Bike month occurs annually for the entire month of May, but we believe cycling should be celebrated year-round. Our ride library features suggested rides around the community. Be sure to read the ride descriptions to determine level of experience that may be required. If you use Ride with GPS you can join our club.
We operate formal ride programs for kids and for women. The youth program is operated under our Trips for Kids chapter. We also started a Friday morning Women’s Ride group in December 2022 that will continue to ride the soft trails while the conditions are good. Send us an email and we will share the registration information. In order to participate in our formal ride programs you must be a Wheelhouse member in good standing, sign a liability waiver, and wear a helmet.
A group of women on mountain bikes at Chamna
Summer Ride Challenge
Join Wheelhouse Community Bike Shop for our Summer Ride Challenge! We want to see more people on bikes, anywhere, for any amount of time or distance! Check back here for lists of suggested rides to try, or make your own route with family and friends. Participate in #BikeTheTri to be entered for monthly prize drawings by using the instructions below.
Join the Challenge
Step 1: Find a Ride With GPS
Download the Ride With GPS app and receive free access to the Wheelhouse Library of Rides. By joining our club you receive unlimited turn-by-turn voice navigation in the app for rides uploaded/created by Wheelhouse. We’ll post rides throughout the year for you to choose from. Be sure to read the description to determine level of skill required for each ride. You do need to create a free account; however, you do not need to pay for Ride With GPS unless you want to access all features outside of our club account.
Make a social media post on Facebook or Instagram to let others know you’re participating in #BikeTheTri rides. It can be a text post or a photo from your ride. Make sure the post privacy is ‘public’ (or) tag @wheelhousebikeshop on Facebook or Instragram so we can see your post.
Not on social media? Be sure to record your ride on Ride With GPS.
#BikeTheTri
Riding Safely
Click Image to Enlarge
This Section Courtesy Cascade Bicycle Club
A is for Air
Check your tire pressure; low tire pressure can lead to a flat or fall. Tubes should be inflated to the pressure noted on the sidewall of the tire. Also take a moment to look for wear or damage to your tires.
B is for Brakes
Brake pads: Visual check the brake pads for wear. If there is less than 1/8″ of brake pad left, they probably need replacing. Also, make sure that the pads align with the wheel rim when the brakes are applied. If they do not, they need adjusting to work properly. If your brakes are clean, not worn down, and adjusted properly but still you’re getting a squeaking sound, you may need to correctly ‘toe-in’ your brakes.
Brake levers: Squeeze, then release the brakes. The levers should operate easily and snap back when released. If not, they may need to be lubricated or adjusted. Also, make sure there is at least an inch of space between your levers and handlebar when the brakes are engaged. If they come all the way to the handlebars, they need to be tightened.
C is for cranks, chain and cassette
Cranks: Try to move the crank arms sideways, away from the bicycle frame. If the cranks are loose, you can tighten them with a crank wrench. If you don’t have a crank wrench, your local bike shop can tighten them for you.
Chain: Make sure the chain looks like metal, not rust or black gunk. Turn the pedals backward to see if the chain travels smoothly through the gears.
Cassette: Check to see if the rear cassette is clean and that the chain moves freely through the gears.
Quick releases
Your bike likely has quick release levers that attach the wheels, brake and possibly seat post. Check to make sure all are properly secured before each ride.
Check your ride
As you set out, take a few moments to ride slowly and check that your bicycle is working properly.
The Safety Stop
The “Safety Stop” law that went into effect on Oct. 1 allows people on bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs, allowing them to roll through an intersection if the coast is clear. The new law was lobbied for by Washington Bikes. Read the News Release from Washington Bikes.
The Safety Stop is a simple, intuitive law that gives people bicycling the right to safely yield at a stop sign-controlled intersection. This is sometimes described as a rolling stop.
Complete stops are still required when approaching a stop sign on a school bus, and for stop signs located at railroad crossings.
