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Nominations are still needed for the Florida Cycling Hall of Fame. The due date for this year's consideration is Oct. 31.
Send entries to info@buildingchampioncyclistsfl.net.
The first inductee, naturally, is John Sinibaldi:
The Florida Bicycle Association has a new site and blog at Floridabicycle.org.
It features a lot of great resources for all types of cyclists, including how to get involved in advocacy, bicycle traffic laws, legal resources and events calendars.
Check it out!
Meet the Skirts. Florida's new, all-women's cycling club. Based in Tampa Bay, they came together as friends and fellow riders to cultivate a more female-friendly cycling community and well... ride their bikes!
They're also partnering with CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse)to raise funds and awareness to combat domestic violence. The ladies also know their way around some delicious vegan baked goods.
They're hosting a ladies-only ride on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. starting at 66Fixed. The pace is friendly and casual. Fixed gears are a popular ride but women of all bicycle persuasions are encouraged to attend.
They hope to see you there!
You can't mention bike commuting these days without talking about the rising cost of gas. Tampa Bay's 10 featured both in this short video report. Naturally it appears during Bike To Work Week.
[via Alan Snel's Bike Stories]
Tampa BayCycle is promoting several endeavors for National Bike Month during May:
Thursday, May 1
Proclamation Bicycle Relay
Temple Terrace, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater
A team of bicyclists will carry a proclamation to each location to spread the word that May is National Bike Month.
Thursday, May 1, 5 - 7 p.m.
Opening Reception: “Visions of Cycling”
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
200 N. Tampa St., downtown Tampa
May 10-16, 2008
Commuter Challenge
Log your miles during May and win prizes
www.TampaBayCycle.com
Friday, May 16
National Bike to Work Day
This answers one question: Sean Kelly is far better on a bike than he ever will be on camera.
I apologize for this consuming all your free time for the rest of the day like it did to mine.
Now, I'm not going to comment on the political correctness of the blog Stuff White People Like, but I can say it's pretty dang funny and item No. 61 seems particularly true: bicycles.
Example:
A good place to find white people on a Saturday is at a Bike Shop. Bike shops are almost entirely staffed and patronized by white people!
...
The combination of rare bicycles and expensive parts makes it easy for white people to judge other white people on the quality and originality of their bicycles. This is important in determining if someone is or isn’t cooler than you.
Shocked at how accurate the description is, or at the whole notion in general? Let's hear it!
Tampa BayCycle is challenging riders in Tampa Bay again this year to tell them how a bicycle could change their life with the 2008 Words for Wheels contest. Just send them 250 words on what impact riding might have on your lifestyle and how it might benefit the greater good.
Send your essay to:
Julie Bond,
New North Transportation Alliance
Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT 100
Tampa, FL 33620
bond@cutr.usf.edu
Your entry must include the following: Name, Complete Address, Telephone Number, Email, Age
Leslie, 2007 Winner, poses with new bicycle courtesy of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and Oliver's Cycle Sports.
[via Tampa BayCycle]
Looks like the North American Hand Made Bicycle Show was a HUGE success. There were so many people trying to get in the door the fire marshal declared capacity and was limiting access. Then, so many people showed up by bike that the 500 indoor spots were full and so many were locked up outside they were getting "towed" by security.
Anyway, on to the goodies:
Bamboo fiber composite frame from BME. Not ridable yet, but very close. [via Cyclelicious. Flickr photo dump here.]
Ed Litton's 1930’s era Campy shift bits. One lever opens the skewer, the other pushed the chain to a given cog as you backpedal. The serrated dropout taken from a bike of the same era keeps the serrated axle aligned as it rolls across during shifts. The original one speed death kiss. [via UrbanVelo. Amazing, drool-inducing photo galleries]
Renovo built this wooden by creating hollow shapes and bonding them together. The complete bike weighs 17-20 pounds. Because wood's fatigue life exceeds that of metal and rivals carbon's, the Renovo bikes are heirloom quality bikes that will last multiple lifetimes. Wood doesn't rust, and the wood is sealed inside and out. [via Cyclelicious]
Naked Bicycles' redonkulous fixed gear features pinstriped wooden rims, some amazing tube shapes and incredible details. It was the early favorite for Best In Show. Follow the link for more on this amazing ride. [via BikePortland.org]
Plus, check out some Flickr galleries here, here, here, here and here.
Ok, excuse me while I clean the drool off my keyboard.
What more can be said than the world has lost a true innovator and one of its most passionate cyclists. Sheldon, you will be missed.
Back in September I mentioned the Innovate or Die contest, sponsored by Google, Specialized and Goodby Silverstein & Partners. The contest asked participants to submit YouTube videos of pedal-powered ways to better the world. According to Google, "the contest encouraged people to evaluate environmental issues and develop ingenious solutions surrounding climate change."
Team Aquaduct of San Bruno, Ca., has been declared the winner for their trike that provides filtering and transportation of drinking water for impoverished areas. You can check out their amazing video below and see the other entries at this special YouTube page.
Remember awhile back I showed you why it's not a good idea to use WD-40 as a chain lube? Well here's something to try instead: Ernesto Lube's Biodegradable Bike Lube.
Ernesto's is... "a readily & renewable biodegradable soy-based metal lubricating fluid made for your bike chain...and for you to not feel guilty about the environment." What does that mean? I'm not sure, but it offers these amazing features:
A 4 oz. tube is $6 and, environmentally friendly as they are, a refill is $3.
Hats off to Ernesto's for walking the walk (riding the ride?) when it comes to green living.
[via Get Outdoors]
Everybody's got their own idea of what works best for chain lube. Truth is, different circumstances call for different products. The mechanic at your LBS can tell you what he recommends, but it may take some experimentation to find what works for you.
But there is one product that doesn't belong on your bike chain: WD-40. It is simply not designed as a heavy-duty lubricant for hard working parts such as your chain. Here, Alex from Bicycletutor.com explains why:
Never Use WD40 On A Bicycle Chain - video powered by Metacafe
[via howtofixbikes.com]
Surfed across this video on the Interwebs the other day. It's 21-year-old Phil Feeney from Luton, England. He's riding a trails bike, a form of freestyle riding that evolved from trials motocross. While he makes it look easy here, I can only imagine how long it took to master these tricks.
Maybe it's happened to you before. It's probably happened to someone you know. While I hope no one ever needs this information firsthand, it can be crucial to making the best of a dreadful situation. While you might know what to do if you're in an accident in your car, a bike accident is very different. You may be injured and certainly your nerves will be frayed. The folks at BicycleLaw have laid out the basics for you:
ALWAYS wait for the police to respond to the accident scene so that an official report will be filed. Some cyclists do not realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. By then, it may be too late to identify the at-fault driver. Seemingly minor injuries can develop into serious and permanent injuries.
YOU should not attempt to negotiate with the at-fault driver. He or she may not give you accurate information about their identity, insurance coverage or vehicle ownership. Many drivers who cause accidents will initially apologize and accept blame for the accident, but will later, after they have time to consider the ramifications, will deny that they were negligent. They may even deny that they were even present at the accident scene! The accident report will include the driver's statements as well as all other witness statements. Additionally, the responding officer may decide to ticket the driver and this can be useful when trying to settle the case with the insurance company.
THE ACCIDENT SCENE should be investigated for information about how the accident occurred. The investigation should include obtaining skid mark measurements, photographing accident scene, speaking with additional witnesses, and measuring and diagramming the accident scene.
SEEK prompt medical treatment for you injuries. This is proof that you were in fact injured and the medical records generated by the medical provider will help establish the extent of your injuries. Have several photos from different angles and different lighting taken of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. Keep a journal (injury diary) of your physical symptoms starting immediately after the accident and make entries every couple of days.
LEAVE your bike and other damaged property in the same state as it was after the accident. Take photos of all of your damaged equipment and accessories.
DO NOT communicate with the insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Most cyclists want to be fair and reasonable with the insurance company. When you communicate with the insurance company, they are gathering information. Unfortunately, a fair and honest account of the accident can be turned around and used against you later.
CONTACT Biclelaw.com or another personal injury attorney who understands bicycling. While many attorneys are competent to handle general injury cases, make sure your attorney is familiar and has experience with:
The weather is cooling and this week is perfect for riding your bike to work. (Or carpooling, walking or taking public transportation). Learn more about how to get involved at Tampa Bay Commuter Services.
Some other great Web resources to check out when you're not reading Spoke 'N' Word. (Hey, I can't be everywhere at once!)
Bike Commuters
Bike Commuters is an awesome collection of riders from across the country who have gotten together to create a site for people who "Bike their drive". They have product reviews, a cool gas-savings calculator and commuter profiles. If you ride your bike as alternative transportation, check this one out. One author is Tampa's own Jack "Ghost Rider" Sweeney.
The Practical Pedal
An old-school-meets-Internet-age 'zine, The Practical Pedal is available by a free, print subscription or via downloadable .pdf. As the name suggests, it focuses mostly on ways of making cycling a functional part of daily life. The current issue features profiles of Dutch cargo bikes, cargo trailers and even how to haul plywood with your bike! Check out some things you never thought you could do with a bicycle in their Flickr group.
Urban Velo
Published in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Urban Velo is a blog/'zine that focuses on cycling in the city. In traditional 'zine style, readers are encouraged to participate and contribute, just like here at Spoke 'N' Word! Issues 1-3 are available for .pdf download or viewable right in your browser.
If you have any other cycling Websites you write or read (or despise!) and you'd like to share them with Spoke 'N' Word readers, just shoot me an email.
In the past year St. Petersburg's Bicycles and Pedestrians program has taken great strides to improve the quality of resources for cyclists and pedestrians. New bike lanes are being designated and bike racks are popping up across downtown. A major intersection at 1st Ave. N and 34th St. now features colored bike lanes where cyclists must merge with turning vehicles. Whether or not you believe bike lanes are in the best interest of cyclists, their presence shows the city is committed to creating cycling infrastructure.
When I was in Portland, Ore., this spring I was amazed at how many public resources are dedicated to cyclists. Each neighborhood had a free map detailing which routes were best for cyclists, accompanied by a larger map featuring the entire city. These are available not only at bike shops, but coffee shops, bookstores and restaurants. I was pleased to discover St. Petersburg has printed similar maps this year. So far I've only been able to find them at bike shops, but it's worth stopping in to grab one. They feature color coded guides to cycling quality on local roads both across the county and with a detail of downtown.
There are online versions you can view, but be warned, they are fairly large .pdf files, so downloading is your best bet. Don't even bother trying to print them out. [Downtown map] [County map]
Across the bridge, Tampa has a very basic map of city trails and parks online. I've not seen a Tampa road map featuring cycling routes. Anyone seen one out there?
No need to check out the weather report each day. If you've lived through a Florida summer before you know what that heat is like. The air feels thick. The sun is blinding. While summer days are hardly the best time to ride here, there's no reason to leave your bike lonesome in the garage until fall. Here's some tips I've learned to keep cool.
1. Get used to it. No, I'm not trying to sound like a tough guy. It takes your body days, weeks or months to get accustomed to pushing the limits in the heat. Build up to a full intensity workout slowly.
2. Know when to stop. Know the symptoms of heat illness and listen to your body. Accept the fact that you will not be as fast during the hottest days.
3. Ride early in the day or late in the evening. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's true. Dawn is actually the coolest part of the day, even cooler than midnight.
4. Drink more fluids. Chances are you're not drinking enough. Finishing a 24 oz. water bottle for each hour is a good rule-of-thumb. Start drinking hours before your workout and when you finish your ride, finish your water bottles. The key is to remain well hydrated throughout the day, not just when you're riding. Try experimenting with sports drinks before you being using them on longer rides. Not all will taste good when warm or agree with your stomach during workouts. Many people find diluting them with water works best.
5. Stay wet. Take an extra water bottle full of water and liberally douse yourself whenever you need it. Don't forget the legs too. Sweat cools the body by evaporating off the skin. No harm in letting the water help it along.
6. Wear the proper clothing. Cotton t-shirts are the worst thing you can wear. Cycling gear just plain works. Jerseys and shorts are made from materials that don't retain moisture. If you're not into looking like an alien riding down the road, go to a department store and get some workout shirts made of quick-drying material. Light colored clothing is always more comfortable. Don't forget the helmet. Black might be the most common, but white or silver will keep your noggin cooler.
7. Sunscreen. Forget that old tale of how sunscreen keeps you from sweating. Even if it did I'd rather worry about that than be covered with horrible sunburn and risking melanoma. It's waterproof SPF50 all the way.
8. Relax before you get in the shower. One thing I've learned is that it takes your body a good 20 minutes to cool off once you're inside. If you jump right in the shower right away, you'll keep sweating when you get out. Take a few minutes and stretch, have a snack or finish your water bottles.
Anyone got tips of their own?
There seems to be so many bike blogs these days that it amazes me that the Internet's tubes have not been clogged. Or perhaps it just seems that way because I try to read them all. I try to bring you the best of what's out there, but there are some great local cycling blogs that are with a spin.
Alan Snel - Bike Stories
Alan is a fixture in the Tampa Bay cycling community. He is currently the marketing director of the South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD). He also represents bicycle seat maker Steve Toll
of Tampa, who has come out with a new bicycle saddle that takes the pressure off.
Spokes 'N' Folks
I'll give credit where credit is due. Though our blogs have similar names, JHop in Miami had his first. Spokes 'N' Folks has tons of great commentary and news analysis from around Florida. As he spends more time with the Green Mobility Network he's also looking for interested parties to contribute content to his site, so if you're interested in covering cycling in Florida, drop him a line.
Florida Bicycle Association
The FBA is a not-for-profit, member driven organization created to inspire and support people and communities to enjoy greater freedom and well being through bicycling. They unite all types of cyclists to create a statewide bicycling community bound together in common
pursuit of a more bicycle-friendly Florida. Learn more at their home page.
Tampa BayCycle
Created by Julie Bond, Tampa BayCycle is a great resource for commuters and recreational cyclists. They promote cycling as an intelligent transportation alternative. Julie is the Executive Director of the New North Transportation Alliance (more on Julie and NNTA in a future post). Check out their home page for more.
Bay Area Commuter Services, one of FLDOT's commuter service programs, offers an emergency ride home program so you'll never get stranded at work if you carpool, vanpool, ride the bus or cycle to work at least twice a week. Register with BACS and you'll be eligible for free (or low-cost) taxi service in case of a personal or family emergency, unscheduled overtime, sickness or if your carpool partner has an emergency.
Just call BACS at 1-800-998-RIDE (7433). You'll receive an emergency ride ID card and a voucher. The voucher lists names and numbers of participating taxi companies. Just complete your section of the voucher, have it signed by your supervisor and give it to the driver. You can use the program up to eight times a year! You can also find an online registration form here.
The fine print: Customers will have the first $100 of their taxi fare paid. Anything in excess of $100 will be billed to the employee. You must re-register for the ERH Program every year.
UPDATE: I've learned that USF students at the main camps and in St. Pete now qualify for the ride home service. You still have to sign up ahead of time.
New York Times
The New York Times' has published two multimedia slideshows online in the past week. First they were talking bike locks in their Style section. Brad Quartuccio, editor of Urban Velo, a blog/'zine that focuses on city cycling, tested locks in his day-to-day travels, tested five models. They range in price from $30 to $85, but remember, it's better to pony up a few bucks now than to have to replace a stolen bike.
Second is this wonderful piece about practical solutions for making cycling a functional part of family life. The Werstein family from Portland, Ore., tested the cool gear, including trailers, a dutch wheelbarrow/bicycle mutant cargobike and the IBert Safe-T-Seat seen above.
"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the
human race." - H.G. WellsSpoke 'N' Word is your online source for cycling news, views and events in Tampa Bay. Like the people who ride them, bikes come in all shapes and styles and here at Spoke 'N' Word we love them all. Whether you ride for exercise, to commute to work or just for fun, check back often for tips and trends to make your next ride even better. Need to talk bike? E-mail Adam Newman: anewman@sptimes.com |
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