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.