The Oregonian interviews two women who recently began biking to work in this video. They started out objecting to the idea because biking to work is too dangerous, too hard, too convenient and too time consuming. After trying it, however, they discover how nice commuting by bicycle really is.

Found via Bike Denver.

Freaky article for this evening. A guy on a motorcycle in Japan hit the center divider and lost part of his right leg (they drive on the left in Japan) and didn’t notice for nearly a mile and half! Ganbatte, neh!

Found via CycleCluster:

The Corsa FC carbon fiber road bike is built with a high quality Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and Shimano 105, ITM, Ritchey,and Sella Italia components. Carbon fiber absorbs road vibrations providing a smooth floating ride. At the same time, carbon fiber is a rigid material that maximizes the transfer of power from your pedaling to the wheels. This bike was assembled by the hands of skilled Italian mechanics to be tuned up and ready to ride right out of the box. We worked directly with the factory in Italy to offer you a premium ride at everyday low prices. Minimal assembly is required for this premium bicycle.

I’m sure it’s laterally stiff yet vertically compliant. Available in Small, Medium, and Large.

I think I’ve written this before, but I’ll write it again: “Bike Snob NYC has outdone himself.” Go read his BSNYC 2008 Dream Bike Shootout. Here’s a sample of comments that Bike Snob received in response to his article:

• “Tea out of my nose in the office.”
• “i just threw up in my handlebar bag.”
• “You’re killin’ me!”
• “Diet Coke and Sun Chips, back wall of the office.”
• And even: “You have it all, all, all horribly wrong: It’s we Bicycling editors who pine for the chance to be published in BikeSnob. –Bill Strickland”

Elsewhere…

• CycleDog has a semi-serious idea: long term testing for bikes?
• Lost in the details of us mocking Rep McHenry: The U.S. House (finally) passed the Bike Commuter Benefit Bill!
• Increased support for congestion pricing in NYC.
• Bicycling in India: 40 benefits of bike commuting.
• Free parking eliminated in Seattle. The solution? Biking to work.
• Bike Commute Tips: Sting proof your cycling attire.
• Astana banned from Veulta a Espana.
• Carey has posted Raleigh 2008 Catalog photo shoot at the Raleigh Commutes blog. Lots of nice bike porn from Raleigh’s 2008 collection.
• More cyclist street fashion photos at Sartorialist.
• Floyd Landis: 2nd place at Leadville 100. Fat Cyclist placed approximately not second and has a hypoxic conversation with Chris Carmichael.
• Giz: Bicycle vending machine.
• Sidewalk cycling in Japan.

There’s more, but I figure that’s enough for now.

I can relate. All I can say in response: Febreze is the bike commuter’s friend.

With record heat continuing across the U.S. southern plains, south and southeast, cyclists are reminded to drink plenty of water to counteract the loss of fluid. Remember, though, that it’s possible to drink to much water even in the heat and suffer from water intoxication and hyponatremia. These are potentially lethal conditions, and I’ve seen news reports of athletes and non-athletes who have died from drinking too much water.

Here’s a good article in Today’s Dietician magazine about the effects, causes and risk factors of hyponatremia.