#WCW: Celebrating women for our Inaugural Women's Ride! ft. Danika Hunt

It's #WCW! We are hosting our Inaugural women's ride on September 17 called Women Ride IB.
Info and registration here! 

To get excited, we will be highlighting awesome female riders from around town every Wednesday.

Are YOU a female that loves to ride a bike, or know one? Every person highlighted will be entered into our raffle on event day. Submit in the comments below or email erin@sdbikecoalition.org !

From Equestrian to Cyclist?! - Danika Hunt 

I never pictured myself as someone who would enjoy riding bicycles. I mean, I rode around Ocean Beach when I was in grade school, but I wasn't good at it and it sure wasn't fun. I just wanted to be able to do whatever the boys could do better, and the boys were riding bikes. Me, I rode horses, was obsessed by horses, had no fear no matter how ornery the horse was. I would slave away cleaning stalls all day long just to get the chance to ride for an hour for as long as I remember. My mom was a single mom and struggled to give me opportunities to be around horses. I remember her taking me to Poway stables when I was around 7, first just to ride a rental horse for an hour every-other weekend. Later, dropping me off early in the morning and picking me up after dark. I didn't realize that I was a 'good' rider, I just knew that if I got a chance to get on a horse or pony, I wasn't coming off for fear that the owners wouldn't let me try again if I fell, lol. This young girls obsession grew as did my abilities. I was on the smaller side, so could train ponies so the barn owners I worked for could sell them to rich parents for their spoiled children to show. I realized that I could use this to my advantage, I bought my first 'project' horse when I was just 14 for $200 and sold him 6 months later for $2000. Thus my career as a horse trainer began.

Fast forward a whole lot of years, and a multitude of broken bones and surgeries, including a full knee replacement. My son started mountain biking when he was 12, started getting serious about it about a year or so later. I was a great shuttle mom, but wanted more. I wanted to ride something that didn't try to throw me off, so I got an older Stumpjumper. I was terrible, lol. But dang, did I look the part thanks to being a great shuttle mom for 2 years and hanging out with a bunch of great DH guys and gals. I got a little better, emphasis on little, met this really great guy who lived and breathed for anything on two wheels. My life has never been the same, and I haven’t looked back.

Needless to say, based on my extensive DH foundation (ie rad shuttle mama who occasionally kept the rubber side down) there was no way I was EVER going to ride a road bike. They are lame, and the outfits even lamer. Well, remember that guy I told you about? He loves to ride and I love him, so… his enthusiasm rubbed off. He got his hands on a loaner bike, an old carbon/aluminum trek that was too big and had come straight out of the late 90’s. My first ride I was decked out in my Fox MTB shorts, t-shirt, FiveTens, and cross country helmet. It surprised the hell out of me that I had fun, even though I was terrified of the twitchy bike with skinny tires, cars that came way too close, and the thought of wearing spandex in public in a decade other than the 80’s.

Slowly I switched from bulky MTB gear, flat pedals and xc helmets to a closet full of Pearl Izumi, Sidi shoes with clips, and a damn roady helmet. Once Branden realized I was actually going to stick with riding, he began plotting a way to get me a bike. One that wouldn’t kill my back, that would fit my vertically challenged frame, and that I wouldn’t look at and say it was ‘lame’. He bombarded me with magazines, showing me pictures of different styles of roadbikes. Discussing the benefits of Shimano vs SRAM, eTap vs DI2, the high cost of Campi. Then one day it happened, I saw the bike I wanted last fall. It was rad, had tall tires and DISC brakes! Yes, real brakes! Not those silly ones that squeeze the side of the rim, how in the hell is that going to stop you in a pinch? I have giant rotors on my MTB, waaay bigger than I will ever need, just the way I like it J I had convinced Branden, he thought building a randonneur for me would be cool, but how did we convince the king of all roadies that it was a good idea?! During this same timeframe, both Joe and Branden had titanium Seven Axioms built with the idea that they would double as demo bikes for the shop. Brandens bike was equipped with Shimano Dura Ace and Joes was set up with SRAM eTap. Joes intentions with running eTap was to discredit it as garbage. Joe is such a hardcore roadie that all he would run is Campi, like any true roadie would. After the bikes arrived and were built up, Joe started to wonder if maybe SRAM had something with this eTap groupo, it was ridiculously easy to get set up. Then they went on their first ride and Joe said ‘Campi who’? Suddenly Mr. Roadie was open to the idea of building a 650b randonneur with disc brakes for me, not only open to it, excited about it.

I worked with our Rep at Seven to design not only the perfect build, for me, but a rad paint scheme. The waiting for the bike was the hardest part of this journey, lol! Finally Beauty arrives, well over 200 miles later this lady is officially a ‘cyclist’ J I truly believe that if you are comfortable on a bike that fits you correctly, ANYONE can put down some seriously fun miles in whichever discipline you prefer. Who knows, you may even turn into a roadie too ;)"

Guest Post: The Quail Bicycle Kitchen!

Guest post: Our friends in Encinitas now have a Bicycle Kitchen! They filled us in on all the details! 

Don’t know what a Bicycle Kitchen is? Google it! Basically, a bicycle kitchen is a place you can work on your bike and use tools for free. A bicycle kitchen is not the same thing as a bike shop. We will not do your repairs for you, and we don’t (generally) sell bikes, parts, or tools. Instead, a bicycle kitchen is a unique environment created by the bicycle community designed to support people who want to get out of their cars and onto their bikes!

Nicole Burgess

The Quail Bicycle Kitchen will have air, patch kits, tubes, master links and basic tools available. If specific parts are needed, you can let us know in advance, and we will do our best to track them down and make them available to you.  

We will also have regular group cycles, and regular bicycle repair classes.

We are here to help you stay on the road. Come join a community from beginners to experts helping more people get on the road safely.

The first Board Meeting

You don’t need to have a bike problem to stop by. You don't even need a bike. The jewel in our crown is a fine fleet of bicycles you can borrow for free. Walk, run, or drive here. Borrow a bike and enjoy the area!

We are a not-for-profit community of bike enthusiasts. We welcome donations of fixer-upper bikes, bike parts, or tools. Any proceeds will be put right back into the bike kitchen to help make it a success.

Our real goal is to have fun and help as many cyclists as we can along the way!

We welcome new members to join the bicycle community and our team here at the Bicycle Kitchen and help us offer more services, or simply join us on one of our rides. We’re open 9-5, Thursday-Saturday. But once you are part of the team and have been shown the ropes, our hours with sunrise to sunset 365 days a year!

Address: 501 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas 92024

 Cheryl,owner of the property where the bicycle kitchen is.

Guest Blog Post: Top Safety Practices to Avoid Cycling Accidents

Guest Post by Christina Scott, Community Liaison & Blog Manager, Dunkley Injury Law Attorneys

Cycling is incredibly beneficial for your health and a pretty fast method of traveling short distances. It is also an eco-friendly way to travel, as it does not pollute the environment. Therefore, it is a good idea to cycle for short distances to work, to the stores, or for some outdoor adventure.

It is unfortunate that there have recently been several accidents involving bicycles. A lot of them usually end in fatalities, especially where a vehicle is involved. However, most of these accidents can be prevented. Below are some easy safety practices to avoid cycling accidents. Follow these tips, and you won’t have to look for a personal injury lawyer.

Cycling Safety Tips

1.    Follow Traffic Laws

Everyone is subjected to similar traffic laws whether riding, driving, or walking. You must obey all the laws while cycling. Start with the basics such as stopping at the red lights and following all other road signs. You should also ride in the right lane depending on the regulations of your state. Moreover, avoid using pedestrian walkways as you may end up hitting the pedestrians. If you have to ride on the pedestrian lanes, ride slowly, and ring a bell to get the pedestrians out of the way.

2.    Make Use of a Helmet

You should always have a safety helmet on whenever you are cycling. It protects your head from fatal head injuries. When choosing your helmet, make sure it fits you well. Fasten the helmet properly on the head and ensure that it does not choke you while riding your bike.

3.    Use Reflectors and Rear Lights

Reflectors and rear lights warn other road users that you are also on the road especially at night. It is not advisable to ride your bike on a busy road at night. If you have to, ensure that you wear a reflective jacket for enhanced safety. Moreover, carry a torch just in case your lights fail to work or have to stop by the side of the road. Nevertheless, riding on the side of the lane (the slower side) at night to avoid being hit by a driver that may not be careful or is driving while intoxicated.

4.    Avoid Listening to Music

Many youths find it fun to ride when listening to blasting music with earphones plugged in. When you go out for a bicycle ride, ensure that you are entirely focused on the road to avoid accidents. Listening to music will prevent you from attending to events around you. You should hear a car hooting from your behind or see a dog cross the road and anything else that matters to you on the road

5.    Ride at the right speed

Riding at very high speed gives you the thrill. However, it is for a good reason that the riding competitions are done on designated roads. If you are riding on a busy road, limit your speed to avoid bumping into other people. It is also great practice to check if your brakes are good and that the tires have the right pressure. A combination of proper tire pressure and working breaks may save you in times of accidents.

Your safety on the road depends on your preparedness, concentration, and obedience to the traffic laws. Moreover, being courteous to other road users also prevents several fatalities.

Dunkley Law Personal Injury Lawyers have spent the last ten years successfully representing clients in Henderson, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Better Bike Lanes (Protected) Pave the Way to Increasing Bicycle Ridership - My Recent Vancouver, BC Bicycling Experience

By Andy Hanshaw, Executive Director

I’m honored and privileged to have the opportunity in my position here at the Bike Coalition to occasionally attend a local, national and in this case international conference where my colleagues in bicycle advocacy, planning and governance come together to share best practices so we can all learn and be inspired to continue our work to improve bicycling safety and the overall quality of life in our own communities. I recently traveled to Vancouver, BC to attend the Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place Conference.

Indeed I was inspired. Not only by the creative and successful stories from leaders that I heard from but more importantly by the city I visited, Vancouver, British Columbia. A strikingly beautiful city surrounded by water and urban parks and a transportation network that moves some 2 ½ million residents around so efficiently.  Riding my bike to get around was easy, safe and quick and it was clear to me that city leaders and planners there place a high priority on bicycling as a primary mode of transportation. What I experienced is what we are striving for here, a connected and protected system of bike lanes that get you safely to the places you need to go whether that be your office, home, restaurants, shops, museums or parks.  It’s all right there and as I learned, it’s been an incredible success story for the city to achieve and exceed their own bicycle mode share goals. In simple terms, in Vancouver, they aim to get more people biking, walking or taking transit than driving in their city and that’s exactly what’s happening. In fact, Vancouver has already reached the goal of 50% of their citizens commuting by biking, walking or transit years ahead of schedule. Amazing.

In the intermittent sessions where I was not out on a bike seeing things for myself, I also heard over and over again the common theme by which these changes came about: political will. The elected officials we heard from understood there was risk involved in making changes that will encourage less people to drive, and they were willing to take those risks for the betterment of the entire community. We often say when we talk about bicycle advocacy and safe infrastructure, “If we build it, they will come”. Well, that’s more than a cliché, it’s the truthful reality I saw in Vancouver that’s also taking place in major American cities across our own country. Our plans here are in motion, Downtown Mobility, Uptown, North Park-Mid City and more but it’s time to get these projects built and get more people riding now. Not only to achieve our own Climate Action Plan goals of 6% bicycle mode share by 2020 and 18% by 2035 but to make San Diego a truly world class destination for everyone of all ages and abilities to enjoy by bicycling and walking. Until these projects that include their own networks of protected bike lanes are in place, we will be continuing to fall behind cities who are attracting Millennials and a workforce that wants to live in vibrant cities where they can get around without a car.   It’s time to get moving San Diego and take action on implementation of our local and regional bike networks. We CAN get there and we know when it’s built, they will come. 

Please help us bring Better Bike Lanes to our cities in San Diego County, give today at:
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/sdcbc 

2nd Annual Kerry's Ride Home: Recap

The second annual Kerry’s Ride Home took place on January 30th. Typically, this event is a two-day event, with overnight camping halfway through the ride. However, El Nino had other plans in mind. With promised rain and heavy winds for Sunday, we decided to change our agenda ahead of time. With a day full of sunshine on Saturday, we were able to have a fit in many awesome miles.

We gathered at 9 a.m. at the San Juan Capistrano train station. Many of us took the early Amtrak with our bicycles on board.



We started off with introductions. We met Kerry’s family and friends, who supported the entire ride with the van full of snacks and supplies. After quickly reviewing the agenda and going over some important safety information, we set off!

Just a couple streets over leaving the train station, we were able to hop on the river trail just for pedestrians and cyclists. It was a leisurely pace, enjoying the early morning. After about 9 miles, we hit our first stop – for coffee of course!

We loaded up on caffeine and pastries and had a makeshift picnic in the parking lot next to our bikes.

We departed our San Clemente pit stop and kept meandering down the 101, usually treated with gorgeous views of the Pacific.



We all checked in together before entering Camp Pendleton to make sure we had everyone accounted for – and everyone had their ID’s on them.

We enjoyed the quieter roads of Camp Pendleton! After exiting on the sound end, we rounded the troops to make our executive decision. Carlsbad Pizza Port to Solana Beach Pizza Port? Very tough decisions to make, I know. We were hungry enough to go for the closer one!

With one leg to go to the finish, we eagerly zoomed down the last Oceanside bit with pizza and beer in our minds.

One by one, the participants rolled up to happily finish the awesome ride. Some first-timers were particulary ecstatic – it was their longest ride to date! We were so proud to be with them for that moment.

We ordered the goods and sat all together and we all made a few remarks. At this point, people were dispering to their individual plans. Some people decided to brave the weather and camp anyway. Some people were biking to the next Pizza Port and then take the train. We all decided Kerry would be proud of our impromptu Tour-de-Pizza Port!


Kerry Kunsman was an amazing man who wanted to explore the world by bike, and we are right there, rolling in his wheel path. Thank you to his wonderful family for van support. Happy riding! Kerry, this one is for you.

Chula Vista Bike Rodeo and Bike Giveaway Brings Holiday Joy

Do you remember your  first bicycle or your first bicycle ride? On Saturday December 12th, the Bike Coalition held a special Bike Rodeo and helped lots of volunteers give away bicycles to third graders in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. For many of these children, it was their first bike and their first time riding a bicycle. For some children, the bicycle may be the only gift they receive, according to Nancy Kerwin, the District’s Executive Director for Student, Family and Community Services, who coordinates the event. 

Employees and volunteers distributed more than 250 bicycles on Saturday. District employees and other volunteers assembled the bicycles prior to the Giveaway.  Many also returned on Saturday to help adjust seats and fit the bikes to the third-grade students who received them.  It was all part of CVESD's partnership with the “Bikes for Kids Foundation,” an annual bike giveaway now in its eighth  year in Chula Vista. 

For the last five years, the students who received the bikes participated in a “Bike Rodeo” by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. This year over one hundred students learned proper riding techniques and safety tips. More than twenty students learned to ride at the Bike Rodeo even though it was their first time to actually ride a bicycle!  There were no training wheels and some kids were wobbly but excited. Coalition board member Randy Van Vleck offered praise and encouragement along with a helping hand to teach balance and riding skills. Joy spread across the faces of parents and children after gaining an ability to balance on a two-wheeled bike!  Some kids already knew how to ride so they maneuvered through an obstacle course set up in the parking lot of the ESSC. Michelle Luellen of the Bike Coalition coordinated the Rodeo.  Juan Antonio Ramirez provided instruction to many children.

After receiving a bicycle, helmet, and instruction, the children proceeded to a "Thank You" station where they wrote thank you cards to the “Bikes for Kids Foundation,” a San Diego non-profit, CVESD, and all the volunteers that help put smiles on two wheels.

Are you or someone you know teaching a child to ride a bicycle? Here is link to an REI article filled with expert advice:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/teach-child-to-ride-a-bike.html

It's fun to talk to about bike memories. What is your first bike memory? Your first bike ride memory? Tell us on social media by using the hashtag #FirstBikeMemory and tagging @sdbikecoalition or email your memories to judi@sdbikecoaltion.org and we will put together a compilation of first bike memories.

2015 Joyride

We had a wonderful evening at our 5th Annual Joyride, held last Thursday on December 10th. Approximately 70 joined us for our lighted bike ride, starting and ending at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. 

We were quite a sight to see, as we casually rode up 6th avenue, through Hillcrest via University, and back down on Park Blvd.

We spent the rest of the evening treated to music and food as we listened to a great presentation by Andy. He reviewed the highlights and milestones from 2015, and handed out the 2015 Golden Gear Awards - those who have gone above and beyond in the name of bicycling.

Thank you so much for everyone who was able to attend and ride with us! We appreciate your support!