tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937633420898155302024-03-21T06:19:09.808-07:00Bike2Work 2013 ChallengeThe Bike2Work 2013 Challenge encourages residents to try commuting to work by bicycle. Up to 16 bicycles, valued at approximately $1000, will be awarded to successful participants who bike from home to work during June 2013. Follow this blog to learn about the 16 participants and their journey of riding a bicycle in Kitchener! Josh Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679131537962389619noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-57166872301629463242013-09-30T14:02:00.001-07:002013-09-30T14:02:15.594-07:00Congratulations to Ziggy'sThis might be old news to you, but I just found out, that on September 10 <a href="http://ziggyscycle.ca/" target="_blank">Ziggy's Cycle and Sport</a> was recognized as "Independent Bicycle Retailer of the Year 2013" by the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada. <br />
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Bill Yetman, Executive Director of BTAC: "Ziggy's is a prime example of a retailer doing great work in their community and we're happy to recognize their work with this award." [<a href="http://btac.org/en/bicycle-industry-recognizes-kitchener-independent-bicycle-retailer-ziggys-sport-and-cycle-at-annual-gathering" target="_blank">more</a>]<br />
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I couldn't agree more! Congratulations to Ziggy's!!!<br />
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ChrisBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-37874500593332899052013-07-17T07:10:00.001-07:002013-07-17T07:11:17.272-07:00Together We Travel Ride for Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/together-we-travel-ride-for-angels" target="_blank">Together We Travel Ride for Angels (Video)</a> </div>
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On May 13th, 2012, over 500 people gathered with their bicycles near Hawkesville, Ontario to ride in memory of Barrie Conrod. Barrie was killed on May 6th after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bike. For those that attended, the large gathering was a powerful event and it showed the strength of the cycling community and the importance of remembering those killed or hurt while cycling.<br />
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Barrie’s widow Heather Caron says, “May 6, 2012 my husband Barrie Conrod was killed by an inattentive driver. It was a clear day, we could see for miles. There was no justifiable reason for the crash. We did everything right that day. The accident was horrific, catastrophic and it has changed my life forever. Together We Travel Ride for Angels will serve as a reminder to motorists and cyclists to respect each other and remember those who have been affected. I hope we can continue to remember and honour until the time comes that we don’t need to promote safety on the roads. Safety for all.”<br />
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Please support Together We Travel Ride for Angels in its inaugural year, as we build on the momentum of Barrie’s ride and pedal to reinforce the need for all road users to share the road – motorists and cyclists alike. Funds raised will help cover the substantial cost of Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) insurance for the event. Any funds raised in excess of 2013 costs will remain on deposit in a designated bank account to seed the 2014 ride.<br />
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Together We Travel Ride for Angels will include all cyclists in a family-friendly, police-supported ride through Uptown Waterloo. The ride is open to everyone with a bike and a helmet, and there is no cost to participate. We ask that all participants wear a white t-shirt. Red armbands will be offered to all who have been affected by a motorist-cyclist accident.<br />
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<u>Event details:</u>Saturday, July 20<br />
CIGI parking lot, Caroline and Erb Street in Uptown Waterloo<br />
4:30 registration; 5:30 ride<br />
Short police-escorted loop using Erb Street, Weber Street, Bridgeport Road, and King Street<br />
Conclusion in Waterloo Town Square<br />
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Please donate, join us on July 20, share the details with your networks, and most important - be safe always.<br />
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<a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/together-we-travel-ride-for-angels" target="_blank">Together We Travel Ride for Angels (Video)</a></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-77832053980529459322013-07-09T08:07:00.000-07:002013-07-09T08:08:16.813-07:00Bike2Work 4 Life!I had such an amazing time participating in the #BikeKitchener Bike2Work challenge this year that I plan to continue this way of life into the future. I can easily see the ability to bike to work influencing major life decisions like whether I choose one job over another, or where I decide to live. I feel heathier and more connected to my community and these are values that are now core to who I am. I've always felt this way but the Bike2Work challenge really helped pull those out and make them realized!<br />
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If there's one takeaway I'd share with the general public out there it's this: get on a bike a ride. Don't make a plan. Just ride down a road, then another, and another...you'll discover an amazing world out there.<br />
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And watch for the potholes!<br />
- Ty<br />
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If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the <br />BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at <br /><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</a>. #BikeKitchenerBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-307716485216010862013-06-29T12:16:00.001-07:002013-06-29T12:20:37.085-07:00Take the Pledge!Just as we are wrapping up this year's Bike2Work Challenge, I came across a couple of interesting articles online that talk about safe and responsible cycling. The title of the first one sounded rather surprising, but makes a valuable point: As cyclist, we should always obey all <a href="http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/section5.0.shtml" target="_blank">traffic laws</a> and not endanger ourselves or others by riding like a "scofflaw":<br />
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<a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/06/27/david-suzuki-joins-chorus-of-activists-railing-against-scofflaw-cyclists-seen-to-be-ruining-it-for-everyone-else/" target="_blank">David Suzuki joins chorus of activists railing against scofflaw cyclists seen to be ruining it for everyone else</a><br />
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The article links to an "<a href="http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/05/14/its-here-the-urban-cyclist-etiquette-guide-created-by-herald-readers/" target="_blank">Urban Cyclist Etiquette Guide</a>" for cyclist, pedestrians and motorists that makes not only the obvious recommendations, but also some you might not have thought about before.<br />
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Talking about safe cycling: the statistics about accidents involving cyclist in Waterloo Region are quite shocking, as this article in The Record and the numbers at the end show:<br />
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<a href="http://www.therecord.com/news-story/2591034-cyclists-at-fault-in-majority-of-bike-vehicle-collisions/" target="_blank">Cyclists at fault in majority of bike-vehicle collisions</a><br />
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The statistics are from 2010 and I'd be interested to see how they hopefully have improved since.<br />
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In any case, I encourage every cyclist to always ride responsibly and go by the rules. Only then can we expect to be respected by others on the road, namely motorists, which brings me to a really cool initiative by <a href="http://www.sharetheroad.ca/" target="_blank">sharetheroad.ca</a>: on their website people are encouraged to take a "Ride and Drive with Care" pledge. It asked everyone on the road - whether in a car or on a bike - to commit to safe traffic behavior:<br />
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Check it out and <a href="http://www.sharetheroad.ca/forms/rdwc_pledge-f267" target="_blank">Take the Pledge yourself</a>!<br />
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This, by the way, is an initiative in cooperation with CAA, which - in case you didn't know - offers road-side assistance to its members not only when they drive, but also when they cycle: see <a href="http://www.caasco.com/Auto/Roadside-Services/CAA-Bike-Assist.aspx" target="_blank">CAA Bike Assist</a><br />
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Now, to finish off, I'd like to share this little YouTube video, showing Bicycle Rush Hour in Utrecht (The Netherlands). It's certainly impressive and in many ways also a bit funny to watch how tons and tons of cyclist go by on their way to work and back. It made me wonder if this might be the future of cycling in Kitchener as well???<br />
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Happy and safe cycling, Chris
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If you’re reading
this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling
survey. Fill it out online at <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</a>.
#BikeKitchener</div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-71863902468625742682013-06-28T13:00:00.000-07:002013-06-28T13:00:47.928-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks for the Adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My final day of week four was yesterday and the month certainly went by fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the summer and fall stretches ahead, with several months yet to ride to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The hotter days of last week reminded me that sunscreen and sweat are a big part of commuting to work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t like the greasiness of sunscreen- yuck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I practice sun safety by wearing loose cotton clothing that covers arms and legs, and get away with sunscreening my face and hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I don’t have access to a shower at work, I have had to make friends with sweat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a change of clothes along helps… </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was great to see you all at McCabe’s on Tuesday- the video taping of the ride together was a hoot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks, Josh and everyone at City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kitchener</st1:place></st1:city>, for organizing a great Challenge- and for giving me the opportunity to take part in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thanks again to Ziggy’s for the terrific bike and gear… I’ll be enjoying them for a long time to come!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Safe biking, everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cheryl W. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at </span><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#BikeKitchener <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-40486130492803888262013-06-28T11:43:00.002-07:002013-06-28T11:43:49.045-07:00Not the end just yet...My oh my have the last 4 weeks gone by quickly. I averaged 4 days a week on my bike and in total have biked over 200KM! Luckily I only work 2KM away :) but ever since this ride has started many changes in the aspects of my work and personal life! My confidence is higher, enjoy the scenic routes to work everyday, and even notice that in my summer football and ultimate frisbee rec leagues that I've been able to run faster/ longer, jump higher, and gain that extra edge on my opponents.<br />
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When I first started biking, I thought it was going to be a long month - what with all those cars along victoria riding so close, it was a bit intimidating. But after the first couple days, I was used to it and really started to enjoy my rides. I've also started riding around parks, and hope to start doing some post-work rec biking to explore more of Kitchener. I never knew there were so many places that I haven't seen before!<br />
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This challenge was all I expected and more. Thanks Ziggys and to the City of Kitchener for organizing such a great initiative to engage us all into more healthier and green lives! I will for sure continue biking daily after this challenge.<br />
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I hope to see more bikers out there in the future!<br />
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~Keep Biking<br />
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Cheers,<br />
AndrewBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-8225935376771467712013-06-28T11:35:00.002-07:002013-06-28T11:35:58.821-07:00Changing Routines ....I used to bike a lot back home in Germany. And even when I moved to Waterloo in 2005 I started of with biking. Then came the car and I got lazy … well … not really, cause I do work out a fair bit. Through this Bike2Work Challenge, however, I realized that it was mostly my routines that kept me from cycling. A lot of what we do every day is based on routines; they are what makes us efficient. On the other hand, when we attempt things that we haven't done before or at least not in a while, they tend to take longer. And that's what got me! <br />
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I'm a morning person: I like to get up and get going. But often, if I woke up on a nice day and spontaneously decided to bike, just getting all my stuff ready and out of the house took me too long and got me all frustrated. I'd do it once or twice, then give up and go back to my old routines of driving instead. So if you are thinking about biking to work in the (hopefully near) future, here is my advise:<br />
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<li>Don't do it spontaneously! Plan and prepare for it instead:</li>
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<li>Get your bike tuned up by one of the <a href="http://ziggyscycle.ca/" target="_blank">local bike stores</a>!</li>
<li>Get all your biking accessories (lights, panniers, rain jacket, …) ready!</li>
<li>Take what you need at work (toiletries, towel, …) ahead of time!</li>
<li>Pack your lunch and clothes for the day the night before!</li>
<li>Plan in some extra time in the morning!</li>
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<li>Do a dry run the day before you start:</li>
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<li>Prepare and collect everything you intend to take the next day!</li>
<li>Pack your panniers: Play with different variations of what to store where and try to balance the weight!</li>
<li>Hop on the bike and go around the block! Once back home, leave what you can on or near the bike; but put your lunch in the fridge :-)</li>
<li>Now, the next morning, all you need to do is change into your cycling clothes, grab your lunch box, hop on your bike and off you go ….</li>
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<li>Don’t just do it once or twice! Commit to it! For at least a week or 2, better a month:</li>
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<li>The first couple of days, you will likely need some extra time to get ready in the morning and bike to work. Plan for that and don't get frustrated over it!</li>
<li>Keep going and fine-tune your morning routine and commute (nicer/faster routes?)!</li>
<li>As you go more regularly, you will notice how your new routine gets smoother and soon you'll find that it doesn't take much longer to bike to work at all. So keep it up!</li>
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This Challenge was exactly what I needed: A commitment to bike to work not just randomly, but consistently for a couple of weeks. Now that I've developed a slightly different morning routine, I find I'm just as quick biking as taking the car. And my 11km commute by bike is really just a few minutes longer. So when are you changing your routine?!?<br />
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Happy riding, Chris</div>
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<div>
If you’re
reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener
cycling survey. Fill it out online at <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</a>.
#BikeKitchener</div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-56585223579427841232013-06-28T10:01:00.001-07:002013-06-28T10:01:32.913-07:00Final thoughts<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The past four weeks have flown by! However, in that short period of time cycling to work has<b> </b>become a part of my normal routine and something I honestly look forward to each day. Sure, riding requires more physical effort<b> </b>and better time management, but it’s so worth it.<b> </b>Every time I cycle to work, I get the chance to spend more time outdoors, feel more energized, less stressed and make an eco-friendly decision I feel good about. Did I mention I also get to fly down a hill really fast on my ride into work</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">? ( </span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FUN!!</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!) </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This challenge has definitely inspired me to keep cycling to work and I hope that the collective experiences of the Bike2Work gang inspire others to try cycling to work. For anyone interested in trying it out, I strongly encourage you to give it go. I recently learned that the median commuting distance to work is only <a href="http://www.kwcf.ca/vital_signs/getting-around-2008-supplementary" target="_blank">5.8 km</a> in the Waterloo Region. My trek is a little under this distance and doesn’t require that much extra time commitment. By car my commute is about 8-10 minutes and by bike it’s almost always under twenty minutes. If you’re like me<b> </b>maybe you have an extra ten minutes! <b> </b></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s a couple things I’ve learned and some of my favorite things about riding:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>LESSONS</b> - </span></b></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traffic</span></i> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">:</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>Truthfully, I haven’t had many issues with motorists over the last month</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>However, I have noticed<b> </b>that I’m very cautious at two way-stop intersections</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;">That’s usually where I encounter the “rolling stopper”, the driver who doesn’t truly stop and instead rolls through the intersection. Take caution when you encounter the rolling stopper! </b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time management</span></i></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> : </span></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bad<b> </b>weather doesn’t make or break a ride for me, but bad timing certainly does. My least favorite (and most stressful) rides are when I’m running late and counting the minutes. When I give myself a nice chunk of time<b> </b>to get to work, my ride is much, much more enjoyable</span></b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t sweat the sweat : </span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I mean is don’t let a little sweat deter you from biking. Wear cool, light clothes on your ride, have a water bottle, and pack your work clothes and a Dopp kit so you can freshen up at work. Also, consider getting to work a little early so you have time to cool down if it’s a really hot day.</span></b></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>FAVORITES</b>: </span></b></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s all about the small stuff : </span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On one of my rides I encountered someone playing a trumpet in </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">an empty</span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> parking lot. On almost any given ride I see goofy dogs and cute kids<b>. </b>I now know which streets are home to really beautiful gardens or lined with sweet smelling trees. Riding a bike brings you close to lots of small delights, so be sure to keep your eyes, ears, and nose open to all<b> </b>that goodness</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv5Ndt1GjIJXpuXoG-WQaYZPKs5hn1Y4vhj5oD3Anaw7iHlkadefpWz3Qz-DbOC8sHvHwkXGfr7I3qk382anWeXILf7P8nbtDCPJokfIPtm1GOUkhfN04fo6FSs1MJkM9Ts7q2hMiLsw/s276/IMG_20130617_205847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv5Ndt1GjIJXpuXoG-WQaYZPKs5hn1Y4vhj5oD3Anaw7iHlkadefpWz3Qz-DbOC8sHvHwkXGfr7I3qk382anWeXILf7P8nbtDCPJokfIPtm1GOUkhfN04fo6FSs1MJkM9Ts7q2hMiLsw/s276/IMG_20130617_205847.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Beautiful evening sky on my ride home</b></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All hail the panniers : </span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Panniers are my new favorite best friend and are great for carrying all your extras and a bike lock. I also know that they can be pricey, so if you’re crafty (or somehow who is!) be sure to Google “DIY panniers” for some ideas on how you can make your own. </span></b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disconnect : </span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On<b> </b>days when I work and then come home to an evening’s worth of<b> </b>schoolwork, I put in a lot of computer time<b>. </b>I know all the screen time isn’t<b> </b>healthy, so my<b> </b>rides on those kind of days are especially golden since they feel like my only chances to “disconnect”.</span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to send a HUGE thank you to the City of Kitchener and Ziggy’s for putting on this challenge and for the amazing bike. This has been such an incredible experience and everyone involved has so kind and helpful. I am so<b> </b>grateful I was a part of this year's Bike2Work Challenge!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Kristin J. </span></span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz0xDN9uaYqoba5NxFmSv78K7M2kzncmDyayArB2cRt7_bs3qcTHGmr56dy4nVgNljz3N63B8yHadyRvcvx3SPqDPY3CPww0kJLQKfNi8mUo4RmgN9_LCgONZqkCxMh3apLnINiZV8WQ/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz0xDN9uaYqoba5NxFmSv78K7M2kzncmDyayArB2cRt7_bs3qcTHGmr56dy4nVgNljz3N63B8yHadyRvcvx3SPqDPY3CPww0kJLQKfNi8mUo4RmgN9_LCgONZqkCxMh3apLnINiZV8WQ/s320/DSC_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Well looky there, my odometer is at 458 km and it's only the end of June!</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-72d99056-8b92-2168-7ec9-9d341f2325a9" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013. #BikeKitchener</span></b></span></span></div>
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</b>Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-10178401506526946302013-06-28T06:43:00.001-07:002013-06-28T06:43:39.498-07:00Well, what a day for the last day of the Challenge! I guess that's appropriate- we started in not-so-good weather so we might as well finish that way!<br />
I can't believe it's over. The 4 weeks have just flown by.<br />
Thanks to Ziggy's for the great bikes. The best part of the bike for me was the panniers. I can't believe how much easier and more pleasant they made the ride to work and home. My advice to anyone thinking about cycling to work is to get a rack for the back of your bike and panniers.<br />
Thanks to the City and Josh, in particular, for giving me this opportunity and making it so easy! And setting the requirement that I cycle to work at least 3 times. I have good intentions but don't always follow through. But when the expectation is set, I'm good at doing what I'm supposed to.<br />
So, now what? Will I keep this up? I would have to say that the chances are very good that I will. I say that because the biggest change for me has been in my attitude. In the past I would cycle to work when I thought of it and when it was convenient. And convenience is something that is a pretty adaptable concept- I can make anything as convenient or inconvenient as I want it to be. Now that I've been at it for a month, I've realized that it's pretty convenient to ride to work. I've learned that I don't need to worry about a bit of wet weather (ok- maybe the downpours are not ideal!) and what I need to have in the panniers to adapt to whatever may face me in the day. I've learned that I can leave a car at work so that if I need to get someplace during the day the car will be here- and I am pretty much forced to ride to work. And I now wake up with the expectation that I will be riding to work. <br />
I hope to bump into my fellow participants in this year's Challenge from time to time. We'll recognize each other by the distinctive colours of the mens and women's bikes, the helmets or the panniers on the back of bikes. If you see me out there cycling please stop me to say "hi" and I'll do the same.<br />
Congratulations to all and Happy Canada Day! I think we're making our country a better place!<br /><br />Warren GBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-7015301347465748152013-06-27T09:53:00.001-07:002013-06-27T09:53:10.982-07:00Meet N Greet<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">What an amazing time that we had last night at the Meet N Greet! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I would like to formally thank McCabes for putting up with us last night! </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">I would like to formally apologize to the cars on Kings Street who got stuck behind 11 bikers doing a U Turn. </span><u><span style="color: purple;">THOSE ARE ILLEGAL</span></u><span style="color: cyan;"> and I am eternally guilty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">But WOW, what a feeling! Tomorrow is the last day, and I can say with a heavy heart that I am 100% glad to have participated in the contest. </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">I think the one struggle that is going to happen with me is continuing. Although, I know how good it feels to bike, today when I woke up I was like, well I don't HAVE to bike, I could drive. But then, I decided against that. I do not want to let myself get back into my lazy ways! Biking is healthy and I am feeling great after this competition! I think it is important for people to realize their potential and ween themselves into a challenge like this. Even if your commute is 1 k, or 20 k, it will largely impact your mental and physical health! For the first time you do a long bike ride you think to yourself "I am never going to do this again" or "This is awful; why I am doing this", but once you get over the 2nd time hump and are able to feel good about yourself then you feel rewarded. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The one suggestion that I would make to anyone trying to do the challenge, that find their commute exhausting is to get a</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><u> GOOD Bike</u></b></span><span style="color: blue;">. Road bikes make all the difference when you are biking and it will change everything from the time it takes to your overall performance!</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">The next suggestion I would make is get an </span><b><u><span style="color: purple;">odometer</span></u></b><span style="color: #674ea7;">. I love being able to track my times, and distances, it makes me feel good about how I have been doing and I can figure out where I can improve. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">The next suggestion is keep a <b><u>short journal</u></b> about your progress - weight, sleeping patterns, habits (smoking, drinking) and your attitude, and you will find that this will change over about the course of a month. I found that with me, reading my blog, although I was excited in the beginning I was averaging 15 km, and now, when I biked to work, the slowest I went was 21 km. It is a great way to motivate yourself and to see your progress. If you don't track then you will never be able to compare. As for your weight, you may not gain any - but your body sure will change from the exercise that this poses. You will begin to feel better and slower look slimmer! (OR just wear black all the time).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">The next suggestion that I would make is</span> <span style="color: red;"><b><u>SUNSCREEN</u></b></span>!<span style="color: #ea9999;"> I got so burnt from this challenge and it actually tired me out more. I found that during work when I got burnt from my morning ride, I was very tired and could not do much work. (Here's a fun little fact - when and if you are going to be in the sun, eat tomotoes! It helps a lot!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">The final suggestion is have</span> <b><u><span style="color: magenta;">fun and be safe</span></u></b>! </div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">From everyone at the Bike 2 Work challenge, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>STEPH MMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Have you done this yet? It's like 23 questions and could get you a free bike by completing <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online </span></span></b></div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-70715745350533296402013-06-26T10:34:00.003-07:002013-06-26T10:47:02.862-07:00Black Forest Inn Breaks 500!!<b><span style="color: #20124d;">I am 100% happy to be writing today! </span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">I am glad to announce to all my followers (if there are any) that I broke </span><b style="color: magenta;">500 km</b> <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">this week! Actually today!</span><br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;">I broke 500 and I am so freaking excited! I am really interested to know how many km the other bikers have completed because to put that into perspective: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">If all bikers have completed 500 km by the end of the challenge that means (and this is all estimates):</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">8, 000 km we have biked.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;">That means we has unit have biked across the distance from Vancouver to St. Johns and then some. </span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #741b47;">$10, 000 were saved in gas</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;">We have saved (assuming each participant drives a 50 L tank and gets 10 km/l) = 500 km/tank</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> 400 hours of biking.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;">20 km will take on average someone 1 hour to complete.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;">We have biked 8, 000 km collectively</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">25 hours each!</span></li>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">When you put it into perspective it really does not seem a lot of time when you break it down! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">I want to say that I am so happy to have been chosen for this contest and to be able to share it with all these amazing bikers! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">I hope that everyone will be able to share this with us and keep biking and consider the impact that something as simple as biking/walking and not driving to work can have on the earth and your body! I have realized how much I have become dependent on my car...not just me; but my family - its amazing to take a step back and to see how easy it is to change an aspect like that in your life. Now, this is not to say I am going to stop driving, because there are going to be times that I need to drive, but something as small as bikig to the store to pick up eggs, makes a huge difference! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I can say with 100% certainty that I am going to continue my Bike2Work jouney and bike to work everyday, as long as I do not have a wedding. This is more a safety precaution then anything. It is always great to think that people are responsible, but biking in the country at 2 a.m. is not something that I would be interested in due to all the dangers that you can think of! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>My next challenges: </b></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #f1c232;">Put a kick stand on the bike</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #bf9000;">Put a seat cover on the bike</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #b45f06;">Don't get distracted by the Odometer (there are cars on the road)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04;">Buy my partner a new bike to allow him to bike with me on days off or after work!</span></li>
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<b><span style="color: red;">The one goal that I will have after this challenge is to NOT have the bike stolen!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I don't know what it is about me, but my bikes just GET stolen, I don't think I have owned a bike for longer than 6 months without it vanishing, therefore I have learned that there are wrong ways to lock your bike</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The wrong way (my old bike and my dog)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">The right way:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">And the way I am going to be doing it from now on:</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;">Thanks for reading and keep following my posts!..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>STEPH MMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Have you done this yet? It's like 23 questions and could get you a free bike by completing <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at </span><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; line-height: 26px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> #BikeKitchener</span></span></span></b></div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-12239688603600238462013-06-25T17:29:00.000-07:002013-06-25T17:45:13.967-07:00Trek Sightings in Kitchener<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Trek Sightings in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kitchener</st1:place></st1:city>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rochelle… I think we may have passed each other this morning along the Iron Horse Trail… too fast to be certain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back over my shoulder, the bike, helmet and saddle bags looked suspiciously like my own… if it was you- a belated hello! :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw another Trek locked up at the KPL last Thursday- without its rider!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s as close as I’ve gotten to seeing any of you enroute during the Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kathryn- Your commute has been an inspiration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the tips you learned during the Challenge certainly ring true- especially the one about the bugs- been there, done that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good reason NOT to breathe with my mouth open!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m looking very forward to meeting up with you all again and enjoying some social time together tomorrow at McCabe’s!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think there’ll be enough room outside to lock up all our bikes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need an old style hitching post- like in the old Western movies- for all our ‘horses’! :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you there…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cheryl W. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at </span><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#BikeKitchener </span></span></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-35747895641587628132013-06-25T15:05:00.000-07:002013-06-25T15:12:14.541-07:00Week 4 already !?!?<div align="LEFT">
Wow! I can not believe we are in week 4 now!</div>
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Thinking back to the excitement of receiving such a nice bike at BikeFest in Kitchener and then the anticipation of beginning the bike2work challenge on June 3rd....</div>
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A challenge for me it certainly has been!! But well worth it physically, mentally and financially!! After getting over pneumonia in week 2, the challenge began to get easier and easier! I felt great! I have saved so much money on gas while biking a total of 432 km so far this month. The remaining 86.4 km seems like nothing to me now! </div>
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I have most definitely learned some new things during my challenge.....</div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #073763;">1. Being prepared for the ride the night before is so much easier! Packing my bags with clothes and preparing my meals before I go to bed has saved me a lot of time. I don't know how I was doing it in the mornings at the beginning?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">2. How important it is as a cyclist to keep your eyes everywhere especially when going through traffic lights and roundabouts!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">3. How important it is as a driver to WATCH for cyclists that are sharing the road. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">4. How good a shower feels after biking for an hour and 10 minutes!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">5. How much my co-workers and family must appreciate the shower I have after me biking for an hour and 10 minutes!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">6. If you are not careful.......you WILL swallow bugs.......ew!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #073763;">7. What an impact a positive attitude has in the completion of this challenge!</span></div>
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I am so thankful for being chosen as one of the 2013 bike2work challenge participants. I am also so thankful to Ziggy's Cycle for the wonderful bikes they have given us!</div>
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I can not wait to continue cycling to work throughout the summer and fall! </div>
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This challenge has been very rewarding to me, my girls, my wallet and my car.</div>
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Thank you!!</div>
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Kathryn W<br />
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If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013. #BikeKitchener </span>Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-51458218290788559152013-06-25T08:10:00.001-07:002013-06-25T08:10:28.518-07:00Gear up with A\J: How to Commute by Bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J7a5G8uFrHffWvxmhVrBXIlLSKjnnGW2aks-MvL0DOkECYsrrnnI9yQuhDuUGiOHRs2orGL5Rr6mxMrM5_Hehw_lMNTZ92-gNzQDWF9exhSWfYBGn04Nb6HrKkTO-3YDLy3MLbZbOSVY/s1600/julie_bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J7a5G8uFrHffWvxmhVrBXIlLSKjnnGW2aks-MvL0DOkECYsrrnnI9yQuhDuUGiOHRs2orGL5Rr6mxMrM5_Hehw_lMNTZ92-gNzQDWF9exhSWfYBGn04Nb6HrKkTO-3YDLy3MLbZbOSVY/s320/julie_bike.jpg" width="320" xya="true" /></a></div>
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"Many studies have linked cycling to improved physical and mental health – it’s no wonder that cyclists are the <a href="http://bikeportland.org/2013/01/30/bike-commuters-are-happiest-and-other-psu-research-tidbits-82448" target="_blank">happiest commuters</a>. Biking to work can help minimize your carbon footprint, reduce stress, provide a form of low impact cardio and save you money. If you’ve thought about commuting by bike, Bike Month is a great opportunity to give it a try."</div>
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Read the full article online at: <a href="http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/aj-special-delivery/gear-aj-how-commute-bike">http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/aj-special-delivery/gear-aj-how-commute-bike</a> </div>
Josh Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679131537962389619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-45378555266581093932013-06-24T20:06:00.000-07:002013-06-24T20:06:49.897-07:00Lessons learned at the end of week three<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image of intersection of Caroline and Erb from Google Maps</td></tr>
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I started commuting by bike a month before the challenge officially started, actually right after applying for the challenge! After four weeks of non-challenge and three weeks of official challenge, what have I learned?<br />
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<li>The right bike helps. My first month commuting, I was riding my old 15-speed mountain bike. The commuter bike that we got as part of the challenge is much more suitable (that is faster) for the roads and maintained paths of the city. I have seen some people on racing bikes, but the traction must be terrible going through the sandy part of the Laurel trail in Waterloo Park.</li>
<li>Bike seats are uncomfortable. They just are. You get used to it after about 3 weeks, but you do feel it again if you have been off for more than 2 days. That being said, some are more uncomfortable than others, and I much prefer the new seat.</li>
<li>Avoid biking on Victoria near the Tannery. The traffic is heavy, and feels rushed. No bike lanes (I <b>love</b> bike lanes) and narrow lanes. I have <b>finally</b> found a route that gets me off Victoria entirely! Sure I have to climb an additional hill and cut through some parking lots, but totally worth it!</li>
<li>Each street has a different feel and it changes through the day. I tried working "regular" hours (9-5:30) for a week instead of my early 7-3:30 and found the traffic much heavier both ways. Not only that, but people are less courteous at rush hour. The only nice thing, is there is also a lot more bike traffic and pedestrians. This actually makes the left hand-turn at Caroline and Erb to the Laurel trail more manageable, though I never feel totally comfortable making this turn as there is always oncoming traffic turning right which you need to get past to get onto the path.</li>
<li>Garbage trucks always head down Weber at the same time I do! Weber is to be avoided if possible, at least from Victoria all the way up to Northfield... then it gets bike lanes for some reason. It is bad enough when cars are passing at 50km/h with no bike lanes but 60km/h is too much. Even flying downhill at over 30km/h on the bike you are still getting zipped by. Unfortunately, I can't avoid it completely, but I won't plan on taking it for my whole commute again! Once is enough! Okay, twice is enough!</li>
<li>Wet shoes with socks are no fun. When it pours you get soaked to the bone and your pedeling gets all squishy. Yuck.</li>
<li>It is about twice as fast to bike as to inline skate. I did one trip to work by inline skates when I left my bike at the office overnight on a rainy afternoon. 52 minutes vs 28.</li>
<li>Biking feels <i><b>good</b></i>. It wakes you up in the morning, you get to see actual people outside (not just cars), and takes about the same amount of time as the bus - minus the worry about catching the bus on time!</li>
<li>Graphs are fun and motivating. I find that I try to beat records of the previous day.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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YowG1jUKFeTvNXKZ91VzHWJculVnb7+iPbKuI+BP1uG8f3VK2r9bm7/3seXJ9XOhcFJR8azx/7JbF6QVqDUN3zZqes7v/vuH28pL373yrgjo15/8s3U48uTGxXN1rkeWFFFeXtNvD3Yu5YmlJJELX3TqLZaLaO5ZRn4k71Q8DHwZ31l2XI/7f6596PowvzTzLfm9v/1L4+pxU59N8ROzKFDf38ipzaqcANzQEQW5WpTuevmcl2iPH3zI4YyCt+o1y1DfhZPnoiuc9tmrbbTXP6/zeZys3lhAKvk4s6nX8iLf/3gX67992rcJUKfRBjlrn5jK00oJYma0dySPgNxlyWosCrjT76ZUvuozO3f+/3VK1EUWCXNwf/8hynzm3WQ5yQpT3wqr/+/Hfzrg//wDcP6B0c/otz1XU9torylDEXRuhNLKJXx36tP1J4Snm6yBSRDRuk213Y99Obf7H/3OpO0DJTwerBY2lLKuYw84C7HW1pFue6dWBqbzYkbD9UQf3ti0cfXkuX25sKR1/rZOCv10D5cASSZmuP3zo5uGYY6rJ80HwQMEfJJGiW6D5hOplCmxPq1VLJUxksfftBs9PUa5cfp67Lrfu43UdQcV18HNc2Pji8wuXm6EeU+SScW+4rvSdbYbKpDvf1Vxu1jCO8cPxZk6KZv6yvLMta8/3tPgk45blLTfN/ozYGdlnkQEOU+yRI2R8cX4i6LW5bKuL8psewTelS++DzcDuPuGfW6NOzEUoB4dc9xU+HBc3UetIkbDzvNn1Nbfzm9WD0zuSR/f/j8/MSNh4N8J1kjRLl/MiYl+Q2R9Q3Dvvym1ymxmo2G2kcixsq4Slrq4/o6iYubHDdVXzRkLKhZPb94rVR48Hxltb6yWi88eH5ppixD/x1/xqfua317fxAQ5f7J2Z/w+VQt89MePj/v40J7rfjdwpHX+tzX0A25RBio6bbd57ipsdkcvlTsEtZufvxNwoP+IMr9S/4qB9UXDUtl3MensdloWAb+FN956/fqk4jK7NXyyGmzVAMy0faWYagz2zz8+CP3zy08eK5Wz+0/7321PLP0VM6QldW65QvA99SYiBpR7t/0YjWxdz6N5lYoU2IltjIuZLZbc7XPdNsyDPnqmn31lceXJ31sxGxRGb5UlJ9LM+XCg+edxhNUnv1mWT2K6nkCEeX+yfD9pN35DGsUvmXNtr4N/PHk8eXJILmmkVBy3DfLPfPshQK9GxOFKA9Eqr0+VtWJQn3DsPc19DEK/6eZb9VR+LcPHUhsnVcm1Up31/J4c9xk6cm6b/Tm9GK1/8WAI6I8EGlJTMKYz6nCD5blN30M/DHqdTUyzNGDCayMC1mDIsVdyy05Hm8bV/HRmnqanfv6Ho0tSUCUByJj3+NdtmZltW5pUXnvq2UfFwqWyvjCkdeCL/cTtWajIZcOcZclEpbFgJJweVRbf6l2Xjw6vuDjyg/hIsoDiX0xydr6S8stqeyFgo/bm79Xn1gq4/0fhe+b3JhN8tWDP5u1mroYUBJy3GQ0ty5eK6knXvqWYdELUR6IucT7//ubibPH/unhH//4+PLkTzPf9idQ7PNh+WtRadmmxLpz/FjyK+Mq+RJK2TILG5WKXCTN7d+bwNkfLUMWzkwu0dgSF6Lcv9+rT0offvCff7ZfrcxKlTa6EStGc8vSLG42WfpoUbFPiRXjKHzfUjk/4s+Fgny/3j50ILG95i0rCCawY+6AIMr9MOeTsqxNbvmJohplhrjaJ2zPyMzwpaKPbmHNRiMhU2IFJ51YlkdOx12WcMiMj7OvvlJ44/WEL7Cprl5ClMeFKPes2WgsnjyhhuC//8Vf/fP/HfnDibOVLz63VHLLE5+GslPHEM9eKPjrOfNzoWAf+KNdZVzIpFpz+/fqexRC/YpdPHlClwkJqi8aV2+v0sASF6LcG8ttqOI7b21UKpKw5mQsG5WKOnfg8sjpgPkyvVi1hPjR8QUfkxqa5bfc3lweOa1LWHRxd/jUrP7LCW0ZhjpHQvGdt3S584zYEeUeNBsNNcd/nL5uPi638i9eK8lfqkMlfaf5zNJTy6QZvkO8FfeKP5H6/uoV86Dun3s/7rL41Gw05AtpdmcxoLgLBW2EF+X5rHXpN2WZuEyu7LI0IZQkGmq7ytz+vWofj5XVukw2pI6PV6+Uvaa5PcQPn5+fKvzgbzl5x0nG01Tj26zVtG5j2azV1FY7T5NkAa0w1/bM5tuXac5nJcDLuYy79T0TG+VbhqHWmOx99WTEhGWWRJkhZPbVV+4On3KTnoUHzy3jfYKEuOO8hgm/jeaP3KXQro1lo1JRb12kqR8O+ibMBpa0Rrll2LTjMI2pwg+OFfNWe5ovnjzRJc0LD55bVgAwu4r7C/FWq/XkmynLVCpPvpnyt6nkkzaWe2dH4y6LB2qnw7n9e5MzCAh6iS7KzQQ3ucrxViKjvNloqDneKQqN5pbcmbSP03nyzZTat8x+m3Fm6amlJn5w7NaXsxXf/QHWit9ZWlTun3s/fYMhVWobiy5tR+qJkeTO40i+CKO8nMsMDWXzZqC7C/OkRbmlibn7dHRSMd83etPe0Vv6Pptpbi7dYDS37G3iAUN8o1Kx9FG5c/zYgGSENILJHekkU1fXk1MC8CeyKFfaV9y3sCQnyo16vTzxqdrfw820ojJR4sGxW/Y0Vy+lb+3b+6cLX1lGbAYM8c1azdIsfvvQgYFqeJWRNXeHT8Vdlm62DEPt4ESnQwTXnyg3b4u6Kk0oJQnCHuLuWzBr6y8lnfeN3rSPmLj7H3M3//zPZct/OPpuKCFuL/Psq6+UPvwg3S0qds1GQ16ExIajpdPh/XPv69jlBkkTXg+WIWvPQ/VBLTojNhuNx5cn1fuEs97Xsaw8+81S1z58ft5cdsv875FTV/79L/5Ktv+nw9kr/zYfpCb+8OOPLCF+d/iUpkPwg5OUTGaXeUunw7AGAwMMEWq1OoT44skT/uLAMsGQ/Wfv6Rv/cqRtfP+9s6Neh1z+Wiqpy/VKiA9Is3gn0l8ogSn5e/WJOsRsoNq+ELVBj3KjXq988XlYIa6aXqzaA/3w+flzX9+bKvxQfdH4cfq6vUmkZ216o1IpT3yqJgIhrlpfWZYbiXGXpc2vpZI6Yy2dDhGuwY1y8yahJUxDCXG7+oaxslqvrb+0PL5RqViWQp599ZWFI6+VJz59fHlyrfjd+sry+sryz4XC48uTyyOn7QlufgGkcsiPP1uGIe9pcuaWWSt+p3Ye12s6eGhhEKP811LJHqARhbjL8qj3wVz+mImfnLRKDnkxE1LzVfuh3j50gO9dRGGwonyt+J09NO8On0rCLbL1leWHH3+kDuDulOAPP/6ItpQupLk8CTOZyBjU2Q6jw4BQDFCU/1woWGLx3tnRBPb02KhUfpy+brao3B0+dXf41P1z7z++PFmbn6NC54a80YsnT8RbEsvM44PWNxT9NEBRLvWjuf17I12wDfFqNhoSoDH2LleHay2PnE5sP3ekwwBF+ZZhfH/1yvdXr1A5Sj2ZbiGWlijL/GsMAkIfDFCUY3BIjbj/fbebjYa6KGAS2usxCIhypJBMxtLnCW83azX3868BISLKkUIblYp0/uvnTtUOSAnpCokBQZQjnWRoZX+6/TAICPEiypFOMgqsDwsnMQgIsSPKkU6yQM/9c+9HuiO18ziDgBAXohzpJM3l0c2rtWUY6uSU3RduBSJFlCO1pLk8ipqyUa+rnQ6XR07TeRwxIsqRWjJOJ/TmcktnFTqPI3ZEOVJL7kaGu9RnbX5OnRu5D7dVgZ7Ci/J8dmiofW3PNm6W9iTKESaZjGVu/96wWrFl2kWzswpTVCIhwlvbM5tvW6bZ8mtXSU6UI2Qyp3Ftfi7gppqNhnqT887xY54WfQUiFWYDS4fELucyLpOcKEfIpEti6cMPgmzn11JJHZHPTIdImuijPJ8dyuTKrksTSkkA02atJm0svmfE/P7qFbVxPIELQANRR7mHKnmLKEcEZNinjwg26nV1utrbhw4Eb6gBohBxlJuN6F5KE0pJACFjhbxWzNeK36k9DovvvMVITiRWtFHupXFluzShlARQyVgelxVzo15X1wCaffWVyhefR11IIIjwerDs2klvb40r26UJWBLATl3WtXv3wS3DePLNlAwTNdfFpschko8hQhgIUjG/feiA49rcZoirLSrmVFz0VIEWiHIMBKNel5ie27/38eVJs93cqNd/LhRKH36g1sTNbuPMOQ6NEOUYFBuViiWvHX8WjrzGWHxohyjHALGsvWn5uXP8GKu4QVNEOQbOTzPf3h0+Zba3LBx57e7wqceXJxmFD60R5QCgPaIcALRHlAOA9ohyANAeUQ4A2iPKAUB7RDkAaI8oBwDtEeUAoD2iHAC0R5QDgPaIcgDQHlEOANoLL8rz2SHbkszKQnGuVoYjygHAh/DW9szmLcs0mw96LU3AkgDAAAqzgaU9yi3B7rY0oZQEAAZKZFFezmUymYy39hWiHAD8iDLKd//ntq2FKAcAH/oT5W5bW4hyAPAhurZyJcvLucxQJld2VZpQSgIAAyW8Hiy7dlK7nMt4ayonygHAD4YIAYD2iHIA0B5RDgDaI8oBQHtEOQBojygHAO0R5QCgPaIcALRHlAOA9ohyANAeUQ4A2iPKAUB7RDkAaI8oBwDtEeUAoD2iHAC0R5QDgPaIcgDQXnhRns+2L/ymLAfnekU4ohwAfAhvbc9svuMyzV5KE7AkADCAwmxgIcoBIBbRRrnH9pXW+fPnxwBAB5cvXw4lOUMxFlmUt//CcwUdAOBWX6K8lc8OZXLlUHYCALCiVg4A2gsnyvNZpd/hdgVcfYwcB4AIhVkrBwDEgigHAO0R5QCgPaIcALRHlAOA9ohyANAeUQ4A2iPKAUB7fYnyci7jY9y+v2clwUAd70AdbIvjjfJZSaDt8fqKcmUgZ1v5ratPbNs9TKcnKo+1PdXhWerOXJdBmaHR74vdYV8eSq7h8Vrfx7S+uR0OLd1vrsMG0vr+djje9L2/PqJcmRurnMsMKYdgXX3C8vcOT+w8O4vyrO0nKTvzUAZ5uq8J1Hvtq0fJNTxex/cxvW9ut+PtUXItj9exACl+f7sdb4+S63a83qPcunPr149Dbc58yOGJuW5zKdp+0/bV56kMTn/mlvO+us4CqfXxdt5mCt9c582m/M21FqDLvtJ5vOl8fz1HueXrwnJC2Esmjzg8MZvNZDIZp0uWDi9O5011LsPuNYuvWpvzvsq5niXX9Hg7lyeFb67zZtP+5loK0KWc6TzelL6/UUf57gPOr87uQ+rli8OLoz7d69fJ7rO8f7N3jPJeJdf0eLtsM31vrvNm0/7m2nfaYV8pPd6Uvr9Bo7zH9YLyf4cntr06yt/ajs9yYN7K0Or0h64476v9UceSa3q8XbaZvjfXebNpf3M7xURa31/r8ab0/fXeVq6W1HZStJes/Sgcnth+1bP9W2uNIW+/2+C+DOp/HDbk+3hdlFzT47Vv0/nB9Bxst0NL3Zvb5XmpfH+dnpfO9zdoZ8S2Xe/K5Mq2awnHJ5alcUh5xPoVqlIua9yUoe35fj/qTvvqXXI9j9dpm2l+cx2PN61vbqcCpPb97VSANL6/EQ4Rsr840T0rCQbqeAfqYFscb5TPSoIUHG90UZ6CF8eTgTregTrYFscb5bOSIA3HyxwsAKA9ohwAtEeUA4D2iHIA0B5RDgDaI8oBQHtEOQBojygHAO0R5QCgPaIcALRHlAOA9ohyANAeUQ4A2iPKAUB7RDkAaI8oBwDtEeUAoD2iHAC0R5Tron099ATtupzLmL8NUMLtpbUct5DPJmjVrXRwep23lwhO2mvNuecWUW6Rz/pd3Tti9lOtb0sLdv2c7P7S/8dp50ictxDjl1gwQc8lWZQ97LfZ4RXNZxOX4q1Wi3PPPc2ivPho7ej4wp6RmbB+jo4vzCw9le2Xc5lMNptJ4tuX0ChXfuf7tJcY6bCFaD5Pa8XvCm+8PvvqK2H9FN54/ZJUumIAAAOHSURBVKeZb2X7Qc8lJVzz2XCP3znKE3jSp/Xci4JmUR5ujps/+0Zv7mzeDMdyTvn8qbUV+YVUl2xVpu3L1KEhsz6Wzw5lczsPtW1H/sT+TPXUkT1ls+3nlLIjORWHHDbQaov8fFZ+q34RODx3J4iGhjK53M6ulac7vDx525/ls5lcLqu+Gk51zPa6lbxcuztqe0NCE26Omz9z+/cqhQ52LjnUk4OdTh3PJaUM2xtV3/2y0+nh7p3tee71OPHKTieV4wuk2bkXBc2i/Ort1dCj/OK10vbW1TPM4fO38+vd09P2abN+h+ezQ0rVasjydOXPHR9s33e3iC7nMkNO/7ZsppzLZjI7/9w5RZ2fq+7QLJH9s2R/pSx/tnv4+ezO58j22Wg/3iGnT24kVaPvr14JPcoffvzR9taDn0s7Qac8GuR06n4uWV5i5U+cTw9X72zbYdnPvd4nXiut514UNIvySLWf/+oXfvtnptvHz/z0OZ8H5n/Uert8UB0fbN981waW9l92+oYp5zLZ/PadnE7NjA4JsVOjcTijrZVOy5+1ZYvT5UDL6QPp+O9ENuR2Fsa5JFsaUkLJ7+nU41yyR3n3U8vNO9u2YYdzr/eJ1+Lcc48oF21XumptyHwzLZeKlr9x2tR2A4vDZ892YjpfxgWIcsuf7lRazE9Qe8Gcn2uJ8mzesWJk/wB0qNF0/Dg5vELd/62FEM+l3Wd1jHI3p1N4Ub5Tx3cZ5Z3Pvd4nXotzzz2ifIfl21f973bz3e7J7eJr2jx/lCtiuYR0n+XKFWigBhbzcLLZ7M7+s7mdTlwdn2uLcucN5+3tlcqf9fw4WQ67w0dIn/bKbWGcS+Xdt6itXd3n6dTjXOoc5R0bWNxGecdzr/eJ1+Lcc48o3+bUKNH2rjvdZrJe+rX9Zuca0n4vRfmz3X12fzCTyyvp2/5bpUXQXiTlcDp/lB2e6xDlTq+Sc/Xe7WW49bPf4eOkTcVoWyjnktO7Euh06n4udYxyx4J4ivIu516PE6/FueceUe5Zr0tVy99qciL4FuAQO330w9tD0nk5l1z9xWDh3FMQ5d7Z6t6daXQm+Ob7GNP3afLOw7nUSvlL4Qfn3i6iHAC0R5QDgPaIcgDQHlEOANojygFAe0Q5AGiPKAcA7RHlAKA9ohwAtEeUA4D2iHIA0B5RDgDaI8oBQHtjY2ND4+PjYwAAbY2Pj/8PolK0m8Rm6xcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is more downhill on the way to work. It feels really good to break 20km/h average.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" 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" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It feels pretty bad when it takes over a half hour when you usually take no more than 28 minutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep on ridi</span>ng!<br />
~ Rob H<br />
<br />
If you're reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</a> .#BikeKitchenerBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-89367927208243179222013-06-23T14:16:00.002-07:002013-06-23T14:16:41.596-07:00Got everybody biking!I've got biking fever. Even dragged my dog along for a bike ride last week. My near-misses with cars have been increasing, but I find that paying attention and not being distracted with music keeps me fairly alert. A few of my co-workers have also started riding to work which is really exciting. So exciting that we are even planning a biking picnic lunch. Everyone is responsible for something different, and we all bike to a nice picnic location for a mini vacation in the middle of the day. Highly recommended! I'm looking forward to involving more people from the office and even possibly make it a weekly event.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">If you</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the
BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at
</span><span style="color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%); font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">. #BikeKitchener</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Rachelle </span><br />
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-36853686599997457262013-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:002013-06-23T12:35:03.190-07:00Crazy Weather at the Black Forest Inn<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: lime;">Oh </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">THE GLAMOUROUS</span><span style="color: lime;"> life of biking!! </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">The weather over the last
few days has been very interesting and has not brought out the best in this
competition! One of the challenges that I struggle with CONSTANTLY is thinking
ahead about the weather! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I must say, I have gotten much better at coming into work
about 30 mins (or 15 minutest) depending on how I am late I am running in the
morning at be good and sweat free for meetings!! Today, I found that 30 minutes was not enough time because it was so hot, and I went into my meeting still red! It was very funny, someone actually thought that I was sunburnt - it was funny.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK3trieVO4MLiYSRgdLsZ_s7J8llrqPrNu5-VZne7tJ7SNW9lWrf7m_NLhCPtfWvR2m9IPrbp1AOJOD5Ul7jpkyabkLGeU_T5KEZINYisCljEANDDvK9rRIpsXJyZyyZuxY85-RJ46Lg/s1600/sweaty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK3trieVO4MLiYSRgdLsZ_s7J8llrqPrNu5-VZne7tJ7SNW9lWrf7m_NLhCPtfWvR2m9IPrbp1AOJOD5Ul7jpkyabkLGeU_T5KEZINYisCljEANDDvK9rRIpsXJyZyyZuxY85-RJ46Lg/s320/sweaty.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Then yesterday, the weather lied to me and on my way back from work it downpoured! That was NOT 30% chance of rain!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOrnSKuMXKDQmTPAoMjQjjBZcn3tcdGDM4jT6kA6o6ZgzyOMOW6kvG-IuuOIyAeljFKM045UWtlb3QOBNvJQLZmRzw9hB4IUHeyUejzLrl353G_BebPGVDnnX8Ukcbxxe8op0e8VjbzE/s1600/wet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOrnSKuMXKDQmTPAoMjQjjBZcn3tcdGDM4jT6kA6o6ZgzyOMOW6kvG-IuuOIyAeljFKM045UWtlb3QOBNvJQLZmRzw9hB4IUHeyUejzLrl353G_BebPGVDnnX8Ukcbxxe8op0e8VjbzE/s320/wet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">Mainly it is important for you to consider when you bike to work the
time it take to de-sweat and/or dry off regardless of how good your sweat kit is (like mine)!
Best of luck riding! </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;">I have been reflecting on my progress over the last few days: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #ead1dc;">I don't have to pay for gas and it only takes me 15 minutes longer to bike from Victoria and Westmount to Conestogo</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">I learned that Westmount turns into Northfield</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Fenders don't protect you when its raining and still get your feet when you go through a puddle</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">I am staying up much later and feel better about myself and my athleticness (not a real word but we'll let this one slide)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #741b47;">It is easy to get your friends to come on a bike ride</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;">And finally I've learned that I LOVE THIS FREAKING BIKE THANKS ZIGGGGYY</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Steph M</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at </span><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> #BikeKitchener</span></span></div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-47942985173478200632013-06-22T11:55:00.002-07:002013-06-22T12:01:14.191-07:00Lessons Learned from Trek-ing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lessons Learned from Trek-ing </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third week of the Challenge was wonderful weather for biking. The delicious breakfast and social time at the Tannery building was a welcome way to start the day on Tuesday... great wraps! I enjoyed hearing about the new "bike share" program- what a terrific idea! I completed the biking survey- a timely opportunity to advocate for safer and more wide-spread bike use! And Josh... it was good to meet you! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few insights learned from riding the new Trek into work:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what a difference having a good bike makes- my old one was a much heavier bike, gave a bumpier ride and made for more work going uphill.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was skeptical that the WSD seat would actually make a difference- I have found it noticeably more comfortable than seats I've had in the past. Commuting by bike is much more attractive when I'm comfortable!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been great having a helmet with the adjustable fit knob- so I know it's fitting my head properly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The panniers are fantastic and take the strain of a backpack off my neck and shoulders. The fact that they are surprisingly roomy and waterproof to boot is an added bonus!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dress for success whatever the weather is doing and it all adds up to a rewarding and enjoyable commute!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A big thank you again to Ziggy's for the wonderful bike and accessories!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheryl W.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at </span><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#BikeKitchener <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-25126008055304364362013-06-21T16:59:00.000-07:002013-06-21T16:59:11.359-07:00Who knew?!Finishing up the third week of the challenge here and feeling great about it. :) Before accepting this challenge, I thought of biking to work as unrealistic and more of a chore travelling from North Waterloo to Downtown Kitchener. Now, I'm wishing I had start started sooner! The commute isn't much longer than if I were to drive to my parking lot and walk the 5-7 minutes it takes to get to the office. I think I finally have the route down pat and my commute time down to 30 minutes! YESSSS!!<br />
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This has been such an amazing experience, I'm so happy I challenged myself and to accomplish something I never even considered possible! I will continue to bike2work throughout the summer because it's a blast! I encourage everyone to give it a shot!!<br />
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Thanks again to Ziggys and City of Kitchener!<br />
<br />
Melani K<br />
<br />
If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</a>. #BikeKitchenerBike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-87239482470651677592013-06-21T13:03:00.000-07:002013-06-21T13:03:04.355-07:00BFI Rocks Week 3!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><b>Here is an update on my mixed emotions of the Bike2Work
Challenge: </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Here I am! Rocking the bike week 3 style!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe76navDmDBPcZ2M4Pj8WfdD93yWPonElWJPHIc5duwQ8YVr86aXVjsh2MZXxa0MiLcXWQzzg-qcoN1JsOMP3ZveCuoGbCMc1vDMtKznDZ2q5DXfTLbS8Wudq-dGks9IuzEp5kB0pio0/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe76navDmDBPcZ2M4Pj8WfdD93yWPonElWJPHIc5duwQ8YVr86aXVjsh2MZXxa0MiLcXWQzzg-qcoN1JsOMP3ZveCuoGbCMc1vDMtKznDZ2q5DXfTLbS8Wudq-dGks9IuzEp5kB0pio0/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>The things I hate:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The early mornings: </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, and I have to be
somewhere earlier than normal, for instance, I had an LPGA volunteer meeting at
8 a.m. yesterday meaning I would have had to leave my house at 6.30 a.m. I
absolutely hate this competition (I don't actually; only at this time I do)! Its days like that where I look at my bike, e
bike and car & debate for almost a half an hour which one to take.
Sometimes the biking to work is very nice, easy and perfect – and other times
it can be the biggest pain. Life can be solved by motors and e-bikes but the
guiltiness follows when you do break into such temptations. However, you need
to push through those mornings and realize how good you will feel once you get
to the end!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9AWNGyIuaOjpbjxWs3QuWQyDs6Kp7JOoWG_FCtq0l2Zvu-PQumhtMuRaGbF7JkK-voBoiszDLWuAgtyDlak1v21W8g7yTaKCLIUyXh1RGfg_VsTjAmzVaXJQVABB891FBRmG6nixsbI/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9AWNGyIuaOjpbjxWs3QuWQyDs6Kp7JOoWG_FCtq0l2Zvu-PQumhtMuRaGbF7JkK-voBoiszDLWuAgtyDlak1v21W8g7yTaKCLIUyXh1RGfg_VsTjAmzVaXJQVABB891FBRmG6nixsbI/s320/photo+(5).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">The things I LOVE:</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">SaddleBags</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSAIcp7D79sWrX1bDGiX-LrD3Mf5FVnK7Vv-B9kv346a0jKvEEHelIn_Jei08kTjvL2ItucXo2U9Eqwib5VZszNv9OUAQ7wAR7nsIqnFE7_U2KqYU_n5Iao9oeQhIUEU94F8QIIhdOqw/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSAIcp7D79sWrX1bDGiX-LrD3Mf5FVnK7Vv-B9kv346a0jKvEEHelIn_Jei08kTjvL2ItucXo2U9Eqwib5VZszNv9OUAQ7wAR7nsIqnFE7_U2KqYU_n5Iao9oeQhIUEU94F8QIIhdOqw/s320/photo+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: magenta;">I have to agree with all the other participants – these
saddle bags can honestly fit an entire army. This morning when I left the
house, I had my work clothes (pants, shirt, blazer), a pair of flip flops, a
pair of flats, two boxes of 80 tea bags, a exercise sweater, fruit, an extra
waterbottle and my day planner. When I left the house this morning someone
asked me “Do you need all that stuff?”
and “You bike with ALL that” and I said yeah – how else will I get through the
bag. Although I felt that I had packed for a weekend trip, it is all necessary
to be productive throughout the day!</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;">The things that suck: </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;">THE SWEAT before work:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ZhuEKa3868ZYAdzX8zrt5S0zbEpYrnUZ3BwMK-uHSkcOWFIP2c-5S8QUt0HHG0awwTaKAOZ1nT0eydzK_eRtjUV4XcCoVOKKMDuD0kNdP2j5UwJ_zGQwes8u9dbZs8VXoILWZWNf8M/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_ZhuEKa3868ZYAdzX8zrt5S0zbEpYrnUZ3BwMK-uHSkcOWFIP2c-5S8QUt0HHG0awwTaKAOZ1nT0eydzK_eRtjUV4XcCoVOKKMDuD0kNdP2j5UwJ_zGQwes8u9dbZs8VXoILWZWNf8M/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: lime;">One of the major problems that I keep running into while
biking to work is the sweat! There is two reasons for this, mainly because
sweat is invertible, but when the sun is beaming I feel it dripping down! I
would like to begin my thanking the nice lady at Shopper’s who spent 30 minutes
on the phone explaining to me how to use dry shampoo, but guys and gals and all
biker to work participants! THIS IS A LIFE SAVER! It literally will absorb all
the sweat in your hair – and I think that everyone should be using this!</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;">I went to the shoppers shortly after work and bought what I
call the “Bike2Work Survival Kit”: Cost
$50</span></div>
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<b style="color: #ead1dc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Baby Wipes (Face)</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #d5a6bd;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Foundation</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #c27ba0;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mascara</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #a64d79;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eyeliner</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #741b47;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hair Straightener</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #741b47;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dry Shampoo</b></div>
</b><b style="color: #4c1130;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hair Brush</b></div>
</b><b style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Deorderant</b></div>
</b><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">In conclusion</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut59x5B3iCOJVF0A-7oUX6w9RhgDRa3oLSigVOUmNgcIhertpzla_s77sbAWYtEl9rSv3OVw1j9KtKh9UuwJKVqrlDb1-5y_Aj3zh5rpreUHwip_fUWopnOqQrzE4obCV7VlUXKN5N_I/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut59x5B3iCOJVF0A-7oUX6w9RhgDRa3oLSigVOUmNgcIhertpzla_s77sbAWYtEl9rSv3OVw1j9KtKh9UuwJKVqrlDb1-5y_Aj3zh5rpreUHwip_fUWopnOqQrzE4obCV7VlUXKN5N_I/s200/photo+(3).JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CgBEJoj04Hr_lgEE28u4Obiy83HwjjcC2MB92bLe9VtPxbwIQ3av1YAcASc_-JevpPKslNyfYHo5VdOFQZH7lICDLvFKndH7WVZWkZ193FdXdfP3V3Bwg1s6hnltkMbmSonP6VcaWu4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CgBEJoj04Hr_lgEE28u4Obiy83HwjjcC2MB92bLe9VtPxbwIQ3av1YAcASc_-JevpPKslNyfYHo5VdOFQZH7lICDLvFKndH7WVZWkZ193FdXdfP3V3Bwg1s6hnltkMbmSonP6VcaWu4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CgBEJoj04Hr_lgEE28u4Obiy83HwjjcC2MB92bLe9VtPxbwIQ3av1YAcASc_-JevpPKslNyfYHo5VdOFQZH7lICDLvFKndH7WVZWkZ193FdXdfP3V3Bwg1s6hnltkMbmSonP6VcaWu4/s200/photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Biking to work, in my opinion is actually quite a blessing,
cheap and easy! It only takes me 15 minutes longer to bike to work than it did
to drive out there…I think that is astonishing. Now I do know that part of this
is because my biking route is much shorter than my driving route! Thanks to the
Iron Horse Trail, however, I still get the amazing views on my biking route! (I
would like to apologize for stopping on the middle of <st1:city w:st="on">Northfield</st1:city> and if I annoyed any cars I am
sorry!) </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Hey, One last thing - Did you know i<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">f you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013. #BikeKitchener</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanks!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><b>STEPH M!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b></span></span></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-89281820302288214482013-06-21T09:10:00.002-07:002013-06-21T09:10:23.383-07:00Well on my way!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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The third week has gone great, due to my job, i was on call all week but i have been able to compensate with other weeks so i am pretty much all caught up!</div>
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the above image is one i took of my commute one morning, this is much nicer to look at than the back of someone elses vehicle.</div>
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I ended up purchasing a mirror for my handlebars, an it's been a life saver! Now i can keep my head turned strait and still know whats going on behind me.</div>
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The first week of the challenge i was envious of all the other "cyclists" riding their electric-assisted bikes, however after a short 3 weeks i'm starting to think these people are crazy and feel bad for them because they would not have the same rewarding feeling as i do when they reached their final destinations. </div>
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this challenge has been very encouraging for me and i fully intend on continuing it well into the fall time.</div>
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Levi</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013. #BikeKitchener </span><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-21604172599858065732013-06-21T06:28:00.002-07:002013-06-21T06:28:23.819-07:00Gear up with A\J: How to Be Polite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graphic: Anežka Gočová </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Being a non-courteous cyclist is not only </span><a href="http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/aj-special-delivery/gear-aj-how-be-safe"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">unsafe</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, it taints the overall perception of cyclists and compromises their acceptance on the roadways. “The willingness of drivers to share the road is often impeded by the erratic behaviour of cyclists that are still learning the ropes with limited resources,” explains Toronto bike advocate </span><a href="http://yvonnebambrick.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yvonne Bambrick</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Given the lack of a longstanding cycling culture, many of us are unsure of how we fit on streets without bike-specific infrastructure."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read the Alternative's Journal full article online here: </span><a href="http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/aj-special-delivery/gear-aj-how-be-polite"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/community/blogs/aj-special-delivery/gear-aj-how-be-polite</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Josh Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679131537962389619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-68366938843905426322013-06-20T11:22:00.001-07:002013-06-20T11:22:36.214-07:00First off, you need to know that I am not an aggressive rider. Sure, I ride more than others might and don't mind going on busy roads, but I am as concerned about car traffic as anyone else. Having said that, I have to say that I have not found riding to work to be any big deal from a safety perspective. I try not to ride on certain streets (like Weber) when it is really busy - that's just common sense - and I have flickers of common sense from time to time!. But when I have been on the busy streets, I find that the motorists have been pretty courteous. Most give me lots of room or, if there isn't that much space beside me, wait until it is clear to pass me.<br />
However, one of the great things about cycling in Kitchener is there is usually an alternate route to take that gets you where you need to be and avoids the really busy roads. It might take a bit of planning and take an extra few minutes, but that's one of the cool things about cycling- getting to explore different areas or taking a few extra minutes to get someplace but feel like you've experienced a neighbourhood, as opposed to travelling from point A to point B in your little coccoon/car.<br />
So, don't let safety be a deterrence to cycling! Be aware, cycle wisely and plan your route and you'll have a great time!<br />Warren G.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling survey. Fill it out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013. #BikeKitchener </span>Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-58342994186018728542013-06-20T10:13:00.004-07:002013-06-20T10:13:56.536-07:00Getting Easier!!!<br />
Well, another week of biking to work. The weather is so much better this week. I am really enjoying this. I also notice that I have more endurance while riding. I am certainly getting used to biking instead of driving to work. I am enjoying my bike rides and taking in a lot of this scenery as I bike to work. I have even had comments from fellow workers passing me in their own cars, on the way to work. The Walter bean trail is a beautful bike ride. We need more trails like this instead of roads!<br />
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Thanks again Ziggy's<br />
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Brian W.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Survey. Fill it out online at:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #959725;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> #Bike Kitchener<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993763342089815530.post-82352356670041925032013-06-20T09:34:00.001-07:002013-06-20T09:34:25.346-07:00Mission Impossible to Mission Accomplished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Week 3 and I have expanded my riding efforts this week to include trips to my local video, grocery and drug stores as well as particpating in the ride with the City Councillors and even to a retirement party in Waterloo and I have to admit I am quite enjoying it. As time goes on I am feeling more confident and comfortable in taking "my place" on the road which does make for a better experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My new goal was to convince my 19 year old son that if his mother can ride her bike to work he can! Granted he has a natural aversion like most teenagers to early mornings and he does have to be at work for 7am and yes the distance is further (8 km each way), but I still think he could try! Upon returning home from University he expressed a need for exercise so I am funding a gym membership – 2km down the road that he drives too for exercise!?!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>MISSION ACCOMPLISHED</strong> Jordan has biked to work everyday this week (16km) and my daughter Emma is now biking to high school (10km). </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I encourage others to challenge their family and friends to just try biking!</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri;">Judy C</span> </span></span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re reading this blog, you could win a free bike by completing the BikeKitchener cycling<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Survey. Fill it out online at:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bikekitchener2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> #Bike Kitchener<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Bike2Work Challenge Participanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06252709914469495820noreply@blogger.com0