It is not September anymore but I came across some photos I thought I had posted on here. I didn’t then so I will now, because I like these photos.
Angel took this photo, it shows how nice it was that day.
I hope these warm you up.
It is not September anymore but I came across some photos I thought I had posted on here. I didn’t then so I will now, because I like these photos.
Angel took this photo, it shows how nice it was that day.
I hope these warm you up.
Tagged bike, bike commute, eugene, LHT, Linus, Long Haul Trucker, mixte, Oregon, photo, Surly
On Thursday, Eugene got its first bike only traffic signal at the intersection of Alder crossing 18th. It looks like a standard traffic signal with green, yellow and red lights but in the shape of bicycles. The signal right now is considered temporary, only until they get a yellow housing for it, as well as its own mast. It’s a much needed addition for this intersection of the recently redesigned Alder. It allows cyclists to cross 18th safely without the worry of being cut off by cars. Alder is now a one way for cars going south, and 2 lanes for bikes going north and south on the other side of the road. This is an intersection with lots of traffic especially coming away from the university on Alder. I have encountered a couple times where cars would try and turn left in front of me, even with multiple cyclists waiting next to them in the bicycle lane. Hopefully Eugene starts adding more of these bike only traffic signals at other busy intersections. North of 13th of Alder could really use them and it seems like they plan on that from the looks of it.
Some background on the bike only traffic signal: In June the Governor signed SB130 into law which adds bike only signals to Oregon’s list of traffic control devices. (You can read more about the bill here: Bike Portland and Oregon Live) Portland was a big push behind this bill and is working to get its first couple bike only signals in. Portland has been a great help with the innovation of bicycle infrastructure in the US.


*UPDATE: Video of the Alder St Cycle Track
This was going to be a simple review on using iron-on reflective tape to enhance your visibility while riding. But with recent news of many cars hitting cyclists, I have decided to do my part to try and keep cyclists safer on the road.
I am young. When I first started riding I never even wore a helmet. I first thought they didn’t look “cool”. (I had one, I just didn’t wear it until I moved to Oregon). This article is NOT about whether you should wear a helmet or not. That all depends on how you are riding and where, and it’s up to you. I will say I now think helmets look cool, and is a great place to put reflective tape or even small lights. I wear mine, and now feel weird if I walk out of the house without having it on, even when I know I’m not riding my bike.
I’ve come a long way since my early years of riding, and have now started using most all safety items. Even thought I never thought I would.
In order of when I started using them:
All these things help you be seen and hopefully keep you out of danger by other cyclists, pedestrians, and car drivers. This was really just going to be about adding some reflection to your person right now. There are a number of ways to help you be seen while riding.
Photos and more about staying visible and safe after the page break.
Yesterday Angel and I went on a nice ride yesterday during the warmer weather. We rode along the bicycle paths in Alton Baker Park.
Here are a couple other videos from earlier this year I haven’t posted.
Summertime ride similar to this last one.
From our bicycle tour in August.
This is a video from our very first day after we moved Eugene, it was in my first blog post.
Tagged bicycle, bike, bike commute, disc lht, disc long haul trucker, eugene, iPhone, LHT, Linus, Long Haul Trucker, mixte, Oregon, Surly, video
The Oregon Handmade bicycle show and Day of the Dead Cyclocross Festival was held this past weekend in Bend. More information about it HERE.
Angel and I went there and had a nice trip there. Here are some photos from our adventure. More below the break.
More collections of photos from the trip below the break.
The Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show is happening at GoodLife Brewing Co. in Bend, OR this year on October 29th & 30th. I have gone to the show the past 2 years in Portland. This is always a great event where builders from the Northwest can come and show off their great bikes they have built. With over 30 exhibitors, this event is put on by Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association. I will be posting photos from the event.

This event is happening during the same weekend as the Day of the Dead Cyclocross Race, which should be a great time as well. It’s happening just over a mile from the OHBS at the Old Mill District. There are a couple other bicycle related events going on as well, full list HERE.
This should be a great time for everyone.
These events will be held at:
Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show
GoodLife Brewing
70 SW Century Ave 100-464
Bend, OR 97702
Day of the Dead Cyclocross Race
Old Mill District/Deschutes Brewery
520 S.W. Powerhouse Drive,
Bend, OR 97702
Yehuda Moon & Kickstand Comics is a great comic started by Rick Smith. The comic is about life around the Kickstand Cyclery. The comic has been around since 2008; in that time it has grown to many more characters, story lines, another contributor (Brian Griggs), and even being published in Bicycle Times Magazine. Sadly, in September of 2011, the comic came to a halt. You can read Rick’s reasoning yourself on the Yehuda Moon site. It is still a little unclear what Rick plans to do in the long run. We all wish he might still continue, even if it is more infrequent (the comic was updated every day!), but just today it seems he has decided to public the last 3 volumes of the series (Volume 2, 3, and 4) with the helpful backing of Kickstarter. You can purchase Volume 1 in the store directly. If you have enjoyed these comics, this is a great way to show it, and have it forever. I know we all wish Rick well, and hope to maybe see something again in the future.
More about the Yehuda Moon and Kickstarter HERE
If you haven’t heard of Yehuda Moon you can still get started reading them, They are all online still, here is a link to the first strip. Yehuda Moon 01-22-2008
Like many others today, I received my iPhone 4s. I plan on trying out and reviewing a lot of the Bike Computer/GPS apps that you can get for the iPhone. Along with some different bike mounts/cases. This will hopefully good comparison of what bike apps for the iPhone, to help people chose the one that is right for their needs.
With all these Apps and accessories you can get the iPhone is a perfect choice for cyclists. This phone has great GPS/Mapping capabilities, battery life, and a great 8mp camera with 1080p video. It would be great to do everything on bike tours.
I have enjoyed the phone so far. Just waiting to get some cases to feel safer using it on the bike before starting the reviews. Here are the first videos I took with the iPhone when I was riding along the river on the bike path.
Recently GM had placed this add in many college newspapers across the country and has taken a lot of flack for it. The ad depicts an embarrassed young man on a bicycle covering his face from an attractive female sitting comfortably in a GM car. With the Quote “Stop pedaling… start driving.” at the bottom. GM has decided to pull the ad and they are apologizing for their offensive ad. (via there Twitter)
Giant Bicycles has recently released a more truthful ad as a follow up to GM’s misstep.
4 months ago I bought the Copenhagen Dual Leg Kickstand from Velo Orange, in hopes of using it on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Despite my wishes, the stand didn’t work on the bike. There was nothing wrong with the stand itself or VO, it was Surly’s decision not to make the LHT kickstand capable (you can read more about Surly’s view of kick stand HERE). I knew this was going to happen so I had a back up. I would let my girlfriend use it on her bike. The kickstand that came on the Linus Mixte was a low quality, single leg kickstand that made the bike lean too far over, and would easily fall over when loading up panniers.
The Copenhagen Dual Leg Kickstand seemed like wonderful solution for that. I had chosen this stand over others mainly because it had adjustable legs, no need to cut them. It can be mounted onto bikes with a kickstand plate, or without (if the spacing is right). It comes with all the hardware to mounted the way you need it. The legs have large, rugged, plastic feet that can be unscrewed and adjusted to the length you need them to be. The plastic feet has a large foot print to help support it on softer ground. The legs spread down with a “scissor-action”, and when kicked up they lay on the non-drive side of the bike like most kickstands.
The kickstand makes for great help when loading up the bike with any weight, and keeping the bike from shifting too much. It’s always a help when loading the panniers. It is even helpful to keep for needlessly leaning your bike up against things that can scratch it, and stopping it from being knocked down in a bike rack. This kickstand also make for quick changing of both front and back tires. I used it that way a couple of days ago after the bike got a flat at U of O. The wheel was able to be off the ground just enough to get it out, and was stable enough to stay up with just the stand and one wheel. Great, quick way to do any small maintenance out and about with the bike.
The kickstand is made out of strong aluminum and and rugged plastic feet. The “scissor” spring is good and strong, but still easy to kick down and up. The only problem we have ever had with it is the mounting bolt has come lose a couple times while riding, so the pedal can just barely reach the very end of the kickstand while riding. It took us a while to figure out where the noise was coming from. This could easily be fixed with a little lock-tight on the threads. The kickstand is not as sleek or pretty as some others, but still has some design quality to it, making it look nice on any bike and getting the job done.
This is a great stand for all bikes, recreational, utility cyclist, commuters and even touring bikes could take advantage of this stand.The Copenhagen Dual Leg Kickstand is carried by Velo Orange and sold for $30.00
Tagged bicycle, bike, kickstand, Linus, Long Haul Trucker, mixte, review, Surly, velo orange