If you haven’t guessed, I’m coming up with 10 things I am grateful to have discovered, this year. Not that hard to do, and a good way to let the bike industry know which ideas are good, and areas for improvement. I’m going to be riding bikes awhile (hopefully forever), so I think this is a small investment towards continued quality products. I’m trying for something different each time, to cover all the bases.
These sandal/shoes came were a treat to wear when traveling in a new destination (previously mentioned Albuquerque trip), in 100 degree heat. As a repeat customer to Keen, I was surprised when I ordered the same size I have in 3 other pairs of regular sandals or shoes, but these came in narrower and seemingly longer. And yet they still fit. I suppose the extra width may be provided so that you don’t hit the crank arm? The shoes are easy to put on and off, especially great for running errands, spending a day on the bike between different facilities.
Keen Commuter Sandal
One distinct attribute that sets it apart from my Sidi Dominator bike shoes, is that it is clearly not a performance shoe. The elastic and neoprene fabric does stretch a bit when you lift up on the pedals, so I wouldn’t recommend to take this mountain biking on technical rocky sections, although its pretty great for hiking with its aggressive tread and toe bumper. It forces you to chill out – which can be a welcome change, sometimes. You get to feel the wind in your toes!
*picture from another review on Road Cycling.
Favorite thing #5: Ergon Grips
New to the world of singlespeed mountain biking, I admit my novice – and avid interest – in the various technology associated. New geometry specs, all kinds of pretty machined dropouts, tensioners, and crankarms. Out of the box, my Kona Unit (rigid 29er) needed little to be changed other than a shorter stem (came with 120mm swapped for 90) and a WTB devo saddle to be adequately comfortable. I made some other mechanical changes, which look addressed in the 2011 model – but those don’t affect comfort.
In my astute research on group singlespeed rides, I noticed singlespeed veterans all had Ergon grips on their bars, and I was thinking – didn’t they get the memo that bar ends are SO yesterday?? But, as I watched these riders drop me on the climbs, as they all eventually did, I realized they were using them differently, even standing up to torque power out of the barends to leverage up the hill. So, I bought a pair. Instantly, my comfort level on the bike notched up a spot, and so did my power. I consider that it would not be as effective on a full-suspension bike, nor a geared bike that one could spin on; but I like it like this.
Ergon GC2 - Small/Women's
On a later date, I hope to disclose an algorithm that helps riders find the single speed gear ratio best suited to their body, fitness, and terrain. Stay tuned for that one, it might be a big flop.
BikeFest 2010 Recap
- Dirt Rag and Velomuse Ladies’ MTB 101
We had a turnout of about 10 women to the 3rd Annual Ladies’ MTB 101 ride that Dirt Rag has been hosting. Like last year, Velomuse helped get the word out about the opportunity and we’re continuing to collaborate with local ambassador Michelle Johnson to bring a new, weekly Monday Ladies’ ride together.
Velomuse Youth Bike Rodeo
The Velomuse Youth Bike Rodeo was something special at Frick Park for a few reasons. The idea was received by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works well, and we had our permit application for a bike event approved. This might be the first time that a bike event has been approved, and its a benchmark for continuing building professional relationships between bicyclists and administration in a pro-active manner. We also were proud to have the support and co-promotion from Free Ride, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and Bike Pittsburgh. Indeed, all signs point towards the concept that we embrace: “Creating Lifelong Cyclists.”
While it was indeed hot and humid, the youth that came out still rode a bunch of obstacles, practicing for hours on end. Removing training wheels, learning new levels of balance, bouncing back up when they fell, and winning prizes. The mtb ride was short and sweet, with ample obstacle practice as a highlight. Even some adults practiced their skills on the obstacles. Can I say how sweet the obstacles are? Thanks again to Seth and Chris for help building them.
Thick Bikes CX Adventure Epic
Last but not least, the Thick Bike Cyclocross Adventure Epic (a long enough name to measure the challenge of the ride) proved humbling. Starting out in Frick Park, riders climbed on paved roads into suburbia and over to Boyce Park at a good clip. Upon arriving an hour ealier than planned, we rode a handful of twisty slippy trails before meeting up with the PTAG/PORC MTB fest finale and following “Machete Mike” around for the slow, intermediate ride focusing on more obstacles. Super fun times. After 5 hours of riding, we hung out for refreshments for about an hour, and then headed back through suburbia inquiring to the validity of connectivity along some ATV trails for another 2 hours. It turns out that an abandoned railroad and quarry were up for a Rails to Trails conversion some time ago, but funding fell through. I see potential for a 3-tiered dirt park that accomodates both ATV and mountain/DJ bikes. and maybe cyclocross bikes, too!
Click the book to buy your own copy.
Upon meeting Lynette Chiang at the National Bike Rally a couple weeks ago, and seeing such fire in her eyes about her travels and passion for cycling – I knew there was more to it. I picked up her book, The Handsomest Man in Cuba, An Escapade, and opened it up as soon as I got to the airline gate to leave New Mexico. It was almost too hot to concentrate, although the book captured my interest right away. As the airship was taxiing for takeoff, and heat suddenly came out through the air-conditioning vents, I closed the book for a moment. About an hour later, I woke out of a heat exhaustion fainting spell. Once I figured out what happened, I opened the book again and dove about 50 pages in through the flight.
It only took a couple chapters to get that it was a raw account of her first hand traveling experience through a hidden culture. Indeed, there were only a few other moments I needed to put the book down (other than eating and sleeping), to think about a sentence or two and how I relate to it.
I loved the fact that so much of it remained uncensored, that I am compelled to see this place, meet these people and send a postcard to the address in the book. “Thus, Castro is developing a nation of resourceful and intelligent people who excel in their fields, be it hustling or heart surgery. But if there is a stress point in the structure, it is where an individual reaches for the stars but hits his or her head on the low ceiling of communism.”
Through her independent touring, she comes to a connection with making destination in one’s travel plans and spirituality: “I often lapse into circular debates with myself (and whatever unlucky bastard happens to be within earshot) over whether it is possible for one ever truly to arrive.”
And finally, the threads to human social interaction which bind all of us together across the world: “When space, money, and time are compressed, as in a big city, people feel compressed, and the first thing to get squeezed is the ability to give your fellow human the time of day.”
Thank you Lynette; my vigor for traveling with bicycle is renewed.
Check out all the new vendors showing some love for going CAR-FREE!!
Also, the Velomuse Ladies’ Summer Solstice ride is a part of it all!
It doesn't take much to make me chase clouds.
We were graced with few but quality attendance at the National Bike Rally, similar to many other recent conference-type events, likely due to state of economy. No one else from Pittsburgh nor California was present, which meant that I had no partners in crime but had good reason to make new friends and experiment with sharing/exchanging accommodations. The people that did attend; however, represented a good portion of the local cycling community in Albuquerque and nearby Santa Fe and a handful of very dedicated advocates from Washington DC, New York, Texas and Australia.
Unexpectedly, some optimistic and creative attendants leveraged the state of economy – and their unemployed state – to become certified in things that they would normally pay for when employed. While I am also unemployed, I missed the memo about the early arrival necessary for the League (of American Bicyclists) Certified Instructor safety training. Instead, I got to hear about the skills and best practices gleened by Gal From Down Under, Lynette Chiang and Lisa Miles, from Bike Santa Fe, while on many of the group rides organized by New Mexico Touring Society (whose jersey I had the honor of wearing, as I was the first person to register for the rally), at a film screening of Route 66 by Bicycle: Pedaling the Mother Road, and at the closing ceremonies, honoring the late Gail Ryba, whom was the honorary Volunteer of the Year recipient for 2009. Gail is survived by her family, husband Tom Robey and daughter Lynn, and a legacy of bicyclist safety training – as she secured a grant from New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Being an opportunist, I participated in the longest of the road-only options on the two days that I was able to ride in Albuquerque – a 40 mile ride along the Bosque trail, through the Pueblo of Isleta, meeting the Mayor of Belen, returning via Rail Runner train, and then the 100 mile Albuquerque Century – which was the hottest 100 degree ride I have ever experienced! I also got tremendous enthusiasm and support to mountain bike in Santa Fe after the Rally, from Rob and Charlie’s bike shop manager, Steve Newhall, who showed me around the town and trails, loaned me a sweet demo bike, and helped me to return ship my cyclocross bike via FedEx – a feat that was not simple.
It was hot on the plane when we boarded, and the air conditioning was not working, so I promptly passed out (not asleep – passed out) for at least an hour. I was told that I would have strange dreams while in New Mexico, but this was excessive! A couple of things I took home with me, was that I need to travel more with loose plans even if it makes me nervous and I don’t know anyone where I’m going. I would like to get the LCI training, to complement the USA Cycling Coach, Wilderness First Aid, and Leadership Development training I already have. Cyclists from various backgrounds (road, mountain, urban) need to develop a cooperative strategy to ensure access for everyone. I expect to return to Santa Fe to visit my new friends, maybe participate in the Santa Fe century, and do a lot more mountain biking and possibly skill-share some trail advocacy, bike handling/educational clinics for the community. There are more clouds to chase, yet.
Velomuse is hosting an event on June 18th from 6-8pm, as part of the Car Free Fridays campaign: this is for the adventurous woman, racer chic, grocery toting mom, college commuter lady, and bicycle polo playing playing grrl. Tired of the boys’ club? Just interested in a different kind of ride? Trying to find your riding style or encourage someone else to ride? Anything goes… just bring something handmade and gift-wrapped for the craftswap at the end, where we’ll finish a casual, chatting pace cruise around East Liberty, at Tazza D’Oro cafe @1125 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.
*If you are driving to the ride, you can park at the bike shop parking lot where we’ll start, or on the street near the cafe.
** Please feel free to pass on this information to your man-friends, but only women will be allowed to RSVP and participate. This is ours.
See you there!
More information about Velomuse ladies’ events on facebook here.
Update 6/17/10: Bike Pittsburgh interviews Velomuse founder, Eryn Hughes, about this ride and program details., and Michelle Johnson helps us connect the dots in the cycling community.
Photo courtesy: Bryce Toole
Ripping Gypsy (RG): Hey my name is Bryce Toole. I live in Orlando Fl. Guess my profession would be living life to its fullest!
VM: “At what moment in your bmx career did you decide that you wanted to ride long distance?”
RG: I believe it was the summer of 05′, I was staying in Pittsburgh with Bobby Valentine and Greg Smee. One evening Bobby was like, “hey man im outta here” I was living with him at the time and was like….”well im coming with”. We jetted back to the house, packed a rough sack,which was a change of close and bam, Bobby,Greg, and I were off. It was a wild bmx cycle to Akron Ohio. Camped and rode the free concrete park for a few days. Ever since ive had this bug of adventure.
VM: “What was the biggest obstacle in achieving your first long distance ride, and how did you manage that?”
RG: Biggest obstacle would have to be either the countless flats, or the hills. Seeing that we were on bmxs’, it was gnarly.
VM: “What made you decide to stop in Pittsburgh?”
RG: I love Pittsburgh. The people, history, and what better of a way to get there,via bicycle.
VM: “What are you going to do when you get here, this time?”
RG: See all my buds. Definitely going to Primanti’s and getting a cold one and a sandwich. Were going to ride some bmx trails hopefully and pedal around Oakland hollering at some chicks hahaha. All around, just have a blast.
VM: “What’s next?”
RG: Well… I asked Bobby if he was able to ride some with me on the next leg of the trip out of Pittsburgh, and its looking like it could happen. Im stoked! Its going to be due west from Pittsburgh, over one of the many infamous bridges, and on to the open road.
Id like to thank,
Matt and Charlie at Profile Racing
The Cottles at OBMX
James at Mr.Bikes & Boards
Brain at ESPN
DNA Energy Drinks
And My Mom, Momma Toole!
You can follow the trip at therippingypsy.blogspot.com
Photo Courtesy of Jon Suzuki
A student athlete I had the privilege of coaching in California, while working with the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League, is graduating High School. She’s still picking out her field and using some of her summer to find her school of choice while riding her bike.
I’ll be riding with her and her riding partner part of the way on their trip through the East Coast, and helping spread the word about her progress along the way. Please consider donating to the charity she’s chosen to gain awareness and support with her ride for the Conservation Fund. Here’s Charlotte:
“The plan:
Lyla and I are taking four months to bike across and around the US of A. The general plan is to ride South to LA, East through Texas and along the Gulf, and North up the East Coast, through the Capital, and up to Boston/New York. It should be about a six thousand mile ride. We will be traveling through as much of America’s wilderness as possible, in the spirit of The Conservation Fund. We haven’t entirely mapped out our route yet, and we’re definitely open to suggestions and advice.
The goal:
We are aiming to raise $10,000 for The Conservation Fund through this page and through offline donations. Fundraising will continue all the way through the end of our trip next May.
How You Can Help:
Every dollar counts and is much appreciated! Help us raise $10,000 for The Conservation Fund by donating <a href=”http://community.conservationfund.org/ConservationBikeTourUSA“>directly on the website</a>, or make a check out to The Conservation Fund with the “for” note marked “Conservation Bike Tour USA.” Tell everyone you know. If you are interested in sponsoring Lyla and me with resources for the ride itself, contact me (Charlotte) directly at cperryhouts at gmail.com.”
