#3-1841 Comox Ave 250-339-6683 • www.simoncycle.com

Let Us Show You How Every Week can be

BIKE TO WORK WEEKCelebrate with us at the I-Hos Parking Lot

May 27 - 31, Mon. to Fri., 6:45-8:45 am3310 Comox Road, Courtenay

Why get involved?The sixth annual Comox Valley

Bike to Work week is set to take place next week (May 27 to June 2nd), with more people taking part each year, here’s a few reasons that you might want to get involved.

On your drive into work, have you ever noticed a cyclist obviously commuting and admired that person? Have you thought it would be cool to ride your bike to work, or home from the office?

Despite some worthy reasons to ride your bike to work, there never seems to be a good time to start. So why not start now? Lots of people commute on their bicycles, why not you?

Cycling to work is a great way to add activity to your day, saving time by combining a work out with your travel needs, arrive at work energized and full of endorphins.

Commuting by bike gives

you time to think or wind down on the way home. It is a great way to turn a stressful activity on its head, and get something beneficial out of the time you may be spending in traffic.

You will save money at the pump, have you seen the gas prices this week?

See how much CO2 you save: the biketowork.ca website tallies your personal greenhouse gas savings.

Friendly competition can encourage avid cyclists and new riders alike to try the trip to work on bike, why not challenge your friends and workmates to get involved, or challenge yourself and discover how much fun it is? Comparing commuting stories each day is also a great motivator.

Make your commute count: there is power in numbers – the more people registered, the stronger the voice we have to call for improvements, so even

seasoned bike commuters should register.

If you want to succeed in biking to work regularly, you have to get through the first month. If your commute is more than a few miles, you may want to start out small and work up. When you start out, try one day a week until that feels okay, then step it up to two days. After a few weeks of this you might go to three, and so on. You may be frustrated at first by lack of energy, weather, bad drivers, bad bikers, etc… After a month, though, you may find that getting in a car is actually more frustrating, and you may find exhilaration in anticipating a nice ride in, or home. There will be days where you hear wind and rain and think “what am I doing riding in this?”, but when you get out in it, it’s not really that bad, same as skiing or paddling, you may get wet or cold, but you’re still having fun!

Comox Valley         Comox Valley         

2 Thursday, May 23, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD • www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Bike To Work...Then Bike To Your Work Out!

At The Comox Community Centre1855 Noel Ave, Comox

MAY 27 - JUNE 2250-339-50501782B Comox Ave.,COMOX medicineshoppe.ca

The Medicine Shoppe supports cycling as not only a greeninitiative but a healthy alternative to traditional modes of transportation.Be a “spokes” personfor your own health.Ride to work this week.

Jim SmileyBus: (250) 334-9900 • Fax: (250) 334-9955

Toll Free: 1-877-216-51712230a Cliffe Avenue

Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 2L4Email: jimsmiley@remax.net

www.jimsmiley.ca

Ocean Pacifi c RealtyIndependently Owned and Operated

Run with the Best!

W I L L A R R A N G E

VIEWINGS BY BIKEF O R Q U A L I F I E D B U Y E R S

View HomesON TWO WHEELSON TWO WHEELSON TWO WHEELS

I N S T E A D O F F O U R If you are new to bike commuting, here are a few tips to help you prepare and make it an enjoyable experience.

Plan your route and ride it ahead of time. If you know a regular commuter, ask them for advice, they may know shortcuts or which roads to take to avoid traffic (and hills!).

Check your bike is in good working condition in advance, make sure the tires are fully inflated (maximum tire pressure is usually shown on the sidewall), the chain is lubricated and your brakes are working well. Carry a spare tube and a pump, ideally you’ll know how to change a flat, but if you don’t, you’ll have what you need when asking for help.

Find your helmet and make sure it fits securely and comfortably. If you don’t have one, visit your local bike store and get one, it’s the law!

Be visible - wear bright clothing and don’t forget to check the batteries in your lights if you have them.

Layer - that way you can stay dry and reduce sweati-ness. Try quick drying, insulating fabrics like polypropyl-ene, silk or wool that you can take on and off as you go.

It is a good idea to take a change of clothes, perhaps you could leave them at work in advance, so you don’t have to carry them with you. Hopefully it will be a dry, warm week, but you never can be sure.

Figure out where you’ll leave your bike whilst you are at work. Bring a bike lock or find a secure place to store it during the day.

Consider hitching a ride with a co-worker to get to work, then ride home. Make it manageable for you; don't worry about what other people might be doing.

Every Comox Valley Transit bus is equipped with racks capable of carrying bikes, so if you don’t want to tackle that big hill, or perhaps want to break up your commute, check out www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/transit for information on bus routes and schedules.

If you are a member of the BCAA, assistance is avail-able to you, the Comox Valley is serviced by authorized BCAA contractors and much like automobiles, the service provider is able to assist with providing air or minor mechanical repairs. If that does not solve the problem transport for you and your bike will be provided.

How to get involved

Other events

Tips for commuters

On Wednesday May 29 there will be a Bike To The Playground ride from Simms Park in down-town Courtenay, meet at the park at 9:45, leaving from the pavilion at 10am, riding along the pathway to the Rotary Waterpark in Lewis Park for snacks and storytime.

On Thursday May 30 there

will be an additional Bike At The Playground event at Brook-lyn School in Comox, starting at 10.30am.

Both of these events are free and are open to all pre-school aged children who can take part on run bikes, training wheel bikes, trail-a-bikes, trailers etc.

Go to www.biketowork.ca/comox_valley and sign up for free, please note that you can

form a team, or be a team of one. Enter your results and automatically

be entered into the prize draw to

WIN A KONA DEW COMMUTER BIKE FROM SIMON’S CYCLES IN COMOX!

The draw will take place mid June, when one lucky winner can continue their commute with a brand new ride.

Go to

WIN A

WIN A

KONA DEW

COMMUTER

BIKE

There are 2 special events for

Pre-School Age Kids,organized by SD71 Strongstart with the assistance of the Comox Valley

Cycling Coalition.

PHOTO BY DAVE PROTHERO

Bike to Work week is a free, fun opportunity to get outside and be active every day.

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com • COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Thursday, May 23, 2013 3

250-334-5000

Exercise & WellnessTurn your passion for health and active living into a career. Start working in recreation/fitness and earn transfer credit toward select degree programs at VIU and Camosun.

Length: 8-month certificate; part-time options Tuition: $4,020 approx

Learn more: www.nic.bc.ca/artssciences

Celebration Stations Celebrate a week of commuting by bike with a

Wrap up Party/BBQ & Rideat the Broken Spoke Bike Shop

in downtown Courtenay (420 Fizgerald Avenue) on

Friday May 31 at 4:00 to 5:30pm,there’ll be a BBQ, music and a group ride leaving the shop at 5.30pm.

All BBQ proceeds to the Tour de Rock Cops For Cancer

Enter your results and automatically be entered into the prize draw to

WIN A KONA DEW COMMUTER BIKE FROM SIMON’S CYCLES IN COMOX!

The draw will take place mid June, when one lucky winner can continue their commute with a brand new ride.

For more information please visit www.biketowork.ca/comox_valley or email comoxvalley@biketowork.ca

Monday, May 276.45 to 8.45am – Simon’s Cycles at I-Hos Gallery (Comox ‘Dyke’ Road)6.30 to 7.30am – 19 Wing/CFB Comox (Ryan Road E & Military Way) 7.00 to 9.00am – Comox Valley Cycling Task Force at Mountain City Cycle (5th Street)

Tuesday, May 286.45 to 8.45am – Simon’s Cycles at I-Hos Gallery (Comox ‘Dyke’ Road)6.30 to 7.30am – 19 Wing/CFB Comox (Ryan Road E & Military Way)

Wednesday, May 296.45 to 8.45am – Simon’s Cycles at I-Hos Gallery (Comox ‘Dyke’ Road)6.30 to 7.30am – 19 Wing/CFB Comox (Ryan Road E & Military Way) 7.00 to 9.00am – CRI (Cumberland Village Square)

Thursday, May 306.45 to 8.45am – Simon’s Cycles at I-Hos Gallery (Comox ‘Dyke’ Road)6.30 to 7.30am – 19 Wing/CFB Comox (Ryan Rd E & Military Way) 7.30 to 9.00am – GP Vanier High School (Schellinck Drive & Headquarters Rd.)

Friday, May 316.45 to 8.45am – Simon’s Cycles at I-Hos Gallery (Comox ‘Dyke’ Road)6.30 to 7.30am – 19 Wing/CFB Comox (Ryan Road E & Military Way) 7.00 to 9.00am – City of Courtenay Green Team (Rotary Waterpark)7.00 to 10.00am – Trail Bikes (Lake Trail Road) 7.00 to 8.30am – CVRD Transit (4th & Cliffe Avenue)

Give yourself some extra timeto stop by a Celebration Station on your way to work, enjoy a free snack and meet other bike commuters…

Each morning there will be Celebration Stations in various locations around the valley and our friends at The Eagle 97.3FM will be broadcasting live from a different location each morning to share in the excitement and help cheer on the commuters!

333 Fifth Street • 250-338-8844www.skiandsurf.ca

OPEN7 DAYSA WEEK

Check out the new fashion, footwear,kayaks & stand up paddle boards!

on BASE LAYERS,OR RASHIESALL WEEK.10% OFF

BRING IN YOUR HELMETOR SHOW US YOUR BIKE TO QUALIFY!

SKI & SURF SHOP SUPPORTSBIKE TO WORK WEEK!

WE’LL GIVE ALL PARTICIPANTS

WHILEYOU’RE

HERE

333 Fifth Street • 250-338-8844OPEN

7 DAYS

YOU’REHERE

333 Fifth Street • 250-338-8844333 Fifth Street • 250-338-8844

Island style sports and fashions

COURTENAY 250-334-2456

DEMO DAYS 2013 - MAY 25 & 26BOTH NORCO & TREK TRAILERS WILL BE ON SITE

• SHUTTLES • ROAD & MOUNTAIN BIKES • BBQ

1999 Lake Trail Rd., Just past Lake Trail Middle School • Tues.-Sat. 10 -5:30www.trailbicycles.ca

VISIT OUR

Bike to Work STATION

FRIDAY, MAY 31IN THE MORNING for co� ee & mu� ns

4 Thursday, May 23, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD • www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Your only ACCREDITED AMBULATORY SURGICAL FACILITY on the North Island run by a CERTIFIED ORAL SURGEON

SUITE 303-1819 BEAUFORT AVE., COMOX

250.890.0055“Committed To Caring For Your Health”

DR. CONRADI and staff would like to say...

THANK YOUfor your Support.

We promote safe cycling paths, and are committed to all areas of health care

in the Comox Valley.

DR. ANDREAS

CONRADI CERTIFIED ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON