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That is right, it is bike to work week again. The beautiful BC June has resulted in a few wetter-than-expected rides and it is only Tuesday. This year, I bit the bullet and went full commuter style too! For the 2010 Vancouver Bike To Work Week I am riding a Norco Vesta belt drive with a flat bar and panniers. In the past I have been the first person to comment on the silly looks of racks and bags but now, two days deep – it kinda makes sense. I have never been able to commute without getting a sweaty, swore back about 10min in. Well, keeping the weight on the bike solves this problem. Rather than ramble too far, here is a short photo-story of the 25km commute home from work!

Bike commuting in the winter is something that everyone cringes even thinking about. It can be wet, cold, pretty much misreable. There are some people out there though that have picked the right clothes, the right gear and the right bikes for the job. It is incredible what a little bit of preparation and perseverance will achieve.

Over the fall edition of Vancouver’s Bike to Work Week Norco head office employees commuted nearly 1100km over a total of 60 trips. For being a week that was wet, near freezing, and extremely dark. I would say that is pretty good. In fact, it was good enough to win as the top organization of 25-100 people through the VACC.

Thank You to everyone that participated in Bike to Work Week. We’ll see you on the road leading up to the next Bike To Work Week in May 2010. It may be winter, but we all still love our bikes.

Norco is a company that is made up of cyclists. It does not matter where in the company you are, from the ground up we are cycling. Last week was the VACC’s Bike To Work Week and Norco took part on an internal and external level. If you kept an eye out around the city, you may have seen the Norco rig hanging out in Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam or Maple Ridge along many major cycling routes. If you were riding your bike Norco was also providing free tech support while the VACC was offering coffee, hot chocolate and snacks for any riders stopping by.

So, that was what was visable from the outside, but as I said, Norco is made up of cyclists. Over the cource of the week in a cold and wet November, Norco employees also commuted a cumulative of more than 1500 kms. That is a long way and a true dedication to both cycling and a green lifestyle.

Way to go everyone that participated in Bike To Work Week!

Commuting to work, school or anywhere is a fun, efficient and green way to get from point A to point B. It does take some serious willpower to battle through the cold, wind and rain of the Winter but I know I always feel better for doing it. We are now into November and the fall colours are slowly fading to a winter gloom. In Vancouver BC though, we are three days into Bike To Work Week. Put on by the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC), Nov. 2-6th is the time to ride your bike. The VACC is partnered with Norco Bikes and local retailers to offer commuters tech support, warm drinks and a few prizes along the way.

Riding in the winter sounds like a daunting task – and it is, but this week, there are people to help. Whether you are cold, tired or have mechanical issues, anyone in Vancouver should find help along major routes. Now is the time to grab some wet weather clothing, strap on some fenders and lights then hit the road. If you want leave a few minutes early, grab something hot to drink while getting your bike fixed, checked or lubed.

If now isn’t a great time to start commuting by bike, when is?

May 11th marks the first day of bike to work week. In true West Coast style it was pouring rain. Setting up shortly before 6am Norco was tuning bikes, passing out snacks and offering some encouraging words to some truly dedicated riders.

The First of many stops for Norco during Bike To Work Week was in West Vancouver. Through the week though watch for the rig around the Greater Vancouver area in locations such as Burnaby, Port Moody, Coquitlam an more. Stop by, chat, have a bite, stay a while.

See you out there!