March 31st, 2009
Basic
March 30th, 2009
A Bike’s a Bike’s a Bike
My Old Bike
Some of my more recent visitors may not realize that I sometimes ride those rare and unusual laid-back bicycles called “recumbents”. As a matter of fact, prior to starting EcoVelo I maintained a blog called The Recumbent Blog.
Having been on both sides of the fence, I’m here to tell you they’re all just bicycles, and contrary to their outward appearances, recumbents and upright bikes are far more alike than they are different, just as racing bikes, touring bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, and fixies have much more in common than not.
Each type of bicycle has its strengths and weaknesses. Some are fast but fragile, others can carry a load but are heavy; some are comfortable but difficult in traffic, others are highly maneuverable but require constant attention from the rider, etc., etc.
Currently our stable includes a recumbent tandem that is the most comfortable and enjoyable bike I can imagine for long days on open country roads; a pair of traditional English roadsters that are perfect for jaunty jaunts around town; and a touring bike turned city bike that I use as a car replacement for serious daily transportation. They all fit a niche and perform wonderfully when they’re in their element.
I’m glad that we have so many options. And regardless of what type of bike they’re riding, I’m always happy to see another bicyclist on the road because every person on a bike is one less person in a car.
March 30th, 2009
We Are the Tide
Filmed over three months in the fall of 2008, WE ARE THE TIDE documents Portland, OR band Blind Pilot on their west coast bicycle tour.
Hauling all of their own instruments and gear in bicycle trailers, Blind Pilot band members traveled from Bellingham, WA to San Diego, CA.
Discover what drives the band members to forgo traditional touring methods and rely instead on their own pedal power and the generosity of those that they meet along the way.
March 29th, 2009
Recent Bikes from A.N.T.
Mike at A.N.T. has been cranking out a bunch of gorgeous utility bikes lately. Here’s a look at a few of his recent Light Roadsters. Check out the rear dropouts. The seat stays are bolted on to allow installation of a belt drive, and the sliding dropouts are designed for internal gear or single speed hubs (they look similar to the dropouts on the Civia Hyland). Besides being easy on the eyes, these are well thought out bikes that function quite well as everyday transportation.
A.N.T. →
March 28th, 2009
The Brooks Book
March 28th, 2009
Yin Yang
Taken while hangin’ out in front of the grocery store this morning.
Speaking of… while out on errands today, I commented to my wife that this is undoubtedly the nicest day for bike riding we’ve had all year. A gentle breeze from the south, blue skies, and a high of 77 F… WOW. Tooling around on bikes on a day like today makes you feel like you’re on vacation at the coast (and it totally beats the heck out of driving around in a car). Gotta’ luv the bike! :-)
March 27th, 2009
By the Numbers
Did you know it costs approximately $6000-$7000 per year to own and maintain a car? And did you know it costs approximately $200-300 per year to own and maintain a bike? Just think how much money you could save by riding your bike more, or even better yet, getting rid of one of your cars.
Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S.? And did you know that by riding your bike 30 miles per week you reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%? Just think how much better you’ll feel if you get out there and ride your bike and leave your car at home in the garage.
Did you know that in the U.S. 75% of all car trips are under 10 miles, 60% are under 5 miles, and 40% are under 2 miles? Just think what you could do for yourself and the planet by committing to make all trips under 5 miles by bike, and all trips under 2 miles by either bike or foot.
March 27th, 2009
How You Got Here
If you clicked on a link pointing to www.recumbentblog.com and ended up here, welcome to EcoVelo. The Recumbent Blog is a site I maintained for a few years before starting this site. I left it online in a dormant state for approximately a year before shutting it down yesterday and setting up a redirect that points to this site.
You can read our mission statement here. Thanks for visiting and we hope you stick around! —Alan
March 26th, 2009
A Sure Sign of Spring
Nothing represents spring in California like Eschscholzia californica, the California poppy. Growing up in California I was naturally in awe of this striking flower. From the time we were toddlers, our parents sternly warned us against picking the “state flower” for fear of arrest, imprisonment, or worse. :-) Even today they hold a special place in my imagination.
If you’re a bike commuter in the West, keep an eye out for these bright spots of color and take a few minutes to stop and enjoy their beauty before they’re gone again for another year.
From Wikipedia:
The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 2,000m (6,500 feet) altitude in the western United States throughout California, extending to Oregon, southern Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Mexico in Sonora and northwest Baja California.
It can grow 5–60 cm tall, with alternately branching glaucous blue-green foliage. The leaves are ternately divided into round, lobed segments. The flowers are solitary on long stems, silky-textured, with four petals, each petal 2-6 cm long and broad; their color ranges from yellow to orange, and flowering is from February to September. The petals close at night or in cold, windy weather and open again the following morning, although they may remain closed in cloudy weather.[1] The fruit is a slender dehiscent capsule 3-9 cm long, which splits in two to release the numerous small black or dark brown seeds. It is perennial in mild parts of its native range, and annual in colder climates; growth is best in full sun and sandy, well-drained, poor soil.
It grows well in disturbed areas and often recolonizes after fires. In addition to being planted for horticulture, revegetation, and highway beautification, it often colonizes along roadsides and other disturbed areas. It is drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and easy to grow in gardens. It is also pictured in welcome signs while entering California.
It is the official flower of California. April 6 is designated California Poppy Day.
March 26th, 2009
Wind
I don’t mind hills so much. I lived in West Seattle for a decade, and I learned to live with—if not actually love—the hilly terrain there.
Now I live in the flatlands of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. I think I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to climb… I mean really climb. Perhaps that explains our penchant for heavy steel bikes like our Pashleys. When you’re on level ground, the playing field gets…ahem…leveled, and weight becomes less of a factor. But I digress.
What we have plenty of around here is wind. It’s not a perpetual wind like on the coast, and it’s not usually a howling wind either, but in the spring and summer we often get what we locals call a “Delta Breeze” that comes up in the evenings. I’m no meteorologist, but it has something to do with cooling temperatures in the evening that causes the wind to blow up from the Sac River Delta.
I’m not a big fan of wind. At least with hills you can see what you’re up against, you know when you’ve won the battle, and there’s almost always a reward on the other side. Wind, on the other hand, can be an unpredictable and cruel opponent, never showing its face and never relenting. There’s a tendency with wind to hunker down and just push and push to exhaustion.
Of course, there’s another side to wind — that being the downwind side. There’s nothing quite like riding along at 20-25 mph with a 20 mph wind at your back; it’s the closest many of us will ever come to knowing what it feels like to be a professional bike racer.
There’s an old bike rider’s saying, something to the effect of, “There’s no such thing as a tailwind, only good days and windy days.” Perhaps the wind will be at my back on this evening’s commute and I’ll have one of those “good days” on the bike.
March 25th, 2009
Russ Roca’s Dream Assignment
Our pal Russ Roca, aka the Eco-Friendly Bicycling Photographer, dropped us a note about his bid to win an all-expenses-paid photo assignment that would take him across North and South America on his bicycle. Here’s a portion of his application text:
I would like to ride a bicycle through North and South America on an ambitious portrait project, photographing the work of community leaders and activists who are striving for a more sustainable planet.
I am a freelance photojournalist in Long Beach, CA and I travel to all my assignments and shoots with a specially made cargo bicycle, able to carry up to 400lbs of equipment.
I have done this day in and day out for the last three years. In this time, I’ve come to realize that the environment will be the crises of our times. We’ve become trapped in a circle of consumption that fills our air with smoke and our lands with trash.
There is hope however. There are people around us that are working for a more sustainable way of life in large and small ways.
In the spirit of the work, I want to ride my bicycle across the country and document the work of these people in multi-media portraits combining stills and recorded audio.
Russ is a fine, fine photographer as well as being a knowledgeable and committed transportational bicyclist. He needs your vote to win the assignment. If you have a minute, drop on over to the Dream Assignment website and place a vote for Russ.
Place your vote for Russ at the Dream Assignment website →
Visit Russ’ website →
Visit Russ’ other website →
March 25th, 2009
Ding, Ding
I’m surprised by the number of bicyclists I see who don’t have bells on their bikes. I suppose some might view them as childish and uncool, but I find them to be an important safety item and I think of them as the goodwill ambassadors of the bike trail.
Horns are for cars
I tried one of those super-loud air horns made for bicycles. I found it largely ineffective for getting the attention of motorists, but far too loud for use on multi-use paths and bike lanes. Every time I used the horn on a path to get someone’s attention, they practically leapt off the trail they were startled so badly. Needless to say, this is not an effective way to develop good relations between bicyclists and other trail users.
Approaching others carefully and politely builds goodwill and presents a positive image of bicyclists and bicycling, something we should all be trying to do.
Yelling is…well…yelling
The old “on your left” method for announcing your approach is OK among seasoned bicyclists because they’re accustomed to hearing it, but casual bicyclists and pedestrians have no idea what it means, particularly when it’s yelled at them from behind. Like the horn, more often than not it startles other trail users and reinforces the stereotype that bicyclists are rude and unsafe.
The friendly bell
Bells, if used properly, signal your presence to other non-motorized road and trail users in a gentle, polite manner. I think this is very important.
I usually ring my bell a couple of times from a fair distance to give others an opportunity to figure out where the sound is coming from, then, if they don’t respond, I slow and give a couple of more rings as I get closer. This works nearly 100% of the time and I rarely startle anyone.
Consider the friendly bell if you don’t already use one. Approaching others carefully and politely builds goodwill and presents a positive image of bicyclists and bicycling, something we should all be trying to do.
March 25th, 2009
Spokes
Starting this week, the New York Times’ City Room Blog will explore all aspects of urban cycling with a regular feature called “Spokes”:
The ice cream trucks are out, there are bulbs poking up in the parks and cyclists are again flocking to the city’s paths, bridges and new on-street lanes. Last year was a bumper year for New York City bicycling, particularly for commuters. Starting today, City Room will explore all aspects of urban cycling with a regular feature, Spokes.
March 24th, 2009
Bicycle Design Taipei Coverage
Bicycle Design is posting some excellent coverage of the Taipei Cycle Show.
March 24th, 2009
Gallery: Marty Garnick’s Fuji
I have finished my new DF bike. It does add to the thrill of riding something unique. It gives me the same excitement as riding a recumbent. I have sold my LWB Stratus and my SWB Rocket which has left me with my ICE T Trike. It is like Ying and Yang. My Trike is so low and sweet. My new Fuji DF is tall, stable, comfortable and fun. I never would have thought I would return to the dark side of DF. When I ride my trike I feel low, stable, confident and comfortable. When I ride my new Fuji tourer, I feel like a tall billboard, but still have the comfort, stability and confidence and most of all thrill of riding. Who would think.
Here are the Stats on my Fuji.
- 08 Leftover Fuji Touring Bike off Ebay
- Nitto North Handlebar
- Odyssey pedals (my all time favorites)
- SKS Silver Fenders (very good quality and looks)
- Cannonade Panniers. Built in frame stiffeners. Always look good and hold a lot.
- Planet Bikes Binky Super flash. Amazing rear light
- Planet Bikes 1W Blaze front led light. Very bright, wish it did not come in white.
- Seguino XD 600 165 26/36/46 crank. It’s on all my bikes
- Shimano Barend shifters. Rock solid.
- B67 Brooks saddle. Slippery but very comfortable.
- Miracle mirror with home made barend mount. Much better than 3rd eye glass mount.
- Sponge grips. Works for me
- Nashbar quill 40 deg stem. Extra height very comfortable.
- Nashbar cheep kick stand. Works fine
- Tire pump. Have to have it.
- Tecktro Brakes. Very ergonomic
Thanks. —Marty
March 24th, 2009
EcoVelo Photo Contest Update
Many of you may be wondering where we’re at in the judging process for the EcoVelo Photo Contest. Right now we’re mid way through; I have five jurors sorting through the photos as we speak. They’re all busy professionals, and the gig doesn’t pay much (a beer), so I’ve asked them to take their time providing me their picks.
All of the prizes have arrived. Our prize list is below. Please support our sponsors!
- Planet Bike Blaze 1W & SuperFlash Light Set – Courtesy of Planet Bike
- Terracycle Accessory Mount – Courtesy of Terracycle
- Camdapter CamStrap – Courtesy of Camdapter
- 4pk ChicoBags Reusable Shopping Bags – Courtesy of TwoKnobbyTires.com
- Klunkerz DVD – Courtesy of Billy Savage
- Japanese Brass Bell – Courtesy of Rivendell
- Framed Bicycle Print – Courtesy of EcoVelo Photo
- Acorn Bags 2-Strap Roll Bag – Courtesy of EcoVelo
- 2/Alloy Water Bottle Cages – Courtesy of EcoVelo
If all goes well, I’m hoping we can wrap up the judging this week and announce the winners this coming weekend. Keep an eye out!
March 23rd, 2009
Alliance for Biking and Walking
The Thunderhead Alliance has changed their name to Alliance for Biking and Walking:
Thunderhead Alliance, the North American coalition of 140 biking and walking advocacy organizations, will now be officially known as Alliance for Biking and Walking.
“The Alliance has many reasons for the rebranding,” says Jeffrey Miller, President of the Alliance. “This is a vibrant and growing movement of grassroots organizations working to improve their communities through better biking and walking.”
The new name is the most visible piece of a complete rebranding including a new logo, color scheme, tagline and website. The new website of the Alliance reflects the tag line with http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org.
“As the movement has grown more sophisticated and stronger with more partners and members, we realize we need a name and image that more effectively communicates our purpose,” explains Miller. “We are proud of our roots, but the organization has long outgrown its name.”
The organization adopted its name from its birthplace at the Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming. In 1996, 20 leaders of 12 bicycle advocacy organizations gathered at the Ranch and recognized the strong need to link state and local bike advocacy organizations and leaders. The organization continued to grow, helping new bicycle advocacy organizations get off the ground. In recent years pedestrian advocacy was added to the Alliance’s mission and many of the Alliance’s member organizations now work to increase walking and pedestrian safety.
