 On my bicycle commute to work the other day, I realized the truth in the equation: bikes = smiles. And like Santa and his sleigh, a cyclist can spread the joy of the daily commute simply with a smile and a "good morning" or a smile and a nod or just a smile. Unlike my commute to work in LA, in which I shared the road with drivers, my commute to work in Missoula takes place mostly on a multi-use trail that follows the Clark Fork River. It's amazing for a few reasons: - There are only a few places where I have to cross an actual street, and, for the most part, auto drivers are very courteous, patient, and polite.
- Because it's a multi-use trail with very few street crossings, I can go as fast as I want. I can make it into work in 10 minutes (beating the bus) if I really want. Usually I enjoy a slower pace and take in the scenery and remind myself of all the wonderful things surrounding me--the mountains I get to hike after work, the sound of birds instead of cars, and, of course, the great feeling of just being on my bicycle.
- It follows the windy Clark Fork River, and I always marvel at how I'm on my way to work and surrounded by nature, not pavement.
- So many people joining me in bicycling as transportation...in LA, the cycling community feels small and large at the same time, but, as cyclists, we're definitely an anomaly. In Missoula, and with the university being such a center in the community, so many people bike to work and school like it's nothing. Cycling around town is just a no-brainer. (I mean, hell, the town is only like 5 miles wide.) I've never been to Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but coming from a place where the "war" between bikes and automobiles is so heated, Missoula really does feel like a cyclist's heaven.
So riding my bike makes me smile. It's just fun. And I'm a little bit of an introverted person. I'm kind of loner and don't mind doing things on my own. (Yeah, I know that's hard for you all to believe, but it's true.) So I don't typically say "hi" to people I don't know. Except, when I'm on my bike, that tends to change. As I pass a pedestrian, with their head down and trudging along the trail, I ring my bell and pass on a "good morning!" as I ride by. Their face lights up as they smile, nod, maybe wave, sometimes even give a "good morning!" back at me. This happens all along the trail on the way to work. People running and looking miserable, people staring at their cell phones, the guy in a motorized wheel chair--I'm like Santa Clause, except instead of bringing gifts, I spread smiles. Smiles that started with a bike. And maybe, just maybe, I brightened that person's day and it didn't go to waste. So here's my equation: BIKES = SMILES; MORE BIKES = MORE SMILES; MORE SMILES = MORE HAPPY PEOPLE; MORE HAPPY PEOPLE = MORE HAPPY COMMUNITIES; MORE HAPPY COMMUNITIES = MORE HAPPY COUNTRIES; MORE HAPPY COUNTRIES = WORLD PEACE; THEREFORE... BIKES = WORLD PEACE.
Not everyone has such an inspiring ride to work though. And that's one reason I'm working to raise funds to support the U.S. Bicycle Route System. The tagline of the campaign is: Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. I won't go into all the details about what a U.S. Bicycle Route System is, but essentially it's a national network of bicycle routes--using existing infrastructure--that fills the gaps between cities, destinations like national and state parks, and connect state-to-state bicycle infrastructure. The goal is for routes to be designated by number by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and be signed, maintained, and even upgraded to accommodate bicyclist use. My goal is to raise $250, and I need your help to get there. Please consider donating just $10 today. AND, if you donate $25 or more by Sunday, you could win a sweet set of panniers from Ortlieb. Tell me that's not awesome.
Wow, I am so behind on posting! I have lots of great ride reports to write and pics to share. I started this post back in August 2011, but I guess it's better late than never to throw up good times (hahaha---throw up good times?). This was my first bike overnight done by camping. Before this I was a hotel/hostel kind of rider.
My first weekend in Montana, when I was sleeping on an extra bed at a colleague's house still, another colleague invited me (late Friday night) to ride up and over Lolo Pass into Idaho the next day to camp. It was Memorial Day weekend, so we would return by bike on Monday. He had some friends camping in Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, so we wouldn't have to carry our gear. So yeah, lots of fun over in Idaho. Hope you enjoy all the pics of my smiling face.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention again that I'm participating in the Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It campaign to support the creation of an official U.S. Bicycle Route System. Help me reach my personal $250 goal (and earn me an extra half-day of vacation) by donating today! Just $10 will go a long way to helping us reach our goal and making the dreaof a bicycle-friendly America a reality.
I shared this on Facebook, and thought I'd repeat it here, since not everyone follows me there...Right now, I'm participating in the Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign to raise awareness and money to support the creation of an OFFICIAL, DESIGNATED, SIGNED national network of bicycle routes criss-crossing the United States. What is the network called? The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). Besides the obvious reasons of why a bicycle route system for the whole country is important, there are other implications that may not be quite as apparent. One important benefit of the USBRS is it's affect on how we all will survive the zombie apocalypse. As you know, someday the zombies will take over the world, and we will have to travel by bicycle to outrun them and survive the horrific devastation of a zombie-infested America. In preparation for the zombie apocalypse, help us prepare for survival by building the U.S. Bicycle Route System -- a national network of interstate and intercity bicycle routes that will connect communities across America AND allow us to create rural headquarters for our assault on the zombies. And since I have the inside scoop, I'll let you know a little secret. If you donate $25 or more (starting tomorrow through Sunday evening) you get the chance to win a set of Orlieb panniers to ride out the zombie apocalypse and store all your necessary gear and weaponry. So donate now, help us prepare for world devastation, and help us give more Americans access to cycling (before the chaos begins, that is). And remember, the U.S. Bicycle Route System is so powerful, it will transform zombies back into happy cyclists, so help us cure zombism with bikes and national bike routes.
Don't worry, I won't do this too often, but I wanted to reach out to my readers and inform you of a very important project being led by Adventure Cycling Association--the U.S. Bicycle Route System. You can read all about the project here: http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/nbrn/usbikewaysystem.cfm and you can join the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/usbrs?sk=wall. In the meantime, help me raise a little money to support Adventure Cycling Association's efforts to bring this dream to reality! Come on! Show me just how much you love your bike! And if you don't own a bike, show me how much you love the cyclists in your family by giving them a great network of routes that traverse the United States.
I'm still a California resident, and my senator is still Barbara Boxer. This morning, an email from Adventure Cycling Assoc. Executive Director Jim Sayer landed in my inbox. I'm sharing this call to action with you, my friends and fellow cyclists in California, to ask you to do what I just did: make a call for safer streets for all. Read Jim's letter below: "Dear California cycling friends, Senator Barbara Boxer needs to hear from you RIGHT NOW. The committee she leads in the US Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee, is deciding what goes into the very important federal transportation bill today and tomorrow. She needs to know that we want her to fight for bicycling and walking programs like Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program. If we don't act now, bicycling and walking programs may be written out of our transportation system for the next six years. At this very moment, she is negotiating with other senators who don't think bicycling and walking are an important part of the transportation bill. She needs to know that we have her back on this issue and she shouldn't give up on these crucial programs. Call Senator Boxer RIGHT NOW and tell her: "I am one of your constituents and I think bicycling and walking need to be a part of the transportation bill. Please ensure that Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails program continue with strong and dedicated funding as they are today." Calls to DC are best. Her Washington, DC office number: (202) 224-3553. If it's busy and you're short for time, here's her LA office number: (213) 894-5000. Thank you for calling as soon as you can. Good luck! Jim Sayer Executive Director Adventure Cycling Association PS - You can email Senator Boxer too at http://boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm, but given the urgency of the situation, please call her DC office. Thanks!"
In October 2009, my bicycle got stolen shortly after I started this blog. Joe Linton, well-known bicycle advocate, offered to meet with me to look at a bike on Craigslist, and shortly thereafter, I owned my very first road bike. Things seemed to have snowballed after that: riding faster, long-distance rides, bike overnights, group rides, police chases, double centuries, learning all sorts of bicycle repairs, and making friends with cyclists from all walks of life, all ages, all attitudes, and a variety of bikes, all totally kicka$$. And now...I'm going to work in the nonprofit arm of the bicycle industry. How does that song go... one thing leads to another? I have been offered an amazing opportunity to join the team at Adventure Cycling Association, and I've decided to take it. So the sad news is that I'm leaving LA. But this blog will continue, as I will continue to pursue the car-free lifestyle in Missoula, MT (and wherever else the road takes me). The awesome news is that I will basically get to combine a profession I excel at with my personal passion. Seriously, my life now gets to revolve around bicycling. I know, YOU ARE ALL JEALOUS. But it's okay, I have stickaz for you all. I am very sad to leave my special bike family in Los Angeles, from my K-town bike crew to the guys in the Wolfpack and other late night fast-paced rides and, of course, the never dull Los Angeles Critical Mass. I've met so many of you over the past couple of years, and I'd like a chance to see you all, so here's a short list of rides I plan on making before I depart from the City of Angels. Wednesday, April 27: The Ride Formerly Known as Silverlake (it's my birthday!!!)--RESCHEDULED probably 5/3 now. Friday, April 30: Los Angeles Critical MassMonday, May 9: Wolfpack HustleSaturday, May 14: The Ride With No NameCheck out www.midnightridazz.com for times/locations and demeanor of rides.
Dear big rig driver who was clearly turning onto a street that is not big enough for a big rig. Please do not intentionally accelerate towards me when you are stopped, and I am attempting to get your license plate number. You do not have the right to kill me. I am guessing you are an unlicensed big rig driver--since you seem to not know how to navigate such a large vehicle. Don't worry though, I notified LAPD of your driving and filed a report that will be filed as an Attempted Assault with a Vehicle. We may not catch you, but I've started a paper trail for you. Hopefully you'll shape up, but if you don't, you can share cell space with Dr. Christopher Thompson.
To my peeps: more details on my brush with great beyond later.
To LAPD: thank you for taking the report, being patient, and understanding the seriousness of what happened.
Correction: On the original post I erroneously mentioned Dr. Alex Thompson rather than Dr. Christopher Thompson as serving time for using his vehicle as a deadly weapon. My apologies to Alex, who is a devoted bicycle advocate and would never intentionally using a vehicle as a weapon against another human being as the aforementioned Dr. Christopher Thompson or my bad big rig driver from this morning. Thank you, @bikinginla, for the correction!
You are talking to the first and ONLY person who has signed up to be a bike buddy for Bike to Work Week/Day LA in May 2011. As some of you know, I have been working hard to get a bicycle pit stop at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), where I work and ride to almost every day. I really hope it happens as there are a lot of people who bike to work at LACMA and lots of cyclists who ride through the Miracle Mile area. Anyhow, when I was searching for info on the bike pit stops for Bike to Work Day, I came across the Bike Buddy program, which is very similar to an HR initiative I'm working on with one of my bike enthusiast HR managers. So I went ahead an signed up. I love the idea of helping less experienced cyclists become comfortable with riding in the road and in traffic, helping them find safe routes to work, and in just GETTING MORE CYCLISTS ON THE ROAD! If you read my blog, I'm guessing you feel the same way. More cyclists on the road is better for us all, so it behooves all of us to mentor noobie bike commuters so they can make cycling a regular transportation mode in their lives. Remember, most noobies perceive that cycling is dangerous, usually because they don't know where there are bike lanes or neighborhood bike routes and low-traffic neighborhood streets. If we can mentor them, I think we will have another big surge in bicycle commuting this summer. So sign up and be a bike buddy!
So, many of you know my pet peeve that you should pass on the left not on the right and that you shouldn't shoal another cyclist (pull up on their right and overtake them) at a stop sign or stop light. Today I had the opportunity to attempt to educate another cyclist (whom we shall call the IDIOT), on why passing on the right and in the door zone is dangerous. Here's our encounter:
Me: (over my shoulder as IDIOT approaches on the right): Hey, pass on the LEFT!
IDIOT: What? Hi, good morning (in a flirtatious way).
Me: (in no mood to be put in danger by an idiot who think he's flirting as he pulls up on my right and starts to match my pace in the door zone): Hey, pass on the left! You're putting me in danger! It's dangerous to pass on the right! If I have to swerve, we're going to crash.
IDIOT: (laughing in an exasperated tone that says "whatever you don't know anything): What? Oh, hah. Listen I've been riding for 30 years. Just don't swerve.
Me: (looking at him like the IDIOT he is): No, I'm not going to swerve because I can't hold my line. If a car sideswipes me or I have to go around a pothole, I can't see you on the right, don't expect you there, we will crash. You're pushing me further into traffic. You're putting me in danger. If a car door opens, you're going to swerve left into me and I'm could get run over by a car after we crash. (note: I'm riding on the sharrows, which are just outside the door zone, and IDIOT is in the door zone).
IDIOT: I've been riding for 30 years. Just don't swerve.
ME: (thinking: do you want an iPhone 4 too?) Don't pass on the right. Safe cycling tells us to pass on the left. In your 30 years, you never learned the principals of safe cycling? (Note: IDIOT does not look older than 35. I'm assuming that he is counting his days on training wheels and riding around his childhood neighborhood as "cycling" days.)
You should note that after every reason I gave him for not passing me on the right and putting me in danger, the IDIOT laughed a "oh whatever" laugh at me, completely dismissing very valid reasons to practice safe cycling. He FINALLY finished passing me on the right (although I spent a good 3 minutes asking him to stop riding beside me in the door zone like a fool--didn't call him a fool to his face). I watched him ride in the door zone for about 2 miles, then he pulled off.
Being a cyclist for 30 years or 50 years or 75 years, doesn't give you the right to put someone else in danger. I'm guessing that if he drives, he drives the way he cycles, with no attention to road safety. And paying attention to road safety means paying attention to your safety and not putting others at risk. I'll have put 10,000 miles on my 3 bikes by the end of this year, I've done brevets of 200 plus miles, I've built my own bike, and I'm an active advocate and activist of the cycling community. None of that gives me the right to endanger anyone else. Unfortunately our exchange was not too pleasant, but I hope he'll become curious about the rules of safe cycling and maybe look up one of the handbooks online.
I don't believe in policing other cyclists, but if you put me in danger, I will let you know it. This usually means yelling at other cyclists: pass on the right and ride on the right side of the road. If I yell this at you, please know it's not because I'm a bitch or because I dislike you for some reason. I'm sure you're a nice person, just uneducated about safe cycling. But I'm still going to give you a mouthfull of why it's unsafe. So either stop doing it, or live with my tirade.
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