Just saw this on one of the many bike email lists I’m on. They’ve got a neat program setup. You get involved in the process of repairing and refurbishing bicycles and earn credit toward picking out one to work on for yourself. While I don’t need a bike, I’ve got to look into volunteering with them on occasion.

It seems like it’d be a good meshing – learning more of the mechanics of the two-wheeled machines I spent so much time with while helping bring life back to old beater bikes, while giving more clean mobile transportation to the people.

Maybe I can get Amanda to volunteer with me one Sunday afternoon, help out the Raleigh-area community and learn more about bikes.

1304 Bikes

Here are a couple of well thought out responses to a recent News & Observer article about alternate commuting, etc. I wish more motorists would read and know the passage the first letter quoted:

“Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane, but are entitled to the use of a full lane. A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating the following drivers by making it easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the pass. Drivers wishing to pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic is in the opposing lane. When passing a bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist is entitled to the use of the full lane.”

The second letter talks about riders two and three across. The argument here is that a compressed group of say twenty riders in two rows (2×10) is easier and safer to pass than these 20 strung out single file. The groups I ride in, we try to tuck in as close as possible to each other when drivers are passing, etc.

This back and forth between cyclists and motorists is never going to end. There are broad generalizations on both sides (hell, see my first paragraph), but a little courtesy and patience from both groups that are on the same roads would go a long way.

Bikes on Our Byways

Here’s a local angle to the Olympics – Shalane Flanagan does a lot of her training on Durham’s stretch of the American Tobacco Trail. The ATT is where I first started my love of cycling on my old Mongoose full suspension mountain bike.

Anyway, congrats to Flanagan for getting the bronze in the 10,000 meters!

USA’s Flanagan Wins Bronze in 10,000 Meters

The forecast keeps having a chance of rain, but nothing us ever falling from the sky here in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area.

It sucks several times over, especially for all of us home owners struggling to get lawns and outdoor plant lift established.

Firstly, with no rain vomes drought conditions, which limits the days we can water the lawn.

Secondly, without the rain to cut the heat, everyone struggles from the grass in the back yard, to those if us bike commuting late in the afternoon I’m triple digit temperatures with crappy air quality.

It sucks. Our young lawn already struggles in the clay-based soil and then it’s baking in the sun and heat with little to drink. It’s been a constant struggle since we built this home and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

Amanda sent this to me this morning and it would really be cool to become part of Durham, NC’s history. The Bulls’ original ball field is being renovated, and all the seats are being replaced. Seat “sponsorship” looks to range from $100/seat to $5000 for a box I believe.

Become Part of Durham’s History

Man I can only hope that I am still able to ride as far and as often as this guy, and with such a good attitude, though I’m hoping I won’t be using my 2003 Specialized Allez Comp in 2059.

Rider, 92, Goes Places on His 56-year-old Bike

After seeing the article in the Independent at a local Raleigh coffee shop, a coworker forwarded me to the page below for the Indy’s write-up of local cycling and its resources. I haven’t poured over all the details yet, but looking forward to leafing (or clicking) through the articles.

Medal to the Pedal – The 2008 Indy Summer Guide

It’s nice to see the mainstream local media picking up on the rash of recent car/bicycle incidents, and I hope it increases driver awareness. In my opinion, the best way to make things better is to have more of us out on the road more often.

Cyclists Pedal Scared on Triangle Roads