An unloved bike...

...is a sad thing.

If you know anyone that has an old road bike just collecting dust in the garage, please send them my way.

I plan to resurrect a bike for my wife to get her feet wet (not literally) riding, and for me to tinker with LIKE SO to create a SS/Fixie commuter.

More details in the comments.

my road fix

Haven't rode my geared road bike yet this year, been pedaling the fat fix everywhere.


Now I have a skinny fix.


Put a pair of 35c Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on the stock wheels. Barely squeezed a 48t salsa ring on, combined with a 20t tomicog, gives me a 66" gear. Don't want any taller than that pulling bob around. Looking forward to some road miles.

Hitchn a Ride...

I had a few worms hitch a ride on my bike this morning. Anyone else brave the wet roads this morning? Fenders make the wet rides so much more pleasant.

ride of silence pics

Police motorcycle escort for 50+ bikers. Police stopped traffic at all intersections for us while another group 10-20 rode two abreast in front of us. We stopped for a minute of silence where the rider was killed on Cornhusker a couple years ago. Several kids, etc. asked what we were doing while riding but we couldn't stop to explain. Hopefully, some newspaper reporters/photogs were there. Several hills strained out some family riders. I recognized a handful of people.

ride to remember

Tomorrow, Wed, May 21; start at Keystone trailhead at 36th St Culvers, 19:00. See Bellevue Bike Club for more details.

Hannah was invited to a model UN party at Papio Fun Park. I was happy that she agreed to my suggestion of riding there - over 20 miles. We stopped a couple times and ate at the DQ in Ralston. Took about 2.5 hrs total.

Big Papio Trail climbing out under W. Dodge.

Papio Fun Park

After three hours there, she was tired and mom picked her up to go home. I had pulled bob to carry change of clothes, books, etc. I thought 1.5 hrs to get home but it took me 2, stopping a couple times trying to take pics in the dark. Didn't work.

Hannah mentioned that cagers were smiling at us. I think with gas prices and commuting/cycling in the news lately, people seem more positive about sharing space. I think route selection is key - having a presence but not blocking traffic.

May 16th, Ride your bike to work day. YEA!!!

I rode mine, did you ride yours?

I was rolling up on Leavenworth Street and saw another commuter heading downtown on Leavenworth. I merged into traffic and got in my lane when I noticed he was running all the red lights and not following the traffic laws. This is not good for our cause and makes the cagers not respect us so Please FOLLOW ALL TRAFFIC LAWS.

Mayor's Ride Video

Here are a few videos of the Mayor's speech and a short video taken during the ride. Enjoy...

Ped Bridge Vid

...from the commuter challenge kickoff ride...

Bike Lanes in Omaha

Story Here.

2008 Mayor's Ride

I took a few pictures during the Mayor's Ride this morning.

National Bike to Work Week, May 12-16th

All week is bike to work week and Friday is National bike to work day. I hope some first timers will get out and give it a try.

fixed to freemont and back

Took Mary out to Calvin Crest in Fremont Thursday, about 30 miles each way. 2hrs out, 30 mins to eat gas station food, 2hrs walking trail, and 2hrs back. Farthest fixed ride. 38x18 under geared for a lot of flat pavement. Going to buy some touring tires for the stock wheels and throw a 48t ring on for a serious road gear in the upper 60's.

Thursdays Lunch Ride

Thursdays ride took me to my mushroom hunting spot for a quick look. Found a few but the numbers are going down. I think it's time to search for a new spot a little farther away.

Saw this guy sticking his head out.

As I was walking down the trail I noticed this big sucker.

Ended up with about 10 more. I'm going to start cooking them up tonight after work. Yummie.

Tuesday Lunch Ride

I was able to get my co-worker Jeff to come out for a ride today over lunch. We headed out for my 12 mile lunch loop. Stopped by to see the little horse and there was a very mean doggie there so I didn't get to give him any carrots.

This was Jeff's 2nd time out on his new XO1 with clip in pedals so I thought it would be a good idea to take him on some single-track. He only fell over 4 times. Not bad for a newbie.

cars are coffins

Took this pic on my way to the Swanson race Sunday.

I always take a look at the smashed cars in the city inpound lot off the Big Papio trail south of L st. Helps me imagine the violent impact of car on car accidents. Also reminds me that cars r coffins is more than a punk t-shirt design.

Lunch Hour Ride

Went on a little adventure ride during lunch today. Up until today I wasn't too excited to go out and ride over my lunch hour but now I think it's something I'm going to try to do everyday. I was able to get in another 15 miles, some of it offroad.

Gobble, Gobble.

You get to see some interesting things when you start to ride new routes.

Do NOT disturb!

How often can you do this on your commute to work in a car.

Friday

Ran into another fellow commuter on the way to work yesterday. It sure was windy on the way home last night. That headwind and the never ending hill up Farnam Street about did me in. My legs were feeling it so I decided to drive today. I need a day off the bike before the race at Swanson on Saturday.