April 2011
13 posts
A Plethora of Century Rides
Looks like there is a lot of choice to do century rides this Spring and early Summer.
First, there’s the Wildflower Century, put on the SLO Bike Club. That one’s all filled up, and is just a day or so away. The club also has the Lighthouse Century Ride in late September. (Full disclosure: I’m chairman of the ride this year.) Registration opens on-line at noon on June 5 and...
Bike Law
It could become illegal to ride a bike and text or talk on a cell phone. A bill that recently passed the state Senate by a large majority would fine cyclists $20 for the first offense, and $50 for additional infractions. It’s not clear what chances the measure has in the House, or how the governor feels about it.
Indeed you do see people of college age frequently chatting on the phone...
I'm Baaaaack
It’s been a while. Mostly because of travel, in part by bicycle, to places including “Bicycle City U.S.A.,” Portland, OR, which it can be reported, continues to live up to its reputation in spite of the rain, winds and cool temps.
More later.
In the meantime, this book review in the Economist, passed along to us by Robert Fuller (formerly “Red”) Davis. It’s...
Happy Happy. . . Bah!
SLO had a nice write-up in USA Today when we were away, with lots of flattering photos and a nice video. Cites our “bicycling culture,” Bubble Gum Alley and the Thursday Farmers Market. (Left out the Madonna Inn, thankfully.) Check it out. However, beware: there are some ads you can’t avoid.)
The only problem is that “The Happiest City” nonsense on Oprah is what...
It's a Frame-up!
Here’s another idea who’s time may have arrived… or not.
It’s best described as a hooped-frame bicycle. Instead of a rear fork protruding downward from the saddle area, it has a the rear wheel mounted at the bottom of a round hoop. The concept is simple. When the wheel rides over a pothole or other impediment, the hoop has a lot more give than a straight rode, even one...
Follies Federal and State
On many issues and fashions in the U.S. there are huge regional differences. Bolo ties do well in Arizona, not so well in Michigan. Craw fish are very popular in Louisianna, but not so much in North Dakota.
And things change over time. Wisconsin was known as a very progressive state, with luminaries like founder of the Progressive Party, Robert La Follette and his successors. Not so much...
Hard(wood) Riding
First, there were bikes made of bamboo.
Now this breaking news: bikes made of hardwood.
Some forward looking thinkers believe that it will only be a matter of time before someone starts making them out of steel.
Couldn’t resist the quip. Here’s the story:
Audi and Renovo of Portland have gotten together to manufacture bicycles made of hardwood, which they say is strong, lighter...
A Bad Picture
The current issue.
A week or so ago, there was a post here about the article in this issue by a respected cycling journalist with a long and close association with Lance who concluded that he was convinced that Lance had in fact used performance enhancing drugs.
A writer for Oregon Live was surprised that Bicycling Magazine had gone as far as it has on this issue, in part because the magazine...
"Look, Ma: No Hands!"
A few days ago I observed a young man riding a road bike at a nice clip down Marsh Street in downtown San Luis Obispo texting on his phone with both thumbs.
Idiot.
But what really was bothersome was that it has been many decades since I have ridden a bike with no hands, and never while also concentrating on a two-handed mechanical device.
How’d he do that?
The answer, it seems, came from...
Backlash Whiplash
It may be unwise to criticize organizations that support cycling, as was done in the previous two postings.
We need all the friends we can get.
There’s a bicycle backlash afoot, one not to be taken lightly. The situation in New York City has been touched on here. The mayor and his transportation czar have really pushed bicycling. But now some people are pushing back, in court and in...
Outlawing Idiocy
This will sound like piling on the California Bicycle Coalition, but so be it.
They and the city of Los Angeles are sponsoring a bill (S.B. 910) that specifies the distance motorists must keep from bicyclists, that they must slow down when approaching. It imposes fines, and if a violation of the law led to an accident caused by the motorists it would be treated as a misdemeanor.
Sounds fine. ...
Road Blocks on Bike Paths
Ever wonder why bike paths are so expensive to build and take so many years, even decades, to build?
Here’s a perfect example why, from the very people you’d think would understand the problem. The California Bicycle Coalition is hot for better designed bike paths, the rationale being that the better the paths the more likely people are to use them. Unassailable logic… ....