Author: Richard Masoner

Bicycle Christmas lights

Richard MasonerDecember 14, 200720 Comments on Bicycle Christmas lights

Cyclists riding at night always talk about being “lit up like a Christmas tree.” Battery powered Christmas lights added to my bicycle are so pretty that they’re a new incentive for me to ride!

Christmas <br />lights on Raleigh One Way bicycle” /></center></p> <p>The lights are small strings of battery powered LED lights that I bought from Walgreens for $3.33. They’re meant to put on wreaths. I have one side on each side of the rear triangle attached with electrical tape.</p> <p>If you put the lights on the chainstays like I did, be very careful the wires and lights won’t get into any moving parts, including brakes, shifters and cables. Note also that many (most?) people strike their heel on the chainstay so arrange your lights accordingly. Be sure also that you can still remove your wheel for flat repairs — you don’t want to wrap any wires around the hub nut or quick release skewer.</p> <p>If you can’t find the lights at your local megamart, <a href=there’s a good deal at DealExtreme: a string of 30 LED lights for $6.82 including 2 to 3 day shipping.

All I need now is a portable Star of Bethlehem hovering over me as I ride and I’ll be very visible!

Here’s the drive side — the lights are arranged slightly differently.

Bicycle Christmas lights -- drivetrain

Merry Christmas, all!

Posted In Uncategorized

Shortened Tour of America announced

Richard MasonerDecember 13, 200714 Comments on Shortened Tour of America announced

We laughed, we mocked, we were incredulous, but the indomitable spirit of bike racing doesn’t give up. The organizers of the insanely ambitious Tour of America announced they still plan to hold a coast-to-coast race in September 2008, but they’ve decided to cut down the distance and stages.

“We realized our first plans were perhaps too ambitious and that the original race schedule didn’t fit within standard racing protocols,” said race organizer Frank Arokiasamy. They’ve decided to cut the race down to 21 stages and 2,200 miles, beginning in New York’s Central Park and winding across 18 states before finishing up in Palo Alto, California. Read more at VeloNews.

More bike stuff below…

Photo by Alex Draude is from “Shakariki Knight” (or “Trick Night”) in Okazaki Park or Takaragaike Park, Kyoto, Japan. See the photoset of Japanese boys on their fixed gear bikes.

Does anybody else have this problem? I always lose my handlebar end caps on every road bike I’ve ever owned. Is there a secret to keeping these?

My front brake lever came loose so I did this today.

Thanks for the link love from:

Posted In news

Winter bike party

Richard MasonerDecember 13, 2007Leave a Comment

I can’t believe I didn’t mention this earlier: The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Winter Party is this evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Palo Alto Caltrain Station on Alma at University. It’s free for SVBC members, $25 for non-members (which includes a discounted membership). Besides food and drink, SVBC board member elections will also take place. More details here.

Posted In Uncategorized

Team Discovery auctions off bikes

Richard MasonerDecember 13, 20078 Comments on Team Discovery auctions off bikes

Tailwind Sports is auctioning their bikes on eBay!

Details at Biking Bis and Bicycle Design. These are team issue Madones and other bikes ridden by Hincapie, Padrnos, Martinez and other Team Disco cyclists, complete with letters of authentication from Tailwind Sports.

Used Team Disco Giro time trial helmets are also on the auction block with $250 starting bids. These “may have markings and features related to a used helmet.” Ewww.

Posted In Uncategorized

Death by car or gun, which is worse?

Richard MasonerDecember 13, 20074 Comments on Death by car or gun, which is worse?

A pedestrian in west San Jose became casualty number 40 last night. I know the intersection of Williams and Boynton very well and ride my bike past that intersection often. The guy was apparently jaywalking, but there are apartments on three corners and a city park on the third so pedestrian traffic is always heavy at this intersection.

Automobile deaths are outnumbering other homicides, which is at a 10 year high with 35 homicides so far in 2007.

Peace on earth and goodwill to all, everybody!

Posted In Uncategorized