Commuting253

Very Urban Cycling

2012-01-26T09:53:00.001-05:00

西洋人 [Seiyo-jin], aka "The Westerner," is always reading interesting things and finds worthwhile bicycling ephemera on the web. So good of him to send them my way. Here's one of them, relayed initially through The Atlantic from Mexico City:

I can identify with this rider’s enthusiasm as he slides and turns in the midst of so much, albeit polluted and overcrowded, life.I remember the rush one can feel when pushing through urban traffic, feeling superior to the masses stuck in clogs of cars and trucks. In my college days my friend and I had nerve,less judgment and whistles, that propelled us through tight traffic in Philly. We snaked through gaps and narrow passages defined by endless lines of chassis and bumpers. Luckily we didn't get hurt. I hope this man continues to avoid accidents justas we did....

Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg

2012-01-18T15:35:00.000-05:00

I had a great opportunity on MLK day to volunteer at Recycle Bicycle, which salvages old bikes for parts and scrap metal and uses the parts and proceeds to repair bikes and donate bikes to kids who need them. Its director made clear to us volunteers that so many city kids ride around without brakes, and that by offering free repairs or used bikes in good condition we can save lives. The bikes here also go to individuals who have no other means to get to work, so the bikes are an ecologically sound solution to sustaining employment.

Lots of Bikes!

Recycled Chains

Volunteers Ready to Break Down Bikes

Packed Paniers Provide!

2012-01-11T18:48:00.001-05:00

I take pride in grocery shopping by bike. As I grab items from the aisles, I envision whether the next can or box will fit in the limited space hanging over my rear wheel. And then there is the excitement of buying a little toooo much, and bargaining that I can find space for it atop my bike rack, secured with my ailing bungee cord.

After securing everything, I roll out among the evening commuters, sliding through the parking lot satisfied I do not need a car to feed my family's bellies.

Odd One

2012-01-03T13:58:00.001-05:00

In my travels last week in NJ, I saw this strange bike affixed to a roof rack. Seems a combination of BMX and kids bike. Not sure what all the tape is for either...

Quick Cyclists

2011-12-26T13:29:00.001-05:00

New pens. New sketches.

Inspired?

2011-12-21T20:44:00.002-05:00

Commuting to work has been relatively easy in this December's unusual mild weather. Last weekend I took advantage of this temperate spell and did a slew of errands by bike: newspaper & milk-run, gift grabbing at the mall, and a post office stop with a large package (bound for the parents of our Pakistani exchange student) strapped to my bike rack. The travels even revealed a new short-cut that only pedestrians and pedalers can use -- a nice discovery!

***

In the two years I've been blogging here (how long will I continue this? my inspiration is waning), there seem to be a greater number of cyclists in the area. Below is one of their machines outside a local department store, with a good-sized cargo box. Those handlebars are pretty impressive too, ready to handle quite a bit of tough handling with so much leverage.

Boscov's Bike

And yet another commuting bike entered my sights this morning. Stopping at the Cornerstone Coffeehouse I met another commuter, bound for Union Deposit Rd (quite a hike). His all black Cannondale was equipped with very roomy saddlebags (also black), disc brakes and a Planet Bike front blinker. I did suggest he add something reflective to his garb, which was also all black. Do be visible everyone!

Velo Poster

2011-12-16T20:30:00.000-05:00

Grabbed this poster at the Trexlertown bike fair last spring. Now itadorns my office!

Another Odd Object

2011-12-09T15:55:00.001-05:00

Recently saw this lovely item on the street while waiting for the light to turn green. Sometimes I find stuff worth grabbing, but this is not one of those finds!

I Want Your Solenoid Valve Array

2011-12-02T20:41:00.001-05:00

Now that I've seen this, I'm definitely going to need to add an array of solenoid vales to the equipment currently in my workshop.

水书法器 Water Calligraphy Device - BJDW Clip from Nicholas Hanna on Vimeo.

Presumably, the biking Banksy set might replace the water in this bike with paint, and use the machine to create bike lanes, pro-bike graffiti and directions to car drivers that move them off of roads we cyclists prefer for ourselves!

How Shall Bikes Be Named?

2011-11-30T17:22:00.000-05:00

What are the best names for a bike? A number, like Trek "800"? An animal, like the Trek "Antelope"? After a member of the "Three's Company" cast, like Raleigh's new "Furley"? Or after a soothing drink, like the bike below? Yes, "Coffee" ain't so bad for a bike name. After all, it might be the reason many of us hop in the saddle to go for a ride.

Certainly you, dear readers, have ideas for bike names. After your favorite aunt? Historical epoch? Submit your responses!

I Name You....COFFEE [Washington DC]

Freewheel Hub + Freehub = Frustration

2011-11-28T13:00:00.000-05:00

How many of you know the difference between a free hub wheel and a freewheel hub? I didn't until yesterday when I finally had a chance to dismantle my warped wheel and install its cassette to my newly ordered wheel. Alas, here are the confounding details:

Freehub Wheel (what my cassette fits on)

Freewheel Hub (what I ordered anew, arrhh!)

More detailed schematics of these two types are available at Wikipedia. Unfortunately, my former lack of knowledge left me with the wrong wheel. Further investigation also taught me that I am likely to need spacers to properly fit my old 7-speed cassette to a new hub because the latter are generally designed for cassettes with 8-10 gears. Those of us who are satisfied with merely 7 gears will need to cope/adapt. Anyway, this additional wrinkle made it likely (to me, at least) that additional online shopping for spacers could lead to more error in parts selection. Therefore, this morning I opted for the bike shop, where my Trek sits being repaired in a well-stocked shop.

Stand and Chain Whip Ready

2011-11-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

In anticipation of, and preparation for, my forthcoming bike repair, I've made a bicycle stand and chain whip. The stand is atypical because it's not really a stand but a hook of sorts. Unlike pricier professional models that rest on the floor, my hooks are simply an assembly of two 2x3"s bolted to my garage shelf. Their notches hold the bike's crossbar.

Planning always helps!

My Trek held steadily in place!

As for the chain whip, I found pointers from QBike editor David Alyea. I am not certain about the importance, function or parameters for the small loop of chain that is found on all chain whips, but any adjustment is easy to make.

Now I'm just waiting for one more part before making the repair...

What's As Smooth as a Well Tuned Bike?

2011-11-23T17:28:00.001-05:00

Or perhaps even smoother? It's Milt Jackson, folks. So, if you're not on your bike right now (or you are fixing it, like me), and want to put yourself in the groove you get when you're rolling along the road, take a listen to this beautiful sweetness from 1956:

Incremental Bike Knowledge

2011-11-22T13:44:00.001-05:00

I am decided to fix my rear bike wheel on my own. The shop says, unsurprisingly, it is kaput. I was going to have them do the work but instead ordered a new rear wheel and "ParkTool FR-5G Cassette Lockring Tool with Guide Pin" from Amazon. As for the necessary "chain whip" tool I believe I can fashion my own without much trouble. After all, I have a workshop AND a garage (with a radio in each) and many tools and materials, AND an inkling to hack and create. Why should I have someone else fix the bike? Well, OK, because a bike mechanic will fix it right the first time. But replacing an old wheel and re-installing the cassette doesn't seem to be too much trouble (unless I've been misled by YouTube), so I am forging onward. In doing the work myself, the cost savings is minimal, but I'm putting growth of my bike knowledge ahead of fiscal calculus.

Slam Warp!

2011-11-20T10:18:00.001-05:00

On many Sunday mornings I look forward to my short jaunt to the Hess Station for a copy of the Sunday Times. The ride is shy of one mile. This morning, as I turned into the station and leaned into my final turn, my rear wheel suddenly slipped from underneath me. My right foot immediately went to the ground to prevent a fall. Somehow the rear wheel came off the ground (perhaps because I pivoted the bike off my foot) and then slammed back onto it. I recovered without falling, and rolled another 20 feet to park and buy the paper. When I returned to the bike and walked it a few feet from the wall I usually lean it on, I noticed the rear wheel scraping the brakes. Then I noticed loose spokes! And then the worst: my rear wheel is completely warped! Alas, I don't believe it can be trued and a new wheel is going to be necessary. With 20 years of spinning round, and carrying me so many places, I believe it doesn't owe me anything...

What's Missing

2011-11-18T14:28:00.001-05:00

Readers, take a look at the photo below:

What is missing? Do you know? For most Earthlings,it's no surprise that what is missing isn't known, because they drive theircars, insulated from the elements. Today's elements include a touch of rain --that's a clue. Know what's missing now? Or have you not commuted enough in theelements? In them, as in commuting not sheltered from them. When you are exposed, thecool moisture on a rainy Fall morning is available to the senses. As is the slick sound of tires pushing and skimming througha film of water on the road, and the gray horizon threatening rain on the return ride. These are more clues about what's missing. For the cyclists, I might have provided enoughinformation. Here's another clue: it's in the trunk of my wife's Civic! What'smissing in this photo? Might it be useful for the impending wintry mix as well?

Starting Hill

2011-11-16T07:27:00.000-05:00

It is not always the most pleasant way to start a morning commute, nonetheless, I've got about a one-quarter mile, 6-8% grade at the very start of my ride! Good for the legs!

Borough Bike

2011-11-10T17:46:00.001-05:00

I had to grab a prescription at CVS this afternoon (via car, unfortunately), and because I cycle around town, I know off-map spots to park the minivan and thus avoid rush-hour intersections. This cyclist (yes, the cyclist is represented by the bike; they are one) seems to know them too, as I saw her bicycle locked behind the CVS. However, why not lock up better? Why not fully employ the 6-foot lock? Instead it is neglected, carelessly looped around only one part of the frame. Why not lock the wheels with your fine cable, and ample railing? Was it the gloomy weather that had you rushing from your bike?

More Shorts in November

2011-11-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday proved to be a counterfactual to my earlier post, in which I claimed my last day commuting in shorts. My failed weather-clothing prediction is no bother, however, as we cyclists never complain about riding in upper 60s temperatures.

My commute takes me along this section of the Pike each time, where I've got at least four feet of berm to separate me from traffic:

3700 Block of Carlisle Pike

Ideally this space would be converted into a bike lane. Simple pavement stickers and some signage would be (I hope) sufficient encouragement to get more cyclists on this route. Is it insufficient political push that hinders such progress? The route passes our state senator's office. Perhaps all cyclists ought to drop by her office and make their case, one by one, as they pass by.

Greenwich Cyclist at Night

2011-11-07T14:40:00.001-05:00

I just learned that a friend was injured on his motorbike while commuting in the thick of London traffic. Ee gads! The news sent me perusing our London photos, shot during our January travels there. One evening we all walked up a long hill in Greenwich to its famous observatory. It was very dark, yet cyclists persisted to pedal up the winding, misty road that leads to the prime meridian. Here are their wheels in motion, visible in a long exposure...

Unforecasted

2011-11-05T09:02:00.000-04:00

I get all the news I need from the weather report...although not yesterday.

Yesterday morning's weather report presented a rather gentle descriptor: "breezy." I'm not sure if this was intended as a meteorologist's euphemism or whether it was another miscalculation. "Windy" would have been a more accurate adjective, although even this latter term would belie the very strong gusts that made my ride in a tough one. The gusts even prevented me from accelerating on downhill stretches. None of this wind caused any real problem for me, except when my preference to move quickly across major intersections was undermined by gusts. In this case, as soon as I pedaled into the crossing of 21st Street and the Bypass I had to fight the biggest crosswinds of the trip.

More Expo Photos

2011-11-04T07:49:00.001-04:00

The neat thing about bike shows is the variety and creativity you find in bike designs. This rather impractical model has a fantastic stick shift coming off of the rear hub (click to enlarge). Its maker was a very laid back gentlemen from New Jersey who felt comfortable vocalizing, rather loudly, his wares. I can't see riding this bike too far, especially because of its low, low profile. The bike parts boxes are always interesting visually, although to date I have never incorporated old parts into my bike.

Philly Bike Expo

2011-10-31T08:13:00.000-04:00

I had a brief chance to drop by the Philly Bike Expo yesterday. It was pleasantly tucked into the old Armory on 22^nd Street,between two alleys that provided space for used bike parts and a bicyclistvalet. Most of the vendors inside this large stone building were handmade bicycleartisans, who brought both imaginative and crafty machines for perusal. Sincethe vendors ran small operations, it was easy to talk to them about theirtechniques, such as all the filing involved in making a tube connections look sorefined. I was a bit surprised that the event was on a smaller scale for such a prominent biking city, nonetheless it presented a wide range of bicycle designs.

Bike wares alongside the armory....

Interior activity....

Wish my kids fit in this....

Shiny style from Cooper Bikes....

Cops and Magazines

2011-10-28T15:33:00.000-04:00

I exited the office into much cooler and grayer weather than I expected today. I dodged the smokers who so consistently block the doorway and unlocked my bike. By the time I had arced around Grandview and got to the hospital parking lot, I came upon the Frenchman again. He wasn't pedaling but walking rather hurriedly. He was rushing to meet a friend, so we had only a quick chat, but during our brief updates he explained that the crazy screaming car driver had harassed him yet again. This time, however, the Frenchman called the cops! Excellent! Having quickly memorized the offending car's license plate number (a skill we cyclists must master), he was able to dispatch the police to whomever has been regularly causing him grief during his commutes (see my earlier post). There is nothing so unnverving as hearing a speeding car approaching your rear and then have to endure screams coming from their errant drivers!

Following our converstion I headed along the bypass to the local, last remaining big bookstore for some sketching. Locking up again to the gas pipes, I then sat near a magazine rack and took this impression:

Philly Data

2011-10-25T15:19:00.000-04:00

It's always a plus when my analyst side gets to jive with the bicyclist in me. Recently released is OpenDataPhilly.org, which seems to be a trove of various Census and other data made available free to the public. Biking data are in the mix!

Another assemblage of biking data, over at The Atlantic, is of various parking arrangements for bicycles, including ways to launch your bike up a utility pole to keep it from would be thieves (although not squirrels). Those data are not the quantitative kind, but illustrative of creativity and sharp design.

Night BIkes

2011-10-23T22:10:00.000-04:00

These bikes -- older, more classic road models -- were locked up in front of the Midtown Scholar recently. A friend of mine and I had coffee there just before the store closed. As we walked out, I snapped this photo (and manipulated the tonal thresholds). There is no question how handy these bikes (one of them a Fuji) are for their owners. With simple efforts they will move toward home with great efficiency.

Sufficient Energy & Gas Station

2011-10-18T21:54:00.000-04:00

This morning I was running a touch late as I hit the street on my commute. The delay resulted from my being sluggish and congested. A plate of two eggs mixed with cheese, more decaf and a hot shower lent me enough additional energy to get underway. Although I doubted the wisdom of riding with insufficient umph, the commute into work didn't move me backwards in terms of my general constitution.

Also low on energy is this gas station I pass each day, seemingly worn out with its defunct fuel pumps and growing collection of abandoned cars:

Bike Loan

2011-10-16T17:10:00.000-04:00

Two days ago I loaned my bike to my son. For some reason I can't remember, he needed it. And so off he rode with our Pakistani exchange student (I think my son loaned him his bike, and that's part of the reason he needed my bike) to his friend's house. I haven't seen my bike since! It's only been 48 hours, but since my bike is my ONLY bike, I am missing it. I would have squeezed a ride in today too, but of course, this wasn't possible. The bike remains at my son's friend's house, and since they're out for the day I'm without my wheels.

I'm glad to see my son fit onto my bike and be able to ride it, but next time I need to make sure there is a fail safe return policy before I lend it again!

Looking Down on Handlebars

2011-10-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

Bike Deals!

2011-10-06T20:45:00.001-04:00

These are the second and third bikes I've seen for sale at this Chinese restraunt in the past month. Obviously they are a commodity. Having eaten here, I will conclude the food is in better shape than these bikes, but they are a good deal nonetheless.

Proper Springfield Cyclists

2011-10-02T15:57:00.000-04:00

We have read many stories of cyclists suffering the discontent and ire of automobile drivers. Perhaps if we wear a uniform like the one shown before the image of cyclists would improve! Surely our car-driving compatriots would give us more road space when they see us wearing medals and neat hats!

Or perhaps bicycling associations can don these duds while they make public service announcements, proclaiming their noble contribution to pollution and traffic abatement? Can you imagine legions of Proper Cyclists clearing the way for us commuters with well-spoken arguments for pro-bike policies?

...well, delusion can at least be self-humoring, sometimes!

Puddles

2011-09-28T14:39:00.001-04:00

Puddles!

Gray & Gray

2011-09-28T13:09:00.001-04:00

This morning was painted with dreary colors (definitely weather requiring blinking lights), and a threat of rain. The biggest intersection I cross (this video) offered no contrast to the gray palette, just the drone of cars spewing around....

Stiff Stuff

2011-09-25T14:07:00.001-04:00

My front derailer is very stiff, especially when I try to select the top gear. Hopefully oil will loosen this component...or perhaps I should replace it given its nearly 20 year age! Anyway, time for some Lebanese food!

Rain Anew

2011-09-23T15:56:00.000-04:00

Frankly, I haven't biked in the rain -- a steady, measurable rain -- for many years. So this afternoon, as I watched from my office window bits of our planet's fresh water pour down upon a large swath of our macadamized soil, I saw an opportunity rising. Some coworkers advised against my returning in rain; another offered me a ride home. I checked the radar and the window a few times and waited for an opportunity. Fortunately, just at quittin' time the rain tapered off from a downpour into a steady, light patter. I grabbed helmet and panniers and headed out the door.

I hadn't checked the weather this morning, so I wasn't entirely ready for this rainy return trip. Mainly, I didn't have a waterproof shell. This didn't seem to matter, for as soon as I hit the pedals I was enjoying myself, despite a steady soaking of my clothes. And for some reason my bike seat was not soaked with water (perhaps a benefit of locking to a tree). Balancing my ill-equipped-ness were front and rear blinkers, and snap-on fenders. The kid in me loved watching them block so much water that the tires lifted toward me.

The last bit of my ride home is a quarter mile hill that terminates at our driveway. Perhaps this was the riskiest portion of the trip, with my wet rims treating my brake pads as is they were skis. No consequences, though -- not even a slip.

Pneumatic Adjustment

2011-09-23T08:56:00.001-04:00

Time for air....

2011-09-21T16:35:00.001-04:00

Is the price right? When the possibilities are considered - transport, exercise, polution reduction, human potential directly manifested - I think: absolutely.

Despondent Cyclist Laments Failing Erector Spinae Muscles!

2011-09-19T08:39:00.000-04:00

Well, I think it's my erector spinae muscles that are aching so much. Something down there hurts quite a bit, and I'm not sure what brought the pain on (sitting at the office?). Part of me thought I should ride on this lovely morning to exercise the offending area, but I opted to drive lest I strain something all the more. Tomorrow, my massage therapist pal will hopefully knead this malady out of existence!

Finally Sun!

2011-09-12T09:02:00.001-04:00

Finally, the sun has emerged and permitted better cycling. My shadow was not the only one intersected by spokes and wheels today - I saw three other pedalers on a brief ride.

Pedicabs!

2011-09-06T09:29:00.001-04:00

Following a Broadway show, these pedal cabs were more prominent than taxis! A pleasant contrast to exhaust fumes and honking horns!

NYC Bike Lock

2011-09-03T19:07:00.001-04:00

This chain looks pretty sturdy. The sheen on the chain suggested a higher quality steel; harder to hack saw through than say, the chain I use to lock our canoe. The basket, incidentally, is excellent for delivering pizza.

Objects

2011-08-31T09:42:00.001-04:00

There are so many objects that catch my eye as I pedal on the morning commute. A shiny washer, a weighty rusty bolt, a blue plastic spool, a tattered tie-down, a cracked cell phone. They are a curious gallery of our material culture’s detritus.

The Swiss Alps on an Electric Bicycle

2011-08-29T21:04:00.000-04:00

The New York Times, while it already had my frequent attention, is all the more attractive in its frequent coverage of bicycling topics. This Sunday it told another tale of electric bikes, which I've presented on this blog a couple times earlier. This time, it's electric bikes in Switzerland that are gaining a 2-page spread. The Swiss Alps on an Electric Bicycle made the idea of taking a 60 pound electric-assist bike through mountain passes quite attractive.

Will battery tech continue to cost less, and weigh less, to the extent that we will soon see many more folks on bikes? Folks who typically wouldn't give biking a try? Will my neighbors, who typically go from insulated garage to car to insulated retail establishment, grow a bit more intrepid and hop in the saddle?

Let's add to this picture. Bike lanes. Believe it or not my local township has included bike lanes in their visioning and architectural sketches. Their engineering and architectural consultants have explained how bike lanes are part of a solution to reduce traffic and increase interest in the township as a destination. Behold, progressive thought! Standing in contrast to these ideas are conservative fiscal approaches, which rely on private investment exclusively (and greater tax revenue from their increased investments) to build said bike lanes.

Anyway, is there a future that includes larger numbers of semi-bicyclists (those using power assist) using more bike lanes to make short jaunts to the shopping center? What would cycling be like if pedal bikes (no electric assist) became the minority in bike lanes, while electric assist bikes dominated them?

Downed Power

2011-08-29T06:24:00.001-04:00

This downed pole and insulator array are likely the reason behind our continued power outage. Viewed via bike, of course.

2011-08-28T18:25:00.001-04:00

My bike has enabled a tour of the extensive storm damage in my neighborhood. This tree remains as a blockade 12 hours after Irene felled it. Thankfully via bike I can navigate around it!

Downpours

2011-08-27T21:07:00.000-04:00

The rain has not hit Central PA too hard as of yet, but for anyone east of here, your cycling might be more like this:

Bikes (and tapas) in Frederick

2011-08-20T10:37:00.000-04:00

It was a mass transit moment. My son and I drove to Frederick to rendezvous with his friend, who was using regional rail from Washington DC to reach us. Frederick is a midpoint between Washington and Harrisburg, so this kept said friend's mom off the crazy highways. Anyway, I had never been to old downtown Frederick before, but it was worth a couple hours of our time. Not only do I love pedestrian areas, but among the many restaurants was a fine tapas joint, albeit a pricey one, that was my son's first foray into Spanish food.

Needless to say, as we walked and dined, I snapped a few bike related photos.

Not sure if this pedal-cab would take you anywhere, but it did get you a free ride to beer.

Not my style, but the color and flair are appreciated!

Zenith of Agency

2011-08-16T22:47:00.000-04:00

I've started following NYT writer/cyclist Bruce Weber in print and online. The story is nicely documented with photos, the author's words and responses of so many readers, as he rides across our huge swath of a country. In his recent post, "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Rider" you learn that after only 500 miles he's feeling pretty spent.

The idea of riding across the country is very intriguing to me, and perhaps one day I will get the chance to do this. But what's it really like? The Urban Adventure League seems to be making a good time of it as they move through Saskatchewan this week. What a huge territory to traverse! I've never even done a century, let alone 3-4 thousand miles. Day after day on the saddle could get quite lonely, painful and exhausting. But there's also visiting towns and meeting people along the way and seeing amazing things. And at the end of it all, you approach the ocean (the Pacific, from my perspective): first smelling it, then hearing and seeing it, and then riding your bike right up to it, realizing you did an incredible thing. The effort and result would represent the zenith of the agency that bikes give their riders.

une photo du vélo excellente!!!

2011-08-15T16:11:00.000-04:00

Thank you, Monsieur Bresson....

Your Bike Stinks

2011-08-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

As I headed home yesterday, up the longest hill in my commute, I heard a whining buzz stinging me (audibly) from behind in my head. I assumed it was a motorcycle. To my surprise it was a bicycle with supplemental gas engine attached. I kept myself steady as the racket neared in its Dopler way. Then I looked over my right shoulder and saw something like this:

This type of bike -- mangled with a gasoline engine -- really defeats at least one key purpose of biking, which is to be earth-friendly. I'm all for the electric hybrid bicycles but gasoline powered types are noisy and stinky and just seem to rub against the je ne sais quoi of bicycles. Thus, this particular cyclist -- if we can call him that; the stinky cyclist -- is missing the point. The point of not polluting and the point of exercise. Perhaps also an aesthetic point. I understand some folks can't handle big hills. Just fine. In this case the electric models are a fine choice. Of course, latter are quite pricey, but not so much more than what's shown above. In this gentlemen's case, he looked fit enough to climb this 3/4 mile stretch of the Camp Hill bypass. Perhaps I'll have an opportunity to discuss the matter with him, if he's willing to stop pedaling (er, turn off his engine) and chat.

London Data

2011-08-10T19:53:00.000-04:00

My day job as an analyst, combined with my appreciation for things visual and things velocipedic, make this website a wonderful synthesis of said interests.

Are We Nutty?

2011-08-07T16:40:00.000-04:00

It was one of those rare days last Thursday, when I had some positive interaction with another cyclist. It was the Frenchman again, headed home on his blue Huffy frame. I was peadling south and he north and we stopped to chat, having recognized each other from our first meeting in October last year. Unfortunately I learned this Parisian is not always having positive experiences here, having been heckled frequently on Erford Road by a pickup-driving hooligan.

Perhaps to cagers we cyclists seem nutty. Riding through heat and the unpredictable swerves of deadly autos. We cyclists are hardly conventional in car country, and that's an easy target for reactionaries. Prior to the advent of cars, however, bicycles must have been much more special (although I'm not sure more acceptable amid animal transport). This advertisement reflects a certain grandeur for anyone owning this rather complicated English tandem bicycle of the 19th century:

Alas, if I was seen pedaling this beauty down Erford Road I might find myself the target of jeers and shouts myself!

No Bike Share for Me

2011-08-03T08:13:00.000-04:00

I've been in Washington D.C. the past couple of days and was very jazzed to see so many red rental bikes traversing so much of the downtown area. All of these bikes, outfitted with a chain guard, dynamo for multiple blinky lights, front storage rack and heavy duty rubber handle grips, are provided by Capital Ride Share. I stood in front of one station yesterday and watched the activity -- within 5-10 minutes there were at least 5 drop-offs or pick-ups. But not for me. You can see my ticket and code for a one-day rental, easily obtained with a dip of my credit card. But the code failed to work, and even after calling the customer service line I was rejected by the bike system. Quite a downer. I blog about biking, ride bikes frequently, advocate for bike lanes, etc. etc., and the bike borg computer refuses me. What gives? Has Tron run amok inside the network? Oh no!

Cyclists Passed a Sketcher

2011-07-30T16:10:00.000-04:00

Waiting in the late afternoon sun for friends to arrive at the Tibbet's Point Lighthouse earlier this month, I caught this shadow of myself and the light falling on an old shed. Several cyclists past by as I painted, as this is a popular riding spot with no traffic, and an annual French Festival to boot.

Philly Cyclists Lobby!

2011-07-25T23:13:00.001-04:00

When I saw this mass of cyclists in front of the Cannon House Office Building this morning I didn't quite believe they belonged to Congressional staffers. It was instead a PELETON OF CYCLIST LOBBYISTS! A good omen or bike policy pipe dream?

Germans Plan Their Bike Trips Better Than Me

2011-07-23T11:33:00.000-04:00

OK, OK! I know I could plan my rides better, but this is too much! Well, its not really too much. It's actually very cool and aesthetically and logically and technologically super. And if you happen to find yourself in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany you can take advantage of it. Check out this lovely route planner...

***

Despite my planning shortcomings, I can proudly state that I am among a demographic of American men that is biking more frequently. Whether or not I am a Java scripting programmer (like some folks in the Scheswig-Holstein region), I am a member of a "biking more frequently" group, according to some analysis by folks over at Rutgers. Apparently, this "surge" happens most in cities that have upped the infrastructure for bikes. Given that I haven't seen any infrastructure surging around here, I must be an anomoly!

Flat Views

2011-07-23T09:04:00.000-04:00

Recently I hit a dry wall screw and it gave me a nasty flat. My patch kit failed twice, thus I had to walk. But from my perspective as a pedestrian, taking a step by step approach to the bicycling shop a mile ahead, I acquired a new view of the road I so usually ride on. I very much appreciated this perspective: of the mulch the Chinese restaraunt owner is placing to improve his garden plot, two dogs who bark at those who amble past the flower stand, a woman's conversation about the bus she was waiting for, and a home renovation project tucked between narrow spaces of old home in the Borough. These things don't usually appear us cyclists; we're moving too fast usually, and we're focused on riding safely. Yet it is those in cars who miss even more, with their air conditioners running, windows up, the engine burning fuel and maybe the radio blaring. Again I see the amount of technology utilized as correlated with the amount of observation/experience of the natural present world one can have.

Cars, Humans and a Tragedy

2011-07-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

So many Los Angelenos enjoyed last weekend's I-405 closure. It was, I suppose, like a massive snowfall here in the northeast, when people get to interact with other people because roads are blocked with snow, and neighbors come to the streets to shovel and socialize. That is, streets and cars don't rule the day, with their danger and their noise, dividing and interrupting our natural propensity to gather for human-to-human interaction.

Perhaps this realization of "natural" human interaction is why so many people relished "Carmageddon." It's like a freak, massive snow. This image of a completely empty freeway published by the Times last Sunday, being traversed by a lone cyclist, seems unreal to us. It's a shift in perspective, like blanket of snow on a modern landscape. Perhaps responding to this, other Californians raced a plane on their bikes that same weekend, and won!

The car versus bike/pedestrian struggle in our post-industrial society is a pernicious dance. Or mosh pit. While I've read about several accidents and deaths on many blogs, the great worth of each day is now ever more apparent to me: Last weekend of friend of ours was left paralyzed from the waist down when he was struck by a vehicle on a morning bike ride.

Locking Up

2011-07-22T19:08:00.000-04:00

I need to upgrade my locking system, but at the moment here it is:

I'm not sure if it could get more basic. The benefit of the long narrow cable is that it, being about 7 feet long, feeds through both of my pannier bag handles AND my front and rear wheels AND whatever post or pipe I'm locking to. The cost? The cable ties need only a pliers to loosen up. Somehow I've gotten away with this easy to hack assemblage..

2011-07-19T17:03:00.001-04:00

My son alerted me to this additional case of pro-bike graffiti on south 2nd Street, and today I snapped this pic of it. May its creator respond here to tell us his\her methods!

Canadians (the ones in Ontario) Who Bike

2011-07-17T11:16:00.000-04:00

We just returned from a week in Canada, at a relatively remote lake two hours north of Kingston, ON. To get there we cross the border at Cape Vincent, NY, then drive briefly across Wolf Island, which is a bicyclist haven. You get to realize this soon after arriving on the island. Very little traffic, beautiful scenery form an ideal setting for rolling about. Also, perhaps, it is nature's movement of so many wind turbines on the island that also reflects the human propulsion of bicycles.

Bicyclists are most common at the northern end of Wolf Island, where a larger (and free) ferry brings many of them en masse from Kingston, ON, to the island for various day trips. Some routes are 25km, others are up to 50km. Most roads are paved, others gravel. All of the routes seem, from what you can gather in your car as you drive through, wonderful. Unfortunately, I haven't ever had a chance to ride them. I did manage to grab a couple pot-shots of cyclists as they arrived in Marysville:

Brief Bike Break

2011-07-07T20:15:00.001-04:00

Somehow I squeezed in another “ride and sketch” this week. It’s been quite busy with proposals and reports due, but this deskwork must be balanced with cycling and sketching. I afforded myself about 30 minutes of extra time to ride into town (by way of a long steep hill and over train tracks) and find a place to park and sketch. I came upon a small wooden bench on a brick-paved sidewalk and managed to put this sketch together prior to riding over to the kids to grab them from theater camp.

Urban Bikes

2011-07-06T20:30:00.001-04:00

Over at Urban Sketchers there is a recent posting on bicycling in Denmark. The author writes, "Danes bike everywhere - school, job, shopping, picking up kids. Bike lanes figure prominently in major towns, not just in the centre….” Check out his sketch at the link. It reminds me of the multitudes of bikes in Western Europe. I got a chance to ride in the Netherlands in 2009 and then in the UK in 2011. Both trips made my hands very cold, as we traveled to Europe in the winter when it’s cheaper and not crowded. In the Netherlands we rode on dikes and in a national park (where bikes are left unlocked at public stands for free usage) and in the UK, I pedaled around the famed walled city of York.

Nijmegen, Netherlands, December 2008

I’m not sure if I’ve ranted about technology before on this blog, but one barely developed theory I have about technology is that the more we use it the more we are separated from natural experience. Thus we’ve read on so many blogs that “cagers” just miss so much as they press the gas and move through town without noticing the air, the surroundings, the sounds of pedestrians talking, or a better view that comes from a slower pace. Bikes, being relatively low tech, are so much less a foreign appendage of human beings; certainly in comparison to cars. As such, my daughter and our friends (above photo) talked to each other and shared the experience of a ride along a riverside at a human pace and scale.

Bike and Sketch and Bike

2011-07-01T22:57:00.000-04:00

The logistics of kid shuttling interfered with riding into work in today's cool, blue-skied weather, although post-office I did manage to ride over to the grocery store and sketch the rising tide of commuters who arrive there as they left their respective employers (I had arrived 30 minutes prior to the rush). The combination of riding and sketching is ideal, providing the double-agency combo of self-locomotion and artistic expression in one delightful dollop. It resulted in this sketch:

After perusing a couple art magazines at the neighboring big box bookstore I headed home to pack a picnic and rendezvous with family and friends. It was then that I made a new acquaintance who had transported himself to the park on a BikeE (below), and he was kind enough to let me ride it.

Postured with a dash of recline against a fabric seat-back is quite a contrast to my leaning forward on the Trek, on which I support my weight on rubber grips. It took a moment to realize what a lower center of gravity is like while pedaling, but it was quite a comfortable ride. I also appreciated the proximity of the controls (lights, computer, brakes, etc) being much closer than on my hybrid. I'll order two of these for immediate shipping.

Silver Spring Township Supporting Rec Trails

2011-06-29T12:09:00.000-04:00

Could this be an inkling of progressive thought? A smidgen of a forward thinking? A more holistic, community-minded agenda? Might our local governments begin serious planning of a more extensive recreational trail in Cumberland County? Obviously, this would be a large benefit to us all. The Carlisle Sentinel reported recently that a trail project is garnering support from some local municipalities. How it will actually wind around our neighborhoods, and take advantage of existing parks and waterways isn't clear but there is lots of potential. May it become to reality soon!

Portland Cyclist Makes House Calls!

2011-06-27T14:29:00.000-04:00

This just in.... 西洋人 has informed me that docs ride bikes to patients in Portland!

Mandala Pleasure

2011-06-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Seiyo-jin [ 西洋人 ] a far flung correspondent of this blog, has recently sent me some nice shots of a semi-permanent mandala in Portland. Being a large biking community, I wonder how Portland pedalers respond to this when coming upon it. Is it a pleasure? Or do they get lost in the color and wind up more apt to accidents?

More Encounters

2011-06-26T21:29:00.000-04:00

Were you racing me? I wasn’t sure why or what inspired you to pick up the pace when I first rode alongside you. We were pacing each other briefly and I said something like, “Good exercise, yeah?” And then you just started pedaling faster, your chain squeaking an awful lot. The chain seemed to say, “Can’t go any faster…” But you put more into the spinning and looked ahead toughly, even though the idea of switching to a more efficient gear seemed to escape you. You were aloof. I kept my pace, although eventually, slowly, moved ahead of you. At the hill and turn I moved further ahead, but I could see you taking the same course as mine, albeit smaller and smaller, in my small round mirror.

Another bicyclist this week wasn’t aloof as much as possessed by his music, riding lazily, swerving almost out of balance, riding against traffic just outside the hospital where we first crossed paths. He moved languidly. I was concerned he’d raise the ire of an anti-cyclist, or worse, meet with injury being so out of whack with the “rules” of the road. While I waited for the light to turn green, he had already traveled 100 yards, but I caught up with him at the next light. At that point he was off his bike inspecting his tire. Catching sight of my panniers he asked, “You don’t have a pump in those bags, do you?” I turned around and got my pump for him, by trying to fill his rear tube with air was in vain. He decided to ride on flat tires anyway, down the dirty, gravel strewn bypass. We spoke then, riding in tandem. I mentioned cheap patch kits and pumps to facilitate future repairs and then moved of him.

Riding With Dex

2011-06-21T12:12:00.000-04:00

I was not too keen on riding this morning as various residential circumstances seemed to prevent me from hopping in the saddle, especially a leaking dehumidifier in the basement. Nevertheless, I let go of the idea that I needed to be at the office right on time and attacked the large meandering puddle before putting foot to pedal. As I rode in, slowly through the soupy summer air, I imagined taking this ride (below) with Dexter Gordon. Unfortunately, that isn't possible in the literal sense, but we all can certainly move along posthumously with his music.

* * *

As thoughts of Dex's album began to percolate more than my earlier funk, I was moving uphill past the local coffeeshop where 3 or 4 cyclists relaxed with their java. If I hadn't left late I might have been more inclined to stop and chat with them.

Lase Off!

2011-06-09T18:10:00.000-04:00

Well, here is some very useful tech that may (1) protect cyclists, (2) easily shake up conventional types, and (3) possibly really annoy others. Englishwoman Emily B. invented a nifty laser that when affixed to one's handlebars lasers a bike image onto the pavement. Very slick.

Yet, when this green delineation isn't protecting pedalers, I could see drivers rolling their windows down to pepper laser-users with suspicious inquiries (I had experienced this once after I had affixed a video camera to back of my bike)...or more likely shoot cold stares or nasty comments at them. Not that I dislike this veritable head-up display for unconscious motorists -- its very nifty as far as I am concerned, and useful -- but it's got edgy, creative innovation. Central PA local yokels, like Jackhamma, would take one look at that bike image and think there's more reason to get us off the road.

NYC Bike-Share Plagued by Questions....and Some NIMBYism

2011-06-05T11:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday the prospect of bike sharing kiosks in NYC graced the pages of the Times, yet the story (New York’s Bike-Share Program Is Plagued by Questions - NYTimes.com) quickly presented neighborhood squawking: following the kiosks' installation, will I have space to park my CAR? And will the sidewalks be squeezed out of existence by bike-share equipment? While I can sympathize with the preservation of sidewalk space in beautiful Village neighborhoods, those New Yorkers who are fretting at the loss of parking space might consider a move to the suburbs, where it's ample. The idea of cities as a solution to the world's crowded, polluted future is premised on mass transit and other efficiencies, including bikes. Anyone lamenting bike-share infrastructure misses the point.

Nary a Trace

2011-06-01T15:38:00.000-04:00

I Am So Embarassing!

2011-05-31T09:24:00.000-04:00

It’s not too rare when I’m waiting for the red light to become green that my daughter’s yellow school bus with its black windows pulls alongside me, leaving me alongside my daughter and 30 of her schoolmates. It’s at this moment when she puts her hand in her face because …she’s embarrassed? Laughing? Don’t the school kids think I’m cool? Am I not deserving of my daughter’s pride in my exercising and keeping another car off the road? She tells me I am so embarrassing, but I hope the damage isn’t long term!

***

Very hot on the ride in to work. I seek even the smallest shadows – from street poles or trees – to provide shade while waiting at intersections.

Fifteen Bucks!

2011-05-20T22:31:00.000-04:00

I am a big fan of recycling, found objects, dumpster diving, and of course, used bike sales. This past weekend was no exception. With kids in tow we came upon a blue Nishiki Blazer for $15! Frame is in excellent shape, although bottom bracket, while still functional, will soon need an overhaul. We swapped its worn tires with those on my son's now seriously damaged Diamondback and voilà -- very nice bike!

Bikeful Day

2011-05-13T22:43:00.000-04:00

Many things coalesced yesterday (Thursday) that made it a very bikeful day. Not the least of which was gorgeous weather to pedal through on the way to the paper processing facility (AKA the office). As I moved through Camp Hill borough and then up 21^st Street, I saw three colleagues in their cars (and they saw me thanks to the new day glow orange jersey). Collegial street encounters are more common than I realize, as more folks at various social occasions tell me they’ve seen me on one road or another. Good that they see me, lest I become squished.

I rolled in behind the corporate office center and locked up.

It was another 90 minutes at the office when I realized that a conference presentation downtown was on a schedule not anticipated by yours truly. It was to start in seven minutes. I figured I could make it (hmm: 2.3 miles, but a third of that downhill). I zipped from my office down to the bulging Susquehanna, then across it via the Harvey Taylor Bridge, and eventually pulled into the Hilton, making a quick change of clothes before stepping into the “Delaware Room”…not bad for rapid commuting!

And then, thank you bike for getting me to more errands: clothes at Boscov’s, printer cartridge at Staples, organic stuff at Giant. What could make more sense?

This is all happening in one biking day, and to top it off, my lovely wife rode her bike into town today as well. Great job, sweetie!

My lovely wife riding a bike in the Netherlands about 28 months prior to Thursday.

But there is more biking news today, taking place even after the sun met its zenith and fell behind the horizon. At about that time, the phone rang and a friend asked if he could drop by to fix a defective rear-brake on his Mongoose. Together we discovered the role of a missing washer, and within 20 minutes had improved the cantilever brake significantly. Very satisfying!

Hartford Cycling

2011-05-10T13:51:00.001-04:00

I can't say too much about cycling in Hartford, CT, but in my brief stay here (Monday-Tuesday) I located only one bike shop in the center of town and they don't rent bikes. A fellow Connecticut bike blogger indicated there are no bikes for rent in his state. Oh my! This is a sizable disappointment, as I endeavor to cycle in every city I go to. I watched several pedalers moving around during the morning rush hour here. I had hoped to be one of them, even if awkwardly scrying safe pathways through traffic lanes I don't know well.

In short, all I can offer about cycling in Hartford is my modified photo of two neglected bikes chained to a tree in the center of town:

Preferred in Trexlertown

2011-05-07T12:42:00.000-04:00

I learned only recently of a fantastic gathering of cyclists who assemble twice annually in Trexlertown, PA. Each Spring and Fall the Valley Preferred Cycling Center is a dense gathering of bike shop owners, bike manufacturers, and individual cyclists with cash in hand to buy clothing, parts and bikes inside the confines of a velodrome. There are tattooed, black-clothed types mixing with streamlined shiny road bike types, there are the old and young, commuters and mountain bikers. Blankets are strewn on the grass and tables to sell wares; mainly cogs and derailers and wheels.

I found for myself two nifty posters, decals, a new helmet and a new reflective orange short-sleeve jersey. And for my offspring a classic bicycling cap and poster (they are so, so lucky)! If this were not enough, this event is ripe for striking up conversations with so many cyclists, which is highly unlikely on the daily commute. For one, I met a bearded and beer-wielding connoisseur of antique American bikes, who waxed on the design and build of a 19th century velocipede birthed in Chicago. "..all of its components are from Illinois...Had you ever seen a bike link tread?" By this point, yes. And hopefully again in the Fall...

Imagined in VeloOrange

2011-04-29T20:28:00.000-04:00

Like every other bicyclist I am enjoying the Spring weather. With it I got a few rides in (Spring deluges and complicated schedules prevented more outings). One of them was late this afternoon, where I made a quick dash to the grocery store for dinner ingredients. I lock up with my own Ben-fashioned steel cable that stretches seven feet through my front and rear wheel, and through the loops of my panniers. Frankly, this lock has to go because it’s not hardy enough for a determined thief, but it is lightweight and easy to deal with. The ride there is only one mile from my house, and today I slipped beyond so many motorists idling away their gasoline and rumps in car seats.

Here’s my bike imagined in a different color against the backdrop of the grocery store’s parking lot and entryway:

Earlier in the week I met a fellow cyclist on the morning commute. This is such a pleasure yet unfortunately a rarity. Riding in tandem gave a sense (mainly a false one) of greater security, as the car people SURELY saw TWO cyclists better than just one of us. We had the micro-collective going. A dyad! Are things changing for the better? I thought of Copenhagen then. And now I’m thinking of Copenhagen again. And reality is setting in…and Camp Hill is quite the opposite in terms of biking culture. One day…. ….I might move to Copenhagen….

Sixteen Miles

2011-04-22T20:51:00.000-04:00

...to the office....
...then to the Agway ( for seeds a plantin' )...
...followed by a short spin to the Art Depot ( can't be short on brush pens )...
...and then home...
...all in sunny warm weather....
....superb!

Borneo Bicyclists

2011-04-13T20:00:00.000-04:00

I feel pretty lucky to have a lead on bicycling in Borneo. Last year we had an exchange student from Samarinda, and for the first time she’s been able to serve as a video correspondent for the bicycling scene in this equatorial town. As you will see below, many motorized scooters share a tight space with bicyclists here, as they move along past small shops at night in a cluster of vibrant, albeit noisy, energy.

Half Rate Biking...

2011-04-02T22:28:00.000-04:00

My son and I think this guy Chris Akrigg is, well, merely half-rate on his "Mongoose", so we'll share, just in case you want to pick up a few basic mountain biking skills...

A Hill in Spain from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

Bicyclist Graffiti

2011-03-31T18:01:00.000-04:00

I spotted this pro-bike graffiti underneath the I-83 bridge in Harrisburg. Seems to be the same author of the train bridge tag I found a few months ago in Lemoyne. Long live the message!

College Park Cycling

2011-03-29T15:38:00.000-04:00

I visited friends in College Park, MD, this past weekend. It was not hard to find bicyclists nearly everywhere with so much of this community affected by its large university. One of the rather dominating features of late in College Park are towering brick monoliths designed to hold a seemingly unheeded number of students. Evidence of how jam-packed these monstrosities are consists of the bicycles arranged like sardines along the apartment exteriors. But that's not the only clue of biking culture in College Park. These masses of students have given rise to bike paths and bike friendly neighborhoods.

A friend's high aesthetic fixie.

One of those neighborhoods is inhabited by my friends who take advantage of the cluster of biking here. One of them, in addition to biking to work each day, uses a simple trailer to carry soccer balls for his coaching, while another has tapped the brain trust of College Park Cycles to create this slick fixie.

All of this is a refreshing contrast to the roads of Central PA which are comparatively empty of cyclists.

Another friend's elegant uni-wheel trailer (perhaps a Bob Yak?).

For instance, the possibility of a bike stickered with Buddhist references would be an astounding find in PA, especially if it's next to a large building labeled, "Mathematics" or "Physics" as the one below was. Such an intelligent, if accidental, pairing of philosophy, transport and architectural purpose would be anathema to the proclaimed "intelligent" designs the current PA legislature is likely to hold. Alas, my local politicians are more likely to give gas frackers a tax-free ride in our state parks than offer to bike commuters some infrastructure that facilitates their ride.

A stranger's dharma cycle.

Well Burst My Panniers!

2011-03-22T21:18:00.000-04:00

This photo illustrates the maximum capacity of my panniers (or it's a birthing photo of a mother grape). I pushed their limit today with a grocery list that was a bit over-zealous for a biking day. If I recall, my two panniers held: one loaf of bread, 2 frozen o.j.s, a jar of peanut butter, 5 pounds of apples, 3-4 pounds of bananas, one pack of American cheese, one package of 100 paper lunch bags, 6 Greek yogurts, one package of hamburger buns, a veggie burger mix, and 2 bags of pretzels. And frankly, I had to use the pannier's bungee cords to secure one plastic bag of groceries onto my rack. I'm thinking the rear of my bike weighed forty pounds all told.

And for you jazz heads out there: since my son was practicing saxophone while I've been composing this, I will honor his hard work with some Coltrane:

More on NYC and Bike Lanes and Mindsets

2011-03-12T09:48:00.000-05:00

With my last post on NYC biking being both brief and somewhat uninformed, I thought it prudent to reference the NYT's recent piece (3-6-11) on Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC's controversial transportation chief. She's doubled the number of bike lanes since taking office, up to a total of 561 lane miles by 2009. Apparently her unilateral decision-making and ill communication methods (allegedly insufficient in number and short on describing bike lane rationale) have made her expansion of bike lanes and pedestrian areas a very angering development for some borough leaders. Is this really a surprise? No. It is the sad state of affairs. It’s the status quo that, covertly/subconsciously, resists cycling. In NYC I imagine there is another layer too, which is the city’s collective neurosis that gets tweaked every time individuals must fight veritable wars only for some meager change for their neighborhoods.

But it’s not just some tense New Yorkers who hit the ceiling about bicyclists and their agenda. Tom Vanderbilt recently wrote in Outside Magazine that, "To cycle in America today is to engage in an almost political act...". I’d have to agree. Bikes are progressive in their tacit eshewment of gasoline, in turn ruffling those who prefer status quo. Bicyclists also symbolize a level of energetic self-efficacy that some sedentary types might resent. Jeff Lockwood reflects this in Issue #9 of Bicycle Times when he contrasts cyclists versus drivers, “there’s a distinct lack of respect for each other’s choice of transportation…[and] there remains a strong sense of entitlement within each group.” I’m not sure how entitled I feel, but I’m certainly convinced that the green, quiet and mind-body benefits of cycling are a far more intelligent approach to travel than to continue to assume that driving is the only way.

NYC Bikes - February 2011

2011-02-28T07:54:00.000-05:00

Vroooom!

Mostly run down, these NYC bikes seem chosen for practical use and low monetary value, lest they be stolen. Also, bike lanes are less plentiful here than one would expect in such a large metropolis, although standing on the corner of Second Avenue and 5th, its bike lane was pretty busy on a Saturday afternoon, with a cyclist moving past every 30 seconds or so....

Lovely Seat

Rusty Yet Effective Looking Chain

This yellow seated bike seems extra speedy with its refined lines...

A Bloody Ride!

2011-02-24T14:33:00.000-05:00

While the temp was not too cold on record (24F) it felt otherwise this morning as the chill somehow penetrated my shell, fleece and turtleneck. Perhaps precipitation in the air, perhaps the wrong breakfast. Yet my concerns about the weather faded as my nose began to bleed! I noticed the red drops when I stopped my ride to deal with coughing and mucous (lovely!), and then saw the tell tale liquid on my glove, and then scarlet splatterings on my bike's crossbar. Why the blood? Air quality? Subconscious psychosomatic resentment about the dearth of biking culture in Central PA? Gov. Scott Walker syndrome? Please, offer your blood-borne interpretation!

Recent February Rides

2011-02-20T17:47:00.000-05:00

I saw this cyclist heading west earlier this week as my son and I were stopped at a red light on the "Pike." It was very windy that day, and this guy was catching a lot of it given his cumbersome clothing. Presumably his duds are warm but not aerodynamic. But he was moving steadily, and probably safe to assume with more purpose than folks who need to just push a plastic accelerator to the floor to move ahead. Or maybe he was headed for a cigarette.

A few days later I take a ride with my son. We traverse a simple route to the nearby shopping center using residential roads and parking lots hiding behind commercial buildings that together stitch a no-traffic pathway that avoids the Pike. He can handle busy streets well, and easily picked up the brief riding in traffic that we had to do. In the process we build another piece of our mental maps that make biking more possible: the pathway behind Wicker East, a small dirt trail behind Five Guys, where an avoidable stream of traffic enters from the main road. I also spy interesting bits of graffiti along the way, suggesting there is more diversity here than would meet the township code!

Small Lenses and Tearing Eyes

2011-02-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

I left home in 18F this morning, my lowest departing temperature. I am learning that cold is not an issue, save for my eyes which couldn't quite handle the cold wind hitting them at 15mph or when I went any faster. But I was nonetheless pleased to know that I could easily commute in this weather overall, as long as I am properly dressed. Again I passed by a father with his bike while he walked along with his son toward an elementary school. The experience they shared as they ambled toward school seemed very pleasant to me, and then I appreciated the father's chance to zip home via bicycle and get on with his day with an efficient, human-powered start.

Cold Bus Nut

2011-02-04T14:29:00.000-05:00

Here’s how I rode yesterday morning: 12.4mph on average, and just 10 seconds under 22 minutes in the saddle…..so, a little slower than usual. But it was quite cold this morning, and the air felt chillier than the reported 23*F. Plus there was a good gust of wind in parts, especially at the end of my ride as I pulled around the back of the reclaimed farmland that is now my corporate office center. But the weather is understandable and tolerable. Less so was a nut job bus driver who seemed to want to race me (with vengence, not sportingly) as the light at US15 & Market St turned green. I assume he had resentments of some sort, perhaps fueled his antibiker impulse? Positive attitudes about bicyclists can’t be expected to run well here in Central PA, where the surrounding rural culture stifles the innovative nature we cyclists must muster as we ride against the status quo autophiles.

Neither "Bicycling" nor "Bicycle" Mentioned in Corbett's Inaugural Address!

2011-01-18T17:13:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry friends, but our new governor in Pennsylvania failed to mention both bicycles and bicycling in his inaugural address. Must I say I'm surprised? The next four years may be tough. You'd think bikes would be high on Corbett's agenda: they're cheap to buy and maintain, do not depend on evil foreign countries for oil, have zero emissions, enhance health, promote socializing (no cocooning on bikes!), don't make noise, etc.. Bummer. Maybe we bicyclists should start circling the Governor's Mansion as a demonstration of biking's potential...

Anyone Care To Do This in Camp Hill?

2011-01-14T20:30:00.001-05:00

These Guadalajara residents are making democracy its most efficient ever as they bypass local government and get those bike lanes done! Very inspiring and positive!

Cold and Cold

2011-01-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

Well, snow and cold. That is, there are two things keeping me off the wheels: icy, mushy snow in the road, and a cold. The latter being the kind that makes your nose miserable, etc.. If I didn't have a cold, I might start exploring how I could more safely navigate snow and slush. Alaskan cyclists seem to have this down. Studs on bike tires. Fat tires. 100mm rims and Surly Endomorph tires. Um, also maybe no traffic? Or at least LESS traffic that might smash your bones if you fall while pedaling over snow and ice on a narrow road. Perhaps the absence of traffic is the true requirement of cycling in snow and ice...

Bikes for the North Koreans?

2011-01-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

My friend at Literature R Us blogs almost daily and when he's not writing about Elvis or aliens he's making surgical quips about politics. Yesterday he flailed Secretary Gates for his exaggerated comments about North Korean war-tech. I may or may not agree with Alan but it wouldn't surprise me that the North Koreans' tech might be no more complex than a bicycle, given that they can't deliver a nuke farther than 800 miles WEST of Hawaii. Well, that's me blogging about bikes with the slightest provocation and with great stretches of logic, but what do you care? You want to read about bikes! Anyway, this led me to wonder about other maladjusted, Stalinist or otherwise evil uses of bicycles. It turns out that unfortunately, our wonderful bicycles have in the past been put to diabolical purposes.

In fact, NYC police were well concerned about bike bombs last spring as they cleared any potentially threatening object from a parade route, including bikes. And bikes, which in my view are the solution to all things fueled, were nefariously used by the IRA in attacks in Coventry decades ago, and more recently in Afghanistan. Alas, must we say that bikes don't kill people, people kill people?!?!?

Twenty-one Point Five

2011-01-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

Today marked my lowest morning temperature departure, at 21.5F. Pretty chilly, but this temp has more an effect on my mind before I get on my bike than while I am pedaling. I made a brief stop at the coffee shop and met another fellow cyclist there. He introduced me to several of his acquaintances. Nothing like expanding social connections as a result of riding around. Anyway, after a brief conversation I soon had to get going to the office and within 10 minutes I was off again in the deep chill.

Despite these very frosty temps I saw three other cyclists outside today, including this one (who I think I've seen before) who didn't seem to benefit from decent cold weather gear:

Final Views of UK Bikes

2011-01-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

There is, at the risk of being so banal, a great number of bikes of many types in UK cities. Is it social psychology, policy, geography or the design of Britain's cities that makes this the case? And how do bikes affect the aforementioned factors? Will bikes lead to H.G. Wells's dream of utopia? Perhaps for riders only.

Among all those I saw, bikes offer much more efficacy to their users because they are low tech machines that maximize the potential of human locomotion. And because they are easy to repair, manage and operate, the do not leave their users dependent on something out of their control. No additional infrastructure is needed for bicyclists, save for a relatively hard surface. And when paired with trailers and dynamos, bikes are all the more effective, whether to carry something or move along at night.

Edinburgh Bike with Trailer

Glasgow Parking Lot

Argyle Street Bridge

Wee Bike in Windermere

Liverpool Train Station

Biking by Bars in York

2011-01-03T11:06:00.000-05:00

York is one of few cities in England with its medieval walls still well intact -- more than any other city in England. While I had hoped to bike round London, the mass of traffic (both propelled and ambulating) combined with different traffic patterns made me a bit wary of pedaling there. York turned out to be a perfect combination of city biking and tolerable traffic for someone who was still having troubling looking left (or should be it right?) when crossing so many intersections on foot.

Anyway, while wife and kids went the National Railway Museum, I started to hunt for a local bike shop. I asked several Yorkians (I'm sure they love this moniker) for the nearest one and got myself to Bob Trotter Cycles, adjacent to Monk Bar, toward the end of the day. Time was getting short as the sun sets at about 4pm (ah, the northern latitudes!) and I wanted to be visible. Thankfully Trotter had rentals and they were soon making adjustments to my seat post before I headed out...

A Giant Commuter-style Cycle Awaits...

Just outside Trotter Cycles is a rush of traffic spinning through a roundabout, although it was fairly easy to roll into the flow of cars and begin to follow the stone walls that circumnavigate the old town center. I followed another cyclist who served as a good leader through intersections and winding streets. When he turned outward from the wall I had to make my own decisions and consequently soon lost course as I ended up on a road heading into the center and away from my planned course.

Staying in the Bike Lane in York

All of this wasn't taking too much time, nor was it very long before my bare hands were chilling down quickly in the low 30 temps. Anyway, my goal was not have a day out cycling, but only a brief experience of biking in another city (as I last did in San Antonio). So with the sun dipping below the horizon and my hands freezing to near immobility, I ended my trip, and actually got all the way round York. When reporting my ride to wife and kids, the former provided some applause while the latter made their typical comments that I am such a nerd for biking!

London Bikes

2010-12-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

Medieval street planning makes for interesting pathways among modern bikers in London. Certainly Romans did not consider the potential for collisions with cars when they laid down their streets. Those 14th century twists and turns also left me rather leery of renting a bike here, although I didn't have the time to do so in any case. But as I walked and bussed around town with my family I had many opportunities to see dozens and dozens of cyclists and just as many bikes chained and locked everywhere. This is no surprise of course given that I not in car-centric America, and Britain had been pushing bike commuting already as a further traffic solution to its jam-packed island.

And the city center was packed, especially at train stations. The busy rush of thousands of commuters and travelers herding themselves to different platforms, shoulder to shoulder, pulsed with noisy energy. Amid them one bicyclist stood out, his bike's wheels breaking the geometry of the crowd at King's Cross. This biker was having a heck of time with his bag, soft drink, pack and bicycle!

Throughout our walks I saw many styles of bikes, including this whitewashed classic with matching seat and dynamo. Will it's contrast with London grays make it more likely to get ripped off? Or, is it too unique to permit an easy getaway?

Topping off all the cycling lanes and related sign-age in London is its bike sharing program, undoubtedly sponsored by a bank. Methinks the cycling culture and bankers are an unlikely pairing but these bike stands are omnipresent. I needed an account to rent one of these, which I saw many times over the four days we spent in town. Most of the time the bikes, like leaves missing from a winter limb, were being used (hopefully rented and not stolen). The rental program is complemented by steep fees to drive cars in the city during business hours.

England Bound

2010-12-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

In the future I will have a brief stay in England, and of course I'm hoping to borrow or rent a bike a couple times. Hopefully I won't kill myself riding on the opposite side of the road, especially if I have the nerve and impulse to take a photo while riding. I've prepared for this contingency by bending an L-bracket into a U-shape, which in turn is easily secured to handlebars with a pipe clamp. Once affixed to a handlebar or wheel fork, a quarter-inch screw then fits through the bracket (along with a few washers to take up the space), making it a mini-camera mount that fits just about anywhere. My Sony digital camera will capture any rides I manage to get in, which I then hope to post here! The downside to this low-tech approach is lots of vibration and wind in the microphone. While we have recently upgraded to a Canon FS31 camcorder, I don't think I'll be strapping that one to my bike anytime soon. Another approach I could take would be to purchase an FPV camera (a mere 30 bucks) that could conceivably be attached to the wheel bolt for a low to the ground view. Stay tuned my avid readers for more video!

Re-purposing on Wheels

2010-12-20T19:13:00.000-05:00

This video, which I first viewed on www.bikehacks.com, represents the wonderful culmination of creativity, production and fun, which in said combination is all too lacking in contemporary society if you asked me. The welding, bolting and wheel-truing here are the antidote to thumbing one's PDA so constantly...