Each month an Avon Super Commuter is recognized for his or her commitment to bicycle commuting

Dave Waldburger was recognized as the May Avon Ski Market Super Bike Commuter of 2003 at the downtown Hartford Bike to Work Event on May 30th. Dave lives in Coventry and works at Jacobs Vehicle Systems in Bloomfield but doesn’t let the many miles separating Coventry and Bloomfield discourage him from biking to work – he uses one of the park n ride lots in Manchester to start his trip. In the summer, when the days are long, he selects a lot that is further out, making a 36-mile round trip. When the days are shorter, his trip is 24 miles. He bikes daily, except when ice and snow stop him. Dave feels certain that his park n bike system could work for others who live too far from work to bike the entire distance. “I have come to enjoy my bike commute so much that I am disappointed on the days I can’t bike. Commuting by bike helps me to save gas, gives me daily exercise, and lets me enjoy the outdoors. I especially like my evening commutes, late in the year, when it is dark and the Christmas lights are up!” Dave was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market at the downtown event.	May 2003 Super Commuter Dave Waldburger

June’s Avon Ski Market Super Bike Commuter is Joe Gaudette, an employee of The Hartford. Joe bikes his 28-mile round trip commute from Manchester, three or four days a week, year round. He only stops biking when the temperature drops below 20 degrees or the streets become too narrowed by snow. Joe started bike commuting three years ago when his car was in the shop and he enjoyed it so much that he made it a habit. According to Joe, “I get to work energized and ready to go, and I am definitely healthier today because of my bike commute. I recommend it to anyone. My daily commute time has only increased by about 30 to 45 minutes, and for people living closer to work, you might find it faster to bike than drive!” Joe was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market at the June Bike to Work event.	June 2003 Super Commuter Joe Gaudette

July’s Avon Ski Market Super Bike Commuter is Tom Smart who lives in West Hartford and commutes to his job at Jacobs Vehicle Systems in Bloomfield. He bikes 9 miles on his way to work, 10 miles on the way home; the reason for the discrepancy is that roads that are comfortable for biking at 6 in the morning, become congested at 4 in the afternoon and he alters his route. Tom has been biking to work since the mid 1980s. He started out as a three-season rider, but in 1991, decided to try biking year round. He finds that as long as the roads are clear, he is able to bike, regardless of the temperature. He has even braved minus 6 degrees Fahrenheit! The only thing that stops him is an inch or more of snow on the roads, and then he is forced to take his car.	July 2003 Super Commuter Tom Smart
Two factors that make bike commuting work for Tom are the fact that his employer has a locker room and fitness center, providing a place to shower and change, and that the roads he uses are in good shape. Tom’s regular bike commuting has become a way of life for him and has contributed greatly to his quality of life. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and his treatments have gone much better than anyone expected, in large part due to the physical conditioning he has gotten from bicycle commuting. Tom continues to inspire those he works with and others to try biking to work. Tom was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market at the June Bike to Work event.
August’s Avon Ski Market Super Bike Commuter is Mark McCauley, an employee of EDS who works at Mass Mutual in Hartford. Mark lives near Collinsville and bikes a 35-mile round trip regularly through the summer. During the school year, he sometimes has to get his kids to the bus stop and then he makes what he calls his “half commutes”: he bikes into work one day, and takes the bus home; the next day he takes the bus in and bikes home. This year Mark will start biking through the winter, now that he has a “winterized” bike outfitted with lights and heavier tires. He is looking forward to taking advantage of the new Capitol Avenue bike lanes, “they will make my commute through the City more comfortable”. Mark encourages others to try biking to work. “With three young kids, I was finding that I didn’t have enough time for weekend bike rides. One day it occurred to me that I could bike to work, make use of the time I was previously wasting sitting in a car,	August Super Commuter Mark McCauley
get some needed exercise and at the same time, enjoy the biking. I have been going gangbusters ever since. Now I am healthy, and my wife and kids are happy to have me around on the weekends!” Mark was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market at the August Bike to Work event.
September’s Avon Ski Market Super Bike Commuter is Larry Hunt, an employee of Travelers Property and Casualty. Larry lives in Granby and rides his bike to work in downtown Hartford four to five times a week from March through the last week of October. He is a long time bike commuter, having started 15 years ago, and for the last six years he has been commuting 20 miles each way. In a typical year, Larry puts over 3000 miles on his bike just from bike commuting. He encourages others to give bike commuting a try, “It provides great exercise and stress relief, and I know I am doing my part to help the environment.” Right now, Larry’s 20 mile bike trip to and from work takes just under an hour, a tribute to the level of fitness he has developed by biking to work. And he notes that his ride is more enjoyable and comfortable now that the City has repaved and added bike lanes to North Main Street and Windsor Street.	September Super Commuter Larry Hunt
Larry advises any would be bike commuters: “Just give it a try, most people don’t realize how easy it is to bike in. Dress for the weather, and hop on your bike. You will be hooked!” Larry was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market, at the September Bike to Work event.
October’s Avon Ski Market Super Commuter is Kevin Sullivan, an employee of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Kevin has been biking to work for 12 years, and rides from his home in Wethersfield to downtown Hartford about 5 days a week, 10 months per year. He has inspired many of those who work with him to give biking to work a try and they are now dedicated bike commuters also. Why does Kevin bike to work? For a few simple reasons: he saves money (about $1000 per year), he helps the environment, he feels great, and he has fun (witness the picture!) He advises those thinking about trying bike commuting to choose a route and a time for riding that feels most comfortable. And operate like a vehicle: ride on the street, be consistent in your location, signal when you turn or stop, and use a side view mirror. Speaking of himself, Kevin says “It is amazing what a chubby, middle-aged man can do!” Kevin was awarded a bike jersey, provided by Avon Ski Market, at the October Bike to Work event.	No, that’s not a witch, that’s October’s Super Commuter!! October Super Commuter Kevin Sullivan