travel and tourism – Sarah Ripplinger Marketing Communication

By Sarah Ripplinger

If you live in Aspen, CO, chances are you’re a cyclist. The number and variety of cycling activities in and around this city of about 6,000 people makes it easy.

For starters, Aspenites have access to a varied terrain. The inner-city is flat enough that you can travel around on a single-speed cruiser without much trouble. The Aspen Historical Society tour of the city was effortlessly accomplished from the seat of a sturdy Electra cruiser rented from the Limelight Lodge.

Aspen is pleasant to ride through because of the low traffic volumes and designated bicycle/ pedestrian roads. Along Hopkins Avenue, pylons are set up at intersections to prevent cars from traveling more than one block at a time. The advantage is that local car traffic still has access to the homes along the street, but cars cannot go zipping in a straight line over several blocks. This has a natural traffic-calming effect on the street and has resolved some of the traffic issues that formerly affected the neighborhood.

As you might expect, Aspen is a quiet mountain town. Sitting at an elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level, residents have breathtaking views of the central Rocky Mountain range, which includes the Aspen, Smuggler and Red mountains, and the White River National Forest. The city is a reflection of the many wealthy celebrities and individuals that call Aspen home. Luxury stores, such as Louis Vuitton and J.Crew, border the Mill Street Plaza, and the tidy enclave of street shopping and patio/ lounge areas in the Hyman Avenue Mall. There was a discretely positioned McDonald’s. Several black fire hydrants blended appealingly into their surroundings. And a free bus system with front ski/ bike racks carried young and old to and from areas of the city – where there is a relatively vibrant nightlife – and nearby communities.

Cyclists often ignore the available bike parking – and ski racks that double as bike racks – which means you see gorgeous unlocked cruiser bikes nestled between benches and under shady trees. For a big city-dweller, it was a shock to see unlocked bikes literally piled in the bushes outside the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival and the Woody Creek Tavern (famous for its margaritas, nachos and the infamous Hunter S. Thompson).

“Aren’t people concerned about getting their bikes stolen?” I naively inquired to our local tour guide. “Well, no,” she replied, “this is Aspen!”

Aside from being a great commuter town, the surrounding environs are a playground for mountain bikers and road riders alike.

I had my first long-distance-on-a-road bike experience traveling up to the Maroon Bells on an Orbea Onix road bike rented from the five star luxury hotel, The Little Nell, which, I must say, has a lovely menu at the Montagna restaurant, and exceptional service. Considering that my present and past bikes have all been either cruisers or mountain bikes, riding on a skinny-tire carbon fiber aerodynamic road eater like the Orbea was a bit nerve-racking at first. But, after a short distance, I got used to the forward position and dropdown handlebars.

The Maroon Bells ride up Maroon Creek Road is considered one of the more advanced rides, so I was surprised to find the climb quite manageable – although I did take a few breaks. The view from the top and chance to see Lance Armstrong – who was training along that same route that day and lives part-time in Aspen – whiz past me down the road made it worth the two-three-hour ride.

Possibly the most impressive part of my adventure was having the opportunity to try not one, but four bikes! Which brings me to the Kalkhoff electric bike rented from The Little Nell. I’m normally a fan of electric bikes, and the Kalkhoff didn’t disappoint. Having already ridden a similar model, but with a step-through design, it was like visiting an old friend. We got along swimmingly, and my Kalkhoff and I bounced along the Rio Grande Trail, one of the first rails-to-trails projects in the country, under a blue sky with nothing but the sound of my tires on the gravel trail and my riding companion to distract us.

For the more “dirt”-inclined, there is a plethora of mountain biking trails to explore.

Again, being the city commuter that I am, I wasn’t too sure how I would fare on a steep downhill slope through trees. So, I was happy to take the Mountain Biking 101 course that is operated out of the Aspen Snowmass Mountain ski resort.

Our instructor, Kevin, showed our group of around 10 people the proper “attack” riding position – where you stand up on the pedals and lean forward on your bike, elbows out – the correct way to brake when going downhill and how to maneuver around obstacles and angle into turns. Step number two was to test our newfound skills on a single track loop, one gondola stop up from the base of the mountain.

Then it was up to the top – where we also saw the area for a wilderness camping experience for beginners – for lunch and a brief repose before tackling the intermediate run (not the one soon to be completed specifically for the 101 course). Again, not having done this ever before in my life, I managed to dodge boulders, roll over roots and corner hairpin turns with relative ease (it was all downhill after all).

And what a sense of accomplishment at the end! Looking back at the elevation drop that I chewed up with the knobby tires of my Norco Fluid trail bike made me feel like, if I could tackle this, I could tackle the worst potholes, protruding manholes, loose gravel and miscellaneous garbage the streets of my city can muster.

Originally published on momentummag.com.

By Sarah Ripplinger

During my trip to the Montreal Bike Fest this June, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how many bicyclists there were on the streets. I had heard that Montreal’s cycling culture was alive and well, but what I witnessed was far beyond my expectations.

Montreal has over 300 miles (500 kilometers) of bikeways, 22 miles (35 kilometers) of which are plowed in the winter to enable year-round city riding. And, if a pilot project launched this year proves successful, city buses may soon be equipped with bike racks.

The design of the bikeway network makes it even easier to travel around this relatively flat city. Drivers were courteous, perhaps because about 94 percent of Quebecers aged 18-74 say they have cycled in the past, about 54 percent of them cycled at least once in 2010, according to a Velo Quebec report. “In 2010, 2.0 million adults aged 18 to 74 biked at least once a week,” the report states, up from 1.8 million in 2005 and 1.6 million in 2000.

The popularity of cycling was exemplified on the streets of Montreal. Bike lanes were full of cyclists and the bike share system, BIXI, was almost too popular for its own good. Locals use BIXI for short trips around the city – the first 45 minutes of use are free and there are presently over 5,000 bikes at over 400 stations spread out across the city. Visitors also take advantage of the mobility and ease of use that BIXI offers its patrons.

Trips of five kilometers or less on the island of Montreal are reportedly faster by bike than by car. And traveling along Montreal’s separated bike lanes, including Maisonneuve Boulevard and the Saint Laurent River, you do feel like you’re on bicycle superhighways. Even off of these routes, there is a sense that you’re surrounded by allies. I was almost always near another cyclist or two, if not waiting in a long lineup of bikers at a traffic light, and drivers were cautious when passing and often yielded to me at unmarked intersections.

I had a chance to see the enthusiasm for cycling first-hand at the two central staples of city cycling in Montreal: Un Tour la Nuit and Tour de l’Ile. These two rides bring together thousands of cyclists who travel through the city on roads closed off to motor vehicle traffic in a mass display of velo enthusiasm. They also both ended at a fair ground this year where there was a large Ferris wheel, live music, free food and lots of opportunities to mingle with like-minded individuals and enjoy the nice weather, which we were lucky enough to have this year.

The pace of life is a bit slower in Montreal than it is in other parts of eastern Canada. Here you won’t see people walking down the street with coffee cups or food in their hands. Meals and beverages are savored and locals take the time to enjoy the experience – ideally on a sunny patio in a stylish outfit accented by a relaxed smile.

Cycling is part of the Montreal lifestyle. As far as I could tell, it’s a pursuit undertaken by those who want to get around the city while enjoying the fresh air and company of other cyclists. It’s also something that seems to make life in this culturally rich city even sweeter.

Originally published on momentummag.com.

By Sarah Ripplinger

Sarah Ripplinger portrait by Terry Sunderland

There’s an element of excitement when traveling abroad, or even when taking a new route to work or the grocery store. This experience is particularly special when you are the navigator and primary engine of your voyage. At the end of the day, though, the enjoyment factor of any given trip often depends on what you use to get there.

My excursion to Richmond, Virginia, for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (February 26-28, 2010) involved a tour around the historic city with some veteran local cyclists. I felt the bumps in the cobblestone streets, the gusts of wind coming off the James River and enjoyed the camaraderie of traveling with a group of like-minded individuals. Similar to our travel story writers, I was exploring a distant land, learning about the local culture and tackling the challenges of the landscape.

That adventure involved a harrowing introduction to a classic 1985 road bike that would have been perfect for someone five inches taller than me – which gave me a deeper appreciation for how much what you ride affects how you feel. In comparison, my most recent adventure with an electric-assist bike was a breeze.

I have several hills to contend with on my trip home. Riding an e-bike, however, I no longer opt to cool my heels on the bus after hoisting my bike onto the front rack, but zip up the longest series of hills on my route with a little help from the electric-assist. Similar to our e-bike riders in this issue’s subculture story, I am testing the waters of one of the newest arrivals in the North American commuter cycling scene. And if China and the Netherlands are any indication of things to come, there are likely to be many more cyclists venturing into e-cycling territory in the future.

In many ways similar to Richmond, VA, urban cycling is starting to get a foothold in Detroit, MI (city feature). Both places have plenty of road space for bicycles – as a result of the removal of some large industrial complexes and decreased or stable population numbers – which has left a lot of room to incorporate bicycle infrastructure. Many barriers will need to be overcome before these cities reach the ranks of “bicycle-friendly,” but the future of cycling in both locations looks bright.

Happy spring cycling,

Sarah Ripplinger

Editor, momentum magazine

sarah@momentumplanet.com

Originally published in the May/ June 2010 issue of Momentum Magazine and on momentummag.com.

By Sarah Ripplinger

Cruising by Stanley Park.

Vancouver isn’t your typical metropolitan center. Known for having a densely populated downtown core where many health and ecology conscious citizens walk or cycle to work, its lush mountains and glittering glass condos attract soul seekers, explorers and hedonists alike from around the world. Vancouver is a place where extremes often meet.

Within the extreme transportation demands of a bustling port city and tourist destination, lives a thriving commuter cycling movement which is seeing the fruits of about 30 years of effort. The city of Vancouver has extended an olive branch to cyclists in an effort to improve the transportation system and meet the mounting calls for safer and more sustainable roads.

“Several cycling projects that people have been working on for years have been completed or happened this summer, including the Central Valley Greenway, the bike path on the Canada Line Bridge and, of course, the Burrard Bridge [bike lane trial],” said Richard Campbell, commuter cycling advocate and co-founder of Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) and the British Columbia Cycling Coalition. “All of these point the way to the future.”

The Burrard Street Bridge bike lane trial, in particular, has been a defining moment in Vancouver’s cycling history. After a disastrous first attempt in 1996, the separated bike lane trial that launched on July 13, 2009 has been praised as a success story for the city. Statistics indicate an estimated 26 percent increase in ridership over the bridge since it began and no significant change in the number of motor vehicles heading over the bridge. In turn, pre- and mid-trial polls of 300 residents – conducted for the city – found that 45 percent supported a continuation of the trial, with 31 percent opposed.

“I think this bodes well for other protected bike lanes in the city in the future,” said Campbell, who added that he sees more children and women on the bridge now that there are protective barriers separating the bikes-only sidewalk heading north and the bikes-only street lane heading south over the bridge. “We’re having a bicycle baby boom these days… There seems to be children on bikes everywhere.”

Vancouver’s bike cultural scene has been building since people first rode bicycles here in the late 1800s, but the contemporary cycling movement began taking shape in 1968, when protesters headed off the construction of the inner-city Chinatown Freeway, which later became part of the Adanac Bikeway. Transportation cycling discussions took off after 1980, when city hall established a bicycle committee with a mandate to examine infrastructure for cyclists. The first bike stencils hit the ground in the early 1990s for what is now an extensive bikeways system, which utilizes side roads rather than arterials. A moderately well-connected network of on- and off-road bike paths link the downtown core to the many satellite communities within the City of Vancouver proper and the 22 municipalities that compose Metro Vancouver, including Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster and North Vancouver.

Still, the commuter cycling push at city hall has had some growing pains. Streets generally continue to be dominated by the personal automobile. However, much has changed since the late 1980s when advocates for bike paths and safer roads for cyclists were labeled radicals.

In the early 1980s, just as mountain biking was finding a fertile home on the slopes of the North Shore, The Bicycle People – one of the first groups to tackle transportation cycling in Vancouver – was formed. An ensemble of between 50 to 100 advocates, The Bicycle People staged rides and protests to draw attention to their cause.

“Vancouver really wasn’t a great place to cycle around then,” said Campbell, “certainly, things needed improving.”

The advocacy group BEST was founded in 1991 by dedicated cyclists to marry sustainable urban design and transportation needs with cycling.

Critical Mass (CM) began in 1996 and was attended by a core group of about half a dozen people. Soon after, The Bicycle People disbanded, many directing their efforts towards the galvanizing spirit of Critical Mass. Between 1996 and 2009, participation in CM grew from half a dozen individuals to several thousand in the summertime.

The rides, which for a few years concluded with a “Velofusion” Party at the Australia/New Zealand (ANZA) Club, have become a powerful venue for utility riders to physically demonstrate what roads dominated by bikes might look like.

By the late 1990s and 2000s, Vancouver bike culture blossomed with theatrical responses to auto addiction: the community-spirited bike rides of Dinosaurs Against Fossil Fuels; Wholesome Undy; World Naked Bike Ride; Musical Lantern Ride etc.; art shows; Uberkrank and the Margaret Charles Chopper Collective chopper gangs, and the B.C.Clettes – an all-woman bike-inspired performance collective!

B.C.Clettes collective member and artist Sara Ross, a.k.a. RedSara, said the guiding principles of that group are similar to those of a lot of bike/art happenings in Vancouver since the late 1990s.

“In the community, we’re celebrating bikes and people who ride bikes,” she said. “I think we’re affirming people’s values, those who have chosen bicycles as a mode of transportation – because frankly we’re marginalized – so we affirm their values through celebration and performance and we inspire people to ride.”

As of 2009, a Museum of Vancouver exhibit entitled Velo-City: Vancouver and the Bicycle Revolution listed 42 cycling subcultures in Vancouver, including commuter cyclists, unicyclists (vanuni.com), cruisers (vancruisers.ca), BMXers, electric bikers (“Kilowatt Hour” meet-up), bicycle couriers and fixie (fixedvancouver.com), monster, tall, and chopper-bike riders. The exhibit zeroed in on the emergence of a vibrant and very active cycling community that had previously received little notice from the mainstream culture.

Rumors of a month-long “Velopalooza” festival for summer 2010 (modeled after Portland’s PedalPalooza) are spreading. In many ways, Ross pointed out, what’s taking place right now is pure evolution.

“I think it’s changing from fringy advocacy to mainstream,” she said.

Within the steady stream of cyclists heading to work, play, school, daycare, etc. there is a growing need to recognize, not only the enjoyment and creative possibilities attached to cycling, but the daily practicality of the bike as an alternative transportation mode.

In less than 20 years, cycling groups in Vancouver have gone from a fringe and radical effort carried out by a select few, to an overwhelmingly pervasive cultural phenomenon.

Behind this movement is a conglomerate of advocacy organizations. The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC), in particular, has followed a mandate to improve city streets and infrastructure for transportation cyclists and the broader cycling culture. The VACC runs two Bike to Work Week events each year; one in the spring and the other in the fall. The rides, as well as other VACC initiatives are oriented towards getting people onto their bikes and out on the streets.

“We encourage municipalities, TransLink and the province to improve cycling throughout Metro Vancouver,” said VACC president Arno Schortinghuis. The volunteer-run non-profit society, established in 1998, works with the local police department to make roads safer for cyclists and also organizes Streetwise Cycling courses that “help cycling commuters to be more confident and safe while riding in traffic,” Schortinghuis said.

As a result of the advocacy work conducted by these groups over the past several years, Vancouver has become a much safer and more accessible place for commuter cyclists. Bikeways meander along the ocean from the peak of Stanley Park at the city’s northern border, around the University of British Columbia peninsula and down along the north arm of the Fraser River.

Tree-lined streets are a staple of Vancouver’s urban roadways. In spring, cyclists of all stripe gather for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, often taking bicycle tours to a variety of local hot spots, including the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the city’s Commercial Drive area – known for its artistic and cosmopolitan atmosphere and as a gathering point for car-free cultural events. During the summer, part of ‘The Drive’ – along with other streets throughout Vancouver – is periodically closed off to car traffic for Car Free Vancouver Day and Summer Spaces.

“The big advantage that Vancouver now has is a grid of completely interconnected routes,” said Gordon Price, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University. “So you can think about getting anywhere in Vancouver on a bikeway.” Plus, he added, Vancouver’s bike paths are “really well signed – that’s key, you just have to look at every street sign to make sure you’re on a bikeway.”

A former City of Vancouver councilor, Price played an integral role in developing Vancouver’s bikeways network, starting in the late 1980s – particularly the seawall that borders the coastline. That seaside loop “will connect you up with almost all the tourist-oriented facilities that you may want to go to, from Stanley Park to Science World, Granville Island to Chinatown and the beaches,” Price said, making it an ideal causeway for visitors and residents. “You can make your way to the Museum of Anthropology (on the UBC campus grounds), practically, on separated bikeways; that’s the number one flashiest thing we’ve got,” Price added. Plus, the mild climate means that people can travel on the city’s integrated system of bike paths year-round.

The present direction of Vancouver city council bodes well for developing even safer and more interconnected bike routes for cyclists. Mayor Gregor Robertson is a commuter cyclist and about half of council members ride to work, according to Councillor Geoff Meggs. “There are probably more active cyclists on council now than ever before,” he noted.

Starting in 2010, the City of Vancouver is looking at establishing more segregated bike lanes, according to Meggs and Mike Anderson, a civil engineer with the City of Vancouver’s greenways and neighbor-hood transportation department. Anderson said there is also going to be a bigger push for safer downtown bike routes and much-needed bike parking facilities including on-street bike parking corrals.

“I would say that cycling permeates throughout a lot of the city now. It’s a pretty high priority,” said Anderson. “Things have changed culturally; we’re much further along.”

NAVIGATING THROUGH IT ALL

Vancouver can be intimidating for visiting cyclists because of its hilly terrain, tall buildings and trees, and its numerous bodies of water and bridges. Once you discover the bike routes and Seawall, the city is your oyster and biking is the best way to explore it. A free, pocket-sized bicycle route map is available at most bike stores and as a free download from vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling. A note to visitors: it’s the law in Metro Vancouver for all cyclists to wear a helmet. You also need a bell and lights for night riding. In Vancouver, it’s possible to avoid busy streets and enjoy the quiet and lovingly-gardened neighborhoods by traveling along bike routes.

Vancouver’s interconnected transit system can help you travel further. By hitching your bike to the front of Metro Vancouver buses, using their bike racks that can hold up to two bikes at a time, you can get to just about anywhere. There’s also the Sea Bus that will take you and your bike over the Burrard Inlet and over to the North Shore where you can visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Lynn Canyon Park. You can also take your bike on the Canada Line, a light rail system, that opened August 17, 2009 and that connects Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver.

The UBC Bikeability Map is a great way to plan your trips. The map allows you to pick the route with the least traffic pollution, least elevation gain, most vegetation and shortest path. Designed by a team of University of British Columbia researchers, the map also provides information about nearby light rail (SkyTrain) stations, alternative bike routes, community centers and more.

The VACC offers online resources and bike maps on its website: www.vacc.bc.ca/resources

Tourism Vancouver (www.tourismvancouver.com) has a host of information about local sights and sounds, as well as information to help you enjoy your stay.

Originally published in the Jan/ Feb 2010 issue of Momentum Magazine and on momentummag.com.

By Sarah Ripplinger

Photo by Ben Johnson

The Lions Gate Bridge during Critical Mass.

WHERE TO STAY

The West End Guest House

1362 Haro Street, 604-681-2889

Bikes are available for free! At this bed and breakfast located in a quiet downtown neighborhood.

The Buchan Hotel

1906 Haro Street, 604-685-5354

Situated in the heart of the West End in downtown Vancouver, the hotel offers secure bike storage.

The Sylvia Hotel

1154 Gilford Street, 604-681-9321

A heritage building on Vancouver’s scenic English Bay, The Sylvia Hotel is close to bike trails along the seawall and offers secure indoor bike storage.

Granville Island Hotel

1253 Johnston Street, 604-683-7373

Located beside the seawall on Granville Island, the hotel has indoor bike parking available.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Your best bet for a great experience in Vancouver is to bike along the seawall and along the trails in Stanley Park and Pacific Spirit Park. The Central Valley Greenway is a fantastic day ride that runs some 24 kilometers from Science World to New Westminster. The beaches are particularly welcoming in the summer, and are beautiful places to contemplate the scenery year-round – check out Kitsilano, Third Beach and Spanish Banks. If you’re in Vancouver for the last Friday of the month, you may want to join in for a Critical Mass, which meets at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side), in downtown Vancouver, at 5:30pm and departs at 6pm.

WHERE TO GO/EAT

Along the seawall

Taste the latest catch from the West Coast at Go Fish Ocean Emporium (1505 1st Avenue West); nestled in the bustling False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf near Granville Island, Go Fish is the best place to get fish and chips – and fish tacos! after a morning riding the seawall around Stanley Park, coast along to Denman Street (in the downtown peninsula) for a snack or coffee in the West End.

Spend your day walking around the tourist attractions on Granville Island, which include a public market, a kids’ market, the Arts Club Theatre, playgrounds for kids – a water park and water slide during the summer months – and various artisans and activities for the whole family, and then head down to The Galley Patio & Grill (1300 Discovery Street). With a panoramic view of Jericho Beach, The Galley, located on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre, overlooks the best patio sunset in the city.

Main street and Commercial Drive

The perfect places to immerse yourself in the local color of Vancouver: Commercial Drive has a multitude of ethnic restaurants and coffee shops and Main Street is home to a large collection of independent fashion boutiques. Note to the caffeine-dependent: you will rarely be more than a block away from a coffee joint in Vancouver.

If it’s a sit-down meal of locally-grown, organic vegetarian food that you crave, go to the Radha Yoga & Eatery (728 Main Street), a non-profit organization that runs yoga classes and serves food from Wednesday to Saturday, 6-10 pm. The restaurant also offers vegan and raw foods. As a bonus, they encourage bike parking in their building, which is upstairs from the Brickhouse Bar, a cozy, late night hipster hangout.

Bandidas Taqueria (2781 Commercial Drive) is a staple hangout for hungry riders. Opened by a dynamic duo of fixie-riding women, Bandidas is a great way to finish your day touring around “The Drive.” Enjoy hand-made corn tortillas and a variety of fixings, from spicy to mild, at this vegetarian Mexican eatery. Bandidas is also a car-free business that uses bikes, baskets and a locally made cargo trailer to transport their goods.

WHERE TO SHOP AND TUNE-UP

Atomic Bikes

1555 West 6th Avenue, 604-714-0158

The Bike Doctor

137 West Broadway, 604-439-2453

Bikes on the Drive

1350 Commercial Drive, 604-215-7433

Denman Bike Shop

710 Denman Street, 604-685-9755

JV Bike

955 Expo Boulevard, 604-694-2453

Mighty Riders

10 East Broadway, 604-879-8705

Our Community Bikes (full service & DIY education)

3283 Main Street, 604-879-2453

Rain City Bikes

2518 Manitoba Street, 604-879-4455

Reckless

1810 Fir Street, 604-731-2420 &

110 Davie Street, 604-648-2600

Super Champion (fixed gear)

245 Main Street, 604-689-3610

BIKE RENTALS

Cycle BC Rentals

10 – 73 East 6th Avenue, 604-709-5663

JV Bike

955 Expo Boulevard, 604-694-2453

Rain City Bikes

2518 Manitoba Street, 604-879-4455

Reckless

1810 Fir Street, 604-731-2420 &

110 Davie Street, 604-648-2600

Spokes Bicycle Rentals

1798 W Georgia Street, 604-688-5141

Steveston Seabreeze Adventures

12551 No. 1 Road (Richmond), 604-272-7200

Originally published in the Jan/ Feb 2010 issue of Momentum Magazine and on momentummag.com.

Sarah Ripplinger Marketing Communication

Storytelling for brands

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