Gaahh!!

Now, I haven't been riding my bike as much since I now commute by car to work every day. However, today I decided to do my errands on my bike, and much to my dismay, I found I had lost a little bit of my stamina.

On the way back, I had to hop off and push my bike over a little hill. I was out of breath when I got home, when before I would be a little sweaty, but definitely not feeling a little lightheaded.

So, I guess that is what happens when your off of your bike for a little bit. I would love to blame it on my bike and am going to give it a good tune up when I get the chance. (I can't get it to go into first gear, so something needs to be done. Google here I come!)

Funny story. My roommate asked to borrow my bike because she wanted to see if she could bike to her work up near UT. I said sure, thinking to myself that was going to be quite a bike ride. I asked her afterwards how it had gone, and she said she stopped midway and turned around, making a nine mile trip overall.

Moral of the story: Baby steps!

Proof?

So I came across this article on TheStir....kind of a meeting place for women with families. One post was about a kid who survived having his head run over because he wore a helmet http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/127310/terrifying_bike_accident_with_4yearold?next=41

I had a hard time believing this was a true story. The physics just didn't add up to me. Even a Fiat I think would squish your head.

The situation is a toddler in the front seat put the car in neutral, thereby having the car roll slowly back over this kids head. The website says it is "believed" the car ran over his head, so to me that says no one knows what really happened.

So does this change my feeling on helmets? For those who are die hard proponents of the things, it may seem a silly question. But I think people should be especially cautious about using freak accidents like these as proof for their side. One, the witnesses aren't even sure what really happened. Second, the details of the case are scant. What kind of car? How fast?

To me, having good traffic skills and knowledge of the most likely ways to get into accidents with cars is a better defense than plastic.  Better infrastructure and a culture where drivers are treated harshly for hurting fellow human beings is needed.

Thankfully, I did see one poster point out the real utility of helmets, and many others pointing out that a toddler unattended in a vehicle shouldn't even happen. A little hope for me.

High Heeled Clipless Shoes

I'm torn about the clips on these shoes. On the one hand, I love anything DIY. On the other hand, I'm trying to fathom why someone would need these in the first place. I mean, I get he thought the woman "the connection was awkward between the pedals and the shoes". However, is this a big enough problem to warrant busting up your shoes? It took him 18 months to do this supposedly. You train yourself to ride on the balls of your feet, which is really where its most natural to be anyway. Ok yeah I'm going to file this under "making a problem where there is none" and "Cool but ultimately unpractical projects".


The original post is on Instructables http://www.instructables.com/id/High-heel-clipless-bike-shoes/

Beer Festival

Unfortunately my camera wasn't working so I couldn't pictures of the bazillion bikes at the beer festival, but they were lined up all along the fence at Festival Beach. Totally worth the $$ to get in, as you could try 6 beers throughout the day and listen to music.

Really, any event like that it is better to take your bike. Parking around any part of downtown is difficult, although thankfully we didn't have that much trouble since we got there early.

I really want to move back up closer to that area of town. My friend and I really couldn't ride together because we were so far away. Anyway, I promise to be back with some more pictures of ATX cyclers (its a word now dammit) soon.

Friends and Bikes

I'm not an evangelist. Ok, I'm a very passive one. I put up this blog. I hope to show that getting around on a bike can be fun, enjoyable, and not a fight for your life. You won't see me handing out pamphlets in the street anytime soon.

I guess just going about my daily life has rubbed off on some people. My friend recently bought a bike, and is ready to go on rides once its cooler. (My SO and I agree she should go riding with me the first couple of times. Tales of falling off her mother's road bike have me convinced.) I want to show her how to get around safely, and have pointed her to several websites to help. In discussing her new purchase, she really wants it to ride around on for fun. It reminds her of riding around the neighborhood as a kid.

My other friend, the recipient of the Shiner Bock bike, has started getting into the bike thing. I won't take too much credit here. Her SO didn't own  a car and his bike was his primary mode of transportation. He more than anything got her into it. Discussing her new bike she said, "I rode to work the other day and it was so much fun. I'm obsessed." (This a drunken recollection, so, I'm pretty sure that's what she said.)

Getting a new bike is fun, just like getting a new car. Except when your car gets its first boo-boo, you cry. For a bike, you WANT it to look a little beat up. The wind in your hair (or the breeze around the edge of your helmet) is a great feeling. The feeling of pride you get when you ride further and further.....Ok, evangelizing over.

Dog and Duck Parking

Dedicated to all those who swear no one rides their bike in the summer. Spotted in front of the Dog and Duck  Pub in the UT area of Austin.

Seen in the Lakeline Area of All Places

My dream bike. The light blue color, the basket....everything I could ever want. Now, I saw this parked in front on the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline. Here's what I like about it.

1. If you've been out there to that area, you know it is a nightmare to get around. Person has cajones.

2. Looks like it doesn't have gears. Not a South Austin bike fo sho....

3. It has a basket!

Here is a picture of the bike lock. I have never seen anything like it, pretty nifty.