Well-Traveled Cyclist Learns to Love Seattle
Sep 29, 2006 · 06:59 AM
The Seattle PI reports on the travels of Rune Monstad, all 16,000 miles of them, and how Seattle has helped him out after a thief stole his wallet, passport, and pride.
September 2006 Archive
Dear Mayor: Take Note of Cyclist Death
Sep 28, 2006 · 04:02 PM
In a stark contrast, cyclists are featured on the front page of the Seattle times today as part of Mayor Nickel’s plan to fight global warming and a cyclist dies from the injuries she sustained in a collision with a van.
My friends are close to the cyclist and they’re all devastated — I’m devastated. I gave her husband a ride on Bettie last week at a Schooner Exact Brewery party.
There’s a memorial ride planned tomorrow from Westlake at 5:30. I’ll be out a town visiting and old friend who suffered a heart attack, but pay my respects here, wish the family well, and hope our Mayor also notices that we also need safer streets in Seattle.
Update
KOMO’s Tracy Vedder reports on Susanne and her family
A freaking bamboo fixie!
Sep 28, 2006 · 03:10 PM
I’m back home in Seattle, getting caught up on postings, and photos. Mark V is on special assignment for Bike Hugger@Interbike and sobered up from all the crazy partying to email his day one report.
Fixed and Loathing in Las Vegas, Day One
by Mark V from Elliott Bay Bicycles
I strode out the plane, past the airport terminal’s slot machines, into the baggage claim. Next to me, the tanned blonde’s floral print top looked like a tarp pulled tight over a pair of F-16 jet fighter nose cones; nothing’s for real here in Vegas. But I’m not in this city of blackjack and 24-hr liquor stores to talk about reality … or aerodynamics. Byron said to find the fixed gear junk at Interbike, and that’s what I’m going to do … no matter how many $9 rum-and-cokes it takes.
Magnetic Yellow Card
Sep 27, 2006 · 09:33 AM
Getting caught up on email this morning and a brief break from Interbike (and the shirt-exchange party), a reader sent us a link to Magnetic Yellow Card, which is a magnet cyclists can toss onto cars when a driver has endangered their life.
Surly Xtracycle confirmed!
Sep 27, 2006 · 05:25 AM
Byron sends along this photo from the floor of Interbike, which officially starts today. I'm sure we'll have more details when the show is open and the bike isn't locked down, but the long and short of it is: Surly is launching the first production all-in-one Xtracycle.
That means folks who love the idea of an Xtracycle will have one less obstacle to hurdle: No more kit-building. Also, I can't see any reason the StokeMonkey wouldn't work.
Questions for our eyes and ears in Vegas: Is Surly selling this as a frame or a bike? What are they calling it? What's the availability?
I'm crossposting this to both Bike Hugger and our special Interbike coverage site. Most of our Interbike content will be at the Interbike site, so if you dig this, check there.
Photo of the Day: Girl with Cruiser
Sep 24, 2006 · 12:43 PM
She was enjoying the sun, the view, and riding her old cruiser bike along Alki.
See the bike culture photostream for more photos from today.
Bike Zeitgeist
Sep 24, 2006 · 09:13 AM
As Todd said in email, “I got your zeitgeist right here pal!,’ and linked me to BikePortland’s post on Electra’s new Amsterdam bike. The concept of a stylish, simple transport bike, be it “working,” “urban,” “townie,” or sport-utility bike, can flow right into that mood of change that’s going on in cities.
Given a good alternative, I think people want to get out of their cars.
A ferocious turf war in the city
Sep 24, 2006 · 08:24 AM
The NYTimes reports today on a bike-friendlier New York. With “an estimated 120,000 regular cyclists in New York” and “40,000 of them” commuting, there’s a ferocious turf war. And an absolute moment of opportunity. Just like Seattle.
The Walla Walla Gran Fondo
Sep 24, 2006 · 06:42 AM
The Gran Fondo Walla Walla is a ride that has been around in concept for about 10 years. It has had different people interested in promoting it, sponsoring it, and helping put it on for at least 5 of the last ten years, but it was not until last year that everyone that was interested finally sat down at the same table to put it al together. And when they put it all together, they decided to do it for people with cancer.
The Gran Fondo is on 9/30/06. Registration is $40.00 and includes a lunch and beverage.
Raise the hammer
Sep 22, 2006 · 08:15 AM
Ryan McGreal sent us an email about his essay, Can the Bicycle Save Civilization, in the September issue of Raise the Hammer.
Ryan believes that the “lowly bicycle could be a key to our long-term survival.”
Ephraim the Track Bike
Sep 22, 2006 · 07:40 AM
Ephraim the rather snarky track bike answers readers questions at the SFWeekly and this week responds to the question of “why hipsters would imitate bike messengers?” Hipsters even have their own line at Timbuk2 and aging frat boys can find cycling-inspired shoes this Fall (better than bowling-inspired shoes) from Skechers.
If you really want to try something hip, climb aboard a tall bike dressed like superman, and try not to seriously hurt yourself like you would in the old days of penny farthings and busted skulls.
The car you don't drive
Sep 22, 2006 · 07:29 AM
I was chatting with Drew about cycling in the UK and he linked me to Sustrans, a “sustainable transport charity.” Imagine that, a charity set up just to make a better commute.
Copenhagen Minivans
Sep 20, 2006 · 05:16 PM
While in Copenhagen last week, we opted out of taxis and public transportation for getting around the city. Instead, we rented bikes at the central train station in order to be part of the most bike-centric city either of us has ever been in. More on that in the coming week.
But apropos Bettie, in Copenhagen, we saw minivans everywhere. Bikes from companies like Christiania, Kangaroo, and Nihola were used by people of all stripe doing things like coming home with kids, groceries, and antiques. We even saw these minivans at the Dansk Design Center as part of their Use It! exhibition and permanent collection.
I’ve collected some of the examples in the culture photostream.
Weightshift Bikes
Sep 20, 2006 · 03:05 PM
I was talking about blog design and checked one of my fav design blogs, Weightshift, today to show as an example. Weightshift is the design work of Naz Hamid and features art + design + code and bikes. Lots of bikes, including the last few years of riding fixed.
Six Apart Bikes
Sep 19, 2006 · 07:50 PM
I was in San Francisco visiting Six Apart and noticed all the bikes!
There were two more city bikes downstairs and one Serotta fixie in the hall. Six Apart loves bikes.
I’ll see the Six Apart crew again in November at their Business Blogging Seminars. I’ll be talking about practical business blogging and how we built this blog and more.
New York City releases bicycle fatality study
Sep 17, 2006 · 09:37 PM
In New York City, StreetsBlog offers an interesting few posts on a new bicycle safety study released last week by New York City. Here's the full report (PDF file), weighing in at 39 pages, with lots of interesting implications for bicycle advocates in cities around the country.
The city immediately followed up the release of the report with promises of improved bicycle facilities (press release PDF file), including 200 miles of additional bike lanes and routes over the next three years. That's a huge increase over the 13.6 miles added in 2004, or even over the 46.8 miles added in 2000, the most in the last 10 years.
Charles Komanoff and Michael Smith take issue with the fault numbers in the study over at RightOfWay.org (longer version from StreetsBlog), having examined the raw accident data for 1996-1998, and found that the proportion of fault for drivers and riders was approximately the reverse of that reported in the new study.
Here's a look at the three clusters of cyclist deaths in NYC, and here's an interview with NYC DOT's Director for Street Management and Safety Ryan Russo.
Also last week, Transportation Alternatives programs director Noah Budnick and NYC DOT commissioner Iris Weinshall discussed the study on the Brian Lehrer Show on New York Public Radio (audio stream | MP3).
Gridlock v. Hot Chicks
Sep 15, 2006 · 09:10 AM
I said to Pam, “this sucks,” as we inched along in traffic. I hadn’t driven a car in over a week and was quickly reminded of the gridlock in downtown Seattle when I turned onto a street full of buses, the occasional car, and nothing was moving. I wished we were riding Bettie right then.
On the topic of gridlock, NYTimes editorialist Carolyn Curiel, recently wrote, “The city has too many cars, and not enough streets and roadways to put them on. There needs to be fewer cars and more cyclists, pedestrians, and mass-transit riders.” Such cities do exit, ones that are not dominated by cars and car culture. Jason Swihart is visiting one right now and just wrote to Bike Hugger:
Copenhagen report: many hot chicks on bikes. The place is biker heaven, and half of them are hot chicks wearing impractical (for cycling) shoes. It’s great.
Not only is Denmark a haven for cyclists, but the chicks are hot!
See more photos from Denmark in our culture photostream
Seattle to Portland, Ditty Bops Style
Sep 14, 2006 · 08:11 AM
Giovanni, a Bike Hugger reader and Ditty Bops Fan sent us this ride report. See Bike Hugger meets the Ditty Bops, our Ditty Bops tag, and video.
Abby and Amanda are my new heroes. They ride a steady, easy pace without drafting and go slower when they are tired, sick and sore (like Sunday and Monday) but they just keep going and they never complain, never give up. They always keep their good attitude and are some of the most positive, beautiful spirited people I’ve ever ridden with.
Crossing it up
Sep 13, 2006 · 10:34 PM
Who could resist San Francisco's dfL Urban Outlaw Cyclo-cross- dress series? It's a great way to get ready for cyclocross season, and a chance to show off your best tights under a fabulous little miniskirt.
If you show up in a dress, you save the $5 race fee, and there's a Hunter frame going to the overall best dressed in the whole series.
You've already missed the first date: it was last night, but there's still a 6 p.m. race September 20th at Crocker Amazon Park, another September 27th -- same place and time, and the final race September 30th at 10 a.m. at Golden Gate Park, with a potluck to follow.
Update: Flickr user McBomb has posted photos from last night's race. Here's my favorite:
The Hugger gets Made
Sep 13, 2006 · 08:42 PM
MAKE: Blog: DIY Sport-utility bike
Phillip Torrone links to the Bettie write-up over at the O'Reilly MAKE: magazine's blog. It's great to see so much interest in practical cycling, and I know Byron's really happy with how the Betty turned out. In fact, his enthusiasm has talked me into giving the Xtracycle a try.
I'm not going to build mine up as a component showcase, though. I'm going to do it a little more like most of the Xtracycles I've seen in the wild: on the cheap.
Bettie's components are pretty nice, so the whole project ran something above $3k. That's pretty reasonable when you look at it as a car replacement, and around half of it goes into the Stokemonkey.
I think I can get by without the Stokemonkey for my purposes: around town riding, maybe carrying my kindergarten student to school. I'm also saving the frame price: I'm going to put it on a stock Klein Pulse Pro gathering dust in the basement, and leave the stock wheels alone. I'll probably have to swap the mud tires out, but I'm going to build only that far and see what I think.
Code name: Gary.
Texas Jack Howell
Sep 13, 2006 · 09:30 AM
Mike Robinson sent an email memorial about Texas Jack Howell who passed on this day in 1997. The email brought back memories of my days riding in the Tri Cities, the missing man ride we did for Jack, and all those guys that talked about the history of our sport, tradition, and paceline tactics.
I remember Jack’s Eddy Merckx MX Leader frame that he got from Markee and how we’d pace each other (also attack each other), at the back, up the hills, and eventually join the group.
Photo of the day
Sep 12, 2006 · 04:20 PM
lets-evo meets eurobike 2006-48, by Voe.
Part of a big photoset called Lets Evo meets Eurobike 2006.
This just in: wigs make cyclists safer
Sep 11, 2006 · 02:20 PM
BBC NEWS | Wearing helmets 'more dangerous'
That's one valid takeaway from a very simplistic study one rider in England undertook. Dr. Ian Walker of Bath University used an ultrasonic sensor to track how closely 2,500 overtaking drivers passed him while riding his bike.
He found that, when he wore a helmet, drivers cut things more closely, more than 3 inches closer on average. When, on the other hand, he wore a wig, drivers gave him an extra 6 inches or so.
Walker says the study provides some ammunition for the argument that helmets might actually detract from safety in some situations:
"By leaving the cyclist less room, drivers reduce the safety margin that cyclists need to deal with obstacles in the road, such as drain covers and potholes, as well as the margin for error in their own judgements."We know helmets are useful in low-speed falls, and so definitely good for children, but whether they offer any real protection to somebody struck by a car is very controversial.
"Either way, this study suggests wearing a helmet might make a collision more likely in the first place," he added.
It's not clear if the study is extensive enough to draw such sweeping conclusions, or if it would apply here in the United States. But we're already decided: We're starting a campaign to push for mandatory wig laws for cyclists.
(Via Del.icio.us Tag: cycling.)
Bike Hugger meets the Ditty Bops
Sep 11, 2006 · 07:02 AM
That’s me, Abby, Amanda, and Mark posing together at Seward Park after riding together with a group of cyclists from the Space Needle. We joined the Ditty Bops for part of their ride to Portland on Sunday and saw their packed Saturday night show at Chop Suey.
The Ditty Bops have been touring the country by bike, playing shows, and promoting cycling. Their record company arranged an interview with us the night of the show, but they were tired after driving back from NYC, and invited us to the ride the next day, which was even better. I showed up for the ride on Bettie, gave Greg their piano player and his wife Boo hugga tees, and it was a sunny, beautiful day.
Pedal Mowers
Sep 09, 2006 · 09:03 AM
In the first few Bettie rides, I joked with Eamon and Pam that you could hook up a push mower to the back of it and ride around mowing your lawn. Well, waddya know, Peter from the Chinook Cycling Club, took this photo of a lawn-mower bike in Walla Walla and there’s a website, a patent, and another photo.
See now, where those are all flawed, is the grass clippings are going to go right into your face. In my Xtracycle version, you’ve got the mower behind you.
Ditty Bops play Seattle
Sep 08, 2006 · 07:05 PM
The Ditty Bops are in town and playing Chop Suey tomorrow night at 6:00 PM. It’s an all ages show and costs $11.00 in advance and $13.00 day of. If you haven’t heard of the Ditty Bops, they’re an eclectic-pop duo that are riding their bikes across the county to promote cycling, clean air, and their new Moon Over the Freeway album.
We’ve posted on the Ditty Bops before and will be at the show. We’ve also got an interview planned and will blog about that when it’s confirmed.
Surly sidehacking
Sep 08, 2006 · 07:45 AM
Dave over at Surly Bikes can't ride a bike right now because of a recent ankle injury. His doctor doesn't want him putting a foot down and risking a re-injury.
So Dave did what any self-respecting hacker would do: He welded up a sidecar rig to his Xtracycle and Stokemonkey-equipped Instigator:
Right turns took a little practice, as did getting used to a 4-foot wide profile in traffic, but he's taking to it, and the StokeMonkey means he can usually ease up on the injured leg.
Plus, the Xtracycle is great for carrying crutches.
He's posted over on the surlyblog, which doesn't have permalinks, so scroll down to “Wednesday, September 06.”
Says Dave:
My rig has some inherent handling flaws. It will never be perfect. But it still beats the hell out of taking the bus or riding in a car. I've regained some of my freedom, and that is priceless.
Bike Hugger Estonia bureau checks in
Sep 08, 2006 · 07:04 AM
Bike Hugging in Tallinn, by mobil'homme.
Bike Hugger Jason Swihart waves the Bike Hugger flag from Tallinn, Estonia, where he posed in front of a pedicab in his Hugga T.
Thanks, Jason!
Crossover scooter review
Sep 08, 2006 · 06:41 AM
Treehugger | Great style and fewer emissions than your Vespa
Treehugger this morning has a review of the eGo Cycle 2, an electric scooter that borrows wheels, suspension, rack, and controls from the bicycle world. Payload is 250 lbs, top speed 23 miles per hour, and range of less than 25 miles.
Its foot deck hides about 50 pounds of batteries, which provide all the power -- there's no pedaling at all.
It's sort of like an electrified Honda Cub.
The Bettie download
Sep 07, 2006 · 09:52 PM
Bettie is a Bike Hugger project to build a sport-utility bike with a Karate Monkey 29-incher frame, Stokemonkey, and an Xtracycle. Bettie has an enormous carrying capacity, it’s heavy duty — 2 adults or an adult and 2 kids at a time — and is fun (really, really fun). The total Bettie download follows.
New Shimano utility group wins Eurobike award
Sep 07, 2006 · 12:42 PM
Bicycle Design | Shimano Alfine
It's based on Shimano's existing Nexus line, upgraded to promote very quick shifts. Instead of a twist group, it includes trigger shifting.
The group took one of Shimano's two design awards at last week's Eurobike trade show (the other went for the 3rd-generation XTR mountain bike group). This should be a terrific and reliable group for bikes intended for everyday transportation.
(Via Bicycle Design.)
Treehugger hugs us
Sep 07, 2006 · 09:54 AM
Alerted by a reader, I just discovered that Treehugger gave us a big hug today. Nice! And thanks, much appreciated… now I’ll get a cup o’ Joe and start responding to the comments and emails. If you’re interested in learning more about Bettie, our project to build a sport-utility bike built with a Karate Monkey 29-incher frame, Stokemonkey, and Xtracycle check the tags, galleries, and video posts
- Tags: Bettie, Sport-utility bike, Project
- Sport-utility bike photos
- Videos: Staying on top of the gear, Bettie first ride, Riding Bettie downtown
Questions on Sport-utility bikes? Fire away and also note that we’ll be blogging live at Interbike September 26, 27 2006 with all kinda posts about cycling, culture, commuting, and more.
Photo of the day
Sep 07, 2006 · 07:30 AM
Bikes play a critical role at Burning Man each year as the transportation of choice around Black Rock City.
For the last 11 Burning Man festivals, they've also been the centerpiece of a popular event celebrating “women's freedom, power, and beauty.”
That event? Critical Tits. In 1996, five women, inspired by San Francisco's Critical Mass, painted their chests and rode through town yelling “Critical Tits.” Last year, the event drew 5,000 women.
This photo is from this year's edition, last Friday.
Bike Night Out
Sep 05, 2006 · 07:52 PM
Pam and I rode Bettie to dinner last night and the highlight, besides the romance of riding a bike together, was no parking stress. We rolled up to the new Cactus restaurant without the usual parking search on Alki, ate dinner, and rode back. We took turns sitting on the SnapDeck, used a light in the dark on the way back, and relaxed.
The ride to dinner was one of 6 trips/errands over the weekend that we did without a car and that’s the most liberating thing about Bettie and sport-utility bikes. We’re not stuck in traffic, sitting in a car, wasting our time.
A reader sent us a great article from the Moynihan Institute on bicycle commuting. The Rant n’ Irishman takes Critical Mass to task and also insists that he’s not making a big statement, by poking a stick in the eye of people in cars, but simply taking control of his life. Today the AP ran a story on about going car free and the benefits of arriving at “one’s destination without feeling all tense and angry.” There’s also a book about How to Live Well Without Owning a Car.
For our bike night out, we were in control, not in a car, and having fun.
Like riding with Armstrong's leg
Sep 03, 2006 · 09:46 AM
Switched the Stokemonkey setting to high-mode today on Bettie and flew up Admiral Way for a morning coffee run to Metropolitan Market. The high setting was like having an extra leg, Armstrong’s leg in fact, when you consider the Stokemonkey is putting out 430 watts at a cadence of 80!
I grabbed the coffee, more groceries, loaded Bettie’s FreeLoaders, and headed back home by way of Schooner Exact, where I tasted their latest pale ale. To make sure I condition the battery properly (as Todd told us), I flipped the switch back to low mode and cruised up the hills back home.
Staying on top of the Gear
Sep 02, 2006 · 05:27 PM
Todd, the inventor of the Stokemonkey says, “Your timely and appropriate shifting permits the motor to operate within a small band of powerful and efficient speeds at all times. This is key.”
As a roadie, I was reminded of that saying, “stay on top of the gear” and found Bettie’s sweet spot within a few minutes of riding. When the Stokemonkey bogged down a bit, I’d shift, and the motor assist would pick up speed again. After a few longer rides, I could tell how well the Stokemonkey was operating by the vibrations in the seat tube and also hear it cranking away. In the video, I’m rolling up a gently sloped, 5% grade hill.
Bike Hugger Bettie first ride
Sep 02, 2006 · 08:56 AM
First ride with a “thrilled” passenger on Bettie, our sport-utility project bike.
And I quote, “it shoots you up the hill at like 25 miles per hour …” See more Bettie in our photostream gallery. After more riding, the holiday, and more riding, more posts and full disclosure about Bettie.
Hook a hugga up!
Sep 01, 2006 · 05:36 PM
Today we launched Bike Hugger @Interbike, a blog just for the bike industry’s big show. As previously posted, we’ll be in the media center, on the floor, blogging it all, and hoping for some serious schwag. And not the schwag you leave behind in the room, but the kind like with Eddy Merckx’s autograph! Oh yeah.
Having just ridden Bettie (reports to follow), our project bike, I’ll want to meet all the component manufacturers and talk about what it’s like to ride a commuter that looks like it rolled off the set of Mad Max.
