I came across one of the coolest safety lights for commuters. Even though it is still in prototype, it has a lot of promise. I mean how many times have cars nearly swiped you with mirrors or worse yet doors! This rear light has a red light for safety and two green lasers that produce bright green lines on the road surface about 3 feet on either side of the bike creating your own bike "lane." I hope this product eventually comes to fruition. See the video .

I know it's been a while. It's actually been a while since I have actually commuted. I was laid off from my full-time job a bout a month or so ago. But today I took out the Casseroll to ride to a meeting downtown. Man it felt good. Yeah I have been getting in some miles on the road bike, but commuting is different. There is more of a sense of purpose. Going out for a 40 mile road ride is just for enjoyment, you would never go out for a 40 mile loop in the car every day for fun (if you do, stop it, just stop it). But while on these rides, I have been been using a app for my iPhone that is meant to be used to calculate ones carbon offset. It's put out by REI of all companies called Bike My Drive and does a great job of measuring the offset of carbon in lbs, trip calories burned (seems a bit on the high side) and $$ saved from biking rather than driving. You set the price of gas and your car's mpg. But that's just the start of the coolness. The app uses GPS technology to track your mph, miles, average speed and elapsed time. When users finish the ride it is uploaded to EveryTrail where it syncs to Google Maps, plots the ride and gives more data like vertical up and down, speed and elevation. Nice! I've been trying to use this on some longer rides too, but it's a major battery suck and only lasts a couple of hours. Users can adjust a distance filter that determines the distance traveled before a new location update is generated--more space between each update=longer battery life.

Here is one of my recent rides to check out. Another cool feature that I don't use that often because it means stopping to take out the iPhone, is users can take photos along the way and the images will appear on the map--very cool. So until I get another full-time gig, which may be soon, I'll have to settle for cool apps like this to remide me of better days to come.

Zm

The new ride came in and was it ever worth the wait. Now I'm not just saying this because I love my Salsa bikes. This Salsa Casseroll Single Speed is a dream to ride. When I picked it up, I was a little thrown back by the size of the tires on this thing. They are ginormously wide--Continental Contact 37 !! Wickid huge pal. But those things can take some serious pressure and I've got them jacked up to 115psi and they roll like nobody's business. And they roll over everything--cracks, bumps, small rodents (no not yet, but close) potholes, you name it these things plow over it with ease and comfort. I mean it's a commuter bike right? Small racing slicks would be a jarring, jittery experience around town and on the bike paths. I think these tires may be one of the best components on the bike. Let's talk abou tsome of the others. 

The frame is beautifully painted in a Guildens brown mustard with some nice sparkly flecks that glimmer in the sun--beauty. It is responsive when standing and smooth and stiff when seated. Stiff and responsive--yeah sounds strangely sexual, but hey it's a nice ride. The welds are beautiful and the matching fork dampers whatever else the tires don't absorb. The straight blades look like a tuning fork and are painted in the same lovely mustard color. Another really nice detail is a custom chain guard--it's sleek and has some nice die cuts that make it look super aerodynamic. Definitely not like the chain guard on that blue Shwinn we all had as kids. The rest of the bike is rounded out with a few nice Salsa parts--Moto Ace Short and Shallow bars and Delgato Cross rims laced up with Surly Flip Flop hubs . The saddle is pretty sweet too--a WTB Silverado Race with custom Salsa embroidery--I mean come on, too cool. The Tektro brakes do an adequate job in stopping. These brakes seem to be the standard in meduim quality, cost-cutting performance. What I do like about the calipers is that they are extra long and tall to accomodate the large tires. This means riders can easily use studs in the winter or a slightly smaller slick with a fender. Bonus points for that. 

I've decided to keep the freewheel on and use it until it starts to deteriorate, which should be in a month or so. It's one of those cheapo Shimano jobs. They are meant for really dry conditions--like desert conditions. I was going through about one a month with my MTB. Granted that was pretty wet an mucky most of the time, but so is commuting. About 5 years ago I made the switch to the White Industries and never worried about again. These things are bomb proof and if for some reason the leave them submerged in water for like 3 years and you need to rebuild them, you can. I have never had to. I use them on my MTB and my commuters. But for the ultimate in no worries/maintenace, just go fixed, which I plan to do this winter? Not sure what I'm going to do with my Redline as it's still in running order (and a fixed). I may just keep that for my foul weather bike. That is if I get another job...

What? Yeah this commuter was laid off last week. What does this mean for a guy who prides himself  a daily commuter? I don't know. It's sad really. Not only will I miss my job, but I'm going to miss the ride everyday. Yes I will still go for rides to the store and downtown for cookie and coffee runs, but it won't be the same. The urgency is just not there. I have started to line up some freelance work (I'm an art director and designer by trade) but look forward to the day I have a full-time reason to bike to work again. I did have a very proud moment this week as my daughter's teacher asked what a certain article of clothing was (she was holding up a tie) and said that some dads wear these to work. My lovely 3 year old said, "my daddy wears bike shorts to work." Thanks Pheebs.

Ride safe.

 

Zm

Nothing marks the passage of Spring like the annual Bike to Work Week . In a strange twist of fate, it happens to fall on my birthday week this year. So in lieu of all the hundreds of gifts and well-wishes, please just get out on your bikes, ride to work and leave those cars garaged. I have been trying to recruit a few more people to ride this week, but so far the regular excuses keep coming up. One of them actually said it was too cold. Oh dear lord. 

In early Spring, I like to recall those horrible sleeting and snowy days with 30mph winds we endure in the winter to rememeber why it is I ride to work-- the warm sun, fresh ocean air, birds chirping and not a care in the world. Then you get to work, do whatever it is you do and repeat. Not sure it can get any better than that. These sunny days of early Spring are why I ride all winter long. 

I would love to see some more folks out on the roads of Portland this week. I'm a little late getting out there today. I think I'm gonna take the long way in today, work can wait. 

Well it's been a while. Last week I had my first ride home in shorts! I was trying to think when the last time was--I bet I have to go back to October. Man, that's a long time to be wearing tights or rain pants. It was nice to just change out of shorts and a jersey. Those extra layers really add to the changing time each day. Some days in the winter I think I spend more time looking for clothes, putting them on or washing them than I do actually riding. But no more. This weekend we're supposed to hit the 75 degree mark. Now that's downright hot. But why do I change back and forth? Comfort--comfort on the bike and comfort off. I have yet to find a durable enough, comfortable enough outfit that works for riding and sitting in the office. Plus, no matter how near of far your ride is, you're gonna sweat.

I read an article the NYT about fashion and biking. It was pretty ridiculous. Now, I really should be happy that more people are considering riding bikes to work. But these jackholes are worrying about what designer clothes are cool enough to pay homage to their overpriced Dutch-style bikes. Good grief. The dude in the photo is wearing a full suit and a trench coat. Even in the dead of winter this boob will be sweating his baguettes off. And then he'll be all stinky sitting around in a 2K wool suit all day. Dumb. Dress for comfort, not stupid fashion. Don't let clothes be the reason you don't bike, or do bike. Commuting by bike is about keeping one less car off the road. It's about getting some exercise in our otherwise sedentary life. It's about simple things like hearing birds chirp or seeing all the worms on the pavement after a rain storm.

It's Spring, so get on out there and ride. Bike to work week is coming in May--Cities and towns across the US have all kinds of events and activities to help spread the word about commuting. Recruit a friend this year--I have a couple I'm going to target. Ride safely, have fun.

Well I did it again. I just couldn't resist. I may have a problem saying no to bikes. But an offer came up that I couldn't refuse. Just look at the new Salsa Casserole and tell me that I did the wrong thing. Ok then. Here's my reasoning: The Redline 925 has been a great bike and will continue t be one. However, I will need to get another set of wheels after this season. They've taken a beating in the wet, salt and sand of the winter. So I would probably drop a good chunck of change on that. It also needs some new tires, drivetrain and potentially bottom bracket. All of these upgrades would put me in the $400-500 range. Now wouldn't it make sense to use the discount that I get from one of our best team sponsors (Salsa) to get a complete bike instead? Well that's the reasoning I used to sort of convince my wife. I'm still not sure it worked, but I was able to order the bike anyway.

Now I have a fleet of Salsas. I can't say enough good things about these frames. They're responsive, light, durable and downright pretty. Every year they whip up some awesome new paint/graphic combination that bikers lust for every year. I currently have two full scanduim frames and one scanduim/carbon.  This new Casserole will round out the frame materials because it is steel! I think steel is the way to go on a commuter. It sucks up the little bumps, cracks and chatter that crappy city roads dish out. An aluminum bike would just be a little too stiff. I like to have a little bit of flex to the frame for a commuter. Plus, most other frame material, like carbon, ti, or even scandium, would be too cost prohibitive. And I would worry that it would get stolen or crapped on by seagulls.One thing though with the steel is that it it tends to be a bit more corrosive than the other materials. So it was suggested I put on a frame protector spray to prolong the life of it. Might be a good idea. 

 So the Casserole is set up with some stock parts--so I just can't go wrong. I'm thinking of selling the Redline to offset some of the cost of the new bike, but I'm also thinking it would make a great foul-weather ride. That way I could just keep the studs on it for winter and use it exclusively in winter. Hey, people have a set of snow tires for their cars--probably paid more for them then I paid for that bike, so what the hell.

Speaking of cars,  I did some calculations last month of how many times I drove to work last year. 11 times. That was a record for me--on the low end. This year I don't see that happening, I've already had to drive 6 times because of weather, sickness or picking up kids. And as the kids get older, I wcan only imagine my drive days will increase--it's a sad reality, but one I hope to curtail for as long as I can through the use of a trailer! Yes! Now both my kids are big enough to ride in the trailer, so that will help out on those days I have to drop them off or pick them up (in the warmer weather of course). I haven;t strung this idea on my wife yet, but I'm sure it will go over really well--the kids will like it. 

An update on my lighting system. I got it back in the mail a few weeks ago after sending it back to Nite Rider. They said it was water damage to the battery that caused it to die. Didn't they test these things in rain? I certainly did not submerge the thing by any means. Yeah it was probably some hard rain, but these lights should be made to withstand that at the very least. But they got it back to me fairly quickly, so I can't complain too much. And the new battery still holds a great charge for almost a week (using it for just the ride home--30-35 min), even in the cold weather. Speaking of which, I'm officially done with winter. I just finished shoveling our latest dump of 8-10 inches which puts the snowbank at the end of my driveway at about 7 ft. Enough is enough. Get out there when you can, ride safely.

 

Zm

I originally purchased my first Patagonia Critical Mass bag in 1999. A lively
bright blue beauty with one large main compartment, one inner
compartment and a smaller outside compartment. At the time, I thought I
could get into bike commuting in Boston (perhaps riding a couple of
times a week to save on my lengthy walk from the commuter boat to my
office), so I needed a sturdy bag to haul my clothes, dress shoes and
showering items.

I slowly began to bike more and more--every day in fact--and became a
full-time-in-any-weather-core-bike-commuter. I've depended on my

Not sure when this thaw is coming, soon I hope. It's fargin cold, no two ways about that. Last week we had two days below zero--the lowest was -14 here in Portland. Now my old limit was -15--on days this cold, I would try to start up the car and drive in, but I think that limit is too tame. Granted, there was no wind last week so eventhough it was cold, it was tolerable with the right clothes. I actually overdressed on the -14 day. I wore a poly filled down jacket and I was soaked by the time I got to work. Another must on really cold days is a balaclava. On this day it was frozen solid by the time I got to work only a half hour later. I also had on two pairs of tights--some nice Craft windstopper bibs and my Bellweather windfront tights--a bit much, but I surely wasn't cold. Anyhoo- I think I can up the ante on my cold day limit, minus twent is is the new limit (with light winds).

In other weather news, snow, snow, snow. There was one day that we got a lot more than was predicted, which made for a sloppy ride home. On days like that, I try to stay off the main roads and take side streets and bike paths when possible. I don't want to be the a-hole that everyone yells at (might be too late, hahahah) becasue he's taking up the only strip of clear pavement on the main drag. So even if I have to push the bike through a section of snow covered woods or sidewalk, I would rather get home safely without incident than get bumped by a car.

 Speaking of which, yesterday was nearly one of those days. Although it hasn't snowed in a week or so, the crappy snow removal in Portland has led to even less of a shoulder to ride on this year. I had to take a different route becasue of a stalled train which left me to ride futher South to cross the tracks. The shoulder on this MAIN road was still covered in sloppy coffee coolatta colored snow so my wheels where all covered by the time I got to the awkward RR crossing. The tracks run at a strange angle to the road--not perpendicular which is my preferred for bike crossing. I think you know what happened here--biker down! Well, sorta. The bike wend down and I was able to leap the handlebars and stay on my feet. My bike was nearly smooshed but the woman behind me was able to stop before running it over. I think the two lanes of traffic let out a collective "dipsh*#t." I just walked back, picked up my bike and collected myself in a RiteAid parking lot. I would continue to be a little shaken up for most of the morning. It was a close call that I don't need to have happen again.

More on some new gear soon--a tribute to a bike bag, the return of my headlight and an awesome new bike on order! Anyone looking for a good deal on a Redline 925?

Hard to believe that I was so smitten with my light just a few short weeks ago. I went to turn it on last night after a very long 12 hour day at work. I was beat. I clicked the power on...nothing. I tried to unplug it from the battery, replug it in, pushed the button several times all with no success. COME ON! It's nearly 9 p.m. and I have to ride home in the flippin rain, again, now with no light? How is it that my $25 Cat Eye rear flashing light has made it through 3 cold winters, dozens of rain storms, dirt, grit, dog sh*t and every other road debris thrown at it and it still works (very well I might add) but this $150 light with three less settings mind you, kicks the bucket in under a month? I hate all lights. They have been the the ultimate weak link in my commuting experience for as long as I can remember. I don't know who these manufacturors think they are. Do they do any kind of testing on these things? And no a spraybottle in the lab doesn't count as "weatherproof" testing. This thing is going back. I need a light that I can use every day without failure.

I was actually enjoying the battery life on this thing before this happened. This night rider will be using his mountaneering headlamp for a bit. Not cool.

Last Tuesday was shaping up to be one of those days I didn't want to ride in. This was entirely weather related. The wind was gusting out of the East at 30-35 mph with sustained winds at at least 20-25 and heavy rain. Slapping on the rain gear I would hear the wind howling outside. I live in a fairly sheltered area, so I knew I was in for a beating. It didn't start off too badly, at least I knew all my rain gear could take the abuse. The fixie was gonna be the issue today. One gear in the wind just plain sucks. It's great on all those other days, but gears would've been my first choice today.
I made it down to the Back Cove in one piece--the driving rain made visibility pretty poor so I put on my front and rear flashers. I am still impressed with the NiteRider Newt headlight. The daytime flasher mode can project onto signs 300-400 ft away in rain, during the day. I had to lean into the cross winds in order to stay on the bike. It wold blow me to the curb and then ease up so I could go straight again. Then the road curved to the East--ug. I tried to keep the pedals moving but I literally had to stand up and really crank just to keep moving. I might've been going 3 mph-- if that. One thing that's really cool is a new application for the iPhone called MapMyRide . I had used this a few times on the computer, manually entering in my route, but now the data is entered by GPS. When I got into work with my legs actually tired from the 5.67 mile commute (my new shortest crappy weather route) all my stats were right there. Distance, time, average speed and a cool elevation chart. it also maps it out using Google maps with mile markers along the way. So in all, this ride in was the second worst one ever. The one that takes the cake was last year about this time. There was about an inch of snow on the ground with high winds and stinging sleet. That stings.

As I suited up to go home I tried to figure out what the best way home would be given that the wind was still cranking from the East. Oh I picked it right, it was awesome. Nothing like a massive tailwind to blow you home. At times I was hitting 25-30 mph on the flats--maxing out my gear ratio. On one section I cross over a bridge and the cars in the opposite ditection were splashing huge waves ov water on me. I just laughed and screamed like a mad man. "Bring it," I yelled, "hell yeah." It might've been the most entertaining ride home ever (plus I was off for the next 5 days). I had a wide grin all the way home. Certainly that ride made up for a week of crappy, cold and wet rides. So even if the day looks to be the worst ever, it may just turn around.

I'm trying to make it a full year of commuting with less than 10 driving days. I'm up to 8 so far and have another 2 months to go. It might be hard if we get some big snow storms, but we'll see. Stay warm and ride safely.