See it online at http://www.cascade.org/braking_news/2009-07-16.html
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in this issue Join us for Bridging with Bikes this Friday Help us celebrate the launch of Come to the Velodrome for FSA Grand Prix - members get in free! There's still pace in our Urban Riders class for teens Ride with Confidence - in Bellevue!
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Dear %%fullname_%%, If you rode in the 30th anniversary Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic last weekend, thank you for your support. While the STP may be one of the largest, most complex events Cascade Bicycle Club produces, it allows the organization to do other important work, such as bicycle education and advocacy. We learned yesterday that Cascade Bicycle Club and the City of Seattle are being sued by a coalition of Ballard industrial businesses, industrial associations and the Ballard Chamber of Commerce. The lawsuit appeals the city's plans to complete the "Missing Link" of the Burke-Gilman Trail, a project that would improve traffic management and allow for improved safety and access for all users -- pedestrians, bicycles, cars and trucks -- through the corridor. We are deeply disappointed that the suit has been filed, especially given that the prior decision was unequivocally in our favor. In these times of economic turmoil, it's disappointing that the Ballard Chamber of Commerce will waste its members' dues, while improved safety and access in the community are once again stalled. The appeal process will also likely cost Cascade tens of thousands of dollars, but we will not give up this battle for safety and access for all. Your financial contributions will help make a dent in those legal fees. Please give to the Burke-Gilman Legal Fund today. The Washington State primary is approaching on August 19 with ballots expected to arrive in mailboxes in soon. After a months of interviews and research, the Cascade Bicycle Club is proud to roll out its 2009 primary candidate endorsements. Join us in supporting pro-bike candidates in the upcoming election. In other news, half of the Cascade staff has been struck down by annual yellow fever: Tour de France fever! Water cooler talk has turned to Lance's comeback, Phil and Paulisms and Tyler Farrar, the Tour's first Washington native who is charging hard at every sprint finish. On Tuesday, July 21, we'll be showing Stage 16 of the Tour de France at Cyclefest. Stage 16 features the spectacular Grand Saint Bernard Pass, taking riders from Switzerland through Italy into France. The Tour hasn't been over this pass in 43 years! Join us to view the stage outside under the stars. With all the race fever, we'll also be heading to the Marymoor Velodrome on July 24 and 25 high speed racing at the FSA Grand Prix, Northwest Velodrome Championships. You won't want to miss an opportunity to watch top racers Shelley Olds, Laura McCaughey, Jame Carne, Grant Boursaw, Benny Swedberg, James Stangland Kenny Williams, Jennifer Triplett, Kelli Murden and many more burn up the track in your own backyard. Thanks again for your support. See you on the road and trails.
Chuck Ayers
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Cyclefest!  Join Cascade Bicycle Club and fellow cyclists at Cyclefest, the biggest Tour de France-inspired festival on the west coast. This annual family-friendly event is a great place to relax with friends over a summer picnic.
Kids kick off Cyclefest this year with a Magnuson Park Bicycle Treasure Hunt! Following the hunt, kids can strut their stuff in the kids' bicycle parade. We have a very special attraction this year - Ryan Leech, world-class Norco mountain bike stunt rider. Across the way, racing action heats up with head-to-head CycleU Street Sprints by some of the fastest sprinters in the area! Great brews will be on tap in the New Belgium Beer Garden to accompany hot food from Seattle Sausage Company and Athena's Gyros. At dusk (approx 9:15 p.m.), the racing takes off with one of the Tour de France's most exciting stages shown on a 15' x 20' inflatable screen. Stage 16 from Martigny to Bourg-Saint-Maurice is guaranteed to be exciting, with a finish in the high mountains. While you're at Cyclefest, be sure to also check out the fun booths and a very special Tour de France Poster exhibit, presented by Alliance Francaise de Seattle. We'll also have a drawing for awesome prizes, from Pedaltours, Mavic, Sonadei, Raleigh, Rivendell and Ortleib. As always and just like the Tour itself, Cyclefest attendance is totally free!
This year's local elections are a critical opportunity to support candidates who recognize the benefits of bicycling for health and transportation, and who will build bicycling infrastructure in our communities. Here is the latest list of recommendations from Cascade:
Stay tuned for a full list of our early endorsements for the primary, and keep an eye out for your ballots, which hit your mailbox in less than two weeks!
Take action for bike-friendly leaders
Seattle P-I columnist Joel Connelly recently wrote that: "Cascade Bicycle Club has emerged as a powerful force in local politics." This is only true because of thousands of bicyclists like you, voting with your pedals. Please join the Pro-Bike Campaign Team and help Cascade support these and other pro-bike candidates. We'll keep you in the loop about opportunities to meet the candidates or volunteer. Activities can include rides and rallies, phone banking, researching candidates' positions on bike issues, and biking to deliver information about the campaign. Join our campaign team to learn more!
While I-90 has seen some construction traffic lately, one thing is clear: the I-90 Trail is open for business. In fact, according to Tim "The Breeze" Kornegay's experiments, it takes about the same amount of time - almost by the second - to ride vs. to drive. With 1000 other riders coming through daily (and more on those sunnier days), it's an important - and fun - route to work. And a great way to move from recreational riding to bike commuting.
While Bridging with Bikes focuses on encouraging the bicycle during the I-90 bridge construction, it doesn't end there. Keep riding with us! A good first place to explore? Check out the Summer Bike League.
Join the Cascade Bicycle Club as we celebrate the launch of Sound Transit's Link light rail this Saturday and Sunday (July 18 and 19). Sound Transit will be running free service all weekend, from 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. Cascade will be staffing bike corrals at Westlake and Columbia City stations and discussing the future role of bikes and transit in our region's transportation system. Due to the anticipated crowds, we encourage people to bike to the stations, park their bikes, and 'travel light.' There will be bike parking at every station, and bus service to transport you back to your bike after riding the train. Remember to bring a lock, and enjoy the ride! [more details...] Pack a picnic dinner and join Cascade Bicycle Club Friday and Saturday nights, July 24-25 at the Marymoor Velodrome for the 2009 edition of the FSA Grand Prix, Northwest Velodrome Championships. Racing both nights starts at 7 p.m and will feature some of the top riders in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand competing for one of the largest cash purses in North America. Saturday night will feature a Kiddee Kilo for kids with bikes and helmets. Cascade Bicycle Club members showing their cards will receive free admission (normally $5.00 for adults, free for kids). Get the kids up to speed on bike safety this summer and sign them up for Urban Riders. The next course offering is coming up fast on July 25, and there is still time to enroll. Tweens and Teens (ages 11 to 17) will learn the rules of the road, where to ride and cool hazard maneuvers in a fun and safe environment. [registration details...] Cascade and Bellevue Parks and Recreation present: Riding with Confidence-Eastside edition Hey Eastsiders! Cascade Bicycle Club and Bellevue Parks and Recreation will be offering our newest class, "Riding with Confidence," at Bellevue Community Center, July 27 & 29 and Aug. 1. Be sure to let friends who are new to riding or returning to riding know about this great opportunity. We break down the basics of starting and stopping, braking, and shifting, and teach the rules of the road in a friendly, supportive way. We will have them riding in no time. Contact Robin for more information.
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Have you made a donation to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation? Every dollar you donate supports our important advocacy and education work. Make your donation now and invest in creating a better community through bicycling! This message is sent to %%emailaddr%%from the Cascade Bicycle Club. As a participant in club activities, you will occasionally receive pertinent messages from us regarding cycling news, advocacy alerts and event updates. We do not sell or otherwise share any email addresses in our database. If you want to unsubscribe from Cascade emails (including Cascade event confirmations), click here. You are listed in our database as %%emailaddr%%. If you wish to change your address, please send a change of address email. Cascade Bicycle Club || P.O. Box 15165 || Seattle, WA 98115 || 206-522-3222 || www.cascade.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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