Bikery and Other Links

I just found out about The Bikery and couldn't be more excited. The Bikery is a non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for biking in Seattle - providing the use of tools at low costs, free (suggested donation) workshops and education, as well as work trade programs. I'll be heading to their Basic Bike Maintenance class on December 27 from noon to 2.

They also have a great link and resources page here.

Seattle D.I.Y.

Some of the best routes in Seattle can be found on page 4 of this PDF by Seattle D.I.Y. - the rest is a good read too.

The Sweat Factor

Topography and geography always comes up as a justification for Seattle's slow move to having a true bike culture. It's not Portland or better, it's not Copenhagen, we have steep climbs that sometimes extend for blocks. It makes a casual, easy ride seem impossible; never mind the idea of riding into work in a skirt and heels.

First, having a lighter bike with 5+ gears is a great start. I also found that having a basket or panniers takes the weight off of your back, making the ride easier.

Second, know your route and avoid huge climbs. The City of Seattle has a list of the highest elevations here. Some of the rides I've found to be the easiest to get from point a to point b are below.

• The Burke Gilman will get you back and forth from Ballard, Fremont, Gas Works, and University District.
  
• The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop will be you between Eastlake, South Lake Union and Fremont.
• Stone Way is a  slow and steady climb to get from Gas Works to Wallingford.
  
• Getting from Downtown to Capitol Hill is easiest via Pine or Pike.
• Getting from Fremont to Downtown is easiest via Westlake or Dexter.
  

Finally, know the bus schedule. Now that the weather is colder and I'm not using my bike home as a workout - I've started to the 8 to get up Denny from the gym. If you become familiar with times and routes, it's makes those hills pretty easy. Check here to see how to load your bike.

image via ninjatira.

Velo Routes - Elevation Feature

A coworker sent me the Velo Routes link yesterday; letting me know that they've added an elevation feature. I mapped my commute home and discovered that I'm completing a 400 foot hike on my rides home.

Choose Create A Route from the left sidebar to start. Once there, you'll want to enter your start address or double click to get in closer. Left click on your starting point, then continue doing the same to mark your path. Once completed you can either save your route, export it, or create an elevation image (similar to that above, my ride in to work, a must easier ride).

Copenhagenize in Seattle

 

Mikael from Copenhagenize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic will be speaking tonight at the Seattle Nordic Museum in Ballard, along with other lectures to follow in Portland and San Francisco. Marketing Bicycle Culture Lecture is free & starts at 7pm tonight.

Climbing Pine

it was a bit rainy, but still a great fall day. walking toward downtown i had moments of admiration for these riders.

Google Maps for Bikes

Awwwwww Yeah People! Google announces they'll add bike there features to Google Maps.

Thanks to the Infrastructurist.

Seattle Bike Fall Style

I love seeing all of the leaves on the ground & bikers sporting warmer clothes. This girls skinny jeans are perfect for fall rides (hopefully there is a little stretch in there). Her purple velvet blazer & flats just added to the lovely. A great example of a flexible outfit for biking, working & socializing.


I loved this girls hat & casual look - layers are ideal for the casual biker. I also wanted to snap a picture, proving that walking your bike up Pike to Capitol Hill is an option, a stylish one at that.

How Will I Get There - A Guide to Seattle

Simply deciding how to get from Point A to Point B can be challenging when you are new to biking in Seattle, or any city for that manner. What about the fastest way, the safest way or the most scenic way? While there are some great visual and printable resources in Seattle, I think the two biggest helps are this: find a bike buddy or a organized casual group ride and practice (the more you ride, the more you know).

As for visual guides for Seattle, you can find maps, guides and routes at all of the following locations:

• Cascade Bicycle Club Maps & Routes
• SDOT Maps
• King County Bike Maps
  
• Seattle Bicycle Club Maps
• Bikely - Seattle - You can search through hundreds of user created maps & guides
• Velo Routes Seattle

If you don't have any friends that ride (or that are willing to be patient as you get comfortable), I suggest trying out craigslist or group rides around the city:

• Seattle Bike Bicycle Club has weekend rides that range from social to expert.
• Cascade Bicycle Club also hosts rides, most seem more intense.
  
• Hello Bicycle has been known to lead some group rides.
  
• I Bike Seattle Tours - see local history with a guided tour, pricey.
• Your local bike shop, they seem to know the most.

Feel free to send me any links to other group rides or routes in Seattle.

Photo via Lisa Randolph and her beautiful Flickr Photostream. Who says it can't just be a pretty bike pic?

Cycle Style Inspiration - Lars Daniel

Flickr offers endless inspiration, sometimes you get smacked over the head with a portfolio that is exactly what you are looking for. Lars Daniel has a wonderful photostream, but his Bikes in the City set is just lovely lovely.

Feverish Bike Set

A great set of bike photos from Flickr Friend Feverish. Check out his Etsy shop & photo blog.

Topshop Bicycle Club on Chictopia

Some of my favorite cycle looks from Topshop Bicycle Club on Chictopia. An endless source of street style.

Seattle Bikes

Some quick shots of Seattle on bike, most shots taken on Pike/Pine. I need to get out more & shoot - it seems to be getting away from me.

Loading Your Bike on Seattle Metro

Sometimes those hills are too steep, the path too long, the streets too busy. On those days, I wait at the bus stop with my bike, hoping that there is an open spot on the front of the Seattle Metro.

What kind of bike can load onto the Metro? Most conventional bikes will fit on the front of the buses; gas powered, tandem, or three wheeled bikes are not allowed. As frustrating as it might seem, these bikes are not allowed to come with you inside the bus, but folding bikes are.

Can I load my bike anywhere? Used to be no, but it looks like they've started a one year demonstration project earlier this year. From Seattle Metro's site:

Effective February 7, 2009, bicycles may be loaded and unloaded anywhere in the Ride Free Area (RFA) during off-peak hours, including Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays. The only restriction for bicycle loading on surface streets in the RFA is Monday through Friday during peak hours (6 - 9 a.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.) at each route's first and last RFA stop.

• Bicycles may be loaded or unloaded at any Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel station during all hours the tunnel is open.
• See the list of actual first and last stops in the Ride Free Area by route number [.PDF 25kb] (revised 6/17/09)
• King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are currently sponsoring a demonstration project that allows bicyclists and other transit customers to ride free across the SR-520 Evergreen Point Bridge on out-of-service Metro and Sound Transit buses.

Alright, how do I get my bike on there? Well, read it here or watch it here.

Here is Seattle Metro's bike page, check it out for further information.