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Showing posts from February 23, 2014

Hand To Bike

Hand To Bike from maxime poulin on Vimeo .

THE LOST COAST | Salsa Cycles

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“The Lost Coast is a mostly natural and development-free area of the California North Coast in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, which includes the King Range. It was named the "Lost Coast" after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s.[1] In addition, the steepness and related geo-technical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of coastline too costly for state highway or county road builders to establish routes through the area, leaving it the most undeveloped and remote portion of the California coast.[2] Without any major highways, communities in the Lost Coast region such as Petrolia, Shelter Cove, and Whitethorn remain secluded from the rest of California” -- Wikipedia Our goal was to string together a route that encompassed paved roads, singletrack, and 4WD tracks and explore this remote region by bike. I would be riding my  Mukluk Ti , Erik would ride his  Vaya , and Andrew would captain his trusty Schwinn, complete with really, really skinn

Kenda goes to Peru with Eric Porter and Kelly McGarry

Columbus Short North Parking Survey

On behalf of the City of Columbus, we are seeking your input on parking issues affecting the Short North District. By completing the following short survey, you will help us develop a deeper understanding of how well our existing parking supplies, policies, and management approach are serving the needs and expectations of our Short North business owners, employees, residents, and visitors. The survey is designed to be brief but detailed. If you "wear multiple hats" as a Short North stakeholder or your Short North experience is more complex than the survey questions allow you to indicate (e.g. you own a business with unique parking challenges at different points in the year) you may repeat the survey, varying your responses as necessary to provide the level of detail required to capture your experiences. As you answer questions, please think back to the last day you traveled to the Short North District. This may be today or some time in the past. This is intended to be a snap

A Window-Washing Service on Two Wheels | NY Times

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Launch media viewer Phil Prado, who owns a one-person window-washing service business, said he likes working outside because he gets to talk with clients and people on the street. Credit Julie Glassberg for The New York Times “Dirty windows are bad for business,” said Phil Prado, 50, giving the rationale for his own business: a one-man, two-wheeled window-washing service that has him pedaling around downtown and Midtown Manhattan. Mr. Prado uses a bicycle because his customers are often only a few blocks apart in areas where the traffic is as bad as the parking. Because he lives on Staten Island near the ferry terminal, he said, it’s a snap to bring the bike over three mornings a week — he typically works only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He is a familiar sight on the street as he rides with a five-gallon bucket of soapy water hanging from his handlebars and an extendable pole under his seat, tied to the crossbar with his chamois window rag. “I like what I do b

Why I biked through the polar vortex (no, I’m not crazy)

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If you live in a city with a strong bike culture, you're undeterred by the elements -- even the cold and the snow On a recent morning in New York City (like so many recent mornings in New York City), as temperatures hovered in the low teens and a fresh layer of snow coated the streets, I set off for work the same way I do almost every day: on my bike. Yeah, I’m one of those crazy bikers who choose to pedal no matter what the weather. I grew up in a car-averse household in Toronto, and on mornings when most kids were being driven to school, my parents told me to bundle up and get on my bike. I didn’t like it at the time, but thanks to them, I’ve never seen cold weather as a reason not to ride. And here’s the thing—though many commuters can’t imagine making the trip to work without climate control, I’m not alone in my determination to keep riding, no matter the road conditions. Across the United States, many of the cities that boast the highest percentage of bike commuter

This Lightweight Turbo Kit Will Turn Clunky Bikeshare Bikes Into A Speedy E-Bike

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Many of the major bike share systems in the U.S. use the same heavy model. Now this portable kit will give riders a needed boost, so borrowing a bike doesn't mean breaking a sweat. If you've ever used a bike share system like New York's Citi Bike and found the 45-pound model hard to handle, here's a nifty invention: A turbo kit that attaches to the front wheel. Soon you'll be riding at 18 mph like the best of them. Developed by electrical engineer  Jeff Guida , the  ShareRoller  is the size of a pack of paper and about the weight of a typical laptop. It has a throttle to fix to the handlebars and extra LED lights to make your journey safer. It even offers a USB port, to charge up a phone while you're noodling along. "The first time I rode a Citi Bike, I thought I was pulling a trailer. It takes a lot more work than riding any other bicycle. I immediately felt it cried out for electric assistance," explains Guida, who lives in New York. He s

Hot wheels: A new study suggests a link between cyclists’ looks and their performance

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IT IS unfair, but true, that beautiful people are more successful than ugly ones. Data indicate that this rule applies in both business and politics—and biological theory suggests the underlying reason is that beauty is an indicator of good genes and good health. How that reason translates into success, though, is more questionable. It could be that the pretty and handsome get a helping hand from their colleagues, bosses (and, in the case of politicians, voters) which is denied to the plain and the unseemly. Or it could be that beautiful people’s underlying qualities mean they really are better, on average, at doing things. One way to disentangle these explanations is to look at a field of endeavour which is about as close as it is possible to get to a true meritocracy: professional sport. Though favouritism here might put you in the team, it will never land you on the winner’s podium. Erik Postma, of the University of Zurich, has therefore done just that, using long-distance cycli

Fietsklik Hand2hand "The Crate"

First Look at Po Campo's New Bike Share Bag

Tonto Creek Fatbike

Tonto Creek Fatbike from drunkcyclist.com on Vimeo . A little exploring by bicycle of Tonto Creek in Central, AZ

The Chicest Bicyclists Of New York City

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A NEW BOOK--INCLUDING A PHOTO OF DAVID BYRNE ON HIS JAMIS COMMUTER WEARING SPIFFY WHITE SADDLE SHOES--CAPTURES THE CULTURE OF CYCLING IN NYC. In New York City, many are understandably afraid of riding two-wheelers through streets jammed with four-wheelers. But those who do brave New York biking often become cultishly devoted to it. It frees them from subway and taxi fares, lets them sneak nimbly through traffic jams, is eco-friendly, and a killer workout. And, as we see in  New York Bike Style , a new book by Brooklyn-based photographer  Sam Polcer , it also looks really cool. Polcer, who works as the communications manager for Bike New York, trolled the streets of the city for particularly chic cyclists and snapped their portraits next to their wheels. Nearly 200 of those portraits are featured in his new book, reminding us that bikes are not just modes of transportation, but creative expressions of self. Read on at FastCompany

In Idaho, Thin Snow Means Fat Tires

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Snow has been so scant in Idaho this winter that bicycles started showing up in shop windows in the middle of January, and cyclists began booking ski huts during a season when it’s usually backcountry skiers who are seeking accommodations. What may be bad news for skiers has turned out to be an irresistible opportunity for those who love to ride on mountain bikes with four- and five-inch-wide tires, which are designed to float over snow and sand and still provide substantial cushion for rough single track (even without the suspension common to many bikes with skinnier tires). Where trails are too soft for regular mountain bikes, or too sparse to protect skiers from subsurface obstacles, fat bikes are filling a gap. Riders do well on mixed terrain, including on trails where the snow is too thin for skiing and on south-facing pitches where dirt is exposed during a low-snow winter. “It’s opening a new way to be outdoors,” Chris Estrem, a Ketchum physical therapist, backcountry skier

Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway

Do you drive in L.A.? Watch this to see what scares cyclists | LA Times

“It’s less attractive every year to own an automobile here,”  says Echo Park resident Ryan Johnson, looking up from his bike. Johnson notes the rising cost of parking, the traffic, the hassle. “It’s just easier to live without a car. And I don’t miss it at all.” Johnson is still in the minority in Los Angeles, but it’s a growing minority. He is one of several cyclists featured in “City Cyclists — Competing for Space,” one of two Los Angeles Times videos following the evolving relationship between cyclists and drivers on city streets. VIDEO: Do you bike in L.A.? Watch this to see what concerns all those drivers. It caps the final week of the  RoadshareLA  project that The Times’ editorial page  began at the time of the Oct. 6, 2013, CicLAvia , the third such street celebration last year and the eighth since the first one in 2010. Our goal is to delve into the re-imagining and transformation of city streets that has been occurring even in this traditionally car-oriented city an

BICYCLE SUBCOMMITTEE NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2014

THE NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2014  NORMALLY MEETS THE LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BEACON BUILDING, 50 WEST GAY STREET  FIRST FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM B  5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Meetings are wheelchair accessible Please let us know of any special needs - Call (614) 645-0618 http://www.columbus.gov/Templates/Detail.aspx?id=64903

Cyclists strapping on 'bike cams' for commutes | Chicago Tribune

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Tom Lemke, of Chicago, wears a helmet-mounted GoPro camera as he stops at Daley Plaza on his morning commute .  ( Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune  /  January  20 , 2014 ) Although she hasn't been in a bicycle accident, Kathleen King has had her share of close calls on the lakefront path she rides between her home in Andersonville and her office in the Loop. By Naheed Rajwani, Tribune reporter 10:04 a.m. CST ,  February 25, 2014 Most automobile drivers are courteous, but some can get aggressive, she said. That is why her husband suggested she start filming her commute in case she was in an accident. She bought a $100 camera, joining a growing number of bicyclists who are strapping video cameras — commonly referred to as "bike cams" — to their helmets or handle bars to document their commute. [Keep reading at Chicago Tribune]

Protected Intersections For Bicyclists

Protected Intersections For Bicyclists from Nick Falbo on Vimeo .

how to spray paint a bike frame

Great America Bicycle Tour 1975

This video was posted on YouTube by one of the participants of the "Great America Bicycle Tour 1975" sponsored by JC Penney. In 1975, JC Penney hired 12 college students to ride their bikes from NYC to San Francisco. They were promoting their new disc brake equipped bikes OEM'd from Huffy Manufacturing. As you will see, they thought people rode bikes in tennis gear. The music is classic.  It was a great summer, even with the mandatory "Safety skits" performed at various JC Penney shopping malls. Some details to look for while watching: Rear disc/front center-pull brakes One piece cranks JC Penney branded bikes, built by the Huffy Corporation Cotton tennis shorts/shirts, and tennis shoes—no lycra kit and clipless pedals needed! Pre-helmet days for non-racers, so no helmets are worn

The Angry Singlespeeder: You’ve got too Much Bike | MTBR

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So you’re new to mountain biking and just bought a full suspension bike? Bad news. That rig is way too much bike for your skill and it won’t make you a better rider. Editor’s Note:  The Angry Singlespeeder is a collection of mercurial musings from contributing editor Kurt Gensheimer. In no way do his maniacal diatribes about all things bike oriented represent the opinions of Mtbr, RoadBikeReview, or any of their employees, contractors, janitorial staff, family members, household pets, or any other creature, living or dead. You can submit questions or comments to Kurt at singlespeeder@consumerreview.com . And make sure to check out  Kurt’s previous columns . My very first mountain bike was a fully rigid Giant Rincon that I loved going “muddin’” with. Muddin’ was more about finding the biggest mud holes possible and trying to ride through them more than it was about actually mountain biking. Although my brother and I loved coming home covered head to toe in stinky Pennsylvania muc

The Powerpot

9 Awesome Bicycle Concepts

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From past to future the concept of bicycles hasn’t changed much, a seat, pedal, two wheels and frame. While one shouldn’t try to change which is not broken, but here are custom-made bicycle concept. 1. Cube Urban Street Bike Concept Do you love folding bikes ? Do you always argue that “I don’t have room for bicycle” ? then now your argument is invalid because of this awesome concept bike ! The design ditches the top stoy and seat tube from the traditional cycles, that can reduce a huge amount of weight from the cycle. It is designed by student of Coburg University Germany, lets hope that the concept transits into real life product. See the rest at:  http://bicyclesbuddy.com/awesome-bicycle-concept/

The Road Warrior: Angelo Signorino Jr. – Brewer, Biker, Beloved! | CMH Gourmand

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I debated whether to write about Angelo. Not because he doesn’t deserve a wagonload of kudos but like, me, he’d rather stay out of the spotlight and the limelight and practice his craft quietly. I mean he does work underground for part of the week. A couple of things tipped the scale for me. First, I recently wrote about Dan Kraus from That Food Truck and in the process of that I decided to add a new occasional series with the category heading –  Fooderhero . There are many people in our community that have been quietly growing and planting seeds of greatness and Angelo is definitely at the top of the list. [Keep reading at CMH Gourmand]

De Blasio Outlines Steps to Eliminate Traffic Deaths | NY Times

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Launch media viewer Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, and Police Commissioner William J. Bratton discussing new safety efforts on Tuesday.   Damon Winter/The New York Times Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping set of proposals aimed at improving street safety in New York City, pledging considerable police resources and even precious political capital in Albany to a most ambitious goal: eliminating traffic deaths. The 42-page plan is rooted in a Swedish street safety approach known as Vision Zero, which treats all traffic deaths as inherently preventable. Perhaps the most significant changes involve the New York Police Department, whose officers will increase precinct-level enforcement of speeding. Other measures include the widening of parking lanes, to keep delivery vehicles out of travel lanes while double-parked, and exploring the use of an automated system that could pause a taxicab’s meter if a driver exceeds the speed limit. [Keep reading at NY Times]

SHYSPY | Kickstarter

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SHYSPY Installation from Mosen on Vimeo . SHYSPY GPS tracker not only enables cyclists to track their cycling activity but also to locate their stolen bikes in case of crime. SHYSPY GPS works in much the same way as other GPS tracking devices, the unit uses a combination of a mobile SIM card along with a GPS module to accurately track the location of your bike to and deliver this data to your desktop or mobile device via a data connection. This version of our device offers the maximum accuracy and protection for your bike. Due to the location of the device we have incorporated both wireless and USB charging to alleviate the need to remove the device every few weeks just to top up the battery. Some of the hardware features: Long battery life. In passive mode (not tracking but connected to network) it can operate for 5 weeks continuously. It can also easily support a power down mode in which it will listen to external events (e.g., motion detection) and can run for mont

The Glamour Sport of the 1910’s, 20’s, and 30’s — The Six-Day Bicycle Race

The Glamour Sport of the 1910’s, 20’s, and 30’s  —  The Six-Day Bicycle Race The riders were some of the best paid and most respected athletes during the golden era of sports…the Jazz Age. It was a seen and be seen event every year in all the major metropolitan areas of the United States and Canada. Movie stars, politicians, and gangsters mixed with everyday sports fans to create an atmosphere not found in any other sport. Jazz bands and song pluggers performed in the infield as the bookies plied their trade. The finest sports writers of the day, such as Grantland Rice and Damon Runyon, spun tales of heroes and villains. The riders raced for big money and big endorsements. Every major city in North America had its own “Race to Nowhere” each winter, when the college football season was over (pro football was strictly small time) and the baseball season had yet to start. This film traces the history of this completely forgotten sport from its early days in the 1880’s throu

Team Sky borrow from rivals in France after 16 bikes stolen | BBC Sport Cycling

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Team Sky had to borrow a bike from a rival team for this weekend's Tour du Haut Var, after 16 of their own were stolen on the eve of the race. The British outfit, missing both Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins, have a youthful team for the two-day race. Froome is at the Tour of Oman, while Wiggins and Richie Porte are competing in the Ruta del Sol in Spain. Coach Shaun Stephens said Bretagne-Seche Environnement loaning his team a bike "showed the spirit of cycling". Sky's squad in France features the likes of Ian Boswell, Nathan Earle and Josh Edmondson. The team's mechanics woke on Saturday to find their support vehicle had been broken into at their hotel in Trans-en-Provence. "The thieves took all the bikes, bar two, and we presume they only left those because they'd run out of space in whatever transport they were using. They also took some of the spare training wheels, and various bits of other equipment [ Read more on bbc.com/sport

10 Safety Tips for Motorists | Yield to Life Foundation

1. Different but Equal In all states, cyclists are deemed by law to be drivers of vehicles and are entitled to the same rights on the road as motorists. Expect cyclists on the road. Watch for cyclists on the road. Treat them as you would any slow-moving vehicle. 2. Patience, not Patients Patience, especially on the road, is a virtue, and can save lives. Your patience may involve: Waiting until it is safe to pass a bicycle and refraining from tailgating. Giving cyclists the right of way when the situation calls for it. Allowing extra time for cyclists to go through intersections. Recognizing road hazards that may be dangerous for cyclists and giving cyclists the necessary space to deal with them. In conditions where there is not enough room for a cyclist to ride to the right, they are allowed to ride closer to the lane of traffic, and sometimes even in the lane of traffic. Never engage in conduct that harasses or endangers a cyclist. Above all: Be tolerant. Be understa