The Cycling Dude

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet, Tweet, Bicyclists Go...

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!!

Yes, we do! ;-D

I am known as Mad_Macedonian.

***UPDATE - 3/7/09***

I now Bike Tweet separately from the above link! After much thought I decided this was the best way to attract folks here.

 I Bike Tweet as Cycling_Dude

***END UPDATE***

From ordinary cyclists like me, some who blog, and some who don't, to racers, and Industry types, of every description.

An effort has begun to catalog just how many of us are on Twitter.

As of 29th January 2009 this list contained 186 names, including yours truly!

I'll let list builder, Carlton Reid, of the Bike Biz Blog, explain:

You may not want to blog, but you may want to Tweet. You may want to do both.

Tweet? Get out of here! Twitter.com may have a childish name but it's rapidly become one of the most popular 'social media' websites out there. You sign up for an account and 'follow' individuals interesting to yourself. They, in turn, may 'follow' you.

When you follow somebody you get regular soundbites from them (you can follow me at @carltonreid), and you can write soundbites of your own.

You have 140 characters to play with per 'tweet'. You can flog your latest product ("sale now on, last few widgets remaining") or show your human side ("slurping the first Java of the day").

Even Lance Armstrong, and his trainer Chris Carmichael, do it!

Many Bike Tweeps ( With my peculiar sense of humor I prefer to call myself a Twit!) Tweet about more than just their cycling, from their personal life to politics, and their many other interests.

I fit in this category, as I have another blog, known as Musings of a Mad Macedonian, where I blog about all sorts of things of interest to me.

As Carlton writes:

It's not all performance talk. Tweets can also flesh out people's personal lives. How else would we know that Carmichael's kids dressed him up for Hallow'een?

"Going soon with the kids trick or treating...My son has me dressed up as a giant whoopie cushion!"

Is this too much personal information? Stop following the individual concerned.

As Carlton points out there's plenty of useful stuff on there, too.

From News channels, and their on air personalities, to radio talk hosts, and people with businesses, and hobbies, of every description, from all around the world.

Twitter often breaks news stories before they appear in the mainstream media.

"Want to know about earthquakes in Taichung, bike factory central, before the media reports about them?

Get yourself on Twitter."

Check out Carlton's story, and his ever growing list.

I have added a link to this great resource in my sidebar.

Are Helmet Laws turning Aussies off of Bicycling?

Are they lazy?

Are they Cost Conscious?

Are they afraid of making the wrong fashon statement?

Statistician and avid cyclist Dorothy Robinson has pondered this conundrum.

She reckons that repealing laws passed in the 1990s requiring cyclists to wear helmets would get bikes out of garages and onto the roads.

Robinson noted that in the two years after the law was passed, bicycle use was halved.  

Cyclists find the laws a bother because helmets are expensive, easily stolen, mess up your hair and are of marginal help in reducing injuries in traffic accidents.

No one looks better in a helmet.

The reasons are probably as numerous as the cyclists. ;-D

No-one looks better?

How would you look after an accident w/o a helmet?

Yes, one might not help much in certain accidents, but...

I prefer to use a helmet rather than have no protection at all.

For more - Monsters & Critics.

Robinson wrote her piece in 2006, I learned, from a Google Search, and one must either be a member of the site, or buy the article to read it in full.

Short Story on Serfas Short Shorts

 

I get e-mails...

Hi Kiril

I am writing to see if you would be interested in testing / reviewing some of our product.

I have your Blog bookmarked and enjoy reading about your latest conquests on your bike.

In 2008 we spent a great deal of time and energy developing a new gel cycling short.

What I have is the first production run that I would like you to try out and give your feedback on. With Spring and Summer approaching, we need to get some feedback so we can make inline changes to improve on the shorts, if needed.  

If you are interested in this opportunity, let me know.

James Thomas

Serfas

Hey, I'm game!
 
Even if I've never worn such things before! ;-D

I am flattered to be asked, though I'm hardly in racing "trim", and wouldn't come close to being considered as a bicycling magazines idea of cover model material. ;-D

For 15 years Serfas has been manufacturing, and selling a variety of cycling products, including apparel, from its base in Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca., here in Orange County.

 

So when I got my shorts a couple of days later, and sat there looking at the little darlings, I just had to laugh as I wondered what they would feel like to wear, and how I'd look.

The whole notion appealed to my sense of humor. ;-D

80% Nylon, 20% Spandex, made in the good ol' US of A from imported fabrics, I sat there looking admittedly rather skeptically, at all that Blue gel padding in the, um, important places, and made plans for giving the shorts a work out.

Having never worn such shorts before it was initailly very uncomfortable squirming my Size 38 behind into the Size L.

Just how high up do I pull these things, and how much does that elastic waist band stretch, anyway?

 

Suddenly it felt like my, um, package had been shoved all the way up to my lungs! ;-D

It was initally very uncomfortable walking around my living room, and out to my garage to get my bike.

Looking at myself in the mirror I felt very self-conscious, about my figure in these very form-fitting shorts. ;-D

Then I started riding.

On the day I took these photos I road maybe 10 miles, much of it on the Santa Ana River Bicycle Trail, in Santa Ana.

Over all I have worn them for 60 miles of riding.

The more I rode the more comfortable I became riding in them, and being seen in public in my "tights". ;-D

No-one gave me the once-over with lingering gazes of either unbridled lust, or utter disgust, and no-one laughed. ;-D

The shorts, while still tight feeling, felt more comfortable to wear the more they were put thru their paces.

My "package", while still feeling like it was stuffed in the tiniest box imaginable, no longer felt like it was trying bypass my lungs, and exit my throat. ;-D

With that gel material down there His Royal Highness definitely felt cushioned, & protected, just hemmed in. ;-D

I like the look of the shorts, and the feel of the material, and the feeling on my legs, and butt, was a nice one.

I felt OK riding in them the more I did so.

The, um, bottom line, however, comes down to just how comfortable a guy feels wearing something so tight.

Wearing the next size up, if possible, might take care of some of the comfort issues, or might not as, again, it comes down to the comfort level with all that tight.

I'll end by welcoming Serfas to the tiny community of Orange County BikeBlogs, and hope they do more with it than just plug their products.

As riders in the OC, and active in the cycling community, and industry, they have a chance to do so much more with this platform by way of reaching out, and spreadng the joy of cycling.

As for the shorts...like the bike I reviewed in 2007, I'll be making a donation, either to Goodwill, or the Salvation Army. ;-D

 

Cycling Dude Invited to Speak to 117 yr. Old Riverside Bicycle Club

Shortly after New Year I received an E-mail:

Dear Mr. K,

I am the 2009 president of the Riverside Bicycle Club.  Our club holds monthly meetings and we are always looking for fun, interesting and motivating speakers for our meetings.  Would you be interested in coming to one of our meetings.  We would love to have you.  Please let me know.

Thanks.
Edith Reasons

 

When I said yes, I asked how she found me, and why little ol' me?

 

Wonderful! 

 

I was surving the web trying to find Riverside Bike Club history.  Didn't find much on that but did discover your site.

 

Would you be able to join us for our Wednesday, February 18th meeting at the Coffee Depot, 3204 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, @ 7 pm. 

 

It'd be great if you could tell us about your cycling experiences, your blog, etc. for 20 +/-minutes. 

 

Some of us are interested in touring, we have some work/home commuters, we have mountain goats. 

 

I look forward to meeting you soon.  E

 

It wasn't until 2 weeks later that she thought to ask an all important question:

 

Forgot something --  do you charge a fee?  E 

 

My response? ;-D

 

God No! That has never crossed my mind.

 

I'm nowhere near being experienced enough to give that a thought.

Look, I'm no expert on cycling, just a blogger with 150 hits a day glad for the opportunity to spread the word about cycling, and about his blog.
 
Will something more ever come from that down the road?
 
 I do not know.
 
I can't even get people to place Cycling Ads in my Blog Ads, hee, hee! ;-D
 
You are the 2nd presentation of any sort that I'll have ever given.

 

To be asked to speak before The Riverside Bicycle Club (AKA the Riverside Wheelmen) is an amazing honor.

 

The club is one of the oldest in the state, and even the nation, and I have always had them in my blogroll.

 

The Logistics of getting to and from are a tad complex, but doable.

 

As of now my sisters are unable to provide transportation so this will be a Bus/Bike Adventure.

 

I can use my bike and Riverside Transit to get to the event.

 

I can then take the bus back to Corona, and use streets to take me the long way around to Brea, in the OC, via Ontario, Chino, Chino Hills, and Diamond Bar.

 

Why wouldn't I just go from Corona, thru the short stretch of the Santa Ana River Trail to Yorba Linda?

 

Not at night, even with my lights (and even carrying my hiking stick!), as it passes thru the edge of Chino Hills open spaces, and who know what, or who, hangs out down there at night.

 

A 10 minute ride is not worth the risk.

 

I will scope out the routes I have to choose from, and will do a post or 2 about them, and will share the story of my Big Day as well. ;-D

My 21 Mile Commute to Work by Bicycle

My commute to work has evolved in the years I've lived in the OC.

It began as a 3 mile straight shot up Harbor Blvd, in Costa Mesa.

Then it became a 6 mile ride, over several streets, from Costa Mesa to Huntington Beach.

Then it became an 11 mile ride from Santa Ana to Huntington Beach, with the 1st 4 miles on the Santa Ana River Bike Trail.

In October my job moved to Long Beach, and in December I'd hoppedin the saddle a couple of times for what I thought was an 18 mile ride.

Well, after finally getting new tires for my bike, and new batteries for my odometer, I set out to confirm this once and for all.

It's funny how getting new batteries for ones's odometer can turn an 18 mile ride into one that is actually 21 miles. ;-D

  

The ride doesn't really take shape until I reach the nearly 2 mile point, west of The Block of Orange Mall, in Orange, and I head west on Lampson.

It is a straight shot, from here, to where I make my next turn in the route, and I ride through mostly residential areas of Garden Grove, Westminster, and Seal Beach.

 

Along the way I pass quite a few schools, from Elementary to High School and, along the street before, in front of, and past them, there are bike lanes like the one in the 1st photo.

This means hugging the left of the lane, or ignoring it all together, and taking the lane, if there are cars parked to your right.

Why? The driver side doors of any vehicle so parked open into the bike lane, that's why!

What were the designers thinking?

 

Once in Seal Beach I pass a naval installation, and private Country Club/Golf Course, and a Shopping Center with a Target.

With freeways within sight, and hearing, I come to Seal Beach Blvd. at the 12 mile mark of my journey.

 

I turn left, soon make a right and, after going over 2 frwys., passing Leisure World, and a Naval Base, then over the San Gabriel River & its Bike Trail (From here, on a clear day, you can see Catalina Island off the coast.), I reach Pacific Coast Highway, in Long Beach, where Westminster Blvd. becomes 2nd Street as it heads into Belmont Shores.

This is the intersection just before the spot where I almost got run over by a boat the other day. ;-D

Approaching PCH I was passed by the guy on the bike, in the above photo.

He seemed in an awful hurry and, after the light changed I was unable to catch up with him. ;-D

 

After passing over the waters of the Marine Stadium, near Marine Park, and thru Naples Island, I come to my next turn.

It is a very narrow, 3 block, stretch called Bay Shore Ave. that passes Alamitos Bay on its way to Ocean Blvd..

It is imperative for any cyclist, heading to or from the beach, to take the lane in order to make it safely thru this area.

Once on Ocean Blvd. you have arrived at the eastern end of the Long Beach Bicycle Trail.

From the trail you can see Catalina Island on a clear day, and the islands off part of the California Coastal National Monument (1,100 miles of the California coastline!) , in the Outer Long Beach Harbor.

It is 4 miles from this spot to The Pike Shopping District, off the beach, south of downtown Long Beach, and about a mile more to reach the connection with the Los Angeles River Bicycle Trail, west of downtown.

 

The trail is clearly marked as divided between bicyclists, and pedestrians and other non-cyclists, and one will encounter walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, Dogs walking their humans (No. 1 Thing to Watch Out for While on the Long Beach Bike Trail), and parents weilding Baby Utility Vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

More so on weekends, and holidays, and worse over the summer.

See that rental contration up there? 4 to 6 people are packed into that thing!

Now imagine encountering one with no adults, just 4 giggling 10-14 yr. old girls trying to make the thing go even a few yards down the trail. ;-D

There are also smaller ones, designed for 1, or 2 people, sort of like recumbents, to watch out for.

 

Speaking of folks weilding Baby Utility Vehicles...They seem to be among those who are unclear on the concept of "Bicycles Only" so beware.

I had just passed these ladies when I stopped to take a picture of the tent.

The ladies didn't take it too kindly when I politiely announced "On the Left" and, just as politiely, reminded them it was not safe for them, or me, for them to be in the bike only lane of the trail. ;-D

As for the tent...

I've seen it there since my 1st trip on the trail, last month, and think the person, whoever it is, lives there 24/7, and is homeless.

I've yet to see the person, and have no interest in getting up close and personal to learn more.

Some of the homeless in Downtown Long Beach are a dangerous lot, and it's best to keep as much distance between you and them, as you can.

Anyway, my commute is an interesting, and enjoyable journey, and when I get off work later in the night, I toss the bike on the front of the bus back into Orange County for the trip home.

No. 1 Thing to Watch Out for While on the Long Beach Bike Trail

 

Beware of dogs dragging women!!!

I love this image! ;-D

It can be found within the first couple of miles of the trail as it heads from its head at Bayshore, and Ocean Blvd., west, to Downtown Long Beach.

No, there is not a matching one with a man anywhere on the length of the trail. ;-D

I guess it's automatically assumed, in our society, that guys can control their mutts when out on walk-about. ;-D

From Now On I Take the Lane!

 

Riding to work in Seal Beach, on 2nd, just past PCH, yesterday afternoon, I was where I was supposd to be (Or so I thought!), in the side of the lane closest to the curb, but not in the gutter...

 

When a guy pulling a small boat behind him decided he just HAD to pass me when there was no room for it, and no need, since he was going to turn at the corner anyway! (Yes, that's him up ahead at the corner.)

 

Thank God for the gutter!

 

He was halfway past me before I stopped myself so I would not sway to my left, and bump my shoulder against the side of the boat.

 

I raised my hand in a "what the?" gesture at him (No, not the Finger!!), and reached for my camera. ;-D

 

As I put my camera away, a Little Old Lady from Pasadena, giving me proper space, pulled up next to me, as the lights began to change, and asked if I was OK.

 

When I said thanks, for asking, and wondered what the boat guy was thinking, she said she agreed. ;-D

 

As I continued across the intersection, and over the bridge, I looked to my right and saw the boat guy pulled over, standing outside his vehicle, and raising both hands in my direction, with an angry look on his face.

 

From now on, when I ride thru this block long stretch, I'll take the lane. ;-D

Gwadzilla Celebrates 5 Years BikeBlogging With Washingtonian Interview

In October 2003, another powerful voice in the, then, fledgling Community of BikeBloggers, joined me online: Joel Gwadz, AKA Gwadzilla.

Only I didn't know about it yet. ;-D

October 17th:

To BLOG or not to BLOG....this should not be a pressing question. It is free. So why not try it out and see how it goes. It can drift off into the GREAT WEB ABYSS if I choose not to continue it (much like several of the other free web hostings I have gotten involved with in years prior.)

He wondered what to expect from getting involved in this...

Wondered where it would lead, and what he wanted to accomplish.

He asked, in his 2nd post, the simple question that we all asked ourselves when we began: "Am I so desparate to have my voice be heard that I shout nothing to no one?"

It may have seemed weird to him back then but, luckily for all of us,  after that 1st post, he chose to continue.

His 1st month had stories about racing, and poetic accounts of cycling related events from his past, but, for me, the best post from that month is one that discusses a very simple question:

As as bicycle commuter there can never be the question, "to ride or not to ride," as it is unsafe to ask that question.....

Each day offers a myriad of excuses for not riding...
-It is TOO HOT.
-It is TOO COLD.
-It it TOO WET (as it is today and was yesterday.)
-It is too nice outside.
-I am TOO TIRED.
-I am running TOO LATE.
or
-I just don't feel like it.

Giving way to any of these excuses will lead the commuter down a difficult path where they try and hand pick their days for riding to work. Which will become more difficult to select as a new list of excuses enter the equation.

Read the rest of the essay, here.

I didn't discover him until April 2004. ;-D

DC Blogger Writes About Bicycling

I've written about him many times since, have him in my blogroll, corresponded by e-mail, heard his voice over the phone, and came oh, so close to meeting with him in a crowded park in DC on my vacation last spring. ;-D

I am glad to call him one of my friends in the Bike Blogging Community.

That leads me to the 2nd purpose of this post...

On Wednesday the Capitol Comment Blog, a respected resource on the influential Washingtonian.com, interviewed Joel in a wide-ranging, informative piece that is must reading for anyone interested in knowing more about Joel, and about cycling in DC.

The husband and father of two has found an audience among local cyclists, bicycle enthusiasts, and couriers. He calls his blog “an electronic cocktail party,” where, for the past five years, he’s shared information about Washington-area cycling and hoped to inspire people to ride.

Gwadz, a mountain biker at heart, lives in DC’s Mount Pleasant. Every day, he commutes by bike to his job to at 20th and M streets, Northwest, and he tries to squeeze in longer weekend rides outside of the city whenever possible.

Read the full piece here.

To celebrate the new year, and encourage you to check the photos, and essays, of Gwadzilla, here are 3 faves from this month so far:

1. Ah.... the day is behind me

Yesterday as I rode my bicycle into work I thought about a post on URBAN CYCLING...

2. Car Condoms??? ;-D

3. Tired...there is no good tired.

Happy Anniversay Joel! ;-D

Late Christmas Present for Cleopatra, the Dude's Trusty Steed!

The woman in my life has been trudging along on shoes badly in need of replacement since the end of summer.

It was time to spruce her up a bit.

I threw in badly needed new batteries for the Odometer, for good measure! ;-D

 

Doesn't she look adorable! ;-D

Anyway, I had asked my friend Steve, the world traveling blogger Freeway Soul, who was working at the Huntington Beach REI, at the time, for a recomendation.

I had long used 700 X 28 tires, never considering going wider, but when Steve suggested 35, I gave it some thought.

The tire he recommended was the Vittoria Randonneur Cross, and I like what I saw, and read from purchasers, on the REI website, and from a review by a fellow Bike Commuter (See the link below!).

Mike and Brian, who work in the Cycling Department, showed me the tires and, after I settled on the 32 size, got new tubes, and set to work shodding my ride so she'd look nice for the new year. ;-D

I rode her for about 6 miles on the way home, along the Santa Ana Bike Trail, and she rode like a dream.

This tire is, according to the notes, and user comment, suitable for city and light trail use, with puncture-resistant technology for long-wearing durability.

That puncture resistance is a big thing with me, so we shall see. ;-D

Matt Kelly, The Bike Commuter, whose blog seems to have existed for only 3 months, has an excellent, detailed, review, with pictures, from June 2007 (Back when they were not available in 32 & 35, apparently), that is a must read for anyone interested in this tire.

He lives in Albuquerque and, in short, he says:

These tires are simply phenomenal. If you commute on a regular basis along the hard asphalt pathways of our Southwestern urban environment, the Vittoria Randonneur Cross is the way to go.

Read the whole piece to understand why he says so.

I will be giving the tires their 1st big test, this afternoon, as I ride my bike to work, from Santa Ana, to Long Beach.

Most of the ride will be on surface streets, with the last few miles on the Long Beach Bike Trail.

No Radical Safety Improvement in 2009 Class of Bicycle Helmets?

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has released the following:

Helmets for 2009
 
We have posted our review of helmets being sold in 2009.

It covers trends, new developments and individual models.
 
In brief, there is no radical safety improvement this year that would
compel you to replace your current helmet. Almost all of the helmets
we describe meet standards and offer good if not excellent protection.

There are new helmets in 2009 that are worth a look if you need a new
one. There are more new models appearing with the rounder, smoother
profile that we think is best when you crash. The legally required
CPSC standard ensures good protection in the US market. Without
comparative test data we usually do not know if a model exceeds the
requirements of the standard and offers superior protection. We hope
for a new article from Consumer Reports during 2009 with some test
data on the current crop of helmets.

The rounder, smoother "compact," "city," "urban" or "commuter" models
that we recommend are still growing in number, and most manufacturers
have at least one in their lineup now. The higher priced helmets have
big vents, but no verifiable advantage in impact performance.

There are no new radical impact materials in bicycle helmets this
year. Strap adjustment fittings--buckles and side pieces--badly need
improvement. Most of them slip too easily. Ring fit systems, the "one
size fits all" solution, have taken over for most of the less
expensive and mid-range models.

We still recommend looking for a helmet that:

1. Meets the CPSC bicycle helmet standard.
2. Fits you well.
3. Has a rounded, smooth exterior with no major snag points.
4. Has no more vents than you need. More vents = less foam.

We have a long list of rounder, smoother helmets for 2009, and
sections on Value Helmets, Extra Large Helmets, Extra Small Helmets,
Helmets for Rounder Heads, Helmets for Narrow Heads, "Women-Specific"
Designs, Made in USA Helmets, Models available outside the US,
Cooling performance, Prices and a very long section describing almost
all of the helmets you will see on the 2009 market.

As always, we appreciate feedback!
 
___________________________________________

The Helmet Update - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Randy Swart, Editor - randy@helmets.org
4611 Seventh Street South
Arlington, VA 22204-1419
(703) 486-0100
info@helmets.org 
Website
 
Previous Newsletter Issues

Helmets are an important accessory for all Bicyclists, and the institute is one of the many great resources out there for useful information.