January 2010
37 posts
Two Wheel Follies
Riding the length of Tank Farm Road in SLO in tandem during one recent afternoon rush hour:
Yikes!
Well-Spoke(n) Cities
Which city can truly lay claim to being Bike City USA?
Portland, Oregon, calls itself that. And there’s no doubt that it is a fine city to ride a self-propelled vehicle. Except of course for the nine months a year it rains, and the four of those months it freezes and collects snow.
Davis, CA, is a pretty with-it bicycle place. If memory serves they have a double century and completely flat. ...
Sacto Report
Laws to help protect bicyclists (“All right!”) are on the lobbying agenda of the California Bicycle Coalition (CBC). But they should keep in mind that sometimes laws create unintended consequences.
They’re pushing one bill that would stiffen penalties for drivers that carelessly injure bicyclists. It’s modeled after a law in Oregon. CalBike Report says “Penalties in Oregon include a mandatory...
Home Boy
Just returned home after being away for a week or so and two things happened related to biking: the weather improved, and the Trib is full of interesting bicycling stuff.
I’ll take full credit for the amelioration of the weather.
The controversy over bicycling courtesy and safety raged on today’s letters page. The county envisions a new bike trail. And ride share is looking for some art work.
...
Toe Clips: A Minority View
Now let us consider clip-on pedals. I don’t use them any more. They’re dangerous and have dubious utility. Took them off six months or so ago. Replaced mine with plastic cages that are used (I’m told) on mountain bikes. No straps, just the cages that anchor the toe in the proper position relative to the pedal, slightly inhibit but don’t prevent sideways movement, so you...
Helmet's Uber Ales (?)
I asked whether or not helmet laws discourage motorcycling, as children bicycle helmet laws seem to discourage kids from riding. Chris Neary sent this study. It seems to show that motorcycle helmet laws depress riding. Keep in mind that the authors of the study are avid motorcyclists and may have a bias. The authors of the study about children and helmets don’t appear to have an ax to...
Let's Hear It
Have a comment on Bicycle SLO(w)? Or an observation about bicycling on the Central Coast, or riding in general?
Share it with us. We’ll post any comments that aren’t obscene or otherwise objectionable.
Not Another Helmet Posting!?
More on helmet laws for children. Mentioned a few days ago a study that seemed to show that when states have laws requiring children to wear helmets, fatalities significantly decrease, but so goes bike riding among children. The study has caused quite a stir on the cycling blogisphere and elsewhere. The Freakonomics Blog of The New York TImes took a careful look at the study to cull out the...
They're Working on the Railroad
The Railroad Safety Trail, among other things, was on the agenda of the SLO Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting Thursday evening, according to Bicycle SLO(w)’s special correspondent Gary Havas (AKA Yellow Man). Gary reports that there is going to be a new exit from the Jennifer Street Bridge that takes riders behind the structure toward the tracks. The new exit is needed because now it dumps...
Keep Your Hat On
A couple week ago I opined that the problem of getting younger riders to use helmets could be partially solved if someone would develop a “cool” helmet. Admit it: bike helmets are dorky. On a morning ride, when you stop at a coffee shop mid-ride, what’s the first thing you do? Answer: you take off your helmet. You might go in wearing ear-muffs, a cap, gloves, a wind breaker...
Maui Wowee II
“Cyclists on Maui face a number of challenges: narrow roads, heavy traffic, an abundance of hills and mountains … and persistent winds… .” That’s from the Lonely Planet guidebook for the island. However, it points out that there are many roads with bike lanes that are relatively flat, and there is a bike map for Maui available at bike stores. On balalnce, from what...
Maui Wowee
Taking a break from the daily (bicycling, woodworking, crosswording, announcing, blogging, hiking) grind.
No cycling this trip, but keeping eyes open. Speaking of eye-opening, on the harrowing drive to our hotel along the northwest coast we saw about four bicyclists on a road that would discourage many drivers (like me). Twelve degree climbs, one lane in parts, dozens of blind corners and steep...
Pedal-Assist, Part Deux
Are e-bikes the next big thing?
Sanyo says “Yes.”
Larry the curmudgeon isn’t so sure.
Sanyo is introducing its e-bike at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month. They call it the Eneloop. (What high-priced branding expert came up with that? Eneloop sounds like a bladder device.)
The Eneloop weighs 50 pounds, with a lithium-ion battery that they say is good for 46 miles, but...
A Four-Letter Word
This just in from the U.S. Weather Service:
“A MAJOR PATTERN CHANGE IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE RAINFALL AND STRONG WINDS…
A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE UPPER LEVEL PATTERN IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON SUNDAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH NEXT WEEK.”
Haven’t seen that kind of forecast in a while. Probably means a week without riding, unless of course you’re really a duck with riding...
"Century of the Century"
There’s a new century ride on the horizon. It was announced last week at the SLO BIke Club’s monthly meeting. The organizer is Gil “The Flash” Pitt. (See previous posting.)
It is one of the events that will be saluting the 100th anniversary of the creation of Arroyo Grande, and called The Century of the Century. (Well, duh!) Gil took the idea to the A.G. city council and they loved it. So...
Secret Revealed
Strolled into San Luis Rides (1033 Chorro St) in downtown the other day. Met the owner, Jake Carter, and had a look around. Nice selection of bikes and gear. Worth a visit.
One of their specialties is pedal-assist bikes. Large selection. Helps you go further easier.
A big revelation. Now I know Gil Pitt’s secret. I had thought it was a secret Briggs and Stratton engine secreted...
More on the Bob Jones BIKE Trail
A letter-to-the-editor in today’s Tribune:
‘On your left,’ folks
While I’m certain well-intentioned in his concern, Skip Alford misses a key point in his plea for more courteous bicycle riders going to and from Avila Beach (“Cyclist warnings needed,” Jan. 10). The name on the sign at the head of the trail reads “Bob Jones bike trail” not Bob Jones walking trail or Bob Jones strolling...
How About a Walkabout, Mate?
“Walkability” is the new buzzword in real estate. (Not to be confused with “walkaway,” when people abandon a house whose mortgage they can’t afford.)
Walkability means, in short, how readily and comfortably one can walk to stores and services in the neighborhood of a home. It turns out that this is often found to be a component of the value of a home.
Makes sense.
There’s now a way to see how...
SLO Bicycle Patrol
The following should go under the heading: “What?!”
A county-wide bicycle patrol. It’s a germ (which may be an unwise choice of words) of an idea I’ve been noodling on for some time.
Imagine someone patrolling the most bicycled roads in the county, both county and city jurisdictions. Maybe on a bike. Cell phone available. And an encyclopedic knowledge of who fixes what when a...
Reader Comment
On unsafe bike riders on the Bob Jones, Chuck Perkins wrote:
“Yep, too many bike riders and not enough cyclists!!! What ever happened to manners?”
(Gotta comment on Bicycle SLO(w), let us hear from you.)
Good Point
The following letter-to-the-editor appeared in today’s Tribune:
“Cyclist warnings needed
I feel as if I am risking my life every time I am on the Bob Jones trail. I have almost been hit several times by bicycle riders while walking the trail, or attempting to.
The cyclists whiz by from behind, almost silently. As the lane is not wide enough to accommodate both the cyclists and the...
Bicycling in the Winter in Copenhagen. Look at this …
(Click here to see a great slide show)
… every morning you begin a ride around SLO and it’s in the 40s and you’re crabbing about the weather.
Also note the slide with the guy talking on his cell phone, riding on snow, with no helmet.
"Christopher Thompson, Meet Bubba"
Five years in prison! That’s the sentence handed down today to LA doctor Christopher Thompson who injured several cyclists when he slammed on his brakes just head of several riders in Mandeville Canyon, severely injuring two of them. The case has been a cause celebre (trans: big deal) for area bicycling organizations, according to the L.A. Times.
"Do As I Say, Not As . . ."
This action by the Ft. Collins, CO, city council seems anti-bike. Until you think about it.
Now if you get a ticket cycling ticket in this college town there is a surcharge of $35 on the ticket. The same as with motorists who also pay a surcharge on moving violations. The measure was supported by local bicycling organizations because it discourages illegal and thus frequently unsafe riding,...
Read the Arrows
Stan Cherman has a pet peeve. It’s worth sharing.
Bicyclists who block right turn only lanes, that’s his peeve. There’s a right turn arrow sign like the one below, or in the middle of the lane, meaning cars in that lane must turn right.
Stan believes that if a cyclists wants to go straight (and leave a life of crime?) he or she should move to the left of the lane, into the thru lane, so as...
New York Kind of Mind
The idea of biking in New York City is simultaneously scary and thrilling.
The traffic, especially the taxis, the pedestrians — they’re all aggressive and rude, at least by California standards. Aggressive, rude AND excessive. (I’ve seen more people at a Brooklyn Street Fair than live in SLO county. Honest.) Aggressive, rude, excessive AND noisy. (It seems that there is always an 80db...
"Move It!"
There are a couple strong riders I know who don’t ride with groups. They think that groups are unsafe. (Full disclosure: I’m second from left in the above photo. Ouch!)
They may be right. A couple serious accidents of recent memory involved two bikes tangling together on a group ride. On the other hand, a few other casualties among group riders were just (as they say) single vehicle...
CA Nirvana, Cyclists Style
A writer in the San Francisco Chronicle has chosen five places in the Golden State for bike lovers:
1. Davis, Bike City USA, with over 100 miles of bike trails and lanes. (Ed. note: And it’s absolutely flat. Warning: Hot as Heck in the summer, and the winter Tule fog can be a real downer.)
2. Mammoth Mountain Mountain Bike Park. (Ed. note: If you say so.)
3. One Speed Pizza in Sacto. A...
Tortoise Tales
The Goldenbergs sent the following:
“Fifteen Tortoises (San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club members) rode on New Years day. The ride included a great coffee stop, some stair climbing, riding on some great off road paved paths, all around southern San Luis Obispo. After the ride, we all enjoyed lunch at the Goldenbergs’. Riders earned a patch for participation.”
Here’s a photo...
More from New Year's Day
For pics of the Tortoises Pot Luck hosted by Stu and Janie Goldenberg, check out SLOBC.org.
Meanwhile feast your eyes on snaps from the 1/1/10 ride to Ragged Pt. (Look down a few posts for the verrrrry amateur video.)
A Sunny Day on Twitter
Here’s a sample of what was found under “bicycle” and “bicycling” today on Twitter.
ZSkyler RT @QuotesDaddy: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” - Albert Einstein
Kamododragoon RT @SequoiaRedd: you know you’re horny when riding a bicycle starts to feel just a little too good
followbike RT Married 23 years...
"Oh, Woe is Me!"
Some Winter mornings we riders tend to feel sorry for ourselves. It’s hard to get going, especially when the mercury registers, say, a bone chilling 38 degrees. Sometimes it’s even hard at 45. But we bundle up, wrap our ears, put on leggings, wear fingered gloves and suffer. (At least for the first hour, when things tend to warm up and riders begin shedding clothes.)
Take heart. There’s a...
A Trib Tribute
“Bike giveaway goes above and beyond,” was the headline of an editorial in today’s Tribune. It lauded the Custody Division of the SLO Sheriff’s Department AND the San Luis Obispo Bike Club for the bicycles and helmets that this year went to 733 needy youngsters. Local benefactors donated the bicycles, the Honor Farm did what rehab was needed, and the Bike Club and few others donated the money...
