Collected thoughts on bike commuting
5 Great things about cycling to work in the London winter.
6 Bike Commute Options: “Commuting by bike…need not be always a round trip of riding from home to work and back every day…Here are a six alternatives which you can try and still claim to commute by bike.”
[What Prompted you to Commute by Bike?](http://commutebybike.com/2009/01/03/what-prompted-you-to-commute-by-bike/ “What Prompted you to Commute by Bike? : Commute by Bike): “…driving a car to work was my path of least resistance until car problems forced me to try cycling. Once tried, I couldn’t give it up.”
Interesting facts about bike commuting and utility cycling, with a Northern American slant, including “A person is 7% more likely to bike or walk to nonwork activities for every 1,000 retail workers within a half mile of their home.”
Collected thoughts on randonnees
On riding with your buddies, the Daily Randonneur says:
Take a minute and think about the great rides you had this year, and the laughs and tribulations shared with your riding buddies. That’s what it’s all about, my friends.
And on a similar line at Randonneur Extra:
I think the best benefit of the regular monthly permanents is being able to connect with all your great cycling pals all year ’round.
After a freaky streak of 84 consecutive months of centuries (yep, that’s seven years!), Mike Dayton speaks of camaraderie but also observes
I have a profound appreciation of the goals that can be achieved on a bike, and of the magic landscapes that are accessible only on two wheels.
Ditch the car to save money
Wall Street Journal columnist Brett Arends argues that
Whether you drive a hybrid or an SUV, your car is a cash-guzzler. Families trying to save real money should consider going without.
He runs through the onerous costs of car ownership and some options for cash-strapped car owners and concludes:
Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. We are going to see a lot of necessity. It may lead to some interesting developments.
A few more suggestions off the top of the head:
[via Pirates of the Burley Griffin]
Bike fun, anyone?
Do you get Bike Fun? If you’re in (or anywhere near) Melbourne you should subscribe to get Bike Fun:
Bike Fun Melbourne promotes cycling, cycling community and cycling culture in Melbourne through prolific bike fun.
We’re currently out riding bikes, relaxing in a pub, or exploring our city (and beyond).
The calendar is online but I reckon it’s most convenient to subscribe for the email bulletin—it’s such a pleasant reminder when it arrives in the inbox!
Oooh, look! Bikes!
I agree with box on Metafilter:
I like old bicycles. High-wheelers, choppers, BMX bikes, mountain bikes and old ten-speeds. Especially personal bikes from personal collections. I like ‘em all.
Not so keen on that damn Queen song though. [Thanks tom]
Brand Management 101 for LBS operators
An interesting article from Bike of Doom’s backlist: Seven deadly sins of Local Bike Shops…and how to fix them gives some advice on marketing for local bike shops. The key message: neglect those cheap department store bikes at your peril. [via twitter.com/cyclelicious]
Wittering on twitter
Yeah, I’m on twitter. At last. Grudgingly. But I’ve already picked up that interesting link above, so I guess it could be worth it.
“Follow” me if you’re so inclined.
One more thought on Randonnees or any riding. Next time you see a fellow rider on the side of the road with a flat or some other problem, think about what it will cost to stop and help. This year I’ve made 3 new friends this way including one who’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met. The one who just gave the “No thanks mate, I’m right” can fix his own bike.
Posted by NancyBoy | 8 January 2009, 11:05 pmYeah, I do that all the time. Usually I’m told “No, I’m OK”—so it’s a courtesy that costs me nothing but slowing down for a second. But sometimes I’ve been able to provide a tool or a pump. I’ve also been grateful to receive the same courtesy awhile ago on the way up to Kinglake when my own pump failed.
I stopped to offer help last weekend and had a long chat with a bloke in a PBP jersey. Damned if I can remember his name now though…
Posted by Treadly and Me | 9 January 2009, 9:18 amYep, the “You OK?” or the “Need a pump or a patch?” as one slows to pass really costs nothing. A few times, I’ve had to stop to politely advise someone (invariably teens) that I’d give them a hand, but first they really should move their bike off the path to fix it… this has always resulted in no abuse back, just an embarassed “oh yeah, um…” :-) It’s funny how common sense stuff just doesn’t occur to some people, but being polite is almost always the best way to deal with it.
Posted by Charlie B. | 11 January 2009, 1:10 pm