Bicycling Corvallis, OR

Ah, Corvallis.

Another wonderful place to ride.

And sheepies!

Another day taking the boys for a ride.

I had 2 of my boys do some tempo repeats as they transition their legs out of base and into quick-firing pistons. It sure is nice that they're so eager to do them!

-click to enlarge-

Another Walla Walla Xtracycler!

This is Laif!


This is Laif's AWESOME Bianchi cruiser with an Xtracycle and electric assist!


It's a little big for me..

But he let me ride it around the block. :)

Thanks, Laif!





A few details...

Finding Bikery Repair

So.. where is that repair program you teach?

It's HERE:



More info at: bikeryrepair.blogspot.com

When I have a lot of stuff to bring to work..

..I "drive the truck."

Another great team ride ..

Today one of my riders shared that he aspired to be fast enough to help his teammate in a race.

I've never been prouder.


And we have a new rider! 
He rode a vintage Raleigh mixte, but still pedalled with determination. He'll be able to scoot along a little faster once we get him on a JAMIS racing bike.

They're looking really comfortable on their bikes.

Visit the team's website at: bikeryracing.blogspot.com

The PERFECT Bicycle Touring Set Up

When purchasing bicycle touring gear, it is easy to become obsessed with finding "THE PERFECT" gear. 

• The most indestructible, feather-light, shiny silver rack.
  
• The most indestructible, feather-light, waterproof, pocketed, fire engine red panniers.
  
• The most indestructible, feather-light, waterproof yet breathable, bright but not gaudy, zips-off-at-the-sleeves, passes as casual jacket.
  
• The most indestructible..
  

you get my point.

I am (sort of) no longer looking for these PERFECT items. I DO like super handy, multi-use items-- like the Princton Tec Aurora 3 light that converts from a handlebar light, helmet light to a headlamp. And while I will strive to strike a balance between durability, weight and expense-- to an extent, I think it matters more that *I* am competent, more so than my gear.

So when I come across evidence as I've posted below, I feel multiple ways at once:

1. I pass judgement for feeling like "I know better."
   
2. I feel inspired by cheap, homemade solutions.
   
3. I feel like if this person carried THAT much with THAT gear, then surely carrying the LITTLE gear I'll bring and the AWESOME gear I'll use.. I'll be JUST FINE! :)
   

My uncensored in-my-brain thoughts:

Why did you let another person on your bicycle?? Is that a rocket booster back there? Man, that thing has got to be like a bus!

Dude, this guy just draped two BACKPACKS off the back of his bike. And those are neon STRAWS on his spokes. His journal on Crazyguyonabike.com is hilarious.

From Tom's online journal: "I didn't go through extensive research in packing my things. I don't know how much anything weights, If i think it's too heavy I'll drop items.... or I'll pretend to be a battering ram and run into things."

Lying down to ride is weird. I think I would want to nap all the time. Those are frickin' huge flags. But I bet they did their job.

Pff! Fancy front rack? NAW. Just get a basket rack thinger!

No comment available.

Sweet. Homemade panniers! I hope they last for ya.

Fun(ny?) bicycle accessories @ Amazon.com

You wouldn't think it, but Amazon.com has quite a few fun(ny?) things for bicycles...

Bicycle air horn.

COMBINATION bike horn and turn signal flasher.

Change the light.

Sweet chrome bicycle mirrors.

Car-type speedometer for a bicycle.

From Thift-Shop to Carbon Felt

Tuft, above, is now a member of the Garmin-Slipstream team. At 18, he spent $40 on a thrift-shop bike and built a trailer to haul supplies and his 80-pound dog, Bear, and rode into the Canadian wilderness.

Full NY Times article here.

I've gone from moderately interested to very interested in watching this week's Tour of California.

When did bike trails get put in the same category as GOLF courses?

I hate golf. AND golf courses.

Pttbhh.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), chair of the Senate Steering Committee, has proposed an amendment to the stimulus bill that would prohibit any funding of bicycle infrastructure from this bill. He was supported by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) who is known for his opposition to bicycle lanes and paths.

"When people see bike trails and hiking trails and golf courses, they know this is not designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It’s just basically special-interest pork barrel spending."

Blumenauer rebuts DeMint's statement with this:

"Republican amendments and assertions that the creation of hike and bike trails in the recovery plan will not create jobs or stimulate the economy shows us just short-sighted and out of touch they are. Investment in bike paths will not only improve our economy, and take our country in the right direction for our future; it is precisely the kind of investment the American people want. American families have indicated time and again in the passage of bond measures across the country that they favor spending on alternative transportation, such as bicycles and mass transit, over spending on more highway capacity. Americans want a real solution to the economic crisis, not just a band-aid fix. These investments will stimulate the economy in the present and point our nation toward the economic and environmental realities of the future."

A 7th Grade Review of Camp Wooten (State Park East of Walla Walla)

Haa. :)

i went to camp wooten with my 6th grade class in 2008! i had an awesome time! its a long drive from clarkston by bus but it was worth it! when me and my cabin were coming back from the showers at 10:15 PM there was a rustling in the bushes we had forgot to bring our flashlights so we didnt think anything of it until the next day when the boys told us that there was a cougar lurking around the girls cabins, and that rustling in the bushes WAS THE COUGAR! My whole cabin could have been carried off by that cougar! SO NEVER FORGET TO BRING YOUR FLASHLIGHT AND A ROCK WITH YOU AT NIGHT OUT IN THE FOREST!!!!! BEWARE OF THE COUGAR! ANYWHERE IN THE FOREST! but please dont be scared of camp wooten it is a great place and the park rangers got rid of the cougar! please go and visit Camp Wooten!
Written by Hannah 23-Jun-2008

Anyone want to bet that the rustling in the bushes was the BOYS who told the girls there was a cougar?? ;)

In the fog