3/31/2012
Did you see the signs of spring out? Allen has the "Share The Road Signs" up to go with the Sharrows on the road. Spring is here, Get out and ride!
Paul
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Bike Maintenance
3/31/2012
I bought my commuter bike back in October. Last weekend I finally had a chance to do some more work on it. I lubed the chain for the first time. Wow, the bike is nice and quiet now. It is a fixed gear but used to sound like it had a derailleur in the rear. It is nice and smooth now.
I fixed a pedal, tightened the seat and adjusted the rear axle since it had some play in it. It took a while to get the chain and wheel tightened just right after that. It felt good to do all that. Then Monday morning I went to head to work and the rear tire was flat. So much for the “preventative maintenance” concept.
Paul
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The bike season has started
03/28/2012
Although I never really stop my bike commuting during the year, the cycling season has officially started with my first criterium of the year completed. I tried a new race this year: http://www.wednesdaynightcrit.com/
I needed to scope the course so I tried the C race and got third place. So, what the heck! I did the B race after that and had to drop out with the "5 laps to go" signal (yes, that is when they really turn it up another notch!). Overall a great workout with 27 miles at a 22+mph pace. The season is in full swing!
Go ride - or race or anything on two wheels!
Paul
Although I never really stop my bike commuting during the year, the cycling season has officially started with my first criterium of the year completed. I tried a new race this year: http://www.wednesdaynightcrit.com/
I needed to scope the course so I tried the C race and got third place. So, what the heck! I did the B race after that and had to drop out with the "5 laps to go" signal (yes, that is when they really turn it up another notch!). Overall a great workout with 27 miles at a 22+mph pace. The season is in full swing!
Go ride - or race or anything on two wheels!
Paul
Friday, March 23, 2012
What is a "Sharrow"?
03/23/2012
Well, Allen has their Sharrows painted out there on some streets. But what is a Sharrow?
The sharrows are just markings to remind drivers and cyclists that we all share the same roads out there. Nothing more than that! So, go out and ride your bike (or drive your car) because you can! That is what the roads are for.
A nice article was written in today's paper: http://neighborsgo.com/stories/81158
You can also find the Allen American article from last week: http://www.allenamerican.com/articles/2012/03/16/allen_american/news/157.txt
Get out and enjoy your bike!
Paul
Well, Allen has their Sharrows painted out there on some streets. But what is a Sharrow?
The sharrows are just markings to remind drivers and cyclists that we all share the same roads out there. Nothing more than that! So, go out and ride your bike (or drive your car) because you can! That is what the roads are for.
A nice article was written in today's paper: http://neighborsgo.com/stories/81158
You can also find the Allen American article from last week: http://www.allenamerican.com/articles/2012/03/16/allen_american/news/157.txt
Get out and enjoy your bike!
Paul
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Indoor riding??
03/07/2012
I did an indorr spin class today. My first ever! I always told the guys in that class "you are going nowhere, get out and ride on the road". But, I have to eat my words. They gave me a good hour long workout that really worked my legs. I may even do it again. Training is training.
Paul
I did an indorr spin class today. My first ever! I always told the guys in that class "you are going nowhere, get out and ride on the road". But, I have to eat my words. They gave me a good hour long workout that really worked my legs. I may even do it again. Training is training.
Paul
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Good, The Bad and “what was that?”
03/06/2012
The day started out great. No better way to be riding in to work than to be riding over paintings done the day before that show a bicycle in the road with arrows to make drivers more aware to Share the Road with bicyclists. Signs will soon follow with that message – “Share the Road”. I am very glad to see this happening in Allen – Way to Go City of Allen ! We can start getting inline with all those other states that are so bicycle friendly. (Twin Creeks / Suncreek drives)
The ride home was a little different – 25mph winds with gusts to 39mph. A little more of a workout across the wind but ohhh was it nice once I was riding with the wind. I have to admit; once I spun out on the single speed I wished I had some more high gears!
And now for the “what was that?”. On the morning ride in I was going against the wind. At a stop sign there was a large trash truck; a large drafting truck. I took off close to him and there was no wind bothering me. That lasted until a box flew out of the truck and luckily struck just my hands / handlebars and it then blew on over me. I backed off quickly as some other debris flew past me and I realized the error of my ways. Don’t draft off vehicles that can lose their load.
My new quote: “Sometimes things happen to help remind us of things we should not do. We may still think it is a good idea at times but try to remember that lesson we learned earlier; deep down we know it is not a good idea. {Paul Konrad , lessons I learned behind a trash truck, 3/6/2012}”
Enjoy the Ride,
Paul
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Amazing what bike awareness can do...
03/01/2012
It has been very interesting to see what the residents of Allen are thinking now that we have some "sharrow" signs painted on a few roads in Allen. There is a lot of confusion on these new markings in town and it has started a lot of conversation (and a release of hidden frustration as well it appears). The concept is not new to those states that are working to integrate bicycle riders into the mainstream. It is actually just reminding everyone of what they should know - that bicycles per the law have the same rights and responsibilities as cars out on the road.
These are NOT bike lanes, just reminders that bikes are allowed out there. Many of us out there enjoy riding our bikes because we can, because it provides exercise, because we do it on our own power and do not rely on gas. Less polution sounds good to me and yes, I enjoy recycling! I am not trying to upset anyone; I am just trying to learn to co-exist on the same streets as cars.
I will see you on the road
Paul
It has been very interesting to see what the residents of Allen are thinking now that we have some "sharrow" signs painted on a few roads in Allen. There is a lot of confusion on these new markings in town and it has started a lot of conversation (and a release of hidden frustration as well it appears). The concept is not new to those states that are working to integrate bicycle riders into the mainstream. It is actually just reminding everyone of what they should know - that bicycles per the law have the same rights and responsibilities as cars out on the road.
These are NOT bike lanes, just reminders that bikes are allowed out there. Many of us out there enjoy riding our bikes because we can, because it provides exercise, because we do it on our own power and do not rely on gas. Less polution sounds good to me and yes, I enjoy recycling! I am not trying to upset anyone; I am just trying to learn to co-exist on the same streets as cars.
I will see you on the road
Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)