Let me setup the scene.

I was riding along the Burke the other morning, crossing on 40th Ave NE (near Metropolitan Market). As I approached the crossing, I looked left and right and saw/heard no cars approaching. I slowed down to something a little faster than a cheater trackstand, and looked left and right once more before entering the intersection.

I have a habit of doing another sanity check when I’m in the intersection, more so that if something is indeed coming, I’ll at least be aware of it then.

Guess what was on my left? A Toyota Prius, about 40ft. away. Going slow enough that the motor was off (but fast enough to not want to encounter on a bike).

It wasn’t a close call by any means, but it definitely made me ponder that relying too heavily on the audible sounds of a motor vehicle may not be as good of a safe passage indicator as it was in the pre-hybrid days.

Anyway, I figure I should post in case anyone else hasn’t made this connection yet. Especially if you’re in an environment with lots of hybrid/electric cars.

They’re not completely done, so you do have to exit the trail just before 80th near the Trailwalk Condos (about where Kenmore lanes is).

It’s a nice addition to have, and the trail there is smooth like butter. Go enjoy it while it’s fresh.

For more details about the race check out the race website http://www.alkirubiconracing.com/little100/little100frame.html or the race flyer

Calling all racers,
We are in need of teams for both the Men’s and Women’s races at the Little 100, which takes place this next Saturday, June 14th (1:00-6:00pm).

The “Podium Girls Gone Wild,” winners of the Women’s title for the past 4 years, are not going to be at the Little 100 this year, and we haven’t gotten confirmation from last years Men’s winner, “The Lifeguards,” that they are going to be on hand. So now is your opportunity to step up and snatch the coveted Little 100 trophy as well as some great merchendise.

Also, don’t forget that we have a Coed cruiser event for racers/friends/family, which is open to all comers.

To sign up, send your list of 4 team members and your team name to alkirubiconinfo@alkirubiconracing.com (if you don’t have a team, let us know and we can pair you up with other riders)

The recent mugging of a man who was riding his bicycle through the Interstate 90 Mount Baker Tunnel has prompted police and the Cascade Bicycle Club to urge bicyclists to always be aware of their surroundings and travel with others.

Bob Cornwell was pedalling home from work through the Mount Baker Tunnel last week when he was attacked by three teenagers who knocked him off his bike, slammed him against a wall and stole his wallet, money and bike bag.

from the Seattle Times

It’s the one day of the year when tens of thousands of ordinary folks are motivated to leave their cars at home and hop on a bike instead.

With our community’s concern for the environment and gas prices on the rise, biking to work is an easy way to make a difference. Even if you are not a regular commuter, join us this Friday for Starbucks Bike to Work Day. We’ve even got a special workshop on Tuesday night to answer those burning questions from new commuters.

So come on Seattle! Let’s show our families, neighbors, co-workers, politicians, business leaders and the media that WE LOVE BIKES!

Ride in from the north, south, east or west! We’ve got 42 commute stations ready to treat you right this Friday. Bike to Work Day T-shirts are will be on sale for $12!

update:So, the Seattle Times has posted a follow up with some interesting stats and info. Biking Bis has found that 23,000 people rode to work yesterday. I took my usual btw morning ride, but saw plenty on the Burke on the way home.

Contact: Gary Strauss
Distance: 10-12 miles
Notes: This Annual Ride begins at 6:30 p.m.in Gasworks Park and progresses through the U. District, Downtown Seattle and Queen Anne. Arrive no later than 6:10 p.m. to get into line. Volunteers welcome to help before or during the ROS at the start and along the route. Contact Gary Strauss for more information.

From the Ride of Silence website:

A little history of this ride and how it came to be….

The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.

Chris Phelan, a friend of Mr. Schwartz and the person responsible for starting this initiative, thought the ride was a one-time event. However, as word got out other cyclists began to contact him with a desire to do the same thing in their own communities.

Seattle, WA - Sunday May 18th

The Urban Assault Ride is a funky bike scavenger hunt that involves street-smart riding, obstacle courses, and a huge after party. Mental muscle is just as important as bike skills as teams of 2 choose their own course to checkpoints around the city.

The event is well known for its checkpoints where physical and mental obstacle courses must be completed before moving on. Kinda like American Gladiators with a demented cycling twist. The first team to hit all of the checkpoint and cross the finish line wins! Then the party begins with New Belgium beer and lots more two-wheeled shenanigans!

It is THE MOST FUN you will ever have on a bike.

Benefitting: Bike Works

The 1st year in Seattle and the 1st event of the season. We’ll be head-quartered in Fremont - only seems to make sense it IS the center of the universe. We have some great obstacles and checkpoints in store for you - and of course a great after party. There are a lot of riders in Seattle, so we expect that all the local street knowledge will make for some speedy finishing times. The fastest takes home 2 New Belgium bikes - who’s it going to be?

*Please note that due to Washington law, beer can not be offered for free. A donation must be made to BikeWorks at the event to recieve beer at the after party.

Packet Pick Up:(Saturday 5/17 12-3pm)
Red Door Ale House: 3401 Evanston Ave N

Start/Finish: (Sunday 5/18 9am)
Fremont Outdoor Cinema: 3501 Phinney Avenue N

Full details at the Urban Assault Ride site. [sign up]

To celebrate the life, spirit and enduring wisdom of Sheldon Brown, a bunch of us are gathering in Seattle for a ride on Tuesday April 1st, 2008. We will meet at 6:00 PM at the Seattle Bikestation at 311 3rd Avenue S

Look out, golf courses. There’s a new old-boys club in town, with tighter clothes.

A growing number of Seattle business types are shunning the links in favor of biking trails as a place to strengthen work relationships and cut deals.

“For my age, and even coming up a little bit, the golfing way of doing business seemed like something more of my dad’s era,” said Troy Nebeker, 39, co-founder of Hammerquist and Nebeker graphic design in Redmond.

“To me, cycling is more of a creative way of conducting business, whereas golf is more of a businessy, suit-and-tie way of doing business.”

Full article (Seattle PI )

Imagine…

A passer-by asks you for directions. As you talk to him, two workmen walk between you carrying a door. In a flash the passer-by switches places with one of the workmen, and you are left giving directions to a different person. Do you think you would notice?

Researchers at Harvard University played this trick on some unsuspecting people and over 50 per cent failed to spot the change.

This phenomenon is known as “change blindness” - only a tiny fraction of all the information going into your brain enters your consciousness. People often fail to see a change in their surroundings because their attention is elsewhere.

Even stranger, if you are concentrating on something, you can become blind to other events that you would normally notice. This “inattention blindness” is possibly the reason why motorists collide with cyclists.

Just as it is important for road users to keep an eye out for cyclists, cyclists must also take steps to ensure they are seen by motorists.