Trails: Night Riding at SIUE

Night riding!

Well, for the last few weeks I've been riding the local trails at night. Yes, that means in the dark, which requires very bright lights. I already had a nice light, but the battery had died a few years ago, so I thought about buying a new system. However, after looking into the price for a new system and comparing that to the cost of a new battery from Batteries Plus, I opted for the least expensive option: buying a new battery. It was only about $60 for the new Ni-Cd rechargable battery to be built up, compared to well over twice that for a new system. And, I was able to keep using the light I already had, which still works great.

Night riding makes mountain biking a bit more difficult; familiar trails become strange, easy trails become more difficult.

So, anyway, I've been enjoying riding every wednesday night. It is quite a bit of fun riding through a twisty, technical trail only seeing a few feet in front of you. The light is 15 watts, which is really bright, about as bright as a big, police-issue, Maglite. Very bright. But, it still is not like riding during the day. You lose a lot of your perception. I am riding with other folks that know the trails really well, which is a plus, because it feels like Blair Witch to me... that is, I'd get really lost. I have ridden the trails before, but they are totally different at night.

Night Riding: more smiles per mile

It has been fun riding at night, though. Interesting following people through the woods, with everyone's individual light collectively illuminating the trail. As I stop and take a break, I notice a few riders catching up, and because the night hides most details, all you can see is their lights zig-zaging through the woods. Quite a sight.

Mountain-Biker-in-Chief Approves of Mountain Bikes in National Parks

Well, it appears that IMBA has done its job: it has successfully engaged President Bush in expanding recreational opportunities on all Federal land. This is a big deal, as previously bicycles were listed as recreational vehicles, legally equivelent to 4x4s and ATVs.

Via AP News

I think it is interesting to see that mountain bikers pulled this off...for a few reasons. First, politics. Mountain bikers tend to be more progressive than your average citizen. The real issue at hand is if mountain bike organizers are smart enough to look beyond differences to see potential for gaining ground. I was out riding a couple years ago with the local mountain biking association, and I made mention of the need to engage our President to expand mountain biking opportunities. I remarked that he has even taken the press corp and Secret Service out mountain biking on his ranch, leaving many in the dust, as well as his knack for crashing and ability to take it in stride (like all good mtn bikers do, right?!) Someone with a big mouth and small brain started rambling on about how "W ain't no mountain biker... blah blah blah... Republicans suck... blah blah blah...". Excuse me, the guy rides a mountain bike, rides it off road on his ranch, what else does he have to do? Oh, the guy has different political views than you, so we as a special interest group should not engage him. Real smart. Not so much. Luckily, the national/international level organizers at IMBA have enough gray matter to understand the importance of our 43rd President of the USA also being the first Mountain-Biker-in-Chief.

Mountain bikers have proved the importance of grass roots organizing, not to talk about issues, but to actually address them. Through IMBA and its local affiliates, mountain bikers have come together to build and maintain trails. This action is both positive and tangible, as it addresses the issue, poor trail conditions, with positive action: trail maintenance. Most special interest groups tend to target politicians, policy makers, and use protest and bribery to create change. This tactic has been pretty successful for most special interest groups, and it is interesting that IMBA chose a new course that really creates a paradigm shift for organizations seeking to create change. Over the 20 odd years of IMBA's existance, it has helped create and maintain a lot of trails throughout the US. Local land managers that are starved for resources are becoming heavily influenced by organizations like IMBA and its local affiliates, as they are addressing issues relevant to mountain bike access and public land management: facility maintenance. Other user groups in contrast tend to view the issues of access and management/maintenance differently.

Hikers, bird-watchers, and equestrians tend to engage senior level managers, and vie for their influence to determine how the government's limited resources are used, as well as to determine who will be restricted from public lands. These older user groups (both in their demographic age range as well as span of existence) has never attempted to provide any additional input, beyond taxes. IMBA however, has radically altered this paradigm, getting a younger group of outdoor recreationalists (demographically, and the activity is also no more than 30 years old) together to create something lasting: trails. Their input over the past 20 years has created a great deal of influence, and if President Bush's policy moves forward, the local land managers will be more empowered. As bikers develop and maintain trails, local land managers will be influenced by who is 'showing them the money', or who is proving the least impact and greatest INPUT, not just talking to Congress and senior level park officials (like Sierra Club tends to do).

Either way, it is great news for mountain bikers. Overall, this policy could benefit the parks, mountain bikers, and create some positive and drastic changes for other user groups that operate in an increasingly obsolete mindset.

Italian Adventures

I've been researching Naples and Italy online. Not for anything important (like where to live or buy groceries), but just to get an idea of what kind of biking they have in the area. I came upon a bike group out of Naples that is really into 'Urban Downhill Riding'. I've seen this stuff in magazines featuring urban European riding, rolling through alleys/steets that are barely wider than your handle barstight, over cobble stone streets older than the USA. Here is a sample from the club I found...neat stuff:


The videos provide some sense of what the city of Napoli looks like...makes me excited! Here's more:


I've always wanted to go mountain biking at Mt St Helens, but I've never had the opportunity... But Napoli has Vesuvius! Here's the climb: 1000 meters! Holy shnickeys! My a$$ needs to get in shape...or will get in shape!

Cargo Bike Conversion: First Operational Test Ride!

Well, I rode the single speed cargo bike down to Trader Joe's for the first operational test ride, and all went well. I was able to carry about 47 pounds of food back from Trader Joe's without incident.



My ride is about 2 miles down to the local train station, a short train ride to the shopping center, and about a half mile ride to Trader Joes. Pretty easy ride, with only one major hill to climb on the way back. As such, I was able to handle the increased weight. While the increased weight on the back of the bike was noticable, it was managable riding it home. The bike rack and the ulock securing the bike to the rack held the bike firmly upright as I loaded the cargo container with the grocery bags. Of greater concern is handling the bike after loading it but prior to riding it: It was difficult to handle the bike while unlocking it from the bike rack, manuever it toward the street, etc. The weight on the back made the front very light and relatively unstable side to side, and made me worry that the bike might tip while I was pushing it the short distance from the bike rack to the street. It was a pain balancing the bike while stowing the bike lock in my bag, as the loaded and heavy bike would have created a mess had it tipped at this vulnerable moment. Luckily, nothing did!

Once on the bike, though, it rode well. The cargo container held up, buldging a bit at the bottom, however it suffered no strain great enough to cause white stress marks in the plastic that would indicate potential failure. The bungee cord I used on the top helped hold the lid on, too. The container (Rubbermaid Roughneck) was strong enough to keep the groceries secure and upright. The two bags fit tight enough in the container to keep everything in place without shifting or moving too much.

Overall the system worked well. I look forward to using it on future shopping trips, and would recommend the modification to anyone else that is looking to make their bicycle more practical for short trips. It was easy to manufacture, easy to install, and best of all: easy to remove and place on another bike that has a rear rack mount.

Waffle Bike!

Wow! A self propelled, waffle making machine! Check it out. Truely inspiring... I can't believe they actually 'weaponized' this bike, though. Kind of weird. I wonder if the ATF got involved in regulating those two hand-made shotguns. The islamic/religious slant is kind of wierd, too, especially considering the Norwegian flag on top of the trailer. I think the guy might have a bit of an identity crisis. Otherwise it is neat to see the stuff all crammed onto a bike, everything, including the egg making chickens, on the bike and trailer.

Cool Kids

A friend and co-worker of mine was talking with me today about the blog, and about some of the rap groups I featured in the previous entry. We ended up talking quite a bit about the Cool Kids "Black Mags" video. Great song, great visuals. I had to admit that I didn't know much about them, the Cool Kids, except that they are from Chicago, and that they have this old school 80 rap style which is so rare today, and considering everything that is going on in hip hop, is actually quite refreshing. My most memorable music moment is actually with Old School Hip Hop; I remember listening to and being totatlly mezmorized by Run DMC's Peter Piper playing on my cousin's boom box at some family holiday. It was totatlly different type of music that I was hearing for the first time, and I'll probably remember that moment probably for the rest of my life. I also remember moving from Minnesota to Connecticut, where I could listen to the rap music being projected from the top of the Empire State Building in NYC. I remember listenging to Slick Rick, Run DMC, and other great innovators in hip hop.

The Cool Kids rewind hip hop back to the 80's, a music era that is special to me because it signifies the change, discovery and challenges that I faced moving across the country with my family, and it also signifies the musical landscape of the place I would call home: the East Coast.

The Cool Kids have also brought a breath of fresh air for me, as Chris Rock said, "it is getting hard to justify listening to (gangster) rap, even though I enjoy the music." While most of the hip hop "world" has been tainted by violence, drugs, and negative lyrics, the Cool Kids have stepped it up, providing the fan of hip hop what it always was in the 'good old days': fresh, funky and fun.

I really enjoy the music their music, as it reminds me of Run DMC, Tribe Called Quest, and other great hip hop artists of what I thought was a by-gone age. I thought I would learn a little more about them, listen to more of their music, and share with whomever is following my blog.

The following is a video introduction of the Cool Kids produced by german TV:


Of course, their is their 'Black Mags'. I love how they merge BMX bike culture with Hip Hop culture. This is a live version:



Bassment Party!



What Up Man: a lot like Run DMCs "you be illin" from Raising Hell...



I'm Mikey, bike style!...



One of my fav's: 88...



TV debut featuring 'What it is'...



Maybe more to follow...

Hip Hop Bicycles

Hip hop culture has usually been automobile-centric. That is, rappers and R&B artists have usually been shown driving expensive, customized, and tricked out cars, usually with loud radios, hydraulic lifts to make the car bounce, etc. Interestingly enough, I have seen two new hip hop videos on YouTube that are all about bikes and their place in hip hop culture.

The latest video I discovered was called Scrapper Bikes by a San Fransisco/Oakland based group known as the Trunk Boiz. While I find the video, song, and overall theme of the so-called Scrapper Bike scene rather bizarre, I think it is interesting that bikes are merging with hip hop culture.

If you listen to the lyrics closely, you'll hear: "I don't need no car..." on the songs chorus. With fuel prices and general cost of vehicle ownership on the rise, will hip hop include more references to bicycles as inner city folks choose or are economically forced to use something other than cars?

Watch 'Scrapper Bikes' here:



Less recently, I've been listening to Cool Kids on YouTube. They are a rap group from Chicago with a style reminiscent of 1980's rap. From the little I've listened to their stuff, they, to quote another viewer on Youtube, "got mad style". Anyway, they have a song/video out called "Black Mags", which highlights the love for their BMX bikes. The chorus chants "...Dyno with the black mags..." while they rap about how they trick their bikes out, pick up girls on their pegs, and fill their spare time on their bikes. Pretty cool song and video.

Watch Cool Kids' "Black Mags" here:



While I enjoy the Cool Kids' more than the Trunk Boiz (probably because I am still a big Run DMC fan, and they share similar styles), I wonder if we will see bike and hip hop culture intersecting in the future. I think that more middle and upper class folks will be riding bikes out of an active choice to reduce their commuting costs and in an effort to improve the environment, and there may be an increase in references to bikes in mainstream popular culture because of this trend. However, I suspect that lower and lower middle class will have a greater impact on bicycles in popular culture, especially in hip hop, where a lack of economic potential equates to street credibility. I suspect that while mainstream pop culture may show some bicycles to sell goods to reflect an increased environmental awareness, hip hop culture will more accurately reflect the transportation trends that poor folks are having to make, especially as more poor folks are relegated to taking the bus and riding bikes as costs associated with vehicle ownership rise . Hip hop culture is often about individuality, and it is displayed in vehicle customization, and interestingly enough this carries on not just in cars with spinning wheels and hydraulic lift kits, but also in custom painted Scrapper Bikes and BMX bikes "tricked out like MacGyver".

It will be interesting to see how popular culture shows bicycles as transportation costs continue to rise.

Sweet Cargo Bike

This awesome cargo bike features enough storage space to carry about 4 years worth of groceries, or alternatively, the cyclist could transport a small family (less than 5). I really like the vents (ie air brakes), too.

Cargo Bike: First Operational Test Run

Well, today was my first day to use the cargo bike for an actual chore. I am an avid re-cycler, in that I enjoy riding my bike over and over again, as well as the other meaning: reducing the amount of garbage my household creates. I have usually accomplished the task of dropping off paper, plastic, cardboard, and metal cans by driving my car about a mile to the local blue recycling dumpsters. I have never liked driving there, as it is just such a waste of gas and is bad for the environment. Supposedly most of the harmful stuff that comes out of your car's tailpipe is emitted in the first couple miles. Additionally short trips reduce your MPG and increase the wear-and-tear on your car because it never has an opportunity to warm up. As such, I have been thinking of ways to eliminate the need to drive to accomplish this weekly chore to benefit the planet, my wallet, and my well being (bikes are good for you...). Well, today, I did!

I took my first operational test drive with two paper bags full of cans/bottles/plastics to the dumpsters a mile away. As I was loading the bags into the 18 gallon Rubbermaid container, they were full enough to put upward pressure on the lid. This made me worry about the lid popping off at speed, so I grabbed a bungee cord and secured the lid. Better safe than sorry, right!

The ride to and from was great. The added weight of the material in the container was felt, but it was controllable. The container, deck, rack, and all the recyclables in the back felt secure. It was a great ride, I may have made the short trip a bit faster (and definitely cheaper) than if I took my car.

So, the cargo bike passed its first test with flying colors. However, I still had a large amount of cardboard to carry, as well as some paper. I took off the lid to the container, filled the container with cardboard, placed a box on top of the full container, and strapped it all down with three bungee cords. I used two bungee cords along the container's width, and one along its length. Even without the container's lid, the load felt secure, but I still had more to carry. I decided to take out the Burley Solo child trailer, and found that a larger plastic container that I had been using to carry recyclables in my car fit in it almost perfectly. I laid the kid's seat down, opening up the interior space, and removed the cloth top to the trailer. I loaded up the large plastic container, placed it into the child trailer, and prepared for a quick test ride.

I rode the fully loaded cargo bike and trailer around in my front yard. While everything felt pretty secure, an item flew out of the trailer, even at the slow pace I was riding in the grass. As such, I attached a bungee diagonally across the plastic container in the trailer, and made sure everything was secure.

I grabbed my bike helmet, and headed off for another bicycling recycling adventure! The ride was uneventful. The slight uphill grade to the recycling bins was more noticeable on the single-speed cargo bike. While my bike and trailer were stuffed with recyclables, it wasn't all that heavy. As such, the biggest limitation to the cargo bike may be its lack of gearing to make hills and loads more manageable. Or it might force me to get stronger! And while it took me two trips on bike, it gave me a great excuse to get out of the house and cruise the neighborhood on my bike. Either way, it was a fun ride, and everything made it to the blue bins without delay. I look forward to recycling again via bicycle.

Single Speed Cargo Bike Conversion

I've had a single speed for the last six months, a bike that's been cobbled together from used parts and a frame that was left over from a commuter bike that was run over by a car. The simplicity of my single speed has made it a blast to ride, this includes the obvious lack of shifting to worry about, but also the single rear brake. I have been using the single speed for local runs to the store and library, and I've been looking for ways to make it more capable.

I started researching cargo bikes a few months ago, and found that most of them were using either pannier bags or only a milk carton attached to the rear rack. Panniers and small uncovered plastic containers do not tend to provide much hauling capacity, and they also provide very little protection from the weather. Other cargo conversions I have seen include the use of a bike trailer to carry stuff behind the bike. Most of the trailers I researched were converted child trailers, and provided a decent amount of storage capacity, while some of the custom bike trailers were extremely large, capable of carrying oversized cargo that usually entails a pickup truck. While the trailer option would keep the bike unmodified, it would dramatically increase the overall length of the system, which would restrict me from using it on the local commuter train. I have noticed as of lately that bike manufacturers are introducing long wheelbase cargo bikes that provide cargo carrying capacity behind the rider. I have found that the cost for such a specialized bike is rather restrictive, usually starting at 800 dollars, and that the cargo containers provided with these cargo bikes are usually only large panniers that do not provide the best means of carrying or protecting items from the weather.

I was riding my single speed to the store one day, and got to thinking that I could modify it to carry more stuff, maximizing its capacity, while providing me with a 'cargo bike' for no additional money (money that would be spent on a trailer, long wheel base cargo bike, etc). And a dollar saved is two dollars earned, right! Anyway, I had an unused Rubbermaid 18 gallon plastic storage bin in my basement. I tested it and found that it could hold two grocery bags, which is half of what a $2000 cargo bike was holding in a recent bike magazine photo. If I could find a way to mount that container, I could carry half the load of an expensive cargo bike, for free! I also liked the container because, unlike panniers or any of the other systems I have seen thus far, it featured a sealing lid and sturdy walls, both of which would support the internal cargo and protect it from the elements.

I mounted a rear bike rack that was collecting dust in my workshop on to the back of the single speed. With the single speed still in the repair stand, I took the empty 18 gallon container and balanced it on the rear rack, getting an idea of how far back it would have to be to fit behind the seat. I experimented with the placement, turning the rectangular container 90 degrees to determine the best fit. I decided to install the container on the rack perpendicular to the bike to reduce the length of the bike, and the torque that the container (and the weight of the items in it) would have on the bike rack. As such, the container increases the with of the bike, but it will make for a more robust mounting and should be more durable in the long run.

The bike rack was too short, though, to provide a direct mounting of the container to the rack, so I opted to use a 12 inch wide piece of pine board to lengthen the bike rack's deck. I measured the required length, cut a piece of wood from remaining stock, painted it black, and mounted the new wood deck to the front of the bike rack with two bolts. I only used two bolts on the front of the deck and rack, because the remaining bolts would join the container, deck, and bike rack. I drilled four holes in the container and deck, and bolted the container to the deck and rack. After a test fitting, I removed the container from the deck and bike rack, applied Liquid Nails to the deck where the container would mount, and repositioned the container and bolted the container onto the deck.

Flight test! After waiting a night to allow the industrial glue to dry, I rode the bike around the block to see and feel how the container and rack felt. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, and everything felt sturdy, so I decided to load it up! I filled two cloth Trader Joe's bags with frozen veggies from our freezer. I lugged the test load outside, and placed them into the 18 gallon container. The container held the large bags very well, with the lid sealing them from the elements and providing additional strength to the container. I noticed the weight of the load and its effects on the once light and simple single speed bike as I began to move and mount the bike. However, as I pushed on the pedal and developed some momentum, the bike handled very well. The rear brake was still adequate for stopping my single speed cargo rig, and the few small bumps I hit didn't jar the load, container, or anything holding it all together. First test run was a success!

I will ride it to the Target store down the street and Trader Joe's which is just a short bike and train ride from my home. I may make some additional modifications, as needed, however the system is working so far. I anticipate that I may need to use more bolts to ensure that the container remains connected to the deck, but I also know that drilling additional holes in the bottom of the container reduce its strength and durability. There is a happy medium, and I will probably work toward it slowly.

More to follow as actual cargo carrying trips take place!...

Trails: Vail Ski Park, Colorado

I have never ridden my snowboard on Vail's mountains, but I can tell you that I had a blast on my mountain bike in August of 2003. Awesome Trails! For the initiated, ski parks have been providing mountain bikers with a place to ride for about a decade, now. While some of the trails at a ski park will go meander down the ski slope, most of the trails make full use of the land available and provide a more scenic, less direct route around the park. Vail, like some other ski parks, offers their ski lift service to the top. Free Riding, or using the ski lift, can be a blast, especially if you just finished a few days riding in Moab, Utah, and are pretty wore out. It is a completely different experience just riding down hill all day. Free Riding is really quite fun, kind of like downhill skiing. Which would explain why I am not entirely opposed to using a ski lift: If I use one in the winter, why not in the summer, too?

I made it all the way to the top thanks to a Gondola!

Some hard-core cross country types may not see the joy in missing the uphill climb everytime, but I find it fun to just focus on the downhill aspect of riding. You always work so hard for that all-to-short, fast and fun downhill, just to climb again… With Free Riding at a ski park, you just get to ride downhill all day, if you want. And if you’re like me, and may feel guilty about not working for your downhill joy ride, than using a day Free Riding to cap off a weekend or week’s worth of ‘real’ mountain biking can be just the thing to give you a break and end the trip on a high note!

At the bottom near the Gondola/Lift

Anyway, I really enjoyed Vail. Cheap camping is just up the road, at Gore Creek. I recall waking up the morning of the ride and enjoying a 35 degree temperature in the mountains while Missouri was over 100 degrees! The mountains are so nice, especially in the summer.

The trails at Vail ski park varied in their difficulty, from moderate to extremely difficult (read: dangerous, as Vail is attempting to attract the downhill crowd). The gondola (enclosed ski lift) provided a quick trip to the top, where there were a number of trails to choose from for the way back down. I tried all but the terribly difficult downhill variety, and found those that meandered along the mountain the most fun.

Vail, features a lot of services, few that I could afford on my budget. However, the mountain was worth the price of admission (lift ticket), and I had a blast riding downhill all day to recover from a few days riding in Southern Arizona and Utah.

The views are great, the riding is excellent, even if you are just going downhill. I just wish I lived closer to Vail.

Gear Review: $10 Shopping Mall Kiosk Sunglasses:

Sunglasses from the mall always work better than any pair purchased for more through any specialty retailer. Why, you might ask? Well, first off, you can get a pair for a mere ten dollars, rather than $110 at a specialty store. Sometimes the Kiosk at the mall has a deal for two pairs. And price is important. It would be one thing if not all the sunglasses were made in the same factory in China, but they are indeed made in the same place. I don’t feel like paying an extra fee to cover Oakley’s marketing expenses. As I was saying, price is important. Sunglasses are nearly disposable, especially mountain biking. If you drop them, and they explode on a rock, do you want to focus on the $100 dollar bill you just threw away, rather than focusing on the awesome ride or the dangerous precipice that you are trying to avoid falling off of? Additionally, the hundreds of dollars you save on sunglasses can be spent on stuff that actually provides a marked advantage for the money: shoes, hand made bike frames, suspension, etc.

Another reason is variety. While specialty retailers that carry sunglasses may have a few name brands, the sunglasses they carry will not compare in variety as well as the mall kiosk. Different faces wear sunglasses differently: as such, it is best to be able to try a bunch of different sunglasses on for size. Different lenses work well for different situation, for instance, you may want to see if you can get clear lenses for night riding or shady forested areas. If you find a pair that fits well, and comes in a few color options that you like, I usually will pick up two pair, especially if they provide a discount for doing so. This way I use the first pair, and save the second pair for when the first are lost or broken. I have even seen a good deal on goggles, which are great for winter bike commuting. Most specialty stores would be hard pressed to match the variety available at the mall kiosk.

Sunglasses at the mall kiosk are almost as good in quality as the ones in specialty stores. I believe that the lenses in specialty store sunglasses are probably better than those available at the mall kiosk. I always try on the sunglasses at the kiosk, checking for fit, and to ensure that the lenses do not distort light or vision. I will also set the glasses on a level surface to ensure they are well constructed, and again examine the lenses to see if they distort light. An easy way to check distortion is to see if a straight line (edge of table surface) ‘breaks’ from distortion caused by the lens.

Sunglasses from the Mall Kiosk are superior in many ways. They reduce your concern for damaging the eyewear out on the trail, and allow you to focus your time, money, and energy on things more important than shades: bikes!

Trails: Berryman Trail

The Berryman Trail is 26.5 miles of sweet singletrack in the midst of Missouri, about 3 hours drive west of Saint Louis. Two camping areas located along the trail allow easy trailhead access. The trail is not as technical as other area trails, like Council Bluffs, however its distance will challenge most riders. Follow the Boy Scout Motto (Be Prepared) by bringing along plenty of water and trail food for the 4-6 hour ride.

The trail takes is a long loop, so you can be sure that you will not be seeing anything twice. The best time to ride it is in the spring or fall. If riding in the fall, be sure to wear bright colors to protect you from hunters (they are actually looking for deer, but they could mistake you for a fast four legged creature!).

The interesting thing about Berryman is the trails diversity. Either because of its length, or topography of the area (probably a little of both), the trail goes through a lot of different types of terrain. Most of the trail is really dry, with some areas riding through loamy, pine covered ground. However, one particular section gets so wet, you’d think you were in a swamp. There is a few rock gardens that allow you to test your suspension, and a lot of smooth flowing hills and twisty singletrack that follows a hillside’s contour line.

Long Term Test: 2005 Cannondale Prophet 800

The Cannondale Prophet is an all-mountain full suspension bike. It’s designed to be versatile, and as such it is capable of handling just about anything thrown at it. Its geometry, specifically the placement of the rear suspension pivot, ensure that it climbs well without ‘bobbing’, as well as providing a plush ride on the descent seated or on the pedals.

As with all other Cannondale frames, the Prophet 800 is made by hand from Aluminum at Cannondale’s Bedford, PA factory. The frame quality is excellent, with finished welds, and production and engineering methods to ensure light weight and strength.

The Prophet 800 came well equipped with Lefty Max TPC front suspension, Manitou Radium rear shock, and a mix of Shimano XT and LX components. The Lefty Max performs well. The internal roller bearings provide a supple feel not possible in other forks, and also reduce the need for maintenance required by other suspension forks that have wearable plastic bushings. Less time in the shop and more time on the trail is always a good thing! The Lefty is definitely and interesting fork to ride, often attracting comments from other riders. The Lefty Max front suspension did not have the lock-out featured in earlier models of the Lefty and other HeadShok suspension products, but it did have a rebound adjustment knob within easy reach on the top of the fork. While the lock-out feature was rarely used in other test bikes, it was a welcome feature, especially for non-technical and paved sections where the stiffer, unsuspended bike provided greater speed.

The rear suspension is active and plush. The cartridge bearings and beefy mounting points ensure lateral stiffness, in which no play was felt or developed during the three year test period. The Manitou rear shock is a simple air spring shock, with limited rebound adjustment. The shock is easy to add or remove air from the spring chamber, providing the rider with an easy means of customizing the ride. As stated earlier, the cartridge bearings and pivot geometry ensure a plush downhill experience that still climbs well, even avoiding any ‘bobbing’.

The part spec is a mixture of XT and LX, along with Cannondale’s Coda brand components. The rear derailleur is mated with LX dual control levers. These dual control levers are initially unusual to ride with, but are surprisingly easy to learn. They were easy to shift while braking, and performed well with Shimano’s rapid rise rear derailleur. I found the Dual Control shifters worked well with the Rapid Rise rear derailleur. Rapid Rise derailleurs have been unpopular in the past because they reversed the shifting order associated with trigger shifters. As such, it was easier to accept the Rapid Rise derailleur because the dual control shifters required the rider to learn a new shifting paradigm. Rapid Rise derailleurs are supposed to provide more reliable shifting performance and the Dual Control shifter’s integrated design keep you in control.

Overall, the bike performs well. The hand made frame is durable and light. The Lefty front suspension held up and performed as advertised, being much smoother and laterally stiffer than conventional forks. The only improvement would be a water bottle cage mount within the frame triangle, and an improved rear shock. The rear shock could provide additional adjustments. The parts included are adequate, especially for the price of this ‘entry’ level model. As individual parts wear out, they could be replaced for higher end types. However, the components have been reliable and have performed well under all conditions.

See you on the trail!

Bicycle Commuting Part V: Selecting a Route

Route selection is key to a fun and safe ride to work. It is important to avoid busy streets, instead opting for quieter streets to avoid traffic that can add risk and stress to your daily commute. In fact, I added about a mile to my current commuting route to avoid a particular street, that while it was a direct route, it was so busy that I felt it was dangerous and the hurried drivers were often irritated by my mere presence. As such, I redirected my route along quieter streets, which is more relaxing, safer, and includes more hills, which I happen to like as it gives me a better workout before and after work.

It is best to look at your route on a map, either paper or digital. New web based map applications like Google Earth, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps work great. Google Earth even lets you plot a path and will give you the distance. While some map websites and software can automatically plot a route, the routes generated are usually not the best, as they are designed for efficient automobile traveling, not safe bike commuting. As such, it is helpful to use the digital maps in combination with your knowledge of the streets and neighborhoods to determine the best route. The digital maps allow you to minimize your commuting distance while helping you to avoid congested, stressful, and potentially dangerous streets.

After examining a potential route, it is best to reconnoiter the route on bicycle prior to riding to work. The route should be pre-ridden to ensure it is safe, that it avoids any unnecessarily busy streets, and most importantly, to determine the amount of time required to get to and from work. If you test ride the route during the weekend, you may notice that traffic may be very different on a Monday morning is very different from when you test rode it on a weekend. Not to worry: adjust your route as necessary. Sometimes I take a different route just to keep the daily ride interesting.

Bicycle Commuting Part IV: Know the Rules of the Road

It is important to know and follow the local rules of the road and laws. I have actually been pulled over on my bike for going through a red light! Crazy as it may seem, police that are interested in your safety may give you a ticket for an infraction. So, know the law, and follow it. I believe most of the traffic related laws are designed to make the road a safe place, so it really is in your best interest.

Laws also refer to the laws of physics, and you need to understand very clearly that according to the laws of physics you are the underdog of the road. If other road users become angry or inconsiderate of you, understand that if any escalation of the event reaches a point commonly referred to as “road rage”, you will probably lose the argument. Physics defines most forward motion as the combination of velocity and mass. Translate that into your bicycle’s speed and the collective weight of you and your bicycle. Now, in a physical (as in physics) contest between you and a motorist, you are likely to lose, even if the car in question is a modest little compact, as their weight and speed is likely to be greater than yours. Therefore, it is in your best interest, regardless of who is right or wrong, to ensure that any situation does not escalate. Some drivers will not have a very good idea as to where the law determines that you ride, but they may have a strong emotional response to where they think you belong. Regardless, it is best to do as the Beatles sang: “Let it be”. I have even gone so far as to apologize to very rushed, rude, impatient, and therefore angry driver. It helps to remember that they are dealing with car traffic, and they may have just come off the highway. They are trying to deal with the stress while not having any means to blow off steam. On the other hand, you are able to deal with stress as you commute on a bike…

So, follow the rules of the road and remember that you are the underdog when it comes to all things related to physics of motion: speed and vehicle weight. So, be safe and enjoy your commute!

Part 5 in the Series: Selecting your Route

Bicycle Commuting Part III: Customizing Your Bike for Commuting

Whether you have just purchased a bike or are using a bike you already have for commuting, the first thing to do to your bike to get it ready to commute is to make it safe, comfortable, and practical. To be effectively safe, you need to be visible to other commuters, including bikes, cars and pedestrians. I use a couple of common devices to ensure that others on the road are visually and audibly aware of my presence. Lights are the best means to make other commuters visually aware of your presence. Unlike bright clothing, they are active during any time of day or any kind of weather. I recommend two lights, one on the front and one on the back to make you visible to traffic. Lights come in all varieties, however it is best to have lights that blink and bring attention to you. In riding through urban areas, most streets are lit well enough to allow you to see; therefore you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on the expensive night riding lights. Those systems are designed to allow mountain bikers see in a dark forest. You just need to ensure that motorists are aware of your presence on the street. Your local shop should have a selection of lights available that will allow motorists to see you.

Bike bells are a must. While they may seem either a bit childish, I like to think of it as the bike’s equivalent of the car horn. However, a bike bell is more polite, and much nicer to listen to on a residential street. The bike bell comes in handy to alert motorists at an intersection of your presence. They are also a great way to get the attention of pedestrians or other bicyclists. I use the bell prior to entering and while I am traveling through intersections that have vehicles stopped at signs or lights. It is a great way to get their attention and to ensure for your benefit and theirs that they see you. It is also a great way to alert pedestrians prior to going through a crosswalk. Again, the bike bell is a non-intrusive means to communicate to others of your presence and intention.

If you are commuting to work, shopping center or to school, you will probably need to carry something. There are many ways to carry your necessities on your person or on your bike. There are many types of bags to carry any amount of gear, with the only limitation being how much your back can withstand. Bikes, however, can be outfitted to carry much more weight than you can manage on your own.

Bags come in all shapes and sizes, and there are quite a few designed just for riding on a bike. Courier bags are the most popular and useful. At first glance they appear to be a gigantic purse, with a large bulging rectangular main pocket held at each top corner by a wide strap. The bag is strapped diagonally across the body, with the weight of the bag resting on the lower back. While this may not be ideal for walking or hiking, when the back is angled at 45 degrees and supported over a bike frame, it is a great means of carrying bulky, heavy items. Courier bags come in a variety of sizes and colors from a variety of manufactures. Most are waterproof, and courier bags are an easy way to ensure the items you are carrying stay dry despite wet streets or inclement weather.

Other bags work great, whether backpacks or duffle bags. If it works and is comfortable, use it. If you are concerned about something getting wet, put it in a plastic bag.

Your bike should have a number of mounts or grommets on its frame to allow the mounting of external cargo racks. Some bicycles allow for front and rear racks. Rear racks sit directly above the rear wheel, behind and just below the seat. They also help protect the rider from being splashed by the rear wheel, and act as a sort of fender. Front racks mount around the front tire and mount to the fork. Rear racks are the most useful for commuting and shopping as they allow for the most weight to be carried. Milk crates or other such baskets of metal or plastic construction can be mounted onto the rack to allow lose items to be carried. A milk crate or basket makes your bike very useful for local shopping, whether getting a bag of groceries or a few items at the local hardware.

Propositioning clothing and other gear reduces the necessity to carry gear daily. If your daily commute goes to the same location, your ability to store clothing and shower essentials in a locker room means that you are carrying that much less gear on a daily basis. In commuting situations where I have quite a bit of clothing stashed, I may only have to carry clothing in and out for laundering, not for daily use.

Part 4 in the Series: Rules of the Road

Bicycle Commuting Part II: Choosing a Bike for Commuting

There is an infinite selection of bikes from which to choose. However, the needs of the commuter can be more specialized, and as such, four categories should be considered prior to selecting a commuter bike: Size, cost, type and source.

The bicycle you select to ride, for fun or function, should be comfortable and fit you properly. Your local bike shop will have professionals on hand to properly fit you to a bike that will meet your needs. When properly fitted, you should have adequate stand over height, that is, you should be able to easily and comfortably straddle the frame of the bike without causing undo harm to your more sensitive parts. If you do not know what size bike you should ride, this will limit the following category, source.

The source of your bike is an important factor in selecting a commuter bike. Sources include your local bike shop, internet auction, classifieds (online or paper), or even a garage sale. Bike shops are a great place to start, as they will have new and used bikes for you to consider. Many bicycle manufacturers even have purpose built commuter bikes with racks and fenders included. Your local dealer may even have used bikes available, too. Used bikes make great commuter bikes. They are inexpensive, tend to come with accessories, and they already look a little worn, and hence less attractive to any thief. Used bikes can be found at your local bike shop, internet auction website, police auction, or even pawn shop. Of course, if you start looking at used bikes outside of a bike shop, you better know the product you are purchasing and are certain that it will function and fit you properly. If you are concerned about the size, function or customer service aspects of your bike purchase, I would purchase your bike through a shop. I have had good and bad experiences purchasing bikes online through e-classifieds and auctions. However, I have always had great experiences getting a bike through my local bike shop.

A primary consideration of the bike that I commute on is cost. I tend to invest less into my commuter bike than on a bicycle that I use for recreation. At times, this seems counter intuitive, as you may be commuting five days a week on an inexpensive bike, and recreating on a thousand dollar bike one or two days a week. Although your commuter bike may see more use than a bike that is used for recreation, it will also be subjected to the elements for long periods of time. Not only will it be possibly subjected to rain and rust while you ride, but also as it waits for you outside of work or the store. I would define the elements as anything out of your control, including both mother-nature and human-nature. Rain, criminals, snow, bad drivers, pot holes, rust, and criminals are all elements that your bike will be exposed to while you are at work or shopping. Did I already say that criminals will probably be checking out your bike? Well, they will. A great way to eliminate any concern for how the elements will impact your commuter bike is to invest as little money as possible into a reliable bike, conduct regular maintenance to reduce wear and tear, and always lock your bike. Following these three rules will ensure that you get the most out of your commuting experience and investment into your commuter bike. Now, understand that the elements will eventually win. Your chain will wear, components will eventually rust, your bike may eventually get stolen, however, your concern should be to make the elements work as hard as possible to achieve their goal: to destroy your bike. Locking and maintaining an inexpensive bike will ensure that you maximize your investment.

The type of bicycle best for commuting depends upon your style of riding. There are three main types of bikes: road, mountain and hybrid. Road bikes are built for speed on smooth, paved surfaces. They are best at getting you from point A to point B in a minimum amount of time. Their speed and efficiency is due to the large diameter wheels with thin tires as well as a drive train that is designed for speed. However, road bikes do have some disadvantages for those looking to commute. Road bikes tend to be the least comfortable to ride for those not accustomed to their aggressive geometry. Their thin, high pressure tires require frequent examination to ensure proper inflation. Also, their tires do not allow for much ‘fudge factor’, in that a sloppy curb hop or sharp pothole will see you in need of tire repair. Entry level road bikes also tend to be more expensive than other bicycle types. It may be possible to find an excellent deal on a used road bike on Craigslist or at a local garage sale. One of my best commuter bikes was a $20 Trek road bike that I purchased from a neighbor at a garage sale. The bike worked great, was fast, and I was never concerned about theft or wear-and-tear.

Mountain bikes work well for commuting. Their robust design lends itself well to the urban environment, soaking up punishment from curbs and potholes. They tend to be more comfortable to ride, as they feature less aggressive geometry and can come with suspension forks that smooth out a harsh street. Mountain bikes also feature a drivetrain that is adept at climbing, and while it is not as fast or efficient as a road bike, it tends to make climbing city hills easier and make riding easier for the ‘uninitiated’. It is best to outfit the mountain bike with ‘slick’ tires, or tires with a smooth road tread. This will increase the speed and efficiency of your mountain bike. However, mountain bikes do have their shortfalls, too. They are not as fast as road bikes, and if your commute is a considerable distance (ten or more miles), speed and efficiency may be a major concern for you.

Hybrid bicycles are just that, a hybrid design between a road and mountain bike. They tend to feature the straight handlebar and drivetrain from a mountain bike. Their wheels, however come from touring road bikes, and as such the overall bike tends to ride like a mountain bike while providing more road bike speed. They are a great bike for the city, and there are more types of hybrids available than ever before. Many manufactures are designing urban specific hybrid bikes with mountain bike frames, road wheels and matte black paint jobs to blend in and avoid unwanted attention.

Part 3 in the Series: Customizing Your Bike for Commuting

Bicycle Commuting Part I: Why Commute on a Bike?

Preface
I have been successfully commuting via bicycle for over ten years. I have used my bike to get to work, school and other locations in all seasons during all times of day. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to do so, as it has given me a sense of doing something positive to better our environment, not to mention saving money that would have been spent on motorized transportation. I have used my bicycle to commute in relatively harsh environments, like Minnesota’s winter or Missouri’s humid summer climates. I have learned how to dress, select the best route, carry my necessary gear or cargo, and how to do it all safely. The following is being written to pass along some of the knowledge/wisdom that I have gained in an effort to teach others how to commute by bicycle.

Most of this text will describe bicycle riding in the context of riding to and from work. The bicycle is just as efficient in long, daily trips as it is in short, variable trips. That is, the bike is great way to go to the local grocer, bar or any other short trip. While most of the tips will be formatted toward bike commuting, they are definitely worthy of assisting someone in using the bike to shop and socialize.

Why would anyone want to commute by bicycle?
This is a great question, and one that you may have to address from time to time from various people, whether co-workers or passersby. Since the act of biking for reasons other than recreation seem difficult to formulate for most Americans, I have written down a few advantages to bicycle commuting:

-Daily exercise integrated into your daily commute
-Avoid the stress of highway traffic
-Relieve stress before and after work
-Save non-renewable resources
-Reduce pollution

The most obvious reasons for biking to work are to get exercise, reduce pollution and reduce resource usage. I thoroughly enjoy integrating my daily exercise into my commute to work. While it may seem inefficient to bike 30 minutes to work instead of driving 15 minutes, considering that if I were to work out after getting home from work for 1 hour, I would have spent 30 minutes driving in traffic and 1 hour in a gym. Instead I choose to spend an hour of my day riding to and from work. In total I save 30 minutes of my day! By biking to work I exercise and commute at the same time, effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Pollution and resources are a hot topic these days. There are theories that gaseous pollution may be making our planet hotter or colder. There are conspiracies that wars have, are being and will be fought over natural resources like oil. Despite the strong feelings and political divide, most Americans tend to drive a lot regardless of their political leanings or beliefs. Nothing depicts a hypocrite like a “no war for oil” or “don’t drill for oil” decal on the back of a four wheel drive vehicle. It is very easy to say what you believe, however it is much more difficult to do or live what you believe. By biking to work, school or to the store, you are living a lifestyle that does not depend so heavily on non-renewable resources. If environmental degradation or resource based conflict is a concern of yours, by biking instead of driving, you are literally putting your money where your mouth is, by not giving money to the industries that generate revenue from oil.

The highways are a very stressful place these days. Road rage and other motorized acts of violence are the result of highway systems that are over tasked, and people incapable of accepting their choice to sit in traffic with everyone else. By biking to work you eliminate the stress of highway gridlock from your life. In fact, since exercise elevates stress, you will actually reduce your work/career induced stress by commuting via bicycle. You will arrive home, exercised and relaxed, ready to spend time with your family.

If you bike to work, the queuing theory states that your karma will improve. According to Queuing theory, a mathematical model used to study and complex waiting lines like internet traffic or highway traffic, by biking to work you will be making everyone else’s commute on the highway easier. Queuing theory states that long and short term impacts on the system (read: traffic) are felt exponentially by any single variable. So, by choosing to drive to work, you make everyone else’s commute exponentially more difficult. Conversely, by getting out of your car and onto your bike, you make everyone’s highway commute exponentially easier. While this may not be a major factor in your decision to commute, it may build your karma or brotherly love with everyone else in your community by simply knowing that by biking to work it makes it exponentially easier for everyone else on the highway to get where they are going.

So, by biking to work you get the benefit of exercise, reduced local and global pollution, reduce the demand for non-renewable resources, reduce the stress in your life and put one less car in the daily traffic jam, making you and everyone else healthier and happier. Now, it is time to go get a bike!

Part 2 in the Series: Choosing a Bike for Commuting