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Showing posts from June 16, 2013

Honoring the founder of TOSRV | Dispatch

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I never met Charles Siple, but I feel like I know him … and owe him a debt of gratitude. You do too if you’ve ever ridden on a bike path, with a bike club or in an organized ride. And especially if you've ridden TOSRV. Charles, 94, passed away last week. He was a World War II veteran, artist, dedicated letter writer and Master Penman, husband, father and grandfather. But the Clintonville resident is perhaps best known for creating the Tour of the Scioto River Valley, or TOSRV. Charles was a bike rider long before it was cool and popular to be a bike rider. On a scorching-hot July day in 1962, Charles and his son, Greg,  16 at the time, went on a "little" father-and-son bike ride from Columbus to Portsmouth and then back the next day, a 200-plus-mile trip. This just wasn’t something people did back then. [Keep reading at Dispatch]

1997 Klein Mantra SOLD

FOR SALE (Columbus, OH area ONLY unless you want to pay packing and freight) 1997 Klein Mantra Race SOLD Purchased in 1998 from TRM Cycles in Mt. Lebanon PA Updated components/wheels through 2003 Rear triangle replaced in 2003 via Klein warranty Rear triangle bearings replaced at same time According to Gary Klein this is a medium. I am 6'1" and it fits me. Components (see photos) Deore XT 8 speed drivetrain Truvativ Stylo crankset 44/32/22 Deore XT V-brakes Custom White Industries - Sun Zero Degree Rim wheel set. Front wheel is radially laced. Rock Shox front fork (needs rebuilt) and a spare of unknown functionality Raceface seat post Specialized saddle Fox ALPS 5R shock Extras Rear shock pump Extra brake assemblies Extra brake levers 2 knobby tires 2 Ritchey 26 x 1 slicks Note: Photo shows platform pedals but they are not included. There is a cyclometer harness in the picture too and it will be removed because it died.

McKeesport does its part in making Great Allegheny Passage complete | @TribLive

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Published:  Monday, June 10, 2013, 4:21 a.m. Updated: Monday, June 10, 2013  Grand opening for the final mile of Pittsburgh's portion of the Great Allegheny Passage is set for the weekend, and McKeesport is doing its part to make the trail more navigable. Saturday's ceremony will celebrate the completion of the link between Pittsburgh's and the Steel Valley's trail systems. McKeesport is putting the final touches on the section that runs through the city, which provides a direct route between the Marina at McKees Point and RIDC Riverplace Industrial Center. “It looks spectacular and I'm excited that it's finished,” McKeesport Trail Commission president Linda Brewster said. “The bikers coming through the city have a clear pathway that they can see and they won't be confused.” When cyclists began traveling local sections of the Great Allegheny Passage early in its development, McKeesport was a rough patch between Elizabeth Township and the Steel Va

The bike lobby rolls on [Politico]

aren’t ready to crow about their clout just yet. | AP Photo Close By  BYRON TAU  and  CAITLIN EMMA  | 6/16/13 5:26 PM EDT The bicycle lobby is real. Wall Street Journal editorial board member Dorothy Rabinowitz drew widespread   mockery when she suggested in an   online video   that “the bike lobby is an all-powerful enterprise” while she blasted the New York bike sharing program as the product of a “totalitarian” city government. All-powerful the bike lobby is not. Cars — and the infrastructure needed to accommodate them — receive an overwhelming percentage of federal, state and local transportation dollars. But a scrappy band of bicycle manufacturers, smart-growth advocates and cycling nonprofits is increasingly fighting — and winning — battles at all levels of government. [Keep reading at  Politico]

Don't try this at home folks. #letsride

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Taunting Craigslist Post About Bicycle Crash Strikes Nerve With Biking Community [10TV]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -  A driver claiming to have struck a bicyclist on the streets of Columbus bragged about it online, and now the central Ohio biking community is enraged. The message, posted on Craigslist, begins, "To the bicyclist who went down hard today, I admit you must be hurting and I laughed all the way to work." The post titled "A warning to bicyclists in Columbus" goes on to describe the incident in detail and warns other bicyclists to "beware of people like me who won't stop for you." "Last year, I was hit right here coming from work -- the driver sped away. I've been doored, I've had a water bottle thrown at me, I've been spit at." Read on at 10TV ...

I posted A warning to bicyclists in Columbus! (some anger issues, Get help) [Craigslist]

Here are some very rude Emails I got from some real idiots. As you can see they clearly have some anger issues they need to address. Please get help. PS. the post was made up just to see how many wackos would come out of the wood work. I will post some more emails later. jennifer grimm Asshole. Karma's a bitch. Better hope you are never in the hospital yourself and have me as your nurse. ................................................................................ shawn kothe I will throat punch you! ................................................................................ John Newsom You are a pathetic excuse for life. I hope your vehicle catches on fire with you trapped inside. Seriously. I wouldnt risk my flesh to pull you out. Instead, I would say, "Oh well, that asshole was asking for it". Bragging about hurting a random stranger is pretty sick and twisted. You probably belong in a mental institution. Have a great day. [Craigslist] [10TV story]

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: The Next-Gen in U.S. Protected Bike Lanes

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: The Next-Gen in U.S. Protected Bike Lanes from Streetfilms on Vimeo .

CitiBikes are a Pain in the Ass

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Ride On

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Bike riders will be able to yield legally at stop signs around Aspen [Aspen Times]

The Aspen City Council on Tuesday decided it will make legal what many bicyclists already are doing: rolling through stop signs. With little discussion, Mayor Steve Skadron and council members Ann Mullins and Adam Frisch agreed with Aspen police and other city staff members to create an ordinance that allows bicyclists to use stop signs in the same manner that motorists use a yield sign. Councilman Art Daily, who is traveling, was not present for Tuesday’s work session. The new rule — heralded as a safety measure and a possible incentive for more people to use bikes — won’t become official until it goes through the council’s regular meeting cycle with an introduction at one meeting and a vote for or against final approval at another. “I am ready to move forward with this,” Skadron said. “I think it’s safe, sensible and efficient bike transport.” In February, the City Council discussed the issue after Aspen police brought information to them about the “stop-as-yield approach”

CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME [http://helenair.com] Go Chris, Taylor & Kristen! #letsride

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Chris Arndt didn’t have much time to stop and chat Tuesday. Arndt, who hails from Columbus, Ohio, was one of about 140 people who are racing through Helena as part of the Tour Divide. As he passed by Reeder’s Alley on his way up Grizzly Gulch, Arndt paused to woefully note that he slipped by seven positions when he stopped for lunch at Pizza Hut. “They had all-you-can-eat pizza for $5. I bet I ate two,” Arndt said, with a wide grin below his helmet and sunglasses. “I was in the top 10 until just a few minutes ago and plan to be in Butte later today.” With that, he put his feet back on the pedals and turned his mountain bike back toward the Continental Divide. He left Banff on Friday, embarking on the 2,745-mile ultra-challenge, and chances are he’ll make it to the finish line in New Mexico in about three weeks. [Keep reading at helenair.com]

A warning to bicyclists in Columbus! [Craigslist] #speechless #letsride

To the bicyclist who went down hard today,I admit you must be hurting but I laughed all the way to work. Yes, I saw you speeding down the street with no intentions of stopping .And like a moron you thought I wouldn't pull out.I had already come to a complete stop at my stop sign. Yeah, I knew you were going to swerve around me and when I heard that loud thud the smile on my face was as wide as could be! I didn't stop but saw you rolling around on the ground as others gathered around you, to see if you were ok.I pray you read this and reply back so I can sit you down and have a man to man with you.Most likely you're in the hospital though.To the other bicyclist driving like idiots,beware of people like me who wont stop for you..We are out there and fed up...Still laughing man...Damn the look on your face when you saw that I wasn't letting you blow through that stop sign!!!!! Priceless... it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Yay Bikes! rides with PRIDE this Saturday, June 22 #letsride

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Join Yay Bikes! as We Ride with PRIDE! in the Stonewall Columbus 2013 Pride Parade. Ride your bike down to the corner of Front and W. Town St. where we'll gather to become a rolling, mobile parade float! Please bring plenty of water and snacks to munch on while we wait for the parade to start. Also, sunscreen or other weather related apparel and/or fun PRIDE parade shenanigans are strongly encouraged! Please wear your "Yay Bikes!", "Bike Curious?" or other RED t-shirt if you have one. NEW --> Special Yay Bikes! event t-shirts will be available at the event before the parade starts. $10 CASH We will be lining up in the YELLOW area at Town and Front St. at approximately 11 AM. #letsride

The Insurrection of Connection [Bicycling] - How do you handle irate motorists? #letsride

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By Bill Strickland All the stiffest climbs of the day were behind us—at least until we turned around—and the seven of us were on the winding, rolling, smooth two-lane with the gradual drop that, on a good day, for thirty minutes or so feels like a sled ride. We were two-up, with the last rider sitting in the most sheltered spot, between the last two paired rear wheels, the place we call the cradle. I was thinking about how an uneven number in the pack means the combination reshuffles every time you finish a pull and go to the back and the solo rider slots in with one of you: the conversations change up, the new pairings can lead to two calm and steady riders at the front or two half-wheelers or a learning (or teaching) opportunity if an old lion sets up next to a cub. Sometimes two people who don’t talk much wind up next to each other and go on in amiable silence until they rotate back and swap. And the draft changes as bigger or smaller riders end up in front of you, and— A wh

Christoph Strasser Wins The 2013 Race Across America in Record-Setting Fashion [PAVED Mag]

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Was Christoph Strasser excited about his record breaking ride? Hmm, perhaps. By Vic Armijo ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 19th, 2013)— Christoph Strasser has earned his 2nd Race Across America win, reaching Annapolis this afternoon in a record time (pending certification) of 7 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes with an overall average speed of 15.56 mph, thus becoming the first rider to finish RAAM in under 8 days. He has also broken Pete Penseyes’ record of 15.4 mph average speed set back in 1986, “It’s so great I can’t even realize it, because the record—it was from back in 1986 when I was just 3 years old,” Strasser said minutes after crossing the finish line, “It is unbelievable for me because I was not planning doing this record before the race. I was just trying to be as fast as possible. When I was thinking that it can be possible if everything works out, but it was not my concrete plan to do it. So I am really surprised that it has worked so nice.” Continue reading  →

The League of American Bicyclists has a new website

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At the National Bike Summit in March, we revealed the  new face of the League  — a more modern, sophisticated and forward-moving branding that draws on our storied history and propels us to a brighter future for biking. A few weeks later, members started receiving our  redesigned magazine , with more vibrant content, creative visuals and even a centerfold infographic. Next, we rolled out a fresh take on our  National Bike Month Guide  and resources , and, before the end of May, released an equity report that showed in content and layout that the League is stepping up to change the face of bicycling. Now, you'll be able to find all that — and more — on our upgraded and entirely redesigned website ! 

Brodie Elan

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Shimano XT hubs, shifting and disc brakes, because a fully loaded touring bike deserves better brakes than what's been offered in the past. Now with more rack mounting options! Specifications MODEL Elan (touring) $1549 COLOUR Green Emerald SIZES XS / S / M / L / XL FRAME 4130 DB Cromoly Touring FRONT FORK Brodie Cromo Classic Touring HANDLE BAR Brodie Compact Road 31.8 STEM Brodie 4 Bolt SL BRAKES Shimano Mech. 6" Disc CRANKS Shimano Deore 26/36/48T PEDALS Not Included HUBS Shimano Deore XT Disc CASSETTE Shimano Deore 11-32t RIMS Sun Inferno 29er TIRES Vittoria Randonneur Pro 35c FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore LX-T SHIFTERS Shimano Dura Ace Bar End 9 Spd SADDLE WTB Pure-V Race S/POST Brodie Road 27.2 EXTRAS 48cm- 26" wheels / Fenders WEIGHT 27.3 http://www.brodiebikes.com/2013/bikes/elan.php

New Handlebars - Keeping it Weird

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About a month and a half ago I wrote a post about  my current cockpit setup on my touring rig . I mentioned that my ideal setup would have the swept back hand position of funky mountain bars along with the flats and hoods hand positions of drop bars. I also alluded to the fact that I was getting a prototype of a bar that would provide all of those hand positions. Well it's here, and I'm pretty sure the whole office has become concerned for my sanity. The initial inspiration for these bars came from looking at pictures or  old condorino bars  and more modern bullhorns in too rapid of succession. The swept back portion of the new bars will provide a similar hand position to the  VO Postinos We may end up slightly changing the look of the bar but, testing withstanding, the production model should be functionally similar to the prototype. Here's the nitty gritty: The clamp diameter is 25.4, these bars can only be used on stems with removable faceplates (obviously). T

Amtrak Looking to Handle Growing Demand for Bikes on Board [Streetsblog]

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Amtrak can be a great option if you want to travel to another city sans car. But if you want to take your bike on board an Amtrak train, on most routes you’ll have to dismantle it, at least partially, and fit it in a box that for a $10 fee can be stowed with the luggage. Then once you arrive, you’ll have to put it back together — if you know how — before rolling away from the station. More cities and town served by Amtrak are calling for bikes to be allowed on board, like they are on the Capitol Corridor route. Image:  Bikecommutetips.com Only eight Amtrak routes (Amtrak Cascades, Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner, Downstate Illinois Services, Missouri River Runner, Piedmont) allow passengers to roll bikes on board fully assembled. Even those that do allow “walk-on” service only do so in very limited numbers; most trains allow just six bikes per train. (Though if you have a folding bike you can store it in carry-on luggage.) But Amtrak is seeing increased de

Tour de Grandview is Friday, June 28th, 2013 #letsride

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The sharp turns, steep inclines and grueling demands of the Tour de Grandview criterium courses have long made them a favorite among participating cyclists. So have the city's laid-back, eclectic culture, the spectators' enthusiasm and the community's historic hospitality. If you've already raced here, you know. If you haven't, the only way to find out what makes this event so special is to put the Tour on your schedule.  For more information, prize money details, and team and rider registration, contact Andys Burns .  Men Category 4/5 30 minutes 6:30 PM Kids Sprints  Women Category 1/2/3 30 minutes 7:30 PM Women Category 3/4 30 minutes 7:30 PM  Men Category 3 60 minutes 8:05 PM  Men Category 1/2 70 minutes 8:50 PM [ Tour de Grandview]

MacAskill's Imaginate - Riding Film

Two years in the making, street trials rider Danny MacAskill releases his brand new riding film. Whilst previous projects have focused on locations and journeys, MacAskill's Imaginate sees Danny take a completely different approach to riding. Enter Danny's mind and enjoy.

Craigslist ad for a bike recounts man's emotional and turbulent divorce from his bike.

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Tiny Ti

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http://www.rodbikes.com/catalog/specialty/special-main.htm l

Riding the Ohio to Erie Trail [Dispatch]

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There’s a thin strip of mostly-paved amazingness that runs from Cincinnati to Columbus and on to Cleveland. And it’s not Interstate 71. It’s the Ohio to Erie Trail, and while technically it’s a multi-use path and walkers, runners, roller bladers and even cross-country skiers (but only in the winter) are welcome, we all know it’s really a bike trail. And it is 329.7 miles long. I had the chance to ride a 30-mile chunk of it this weekend with the guy who probably knows as much about the O to E as anyone: Jerry Rempelt, executive director of the  O to E Trail Fund . They’re the non-profit group that promotes the trail and are helping local communities acquire and pave the last few miles needed to complete it. “It was started in 1991 and is 85-percent paved,” Jerry said, adding it will be totally complete in another couple of years. One of the biggest missing pieces of the puzzle is here in Columbus, but they’re working on it. In the meantime hundreds of people ride from one end

Cyclist’s death should be a lesson for all drivers: don’t kill people with cars [The Collegian]

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At 8 a.m. on May 31, Gail Lynne Kline rode out of Salina on her bicycle, heading west on Crawford Street — a paved county road with no shoulder and a speed limit of 55 mph. Between 8:05 and 8:45 a.m., authorities estimate, Kline was struck from behind by a driver in a large, white van, who fled the scene without reporting the accident. Her unresponsive body was discovered lying beneath her bike in the ditch by a passing motorist, both her back wheel and her shoes knocked off. She was pronounced dead later that morning at Salina Regional Health Center. 49-year-old Gail Kline did not have to die. But it was not Kline who was in the wrong. It was the driver, whose inattentiveness caused the accident and whose cowardice prevented him from reporting it, who killed Gail Kline. Yet days after the tragic accident, Ben Wearing, executive editor of the Salina Journal, drew a different conclusion. On June 5, in an article condescendingly entitled “You’re Not Training for the Olympics,” We

Joshua "Pro" Hartman from Major Taylor Development Team Medical Expenses [gofundme]

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This website was set up by the Major Taylor Development Team in show of support for our talented teammate  Joshua “Pro” Hartman  and his family during this incredible crisis. As many of you know, Joshua participated in a bike race on Saturday, June 8 and experienced a devastating crash during the qualifying rounds. He sustained multiple injuries to his face - he fractured his cheekbones, nose, and jaw. Thankfully he had on a helmet which protected his head. However when his face hit the protective railing his mouth was split open. Joshua lost a tremendous amount of blood and now remains in the ICU at Kings County Hospital.  We hope to raise lots of money to assist the family with the overwhelming medical burden they will surely incur. Joshua will need a series of surgeries to reconstruct his face. I can’t emphasize enough how critical the situation is and that your support is deeply needed.  Joshua is a fierce competitor, whose talent is equally matched in both road and track cycling

Mayor Coleman To Kick Off Columbus’ Bike to Work Week on Monday, June 17, 2013 7:30 a.m.

For Immediate Release                  Friday, June 14, 2013 Web  –  Facebook  –  Twitter Contacts: Dan Williamson, Mayor’s Office, 645-5300 John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798 Rick Tilton, Public Service, 645-7263 Jose Rodriguez, Public Health, 645-6928 Steve Faulkner, ODOT, 644-7101 Mayor Coleman To Kick Off Columbus’ Bike to Work Week Unveiling Share the Road Education Campaign Mayor Michael B. Coleman will be joined by City Councilmember Eileen Paley, Ohio  Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray, Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Executive Director William Murdock, along with LOTS of bicyclists, to kick off Columbus’ Bike to Work Week. Mayor Coleman also will unveil the City’s  Share the Road  campaign ( sharetheroad.columbus.gov ). He created Share the Road to make Columbus’ roads safer for everyone – motorists and bicyclists. It is part of the City’s Bicentennial Bikeways Plan

Bicycling: The SAFEST Form of Transportation

Of all the objections I get from people about why they can’t ride a bike to get around, perhaps the most frustrating is the claim that bicycling is too dangerous. According to this line of reasoning, we all need the protection of a two-tonne steel cage in order to survive the trip to the office or the grocery store. I’ve always felt that this was complete bullshit, but I admit that my emotions may have been playing a part in this rapid condemnation as well. I started riding bikes about 32 years ago, and I just never stopped. To me, bicycling is being alive, and I’d rather run any necessary risk of death than be condemned to a life where cars were the only way to get around, because that sort of soggy dependence wouldn’t be much of a life to me. But luckily for all of us, we don’t have to choose between safety and freedom. They both come together perfectly in the form of bicycle transportation, and once we work our way through the statistics of the matter, all talk of choosing ca