Saturday, July 17, 2010
Slipstreaming, Such a Cool Thing
Ever been riding along and get caught up in the scenery. Then all of sudden someone swooshes by at high speed and tries to leave you in the dust. Suddenly with a burst of surprise, you locate the drafting point on the riders tail and you muscle you way up to speed and stay tire to tire for some distance. The nice thing is, that when the passing rider makes his move...assault etc.they must "cut the wind" for you. It's just cool to stop pedaling is see how you get pulled along by their efforts. Big grins. Enjoy your bicycle ride! And stay cool too.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Just News, But...Sounds Like Lots Of Bikes Are Getting Stolen. UGGGH!
The concerns about bike thefts in Los Angeles increased Friday as LAPD detectives said they are searching for two men who are responsible for shooting two cyclists who fought the robbers in Koreatown.
One of the victims was so badly wounded during the April 4 robbery that he was only released from the hospital last week, police said.
“They nearly killed him,” said LAPD Det. Dennis Bopp, who is investigating the shootings. “It was a crime of opportunity that turned to violence.”
The shooting unfolded about 3.a.m., when the two victims stopped to get food from a catering truck at Pico Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue. The victims left their bicycles unguarded nearby. As the men bought food, two men walked up and grabbed their bikes.
The cyclists saw their bikes being wheeled away, chased the robbers and began struggling for control of the bicycles, Bopp said.
One of the robbers pulled out a handgun and shot one of the victims in the ribcage. Then, as they rode off, he shot the second cyclist in the shoulder.
The shooting comes as the LAPD reported a 29% increase in bike thefts last year compared to 2008. Nearly 2,000 bikes were reported stolen last year in Los Angeles -- and authorities believe the actual number of thefts was much higher because so many people don't report stolen bikes.
Enjoy the ride...avoid LA.
One of the victims was so badly wounded during the April 4 robbery that he was only released from the hospital last week, police said.
“They nearly killed him,” said LAPD Det. Dennis Bopp, who is investigating the shootings. “It was a crime of opportunity that turned to violence.”
The shooting unfolded about 3.a.m., when the two victims stopped to get food from a catering truck at Pico Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue. The victims left their bicycles unguarded nearby. As the men bought food, two men walked up and grabbed their bikes.
The cyclists saw their bikes being wheeled away, chased the robbers and began struggling for control of the bicycles, Bopp said.
One of the robbers pulled out a handgun and shot one of the victims in the ribcage. Then, as they rode off, he shot the second cyclist in the shoulder.
The shooting comes as the LAPD reported a 29% increase in bike thefts last year compared to 2008. Nearly 2,000 bikes were reported stolen last year in Los Angeles -- and authorities believe the actual number of thefts was much higher because so many people don't report stolen bikes.
Enjoy the ride...avoid LA.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Fixy Phenomenon
As a kid we use to take a 10 speed and change the handle bars and paint the frame and have a new bike as a result.
However, it wasn't what the factory had in mind. Those bikes with the inverted dropped, now raise racing handlebars were a sort of commonplace bike. I am still trying to grasp a similar bike style- Fixy's...or fixed wheel bikes.
Generally used as stadium bicycles. Perhaps it's a sign of the times. "In urban North America fixed gear bicycles have achieved tremendous popularity, with the rise of discernible regional aesthetic preferences for finish and design details." states an online source. It must have come from our European friends: http://www.bellaciao.de/?page_id=37. This one's a German bicycle maker. It's a different aesthetic and in it's own subtle way these machines present an "odd ball" statement, kind of like bowling shoes or horse jockey garb or something... I don't think it works with shorter riders, but that's just my thinking. I think a svelte female riding one is quite thoroughbred looking though. See the link for further "fixie" sensations: http://www.wabicycles.com/why_a_fixie.html
I think it's the newest thing since, mountain bikes. It's is interesting and soon probably to become mainstream.
It seems in American, it's a bit of a circus act with the bike and the rider, since they intentionally dress in street clothes rather than make any attempt at an identifiable type of cycling attire. Interesting... We'll see where it goes. Enjoy the bicycle ride!
However, it wasn't what the factory had in mind. Those bikes with the inverted dropped, now raise racing handlebars were a sort of commonplace bike. I am still trying to grasp a similar bike style- Fixy's...or fixed wheel bikes.
Generally used as stadium bicycles. Perhaps it's a sign of the times. "In urban North America fixed gear bicycles have achieved tremendous popularity, with the rise of discernible regional aesthetic preferences for finish and design details." states an online source. It must have come from our European friends: http://www.bellaciao.de/?page_id=37. This one's a German bicycle maker. It's a different aesthetic and in it's own subtle way these machines present an "odd ball" statement, kind of like bowling shoes or horse jockey garb or something... I don't think it works with shorter riders, but that's just my thinking. I think a svelte female riding one is quite thoroughbred looking though. See the link for further "fixie" sensations: http://www.wabicycles.com/why_a_fixie.html
I think it's the newest thing since, mountain bikes. It's is interesting and soon probably to become mainstream.
It seems in American, it's a bit of a circus act with the bike and the rider, since they intentionally dress in street clothes rather than make any attempt at an identifiable type of cycling attire. Interesting... We'll see where it goes. Enjoy the bicycle ride!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Cyclists take on one of L.A.'s steepest hills
I was reading in the LA Times website: Cyclists take on one of L.A.'s steepest hills
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fargo-ride15-2010mar15,0,3912612.story
Hill climbing is cool if you can muscle it up there on a 10 lb. carbon fiber road bike. But to try that on a mountain bike? It seems fun, but 51 times in one day? Hey it's fun stuff anyway. Bicyclists are an interesting breed with an independent streak right down the middle of their character. God bless, freedom and cycling. Stay safe ride for fun and enjoy the bicycle rid
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fargo-ride15-2010mar15,0,3912612.story
Hill climbing is cool if you can muscle it up there on a 10 lb. carbon fiber road bike. But to try that on a mountain bike? It seems fun, but 51 times in one day? Hey it's fun stuff anyway. Bicyclists are an interesting breed with an independent streak right down the middle of their character. God bless, freedom and cycling. Stay safe ride for fun and enjoy the bicycle rid
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bicycle Thievery For What? Don't Forget Your Bicycle.
When I decided to write this blog, I thought about some of those odd looking fellows and gals (not so much), who were mismatched to their bicycle.
Like seemingly a lower paid chap riding, in not so much, bicycle aware gear, to work at an awful hour on a $2000 mountain bike...or by the same token a guy riding a little girls bike in the same manner.
Subtler shades are 30-ish and 40-ish types riding a BMX? Not so easy to spot.
The solution to id these potential mismatches, ie stolen things, was to develop a database, idea to collect photo ids catalog that says, "Show us your bicycle". You can put a phony name on it, but you know it's you riding there. Or it's your bicycle, no one else's.
Attach with it the last four digits of the serial number or some such thing, etc., city etc., your police department. We link directly to your PD and maybe we get a hit, if it's reasonably close to the incident. Short of having a bicycle Lo-jack at a cost of $500, what do we have to rely on? Obvious things, if you love your bicycle, keep it locked away. Don't forget it as in the winter months, because you let your defenses down and it's gone. Snap. That's what happened this morning to my daughter's Trek, little girls mountain bike. Here's a useful link to use as well for preparedness.
http://bicycleuniverse.info/eqp/theft.html
Please have a safe and pleasant bicycle riding experience. Where is your (stolen) bicycle sleeping tonight? Enjoy the bicycle ride. Best, Not Too Laude.
Like seemingly a lower paid chap riding, in not so much, bicycle aware gear, to work at an awful hour on a $2000 mountain bike...or by the same token a guy riding a little girls bike in the same manner.
Subtler shades are 30-ish and 40-ish types riding a BMX? Not so easy to spot.
The solution to id these potential mismatches, ie stolen things, was to develop a database, idea to collect photo ids catalog that says, "Show us your bicycle". You can put a phony name on it, but you know it's you riding there. Or it's your bicycle, no one else's.
Attach with it the last four digits of the serial number or some such thing, etc., city etc., your police department. We link directly to your PD and maybe we get a hit, if it's reasonably close to the incident. Short of having a bicycle Lo-jack at a cost of $500, what do we have to rely on? Obvious things, if you love your bicycle, keep it locked away. Don't forget it as in the winter months, because you let your defenses down and it's gone. Snap. That's what happened this morning to my daughter's Trek, little girls mountain bike. Here's a useful link to use as well for preparedness.
http://bicycleuniverse.info/eqp/theft.html
Please have a safe and pleasant bicycle riding experience. Where is your (stolen) bicycle sleeping tonight? Enjoy the bicycle ride. Best, Not Too Laude.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Skillful, Crazy, & Technical Bicycle Video
Watch some really (crazy), but very skillful riding too. This is called Trials riding. Reminds me of the circus. Danny MacAskill is the rider. I thought it would nicer to view this video without the flirty ads, still Cool stuff. Enjoy.
Bicycling Into The New Year, 2010!
Wow! I think this might be the year of the bicycle. Why? More commuting to work as an acceptable means of transportation. Stress reduction, etc. etc. Let's face it, although bikes have been around for so long, they have changed very little. See :http://www.nostalgic.net/bicycle649.htm That's a pretty cool example of a gear driven bicycle. No greasy trousers with that. I think bicycle designers should see this economy and these days as an opportunity to be innovative. Why not launch a new category other than "fixy" bikes. Some new thinking would be good for everyone. Anyway Happy New Year and Happy Riding! Enjoy the ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)