Wednesday, August 27, 2008

WCI Staff Raise More Than $1400 for FF Bike Trail



In a tremendous show of support for people who go biking in Fergus Falls the West Central Initiative staff have directed and personally raised over $1,400 to help pay for the Central Lakes Trail extension into the Fergus Falls city bike routes. Over a year ago WCI installed a bike rack to encourage staff members to bike to work. During the week of Aug. 25-29 the staff took on the challenge of the "Bike-To-Work-athon" to raise money for the Central Lakes trail. Personal pledges were gathered for every time a staff member biked to work. Staff, that live too far away to bike, directed money to the cause and cheered on the bikers.

With a few sore muscles and new stories of riding their bike early in the morning the WCI staff feel they are part of something that is fun and helps people be safe on their bikes.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

My Bike isn't lonely anymore



When I started writing this blog I took a picture of my bike in the bike rack at work. It was the only bike in the rack. I have parked my bike by Home Depot (no bike rack) and again it is the only bike around. My regular trips to church on Sunday have my bike sitting alone by the light pole. But today my bike isn't lonely anymore. One of my co-workers Sandy rode her bike to work today. There are two bikes in the bike rack. I can almost see my bike smile as it tips its front wheel toward the new shiny Schwinn and say " Hey baby. How you doin?"

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Biking to raise money for charity.

There are many ways to save the world. Biking or walking to work can be a way to raise money for a charity or special project that helps save the world.. Pastor Bob of First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake decided to ride to work, an 18 mile round trip, to save gas and stay healthy. He also offered a challenge to members of his congregation to pledge $4.00, the cost of a gallon of gas a few months ago, for each day he biked to work. The donations went to the building fund in the church. He is one of my heroes too.

Extending the Central Lakes Trail from its northern end near MN Hwy 210 into Fergus Falls bike route on Pebble Lake Road is an important project for biker safety and added tourism. Next week at work we are doing a Bike -To-Work-athon. Colleagues have pledged a total of $350 or $70 a day for each day people ride their bike to work. The donations will go to the Central Lake Trail extension into FF.

Maybe this could work for other charities, like Relay for Life, or the MS Walk. At least it is another way biking to work can help save the world.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Night time safety.

The sun is rising later. My morning commute doesn't start until after sunrise, but I can see that will change soon. My bike doesn't have any lights. I have been thinking about the best way to light up my bike and see the road. The biggest concern is letting other motorist know that I am on the road. When I drive my car there are times when it is hard to see bikers or pedestrians. So what is the best way to get the attention of a motorist?

One web site for the Helmet Safety Institute list several helpful hints. They also cover extreme biking, whatever that is, and discuss body armour. The sub article about using car headlights with a battery pack is interesting.

Would a lighted reflective vest work with a bike head light to see the road? Let me know what you have experienced.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Do you see what you believe?

In a recent leadership class I was watching a video about Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer, and his vision for the world. The video was called "Celebrate What is Right About the World." He makes the point that he grew up with he scientific thinking that "he needed to see it to believe it." As a photographer he learned that he needed to believe it before he could see it. Our minds are wired to notice only things that we believe have the potential to exist.

Today on my commute to work I was thinking that more people are getting to work by biking, walking, or riding the bus. When I started paying attention to this belief, I started to notice people not in their cars. On my short trip from Sunrise Rotary at the hospital, to my work on Western Ave I saw three people riding their bikes, one person walking, one person riding a motorcycle, and the Otter Express Bus was going east on Lincoln Ave.

Keep looking for change, because if you believe it, you will see it.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

More Bikers and Walkers in FF


The time is right to bike, walk, or take the bus to work or meeitngs. I have been on the lookout for evidence of more bikers, and walkers when I head to work. On Monday, when I have to drive, I snapped some bad pictures of people doing good things. While at stop sign a man, biking to work , crossed the intersection. He is in the right middle of the picture on the sidewalk (the camera is never ready when you need it). Later a man was jogging in the rain. Then I interviewed Loren




Loren Woolson has been walking to meetings before it was popular. When I asked him why he did it he simply said, " I like to walk to stay healthy and to save on gas." He is my hero. In the picture Loren is starting his walk home from a Bible study on Monday Morning.

It is like a treaure hunt. Can you find people biking walking or taking the bus around town?

Friday, August 8, 2008

Some days a car is easier

As much as I like the idea of riding my bike to work some days it is just too hard to make it work. With a 7:00 AM meeting and a quick shopping errand before and a tight schedule to make it to a meeting at Jewett Lake by 8:30 the morning was too crazy. Today the car was just easier.

I am no purist when it comes to using my bike. Depending on the situation I carpool to meetings, walk in my neighborhood, bike to church, drive to other cities, and take the bus in San Francisco. They are all good for different reasons.

I am handing out cards introducing this blog site. If you are willing to hand out some cards to people at work e-mail me kim@wcif.org and I will send you some the cards that look like the masthead above.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Safety First

Coasting down a hill, checking frantically for cars at every intersection, suddenly the opening scene from "Hill Street Blues" flashes in my brain. The rough roll call Sargent dismisses the beat officers with a motherly warning, "Be safe out there."

Am I being safe out there on the bike routes and streets? I signal my turns, and obey the rules of the road. My helmet is old, but always secured before I leave. But What is the best way to watch for cars?
Chris the clerk at The Rental Store in Fergus Falls told me that there are several mirrors that bikers use to watch for traffic. He showed me helmet mirrors, handlebar mirrors that stickup and a cool looking mirror that attaches to the end of the handle bar. I didn't know there were so many options. On Chris' recommendation the cool looking mirror is now helping me be safe out there.



What safety tips could you offer? Add tips to the comment link.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Fergus Falls Bike Routes

I biked to the Sunrise Rotary meeting this morning at Cleveland School. Principal Scott Colbeck showed us around the remodeling and new construction. It looks great, Scott. Thanks for making all the improvements for better education for our kids.

Cleveland School is located on one of the FF bike routes marked with green and white signs. I assume this is a bike route so kids can ride to school. I decided to follow the route to work in my bike. My first impression. LOTS OF HILLS. I followed the green signs until I lost them near the railroad tracks. A quick swing over to Cavour and head west to College Way then onto Western Ave. I am at work by 8:20.

Does anyone know how the bike routes were planned? Do they just end in the middle of a neighborhood? Is there a plan for more routes through town? Who is in charge of the green signs? If you know any of these answers please add a comment at the link below.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Getting to Work survey results

The Getting To Work survey is getting some resoponses I thought you might like to know the results from last week July 28-Aug. 1 The reults listed below show that people are using a mixture of ways to get to work. Hopefully over time this blog will be a source to help more people find alternative ways to get to work.
Zoomerang Survey Results
Getting To Work Survey Response Status: Completes Filter: No filter applied "Aug 04, 2008 8:37 AM PST"
1. How did you get to work on Monday ?
Bicycle 2 Walk 0 Bus 0 Car 4 Other 0 "Other, please specify" 1
2. How did you get to work on Tuesday?
Bicycle 1 Walk 0Car 5Bus 0 Other 0 "Other, please specify" 2
3. How did you get to work on Wednesday?
Bicycle 0 Walk 0 Bus 0 Car 5 Other 0 "Other, please specify" 1
4. How did you get to work on Thursday?
Bicycle 1 Walk 0 Bus 0 Car 5 Other 0 "Other, please specify" 2
5. How did you get to work on Friday?
Bicycle 1 Walk 0 Bus 0 Car 2 Other 0 "Other, please specify" 2




Friday, August 1, 2008

Great day for a bike ride

It is a Clear sunny day with a little dew on the grass. The sun is warm and the shade is cool. Great day to ride to work.

Last night I found a fund web site that is helping connect people who are concerned about all the stuff we buy and throw away. The site is at http://www.storyofstuff.com/ It tells a clear story with humorous animation about the stuff that fills up oour lives. It is not about going to work, but it is about saving the world. Hope you enjoy it.