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Bike the vote! Ride to the polls!

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Old 11-05-08 | 08:10 AM
  #51  
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Lock? What is this "lock" of which you speak?

OK, I actually do own a lock. Not sure where it is though, wherever it is, it's been there for over a year.

I just park my bike outside the building, it's always there when I get back.
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Old 11-05-08 | 09:23 AM
  #52  
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From: petit valley, rotat

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mine was directly across to the street to my amazement.

i campaigned for bob barr (lp.org) from 7am until 3pm and saw only 2 bicyclers vote (i live amidst a very unhealthy population, according to many of those 'what is the fattest city' articles)
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Old 11-05-08 | 09:26 AM
  #53  
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Biked to the poll on my way home from work. I walked into the gym with my bike and leaned it against the wall. There was only 1 other person voting when I arrived. In and out in 5 minutes.
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Old 11-05-08 | 11:11 AM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by rhm
I was out by 6:15 AM, so I rode town to Bristol PA to volunteer for the Obama campaign GOTV project. It was a blast. I went door to door for about four hours, then rode home. Total miles for the day, about 39.
I assume you were smart enough not to wear a Hey, Look at Me! spandex oufit and/or gaudy biking clothes when you went door to door to persuade people to do the right thing.
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Old 11-05-08 | 12:24 PM
  #55  
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I rode to the polls with my wife and two kids. There were several bikes locked up outside. The line was about an hour long. Thank goodness for the unusually pleasant weather for this time of year.

Yes, I was in my spandex shorts and had on a brightly colored jacket. It's a running jacket but has a long cut back and rear pocket like a cycling jacket. It also has reflective stripes. I don't wear it for the "Hey, look at Me" effect. More for the "Hey! I'm here. Don't run move over" effect.

As we walked to the end of the line, I passed many neighbors who are by now quite used to seeing me in spandex. The kids were able to play with some neighbor kids outside as we waited. It went fairly quick. It was also an educational experience for my eight year old. He's been into politics ever since he got to be George Washington in his class play.

We rode to the polling place for the same reason I ride to work and other places. It wasn't to make any political statement. It's just a practical, economical, and healthy way to get places that are relatively close.

My clothing choice was made based on what would keep me comfortable and safe on my ride. No one remarked on it, nor would I expect them to. If they somehow thought less of me because of my spandex shorts that is their problem.

After voting, my wife and kids rode home and I rode into work. If I were only going to the polls and then back home, I would have skipped the spandex.

Note: Last Friday I rode into work dressed as Paul Stanley of Kiss complete with electric guitar. Unbeknownst to me, a coworker, who also bicycle commutes came dressed as Alice Cooper. On the way home we rode together for a short ways on a busy downtown avenue. On that occasion we were definitely trying to draw attention to ourselves
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Old 11-05-08 | 12:37 PM
  #56  
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I rode my bike to the polls... and also worked as a volunteer Election Clerk all day. So the ride to vote was also technically a for real commute. Didn't see any other easily identifyable cyclists, but the one I saw last year was on an old Raliegh 3sp, and wore street clothes--since I was stuck inside all day, there could have been many of them or none, no way to tell. We ran a tight ship--I don't think anyone waited more than 20 min to vote. I did meet another election worker, and older guy, who is also into bikes and knows Mrs. Richard Sachs. We totally bike geeked out for a bit yesterday at the polls during some down time.
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Old 11-05-08 | 12:41 PM
  #57  
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Rode as well, then I got a hair cut across the street. I think in all about 1 mile RT.
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Old 11-05-08 | 01:27 PM
  #58  
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From: Redding, California

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Since October 4th, I've been on a quest to ride 1000 Miles for Obama (and blogging about it at 1000Miles4Obama.com). My motto was "Pedaling for Change, Powered by Hope".

Yesterday morning, I rolled over the 1000th mile as I pedaled into the parking lot of my polling place.

Life is Good.

FWIW, I've ridden to the polling place every election for the last 10 years or so.
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Old 11-05-08 | 03:55 PM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by LordBass
Rode to the polls this morning. Of a few hundred people there at 7am, let's just say that zero others were in a bright yellow jacket.
i did the same. got there dropped of my absentee ballot and was on my way. in and out in a matter of minutes
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