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Showing posts from December 9, 2012

Chicago Bike Lane Envy Sweeps the Nation [StreetsBlog]

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Who would have thunk it just two years ago: Portland, Seattle — even some New York City residents — jealous of Chicago’s cutting-edge bike infrastructure. Admit it: Chicago's new Dearborn bike lane makes you a wee bit jealous. Photo:  Active Transportation Alliance But here we sit, roughly a year and a half into Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first term, and the city of Chicago has a  protected, bi-directional bike lane  running directly through the heart of its downtown. Bike advocates from major cities are taking notice. Here’s what Jonathan Maus at  Bike Portland had to say: That’s a segment of over one mile on a high-profile downtown street in one of America’s largest cities. “That’s huge and symbolic,” tweeted Portland Mercury News Editor Denis Theriault upon hearing the news, “[Would] Be like putting one here on Washington or Everett.” Yeah. If only. While excited by what’s happening in Chicago (and D.C., and San Francisco, and so on), I can’t help but think how

L.A.'s Bloody Hit-and-Run Epidemic [LA Weekly]

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The last thing  Marie Hardwick  remembers from the morning of Sunday, March 25, as she legally crossed Wilshire Boulevard is glancing through the windshield of a shiny black sports car — into the expressionless eyes of a man who, milliseconds later, shot his sedan like a bullet into her delicate frame, leaving Hardwick crumpled and broken in the crosswalk at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. COURTESY OF MARIE HARDWICK X-rays show the injuries of hit-and-run victim Marie Hardwick. COURTESY OF MARIE HARDWICK X-rays show the injuries of hit-and-run victim Marie Hardwick. The pretty young Eastside jewelry artist had just emerged from a LACMA screening of  Christian Marclay 's experimental and striking 24-hour film The Clock , described by  The New Yorker  as "a seamless transition between reality and fantasy." Right around the 2 a.m. mark, when Hardwick stepped out, the film, made of hundreds and hundreds of snippets from other films, had begun to m

Bikes Mean Business [Women on Bikes SoCal]

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You're assuming an exciting new role in bike advocacy here in Long Beach. Will you give us an overview of your position as  Bike Nation ’s  Long Beach General Manager, and what your responsibilities will be? Rolling out a bike share system is a big job, and my role will be to steer that ship within the city. I’ll serve as the point-person to the City of Long Beach, business associations, and the diversity of community organizations with whom we’ll work while also overseeing day-to-day operations and fielding media inquiries. I’m looking forward to assembling a diverse team and also working with our staff in our corporate office on this team effort. What do you hope your background in community advocacy will help make possible in this role? I want the bike share program to bring more residents, work commuters, and tourists into our local business districts on bike – thereby increasing customers and sales and decreasing car traffic and parking congestion. This is what I hel

Going grilling? Take a Bodum FYRKAT on your bike rack.

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Information for FYRKAT Picnic charcoal grill, 39 x 39 x 36 cm, 15.4 x 15.4 x 14.2 inch Lime green:   BBQ – it’s a man’s world. That’s what men think anyway, with that friendly banter about who has the best marinade recipe and whether the steak needs to be seasoned before or after. (Any woman knows it’s simply salt and pepper before.) Barbecuing might very well be the only chance you’ll ever get to wear the combination of an apron and gloves without looking silly. And then there are all those nice BBQ toys to play with – it’s gonna be a field day. The FYRKAT Picnic charcoal grill is a perfect fit for terraces, porches and even the back of your car so you can take your BBQ wherever the mood strikes you. Its body is made from enamel coated steel, its legs from chrome plated steel. The handle is made from heat-resistant silicone. Its diameter is just perfect for your favorite piece of meat or fish. Or sausages, for that matter. And for the health conscious among us – it grills veggies

josh zisson's 100% reflective bike is the safest on the road

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the safest bike on the road is 100% reflective   about a year ago, boston-based lawyer  josh zisson  decided to create the safest bicycle on the road. the concept uses retro-reflective frame coatings, a dynamo hub in the front powering LED headlight with daytime running lights and a taillight that illuminates itself during braking. instead of a derailleur, it has an 8-speed internally geared rear hub for reducing maintenance, also allowing for shifting while stationary—a valuable feature when users always stop at red lights. equipped with full fenders for rainy commutes, puncture resistant tires and tubes, a double kickstand, and a chainguard, the 'safest bike' gets even safer during night riding. developed by  halo coatings , the reflective formula uses similar technology to that of industrial guardrails and signposts for highways, working only during darker conditions. during daylight, the frame retains its original color, disclosing the safety feature.

A Stronger Bike Helmet, Made of Cardboard and Inspired by a Woodpecker

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  When  Anirudha Surabhi  was a grad student at the Royal College of Art in London, he was in a bike accident. Even though it was a minor crash, and Surabhi was wearing an expensive helmet, the next day he learned that he had a concussion. He spent three days in the hospital. He wondered why the helmet hadn’t worked—and decided to explore the problem for his thesis project.   It turns out that bike helmets are not as safe as they’re portrayed to be. Over the last few decades, Surabhi says, some helmets have gotten more aerodynamic and better-looking, but they haven’t gotten any better at protecting us from injuries.   As he began working on his design, Surabhi looked at the anatomy of a woodpecker for inspiration. When a woodpecker slams its beak into the trunk of a tree, the impact is cushioned by a special micro-structure between the beak and head. By mirroring that structure—after testing 150 different materials—Surabhi was able to create a helmet that can withstand thre

The Beerpack

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Before Fat: Bicycles on Snow

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The 10 Ways Copenhageners Wait For Red Lights [Cycle Chic]

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The 10 Ways Copenhageners Wait For Red Lights When you spend a few years staring at this thing called Bicycle Culture, you start to see the glorious, human details. The bicycle is a fifth limb for Copenhageners and you would like to think that a few hundred thousand people on a few hundred thousand bicycles would present you with a massive variety of behaviour and anthropological details. We started noticing posture on bicycles - in particular the way that Copenhageners wait for red lights. We started thinking... is there a pattern to it or was it completely random and individual?  To our surprise, we learned that there are ten basic postures used for this situation. With variations, of course, but just ten basic postures.  Waiting for red lights to change to green is an integral part of a daily cycling life in Copenhagen.  When you have well-designed bicycle infrastructure, regular citizens wait at red lights at every opportunity . So... welcome to the Red Light Posture Serie

Kickstarting: A More Stylish, Rugged, And Secure Bike Light [FastCompany]

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Imagine Ford attempting to sell a car without lights. No doubt, they’d be bucking all sorts of laws, but consumers would never buy it, either. Who would fork up a few hundred bucks a month for a car with no lights? Who would settle to drive a car only during the day? Absurdity! But expensive bikes are sold without lights every day. Sparse is a new  Kickstarter-backed  company that wants to reimagine the world of bike accessories. As silly as that car/bike analogy may seem to a serious biker, Sparse agrees: There’s way too much to worry about when you hop on a bike these days. “Getting on a bike as your primary mode of transport  is  more complex than getting in your car--you have to be mindful of weather, distance, attire, and all that  stuff  that we all need,” CEO Colin Owen writes. “The checklist is simply a bit longer when on a bike vs drive. It’s an underserved and under-considered region of the market.” Read on at FactCompany -->

Why Chicago business needs protected bike lanes

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Part of the Kinzie Avenue bike lane near the Blommer Chocolate factory. Image via City of Chicago For years, Chicago has worked to position itself as a technology center with the goal of attracting companies in that industry and the well-paying jobs that come with them. While many of these efforts have paid off, Chicago still has a ways to go before it becomes truly competitive with the nation's primary technology hubs. Now there is an initiative under way that may have an impact on Chicago's ability to thrive as a technology center: Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to make Chicago the most bike-friendly city in the United States. The connection between low-tech transportation and high-tech jobs is not readily obvious. A bike-friendly environment will boost Chicago's ability to attract talent — and retain the robust technology sector that the city has worked so hard to cultivate. Bike-friendliness can influence where an individual decides to live and work.

This one goes to twelve? TISO wireless GROUPSET

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Made in America: Chris King Bicycle Components [Adventure Journal]

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There are so many dogs and cats (yes, cats) at Chris King bike components  that there are signs in the factory warning of no-animal zones to keep the critters safe. Workers, some of them anyway, are dressed about as far down as you can dress and still be allowed in public. Upstairs, in the cafeteria, a full-time chef prepares healthy meals at low cost. Downstairs, in the bike room, the walls are painted with portraits of Marco Pantani and Eddy Merckyx, and in the locker room, the lockers themselves are vented with warm air, to remove the funk of Portland weather that clings to cycling clothes. Nothing about Chris King is business as usual. Especially its successful effort to make the best available products in America in an environmentally sensitive way while treating workers right — and still making a profit. A good example is on the factory floor, where low-VOC soybean oil is used to lube the cutting machines that reduce Ohio-milled aluminum into the first likenesses of headset

Ministry of Bicycles, Monday Night Is Project Night Christmas Message

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Nation's Largest XC Ski area opens to 'Fat Bikes' [GearJunkie]

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Methow Valley in Winthrop, Wash., is the nation’s largest cross-country ski area. This winter, the resort is opening some of its trails to bikes. The rise in popularity of fat bikes, which have the ability to “float” better on snow, sparked the initiative at Methow. Fresh tracks on fat tires There are more than 120 miles of groomed trails at  Methow Valley . Only a few will be open to biking, and only when the conditions are right. “The ski trails will remain our top priority,” said James DeSalvo, the executive director at Methow. “It will be interesting to see what response we get [with bikers on the trails].” [Keep reading at GearJunkie]

Crushing Gravel - An Interview With Chris Skogen [Salsa Cycles]

Chris Skogen is the founder and race director of the  Almanzo 100 . Each May, hundreds of cyclists take part in what has become Minnesota's most celebrated gravel race. Entry in the event is free, but the reward is priceless. Salsa is proud to be a sponsor of the 2013 Almanzo 100. We took a few moments of his time to talk bikes, gravel, and the Almanzo. Tell us how you became a cyclist? My arrival at cycling is probably not unlike that of too many others. I got my first bike when I was pretty young. It gave me freedom. It gave me a release from the world I knew that was available by foot. As I got older, the bicycle never changed for me. Sure the responsibilities in my life changed and my world "available by foot" expanded, but my time on the bike didn't change. It is still about freedom. In fact, I might argue that riding a bike these days allows me time to slow down. When I'm on the bike these days I often find myself listening to the things around me;

Cargo Bike Christmas Cards [Zazzle]

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[See em at Zazzle]

Fotopod [Momentum Mag]

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Photo by David Niddrie Neil De Groote, designer and creator of the Fotopod mobile photo booth. This furry photo booth on three wheels, the Fotopod, is a labor of love from creator Neil De Groote. [Keep reading at Momentum]

90's MTB masters (1992)

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Reveal the Path to be shown 12/11, Columbus OH

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Paradise Garage presents a night of bike adventure with FOOD TRUCKS! FIRE PIT! Oskar Blues Brewery Beer! [Facebook Event] Featuring the movie "Reveal The Path" - 'An adventure film that contemplates what it means to live an inspired life using the bicycle as a mechanism to explore, dream and discover.' Benefitting: Yay Bikes! Minimum $5 donation at the door. All money goes to Yay Bikes! Become a fan!  https://www.facebook.com/ yaybikes614 There will be raffle items from Seagull Bags, Reveal the Path, Salsa, Oskar Blues and Oakley. Pitabilities and Crepes a la Carte will be serving dinner. Free parking for bikes or cars.  * PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR* Location: The 'Adventure Warehouse' is located in the eastern portion of United Security Seals, 2000 Fairwood Ave. on the NE corner of Fairwood Ave. and Universal Rd. Enter through the north gravel parking lot. View Larger Map HEAD TO HAL & AL'S BEFORE THE MOVIE! If you head to Hal &

Rapha Espresso Cup Set

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Produced for Rapha by design studio notNeutral, these stylish espresso cups feature an award-winning design developed in conjunction with the renowned baristas of Intelligentsia Coffee in Los Angeles. Offering the perfect blend of function and form, the internal curvature of the cups has been shaped to ensure the perfect pour, a feature that will also enhance the aroma of the coffee. The cups have an ergonomic handle, making them extremely comfortable to hold, and a lip shaped for the best possible ‘mouth feel’. A thick base helps retain heat. The cups are durable enough to withstand everyday use yet refined enough to be decorative pieces in your kitchen. Key features: Fine, solid white porcelain (3 oz. volume) Ergonomic cup handle and saucer Designed in collaboration with Intelligentsia baristas Thick bottomed Contrast Rapha logos and stripe NOTE :  Each design is applied by hand and so slight variations may occur between individual pieces . [Rapha]

A Fat Year: Touring on a Surly Pugsley

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The following is a guest post from Nicholas Carman, who was mentioned in Josh Tack's column,  Fine Tuned  in the December/January issue of  Adventure Cyclist .  Read more of Nicholas' stories on his blog,  gypsybytrade.wordpress.com As leaves fall, I typically point my wheels south for the winter. Last year, I flew north. I had just wrapped up a full season of touring, including the  Great Divide Mountain Bike Route  (GDMBR), and boarded a plane to Alaska from New Mexico. Considering what I knew about the requisite equipment for winter bike travel, I purchased a used purple  Surly Pugsley  from a Craigslist seller in Seattle while visiting friends on a two-week layover. The Pugsley is one of a new breed of all-terrain bikes, called fatbikes, with 4” tires and wide rims. With nothing but my camping equipment and the spare tire included in the sale, I installed my Brooks saddle and pedaled across town at dark, in the rain.  Touring the Great Divide, Wyoming   Now, re

Cyclepassion 2013 - Sonya Looney - Behind the scenes

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Two Wheels to America

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by Jay Martin Anderson Description A narrative of the author's bicycle trip across the United States in the summer of 1976, the bicentennial of the U.S.  This includes accounts of his experiences as a leader of a group of about 12 cyclists, and it is interwoven with historical documents and reports and literary excerpts which provide a larger context for the places and observations on this trip.  Iliustrated with the author's photographs and simple maps. This book is available for download on your iPad with iBooks or on your computer with iTunes. Free Available on iPad. Category:  United States Published: Oct 24, 2012 Publisher:  Jay Martin Anderson Seller:  Jay Anderson Print Length:  35 Pages Language:  English Requirements:  This book can only be viewed using iBooks 2.0 or later on an iPad. iOS 5.0 or later is required. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/two-wheels-to-america/id564859563?mt=11

MASTERWORKS WOOD BICYCLES--ART YOU CAN RIDE

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NOT made with CNC/CAM! Masterworks handcrafts all bicycles--from start to finish-- by hand.  For details c lick the link "About Masterworks" above. CLICK PICTURE TO SEE MORE DEFENDER, WALNUT Black Walnut and Maple Multiplywood. Cherry wood dowels. Black crackset, pedals, rims, spokes, and sprockets (with chrome trim.) Chrome hubs. Single Speed--46/20 ratio. Sealed bearing headset and bottom bracket, Shimano. Kenda Flame 3.0 tires. Hand-rubbed Penofin Verde Rosewood Oil. Our classic Defender design is available in a variety of woods. Please call for prices.        CLICK PICTURE TO SEE MORE GYPSY Purple Heart and Maple Multiplywood. Maple wood dowels. Black rims, spokes, and back sprocket. Chrome front sprocket, chain, hubs and crackset. Clear pedals. Single Speed--46/20 ratio. Sealed bearing headset and bottom bracket, Shimano. CB Cyclops 2.4 tires. Hand-rubbed Penofin Verde Rosewood Oil.   CLICK PICTURE TO SEE MORE CHERRY BOMB  Cherry and Mahogany Multiplywood. Black Waln