Haven't been riding

I feel terrible. I haven't been riding my bike. Work schedule, travel, etc. Now the weather is getting cold. I need to toughen up and get going again.

Interesting bike setups

Aggressive seat angle, bungie cords. Must make the bike go faster!

That would explain the burned up seat lug: heat generated speed friction.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

In these darkening times

In these darkening times I find myself in need of another bike light. My morning "Mark Cavendish" sprint to the train station has become more challenging with the dark mornings (whether the fall time adjustment will help remains to be seen, literally). The only problem is that my flight deck is an already crowded place - what with bike bell, bike computer, light #1, and 2 brake/gear shifter gadegtry. Adding a light #2 will be a challenge.

So, I've been thinking of making a special mini-rack out of PVC piping and two clamps. This small contraption will be attached to the stem and, in theory, would give me additional room to mount two lights.

I'll take a picture of it once I'm done.

Message from BikeABQ

Hi everyone,

On behalf of BikeABQ I am very excited to be able to invite you to the Can You See Us NOW? bicycle ride and rally. This will be a short (4.3 mile) ride down Route 66 on Sunday September 20. The point of this ride is to gather together as many cyclists as possible to collectively ask motorists "Can You See Us NOW?" Mountain bikers, children with training wheels, triathletes, roadies, commuters, tourists... everyone who rides a bicycle can come and add their voice.

Bells, horns, whistles, signs, flags, and streamers are also all welcome at this event

We will start at 4 pm from High Desert Yoga, 4600 Copper NE at Jefferson. With an APD bicycle patrol officer escort we will cruze down Central Ave to Tiguex park. At the park there will be a short rally.

Come to the start early to sign up, beginning at 3 pm. The event is free, but there will be numbers for the first 100 people. Each of these numbers will have the name of a New Mexico cyclists who has died as a result of a crash with a motor vehicle in the past 20 years. That's right, 100 cyclists have died between 1989 and 2009 (to date). We will also be riding to remember and honor these people.

At Tiguex park we will read the names of these victim cyclists. There will also be two short speaches about how we can work together to make cycling safer for all. New Belgium Brewery's Team Wonderbike will be there and we will have some other cool give-aways too.

Questions?? e-mail me

Want to help?? Print the attachment and post it anywhere you think a cyclists eyes might see it. Recruit your friends. Post the event on your facebook page. Post the BikeABQ link or NMCycling link where people can go for more information. E-mail me and I'll find another job for you if that isn't enough!

Thanks, and see you on September 20!

Jennifer Buntz

A strange week for commuting

This week started out pretty odd.

First, Albuquerque cops hand out bicycle lights:

Free bike lights... and a warning ticket; a hug and a smack.

Then, I receive an email from The Don who said he was going to have a talk with the mysterious and powerful Mr. COG about the Rail Runner bike strap problem. I suspect The Don will make Mr. COG an offer he can't refuse:

And today, after 267 miles the rear Michelin City Tire got "nailed."

I whipped out the new tube and in no time I was back in the saddle.

I could hear my father, "Son, you always have be prepared." Thanks Dad.

It was a crazy week!

Rail Runner bike straps: the saga continues

The "Bear Trap" buckle mechanism; a real pain to thread. You push down on the part with the little mini-teeth, but it opens just enough to give you a hard time.

The frayed strap end; a real challenge to properly secure your bike.

The whole contraption. Your wheel rests in the cradle and the strap loops through your rims and spokes and meets up with the Bear Trap and, in theory, it is suppose to secure your bike.

But the reality is that bike commuters don't mess with the contraption (which is designed to hold only two (yes, 2) bikes. Here we have four bikes (and we added two more at the next stop).

Bike strap abuse.

Now that you've seen the mess that is bike commuting on the Rail Runner. Imagine these bikes swaying back and forth as the train rumbles down dilapidated tracks. Usually the end bike winds-up sideways or falling down completely, blocking the door way.

Now, imagine the dozens of Rail Runner riders backed up trying to get on and off the train with this mountain of... uh... mountain bikes in the way and your bike commuter frigg'n around with the mess trying to dislodge their war pony before the door slams shut. If your bike is, say, in the back of this mess and you have to get out in a hurry at your stop, good luck. 85% chance that you're not going to make it.

Santa Fe Farmer's Market

7:00 a.m and the Market is coming to life!

How can your significant other be upset with you if you bring these home?

My father becomes sad when he sees sunflowers; childhood memories that boarding school was right around the corner.

The accordion reminded me of the Tiger Lillies.