Oops...

Remember that one time I had a blog? That's good, because I forgot. Sorry 'bout that.
I'm going to be in California for a while, with my bike! I'll try to post stuff on here while I'm out there.

My Weekend

I recently decided that I wanted a longer commute to work. So I moved out of the house I was living in with my girlfriend and in with a friend.

New 2.7 mile commute.

I went to the second part of my homebrew class on Saturday, rode a total of 20 miles, the way back with some freshly bottled beer.

The beer we made in class (cool label, yeah?).

Life's starting to look good, hopefully I'll start posting more.

Trash Cans

Last night I was biking home in the wee hours of the morning. I was tired (it was past my bedtime). I almost found out the hard way that today is trash day; there were a few times I narrowly avoided running into people's trash cans. I had my front light on solid and pointed pretty well in front of me, but I still couldn't see the big, ugly, gray dumpsters until I was within a couple of feet.

Someone needs to write an ugly letter to the city and get some reflective stickers/paint put on the dumpsters.

Sign

I saw a sign yesterday on Tramway (I didn't have time to take a picture, I was in a car). It said "bike path construction, watch for ped."

I'm sad that the city is not acknowledging bicyclists as vehicles when the law states that they are.

Cops Citing Cyclists on Silver

ALIBI- My two wheels get ticketed
"Today across the country, cities celebrate national Dump the Pump Day by encouraging public transportation. By cutting back to one car, a two-person household can save more than $10.000 a year according to the American Public Transportation Association.
Teams from ABQ RIDE and the Rail Runner are doing their part by handing out goodies on various bus lines and Rail Runner trains throughout the day to promote a car-free lifestyle.
Me, I got a different kind of goodie.
As a bicycle commuter I wear a helmet and look both ways. But, I admit, I occasionally stretch traffic laws.
On June 16 at 9:43 a.m., a motorcycle cop flagged me down. He called me out on a violation of failing to obey the traffic control device at the corner of Silver and Cornell.
As surreal as it was to be standing on the sidewalk with my bike while an officer ran my driver's license through the system, it was even weirder to read the resulting warning notice.
License plate number—BICYCLE
Vehicle year—1900 (actually, 1988, but whatever)
Color—BLU (I'd call it gray and teal with yellow brake cables and red handle bars)
Under the line for make and model there is no mention of my aluminum frame Raleigh Technium other than BK. I think that stands for "bike."
Bicyclists are quick to defend our harmless commuting lawlessness. The truth is if we want to officers on our side, we need to follow the rules or pay the price just like everyone else on the road.
But is it wrong if I'm hoping my next violation is a speeding ticket?"

I wish they would target the cars who got 30mph and aim for the cyclists on the "Bicycle Boulevard".
So, stay safe, and obey they man. 

Track Standing

My dog does it.

She turns her head to the side to keep herself upright on her spine.

Not Bike Related Bost

Before reading, listen the the Vaselines.

I had one hell of a weekend. I did go for a nice long ride on Saturday. Went to a show. Hung out with friends, met new friends. Learned to make beer. Fixed some drywall at my mom's house. Hung out with a new friend. Slept very little. And now my life has turned completely upside down.

I don't know what's going to happen next, but I'm incredibly happy.

Commuters Arsenal #2

Possibly the most vital part of cycling (aside from a bicycle) is a helmet. They help to keep riders not dead. And, believe me, biking is a lot more fun when alive.

I wear a S-ONE skateboarding style helmet (which I got for free by being the Helmets in Hands "Rider of the Month").

 

Because it is mat-black it is incredibly difficult to see at night, so I put some reflective stickers on it.

Now, on of the biggest arguments I've heard against wearing a helmet, in the skateboaring scene and bike scene, is that helmets don't look good. And a lot of girls don't wear them because it (queue whiny girl voice) messes up their hair. Personally, I think people look a lot more attractive with sweaty helmet hair that they do attached to tubes in a hospital bed for the rest of their live or in a grave. A simple solution to dealing with helmet hair is a hat. Carry one with you and put it on when you get where you're going.

Another argument against helmets is the "I'm not going fast enough", or "I'm within my own limits, I won't fall". Well, you may not be going fast or outside you're limits, but cars might be. And a fall from 5ft can kill you if you fall just right. 

Bicycling is a leading cause of TBI. 

So wear a helmet, always.

Cycling Madness

Cycling Madness is happening tomorrow morning from 9:00am to noon at Los Ranchos Growers Market, Hartnett Park, 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW. There will be clinics, rides, clubs, and Q&A.

I might stop by on my way to the Home Brewing class. It's a little detour, instead of taking the Bosque Trail all way to Alemeda, I would hop over onto Rio Grande Blvd. for a while.

The Old School

The Old School offers a lot of cheap classes (most are only $7) in "frugal, traditional, and sustainable living". I've signed up for the Home Brewing class this Saturday! 

"The homebrew masters in charge are so excited to teach this multi-session class aimed at helping you with the brewing process from set-up to poppin' the top on your first bottled beer. Supplies are not included in the cost of the class, but students will be personally directed to affordable (some recycled) supplies. Must be over age 21 to attend class."

It's going to be a long ride out to the North Valley from my house. 15 miles if I take the Bosque Trail, or 10 miles if I take the ugly route along the North Diversion Channel (I'm opting for the long, pretty ride).

I can't wait to learn to make my own beer!