Happy Father's Day To Me!

Oddly enough, Father's Day, one of only three days of the year that's supposed to be all about me (along with Bike-to-Work-Day, of course, and the annual commemoration of my birth), is one of the very few in recent memory that did not find me on one of my various bikes.  That did not stop me, however, from carbo-loading on fresh bagels in the morning as if I was about to embark on a double century ride.  Going to have to put in a lot of miles and burpees this week to work those off.  Completely worth it!

Not being in the saddle does not mean that I refrained from all bike-related activity, though.  Now that I, finally, have wifi up and running at the new Bikeist Worldwide Headquarters, this Hallmark Holiday provided the perfect excuse for me to go online and treat myself to some new gear.

First up was this snazzy new helmet from Giro:

Can't wait for it to arrive!  I have been riding with the same Giro road helmet since 2007.  Manufacturers say you should trade out helmets every two or three years (of course), while some publications say you can go longer (although, there is no really good research out there on the shelf-life of helmets that haven't suffered impact).  I'd say that, both scientifically and anecdotally, though, that seven years is probably kind of pushing it.

For all you "buy local" folks out there, please don't hate me for purchasing this through the interwebs.  My local shop only sells Specialized helmets, and they said it was too much of a pain to special order the "Aspect."  

As for the helmet, Giro touts it as being high performance along with its fashionably utlitarian look.  Extremely lightweight with venting that is supposed to keep the helmet off the scalp itself.  The visor (key for me) is removable and gives the helmet the look that makes it just as suitable for pulling up to a brewpub as it is for shielding your eyes on a long Saturday ride.  As someone who uses my bikes equally for fitness, commuting, and errands, I love gear that performs well but doesn't look ridiculous when I'm riding casually or off the bike.  More to come on this helmet when it arrives and I get to try it out.

Speaking of gear that fits just as well in a coffee shop as on a group ride, my next treat to myself was to order two of these:

Notice how it looks like a bike jersey, with many of the same features (plus a pocket that looks to actually be useful), without the whole stretchy spandexy thing?  Leave it to LL Bean to provide something classic and useful that doesn't make you look like some sort of martian on two wheels. Please don't get me wrong, while I like to tease about spandex, I understand the benefits of skin-tight clothing for, actual, competitive cyclists.  Given that at least 98.34% of the folks I encounter on the road are not that, though, I just like to demonstrate now and again that there are alternatives to looking like an overstuffed sausage when you go out riding.  Again, had to go online to get this shirt, since bike-shops just don't sell this sort of useful gear.

Wow, my new Ridgerunner shirt is really going to look great with my new helmet!  Especially as I slurp noodles during a post-ride recovery session at Underbelly!  I think I'll probably take the helmet off, though, to eat the noodles . . .

Pure Joy

Littlest Bikeist has been back in the hospital all week, but, thankfully got to come home today.  No opportunity to do a full-blown post.  But, who needs a bunch of words strung together, when you can witness pure, unadulterated, "bikeism" in its visual form?  Thanks to loyal reader, Larry, for alerting me to this awesome video:


Strider Championship Series Thailand 2014 from BKKStrider on Vimeo.

Racking My Brain

Any of you been on Orange Avenue in Coronado lately?  

If you are a bike enthusiast (and who isn't?) you have undoubtedly noticed that the Crown Island's main drag has become a veritable menagerie of bike racks.  Like the mish-mash of home styles that clash with each other on Coronado's residential streets (Craftsman, Victorian, Spanish Colonial, Billy-Box, 21st Century Nouveau Rich Greek Revival, Plasticine, etc.) the random variety of bike racks on display downtown defy any and all notions of uniformity, cohesion, or, in some cases, common decency.

I think the sudden proliferation of competing styles of racks may have been been sparked by the placement of these, experimental, bike corrals in place of certain parking spots last year:

The nice things about them (besides taking away parking spaces and, in turn, further incentivizing using bikes for errands downtown) is that they can accomodate lots of bikes (whereas a single rack can only handle one or two) and that their simple design allows for placing the lock and frame in a variety of positions.   The main, problem with them, though, is that they are just plain ugly --

These would have gone over great in 70's era Soviet Bloc countries.

For a far more visually appealing bike corral, one need only saunter across the bridge and up the 163 to Hillcrest --

Same concept (also occupying a parking space), but so much prettier!  These also appear to offer even more potential points of attachment per rack.

In acknowledgment, it appears, of the bland ugliness of the "new" bike corrals, it seems that the City has deployed several new experimental models for the public to examine and critique.  The. Most striking are these, I think:

They look even faster than the rocket-ship parked behind them!  Much, much, more stylish than the purely utilitarian corrals, while offering a multitude of attachment points (so important with a U-lock or when you want to get your frame and front wheel attached to the rack via one lock).  They'd look even better, though, if they were in a parking space!

Next up is this model spotted on the sidewalk near Cafe 1134:

Also sporting Coronado Islander Green, like the racer racks, these seem to blend utility and style --

It's easy to tell that some research and purposeful engineering went into these racks.  They are designed to prop up most bikes with built-in wheel wells, and an angled upper frame that will be adjacent to the frame (vice just the wheel) of the bike:

It would be super-easy to attach my U-Lock to the rack, frame and front wheel of my Urban Assault Bike (pictured) with this sleek frame.  The problem, though, is that a single one of these can only accomodate two bikes (hence all the cafe-goers bikes propped against the nearby tree.

Next up is this very interesting rack:

While not quite as stylish as the racer racks or the Ikea-style rack in front of Cafe 1134, this one is still more visually pleasing than the corrals (which isn't very hard to be).  What I like about them, though, is how they stand in stark contrast to the crappy, old-school rack in the background.  Look at how this design allows multiple bikes to get the frame and wheel adjacent to a point where a U-Lock can be utilized to lock both -- especially the frame.  The one behind, only allows the wheel to be locked -- which is useless against bike thieves who can detach the frame from the wheel and walk off with it in a split second.  Same goes for this rack spotted outside the Galley at North Island:

When I see one of these, I do exactly what the Sailor who owns the mountain bike pictured did -- lock it to the side of the rack frame, where my lock can reach the bike frame itself.  Thus, a rack supposedly built for about ten bikes is really only effective for two.

Also spotted on Orange were some parking meter enhancements that make it somewhat less awkward to turn them into impromptu bike racks.

Not as snazzy as the other designs, but the oval provides lots of potential angles and points of frame attachment.  Here's another "enhancement" that appears to have been part of some other era's rack experiment:

Need to look a little closer:

It looks to be designed to provide a slot to fit the fork into when leaning the bike against the meter, but I'm really not sure what use that is.  Could just be a vestigial  leftover of something that was once useful.

Of all the varieties of racks we have all over downtown, this organic "rack" is the style I have probably used the most over the years:

Useless for a U-lock, but (easily cut) cable locks can reach around.

Leaving the Emerald City again, I spied these on a recent ride through Balboa Park:

Classy!  Plus, I like the logo built into the wheel.  An array of these filling a bike corral with a nice Coronado logo, could go a long way toward approaching that whole unity and style thing I alluded to above.  

Finally, I give you this remnant which can be spotted in a few places on Coronado sidewalks:

Pretty nearly useless, while doing the near-impossible:  making the bike corrals look attractive in comparison.

Now it is your solemn duty as bike enthusiasts and citizens to flood the Transportation Commission with your own views on how bike racks should be deployed in Coronado and/or your neighborhood/community.  Tell them The Bikeist sent you . . .

Bikeist Undercover

Your beloved Bikeist has gone deep undercover to produce a hard-hitting exposé on the state of bike racks in Coronado.  Ooh, it's going to be juicy!  Here's a little something to whet your appetites until I go to press:

Pretty sure this is going to get me that Pulitzer I've been angling for .  . .

Bike-to-Work-Day (The Aftermath)

Well, I hope it was as good for you as it was for me -- Bike-to-Work-Day that is.  As threatened, I was out of bed at 5 am and amongst the eager throngs ready to board the 5:40 ferry to Broadway.  As always, Tyler-"Claus" (the proprietor of Holland's Bikes) was there with his merry band of bike-elves handing out free coffee, muffins, and other baked goods along with SANDAG-provided t-shirts and goodies.  Larry Hofstetter, the Grand Poobah of all things bikes and biking in Coronado, commandeered the ferry's PA system and served as the MC for the occasion, providing an official welcome and kick-off to the grand festivities.

Once we, finally, got to Broadway, it was every rider for themself as we (ok, I) came charging off the dock in a crazed frenzy to accumulate as much free stuff as was humanly possible before getting to work. Unfortunately, I had a hard deadline of 7 am since I had to be on time for a command run (yes, running on Bike-to-Work Day, can you believe it?).  With my iPhone in hand, though, and the below map displayed on Google Maps, I had no problem making efficient use of my time.

First, I pedaled hard up Broadway to hit the pit-stop at Horton Plaza.  Nice people, but the folks running this organic, etc., juice truck either hadn't gotten the memo that Bike-to-Work Day started at 6 am sharp, or were just the hippy-dippy sorts for whom being on time isn't of much (any?) importance --

Anyway, I got to overhear them talking about juice, but didn't get any myself.  Wah!  I did get a second t-shirt, though (for bigger little bikeist), a velcro pant-leg-cuff, and another Cliff Bar.

Next it was off to the Civic Center where my buddy Jeff (who rode the ferry over with me and does understand the importance of being on time) was manning the pit-stop where he was handing out sliced bagels and fresh coffee he had purchased himself.  What a great guy!   Especially enjoyable, though, was getting heckled by the sizeable  group of homeless folks who had amassed near this pit-stop and who berated us for riding to our offices to go "kiss our bosses' asses."  Some people just refuse to get into the true spirit of Bike-to-Work Day.

From here, it was a short hop to the next pit-stop -- right on the sidewalk on A.  I quickly grabbed my final t-shirt ( for littlest little bikeist -- awesome -- 2014 back-to-school wardrobes acquired!), then headed up Fifth to seek out the new bike lane and a pit-stop which promised to have woodland creatures on display!

The bike lane did not disappoint:

Fifth Avenue looks great on its new "diet!"  As discussed in my last post, the street "diet" is part of Downtown's new "Bike Loop."  When you see these, on the pavement, you'll know you're traversing part of the loop:

  

It was an absolute pleasure to pedal up the hill in a lane all my own -- downright luxurious even!  As you can see, the lane didn't exactly create an instant traffic jam in the two other lanes left for cars -- plenty of room for everyone.

Have to admit, though, that I was, somewhat, disappointed at the "woodland creatures" roaming about at the pit-stop at the Laurel and Sixth entrance to Balboa Park:

Felt a little bit like Sally Brown waiting up all night to see the Great Pumpkin and getting a melodramatic Beagle instead.  I was robbed!  Where's my Arroyo Toad?  Anyway, the folks from the Environmental Org that sponsored this pit-stop were actually quite nice -- and probably the most enthusiastic of any I encountered.  They were also knowledgable.  As us riders began discussing the new bike loop, someone questioned the placement of the lanes on the lefthand side of the streets.  One of the volunteers pointed out that doing so made good sense because placing them to the right of the one-way streets would result in buses constantly coming in and out of the lanes to access stops. No such problem on the left.  Nice.

Now it was time for some fun, as it was all down Bankers' Hill from here to work, much of it in my very own bike lane on Fourth.  The folks from Sharp actually relocated their pit-stop to Fourth to take advantage of all the bike-traffic in the new lane -- they set up conveniently on the curb on the left side of the street.  I said a quick hello there, grabbing an awesome free aluminum water bottle, then flew down Fourth to Ash (which has no Ash trees, by the way, all Jacarandas) which took me to my last stop on Harbor right by the beautiful new Waterfront Park  (which has, happily, been teeming with kids from the moment it opened).  

I lingered a little at this last stop, chatting with some of the other bike-commuters -- clinging to my last few moments of Bike-to-Work-Day magic.  Yes, for one morning every year, The Bikeist gets a rolling festival that feels as though it was created and executed just for me.  Sure, Christmas is great, as is the Fourth of July and all the other holidays, but those are for anybody and everybody.  Bike-to-Work-Day is much more specific and personal -- a celebration of a profound lifestyle choice I made 19 years ago and that almost anybody can make themselves with a little planning and commitment.  Sure, it's not for everybody, just almost everybody.  When's the last time you heard a bike-rider complaining about their lousy commute to work?  How many regret the time they could be stuck on the freeway or the clogged rush-hour streets of downtown?  It's great that us bike-commuters get our own special day and all, but I encourage any of you who drive to work to come on out for the other 364 days of the year to see what all the fuss is about.  I guarantee you won't regret it . . .

Feeling A Little Loopy

Almost hard to believe it's finally here.  After scorching temps and flames set fire to San Diego's first attempt at Bike-to- Work Day, nothing can stop us now.  We will take to the streets, demand free t-shirts and eat our body weight in complimentary Cliff Bars as it is our God- given right to do!

Even better, as reported on KPBS, http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/may/27/san-diego-bike-loop-guide-bicyclists-safer-streets/, we can enjoy the day by utilizing Downtown San Diego's new. "Bike Loop."

The streets marked green on the map above are deemed (by somebody) to have less and slower moving traffic (guess there was no way to exclude Broadway, then), making them more suitable for bikes.  Some of the streets have bike lanes, but most just have "sharrows."

More interesting (and innovative), though, is that San Diego actually went and did something progressive with the streets marked blue (Fourth and Fifth Avenues where they parallel Balboa Park).   Those stretches of asphalt have been placed on a "diet."  Where there were previously three lanes, there are now two for cars and an entire lane dedicated to bikes on both stretches.  Sweet!  While it would be nice to see dedicated lanes throughout the route and city, this is, at least, a start. Crash diets never work anyway.  Better to change habits incrementally if you want long-term benefits.  Classy move, San Diego -- keep it that way . . .

I don't think I'll have time to do the whole 7 mile route before work tomorrow (with so many pit-stops to hit), but I should see a good chunk of it as I try to hit all these downtown pit-stops:

I'll start, of course, with the pit-stop right on board the ferry at 5:40 am, and will then take a counter-clockwise tour from stop to stop around downtown (roughly following the new "loop") sampling whatever they have to offer while talking bikes with the volunteers and other riders.  Can't wait!  May be hard for me to get to sleep tonight!

The Tube to Somewhere . . .

So, here's where we left off last week:

As reported in our local Daily, the Union Tribune:

(http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2014/may/19/bridge-bike-pedestrian-study/)

SANDAG has allocated $75,000 to "study" the possibility/feasibility/desirability/ etc., of hanging a bike "tube" under the Coronado Bay Bridge in order to save me the trouble of having to bike home all the way around the bay every night.  How considerate of them!

The above rendering makes me a little nervous, though.  What's with the whole precipitous drop-off into the bay thing?  Is this a trap set by bike-haters to lure us bikeists off the roads and to our untimely demise(s)?  Or, does $75,000 only cover a partial study and rendering of the tube?  They really need to come up with a better picture when it comes time to pitch this concept for real.  Otherwise, we'll be stuck with another 30+ year piece-meal mess like the still unfinished Bayshore Bikeway.  That drop-off is not much different from the reality that was the Bikeway spitting us commuters out onto the surface streets of Chula Vista and National City for three miles before they finally built the Gordy Shields Bridge across the Sweetwater River.   Safer perhaps?   If they do, somehow, miraculously, get it built, I hope and pray that it gets better maintenance than the bikeway.  Here's one of my favorite stretches, northbound, between 32nd Street and Downtown:

More "maintenance" like this, and the tube is sure to just fall off the bottom of the bridge within a couple of years.

Near certain death aside (for those of us unlucky enough to be pedaling across the day the tube, inevitably, comes unbolted), SANDAG should save the time money they're wasting on the study and just build this thing.  Why, you ask?  Because it's freaking cool and none of us are getting any younger.  Do we really need a study to tell us that biking through a tube suspended hundreds of feet above the bay would be a huge hit with locals and tourists alike?  Right now, people pay good money to bike, walk, and run across the bridge for the limited charity events that open it up to them.  "Bike the Bay" sells out in like five minutes.  If you build it they will come!

Need further convincing?  I recommend that you hop on a plane to San Francisco or New York City, rent a bike, and head to the bike lanes on the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges.  Not only will the enormous popularity of both experiences be immediately apparent, you will have one of those experiences-of-a-lifetime, that no study or amount of money could possibly capture or quantify.  Our concept could be even more thrilling than the other two since, rather than putting you up on the same level as the cars, you get to ride, suspended, underneath the bridge itself!  

How can we possibly not do this?

So, there you have it SANDAG -- no need for a study.  For a mere $30,000, I'll let you use this post to make your pitch -- a $45,000 savings that you can use to buy extra-strong bolts to keep me and my fellow bikeists from plunging into oblivion.

You're welcome!