion of them are wheelmen, and they were surprised to learn in the early part of 1896 that the Wheelmen's Association had decided upon the bridging of the gulch in the southern part of the city which leads to the good roads beyond. The nature of the riding district makes the bridging of the gulch of more importance than the casual visitor may imaging. The opening of the elevated cycle path, which had been built the preceding year, was the means of lengthening the cycle path, so that the riders have now four miles of excellent cycle path from the bridge direct to prairie roads. Since the completion of the bridge, which is the largest cycle bridge in the world, the wheelmen cannot understand how they managed to get to the prairie roads by the inconvenient old route. Many of the citizens were opposed to the building of a cycle path. There was an argument as to how the bicycle license money should be expended, and it was finally decided to construct the bridge. Some few hundreds of the wheelmen objected to the license being enforced, but they soon saw the benefits derived from the levy, and to-day there is not one of the 2,500 wheelmen who objects to the payment of the $1 per annum license.</i><br />
<i> The length of the bridge at the roadway is 330 feet, the height 110 feet, the width at the top 12 feet, the width at the bottom 50 feet. The trestle is built of 8 X 8 timbers thoroughly braced, the bents being 20 inches apart. The total cost of the bridge and approach was $984.50.</i><br />
<i> The management of the local road improvements at Tacoma is admirably divided between the Wheelmen's Association and L.A.W. The former attend to all improvements within the city limits and the L.A.W. officials take care of the outside work. The road committee is now at work with new propositions for the convenience and accommodation of the riders, and, as a result of their labors, there will be several small bridges built in Tacoma. Those constructed under the supervision of the L.A.W. will bear neatly painted signs. The wheelmen of the district desire to demonstrate their banding together for concerted action. The bridge is a fine example of what good results a little money judiciously expended could produce. It should be an incentive to those interested in good roads to prosecute the work."</i></blockquote>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The original bridge is long gone. I believe it was replaced by the Delin Street bridge, a larger structure for car traffic, which was very recently renovated to include bike lanes. </span></div>
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The Tacoma Wheelmen continued to operate as an active club for decades, had some off years, but was resurrected in 1974. Up until yesterday, they were known as TWBC, Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club. </div>
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Last night a vote of the board and general membership approved a change to the club's name to Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club, removing the gender-specific language and keeping the longstanding acronym under which they have successfully advocated for decades. They currently operate as a 501c7 non-profit and I'm personally grateful that they have sponsored <a href="http://kidicalmasstacoma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kidical Mass Tacoma</a> for the last four years.</div>
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As a member, I appreciate the more inclusive name. As cyclists we share the terrain of Tacoma with members past, present and future. Focusing on place in the club name is an excellent way for us to carry on the legacy of local riders. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3kX0Lj1mwtS3X_8Z46sqYzDU4rwJG9N6zRqp00ibi2y63sx6SlTmQyeux-9JMzkq7Q61hFgt24-EjGdGvOxBKzLHRB_dypRzNRGfJD3WlHmoh9CLIj0wrQ4OC3nUbPpZ42bY4nVS594f/s1600/Bike+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3kX0Lj1mwtS3X_8Z46sqYzDU4rwJG9N6zRqp00ibi2y63sx6SlTmQyeux-9JMzkq7Q61hFgt24-EjGdGvOxBKzLHRB_dypRzNRGfJD3WlHmoh9CLIj0wrQ4OC3nUbPpZ42bY4nVS594f/s400/Bike+bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twbc.org/Area-Trail-History" target="_blank">More local trail history on the TWBC website here</a></td></tr>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-37921475583350737782016-11-08T14:26:00.001-08:002016-11-08T14:27:51.254-08:00Phase 4 of Water Flume Line Trail Completed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrwXmdos5UKGAglTIYcdFRB8PtbBtmhmyPf1KM2Pyc14Xk0MSPdAJMslFf6pYDGcH2n9U2qtMhvhvGvfq3zhuN87uwv5pInbdKqam-ys-4aAYR8sqR-3l6ZMh0fufbP498Nr7BQ2KIB2y/s640/blogger-image--550608200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrwXmdos5UKGAglTIYcdFRB8PtbBtmhmyPf1KM2Pyc14Xk0MSPdAJMslFf6pYDGcH2n9U2qtMhvhvGvfq3zhuN87uwv5pInbdKqam-ys-4aAYR8sqR-3l6ZMh0fufbP498Nr7BQ2KIB2y/s640/blogger-image--550608200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flume Line Trail meets Prairie Line Trail here at South Tacoma Way and C Street.</td></tr>
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The Water Flume Line Trail is a connected network of multi-use paths, bike lanes and sidewalks that connects South Tacoma to Downtown Tacoma in the South Tacoma Way corridor. The newest section to be completed is Phase 4, along S. Tacoma Way from C Street to M Street. This section is in the form of a wide multi-use elevated sidewalk. My son and I rode this section of trail for the first time today (Election Day!)</div>
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Here is a visual tour of the Phase 4 section which is now open for use. There's <a href="http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?pageId=72019" target="_blank">more information about Phase 3 and 4</a> on the City of Tacoma's website.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUMawILmUPJFv-pI1Osh_LpX4l8xu87TVAjffxaXlAO1szzu99YQ00JrD3L0xniq7mF86QlXj_zyg7hlFL0Ra7gYl-SmoKh30nbKmL0RlPfxHGh9_RV88J8RuBX63Vk2OAFHOpkl82KYN/s640/blogger-image-1067967204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUMawILmUPJFv-pI1Osh_LpX4l8xu87TVAjffxaXlAO1szzu99YQ00JrD3L0xniq7mF86QlXj_zyg7hlFL0Ra7gYl-SmoKh30nbKmL0RlPfxHGh9_RV88J8RuBX63Vk2OAFHOpkl82KYN/s640/blogger-image-1067967204.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking uphill from C Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4IJADW3OfQHNCyiE3njVr3p85FRrhCUNEq_puNRJkPl3tSAg-hR4h20cQGPdRQcw5_nd7Eg5lqpMLBtiWZ_E8AN9bEzmvbytS-OV99EXYCkakjOXB19bo51ZU_rZSJcPvJ_YGQO99o9M/s640/blogger-image--2132671399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4IJADW3OfQHNCyiE3njVr3p85FRrhCUNEq_puNRJkPl3tSAg-hR4h20cQGPdRQcw5_nd7Eg5lqpMLBtiWZ_E8AN9bEzmvbytS-OV99EXYCkakjOXB19bo51ZU_rZSJcPvJ_YGQO99o9M/s640/blogger-image--2132671399.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrier separates bikes/pedestrians from car traffic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcisP-IMh1teeD6fgewNAACCWEJaBBndzfIRvUbVblwpUBMl8o-9mxblxKgunuQ0N2URrSprgX06327DPf5VY7bJVa8qe1U-_2iOQ3G8fSHN7IPrk7Ie_ZwK6g7YMe7fAyE_6wN4qK9Buc/s640/blogger-image--1169239216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcisP-IMh1teeD6fgewNAACCWEJaBBndzfIRvUbVblwpUBMl8o-9mxblxKgunuQ0N2URrSprgX06327DPf5VY7bJVa8qe1U-_2iOQ3G8fSHN7IPrk7Ie_ZwK6g7YMe7fAyE_6wN4qK9Buc/s640/blogger-image--1169239216.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back downhill. Plenty of room for all users.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zur9d0pKW8Dq9FOfI5g1E4PD4Nj1QdxfL9sbmP-_tKqZkzDaMUOOBaJ-GNlPaIZZGl0USWgDRZXrVBIxyAm7J66fGRZXvFPX1uD6XUkodrS-J7lSbAm5f-nz1XOKaw9S6onbEXk6NuEb/s640/blogger-image--656806279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zur9d0pKW8Dq9FOfI5g1E4PD4Nj1QdxfL9sbmP-_tKqZkzDaMUOOBaJ-GNlPaIZZGl0USWgDRZXrVBIxyAm7J66fGRZXvFPX1uD6XUkodrS-J7lSbAm5f-nz1XOKaw9S6onbEXk6NuEb/s640/blogger-image--656806279.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscaping is going in today. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSFcPERQdRRBYUs_7E4sYbMfAj8quOBwwdyITQtdmf8TLdDVi6YVguEF45Fgcee2XV-XsqEefzZYCCreQULroYuLogZPfx32K0TkEKc6k7YKN-F3seDNBQBlGnh9_tp5RzGkRDuavTy0m/s640/blogger-image--299136240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSFcPERQdRRBYUs_7E4sYbMfAj8quOBwwdyITQtdmf8TLdDVi6YVguEF45Fgcee2XV-XsqEefzZYCCreQULroYuLogZPfx32K0TkEKc6k7YKN-F3seDNBQBlGnh9_tp5RzGkRDuavTy0m/s640/blogger-image--299136240.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near M Street. Lots of space for users to navigate around each other.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlhdlQyhz_qDWmdkcD1aZ3jYGHf58pPx0vkMPakTQSw_3_bIzwQxvxRqKAhyD6CVkz2xgYXORLIgDSz8V1jz8FIKdgGN7CBqxoFTf8FfUUYIW9U6yJ3v-m0K1m3ta_OYqQ1TWskoPUloV/s640/blogger-image--1613654577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlhdlQyhz_qDWmdkcD1aZ3jYGHf58pPx0vkMPakTQSw_3_bIzwQxvxRqKAhyD6CVkz2xgYXORLIgDSz8V1jz8FIKdgGN7CBqxoFTf8FfUUYIW9U6yJ3v-m0K1m3ta_OYqQ1TWskoPUloV/s640/blogger-image--1613654577.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Route Ends (for now), but Phase 3 will continue this path from M Street to Pine Street.</td></tr>
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<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-88041170517421777572016-10-21T11:29:00.001-07:002016-10-21T11:29:42.658-07:00Bike Counters in TacomaThere are three bike counters in Tacoma. They are located underground and are activated every time a bicycle rides over it. You'll notice a diamond shaped cut in the road surface, but otherwise they are unmarked.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Division Ave Bike Lanes (both directions) near G Street</li>
<li>Park Ave (both directions) just north of S 56th St </li>
<li>Flume Line Trail just south of S 56th St</li>
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A fourth counter will be located in the McKinley Neighborhood when part of the Pipeline Trail is paved in the next few years.<br />
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Here's a map:<br />
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<iframe height="400" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1NQ9Tunqvm6k5K63D68EoI6JQ2bE" width="400"></iframe><br />
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The City of Tacoma collects data from the bike counters. The data can be used to evaluate trends in bike ridership. If you live, commute, or generally travel near one of these three locations, consider altering your route so that you can show the City you were riding in that neighborhood. Make your ride count!Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-54844544096032681872016-08-13T21:01:00.000-07:002016-08-18T12:51:01.975-07:00A Courage Classic Adventure Weekend<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cmXPE468vnB4QPcgQxBrWYpyQb-BpYMNA2vrrgq11KuBhdwLpz9fTS2WPk3BBsW-yyaOJbyjIWvyR4YugM1HcczGe9SRC7Ytf160d7LKNU6Ae4w4d6_3Jf6Aau8AP6L_IB4uIqattN_Z/s1600/IMG_0200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cmXPE468vnB4QPcgQxBrWYpyQb-BpYMNA2vrrgq11KuBhdwLpz9fTS2WPk3BBsW-yyaOJbyjIWvyR4YugM1HcczGe9SRC7Ytf160d7LKNU6Ae4w4d6_3Jf6Aau8AP6L_IB4uIqattN_Z/s320/IMG_0200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://monologue.zenfolio.com/" target="_blank">Monologue Photography</a></td></tr>
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My oldest child Gwen (10) and I had an amazing overnight biking adventure over the Cascade mountains as part of the 25th annual <a href="http://www.courageclassic.org/" target="_blank">Courage Classic bike ride</a>. The ride is the primary source of funding for the Child Abuse Intervention Department at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, WA, our hometown. The CAID center provides free services to children who may otherwise never seek help from all types of abuse. I've participated in this event more than a few times and Gwen was thrilled when the organizers created a one-day all-trail option of the ride in 2015, for beginners and families.<br />
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Last summer my then 9 yo daughter pushed herself to the limits by pedaling her folding bike 30 miles to the summit of Snoqualmie Pass. The ride was a struggle - the gravel trails and relentless uphill grade was an emotional and physical battle that she only just barely won. But as soon a we finished, she was talking about how she'd be back for more next year. The kid is a badass.<br />
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So for 2016, Gwen decided we should try and form a team to encourage other kids and parents to ride with us. Kids riding for kids! We only found two teammates, but you can <a href="https://bicyclebungeeusa.com/blogs/news/courage-classic-gravel-riding-to-the-snoqualmie-summit" target="_blank">read about their awesome adventure with a bicycle bungee</a> here. <br />
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We then plotted our own two-day, partially self-supported ride up and over Snoqualmie Pass. Day 1 we would be Courage Classic Lite riders, letting volunteers from UPS carry our camping gear over the mountains as we joined the Fat Tire First Day riders on the gravel trails from North Bend to Cle Elum using a tandem we borrowed from Tom, a fellow Courage rider. Then on Day 2 we would pack all of our own gear back over the pass on the tandem self-supported. This ended up being a bumpy 136-mile overnight adventure that I hope we never forget.<br />
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If you haven't had a chance to donate, or need to make good on a pledge, you can still #StandWithCourage and contribute to Gwen's fundraising efforts until Sept 30, 2016 using this link:<br />
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<b><a href="http://courageclassic.kintera.org/2016/gwennewport">http://courageclassic.kintera.org/2016/gwennewport</a></b><br />
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She's trying to reach $1000 and is so close to meeting her goal. I had never done anything like this at her age and more than once shed a few proud parent tears on the trail. Here's a quick photo montage to show you the highs and lows of our journey.<br />
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<b>Day 1: 67.4 mi, 2841 ft up, 1145 ft down</b><br />
<b>North Bend to Cle Elum</b><br />
<b><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/bTqNoQhwWE12">https://goo.gl/maps/bTqNoQhwWE12</a></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC7F5IFmcKX0kWjRmZeIVzSk1o2QESfwVWdNPR0vXbPbPVss9cBbWiFjlwB4hzAaDGioVQUKZDgy3cqSbUNSkOfSQrPzOUoDzreBgclTJnbSws21Z5HvprOAPx30Hz_GRbUjlDgON7NcO/s1600/IMG_8143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC7F5IFmcKX0kWjRmZeIVzSk1o2QESfwVWdNPR0vXbPbPVss9cBbWiFjlwB4hzAaDGioVQUKZDgy3cqSbUNSkOfSQrPzOUoDzreBgclTJnbSws21Z5HvprOAPx30Hz_GRbUjlDgON7NcO/s320/IMG_8143.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzLldk2VsvjWRxnJuaJBqMFxO9OIooa4-JT9t7SJxIoLGMA30Fs0L4uLE_KS9x6XZZdb9ziq-6ksEp06rk1EBxJorGOd5DwNvkAwrVxmEmIngg86jV7Q_7j_Wm9AcH2YHjFhsPAQSIwBE/s1600/IMG_8145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzLldk2VsvjWRxnJuaJBqMFxO9OIooa4-JT9t7SJxIoLGMA30Fs0L4uLE_KS9x6XZZdb9ziq-6ksEp06rk1EBxJorGOd5DwNvkAwrVxmEmIngg86jV7Q_7j_Wm9AcH2YHjFhsPAQSIwBE/s320/IMG_8145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance Break or Break Dance?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kBDkzh9xx8jtvKNxJ5a5PcxTqGJU5I9EWp8-ZJlVnLOhJO33BFPNhO-q3RrbJ1-xdp0rCJ-hfZllSMbo_MsRJcYZDCHQ0YB1-2QP27x_VKN_Dsvixqv5xU3HBFYjGzLrNGAqaUQ7_8hL/s1600/IMG_8147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kBDkzh9xx8jtvKNxJ5a5PcxTqGJU5I9EWp8-ZJlVnLOhJO33BFPNhO-q3RrbJ1-xdp0rCJ-hfZllSMbo_MsRJcYZDCHQ0YB1-2QP27x_VKN_Dsvixqv5xU3HBFYjGzLrNGAqaUQ7_8hL/s320/IMG_8147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. 10 miles in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCEb-NogkDmDwnOAeXZTjq9tkAS1gXggajVLpdL6oEU-SoNdjrKWgtOtQBeKBgFKuLsyFkJDz3Rp_Gj5Z1SMm2Z0WlRx7gsfinm9JhTiqUASoKkVJsLjLV7lgAIVR9JzsjWSvxbgy7KRa/s1600/IMG_8148.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCEb-NogkDmDwnOAeXZTjq9tkAS1gXggajVLpdL6oEU-SoNdjrKWgtOtQBeKBgFKuLsyFkJDz3Rp_Gj5Z1SMm2Z0WlRx7gsfinm9JhTiqUASoKkVJsLjLV7lgAIVR9JzsjWSvxbgy7KRa/s320/IMG_8148.mp4" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught her pulling a fast one but she was shocked when I told her this would be allowed. Periodically.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDspeVF4R-1Xi91nH2k0fdAX1DwL6XxE1LKJlWu4StrZS0CebF8-ae091QoFy7wXtiYLPZZ0JqklVmR7RuI9crwQBNVibZk0_2K_2H2pn2ueQPtwYcpPsZ987nEas0OfoBC2HNm4l6pkzv/s1600/IMG_8160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDspeVF4R-1Xi91nH2k0fdAX1DwL6XxE1LKJlWu4StrZS0CebF8-ae091QoFy7wXtiYLPZZ0JqklVmR7RuI9crwQBNVibZk0_2K_2H2pn2ueQPtwYcpPsZ987nEas0OfoBC2HNm4l6pkzv/s320/IMG_8160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More stopping and stretching, because it's hard to get out of the saddle for a butt break on the tandem when the entire ride is uphill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqzfQ2TOJ0_wutgDetg8_yXW7ZQkVdYfC6lJLz6QXjNbLccX1WWNdqZXERj0YouV0ruSrXl6cqKwaHZGx9DGSKa4tPESRi4iQdL3sTzT5EKsY0rLWUUsfO5Axw8sxJN1gFUvD0aI9Id-W/s1600/IMG_8161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqzfQ2TOJ0_wutgDetg8_yXW7ZQkVdYfC6lJLz6QXjNbLccX1WWNdqZXERj0YouV0ruSrXl6cqKwaHZGx9DGSKa4tPESRi4iQdL3sTzT5EKsY0rLWUUsfO5Axw8sxJN1gFUvD0aI9Id-W/s320/IMG_8161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West entrance of the Snoqualmie Tunnel, 2.5 miles long. It's freakin' dark in there and she couldn't see anything because I was in the way the whole time. Try closing your eyes and pedaling for 15 minutes...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhCBnxYN46f9y3L_pZWpAXp6PR6Ba7lxgzrpKCCaVlNP8E-YviPKa98y7hYqfctxpXIh0Ub9DsDd4xy8acNQj201J0-5h-1p1C9zkPq1pVHS_59oMNmyS03krj7KF5FpTJZ0eXuIcPn3r/s1600/IMG_8166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhCBnxYN46f9y3L_pZWpAXp6PR6Ba7lxgzrpKCCaVlNP8E-YviPKa98y7hYqfctxpXIh0Ub9DsDd4xy8acNQj201J0-5h-1p1C9zkPq1pVHS_59oMNmyS03krj7KF5FpTJZ0eXuIcPn3r/s320/IMG_8166.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit lunch! We found volunteer Mark here shadowing the director. Last year he was the trail sweeper and zen master who helped get Gwen to the summit, so it was fitting that we got to see him here again. Riding high, making good time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYY-yuWg9CaeOvPLSwTE1XaxnpfpmsJ4c0ZIIsa4RIK4HZ4q3ij7VrV5oKYCgY9H7uH8Hs4Il4Fc-L4TEbho9yjAUia1faMM9SyGhLm8x4NFMEKeu4PJ6ViAvvPJWo85ytb8egs7bAUg6/s1600/IMG_8174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYY-yuWg9CaeOvPLSwTE1XaxnpfpmsJ4c0ZIIsa4RIK4HZ4q3ij7VrV5oKYCgY9H7uH8Hs4Il4Fc-L4TEbho9yjAUia1faMM9SyGhLm8x4NFMEKeu4PJ6ViAvvPJWo85ytb8egs7bAUg6/s320/IMG_8174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keechelus Lake heading east. Downhill, but the gravel makes it feel flat.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1PdykclAAybAdYq5N75foFQ9cX6IbZi_Ve_RaFqQbeBa3utZev6B2d5sL_Wz7PBX_DqfuQ7vkn01pUgTeOogD5EbXA-8iQrsUgvHjlMXgcw5UVarO1dtVk-KDu2KDpQnM8myT-Th99dg/s1600/IMG_8176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1PdykclAAybAdYq5N75foFQ9cX6IbZi_Ve_RaFqQbeBa3utZev6B2d5sL_Wz7PBX_DqfuQ7vkn01pUgTeOogD5EbXA-8iQrsUgvHjlMXgcw5UVarO1dtVk-KDu2KDpQnM8myT-Th99dg/s320/IMG_8176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rails to Trails! This used to be the Milwaukee Line from Chicago. She still excited, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZBKvKIIzsrTCrIz_kRTyRJZLl3HFTjeKVkUGk-kabYBT_VP0qAwtc0gYBrx_3cljW1c6N1RenVaRguDLc7Se1f0z-0FO1iqITdbTF5UiNFhHMW76fKzQzwHTxnG2qIjrdl4k0uMlOrDp/s1600/IMG_8182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZBKvKIIzsrTCrIz_kRTyRJZLl3HFTjeKVkUGk-kabYBT_VP0qAwtc0gYBrx_3cljW1c6N1RenVaRguDLc7Se1f0z-0FO1iqITdbTF5UiNFhHMW76fKzQzwHTxnG2qIjrdl4k0uMlOrDp/s320/IMG_8182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 50 miles in and hitting the wall, we stopped to watch some trains. We really needed to find that afternoon rest stop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpJDDn4y8828Tp81GA7tb1n4g13Q1lhjQ7UahzPnt2s9AcRmWeXEJtdS_RbHYbd9WkewtKybt5R8_4Wb1VSP1oSttpBzyx3VO4PNVMGz9EJOjouWYFMoLONP2BUIBHzKw9bCbgggX47sM/s1600/IMG_8185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpJDDn4y8828Tp81GA7tb1n4g13Q1lhjQ7UahzPnt2s9AcRmWeXEJtdS_RbHYbd9WkewtKybt5R8_4Wb1VSP1oSttpBzyx3VO4PNVMGz9EJOjouWYFMoLONP2BUIBHzKw9bCbgggX47sM/s320/IMG_8185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG. We finally found the ice cream...an entire chest freezer full of it. Thanks Rotarians! Biggest save of the weekend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1YAW8RTeD9rHu6TfsuhpKU1ZbTa3Rur7ZTh_3Ujx7NiOsHnv83zAlSgb7pZ2oJYUbHZudzo4GxYL1S0rw7UK6z4xcOYSga7BcbP2Mexs90oA0uQMA5MezFm8_1zyKfJ1-G6PmaEZi9bV/s1600/IMG_8226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1YAW8RTeD9rHu6TfsuhpKU1ZbTa3Rur7ZTh_3Ujx7NiOsHnv83zAlSgb7pZ2oJYUbHZudzo4GxYL1S0rw7UK6z4xcOYSga7BcbP2Mexs90oA0uQMA5MezFm8_1zyKfJ1-G6PmaEZi9bV/s320/IMG_8226.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it. Post-dinner smiles of exhaustion. Photo by Tom, who loaned us his tandem. We tent camped at Sundacia with the main pack of riders and had a cold night's sleep. I had underpacked knowing we'd pay for every extra pound of gear on Day 2.</td></tr>
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<b>Day 2: 68.9 mi, 1624 ft up, 3320 ft down</b></div>
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<div>
<b>Cle Elum to North Bend</b><br />
<b><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rYMUu8urR7y">https://goo.gl/maps/rYMUu8urR7y</a></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqu4GnRFfGfHw74JQ3RVrqigR5xf_uq53C_oCuEB19kT9Lj7ufoMBDDyrG3eV6bV5VpQG0Ale3hC5zHTXgQCqYZcRnsIA0n6feEd9xWilmTD21Gh_M_34BQQ0e5XeM3muTwM234_rfEW_/s1600/IMG_2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqu4GnRFfGfHw74JQ3RVrqigR5xf_uq53C_oCuEB19kT9Lj7ufoMBDDyrG3eV6bV5VpQG0Ale3hC5zHTXgQCqYZcRnsIA0n6feEd9xWilmTD21Gh_M_34BQQ0e5XeM3muTwM234_rfEW_/s320/IMG_2523.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling through Cle Elum on our way out of town. G wearing all of her layers. Photo by <a href="http://monologue.zenfolio.com/" target="_blank">Monologue Photography.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3rJG0UnAzYwIhzbIqgwjggB4bg0m4xOqlraDkn9RWRd_RIikHObm9jSSIHpMVON8-4JEHy-yByIhxTsL_zBVfOkmDXQUpWeCWHUCMLc8eJ1aINM-jFMdltJqcvC3L__rxwE0OSu-xp6/s1600/IMG_8187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj3rJG0UnAzYwIhzbIqgwjggB4bg0m4xOqlraDkn9RWRd_RIikHObm9jSSIHpMVON8-4JEHy-yByIhxTsL_zBVfOkmDXQUpWeCWHUCMLc8eJ1aINM-jFMdltJqcvC3L__rxwE0OSu-xp6/s320/IMG_8187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the John Wayne Trail. Own it, Kid. You are a badass. This is hard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY9RMOOKbWmfQ48Lb66SB0isfcqUavl5L8hUCsXuhwSNRp5ck2379A5MU_lCDk9IoazsjzrTgvEmIhcfHIOEl-DkTvC-33svcCh1raEjSTfEXvgukf4bzF8WUXbdbtetaPm27BY1OEDjQ/s1600/IMG_8188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY9RMOOKbWmfQ48Lb66SB0isfcqUavl5L8hUCsXuhwSNRp5ck2379A5MU_lCDk9IoazsjzrTgvEmIhcfHIOEl-DkTvC-33svcCh1raEjSTfEXvgukf4bzF8WUXbdbtetaPm27BY1OEDjQ/s320/IMG_8188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gates to ride around at most road crossings. NBD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvgsLoLKe3hrbJ3Pv0T1bQ15jSjetx0DmU3ECQd6__3dYNukAqGae1jro88YS90FquJUSy0c4vbvqBLIuk-q50e0zcJ9bpYmNyryFFJ7B0LCO9a58jiSd_4Splrd6XDgcs78tB91GUius/s1600/IMG_8190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvgsLoLKe3hrbJ3Pv0T1bQ15jSjetx0DmU3ECQd6__3dYNukAqGae1jro88YS90FquJUSy0c4vbvqBLIuk-q50e0zcJ9bpYmNyryFFJ7B0LCO9a58jiSd_4Splrd6XDgcs78tB91GUius/s320/IMG_8190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at a stream to make good on a promise I hadn't been able to keep on Day 1. That water was coooold.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmiB8KKOk56SdQwbpn0JxSh1SMVNMl2o0OILiYkRRJH6mOmIHAFcCXiy1mNZwBXNVPrKWZqykOVdb2WmSkpMEfnAf5HkjJyqrN8gJDq0QYjpRsOqZDr62mjSNCNygM2QSerKr9BsZU5Rc/s1600/IMG_8193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmiB8KKOk56SdQwbpn0JxSh1SMVNMl2o0OILiYkRRJH6mOmIHAFcCXiy1mNZwBXNVPrKWZqykOVdb2WmSkpMEfnAf5HkjJyqrN8gJDq0QYjpRsOqZDr62mjSNCNygM2QSerKr9BsZU5Rc/s320/IMG_8193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west, near Easton Trailhead. Gwen had lost her gloves in here somewhere on Day 1, but I found them on Day 2: one was trailside and the other was 4 miles away at the trailhead!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87pdD6EsBfRK4nLkN_2VOLLxzML9NZnd1U-4eG_S5zzS3BehLsmCRm6TO3vSXlJmeV-wEmYnLxjPBqSBc0R43ZyozhJQ2ZRx_yw78LKVv1B4lLhCDQ1aCVKVC68e_qxDKarlv8kgZcTUu/s1600/IMG_8195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87pdD6EsBfRK4nLkN_2VOLLxzML9NZnd1U-4eG_S5zzS3BehLsmCRm6TO3vSXlJmeV-wEmYnLxjPBqSBc0R43ZyozhJQ2ZRx_yw78LKVv1B4lLhCDQ1aCVKVC68e_qxDKarlv8kgZcTUu/s320/IMG_8195.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yo TWBC, I got your back.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxQ7KAoYqypjFWHzhYjP9_r8uvzVYq3uQB6-QvVzIojsFpT_NcDV7ddD5p-B-mwy2UErpGqgBuEmZy8XOJq_Gkr2aQKPGSeAH3DmNEfvI4nayW_Uh_xK8OmVhHL1KBkqh-OpvkY0woSS7/s1600/IMG_8196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxQ7KAoYqypjFWHzhYjP9_r8uvzVYq3uQB6-QvVzIojsFpT_NcDV7ddD5p-B-mwy2UErpGqgBuEmZy8XOJq_Gkr2aQKPGSeAH3DmNEfvI4nayW_Uh_xK8OmVhHL1KBkqh-OpvkY0woSS7/s320/IMG_8196.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunnel selfeez!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQoiJhN6fx0-YLrgE3xkofgNSyMbEKS1nBZDd16Cri3cqy_prLB06SEG8OFCMMLGQZqrTvgLl8rgeVvpxJ5zUqLC-79dA_7IvxMigSHDMUcM-C44Lw7rlNFh_FRu1_qhDd-1UwjEGQC_E/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQoiJhN6fx0-YLrgE3xkofgNSyMbEKS1nBZDd16Cri3cqy_prLB06SEG8OFCMMLGQZqrTvgLl8rgeVvpxJ5zUqLC-79dA_7IvxMigSHDMUcM-C44Lw7rlNFh_FRu1_qhDd-1UwjEGQC_E/s320/IMG_8200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Easton. Ok, yeah, dads take selfies, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz74Mtu2XfDEk5Wtf5LZ5v-lfBjY31syRzxXte7YtxxPtd-UkN3VYqaArzDEA8d3Nf0Rr-DEvZpvT9CAngD3LqTEuexlLzpvTehftYGJJgRSdbJvBqT7rR6XR01xtCXI4paA5qoOyfYOXL/s1600/IMG_8202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz74Mtu2XfDEk5Wtf5LZ5v-lfBjY31syRzxXte7YtxxPtd-UkN3VYqaArzDEA8d3Nf0Rr-DEvZpvT9CAngD3LqTEuexlLzpvTehftYGJJgRSdbJvBqT7rR6XR01xtCXI4paA5qoOyfYOXL/s320/IMG_8202.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting tired again. These old rail mile markers show how far away you are from Chicago. We deduced that the Hyak Trailhead at the summit was around Mile 2115. Still 13 miles to go! This was about the point where we started binge eating Swedish Fish candies and making up songs. Delirium was setting in...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81wXsVxjX_eEW4NUhiy9a3AnfAul4Q1dDUiJWl5ZQ0K5BAklFC0WI9qZhyoERFTspLWiBGjzzKBYcYPbNVnTA6VbE1s4NRgi4oCan2zw2BAa5Vll5gGbL-WToSuXlPRW-gx3dEh2O9WNy/s1600/IMG_8204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81wXsVxjX_eEW4NUhiy9a3AnfAul4Q1dDUiJWl5ZQ0K5BAklFC0WI9qZhyoERFTspLWiBGjzzKBYcYPbNVnTA6VbE1s4NRgi4oCan2zw2BAa5Vll5gGbL-WToSuXlPRW-gx3dEh2O9WNy/s320/IMG_8204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Gene was doing the same thing we were: riding back with his gear on Day 2. We told him to meet us at the summit for lunch, not realizing that the restaurant was about 500 vertical feet up from the Snoqualmie Tunnel trailhead. It was a brutal 2.5 mile climb on the tandem, but lunch at The Commonwealth Cafe was worth it. We also loaded up on treats and got ice cream at the gas station across the street. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoqualmie Tunnel, east entrance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from one of many enormous trestle bridges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombing down the western slope, we nearly didn't recognize our friend Madi as she was pedaling up the slope, heading out on a bike camping trip, too. We stopped to chat and she captured this photo at one of our emotional high points. Seeing friends on the trail was a huge spirit booster after a long weekend in the saddle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boom! Back in North Bend, still standing, still smiling, tired but stronger. So good.</td></tr>
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<b>Totals: 136.3 miles, 4465 feet up & down, 6 tunnels, 2 days, 1 dad, 1 daughter, 1 bike, and tons of Courage.</b><br />
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-31343508577007924922016-06-28T13:37:00.002-07:002016-06-29T14:31:57.062-07:00Kids Pedaling for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFoTfVGgyMXGAywdljjzHooI-1n6EYOMmnwMvwGYNdxeiqgjfZzH60tuVElVeTRagF9eMTZ9PTQvbpiBEAn67hImiOBTcInt5Qj5IZa2uNIfyxLELvPeHVUtnl2CTBkONN_FnrySOb-eP/s640/blogger-image-288090576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFoTfVGgyMXGAywdljjzHooI-1n6EYOMmnwMvwGYNdxeiqgjfZzH60tuVElVeTRagF9eMTZ9PTQvbpiBEAn67hImiOBTcInt5Qj5IZa2uNIfyxLELvPeHVUtnl2CTBkONN_FnrySOb-eP/s320/blogger-image-288090576.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My daughter Gwen (10) has twisted my tiny bike rider arm and we're pedaling Courage Classic Lite again on August 6. This year we're going to double-down in every way: riding a tandem together and riding 60 miles to the summit and back.</div>
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The "Lite" version is the shorter one-day all-trail version of the amazing 3-day <a href="https://www.multicare.org/courage-classic/" target="_blank">Courage Classic</a> ride over the Cascade Mountains. Both rides raise money to directly fund the Child Abuse Intervention Department at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, WA, our hometown. We're pedaling to stop the cycle of child abuse in Pierce County. </div>
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Last year Gwen pushed herself to the limits on this ride, pedaling her little folding bike 30 miles to the summit of Snoqualmie Pass. It was an extremely emotional and physical journey for her. </div>
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You can <a href="http://courageclassic.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1141585&supid=419467935" target="_blank">donate to Gwen's fundraising efforts here</a>, but she's also looking for other kids, parents, and kids-at-heart to join her Kidical Mass Tacoma team as Courage Classic Lite riders and fundraisers. <a href="http://courageclassic.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1141585&lis=1&kntae1141585=DD433C9C2345464A888BE344E86DAD8B&supId=0&team=6734671&cj=Y" target="_blank">Join us!</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqfY_eyKiLn9Aew0hocIwUMi4qjVh6FXrvsX4CJFD-zs4K1WiBdeSy1yeX3J0c769GzF8ru1nHr3ORnG_NaKYbvESPqy4VXjP3ICBOBdBN4onA4Xuo0KzndYyy7e1gRFqd0jHQFrtmlNd/s1600/IMG_4390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqfY_eyKiLn9Aew0hocIwUMi4qjVh6FXrvsX4CJFD-zs4K1WiBdeSy1yeX3J0c769GzF8ru1nHr3ORnG_NaKYbvESPqy4VXjP3ICBOBdBN4onA4Xuo0KzndYyy7e1gRFqd0jHQFrtmlNd/s320/IMG_4390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The "Lite" route takes you up the Snoqualimie Valley Trail and John Wayne Pioneer Trail, which are closed to motorized vehicles. The trails offer some stunning views as you cross old trestle bridges on your way up, up, up to the Snoqualmie Tunnel, the nation's longest people-only rail tunnel. It's 2 miles long and completely dark inside - you have to bring lights! Once through the tunnel you'll be treated to a great lunch, a shuttle back to the start point (for 30 mile riders), or go back through the tunnel and enjoy the descent you've earned (60 mile riders.) We may even drive over to Cle Elum and camp with the 3-day riders to show our support for them. It's gonna be a long day in the saddle, but I know it will be worth it.</div>
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So <a href="http://courageclassic.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1141585&supid=419467935" target="_blank">Donate!</a> <a href="http://courageclassic.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1141585&lis=1&kntae1141585=DD433C9C2345464A888BE344E86DAD8B&supId=0&team=6734671&cj=Y" target="_blank">Join our Team!</a> And THANKS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLeyrGH841x8fZtt0_ePCaHiALX52UgHk-Dr6T1Ztp-FxnjPze9fa78-HrxhGqcfm4dayBvg_BvGVqStDgO1WGYfpD-VeLu5oGKsyuwdFJgj4QUYg6lQXc4erSZSFfnTriPG5G_FC-Vwm/s1600/11226568_1478110922502650_1175712133309190155_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLeyrGH841x8fZtt0_ePCaHiALX52UgHk-Dr6T1Ztp-FxnjPze9fa78-HrxhGqcfm4dayBvg_BvGVqStDgO1WGYfpD-VeLu5oGKsyuwdFJgj4QUYg6lQXc4erSZSFfnTriPG5G_FC-Vwm/s320/11226568_1478110922502650_1175712133309190155_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-2045441755373766102016-06-05T10:13:00.001-07:002016-06-08T14:21:47.278-07:00Pipeline Trail Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There's a ton of buzz lately about trails in Pierce County and Tacoma. Evergreen Mountain Bike has partnered with Metroparks Tacoma to expand and improve <a href="https://www.evergreenmtb.org/trails/swan-creek-park" target="_blank">mountain bike trails at Swan Creek Park</a>, the <a href="http://www.pwi.org/collaboratives/active-transportation/" target="_blank">Puyallup Watershed Initiative</a> is looking at how we can build a trail network to reach Mount Rainier from Tacoma, and long-time advocates are <a href="http://www.twbc.org/page-1840975" target="_blank">helping to find funds to finish the missing links.</a>.</div>
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One piece of the trail puzzle is the Pipeline Trail corridor, which connects East Tacoma to South Hill in Puyallup. The land is owned by Tacoma Public Utilities and Pierce County, but the water pipeline right-of-way is open to the public for non-motorized use. You can add the trail to your Pierce County Bike Map by connecting the dots of Pipeline Road. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3duf3lh3b9h0WZTGU6sUxPuyB2Dp4qWFVmR2dRgIurs-QcDDAcpnWw6nFp6O2J3uWZfONXA3V7PDPMhb_UweuqnRl1QiguTRAmO7a8ymPROGz6Yy0IxMG2KMFeW1IOiM69UBePKfkKbH/s640/blogger-image-2132267382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3duf3lh3b9h0WZTGU6sUxPuyB2Dp4qWFVmR2dRgIurs-QcDDAcpnWw6nFp6O2J3uWZfONXA3V7PDPMhb_UweuqnRl1QiguTRAmO7a8ymPROGz6Yy0IxMG2KMFeW1IOiM69UBePKfkKbH/s640/blogger-image-2132267382.jpg" /></a></div>
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TWBC member and trail guru Bob Myrick offered to show me the Pipeline Trail corridor and some of the other trails that can connect Tacoma to Puyallup. We were joined by another rider, Kent, who had also never been on this route. Bob was vague on details, but suggested we bring water and fat tires. "I'll get you back to the salt water at the end." Bob leads a mean boondoggle and Kent and I were game for an adventure. (There's a rough map of our route at the bottom with points of interest.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kI8A6IT9b6Ks_Seu4YjiyTatDRhF_STWUCDCmz6zrdiSumcq0mBs4hsvsBWJmqgXpOiSe1u8wUD7Ue7_RUf5XivlJCY8mfGQ22dcqZlUt00sVFoXTrNCQt_yNwn2y9f-Z8HtL_wY05Id/s640/blogger-image--1658473445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kI8A6IT9b6Ks_Seu4YjiyTatDRhF_STWUCDCmz6zrdiSumcq0mBs4hsvsBWJmqgXpOiSe1u8wUD7Ue7_RUf5XivlJCY8mfGQ22dcqZlUt00sVFoXTrNCQt_yNwn2y9f-Z8HtL_wY05Id/s640/blogger-image--1658473445.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Pipeline Trail starts out as barricaded doubletrack segments from E 40th Street in the McKinley Hill neighborhood and heads southeast. Kent had no idea what Bob had meant by "the gates," but we both found out very quickly. You'll have to lift your bike over many of these barricades for the first few miles, though there are a few places where you can walk around. There's lots of broken glass in places, but we managed to complete the whole day without any flats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV0MnGfJvy9IOXx5Du3Hdq3zxY2HR7fnaURXsrG1EVDxgV2eQOVHhnx2vcae3XtZOWoTc_SGMPZcrUvMe_7seyOsQXDrAL-GOQKg03BwoXwKBF3kH_NZhfs-VLQJro_PQXWeyvecUqMlS/s640/blogger-image-1638267078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV0MnGfJvy9IOXx5Du3Hdq3zxY2HR7fnaURXsrG1EVDxgV2eQOVHhnx2vcae3XtZOWoTc_SGMPZcrUvMe_7seyOsQXDrAL-GOQKg03BwoXwKBF3kH_NZhfs-VLQJro_PQXWeyvecUqMlS/s640/blogger-image-1638267078.jpg" /></a></div>
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As you reach the more rural edge of the Tacoma city limits, there are many places where Pipeline Road doubles as access for residential properties along the right-of-way, so the road is well maintained. The scenery is stunning and it's surprising how quickly we had entered the countryside.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kreoH89EEyyc2q5Esqx3MpznA24wtMSlyfKTCkxHOOBYyqCpcuBJZyLyXhgnsvJwfXYx6vfeLXMK-6C1OuATh7CVVqSmwdg0DHKKZkzp2mcXxtGbZy1_ukdkjWu4_pIglzGPWG8DWVx-/s640/blogger-image-1525930391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kreoH89EEyyc2q5Esqx3MpznA24wtMSlyfKTCkxHOOBYyqCpcuBJZyLyXhgnsvJwfXYx6vfeLXMK-6C1OuATh7CVVqSmwdg0DHKKZkzp2mcXxtGbZy1_ukdkjWu4_pIglzGPWG8DWVx-/s640/blogger-image-1525930391.jpg" /></a></div>
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Part of the corridor is marked and maintained by Pierce County as <a href="http://www.summitwaller.org/our-community-parks/" target="_blank">Orange-gate Park</a>. We saw a bunch of well worn trails splitting off into the woods from the main Pipeline Trail as we passed through. A local resident heading for the trails stopped to explain that they are great for mountain biking and that he rides there 3-4 times a week. I can't wait to come back and check these out!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR4hPdFnEUgNOVQfqoMs_INeiOGUULEY3StwAxIcfMiV6ZUYDC1Bq6JUfQpJjE17xHMW_TjphhLv_Y07r9EOmUuffRkQ8roCXzzJCjtBw2cfBsuPdSChcBhz4dQf68bqfWVqfi1jrp3qB/s640/blogger-image--1155725967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR4hPdFnEUgNOVQfqoMs_INeiOGUULEY3StwAxIcfMiV6ZUYDC1Bq6JUfQpJjE17xHMW_TjphhLv_Y07r9EOmUuffRkQ8roCXzzJCjtBw2cfBsuPdSChcBhz4dQf68bqfWVqfi1jrp3qB/s640/blogger-image--1155725967.jpg" /></a></div>
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We left the trail at Fruitland Avenue and headed north on the road towards Puyallup. (To continue on the trail you have to jog down Fruitland Ave for about 200 feet to rejoin the trail, but it continues all the way to Meridian Ave in South Hill.) We could have taken Fruitland all the way to Puyallup, but Bob showed us a trailhead into Clark's Creek Park (also referred to as De Coursey Park) and we rode singletrack trail, instead. This gravel and dirt route from Tacoma to Puyallup is all kinds of fun! </div>
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The trail ended next the the hatchery. There's some parking next to a gate and this extremely informative sign (see map below for location.)</div>
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I figured we would be on the road for a while through Puyallup, but Bob showed us a few cut-throughs on the Meeker Creek Trail and then the Silver Creek Trail. These are just short sections of public green space, but at this point I was amazed how little of our ride had been paved.</div>
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After a stop to fill water bottles at the new Playback Sports location in downtown Puyallup, we headed for Tacoma along Levee Road. Both Levee Road and River Road are the primary thoroughfares along the Puyallup River and neither of them are friendly places to ride bikes. Rider beware.</div>
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We stuck to the river as much as we could and after some round-about navigation, we ended up at another public green space right in the middle of the Port of Tacoma. There was even a parking lot and a welcome sign! At this point I was really scratching my head and wondering, Why don't we already have a trail to Puyallup along this corridor? We crossed the Puyallup River on the Lincoln Ave bridge and continued along the dike to S 11th Street. </div>
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Not shown to the left of the photo above is a section of encampments. The homeless population in Pierce County is on the rise and this is one of the few places where folks camp relatively out in the open, mostly because there's no signage telling them not to. We only saw a face or two, and a pile of battered bicycles likely salvaged from other camps and used for spare parts. Each little makeshift tent had a bike parked out front. Bikes truly are the vehicle of the people.</div>
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This route was a great showcase of how a trail system in Pierce County could be easily built, connecting users to the Foothills Trail and destinations closer to Mount Rainier. Such a loop like this would be used for all types of recreation as well as a Commuter Connector for residents in the rural areas between Tacoma and South Hill. It won't take much improvement of the current trail infrastructure to get more people exploring Tacoma and Pierce County on bikes. </div>
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Note: Depending on when you read this, parts of this route may be under construction. Some of the areas along the Puyallup River are inhabited with campsites and you may need or want to find an alternate route.<br />
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<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-71807593140004443122016-06-02T08:35:00.001-07:002016-06-02T08:35:14.333-07:00Slow Down NicelyI've been cutting through Highland Hills on my last few solo rides, heading back and forth to the Narrows Bridge. I noticed that there are a few large speed bumps and many polite signs encouraging drivers to slow down.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsp5gKESxWhS_40IE5-B9k1DByDRsfAz3UHu9LFURNkDelUzH2yT1XdiuM6gZF3fk-GBbBz8a56cDmqedoJlFDJjpFYQk0MNVPg7dOLc3FinsOPui94sjom36K7UXROwtetiM7KtlonBK/s640/blogger-image-1100387994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsp5gKESxWhS_40IE5-B9k1DByDRsfAz3UHu9LFURNkDelUzH2yT1XdiuM6gZF3fk-GBbBz8a56cDmqedoJlFDJjpFYQk0MNVPg7dOLc3FinsOPui94sjom36K7UXROwtetiM7KtlonBK/s640/blogger-image-1100387994.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I stopped to take on of these photos, a homeowner came out of his garage and asked if I needed air. I ask the same sort of questions when I see folks prowling around in front of my house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I like these signs. You've got quite a collection along this street." The neighbor explained that the HOA had asked the City of Tacoma to help them with speed control and they did nothing. "We get lots of speeders cutting through to miss the light at N 21st an Pearl."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS1yYHwlhlW7HIFf-7qi2WvNu2p2J_DwMRG6kZvxBkby_N3XAWyvkUQH5GXyOu3C3xLH__BEL2eDZ6w2DE5S9N90CNE2b4SPMk1DiRe25EyENllNtYH2Z-LCj2ojaNLm7CFrfIbmsS-WG/s640/blogger-image-925903813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS1yYHwlhlW7HIFf-7qi2WvNu2p2J_DwMRG6kZvxBkby_N3XAWyvkUQH5GXyOu3C3xLH__BEL2eDZ6w2DE5S9N90CNE2b4SPMk1DiRe25EyENllNtYH2Z-LCj2ojaNLm7CFrfIbmsS-WG/s640/blogger-image-925903813.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So the HOA paid to put in the speed bumps, with the help of some grant funding, and put up the signs throughout the neighborhood. The Highland Hills neighborhood has plenty of pedestrian traffic between the golf course, retirement communities, families and kids playing, and the bus line. The 25mph zone could easily be a 20.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-21X1-80cZETMk5sg9t3pcrX7YUh9RjO2aYDVuGCzju3Sn92n6u842sd-ktO9psBHByIE4plwaL8Yz2Jmyzi6mbHbjKJR-r3jnnStEN54SsOEGcbllDPNjwl3X3JrEs7TM0QO8btoequ/s640/blogger-image--1196910824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-21X1-80cZETMk5sg9t3pcrX7YUh9RjO2aYDVuGCzju3Sn92n6u842sd-ktO9psBHByIE4plwaL8Yz2Jmyzi6mbHbjKJR-r3jnnStEN54SsOEGcbllDPNjwl3X3JrEs7TM0QO8btoequ/s640/blogger-image--1196910824.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I thanked the neighbor for the chat. He was happy to share his story and happened to be heading out on a bike ride that evening, too. His family was biking to a restaurant for dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Until the City of Tacoma engineers safer streets and increases traffic enforcement, neighborhoods like Highland Hills will be forced to take matters into ther own hands. And they are even doing it nicely.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-44221096669524422862016-04-20T13:40:00.000-07:002016-04-20T13:40:56.864-07:00My Other T-Town: TulsaI learned to ride a bike as a kid in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We lived in a quiet, secluded neighborhood with a very low speed limit and plenty of other kids. We rode our bikes in the street, helmetless and carefree.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clowning on my little sister's bike</td></tr>
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Once while sleeping over at a friend's house down the street, we snuck out and biked to the video store, leaving the neighborhood and riding on the narrow shoulder of a few 40mph arterials in the dark. I realize now that the two mile roundtrip was extremely dangerous, but those kinds of bike experiences stuck with me over the years.</div>
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I reconnected with some of those biking memories on a recent visit to Tulsa with my family. The arterials are still wide and fast, many without sidewalks or shoulders. We did not see a single bike lane. My wife and I talked with Jason at <a href="http://t-townbicycles.com/" target="_blank">T-Town Bicycles</a> in South Tulsa, a shop very close to my childhood neighborhood. He said that he often rides to work using the marked Bike Routes that zig zag through the neighborhoods and subdivisions, connecting the large grid of arterials. There's a strong bicycle culture growing in Tulsa, but it's hard to see it through the sea of cars.<br />
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T-Town Bicycles is located very close to the Riverparks Trail, a haven for all types of bike riders. Mrs. TBR and I had a chance to ride part of the trail on cruiser bikes that we checked out for free from the <a href="http://www.tulsa-townies.com/" target="_blank">Tulsa Townies bike share system</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's FREE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCeC1JG94YLwXPo-CwFiTMHNQKoh4Vi_kRJcoDcTXK6nsMvZm294d5cjYmyuVX-T7Ee-eZjlWwIsXl-e9MNwGS8Sukar7P86S54Clo_7gxHfFowHMriHUNEa09uyRVWdanHfGc92sZzGr/s640/blogger-image--871152962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCeC1JG94YLwXPo-CwFiTMHNQKoh4Vi_kRJcoDcTXK6nsMvZm294d5cjYmyuVX-T7Ee-eZjlWwIsXl-e9MNwGS8Sukar7P86S54Clo_7gxHfFowHMriHUNEa09uyRVWdanHfGc92sZzGr/s320/blogger-image--871152962.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 2 of the 4 bikes worked.</td></tr>
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The 40mph arterial adjacent to the trail has been punched through the field where I played as a kid. Riding through there on the trail as a grown-up was a surreal experience to say the least.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Iconic Landmarks of South Tulsa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzFri-QCsW8Wtz-fAyjevT7W8MqXdaLodCENOBodXr7f1T274IxY1pLYTT2Ey6fAsD1bSs-nkHUeSzuPEaQj1FbwQmEOJZluddxbS4GwJ3E5zu4EWVT2vHs8LuzOPMOIDVxkpQjHzi76y/s640/blogger-image-501228597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzFri-QCsW8Wtz-fAyjevT7W8MqXdaLodCENOBodXr7f1T274IxY1pLYTT2Ey6fAsD1bSs-nkHUeSzuPEaQj1FbwQmEOJZluddxbS4GwJ3E5zu4EWVT2vHs8LuzOPMOIDVxkpQjHzi76y/s320/blogger-image-501228597.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When a bigger bridge across the Arkansas River was built, they converted the old one to bike/ped only.</td></tr>
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We ended our trip with a walking tour of downtown Tulsa, where I was surprised to see bike racks used to distinguish shops and business districts. And we found one sharrow painted street! I'm sure there's another one somewhere.<br />
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And with the passage of Vision Tulsa, a local ballot initiative to help pay for livability improvements, <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/with-vision-in-the-bag-usa-bmx-announces-move-of/article_9a31bd8f-a016-5b8e-80a0-49297a65a892.html" target="_blank">USA BMX will be relocating to Tulsa</a> and the old baseball stadium will be turned into a world-class bmx arena. This was announced just days after we returned home, so I'm excited to see how this plays into the bike culture movement in T-Town. My other one.</div>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-35596065029699988032016-04-06T08:54:00.000-07:002016-04-06T08:54:13.708-07:00Missing PagesOver the years I've used this blog as a place to document our bicycle adventures. Even though 2015 was a big year for us on bikes, I didn't get a single thing posted. I won't attempt to go back and fill in the blank, but I am disappointed that I won't have TBR to use a a reference for 2015 - Tacoma's Year of the Bike.<br />
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Moving forward, I will make a renewed effort to get a few photos posted now and then in more of a micro-blog style. I used to feel like Tacoma needed to be showcased as a good town for bikes and wanted to help promote what the city had to offer. Now I just need to try and keep up with my family and our memory-making days on two wheels. Tune-in or tune-out; either way TBR is getting a tune-up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr-BiYs05Fo2R9ROJOAJNEhJM8FuSrXUYgk2aMdS7vHWoB35t8XlRpBZx3RSrjfZH9dZ9Zw3vzT6ijMhL0ojIHBuFiEJK_dPCp4bWTGVON7gztyKHbkDCdRy0WwvomY51ZkgYMSZn5gn1/s640/blogger-image--121042852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMr-BiYs05Fo2R9ROJOAJNEhJM8FuSrXUYgk2aMdS7vHWoB35t8XlRpBZx3RSrjfZH9dZ9Zw3vzT6ijMhL0ojIHBuFiEJK_dPCp4bWTGVON7gztyKHbkDCdRy0WwvomY51ZkgYMSZn5gn1/s320/blogger-image--121042852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-36875623975104717282014-10-31T12:14:00.002-07:002014-10-31T12:14:42.880-07:00Tell Tacoma to Budget for Bikes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_PD3rMktoKzLZC1SIoMbSeDybDMxTsvTQFYzm3WwpPG765RIaK1OHGJ8q_AJRPgLNdPc9sntx9CRP8Jbx5Zk5OB_7KtfVAKC4K-WWcpb_fuOCcjUeLwduIbFuCMw5WZhKGQGyYBEcuhv/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_PD3rMktoKzLZC1SIoMbSeDybDMxTsvTQFYzm3WwpPG765RIaK1OHGJ8q_AJRPgLNdPc9sntx9CRP8Jbx5Zk5OB_7KtfVAKC4K-WWcpb_fuOCcjUeLwduIbFuCMw5WZhKGQGyYBEcuhv/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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We need more Tacoma residents to speak up for the importance of bike funding.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span>If you have not done so already, please visit the City of Tacoma's budget website and follow the link in the upper right to “Provide Your Input”.</div>
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<a href="http://budget.cityoftacoma.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://budget.cityoftacoma.<wbr></wbr>org/</a><u></u><u></u></div>
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There is some funding proposed for trails and pedestrian improvements, but we really need more on-street bicycle infrastructure that connects people getting to and from these trails and walkable areas to jobs and business districts. The recently completed bicycle boulevard that runs from South Tacoma to the North End is a good example of how our city can be more connected with just a little paint and signage.</div>
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For a list of the proposed Transportation projects, see pages 4-6 of this budget document: </div>
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<a href="http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/finance/budget/2015-2016/proposed_15-16/10_Capital_Projects_2015-2016_Proposed.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/<wbr></wbr>finance/budget/2015-2016/<wbr></wbr>proposed_15-16/10_Capital_<wbr></wbr>Projects_2015-2016_Proposed.<wbr></wbr>pdf</a><u></u><u></u></div>
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If you want to speak directly to our Mayor and City Council, consider attending a <a href="https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_council/appear_before_city_council/" target="_blank">Citizen's Forum</a> at 5pm <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', tahoma, sans-serif;">on the second Tuesday of each month. The Citizen's Forum provides an opportunity for citizens to speak about items under the City Council’s jurisdiction that are not on that evening’s City Council meeting agenda. There are a few rules and limitations, but this is a great opportunity for you to take the mic and tell the city why planning and building more bicycle infrastructure in Tacoma is important to you.</span></div>
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Please feel free to pass along the link to any one else who has a voice that needs to be heard.</div>
Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-48978362157405087122014-10-03T13:48:00.000-07:002014-10-03T13:48:15.486-07:00Our Turn to Give Back to 2nd Cycle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2nd Cycle is a non-profit community cycle center in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood. After years of making-do in sublet spaces, they will be moving to a new, permanent location at the end of this month. Moving is expensive and they are quietly asking for financial help with this process. Please consider making a donation through <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/second-cycle-is-moving--2" target="_blank">their Indiegogo site</a> or swing by their existing shop at 1314 Marting Luther King Jr Way before the end of October to make a purchase or donation in person.<br />
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<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/second-cycle-is-moving--2">https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/second-cycle-is-moving--2</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock-up of the new shop at S 12th and MLK</td></tr>
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2nd Cycle has always been located in the heart of the Hilltop neighborhood. Organizers and volunteers have donated thousands of hours to keep this resource affordable and accessible to anyone and everyone. Since their humble beginning in the alley behind Le Le Restaurant, the vision for the shop has always been clear:<br />
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"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: futura-pt; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"><i>To build a resilient, sustainable, connected community of cyclists promoting equity and acting in solidarity. We see cycling demystified, normalized, and a part of daily life."</i></span></div>
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I started this blog in 2008, just after 2nd Cycle had opened it's doors. I watched them become an integral part our cycling community as it has grown substantially over the last six years. They have done this by making bikes accessible and understandable. They host a weekly Women and LGBTQ Night, offer neighborhood kids the chance to learn mechanical skills in a safe environment, and use a pay-what-you-can cost structure on some items and services. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHBG-HS8mq2qye2D2-srhoaIIapIhaMvk0JVXrehFK4Mvm2L7ayxk-B7RIBvj9E0jH1VtC3RlgxL_KRakpom6X3tez8XrhjI0I7lZk7Pf8unH-Rrgvb_m3UFmpZ-zOqQILBAvpgsit01n/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHBG-HS8mq2qye2D2-srhoaIIapIhaMvk0JVXrehFK4Mvm2L7ayxk-B7RIBvj9E0jH1VtC3RlgxL_KRakpom6X3tez8XrhjI0I7lZk7Pf8unH-Rrgvb_m3UFmpZ-zOqQILBAvpgsit01n/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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The efforts of the organizers and volunteers are commendable and this community resource deserves our support. You can find out more about the shop at <a href="http://2ndCycle.org/">2ndCycle.org</a> and on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/2ndCycle" target="_blank">their Facebook page</a>.</div>
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<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-79179258171140630182014-07-14T15:16:00.001-07:002014-07-14T15:25:07.900-07:00Bike Camping In the City<div>
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Metroparks Tacoma started a new program last summer that allows folks to camp overnight at a few city parks on select summer nights. We couldn't make it last year, but this year I made sure to <a href="http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/campout/" target="_blank">register early for a tent spot at Owen Beach</a> in Point Defiance Park.<br />
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The park is only about five miles from our house, so we made this a bike camping trip: I hauled the gear on our cargobike and the girls (6 and 8) rode their own bikes.<br />
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With room for one more in the tent, we decided to bring a friend along (8). He rode his own bike, too.</div>
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The evening of our campout turned out to be one if the hottest we'll see all year with temps near 90F as I loaded up the EdgeRunner. Our saving grace was a small spray bottle hanging from my handlebars so I could mist the kids with water as we pedaled.<br />
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About halfway to the park, I decided to make an impromptu stop at the Sherman Elementary pocket library where my oldest crashed hard into a curb and pinch flatted. Doh!<br />
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Luckily the EdgeRunner has a 20" rear wheel, because I hadn't thought to pack any extra tubes for kid bikes. It only took 10 minutes to change the tube and kids rummaged through the library cabinet to find a few books to read later. Onward!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping to see a deer bedded down in someone's yard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homestretch: the waterfront trail between the Point Defiance marina and Owen Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone pitched in to pitch the tent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room with a view of Vashon Island and the ferry</td></tr>
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The kids had a fun time playing along the beach and on the hillside bluffs rising from the shoreline. The park was busy on this hot afternoon and many day-trippers stayed until the park closed at dusk to take full advantage of the complete shade along the waterfront.</div>
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We packed some treats, but Metroparks also provided campers with a few individually packaged snacks. There were also board games to borrow. The kids were completely spent by 10pm so we missed the storyteller that presumably started after we were fast asleep.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supermoon rising over Port of Tacoma.</td></tr>
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We rose at 7am the next morning for a light breakfast provided by Metroparks (coffee, juice, milk, fruit, oatmeal.) My oldest said she counted 16 tents. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Beachcombing: the first sanddollar I've ever seen at Owen Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reload!</td></tr>
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With another scorcher in the forecast, we set off for home around 8:30am to beat the heat. The ride home is nearly all uphill to some degree and I knew my little riders were only going to get more tired as the day progressed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the Vashon Island ferry never gets old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping to watch a raccoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pack mule: Fully loaded Xtracycle EdgeRunner </td></tr>
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We stopped at a playground to stretch our riding legs after the steepest part of the ride home. I had promised the kids a donut stop, but at this point they were already saying that it was too hot for donuts. They wanted something cold for second breakfast.</div>
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So we stopped at the grocery store and the three kids split a 6-pack of ice cream sandwiches. This ridiculous pile of bottled water made an excellent make-shift picnic bench. As bicycle guru Kent Peterson says: cyclists are not nutritional role models. After nearly 10 miles of riding in the heat, these kids had earned it.</div>
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This was a great opportunity for us to try bike camping and make some memories without ever leaving the city. All of us had a blast. However my oldest pointed out that the camping would not have been as fun if we had driven to the park. There are still two more opportunities for you to <a href="http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/campout/" target="_blank">Campout with Metroparks</a> this summer. Consider making these bike camping opportunities as well.</div>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-49961740303980230182014-05-19T11:31:00.003-07:002014-05-19T11:31:46.575-07:00Catching UpWe've been busy. If it's not one thing, it's another. You know how it goes. So here's some cool bike stuff that's happened or been seen in the last month.<br />
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Firstly, TBR Junior started riding in a Yepp Mini seat at age 8 months. He LOVES it. "Do you want to go for a bike ride?" nearly always evokes an excited response and he's more than happy to let me squish his face to get the helmet on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStevR9OpAcscNyE8r-jjPmf1iUgEpXdHg_mgVywwNubr7mwjqLDCkrbjHt3Emk-XU6wUMc150-ApTZZjoT5-_QtZ8w2_yrlcgrV7f2fUYqGOynBwDF5Cl8-NYnMGOOwZatBXfRlCrt46X/s1600/IMG_8184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStevR9OpAcscNyE8r-jjPmf1iUgEpXdHg_mgVywwNubr7mwjqLDCkrbjHt3Emk-XU6wUMc150-ApTZZjoT5-_QtZ8w2_yrlcgrV7f2fUYqGOynBwDF5Cl8-NYnMGOOwZatBXfRlCrt46X/s1600/IMG_8184.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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This happened just in time for our <a href="http://kidicalmasstacoma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kidical Mass Tacoma</a> kick-off ride in the Junior Daffodil Parade. We had a great turnout and the constant din of our bells ringing for 4 blocks brought tears of joy to my eyes. It also lulled TBR Junior to sleep; his first bike nap!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHdiAjZJWFdBvMW4LZwmL6CLTXI8vNKH9ULhCDM9Omzw7TYXsPUvRgQqPNbK-hcJyCjLBfCLtnpK6oNF46GZ8iOFxpBTa84MzdbGn9QAkYaNk1aSOlr22BBiD1MCtq8Ue7zpDBuWp0XlR/s1600/IMG_8645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHdiAjZJWFdBvMW4LZwmL6CLTXI8vNKH9ULhCDM9Omzw7TYXsPUvRgQqPNbK-hcJyCjLBfCLtnpK6oNF46GZ8iOFxpBTa84MzdbGn9QAkYaNk1aSOlr22BBiD1MCtq8Ue7zpDBuWp0XlR/s1600/IMG_8645.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I attempted 30 Days of Biking in April and ended up with 26 or 27 Days. Not bad. Most of those days were short errands and biking to school, but it motivated me to take a few extra solo rides. I need to make more time for this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK_NV92nheZbLdL9y516qLSCOE1jxY-52cK-nM2aTO6kMJMC28FWCvqROhV1TstDkaYeaOx3tMUkH9QBx5vZ4ZteSo5z0FFffbVo8TdwmZNuhZOPfpNoYkM0uPihU5Sw4d7Oz_6jsWrXU/s1600/IMG_8929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK_NV92nheZbLdL9y516qLSCOE1jxY-52cK-nM2aTO6kMJMC28FWCvqROhV1TstDkaYeaOx3tMUkH9QBx5vZ4ZteSo5z0FFffbVo8TdwmZNuhZOPfpNoYkM0uPihU5Sw4d7Oz_6jsWrXU/s1600/IMG_8929.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bike Month rolled in and we kept on riding to school and commuting to work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBYUju3phTd-eOVmSsDeoMWxSgDq_JCfrqpi_o3qE_BUnG5Rqb6Pn74xWrFx-86OsAo1AF0FEX4Wfa4eCiXsQI-WofSpg4ic_dWlun3mwp2OUHz8naK5O8h-CHUfKBPs_z7huo8ftunfx/s1600/IMG_8858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBYUju3phTd-eOVmSsDeoMWxSgDq_JCfrqpi_o3qE_BUnG5Rqb6Pn74xWrFx-86OsAo1AF0FEX4Wfa4eCiXsQI-WofSpg4ic_dWlun3mwp2OUHz8naK5O8h-CHUfKBPs_z7huo8ftunfx/s1600/IMG_8858.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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We ran a kids bike rodeo at the Bike Swap, complete with teeter-totter ramp. I managed to sell a bike in the bike corral, but turned around and acquired bike another within 10 minutes. (N+1...it's a disease.) It's an awesome Dahon folding bike that I've <a href="https://www.spinlister.com/rides/5797" target="_blank">listed for rent through Spinlister</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaynlLOCgUFMEooHUfb_pg_T3QbmFv1BzmoHQL37sFidSE5pgy3FGI8Cuf89zkWhlZTDUH7OndGftxXSM0hte7kFiUlhEge86Mrbjr45kSY3ghT8Jzi6Ib-D09ehMwHkeaMqBCe3MVdhK2/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaynlLOCgUFMEooHUfb_pg_T3QbmFv1BzmoHQL37sFidSE5pgy3FGI8Cuf89zkWhlZTDUH7OndGftxXSM0hte7kFiUlhEge86Mrbjr45kSY3ghT8Jzi6Ib-D09ehMwHkeaMqBCe3MVdhK2/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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And with spring weather finally springing, we decided to plant a plum tree and a bike rack in our front yard. Both are right out front to share with the neighbors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOpNELWmQns8QeW_TC1vreTDBob6kB3ET160h6n-QBXaLCDCXdR8yzEMCdfmAW18FIsGvRmYWWtaF9QhH53S2Tz3wcN6awzai4D6k7W_wC7ZaJMKEEGSF2FJ4wj9OxId0M_YPvjiR6FVx/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOpNELWmQns8QeW_TC1vreTDBob6kB3ET160h6n-QBXaLCDCXdR8yzEMCdfmAW18FIsGvRmYWWtaF9QhH53S2Tz3wcN6awzai4D6k7W_wC7ZaJMKEEGSF2FJ4wj9OxId0M_YPvjiR6FVx/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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We aren't the only folks taking to two wheels in Tacoma either. I've seen more bicycle traffic than ever before, all over town. It's exciting to see people discovering and rediscovering that Tacoma has always been a great town to ride around.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7M8IO6HiR3FIUxDQlpPdZRK_zWAkPUa2A_qSiU8CZC08Q3MVOgFoB6jKoleHxklCyFaJ2bFtiktStV1JxBl0AKbvhBZMXQMHxSWLZLteQykGTxK9JOyKAFRYGUU6ZgFxxnHD8ejJ3bWi/s1600/IMG_9172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7M8IO6HiR3FIUxDQlpPdZRK_zWAkPUa2A_qSiU8CZC08Q3MVOgFoB6jKoleHxklCyFaJ2bFtiktStV1JxBl0AKbvhBZMXQMHxSWLZLteQykGTxK9JOyKAFRYGUU6ZgFxxnHD8ejJ3bWi/s1600/IMG_9172.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Made in Tacoma boxbike</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fgQFpfQt3aXX5hcCtgbG-kTrRvqSdjXe3mBXR-MvV2vAc83OG0h90kSli4zsGfPD_xTPUe6nGoO6rXJXqRefx0P4A4uR9c7vArZluw5opl2KQoKzJqIuEGweY0bvRk9PeQL7DGxOSstA/s1600/IMG_9198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fgQFpfQt3aXX5hcCtgbG-kTrRvqSdjXe3mBXR-MvV2vAc83OG0h90kSli4zsGfPD_xTPUe6nGoO6rXJXqRefx0P4A4uR9c7vArZluw5opl2KQoKzJqIuEGweY0bvRk9PeQL7DGxOSstA/s1600/IMG_9198.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Every bike is a cargobike</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf7il8o-gpBks_XOi91F5T09Fr3gX5vV4jzvLewjC5KYPTxiU7AAZ3MmVnC3e8cxFkGqyUgzkbLOpsiAiaSEd1bkUPYRIAgYNMYVpDj26GImFZNqmx57iHCh8_w5eHnWd-5CXAYvi9xTR/s1600/IMG_9199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf7il8o-gpBks_XOi91F5T09Fr3gX5vV4jzvLewjC5KYPTxiU7AAZ3MmVnC3e8cxFkGqyUgzkbLOpsiAiaSEd1bkUPYRIAgYNMYVpDj26GImFZNqmx57iHCh8_w5eHnWd-5CXAYvi9xTR/s1600/IMG_9199.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tacoma 12s ride bikes, too</i></td></tr>
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Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-47042385023243001172014-03-19T14:21:00.002-07:002014-03-19T14:21:34.842-07:00Swan Creek Mountain Bike Trails in TacomaI was excited to hear that MetroParks Tacoma partnered with the <a href="http://evergreenmtb.org/" target="_blank">Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance</a> to build mountain bike trails in Swan Creek Park, the second largest park in the city.<br />
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A <a href="http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar?id=3529" target="_blank">Grand Opening celebration is happening on March 29th</a> from 10am-3pm with activities for kids and adults, including a Trek bike demo. If you are unfamiliar with Swan Creek, this would be a great time to check it out.</div>
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Lots of riders are already enjoying the trails. My friend Jesse has been out there several times and offered to give me the full tour a few weekends ago. Jesse rides a full-suspension 29er that can handle everything the park has to offer. I rode my rigid drop-bar 29er, which is more of a monster cross bike, but it worked great. It was an overcast rainy day, so most of my photos turned out like this.</div>
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From the park entrance on <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/KwEMt" target="_blank">East T Street near Lister Elementary</a>, we rode south to the main trailheads. The pump track, outer loop and skills sections all start near the same spot. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The outer loop starts with a few big drops, which I opted to ride around. However, most of that trail seemed like it would be manageable on every thing from an old 26" mtb to your singlespeed cyclocross bike. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Near the end of the outer loop there's an optional downhill section. Jesse had already figured out my comfort zone and advised me to "stay left, it's a bit less...violent." The violent bit is a steep and fast down/up feature that was happy to avoid.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We rode the full outer loop with a detour onto the Braking Bad inner loop and finished where we started (the trail is one-way.) That first introductory lap took about 30 minutes, but Jesse said he usually rides three laps in an hour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">There are three skills trails that offer varying degrees of difficulty with jumps, drops and berms and other features. We did multiple runs on the easy and moderatate skills trails, but I was still riding slowly and going around the big drops. It was tons of fun.</span><br />
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The expert skills trail was still under construction, but from what I could see it would have been way out of my league.</div>
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Overall, I had a blast and cannot wait to get back to Swan Creek. I think this is going to help make mountain biking more accessible for many local riders and allow seasoned riders to play in the dirt more often.</div>
Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-70897299198741872852014-03-11T10:20:00.002-07:002014-03-11T10:20:55.582-07:00Mob Ride this weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's MOB RIDE time! The Great Leprechaun Hunt 2014!</div>
<br />Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2095001024190473327.post-23301704411509706042014-03-03T09:01:00.000-08:002014-03-03T09:01:18.272-08:00A Review of RIDE 2: More Short Fiction About BicyclesI like reading about people riding bikes. And while many bike books contain personal accounts of tours and adventures across countrysides and continents, <i>RIDE 2: More Short Fiction About Bicycles </i>offers readers just a small glimpse into the hearts and minds of more everyday bike riders.<br />
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Each story or poem is written by a different author. Sometimes a bike pushes the plot of the story and other times it's just a way for the main character to get from A to B. The characters come through as real, relatable people that you may already know in some way as a friend, relative, or neighbor.<br />
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These short stories cover a variety of bicycle cultures, from bike polo to missionary work, and involve an even wider variety of people. I've read <i>RIDE 2</i> three times over the last year and with each new reading I'm struck by my own intense interest in these stories. A different story has stuck with me each time: first it was the love story, then it was the one set in Oklahoma, and lately I can't get the bike polo grudge match out of my head.<br />
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I have since purchased the Kindle ebook version because I like taking these stories with me when I travel. I hope this short fiction series continues with a <i>RIDE 3</i>, because these snapshots of bicycles in everyday life beg to be read again and again.<br />
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<i><a href="http://smile.amazon.com/RIDE-short-fiction-about-bicycles-ebook/dp/B00AKXVL9G/" target="_blank">RIDE 2: More Short Fiction About Bicycles</a> </i>is available on Amazon.<br />
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[<i>Full disclosure: I was provided with a print copy of RIDE 2 for review purposes.</i>]Matt in Tacomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18179021767214712543noreply@blogger.com0