Auburn, WA plans for cycling in its future

Posted by On Filed under Bike Advocacy, Commuting No Comments

The Auburn-Reporter recently posted an article on the future of cycling in Auburn, WA.  Situated in a North-South valley south of Seattle, Auburn actually provides many opportunities for cyclists.  The terrain is basically flat around town, but has ample opportunities for reasonably challenging hills surrounding the valley for those that want to climb.  The local rail service – the Sounder – allows bikes to be taken on board, making bicycles a viable option for large portions of the region.  In addition, the Interurban Trail travels nearly 15 miles of the North-South corridor, providing yet more out-of-traffic travel opportunities.

With eyes fixed on the future rushing onward like a freight train — a future in which Auburn is expected to swell to a city of more than 150,000 within 50 years — Mayor Pete Lewis formed the Bicycle Task Force last March to study bike trails and routes within the city.

— Task force Chair Terry Davis

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2011 Pro Cycling Team Presentations

Posted by On Filed under Pro Racing No Comments

Pro Cycling is, unfortunately, not very well covered on television in the US.  For most of us, that pushes us to either insane satellite TV receiver hacking, or the internet.  And for the internet, nothing is as valuable a resource as www.cyclingfans.com.  You can follow them on twitter, or facebook.

And thanks to them, use yankees (and non-yankees, as the case may be) can catch a glimpse of the 2011 pro team presentations.  Even though we already know who will be on most of these teams, these presentations are still fun to watch.

Helmets and the “They Can’t Hurt” theory

Posted by On Filed under Misc 6 Comments

I’ve said it many many times, I’m neither pro- nor anti- helmet.  My statements on the subject have been very accurately described by others as ambivalent.

I may, however, be changing my mind.  And you, dear reader, get to come along for the ride.

So to stop skirting the issue, I’ll state my opinion, as it exists today:

I don’t really mind wearing a helmet, but I really don’t think they do squat to protect me.  The risks the helmet protect me from are the same risks I experience when walking down the street.  I’m just as comfortable riding my bike without a helmet as I am walking across my living room without a helmet.

And that is when the “Say what” and “this guy’s nuts” comments come on.  “Clearly you’re safer with a helmet on.   It’s obvious.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is a moron,” is another possible retort to my sentiment.

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Helmet Laws. That’ll fix it.

Posted by On Filed under Bikes and the law, Cycling Law 8 Comments

Ah bicycle helmets.  The topic that I just can’t leave alone.  While I try to remain non-judgmental to the choices of others, and personally can take it or leave it, I still remain decidedly against helmet laws.

Unfortunately, the folks that support helmet laws often throw out statistics without saying where they come from.

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Bicycle Superhighways

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Easter Bunny.  Tooth Fairy.  Santa Clause.  Bicycle Superhighways.

One of these things is not like the others, but not for the reasons you may think.

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See – told you bikes were a kick

Posted by On Filed under Bikes as a lifestyle 1 Comment

I’m sure that many of you have seen – or at least heard of – bicycle polo.  But soccer on a bike takes the cake.  And I’m not talking about lobbing a ball around with your feet as you pedal by on your bike.  No – these guys are using their bikes – usually the front wheel – to stop and “kick” the ball.  If you think that doing track stands at stoplights shows your mad skillz, well, you’ve got to see one of these games.

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See and be seen

Posted by On Filed under Bikes as a lifestyle, Commuting No Comments

Daylight savings time is an odd beast.  I’ve heard several explanations on its origins – ranging from bankers and stock brokers, to farmers wanting their children to be able to get chores in during daylight hours before school, to railroad interests.  Clearly they didn’t consult with bicycle commuters on their opinions, though, as the time shift puts the normal commute home into complete darkness.

It is a very subjective opinion, but city traffic in the mornings seems to be less hectic than traffic on the evening commute.  Perhaps it is because folks are anxious to get home – or to the pub – quickly after work, but not quite so rushed to get to the office in the morning.  Whatever the cause, I much prefer to ride in morning darkness compared to evening darkness.

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Use your head while riding

Posted by On Filed under Bike Advocacy, Member Blogs, Misc 6 Comments

Warning – Just Another Cyclist is about to jump into the cycling helmet debate.  If you’ve had about all you can stand of the endless arguing on this issue (and who can blame you really?) then perhaps you’ll find one of my other articles more to your taste.

I also want to point out that you will likely not walk away with a clear impression that I’m on one side of the issue or the other.  I’m decidedly neither pro nor anti helmet.  I wear a helmet when I ride if I feel like it.  I generally always wear it on group rides more out of peer pressure (everybody’s wearing one!) or habit than anything else.  I almost always wear gloves when I ride to protect my hands if (or should I say when) I happen to hit the pavement, and the helmet is kinda in the same category.  On the other hand, I do not ride any differently if I don’t have my helmet on than when I do.

The main reason for my indecision is that I’ve not seen anything that would make me think that one side of the argument or the other is correct.  I decided to do a little more digging into the issue and see what I could come up with.

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Around the world in 163 days

Posted by On Filed under Member Blogs, Pro Racing, Touring and Distance Riding No Comments

It would appear that the circumnavigation attempt – by bicycle – of Vin Cox has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest yet.  The Guinness records site has not yet posted anything regarding this, so I’ve not been able to validate this directly from them.  However, other third parties such as Road Cycling UK are also reporting confirmation of the time of 163 days, 6 hours and 58 minutes as the new fastest.  This bests the previous record holder Mark Beauomont’s time of 194 days, 17 hours.  Potentially of interest is the fact that both Vin Cox and Mark Beauomont are both from the UK.

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South Seattle Cyclists – Be Heard!

Posted by On Filed under Commuting, Member Blogs 1 Comment

The Cascade Bicycle Club are not only responsible for the great Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, but also do amazing work throughout the greater Seattle area to improve life for cyclists.

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