Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
It's not just me
After breaking my streak on Friday I got right into my new one today. I saw two other people riding their bicycles to work. These are exciting times, no? Funny thing is they both looked like accidents waiting to happen. More is better, I suppose, except when they're going to get smooshed.
One was a guy riding a beater with a rusty, out-of-true rear wheel. I saw him on Canal St., ripping along like nobody's business. Turns out he either couldn't, or chose not to, shift because he fell apart riding up over the train tracks on Smith St. After having to slow down to stay out of his way initially I passed him easily going up the hill. All the momentum he maintained by executing a high-speed right-on-red didn't seem to do him any good at all. He didn't look like he meant to be riding a bike to work but I hope he had fun... maybe I'll see him out there again.
The other person works in my office. I'm suspicious that he may have done the thing where you drive your car to the parking lot with the bike on the rack, then ridden the 100 yards to the office. His bike was all commuter-ed up with panniers, lights, etc., yet he wasn't wearing a helmet. I think I remember him from another time last year when I passed him wobbling up Holden St., all geeked out with a reflective vest. But who cares? More people riding their bikes around in the city is a good thing. Unless they're doing stupid shit and getting hit.
Finally, today, there's this:
This is a Fuji fixed gear conversion locked up outside the mall. The poor thing has been there for a week now and in that time the front wheel has gone looking out for better weather. I'll try to check in on it and we can monitor its inevitable decline. Until the mall folks come and cut it off the rail. Circle of life...
One was a guy riding a beater with a rusty, out-of-true rear wheel. I saw him on Canal St., ripping along like nobody's business. Turns out he either couldn't, or chose not to, shift because he fell apart riding up over the train tracks on Smith St. After having to slow down to stay out of his way initially I passed him easily going up the hill. All the momentum he maintained by executing a high-speed right-on-red didn't seem to do him any good at all. He didn't look like he meant to be riding a bike to work but I hope he had fun... maybe I'll see him out there again.
The other person works in my office. I'm suspicious that he may have done the thing where you drive your car to the parking lot with the bike on the rack, then ridden the 100 yards to the office. His bike was all commuter-ed up with panniers, lights, etc., yet he wasn't wearing a helmet. I think I remember him from another time last year when I passed him wobbling up Holden St., all geeked out with a reflective vest. But who cares? More people riding their bikes around in the city is a good thing. Unless they're doing stupid shit and getting hit.
Finally, today, there's this:
This is a Fuji fixed gear conversion locked up outside the mall. The poor thing has been there for a week now and in that time the front wheel has gone looking out for better weather. I'll try to check in on it and we can monitor its inevitable decline. Until the mall folks come and cut it off the rail. Circle of life...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
No, Really...
Now it's getting chilly. 46 Degrees this morning in the city. We're in that part of the year where we have to bundle up a little bit in the morning but then figure out how to carry all the extra layers home later. I should have gotten the bigger bag...
It is also staying dark later and getting dark earlier, which is really a verbose way of saying the days are getting shorter. In response, I bought one of those Frog LED things. Not sure what that says about me... but anyway: I've been riding around without a front blinky light for some time now and it's time to not be quite so invisible. Honestly, I'm skeptical of the claim that a little tiny LED will make me much more likely to be seen, but I also haven't been out after dark since installing this thing. Perhaps tomorrow, for Thirsty Thursday...
In other news, I added another bike to the stable. I discovered an 80's-era Fuji 10-speed right under my nose and managed to acquire it for a mere $5. Not sure what I'll do with it, but perhaps this winter's project will be creating a new commuter rig based on a road bike. This might alter the calculus of when to replace the SST bike. Maybe I'll turn it into a fixed gear in order to further augment my hipster cred. Gross. Anyway, now we're back up to 4 bikes and I feel a little better.
It is also staying dark later and getting dark earlier, which is really a verbose way of saying the days are getting shorter. In response, I bought one of those Frog LED things. Not sure what that says about me... but anyway: I've been riding around without a front blinky light for some time now and it's time to not be quite so invisible. Honestly, I'm skeptical of the claim that a little tiny LED will make me much more likely to be seen, but I also haven't been out after dark since installing this thing. Perhaps tomorrow, for Thirsty Thursday...
In other news, I added another bike to the stable. I discovered an 80's-era Fuji 10-speed right under my nose and managed to acquire it for a mere $5. Not sure what I'll do with it, but perhaps this winter's project will be creating a new commuter rig based on a road bike. This might alter the calculus of when to replace the SST bike. Maybe I'll turn it into a fixed gear in order to further augment my hipster cred. Gross. Anyway, now we're back up to 4 bikes and I feel a little better.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Nature
On the ride in this morning I observed a cat chasing a squirrel. The squirrel looked like it was working a lot harder than the cat...
Chilly today, almost like fall for real.
Chilly today, almost like fall for real.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Fall preview
Today it was cool enough on the ride in for my eyes to water when I was going fast. It amuses me to imagine what drivers I see at the stop light must think. "Huh, that guy must be crying because he doesn't have a car."
Or, more likely, they don't even notice.
Or, more likely, they don't even notice.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Today's idiot
As I rounded the final corner of my ride in this morning, I saw that the parking lot shuttle bus was ahead of me and was stopping right in front of the doorway to the office. This is not unusual as the bus is, after all, a means for the lazy people who drive to work to avoid walking that last 100 yards or so from the parking lot to the building. It happens that the bus always stops in such a way as to completely block the ramp up on to the sidewalk. This means I have to dismount in the street or, as I usually do, hop the curb to finish my ride. No problem, although I do think it's rude for the bus driver to park in such an obstructive manner.
Today, I zoomed up behind the bus, hopped the curb, and dismounted. As this was happening, I noticed the bus driver dismounting from his fine steed. This is also not unusual as the driver is a fat man who frequently interrupts his work to buy coffee or dispose of the coffee he has already consumed. Today, the timing was such that I opened the office door just in front of the driver who, as I've already indicated, parked so as to rudely block the entrance. As I passed through the second door I just continued on, not bothering to hold the door. The fat bus driver was behind me by enough that I didn't think I was violating some law of etiquette by not waiting. Mr. Driver Man at this point says to me, "Thanks!", just dripping with sarcasm.
HA! Thanks to you, Fat Man, for parking your lazy person's ferry in the way of everyone else! How dare you imply I'm rude when you, in fact, have been recently even more rude! I will NOT hold the door for you until you learn to pull ahead one bus-length before dismounting for your coffee-and-pee break. STOP BLOCKING THE RAMP!
And this is just another small example of the indignities suffered while riding a bicycle for transportation.
Today, I zoomed up behind the bus, hopped the curb, and dismounted. As this was happening, I noticed the bus driver dismounting from his fine steed. This is also not unusual as the driver is a fat man who frequently interrupts his work to buy coffee or dispose of the coffee he has already consumed. Today, the timing was such that I opened the office door just in front of the driver who, as I've already indicated, parked so as to rudely block the entrance. As I passed through the second door I just continued on, not bothering to hold the door. The fat bus driver was behind me by enough that I didn't think I was violating some law of etiquette by not waiting. Mr. Driver Man at this point says to me, "Thanks!", just dripping with sarcasm.
HA! Thanks to you, Fat Man, for parking your lazy person's ferry in the way of everyone else! How dare you imply I'm rude when you, in fact, have been recently even more rude! I will NOT hold the door for you until you learn to pull ahead one bus-length before dismounting for your coffee-and-pee break. STOP BLOCKING THE RAMP!
And this is just another small example of the indignities suffered while riding a bicycle for transportation.
Monday, September 17, 2007
i am in hell...
The cheating, lying Patriots beat San Diego (I believe it means "Whale's Vagina"... Anchorman, anyone?) 38-14 last night. That means I get to listen to my co-workers talk about what a great team "we" have, how deliberately and consistently violating the rules "doesn't make a difference," how "we're going all the way if everybody stays healthy." F that, I say. You people need to shut the hell up and get back in touch with, um, ethical behavior. I sure do hope the Eagles can win one tonight... that'll go a long way towards making me feel better.
It was 46 degrees for my ride in this morning. In the span of a week we've gone from hot, humid, sticky summer riding to brisk (i.e. COLD), eyes watering fall riding. Awesome!
It was 46 degrees for my ride in this morning. In the span of a week we've gone from hot, humid, sticky summer riding to brisk (i.e. COLD), eyes watering fall riding. Awesome!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Snow!
Just a quick one today...
After a 65 degree day on December 1st, we've got snow today, December 4th. Hooray for climate change and destabilized weather patterns! Anyway, being the toughguy I am I rode in to work today. I dressed poorly, however. I thought that snow would simply bounce off of me and I would stay relatively dry. This was not the case. The snow, in fact, stuck to me, particularly my pant legs. I wasn't as wet as the time I rode home in a downpour, but I was pretty damp. But who cares, right? Commuting to work by bike on a snowy Monday morning is a pretty good adventure... although I'm not sure what that says about the rest of my life right now. Hmmm, riding my bike in the snow is an adventure? Sheesh, I need to get a life.
After a 65 degree day on December 1st, we've got snow today, December 4th. Hooray for climate change and destabilized weather patterns! Anyway, being the toughguy I am I rode in to work today. I dressed poorly, however. I thought that snow would simply bounce off of me and I would stay relatively dry. This was not the case. The snow, in fact, stuck to me, particularly my pant legs. I wasn't as wet as the time I rode home in a downpour, but I was pretty damp. But who cares, right? Commuting to work by bike on a snowy Monday morning is a pretty good adventure... although I'm not sure what that says about the rest of my life right now. Hmmm, riding my bike in the snow is an adventure? Sheesh, I need to get a life.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Just made it
I rode in to work today just as the rain was arriving... I could see the gray line slowly approaching as I travelled North Main St. But now I'm here and hopefully it'll stop raining by the time I leave.
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. I think jeans count as bad gear... that's why I'm lucky today.
As I walked into the office, one of my co-workers saw me with my bike and said "You're brave today!" My response was something along the lines of "Yeah, well, we'll see what happens later... hopefully it won't rain all day..." I'm so clever and erudite early in the morning. Upon further reflection, I think I'm brave every day I ride my bike to work. So there was a little sprinkle of rain today. Whatever. It's water. Otherwise it was a really easy ride. Traffic was light, nobody cut me off or honked at me, I made all the traffic lights. But most days are not like this. I would estimate that people in cars do stupid things near me on about 90% of my trips. Bravery is not riding quickly to dodge an approaching rain storm. Bravery is getting back on the bike every single day, knowing that there's a strong chance that I'll have to use my skills to compensate for the ignorance, obliviousness, stupidity, or even downright negligence of my car-bound fellow commuters. And who knew being brave could be so much fun?!
I do not believe that we, as cyclists, will ever win the battle to convince automobilists that we have a place on the roads. There's just too many of them, they're just too fat, and the car centered world view is just too deeply ingrained in their collective psyches. But we have to keep trying...
But seriously, I hope it stops raining by 3...
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. I think jeans count as bad gear... that's why I'm lucky today.
As I walked into the office, one of my co-workers saw me with my bike and said "You're brave today!" My response was something along the lines of "Yeah, well, we'll see what happens later... hopefully it won't rain all day..." I'm so clever and erudite early in the morning. Upon further reflection, I think I'm brave every day I ride my bike to work. So there was a little sprinkle of rain today. Whatever. It's water. Otherwise it was a really easy ride. Traffic was light, nobody cut me off or honked at me, I made all the traffic lights. But most days are not like this. I would estimate that people in cars do stupid things near me on about 90% of my trips. Bravery is not riding quickly to dodge an approaching rain storm. Bravery is getting back on the bike every single day, knowing that there's a strong chance that I'll have to use my skills to compensate for the ignorance, obliviousness, stupidity, or even downright negligence of my car-bound fellow commuters. And who knew being brave could be so much fun?!
I do not believe that we, as cyclists, will ever win the battle to convince automobilists that we have a place on the roads. There's just too many of them, they're just too fat, and the car centered world view is just too deeply ingrained in their collective psyches. But we have to keep trying...
But seriously, I hope it stops raining by 3...
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Road Back
I rode 15 miles yesterday... First time back on a bike since my wreck on Wednesday. I took my hardtail mountain bike the length of the Blackstone River Bikeway. I was a little worried about my shoulder since it's still pretty sore, but it worked out o.k. After a few days of recovery, most of my muscles are back to normal, but there are definitely a few REAL sore ones right around the top of my shoulder. The area by the outboard end of my collarbone and my clavicle is tender. All this did not, however, stop me from riding a little bit, and it was good. I don't think I'll do anything off road for a few more days, but I'll be back soon.
Perhaps most importantly, I'll be back riding the SST to work on Monday...
Perhaps most importantly, I'll be back riding the SST to work on Monday...
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The streak is broken...
I drove my car to work today. Sorry. I'm not even sure when I last drove, but it only took one trip to remind myself of how much I hate it. I had to actually wait in line at red lights rather than ride right to the front. A woman with a sticker on her car ("My soul was removed to make room for all this sarcasm") cut me off, but at least she used her turn signal. I had to walk from the parking lot to the office, no door to door transit here. No wonder everyone is all bitter on the road, driving to work in your car sucks. Tomorrow I'll be back on the bike.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
This is rich...
This has never happened to me before:
On my ride in this morning I came to a stop in the left turn lane at the intersection of Doyle and N. Main. Nothing new, I always take the lane there. I was earlier than I usually am, so traffic was much lighter than I'm used to. The traffic signal at that intersection has a sensor in the road so it knows when to change. If I'm sitting there by myself, I don't trigger the sensor and the light never changes. For this reason it's actually helpful to have a car pull in behind me to set the thing off. The light will change and we all go merrily on our way.
Today, as I waited for the light, a woman in a blue-ish BMW pulled up behind me and stopped. After 10 seconds or so, I heard her engine revving, so I looked back to see what was happening. Revving engines usually don't mean happy things when I'm on my bike. She was in the process of backing up the hill to gain some clearance so she could then speed past me in the right lane. Hurry, lady! The light, of course, changed halfway through this maneuver, allowing her to rip on through the intersection as I turned left. She was easily doing 35 by the time she had exited the intersection. I can almost hear her saying "Goddammit! Get your friggin' bike out of the road, idiot!" I hope she feels better this morning, sitting at work knowing she got there .7 seconds faster. I feel great this morning, knowing that I got here under my own power, thankful that I got to see the sunrise, and glad to have shared the road with such a 'considerate' driver... after all, she could have sped past me without changing lanes.
On my ride in this morning I came to a stop in the left turn lane at the intersection of Doyle and N. Main. Nothing new, I always take the lane there. I was earlier than I usually am, so traffic was much lighter than I'm used to. The traffic signal at that intersection has a sensor in the road so it knows when to change. If I'm sitting there by myself, I don't trigger the sensor and the light never changes. For this reason it's actually helpful to have a car pull in behind me to set the thing off. The light will change and we all go merrily on our way.
Today, as I waited for the light, a woman in a blue-ish BMW pulled up behind me and stopped. After 10 seconds or so, I heard her engine revving, so I looked back to see what was happening. Revving engines usually don't mean happy things when I'm on my bike. She was in the process of backing up the hill to gain some clearance so she could then speed past me in the right lane. Hurry, lady! The light, of course, changed halfway through this maneuver, allowing her to rip on through the intersection as I turned left. She was easily doing 35 by the time she had exited the intersection. I can almost hear her saying "Goddammit! Get your friggin' bike out of the road, idiot!" I hope she feels better this morning, sitting at work knowing she got there .7 seconds faster. I feel great this morning, knowing that I got here under my own power, thankful that I got to see the sunrise, and glad to have shared the road with such a 'considerate' driver... after all, she could have sped past me without changing lanes.
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