Author: Biking Viking

All I have to do is dream

Biking VikingJuly 6, 20115 Comments on All I have to do is dream

beer For the better part of 15 years, I spent a lot of my spare time in bars, watching hockey, playing cards and the like, and by the like, I mean Jager Bombs, pitchers of beer on Monday nights, various mixed drinks. My Mob Name was Bobby The Dumpster because I drank almost anything. This of course resulted in many, many hangovers which became more difficult to overcome every day after, say, 38. It has been 16 months now since my last drink, and I am here to tell you it feels freaking awesome. (more…)

Posted In colorado | health

The Ultimate Irony

Biking VikingJuly 4, 20116 Comments on The Ultimate Irony

This is not intended to spark a debate on helmet laws, but it is worth posting for the comments alone. Admittedly, no one can estimate for sure if a helmet would have saved this life, but it makes me wonder ‘what if’ every time I read one of these stories.

Posted In accident | helmet | new+york

Independence Day rides

Biking VikingJuly 1, 20116 Comments on Independence Day rides

It is understood that there are viewers of this blog from around the globe, but thought I’d take time to ask what your plans are for the long weekend here in the States?

Going to be in the 90’s (F) here, hoping to do some grilling, definitely some riding, digging up a yard for xeriscaping and brewing a couple gallons of sun tea. I don’t know about you guys, but I prefer heat to cold when riding as it was a brutal winter – just five months ago the temperature was over 100º F colder.

Anyone watching the Tour de France?

Posted In colorado | tour de france

Lights, camera, action

Biking VikingJune 30, 20115 Comments on Lights, camera, action

The new spy cam and camcorder mount arrived yesterday, and maximum failure has already been achieved. Didn’t charge the big camera (bar mounted) and didn’t properly turn on the spy cam (helmet). Hopefully it won’t rain today and I can get footage of the same ride from two different cams.

Group Participation time now: What is your favorite video editing software (O/S and version, if you could)? How often do you record your rides? Has having a camcorder on your person while cycling provided a benefit for your ride? If you feel it, post a link to your favorite ride videos (your rides, not others’ or TdF footage)!

Posted In colorado | video

DUI and riding at night

Biking VikingJune 29, 201110 Comments on DUI and riding at night

Colorado Springs ranks consistently high in the Men’s Health survey (the only national survey I am aware of, and Colorado Springs is 16th for 2010) of drunkest cities in the U.S., so it follows that DUI is a big problem here.

This past weekend, a cyclist was struck and killed by a hit and run driver at 1:00 a.m. while coming home from work. Having commuted at night for a couple of years, it goes without saying that vigilance is paramount in this arena. As cyclists, one of the first things we think when we read these reports are: Was drinking a factor, and was the cyclist reflective and well-lit? All that is clear in this case is that drinking may have been involved. (more…)

Pleasantville

Biking VikingJune 28, 20117 Comments on Pleasantville

Half of my commuting trips involve a MUP of some sort, and I have been noticing a theme of sorts with the people I encounter on the path. It is a wide, paved network of trails that run along Interstate 25 (North-South) and to Garden of the Gods to the West, but not so close you see or hear traffic. There are runners, dog walkers, baby strollers and a large warren of rabbits, who have caused me much grief over the years.

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Posted In colorado | commuting | traffic

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