Two Five Fix

Should Runners Use Bike Lanes Instead of Sidewalks?

2012-01-11T15:10:00.004-06:00

I was sent this interesting article regarding runners using bike lanes and just thought i'd pass it along. While I don't run unless something is after me, i'm sure some of you out there do and may find this interesting. Before I post the article, my opinion is that the bike lane is made for faster moving vehicles and having runners in it would be dangerous for everyone. One of the arguments made for cyclists to ride on the street versus sidewalks is that when you're on the sidewalk, besides increased clutter, cars don't realize how fast they are moving and often times turn into them/pull out in front of them. As with all traffic in the states, the slower traffic should always be the furthest over to the right. Again, i'm not a runner but I do know they run on the wrong side of the road for some reason (God it kills me when i see cyclist do it...)so i'm not sure whats wrong with that. The article makes mention of multi-use trails which we have around here and i agree, they are sketchy as hell. The biggest problem is people out there with their head up their ass and their kids who are allowed to do as they please with no instruction or supervision as if they were in their own back yard. Stay in your lane, follow the flow of traffic, and act like you are in public. Anyhow: here is the article from
Philadelphia Magazine's Emily Leaman:
Should Runners Use Bike Lanes Instead of Sidewalks?

Bikes versus cars, cars versus bikes—and bikes versus runners?
Posted by Emily Leaman on 1/10/2012 at 1:57PM

Show of hands: Who’s run in a bike lane before? I’ll admit, it’s super tempting: The stretch of an unobstructed path looks like running heaven during those moments when you find yourself spending precious workout minutes dodging strollers and pedestrians ambling down narrow Center City sidewalks. But is running in the bike lane a safe—and legal—solution?

This morning, local running blogger Carrie opened exactly this can of worms on her blog Miles Covered. Last weekend, she says she counted 10 runners in 10 minutes running in the bike lane on Pine Street, traveling with traffic, some wearing headphones. Sounds like a recipe for an awful accident, right?

Carrie writes:

"I would wager that most of these folks do not use these lanes as bikers. Most of us who also bike Philly know that while the bike lanes are awesome, cars do not always respect them. …So when I see runners, charging along in those lanes with traffic, I cringe. I don’t think they have any idea that essentially, they’re running in a moving traffic lane. One that I would argue is even more dangerous than normal lanes because of how cars treat those lanes. As a biker and a runner, I would not even walk against traffic in those lanes. That’s how “safe” I feel they are. I would never, ever run in them."

I have to admit, I agree. Like Carrie, who runs and bikes in Philly, I’m also a fairly regular city biker—why walk when you can get there in a quarter of the time on two wheels?—and I’ve been involved in my fair share of close calls. Once, when I lived in DC, I was hit by a driver who was turning from the opposing lane when she tried to beat me through an intersection. I had the right of way and was in a bike lane. As I laid there—on the ground in the intersection, mind you—she had the audacity to roll down her window and scream at me as if I did something wrong. And then she sped off. The entire incident was baffling, terrifying and incredibly infuriating.

Fact: Many drivers don’t respect bikers. Related: Many bikers don’t obey the rules.

Add a runner to the mix—particularly one with headphones, going with the flow of traffic—and you’ve got a recipe for a really scary collision just waiting to happen. I can imagine a scenario where a runner decides to bail on the sidewalk and steps into the street, maybe from between two parked cars. He doesn’t see the bike coming, the biker doesn’t see him, and—WHAM. You get the picture.

I honestly don’t think bikers and pedestrians of any kind—even the fast moving ones—belong anywhere near each other. (I’ve alluded to the fact that mixed-use trails scare the business out of me.) In cities, that’s why God and the Department of Transportation created bike lanes and sidewalks: to keep one group away from the other. And it’s why I tweeted this morning, in response to Carrie’s post: “My motto: Bike lanes are for bikes. Sidewalks are for runners. Never the two shall meet.”

I checked with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, and they agree with me. “It’s not a safe thing to do, any more than it is to run in a car lane,” says Nicholas Mirra, the organization’s communications coordinator, who says he’s spotted runners on the Spruce and Pine Street bike lanes from time to time. “As far as we know it’s not technically illegal but it’s not safe for anybody.”

We tried checking on the laws with the agencies that handle the city’s bike lanes, but in true bureaucratic fashion, we haven’t back either way yet. (We’ll update this post if and when we do.) But here’s a thought: Even if there aren’t laws on the books officially banning runners from bike lanes, I’m going to take a wild guess and figure that since we call them “bicycle lanes,” they’re reserved for the exclusive use of, well, bikes.

This is why they pay me the big bucks, people.

loose again (full movie)

2012-01-03T22:25:00.000-06:00

nice

2011-12-26T23:24:00.000-06:00

Ugh

2011-12-26T23:22:00.001-06:00

wont go into a hater rant, just gonna let the commercial speak for itself

Sloss Cross

2011-12-10T09:50:00.001-06:00

Sloss Cross from mary lou davis on Vimeo.

Detroit Bicycle Company

2011-11-29T21:22:00.001-06:00

Detroit Bicycle Company

danny hart

2011-11-22T02:24:00.001-06:00

dont be lazy

2011-11-21T11:06:00.001-06:00

Brooks Seesaw Bike by Ben Wilson

2011-11-11T17:45:00.000-06:00

british tradition

2011-11-11T17:20:00.001-06:00

It's Better In The Wind

2011-11-02T01:31:00.001-05:00

It's Better In The Wind - Short Film from Scott Toepfer on Vimeo.

Ben Watts Video

2011-11-01T11:49:00.001-05:00

thanks Mawk! NSFW

BEN WATTS - ISSUE 2 PT 3 from www.treatsmagazine.com on Vimeo.

Be a Man Wolf!

2011-11-01T11:18:00.000-05:00

boikzmoind

2011-10-12T11:13:00.001-05:00

BÖIKZMÖIND - A Fixed Gear Bike is... from BÖIKZMÖIND on Vimeo.

fast co.

2011-10-04T23:38:00.000-05:00

lady bike

2011-09-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

The Bicycle from Jacques Magazine on Vimeo.

revolights.

2011-09-23T02:35:00.000-05:00

All You Can Eat 2011

2011-09-17T15:06:00.004-05:00

A few of us rode the 50 mile option of the All You Can Eat century this morning. The weather was amazing and the route took us though both very nice and very sketchy areas of Madison County. There was a ton of food at all of the sag stops and lunch provided at the end of the ride was great. The general consensus was that everyone had a really good time. I can't think of many other things I'd want to be doing on a Saturday morning.

The whole crew during the first few miles

Panda!

Btw, kyle dressed for a tweed ride and I apparently need a haircut and don't know how to wear a helmet.

The meal at the end

Kyle had to break in to his car

Stay on Your Bike Danny!

2011-09-07T12:59:00.002-05:00

bikemess.

2011-08-30T01:19:00.000-05:00

get your t-shirt here

beachcruiser

2011-08-30T00:43:00.001-05:00

Fam-Lay - Beach Cruiser hitmybeeper.com from Illusive Media on Vimeo.

Vintage Ride This Sunday

2011-08-25T01:21:00.002-05:00

Meet at Huntsville Middle at 2pm and bring a little cash!

Nastrack Racing This Friday

2011-07-14T17:19:00.003-05:00

We had a version of this last year that was pretty fun and it looks like it's back. As reported in the Huntsville Times, the Omnium will be held at the Huntsville Motor Speedway tomorrow night. Check it out:

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Even if you don't like biking, this sounds pretty cool.

On the same quarter-mile track that for years has hosted NASCAR greats like Bobby Allison, hundreds of cyclists will take to the high-banked oval asphalt and battle it out in the Speedway Omnium Friday night at Huntsville Speedway.

Drivers, start your ... pedals?

"For anyone who has not witnessed this kind of racing, it is a real treat and far more entertaining for spectators than road races or even criteriums," said James Dawson, race director and a member of the Spring City Cycling Club.

The event starts Friday with registration at 4:30 p.m. and concludes by 7:30 p.m. with the presentation of awards. Admission is free for spectators. Alabama Wheelman is hosting the event.

The race coincides with a big bike race weekend. The Spring City Race Division 2011 Summer Omnium will include races in New Market on Saturday and a criterium downtown on Sunday.

"With the 2012 Summer Olympics in London only a year away, cyclists of all types are taking renewed interest in track racing," Dawson said. "With a large number of cyclists expected for this year's full weekend of racing, starting with the Speedway Omnium, an exciting night of racing at the speedway will surely result."

In the Summer Olympics, the track is a venue known as a velodrome, which is defined as a steeply banked oval track. The closest one of those, according to Dawson, is in East Point, Ga. Because fixed-gear bikes are normally used in track racing, not many track races are held here.

But for this weekend, Dawson said USA Cycling allows road bikes to be used for track racing at an appropriate venue, such as a paved speedway with banked turns. Since road bicycles with multiple gears, brakes and freewheels can be used, the event is appealing to those who attend the annual race weekend held by the Spring City Race Division.

The Speedway Omnium will consist of five short events in which all licensed riders can participate regardless of category. The five events allow racers to accumulate omnium points toward the overall placement and a modest purse. The events are a 6K scratch race; 10K points race, where the result is based on points accumulated in the race; 8K miss-and-out race, where trailing riders are eliminated on every lap; 4-6K unknown distance race; and the exciting 4K team pursuit.

After each of these events, the intermediate results are announced so riders and spectators know who is in the running for the overall placements.

"All the action is in continuous view, allowing the strategies of the race to unfold as you watch," Dawson said. "The banking on the two broad turns of the oval allows top speed to be maintained at all times.

"The racing is a unique combination of raw power and clever stratagem that will keep you at the edge of your seat."

Coming This Fall

2011-07-08T01:46:00.001-05:00

i plan on going to this and already have a place to stay if someone wants to tag along...

Coming Up Next Weekend!

2011-07-07T00:05:00.001-05:00

we definitely need to get a group to go to this and share the love! lets talk on the ride tomorrow!

2011-06-30T01:21:00.001-05:00

Lucky Cat III coming up!

2011-05-30T20:02:00.004-05:00

Get yer dancin' shoes on because coming up next weekend is the third annual Huntsville Lucky Cat! This year, the focus will be fun-on-a-bike and the race will be a good bit easier than it has been. I've left the race in the competent and less sadistic hands of Chris Joy who worked with me last year and he tells me it will use a scavenger hunt format with an emphasis on fun. I'm also told there will be an alleycat after party at the same house (the one with the swimming pool what-what) that the race finished at two years ago. The race will not finish there this year though from what I understand. Anyhow, as always, we encourage everyone to tell a friend and out-of-towners get up with me and i will make sure you have a place to stay. Chris has done a lot of work to get good sponsors for you but has yet to get me a complete list but here are the one's i am certain of:

Bicycles Etc
TWOFIVEFIX
Chrome Messenger Bags
Scallywag Coffee
Urban Velo
Anthony Art
Bello Velo

2011-05-24T00:57:00.001-05:00

Handmade Portraits: Liberty Vintage Motorcycles from Etsy on Vimeo.

Ride of Silence Today (weds) at 7pm

2011-05-18T02:19:00.003-05:00

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
WHY DOES THIS ORGANIZATION EXIST?

To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET

On May 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. (Read the full history here...)

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.

The ride rolls out at 7pm from Bicycles ETC on Meridian St.!

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2011-05-16T21:15:00.000-05:00

The Bicycle City

2011-04-18T12:10:00.001-05:00

The Bicycle City. Trailer from Greg Sucharew on Vimeo.

Help People Out Who Already Had More Money Than Us

2011-04-15T01:33:00.001-05:00

The Rules

2011-04-05T23:23:00.004-05:00

This has been passed around a good bit but it is important that you know and adhere to "the simple truths of cycling etiquette known as The Rules" as set forth by the Velominati.

RULE 1:
Obey The Rules.

RULE 2:
It is forbidden for someone familiar with The Rules to knowingly assist another person to breach them.1

RULE 3:
No matter how good you think your reason is to knowingly breach The Rules, it is never good enough.

RULE 4:
It is, absolutely, without question, unequivocally, about the bike. Anyone who says otherwise is obviously a twatwaffle.

RULE 5:
Harden The Fuck Up.2,14

RULE 6:
Free your mind and your legs will follow.

RULE 7:
Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp. Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.

RULE 8:
Saddles, Bars, and Tires3:

Match the saddle to the bars and the tires to black; or
Match the bars to the color of the frame at the top of the head tube and the saddle to the color of the frame at the top of the seat tube and the tires to the color where they come closest to the frame; or
Match the saddle and the bars to the frame decals; or
Black, black, black
RULE 9:
If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

RULE 10:
It never gets easier, you just go faster. To put it another way, per Greg Henderson: “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”4

RULE 11:
Family does not come first. The bike does.

RULE 12:
The minimum number of bikes one should own is three. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

RULE 14:
Team-issue shorts should be black, with the possible exception of side-panels, which may match the rest of the team kit.

RULE 15:
Black shorts, or at least standard team-kit shorts, must be worn with Championship jerseys and race leadership jerseys, or accept that you will look like a douche.

RULE 16:
Championship and race leader jerseys must only be worn if you’ve won the championship or led the race.

RULE 17:
Wearing team kit is also questionable if you’re not paid to wear it. If you must fly the colours of Pro teams, all garments should match perfectly, i.e no Mapei jersey with Kelme shorts and Telekom socks.

RULE 18:
No road jerseys or Lycra bibs when riding off-road. (Cyclocross is a middle-ground. Best to wear cross-specific kit.)

RULE 19:
No mountain jerseys or baggies when riding on the road. (Cyclocross is a middle-ground. Best to wear cross-specific kit.)

RULE 20:
The remedies:

If your quads start to burn, shift forward to use your hamstrings and calves.
If your calves or hamstrings start to burn, shift back to use your quads.
If you feel wimpy and weak, see Rule 5 and get out and train more!
RULE 21:
Knickers, vests, arm warmers, shoe covers, and caps beneath your helmet can all make you look like a hardman, when the weather warrants it.

RULE 22:
Cycling caps can be worn under helmets, but never when not riding, no matter how hip you think you look. This will render one a douche, and should result in public berating or beating. The only time it is acceptable to wear a cycling cap is while directly engaged in cycling activities and while clad in cycling kit. This includes activities taking place prior to and immediately after the ride such as machine tuning and tire pumping. Also included are cafe appearances for pre-ride espressi and post-ride pub appearances for body-refueling ales (provided said pub has sunny, outdoor patio – do not stray inside a pub wearing kit or risk being ceremoniously beaten by leather-clad biker chicks). Under these conditions, having your cap skull-side tipped jauntily at a rakish angle is, one might say, de rigueur. All good things must be taken in measure, however, and as such it is critical that we let sanity and good taste prevail: as long as the first sip of the relevant caffeine or hop-based beverage is taken whilst beads of sweat, snow, or rain are still evident on one’s brow then it is legitimate for the cap to be worn. However, once all that remains in the cranial furrows is salt, it is then time to shower, throw on some suitable après-ride attire (a woollen Molteni Arcore training top circa ’73 comes to mind) and return to the bar, folded copy of pastel-coloured news publication in hand, ready for formal fluid replacement. It is also helpful if you are a Giant of the Road, as demonstrated here, rather than a giant douchebag. 4

RULE 23:
If it’s not cold or wet and you are still wearing shoe covers because you’re a pussy, your name is probably George Hincapie.

RULE 24:
Speeds and distances shall always be referred to and calculated in kilometers. This includes while discussing cycling in the workplace with your non-cycling coworkers, serving to further mystify our sport in the web of their Neanderthalic cognitive capabilities. As the confused expression spreads across their unibrowed faces, casually mention your shaved legs. All of cycling’s monuments are measured in the metric system and as such the English system is forbidden.

RULE 25:
The bikes on top of your car should be worth more than the car. Or at least be relatively more expensive. Basically, if you’re putting your Huffy on your Rolls, you’re in trouble, mister.

RULE 26:
There is definitely an “optimal” angle at which the pedals should be when photographing a bicycle. That angle depends on what the photo wants to say, but is probably around the 30 degree mark. Not 90 or 180.

RULE 27:
Sock and short length should be like Golidlocks, not too long and not too short. (Disclaimer: despite Sean Yates’ horrible choice in shorts length, he is a quintessential hard man of cycling and is deeply admired by the Velominati. Whereas Armstrong’s short and sock lengths are just plain wrong.) No socks is a no-no, as are those ankle-length ones that should only be worn by female tennis players.

RULE 28:
Socks can be any damn colour you like. White is old school cool. Black is good, but once again were given a bad image by a Texan whose were too long. DeFeet Wool-E-Ators rule.

RULE 29:
Saddle bags have no place on a road bike, and are only acceptable on mountain bikes in extreme cases.

RULE 30:
Ditto for frame-mounted pumps. Either Co2 cannisters or mini-pumps should be carried in jersey pockets. The only exception to this rule is to mount a Silca brand frame pump in the rear triangle of the frame, with the rear wheel skewer as the pump mount nob, as demonstrated by members of the 7-Eleven and Ariostea pro cycling teams. As such, a frame pump mounted upside-down and along the left (skewer lever side) seat stay is both old skool and euro and thus acceptable. We restate at this time that said pump may under no circumstances be a Zefal and must be made by Silca. It is acceptable to gaffer-tape a mini-pump to your frame when no C02 cannisters are available and your pockets are full of spare kit and energy gels. However, the rider should expect to be stopped and questioned and may be required to empty pockets to prove there is no room in them for the pump. Said Silca pump must be fitted with a Campagnolo head.

RULE 31:
Spare tubes, multi-tools and repair kits should be stored in jersey pockets, or in a converted bidon in a cage on bike. Or, use one of these.

RULE 32:
Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this.

RULE 33:
Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders, or be considered a hippie douche on their way to a Critical Mass.

RULE 34:
Mountain bike shoes and pedals have their place. On a mountain bike.

RULE 35:
Road helmets can be worn on mountain bikes, but never the other way around. No visors on the road. If you want shade, see Rule 21.

RULE 36:
Eyewear shall be cycling specific, i.e no Aviator shades or clip-on covers for reading glasses.

RULE 37:
The arms of the eyewear shall always be placed over the helmet straps. No exceptions. We don’t know why, it’s just the way it is.

RULE 39:
You should never leave home without your eyewear. You should not make a habit of riding without eyewear, although approved extenuating circumstances include fog, overheating, and lighting condition. When not worn over the eyes, they should be neatly tucked into the vents of your helmet. If they don’t fit, buy a new helmet. In the meantime you can wear them backwards on the back of your head or carefully tuck them into your jersey pocket, making sure not to scratch them on your tools (see item 20).

RULE 40:
Tires are to be mounted with the label centered directly over the valve stem. Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities.

RULE 41:
Quick release angle on the front skewer shall be an upward angle which tightens just aft of the fork and the rear quick release shall tighten at an angle that bisects angle between the seat and chain stays. It is acceptable, however, to have the rear quick release tighten upward, just aft of the seat stay, when the construction of the frame or its dropouts will not allow the preferred positioning. For Time Trial bikes only, quick releases may be in the horizontal position facing towards the rear of the bike. This is for maximum aero effect.9

RULE 42:
A bike ride/race shall never be preceeded with a swim and/or followed by a run.

RULE 44:
A rider’s handlebars on their road bike must always be lower than their saddle. The minimum allowable tolerance is 4cm; there is no maximum, but people may berate you if they feel you have them too low.

RULE 45:
A maximum stack height of 2cm is allowed below the stem and a single 5mm spacer must always – always – be stacked above. A “slammed down” stack height is preferable; meaning that the stem is positioned directly on the top race of the headset.

RULE 46:
Handlebars will be mounted parallel to the ground or angled slightly upward. While they may never be pointed down at all, they may be angled up slightly; allowed handlebar tilt is to be between 180 and 175 degrees with respect to the level road. The brake levers will preferably be mounted such that the end of the brake lever is even with the bottom of the bar. Modern bars, however, dictate that this may not always be possible, so tolerances are permitted within reason. Brake hoods should not approach anything near 45 degrees, as some riders with poor taste have been insisting on doing.

RULE 48:
The seating area of a saddle is to be visually level, with the base measurement made using a spirit level. Based on subtleties of saddle design and requirements of comfort, the saddle may then be pitched slightly forward or backward to reach a position that offers stability, power, and comfort. If the tilt of the saddle exceeds two degrees, you need to go get one of those saddles with springs and a thick gel pad because you are obviously a big pussy.

RULE 49:
The midpoint of the saddle as measured from tip to tail shall fall well behind and may not be positioned forward of the line made by extending the seat tube through the top of the saddle. (Also see Rule 44 and Rule 48.)

RULE 50:
Facial hair is to be carefully regulated. No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your name starts with “Marco” and ends with “Pantani”, or if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to kick ass.

RULE 51:
Livestrong wristbands are cockrings for your arms. You may as well get “tryhard wanker” tattooed on your forehead.

RULE 52:
Padding or body armor of any kind is not allowed.

RULE 54:
Aerobars or other clip-on attachments are under no circumstances to be employed on your road bike. The only exception to this is if you are competing in a mountain timetrail.

RULE 55:
If you are riding down a mountain, you must first have ridden up the mountain. It is forbidden to employ powered transportation simply for the cheap thrill of descending. The only exception to this is if you are doing intervals on Alpe d’Huez or the Plan de Corones and you park your car up top before doing 20 repeats of the climb.

RULE 56:
When wearing a cycling kit and enjoying a pre or post ride coffee, it is only appropriate to drink espresso or macchiato. If the word soy/skim latte is heard to be used by a member wearing cycling apparel, then that person must be ceremonially beaten with Co2 canisters or mini pumps by others within the community.6

RULE 57:
No stickers on your bike. Nobody gives a shit what causes you support, what war your against, what gear you buy, or what year you rode RAGBRAI. See Rule 5 and ride your bike.

RULE 58:
Never buy bikes, parts or accessories online. Going into your local shop, asking myriad inane questions, tying up the staff’s time, then going online to buy is akin to sleeping with your best friend’s wife, then having a beer with him after. You may as well go into your local shop and spit in the owners face. Online is evil and will be the death of the bike shop. If you enter a shop with parts you have bought online and expect them to fit them, be prepared to be told to see your online seller for fitting and warranty help.

RULE 59:
Hold your line.

RULE 60:
You are not, under any circumstances, to employ the use of the washer-nut and valve-stem cap that come with your inner-tubes or tubulars. They are only supplied to meet shipping regulations. They are useless when it comes to tubes and tires.

RULE 61:
Under no circumstances may your saddle have more than 3mm of padding. Special allowances will be made for stage racing when physical pain caused by subcutaneous cysts and the like (“saddle sores”) are present. Under those conditions, up to 5mm of padding will be allowed – it should be noted that this exception is only temporary until the condition has passed or been excised, and if you are hardman you would not change your saddle at all but instead just cut a hole in it to relieve pressure on your delicate derrière. It is noted that if Rule 48 and/or Rule 5 is observed then any “padding” is superfluous.7

RULE 62:
You shall not ride with earphones. Cycling is about getting outside and into the elements and you don’t need to be listening to Queen or Slayer in order to experience that. Immerse yourself in the rhythm and pain, not in whatever 80′s hair band you call “music”. See Rule 5 and ride your bike.8

RULE 63:
Arm signals. Signal that a left turn by pointing your left arm to the left. To signal a right turn, simply point with your right arm to the right. This one is, presumably, mostly for Americans: that right-turn signal that Americans are taught to make with your left arm elbow-out and your forearm pointing upwards was developed for motor-vehicles prior to the invention of the electric turn signal since it was rather difficult to reach from the driver-side all the way out the passenger-side window to signal a right turn. On a bicycle, however, we don’t have this limitation and it is actually quite easy to point your right arm in the direction you are turning. The American right-turn signal just makes you look like you’re waving “hello” to traffic.

RULE 64:
Cornering confidence generally increases with time and experience. This pattern continues until it falls sharply and suddenly.

RULE 65:
Bicycles must adhere to the Principle of Silence and as such must be meticulously maintained. No squeaks, creaks, or chain noise allowed. Only the soothing hum of your tires upon the tarmac and the rhythm of your breathing may be audible when riding. When riding the Pave, the sound of chain slap is acceptable. The Principle of Silence can be extended to say that if you are suffering such that your breathing begins to adversely effect the enjoyment of the other riders in the bunch, you are to summarily sit up and allow yourself to be dropped.10

RULE 66:
Mirrors are allowed on your (aptly named) Surly Big Dummy or your Surly Long Haul Trucker. Not on your road steed. Not on your Mountain bike. Not on your helmet. If someone familiar with The Rules has sold you such an abomination, return the mirror and demand a refund, plus interest and damages.

RULE 67:
Do your time in the wind; nobody likes a wheel sucker. You might think you’re playing a smart tactical game by letting everyone else do the work while you sit on, but races (even Yellow Sign Sprints) are won through cooperation and spending time on the rivet, flogging yourself and taking risks. Riding wheels and jumping past at the end is one thing and one thing only: poor sportsmanship.

RULE 68:
Rides are to be measured by the quality of their distance and never by distance alone. For climbing rides, distances should be referred to by the amount of vertical covered; flat and rolling rides should be referred to by their distance and average speed. For example, declaring “We rode 4km” would assert that 4000m were covered during the ride, with the distance being irrelevant. Conversely, a flat ride of 150km at 23kmh is not something that should be discussed in an open forum and Rule 5 must be reviewed at once.7

RULE 69:
Cycling shoes and bicycles are both made for riding. Ergo, any walking conducted while wearing cycling shoes must be strictly limited. When taking a slash or filling bidons during a 200km ride (at 38kmh, see Rule 68) one is to carefully stow one’s bicycle at the nearest point navigable by bike and walk the remaining distance. It is strictly prohibited that under any circumstances a cyclist should walk up a steep incline, with the obvious exception being when said incline is blocked by riders who crashed because you are on the Koppenberg. For clarification, see Rule 5.7

RULE 70:
The purpose of competing is to win. End of. Any reference to not achieving this should be referred immediately to Rule 5.11

RULE 71:
Know how to train properly and stick to your training plan. Ignore other cyclists with whom you are not intentionally riding. The time for being competitive is not during your training rides, but during competition.

RULE 72:
Legs speak louder than words. Unless you routinely demonstrate your riding superiority and the smoothness of your Stroke, refrain from discussing your power meter, heartrate, or any other riding data. Also see Rule 74.

RULE 73:
Gear and brake cables should be cut to optimum length, creating a perfect arc around the headtube and cross under the downtube. Right shifter cable should go to the left cable stop and vice versa.

RULE 74:
Computers, GPS, PowerTaps, SRMs; If you are not a Pro, then you don’t need a SRM or PowerTap. To paraphrase BSNYC, an amateur cyclist using a power meter is like hiring an accountant to tell you how poor you are. As for Garmins, how often do you get lost on a ride? They are bulky, ugly and superflous. Ditch the HRM and ride on feel; little compares to the pleasure of riding as hard as your mind will allow. Cycle computers should be simple, small and mounted on the stem. And preferably wireless.

RULE 75:
Race numbers are for races. Remove it from your frame before the next training ride because no matter how cool you think it looks, it does not look cool. Unless you are in a race. In which case it looks cool.

RULE 76:
When not worn, helmets are to be clipped to the stem and draped over your handlebars thusly.

RULE 77:
Respect the earth. Do not throw your empty gel packets, energy bar wrappers or punctured tubes on the road or in the bush. Stuff em in your jersey pockets, and repair that tube when you get home.12

RULE 78:
When racing in a criterium of 60 minutes or less the second (unused) water bottle cage must be removed in order to preserve the aesthetic of the racing machine.13

RULE 80:
Pre-race, you must be tranquilo, resting on your top tube thusly. This may also be extended to any time one is aboard the bike, but not riding it, such as at stop lights or while waiting for riding partners.15

RULE 81:
The bike is the tool a Velominatus uses to convey their art. It must be cherished, and when leaning it against a wall, must be leaned carefully such that only the bars, saddle, or tires come in contact with the wall or post. This is true even when dismounting prior to collapsing after the World Championship Time Trial.

RULE 82:
Whilst riding in cold and/or Rule 9 conditions replete with arm warmers, under no circumstances is there to be any exposed skin between the hems of your kit and the hems of your arm. If this occurs, you either need to wear a kit that fits you properly or increase the size of your guns. Arm warmers may, however, be shoved to the wrists in Five and Dime scenarios, particularly those involving Rule 9 conditions. The No-Gap Principle also applies to knee and leg warmers with the variation that these are under no circumstances to be scrunched down around the ankles; Merckx have mercy on whomever is caught in such a sorry, sorry state. It is important to note that while one can wear arm warmers without wearing knee or leg warmers, one cannot wear knee or leg warmers without wearing arm warmers (or a long sleeve jersey). It is completely inappropriate to have uncovered arms, while covering the knees, with the exception of brief periods of time when the arm warmers may be shoved to the wrists while going uphill in a Five and Dime situation. If the weather changes and one must remove a layer, the knee/leg coverings must go before the arm coverings. If that means that said rider must take off his knee or leg warmers while racing, then this is a skill he must be accomplished in. The single exception would be before an event in which someone plans on wearing neither arm or leg warmers while racing, but would like to keep the legs warm before the event starts; though wearing a long sleeve jersey over the racing kit at this time is also advised. One must not forget to remove said leg warmers. 16

RULE 83:
Unless you are followed by a team car, you will repair your own punctures. You will do so expediently, employing your own skills, using your own equipment, and without complaining that your expensive tyres are too tight for your puny thumbs to fit over your expensive rim. The fate of a rider who has failed to equip himself pursuant to Rule 31, or who knows not how to use said equipment, shall be determined at the discretion of any accompanying or approaching rider in accordance with Rule 84.17

RULE 84:
Consistently with The Code Of The Domestique, the announcement of a flat tyre in a training ride entitles – but does not oblige – all riders then present in the bunch to cease riding without fear of being labelled Pussies. All stopped riders are thereupon entitled – but not obliged – to lend assistance, instruction and/or stringent criticism of the tyre mender’s technique. The duration of a Rule 84 stop is entirely discretionary, but is generally inversely proportional to the duration of the remaining available post-ride espresso.17

RULE 85:
All descents shall be undertaken at speeds commonly regarded as “ludicrous” or “insane” by those less talented. In addition all corners will be traversed in an outside-inside-outside trajectory, with the outer leg extended and the inner leg canted appropriately (but not too far as to replicate a motorcycle racer, for you are not one), to assist in balance and creation of an appealing aesthetic. Brakes are generally not to be employed, but if absolutely necessary, only just prior to the corner. Also see Rule 64.18

1 Thanks to Geof for this submission.
2 Stijn Devolder on Rule 5, in defense of staying in Belgium when his teammates went off to train in sunny Spain: “It is not so cold that you freeze on to your bike. You go from a temperature of zero (Celsius) to minus one and you’re not dead; It hardens your character.”
3 It is possible for experts to mix these matching guidelines successfully without breaking The Rules. This is a very risky undertaking and can yield unpredictable results. Proceed carefully and, if in doubt, run your configuration by the Keepers for approval.
4 Famous quote by Greg LeMond, former hardmand and current twatwaffle. Greg Henderson quote courtesy of Neil. (Incidentally, it does not matter how fast you go, but you may never give up.)
5 Thanks to James for his sound input on modifying this submission from it’s original draft which read, “An exception to wearing a cap when not riding is: If you have a soigneur (you don’t) and he places the cap on your head after you’ve just won a mountain top finish or soloed into the velodrome (you haven’t).”
6 Thanks to Rob for this submission.
7 Thanks to Rob (different from Rob in 6) for this submission.
8 Thanks to Saul at Speedy Reedy for this submission.
9 Thanks to BarryRoubaix for the astute observation regarding Time Trial Bikes.
10Thanks to Souleur for the astute observation regarding the Principle of Silence.
11 Thanks to Charlie for this addition.
12 Thanks to Jarvis and Steampunk for their tidy ways.
13 Thanks to Cyclops for this sensibly aesthetic addition.
14 You will never observe Rule 5 as much as Jens. The diamond industry is currently petitioning to move the standard measurement of the hardness of a diamond from “carat” to “Jens”. Preliminary studies show that the most perfect and hard diamond known to be in existence is 0.125 Jens. Thanks to Velomihottie for pointing out the omission of this obvious fact.
15 Thanks to SupermanSam via our friends at CyclingTipsBlog.
16 Thanks to Rusty Tool Shed and Reid Beloni for assistance in helping craft the language of this Rule.
17 Thanks to Karim for this most accurate contribution.
18 Thanks to SterlingMatt for this most accurate contribution.

2011-03-30T02:30:00.001-05:00

Thursday Night Ride

2011-03-14T18:48:00.002-05:00

Weather is gonna be ideal this week so lets ride like it's our bidness. We're gonna do a flat fun medium-length ride so everyone who's been hibernating can enjoy. Take it upon yourself to bring someone new and grow this puppy. Photo courtesy of Tyler "Don't Call Me White" Brown.

People Are Messed Up

2011-03-03T23:31:00.003-06:00

go to youtube and look at how many people have marked as "like". people get so angry when you talk about bikes on the road.

Light 'Em Up

2011-02-23T02:26:00.000-06:00

Strategies for Getting Around Without Bike Lights (or Pants) from BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE on Vimeo.

2012 Olympic Velodrome

2011-02-22T23:53:00.005-06:00

The 6,000-seat velodrome for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics was officially opened today.

I Didn't See Him = Get Out Of Jail Free Card

2011-02-22T23:01:00.005-06:00

As seen in the Huntsville Times and written by our good bud Morgan Andriulli. Photo by Ron Daniel for the Times

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. _ Look closely at this picture. This is what the motorist failed to see when he hit Ernie Wu at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. Wu, CEO and president of ERC Inc., was riding to work in the pre-dawn darkness when the motorist struck him on a stretch of Drake Avenue with a quarter mile of visibility, no rain, no fog, street lights and no other traffic on the road.
The cyclist in the picture is running a $300 lighting system and wearing an IllumiNITE™ jacket, identical to those used by Wu that morning and far exceeding the minimum required illumination required for cyclists by law. That particular light system can be seen up to a mile away. So one wonders, what was this driver doing when he hit Wu? Apparently it does not matter because, according to the account in The Times, "The driver of the car, who has not been charged, told police he did not see Wu before he hit him."
'Not Been Charged...' What is it going to take before motorists face some legal consequences for injuring and killing cyclists? Alabama is among six states where a police officer cannot issue a citation if they do not see what occurred, even if the driver is clearly negligent. This needs to change.

Let's do the rundown, and I say this without irony:
September 2008 - Sarah Chapman, Huntsville
July 2009 - Carlos Serrano, Scottsboro
May 2010 - Sharon Bayler, Taft, Tenn.
December 2010 - Ernie Wu, Huntsville

Consequences: Chapman, Serrano, Bayler - Deceased. Wu - cracked vertebrae in neck and back. (He got lucky.) Drivers: No charges, citations or license suspension.

In each case, the conditions were the same: Clear, wide roads, low or no traffic, a quarter to half mile line of sight, clear weather and good lighting. At least two riders were running with flashing lights and reflective vests.
Two of the drivers admit to reaching for cell phones. Two drivers said they simply did not see the cyclists. Even at 60 mph (and the limits on these roads were no higher than 45 mph and as low as 25), each driver had a minimum of 20 seconds to notice a cyclist moving at 15 mph. Twenty seconds. Count it out.
Had these drivers been drunk or high, they'd be facing jail time, stiff fines and loss of driving privileges. A breathalyzer test usually settles the issue of filing charges, but there is no test for distraction. It falls to an easier test. Say the magic words, "I just did not see them." Presto! It is a "tragic accident."
These tragedies are NOT accidents. A seized axle steering an old Toyota into a school bus, shoving it off a freeway bridge, is an accident. A passenger jet flying through a flock of geese and landing in the Hudson River is an accident. Running into plainly visible cyclists and pedestrians in perfectly clear conditions is gross negligence.
This is not a debate about who does or does not have the right to be on the road. Our streets and roads are a public-use facility and it is a privilege to use them that comes with responsibilities, drivers and cyclists alike. This is about protecting vulnerable users from others who have failed in their responsibility to not hit things or kill people. Your driver's license charges you with that responsibility. While each of the victims here went beyond the legal minimum to be visible and to ride in low traffic conditions, each driver most obviously failed to operate their vehicle safely and logically and deserves to be separated from their driving privilege. Distraction is the new drunk-driving and it needs to be treated as such.

We're not talking summary execution, but a temporary license suspension until a reasonable investigation is completed is a good start. And a reasonable investigation must go further than a breathalyzer and the "magic word" test. Take a look at that cell phone. It tells the truth if asked if it was in use. GPS? Screaming kids? Radio adjustment? There is no issue inside a car that cannot wait until a complete stop at the side of the road.

The drivers who struck Sarah, Sharon, Carlos and Ernie are likely not bad people. They probably do not deserve jail time. However, they made grave errors that require reprimand and, at minimum, deserve a period where they lose driving privileges and suffer hefty financial pain so they too can share the consequences of what they have caused. As it is, our public safety and legal systems let drivers off far too easily for negligent behavior, leaving it to the victims or their families to extract justice or restitution. What else has to happen to change this? People I know personally have already died.
Morgan Andriulli is vice president of the Spring City Cycling Club and a founding board member of the Alabama Bicycle Coalition.

2011-02-21T10:22:00.000-06:00

UCI World Cup 2011 - Awang's Splinter Update from British Cycling on Vimeo.

Nyce Krack-N_Fail

2011-02-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

TEH S3X!

2011-02-17T17:43:00.001-06:00

New Yamaguchi FGFS

2011-02-16T23:39:00.002-06:00

So Yamaguchi did some custom FGFS bikes for a customer in Japan. I love the pierced toptube...reminds me of a Standard STA from the 90's and super strong. The custom fork and chainstays allow you to run some fatties.

Here are a couple other recent creations from the master. I love the black one...the seatstay brace reminds me of the olympic assym frame for Mike McCarthy from the 90's...damn, the 90's had some awesome bikes i guess lol. And then there's the triple triangle which, as most of you know, I am always a sucker for.

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2011-02-14T22:55:00.002-06:00

We have a break in the weather so we're gonna ride this Thursday night like it's nobody's bidness'. Bring lights and lunch money and be ready to roll out around 7pm. A lot of folks have been hiding from the cold so it's not gonna be a hammerfest. I promise.

high 50's

2011-02-10T23:57:00.002-06:00

Nice weather this weekend. Polo for sure Sunday.

2011-02-09T01:37:00.000-06:00

Nice Weather Plus Bikes

2011-01-28T21:38:00.003-06:00

Monthly Vintage bike ride this sunday 2pm at the backside of HSV Middleschool. Bike Polo at 3pm (i think)

Flipside

2011-01-09T15:23:00.001-06:00

Teach By Example

2010-12-31T13:53:00.000-06:00

Bay Area Derailleurs on Bikedance from janel sterbentz on Vimeo.

It Can Wait!

2010-12-30T17:34:00.002-06:00

Definitely a sore spot for me, texting and driving! Just pull over or God forbid, wait until you get to your destination. People don't realize how dangerous texting and driving can be and quite frankly, if you can't be responsible enough to wait, you aren't responsible enough to be on the road. It's not fair to put everyone else at risk because of your selfishness and driving is a privilege, not a right. And I will fucking punch you if i see you do it.

Vans Vault x Brooks

2010-12-30T17:16:00.003-06:00

As seen over at the Brooks Blog

Vans, the renowned shoemaker from California (in case you did not know), approached us earlier this year to collaborate with their Vault project, which is now finally dropping into stores worldwide.

The release is limited to:

-an edition of 500 numbered Brooks Team Pro Saddles and
-an edition of 1,000 pairs of leather Vans Era LX.

Both feature an outstanding embossed graphic artwork designed by Vans. These will only be available in Vans flagship stores and selected BROOKS DEALERS OF EXCELLENCE.

2010-12-29T13:22:00.001-06:00

anthem II

2010-12-16T00:49:00.001-06:00

ANTHEM II trailer from Stew Johnson on Vimeo.

skateistan

2010-12-15T02:02:00.000-06:00

SKATEISTAN: TO LIVE AND SKATE KABUL from Diesel New Voices on Vimeo.

team z

2010-12-10T01:33:00.001-06:00

This Kid Is What's Wrong With America

2010-12-07T19:12:00.000-06:00

...douche

Framed

2010-12-07T18:49:00.000-06:00

FRAMED-Andi Wittmann Rider profile from Felix Urbauer on Vimeo.

2010-12-02T01:29:00.012-06:00

a really good interview with Michael Morkov over at PEZ.

"We've seen the bikes of the road stars countless times, but let's take a closer look at a top bike of a different sort - the Dolan bike and parts that sits beneath one of the most feared men on the track, Denmark's Michael Morkov.

Michael Morkov, Denmark's former world madison champion and winner of the six days of Fiorenzuola, Grenoble, Gent, Berlin and Copenhagen with countryman Alex Rasmussen took delivery of a brace of new Dolan track bikes for the six days of Ghent.

Previously, his Saxo Bank team's bike sponsors, Specialized had been happy for Morkov to remain faithful to his Principia but with Specialized soon to enter the track frame market, they asked Michael to ride an 'anonymous' frame for winter 2010/11.

Michael took time to talk to PEZ about six day bikes.

PEZ: Have you always been an equipment fanatic, Michael ?
Michael Morkov: Yes, it started when I was a schoolboy, I was always looking at the equipment in bike shops and saving up my money for nice things.
My dad helped me but generally I paid for my equipment myself.

PEZ: What do you look for in a six day bike.
MM: It has to be stiff and you must have a bike you can trust.

For the Worlds I might fit some lighter wheels, but that's only for one hour; in the sixes you have to be able to trust your bike 100%. You want a bike that will last the whole season with no problems. And you want grippy tyres, maybe not the fastest but again tyres you can rely on.

PEZ: Why Dolan?
MM: That was Specialized's choice.

PEZ: And how do they compare to the Principia?
MM: They're pretty similar and built along the same principles - stiff and aero.
I think that some of the fine detailing is actually better than it was on the Principia. And what I liked was that everything fitted, there was no need to face the bottom bracket or file the ends,or anything like that.

PEZ: You used to ride aluminium Pinarellos, how does carbon compare?
MM: The Pinarello was a nice bike, aluminium is very light but carbon can be made stiffer and more aero.

PEZ: You've left the steerer projecting above the line of the top of the stem?
MM: When you get a new bike you're always better to give yourself a little room to manoeuvre as far as setting the position goes.

PEZ: How did you arrive at your position?
MM: Just by gradual changes over the years, I've tried to get the bars as low as possible - but I understand that if you go into the wind tunnel the results can surprise you; what you think is aero isn't necessarily so.

PEZ: Why Zipp wheels?
MM: They're one of our sponsors but I also think that they are the best track wheels, very reliable and stiff; I don't like 'soft' wheels. The Zipp bearings are good, they run very well.

PEZ: Continental tubulars?
MM: It's a bit annoying that the mechanics have to work so hard to get them straight on the rim; but I've used them for my whole career and I know that I can trust them.

PEZ: Why not Campag or Shimano cranks?
MM: The 'Omnium' cranks and bracket are made by SRAM, our sponsors and are the only track cranks which have the external bearing races - this keeps the distance from the bearing to the crank very close and is much stiffer.
They run ceramic bearings which are very smooth.
I use the MDT chain ring which is very stiff.

PEZ: Speedplay made the gold pedals specially for you?
MM: Yes, to honour our win in the world madison championship.
They have ceramic bearings and titanium axles.

PEZ: One eighth pitch chain?
MM: Yes, I run an Izumi chain which is the only chain approved for use by the Japanese Keirin association and last a long time.

PEZ: What crank length?
MM: I ride 170's but am thinking of going a little longer to get them closer to the crank length of my road bike.

PEZ: And gearing?
MM: I ride 50 x 15 here, but for a World Cup or World Championship that would go up to 49 x 14.

PEZ: Aluminium bars and stem?
MM: I ride the classic FSA bend, 40 cm alloy, for getting through gaps - again it's about trusting your equipment. The stem is aluminium too, 130 mm - there's just something in my mind about clamping carbon bars and stem, I don't like the thought of it.

With the next session on the boards approaching, it was time for Michael to saddle up; but to complete the picture - the Morkov posteria sits on a Specialized saddle, supported by an Alpina aero 'Wing' carbon seat post, which complements the aero seat tube on the bike and is a favourite of many riders looking for the ultimate in slipperiness - including the GB team 'stealth' machines.

Unfortunately, the new bike didn't make the podium at Gent - but watch for it at Berlin and Copenhagen."

shelter

2010-12-02T01:05:00.000-06:00

2010-11-30T15:28:00.000-06:00

via Bello:
Saturday Dec 4th is the Christmas Parade and we are hoping for a big turnout so decorate your bike and yourself and join us @ 11:30am at the parking lot K across form the Clinton Street Post Office. The ride will be less than 3 miles so bundle up.

sickness.

2010-11-30T15:27:00.000-06:00

Gap Goes PUBLIC with Pop-Up Bike Shop at San Francisco Flagship

2010-11-24T02:53:00.004-06:00

(Courtesy PUBLIC and James Mueller Photography)

Since resolving its brand identity crisis, Gap has been busy expanding its horizons. In recent weeks, the mega-retailer has opened its first wholly-owned stores in China (two in Beijing, two in Shanghai) and Italy (on Milan’s Corso Vittorio Emanuele) and announced plans to enter South America next fall. But the Gap store we’re most excited about is a temporary outlet right down the road from the company’s San Francisco HQ. It’s a seasonal pop-up shop (above) that features the covetable steel-framed bikes and gear of PUBLIC, the enterprise started in May by Design Within Reach founder Rob Forbes.

“I’ve been watching the growth of city bikes in Europe for almost ten years and seeing the changes here, such as the Bloomberg initiatives in New York,” Forbes told us. “I’m passionate about urban design and mobility, and want to help us get over our car addiction.” And so PUBLIC was born. The San Francisco-based company specializes in practical bikes designed for cities. Its classically styled models come in a growing range of gorgeous hues—a tangerine inspired by the ’68 Vespa that is a fixture in the PUBLIC offices, a pale blue purloined from a vintage Porsche—and boast frames that are guaranteed for life and “ride like butter.”

Word of snazzy urban bikes travels fast in the Bay Area, so it was only a matter of time before Gap came calling. “Their team visited our South Park space, liked our vibe, and asked if we’d work with them on the pop-up,” explained Forbes. “They are developing a bike share program with their staff also, and we align with their internal mission.” The deal was sealed by PUBLIC’s new more affordable models (the recently launched Public A7 and J7 each sell for $495, compared to the $550 to $890 price range of other models) and its quirky assortment of non-bike merchandise, including pretty air pumps, art, antimicrobial striped socks, and wooden deer heads.

Forbes describes the pop-up shop, which will be open through the end of January at Gap’s San Francisco flagship on Market Street, as a mix of “rustic wood floors and clean walls and bikes of lickable colors.” And for customers who’d rather not ride their purchases home, there are desks imbedded with iPads for ordering PUBLIC products online. With the holidays around the corner, we asked Forbes for advice on what to put under the tree for the design-savvy bike enthusiast. “Definitely a Belgian Moose Bust,” he said, before offering another stimulating option. “Actually, we’re now selling the best espresso machine in the world. There is not a biker alive that does not have a serious coffee habit.”

original story here: Media Bistro

Proud

2010-11-23T01:30:00.002-06:00

Proud Cat

Geek

2010-11-22T22:28:00.006-06:00

I was talking with an old friend about a custom bike project coming up and a lot of the features he wants kept reminding me of Geekhouse. This video is not brand new but it's so well done (Marty is awesome) that I had to share (possibly reshare) it:

Geekhouse Movie from Geekhouse Bikes on Vimeo.

Also, because of the holiday craziness, we are going to do a Weds Night Ride instead of Thursday and then a few of us are going to the Daikaiju show after 'rita's. The ride will be short and sweet - hitting up the bulk of downtown's parking garages. Get up!

Way Back Home

2010-11-17T02:30:00.000-06:00

Exactly

2010-11-12T20:39:00.001-06:00

Ironclad Performance Wear Cycling Team: A Summer Behind Bars [TEASER] from Will Walle on Vimeo.

Czech Mix

2010-11-11T01:23:00.003-06:00

bored? check out this and other pics of pro cyclist Lucie Macikova over at Pro Cycling Women. Photos by Michal Pudich, courtesy of Michal Frantik

270 Miles

2010-11-11T00:46:00.000-06:00

Miles from Pietro Malegori on Vimeo.

We're All Equal But Some Are More Equal

2010-11-10T23:11:00.003-06:00

as seen at the NY Times (and Anthony)

Cyclists Condemn Prosecutor’s Decision
By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF

Last week The Vail Daily News reported that an Eagle County, Colo., prosecutor had declined to press felony charges against Martin Joel Erzinger, a financial manager who allegedly fled the site of a crash with a cyclist in July.

“Felony convictions have some pretty serious job implications for someone in Mr. Erzinger’s profession, and that entered into it,” Mark Hurlbert, the prosecutor, said of the manager, told the paper. “When you’re talking about restitution, you don’t want to take away his ability to pay.”

Mr. Erzinger, a money manager for wealthy clients at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, has $1 billion in assets under management, according to his Web site. He now faces two misdemeanor traffic charges related to the incident, which left the victim with brain and spinal cord injuries.

Cycling advocates around the country have decried the ruling.

“Even with an appreciation of the legal complexities, what Erzinger is accused of absolutely warrants a felony charge and it’s shocking that his profession and net worth has even entered into the equation,” wrote Jonathan Maus, the editor of BikePortland.org, a cycling blog.

Bob Mionske, an attorney who specializes in representing injured bikers, said the district attorney’s decision not to press felony charges was unusual given the circumstances. According to court records, Mr. Erzinger did not stop after the accident, but drove several miles to a nearby town and called a roadside assistance service to request a tow for his Mercedes. He did not call law enforcement, the records say.

When the local police arrested Mr. Erzinger, he was allegedly placing a broken side mirror and a damaged bumper in his trunk, the records add.

“He doesn’t really seem to have a defense,” said Mr. Mionske, a former Olympian who writes a column on cycling and legal matters for Bicycling magazine. “This guy is clearly fleeing the scene. All the elements of the crime are present.”

But Mr. Erzinger’s lawyers say that he may suffer from sleep apnea that affected his actions at the time of the accident, the Vail newspaper said.

The victim, Dr. Steven Milo, a transplant surgeon who according to his attorney suffered brain and spinal cord injuries in the collision, has objected to the prosecutor’s decision.

“Mr. Erzinger struck me, fled and left me for dead on the highway,” Dr. Milo wrote to the judge overseeing the case, according to The Vail Daily News. “Neither his financial prominence nor my financial situation should be factors in your prosecution of this case.”

In an interview with a local news station, Mr. Hurlbert, the prosecutor, denied that Mr. Erzinger’s financial prominence played a role in his decision, and said that if convicted of the misdemeanor charges, he would face up to a year in a county jail.

Mr. Mionske, the cyclist’s rights attorney, called the case a particularly striking example of the difficulties cyclists face when seeking justice after being struck by a vehicle. For example, after many bike-car collisions, the injured cyclist is taken to the hospital, while the statement from the driver is to be an authoritative account of the incident, he argues.

“The police, they show up at the hospital and hand the guy a ticket without ever asking him for his version of the accident,” he said.

“Over all, there’s an amazing amount of injustice that occurs to cyclists,” he added.

Another article here.

And another here.

P.O.T.D.

2010-11-10T00:16:00.000-06:00

2010-11-08T01:18:00.001-06:00

Mini Drome

2010-11-02T00:11:00.001-05:00

Red Bull Minidrome from Eyeball Moving Image on Vimeo.

Ride Everywhere

2010-10-26T00:38:00.000-05:00

Halloween Alleycat This Weekend

2010-10-19T20:32:00.002-05:00

A few of us went to flo-town this summer and did their first alleycat. Well they're back for Halloween with what i'm sure will be another great event.

hey.

2010-10-11T01:49:00.001-05:00

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2010-10-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

Cara In Memphis

2010-10-04T00:26:00.001-05:00

well damn

Memphis Edit - Cara Notestine from Brett Edmonds on Vimeo.

Too Sick

2010-10-04T00:20:00.001-05:00

As most of you know, i also do motorcycles. Had to share this one.

2010-10-03T23:03:00.001-05:00

Polo

2010-10-03T22:18:00.003-05:00

We played polo today. It was fun. There's been some guys playing every sunday at 4 downtown at Holmes and Lincoln if you want to join.

Thursday Night Ride

2010-09-30T09:48:00.001-05:00

So Dumb So Dumb

2010-09-27T10:05:00.000-05:00

So Dumb, So Dumb from Bootleg Sessions on Vimeo.

Bicycle Obelisk

2010-09-24T18:49:00.002-05:00

Grime

2010-09-23T23:54:00.000-05:00

Torey Thornton for The Grime from WRAHW on Vimeo.

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2010-09-23T00:50:00.002-05:00

I Think So

2010-09-22T01:59:00.000-05:00

Nice Poster

2010-09-22T01:30:00.001-05:00

Bambooyah!

2010-09-21T23:51:00.001-05:00

There seems to be more and more bamboo bike companies popping up and this one actually seems pretty awesome.

Justin's Edit

2010-09-19T23:10:00.001-05:00

Art & Snaps

2010-09-19T22:10:00.001-05:00

Woof x Arfx x Cyclo bike.co from Woof Jakarta on Vimeo.

360 and 360 to fork snap from 010fixedgear on Vimeo.

Cycling Fashion Ehh

2010-09-19T21:51:00.004-05:00

INteresting article seen over at the Business Of Fashion

VANCOUVER, Canada — Take a walk through the streets of Vancouver and it’s likely that the local style won’t be what catches your attention at first. This is, of course, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, nestled in the North Shore mountains and perched on the edge of the great Pacific ocean. The city’s vast vistas are more the stuff of postcards than fashion spreads. But look more carefully and you’ll see that a mini fashion revolution is taking place in Vancouver — on bicycles.

“Vancouver is a city of cyclists, criss-crossed by tens of thousands of cyclists of different types who are united by their passion for the simple joy of pedaling and bicycling,” declares the website for Velo-City, an exhibit curated by three life-long bicycle lovers who noticed a recent surge in the popularity of cycling and the first bicycle traffic jams on Vancouver’s extensive network of bike lanes.

And while perhaps not quite like their counterparts in Amsterdam or Copenhagen, it’s true that Vancouverites have taken to their bikes in great numbers. Everywhere you look, there are cyclists. This has been made easier in part by recent civic programs to make it safer and more efficient for cyclists to take to the streets.
The street in front of my sister’s house in Kitsilano has been designated a bike path and a constant stream of cyclists make their way down the leafy streets at all day long. The Burrard Bridge, one of the major arteries into downtown Vancouver’s district of sparkling condo and office towers, now has designated bike lanes too. All of this is much to the chagrin of Vancouver’s car lovers, who are still in the large majority, lest you imagine that the city has forgone with the automobile altogether.

But more interesting than the sheer number of cyclists in Vancouver is the redefinition of the bicycle here “as a vehicle for artistic self-expression, a provocative symbol of counter-culture and as a tool for social change,” as the museum exhibit put it. And if past experience has anything to teach us, around such a lifestyle, is usually a business opportunity. In a way, this city is a petrie dish for new lifestyle businesses.
Vancouver is home to Lululemon, a recent blockbuster in the sports lifestyle category. The purveyor of yoga pants made of comfortable, hi-tech materials now has annual revenues of more than $350m. The business continues to grow, even with the economic crisis putting the brakes on growth just about everywhere else in the fashion business.
So, could the same thing happen with cycling?

Late one evening on Granville Street, which is being cleaned up for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games, I spotted a trio of cool cats posing on their bikes, in the same way one imagines young men posed with their motorbikes in the 1950s. These were no ordinary bicycles, mind you. Long and low with big handlebars, they brought to mind the style of a Harley Davidson.
After chatting with them a bit, I decided to investigate further. In the following days, I started asking locals about fashion and cycling, and everyone had something to say. In Vancouver, everyone has an opinion on bicycles.
“You wanted a fashion story about Vancouver? Why didn’t you ask me earlier? Write about bikes,” said my cousin Almeera Jiwa, a budding actress in the local theatre scene. “The fashion bike scene started with the artists and it spread from there,” she explained. “Now it’s cool to have a bike, and if you don’t have one, you’re seen as kind of behind-the-times.”
So while the popularity of cycling in Vancouver may have originated as a functional form of travel and a statement of environmental principles, cycling here has now taken on a stylish angle too. Forty-two different tribes and sub-cultures of Vancouver cyclists were identified by the curators of the museum exhibit.

Ulrike Rodrigues, a local writer who passionately documents her own cycling and pens a column called The Adventures of Mitey Miss in Momentum magazine told me: “If you think about it, rather than being a new phenomenon, bicycles have been used as a symbol of lifestyle for a long time! It’s always represented freedom, and here in Vancouver (and elsewhere in North America, I’ve noticed) the bicycle has been used in media and advertising to symbolize health, the good life, and yes — style.”
Indeed, Rodrigues believes there is a more pragmatic reason for the style shift in bicycle culture. “The bicycle industry had flattened out and needed a new way to package and sell more bikes… they could only sell so many mountain bikes to the general public, and mountainbiking enthusiasts already have about as many bikes as they need.”
She cites a survey conducted by Shimano exploring how to increase market demand:
“The subjects in the study connected cycling with simple pleasure and enjoyment, but got a wake-up when they walked into the gear-and-performance environment of a bike shop. Writes Fredman, “these people were just turned off by cycling. They weren’t seeing a way to enjoy a bike the way they used to.” In response, Shimano has captained a fleet of simple but modern Coasting bikes, ordered training videos for bike shop staff, and partnered with the bike industry and communities to promote cycling…”
“The Coasting line,” she says, “marks a dramatic movement away from sporty bikes. Built in collaboration with major bike manufacturers, the bikes are elegant, easy to use and allow cyclists to actually wear what I call “civilian” clothes! Goodbye spandex shorts, hello pleated skirts!”

In addition to the market for the bikes themselves, there are also increasing numbers of people who are looking for clothes that are bike-friendly. The good news for high-heel shoe brands is that they fit the bill. Apparently a pair of stylish heels is more comfortable to pedal with, than walk with. And, in case you’re wondering how stylish bikers deal with helmet head, many are just forgoing helmets altogether. But for the law-abiding fashion cycl-ista, there are even hairstylists in Vancouver who specialise in creating helmet-proof hair.

In the end, while perhaps it is too early to declare a new fashion cycling revolution, the early signs of opportunity are already there and Vancouver is at its epicentre.

Imran Amed is Editor of The Business of Fashion

2010-09-18T23:59:00.002-05:00

A friend of ours is currently on sabbatical and has been riding the southern tier route from coast to coast. Anyhow, he blogs about each day, its currently underway, and it's a pretty cool look into the daily experiences of such an epic trip. Check him out here

Artspin

2010-09-08T00:28:00.001-05:00

Artspin from Luke Lasley on Vimeo.

Darkness!

2010-09-08T00:25:00.001-05:00

Street Cred Ha

2010-09-07T22:33:00.001-05:00

Ride Recap

2010-09-06T01:54:00.002-05:00

THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2010-09-02T01:36:00.004-05:00

being kinda lazy but yes we are riding Thursday night. Hope to see you all there!

thURSDAY NIGHT RIDE

2010-09-02T01:36:00.001-05:00

2010-08-31T12:14:00.001-05:00

Get A BMX Bike Son

2010-08-26T01:57:00.004-05:00

Reason #987 that CMX blows, besides that no-talent one-trick bitch we all love... here at least the tricks are good, but they could be so much better on a bike made for it... I respect riders with skills which i think these guys have but fu#k i hate people doing tricks on fixed gears. If you want to limit yourself with it, then go as big as bmx or quit making videos, not saying you dont have skills but saying 700cmx is fu#king retarded.

Skate Park Day from steven jensen on Vimeo.