Club News

FAQ about the membership dues increase on January 1, 2018

Admin Example — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 23:53:33 +0000

FAQ about the membership dues increase on January 1, 2018 Admin Example Thu, 11/30/2017 - 15:53

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Thu, 11/30/2017 - 07:53

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Club News

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1 min read

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Why are annual membership dues increasing, and what will you do with the extra funds?

Cascade Bicycle Club constantly evaluates how we can better meet the needs of our community. Cascade membership has increased 44% since 2011, however the revenue received from membership dues only covers the cost to maintain our existing programming. In order to grow and diversify our member offerings, keep pace with inflation, and sustain our efforts to improve lives through bicycling, a modest increase in membership dues is necessary.

Our goals are ambitious. With the extra income in 2018, Cascade will be able to improve our online customer experience by providing necessary digital innovations and upgrades, sustain our production of world-class rides as we navigate the latest bicycling trends, and expand our capacity to be influential leaders while advancing bicycling throughout Washington state.

When will Cascade membership dues increase, and for which levels?

As of January 1, 2018, annual membership dues will increase from $40 to $45 for Individual memberships and from $65 to $70 for Family-level memberships.

Student/Limited Income, Supporter, Advocate and Champion membership dues will not increase. Review our complete list of membership levels here.

How often does Cascade increase their membership dues?

Membership dues are not increased annually, but are periodically evaluated to keep pace with the market. The last increase in membership dues took place in 2011. The 2018 increase in dues will bring the cost of membership in line with the value of Cascade’s membership benefits.

Will auto-renewing memberships be affected?

The increase in dues applies to both 1-year and auto-renewing memberships. The $5 increase will be in effect the next time your credit card is automatically charged for your membership renewal.

Can I renew my membership before the increase at the old rate?

Yes, any memberships renewed or purchased at the current rate prior to January 1, 2018 will be extended by 12 months.

For example, if your current 1-year membership expires on April 1, 2018, you may renew your membership anytime in December at the old rate to extend your membership expiration date to April 1, 2019. Renew your membership here.

Does Cascade membership still provide good value?

We know it does! Cascade members collectively save more than $200,000 in reduced ride registration fees, receive early access to our most popular events, and are emailed the latest deals and discounts in Wheels n Deals, our members-only e-newsletter. Learn more about member benefits here.

Media contact: Brent Tongco, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing, brentt@cascade.org, 206.939.4307 (office), 303.828.7794 (cell)

Former Microsoft General Manager Richard Smith Named New Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes

Admin Example — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 18:03:02 +0000

Former Microsoft General Manager Richard Smith Named New Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes Admin Example Fri, 07/21/2017 - 11:03

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Fri, 07/21/2017 - 04:03

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Club News

Read time

1 min read

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Microsoft General Manager Richard Smith Named New Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes

New executive director to take helm of the largest statewide bicycle nonprofit Sept. 5

SEATTLE, Wash., July 21, 2017 — After an extensive nationwide search, Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes announced Richard Smith as the new executive director of the organizations. Richard will begin his role on September 5.

“The board is excited to welcome Richard Smith as Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes’ next executive director,” said Charles Ruthford, Cascade board president. “Richard has the passion and proven experience in change management and leading organizations through transformation — perfect as we continue to evolve and grow as a statewide organization.”

Richard joins Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes with strong history at Microsoft as a highly effective, results-oriented executive with proven expertise in leadership, management and operations. He brings vast experience leading and inspiring organizations, driving the vision, strategy, planning, governance and internal and external engagement. Richard is an excellent communicator with diverse and extensive professional experience focused on building high impact, multi-functional teams through coaching and mentoring. Richard also brings experience building sustainable fundraising models with strong budgeting and financial management.

“I am honored and privileged to lead the staff of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes to achieve our mission of improving lives through bicycling,” said Richard Smith. “Bicycling is a crucial part of our Pacific Northwest outdoors identity, and enabling more people to enjoy this wonderful activity is a great reason to go to work every day.”

Richard brings experience in the nonprofit sector. He is currently a board member with the Seattle Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has raised over $250,000 for the local Beat the Bridge to Beat Type 1 Diabetes event. Richard was also the executive sponsor of his division’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts at Microsoft and is looking forward to applying the learning and investments Microsoft provided him in this area for building equity, diversity and inclusion at Cascade and the broader bicycling community.

“Cascade has grown to be a tremendously successful organization for its members and community,” said Richard. “I am looking forward to continuing that success and working with the staff, board, our passionate volunteers, and the broader community to make bicycling accessible and safe for everyone.”

Originally from England, Richard has lived in Seattle for the past 25 years. Richard came to Seattle from New Zealand, where he had lived for 18 months, and landed at SeaTac with his wife-to-be, Jeanne, along with a backpack and a bicycle in a box. Richard always had a bike ready to go, but more recently, with the help of the Cascade Training Series, became confident enough to take on the one-day Seattle to Portland (STP) challenge, Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP), Chilly Hilly and other local rides such as 7 Hills of Kirkland and RAMROD. “Bicycling has become my passion and importantly a great tonic for mind and body,” said Richard.

# # #

About Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club, the nation’s largest statewide bicycle organization, is powered by over 17,000 members and 36 staff and serves bike riders of all ages and abilities throughout the Puget Sound region and across Washington state. With a mission to improve lives through bicycling, we deliver community and school-based education programs, grassroots organizing workshops, free group rides, world-class events and more. Learn more at cascade.org.

About Washington Bikes
Washington Bikes grows bicycling all across the state of Washington every day. We advocate for bicyclists’ rights, endorse political candidates and hold officials accountable at every level of government, working with them to shape the policies that will make bicycling a safe, accessible form of transportation, travel and recreation. Through our efforts we increase funding for bicycle facilities; provide tools for local advocates to improve their communities; and promote the health, safety and economic benefits of bicycling. Our work and that of our many partner organizations means more biking all across Washington, the #1 Bicycle Friendly State in America (eight years in a row)! To learn more, visit WAbikes.org.

Media contact: Brent Tongco, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing, brentt@cascade.org, 206.939.4307 (office), 303.828.7794 (cell)

Bikes Brought Joy and Progress to WA in a Dark Year Nationally

Paul Tolmé — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:34:11 +0000

Bikes Brought Joy and Progress to WA in a Dark Year Nationally Paul Tolmé Tue, 12/16/2025 - 13:34

Publication/Release Date

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 11:33

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Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

9 min read

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It was a year of stark contrasts for those of us who see bicycles as powerful tools to improve lives and advance societal progress.

Here in Washington state, we taught bike skills to record numbers of school children, celebrated the completion of big bike infrastructure projects in Seattle, won voter approval for regional trail funding, and worked hard to advance our vision of a future where bicycles unite people, eliminate inequity, and create thriving communities.

Nationally, by contrast, it was a dark year for bike advocacy as our federal government de-funded bike infrastructure and became hostile to our values and the vulnerable community members we seek to uplift.

Bike advocacy, trail building, and mobility justice require unwavering commitment and sustained effort to achieve progress. That's why we pedal forward together, around obstacles and into political headwinds, because societies that center biking are healthier, happier, safer, and more sustainable. We work to create bikeable communities because everyone deserves to experience the freedom and joy of bicycling.

Please read on to learn more about the wins and achievements that made us proud in 2025.

Teaching Kids the Joys of Bicycling

Many of us have fond memories of learning to bike as a child. Sadly, many kids today don’t have access to bikes at home. That’s why Washington’s Statewide School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program is so impactful and important for our future.

Funded by Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act and administered by the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT), which selected Cascade to design and implement statewide bike education, the program provides in-class bike instruction for elementary and middle schoolers and after-school bike clubs for teens and high schoolers. Cascade works in collaboration with WSDOT, community organizations, educators, school districts, and educational service districts to teach bike safety and active mobility skills.

In 2025, the program taught bike skills to nearly 40,000 students in 336 schools statewide. Through the end of the school year that ends next June, the program is projected to serve almost 63,000 schoolchildren.

If you’re unfamiliar with this initiative, we encourage you to watch the video created by our partners at Evergreen Public Schools.

In future years, the program will expand to cover 90% of public school students. The goal is to enable our kids to become lifelong advocates for biking and active mobility–while advancing climate and public health goals. The statewide bike education program is one of the reasons Washington is recognized as the most bike-friendly state in the nation.

The Sights and Sounds of STP

The 2025 Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic presented by Alaska Airlines and Zenni Optical entered the history books as the largest STP since 2019.

Relive the sights, sounds, and jubilation of the Pacific Northwest's most colorful big group bike ride in our STP Photo Album. And watch our mini-documentary below to meet the folks who got STP tattoos!

Starting on Jan. 8, members and STP 5-pack purchasers can sign up for STP 2026 to experience two cities, one ride, and countless stories.

Let’s Go Seattle and Edmonds

The Statewide School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program was inspired by Cascade’s local Let’s Go bike education initiatives in Seattle and Edmonds. Cascade has taught Let’s Go in these two cities for more than a decade to bring bike education into PE classes.

In 2025, Let’s Go brought bike and active transportation skills to more than 31,000 students across 115 middle and elementary schools in Seattle and Edmonds.

Learn more about our Let’s Go local and Statewide initiatives.

And watch our video, “If you Teach a Kid to Bike,” to learn about the heartwarming impact of our bike education initiatives.

Winning in Seattle

With more than 21 miles of new bike lanes added in the past few years, biking in Seattle today is exponentially better than it was a decade ago.

Learn about some of our big wins for SODO, Georgetown, and South Park in our post, “Go Ride South Seattle’s Growing Bike Network.” And see where we began the year by joining us on a photo journey of new bike infrastructure in Eastlake, Montlake, Beacon Hill, SODO, Downtown, and the Waterfront.

Bicycling influencer The Shifter summed it up best in his video about how “Seattle is winning.”

Unfortunately, the bike infrastructure wins are not equitably shared. Many neighborhoods in South Seattle still lack safe bike routes. Learn about our advocacy priorities for the new year in "Cascade’s 2026 Seattle Bike Network Priorities.”

Major Taylor Project

MTP students from Stewart Middle School riding home on bikes they built.

Named for the greatest bike racer of all time, our Major Taylor Project teaches bike and life skills to youth in underserved communities in Seattle, Tacoma, and King and Pierce counties. In 2025, MTP worked with more than 250 middle school and high school students. Thanks to funding from the Climate Commitment Act and WSDOT, 168 MTP youth earned a new bike and accessories to take home.

As part of the program's efforts to teach leadership and job readiness skills, we also founded a NEW MTP Internship program funded by Foundry10. Four youth enrolled in the internship in 2025, supporting staff by maintaining and repairing bike fleets, leading rides and assisting with route planning, and meeting community members who work in the cycling industry.

MTP on STP!

While MTP teaches teens how to bike for transportation, it also introduces them to biking for fun and fitness. Seventeen youth rode in one or more cycling events including STP. Learn how MTP Tacoma had some dirty good fun at one of the largest cyclocross races in the nation.

Leafline Trails

Cascade is a key partner in the Leafline Trails Coalition, an initiative to connect 900 miles of trails across King, Pierce, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties.

Sometimes, connecting trails means filling small but critical infrastructure gaps–like the initiative to Bridge the Gap on Shoreline’s Interurban Trail.

Other times it means advancing bold and visionary trail connections such as the Sound to Olympics Trail, which would enable people to bike onto a ferry in Seattle, disembark on Bainbridge Island, and pedal all the way to the Olympic Peninsula–then push onward to the Pacific coast.

Closing trail gaps and building the Leafline are why Cascade successfully advocated for passage of the King County Parks Levy, which includes $182 million to complete the Lake to Sound Trail and finish projects on the Eastrail, Soos Creek, Green River, and other trails.

Pedaling Relief Project

Cascade’s Pedaling Relief Project is a national model for how communities can use bikes to reduce food waste, support food banks and their customers, and cut climate pollution by using bicycles and cargo bikes for last-mile delivery.

The City of Seattle awarded $92,000 to support the project, whose innovative use of wired neighborhood micropantries won a National Science Foundation award in conjunction with the University of Washington.

Watch the King 5 TV story about Pedaling Relief, which reporter Chris Cashman calls “community service on two wheels, combining Cascade’s passion for biking with a mission to serve neighbors in need.”

Expanding our Rides

Cascade created two new rides in 2025–Iron Horse Gravel and Revel Revolution–in response to member requests for more gravel events and with a goal of increasing inclusivity for women and nonbinary individuals. Both will return in 2026 as Cascade strives to expand opportunities for people to bike together in a fully supported environment that enables more folks to enjoy Washington state’s natural beauty.

Learn about Iron Horse Gravel, Washington state’s best new gravel ride, and check out our images of the spectacular scenery and epic bike bridges along the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.

Cascade Wins National Recognition

The League of American Bicyclists named Executive Director Lee Lambert “Bike Advocate of the Year” during the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC.

Lee Lambert

Read about the honor, and how it coincided with a directive by the presidential administration to kill federal funding for bike lanes, in our story: “Cascade Visits DC to Speak Up for Bike Funding.”

Fabulous Rides

Looking for beta on new trails to ride? We’ve got you covered in our story, “10 Fall Trail Rides for Fabulous WA Foliage.” Because these rides are great all year round. Some of our favorites include the recently completed East Lake Sammamish Trail, the Foothills Trail in Pierce County, and the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail across the state into Idaho.

Expanding Inclusivity

Cascade continues to stand firm in our efforts to prioritize underserved communities despite national efforts to kill diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Read about our partnerships with Ampersand Bikes, Asha for Education, the Foundation for Philippine Progress, Iron Riders, Outspoken, Warpaint, and Gruppetto Cycling to boost diversity on our biggest rides.

Cascade Tours

First dibs on signing up for our Tours is one of the great perks of Membership. Limited to 200 riders, and set in some of Washington’s most scenic destinations, Cascade Tours are your passport to exploring our beautiful state.

Check out our photo album, “Walla Walla Sweets” to see the smiling faces of our Walla Walla Tour.

Are you a gravel glutton? You’ll love our Winthrop Gravel Tour.

Voting for Trails

Rallying support for ballot measures that increase access to bicycling is one of Cascade’s keys to success. One of our big wins was the passage of the King County Parks Levy.

Learn about the expansion of the Lake to Sound Trail and other trail projects in King County that will benefit from this successful ballot measure.

STP Ambassadors

STP Ambassador Makesi Duncan preaches body positivity and Dad Bod pride. Ambassador Lisa Charlebois is a long-distance randonneur who inspires others to bike “further and funner.”

Read about the 36 biking ambassadors and social media influencers selected to serve as our STP 2025 Ambassadors in our post, “The Dad Bods, Randonneurs, and Biking Ambassadors of STP 2025.”

Are you passionate about storytelling and riding STP? Apply to become a 2026 Ambassador.

Celebrating Heroes of the Bike Community

Bicycling is a healthy, happy, and affordable all-ages activity. Nobody illustrates this point more than longtime Cascade Member Art Burrill. Now 80, he has ridden 34 STPs and has a goal of 100,000 miles by 2027.

Read about Art’s quest in “100,000 Miles and 35 STPs.”

Along with Art Burrill, blind cyclist Clark Roberts shows that STP is for everyone, regardless of age, race, body type, or physical ability. Learn how the Cascade community stepped up when Roberts needed a cycling partner to captain his tandem.

Celebrating our Members and Volunteers

We love our Members because they help power Cascade’s mission. In 2025 we created a new series, “This is What Membership Looks Like,” to tell the diverse stories of our Members both new and old.

Read about Jen and Adam’s journey from social rides to STP.

Learn how Doug uses bicycling and Cascade rides to reduce stress, and how Josie participates in Cascade rides to take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest from her saddle.

Member and Free Group Rides leader Wenmei Hill loves how there's "no one way" to be a cyclist in the Cascade community.

Volunteer of the Year Wendy Atkinson.

Whether fixing bikes as an Outrider, rescuing and delivering food for the Pedaling Relief Project, or teaching kids the joy of biking, our Volunteers power Cascade’s mission. Meet our 2025 Volunteers of the Year.

Electric Bikes Change Lives

We love e-bikes because they flatten hills, make busy intersections a breeze, and enable more people to bike more often. When the Washington State Department of Ecology asked Cascade to help distribute electric bikes to income-eligible Shoreline residents, we jumped at the opportunity.

Learn more about this effort and how Climate Commitment Act funds are being used to spur low-carbon transportation in this story from Cascade PBS.

Gear and Bikes to Improve Your Ride

Are you looking for holiday gift ideas? Our gear reviews are a great resource for finding bike-related presents.

Read our picks for bikes, bibs, fanny packs, and eyewear, as well as Cascade’s tips for gravel and cargo bikes, LED vests, fenders, TPU tubes, and more.

New Year, New Rides

As 2025 comes to a close, we turn our attention to 2026 and the new rides, important dates, and big events we are cooking up. From a new Lake Union Family Ride to a new San Juan Island Tour to the addition of 5-packs for saving on RSVP, Cascade has a lot in store for riders in the new year.

Learn more and Save the Dates for STP, RSVP, Chilly Hilly, Tours, and the likely return of our beloved Emerald City Ride.

May your 2026 be safe, joyous, and full of bike rides with friends and loved ones. Happy New Year.

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Meet Cascade’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year

Paul Tolmé — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:00:57 +0000

Meet Cascade’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year Paul Tolmé Thu, 11/13/2025 - 14:00

Publication/Release Date

Mon, 11/17/2025 - 13:26

News Category

Club News

Author

Zack Kravey

Read time

10 min read

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As the Community Education and Volunteer Manager for Cascade, I have the pleasure of working with hundreds of volunteers per year who support our mission of “bringing people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship.”

Every hour donated through volunteering helps us expand our bike education, inspire more people to ride, and advocate for safer infrastructure. Additionally, volunteers get connected to a welcoming, fun-loving bike community that shares a passion for making cycling joyful, safe, and inclusive.

If you have time to volunteer, I’d love to hear from you. We need a diversity of skillsets: event photographers, support vehicle drivers, bike mechanics, youth Ride Leaders, and more.

Help Spread the Joy of Cycling

Without further ado, please meet our 2025 Volunteers of the Year. They are a diverse group of individuals, but they all share one thing: a desire to uplift others and support Cascade’s efforts to get more people onto bikes.

Alan Mulkey, Let's Go Bike Education

Alan arrived at a much-needed time during the School-Based Bicycle Education Program bike assembly push in April and May, when demand was through the roof and Cascade’s Fleet Team needed more hands. With Alan’s help, we were able to assemble and deliver 2,200 bikes to fifth-graders in two months. In addition to weekly wrenching, Alan frequently volunteers with the Pedaling Relief Project and marks routes for major rides including Seattle to Portland and the Kitsap Color Classic.

Fun Fact from Alan

"My first bike was a cruiser with fat tires and coaster brakes. In 8th grade, my mom agreed to take a friend and I to camp out and ride our bikes home. Years later, my mom said she worried the whole time we were gone and wondered why she ever thought it was a good idea."

Why Alan Volunteers

"I like the camaraderie and variety of volunteer opportunities. Being able to apply maintenance skills I learned at Cascade to the Let’s Go program is very satisfying. Delivering groceries for the White Center Food Bank through the Pedaling Relief Project is a great way to engage with the community."

Story about Volunteering

"While waiting to pick up my wife, Patricia, at Rainier Beach High School, I saw a young man pedaling by with an ear-to-ear grin, followed by a few more kids on bikes, all with smiles. Patricia explained that Cascade had brought bikes to the school and was teaching students how to ride."

Nick Floros, Let’s Go Bike Education

Alongside Alan, Nick was instrumental in helping the Fleet Team assemble and deliver 2,200 bikes for youth bike education in the spring. Nick is an enthusiastic lifelong learner when it comes to bikes. In addition to weekly wrenching, Nick frequently supports Cascade’s major rides, including loading baggage trucks for STP.

Fun Fact from Nick

"I have 20th century downtube friction shifters on my roadbike, and equally old handlebar frictions on my Long Haul Trucker."

Why Nick Volunteers

"I've learned a great deal while assembling and servicing bikes for Cascade’s Let's Go program and Major Taylor Project. Cascade's Fleet Managers and Mechanics check our work, tell us if we missed something, and explain how to do the work correctly. It's helped me become a better bike mechanic. Cascade staff appreciate their volunteers and they show it. They're sincerely polite and routinely thank you for the work you've done. Every time I roll a bike I've assembled or serviced out of Cascade's shop and test-ride it, I think about the school students who will ride them–and the fun they'll have."

Story about Volunteering

"I volunteered in Cascade's bike shop for a few winters before a heater was installed. Latex shop gloves keep your hands surprisingly warm!"

Brian Moran, Tours

Brian is the ultimate volunteer-of-all-trades: always ready, smiling, and prepared for anything. Whether it’s hauling gear, fixing flats, or breaking out two chainsaws to clear a trail for our Winthrop Gravel Tour, Brian jumps in without hesitation. His wide range of skills (and that famously handy truck) keep Tours and events running smoothly. Unflappable, flexible, and always cheerful, Brian’s quick support and can-do spirit make him an essential part of the Cascade Tours team.

Fun Fact from Brian

"I came up with the name Outriders for Cascade’s support riders. On the Kitsap Color Classic, I repaired a mangled derailleur hanger using a multi-plier and the bollard bracket next to the road."

Why Brian Volunteers

"I enjoy helping people and solving challenges. Cascade events like the Walla Walla Tour are a chance to meet people and learn about their motivations for riding or volunteering. The Cascade staff and volunteers are a friendly and fun bunch."

Story about Volunteering

"For my first STP a long time ago, everyone who had promised to train and ride with me bailed out. I didn't want to ride by myself, so I volunteered to be what we now call an Outrider, which means that I ride with everyone!"

Chris Colleran, Tacoma Major Taylor Project

Chris is a longtime supporter and pillar of the Tacoma Major Taylor Project. Helping with both regular club rides and weekend events, Chris always approaches interactions with students with a positive attitude and open ear. Without Chris, the Tacoma Major Taylor Project would not be able to serve such a large number of students.

Fun Fact from Chris

"I love to be active outdoors, particularly biking or skiing, and sharing that fun with others. That includes my dog, whom I like to take on solo walks through the forest."

Why Chris Volunteers

"I love seeing the kids try biking for the first time, or getting up a hill without walking, or going down that hill for the first time, even though it's scary. They learn about themselves, and I learn so much from them in turn."

Story about Volunteering

"One student managed to have a pedal detach and break his chain on separate rides just weeks apart. He worked it out on the first ride by pedaling on the crank arm, and on the second ride he 'skateboarded' back to school. I admire how he had the resilience to figure out a way to get through those situations."

Matthew Setter, King County Major Taylor Project

Matt is a champion teacher at Tyee High School who supports MTP after-hours every week. His significant contributions make bike club days possible. This year he consistently supported and encouraged three brand new riders. These students had huge smiles when they were able to bike independently after weeks of practice, thanks to Matt. He also rode STP this year with MTP students, constantly encouraging and motivating them. He was there to help whenever asked to check in on a student, whether physically or emotionally. We are grateful to have him on our team.

Fun Fact from Matthew

"I started riding bikes in 1998 and did my first Seattle to Portland in 1999."

Why Matthew Volunteers

"I’m well known for being the sweep on MTP rides, and I focus on bringing the party to the party pace squad. I truly enjoy teaching the newest riders, and I live by the philosophy that 'when it stops being fun it stops getting done.' I appreciate MTP for giving kids in my school opportunities to learn and explore that they otherwise wouldn't have."

Dianne Iverson, Advocacy & Outreach

Dianne is the definition of a devoted advocate who makes a difference in her community. In recent years she has been a member of the City of Bremerton's Complete Streets Committee, a Board member of West Sound Cycling Club, and a vice-chair of the Leafline Trails Coalition. She is a vocal and influential advocate for active transportation on the Kitsap Peninsula. She has partnered with Cascade and the Leafline coalition in many ways as a steadfast advocate for safer and more inclusive active transportation.

Fun Fact from Dianne

"We take a measuring device with us on our tandem bike so we can measure the width of bike paths when we travel. The photo above is us last June in Italy on the path over the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea."

Why Dianne Volunteers

"I want all communities to have safer bike and pedestrian paths and bikeways so that all of us can safely enjoy the outdoors."

Jeannette Roden, Major Rides & Events

In her nine years as a Cascade volunteer, Jeanette has dedicated a staggering 700+ hours of support. Primarily assisting with packet stuffing, start line operations, and the Bike Everywhere Luncheon, Jeanette is indispensable as a leader and source of institutional knowledge. Quick to adapt to changing policies and technologies, the Cascade Events team knows that everything will be under control if Jeanette’s name is on the roster. We’re incredibly thankful for everything that Jeannette brings to Cascade.

Fun Fact from Jeannette

"I'm a third-degree black belt, and was also awarded the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award for giving 4,000+ volunteer hours."

Why Jeannette Volunteers

"Bicycling should be safe and accessible for everyone. When I was in elementary school, I was riding my first bike when a car raced past me and crashed through a wooden fence. Thanks to lucky timing I wasn't injured, but this incident instilled a lifelong respect for sharing the road and a heightened awareness of my surroundings as a multimodal commuter."

Story about Volunteering

"I ran into my old boss at a Cascade ride in 2017. It had been about 10 years since we last worked together, and seeing him in cycling gear was a surprise. We rekindled our friendship and now see each other at bike events throughout the year."

John Eickelberg, Pedaling Relief Project

At the beginning of 2025, John stepped up to lead the new Pedaling Relief ride at Byrd Barr Place on Wednesdays. Supporting a new Cascade staff member tasked with expanding the Pedaling Relief Project, John provided guidance, support and reliability through the year. John has helped to both recruit and sustain the volunteer pool for Byrd Barr Place's Wednesday PRP ride through weekly emails and coffee socials. He also designed and built improved storage solutions for our trailers at Byrd Barr Place and the University District Food Bank.

Fun Fact from John

"I once bicycled the length of the equator."

Why John Volunteers

"Volunteering at Cascade gets some good miles on my trailer and delightfully connects me to other transportation bike enthusiasts."

Story about Volunteering

"Every week, the Pedaling Relief Project ride reminds me of the joy of high school physics. When you turn downhill with 100+ pounds of food on your bike trailer, friction actually feels negligible!"

Melanie Breitbach, Development & Membership

Melanie brings positivity and energy to her work as a Cascade Outreach Ambassador representing us at numerous community events. Her passion for the various facets of our organization makes her well-known across departments. The joy she brings with her into the office is infectious. Melanie accepts any task we throw at her, no matter how tedious, and she makes our work so much easier.

Why Melanie Volunteers

"Biking brings me joy and keeps me sane! I'm committed to helping Cascade bring that to joy to others. I volunteer in the office and I'm also a regular with Pedaling Relief. I've worked in the operations center for various rides, directed riders at events, helped deliver bikes for Let's Go, and served as an ambassador at local events. The staff and volunteers at Cascade are the best."

Naomi Davidson, Free Group Rides

Naomi is a well-respected and loved volunteer Free Group Rides Leader. She has been a dedicated supporter of the Cascade Training Series for a number of years, is an engaged member of our volunteer Rides Committee, and has gone above and beyond to help the club approve Free Group Ride postings and review rider feedback. She has recently devoted much of her volunteer time to developing a continuing education curriculum for our Ride Leader cohort to keep riders safe and our rides inclusive. She is a leading example of a Cascade ambassador making a difference in her community!

Fun Fact from Naomi

"I've done Cascade rides on bikes that I built myself from scrap parts."

Why Naomi Volunteers

"Because I want to be like the awesome volunteers who inspired me when I first joined."

Story about Volunteering

"Whenever I lead Cascade Training Series rides and we encounter an unexpected incline late in a ride, I try to get the group to join me in improvising new verses for a jingle called 'Surprise Hill.' It has a different melody and lyrics each time."

Wendy Atkinson, Outrider & Medical Rider

Wendy is a powerhouse of organization, skill, and heart. From leading Outriders and Medical Riders to running the STP Ops Center, she has transformed ride support in 2025. She built a seamless system for reporting and tracking incidents. Wendy also keeps Outrider supplies stocked for every major ride, trains volunteers, and ensures smooth communication. Calm, strategic, and welcoming, Wendy makes every rider, volunteer, and staff member feel supported while raising the bar for professionalism and fun. Wendy’s investment in improving ride support and easing the workload for staff is an incredible feat.

Fun Fact from Wendy

"I met my neighbor for the first time in the Green Lake parking lot while waiting for a Free Group Ride start. Turns out we have been neighbors for 25+ years."

Why Wendy Volunteers

"Volunteering has pushed me to continue learning: to maintain and build my own bike, to learn and teach mechanics, and to accept that I’ll never remember someone’s name until at least the fifth ride together."

Story about Volunteering

"While volunteering as an Outrider for STP 2025, I rode with a cheerful group of STP newcomers. We stopped at the Roy Market and Deli for a quick break after passing through JBLM. I waited until everyone had used the bathroom before going in myself. When I came out, with two gallons of freshly mixed Gatorade, I looked up to see the entire group on the opposite side of the highway, pedaling back up the course in the wrong direction toward JBLM. I have never been happier to have an 'outdoor voice.'"

Volunteer with Cascade

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We're #1! Our Biggest Bike Wins of 2024

Paul Tolmé — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:07:41 +0000

We're #1! Our Biggest Bike Wins of 2024 Paul Tolmé Fri, 12/13/2024 - 12:07

Publication/Release Date

Wed, 12/18/2024 - 11:00

News Category

Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

10 min read

Content Blocks

Washington state reclaimed the title "most bike-friendly state in the nation" from the League of American Bicyclists thanks to big investments in bicycling.

We enter the new year on the tailwinds of some major victories for bicycling in 2024. Join us in celebrating the biggest wins for people who bike in Washington state in our 2024 Year in Review.

Advocating for Climate Action

Cascade Bicycle Club and our sister organization Washington Bikes supported the creation of the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which has raised billions of dollars for sustainability, equity, and resiliency initiatives. These include statewide bike education programs and trail projects like the 42-mile Eastrail.

Advocating for climate action is advocating for our children and a healthy future.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of Washington state voters, we helped defeat an effort to repeal this powerful law that makes Washington state a leader on climate action and a beacon of hope. Learn more about the Climate Commitment Act and why we fought so hard to retain it.

Prop 1 Will Keep Seattle Moving by Bike

Bike advocacy is why Seattle's bike infrastructure continues to improve every year, and it's why our city continues to invest in better biking conditions that make our city safer for active transportation. In November, Seattle voters showed their support for better biking conditions by passing Proposition 1–the Keep Seattle Moving transportation levy.

Cascade was instrumental in boosting funding for the Seattle bike network in the transportation levy–and then helping to win passage of the law and its $133.5 million for bike infrastructure and programs. It was a historic achievement that came following months of hard work, lobbying, and coalition-building by Executive Director Lee Lambert, Seattle Policy Manager Tyler Vasquez, and the entire policy and community engagement team.

Cascade's Policy Team

In coming years, everyone who bikes in Seattle will benefit from the new protected bike lanes and other bike programs that Prop 1 will create. Read our story, “Top Five Wins for Safer Bicycling in the Seattle Transportation Levy.”

Bringing the Joy of Bicycling to Youth Across WA

Among its many benefits, the Climate Commitment Act funds the School-Based Bicycle Safety Education program that Cascade is implementing statewide under contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation. This is the largest statewide youth bike education curriculum in the United States, making Washington state and Cascade national leaders in ensuring future generations enjoy the healthy benefits of bicycling and grow up with the skills to become lifelong riders.

It includes two programs: the Let’s Go-Across the State curriculum for elementary and middle school students, and the equity-based Youth Development program for older kids and high schoolers that is delivered after or out of school.

Mid-way through the 2024-25 school year, we are expanding the Let’s Go curriculum to 150-plus schools: from Spokane to Tacoma, Bellingham to Wenatchee, Everett to Vancouver and many more between. In coming years, we will expand to schools covering 90 percent of Washington state public school students. Let's Go!

The Youth Development program is modeled on Cascade’s Major Taylor Project which serves Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color throughout King and Pierce Counties by teaching cycling techniques, leadership skills, and bike safety. We have partnered with multiple nonprofits and community organizations to deliver the curriculum, enabling Cascade to support a wide range of community organizations including: 2nd Cycle in Tacoma, Auburn Parks and Recreation, Bike Works in South Seattle, Children of the Valley in Skagit County, the Puyallup School District, the ReCyclery in Port Townsend, Sharing Wheels in Everett, Walk N Roll in Olympia, and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition.

The bike education programs have received lots of positive local media coverage.

As we enter 2025 and think about all the families this programming has touched, we remember fondly the words of Maria Gomez, mother of an Orondo sixth-grader who got his first bike through the School-Based Bicycle Safety Education program. “I just hope this program continues growing,” Gomez said. “It shows kids how to ride a bike .… and it helps them feel free.”

Statewide Advocacy and Collaboration

Our sister organization Washington Bikes is the voice in Olympia for everyone who bikes, walks, and rolls in Washington state. In September, WA Bikes convened its biennial Bike, Walk, Roll Summit, which gathered hundreds of traffic engineers, bike advocates, elected officials, and concerned citizens to brainstorm and share successes.

Learn more and see photos from the event–and our evening rides around Tacoma–in our Summit Photo Album.

Giving Voice to Victims of Traffic Violence

One of the saddest aspects of our work is receiving news that another person on a bike has been killed by a motor vehicle. Just before Christmas in 2023, we learned that longtime Cascade ride leader Steve Hulsman had died after being struck by an SUV in West Seattle.

Rita Hulsman with Cascade Executive Director Lee Lambert.

This tragedy, however, brought us together with Rita Hulsman, Steve’s wife for more than 40 years. Rita channeled her grief into action, becoming a powerful bike advocate and outspoken supporter of Proposition 1 in the hope of sparing other families the same pain.

Celebrating Our Big Rides

Cascade’s big rides are an opportunity for us to unite and celebrate, but they are also fundraisers that power Cascade’s mission and work. Everyone who participates can feel good knowing they are supporting our advocacy, education, and community initiatives like the Pedaling Relief Project.

In July, we brought together thousands of people from across the region, nation, and world to ride the 2024 Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland presented by Alaska Airlines. Relive the excitement by checking out our STP photo album, “The Beautiful Joy of Bicycling Together.”, and the amazing drone footage of STP riders crossing Seattle’s University Bridge.

About 1,600 people participated in our Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party supported by Western Washington Honda Dealers on Aug. 24 and 25. See the smiles of happy participants in our RSVP Photo Album.

Emerald City Ride

May 5 marked the return of a historic Cascade event: the Emerald City Ride. Last held in 2019, this iconic ride supported by Western WA Honda Dealers enabled 3,000 humans (and a dog named Sprout) to bike over the West Seattle Bridge car-free.

Tours

Our three-day Tours sell out fast for good reason: limited to 200 riders, they offer the chance for people to explore some of our state’s most scenic locations while fully supported with food, mechanical aid, and abundant post-ride socializing opportunities.

Winthrop Gravel

Enjoy the images of big skies, winding country roads, and Methow Valley views in our Winthrop Gravel Tour Photo Album.

Walla Walla is Wow squared

Relive the excitement and beauty of southeastern Washington in the spring in our story Wheels in the Wheatlands about our Walla Walla Tour.

Inspiring People to Explore by Bike

People are hungry for information about new trails and bikeable destinations. That’s why we provide resources on places to explore, and why we share the cycling adventures of our staff, board, and community.

Last fall we went on a tour of Whidbey Island, where we did an organic farmstay and detailed efforts by bike advocates to create a 50-mile-long bike trail.

Whidbey is Farmy and Bikey!

Lopez Island is the most bikeable of the San Juan Islands due to its low-traffic roads, ocean views and colorful farms. If you’ve never visited Lopez, perhaps our trip report from a summer bike glamping adventure will inspire you.

Many of us dream of bicycling across Washington state. In October, we brought you Cascade staff member Shannon Mangan’s emotional tale of biking (mostly) across Washington. “I want to inspire others to take wild bikepacking trips of their own,” Shannon says.

Cascade Board Member Marlene Druker has made a habit of biking home from Canada after participating in our Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party. Get Marlene’s tips, maps, and routes in our story, “Ferries, Buses, and Trails: Biking Home from RSVP.”

In August, Communications Director Sara Kiesler participated in Cycle Oregon’s JoyRide. It was a chance to explore Oregon’s canyons and valleys in the company and supportive community of other women and non-binary riders.

If that wasn’t cool enough, Kiesler celebrated her wedding anniversary in the Netherlands, where bike infrastructure is pervasive and cycling for transportation is a national pastime.

Celebrating Our Members and Volunteers

It’s no secret that bicycling can transform people’s lives. Wenmei Hill went from an STP rookie to a Ride Leader and STP Ambassador thanks to our Cascade Training Series. Learn why she recommends this training series to everyone who wants to get in shape for a century ride, and how it changed Wenmei's life for the better.

Wenmei!

We love the many ways that people integrate bicycling into their lives, whether for sport and fitness, commuting, camaraderie, or even delivering the mail at University of Washington!

STP Ambassadors

Our STP Ambassadors represent an array of lifestyles, ethnicities, and backgrounds. But they are united behind one goal: to ride and share their stories about the community--and the stoke--of STP. If you’re on the fence about riding STP, or think it’s not for you, perhaps you’ll be inspired by Afro-Latino bike influencer Kevin Frias, below, or by our rainbow-flag-flying Canadian ambassador.

Or how about our vegan ambassador who rode STP meat-free? Or the 13-year-old one-day rider?

Want to be an STP Ambassador? Learn more and apply here.

Growing the Bike Community

Executive Director Lee Lambert calls STP “a celebration of friendship and achievement that brings the bike community together and creates belonging for people from all walks of life.” Cascade has made great strides in its effort to diversify the STP ridership, creating the STP Affinity Bike Clubs Partnerships.

Read about our partnerships with Ampersand Bikes Club, Asha for Education, the Foundation for Philippine Progress, Bike Works, and Gruppetto Cycling.

Family Cargo Biking

Cascade seeks ways to help more individuals and families live a car-free or car-lite lifestyle. That’s why we wrote about Davey Oil and the Wombi electric cargo bike subscription service, which enables people to get a high-quality e-bike for as little as $115 per month without the cost of ownership.

Scoring a Goal for Sustainability

We get a kick out of helping people avoid driving, which is why we expanded our complimentary bike parking to all 14 Seattle Sounders home games in 2024.

Building the Leafline Trails Coalition

Another aspect of Cascade’s advocacy includes building the Leafline Trails network. Learn more about this effort to connect the 900 miles of trails in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in our stories about biking Tacoma’s trail network, and our efforts to close Shoreline’s Interurban Trail gap.

The Eastrail is one of the key segments of the Leafline Trails network. In July we explored some recently opened segments of Eastrail, and highlighted the $25 million in funding from the Biden administration that will help Bridge the I-90 Gap.

Swag Bag

It’s a funny fact that our gear reviews are some of the most-read stories that we post on Cascade News. Still looking for holiday gifts? Our Winter Biking Gear and Holiday Gift Guide, as well as our Summer Bike Gear for Cool Cycling may be of help!

Chilly Hilly is our first big ride of the year, but Cascade’s events season kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 8, with the Seattle Bike Swap and E-Bike Demo at Seattle Center. Check out all the happy shoppers who scored bonkers bargains and test-rode electric bikes at our 2024 Bike Swap.

Bike Everywhere Month and Day

May is Bike Everywhere Month. Thanks to our sponsor, Microsoft, we presented a full calendar of events including food rescues, trail rides, a bike documentary, and more to celebrate Bike Month 2024. See the pictures of happy folks who biked everywhere with us.

Hundreds of people pedaled to our Celebration Stations on Bike Everywhere Day. Read about how we turned that pedal power into political power by encouraging people to bike to Seattle City Hall to speak up for bike funding.

Inclusivity

With a goal of enabling more people to join our growing bicycling community, Cascade introduced sliding scale pricing in 2024 for maintenance and riding classes, the Ride for Major Taylor, and last year's fundraising auction. Learn more about how this new pricing method is promoting inclusivity.

Learn to Ride with sliding scale pricing.

Major Taylor Project

Named for the Black American cycling champion who broke down barriers at the turn of the 20th Century, Cascade’s Major Taylor Project creates after-school bike clubs in middle and high schools that have been historically marginalized due to systemic racial injustice. The historical context is heavy, but our MTP programming in King and Pierce counties is about spreading joy and creating opportunities.

As we enter 2025, we look forward to pedaling with all of you and pushing hard to advance progress in the most bike-friendly state in the nation. Let's ring in the new year by resolving to bike more, advocate more, and celebrate together more.

Here's to more cowbell in 2025!

Winter Biking Gear and Holiday Gift Guide

Paul Tolmé — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:18:54 +0000

Winter Biking Gear and Holiday Gift Guide Paul Tolmé Fri, 11/15/2024 - 14:18

Publication/Release Date

Mon, 11/25/2024 - 09:18

News Category

Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

4 min read

Content Blocks

Don’t let dark days dampen your mood. Make outdoor activity and winter biking an intentional practice. You’ll stay warm, fit, happy, and dry with these winter biking gear tips.

Under the Hood

Cleverhood is a woman-owned rain gear maker that supports Cascade Bicycle Club. Their Rover Rain Cape, $119, has elastic thumb loops in the front for grasping your handlebars. The “tent effect” keeps rain off your upper body and thighs, and allows air to circulate underneath.

Prefer a traditional rain jacket? Try the Rover Anorak for $149. Bonus: Cascade members get 15% off the Cascade x Cleverhood gear, which you can log in to access through our Membership Benefits Portal.

Waterproof Socks

There's no need for waterproof shoes when you’ve got the new CrossPoint Waterproof Socks from Showers Pass. They’ve got a waterproof membrane sandwiched between an outer and next-to-skin layer. Showers Pass offers Cascade members up to 40% off. Just log into our member portal to update or create your Showers Pass account.

I See You!

There are two basic types of bike lights: for seeing or for being seen. The 700-lumen rechargeable City Rover 700 + IO USB Light Set from Portland Design Works has you covered front and rear.

And the new Light Nugs ($15) from Portland Design Works allow you to be creative with light placement, which is important if you’ve got a basket or rear rack that can block your beam.

Smart Pedals

The perfect gift for winter bike commuters, Arclight Pro Flat Pedals ($127.49) provide improved visibility for people biking on the road at night. There are also Clipless ($149.99) and City ($99.99) versions at redshiftsports.com

See the Arclights and other winter bike commuting gear in our Youtube video:

Bike Industry Discounts

Cascade members get discounts on 80-plus brands and a wide range of products, including the Pearl Izumi AmFib toe covers, $20, through our partnership with Outdoorly. Sign up with the code CASCADE-35M at outdoorly.com/signup.

Winter Cycling Shoes

Insulated and waterproof cycling shoes are expensive but worth it for those who want to click in and pedal in the snow or frigid conditions. “They definitely keep your feet toasty,” Davíd Urbina, Cascade’s Puget Sound and community rides manager, says of the Fi'zi:k X5 Artica GTX; $259.

Overshoes

Cycling overshoes are like raincoats for your feet. I have a pair of Endura Luminites that slip over my click-in road biking shoes, and a pair of zip-on shoe covers from Showers Pass for wearing over my sneakers when commuting. See them both, and other tips for keeping your toes warm, in our Youtube video:

Merino? Alpaca!

An itch-free wool zip-up sweater or hoodie is a luxurious gift for that winter commuter in your life. Alpaca wool is soft and wicking and it doesn’t get smelly like clammy polyester. I own an Arms of Andes Alpaca zip-up for wearing under my rain jacket and, shhhh, don’t tell Katie, but there may be a Women’s Alpaca Full-Zip Hoodie under the Christmas tree; $229.50.

Hot Hands

Bar Mitts are voluminous neoprene mittens that attach to your handlebars like a big comfy oven mitt. I wear a thin glove underneath when it’s frigid or go barehanded inside when it’s chilly. For more tips on keeping your hands warm, watch our Youtube video:

Kinematics

If you ride long distances, a bike fit could improve your comfort, efficiency, and performance by ensuring proper kinematics. Métier Racing & Coffee is offering Cascade members discounts on bike fittings and select components and accessories through March 31. Log into the Membership Benefits portal and click on Métier.

Bonkers Deals

Get ready for the Seattle Bike Swap and E-Bike Expo on Feb. 8. It’s one-stop shopping for bike bargains and gear deals at bananas discounts. Plus, you can test ride a variety of new electric bikes.

These Bike Swap shoppers got new rain jackets at a steep discount.

Hangups

Storing a bike indoors can be a real hangup for people with small homes–or too many bicycles. I recently got a Hooptie Hook, $25, from Portland Design Works for storing my winter commuter bike on the wall.

Dry Thighs

Protect your upper legs and knees from rain with waterproof and reflective cycling chaps from Rain Legs. Just strap them on over your pants, $56.

Give a Cascade Membership

Share the joy of bicycling with a Cascade Bicycle Club gift membership. Individual memberships are $60, family memberships $90. To reduce financial barriers, Cascade also offers “limited income” individual and family memberships for $15 and $30, respectively. cascade.org/membership

Bonus: Cascade members get discounts on a Premium Ride with GPS subscription. Through Jan. 2, members get 15 months for the price of 12, plus Ride with GPS will donate 10% of each purchase to Cascade. One more reason to become a member!

Seek Sunlight in Dark Times

Riding your bike through dark and dreary times is a form of optimism. Sunnier days will return, and when they do you’ll be mentally fit and physically ready to chase summer–and support our vision of a healthy future where bicycles bring people together, eliminate inequity, and create thriving communities.

2025 Events and Rides--Mark Your Calendars!

Paul Tolmé — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:32:36 +0000

2025 Events and Rides--Mark Your Calendars! Paul Tolmé Wed, 11/13/2024 - 10:32

Publication/Release Date

Wed, 11/20/2024 - 10:32

News Category

Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

4 min read

Content Blocks

Cascade Bicycle Club's 2025 Season Schedule is live, just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Get yourself a present that needs no wrapping paper: a registration to STP or one of our many rides and events.

Let's start with the big news: registration for the 46th Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic presented by Alaska Airlines, July 12-13, opens for members on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The public can register a month later on Feb. 4.

New this year: We’re offering the lowest priced STP in a decade through the purchase of an STP 5-pack during early bird pricing. Both members and the public have the opportunity to purchase a 5-pack of registration coupons for only $144 each ($720 total) starting Jan. 7. Once early bird pricing ends, you can still buy an STP 5-Pack at a 10 percent discount off the member price.

Gather your friends and save on the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, the Pacific Northwest's biggest party on wheels.

Our community events season begins on Feb. 8 with the Seattle Bike Swap and E-Bike Demo, your chance to score deals on gear and test ride a variety of e-bikes at Seattle Center.

Bike Swap is a great opportunity to buy a new rain jacket or winter biking apparel in preparation for the kickoff of Cascade's major rides season in late February.

That's when Chilly Hilly, Feb. 23, takes place on beautiful Bainbridge Island. Chilly Hilly registration opens on Jan. 7, so mark your calendars and come test your legs on the Northwest's most legendary winter ride, which ends with a hot chili feed.

Chilly Hilly begins with a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for participants who start from the mainland.

Spring brings the ride that celebrates the life of legendary Black bike racer Marshall "Major" Taylor. Held on April 13, the Ride for Major Taylor is a fundraiser for Cascade's Major Taylor Project, which builds leadership skills and teaches the joy of bicycling to youth from diverse backgrounds. We offer long and short routes so that people of all abilities can participate. Registration opens Feb. 4.

Our three-day Tours season begins in May with the return of our Walla Walla Tour, May 16-18. If you've never experienced the beauty of southeastern Washington state in the spring, the Walla Walla Tour is your chance to explore the region's rolling farmlands, big skies, and vineyards. Registration opens Feb. 11 for members and March 4 for the general public.

Held in late spring, the Flying Wheels Summer Century, May 31, explores the country roads and foothills of western Washington. We offer routes of 50, 70, and 100 miles, with a start and finish line festival in Redmond's Marymoor Park. Registration opens March 4.

Flying Wheels is a tuneup for STP and an opportunity to pedal the scenic Cascade foothills.

The Winthrop Gravel Tour returns to Washington state's scenic Methow Valley for a third year, from June 13-15. Member registration opens Feb. 11. Sign up early because this one sells out fast.

July brings STP, the bucket-list 206-mile ride that attracts riders from across the region, nation, and world. Some people ride in one day but most do it in two. There's nothing quite like the start of STP, which begins at dawn and proceeds over Seattle's University Bridge while most of the city sleeps.

The Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party will take place on Aug. 23-24. Participants ride to Bellingham the first day, then cross the border into Canada on the second, with a finish line party on Vancouver's beautiful downtown waterfront. Member registration for RSVP opens March 4, and for the public on April 1.

With its mellow course and bold finish line party, the Woodinville Wine Ride, Sept. 7, pairs well with friends. Registration opens May 6.

The Lake Chelan Tour returns from Sept. 26-28. Member registration opens Feb. 11 and for the public on March 4.

Our big rides season ends on Oct. 5 with an autumnal favorite: the Kitsap Color Classic. Registration opens May 6.

Prioritizing Membership in 2025

We love our members because they support our Mission and uphold our Values of Equity, Climate Justice, Community, Safety, and Collaboration. To show our gratitude, we're introducing some extra member perks in 2025.

Riders will receive the lowest-priced STP registration in a decade by purchasing 5-packs during our early bird-pricing.
To incentivize membership, we will offer refunds for our rides, events, and Tours to members only.
To ensure our members get first priority when registering for our most popular rides, we are offering a member-only registration period for STP, RSVP and Tours. In addition, the public will pay higher fees for these rides and Tours.

More Gravel, Plus a W&NB Ride

Due to the popularity of our Winthrop Gravel Tour, we plan to add a second gravel ride in 2025. Dates and details to come.

Also, we're planning a women and non-binary paid ride that will raise funds for a good cause. Permits and dates are pending, so stay tuned.

Meantime, click the button below to see our Rides and Events Calendar, which includes dates for our Cascade Training Series, Bike Everywhere Lunch, and Bike Everywhere Day. Bookmark the page to ensure you don't miss out on dates and registration details for our new rides.

2025 Rides and Events Schedule

Promoting Inclusivity with Income-Based Sliding Scale Pricing

Paul Tolmé — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:27:43 +0000

Promoting Inclusivity with Income-Based Sliding Scale Pricing Paul Tolmé Tue, 04/02/2024 - 09:27

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 04/02/2024 - 14:00

News Category

Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

4 min read

Content Blocks

All nonprofits need revenue to carry out their missions. But charging fees can create barriers to participation.

That’s why, in 2023, Cascade implemented a sliding-scale or income-based fee structure for our riding and maintenance classes, including Learn to Ride.

Instead of a set fee for all, we ask people to pay the amount they can afford, from $5 to $160, based on their income and the type of class they are taking. We urge people with lower incomes to pay less, and people with higher incomes to pay more.

The goal is to eliminate financial hurdles for people who want to learn or improve their bicycling skills–and to become a more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming organization.

Initially, there was concern that everyone would choose the lowest suggested fee, thereby reducing revenues for our classes, which are essentially a break-even mission-driven program for Cascade. After all, we pay our talented instructors more than the market rate, and even before sliding scale pricing was implemented, we charged less than the market rate for classes and lessons.

Initial worries proved to be unfounded. We increased the financial stability of our instructional program, making it less dependent on Cascade's events and fundraising. And we increased class registrations (and subsequent classes offered) by 39 percent compared to 2022.

Importantly, more than half of our Learn to Ride students identified as women or people of color.

We served more people and enabled individuals on tight budgets to learn the freedom and joy of bicycling.

Community Education Manager Amy Korver inspired Cascade to implement sliding-scale pricing. We are so happy she did!

“Our community of participants really paid their fair share,” says Community Education Manager Amy Korver, the initial creator of Cascade’s sliding-scale program. “I’m so proud that we were able to get these great programs to more people who are interested, and that we have a community that understands the value of supporting one another.”

Sliding Scale Pricing Expands in 2024

This year, we have expanded our sliding-scale pricing to include the Ride for Major Taylor presented by REI Co-op, and an income-driven donation option to the Emerald City Ride supported by Western Washington Honda Dealers.

For the Ride for Major Taylor on April 21, we offer sliding scale prices of $50, $75, $150, $250, and $500. The youth price is $30. In prior years, we charged a flat fee for adults of $140 for this ride, which is a fundraiser for our education programs.

For the Emerald City Ride, one of Cascade’s most expensive events to produce, we have set a base price including sales tax of $55 for adults and $22 for youth. For those who can afford more, we have created tiers that allow people to make a tax-deductible donation for any amount over $55 to support safe streets advocacy. Cascade will email you a receipt for your donation (the amount above $55).

In the future, Cascade hopes to expand the sliding scale pricing system to most or all of our rides and events. We hope this change, along with others Cascade is taking to advance equity and support underrepresented communities, leads to a racial demographic breakdown in our programs and events that matches the population of King County and across the regions we serve.

A Cascade instructor in action last fall. Our instructors are knowledgeable and patient individuals who help people of all ages and abilities learn riding and maintenance skills..

“Our goal is to help more people get out and enjoy bicycling for health, happiness, recreation, and transportation,” says Lee Lambert. “Empowering people to pay what they can afford directly aligns with our mission to advance equity and inclusion.”

An Honesty Policy that Supports Our Mission

When we announced the tiered pricing, a few people expressed concern. Why is Cascade asking people to choose an income range, and what are we doing with that information?

Rest assured that Cascade has a strict privacy policy about data collection. We don’t ask for bank statements or any proof that you’ve chosen the accurate income range. This is an honesty-based policy. Regardless of our suggested income tiers, we trust you to choose the correct amount to suit your budget.

Cascade has taken many steps over the past few years to become more equitable and inclusive. Sliding scale pricing is one of those steps. Overall, we are moving toward a model of “community-centric giving” that is less transactional.

We want to reinforce the idea that people who pay for Cascade rides are choosing to support our mission of bringing people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship. In other words, you aren’t just paying for the ride, snacks, mechanical support, and other services we provide at our events.

Rather, you are choosing to pay for rides because you support our mission to expand access to bicycling.

Individuals who face difficulty affording our events at the lowest suggested amount can request a scholarship here.

Cascade would also like to recognize Amy Korver for pushing to implement equity-based sliding scale pricing. Korver is departing Cascade for new adventures following a five-and-a-half year work stint at Cascade. We will miss Amy dearly, but her legacy remains.

Happy trails, Amy!

Q & A with Lee Lambert: Cascade’s partnership with Western Washington Honda Dealers

Sara Kiesler — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:28:02 +0000

Q & A with Lee Lambert: Cascade’s partnership with Western Washington Honda Dealers Sara Kiesler Tue, 02/13/2024 - 13:28

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 02/13/2024 - 13:38

News Category

Club News

Author

Sara Kiesler

Read time

3 min read

Content Blocks

In 2023, Cascade Bicycle Club signed on to a new partnership with the Western Washington Honda Dealers to amplify our Share the Road message, connect with audiences through their partnership with Fox 13, and receive a truck that can transport thousands of bikes to our Let’s Go schools across the state. Let’s Go is an in-school physical education curriculum that teaches students from Spokane to Vancouver how to bike and walk safely.

In return, Honda promoted their “Drive Good”™ campaign to our members, riders, and donors, emphasizing their commitment to preserving the environment – including “hanging up your car keys and choosing to walk, ride your bike, or take the Sounder, instead,” according to their website.

Cascade recently renewed our partnership with Western Washington Honda Dealers for 2024. We want to take a moment to sit down with Executive Director Lee Lambert to discuss the goals of this partnership, the reasons behind it, and to answer questions from our members.

Q: Great to sit down with you, Lee. Our members want to know more and we’re here to help them! So tell us – why is Cascade partnering with Western Washington Honda Dealers? How are our missions and values aligned?

A: When the Western Washington Honda Dealers Association first approached us, I paused. They sell cars – how does partnering with a car company align with our focus on bike education, safety, and community building?

As we got to the know them I started to see that our missions and values aligned better than I’d originally anticipated. Their “Drive Good”™ philosophy recognizes that a lot of people drive, and everyone who does should think about driving less. Any company that says on its website that it will “support and applaud” people who choose to bike, walk, or take public transit instead of driving is a good partner for Cascade.

Q: In retrospect, is there anything about the first year’s partnership that you would change?

A: There is, actually. The “Share the Road” message isn’t a perfect slogan. Though Cascade’s advocacy team benefits from the Share the Road license plates sold statewide, a lot of people on bikes feel that it gets misinterpreted.

For example, some drivers are not willing to share a full lane with bicyclists, or even give three feet of space, though both are required by state law. That’s why for our 2024 partnership, we’re switching it up to “Pass Bikes Safely” to reflect the reality of bike and car interactions.

Q: What was the driving force behind renewing the partnership?

Cascade got a lot out of our partnership last year. People heard about Cascade in ads on TV, radio, and even on live news thanks to Honda. I know, because a lot of people excitedly told me they’d seen an ad or a Passport to the Northwest segment. It really helped us connect with new audiences.

We also benefited from WWHDA’s investment in our programs. As the Let’s Go program grew this year, we delivered bikes to schools all across the state. Our tired old 12-passenger van would have broken down on the side of the road. A new vehicle and significant cash investment in our work made it possible for us to grow from 2 school district partners to 20.

Q: Did Cascade receive any pushback?

A: Unfortunately, we experienced some internet trolling from a small but vocal audience that misinterpreted the partnership as “Cascade wants to sell you a big truck.” But overall, our members were very supportive. Most people who bike also drive, and we want people to use the best and safest form of transportation for the trip they’re taking – whether that’s a bike, transit, or driving. We have staff and members that are car free and only ride their bicycle for transportation, and we have staff and members that drive to our major events or to get where they need to go. Both are OK, and both allow for a conversation about the ways we can reduce our climate impact.

Ultimately, this partnership isn’t about making a value judgment – it’s about supporting our Let’s Go programming, advocating for safer roads for all users, promoting our mutual values, and aligning on our missions to make Washington state a safe place to get around.

Building a Bikeable Future: 2023 in Review

Paul Tolmé — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:42:24 +0000

Building a Bikeable Future: 2023 in Review Paul Tolmé Thu, 12/21/2023 - 09:42

Publication/Release Date

Tue, 12/26/2023 - 08:00

News Category

Club News

Author

Paul Tolmé

Read time

8 min read

Content Blocks

Building a Bikeable Future was our theme for 2023.

Like the cue sheets and Dan Henrys that guide us forward on Cascade rides, these words guided our work and pointed us toward a destination.

That destination is a future where more people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can safely and skillfully ride bicycles for transportation, recreation, health, happiness, sustainability, equity, and prosperity.

Thanks to our members, volunteers, sponsors, donors and ride participants, we made great progress this year toward our goal of building a more bikeable Washington state.

Please join us in celebrating the moments that made us proud in 2023.

Expanding Youth Bike Education Statewide

Cascade has provided youth bike education to Seattle and Edmonds public schools since 2016, teaching bike skills to approximately 25,000 Puget Sound-area children every year. That curriculum is now expanding statewide thanks to the state Legislature’s creation of the School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation, which selected Cascade to implement this programming statewide.

We are calling it Let’s Go Across the State, and in this first pilot year we have partnered with 45 schools in cities including Spokane, Tacoma, Bellingham, Everett, and Vancouver, and in the counties of Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom.

Over the next decade, we will expand Let’s Go Across the State to schools covering 90 percent of Washington state public school students. This will be an incredible opportunity for students from Bellingham to Blaine to learn the freedom and joy of bicycling.

While this Let’s Go Across the State curriculum will teach kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students, a second track within the School-Based Bicycle Safety Education Program will serve Black, Indigenous, and high school students of color through programming modeled on our Major Taylor Project.

In the 2023-24 pilot year of this equity based initiative, Cascade has partnered with three organizations: 2nd Cycle in Tacoma, Bike Works in South Seattle, and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition/Vamos Outdoors Project.

Each of these highly respected nonprofits serves underrepresented communities, and they will work with us to help high school-aged youth learn and grow through road safety education, leadership development, community engagement, and hands-on bike experience. Learn more here.

And read our post from March about the two Program Officers–Jacquelyn “Jax” Billups and Tina Castillo–that have joined Cascade to lead this initiative.

Equity is central to these statewide expansions, which make Washington state and Cascade Bicycle Club national leaders in the effort to get more young people onto bikes.

The long-term goal is to foster the skills that create a new generation of individuals who value bicycling, and to create lifelong advocates for active mobility to advance our climate, public health, and equity goals. Because bike skills are life skills.

Supporting Food Banks and Fighting Food Insecurity

Our Pedaling Relief Project made headlines and won national exposure this year thanks to its milestone achievement of transporting more than 1.2 million pounds of food and essential goods by bike.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the University of Washington’s prestigious Urban Freight Lab helped us celebrate the Pedaling Relief Project during a news conference at the University District Food Bank in October.

Cranksgiving Seattle is an annual pre-Thanksgiving ride and food drive that works in partnership with our Pedaling Relief Project. Check out the happy faces and costumes on these turkeys!

Major Taylor Project

MTP Tacoma Manager Josh Stowell (left) rode STP with a group of MTP youth.

MTP is a legacy program that has enriched the lives of many South Seattle and Tacoma youth through the acquisition of bike skills, mentorship, and much more. Our Tacoma MTP Manager Josh Stowell is a former pro-BMX rider who has worked incredibly hard to expand opportunities for youth of color to ride bikes in Tacoma. That includes throwing a kooky and spooky Halloween party on bikes.

We also handed the microphone, so to speak, to one of our MTP ride leaders to talk about the joys of working with Major Taylor Project youth and her work to create the MTP Apprenticeship program. Read our story “We Ride the Same Road.”

Advocacy and Policy for Safer Streets

Our Seattle and statewide policy team is key to our mission of creating a bikeable future. They build support for more bike lanes, trails, and safer streets.

Two of our big infrastructure wins this year included closing a gap in the Duwamish Trail and paving over the dangerous railroad tracks along the Burke-Gilman Trail’s Missing Link.

Another win for safer bicycling is the city’s commitment to build a continuous two-way protected bike lane along the Seattle Waterfront.

One reason we advocate for better bicycling infrastructure is because many people do not own cars, and they must bike, walk, or use mass transit for all of their trips. To experience what life is like with a car, multiple staff members participated in the Week Without Driving created by Disability Rights Washington. Read Communications Director Sara Kiesler’s lessons learned from her weeklong attempt to bike, walk, and use mass transit commuting from Tacoma to Seattle.

Helping voters understand the important issues on the ballot is another goal. That’s why we held voter forums this year to learn where candidates for office stand on bike safety.

STP: The Inclusive Community Ride Returns

Since the return of in-person STP, we have strived to make this iconic Pacific Northwest event more inclusive and welcoming. Check out the smiles in our STP photo gallery.

Our inclusivity initiatives include creating a diverse group of STP Ambassadors whose life stories and bicycling journeys serve as an inspiration to anyone who has considered joining the rolling circus on wheels that is STP.

“Bicycling saved my life,” STP Ambassador Mike Baltieri told us. Other ambassadors include Ezell's Famous Chicken CEO Lewis Rudd, and Cascade super-volunteer Anita Elder, who has regained a love of bicycling again at age 64 thanks to the transformative power of e-bikes.

We are also grateful to STP Ambassador Erick Cedeño, aka the Bicycle Nomad. Cedeño is on a mission to share the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, the legendary Army unit of Black soldiers who completed one of the most arduous bikepacking trips in U.S. history.

Affinity Clubs

Another program we initiated to make STP more welcoming is our Affinity Bike Clubs initiative. Read our story about the bike groups we welcomed in 2023 in our story “Riding STP and Celebrating the Diversity of our Bicycling Community.”

We also extended our hand to Friends on Bikes, which creates bicycling opportunities for Trans, Women, Intersex, and Genderqueer riders of color.

Tours

Our three-day Tours are a favorite of many longtime Cascade members. Check out the photos from our Winthrop Gravel Tour, which returns in June.

Our Long Beach and Ellensburg Tours highlighted the beautiful landscapes and scenic vistas of Washington state.

Families on Bikes

Cascade strives to create more opportunities for families to ride together. Read our stories about two families and their experiences of training for STP with children.

Get tips from a father who trained for and completed STP with his eight-year-old daughter. And read more insights from a dad who finished STP with his 9- and 11-year-old kids.

Dogs are part of many families. If you want to take your pooch for a pedal, read our story “Bicycling with Dogs in Baskets.”

Trails

Fighting for–and sharing information about–Washington state’s long distance trails is a core mission.

We saw big progress in the effort to finish a trail from the Puget Sound to the Pacific coastline. And we got to ride with Gov. Jay Inslee!

We also love to provide trail tips to inspire your own long distance rides. Our Community Education Manager Amy Korver did this with a blog post about her journey on the Palouse to Cascades state Park Trail.

We also celebrated the completion this year of more than 20 years of work to complete the East Lake Sammamish Trail, what may be The Eastside’s Most Beautiful Trail.

Bike Styles and Smiles

Our annual Bike Everywhere Breakfast is not just a fundraiser and community gathering–it’s also a chance to check out the many bike styles of our diverse and growing bike community.

Bike Everywhere Month and Day

We pump up the volume every May during Bike Everywhere Month. We fueled people’s bike stoke again this year with a Priority Bicycles bike demo, speakers, a film premier, and more.

Gear Reviews and Bike Tips

We strive to give our community practical tips that make bicycling easier and more comfortable. That’s why we recommend bike gear that we love, such as in our story “Hot Gear for Winter Riding.”

Providing opportunities to score hot deals on bikes and gear is why we host our Seattle Bike Swap and E-Bike Expo in early February. Check out the happy folks who attended this year.

Feeling chilly? Our story “Hot Summer Bicycling Gear for Cool Riding” may warm you up. Or maybe you’ll find a holiday gift for the bike rider in your life in our “Gear Tips for Winter Commuting and Cold Weather Riding.”

Free Group Rides

Our Free Group Rides program, which offers small group bike rides 365-ish days a year, is how many people first become familiar with Cascade. We are always looking for more ride leaders to expand our offerings. It’s as easy as pie.

Celebrating the Accomplishments of Our Cycling Heroes

We celebrated Tom Fucoloro, the founder of Seattle Bike Blog, by naming him our 2023 Doug Walker Award winner. Tom also published the book “Biking Uphill in the Rain” this year. It’s essential reading for anyone who cares about bicycling in Seattle, and who wants to learn about Cascade’s history of bike advocacy.

The story of Seattle from behind the handlebars.

Another hero we celebrated this year is G&O Family Cyclery owner Davey Oil, who has survived fire and industry turmoil to become a key influencer in the family cargo biking movement. Read our story “Oil on the Roadways”.

Tom Ahearne took up hand cycling to strengthen his body and mind following a snowboarding crash that paralyzed his legs. That didn’t stop him from training for and completing STP on his hand cycle

Seattle Sounders Bike Parking

We worked hard in 2023 to make Seattle Sounders games more bikeable, offering free bike parking for many home games–and for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Bike Lane Cleanups

We urge city governments to keep their bike lanes clean and free of hazards, especially in the fall when bike lanes fill with slippery leaves. That's why we organized multiple bike lane cleanings in Seattle this year.

Check it out on our Instagram feed.

Help us Build a Bikeable Future in 2024

We extend heartfelt thanks to all of our members, donors, sponsors, and ride participants who helped make Washington state more bikeable in 2023, and we look forward to pedaling alongside you again in 2024.

Because a bikeable future is a better future