Yes Dear, There Is Fine Dining In New Albany!

My afternoon consisted of a 12 mile bike ride (some of which I had to walk uphill) followed by an absolutely scrumptious meal of French cuisine and even tastier French beer at the Bistro New Albany!

I can't remember the last time (if ever) that it took me three hours to complete a meal. There were hor/d'oeuvres, celery soup, (Amy you have competition) salad, an entree, and desert with a specific beer to go with each.

There was a breeze through the courtyard which allowed us to eat outside in relative comfort, and the serving staff would rival any worldwide!

Kudo's extrodinare to Roger, the two Daves, Richard, Angie, Vickie, and all others who may have had a hand in this most enjoyable Sunday afternoon & evening! My hats off to you all.

I'm looking forward to the next such event already. My only regret was that Ed was unable to attend. Next time, just don't answer the phone.

By the way, if any one says fine dining is unavailable in New Albany, they are absolutely mistaken! Thanks again guys!

Longmont,CO

Zefal Cyclop Mirror

Finally after looking at many possible choices in mirrors, I found one that will be right for me. The Zefal Cyclop Mirror can be purchased at almost any bike shop, either via the web or locally, which is where I bought mine. It is sturdy and shock resistant and easy to install. After riding this evening, I wonder again how I rode without this important and helpful piece of equipment that eliminates looking over ones shoulder.

Rode this evening up a familiar but wet path; the Old Vincennes, Quarry Road, Corydon Pike and back through downtown NA, out to Sam Peden Park and then back downtown(stopping by my friend of Faith's house) and then up Cherry Street hill to the house.

July

Have ventured out in the July heat and humidity the last two afternoons for two rides that have totaled fifty two miles. Monday evening I rode to Utica's newest playground for the rich, Quarry Bluff and then back. Tonight was a cruise around NA just before the rains came.

*Note: If you plan to ride to Quarry Bluff and desire newly paved roads, go past the first entrance sign and at the Utica gate for the old Indiana Arsenal complex make a hard left and climb the hill to spectacular views of the Ohio River and also the old quarry. Well worth the leg burner.

French Cusine and Beer to Match---Yum!

Looking forward to next weekend's festivities. I plan on joining you for the ride and the meal. Maybe we'll get lucky and have another nice weekend like this one to do it!

By the way, is Graham going to join in the fun??

Anyway, all have a good week and I'll see you Sunday!

Bike Louisville

Bike Louisville
What a banner day of weather we have had here locally. I was watching the clock at work and hoping we did not have trouble and require me to stay on and work. We did not. Came home and tossed the bicycle in the back of my pick up, drove to Clarksville and parked at one of my companies substations located on Clark Blvd. Yeah I cheated, but I could not deal with any traffic or idiot drivers on this beauty of a day. Cruised over to the Clark Memorial Bridge and then took Louisville's Riverwalk Trail all the way to the end at the end of Broadway and Shawnee Park. Got out on Southwestern Parkway and rode past Chickasaw Park and then out to Algonquin Parkway and the Shawnee Expressway, turned around and rode back to my truck.

*Note - If I would have had a map with me, I could have stayed on Algonquin Parkway and it would have been shorter for my return trip back to downtown, via 4th street. There would have been more traffic and not as scenic.

I really enjoy Louisville's Riverwalk Trail, because it is just so damn relaxing and private. Only passed three people the whole time on the Riverwalk after getting past the Portland section of the path. What a great place to clear your head and enjoy nature.

4July,2006

Took a ride at 7:30 this morning out to Utica and back, ran into Roger,Kevin and Tim at Kye's where I was supposed to meet them for a ride to Louisville, but being the slug I am did not check my email to get the invitation in time. My bad.
My legs are feeling pretty good, even though the heat and humid work conditions are taking there toll. It has been good actually to take a break from riding everday, it appears my legs feel stronger. Strange how the body heals itself.

38 Miles this morning

But we stayed below the Knobs today. Started at our house, up St. Joe Road to Sellersburg, took a right on the road at Essroc Cement Factory's back entrance, headed north on various country roads until we reached Henryville. Stopped at a gas station near the I-65 interchange, then crossed I-65 and headed South on various country roads, past Fuzzy's golf course and back home.

Tomorrow we tackle the Knobs again.

The Hills Are Alive

with the sound of me sucking in air. Went for a ride up in the Knobs today. The weather was great (we were finished with the ride by 9:45 or so). There was actually a breeze blowing. Total ride was about 28 miles. Here's the route:

Start at the intersection of Fairview Knob Road and North Skyline. No, I did not climb Fairview Knob. One of the riding partners lives right there. Ok, so out of his driveway (we can see down the Knobs going down his drive) and turn left onto North Skyline.

L on Renn Road.
Cross Atkins Road, then it turns into Balmer-Fenwick Road)
Right on Banet, L onto Roberts Road (actually you really just go straight but again the road name changes
R onto Starlight Rd.
L onto St. John, past all my relatives, the Huber's
L at Stumler's Orchard/Restaurant (but again I don't think the road name changes there)
L onto Greenville Borden Rd.
L onto Jersey Park
L onto Navilleton
R onto Chapel Hill
L onto Scottsville (for a block or so)
R onto Hanka
R onto Starlight
L onto Roberts and back the way you came.

Caution, there are a couple of inclines on this route. :) What a workout, I feel great!

Debbie

Mark Your Calendars: Tour de Garde Ride July 16th, 2006

On Sunday July 16th there will be a scheduled ride departing from the New Albany Farmers Market located at the corner of E Market Street and Bank Street. Starting time will be available later. Below is the route that will be followed. There will be ample signs marking the route along the way. This is a very easy ride, please make plans to come and join us. Please RSVP either Edward Parish namur97@yahoo.com or Roger Baylor istanbul85@yahoo.com
Thanks Ed

Start at NA Farmers Market

R- Third St.

L- Main St.

L- Silver St.

R- Elm St.

L- Beharrel Ave.

R- Slate Run Rd.

R- Old Mill

Continue across Charlestown Rd to Klerner Ln.

Klerner Lane into IUS (Follow signs through IUS Compound) to Hausfeldt Ln.

R- Hausfeldt Ln.

L- Green Valley Road

Continue across State Street to West St.

West Street to Cherry Street

R- Cherry St.

L- W 7th St.

L- Market St.

Back to NA Farmers Market

H.H.H.

Went out this morning real early trying to beat the heat and humidity, did 15 miles around NA and was actually glad to get home. The air was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. Today will be a good rendition of typical summer weather here in the Ohio Valley; HHH.

Yikes it's been nearly two weeks

since I have been able to ride my bike! But I was on the saddle again last night for a 15 miler. The weather was great, little of the normal humidity. The ride lifted my spirits immediately. My husband just told me we have plans to ride up in the Knobs with friends tomorrow. Starting at 7:00 a.m. I should go to bed now. :)

Debbie

Follow This Symbol On July 16th

Tonights ride after coming down Spring Street hill to downtown New Albany on Market Street.
R- 4th St.
L- Main St.
L- Silver St.
R- Elm St.
L- Beharrel Ave.
R- Slate Run Rd.
R- Old Mill
Continue across Charlestown Rd to Klerner Ln.
Klerner Lane into IUS
Through IUS Compound to Hausfeldt Ln.
R- Hausfeldt Ln.
L- Green Valley Road
Continue across State Street to West St.
West Street to Cherry Street
R- Cherry St.
Cherry Street Hill to home.

Beer Cycling, I Hope

Somehow this is supposed to say beer plus cycling or visa versa, but after farting with it for fifteen minutes I said f*#! it. Formatting sucks.

Came home from work and fixed dinner for me and my bride, waited until the weather cooled a bit and then headed out on the bicycle up Old Vincennes across Quarry Road and then down Corydon Pike. Back over to the river and up to 18th Street before rain clouds chased me home.

Finished a sixer of the newly released Anderson Valley Summer Solitice while watching LinkTV. The beer is just a mere okay and not worth the $9.99 price tag.

Weekend Cycling

*icon borrowed from www.cicle.org
This weekend was left in the balance of the season, trying to juggle domestic responsibilities and family/friend gatherings, as well as riding and getting some much needed rest, all after a +70 hour work week. Had a ride on Saturday, but opted to rest the weary legs on Sunday.

Saturdays summary goes like this: cruised downtown NA, then up Hwy 62 to Emery Crossing, over to the Clarksville and the Clark Memorial Bridge to Louisville. Made my way past the Greek Fest on the Belvedere; then by the events on Main Street sponsored in part by the Frazier Arms Museum. Headed down to Broadway then back up 2nd Street and reversed my way back to Silverhills.

Will try in earnest to get more miles in this week if work and the weather permit.

Do you have your bicycle license?

By popular demand, from the New Albany, Indiana, Code of Ordinances (TITLE VII: TRAFFIC CODE ... CHAPTER 73: BICYCLES AND MOPEDS), here are the bicycle "rules" for the city of New Albany.

OPERATION OF BICYCLES

§ 73.01 OPERATING BICYCLE AT RIGHT-HAND EDGE OF ROADWAY.
All bicycles shall be operated as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway.
('71 Code, §73.12) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.02 EMERGING FROM ALLEY; YIELDING RIGHT-OF-WAY.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching the sidewalk or sidewalk area. Upon entering the roadway, the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching the roadway.
('71 Code, §73.13) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.03 RIDING ON SIDEWALKS.
(A) It shall be permissible for any person to ride a bicycle within a residential district of the city. Such person shall yield the right-of-way at all times to pedestrians. ('71 Code, §73.14) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64)
(B) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district. ('71 Code, §73.15) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64)
Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.04 OPERATING BICYCLE ON CERTAIN STREETS.
No person shall ride or propel any bicycle upon any sidewalk within the city bounded by the west side of State Street or the east side of Bank Street, the south side of Main Street to the north side of Elm Street; nor on Vincennes Street from Oak Street to Main Street.
('71 Code, §73.31) (Ord. 4120, passed 3-6-39) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.05 REASONABLE SPEED.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. Every bicycle shall be operated with reasonable regard to the safety of the rider and of other persons or property.
('71 Code, §73.19) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.06 OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
No person shall operate a bicycle while under the influence of liquor or drugs, or while physically or mentally unfit to safely operate the same.
('71 Code, §73.20) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.07 LEAVING BICYCLE UNATTENDED.
No person shall leave a bicycle unattended upon any sidewalk, in the areas provided in §73.18, unless a regular parking stand is available for the purpose of parking such bicycle.
('71 Code, §73.29) (Ord. 4120, passed 3-6-39) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.08 PLACEMENT OF BICYCLE PARKING STAND.
All such bicycle parking stands must be placed at the outer edge of the sidewalk, and must be removed from the sidewalks at sundown.
('71 Code, §73.30) (Ord. 4120, passed 3-6-39) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.09 BICYCLE TO BE IN SAFE CONDITION.
No person shall operate a bicycle which is not in safe mechanical condition.
('71 Code, §73.07) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.10 BICYCLE WHEEL NOT TO EXCEED CERTAIN DIAMETER.
No person shall operate a bicycle with a wheel diameter greater than 15 inches on any street, sidewalk, alley or other public place, unless such bicycle has been licensed by the city and the proper license is attached thereto as provided by this chapter.
('71 Code, §73.01) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

LICENSING

§ 73.20 LICENSE REQUIRED BEFORE OPERATING BICYCLE.
No person shall ride or propel a bicycle upon any public highway, street, boulevard or other public place in the city, unless the same shall be licensed as herein provided.
('71 Code, §73.28) (Ord. 4120, passed 3-6-39) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.21 APPLICATION FOR LICENSE.
Application for license shall be made by the owner. If the owner is under 12 years of age, application shall be made by the owner's parent or guardian, in the office of the City Controller upon forms provided by the city.
('71 Code, §73.02) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64)

§ 73.22 RECORD OF CERTAIN DATA TO BE KEPT.
The City Controller shall make a record of the number of each license, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued and the number on the frame of the bicycle, for which he shall collect a fee for the city of $.50.
('71 Code, §73.03) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64)

§ 73.23 ISSUANCE OF A BICYCLE LICENSE.
Upon receiving proper application, the City Controller is authorized to issue a bicycle license which shall be valid during one calendar year; provided, however, that it shall be lawful to retain such license of the year last past until, but not including March 1 of the current calendar year, at which time, the old license expires and a new license must be obtained.
('71 Code, §73.04) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64)

§ 73.24 ATTACHMENT OF LICENSE TO BICYCLE.
The license shall be firmly attached to the rear of the bicycle so as to be plainly visible.
('71 Code, §73.05) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

§ 73.25 NONTRANSFERENCE OF LICENSE.
Upon the sale or other transfer or destruction of a licensed bicycle, the license shall either be surrendered to the City Controller, or may be assigned to another bicycle upon proper application, but without payment of any additional fee. A license issued for a particular bicycle shall not be attached to a different bicycle.
('71 Code, §73.06) (Ord. G-64-180, passed 11-9-64) Penalty, see § 73.99

Pooped Out

Dear diary,
My butt is tired. Not sore or raw from hours of riding, but just plain tired. The kind of tired you get from actually working outside making a honest days wages and doing a great, rewarding service to the community my family calls home, for that matter, most of the kind people who read this blog whenever they have time from whatever it is they do.

But, somehow I still find time to make my way out on the bike for a ride most everday for 1.5 or 2 hours at a time clearing my head of all that tries so very hard to bring me down. To paraphrase a very wise friend of mine, I cannot do anything about Fallujah or Darfur but what I can do is make a difference right here. My best interest is working and screwing off when I can. Time and less patience or dealing with the stupity of others or many could say dealing with myself while drinking keeps me from having pints at our local public house. For that I have traded clearing my brain of lifes pollution through riding a bicycle and then just simply drinking at home, so as not to complicate my life.

This evening was no exception as I rode to Jeffersonville's Allision Lane via the scenic route most have taken along the Ohio River and then back home. I'll not bore you with the details. All I'll say is drink plenty of fluids while exercising and think happy thoughts while riding and try not to get all cramped up from overheating.
Signed,
A supporter of Kinky Fiedman for Governor of Texas

Saturday Morning - 7:30

Thought I would leave for a ride around 7:30 before it got so dreadfully hot this morning, but before I got back home it was really humid. Tried to ride last night and was having trouble breathing due to the lack of air that is thick with pollution and moisture.
This mornings summary - rode over to Clarksville via Hwy. 62 and then up the Lewis and Clark, out Charlestown Pike to Prather. Came back to Salem Noble Road and crusied its new surface to Hwy 403. Back to Sellersburg on Hwy 31 and then to NA via Hwy 311/Charlestown Road. Took the neighborhoods back through downtown NA and then back up Cherry Street Hill to home.

Wednesday After Work

Cruised up Old Vincennes to Quarry Road and over to Edwardsville, out Corydon Ridge Road to Baylor Wiseman and then over the never ending climb of Henriot Road. Took Evans-Jacobi Road to Old Vincennes and past the alma mater of a couple of this blogs contributors. Crossed 150 and Old Vincennes back to home.

Hey, Is Anybody Riding?

Two and a half months ‘til the fun begins …

Here’s updated information about the forthcoming beercycling trip to Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.

Six participants and their arrival schedules.

Graham Phillips
Graham flies into Frankfurt on Sunday morning, August 27, and he plans to proceed to Bamberg by train.

Roger A. Baylor and Kevin Richards
Both Kevin and myself will be arriving in Frankfurt on Monday, August 28, at 09.20 (Delta Flight 20 from Atlanta). We plan to take the train from Frankfurt to either Schweinfurt (57km from Bamberg) or Nurnberg (62 km from Bamberg) and do a first-day ride into town.

Tim Eads, Bob Reed, Craig Somers
Bob and Craig have indicated that it is likely they’ll arrive in Bamberg prior to the 28th, but far as I can tell, they’ve yet to book flights.

***Note to Frankfurt airport users:
Kevin has confirmed that more than one option for long-term bike case storage is available at the airport in Frankfurt. Be aware that the different storage areas have different hours of operation, which may impact your departure.

Bamberg.

Our accommodations in Bamberg will be at the Bamberger Weissbierhaus, which is located a couple blocks down the street from Spezial (which unfortunately closed during the period of our stay, although the Keller on the heights presumably will be operational). The Weissbierhaus is a short walk from the train station.

The plan remains to stay in Bamberg on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (Aug. 28, 29 and 30). Currently, we have one single room (Craig’s stated preference) and two 3-bed rooms, one of which I’ll be adjusting to become a double, as we only have six beercyclists.

***Bob, Craig and Tim: If you are planning on staying at the Weissbierhaus prior to Monday and wish me to include your arrival information and room needs on the fax I’ll be sending the management, it would be easier than each of you contacting them separately. Let me know.

Transit day to Prague.

Thursday, August 31, is the day to travel to Prague via train. I will be contacting German Rail shortly to try and book beercyclists and bicycles for the transfer.

The primary issues for transit day are these: Total transit time, number of changes required, and the necessity to reserve space for bikes on almost any train that isn’t exclusively local. For instance, if the route to Prague is via Nurnberg, it probably will require changing at least twice, including loading onto a Czech train at the border … but the final, slower Czech train probably would be stopping at Zlicin in the Prague suburbs (perhaps three clicks away from the accommodations described below), and not having to go all the way into the center and back out to the suburb would save time.

Prague.

Mr. Stanek at Camp Drusus has confirmed our reservations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (August 31, September 1 & 2). To reiterate, Drusus is a campground with indoor rooms and bungalows; we are not planning on tent camping. There is a restaurant on the site, which is roughly a mile from the nearest Metro stop (for quick travel to the center of the city), and according to Mr. Stanek, the campground is only 7 km from the Greenway trail head.

The annual hop festival in Zatec, a sister town of Poperinge that is located to the northwest of Prague, is being held on Friday and Saturday. Originally we planned to take the train for a day trip, but since our original discussions, I’ve been in contact with Michael Jakubuv, the owner of Mike’s Chauffeur Service:

I will be pleased to confirm our minibus 8+1 for a day trip (4.500 Czk total rate). I will gather details (about the hop festival). Payment in cash after the trip in Czk , $ or Euros. No need of cc guarantee. In case these rates are acceptable, let me know about time for departure.

At the current rate of exchange, that’s $204, total, or $34 each, to be conveyed by minibus (and less if Kim Andersen is able to join us in Prague). To me, although the train would be cheaper, a mini-bus would be a much more time-efficient way to visit the hop festival.

I’ll continue to pursue this option with Mike.

Prague-Vienna Greenway.

The consensus is for departure to be the morning of Sunday, Sept. 3. Craig has navigated the trail previously:

The Greenways trailhead in Prague begins in the SE suburbs. It is a dirt trail initially following a riverbed that runs east of Prague. The Greenways trail goes slightly in a NE direction to begin with and then bends to the right following on the edge of a river bank to eventually go in a SE direction which is ultimately the direction of Vienna.

Taken as a whole, we’re looking at 8 full days of riding between Prague and Vienna. As noted, Craig’s done it before, and also, both Kevin and Tim have received information from Friends of Czech Greenways (see separate mailing/posting).

It is NOT my aim to micro-plan an itinerary, but here are individual factors to take into consideration as we plan.

Roger: For the sake of clarity, be aware that I must be in Vienna by the evening of September 10 to meet Diana at the airport on the morning of the 11th. Accordingly, I will be making a reservation in Vienna for me alone on the evening of the 10th, with Diana joining me at the same hotel or B & B on the 11th. If the remainder of the group wishes to plan accommodations in Vienna collectively, then I’d know where to look for you circa the 11th and 12th, as Diana and I will be staying in Vienna for just a couple of nights before taking a train to Prague.

Bob: Has indicated that his wife Ellen is coming into Vienna around the 11th, and also has said that he’d like to take the beercycling loop that includes Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov.

Kevin & Graham: Flying home from Frankfurt after the 11th, so Vienna arrangements should be flexible for them.

Craig & Tim: No information, but I’m assuming that they’ll be departing some time after the 11th, also.

What I need to know.

1 Do you want rooms at the Weissbierhaus in Bamberg, and when?

2. Is the mini-bus idea acceptable to you?

3. Do you want to plan on including Ceske Budejovice & Cesky Krumlov in the beercycling itinerary?

There’ll be further updates as information arrives.

Now, get out there and ride.

Roger

Friday Evening and Saturday Morning

Had just a great ride this morning in temperatures of the mid sixties. Headed down Old Vincennes and then to Cherry Street, out Green Valley and then up Mosier Knob. Right on Atkins Road and followed it to Wieseka Hill Road and then Right over to the top of St. Joe Hill.
Down the SJ Hill to Grant Line Rd. Rode Grant Line back to IUS and then over to Hausfeldt Ln. Back over to Green Valley and then to Cherry St. Right on Cherry, left on West 7th and then right on Spring Street and up the hill back to home.

Friday night I rode up Corydon Pike and made my way around to Corydon Ridge Rd. to Tunnel Hill church, over to Luther Road and back to Highlander Point, Old Vincennes and Quarry Road and then home.

Sunday will be a flat ride via the backroads to Charlestown, if the weather is nice.

Cheers, I'm drinking Stone IPA as I type.
b

Reign Of Terror Warm Up

Tonights ride after coming down Spring Street hill to downtown NA.
NA Farmers Market
R- 4th St.
L- Main St.
L- Silver St.
R- Elm St.
L- Beharrel Ave.
R- Slate Run Rd.
R- Old Mill
Continue across Charlestown Rd to Klerner Ln.
Klerner Lane into IUS
Through IUS Compound to Hausfeldt Ln.
R- Hausfeldt Ln.
L- Green Valley Road
Continue across State Street to West St.
West Street to Cherry Street
R- Cherry St.
L- W 7th St.
L- Market St.
Back to NA Farmers Market

Finished the ride back up Spring St. hill to home.
Showered, changed and had dinner and NABC Croupier at Bistro NA.

Bridge out!

I rode past the Spring Street bridge on Sunday for a look-see. The necessary makeover is ongoing, and looks to be only about a fourth of the way along.

Upon closer examination, there's actually a big chunk of the bridge entirely missing.

Obviously, no way to sneak across there, so it was back up the ramp and eastbound on 62. Here's a view looking back toward New Albany. The frame object leaning against the guardrail is the remnant of a gas grill.

Needless to say, traffic can be very heavy, and the shoulder is not clean in the least. I've been pushing the bike for the two hundred yards between Beharrell and S & S.

Saturday Morning

*art work borrowed from www.cicle.org
L - Old Vincennes Rd.
L - Quarry Rd.
R - Corydon Pike
L - Hwy 62
R - Corydon Ridge Rd.
L - Edwardsville Park
L - Corydon Ridge Rd.
R - Baylor Wiseman Rd.
R - Hwy 64
L - Corydon Pike
L - Main Street
L - West 7th Street
L - Spring Street
and then home......

JP's Dutch-built bike.

Our friend and patron John Paul stopped into the pub last Saturday astride his new Dutch-built commuter bike. I asked him for a photo, and he was happy to oblige:

Verily, you don't see many of these outside the Low Countries ... and often, not even there. It's a three speed, seemingly weighs a ton, and seemed to be giving the rider a supreme workout.

Here's the skinny, as provided by John:

"Dutch (Holland) built, Azor Heavy Duty ... $1,042, plus UPS freight shipping from St. Augustine to Louisville: $189.00."

Dan Sorger -- The Dutch Bicycle Company

6 Aviles Street,

St. Augustine, FL 32084 USA

904.824.3416

http://www.dutchbikes.us/

http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/index.html

How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

Published May 31, 2006
by www.cicle.org

Contributed by Harv

On May 26th, the film, "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" was shown at Carlotta's Passion, an art gallery in Eagle Rock, California. Instead of how Cuba survived peak oil, this film is more about how Cuba survived the collapse of the Soviet Union and their subsequent cessation of support. It serves as a valuable lesson for us regarding life in the post carbon era. As I pointed out to the audience, the situation for the rest of the world at present is represented by the peak oil bell curve, with the upside of the curve haven taken 100 years, and the downside to zero oil will take at least another 100 years. But Cuba received a karate chop to their fossil fuel supply with the Soviet Union pulling out all support. The rest of the world could be dealing with similar severe shocks much before actual total oil depletion.Enough about that, we are interested in what Cuba did with their transportation system and their use of bicycles. Since the film was not primarily (and only poorly even secondarily) about this, I had to squint into the background of the video and listen for appropriate dialog.Cuba was never a modern consumer of automobiles. For many years they made do with cars from the 1950's and earlier, due to the embargo of imports from the U.S. since 1962. Cubans have become very clever at keeping these relics running and were thus somewhat prepared for the near total collapse of the transportation infrastructure. But not enough prepared.Enter bicycles. Did Cuba suddenly embrace a bike culture and pedal around the town and countryside smiling and waving? No they didn't. What happened was that 1.2 million bikes were imported from China and another half million were manufactured in Cuba and all were distributed to the population which now numbers 11 million. No carbon fiber 30 speed bikes here, just single speed, 50 pound steel clunkers. Cubans grudgingly swung a leg over these transportation devices, sitting upright and slowly pedaling their way over dusty and bumpy roads alongside the make-shift buses and oxen drawn carts. I did notice, however, a significant number of three-wheel multi-passenger pedicab type devices. At least as many of these as two-wheelers were shown in the urban scenes of the film.Bicycling was looked upon as a necessary chore for Cubans. Not something they took to with enthusiasm. Rough dirt roads, long distances with heat and humidity did nothing to enamor Cubans of their bikes. Health benefits were mentioned as a side effect of bicycling and the diet changes which came with the development of the new organic farming lifestyle born of necessesity. Urban bicycling in Cuba is nothing like that of China, the Netherlands, or even that of the U.S.But the lesson is learned. People will do what they have to do in the event of a real emergency. Cuba has been the world's laboratory for this. We have only to observe and project ourselves into the situation, even though our situation is, and will be, very much different than theirs. We will go through many mini-crises, ups and downs, interruptions of supply, and unfortunately long and expensive wars. We probably will not have a sudden catastrophic blow to our fossil fuel supply as Cuba did. We can survive what is coming. Like the Boy Scout motto advises, we can 'Be Prepared'. Unfortunatey our government cannot be part of the solution while it is still part of the problem. Our government and general population in the U.S. will continue to be only reactionary while we(alternate transportation advocates, permaculturists, environmentalists, etc) are proactionary. Our only hope is to expand the pool of preparedness by undergoing lifestyle changes. Many of us are already well into this process.

Twilight Ride

*photo borrowed from rainybayart.com

We had a scorcher of a day here in Metro Louisville, so much in fact that work just about burned me out from the heat and humid conditions. Came home and actually laid down and rested in the coolness of the air conditioning which I rarely do. Did we go from temps of the 70's and 80's to 90+ and humid or what?

I did however go for a twilight ride up to Jeffersonville's downtown area, getting back just about dark. Had to use the headlamp and flashers in the west end of NA. For what I mentioned about Spring Street hill the other day, you may forget about it, they started making repairs to the road where it has fallen it. We do not get the Tribune, so there might have been a article noting the construction beginning and I did not know anything about it.

Eating Crow

Today I made a leap that I thought I might do at some point, but was hesitant because of yet another transition in to cycling that did not “fit me” mindset. I bought bike shoes; actually sandals and quick release pedals. Go figure and yes the crow taste good. Also purchased today after much research, talking with others and viewing what people use, I procured a new seat. Thanks in part to a recommendation from Dave Pierce of what he uses; I bought a Selle Itialia gel seat. Minor adjustments will have to be made to both the pedals and seat but went out for an easy tune up ride of ten miles and can tell a HUGE difference with the pedals and a much needed seat make over/update.

Memorial Day

Took a nice leisurely cruise out around IUS and back down Charlestown and Slate Run Roads this morning, before making my way back home via Spring Street hill. It was very humid and actually very warm. Had trouble with my bicycle seat not being adjusted quite right. Switched seats and now will go through the new adjusting procedure.

Spring St. hill is open enough for riders or walkers. There was a tree that had fallen across it, but part of the tree has been removed enough accommodate a ped path.

Ride early, it will be brutal today.

Power Plant Ride

This is what we call a ride our Sunday morning group sometimes takes. The Gallagher power plant road is about the halfway point and today we stopped to drink our water and partake of the fruit that one of our group's members packed.

This ride started at our house in Deer Run, down County Line Rd, cut through Chapel Creek, then on to Graceland Church where we turn right and cut through more subdivisions and IUS to Green Valley Road, going all the way down to Cherry, making our way to Main street and down it a few blocks until we turn left onto the road where we then turn off down the road that goes to the Power plant. (Sorry I don't know the name of some of these roads.)

Took a break and had a great time listening to 3 men complain about their aging bodies and trying to find clothes to wear. Then back on the bikes and riding along the river, coming out at Spring Street, ended up going up Slate Run road and cutting off to Old Ford road, crossing Charlestown and up Klerner lane until we were back at the subdivisions and from there we backtracked. Total ride was about 25 miles.

We didn't leave our house until 9, which was kind of late, when we leave earlier on Sundays, this is a better ride with less traffic. But still a great fun ride, with very few hills to climb.

Auspice

These past few days have been sublime to ride. We managed another trek to Jeffersonville yesterday, though not to Grinny Possum (thanks, ed) but simply to cruise along the river, enjoying the myriad modd of nascent summer. Our bikes are both mountain oriented but I think I prefer the stability.

Despite my earlier caution, perhaps a small ride Frankfurt Avenue could be schedulled: I am not on the same page as most of this retinue in terms of ability nor velocity, but I think such would be a benign endeavor.

One Could Only Hope For

No it was not the infamous Reivers Ride, nor posted Bike Route signs along the way. Maybe someday if we ever get this NAB Coalition up and running with some clout, we might be able to accomplish something so nice as the Southern Indiana Bike Routes. We live in a great area for just that, many have tried to do something in the past, hopefully one day it will become a reality.

Today I rode from our Silverhills home to Utica and back. Early sunday morning is slowly becoming my favorite time to ride: no traffic and being able to cruise on nicely paved surfaces is a big attraction for me. I was to Utica and back home in one hour and forty five minutes. To top it off I came up Spring Street hill on the way home.

I Just Made It Back Home

Well I had a little luck this afternoon while out riding up in Jeffersonville. With my back facing to the west, the sky to the east looked pretty nice, but when I turned to the north and started making my way back home, it looked as though I was riding into total darkness. I sprinted from 10th Street and Penn in Jeff, down Dutch Lane, over a short section of Hamburg Pike, the total length of Eastern Blvd, the Lewis & Clark and Hwy 62 to Beharrell Ave before making my way back to Silverhills. Was in the house not 5 minutes when the rain started.
Total ride was 22 miles.

Made my maiden voyage to the NA Bistro last night for a couple pints of Croupier and really good food before being called in to get the lights back on after the storms pushed through the area.

Finally ...

I had the chance to shed responsibility and put in 40 km today, first from home to work and back, then on to Louisville and (1) harissa sauce purchase at Lotsa Pasta, (2) coffee pick-up for the missus at Heine Bros., then (3) a meeting with her at Maido for Happy Hour sushi and BBC APA.

Hoping to do something similar on Thursday if the rain moves out.

The Week In Review

It has been a week since I came home from my vacation and was lucky enough to log one hundred miles in this week, most of which was gathered yesterday and today. Was so good to get on my own bicycle after riding a converted mountain bike my whole time while staying with a friend out west. Don't get me wrong, his bike was very good and the kind jesture was most appreciative. But, we all know their is nothing like riding your on wheels. The comparison I will give in the difference between the two bikes was something like, the difference between driving a heavy SUV and then driving a light weight sports car. That will probably not happen again if at all possible, although I learned along time ago to never say never. Especially when I head back California, it is so user friendly at the airports with bikes. To listen to Roger and others about taking bikes to Europe, the airports must be very similar in the way they approach travelers with bikes.

Wonder how many people in the area rode bicycles to work on May 18th? If I could have I would have, believe me?

Bamberg and Prague planning for the summer biking trip.

I’m beginning the process of tightening arrangements for the first two stops on our summer biking jaunt in Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.

To reiterate:

Air arrangements have been completed for Graham Phillips and myself. Graham will be in Bamberg on the evening of Sunday, August 27, and I’ll arrive the following day. I’m not listing departures, at least yet; I must be in Vienna to meet Diana on Sept. 11, while I know Graham’s staying a few days past that and has indeterminate plans at present.

In Bamberg:

Accommodations at the Bamberger Weissbierhaus, which is located a couple blocks down the street from Spezial (which is closed during the period of our stay) in the direction of Mahrs. The plan is to stay in Bamberg on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (Aug. 28, 29 and 30). I made reservations through the tourist office, and can adjust if necessary. Currently, we have one single room (Craig’s preference) and two 3-bed rooms.

Thursday, August 31, is a transit day to Prague.

In general terms, the following conditions await us in Prague:

(1) Almost every account suggests that the Prague city center is not a good place to bike.
(2) The Prague-Vienna Greenway trailhead is somewhere in the southwestern suburbs of Prague.
(3) A Metro line extends from the center to somewhere near the trail.

All along, we’ve been operating under the assumption that it would be good to stay outside the center while in Prague, preferably in the vicinity of the trailhead, if not exactly atop it, as this would make the day of departure infinitely more pleasurable (and we can get back and forth by public transport, anyway).

Accordingly, I’m discussing group lodging possibilities with Mr. Stanek at Camp Drusus, a campground well out of the center but very close to a Metro line, which means that the center is only 20 minutes away. There are bungalows there, and the price is quite attractive. Please examine his web site.

We know we’ll be staying somewhere in Prague on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Aug. 31, and September 1 & 2), and traveling by train to Zatec (an hour and a half ride) for the hop fest on Saturday, Sept. 2.

The questions:

1. Do you like the idea of staying at a place like the campground?
2. Do we want to begin the Greenway on Sunday or Monday? My personal preference is to begin on Sunday, which would give me eight days before having to be in Vienna. But, I’m willing to defer to the group.

Okay, group – What are your thoughts?

Ride This Sunday?

Anyone up for a ride this upcoming Sunday morning, meeting at RichO's or Kye's, say 9 or 10 o'clock?

West Coast Trip Summary

Well the trip out west finally came to a close on Saturday. With it all said and done it wound up with us riding a little over three hundred and fifty miles in eight days, which I was real pleased with. We were going to do a longer ride on Thursday but mechanical problems with my buddy Terry’s bike prevented us from going very far away fearing more mech problems. Most of trip, other than over the mountains was spent either in designated bike lanes or bike path. Yes bike paths. The area around Mountain View, Los Altos and Palo Alto is virtually loaded with bike paths, so much in fact, that we rode thirty miles one day without leaving the same bike path in one direction.

By far one of the best rides we did was to ride the 58 miles from Los Altos to Santa Cruz via the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is a unbelievably beautiful ride that starts flat, then hits a rails for trails for 15 miles and then climbs hard up the Old Santa Cruz Highway that winds its way through the old growth redwoods to the summit of near 2000 feet. Most of the cruise down was winding, picturesque and very fast. We did that ride in four and half hours with a few breaks for water and rest. On conclusion, we hoisted pints at Seabright Brewing and 99 Bottles in Santa Cruz before resting over night, then taking the bus (with our bikes) back to San Jose.

Another nice ride was taking the Caltrain (that has a bike car) from Mountain View to San Francisco, then riding around the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Presidio and then up and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. From there we rode bike lanes to Tiburon and then on to Larkspur to Marin Brewing Company. We took on fuel (beer and food) at Marin Brewing Company and then took the water ferry back to San Francisco. Back on the Caltrain and then down to Mountain View station. That ride was forty eight miles.

There are so many other great stories that I’ll not bore you with. I had a great time, but it is always good to get back home, sort of. Sunny and warm last week and rain today? Oh and I must mention, I did not ride in a automobile for eight days. We either rode our bikes or took them with us on public transportation.

Best beers consumed on this trip were:
Moylan's Hopsicle
Russian River's Pliny The Elder
Speak Easy's Double Daddy

I'm Not Coming Home

Well of course everyone makes that same kind of statement when you are enjoying a great vacation now, don't we? Have just been enjoying the much needed break from work and other life pollution out here in the State of Arnold The Terminator. We have ridin on average over 40 miles and 5 pints a day. Monday we rode over the Santa Cruz mountains to Santa Cruz; 58 miles in about 4.5 hours. Thankfully I trained in the Knobs for such climbs of rather easy but long grades of six percent.

Today we are going back to Frisco via Caltrain and take a Ferry to Oakland where we will ride the east bay of Alameda/Oakland /Berkeley before taking BART back to downtown Frisco.

More postings upon my return.
ps...Welcome beercyclist to our blog

Can't come soon enough for me.

Beginning of an end for Big Four; Designs unveiled for Ind. side of walkway, by Alex Davis (The Courier-Journal).

Pedestrians and bicyclists could ascend to Indiana's side of the old Big Four Bridge via a 700-foot hanging ramp system, according to drawings by a Cincinnati design firm. Costing an estimated $2.89 million, the metal ramp would be far cheaper than an elevator that also was studied by KZF Design.

(Photo credit: Courier-Journal)

OUCH!!

Another fine weekend comes to a close and albeit I'm sore in places I'd forgotten having, I enjoyed it!

Saturday & Sunday combined I logged around 14-16 miles on the bike and walked another 5 on foot. Not bad for an old geezer who's been sitting on his ass in a truck seat for way too long to admit.

But as someone mentioned Saturday, you gotta work thru the pain to feel better. Sounds good huh!

Keep on pedal'n!

Courageous youth.

Those suffering from Oaks hangovers missed a glorious Saturday morning. Both Lloyd and I biked from our respective abodes to Community Park and met Diana. The three of us walked (I did two laps, they did three). I rode back home via Green Valley Road, Martin and Bono, doing a fast pace when possible.

The only blemish was a carload of youngsters who found it amusing to let loose an air horn blast while passing me on Green Valley, and ignored by entreaties to stop and let me whip the lot of ‘em.

This indeed is the exception rather than the rule, and given that most drivers are running too fast and recklessly, most are courteous enough when it comes right down to specifics.

I’ll do a second ride to and from work today. It’s a good feeling to get out in weather like we’re having – you know how it’s going to be very soon.

Au Revoir

Cherokee People, Cherokee Tribe

Last night, hubby packed up the bikes and met me at Cherokee park, not far from where I work, and we rode 10 miles. Started at what I think they call Hogan's fountain, on the loop road that is set up for bikers, walkers and cars. On the left side of the road, bikers and walkers share, and on the right cars can take the loop. Lots of folks out last night.

The start at Hogan's fountain means you get to go down a long hill, so you don't even feel like you're exercising, but don't worry, because very soon, wham, you'll find yourself climbing a hill. We went around the loop once and then veered off the second time on Park Boundary Road and ended up at Seneca Park's trail area next to Cannon's Lane. Lots of people there too, walking, biking, playing baseball, basketball and soccer.

One the way back, we took a left at a place call Big rock, I think, and from there I promptly got lost, but I was confident that eventually we'd come out somewhere familiar and sure enough we did.

All those roads in Cherokee Park confuse me. :)

For the first time this year, my back was not horribly stiff when I got off the bike. Yes! I think I'm back into riding shape and now it's time for at least a 15 miler this weekend.

A Sisyphus of Colorado

Tim's weekend anecdote was masticated to great pleasure this evening as my beloved and I went for another evening ride together; I have achieved 64 miles since my last post. Included in such are a troika of rides with my better half, contrary to my habits, as many know, I belive - and I paraphrase Conrad - that one cycles as one dreams: alone.

The rash of activity is exciting and encouraging: maintain, my friends, maintain

Monday evening rejuvenation

Hi everyone, this is my first post for this blog.

Last night, as soon as I got home from work, my hubby and I went for a little jaunt down County Line road. We went straight through the new three-way stop signs near St. Joe church and on down to where the road stops at Hwy 60. Then we turned around and went back. Total ride is about 8.5 miles. The weather was awesome, the legs felt great, very little wind, and I came back refreshed and ready to complete my article for the paper which I send in every Tuesday morning.

Nothing like a bike ride to get the creative juices flowing.

I Needed That

Went for a ride after work today up in the hills past our home and did a nice 15 mile loop. My body and mind really needed to see if it was ready for the bike trip out west, in which I leave for in three days. The body is an amazing piece of machinery, with just a little rest it performs stronger and healthier. Bob Peter's told me once that in order to keep training for what I am getting ready to do, he said "your body will need rest at the same time as still working out". He was correct. For as tired mentally and physically from work the past three weeks with little to no rest, I know I can endure what is ahead of me.

New Seat...Bent Sprocket!

Roz Tate and I have got a wild hair to loose weight and get into some sort of shape. So this morning I went to the bike shop in C'ville and bought an old man seat, installed it, and rode out to meet Tate at Richo's. While enroute my bent front sprocket gave up the ghost and I lost my two most comfortable gear speeds. (This has been Gremlin week for sure!) Anyway I arrived unscathed.

We then proceeded (in his vechicle) to Sam Peden park to lap the lake a couple of times. We both broke a good sweat and agreed to meet Sunday AM to do it all over again.

I grabbed a glass of H2O at the pub and headed home via Jon's house. He wasn't home but I met he and N walking in that direction about Elm Street. We spoke for a few minutes and I proceed on the my domoicile. So far I don't feel any worse for the wear. I may learn to like exercise yet!

Morning ride, Sunday, April 30.

Tim already has suggested a ride on Sunday morning, circa 9 - 10 a.m.

Anyone else? Ed's out of town. Kevin R. knows the plan.

Coexist

Encouraging motorists and bicyclists to share the road.

The key messages of the campaign are as follows:

1.) Reminding motorists to leave at least 3 feet of space when passing bicyclists, and to pass slowly and carefully.

2.) Reminding bicyclists to ride predictably in the roadway.

3.) Reminding motorists to check their side mirrors for approaching bicyclists before opening their car doors after parking.

4.) Reminding bicyclists to ride at least 3 feet outside of the dangerous door zone - the area just next to parked cars, where doors can suddenly and dangerously fly open.

*borrowed for education & safety from http://www.sfbike.org/

My Training Schedule Is In The Toilet

It has been over a week since I last rode by bike, today was testament that my training schedule for my upcoming bicycle trip out west has suffered a slight blow. It may be that having worked none stop without a day off for a couple of weeks has weakened my body and spirit, but the trip this afternoon was so nice and relaxing I did not wish it to stop.

Cruised out around IUS and then back towards downtown NA, with a pit stop at Destinations Booksellers where I saw Randy and Jeff. Made my way over to the river and out Corydon Pike before turning around and heading back home via Camp Ave hill, where I ran out of gas.

Probably tried to do too much with little rest, but damn it was fun.

Rides

After re-thinking my earlier post, I came home and decided to redo it. This is an open forum blog created for myself and for others to chat about or communicate about bicycling. I stole part of RAB's post from yesterday and thought I had an avenue that we could expand on, when in reality it was nothing more than HIS thoughts about possible rides on Monday this summer and nothing more. If, he wishes to include folks for a scheduled ride, he will do so.

That said, I would wish for J. Barthold and others to be Contributors to this blog and have input as well as help set up group rides. That was the vision when the idea of this blog was conceived by me and my longtime friend RAB. We have made it perfectly clear that this blog is here for whomever wishes to log, keep track of or just tell us fellow cyclists of their own experience on their rides. Our longtime friend Lloyd made the leap and asked to be a Contributor and I personally think that is way cool. If you ride around the block with kids, that would be really cool to hear. If you road from here to Indy and back that is cool, too. The nice weather is upon us people, share your experiences.

Send me or Roger and email and we will see to it that you will be a Contributor to this locally shared blog.

Ed

What a Weekend!

I got the bike out yesterday afternoon and took a tour around New albany. One could not ask for a more perfect day to ride!

I probably did a meager 5 to 6 miles total, but ya gotta start somewhere. Hope to catch up with some of you to ride as the season goes on!

Thanks Ed - hope to be back in the saddle again.

I'm back after two weeks of riding and walking.

We saw a surprising number of bikers on the Pacific Coast highway, and even a recumbent (sic). It's narrow, but signs everywhere warn drivers to share the road. Promising, but such great distances ...

Ed, apologies for not linking with Terry; I spoke with him twice, but in the end we had to hustle to make it to North Coast in Ft. Bragg to catch the people before they went to Seattle for the craft brew show. I took a rain check and PROMISED (with your indulgence) to join the two of you for a cycling week in the Bay Area very soon.

For those making the German/Czech/Austrian trip in late August, planning now begins in earnest.

More on that later. When's the next ride?

How's the city doing for bicycling, not NA but we can only wish.

*This is all borrowed for local bicycle education from http://www.sfbike.org/

How's the city doing for bicycling? Get your opinion in the mix!

Take the 2006 SF Bicycle Survey online! As a central part of our work to publish San Francisco's first-ever Report Card on Bicycling in San Francisco, we need the input of everyone who cycles in the city — our 2006 Survey of Bicycling in San Francisco asks you to share your opinions on riding a bicycle in the city — how satisfied you are with bicycle facilities and amenities — how safe you feel when riding — how the city rates for bicycling.
The results of this survey will come together in the 2006 Report Card on Bicycling in San Francisco which we'll be presenting to Mayor Newson on Bike to Work Day (May 18). Spread the word, share the link and help us collect the broadest and deepest sample of cyclist sentiment!

Louisville Loop With A Twist

Did not get a ride in yesterday due to domestic grass cutting maintenance, but made it out this fine day. Rode the Louisville loop which I had not been able to do since the closing of the Old Sliver Creek Bridge, but rode the white line of IN 62 across Silver Creek and then across Emery Crossing to the Ohio and then over to the Clark Memorial Bridge, road over to Louisville Slugger Field and then return back home through parts of Jeffersonville and Clarksville.

It was a nice change of scenery, as well as switching riding routes that is always important to keeping it fresh. I really miss the old bridge and will be glad when it is repaired. My avenues to Clark County have been reduced greatly since its closure.
Total ride was 29 miles.
b

E_Day

This E Day was spent with memories of past E Days and how they have shaped the person responsible for this post. Details later on a more deserving blog, but for now it is cycling. This morning as any other Sunday with coffee and newsprint. Prepared dinner and then hit the road. Rode up Edwardsville hill into a prevailing dark cloud that brought much rain after I had made it home. Made my way around Quarry and Old Hill Roads, down the Paoli Pike Hill, back to Community Park and then to downtown NA and then back up Spring Street Hill to home.

This holiday of sorts is always measured with personal trife: death, seroius injury, near death and living past all of the mentioned. Another Christian Holiday in which I have never fit.
b

Friday

Just returned from a ride loop up Edwardsville Hill an around Quarry/Old Vincennes Roads and home. The weather.com says that it is 86 degrees, 49% humidity and the wind is between 15 and 20 mph. Did we have much of a spring this year or did it just go from nice to hot? Not complaining at all.
b

Tis been a good day over all for moi. Spent most of the day attending a safety meeting for Duke Energy(my new employer this year) in Columbus Indiana, came home and rode my bicycle for 25 miles out Charlestown, Payne Koeller, County Line, Bugaboo, Grant Line Road’s, then through Community Park to Green Valley Road back to downtown NA and then up Old Spring Street Hill to home. Went afterwards to Bridge Liquors for quaffing items, only to find a new selection of $1.00 brews in the close out cart; big bottles of Salvation from Avery, Éphémère from Unibroue and St Georges Ale from Young’s Ram Brewery. Total amount spent for $1.00 beers = $30. Beer cycling is a good thing
Oh Yeah!
b

$2.90

Buy a bicycle and beat the high price of fuel, plus save some of our resources.

Urban Young Ride Demand For Bicycle Innovation

*from Reuters
By Lucas van GrinsvenThu Apr 6, 8:41 AM ET

Marcel Bouw always regarded his four-person bicycle as an indulgence. Then it was stolen.
"We had our third child and then at the same time our bicycle was stolen. We found it was essential to have one -- I cannot bring my three children to day care on a normal bicycle," he said.
Until recently, people such as Bouw could not buy a bicycle other than a straightforward two-wheeler that carries a maximum of two children, one behind the handlebars and one on the back. It is a delicate and unsafe balancing act.
In the past few years, however, a class of young designers and welders emerged in countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark to address the inner-city transport needs of families and companies. Their designs are taking congested cities by storm.
Riding the streets of Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm are thousands of radically new bikes, ranging from tricycles for day care centers that carry eight children and low-seater bicycles with passenger-carrying trunks in front, to robust transport bikes with large containers for delivery boys.
And folding bikes and retro army bikes can be spotted everywhere.
"Bicycle design has been incredibly dormant for decades. Now there's an explosion of new forms," said Cees Steijn of Amazing Wheels from IJmuiden, a coastal town near Amsterdam.
They are not cheap, said Radha Meloni, 32, a shopkeeper and mother of two who paid 1,200 euros ($1,454) for a second-hand tricycle cargo bike with two benches. New ones start at 1,500 euros.
Yet it still beats the price of a decent second-hand car, let alone a new one.
"It's a big investment, but a car costs more, plus you have to buy petrol. I can park my tricycle anywhere. I'm much more flexible," she said.
Cargo bicycles fulfill needs that previously were met only by the car: capacity and safety.
"I have two children and so does my sister who lives nearby," Meloni said. "We take care of each other's children and I can't carry four on a bicycle. I needed a transport bike. It's much more stable than a bicycle."
URBAN PROFESSIONALS
The first of the new style bikes, compact and light enough to be used by anyone, were designed by Danish bicycle-maker Christiania, named after the traffic-free enclave in Copenhagen.
The initial designers were environmentalists. But today's customer base is much bigger. Most buyers are pragmatic urban professionals like Jouke Schouten, 33, who is a carpenter and does not own a car.
"We live in the center and it's a nuisance to find car parking," said the father of two, who pulls his children and the groceries in a trailer behind his bike.
High car parking fees and abundant bike lanes have ensured that 35 percent of local trips in Amsterdam are made by bike.
In other Dutch and Danish cities the percentage is even higher, according to Dutch figures.
Even large enterprises, and consumers and businesses in other countries are picking up on the new bicycle trend.
Coca Cola in Belgium has bought dozens of Smart Trikes from Amazing Wheels for summer sales on the promenades along the North Sea. Postmen in the Netherlands deliver mail with trikes. Employees at chemical plants and on oil rigs in the Netherlands and Britain use rugged Truck bikes from Swedish company Monark.
Christiania and Amazing Wheels are taking orders from France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Australia and the Middle East. Two-year-old WorkCycles is exporting to the United States.
WorkCycles is experiencing solid growth, says the company's Chris van der Oord. Annual sales of new tricycle and bicycle designs in the Netherlands alone have risen to tens of thousands.
BIG WHEEL TRADITION
The recent International Bicycle Design Competition in Taiwan, the 10th edition of the industry's main design competition, attracted 400 entries. The winning design, announced in March, was a tricycle from French designer Yves Plattard. The runners-up were another tricycle from Korean designer Woo Seungkyun and a city bike from Chinese designer Feng Wei li.
The top three designs featured small wheels, which the traditional bike industry hates to adopt. The industry insists on a triangular frame and large wheels with low friction. They have not used any of the last 10 years of innovative bicycle designs from the competition, although today's 20 inch wheels are just as good as 28 inch ones, said juror Han Goes.
"If the industry would just be prepared to adopt 20 inch wheels, it would create a design opportunity to get rid of the triangle frame. We can move to one size fits all and there will be more room for luggage and passengers," he said.
"The last major new bicycle concept adopted by the industry was the mountain bike in 1985. The big bicycle makers are introvert and not market oriented.
"They design new bikes by choosing a new gear shift, a new saddle and a new color. But the consumer doesn't care about that. The consumer has specific needs, like bringing children to school," Goes added.
The breakthrough came with independent and creative bike makers, who did not wait for the big firms but were prepared to self-produce their own radical designs. Danish designers are now bringing to market a tricycle that can be converted into a normal bicycle.
With annual sales of new models already in the thousands, that should be a lesson for the big manufacturers.
"The niches addressed by these small bicycle makers aren't small at all," Goes said.

Sunday April 9th

Sunny 59°F
Wind from ENE 4 mph
Took a short ride around the City of NA today after spending the day working in the yard, trying as most of you to stay ahead of the springtime chores we all face this time of year as home owners. This upcoming week looks like it may be a real nice week of weather to get some quality exercise or just cruising on the bikes. See you on the street!
b

77 Degrees

Skipped work this afternoon to take my bride to the airport; she is going to visit our son in Charleston,SC. Got in a fifteen mile ride in gusty conditions, but was lovin' the 77 degrees just the same. Hopeful to get some riding in tomorrow and Sunday if the weather isn't too bad.

Wow What A Beauty Of A Day

Took advantage of just a fantastic day weather wise and the fact that I got off from work at regular quitting time instead of storm restoration mega hours on the electrical grid. Made a great loop from my home up Old Vincennes to Quarry Road, then over to Corydon Pike and down that great hill. Took Main Street up to Silver Street and then right onto Charlestown Road. Dodged through rush hour traffic and over through Community Park, up Green Valley Road to Captain Frank and then over the Frisco like hilly streets of Woodland Subdivision and then home.
One hour and fifty two minutes of splendor, minus the traffic on Charlestown Road. Have a good trip Roger and stay in touch.

Possible group ride on Sunday, April 2.

Meet at Kye's in Jeffersonville at 11:00 a.m., then cross the Clark Memorial for a round-trip River Walk, then up into the Highlands for coffee or beer.

Currently, the cast looks like Tim Eads, Kevin Richards, Graham Phillips and myself.

Finally I Get A Ride In

After not being able to ride for who knows how long, I finally got a twenty mile ride in today just before the rain came. Cruised around NA, did some hills and sprints as my body reacted so familiar to the pace I put it through. Funny how the time off the seat and pedals made my body seem more rested and stronger, even though I had been working a ton of hours on the electrical grid over the last two weeks and was feeling so run down.

After about a couple of miles of warming up, I actually caught myself smiling and loving the exercise. There is something to say about true enjoyable exercise. Before my two weeks of hell and not riding, my body was starting to feel fatigued and I was really concerned about how it would react to my upcoming bike trip. Now I have no concerns and will keep up a training program to warrant the miles ahead for me in five weeks when I go out California.
b

Gonzo Bicycling Strikes Again

*photo borrowed from the web
At the suggestion of my long time friend Roger, this is archived from my Parish blog.
PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS!

Monday, October 17, 2005

On Sunday morning I rode my bike across the Sherman Minton Bridge that connects Indiana with Kentucky spanning the Ohio River, giving me yet another bridge conquered via my bicycle. It was early in the morning, near 0800hrs when I peddled up the ramp and approached the massive structure. Yes it is against the law to be on a bicycle on such part of the Interstate system, but I did it and had great fun doing so. Only one vehicle passed me and the look on the drivers face said it all: crazy. Well I am in a harmless kind of way. Maybe just my way of retaining my youthful rebel needs.

For those of you without headgear ...

http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/2006/03/initiative-prohelm.html

The latest malfunction ...

... is a broken spoke on the back wheel, suffered today while peddling to work.

Teeth gritting.

It's wobbling fairly bad, so I won't risk a ride tomorrow. Instead, it'll be up to Clarksville Schwinn first thing Monday to have the wheel respoked.

I learned my lesson in Belgium two years ago. Break one -- don't wait; respoke altogether. It takes no time at all for the spokes around the broken one to weaken, and they'll start snapping, too.

Cinna's Stage

It was appropriate to ride on the Ides this sunny afternoon, though not at war with myself like the Brutus of lore but rather pensively like a Beckett character. My yearly total on the bike has reached 22 miles and my ambition is three hundred, not much by the standards of my peers but double that of last year. If indeed we are inviting the inevitable global warming, it is fitting to enjoy it, even in an activity that itself tempers its proliferation.

Conrad J. Boisvert Bike Trails Books

These books are great. They have distance(miles) and elevation(feet) graphs, plus starting points and mile markers, as well as a brief description of each rides landscape. Included in each ride is also a detailed map. Each ride is given a difficulty rating, riding time, calories burned and the total elevation gain.

But, In The CJ Today

Great news for bicyclist in the Dutchmans Lane area from the Louisville Metro government.
$3.5million to smooth way for bicyclists Improvements, new trails ahead

Bike Talk

At the request of Randy Smith at Destinations Bookseller I have found a gold mine in planning my bike trip in May to the Bay Area of California. Randy suggested an author by the name of Conrad J. Boisvert. This gentleman has written many books on bicycling in and around San Francisco, two of his books that I have chossen are making my riding routes so easy.

In one of the books I discovered a route through the mountain town of Woodside. After looking at Woodside's website www.woodsidetown.org I stumbled onto this shocking piece of information about a bicycling committee in that small town. What will it take to do this here in Southern Indiana?

Bicycle Committee

Meetings:
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:30p.m., Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Rd.

Appointment:
Nine members appointed by Town Council for staggered two-year terms.

Duties:
The Bicycle Committee advises and recommends to the Town Council on policies for planning, developing, maintaining, and usage of the Town's bikeways system, including reviewing and making recommendations on:
1.) applications for special bicycle event use permits for the Town's roadways,
2.) elements of the Annual Road Program relating to the Town's bikeways, and
3.) bicycle access to and parking at institutional, commercial and office facilities.

The Committee addresses issues relating to bicycle safety and usage of the roads and trails throughout the Town, including joint use by equestrians, pedestrians, and bicyclists; and educates children and the general public in State law pertaining to bicycling and safe bicycling practices.

The Committee provides an open forum for bicycle issues; offers communication links to diverse local, regional and state bicycle organizations and to bicycle clubs; and offers expert participation on the C/CAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Council Representative :
Deborah Gordon
http://www.woodsidetown.org/bicycle_committee.html

Struggling ... not unlike the Clash.

Should I stay or should I go (out for a ride, when it looks like rain)?

Another Universe Indeed

That was an appropriate comment in reference to my previous post on the new bicycle parking garage that Caltrain is building at the San Francisco Train Station. It is a safe bet that I will never see anything like that here in the Metro Louisville area in my remaining life span. Oh well, that is one reason why I vacation out there.

Attempted to ride yesterday, but was summoned to work just as I was getting ready to depart on a ride. So today I tried to make up for it. Rode down Spring Street Hill, and by the way it is clean. Someone has had it cleaned up and taken down the ugly barriers on each end making it user friendly again for recreation. So, after departing NA, cruised out Corydon Pike and up Edwardsville Hill. Took old 64 to Edwardsville-Galena Rd before making my way back over to Luther Rd and Hwy 150. Sprinted over to Scottsville Rd and up Skyline Dr, down Spickert Knob and Green Valley to downtown NA and then back up Old Vincennes to our Silver Hills home.

Real good ride on a gray Sunday, which will see a weather change this afternoon bringing rain for a day or two for this area.

Caltrain Kicks Off Bike Depot Construction at San Francisco Station

Caltrain is making it easier for San Francisco bicyclists to ride their bike to the train, with the long awaited construction of a new 1,600 sq. ft. bicycle parking facility at the train station at Fourth and King streets.
Funded with federal, regional and local grants, the new bike depot will have space to park at least 100 bicycles. Storage will be secure, and free of charge to users. Additionally, the operator, Warm Planet Bikes, will offer bike-related service and repairs, at a fee to patrons.
The kick-off event will take place at noon, Monday, Feb. 27, at the San Francisco Caltrain Station, 700 Fourth St. The event will feature speakers, including San Jose City Councilman and Caltrain Board Chair Ken Yeager, Muni Executive Director Nathaniel Ford, San Francisco Supervisor and Chair of the San Francisco Transportation Authority Jake McGoldrick, MTC Commissioner Sue Lempert, and SF Bicycle Commission Executive Director Leah Shahum.
Construction is scheduled to begin during the first week of March and will be complete in mid-summer. The facility will allow people to ride their bikes to the station and park it at no cost, as they take the train to their destination, while lessening the impact of overcrowding of bike cars on trains.
On average, more than 300 bicycle riders board at the San Francisco Caltrain station each day, with nearly 2,000 daily bicycle riders between San Francisco and Gilroy. Current trains only have capacity for up to 32 bicycles, and once the limit is reached additional bicycle patrons have to wait for a later train with room for them to board.
“We love our bike passengers, but we have limited bike space on our trains,” said Caltrain Rail Planning Manager, Michelle Bouchard. “This new facility offers them a way to keep riding their bikes, and frees up more space for other bike riders who may need their bike at the other end of their journey.”
Attendees at the kick-off event will view renderings of the new facility, enjoy music and refreshments.
02/24/2006 taken from http://caltrain.com/

Did Everyone Ride Today?

Hopefully everybody took advantage of the great warm weather and made it out on their bicycles today. My trip was shortened due to an extended work day that got me home after five. Luckily made my way around NA for an hour and was making my way back home with my lights on coming up Cherry Street hill.

As Luck Would Have It

In this day an age of rising fuel cost, the days of discounted airline tickets would seem to be gone, not true. Was lucky yesterday to purchase a ticket from American Airlines for moi, from Louisville to San Jose,CA for $238 roundtrip. This is setting up another monster week of riding in one of, if not the most bicycle friendly areas of the United States. My buddy Terry lives in Los Altos, CA which is south of San Francisco and east of Santa Cruz. Ever since last August when I did a bike trip with him then, we have kicked around another journey, now that will become a reality. More later.

Yesterday I got in another twenty miles of relatively flat and easy riding. Once again across the Silver Creek Bridge and over to Jeffersonville and then looped back to New Albany's Community Park and then home. A bit blustery and no sunshine made for cool riding even though the temperatures were in the mid 50's.

New adventures in equipment malfunction.

You'll notice that the bolt to the right has sheared in half, making it impossible to keep the two sections of the clamp that secure the seat to the post together, ensuring that for the second time this year, my seat has disappeared while riding.

It happened this morning while out for a daybreak spin around NA, so it wasn't catastrophic. I'll be mailing the pieces back to Performance, and borrowing Diana's seat (again) to commute this week.

I know I'm a fat guy ... but this is getting ridiculous. I'm thinking of taking a spare clamp assembly on the Euro trip -- but I couldn't very well pack an extra post.

Saturday And Lovin' It

Just returned back home from a nice, leg burner, lung burner (all the above) out to Georgetown and back down Paoli Pike and back Old Vincennes to home. I had not been doing many hills because of some right knee soreness, but today I hit the hills big time.
Cruised up Old Vincennes to Highlander Point and then on to Duffy Road. Up Luther Road and around back to Edwardsville Galena Road, past Highland Hills Middle School, over to Floyd Central High School. Returned back up Old Vincennes to Luther Road and over to Paoli Pike. Burning down the hill and then State Street to downtown NA and then back Old Vincennes to our Silver Hills home. Total ride 24 miles. Time for a beer!
b

Silver Creek Bridge: Still Open

In between the end of my work day and meeting friends at Pat's Steakhouse in Louisville for dinner, I took a little ride up to Downtown Jeffersonville. Started out from home and used the old Silver Creek Bridge one more time before destruction begins. Was a nice sunny day for a ride along the Ohio River. It proved to be a little breezy at times but mostly very comfortable. Nonetheless, logged nineteen miles today. Hope this weekend is nice, so as to get a long ride in, like maybe to Lanesville or Georgetown via the back roads of our beautiful Southern Indiana landscape.

b

Am I The Only Person Riding?

Come on, going to let a little ice and snow stop you from riding? Well yeah? Did the pattern of my riding of late, which is in Louisville. It is a good break and less traffic than fighting the bonehead drivers on the North Shore of the Ohio River. Cruised part of the River Walk, but opted for streets because of still spots of ice and snow in shaded areas. Followed the Bike Route signs out to Chickasaw park via Northwestern/Southwestern Parkways. Made the lap in the park and then came back downtown on Greenwood Ave. What better way to get the real feel of a city than on a bike. The people in that part of the city are cordial and helpful when I have questions either for directions or some historical site. I did a two hour ride, before darkness finally got me. Total ride was 21 miles.

Clagg Bridge

Come hell or high water yesterday I was going to ride a little before the weather took a drastic plunge, so after a day of work in Madison I grabbed my bike and headed for the RiverWalk in Louisville. Gusting winds and running out of daylight shortened my ride, but not before cruising under the Clagg Railroad Bridge and watching it lower back down after a tug and barges had passed by. If you have never seen this structure move it is a sight to behold. Peddled through Portland and went up over the new bridge to Shipping Port Island and back. Rode an hour around downtown L'ville then going back over the Clark Memorial Bridge and to safety before the rains came.

photo borrowed from www.railpictures.net

61 degrees on Feb.15,2006

It is written that great minds think a like. Today for Roger and I we must have been on the same wave length or reasonable facsimile. He is swamped with prepping for Gravity Head while CINergy owns me most of the time and today was no exception. He and I had traded emails about a possible ride this week together, but schedules would not be. But we both wound up at the BBC Taproom at different times today via our bicycles.
I skipped early from my gig in Madison and made a beeline to get my bike and pickup. Yes I left early from work, just like a lot of other folks wanting to take advantage of the great weather.
I left my pickup near the Clark Memorial Bridge in Jeffersonville and headed to Louisville. Made my way to Chickasaw Park via the River Walk and then back to downtown using city streets like Southwestern Parkway and Bank Street. Cut back over on to the River Walk and cruised my way to Clay and Main for a couple pints and a growler to go of BBC’s APA. Chatted with Matt Gould and Dave Pierce for a bit, before coming back across the bridge right as the sky was full of beautiful colors at sunset.
Very relaxing ride that I will do again to relieve stress build up from work and other un-necessary stuff we all have from life.

Saturday

Today after not riding since January 31st, I took my first ride in the month of February. A brisk nineteen mile ride around NA, out to St. Joe Road past Graceland and back home, by way of Community Park and downtown NA. Not many hills on this route, but plenty of sprinting on Charlestown and Grant Line Roads, trying to not get run over by maniacs in SUV's using cell phones.

Will be going to Bedford tomorrow and will likely take my bike and get a ride in up there around the hilly Limestone capital of the world.

The Potable Cyclist

Good article in the CJ today!
*photo borrowed from CJ website

Where'd Spring go?

After 20 km each of the last two days, I'm both frozen and in need of a stiff drink.

But not a frozen drink.

Brief note: No rooms available at Spezial in late August.

For those on the biking trip to Europa, I've learned that there are no rooms during the period we'll be in Bamberg. I'm checking, but it's possible that the whole establishment is shut down for vacation during this period.

Which means we'd have to drink Spezial up at the beer garden overlooking the city. Rotten luck.

I'll now be investigating alternatives. Because the group continues to grow in size, it might be a good idea to find a pension arrangement rather than a hotel, perhaps a bit out of center to better accommodate a group with bikes. I'm hoping to enlist the assistance of Matthias Trum, owner of Schlenkerla, who has told me that Monday the 28th is the last day of the annual street festival in the old town, where the breweries dispense beer and much revelry occurs.

Out to ride now, and then to work for a few chores.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

This site, The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition played a huge part in helping me plan for my trip last August to the Bay Area. What a grand idea to help further educate people about what is going on and also in the quest for bicycling in your own town. Most streets in San Francisco are so user friendly for cycling, that the trip was somewhat effortless and safe. I did not feel threatened once by a vehicle driver. For those of us that ride the city streets around Metro Louisville and ward off insults and rude vehicle driving, cycling in the Bay Area is a bit like dying and going to heaven.

Beercycling memories.

Inside the venerable Mahrs Brauerei taproom in Bamberg, it's Craig Somers and myself in 2003, near the conclusion of the summer's biking:

No bicycles in the picture, to be sure, but beer's almost the same thing ... the photo was taken by Pavel Borovich (sic), the Czech beer lover who Kim Andersen (literally) stumbled into while exiting a taxi in front of the Spezial brewpub.

Only six and a half months ...