Really, very little to report... there may have been some bike talk at the far end of the table, but I didn't hear it... a report from the end of the table would be nice if there is something worth reporting.
Jonny and I were at something of a loss for words as we tried to describe to Lorne B why having a single speed is deemed so cool, and that if you have a fixed hub, you are ultra cool. Lorne has been a very serious commuter, so it's not like he's new to bikes. His Rocky Mountain Fusion got lifted from his garage last year... that stinks.
The Nathan G stolen bike recovery was also shared... probably worthy of a full retelling on this blog some time but not tonight.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
minutes jan 18
Well, good minute-taking intentions gone awry...
other than the bread being awarded to Vic, and then he having to share it with Lorne, I have little recollection of last week's gathering. Of course, Icebike was mentioned... but nobody nearly lost their life or limb that I recall... so there wasn't really news, was there?
The Minaki Yurts were brought up again for discussion as a Spring destination...
This link will take you to the page on Gord's Cycle where you can download the videos of people riding at Ingolf and Falcon and whatnot. This sort of media should be easily within our reach given adequate leisure time...
other than the bread being awarded to Vic, and then he having to share it with Lorne, I have little recollection of last week's gathering. Of course, Icebike was mentioned... but nobody nearly lost their life or limb that I recall... so there wasn't really news, was there?
The Minaki Yurts were brought up again for discussion as a Spring destination...
This link will take you to the page on Gord's Cycle where you can download the videos of people riding at Ingolf and Falcon and whatnot. This sort of media should be easily within our reach given adequate leisure time...
Monday, January 17, 2005
Why Ride a Bicycle?
At about this time of year, that question seems to come up more and more often. And with Icebike 7 coming up in just under three weeks, best to settle this once and for all. Call it a pre-emptive strike against the long list of lame excuses that are sure to start making their appearance at our Tuesday meetings.
What follows has been shamelessly lifted from Velonews.
ckh.
Why ride a bicycle? Ten reasons and counting
By Jill JanovSpecial to VeloNews
This report filed January 17, 2005
"Nothing compares with the simple pleasure of a bike ride."- President John F. Kennedy
Why ride a bicycle? When I asked 10 observers of the bicycle industry, they replied with inspired observations, unprintable expletives, lively endorsements of guilt-free dessert consumption and one common complaint - "Jeez, to pare it down to just one reason is difficult."
Cycling makes you smartA Zen teacher once asked his students why they rode bicycles. One said he rode to carry potatoes. Another cycled to observe the world. A third said it cleared the mind, and a fourth said cycling put him in harmony with all sentient beings. The Zen master was pleased, but when the fifth replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle," the teacher sat at the student's feet and said, "I am your student."
Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity while bicycling. And Ernest Hemingway said that, "It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them."
And with government figures showing that 64 percent of American adults and 30 percent of children are overweight, it seems there are plenty of reasons.
How about gas prices hovering just below $2 a gallon? Or just take a gander at these reasons from 10 of the industry's wittiest and most fanatical cyclists, and you'll brave bitter cold just to hit the road or trails this winter.
* * *
1. Riding a bike is liberating in that I-still-feel-like-a-kid sort of way, and I'm not trapped in a metal/glass/infernal combustion coffin looking at the world through wide-screen television eyes. And parking is always free on a bike. And my bike starts every morning, even in cold weather.
-Hurl Everstone of Minneapolis is the publisher of Cars R Coffins, a Web site devoted to bicycle-punkrock-action.
2. Without cycling, I'd die consuming the quantities of beer that I do. I also ride for the scenery. And what other opportunity do I have for stuffing 250 pounds into too-small Lycra bib shorts?
-Matt Wiebe, a Santa Fe resident, University of New Mexico professor and technical editor of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
3. I ride because it gives me an excuse for shaving my legs. If it weren't for the six bikes in the garage, I'd be forever trying to explain why I look like a bearded lady on the lam from a carnival sideshow who got her head shaved in the drunk tank after flunking a cootie inspection. Plus when I'm stuck for something obnoxious to write or draw, a quick ride helps jar the nickel loose and set the music to playing. That, and the drugs.
-Patrick O'Grady, a professional rumormonger living in Colorado who vents periodically on this site and at www.maddogmedia.com.
4. While pedaling over hill and dale, people usually notice and often talk to me. Because of this I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Like a Southern Baptist song, the good has overcome. This has been the best reason of all for bicycling. I'm approachable when on a bike. It's fun talking to kids and strangers about a sport and way of life that I love. Humanity awakens at the sight of a two-wheeled traveler.
-Loretta Esparza is a seven-year veteran of Salsa Cycles and a dog-lovin' barista in California.
5. To coalesce the burning pure horrific rage as you face knuckleheads, debutantes and four-wheeled freaks in traffic.
-Bob Roll calls himself "a man barely alive." A veteran of the 7-Eleven team, the first U.S. pro squad to tackle the Tour de France, he is the author of several books and a cycling commentator on the Outdoor Life Network.
6. Your ass. As in, if you ride a bike your butt ends up looking fairly tight - like two VW Beetles parking.
-Joe Lindsey of Boulder, Colorado, has been riding and racing bikes for 15 years, and covering the sport for the past six for cycling magazines. He's covered the Tour de France, the Olympics and numerous World Cups and world championships. He enjoys photography, telemark skiing and Britney Spears videos with the sound turned off.
7. Riding a bike has always been a major symbol of independence and freedom. But the real reasons I go out and pound the pedals are sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.
Sex: As the gap to geezerhood closes, stayin' in shape for my favorite activity becomes even more important.
Drugs: A long time ago I realized that maintaining my awesome boy-toy bod while enjoying my modest beer habit was going to require a lot more exercise than it did in my studly youth.
Rock 'n roll: While my guitar skills have never surpassed the mediocre stage, the stuff I play in my head when I ride is awesome. Just give me the steady rhythm of my fixed gear, some open road and turn it to 11, Jimi, 'cuz today we're gonna rock!
-Ross Shafer lives with his wife, Mari, on the Rockin' Bar L ranch in Petaluma, California. He is the founder and former owner of Salsa Cycles and owns and operates Six-Nine Design, which provides product design, prototyping, fabrication and tool design services.
8. Some people train so they can race; I race so I can train, so the all-important workout doesn't get shoved to the back burner so easily. Nothing inspires like knowing you're going to get your butt kicked in the next race if you don't train. The fact that I get my butt kicked anyway is completely beside the point.
-Jef Mallett, a former bike racer and current triathlete and cartoonist. His strip, "Frazz," appears in 150 newspapers across America.
9. My wife, Natasha, thinks cycling is great way to spend time as a family while burning a few calories. For her, the family ride is quality time. Then again, she does not have the trailer with 50 or so stuffed animals and the 2-year-old singing "Old McDonald" attached to her bike as we climb what must be Mont Ventoux. Hmm ... now that I think about it, cycling is the best way to burn a bazillion calories and hang with the family.
-John Kibodeaux, a 16-year veteran of bicycle retail, owns High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and also works full time for his daughter, Marguerite. He has a B.A. from St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in dirty diapers, Sesame Street and anything Disney.
10. I live and breathe bike transportation. Does that make me a granola-crunching, world-saving utopian? Actually, my riding has a lot to do with what's good for me. Riding makes me healthy. It saves me time. It makes me feel good and gives me energy to do more in life. Of course, getting around by bike is a green thing to do. And altruism does have its rewards. Frankly, I wouldn't mind saving the world. Makes one want to crunch some granola.
-Joe Breeze has been building and promoting bikes for more than 30 years. His Breezer bikes from 1977 are considered the first mountain bikes. Today, his Breezer company is solely focused on bikes for transportation.
Jill Janov, a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the former managing editor of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and a regular columnist with The New Mexican, where this article first appeared.
What follows has been shamelessly lifted from Velonews.
ckh.
Why ride a bicycle? Ten reasons and counting
By Jill JanovSpecial to VeloNews
This report filed January 17, 2005
"Nothing compares with the simple pleasure of a bike ride."- President John F. Kennedy
Why ride a bicycle? When I asked 10 observers of the bicycle industry, they replied with inspired observations, unprintable expletives, lively endorsements of guilt-free dessert consumption and one common complaint - "Jeez, to pare it down to just one reason is difficult."
Cycling makes you smartA Zen teacher once asked his students why they rode bicycles. One said he rode to carry potatoes. Another cycled to observe the world. A third said it cleared the mind, and a fourth said cycling put him in harmony with all sentient beings. The Zen master was pleased, but when the fifth replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle," the teacher sat at the student's feet and said, "I am your student."
Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity while bicycling. And Ernest Hemingway said that, "It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them."
And with government figures showing that 64 percent of American adults and 30 percent of children are overweight, it seems there are plenty of reasons.
How about gas prices hovering just below $2 a gallon? Or just take a gander at these reasons from 10 of the industry's wittiest and most fanatical cyclists, and you'll brave bitter cold just to hit the road or trails this winter.
* * *
1. Riding a bike is liberating in that I-still-feel-like-a-kid sort of way, and I'm not trapped in a metal/glass/infernal combustion coffin looking at the world through wide-screen television eyes. And parking is always free on a bike. And my bike starts every morning, even in cold weather.
-Hurl Everstone of Minneapolis is the publisher of Cars R Coffins, a Web site devoted to bicycle-punkrock-action.
2. Without cycling, I'd die consuming the quantities of beer that I do. I also ride for the scenery. And what other opportunity do I have for stuffing 250 pounds into too-small Lycra bib shorts?
-Matt Wiebe, a Santa Fe resident, University of New Mexico professor and technical editor of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
3. I ride because it gives me an excuse for shaving my legs. If it weren't for the six bikes in the garage, I'd be forever trying to explain why I look like a bearded lady on the lam from a carnival sideshow who got her head shaved in the drunk tank after flunking a cootie inspection. Plus when I'm stuck for something obnoxious to write or draw, a quick ride helps jar the nickel loose and set the music to playing. That, and the drugs.
-Patrick O'Grady, a professional rumormonger living in Colorado who vents periodically on this site and at www.maddogmedia.com.
4. While pedaling over hill and dale, people usually notice and often talk to me. Because of this I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Like a Southern Baptist song, the good has overcome. This has been the best reason of all for bicycling. I'm approachable when on a bike. It's fun talking to kids and strangers about a sport and way of life that I love. Humanity awakens at the sight of a two-wheeled traveler.
-Loretta Esparza is a seven-year veteran of Salsa Cycles and a dog-lovin' barista in California.
5. To coalesce the burning pure horrific rage as you face knuckleheads, debutantes and four-wheeled freaks in traffic.
-Bob Roll calls himself "a man barely alive." A veteran of the 7-Eleven team, the first U.S. pro squad to tackle the Tour de France, he is the author of several books and a cycling commentator on the Outdoor Life Network.
6. Your ass. As in, if you ride a bike your butt ends up looking fairly tight - like two VW Beetles parking.
-Joe Lindsey of Boulder, Colorado, has been riding and racing bikes for 15 years, and covering the sport for the past six for cycling magazines. He's covered the Tour de France, the Olympics and numerous World Cups and world championships. He enjoys photography, telemark skiing and Britney Spears videos with the sound turned off.
7. Riding a bike has always been a major symbol of independence and freedom. But the real reasons I go out and pound the pedals are sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.
Sex: As the gap to geezerhood closes, stayin' in shape for my favorite activity becomes even more important.
Drugs: A long time ago I realized that maintaining my awesome boy-toy bod while enjoying my modest beer habit was going to require a lot more exercise than it did in my studly youth.
Rock 'n roll: While my guitar skills have never surpassed the mediocre stage, the stuff I play in my head when I ride is awesome. Just give me the steady rhythm of my fixed gear, some open road and turn it to 11, Jimi, 'cuz today we're gonna rock!
-Ross Shafer lives with his wife, Mari, on the Rockin' Bar L ranch in Petaluma, California. He is the founder and former owner of Salsa Cycles and owns and operates Six-Nine Design, which provides product design, prototyping, fabrication and tool design services.
8. Some people train so they can race; I race so I can train, so the all-important workout doesn't get shoved to the back burner so easily. Nothing inspires like knowing you're going to get your butt kicked in the next race if you don't train. The fact that I get my butt kicked anyway is completely beside the point.
-Jef Mallett, a former bike racer and current triathlete and cartoonist. His strip, "Frazz," appears in 150 newspapers across America.
9. My wife, Natasha, thinks cycling is great way to spend time as a family while burning a few calories. For her, the family ride is quality time. Then again, she does not have the trailer with 50 or so stuffed animals and the 2-year-old singing "Old McDonald" attached to her bike as we climb what must be Mont Ventoux. Hmm ... now that I think about it, cycling is the best way to burn a bazillion calories and hang with the family.
-John Kibodeaux, a 16-year veteran of bicycle retail, owns High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and also works full time for his daughter, Marguerite. He has a B.A. from St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in dirty diapers, Sesame Street and anything Disney.
10. I live and breathe bike transportation. Does that make me a granola-crunching, world-saving utopian? Actually, my riding has a lot to do with what's good for me. Riding makes me healthy. It saves me time. It makes me feel good and gives me energy to do more in life. Of course, getting around by bike is a green thing to do. And altruism does have its rewards. Frankly, I wouldn't mind saving the world. Makes one want to crunch some granola.
-Joe Breeze has been building and promoting bikes for more than 30 years. His Breezer bikes from 1977 are considered the first mountain bikes. Today, his Breezer company is solely focused on bikes for transportation.
Jill Janov, a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the former managing editor of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and a regular columnist with The New Mexican, where this article first appeared.
Friday, January 14, 2005
new colour
well, as suggested a long time ago... I've changed the blog colours from the weak tan shades to the bold, very dark blue so many people have come to expect based on the website. Unfortunately, some of the tan bits remaining are images that I won't changing, certainly not before I actually spend time to finish redoing our site...
minutes Jan 11
pleasant gathering. the Dark was good... peanuts were plentiful.
Luke mentioneed a Hard Rock available for $350. Vic wondered if he should buy it for Jason? no, it will be ripped off at u of w was the consensus.
the icebike event approaches. Hal posted the link, which takes one to a website under construction... the only useful info (actually, the only info) confirms that I had the incorrect date for the event in my last post. Mark February 6. If it's as cold then as today, you're going to have a lonely ride Hal and Chris.
As Hal also mentioned, there was just the faintest hint that we may be ready to start talking about a date for the spring ride. Good heavens... the very reason for the FGBC to have a web site in the first place... to document the twists and turns in such planning. Penner, get your green book out!
Luke mentioneed a Hard Rock available for $350. Vic wondered if he should buy it for Jason? no, it will be ripped off at u of w was the consensus.
the icebike event approaches. Hal posted the link, which takes one to a website under construction... the only useful info (actually, the only info) confirms that I had the incorrect date for the event in my last post. Mark February 6. If it's as cold then as today, you're going to have a lonely ride Hal and Chris.
As Hal also mentioned, there was just the faintest hint that we may be ready to start talking about a date for the spring ride. Good heavens... the very reason for the FGBC to have a web site in the first place... to document the twists and turns in such planning. Penner, get your green book out!
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
minutes for jan 4, 2005
with the threat of expulsion, nay, shunning hanging over his head johnny g shows up for bike club. it was a small group with only six brave souls showing up: johnnny g, dave, hal, james, vic and dr. hubie. apparently vic the most goaks that night on the hockey end of things. on the bike end of things talk about the spring ride surfaced as well as participation in the annual ice bike race in february.
hope to see a large crowd tonight (maybe even another cyclist?)
hal
hope to see a large crowd tonight (maybe even another cyclist?)
hal
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Minutes December 21
A lovely turnout for a frosty Tuesday night... Hal rode... and with a windchill of -35 or whatever, that is pretty impressive... even though it would be more surprising if he didn't ride.
Hal also brought the bike club bagels... handcrafted in the wood-fired oven... hoping for fresh bread and jam sometime too...
There was other news, but since it was a week ago when these minutes were started, it seems to have slipped away...
just as a note, there is no gathering this evening unless there is some personal contact and interest. should be back on next week.
oh... remember the icebike race is on Feb. 1.
http://icebikewinnipeg.tripod.com/
Hal also brought the bike club bagels... handcrafted in the wood-fired oven... hoping for fresh bread and jam sometime too...
There was other news, but since it was a week ago when these minutes were started, it seems to have slipped away...
just as a note, there is no gathering this evening unless there is some personal contact and interest. should be back on next week.
oh... remember the icebike race is on Feb. 1.
http://icebikewinnipeg.tripod.com/
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Minutes for December 7 & 14
Guarded apologies to any remaining readers that minutes from last week did not materialize even though there was a gathering, and I was present. The passion for posting minutes waxes and wanes... and my sense is that I should be somewhat more diligent in preparing a second secretary for the waning times.
It also becomes more difficult when it really feels like there is no significant news, and conversation is as disjointed as it becomes when there are 10+ people at the table with only a few of them seriously thinking about biking at this time of year.
So, with a few excuses laid in place... a bit of recollection to last week, and then basically nothing from tonight.
December 7
There was in fact significant news at the meeting. Dr. Hubie sustained an injury in a bike - tree collision... to the point where walking became tricky in the following days and participation in hockey was impossible. The culprit was ice as he headed down a hill in the Wolseley region. This evening (December 14), he was dubbed "bark boy" by the master of one-liners, Bob H, convener of Tuesday night hockey. James didn't get it.
December 14
Vic P. walked into the clubhouse and asked about buying a bike for his son. After receiving his third independent recommendation for a single-speed from Natural Cycle, he appeared to be taking the suggestion seriously. While this secretary is still attempting to distill fact from peer/club pressure over the relative merits, Vic may be convinced. Good for Natural Cycle, not as good for Canadian Tire.
OK, so December 14's minutes appear a few words longer... no disrespect intended to the Hubie crash story.
It also becomes more difficult when it really feels like there is no significant news, and conversation is as disjointed as it becomes when there are 10+ people at the table with only a few of them seriously thinking about biking at this time of year.
So, with a few excuses laid in place... a bit of recollection to last week, and then basically nothing from tonight.
December 7
There was in fact significant news at the meeting. Dr. Hubie sustained an injury in a bike - tree collision... to the point where walking became tricky in the following days and participation in hockey was impossible. The culprit was ice as he headed down a hill in the Wolseley region. This evening (December 14), he was dubbed "bark boy" by the master of one-liners, Bob H, convener of Tuesday night hockey. James didn't get it.
December 14
Vic P. walked into the clubhouse and asked about buying a bike for his son. After receiving his third independent recommendation for a single-speed from Natural Cycle, he appeared to be taking the suggestion seriously. While this secretary is still attempting to distill fact from peer/club pressure over the relative merits, Vic may be convinced. Good for Natural Cycle, not as good for Canadian Tire.
OK, so December 14's minutes appear a few words longer... no disrespect intended to the Hubie crash story.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
minutes for Nov. 30
minutes, minutes, minutes....my lord who will do the minutes when darryl does not show up (no darryl, you will not you will not be turfed as secretary just because you did not show up). what do i remember from last meeting - well not much. i did bring honey roasted peanuts which seemed to go over well. i guess that's it for minutes. on another note jon g, dave u, and johnny s enjoyed a fabulous day snow cycling at tinker on nov 21. depending on how much snow has fallen well see if another tinker ride is in the cards. also - i'm looking forward to more details regarding dr. hubie's big wipe out this last weekend (if we can get him to drink enough dark, mixed with the pain medication he is surely on, maybe we can convince him to show us the bruise which would involve the dropping of his drawers).
later, crash
later, crash
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Minutes November 23, 2005
It was classic rock night at the clubhouse. What with the new weather, there was more discussion of tunes than biking, although Hal did ride... the faithful are becoming fewer.
Sounds like there will be a Tinker Creek ride of sorts on Sunday. Contact Hal for more info.
Now that there is snow on the ground, it's time for some to begin training for the Icebike race... OK, we should all be training... but some of us are still working on training a more cerebral understanding of the race. We're visioning the action, and pain. It could take some time before that translates to the physical... I expect years for some.
And further to crashing with a helmet cam... if you haven't been to the pedalmasher site, check out the top two videos on the crash list on this page:
http://www.pedalmasher.com/html/videos.html they're pretty good, and not really huge files.
Remember to right click them and then "Save target as..." to your desktop or wherever and then view them.
Sounds like there will be a Tinker Creek ride of sorts on Sunday. Contact Hal for more info.
Now that there is snow on the ground, it's time for some to begin training for the Icebike race... OK, we should all be training... but some of us are still working on training a more cerebral understanding of the race. We're visioning the action, and pain. It could take some time before that translates to the physical... I expect years for some.
And further to crashing with a helmet cam... if you haven't been to the pedalmasher site, check out the top two videos on the crash list on this page:
http://www.pedalmasher.com/html/videos.html they're pretty good, and not really huge files.
Remember to right click them and then "Save target as..." to your desktop or wherever and then view them.
Monday, November 15, 2004
www.pedalmasher.com
Chris sent this link to me the other day. A great collection of riding video created with a helmet cam. If your computer can do it, check a few out. There's a couple of dandy wipe-outs recorded. It's amazing how quickly the crash happens. I can imagine this would have been what Penner's incident might have looked like...
www.pedalmasher.com
www.pedalmasher.com
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Minutes November 9
Not much bike discussion this eve. Unger and Jonny G spent the evening riding... even going so far as to ride to the Vimy Arena to catch a little Hummelt Hockey action. They caught some classic action, but left before the action peaked with a good collision between line-mates and fellow FGBC members Luke and Dr. Hubie. Blood was drawn on both sides. Chris managed a deep cut to the bone on the elbow that was still bleeding fairly well by the time we got to the post game meeting.
Some minor biking related excitement surfaced when Chris suggested that we all pitch in and get a helmet cam. Suggesting they could be had for as little as $150. Some quick research on the web turned up some options, although not as cheap as $15o:
the adventure cam for $235US
a Canadian dealer - $249US
If anyone has connections to a cheaper system, we should consider it... At $200+US, it may not get off the ground as quickly. Although it could be worth it... can you imagine having video of the president's crash from on his head?
Some minor biking related excitement surfaced when Chris suggested that we all pitch in and get a helmet cam. Suggesting they could be had for as little as $150. Some quick research on the web turned up some options, although not as cheap as $15o:
the adventure cam for $235US
a Canadian dealer - $249US
If anyone has connections to a cheaper system, we should consider it... At $200+US, it may not get off the ground as quickly. Although it could be worth it... can you imagine having video of the president's crash from on his head?
Thursday, November 04, 2004
another bullet dodged
yet another fgbc cyclist dodges the car bullet...
last night, around 11:00 pm, i was cycling home from my curling game (at least there are no cars on curling sheets) on grovesnor. i was well prepared for night riding with a blinking headlight, two red blinkies on my back, and a jacket with reflective tape on the arms and body. i was cycling west on grovesnor, keeping a pretty good clip of 30+ kms per hour. i usually like cycling on this street because it is nice and wide, allowing cars to pass you with ease and because it is not a major thoroughfare. as i was speeding down grovesnor i saw a white volvo station wagon pulling up to the stop sign on my left a block ahead. as always, i put my hands on the brakes in case i needed to stop suddenly. the volvo came to a complete stop and waited, 'great' i thought, 'he sees me' and i continued at my pace, relaxed that i could continue at my present pace. just as i was about to go through the intersection (i had no stop sign) the volvo begins to pull ahead -- i grab my brakes hard and start a sideways skid, suddenly my tires grab and i flipped off my bike, hitting the ground and rolling to a stop in front of the car. i looked up to see the headlights of the volvo staring me in the face. thank god he saw me at the last minute and stopped halfway through the intersection. to say the least i was a little shaken at this point, i picked myself up and walked towards my bike, picked it up, and began to collect myself. i looked over at the car which just sat there, nothing was happening, just me standing there and staring at the car in disbelief at what had just happened. after a few moments the car inched forward with the passenger window was rolled down. a voice came out from inside the dark interior of the car, "i'm sorry... i'm sorry..., i didn't see you. i didn't see your light." what could i say, do i go off on this guy, what do i do. "at least you said you were sorry" i said to him as i walked around the back of the car with my bike. all i wanted to do was go home, thankful that i was still alive and in one piece. the volvo pulled away and i got on my bike and continued my ride home replaying the incident over and over again in my head. i got home, put my bike in the basement, took off my bike gear and went upstairs to let laura know what happened and that i was okay.
ride safe,
hal
last night, around 11:00 pm, i was cycling home from my curling game (at least there are no cars on curling sheets) on grovesnor. i was well prepared for night riding with a blinking headlight, two red blinkies on my back, and a jacket with reflective tape on the arms and body. i was cycling west on grovesnor, keeping a pretty good clip of 30+ kms per hour. i usually like cycling on this street because it is nice and wide, allowing cars to pass you with ease and because it is not a major thoroughfare. as i was speeding down grovesnor i saw a white volvo station wagon pulling up to the stop sign on my left a block ahead. as always, i put my hands on the brakes in case i needed to stop suddenly. the volvo came to a complete stop and waited, 'great' i thought, 'he sees me' and i continued at my pace, relaxed that i could continue at my present pace. just as i was about to go through the intersection (i had no stop sign) the volvo begins to pull ahead -- i grab my brakes hard and start a sideways skid, suddenly my tires grab and i flipped off my bike, hitting the ground and rolling to a stop in front of the car. i looked up to see the headlights of the volvo staring me in the face. thank god he saw me at the last minute and stopped halfway through the intersection. to say the least i was a little shaken at this point, i picked myself up and walked towards my bike, picked it up, and began to collect myself. i looked over at the car which just sat there, nothing was happening, just me standing there and staring at the car in disbelief at what had just happened. after a few moments the car inched forward with the passenger window was rolled down. a voice came out from inside the dark interior of the car, "i'm sorry... i'm sorry..., i didn't see you. i didn't see your light." what could i say, do i go off on this guy, what do i do. "at least you said you were sorry" i said to him as i walked around the back of the car with my bike. all i wanted to do was go home, thankful that i was still alive and in one piece. the volvo pulled away and i got on my bike and continued my ride home replaying the incident over and over again in my head. i got home, put my bike in the basement, took off my bike gear and went upstairs to let laura know what happened and that i was okay.
ride safe,
hal
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Fire the secretary
I move that the secretary be fired, and that someone with more passion for the cause take up the role...
What? No seconders?
Well, it's been a very busy week. There was a nice meeting on Tuesday. I can't remember anything about it except for the discussion about Hal's bread baking set-up.... oh yeah, and his winter bike crank is seized. (There's the biking content.) I know there was more... anyone is welcome to chime in at this point...
What? No seconders?
Well, it's been a very busy week. There was a nice meeting on Tuesday. I can't remember anything about it except for the discussion about Hal's bread baking set-up.... oh yeah, and his winter bike crank is seized. (There's the biking content.) I know there was more... anyone is welcome to chime in at this point...
Friday, October 15, 2004
Near Miss
Came closer than I ever have before to being hit by a car this morning. Or rather, it would have been me hitting the car--t-boning it in this case, as it pulled out in front of me. I saw it coming, just past Johnny G's street, the one by the school, when the car rolled through the stop sign and I knew his sight of me was obscured by the cars parked along the ever so slight hill I was riding down at that point. No problem, or so I thought, as I began to swerve to the right in order to go behind him. But then he saw me, panicked, hit the brakes, and just sat there in front of me--like a big steel moose frozen by the headlights. All I could muster was a loud, drawn out "F-U-C-K!" But fortunately my instincts were more articulate than my feeble vocabulary, and I was able to brake hard enough and avoid going down on the slick pavement as I veered even further around his back end. To give the guy credit, he did roll down his passenger window and yell "Sorry!" as I passed by the other side. And to my credit, I gave him a little wave--admittedly an ambiguous, half-assed wave with a the kind of slight flick of the wrist that could easily have led to interpreting the whole thing as a curt dismissal--but nonetheless a wave with all five fingers and not the one I had cocked and ready to go. Shit, that was scary. My heart's still thumping a little harder and faster than normal. But I live to ride another day.
Hit the gym for the first time this week. Hope to get there 2 or 3 times a week for mostly leg-work. Don't know what the policy is for use of CMU's humble weight room, but if anyone wants to join me around 4pm Monday or Wednesday, that would be great.
In other firsts: I donned tights for the first time this morning. This cold, rainy weather really sucks. Hopefully it won't wipe out the Tinker ride this weekend.
Hit the gym for the first time this week. Hope to get there 2 or 3 times a week for mostly leg-work. Don't know what the policy is for use of CMU's humble weight room, but if anyone wants to join me around 4pm Monday or Wednesday, that would be great.
In other firsts: I donned tights for the first time this morning. This cold, rainy weather really sucks. Hopefully it won't wipe out the Tinker ride this weekend.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
post turkey ride
an unofficial/official fgbc ride was held on the thanksgiving monday. juan eppstien, dr. hubie and crash enjoyed a 45km ride out to headingly and back on a gorgeous holiday monday morning. much discussion, including past work experiences, heating solutions for homes, a report on the "motorcyle diaries," among other topics, was discussed along the way. one sprint took place with where the three riders managed to sustain a pace of 42km per hour for a goodly stretch. looking forward to future rides.
crash.
crash.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
minutes, oct. 12
Present: Dr. Hubie, Vic P, James, Hal, Penner, Juan Eppstein, Secretary
There is reason to believe that James was burgled this evening.... had $15 plus a MasterCard starting the evening, by the time he was trying to pay for his beverage, and had a massive stack of wallet contents spread out, the aforementioned items were not to be seen...
It seems the ride at Tinker Creek will be on this Saturday. An unfortunate turn in the calendar for this reporter... but it seems it will work out for many. Watch this space in the next days for more details from Hal, our liason.
Question on Jonny G's whereabouts... third missed meeting in a row. At first he was proclaimed out of the club by one member, then it got worse... he was moved to "Luke status". Finally, cooler heads prevailed, and the six-pack rule was brought back, retroactively. A six for every unexcused absence. The total is now at three.
Hal is now in charge of the fundraising bonspiel to raise money for the new jerseys. The, well, rather pointed question was launched on how this was going to be a fundraiser.... stunned silence revealed a thin spot in the plans.... one suggestion was brought forth: charge each FGBC member enough to cover the cost of the ice plus $50 to be in the spiel, then everyone attending wins a jersey from the collected pot. There, the funds are raised.
There is reason to believe that James was burgled this evening.... had $15 plus a MasterCard starting the evening, by the time he was trying to pay for his beverage, and had a massive stack of wallet contents spread out, the aforementioned items were not to be seen...
It seems the ride at Tinker Creek will be on this Saturday. An unfortunate turn in the calendar for this reporter... but it seems it will work out for many. Watch this space in the next days for more details from Hal, our liason.
Question on Jonny G's whereabouts... third missed meeting in a row. At first he was proclaimed out of the club by one member, then it got worse... he was moved to "Luke status". Finally, cooler heads prevailed, and the six-pack rule was brought back, retroactively. A six for every unexcused absence. The total is now at three.
Hal is now in charge of the fundraising bonspiel to raise money for the new jerseys. The, well, rather pointed question was launched on how this was going to be a fundraiser.... stunned silence revealed a thin spot in the plans.... one suggestion was brought forth: charge each FGBC member enough to cover the cost of the ice plus $50 to be in the spiel, then everyone attending wins a jersey from the collected pot. There, the funds are raised.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
more floyd
now that vuelta is over, why not get to know the real floyd. check out his interview in the recent issue of dirt rag
hal
hal
no minutes here, move along
being the secretary, I have to admit that I have no minutes to report... at least nothing pertaining to biking whatsoever...
I sensed there was some discussion of that nature down at the other end of the table, but it really is difficult to connect when so many folks are there... perhaps someone who touched on the topic of biking in any way, could provide a thought or two. If you are not hooked up to be able to post, email me, and I can get you going ASAP.
It was nice to see a large crowd gathered. Nine or ten people is exceptional... but it does include some of the hockey crowd which began on Tuesday.
I might as well use this forum to report that Dr. Hubie scored not only the first goal of the season, but his tally exceeded three (in the interest of discretion and knowing that he is one of the more humble in our collective, you can email him to find out how many he really got), and that I did pot one, as well as providing assists on a few of the aforementioned goals as we were on a line together.
We learned that our ice time will usually go til 10:30, so it will be rare that the hockey part of the crowd will arrive before 10:45.
I sensed there was some discussion of that nature down at the other end of the table, but it really is difficult to connect when so many folks are there... perhaps someone who touched on the topic of biking in any way, could provide a thought or two. If you are not hooked up to be able to post, email me, and I can get you going ASAP.
It was nice to see a large crowd gathered. Nine or ten people is exceptional... but it does include some of the hockey crowd which began on Tuesday.
I might as well use this forum to report that Dr. Hubie scored not only the first goal of the season, but his tally exceeded three (in the interest of discretion and knowing that he is one of the more humble in our collective, you can email him to find out how many he really got), and that I did pot one, as well as providing assists on a few of the aforementioned goals as we were on a line together.
We learned that our ice time will usually go til 10:30, so it will be rare that the hockey part of the crowd will arrive before 10:45.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
rambling minutes
minutes from sept. 28
present: dr hubie, dave u, president penner, bergen, hal
minutes from last week's meeting - i can't seem to remember any details so i'll try and and recapture the mood - sort of relaxed without any particular intensity or deep philosophical discussion on any particular topic. vaguely recall some discussion about tyler hamilton and blood doping.
ramblings
fgbc results from the fall classic:
chris h - 9th in 45 km.
dave u - 5th in 15 km
hal l - dnf (freaking front derailleur malfunction)
cyclocross #1
hal "i have too many excuses" l - 6th in masters B (ok, my excuse for this one is i was running too big a gear on my single speed, which by the way i think i came in first of the four single speeds running in the B group).
respectfully submitted,
hal
present: dr hubie, dave u, president penner, bergen, hal
minutes from last week's meeting - i can't seem to remember any details so i'll try and and recapture the mood - sort of relaxed without any particular intensity or deep philosophical discussion on any particular topic. vaguely recall some discussion about tyler hamilton and blood doping.
ramblings
fgbc results from the fall classic:
chris h - 9th in 45 km.
dave u - 5th in 15 km
hal l - dnf (freaking front derailleur malfunction)
cyclocross #1
hal "i have too many excuses" l - 6th in masters B (ok, my excuse for this one is i was running too big a gear on my single speed, which by the way i think i came in first of the four single speeds running in the B group).
respectfully submitted,
hal
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