Collected thoughts on bike commuting
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5 Great things about cycling to work in the London winter.
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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."
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What Prompted you to 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."
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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 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.
Comments
Yep, 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.
Yeah, 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…
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.