Team Bike Challenge

Calling all eco-warriors, buns-of-steel seekers, and die-hard competitors: It’s time to sign up for this year’s Team Bike Challenge. Throughout the month-long bicycle-riding competition, which takes place each June, teams of five individuals track the number of days they take a trip by bike rather than by car. Eschewing the car in favor of the bike earns points, and the highest point-earners are eligible for prizes. But the prizes are really beside the point: The Team Bike Challenge is designed to encourage more utilitarian bicycling in Santa Barbara County, and motivates both novice and experienced bicyclists to establish new transportation routines, which benefits the health of our planet-not to mention the health of our bodies. In 2006, S.B. bikers logged 41,318 one-way bike trips, and 129,709 miles, which means collectively, TBC bikers rode 5.2 times around the earth. For info or to register, go to www.teambikechallenge.com, and don’t forget to wear a helmet!