End of year inventory Dec 30 and 31

Happy Winter Solstice everyone!
Stay warm and enjoy the season.

We will be closed December 30 and 31 for our end of year inventory count. We look forward to seeing you for the start of a new year in 2017.

Thanks for the support and see you at our 7 year anniversary party this Friday night!

Celebrate with us on Friday Dec 23, 5-8pm

ODT Design Alternative #7

the following post is copy pasted from an ODT email
To: Our Members and Supporters
From: Peninsula Trails Coalition Board
Ref: US 101 Elwha River Bridge Replacement
The following is an excerpt from a presentation by the Washington State Department of Transportation during a meeting in Forks.
".........It was clear during the meeting the public thinks some options are better than others, but the state needs to hear that in the form of formal comments, Wynands said.
Bingham Baker said comments made within the next month or so will be of the greatest influence on Transportation’s decision, which officials hope to make by the end of winter.
“We want you to tell us in your words what you want us to do,” Wynands said. “We are your advocates for getting a product that will meet your needs.”
=====================================================================================
At our Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 7^th, we agreed that the best alternative for trail users is to have a new bridge with an alternative alignment. This is Design Alternative #7- New Bridge on New Alignment.
Our main reason is safety. Currently the Olympic Discovery Trail uses Highway 112 as a connection from the Elwha River to the East end of Lake Crescent. Any additional traffic load on Highway 112 will make it more dangerous than it already is for walkers, bicyclists and equestrian users.
Please consider going to the website flagged below and leave your comments. Please also consider advising your friends and neighbors to do the same
Whatever your opinion is, we encourage you to participate! To do that, people can comment http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/ElwhaRiverBridge/Feedback.htm
and/or sign up for notifications about the bridge at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-elwhariverbridge.



For the current status of the bridge, call 888-633-4005

Broken Spoke t-shirts are in!

We have a new batch of women's and men's t-shirts available!

Come in, check them out, and buy one before they are gone.
$20




Additionally, save the date for our 7 year anniversary, Friday December 23rd.  More details tomorrow in our next post.

New Year's Day 10K

The Gift of Adventure

Show your loved ones you care with the gift of adventure this Holiday season!

The Gift of Happiness

Show your loved ones you care with the gift of happiness this Holiday season!

Ask about the kids Buy-Up program.

The Gift of Warmth

Show your loved ones you care with the gift of warmth this Holiday season!

Closed for Nov 21-24

The Broken Spoke will be closed November 21 (Monday) to 24 (Thursday).

See you the 25th! Happy Holidays

People for Bikes voter update

On November 8, people across the nation chose to VoteForBikes.

Thousands of individuals helped pass 14 high-profile ballot measures that will provide billions of dollars for new bike infrastructure.
We count at least $4.7 billion in new investment money that will make bike riding better in states, counties, cities and towns from coast to coast.

Visit www.voteforbikes.org for a complete rundown of bike-related ballot measures from this year's election.

Keep riding!
— The PeopleForBikes team

The Gift of Safety

Show your loved ones you care with the gift of safety this Holiday season!

7th annual Thanksgiving day mountain bike ride!

The Broken Spoke is hiring!

The Broken Spoke is looking to hire part and full time staff for multiple positions in sales and service.  We are hiring the right person, and can train the right skills.   

Tell your sons, daughters, friends, cousins, because The Broken Spoke is hiring and looking for awesome people just like you.  Please fill out this APPLICATION, AND email your resume to thebrokenspokept@gmail.com  by November 30^th.  

Inquiries by email only please.

-If clicking the "Application" link above does not direct you to a google form, please use this link to find it: https://goo.gl/forms/XBFMZ6Ltdq68tqzG2

Peninsula Trails Coalition mtg Wed night!

Please come to the Peninsula Trails Coalition's Port Townsend Board Meeting this Wednesday at 5:30 PM at the PT Community Center, Lawrence and Tyler Sts. in Uptown.  Come and hear the exciting progress and plans being made to connect the Larry Scott Trail to Discovery Bay.

​- ​

Jeff

​ Selby

Vice President

Peninsula Trails Coalition​, 

Jefferson County

Quimper Trails weekly ride update

News from Quimper Trails Association:

"Beginning this week the Tuesday (at Gibbs lake) and Thursday (at lake Anderson) rides will start at 5pm.

"Long and Skinny" bridge fixed by Jim and Randy

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Sat Oct 1st!

While The Broken Spoke is not hosting an event this year, we have copied the details from our email invite to the Duthie Hill event.
It is something to attend if you don't mind large crowds, and some car travel time. Quite the ordeal!!

EMBA website (click here)

"It’s almost the time of year for games, guided rides, jump shows, and eating BBQ: that’s right, it’s almost Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day!

           

Join us(EMBA) on October 1st for the 2016 at Duthie Hill Bike Park for Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day and introduce a new rider to the lifelong fun of the trail—all for FREE!

           

If you’re new to Take a Kid, for years Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has worked with its partners to make this a fun-filled day for young riders of all bike types and abilities—and for their families too!

           

In the past, almost 300 kids and 200 adults turned out to explore the trails at King County’s Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. Duthie, located in Issaquah, is a bike trail park built for all ages and ability levels - from first-timers to advanced riders.

           

This year's event is packed with guided trail rides, skills clinics, a scavenger hunt, girls-only rides, kid bike demos, an exciting jump show from Sweetlines, timed pump track runs, a BBQ lunch from Gregg's Cycles, prizes, and much more!

           

It’s a terrific way to get kids outside in the woods having fun on bikes. Come join us at this family-friendly event!  All ages are welcome—from tots to teens—they just need a working bike and helmet to participate.

       

Volunteers are also needed to make the day a success; please consider joining us as a volunteer by signing up here. 

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 1st
• Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: Duthie Hill Park, Issaquah
• Ages: All ages (and abilities) are welcome!
• Cost: FREE!!"
• https://www.evergreenmtb.org/calendar/eventdetail/1361/-/take-a-kid-mountain-bike-day-2016

October 1st brings winter hours

Friendly reminder that on October 1st we switch to shorter hours.
Winter Hours (October 1st - March 31st)

• Monday - Saturday: 10:00am- 6:00pm
• Sunday: 11:00am- 4:00pm

Thanks, we look forward to supporting you and continuing to support your cycling needs.
~Cheers

EMBA event this weekend

Great Event to support:

Evergreen 

Mountain 

Bike 

Alliance 

 

Biketoberfest

Check out this event! https://www.facebook.com/events/284010588633056/

Sidewalk sale this weekend!

As we look at the end of another summer season, we celebrate the summer we had.  We celebrate the weather, the miles on our bikes, the time with friends and family, the hopes and dreams of what happened and what is to come. 


The Broken Spoke is hosting our yearly SIDEWALK SALE this weekend: Friday September 2nd, Sat 3rd, Sun 4th and Monday the 5th.  No sneak peaks to the deals :)   Head down and check it out!  Now is a great transition time to purchase what you need for the upcoming winter season, or for next summer. 


The staff of The Broken Spoke need a little summer vacation too :) We will be closed November 21 - 24; Thanksgiving Monday through Thursday.  No Monday night or Thursday night ride that week.  Tentative plans for our Thanksgiving morning ride are in the works.  Worry not, we'll remind everyone as it gets closer. 


Thank you for a great summer! And many more to come!!

Olympic Discovery Trail benefit fundraiser Oct 15, 2016

Mark Your Calendars!  - Saturday October 15th

Olympic Discovery Trail Annual Fundraising Event

at Fort Worden, Port Townsend 

FreddyPink Band   -  Dancing  -  Killer BBQ

& Incredible Silent Auction

Gift Certificates - Vacation Rentals - Massages -Tickets - Concert, Theatre, Sporting Events - Auto Detailing

Gift Baskets - Rounds of Golf - Salon/Spa Services - Jewelry - Wine

Bicycles - Sports Equipment - Hotel/Motel Packages

 Tickets available now @ http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2589407

Gear for the school year

Back to cool

The start of school shouldn't mean the end of fun. As you're outfitting your little ripper with new kicks, a backpack, and all the markers and notebooks to fill it with, remember to stock up on the stuff that will keep them smiling outside of the classroom too.

Not sure about the size or style bike your kid should be riding? We've created a simple guide to help you make their early riding experiences as memorable as yours. 

SEE THE GUIDE 



A bike is an investment in your child's future, not a toy. While the prices at big box stores may seem enticing, these bikes are often poorly designed, not assembled by a certified mechanic, and unlikely to retain resale value or remain functional for a younger sibling.

Trek Kids' bikes are engineered and crafted by people who care about bikes and their riders. At The Broken Spoke we offer a Kids' Buy Up Program. (See Below)

SEE KID'S BIKES



 Lights on, every ride

Outfitting your kid's bike with lights designed for daytime visibility is the single best way to help them stand out to motorists.

Flare R, for instance, is a tail light that can be seen from over a mile away—even during daylight hours. If you purchase only one safety accessory in addition to your child's helmet, make it a daytime-visible light.  
 



The Broken Spoke's Buy-Up Program
The initial children's bike, purchased from The Broken Spoke, can be traded in for a maximum of 50% of original purchase price and put towards the purchase of the next children's bike; continuing through the first adult bike.
*Adult bike is described as 26-inch wheel bike.
*Actual trade in value to be assessed upon trade in date of child's bike.

Trail etiquette

 This post is in regards to an email we received from the Larry Scott/Olympic Discovery Trail.

Trail users please be mindful of the posted trail user behavior standards and practice them on each of your outings:

1. All users must yield to equestrians. Talk to the rider (and the horse) making them aware of your presence. Please do not use a bike bell or horn. Speak, so that the horse can recognize you as a human. Be mindful of your light and its direction (strobe, location, etc).

2. Bikes can travel at a considerable speed - much greater than any other form of transportation on the trail and above the posted 15 mph speed limit. SLOW DOWN when approaching ANY other user. Be especially mindful of small children.

  3. Always travel to the right and pass on the left and ALWAYS announce yourself! Please slow down when approaching any other trail user. It's only courteous and it's the safe thing to do.

 Regardless of your preferred activity, let's all be safe and respectful of the members of each other user group for the enjoyment of all of us. Thank you.

Balance bikes for kids

Balance bikes are great for getting your child started on a bike. These no-pedal bikes are simple and fun for kids, teaching the basics of balance and control while letting them use their feet to naturally push themselves along.

We carry the Strider line of balance bikes because they are great quality for a reasonable price. Both the seatpost and the handlebar are easy to adjust as your child grows. And Striders come in several wheel sizes so older children can use them, too. Strider even makes adult-size balance bikes that we can special-order.

We know how fast kids outgrow things, so we offer a buy-back program on Striders. Buy a new Strider from us and when your child is too big for it, bring it back. We’ll give you up to half your purchase price in credit toward buying your child’s next bike. We also sell used Striders that come back to us through our buy-back program. Stop in to check out our inventory!

Port Gamble Stewardship day this Saturday AUG 13

GPC Friends,

Please join us! Volunteers are needed Saturday, August 13, 2016, in Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park.

RSVP: kate@greatpeninsula.org

Meet up Map: http://goo.gl/UXQHGu

Obliteride (Aug. 12-14) event adds a check in station in Poulsbo!

Hello to all: 

OBLITERIDE organizers added a check-in option in Poulsbo so that those that wish to participate don't have to go to Seattle to sign-in. Rick Feeney and members of the West Sound Cycling Club have kindly offer to host the check in and rest stop location in Poulsbo. 

Following is the official PR sent to local media:

July 25, 2016   

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

FROM: Visit Kitsap Peninsula

Contact: Patricia Graf-Hoke, Director

email; grafhoke@visitkitsap.com

(m) 360-908-0088

 

OTHER CONTACT: 

Obliteride 

Amy Anderson

amya@fleurishpartners.com

206.310.1965

 

/Kitsap Organizations Support Fred Hutch 2016 Obliteride Fundraiser/

 

Visit Kitsap Peninsula and other organizations on the Kitsap Peninsula have joined forces to support the 2016 Obliteride bike ride on August 12-14. The annual event raises critical funds to help the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center obliterate cancer.  

 

“Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research benefits people of all ages around the Puget Sound and around the world. We invite everyone to join the fun and cheer us on,” said Amy Lavin, Obliteride’s executive director. “Even better, sign-up to do the ride with a friend, join a team or start one of your own. There’s still time to sign up and help Fred Hutch obliteride cancer.” 

 

Obliterate organizers announced they plan to try something new this year to make it easier for riders from Bainbridge Island and other communities on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas to join the ride. Riders that want to sign-up for the for the scenic 85, 100 or 150 mile route, but wish to skip the ferry ride to Seattle on Saturday, may now check-in and start their ride in Poulsbo’s Little Norway. However, organizers encourage all riders to make the trip to the official start line at Fred Hutch in Seattle so they may experience the camaraderie, hear from cancer survivors and Fred Hutch scientists, and be part of the community spirit that makes Obliteride so special. 

"We’re excited to make it easier for people living on the west side of Puget Sound to join up with Obliteride on Saturday morning, if they can't make it to Seattle,” said Amy Lavin, Obliteride’s executive director. “We invite all riders no matter where they live to join us for our awesome kickoff party at Gas Works Park Friday night. It’s such a fun and moving community event!”. 

Riders who want to take advantage of this new Poulsbo check-in option must contact Obliteride before Aug. 8, 2016 and then on Saturday, August 13, 2016, check-in at the Muriel Edwards Waterfront Park Pavilion in Poulsbo [link to map] between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Please be aware that latecomers will not be allowed to ride. To notify Obliteride of your plans, or for more information, email info@obliteride.org.  Registration information and instructions are available at www.obliteride.org.

Other Kitsap Peninsula organizations that will provide volunteer time and support include the Silverdale Cyclery, REI-Silverdale and Kitsap Physical Therapy. The West Sound Cycling Club is host of the Poulsbo rest-stop and check-in; Visit Kitsap Peninsula and the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce will host the rest stop at Fire Station#17; team Gig Harbor Cares will host the stop of Skansie Brother Park and team Warrior Energy will host the rest-stop in Steilacoom.  For information about other Kitsap area volunteers and supporters, and to learn how you may help, go to visitkitsap.com/obliteride.  

 

Obliteride

Obliteride has raised nearly $7 million for lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutch in its first three years. Nearly 1,200 people rode in Obliteride last year. Participants raise a minimum of $500 or $1,000 depending on their route. Every dollar riders raise goes to Fred Hutch.

Obliteride is so much more than a bike ride. Riders are treated to a first-class event including fun parties, live entertainment and fantastic food from Tom Douglas Catering.

To be part of this exciting event the weekend of Aug. 12-14, 2016, sign up to ride 10-150 miles or volunteer at www.obliteride.org.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

The women's trail ride will not be meeting next week. We'll see you the week after. Stay safe and enjoy the day.

Larry Scott Memorial Trail

We’re fortunate to live in an area with abundant cycling opportunities. One local favorite here in Port Townsend is the Larry Scott Memorial Trail (LSMT). Three trailheads provide access and vehicle parking. The Port Townsend Boat Haven Trailhead marks one end of the trail and the Milo Curry Trailhead off Discovery Road the other, with the Cape George Trailhead off Cape George Road in the middle. End to end, the LSMT provides 7.3 miles of traffic-free riding with limited road crossings.

The hardpack gravel surface of the LSMT is smoother than many chipseal roads, making for a pleasant ride for all types of tires, with asphalt pavement along the Highway 20 underpass segment of the trail. The gentle grade makes the LSMT a great ride for cyclists of all skill levels, with a few areas of moderate grade to let you test your spin. Walkers, runners, and horseback riders also use the trail. Milepost markers tell you how far you've gone in half-mile increments and signposts keep you on the trail at points of access. Trailhead kiosks feature maps and information.

See these two sites for other information: olympicdiscoverytrail.com     ptguide.com

Thank your Dad for being rad

For the encouragement, the long rides, and for patching up your scraped knees. For the cheers, the fixed flats, for teaching you how to skid. For going slow when you were little and for trying to keep up now that you're grown.
This Father's Day, celebrate cycling's best moments by sharing some miles with the guy who taught you to ride.
Stop in and see what you can find.  We're open 9-6pm Monday through Saturday, and 11-4pm Sunday.

Bicycle Camping in State Parks

I found a nice adventure article (from September) on bicycle camping in WA state parks. Here is an excerpt and a link to the rest:

"Beach cruiser or BMX, recumbent or mountain bike—few transportation modes bring you closer to the road than the humble bicycle. The whir of wheels on the road or trail, the wind in your hair, the exhilaration of pumping hard up long inclines and whizzing down hills… It’s great exercise and an intimate way to enjoy the open road and country.

It’s also a great way to camp! If you love cycling and have yet to try a two-wheel vacation now is the time! With fall weather in the forecast, it’s a great time to get out on the road while the weather is still mostly cooperative and the cooler temperatures make for a more pleasant ride. Ranked number one most bike-friendly state in the nation 8 years running, Washington is the perfect place to enjoy a long ride. And with lots of open bicycle camping spots, your state parks make great destinations to ride to.

Need some pointers and tips for planning your epic riding vacation? Read on…"

adventureawaits

Monday night Women's trail rides

Hey all you female trail riders!
We had a new rider from last Monday night's ride. She wrote about the ride. Here it is... Thanks!

"I rode for the first time with Deb and Nicole on Monday night. I was hesitant to go but I knew I needed to try. It turned out to be just the three of us. While we were waiting to start, we discussed which route we'd like to do. I don't know my way around any of the trails! They sounded like they knew everything, but were very informative about the trail options, and were interested in what skill level I feel I am. Before I knew it, we were off, heading up past the Co-op and towards Cappy's. It was good riding with someone other than my husband. They were detailed about what was up ahead, alert to where I was, and informative on some riding hints (like body positioning, and some of the mechanical bike parts). As far as riding with other women, it was great. They were welcoming and excited for me to ride again. This should be a great start to a wonderful summer season!"

As a reminder, we meet at 6pm on Monday. The ride depends on the group size, rider level and how much energy we have. Join us! Hope to see you soon.
~Nicole

June 11&12 is Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival Time!

What do you need to know?

What is it? The 2016 Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival
Where is it? At King County's Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah, WA
When is it? Saturday, June 11th from 9:00am-5:00pm AND Sunday, June 12th from 9:00-3:00pm
What do you need to do? Mark your calendar and that’s it!

We’ll have more details to come, but we’ll let you know as we get closer (or check the festival website here).

So join us for bike demos fleets from 16+ brands, raffles with killer prizes (including weekend passes from Sun Peaks Resort and a full Turner RFX from Dirt Merchant Bikes, pump track competitions, special kid's events, the chance to check out the latest gear! 

Bring the whole family out for a fun-filled day! Trails will be open to ride, and food and drink will be available for sale, all day long.

We need lots of volunteers to help us put on this event. Shifts are just four-hours, so if you’re coming out anyway, volunteer and your Clearing Pass (and a beer for 21+) are free! Sign up here!

I'm stoked to have you join for the biggest and best Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival yet!

Bryan -- Bryan Rivard Communication