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November 2008
Letter to Santa
Dear Santa,
I have had a couple of naughty moments this year, but for the most part I’ve been a good person and I deserve some really cool stuff.
I’ve been riding my bike a lot, which only helps your situation. Think about it, the more I cycle, the less I drive. Therefore, less carbon emissions are released which will keep greenhouse gases down and keep the polar ice caps from melting so fast, which will enable your home to remain in tact.
Anyway, I figured with all of my earth-conscience deeds, I should be moved to the top of your “good” list. You’re probably busy compiling the lists of eight year-olds, but here’s a few things I would love to find under the tree. …
MAVIC R=SYS WHEELS
Just so you’re not confused, here’s the official product explanation from Mavic’s web site.
“Introduced one year ago, R-SYS and its revolutionary TraComp technology has been immediately rated as the best wheel ever by pro racers, journalists and every day riders. TraComp technology prevents a loss of tension on spokes to maintain high stiffness under high loads and carbon spokes don’t stretch as much as steel or aluminum ones. Result : the best ratio stiffness/lightness on the market.”
You can order them from any reputable bike shop. I seriously doubt that your elves have the equipment to build these babies.
SRAM RED COMPONENT GROUP
This is the smoothest, most intuitive and best group on the market today. OK, I know that’s up for debate. But despite the new offerings from Campy and Shimano, those who have tested the new Red have found zero faults. I really need these parts, Santa. Plus the SRAM Red brakes are supposed to be incredible, it’s really a safety issue.
LOOK KEO CARBON TI PEDALS
These babies are light, durable and highly adjustable. The pro guys love them, so why wouldn’t I? I think these are the perfect platforms to continue my planet-saving pursuits. Come on Santa, it’s all about being green.
So you now have some ideas to get you started. I have plenty more suggestions available upon request. Thanks again for reading my letter. Hope you have great Christmas.
Your pal,
Jason
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King of the streets
In 1987 CBS News correspondent Charles Kuralt did a story on New York City bike messenger David Leopold, the self-proclaimed “king of the streets.”
CBS Evening News did an interesting follow-up on Leopold and how his life and cycling have changed. Check out the video of him navigating Manhattan’s busy streets, it’s pretty wild.
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The LAPD got it right
I am always interested in stories about cyclist-motorist incidents, including their final outcome. It seems drivers usually come out ahead, but this case was a little different. …
From the web site LAist: On July 4th, 2008, about 300 cyclists gathered at the Manhattan Beach Starbucks for a holiday ride to the top of Mandeville Canyon Road in Brentwood. The ride is a regular event that takes place five or six times per year, drawing cyclists from all over the Los Angeles area.
On the descent, a cyclist in the back fell, breaking his collarbone and injuring himself seriously enough to require medical attention and a ride to the hospital in an ambulance. Christian Stoehr, 29, and Ron Peterson, 40, stayed behind until the ambulance arrived and then they began their descent down the hill.
Stoehr recounts the event, “We were riding downhill at approximately 30 mph when a car came up behind us, must have been doing 50 mph, and the driver started honking at us. We moved to the right in single file within seconds and the motorist pulled along Ron and started screaming at him. He then pulled in front of us with three to five feet to spare and slammed on his brakes, giving us no time to stop. I swerved and almost made it, clipping the car and flying through the air and landing in the street. Ron had no room to move and he went straight into the back of the car, putting his face through the back window.
“The driver of the vehicle stopped his car and continued the tirade, identifying himself as a doctor but never offering medical attention.
“Ron told the motorist to turn off the car and Christian sat on the hood of the car, afraid that the driver would drive off. The motorist continued the tirade, telling Christian to get his bike out of the street. Christian reported that they were afraid that the motorist would leave the scene.
“A third cyclist, Chris Roberts, rode up and stepped in to make sure the motorist didn’t leave. Christian collapsed on the side of the road as the ambulance from the top of the hill pulled up with the first injured cyclist. Paramedics jumped out and administered first aid.”
In an update, the Los Angeles Police Department treated the case as a road rage incident, made an arrest, and handled the matter as a felony criminal assault, and not as a traffic collision.
It’s about time that cyclists quit being treated like second-class citizens in collisions such as this one. Too many times, the drivers are not prosecuted or even ticketed. I hope this case becomes a trend and not an isolated arrest.
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The brilliant bunny hop
There is a brutal manhole cover on my way to work. It lies just past a busy intersection in the far right lane. Three inches of pavement encircles its sunken iron top, and it waits for me every day. I used to fear its bite. Always the back tire, always the violent thud.
The flow of traffic dictates my path right into that cover. Collision imminent, no escape. And I used to think about the impending doom several blocks away. Once in a blue moon I could safely veer to the left of the obstacle, but most of the time a car passing on my left would not allow such a maneuver.
On a group ride several months ago, I saw a guy basically jump his entire bike over a speed bump. I thought he was insane. Delicate carbon road machines weren’t designed for such abuse. But I saw other seemingly experienced roadies doing the same. So I inquired.
It’s called a bunny hop, and it’s a valuable skill to have. The general idea is to muster some speed, stand on the pedals while keeping them parallel to the ground, and just before impact, jump with your body and pull the bike off the ground. It really helps if you have clipless pedals.
It takes some practice. I would recommend trying it out in an empty parking lot before busting it out on the road. This maneuver will save your frame and tires from pot holes, speed bumps, piles of glass and angry manhole covers.
I now easily leap over that iron cover. I laugh at its presence. And I never worry about those types of obstacles anymore. Try working on the bunny hop, it will save your bacon in the long run.
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Different view from the saddle
You just cannot underestimate the power of the bicycle.
On a trip to St. Louis, I was able to. …
Pedal right up to the Arch in downtown, roll around and meet some pretty interesting folks. They were fascinated that I was on a bike in that type of weather. Plus no parking charges.
Ride through a sea of Rams fans near the Edward Jones Dome where cars weren’t allowed. Heard one of the most creative cursing tirades of all time.
Cycle through a beautiful college campus (Washington University) and not have to search in vain for a parking space.
In Austin, I am able to. …
Ride to big events (ACL Fest, SXSW, downtown debaucheries) with no parking hassles or frustrations.
Cycle to work daily, thus saving gas, preventing road rage and whittling away at the belly.
Discover new bars and restaurants.
Granted much of this can be done by car, but it’s more difficult and not as much fun. People should broaden their views on cycling to more than just transportation or fitness. It’s a different world from the saddle.
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Ride resource
During a recent conversation, the point was raised that there is no all-encompassing ride resource for Austin. The information is out there, it’s just scattered and not always easy to find. I’d like to change that.
I want to make part of this blog a place for cyclists of all abilities to find a group to join. But I’m going to need your help. I want to list every group ride, what the vibe is like and how to get with the group. It would be nice to have route maps and contact information as well.
I know of several weekly rides, but there are probably plenty that have escaped my attention. I will compile this list over the next couple of weeks and put it up on Road Rash. If you have a weekly ride that you would like publicized, please email me the information at jwhaley@statesman.com.
This will be a big help for residents and out-of-towners. I would much rather have all these rides listed in one place as opposed to thumbing through several web sites at a time.
Thanks again for your help.
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The list
GOOD STUFF
Bicycle Sport Shop: Great mechanics, knowledgeable staff.
Peanut butter, honey and banana sandwiches: Forget gels and power bars, nothing beats this good old fashioned refueling power.
Bike lanes: Nuff said.
Slight breezes: I have broad shoulders which act as a deficiency-depleting parachute.
Bike shorts: Tried it with’em, tried it without’em. There’s no comparison and your butt will thank you.
Group rides: Nothing like drafting.
Solo rides: Go where you like, do what you like.
Post-ride meal: Eat anything and lots of it guilt-free.
Carbon frames: The newest engineering and carbon technologies are mind-blowing.
Bicycle Magazine’s annual buyer’s guide: I love reading about the latest and greatest bikes I’ll never be able to afford.
Cruising downtown: Energy, freaky people, new bars, more bikes.
Flat-changing skills: No more late-night rescues from spouse.
Sense of direction: Getting lost with little water, fading day light and sore back has yet to be one of my experiences.
NOT SO MUCH
Holes in your chamois: Nothing like the contrast between a pasty butt and black spandex.
Taunts from motorists: Sometimes you cannot get glad in the same pants you got mad in.
Monkey butt: Red, painful, itchy. Nuff’ said.
Glass holes: People who break bottles in the street.
Bonking: Just when you think you’ve got this whole training thing down.
Water that tastes like molded plastic: I hate water bottles and what they do to my beverages.
The over-encourager: That guy on your next group ride who constantly says “No pain, no gain, you can do it, go, go, go.”
Singing brakes: It’s a little embarassing and a lot unsafe.
Loose impediments, sharp turn: Why does debris mainly collect in the places your wheels must travel during the apex of a turn?
The wheel sucker: Guys who just hang off the back during a group ride and never pull their weight.
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A feel for the road
The feel of a bike can be quite obvious from the first pedal stroke. Steering can be nervous. Frames can be stiff as oak and beat the crap out of your body even on short rides. These traits translate instantly, no guessing required.
A more interesting and refined feel comes after you have decided on a frame, the angles, stiffness, handling, etc. It’s simply in the tires.
I thought I knew my bike pretty well. I knew how it would respond to out-of-the-saddle stomps. I knew its limits in corners. I knew how it reacted to road irregularities.
But most of what I knew about its feel changed when I had to replace the stock tires. I did some research and decided I wanted to roll faster. Run higher psi, obviously. So I switched to Vredestein Fortezza TriComps. They are smooth, soft, and more importantly, can hold up to 175 psi. Most road tires run pressures up to 120, so I figured these babies would let me roll much faster with less effort.
It should be common sense that the more pressure in the tire, the harder the ride. The bonus speed was offset by the bone-jarring ride. The Roubaix rolls like a Cadillac, but not when you tires are hard as stone. My back would concur.
So I did a little more research and wanted to find a good balance between speed and comfort. Mission accomplished. The Specialized S-Works all condition tires are perfect. They do absolutely everything well. The lightweight tread has all-weather traction and provides wear and puncture protection, without sacrificing low rolling resistance. And they have changed how my bike rides. Soft, smooth and comfortable. Plus I run them around 115 psi and still have the illusion that I’m hauling ass.
If you want to change the feel of your bike slightly, try experimenting with tires. They truly can make a big difference.
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Yankees can have the cold
For many reasons, we are truly lucky to live in Central Texas. From a cycling perspective, our weather makes Austin an ideal place to jump on the bike any time we please.
No so in points farther north.
I grew up in a place where there are four actual seasons as opposed to the two we experience in Texas, warm and hot. I used to be able to cope with temperatures below 32 with not much difficulty. Apparently those days are over.
While briefly in the wilds of St. Louis, cycling has proven to be an exercise in misery. Sometimes rainy, sometimes windy, but always cold. I mean really cold. I know it’s a perspective thing, but rolling down the road against a freezing wind will cut you to the bone. Even with layers, the cold’s icy fingers find a place to tickle.
The incredible thing is that cyclists are abundant even at night with temperatures below freezing. Is this just part of a yankee’s physical makeup or am I just a wimp? Don’t answer that.
I made a stop at REI for a floor pump and some extra protection while in Missouri, and the guy who worked there had some tips.
“First of all, I cut it off when it gets below 25,” he said. “I just cannot get comfortable when it gets down that far. Secondly, always use a scarf instead of those neoprene head covers.”
That’s it? Use a scarf? This guy was obviously smoking crack. What about the rest of me? I’ve used three layers plus a wind breaker, to no avail.
But yet there they were. People on bikes, sailing down the road with frosty breath and rosy faces. I have come to realize that cycling in a warmer climate is a privilege. I have also come to feel sorry for all yankees who cycle. Those poor, pasty people. I wish I could have brought some warm weather from Texas.
This cold weather has solidified one thing, I’ll never move north of the Mason-Dixon line. I’m spoiled. And soon I will be warm.
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Scary in St. Louis
Some cities do it better than Austin (Portland, Seattle, Boulder). Some do it worse (Dallas, Boston, Detroit). And some are just, well, there’s really no explanation for how they do it.
While in St. Louis recently, I discovered that bike lanes are fairly abundant, especially near St. Louis University. But the problem is the bike lanes mysteriously disappear with no warning.
The other troubling thing is the far right lane also becomes a parking lot. Cars may park in this lane whether there is a business adjacent or not. So one minute you are pedaling along with several feet between you and the traffic. The next minute, you are dodging parked cars on your right and moving ones on your left with little or no space to maneuver.
What gives? The protective lane basically becomes a death trap in a matter of seconds. What’s the purpose of having a bike lane if it dead-ends into a hunk of steel?
When asked, students and other cyclists just shrug and said “that’s just the way it is.”
The city has put up small street signs that read “share the road.” Yea, right. More like share the road when it’s convenient for motorists. Cyclists literally have to continuously weave around parked cars, stop for passing cars and hope the cars doing 30 mph can see the bikes in enough time.
And I though Austin was bad. It’s sort of like South Congress where the parked cars overtake the bike lane just south of Riverside Drive. Only it’s more prevalent in St. Louis.
Anyway, if you plan on going to St. Louis and riding, bring some courage and a good life insurance policy.
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Do it yourself
It’s always handy to understand and repair your machine. I usually depend on my local bike shop to make adjustments and keep my Roubaix running smoothly.
I know as much about adjusting derailleurs as I do brain surgery. My bike mechanic knowledge begins and ends with fixing a flat. The proposition of understanding how a bike’s parts work and being able to fix them would require taking apart my bike and then remembering how it all goes back together. I’ve heard horror stories about people who break down their bike, only to spend countless hours in the garage surrounded by piles of unidentified parts.
It requires patience. It requires making mistakes that could cost money and time. I don’t have much of either.
But there is help available for those who wish to take that step. Park Tools has a tremendously helpful site that gives you a step-by-step guide for fixing most anything on your bike. You just place the cursor over a bike graphic, and a guide pops up to help you figure out what to do.
For those who have a little spare time and would like a hands-on approach to learn how to wrench, Austin’s Yellow Bike Project is a good place to start.
During their open shop hours you can bring in your bike, and volunteer mechanics will guide you through the process of repairing it.They also have used parts available to complete bike repairs for a small donation.
Good luck to all those do-it-yourself types. Knowledge is good, but so is having a kick-ass mechanic.
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Stupid trees
I have a new enemy. It’s a tree. As a general rule I have a great appreciation for trees. They provide shade from the searing Texas sun. They offer shelter for many different species of song birds. They add value to your home.
But this particular tree is known mainly for two things; nasty thorns and when burned, it provides a robust flavor to meats. That’s right, the mesquite tree.
And when it looks like this, it’s not a problem.
But when the little saplings and shrubs pop up on the side of the road, they can cause some serious scratch to a naked calf. They seem to be everywhere in south Austin. After a couple of close encounters, one finally dug in the other day. Not cool.
Come on private property owners and Austin road crews, it’s time to take out those little blood suckers before they get too big. Some of them are a couple of feet tall and have plenty of reach into the street.
I’m tired of dodging off my line hoping not to impede traffic. I’m thinking about riding with an aerosol can and a lighter and taking out these little guys myself.
DEATH TO ALL MESQUITE SAPLINGS (that are on the side of the road and pose a distinct health risk to passing cyclists).
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Let a pro help
I was earnestly trying to make time to do a “how to” series using professional advice, but was led to an excellent series of videos by former Tour de France rider and national champion Kevin Livingston.
There are several videos that cover the basics from how to ride up a hill to how to cycle with a partner. The videos are good quality and contain information that everybody can use. Besides, who wouldn’t want a little advice from somebody who’s ridden in multiple Tours?
In addition to his videos, you can mine Livingston for valuable training information in the flesh. He also trains many cyclists in Austin.
From his web site. … “In a 14-year career as a leading amateur and professional cyclist, through six Tours de France, and many more competitions, I’ve learned how to train for results and fun. I can coach at many levels, but at all levels I’ll be a committed partner and fully support you as you progress toward your cycling goals.
I’ve worked with many different coaches, sports physicians, physical therapists, sports nutritionists, and chiropractors, learning many of today’s most advanced techniques to help you achieve your potential.”
Anyway, his web site is a fantastic resource. It also means I don’t have to produce all those videos. Thank you Mr. Livingston.
