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BRAIN Dealer Tour: Seattle's bike community varied and strong

Published October 23, 2013

SEATTLE, WA (BRAIN) — The retailers were as varied as they come on the first day of BRAIN's Dealer Tour of Seattle. The tour started at mega-retailer REI's flagship store, a stunning and expansive retail space that caters to commuters and families. The jaunt also visited Elliot Bay Bicycles, home of veteran custom frame builder Bill Davidson; Alpine Hut, a family- and service-oriented bike and ski shop; and Bike Works, a non-profit shop that supports youth programs.

Along the way, BRAIN staff, sponsors and visitors enjoyed a 36-mile bike ride that started out cool and cloudy and finished sunny and cool. We rode on city streets, bike lanes, bike paths and, during our lunch stop at the I-5 Colannade, on dirt pump tracks. Peter Verbrugge of the Cascade Bicycle Club ably kept us on schedule and safely on the route past Sleepless in Seattle landmarks, a dedicated bicycle polo court, the first Starbucks, cobbled hills, flaming red and yellow autumn foliage and water, water, everywhere.

Along the way, we experienced a vibrant and distinctive bike scene befitting the community. Bike traffic is high, infrastructure for transportation and recreational riding is ample, and the cycling community is active. The tour continues Wednesday with a route that takes in five retail locations, along with two ferry trips.

BRAIN's Seattle Dealer Tour is sponsored by Raleigh, PeopleForBikes, TRP, White Lightning and Kali Protectives and Interbike. You can follow participants' social feeds by searching for the #braindealertour hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kids at Bike Works test their skills after a class on headset repairs.
Topics associated with this article: BRAIN Dealer Tour

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