Bike to Work Week 2006

Next few posts are from clearing the phone

Welcome to the workin' week. Oh I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you. Welcome to the workin' week. You gotta do it till you're through it so you better get to it.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 2006 El Segundo / Westchester Bike to Work Challenge Check-In Point at Administration West from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Last year LAX placed fifth out of ten participating employers with 15 riders in the Bike to Work Challenge. This year, area employers are once again teaming up to sponsor this year's Bike to Work Challenge to see which company can bring in the most bicycle commuters in honor of California's Bike Commute Week. All employees are welcome to bike alone or to participate in group rides. In addition, bike commutes may include a bus, train, vanpool, carpool, or car for a portion of the trip. All cyclists who ride their bikes to work on Tuesday, May 16, 2006, regardless of starting point, will receive a continental breakfast, a T-shirt, and promotional items. This year, our goal is to DOUBLE participation, so the FIRST 15 EMPLOYEES WHO REGISTER WILL RECEIVE a FREE BIKE TUNE-UP!

I shall also attend the Ride of Silence on May 17 in Santa Monica. And I will participate in the Ride to Work on May 18. And I hope to ride to the LAW meeting in Burbank. And Sunday, I will ride the LA River ride. So a lot of bicycling for Bike to Work week. Happy bicycling, David.

5/17/2007 Missed the opening ceremony for Bike to Work and did not get my bike blessed. I'll be damned. Did partake in this morning's Bike to Work in El Segundo. (there are advantages living in the South Bay) Here is a list of my haul. 1) a blue mesh tote with LAWARideshare emblem which carried everything 2) Bicycle Rules & Regulations in English/Spanish 3) two I'm part of the solution! 2007 Bike To Work M Metro stickers 4) a coupon at 24 Fitness, 30 days of fitness free for you and up to 3 friends (I'm not going to go off about gyms, why should I pay to exercise when I can do it for free) 5) official 2007 Bike To Work note pad 6) a pocket version of Reglamento y Normas para Bicicletas in Spanish/English 7) Bikes on Buses Program, A guide for a safe bike and bus ride. Have never taken advantage of this service, but have seen bicyclists using the bus. On Thursday,a lot of transit agencies are giving free rides for bicyclists. If only I have someplace to go. One item did catch my eye, under Safety Tips, if you step off the bus and forget your bike... That's like me forgetting my backpack, aah never mind. 8) Bicycles on Metro A Rider's Guide Did not know there were so many Bike lockers. I'm excited about bike commuting. 9) brochure on Flexcar along with a certificate for one free Flexcar membership use. Have not look into it to figure if and why I need this. My mom dusts the cobwebs off my truck. 10) Bike Map which I plan my Bike to Work route. Will start from Union Station, try and hit 10 pit stops in 3 hours, going through Hollywood to Westwood through Santa Monica to the South Bay. Tried Bike Metro mapping and routing, going to use their recommendation till it routed me on Sepulveda from Lincoln to Imperial and I'm not going to bike under the airport (not for the third time I won't) 11) a big paper clip to hold all that paper together 12) City of Los Angeles LADOT Bike Program reflective ankle bands. Get these. 13) a bottle of clear and refreshing natural spring water attached by a lariat. Debating its practicality. It hangs where it can cause manly pain. Perhaps it's jewelery for the bottle of water toting crowd. It's not to drink, it's to be seen with. 14) have to have the official waterbottle to add to my bottle collection. Inside is a bite size cool mint chocolate Cliff Bar. Donna does not like me to keep a collection of energy bars. 15) 2 vinyl zippered bag (handed one and one was in the tote) containing Caress Tahitian Renewal body wash, 99c Walgreen's Refreshing Aloe moisturizing lotion aloe vera and cucumber extracts (do I put this on my hand or in my salad), Right Guard Sport and a mini toothbrush and Colgate. Very nice package but are they trying to tell me something. 16) hair brush/compact, got this last year and I thought this was very ingenious 17) a red holder with a loop so you can wear on your belt and inside is a velcro strap. Guessing this is to be use to secure one's pant leg from catching the gears (I've done that once, ouch). It'd make a black arm band for the Ride of Silence which I unfortunately will not participate in as I have to get up early the next morning. 18) a blue plastic case which I won't open as it's wrapped. Looks like first aid. 19) one of two electronic devises. A crank powered light. but it comes with a lot of little attachments which I haven't an idea what they are for. I suspect they connect to other electronic devises and you can crank and recharge them. I'm one of those guys who don't tinker with toys. And it does not come with instructions. 20) the other contraption comes in a nice little black box with red trim that reads Prime (it's not meat). It's a goofy looking radio from Raytheon with the planet floating in water with a lava lamp gel inside. Couldn't get it to work (me and gadgets don't mix) 21) Reflective Cycling Pantstrap (now I know what they are called) with a hidden pocket. It reads Bike to Work Week. I will wear this on Thurs. 22) Be Safe! Be Seen! assume it's a kids wrist band 23) pink Reflectix Laces (for your shoes, are there bicycle shoes which uses laces) get you places with added safety! 24) a little spritzer the size of a marker along with a shirt pocket clip. Have to use a magnifying glass to read what the fluid is, sunscreen. Good thing I didn't try to taste it. 25) Try it! You'll love it! Ocean potion anti-aging sunblock 26) two packages of antibacterial wet wipes 27) two smiley face things I also got last year and don't know what it's for. I will have to ask on Thursday. 28) another lariat with a sunscreen lip protection attached. Island paradise flavor 29) "Do Your Future A Favor - RECYCLE yellow pencil 30) SDC Commuter Services green pen 31) official 2007 Bike To Work Patch Kit (should have taken hands full) 32) M red reflector that flashes 33) a red lollipop from Flexcar Did not get the sticker for the spokes as they told me it was in the bag. Breakfast was served with juice, coffee, donuts, danish and fruit. Very nice. By the time I arrive just past 7, there were 4 riders, 2 more came in as I left and 2 were on route. Next time tips I use on Sunday's Double Century. Experience pays especially when doing it solo through the remote mountain and desert. Also what I pick up on my Bike to Work adventure. I'm on my Waterford with panniers. Happy bicycling, David

Only hit 8 out of 10 pit stops on my Bike to Work trail. First let me tip my helmet off to those people who commute on bicycle. They are brave and/or senseless. I have some experience on riding a bike, but there were places that got rather hairy. Perhaps I selected the wrong streets to commute. Roads that are deserted on Sundays were jungles today. I'm probably dreaming, but expected to see masses of bicyclists on the road. My idea of Bike to Work Day is for people to try bicycling to work for one day. Was happy on Tuesday's version when a rider borrowed a bike to work. But somehow from what I saw, participants were regular bike commuters. Asked at my last few stops, how many riders came. 30 - 35. Expected 100's. I'm dreaming. How publicized was the event? I tell people what today is and they haven't a clue. Only reason people around me know cause I'm a bicyclist. BTW, today is Bike to Work day in San Diego County. Why do I know besides being a bicyclist. The freeway message signs flashes the event to all those sitting in traffic. Left to work just before 5 AM. Traffic was fairly nil, was in downtown an hour plus a quarter. Never ridden the city on a work day, cruised around checking sites. Serious cyclists were set on getting to their job. I join a cyclist who didn't care for my company. Pit Stop 1) Union Station. Took a full tour around the place looking for the stop. Asked and was directed to the back though the yikes tunnel (it wasn't bad, but took the sidewalk coming back). Security doesn't know. Went directly to Metro. Went upstairs to their security. 'That Bike to Work thing is today cause we got a lot of calls about it. Don't know where it's at. Come back later.' Looped around, decide to continue on. Pit Stop 2) City Hall, a stone throw away. But it's not at the address posted. Nothing. Thinking maybe this Bike to Work Day is a hoax. Circle around and see bicyclists. It's next street down. KFWB is interviewing riders. Sign I was here and left. 2 down, but I've spent over 15 minutes of my 3 hours. Pit Stop 3) YMCA, an aero-streamed stone throw away. Oh what fun climbing 1st (following Bike Metro directions) and making a left on Grand. I'm waving a car to go by so I can come up behind it, but it refuses to go. Try accelerating from a track stand in the gear I ride in, bout broke teeth. Of all my stops, I'm assuming this will draw the least as it's hidden and situated where you have to climb to. Was first (hopefully not only) and they were happy. Sign in and wanted to give me stuff which I've gotten on Tues. They did have one item different, a coupon for free taquitos at 7-11. I've never tried them. Somehow vision of the Quickie Mart on The Simpsons come to mind. Pit Stop 4) Hollywood/Western Metro Station. This route was good. Sunset has a bike lane. This stop contain the most people. The lovely Enci and honorable Stephen were present as there is to be a group ride to City Hall. I apologize for stepping on the banner (always stepping into things), disrupting the gal with the clip board (thought she was signing in the riders) and not staying to chat (was over an hour into the ride with lots of miles to cover. Got to get to work.) Pit Stop 5) West Hollywood City Hall. Decide to change the route as I know the roads. Fountain has been a given. Never seen a line of this many cars. Passing them on their right, playing a game of 'will the car turn in front of me (of course no one uses their blinker). Told at the stop that it was posted wrong and it's on San Vicente. Did sign a poll which asks should bicyclists be allowed to ride on the sidewalk. There was three in the affirmative, I am the sole 'No'. Only a mile more and there is no stop as far as I can see, probably in the Sheriff station on the opposite side of street. BTW, except for the YMCA, not a single stop was on my side of the street. Pit Stop 6) REI Santa Monica. Ain't zooming along as hoped, felt like I am stopping at each signaled intersection. Decide no time for UCLA stop, besides the route was complicated. Took Santa Monica all the way toward the ocean. Too chicken to pass the bus as I wait behind at each stop (love the smell of fumes). Pick up REI stickers, tire lever and a 2007 Bike Santa Monica map. Have to get something for all this. Pit Stop 7) Santa Monica City Hall, a few blocks down a way. This was the most impressive of the stops. Long table with coffee, fruit, bars and licorice. And candy decorate across the top. There is valet service. Ask how many riders they had and at one time, the sidewalk was overflowing. Probably repeat business. A lot of literature, no time to look at. Receive paper model of the Big Blue Bus, a nice blue pen and a green Bike Santa Monica blinker. Pit Stop 8) Aviation/LAX Metro station. Less than 1/2 hour and I told the people I will be there. Wish had my racer. Knew my way, changing route as circumstances dictates. I am sweating. It's bit past 10, they have closed up shop, though they offer me pastries. Last year this stop had a nice breakfast layout, lots of giveaways. Another rider came in. He has been here three hours ago and visited three other pit stops. Think I carry a big pack, this guy's is almost as big as him. He tells me it weighs 22 lbs, on his back. With time runout, miss the next pit stop less than a mile away.

May 15, 2008 Bike to Work week coming. http://www.metro.net/news_info/press/metro_060.htm http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/default.htm Lots of pit stops with refreshments and giveaways. Will be riding to a few stops including the Tuesday ride to LAX, Bike to Work Challenge where a full breakfast is served along with an abundance of goodies. Be sure to register for Bike to Work and you may win a prize. You will receive bike maps and patch kit. And of course ride.

Visited home and got the Gooseneck. Is Rod psychic or am I so predictable. This is Bike to Work week. http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/images/btwd_poster.pdf Lots of activities to get you on a bike. http://metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/local_events.htm Bike to work week started this morning. Shrek will be working the giveaway table at the kick-off event for Metro's Bike to Work Week, happening 9 am on Monday, May 12, at the Universal City Metro Red Line Station. Take your bike on a train ride to see the event, and you'll get freebies ranging from bike water bottles to sunscreen samples to Clif bars. L.A. City Councilmember Tom Labonge, Glendale Mayor John Drayman, and Metro CEO Roger Snoble will all be there. Can't commit to riding a whole week? Then at least commit to riding Thursday, May 15 -- the official Bike to Work day. Between 7 am and 10 am, bikers can take breaks at "pit stops" all over the city that will be giving out snacks and other freebies. You don't even have to bike your whole commute. Many transit agencies are offering free bus and rail rides to bikers; all you need is to board with your bike or helmet on Bike to Work Day. If you do plan to bike it on May 15, make your pledge-to-bike here to be put in a drawing for a folding bike from REI! Other prizes include gift cards for REI and other companies, passes to the Laugh Factory, and bike messenger bags. Oddly, pledges are accepted until May 16, a day AFTER Bike to Work day -- so you could technically "pledge" post-ride. Bike to Work Day is Thursday with lots of pit stops open from 6 - 9 AM. http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/pit_stops.htm Each stop will be unique. Free transportation for you and bike http://metro.net/projects_studies/bikeway_planning/biketowork/free_rides.htm Make sure to register and ride http://www.californiabikecommute.com/register.asp You may win a prize like a free bike. Tomorrow will participate in the Bike to Work Challenge http://www.californiabikecommute.com/register.asp Breakfast is served with lots of neat bicycle related items. I've quite a collection. T-shirt too. And also tomorrow you can have your bike blessed at the Good Samartian Hospital. http://www.goodsam.org/news/press.php?id=2 Though I am an atheist, would enjoy seeing and participating in this event.