...where the eagles fly

These pictures were taken yesterday morning, on my commute home from Broken Arrow...the morning was crisp with reported temperatures of 19f...there was a very light breeze out of the north. After stopping for coffee at the Starbucks by the Jenks bridge, my steed, "Moab" and I cruised under the bridge, where these two eagles perched in the trees came into view, they were warming themselves in the rising sun.



Traveling freely in the open air, often reveals beauty, and mystery...this next photo I find to be both mysterious, and in a sad, lonely way, beautiful!




I wonder how this bicycle ended up here?... was it a victim of theft, someones joy taken from them to be cast into the river in an attempt to hide a crime?... or maybe simply swept up in a flood many years before?
The only thing I am sure of is that the bike is a "Chicago Schwinn" from the still visible head badge.
As I type through this post I am waxing patriotic... feeling sentimental...but can you blame me,... what with American Bald Eagles, and American made Chicago era Schwinns! The american bald eagle gives me hope, in that as the eagle came back from threat of extinction...so to american bicycle industry & culture will rise again to regain its place in the clear blue, smog free, open air of America.

I mentioned above "traveling freely"...consider this about bicycle commuting...it requires no license fee, no fossil feul cost, no tag to purchase, or title to pay for...and it can go anywhere a motor vehicle can go, and many more places that a car can not.

Oh Well, just some food for thought...happy cycling!

CAP'S BORN AGAIN BIKE BLOG!

Hey all, blogging again thanks to new camera gift from the Lil'Lady,
ThanX Babe!

Well,here it is the last day of November 2010..."Wow" did the days fly by or what!?!

Bike commuting is a given for me now...going into my 3rd winter and loving it!!!

I have uploaded some photo's taken today to show you what my faithful steed, "Moab" is looking like these days...he has a camo-paint scheme...newly installed "Rolling Jackass Centerstand", designed, manufactured, and sold by Val Kleitz of Seattle, Washington. LOVE the centerstand Val!!...Moab also has a WALD giant delivery basket installed with bracket attached to bike frame, not the front fork assembly!?!...this allows for the basket to remain level and inline with the frame instead of turning with the forks, a much better arrangement in my opinion.(credit:Aaron's Bicycle Repair,Inc. Seattle, WA. & Val Kleitz's "dreadnaught" for the idea}

Also check out the waterproof winter mitts by Under Armour purchased at Acadamy Sports for around $65...used the gloves today for my commute home temps were around 29F...LOVE the mitts!!



"...there I travel, looking, looking, breathlessly."-Don Juan Matus
I certainly will try to include photo's of nature along the Arkansas River bike trail in all of my posts...in any season there is color, and beauty to behold... for those that will slow down and take a look around.



"Peace"
Cap

Where have I been ?

It has been forever since I last posted on the blog... Where have I been?...Well it seems that when spring arrived gardening, bike clubs@ local schools(Tulsa Hub), lawn maintenance, and baby sitting my grandson have filled up my days...sadly I have jacked-up my camera so until I get it repaired or replaced I will be photo less.

This post is to let you that care know that I am still pedaling to work, commuting everywhere, enjoying life and thank God warm weather (hoodie ho on winter). I hope to vacation in the Caribbean, on the island called Curacao, this coming September...it is dutch so there should be bikes there...I'LL start back with the blog this fall when things settle down...Have a great summer and ride your bike!

volunteering at local cycling advocacy

Hey all, I have a few new photo's from the trail and the streets for you.

From the trail comes a shot of a Hawk that allowed me to get up close...it was perched on a branch directly above the bike trail that parallels the Creek Turnpike...on my distant right was the early morning motor traffic in its mad rush to win at the rat race, in front of me was the serene bike path with nature to observe, sure am glad I chose to bicycle commute!

From the streets comes photo's of a great non- profit cycling advocacy organization that is doing good things for Tulsa's community...it is the TULSA HUB..."Tulsa's first non-profit bicycle resource center and human-power incubator in downtown Tulsa." I have had the good pleasure of helping out this organization and its director Ren Barger a couple of times this past week...I plan on volunteering more of my free time at the Tulsa Hub. You can learn more about this organization at the link provided below.
http://www.tulsahub.org/

vehicular bicycling

This mornings commute was filled with goodness! The air was crisp and clear, with light north winds,...there was wild life to see from the trail(a beaver dam created a pond for the ducks to enjoy)... it was good to see folks out jogging along the trail system again, recent news reports Oklahoma as 49th in health among the states... I believe this is largely due to our mega-fast foods market(drive through), combined with the sedentary life style that most okies live. I sure do wish people would switch from motor vehicles to bicycling for their commute to work, shopping, and to school.

Speaking of school, check out this sweet ride I spotted locked up to a fence out side of Tulsa Community College South Campus. This bike is an example of practical cycling, notice how it is rigged out with fenders, chain guard, and a rack. The owner of this bicycle will enjoy good health,and mental awareness, having chosen to bike commute.

Lastly, check out my new power grip pedal straps that I purchased from a LBS. These straps allow me to power my Xtra while wearing my big insulated waterproof hunting boots. They are the "Bee's knee's".

Signs of Spring at last!

Another "perk" of bicycle commuting that you just do not get in a car is, experiencing the subtler changes in the seasons.

As I rode my Xtra home "slooowly" from shopping at the Whole Foods Market, I engaged in one of my favorite hobby's,... day dreaming... while in this "Zen state" of consciousness,... I became aware that there was something changing in the open air.

For about a few weeks now, I have noticed Robins, hopping around in search of earthworms, but today was the 1st time that I noticed something blooming.

I have to confess that although I enjoy riding my bike in any, and all weather, I am ready for the season to change! I guess that as you reader's have probably already discerned,... I am of lazy nature!, and I am ready for warmer weather to ride in!

Weather that allows for simply donning normal clothing, without having to "layer up " for the cold, and dragging extra gear for the rapidly changing conditions.

Well good news folks, the Signs of Spring are here at last! So get out there, and experience Spring on your bike!

That's an order from Cap.

Unknown Cycling Deva inspires Cap.

Here for your consideration, is a picture exampling courage, resolve, and street wisdom.

Allow me to set the stage for this photo... the intrepid cyclist, Cap... has volunteered to go shopping for his wife... this commute included a trip to Ken the barber (Houston &11th) ... his route was along the river park bike way, and up Houston Ave... then onto Walgreen's Drug Store (15th and Lewis) via the less car congested side streets, through the Maple Ridge, the Swan Lake, and then using 17th street over to Gillette Ave., with a quick dash along 15th street into the Walgreen's parking lot... Having secured his "trek roady" to a sign post (no cycle rack provided!?!)... he made his purchase, went out, and unlocked his bike, when his gal called on his celly... She wanted him to ride up 15th street toward the direction she would be coming from, where they would meet, toss his bike into the bed of the pickup truck , then onto Whole Foods, and eat at the deli ... Grand idea! However, ole Cap looked westward along 15th toward cherry street, and seeing the car congested route, Cap had a moment of Cager intimidation... he told the misses "I'll wait for you here in parking lot of Walgreen's"... standing in the cold, waiting for a pickup truck to haul his defeated keister out of there, ... when low, and behold,... a glorious vision of bike commuting enlightenment, came cycling along 15th street... gracefully flowing with the traffic...there she was, adorned in stylish winter warmth...her ride artfully decorated with blingie girlishness...she commandingly signaled , and took her lane,..she patiently waited with the traffic at the signal light...this cyclist was a picture of confidence, and wisdom.

Ah!! inspired, and with renewed resolve, Cap will be an emulator of this unknown cycling Deva.

enjoyable sidekick of bicycling

An enjoyable sidekick to bicycle commuting is bicycle maintenance, building, hacking. This can become just as addicting as cycling itself. I can't pass a bicycle with out checking out its make,model, how its set up, or how its owner has tricked it out.

For your study and enjoyment, I have provided some web links that have helped me learn how to assemble, repair, and hack on my bikes. One thing for sure is YOUTUBE has helped me learn allot of what I know as well.

http://sheldonbrown.com/

http://www.velo-orange.com/

http://blogs.phred.org/blogs/alex_wetmore/default.aspx

Also a few pics of my basement bike shop where I spend many enjoyable hours working on bikes, listening to music, and drinking "barley pops."

Grid-lock not for me!

This mornings commute was full of warnings from well meaning folks. It started when I rolled out of the bunk, and went into the lounge to get the morning news report.

The local news was full of warnings of freezing fog and black ice on roadways, and soon afterward , a firefighter from the on coming shift arrived, and reported that there were numerous wrecks along the Mingo valley Expressway(Hwy169).

The fireman was sincerely concerned that a motorist would slide into me.

After leaving Sta.5, and while waiting for the signal light to change, a motorist beside me cautioned about "black ice", I showed him my studded tires, and replied that I was prepared, we both exchanged well wishes for safe travels and departed.

I headed for the bike trail system homeward bound, the motorist headed onto the Mingo Valley Expressway, on his way to work.

For me the ride was pleasant, relaxing, stress free with views of nature awaking to another beautiful day. A Bald Eagle flying by (emblematic of freedom) was a sign of confirmation to me, that the way I had chosen, was a good way. Sadly that wasn't the case of the motorists in grid-lock. See photo's.

Okiewinter 4real

It is crazy to me how much fun this winter bicycle commuting is, the ride to work was great! I rode early sunday AM, with 6.5" of snow on the ground, using city streets all the way to BAFD#5.

The route I choose was south on Riverside Dr. to 31st. St., then east on 31st.St. to Garnette Rd., turned south on Garnette Rd. to 81st.St then east to BAFD#5. This route gives me 2 lanes each direction which allows me to take the slower outside lanes. 31st has a few hills but flattens out into the Mingo Valley between Yale Ave. & Sheridan Rd. Garnette Rd. is as flat as a pancake, and has 2 wide new lanes each direction, with a center turn lane, perfect for taking the outside lane.I find that part of route planning, is to keep in mind where the motorists have room to go around cyclists.

Although I had to really concentrate on my lane ahead of me, I stole many glances at the peaceful view of a sleeping city, under a soft blanket of snow. Beautiful!

The ride home was much easier the following sunday morning, but was frustrating I'm sure for some motorists( see pic).

I made great time over to Brookside, and was ready to warm up at Shades of Brown(coffee house), I was very hopeful when the Shop came into view, but as the attached pics show, I had misread one sign laying infront of the door. Oh well, there was coffee @ home that was enjoyed in the warmth of the sunroom with James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Art Garfunkle.

If you like Bikes, and coffee/Ale then ya need to cycle on over sometime, and sit with me on the backporch, where we can tell lies, and share stories.

winter weather commute prep.

Photo borrowed:

First let me say that my bicycle to work situation is ideal. It is ideal in that although it is 16miles each way, being a firefighter working a 24hr shift that starts and ends at 7am, I arrive at work where awaits me is : a locker room with 2 shower stalls, fresh towels, my locker with freshly laundered uniforms.

This being my second winter to commute by bicycle, I have learned what combinations of dress layering work best for me. I have learned the best routes to & from the station for the different conditions on the roadways and bike trails. I have learned where the best warm up spots (coffee houses, donut shops, convenience stores) are along the varied routes.

The right gear has made life easier such as studded snow tires, handlebar mitts, ice spikes for boots, below will be some helpful links that are winter bicycling specific that have educated me.

Today being a home day for me with the snow falling to cover somewhat icy streets, I will be in my basement putting my Schwalbe Winter Marathon studded snow tires on my Schwinn Moab MTB. in preparation for tomorrow mornings commute to work.

I am glad that I started bike commuting in the early summer of 2008, by the time fall had arrived I was completely addicted to bicycle commuting, and was determined to keep going through the winter. Winter cycling has had some challenges but the experiences, the views, the fresh air, the accomplishments, the feelings of self sufficiency and freedom, has proved to be very rewarding.

If winter bicycle commuting intrigues you or challenges you, then you should go to YOUTUBE and type in winter bicycle commuting, it will inspire and educate you.

http://icebike.org/

http://bikewinter.org/main.php

http://KenKifer.com/

Happy trails to you

Cap

Tulsa's Bicycle Culture

Hey All,

Today's caffeine fueled rant is about bicycle culture in Tulsa.

1. I believe that cyclists need to make their presence known by contacting city council members and voicing the need for better cycle friendly infrastructure.

2. Cyclists need to cast off the wall street profit fueled, so called cyclist Safety gear, and start dressing like normal people instead of scared to death Aliens. Hey slow down and enjoy the ride, forget about cadence, bicycle commuting is not the Tour DE France.

3. Encourage local merchants to provide bicycle parking space by arriving regularly by bicycle.

FYI there is a great Coffee House between 17th and 18th on Boston called "Double Shot" the proprietor likes bikes. Photo's posted above.

4. Encourage each and every cyclist out there by taking the time to talk shop with them, encourage them by blogging about your cycle adventure's. Along this note; my daughter posted a link to a great local bike blog check it out: http://carlessintulsa.blogspot.com/

Well, I am finished with this rant(my index finger is tired).

Happy trails to you,

Cap

Luv to ride em & hack em!

Bike commuting affords many beautiful vista's, such as the misty river view along the trail home. last post we had polar weather, this post we have spring weather (crazy xtremes in oklahoma).

Bike commuting also naturaly leads to the side hobby of bike maintenancing, and the fun of bike hacking.

What has helped me the most to learn about bikes are the various bicycle web sites out there( sheldon brown, bikehacks, rootsradical, YOUTUBE etc. etc.) also many thanks for the good help from local bike shops.

check out my rubbermaid centerstand bike hack.

wind=work!

Today's commute home was as extreme as it gets in Oklahoma...temp=16F, wind out of the north @20-30mph. I had to deal with the headwind all the way home, what a workout! Not complaining, because it proved to me that if I can do this (and still enjoy my commute), then the rest of the year will be a real joy.

Also after nearly 2 years of no negative encounters (or any encounters) with motorists, while at an intersection waiting for the traffic light to change, a guy rolls down his window to ask me if I would be warmer if I just drove?... my honest reply was "probably so, but it would not be as much fun!" the motorist didn't know what to say, the light changed, and I enjoyed my ride home.

On my bike, I have regular Mt bike handle bars... for added warmth to my hands, this morning I donned a pair of ATV handlebar mitts (Bass Pro Shop)...along with my regular glove arrangement, they worked great against the wind chills below zero.