Things I see everyday on my ride make me happy.

• The smiling face of a friend as you battle the nasty snow sleet together “Yahooooooooooooo!” echoing over the wind, friends make even the worst weather worth riding in.
• The fact that the elderly gentleman who ran out in front of me and the cab next to me (and the mini-van in the lane after that) managed to NOT get run over by any of us, even though he tried really really hard.
• The instant karma moment when the guy who was backing up the wrong way through the intersection nearly missed running me over, only to smash ass first into a telephone pole.
• The girl riding no handed down Hampshire street rocking out to her music while conducting an invisible orchestra. Not safe, but awesome to witness.
• The elderly lady popping a perfect track stand on her sweet fixy at a red light. (blew my mind!)
• The woman with her two kids on the back of an extra-cycle cruising up Cambridge street towards downtown without a care in the world.
• The view from the Longfellow as the city is wrapped in fog and low clouds, like a present wrapped in cotton.

What are some of the awesome things you saw while riding your bicycle? Share them in the commons.

We should so do this here, if people want to see the lights they can pedal a bit.

Drive Thru Mayhem from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

So awesome, would love to see this, but I guess honestly there are not that many of these kind of resturants in Boston…but still cool.

In honor of the new school year, our new website, a great year for the bicycle community, and (hopefully) to inspire the inner Scraper in some more; we bring you the

Suffolk University themed Scraper Bike.

Almost everyone who has spent time in today’s modern bicycle community is familiar with the phenomena of Scraper Bikes.  If not, do yourself the pleasure and familiarize yourself  here and now.

The idea came together when a friend of mine (Joe) asked “Do you wanna paint your bike?” It took a while for me to realize that I didn’t want to paint my commuter- but it was that beach cruiser I scooped up last summer off of craigslist that was dying for a few fresh coats.

Joe has been powder coating bikes for the new extension of Geekhouse Bikes- Sugar Coat.  The full service powdercoat process was a breeze.  We went for the best; a blue and yellow sparkle coat frame with flat colors on the stem, handlebars, and fork.  Blue and Yellow; Suffolk Pride.

This bike is just plain beautiful.  There’s no denying the glamour of going to school on Beacon Hill, perhaps the only thing better.. is riding this sparkling gem to class.

Whether it’s scrapin’ through downtown Oakland- or just cruising through the last few days of Summer on Beacon Hill.  The Scraper Bike movement is one that encourages sustainable groups of peers and lifestyle choices that say yes to health and a cleaner planet.  We are both focused on bringing bikes and the pleasure that comes with them into as many lives as possible.

We are thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to collaborate with SugarCoat.  For more information on their services contact them at this link.

Now if you’ll excuse me- I’m movin’ on my scraper bike, cruising on my scraper bike.

My scraper bike go hard don’t need no car- I’m scrapin’ on my scraper bike.

There’s an odd painting hanging in my sister’s apartment. A man and woman are facing each other, playing poker. The man is fully dressed, the women completely nude. And yet, you can see the man’s hand, while the woman keeps hers [cleverly] out of sight from the viewer.

Ah, men. So predictable [if you replace "common sense" with "what would make sense if you just wanted to get laid"].

Unfortunately, I sometimes feel like I’m completely naked and showing off my hand. I make it too easy, I guess: I perk up at the mention of bikes, I gush when anyone asks about cycling and training rides. I even smile and giggle.

Talk to me about bicycles and there’s a good chance I’m going to walk away loving you.

And while those less closed-minded than me might entertain the prospect of dating a non-cyclist, [assuming I had the time for a relationship] for me…well…that’s not really a possibility. Because cycling ends up seeping into your skin and permeating every aspect of your life if you get as addicted as I have. Cycling doesn’t become a smaller part of your life. You just end up rearranging life around cycling.

And I don’t even race [yet].

Sure, I’m predisposed to guys that ride hard [pun intended], but that doesn’t keep me from thinking that it’s great that newbies are out there these days, testing the Boston commuting waters. Because it is, and the streets seem to be crowded with strings of slightly blatantly inexperienced commuters. It’s just that, even if that means more eye candy for me, a lot of them are simultaneously breaking my heart.

Call me neurotic…but…really? Sure, a bike is just a bike, but like a trophy wife/husband/girlfriend/whatever, that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to blatantly parade around the fact that you think it’s dispensable. I think it actually took more time for my brain to process everything that was wrong with this picture than it would to cut through the lock and steal the bike.

Yes, I love cyclists; but no, I could never date this guy [assuming he was hot and interesting].

And apparently it’s not just isolated to male cyclists. It’s good to know that if I wanted a relatively new pale blue cruiser, that I could have one within 5 minutes. It’s a cute cruiser, too, and one that probably gets its fair share of love. Just, maybe not enough from the right source. And though I don’t doubt that the owner has good intentions, she’s never going to realize what she had until she loses it.

We’ve all been there. With things possibly more precious than a bicycle. And there’s really no point in setting yourself up for unnecessary heartbreak. Which is why I don’t like to make it easy. I’m not condoning playing games; that’s a waste of everyone’s time. Just, you know, make it a little more challenging to steal the object of your unconditional affection.

Seriously. U-lock that shit.

Section 280E of the Federal Income Tax Code says that drug dealers can’t deduct any expenses related to the drug trade from their tax returns. Well, that doesn’t apply to the cost of the drugs though, you get to sort of make back that investment.

It was almost painful reading that on Monday. Monday. Marathon Monday. 4/20 Monday.

I should have expected it, too, the inevitable IM from a college friend. Something along the lines of “can’t wait to get out of work…sad for you if you’re not celebrating.” I sighed, wishing that sigh was an exhalation of sweet, powdery, swirls of smoke, snaking out of my lungs and throat, ending with the rattled cough and the declaration, “wow…wow…”

I haven’t done that in too long, and that may be for the best. Even if only for financial reasons, I couldn’t afford such a habit. That’s not to say I’m not fighting an internal battle against carcinogens these days. It happens the last few weeks of every semester when too many hours in the library, not enough riding, and guilt for not working hard enough combine and my brain tells me that something’s gotta give.

And when that happens, I make up some excuse to get outside, get grabbed by a good friend I haven’t spoken to in weeks, and find a cigarette in my hand, smoke between my lips. Inhale. Exhale. I’ll feel like shit later, and that’s when I’ll crave another.

I thought about it last night as I passed the Store24. I had a few bucks in my pocket, a lighter at home. Add coffee to that and it would be my college breakfast all over again. I sighed, thinking, “maybe, maybe.”

Instead I stretched, laid out on my floor, and looked up at a bike built to go fast. It looked like it wanted to pounce and break out of my bare apartment under a pair of strong legs and a set of reasonably workable lungs.

“Okay,” I said, defeated, feeling even more guilty, “I won’t. Not tonight.”

And hopefully, not tonight either.

Nothing gets me up Heartbreak Hill faster than another cyclist with gears. I once climbed that thing so fast I had to juggle basic life tasks like “trying to breathe” while coughing, gasping, and trying not to fall over.

Nothing, apparently, makes me pedal faster than seeing another cyclist up ahead of me. Yesterday afternoon was filled with random encounters: a Babson student heading to Somerville on a single-speed [we rode through Watertown together...and he was fast], a handful of random cyclists in Cambridge [as usual], and I even ran into Boston’s Cutest Polo Player/Courier. Helmetless, brakeless, and clipless, seeing him made me question why I’ve been attracted to the spandexed-out roadie types these days.

I headed into the library fairly early today, and with the warmer weather, I expected to see packs of roadies flocking towards Dover. Maybe I got up too late, but I didn’t see one. Not one cyclist on the road, just a handful of cars and one group of runners. And without that adrenaline rush of unreasonable competition, I was rolling along at a pace that would have been more suitable on a heavy cruiser.

But even so I got to school before the library opened. That meant that few students were around. That meant, too, that I could shamelessly change out of my sweaty t-shirt in front of my locker [yes, we get lockers in lawyer school].

I have a feeling though, that I’m going to see more bike people tonight when I head out. Or, at least I hope so. Because someone’s gotta motivate me…and it’s certainly not going to be me.

[Also, this is my 100th post! Yayyyy!]

Member this?

Here is some new knowledge to drop on yall! Got this from someone named Ray.

Please note the exhibit has change the name to “The Wheelman’s
Machine”
and that local historian and author David Herlihy (Bicycle: The History) is
now credited for
his work used in the exhibit.
www.crmi.org
and the updated PDF
www.crmi.org/bicycletakesoff.pdf

Please feel free to update your post about the opening reception.
Thanks!
Ray – no affiliation with the museum -

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. I have to admit “The Wheelman’s Machine” sounds awesome, and slightly dirty…perfect for high art.

Thur., Jan. 8, 2009
5:00 to 8:00 PM

Opening Reception. The Bicycle Takes Off

The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation is exited to announce the installation of its latest exhibit “The Bicycle Takes Off.” This national touring exhibit, made possible by local wheelman Dave Toppin, is making its final stop at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation January 8th and runs through May 2009. The exhibit chronicles the history of the bicycle. Featuring, several examples of early bicycles, advertisements, photographs and other ephemera, visitors will wind their way through the entertaining and sometimes absurd history of what some have called the most efficient machine ever made. Along the way they will discover what bloomers and the bicycle have in common, how Springfield, MA became a bicycling mecca and the true meaning of “taking a header.”

An opening reception will be hosted from 5 to 8 p.m. January 8, 2009. Opening reception admission is $10.00 per person (members are free) and includes light refreshments, wine and beer and music. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 781 893 5410 or via email at elln@crmi.org.

http://www.crmi.org

781 893 5410
info@crmi.org

Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation
154 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453

I started my first day as a cargo bicycle messenger and it was amazing. Despite the fact I had next to no sleep due to a neighbor’s house being on fire last night and 11 fire engines keeping me awake, I rode with full energy, and as this horrible cell phone shot shows… glee.

It was a hot rainy day (low 60s) and I was prepared for colder than that, decked out in wool socks, wool base layer shirt, wool jersey, raincoat, rain pants, doc martens… I dropped some layers before going out for my route.  When I first got there, I met Sarah who taught me how to ride the trike, its a 250lb 3 wheeler with electric assist, 8 gears, and holds a lot of cargo (we had 15 tubs the size of recycling bins.)  I then met Joe who led me around Charlestown and we met up with the Boston Organics guys who contract with us. We picked up 15 bins of organic veggies and fruits and then made our deliveries in Charlestown and Somerville. I loved every second of it, and can’t imagine not doing this for a long long time.

Everyone I met afterwards at the staff meeting was really awesome and lots of invites to hangout. So here it is. I have an awesome bicycle mechanic job with awesome people I love for the Spring/Summer/Fall and now an awesome bicycle messenger job for the winter (and hopefully year round in addition to the bike shop) with awesome people.

This photo is blurry but you get the idea of the trike…

Check out the company’s website for more info… www.newamsterdamproject.com

Got this email today, looked interesting.

My name is Brandon Rattiner and I am a college student at Tufts University.
In order to fulfill a credit at school, I need to take an entrepreneurship
class that requires me to conduct some sort of market research.Because I am
an avid biker interested in sustainable energy, I decided to research a
product called Ride and Recharge that uses the rotational energy of a
cyclist to fuel a portable electronic charger.

I am trying to get a better understanding of the desires and wants of
cyclists in the Boston area, and in order to do that, i have drafted a
short 7 question survey, 2 page survey. I know this is asking a lot, but if
you could post a link to this survey on your blog it would REALLY help me
out. Its a really short survey and is done online through survey monkey.

Thanks for everything.

thanks,
Brandon Rattiner
Tufts 2010

EDIT: New survey old one got filled up

Click Here to take survey

It’s time once again to clean out my feed reader of all the fun videos I have found all over the tubes, internets, webs, webertubes and even some I found on the internet. Again I will start with the most awesome video. This is just great. Everything you think you came up with first, you didn’t….

More below.

(more…)

This dude really didn’t want to get caught!

(07-16) 13:26 PDT BOSTON (AP) — A 29-year-old man accused of stealing a bicycle in Boston’s North End tried to complete his own version of a triathlon to get away from police.

Police said Jason Duncan of Somerville rode the bike onto the North Washington Street Bridge, jumped off the bridge into Boston Harbor and swam to shore when they tried to arrest him Tuesday night.

He then ran down a harbor walkway before being caught.

Suffolk County District Attorney’s spokesman Jake Wark says Duncan pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court to one count of larceny over $250. Bail was set at $500.

A message left with Duncan’s attorney was not immediately returned Wednesday. (via)

Just so you know, the bicycle revolution is now in full swing…do your part and get out there and ride!

Drivers clear a lane, bicyclists are taking to the road in record numbers in Massachusetts.

In Cambridge ridership has soared 70 percent in five years, the MBTA is launching a “Bike Coach” to let riders bring their bicycles to beaches this summer and across the state bicycle shops are struggling to keep up with demand.

With gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, the surge shows no signs of slowing.

During a recent bike-to-work week, activists hoped to get Massachusetts riders to pledge 50,000 commuter biking miles. Instead they got 125,000 pledged miles — more than half the distance to the moon.

For bicycling enthusiasts — once a subculture of bike messengers, car haters, cash-poor students and eco-activists — it’s beginning to feel like a tipping point.

“People are coming back to the cycle in a big way,” said Shane Jordan of the nonprofit Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition. “There’s a whole lot more people out on the street around this time than there were last year.”

Read the rest here.

We of course are at the perfect apex of a variety of events that make bicycling more fun/smart/worth it than ever. Global warming, obesity, congestion, smog, asthma, high price of gas. You name it, it all points to one thing, get on your bike people!

Might not be safe for work, but highly entertaining.

Geekhouse Bikes is having an open house! Go check em out and support local bike industry.

So, I’m doing an ‘Open House’ on SUNDAY May 18th from 2pm-8pm at my new shop:

Geekhouse Bikes
15 West Sorrento St
Allston, Ma. 02134

This is the last day of the Baystate Bike week that will happen in May. So we’re basically going to celebrate cycling, and the new shop with BBQ, Beer, and possible Bold Sprints… I’m still working out all the details, but I wanted to at least put that date on the calender. Everyone’s invited!

Seems like some people over at Suffolk are on to something. Check out this very nice video they have made.

I can’t wait to see what else they come up with

A running powered bicycle?

No, like fo realz yo! The Massachusetts Health Connector, an arm of the MA Department of Health and Human Services, just released an advertisement campaign for health insurance, and has decided to go with a crashed bicyclist next to a car as their poster (which, you know, is not what I would have gone with).

This ad seems to be raising a lot of hackles in the bicycle community, with no less than 4 email lists and several forums I am a part of talking about it. What do you think? It sort of looks like he flopped over a red light because he is new to the clips and shoes he has on(that has never happened to any of us, right, right?!). He could have been hit by a car, or a bus. One thing for sure he is pissed off.

Everyone should have health insurance and if you are injured by a car it would be awesome if you had insurance, but I am thinking that if they really wanted to show a good reason to get health insurance they should have shown a car crash, as that is much more likely to kill you. Or maybe a sick family member and you loosing your house cause you couldn’t pay the bills, or an old person that needs prescriptions… I don’t know I guess I just don’t like seeing a cyclist hurt. What do you think?

http://bicycling.511.org/

You are the most important part of your bicycle. Your bike should be sized to fit your body proportions and should match your style of riding, your skill level and where you plan to ride. The equipment you need depends on the type of riding you plan to do, but a safety-rated helmet and a strong lock are essential. Whether your bike is new or old, its gears, chain, brakes and tires must be in good working order.  Continues…http://bicycling.511.org/aboutyourbike.htm

http://www.sbbike.org/

Want to find out what’s happening on the Web for bicyclists? Here is our list of sites to check out, with an emphasis on California and regional resources. Clicking on any site will open it in a new browser window. Jump to the area that interests you most:

• Santa Barbara County bicycling
• California bicycling advocacy
• US bicycling advocacy
• International bicycling advocacy
• Bicycling standards & planning
• Sustainable transportation
• Online periodicals about bicycling
• Bicycle commuting

http://la-bike.org/

The following presents a few guidelines for safer riding for cyclists and motorists:

• Always wear a helmet.
• Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Be predictable and ride in a straight line. Do not weave in and out of parked cars
• If the lane is wide enough to safely share with cars, ride to the right side. Do not try to share the lane if it is too narrow. Do not ride in broken pavement or debris at the side of the street. Take the center of the lane if necessary.
• Ride far enough in the lane around parked cars so that you will not collide with opening car doors.
• When proceeding straight through an intersection with right-turn lanes, move to the lane going straight and allow vehicles to turn right on your right side.
• When making a left turn, move to the left before completing the turn, just like a motor vehicle. If you do not feel safe doing this, ride straight and cross the street you want to turn onto. At the other side of the street, dismount and turn your bike in your desired direction, then proceed when it is safe and legal to do so.
• When riding at night, always wear light colored or reflective clothes, and use both front and taillights, as well as reflectors.

http://www.bicyclesource.com/

Choosing Bike parts and gear:

Saddles: Is Softer Better
The first impulse a newbie rider who finds a saddle uncomfortable is to replace it with a softer one. Soft seats put the force of the rider’s weight in all the wrong places, rather than the sit-bones. Big springs may look plush, but they don’t work.
Bike Suspension

Suspension has been advancing rapidly mainly because of the spread of mountain biking. Whether it is front or rear, this article describes the advantages of each different type of suspension for your bike.
Sportswear Fabric Types and Attributes

What to wear on a ride? This article describes the differences between several different fabrics. GoreTex, Dacron, Lycra, Polypro: which material will give the best performance in a given condition?
What to Bring on a Ride

A comprehensive list of what to bring on bike rides, remember it’s always the tool you don’t have that your bicycle will need. How much food you will need and how to not get lost, be ready for anything….
Frame Construction

Learn about the different ways bike companies are manufacturing their frames. Strength, weight, durability of each construction technique.

What should your new bike have? Better find out…
Testing Brake Pads

Brake pads can make a significant difference in the stopping power of your bicycle, especially mountain bikes. This test shows which pad performs best in both wet and dry conditions… read on…
Brake Performance

A paper testing the temperature rise and performance on a steep descent from using two rim brakes, only the rear rim brake, and using a coaster brake. Lots of interesting information.
Bicycle Hardware Manufacturers on the Web

Links to scores of web sites of companies that makes bikes and components for both the road and trail. One of the best cycling company hyperlink lists on the World Wide Web.

Free Friday Night Bike Movies at Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St., Jamaica Plain (at The Monument)

Spring is here!

Get in the mood for the spring biking season and Bike Month in May!

Fri., April 4: American Flyers
(Kevin Costner, 1985)
Marcus Sommers persuades his brother to train with him for a bicycle race in the Rocky Mountains. Great views of the Rockies and insight into bicycle race strategy. PG-13.

Fri., April 18: Breaking Away
(Dennis Quaid & Dennis Christopher, 1979) Four teenagers in Indiana who have graduated from high school are not sure what they want to do with their lives. One is obsessed with cycling and seeks to find himself through competitive cycling. PG.

Fri., May 2: The Flying Scotsman
(Jonny Lee Miller, 2006)
True story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree who broke the world one-hour record as an amateur on a bike made of scrap metal and washing machine parts. PG-13.

Sponsored by Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, 66 South St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-BIKE Co-sponsored by Boston City Councilor John Tobin

All movies start at 6:30 pm. Free. Popcorn and soda.

All movies are rated PG or PG-13, defined by the rating board of the Motion Picture Association of America as “parental guidance suggested” (PG) or “parental guidance strongly cautioned” (PG-13).

Maybe not as much as this guy does.

The best part about this is that it is a ad campaign for an environmental group trying to get people out of their cars. I don’t think you will be able to resist visiting their site after you see these videos so I have a handy link to it here.

More below the fold.
(more…)

Wow thats a mouthful, but it looks like a cool ride.

Brookline Bikes Beacon Bicycle Parade
Sunday, May 18, 2008
12:30 P.M.
Amory Park
www.BrooklineBikes.org

This strong?

Lets hope we never have to use this against unruly drivers in Boston…

from the organizers…

AND AS FAR AS THE RAFFLE GOES – prizes will be raffled off throughout the night. and can i say…damn.

i just spent the past few hours divvying up the ten tons of swag into raffle packs.

TWENTY-ONE raffle packs.

and god damn are they packed with prizes! they’re mostly categorized. i will now tell you the categories, so you have a few days to ponder where your tickets will go.

3 roadies delight! [fancy shades, hand pumps, fingerless gloves, carbon water bottle cages, floor pumps, socks, etc]
2 bmx packs! [animal dvds, shirts, pedals, etc]
2 XL dude packs! [as the name indicates...lots o' XL shirts. and long finger gloves]
6 sick fixie packs! [sick barpads, sick hats, sick shirts, sick ERC gift cards, sick hoodies...need i go on? they're split up by t-shirt sizes, first winners get first pick of sizes]
4 girl’s packs! [similar to sick fixie...hats, shirts, ERC GC, socks, bar pads and two of 'em have sick hoodies as well! all girl's sizes/styles]
2 HELLmets packs [HELLmet, shirts, etc]
1 vaya bag rainbow pack! [basically, we picked the brightest colored everything and stuffed it in this minty fresh green, salmon, & pink bag]

and there are still a few lingering prizes on their way. including: fabric horse u-lock holsters, legit polo mallet, cases of redbull, more shirts, possibly some hoodies, another HELLmet, maybe with custom artwork? hip pack[s], and maybe even another bag? and rumors of a pair of clipless shoes, road or mtn – winner’s choice.

damn.

Here you will finally find the budding website for the small (in size only) publication about riding in this city.

THE BOSTON BICYCLE REFLECTOR

Free to all!

Supplementary articles, interaction, downloads (free), and lower res paginated version (for online viewing) coming soon. (Spring’s got us all quite busy)- -
This publication is volunteer-created. Please let us know if you would like to contribute content, donate money, or buy an ad.

email: jasmine at bostonreflector.com

Third issue out MAY 1, 2008.

and be sure to register and ride THE BikesNotBombs BIKE-A-THON

Do you know an individual or a business making a difference in Boston to help green our city? I’m sure that you do, and I encourage you to nominate them for Mayor Menino’s 2nd Annual Green Business, Residential and Bike Awards.

Mayor Menino recognizes that Boston businesses and residents are an integral part of our efforts to turn Beantown into Greentown. We want to honor those businesses, residents and community leaders who are at the forefront of sustainability, from energy and water conservation, to green building and bike friendly practices. This year there will be numerous awards in three major categories:

• The Bike Friendly Businesses Program recognizes businesses that encourage bicycling among their employees by engaging in bicycle friendly practices. All companies engaging in five bike friendly practices from the application receive recognition.
• Green Business Awards will honor companies in Boston that implement exemplary sustainable business practices in their day-to-day operations. Boston Green Business Awards will be given in a variety of categories.
• Green Residential Awards will honor residents who incorporate sustainable practices in their homes and neighborhood. This is a great tool to showcase the efforts that residents make and to educate others on ways they too can green their homes. Awards will be presented in a variety of categories.

Forms for the awards are attached and should be submitted by February 29, 2008. All winners will be announced and honored by Mayor Menino at a reception in April.

To find more information, please go to the City’s website: or contact Nancy Grilk, Nancy.Grilk@cityofboston.gov, (617) 635-3425.

Get all your applications here (zip file)