May 17th is Bike to Work Day : RTA offers free rides to folks with bikes + more

BTWD poster via Bike Cleveland

Friday, May 17th 2013

National Bike to Work Day (It's a thing, I swear it!)

GCRTA will offer you free transit access/rides if you have your bike with you.

Cycling to work is one of those things that is usually pretty difficult to start getting into but once you do, I swear you will wonder why you didn't start sooner. Back when I worked downtown my 6.4 mile (one way) bike ride was pretty flawless, although the Detroit-Superior bridge is a bear heading West until you get used to it. I never really got ridiculously sweaty on the way to the office even though I constantly pushed myself to ride as hard as I could (I was mentally racing the buses, and don't tell me they weren't aware). One of the pitfalls of getting a bike speedometer is that you constantly want to see how fast a constant speed you can maintain. Regardless, the ride was smooth, there wasn't too much bad interaction with traffic and I got to the office on my own terms, getting into better shape, getting some exercise and without losing control of my trip (like you can feel when you are waiting for a bus or train that is running behind).

When I switched jobs and had to get to University Circle the 12 mile ride was do-able except that for some reason I would always get a flat in MidTown. Pretty regularly, no matter what combination of tire/pressure I would try. Even my goo-filled self sealing tires were no match for the refusal to street sweep the Euclid Corridor that is apparently Cleveland's answer to multi-mode transit. I may have had a string of bad luck, but I'm still a little bitter about having to purchase so many tire tubes for that jaunt, enough so that I gave up and drove (also I had to visit various job sites and that was becoming slightly impractical on a bike).

The new job is 15 miles away in Shaker Square (are you triangulating where I live yet?) and there is nothing I enjoy about the commute save taking the train, which is amazingly easy and I get to read for at least an hour every day. It is beyond my comfort zone for biking (I probably don't have the stamina and the distance is enough that I am sure I will probably be a sweaty mess by the time I make it up the ridges of Cleveland).

That all being said Friday May 17th, is National Bike to Work Day and to help get you off your butt and onto your bike seat the GCRTA is offering the following amazing deal. If you are using your bike that day, RTA will provide you with free rides.

So if you think your trip is too far, put your bike on the train or bus in the morning and take a nice leisurely ride on the way home maybe stopping at your favorite establishments to have a round with friends and share your experiment (don't ride hammered, make it a round of lemonade) OR use the RTA as a backup in case you suffer a mechanical failure (flat tire in MidTown, etc.) by hopping on a bus or train (with your bike) if you can't finish your journey by bike. All RTA buses have bike racks and you can now take your bike on the train as well, just follow the rules.

Don't forget to check out the fine folks at Bike Cleveland for more news and updates.

More things a-happening for Bike to Work Day (via BikeClevland - you should join):

Bike Cleveland’s Bike to Work Day series, with support from the Cleveland Clinic, kicks off on Friday, May 17^th.  Greater Clevelanders are encouraged to leave their car at home and commute by bike. Bike Cleveland, Crank-Set Rides, Heights Bicycle Coalition.University Circle Inc. and the Bike Rack will be hosting a flurry of morning commute activities at the kick-off.

Energizer Stations

Crank-Set Rides and the Heights Bicycle Coalition are partnering with Phoenix Coffee to staff Coffee Stations at the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge (east end) in Cleveland, and at the Edgehill / Overlook intersection in Cleveland Heights. Bike Commuters will be offered a free cup of Phoenix Coffee providing them a boost of energy as they make their way to one of the Bike to Work Day Parties at the The Bike Rackdowntown or University East Plaza in University Circle.

Bike to Work Day Party (2 locations)

Located at The Bike Rack (E. 4^th and High) and at University East Plaza (11330 Euclid Ave) people on bikes will be welcomed from 7 – 9:30am with free Phoenix Coffee, delicious breakfast (donated from many local foodies), area bike info, and more! Here are some of the specific details (more activities confirmed every day) for each Bike to Work Day Party:

University East Plaza

Breakfast from Phoenix Coffee (Coffee), Constantino’s Markets(Bananas and Juice) and Bon Appetit (Pastries)

Activities include:

• Info on upcoming charity rides from Pan Ohio Hope Ride and MS Pedal to the Point
• 121 Fitness – raffles, smoothie discounts, free showers for cyclists
• Cleveland Yoga
• Bike shops, safety checks

Cleveland Bike Rack

Breakfast from Phoenix Coffee (Coffee), Fresh Fork Market (savory breakfast item), Pocket’s Vegan Pastries (breakfast vegan cookies)

Activities include:

• Info on upcoming charity rides from Ride United and MS Pedal to the Point
• Bike gear showcased by Raleigh Bicycle
• Tours of the Bike Rack
• Bike shop, safety checks

Evening Activities

There are plenty of evening activities planned to keep you on your bike.

Happy Hour Yoga @ 5:30pm121 Fitness, 2130 Adelbert Rd.
216-368-1121, Onetoone.case.edu, free with helmet. 

THE KID WITH A BIKE @ 7:30pmShowing at the Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland Institute of Art, 11141 East Blvd., tel 216.421.7450, www.cia.edu/cinematheque. Regular admission $9; With a helmet $7.