mountain bike (mis)use

The March 30 edition of the Colorado Daily featured some interesting bike-related articles that, when read together, raise some questions about our responsibilities as cyclists. One article outlines the continuing debates over trail use in the open space lands west of Boulder. In these debates, mountain bikes are a constant point of controversy, with differing trail users arguing for or against the inclusion of cyclists on certain trails. The usual concerns of this debate revolve around wear and tear to the trail and trail-user interactions. Over the past couple years, as this debate has continued, the mountain biking community has obviously worked to assert their position as responsible trail users with the right to as many trails as possible.

With all this going on, it seems especially important for mountain bikers to demonstrate the feasibility of multi-use trails by cycling actively and responsibly, yet on literally the very next page after the trail use debate article, there was a write-up about the discovery of an illegally-built mountain bike trail (see the video here). This trail was built in a protected habitat zone, designated as off limits to trails of any sort.

It is interesting to read these articles back-to-back, the one outlining the need for mountain bike responsibility, the other outlining an instance of mountain bike irresponsibility. Responsible mountain biking does not mean boring or somehow less intense cycling, it just means riding in such a way that we can the enjoy the trails in our way while also allowing anyone else to enjoy the same trails in their way, and hopefully in the long run, such cooperation will allow for the maximum degree of mountain bike trail access.

end of winter repairs

It's coming up on that time of the year when cyclists start cleaning, overhauling, and generally recovering from the harsh months of winter riding. This year, my end of winter repairs may be requiring some patches . . . but not for a tube.

Biking this winter has introduced some completely unforeseen and interesting problems for me; problems that could easily become much worse in the very near future.

I, for whatever reason, only have one pair of jeans, so this means that whenever it's cold outside, I either suck it up and wear shorts (translate, frozen shins) or I wear that lone, solitary pair of jeans. Over the course of these past winter months, I have generally opted for the jeans, but because these are my one and only pair, all the biking has really started wearing them out, and in a very uncomfortable spot.

The upper, inner thigh/crotch region of my jeans is quickly becoming threadbare. This is the part of my jeans that rubs against the bike seat on each pedal stroke of my legs. Biking in the same pair of pants every day during the winter means that this one poor, lonesome, pair of pants has experienced a lot of saddle rubbing, the results of which are some threadbare spots threatening to become all-out, gaping, drafty, and embarrassing holes any day soon.

Hopefully warmer spring temperatures will alleviate the pressure on my pants, but as I begin my own post-winter clean up and repairs, I may be needing to do some important pants patch work.

Road Behavior

For people interested in using bicycles as a regular means of transportation and for daily commutes, the relationship between cars and bikes inevitably becomes an important question to think about. Both groups of travelers want to use the streets to effectively and safely get to all the places they need to be. Yet, despite the common goal of transportation, many conflicts between cyclists and motorists still tend to arise -- and I'm not even talking about any type of ideological issues and disagreements such as environmentalism, health, community sustainability (these are all hugely important topics of their own that definitely need to be considered) -- but I am here talking about simply the physical act of traveling and using the same roads, the same space.

Critical to this issue is the behavior of both cyclists and motorists, and while we've all had our scary and frustrating experiences with cars pulling out of parking lots and making blind turns, nearly plowing us down, we ultimately have no control over the actions of car drivers -- although to be sure, trunk-whacking, middle fingers, scowls, and yells do, at the very least, express our frustrations. In the end, however, we can only focus on what we ourselves do. We can really only focus on the behavior of cyclists.

When considering the behavior of cyclists, there seem to be two main opinions:

1) Rights through Responsibility: proponents of this approach argue that only through consistently responsible cycling will the cycling world gain respect as legitimate travelers with legitimate rights and concerns. For this school of thought, obeying all traffic laws is critical: stopping at red lights, stopping at stop signs, lights at night, hand signals. It is argued that if all cyclists follow the rules and regulations, then in any conflict or accident, it will be impossible to blame the cyclist. Through all this, the cycling world will demand -- will rightfully earn -- it's respect on the roads.

2) Rights through Seizure: operating on the firm belief that cycling is an inherently superior mode of transportation, this approach maintains that, ultimately, cyclists are not cars, and are thus not bound by the codes of the automobile. Such cyclists will stop at red lights and stop signs, and will generally follow traffic regulations, but only insofar as it keeps them safe and allows them to keep on biking. They will not wait at an empty red light on the principle of the thing, but rather, will assert their rights as a cyclist -- explicitly not a car -- to ride wherever and however they will, so long as they do not directly endanger themselves or other cyclists. Riding through empty intersections is a privilege of biking, and doing anything different is a nonsensical acquiescence to laws only in place because of the dangerous unwieldiness of the car machine. In short, rights aren't earned, but seized.

This brief discussion does not attempt to choose a side or highlight which approach is better and for what reasons. It seems that both sides have legitimate perspectives and ideas. While this debate continues, what is ultimately most important for us to consider is how best to ensure that cycling becomes an increasingly safe, effective, and popular mode of transportation, and that scenes like this are avoided, whatever it takes.

Flats

This post will not be about what type of flat an individual receives, but how the person subsequently acts. With the year anniversary of my working at the CU Bike Station quietly come and gone; the most important concept I can relay to my readers is the strong relationship between how a person reacts to a flat and who they are as a person. Below are some examples….

God Hates Me
This person is immediately recognizable when walking toward the Bike Station. You have seen this individual three times in as many days and as they meander in your general direction you notice they have yet another flat. This person is an obvious proponent of fate. In their case, fate is everything that puts them down and once again it has struck on the way to school. No, the cause is not from the individual’s immensely frayed sidewalls but simply that someone or something did not want this person happy that day. Their submissive outlook on life will be continued through yet another patch job and another lecture on buying a new tire. Only to be yet again foiled by fate, or, the omnipresent glass on the hill… Yes, Indeed a very sad existence.

Conspiracy Theorist
It is more difficult to label this person but they are clearly identifiable with the first sounds mumbled from their mouths. They walk ever nearer, imposing the imminent inner tube change, moving closer and closer until you are not sure how comfortable you actually are. Then when your first step back is ready to be taken, the conspiracy theorist still approaching is made evident. The following words are usually whispered, “someone” deflated my back tire while I was in class, I know it was “someone” else because I saw more like mine on the way here. I think “someone’s” going around campus, you should really watch out.” Let’s dissect this quote. Firstly this individual either has a slow leak or a negative temperature change has occurred while they were in class. By class, they mean they just ended their five-hour stint in Norlin researching the Bush Administration’s use of satellites and phone tapping. Then, when they were fully convinced satellites were marking their every move in life, they furtively exited the library and found the flat tire. The immediate idea that the government, also known as “someone” was deflating their tires was then reaffirmed on their walk over to the bike station. Obviously, the government planned to send them to the bike station, where the employees are yet another tool in their constant surveillance system. Eventually, after trust is never achieved, they are sent on their way to be watched all the way home.

Everything is going to be Okay. Everything is Going to be Okay.
The approach to my proximity is for the most part normal, however upon close inspection of the facial region, evidence of recent tears can be seen. With their voice barely audible and cracking every other word into hysteria, they acknowledge that their tire is not in fact filled with air. The same tone of voice would be more suited for the announcement that Sarah Palin had recently wrestled and killed half of congress before Watson, the super computer, ended the massacre. After this dreadful announcement is made, they query if their trusty steed will ever be the same again. My response, is that yes, we can channel some sort of higher power to remedy your manner of transport. The response to my statement is uniform. Fresh tears, this time from happiness appear. Life as they know it has been saved by none other than myself. After a tube change experience filled with awe, more tears, and a great sense of self-fulfillment, they are then sent on their merry way.


This is all for now, check back later for a second installment of three more characters I frequently find at the Bike Station. In the meantime think about your reaction to a flat tire and ultimately, who you are as a person.

to my hands

A Letter To My Hands and All Ten Stubby Fingers:

I am sorry I forgot my gloves. It was so cold, and I know my forgetfulness made you suffer. I apologize.

I am sorry you are now cold, frozen, chapped, cracked, and bleeding. I did my best to somehow save you – I balled you up into little icy fists and placed you so softly (the cold, I know, makes you both irritable and numb) in the front pockets of my jacket. This seemed to work, until I had to use my brakes. I am sorry, you are the only ones who can squeeze those levers and stop the bicycle. I apologize for giving you that small bit of comfort, for I understand now that only made things worse. When I took you out of those O so promising pockets, the world was so much colder and so much harsher on you. I am sorry.

I apologize for abandoning you to the unforgiving elements while the rest of me was bundled up, warm beneath pants, shoes, helmet, and jacket. I understand your frustration with me at using you for turn signals. Thrusting your entire being directly into the wind did not help, and I am sorry.

I am sorry about the blood on your knuckle – I know how the cold intensifies the pain. I was powerless to control both my tube and that piece of glass. I had to take the wheel off. I had to pull that hard on the quick release, and I am sorry you smashed into those spokes when it finally opened. The sharp impact and scraping off of skin were worse for the frozen state you were in. I am so sorry I forgot my gloves.

I apologize for all I've put you through. Please let me make it up to you. I will bring life back to your frozen stiff bones and thaw out your half frozen, sluggish blood in a sink full of steaming hot water. Allow me to bandage up your knuckle wound (despite the agony, thank you for fixing that tube). When this is done, I will ease your rough and scaly cold-weather skin with smooth, refreshing lotion. But most of all, please accept my apologies, and believe me when I say, I will never again forget my gloves.

With Love, Regret, and Hope for a Better Future,

Your Devoted Admirer

this is...

this is beautiful...
...lines of bikers in bike lanes

this is frustrating...
...patch a hole, then run over glass

this is scary...
...blind right hand car turns with no blinker

this is awkward...
...kicking up a rock, hits the car next to you at a long red light

this is thrilling...
...skipping over technical rock gardens full speed

this is just awesome...
...self-sustained continental divide bike ride -- Banff to Antelope Wells

this is sad...
...white bikes at intersections

this is inspiring...
...pedaling North Carolina evenings with lightning bugs

this is exciting...
...all green lights

this is cold...
...January and no gloves

this is filthy...
...rainstorms with no fenders -- laundry time

this is exhausting...
...Flagstaff Mountain Road

this is all-around amazing...
...free food days at the CU Bike Station

this is happy...
...spring time rides and summer evenings

this is always great...
...pedaling a bicycle

30th

The construction crews moved in, took over large sections of 30th street, and are now retreating, leaving in their wake a beautiful new bike lane.

Previously, pedaling along 30th had been a bit difficult and awkward, especially from about Pearl to Arapahoe, at which point cyclists had to decide to either move up onto the sidewalk (which is what I think they were technically supposed to do, but this still requires weaving around parking lot entrances and risk getting hit by cars at every one of them) or all-out sprinting to try and keep up with the car traffic and to avoid being run down from behind. The new stretch of bike lane has solved all these dilemmas, and here's some pics of it:

With this addition, there is now continuous bike lane along 30th for at least as far as Iris to Baseline. This really opens up options for north/south traveling cyclists, and we can now ride pretty much the whole length of Boulder on either Folsom (a couple blocks west of the main thoroughfare of 28th) or 30th (a couple blocks east of 28th).

And, of course, any improvement to bicycle infrastructure is much appreciated and exciting to see. By adding new bike lanes, the city encourages the regular and daily use of bicycles and simultaneously makes doing so more possible in a safe, efficient way. While there is still a lot of room for improvement and communication between cyclists and motorists, providing the basic infrastructure for both modes of transportation makes a huge difference in making it possible for people to effectively move throughout the city. Now that they're here, we just have to be sure to fill up and use these new bike lanes!