Finals are over and I am back in Bend. I have been here three days now and today is the first I have ridden (my wife's converted mountain bike). I have been driving her car around for a few days and noticed a few things.
First, it is nice not having law finals hanging over my head. I had five stretching over two weeks and a third Monday. Nothing like getting my money's worth.
B, drivers in Bend are much more agro than the drivers in Salem. Forget about drivers around bikers, I am simply talking about drivers around other drivers. It is not like I did not know about Bend like this. As much as it wants to keep it, the small town charm is gone and appears to be replaced with...not necessarily a bunch of bastards, but close. Maybe it is because people in Salem accept their fate; they live in Salem. Maybe people in Bend cannot accept that it is OK not to get through the intersection first.
Third, my daughter's grade school rocks. The principal is out in the halls greeting parents, in the parking lot directing traffic and knows the names of all of his kids...900 of them. The only time I saw my grade school principal was for disciplinary reasons. I saw my Principal's office quite a bit. We were on a first name basis. In high school, my relationship with the dean of discipline deepened to one of great emotional attachment. His day was not complete without a visit from me.
Next, riding in the Bend weather is awesome...no sweat. It is way too cold to sweat in the morning chill.
I am chilling with my coffee at Thump, awaiting an old friend to see if we can find anything to catch up on.
Lamentably, another cyclist was killed in Oregon yesterday. http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_121307_news_pedestrian_struck_powell_.110101f0.html
That is another one too many in this state. Every time something like this happens, my awareness ramps up, no matter what town I am in.
Enough for an early morning post. School starts on the 7th of Jan.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
video
http://bikeportland.org/2007/11/08/siobhan-doyle-is-my-hero/#more-5850
This is the Oregonian video of the second biker struck at NE Interstate and Greeley?
Share the road...that cuts both ways.
This is the Oregonian video of the second biker struck at NE Interstate and Greeley?
Share the road...that cuts both ways.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
not lazy, just lawyerly
So, I have not been diligent about posting, but I never promised to be.
Law school beckons.
Today was a first, though. I was riding to the local community college for the Professional Responsibility Exam, through fog. After the fog condensed on my clothes, the moisture froze as tiny ice crystals.
That is cold.
It was a little warmer on the ride home after the test...and everyone was very nice on the road.
Law school beckons.
Today was a first, though. I was riding to the local community college for the Professional Responsibility Exam, through fog. After the fog condensed on my clothes, the moisture froze as tiny ice crystals.
That is cold.
It was a little warmer on the ride home after the test...and everyone was very nice on the road.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
two a day
I rode out yesterday with a class-mate for a quick two-hour jaunt through the south Salem hills.
As we rounded a curve, two massive brutes of the canine persuasion came across the road at us. My classmate was leading and they could not get to him, so they focused on me. They got within a few feet of me before I finally was fast enough to get past and away. Thank you, Mr. dog owner, for letting your menaces off-leash, free to harass.
Next time, I will be on the lead around that curve. Another example of why it never pays to be a follower.
As we rounded a curve, two massive brutes of the canine persuasion came across the road at us. My classmate was leading and they could not get to him, so they focused on me. They got within a few feet of me before I finally was fast enough to get past and away. Thank you, Mr. dog owner, for letting your menaces off-leash, free to harass.
Next time, I will be on the lead around that curve. Another example of why it never pays to be a follower.
death in the afternoon
I have been silent and non-blogging for awhile. Law school calls and the burden is heavy...too heavy to ignore at this price tag.
But, the fatal collision in Portland last Friday necessitates a posting. Read about it here: http://bikeportland.org/2007/10/12/hundreds-join-solemn-burnside-procession/
Two things about this accident that strike me. One the cyclist was not paying attention to her surroundings. The reports indicate the truck had his signal on. She should have seen it. Owning the bike lane does not mean one gets to play ignorant, as though enshrouded in a protective blanket against liability.
Second, Portland designed some bike lanes and motor-vehicle turn lanes to coexist peacefully in this scenario, by forcing the car/truck to cross the bike lane, yielding to cyclists, into a turn lane. Those cross overs are painted blue inside the bike lane. Drive around the Coliseum and Rose Quarter, they are all over. The city should move to make this their standard. Quickly.
The driver of the truck? What could he have done differently? Likely nothing. All vehicles have blind spots. More mirrors on his rig? When do we draw the line. At some point, it becomes unreasonable. We cannot catch everything. Small comfort for the driver who innocently was part of a fatality.
I investigated enough accidents in my insurance job to know that typically, more often than not, someone is not paying attention, driving too fast, using a cell phone or some such activity that had they been actively driving, actively aware, they could have avoided the accident.
I wish I could been in Portland for the memorial ride.
But, the fatal collision in Portland last Friday necessitates a posting. Read about it here: http://bikeportland.org/2007/10/12/hundreds-join-solemn-burnside-procession/
Two things about this accident that strike me. One the cyclist was not paying attention to her surroundings. The reports indicate the truck had his signal on. She should have seen it. Owning the bike lane does not mean one gets to play ignorant, as though enshrouded in a protective blanket against liability.
Second, Portland designed some bike lanes and motor-vehicle turn lanes to coexist peacefully in this scenario, by forcing the car/truck to cross the bike lane, yielding to cyclists, into a turn lane. Those cross overs are painted blue inside the bike lane. Drive around the Coliseum and Rose Quarter, they are all over. The city should move to make this their standard. Quickly.
The driver of the truck? What could he have done differently? Likely nothing. All vehicles have blind spots. More mirrors on his rig? When do we draw the line. At some point, it becomes unreasonable. We cannot catch everything. Small comfort for the driver who innocently was part of a fatality.
I investigated enough accidents in my insurance job to know that typically, more often than not, someone is not paying attention, driving too fast, using a cell phone or some such activity that had they been actively driving, actively aware, they could have avoided the accident.
I wish I could been in Portland for the memorial ride.
Friday, September 21, 2007
name caller
My friend read this blog and jokingly called me a commie. Whatever that means.
I am not advocating for the redistribution of wealth or resources. I am advocating for changing the way we think.
We are one of the most advanced, educated, free-thinking countries in the world...and yet we are shackled to a way of life that is choking us.
While one might agree in the abstract that we need to do something, that same person will get into an SUV that seats seven...to drive to work alone. How hard is it to see the foolishness of this behavior? Are citizens that blind to what is happening?
This is a war we are in and there are those of us who are not living like my grandparents did through WWII. They conserved, made changes, tried to go farther with less.
This war, we consume, drive more, buy and consume more. That defies logic.
I am not advocating for the redistribution of wealth or resources. I am advocating for changing the way we think.
We are one of the most advanced, educated, free-thinking countries in the world...and yet we are shackled to a way of life that is choking us.
While one might agree in the abstract that we need to do something, that same person will get into an SUV that seats seven...to drive to work alone. How hard is it to see the foolishness of this behavior? Are citizens that blind to what is happening?
This is a war we are in and there are those of us who are not living like my grandparents did through WWII. They conserved, made changes, tried to go farther with less.
This war, we consume, drive more, buy and consume more. That defies logic.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
two a day
Still not convinced you should convert to pedal power for your commute?
You could spend less on an outfit to bike-commute than you spend in one month on your car. (assuming you have a car payment)
There is no someday.
You could spend less on an outfit to bike-commute than you spend in one month on your car. (assuming you have a car payment)
There is no someday.
bad, getting worse
And Bend is not immune to this phenom...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/18/traffic.congestion.ap/index.html
Cooley and 97 is already bad. Juniper _will_ make it worse.
The state wants to spend money changing 97 into an expressway south of Madras to California, making all interchanges below highway grade. That makes perfect sense. Take that truck traffic and make it more fluid, unfettered by cities like Redmond, LaPine, Bend, etc. or dumb intersections like China Hat has been or like the Sunriver T has been.
What is interesting about the cnn article, acknowledging that it is cnn, is the lack of planning to get fewer people driving and/or getting more bodies into cars. Of course, no one mentions bikes.
There just seems to be a lot of head scratching going on. Gee, we had no idea that more cars would be on the roads, would mean more time in the car commuting. Could better planning have mitigated this issue before it happened? Or simply staved off the inevitable? I think it was inevitable. We are bound to buy more, consume more, use more, because we are Americans. I am about to compare us to Europe...be ready or stop reading now...In Europe, most people do not own cars. Most people do not own large, gas-guzzling cars. Housing and building is centered around the urban center, not sprawling across miles landscape. They tend to build up, not out. Smaller houses (versus 2600 square feet for two people). Now, do not get me wrong, I live in Bend/Salem, not Amsterdam; I bought into this just like you, true believer. I love Bend, living in Bend, but thank some one's god that I ride to work, instead of contributing to this problem. I do contribute to other problems, like wine consumption and love of the 80's.
See that waste the article quantifies? We as a people, as a culture, as a belief system, NEED to move ourselves away from what has defined us as consumers, guzzlers, abusers of resources. As in Fight Club, you are not the car you drive...the things you own, start to own you.
Bikes, not Bush.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/18/traffic.congestion.ap/index.html
Cooley and 97 is already bad. Juniper _will_ make it worse.
The state wants to spend money changing 97 into an expressway south of Madras to California, making all interchanges below highway grade. That makes perfect sense. Take that truck traffic and make it more fluid, unfettered by cities like Redmond, LaPine, Bend, etc. or dumb intersections like China Hat has been or like the Sunriver T has been.
What is interesting about the cnn article, acknowledging that it is cnn, is the lack of planning to get fewer people driving and/or getting more bodies into cars. Of course, no one mentions bikes.
There just seems to be a lot of head scratching going on. Gee, we had no idea that more cars would be on the roads, would mean more time in the car commuting. Could better planning have mitigated this issue before it happened? Or simply staved off the inevitable? I think it was inevitable. We are bound to buy more, consume more, use more, because we are Americans. I am about to compare us to Europe...be ready or stop reading now...In Europe, most people do not own cars. Most people do not own large, gas-guzzling cars. Housing and building is centered around the urban center, not sprawling across miles landscape. They tend to build up, not out. Smaller houses (versus 2600 square feet for two people). Now, do not get me wrong, I live in Bend/Salem, not Amsterdam; I bought into this just like you, true believer. I love Bend, living in Bend, but thank some one's god that I ride to work, instead of contributing to this problem. I do contribute to other problems, like wine consumption and love of the 80's.
See that waste the article quantifies? We as a people, as a culture, as a belief system, NEED to move ourselves away from what has defined us as consumers, guzzlers, abusers of resources. As in Fight Club, you are not the car you drive...the things you own, start to own you.
Bikes, not Bush.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
sweet, sweet candy
So, the DOT has an _a w e s o m e_ tool for preparing a ride...it is not specifically for cyclists, but it might as well be.
DOT has compiled pix of major highways, every hundredth of a mile. Now someone, anyone, can look at the stretch of highway they are going to travel, in painful detail. Likely they expect you to use a high-speed connection to do this.
Unfortunately, when I wrote this post, the link was not working. It can be found here: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/
and look under "Digital Video Log"
Why is this sweet? Now if you are touring on a secondary or tertiary (yes, I just like using "tertiary") you can review the roadway, check shoulder width, hills, turns, asphalt versus pavement versus chipseal, etc.
Remember, there is no someday. Tools like this get you there sooner. Now you know.
And knowing is half the battle...
DOT has compiled pix of major highways, every hundredth of a mile. Now someone, anyone, can look at the stretch of highway they are going to travel, in painful detail. Likely they expect you to use a high-speed connection to do this.
Unfortunately, when I wrote this post, the link was not working. It can be found here: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/
and look under "Digital Video Log"
Why is this sweet? Now if you are touring on a secondary or tertiary (yes, I just like using "tertiary") you can review the roadway, check shoulder width, hills, turns, asphalt versus pavement versus chipseal, etc.
Remember, there is no someday. Tools like this get you there sooner. Now you know.
And knowing is half the battle...
brain bucket
I asked a class-mate how much he was spending on his law school education...over 100k...I then asked him if a $30 helmet was a worthy insurance policy for his bike rides to school.
He laughed...but did not answer...or maybe he did.
He laughed...but did not answer...or maybe he did.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
bike spider
Last Spring, I put new tape on my Nishiki bars, for the first time in about 17 years. My amateur tape job did not cover two holes underneath, nearer to the neck.
Two weeks ago, I started noticing full-on webs in the left handlebar/drop. I looked and looked, but could never find the spider. Twice a day, I was essentially gill-netting for this free-loader, as I commuted back and forth to school.
I found him a few days ago, when I returned from Labor Day back in Bend. I went to tease him a little, and he shot from the web in the left drop to the left hole in bar. Faster than I thought possible...like he had a panic button on his arse to snake in his line.
Since then, I have not been able to tease him out anymore. Freeloader.
In other news, 10 weeks left in the semester.
Two weeks ago, I started noticing full-on webs in the left handlebar/drop. I looked and looked, but could never find the spider. Twice a day, I was essentially gill-netting for this free-loader, as I commuted back and forth to school.
I found him a few days ago, when I returned from Labor Day back in Bend. I went to tease him a little, and he shot from the web in the left drop to the left hole in bar. Faster than I thought possible...like he had a panic button on his arse to snake in his line.
Since then, I have not been able to tease him out anymore. Freeloader.
In other news, 10 weeks left in the semester.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
telfer driving to salem
Chris Telfer, genius CPA from Bend City Council (and purveyor of wrong mileage info during the TDC Century ride) is thinking of running for state senate... http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=7028883
Based solely on this article, I formed the conclusion that she drives a car and does not think in terms of alternative transportation. From the quick read, she is concerned with improving roads, presumably for vehicular traffic.
She has been a council member in Bend for two terms now, according to the article. According to the years I have lived there, I do not recall a time she touted anything other than pro-growth. And not even smart-growth, what I like to call dumb growth. How long did it take the city to put a fixed route system in place? How hard can it be to find the money (she _is_ a CPA) and then go spend the money? Now she will bring the pork back to Bend.
In a related news piece, http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/BIZ0102/709050359/1011&nav_category=
a few of the area's tourism heavyweights weigh in on the need for a better transport system, preferably one funded by the business community and/or the city. Because they cannot make money fast enough. Should the taxpayers foot the bill, so they can bring 1200+ ski groups to Mt. Bachelor? I know, I know, the money they spend while skiing all weekend, goes to local businesses, like Merenda, Bellatazza, and various gas stations. Oh and hotels. Those entities employ locals (even Bend locals occasionally). Just seems a little self serving.
A better bus system would be great. Even one that has buses that run, that are not parked permanently near a cemetery. Could they spend more money on roads to enhance cycling? Could they sidewalk Bend streets with that money? Ride down Newport, 14th, Century, various side streets...where are the sidewalks? Some streets are still gravel. What year is this?
This is the rambling I produce on Wednesdays, when I only have two classes.
Maybe Telfer would be a welcome breath of fiscal responsibility in Salem someday. But only if she gets the pork brought home, baby.
Based solely on this article, I formed the conclusion that she drives a car and does not think in terms of alternative transportation. From the quick read, she is concerned with improving roads, presumably for vehicular traffic.
She has been a council member in Bend for two terms now, according to the article. According to the years I have lived there, I do not recall a time she touted anything other than pro-growth. And not even smart-growth, what I like to call dumb growth. How long did it take the city to put a fixed route system in place? How hard can it be to find the money (she _is_ a CPA) and then go spend the money? Now she will bring the pork back to Bend.
In a related news piece, http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/BIZ0102/709050359/1011&nav_category=
a few of the area's tourism heavyweights weigh in on the need for a better transport system, preferably one funded by the business community and/or the city. Because they cannot make money fast enough. Should the taxpayers foot the bill, so they can bring 1200+ ski groups to Mt. Bachelor? I know, I know, the money they spend while skiing all weekend, goes to local businesses, like Merenda, Bellatazza, and various gas stations. Oh and hotels. Those entities employ locals (even Bend locals occasionally). Just seems a little self serving.
A better bus system would be great. Even one that has buses that run, that are not parked permanently near a cemetery. Could they spend more money on roads to enhance cycling? Could they sidewalk Bend streets with that money? Ride down Newport, 14th, Century, various side streets...where are the sidewalks? Some streets are still gravel. What year is this?
This is the rambling I produce on Wednesdays, when I only have two classes.
Maybe Telfer would be a welcome breath of fiscal responsibility in Salem someday. But only if she gets the pork brought home, baby.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
riding to brownsville
Last Friday I rode to B-Ville on my (new) Cannondale. 44.8 miles door to door.
One-third of the trip was just getting out of Salem. It was also the same Ankeny Winery trip from the previous ride.
The ride itself was great. I felt great, the bike felt short still. I need to get a longer neck. And a long-neck.
Two hours and thirty nine minutes and only one car swept past me at less than three feet. Everyone else gave me a wide berth, usually the entire lane. For the most part, I had great shoulders to ride and taking tertiary roads or farm roads eliminated most of the traffic. I rode through Jefferson, my first time in that town. It was not much. B-Ville was much more exciting, quaint, and well done. A real downtown that has been preserved and cared for.
I thought the ride was hard-core, going that far with panniers...Then I read the blog of my former supervisor who just did the Vancouver Iron Man. He did it all, beating his target time. Wow. I am nothing in comparison. But I suspect we both have big hearts...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/09/03/healthymen.cyclists.ap/index.html
One-third of the trip was just getting out of Salem. It was also the same Ankeny Winery trip from the previous ride.
The ride itself was great. I felt great, the bike felt short still. I need to get a longer neck. And a long-neck.
Two hours and thirty nine minutes and only one car swept past me at less than three feet. Everyone else gave me a wide berth, usually the entire lane. For the most part, I had great shoulders to ride and taking tertiary roads or farm roads eliminated most of the traffic. I rode through Jefferson, my first time in that town. It was not much. B-Ville was much more exciting, quaint, and well done. A real downtown that has been preserved and cared for.
I thought the ride was hard-core, going that far with panniers...Then I read the blog of my former supervisor who just did the Vancouver Iron Man. He did it all, beating his target time. Wow. I am nothing in comparison. But I suspect we both have big hearts...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/09/03/healthymen.cyclists.ap/index.html
Monday, August 27, 2007
there is no someday
My wife bought me this righteous shirt at her home-town's bike shop. Nothing fancy on the front, but on the back it reads:
*****
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
See? There is no "Someday" so get out there and ride.
*****
That is logic that even my five-year-old daughter can understand. If it is still unclear, email me and I will get you an answer someday.
Word.
*****
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
See? There is no "Someday" so get out there and ride.
*****
That is logic that even my five-year-old daughter can understand. If it is still unclear, email me and I will get you an answer someday.
Word.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
dancing to heroin
Today I rode from Salem to St. Paul and back. 43.3 miles. Hwy 219 is sweet...nice big shoulders means plenty of room for my tubby arse to ride safely. I saw hordes of cyclists pedaling north.
I rode hwy 221 last Jan. up to Dayton and back, no shoulders, just a fog stripe. I saw no cyclists. Now I know why. 219 is like a dream. St. Paul is the halfway point to Tualatin, I think, so could be the route I take if I head to P-Town for the night. I was making 18mph into head winds on the up, and averaged 23mph on the ride south.
Post-ride, I am chillaxin in Lefty's Pizza over a Dead_Guy ale and all I can eat za. Currently, I am thinking of Soko and Kroon.
I also learned this week that True Faith by New Order is about heroin use. Sweet. Every time I dance(d) to that song, I dance to drug use. And not even good drugs. What is even crazier, the B-side to True Faith, nineteen63, was written from Jackie's perspective.
I remember the day I learned that my favorite 80's band, Alphaville, were heavy drug users. It was quite a blow...like learning that my parents _did_ have sex a fifth time, begetting my brother. What a disappointment. Do not get me wrong, I knew about New Order and drugs. That is no surprise.
But still, it is a disappointment. Like the one about my brother...well, not quite that bad.
I rode hwy 221 last Jan. up to Dayton and back, no shoulders, just a fog stripe. I saw no cyclists. Now I know why. 219 is like a dream. St. Paul is the halfway point to Tualatin, I think, so could be the route I take if I head to P-Town for the night. I was making 18mph into head winds on the up, and averaged 23mph on the ride south.
Post-ride, I am chillaxin in Lefty's Pizza over a Dead_Guy ale and all I can eat za. Currently, I am thinking of Soko and Kroon.
I also learned this week that True Faith by New Order is about heroin use. Sweet. Every time I dance(d) to that song, I dance to drug use. And not even good drugs. What is even crazier, the B-side to True Faith, nineteen63, was written from Jackie's perspective.
I remember the day I learned that my favorite 80's band, Alphaville, were heavy drug users. It was quite a blow...like learning that my parents _did_ have sex a fifth time, begetting my brother. What a disappointment. Do not get me wrong, I knew about New Order and drugs. That is no surprise.
But still, it is a disappointment. Like the one about my brother...well, not quite that bad.
Friday, August 24, 2007
change the constitution
Word has it that if we changed the Oregon Constitution, ODOT could use (formerly labeled) highway funds for transportation funds.
No restraints on our money.
No restraints on our money.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
first ride
This summer I purchased a 1989 Cannondale Touring bike...for $50. Sweet deal, it came with pedals and a pump. I pumped the tires up and adjusted the pads and I was ready to roll. Then I had an elective surgery, which side-lined me. I finally got to ride it today, for a 29 mile ride.
Not only was I a little out of shape after my month hiatus, the bike itself is configured a bit differently than my Felt road bike or my Nishiki single-speed. I think the neck needs to be a bit longer.
Anyway, I rode south on Liberty, down Ankenny Hill and started looking for a logical turnaround. That was until I saw a sign that read "Ankenny Winery - 2 mi." So I rode another two miles to see what that was all about. It was all about wine. Fortunately, so am I. On the way back, a flagger almost stepped into me. How could he miss me? I was in a hot pink jersey on a red bike, so I must have blended in really well. Their signs were well into the bike lane...well, they completely blocked the lane. Nice of them. They must not be familiar with ORS 811.440 (http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/811.html). I do not think they qualify as an official vehicle. Of course, workers in Bend are no different. Check out the ongoing construction on the north end of downtown.
The drivers out there were polite and yielded when necessary and I did my best to stay out of their way.
I was wiped out after the ride...still am. I need to carbo load after the fact with my High-Life...it _is_ the champagne of beers, after all.
Not only was I a little out of shape after my month hiatus, the bike itself is configured a bit differently than my Felt road bike or my Nishiki single-speed. I think the neck needs to be a bit longer.
Anyway, I rode south on Liberty, down Ankenny Hill and started looking for a logical turnaround. That was until I saw a sign that read "Ankenny Winery - 2 mi." So I rode another two miles to see what that was all about. It was all about wine. Fortunately, so am I. On the way back, a flagger almost stepped into me. How could he miss me? I was in a hot pink jersey on a red bike, so I must have blended in really well. Their signs were well into the bike lane...well, they completely blocked the lane. Nice of them. They must not be familiar with ORS 811.440 (http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/811.html). I do not think they qualify as an official vehicle. Of course, workers in Bend are no different. Check out the ongoing construction on the north end of downtown.
The drivers out there were polite and yielded when necessary and I did my best to stay out of their way.
I was wiped out after the ride...still am. I need to carbo load after the fact with my High-Life...it _is_ the champagne of beers, after all.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
salem is moist
Humid. Man, that blows.
The good news is that Salem drivers are a bit more aware of cyclists. The city even posts signs, "No turn from bike lane" meaning, you cannot travel up the side, straddling the bike line, to make your right turn.
Brilliant. Effing brilliant.
Downsides? I get all moist and sweaty when I wear my rain pants.
But that is my problem, not yours.
The good news is that Salem drivers are a bit more aware of cyclists. The city even posts signs, "No turn from bike lane" meaning, you cannot travel up the side, straddling the bike line, to make your right turn.
Brilliant. Effing brilliant.
Downsides? I get all moist and sweaty when I wear my rain pants.
But that is my problem, not yours.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
side-lined
I got side-lined with an (snip) elective procedure, precluding me from riding my bike for a few weeks.
I have had to use my wife's car to get around and do my errands. What a drag that is. Fortunately, she has been riding to work to balance my consumption.
I recognize that a bike may not always work. However, it does bum me out that I have to abstain, from riding, for a while. The next time I will be riding is after my return to Salem for school.
Watch out Salem.
I have had to use my wife's car to get around and do my errands. What a drag that is. Fortunately, she has been riding to work to balance my consumption.
I recognize that a bike may not always work. However, it does bum me out that I have to abstain, from riding, for a while. The next time I will be riding is after my return to Salem for school.
Watch out Salem.
Monday, July 23, 2007
thanks, but no thanks
Today a nice lady tried to yield to me.
I was stopped at the East entrance to the 14th/Newport Ave roundabout, she was in it from 14th looking to go West on Newport. She saw me waiting, so she slammed on her brakes. The car behind her slammed on his.
I appreciate her attempt to be nice to a cyclist, but she has a greater duty to the rest of the world to abide by the Oregon Revised Statutes, which include not stopping in a roundabout. That is against the law. Also, yielding to traffic when you have the right-of-way is illegal as well. The idea is to keep traffic flowing. I know she has the right of way, because I have the yield sign. People behind her are not expecting her to slam on the brakes at that location in the roundabout.
Her actions almost caused Johnny Q. Public to rear-end her. I appreciate the gesture, but...she needed to continue past and drive on. My stance did not change and she ended up fingering me and then driving up on the truck skirt to get around the circle. Had she driven correctly, none of that would have happened.
Had she been on a bicycle, we could have easily pulled over to discuss it.
I was stopped at the East entrance to the 14th/Newport Ave roundabout, she was in it from 14th looking to go West on Newport. She saw me waiting, so she slammed on her brakes. The car behind her slammed on his.
I appreciate her attempt to be nice to a cyclist, but she has a greater duty to the rest of the world to abide by the Oregon Revised Statutes, which include not stopping in a roundabout. That is against the law. Also, yielding to traffic when you have the right-of-way is illegal as well. The idea is to keep traffic flowing. I know she has the right of way, because I have the yield sign. People behind her are not expecting her to slam on the brakes at that location in the roundabout.
Her actions almost caused Johnny Q. Public to rear-end her. I appreciate the gesture, but...she needed to continue past and drive on. My stance did not change and she ended up fingering me and then driving up on the truck skirt to get around the circle. Had she driven correctly, none of that would have happened.
Had she been on a bicycle, we could have easily pulled over to discuss it.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
two a day
People sometimes never stop to answer the question, "What is the worst that could happen?" Perhaps they even fail to ask it.
Please...please..do not let this be you.
My five-year old will one day grow weary of hearing about the risks present in the world, I am sure.
Please...please..do not let this be you.
My five-year old will one day grow weary of hearing about the risks present in the world, I am sure.
truly amazed
First, I did the full century ride. I did not have to evac out. It was really amazing to find I could ride that far, that long.
Next, I continue to be amazed that the state of (Oregon, could be any state) continues to license people who cannot read English, or read in general. While on the ride up to McKenzie Pass, an RV passed me, taking up more lanes that it should have needed, clearly longer than the maximum footage described on signs in the area. He must have failed to recognize that his RV's length was longer than what is described as too long. He physically expressed amazement to learn he is number one with me. After all that, his length and width, he was also travelling too fast for the turn he was negotiating. I suppose he is too important to be bothered with safety issues, and much more important than the rest of society to be concerned with rules that apply to his level of RV class.
Further, the illiterate red-neck in his "rig" who thought it would be best to barely scrape by us in our bike-lane then drifted to the right to straddle our bike lane for another 1/4 mile, I can only say, you certainly will not drown swimming in the shallow-end of the gene pool.
Lastly, the crew(s) who supported the Tour des Chutes truly rocked...they had food, good food, drink, bathrooms, and a great attitude for all riders. How refreshing to come off of the Pass and have someone there to take care of you and think they are doing you the favor.
The idiots were out there, the ride was awe-inspiring, the support was amazing, the day was incredible. See you next year on the ride...
Ciao.
Next, I continue to be amazed that the state of (Oregon, could be any state) continues to license people who cannot read English, or read in general. While on the ride up to McKenzie Pass, an RV passed me, taking up more lanes that it should have needed, clearly longer than the maximum footage described on signs in the area. He must have failed to recognize that his RV's length was longer than what is described as too long. He physically expressed amazement to learn he is number one with me. After all that, his length and width, he was also travelling too fast for the turn he was negotiating. I suppose he is too important to be bothered with safety issues, and much more important than the rest of society to be concerned with rules that apply to his level of RV class.
Further, the illiterate red-neck in his "rig" who thought it would be best to barely scrape by us in our bike-lane then drifted to the right to straddle our bike lane for another 1/4 mile, I can only say, you certainly will not drown swimming in the shallow-end of the gene pool.
Lastly, the crew(s) who supported the Tour des Chutes truly rocked...they had food, good food, drink, bathrooms, and a great attitude for all riders. How refreshing to come off of the Pass and have someone there to take care of you and think they are doing you the favor.
The idiots were out there, the ride was awe-inspiring, the support was amazing, the day was incredible. See you next year on the ride...
Ciao.
Friday, July 20, 2007
soldier of fortune
Tonight I had to ride to Ray's for some bars for tomorrow's century.
On the way there, I ran into another rider who had written on his messenger bag, "Bikes not Bush." I told him that was a brave thing, considering this county is still mostly red. He replied with something akin to, "Hey man, this is a war and bikes are how we will win it."
Wow. That is right, that is how we will win it.
Spare you car, your wallet and the air you breathe. Help fight and win the war. Soldier on...on your bike.
(There are enough anti-bush bloggers out there, you do not need me dog-piling on. It would be too easy.)
Bikes are how we will beat Bush in this war.
On the way there, I ran into another rider who had written on his messenger bag, "Bikes not Bush." I told him that was a brave thing, considering this county is still mostly red. He replied with something akin to, "Hey man, this is a war and bikes are how we will win it."
Wow. That is right, that is how we will win it.
Spare you car, your wallet and the air you breathe. Help fight and win the war. Soldier on...on your bike.
(There are enough anti-bush bloggers out there, you do not need me dog-piling on. It would be too easy.)
Bikes are how we will beat Bush in this war.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
body count
Yesterday I dropped my bike off at Bend Bike-N-Sport (excellent service) for a tune-up prior to the Tour Des Chutes cancer benefit. 100 miles is my poison.
While awaiting my evac, I watched each car that drove by to see how many persons were present. 90% (or so) of the cars that drove by in a 14-minute period were solo. The others had another person in the passenger seat. Usually these were heavy equipment dudes, as evidenced by the matching hi-visibility vests they each wore.
I think all of the cars were designed to carry five passengers at least. Some were equipped with more seats than that. I concede it was lunch time, so worker bees gotta get out of the hive and get some food or run errands. But...that is a lot of empty space, wasted space, useless space. Why could they not ride a bike to do X (where X=anything)?
Are we back to the burdensome bothersome hassle argument? I do not buy that. Is it about speed and getting back by a certain time? I might buy that if you are punching a clock, but not everyday. I will never know the answer, unless I stop everyone and survey them. But that would waste gas.
To read my stuff, you might think I am pompous about bike-commuting. Maybe. Maybe I earned that right while commuting in the heavy Salem rains of last November. But, if you think you can out-argue me on this, forward me your counter. Tell me your reasons why you cannot get in the saddle and use the single-most efficient form of transportation to get from A to B. Better, I challenge you to do it for a week...five days of work. If you are guilt-prone, it is the least you can do for this town.
If we all did a little more, there might be...might be...fewer cars to count and healthier bodies.
Word.
While awaiting my evac, I watched each car that drove by to see how many persons were present. 90% (or so) of the cars that drove by in a 14-minute period were solo. The others had another person in the passenger seat. Usually these were heavy equipment dudes, as evidenced by the matching hi-visibility vests they each wore.
I think all of the cars were designed to carry five passengers at least. Some were equipped with more seats than that. I concede it was lunch time, so worker bees gotta get out of the hive and get some food or run errands. But...that is a lot of empty space, wasted space, useless space. Why could they not ride a bike to do X (where X=anything)?
Are we back to the burdensome bothersome hassle argument? I do not buy that. Is it about speed and getting back by a certain time? I might buy that if you are punching a clock, but not everyday. I will never know the answer, unless I stop everyone and survey them. But that would waste gas.
To read my stuff, you might think I am pompous about bike-commuting. Maybe. Maybe I earned that right while commuting in the heavy Salem rains of last November. But, if you think you can out-argue me on this, forward me your counter. Tell me your reasons why you cannot get in the saddle and use the single-most efficient form of transportation to get from A to B. Better, I challenge you to do it for a week...five days of work. If you are guilt-prone, it is the least you can do for this town.
If we all did a little more, there might be...might be...fewer cars to count and healthier bodies.
Word.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
not about the car
It has been a year since I gave up the company car before I quit to go back to school. I never set out to be gung-ho bike commuter man.
It started as a necessity; I had no car. At school, eight blocks away, having a car would have been stupid. I would have been lazy and driven it everyday, finding some excuse. What I realized was that many of my classmates were doing just that. They were driving one, maybe two miles to school, even on nice days. I think that began to galvanize me. That was simply dumb. What a waste of everything, including the $100 parking permit ($300 for a reserved permit, often utilized by people car-pooling from Portland, which made sense). One person eschewed the permit, taking his chances with the City of Salem. After he got $100 in tickets, they booted his car, which cost him another $100.
Then it turned into a game. How much superior could I feel on a daily basis? I started shaving my legs, because hey, I was a cyclist. The legs turned into a comfort thing as well. They just felt better shaven. Anyway, I began to feel better physically and environmentally. The enormity of driving dawned on me. How much was I saving? How much was I protecting. Was that Hummer with the trophy undoing everything I was doing? Was this futile? I tried to spread the gospel of bike commuting, but most people thought it too much of a hassle; too burdensome to undertake.
One week, I had to wear a tie in the afternoon, everyday for four days. I rode in Monday morning with all of the dress clothes for the week, and stashed them on shelves near my desk in the library. Their they laid, all week, getting used up each day. It was actually easy. I explained what I had done to some of my classmates. They thought I was high.
After a year, it is no longer about not having a car. It is no longer about keeping fit. It is everything at once. I am doing my part for myself, for my neighborhood, for the air. Sound lofty and ethereal? Maybe.
And my legs are so smooth...
Ciao.
It started as a necessity; I had no car. At school, eight blocks away, having a car would have been stupid. I would have been lazy and driven it everyday, finding some excuse. What I realized was that many of my classmates were doing just that. They were driving one, maybe two miles to school, even on nice days. I think that began to galvanize me. That was simply dumb. What a waste of everything, including the $100 parking permit ($300 for a reserved permit, often utilized by people car-pooling from Portland, which made sense). One person eschewed the permit, taking his chances with the City of Salem. After he got $100 in tickets, they booted his car, which cost him another $100.
Then it turned into a game. How much superior could I feel on a daily basis? I started shaving my legs, because hey, I was a cyclist. The legs turned into a comfort thing as well. They just felt better shaven. Anyway, I began to feel better physically and environmentally. The enormity of driving dawned on me. How much was I saving? How much was I protecting. Was that Hummer with the trophy undoing everything I was doing? Was this futile? I tried to spread the gospel of bike commuting, but most people thought it too much of a hassle; too burdensome to undertake.
One week, I had to wear a tie in the afternoon, everyday for four days. I rode in Monday morning with all of the dress clothes for the week, and stashed them on shelves near my desk in the library. Their they laid, all week, getting used up each day. It was actually easy. I explained what I had done to some of my classmates. They thought I was high.
After a year, it is no longer about not having a car. It is no longer about keeping fit. It is everything at once. I am doing my part for myself, for my neighborhood, for the air. Sound lofty and ethereal? Maybe.
And my legs are so smooth...
Ciao.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
two a day
Everytime you see a person without a helmet, whether it is a kid, a grown man post-DUII, a parent (seen riding without a helmet, while their kid has one on), think of this article.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OR_BICYCLE_CRASH_OROL-?SITE=ORBEN&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Normally, I try to stay away from the Bulletin, but they do have AP links on their page.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OR_BICYCLE_CRASH_OROL-?SITE=ORBEN&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Normally, I try to stay away from the Bulletin, but they do have AP links on their page.
racing, but not racing
I can almost match traffic down Newport Ave in the AM. On my Felt road bike. My single-speed can only get to 22-24mph before it gets unstable from my ferocity. But I do not like to work that hard at pedalling.
Assume traffic is not speeding and I can match it or beat it during rush-hour. Better, one car trying to turn left can hold everyone up, getting me huge passing bonus. Woo Hoo. Plus they are all behind me as I get into the drops and cruise past Drake park on the way home.
Today, I saw two of Bend's finest staked out at River Rd and Galveston. I gave them a wave, as they could be scraping me off the pavement tomorrow for all I know. Traffic was very reasonable as it moved past the Johnnies Law.
I watched Hell on Wheels last night at the St. Francis (too funny that after years of repressed catholic education, I slurp beers in a converted catholic school). Man that movie was hard-core rockumentary about the 2003 Tour. I thought I biked hard. Those riders go harder, but they also get an LMT and more pasta.
Before the movie, I hoped for a speech about bike commuting, critical mass, political unrest, green, etc. I suppose that would have been preaching to the choir, given the target audience, but sometimes people need a nudge. Cool regardless.
I may not be on the Tour, but racing traffic is just as rewarding for now and validates what some already know: bike commuting is more efficient, especially in this town.
Giddiup.
Assume traffic is not speeding and I can match it or beat it during rush-hour. Better, one car trying to turn left can hold everyone up, getting me huge passing bonus. Woo Hoo. Plus they are all behind me as I get into the drops and cruise past Drake park on the way home.
Today, I saw two of Bend's finest staked out at River Rd and Galveston. I gave them a wave, as they could be scraping me off the pavement tomorrow for all I know. Traffic was very reasonable as it moved past the Johnnies Law.
I watched Hell on Wheels last night at the St. Francis (too funny that after years of repressed catholic education, I slurp beers in a converted catholic school). Man that movie was hard-core rockumentary about the 2003 Tour. I thought I biked hard. Those riders go harder, but they also get an LMT and more pasta.
Before the movie, I hoped for a speech about bike commuting, critical mass, political unrest, green, etc. I suppose that would have been preaching to the choir, given the target audience, but sometimes people need a nudge. Cool regardless.
I may not be on the Tour, but racing traffic is just as rewarding for now and validates what some already know: bike commuting is more efficient, especially in this town.
Giddiup.
Monday, July 16, 2007
rolling home
On the way home today, a nice lady decided to yield to me as I approached the 14th/Newport Ave round-about. It was either that or slam on my brakes.
Granted, I could have looked back earlier, I could have stuck my arm out sooner...but perhaps we both could have been going slower. I concede my lack of attention as to merging. She waved me ahead with her free hand, which meant she was driving with no hands. Her other was engaged with her cell phone. She paid attention to her surroundings. She had that going for her. In return, I did not scowl at her.
I wonder sometimes if recipients of my scowl realize why they are on the receiving end. In Salem one afternoon poststudy group, I was tearing down Commercial/Liberty, rounding through the Northbound S-Curve, going faster than the speed limit. A Hummer H1 drove up alongside in the center lane and the trophy in the passenger seat was smiling at me. I mouthed something cutting edge about what *kind* of gas-guzzler she was in. The "O" her mouth described was rather rewarding.
I do not recall when I became aggro about gas-guzzling...maybe it was within the last seven years, around 2000, when I went blue.
That nice lady on the cell phone today was driving alone in an SUV. I could have offered her one of my bikes to ride instead. But she was busy driving on the phone.
Ciao.
Granted, I could have looked back earlier, I could have stuck my arm out sooner...but perhaps we both could have been going slower. I concede my lack of attention as to merging. She waved me ahead with her free hand, which meant she was driving with no hands. Her other was engaged with her cell phone. She paid attention to her surroundings. She had that going for her. In return, I did not scowl at her.
I wonder sometimes if recipients of my scowl realize why they are on the receiving end. In Salem one afternoon poststudy group, I was tearing down Commercial/Liberty, rounding through the Northbound S-Curve, going faster than the speed limit. A Hummer H1 drove up alongside in the center lane and the trophy in the passenger seat was smiling at me. I mouthed something cutting edge about what *kind* of gas-guzzler she was in. The "O" her mouth described was rather rewarding.
I do not recall when I became aggro about gas-guzzling...maybe it was within the last seven years, around 2000, when I went blue.
That nice lady on the cell phone today was driving alone in an SUV. I could have offered her one of my bikes to ride instead. But she was busy driving on the phone.
Ciao.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
hollered at
Riding along O.B. Riley with my co-workers, an older gentleman hollered at me for riding just inside the bike line, rather than outside of it. He must have failed to observe the construction zone, the rough road and the divots, holes, gravel piles, etc. populating the bike lane area. A cyclist has to come out of the lane and ride on the poorly done road area, typically utilized by the four-wheeled coffins.
That is our statutory right, to come out of the bike lane to avoid foreign objects. A car is required to yield when that happens.
Perhaps it was asking too much of a car to slow down, allow me the space, and then resume their consumption of fossil fuels. He had to roll up along side me, tell me how I am his best friend, I am number one in his book and then slowly accelerate. To his credit, he *was*driving a fuel efficient Japanese car. But that is all the credit he gets.
Do drivers of cars not understand that they are driving 2-3 tons of machinery? while I am riding on 18 pounds of thin metal with nothing for protection other than the 30SPF I sprayed on? I have seen irate drivers almost cause head-ons with opposing traffic, because they were more concerned with yelling, swearing and telling us we are number one with them.
Drivers need to get over themselves. This is not just about cyclists versus cars, but everyone versus cars. Pedestrians mostly...many cars do not yield to peds at legal crosswalks, often due to cell phone usage.
Soon, hopefully, there will be a time when cell phones cannot be used by drivers while the car is in motion. Until then, the drivers will sometimes pull over to talk. While blocking the bike lane, no doubt.
That is our statutory right, to come out of the bike lane to avoid foreign objects. A car is required to yield when that happens.
Perhaps it was asking too much of a car to slow down, allow me the space, and then resume their consumption of fossil fuels. He had to roll up along side me, tell me how I am his best friend, I am number one in his book and then slowly accelerate. To his credit, he *was*
Do drivers of cars not understand that they are driving 2-3 tons of machinery? while I am riding on 18 pounds of thin metal with nothing for protection other than the 30SPF I sprayed on? I have seen irate drivers almost cause head-ons with opposing traffic, because they were more concerned with yelling, swearing and telling us we are number one with them.
Drivers need to get over themselves. This is not just about cyclists versus cars, but everyone versus cars. Pedestrians mostly...many cars do not yield to peds at legal crosswalks, often due to cell phone usage.
Soon, hopefully, there will be a time when cell phones cannot be used by drivers while the car is in motion. Until then, the drivers will sometimes pull over to talk. While blocking the bike lane, no doubt.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Clean up yer shite
Tonight on the way back from the old mill poseur complex, I watched a large dog drop a massive dump in a parking lot. The "master" commented on the size (to the dog, not me) and then walked off.
In this town, typically the dog's handler will take care of the dookies. Looks like this owner did not get that bulletin.
I rode by him while he was standing ten feet from a plastic bag dispenser, specifically for dog shite; I mentioned to him that bags were right there. His look initially said, "Hunh?" I followed up with, "So you can clean that up."
His look changed to "go eff yourself."
I suppose perhaps he did not get enough hugs as a youngster, so everyone down-wind must now recognize that that fella does what he wants.
Bend continues to grow.
In this town, typically the dog's handler will take care of the dookies. Looks like this owner did not get that bulletin.
I rode by him while he was standing ten feet from a plastic bag dispenser, specifically for dog shite; I mentioned to him that bags were right there. His look initially said, "Hunh?" I followed up with, "So you can clean that up."
His look changed to "go eff yourself."
I suppose perhaps he did not get enough hugs as a youngster, so everyone down-wind must now recognize that that fella does what he wants.
Bend continues to grow.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
first post
My first entry from Bend, Oregon. Where the weather is great and the car drivers are not paying attention.
Bicycle riders on the other hand, seem to have their heads screwed on right.
I ride 1.7 miles to and from work and at lunch, ride another 17 to 33 depending on the day of the week. I do not own a car, which sometimes makes life difficult. Like when I am trying to schlep a ride back to Salem for school. There are only so many buses that go that way.
Much of the time I am on my bike is spent navigating the debris in the bike lane that the city is wont to ignore. The rest of my time is spent keeping an eye on drivers who are 1)talking on the phone, 2) talking on the phone or 3) consider me as insignificant as the environment they are polluting.
Whew...that was a vitriolic first entry. As I ease into putting my thoughts to posts, I will try to keep from being whacked by a rolling coffin.
Ciao.
Bicycle riders on the other hand, seem to have their heads screwed on right.
I ride 1.7 miles to and from work and at lunch, ride another 17 to 33 depending on the day of the week. I do not own a car, which sometimes makes life difficult. Like when I am trying to schlep a ride back to Salem for school. There are only so many buses that go that way.
Much of the time I am on my bike is spent navigating the debris in the bike lane that the city is wont to ignore. The rest of my time is spent keeping an eye on drivers who are 1)talking on the phone, 2) talking on the phone or 3) consider me as insignificant as the environment they are polluting.
Whew...that was a vitriolic first entry. As I ease into putting my thoughts to posts, I will try to keep from being whacked by a rolling coffin.
Ciao.
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