Bike to Work Day Commuter Challenge Winners Announced

The Third Annual Trails 2000 Commuter Challenge winners were announced Wednesday night at the Awards Ceremony held on the patio at Carver Brewing Company.

Challenge scores were based on percentage of participation, and included three categories: small companies (under 25); medium companies (26-199) and large companies (200 plus). Due to the increasingly large turn-out and participation rate, final winners were determined by the best story finalized by a Reaux Sham Beaux (rock, paper, scissors) stand-off officiated by the City of Durango multi-modal coordinator, Amber Blake.

In the small company category, winners shared in a 9-way tie between Columbine Landscape; Russell Engineering; Maria’s Bookshop; San Juan Hand Therapy; Goff Engineering; Backcountry Experience; Momentum Financial; Sugnet Environmental and Syndicom, all with 100% participation. As a result of the Commuter Challenge, Sugnet Environmental has initiated its own internal event to maintain the momentum. Runners-up included Basin Printing, Magellan Network, Thrive Chiropractic, Durango Coca-Cola (including 15 employees, one who hadn’t biked in 20 years) and Fredrick/Zink/Elliott. Goff Engineering won the rock, paper, scissors game but promptly passed the grand prize trophy over to Columbine Landscapes since they regularly have 100% participation every day of their work season.

In the medium companies (26-199 employees) Durango Orthopedic and Spine Colorado won with a whopping 69% participating including six commuters who rode over Telegraph, to Sale Barn and across to the hospital. Lore International was second and then First National Bank with 37% participating and 112 total miles ridden. In the large companies Baird Kleinsmith at Mercury Payment Systems, motivated his associates to the top place with 37% participation of 229 employees but the City of Durango raised the bar this year with 31% participating with LaPlata County right on their heels. Ross Boulder, 12 years old, son of LaPlata County employee Linda Boulder, won best story for the Commuter Challenge.

The top awards incorporated a can of deodorant mounted onto a piece of corrugated metal and wood. Local builder Jake Walsh designed and created both awards.

The Trek commuter bike that had been hanging at Carver Brewing Company was donated to the City of Durango to start their commuter bike fleet program.