Category: colorado

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

TGIM

Biking VikingJune 27, 20115 Comments on TGIM

Friday’s ride home featured a goathead thorn puncture, through a Mr. Tuffy, and the discovery that the porta-pump was inop. Thanks to the dude out for a leisure ride and loaning me some air. Got home and drove right down to Performance for a new Hurricane pack pump (I’ve had one of these before, and they work well).

Hope you all had a flat-free weekend.

Posted In colorado | commuting | repair

Please Bee Kind

Biking VikingJune 24, 201111 Comments on Please Bee Kind

The last time I was stung by a bee/stinging insect, Jimi Hendrix was still alive and Seattle had a baseball team that wasn’t the Mariners.

Until yesterday – Jeez, that hurts! Was going about 20 mph and the thing flew into my collar, left his little venomous, barbed treat for me and then died a swift and painless death by my panicked hand. It had been so long I was afraid I might be allergic, but no, just pissed.

For future reference, anyone care to share their bee sting remedies?

Posted In colorado | commuting

Look That Up In Your Funk & Wagnall’s

Biking VikingJune 22, 2011Leave a Comment

One of the earliest memories I have of my first bike was when we moved from Chicago to Santa Cruz in 1972. It was a Kermit The Frog green Stingray with jungle bars, a banana seat and a sissy bar jacked up to the max. Depending on the day, you might find Amos Otis, Gates Brown or Mickey Lolich in the spokes, clipped on to the fender with clothespins.

The big Mayflower truck was parked in the front yard, and instructions were to pack everything in and allow me to ride my bike up the ramp to seal the deal. This would be the second biggest bike fail of my young life, the first being the clipping of Bob Gibson and Al Kaline to my fender for motorcycle sound effects.