Pushing pedal popularity

Halfway through Bike to Work Week, organizers of Carson City's events say it is so far a success.

"The attendance at the events keeps growing," said organizer Jeff Moser. "We're seeing a lot of new faces. It's definitely bigger than last year."

About 75 cyclists showed up for Wednesday night's West Carson Cruiser Ride through the city's historic neighborhoods.

The Corporate Challenge, in which companies are competing in categories of total mileage, most trips and highest percentage of employees participating, is also off to a strong start.

According to fellow organizer Jeff Potter, the U.S. Geological Survey office has a big lead in the mileage category with 204.6 miles so far.

Their nearest competitors, Potter said, is the State Public Works Board with 126 miles and the Sierra Nevada Cancer Center with 112.24 miles.

However, Potter said he's heard rumors of a cancer center employee who rides his bike in from Gardnerville, so that race could tighten up.

In the trips category, the Department of Employment Training Resources has the lead with 40. They're followed closely by Redrock Dental with 35 and USGS with 34.

Redrock Dental is continuing its domination in the percentage category with 100 percent employee participation.

In the solo competition Wills Stuke has taken the lead with 24 miles. Not far behind are Kiersten Briggs and Tammy Steele with 15 miles and 14.85 miles respectively, according to Potter.

Mike Pulver is competing in the Corporate Challenge with Sierra Veterinary Hospital.

"It's going well," he said. "We're getting more people each day." He said four employees biked to work the first day while 10 rode their bikes Wednesday.

He and his daughters Quinn, 6, and Riley, 3, rode during Wednesday's group ride.

While Riley, 3, rode on the back of her dad's tandem bike, Quinn, who learned to ride without training wheels about three months ago, went solo.

Bike to Work Week wraps up Friday with Bike to Work Day and will culminate with a Bike Party at the Firkin & Fox from 5:30-10 p.m. There will be live music, activities as well as a raffle for two new bikes.