Thursday, November 19, 2009
Let Me Cross
You know when we have high school visitors that come to campus? They all look so young and naive. So innocent, pure and willing to learn new things in the shrine we call college. I was driving by and they looked at me as if I was a species from another galaxy. My bike just polished and looking supreme. It was as if they hadn't seen a fixie before, I felt like they were Neanderthals and I had just brought them fire. It was a great feeling actually, it was almost like I introduced them to biking all over again since they were children. This is what is exciting; not everyone is as bike savvy as us CU bikers, and we should take pride in that. Now it's time to turn them to 2-wheeled side, not the 4-wheeled side.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Flying Wright
Last week, I was reminded how grateful the world should be for bicycle mechanics; not because they grease our chains, or help us fix our flats, but because they gave us flight. Remember the grade school lesson on the Wright Brothers? Well, I bet your teacher didn’t mention where they learned mechanics. Like most good things, they started with a bicycle and a pipe dream. Orville and Wilbur Wright jumped on the late 19th century bike fad, and began producing their own bicycle line. After releasing a self oiling hub system and reinventing the pedals, they started looking towards the sky. Their first flight studies involved crudely modified bicycles to measure wind resistance and balance. After many tests and trails, Wilbur accidentally stumbled upon greatness. While changing a flat, he squeezed a tube box, stopping half way to realize his future glider design. In 1903 Wilbur and Orville realized their dreams with a twelve second flight. We remember the Wright Brothers for inventing the airplane, but without the bicycle, the sky may have been the limit.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
High School Domination of the Thursday-Night Bike Ride
A few weeks ago a friend invited me to accompany them on one of Boulder’s most popular Thursday-Night rides. This particular ride meets around seven at night on Thursdays at the Scott Carpenter Park between Colorado Avenue and Arapahoe Avenue on 30th Street, (also known as the Rocket Ship Park on account of the large red metal rocket housed by the playground). Having nothing to do that night, I decided to go along. Although there is usually a theme for this ride, many riders opt to simply dress in their brightest, craziest clothes, flying banners from their bikes and in some instances even pulling couches behind their bikes.
We arrived thirty minutes early to be met by literally hundreds of cyclists. Nearly all of them under eighteen, wearing pigtails and knee-high stockings, bicycles abandoned and off to the side. As we waited for the ride to begin, more high school students piled into the park. It was not long before we, clearly identified as the seniors of the ride, began to be bombarded by shameless (obviously underage) youngsters begging for a variety of illegal substances. Annoyed, we turned scores of them away while waiting for the ride to begin. We had been told that the start of the ride was usually around eight, so when nine o’clock rolled around, I began to lost faith. When some authoritative minor finally stepped up to initiate the ride, less than half of the group even realized what was happening. As we cruised along the bike paths of Boulder towards Eben G. Fine Park, the destination of the ride, our sorry group of one hundred and fifty dwindled to about fifteen riders, most of whom resumed their tireless crusade for alcohol, among other things. Disgusted, we left, never to return again.
My question to you: what happened to The Thursday Night Bike Ride? Are those three hundred high school kids in acid-wash shorts and bikini tops all that remains?
We arrived thirty minutes early to be met by literally hundreds of cyclists. Nearly all of them under eighteen, wearing pigtails and knee-high stockings, bicycles abandoned and off to the side. As we waited for the ride to begin, more high school students piled into the park. It was not long before we, clearly identified as the seniors of the ride, began to be bombarded by shameless (obviously underage) youngsters begging for a variety of illegal substances. Annoyed, we turned scores of them away while waiting for the ride to begin. We had been told that the start of the ride was usually around eight, so when nine o’clock rolled around, I began to lost faith. When some authoritative minor finally stepped up to initiate the ride, less than half of the group even realized what was happening. As we cruised along the bike paths of Boulder towards Eben G. Fine Park, the destination of the ride, our sorry group of one hundred and fifty dwindled to about fifteen riders, most of whom resumed their tireless crusade for alcohol, among other things. Disgusted, we left, never to return again.
My question to you: what happened to The Thursday Night Bike Ride? Are those three hundred high school kids in acid-wash shorts and bikini tops all that remains?
What's the deal with Alleycat races?
Ever been hanging around in downtown Boulder when suddenly, in a flash of twirled mustaches and cycling caps, you are passed by a large group of cyclists, most of them on seemingly single-speed bicycles, bumping ankles with no apparent regard for traffic—but clearly having the time of their lives? You may have witnessed an Alleycat bicycle race.
What is an Alleycat, you ask?
Alleycats are informal cycling races that were originally organized by groups of bicycle messengers in Toronto, Canada. In many of these races, points are awarded for participation rather than just competition. In some Alleycats prizes are awarded for last place, often called the “DFL” award, or the Dead Freaking Last prize. Alleycats almost always take place in cities, where crowds of pedestrians, traffic, and even police serve as appropriate obstacles for daredevil cyclists (often competing on fixed-gear bicycles, affectionately dubbed “Fixies” by their riders).
Most Alleycats do not have set rules, but courses often contain guidelines. In many such races, the first checkpoint is given at the starting line. Riders must arrive at this checkpoint in order to obtain the location of the next checkpoint, creating an exciting and unpredictable ride that must be skillfully navigated by racers. Some Alleycats include Task Checkpoints, in which a rider must complete some kind of trick before the next checkpoint is given. These tasks can be anything from physical tasks to bicycle tricks to the best “Yo Momma” joke that a rider is able to come up with—if it’s not good enough for the Checkpoint Master, too bad, keep trying! Racers are usually identified by their spoke cards, distributed at the beginning of a race, rather than traditional number chest-plate cards.
A popular Alleycat in Boulder is the BAC to the Future. Event dates and information can be found at BACtothefuture.blogspot.com.
What is an Alleycat, you ask?
Alleycats are informal cycling races that were originally organized by groups of bicycle messengers in Toronto, Canada. In many of these races, points are awarded for participation rather than just competition. In some Alleycats prizes are awarded for last place, often called the “DFL” award, or the Dead Freaking Last prize. Alleycats almost always take place in cities, where crowds of pedestrians, traffic, and even police serve as appropriate obstacles for daredevil cyclists (often competing on fixed-gear bicycles, affectionately dubbed “Fixies” by their riders).
Most Alleycats do not have set rules, but courses often contain guidelines. In many such races, the first checkpoint is given at the starting line. Riders must arrive at this checkpoint in order to obtain the location of the next checkpoint, creating an exciting and unpredictable ride that must be skillfully navigated by racers. Some Alleycats include Task Checkpoints, in which a rider must complete some kind of trick before the next checkpoint is given. These tasks can be anything from physical tasks to bicycle tricks to the best “Yo Momma” joke that a rider is able to come up with—if it’s not good enough for the Checkpoint Master, too bad, keep trying! Racers are usually identified by their spoke cards, distributed at the beginning of a race, rather than traditional number chest-plate cards.
A popular Alleycat in Boulder is the BAC to the Future. Event dates and information can be found at BACtothefuture.blogspot.com.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ah Yes, The Good Ol' Days
Remember those days when you were young and had not a care in the world? Matter of fact you weren't old enough to know the world outside of your own city. As they say, "ignorance is bliss." Those were the days when our group of friends would tear up the roads. Paved or not we overthrew the roads with our bmx bikes. Riding with not a care through the straight roads on the opposite side may have been short from paradise. Your head glistening from the sweat and sun made it all worth while. Look at us now; grown, older and mature( for the most part). Riding is fantastic now; following all of the laws and rules, but I don't think I'll be able to re-enact the wonder years.
Ways Not to Accidently Kill Yourself
How do you decrease your chances of not getting assassinated by cars? Well you're obviously an intelligent person and the first way is to consciously use your intuition. Sometimes when your riding your mind wonders into dimensions of different galaxies. You leave from point A and suddenly you arrive at point B with no recollection of what was in between. Don't get me wrong, some of those rides are the best because you don't realize how fast your riding. It's like kindergarten, "always put your thinking caps on." Don't forget to take it off, it may get dirty...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Connect 36
Bicycling from Boulder to Denver requires careful planning and a willingness to navigate the highways, but new changes may spin the wheels in our favor. CDOT released yesterday an Environmental Impact Statement, addressing necessary improvements for the U.S. 36 corridor. The proposal comes as a response to the growing desire for sustainable transportation solutions, and the need to meet the National Environmental Policy Act. One phase of the 1.3 billion dollar project includes linking the South Boulder Creek Trail to Coal Creek Trail in Louisville. The connection would remove anxiety of riding the road by providing a continuous bike path to Denver. Boulder County’s director of transportation places emphasize on a “progressive approach to solving a mobility problem.” As a biker, I am thrilled to see CDOT considering all vehicles (especially the bicycle).
The project remains in the planning stages, but the Boulder community has expressed a positive response. City transportation director, Tracy Winfree sees the project as an opportunity for choice. The project improves local infrastructure, while setting a model for other cities to follow. Here’s hoping the project takes off, and we can all hit the trail to Denver.
To learn more about this plan check out today’s article in the daily camera: http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_13697443?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com
The project remains in the planning stages, but the Boulder community has expressed a positive response. City transportation director, Tracy Winfree sees the project as an opportunity for choice. The project improves local infrastructure, while setting a model for other cities to follow. Here’s hoping the project takes off, and we can all hit the trail to Denver.
To learn more about this plan check out today’s article in the daily camera: http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_13697443?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Pedestrians Really Don't Hate Bikers
I was on campus today talking with a friend and a biker zooms by. He drops his keys and I kid you not, everyone within a radius of 10 feet said to the guy, "you dropped your keys." Integrity still lives among us in these dim ages. He had a pleasant look on face that showed immense gratitude. It just goes to show us that pedestrians and bikers don't always hate each other. We're all human, and humans care. So whatever grudge you have against pedestrians or bikers, try to lay back a little bit. Life does go on if you don't make it to your destination punctually.
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