Thursday, December 31, 2009

38. Dave's Almanac

First commute of the month had me looking for ski gloves with 16 degree temp. Last commute of the month (and year) saw me pulling off my light gloves with a balmy if wet 45 degrees. Doesn't that mean an early and wet spring?

37. Dave's Al

Monday, December 28, 2009

36. Congrats


Seattle's light rail transit--"Link"--has finished its first primary line: a circuitous route from downtown to the airport. During stop-and-go rush hours, the "Link" avoids congestion by going over, under or around I-5. And it's bike friendly (bikes can hang from built-in handles; that's mine in the picture).

Saturday, December 26, 2009

35: recycle


Green commuters recycle Christmas wrap!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

34. Frostbite, part 2, the Experiment.

So I found a left ski glove, inspiring an experiment. Ski glove on left hand, winter cycling glove over a latex glove on the right. The weather was a balmy 22 degrees, an extra few degrees perhaps offset by a greater wind chill factor (I was late so had to cycle fast to catch the bus--the ride involves an approx 200ft drop, so I'm going at a good clip by the end of the final hill). Result: cozy warm left hand and chilled (but tolerable) right.

I was tempted by the "lobster" gloves recommended by Master All-Weather Cycler Reuben, but then I found the right ski glove.
Final solution: ski gloves for temp less than 30, above 30, regular winter cycling gloves.

Oh, I did miss the first stop for the bus, but took a short cut and caught up by the third stop. All's well that ends well.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

33. Frostbite

The official low was 22, but when I got up yesterday my rooftop weather station said 16, record-setting lows for this part of the country (I know, we're whimps; we also complain for any temp above 90 like we're going to melt or something). So I just layered up and kept warm on my bike commute, with one exception: my fingers felt like they were going to break off. My winter cycling gloves just aren't up to this. I tried flexing my hand while riding hoping that the ensuing circulation and heat generated by the muscle activity would keep my fingers warm. Nope.

I'll see what REI can offer, but I may just go to Costco and buy some ski gloves. Problem with that, though is that I have lots of hills coming and going so I need to shift gears a lot, which may be difficult with ski gloves. Vamos ver.

Monday, November 16, 2009

32. Helmets

What is it with me and bicycle helmets? Last spring I left a $10 promo (my employer was doing its community service thing) on the bus; of course it wasn't turned in. Then a $35 REI sale helmet was stolen when I left it hanging from my handlebars (inside a parking garage just a few yards from the attendant). And last week I left a $30 Target helmet on my handlebars after I put it up on my bike rack. I'm sure that lasted 2, may be 3 blocks. So I'm back with my yellow bucket. At least someone is going to have an easy time figuring out a Christmas present for me.

Friday, November 13, 2009

31. Passing Time on the Bus

Took a different bus route today, express to the University District. I could see 9 people from my seat. Eight were clearly students. Of that eight, 3 were studying, one reading a small book making passages or making margin notes in what looked like a Gideon bible; 5 had earbuds, including each of the three studying; one was sleeping; and one was just staring ahead with no book or ipod or sleep (though for a while she was looking at her cell phone (presumable text messages). On the bus I read; on the bike I listen to podcasts or books. I should do music once in a while.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

30. Game Day


Today was probably the last game day this year--days when my commuting crosses paths with professional baseball/football/soccer games since the respective stadia are all on my bus route. Mostly I'm annoyed because it means standing room only, slow boarding (fans never know the fare so have to dig through their pockets and packs for that last quarter), and heavy traffic.

But a Sunday game day also attracts more interesting passengers than the usual boring commuters (like me). Today for example, across from me is a 40-something, with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, and with a 4-6 month old packed into a snugli. At his feet a bottle half filled with milk is tucked into a bag. Next to him is a teen with a black soccer ball. To my right a college age Seahawk fan playing monopoly on his iphone, and to his right a middle-aged bachelor type going to a vintage toy fair in Lake City, which means he's spending 3-4 hours on the bus today. And to think, some people would rather drive.

Friday, November 6, 2009

29. A Bicycle in Every Garage

Seattle mayoral candidate and cyclist Mike McGinn now leads by about 85,300 to 83,000. Some 50,000 ballots have yet to be counted, but are unlikely to change the final results. Shunned by the city's business and labor elite, he is beholden to no one, 'cept maybe the Cascade Bicycle Club and the editorial staff of the Stranger.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

28. Urban Bike Sharing/Renting






In 1994 Portland salvaged a bunch of bikes, painted them yellow and stationed them throughout downtown. The idea was that pedestrians could borrow a bike, leave it at their destination for someone else to use and so on. Repairmen were hired but couldn't keep up with vandalism. The used bikes had no real value, but too many disappeared, and the program was abandoned. Earlier or contemporary programs in Amsterdam and other cities met the same fate. More recently (click on title) an advertising company in Paris spent $140 million to set up a bike rental program (one euro daily). The $3000 bikes (heavy duty, special locking systems) soon disappeared or were wrecked--but the program continues. Portland recently put on hold plans for a similar rental program, but others appear to be thriving in several European cities (the ClearChannel system has 12,000 "Smartbikes" in several European cities with Washington D.C set to join). An idea whose time has finally come? Will high tech fixes (Smartbikes maintain constant electronic contact with base operations) overcome urban dysfunction? Stay tuned.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

27. And Again!


Almost door'd again, third day in a row. I was not riding fast so had plenty of time to maneuver, but what is going on?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

26. almost door'd again

This time the door opened just as I passed. If there had been a car in front of or behind me, squeezing me to the side, there would have been a major impact. Is someone trying to tell me something?

25. Door'd


Almost got door'd today, ironically by a emergency response vehicle, in front of a hospital. Mad at the driver? Only during the 10 sec adrenalin rush, then calm and admission that when I open a car door, I rarely look in the rearview mirror to see if a cyclist is coming up along the side of the car. My only excuse is weeks can go by without being behind the wheel (Sage usually drives when we're together)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

24. Illogic

I'm not as careful with my bike helmet as I am with my bike and sometimes leave it relatively unguarded, thinking who would want to steal my sweaty old helmet. Duh, the same type of dude who goes around stealing helmets probably does really care about sharing someone else's sweat. So, back to the yellow bucket until I buy a new one.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

23. Opportunity of a Lifetime


You may have thought that casting a vote for the first African-American president was a singular event, but Seattle has upped the ante: we have the opportunity to elect the first real pro-bike mayor of a major city (disclaimer: I don't really know if this is true, but it sounds good). He has promised to give up the mayor's black SUV and ride his bike around the city for mayoral functions (though no San Francisco, Seattle has some tough grades). He has won the endorsement of the local bike club and has promised to upend plans for a multi-billion tunnel under city streets to replace a crumbling viaduct. When asked how suburban drivers would get in to the city, candidate McGinn replied, "Let them ride bikes."

Sunday, October 11, 2009

22. Commuting Econ 101


Last year with gas prices at all-time highs, and strong sales tax revenue (the primary income for Sound Transit) funding more routes, ridership continued its multi-year growth. But this year has seen an end to that growth. Some of the decline may be newly unemployed not needing a bus to anywhere, but the more important factor is probably lower gas prices (i.e., a cheaper car commute). Having taken the bus because of high prices, new riders experienced the convenience, the low stress, and the savings of public transportation, but without committment to the idea of public transportation. Most Americans use public transportation only when they can't afford the car.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

21. Pride Goeth

Remember my boastful, "bring it on," referring to my disdain for winter weather (no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing)?

Well, there's a missing factor in the equation: bad weather forecasting. Twice this week I wore rain gear based on weather forecasts, then rode hot and sweaty in rain gear. And yesterday, the forecast said sun, and I was soaked coming home with cloth pants and a light windbreaker. So I'll leave a sacrifice on the altar of the winter god and meekly forsake my pride.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

20. There's a Hole in the Bucket


Bought for $2 at a yard sale, I liked the visibility of its bright yellow, but everytime I saw my reflection, it looked like I had a yellow bucket over my head, so I discarded it in favor of a $10 helmet subsidized by my employer (of course with company logo). Left it one day on a bus; never seen again (that's it on my bike in the commuter train on the right)

Then a nice white helmet belonging to my son who is now a subway commuter. But I figured he'd need it again some day and wouldn't appreciate a few years of my sweat. So I went to REI (not always my favorite bike store--that's another post--but on my way home), and found a not so visible but adequate black helmet. Maybe if I attached a light on the back.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

19. What didya think?

Bruce to the bike thief spectators

Thursday, September 24, 2009

18. Bad Bike Day

from Nick:


What didya think I didn't need my bicycle seat or my rear fender? Well I did!




Tuesday, September 22, 2009

17. Dopodomani

Today Seattle, tomorrow Boise and dopodomani the world. Congratulations to Pamela Braden, mild mannered gifted education teacher, who has abandoned her car in favor of a bicycle for her 6 mile commute. Click on the title for a link to BSU's commuter cycling advise.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

16. What would Kant Do?

A long day. Up at 5am to catch the 5:30 but it was inexplicably on "divert," so I had to wait for the 6:00. Finally left the hospital at 8:40pm, arriving at bus stop (a major terminal) around 8:50, bus due at 9. There's another cyclist who's looking a schedules, so he might be waiting for my bus, or another, who knows. If the bus arrives with an empty bike rack, there will be room for both of us. If there is one bike already on, then only one of us will make it. Assuming the latter scenario, I have three choices:
1. Bus arrives; I gesture to him to load his bike since he has been waiting longer than me. I'll wait for the 9:30.
2. I stand close to where the bus will stop thereby establishing myself at the "front of the line."
3. I ride upstream to catch the bus at an earlier stop, avoiding a potential confrontation but the moral question remains.

What do you think I did?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

15. Greatest Invention of the 20th Century


Quick, which invention of the past 50 years has made the most impact on your life?

Personal computer, anti-lock brakes, cell phone, wide-body tennis racket, digital camera, waterbed?

Easy answer for me: bus bicycle rack. Originated in 1970's in Seattle, now in 400 transit systems.

But what happens when a bus rolls up and the rack is full? I peddle downstream to a relatively safe bus stop and leave my bike locked up for the day or night. It helps that I don't have an expensive bike and that it only happens a couple times a year (less often now with newer racks that carry 3 bikes). Though it is with mixed reaction that I meet new commuter cyclists: fellow travelers? or competitors for an increasingly scarce resource?

Saturday, September 12, 2009

14: Bicycling in the Big Apple and the three S's.

Click on the title to read this NPR report on the 28,000 NYC bicycle commuters who face the same problems we all do:

Safety (mainly from cars but also from other cyclists, road hazards, etc.)

Security (will my bicycle still be there when I come back)

Sweat (if I don't have a shower at work....)


Monday, September 7, 2009

13. Turn, turn, turn

To everything there is a season. We have abruptly entered the time of rain and darkness. Friday it was dark when I left and dark when I got home. And raining the past two days. Somewhere in the garage there's a fender I should put on. And my front light. I think know where that is. As for clothes: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." (a Norwegian saying). I do have good rain gear. I'm ready--bring it on.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

12. Road Rage

Waiting for the traffic to clear so I can make a left turn. An oncoming care turns right without signalling. I'm annoyed; with a signal I could have turned in front of him--I need to get to the office--I have a lot of work to do! So he turns and I turn, following him. Then again without a signal he makes a u-turn, forcing me to make a sudden stop. I start up and and ride in front of him so he has to stop. I pull up on his right side and rap on the passenger window. He doesn't roll down the window as I expect, instead he gets out of the car. He must be 6-6 with a shaved head, looking like he got lost on the way to the Seahawks training camp. He's about to say something, when I calmly inform him that one of his signal lights must not be working. Surprised, he looks down at the front of his car. I ride away, rather quickly, turning the corner and ducking into the office parking garage. I'll think twice before doing something like that again.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

11. The Real Green Commute


They're looking at me, like, who are you to stare at us? But hey, I'm just in total admiration.


10. pollution solution

A politician from Idaho, that home state of mine where independence and autonomy are worshipped more than God and Mammon, has proposed laws to limit the length of time that cars can idle, to decrease local pollution that can rival LA (not really, but it makes a good sound bite). Next thing you know, someone will suggest that Idahoans give up their pick-ups, SUVs, and 80 mph freeway speeds. But don't mention public transportation or bicycle commuting since the former is for the poor and latter for liberal wimps (like me).

9. Safety again

An analysis of police reports on 2,752 bike-car accidents in Toronto found that clumsy or inattentive driving by motorists was the cause of 90 percent of these crashes. Among the leading causes: running a stop sign or traffic light, turning into a cyclist’s path, or opening a door on a biker.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

8. Recyling

I was just trying to be my recycling best, saving wire hangers to untwist and turn into garden stakes. So a bunch of these hangers are in the back of the volvo station wagon. I'm real late and drive to the bus stop with my bike pushed inside, parking a few blocks away. I pull the bike out; it's dark; I start riding, it takes more effort than usual but I press on to the bus stop. Bike on bus, then off; light enough to see now: a bunch of wire hangers entangle the back wheel and chain. The derailor is bent, maybe beyond repair--I'm distraught. I go to Costco, buy a new bike--I'm happy, it has disk brakes. Maybe this winter I can make one usable bike out of the two broken bikes now cluttering my garage.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

7. Paper or plastic?

The headlines screamed, "Mayor in Jeopardy," referring to the two-term mayor's third place standing as the early results came in. But I was more interested in the result of the challenge to the city's plan to place a 20 cent tax on all disposable shopping bags. The plastics industry put 1.4 million into ads against it and had its way. Supporters found a positive spin, saying the issue had at least raised awareness.

"Paper or plastic, sir?"

"Neither, thanks; I'll just stuff things in my backpack."




Tuesday, August 18, 2009

6. Life-long committments

Grade school I walked (I would have thought at least a couple of miles, but 0.97 miles by mapquest; what a disappointment).

Junior high school: 1.4 miles on my blue (color of my eyes) 3-speed Schwinn or when a new junior high was built, a 1.1 mile walk 1.1.

High school: ashamed to say that bicycles weren't cool, so I drove a 52 chevy until a totalled it. serves me right. Lost a front tooth as a continual reminder of the error of my ways.

College: lived on campus; subway everywhere else

Mission: walked, bus

Grad school: bicycle, classic Raleigh until I left it in the back yard and it was stolen

First jobs: carpool, then bus (every day across the Golden Gate Bridge; inspiring)

Post grad school: back to bike, sometimes subway, but bike was cheaper

Then several years wandering in the wilderness, until I returned to run/bus or bike/bus about a dozen years ago.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

5. Variety

Variation on a theme: last wednesday, had my backpack ready by 11pm, 26 pounds worth, then up at 5, on bike by 5:15, on bus 5:30. In nicer weather, with a lighter pack, I would have ridden longer, to a bus stop 6 miles away instead of 2. Arrive at 6:15, up the hill to the hospital by 6:30 for a 24-hr call. Next morning, bike a couple of miles to transit center, then bus to airport, leaving my bike securely locked. Sunday carpool to airport, light rail to downtown, bus to home. I'll run to bus Monday, pick up my bike, back at last on routine.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

4. It's All About Safety

A not unsubstantial number of drivers let me know when they disapprove of my selective disregard for stop signs and traffic lights. I see it as a safety issue. Suppose I'm lined up with a bunch of cars at a red light. The cross street has no cars. Which is safer: me in an empty intersection, or lined up in the starting box with a bunch of testosterone-maddened motorists?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

3. Whether weather

Shoes still wet, so will add a pair of socks to my pack. Gloves dry, thanks to microwave. Yes, I did think about putting the shoes in the microwave, but if Sage ever found out... Needed my rain gear in the morning, stuffed it pack in the afternoon for perfect cycling weather on the way home.

Monday, August 10, 2009

2. Curses, foiled again

Sure, the weather forecast included rain, but so it had all week. So the gray sky this morning did not move me. And when I looked out my office window at 5:30 and saw it raining, still thought no big deal, I'll just make a few more phone calls, answer a few more emails. At 7:30, I decided raining or not, gotta go. I'm wet on the bus, and wetter still on the final leg home, thinking, where are my waterproof pants, jacket; my shoes will still be wet tomorrow; why don't I have fenders? A recent study showed that volunteers who cursed while their hands were in ice cold water experienced less pain than those who did not curse. Well, I don't know about ice water, but it works for bike riding in the rain.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

1: Behind the Wheel

Yesterday was the first Tacoma-Seattle auto commute this year. I brought Bryn's car home because I'll have to take Sage to the airport Wednesday morning. It felt strangely strange to be driving. Bicycled to church today, arriving a little sweaty perhaps, but a small price to pay.