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

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

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

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Last year’s winners of the woman’s cruiser

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

Women’s Cruiser

Men’s Cruiser

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

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

Notch 8 will entertain the crowd between the raffle items, and the Cycle Pub will be at the party giving rides. The High Sierra Brewery has donated a keg of beer for the event, so look for great beer specials too! Food will be available inside at the restaurant.

Notch 8 to perform at the party

Details:

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

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Wear your costume! Decorate your bike!

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

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

Join the parade!

As a bonus this year, the Cycle Pub will be joining the parade!  Details on booking a seat on the Cycle Pub for the ride coming soon.

Easy pedal through Carson’s quiet west side

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

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Bikes at the Tap Shack

After work today, we’ll be gathering at the Tap Shack to socialize. Ride your bike over after 5pm, have a brew on the patio, and talk with other cyclists about your commuting adventures! The Tap Shack is located at 112 Rice Street, just off Carson Street a couple streets to the north of William/HWY 50.

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The mob gathers

The number of riders participating in the Tour of Carson has grown steadily each year. Back in 2008, probably no more than 20 people attended, and it was easy to seat everyone for the BBQ in a small clearing in the middle of the shop. I think everyone was a little surprised this year when over 80 people showed up to ride! My first thoughts were, “Man, I hope Denis and Viola brought enough food…”.

Heading out Topsy Lane

As many people as there were, the sign-ins went pretty smoothly. We also assembled in the back of the shop, which helped corral all the riders for the pre-ride instructions.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell joined us for the ride

We were honored this year to have Mayor Bob Crowell ride with us. The Mayor, also on the Regional Transportation Committee, is a big advocate for cycling in Carson City. He has helped with projects like getting bike lanes on Roop Street, the application to become an official Bicycle Friendly Community, and getting more recreational trails in and around Carson City. This was his first Tour of Carson, and he remarked that he didn’t realize Carson had so many hills!

Bill Story and family on their Quint

My personal experience on the tour this year was a little different than on previous rides. In recent years, I’ve done the whole ride with my son on the back of a tandem. He’s older now though, and he’s gotten to the point where he wants to ride his own bike. I knew the entire loop would be too much for him, so we came up with an alternative 15 mile loop that was still challenging, but also a lot of fun. He even got to bring along a buddy.

Heading out Snyder Ave

Early in the ride, the route takes you north along Edmonds Drive. This section has the most traffic of the ride, and there isn’t much of a shoulder. It’s a good place to gauge the awareness of Nevada’s new 3-Foot passing rule. For the most part, people seem to get it. There were only a few motorists that buzzed us, even when the other lane was empty. The other challenge on Edmonds Drive was the cold headwind from the north. It had no intentions of letting up, and made me glad I dressed on the warm side.

Happy to be out of traffic and the headwind

When we got to the 5th Street Round-a-bout, it was time for us to deviate from the official course. Instead of heading out Carson River Road to the East, we jumped on the Linear Multi-Use path and headed west. We were all happy to get out of the wind and traffic, and it was a very relaxing part of the ride.

A short break near the freeway underpass

As the path passed under the freeway, the roar of the traffic diminished behind us, and was replaced with the sounds of birds and other wildlife in the wetlands. The Red-Winged Blackbirds were quite numerous on this day, and they zipped and sang as they flew about the reeds. The Linear Path is a great asset to Carson City, and is the perfect model for future paths to further connect cyclists to where they need to go.

Linear Multi-Use Path

After finishing the Linear Path at Governors Field, we made our way over to Curry Street just south of the dangerous narrow hillside section. From this point, all the way down to Koontz, we enjoyed a peaceful ride with the wind at our backs, riding on wide bike lanes. After a short time back on the east side of HWY 395, we crossed back over at Clear Creek Road, and then up the steep hill of Vista Grande Blvd for the final stretch back to the Bike Habitat. Our timing was great, and we arrived at the BBQ just as the faster riders were getting done with their full 30 mile loops. For the next hour or so, we relaxed out back with some delicious food, caught up with friends, and even made a few new ones!

Post Ride BBQ

Thank you Bike Habitat for putting on such a fun and well attended event, and congratulations on your 5th anniversary!

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Marcus at the controls of his state of the art bike-in theater

Where: Capitol Automotive, 1000 N Plaza Street
When: May 12th, 5:30PM

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The riders and the ball are often going different directions

You could be sad that another bank bit the dust. Or you could look on the bright side, and be grateful that they left you such a fine hard court to play bike polo on! The size of this lot is perfect, and it has nice curbing on the sides to help keep the ball in play. The goal areas have more space behind them than is ideal, but at least the ball seldom makes it out into the street.

Jason about to press Dan up against the wall

When we arrived, we found that the court has started to go back to nature. More cracks have developed, and weeds have started to sprout up from many of them. There was also a lot of broken glass on the south end, but thankfully Chip had the wisdom to bring a broom and a dustpan. We left the place better than we found it!

Dan heads to the Tap Out Cone

We changed the rules slightly this year. While last year we had 3 periods for each match, this year we play to 4 points. This seemed to work out good, since nobody has to keep time, and we never broke between periods last year anyhow. Keeping score is now easier too.

Kristy and Chip

We had just enough players last week, with only one person sitting out each game. My 11 year old son sat out one game, and was able to get all these great photos. Most of us though had to play all night, and we were pooped by the end of the night. We could really use some more players (hint, hint)! Ladies, you too. It’d be awesome to see an all girls match.

The old pass under the bottom bracket trick

It was cool to see that the game play is picking up where we left off last year. There is more emphasis on teamwork, and fewer 50 yard Hail Marys. There were a few bumps and scrapes, a couple collision induced brake problems, one flat tire, and a few perfectly executed mallet strippings. The game is definitely evolving, and I’m excited for a great season of bike polo!

Even girls tap out sometimes

The forecast is looking great for tonight’s (May 10th) game, so please come on down. I know there are some people that have other commitments on Thursday evenings, so we’ll try to rotate nights (and maybe add a weekend day) in the future to help accommodate everyone.

Thank you to Charlie Moser for your photography work!

Next Game:

When: Thursday, May 10th, 6:00PM
Where: Parking Lot behind the old Colonial Bank at 901 North Stewart Street (across from Smiths on Valley Street)
Disclaimer: Although we just play for fun, it’s not unlikely for a spill or contact. Play at your own risk, to both your body and bike. Helmet, gloves, knee and shin guards are recommended.

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