SVBC Member Spotlight: Western Wheelers' Joan Marshall

[facebook][retweet]The Sequoia Century 2016, taking place June 5, is one of the most challenging and beautiful rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Starting from Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, riders travel through Stevens Canyon, past redwood forests, through small towns and out to the Pacific Ocean.The Sequoia Century 2016 serves as the largest fundraiser for Bay Area cycling club, Western Wheelers, based in Palo Alto. It's not too late to register!Many of their club members are also members of SVBC, including Redwood City resident Joan Marshall. Joan has been a member of Western Wheelers for 15 years, and this will be her 11th Sequioa century. We are happy to spotlight Joan, and share her thoughts on how to increase bicycling in the region.How did you get introduced to Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition?A friend of mine, Dave Erskine, talked Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition up a lot, and then, I attended one Annual Dinner a few years back.What kind of activities and trips do you use your bicycle for?When I was working I commuted on my bicycle every day for 10 years (from Redwood City to Palo Alto, 12 miles each way), except in rainy weather. I am retired now, so I ride for recreation and exercise. I've been a Western Wheeler member for almost 15 years.Tell us what you love most about the Sequoia Century.I’ve been riding the Sequoia Century for about 10 years. It was one of my first organized rides with rest stops and a dinner at the end. I was amazed to see so many riders having so much fun. Of course, the route is pristine! This ride introduced me to the great cycling roads that go out to the coast and back. I realized I could do these roads on my own every weekend.What do you think needs to be done to achieve 10% of trips by bike by 2025 in Silicon Valley?A lot has been done to make cycling more friendly. Number one is the bike bridges built across the freeways and major boulevards. The second thing that has made cycling easier are the wide bicycle lanes, especially the lanes painted bright green. The big hindrance to cycling to every day places like grocery stores and the like, is the problem of having your bicycle stolen. Cyclists have to go to great lengths to protect their bicycles, that it is not worth the hassle.The other thing about me, was I was in an accident June, 2013. Hit directly from behind by a pick up truck going 35 miles an hour, on the Holly overpass at 101 in San Carlos. I was off the bicycle for a year. I am proud that I got back on the bicycle and didn't let the accident keep me from riding again. But, I don't ride over that overpass anymore. I am hopeful something will be done to make that route safer.Share with us what a dream day on your bike looks like.My favorite local ride is the “Milk Run”. Old La Honda to West OLH. Hwy 84 to Pescadero Road. Lunch at Archangeli’s Deli/Bakery, Stage Roads, Hwy 1 to Tunitas. Tunitas to Skyline and descend Kings Mountain. It’s a full day, and Tunitas is tough, but the ocean views and wildflowers are worth every minute.Will you join Joan and the other 2,300 members of SVBC? Join today and support our work to make our streets and trails safe for all users, improve and expand bike infrastructure where you live and ride, and get more people riding!