2008 Bike-to-Work-Day

Today we had a perfect morning for the Bike to Work Day here in Duluth, MN. At 7:00 am I met up with two other riders for the 5 mile ride into downtown. The weather was sunny, calm and relatively warm. Temps in the 50's. This is the first time I've taken part in this ride. It's only in it's second year. It seemed to be loosely organized so I wasn't expecting much.When we reached downtown we stopped at the Minnesota Power Plaza to check out the celebration event. There were a dozen riders hanging around. I ended up spending an hour and 15 minutes there talking to other riders. Odd for me since I usually avoid, at all costs, social situations with people I don't know. I talked to a few people I knew and met several interesting people for the first time.

It's hard to estimate, but I would guess 30-40 riders stopped in at the plaza during the time I was there. It was great to see. When I first started commuting here soon after I moved here in 2001, I wouldn't see that many bicycle commuters during the entire year. The last two summers there has been an explosion of new bicycle commuters locally.
Here is Jeff arriving at the Plaza.
I rode the Blue Truck/Xtracycle today. It's a great conversation starter. Plus I had an errand to run after work.
Bob's Bike Friday Pocket Rocket. First one I've seen in person, pretty darn cool!!
Another conversation starter. This thing made by Giant was way heavier than my Pugsley.
And Zach's brand new Olive Green Surly Long Haul Trucker. Very nice, if I say so myself. It's the first Olive Green LHT I've seen. Much nicer in person than on the Surly site. Wish I had a LHT....oohh....I do!! However I do wish I had another inch or two in my inseam so I could get one with 700c wheels. It looks more balanced overall with the larger wheels than mine does with the 26 inch wheels.

I may have to make this event an annual commitment for me. I really enjoyed going and meeting other people doing the same thing I am doing.