The Cascade Bicycle Club throws a huge reunion for all the cyclists in the Pacific Northwest as winter draws to a close. It's called the Seattle Bike Expo, and it was held at Hangar 27 at Magnuson Park again this year.
Thousands showed up on bikes and in cars to check out the offerings of 150 exhibitors over the weekend. While Specialized and other big names had bikes there, it's decidedly geared toward the Pacific Northwest with Curtlo Cycles, Burley, DeSalvo and more.
Winter is drawing to a close? It must be. The first on-the-road bicycling event of the year is coming up next Sunday, the Chilly Hilly; 33 miles around Bainbridge Island. That ride is also sponsored by the Cascade Bicycle Club. A lot of people at the expo were scoping out gear they'll use on the first ride of year.
This is a great spot to renew old acquaintances. Minutes after walking in the front door I ran into “Tofu Lady.” She'd ridden on a couple of Ride Around Washington treks, and for some forgotten reason my son and I gave her that nickname. She was there were her 20-something boy looking for a bike. I told her my son didn't ride anymore, but she assured me he'll get back into it. I hope so.
Then I got a hearty handshake from another visitor. I had no idea who he was. I didn't recognize his wife either, who sensed my confusion. We parted with, “Well, be seeing ya' around.”
Bike touring
I stopped by the booth for my favorite touring outfit, Adventure Cycling Association (formerly Bikecentennial). Tour director Rod Kramer filled me in on their newest route, the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. The maps should be ready later this year.
Originally, Adventure Cycling sold maps for do-it-yourselfers and put together self-supported groups with a ride leader. Now, they offer fully sagged trips on their routes.
Kramer said a lot of his clientele is getting older; they don't have as much time and just want things to be “kooshier.” The fully supported trips can cover more miles because there's less setting up in the evening and tearing down in the morning; also cyclists unburdened with gear can make more miles in a day.
When do cyclists normally sign up for a ride? After college; after a divorce; lose a job; quit a job. As his demographics get older every year, that “quit a job” will mean retirement.
I also spoke with Danelle Laidlaw, the tour director of Tour BC. I'm adding this 7-day bicycle tour as the first Canadian adventure on my list of Week-long Bicycle Tours.
The fully supported ride is in its 11th year. Danelle said it was started by a cyclist from Oregon, but she got involved from her position in a provincial cycling organization to make sure it was done right.
Danelle says she creates a new route every year for the ride, limited to 120 cyclists. That means every year she has to deal with new venues and caterers to make sure the cyclists get fed, watered, showered and camped.
More pictures at Seattle Bike Expo '06.
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