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.

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?

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.

Avoiding Crashes - Cars, Traffic & Infrastructure

I was pretty sure I'd get really hurt on the road when I started biking. A co-worker said to me, "If you ride most days, you need to be prepared to get hit or crash, it will most likely happen." Maybe that's a little harsh, but looking around my office - I see a few people that have been hit by opening cars doors, gotten caught in streetcar tracks or bridge grids, & been plane out clipped by a motorized vehicle. On that lovely thought, I want to give you my quick advice on staying safe while biking around Seattle.

1. Avoid Streetcar tracks, as well as old rail tracks in South Lake Union & along Westlake Avenue. I ride the left hand side of Westlake because I have seen one too many bikers get a tire caught in the 2" track, biffing pretty hard. There are also some old tracks near Fairview & Valley that should be passed over with caution (I'd recommend getting on the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop here).


2. Stay off bridges, use the sidewalks especially at Montlake. Those grids will catch you, drop you & hurt you with the slightest of movements.
   


3. Use the sidewalk when traffic is heavy or you feel safer there. Seattle law allows us to ride on sidewalks & I often take advantage of this; people will sometimes disagree, but stand firm it is your right. Additional comments here would be to make sure you ride at an appropriate speed & respect the pedestrians you pass.


4. Ride on bike heavy streets to avoid your surprise element to other cars. It seems to me that riding alongside other bikers on sharrow or bike lane streets gives you a little more visibility.


5. Stay 3 feet out from parked cars to avoid getting clipped by a car door. Streets marked with bike lanes & sharrows indicate the proper distance, but you should also be mindful on unmarked & neighborhood streets. No one wants to end up like the girl from Wayne's World.


6. Own the road, this forces cars to slow down & think before passing you. Remember that you have a right to be in the lane, don't apologize or hug the curb to accommodate a car passing unless it is 100% safe.


7. Have the proper gear to increase visibility. Now, the whole point of me starting this blog was to prove that we don't need to gear up to ride, but sometimes things are necessary. Don't wear head to toe grey/black/navy during a rainy day or at night - try to have some sort of color on your person, bag or bike. I also recommend (& Seattle law requires) a white headlight & red tail light (blinking is best) at night.

Image from Car Free Days.

Seattle Bike Trail Etiquette

Some of Seattle's most prominent bike trails include the Burke-Gilman and Interurban, both can be really convenient & an easy way to get around Seattle by bike. I've never ridden the Interurban, mostly because I rarely ride north. Biking on the Burke-Gilman can be tricky, depending on the day & time. Some days you'll be alone for long stretches, others you are avoiding a head-on collision while missing the couple & their baby stroller. I've also had some weird (horrid) interactions with aggressive riders on the trail, forcing me to pull off to let them pass as they speed by. I also was scolded by another biker for not giving him an "on your left." I was miffed by this; on a busy day on the trails do I really need to tell every person that I'm passing them if there is no oncoming traffic or danger? Turns out, you're supposed to. To me it seems like the "Good morning" rule. You might say hello to a person you pass walking to work on your street, but you wouldn't say something to everyone you pass on Broadway, would you?

See the City's website more information on Seattle Trail Etiquette.

SDOT Bicycle Improvements

Seattle Department of Transportation has been busy this summer, visit here to learn about Seattle Bike Infrastructure, wayfinding and paving markings. There are some quick explanations how to behave and what the intentions are.

You can also view or download a Fact Sheet or Bike Facilities by Neighborhood Sheet from the West Seattle Herald, each talking about city-wide improvements.

Seattle Bike Codes - An Intro to Your Rights & Responsibilities

Knowing your rights & responsibilities can be a big barrier when thinking about starting to bike. I sort of hopped in, not knowing. When people glared at me while riding the sidewalk on busy streets, I felt bad (little did I know that I have every right to be there). For those of you new to cycling or cycling in Seattle, here is a quick run down of the code.

For Cyclists:

1. When biking on the road, you have all of the same rules & responsibilities as the driver of a car.
2. You must avoid colliding with any pedestrian or other biker & should use a bell when necessary.
3. Biking slower than the average speed of traffic requires you to ride closest to the right side of the right lane. This excludes safely passing another rider or executing a turn.
4. In a one way, two (or more)-laned road, cyclists may ride closest to the left side of the left lane.
5. You have the right to ride on a shoulder of the road or other bike lanes specified.
6. You may ride two abreast, no more.
7. You have to use hand signals (left, right, or stop)
8. You may not hang on to a moving vehicle.
9. You can not haul any package or bundle that prevents you from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars (no going no-handed).
10. When dark you must have a white light on the front & a red reflector on your back. You may also use a red light on your rear in addition.
11. Those brakes have got to work!
12. You can't carry a passenger unless your 18+ & that small child is attached to their person.
13. When along a crosswalk, you have all the rights & rules as a pedestrian. You shouldn't cut into a crosswalk if cars are present or passing through.
14. You can ride on the sidewalk! You should ride in a manner & of a speed that is proper to the conditions (pedestrian traffic, grade, condition of surface).
15. When on the sidewalk or public path you must yield the right-of-way to an pedestrian & signal (bell or "on your left" it) when overtaking (passing) any pedestrian.
16. Wear a helmet (it's a $100+ ticket now)
    

Drivers Must:

1. Not enter, leave or open the door of a motor vehicle adjacent to moving traffic unless safe to do so. Drivers are responsible to make sure that there are no bikers traveling past.
2. Drive at a speed, avoiding collision with cyclists or pedestrians.
3. Not drive in a bicycle lane, unless executing a turn. In which case they must yield to you, the biker.

Further resources through Bike Smart Seattle and review codes at SDOT.

My philosophy with biking in Seattle is this - stay safe, don't apologize for biking, pay attention, and run red lights if you've looked both ways, checked for pedestrians, etc. Two other things that have really helped me to stay safe are:

1. Riding out from parallel cars & taking my place in the lane (this prevents doors from opening on you and forces cars passing you to slow down & move quite a bit out)
2. Riding on sidewalks when traffic is heavy or fast
   

This just may be my favorite article on the subject, Bicycles Don't Matter. No Really. They Don't. by Dan Bertolet at Hugeasscity. Read other biking related articles here.

Image via sparkling allison.

Cargo Bikes

Another option in getting your goods where you're going is a cargo bike. They seem to be the perfect option for someone with children, someone that uses their bike for grocery shopping or getting equipment to work, a person that lives somewhere flat, &/or a person with a couple thousand to drop on a bike. I think they look super fun & really convenient (just not for me & these Seattle hills).


Metrofiets are handmade in Portland, OR


Bakfiets are pricey & foreign, but can be bought at specialty bike shops like Clever Cycles (Portland), Rain City Bikes (Vancouver, BC), and Dutch Bike Co. (Seattle) .


Joe Bike sells a variety of cargo bikes in varying costs & uses; Portland based of course.


Yuba Bikes sell in the states, but are German based & reasonably priced.


Madson Cycles are another stylish option & available across the US.


Christiana Bikes also seem nice, though I'm not sure they are available outside the EU.

Other resources include: Bikefix & Cargo Bikes (the list).

Getting It There

Carrying your lunch, clothes or other things to & from work can be quite a hassle. Should you carry it on your back, or should you make your bike do all of the work?

Bags
I've been using a Gama-Go messenger bag for the last two years, but often find that it doesn't hold it all, not to mention that it weighs me down & wrinkles my shirt. While I love the look of Chrome, Timbuk2, & R.E. Load bags, I was discouraged to find that I'd be dropping hundreds. I also looked into waterproof panniers & courier bags at REI, again, I was shocked at the price for something that didn't even suit my style.

Using a messenger bag can be tough on your lower back & when it's hot out I find that having a bag against my back makes matters much worse. If you are like me & haul a lot of stuff to & fro, a bag is often tricky, unless you rock a large Chrome Metropolis, which I thought about often. The positive to using a messenger bag is that it can easily go where you go & serve a purpose other than cycling.

Getting a sturdy bag that is both comfortable, stylish & functional will run your over $100 & can move closer to $200 as you upgrade. As usual, I'll recommend checking Ebay or Craigslist for secondhand deals.


Chrome


Timbuk2 - check out their bag builder to create a custom piece


R.E. Load

Rack Options
I just installed a rack on the rear of my bike & I'm sold on its convenience. It would have been easy to put on myself, but I had the folks at Velo do it since it was already getting other work done. Not only do I have the option for panniers or a basket, but I can rig up almost anything using a bungee cord. Until I find the perfect basket or bags, I plan on sticking with the bungee method. With that said, I may pick up a net like this one.

I also love the idea of a basket - one that is easily removable for taking into grocery stores, my apartment or work. This rattam one is super cute, this black one seems nice & subtle, & this white one has a touch of girlie (oops, I just bought this); all of these run between $17 & $55. Don't forget about front baskets either; I personally love the super simple wire, but wicker also floats my boat. Oh oh oh & I lust over this as well, the Carrie Swedish Lace Basket.


Eleven81


Eleven81


Carrie Swedish Lace

Then there are panniers, which seem to be a bit harder to find around these parts; Dutch Bike Co. carries the FastRider Line & London Cycle Chic has some to lose your cool over. Instructables shows us how to make our own & these knitted panniers are so sweet. Want to spend top dollar? Check out these designer bags from Gruppo Bici. Again, more utilitarian panniers can be found all over; Amazon, Rei or Bike Somewhere.


Safari Bags from London Cycle Chic


Gruppo Bici


FastRider at Dutch Bike Co.


Via A Lovely Thing

Cycle Style - Photo Inspiration

With all of this talk about cycling in style, I thought I'd share some of my favorite spots to find some inspiration.

Flickr Users & Groups
Bicycle in Street
DustinJ
Montreal Cyklers

Blogs -
Copenhagen Cycle Chic & Zakkaliciosness's Photostream
Barcelona Cycle Chic
Bicycle Pirate, One Girl's Blog
Velo Vogue, a San Francisco Collection
416 Cycle Style, Toronto Baby

photo via 416.

Best Cycle Street Clothes

In the last few years I've been able to do some"research" on what works best while biking. It's been cold, it's been hot, it's been raining & I've found myself in some awkward clothing-related biking situations.


In the summer months I love to put on a dress & putz around town on my bike. If you're at all modest you'll want your dress to be a little heavier fabric (so it won't fly up) & not much up from your knee. I have a great jersey tube dress from Gentle Fawn that serves as my go to biking dress. It has a built in bra, exposes my shoulders & back (no tan lines), and is a-line with a free flowing bottom. My other go to summer outfit is an American Apparel pencil skirt & tube top, it takes me most places (on & off the bike). All in all, cycling in the summer means that you need comfortable, breathable clothing, for me that means jersey & other knits. If you are worried about a little too much skin, grab a pair of hot pants from american apparel or twin syndrome on etsy.


For a while I was anti leggings as pants, but they are creeping up into my wardrobe. While in Stockholm I found myself wearing leggings with oversized button ups a few times & thought that they'd make a lovely outfit for bike riding.


Another tip - riding in heels is just as easy as biking in flip flops.


A nice romper would be great too, don't you think?

Some no no's you ask? My biggest are skin tight denim, unless of course they have a little lycra in them. I also avoid too short skirts or shorts; it's less about giving sneak peeks & more about feeling my bare ass on the saddle.

All images via Zakkaliciousness.

Protect Your Head

You've got to protect your head! I grew up riding around without a helmet & on a super hot day I'll still go without if I'm just cruising the neighborhood. In any case, here are some of the hottest & most fun choices.


Yakkay makes a great base helmet with a variety of coverings. $120 for base, $60 for covers.


Pro-tec has a ton of color & finish options. A great simple, sporty helmet. $50


Bern is another lovely maker, stylish helmets with or without a brim. $75


Pryme has a cheaper option with tons of color choices. $20

Other fun things at Riding Pretty (fantastic, kitschy helmet covers that will run you around $55) and Bobbin carries the sweetest rain cap for 15 pounds.

What Should I Wear Biking?

Call me vain, but when I first considered biking around town, the first thought to go through my head - "Do I have to wear that God-awful get up?" Everywhere I look it's biker after biker in special clip shoes, spandex-butt padding shorts, yellow or green nylon jackets & some sporty eye protection. I don't mean to judge; some people want to bike fast, not have a sore ass, be easily spotted by cars & not get a rock in their eye. It seems like the best spots to get hi-tech cycling gear in Seattle is REI; there, plus EMS or Sierra Trading Post is great for online purchases.

I like to think of it this way, if you are going to be an aggressive cyclist (either speed or longevity), the gear is worth it. If you are going to ride casually or for only a short commute, you really just need to think about comfort & keeping your pant leg out of the chain. While I consider myself a casual commuter, I understand that in Seattle - biking in skin tight (no lycra) denim & heals can feel pretty constricting taking Pine from Downtown to the top of Capitol Hill. Check out the following links for places to grab functional & stylish cycle gear.

Cyclodelic (London based)
London Cyclechic & their fashion tips
Swrve Cycle Apparel
First Look Commuter Pants
Lindland Cordarounds
Styley helmets by Bern

Keep in touch this week as I get a little deeper into cycling in style.

Buying Vintage Bikes

There are a lot of reasons to buy vintage or secondhand bikes: cost, style, testing your commitment, nostalgia or sustainability. Buying this way has its pros & cons, but can be a solid way to go. Whether you are buying your bike off of craigslist, ebay, or from your local bike shop - you'll want to make sure that you learn as much about the bike as possible. Some things to check:

1. Has it had a tune up recently?
2. Is the frame in good shape (rust, dents, bends)?
3. How do the gears work, are they transitioning smoothly?
4. Is there tread remaining on the tires, is the rubber crack free?
5. Does the bike ride smoothly without any friction?

Your answer should be yes to any & all of these if you are interested in purchasing the bike. I also recommend that you have a chance to get your hands (or ass) on a used bike before committing to purchasing it - this means that craigslist, yard sales & local shops tend to be the best.

There are also negatives to consider when buying a vintage or used bike. First, it can be expensive or hard to repair or replace parts for your older bike. The biggest downfall that I've noticed in riding a vintage bike is the missing out on the modern technology. My lovely bike makes my body work a lot harder, especially with its heavier weight & center shifting system. Last, you'll often find little quirks such as new accessories don't fit right or your seat has adjustment limitations, but these can all be worked around.

I support it. Vintage bikes are good for the soul & can offer a stylish way to get around. I also think that riding a used bike is a strong statement toward reuse & sustainability - not everybody needs a brand-new, super high-tech, super fast bike.

Buying the Best Bike for You at Good.
Vintage Bicycle Guide at Riding Pretty.

Image via Lydia1913.

What Kind Of Bike Is Right For Me?

When you are trying to find the right bike, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions. I definitely recommend finding a bike shop that will walk you through all of your needs & concerns, to find you the perfect bike & the perfect fit.

Where do I live?
a. Seattle
b. New York
c. Santa Cruz
d. Chicago

The real question here is, what is the terrain? If you are riding steep hills you'll want more than just 3 speeds; you'll also want to tote around a lightweight bike, maybe even one with a little extra electric boost. Although you can still find kids riding fixies all over Seattle & San Francisco. Another thing to consider is the density of your city & the pace in which it moves, as well as the space that you live in. You may find that beach cruisers are too wide squeezing through traffic, next to parked cars or to fit in your tiny Manhatten apartment.

What kind of biking do I want to do?
a. Commute to work
b. Take long distance weekend rides & stay in shape
c. Off road and bike trails
d. Run errands & get around my neighborhood

As I talked about yesterday, different bikes are meant to cater to the type of riding you wish to do. If you are doing a short, slower commute to work & running errands on the weekend, you may be best off with a hybrid, recreational cruiser or electric bike. If you'd like to keep in shape with lengthy rides at a faster pace (ie you want to do the Seattle to Portland Ride in the next year) you'll want to get yourself on a road bike or a hybrid leaning in that direction. If you want to ride in the city as well as some gravel trails, hybrids are totally the way to go.

What is most important?
a. speed
b. comfort
c. compact
d. style

Generally speaking commuter hybrids, road bikes & fixies are the winners for speed. While commuter hybrics, recreational cruisers & some electric bikes seem to be front runners for comfort. More obviously, folding bikes are the most compact, but road bikes & fixies are usually pretty sleek & can fit into a studio or one bedroom apartment. As for style - that's personal.

What is your price range?
a. Under $200
b. $200-500
c. $500-$800
d. $800+

All styles & types of bikes can be found at different price ranges, depending on the quality & add ons you get. For a casual commuter, you could go as low as $350. Another thing that you can consider is going for a used bike while you test the waters. I grabbed my hybrid over 2 years ago for $100 at Velo & am still riding it to work most days & around town on the weekends. Check for used bikes at local shops or on craigslist.

Is there a style you like?
a. Colorful & trendy
b. Hi-tech & fast
c. Beach Cruiser & So-Cal
d. Vintage

Again, this is such a personal side of choosing a bike, but shouldn't be blown off. You should love your bike & feel good riding it!

I hope this helps for all of you debating about which bike to actually get. Remember to talk to someone at your local bike shop, they are the experts. You can also look here for further insight - Her Active Life, STL Biking, Ride the Wind & Seattle Woman.

What Bikes Are Out There?

Recreational Cruisers (Single to 8 Speed) - popular models include the Electra Amsterdam, Trek Cruisers, Trek Allant, Simple City Bikes & many Dutch Models.


Drop Handle Road Bikes - makers include Trek, Bianchi, Schwinn & Giant (for more see here).


Commuter Bikes (Hyrbids that can often separate into sport, city or comfort) - top commuters of 2009 from Metaefficient. AW Cycles has a good break down this category.


Electric Bikes - Models include the Giant Lite, Freedom & Express, Schwinn World & Continental, & eZee Bikes.


Folding Bikes - A great rundown here at Eco Geek & a Northwest resource.


Fixed Gear Bikes (Fixie) - single, fixed speed & oh so trendy. Best Fixies of 2009 over at Bike Forums.

Again, I want to welcome any input or comments that you might have here at Iva Jean Rides. I want to make sure that readers have the best information & sometimes you might be holder.

8 Reasons Biking in Seattle Had Me Freaked

I fantasized about biking in Seattle, a Seattle with no hills & me on a beautiful cruiser. But when I decided to make it happen, reality set in & I was intimidated. It seemed I had so much to learn; what kind of bike should I get, how the heck am I going to haul my stuff around, what do I really need to buy, how am I going to avoid dying? I had some friends to ask questions & coworkers that helped me get used to commuting, but what I needed most was to just start riding.

So, here we are - the 8 reasons biking in Seattle had me freaked...

1. What kind of bike do I need & how much is this going to cost me?
2. What am I going to wear (do I really need spandex shorts)?
3. How will I haul my stuff around?
4. How can I avoid dying & what are Seattle's bike laws?
5. How can I avoid dying & how do I deal with cars & heavy traffic?
6. What's the deal with loading my bike on the bus?
7. How will I get there?
   
8. Ummm, won't I be super sweaty (is there any route without a huge hill)?
   

In the next few weeks tell you all what I wish I would have known then. Just one girl that wanted to bike around a bit to another.

Image via Copenhagen Cycle Chic.