Completely Takin' it to the Streets!

July 2 through 8, 2017

I think we can all agree that bicycling is great.  Also that pedestrians should be able to cross streets without being struck by vehicles.  Those are a couple of things that are part of the Complete Streets Omaha approach.  

A manual is nearly complete that will make this an official part of the Omaha way to make decisions related to completing or renovating streets.  I went to the public input meeting a while back, but I felt like I just Boomhausered away until the CSO team politely hinted that I (being the only remaining member of the public at the meeting) should leave.  “Uh, them gosh-durn intersections, they really got some dangerous this way that way and no markings, they need some signs er something.”  Yes, although my contributions are typically questionable, I do not question my need to contribute.  One of these days it’ll all pay off.  And then?….  Ahh!  I’ll have a free bicycle. 

Wait a minute!  I do, I do, I DO have one of those!  

And after making the following replacements:

1. Put on a front chain ring more suitable for the rolling hills of Omaha and my moderately fit legs and lungs.  I had a 38-toother lying alluringly about so I replaced the 46T with the 38T and now I am able to make it up all the hills I typically encounter without feeling like I might experience a heart attack or rupture of some kind.  
2. After replacing the front ring I realized that, although I revere Sheldon Brown and his sagacity, I had never tried riding a fixed gear bicycle.  Also I had to replace the 1/8” chain with a 3/32” chain due to the spacing in my alluring 38-toothed enabler.  I had a 3/32” 16T fixed gear cog handy so I grabbed it and went to town.  So I tried things the fixed way for a few days and I did not like it for the following reason:  I love to coast without brakes going down hills.  I liked it for the following reason:  I liked being able to slow down using my legs instead of brake pads.  The pro outweighed the con.  The pro then grabbed the con by the pigtails and performed a merciless headscissors take down, as demonstrated in this GLOW video.  Here is a more in-depth discussion of the fixed gear experience.
3. So then I ordered a 16T with a freewheel so that I would be able to return to my fearless coasting habits.  

It is now great.  I made it even slightly greater by replacing the uncomfortable saddle with a well-worn WTB Rocket V.  

It’s a bit bumpier and speedier than the Old Bastard, but it’s kind of fun/something different for now.  Nextly I will tilt the handlebar back towards me a tad so that I've got a better view of what's coming up down the road.

Recently I took part in another edition of the always enjoyable Rollin’ to Colon.  

I love this ride and its peaceful, smooth, mildly hilly highways.  This one was the best yet!  It was on Father's Day, and I was fortunate to be able to spend some time with my dad bicycling around the gently rolling hills around the Valley and Colon areas.  As we rolled into Colon I told him it was fortunate he got all of that BRAN because it made it easier to get to the Colon.  We noticed lots of men, possibly fathers, were out on the water.  

The after-ride party was also great and featured the inimitable Chris Saub, who I haven’t seen for at least 10 years.  His guitar playing is now phenomenal.  This ride is great, but it seems like it could use a few more participants.  So please mark it on your calendar for next year, if that is possible.  

After the after-ride party I eventually made it back home to spend some quality time with Snot Jr. and Collegiate Snot.  I read Snot Jr. one of our many books about bicycles and bicyclers.

I have also been picking up tips from my best friend Rich about mountainous bicycling.  He says he's learned a lot due to his participation in the DEVO program.  Things like what to do when a problem comes along.  And also pointing your belly button in the direction you want to go to get around corners and curves is way more effective and not as intuitive as it sounds.  Selene also mentioned that in one of her recent columns, so you know it is legit.  He also mentioned that you’ve got to look pretty far ahead if you want to be successful on riding balancy logs.  

I may try to get out for the slightly longer version of the GONG ride this year.  Last year I enjoyed the ride and camaraderie, but I felt like some extra distance would’ve made the end-of-ride celebration more festive.  I felt sniffly so I whinged and stayed home instead of GONGing it up tonight.

Now let's take it to the complete streets!  Hell, let's even throw an elbow or two as necessary!

Happy Independence Day Month and have a great ride!
-BS

Bicycle to Earth! Come in!

April 20 13, 2017

Happy 4/20.  I hope your elevation is where you like it.

Every once in a while I am especially grateful for Friday.  Such a day is tomorrow.  Huzzah!  Temperatures are increasing, days are lengthening, and the pollen of spring is inhabiting many nasal passages and/or sinuses.  It all adds up to some tiredness and a sore throat for this traveller.  It also means activity on the multi-use trails is rapidly increasing:

I stopped by the Bike Rack yestereve to enjoy some bike advocacy camaraderie and education.  It was great to see you there and was even attended by my new favorite city councilmember Chris Jerram.  I also like Brinker Harding.  His name sounds funny and I met him while he was standing on a street corner with his family and cheerfully waving at passersby.  He even chatted with me for a moment about my bicycling commuting habits. 

At the Bike Advocacy Bash they had some free food and drinks, even including beer.  I ambled about and received a few updates on the status of various items including the following:

1. West Papio Trail connect - the trail is planned to be connected from near Millard Ave (132nd) and Q to somewheres near 108th and Portal Road (over in the LaVista/Papillion area) by late 2018.  This is along an old railroad grade and they are planning on having an area featuring some good ol' fashioned rail history!  All aboard!
2. Complete Streets Program Manual - this policy is very vague, but it purports to allow for multiple interested parties to have their voices heard when planning specific street improvements. 
3. Hummel Park Trail Map - hiking trails only, but it seems like a neat area to roam.
4. Omaha Bikes (new website + positive bicycling story solicitation happening soon) - Pell Duvall is in charge of this great site these days.  He is enthusiastic and well-spoken.  He seems to be focused on educating drivers and bicyclers on safe co-existance.  
5. DEVO - my best friend Rich was telling me about this great opportunity to get kids off their lazy asses/arses and get out there and pedal!  They may even pull off some sweet rad moves if they stick with it and outlast their innate suckiness.  At least that's what I intend to tell them once I sign up to be a coach.

Here are some exciting photos from the event.

Here's where it all happened!

Mr. Pell Duvall in action!

Let's get inclusive with bike action!

There is also the exciting Pint-A-Gon event sponsored by Nebraska Brewing Co.  coming up on April 22.  So that’s plenty of bicycling fun for you! 

Also plenty of bicycling-related booths at Earth DayOmaha. 

I was also informed that 2 of my favorite artists on the 1998 H.O.R.D.E. festival promotional CD – Gov’t Mule & Galactic will be playing at the local Sumtur Amphitheater on August 18 but that  tickets will be available starting today.  So that is sure to be heavy groovy. 

Every so often it is time to reevaluate the situation.  Who are you?  What am I doing?  Why am I here?  How much is that?  That kind of thing.

We sometimes find ourselves taking a hard look at ourselves and/or the world around us.  Some may become philosophical.  That is fine.  But realize that there are things in the moment that may be much more immediately important. 

We also like to know the answers.  So here are the answers to the aforementioned questions.  You are a creature with divine aspirations.  You are reading.  You like to bicycle.  How much is what?

So that’s that.   Please send me the correct answers at your earliest convenience.

Here is a review of a book by a bicycler that is just in time for Earthen Day 2017.  With the classic bicycler's sense of subtle understatement, it is entitled How Cycling Can Save the World.  

One place to get philosophical is out on ye olde WabashTrace Trail.  There is a big clean up for the start of prime bicycle riding season on the WTT happening this upcoming weekend - April 29.  So if you get out there and help you may be fulfilling your destiny. 

Namaste.