Washington Governor Jay Inslee

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and his bike

Not a bike racer or a bike builder, but a real champion for cyclists in our state.

As a private citizen, as a congressman, and as a two-term governor Jay tried to make our roads work for two wheels.  He voted for projects and funding plans that included an equitable share for all road users in the mix.   Unlike a lot of the folks in politics, Jay understands that bicyclists, ferry riders, and pedestrians all pay their share of taxes and deserve to be considered when designing and funding transportation.

Jay must have been one of our first governors to spend his off hours on the bike, and we’re sure that the state patrol has stayed in shape riding with him.

The gov is fast.  We’ve ridden around Bainbridge with him, and taken on a couple of century rides with him.  Think riding 100 miles with a 60 year old congressman who happens to be on the campaign trail should be easy, right?  Wrong.  Try hanging on to Jay’s wheel while he averages 17mph in between shaking hands and talking with potential voters at the rest stops.

What does kind of bikes does he have?  He’s a road guy, and as long as we’ve known him he has switched between a 2010 Specialized S-Works carbon road bike and his vintage (beat up) early ‘80’s Cinelli.