50. Macho Cycling

Have I mentioned how I hate it when another cyclist passes me and then immediately slows down? So tonight, I speed up, not enough to pass, just close enough to keep my options open. My route has a left turn but I continue to tail him straight--uphill no less. Then at the top of the hill I pass him and immediately turn left, increasing my speed. I could look back to see if he also turned. But I don't want to give him the pleasure of knowing that he has power over me. I ride fast for a few blocks then another left to return to my route. He's nowhere to be seen. VIctory!

49. Thou Shalt Not

For those who worship the god of cycling, listening to an IPod while cycling is forbidden right up there with helmetless riding. One creative apostate claimed that "books-on-tape" were okay because unlike music, gaps between words allowed one to hear street noises. Say what?

I don't worry about missing some sound. It's not like I change lanes because I can't hear a car approaching. And horns are as likely to project anger as a concern for my safety. But the distraction could be my downfall, focussing on a New Yorker commentary instead of what's ahead of me.

But I spend almost an hour a day on my bike, same routes more or less. It's boring.

48. Slow Down

One misses a lot, commuting by car, moving too fast, separated from the world by steel and glass.

The other day I was waiting for a bus, and saw a mini-SUV drive up, a couple of guys inside, blue collar workers, I guessed, judging by their clothes. One got out, apparently being dropped off for the bus. But before he gets out, he gives the driver a kiss on the cheek.

47. WiFi

A school district in Tucson has installed wifi on one of its busses, transforming a a rowdy, noisy ride into a study hall with essays written, science reports turned in electronically, and of course emails setting up dates.

Sound Transit has internet on a couple of bus routes, but not on mine. With books, magazine, and journals I don't really need the internet, except of course to blog (both of my work places block "social networking" sites). And if I really want to surf the web while commuting, I can cycle a few extra miles and take the WiFi-equipped Sounder train. I do have a recently purchased PC netbook-- If I had just waited, I might have felt justified buying an I-Pad (though for several hundred dollars more).

46. Tough Love

I had just sat down when the driver asked me to turn down my ipod. Just a book on tape, not loud music and full earphone not ear buds, so I was surprised that anyone could hear it. But no problem since I usually I take off my headphones as soon as I sit down anyway. A few minutes later she asked me again, in a tone that would normally be reserved for disobedient children. I explained that I had already turned it off, which prompted the rider in back of me to apologize-it was his music all along. A few stops later she refused to let a guy on:"You jaywalked; I don't let jaywalkers on my bus." I guess I should be grateful that she hadn't kicked me off--it's her right to do so.

The day before, a guy who looked 70 but moved like he was 80 slowly climbed on and asked how much was reduced fare. "I have to see your reduced fare card." The passenger sat down and leafed through his wallet, showing his medicare card, his drivers license, and a couple of other random cards, all to no avail. Meanwhile a kid gets on and shows a transfer. "We don't take Pierce transit transfers. That will be $3.00 or $2 if you're a student." The kid explains that he got stranded without any money; he's just trying to get back home. "Then take the local bus; they'll accept the transfer." So the old guy pulls out a $5 bill and pays for his and the kid's fare.

45. February

To some February is daffodils, to others the Super Bowl, or maybe tahe academy award nominees. To me its the half-yearly bus schedule update.

I'm on pins and needles. Will my routes expand? Shrink? New routes to help the commute? The transit's sales-tax-based revenue is down; ridership uncertain (maybe fewer people going to work, but others deciding better save money and take the bus). So many factors, so little time.

And the winner is..... me!

Routes have been added to the Seattle-Federal Way express (I work in FW a couple times a month). Gone is the Metro route that swings through the airport. I'll save almost an hour a day.

44. Justice

Last fall an 18-yr old from downstate was texting his girlfriend while driving. He drifted across lanes and into a 50-yr old school teacher cycling home from work. The teacher died from injuries and the texter was just sentenced to 5 years in prison. I'm not too sure how long he needs to be in prison, but I wouldn't mind a life-long prohibition against owning a cell phone and car. Let him bicycle home.

43. Move On

Health care reform dead?

Well then, move on to climate change.
Naysayers be gone. It's here, it's real,
Our children will pay the price of our dithering.

42. Green Commuters in Viet Nam

The last pic tells you a bike repairman is hanging out nearby. Never worry about a flat tire; help is literally around the corner.

41. And One Card to Rule Them All

$38. That's the yearly cost of my ORCA card, subsidized by my employer and the generous citizens of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties who allow one penny out of their oppressive 10% sales tax to fund public transportation. I just wave it across that little gizmo there, and a green "pass" lights up.

This allows me free travel anytime, anywhere in those three counties. Everett to Lakewood, 75 miles, just once bus change; all with ORCA.




Named after the region's favorite marine animal. I wonder how long it took some public servant to come up with "One Regional Card for All."

40.: 740 SW

My car sits on the street for weeks at a time; I'm surprised it hasn't been reported as abandoned. My wife and I use her car when going out together, but the other day I needed to run an errand alone ("What, you don't want to go to Home Depot with me to check out sump pumps?"). The car barely started, the battery having been ignored for so long.



So why do I keep this car? I don't really need it.

But it's family.

Purchased new in 1990 when my wife flew free to Gothenberg, toured the Volvo factory, then drove the car home to Naples. First time we had ever bought a car new. Compost, furniture, bikes, sand, Christmas trees; you name it, we've carried it either on top or inside. Three times after collisions, it has been declared dead by insurance companies. I've bought it back and had it repaired. It runs great, has something like 280,000 miles; no, I think I'll keep it around a while longer, just have to remember that it needs some attention every two to three weeks.

39. Green Resolutions

Wait! Before you laminate you New Years Resolution and stick them on your fridge, take the following test:

1. Two Points if you walk, run, bike or use public transportation on a regular basis
Two points if you carpool or occasionally use public transportation or live within 5 miles of your workplace

2. Two points if you drive a non-SUV hybrid or if you and you partner just have one car between you or if your second car is used less than 1000 miles per year.
One point if your second car is driven less than 5000 miles per year.
Subtract one point if you own a SUV (if your SUV is a hybrid, you're free on this one)

3. Two points if you have solar power in your house
One point if you have taken any concrete steps to have solar power installed

4. Two points if you always use recyclable bags for shopping
One point if you frequently use recyclable bags for shopping

5. Two points if you use air travel once or less per year
One point if you use air travel just two or three times per year

6. Two points if you recycle all household waste, including yard and kitchen waste for composting, batteries and printer ink cartridges to appropriate centers, and of course ALL paper and plastics.
One point if you fail on just one of the above.

7. Two points if you have made a financial contribution to an environmental organization
One point if you have argued with friends or family about environmental causes

8. Two points if you have watched both "Who Killed the Electric Car" and "Inconvenient Truth"
One point if you have seen just one of them.

9. Two points if you have replaced all of your incandescent lights with LED or fluorescent bulbs.
One point if you are replacing incandescent with LED/fluorescent as they burn out.

10. Two points of your winter thermostat is set at 68 degrees or less when you're home
One point if it set at 70 but all of your windows are double-paned.

My score? 14.
Yours?

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

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).

35: recycle

Green commuters recycle Christmas wrap!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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)

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.

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."

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.

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.