Finally Making Some Sense

In NY,  someone actually looked at a current law and decided that it should be allowed to expire. Then they went and made new signs and reversed any tickets issued after the law expired......

Positive news for us cyclists out there.....keep it going

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/nyregion/24bike.html?_r=1&src=me

Perfect Snow

It isn't often that you get the opportunity to ride in perfect snow. Last night it snowed 2" +/- and the temperature stayed right around 25deg. Everything was covered in a perfect light and fluffy blanket. Today is a good day.

I stopped to take a picture of old reliable on my way to my meeting. The sun shining into the woods of Sligo Creek Park gave a golden hue to the bark of the trees and the old girl looked in her prime.

Words and Photos By Ray Heinsman

Into Audio Video Gear?

Going off topic here..........
but I just updated my Home Theater Showcase in my AV Club and I thought I would share:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=88673

Newly Discovered Blog

Outstanding photographs

Informative articles

I highly recommend.

http://dccycling.blogspot.com/

Commuting - Is a light bike faster?

http://sify.com/news/light-weight-bikes-may-not-necessarily-reduce-commuting-time-news-international-kmkoEpdcjfi.html

Today I read an article pertaining to one commuter's experience that riding his new expensive carbon fiber 30% lighter bike to work was no faster then riding his old bike. It made me realize that everyone has different expectations about buying bikes. This one was a little misleading and I feel bad that he ended up disappointed with his new bike purchase.

If the person commuting is restricting their speed because their bike has mechanical problems, is sized wrong, has design and construction quality flaws or is not intended to be used as a commuter bike, then fixing even one of these problems will increase the speed or ease  with which you complete your commute.....especially at the distances that this person was commuting. I guess i have to question how bad his original ride was, or ask how hard this person was trying to ride. Was he pushing the limits of either bicycle? It may have taken the same amount or more time because he was riding a bike that required less effort and therefore he rode with less effort.....thus resulting in not feeling as tired when you get to your location. What other important possibilities are there where a higher quality commuter bike results in a higher quality of life? 

This made me want to start writing again. Put out there a more complete viewpoint on cycling, more variables and options to talk realistically about cycling and bicycles.

 

For all my transportation needs for work I ride my bike. My new commutes take me all over the DC area. Mostly riding within a 10 mile radius, my commutes are not as long as the article's author. I ride through dirt paths, grass fields, paved paths, wood bridges, side streets, main streets and 6 lane "oh my goodness" streets.

Recently it came to my attention that my bike needed some serious attention. I break 9speed chains easy and this one was pushing a year. The rear tire had squishy spots where the tire's layers were separating from the fiber cord core. I spent Saturday morning changing the tires and the chain, cleaned all the surfaces and inspected the now aging frame and fork. They are way beyond their 10yr intended lifespan. All good though. No cracks. No flaking paint.

Check out future articles for pictures of the maintenance procedures, 

my innovative  commuter rig, and our adventures.

Ride Hard

Ray

Words by Raymond J. Heinsman

Photos found on the google

Cycle Ball!

Mix Hockey, Basketball and a Bike?!? - that would be crazy !?>

Hipster Video - Nicely done...

shared with me by my friend Maria


MISSION WORKSHOP IN PARIS from Bicycle Store on Vimeo.

MoCo Epic 2010

     The MoCo Epic (http://mocoepic.com/) was a great event created by my friend Denis of MORE and sponsored by MORE, REI, Germantown Cycles, Holiday Inn of Gaithersburg, DrinkMore Water, The Bike Lane, ZAdventures, Oasis Bike Works, Darius Mark State Farm Insurance, Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning,  Trails For Youth,  Fireworks Art Cafe, and of course IMBA.

     Over the course of the summer he spent countless hours with other MORE members creating and documenting a course that would be safe, enjoyable and legal. When there are 160 riders, you have to be sure to have you $hi! together. Starting before sunrise, I was assigned as a volunteer to parking lot duty. We had two parking lots at the nearby Maryland Soccer Complex that held 120 cars. They were full.

      I attached a few pictures to the left from my experience with the wonderful enthusiastic people who participated both as riders and volunteers that day.

What is the MoCo Epic? As per Denis on the MoCo Epic Website:

It is a supported ride. Participants will be given a cue sheet, a GPS track (should they have the necessary equipment to run it), spray painted signs will be on parts of the course, and volunteers will direct riders at critical intersections. Time records will be kept only for the purpose of accounting for everybody.

                           



During the ride, the riders will cross some or all of the    following Montgomery County parks:

- Schaeffer Farms (Seneca Creek State Park)

- South Germantown Recreational Park (SoccerPlex)

- Hoyles Mill Conservation Area (Hoyles Mill trail)

- Black Hill Regional Park

- Little Bennett Regional Park

- Damascus Regional Park (Seneca Greenway trail)

- Lower Magruder Branch Park (Seneca Greenway trail)

- Great Seneca Stream Valley Park (Seneca Greenway trail)

- Seneca Greenway
- Seneca Creek State Park

- Muddy Branch Park

In order to go from one park to the next, the riders will occasionally be on road portions. The total paved mileage depends on the ride you register for. Here is the breakdown of road/dirt in the 62-miler:

- Country roads (very few cars): 12.88 miles

- Neighborhood streets: 3.09 miles

- Paved trails: .75 mile

- Major roads (River Rd, Rt 28, Rt 355, Rt 121, Esworthy, etc...): 2.85 miles

- Trails (almost all singletrack): 44.34 miles

There is a great photo gallery to enjoy on the MoCo Epic Website. Everyone had a great time and there were very few injuries. All in all, it was great publicity for MORE and for mountain biking in general.

For me it was inspiring. Seeing everyone out there having a great time riding in great weather on great terrain was just, well, great. I really wanted to participate but I was not in shape to do this. I have had a rough time this summer getting into shape. There are no more excuses though. Time to stop whining and start working. I have been riding more lately and it is amazing how much worse shape you can be in when you are older then would normally exist at an earlier age. It is because of this that I now understand how important it is to take the time to exercise your body, especially when you start hitting your upper 30s. It isn't going to get any easier and it is so essential to maintaining a high quality of life,

Rider Of The Day #34

Life is interesting and you never know what is going to happen. I have a new path in life and it is very exciting. I left my employer and I am now on my own, freelancing as a designer and creating products for my brand "Rays Life Cycle". Summer is over. While trying to figure out how to get out of my stagnant employment situation was an important goal; I have not achieved all the goals I was shooting for this summer. In particular, my desire to improve my fitness and my mountain biking abilities. After my pre-rain ride this morning, before I started working, I was standing on the deck and I took some photos of this guy riding in the rain. Brave soul. It was really pouring out there. How many others of you got caught this morning?

words and photos by Ray Heinsman

Bicycle Fashion

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/fashion/30BICYCLE.html

The US is starting to use the bicycle as ordinary transportation. The rest of the world has thought this way since the bicycles invention, but here in the US, the car, bus or train provided transportation for anyone going farther then a few blocks. Now that people desire to ride their bike to the store, or the event, or to dinner; what will they wear? 

Photo courtesy of the NY Times.