June 30th, 2010
Belly!
We keep bells on all of our bikes; we like to think of them as the Little Brass Ambassadors of the Bike Trail.
Loading ... Loading ...June 24th, 2010
Sac Seersucker Ride Cancelled
The Sacramento Seersucker Ride scheduled for this Sunday has been cancelled. The weather forecasters are now predicting temps in the 102F-105F range so the organizers wisely cancelled the event. Visit the Sacramento Tweed website for more information.
June 24th, 2010
Urban Assault Ride Austin
While we’re on the subject of this weekend’s events, don’t miss New Belgium’s Urban Assualt Ride if you’re in Austin, TX. From the UAR website:
The Urban Assault Ride is a truly unique cycling event…and quickly becoming one of the biggest in country! Here’s how it works: You and your teammate will set out on a city-wide quest for ‘checkpoints’ on your favorite two-wheeled steeds. At each checkpoint, you’ll drop your bikes and complete a funky/adventurous obstacle course, then remount your bikes and hit the streets for more.
The goal is to complete all the checkpoints in the shortest amount of time. You choose your own route and checkpoint order. This means that the most clever are often the victors. Of course, it may also help if you can pull a mean big-wheel powerslide and fly across an inflatable slip-n-slide ;)
June 23rd, 2010
First Tweed, Now Seersucker?
Our good friends over at Sacramento Tweed are hosting Sac’s first-ever “Seersucker Ride” this Sunday, June 27th. Details here.
First it was tweed, and now seersucker? What’s all the fuss about clothing? Here’s an explanation from my friend Rick at Sac Tweed:
To those of you who are new to Sacramento Tweed, we extend a hearty welcome. We are happy for your visit. To further sate the curiosities of your intrepid souls, we present some quick notes on our underlying philosophy – a short guide to the essence of tweed, if you will.
At the heart of it all, we exist to bring people together – tell stories, laugh, eat and drink, make new friends, revisit old ones – and bask in a convivial glow.
That said, we should also mention that we have a very strict policy of not excluding anyone on the basis of what they ride, or what they wear. It’s true that we have some fun with vintage clothes, and it’s also true that some riders bring really lovely vintage bicycles along to delight and amaze us. But what is most important to us is you.
On any of our rides, you can expect to find an array of riders of varying skills and abilities commandeering an equally varied fleet of two-wheeled contraptions. You are sure to see it all: pennyfarthings (the big-wheel bikes), vintage Raleighs and Schwinns, cruisers, low riders, mountain bikes, fixies, Dutch bikes – you name it. We encourage people to ride whatever they are most comfortable on, so they will feel comfortable during the course of the ride. Any steed that you ride safely is a welcome steed indeed.
The same is true for the clothing, really; riders gussy up to varying degrees. Our secret is that creativity and imagination (and thrift stores) rule the day. Your tweed need not be expensive to be smashing.
To be honest, though, the only *required* attire is a smile. So if that’s what you’ve got, feel free to don your modern cycling togs and join us, because we’re sure you’ll have fun!
Tweed is a metaphor, not a members-only club. Our goal here is to get you on your bicycle and show you a good time. The Sacramento Tweed rides are, above all, social rides, which is a point of pride to us.
Hear, hear! Well said, Rick.
If you’re in Sac, come out and join us this weekend. And remember, it’s not about the clothing.
June 23rd, 2010
Fun with Folders
We’ve been having a great time getting re-acquainted with folders, figuring out how best to maximize their special features, comparing the strengths and weaknesses between competing models, and figuring out how to fit them into our routine. As I mentioned in a recent post, we purchased a pair of Bromptons for those times when we need to take the bikes in the car or on a train or bus that doesn’t have accommodations for full-sized bikes. It was a bit of a no-brainer as far as the Bromptons were concerned; I previously owned a Brompton and had already “drank the Kool-Aid” so to speak. It’s been a load of fun though, comparing our little M3Ls to the tricked out belt drive Dahon Mu XL Sport that Thor loaned us, as well as evaluating these bikes in the context of our experiences earlier in the year with the now defunct Jango Flik.
As part of this ongoing exercise, I thought it would be fun to merge a pair of photos of the aforementioned Brompton and Dahon. As you can see, the riding positions are nearly identical, even though the Dahon uses larger 20″ wheels compared to the Brommie’s petite 16″ wheels. The Dahon is lighter, but the famous Brompton fold is amazingly compact (the saddle on the Brompton actually retracts further than shown in the photo).
What we’re learning through all of this is that, like with full-sized bikes, each folder is different and has its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Some ride more like big bikes, others are lightweight for easy carrying, and yet others fold into a neat and tidy package. As always, the trick is to identify the bike that best fits your unique priorities and needs.
June 20th, 2010
Happy Father’s Day
As parents, I think the most we can hope for is that our kids grow up to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted individuals. Beyond that, if they happen to embrace a few of the ideals and principles we personally hold dear to our hearts, it’s pure icing on the cake. We certainly didn’t assume it would happen, but as our kids are turning into young adults, we’re seeing them demonstrating concern for the environment by making responsible choices regarding transportation and consumption. Honestly, a parent couldn’t hope for a more perfect Father’s Day gift.
Happy Father’s Day.
June 14th, 2010
CNN on Folders
CNN has an excellent article on folders in their Tech section. I particularly loved this quote:
When the bicycle becomes a practical prosthesis, anyone can morph from a public transit commuter to a folding cyclist to an empowered pedestrian.
It’s worth a read.
CNN →
June 14th, 2010
An Argument for Separated Facilities, Slow Cycling, and Fewer Cars
A study conducted by researchers at the transport research institute at Hasselt University in Belgium, found that bicyclists inhale five times as many toxic nanoparticles as drivers and pedestrians on the same streets. Proximity to tailpipe pollution as well as higher respiratory rates account for the higher particle intake. This is the first time both respiration and particle quantity were simultaneously measured in a study of this kind.
This is obviously bad news for bike commuters who currently ride in heavy traffic. The knee-jerk reaction would be to say that bicyclists should ride less. Of course, we know that many of the most deadly diseases are closely linked to a sedentary lifestyle, so riding less has its own dangerous side effects. Better solutions include more separated facilities to enable bicyclists to put together commutes that bypass major arterials and heavy automobile traffic, riding slower to keep your respiratory rate down, and of course, fewer cars on the road.
June 13th, 2010
Sprucing Up the Walls
Our friends at North Central Cyclery had a few of our photos enlarged and mounted to hang in their shop in DeKalb, IL. It’s fun to see photos of our own backyard hanging on the walls of a nice shop on the other side of the country. Thanks, Tobie!
June 10th, 2010
Oaklavía
On Sunday, June 27th, Oakland, CA is getting in on the Ciclovía fun with “Oaklavía”, their first ever street closure event. From the Oaklavia website:
In the last three years, Sunday Streets events in San Francisco have proven to be incredibly successful – growing from two events in 2007 to nine events planned for 2010, due to the popularity among residents, business owners and local government.
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland is excited to give Sunday Streets some Oakland flair – Oaklavía will take the concept of street festival to the next level, allowing residents to experience the city’s best natural and architectural assets, outdoor activities, and arts in some of our most well-loved and unique streets and neighborhoods.
June 8th, 2010
30% and Counting
Did you know that on average, working families are spending nearly 30% of their incomes on transportation? In some cases, transportation costs are exceeding those of even housing. To see the breakdown in 29 regions, take a look at the above graphic from Penny Wise, Pound Fuelish, a report published by the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
If that isn’t outrageous enough, according to the American Automobile Association’s 2010 Your Driving Costs report, the average cost to own and operate a mid-sized sedan has risen 4.8 percent from last year, to 56.6 cents per mile, or $8,487 per year (based on 15,000 miles of annual driving).
I’d bet that many people have no idea they’re spending such a high percentage of their hard-earned cash on transportation (and automobiles specifically). If a person is able to do it, eliminating a car and using alternative transportation is the most obvious way to dramatically cut costs and operate more efficiently in these times of shrinking household budgets.
June 5th, 2010
Shop Visit: Gold Country Cyclery
We visited our friend Rick’s bike shop in Shingle Springs, CA today. We’re selling a recumbent tandem so we dropped by the shop to place it on consignment*. Even though it’s quite a trip from our place, it’s always a treat to visit Gold Country. Rick has managed to put together one of the most interesting and eclectic inventories we’ve ever seen. His specialties are tandems and recumbents, but he also maintains a nice selection of touring and transpo bikes. Have a look at some of the eye candy from our visit today, and if you’re ever in the foothills of NorCal, be sure to stop in.
* “Dropped by” is a bit of a stretch since Rick’s shop is in the middle of nowhere. Still, people come from as far as other states to see his eclectic selection, so we can’t really complain about the one hour drive.
A rare Alex Moulton Speed (NFS)
Pashley Guv’nor
Civia Hyland
A fancy Independent Fabrication carbon/ti bike
Arkel and Ortlieb
An LHT in for an Albatross conversion
Ohm e-Assist hybrid
Rick is a well-respected custom wheel builder
Greenspeed X5 trike
GC stocks many difficult to find parts
More Greenspeed trikes
A rack of Co-Motion touring bikes
A belt drive Co-Motion tandem
June 3rd, 2010
Affluence and Automobiles in Beijing
Uploaded to Flickr by crypt K (CC)
According to a recent article published by Agence France-Presse (AFP), increasing affluence in China has caused the rate of bicycle ridership in Beijing to drop from a high of 80% in the 1980s to less than 20% today. Though 20% is still very high by U.S. standards, the drop is nothing short of stunning. The results of this dramatic increase in driving are predictable, with massive traffic jams and intense smog now the norm. In an effort to reverse the trend, the city recently launched a bike-sharing program that it plans to grow to 50,000 bikes by 2015. The burning question is whether anyone will use the bikes now that the automobile genie has been let out of the bottle.
June 1st, 2010
Running on Empty
Ross Ching created the above video by combining a large number of time-lapse still photos and masking out the cars. It’s really cool to see L.A. with no cars in it; all that’s needed to complete the picture is a bunch of bicyclists to fill up those empty roads.
June 1st, 2010
Fast Folders
Brompton M and Bike Friday Tikit. Serious tools for multi-modal commuting and touring.
May 31st, 2010
APHA Report: The Hidden Health Costs of Transportation
The American Public Health Association has published a new report titled The Hidden Health Costs of Transportation. Findings include an estimate that the health impacts from our dependence on the automobile may cost as much as several hundred billion dollars per year. Traffic crashes account for an estimated $180 billion, obesity accounts for an estimated $142 billion, and air pollution from traffic accounts for an estimated $50-80 billion. From the report:
Our dependence on automobiles and roadways has profound negative impacts on human health: decreased opportunities for physical activity, and increased exposure to air pollution, and the number of traffic crashes. The health costs associated with these impacts, including costs associated with loss of work days and wages, pain and suffering, and premature death, may be as high as several hundred billion dollars.
May 30th, 2010
Working Overtime
My Mobile Office (at our local coffee house)
Sometimes you have to work overtime on a holiday weekend; I figure you might as well make the best of it, eh?
May 27th, 2010
Bicycle Portraits
Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler are currently raising funds for their photographic book project, Bicycle Portraits – Everyday South Africans and Their Bicycles. They plan to turn their online photo project into a hard-bound photographic book. Pledges will go toward production and printing, and if you pledge $50 or more you are effectively pre-ordering a copy of the book. Watch the above video to get a taste of their amazing work.
May 25th, 2010
Eye Candy: Moulton Sixty
From the Moulton website:
Dr. Alex Moulton was born on April 9th 1920, and, ninety years later, The Moulton Bicycle Company has created a special bicycle to mark the occasion. This bicycle, the first result of ‘Project Sixty’, was presented by the company to Alex Moulton on his ninetieth birthday, in celebration of his astonishing contribution to the bicycle industry.
This bicycle is an all-stainless steel interpretation of the enduringly popular ‘F’-frame design that was pioneered by Alex Moulton in 1962. The bicycle shares some of its features with the latest Moulton Speed, including the use of Reynolds 953 stainless steel and detailed improvements to the legendary Moulton leading link front suspension.
Built by The Moulton Bicycle Company’s highly-skilled silver brazers, this is the first ‘F’-frame bicycle to be created at the Bradford on Avon factory for over thirty years. It is equipped with a two-speed ‘Duomatic’ hub gear, original Moulton 17″ wheels and a rather special Brooks leather saddle.
Moulton →
