Group Health Commute Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I form or find a team?
Teams consist of 4- 10 people, including a Team Captain. You can recruit team members via word of mouth, a notice in your break room, or with the help of your worksite transportation coordinator. To look for teams at your company, visit the rankings page, sort by Organization, then click on each team page to see if they are looking for riders.
New for 2010: you may send a request to join a specific team. Log in; then select “Find a Team” from the link on the contest sign-up page, select your organization and then email a team that is offering openings.
How do I register a team?
To start or join a team, you must first create a Cascade Tracker Account (this new step helps you track your progress year-to-year). Then choose a team name, and register online. You must have at least 4 people and no more than ten per team. You'll need their email address and for them to be added to your team, they must register with that same email address when creating an account. After registering, Team Captains may pick up their free team captain t-shirt & complimentary contest souvenir items for teammates at one of the packet pick-ups. Note: these shirts and items are first-come, first-served, while supplies last.
Video: How to Create a Tracker Account and Register a Team

How do I join a team?
To join a team, you must first create a Cascade Tracker Account (this new step helps you track your progress year-to-year). At this point you have a few choices:
a) If a captain has pre-selected you on a team and/or you are responding to this request, the contest will recognize your email address after you open your Tracker Account. You will be told that you are a member of "xxx" team. You may then log into your personal profile and update your information, log miles and have some fun.
b) Wait for your captain to select you on their team, but go ahead and fill out your personal profile. When you get the word via email (or via cubicle to cubicle!) that your team has been created, log in and you'll be listed on that team automatically.
Video: How To Join a Team by Captain Email Invitation

c) Go to the find a team page and select a team that has an opening within your own organization. An email will be sent to the captain of that team with your request to join. At this point the captain can ignore or respond to your request by adding your email on the "Edit Team" page "add a member" button. You will then follow the instructions in item a) above. Captains: clicking on the “ok” button only confirms that you received the join request; you must add their email
Once I form a Tracker account, how do I fill out my profile & Enter Miles?
Once you complete your tracker account you can log into your personal profile and complete some voluntary information. You can log in to your team page and select “Edit Your Miles”. Follow the instructions and happy riding!
Watch the video of Profile completion and logging your miles

How do I add a team member?
The captain must log into the team page. Select “Edit Team” and then select “Add a Member” button below the team roster. Add the email address and they are added to your team. If the person has already creating a Tracker Account they will show up on the team page right away. If not, when they create an account they will be linked as soon as they complete registration.
How do I drop a team member or change a team members email address?
The captain must log in and select the “Edit Team” page. Look for the rider in question and select one of the following icons:
Pencil icon- This allows you to edit the team members email in case they cannot request a temporary password because of username issues.

Red X – This allows you to DROP this person from the team roster. You must confirm the drop after hitting the red "x" by scrolling down and clicking on confirm. You may add again later- this does not drop their tracker account, only drops them from your team. They can then join another team, start a new team or rider solo.
How do I expand  my solo team to a group team?
You must log into your team page and select the "add a member" button on the bottom of the Commute log. Ad up to 9 emails from your new team mates and they will; be sent invites. Must have four riders minimum on team to do this.
How do I drop my team?
Captain must login and select the "Properties" button from the team profile page. You can then select the drop team function. Note that once selected the team is disbanded and you cannot restore. All team members are still active with Tracker Accounts however and can be placed on new teams. This function does NOT delete tracker accounts or riders.
How do I drop out of the Tracker System?
You must email ghcc@ cascadebicycleclub.org to request to be removed from the system.
How do I change my Organization name?
To change your Organization name log in as captain and select the"‘Properties” field from the team profile page. Change your Organization from  the drop down menu.
How do I change my Team name?
Yes, we all have selected silly team names that other team members maybe do not fully appreciate! To change your team name the captain must send a request with your old name and new name listed, to [email protected]. These requests can take up to 72 hours
Can you explain the Team Roster & Summary headings?
Days: Number of days so far that have past since the start of the contest. There is a bug here where all days in the current week are counted. Will be fixed to only show up to current day.
Log Entries: Number of days you have recorded data for
Missing days: Days minus Log Entries. This is the number of days you have not recorded data for. These are days the system considers work days for computing % Biked. Always record data for a given week of the contest, even if you didn’t ride, just so you can mark your non-commute days (days off). That will improve your % Biked.
Commute Days: Days not marked as Day Off plus Missing Days. This represents the number of days you commuted to work. Used as the denominator for the % Biked calc.
Ride Days: Days you indicated you rode at least one half trip to work.
Total Trips: Total recorded trips.
% Biked: The percent of all commute trips that you biked instead of drove. Equals (Total Trips) dived by (Commute Days times 2). It's important to note that because Commute Days includes Missing Days, not reporting your activity really dings your % Biked. Make sure to record all your data: trips and miles biked and very importantly, your Days Off.
Why form a team?
Bicycling is more than a commute: it's a community. And even commuting is more fun with the encouragement of friends, or a little friendly competition among friends, just ask the 870 teams that participated in the Commute Challenge last year. Teams do not have to ride in together, but you may want to a few times to celebrate just being a team.
The Commute Challenge is also an important time to encourage coworkers to try bike commuting for the first time. Cascade offers classes and support for new commuters through our enhanced Commute Program. Plus, the more new commuters on your team, the better chance you have at winning the top prizes.
Can I ride solo if I don't have enough workmates to form a team?
Yes! You can enter as a solo participant in the Challenge; just visit the website and register as an "Individual" on the sign up page. Sorry, but only team captains of teams with 4 or more riders earn a free Captains shirt and attend the free Captain's Bash. Individual rider may pick up their complimentary contest souvenir at any of the captain pick-ups.
If you prefer to ride with a team at your company, visit the rankings page, sort by Organization, then click on each team page to see if they are looking for riders.
What do we get for participating?
First off, (and most importantly), you get the satisfaction that by biking to work, we are making a difference to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest. Team Captains receive a free captain's t-shirt. All participants receive a souvenir contest spoke card, which, if displayed on your bike, may earn you an instant prize during the month. Drawings are held throughout the month, and team prizes will be awarded at the end of the month. All participants are invited to the Bike Month Wrap Party at the Pyramid Brewery on June 9, 5-8 p.m. Your spoke card is your VIP pass to the event; one drink ticket per rider! Every week we send out a special e-newsletter called "Crosstown Traffic" to all participants with news, tips, and prize information.
What's the deal with the spoke cards souvenir items?
All participants receive a souvenir spoke card. This item identifies you to the roving prize patrol who will be out and about during May giving instant prizes to riders they see with the souvenir. Watch a video about how to install a spoke card on your bike.
Can I form a team of riders not based at the same workplace?
The emphasis for the Group Health Commute Challenge is based upon the concept of building community and support at your organization. However, we understand that some smaller companies have a limited pool of available riders. This is certainly the time to encourage new riders and your company, but if you have to go outside, try to keep your team as local as possible.
We do not encourage "super teams” of high-mileage riders hand-picked from different companies who are less concerned with community and more concerned with prizes. For that reason, teams formed from multiple workplaces are not eligible for the top prizes.
Can I join the contest if I am unemployed?
In past years this contest has only been open for riders who bike "to" work, but just about every workplace is feeling the pinch these days, with many of the region's top employers trimming down staff substantially during the economic downtown. So, by popular demand, we've opened our contest's doors to riders who are Biking "for" Work this May, by utilizing their bicycles as a primary transportation means. Riders can log in any daily mileage spent job hunting, traveling to libraries or going to interviews (5 days per week please). Riders can sign up solo or form their own teams; just select "Bike For Work" as your workplace. Note that "Bike For Work" teams are NOT eligible to compete for regular GHCC awards but we will feature special recognition for anyone registering within this category.
Do I have to be a member of Cascade Bicycle Club to join the contest?
No, anyone can enter the contest. That said, there are many benefits of belonging to the nation's biggest bike club. Cascade is working for you all year long, educating new cyclists, advocating for safer streets and better buildings, and organizing hundreds of recreational rides. In recognition of riders who support our mission through membership we will award random prizes to Cascade Bicycle Club members each week! What are you waiting for? Join us today!
I just joined the club, but my new membership status is not showing up on my contest profile...
Log in the contest and select the "edit profile" button at the bottom of your page. Then, click on the box that asks if you are a Cascade Member.
What if I bus/carpool/vanpool, etc?
That's great! For some, combing the bike with other modes such as busing or carpooling is the best way to work in a bike commute. You may not be able to ride 27 miles one-way (though some do), but why not ride 3 miles to the Park and Ride. For reporting mileage, only count the bike portion of your commute. Please do not report any extra mileage for trips that are extra or recreational.
What defines a "new commuter"?
A new commuter is someone who is new to bicycle commuting this calendar year (2010), or someone who has not commuted for five or more years.
I just found out about the contest and it's already in full swing, can I still join?
Register anytime during the month and ride as much as you like.
I work for a company based here in Washington, but have coworkers based out-of-state who want to participate.
The Group Health Commute Challenge is primarily open for Washington state residents. However, because this event is about building community, companies can add members working for their organization at remote locations. All solo riders must live or work in Washington State.
I have colleagues who walk to work that want to take part in the Challenge, can they join the team?
This event is all about bikes and the power of bicycling to bring community together. Walkers, runners or any non-bicycling means of transport to and from work do NOT count as a bicycle commute, and may not count toward the contest. We suggest a separate challenge for those folks; why let us bikers have all the fun?
I sometimes bike the long way home and do errands while at work by bicycle - can I include these miles/trips in the contest?
Please do not report any extra mileage for trips that are extra or recreational to your normal commute. A normal commute for you may be a longer route that avoids hills and busy roads, and that's A-OK to enter. However, some riders have moved to other family locations during the month to get the extra mileage; some have even commuted to their weekend home in Portland on a Friday. We don't think this kind of reporting would pass the fair play league doctrine but also have no interest in policing it. It's really up to teams and orgs to establish a list of rules for their own teams and stick to them. Please remember that this is a "bike to work" contest and not a "bike at work" or "bike errand" contest and have some fun!
Why can I only enter five trips per week?
To make the contest fair for all, we only allow five round-trips per rider maximum per week. For those working six days, we salute you, but we don't count the extra day. Keep in mind that some people work four 10's. To even the playing field a bit, the new rankings page will calculate participation based upon a percentage of days worked.
I made a mistake entering my mileage and need to correct it
You or your captain can correct entries back to the previous Wednesday of the week in question. We cannot and will not retroactively enter mileage for teams. You can, however, enter retroactive mileage and trips yourself by padding the next few weeks' entries with the missing mileage at least. This is acceptable.
Can I ride on more than one team at once?
No- riders can only register for one team (or as a solo rider)
Can I change a "team captain" once registered?
No; the team captain cannot be changed. However we can delete the team and you can re-register as a new team. As an alternative, we suggest that the captain elect a delegate; the new captain can change email, password and display name after logging in as the old captain.
Who polices this contest?
You do! Please play nice and fair with each other and establish rules to ride by. Be especially nice to others on the road or trail- including walkers, runners, motorists and other bicyclists.
How can I stop receiving the weekly newsletter "Crosstown Traffic" to my work email?
Um, you can't. Because this is an important tool for challenge information, all riders receive these weekly emails for the duration of the Commute Challenge. However, you may switch your email at any time to a personal account if you wish NOT to get emails at work. At the end of the contest participants may opt out of receiving Cascade Bicycle Club's regular "Braking News" e-newsletter.
Group Health
Adobe
Smart Wool
zipcar
Pyramid
Commute Seattle
Performance
FSA
Microsoft
Pike Brewing