Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Bike to Work Day

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Bike to Work Day

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-09 | 10:28 AM
  #1  
bhop's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik

Bike to Work Day

I'm a little disappointed, I actually saw less bikes today than usual.. only around 3 going the same direction as me that weren't on the sidewalk, and i'm not sure if one counts because his "bike" had a gas engine on it, but I did get some free stuff from a check point that I stopped at. The girl working the table seemed happy that somebody finally stopped.. heh..



A little re-useable bag with some coupons for a bike shop, a few mini clif bars, two patch kits, a mini pocket sized metro bike guide, some 'bike to work' post-its, a pen with built-in post it notes from the Tyra show(?!), and two coupons for some Wienerschnitzel chili dogs.. cuz y'know, that's a nice healthy bike riding food.. It was a nice ride though.

Last edited by bhop; 05-14-09 at 11:19 AM.
bhop is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 10:34 AM
  #2  
Full Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Giant OCR1

Dude, a chili dog is great after a long ride. Don't dis the chili dogs.
vaticdart is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 10:38 AM
  #3  
bhop's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik

Originally Posted by vaticdart
Dude, a chili dog is great after a long ride. Don't dis the chili dogs.
Don't get me wrong, I like chili dogs and will use my coupons, but I just thought it was kinda strange for cycling 'schwag'
bhop is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 10:43 AM
  #4  
kegoguinness's Avatar
These go to eleven
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Distrito de Columbia

Bikes: BF Pocket Crusoe; B Tikit; dust-gathering MTB

As Lewis Grizzard notes, chili dogs only bark at night. I'm stopping at a check point for the free T-shirt. Free t-shirt! I'm a sucker for those. I'd probably join a cult if they offered a cool free tee.
kegoguinness is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 11:12 AM
  #5  
ragboy's Avatar
actin' the foo
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
From: yo mamma's

Bikes: several

Originally Posted by bhop

Kudos on showing some shoulder.
__________________
ugh.
ragboy is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 11:23 AM
  #6  
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,155
Likes: 5
From: Maryland

Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley

Bike to Work Day is tomorrow in DC. You made me think I missed it. I usually miss it, only joined a group ride once. Thanks for the heads up. I always bike to work, but it's fun to ride with a group.
qmsdc15 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-14-09 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
Wake's Avatar
Sputnik - beep beep beep
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 481
Likes: 1
From: Louisville KY

Bikes: '12 Jamis Coda Elite '09 Jamis Sputnik, '07 Jamis Eclipse, '13 Brompton M6R.

Looks like the rain might hold off in Louisville tomorrow am for our Commuting Day, so I'll be happy to join some others even if I have to go a few extra miles to do it. I rarely see anybody on my normal route.
Wake is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 08:14 AM
  #8  
Ka_Jun's Avatar
Who farted?
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

Man, you got some cool swag. Just bagels and coffee, here.
Ka_Jun is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 08:17 AM
  #9  
Quel's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,653
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
Stopped by Freedom Plaza in DC this morning. Looked to be about 150 people there. Got free coffee, bagels, a t-shirt, and a water bottle. I think there was more free stuff, but I was rushing and didn't stick around long.
Quel is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 08:22 AM
  #10  
baron von trail's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 2
From: SW Ohio

Bikes: 3 good used ones

Man...it's beautiful out here. The sun is shining, perfect temps and no humidity. I would have loved riding in to work today.

18 more days of crutches and 62 more days off the bike. I hope to ride my first come-back commute on July 31.
baron von trail is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 08:26 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Beautiful Boise, Idaho

Bikes: 2000 GT Outpost Trail

Bike to Work Day in Austin too. Pics below.

I stopped by two stations. The first one (at Freewheeling Bicycle Shop) was really empty because I showed up right after they set it up. I got a breakfast taco, free water bottle, coffee, cookie, and city bike map. They started getting a good sized crowd just as I was leaving (about 20 people or so).

The second breakfast station was at El Chilito. There was a decent crowd by the time I got there. They were giving out breakfast tacos, Gatorade, and coffee.
Commuter76 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 08:44 AM
  #12  
Not a legend
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Hit three "pit stops" in San Diego. Most of them seem to be staffed by non-bike-riding HR people, which seems odd. Also, most people hitting the stops aren't first-timers. It'd be interesting to note how many are "regulars".

I think regular commuters need to man more of these booths instead of just collecting the schwag (guilty!). It feels like "aren't you special for having ridden a bike!", which frankly I don't need. We need more "I'm a bike commuter, and it's great! Let me help you start too!"
Praxis is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:09 AM
  #13  
alicestrong's Avatar
Pedal pusher...
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,766
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles

Bikes: I've got a bunch...

Originally Posted by bhop
Don't get me wrong, I like chili dogs and will use my coupons, but I just thought it was kinda strange for cycling 'schwag'
I used mine yesterday for lunch...

Our table looked much like yours. I was wearing a tee shirt that caught the eye of the local newspaper photographer...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
teeshirt.jpg (99.4 KB, 14 views)
__________________
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Last edited by alicestrong; 05-15-09 at 10:10 AM.
alicestrong is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:24 AM
  #14  
baron von trail's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 2
From: SW Ohio

Bikes: 3 good used ones

Since I was the only commuter here at the office, people used to look my way for inspiratation. Now, because of me they know of three people who broke their hip while bike riding over this past month. Now, they see cycling as a high-risk venture.

I guess I am no longer a ringing endorsement for the sport, or for bicycle commuting.
baron von trail is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:27 AM
  #15  
jimmyr's Avatar
drain brammaged
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ala-bammy
Here in Scottsboro, Alabama there's no official recognition of Bike to Work day. We did, however have a beautiful morning versus the weeks and weeks of steady rain and flooding, and that was enough for me!
jimmyr is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:27 AM
  #16  
mikeybikes's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater, CO

Bikes: Tons

Man, bike to work day in Colorado isn't until June 24th. I want free swag.
mikeybikes is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:36 AM
  #17  
GATC
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,860
Likes: 213
From: south Puget Sound
Originally Posted by Ka_Jun
Man, you got some cool swag. Just bagels and coffee, here.
bran muffin
HardyWeinberg is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:43 AM
  #18  
lambo_vt's Avatar
member. heh.
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
Here's a shot from the big day here:

lambo_vt is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 09:52 AM
  #19  
Ka_Jun's Avatar
Who farted?
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '06 K2 Zed 3.0, '09 Novara Buzz V

15-20 people, where I was. It blows my mind, seeing some of you guys pics w/ wall to wall mfers. That's just cool.
Ka_Jun is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 10:03 AM
  #20  
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Boston, Ma

Bikes: 1985? Fat Chance .. in need of love, and a 2001 Trek 1000

The Boston ride was ok. It seemed a little quieter than last year, but it was still fun. Some decent schwag, but no coffee (?!)
Bean6180 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 10:26 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9

I made it to the stop at Freedom Plaza, here in DC. I usually get in too early, they're not set up until 7, however, I was running late today and didn't want to miss out again. There were a few people there-it's exciting to see others in this cycling community of ours, whom I rarely see. I loaded up on T-Shirts, water bottle, etc, got a bagel and chatted bike stuff for a bit. Got to my desk about an hour later than usual and, wouldn't you know, it was the one day my boss beat me in. Oh well, he's cool with it. Dropped off 2 of the T-shirts to co-workers and will bring one home for the wife.
mjw16 is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 10:29 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Wait, it was today?
ghettocruiser is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 10:41 AM
  #23  
baron von trail's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,509
Likes: 2
From: SW Ohio

Bikes: 3 good used ones

Originally Posted by lambo_vt
Here's a shot from the big day here:

I don't think we have this many cyclists in the whole state, yet alone commuters in one area.
baron von trail is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 10:45 AM
  #24  
tarwheel's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC

Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia

I bike commute most days but drove today. Our BTWD event was downtown, which would have added another 10 miles to my commute and made me late to work. I also have a doctor's appointment during the day, and the weather forecast is calling for afternoon thunderstorms. Oh well, almost every day is BTWD for me.
tarwheel is offline  
Reply
Old 05-15-09 | 11:01 AM
  #25  
lambo_vt's Avatar
member. heh.
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, VA
Originally Posted by baron von trail
I don't think we have this many cyclists in the whole state, yet alone commuters in one area.
There were very few people that actually commute regularly, most of them are just cyclists in it for the ride that came for the free stuff (coffee, food, Clif bars, t-shirts, raffles, etc.). I don't commute via bicycle anywhere near full time so I guess that includes me - my regular commute is 7 mi, but I rode 8 to the rally and then 9 to work. Kind of like a mini-vacation for me.

In fact, I would say this area doesn't have a significant bicycle commuting presence. Most people don't work in town and so drive 30+ miles into DC or Baltimore.

The organizers said they had about 220 people register in advance, and a few dozen register this morning. A cool crowd, and I enjoyed it, even though I didn't win anything.
lambo_vt is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.