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February 2009
Salsa issues stem recall
If anyone has purchased a bike made by Salsa in the past two years, there has been a stem recall.
The stems were painted to match and included as original equipment on the following bikes; Salsa La Cruz, Casseroll Singlespeed, Casseroll Triple, El Mariachi, and Ala Carte bicycles sold from November 5, 2007 to December 31, 2008.
The recall also includes both road and mountain aftermarket stems in all extensions and rises, except the 60mm, 70mm and 80mm extension lengths. Aftermarket stems were painted black and were sold from March 31, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
You can see a full list of affected models and bikes that were sold with the stem and download a consumer alert poster here.
Consumers should contact the place of purchase to discuss replacement options.
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Memorial for Carol Masterson
She never took any guff from me, and she usually gave it back ten-fold.
She always made me feel welcome when I walked into Bicycle Sport Shop.
She always wanted to know what mischef I was getting into.
She always made me laugh.
And I will miss her.
Bicycle Sport Shop will be closed this Sunday, in honor of friend and colleague, Carol Masterson. A memorial service will be held from 10am-12 pm at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Everyone is invited. Bring your bike and join us after the service for a casual ride from the Veloway in Carol’s honor.
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Commuters of the world unite
As a grizzled commuter, it’s nice to know there is a growing community in this country and abroad. And I’ve found a great way to tap into that market and expand my knowledge. The website is worldcommute.com, and here is their mission statement:
World Commute is a non-profit, free social-network website to encourage, promote and track the use of non-motorized transportation around the world. We promote the idea of “Greater Health. Healthier Environment” through a unified effort of individuals engaging in physical activity for transportation purposes. The site allows users to create a profile and record non-motorized trips including daily commutes to work or school and “taking care of business” trips to the store, coffee shop, etc. Because we also want to promote physical health through activity, users can also record recreational and fitness activities scoring “health points.” Even though a run at lunch may not contribute to reduced carbon emissions, it is physical activity that promotes a healthier individual.
Check it out, it’s a great site with lots of information.
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Bicycle bandits getting taste of the good stuff
David Zabriskie, welcome to the new world of bike thieves. These guys (or gals) are no longer just taking the low-dollar bikes locked to the fence. They want the primo goods. And they have been quite successful as of late.
The thieves who ransacked Zabriskies’ home in Salt Lake City stole thousands of dollars in bikes while he was participating in the Tour of California. From an Associated Press report, among those items are his time trials bike, race medals and racing team-issued bikes and equipment that can only be purchased commercially.
Yet another kick in the pants. Ask Lance Armstrong, he knows all about it. So do some folks in Austin who had their high-ends bikes stolen by James Clayton.
I’ve been saying this for a while, but with a bad economy, more cyclists and more importantly, more high-dollar cycles on the road, the thieves are being more selective in their targets.
Be careful my cycling brethren. More crime could be heading your way.
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Drunk driver strikes out
Staring into the darkness, I could see the two lights. They didn’t seem to be arranging themselves into a straight and steady path.
Sometimes they veered slightly in one direction or another, followed by a jerk, as if somebody was tugging them with a fishing line.
I should have known the danger would be upon me shortly. And I should have taken a side road. But I was like a deer staring at the headlights, mesmerized by their movements. The guy behind the wheel was either smashed to the gills or having one hell of an epileptic seizure.
Fear began to fester as the headlights came closer with no stability. Surly this man or woman had not convinced themselves they were OK to drive. By the time the vehicle was about two blocks away, I knew two things. … This person was not going to slow down or stay in the proper lane. It was time to take some evasive action.
I feathered the brakes, moved to the sidewalk and came to a stop in a driveway. The car staggered by, weaving from one side of the road to the other. I had never witnessed an automobile so out of control for so long of a time. When it stopped, there was going to be some serious damage left in the wake.
I didn’t have my cell phone charged, or the police would have be summoned. As I stood there watching it fade over the hill, I waited for the horrible sound of metal scraping and glass breaking. It never came.
I was thankful that nothing was reported in the paper the next day about a drunk driver running over someone. It brought to the surface the realization that no matter how safe or prepared you are as a cyclist, there will always be idiots who can ruin your life with no common sense and little awareness for the safety of those around them.
Put the bottle down or let a buddy drive you home. It’s really that simple.
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Fixed-Gear Gallery worth the effort
I never thought I would get into it like I have, but it’s true. I stumbled across a website the other day that is a schmorgisborg of personal projects, set to the theme of fixed-gear or single-speed bikes.
It’s simply photo after photo of bikes that have been resurrected from the dead. All kinds, makes and models. Some are made by companies that no longer exist. Some were once rusted yard art saved from the elements. Some are former 5-speed racers whose heyday was the early 80s. Some were bought for less than $30. Most were in bad shape before the restorations. All shine up pretty well after a little love and elbow grease.
It’s quite addicting to browse through photos of these once-proud frames. The finished products are pretty amazing. And the captions that give a little background on the bikes usually confirm the obvious, these babies are now the pride and joy of their owners.
It also confirms that you can purchase an older bike, throw some new parts on it, and have yourself a unique and low-cost way to get around town.
I know there is this roll-your-eyes stigma attached to the trendiness of tricking-out a fixed-gear bike, but these bikes are mostly just the magnificent restorations of bikes with plenty of life left in them.
Seeing what people can do with these bikes is simply captivating. It could also provide some inspiration for taking on a similar project.
So if you have a little spare time, check it out. It’s well worth the effort.
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Could Austin turn into this?
With the new Bicycle Master Plan available for discussion and interpretation, here’s what all cities, including Austin, should aspire to.
Amsterdam: The Bicycling Capitol of Europe
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Check out the new Driveway Crit Series
For those of you who crave the competition at the Driveway Criterium Series, this year’s version will offer a few new twists.
Andrew Willis and his company, Holland Racing, LLC have taken over the series for 2009. Some changes this year include. …
At 5:30 p.m. each Thursday, Austin’s Progress Coffee will sponsor a free ride where people who want to ride with no traffic can take a few laps without exhausting their legs.
Mellow Johnny’s bike shop will offer a commuter instruction class each Thursday at 6 p.m., covering topics such as how to ride in traffic and how to get out of town safely.
The first Thursday of every month will be Ladies Night, hosted by Team Hotel San Jose. This is a great chance to learn more about criterium racing and practice on a closed course with large sweeping turns.
The Driveway Crits are also going to be a canned food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank. Riders will get discounted entry fees when they bring a can of food for the food bank!
The series will run, every Thursday, from March 12 to October 22 this year.
It sounds like Willis and company are trying to broaden the appeal of the series by offering events and programs for people who don’t really race. It should be great time, and I’m looking forward to making it out to a couple of Thursday nights.
For more information on the Driveway, check out their website.
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Make your own bike lane
A new concept that is simply a great idea, despite the fact that this light system is not available quite yet. …
A close brush with a distracted driver is enough to intimidate the most avid bikers from riding at night. The problem isn’t just about visibility, as safety lights are effective at capturing the attention of a driver. However, these lights are typically constrained to the bike frame, which highlights only a fraction of the bike’s envelope. Bike lanes have proven to be an effective method of protecting cyclists on congested roads. One key is that the lane establishes a well defined boundary beyond the envelope of the bicycle, providing a greater margin of safety between the car and the cyclist. Yet, only a small fraction of streets have dedicated bike lanes, and with an installation cost of $5,000 to $50,000 per mile, we shouldn’t expect to find them everywhere anytime soon.
Instead of adapting cycling to established bike lanes, the bike lane should adapt to the cyclists. This is the idea behind the LightLane. Our system projects a crisply defined virtual bike lane onto pavement, using a laser, providing the driver with a familiar boundary to avoid. With a wider margin of safety, bikers will regain their confidence to ride at night, making the bike a more viable commuting alternative.
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Bikes bandits wising up
First, the worst serial bicycle thief in the southwest United States comes to Austin and pilfers close to $60,000 worth of bikes. Next, Lance Armstrong’s time trial bike gets lifted at the Tour of California. I can only imagine the price tag of that bad boy.
Is this some sort of epidemic? I know everyday bikes are swiped all the time. But it seems like in these tough economic times, the perps are beginning to do their homework. There is a lot of cash to be made from the super high-end bicycle world. Forget that $100 Huffy chained to the street sign. It’s lost its curb appeal now that the jobless rate is soaring like my credit card interest rates.
It just takes a little more time and planning to steal the high-end stuff. Most of the roadies I know won’t chain their $5,000 Cervelo to anything, much less a street sign or bike rack in downtown. Some of these carbon-crazed guys even keep their most prized possessions in their bedroom at night. I wish I was joking.
It won’t surprise me to see even more carbon wonder bikes taken in the months to come. While it is more difficult to find these bikes, the opportunities still exist. I see some guys leaving their babies hung off the back of their trunk racks while eating in a restaurant. Bad call. Even in more desirable zip codes, that type of carelessness could soon be costly. As much as we try to believe it, there are some seriously cunning and opportunistic thieves roaming around.
Despite the basic human nature of taking the path of least resistance, when the economy gets bad, the stakes go up. And that will lead to more thievery of the high-end bicycles.
So a word to the wise, keep your carbon/titanium custom-made flyweight wonder bikes close to your hip. The bad guys are coming.
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Mark your racing calendar
February 21: Team AT&T-Brain and Spine Cycling presents the Walburg Classic Road Race, taking place in Walburg, Tex. The race has a challenging reputation, given the wind exposure on the course that favors strong riders using energy-saving formations. More information is available on the team’s website.
February 22: Continuing with the weekend of racing, cyclists will race in the Pure Austin Pace Bend Road Race, in Spicewood, Tex. Racers will do multiple loops comprised of rolling hills, on a closed course. More information on this race is available here.
These races have been fortunate to have local community support over the years, and 2009 will be no exception. Racers come from all over Texas and neighboring states to participate, enjoying races that are supported by local communities who love to watch bike racing.
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Cyclists, your chance to help
An interesting project from Bicycle/Pedestrian Project Coordinator Nadia M. Barrera that all Austin cyclists can get involved with. …
Greetings Austin Bicycle Community,
The City of Austin, via the help of the Center of Transportation Research, is conducting a research investigation of four new transportation devices to enhance safety for bicyclists. The City needs your help in locating test sites for each of the four devices. Detailed below is a brief description of each device and what you can do to help.
SHARED LANE MARKINGS (Sharrows)
The Shared Lane Markings designates areas where bicycles and motor vehicles have little room to share one lane and there is insufficient room for striping a bicycle lane.
Shared lane markings are also frequently used adjacent to parked vehicles.
Identify sites where bicycles and motor vehicles compete for the same space.
COLORED BICYCLE LANE MARKINGS
The colored bicycle lanes ensure better safety by helping to delineate bicycle lanes from motor vehicle lanes.
They are most commonly used at intersections and other areas of potential motor vehicle/bicycle collisions.
Identify areas where bicycle and motor vehicle lanes can be better delineated with colored bicycle lanes.
ADVANCED STOP LINES (Bike Boxes)
Advanced Stop Lines provide an area for cyclists to wait at traffic light intersections. Bicyclists in the designated Bike Box have first access to the road when the light turns green.
Identify intersections where bicyclists cluster to wait for traffic lights.
BICYCLISTS MAY USE FULL LANE SIGNS
Bicycles have the right to use the entire lane when traveling. This sign helps inform drivers of cyclists on the road, while reminding cyclists of their right to the road.
Identify areas where this information can be most beneficial.
Please direct your suggestions for the implementation of these four devices to Nadia.barrera@ci.austin.tx.us by March 1, 2009. Thank you! Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Nadia M. Barrera Bicycle/Pedestrian Project Coordinator Department of Public Works City of Austin 512-974-7142 (f) 512-974-7101 nadia.barrera@ci.austin.tx.us
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Velopress releases Bicycling for Women
From bike fit to nutrition to aging patterns, women ride differently. Most serious cycling books fail to address the specific concerns women have about cycling. In Bicycling for Women, cycling authority Gale Bernhardt discusses all things female for women who love to ride.
Gale addresses basic questions on bike fit, equipment, and training before moving on to more complex issues like cycling and pregnancy, injury prevention, nutrition and diet plans, and making cycling more comfortable. The book features five detailed training plans to help women meet their cycling goals, including 50-mile and century rides, improved hill climbing, and multiday bike tours.
Encouraging for newcomers and invigorating for experienced cyclists, Bicycling for Women is an essential resource for women who love to ride.
Gale Bernhardt has coached and instructed athletes since 1974, and was selected to be the USA Triathlon team coach at the 2004 Olympic Games. An elite-certified USA Cycling Level I Coach, she has also served as the Chairperson of the USA Triathlon National Coaching Committee for five years. Bernhardt has traveled the world as a USA Triathlon World Cup coach. Bernhardt is the best-selling author of Training Plans for Multisport Athletes, Triathlon Training Basics, and Workouts in a Binder(r): Swim Workouts for Triathletes.
328 Pages, $18.95
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Bike love is not selective
I’m not sure how one can declare a certain type of cycling as being more “pure.” It’s a phrase I keep hearing from some friends who choose the single speed or fixed gear path.
It’s OK to enjoy your style of cycling. It’s OK to gravitate towards those who share your same views and same equipment. But to propagate the notion that having a derailleur means you don’t understand the true meaning of cycling is hogwash.
I understand the utilitarian appeal of cycling with one gear. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to travel. There is also something organic about having to perfectly match your cadence with your speed. I get all of that. But it doesn’t make it better for everyone.
That’s the beautiful function of two-wheeled travel. Bikes can be adapted to almost any need of the rider; flying down muddy single track, commuting on busy streets, sailing over dirt mounds or carrying 50 pounds of gear across the country. But none of these forms of cycling are any better than the other.
I guess it is human nature to want to separate ourselves into small groups that share similar beliefs and ideals. But there needs to be some understanding that riding equates to satisfaction in many different styles. It’s true, a mountain biker can feel the same bliss as someone who flies around downtown with no brakes and one gear.
The bottom line is that anyone who rides a bike regularly gets it. We all share the love of two wheels.
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We should follow China’s lead on this one
It’s interesting how money drives the machine of big government. With a global recession in bloom, those in power are in a panic. There was no forethought given to the consequences of economies driven by the oil industry. Welcome to 2009. At least we are beginning to see change. Despite the rhetoric of the past, some governments seem to be serious about changing the way people use transportation. From the website “Stimulus Bike,” an interesting development in China’s new direction.
With the Chinese economy hit hard by the world wide recession, the Chinese government is making the move away from the automobile as a main source of transportation. They are spending more on passenger rail lines and less on highways. The problems of the automobile in China are enormous. Pollution caused by the automobiles in the major cities is unbearable and a major concern.
China has drafted the largest economic stimulus plans in the world and with few debts and a small deficit, the Chinese government is making moves to decrease their dependence on the automobile and foreign oil.
In China, you can take the train, but you still need a bike for the short trips. China is still the largest bicycle-using country in the world, and the bicycle isn’t going away any time soon. There are an estimated half billion bicycles in China. In communities and cities all over China, goods are moved and services are still delivered by bicycles. China leads the world in production of bicycles by making over 60% of the bicycles produced in the world. Nine out to ten bicycles sold in the United States were manufactured in China.
I hope the U.S. will take a similar path to reducing our love affair with the automobile. It would be fantastic if bicycles became a large part of the solution, but I’m not too optimistic. The infrastructure of most major U.S. cities are not equipped to handle the safe passage of large numbers of commuters. It would take years of planning and development. But maybe with the poor economy and the poor health of the planet, people may gravitate towards cycling as a simple and healthy solution.
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Why not Austin? It’s pretty obvious
A friend of mine sent me this press release, and it raised some questions on how a program like this would affect Austin. …
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper unveiled a new citywide bike sharing program, Denver B-Cycle, that will, by the summer of 2009 put 500 free bikes on the streets of Denver at 30-40 stations throughout the city.
Visitors, convention delegates and residents will be able to go to a bike station, swipe a credit card, and ride off on a bike to sightsee around the city, attend meetings or run errands. Bike rentals are free as long as the bike is returned to the same location by 10 a.m. the following business day.
All of the bike stations will be situated within three or four miles of downtown and will be near convenient locations such as light rail stations, museums, the Colorado Convention Center, campuses and hotels.
Metro Denver has 850 miles of off-road, paved bike trails, one of the largest bike networks in the nation. And with 300 days of sunshine, Denver has an abundance of pleasant weather for biking - even in winter when streets are generally dry.
Denver was recently selected by the Brookings Institute as the fourth most walkable city in the nation because of its compact downtown, pedestrian plazas and intricate network of off-road trails. Two 40-mile-long, paved, off-road bike trails - the Cherry Creek Bike Path and the South Platte River Trail - converge at the exact spot where Denver was founded as a gold mining camp 150 years ago. Denver is also filling the downtown area with bike lanes and “shared lane arrows” to make the city more bike-friendly.
So it sounds like Denver is trying to take a progressive approach to encouraging more people to ride a bike. But the whole key to its success is that they already have the infrastructure to pull off a program like this one.
“Denver is filling the downtown area with bike lanes,” and “Metro Denver has 850 miles of off-road, paved bike trails.” Those two points pretty much say it all. Austin is so far behind when it comes to cycling lanes and paths that it’s just sad. We have such a wonderful and diverse cycling community, yet we could never hope for a program such as Denver has with the way things are now.
Most people don’t feel safe commuting here. And there is a good reason for that. Our city council needs to get serious about restructuring the cycling infrastructure. We are so far behind other cities with large cycling communities, and there is no excuse for it.
I know there are some city projects in the works, but more needs to be done to make cycling a viable and safe transportation option in Austin.
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An unexpected group ride
I discovered an amazing group ride last night. I wasn’t invited and I really didn’t feel welcome, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. They had blazing speed, the kind you read about but rarely see up close. I wanted to be a part of it, even if just for a few seconds. Plus my commute home had been pretty dull to that point.
With plenty of light pollution along the Highway 290 access road between Lamar and Brodie, I first saw them a few blocks ahead. They looked like they were having a blast, all decked-out in matching brown and white kits. The pace was unbelievable, and I’m not the fastest guy around. But I had energy, I was feeling strong and that stretch of road is fairly flat.
They didn’t seem too enthused when I reached the back of the group. I don’t think they expected a stranger to join in, especially so late in the evening. Nobody said a word.
Suddenly, the pack became panicked. The main group formed a frazzled pace line, darting from one lane to the other. Some were confused by the surge. Legs were churning, hearts were pounding and I knew I wouldn’t be able to last long at this pace.
I snapped into the 50x11, got into the drops and gave one final burst. It wasn’t nearly enough. The group sped away into the night, leaving me breathless and alone.
Of course they did have a big advantage. Four legs beat two every time.
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The month that was
JANUARY BY THE NUMBERS
311 Number of total miles on the bike
3 My rear wheel was letting the team down last month. It was trued three times.
16 Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are perfect pre-ride snacks. I ate 16 in January, and I’m only counting the ones before a ride.
12 Total curse words hurled at me from a disgruntled motorist.
2 Number of near misses with a car. We’re talking less than a foot of clearance in each instance. A simple reminder to drivers, at least three feet of space.
1 Tires changed. Just one in the back. Specialized makes a great tire.
2 Times chased by a dog. The first one was big and angry. Luckily, girth quelled his instinct. The second dog was about the size of a cat. I shouldn’t have stopped and taunted.
0 I was bonk-free for a whole month. It’s a new personal record.
4 Holes that have been unearthed in my oldest chamois. I know it’s time, but those babies have seen a lot of good miles.
1 I rode with my buddy Hanna once, and soon after became violently ill. I rode with him last year and the same thing happened. Hmmmmmmmmm.
7 Number of dreams about bikes or riding bikes.
9 People always seem to have strong reactions when I wear my Led Zeppelin jersey. I had a ton of comments in January, but only nine worth noting.
17.3 Average speed for the month.
