[see Biking Bis for a detailed commentary]
Pedalocity
- the effect of pedaling.
- a euphoric state of being.
- the rate at which pedaling reduces one's carbon footprint.
- generating energy by expending energy.
Well On Earth [thanks cycleicious]
Waxing lyrical
I'm not sure how I missed this one when it first appeared—Matt Seaton waxes lyrical on cycling:
When asked what their favourite invention of all time is, what do you suppose people say? Mobile phones get some votes; computers, too; iPods, inevitably. And there are always some people who love their car and couldn't imagine life without it. If it's a poll conducted by a radio programme, some will generously nominate the transistor for making their listening possible. But what comes out top? The bicycle, every time.
DIY
A DIY rack that stores five bikes [thanks tbagalerts]
Eyewear
As I've been known to say before, always protect your eyes while riding. Here's a discussion on the topic on the randon list.
Hooked and folded
Dang! I think I'm hooked: I keep reading reviews on folding bikes. This time it's the Dahon Speed TR
Recumbents are the new fixies
Last year, someone, somewhere said that recumbents are the new fixies (yeah, OK take it easy—you'll note that I couldn't be bothered tracking down who said it).
Anyway, some joker has gone and taken it literally, combining both: Single Speed Giro "FIXIE". I notice that he recommends "keeping the extra brakes and not to depend upon leg braking"—important safety tip that. [via Pirates of the Burley Griffin]
Juxtaposition
Two different responses from drivers:
Random bike twits
Having just got onto Twitter, this may be just what I need: [Bike trade s][] (or perhaps I'd best avoid it).
Training
AustCycle is the Australian leader in providing cycling training for all people who want to ride bikes for recreation and transport. We help people ride better, more often and more safely.
SMS from Buffalo
This year Audax offered a new "I made It!" SMS notification system at Mt Buffalo for riders in the Alpine Classic:
We are trialing a new SMS service from the Mt Buffalo checkpoint this year where we will sms your family and friends once your Mt Buffalo arrival has been processed.
Hopefully the trial was a success and the service will be offered again in future years because SMS reception on Mt Buffalo is non-existent.
Cost > Income = Loss
Another "genius", this time at The Seattle Times proposes licensing bicycles:
In these times, something nearly like the Great Depression and a country at war, cyclists may help us by acknowledging their role in the continued maintenance of our city and region. A modest fee, either at time of purchase or annually, would go down well with Seattle's and King County's other taxes on our modes of recreation and commuting.
Perhaps his points are valid, although I doubt it, but one aspect he completely misses is the administration costs of a bicycle license scheme, which would almost certainly exceed any income collected.
And lets not go into the fact that a license fee would place yet another barrier in the way of people taking up a low-impact, congestion-reducing transport mode.
What was I thinking?
Remember that inopportune snipe by British columnist Matthew Parris at the end of 2007? On the tail-end of it all, a commenter at the Times Online offered a real gem, which I'm happy to repeat here:
Strange isn't it. When I drive my car, I'm seen as Mister Normal. When I drive my van I'm seen as Mister White Van Man with all that implies. When I ride my bike I'm seen as lawless bunny hugging hooligan with no respect for the law. But all the time I'm the same person using a different vehicle on the public highway. I'm not some crazed outsider on the fringe of society just because I choose to use my bike for some of my journeys, am I? What's wrong with everyone? Just because it's illegal to verbally bully ethnic or religious minorities nowadays are you are so desperate that you pick on someone just because of their travel choices? In spite of all the nastiness some people the bike remains for me the most enjoyable form of travel there is. And as a free bonus it keeps my fitness up and my waistline down. Some of you folk should try it sometime. It's fun.
Comments
Indeed, I've already been touting that around various channels. It appears to be the same as the one they sold last year, which is actually a re-badged Dahon so it's pretty good quality stuff. And yes, the tip I've received is to be there when the doors open and be prepared to run!
Hey Treadly, because you say you've taken an interest in researching foldables, let me alert you to the Aldi specials from Thursday week (Feb 19). Several cycling paraphernalia and....drum roll.....the AUD219 foldable. Anyone who seriously want one better be there and line up when the store opens or they will be out of luck. Last year was pure mayhem.
Whoa, ease-up Mike! I'm not criticising, but I reckon anyone who makes a recumbent fixie "because he can" (as you say) must have something of a sense of humour.
I most certainly didn't say that John was a nobody. I live in Nobodysville and he ain't here.
Gee, some 'bentists can be so sensitive!
The "joker" with the fixy recumbent? Yeah, John Schlitter, he's nobody: 2-Man RAAM team, division winner 4-Man RAAM team, division winner First man to solo RAAM on a recumbent One of the top endurance racers in the United States
Why did he do it? Because he can.