Cheap Buzzard

Old Trip

2010-09-21T15:13:00.005-04:00

Haven't posted the pictures from April's long bike ride to the Cape (Chatham and back) so here are the pictures (went out mostly along US Bike Route 1 and went home via Hyannis (a mistake).

Map of Marion walks and paddles

2010-08-25T18:42:00.002-04:00

Not sure how people find it, but here is a link to the google map of marion walks and paddles.
http://tinyurl.com/marionmap

Commuting Alchemy

2010-03-20T22:08:00.001-04:00

Isn't etymology fun?

mid-15c., from L. commutare "to often change, to change altogether," from com- intensive prefix + mutare "to change"

Ah, but what is changing?

thoughts of the road

2010-03-06T08:08:00.004-05:00

After graduate class Weds. night we got to talking about gardens, one women, a true scholar had been reading many gardening books and was asking about ideas. She was talking with a women in the class who grew up on a small farm and still lived there and me. It was interesting to see the difference between knowing and actually doing.

The garden/farming reading I'd recommend is Wendell Berry. At some point we need inspiration more than details. Don't just read about bikes or gardens, just do it.

The spotted dog

2010-02-27T17:10:00.005-05:00

I've been without a working car for nearly a month. An unintentional, nearly full time, bike commute. I got a ride from another teacher on days of snow and once to go to Bridgewater (renting a car once). It was a lot of riding for a short month (we even had a week off for winter break). The details of the car are annoying and expensive, nearly $3000 to get it back and it wasn't in an accident.

So I've been biking it. Then interesting thing is that many people seem to have noticed. Its only been me and the guy who bikes up to the over pass to spend the day watching the traffic and rocking on his heels slowly. So I stand out a bit on the road.

I rode with lovely daughter to meeting (church) and it was a cold day in February as wife and son went to a different event. I've heard from a lot of people about that, pretty much everyone who saw us had an opinion. It appears split evenly - half commenting that was a cool trailer bike and neat to see people out riding and others who just kept saying - boy it was cold, how old was your daughter...was she too cold?, my how far did you go in the cold with your little child?

Whats the point? I'm one of the few non-anonymous citizens. I've been thinking that I was biking by myself when really its one of the most communal things I do. Alas there is no one else communing with me. Can there be a worthwhile one-way conversation? Is there such a thing as a one-way community?

When I think about it, in the winter there are few opportunities to meet others. The sense of being in a community takes a hit. Sure there is a brief stop at the library, post office, maybe a few people while sledding or skating. In the summer there is the beach with many more people and sailing races, and outdoor parties like the clam bake or cook outs. People are out cutting the lawn. This is different than in the winter when we are enclosed. I really can't tell who is waving at me from cars half the time. Perhaps seasonal affective disorder is triggered by light etc. but it can't be helped by the lack of social interactions with the world at large.

Cross wind

2010-01-31T14:42:00.004-05:00

Rick Smith is spying on my commute (Friday gusts of above 30 knots, reports of over 50, though not while I was out) A beam reach most of the way home, wished I could put a reef in, but couldn't.

http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2010-01-31

And to think that I saw in on East Grove St.

2010-01-16T16:20:00.002-05:00

On the way home Friday saw a women out for a walk. She had: a purposeful stride, large headphones on, ..... and a pony on a leash.

New Year and where to?

2009-12-30T11:41:00.003-05:00

Physics students get a bit annoyed when they learn that an objected moved back to its original location has a displacement of zero. No work. Yet that's what a commute is. Hopefully an uneventful round trip. There is: joy, temporary connection to the life of the planet going on past your window, some increase in fitness, and a sense of accomplishment, but there is no work. I'm unlikely to ride the rest of this week, so for the year I traveled 3082-some-odd miles by bike, total displacement - zero.

I was listening to a "great course" on tape (one of the old testament studies) just to study what I normally don't consider. One way of analysis is straight out of folklore study- what story pattern does this biblical story fit. I remember reading once that Cinderella belonged to a folk tale group (step mother, challenge, wicked step sisters...) that had hundreds of variations. The old testament's most memorable stories come down to a handful, travel on a mission..., meeting women at a well..., the actual details become important as the plot. To understand you need to note what is said and what is left out. One of the most difficult passages, the binding of Issac, is a trip to wherever. For three days they walk to get there, but don't seem to have a goal. Christmas is a travel story, but the destination isn't the point. Everyone seems up and wandering about, peregrinations seem detailed, the long stretches of home and stability for anyone (take long lived Abraham for example) don't warrant a note while trips to Egypt, travel to the mountain, settling again elsewhere all are detailed. Travel is vital, travel to a particular place doesn't matter.

Safe travels in 2010.

Time to post

2009-10-24T18:23:00.006-04:00

I haven't posted, though it feels like I've been biking more than last year. The new bike had a big bang-up. I sneezed and went off the road just where there was a drop off of about 4-6 inches and a small cement post to keep cars from skidding off into a bog. I was unhurt (snapping out of the pedals was apparently not a problem) but the front wheel and fork were totaled. Turns out there is also a few scrapes and a ding on the down tube.

Its back thanks to Gary at Southcoast Cycling it is back with the fork and wheel from Rocky Mountain. I am not a light waif and must have hit at around 24 mph so I doubt that any frame would have survived. In the back of my head, however, I'm developing a distrust of aluminium. The front tube with the ding reminds me of an aluminum can, can these seriously withstand the bruises of a cyclocross track?

2009-09-04T23:30:00.002-04:00

There are turkeys in that field. They are there almost every time I go by. I doubt I'd have noticed in a car. Can you see them? They are just above the rear pannier.

To Soule Homestead and back

2009-08-25T14:18:00.000-04:00

Visit Soule Homestead
Find more Bike Rides in Marion, Massachusetts

A lane for humans

2009-08-25T13:53:00.001-04:00

Lovely daughter, 7, noticed the wide lanes on Clinton Street in Concord NH (formerly a bike lane when I was growing up) and declared it to be "A lane for humans"

Indeed

Art

2009-08-25T13:47:00.001-04:00

A wonderful video stumbled upon when I saw her "thoughts from my bicycle"
Seems relevant to the post awhile ago about art (Note one of her first lines in the art manifesto is that great art requires great bike rides)

Family bike ride

2009-07-16T12:59:00.000-04:00

&amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/rochester/429124776162066272"&amp;gt;Family ride in rochester Route&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ma/rochester"&amp;gt;Find more Bike Rides in Rochester, Massachusetts&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

With stops at Uncle Jon's and Hiller Farm for the stokers.

Peas and Bike Riding

2009-05-19T00:04:00.006-04:00

Went to the MFA in Boston with the kids and friends. Two huge baby heads face out from the Fenway side. I thought about how that person might have been trying to express the depth of feeling and joy about seeing a baby born. Perhaps they agonized over how to exhibit and re-experience this sublime experience and struggled to make 15 foot baby heads. It occured to me alot of art is like that, trying for a feeling you could get by eating peas straight out of the garden and having a good bike ride.

I'm still here

2009-05-18T12:58:00.004-04:00

It's probably healthy that I've been distracted and couldn't post. I've biked more as the weather has improved. I crossed 2000 miles sometime two weeks ago (I actually paid attention to when - it was May 11th on the way home, right near the last field in Middleboro, right before the Rochester line.

I also meant to write about the amazing aroma at the corner of Burgess and the Marion Road/ Neck Road. Never would have noticed it on a car. But that was May 7th, and now its gone. Its amazing the cacophony of songs that are happening, though each day has its star: one cloudy morning last week it was wood thrush . Today it was dominated by woodpeckers drumming.

There have been break ins along the route. Pretty much the entire commute through the area (Mary's pond, Alley Road, Neck Road....all the side of Rochester I bike through) I remember thinking the area had a certain unfriendliness to it (with chains and gates in driveways), now I understand how rural it is, yet easily accessible from the more crowded areas. They need more activity, more people out, more folks biking through.

Winter bliss

2009-03-07T16:51:00.006-05:00

Ok, so I get into a trance and I find myself chugging along while my head is moving down some other track. Not exactly automatic pilot, but close. We went to see a Tibetan choir in New Bedford, apparently in Tibetan monasteries the head monks occasionally clap or ring sharp bells while questioning novices. It gets them out of their introspective heads and living and answering in the moment. I was chugging along on some long train of thought, thinking how I had said hello to five humans and at least one dog that day. It seemed unusual to see so many people out and about in the winter. Though, of course in was nice to say hi to someone, I don't do that in a car... then again there is all this muck and cloud and cold. Yeesh, there was this icky, grimy snow goo on the side to look forward to the whole way home. And was it me or did it always turn cloudy coming home...

HONK - just then a pick up truck blasts me with the horn. No reason visible, just nasty. Or perhaps he was a Buddhist master and getting me to respond in this moment. Oh look, grasshopper, there are maple syrup buckets. Namaste.

edit - see http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/road.html

2009-03-07T16:49:00.001-05:00

Managed to go twice again this week. Car troubles helped a bit. I made the mistake of letting some air out (to aid in gripping the road). I was in a rush and just guessed. It was like biking in on sand. Turns out my quick seeming "swisssh" let the pressure down to around 20 psi (from max of 110). I went slower than when I was sick last week and quite nearly wound up crawling the last mile.

Finally back at it...

2009-02-27T11:07:00.004-05:00

Went twice this week. Did a shake down ride over school break and felt comfortable. My dear wife got me some merino wool undies, alas they are getting too warm. It is a miracle, they don't stink 1/2 as much (or they have a bit of a odor, but its not body odor, left over lanolin?) Thurs. I got the tummy problems my family had and I crawled home (heaved later at night). I'm home on a sick day now.

Spectacular light on the various slush and lightly iced ponds and cranberry lagoons on the way in. Still feeling a bit rushed so I didn't take pictures, but will remember the colors rippling off the ice around the dark silhouettes of geese hunkered down in the twilight.

Don't ignore the squeals

2009-02-10T06:05:00.005-05:00

Haven't been riding for a long time. Snow and ice and my 27 in x 1.25 tires didn't seem up to the task. Now, I'm trying again. Could have gone twice this week had I played more with the mechanics.

Monday I got going nearly on time and there was an odd thunking sound by the time I about 2 miles away. Turns out the bolt holding the rear rack (with the panniers), brake and fenders decided to come undone. Couldn't just re-attach easily, decided to peddle home (only 2 miles out). Thought I fixed it but didn't do the test ride. Today left and there was a squeak, the clip holding up the rear fender was rubbing on the tire. Less than a 1/10 of a mile I tried fiddling, but it appears I'll need to redo the bolt again.

Why?

2009-01-10T17:56:00.006-05:00

Why do I ride? Should I be riding more given pressures to keep up at tasks at work and home? As I've noted in the previous post on miles I pop over to the car in mornings that are hectic or iffy with weather.

I'm realizing that I've only half committed to this idea, admitting the relatively small goal biking to work only anonymously on a blog. And although I have this small goal (2 times a week on average) I don't have a clear view of the reason why I have this goal. Perhaps writing will help me figure it out, for I've noticed that I give up on things that don't seem to fit my outlook and values, or appear not to at the time.

What thou lovest well remains,
the rest is dross
What thou lov'st well shall not be reft from thee
What thou lov'st well is thy true heritage
- Ezra Pound

So, why ride? There is the cheapness that is the origin of this blog. Don't think cheap is a bad thing. It means efficient, saving resources (both money and non-renewable energy sources). I'm not alone, the environmental/stewardship/saving money enters into the thoughtful Minuscar project and what seems like a horde of middle aged males who blog about biking instead of driving like You don't want to; crazy bike commuter, MN bike commuter. Admittedly I think this may have been the driving factor that caused me and others to drag out bikes when gas prices were at $4 a gallon. But I'm not sure this is what is keeping me going. Consider that I've still spent more on bike gear than I have saved on gas (partly because gas prices have gone down). The direct environmental benefits (less carbon, less non renewable fuel used) seem to be pretty slow to add up. But they are adding up. Plus, the more practiced and fit my legs get, the more I'll ride. I'm guessing I'm 30-40 pounds more than I ought to be and getting rid of any portion of that ought to help. But the impact on the environment may not be directly from the miles ridden and more though the changes in perspective, ability to think clearly, and to be inspired.

Lets consider the inspiration others have (as found on the web:)
I read the incredible adventures of a newspaper writer and biker Jill Homer in Alaska and she seems driven to bike, convincing me as I read that she is enjoying subzero challenges and slogging through fluffy snow. She is training towards a goal, being fit for racing. I have some more enthusiasm on days I ride. While my health, or at least my weight, is improving I'm not sure that is the main reason keeping me going. But exercise hasn't really motivated me, look at my gut to prove this.

Is it the challenge from an individual ride? A mountain climber once said it was worth climbing nearby hills as "You can't feel bad about your self when you're climbing." This might be part physical sensation - a "runner's high"?

Biking is unlike other transportation like flying in a plane, or zipping around in a car. YOU are achieving something. You are doing the moving. The bike includes us:

Bicycling is the nearest approximation I know to the flight of birds.
The airplane simply carries a man on its back like an obedient
Pegasus; it gives him no wings of his own.
Louis J. Helle, Jr.

To bike is to accomplish something yourself. Travel by bike for its own sake Kent Peterson's Three Hour Tour post. He says it well:

Our devices capture mathematics in metal, casting abstract ratios in solid cogs and chains. Hard roads yield to soft rubber and the resiliency of captured air. Our legs don't pound, they spin. We need not walk or crawl, for we roll with a strength so smooth it seems like flying. Our simple machines, machines that cannot even stand alone without us, come to life when we balance on saddles and dance on pedals and reward us by taking us farther, faster, than we could ever go alone.

I get to ride such a machine three hours each day going back and forth to work.

A thrilling feeling, but is enough to accept traveling to work at a slower pace as opposed to just biking on the weekend for sport? Why commute slowly? Just to save additional time at the gym? I'm not sure I'm that thoughtful about my time management.

There is much poetic moments noticed by others on the web: Ecovelo has a category of "amazing little things" seen during a commute that would have been missed when driving, making the everyday full of wonder and small bits of joy. Rick Smith's Yehuda Moon comic is all about love of biking, look through all the archived comics for the engaging characters and story but I like this and this or this or this. While a given ride can't guarantee such moments of insight they do have their pull.

From Bike Route

Finally there is the sense of moving in an awesome landscape as opposed to driving by it and just seeing it. I've thought of how people pay to take tours through the area I'm bike in every morning and afternoon. There are plenty of marks on the road from the Narragansett Bay Wheelmen and the Coalition for Buzzards Bay watershed ride. Hundreds of people go out of their way to carve our time (and finances) to pursue a recreational visit to where I commute. I am beginning to understand the draw. Its not just the little details, but the overall feeling and experience. I have gone back to my longer ride home through Hiller Farm as it is just so much more spectacular than the shorter, suburban trip through Rock Village (still a nice New England village and a pleasant ride). I feel a part of the open spaces more than the many private house lots. The lift from the brilliant afternoon light as I go by the old farms and open fields and crossing Snipituit pond is something that constantly rewards a visit. All it means is a few more miles and minutes. Its funny, but I don't feel moved to go the same route by car, then I just want to get home. In the car I don't experience the environment, I experience a ride in the car.

From New bike pictures

This is the difference that seems most important to me at the moment. My commute is no longer really a commute of 20 minutes changed to 60 minutes. It is not a time period, it is a journey into and through the land. On the most basic level it is one of the few times I'm doing something outside during the school year. What use to be living in a place if you don't choose to be out in it? I am not passing through the area that is an obstacle between home and work. I'm part of this wide community (both human and natural) and I'm living here.

Mile drop

2009-01-10T17:10:00.002-05:00

338.8 mileage in September 2008
318.2 mileage in October 2008
322.6 mileage for Nov 2008
133.7 mileage for Dec 2008

I had some issues with ripping out my valve trying to reduce the pressure. Icy and crusty roads were a problem in December (I don't have a winter set up) and this was the first week I could have gone more days, but Friday illustrates my problem. On Friday I was delayed as son climbed into bed (he had a fever as it turned out) and a mysterious oil smell needed investigation (and a call to the oil folks). I needed to get home early due to a bank appointment, which would have been cut close with the bike. In short I felt like a lot of excuses presented themselves and I took them. I need to really think about what is motivating me to ride, as I find it enjoyable, but is it powerful enough to claw its way through all the other things in life?

Next post perhaps.

Fall commuting

2008-11-11T10:17:00.008-05:00

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

2008-10-16T08:36:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-07T13:14:00.007-04:00

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

2008-10-01T22:04:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-26T13:37:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-22T13:16:00.004-04:00

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

2008-09-14T15:01:00.005-04:00

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

2008-09-09T13:06:00.007-04:00

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

2008-09-02T20:25:00.008-04:00

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

2008-09-01T09:36:00.004-04:00

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

2008-08-30T10:42:00.004-04:00

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

2008-08-27T12:00:00.006-04:00

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

2008-08-01T17:04:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-03T23:14:00.002-04:00

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.