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.