Well, another month, another Critical Mass ride. I was planning on doing the Midnight Mass on Thurs. 28th, but my belated Christmas dinner at Frances' went a little later than anticipated, and I didn't feel like riding with a full stomach, so I didn't go.
During Critical Mass, a cop decided to cause problems while we were on Commercial Drive. Normally they just ignore The Mass, but this guy for some reason decided to block half the road, and when the majority had gone by, he picked one of the stragglers out and stopped him for not wearing a helmet (it turned out to be the guy's 1st day in Vancouver, moving here from Montreal). So Ifny, who happened to be near the back as well, turned back to see what was going on. Although the cops did not see her actually riding, they decided that they would give her a ticket too for being helmetless (she was, however, wearing bunny-ears and an Elmer Fudd cap and was riding a 14" mini, so it was a farcical sight). When she refused to give her name (as they actually had no grounds for detaining her, since they did not see her riding), they called for a Paddy Wagon, hand-cuffed her (she's 5'3" tall), and hauled her away. They later let her out at Clark Dr & E Hastings St. All this nonsence took over 1/2 an hour, "requiring" 4 cop cars, the Paddy Wagon, and 7 cops.
I went to the after party for a while at the Anza Club, but left a few mins after 10pm as I needed to get up early for work.
I got up at 3am (OK, the alarm went off then. I didn't actually get up till 0330. I think my Christmas present from one of the drivers had only just worn off as I was woke up, because I was really tired). I left just about 0403, and the ride was mostly uneventful. I did get a puncture just before getting to the Alex Fraser, so that took 15 mins to fix. This made me 5 mins late (mainly because my tire wasn't fully re-inlated so I couldn't ride quite as fast. My shoulder still doesn't like using the mini-pump. I guess I'll have to do some re-hab type excercises). And upon arrival, the surprise waiting for me was that the schedule got changed (as somebody quit, and things are in a state of flux for a while) and nobody informed me to come in the afternoon shift instead. Ah well, the company will have to recompense me for the error, and I will leave shortly (as the buses are just now starting to run for Saturday service) and do some errands.
The really annoying thing about the new guy leaving, is that he did it just before New Year's. Now I have to work the afternoon/evening of NYE. But the good news is that afer the new new guy is trained, I will get some different shifts so I won't have to ride in if I don't want to. At least that is the plan. Oh well, enough for now.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Posting Again
Well, it has been nearly 2 months since my last post, not that there hasn't been anything happening, but I haven't felt like blogging. So I went to Midnight Simon's blog the other day to see what was up there (as I haven't amassed myself midnight-wise in a while, allowing my shoulder extra recovery fro too many long rides), and I note that he has me linked as a blogging biker, so I had better not disappoint those lusting for bike related "news".
I found an orphan bike frame recently, but to make sure is was truly an orphan, I left it for 2 weeks before I took it home. In the interim, somebody else had helped him/herself to the front wheel (it was already sans derrière when 1st spotted). So I now have a mixte frame for the next Bike Bee. I shall take a pic of it soon. I'll post more soon.
I found an orphan bike frame recently, but to make sure is was truly an orphan, I left it for 2 weeks before I took it home. In the interim, somebody else had helped him/herself to the front wheel (it was already sans derrière when 1st spotted). So I now have a mixte frame for the next Bike Bee. I shall take a pic of it soon. I'll post more soon.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Bye Bye Bikes
Today Red Sara & Midnight Simon came over to pick up the bikes for the Bike Bee. There were 14 frames in all, with only 3 of those not having wheel(s) attached. A nice haul to clear out some of the under-deck area and allow these bicycles' spirits to go free. They will be reborn as choppers, tall bikes and refurbished regular bikes.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Philosophical Point: Are Vegans Allowed To...
So the East Van Bikerazzi was making an appearance at a do sponsored by the Work Less Party. So I had to make an appearance too. Not only do I Work Less (i.e. a 4 day week), but the bike posse's purpose was to raise some loot for the Bike Bee (see lynx if you haven't done so, it has been updated with its latest bikinfo) to which I'm donating some chopper/frankenbike materiel, and it was a costume party. Three guesses as to mine, and the 1st 2 don't count. I liked my pink chenille socks best (and so did some of the gurlz). All in all it was a prety good party, a bit lame on the beverage choices (perhaps all the Less Working addled the organisers' minds). I tried each of the two beers (yech, at the best of times) they had on tap. If I hadn't seen the tap actually connected to the beer supply, I would have assumed it was directly linked to the settling tanks on Annacis Island. There were some amateur dance troupes performing (one of them the B:C:Clettes) in a sort of contest. Later on I saw at the Propaganda table where the WLP had stuff on display, there were several vegan themed buttons. One of them said "meat tastes like ass", so I got to thinking, are vegans allowed to eat pussy?
Friday, October 13, 2006
MM Oct 12
So I headed out as usual, and arrived arround midnight. It was a pretty big turn-out. I guess everyone thinking this would likely be the last good weather ride in a few months and decided to make the best of the chance.
We headed S on Commercial, then E on 1st, S on Victoria, E on Vanness, S on Nanaimo, E on Kingsway to Central Park (the kids playground). Hah, it was funny watching all (well, many) of these city riders exerting themselves going up mild grades. Huffing and puffing, swaying side to side like a bunch of flatlanders.
I don't know if it is further evidence of the obesity epidemic in today's society, but all the hookers on Kingsway were, shall I say, large. At one of the intersections (either Joyce or Earles, I wasn't paying that much attention), after the lead group I was in got separated from the 'peleton' and was waiting for them to catch up when the lights change, some guy pulled up in the centre lane beside our group (the rear part, as we were in the right lane), got out of his car and ran across Kingsway. He left his female passenger in the car with its motor running. I think he went to an ATM . It was kind of funny, a group of hookers on the sidewalk, 6 or 8 cyclists on the road, and a driverless car.
After socialising for quite a while in the play ground we decided to leave (a significant portion, perhaps half, had already left in ones, twos, and threes). We bombed down Boundary past The Boot ont on to Grandview, headed west, took the cycle route on N. Grandview. When we got to Victoria and the group amassed, the concensus was 4 Brothers pizza on Commercial. Some lined-up straight away, some hung around outside. By the time I got too the head of the line, all the awaiting slices were gone, and there would be a 3 min wait for more. Some of the outside group heard that all the pizza was gone and did not want to wait for more, so they went to another pizza place. Kind of odd, considering the amount of time to go to the new place and having to line up again, they would have been better off waiting. Oh well. Two slices, $3, and conversation time later, I decided to hit the road. Stopped for a bit to watch the outdoor entertainment. Some drunken crack-ho on a (stolen, no doubt) mountain bike was trying to get leftovers from a few of the guys. One of them said he would give her his drink (a can of Five Alive) if she could read what it said on the side (he had the French facing her). She couldn't. Probably couldn't focus- she was swaying and weaving about. How she managed to get there on the bike will forever be a mystery. The guy eventually gave her the rest of his drink, after the entertainment value ceased. She had been trying to sell the bike for $15, but nobody would take it.
I thought I had allowed enough time to get back to Main & Kingsway to catch the bus to Whalley, but I spent too long on my good-byes. I had neglected to account for some drivers' treatment of "Timing Points" as irrelevant. The Fraser and Coquitlam night buses went by the other way on Broadway when I was halfway between Fraser and Kingsway, and the Surrey one is the last to leave downtown. Yet I did not see it cross Broadway, and I got to the stop right at 0300 the timing point. After waiting 5 mins I knew it had gone already and was debating whether or not to head to meet the 0309 departing Howe & Dunsmuir bus, wait for it, or just ride south all the way. I decided to wait. At 0310 a bus approached, but it was not an articulated one as the last N19 is, then I remembered that there were other N19's that operated only as far as Metrotown, and this turned out to be one. So I took it, figuring I could decide my next step en route. I decided to ride on from Metrotown, figuring the 20mins head-start would make a Queensborough/Alex Fraser route faster. I was almost right. Other variables came into play.
Anyhoo, got off the bus on Willingdon (so close to where we had been in Central Park! Oh the irony), rode to the "BC Parkway" bikepath under the SkyTrain and went East to Griffiths, down Griffiths/Ruble/19th/20th to the Queensborough Bridge, through the residential area to Boundary Rd to the cycle route of the Annacis crossing, swith to the right side on anus island to cross Alex Fraser, along the bike path to by the weigh scales, almost have an accident due to about a dozen bricks pulled out of the path paving, spent a few mins replacing this hazard, carried on by zipping down 91 to 72nd, up the hill (when I got to 116th St, it was 0419, the ETA for the N19 at Surrey Central), carried on my usual route (in reverse) to 128th and then Hwy 10 to KGH etc.
Weeeellll, that darn construction at hwy10 & KGH is always a wrinkle. So I'm going along the shoulder (a designated bike route) when suddenly there are barriers blocking the shoulder and those 4ft tall orange plastic pipe/pole markers right at the very edge of the traffic lane's left and right. Since the motorised traffic here tends to travel rather quickly and there is only one narrow usable lane available, I decided to reclaim the shoulder after the cross-wise barriers are past. I did so and had only been on that portion of the road (the shoulder had expanded in width to be that of another full lane plus the shoulder) for about 10 seconds when for some reason unbeknownst too me, my bike went left and I carried on straight. We went down very hard. I sure am glad I always wear full-fingered gloves at night and I had my leggings on. Otherwise the roadrash would have been nasty. I have a huge bruise on the heel of my right hand, a couple of strawberries on my right knee, and a scrape on my hip. My wrist, elbow, shoulder, ribs and back are very sore. After I managed to recover the odd item that departed company from my bike, figure out why my handle bars wouldn't staighten (they were turned almost completely around, so the cabling etc was binding), I decided to find out what had happened. The fresh asphalt was so black that all my lights couldn't reveal the change in the surface. There was a 2nd layer of it to my right (as I was travelling) and it went left to where the right hand side of the current single lane was. The height difference of these two layers was 4", with a nice sharp edge. It was like angling into a sidewalk. I carried on as per Newtonian laws of motion, as did my baby. Too bad we were following different aspects of the laws. I got the continuing in motion part while my bike was influenced by an external force. So the rest of the ride was much slower as I had to do it mostly with one arm/hand. Got home only 15 mins behind schedule, had some tea and two 222's and stuggled to bed. Of course Mr Cat had to jump on my ribs. Ow! Ow! Ow! Getting up in "the morning" ( just before noon) was difficult. Had to roll out. Couldn't sit up.
We headed S on Commercial, then E on 1st, S on Victoria, E on Vanness, S on Nanaimo, E on Kingsway to Central Park (the kids playground). Hah, it was funny watching all (well, many) of these city riders exerting themselves going up mild grades. Huffing and puffing, swaying side to side like a bunch of flatlanders.
I don't know if it is further evidence of the obesity epidemic in today's society, but all the hookers on Kingsway were, shall I say, large. At one of the intersections (either Joyce or Earles, I wasn't paying that much attention), after the lead group I was in got separated from the 'peleton' and was waiting for them to catch up when the lights change, some guy pulled up in the centre lane beside our group (the rear part, as we were in the right lane), got out of his car and ran across Kingsway. He left his female passenger in the car with its motor running. I think he went to an ATM . It was kind of funny, a group of hookers on the sidewalk, 6 or 8 cyclists on the road, and a driverless car.
After socialising for quite a while in the play ground we decided to leave (a significant portion, perhaps half, had already left in ones, twos, and threes). We bombed down Boundary past The Boot ont on to Grandview, headed west, took the cycle route on N. Grandview. When we got to Victoria and the group amassed, the concensus was 4 Brothers pizza on Commercial. Some lined-up straight away, some hung around outside. By the time I got too the head of the line, all the awaiting slices were gone, and there would be a 3 min wait for more. Some of the outside group heard that all the pizza was gone and did not want to wait for more, so they went to another pizza place. Kind of odd, considering the amount of time to go to the new place and having to line up again, they would have been better off waiting. Oh well. Two slices, $3, and conversation time later, I decided to hit the road. Stopped for a bit to watch the outdoor entertainment. Some drunken crack-ho on a (stolen, no doubt) mountain bike was trying to get leftovers from a few of the guys. One of them said he would give her his drink (a can of Five Alive) if she could read what it said on the side (he had the French facing her). She couldn't. Probably couldn't focus- she was swaying and weaving about. How she managed to get there on the bike will forever be a mystery. The guy eventually gave her the rest of his drink, after the entertainment value ceased. She had been trying to sell the bike for $15, but nobody would take it.
I thought I had allowed enough time to get back to Main & Kingsway to catch the bus to Whalley, but I spent too long on my good-byes. I had neglected to account for some drivers' treatment of "Timing Points" as irrelevant. The Fraser and Coquitlam night buses went by the other way on Broadway when I was halfway between Fraser and Kingsway, and the Surrey one is the last to leave downtown. Yet I did not see it cross Broadway, and I got to the stop right at 0300 the timing point. After waiting 5 mins I knew it had gone already and was debating whether or not to head to meet the 0309 departing Howe & Dunsmuir bus, wait for it, or just ride south all the way. I decided to wait. At 0310 a bus approached, but it was not an articulated one as the last N19 is, then I remembered that there were other N19's that operated only as far as Metrotown, and this turned out to be one. So I took it, figuring I could decide my next step en route. I decided to ride on from Metrotown, figuring the 20mins head-start would make a Queensborough/Alex Fraser route faster. I was almost right. Other variables came into play.
Anyhoo, got off the bus on Willingdon (so close to where we had been in Central Park! Oh the irony), rode to the "BC Parkway" bikepath under the SkyTrain and went East to Griffiths, down Griffiths/Ruble/19th/20th to the Queensborough Bridge, through the residential area to Boundary Rd to the cycle route of the Annacis crossing, swith to the right side on anus island to cross Alex Fraser, along the bike path to by the weigh scales, almost have an accident due to about a dozen bricks pulled out of the path paving, spent a few mins replacing this hazard, carried on by zipping down 91 to 72nd, up the hill (when I got to 116th St, it was 0419, the ETA for the N19 at Surrey Central), carried on my usual route (in reverse) to 128th and then Hwy 10 to KGH etc.
Weeeellll, that darn construction at hwy10 & KGH is always a wrinkle. So I'm going along the shoulder (a designated bike route) when suddenly there are barriers blocking the shoulder and those 4ft tall orange plastic pipe/pole markers right at the very edge of the traffic lane's left and right. Since the motorised traffic here tends to travel rather quickly and there is only one narrow usable lane available, I decided to reclaim the shoulder after the cross-wise barriers are past. I did so and had only been on that portion of the road (the shoulder had expanded in width to be that of another full lane plus the shoulder) for about 10 seconds when for some reason unbeknownst too me, my bike went left and I carried on straight. We went down very hard. I sure am glad I always wear full-fingered gloves at night and I had my leggings on. Otherwise the roadrash would have been nasty. I have a huge bruise on the heel of my right hand, a couple of strawberries on my right knee, and a scrape on my hip. My wrist, elbow, shoulder, ribs and back are very sore. After I managed to recover the odd item that departed company from my bike, figure out why my handle bars wouldn't staighten (they were turned almost completely around, so the cabling etc was binding), I decided to find out what had happened. The fresh asphalt was so black that all my lights couldn't reveal the change in the surface. There was a 2nd layer of it to my right (as I was travelling) and it went left to where the right hand side of the current single lane was. The height difference of these two layers was 4", with a nice sharp edge. It was like angling into a sidewalk. I carried on as per Newtonian laws of motion, as did my baby. Too bad we were following different aspects of the laws. I got the continuing in motion part while my bike was influenced by an external force. So the rest of the ride was much slower as I had to do it mostly with one arm/hand. Got home only 15 mins behind schedule, had some tea and two 222's and stuggled to bed. Of course Mr Cat had to jump on my ribs. Ow! Ow! Ow! Getting up in "the morning" ( just before noon) was difficult. Had to roll out. Couldn't sit up.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Last Midnight Mass
Midnight Simon has blogged his account of our last ride (the one I started, then interrupted, and final recounting while on bus disappeared into nothingness, and I didn't redo fully). So check out the Midnight Mass blog from my Velolove links. He has posted pictures and a short video clip (I appear at the 4 second mark, screen left. Recognisable by the left-rear pannier on my baby, blinkies under my saddle and on my knapsack, and I'm the only one with bare legs).
here is a little video Simon shot of Bicycle Polo in East Van
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIQX2rNYlQ
to see some of his other clips, search YouTube for "midnightmass" (his youtube user name), and you will also find 2 "thunderdome" ones, from the minibike madness party.
There is another ride tonight, and it looks like we'll have good weather. So I'd better stop and get some sleep. I have to change my chain and do some work on my rear derailleur. Oh, and I have a NEW light. A really bright 3watt LED. It is actually a very small aluminium flashlight (about 4" long) that I have mounted on a removable handlebar bracket. Now if I could rig up some other mount for the 55watt halogen spotlamp from Canadian Tire (it's just as bright as a car headlight), then I could really surprise some unsuspecting motorised-death-agent-on-wheels. HaHaHa, maybe soon. But not for a MM run, too much light would spoil the atmosphere.
here is a little video Simon shot of Bicycle Polo in East Van
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIQX2rNYlQ
to see some of his other clips, search YouTube for "midnightmass" (his youtube user name), and you will also find 2 "thunderdome" ones, from the minibike madness party.
There is another ride tonight, and it looks like we'll have good weather. So I'd better stop and get some sleep. I have to change my chain and do some work on my rear derailleur. Oh, and I have a NEW light. A really bright 3watt LED. It is actually a very small aluminium flashlight (about 4" long) that I have mounted on a removable handlebar bracket. Now if I could rig up some other mount for the 55watt halogen spotlamp from Canadian Tire (it's just as bright as a car headlight), then I could really surprise some unsuspecting motorised-death-agent-on-wheels. HaHaHa, maybe soon. But not for a MM run, too much light would spoil the atmosphere.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Stupid Bus Patrons
There is a reason some people call the bus "The Loser Cruiser", it surely does have more than its share of idjits. Like the ones who line up blocking the exit doors so people can't get off the highway coaches 'cuz they're standing in the way. Just step back a pace or two. Or the ones who think that a cyclist who was at the stop before them, but must put the bike on the rack before getting on (it would be rather hard to do otherwise, methinks) is in the line behind them. It usually makes no difference, but it is really annoying. And the people who pull the bell one or two stops too soon, or only 30 feet before the stop they want and blame the driver for missing the stop. Or the ones who stop bus#XXX, then ask the driver how long till bus #XYZ arrives. How about those who stand at the stop for over 5 mins, then get on the bus and say "it'll just be a minute for me to get out my change". WTF!!!! Get your F-ing money out while you are waiting you F-ing moron! Arrrrgh!
Pirate Quiz Sucks!
Red Harry Kidd. WTF!!! What a dull name for a pirate! And it's not that I don't have any Pirate-like qualities. I've even been involved in pirate sea-battles, weilding a cutlass and all. OK, true that was in a dream, but it was very real. I even got stabbed in the chest with a sword (and it was very painful. Hot-burning sensation).
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Planet You Save Could Very Well Be Your Own
Every day in the news (Tv, web etc) is another story containing more proof that Global Warming has started. It is no longer an "if" or "perhaps" nor any other variation of "might happen". G.W. is here, it upon us, has already started affecting people/ animals (especially in our own Arctic). It is imperative that everyone do what one can to halt it. Now one might believe that there is little that one individual can do, but think, the current situation is upon us due to individuals. Whether one joins a group to fight it or acts alone, act one must. The planet is depending upon you.
- e-mail your environment minister (national & local), nothing worries a politician more than losing the next election. Don't say you don't have time, skip a blog one day, nobody will mind.
- recycle everything possible, not just what you aquire, but pick up stuff of the road that other morons toss aside. That plastic milk container that bottle pickers don't want is recyclable. take it home and put it in the blue box. Ditto for other things such as newspapers, nails/nuts/bolts and lots more.
- don't flush the toilet for just a pee, let it be. (OK, not forever, but every 3rd time is ok. While water may be plentiful in some areas, the processing of sewage uses a large amount of energy and chemicals. A bucket of sludge gets the same treatment as a bucket of pure water).
- dry laundry on the line whenever possible (yes it can even be done partially when it is cold. Every little bit helps).
- turn off the 'puter when not in use (they really do use a lot when left on, and no, turning them of and on a few times a day does not wear them out any faster. That is a myth). A study in Britain found that Brits leaving electronic equipment (TVs, stereos, computers etc.) on "standby" (which includes things turned off but plugged into the wall, because they are the biggest electricity users in this category), used the energy equivalent in one year to fly the entire poputation of Glasgow to New York (& return) on jumbo jets.
- just because it is garbage/recycling day does not mean you have to put something out on the curb. If your blue box is not full, don't put it out. The truck stopping for your unfilled box is a waste of energy and is counter-productive. Ditto for the garbage. If it is not smelly (and it shouldn't be most of the time), wait till next week. If you have so much that if you waited a week to put it out that you would be over the limit, shame on you! and I mean it. No houshold, no matter how large (even 8 people) should ever in the course of an average week produce more than a small bag of garbage.
More Planetary rescue measures to follow when the spirit moves me. I only include measures which I have done or currently do.
- e-mail your environment minister (national & local), nothing worries a politician more than losing the next election. Don't say you don't have time, skip a blog one day, nobody will mind.
- recycle everything possible, not just what you aquire, but pick up stuff of the road that other morons toss aside. That plastic milk container that bottle pickers don't want is recyclable. take it home and put it in the blue box. Ditto for other things such as newspapers, nails/nuts/bolts and lots more.
- don't flush the toilet for just a pee, let it be. (OK, not forever, but every 3rd time is ok. While water may be plentiful in some areas, the processing of sewage uses a large amount of energy and chemicals. A bucket of sludge gets the same treatment as a bucket of pure water).
- dry laundry on the line whenever possible (yes it can even be done partially when it is cold. Every little bit helps).
- turn off the 'puter when not in use (they really do use a lot when left on, and no, turning them of and on a few times a day does not wear them out any faster. That is a myth). A study in Britain found that Brits leaving electronic equipment (TVs, stereos, computers etc.) on "standby" (which includes things turned off but plugged into the wall, because they are the biggest electricity users in this category), used the energy equivalent in one year to fly the entire poputation of Glasgow to New York (& return) on jumbo jets.
- just because it is garbage/recycling day does not mean you have to put something out on the curb. If your blue box is not full, don't put it out. The truck stopping for your unfilled box is a waste of energy and is counter-productive. Ditto for the garbage. If it is not smelly (and it shouldn't be most of the time), wait till next week. If you have so much that if you waited a week to put it out that you would be over the limit, shame on you! and I mean it. No houshold, no matter how large (even 8 people) should ever in the course of an average week produce more than a small bag of garbage.
More Planetary rescue measures to follow when the spirit moves me. I only include measures which I have done or currently do.
A Crazy week-end
Sat 30th, ride in as per usual, but left about 10 mins later than I wanted, so I only picked up bottles/cans for the 1st half of the ride, not enough time for the whole trip. 1.5 miles from work I got a puncture. I didn't hear it, but I could feel it right away, my rear tire all squirmy when I leaned to make slight turns. A couple 100 metres and I was changing tubes! Argh! Arrived 10 mins late. When I get in, the graveyard guy tells me of all the 'fun' that happened the previous morning (around 03:30 and on for a couple hrs). One of the morons (who thinks he is some kind of Bindy Johal) and his other drunken/doped up buddies arrive in the parking lot, mill about for a while, and then he takes a handgun out of the car. He and one guy mildly dispute posession of it and the magazine. The other guy fires it into the air 2x. Then they continue their usual partying behavior as if nothing had happened. They were quite surprised when the cops arrived (about 10 cars by the time they all arrived). The morons spent about 2hrs lying handcuffed face-down on the parkinglot. Some of them even passed out/fell asleep. All captured on security cameras.
Sunday, left 8 mins early. 2 miles dow the road I'm changing tubes again. In my haste the other morning, I had forgotten to check my tyre's wounds. The embedded piesce of glass, while not an immediate threat while the tyre was under inflated, had made a new puncture in the replacement tube as I had stopped by the 24hr Esso to pump up to 65lbs. Unfortunately, the spare tube I grabbed as I left was not up to snuff. I thought it was ok, but after installing it and pumping madly, I discovered the error. Not knowing the exact nature of its flaw(s), I went back to the 'original' tube, found the puncture, and patched it. And yes, I removed the shard of glass, and checked for other hazards. When it was all done, I was some 30 mins behind. I could not catch up fully because the patch would not be fully cured yet and unable to take full pressure. Underinflation = more resistance = late again. 17mins. All that crap on the road is next to impossible to see in the dark, even when I have all 3 lights on. I'm going to build some sort of extra bright lighting system, but the negative side is the extra weight. I lug around enough as it is.
Sun/Mon/Tues all crazy @ work due to "limited" fleet size. All limos now 2003 or newer, but the morons didn't believe that the company would stick to it (YVR gave them a 6mo extention, Sept 30 was IT). So now there are so few cars it causes several problems, and the effects all trickle down the the dispatchers. Work is busier now for me than during the height of the cruise season. I have to go in Fri Day-shift while the other guy is at an LRB hearing (about stuff the morons did in July). Groan. I've seen what was in the system so far, and it will be a very crazy, stressfull day. I don't think the other afternoon guy will last much longer. He is actively seeking employ elsewhere.
Sunday, left 8 mins early. 2 miles dow the road I'm changing tubes again. In my haste the other morning, I had forgotten to check my tyre's wounds. The embedded piesce of glass, while not an immediate threat while the tyre was under inflated, had made a new puncture in the replacement tube as I had stopped by the 24hr Esso to pump up to 65lbs. Unfortunately, the spare tube I grabbed as I left was not up to snuff. I thought it was ok, but after installing it and pumping madly, I discovered the error. Not knowing the exact nature of its flaw(s), I went back to the 'original' tube, found the puncture, and patched it. And yes, I removed the shard of glass, and checked for other hazards. When it was all done, I was some 30 mins behind. I could not catch up fully because the patch would not be fully cured yet and unable to take full pressure. Underinflation = more resistance = late again. 17mins. All that crap on the road is next to impossible to see in the dark, even when I have all 3 lights on. I'm going to build some sort of extra bright lighting system, but the negative side is the extra weight. I lug around enough as it is.
Sun/Mon/Tues all crazy @ work due to "limited" fleet size. All limos now 2003 or newer, but the morons didn't believe that the company would stick to it (YVR gave them a 6mo extention, Sept 30 was IT). So now there are so few cars it causes several problems, and the effects all trickle down the the dispatchers. Work is busier now for me than during the height of the cruise season. I have to go in Fri Day-shift while the other guy is at an LRB hearing (about stuff the morons did in July). Groan. I've seen what was in the system so far, and it will be a very crazy, stressfull day. I don't think the other afternoon guy will last much longer. He is actively seeking employ elsewhere.
Critical Mass Sept 29th
On the way in, there was another person on the bus with a bike, and when she got of at Broadway I thought 'too bad she's not going to CM'. It is good to have more people, but not too many from The Rock, otherwise we all end up competing for the same 2 rack spots. After I got to the VAG, met lots of recent aquaintances, socialised as usual, and we left about 18:15. As I hit Howe St, there she was, the other WRer. Said hi etc. She got off the bus early to go to the dollar store. All in all it was a pretty good turn-out, thanks to the weather. The ride included 1 naked (weell, almost. he was wearing socks and shoes) man and 2 topless women (all 3 regulars. I've seen them before). It was a little frustrating at first, as the head of the pack kept making turns so we were rather bunched up and going so slow. Eventually we went for a few longer straight stretches. Ended up at the Anza Club around 8 for the after party. Stayed for a couple hours, mostly outside as I had a headache) briefly tried a fixie. Left about 22:00 to catch the bus home.
catchup
Well, Iknow I said I would fininsh the story, but it will be very truncated. You see, I took the small laptop with me to Critical Mass, And when on the bus, during the relatively smooth highway portion of the trip, I typed out my blob update in notepad, intending to post it when I got downtown (Blenz 609 Granville, free WiFi). I only had a few more sentences to go when just before the Oak St bridge the bus went over a large bump of some sort, my fingers hit an unknown key combination, and POOF! blob gone. 30 mins of storytime vanished and I'm not about to spend $500 on "data recovery" for a lost blob. The Reders' Digest Xtreme verion goes like this:
We left Granville Island, rode out to Kits and beyond to Jericho Beach. Had fun till the cops came. It was all the fault (at least that is the general concensus) of the DRP (Dead Raccoon Posse). Went to Siegels again. Caught the last NightBus to Whalley, rode home.
We left Granville Island, rode out to Kits and beyond to Jericho Beach. Had fun till the cops came. It was all the fault (at least that is the general concensus) of the DRP (Dead Raccoon Posse). Went to Siegels again. Caught the last NightBus to Whalley, rode home.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Another day, another adventure
So I decided to go off to another Midnight Mass ride, and figured that my logistics lessons of the past would improve things. Knowing that late departures of the group were to be expected, I took the 22:58 321 then skytrain, arrived @ Commercial & Broadway 00:04, booted it up Commercial (passing 2 other late arrivers just north of 1st Ave) and wheeled into Grandview Park @ 00:07. Said a few hellos, including people asking me if I had seen any of the pictures of me from "The ThunderDome" (the name now being applied to the afore blogged Mini-Bike Madness), so I know they exist out in WWW-land, I'll just have to track them down (including a video clip, but I am lead to believe it has not yet been posted). Interestingly enough, there wasn't as much alcohol being consumed as before, and I am lesd to believe this was an unusual non-occurence. One person even admitted this would be his 1st sober MM. Many of the riders stated that their stomachs were still recovering from the various VeloMutation weekend events (little wonder, believe you me).
We left about quarter past 12, S on Commercial, W on 1st (a nice downhill stretch) and the timing was perfect. We hit Clark just a couple seconds after the light went green, blasting through the intersection, along Grandview Viaduct and Terminal to Main St, where we frontrunners waited a few mins for the stragglers to catch up. Due to a slight miscommunication of which seawall route we were taking on our westward jouney, the lead pack headed N on Quebec, the rest all followed, and we had to make a u-turn up the road a bit and onto the seawall by Science World going along the S of False Creek. We got to the Granville Island entrance an decided to have a break. There was plenty of music this time. 3 ghetto blasters.
(time to go, regular last friday of the month Critical Mass. finish l8r)
We left about quarter past 12, S on Commercial, W on 1st (a nice downhill stretch) and the timing was perfect. We hit Clark just a couple seconds after the light went green, blasting through the intersection, along Grandview Viaduct and Terminal to Main St, where we frontrunners waited a few mins for the stragglers to catch up. Due to a slight miscommunication of which seawall route we were taking on our westward jouney, the lead pack headed N on Quebec, the rest all followed, and we had to make a u-turn up the road a bit and onto the seawall by Science World going along the S of False Creek. We got to the Granville Island entrance an decided to have a break. There was plenty of music this time. 3 ghetto blasters.
(time to go, regular last friday of the month Critical Mass. finish l8r)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Six Dink Rule
So here it is, 6 days after the fact, and I still haven't finished Last Friday's story. I'll try to be brief (this is almost like the TV show M*A*S*H* running longer than the Korean War).
So we arrived at "Midnight Simon's" place. A 2nd floor warehouse in an area best known for poultry processing by day, and hookers by night.It had all the early hallmarks which say "high class". The bonus of many bikes locked up outside just added to the atmosphere. I thought it was odd there were so few bikes about (relatively speaking) when the pack I was with arrived near the tail end. While I was looking for a place for my baby, somebody at the door (well, just inside it when another person entered) said there was plenty of room inside. Puzzled but encouraged, we entered. After struggling through the door, I wondered what on earth the guy had been talking about. It was just a vestibule, with NO ROOM! Then somebody came out of another door from a stairwell, and I remembered overhearing that the place was on the 2nd floor, and another person confirmed. Into the stairwell with my bike, up the stairs, and smack into a bunch of others dooing the same thing. There were bikes everywhere, locked to every spot possible on the handrail, zig-zagging upwards. There was even some wierd ledge/window seat type place (6ft above the landing) that people had/were hoisted/hoisting bikes. Now I was REALLY confused. The guy had said there was lots of room inside, but it looked pretty full to me! So I'm standing on the stairs, dazed and confused, and yet another person says to go inside, there is tons of room there. Skeptically, I mount the lastfew stairs, open the door (another struggle) and enter.
So inside the door is this area about 10x10ft with a ton of bikes piled up in it. I go to find a good spot (as I had my backpack & panniers with me. Planning. I had my stuff for starting my work week with me, and that is a fair bit o'stuff). So as I'm putting my stuff away, i see the totality of the venue. An old warehouse, not converted to suites, but with pockets of impedimenta for daily living arrainged around the outer walls of an area about 30ftX30ft, half a dozen structural pillars in the central area, some couches/chairs TV etc in the very middle, plus easily 150 people (probably more). The various activities included: dancing (VERY loud dance music with a dedicated DJ), talking, drinking, smoking (OK, if it were tobacco, I wouldn't have mentioned it), and ........mini-bikes!
All the Zoo-Bombers from Portland and lots and lots fo the Alley Kitten participants were there, and so were there bikes. Going around and around and around. Circling the central living space, amongst the dancers and hordes of partiers, and those pillars. So I did some dancing (after all, a had surpassed my six drink rule -no dancing before 6 drinks) and socialising, and eventually one of the mini-bikers needed a break, and handed me a bike. What a blast! After my 2nd lap I realised that there was another obstical on the course. Or should I say several. As we were riding, various dancers, et al, would give the passing cyclists sideways shoves to unbalance them. Some people would stick out their feet as if to trip you (and on a little bike the effect was like going over a huge speed-bump). If anyone crashed (a frequent occurence) s/he risked losing the bike to a new rider. There were many multiple pile-ups. The riding was not slow.
This went on for many hours. I left at 03:30 with the last hard-core batch. If you really want, I can show the pictures of my wounds. Although the bruises on my knees don't show too well. The nasty shin scrape is the best. Shortly after I discovered it (hard to imagine I didn't notice right away, considering it is 6in long), before it started to congeal, I tried to lick it, but was unable to get a good taste. I know what you are now thinking, if I were doing yoga, my flexibility would be such that this would not be a problem (I mean the licking, not avoiding the crash, however it was that it happened). I couldn't quite balance well enough, so I had to forgo the autovampirism.
I got my stuff (nothing missing), and rode to work, and had a little rest (not sleep though) as it was 04:30 and I didn't start till 06:00.
All in all, it was a great time. It truly lived up to its billing. Now I must finish as I have to prepare for the regular 4th Thursday Midnight Mass.
So we arrived at "Midnight Simon's" place. A 2nd floor warehouse in an area best known for poultry processing by day, and hookers by night.It had all the early hallmarks which say "high class". The bonus of many bikes locked up outside just added to the atmosphere. I thought it was odd there were so few bikes about (relatively speaking) when the pack I was with arrived near the tail end. While I was looking for a place for my baby, somebody at the door (well, just inside it when another person entered) said there was plenty of room inside. Puzzled but encouraged, we entered. After struggling through the door, I wondered what on earth the guy had been talking about. It was just a vestibule, with NO ROOM! Then somebody came out of another door from a stairwell, and I remembered overhearing that the place was on the 2nd floor, and another person confirmed. Into the stairwell with my bike, up the stairs, and smack into a bunch of others dooing the same thing. There were bikes everywhere, locked to every spot possible on the handrail, zig-zagging upwards. There was even some wierd ledge/window seat type place (6ft above the landing) that people had/were hoisted/hoisting bikes. Now I was REALLY confused. The guy had said there was lots of room inside, but it looked pretty full to me! So I'm standing on the stairs, dazed and confused, and yet another person says to go inside, there is tons of room there. Skeptically, I mount the lastfew stairs, open the door (another struggle) and enter.
So inside the door is this area about 10x10ft with a ton of bikes piled up in it. I go to find a good spot (as I had my backpack & panniers with me. Planning. I had my stuff for starting my work week with me, and that is a fair bit o'stuff). So as I'm putting my stuff away, i see the totality of the venue. An old warehouse, not converted to suites, but with pockets of impedimenta for daily living arrainged around the outer walls of an area about 30ftX30ft, half a dozen structural pillars in the central area, some couches/chairs TV etc in the very middle, plus easily 150 people (probably more). The various activities included: dancing (VERY loud dance music with a dedicated DJ), talking, drinking, smoking (OK, if it were tobacco, I wouldn't have mentioned it), and ........mini-bikes!
All the Zoo-Bombers from Portland and lots and lots fo the Alley Kitten participants were there, and so were there bikes. Going around and around and around. Circling the central living space, amongst the dancers and hordes of partiers, and those pillars. So I did some dancing (after all, a had surpassed my six drink rule -no dancing before 6 drinks) and socialising, and eventually one of the mini-bikers needed a break, and handed me a bike. What a blast! After my 2nd lap I realised that there was another obstical on the course. Or should I say several. As we were riding, various dancers, et al, would give the passing cyclists sideways shoves to unbalance them. Some people would stick out their feet as if to trip you (and on a little bike the effect was like going over a huge speed-bump). If anyone crashed (a frequent occurence) s/he risked losing the bike to a new rider. There were many multiple pile-ups. The riding was not slow.
This went on for many hours. I left at 03:30 with the last hard-core batch. If you really want, I can show the pictures of my wounds. Although the bruises on my knees don't show too well. The nasty shin scrape is the best. Shortly after I discovered it (hard to imagine I didn't notice right away, considering it is 6in long), before it started to congeal, I tried to lick it, but was unable to get a good taste. I know what you are now thinking, if I were doing yoga, my flexibility would be such that this would not be a problem (I mean the licking, not avoiding the crash, however it was that it happened). I couldn't quite balance well enough, so I had to forgo the autovampirism.
I got my stuff (nothing missing), and rode to work, and had a little rest (not sleep though) as it was 04:30 and I didn't start till 06:00.
All in all, it was a great time. It truly lived up to its billing. Now I must finish as I have to prepare for the regular 4th Thursday Midnight Mass.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
More Catch-Up, The Alley Kitten
Friday, September 22nd, world car free day, after I raced off leaving my blog in mid-post (bloggus interuptus if you will) to catch the 351. Made it in the nick of time (again)(well, actually, if the bus had been on time it would have been in the nick of time, as it was I had to wait 10 mins for it). I arrived outside The Devil's place (666 Burrard)18:50 to watch the start of the inaugural Vancouver "Alley Kitten".
Just in case you didn't check it out from my link, it is/was a bicycle courier style race on little bikes. The Rules being no wheel/tire larger than 18" average diameter (yes, average. But can you imagine a competitor with elliptical wheels!!! The Rules Committee obviously has GSOH). So there was this massive horde of cyclists, big a small bikes, forming on the plaza outside "Park Plaza", a pair of parallel tape lines (black/yellow diagonal bars pattern, like "caution" tape without the "caution") about 15' apart, and as more people start gathering (last minute participants and more spectators) a puzzled and confused security guard comes out. You see, nobody told him, or any "authority" at the building what was going on, nor "asked permission" (as if!!).
He was standing off to the side, befuddled, when one of the organiseres dumps out a whole pile of tiny boxes on the ground between the tape lines. It will turn out that these boxes are single serving cereal packages (various flavours. Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, etc.) with a sheet of paper attached to their outsides. The courier "manifest" for the race and map (after all, there were out of towners in this race). He came up to the pile and was going to pick one up, so somebody ran over to intercede, explaining that it was all part of the fun and that we'd all be gone shortly. I guess it worked, 'cuz he stayed off to the side. I suppose the guy with the big video camera asking him questions and the size of the throng probably helped ("discretion is the better part of valour" and all that jazz).
Anyway, settup was the participants put their rides on the ground outside one tape line, while they mass outside the other for the start( racers| packages |bikes ). The gun! they run into the middle, grab a cereal packet, remove the manifest, eat the cereal BEFORE they go get their bikes (remember, these are little kid bikes, for age about 5YO) and race of as per manifest instructions (multiple routes of equal distances and terrain) to the various stations/checkpoints where tasks had to be performed, and then on to the secret local for the finish (The Gazebo at Science World).
I didn't have time to secure a little bike, so I wasn't a participant. So after the start I helped to clean up the plaza of the scattered bits of cereal packets (security dude still watching) and other detritus (we left the cereal bits for the birds) and a pack of us went with the "trophy" (in a bin in a trailer) down Burrard to Pender, east to Shanghai Alley, south past Science World to the gazebo, raising a rukus the whole time, hooting and hollering etc. One of our number was the Reverend Phil (yes, an ordained minister) up from Portland. He was quite the sight riding along one-leggedly, crutches in a holster behind his saddle, the other leg in a huge cast (the result of a nasty mini-bike accident, bombing downhill in Portland).
After setting up the trophy in the Winner's Circle (or in this case octogon, the gazebo), were set about waiting for the racers by socialising. Liquid refreshments being the favoured time passer. It didn't take long for the first few to arrive, and I haven't the foggiest idea how long we were there befor we left (I could check the time stamps on my pictures, but who cares. Not I. I had plenty of refreshments, and lots to share. I had more takers than the previous night. We left, where/why I had no idea (I was pretty "refreshed", as were most of the others), but we were heading East on Terminal.
We ended at a little plaza on Clark rear the SkyTrain crossing and set up a little outdoor party with music (amplified. powered by a battery, battery voltage maintained by 3 bicycle/generator combos. People took turns pedalling). When the outdoor party started to break up, I checked my watch, it was about 23:30 and the last 351 home would be at Granville & Broadway around 00:15. HMMMMM, go to the 351 or the next party (at Midnight Simon's place) if I go to Simon's I know I will be up all night. You see, I have to be at work in 6.5hrs. It just didn't make sense either to go home because I wouldn't get there till 01:20, and would have to get up 2 hrs later to leave at 04:00 riding to Richmond. Ifny saw me checking my watch and asked if I was coming to the party. I briefly mentioned the choices/logistics (under 10 sec.) and she thought going to work from Simons rather than home sounded better. So did I (BTW, Ifny won the Alley Kitten, on "The Tickler". It has a fake-fur cover on its banana seat). Ahhhh, the party! It wasn't until 36hrs later that I remembered the evening's list of events included an item marked "Midnight -> late, Mini-Bike Madness". And What madness it was. I'll tell you about it later.
Just in case you didn't check it out from my link, it is/was a bicycle courier style race on little bikes. The Rules being no wheel/tire larger than 18" average diameter (yes, average. But can you imagine a competitor with elliptical wheels!!! The Rules Committee obviously has GSOH). So there was this massive horde of cyclists, big a small bikes, forming on the plaza outside "Park Plaza", a pair of parallel tape lines (black/yellow diagonal bars pattern, like "caution" tape without the "caution") about 15' apart, and as more people start gathering (last minute participants and more spectators) a puzzled and confused security guard comes out. You see, nobody told him, or any "authority" at the building what was going on, nor "asked permission" (as if!!).
He was standing off to the side, befuddled, when one of the organiseres dumps out a whole pile of tiny boxes on the ground between the tape lines. It will turn out that these boxes are single serving cereal packages (various flavours. Fruit Loops, Rice Krispies, etc.) with a sheet of paper attached to their outsides. The courier "manifest" for the race and map (after all, there were out of towners in this race). He came up to the pile and was going to pick one up, so somebody ran over to intercede, explaining that it was all part of the fun and that we'd all be gone shortly. I guess it worked, 'cuz he stayed off to the side. I suppose the guy with the big video camera asking him questions and the size of the throng probably helped ("discretion is the better part of valour" and all that jazz).
Anyway, settup was the participants put their rides on the ground outside one tape line, while they mass outside the other for the start( racers| packages |bikes ). The gun! they run into the middle, grab a cereal packet, remove the manifest, eat the cereal BEFORE they go get their bikes (remember, these are little kid bikes, for age about 5YO) and race of as per manifest instructions (multiple routes of equal distances and terrain) to the various stations/checkpoints where tasks had to be performed, and then on to the secret local for the finish (The Gazebo at Science World).
I didn't have time to secure a little bike, so I wasn't a participant. So after the start I helped to clean up the plaza of the scattered bits of cereal packets (security dude still watching) and other detritus (we left the cereal bits for the birds) and a pack of us went with the "trophy" (in a bin in a trailer) down Burrard to Pender, east to Shanghai Alley, south past Science World to the gazebo, raising a rukus the whole time, hooting and hollering etc. One of our number was the Reverend Phil (yes, an ordained minister) up from Portland. He was quite the sight riding along one-leggedly, crutches in a holster behind his saddle, the other leg in a huge cast (the result of a nasty mini-bike accident, bombing downhill in Portland).
After setting up the trophy in the Winner's Circle (or in this case octogon, the gazebo), were set about waiting for the racers by socialising. Liquid refreshments being the favoured time passer. It didn't take long for the first few to arrive, and I haven't the foggiest idea how long we were there befor we left (I could check the time stamps on my pictures, but who cares. Not I. I had plenty of refreshments, and lots to share. I had more takers than the previous night. We left, where/why I had no idea (I was pretty "refreshed", as were most of the others), but we were heading East on Terminal.
We ended at a little plaza on Clark rear the SkyTrain crossing and set up a little outdoor party with music (amplified. powered by a battery, battery voltage maintained by 3 bicycle/generator combos. People took turns pedalling). When the outdoor party started to break up, I checked my watch, it was about 23:30 and the last 351 home would be at Granville & Broadway around 00:15. HMMMMM, go to the 351 or the next party (at Midnight Simon's place) if I go to Simon's I know I will be up all night. You see, I have to be at work in 6.5hrs. It just didn't make sense either to go home because I wouldn't get there till 01:20, and would have to get up 2 hrs later to leave at 04:00 riding to Richmond. Ifny saw me checking my watch and asked if I was coming to the party. I briefly mentioned the choices/logistics (under 10 sec.) and she thought going to work from Simons rather than home sounded better. So did I (BTW, Ifny won the Alley Kitten, on "The Tickler". It has a fake-fur cover on its banana seat). Ahhhh, the party! It wasn't until 36hrs later that I remembered the evening's list of events included an item marked "Midnight -> late, Mini-Bike Madness". And What madness it was. I'll tell you about it later.
Momentum Magazine
After the Alley Kitten race was over, while we were still @ The Gazebo south of Science World, someone had put out a small stack of Momentum (sorry, I can't write it as a plural, because that would be momenta, which would look silly. Mind you, Lotus afficionados do say Loti as a joke, but I digress) so I was able to get my latest Momentum (Oct/Nov issue) earlier than usual. What a bonus! It always has something interesting in it. There is more than just cycling to it. It is billed as "The magazine for self-propelled people", but it is more than that too. For back issues check out the web site. www.momentumplanet.ca is the place to go. The current issue has an article on a guy from Winnipeg who biked to Kitchener Ontario (2,220 km!!) to attend a Christian arts & social justice conference because he made a decition not to fly, as so many environmentalists do, to out of town/overseas conferences. He then launched a campaign called "de-motorize your soul". On its website is more anecdotal "proof" that cycling is more than just good for the environment. He is the editor of Geez magazine. www.geezmagazine.org & www.geezmagazine.org/demotorize for the spiritual cycling bit.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Catching up
Well, it does seem rather silly blogging about something 4.5 days after the fact, but here it goes (abridged, not expurgated). Thurs Sept 21st, shortly before midnight, Grandview Park. Chit-chatting with the various people I met last week, encountering new people this week. Finding out a little of what the Portlanders (and what a "ZooBomb" is) are like, meet a Sprockette (mmmmm, chili mango from Agent Lapis) and their various rides. Saying hi to some of the people I recognised from other Critical Mass rides, but who were not at last week's M.M. Eventually we hit the road (Midnight is not a time, but a state of mind, appearently, as departure was around 00:30) heading downtown to showcase the core to our visitors, and give the night-lifers a side show. First down Commercial to Adanac/Union, onto Main to Waterfront Rd via the overpass, under Canada Place, through a parkade (fun to hoot and holler in the dead of night in places that echo)and to the Coal Harbour seawall path. Stop for a bit of socialising, ride down the ramp to a floating walkway (like marinas hve for boat moorage, but no mooring here. About 2.5 ft wide, no railings, and the harbour to either side) and back up the other ramp. Ride up Broughton to Robson,over to Granville, wave at all the crowds OUTSIDE the nightclubs (gee, it must be fun to go clubbing, just think of all that wild time spent lined up outside, sheep lined up to be fleeced), down to Drake, up Hornby, along Davie to English Bay for a long stop. Refreshment time. Considerable quantities consumed of various domestic and recently imported types, plus homegrown. I hope we didn't disturb too badly the guy trying to sleep under the small tarp. The numbers had thinned a little by the time we left for food (after the discussion of where to get what, and some whiners about least elevation gain as possible). I didn't hear where we were going, but it didn't matter to me. We went along Pacific and across the Burrard Bridge, onto Cornwall to Cypress...Siegels Bagels. It was pretty funny, some 30 or so of us descending upon the shop, only 1 guy working there, but eventually everyone had some eats. Some bike games in the parking lot and eventually head east. Cypress, 2nd, lamey's Mill and under Cambie Bridge to 1st, through a parking lot south of Science World, and at Science World I called out my good-byes to those carrying on back to "The Drive", as it was now 03:17, and the last NightBus to Whalley would be coming soon down Main (schedulled to leave Broadway & Kingsway @ 03:30). So I wait for the bus. It arrives. An articulated one, lots and lots of capacity, about 8 passengers on board, but 2 bmx's filling the bike-rack and an unsympathetique driver. So now you know how I know how long it takes to ride to White Rock from downtown Vancouver. And incidentally, before I left I checked the bus' ETA for Surrey Central. When the bus got to Whalley, I was on the Alex Fraser Bridge. So had I been able to board it, I might have arrived home 10 mins earlier than I did.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Your Bicycle Is Your Friend
One of the advantages of being a regular cyclist is that when transport plans go awry, one is not stranded. I have often wondered how long it would take to ride from downtown Vancouver to The Rock (or vice versa). I no longer am troubled by this weighty of questions. 2hrs 15 mins from Quebec & Terminal, so add another 5 for the DT core.
I had a few errands to do Thursday, so I was unable to attend the kick-off the the Velomutation weekend (bike movies), but was all set for another Midnight Mass. Last week's experience imparting some logistical insight, I was better prepared. 22:28 on the 321, 11:10 on the SkyTrain, arrived Commercial & Charles 22:47. Perfect so far. Lots of people. About 60 or 70 this time. Didn't try to count, it just looked about 2X the size of last group. Not Surprising considering there were about 30 Portlanders up for the festivities (but not all in attendence for Mass) and the extra locals likewise . (Once again I was overly prepared, but considering the 16:00 1hr long downpour, I wasn't taking a chance with the weather. Jacket, rainpants, booties, 4 sets of gloves, and liquid "party suplies". 4 pairs of gloves? you ask? Regular, full fingered light weight, full fingered medium weight, and neoprene wet weather) OOPS! Spent too much time reading other stuff before beginning my epic tale, now it is time to dash for more bikefun.
I had a few errands to do Thursday, so I was unable to attend the kick-off the the Velomutation weekend (bike movies), but was all set for another Midnight Mass. Last week's experience imparting some logistical insight, I was better prepared. 22:28 on the 321, 11:10 on the SkyTrain, arrived Commercial & Charles 22:47. Perfect so far. Lots of people. About 60 or 70 this time. Didn't try to count, it just looked about 2X the size of last group. Not Surprising considering there were about 30 Portlanders up for the festivities (but not all in attendence for Mass) and the extra locals likewise . (Once again I was overly prepared, but considering the 16:00 1hr long downpour, I wasn't taking a chance with the weather. Jacket, rainpants, booties, 4 sets of gloves, and liquid "party suplies". 4 pairs of gloves? you ask? Regular, full fingered light weight, full fingered medium weight, and neoprene wet weather) OOPS! Spent too much time reading other stuff before beginning my epic tale, now it is time to dash for more bikefun.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The End of the World
The old cliché goes that today is the first day of the rest of your life. Well, here is a sad parallel: Today is the start of The End of the World. Yes, it is true, the end is nigh. Anthropogenic global warming has begun. There is too much momentum behind the sources of change causing the warming to stop it before catastophe will be upon us, unless we all do our utmost to combat the problem. Every minute an internal combustion engine (I.C.E.) runs unecessarily is a minute closer to the brink of disaster, every plastic bag (because NO plastic bag is necessary. There is an alternative to each and every one.) is a few more grams tipping the balance in favour of doom. Every single non-renewable commodity used (or renewable wasted in such a way as to render it non-renewable) is edging us further down the slope into a morass from which there is no escape. And we are all guilty.
The ICE is the easiest target to point out, yet in our Western/Northern society heating/cooling of buildings, residential and commercial, produces more greenhouse gases than transportation. So it is clear that everyone must reduce heating and cooling energy use too. It is very simple to conserve. I know you have heard it before, but often fail to head the advice. This heating season, ask yourself if it is really necessary to turn up the heat, or will putting on a sweater do just as well. A draught causing a chill? Don't seek the thermostat, Stop the draught. Door seals, window film, various insulations and even closing internal doors at night when the heat is turned down. You would be surprised how much warmer a bedroom is with just the closing of its door. Are you only using one room for an hour or so? Don't turn up the furnace. Turn it down and just heat the small space being used. It is cheaper as well as using less energy. Don't be fooled by the appearent expensiveness of electricity compared to gas. An electric heater on Low (usually about 500 watts power level) keeping one room toasty costs less than heating a whole house to moderate warmth. (at 500W for 2 hrs, that's only about 8 cents. I know BCHydro is trying to confuse everyone by splitting the energy use and energy delivery charges, but that is what it is).
Someone recently (and others have done so previously) put it to me that bicycles weren't the answer to everything. I did not respond to it because the venue was not appropriate. But I unequivocally state here my belief that the bicycle, in one form or another, is indead the answer to almost everything. It is so much more than "just a bicycle". You name the problem, and I'll tell you how the bicycle is the answer. A whole host of health problems can be helped. Depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension are just the starters. Transportation is obvious, but using bikes for transport solves other problems too. Urban planning and land use, when cyclocentric keeps people and their needs close together so they no longer have to travel far to do what they need to do. Mass transit becomes a viable option for the majority instead of a minority. No more urban sprawl eating up farmland, plenty of room for parks and recreational facilities (for velolovers and non-bikers alike). Bicycle ownership by everyone in the Western world is attainable, and would solve the problem of global warming. So many positive things would spring from bicycle usage that disaster could be averted. Those with wee chilluns ought to think about the state of our world, and what will become of it in the time when they will be thinking of propagation themselves. The prospect is bleak at present. But it does not have to be. You have to be proactive.
I know everyone who can read this knows about the 3-R's (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle), but how much of it is being incorporated into daily life. The answer for us all (yes, even me) is not enough. Reducing is 1st because uasage and wastage of all things is so great, Re-using whatever can be helps reducing, and almost everthing can be recycled. It just comes down to level of committment to find a way to recycle.
I had my epiphany a long time ago, I just didn't mention it. It is now time for me to proselytise. Propitiously, this Friday, September 22nd, is WORLD CAR-FREE DAY. I have been car free for over 7years (car-less even longer). It is time to free yourselves from the tyranny of the car. Truly, car owners are enslaved by their I.C.E. vehicles.
The ICE is the easiest target to point out, yet in our Western/Northern society heating/cooling of buildings, residential and commercial, produces more greenhouse gases than transportation. So it is clear that everyone must reduce heating and cooling energy use too. It is very simple to conserve. I know you have heard it before, but often fail to head the advice. This heating season, ask yourself if it is really necessary to turn up the heat, or will putting on a sweater do just as well. A draught causing a chill? Don't seek the thermostat, Stop the draught. Door seals, window film, various insulations and even closing internal doors at night when the heat is turned down. You would be surprised how much warmer a bedroom is with just the closing of its door. Are you only using one room for an hour or so? Don't turn up the furnace. Turn it down and just heat the small space being used. It is cheaper as well as using less energy. Don't be fooled by the appearent expensiveness of electricity compared to gas. An electric heater on Low (usually about 500 watts power level) keeping one room toasty costs less than heating a whole house to moderate warmth. (at 500W for 2 hrs, that's only about 8 cents. I know BCHydro is trying to confuse everyone by splitting the energy use and energy delivery charges, but that is what it is).
Someone recently (and others have done so previously) put it to me that bicycles weren't the answer to everything. I did not respond to it because the venue was not appropriate. But I unequivocally state here my belief that the bicycle, in one form or another, is indead the answer to almost everything. It is so much more than "just a bicycle". You name the problem, and I'll tell you how the bicycle is the answer. A whole host of health problems can be helped. Depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension are just the starters. Transportation is obvious, but using bikes for transport solves other problems too. Urban planning and land use, when cyclocentric keeps people and their needs close together so they no longer have to travel far to do what they need to do. Mass transit becomes a viable option for the majority instead of a minority. No more urban sprawl eating up farmland, plenty of room for parks and recreational facilities (for velolovers and non-bikers alike). Bicycle ownership by everyone in the Western world is attainable, and would solve the problem of global warming. So many positive things would spring from bicycle usage that disaster could be averted. Those with wee chilluns ought to think about the state of our world, and what will become of it in the time when they will be thinking of propagation themselves. The prospect is bleak at present. But it does not have to be. You have to be proactive.
I know everyone who can read this knows about the 3-R's (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle), but how much of it is being incorporated into daily life. The answer for us all (yes, even me) is not enough. Reducing is 1st because uasage and wastage of all things is so great, Re-using whatever can be helps reducing, and almost everthing can be recycled. It just comes down to level of committment to find a way to recycle.
I had my epiphany a long time ago, I just didn't mention it. It is now time for me to proselytise. Propitiously, this Friday, September 22nd, is WORLD CAR-FREE DAY. I have been car free for over 7years (car-less even longer). It is time to free yourselves from the tyranny of the car. Truly, car owners are enslaved by their I.C.E. vehicles.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Lights Replacement
If you are starting to read this before the preceeding post "What Happened Next", stop. Read W.H.N. 1st.
Not only the cost of the lights ($16 + $17.50 + $8 +GST) but my NiMH batteries that were in them. Another $26 +GST&PST. Argh! Well, I have plenty more NiMH's, but the front lights were another matter. I do have ones so I can be seen, but I need to see too. My one highish powered halogen light eats batteries for breakfast, literally. Which is why I switched to LEDs. I used to use 2 of the halogens (burn time about 1 hr each with the older NiMH batteries) so that would last the ride in on weekends, but did have much allowance for unforseen circumstances. Plus, one of the bulbs had burnt out and was not yet replaced. So Friday night (at Canadian Tire)I bought an expensive ($30)helmet mounted 1W LED with a big reflector in case I needed it. On Saturday's ride I used my one un-stolen very low powered LED for times requiring visibility, and added in the halogen when required for vision. I left the new helmet light in my pannier, undecided if I should keep it or not. Sunday AM I decided to use it. It was really cool. The combination of the high power LED and the concentrating of the reflector made a really bright spotlight. Way brighter than the 2.4W halogen. And mounted on the helmet meant it illuminated whatever I looked at by turning my head. However I still bought another handlebar mounted LED Sunday afternoon ($17.50. I rode to MEC after work). It's a lot handier than the helmet mount. I'll just use it for the long, dark morning rides.
Not only the cost of the lights ($16 + $17.50 + $8 +GST) but my NiMH batteries that were in them. Another $26 +GST&PST. Argh! Well, I have plenty more NiMH's, but the front lights were another matter. I do have ones so I can be seen, but I need to see too. My one highish powered halogen light eats batteries for breakfast, literally. Which is why I switched to LEDs. I used to use 2 of the halogens (burn time about 1 hr each with the older NiMH batteries) so that would last the ride in on weekends, but did have much allowance for unforseen circumstances. Plus, one of the bulbs had burnt out and was not yet replaced. So Friday night (at Canadian Tire)I bought an expensive ($30)helmet mounted 1W LED with a big reflector in case I needed it. On Saturday's ride I used my one un-stolen very low powered LED for times requiring visibility, and added in the halogen when required for vision. I left the new helmet light in my pannier, undecided if I should keep it or not. Sunday AM I decided to use it. It was really cool. The combination of the high power LED and the concentrating of the reflector made a really bright spotlight. Way brighter than the 2.4W halogen. And mounted on the helmet meant it illuminated whatever I looked at by turning my head. However I still bought another handlebar mounted LED Sunday afternoon ($17.50. I rode to MEC after work). It's a lot handier than the helmet mount. I'll just use it for the long, dark morning rides.
What Happened Next
I know everyone is itching to know what else happened on my Midnight Mass adventure as I hinted there was a little more to tell. I could have written it then, but I thought my post was long enough as it was. So here it goes (Reders Digest version).
As there were so many of us at the Naam, there was not enough bike rackage for all right outside it, and I and many others locked up in neibouring racks. It was after 2am and so close to the restaurant that I did not bother removing my lights as I normally would if expecting to be separated from my baby for long. Mistake. Upon return and unlocking my bike, I immediately noticed the absence of my rear light, two of three handlebar lights, and my wedgie (a small zippered pouch under the saddle, for the non-initiated) was open. My patch-kit was missing (odd the thief didn't take my tire levers, tire pressure guage, and a mini slot-screwdriver, but at least they were left behind. I figure the one front light left was becaus it was mounted upside-down and thus a little trickier to detach). I was not alone in my perurbedness. Three others were similarly hit. So among the thieving denizens of Kits is an extremely well lit non-cyclist. After all, even a cyclothief wouln't take another cyclist's lights when it is dark and raining. While extremely P.O.'d, I did have spares (rear: helmet, knapsack & pannier all sporting LED's, plus extra small ultra portable "turtle" light from MEC in my pack. front: "turtle" light and the remaining headlight). While I was annoyed by the lights' absence, I was still in a good mood. I had had fun riding, I would be doing a little more riding (Eastward with the group as they headed to various parts on the eastside to home, and I to Main St to catch a "night bus" to Whalley and another 50 mins ride to home). So I get to Main & 6th for the bus, lean my bike against the pole, take off my back-pack to check the schedule. Oops! Rule No.1 in Transit is check your shedule before you leave. Yes, I did check it before I left home, but I forgot the corrolary of REMEMBER what the schedule says and its impiclations. The last Night Bus left about 20 mins ago, so it was time to consider my options. 1. ride along Kingsway, across the Patullo, and home. 2. to Richmond, Alex Fraser, & home (with subsidiary choice of Oak or Night st bridge). 3. Wait 1.5 hrs for the 1st skytrain. 4. Wait 2.5 hrs for the 1st 351. 5. Wait 45 mins for the 98 B-line, ride to the tunnel and catch a 351 starting south from the depot. 6.Call work and find out which of the morons were in town and wrangle a ride home. Since riding all the way home would be about 2hrs, any choice involving waiting was simply a waste of time. I headed south, rejecting the Kingsway option. By the time I got to 41st, I had decided on Oak for the North Arm crossing. Oh, I forgot to mention that as I was checking the bus schedule, it started to rain in earnest, not the spitting it was previously. Forwarned is forarmed. Cyclists check weather forcasts diligently. My raingear was in my pannier. So when I was crossing the bridge, I decided to stop by work to say hi and grab some coffee. But I did more than that. The new graveyard guy was on his last night of training, so the regular guy and I had some chat time.....and next thing you know it is almost 1.5 hrs later. So I dashed off and caught a 351 before the tunnel in the nick of time at 6am and got home 0640. To sleep, perchance to dream.
As there were so many of us at the Naam, there was not enough bike rackage for all right outside it, and I and many others locked up in neibouring racks. It was after 2am and so close to the restaurant that I did not bother removing my lights as I normally would if expecting to be separated from my baby for long. Mistake. Upon return and unlocking my bike, I immediately noticed the absence of my rear light, two of three handlebar lights, and my wedgie (a small zippered pouch under the saddle, for the non-initiated) was open. My patch-kit was missing (odd the thief didn't take my tire levers, tire pressure guage, and a mini slot-screwdriver, but at least they were left behind. I figure the one front light left was becaus it was mounted upside-down and thus a little trickier to detach). I was not alone in my perurbedness. Three others were similarly hit. So among the thieving denizens of Kits is an extremely well lit non-cyclist. After all, even a cyclothief wouln't take another cyclist's lights when it is dark and raining. While extremely P.O.'d, I did have spares (rear: helmet, knapsack & pannier all sporting LED's, plus extra small ultra portable "turtle" light from MEC in my pack. front: "turtle" light and the remaining headlight). While I was annoyed by the lights' absence, I was still in a good mood. I had had fun riding, I would be doing a little more riding (Eastward with the group as they headed to various parts on the eastside to home, and I to Main St to catch a "night bus" to Whalley and another 50 mins ride to home). So I get to Main & 6th for the bus, lean my bike against the pole, take off my back-pack to check the schedule. Oops! Rule No.1 in Transit is check your shedule before you leave. Yes, I did check it before I left home, but I forgot the corrolary of REMEMBER what the schedule says and its impiclations. The last Night Bus left about 20 mins ago, so it was time to consider my options. 1. ride along Kingsway, across the Patullo, and home. 2. to Richmond, Alex Fraser, & home (with subsidiary choice of Oak or Night st bridge). 3. Wait 1.5 hrs for the 1st skytrain. 4. Wait 2.5 hrs for the 1st 351. 5. Wait 45 mins for the 98 B-line, ride to the tunnel and catch a 351 starting south from the depot. 6.Call work and find out which of the morons were in town and wrangle a ride home. Since riding all the way home would be about 2hrs, any choice involving waiting was simply a waste of time. I headed south, rejecting the Kingsway option. By the time I got to 41st, I had decided on Oak for the North Arm crossing. Oh, I forgot to mention that as I was checking the bus schedule, it started to rain in earnest, not the spitting it was previously. Forwarned is forarmed. Cyclists check weather forcasts diligently. My raingear was in my pannier. So when I was crossing the bridge, I decided to stop by work to say hi and grab some coffee. But I did more than that. The new graveyard guy was on his last night of training, so the regular guy and I had some chat time.....and next thing you know it is almost 1.5 hrs later. So I dashed off and caught a 351 before the tunnel in the nick of time at 6am and got home 0640. To sleep, perchance to dream.
Friday, September 15, 2006
My 1st Midnight Mass
...the fisrt time had been successful, so with more speed the second time was bound to be even beter. My spedometer read 32km/h and I got ready to bail, unclipped, swung my leg off my bike and hopped onto the pavement. Holding onto the handlebars for stability yet not braking like before, I slid along listening to the grating of steel cleats on asphalt...
So in classical in medias rez style the story of my 1st Midnight Mass "begins".
The plan was simple. 23:45, Commercial @ Charles. Unfortunately Translink has a different idea of simplicity. Arrive 15 mins late or 45 mins early (it seems to be like that always). Decisions decisions. 351 gets one there faster and in more comfort, but the slower 321/skytrain combo means less hanging around at the end. I went with the latter.Leaving at 21:50, I arrived still with a ton of time to kill, so I rode down to check out the rendez-vous point,went beyond it for a bit then rode back (slowly, trying to use up the time) and had a Teen Burger @ Broadway & Commercial. OK, should be fine now, arriving 23:40. Ride around in circles for a bit, 23:46, still nobodyelse. Check my watch, yeah 14th is the 2nd thursday...23:48 2 cyclists arrive and I head over to inquire "Midnight Mass?" Yes. Another minute 2 more arrive, seconds afterwards a bunch more. By Midnight some 20->25 of us are there. Mostly aquainted with each other, but a few like myself are new. 00:08 informed we'll be leaving soon, just waiting for 1 or 2 people who are on the way to arrive. They do about 5 mins later and then ~00:20 we actually leave.
Most with lights a-flashing, but some unlit, the amassed group, now numbering 30 or so heads south along Commercial. A few passers by call out to the group (Take your clothes off! and One less car! were the 2 I could make out). Somebody in a silver sports car tries to pass the group, but oncomming traffic makes him pull back into the left-hand lane, but in the midst of our pack. So we swarm around him and carry on at our own pace for a few blocks. He gets the hint, slows down and turns left onto a side street to avoid us. An enjoyable start, cruising around the eastside in the dark.
After a while we end up at a deserted, yet popular, location. People are dying to get in there. Literally. (wink wink, nudge nudge).We have some refreshments (I wasn't the only one with a thermos, nor something stronger) and talk some more. Some people leave for home (work/uni in the morning) others talk about where to go next. It is decided upon. "The Crescent".
There are still about 20 of us when we get to The Crescent, and use it as our impromptu velodrome. Around and around, one way then the other, through the park in the centre, doing skids,180's and such, on the damp pavement, more talking and refreshments. Throughout the ride, one person has been taking pictures of the participants.
which brings us to the top of the post.
...I was sliding along quite nicely, but neglected to keep the bike at my side. Not enough mental preparation. It just eased a little in front, but mostly at my side at first, but took a sudden turn right in my path and we went down. Crash. And slid a bit more. Ah well. It was fun while it lasted. No harm really.
Unfortunately the bang on my elbow is exaclty the same spot as when I went down after being hit by a car in the spring, as is the one just below the knee. Really 2 awkward spots. Can't lean on my left elbow (very handy when bored at work) and left knee stiff and sore now, some 14 hrs later.
Wrapping things up, went to Naam restaurant in Kits afterwards with the remaining group (about 12 or 14). Left there around 03:30.
There is a little more to the story, but the basics is enough. I enjoyed my first Midnight Mass, I'll do it again.
So in classical in medias rez style the story of my 1st Midnight Mass "begins".
The plan was simple. 23:45, Commercial @ Charles. Unfortunately Translink has a different idea of simplicity. Arrive 15 mins late or 45 mins early (it seems to be like that always). Decisions decisions. 351 gets one there faster and in more comfort, but the slower 321/skytrain combo means less hanging around at the end. I went with the latter.Leaving at 21:50, I arrived still with a ton of time to kill, so I rode down to check out the rendez-vous point,went beyond it for a bit then rode back (slowly, trying to use up the time) and had a Teen Burger @ Broadway & Commercial. OK, should be fine now, arriving 23:40. Ride around in circles for a bit, 23:46, still nobodyelse. Check my watch, yeah 14th is the 2nd thursday...23:48 2 cyclists arrive and I head over to inquire "Midnight Mass?" Yes. Another minute 2 more arrive, seconds afterwards a bunch more. By Midnight some 20->25 of us are there. Mostly aquainted with each other, but a few like myself are new. 00:08 informed we'll be leaving soon, just waiting for 1 or 2 people who are on the way to arrive. They do about 5 mins later and then ~00:20 we actually leave.
Most with lights a-flashing, but some unlit, the amassed group, now numbering 30 or so heads south along Commercial. A few passers by call out to the group (Take your clothes off! and One less car! were the 2 I could make out). Somebody in a silver sports car tries to pass the group, but oncomming traffic makes him pull back into the left-hand lane, but in the midst of our pack. So we swarm around him and carry on at our own pace for a few blocks. He gets the hint, slows down and turns left onto a side street to avoid us. An enjoyable start, cruising around the eastside in the dark.
After a while we end up at a deserted, yet popular, location. People are dying to get in there. Literally. (wink wink, nudge nudge).We have some refreshments (I wasn't the only one with a thermos, nor something stronger) and talk some more. Some people leave for home (work/uni in the morning) others talk about where to go next. It is decided upon. "The Crescent".
There are still about 20 of us when we get to The Crescent, and use it as our impromptu velodrome. Around and around, one way then the other, through the park in the centre, doing skids,180's and such, on the damp pavement, more talking and refreshments. Throughout the ride, one person has been taking pictures of the participants.
which brings us to the top of the post.
...I was sliding along quite nicely, but neglected to keep the bike at my side. Not enough mental preparation. It just eased a little in front, but mostly at my side at first, but took a sudden turn right in my path and we went down. Crash. And slid a bit more. Ah well. It was fun while it lasted. No harm really.
Unfortunately the bang on my elbow is exaclty the same spot as when I went down after being hit by a car in the spring, as is the one just below the knee. Really 2 awkward spots. Can't lean on my left elbow (very handy when bored at work) and left knee stiff and sore now, some 14 hrs later.
Wrapping things up, went to Naam restaurant in Kits afterwards with the remaining group (about 12 or 14). Left there around 03:30.
There is a little more to the story, but the basics is enough. I enjoyed my first Midnight Mass, I'll do it again.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
More Ikea & Bicycle videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgqVjsaxbJ4&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TO90OV1IME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBX3I49rHNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUup4-m_9JU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUClDkGfWBc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Bo1XpgXkY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWNhAN6f3Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gGF-K97mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWy-ZOLDrD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJnmd5rwL8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3ZQbNQF59s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC17HxWQJok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqZmhLz3Eas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztdsVnCGOnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXQ8IIVr4zY
As I said before, time well wasted.
Get on your bike!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TO90OV1IME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBX3I49rHNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUup4-m_9JU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUClDkGfWBc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Bo1XpgXkY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWNhAN6f3Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gGF-K97mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWy-ZOLDrD4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJnmd5rwL8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3ZQbNQF59s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC17HxWQJok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqZmhLz3Eas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztdsVnCGOnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXQ8IIVr4zY
As I said before, time well wasted.
Get on your bike!
I Need These Urgently
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/333/2730/9261
Credit Card anyone? Size M please.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Spreading the VeloLove
Spreading the velolove, that is what I'll be doing soon. It's all part of velomutation, I'll be preparing with the Midnight Mass tomorrow. What is Midnight Mass? you ask. The answer is just a click away (in reverse chronological order).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqteoePHLyA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2CpRcqmGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGoFAfFi75c
Soon I'll be able to post my own tawdry little film clips. I got a little mount for the camera, and now just have to figure out a way to attatch it to Portia (my baby. One of The Rock's carless one day last year asked me how my Porsche was, so earlier in the summer when I was chatting up a local Bike-Babe on the 351 and asked her if her bike had a name, to which she responded no, I realised my baby was nameless. It struck me right away what her name was. Now, I know what your next question is. How do I know my bike is female? That is another post).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqteoePHLyA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2CpRcqmGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGoFAfFi75c
Soon I'll be able to post my own tawdry little film clips. I got a little mount for the camera, and now just have to figure out a way to attatch it to Portia (my baby. One of The Rock's carless one day last year asked me how my Porsche was, so earlier in the summer when I was chatting up a local Bike-Babe on the 351 and asked her if her bike had a name, to which she responded no, I realised my baby was nameless. It struck me right away what her name was. Now, I know what your next question is. How do I know my bike is female? That is another post).
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Viva La Velorution
http://www.bikesexual.org/cm/bikesexual/bikesex.html
http://www.bikesexual.org/cm/bikesexual/carsex.html
Viva la Velorution.
P.S. - If you are scared to click on the links, don't worry, bikesexual.org is only an ultra-pro-bike as transportation site.
http://www.bikesexual.org/cm/bikesexual/carsex.html
Viva la Velorution.
P.S. - If you are scared to click on the links, don't worry, bikesexual.org is only an ultra-pro-bike as transportation site.
Slow day at work....
Here's a story I stumbled upon. Especially for those Who "love" goats.
- want to "google" something for a laugh? Pick yor favourite animal and favourite fruit, and put them together, see what google gives you. Then try the same for Wikipedia. For "mango penguin", one google hit I got was a spoof of wikipedia http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Triforce
- a listing from the "did you know" section of today's "main page" for wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frantisek_Kotzwara
-
Friday, September 08, 2006
Time Well Spent? ....Spent, well..., you know....wasted
Isn't the internet just the best/worste time waster/thief of all-time. In no time, your time is gone, and it's time to spend your time elsewhere, only there is no time, because you wasted your time......Now add in blogging, a truly useless waste of time for time's sake, and don't even start spending time on YouTube..... Then combine them into the acme, pinnacle, and hyperbolically ultimate waster................... posting YouTube links on blogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ4XoYqngKA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWFHlQMn-BM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw_rwN3TFQE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzD7EWMEcB0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Z9VGUz7vc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f--nRZfkd2E
Put a lid on it, get a bike, and ride. That's what I'm going to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ4XoYqngKA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWFHlQMn-BM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw_rwN3TFQE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzD7EWMEcB0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Z9VGUz7vc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f--nRZfkd2E
Put a lid on it, get a bike, and ride. That's what I'm going to do.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Internet TV
Want to watch TV on the net? Although the selection is limited (unless you speak Chinese), an interesting streaming viewer for download at www.tvunetworks.com. (only works for wxp & w2k). HBO, Disney, Fox, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC from various points in the states, some Italian, German, Romanian, several Chinese channels (Taiwan & Mainland).....
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)