Fall commuting

I have very little traffic, so my perceived safety is not a big issue. I have been reading about a how to encourage more biking and there are differences between males/females, distances and about bike paths/lanes. Are we not traffic?

That said I go an additional 3/4 mile going and nearly 2 miles coming home to avoid unpleasant traffic (route 28 and 105) Why do I go out of my way? First, it is a small percentage of my ride. I'm so slow that in my hour or so ride 5-10 more minutes aren't very important in my decision about where to ride. I'm commuting but I'm having fun doing so and the road ought to be scenic and enjoyable.

Now that I've got Neck road back I have a great trip in. I have most cars give me an exaggerated pass (pulling way over to the left lane to go by me). A study shows that cars are more likely to come close to bikers with helmets, presumably because they think these bikers are more proficient and predictable. Perhaps my riding isn't as smooth as I think it is and my blinky light and bright colors warn folks.

The switch to standard time has made the morning commute brighter but the afternoon is now in twilight. Perceived safety by others is a concern (I don't like defending my transportation as a matter of conversation). I've been using a mag light on the front and my Niterider SOL has been returned, supposedly repaired. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. There have been a few (and I mean less than 1/2 dozen) cars come close enough for me to touch (not even close enough to be a "close call"). One happened on the way home yesterday, the car went a few more hundred yards and pulled into a drive way. The driver (later middle aged man) was leisurely walking around his car on the way in. He had to rush by me,... for what? He didn't save any time staying near me, I didn't delay him. I had a momentary inferiority sense, well he's coming home from his hard day at work and was thinking only of home and comfort. But that's where I was heading as well. I was just enjoying the route a bit more, going slower. This might be the reason I continue to bike commute. Not savings, not health, but perspective on time.

From New bike pictures

It is clearly fall, with the leaves dropped from most trees. The colors are wonderful, and the low light coming home has allowed me to keep smiling most of the way. After a brief cold snap in October its been cool (30-40s) in the morning but not freezing. I did get neoprene booties and they are wonderful. My fingers are a bit cool, and I seem to go from freezing on my torso to sweating in little time. Need to start out a bit cooler and warm up as I go along. My car doesn't warm up this quickly.

My mileage for October was less than Sept., probably due to less around town travel (to meeting, post office, etc.) and we missed again this first day (too much unloading from the shed to get going in time). I'd love to get the "tank" cleaned up and kept on the porch for short errands. Travel with family is an event. Worthwhile but logistics are a bit more deliberate than piling into a car.

In other mundane information: I had a mini tune up (the derailler fix) at Southcoast. Gary tightened bits, straightened wheels and fixed the shifting (turned out to be the lever up front was loose!). A great change. I've also raised my seat as my knees began to ache a bit. Now my back was unhappy coming home yesterday. Seems as though there is constant fiddling to be done with bikes. I'm not too put out, but it is an advantage with most cars, maintenance is only every few weeks, even months. Of course I've never had a 20+ year old car.

Road Detours

They began working on Neck Road (see my earlier complaints about the condition of Alley and Neck), both areas needed work, but its been nearly a month. Not that big a deal I guess (I had called the highway dept. and they said it would be 2-4 weeks). I've been going up through Rock Village. Steve G. grew up there and has been giving me some insight on the area.

Its nice to have variety, though I think I prefer my even more rural route through the ponds and Neck/Marion Road. This post has been in edit for awhile and today (Nov. 4th) I managed to remember the camera and we'll see about getting some new pics. The weather has been colder, but my major failing is now sweat! I may need to break down and get proper bike jacket or wool. Need to get to work. Mileage for October is less than Sept. (probably due to less trips to meeting, it was vetoed this past first day.)

Loosing cold cash

This idea that biking is cheap and fun is taking a bit of a blow with the cooler winds and more work on the bike. At the same time I feel more disconnected without riding in to school.
First reconsider the costs. It is costing more than predicted, but I'm not too worried yet. I didn't need to buy a bike, but there's been plenty of maintenance that has been deferred over twenty years, and some things will only need to be dealt with once. This past week I've replaced my chain and the freewheel (gears in the back). It was easier than I thought, I followed the advice at Bicycle Tutor. It still needed a chain (out of stock at Nashbar apparently when I ordered the last big box.) a chain tool, a free wheel remover in addition to the chain and new gears. Now I'm reading, and Gary at SouthCoast cycling is telling me chains only last for about 1000 miles. Need to measure at 1000 miles anyway. This is insane. The chain is $20 or so from the local bike shop, cheaper on line but there's shipping. The bike sounded much quieter with the new chain and gears, but it felt the same (even had a slip once) and I didn't go any faster. Other purchases have been for rain and cold weather (helmet cover, full finger gloves) and more visibility (back light - the planet bike blinky). I'm leaving well before the sun rise, its clear and dim stars are visible (the sublime views must be worth some cash - consider how much we spend on telescopes). The vest, helmet cover and leg straps are all "specialized" bike gear and reflective. I still may want to rethink some clothes (wool tights?) as I was both cold and sweaty this morning, a complete strike out. Currently I have "fancy" long john shirt, a t shirt then the fuzzy and a vest. The thought was that any sweat would get pulled away (it was) where it would be able to vent out (it didn't).
Other purchases include a floor pump, a cone wrench to try to get the brakes held tight but not stuck, a spoke wrench (the wheels had begun to wobble) and a cycle computer (not yet installed, to see if I could improve my time somewhat). Finally I decided to replace the rear tire (not original, but old and worn) with fancy "all condition" armadillo tires from Tri-Town cycling. Only got one to try it out. So far its not popped out (mentioned on line as a problem with putting them on old wheel rims).
The graph that compares the amount saved to the amount spent is not closing fast (at the time of this post about $80 gained, $490 spent). I expect that the "newness" of the task has blown up the cost a bit. Thoreau wrote to beware of all new enterprises that require new clothes. He has a point, I'm easy prey for catalogs or articles promising more comfort in cool weather as it is pretty cold. I want to be visible. Where will it end? I see more winter gear(some booties would be nice), better panniers, new wheels to replace the corroded ones I have now looming in the year ahead.
I also feel a rush to get home and haven't ridden on days that require a project after school. This means there has been two weeks with only one day of riding. I am not too embarrassed to be a fair weather cyclist. Any day is better than none. I had hoped for at least two days a week. The average for one month is only 1.5 per week. Only managed to break 500 miles in October (was thinking it would be about a month's worth). Only 339 in September (mostly commuting) we'll hope for more in October.

Well, an answer

In a previous post I mused about if bicycling mellows you out, or if you need to be organized (and therefore less stressed) In reading about other bike blogs I found this "Evil Midnight Ride" (with profanity)
So the answer would be, no, definitely not mellowed out by the bike commuting.

Cost and biking

At Bikeportland.org there was an interesting editorial (and responses) about the a little noticed "bail out" of US automakers. The short of it is that widely support $25 billion package of loans was to be used to help out the flat footed auto industry that has been hurt by government interferance. Well, that and they're just a massive industry and the ripple effects of their losses would hurt wide sections of our economy. Less certain of passage is a break for bike commuters and the general bail out of Wall Street. It is an interesting time.

One of the reasons given for the Soviet collapse was we ran them to bankrupcy. Can a top down economy last for long? Depending on your perspective we have a top down government run economy or a top down economy run by corporations. What would a decentralized American government look like? As far as a portion of the economy I generally assume this isn't the case since agriculture has been "revolutionized" and now exists a government subsidized or agri-business fiefdoms. It seems you could honestly choose your perspective (big corporations or big government ruining America) and it could paint the same dire picture, massively centralized, out of control economy. And it seems both sides would favor the same course of action to balance us again (no to bail outs of large corporations, encouraging self-sufficiency, cultivating small business). Granted the self-sufficient activity may be different in their stereotype (ranches vs. organic farms; small traditional start ups (stores, local manufacturing) vs. artisian projects (spinning wool, hand made bike frames).

And then there was one

Only one trip by bike for the week of Sept. 15-19. (Tuesday the 16th). Monday was a load of stuff to bring in (lights, borrowed Personal Solar Telescope) and Weds. was a trip to Soule farm, late Union Meeting and the need to be back for book club at home. Thursday was a non-profit's (SLT) annual meeting soon after school, and Friday my folks came for a visit.

I COULD have gone on Thursday, and re-arranged Weds. to accomodate the bike. Instead I just biked on Tuesday. Such is life.

The weather has been cooperative and I realize that rain needn't be a big issue.

Felt really stressed on Weds./Thurs. partly because of the lack of success in one class, but I wonder if biking would have improved my outlook and made interactions much smoother.

The following week (Sept. 22 to 26) I managed two trips by bike (Monday and Thurs.). My schedule would have allowed Weds (and really, Tues. with bit of a rush). But Weds. morning I found the back wheel was rubbing on something. I couldn't find what it was as its pretty dark when I get going. That afternoon I got a cone wrench to tighten the brakes with (my prime suspect) and fiddled with the fenders. It turned out that the back wheel was not set properly and it was simply a matter of latching it down correctly (I must have moved it when I was fiddling with the bike earlier). In short there are plenty of excuses ready, but I haven't built up the drive to plow through them. I am feeling better about the bike and with a few more details (like new chain, and at least a rear tire - theres a side patch that looks like a small tumor) it ought to do for awhile (the cables and spokes are a final concern, but not about to break on me or they would have done so already.)

How do I build up the ability to plow through the small problems in the way. I've got the sweaty clothes dealt with, the packing materials (using the back bag/small pannier), maintaining much of the bike (oiling and keeping wheels true and pumped up), getting the light set up, and figuring out the best routes for different times. I need to get a smoother set up in the morning (maybe load the bike at night and keep it on the porch?), and take care of the longer term maintenance (the chain, wheels and free wheel).

Three a week, now four

From Bike commute 12 Sept

Our second full week. and except for Tuesday I managed to go in each day. My muscles don't hurt quite so much, but my time seems the same (or even slower). I'm not racing, but think I ought to make it in under an hour (closer to 45 minutes) and its been consistently over an hour. 18 miles home and I'm not sure of the time as I never remember to look both before I go and when I get back. The mornings are darker and the weather is cooler in just a week. First week in Sept. I noticed some of the oaks near the shore turning burgundy, now color is creeping into the vines along the road (woodbine aka "Virginia creeper"). Fields are looking tired and daisies are shriveling. I saw them harvesting from the N. Point Road bogs on Friday (the picture is above).
While my body is adjusting, I feel that the bike is consuming too much of my life (reading about bikes, fiddling with the fenders, getting the light charged up) I hope to swing back to normalcy as I get things up to speed. To that end, on Friday I hit a bit of a undesired milestone - I went on automatic pilot. About 1/2 way in I had the feeling that I was beyond where I had paid attention. I made all the correct turns, but didn't focus on them. Lost in thought about the day or news I went to school. I'm biking, just not aware of it all.

Chugging along

Chaotic list of things to consider:

First, I've ridden Tues., Weds., Thurs. of last week (took car on Fri. to be home for department party), Monday of this week. Today (Tues.) it is threatening to thunder/be windy and I wimped out (actually I dithered until it was too late and then I couldn't imagine getting to school in time.) I'm realizing I wasn't too prepared and needed to get in to run off papers. Need to feel more prepared, no rushing means less stress. Anyway I drove in on a slightly different route that goes around Alley road and straight up Neck Road. It looked nice from the car, and its about the same distance (3/10s longer). I need to Google map it to see if it is comparable.

I wonder if those who bike commute have less stress first or if biking forces them to have less stress.

I've gotten a lot of encouragement from people. Teachers stopping by to ask about the commute. Old man Berryman (a student destined to be a schmoozer/townie at the local donut shop) stopped by to shake my hand, Mr. Michael (from first floor) stopped by to share his enthusiasm. Only five trips and its become part of my identity. One person took it upon themselves to wish me a safe trip, and just to be sure that I understood it wasn't meant as small talk she stressed, stay safe, don't take chances. It made me quitely bristle, though it was meant in all kindness. This never came up while I was driving in.

I had my first run in with a dog yesterday morning. Actually, we raced. A collie came out from my side as I went by. She easily caught up as I shouted NO and sprinted up the road. Instead of attacking, she crossed to the other side and sprinted alongside. Hair sleek and body drawn out it was beautiful to see the animal run. After a good long stretch she dropped back with a bark. I think I held my own, though she didn't look put out at all.

In the morning I have the light installed and usually wear a reflective vest. I feel safe enough but figured I ought to be as visible in the twilight as possible (its still pretty dark in the morning). There are those who actively oppose adults wearing helmets (and certainly reflective geek vests) as it furthers the perception that biking is dangerous and we need to be put in a separate area to be safe. While I understand this, I feel that I've had a hard time seeing cars in the shadows and tree covered roads, I suppose a bike would easily be overlooked.

The light (night rider "sol") charges up more quickly each time and its running well. It is bright, but not amazing. I read one review of lights that said "you'll have a hard time out running this light." While I suppose that is technically correct since I'm not in the same league as most photons, I wish for a brighter light.

I have ordered up a proper bag as its getting to be a pain attaching and re-attaching the grocery bag. When I stop at school it is a bugger to disassemble light, pump, bag, helmet, gloves, water bottle and get myself inside and upstairs. A bike locker starts to seem like less like a luxury. It would be so neat to just pull up and lock the bike up with everything on it. An advantage of a car is pulling up and locking all your things in side (coffee mug, spare clothes, maps, etc.) The bucket panniers seem attractive but would probably be hard to keep dignified (if I want this bike commuting to at least look attractive to others.)

It has started

Went in for the teacher's first day and it was a nice ride. Saw a few people on the way home, had a nice chat with a woman weeding her stone wall (I had just lost my bungee). It is neat to wave to people who are now more like barely known neighbors (you recognize them, but aren't really involved in their life). This woman started up with friendly, joking banter "Oh I see you were brought up short by my beautiful stone wall and had to stop" She asked where I was headed and gave unsolicited advice about where to go in Rochester (assuming I was riding just for fun and not going home). All while I putzed about trying to figure out how I was going to keep my bag from falling off. She seemed to pause in her banter for a moment and may have been worried when I whipped off my belt to use it as lashing. (I then became worried as my pants were not able to stay up with their generous waist over my padded, Lycra riding shorts under them (a.k.a. my Lycra diaper). All was well since nothing slids off when you're sitting down. I made it home, though the bag kept sliding to one side.

T minus one

It's labor day and I'm hoping to start commuting tomorrow. Last night I read about a 41 yr old hit in Rhode Island last year (driver went over to the margin for a second, not charged). My route seems pretty safe. Sitting here I'm puzzled that my impulse is what else can I buy to prepare myself. A consumer's response to a threat or need. We'll see if I can hold off. Here's hoping for a great start to years of peddling.

Small change or paradigm shift

I'm easily attracted to new gizmos. Granted, with the help of low salary and debt I manage to avoid them (now I think of it - wouldn't a proper SLR digital camera be neat?). Yesterday I played with Google gadgets for spreadsheets (see the money pile in the lower right or the dial gauge above.) I came to the realization that so far my modest spending has approached $200 for getting the ancient Bianchi up to commuting. * I still have corroded spokes and old tires, and the gears in the back have so many worn and missing teeth that they would be more at home in a hockey locker room than a pelaton. I think it will be another $100- $200 before we are well set (near freewheel, tool, spokes, spoke wrench and tires). This means the so called savings from not using gas will take an entire year to see. And this is using an old, out of date bike not buying new. We are moving away from significant savings of fuel and money and into upkeep of another vehicle. See the post by libertarian Eleutheros (free man) in http://milesfrombabylon.blogspot.com/2008/01/every-little-bit-helps-right.html - post that challenges our actions that are in all "good intentions." If they aren't really meaningful (he ends with paradigm shifting as a goal) they are merely poor economic choices. If biking causes me to slow down and be more mindful perhaps it is good choice.

*Headlight, fenders, oil, new cage, stirrup straps, spare tube, tools (tire irons), tape for handle bars, new helmet

Tipping Point

Cousin John suggested The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (2002). The general idea was there were mixtures of message and conditions that lead to dramatic change, even if the message and conditions change only by a little bit. The idea of biking to work seems to fit this. The gas prices went up and the spring was beautiful. Now, we'll see if the idea of biking is "sticky" - that is does the action stay after people trying it out. (The message was broken down into who sends it, how well they communicate it and how well connected they were. An idea said into a dark cave doesn't go anywhere, there are those well connected people who can share a good idea, and there are those people who often have well researched ideas, or are perceived as experts or "cool") Plenty of people can see bike commuters. Plenty of people have the opportunity to bike (a safe route of 45 minutes riding or so and an old bike). If the conditions make it worthwhile people will bike. But now gas has dropped, and the weather is supposed to be lousy this winter (according to Almanac).

While I didn't find the writing in the book inspiring, I read it in a night. Perhaps exciting, well phrased essays are over-sold. There were a few stories that were compelling. One was of a story about (p163) John Darley and Daniel Batson, Princeton University psychologists who studied students at the Princeton Theological Seminary. They had some seminarians read the good Samaritan story, then sent them off to give a short talk. One half of the students were told they were late to present and 1/2 were told to take their time. The best predictor for if the seminarians stopped to help an actor in an alley who was coughing and groaning was if they were in a rush. (Other variables, like why one went into the seminary were considered)
I wonder if the condition of riding a bike will help our community. Neighbor Gabe joked that I'll never be able to ride as I am rushing along at 70 most mornings. We'll see.

Not regular at posting

Went blueberry picking with Ms. Buzzard and kids yesterday. (10 mile loop) Wife had daughter with a trailer bike, son took the trailer with me (so we could carry the berries and lunch/snack). Son fell asleep on the way there. It was a good thing we didn't have him on his trailer bike. He falls solidly asleep where ever he is. Wife and daughter had saddle issues, maybe adjusting their
seats is a good idea. Wife wants a new seat. We were spread out a bit (seemed safer that way)
Wife got a yahoo to yell at her about getting on the side walk.

After that we went to the beach, took the trailer and there was some reluctance from son in particular. Had a great time, but there was a prank phone call that gave wife the willies. Came back partly for company and re taped handle bars.

Went blueberry picking the next day by myself. It is about a ten mile loop. I guess I don't really want to blog about the details of biking.

Well, might as well start

Tried biking more to run errands. Thought I ought to keep track. Starting with July 1st. Went to Mattapoisett to get CSA weekly bundle. (< 5 miles there and back). Went via the post office. Felt a bit foolish with funny gloves and old helmet on, but this will pass.

Weds. took the kids to the beach and back (earlier went to beach in car, not sure why now).
about two miles each way.

Thurs. rode to beach to swim lengths, about two miles.

(Last week took kids to Birthday parties, son special day (to coffee house, then kayak rack) and out for ice cream on Weds. Road to board meeting.