View Full Version : May 15th, Bike To Work Day
cccorlew
05-07-08, 12:43 PM
My students created Bike to Work Day posters.
Check 'em out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/sets/72157604933572594/show/with/2473487615/
BlastRadius
05-07-08, 01:07 PM
Great posters. Where's the one with "What Would Jesus Do"?
subframe
05-07-08, 01:09 PM
My students created Bike to Work Day posters.
Check 'em out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/sets/72157604933572594/show/with/2473487615/
Nice posters, I love the 'Hello, we're going to be late' one :D
UmneyDurak
05-07-08, 01:11 PM
Great posters. Where's the one with "What Would Jesus Do"?
Well if drivers around here with those sticker are any indication he would try to pass as close as possible, with 50/50 of hitting the horn. *shrug
msincredible
05-07-08, 01:13 PM
Commutes are challenging.
For mine (when I am actually in town :rolleyes:), I can use:
- Car (16 miles one-way, 20 minutes, $4 toll plus the most gas) - #3 option
- Motorcycle (16 miles one-way, 25 minutes including putting on and removing gear, no toll at commute hours, much less gas) - #1 option
- Bicycle (25 miles one-way, 2 hours not including shower time, no toll or gas) - #2 option
- Public transit (takes longer than bicycling and at least as expensive as driving) - never use
reidconti
05-07-08, 05:09 PM
Commutes are challenging.
..snip..
Oh, cool. I got my M1 license last year but still haven't bought a motorcycle. I was looking at an SV650 last fall, thinking I'm old enough to not kill myself on a big bike, right? But having only ridden the 250 cruiser style bikes in class, I realized hopping on a big (to me) 650 with a sportbike riding position was very daunting.. it's big and heavy, I have no clue where my feet go, they're stuck somewhere behind me, etc. Now I'm thinking I'll do the usual and get a 250 ninja or something to kick around on just to get comfortable and see how I feel before getting in too deep. Getting back into cycling is probably another way to get comfortable again on two wheels and to get better at spotting hazards on the street.
Rode the bike (the Trek, that is) to work again today and plan on it tomorrow as well. Likely not friday, as I'll probably be going straight from work to Bay Meadows and then to meet friends for a bday evening in PA. I'm definitely realizing I have to treat the ride to work as a morning fun ride that just happens to end up at the office, rather than a commute. Thinking of it as a commute invites unfair comparisons to how much faster (and shorter) driving is, whereas if I just think of it as a pleasant ride, I end up at work, and then I have to ride home whether I want to or not (though I never mind the ride home, thanks in part to leaving work, and also the fact that I have a tailwind).
Unpleasant headwind this morning though. D'oh.
spingineer
05-07-08, 06:17 PM
My challenge is getting up early enough to bike in on time, and be in the office by 6 am. I guess I could use my alarm clock ... but that would be too easy. :p
redspoke
05-08-08, 09:51 AM
Woo Hoo! My 1st semi-commute day! Even though it's sort-of half-a**ed. I put my bike in the back of the vanpool van and drove with 4 officemates to work. I have my bike parked in my office and I'm going to ride from work to a 23-mile training ride and then from the ride back to my parked car about 2 miles from my house... Probably get in a little more than 40 miles today. After today I'll only be about 400 miles away from my my May goal of 500.
Can't believe I've only ridden 56 miles this month. Wassup? :o
msincredible
05-08-08, 09:43 PM
Oh, cool. I got my M1 license last year but still haven't bought a motorcycle. I was looking at an SV650 last fall, thinking I'm old enough to not kill myself on a big bike, right? But having only ridden the 250 cruiser style bikes in class, I realized hopping on a big (to me) 650 with a sportbike riding position was very daunting.. it's big and heavy, I have no clue where my feet go, they're stuck somewhere behind me, etc. Now I'm thinking I'll do the usual and get a 250 ninja or something to kick around on just to get comfortable and see how I feel before getting in too deep. Getting back into cycling is probably another way to get comfortable again on two wheels and to get better at spotting hazards on the street.
Definitely recommend a 250 ninja, a great beginning bike. You will have a lot more fun on this than those little cruisers they have in the MSF.
And cycling skills do help with motorcycling as well (trying to bring it semi-back on topic...:p)
sj_roadie
05-12-08, 04:54 PM
The 250 ninja is a great starter, but the sv650 isn't a bad bike to start with either. The non 's' version has a more situp riding style, not the aggressive sport bike stance. In any case, both are great bikes and depending on your size/weight/comfort level/budget - they'd both suit you well.
Back on topic, last year's bike to work day was my first time commuting to work by bicycle. My commute is about 13 miles each way. Over the past year, I've ridden to work many times, but I'm still a fair weather commuter. I would like to bike in more, just need to get myself going earlier in the morning.
Since I've done the bike to work day thing, I'm celebrating bike to work WEEK and trying to ride into work everyday for a change. Unfortunately, I already know I can't ride on Friday, but if I am able to ride the other 4 days that'll officially be the most times in one week for me (I think I may have done 3 once, but I'm usually only getting in 1 or 2 times a week). I just wish I didn't have to attempt this challenge in what looks like it's going to be the hottest week of the year so far.
Uh-oh. Gonna be a scorcher Thursday. FEar all the commuter n00bs getting a taste of a norcal heat wave.
...EXCESSIVE HEAT OUTLOOK THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FOR THE ENTIRE SAN
FRANCISCO AND MONTEREY BAY REGION...
THIS SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT WILL SERVE AS AN EXCESSIVE HEAT
OUTLOOK FOR THE ENTIRE SAN FRANCISCO AND MONTEREY BAY REGION FOR
THE PERIOD THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
A RECORD BREAKING HEAT EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BE UNDERWAY THURSDAY
AND FRIDAY AS A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE DEVELOPS OVER THE WEST
COAST.
TEMPERATURES ON THURSDAY MORNING ARE EXPECTED TO START OUT VERY
MILD...MAINLY IN THE 60S WITH 70S IN THE HILLS AND THEN RISE TO
RECORD BREAKING LEVELS FOR MANY CITIES BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. HIGHS
AT THE COAST WILL EVEN APPROACH 90 DEGREES WITH MOST INLAND AREAS
WELL INTO THE 90S AND LOWER 100S. LITTLE OVERALL CHANGE IS EXPECTED
ON FRIDAY WITH NEAR OR RECORD BREAKING HEAT EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.
PERSONS PLANNING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THIS
WEEK SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR VERY WARM AND DRY CONDITIONS. TAKE
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE HEAT BY LIMITING STRESSFUL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
DURING THE HOTTEST TIME OF THE DAY AND BY KEEPING AN AMPLE SUPPLY
OF WATER AT HAND.
Heh. Have some Sacramento, Bay Area!
redspoke
05-13-08, 10:09 AM
Heh. Have some Sacramento, Bay Area!
Yeah! Take that! You "fair-weather" friends... :roflmao2:
redspoke
05-13-08, 10:10 AM
The ride in is gonna be sweet though. Short sleeves and shorts BABY! ... Just make sure to top off your bottles for the ride home... :eek:
nachomc
05-13-08, 10:57 AM
TAKE
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE HEAT BY LIMITING STRESSFUL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
DURING THE HOTTEST TIME OF THE DAY
Like....evening commute time? :lol:
Just make sure you keep yourselves hydrated well throughout the day before you head home :)
Yeah, it's predicted to break 100F here on BTWD. Which happens in May in Sacto. Personally, I think we should schedule it in April or March even. That gets people in the habit before it starts to get hot.
murphstahoe
05-13-08, 12:47 PM
SF to Peninsula ride via Skyline, Thurs May 15.
Peet's Coffee, Broderick and Fell, 6:30 AM. Most likely 2 groups rolling, one trying to set a land speed record and one having a little more casual ride.
Easy access to pretty much all Peninsula cities, I can certainly give specifics to pretty much any spot. Personally I am going all the way to Sunnyvale.
I expect a good turnout.
BlastRadius
05-13-08, 01:09 PM
Are you organizing a "bike bus"?
Now that I have no parking for my job, I've been biking everyday of the week. I will most certainly be biking to work on the 15th.
Radfahrer
05-13-08, 02:14 PM
It will be swell on Thursday and Friday! Just a taste of summer weather here in sunny Sacramento!
sj_roadie
05-13-08, 03:21 PM
I'm thinking the heat should keep many of the would-be newbies from biking on Thursday, which means more swag for me!
Mhendricks
05-13-08, 04:34 PM
I'm thinking the heat should keep many of the would-be newbies from biking on Thursday, which means more swag for me!
I agree! I'll be hitting the train station first, then the stop on the Guadalupe River Trail, and finally EBAY/Paypal on First street. They give out a lot a swag. :roflmao2:
I wish there were free stuff booths along my route. Last year the closest ones were across the river in downtown Sacramento, in the opposite direction of my commute. Meh. I guess it'll be business as usual for me, just with extra heat.
1jacktripper
05-13-08, 04:42 PM
I agree! I'll be hitting the train station first, then the stop on the Guadalupe River Trail, and finally EBAY/Paypal on First street. They give out a lot a swag. :roflmao2:
Hi, where is the exact location of this station? I'll be nearby and would love to swing by and raid the swag tent!
murphstahoe
05-13-08, 04:50 PM
I've been talked out of the Skyline ride which is happening.
SF to Peninsula ride via the Bay, Thurs May 15.
Ritual Coffee Roasters, 6:30 AM.
Easy access to pretty much all Peninsula cities, I can certainly give specifics to pretty much any spot. Caltrain is nearby the whole way in case you need a bailout. Personally I am going all the way to Sunnyvale.
A couple of small hills getting out of the city then flat. Some parking lots near South City, we ride through the Airport (very amusing) and several miles on the Coyote Point bike paths. An offroad section near Redwood City, through EPA, more Bayland trails, etc...
I expect a huge turnout.
There is typically a rendezvous at Millbrae Ave and McDonnell at 7:40ish, allowing anyone who comes in on BART to Millbrae to meet up. Other meetup times could be arranged - for example I think we exit the bike path that connects at Whipple just north of 101 at 9 AM typically.
I agree! I'll be hitting the train station first, then the stop on the Guadalupe River Trail, and finally EBAY/Paypal on First street. They give out a lot a swag. :roflmao2:
what's your route?
I'm hitting the San Jose MLK first, then the one on the trail, how do you get to 1st st from Coleman?
BlastRadius
05-13-08, 05:05 PM
I've been talked out of the Skyline ride which is happening.
SF to Peninsula ride via the Bay, Thurs May 15.
Ritual Coffee Roasters, 6:30 AM.
Easy access to pretty much all Peninsula cities, I can certainly give specifics to pretty much any spot. Caltrain is nearby the whole way in case you need a bailout. Personally I am going all the way to Sunnyvale.
A couple of small hills getting out of the city then flat. Some parking lots near South City, we ride through the Airport (very amusing) and several miles on the Coyote Point bike paths. An offroad section near Redwood City, through EPA, more Bayland trails, etc...
I expect a huge turnout.
There is typically a rendezvous at Millbrae Ave and McDonnell at 7:40ish, allowing anyone who comes in on BART to Millbrae to meet up. Other meetup times could be arranged - for example I think we exit the bike path that connects at Whipple just north of 101 at 9 AM typically.
Hmm, I'm suppose to go down to Cisco's San Jose buildings on Thursday. Perfect opportunity for a ride with the big crowd. When do you think the Bike Bus will be heading through San Bruno?
sj_roadie
05-13-08, 06:44 PM
what's your route?
I'm hitting the San Jose MLK first, then the one on the trail, how do you get to 1st st from Coleman?
Hey Jin,
I'm planning to hit the station at the hamilton and los gatos creek trail, then guadalupe river park, then ebay/paypal - I could potentially alter my route a tiny bit to hit the los gatos creek station near the campbell dog park, but I think 3 is probably enough stations. To get to the Ebay-Ppal area, if you're riding alongside the airport, turn right on airport parkway, the street that turns into brokaw further down. What time do you think you'll be there?
sj_roadie
05-13-08, 06:47 PM
Anybody planning to go to Gordon Biersch party that evening?
reidconti
05-13-08, 09:21 PM
Holy crap, they keep raising the high.
In Santa Clara, Weds/Thurs/Fri was gonna be 95/98/96 a few days ago.
This morning they were saying 97/98/97
Now Accuweather says 97/106/97 (!!!!!!)
Never seen the forecast that high for Santa Clara, though we did have a few 105-107 days during that heat wave back a couple years ago.
Oh well, bring it. I'm just taking it is a challenge, being a fairly new bike commuter. Too bad it'll give a bunch of first-timers a bad taste for the bike commute!
redspoke
05-13-08, 09:55 PM
I wish there were free stuff booths along my route. Last year the closest ones were across the river in downtown Sacramento, in the opposite direction of my commute. Meh. I guess it'll be business as usual for me, just with extra heat.
Yo! West steps of El Capitol between 11-1pm there's a boatload going on. Raffle for commuter bikes (must be present to win) being some of the swag. Dude! Thinking about bailing on work for a coupla'hours myself.
Capitol BikeFest this Thursday
The Capitol BikeFest is this Thursday, May 15th, at the west steps of the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 50 bike shops, groups and organizations will have tables of information on bicycling, walking, transit and more.
Print your page that shows your miles logged and turn it in at the BikeFest for a chance to win a bicycle, for a TShirt if you don't have one yet, and for ice cream or a Hagen Freeze! Bicycles will be raffled at Noon(must be present to win.)
redspoke
05-13-08, 09:56 PM
Just reread your post... :innocent:
GREAT FUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF YOUR COMMUTE!!! :p
Mhendricks
05-14-08, 10:55 AM
what's your route?
I'm hitting the San Jose MLK first, then the one on the trail, how do you get to 1st st from Coleman?
You ride the trail up to where it hits the Airport. Ride along there until it hits Brokaw (where they added that extar light for the construction vehilcles) make that right then you'll hit First Street. I go left on First street and head North past EBAY.
murphstahoe
05-14-08, 11:56 AM
Hmm, I'm suppose to go down to Cisco's San Jose buildings on Thursday. Perfect opportunity for a ride with the big crowd. When do you think the Bike Bus will be heading through San Bruno?
San Bruno - hmm. I would guess San Bruno Ave/Airport at around 7:15 AM.
I will twitter our progress to www.twitter.com/murphstahoe
Hey Jin,
I'm planning to hit the station at the hamilton and los gatos creek trail, then guadalupe river park, then ebay/paypal - I could potentially alter my route a tiny bit to hit the los gatos creek station near the campbell dog park, but I think 3 is probably enough stations. To get to the Ebay-Ppal area, if you're riding alongside the airport, turn right on airport parkway, the street that turns into brokaw further down. What time do you think you'll be there?
not sure about time yet, but I think I'm gonna stay off the trail. Might make a right on heading then head down 1st. I'll try to leave my house before 7am.
JTGraphics
05-14-08, 12:32 PM
I commute daily and the 15th is no exception
I commute daily and the 15th is no exception
yes, but on the 15th you will get free food anddrinks on your way to work.
sj_roadie
05-14-08, 02:43 PM
not sure about time yet, but I think I'm gonna stay off the trail. Might make a right on heading then head down 1st. I'll try to leave my house before 7am.
ah, you're going to get there way before me then. I think I'm going to leave my house around 7:45. Not sure why you'd avoid the trail, it's so much nicer than the street IMO.
subframe
05-14-08, 02:48 PM
I've been talked out of the Skyline ride which is happening.
SF to Peninsula ride via the Bay, Thurs May 15.
Ritual Coffee Roasters, 6:30 AM.
Hmmm, I've been planning on doing skyline to Cupertino, but then I've always wondered what the Bay route is. How long does the Bay route take?
murphstahoe
05-14-08, 03:43 PM
Hmmm, I've been planning on doing skyline to Cupertino, but then I've always wondered what the Bay route is. How long does the Bay route take?
Yesterday we left 24th/Mission at 6:30, and I arrived at Redwood City Caltrain at 8:29. Cupertino would probably be another hour. I think you would cut down Willow Road in Menlo Park, cross into PA and take Sand Hill to Foothill, Foothill all the way to Cupertino.
The route "used to be" as follows.
http://groups.google.com/group/sf2g/web/the-bayway-40mi-1000
Now they take a bike path around Foster City which is much more pleasant but probably adds 20 minutes.
reidconti
05-14-08, 03:44 PM
What kind of schwag do they tend to hand out? I live right near the eBay stop so I'm thinking of heading south a mile or two to pick up stuff (and maybe drop it back at home) if it's any good.. then I'll run into some other stops on the way north, no doubt.
Bottled drinks, or loose stuff in coolers? I use my camelback, but I could bring a couple of empty water bottles if there'll be something good to add to them.
My seat popped back a notch or two yesterday about 10 miles from work, and I didn't have a wrench on me, so I had to ride the rest of the way leaning wayyy back. My back was not too happy with me this morning because of that, but I managed to convince myself to take the bike again today as training for tomorrow's heat wave. Bring it!!
spoketacular
05-14-08, 03:53 PM
Every day is May 15th for me. No, I'm not caught in a Groundhog Day loop. Of course!
sj_roadie
05-14-08, 04:05 PM
reidconti, I think you weren't the only one taking a dry run today. I saw alot more bikes than usual today during my commute to work.
Not sure what they'll have to hand out, last year was my first BTWD and I didn't hit any of the stations.
subframe
05-14-08, 04:07 PM
thanks for the link, murphstahoe - I'll stick to skyline, makes more sense for me...
Have fun!
BlastRadius
05-14-08, 05:10 PM
subframe, where are you taking Skyline from? Coming south on Skyline is tough going. Between John Daly Blvd and the Highway 1 junction is all climbing... pretty slow going and tends to make you sweaty. In the summer, it can be completely fogged in which makes you really wet in a cold way.
subframe
05-14-08, 05:27 PM
subframe, where are you taking Skyline from? Coming south on Skyline is tough going. Between John Daly Blvd and the Highway 1 junction is all climbing... pretty slow going and tends to make you sweaty. In the summer, it can be completely fogged in which makes you really wet in a cold way.
I actually bypass that section. Instead, I do this: Mission to E. Market (in Colma) to San Pedro to Junipero Serra, then climb up Hickey to Skyline. Hickey is very painful, but at least it's all over with quickly :D
I've considered taking John Daly to Skyline, but I always figured if I did that, I'd be climbing in cold and wind and fog instead of just fog...
Nycycle
05-14-08, 05:33 PM
Uh-oh. Gonna be a scorcher Thursday. FEar all the commuter n00bs getting a taste of a norcal heat wave.
.
We have yet to have what I call anything but cool or cold day yet this year!
Weather will just barely be warming up by thursday, nice friday.
MACinRWC
05-14-08, 11:15 PM
fatty bike bus to school tomorrow
MACinRWC
05-14-08, 11:16 PM
from canyon coffee in emerald hills to woodside highschool-via the alameda
Mhendricks
05-14-08, 11:38 PM
ah, you're going to get there way before me then. I think I'm going to leave my house around 7:45. Not sure why you'd avoid the trail, it's so much nicer than the street IMO.
a big +1 on that. I've ridden the trail for the last 3 years. First Street heading South is a death trap. I'll be at the Diridon station tomorrow around 7:30 then off to the trail. BTW I'm riding a red/black Orbea.
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