Thursday, April 22, 2010

I wish it was me

Have you ever seen a middle aged couple riding their bikes down the bike path? Adorable yes; nonetheless, the disease of time becomes more and more apparent. The stomach we once knew becomes a gut we use as a potato chip holder, our hair so thick and vibrant begins to recede like the tide on a full moon; however, the passion for riding never stopped. This couple rode by me slowly and it made me think to myself, "I hope in all honesty that I do not get a butt crack like that". This guy's butt crack was so visible it was like I was staring down a tunnel. Of course it's fantastic they still make the time to ride, but it also puts into perspective how much I should continue to ride to avoid a crack like that.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Bike Cemetary

There are bikes of all colors and ages at my house. They can range from the Vietnam War era to last years edition of "NOW! That's What I Call Music". I looked in the car port in the front of the house and back of the house and there are miscellaneous parts lying around like wounded soldiers. Wheel here, wheel there, frames, lights, handlebars, lights, locks...it goes on and on. What a waste, right? What if, for example when I'm sick of studying for finals I could start building an awesome multi-generational bike? It'd be a great break from the nonsense we know as studying, and it would be productive. It'd be a work of art and it'd be my artistic creation.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Why do you do it?


Take if with a grain of salt. It's a question that may be hard for some to answer; but for others it is simple. It's just part of our lives. It's molded into our lifestyles to ride and when we don't get the chance to get our leg powered engines goin' it feels like there is something missing in our day. Of course not everyone feels the same but it's a passion that non-bikers cannot relate to. It's hard in Colorado to ride everyday in the year but there are always alternatives. No, they are not the same as riding on a beautiful day such as today, but it'll suffice.

You may disagree. Riding is just riding. There doesn't have to be a meaning, it's just fun. You don't have to be a triathelete to enjoy yourself. Some things just don't need explanations.

What makes you ride?

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Use Caution When Crossing

I’ve begun referring to the car as an antiquated mode of transportation, perhaps a way of manifesting the future; however I hesitate to consider my position a readily accepted one. It frightens me how little respect the bicycle receives from other motorists. The hierarchy goes: trucks, cars, motorcycles, mopeds, and lastly bicycles. What’s brought us to this lowly state? Shall we start using discretion when suiting up in spandex, perhaps a t-shirt and shorts could suffice? I purpose our differences unite, but bicycles must start demanding their place on the road.

Last week, while crossing the intersection of Baseline and Broadway (having the right of way), a motorist on their cell phone turned directly in front of my bicycle, colliding with my left leg. Thankfully the driver slowed the impact, but my piston (left leg) certainly endured a scare. I tossed the driver a peace sign, and waved them through the intersection.

Ironically, (and my purpose for the story) a cop watched the entire incident, yet chose not to respond. I clearly possessed the right of way, the driver hit me, and the red and blue sat still. Spin the scenario and place a car, motorcycle, moped, or any other rattle trap you can think of in my position. The cops would have swarmed, backup, drug dogs, the works; so why not for me and my bicycle? I got hit, my bell rung, so where’s the justice system… ah yes, it’s sitting across the street.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Head Farmers Tan

Yes! It's Colorado is finally pulling through with magnificent weather. Now we start to see people riding shirtless, with shorts and of course a helmet. You know what I really want? Instead of a farmers tan on your arms, or a goggle tan around your eyes, I want a tan on the side of my cheek because of my helmet. It's going to be a fad, it's going to catch on; just wait and see.

Something like this: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFNNe9g0d77pP8MwsBeUZem67UIPKffcOzRVIYsfoU94apGABLrC4ok-x-PdUdcVG7u8hcdXjsdXlMgPIRgdBxBpLdzXNpmYYRcRU88ruvy2kYreyWYxzbKvqV7vQvub9OUPYms9MF55x/s400/PA210535.JPG

Any tan line experiences?

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Don't Have a Bike? Still?

These days the bike culture in Boulder is pretty well developed. So well developed, in fact, that there are several ways to get bicycles for free. That's right, absolutely free. One of course is if you're a student at CU, in which case you are eligible for free Buff Bike rentals (two days free). However, as most people in Boulder are not students, the biking community has devised another way to own your very own free bike. This method is the "Earn-A-Bike" program at Community Cycles, (http://communitycycles.org/) in which the soon-to-be owner of a bike donates 15 hours of their time learning and practicing bike mechanic skills on old bicycles donated by community members (the 15 hours can be completed over the course of however long the volunteer needs...so don't say you don't "have the time"!). At the end of your 15 hours, you take home a completely free bicycle, one that you either picked out from hundreds of really cool, super vintage bikes, or one that you built after picking out your parts. Even if you don't want to spend the time volunteering, you can still purchase one of the bikes at Community Cycles for an extremely moderate price as they are all used, but still awesome. So as I said, if you don't own a bike in Boulder, but want one, it's not because you're a poor student or because you're too busy at work to take the time to go get a free bike. Come to think of it, there isn't a reason...

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Obey the Shiny Red Octagons

Check out the Daily Camera article:

http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_14788415?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com#axzz0jo5HILC2

Woop….woop, your pinched! Are you one of the many “ticked off” cyclists contacted this year by the CU Police for failing to obey the law? Recent on campus sting operations help breed an unpleasant relationship between cyclists and cops. Hopefully we're all mature enough to understand that police only enforce laws, they don’t create them. So instead of placing the blame, I’ll take a moment to hash out any grievances and misconceptions.

I’m generally skeptical of authority, but I assure you profit and quotas do not play a role in the recent ticket spree. Safety remains the police mission. Their extreme measures however often rub us vagabonds in ways that remind us why we grow our hair long and don’t visit Muscogee. I feel a common ground must be located to ensure healthy relationships within our community.

I follow my own system for navigating the roadways; tweaking traffic laws (in safe ways) helps accommodate two less wheels. Bicycles and automobiles function differently. The law in Boulder requires one to complete a stop and place their foot upon the ground; the equivalent to arriving at a stop sign and turning off your ignition. I wonder what a little common sense may do when writing and passing laws, perhaps the laws were created by people who think in theory not in practice.

I keep hearing negative talk on the police, when the issues need to be voiced to city council. Remember the police enforce laws and politicians create them. I perceive a future where cyclists obey a set of traffic laws that adhere to their vehicle. Could a reevaluation of the laws actually prevent accidents and construct safer roads, paths, and sidewalks? We may never see the alternative unless we actively inform lawmakers to our side of the story.

Finally, let’s not forget that some tickets actually benefit everyone. D.I.R.C.’s cause accidents! Their behavior reflects negatively upon the cycling community, so actions justify punishment. Also the tickets help the community see the need for improved infrastructure. If roads generate accidents, the process for reconstruction originates in documenting/ticketing the problem roadways.

For everyone whose tempers irrupt with fury try keeping it in perspective. One hundred dollars may have ruined little Johnny’s spring break, which I’m sure to lose sleep over, but no one’s hurt, tickets are paper, and you may just be a little more heads up next time you approach a stop sign and neglect to even brake tap. If you're passionate go to city council, compose your thoughts, and help move the dialogue forward.