Month: July 2011

Kristen tackles a bike thief

Richard MasonerJuly 27, 20114 Comments on Kristen tackles a bike thief

Security camera footage captures man casually breaking a lock with a bolt cutter to steal a bike. Kristen and an unidentified friend — who apparently see the theft through the office window — take quick action, run outside and block the would be thief’s escape.



Unlike some previous thwarted bike theft attempts captured on video, there doesn’t seem to be any retributive citizen justice in this example.

WCG is at Bay and Embarcadero in San Francisco. Via Jenny Oh.

If you like, please share with your friends and click one of the social media buttons at the top of this post. Thank you!

Posted In crime
Tagged |

Weathering the Storm

Biking VikingJuly 26, 20112 Comments on Weathering the Storm

About twenty years ago, here in Colorado Springs one could count on summer showers around 4:00 p.m. for half an hour, which gave way to sunny skies which dried it all up. Until this year that weather pattern had disappeared, and one could count on a dry ride home from work.

Yesterday’s monsoon rains were wicked wet, thunder was loud, and lightning was uncomfortably close. I rode on, reminding myself that this is better than driving because the roads are icy or it is -30° F.

The most accurate weather I have seen comes not from my local TV stations or their websites, but from a little site known as USAir Net. It is geared toward Aviators, but is remarkably accurate and allows me to gauge with some accuracy wind direction. I loathe the wind.

If you’re a commuter, check out this site. It is well worth your time.

Posted In colorado | commuting | winter cycling

Rave On

Biking VikingJuly 23, 20111 Comment on Rave On

My son attends Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tex and has finally given up on keeping his old Dodge RAM pickup running. For many months now I have been gently guiding him toward the bicycle as a form of transportation in a town not known for elevation changes.

Of the three bikes hanging in the garage, I gave him the choice of the three. He is built to be a road cyclist with the metabolism of a hummingbird and the lithe frame of an endurance athlete, and while he did choose my favorite road bike, he is not yet comfortable with drop bars.

This morning’s task was moving parts around all three bikes to make him one helluva lean flat bar road bike. Unlike other ‘hybrids’, this one truly is a road bike, with the geometry and road calipers vs. V-brakes (my preference). I don’t know why I didn’t do this before. The good news is that not only will he be saving a load of cash and staying healthier, but the 9 speed group that was on this bike are now on my other bike. No need to go buy stuff!

Wait, it gets better.

My LBS is a mail-order/online house mostly, but has a small showroom with the best peeps on the local scene. As it turns out, while down there picking up the FD for the bike build, the guy who helped me spent four years at TTU and grew up in southeastern New Mexico, making Lubbock a larger city nearby. I am not concerned with my son’s ability to ride a bike, but I am interested in the commuting climate, security on campus, and the bike shops in the area.

He knows the shop owners, the clubs, and the environment. Talk about a sign. I’ll be driving the bike down to Buddy Holly’s hometown in a few weeks and will take an extra bike for a ride down there myself. Lots of pictures to come and hopefully continuing good news of bicycle adventures in north Texas.

Posted In commuting | repair | texas | traffic | transportation