The Cycling Dude

I Get Comments: One Persons Misguided Rage Against All Cyclists

It has been a frustrating week for me.

After returning from the Southern Ca. Genealogy Jamboree, in Burbank, I had planned to Blog the heck about it on my other blog, then spend this weekend doing some cycling.

Didn't work out that way.

Computer issues have kept me home pecking slowly away at my Genealogy blogging while waiting for a back-up hard drive, and still to come help from tech support to fix my issues.

In the mean time, I get comments. ;-D

This one in response to a post I did, in January of 2008, Fullerton Man in Trouble for Making Bike Trail Holes

If I was a crabby old man I probably would of done the same thing.

You cyclists, or whatever, need to be more Fucking considerate.

My 8yr old brother and I were run down by two cyclists that were racing.

He broke his leg, and had a severe concussion, and I had to get 30 stitches.

Damn bikers, get a real hobby.

Signed: Victim

Yet again we have someone misguidedly blaming every cyclist for the stupidity of a few.

I am sorry for the injuries suffered, but taking out your anger, whether in words, or, more dangerously, with deeds, does not solve the problem for anyone.

Education, of all users of Multi-Use Trails, is the best way to handle things, that, and fines, or jail time, for those caught doing something unlawful.

My 1st Advertising thru Blog Ads, in a long while, is very welcome, indeed

Thank you very much to the folks at Michigan Bicycle Company for showing an interest in placing an ad on my humble blog.

I thank you very much! ;-D

The ad is in the sidebar, and what they are doing is very interesting indeed, so check it out. ;-D

Bicycles Built For 2 Take Over Bike Trail Intersection in Long Beach

I set out, yesterday, to find the best place for parking near the beginning of the Coyote Creek Bike Trail, where it takes cyclists away from the San Gabriel River Bike Trail on a journey all its own, NE toward Orange County, and found myself encountering 4 Tandems in a half hour. ;-D

Happiness is Fitting Bicycling into Your Vacation

Jeff Yeager is The Green Cheapskate, over at The Daily Green, and he has written an outstanding article on how taking a Cycling Vacation can change your life:

If you've not been on a bicycle since you were a kid, maybe this is the summer to rediscover the joy and freedom of what it arguably the fastest machine ever invented by man, when you factor in the energy it requires to build/buy and get on down the road.

Or better yet, why not make your family vacation this summer a bicycle trip? It's inexpensive, eco-friendly, healthy, and, I bet, will give you memories to last a lifetime.

His report offers tips under the titles of Going the Distance, Keeping it Simple and Cheap, Picking a Route, Don't Overspend, Pack Light, Safety First, Take a course on Safe Cycling, and Stay Cheap.

Read the whole thing here.

As regular readers know I've done some long rides over the years, as can be found in my archives...

My vacation begins next Friday, and I plan a couple of more long ones that I hope to take, camera in hand, and blog about.

Possible Beer Bike Ban Bums Blissfull Bicyclists

A Bicycle Built for 10 is causing concern in Amsterdam.

Yes....

10.

Actually...some of these contraptions can apparently accomodate up to 22 people.

Oh, and when you toss in a Karaoke Machine... (See Link below). ;-D

There are lots of the contraptions on the street in this, um, Forward Thinking, city.

The bike, which can seat at least 10 people around a central "bar" as they pedal through the city center, is a frequent sight in the Dutch capital and is said to be popular with stag and hen (bachelor and bachelorette) parties. A non-drinker steers the bike.

But two accidents involving the bikes since the start of April has prompted the city councilor responsible for transport, Hans Gerson, to investigate how many bikes there are and whether they pose a problem.

For a look at an example of the beast go here. ;-D

For more on this story go here.

Dear LA City Council: Bring the Marathon and Bike Ride back to March!

This year, in an unpopular decision, the LA Marathon / Acura LA Bike Tour was moved from its traditional date in early March to Memorial Day May 25th.   

That the date change has not met with wide approval is a major understatement!

Because many participants go away for Memorial Day weekend many participants must make a decision whether to ride/run or go on their holiday. 

Returning to the traditional marathon day in early March would eliminate this problem.

A petition has been created by Russ Pillar, President of the LA Marathon, that allows us a voice in persuading the Los Angeles City Council to vote to return to the original March date. 

If you ever have, or ever plan to, participate in the Bike Ride, or even the Marathon, please take a moment to follow the link below and sign the petition endorsing the return to the original Marathon date. 

I have pedaled in the 1998, 2001, and 2007 rides, and even blogged about the 2007 event in a 14 Part, picture filled, Series.

This afternoon I was the 3,945th person to sign the petition. ;-D 

The petition can be found here.

 

Welcoming a New Voice in the LA BikeBlogosphere

A comment left on The Dude, this morning, led me to discover a new BikeBlogger, Gerhard, of GT in LA.

He describes his blog as one about "my records about cycling for fun and health, and otehr things that matter to me.:

In an effort to encourage a new voice that has only been at it since February here are a few of my favorite of his posts:

1. His tale of riding the Solvang Century is tinged with the knowledge that he was recently unemployed, but his joy in the adventure of the day still shines through, and the pictures are cool!:

Once all numbers were secured it was time for a final pit stop, bike and self check and head on over to the start line. This is the time when you can feel the high. There is an unmistakable energy and buzz which builds with every minute closer to the start. People smiling, talking excitedly, fidgeting, checking and re-checking gear, expressing hopes and fears and finally the “Whooo-hoooo’s” as the first group of 30 riders is allowed to leave the gate.

His descriptions of the route, the weather, the stops, the people, and the ride, are vivid, exciting, and often humorous.

43 MPH on a downhill? I can't imagine!

I've done 30 on a downhill before, in San Dimas, and that scared the hell out of me! ;-D

I've never done a century (66 mi. in 1 day is my record!), but would love to someday....an easy one, to start. ;-D

Read his story here.

2. In April a 50 mile ride results in an unexpected encounter:

As I got into Hermosa Beach I noticed that I had someone on my tail and at the next red light I turned to see who the rider was. Turns out it was a tiny framed young woman.

What happened next will make you laugh...even as you count your lucky stars you weren't in his shoes. ;-D

3. "I started talking to myself, telling me to relax my grip, shift position, get out of the saddle, roll my shoulders, pedal without hands and just keep turning the pedals, over and over and over."

Just a taste of his description of riding another Century, in April, Cruisin' the Conejo. ;-D

4. My favorite post is this one.

My ride today felt like I was a tagged deer in open season. I rode 24 miles and I kid you not, had to come to a full emergency stop twice, got cut off by a car turning right three times, swerved around four car doors carelessly flung open and barely avoided a motorcycle shooting out of a stop street disregarding the ‘STOP’ in it all together.

Today’s more than usual ‘bullets’ got me thinking about the recent movements, such as ‘bike to work week’ and ‘bike for life’ initiatives. Whereas I really support these noble quests in principle, how realistic are they for the average rider?

What follows is a thoughtful, thought-provoking, essay on cyclists, safe cycling, the places one rides in Los Angeles, and motorists, parked cars, and other things one encounters while in the saddle.

The most important thing he says in the piece deserves to be spread far and wide, and so I will share it here:

One of the biggest problems to overcome, perhaps even bigger than the inaction by city, state and fed, is the mental approach of motorists towards cyclists. The culture does not support the existence of the cyclist, who is seen as a nuisance on the road, an annoying bug to be squashed. Cyclists take too much time to get through intersections, take up valuable real estate and often behave as if traffic laws do not apply to them. Yes, many of our fellow cyclists are responsible for an unfavorable view of us as a whole.

How many times have you seen a cyclist blow through a stop sign? – a red light? – change lanes without signaling? – smash their hands on someone’s hood? – scream profanities? My guess is many times. I am not saying that I am a saint, oh no, there are times when I go through a stop sign or roll through red. (very early morning, with no cars or pedestrians in sight)

And then, yes, my absolute favorite, the interest groups. Critical Mass and one of their underground off-shoot called Crimaminal_Mass, riding on the freeway, to prove what point? In my opinion these organizations do more harm than good.

Glad to see yet another person who doesn't think much of the likes of Critical Mass. ;-D

For years I wrote about Critical Mass, including my my correspondence with its supporters, and Founders, and for years I've written about Sharing the Road (See their respective Category Archives for all the stories.), including,  most recently, about the 3 Feet Campaign, inbetween bouts of poetry, humor, and song, of course. ;-D

Read his piece called Open Season.

Gerhard is a fan of this blog, it appears, as it's in his Blogroll, and now I'm returning the favor by adding him to mine, and the above 4 posts are a good reason for you to check him out for yourself.

The 3 Feet Please Campaign and Road Guardian

Cars, SUV's, RV's, Busses, and Trucks, OH, MY!!

 As I wrote in Dec., when I first reported on the 3 Feet Please Movement, it doesn't matter how safe a bicyclist you are, no matter how properly you share the road with the 4 to 18-Wheeler Majority, the problem of how close, is too close, is of concern to Recreational Cyclists, and Bike Commuters, alike, every single day.

The US states with "3 Foot Laws" are: Florida, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, Illinois, Tennessee, Minnesota, Utah, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina, Washington, Oklahoma, and Maine... and other states aren't far behind.

In fact, Colorado recently enacted a law that includes a 3 Feet Requirement.

What can people in the other states, and in countries around the world, do to get others to get on board?

Well, there's always the option of making the point with a peaceful, bold, and clear, FASHION STATEMENT. ;-D

Joe Mizereck thought that was a brilliant idea! ;-D

He created a 3 Feet Please Campaign and related T-Shirt, and Cycling Jersey,

He wrote on his site:

"The battle for space between cyclists and motorists is intensifying--worldwide.  And the need for space has never been greater.  More must be done to educate motorists of the importance of sharing our roads and giving cyclists at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.

As a cyclist who spends a lot of time on the roads in traffic I have experienced numerous close calls.  After one frustrating ride I decided to act.  I designed a jersey with the words "3 Feet Please" on the back.  I shared this idea with several fellow cyclists who thought this could make a difference."

I, too, think it will help.

If nothing else it will get the attention of those we share the road with.

Oh, and, um, if not...when you are flattened from behind, by that SUV, and the cops show up to question the person driving the thing, they can ask him/her if they noticed the words on the shirt you were wearing. ;-D

Check out the website of the 3 Feet Please Worldwide Campaign.

On the Media Page of the website is an amazing 5 min. video report by Fox News in Wisconsin.

Continue reading "The 3 Feet Please Campaign and Road Guardian"