0 comment Friday, October 10, 2014 | admin
University of Colorado at Denver, 14th and Larimer streets (this is probably a perfectly safe place to park your bike, as there are always a bunch of bikes there, but this person must have left theirs there for an extended period of time)
Check out the lock. That's the same lock I have. I now have confidence in it.
Check out the lock. That's the same lock I have. I now have confidence in it.Labels: Bike, Denver, Park, Places
0 comment Wednesday, September 17, 2014 | admin
Having had a couple of days to stew on my experiences of Bike to Work Day, I will say with absolute certainty that it was a fantastic event. I only stopped at Salvagetti's stop on the bike path, but that's because it was a block away from my everyday route (Also because they are awesome). The number of people that were riding on the bike path was astounding! My estimate is that 90% of people had a great big shit-eating grin on their face, which is exactly how commuting should be.
The officials of Denver are claiming that an estimated 30,000 people participated in BTWD. 27,000 smiles is a pretty fantastic thing.
I welcome all the newbies: the folks who haven't ridden a bike in over a decade, the people who pull their bike out and dust it off for maybe three massive events every year, and every single wobbler that can't ride a straight line (yet!). If the folks who commute by bike year round don't accept the neophytes into our fold, how else will we increase awareness and acceptance of commuting by bike? BTWD should be our opportunity to convince those on the fence that this is an acceptable lifestyle. I want every day to be Bike to Work Day.
The officials of Denver are claiming that an estimated 30,000 people participated in BTWD. 27,000 smiles is a pretty fantastic thing.
I welcome all the newbies: the folks who haven't ridden a bike in over a decade, the people who pull their bike out and dust it off for maybe three massive events every year, and every single wobbler that can't ride a straight line (yet!). If the folks who commute by bike year round don't accept the neophytes into our fold, how else will we increase awareness and acceptance of commuting by bike? BTWD should be our opportunity to convince those on the fence that this is an acceptable lifestyle. I want every day to be Bike to Work Day.
Labels: Bike, Experience, Work
0 comment Sunday, September 7, 2014 | admin
I snapped some photos out in the hallway, after the bike fashion show at Green Fest this past weekend at the Colorado Convention Center. The show was pretty sweet. Good music, good emcee, and they had a ton of bikes, most of which were very different in their functionality.
This is only a handful of what was shown on stage. I wish I could have gotten them all.
Below is the final version of the bike that is going to be implemented as part of Denver's B-Cycle program.
Here's what the outside of the Convention Center looked like that day. And this doesn't count the many bikes parked by BikeDenver in their corral. Having worked at the Convention Center for a brief period, I can say I've never seen so many bikes there at one time.
This is only a handful of what was shown on stage. I wish I could have gotten them all.
Below is the final version of the bike that is going to be implemented as part of Denver's B-Cycle program.
Here's what the outside of the Convention Center looked like that day. And this doesn't count the many bikes parked by BikeDenver in their corral. Having worked at the Convention Center for a brief period, I can say I've never seen so many bikes there at one time.
Labels: Bike, Fashion Show
0 comment Saturday, September 6, 2014 | admin
Yesterday I made the conscious decision not to bike somewhere within three miles of my house. I came rode home from work at about 1:30, put my bike away, found my car keys, and drove to my endodontist's office. (The entirety of my adventures in radical dentistry are the result of being a bad-ass 13 year old rollerblading in a dry drainage canal as if it was a half pipe.)
Generally, I like to ride everywhere, and last week I did ride up there, and had to get some light surgery on my gum stemming from yet another dead root. It was bleeding quite a bit, even when I left, and my attempts to stuff gauze in my lip as I was riding down Cherry Creek were not going well. I'm sure I looked like a frightening mess, and it really took the joy out of cycling, a trait which I hold so dear.
So for my second visit, the actual drilling, I drove it in. This time actually went a lot better, not nearly as much blood, but for once, and you'll hardly ever hear me say this, I was glad I drove.
Generally, I like to ride everywhere, and last week I did ride up there, and had to get some light surgery on my gum stemming from yet another dead root. It was bleeding quite a bit, even when I left, and my attempts to stuff gauze in my lip as I was riding down Cherry Creek were not going well. I'm sure I looked like a frightening mess, and it really took the joy out of cycling, a trait which I hold so dear.
So for my second visit, the actual drilling, I drove it in. This time actually went a lot better, not nearly as much blood, but for once, and you'll hardly ever hear me say this, I was glad I drove.
Labels: Bike
0 comment Wednesday, September 3, 2014 | admin
One of our clients at work is The Denver Athletic Club. I love going there because they take care of their bike commuters.
Below is their bike locker cage, with combo code entrance.
Complete with a security camera
Using the space of 2 parking spaces, they are able to give a little love and security to 20 bike commuters. Good job DAC.
Below is their bike locker cage, with combo code entrance.
Complete with a security camera
Using the space of 2 parking spaces, they are able to give a little love and security to 20 bike commuters. Good job DAC.
0 comment Tuesday, September 2, 2014 | admin
So I had a job interview today -- basically for a new position at my current employer. I figured I'd dress up for the occasion, and see if my friend's "I can't bike to work; I have to dress up ... I wear a tie" excuse was valid at all.
Question No. 13 on the BikeDenver Bike-Friendly Business nomination form is "Does your workplace have a cyclist-friendly dress code?" Which my workplace does -- I wear a t-shirt and jeans 95 percent of the time. But biking in a tie is no big deal. I imagine it would be less of a problem if I hadn't bought this collared shirt at a thrift store and it actually fit my neck -- as is, I'm basically slightly choking and cutting off some circulation while wearing it. (And I have to roll up the sleeves, since they're too short for my arms. I hope most people interpret this as the classic campaign trail "not afraid to roll up my sleeves and do some work" move.)
un-comfortable
I got to thinking how functional (vs. fashionable) my closet has become since I started biking everywhere. I own few "business casual" clothing items, and the ones I do own are almost exclusively old and secondhand. Today's "job interview" clothes, por ejemplo:
Shirt: 6 years old, purchased at a Goodwill store in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Shoes (not the ones in the photo): 7 years old, purchased new for a wedding in May 2001 and worn in my wedding last summer
Pants: 2 years old, purchased new
Tie: 1 year old, purchased during an emergency when Nick B. was out of town and was unable to lend me a tie for some occasion
Socks: Sugoi cycling socks, Christmas gift 2007
Question No. 13 on the BikeDenver Bike-Friendly Business nomination form is "Does your workplace have a cyclist-friendly dress code?" Which my workplace does -- I wear a t-shirt and jeans 95 percent of the time. But biking in a tie is no big deal. I imagine it would be less of a problem if I hadn't bought this collared shirt at a thrift store and it actually fit my neck -- as is, I'm basically slightly choking and cutting off some circulation while wearing it. (And I have to roll up the sleeves, since they're too short for my arms. I hope most people interpret this as the classic campaign trail "not afraid to roll up my sleeves and do some work" move.)
un-comfortableI got to thinking how functional (vs. fashionable) my closet has become since I started biking everywhere. I own few "business casual" clothing items, and the ones I do own are almost exclusively old and secondhand. Today's "job interview" clothes, por ejemplo:
Shirt: 6 years old, purchased at a Goodwill store in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Shoes (not the ones in the photo): 7 years old, purchased new for a wedding in May 2001 and worn in my wedding last summer
Pants: 2 years old, purchased new
Tie: 1 year old, purchased during an emergency when Nick B. was out of town and was unable to lend me a tie for some occasion
Socks: Sugoi cycling socks, Christmas gift 2007
Labels: Bike, Dress Code
0 comment Tuesday, August 12, 2014 | admin
Today, I drove.
I had to drive, because I had to race to Boulder and back to DU with limited time. Also, I am terrified of bike to work day - there's a lot of scary folks out there on a day like today. Grannies brushing the dust off of their schwinns; out-of-shape businessmen, tucking in their pant leg and wobbling the whole way downtown; many, many individuals who get tune-ups the day before bike to work day and put the darn thing back in the garage at the end of the day, where it sits for a whole year. It's a jungle out there.
This morning, before the commute even began Nick and I heard at least four sirens. I have no doubt they were related, in some way, to bike to work day.
Tomorrow, I will resume biking to work.
I had to drive, because I had to race to Boulder and back to DU with limited time. Also, I am terrified of bike to work day - there's a lot of scary folks out there on a day like today. Grannies brushing the dust off of their schwinns; out-of-shape businessmen, tucking in their pant leg and wobbling the whole way downtown; many, many individuals who get tune-ups the day before bike to work day and put the darn thing back in the garage at the end of the day, where it sits for a whole year. It's a jungle out there.
This morning, before the commute even began Nick and I heard at least four sirens. I have no doubt they were related, in some way, to bike to work day.
Tomorrow, I will resume biking to work.
0 comment Sunday, August 10, 2014 | admin
I love broken spokes.I was pedaling my ass off down Colfax this morning, right in front of my office, when I hit a small lump in the concrete and heard a snap. The third or fourth spoke I've broken on my rear wheel. Dammit, I say. I rode my wobbly bike over to Savage Eddie's Bicycle Workshop after work -- I used to pay $11 (plus tip) every time I broke a spoke to have someone there fix it, BUT, last time, I had Scott order me a freewheel puller so I could start doing my own dirty work. That was $7.
I picked up three spokes and nipples today, at $1 apiece, and busted home to try to get my wheel fixed in time to meet Nick B. for coffee. Man, I've never replaced a spoke before, and it was kind of a bitch. First of all, getting the freewheel off was intense. Vise grips around the freewheel puller, I was cranking on that thing as hard as I could, and it wasn't budging. ("It may take considerable force to free it," says Lennard Zinn, p. 133, Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance) Finally, I stood on the vise grips with one foot and got the thing to come loose.
Finally.Take the tire off, peel back the rim tape, pull the dead spoke out, run the new one through the hub, weave it into the wheel, tighten it, put the rim tape back, put the tire on, and true the wheel. One hour, 10 minutes. Wow. But I saved 11 bucks! Or, $7 for the freewheel puller + $1 for the spoke = I saved $3. Or, I just paid myself $2.57 an hour.
Plus, Brian says I probably just need to buy a new wheel.
0 comment Wednesday, August 6, 2014 | admin
My office has a small workout room that I've never been in, facing Cleveland Street between 15th and 16th Streets. Just about every day, I take a right off Colfax and ride by the window of the workout room, where there are four or five exercise bikes (one of which is a LeMond, triple question mark). This morning, there were two people pedaling on the bikes as I pedaled by on my way to work. I made eye contact with one of them, both of us cranking away. I think we had a moment there.
0 comment Wednesday, July 30, 2014 | admin
Just thought I'd share some photos I collected over the past two weeks of some not so great parking jobs around Denver.
Yes, they are cutting a lock. This is over by Wash Park. A friend mentioned that she thought the bike had been parked there for awhile, but I wondered if maybe on a nice Sunday afternoon these guys figured that no one would question someone with a saw.
This is at DU. U LEAVE IT U LOCK IT is their slogan. Unfortunately, if you only lock up the front tire, U LOSE IT.
Yes, they are cutting a lock. This is over by Wash Park. A friend mentioned that she thought the bike had been parked there for awhile, but I wondered if maybe on a nice Sunday afternoon these guys figured that no one would question someone with a saw.This is at DU. U LEAVE IT U LOCK IT is their slogan. Unfortunately, if you only lock up the front tire, U LOSE IT.Labels: Bike, Denver, Park, Places
0 comment Tuesday, July 29, 2014 | admin
Actually, this rack in front of my office at Colfax and Broadway is fine, except for the far right inverted U.
And it's usually leaning up against the wall of the Starbucks, which is a pretty good red flag not to use it..
And it's usually leaning up against the wall of the Starbucks, which is a pretty good red flag not to use it..Labels: Bike, Denver, Park, Places
0 comment Saturday, July 26, 2014 | admin
I pulled up to the Central Library yesterday afternoon and almost took a photo of all the bikes parked at the racks on the east side (front door). I thought it was pretty outstanding how many people rode to the library even as the temperature was dropping.
But I didn't take a photo, and when I came back out, I noticed this underneath where I parked my bike, right at the end of one of the racks. I assume it was pretty fresh, since the velcro strap that holds the cable together was still sitting on the ground a couple feet away.
Doesn't say a lot for the OnGuard cable lock snipped in half down there, or cable locks in general, and this was a pretty fat one -- about as big around as my pinky finger. Also doesn't say a lot for the safety of locking your bike up in one of the most public places in Denver in broad daylight. The front door of the Central Library opens up onto Broadway at 13th Avenue, not exactly a dark, deserted corner of the city.
I'll just pass along what my good friend and All-Around Swell Guy Nick B. said when I asked him what kind of lock I should buy for my bike a couple years ago: "Nobody's ever cut a chain." (He meant the fat-ass Master Lock chain he had for his bike -- I bought one too. I'd link to it, but it doesn't seem like they make it anymore. It's pretty much just like this one.) It doubles as a sweet necklace, like the one Treach from Naughty By Nature used to wear.
But I didn't take a photo, and when I came back out, I noticed this underneath where I parked my bike, right at the end of one of the racks. I assume it was pretty fresh, since the velcro strap that holds the cable together was still sitting on the ground a couple feet away.
Doesn't say a lot for the OnGuard cable lock snipped in half down there, or cable locks in general, and this was a pretty fat one -- about as big around as my pinky finger. Also doesn't say a lot for the safety of locking your bike up in one of the most public places in Denver in broad daylight. The front door of the Central Library opens up onto Broadway at 13th Avenue, not exactly a dark, deserted corner of the city.
I'll just pass along what my good friend and All-Around Swell Guy Nick B. said when I asked him what kind of lock I should buy for my bike a couple years ago: "Nobody's ever cut a chain." (He meant the fat-ass Master Lock chain he had for his bike -- I bought one too. I'd link to it, but it doesn't seem like they make it anymore. It's pretty much just like this one.) It doubles as a sweet necklace, like the one Treach from Naughty By Nature used to wear.
Labels: Bike, Cable Lock, Denver, Places
0 comment Tuesday, July 22, 2014 | admin
Without the embarrassing details, long story short: This morning, there happened to be a bicycle (my wife's) at my house whose chain had jumped off. The owner needed it tonight exactly when she got home in order for us to be able to eat dinner before a film festival thing, and was unable to confidently put it back together on her own. No time to spare after work for me to fix it. I sent my boss an e-mail saying "Need to run home really quick. Be back in a half-hour."
11:35: Grab helmet and bag, walk out office door. Hit stairwell for 11 flights down to bike rack.
11:47: Arrive at apartment door, lock up bike, sprint up 6 flights of stairs
11:52: Chain back on bike, wash hands, sprint down stairs.
12:05: Walk out of elevator doors on 10th floor of my office. Sit down, realize my back is soaked with sweat.
I'm sure a bike messenger could have done it far faster -- or I could have done it faster had I run some red lights.
11:35: Grab helmet and bag, walk out office door. Hit stairwell for 11 flights down to bike rack.
11:47: Arrive at apartment door, lock up bike, sprint up 6 flights of stairs
11:52: Chain back on bike, wash hands, sprint down stairs.
12:05: Walk out of elevator doors on 10th floor of my office. Sit down, realize my back is soaked with sweat.
I'm sure a bike messenger could have done it far faster -- or I could have done it faster had I run some red lights.
Labels: Adventures, Bike, Maintenance
0 comment Saturday, July 5, 2014 | admin
This blog post comes from my mother - who recently started commuting by bike. I'm so proud.
So, I have a bike of my very own. I got a new silver/black TREK from the bike shop here, gave it some style by adding a rack so I can keep my back clean, carry things, and a bike lock. I hate to tell you that I have to use my 'reader' glasses to see the numbers on the lock. My bike has a bell, that I haven't had the opportunity to use, except to play with.
Because it was a big expense, I can't go without using it! My family rides RAGBRAI, 8 years now, but not me. I go for the fun of being with them, helping make their week alittle easier, and hear their stories. I rode this summer around Omaha on the trails and on errands. I found that I could bike to places and have the energy to bike back home! So I tried biking to my work and back. It worked out well, so when my first day of school came along, I rode my bike. I live about 12 minutes from work, mostly downhill on the way in- so the return trip has another route! I ride 30 minutes around to avoid the big hill that I so enjoy on the way into work. Today is day 5! 5 more days than I ever thought I'd ride!
I decided biking shouldn't have anything to do with my age (55) but the fact that I am healthy enough, I don't believe that 55 is old and the weather is pretty cool at 7 am, I'll keep biking. My people at work, well ... I'm pretty sure they think I've gone off the deep end! I wear my helmet & bike gloves, take a change of clothes, lunch, and am very careful that I don't take any of the zuchinni left on the staff lounge table, because they are VERY HEAVY!
It is a good experience, and I hope to keep riding while the weather is good. I know my family is excited that I bike to work. One of my boys even met me at work, and he rode home with me- MADE ME RIDE THE BIG HILL, but that's OK, because I know that I CAN ride the hill, didn't walk one step of it!
The advantages for me to bike to work is that it's good for my health, I get to work earlier to avoid the traffic, it has made me more organized, and I save on gasoline for my vehicle. I park my bike in the student rack just outside my window along with 8 or so other bikes.
I don't have any stories of people yelling at me or being rude, no accidents yet. I do worry alittle about accidents, but I am a cautious. Once a squirel dashed out in front of me, and there are hazzards - walnuts. Watch out for them!
Sumbitted by Pat Barker
So, I have a bike of my very own. I got a new silver/black TREK from the bike shop here, gave it some style by adding a rack so I can keep my back clean, carry things, and a bike lock. I hate to tell you that I have to use my 'reader' glasses to see the numbers on the lock. My bike has a bell, that I haven't had the opportunity to use, except to play with.
Because it was a big expense, I can't go without using it! My family rides RAGBRAI, 8 years now, but not me. I go for the fun of being with them, helping make their week alittle easier, and hear their stories. I rode this summer around Omaha on the trails and on errands. I found that I could bike to places and have the energy to bike back home! So I tried biking to my work and back. It worked out well, so when my first day of school came along, I rode my bike. I live about 12 minutes from work, mostly downhill on the way in- so the return trip has another route! I ride 30 minutes around to avoid the big hill that I so enjoy on the way into work. Today is day 5! 5 more days than I ever thought I'd ride!
I decided biking shouldn't have anything to do with my age (55) but the fact that I am healthy enough, I don't believe that 55 is old and the weather is pretty cool at 7 am, I'll keep biking. My people at work, well ... I'm pretty sure they think I've gone off the deep end! I wear my helmet & bike gloves, take a change of clothes, lunch, and am very careful that I don't take any of the zuchinni left on the staff lounge table, because they are VERY HEAVY!
It is a good experience, and I hope to keep riding while the weather is good. I know my family is excited that I bike to work. One of my boys even met me at work, and he rode home with me- MADE ME RIDE THE BIG HILL, but that's OK, because I know that I CAN ride the hill, didn't walk one step of it!
The advantages for me to bike to work is that it's good for my health, I get to work earlier to avoid the traffic, it has made me more organized, and I save on gasoline for my vehicle. I park my bike in the student rack just outside my window along with 8 or so other bikes.
I don't have any stories of people yelling at me or being rude, no accidents yet. I do worry alittle about accidents, but I am a cautious. Once a squirel dashed out in front of me, and there are hazzards - walnuts. Watch out for them!
Sumbitted by Pat Barker
Labels: Bike
0 comment Tuesday, June 24, 2014 | admin
Man, I hate getting up at 5 a.m. during the week. But hanging out at the Bike To Work Day nexus at Civic Center Park was a blast. If there were no free coffee from Caffe Sonora, I'd be singing a different tune. But I had a great time. Frank and Dan from Watercourse Foods set up right across from us, with boxes upon boxes of sweet potato cinnamon rolls.
There was lycra, tats, roadies, fixies, a few of those guys who make up the Denver Paramedics Critical Mass we keep running into, people with rusty chains, homeless dudes, guys in ties, and enough free shit to fill a set of panniers. Being there and being in the middle of it as a member of a bike advocacy organization really made me feel happy about our bike culture and the potential the city has.
The DJ from 99.5 The Mountain, who obviously gets paid to talk for three straight hours during the event, asked for a show of hands from the approximately 200-300 people there, who biked not just on Bike To Work Day, but every day. About 30 or 40 of us raised our hands and he incredulously said, "Year-round? In the snow?" And I think everybody just kind of smiled to themselves like, yeah, year-round, in the snow, but I can't really explain it to you.
Will and Lise work the BikeDenver table. On the far right is Tim -- if you've seen him before, you know who he is. He's a bike commuter. He didn't have his trailer on his bike today.
Mayor John Hickenlooper, left, chats with Gov. Bill Ritter, who actually rode a bike today. 33 miles, in fact. "Hey, wasn't that great how we painted about 5 sharrows on Bannock Street yesterday and made a big media statement for it? You almost get the impression we support cycling."
Will with Hickenlooper and Bill Ritter. It almost looks like Will is wearing lipstick in this photo, because of the weird lighting. I still think when it was just Will and me working the BikeDenver table, the girls from Vitamin Water were checking us out. But maybe they were just saying, "What the hell do you think happened to that guy's arm?"
There was lycra, tats, roadies, fixies, a few of those guys who make up the Denver Paramedics Critical Mass we keep running into, people with rusty chains, homeless dudes, guys in ties, and enough free shit to fill a set of panniers. Being there and being in the middle of it as a member of a bike advocacy organization really made me feel happy about our bike culture and the potential the city has.
The DJ from 99.5 The Mountain, who obviously gets paid to talk for three straight hours during the event, asked for a show of hands from the approximately 200-300 people there, who biked not just on Bike To Work Day, but every day. About 30 or 40 of us raised our hands and he incredulously said, "Year-round? In the snow?" And I think everybody just kind of smiled to themselves like, yeah, year-round, in the snow, but I can't really explain it to you.
Will and Lise work the BikeDenver table. On the far right is Tim -- if you've seen him before, you know who he is. He's a bike commuter. He didn't have his trailer on his bike today.Mayor John Hickenlooper, left, chats with Gov. Bill Ritter, who actually rode a bike today. 33 miles, in fact. "Hey, wasn't that great how we painted about 5 sharrows on Bannock Street yesterday and made a big media statement for it? You almost get the impression we support cycling."Will with Hickenlooper and Bill Ritter. It almost looks like Will is wearing lipstick in this photo, because of the weird lighting. I still think when it was just Will and me working the BikeDenver table, the girls from Vitamin Water were checking us out. But maybe they were just saying, "What the hell do you think happened to that guy's arm?"0 comment Saturday, June 14, 2014 | admin
0 comment Thursday, June 12, 2014 | admin
Once a year, cyclists get a day of recognition, and in most of the lower 48, that day is today. Among the cognoscenti, it can be cause for derision with many new bike commuters dusting off their wheels and taking to the streets and paths for transportation for the first time as adults. This morning, my colleague Stephanie at Complete Streets while on her way to Freedom Plaza overheard a messenger grumbling "Bike to work day can suck my balls".
I don't think that messenger is appropriately appreciative of the best part of this fine day, all the free stuff. Perhaps it is because for every minor alleycat, Chrome, PBR, and anyone seeking to co-opt messenger culture hands out free product, but for the average commuter not enmeshed deeply into bike culture, the freebies come mostly on Bike to Work Day.
Here is what I picked up in between booth babe duties for Transportation for America at Freedom Plaza:
SmartWool gets top honors for their handouts. They were giving away 2 for 1 sock coupons, clip on 3 LED tail lights (including Chinese made PowTek batteries warning "May Explode or Leak Causing Personal Injury") and the best of all, they gave people on booth babe duty their choice of a pair of PhD socks or their new wool arm warmers (I took arm warmers).
ZipCar had a promo for $10 for a year of membership, which I signed up for immediately (normally it is $75), and they gave me an aluminum bottle and recycled pen for the trouble.
The Swiss continue their campaign to push their culture on us by handing out slap bracelet pant retention devices and choco-biscuits. I did rely on their generosity when I realized I needed to cut some twine to hang my banner, and my new friend Markus conveniently had (of course) a Swiss Army knife in his pocket.
Whole Foods was a big let down, offering only a coupon book that you can get in the front of the store any time you go, and a recipe card for Arctic Char.
I would have been satisfied with a whole fish, or even some fillets or steaks, not a recipe.
The organizers also provided water bottles, t-shirts and general good vibes. Mayor Fenty committed a bad faux pas by conspicuously wearing a Cycle Life polo shirt and hat to an event sponsored by City Bikes. I was a little surprised, and I can only imagine what his sponsorship deal must look like to compel him to appear in an official capacity at a bike event dressed in their garb (Note to self: If can't get sponsored because too slow, get elected instead).
The crowd was mostly commuters, and if there is one trend worth noting, it is that all the federal bureaucracies are producing their own kits these days. I saw US EPA and USDA represented by multiple jerseys, and I am aware of NASA and NOAA kits as well. I can't wait until HUD comes out with one, I'm soooo there. A few crazies showed up, easily identifiable by their "recumbant" bicycles, or the giant white rhinoceros carapice one of them had crafted for the top of his tricycle.
All in all, a day to be appreciated. Colorado, you are due in about a month.
I don't think that messenger is appropriately appreciative of the best part of this fine day, all the free stuff. Perhaps it is because for every minor alleycat, Chrome, PBR, and anyone seeking to co-opt messenger culture hands out free product, but for the average commuter not enmeshed deeply into bike culture, the freebies come mostly on Bike to Work Day.
Here is what I picked up in between booth babe duties for Transportation for America at Freedom Plaza:
SmartWool gets top honors for their handouts. They were giving away 2 for 1 sock coupons, clip on 3 LED tail lights (including Chinese made PowTek batteries warning "May Explode or Leak Causing Personal Injury") and the best of all, they gave people on booth babe duty their choice of a pair of PhD socks or their new wool arm warmers (I took arm warmers).
ZipCar had a promo for $10 for a year of membership, which I signed up for immediately (normally it is $75), and they gave me an aluminum bottle and recycled pen for the trouble.
The Swiss continue their campaign to push their culture on us by handing out slap bracelet pant retention devices and choco-biscuits. I did rely on their generosity when I realized I needed to cut some twine to hang my banner, and my new friend Markus conveniently had (of course) a Swiss Army knife in his pocket.
Whole Foods was a big let down, offering only a coupon book that you can get in the front of the store any time you go, and a recipe card for Arctic Char.
I would have been satisfied with a whole fish, or even some fillets or steaks, not a recipe.
The organizers also provided water bottles, t-shirts and general good vibes. Mayor Fenty committed a bad faux pas by conspicuously wearing a Cycle Life polo shirt and hat to an event sponsored by City Bikes. I was a little surprised, and I can only imagine what his sponsorship deal must look like to compel him to appear in an official capacity at a bike event dressed in their garb (Note to self: If can't get sponsored because too slow, get elected instead).
The crowd was mostly commuters, and if there is one trend worth noting, it is that all the federal bureaucracies are producing their own kits these days. I saw US EPA and USDA represented by multiple jerseys, and I am aware of NASA and NOAA kits as well. I can't wait until HUD comes out with one, I'm soooo there. A few crazies showed up, easily identifiable by their "recumbant" bicycles, or the giant white rhinoceros carapice one of them had crafted for the top of his tricycle.
All in all, a day to be appreciated. Colorado, you are due in about a month.
0 comment Monday, June 9, 2014 | admin
Here's a picture of what Whole Foods has replaced the bike rack with at the Capitol Hill Wild Oats. Thanks guys.
Labels: Bike
0 comment Sunday, June 1, 2014 | admin
Earlier this summer, I decided I was going to cull my herd of bicycles from eight down to a more reasonable five. Of course, I have eight bikes because they all do something a little different. Since I would still want to do all these cycling disciplines at different times, I thought I'd look for a bike that has some additional built in flexibility and sell of the three that I thought would be easiest to part with.
Not having any discipline when it comes to bike acquisitions, I decided to buy a Surly Traveler's Check that I saw on ebay in just my size.
I've been a big fan of Surly for years, and I thought this would cover a few tasks I perform routinely. 1) commuting to work 2) riding trails with the simple addition of CX tires 3) single speed CX races that I tell myself I will participate in someday 4) accompanying me on business trips (it comes apart at the top and downtubes and fits in a suitcase) 5) replaces the fixie I sold when I moved to DC.
So far, I've been pretty impressed with its commuting, trail and fixie qualities. I may have forgotten to consider one aspect of travel, the $450 suitcase accessory that I don't have (anyone have one they no longer need?), but I think this will come in handy soon.
I was just getting used to the new bike about three weeks ago when I had my first disappointment with the way it was rigged. It had a matching blue KMC chain, which I now know only come in 1/8th width. Meanwhile, it has a bigger 46T 3/32nd chainring, and a 3/32nd 17T freewheel. Previously, I had understood 1/8th to be compatible with the narrower teeth with no issues on a single speed or fixed gear. I know better now, and thought I would share.
Whilst climbing a hill on my way home from work, I was about five pedal strokes into standing up when I threw the chain and myself hard to the right and onto the pavement near the National Zoo. What I think happened was that the lateral deflection from the high torque (climbing, remember) on the 46T ring was enough to pull the small amount of sideways play of the 1/8th chain to opposite sides on the 3/32nd freewheel and ring. The chain must have slipped over one of the ring's teeth, and after that, my foot hammered down to the right with no resistance on the chain, tossing me to the street.
I was a little bloody from a hip scrape and smashing my normal landing elbow yet again. A kind passerby with a medical kit in their car helped me with some gauze. Even though I managed to kick my bike the other direction into a lane of traffic, it somehow didn't get hit. I was on my feet to retrieve it in seconds, and aside from a scuffed seat, some scrapes on the brake levers and bell and a mangled Oury, it was no worse for the tangle.
I have since changed the chain to 3/32nd, and pulled it piano-wire tight, to avoid any repeat episodes. Also switched to narrower bull horn bars for more confidence while lane splitting.
But not to be dismayed, the great bike cull of 2009 still continues!
The first bike I sold off was my Trek 520, which was a great ride, just one that I never used for any actual touring. It cleaned up real nice, and while I kept the wheels (a Christmas present), I was able to sell the frame for more than I bought the whole bike for about a year ago, how's that for an investment! One thing that never was right on it, it was built for 27" wheels, and I could never adjust the cantilever brakes to have satisfying stopping power on a 700c wheel, I tried every kind of canti brake they make, but the position of the boss is too high for what I wanted to get out of it. So off it went.
Since then, I've been trying to do the Craigslist thing with this animal:
But Craigslist is the place for $300 bikes, not $1000 bikes,and I'm running into a lot of flakes and barter offers, so next stop is ebay.
If anyone has a penchant for cross country mountain bikes, and would like to be this one's new owner, shoot me a message and I'll send you some info.
So there it is, apologies for not posting for some time. I'm getting married in September, and while I bike commute every day still, I rarely seem to have time to write about it. Hope to see some more action here soon, we didn't even get a RAGBRAI rundown... Josh, are you out there?
Not having any discipline when it comes to bike acquisitions, I decided to buy a Surly Traveler's Check that I saw on ebay in just my size.
I've been a big fan of Surly for years, and I thought this would cover a few tasks I perform routinely. 1) commuting to work 2) riding trails with the simple addition of CX tires 3) single speed CX races that I tell myself I will participate in someday 4) accompanying me on business trips (it comes apart at the top and downtubes and fits in a suitcase) 5) replaces the fixie I sold when I moved to DC.
So far, I've been pretty impressed with its commuting, trail and fixie qualities. I may have forgotten to consider one aspect of travel, the $450 suitcase accessory that I don't have (anyone have one they no longer need?), but I think this will come in handy soon.
I was just getting used to the new bike about three weeks ago when I had my first disappointment with the way it was rigged. It had a matching blue KMC chain, which I now know only come in 1/8th width. Meanwhile, it has a bigger 46T 3/32nd chainring, and a 3/32nd 17T freewheel. Previously, I had understood 1/8th to be compatible with the narrower teeth with no issues on a single speed or fixed gear. I know better now, and thought I would share.
Whilst climbing a hill on my way home from work, I was about five pedal strokes into standing up when I threw the chain and myself hard to the right and onto the pavement near the National Zoo. What I think happened was that the lateral deflection from the high torque (climbing, remember) on the 46T ring was enough to pull the small amount of sideways play of the 1/8th chain to opposite sides on the 3/32nd freewheel and ring. The chain must have slipped over one of the ring's teeth, and after that, my foot hammered down to the right with no resistance on the chain, tossing me to the street.
I was a little bloody from a hip scrape and smashing my normal landing elbow yet again. A kind passerby with a medical kit in their car helped me with some gauze. Even though I managed to kick my bike the other direction into a lane of traffic, it somehow didn't get hit. I was on my feet to retrieve it in seconds, and aside from a scuffed seat, some scrapes on the brake levers and bell and a mangled Oury, it was no worse for the tangle.
I have since changed the chain to 3/32nd, and pulled it piano-wire tight, to avoid any repeat episodes. Also switched to narrower bull horn bars for more confidence while lane splitting.
But not to be dismayed, the great bike cull of 2009 still continues!
The first bike I sold off was my Trek 520, which was a great ride, just one that I never used for any actual touring. It cleaned up real nice, and while I kept the wheels (a Christmas present), I was able to sell the frame for more than I bought the whole bike for about a year ago, how's that for an investment! One thing that never was right on it, it was built for 27" wheels, and I could never adjust the cantilever brakes to have satisfying stopping power on a 700c wheel, I tried every kind of canti brake they make, but the position of the boss is too high for what I wanted to get out of it. So off it went.
Since then, I've been trying to do the Craigslist thing with this animal:
But Craigslist is the place for $300 bikes, not $1000 bikes,and I'm running into a lot of flakes and barter offers, so next stop is ebay.
If anyone has a penchant for cross country mountain bikes, and would like to be this one's new owner, shoot me a message and I'll send you some info.
So there it is, apologies for not posting for some time. I'm getting married in September, and while I bike commute every day still, I rarely seem to have time to write about it. Hope to see some more action here soon, we didn't even get a RAGBRAI rundown... Josh, are you out there?
0 comment Friday, May 30, 2014 | admin
Earlier this summer I got a scooter, and ever since that day I haven't been the greatest bike commuter. I still rode my bike nearly every day, but not as often and with a little less joy. Often times when riding my bike to work, tired and sweaty, I would think to myself "damn, I really should have taken the scooter today....". Perhaps the bike gods were reading my thoughts and deemed it necessary for me to rely solely on self-propelled transportation for a little while; my scooter was stolen from in front of my house yesterday.
I was so incredibly angry when I got home yesterday and saw that my scooter was missing. I kept thinking about all of the fun times that I had had with it. I thought to myself "how the hell am I going to get to work tomorrow morning?". Then I remembered that I had a bike. Several bikes, in fact. Several bikes that have been neglected lately. Several bikes that are in perfect working order and would love to be ridden to work. So I'm not going to allow myself to be bummed out about this anymore. I'm going to get on my bike in a minute and enjoy the hell out of the ride. I'll arrive to work refreshed and energized - a lot more so than if I had taken a scooter. So, I'm trying to look at this as a blessing in disguise and a chance to get back on my bikes more often!
I will also be locking my bike with two locks today, up from one, and I will be doing so for a while. I really sucks having your transportation stolen from you. If I get a replacement scooter I won't be relying on it as much as I had and I will continue to ride and appreciate my bikes!
If you see this scooter, please beat up the rider.
I was so incredibly angry when I got home yesterday and saw that my scooter was missing. I kept thinking about all of the fun times that I had had with it. I thought to myself "how the hell am I going to get to work tomorrow morning?". Then I remembered that I had a bike. Several bikes, in fact. Several bikes that have been neglected lately. Several bikes that are in perfect working order and would love to be ridden to work. So I'm not going to allow myself to be bummed out about this anymore. I'm going to get on my bike in a minute and enjoy the hell out of the ride. I'll arrive to work refreshed and energized - a lot more so than if I had taken a scooter. So, I'm trying to look at this as a blessing in disguise and a chance to get back on my bikes more often!
I will also be locking my bike with two locks today, up from one, and I will be doing so for a while. I really sucks having your transportation stolen from you. If I get a replacement scooter I won't be relying on it as much as I had and I will continue to ride and appreciate my bikes!
If you see this scooter, please beat up the rider.