Monthly Archives: August 2008
Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge Report
There was a little confusion on the start time for this event, but in the end I think it worked out well for everyone. The bus didn’t arrive until after 5pm, but from 3pm to 5pm would’ve been too hot to be enjoyable anyhow. I towed the bike trailer full of Muscle Powered goodies, and Kristy and Charlie rode the tandem. We rolled up sometime after 5:30 and were greeted by the usual cast of characters.
The 2 MC Tour Bus
The first order of business was to check out the Tour Bus. I imagined the bus as sleeping/living quarters for the crew, but the whole thing was designed for people to walk through and learn. Big screen computers and many informational signs were available from the back of the bus to the front. In case you’ve missed the message of the tour in previous posts, the 2 Mile Challenge is challenging people to use their bike for trips of 2 miles and less. Clif Bar says that 40% of U.S. urban travel is 2 miles or less, so it’s pretty easy to imagine the huge savings in money and energy consumption we’d all realize if we all rode our bikes more. Not to mention the cleaner and friendlier neighborhoods we’d create. The bus and crew were here to help people accomplish this task. Getting out of your car and using your bike more IS a challenge. The world and our minds are accustomed to using the car for everything, and it’s hard to make the leap.
Inside the Bus
There were some fun urban bikes out front to check out. The crowd favorite was the stretched townie. By pedaling the bike for just a minute or so, you could generate enough power to play the stereo on the back for several minutes at a pretty high volume. Pretty amazing really. Possibly even better than something the professor on Gilligan’s Island could come up with. You couldn’t even ride that guy’s bikes.
Playing the Tunes with Human Generated Power
Shortly after 7pm we got the movie Seasons started in the Community Center theater. We had a pretty good crowd at this point, and the big theater was great for watching this film. The movie focused on the mountain bike world of BIG AIR and INSANE SPEEDS. There were no insane climbs like we saw in Off Road to Athens during bike to work week. This movie was kind of on the other end of the spectrum. It was pretty entertaining though, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Gears Not Gas
Another great thing about the tour is that they helped us raise money for Muscle Powered. All the movie goers dug deep in their pockets and generously donated over $160 for bicycle advocacy in Carson City! Clif Bar kicked down some very nice merchandise to help offset the pain of the big donations, and everyone went home happy. Jerseys, hats, DVDs, socks. Great stuff!
Thanks again to everyone who showed up and helped promote this event. And thanks again to Clif Bar for coming to Carson City!
Farmers Market Bicycle Valet a Success
Jeff and I had a great time down at the farmer’s market this morning. We guarded about 25 or 30 bikes throughout the event, gave out lots of bike maps, and talked to lots of nice people. I think it was the best outreach event we’ve done since bike-to-work week (and not nearly the effort!)
It worked out so well, in fact, that we want to do it again – and people asked if we were going to be back next week. The problem is, I’ll be out of town, and it’s Charlie Moser’s 8th birthday next Saturday, so Jeff can’t be there either.
Could anyone else volunteer 4 hours next Saturday? It’s really easy. All the tabling stuff – maps, water bottles, brochures, banner etc – are in a couple boxes that Jeff has now. We could probably borrow his shade structure (ok, Jeff?) Tammy W. brings a bike rack and it’s there already. All anyone would have to bring would be a table and chairs, rope to rope off the valet area and yourselves – and pick up the other tabling stuff from Jeff, who has it because he’s going to use it at the Clif Bar event this Weds. Please consider it – it actually was a lot of fun…
Bicycle Valet at the Downtown Farmers Market
Have you been to the Downtown Farmers Market yet? If not, you’re missing out! It’s a great place to find high quality locally grown food, hang out with friends, and more. If you have been, you’ve probably noticed a good number of bicycles. They’re everywhere. Across the street, locked to trees, in the bike rack, down the next street… Wouldn’t it be nice to have an easy, secure place to keep your bicycle?
Muscle Powered is working with Tammy Westergard of Downtown Carson City to encourage more bicycle involvement in these downtown events. This Saturday, August 9th, Muscle Powered is going to have a Bicycle Valet setup at the Farmers Market!
The Downtown Farmers Market
We’re still working out the final details, but Muscle Powered is going to setup a secure bike area right next to the market. We’ll be there under our shade structure to watch the bikes, talk to folks about bicycling in Carson, hand out Carson City Bicycle Route Maps, and more.
Make sure you ride down and say hello!
Downtown Farmers Market
When: Saturdays Mornings, June – Oct
Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Where: 3rd St. & Curry Parking Lot
