Thursday, April 21, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 21 The energy equation

Whether we consciously consider it or not, we all consider the effort involved before planning a ride. We can't avoid checking the weather, changing our routes, or timing our departures without rationalizing how much work or time or energy will be required to complete the trip. The beauty of bike commuting is that we do not have a choice as to time or destination so we simply 'deal with it' and push on because....we have to get to work. This is the difference between commuting and electively riding for fun or training. We have to get there and get back. 

This is a way of saying that it was a windy ride home today, I had to get home, I did it, and it took more energy to get there. The enjoyment for me came from the fact it wasn't pleasant, I had to do it, and I did it. The bus would've been easier but if I had taken the bus there wouldn't be a reason to write about it. So, why doesn't everyone bike?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 20 Taps

I started out in a bad mood this morning. Conditions were fine for biking, even quite good if I compare to 6 weeks ago there were feet of snow on the ground. However, it is late April and I am ready for winter to be over in reality, not just on the calendar. So I declare today The End of winter weather. Today, April 20th, in my part of the world, shall be the last day of Winter. Here was the view starting out on this morning's commute.


Ah, you say, look at Nature's Design, how she masterfully paints each delicate branch with crystalline powder. The world is quieter and colors subtler under Winter's blanket.


Great, let's be done with it. Ciao, sayonara, 23 skidoo, see you when we see you.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 19 Lame bragging rights

It would be possible to write up some heinous stories about winter biking, living in Minnesota. We have temperatures in winter below -20F and typically get four feet of snow throughout the season. Despite the great potential for tales of woe probably the worst I can imagine relates to getting snow in late April. This is a cruel thing.

This past weekend the forecast included the possibility of a winter storm for today. So, gritting my teeth in frustration, I was actually sort of relieved that there was just a little sleet falling on my ride home tonight.That is better than a half foot, right?

(this message not sponsored by the Minnesota department of tourism).  

30 Days of biking - Day 18 Signs signs

One of the things I like to cite when trying to persuade colleagues to bike to work are the facilities in Minneapolis for bike commuters.One of my favorites are the signs along some of the main bike trails in the city. This is one area where the hyper-organized, Scandinavian heritage of the state really comes through.


Just so you know, this trail is for bikes. And, the trail has a logo!

 
Well, it isn't just for bikes (apologies for the blurriness - I am usually moving when I shoot these).


Some signs even include mileage. We are missing exit numbers...maybe those will come in the next generation.


This one shows how over the top this can get. We have a sign for mileage, exit ramp, trail name (different this time - the round green one), the neighborhood, and some other stuff that I think is considered 'public art.' All this and the marked lanes make this ride almost oddly civilized.

Monday, April 18, 2011

30 Days of Biking - Day 17 Chain-plaint

Let's face it, the drivetrain of a bike is terribly designed for its operating environment. Despite high-tech metals, wax/teflon/petroleum/kryptonite chain lubricants, carbon fiber components, and over 100 years of design evolution, the chain and shifting mechanisms are incredibly vulnerable. Your chain is exposed on every ride to materials that will eventually grind it to bits and there is really no protection for this key component. Imagine if a car engine operated without its parts being protected from the elements (see link - it was tried once)!

To that end, enter my weekly maintenance routine: I attempt to remove as much of the grit and gunk I can using brushes and solvents, and then re-lubricate the chain. I have gone overboard in the past taking too much of the grease off and not replacing enough. This is not recommended.

My current routine allows me to get about 1500 miles out of a chain. Chains aren't expensive but shouldn't there be a way to make these go 10,000 miles? Last the lifetime of a bike?

What is your chain maintenance routine?

Saturday, April 16, 2011

30 Days of biking - Days 14 - 16 Cut Offs?

I first started bike commuting in New York City. I didn't do it daily, but did enough to develop some thresholds over when I would bike and when I wouldn't. I lived in Queens and biked over the Queensboro bridge to get to my work in Manhattan. This bridge is very high and the winds can gust suddenly and be extremely strong. On a day I was considering biking, I would look out my apartment window across the East River looking for signs of how strong the wind was going to be that day. Too windy, and I would take the subway. (This is a night shot, but you get the idea - I miss my view)


The last 3 days of the 30 Days of Biking in St Paul have been windy with gusts up to 30 mph. The difference between now and when I was in NY is that now I just put up with the wind. Going one direction I will feel like a pro cruising easily at 37 (well, see Day 13), the return trip I will be on the small end of the cassette panting like a burro working a mine. One deal with the wind, just like rain, sun, or snow. Hail, on the other hand, I don't recommend.

Friday, April 15, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 13 Mighty Miss

One of my favorite parts of my daily commute is crossing the Mississippi river. In the Twin Cities, the Mississippi  flows through a deep gorge. Bridges over the river are over 100 feet or more above the water and the views are some of the best in town.


When I bring a camera on my ride I find myself taking a picture here every time.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 12 The Stats

I notice some people are already posting about day 14 of the "30 Days of Biking" since, well, it is the 14th of April. My personal status report is:

Days riding: 11
Days thinking about riding but maybe forgetting to do so: 1
Mileage: around 130

My mileage is approximate because my bike computer battery died. Once I replaced the battery it reset to metric and I couldn't tell you exactly how it lines up. I will say it is fun to ride in KPH (is it KMPH?). Picture a conversation between me and a typical biker I am likely to meet on my route:

Biker A: "With Spring here I am getting my legs back. My average speed is back to where it is normally, say, 17 or 18."

Me: "Wow, that is great. I am hitting 35 - 37, even while messing with my ipod. No problem."

Try this sometime, it will impress your friends.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 11 Situational Awareness

I would like to think I am constantly aware of my surroundings when I bike. I generally (Italics, please) stop at controlled intersections, usually look over my left shoulder before passing, and, most of the time, use turn signals. Since I have been carrying a camera lately - to satisfy you, my vampiric audience - I have noticed I spend a fair amount of time just gawking. I observe the many ways winter destroys pavement, mock idiotic bumper stickers on passing cars, and count the number of chickens outside of a hippie commune I pass every morning. If I had a camera installed in my head it might reveal events happening totally beyond my immediate awareness. In driver's ed we were taught to always keep our eyes on the road which is great safety advice to cyclists. But, on the other hand, isn't part of the joy of biking to slow down, get closer to your surroundings, and get lost in your thoughts?

Happy Pedaling.  

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 10 utility bike parking

Today provided another opportunity for 'utility biking.' I consider this to be using a bike for trips I would have almost certainly done with a car in the past. You know the type of trip, one where the destination is a mile or two away, and, if you timed it, would take just as long on a bike as with a car. The other characteristic I think applies is the ingenuity required to find a spot to lock my bike.



True 'utility biking' in today's world usually involves finding a bench, stop sign (I am not the only one), large sleeping animal, whatever to use to lock up my bike. Facilities in St Paul are gradually improving but improvisation rules. I take my child to a music class that is held in a nearby strip mall where bike parking is a trick:


I run the cable lock through the bike and Burley frame, making sure to pass it through the steel guy wire. I had to try this a few different ways to make sure it was secure.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 9, biking states of mind

I spent much of Day 9 on a trip to Iowa related to retrieving a vehicle from winter storage. Part of my route took me along a path I biked 2 years ago. At that time, I was going to take my first overnight biking and camping trip and wanted to do a long ride with all my gear loaded. The goal was to check my pacing and get a sense for how many miles I could expect to cover in a day. I also wanted to make sure my makeshift packing was going to work. One of my most vivid memories from the ride is pedaling along small country highways passing through these 'wind farms.'


There were dozens of turbines arranged in grids and I really got an appreciation for the scale of these things when I passed so closely. There was little wind to push the blades and I would observe a breeze moving through the farm, some turbines just beginning to rotate while others slowed and stopped. The lack of wind may have been bad for the power company but it was a nice bonus to a pleasant and successful ride.

30 Days of biking - Day 8

Since we are now past the first seven days of this event, I am off the map for Biblical references. Day 7 was supposed to be the "day of rest," right? Day 7 was a Thursday so how does that work? Due to leap years, fixed-date holidays, birthdays, and - perhaps some day - leap seconds, we get days of rest in ever changing patterns. The 30 Days of Biking could care less and trudges on with metric precision. Imagine what would happen if they ever scheduled this event for July?

If you made it to this page, and even to this point (thanks Mom), today's bike report: glorious, temperatures in the 70s, huge tailwinds made it easy to look like a practiced amateur.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

30 Days of biking - Day 7 How was your ride?

Here is my commute. What is yours like?


Sunrise, St Paul, MN the start of a fabulous April day.

30 Days - Day 6

Bike commuting is often a solo event. You have your own work schedule and route and, chances are, they don't exactly line up with other bikers. Often on my trip in I will see someone who I vaguely recognize perhaps by their bike, their style of riding (slow, fast, don't stop at intersections etc), their helmet etc. If it looks like we are riding the same way and I catch up to the person I will often start a conversation. At other times I will make a call: can I take the person and stay far enough ahead to justify the move? On Monday we had wind gusts over 25 mph so I was not Mr Speedy. I slowly caught up to another biker and decided to pass. She was a strong rider so I was working to get by and push against the wind. Only after 1/2 mile did I check behind me and saw she was drafting and letting me suffer through the headwind. Who was the smart one?

I caught up with the same woman on today's ride and we talked. She thanked me for passing her and making the ride easier. I was happy to help....I guess? 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

30 Days - Day 5

Spring in Minnesota can be difficult for outsiders to appreciate. Many folks have been cooped up inside their homes, cars, buses, the Mall of America, or the Skyway (also affectionately known as the 'habitrail') since November. A good percentage of us find ways to deal with the weather, however, and ski, bike, fish, year round. For all, when temps exceed 32F, it is Spring regardless if there are feet of snow piled everywhere.


This is a mountainous pile of dirty snow - probably 20 feet high - I pass by on my ride to work every day. My guess is this will be here through May.


On the way home I passed what must have been an early season practice for the St Mark's baseball team. Convenient to have the snow as a backstop and outfield fence.

I am happy to report no snow on my bike route. The winter bike is now rusting in the basement and will (hopefully) stay there for the coming months.

Monday, April 4, 2011

30 Days - Day 4

I may not be much of an activist but when it comes to bike commuting I prefer to quietly promote rather than make a lot of noise. Total number of people I have convinced to start biking to work: maybe 1. The most convincing argument should be the inner calm I am supposed to radiate throughout the day having just spent an hour on the bike, focusing on the simple acts of pedaling and breathing. In the case of my 'convert' I think the motivation is more competitive, since I am known among family and friends as a very un-athletic sort. Golf counts, right?

Anyway, today's ride home did offer a wonderful opportunity to just pedal and enjoy the Spring sun. 


Happy trails.

30 Days - Day 3

Today I had a bit of  flashback to what biking was like when I was a kid. I would often run errands on my bike, picking things up at the grocery store, taking letters to the post office, or just cruise around town. On quiet residential streets I would ride in the traffic lane. On busier streets, I rode on the sidewalk, which required negotiating sidewalk cracks, trash cans, light poles, and the occasional pedestrian.

My destination today was a music class I attend with my nearly 1-year old son. The route takes me through some busy intersections in my neighborhood so I took the 'kid route.'



Keep on eye on those doors.


Cut through a parking lot where convenient.


Here is a typical hazard.

The nature of biking as transportation helps me see more of my surroundings and better take it all in. My kid route today reminded me how different the road looks depending on where and how you are riding. 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

30 Days - Day 2

My usual biking involves going to work in the AM and returning PM. Weekends, the trips are up to me. To be sure to hit the road every day this month, I took two of my kids biking this Saturday. The train is pretty impressive: bike, third wheel, and burley trailer behind that. It seems 20 feet long from saddle in the front.
 

The sun was out and it was in the 50s. In a good mood and without any particular itinerary in mind, I let the 5 year old choose. She selected a route that would take us up to one of the highest points in our part of St Paul (Highland Park), down to see a favorite city pool, and then back up again on the way back.


The 5 five year old loved the ride downhill, the baby in the Burley was a bit stunned by the wind. Dad was gasping on the return climb, which had no impact on the enjoyment of the other passengers. I guess it was good for all of us, even if in different ways.

30 Days of biking - Day 1

I am basically a bike commuter so my rides are usually the same route to and from work. Living in Minnesota, however, the route itself changes drastically from one season to the next. In this part of the country, April can either look like a real Spring, but often it looks like most people's winter. Snow, wet, and cold. 


Temp in the 30s this morning and most of the ice is gone.


Crossing the Mississippi from St Paul to Minneapolis.