Pacific Northwest - Regular Commuters: How was Bike to Work day for you?

I saw probably 4X more bikes this morning than I normally see. It was great to see everyone out on their bikes!

Passed two commute stations, but did not stop at either one, so I don't know what kind of schwag they were giving out.

Helped a gal fix a flat tire in Bellevue. She was quite grateful. She had a spare tube, but did not have any tools with her and was trying to figure out how to get the tire off the rim when I asked if she needed help.

Rode behind a guy in downtown Bellevue who was literally HUGGING the curb and stopping at the traffic lights right in the middle of the crosswalk. I tried to offer up a little advice about giving himself a little more room, taking the lane when needed, and stopping over the little white "X" so that his bike can trigger the traffic light, but I could see that it was not being received well, so I shut up.

It was a nice morning to commute!

Looks like it's going to be the first day this week that I won't need rain gear all day. Hurray!

Got a scone and lots of good loot at the Everett Station stop sponsored by REI.

Got another scone at the Boeing-Everett stop, but they didn't have a bike shop sponsor like previous years, so the scones, fruit, and a few water bottles was about all they had.

Notable bump in bike traffic today. Bike-to-work + 1st sunshine in ages = potent mix I think

Can't ride for another 24 hours. I had some oral surgery done on Thursday. Wife and I will do a ride on Sunday instead. Really bummed too, I was thinking the surgery wasn't till next week then the office called and reminded me on Wed. Oh well now I'm all done with all the dental surgeries and can get on with the rest of my summer.

Looks like it's going to be the first day this week that I won't need rain gear all day. Hurray!

Got a scone and lots of good loot at the Everett Station stop sponsored by REI.

Got another scone at the Boeing-Everett stop, but they didn't have a bike shop sponsor like previous years, so the scones, fruit, and a few water bottles was about all they had.

Was at the Everett stop bright and early as well as the one at Speedy Reedy, no real schwag out there got a couple of maps and water bottles. Had to pass on the baked goods though I am in the middle of some extensive mouth work so I can't chew a whole lot :(

I am totally looking forward to the trip home tonight. it will be nice to ride in shorts and no rain gear!

Get this though I was told by a co-worker this morning that I am not a real bike rider because I cheat and take the bus. Even though I get at least 7 miles a day in, and weather permitting a twice a week 34 mile commute.

I've been taking it easy because of an injury but was glad to be on the bike....really happy that the weather was great this morning. After getting off the Sounder stop in Tukwila near Boeing, I made my way north to Seattle. Great to see lots of cyclists going in the opposite direction-- almost looked like STP! I stopped at the 4 commute stations along my route and was happy to give them my gratitude for helping us out. I didn't stick around at each station long as I was trying to make good time to the office but ended up picking up 1 water bottle and a clif bar. I'm really hoping the rest of the month remains this way! :)

There was only 1 station on my route, and they weren't open yet when I went past. At the end, though, there was a nice company-sponsored breakfast and some schwag.

The ride itself wasn't much better or worse than usual. I did get a laugh from the guy who chugged past me on the uphill (I'm on a recumbent so I don't climb overly fast), then looked back when I was passing on the flat at the top and decided he had to really pump it to maintain his "lead" on me. It didn't work either :) It just made my passing him take a little longer.

Seriously, people, I'm all about doing my ride at my speed. Pass or don't, but don't kill yourself trying to prove you're better/faster/whatever than the 50-year old fat guy on the 'bent. I don't care all that much.

yeah I'm more about maintaining a speed than about maintaining a specific length of gap

Avoided most of the crowds by leaving an hour early and eating breakfast close to my work. Scored a water bottle from the station by the Ballard Fred Meyer. Not too bad at all, and a pleasant sunny, fairly warm, ride in.

I'll probably take the long way home tonight and avoid the Burke entirely.

I was at the Seattle City Hall rally, which was sparsely attended, I think.

I heard rumors about the SmartWool company giving out wool socks and arm warmers. They probably ran out early; I missed that swag.

Probably the nicest food stop was one of those "Do-it-yourself" stops on Lake Washington Blvd, which was giving out coffee, muffins, and banana bread. I think a lot of people didn't know about them. The other stops I made, about 6 or so, seemed to have very little left when I arrived.

Passed two commute stations, but did not stop at either one, so I don't know what kind of schwag they were giving out.


I received a $25 gift card to Gregg's at the Bellevue station. I was there right after they opened up so I'm not sure if they were giving them out to everybody or just the first few riders. (Dang... I just spent $64 at Gregg's yesterday)

The bike rack on my bus (Sound Transit 545) was full, but that's not unusual. I did see two brand new bikes that I didn't recognize - they didn't look like regular commuter bikes so I chalked them up as "Bike to work day" riders.

I used to avoid bike to work days when I commuted across 520 years ago, but with the increased bus traffic there it didn't seem too bad this morning.

It was one of the nicest days for a ride of the year so far. :thumb:I love living here in the NW.:D
Ciao,
O^o

Not a whole lot of people for the rally. Maybe not a lot of love for Mayor Nickles? My first bike to work day was back in, oh, 1994 or so, and I seemed to recall more a festival going on at Westlake Center. I think back then they didn't have any swag stations, just swag and food downtown.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed with turnout this year. There was an even bigger mob waiting at the light on Fremont Ave heading onto dexter, but other than that I only saw a slight increase over the bike to work week/month/fair weather commuters.
I also missed 3 different stations, all of them were only a few blocks away, but going to them meant a lot of messing around with long lights, so I didn't have the time.
I did get to see a banana in spandex cheering people on, however :thumb:

To be honest, I didn't notice any difference at all. I saw the same people I see every day. Nobody new, and we had awesome weather this week. Anyone new 'considering' commuting by bike had no excuse for not doing it.

In all fairness though, it wasn't promoted at all locally.

I saw a fair amount more riders than usual but couldn't tell whether it was because of Bike to Work day or because the weather was (suddenly) so nice. Picked up a free water bottle at the Mt. Baker tunnel commuter station - last year, I think Starbucks was giving away free coffee there, but not this year.

I visited Seattle I-90 station and the Madrona station on my way around the Lake Washington loop. I played hookie from work and did complete the loop. I made it a fun ride.