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October 2009
Halloween bike fun
There are a ton of great parties, rides and events involving two wheels this Halloween weekend. If I didn’t have that pesky work thing, you would probably catch me at several of these places. Here’s some of what’s on tap for this weekend. …
SATURDAY
Roll Beyond Coal Bike Rallies Across Texas. Austin Rally
1pm: Gather & Register at City Hall
1:30pm: Rally at City Hall, hear from City Councilman Chris Riley and other community leaders
2-3pm: Hop on your bike (or take the pedestrian route) for the self-guided clean energy tour around Austin.
3-5pm: Social Gathering organized by Transmission Entertainment at the Ghost Room, downtown Austin
Ride of the Zombies
7:30 PM, Cafe Mundi, 1704 East 5th St.
The Austin Bike Zoo will be organizing this ride with a stop to watch fireworks and a final stop at the Zombie Ball.
The Bizarro Duathlon
The Bizarro Duathlon is a reverse duathlon, so participants will bike, run, bike. This is a great opportunity for the strong cyclists to strut their stuff! Second, you are invited (but not required) to race in costume. Those who do will be rewarded with cool prizes! Besides, it’s Halloween, you might as well race in costume, right?
SkelliCyclists Halloween Ride
This will be our first Halloween ride. It will be around 12 miles with a few hills, and we’re now starting a little earlier than the previous rides, at 1 pm, so we can all have time to relax and prep for true Halloween night festivities. We’ll have one stop at around the midway point at the Draughthouse Pub near 45th and Medical Pkwy. After a little refreshment there, we’ll take a tour through the east side and loop back toward the city ending at Dog and Duck Pub.
Halloween Alleycat benefiting the Austin Yellow Bike Project.
If you’re up early enough, the Tour de Gruene will be kicking off down south. Click here for details.
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Learning the track stand
Since I do a lot of riding in town, that means plenty of stops and starts. And since my clipless pedals are of the one-sided entry variety, I don’t like to click in very often. I always feel like I am holding up traffic while I fumble around trying to get my foot engaged. I have also scored some nice shin bruises during some of those hurried acts. It’s not good.
The best solution beyond buying some double-sided Speedplays is working on becoming a master track stander. I’m pretty good at staying upright while barely moving, but when I come to a complete stop, I have to clip out. Here’s a video that will give you the basics, but trust me, you’ll want to practice in a safe place with nobody around to laugh. You will fall over a few times.
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Legos are the star of the show
I like Legos. I like cycling. I like not being hit by a car. I like not running red lights. This is a good public service announcement, check it out. ….
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Speed Vest
I have found a product called the Speed Vest. It illuminates your mph on the back of the vest so motorists can tell how slow you are. According to the website, here’s what’s supposed to be good about this invention. …
Increases awareness of the bicyclist and bicycling as an efficient way of getting around
Educates drivers about overtaking bicyclists safely
Illuminates that an average person can easily bike 10-15 mph
It’s an interesting idea, but I could see where this device could lure a driver’s attention too close. While trying to read the flashing numbers, a veering car could make your vest read 0 with a quickness. Also, most vehicular traffic is moving way faster than 10-15 mph. I think it might just hack off drivers knowing there is an object in the road traveling slower than the flow.
You know how road rage sometimes starts. Person gets behind wheel. A pesky stoplight or slower moving object impedes said person from getting to the grocery store in record time. Person loses mind. Irrational actions follow. Bad things to all involved.
I’ve seen it plenty on Austin streets. Why do people feel the need to reach their destination with no time to spare? The freshest milk won’t get sold out. Your child can wait at soccer practice for a few minutes longer. The dry cleaners won’t toss your clothes.
OK, I’m digressing.
This could also be a beacon of humiliation. I’ve got some friends who would have no problem calling out my less-than-stellar speeds as they fly past. I don’t need to give people more ammunition. Either way, it’s an interesting invention. And one I won’t be sporting any time soon.
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Great day for Austin cyclists
Great news! The Safe Passing ordinance passed City Council. I want to congratulate everyone involved for helping make this happen. It’s another goal reached in helping make Austin a better place to ride. Here are some of the highlights. …
Motorists must vacate the lane when passing on a two or more lane road, or give at least 3 feet of space when another lane is not available.
When turning left, motorists must yield right of way to oncoming vulnerable road users.
Motorists may not pass vulnerable road users and then immediately turn right (right hook).
Motorists may not drive in a way that intimidates, harrasses, or threatens vulnerable road users.
And another bonus, sharrows, or shared lane markings, are being laid down on Guadalupe and Lavaca between 20th and Cesar Chavez, and E. 51st between I-35 and Airport Blvd. We are beginning to make true progress. Now get out there and ride.
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Texas Custom Bicycle Show
You’ve probably never ridden a bike that was made just for you. Most of us buy right off the rack. And that’s OK. There are plenty of wonderful bikes that ride great and do their job as advertised.
But there’s something about having a machine custom tailored, much like a fine suit, that cannot be duplicated from a mass-produced bike. Think about it, every angle perfectly aligned for your body dimensions. Each tube chosen for specific ride properties that form the perfect match for your desires.
There’s magic in the welds. The thought and creativity cast into each frame transcend what many think possible in a bicycle. The true brilliance lies in the details that each custom builder provides. And we are blessed to have many of the best craftsmen in Texas. They will be showing off their creations this week in the Texas Custom Bicycle Show.
Here are some examples from the builders who will be presenting their work.
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Bicycle delivery
Need a little something to get through the middle-of-the-week blahs? Try this odd video from Upright Citizen’s Brigade. …
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Let’s bring Google trail view to Austin
This sounds like a really cool idea, and it would be ideal to bring this to Austin. Here’s the deal. …
US Street View Special Collections Poll
We’re working hard to bring Street View to new places, but some interesting areas, like pedestrian malls and trails, cannot be reached by car. That’s why we’ve created the Street View trike; a mechanical masterpiece made of 3 bicycle wheels, a mounted Street View camera, and a very athletic cyclist.
Tell us where to ride!
The Street View trike has already collected some imagery, but now we’re accepting your suggestions for where to send it next in the United States. Send us your most inspired suggestions for the places you really want to see featured in Street View.
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Voice your support for the 3-foot law
It’s time to get involved again. Since Gov. Perry decided the state did not need a 3-foot passing law, we will have to settle for a city law instead. We all need to register our support this week. This is a must if we want to get serious about safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Here’s the details. …
From now through Thursday, October 22nd
Register your support of the 3-foot passing ordinance by using the kiosks (much like many of you did for the Bicycle Plan) in the lobby of Austin City Hall. Kiosks will be open during normal business hours. Scroll to agenda item #30.
Read the text of the agenda item here.
Thursday, October 22nd
The 3-foot passing ordinance will be up for a vote by Austin City Council during their meeting from 10 a.m.-Noon.
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Butterflies and Tour de Fat
I’m used to dodging potholes, glass, uneven pavement, dog poop and careless drivers. But one obstacle that I didn’t expect when getting back on the bike after several weeks away - butterflies. And lots of them. If you have been out and about the past few days, you’ve probably noticed hordes of winged pests filling the sky.
Let me make one thing clear, I love animals no matter size, shape or annoyance level. But these little boogers were making it hard to breathe on my way to the Tour de Fat on Saturday. I had to know what was happening, and luckily the Statesman ran a story on Friday detailing the deluge. …
People on the streets of Central Austin on Thursday would have had a hard time missing the fluttering swarms of dark-looking butterflies. Hordes hovered over downtown.
They weren’t monarchs heading to Mexico; they were American snouts going out to eat.
About every decade, there’s a large emergence of American snout butterflies in Central Texas, according to Mike Quinn, president of the Austin Butterfly Forum. The snout swarms are more common in South Texas, but when there is drought followed by heavy rains, the rains knock out parasites that feed on snout butterflies and the spiny hackberry plant that nourishes the insect is plentiful, Quinn said. When the butterflies exhaust the food supply, they fly off until they find a good spot to hang (upside down) and eat.
For the full story, click here.
There were some places along the route that I couldn’t breathe with my mouth open. I got smacked in the face several times. Laugh it up, but even something as delicate as a butterfly can sting if you’re going fast enough.
Despite the air raid, I made it to the Tour de Fat. It was my first experience with this event, which had the strange feel of a traveling sideshow coupled with vaudevillian camp and a slice of bicycling and beer. It was an incredible scene for anyone who loves bikes, and more importantly, anyone who believes that transportation via pedal power is the answer to countless problems.
I wish I had photos or video to share. Believe me, it was a smorgasbord of visual stimulation. But I had little time to spare due to job and sleep obligations. Plus my camera has decided to remain hidden until further notice.
Basically there was hat juggling, tap dancing, singing, rides on one-of-a-kind bikes, a funeral procession for a car and lots of happy faces. My lame words won’t do this event justice, but I promise that next year there will be video. Better yet, go see this event for yourself. It’s well worth the effort.
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David Byrne video
For those of you who missed David Byrne’s visit to Austin, here’s a video he did for the New York Times. Enjoy.
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More events on the way
There’s always a plethora of interesting events involving bike happenings in and around Austin. Here’s some of the best (thanks to Yellow Bike for the information). …
Tour de Fat: The Austin Tour de Fat is rolling into town this weekend (October 17th from 9am-4pm at Fiesta Gardens, view schedule). New Belgium brewery travels the country each summer with this whimsical celebration, leaving proceeds to the bike non-profits of each town it visits. By rounding up volunteers to staff the event, Yellow Bike, Austin Cycling Association and the Austin Ridge Riders will each earn thousands of dollars while helping to put on one of the year’s biggest bike bashes.
Boneshaker Book Talk: Today, 7pm at Monkey Wrench Books. Boneshaker is a Bicycling Almanac that believes that the bicycle, when conceived of and used appropriately, can become a tool for social change and community building. Modeled loosely after the War Department’s 1941 Soldier’s Basic Field Manual, Boneshaker fashions itself to be the practical bicyclist’s literary periodical-style handbook. Go for a reading by editor Evan P Schneider from the third issue of Boneshaker, which will be followed by a leisurely ride and libation stop!
Bike-in Movie Night: Also tonight at 7pm, the League of Bicycling Voters and New Belgium are putting on a bike-in outdoor presentation of the early Wes Anderson flick Bottlerocket in Triangle Park. Head here for more information.
OH, SNAP!: This is perfect if you’re looking for something to do after the Tour de Fat. Starting at 4pm on Saturday, a group of bands and variety acts will be performing blocks from Fiesta Gardens. Admission is $10, and includes food and beer. All proceeds go toward starting a scholarship to bring international students to Texas. Head here for more information.
Austin Tree Folks Tree-Wheeling Bicycle Tour: Saturday, October 24; four mile, 15 mile and 40 mile routes showcasing famous Austin trees; all routes begin at 9 am at Pease Park, at the south end near the playground and bathrooms. This event will celebrate the significant contribution these trees make to our communities. YBP volunteers will SAG each ride with basic tools to make sure everyone’s rolling smooth. Head here for more information.
MexicArte Dia de los Muertos street festival: This festival has an awesome parade and delicious arts and foods, but MexicArte is also pushing for a major bike presence at this year’s festival, encouraging fest-goers to arrive on two wheels. It’ll go from 2-10 pm on Saturday, October 24. Mellow Johnny’s will be there providing bike valet. Come decorate bikes, dress in fun costumes, eat yourself silly, learn, appreciate and participate in the parade. Head here for more information.
Wurst Ride: Saturday, November 7. Ride from Austin to New Braunfels, enjoy beer and brats, then get a lift home in the van. Regular registration ends October 14th, so hurry up and register! Head here for more information.
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Tickets in Dallas for no helmets
Some interesting happenings in the Dallas area involving helmet laws. Check out the whole story from dallasnews.com.
After suspending enforcement for several months, the Dallas Police Department is again ticketing people for violations of the city’s bicycle helmet law.
City Attorney Tom Perkins said enforcement was halted in June after a state district judge issued a ruling on the local ordinance that rendered it unconstitutional.
Sergio Portillo, 33, was stopped July 11, 2008, as he rode his bicycle while not wearing a helmet near downtown. He was then searched and charged with drug possession after police said they found that he was carrying crack cocaine.
David Pire, attorney for Portillo, argued in court that the city’s ordinance conflicts with state law and is unconstitutional because it “infringed upon his right to travel freely.”
“It just seemed the hokiest law,” he said Friday. In court, he argued that it makes no sense compared with the state law regulating motorcycle riders. Under that law, helmets are required only if the rider is under 21, lacks health insurance and has not had a safety course.
The judge in Portillo’s criminal case ruled that the evidence in Portillo’s drug case should not be admitted because it was obtained when the helmet law was enforced, and that law is unconstitutional.
When the judge agreed the evidence should be suppressed, police officers were directed to stop enforcing the law - until Thursday.
“We’ve looked at it, we’re appealing that decision and pending the appeal, we’re going to continue to enforce the ordinance,” Perkins said.
The city ordinance, which took effect in 1996, is unusually broad, applying to adult cyclists as well as children. Most bicycle helmet laws in other cities are directed at youngsters.
Assistant Dallas County District Attorney Martin Peterson declined to comment on the appeal, but his court brief says, “an ordinance will not be found unconstitutional unless it is shown to be arbitrary, unreasonable, and a clear abuse of power.”
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Some interesting bike photos
Being a graphic designer for the past 15 years, I’ve come across some pretty interesting images. And since this obsession with cycling has taken hold, I’ve been on the lookout for interesting photos that include bicycles. Here’s a few recent stills I’ve stumbled across. …
Interesting view. This is actually me on the veloway last year. I was fooling around with camera angles and took this one. Not the safest thing in the world, but a good result.
Don’t know many details about this photo, but I love the lean.
Another old and odd photo. It must have been some sort of art project gone wrong. Anyway, it’s got good Halloween flavor.
Han Solo on a girl’s bike. He’s lost a ton of man points for this photo getting leaked to the public.
And finally, one of the classic photos involving cycling. My man Albert Einstein looking giddy on his big cruiser. “Life is like riding a bicycle,” he said. “To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
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Questions
I wonder what the driver who struck and killed the San Antonio couple a few days ago was doing when he lost control of his truck?
Did he ever see the cyclists?
Would he have been charged with anything if the couple had been in a car?
Since no charges were filed against the driver, does this mean it’s OK to kill someone as long as you are behind the wheel and the people you kill are on a bicycle?
Will this incident foster support for putting a three-foot passing law into effect across the state?
I wonder if Gov. Perry flinched when he saw this story?
When will cyclists’ rights and the judicial process become level?
Will there ever come a day when cyclists aren’t considered a nuisance on the road?
Should people who ride bikes on the road just know the risks and not be startled by the results?
Does society not realize that riding a bike is the solution to many problems, including ADHD, obesity, stress, ozone emissions, fuel consumption, traffic congestion and many others?
Will this affect where you ride?
Will this affect how you ride?
Does anyone care?
A trust fund has been set up for Kylie Bruehler. Donations can be made at any Frost Bank or by mail to 24165 Interstate 10 West, Suite 217-270, San Antonio, Texas 78257-1160.
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Parking trouble for UT home games?
You know that whole debacle with the UT football game day shuttles and parking? Well don’t get too frustrated, there are alternatives. Check out Bicycle Sport Shop’s ideas on the matter.
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The Gyro Bike
More coverage from Interbike trade show courtesy of Bicycle Sport Shop. … check out this video of a new product that can helps children learn how to ride a bike.
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Congratulations to Bicycle Sport Shop
Congratulations to Bicycle Sport Shop for earning the Platinum Bicycle Friendly Business designation from the League of American Bicyclists. Here’s a little more information from the press release. …
Bicycle Sport Shop received the Platinum designation because of their commitment towards a smaller carbon footprint and increased corporate social responsibility. In addition, the store, exceeds requirements for bike parking, showers and a percentage of employees who commute.
“Bicycling is at the heart of our business,” said Leslie Luciano, Advocacy Director for Bicycle Sport Shop. “Our goal is to not only promote cycling to our staff by proving them the resources and facilities to commute, but the to promote cycling to others through community education, support of local cycling clubs and organizations, corporate-based commuter incentive programs and our annual city Wide Austin Commuter Challenge.”
According to Walter Finch, the League’s Advocacy Director, when bicycling is infused in an office or company culture, great things happen, including reduced health care costs, more productive employees, improved worker and customer satisfaction, smaller carbon footprint and increased corporate social responsibility.
“We’re delighted to highlight Bicycle Sport Shop and the ways in which they are getting more people on bikes,” stated League President Andy Clark. “In today’s challenging economic climate, businesses with healthy, happy and productive employees are going to be the most competitive and the most sustainable - the Bicycle Friendly Business program recognizes some of the best examples of this in practice.”
Applying as a Bicycle Friendly Business is easy and free. Applicants receive technical assistance from the League staff as well as tools to evaluate and assess their bicycle friendliness through the application process. The Bicycle Friendly Business application is available online at www.bicyclefriendlybusiness.org.
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Upcoming rides/events
Some pretty cool events are on the horizon in Central Texas, including the Mamma Jamma Ride happening this Saturday. If you want to tackle this charity ride, you better sign up fast. Also, thanks to Austin on Two Wheels for the information about the cyclocross clinic…
RIDE TO HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER
Be part of history and change thousands of lives. Join us on the Inaugural Texas Mamma Jamma Ride this Saturday and play a huge role in making sure Texans with breast cancer get the services that will save and improve lives. Everyone is invited to do the ride, and there is a route for every level-10, 25, 45, 65 and even 100 miles.
Our routes all start and end at the Reunion Ranch. Check out our route information to see which distance is best for you. To register, click here.
FOR THE CYCLOCROSS RACER YOU WANT TO BECOME
Cyclocross introduction and training session at the Montopolis Youth Sports Complex this Saturday at 3 p.m. Learn how to dismount and run barriers. All welcome. Bring your mountain bike, road bike (with wide tires) or ‘cross bike. The location is 800 Grove Boulevard (78741) at the east end of the Colorado River Park, south side of the river. Warm up ride leaving from Mellow Johnny’s at 2 p.m. along the trails to the site. Contact johnbartle@earthlink.net for more information.
HELP OUT THE UT CYCLING CLUB
The University of Texas Cycling Club is putting on a benefit bike ride, the Sweatin’ Burnt Orange Bike Tour. Entering it’s fifth year, the tour includes routes from 10 to 80 miles weaving through the Texas Hill Country with the 80 mile route stopping in Luckenbach, Texas.
Registration is $45 and can be done online through midnight Thursday or on the day of the ride at the registration table. For more information, click here.
Sunday October 11, 8:30 AM, Blanco High School, Blanco, Texas
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Lance is down with Michelob Ultra
Your favorite hometown cycling hero Lance Armstrong has a new endorsement deal. It’s Michelob Ultra. Yes, that really thin beer that tastes like yellow water. The good folks at Anheuser-Busch are marketing this particular brand to “healthy” people who have an active lifestyle.
Now I’m not one to verbally slap this sort of pairing, but when was the last time a professional athlete with Armstrong’s credentials jumped into bed with an alcoholic beverage ad campaign? It strikes me as a little odd, but what the heck. Most serious cyclists I know, including the ones who count a shot of wheat grass as a meal, consider beer as the perfect post-ride beverage. As a matter of fact, beer is the tie that binds roadies with mountain bikers, and cyclocross types with BMXers.
I guess there are very few sports that can claim beer as its liquid of choice. There’s the obvious, bowling. And darts come to mind, although I don’t think either of these activities can be considered sports. At least not if you’re sober.
But therein lies one of the beautiful things about cycling. You can bust your butt for hours on end, and then throw back a few colds ones without regret. I’ve even seen some guys sneaking some High Life into their water bottles during a large group ride. Now I’m not endorsing this, just pointing out how much beer is intertwined with the culture of cycling.
So good for Lance. I just don’t think many will buy into this beer for “health-minded” drinkers. If you’re going to drink some of that frothy goodness, at least have the decency to ingest something with flavor. Otherwise, what’s the point?
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Not riding is the worst part
It’s been really hard. I’m not going to lie. Being off the bike the past four weeks has wrecked my schedule, my fitness, mood and, oddly enough, eating habits.
I knew it would be tough, but I had no idea how much cycling had improved multiple aspects of my life. Even to the point of HAVING to ride, not just wanting or needing to. Right after my crash the thought process unfolded like this. ..
That did not just happen.
My collar bone is broken.
My bike is OK.
I won’t be able to ride for a while and that is the worst part of all.
Cycling has this weird way of creating equilibrium in mind and body. I feel stronger, of course, but I also want to become more than I thought physically possible. And let me make one thing very clear, I am not, nor do I plan to become a racer. It’s just that I want to see where a bike can take me.
And the best part, the hard physical work is not work. It’s fun. That’s the trick. Because even if a doctor told me to work out in a gym or bad things would happen, I’m not sure I could muster the discipline.
I also want to eat better, it fuels the engine properly. Junk food and sleeping used to be the daily ritual. My size 42 waist was the proof. Now riding is the impetus for feeling and looking my best. But old habits never seem to die. Especially during this doctor-imposed hiatus. I have rewarded my self with nightly Wendy’s runs. I’ve seen every rerun of The Crocodile Hunter, and I don’t know why.
Soon it will be time to get back in the saddle. I’ll once again be able to put the big boy pants back in the closet. My strength will return. My smile will return. And everything will go back to the way it’s supposed to be.
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Greatest bike movie ever made
I recently discovered one of the finest pieces of bike cinema ever created. The choreography, the music, the acting, the plot. … this movie has it all. Even if you cannot fathom its greatness, at the very least you will come to appreciate just how deadly a bicycle can become in a street brawl. You deserve a small slice of happiness on an otherwise mundane Monday. Enjoy. …
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New iPhone application perfect for trails
Austin software development firm Total Square LLC has released an iPhone application called Mountain Bike Trails. It provides detailed directions to thousands of trails all over the United States and will continue to add to the list. It sounds like a useful tool, especially considering there are so many hard-to-find trails. It should open up a new world for those bikers seeking new land to conquer.
The application is available for purchase at an introductory price of $4.99 on iTunes.
Current features include:
Instantly discover trails near you with the simple click of a button
Search trails by name or location
Find out if the trail is suited for you by browsing the Skill Levels
Utilize the familiar Google Maps interface
Access our growing database of over 5,000 trails. There are over 50,000 miles of trails now at your finger tips!
Get detailed GPS directions directly to the trail of your choice
More information is available at totalsquare.com