Learn how to repair your own flat tires at the Bike Smith

A flat tire is the most common problem that WILL happen on your bike. Thankfully they’re pretty easy to repair with a little know-how. You can ride pretty far in a short amount of time on your bike, and having the skill to fix a flat will keep you from walking a long way back home.  The Bike Smith is once again offering their popular Flat Tire Repair Clinic on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00PM. They will go over wheel removal, inspecting the tire for damage and sharp objects, and replacing the tube. Other topics may come up as time allows.

What: Flat Tire Repair Clinic
When: Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00PM.
Where: The Bike Smith, 900 N Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701
More info: (775) 883-3210

With 6,132.32 miles biked or walked to work, and 1646 trips on foot or by bike, this was our most successful Bike to Work Week Corporate Challenge ever. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Looks like CC Supervisor Karen Abowd is havng a great time during the Celebrity Bike Ride.

We hope you enjoyed the Bike Month events that were partnered with or organized by Muscle Powered:
Bike Habitat’s Tour of Carson
Celebrity Bike Ride
Wednesday Cruiser Ride
Corporate Challenge
Bike to Work Day Party at the Firkin & Fox
Family Bike Ride w/CHHS & CC Parks & Rec

Upcoming Muscle Powered activities and projects:
Carson City Bicycle & Pedestrian Map Revision
Tuesday Evening Walks
Farmers Market Bike Valet
Kings Canyon to Ash Canyon Trail Construction

If you like what we do please consider becoming a member.

These three riders from the WNC team rode all the way from Douglas County during the Corporate Challenge. Bravo!

Solo

Miles
Troy Orosco    119.04
Danny Miller      84.46
Tammy Steele   68.25

Private Business

% of Participation
Redrock Dental Molar Cyclers 73.30%
Capitol Automotive                      50%
Alison – MacKenzie                     23.70%
Hair Studio & Spear Me              23.3%
RCI Flyers                                   11%
Tahoe Fracture                            4.60%

Miles
Lumos & Assoc.                      393
Tahoe Fracture                          160
RCI Flyers                                 150
CV Sports                                  126
Alison – MacKenzie                    102.6
Capitol Automotive                     92.7
Redrock Dental Molar Cyclers   77
Hair Studio & Spear Me             29.5

Trips
Alison – MacKenzie                  73
Lumos & Assoc.                         60
Redrock Dental Molar Cyclers   59
RCI Flyers                                  54
Tahoe Fracture                           39
Capitol Automotive                     20
CV Sports                                  16
Hair Studio & Spear Me             10

Public Agency

Trips
NV Guard Rough Riders   161
NDEP We’re No Fuels         133
DETR Cyclepaths                126
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats         113
NDOT – ROW                       110
NDOT -Team IT                    98
NDOT-Planning Division      96
DHHS- Central                     75
EITS                                     74
WNC – 1                               66
DMV – OBL                           52
USPS                                   45
WNC – 2                               45
WNC – 3                               44
USGS                                   41
CCSD School Bus Drivers   20
NLCB                                   12

Miles
NV Guard Rough Riders   880
NDOT – Team IT                  624.93
DHHS Central Office           436.45
NDOT – ROW                      371.7
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats        340.5
NDEP We’re No Fuels         308.7
USGS                                  307.7
NDOT-Planning Division      246.62
DETR Cyclepaths                208.91
NLCB                                   200.65
EITS                                    186.5
WNC – 1                               161.65
WNC – 3                               149
WNC – 2                               93.56
USPS                                   73.4
CCSD School Bus Drivers   64
DMV – OBL                           64

% of Participation
DMV – OBL                         75%
NDOT-Planning Division     41%
NDOT – Team IT                 16.90%
NDOT – ROW                     15.50%
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats       11.40%
DETR Cyclepaths               10.80%
USGS                                  9.80%
USPS                                  7.30%
NLCB                                  7.20%
DHHS Central Office           7%
EITS                                    5.60%
NV Guard Rough Riders     5.30%
CCSD School Bus Drivers  5%
NDEP We’re No Fuels         3.40%

We  look forward to seeing you next year!

Riding at Riverview Park

In addition to the bike ride, Muscle Powered will be doing FREE bicycle safety inspections. Riverview Park is located at the east end of 5th Street out by the Carson River. Trails are hard packed dirt, suitable for all but the skinniest tires.

Muscle Powered Fact: In 2007 Muscle Powered initiated the long process of constructing a multi-use trail designed for mountain bikes connecting Kings Canyon to Ash Canyon. Construction will begin this summer with an estimated completion date of 2014 (if awarded the Rec Trails Grant).

Here is a rider submitted photo from the WNC Cycling Crew. Word has it they’ll continue riding to work through the year. That’s what we like to hear!

And from our bad photoshop department….

Which of these current and former Postal team members have never been accused of using performance enhancing drugs?

Those with the correct answer can pick up their prize (a pint thimble of beer poured by Jeff Moser) at the Firkin & Fox Bike to Work Day party.

I don’t have all of Thursday’s numbers so the results might not be completely accurate. It will take me a bit of time to get the final tally, so please enjoy Notch 8 and I’ll get to the F&F as soon as I can to announce the winners.

Solo
Tom Tittle        120.28
Troy Orosco    104.57
Danny Miller    84.46
Tammy Steele 68.25

Private Business
%
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 79%
Capitol Automotive                 50%
CV Sports                               28.50%
Alison – MacKenzie                22.20%
Hair Studio & Spear Me         22.20%
Lumos & Assoc.                    21.60%
RCI Flyers                             11.25%
Tahoe Fracture                      5.40%

Miles
Lumos & Assoc.                     249.8
Tahoe Fracture                        155
RCI Flyers                               125
CV Sports                               103
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 66.5
Alison – MacKenzie                 66.5
Capitol Automotive                  55.8
Hair Studio & Spear Me          22

Trips
Alison – MacKenzie                 56
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 49
RCI Flyers                               44
Tahoe Fracture                        37
Lumos & Assoc.                      27
CV Sports                               12
Capitol Automotive                  12
Hair Studio & Spear Me            8

Public Agency
%
DMV – OBL                   81%
NDOT -Team IT            17.30%
NDOT – ROW               13.90%
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats 11.90%
USPS                            7.80%
CCSD SBD                   6.25%
EITS                              6%
NDEP We’re No Fuels 3.50%

Miles
NDOT -Team IT               521.41
NV Guard Rough Riders 506
NDOT – ROW                  329.7
DHHS Central Office       277.02
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats    272.5
NDEP We’re No Fuels    253.4
USGS                              219.7
EITS                               165.1
NLCB                              149.4
DETR Cyclepaths          138.51
WNC – 1                          107.9
NDOT-Planning Division 78.16
CCSD School Bus Drivers 64
USPS                                57.4
DMV – OBL                       56
WNC – 3                            53
WNC – 2                           50.26
Trips
NDEP We’re No Fuels   110
NDOT – ROW                 95
NV Guard Rough Riders 91
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats    89
NDOT -Team IT               82
DETR Cyclepaths            80
EITS                                 65
DHHS Central Office        46
DMV – OBL                       44
WNC – 1                           42
USPS                               35
USGS                               32
NDOT-Planning Division   30
WNC – 2                             27
WNC – 3                             26
CCSD School Bus Drivers 20
NLCB                                   9

Inside Comma Coffee 

Also, though not a part of Bike to Work Day, Dutch Bros is offering all coffee drinks for $1 as part of their 5th anniversary celebration.

Muscle Powered Fact: Muscle Powered, a grassroots citizens organization advocating for better bicycling and walking conditions in Nevada’s capital city, decided last year to make the passage of a Vulnerable Users Law a priority for the Nevada 2011 legislative session. – Anne Macquarie.

Read the entire article HERE.

Commuter Tip:  When commuting to work with a friend it’s necessary to point out road hazards such as potholes and road debris by announcing,  pointing to,  and safely navigating around, the hazard. Failure to do so could result in an injury to your riding partner and damage their bicycle.

A couple of mountain bike friends of ours (Cagney & Lacy*) decided a number of years ago they would like to try road riding and purchased two road bikes. But because of their work schedules and office location (Cagney worked in Reno and Lacy in Carson City) they didn’t ride together right away.  Lacy liked road riding.  We rode with her often, teaching her the skills and etiquette required of a “roadie”.
We taught her how to draft, ride in a paceline, and to point out road hazards.

When Lacy was able to finally go out for a ride with Cagney they rode from their home in south Reno to Washoe Valley and back.  Everything was great during the first half of the ride. Cagney being the stronger of the two rode in front. Lacey, happy to sit in the draft on the fun descent through Pleasant Valley, rode in the back. It was on the return trip that things went awry. Cagney, not having been taught proper road etiquette, employed his mountain bike skills and expertly dodged the fast approaching 2×4 laying across the road.  Lacey wasn’t so lucky. She plowed into the 2×4 and flew over the handlebars. Fortunately for Lacey she wasn’t hurt too bad, just a little banged up, bruised and jittery. But the trust was gone.  Unfortunately for Cagney, Lacey never let him forget this incident. Point out road hazards!

*Not their real names.

Lee Harter successfully negotiates Jeff Potter’s release from the hands of justice. photo by Ashley Dale

Bike to Work Week Corporate Challenge results so far…
Solo
Tom Tittle      85.98
Danny Miller  84.46
Troy Orosco   80.91
Tammy Steele 28.84

Private Business
Trips
Alison – MacKenzie                42
RCI Flyers                              34
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 34
Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic 23
CV Sports                                8
Hair Studio & Spear Me           8
Capitol Automotive                   4

Miles
Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic 110
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 90
CV Sports                               87
Alison – MacKenzie                49.8
RCI Flyers                               49
Hair Studio & Spear Me          22
Capitol Automotive                 18.4

% of Participation
Redrock Dental Molar Cycles 83.30%
CV Sports                               28.50%
Alison – MacKenzie                 22.20%
Hair Studio & Spear Me         22.20%
RCI Flyers                              11.60%
Tahoe Fracture                        5%

Public agency
% of Participation
DMV – OBL                      87.50%
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats    25%
NDOT-Planning Division 17.30%
USGS                              14.10%
NDOT – Team IT              11.60%
DETR Cyclepaths            10.90%
NV Guard Rough Riders  9.30%
DHHS Central Office        7.30%
USPS                                7.20%
CCSD School Bus Drivers 7.10%
EITS                                   5.60%
NDEP We’re No Fuels       3.20%

Trips
DETR Cyclepaths        80
NDEP We’re No Fuels 75
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats 71
NDOT – ROW               68
NV Guard Rough Riders 65
NDOT – Team IT           60
EITS 44
WNC – 1                        42
NDOT-Planning Division 30
DHHS Central Office      29
USPS                              27
WNC – 2                           27
WNC – 3                           26
USGS                               25
DMV – OBL                       22
CCSD School Bus Drivers 18
NLCB                                  9

Miles
NDOT – Team IT           394.61
NV Guard Rough Riders 350
NDOT – ROW                242.7
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats 184.5
NDEP We’re No Fuels  172.1
DHHS Central Office    166.1
USGS                           159.4
NLCB                            149.4
DETR Cyclepaths           138.51
WNC – 1                          107.99
EITS 105.3
NDOT-Planning Division 78.16
CCSD School Bus Drivers 59
WNC – 3                           53
WNC – 2                           50.26
USPS                               38
DMV – OBL                       32

Nice job everyone!

Last year’s winners of the woman’s cruiser

The Bicycle Authority helped us with the grand prizes again this year, two Custom Beach Cruisers from Phat Cycles! These two bikes are the nicest we’ve given away yet, a little more custom than last year’s. We traditionally give the bikes away before it gets too dark, giving people without lights the opportunity to ride home safely.

Women’s Cruiser

Men’s Cruiser

In addition to the bikes from Bicycle Authority, there are plenty of other fantastic prizes to give away, all donated by our other Bike to Work Week Sponsors! And yes, you MUST be present to win. This year’s sponsors are:

• Adele’s
• Bicycle Authority
• Bike Carson/Tahoe
• Bike Habitat
• Bike Smith
• Capitol Automotive
• Comma Coffee (Free morning coffee for bicycle commuters)
• Cracker Box
• Firkin and Fox
• High Sierra Brewery
• Muscle Powered
• Red Bike Cycling
• Sassafras
• The Tap Shack

Notch 8 will entertain the crowd between the raffle items, and there will be drinks available outside during the party. Food will be available inside at the restaurant.

Notch 8 to perform at the party

Details:

What: Bike to Work Week Party 2012
Where: Firkin and Fox, 310 S. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701
When: Friday, May 18th @ 5:30 PM.
Other: The party is outside in the back of the restaurant. Plenty of bike parking in view of the party.
Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/378436315525125/

Muscle Powered Fact: Muscle Powered wrote successful grants which purchased two bridges that are on the Mexican Ditch Trail. Read about the bridges HERE

Commuter Tip: Keep your tire pressure 5 to 10 psi below the recommended maximum pressure listed on the tire’s sidewall. Too much psi will send road shock directly to the handle bars and saddle resulting in a very jarring ride, while a slightly lower psi will provide dampening, allowing for a  pleasurable bicycle commute.

Please share your cycling tips with us by leaving a comment below.

Please visit Bike Carson for information on this evening’s cruiser ride.

Here as an amusing story from DMV bicycle commuter Dennis White:
“My bike story of frustration – On my morning ride in this morning I had to ride over the 395 (down by Best Buy) and it appears that NDOT has taken out the bike lane in their current construction phase. So I had to take the lane and to my pleasant surprise everyone respected me and gave me the lane except for 1 vehicle. The unfortunate part is that the one vehicle that chose not to yield to me in the lane was an NDOT vehicle (one of those while trucks). Is this how NDOT will attempt to secure a victory?? Taking out the competition?? Haha “

Bike to Work Week Corporate Challenge Results So Far..
Solo 
Danny Miller      54.67
Troy Orosco      53.9
Tom Tittle          51.68
Tammy Steele  17.44

Private Business
Trips 
Alison – MacKenzie                          28
Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic 15
RCI Flyers                                        10
Capitol Automotive                            4
CV Sports                                          4

Miles
Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic  106
CV Sports                                            63
RCI Flyers                                           35
Alison – MacKenzie                            33.1
Capitol Automotive                            18.4
Hair Studio & Spear Me                         6

Team    % 
Alison – MacKenzie                         20.30%
Tahoe Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic  5.80%

Public Agency

Trips 
DETR Cyclepaths                51
NDEP We’re No Fuels         46
NDOT – Team IT                  43
NDOT ROW                        42
NDOT – Planning Division   30
EITS                                    29
NV Guard Rough Riders     27
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats       23
DMV – OBL                         22
USPS                                 17
WNC – 1                             14
CCSD-School Bus Drivers 12
DHHS Central Office          11
USGS                                 11
WNC-2                                 6
WNC-3                                 6
NLCB                                   1

Miles 
NDOT – Team IT                   279.09
NDOT ROW                         156.3
NV Guard Rough Riders      143.9
NDEP We’re No Fuels 2012 111.1
DETR Cyclepaths                 87.66
NDOT – Planning Division    78.16
WNC – 1                                73.42
EITS                                      70
NDOT – M&T Lab Rats          66.5
DHHS Central Office             62.85
USGS                                    60.4
CCSD – School Bus Drivers  36
DMV – OBL                            32
USPS                                     24
WNC-3                                   23
NLCB                                    17.3
WNC-2                                  13

Team    % 
DMV – OBL                           87.5
NDOT – Planning Division    25%
NDOT – Team IT                  18.20%
DETR Cyclepaths                10.90%
CCSD – School Bus Drivers  7.10%
USPS                                    6.60%
EITS                                      5.50%
NDEP We’re No Fuels 2012  3%

See you at the Cruiser Ride this evening.

Muscle Powered Fact: In 2000, NDOT had no intention of including a bike path along the Carson City freeway bypass as specified in the City’s bicycle plan. When Muscle Powered got wind of this we took action, but it wasn’t easy. Even the Carson City Chamber of Commerce publicly opposed the bike path, but because of the perseverance and dedication of our founding members, Carson City has a three mile bike path which connects N. Carson Street to Northridge Drive. And today Lumos & Associates is working with Carson City to extend the bike path all the way to Hwy 50W.

Skip ahead 10 years…
With a much different political climate, and some very dedicated NDOT employees, NDOT has dominated the Bike to Work Week Corporate Challenge for two years in a row, shredding the competition with 1117.25 miles and 252 trips on foot or by bike. What a difference a decade makes. Way to go NDOT!

NDOT’s Bill Story with his two sons during last year’s competition

Commuter Tip: It’s a good idea to carry a rag with you in case of a roadside repair.  I wrap my tools (multi-tool, tire lever, zip-ties, patch kit, 2″x2″ tuffy strip-for sidewall repair)  in a clean rag so I have something to wipe my hands on after a repair.

Click HERE to see what Jeff Moser carries in his bag.

Corporate Challenge results so far..

Solo
Danny Miller  27.05
Tom Tittle      17.38

Agency Percentage of Participation

DMV – OBL                               100%

NDOT Team IT                          17.30%
DETR Cyclepaths                     10.30%
CCSD – School Bus Drivers      7.10%
USPS                                        6.60%
EITS                                          4%
NLCB                                         4%
NDEP We’re No Fuels 2012      2%

Agency Trips

DETR Cyclepaths                    21
NDOT ROW                            19
NDOT – IT                                17
NDEP We’re No Fuels 2012    14
DMV – OBL                              12
EITS                                         11
USPS                                         8
CCSD – School Bus Drivers       6
NLCB                                         1

Agency Mileage

NDOT – IT                               123.94
NDOT ROW                              66.3
DETR Cyclepaths                     38.34
NDEP We’re No Fuels 2012     31.1
EITS                                          25.6
NLCB                                        17.3
CCSD – School Bus Drivers      17
DMV – OBL                                12
USPS                                         12

Private Busness

Alison-MacKenzie        18.5%  – 12 Trips – 16.7 Miles

Wear your costume! Decorate your bike!

Last year we had a few riders show up in costumes and it was a lot of fun. So this year, we are strongly encouraging EVERYONE to wear a costume for the ride and/or decorate their bike.

Join the parade!

Don’t have a cruiser? No worries. Any bike will do. Cruiser rides are all about riding slow, enjoying the scenery, and socializing.

Easy pedal through Carson’s quiet west side

When: Wednesday, May 16th, 6:15PM
Where: Telegraph Square (Corner of Telegraph and Curry Streets)
What: Easy 4-5 mile pedal around Carson’s West side.
Kid Friendly: Yes! Kids are encouraged.
Do: Wear your costumes and decorate your bikes.  Wear your helmet.
Don’t: Miss out on this fun event!