December 9, 200816 yr Can someone recommend some decent road bike tires for the snow and ice? Check out the Hiawatha Cyclery site. They have studded tires, and a lot of other types too.
December 10, 200816 yr Thanks for the input, Rob and Expectator. I stopped by Fredrich's bike shop in Ohio City yesterday, and unfortunately, the guy working there told me that tires aren't made with knobs for the size that I'd need. I'm going to keep doing research online with the info you provided.
December 10, 200816 yr Here are a couple more that are good with hard-to-find stuff: Harris Cyclery. Home turf of the late Sheldon Brown, universally revered as an all-weather cycling guru. Yellow Jersey. Their web site currently is kind of a mess because they had problems with an ISP, but the info is there, and there's contact info.
December 16, 200816 yr NYC cop indicted; shown in YouTube bike knockdown NewsDay, December 16, 2008 NEW YORK - A police officer who was shown in a YouTube video knocking a bicyclist to the pavement in Times Square during a protest has been indicted on felony charges. Full story: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--youtube-cyclist1216dec16,0,3834604.story
December 17, 200816 yr Pogan attacked the cyclist and then made up fake charges against the cyclist. Looks like his law enforcement career is over. The D/A is probably loathe to charge him. Cops get away with beating people because they expect that "the system" will cover for them. My scoutmaster/Boy Scout council commissioner saw a cop beat up a teenager across the street from his house. He even testified in court as a witness. The corrupt judge declared that his testimony was inadmissable.
December 17, 200816 yr Even if the officer is cleared of all charges -- which is not looking likely at this point, he will still lose his short-lived career.
December 18, 200816 yr I've both been arrested while on my bike and arrested by a bike cop. Not many people can say that. First time cost me $5,000 and the second time I got off free after the cop spit in my face.
December 18, 200816 yr Even if the officer is cleared of all charges -- which is not looking likely at this point, he will still lose his short-lived career. He'll be welcomed with open arms by some town in New Jersey where he can be the thug he always wanted to be.
December 18, 200816 yr I've both been arrested while on my bike and arrested by a bike cop. Not many people can say that. First time cost me $5,000 and the second time I got off free after the cop spit in my face. Please share the stories!
January 7, 200916 yr Trestle project gets grants, needs more; city seeks another $250K By Jim Balow, Charleston Gazette, January 6, 2009 CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With a new $100,000 federal grant, a promised $2 million earmark and earlier commitments for about $1.3 million, backers of the proposed Kanawha Trestle Trail project on Monday reached out for still more money. Full story: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200901050794
January 7, 200916 yr Link has map. Council OKs effort to secure trestle trail funding City seeking $250,000 grant for fitness walk from Mound to Coonskin By Cara Bailey, Charleston Daily Mail, January 6, 2009 CHARLESTOn, W.Va. - Charleston city officials are making some resolutions of their own in the New Year. ..."Wellness" was the key word at the first city council meeting of 2009, with officials deciding to seek hundreds of dollars in grant money to work on a long-awaited trail project and announcing the development of a new employee fitness center. Full story: http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/Kanawha/200901050784
January 21, 200916 yr I think this speaks for itself.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 30, 200916 yr Can someone tell me: are bicycles required to stop and stay stopped at red lights? In my experience it's rare for this to happen. The result is that each car must pass the same bike many, many times because it keeps shooting back ahead of them despite going a fraction of their speed. So, the same cars are constantly going left-of-center. In many cases the bike and the cars would all have smooth sailing if allowed to separate, which would happen if the biker waited at lights like everyone else.
January 30, 200916 yr Can someone tell me: are bicycles required to stop and stay stopped at red lights? In my experience it's rare for this to happen. The result is that each car must pass the same bike many, many times because it keeps shooting back ahead of them despite going a fraction of their speed. So, the same cars are constantly going left-of-center. In many cases the bike and the cars would all have smooth sailing if allowed to separate, which would happen if the biker waited at lights like everyone else. Legally, bikes have to obey the red lights just like a car. I agree that it rarely happens that way though.
February 1, 200916 yr Site critical of cyclists taken down Anti-bicycling group shares on Facebook By Andrea Uhde, Courier-Journal, January 31, 2009 Cyclists who ride in the Louisville and Oldham County areas say they've heard or witnessed the horror stories: riders being hit with beer cans, coins and even books, heckling by passers-by and impatient drivers. Full story: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090131/NEWS01/901310438/1008
February 2, 200916 yr How even more ridiculous that there are groups (and people) devoted to harming innocent cyclists.
February 2, 200916 yr How even more ridiculous that there are groups (and people) devoted to harming innocent cyclists. Agreed. I marvel at the cluelessness of people who will start something online with that kind of theme, completely oblivious to the fact that they will attract nut cases who take it to heart and start to actualize the fantasies posted by others. I've been screamed at at close range and hit by passengers in passing cars, and had fruit, bottles, and cans thrown at me. Online advocacy of violence against cyclists encourages the freaks who only need to think they have the support of others to start acting out. The only time I ever got satisfaction was when a couple of teenaged girls threw stuff at me from a passing car, and then got caught at a stoplight. They rolled up the windows and locked the doors, and I beat on the windows and on the top of the car and put a dent in it. I hope they had to change their panties.
February 2, 200916 yr I remember a time when a group of guys in their pickup truck ran me off of the road in DT Lexington, but they were stuck in traffic and couldn't move -- only a few blocks up from where I was at. I had my trusty "u-lock"... and the truck received quite a few nasty dents and a broken side glass. The expressions on their faces... was priceless. Cyclists have to put up with a lot of shit from people. I've been run off the road (above), had items thrown at me, sideswiped into parked cars, honked at... and I've even flipped over a car door when they erroneously opened it up in the parking bay next to the bike lane.
February 2, 200916 yr I remember a time when a group of guys in their pickup truck ran me off of the road in DT Lexington, but they were stuck in traffic and couldn't move -- only a few blocks up from where I was at. I had my trusty "u-lock"... and the truck received quite a few nasty dents and a broken side glass. The expressions on their faces... was priceless. Cyclists have to put up with a lot of sh!t from people. I've been run off the road (above), had items thrown at me, sideswiped into parked cars, honked at... and I've even flipped over a car door when they erroneously opened it up in the parking bay next to the bike lane. I totaled a Peugeot PX-10 when a woman opened the door of a Camaro in front of me. Fortunately, I came out with "only" terribly painful bruises and her insurance company promptly gave me enough money to buy a good frame and enough parts to build an even-better road bike. A plus; in dollar value, the damage to her Camaro was substantially more than to my bike. I learned to keep a close watch for people inside parked cars, and on one-way streets without marked bike lanes, I prefer to ride left where openeing doors are less frequent. In the late sixties there was a guy in Lima who kept a ball-peen hammer handy when he rode. He took out quite a lot of glass before the cops finally caught up with him.
February 2, 200916 yr I didn't know there was such anti-bike sentiment. I do get irritated at how bikers seem so cavalier about traffic laws. I know it isn't everybody but it's the majority. Nobody waits at lights, and people ride on sidewalks through tons of people. I would never do it but I've felt the urge to knock one down before. When there's thick 2-way traffic on a narrow street, one biker can force a line of cars to go 10 mph for several blocks. If nobody can pass you, get out of the way for a few seconds and let them go! Neither bikes nor cars own the road.
February 2, 200916 yr Those aren't the cyclists I'm talking about, and I'm pretty sure they're not included in Sherman's comments, either. Those are dysfunctional screwballs who are a PITA whether biking, walking, driving, or on a skateboard. There are those of us who ride responsibly and heed traffic movement and laws, and because we're in the street and not on the sidewalk, we're the ones who are subjected to the impatient wrath of drivers who think that just because they can, they are morally obligated to drive 45 in a 30. How often does taking your foot off the gas cause you physical discomfort or cost you money? The person on a bike is contributing to reduced demand for gasoline and helping to keep the air clean, and he/she won't be taking that parking place that you'll be looking for when you reach your destination. Edit: When some moron on a bike startles the crap out of me by nearly sideswiping me on a sidewalk, I try to yell at them quickly enough and loudly enough to startle them in return. As for waiting out the full cycle of a stoplight, I acknowledge that if I can do so safely without interfering with pedestrians or vehicles moving legally, I'll move on. I come to a full stop, first. Google "Idaho Stop" for other thoughts/activism on that.
February 2, 200916 yr If the road's empty, nobody should have to sit at red lights. But any cars that already passed you before that light, with whom you caught up while they waited, will be forced to pass you again (and again and again) if you treat the lights as stop signs. This is unnecessary and dangerous for everyone involved. Then again I ignore safety rules too, so who am I to talk.
February 2, 200916 yr Well, I generally stop for most traffic lights if there are other cars in the vicinity of the cross-street; otherwise, I slow down and proceed on because it is safer for me to be in front of traffic, visible, then to remain muddled within the pack. That is the purpose of the 'green boxes' that have been implemented in Columbus -- to position the cyclist ahead of traffic, and cyclists in those instances are encouraged to leapfrog ahead of traffic to the 'green box'. I'm not sure about Cincinnati, but most Kentucky traffic signals are magnetic loop controlled -- and cyclists don't trip the light (neither do motorcyclists). Some states, such as West Virginia, have switched to infrared-cameras, but those don't work for cyclists either. The only method to trip the light is to run it -- and as my friend can attest, courts will not uphold the law if you run through a light because traffic signals are designed with the automobile in mind, not a bicycle. (He was pulled over by a rogue cop for going through a signal.) Note: Dan, I removed your post. Don't start shit to start shit, and point it at specific individuals.
February 2, 200916 yr I remember a time when a group of guys in their pickup truck ran me off of the road in DT Lexington, but they were stuck in traffic and couldn't move -- only a few blocks up from where I was at. I had my trusty "u-lock"... and the truck received quite a few nasty dents and a broken side glass. The expressions on their faces... was priceless. Cyclists have to put up with a lot of sh!t from people. I've been run off the road (above), had items thrown at me, sideswiped into parked cars, honked at... and I've even flipped over a car door when they erroneously opened it up in the parking bay next to the bike lane. and cyclists act like they are equal to cars. Its like picking a fight with a bully, expect to lose the battle! Now do you really have evidence that they intentionally ran you off the road? If not, then you are no better than they!
February 2, 200916 yr When I bought my bicycle in the fall of 2007, my husband and I were talking to another customer at the bicycle shop. He said that he had been hit by a driver, and if he was telling the truth, it had to have been intentional. He was was riding in the right hand lane on a road that had three lanes in each direction. There was only one car going in his direction, and driver came over to his lane to hit him.
February 2, 200916 yr and cyclists act like they are equal to cars. Cyclists are equal to cars. This is why they're supposed to ride on the roadway not the sidewalks, and why they're supposed to follow the same traffic laws as automobiles.
February 2, 200916 yr I mean in size and power. Get yourself crushed, but be able to say you were in the right.
February 2, 200916 yr That shouldn't diminish the rights of the bicyclist though. For example, someone may have more money and power than me, but it doesn't mean that they're right to mistreat me. Like you said, it doesn't do much good to be able to say you're right after you've been crushed by a car, but that doesn't give the right to the driver of the car to act recklessly or ignore the rights of the bicyclist. I think dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks should be mandated in the construction of roads. Last night I went for a run and almost got plowed over by a car three times. There was no sidewalk where I was, so my only option was to run along the edge of the street. It is unfortunate that we treat our pedestrians and bicyclists in such a despicable way.
February 2, 200916 yr That shouldn't diminish the rights of the bicyclist though. For example, someone may have more money and power than me, but it doesn't mean that they're right to mistreat me. Like you said, it doesn't do much good to be able to say you're right after you've been crushed by a car, but that doesn't give the right to the driver of the car to act recklessly or ignore the rights of the bicyclist. I think dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks should be mandated in the construction of roads. Last night I went for a run and almost got plowed over by a car three times. There was no sidewalk where I was, so my only option was to run along the edge of the street. It is unfortunate that we treat our pedestrians and bicyclists in such a despicable way. I'm not disagreeing with that. I did see something interesting yesterday. With all the snow on the sides of the roads, a woman was jogging in the turn lane in the middle of a busy road! She, of course, will be the first to complain that the drivers did not yield to her if something were to happen.
February 7, 200916 yr en Route to a bike station (or two) in Cleveland from the Green CityBlue Lakewebsite Submitted by Chris Bongorno | Last edited February 5, 2009 - 3:58pm Last week, I had the privilege of joining a delegation of Clevelanders on a trip to Chicago to tour and learn about the McDonald’s Cycle Center in Millennium Park. This innovative bike station features indoor parking for 300 bicycles, shower facilities, a supply and repair shop, as well as playing host to a rental and tour business. The endeavor has been very successful in Chicago and our group learned a lot about how the facility was designed and operates. Full story: http://www.gcbl.org/blog/chris-bongorno/en-route-to-a-bike-station-or-two-in-cleveland --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 11, 200916 yr Chris is an UrbanOhioan who posts frequently but I won't out him. Nice blog item. And now, for the dumbass comment of the week..... This is not a time to build [bike paths]. If we are going to invest in infrastructure, invest in infrastructure that actually makes the economy more efficient, such as roads that are needed. -Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 19, 200916 yr Latest email from ClevelandBikes --- List: Just a brief note to share some exciting cycling information for Northeast Ohio. Cleveland Bicycle Week: Planning has started for Cleveland Bicycle Week 2009, building on the enthusiasm generated by the initial week last year. Please plan on joining us in May and if you have plans of your own, or ideas you'd like to pursue, please share them with us. You can email [email protected] Congratulations Silver Wheels: The League of American Bicyclists, a group working on cycling for healthy, sport, recreation and and transportation since before cars were added to the roadway, named local bike club, Silver Wheels Cycling Club, as one of seven "Clubs of the Year for 2008." Congratulations! Ride for World Health: Medical students at Ohio State are planning their 3,700 mile ride across America as a part of the nonprofit organization Ride for World Health, raising awareness about the disparities in global healthcare, calling for solutions and raising funds for change. The group was started by a group of OSU medical students and is now in its fourth year, having collectively raised nearly $200,000 through charitable donations and fundraising events for beneficiaries like Partners in Health and Doctors Without Borders. This year, they are raising money for two global humanitarian organizations, Eseperanca and Village Health Works. To learn more about these groups and the Ride for World Health, see below. Enjoy the season! Silver Wheels Cycling Club = www.silverwheelscycling.org Clubs of the Year for 2008 = http://www.bikeleague.org/members/club Eseperanca = www.esperanca.org Village Health Works = www.villagehealthworks.org Ride for World Health = www.rideforworldhealth.org
February 20, 200916 yr Question: Do any of you guys have insurance on your bicycles (in case of theft or vandalism)?
February 20, 200916 yr Yes. My road bike cost over $2500, so I have it insured so that it is covered in the event of theft,damage and so forth. I did not schedule it -- which would have added ~$50/year.
February 20, 200916 yr ^ Thanks! Who insures it for you, and what do you mean that you didn't schedule it?
February 20, 200916 yr "Umbrella" home owner's insurance policies probably cover bicycle theft. It is a fire insurance policy with a lot of provisions for low probability losses like jewelry thefts or medical liability if the kid that you didn't invite into your yard breaks his wrist tripping over a sidewalk he should not have been on.
February 24, 200916 yr Dayton could land U.S. bicycling hall By Ken McCall, Dayton Daily News, February 23, 2009 DAYTON — Dayton is one of 11 communities under consideration to be the new home of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Full story: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/02/23/ddn022409bike.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16
February 24, 200916 yr Clark County park district gets funds to maintain bike paths By Bridgette Outten, Springfield News-Sun, February 24, 2009 SPRINGFIELD — Clark County Park District will be getting $83,500 this fiscal year to maintain the county's parks and bike trails, the first time the independent district has received money from the county commission directly. Full story: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/02/24/sns022509countycomish.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16
March 9, 200916 yr Columbus Bicycle User Map Public Open House There will be a Public Open House regarding the new Columbus Bicycle User Map at MORPC on Tuesday, March 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MORPC is located in the Brewery District at 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100. The user map is designed to show how comfortable or suitable a roadway is for bicyle riding. The map is the result of a partnership between MORPC, the City of Columbus and Consider Biking. It covers the City of Columbus and the nearby more densely populated communities. Please RSVP to Bernice Cage ([email protected] or 614.233.4157).
March 10, 200916 yr Cycling map a safety guide County's roads graded for biking suitability; public input sought Tuesday, March 10, 2009 3:15 AM By Dean Narciso THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The head of a bicycle-advocacy group thinks a new color-coded map will shepherd more bicyclists onto Franklin County's safest streets. Full story: http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/10/bikemap.ART_ART_03-10-09_B1_JND62C1.html?sid=101
March 10, 200916 yr Cycling map a safety guide County's roads graded for biking suitability; public input sought Tuesday, March 10, 2009 3:15 AM By Dean Narciso THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The head of a bicycle-advocacy group thinks a new color-coded map will shepherd more bicyclists onto Franklin County's safest streets. Full story: http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/10/bikemap.ART_ART_03-10-09_B1_JND62C1.html?sid=101 Very cool. I'm planning on riding/busing to work tomorrow. I'll put their little map to the test.
March 11, 200916 yr Bike trails get lowest priority By Ken McCall, Dayton Daily News, March 07, 2009 If you're one of those people hoping to see some bike or pedestrian projects sprout in the region this summer as a result of the federal stimulus money, here's a little advice: Don't bank on it. Full story: http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/03/07/ddn030709getout.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16
March 11, 200916 yr I pass by this a lot!! I had no idea it had so much history! City's first rail span eyed for bikes and pedestrians Charleston Gazette, March 1, 2009 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A rusting railroad bridge over the Elk River could be one of the city's greatest historic treasures. But aside from a handful of historians and trail enthusiasts, almost no one knows about it. Full story: http://wvgazette.com/News/200902280633]City's first rail span eyed for bikes and pedestrians
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