Thought I’d share a couple links for your weekend, bicycle web surfing enjoyment. From Canada, Standing up for winter cyclists A nice article in defense of those of us crazy enough to commute by bike in snow and ice. From Virginia Beach, The Virginian-Pilot gives us Cyclists, drivers clash on use of scenic Pungo roads…
Blog
$1.1 billion per day
The United States spent a record $34.4 billion on foreign oil in November, according to a U.S. Commerce Department report. That’s $1,130,000,000 we’re sending overseas every single day, and is a whopping 25% increase over 2006 in nominal dollars. World grain stocks are currently at their lowest levels in modern times. Traders are apparently “shocked”…
Listen to music while riding your bike
I don’t wear headphones or earbuds or any other listening device while I ride my bike in heavy city traffic; I feel l should use my hearing to know what’s going on around me. I wouldn’t mind some tunes and maybe the occasional podcast, however, on some portions of my commute. While some solutions are…
City provisions for bike commuters?
A common excuse people use for “needing” their car is that they don’t know how they’ll get home if something crops up that would otherwise leave them stranded. In many cities, an organization provides registered users of alternative transportation with a way to get home in certain situations. I know some of you are multi-mode…
Dealing with Road Rage
This morning I was able to leave earlier for my commute, and I was excited about getting to work earlier than normal. What I didn’t realize is that I was about to meet a whole new group of auto commuters. A half hour makes a big difference on who you see! Usually I have a…
Strida and skirt
I’ve mentioned previously that the unique design on the Strida 5.0 folding bicycle prevents anyone in a skirt from riding the bike because the top tube slopes sharply up directly in front of the saddle. True story: The skinny redhead sashayed into my office this morning and saw the Strida leaning against my desk. “Oooh,…
Pacific Cycle Recalls Children's Trailer Bicycles
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation Pacific Cycle Inc., of Madison, Wis., announced a voluntary recall of the InStep “Pathfinder,” Schwinn “Run About,” and Mongoose “Alley Cat” Trailer Bicycles yesterday. About 7,000 of the units, manufactured in China, use a coupler connecting the children’s trailer bike to the adult’s bicycle which has welds…
Riding on Sidewalks
I have a good buddy who has decided the time has come for him to begin his own commute by bike. He’ll have a 20 mile round trip that he is bound and determined to ride entirely on sidewalks. I’d tried to talk him out of the sidewalk thing, but he’d prefer to try that…
Snow and Ice
Some days there are no safe routes to work. Today was the first day back to work after a weekend of snow storms. The snow plows had only worked on the main streets, so all the side streets were a lumpy mess of ice and snow. And since the sides of the roads were piled…
Route Adjustments
I have been commuting using the same route for about three years. The ride is about 11.5 miles each way and takes 40-50 minutes depending on many things. Up until recently I have been a fair weather commuter and ridden mainly in the Summer when the days are long and I do not have to…
Commuting 101: Don't get sick!
This time of year in the northern hemisphere, things are really starting to cool off. As we head into the heart of winter, here are some tips to keep you healthy and in the saddle. Myth: Cold weather makes you sick. Fact: Cold weather can stress your immune system, but germs are what make you…
Dahon Seatpost Bolt Recall
With record sales of Dahon folding bicycles this year, I just want to note there is a voluntary recall related to the seat post bolt on some 2007 models. Effective immediately, Dahon is issuing a voluntary recall notice to all owners regarding a potential safety issue with seat post bolts affecting all 2007 model year…
Review: SRAM Power Link Chain
I’ve spent about a year and a half with a SRAM Power Link chain on my mountain bike. I’m in the middle of my second winter of daily bike commuting with it. In harsh commuting conditions, frequent cleaning of the drivetrain is a must. Solution: The SRAM Power Link quick release chain. When you’ve got…
Maintenance
Maintenance is key to prolonging the life of your bike and your safety. Last night on my way home I had a close call because of my lack of maintenance. I was riding home on kept hearing a weird rattling soun. coming from my rear wheel/drivetrain. Not sure what was causing it and nothing really…
Obey or Not?
StreetsBlog recently asked “Are there in fact, good reasons to ignore traffic regulations when you can, because after all, they are really meant just for cars?” I guess I’m just the kind of person who obeys the rules the best he can. The article, and many of the comments that follow it, seem to say…
Introduction (with video!)
Hello! Welcome to my first post on Commute by Bike. I am excited to be among the new recruits to the site, along with Jeff, Chris, and Noah. I have been a bike commuter ever since my first job as a bike mechanic required me to ride over an hour to get to the shop….
Strida 5.0: The Shakedown
I’ve had a chance to ride the Strida for a full week of commuting. My bike commute is usually a 3 mile ride from the train station to my office, though last night I took it about seven miles across Silicon Valley. The single speed and light weight Strida 5.0 is perfect for short commutes…
Keep track of your riding
Well, I guess it’s my turn to post. I’m excited to be here among the other new writers and the familiar favorites. I’m a geek that’s obsessed with statistics and numbers. At the beginning of 2007, I created a spreadsheet to track my miles. I’d only been riding for 3 months, and my goal was…
New responsibilites and challenges
Happy New Year to everyone and I am looking forward to being one of the new members of the Commute by Bike team, just like Jeff. I sometimes like to think of the beginning of the year as a time to start things fresh, sort of a clean slate. Not really setting any resolutions, I…
Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge
I’m sure some of you may be familiar with Clif Bar’s 2 Mile Challenge, but I came across this again recently and thought I’d share it. This would make a wonderful New Year’s resolution for someone. Some of the data from the video: In the U.S., 40% of all trips are 2 miles or less….
Commute by Bike – Carson City
Hello and welcome to my first post on Commute by Bike! I have been a full time bicycle commuter since I moved back to Carson City, Nevada in November of 2007. For the past several years, I lived in the town to the south of Carson City, and had a 16 mile commute (32 mile…
Solar powered bicycle light
Hello everybody, and I hope you all are having a good New Year! Like Tim mentioned, a lot is planned here on Commute By Bike. We have some new writers and I think you’ll like what they have for you. My dad has been a fan of solar energy for over two decades and over…
Tried and liked in 2007
I’ve seen this subject on other bike discussion lists, forums and blogs. Go ahead and let the world know one or a few of the things you tried and liked in 2007. The object that comes to mind for me: Planet Bike SuperFlash — this rear blinky is amazing bright. Wow! What’s on your “tried…
XYZ Bike – Inaugural Ride
It is hard to believe that it has been almost three weeks since I took the XYZ Bikes Men’s Cruiser out of the box. Since that time a couple nasty ice storms, a week-long trip for work and Christmas preparations and celebrations have taken me out of the saddle. I had the day after Christmas…