Slow Sunday scenes from the Village...

patiently waiting...

chic cycling...

the family that rides together...

future Tour contender...

if only it were true...

two pair of legs...

flower end of the farmer's market...

too (2) cool bikes... I especially like the Masi in front...

arriving...

departing...

the sound of didgeridoo in the morning...

passing by...

her too...

misfocus...

the big and the small. The Irish wolfhound is a Sunday regular, but...

dig the little chihuahua. He's got his own chapeau'd bicycle chauffeur.

chopper...

Got to ride this Kona chopper around a little bit today. Apparently they only made a handful of them, and I would guess it is probably pretty unusual to even see one. The geometry was completely unlike anything else I have ridden, so it wasn't until my third time past (going back and forth in the parking lot) that I started to feel comfortable. Turning, with that massive wheel base, was another problem entirely, one I never really did get the hang of. Maybe with some more room to maneuver... This bike is all about looking cool, and in no way is it functional; unless you are riding in a parade. Of course I was in full lycra kit with cleats on my road shoes at the time and probably wasn't working the cool factor to the utmost. 

Back to the wind...

I wonder if anyone has ever made recordings of the sound the wind makes as it blows through different trees. Like those people who study noise, or create sound effects. This could be somewhat useful to a few people; like landscape architects. A recording could let your client hear what it would sound like if they plant one type of tree over another. I was on the mountain bike up in the canyons and on the hillsides of the CHWP this afternoon and stopped by this little grouping of pines and noticed the gentle sighing sound that the wind made. Anyone who has gone camping is probably familiar, and how that gentle sighing can increase to a deep roar when the wind speed increases. At another spot I stopped beside a Sambucus (Elderberry) which made a kind of rustling sound; and a little further along, in a grove of Eucalyptus it seemed like much the same sound, but maybe a little less deep. In the depths of the Cobal Canyon oak grove, there was no sound because there was no wind. I imagine the differences can be attributed to leaf shape, size, the density of the canopy, etc., and I was really only able to notice these differences by riding away from the urban area and its myriad of competing sounds.  That said, i'm sure you can notice differences in the city, but the urban forest is usually so diverse, that it would be more difficult to separate the sounds that individual trees make.

Friday feedzone and Quotable links...

"There's a perceptual difference for motorists who reduce speed from 25 mph down to 5 mph, and feel that consists of stopping. Yet a cyclist who slows from 15 mph to that same 5 mph is seen as a lawbreaker."


"...that was before I married a woman who objects to finding greasy bike parts all over the living room."


"Because lots can also go right on a cross-country trip. I can meet people..., see the countryside, stop in parks, see some wildlife and enjoy beautiful early summer days."


"Every day I get on my bike I feel lucky to live in a neighborhood that is worth getting to know."


"I guess I just have to accept for a while that to some people bicyclists and pedestrians are as much a myth as unicorns and leprechauns."


"Forgive me my cynicism, but this is the week that either justifies the efforts of the Bike Week promoters or challenges the effectiveness of their efforts.


"I planned to explore some of the parks roads, but my keen navigation sense only ended up retracing my steps to our campsite."


"Being a clumsy hack on a mountain bike means that May is about as pain-free as life is going to get"

The door zone...

The son of the owner of local bike business, the Velo  (where I often take pics of the older classic bicycles) was doored the other day. He is okay, though hurting, bike damaged, car door shot. While I could care less about that last, I point it out to show that he hit hard enough to peel it back, "like a banana" in the words of his dad.
Though there have been some close calls over the years, I have been fortunate to have avoided any incident like this. I can think of only one other person I have known who consistently rode further out in the lane than me. I guess I am just old enough now that I don't give a c**p  about making drivers change lanes to get around me when I deem it necessary to take the lane for my safety.
But I think it must be very difficult for someone younger. Like my own son, all of 12 years old, and who rides to school every day. It has got to be quite intimidating sometimes (although I must say, that since he was practically born on a bike, he is probably a lot closer to kids growing up in Amsterdam, et al, and are just used to it). He knows by now that he should not ride close to parked cars, but the more obvious danger  would seem to be all those moving cars driving past on his left side. We have ridden together  enough years now, and I have had enough near heart-attacks, to point riding errors out to him. But still, a 12 year old mind is different from a 47 year old mind. It perceives the world around it a little differently, and reacts a little differently. I guess my point is that side-view mirrors were put on cars for a reason - to enable drivers to see what is coming up beside them. Use them, it is not so much to ask.

Cycling Claremont...

On Monday, June 7 the Claremont Bicycle / Pedestrian Advisory Committee will be presenting a Sustainability Dialogue. You can learn about cycling in the city, and regional bikeways. The dialogue will be held in the Hahn Building, Pomona College, 420 N. Harvard Ave, Claremont from 7:00 to 8:30.

Monkeywrench days...

This week saw one of those rare days when the wind does something unpredictable. Most days it blows the same routine, I expect to ride into a headwind on the way home in the evening; it might be slightly stronger one day from the next, but if is always  there, and I accept that. It is a given. But Monday morning I set out into a headwind that caught me off guard and never let up. That extra bit of pushing in the morning actually had me a little leg-weary in the evening still. I guess our bodies get used to certain conditions, especially when we follow a set routine. My way of dealing with this has always been to mix things up from day to day - road/mountain, long/short, fast/slow. This has usually worked for things I can control. The wind, however, has always been another matter, one beyond my control. At these times the wind becomes the adversary, one to be challenged, and for me the challenge has always been one of those reasons I ride.


Tuesday dawned and gave birth to that morning wind again, thankfully not as strong. And now it is Wednesday, and things are back to normal (whew) and I was able to enjoy and fast and relaxing ride to work. I have visited some truly windy places, so I know that we tend to be pretty fortunate around here (as long as we don't ride too close to the Cajon Pass) but that does not make those monkeywrench days any easier.

How...

...does a pink Townie get beads - show us your?

Driving thru...

Here is a little did you know, one that for a long time my wife was fond of sharing with everyone; Claremont, excepting one McDonalds along the I-10 corridor, has no businesses with drive-thru windows, those staples of the modern fast-food restaurant. The benefits, from a cycling standpoint, are less tangible than say a bike lane, or even route signage, but they are no less real. The increase in auto traffic always seen around those sort of places is non-existent. This is a plus, not just for me riding past, but for local businesses as well. People have to leave their cars, and once out and on their own two feet, a whole new world opens up and becomes available. Sure, go pick up a quick dinner at Quizno's, but while you are out, the independent video store is just across the street, and the independent music store right next door. Since you are already there, go ahead and walk a few more steps and get some bagels or pastries for the morning, or how about ice cream for dessert. Not having the drive-thru option changes the way you do things, and I, quite frankly, think this is one of the most forward thinking policies the city's leaders of the past ever set in motion. Of course this means that places like Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, you know the names, will not do business here; but really, are they missed? Independent businesses have been able to fill the void just fine.  Though I do not have the statistics to back me up, I suspect that this walkability factor has benefited the Village business district, by getting people on their feet, peering into sidewalk windows and opening front doors, rather than just driving thru.

Monday's mural...

In order to provide a little color to Monday morning, I am going to take a cue from Bike NOPA (whose series on murals up in the Bay Area is pretty cool), and post up my own little series on Claremont murals. Many of these were created by well-known artists, others by students of the Claremont Colleges. Most of them can only be viewed by foot or bike. In fact I first discovered the wealth or murals around here, soon after relocating to the town; we would take our, then 5 year old son, down to the colleges to ride around, especially during the summer when the campuses are mostly traffic free, and we could explore the courtyards, fountains, sculpture gardens, museums, etc.

This first mural is "Interhueman" painted by Paul Botello, and students of Pitzer College in 1997. This is a large mural, covering the entire side wall of a building and I did not have the correct lens with me to capture the entire painting. Four figures are shown, chained together, representing the unity of all humanity. Depictions of the four elements symbolize our tenuous relationship to the natural environment.

This weekend's classic frame pic's...

a Motobecane, and

a Peugeot

Both are for sale at the Velo. Sometimes when I stop by there it is almost like entering a museum. And you never know what will be on display. Case in point - a beautiful two-year old Bianchi was headed out the door as I was leaving today.

So Friday tends to be my de facto mtb day, but this particular Friday one thing and another got in the way and I was unable to do any riding at all. I tried to fill a bit of the void by opening up the iphoto and fingering through some pics from last year. While roaming through the local canyons and across the hillsides I came upon some old wood ramps and stunts, abandoned by some ancient, youthful builders, but apparently not forgotten.

Unlike so many other activities, cycling does not require much in the way of special infrastructure, we use existing roads, we use existing trails. These things maintain a sense of permanence because they are widely used beyond the world of cycling. So it was rather surreal coming upon these structures arrayed on a hillside overlooking the city, much as ancient civilizations might build temples in prominent locations. Clearly the siting of the ruins were not random, as the built features often took advantage of existing natural elements such as trees or slope contours.

I will not put the creators of these mounds and ramps on the same footing as the builders of the temples at Chichen Itza, at the Parthenon in Athens, or Angor Wat, but I have no doubt as to their devotion as adherents to this particular form of mountain biking. I can easily picture them soaring across gaps, or flying from the edges of ramps with the city spread below their wheels, adrenaline pumping through their veins, and shouts of defiance breaking from their dry throats; at this time, in this place, we are rulers of the world. Slideshow of images here.

Bike to Work Day in Claremont...

Went a little out of my way on the ol' ride in to work this morning in order to stop by Claremont's historic depot where the Bike to Work Day pit stop was located. Organized and funded by the City and Metro; the Claremont Senior Bicycle Group (very active club, I see them riding around all the time) were actively hosting, greeting everyone who pulled up. Morning commuters could partake of the usual breakfast treats, coffee, or pick up some packages of Gu and Mojo Bars. Metro was there, and at their tent you could pick up the Metro county bike map, or handy pocket guide. Little patch kits were also available.

I ended up hanging out for about a half hour, much longer than I had planned. Some familiar faces rolled in, or were already there, but I also met some new folks. Usual talk about bikes, routes, commuting, infrastructure plans, etc. Glad I made the morning detour. Eventually all good things must end, and I could hear work calling me from the office, and I had to say goodbye. As I rode away I glanced along the side streets and noticed more people riding in to take my place. I expect the rest of the morning continued along those same lines, with riders coming and going, grabbing a quick coffee or bite to eat, chatting a bit, and then continuing their own commutes.

Ride of Silence bump...

I am going to bump this older post forward one time since the day is upon us and it is a good reason to leave work  a little early. I'm hoping to make it there in time.

Ride of Silence...

Don't forget, Ride of Silence, a global event is approaching on May 19. To the best of my knowledge, the closest to us 909 folk is held in Rancho Cucamonga, hosted by the Cycling Connection. They will meet 5:00, ride at 5:30 at It's a Grind Coffeehouse, corner of Baseline and Day Creek. Ride in memory of those riders killed and injured by automobiles.

Announcing...

the "Bring Out Yer Bikes" (note, that must be pronounced in your best Eric Idle, Monte Python impersonation of the "bring out yer dead" scene from the Search for the Holy Grail)  Series of rides. I will be aiming for one ride a month, different themes, different locations - some near to the center of the world here in Claremont, while others will reach to more distant locales. Some will be road rides, others in the mountains. Some will be purely fun, others may visit historic or artistic sites and be somewhat educational, involving the dispersal of trivial facts. As a kind of test run, the first ride, though distant, will be especially family oriented since it was largely my son's idea.

Circulus...

By now you may have read about the Circulus installation, Samuel Starr's thesis project, at the Seeley G. Mudd Science Library, Pomona College in the LA Times yesterday, or seen reference to it in one blog or another. A different read on the project, by Mr. Starr himself, and with additional link to a few installation photos is here.

the League of Bicycling Voters LA...

held their first meeting this past Saturday, May 15. A brief on the meeting is here , their web-page here , and Facebook page here . No, I was unfortunately not in attendance, but as a person who has lived and biked in Los Angeles County for most of his life, I am well aware of how much needs to be done to benefit active transportation, and how much can be accomplished with a concerted effort. Whether you ride a lot and are already aware of deficiencies in local active transportation systems, or only ride a little because you think the streets are just not safe as they are currently organized you may find it worth following and / or participating as a member of the LBVLA. Now if we could just get them to bring a meeting out to this not-so-far-flung corner of the county.

Another...

wet morning commute but, this time with gears.

People seem to disappear on nice soft days like this. Only saw two other riders, during the whole ten mile ride.

Claremont Bike to Work Week Events...

When you commute and run errands by bike as regular practice throughout the year as it is, this one designated Bike to Work Week, tends to be rather anticlimactic. Never-the-less I would be remiss if I did not mention the events that our city of Claremont has planned for this coming Thursday - useful for both veterans of the road as well as first timers. First up is the annual pit stop, with giveaway's, located as usual at the Depot, and in the afternoon, a luncheon / workshop presented by the California Bicycle Coalition.

Happy foggy Monday...

Single-speeding into work on a cool, foggy Monday morning, heavy enough even to create a little drizzle. But that is okay; opportunities to ride in a bit of dampness during this time of year are few enough, so those rare occasions are kind of fun.

From the Library...

This is the follow-up to author Parkin's "A Dog In A Hat" which recounted his life as an amateur and professional bike racer in Europe. "Come and Gone" picks up the author's story following his return to the States, including ups and downs on the domestic road circuit, and a shift to racing mountain bikes with the odd cyclocross race thrown in. For anyone who has followed the sport of cycling, and especially those who have had dreams of progressing through the ranks, the book is a good read. You can feel the emotions building as Parkin approaches the end of his professional career, his hopes to prolong it, and the inevitable conclusion.

"As bike racers we all to often look at race wins as stepping stones toward something else - something life-changing, perhaps. In reality, it seems that the experience of racing itself is the important part."

"Only champion bike racers get to retire. The rest of us just quit."

Parkin, Joe  Come & Gone: A True Story of Blue-Collar Bike Racing in America  Boulder, CO: Velo Press, 2010

Friday feedzone and quotable links...

"... still most 16 year olds are baffled when an adult doesn't drive."

"... he opened the bus door and yelled at her 'what the hell's the matter with you? You want to die?' He called her stupid and other nonsense before zooming around her."

"If you were driving and saw your child walking on the road, how close would you go? Four inches ?"

"... big bag of underoo's found in men's bathroom, please claim."

"... he said simply, 'Thank you .'"

Bike marathon follow-up...

While many people in California rode their bikes to work today, there was at least one group who rode their bikes as work, so to speak. By the time I made it over there after work, the El Roble Intermediate School students participating in the Bike Marathon were three hours into their twenty-four hour fundraiser, and many of the riders had completed more than 160 laps already. Various strategies were being employed; some students were riding in groups, chatting as they went, others seemed to be pacing themselves for the long night ahead, while still others were going to hammer along until they could hammer no more. Helpers, family, staff and riders who were not riding at the time kept busy cheering on the riders circling the track. Flood lights have been set up around the track to hold back the darkness, and a tent city has sprung up on the infield. There will no doubt be some tired students by the time the event ends tomorrow afternoon, but I think they will be satisfied, and rightly so, with their efforts and what they have accomplished. Not sure what I am talking about? Check my earlier post here.

Link...

for the story to the below Ghost Bike. Explain to me again how someone just drifts "off the road for an unknown reason". Hello...DMV, are you awake... anyone? You have given a license to kill to someone who 1. cannot control his vehicle, and 2. does not seem to be aware of what he is doing when he is doing it. Apparently, and thankfully, the OC Register has removed the disgusting "blame the victim" comments. I do not think I will ever understand why there is not more widespread outrage over these incidents. Just because a cyclist has lost his life, does not mean this is solely a cycling concern - it is a societal concern. This driver could just as easily have drifted the other direction for an unknown reason, hitting a car head on instead. Indeed most crashes involving cars are with other cars, not bikes, not pedestrians. Getting and keeping people who cannot, or will not, take driving seriously off the roads benefits everyone, not just cyclists.

Ghost bike...

Allen Earl Miller, 10 May 2010

Condolences to family and friends.

Green Bike Program...

The Green Bike Program at Pitzer College (pictured) and a similar GBP at Pomona College offer repair services to students at the Claremont Colleges. In addition bikes left abandoned in the campus bike racks after each semester (a week away) are collected by the campus safety department, refurbished by the GBP, if needed, and made available to students by raffle the following semester. Graduation ceremonies for all the Colleges are this weekend - unless you don't want your bike anymore (that's a sad thought), make plans for it over the summer.

Berries and bikes...

A trio of classic Italian beauties; Dale holding an orange Colnago, recently acquired and for sale; his just refinished Bianchi, which I got to take for a spin - smooth; and my yellow Basso. Photographed outside the Velo.

I have mentioned before how riders just like to drop by the Velo to say hello, talk bikes, or whatever. Case in point, this is Charles with his newly refinished Trek, late 80's I believe it was, beautiful new paint job especially the lugs and details.

Hey, the blueberries at our plot in the community garden are ready, well some of them are.

The strawberry plants are huge, but no berries; meanwhile the corn and tomatoes in the background are progressing nicely.