SoWa Bike

This bike was getting a lot of attention at the SoWa Open Market (Sundays in the South End). There was an Italian family touching it, I got to feeling a little bit uncomfortable with their enthusiastic appreciation - it seems that bike groping etiquette is different across cultures. Would you touch another person's bike? Most particularly, would you explore the firmness of their Brooks saddle?

Link: How to talk about cycling with a Conservative

This was sent to me by a liberal friend, and I'm finding it amusing enough, and general enough, to want to share it:
How to talk about cycling with a Conservative

These "across the aisle" arguments have worked for me in the past and, except for continuing to (lightly) include the climate change issue, I think I've largely embraced this more widely accepted set of points, and certainly moved into the national security as related to dependence on foreign oil realm when discussing the global implications of tiny choices at home.

I think my favorite line in the article might be:
"Note: Some business suits actually contain trace amounts of Lycra and Spandex."
Go read the article, you'll see...


Actually I'm wrong, my favorite line is:

"people who choose to ride should be able to do so safely, as taxpaying citizens worthy of full protection of their individual rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of that special kind of happiness one gets from riding a bike."

Amen!



(Note, I looked into the Edison video and it was FILMED by Edison, but he's not actually riding the bike)

Photos from the Somerville Illuminations Bicycle Tour

Freezing cold but so much fun! Please enjoy some photos here from the Somerville Illuminations Bicycle Tour. Click through for a larger version.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Somerville Illuminations Bicycle Tour

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee on Saturday evening, Dec 18, to celebrate the coming of winter and year round cycling. We will enjoy a casual bike tour to see some of the city’s homes warmly lit for the holidays.

We will meet at the Somerville High School entrance at 6:50pm, departing promptly at 7:15 pm.
We will tour the city in coordination with the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Holiday Tour. The start of our ride is scheduled halfway between two trolley departures, so we will not interfere with the trolley tour.

This is a winter evening ride, so please dress warmly and use bike lights. Holiday lights, costumes & festive cheer encouraged. Heavy rain, wind, snow or ice cancels bike tour.

Bicycle Palio - Palio delle Biciclette

In Siena there is an ancient horse race called the Palio. It's clear from talking to people, reading books on the region, and just visiting and seeing the art of the place that the Palio is a big deal. This photo, showing just one bareback rider in ancient costume, with the town square packed with spectators, conveys a bit of the excitement.

So we were happy and amused to see that there is a much newer Bicycle Palio, and I'm just sorry we didn't get to see it happen. I've looked extensively but can only find photos of the horse race version (which of course looks fun too). Someday!

Florence Pedicab

How much fun is this modern-looking pedicab! Notice the passenger is sitting back and taking photos as they cruise past the Duomo.

Roman Bike Share

I am sad to report that we never even tried the Roman bike share system. I got the best photos I could but most of the racks we saw were completely empty of bikes and we only saw one other couple riding them, once. I fear it's a bike share that failed.

It's all really too bad, because we discovered that in the city itself one bank of the Tiber is devoted to a bike lane, providing a high-speed safe beeline right through town. A cyclist could easily beat a taxi or subway rider on any cross-town adventure. Next time we're going to bring Bromptons.

Practical Joke?

This bike was spotted in Harvard Square on Sunday. A few years ago I saw the guy shown below at Target, I wonder if his friend thought he would be safe if he gave up the Jeep for a city bike? Plastic wrap wins again!

Bicycle Friendly Towns: Bennington, VT

Somewhat randomly this summer I got to visit Bennington, VT for the first time. What struck me most, besides how perfectly charming and 'New England' the town is, was how shockingly friendly the people there are to cyclists.

You can see that you don't even have to arrive a cyclist, they will loan you a touring bike at the Visitor's Center.


Once out on your loaner bike you can visit the Crazy Russian Girls Bakery. The coffee's free if you arrive on a bike!

With countryside like this, why wouldn't you want to be on a bike?


The Bennington Arts Guild was even featuring bicycle parts re-made as art in its windows.





I don't know when I'll be back, but I'd love to cycle there again (and at a time that the bakery is open!)

French Bicycle Dating/Meetup Site

My friend E sent us Velibataire.com (in French), a website for meeting one special person, or a group, for a bike ride in or around Paris.

It reminds me a bit of historical dating schemes, where young women were safe on bicycles without chaperones and thus able to better meet young men.

Of course, back then they didn't have a Facebook page!

This one's for you Shelly!

Riding Pretty wanted photos of bikes on a boat.

While I don't think this is what she meant, I do think they look like they're on their way to summer fun.

This one's for you MamaVee!

It's a painting in a window of a South End boutique, the wheels on that adult tricycle look out of true, but that's part of its charm!

Todos Santos Cycle Chic

Despite the friendliness in general, Baja Mexico is not the friendliest place for cyclists. On the shoulder-free highway, one white knuckle bus ride has forced me to give up my hopes (for now) of cycling from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. However, we did spot this beautiful lady transporting her packages on a bike perfect for Todos Santos.

I have a treat for you

I'm currently on vacation in a tiny corner of the world, but I found a chic cyclist even here! When I get back to Boston I'll have a small treat to share.
Stay tuned!

Men On Bikes Are Sexy

Oh yes, they're good role models too, and all that. Still this flyer for the Green Streets Initiative leaves that extremely important aspect out of their call to action.

Whatever reason you ultimately choose, men we'd like to see you riding your bikes.

Bay State Bike Week 2010

Today as I rode in to work I saw my first 2010 bicycle citation being issued by the Cambridge cops. That's the surest sign that Bay State Bike Week is about to begin!

That said, the pancake breakfasts and parties all over town make it all worthwhile. Just be safe and reasonable out there!

Boston Marathon Ride

My friend J and I biked the marathon route this morning. From Boston to Hopkinton was nice enough, but the trip back was everything I had hoped it would be. The roads were closed, the excitement was building, we even had people cheering for us, and inexplicably the weather was cool but bright and lovely. There were hundreds of other cyclists out. The police were cheerful and smiling and there were lots of wonderful volunteers setting everything up. We were back in Boston safely before the first racers and all in all it could not have been a better ride.

I'm happy to rave that my friend J rode her brand new road bike for her first ever long bike trip today and she did a great job the whole morning. Seeing how happy she was really made the ride for me.

There was one surprise - we stopped for a snack and when she saw my snack the wonderful possibilities of long distance cycling somewhat crystallized for her.

Yes, it's true, it's a RULE - if you're riding more than 50 miles you are allowed to have chocolate chip cookies before lunch if you want to. Even your mother will agree. So tell all your friends - ride a bike = eat chocolate chip cookies. It's pretty great!

"We all have to respect each other"

I think Nicole Freedman's statement regarding the two recent cycling accidents pretty much sums it up. We just all have to respect each other.

Please, stay safe and courteous. What sad days in Boston.

Marathon Monday Ride

My friend Cris alerted me to this ride last year, after I'd sadly already missed it. Won't make that mistake again! See the press release or read on....


Be a part of history with this bicycle endeavor. Since 1986, every Patriot's Day, a group of 40+ cyclists, lead by Hal Gabriel, join forces to bike the Boston Marathon path. It's a 52 miles excursion from Boston to Hopkinton and back. Be assured you will not be alone and there is enough support to get everyone through this trek.

Upon the participants return, the Greater Boston Central YMCA will provide free refreshments and Fitness Foundry will dole out free T-shirts. It's a Win, Win event.

Here are the details on 'Hal's 25th Annual Boston Marathon Day Ride':

52 Total Miles. 26 miles each way.
BYOB: Bring Your Own Bicycle
Cost: Free
Experience: All are welcomed
Date: April 19, 2010
Start Time: 6:00am EST
Estimated End Time: 10am
Location: The front steps of 'The Greater Boston Central YMCA' on Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass.
Weather: Rain or Shine.
Pre-requisite: Must sign agreement form to participate in physical activity.

Things to Consider:
Please arrive 20 minutes early to prepare for the ride.
They ride to the starting point in Copley Square.
There is no competition. Ride at your own pace.
Weather elements. Dress accordingly.
Be cautious of potholes.
Be smart and alert to surroundings.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride.
Hal’s motto for this year is “Keep Moving”…
Be well and stay active



Sounds like the closest I'm ever going to get to participating in the Boston Marathon so I'm planning to ride. Hope to see you there!

Winter Blues, Good News

You can tell by the lack of posts here that I've got the winter blues. I've been riding, I just haven't had anything fun to share.

We got news today that my employer will be providing tax-free reimbursement of certain bicycle commuting expenses to the full $20/month IRS limit. Yippeee! That's $240 a year of work-sponsored bike upgrades!!! There's nothing like finding money to put some spring back in your step/pedal stroke.

UPDATE:
When I first heard about this benefit, it was ill defined but part of the bailout (3 October 2008). Now it's defined and law! Hurray!

More links are here, listed in decreasing technical detail:
IRS Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits
League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision: FAQ
About.com Summary Article