Biking Bis
How to qualify for freebies by supporting the US Bicycle Route System
The “Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It.” campaign for the US Bicycle Route System is continuing with some generous gifts and contests.
The non-profit Adventure Cycling Association is sponsoring the campaign to raise $50,000 during National Bike Month to help offset its expenses in coordinating development of the nationwide bicycle route network.
…1984 Bike Tour: Day 5 – Discovering gravity the hard way;And traffic volume then and now
Our Bikecentennial guidebook calls this the rolling Piedmont of Louisa and Hanover counties. Contemplating the issue of gravity on the porch of Kent's Store, I decided I'm carrying too much stuff.
These might be called rollercoaster hills, but they aren't as much fun as an amusement park. I speed downhill at top speed, cross a creek, then begin the uphill struggle. All that momentum is lost the moment the slope changes. Even
though I had installed a triple chainring, giving me 15 gears, I can't downshift fast enough to sustain any speed. I'm either jamming the chain or dropping down to the lowest gears, spinning the pedals furiously to make any progress....
The most prevalent wildlife in Pacific Northwest
I’ve seen the occasional deer on my bike rides through the forests of the Pacific Northwest, but the “wildlife” I come across most often is the slug.
They’re a common sight slithering across trails here, leaving behind a glistening track as evidence of their passing.
I’ve never consciously run over one. Yes, I brake for …
1984 Tour: Day 4 – Give me cycling or give me death
I jumped out of the sack before 6, but we still didn't leave until 8. Three packets of instant oatmeal for breakfast. It's still friggin' cold (see Bruce in sweater, left).
After pedaling around Ashland, we headed up some narrow roads to Scotchtown, the home of Patrick Henry. We ate an early lunch there and met the groundskeeper, an old guy in beatup overalls.
After leaving Scotchtown, the route started to climb. We were leaving the sandy Tidewater region and entering the firmer Piedmont plateau. This means that streams drop a few feet to the softer coastal sands, earning the term "fall line." We found another reason to call it the "fall line." .....
1984 Bike Tour: Day 3 – Still a shakedown cruise
After another breakfast of instant coffee, Pop-tarts and juice, we followed the campground owner's directions to the TransAmerica bicycle route via the historical Washington-Rochambeau route.
Today was chilly riding. Bruce wore polypro bottoms and tops, sweats, turtleneck, wool sweater, gloves and a hat under his helmet. Yesterday's warmish 80 degree high makes the weather today seem that much cooler....
24 more cities are now Bicycle Friendly Communities
Ride of Silence and Bike to Work Day this week
1984 Bike Tour: Day 2 – First roadside attraction – Shirley Plantation
Bruce and I climbed out of the tent at 5:45. It took us two hours to get ready, and most of that was just repacking our panniers so that the stuff we'd probably use first was at the top.
After pop tarts and coffee (the water heated on a one-burner Coleman stove), we were back on the road at 8. ...
Odd memories from a 1984 bicycle tour; Day 1 to Charles City, VA.
My friend Bruce unearthed this old photo of us walking across the sand at Virginia Beach after dipping our rear tires in the Atlantic Ocean to start our cross-country bicycle tour in 1984.
After our ceremony, we climbed in a car with our girlfriends and drove to Yorktown, Va., where we actually started our 11-week …
Canadian cyclist in the pink at Giro d’Italia bike race
Another day, another jersey change at the Giro d’Italia after Stage 7 on Saturday.
Garmin-Barracuda’s Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to ever wear the maglia rosa, as his main rival lost his steam on the final climb of the 125-mile stage from Recanati to Rocca di Cambio.
The 31-year-old from Victoria, BC, has been …
Biggest mystery of Tour of California resolved; also TV schedule
Cool prizes for supporting U.S. Bicycle Route System
As you no doubt know, the non-profit Adventure Cycling Association is holding a fund-raising drive all month to offset its expenses in coordinating development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System.
The association needs to raise another $2,230 before midnight Saturday to receive a matching grant from TeamEstrogen.com. To coax that cash out of your bank …
Bicycle author writes about mid-1930s world bicycle travelers
A few months ago, I wrote a short blog post here about Fred Birchmore, the mid-1930s bicycle traveler from Georgia. He may have been the first “Fred” — now a mocking term for a bicycling enthusiast.
At the time, “Bicycle: The History” author David V. Herlihy was working on a piece about Birchmore for the …
He who was last shall be first at Giro; also Tyler Farrar crashes out
Two years ago, Italian cyclist Adriano Malori earned the unwanted honor of the laterne rouge by finishing last at the Tour de France.
After Friday’s Stage 6 at the Giro d’Italia, the 24-year-old team Lampre cyclist will be wearing the overall leader’s pink jersey.
Malori survived in a breakaway to finish second in the day’s …
Northern Tier Bicycle Route highway opens in Washington
Salsa recalls faulty bike racks
Salsa Cycles is recalling about 1,100 faulty bicycle racks that can break off the bike, causing the rider to lose control.
The wholly owned brand of Bloomington, Minn.-based Quality Bicycle Products recommends that users immediate remove the racks from their bikes and take them to authorized Salsa dealers for inspection, re-mounting or a refund.
The …
