|
12/24 |
2007/10/8-11 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:48259 Activity:nil |
10/7 "Cycling gains ground in NYC" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071007/ap_on_re_us/urban_biking "... according to Census figures, just 0.5 percent of New Yorkers ride bikes to work. That compares to 2 percent in Seattle and San Francisco and a whopping 34 percent in Copenhagen." '... cycling not only reduces air pollution but also is "a great competitive sport" that is gaining ground with "the hedge fund crowd." "The line I've been using," she said, "is, 'Bike is the new golf.'"' \_ObCriticalMassFlame \_ Biking isn't the same as the nuts in CM. Ride Bike! But don't be a CM nutjob. -emarkp |
2007/7/17-19 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:47318 Activity:low |
7/17 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/17/health/nutrition/17essa.html #ifdef OLD_FAT_BASTARD /* Holub */ RideBike #endif #ifdef THIN_N_SVELTE /* Kuroda, PSB */ Run #endif \_ I bet tom could put kuroda and psb in a distance run \- ???. relative to the population, my best distances are (were) in the 1-8mi range. i rarely ran longer than that, and never ran +20mi plus ... i didnt think that was healthy. \_ It is certainly possible to bicycle with reasonable strength while being overweight, and bicycling doesn't tend to take off weight as fast as other activities (although it depends on how you train). Mountain unicycling, on the other hand, is serious work and it is hard to avoid dropping weight while doing it regularly. In any case, weight is majorly affected by diet and by genetics, no matter what your activity. My dad ran 9 marathons and I don't think he was below 200 pounds for any of them. (at 6'1") -tom |
2007/6/29-30 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:47115 Activity:moderate |
6/29 74 year old Walnut Creek man in Cadillac mows down and kills member of Cal cycling team http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=25343 \_ I can't see, but thank heavens I can still drive! \_ Stupid cyclist probably provoked him. \_ This troll is in very poor taste. \_ Look, a mass of cyclists was blockading the sidewalk. \_ Look, a mass of cyclists was blockading the crosswalk. What other choice did the poor guy have? He was probably in fear for his life! \_ every single female i see with a cal cycling jersey is incredibly hot. \_ Why do you have to add your own editorial comment? And why does the driver's age matter? There are plenty of 16-73 year olds who have been at fault in fatal collisions. \_ I added the age because it made it seem more interesting. and it is! \_ You thought the link wasn't interesting enough without making stuff up? Ok, then don't post boring links. \_ Geez man, I think you'd better go see a doctor about that stick in your rectum. -!op \_ This just proves my contention that we need to erect checkpoints leading into and out of Walnut Creek. \_ What was she doing in a crosswalk? \_ Probably her own personal Critical Mass. |
2007/6/5-6 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46856 Activity:moderate |
6/5 USE LINUX! RIDE BIKE! http://www.xkcd.com/c272.html \_ what is interesting about this? \_ Yeah, I don't see any boobs. |
2007/5/28-31 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46774 Activity:kinda low |
5/28 Extreme commuters travel 50-100 miles EACH way to/from work, and the trend is increasing 5X as fast as the general growth in commuting. Asked if it's worth sacraficing 2-4 extra hours a day of your life for your piece of the AMERICAN DREAM, where there's lots of room, lots of space, the answer is YES. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/24/sunday/main2849455.shtml \_ I commuted 50 miles each way for a year, it was hell. Soul crushing hell. Now I work close enough that I can bike to work in almost the exact same time as driving would take. Never again. \_ in other news, most Americans identify Rwanda as "a kind of fruit" \_ in other news, most Americans still prefer big McMansion homes and GWB over bike ride and Al Gore. You Californians are very much out of touch with core American values. \_ Except Bush didn't get a majority over Gore and his approval ratings always suck. \_ "core American values" change all the time. The suburb as we know it has basically existed for only 50 years, less than that in most places. Americans changed before, and they'll change again. (In fact, are changing.) -tom \_ if GWB's policy reflect core American Value, he would of instated the draft and expect popular support. \_ Made up phrases like "core American values" make me laugh. No such thing. Get a clue. \_ It's funny to me that you read the same article as me and got a 180 degree opposite conclusion from it. |
12/24 |
2007/5/25-28 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46747 Activity:nil |
5/25 RIDE BIKE! UNDER TRUCK! http://www.csua.org/u/is5 \_ "It feels really strange to have a truck run over your head." \_ BS story; the truck ran over the peaked back of the helmet, not over his head. |
2007/5/15 [Science/GlobalWarming, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46641 Activity:nil |
5/15 If everyone got rid of their life destroying entirely manufactured autos of all sorts and bikes and just USED FEET we would solve the traffic problem, CO2/GW, and oil problem all in one hit. USE FEET! Nothing is cleaner, safer, higher density or healthier for you to move around. \_ Mr. Comma and Mr. Hyphen would like a word with you now. \_ Soon you will realize that really, the answer is to hike off to some snowbound place and freeze to death. FREEZE SELF! Most other self-elimination methods release some carbon and waste resources with investigation, disposal etc. Perhaps weighting yourself securely with natural stone and jumping into the ocean would also be acceptable, to help feed our embattled marine ecosystem. |
2007/5/14-16 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46630 Activity:high |
5/14 Hey, Mark is this you running over cyclists? http://www.csua.org/u/ip2 \_ Of course not. Though this is utterly predictable, and I wouldn't have a problem defending that person. Being attacked like that in a mob, I think it's reasonable to flee to safety, and CM's total disregard for laws seems to remove them from the safety of law. Amusingly, I've biked or bussed for most of the last 10 years. It's not cyclists I have a problem with (I am one), it's the CM mob. -emarkp \_ Actually, it looks like the car driver hopped a curb to deliberately provoke a confrontation with the cyclists. Isn't that how you see it? \_ Your complete insistence on ignoring evidence to fit your world view is incredible. This video does not show bikes breaking any laws at all, and they're not even blocking the car; he just intentionally ran into a legitimate road user because he wanted to. To defend actions such as that is completely ridiculous. -tom \_ Again we have an edited video. The car hopped a curb, but it's unclear what caused it. The lane on the other side of the median is going the other way, so it wasn't just driving down the lane and suddenly decided to jump the median. My guess would be that it swerved to avoid a bike or turned into the lane wide to avoid a bike and was pissed at the cyclists. But that's just a guess. Tom will jump in with a guess that he'll declare to be The Truth, but of course we don't know without the full story. -emarkp \_ Your complete insistence on ignoring evidence to fit your world view is incredible. This video does not show bikes breaking any laws at all, and they're not even blocking the car; he just intentionally ran into a legitimate road user because he wanted to. To defend actions such as that is completely ridiculous. -tom \_ So he was clearly not "fleeing to safety" right? I think we can at least agree on that, right? Go back to 00:32 in the video and tell me again how the car driver was fleeing for safety. \_ Note that the driver is trying to get out of the way of ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I don't know how it got there, nor do you. But it was trying to get out of the way of a car coming right at it. -emarkp \_ And then it was stuck behind some bicylists, so clearly "fleeing to safety" by running over them. Wow, you really do have an odd worldview... \_ So these cyclists are hogging the entire road for no reason other than to slow down traffic (thus being assholes) and you think it's the car provoking a confrontation? Then the guy runs over and props his bike against the car's front you think it's the car provoking a confrontation? Then a guy runs there and props his bike against the car's front bumper and acts surprised when it gets run over. \_ They're not slowing down traffic, they *are* traffic. -tom \_ ^traffic^other traffic \_ how does that modification change anything? Traffic always slows down other traffic; certianly Critical Mass slows down other traffic a lot less than a similar number of cars does. -tom \_ Maybe but so what? They are moving slower than the cars, purposefully taking up all the lanes... basically inconveniencing people just to "make a statement" (which is what?) They are there basically for the express purpose of annoying the car drivers. \_ Critical Mass doesn't have an "express" purpose for anything. I think most people who do it do it because riding in a big group with loud music is fun. -tom \_ This is typical car driver attitude: anything in front of me going slower than me is "provoking a confrontation" with me. Unfortunately, many people are killed and maimed every day because of this hostile, selfish and immature attitude on the part of automobile drivers. It does not matter who or what is in front of them: another car, a cyclist or a pedestrian, if they are in the drivers way, they are "provoking" them. \_ Actually the average driver is not hostile but apathetic and just trying to get somewhere. CM is hostile and childish and looking for confrontations. If it keeps up expect to see the PD coming down on them for everything in the book starting with the red light violations. \_ It is the apathetic drivers that run over pedestrians and cylists every single day in San Francisco? Good to know they are not angry when they do it, just indifferent. And if you think the automobile holds the balance of political power in Berkeley and indifferent. And if you think the automobile drivers hold the balance of political power in Berkeley and San Francisco, you haven't been paying attention. \_ No, it doesn't extend to "anything in front". Nice strawman. \_ You obviously have never tried driving the speed limit in the fast lane. \_ Why would I do that? \_ Oh, I don't know, maybe because that is what is legal, perhaps. Maybe because you might want to see first hand the maniacal hostility of your fellow drivers, which the rest of us have to put up with every single day. |
2007/5/14-16 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46629 Activity:nil |
5/14 I've started getting into biking recently and started looking around at the types of bikes out their in the market. One thing I've noticed was that there were these super-expensive high-end bikes like Look and Cervelo that looked pretty advanced and would empty out your wallet in no time. Many of them had the triathlon geometry. Why is it that people like Lance Armstrong opt for more conventional bikes like Trek road bikes. It seems like someone with so much riding on the line would go for something ridiculously expensive but his bike isn't even a time-trial bike. \_ 1) doesn't Lance have different bikes for different stages? 2) Lance opts for Trek because Trek pays Lance and makes whatever he tells them to make (at least for geometry etc) \_ Tri bikes are set up to be aerodynamic and use different muscle groups. They aren't the best for hills or manueverability. Same goes for trial bikes. -scottyg | \_ Professional cyclists at that level are constrained in their choice of equipment by their governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). They're allowed to use more aerodynamic bikes in time trials than they are in massed start road races. The bikes used in time trials use similar setups to those used by triathletes, while those used in massed start road races are what you're probably thinking of. UCI has a long history of changing the rules about what's legal (or not) to suit the desires of its sponsors (the big companies in the bike industry). Bikes used in triathlons are governed by ITU rules, which aren't as backward, but maintain a similarly narrow definition of what constitutes a bicycle. If you're not planning on racing, then get whatever you enjoy riding (for me, that's a recumbent -- banned by UCI since 1934). --alawrenc |
2007/5/12-16 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46609 Activity:moderate |
5/11 Massholes attack another minivan driver, this time a guy whose wife is disabled: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5299419 \_ What is it with minivan drivers trying to murder innocent bike riders just doing their thing, having some fun, obeying the law and teaching us all about how to treat one another better? \_ which shows exactly why Jason Meggs videotapes everything; this time there's video evidence of the van driver's assault with a deadly weapon. -tom \_ Ah yes, the edited video. And of course more injuries that the wounded didn't stick around to report. They learn well from Palestinians. \_ Did someone pose a brand new teddy bear on the wreckage of a bike? *That* would be cool. \_ Yeah, nice editing there. Even with the editing it looks like the critical mass guys started it. \_ Started what? The video shows a van with an intact windshield intentionally running over a bicyclist. -tom \_ One Less Bike \_ Umm, it looks more like a bunch of bicyclists standing around a minivan that is slowly inching forward. The guys "getting run over" don't look like they've been moving for a while. \_ And you think it's appropriate to run someone over just because he's standing in front of your car? -tom \_ If someone is blocking your way while others pound on your windshield, I don't think any jury would convict them for moving forward. -emarkp \_ You didn't answer the question; do you think it's appropriate to run someone over because they're blocking you way? (For probably 30 seconds; Berkeley Critical Mass is small, 50-100 riders). Critical Mass doesn't pound on every car's windshield; it pounds on the windshields of drivers who try to run them over. -tom \_ Frankly, I don't believe this claim. In both incidents people claimed to be injured but left the scene. And if people are attacking your vehicle, then yes I belive it's appropriate to run over people to get out of the crowd. -emarkp \_ Once again: the crowd didn't attack some random vehicle on the street, it attacked someone WHO TRIED TO RUN THEM OVER. So by your logic it must be appropriate to retaliate. And I don't see how you can watch that video and doubt the plausibility of injuries. -tom \_ And once again I doni't believe that \_ And once again I don't believe that claim. -emarkp \_ Ah, the all-powerful Argument From Personal Incredulity. -tom \_ Hello Mr. Pot, glad to meet you. \_ Oh, the cops disagree with you after talking with witnesses. -emarkp \_ You definitely should ignore the video evidence presented above. It might shatter your world view. \_ Hi troll! I watched the video. It clearly shows the cyclists trying to hem the van in, and the van is trying to get away. The driver should have floored it, flattening anyone in the way. -emarkp \_ Wow, I can't believe this is coming out from a Mormon. I thought they're usually well mannered and non-violent \_ I tend to be pro-self- defense. -emarkp defense. I have killed a man with a screw- driver. -emarkp \_ Tom, that video doesn't show anyone getting injured. It shows three seconds of two bicyclists leaning off their bicycles while the van moves 1". Since what happens before and after as been helpfully edited out, there's no evidence of anything. From that video you could make the claim that the bicyclists mocked up the whole thing. -jrleek \_ uh, it ran straight over a bike that had someone on it. \_ How did the van end up with its wheels on top of two bicycles, if it only moved 1" like you claim? You can actually see the van pushing over the bike if you look carefully. That is a hell of a lot more than 1 inch. \_ The police disagreed with the claims of the CM folks after interviewing witnesses. "police said, adding that two witnesses told them that three riders threw their bicycles in front of the minivan to block its path" So the CM folks are simply lying. -emarkp \_ Which part is not in the video. Throwing the bikes under the van would account for it. \_ They threw their bike under the tires? What did they do, lift up the van? Wow, those bicyclist riders sure are strong. \_ No you idiot. They put their bikes in front of the van to keep it from leaving. The van started running over the bikes to leave. And should have kept going. -emarkp \_ Wow, idiot huh? Well look at 1:52, 2:18, 2:56 and 3:05 at this point in the video and tell me that the car wheels are not clearly on top of a bike: http://www.csua.org/u/ip3 |
2007/5/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46606 Activity:low |
5/13 The most popular vehicle in the world today is: BICYCLE http://www.number27.org/work/maps/transportation.jpg \_ The most popular method of transport in the world today is: FEET The most environmentally sound transport is: FEET \_ Are you sure? Bicycling is much more efficient, isn't it? Less food/mile or food/useful work ... The least expensive is: FEET The people least likely to attack innocent minivan drivers use: FEET The people least obnoxious about their tranport choice use: FEET The safest transport method is: FEET The method everyone can afford is: FEET The method that doesn't require a multi million dollar expansion to every public transport model is: FEET So what are you doing using the inferior and less popular: BICYCLE? Recycle the BICYCLE and get out there on your own two FEET. FEET are natural, FEET are good, FEET don't require oil imports for tires, metal for frames, or produce any life destroying CO2 in their production. USE FEET! \_ FEET are slow. Just about the slowest after hands&knees, rolling, and wriggling on the ground. |
2007/5/9-14 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Car] UID:46573 Activity:low |
5/9 motd, help. I have a cursed front wheel. I changed my front MTB tire to skinny road tires and it went flat in 2 weeks. Right after I patched up the hole (pin size) and pumped it back up, there was yet another leak and I patched up again. Three days later, it's flat again. This time I'm tempted to get a new tire. However, I'm afraid the same thing would happen again. What the heck is going on? \_ Maybe you should ask one of the Mormon boys. One thing I like about them is that they bike (in nice shirts & slacks). It's really making a strong eco-conscious statement about the earth, life, God, etc. \_ I had this problem a while back. I replaced the tire, trued the wheel, then tried a solid tire (which sucked). Replaced the wheel, and finally replaced the bike. Much better now. \_ Have you checked for possible causes of the holes within the tire and rim. It sounds to me like you either still have a piece of sharp material embedded in your tire, or your rim is causing the problem. Run your finger around and see if anything feels sharp or cuts you (careful). I'd say that you may be installing the tube incorrectly, but you mentioned "pin" size holes which doesn't sound like it's due to pinching. A good way to ensure that a tube is\ seated correctly is to inflate the tube partially (10-20 lbs) and problem. Run your finger around and see if anything feels sharp or cuts you (careful). I'd say that you may be installing the tube incorrectly, but you mentioned "pin" size holes which doesn't sound like it's due to pinching. A good way to ensure that a tube is seated correctly is to inflate the tube partially (10-20 lbs) and message it a bit around the bead making sure that the tube sits inside of the tire. Then let out all the air and re inflate it a second time, let it out again and reinflate. This doesn't take more than a few extra seconds and insure that the tube isn't going to get pinched. -scottyg second time, let it out again and reinflate. This doesn't take more than a few extra seconds and insure that the tube isn't going to get pinched. -scottyg [formatd] \_ THANK YOU. I found the culprit. I ran my finger through the tire and there was a little thing protruding out that you can barely see. Anyways it's the size of a pin (though it's not a nail) and I flattened it with my tools and everything's cool now. THANKS. \_ You should remove it, not just flatten it. A dull bit of wire embedded on the inside of your tire will still give you flats, just not quite as often. If it's difficult to pull it out, bend the tire to open up the crack in the rubber it's embedded in, and grip it with the tip of a pair of needlenose pliers. --alawrenc Actually I just added the plastic green slime liner thing in -/ between the tire and tube. I was actually tempted to get MTB tires because they seem more reliable. Oh well. Thanks. \_ I had a similar problem once. The cause was that the tape on inside of the rim had slid a bit to the side exposing a portion of the opening that the spoke is inserted through. I re-did the tape and that solved the problem. I of course didn't recognize the source until I'd had two flats within several weeks of each other... |
2007/4/24-26 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46438 Activity:nil 90%like:46433 |
4/24 http://urltea.com/fcm (latimes.com) Bicycle valet services. Free. \_ Every been to the bikestation at berkeley bart? \_ BART has been providing the same service for a while: http://www.bart.gov/guide/bikes/bikeOverview.asp \_ Well, BART doesn't provide the service, they just provide the space. (And actually, that only in Berkeley) -tom \_ There is something similar in Embarcadero. -ausman |
2007/4/24 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46433 Activity:nil 90%like:46438 |
4/24 http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bikevalet23apr23,0,5859225.story?coll=la-home-headlines Bicycle valet services. Free. \_ Every been to the bikestation at berkeley bart? \_ BART has been providing the same service for a while: http://www.bart.gov/guide/bikes/bikeOverview.asp |
2007/4/23-25 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46422 Activity:nil |
4/23 I bought a $300 Tandem bicycle from Walmart and I regret it because it weighs almost 60 pounds and the parts started to rust after 2 months. I'm now convinced that +$1500.00 tandem bike is the way to go and I'm wondering what you guys recommend as a lightweight, performance orienced tandem bike? Thanks. \_ You're right, cheap tandems are nearly unrideable. You might be able to get a good start with Cannondale, which makes some things in that range; they at least have frames that are stiff enough for tandem use. Probably the most respected maker is Santana, but that's big money. -tom |
2007/4/11-12 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46261 Activity:moderate |
4/11 I have a full carbon body bike with Shimano DuraAce components. \_ Oh, yeah? Well, my kung fu is the best! \_ I have a titanium bike with DuraAce components! My frame will last hundreds of years. \_ My Shimano DuraAce component is bigger than yours! \_ I just ate a tasty piece of baklava. \_ I have a gun. \_ Don Imus fails, while Michael Savage succeeds. Why? \_ Don Imus cried for the cameras. MS says "screw you". This has nothing to do with bikes or anything else but whatever. |
2007/4/7-10 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46232 Activity:nil |
4/7 Anyone watching US Open Cycling? |
2007/4/6-7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46215 Activity:nil |
4/5 Interesting solution to bicylists and cars sharing a crowded urban space. What do you think tom? -ausman http://preview.tinyurl.com/2b2s54 \_ When you start with an intro about how dangerous the roads are, you're already starting in the wrong place. The pictures of paths that they show all look bad to me; the bikes are hidden by parked cars or greenery; what happens at an intersection where the bike wants to go straight and a car wants to turn right? Generally, these kinds of facilities make the common bike-car interactions more dangerous. They also mention the Westside Bikeway, which is a much different situation; it's along the river and has almost no cross-traffic. Those paths can be nice, if they're not overrun with dog walkers, but they don't tend to be good commute options. -tom |
2007/4/5-7 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46206 Activity:low |
- I went on three critical mass rides in the fall semester of my freshman year. The first one was uneventful. On the second one, I saw a minivan pull into the column of riders because she wanted to turn right. She inched forward, and people rode around her. The problem came when the column of riders stopped for an obstruction ahead, and she kept inching forward until she hit the rear wheel of someone's bike. The police escort came up, sent her on her way, and dispersed everybody who started screaming at them by threatening to arrest everyone on a bike who didn't get going. On the third ride, I was riding at the back (with a police car following along about fifty feet behind us), when a guy on a motorcycle pulled into the middle of a lump of about a dozen of us, pacing us and revving his engine. People shouted at him to get out of there; he kept revving his engine. The bikes stopped. He pointed his motorcycle at one of the stopped bikes, drove up onto the bike, and knocked its rider on his ass. The police car's lights came on, the cop pulled up, took the motorcyclist aside for a minute, and sent him on his way. The guy who got knocked over started screaming at the cop, and got arrested for being disorderly. Yes, there are belligerent jerks on these rides, but I've also seen people assaulted with no positive police response. The first time I stopped at a red light on one of those rides, a cop told me to keep going because they wanted the group to keep together. I stopped going because I read about another ride in another city where riders were also encouraged by the police to keep together through red lights, then were herded into a cordoned off area and arrested en masse for running red lights. Those three rides were the only ones I went on, and I think they're too confrontational to be beneficial, but the way the police handle them has to be seen to be believed. --alawrenc \_ The only CM ride I've been on was on the East Coast in the middle of winter. There were no cops and no confrontations, and it was about a 30 minute ride around downtown keeping pace with traffic, followed by lots and lots of beer at a local bar. \_ the last CM ride I was on was when King Willie of SF decided he would speak out against CM and try to shut them down. it was the biggest CM ever, split into like seven separate groups that went all over the city. Pretty much shut Willie up after that. It was clear the people had spoken. \_ The only CM ride I've been on was on the East Coast in the middle of winter. There were no cops and no confrontations, and it was about a 30 minute ride around downtown keeping pace with traffic, followed by lots and lots of beer at a local bar. [formatd] \_ the last CM ride I was on was when King Willie of SF decided he would speak out against CM and try to shut them down. it was the biggest CM ever, split into like seven separate groups that went all over the city. Pretty much shut Willie up after that. It was clear the people had spoken. [formatd] \_ it was huge, it was glorious, and it stymied Willie. gotta love it. |
2007/4/5-7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46200 Activity:low |
4/4 Stated purpose of the Critical Mass: To increase bicycle awareness and to convince people that biking is good. Actual effect of the Critical Mass: To piss off drivers and people who are dependent on cars and hope they move away. Kudos to everyone involved last week. Let's hope keep up the pressure and hope more drivers move out. -biker \_ This if fucking retarded. Try going outside the Bay Area to someplace that's actually bike friendly. Places like that are the way they are because people built bike underpasses, overpasses paved trails, wide bike lanes on frontage roads and residential streets where cars go slowly, and a public transit system that actually works which allows bikes on all the time. When this stuff is in place, it really doesn't matter how much traffic there is on the main car roads. Do you think bikers in nicer parts of the country got these things by being childish hooligans and pissing everyone off? Now, it may be that the people who run Berkeley are such a bunch of evil fucks that you're all doomed no matter what, but\ in that case the target of all childish harassment should be the city\ council trolls, not J. Random Commuter. \_ This if fucking retarded. Try going outside the Bay Area to someplace that's actually bike friendly. Places like that are the way they are because people built bike underpasses, overpasses paved trails, wide bike lanes on frontage roads and residential streets where cars go slowly, and a public transit system that actually works which allows bikes on all the time. When this stuff is in place, it really doesn't matter how much traffic there is on the main car roads. Do you think bikers in nicer parts of the country got these things by being childish hooligans and pissing everyone off? Now, it may be that the people who run Berkeley are such a bunch of evil fucks that you're all doomed no matter what, but in that case the target of all childish harassment should be the city council trolls, not J. Random Commuter. \_ Generally, separate bike facilities are bike-unfriendly. For example, bike commuting on residential streets is almost certainly both slower and more dangerous than using using thoroughfares, due to poorer intersections. -tom \_ And what is one example of such a city in the US? \_ Critical Mass doesn't have a stated purpose. -tom \_ Critical Mass doesn't have a purpose. \_ It certainly doesn't have a purpose in the sense that the SF Bike Coalition has a purpose. I think the participants do have a purpose for their participation, but it varies from person to person. -tom \_ I assume you've been on more than one CM ride. What was your personal reason for participating? \_ I've been on two. One was because a friend of mine wanted to do it for her birthday celebration. One was because I happened to run into Berkeley CM on my way home and it was fun to ride in the pack with the music. -tom \_ Critical Mass is 5 percent jerks, 95 percent non jerks, it sucks that the 5 percenters ruin it for everyone. \_ Did the 95% show up to help the minivan woman and her kids to save her from being assaulted? \_ IMO an aspect of critical mass is an effort to get back some power through numbers, where ordinarily cyclists are a vast minority on the road and generally at a severe disadvantage vs. cars. \_ How about bikes follow the same laws as everyone else? Like stopping at red lights and stop signs for starters. If I drove like a lot of people bike I'd be arrested and my car impounded. |
2007/4/4-7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46198 Activity:moderate |
4/4 http://www.csua.org/u/ie1 What really happened in the SUV driver vs. Critical Mass incident. \_ http://www.csua.org/u/ie2 "... witnesses told her that Ferrando "recklessly accelerated" into a crowd and hit the bicyclist so hard the bike was lodged under her vehicle." \_ I thought it was a Toyota minivan, and the police said the bicyclist told them that the can tapped the bike's wheel and he was not hurt. \_ "No one was hurt, although cyclists told police at the scene that driver Susan Ferrando should be arrested because her vehicle allegedly bumped one of the biker's tires." There's a difference between bumping one tire and hitting the bicycle so hard the bike was lodged under the vehicle. \_ Another http://SFGate.com article: http://www.csua.org/u/ie3 "When the alleged bicycle victim was approached, however, he said he wasn't hurt. He also refused to give his name or any other information. Then, after a few swear words, the alleged victim took off on his bike while the rest of the crowd continued to yell at both the cops and the van." If the bike was hit so hard that it was lodged under the vehicle, as it was clamined, how did the cyclist take off on his bike afterwards? \_ Yeah, you already posted this before. Endless repetition of the same lie does not make it more believable. \_ Sorry, I didn't see that other thread below, and it wasn't me who wrote in that thread. What part of my post above do you think was a lie? -- PP \_ The whole Matier and Ross article is basically a fabrication. \_ Oh, okay. -- PP \_ You base that assertion on what? \_ eyewitness reports, and the fact that it's completely implausible. \_ SUV? It was a first-generation (pre-2004) Toyota Sienna minivan. See the second picture in the article whose link you posted. The text in the article also said minivan. See the pictures in the article whose link you posted. The text in the article also says minivan. \_ Numerous witnesses corroborate that SUV/minivan driver deliberately drove into a bicycle and tried to take off afterward: http://tinyurl.com/29hj9s \_ It's okay to try and kill someone with your minivan as long as \_ It't okay to try and kill someone with your car as long as there are children in your car. \_ THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THIS CAR. \_ This guy sounds like he's speculating. (Or at least embellishing) |
2007/4/4-6 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:46192 Activity:low |
4/4 http://csua.org/u/idl [sfgate.com] Minivan attacked by Critical Mass riders. When did these nuts start terrorizing kids? Hey Critical Mass, as someone who bikes to work, /you're not helping/. -emarkp \_ I'd wish an Al Qaeda would drive through a bunch of Critical Mass bikers.. that would be justice.. terrorist against terrorist.. maybe the bikers will gain respect for vehicles that weight 2 tons and start obeying the rules of the road \_ Rioters on wheels!! kewl.. more terrorists! \_ You left out, "minivan attempts to drive through a bunch of bikes, and runs into at least one." Matier and Ross have done a number of hit pieces on Critical Mass, and their piece today is a typical example of slanted journalism. -tom \_ they are above the law.. right? the guy that got "hit and run" his bike was so functional he drove off in it.. the bikes got damaged because they threw it thru a back window.. fucken liberal psycho elitists. i'd run over all their asses if they attacked me ..sorry \_ It's easy to talk tough from behind a monitor \_ so bicyclist don't have to obey the rules of the road and cry when someone taps their bicycle and cries hit and run? typical liberal mentality \_ No, this is typical neocon mentality. How are those Freedom Fries tasting these days? \_ Sorry, I believe the people's side of the story. And the police statement: "According to police, Ferrando had allegedly tapped one of the cyclists' tires. "When the alleged bicycle victim was approached, however, he said he wasn't hurt. He also refused to give his name or any other information." -emarkp \_ It's funny how all the stuff the bikes did is stated as fact, and the hit and run is stated as "alleged." And it's also funny how the car "inched forward" through the bikes. You don't see that as slanted? I'll tell you what really happened. The driver got caught in Critical Mass, made a typical stupid American male "I'm bigger than you" move, hit someone, and got retaliated against. That kind of stuff happens all the time. -tom \_ The driver was female. Would you like to try again? \_ Yeah, since the police are saying what happened and the bicyclist didn't think it was worth sticking around for, I'll accept the police statement. Critical Mass should be called "Thugs on wheels" -emarkp \_ Troll points -2. -tom \_ Idiot points -2 -emarkp \_ You mean this straight from their article? "The cyclists were loudly demanding that Ferrando be arrested for hit and run. According to police, Ferrando had allegedly tapped one of the cyclists' tires. When the alleged bicycle victim was approached, however, he said he wasn't hurt. He also refused to give his name or any other information. Then, after a few swear words, the alleged victim took off on his bike while the rest of the crowd continued to yell at both the cops and the van." Sounds like a good justification for attacking someone and smashing in the glass of their kid laden minivan. I'm with you Brother! RIDE BIKE! USE LINUX! SMASH KIDS! \_ Critical Mass participants are mostly losers and taking out a few isn't guarateed to make society better, but the odds are probably above 90%. \_ I take it you didn't read the article tom? |
2007/4/4-6 [Transportation/Bicycle, Health] UID:46191 Activity:low |
4/4 http://www.powercranks.com/about/concept.htm Want to bike more efficiently? Use the PowerCranks! Each leg is independent of the other, ensuring proper strokes per leg! \_ Another silly solution to a non-existent problem. -tom \_ It doesn't make sure that people actually exert force to propel the bicycle on the upstroke. It only makes sure people exert enough force to lift the leg. \_ Take the power crank challenge? No thanks. I don't need psychotic episodes and facial sores. |
2006/11/25-28 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation, Health/Women] UID:45367 Activity:high |
11/25 Denmark's approach to slowing down traffic: http://5x5m.com/files/speedbandits \_ Totally awesome post, THANK YOU motd bikini guy! \_ Do most typical young Dane dames look as good at that bikini girl? \_ Average Danish women: great healthy diet, walk and ride bikes in their little cities. Average American women: McD + Burger King + supersized fries, sit in superjammed traffic to commute to/from their suburbia McMansions 1-2 hours a day. \_ So I keep hearing. Funny that the Danes I know are mostly fat. \_ keywords: denmark traffic nudity nude women naked women breasts topless |
2006/11/2-3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:45099 Activity:kinda low |
11/02 http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/bicycleriding.html Bicycle safety \_ It's illegal to ride a bicycle while drunk? Amusing. \_ What is "one wheel skid"? \_ Try locking just the rear brake while going downhill and see what happens. \_ Then what does it mean by "Brakes - Must be able to make one wheel skid on clean, level, dry pavement."? Skidding is good? \_ If your bike's brakes are so weak you can't skid your rear tire you need new brakes. \_ Most of the laws around bicycles don't really have much relation to bicycle safety. Being able to skid one wheel is neither a necessary nor sufficient test for the stopping power of the bicycle. Having one hand on the handlebars is actually less stable than riding no-handed. And the "ride as far to the right as is practicable" and "must use bike lane" laws definitely require cyclists to ride more dangerously. -tom \_ Um, I've repeatedly hit ruts/rocks/etc that if I didn't have a hand on the handlebars would have snapped the wheel around and sent me tumbling. \_ Really--have you tried it? Because it's a lot easier to knock a front wheel off-line when you have one hand on the handlebars than when you're riding no-hands. When you're riding no-hands, your front wheel tends to want to keep going straight; if you're riding with one hand on the handlebars, your front wheel tends to want to turn. The worst accident I've ever had was due to hitting uneven pavement with one hand on the handlebars (I was adjusting my shorts). -tom \_ There are add-on headlights and tail lights for bicycles. Does any manufacturer make add-on signal lights? If I have signal lights, I don't need to do hand signals and I can keep both hands on the handle bar. |
2006/10/7-10 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44716 Activity:low |
10/7 I'm thinking about buying nice aero Shimano or Mavic wheel sets with 16/20 spokes front/back. Besides cost are there other things to consider? Is it harder to true the wheels with less spokes, and are they much less reliable? \_ Don't have an answer but I wonder why old slow ass middle-aged guys always have the hottest bikes. \_ Because they have more money than time. -tom \_ Yes, they're harder to true, and yes, they're much less reliable. Total gimmicks aimed at clueless guys with too much money. -tom \_ You're just jealous. \_ I have Shimano R540 wheels (the predecessor) with 16/16 spokes. I paid a lot for the set but they're very light and very quiet above 20MPH. I've put about 1000 miles on them and they're still pretty good. We'll see how well they hold up for the next couple thousand miles. |
2006/10/5-7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44684 Activity:nil |
10/5 What's a good chain lubricant if you take your bicycle to the beach frequently? My chain's been making a lot of grinding sound even though I used the mechanical cleaner over and over again. \_ There's nothing you can do to keep sand out of your chain if you're riding on the beach regularly. Whatever you use for lube, it should be as light as possible, so it doesn't catch sand. (Wipe off the chain after you lube it). Or ride a unicycle instead. -tom |
2006/10/4-6 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44671 Activity:nil |
10/4 Performance Bike is selling GU Gel for $24.95 (24 packs). Is it worth it? That's ~$1 / pack for a tiny little pack. \_ I think you can occasionally find that for like $20 but yeah. Compare Cliff Shots and othe other brands, it's all the same probably. Try some individual flavors first... some are nasty \_ I think you can occasionally find that for like $20. Compare Cliff Shots and other brands prices. Try some individual flavors first... some are nasty and you don't want to buy a box of that. They do work. But GU doesn't seem to have electrolytes (potassium sodium etc). I will be trying other brands for that reason. If I'm on a long tough mtn bike ride the GU doesn't help because I'll still be suffering from lack of electrolytes. suffering from lack of electrolytes. |
2006/9/10-11 [Transportation/Bicycle, Computer/SW/Unix] UID:44337 Activity:nil |
9/10 Word of advice for road bikers-- DO NOT take your road bike [with slick wheels] to the beach. I took my bike to the beach and there were many idiots on the bike path that almost hit me. Yesterday, I was passing this guy to the left, going at about 18-20MPH when he made a sudden lane change to the left, which made me swerve further to the left. Despite the fact that the path wasn't sandy, my rear wheel slipped. I attempted to recover but went down. As I recovered, I realized that there were lots of fine particles on the path even though you don't see sand, and they make your slick 700 low-rolling resistant road wheels slippery. There are too many idiots on the beach bike path, and the path is as slippery as oil. \_ Bike paths are not appropriate places for people who go 18-20MPH (i.e., bicyclists). -tom |
2006/9/7-12 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44315 Activity:nil |
9/8 When you're on a bicycle making a tight turn, should you turn your weight into the turn like motorcycles to make the curve better? http://www.soundrider.com/images/Riding%20Skills/Unglued/coming5.gif \_ user/pass? Also, when you need to brake in a turn should you use your rear or front more? \_ Generally, on a bicycle you should lean the bike more than your body, the opposite of the motorcycle situation. You don't have pegs or pipes to hit ground on a bicycle. You have a limited amount of traction in a corner, and that traction can be used for either braking or cornering. If you have to brake in a corner, straighten up as much as you can, and hit both brakes. The actual rearward force mostly comes from the front brake, because your weight transfers forward when you brake. -tom \_ In some conditions you might do that, I think mainly if there is poor traction. But you don't really see road racers doing that. It's kind of dangerous. For braking, rear is more stable. Front braking can make you wash out the front tire. |
2006/9/5-7 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Car] UID:44281 Activity:low |
9/5 How rich do you have to be to have a vacation home and a recreational vehicle you don't use full-time in Chili? \_ Since those must be a miniature toy vacation home and Hot Wheels RV, as I can't imagine a life-size one of either thing fitting into a normal Chili's restaurant, you don't have to be that rich at all. Maybe just have about 30 bucks to your name, and you can afford that stuff. Of course, if you want a slab of famous Chili's babyback ribs, it'll cost you more. \_ "I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...Chili's, baby baaaaack riiiiibbbs!" \_ You mean Chili's? \_ I don't know, that would be one huge bowl of chili to fit a house and a recreational vehicle in it. I admit, I probably wouldn't use them one they were there, though. That's a little wierd. \_ If I lived in a giant bowl of chili and wanted a recreational vehicle, I'd probably get a snow machine. I think the consistency of chili is such that nothing else would work without sinking in. I guess a hovercraft would be an option also, but it could make a mess. \_ Chile? \_ Since I assume you're obliquely trying to troll me, where'd you get the "vacation" and "recreational" part? We live and work here... -John |
2006/9/2-4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44248 Activity:nil |
9/2 http://www.ixibike.com Chainless, greaseless, compact, lightweight bicycle \_ A rubber belt instead of a chain?!!! This does not strike me as an improvement. \_ upsides: less/no lube needed, quieter, lighter, easier to replace, cleaner. downsides: list them, lazy-motd-person \_ Belt drive, as with most "innoviations" in bicycling, is not a new concept. The downsides are obvious; you have to use internal hub gearing, which is extremely limited compared to chain gearing systems, and belts are far more likely to fail than chains. -tom systems, and belts are far more likely to fail than chains. Oh, and I don't think there's any way the full belt system is lighter than the full chain system. -tom |
2006/8/30-9/3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44211 Activity:nil |
8/30 I have a real job now and I'd like to buy a nice Cal cycling jersey to match up with my new yellow/black trim full carbon bike. Where's a good place to buy Cal cycling jerseys? BTW I'm not in CA anymore. \_ http://www.calcycling.org/memclothing.php. -tom |
2006/8/23-25 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:44114 Activity:nil |
8/23 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2006/08/21/MNGP1KM9G01.DTL&o=2 SF has a lot of bike roads. \_ uh, no. "Protected pathways" are almost always shared-use sidewalks inappropriate for biking. "Wide curb lanes" and "signed bike routes shared with vehicles" are not bike roads, although they tend to be good road design. "Lanes reserved for bicycles" are the only real bicycle facilities listed, and those are only 4% of the mileage in the city. (And probably half of that is shitty bike lanes which are more hazardous than the same road would be without the white paint). -tom |
2006/8/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43981 Activity:nil |
08/11 remember a few weeks back someone asked about whether it's appropriate to wear tight bike shorts to work? may I present Prosecution Exhibit A in favor of NOT wearing bike shorts to work: link:tinyurl.com/r4art |
2006/8/9-11 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43948 Activity:nil |
8/8 Totally insame bikers: http://www.digave.com/videos/red-web.mpg \_ Is Tom Holub in it? \_ Nice spelling of the word "insane" -Dan Quayle \_ keywords: insane crazy biker bikers bicyclist bicyclists \_ keywords: cyclist cyclists new york city road bike unsafe |
2006/7/24-26 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43777 Activity:nil |
7/24 http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=168947466&size=l What is this picture suppose to be? \_ The invisible tree bicycle lynching man. -John \_ Migrant bicycle farmer. Crappy crop. -scottyg \_ Angry SUV drivers hanging bicycles. -kchang \_ The bicycle scarecrow. -ausman |
2006/7/19-22 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43733 Activity:nil 74%like:43683 |
7/20 Tomorrow, Fri 7/21, is the sixth (and most likely last) Spare the Air Day of the year with FREE transit rides all day and FREE parking at all BART stations. http://www.sparetheair.org \_ I know for bike to work day there were places that gave you stuff like free coffee if you were on a bike. Kinda nice. Anyone know if anyone does that for Spare the Air Days? \_ Not that I know of. But then you are already getting free stuff which are the free rides. \_ People are not going to ride bike unless there are immediate paybacks. People want incentives in the form of instant rewards. I propose we think about what this incentive should be. Coffee is nice, yes. But donut is better. |
2006/7/19-20 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43727 Activity:nil |
7/19 My wheel says it is 622-13c, but my tire says 700-23c. Shouldn't they fit? Did the previous owner fuck up the tire fit? \_ http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html It should fit. Bike tire sizing is a mess. -tom |
2006/7/18-19 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43705 Activity:nil |
7/18 The magnet for my bicycle cyclo/speedometer has fallen off. Where can I get new ones without buying a new computer? Thanks. \_ A bike store can order you the part. It won't be cheap. -tom \_ If you're not in a hurry, you can buy it from Cateye. Look for small parts on their web site. A wheel magnet is cateye part number 169-9691. I picked up a bunch of them the last time I bought wiring harnesses. I think they were only $1-$2, and Cateye has never charged me shipping for small parts like this. The last time I bought the same thing from a bike store, they charged me $8. It doesn't make any difference whether or not Cateye made your computer; you just need a magnet that attaches to your spokes. |
2006/7/12-17 [Computer/Networking, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43651 Activity:nil |
7/12 http://www.bikely.com Bicycle routes the easy way |
2006/7/12-16 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43650 Activity:nil |
7/12 I'm very mechanically inclined and I've been able to clean my front and back shifters, as well as installing and adjusting indexed derailleurs (I'm familiar with the HI/LO screws). Are there other reasons why I should pay $45 to my local bike shop, or $75 to REI to get a "tune-up"? \_ No. -tom \_ what about for true'ing his wheels? \_ Bike shops tend to do a shitty job of truing wheels; I'm sure REI is worse. And it's not like it's rocket science; when you tighten a spoke, the rim moves towards that spoke, and you want spoke tensions to be roughly equal (for rear wheels, roughly equal relative to other spokes on the same side of the wheel). -tom \_ Thanks tom, I feel the same as well. I spent $50 for some guy to tune my bike thinking that he'd make it all nice again. Turns out that he adjusted the brake badly (one side of the brake-pad was favored by a lot over the other one), an easy job that I could have done myself in 5 minutes. Pretty much the only thing that he did was cleaning and lubbing the chains, which IMHO, I could have done a much better job cleaning, and pumping the tires. So actually, I have no idea why everyone tells me that I should go to a mechanic to get my bike tuned. No mechanic cares about his job as much as I care about my bike. $50 down the drain, live and learn. \_ Why do you hate REI? I've only had one experience with their bike mechanics, but it was overwhelmingly positive. I broke down a ways from home, and had just been refused help at any price from the little snot at the local independently owned bike shop, and I walked down the street to REI and go the problem fixed in minutes for five bucks. Anecdotal? Yes. But I've never heard anecdotal evidence that they suck either. |
2006/7/11 [Finance/Investment, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43631 Activity:moderate |
7/11 Are there floor model bicycle pumps that can switch between high volumn and high pressure? I can barely pump up to 85 PSI for my bike and I'm wondering if they have a pump that can switch to pumping high pressure, like some of those fancy portable pumps. ok thx. \_ How would such a thing work? PV=nRT, with n,R,T relatively constant. Since the compression cylinder would have to be a constant volume initially, it seems like it's always going to be a PITA to pump to high pressure, no matter what? \_ Decent floor pumps don't have difficulty pumping to high pressure. -tom \_ I just returned my $25 made in China pump for a $30 made in Germany pump. Both of them are hard to pump after 95PSI which was a big disappointment. It took a lot of efforts to get up to 115PSI. After 95PSI, if the pump handlebar isn't pressed down completely, the pump handle forces it to pop back up probably because the valve is opened up and the pressure built from the tire pumps the handlebar upwards! Is this normal? -op -tom \_ No, it's not normal. I have something similar to http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21099&subcategory_ID=4360 and I can easily pump to 120psi. One thing: Presta valves are much better for bikes than Schraeder (car-type) valves, partly because of this specific issue. Switch to presta if you are using Schraeder now. -tom \_ Force required to pump = cross section of pump * pressure Volume pumped = cross section * length Max achievable pressure = Your strength / cross section of pump. So you can see the only way you can get a high volume and a low force requirement if to have a pump change diameter as pressure increases. This is not a practical design. \_ It's not impractical at all. One simple way to do it is to have two chambers in the pump. Use both of them for high volume/low pressure, or one chamber for low pressure/high volume. In case you missed it, there are mini pumps on the market that incorporate such a feature. There's no real point in putting it into a floor pump since good floor pumps are so much easier to use. \_ My favorite floor pump is the Topeak Joe Blow Pro; I find it quite easy to use to inflate my 120psi tires. To give you another data point, I'd avoid the Silca Super Pista (people rave about how serviceable it is, but it requires a lot of force, and you have to hold the head on the valve, so you're left inflating with one hand). |
2006/7/10-11 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43621 Activity:nil |
7/10 If I lower my Civic or add on a super big exhaust, I'll get a lot of hot asian gfs. But if I add the following pipe on my bike, what kind of chicks will I get? http://www.turbospoke.com \_ Fat, ugly Russian ones. \_ If you add that pipe on your bike, you are not of legal age yet. |
2006/7/10-11 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43618 Activity:nil |
7/10 My road bike handlebar stem is the same height as the seat. However, most of the bikes I see on TV and on the road are a few inches lower. Should I spend money to buy a stem that lowers it? \_ or lower your stem. \_ Are you uncomfortable? -tom \_ Not at all. But then again I'm still young. So the key is to lower it as much as I can without feeling pain, so that my performance can be increased, right? -op \_ Are you racing? If not, stick with what's comfortable. -tom |
2006/7/10 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43609 Activity:nil |
7/10 Has anyone here succeeded in having sex on a moving bicycle? How did you do it? Did you retrofit the bike first? Any injuries? \_ Um, why would you do this other than bragging rights? Seems very silly. People generally have sex in bed for a good reason, it's comfortable and enjoyable. \_ Why do you respond to posts for which you have no useful response? |
2006/7/9-10 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43604 Activity:nil |
7/9 Help! My bicycle fell into the sand and my new Shimano Deore DX shifters have sand inside. I can feel them when I shift. How hard is it to clean up the shifters? I'd hate to take them apart only to find out that they're impossible to put back, like most of the modern over-engineered components today. \_ You can put them back together. -tom |
2006/6/30-7/3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43537 Activity:nil |
6/29 My Shimano Ultegra double crankset has a few bits that are worn out. I'm thinking about changing it to a triple crankset. Approximately how much would it cost to change it yourself? Also do I need to change my left shift lever? \_ First you will need to find out if your derailers can handle a triple\ crankset. My Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailer didn't allow for the chain tension differences that a triple causes, so I had to just go with a larger cassette instead. Your front and rear derailer may be less picky. If you have to replace everything your looking at 800-1200. I believe that the shift levers allow for 2 or 3 indexes, so you may be in luck there. -scottyg \_ Obviously you'd need to replace the right crank and chainrings. You probably also need to replace the front derailleur. Depending on the clearance, you may need to replace the bottom bracket (a triple might not clear your frame). I haven't done such a swap since everything switched to the stupid integrated brake and shift levers, but I'd guess you don't need a new lever. -tom |
2006/6/30-7/3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43536 Activity:nil |
6/29 Do all 10s Shimano Ultegra levers come with buttons? In another word, say you buy a bike with Ultegra levers but without the computer, what additional accessories do you need to buy to mount your own computer? |
2006/6/26-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43499 Activity:nil |
6/26 I'm trying to take out my regular bike pedals and replace them with Shimano R540 clipless. I've tried using the hex tool (number 6) but the existing pedal wouldn't budge. I'm aware of the directional differences between the left and the right pedal and I've ruined one of my hex tools (I over twisted it). What's the best way to take pedals out without ruining hex tools? Thanks. \_ If you're trying to use a 6mm hex wrench on your pedals, you're probably looking at the wrong fastener. Take a look at the shaft of the pedal where it enters the crankarm and you'll find flats for a 15mm wrench. Typical pedal wrenches are a little flatter and longer than the 15mm wrench you'd get from the hardware store in case you need more clearance and torque (you might not). While you could use a crescent wrench for this, it's a better idea to use a fixed 15mm wrench, as crescents tend to loosen and round the corners off the flats of the bolt you're using them on. Incidentally, you may find http://sheldonbrown.com and http://parktool.com to be useful sites for general bike maintenance. \_ Alright thanks so much! I will get a special wrench this week and try again. By the way, I'm trying to remove another set of pedals as I have several bikes, and there is no wrench interface on them, just hex in the back. It is an Impact brand. How would you remove them when they don't have the flat hex wrenchable part? \_ There are indeed pedals these days (like my EggBeater SL) which don't have a 15mm flat surface for a pedal wrench. Frankly, I don't like the trend, but it's certainly something you'll have to deal with. One thing to remember is that you'll be turning the hex wrench backwards from what you might be expecting, because you're turning it from the back side of the pedal. And that the pedal on the left is reverse-threaded. Usually, bike pedals don't get so tight that they can't be removed by a decent allen wrench, unless you're screwing them the wrong way. -tom \_ Thanks so much tom!!! I will keep you updated. I may end up buying those "liquid wrench" things as well, we'll see |
2006/6/23-24 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43478 Activity:nil |
6/23 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1H1NpmJqY&search=race%20funny%20bike Why I hate bikers (they're aggressive and they dent my car) |
2006/6/21-26 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43456 Activity:nil |
6/21 Say I buy a used road bike with double chain but I'm weak and would like to change it to a triple chain (assuming 105 and/or Ultegra sets). Is it hard to do so, and how much would it cost? \_ You'll probably need to replace your crankset, bottom bracket, front shift lever, front derailler, and rear derailler. You may want to replace the cassette with something with a wider range, which would require a slightly longer chain. If you're asking this question, then you'd probably want a bike shop to do the work. Any of the mail order sites can give you an idea about the cost of the parts involved (though they'll cost more at a bike shop). |
2006/6/17-21 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43424 Activity:nil |
6/17 Are Mavic Aksium wheels better than Shimano R540 wheels? |
2006/6/12-15 [Reference/BayArea, Transportation/Bicycle, Recreation/Stripclub] UID:43368 Activity:nil |
6/12 SF naked bike ride. My eyes...the goggles do nothing! http://www.zombietime.com/world_naked_bike_ride_2006 \_ Interestingly enough you have posted a link that does not appear on the main page of the zombie time site at http://www.zombietime.com . How did you do that? - danh \_ Got it off a blog. \_ I was really hoping zombietime dude had a soda account. - danh |
2006/6/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43359 Activity:moderate |
6/12 I'm a new cyclist and I'm thinking about wearing spandex and tight shirts to be more comfortable. However, I'm a bit conscious about my looks. I'm a lot skinnier than the guy below and I'd look really weird with cycling clothes. Men will laugh at me and my peers will be disgusted by my new looks. What do you guys do to overcome this psychological hurdle? http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/images/rasmussen.jpg \_ We are the cyclists. The intermediate stage between humans and pure\ energy. I see you are driving a "car". We have dispensed with such primitive modes of transport. All we require are our bicycles, our shiny helmets, our burex shorts, and the tarmac surface paid for by billions of dollars from your road taxes. But now we must go, for altho the lights are still red, mere rules do not apply to us. \_ Boring troll, but +1 for originality. \_ The biking outfits, especially the more revealing colors, are awfully gay -- not that there's anything wrong with that! \_ What are you trying to accomplish? There are plenty of cycling clothes which look "normal" if that's what you're concerned about. See Rivendell for wool jerseys, and there are a number of good lined baggy shorts. Edit to add: I ride almost exclusively in cotton t-shirts. Thousands of miles. -tom \_ Get over it. You only need to worry if your a big fatty. \_ Or if you don't know the difference between "your" and "you're". \_ I propose we deport all the immigrants who cannot write English properly. \_ What do we do with the natives who cannot write English properly? \_ We ship them to back to Texas. \_ I don't care if you're a fatty or if you're a magnificent human specimen in top physical shape: please don't get the super-tight-package-emphasizing pants some of my coworkers have. they are the cyclist equivalent of speedos. If you are a professional biker/swimmer and it helps your performance it's justifiable, but otherwise no one wants to see it. -soda gal \_ Bike shorts aren't about improving performance. The point is that they don't chafe. Try going for a fifty mile bike ride wearing normal shorts and underwear and see if it's an experience you'd like to repeat. Why do your coworkers' bike clothes bother you? Come to think of it, I used to have a coworker who wore bike shorts to the office every day just because he liked them (he didn't bike). That was just weird. \_ We are the cyclists, and we are many. our prime directive is to protect the environment. Everything we purchase is eco friendly apart from our lycra clothes which are made in a sweat shop in China. Leader, we must return to the hive! \_ I do that. I like the ones with a big chamois so it looks like I have a diaper underneath or something. Then I give myself a half-boner and hang out by the coffee machine chatting. I also have very hairy legs. Ok I don't do that. People need to bring some normal shorts to slip on if they're gonna wear those. \_ If comfort is the issue, try: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19825&subcategory_ID=1122 http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22291&subcategory_ID=1110 Fairly inexpensive, effective, and you won't look like an alien wearing them. -tom \_ Are you a lesbian? You don't want to see hot guys in speedos or tight bicycle shorts? \_ That is not a sign of lesbianism. It is a sign of good taste. \_ We are the cyclists. The most energy efficient beings on the planet Everything we do aimed at conserving the earth's resources. Altho the construction of our tungsten graphite bicycles emitted 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, mine bicycles emitted 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide,mine is red. |
2006/6/9-13 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43340 Activity:nil |
6/9 Ok I've narrowed down my dream bike to two choices. Specialized Roubaix Triple Comp ($1999), or the Giant TCR C3 ($1500). Anyone have experience with one or both of these bikes? Advice? \_ The Roubaix has much better components by far and in my opinion a better frame. It also has a greater gear range, useful in the hills. -scottyg |
2006/6/7-9 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43303 Activity:nil |
6/7 http://buschmantechnologies.com Something that cut wind noise on the bicycle. Has anyone tried it and what do you think? |
2006/6/7-9 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43298 Activity:nil |
6/6 Dear road cyclists, what kind of bicycle&components&wheels do you guys have, and how heavy is it? \_ I have an old 80's all steel roadbike. Probably weighs about 30 lbs. Cost me $25 at a garage sale. Works great. \_ I'm a newbie biker and I have a heavy hybrid (35 pounds). When I get good enough to catch up to real roadies on my hybrid, I'll get something decent like the Specialized Roubaix all carbon with Ultegra and 105 components, at around 18-19 pounds. \_ I have a steel Marinoni with Ultegra components and 32/36 spoke wheels (I have two sets, one for weekends and one for touring). I don't know how heavy it is; fairly light for what it is. -tom \_ Surley Crosscheck frame with Shimano Dura-ace components. It's not that light because the frame is steel. Not quite as heavy as my 1967 Raleigh Superbe though (~40lbs). -scottyg |
2006/6/6-8 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43291 Activity:nil |
6/6 I'm a bit surprised at how much cycle gears cost. A gay spandex by Izumi costs $70 at REI. Where else can I buy clothes at a discount? I guess bikers are rich, but I'm not. Thanks. \_ http://www.nashbar.com. -tom |
2006/6/6-8 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43285 Activity:nil |
6/6 http://weightweenies.starbike.com Bicycle Weight. Now you can calculate the weight of your bike with these component weights! |
2006/5/30-6/3 [Transportation/Bicycle, Health/Men] UID:43234 Activity:nil |
5/30 http://www.swedish.org/16720.cfm Bikers beware. You may never get your penis up if you don't get the right seat. \_ ...said the guys trying to sell you new products |
2006/5/16-22 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:43074 Activity:nil |
5/16 What are some of the advantages of a tri bike over a road bike? I'm a lone rider, I don't draft, and I don't carve twisties often. Is the tri bike a better fit? \_ Triathelon bikes are meant to be excessively aerodynamic and have aggressive geometries. They are fairly uncomfortable if you are not a racer. I would go for a touring or cyclocross style bike if I were you. -scottyg |
2006/5/9-10 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42990 Activity:nil |
5/8 We are the cyclists, and we are many. our prime directive is to protect the environment. Everything we purchase is eco friendly apart from our lycra clothes which are made in a sweat shop in china. Leader, we must return to the hive! \_ Real cyclist wear wool! |
2006/5/8 [Transportation/Bicycle, Science/GlobalWarming] UID:42969 Activity:nil |
5/8 We are the cyclists. The most energy efficient beings on the planet. Everything we do aimed at conserving the earth's resources. Altho the construction of our tungsten graphite bicycles emitted 14,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, mine is a lovely red. Behold a traffic jam - we will cycle on the pavement for we are above mere traffic regulations. (Hits dog). Do not worry, your dog was biodegradeable. |
2006/5/5-9 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42947 Activity:nil |
5/4 http://www.runmuki.com/commute/commuting2.html http://www.runmuki.com/commute/calvin.gif The automobile has not merely taken over the street, it has dissolved the living tissue of the city. Its appetite for space is absolutely insatiable; moving and parked, it devours urban land, leaving the buildings as mere islands of habitable space in a sea of dangerous and ugly traffic."--James Marston Fitch, New York Times, May 1, 1960 \_ wow, so well said ... this describes my childhood in the LA suburbs to a T. and in 1960? amazing. \_ Nice article, but your quote kind of disguises it. I'm working myself up to biking to work more regularly. Maybe a light weight set of panniers would help. Any recommendations? I have a 20 year old schwinn road bike. -jrleek |
2006/5/3-5 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42916 Activity:nil |
5/2 My local bike shops sell overpriced accessories. I'd like to buy a cheap bicycle bag or two, where is a good place for that? Thanks. \_ Online. Visit your local bike shops to get an idea of what you want, then look for it online. \_ If you are figuring out what you want to buy by going to a local store and browsing that store is providing a service. Maybe you should not be a twit and compensate them for that. \_ What, leave them a tip? Comparison shopping is the backbone of the Free Market, son. \_ just remember that if you keep doing this, they wont' be there the next time you need to comparisonshop local |
2006/5/2-3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42894 Activity:nil |
5/2 My brand new Raleigh C200 bicycle is getting banged a lot and I'm wondering if it's a good/bad idea to wrap it with some foam type of protector? \_ if you don't mind keeping it looking nice by making it look ugly. -tom |
2006/4/24-27 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42809 Activity:nil |
4/24 A friend of mine bought a cheapo bicycle for casual rides and he's pretty happy with it except that the front derailleur kind of sucks and doesn't downshift to 1 all the way. We tried adjusting the H and L screws and the cable tension and the positioning of the derailleur mount but nothing works. He's thinking about getting a new left shifter & front derailleur to replace the cheapo no-name brand derailleur. By the way his back derailleur is Shimano 515 (or is that S1S?) and work pretty well so he just needs something decent for the front. What's a good front derailleur to get? ok thx \_ obshimano. \_ ANY type of Shimano will work? \_ It's 515, buying the same will be cheap and effective. -scottyg |
2006/4/3-4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42644 Activity:nil |
4/3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefartparty/103617591 For bicycle fanatics |
2006/4/3-4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42643 Activity:low 50%like:42631 |
4/3 Please stop replacing the word 'cycling' with 'masterbation'. Are we in junior high again? Allow me to try again. I'm new to biking and I think it is so much better than drugs, therapy, and certainly 1000% better than women. My bike comes with a manual, it doesn't come with in-laws, it functions predictably without mood swings and it doesn't whine unless something is really wrong. Can you say the same about women? No. My new God is Sheldon Brown and I think spandex, shaved legs, and Bianchi are cool. Cycling brings me a lot of joy and new hope in my otherwise unfulfilling, platonic, depressed and pathetic geek life. Would you like to share your cycling story? \_ I think you'll find cycling can't substitute for a sex life. \_ Cycling can both improve one's physical appearance and improve one's chances of hooking up with a hot cycling chick. \_ this picture describes how much attraction I have for cycling chicks based on my 2 years of cycling experience: http://static.flickr.com/14/14274225_cb29eddd3b_o.jpg \_ It is when all of a sudden you have none and find out how pathetic you are in real life -op \_ You sound like BDG in spirit. I sure miss BDG.... \_ Bicycles are the noblest of inventions. I spent 3 months cycling around South East Asia. Since then I let my drivers license expire, and am the happier for it. -scottyg \_ How do you get into bars? I also do not drive, but I hate carrying my damn passport around when I want to get drunk, so I keep my license. \_ CA photo ID. -tom \_ this post and its evolution through the day have brought me extreme joy. thank you. -motd smartass #1 fan \_ I still don't know who the fuck Sheldon Brown is. Do you cycle with this guy or masturbate with him? \_ Sheldon Brown has a very useful web site on bike maintenance and other bike-related tips. -tom |
2006/4/3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42628 Activity:low 68%like:42631 |
4/3 Hello, I'm new to cycling and I love it. My new God is Sheldon Brown. He brings me a lot of joy and hope in my otherwise unfulfilling, depressed and pathetic life. What is your cycling story? \_ Who is Sheldon Brown? \_ What is "sex"? |
2006/4/2-4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42609 Activity:low |
4/2 I'm trying to get less drag on my hybrid bike so that I can catch up to people. I've heard from this guy that wind is about 80% of the drag at 30km/h, and that by crouching down you cut wind resistance by about 1/3. Short of getting a real road bike which is stiff and uncomfortable, is it "wrong" to get a drop down handlebar for a hybrid bike? \_ If you want a faster bike that's more comfortable than a conventional upright road bike, then try a recumbent. \_ Right now, I can catch up to tom for a short period of time before he ditches everyone else. If I get a recumbent, will I be able to catch up to him for a slightly longer period of time? -outa shape guy \_ Modern recumbents (highracers such as the Bacchetta Aero, or lowracers such as the Velokraft VK2) are more aerodynamic than modern uprights. This means that for a given power input, the recumbent will produce a higher speed. This has been confirmed in wind tunnels. This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be faster on a recumbent, or that it will be easier for you to catch a particular rider. When placed on a more efficient bike, some riders have a tendency to slack off and expend less energy to maintain their customary speed. Some upright riders tend to expend more energy to avoid letting a recumbent catch up with them. \_ Alright I'm interested, where can I try one for free and how expensive are they? Ebay has them for as low as $800, which still is a lot. Also how much do fairings help aerodynamically? I need to be able to catch up to people without having to work too hard. Thanks. \_ I ride a very heavy mountain bike with a lot of crap hanging off the sides. When I see one of those road bike hosers with a 2000 dollar bike and a lycra outfit covered in corporate logos for no good reason(because it's some fat dude who's obsiously not on a cycling team), I'll bust ass to stay ahead of him no matter what, just on principle. \_ That may be so for one or two rich asses but you can't possibly beat every single one of the hard core roadsters. I bet you can't beat tom. \_ I'm positive I couldn't beat a hardcore racer type like tom. But I'm also pretty sure a guy like that wouldn't be making a big deal out of passing an obvious commuter with two bags over his shoulder and a heavy bike. If someone minds their own business, I'll mind mine, but some of these fat yuppie roadbikers seem to think they're the shit because they can pass me on their ultralight toys. I feel the need to remind them in the most phyical possible way that spending money does not substitute for riding every day. \_ Uh, I'm not a racer type, and I'm not particularly fast among racer types. Although I have dropped people on $2K Lemonds on my Schwinn. -tom \_ You seem to have a lot of hate for people who can afford bigger toys than you. Cheer up! \_ Uhh, no. I could probably afford a more expensive bike than most of those people, and pay cash. I hate stupid fat yuppie poseurs. While many roadbikers are clearly good poeple and great athletes, I would argue that the vast majority of fat stupid yuppie poseurs on bikes are on road bikes. \_ On a long ride, an upright road bike should be more comfortable than a hybrid, because the hybrid's upright seating position puts a greater strain on your lower back. The riding position of an upright road bike shifts about 35% of your body weight off your spine (and onto the handlebars). Are your comments about road bikes based on actual experience on long rides? |
2006/4/2-3 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42606 Activity:kinda low |
4/1 Does anyone have a recumbent bicycle? Does it let you bike farther or faster? Do you like your recumbent bicycle and would you recommend it? \_ I tried one on the beach in Santa Barbara. It feels very comfortable moving your legs lazily under the sun while lying back; I almost fell asleep. The control isn't as good as a regular bike, so I wouldn't want to go too fast on one, but you may be talking about a different kind of recumbent bike. \_ I hear they are great on the flats and downhill, but a bear for climbing. \_ I ride a recumbent. It's more aerodynamic, which makes me faster than I would be on a conventional road bike. It's a lot more comfortable, so I can ride it much longer distances than I could a conventional road bike. With respect to the comments above, recumbent geometries vary much more than conventional road bikes, and have a broad range of handling characteristics. Where one rider might regard a short wheelbase as twitchy, another might regard long wheelbase bikes as unresponsive. If you don't like one design, try something else. I've heard the comments about recumbents being bad on hills, but can't say I agree. I suspect it's because older designs were considerably heavier (and heavy bikes are slow uphill). --alawrenc |
2006/3/31-4/1 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42585 Activity:moderate |
3/31 http://www.kinetics.org.uk/html/pacy.shtml Nice bike. \_ How useful are folding bikes? Do they make life easier for commuters? \_ You can take a folding bike on BART at any time, normal bikes you can't take on during commute hours. Other transit systems can be similar. They're also convenient for flying. A couple rode them most of the way around Tasmania on the trip I did there. -tom \_ Do a lot of people take them on BART? (Any commuters to SF here?) \_ There are always a few folks with bikes on BART at commute hour because the drivers *very* rarely enforce the rules but wow the one time one did on a standing room only shoulder to shoulder train the bike guy sure was pissed. There wasn't enough space for a small child much less an adult male with a non-folding bike and he tried to force his way on anyway. *Most* of the time it isn't a problem even during commute hours. (I'm talking about non-folding bikes here). \_ When I used to take my bike on BART, there was a rule that you had to use the very last car. Is that no longer true? \_ It's still technically true but it was never really followed anymore than the no bikes during commute hours rule. At least the drivers are more likely to yell at someone to move to the last car then they are to enforce the no bike hours rules. Bart sucks enough without someone's bike jammed against your knee for an hour. \_ It is no longer true that bikes have to use the last car; they can use any car except the first one. -tom \_ Along the same lines: http://www.militarybikes.com Though I think the military one is bigger/heavier. Personally I'd like one of these: http://kildall.apana.org.au/~cjb/wordpress/archives/10 But then again I am such a fan boi. \_ Does it come with an RPG or 50 cal or anything fun like that? Maybe some full plate side armor? And how about a GPS and a medkit. It should also have different camo for the woods, urban, desert and winter environments. And space for an extra bike in case the first one gets destroyed by a mine or IED. And cost $48,523. \_ We care why? |
2006/3/31-4/1 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42580 Activity:nil |
3/31 http://www.bmeres.com/bambooframe.htm Bamboo bicycle frame \_ Cool! Now when your bike crashes, you can impale yourself! |
2006/3/29-31 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42529 Activity:nil 77%like:42527 |
3/29 Contemplating on getting a tandem bike. Is the SPORT Mountain Bike brand a reputable broad? |
2006/3/28-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42502 Activity:nil |
3/28 My bicycle has a weight limit of 350 pounds. I weigh 150 and my gf weighs 100. Is there such a thing as a rear seat/rear rack adapter I can put on my bicycle so that I can start carrying her for fun? \_ http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1353878.html |
2006/3/28-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42492 Activity:nil |
3/28 Looking for a good place on the web to buy bicycle accessories. Looking for a nice LED headlight (they last near forever right?), rear rack to put books, decent pump, patching accessories, and a little utility bag to put the patching accessories. I've considered my local bike shop but after looking at their super overpriced Kryptonite locks (cost 2X as much as web) I decided that it's a bad idea to buy any accessory from them. \_ http://nashbar.com \_ Here are some web-based bike shops I like: http://www.biketoolsetc.com http://www.lickbike.com \_ LICK BIKE! http://www.cambriabike.com http://www.biketiresdirect.com http://www.jensonusa.com http://sheldonbrown.com/harris I highly recommend the topeak road morph pump if you're looking for one to take with you on your bike. LED headlights strike me as the best of the low end, but if you're going to spend lots of time riding at night, I think HID headlights are worth their higher prices. Get a taillight, too. If you're taking a patch kit along, don't forget to take a spare tube because it takes a while for the glue (well, cold vulcanizing fluid really) to cure. If you patch a tube then try to use it immediately, it'll just peel off under the pressure. |
2006/3/27-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42463 Activity:nil |
3/27 I hadn't biked for about 8 years and decided to buy a brand new bike this weekend. I was so excited that I decided to cruise around the beach an entire day yesterday. When I got back I was pretty proud of myself; for someone who hadn't biked for 8 years, I did pretty well. Today I sore like hell and I can hardly move my legs. I called in sick and I'm working from home. I'm in total serious pain. Need advice. Now. Thanks. \_ Hahaha, it'll get better tomorrow, like any exercise. have fun! \_ What bike did you get? And what beach was this? \_ I got a Raleigh C200 with Shimano Doere shifters/derailleurs. It's the best bike I've ever gotten in my entire life. It's the first bike I've ever owned that has gear shifts. It's extremely quiet except in certain gear combinations. For example when I'm on the highest gear in front and the middle gear in the back, it starts to click click click. Is this normal for a brand new bike? -totally excited \_ When you get indoor plumbing, share the excitement on the motd too! \_ Someone who obviously never tried a real bike. \_ I don't think there should be much clicking although that should be pretty easy to adjust. After some use a new bike usually can use some tune up as things get broken in. So... first bike with gears? How old were you when you last rode a bike? My first bike as a little kid was a 3-speed, although that was a bit unusual. It was a 3-speed internal hub. Worked great. \_ I had one of those cheap BMX-like bikes. It was heavy and the brake required pedaling backward. It was also a girl's bike. My mom got it so that my big sister (many years older than me) could ride it. It turned out that my sister rode it like, ***twice***. She soon turned 16, got a car, all I got was a fucking girlie bike. DAMN STUPID BITCHES it makes me SO MAD to think about it!!!! Anyways it's all in the past. I just got an awesome Raleigh bike, one that FITS ME and looks great and rides great and no kid on the block's gonna make fun of me anymore. I FEEL SO ALIVE AGAIN!!! -excited |
2006/3/26-28 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42443 Activity:nil |
3/26 What's the best way to carry a second passenger (100lb) on a regular non-tandem bicycle? \_ http://www.cyclemorph.com \_ Moustache ride |
2006/3/26-27 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42437 Activity:nil |
3/25 Help bike experts. Given the same price and everything else, what is better, the Shimano RevoShift twist shift (Tourney) or the rapid-fire Doere shifter? I'm used to the "interface" of twist shifter but the bike shop top me the rapid-fire shifter is more solid. Need advice. Thanks. \_ http://www.cyclingforums.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=30 |
2006/3/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:42195 Activity:kinda low |
3/12 Looking for 2 things: 1) a bicycle for casual use on mostly flat land. Prefer a hybrid so that I can go to the beach and ride around my neighborhood. Prefer light weight and above all, CHEAP ($300 or less). I like the weight of those fancy composite racing bikes but not the price $$$, and the wheels are so thin that they don't look like they'll ride well in the sand. I like the ruggedness of mountain bikes with nice suspensions but not the weight, and they cost a lot too. Costco bikes are shitty, and so are Target bikes. Where should I go, and what brand should I be looking for? \_ Are you looking for a new bike? You can probably get a decent used mtb/hybrid on cl for ~ $300. I bought a 3yr old Gary Fisher Montare (sp?) for a little under $300 on cl. \_ Check out a cyclocross bike, they are basicly road bikes meant to be taken off road. No suspension usually though. You could get a used surley crosscheck for about that price. A new one would be $600+. -scottyg 2) a tandom bicycle, cheap, light weight. Which ones are good? \_ tandem \_ tandum \_ No. \_ Know. \- Tan Dun \_ The only bikes which will ride well in the sand are bikes which are made to ride in the sand; single speeds with balloon tires. A cheap hybrid would not be able to get through the sand, and the gearing would get fouled almost immediately. You can use a beach cruiser for other kinds of riding, although it's not ideal. You won't find anything light for $300 or less. If you really want to ride it on the beach, call up your local bike stores and ask for single-speed beach cruiser bikes (or with an internally geared hub). Most beach cruisers are under $300, but none are light. There are no cheap, light weight tandems. Weight isn't really that much of a concern on a tandem anyway; durability and stiffness are much more important. Any tandem that is under $1000 is not suitable for anything more than futzing around town; a ~$1000 tandem (like the Burley Zydeco) will be acceptable but heavy and whippy. You have to get above $1500 before tandems start getting really decent. Some people swear by the Cannondale. -tom \_ If you want a cheap tandem, get it used. There's a tandem and recumbent shop near Sacramento that tends to have used tandems: http://www.tandems-recumbents.com If you buy something from them, I'd recommend having a good bike mechanic look it over (I bought a new bike from them once that had some assembly problems). |
2005/10/3-5 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:39953 Activity:nil |
10/3 Bicycle sales booming in USA, outselling cars, highest level since the 1973 oil crisis. http://tinyurl.com/7efkm \_ "The US government has also done its part to promote a more bicycle-friendly environment. Some 3.5 million dollars in federal money has been set aside to create cycling trails over the next four years." That's just spare change compared to the money poured into freeway projects. |
2005/8/26-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:39299 Activity:nil 50%like:36690 |
8/26 RIDE P2P BIKE in France: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,68576,00.html |
2005/8/12-15 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:39104 Activity:nil |
8/12 Some info on bike trailers: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/recycler_make_y.php |
2005/7/27-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:38841 Activity:nil |
7/27 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4719015.stm Note the fatalities per billion km table about 1/3 through the article. Is there a similar table out there for particular US cities? Anyone..anyone...holub? -- ulysses |
2005/7/25-27 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:38816 Activity:low |
7/25 Tour De France: What is the role of the biking team? Is it really better to bike directly behind other bikers? \_ Less air resistance, I guess. I don't ride street bikes. \_ Yes. Less air resistance. This shows up commonly in other races as well, not to mention birds flying in formation. \_ "slipstream." Now why they don't use a fairing to increase their performance by 30%, I don't know. \_ I saw a video once comparing team riding around a track to a bike with a fairing on a track. This was more than 10 years ago, but the fairing bike had a much higher top speed. It's possible that fairings are illegal in the Tour De France, or that the terrain makes the wieght not worth the gains in areodynamics. Anyone know? \_ Isn't there anyone on soda that can reply to this thread in snooty French? \_ Eet ees so you STEWPEED americans heve to look et more edvertizing on ze jerseys of se bicycleestes. -John (I tried to get a glimpse of the TdF in Paris on Sunday, but was mainly foiled by STEWPEED 6'4" 500lbs. US tourists who'd been camping out at the barriers since 9 a.m. and refused to let even short little girls in front, so we told 'em to shove it and went for a big lunch, no I'm not bitter, because it rained, and I hope all the fat fucks get Pneumonia and get sent to Iraq and die coughing infected blood in the desert.) \_ Fairings are illegal in the tour. as are recumbents there are some restrictions on frame construction. for a while (dont know if it still the case), anything that was added onto a bike that resulted in aerodynamic advantage was not allowed, which led to some situations where say one piece aerodynamic handle bars were legal but adding on something to standard handlebars that let take a more aerodynamic posture were not legal. Ditto for wheel covers versus one piece wheels where the 'cover' was an integral part of the load bearing design. \_ Sheesh, they should just give everyone stock bikes. \_ Cars in NASCAR were supposed to be stock too. Look how it turned uot. \- hello you may wish to see the immense differences in the HOUR CYCLING RECORDS to evaluate the impact of fairings, recumbents, wheel technolog, EGG, SUPERMAN etc. \_ A bike must fit the body of an individual cyclist. \_ "How Do Cycling Teams Work?" http://www.slate.com/id/2122645 \_ interesting |
2005/7/21-23 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:38759 Activity:moderate |
7/21 http://www.homepricerecords.com This is a little project I've been working on. Let me know if you guys think it's useful or if you just think I'm lamely spamming you. Thanks. -ccook \_ That's pretty cool, but why don't the prices show up in list view? \_ They should...maybe you found a bug. I'll look -ccook \_ very cool. I'm probably the only one here that wants this but I'd love to see Portland, OR added. \_ I'm doing Los Angeles now and looking at other cities too. It mostly depends on how cool the county officials are about data feeds. -ccook \_ Is there a way to sort based on other than Dist? \_ not yet. It's on the list though -ccook \_ Sort by date sold would be most useful. \_ Agreed. -- ulysses \_ This rocks. Can I tell other people about it? -ausman \_tell everyone you know -ccook \_ So, uh, aren't you going to exhaust your Google API license cap? \_ http://www.housingmaps.com for homes/apts still on the market, filtered from craigslist \_ Bug: try putting something in quotes as the address. I was trying to make it match a specific two-word street instead of doing an "or" of the words as it seemed to maybe be doing. (?) \_thanks. My input checks are primitive at best. It's on the list. \_ Nice! Totally, utterly cool. ccook rools!!! -kchang \_ The interface sucks. -tom \_ tom, have I ever mentioned that your temperament's wrong for the priesthood and teaching would suit you still less. -- ulysses \_ ccook, you really need to relate this to biking, like the number of bike trails, bike shops, average bikes per weekend, etc. Otherwise, tom will say straight out that it sucks as it doesn't relate to the only thing in the world he cares about-- biking. |
2005/7/8-10 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:38475 Activity:low |
7/7 This guy is like Tom Holub the fanatic biker except he's more interesting: http://www.adventuresofgreg.com/HPVlog \_ Hmmm, when I saw "HPV," "human powered vehicle" was definitely NOT the first thing that came to mind. \_ What what that then? \_ What was that then? \_ Google HPV and see what comes up. \_ Heh. And I thought pp was thinking of http://www.agilent.com/find/vee \_ Ha ha! I see. |
2005/6/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:38091 Activity:nil |
6/12 Save the planet. RIDE NEKKID BIKE! http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050611/344/fkx04.html |
2005/5/27-31 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:37857 Activity:nil |
5/27 Turn you bike into a "SUV": http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/05/xtracycle_like.php \_ It's "SUB", as cointed in the article. \_ It's "SUB", as coined in the article. \_ These are great. I have a trailor for my bike, and a friend of mine has one of these, he can carry a ton more than I without much difficulty. -scottyg \_ Thx for posting this, it looks really good, more practical than most. Something like this can pay for itself in a short amount of time if you start using it instead of a car! |
2005/5/2-4 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:37456 Activity:nil |
5/2 Is it legal to ride a bicycle through a crosswalk as if you're a pedestrian? \_ Here's the longer version of the story: Car in the left lane, starts to turn left. A bicyclist coming from the right side of the crosswalk (who was possibly already in the crosswalk before the car started to turn left) ends up hitting the front right fender of the car. Pic at /csua/tmp/carvsbike.jpg Whose fault? \_ The bike, looks like. He should be riding in the road, with traffic. (He is traffic.) -tom \_ Agreed. \_ Probably not. CVC 21200 says: "(a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle". The sidewalk is not "a highway," but any public street is, so if you're riding on the street, you have to ride the way a car would. (Note that this section does not ban riding on the sidewalk, though it gives cities the authority to ban such riding.) -tom \_ No. You may walk it. If you are riding, you are not a pedestrian. |
2005/4/11-13 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:37139 Activity:nil |
4/11 RIDE Chainless BIKE: http://www.dynamicbicycles.com \_ much cooler shaft-drive bike: http://www.biomega.dk \_ http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/bikes/default.php "Shaft drive bicycle technology is not new." \_ Funny that nowhere on the site did I find a mention of weight. That is usually a standard thing to list about a bike or frame set... \_ From http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/chainless : "Our shaft drive bikes weigh about one pound more than a comparable chain and derailleur bike, yet their perfect balance keeps the feel of the bike light and responsive." --dbushong \_ That's misleading. The main thing is they're using Shimano Nexus gearhubs. Internal hubs have been around forever. That Shimano is good enough for a casual city bike but not for performance. They also list the weight in their "Q&A": 32 lbs. Boat. Anchor. Rohloff Speedhubs are cool though: http://www.rohloffusa.com |
2005/3/28-30 [Reference/BayArea, Academia/Berkeley, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:36928 Activity:nil |
3/28 Worried about bike theft downtown? http://www.bikestation.org/berkeley |
2005/3/14-16 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:36690 Activity:nil 50%like:36839 50%like:39299 |
3/14 Ride Bike! <DEAD>dailycal.org/article.php?id=17977<DEAD> \_ Is it just me, or does the DailyCal site seem to be down more often than it's up? |
2004/11/6-7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:34728 Activity:high |
11/6 I'm looking for advice on how to properly package a bicycle for traveling by plane in order to minimize hassle from the airline and damage to the bike. I'm flying Delta if that makes any difference. Thanks. \_ I've seen bike cases for sale at bike shops. I've seen a lot of different types, too. \_ There's pretty much no way to minimize hassle from the airlines, these days; they're going to want to charge you at least $50 per flight. Maybe if you take the bike completely apart (remove cranks, handlebars, rear derailleur) and can fit it in a bag small enough to not look like a bike, you might get away with it. I've tried claiming it's "workout equipment" and such, but usually the drones at the counter will screw you. In terms of damage, I think the best way is to take the whole bike to the airport and buy a box (usually $15). Then you just remove the pedals and turn the handlebars sideways. That's a lot more rigid than it would be with the wheels removed. -tom |
2004/9/16-17 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:33565 Activity:very high |
9/16 Kryptonite U locks compromised with a Bic pen: http://www.engadget.com/common/videos/pt/lock.wmv http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=44611 \_ Do the <>s add anything exceptfor making the URL harder to cut and paste? \_ It's meant to separate a URL from other possible punctuation, e.g. so you can avoid a spurious '.' on a URL at the end of a sentence. \_ It also makes URLs with spaces work. \_ It also makes URLs not show up under Mozilla when you read the motd with the cgi finger. So Please don't do it. It's pointless chaff and you're not demonstrating any '1337 motd url posting standards compliance with it. Nice link, though. -John \_ Nice! \_ I hope someone doesn't go on campus, pick all the locks of this kind, swap them among the unlocked bikes, and lock them again. Especially not during the Finals week. \_ Why bother swapping? Just buy some cheap locks and put them on other people's bikes. \_ I'm too cheap to spend $10 on each bike to mess with. \_ I'm too cheap to spend $10 on each bike I want to mess with. \_ http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/daily-news/article.php?id=4637 "was first described in a British bicycle magazine in 1992" "the Bic-opening method applies to many tubular cylinder u-locks" \_ So Kryptonite knew about the problem in 1992 but didn't fix it until 2000? \_ Yeah, they just stopped offering the "If your bike gets stolen while you were using a Kryptonite lock, we'll replace it" gaurantee. \_ If this were a Bush policy initiative, it would be called the "Defend America's Bicycles" plan \_ why do you hate bicycles? \_ I spent the 15 minutes reading the forum URL. Basically any cylinder lock (not only from Kryptonite) is vulnerable to a pen that fits into the cylinder. Basically many cylinder locks (not only from Kryptonite) are vulnerable to a pen that fits snugly into the cylinder. \_ The Kryptonite Co. released this info on the news to create panic and increase sales for their new line, otherwise people would have kept their "reliable locks" and have no need to by the "new high-tech" ones. Nice coincidence that their new product-line can be made available within a few weeks of this "discovery" that existed in 1992. Great Marketing Strategy! |
2004/8/11 [Consumer/Camera, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:32825 Activity:very high |
8/10 Since someone asked, here are a few quality images which I could easily upload: http://gallery.unicyclist.com/album153 -tom \_ thanks. \_ Hey, these are nice photos. Thanks for putting them up. \_ ya very nice except for the one portrait shot. i really like the mountain photo. \_ What don't you like about the portrait? -tom \_ it looks soft/fuzzy and doesn't seem to capture any particular emotion. it's a girl wearing a t-shirt. what were your motivations/thoughts about the photo? what made you decide to include w/ the other photos, which i thought were great? \_ I don't have skill with portraits, but I do like that image quite a bit. Maybe the fact that I know the context is biasing my judgement. (That's why I asked; portraiture is an area I need to improve on). -tom \_ photography is largely subjective. I know people who absolutely love photos which aren't real portraits. I personally like the photo. She's cute too. \_ Ah, man! I wanted pictures of the man himself! -tom holub # fan \_ http://ls.berkeley.edu/images/news/01/uni-tom.jpg \_ thanks for squishing kchang tom. Now please stop squishing the motd \_ great pictures. do you do bike stunts/tricks? \_ "bike" stunts, no. I do some unicycle tricks, but mostly just standard mountain bike trails. -tom \_ did you bike all the way there? \_ Up to Porcupine Rim? Yeah, although a lot of it wasn't rideable in the uphill direction (same with the Slickrock Trail). I rode almost all of it in the downhill direction. -tom |
2004/7/7-8 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:31208 Activity:high |
7/7 Bike route links: http://bicycling.511.org http://vader.abag.ca.gov:8080/BikeQuest http://pages.prodigy.net/hamachi/BikeRoute http://www.klimb.org/klimb.html \_ WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA? \_ RIDE TOM! -yermom \_ USE YERMOM! -linux \_ Why do you hate yermom? \_ I don't hate yermom, yermom is interested. \_ IF YOU AREN'T WITH YERMOM, YOU'RE WITH THE TERRORISTS \_ Did someone ask for bike route links? \_ I think this is tom's clumsy attempt at evangelizing. \_ wrong, twink. someone asked yesterday about bike route links. And I did not post the above. Presumably the OP from yesterday found some. -tom \_ where did "twink" come from originally? does it make you a better person everytime you use the word? \_ http://info.astrian.net/jargon/terms/t/twink.html http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Twink |
2004/7/6 [Transportation/Bicycle, Computer/Networking] UID:31173 Activity:very high |
6/7 Is there anything out there that does the same thing as yahoo directions only for bike routes? \_ Not that I've ever seen. Many cities have some kind of bike map online. Adventure Cycling Association makes bike maps for their distance routes. But in general, it's hard to find bike routes unless you know them already, or ask a local bike shop. -tom \_ well, it sure would be awsome if someone were to set this up. it seems to me that it wouldnt be very hard as long as you make it easy for random users to upload routes and veryify the quality of existing routes. now if only we could find some super-geek who's really into cycling, good with computers, has free time... \_ I've always wanted some kind of database of routes that would just pick some place for me to go if I wanted to go for, say a 3-hour ride. The tricky part would be returning results that were relevant to the rider's strength level and climbing ability. \_ I just got back from London. While there, I picked up a bikers map that had different colors showing the biker friendliness of certain streets. |
2004/6/23-24 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:30975 Activity:very high |
6/23 Now that you've tricked your civic, why not trick your bike: http://www.turbospoke.com/global/products.asp \_ hmmm. I might just have to get some of that shit for my unicycle. now *that* will be cool. \_ I don't think it would work on a unicycle; the pipe would get in the way of the cranks/your legs. -tom \_ well, if you mounted it along the bar, then yeah, it'll be pointing straight down and hence in the way, but if you built a little mounting bracket right under the seat so it went horizontally, right out from the back of the seat, you'd be ok. of course, for what these hosers are charging i'll probably just build it myself...with a flame jet! \_ sure it'll work, but you'd have to mount it differently. just make a bracket right under the seat that mounts it horizontally going out from under the back of the seat. i think having shoot flames would also be a good idea. it would look like a fart. \_ but you can attach a big spoiler under the seat post. \_ Why do you hate linux? \_ huh? |
2003/10/7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:29560 Activity:nil |
10/6 bike troll deleted. |
2003/8/27-28 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:29490 Activity:high |
8/27 http://www.bikepolo.com/default.htm - anyone ever done this, or have any tips on a good field to do it on in the Berkeley area? \_ this was fairly popular among bike geeks 4 years ago, I'm not sure if there are too many people that still play bike polo \_ see an article in June 22 2003 NY Times magazine entitled "The Marketing of No Marketing" ... about Pabst Blue Ribbon drinkers, with an intro about bike messenger's playing bike polo. \_ i've read that article, and i never said that nobody plays bike polo today, just that it was fairly popular a few years ago and that it isn't as popular now |
2003/6/23 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:28815 Activity:low |
6/23 Sweet Foosball action: http://media.ebaumsworld.com/index.php?e=foosball.mpg \_ That's the foosball equivalent of the over-the-head backwards kick in soccer-- brilliant! \_ That's the foosball equivalent of the bicycle kick-- brilliant! (Thank you, soccer fan!) \_ aka bicycle kick |
2003/6/6-7 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Motorcycle] UID:28655 Activity:moderate |
6/6 Has anyone highsided their motorcycle? How would one "save" it? \_ Once you would call it a highside, you're in the air. Nothing to save. A step short would be a tankslapper. \_ http://www.msgroup.org/TIP001.html \_ With the blue or the puke orange neon? |
2003/5/19 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:28482 Activity:low |
5/18 Ride Bike! http://csua.org/u/2z2 |
2003/3/17 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Motorcycle] UID:27720 Activity:nil |
3/16 Is stuff cooked over an open flame - i.e. skewers/kebobs really more healthy than fried or other regular foods? \_ less fat thatn frying (it all drips away) OTOH, the yummy chemicals created by searing the fat on the food is mildly carcinogenic. Its a trade-off \_ ride bike! \_ ride motorcycle or bicycle? |
2003/3/11-12 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Motorcycle] UID:27652 Activity:high |
3/11 How much do bike fairings cost? Say you messed up a CBRF4i fairing... \_ more than you think they should. If you wanna go honda parts I suggest calling honda of milpitas. They tend to give really good prices AND they ship locally. F4s also have lots of after market bits available, including fairings, which should be cheaper. Expect several hundred dollars to a thousand or so depending on how many pieces you broke. \_ whats wrong with stock fairings? \_ Cost more, and aftermarket ones may be lighter/look cooler/etc. \_ You can find tons of fairings on eBay for better prices. Might have to wait a while for the ones you want, but you can set a saved search to mail you new results. Also, there's a couple of salvage shops you can try (one not far from the Milpitas honda), though I forget the names. --saarp (who's had to put more than his fare share of bikes together) \_ chances are those parts are stolen. \_ Uhhhh so how many times did you fuc^H^H^H drop your bike? \_ http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2406887947&category=35583 holy crap this means each time you drop your bike you've wasted $300. That is crazy. \_ now you know why 1) bikes with lots of plastic are not recommended for beginners and 2) you see a lot of bikes out there with fucked up/missing fairings. \_ What's a fairing? - biker dummy/wannabe |
2003/3/4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:27594 Activity:low |
3/3 Ok I'm considering one of the two options on my bike: http://www.hyperlites.com http://www.riderstation.com Which one would you guys recommend? \_ I'm not so sure that having flashing lights on the back of your bike would be legal, but then again, I'm not the one considering doing this. Make sure it's legal first. \_ I think the flash 5 secs then solid would be legal, but not the continuous mode. I'm not sure either is a good idea - distracting drivers may not be fully effective. \_ i just bought lifebrites, cheaper than hyperlites for universal use. also be sure you can be seen from the front, too. \_ where'd you mount them, on the side of the plates? |
2003/2/26 [Transportation/Bicycle, Industry/Jobs] UID:27528 Activity:high |
2/25 I'm a lazy 5'8" sysadm, is a kawa ninja 500 big enough for me? \_ almost related - I'll be selling my bmw 850R soon, and cheap. Showing age (72k), but motor is solid. Reasonable first bike, good commuter. was 130 this year for 100/300 liability. -jor \_ yes \_ on a related note, how much do you bikers pay for insurance? - biker-wannabe \_ depends entirely on cost/year of the bike, displacement, and your driving record/experience/training. anywhere from $150 per year to $3000 per year. -- caliban \_ I have a 2001 Ninja 500 (aka EX500) for sale. Mail me if you're interested. Was my first bike too, glad I didn't go get anything more. -nevman \_ are you a sysadm? how much you weigh? i am very comfortable on it. -- caliban \_ sysadm, hmm, let me fire up the old abacus. First question is how many tubs of butter do you eat per day? \_ that depends on what you are looking for in a bike. the ninja/ex 500 is a perfect starter bike for a new rider who is interested in sport bikes. you'll want to replace it, most likely, in a year or two max. i'm 5'8" and can fit just fine on any sport bike, though something shorter like the ex 500 (or250) makes for more confident learning. i currently ride a BMW R1150GS, a huge bike, and though 5'8" is about the limit for that bike, i am very comfortable on it. -- caliban \_ are you a sysadm? how much you weigh? \_ sysadm, eh? Hmm, let me fire up the old abacus. First question is how many tubs of butter do you eat per day? \_ my roomate's 5'7" and he when he rides a 500EX he could barely touch the ground with his toes (30.5" height on the 500). Does that mean he can't ride taller bikes like the ZX-6R (32.5" height)? |
2002/12/6-7 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Motorcycle] UID:26740 Activity:high |
12/5 Has anyone tried riding a motorcycle from LA<->SF area on say, I-5 or 101? How was it? Was it doable? Tiring? Not recommended? \_ I did Berkeley to UCLA in 7 hours on 101. It's a bit rough at that pace, need to net about 70mph including the 2 gas stops. It's a nice ride from San Luis Obispo to Ventura, then 101 goes inland and sucks. -jor \_ I thought the 580 to the 5 is faster? \_ I thought 580 to 5 is faster? \_ not in summer, in proper riding attire. \_ Well, It kinda depends on the bike, amoung other things. It's certainly doable, whether you WANT to or not is another question entirely. :P But if the bike is comfortable, and \_ I've driven the I5 many times and *never* seen a bike on it. Ever. you have 8 hours, whatever. I-5 is really boring tho' -jrleek \_ I've driven I5 many times and *never* seen a bike on it. Ever. Not one. Maybe there's a reason for that. Maybe you'll be first bike! like on slashdot or fc! \_ I have a friend who has done that multiple ways. says get maps \_ The fun foothill roads where James Dean died (in a Porsche). --dim and follow the more fun highways parallel to I-5 in the foothills. be sure you're up to handling strong gusty cross-winds. \_ The fun foothill roads where James Dean died (in a Porsche). --dim \_ Hmm...bugs. \_ The distance isn't that bad, but from my experiance with long distance motorcycling, getting OFF the major highways made for a lot more interesting and a lot less stressful (and therefore less tiring) riding. So I'd suggest 101 over 5 and country roads over both if possible. -aspo \_ my husband and i caravan'd down to L.A. -- he on the bike, me in the car. it was _not_ very comfortable for him, and since cars weren't expecting a motorcycle on the road, not very safe at times. we went down I-5. At Harris Ranch, we took a break and he found it so comfortable to sit in the car that we ditched the bike and picked it up on the way back. his motorcycle was a really fast racing bike, not a cruiser, so it may be a different experience on something like a BMW bike. Plus, it was the middle of winter and it got pretty cold for him. \_ i was expecting the story to end in sex. where's the rest of this story? please repost! |
2002/8/15 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:25574 Activity:high |
8/15 Stolen from CL for the Zen bicycle freaks among you: A Bicycle Zen Koan, for your edification and amusement: A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?" The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do." The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world." The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel." The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming." The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple." \_ encore! cool! (What is "CL"?) |
2002/6/5 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:24988 Activity:high |
6/3 Is anyone driving to Monterey next Monday? I need a ride to Usenix conference. -akopps \_ ajani is going, not driving AFAIK, and also looking for a ride \_ obBuyACar. \_ How about Greyhound? \_ Where's the "RIDE BIKE" people? \_ I already offered to pay him 36 cents a mile to ride bike. -tom \_ will that even cover his food? it sure as hell won't cover the value of his time. \_ Time spent riding a bike down the coast to Monterey is inherently well-used. -tom \_ That's a personal opinion. That may work fine for your life but other people aren't living your life. I'll bet greyhound and public transport could get him there and back for under $99 for everything. Probably less. Not everyone has decided to effectively retire to a government job in their 20s. \_ I'm sure your personal opinion is sitting around a conference room with a bunch of pathetic geeks splitting hairs over the merits of the various Linux distributions is much more interesting than having the life-affirming experience of a bike tour on one of the best bike touring routes in the world. Have fun, loser. -tom \_ I actually laughed out loud when I read this. Why do you get so personally offended when you see someone else choosing a path through life different than that you chose for yourself? You know _nothing_ about my or most anyone else's personal opinion about what is more interesting or "life-affirming" and then toss in a grade school level personal attack at the end. Give yourself some twinks points and get over it. You might be sure of lots of things but your personal certainty doesn't make you right in any way. Have fun, tom. -toms #1 loser \_ Look, if you're going to attack someone personally in the motd, you can't be upset when they respond in kind. -!tom \_ Who attacked him personally? If he took that as a personal attack valium is the solution. He never said he took it as a personal attack. Have Berkeley students become so sensitive that *any* disagreement is seen as personal? God save Cal. While I'm here, who said *I* took it personally when he called me a loser. I *laughed*. Sheesh. Spread the valium at the next meeting. |
2001/12/8-11 [Transportation/Bicycle, Recreation/Music] UID:23182 Activity:high |
12/7 Looking for a female roommate in Albany. Email me for details. -chaos \_ How well can you play jazz piano? Just curious. \_ Somewhere between "decent" and "well." I read off of lead sheets very well, but have to think about +11/13 and dim chords. Not so on +7/+9/sus chords. I'm used to not playing with a bass, so I almost always lead with the chord root on the bass - not good for ensemble jazz. Decent improv. Answer your question? Now, please... roommate search... -chaos \_ um, I am interested, but can you sight read all 24 Chopin Etudes? \_ You're not funny. \_ I don't get it (the humor and why it's not funny) \_ Have you ever seen what Chopin's Etudes look like? \_ no, I'm ignorant. Now please fuckin explanavu \_ Ok here it is: "sight read" means "play the music the first time you see the sheet music." Chopin wrote music that is very intricate and difficult to play. Most pianists need to practice for years before they can smoothly play Chopin etudes. -fab \_ looking for a female roomate on motd is like looking for nice attractive NORMAL UNPSYCHOTIC people who are not Linux and bike ride fanatics at CSUA. \_ I'm all of these things! \_ I'm all except attractive. But I'm not ugly either. At least, not as ugly as your mom (yes, not saying too much, I know). \_ i'm attractive and nonpsychotic and not a linux or bike fanatic... \_ Well I'm ugly, psychotic, ride a friggin' bike when it doesn't hurt my back too much and I got SuSE installed at home (on one partition, anyway). You ready for me stomp on yer face, pretty boy? |
2001/9/21-22 [Transportation/Bicycle, Computer/SW/Security] UID:22583 Activity:high |
9/21 How is the government going to enforce the backdoors in the open source encryption software considering that it will be trivial to remove them given that you have access to the program source? \_ i just want to say something about all this encryption backdoor stopping the terrorist horseshit. If you have a good network of human couriers that can act as go betweens once a year or so, you can communicate the key to a one time pad generated by a random noise source like jonson noise or something. no one can break it, and even a moron can use it securely. The NSA knows this of course. they want to read YOUR mail, and make morons feel safe; this has nothing to do with stopping real threats. \_ Practically none of the security restrictions have to do with stopping real threats. You can drive across the Golden Gate but you can't bike across. You can hide a knife in your boot getting on a plane but not in your bag. It's a predictable reaction. -tom \_ Maybe they're worried about bikers/pedestrians getting killed by a bomb. Who cares about car drivers? \_ allowing unruly bikers across the bridge (which i may add has the variable # of lanes in either direction) would cause drivers to have more accidents, since bikers will swerve into traffic and assume the car drivers will sacrifice their vehicles to save the bikers life. (from experience in SF downtown traffic commute). \_ Are you a complete idiot? There are SIDEWALKS on the Golden Gate. -tom \_ What does your bike-across-the-bridges fetish have to do with terrorism and encryption? \_ They closed the sidewalks on the Golden Gate as a response to the terrorist attacks. -tom \_ Remove the backdoors from the source code? You mean removing them by altering the encryption scheme? \_ I think you should do a little reading on this kind of thing first. Then if you still don't understand you can ask your question. |
2001/8/16-19 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/PublicTransit] UID:22140 Activity:nil 61%like:21405 |
8/15 Quasi-Geek bike ride this Saturday; meet at 9:00 AM at Rockridge BART. Mail ride-bike-request for details. |
2001/7/12 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:21772 Activity:very high |
7/11 I broke one of the shifters on my circa 91 hard rock and I need a replacement. Anyone know of a shop in the south bay that might be able to get a replacement and install it for me? My shifter is a suntour (sp?) if that makes any difference. ----ranga \_ It's not very likely that you'll be able to find above-bar thumb shifters at a bike shop. Suntour is out of business and for the past several years all mountain bikes have had under-bar shifters or something equally distasteful. You could replace both shifters, but they'd probably be indexed for 8 or 9 gears instead of the 7 you likely have on your bike. Shimano is the Microsoft of the bike world. -tom \_ I had the "quick-shift" style shifter if it makes any difference. I wouldn't mind replacing both shifters, but I though that switching to Shimano means that I would have to replace the entire gear system as well. Do you know if that is the case? Thanks. ----ranga \_ Almost certainly not for the front shifter. For the rear shifter, it depends on the freewheel spacing and the indexing in the shifter. It's reasonably likely you'd need to replace your freewheel, but a bike store probably would know better than me, I haven't dealt with the under-bar shifters much. -tom |
2001/6/27 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:21648 Activity:nil |
6/27 Anyone know where I can get a Suntour XP shifter? The shifter on my bike was damaged during a ride and I need to get a new one but the local bike shops in SJ don't seem to carry Suntour anymore. |
2001/5/28-29 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:21372 Activity:very high |
5/28 I'm thinking about biking. What do you guys prefer, street bike or mountain bike? What is more dangerous statistically speaking-- if biking in SF/Oakland I might get hit by a car (and die), and if biking in mtn I might break a bone or two. \_ Statistically speaking, biking is safer than driving in any case, so don't worry about it. If you like being in control, or the idea of going long distances, go with road biking. If you like being out of control, and the idea of getting to very remote areas, go with mountain biking. -tom \_ Stastically speaking anyone can make statistics say anything they want to support or oppose any position. "How to lie with statistics" is available through amazon, thin, and cheap. statistics" is available through amazon, thin, and cheap. And no, there's no point in countering one set of statistics with another. And none of this has anything to do with the original question anyway. -reiffin \_ Oh, so statistics are inherently useless--instead of trying to figure out what happens in the real world, we should just use reiffin's world view as the authoritative source for all information! Man, no wonder you don't sign your posts, and delete anything which disagrees with you. -tom \_ The motto of the Berkeley Statistics department is: "No prior knowledge required." (See if anyone gets the inside joke, alice should). \_ the amusing thing is that reiffin used to work for the statistics department. \_ Heheh, I guess Blackwell didn't have a say in this motto. -- alice \_ Heheh. -- alice \_ You are not alice. \_ I am Alice. -alice@97.3 \_ Says who? -- alice \_ Ok, if you are alice, explain the inside joke. \_ statistically, little children bike. are you a man or a baby? \_ Statistically speaking, fat slobs drive, are you a fat slob? \_ You can get a pretty nice road bike for less than you'll have to pay for a pretty nice mountain bike, it seems. Neither seems more dangerous to me with respect to cars since the road rides I go on aren't on crowded roads during commute hours or anything like that. \_ Any ideas where to buy a good street/road bike and how much it could cost? \_ I like Missing Link. Pretty much any road bike carried by a local bike shop will be good--they usually don't carry anything under $600. -tom \_ Mountain bike for me. If you went through Berkeley without mountain biking the Berkeley/Oakland hills, you are missing out on a fabulous experience. \_ If you're not planning to ride anywhere but streets, a road bike (or even a hybrid) will be a much easier ride. I have to expend much more energy to ride a mountain bike than a road bike, I assume because of the larger wheels. |
2001/5/21 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:21313 Activity:very high |
5/21 I got a mail from PG&E saying that if I adjust the timer on my pool I'll get a $20 rebate. Anybody else got that? My pool timer is already set to after 8pm and I already run it for only 2 hours a day. \_ You run your pool during one of the hottest times of the year? You greedy over-consuming pig! You drive an SUV dont you? I'll bet you don't even *own* a bike and don't USE LINUX! either. \_ plus i bet 5 families could live in the house he's hogging to himself. down with the bourgeois! power to the workers! \_ Hi Paolo! <- paolo signs his posts, remember? \_ 37337 GN00 11N SUX H4X0R5 0F 7H3 W0R1D UN173! U H4V3 N07H1NG 2 L053 BU7 UR M$ 3UL45! \_ 5 families? Are you nuts? 10 to 15 easily! And you call yourself a Friend of the Peoples? \_ Since when did "Ride bike, use Linux" become "Own bike, use Linux"? Owning is wasteful! Go for bikepool and bike sharing! |
2000/10/8-9 [Transportation/Bicycle, Computer/SW/Database] UID:19436 Activity:moderate |
10/7 Anyone able to host a website, fairly small, for local nonprofit bicycle group (BFBC)? Take a look at current format at http://www.bfbc.org -- jnat \_ Yah, Ride Bike! \_ you can't afford $30/month? \_ we can if you'll pay it. easier to find someone who is already online who can handle a small website \_ http://www.dbwired.com = $5.95 per month |
2000/9/26 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Motorcycle] UID:19332 Activity:nil |
9/24 In So. CAl they have teh greatest invention in the history of Mankind... _The REcycler_ magazine. Free classified adds (not for dealers) and you pay like $1 to buy it. I can get up early Thursday morning, get it, and have a new(to me) motorcycle by Thursday night. Why (oh why?) is there nothing like that up here? It is a giant PAIN to shop for a used Bike. I know some of you CSUAers ride, Where should i look? \_ http://www.recycler.com --dim \_ Um, i apreciate the thought, but, you know, i did try that. The problem is that there is a dirth of adds for this area. I don't want to have to drive to LA to get my bike. \_ there is a similar paper called "diablo dealer" in contra costa county. pick one up in orinda or lafayette. they advertise their sister papers in it too.. I think there might be one for the richmond area too? \_Cycle Trader is the only way to go in Northern california. For some reason, bay area folks think thier old shit is worth more than blue book. Good luck, dont go to a used bike dealership also, they will rip you off. \_ see blue book is too large of an area. In the bay area there is a much higher market for bikes so the tend to go for a bit more. You figure it out. (Also people tend to be negotiable on prices, you ask for more than you expect to get and all that) |
2000/9/19 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:19289 Activity:high |
9/18 What makes a bike turn? The horizontal component of lift makes an airplane turn. Does that mean the horizontal component of weight shift in a bike makes it turn? \_ bike tires have a circular profile (when inflated). the strip of rubber running down the middle of the crown is the farthest from the center of the wheel (radius), while the edges of the crown the closest. when you "turn" a bike at speed, you are really leaning into the turn and riding a contact patch biased towards one of the edges. the rubber stripes at the inner and outer edges of this patch travel different distances (circumferences) for the same revolution, and this causes the turn. -jwang \_ Equal and opposite force. \_ It's the horizontal component of the friction on the front wheel. Weight points downward, and the horizontal component is zero. -- yuen \_ no, the horizontal component of lift on an airplane only makes it go sideways. horizontal deflection of air from the tail only is what makes it yaw (turn). \_ WRONG. link:www.gleim.com/Aviation/howtheyfly.html \_ quite simply, that page is confusing at best, and technically wrong at worst. You can turn a plane without banking it (its called a 'slipping turn'?). The rudder controls the 'turning' part, the yaw, which is even mentioned on that page. that Gleim page is more of an instructional one that tries to simplify things. \_ Bunch of dumb asses! You turn the steering wheel, so it turns! \_ Haven't you guys ever seen the experiment where you hold a spinning bicycle tire in your hand and try to turn it along an axis perpendicular to the one about which it is spinning? I can't really explain it, but I believe this is related to why a bike turns if you lean over. If the bike was moving, but the wheels were not spinning (for example if you were sliding on ice), then you would fall over instead of turn if you lean. It's conservation of angular momentum or something. lean. It's conservation of angular momentum. When you lean, you change the angular momentum vector. To conserve angular momentum, the bike changes direction. |
2000/7/13-14 [Reference/BayArea, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:18669 Activity:high |
7/13 SQUIRT RIDE TOMORROW! Berkeley Critical Mass takes to the streets with waterpistols, bike cart sound system, couch on wheels and more! gather 5:30 PM downtown Berkeley BART every second Friday to leave around 6-6:15 PM. Dinner and bike videos after. http://guest.xinet.com/bike/couch \_ When I was 18 I could squirt up to 8 times a day. Now at 30 I can only squirt 3 times a day. Is this decrease of performance normal for a guy? \_ it's quality not quantity that counts -30 year old \_ tom, is that you? \_ I'm 32 and I sign my posts. -tom \_ Which doesn't add anything to the quality or usefulness. Being 32, that is. \_ Gee, are you sure it's a decrease in performance? Maybe your masturbation is more effective now. \_ Only 8 times at age 18? See a doctor. \_ The more you squirt, the earlier it rots. \_ This is a use-it-or-lose-it deal. |
2000/6/26-27 [Transportation/Bicycle, Science/Electric] UID:18550 Activity:high |
6/26 http://www.msnbc.com/news/421567.asp Ride a bike w/ a motor that emits water vapor only \_ Isn't a bike with a motor, a motocycle? \_ even better, ride a bike with no motor and emit the water vapor by yourself \_ You also emit CO2--more greenhouse gases! \_ yeah, and this happens even if you're on the bike that has a motor \_ Beans. \_ Oh joy, riding around with a fibre wrapped pressurized hydrogen canister under your butt. \_ At least it's a mistake you'll only make once. \_ Water vapor is also a greenhouse gas. |
2000/6/25-27 [Transportation/Bicycle, Reference/Military] UID:18547 Activity:nil |
6/24 Spike Bike lives! http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/5265/atb.htm |
2000/6/4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:18405 Activity:high |
6/3 I think these pro-bike and anti-bike fanatics are equally stupid. \_ No one cares what you think and there are no anti-bike fanatics. There are bike fanatics. Anti-car fanatics. And the rest of us opposed to people shoving their lifestyle down the throats of others at all times, no matter how inappropriate. \_ excuse me, Mz. Tyranny of the Majority, but I don't like your easy dismissal of alternative lifestyles. TOTM is just as much shoving lifestyles down throats as anything. \_ No one is insisting that you're evil for riding a bike or that driving a car is the only Pure and Moral lifestyle choice, thanks. Do whatever the fuck you want with your life and keep it to your loud mouthed minority self. Go play with an ac transit bus. Public transport is your friend. \_ -1 Troll |
2000/6/2-4 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:18386 Activity:high |
6/1 For those who have never biked in a city, any advice? \_ Read "Effective Cycling", by John Forester. Ride on the right side of the road, don't ride on the sidewalk, ride far enough away from parked cars that an opening door won't get you. -tom \_ Which means riding in the street. How's your medical insurance? Linux is safer. \_ two things: riding in the street is safer than riding on the sidewalk, and riding in the street on a bike is safer than driving. How's *your* medical insurance? -tom \_ Stop with the bogus statistics. We're all smart enough to twist the numbers to say anything we want. At least come up with a URL so your numbers can be torn apart fair and square. \_ http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/comparat.html -tom \_ The first link is full of crap statistics carefully chosen to make biking look "6 times safer than living!" The article makes the claim that if you were immune to all other forms of death and cycled 24x7 you'd live 6 times longer. Uhm, what? What a crock. The second link is just a reprint of the exact same numbers from the exact same people on a chart that was already in the first link. Use Linux. I'm pretty sure it's safer than riding your bike in the middle of the street. Since there are no Linux vs. Biking Safety bogus 'studies' out yet, I can't 'prove' it though the same way you tried. \_ I won't defend statistics coming from impartial studies from the flames of an anonymous coward. I only ask, where are *your* statistics? -tom \_ No study is impartial. Someone paid them to do it. Nothing is free. Your typical ad hominen attack is sooooooo old, tom. Let it go. \_ I think it's funny that I completely smashed tom's totally biased statistics "biking is safer" nonsense and it all got deleted but all the pro-bike garbage was left behind. The truth hurts so some baby has to delete it. No, I'm not saying tom deleted it, but whoever did is a big cry baby biker. I have a \_ I'm not denying the health gain from this or any other form of excercise. The stats tom provided are twisted beyond the point of meaningless, however. copy but won't bother restoring it. I successfully made my point if someone felt the need to selectively purge it. Once again, the biker crowd proves to have the whiney baby bad apples. Biking is *not* proven safer. Certainly not "6 times safer than living!". Time to graduate and join the adult world, kids. \_ The presentation of the stats is clearly partisan. I also disagree with the use of time over mileage, since you spend more time to get there on a bike. Since it is based on all cagers and cyclists, I don't think you can claim either to be safer. the health gain, otoh, is inrefutable. -jor \_ I don't need contradictory stats. I'm more than satisfied to have proved my original point, namely that you don't have any valid stats to back up your false claim that biking is safer than driving. Thanks. I'm done with this thread. \_ per-exposure-hour is pretty much the accepted method for risk assessment. If you cycle rather than drive, you won't commute to Sunnyvale from Berkeley. In a given time frame (or lifetime), exposure hours for a cyclist and driver will be similar, even though exposure miles will not be. Exposure-hours is clearly a better measure if you are interested in how likely it is that you personally will be affected. I agree that the presentation of the stats is partisan--that's because it's a cyclist's site. But I challenge you to find contradictory stats of any kind. -tom \_ be careful, especially in berkeley...almost got sideswiped by an ac transit bus. \_ Doesn't matter if your on bike or in car, ac transit drivers don't give a shit and figure it's your job to get out of their way. \_ ...and thats probably the least that you can do. If I drove a 30 foot bus around for 8 hours a day, I'd probably be somehwat pissed too. \_ A friend of mine fell to avoid a pedestrian on campus and broke his PalmV. Make sure you carry it in a hard case and not a leather one if you bike a lot. \_ One friend of mine had a bad fall. Mostly burns but he was in such pain I have to go pick him up. My old roommate got it worse - concussion, loss of consciousness, broken jaw, bike disappeared, overnight stay at ICU, loss of maybe 3 week worth of memory, huge medical bill, one lost semester. \_ Must've been the fault of the car. \_ Who knows. I also biked to school everyday in Berkeley. poor college students. It is very dangerous (heard of other incidents too), so becareful. Also, be very careful with bike thieves. A good bike is almost gauranteed to be stolen unless you are extremely careful with it. \_ You need a Denver Boot for your bike. \_ Who knows? *Obviously* it was the car's fault. The guy on the bike is *always* an Innocent Victim of the Evil Motorist. Bikers *never* do any sort of "creative" non-following of the laws. Never happens. \_ very simple piece of advice that you will pick up fast. STAY OFF THE MAIN DRAGS. Biking down, say, Sacramento, is foolish. Just go a block off the main streets and creativly pay attention to traffic laws. \_ But who would be the first to bitch and moan and piss and whine if cars were half as creative with the laws as bikes? When they require a license to ride a bike in traffic, I'll take bikes seriously. Until then, it's for kids, AIDS rides, and poor college students. [Restored the truth for you big baby biker types who can't deal honestly with life] \_ exactly! stay off the min streets. especially shattuck to avoid those ac transit buses unless you have a death wish. \_ Sacramento is a fine cycling street. Telegraph is the best commute street in Berkeley. Side streets have bad intersections--most bike/car accidents happen at intersections. Riding, for example, on Colby/Hillegass is much more dangerous than either Telegraph or College. -tom \_ I used to bike up and down San Pablo Ave, especially if it was busy. The only naer collisions I had with cars were ones that sped through side streets. \_ Yeah, ride 24x7 and you'll live 6 times longer according to tom's bike safty statistics. |
2000/2/9 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:17473 Activity:nil |
2/8 Oprah bike troll purged. \_ the web page has been moved to a "killed" directory. -tom |
2000/2/8-9 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:17459 Activity:high |
2/8 Tell Oprah Winfrey that she should RIDE BIKE: http://www.oprah.com/tows/intheworks/tows_works_bike.html \_ I've never been hurt by a car or pedestrian. I've been hit by careless stupid selfish morons on bikes. No one over 16 should be allowed to use a bike outside a sporting arena or other private property. \_ troll deleted. property. [non-troll, true reply restored, fuck you] [twice] \_ Even if that's your true opinion, you're still a troll, dumfuk. \_ It isn't a troll if it's my true opinion, idiot. And it isn't opinion. It is a fact that I've never been hurt by a motor vehicle or pedestrian under any circumstances. I have been hit _twice_ by clueless careless selfish stupid fuck bike riding morons. Thank you for your worthless input. Now go RIDE BIKE! USE LINUX! and die. \_ Stupid whiney biker fucks. \_ I don't mind bikers, but they're all suicidal and don't quite understand the whole the whole thing about a ton of metal vs. a few dozen pounds of wire and flesh not always necessarily working out in their favor. -John emacs user was here \_ ED! ED IS THE ANSWER! -psb #8 fan |
1999/12/30 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/PublicTransit] UID:17123 Activity:very high |
12/29 Bike or take public transport. \_ I used to bike to work ... but then the co. was very small and now I share the room with several other employees -- how do you deal with showers/sweatiness/stench? \_ It's not a problem for reasonably short rides. For longer ones, bring a change of clothes. -tom \_ Glad I don't share space with you. \_ Public transit and/or bike just isn't feasible for certain commutes. I.e. berkeley<->palo alto. 45 minutes drive (outside of traffic hours), 2.5 hours+ via caltrain+bart \_ 46 72 69 6E 6B 20 72 75 6C 65 73 21 \_ 1782^12 + 1841^12 = 1922^12 \_ e^(pi*i) = -1 \_ I've always preferred e^(pi*i) + 1 = 0 \_ But that's just because someone _defined_ e(i*x) to be cos(x) + i * sin(x), right? \_ P = NP |
1999/10/26-27 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/PublicTransit] UID:16774 Activity:nil |
10/25 I just spent $500 on a nasty car scratch I got in Oakland and realized that I could've spent that money on many years of BART or bike-ride. FUCK CARS!!! \_ Go away, troll. If BART was a useful form of transport for you, you'd have been using it for years already. Go away. You're full of shit. This never happened. Sign your name. \_ Troll or not, $500 would only get you 100 days on BART. You'd get a pretty kick-ass bike for it though. --PeterM \_ Yeah but if you're riding a $500 bike in oakland, its likely it would get stolen. \_ Hell you could be walking for FREE!!!!!!!!!111 \_ You could just not fix the scratch. Go see Fight Club. It's inspired me to live in a slum and forsake all my worldly possessions and become a terrorist Siddharta. \_ wow, you lived with arvin too? \_ And then you could RIDE BIKE! up to a federal building with a few tons of explosives on the back. |
1999/7/12-14 [Computer/SW/Security, Transportation/Bicycle, Computer/SW/OS/Windows] UID:16115 Activity:high |
7/12 a good windows mail client that supports pgp? Wait, i know, RIDE BIKE, use linux, I DO, but i need *others* to use pgp with and the others use windows. \_ Outlook \_ Outlook? What version? Last v. I tried was complete trash. \_ ok, pardon my ignorance, but could someone please explain the connection betwen Linux and RIDE BIKE ? \_ Guessing: someone is mocking the attitude/mentality of both groups? \_ How does that differ from the 50 million "Windoz Rulez, \_ Who said it differed? use windows" that also go on the motd, not to mention that their attitudes and mentality are usually worse. I also seem to remember a quote, "drive a fucking car you hippie" posted somewhere on a long ago motd showing taht non-bike riders are just about as bad. \_ PGP for Windows (commercial, from NAI) will integrate well with Eudora Light or Pro. However, Eudora light tends to corrupt important Windows files and generally suck. --dbushong \_ ride bike. \_ use freebsd. \_ use linux. \_ freebsd >> linux \_ use Motd::Public; \_ Less filling >> tastes great |
1999/7/12-14 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:16108 Activity:moderate |
7/12 Hi, does anyone know of any bike companies that will sponsor me to borrow a bike for the Boston to New York AIDS Ride 5? I will be participating in it on September 16-18. Any leads would be appreciated. Please e-mail me. --pcjr \_ try http://www.airborne.net -- newcomers starving for any kind of \_ RIDE BIKE!!! USE LINUX!!! publicity, it appears. ugly bikes, however. \_ buy a bike you twink. -tom \_ don't limit yourself to bike companies. the competition for sponsorship from them must be fierce. --caliban \_ I used to work for a cycling goods distributor. I saw the sponsorship applications that came in, and I saw who was accepted. In short, you have to be a badass to get sponsorship. --sowings |
1999/7/4-6 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:16068 Activity:nil |
7/04 What's a good bike shop in the Berkeley area? What's a good bike to buy. I'm looking at buying a bike and any advice is appreciated. \_ you'll have to be more specific. what kind of riding will you be doing? what's your price range? tom has some good advice at http://www.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU/~tom/advice.html |
1999/6/24-25 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:16013 Activity:nil |
6/24 Massive bike ride tomorrow, 5:30 near Embarcadero BART First Int'l Bike Summer in SF this year: http://www.bikesummer.org \_ didnt see anything about this on the website... ? |
1999/6/10-11 [Transportation/Bicycle, Science/Space, Transportation/PublicTransit] UID:15938 Activity:nil |
6/10 SQUIRT RIDE TOMORROW!!!! 100 water pistols, a couch, and you and your bike! Gatehr 5:30 pm to leave around 6 pm, downtown BART |
1999/5/18 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:15829 Activity:insanely high |
5/17 Bike or take public transport. \_ I used to bike to work ... but then the co. was very small and now I share the room with several other employees -- how do you deal with showers/sweatiness/stench? \_ It's not a problem for reasonably short rides. For longer ones, bring a change of clothes. -tom \_ if you live in an rv or bus in the parking lot you can shower in your vehicle and walk to work and not pay rent. bikes suck. \_ get job somewhere with showers at work. \_ where? \_ soda hall \_ sun \_ Any company in Marina Village, Alameda \_ LBL \_ organic, vivid, wired \_ Showers at work is a major career choice maker for \_ Showers at work aren't really necessary if you're riding 5 miles or less (and depending on personal tendencies, possibly much more than that). Just bring a change of clothes. -tom me. In fact, being able to bike to work is the only factor in choosing a job, apartment, and girl friend. Biking is all. Kill all drivers. \_ yes, kill 'em all, but don't let god sort them out. let me sort them out. i have some special things planned for the non users of turn signals and those who defile the crosswalks. \_ I was being sarcastic. What kind of moron centers his whole life around a bicycle? There's a special place in Hell for bikers who don't stop at red lights or stops signs and treat pedestrians like crap. \_ I used to buzz pedestrians crossing on a red. Was I evil? \_ Peds *always* have the right of way. Period. *Always*. Yes. You fucked up. You did wrong. *Always* no matter how stupid they are. \_ Don't forget those who think turning on their hazard lights exempts them from obeying all traffic laws, common courtesy, and common sense. \_ I drive to work every day with my hazards on doing 90+ mph. The cops and everyone else leaves me alone, I don't pay bridge tolls and it's a damned fine way to avoid accidents since everyone avoids a car they think might be about to explode. \_ Buy your co-workers nose-clips for Xmas presents. \_ lick yourself off like a cat |
1999/2/16-17 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/Car] UID:15419 Activity:moderate |
2/15 I'm thinking of buying a Roof Rack. Which brand is better, Yakima or Thule? Which lasts longer, easier to mount/unmount, and have good accessories? THANKS! \_ yakima uber alles \_ Yakima seems to have better accesories support. That's why I ended up buying one. And a round bar looks better than a square one, IMHO. Only complaint -- wind noise, but I'm sure every rack has that problem. -nev \_ Yakima is very easy to install (the foot and clip come in one piece) and the bar is 30% thinner than Thule, which makes the door fit better. Yakima is a lot more aerodynamic. However, it is slightly more expensive ($15 more for the system). Thule is bigger, stronger, and cheaper (typical Ameri-Swede engineering). Yakima is smaller, looks better, works better, installs better, but more expensive (typical Japanese engineering). \_ try Yakima, Washington engineering though the actual company is in California \_ many pro. cycling teams use yakima. one team car fell off a cliff with yakima rack full of bikes. car was totalled. rack was put on another car with bikes and they went on their way \_ I find it funny that a lot of environmentalists and ultra left-wing bike Nazis at SF want everyone to ride bikes instead of drive, when they themselves use cars to transport their bikes. Godamn Mass Hypocrit \_ i doubt many of the "left-wing bike Nazis" use cars to transport their bikes. these people actually use their bikes as transportation. it's mostly the people who bike for sport, not lifestyle, who feel the need to use cars to transoprt their bikes elsewhere. however, there isn't really anything hypocritical about using a car to car to take your bike somewhere far away to ride. not many of those "bike Nazis" would argue that you shouldn't be allowed to go anywhere that you can't bike the whole way to... \_ The term "bike nazi" is kind of like calling peaceniks the orchestrators of the holocaust. The history of the forced dependency upon the autombile is intimately related to fascism and the two World Wars. Car Nazi is a more appropriate term for *anyone* who drives a car. \_ Can you explain more on how dependency was forced. I've never heard of such a thing. Thx. \_ Uhm.. what the fuck are you talking about? What does it take to get into that state of mind and how do I get some? \_ Read a book sometime. Start with _City_of_Quartz_ by Mike Davis. |
1999/1/11-12 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:15208 Activity:very high |
1/11 I am going to start working down in Santa Clara soon. Until I get my license fixed, I am going to be riding w/ Andrei. But he doesnt really show up for work every day. So I am looking for others in Berkeley to ride with on ocassion. I will pay for gas or whatever. Please, no "Ride Bike!" replies. -sky \_ Ride a bike! \_ Ride a bike? Do you have *any* idea how much toxic materials, and petroleum products go into a bike? WTF is wrong with walking? Are you trying to destroy the environment and feel good about it at the same time? Hypocrite! \_ Good point! How about rollerblading? \_ Ride Bike! \_ Hypocrite. Walk! \_ Just ride with Andrei even after you get your license fixed. You'll love the carpool lane. |
1998/11/13-16 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:14948 Activity:low |
11/12 Bikes: Talk on bicycle direct action tonight with videos of protest including bridge rides tonight, 2040 VLSB --jnat \_ Woo hoo! Bikes jamming the already over crowed bridge!! Yee haa! \_ BTW, why do we need railroad on the new bay bridge when we already have BART? \_ We don't but the various local mayors think we do and without their approval nothing will happen. \_ Ah I see. C'mon, BART in commute hours is not even close to full capacity. What a waste of money. Maybe those mayors have some stake in some construction company ...... \_ Hey, Mr Meggs, when will I see you lobbying for better paved roads around the East Bay? --Jon |
1998/9/16 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:14608 Activity:insanely high |
9/16 There should be a law against road repairs during rush hours. My commute just about doubled because they closed off one lane on a local street, which slowed ttraffic to a crawl on the highway. \_ There should be a law against drivers of single-occupant vehicles complaining about the traffic. -tom \_ There should be a law about bike fanatics babbling about things they don't understand such as the fact that not everyone can live within easy bike distance to their work or get involved in a carpool. \_ "Can't?" Where in the Bay Area is there employment where there is not housing within a few miles? \_ Uh huh, I suppose it's that easy to find affordable AND available housing. Housing isn't an issue in the Bay Area, right? \_ it's an issue, but it's not impossible. I've lived within biking distance of my place of work for over 10 years now, even though I've lived in at least 6 different places and had two different work locations. -tom \_ Have you lived in the south bay within this past 3 years? Finding a place to live is harder than finding a job. To find one that is within a few miles, good luck. \_ I'll admit, I live at home, 1/2 hr commute to work. I could easily live across the street from where I work for $1600/mo. Worth it? No. \_ Add $500/mo to what you are currently paying for rent and see if you can afford it. A car easily costs that much. \_ Maintenance/car insurance/gas/commuting does not add up to $500/mo. maybe $300. for my current rent + $300 i couldn't get shit near my place of work. \_ A car is an absolute necessity. Without a car is like no life. Would you expect \_ The life rules should be amended to support those with no car voluntarily. - ped to go on a date on your bicycle? \_ According to the AAM, owning an average car costs 45 cents per mile, which for an average amount of driving comes out to about $500/month. That, of course, doesn't include any of the external costs of driving, such as environmental damage. It also doesn't include the cost of your time. And yes, I go on dates on my bicycle. -tom \_ "Hey honey, let's take a scenic tour by BART." \_ I don't know about you, but the sort of woman I tend to date is more interested in a person's level of integrity and personal responsibility than in what kind of car he drives. -tom \_ I dunno about you, but the women I date would be annoyed if all posts. -tomy \_ You are one those fucking lucky rich people. \_ I see zero correlation to that statement. \_ tom works for the University, which means he makes less than the average soda geek our dates were confined to within 20 miles. Oh, and no dates if it's raining... \_ pussy. you dont deserve to \_ They've been saying _that_ since before you were born. live in a moderate climate. Go move to arizona. \_ How about I don't _want_ to live in the slums where my employment is? How about I like to do more than go to work. How about I need to shop for more than a 6 pack of coke once a week? How about a trip up the coast? A drive do provide exercise. to visit relatives in San Diego? How about a late night trip anywhere you might get dragged off your bike (like where my work is)? How about we all live in tom's idyllic ideal little world where everyone can use a bike and BART/bus to get everywhere and do everything? --still waiting for the fantasy; driving in the realworld 'til then \_ You are one those fucking lucky rich people. \_ Luck doesn't (typically) generate wealth. Brains, hard work, connections, and a winning personality generate far greater wealth for most than dumb luck. \_ Why waste all day driving to San Diego when you can fly for cheaper than the cost of gas? \_ And how are you going to get around SD when you get there? What if you *enjoy* road trips? --emarkp \_ How about you take responsibility for your actions? One way to start would be to sign your name to your inflammatory MOTD posts. -tom \_ Because I fear you'll ride the 450 miles to my house on your bicycle and rape me with your water bottle. How about you answer some of those very real questions? Oops, sorry, you lose. You don't have a good answer so you just rag on my for not signing my name. To be honest, the only thing I really fear is being associated with you in any way, including a "chat" on the motd about your fanatic desire to force everyone to live your 60's reject hippy lifestyle. \_ over 70% of trips in the Bay Area are in single-occupant vehicles--that's ridiculous. Of course when the oil runs out, I'm sure people will find that they "can" live in a more responsible manner. -tom \_ They've been saying _that_ since before you were born. \_ uh, do you believe the oil *won't* run out? -tom \_ do you know when tom was born for that matter? \_ You mean like all them single-occupant bicycles? \_ that don't cause nearly as much wear and tear on the pavement, dont suck up nearly as much petroleum products, dont kill hundreds if not thousands of people yearly, do provide cheap and efficient local area transport, and do provide exercise. --jon \_ we also don't complain about the traffic, because the worse it is, the more of an advantage we have. -tom \_ Yeah, ya'll just create more traffic like the Bay Bridge / cyclists incident last week \_ That wouldn't have affected traffic at all if not for the CHP. -tom TOM: you are an idiot. I drive the Bay BR about twice a week, and commuted on it for all of last semester! The average speed is 70+mph!!! Unless these bikers ( with their 10 foot flag) were setting world speed records, you're full of crap! \_ sign your name, wimp. -tom \_ Actually its more like 60mph but there's still no need for an antagonistic "protest". \_ Did you graduate from Cal? I refuse to believe an alum from one of the top universities in the nation would present an argument like that. \_ Don't think tom has graduated. \_ They were moving nearly at the speed of traffic. There were 17 of them, in the space that one car would have taken. The CHP are the ones who blocked two lanes. -tom \_ There's this little issue of it being ILLEGAL to bike on the bridge. \_ It was a PROTEST, twink. -tom \_ So all protests are illegal by def'n? \_ Just ignore the fanatic prick. He has nothing of interest to say regarding transportation issues. Just the SOS. \_ as opposed to you. -tom \_ Glad you agree. First sane thing you've said. \_ go tom! if you can't see the bars, then you're not in prison, right? -nick \_ did they lets jmeggs out of jail yet? \_ jmeggs is a twink \_ one thing this occasional bike rider complains about a lot is the condition of roads in the bay area, esp in berkeley since I live here. I wonder what Jason Meggs and his like would accomplish if they were to lobby for better roads rather than protesting on the local bridges (not that an occasional protest is a bad thing). Voters of the World unite, oust those elected representatives who don't do right by you --jon |
1998/8/26-27 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:14513 Activity:nil |
8/25 Have you been getting a lot of flats (that's bike tires), lately? I'm wondering if it's just me. I just bought a pair of "Mr. Toughy" belts for $14 that're supposed to prevent thorn flats. \_ If you're riding in the hills, the puncture vine is rampant due to all the rain we got. Look out for a low, sprawling plant with a central purple flower and burrs; those things are deadly. Mr Tuffy might help, but I hate how they ride. -tom \_ yah, at least I'm getting a workout now |
1998/5/11-12 [Transportation/Car, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:14079 Activity:very high |
5/11 Living in Silicon Valley really sucks. In the past two years, I can just see that traffic jam gets worse and worse every day... and the cost of living just sky rocket. Crowding creates frustration man. \_ Then leave. Move to Alaska or somewhere. \_ Did you learn to speak English on a fishing boat? \_ "immigrants"... 'nuff said. Squirting kids out left and right and driving wages down. Call me "un-PC", but as far as I can tell, it's fucking obvious. \_ Traffic jam: 1) More and more people come into the Bay Area 2) Cost of housing skyrocket because of skewed supply/demand, so more people have to live farther for affordable housing. Driving farther of course means more time on the road, and more time on the road means more traffic jam. The moral of the story, Silicon Valley does really suck. \_ move to Redmond. \_ The _real_ moral of the story: _you_ really do suck. _Real_ between them is 1 very slow and windy lane, which blocks the entire 92, 84, 237 lanes. Don't they know that the slowest element of any flow system bottlenecks the entire system? JESUS CHRIST. men and women don't live far away with an impossible commute so replace them with IEOR and computer scientists. that they can have a pretty little house with flowers and a barbecue . . . _REAL_ men and women work all day, and then sleep under their desks at night. Pansy-boy. \_ So leave. You, too, can make a difference . . . one person at a time. \_ Blame it on CalTran. They are good at building bridges, etc, but they know shit about queueing theory and control flow. They have built huge 92, 82, 237 highways that connect between 101 and 80, but they are so stupid and incompetent that the interconnect between them is 1 very slow and narrow lane, which blocks the entire 92, 84, 237. Don't they know that the slowest element of any flow system bottlenecks an entire system? JESUS CHRIST. I think they should fire old and incompetent civil engineers and replace them with newer and younger IEOR and computer scientists. \_ IEOR and Computer Scientists? Yeah! Auren Hoffman and Scott Bonds -- building the Bay Area's next-generation freeways! \_ Speaking of stupid traffic exchanges, how about the whole 580/80/bay-bridge/cypruss/macarthur-maze mess? \_ I just love the 5-10 minute traffic jams at the Bay Bridge toll booths on Saturday nights when they open only 30% of the booths \_ Funny how they talk about the new rate hike having made the bay bridge toll delays even longer. Stoopid people not having correct change and what not even more often. on the bridge between the island and SF. -ERic \_ That doesn't bother me half as much as the near-constant traffic jam around yermom \_ Ride bike! \_ I try but most of the bay bridges dont allow bikes, and BART has f*cking obnoxious bike-on-bart hours. The bike-shuttle across the bay bridge is nice but has the same traffic problems. \_ try "motorbike" \_ try "organ donor" \_ You can die a slow death in traffic, or lanesplit on a bike and play the odds. I'm winning. \_ Do any of the new Bay Bridge designs under consideration include bike lanes? \_ They're all required to. But tat would only get you to the island midway. They would stil need to put bikelanes on the bridge between the island and SF, so its sort of a waste. -ERic \_ Ve haff high-speed, high-tech, high-gloss Autobahn you peon. Learn to build roads, Amerikaner Schweinehund pig dogs. -John \_ But your roads were built by Hitler's minions to move tanks around the country. \_ and Eisenhower built ours to have 1 out of every 5 miles of freeway straight enough to serve as emergency air strips in times of invasion. |
1998/4/1-2 [Transportation/Bicycle, Transportation/PublicTransit] UID:13885 Activity:nil |
3/31 Ride Bike! There will be another ride this Saturday, 4/4, meeting at Rockridge BART at 11:00 AM. Mail ride-bike-request for more information or to be put on the mailing list; you can see the planned routes at http://www.best.com/~doosh/bicycle/happyvalley.html The beginner's route is the easiest we do all year; no cyclist is too wimpy! |
1996/6/30 [Transportation/Bicycle, Academia/Berkeley/CSUA] UID:31854 Activity:nil |
6/29 The next CSUA Bike Ride will be Sunday, 7/7. Mail ride-bike-request for details, or to be placed on the mailing list. |
1994/6/12 [Transportation/Bicycle, Academia/Berkeley/CSUA] UID:31625 Activity:nil |
6/10 The next CSUA Bike Ride is Sunday, 6/12, leaving evans at 11AM. Mail ride-bike-request for more info. |
1994/4/11 [Reference/BayArea, Academia/Berkeley, Transportation/Bicycle] UID:31560 Activity:nil |
4/8 For a draft of the new City of Berkeley bike plan, get one mailed to you from: sus1@ci.berkeley.ca.us (City planning dept.) The next bicycle planning meeting is: Wed. Apr. 20, 7:00pm @ North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst @ MLK Jr. Way. -- Marco |
1994/4/7 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:31551 Activity:nil |
4/5 If you are concerned about pending and existing bicycle rules on this campus, mail rshiflet@uclink2.berkeley.edu and ask him about it. (The biking ban between 7:30a and 5:30p is still in effect AND they are considering not allowing bikes anywhere inside of buildings) -- M \_ Fight the Power! Fight the Powers that Be! \_ No justice, no peace! oh, oops |
1994/3/20 [Transportation/Bicycle] UID:31537 Activity:nil |
3/19 Ride Bike! Want some exercise? Grab your bike and show up in front of Evans Sunday noon. \_ Anyone got an extra bike? \_ I have one but lost 1 wheel. Want it? |
12/24 |