Words of sanity...
"We must never accept being denied the use of the roadway, and we must never accept facilities that prevent the roadway from being improved for cycling. In every case that one can think of, cycling on a properly-designed roadway with adequate width for the traffic it carries, is better for cyclists than any other system. The idea that a significant amount of transportation will be done by politically correct people who have been enticed by false promises of safety to ride on slow and dangerous bike paths deserves all the jeering it receives. Basing the national cycling program on such a pathetic hypothesis is a scientific disgrace.
- John Forester , Author "Effective Cycling""

quoted as it appeared in the Probicycling (http://probicycle.com/) website. Something to consider everytime the gov't, or activists, propose relegating bikes to seperate paths that go nowhere.

- Elvis

Old skool new tech - the Pista evolves
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: tales from the garage
5/25/06 - One of my fav girl's fav expressions about something that changes is "it evolved - like a pokemon". My knowledge of pokemon is limited to discarded happy meal contents I pass on the street while riding my bike, but it is safe to say the Pista has evolved.

The bike began with the stock bars and stem. At first I flipped the stem, even fiddled with an extra half spacer (made from a threaded fork fitting) to raise the bars for a more comfortable position. Then on a whim I check out the FGG (www.fixedgeargallery.com) and see a reference to the OST (Old Skool Track) website which I visit time to time. The OST site has some things that are impractical in my humble opinion -- obscenely angled track stems and other bike features which, while they keep to the aesthetic of the culture, can hardly be comfortable for all day riding. And yet...

On a whim I use one of the shims I got from Oscar in Chatham to install a 1 1/8" stem on the narrower Pista steerer. Upside down. The stem came off a mountainbike and low and behold, the resulting handlebar position looked a lot lower than with the flat stock stem. In fact it was only a tad lower. And felt more responsive! A full test ride will be needed for an effective Ride Report on the subject but it may be I've discovered the hidden secret of that sect of fixed gear riders dubbed "old skool"...?
- Elvis

Dumb rules for dumb people: Bike paths and accidents
The accidents, in this case, are the ones making the rules, rather than the rules being made to prevent accidents. How else can one explain this pearl of braindom from Indiana officials: According to the May 20'th issue of The Indiana Star, an article titled:


"Hey, Monon cyclists: Slow down in Carmel (seriously)
$50 fine awaits those police see riding too fast, endangering others on fitness trail" outlines new plans against cyclists on "multi use" paths. Says author Kevin O'Neal:

"Bicyclists will have to gear down on the Monon Trail in Carmel next week, thanks to new speed limits."

The article then shows a picture of a roller blader coasting along, basically standing on his 'blades and rolling on just momentum -- in the middle of a crowd or recreational cyclists on hybrids and mountainbikes.

"The Carmel City Council passed the limits three months ago, but the enforcement had to wait until the limits were posted."
The cost for speed demons exceeding the 15-20 mph limit: $50. This heavy handed enforcement -- which is sure to target cyclist, not rollerbladers, no matter how fast the latter goes, is justified because, according to the assistant Carmel police chief, Tim Green,

"the heavy usage of the trail, there's a lot of kids and other people out there," and "when the people on the bikes move along at a quick pace, it creates a hazard."

Actually, if the picture at the head of the article is in any way indicative, the hazard is of people -- bicycle riders and non bicycle riders -- moving in a way which lacks common sense. A rollerbladed riding int he middle of a crowd of bikes makes about as much sense as a cyclist taking his road bike on Interstate 287 and riding in the middle of the left lane -- and hten wondering why he's in a dangerous situation. Multi use doesn't have to mean mixed use. For the same safety reasons that one stretch of beach won't be used simultaneausly by speedboaters and swimmers, it makes sense to split the paths. The path in the picture already had a line down the middle, though whether this is for different directions of traffic is unimportant; the same concept of "lanes" can be used to set it up so the bicyclists and rollerbladers, walkers, or joggers are intermingled and crashing into each other.

Indeed, while speeding bicyclists are probably unsafe on narrow paths regardless of the foot traffic, the ultimate cause of the crashes may very well be the noncyclists. If hte picture int he article is any indication the danger is created not by cyclists going fast, but by non cyclists darting in front of them.

"Walkers and joggers share the trail, and complaints about speeding bicyclists led to the ordinance," said the article. It is silent on whether the speeding cyclists of the joggers and walkers were the ones actually moving in a dangerous manner, beyond mere speed.

"'Last year, there were two people who got knocked over by bicycles and ended up with at least one broken bone,' said Mark Westermeier, head of the Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Department", continues the Star. A careful reader, however, wonders why nothing is said of the circumstances of these crashes. If a bicyclist plows into a hapless pedestrian it is one thing. If a pedestrian moves in front of a bicyclist going fast it is another. Common sense would dictate that since it is a known multiuse trail, the pedestrians would stay to one side, the bikes to the other, and both would pay attention. Sadly this sort of thing doesn't appear to happen. Instead the bikes are expected to weave in and out around haphazard non-cyclist. Any wonder there are accidents?

Yet, this should be no surprise. Bike paths which are intended only or primarily for cycling traffic soon become clogged with walkers, joggers, and others, who then demand the bikes slow down, or otherwise go around their presence. While a multi use trail IS a multi use trail, and cyclist using it should expect to share, unlike a bike only trail, the fact that it remains multi use means that, while the cyclists should yield to pedestrians the pedestrians also have an obligation, not just to avoid obstructing the cyclists (or the roller bladers) but also to avoid causing them to crash by carelessness.

In the end, the only real solution is to get more of these bikes form the path to the street where they belong and have every right to be. But when authorities respond to accidents on shared trails with such a one sided focus, one can imagine it might be better they didn't consider the issue of road-riding cyclists. One can see the headlines now: "authorities say cyclists have an obligation to avoid being hit by drunk jaywalkers and cars running stopsigns."

- Elvis

Campy Record...
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: RIDE REPORT
5/20/06 - First day with my new old Campy Record (175mm, 144bolt pattern) cranks installed ont he Tempo fix.

They are vintage, Italian, and quick.

They are on my everyday bike not some fancy restoration.

They got me to get an Italian to English dictionary...

...enough said.

- Elvis

Road fix evolved
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: tales from the garage
5/15/06 - Pulled the road brake lever from my Black Bomber fixed gear (the 5boro 06 bike) and fitted it with a bmx brake lever mounted close in to the stem. I may go back to road lever eventually but for now feel the unobtrusive lever will be useful around town. How many people actually use one road lever for hand position anyway?

- Elvis

5 Boro or Bust
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: fixed gearing


5/5/06 - The Tempo fix is back in it's drop bar setup, tho' this time with diff bar stem (as the angled stem with the "track" look is on my Trek 1000 roadbike).

This is the fix I shall end up taking on the five boro '06 in two days from now: 45x17 track width drivetrain, 25c tires (duraskin rear) and a good stout front brake. The bike is also equipped with a water bottle cage and a decent sized specialized seat pouch, added since the picture above was taken last week in my old college town of Madison, NJ on an ancient overpass by the train line.

I may still add a second water bottle, though I am not sure. This thing sure gets around. First MA and now NYC... it's a regular frequent flyer...

- Elvis

Idiots on the (information) highway...
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: RANTING&RAVING


Reading a link to this...
Statesman Blog and came across a load of manure about why bikes shouldn't be on the roads, should be licensed, etc. The posts were prompted by the question of what is the most dangerous local intersection for cyclists and cars.

One person writes:
"OK If you want to treat bycycles as vehicles.
1.All bycycles must have registration tags yearly, say min $25
2.All bycyles must have inspection stickers yearly, say min $10
All cyclist must take a course and be licensed.
4.All cyclyst must carry insurance, liability at a minimun.
You want to have the same rights as automobiles, then pay for the privileged like REAL vehicles do."

The words are shocking in their ignorance and malice. Bicycles are already legally considered vehicles. Saying you want additional restrictions on them and ignoring this shows only a lack of respect for the law -- and shoddy thinking.

We who ride have to obey all the vehicle laws -- even those that don't apply to us -- like stopping at a stopsign on a main road to make a right, when we are drivign on the shoulder not the lane so any oncoming car's aren't even in our line of travel.

As to those ludicrous ideas of insuring and licensing bikes, there is no reason to license or insure bicycles as the damage they could cause, and their number on the road, are minimal compared to SUV's and cars.

"REAL" vehicles -- cars? -- don't get charged insurance cause it gives them more *rights* on the street, they are required to be insured because they present a greater *danger* on the street. Insurance is about risk, not rights or priveledges.

Some people just spout out stuff without thinking. I doubt she (assume Jen is a she?) realizes either, the inflatable tire was invented for the bicycle?

Another person writes: "ANY INTERSECTION! It is absolutely insane for anyone to get on a bicycle and go out into Austin traffic and expect to ride safely on the same roadway as vehicles. Absolutely Insane!!! It poses a hazard for the drivers as well as those on the bicycles. I cannot believe that it is not against the law to do so."

Just to remind some New Jerseyians who feel the Garden State is the most un-bike friendly place in the nation, recall these kind words about cyclists from Austin TX: "It is absolutely insane! I can't believe it is not against the law!"

As the man said, better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
Bicycles are already *legally considered vehicles* -- already (reduncancy deliberate). We are required to stop at lights and stopsigns and obey other laws...

A lot of the motorists positngon this board cloak their words in concern for the cyclists but they are only concern for themselves: "As more cars take to the streets the bikes will be at risk", said one poster; "they can skid out" said another, also raising the risk of inhaling pollution. Where do you think this auto congestion and pollution comes from? Too many bicycles?

Most cyclists own cars and drive. A lot of them are wither frugal enough to ride to save $, or ride for the fun of it. The6y already pay the overpriced insurance required by law and DMV fees, etc.

Bicycles are already "Street legal" without htese requirement. And imposing them makes no sense given the almost negligible danger a bicycle poses to a Humvee.

When I drive I am cautious of cyclists. When I ride I am cautious of cars. However I have been shot at (w/ a bb gun), had bottles thrown at me, and been run off the road by cars. I have been hit by cars 5 times despite having never violated any traffic laws and exercising more than normal courtesy towards the cars on the road. I should like to see some of those same cars do the same. They don't have to be courtious to me -- this is America in the 21st century and no one is polite any more -- but at least use turn signals when swerving at me over the legal speed limit.

Out society takes people who could never pass the already onerous restrictions for gun ownership and sets them loose on the streets in 4 ton missiles with steering wheels. Fact is the bikes were here first, why do you think the inflatable tire was invented. You car worshippers came later. You don't have to like sharing. But you have to obey the laws. I do so when I drive.


- Elvis

Hot rod bikes....
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: tales from the garage
4/19/06 - 3 projects been in the mill lately: First, my NuCiti, a Schwinn from the early 1980's. It's an "around town" or "urban" bike -- fender clearance, u-brake under the rear chainstays, front canti's. Semi knobby 26"ers fer the blacktop. I stripped off the gears and ran a fixed for a day, then put the fixed wheel back on my fixed mtb and set it up ghetto ss style, using the geared rear wheel and running the chain to one cog. Rides nice and easy around town. With mini fenders and a large seat back that is the size of an army knapsack, it is practical as all get out -- even if it's heavy. I also rebuilt my Trek 100 road frame -- reinstalled cranks and the front brake which were borrowed for other projects. It's running 48/39 up front and flies. Also threw on a Felt Carbon seat -- the twin of the one on my Tempo fix - and black seatpost. Getting the cranks to fit requirted reinstalling the original bb -- I forgot the bike had the bottom bracket swapped out when it was converted to a fixed gear way back when... and the old cranks with 110mm bolt spacing wouldn't clear w/out a new bb...

The other project near and dear to my road loving soul is my Tempo fix. This bike is morphing into a sort of hot rod conversion; black, stealth, fun... hardly anythign original except the bb and headset bearings! After riding MA with the flat bar I realized it's limitations regardign hand position. Off went the flat bar and on went the homemade bullhorns. I have a set of Syntace bulls but they are too long and low... they only look or feel good on a modern frame. The shorter, more modestly shaped bullhorns I made from cut off and flipped road barsd work better on old steel.

... I ran a bmx lever for simplicity's sake, at first, then installed a bar end shifter as a brake lever. In addition to the simple, low profile look it also doubles as a "parking brake" if you flip it while the bike is stopped. Rode a-okay but I decided to further expand on the simplistic brake idea by using a cut down tri lever. The Tektro lever is cut down to about an inch long and is not more obtrusive than the bar end shifter, but doesn't lock up. This makes it a more practical brake even if it results in giving up the "parking brake" feature...

Will update the pics on each of these bike's pages eventually... and darned if I still need to clean out the garage! I got rid of four frames and a plethora of wheels, but then in came the NuCiti and sundry other parts...

- Elvis

4/15/06 - Returned from MA and a bit of biking up in New England. As my geared Trek cyclecross bike's odd shaped aluminum tubes wouldn't fit safely on the car carrier I decided last minute to take my Tempo fix. I left the flat bar on which proved a mixed blessing.

The flat mtb bars provided comfortable upright position but on longer road rides I found myself itching for drop bars, primarily because the area -- near my folks' old hometown of Sharon, Massachusetts -- was so rural, and road bars would've offered more hand positions. Nevertheless the bike performed admirably, and the riding weather was great; clear skies and hot with a nice breeze.

Upon returning to NJ, however, I discovered a cruel joke from our legislature, a belated April Fools' prank of a law: The government wants to make it against rhe law to smoke in bars and diners now. The absurd allegation of second hand smoke related illness is used. By the same token it should be against the law to chew gum inside, I suppose, and people trying to disentangle their footwear from secodn hand gum stuck on the floor could trip and fall... the irony is double when you consider that NJ has done nothing to bolster bike use. Promoting outdoor activities like cycling could have a great more posative impact on health and well being -- mental and physical -- than simply attacking an unhealthy, though legal, behavior. The government, however, has been content to attack things it views as *not* healthy, while doing nothing to encourage things with *are*. To those who say niether falls within the rubric of just and limited government function I assent that you are entirely right, but if you are going to have the government do one of the other which is more beneficial -- and less infringing?

Ticketing the reckless drivers who terrorize the roadways and often discourage many from casual cycling in America -- especial New Jersey, one of the most populous and car-crowded states -- would in no way infringe on anyone's rights. The motor vehicle laws already exist, and mostly for sensible reasons. Simply enforcing them rather than tolerating dangerous driving would give a boost to cycling, walking, maybe even jogging. Feeling less likely to be mowed down, the citizenry would be more prone to go outdoors for fun. In addition to promoting healthy activities without doing anything outside it's legitimate limits, this apporach would have the added benefit of saving the lives of many motorists as well.

Instead, the government wants to tell you you cannot smoke in bars or diners. Supposedly not smoking will make everyone healthy. Maybe it is a start. But not if they continue climbing into Humvees to drive a block and a half to purchase a carton of milk, which is what our car culture -- and dangerous road conditions which discourage the "average" citizen from going by bike -- result in.

Fat, inconsiderate, reckless, dangerous drivers wasting thousands of barrels of oil idling in traffic, who are forced by their government to smoke less, are simply fat, inconsiderate, reckless, dangerous drivers wasting thousands of barrels of oil idling in traffic, who are forced by their government to smoke less. Maybe they are healthier than if they smoked that extra five cigarettes whilst int he bar, but overall there is no real change in attitude or method to how they go about their lives.

Then there is the ultimate irony: You take somebody who rides a bike everywhere -- maybe for fun, maybe for transportation, maybe both -- who also smokes occaisionally.

That cyclist rides 25 miles in blizzard conditions and upon his way home stops for a cup of coffee. With his coffee he wants a cigarette. After having braved negative wind chill and deep snow by bicycle, he is forced to take his coffee outside, because to have a smoke with it inside would be unhealthy. Meanwhile, the very people making these laws are probably unmitigated couch potatoes themselves, who drive around in Ford Explorers and spend the winter month's watching their old speeches on C-Span.

When at least one of them gets outside and bicycles to work through the month of January, then perhaps they have earned the right to tell a guy who does, that he can't smoke with his coffee because it isn't healthy.

But don't hold your breath. New Jersey's political climate does not reward consistency.

Observations....
Topic: fixed gearing
Riding the Tempo fix lately to spare the Pista from the rain, with the 45x17 gearing but with flat mtb bars (cut off 2" at each end). Also using regular (non spd) pedals. The setup is perfect for around town and trackstanding at stoplights.

The setup has drawbacks; the flat bar is less efficient on climbs, but the bike handles admirably on town and downtown streets and for rides of 20 miles or less -- basically local stuff -- it excels. the riding position of the mountainbike handlebar is an advantage in heavy traffic.

Basically a perfect commuter, the bike has allowed me to witness some fascinating days lately. Still need to manage a clip on rear fender but aside from that it's working well.
- Elvis