Category: commuting

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

Flatter than flat

Biking VikingJuly 19, 20116 Comments on Flatter than flat

It’s been a rough week for rubber. Saturday’s ride on bike #1 (the road bike) resulted in two flats (both rear, 700cx23 Michelin Dynamics with Mr. Tuffy liners), so I was hoping that was my spate for the month (or so). Sunday is my minor tune-up day for all three bikes: Clean drivetrains, adjust cables if needed, and the general once-over. Bike #2 (the cowhorn roadie) runs 700c x 23 Zaffiro’s (140 psi, using about 120 psi for the rides, no liner) was hanging in the garage, looking forward to the ride this morning when I discovered the rear was flat – I didn’t even ride this one, but did pump it up a little on Sunday. (more…)

Posted In colorado | commuting | repair

Seasonal Commuting

Biking VikingJuly 14, 2011Leave a Comment

Summer is finally here (well, has been for a few weeks now). It was an unusually cold and bitter winter, not so much with the snow, but just darn cold and icy. It doesn’t seem that long ago when it seemed summer would never come. Being a commuter, I am finely tuned to the weather and noticing when the seasons change here in Colorado. For the past three years or so, we have have skipped right over spring and entered directly into summer. After a while, one can dial in their apparel needs down to a couple of degrees  in range. Is it a bootie day? Neoprene or fleece-lined? Big soccer-goalie gloves or liners and long finger cycling gloves? Bar Mitts (awesome)? (more…)

Posted In colorado | commuting | pearl izumi | review

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…)

Posted In advocacy | colorado | commuting | crash | health | traffic | work