Bicylists able to muscle through the wind and rain

Tim Rowe, an analyst for the Nevada Department of Transportation and the state Safe Routes to School coordinator, ran an errand on his bike over his lunch break on Friday despite the rain.

“It wasn’t that bad,” he said. “It wasn’t windy, so that was nice.”

With his help, NDOT came in second place for most miles ridden during National Bike to Work Week, which concluded Friday.

Carson City’s bike and pedestrian advocacy organization, Muscle Powered, organized a series of events to celebrate Bike Month, culminating in the bike-riding challenge the final week.

Jeff Potter, Muscle Powered board member, said the wind and the rain may have deterred some participants, but it shouldn’t have.

“It’s always a good day to bike ride,” he said.

Awards were presented during the End of Bike Week Party at the Firkin and Fox, featuring raffle prizes and music from the Trippin King Snakes.

The Nevada National Guard logged the most miles ridden for the public sector and Sierra Controls, LLC., won in the private sector.

For max trips, the NevadaDepartment of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation logged the most for the public sector while the Allison MacKenzie Law Firm took the honor in the private sector.

Overall, 14 teams participated, Potter said.

“That’s the real goal,” he said. “Just getting people to get out and realize that this is fun.”

Kelly Clark, a Muscle Powered board member who was recently appointed to the governor’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory board, said is has been a successful Bike Month.

“On Wednesday for the cruiser ride, it was raining and we had 92 people show up,” she said. “That’s really good.”

The 32-mile bike ride around the city for the annual Tour de Carson on May 3 was also well attended, she said.

“After the ride, I met three beginner riders,” she said. “That, to me, is a good sign. This was their first long bike ride, and they were enthusiastic and wanted to do it again.”

She said Muscle Powered has been successful in increasing the bikability and walkability of Carson City.

“I don’t think I’m a braggart when I say Muscle Powered has one of the best reputations in the state for advocacy and engagement,” Clark said. “We don’t just talk about bicycle advocacy, but we really engage the community in bike events.”

The organization has created a new Sustainability Membership for business to support the cause. So far, five businesses have joined: Resource Concepts, Inc., Grandma Hattie’s Restaurant, Capitol Automotive, Bike Habitat and Lone Mountain Veterinary Hospital.

She said Muscle Powered has a membership of about 50 families and encouraged others to sign up for the annual dues, which range from $15 to $25.

And as a final bit of advice, she encouraged all pedestrians and cyclists to increase their own visibility

“Yellow is the new black,” she said. “It needs to be. Otherwise people are invisible. They don’t do themselves any good when they can’t be seen.”

For a complete list of Bike to Work Week winners or to become a member of Muscle Powered, go to musclepowered.org.