New Site about Bicycles

Check out my new site about bicycles at http://dcdownshift.wordpress.com/

Also check out Heath's site http://heathgordon.com/

Umbrella Today?

The website Umbrella Today? is exactly what you'd expect. Put in your Zip code and it will tell you if you need to bring an umbrella. BRILLIANT!

Cycling around DC on a Sunday

I didn't have a ton of time on Sunday after I got my chores done, but I managed to get in a quick ride. Since it was on the chillier side, I thought the Mt. Vernon trail wouldn't be too crowded. Wrong. Very wrong.

I was able to check out the Woodrow Wilson bridge. The path along the bridge is in good shape and there's a fun spiral the end; however, there's not much to do on the other side; it just sort of ends at this long hill.



Bike DC next Saturday.

Fashionably Late

You're never early. You're never noticeably late. You arrive right when the party starts, because you are the party.

Stream Music with NPR First Listen

One of my favorite things on the internet is NPR First listen. A couple times a week, NPR Music puts a soon to be released album online for your listening pleasure. They don't stay up forever, but long enough to soak up some free new music before it hits the shelves (digital or otherwise).

This week they featured the excellent new Flaming Lips Album, Embryonic. Check it out here. Or add them to your RSS Reader

My New Commute by the Numbers

In November, I might be switching offices to somewhere outside of the Beltway which those informed call Springfield, VA. My transit options: car, metro, or bicycle. Everyone has an opinion: buy a beater; read on the Metro; bike like a beast. Let's break it down by the numbers.

Car

Time: Google Maps says it would take 30 minutes to drive from my apartment and up to 35 minutes in traffic. Since I'd be driving in rush hour traffic, assume 35 minutes. I don't have parking available in my building, so I'd need to park the car on the street. Add some time for that; let's say 15 minutes for walking to and from the car and finding a spot when I get home. Total time estimate: 35 minutes * 2 + 15 minutes = 95 minutes.
Cost: I'd have to buy a car, pay for insurance, maintenance, and gas. Car insurance for a 24 year old male in my neighborhood estimate $125. Car payments $300 per month. Assuming I get 30 MPG, $3 a day in gas times days in the office per month 21 is $63. Plus maintenance costs $100/month. $588/month.

Estimating car costs is tricky. Alternately, say the miles to get to work with an estimated cost at .55 cents per mile. 32 * .55c * 21. For the month would be $369. Range $369 - $588.

Metro

Time: Trip planner says it will take just under an hour during rush hour. Add time of walking to and from the metro plus the initial wait time 20 minutes. 60 * 2 + 20 = 140 minutes.
Cost: One way is $5.10. So there and back for the month. $5.10 * 2 * 21 = $214.20.

Bicycle

Time: I've looked at some suggested routes from WABA and planned my own here. It's 17.3 miles. In traffic with gear the ride would probably take me an 70 minutes. There and back would be 140 minutes.
Cost: Well, I wouldn't ride every day. I'd aim for biking 3 days a week. The other days I'd Metro. So let's say half the cost of the Metro: $107.10.

Summary

Car: $370 - $588 per month and takes 95 minutes a day.
Metro: $214.20 per month and takes 140 minutes a day.
Bicycle: $107.10 per month and takes 140 minutes a day

Driving has the least time with the highest cost. For $10 to $20 dollars a work day I could save 40 minutes a day. However, if I bicycled to work I wouldn't have to go to the gym. Not working out for 2 hours three days a week would save time. It would work to about the same time overall while saving about $400. I'd also get through plenty of reading on the metro during those alternate days. It most definitely worth trying out the bicycle. Ride free!

Study Shows Bike Lanes Result in Closer Passing

A UK study determined that motorists pass cyclists closer when bike lanes are present. Washcycle does a nice job discussing the study. Is the average passing distance what matters? Or is it the outliers - those who pass extremely close - that matter?

The outliers are the cars closer to hitting you; however, safety has more factors than how close a motorized vehicle passes you. If more bicycle lanes get more people on a bicycle, the roads might be safer. If having  a bicycle lane makes people more at risk for a right hook, the roads might not be as safe.

The question to ask is there a higher rate of accidents per cyclist on roads with bicycle lanes? I don't think this study come close to answering that.

Guide: How to Bike to Work - Part I

A few days back I posted about my personal enjoyment of commuting to work on my bicycle. So, what if you want to start biking to work too? Good news is it's easy. Here's a guide to get started.

(I've split up a guide into two parts. In part I, I will cover planing a route, storage, necessary gear, and basic bicycle safety checks. In Part II I will cover what kind of bicycle fits your style, logistics of looking good and riding well, and debunk some popular excuses.)

Part I: Getting started

Plan a route:

If you're new to riding in the street with traffic, it's important to be comfortable with where you're going and how you're going to get there. So, step one is planning a good route. Ask around to see what roads and trails co-workers or other experienced cyclists use. Additionally, many cities publish free bicycle maps with roads that are good for riding. Washington DC Department of Transportation's map can be found on their website here and a user generated DC map here. Additionally, Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) experts have put together some cue sheets for popular routes in the area.

After you've planned a route, try it out! On a weekend or a day you're not working, practice the route and time yourself so you know how long it will take. Have fun too; you'll probably see parts of the city you've never experienced.

Parking:

Once you get where you're going, having somewhere to store your wonderful machine is important. Many buildings and parking garages have free bike racks. Ask if bicycle parking is available. If it's not, ask if they can put rack in the garage. Ask again. And last resort if secure and accessible indoor storage is not available, you can lock your bicycle outside. If you lock your bicycle on the street, invest in the best U-lock you can buy and learn how to properly lock your bicycle. Theft is a problem and I can't say this enough: if it's not locked down eventually it will get stolen. Seriously, you don't want to be made fun of by Hal. And, hopefully one day, we'll see more of these bike stations.

What you'll need:

You probably have most of the basics. This is a list of must-haves:

• A bicycle in good condition.
  
• A U-lock. I recommend buying two leaving one at work and the other for trips around town.
  
• Front white light and red rear light. This is the law in DC, and definitely makes sense. Be seen.
  
• A backpack or pannier to your carry stuff
• A helmet

For basic roadside maintenance, you'll need:

• A patch kit
• Multitool with allen and spoke wrenches and a chain tool. If you ride an older bicycle, you may need some open-ended wrenches.
  
• A spare tube
  
• Minipump or C02
• Saddle bag to carry all your swag
  

Safety Check:

A working and safe bicycle is important and it will make the ride more enjoyable. At first if you don't know what you're doing, have a local bicycle shop tune-up your ride. Basic tune-ups in Washington DC run $89 - $99 dollars.

As you gain experience or for the experienced, the ABC Quick Check covers the basics.

A: Air. Check you tires are properly inflated. If tires are deflated, it's a pain to ride. If they are over inflated, they won't have the proper give and you'll feel every nook and cranny in the road.
B: Brakes. Make sure the brake pads are not too worn, they're not rubbing against the rims, and they're responsive.
C: Chain, Cranks, and Cassette. Make sure your chain is properly lubed and nothing is too worn.
Quick: Quick Releases. If you have quick release wheels, make sure the hubs are firmly attached and the brakes are in. If you don't know what that means, read this.
Check: Try it out. Give the bicycle a spin around the block. Shift into different gears. Make sure there are no loose parts. If there are tighten them.

Riding Safely:

Lastly, bicycling is safe and fun, but you are vulnerable when riding around with 3000 lbs metal wagons; so, brush up on safety tips. You should ride predictably and avoid the common hazards like dooring, potholes, and the right hook. There are many good bicycle safety resources available on the web; spend sometime looking over them. WABA's Safe Cycling guide is here. If you're in the area, they also offer free Confident City Cycling Classes.

Part II - Commuting in Style coming soon.

Why I Ride Part II - My Cycle and Me

I love bicycles. I love my bicycle. Bicycling is a simple joy.

I spend most of my time thinking about bicycles - my bicycle, my steel horse. I have trouble articulating it, but it brings back the glee of my first sweet ride: the white and blue huffy single speed with coaster brakes. Bicycling brings back the feeling of throwing a towel over my shoulder and peddling to the pool on a hot summer day, using my coaster brake to skid down my driveway during an alleged high speed chase, or jockeying with friends on the street as we explored Glen Ellyn in June.

I still cherish the freedom my bicycle provides. I find the entire city is at my disposal.

Early last year, I started biking to work. Bicycling to work isn't for everyone, but it is right for me. I cycle commute because:

It's the fastest way to commute. Traffic on a bicycle isn't bumper to bumper because of construction on the 14th St Bridge; it's the occasional street cleaner or double parked car. I blow past the smog machines on 16th St. And I can park anywhere for free.

It's the most enjoyable way commute. Being outside, experiencing the neighborhoods, engaging the street allows me to feel the pulse of the city. You can't do that when you're trapped behind a windshield hearing the Eastern Motors radio spot on repeat.

It's the cheapest way to commute. I could purchase several trips to Argentina and back with the money I saved on car payments, insurance, gas, parking, and maintenance.

It's the healthiest way to commute. I lost 30 lbs. I got in better shape bicycling to work than I did training for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler.

If I can't ride to work in the future, I'm not sure what I'd do. When I tell co-workers biking to work is a priority, they dismiss me saying "Just buy a beater." It's not about the money, driving, or the Metro. It's about riding. I love to ride.

Bicycling to work everyday changed my life. It gave me freedom, an identity, a hobby, and a passion.

Need some bicycle time

I survived my second post-go-live week. So far it's been a success. On Wednesday, we had almost 17000 members log in and served almost 400,000 page views. Ryan was out on his honeymoon; so, it was just me handling the technical side of issues. At times, I felt like the helpdesk, but everyone is trying hard to resolve issues before they bubble up to me which is appreciated.

Scattered thunderstorms across the area today means I'm not going out for a ride today. Maybe I'll get some bicycle time in around town.

On Thursday, after a day that was just a barrage of questions, I was pretty cranky. Once I got on my bicycle it all melted away. There's something about the freedom of riding, the focus need to traverse traffic, the breeze in my face, or the force of accelerating that just helps me relax. I don't know what I'll do if I can't cycle commute in the future.

Mad Men Yourself is Going Viral

I enjoy Mad Men. In promotion of their third season, AMC put together a make your own Mad Men character. It's going viral. Be prepared to see these pictures across Facebook, Twitter, gchat, etc... for approx three weeks.

To the left is mine. Coffee in hand obviously. I'm smoking because I would have smoked in the 60's back when it was healthy.

Make your own at http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/madmenyourself/

My Kindle

I've written before on this blog about the Kindle; now, I can write about my own Kindle. It came on Tuesday; so, I've had a few days with it.

First impressions:

The e-ink screen delivers a great and easy reading experience - outside in the sun or inside. It's small, but doesn't feel fragile.

Although elegant, I enjoy reading with it in the case; the case gives it a little more bulk.

I downloaded a couple book samples, about the first 20 pages; when I found a book I didn't want to stop reading, I was able to purchase the book. Reading a sample in the comfort of your own home is better than squatting on any available stool at the bookstore and living it constant fear of a snarky employee who might inform you that "the book you're reading is for sale."

Another great feature is the dictionary. If you don't know a word, simply put your cursor next to it and it shows a short 2 line definition at the bottom of the page. I'm surprised how often I use this feature.

I'm bad with book marks, and the Kindle saves my spot which is great.

Looking for a passage or random thought, you can search through all your notes and books.

Overall, if you travel often, like to read, or read several things at once the Kindle is a great product. You might miss books for a while, but you won't when you move and all you have to do is put your Kindle in your back backpack like usual.

Amazon is making a good move by engineering a great e-book reader and keeping people used to buying books.

Improving My Grammar

For many years, I've struggled with grammar. Over time, I've been working to improve it. Reading out loud and making a conscious effort have helped over the years. Also, I've come to depend on great resources like Elements of Style.

Another resource I particularly enjoy is the NYTimes blog, After Deadline. The blog examines grammar, usage, and style in NYTimes articles. It's a fun read. Really. They post some engaging quizzes and it's since to know the professionals miss mistakes too.

Recent Reads

Books purchased last month:

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
Clockers by Richard Price
Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

Short descriptions of what I read last month:

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead: Love the 80's, beach towns, summer jobs, and BBQs. Whitehead's prose is a humorous delight that is sprinkled and brought to life with numerous cultural references. Fastest 272 pages ever. Read it.

Blood Meridian: Or the Evening of Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy: Classic. Blood Meridian, set in 1850 near the Texas-Mexico border, follows the story of a 14 year old Tennessean kid who gets entangled in a gang of Indian hunters. Not for the faint of heart. McCarthy, who also wrote No Country for Old Men and The Road, is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Read it.

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie: I've had this since he came to speak at Lawrence. Rushdie is a fantastic writer, but Midnight's Children took some time. A humorous and thoughtful journey intertwined with India's history. Read it if you have a need for an accomplishment.

Read two of four. Not bad. My Kindle should arrive soon.

Why I Ride

After some time in Maryland and DC on my steel horse, I passed by Revolution Cycles in Georgetown. I've been to Revolutions twice to pick up accessories; they're courteous helpful and an overall great bike shop; so, I tend to give a nod when I pass. Pinned up in the front window was a notice announcing the arrival of the new electronic shifting system from Shimano.

So now, bicycles may have electronic parts. Not trying to sound like Ray Bradbury here, but that's not cool with me. One of my favorite things bicycles is that they're powered, propelled, fueled by me. It's me, wheels, levers, pulleys, and cranks: a combination of simple machines.

Am I old? No. I just enjoy the elegant simplicity bicycles offer. On a day to day basis I'm hauled up gazing at a computer screen; it's nice to lose that attachment to electronics for a while.