Wednesday, December 29, 2010

my winter project

I finally got out for a test ride on my "old" Cannondale I upgraded recently, mainly to refurbish worn componentry, as the frame (circa 1996?) was good, sturdy, and light, it just needed some rehab.



I stripped it down and built it back up with newer (but used) components, including 50/34 Gossamer from FSA, 105 shift/brake levers (2x10), front and rear 105 derailleurs, 105 spec Shimano chain, a new carbon fiber (alloy steerer) Kinesis fork (hard-to-find 1" threaded), a Tektro brakeset - take-offs from a Giant (OCR?), and take-off Felt sealed-bearing wheelset and 105 10-speed cassette. Slightly used Bontrager 700c road tires, new bar tape and silver bottle cages were also affixed.

The bike shop (Jesse at GHY in Renton) weighed the bike for me - it is 20 pounds 9 ounces.

AWESOME smokin' deal for employers (20+ employees) in Kent, Renton, and Tukwila

Check out this limited-term offer from the folks at King County Metro!!!

Employee commute consultation from Cascade Bicycle Club and Feet First? (FREE!)

50% off the price of an employer-issued ORCA card?

Teleworking consultation? (FREE!)

It's the STEP AWAY (from your car) campaign.

Contact Susan Whitmore with KC Metro Commute Trip Reduction Services for details at 206-684-1057.


Note: this program is only offered for a limited time to employers with 20+ employees in the cities of Kent, Renton, and Tukwila, Washington (State), USA.

BIKE JOBS (in the Seattle, WA area)

The economy is tough. I hear it is near impossible for folks to find employment in a lot of sectors. Here are a few more jobs posted locally!!!

Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW) has several positions currently being recruited, all limited term, but one that's full-time for 2011-2012. They close pretty darn fast - so if you're interested, APPLY NOW!

A bit stale, but Cascade Bicycle Club (CBC) had been hiring for a few positions this fall. I do not know if the Development Director position has been filled yet. It is still posted on the CBC website.

And, it's a bit out of the Seattle area, I know, but I love the Bike Portland website. They have a bicycling jobs board.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bike Works is Hiring Exec. Director!

Republished from a post on the Cascade Bicycle Club forum.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION POSTING

OPPORTUNITY: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bike Works is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to become its next Executive Director. Ideal candidates will provide the vision and leadership necessary to translate our mission and values into action while maintaining a supportive, growth-oriented work environment for employees and an energizing sanctuary for youth and the community.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:
Bike Works is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle whose mission is to build sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling. Bike Works has been working for youth, bikes, and community in Seattle since 1996. Our programs and services invest in young people and encourage bicycling as a clean and healthy transportation alternative. Our programs include Earn-a-Bike for youth, Street Burner youth bike club activities, Summer Bike Camps, Neighborhood Rides, an Annual Kids Bike Swap, domestic and international bicycle donations to charitable organizations, and more. Our Community Bike Shop serves a diverse customer base with used bike sales and affordable repairs.

Since 1996, we have grown from a startup program into a thriving, established organization that is well-respected in the community. Each year approximately 250 youth, ages 9 to 17, participate in our programs and gain the skills and resources they need to translate lessons about confidence and leadership into their own lives, helping them make healthier decisions about their futures. Each year we redistribute close to 2,000 used bicycles to families in Seattle and internationally. Our current operating budget is approximately $600,000, our staff includes 11 part- and full-time positions, and our Board is made up of 13 skilled and committed volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director assumes primary responsibility for leading Bike Works in fulfillment of its mission and vision, including management of fundraising and administration, ensuring staff capacity, coordinating activities with the Board of Directors, and overseeing the organization’s finances.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Executive Director will:

1. Exhibit strong leadership, strategic vision and human resource management skills;

2. Value cultural diversity and reflect a deep and abiding passion for the mission of Bike Works, specifically youth empowerment and bicycle transportation;

3. Possess experience providing strategic and business leadership to a small organization embarking on a phase of potentially significant growth and change.

4. Have proven ability to secure significant funding from individuals, foundations and government agencies;

5. Understand the internal and external workings of a 501(c)(3) organization;

6. Be a resourceful problem solver and have a sense of humor.


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director’s role and responsibilities include the following:

1. Lead staff, Board, volunteers, and other key stakeholders in fulfilling mission and adhering to strategic plan. Includes supervision of three department heads who manage programs, the community bike shop, and fundraising. Critical focus in the coming years will be on translating our mission, vision, and values into annual action plans, defining and measuring success targets, and prioritizing and solving key organizational challenges.

2. Work with the Development Manager to develop annual fundraising goals and oversee implementation of strategies to achieve them. Play an active, leading role in engaging with current and prospective institutional and individual donors. Oversee revenue generation through bike shop. Manage cash flow and expenses and prepare monthly reports.

3. Manage operations, including HR policies & procedures, payroll and benefits, insurance, taxes, and oversight of bookkeeper’s work with payables, receivables, and financial records.

4. Supervise, mentor, and inspire staff; ensure a healthy work environment that attracts, maintains, and motivates quality staff. Develop annual staff review process that is aligned with our mission and values, schedule and conduct meetings and retreats as appropriate, and ensure staff member effectiveness.

5. Support and inspire the Board. Develop materials and reports for monthly Board meetings.

6. Ensure that Bike Works maintains a visible and vibrant presence in the community by fostering collaboration with partner organizations and speaking passionately in public forums. Maintain strong organizational image.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
The ideal candidate will have developed the following skills through a combination of significant professional experience, community engagement, and/or formal education:

• Commitment to our Mission: Passion for building sustainable communities, educating youth and promoting bicycling.
• Fundraising: Demonstrated success in cultivating, stewarding, soliciting and securing major gifts. Experience seeking and incorporating best practices from across the nonprofit sector for development purposes.
• Leadership and Management: Ability to inspire, mentor, and build the skills of a small, committed, hard-working staff. Experience with or interest in working as a part of a team in a small nonprofit organization and being a part of a creative, fun, healthy, flexible and collaborative work environment.
• Communication Skills: Ability to effectively and persuasively communicate our mission verbally through one-on-one interactions and public speaking opportunities, including ability to connect with youth, staff, donors, the board, and our community. Excellent writing skills a must.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and operational skills, including finance, HR, and development. Ability to formulate and execute plans efficiently and effectively. Solid computer skills to work with a tech-savvy staff.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrated experience solving complex problems and responding to adaptive challenges.

COMPENSATION:
$45,000-50,000 (starting salary depends on experience). Bike Works offers a medical benefits program, a generous vacation and holiday package and a flexible work environment.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit our website at www.bikeworks.org for more information about Bike Works. Send your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to edsearch@bikeworks.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Position open until filled; however, applications received by January 7, 2011 will receive priority consideration.

Bike Works is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity of race, color, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

PRO shop comes to Renton

Team Garmin pro rider Tom Peterson opened a shop recently in Renton.

They're offering a winter mechanic special - it's 12% off labor.




Peterson Bicycle is located at: 1755 NE 48th Street, Renton, WA.

From I405 North or South, take exit #7 and turn east. Look for the Dennys sign. Peterson Bicycle is located directly behind the Dennys with a bright yellow awning.

Call them at 425.271.0396 if you have any questions!

More can be found about this shop on their website. Tell Wyatt, the shop mechanic, you heard about them from Nate.

last "nyte ryderz" ride for 2010

A few weeks ago, I took an evening ride with the notorious "Nyte Ryderz" of Renton. (See page 10).

Photo I snapped of myself...


I rode my "new" project bike that night... my Raleigh Super Course Mark II "rain bike". First time riding it outdoors was that night.


Cold, but not wet that evening. Looking forward to more rides in 2011. Due to snowy weather in December, a busy holiday schedule, and a recent minor medical issue, I might not make it out again until January.

Keep the rubber side down, folks! Happy riding!

Xmas tree cycling style

A 40-speed tree. Shimano-equipped, no doubt. Carbon and aluminum tree.



Happy holidays to you and yours. Keep the rubber side down in 2011.

Save $25 on an Electra bike at GHY in Renton



Cool cruiser your style? See GHY in Renton for $25 off an Electra bicycle.

Phone
425-227-HUCK (4825)

Address
G.H.Y. Bikes
909 S. 3rd St.
Renton Wa. 98055

Hours
Weekdays 11-7
Sat 10-6
Sun 12-5

Ask for Jesse or AJ and tell 'em Nate sent you.

Monday, December 13, 2010

IKEA gives bikes to employees for Christmas 2010



IKEA gives bikes to employees is what I read about today in an e-mail forwarded from a work friend. A lot of my friends at work now send me information like this, since they know me as a de facto "bike guy" around here.

The news release states: "It's been a good year for IKEA, so what better way to celebrate our success than to thank our IKEA co-workers who made this happen. Our big reveal today will be a fun day as we unload 12,400 new bikes at IKEA US locations. This is our way of saying 'thanks IKEA co-workers for being strongly committed to working together.' We hope this bike will be taken in the spirit of the season while supporting a healthy lifestyle and everyday sustainable transport," commented Mike Ward, IKEA US President.

This is encouraging, as the press release then says:
Why a bike? Because when it comes to sustainable transport, a bicycle is a great option. And when it comes to healthy living, riding a bike is one of the best cardio forms of exercise. Here are some facts.

•Bicycling is an excellent cardio-vascular exercise, which promotes heart health. Just like in any other aerobic workout, bicycling makes your heart pump harder. Also blood circulation increases and eventually, your resting heart rate will decrease. (Helium.com; Benefits of Bicycling by Erich Rosenberger M.D.)

•On average, commuting 10 miles a day by bike in 30 minutes, instead of driving a car burns 110,250 calories (keeping off 30 pounds of fat each year). (Sources: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, RailstoTrails.org, Fitsugar.com, Adultbicycling.com

•Cycling just 20 miles a week can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. (Sources: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, RailstoTrails.org, Fitsugar.com, Adultbicycling.com

•Countries with the highest levels of cycling and walking generally have the lowest obesity rates. (Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia)


This is all good stuff. I just hope the bicycles and potential bicyclists get the support they need to make those changes.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, the bikes do appear a little less-than-thrilling componentry-wise and they are probably the least expensive option to build and still call it a "bike". They appear to be heavy steel frames with low end components like shifters, derailleurs, and brakes. Which means they may not be the proper equipment to inspire a new rider into riding. A bike that is hard to pedal, impossible to shift, and problematic to stop, is not confidence-inspiring to those long off the saddle. But I suppose IKEA, who has thrived by making cheap furnishings available to the masses may be able to make cycling available to their employees.

I'm not a "hater" for stuff like this - let's just hope it takes off with other employers.

I wonder too if the employees will still get their typical (fiscal) year-end bonuses..?