Cyclisme sans Toilettes; 31 Days until Icycle Bicycle

11.30.2014 39m

Although the forecast wasn't calling for it, the day provided wonderful weather: 60F and overcast, which is pretty great for cycling.

Today there is a home Steelers game, and the streets and trails were preternaturally quiet and nearly post-apocalyptic.

Rode out to Kennywood and back on the Steel Valley Trail.

Very disappointed to see that the fountain in Point State Park is turned off. Even more disappointed that the bathrooms at the Pump House are locked closed, and the porta-potties under the Birmingham Bridge are removed. What, is the need different in the winter?

Manuevered back via the 16th Street Bridge, hoping to outmanuever tailgating rowdies but there weren't any.

Only 31 days until Icycle Bicycle.

Peddling Overweight Elf's

Stopped in Performance Bikes on Saturday to see their ELF, a solar-recharging electric-pedal vehicle in a plastic pod from North Carolina's Organic Transit. This is such an interesting thing to me.

With delivery fees, it's about a $6,000 base model and $9800 as shown. This would be such an awesome vehicle to use to scoot around town; a sheltered pedal-bike with electric assist and solar recharging. I could so see myself enjoying one of these.

When you ask, what are the rules? Is this street-legal? the answer is, "this is a bike. It's legal anywhere it's legal to ride a bike".

Is it really that simple? Or is this really is an electric car without any of the safety factors required for cars? And because it's a bike there's no passenger safety investments (crumple zones, seat belts, etc) of any kind (because those are car things, silly goose). So it's a $9K e-car that you can get killed in and nobody's responsible.

The little voice in my mind wonders if the Elf isn't another Uber-Lyft-AirBnB, an attempt to avoid safety, regulation, liability, and insurance through concise miswording?

The Elf spec sheet includes these parameters: (note the weight of 150 pounds, please)

The ELF website FAQ says, our bikes meet federal e-bike standards and you should check your own state's requirements. Funny thing there. The PA ebike requirements (see legislation) include:

On October 22, 2014 PA house bill 573 passed into law, which is Act 154, which changes the definition of "pedalcycle" (bicycle) in the PA state vehicle code. "Pedalcycle" is now defined as a vehicle propelled solely by human-powered pedals or a "pedalcycle" (bicycle) with electric assist(a vehicle weighing not more than 100 pounds with two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, manufactured or assembled with an electric motor rated no more than 750 watts and equipped with operational pedals and travels at speeds less than 20 mph). This bill allows the usage of pedal assisted bicycles in PA that follow the adopted state guidelines.

and it would seem that the ELF's weight of 150 pounds exceeds the PA pedalcycles-with-electric-assist definition of 100 pounds. So the manufacturer and sales team say: "it's a bike and weighs 150 pounds" and the state law says an electric-assist bike has to weigh 100 pounds or less. awkward!

I want to like this vehicle. I'm not sure that Performance Bike selling these gizmos in Pennsylvania is completely honorable, since they don't meet the PA definition of a bike or an e-bike, and the manufacturer asserts that it's not a car, it's a bike. It needs a placard: NOT STREET LEGAL IN PENNSYLVANIA.

It would be great to have these in Pittsburgh. They'd probably increase pressure to reduce speed limits to 25 (which I'm good with). But I don't see how they're selling them as bikes without identifying the Pennsylvania definition of a legal bike or addressing that they're outside the range.

If I had yielded to my impulse and dropped $9500 on a Elf because the staff assured me it was legal anywhere a bike could go, and then found out it didn't fit the categories of bikes (normal or e-bike) or cars - so that when a police officer stopped me and asked me what I was thinking, I'd be in a jam - I'd be kind of mild-to-middling flustered.

For me the ELF name conjures the audiotape of David Sedaris when he tells about working as a Macy's store elf at Christmastime. One of the Santa's who is seriously into the role play would say, Oh little elf, little elf, sing a Christmas song for little (child's name) here. David Sedaris would resist, and the Santa would continue: oh little elf, little elf, of course you know the words... sing for the child" and then David Sedaris delivers the best version of "Away In A Manger" ever. Just brilliant.

Happy Birthday Major Taylor

11.29 15m

Got to ride with my wife Karen and my neighbor Jack and we joined the PMTCC ride celebrating Major Taylor's birthday. The PMTCC season usually ends in October, plus the Nov. birthday ride.

This was a great ride. All the PMTCC rides start on time, follow the briefed route, very safe and well-organized, drama free, and end as scheduled. PMTCC ride leaders really have their act together.

From Performance Bikes in East Liberty we rode across Squirrel Hill into Greenfield, down to the Jail Trail, across Grant Street, the Penn Ave bike lane and then the Strip District, out Penn Avenue, Bloomfield and Baum Ave back to East Liberty. 15 miles of excellent riding.

While we were on the Jail Trail, I was pleased we encountered Mary Shaw and Roy Weil on their tandem recumbent. I congratulated Mary on recently receiving the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama for "For pioneering leadership in the development of innovative curricula in Computer Science." - how cool is that?

Riding in the Buff, Lean Pictures

Fri 11.28.2014 15m

I didn't ride on Thanksgiving so I had to get out on Friday. I planned to ride with my neighbor first thing in the morning, but there was snow and ice and roadways were being closed, so it seem prudent to defer.

Later in the day I was to meet a friend for coffee, so - opportunity! I rode over to the Beaver Starbucks. Afterwards, coming out of Beaver I noticed my chain was noisy so I pulled into the park in Bridgewater for a chain lube session and bike-lean photo:

It was about 32F for my rides. I am fortunate to have great, warm, dry shoes and gloves and I am so beholden to my wool buff. I love riding in the buff.

 

Coming through Monaca I saw these new golden dragons outside of a former bank which is about to open as a restaurant in a week. We just don't see too many new things in Monaca, so I had to break the one-lean-photo per ride guideline.

Comparatively Wonderful

11/26/2014 14m

A bit of yesterday's news, mentioned in more detail elsewhere: On Monday the Twitter brought the thought, a cyclist is just one driver away from becoming a Hashtag and getting a Ghost Bike. On Tuesday, my friend Stu was attacked by a driver while commuting to work in the morning.

Details, video, audio here. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and invest in front-and-rear cameras. I've been waiting for the useful battery life and storage capability to increase, but I think it's time to begin.

The behavior of aggressive drivers (when they stay in the car, and use the vehicle for aggression) is vehicular bullying. If the preceding vehicle were a street-sweeper, or a police officer on a scooter, or a bulldozer or farm equipment: they'd wait until they could safely pass, and then pass - or they'd wait.

When they don't give a vulnerable, unprotected individual the same treatment as they give big, powerful or authoritative people, it's bullying. It's the behavior of cowards.

Wednesday for me was a commute to work. Inbound in clear and cold, home in drizzle and dark. It was an excellent ride. Everybody was very courteous. I managed to dress pretty appropriately for the 32F; just warm enough on the torso, a little bit almost-cold on the legs.

Warm and Rainbows

11.24.2014 14m 60F

This was a glorious day to have a bicycle. I rode to work via my most direct route, 5 miles in 60F totally blissful.

While I was at work, there was some major windstorm going on and also a rainbow:

Got out of work around 6.45 pm and rode home. I don't take the short route home, I think night riding is an extra risk factor and I pick a much more vanilla route. There was debris and branches on the shoulder but not a huge factor. Two intersections had inoperative traffic lights but everybody was sharing nicely.

I really enjoy night riding when it goes well. (When it doesn't go well, it's not pretty.) 14 miles.

Leetsdale Snowflake Mystery and Tracer Chain Links

11.23.2014 29m 63F

Today was so mild and warm, 63F; it was a wonderful day for a ride.

Rode from Center to Route 51 South. Saw another bicyclist ahead, and another opposite direction. In Beaver County that's really unusual. I managed to pull up to the same-direction cyclist, Joe from Hopewell, and we had a very nice chat about local roadways and n'at.

Took the Sewickley Bridge across the Ohio River. Stopped in Sewickley Starbucks for respite and a few honey packets. Departed via Beaver St to Ambridge, which is a fave road segment of mine.

Riding through Leetsdale, which really should have at least one Leet roadsign (Welcome to 733lsdale), there are snowflakes painted on the ground. They've existed for quite a while and I've decided: I can't live with the uncertainty.

This is an unpainted Leetsdale road snowflake. Could it be that AlQueda oops ISIS oops Khorasan is using steganography to convey messages?

This is an undated and more recent Leetsdale road snowflake:

In Leetsdale cyclist John caught up to me and asked about my Design Shine tail light (it was dark by that time). We discussed my route home via Route51 and he suggested there's a little-used road from Crescent Township, looks like Cherry Alley in South Heights (just north of 151) then via Woodlawn until at least Franklin Ave. John said there's a way to poke further north to West Aliquippa.

All the drivers were very nice and extremely courteous. I would mention red Cadillac land-yacht with PA tags HTY5630 who gave me a 3-foot pass rather than use the empty lane to their left as somebody who might need an awareness upgrade. It was certainly a safe and non-threatening pass, it just seemed stingy compared to all the other good souls.

Riding home in the way dark, I look down occasionally to see if my chain is really in the rings and cogs I think it's in - generally before a major shift moment. In the dark it's problematic, although the helmet-mounted head lamp is a big help. I think I want "tracer links", like every x-th link needs to be reflective or glow-in-the-dark, so I can look down and see my chainline without having to puzzle out the various dark bits while I'm not looking at the road.

I was way too warm today, I dressed for 40F and encountered 63F and my kit wasn't compatible with delayering. Great problem to have.

Bridges do Freeze Before Roads

11/22/2014 25m

It's true what they say: bridges and overpasses do freeze before roadways. My drive out to Cecil for today's ride coincided with freezing rain and the I376 to I79 roadplex was just a body shop's fantasy come true. Cars sliding everywhere.

I was glad to get off the road and get onto the Montour Trail, sure that the packed limestone surface was the right place to be riding today. Inevitably, R and I learned that all the bridge decks that the trail uses were also quite frozen over and very slippery. This may be why we were the only cyclists we saw this afternoon

This is the National Tunnel at about MP25:

We rode out to see the Valleybrook Road project and the Library Trestle project. The Library Trestle looks like the deck is complete and the side rails are onsite and ready to be installed. The Valleybrook Road project shows initial concrete poured on the overpass supports but nothing is crossing the road yet.

We stopped at Starbucks in McMurray. I miss FarmHouseCoffee. On the way back the temps were warming - not enough to thaw the ice on the bridges, just enough to melt some of the ice and produce a mix of water over ice which was even more interesting. Completely workable, just not rideable.

This is a waterfall by the Montour Railroad Museum near Valleybrook Road.

We started riding at about 32F, and we finished riding at 43F - so our initial clothing was way too warm, and we changed layers and gloves for the second lag. It's amazing how different 10F can make the experience.

Cold, Dark, Windy : No Flat Tires

11.17.2014 20m

Started off today by cleaning up the signs and balloons along the Ghost Bike route. Took this picture of the final positioning of the Ghost Bike:

Each orange ribbon conveys a message from a cyclist, motorcyclist, or family member from the Memorial Ride.

Started riding at the Bastille on Westhall Street and I noticed: hey, that's new or maybe I've just been completely non-observant.

That's a Dero FixIt station and a Dero Air Kit 3. The cement looks new. Very very nice.

Rode to BikePgh to return some vests and flags I'd borrowed for the weekend Ghost Bike Ride. Thanks BikePgh!

Climbed up the cemetery, stopped at Banker Supply to talk about Hannukah. (seriously). Asked Nick and Chas for a recommendation of a place to get something to eat, and they said: Casa Rasta! Boy was that good advice.

Steak taco, chorizo taco, coconut rice. Very good, I'll be back.

Went over to East Liberty Blvd to live-tweet a conversation between the new police chief and the community. That was a very cool event. Most cool was that I got to meet Brandi Fisher IRL.

After the event, encountered a very stiff west wind (headwind). It was dark and cold and windy and I am so grateful for my tires and not having a flat in those conditions.

This was my first hard-dark night time ride with my new Expillion 850 headlamp. Two words: very effective. Also very effective: my light wool buff, it really changes the dynamic of core temperature. Used my Wombat gloves tonight, and they were barely sufficient.

This was my first genuinely cold ride this fall. All the puddles and water runoff were frozen. Perhaps winter is more than a rumor.

Ghost Bike Ride

11.16.2014 1m

I was able to participate in a Ghost Bike Ride today. Kind of unexpectedly, at the last minute 20 motorcycles showed up, friends of the family. They were great.

The Monaca Police came out with two cars, and the Monaca VFD came out with a fire truck, and escorted the ride down to the West Aliquippa Bridge - where the Aliquippa Police picked up the escort. That was so awesome of all those folks.

This is the initial departure from Monaca. Monaca usually doesn't see this many cyclists in a month.

We had planned to use road marshalls at three key intersections, but with a police escort in front and a police car and a fire truck in the rear, we didn't have any problems at all.

We deviated from the established Ghost Bike practice a bit with the ribbons. Before the ride, the bicyclists and motorcyclists each wrote a wish or a sentiment or a prayer on a bit of orange ribbon then they tied the ribbon around their arm, and wore it as an armband.

When the ride got to the dedication ceremony, the riders took off their armbands and tied their messages to the Ghost Bike, to let the winds spread the good will, compassion and sentiment into the Four Corners. (Kind of like Tibetan prayer-flags.)

Marlin Erin spoke and he just absolutely rocked. Stu Strickland spoke about laws and road equity very effectively.

One of the motorcyclists, Pastor Bill, spoke with grounded humor and tremendous focus and he was very impressive.

It's just so very damned sad and wasteful, and all the worse because the hit-and-run is an unresolved crime.

Like the very best funerals, this was emotional, poignant, sad and yet in some way, a good time; an expression of community, cohesiveness, and bonds. Because that's the way we roll, as the motorcyclists commented.

After everybody departed, RC and Yale and I stopped at The Fountainhead Cafe for a cup of coffee and so R could complete his 2014 coffeeneuring, and so I logged a mile of riding. It was good to get on the bike.

Privileged Dread of Discomfort

11.12.2014 Wed 11m

Riding temperatures Tuesday were 65 and today was 32 and it was just hard (internally) to not use the van and to use the bike instead. Ugh, the first-world dread of minor discomfort.

I didn't quite have all my gear in the right place, so it was putzing for this, looking for that. I never did find the little velcro strap for my trouser-leg. And each time I went looking for something, the warm car beckoned.

I pushed off on the bike and I am so glad I did. About 13 seconds into the ride I knew it was the right choice to use the bike to get to work. It always feels great once I get going.

I've been tweaking the route. Today I found the shortest (distance) path, 5.5 miles.

Departed at 6.30. I love riding at night. It's a lot like night flying, in that you have to be proficient with the bike and know where everything is, and nighttime is more intolerant of small errors. Lot of fun.

11 miles.

Second Spring

11.11.2014 25m

Conditions today were like 68F and sunny and calm wind. Fantastic for Nov.11th. Driving through Moon Township on my way in to the city, I rolled out behind this cyclist demonstrating excellent lane control. Very nice!

Started at the Bastille in the mid-afternoon with R, who needed to accomplish a coffeeneuring stop. There were so many people outside enjoying the weather.

Met S outside the casino. Then we took the 6th Street Bridge to the Penn Ave Bike lanes, enroute to Tazza D'Oro. We took Liberty out to Bloomfield (to avoid the Penn closure) then cut across to Penn Ave and rode out to Negly and Highland.

Tazzo D'Oro is just wonderful. R had a drink (maybe it was a stigmata? but I don't think so) with a cookie and I had a cappuccino and scone. Totally tremendous.

We were sitting outside, watching the world walk by, when I evaluated the group of eight Old Guys sitting at the other tables. Then I realized, the only difference between us and them was a small matter of degree. Then they started talking with us and I became afraid we might blend in and never escape and become AARP regulars.

Departed and somehow found our way to Junction Hollow and the Hot Metal Bridge. Notably the transition from REI and street-level SouthSideWorks (SSWx?) and the trail is now CLOSED, CLOSED and YOU CAN'T USE IT. And the detour is pretty much, GO RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF AMERICAN EAGLE, which can't be very optimal.

Went to Thick Bikes so R could try some panniers on his new front racks and saw this Dad and Daughters checking out a bakfiets-type bike. It looked like a lot of fun.

Met RR at Thick. We rode across the Hot Metal Bridge right about sunset. I've never noticed the dynamic light show from atop the Gulf Building before.

Rode the Jail Trail inbound. I always enjoy riding contraflow around sunset this time of year, riding inbound while the Actual Commuters ride outbound from work, because you get to see such amazing lighting on their bikes. The technology has so improved over the last few years.

25 miles.

Ghost Bike Prep

Nov 10, 2014 15m

Today was an awfully pretty day. Spent some time in the morning prepping a Ghost Bike (see related PG article for an upcoming memorial ride. It was very nice of Ben Yogman to donate the bike.

Full disclosure: the dog already has a white nose. I did not paint the dog.

This is a press release for the Ghost Bike Ride.

From Toronto blog, Biking In A Big City, a photo of a banner they deploy with their Ghost Bikes.

Rode to a meeting at a client's office. As I was going out, the next appointment was walking in and I asked, "Did you drive here? and he said Yes, rather stumped. Small amusements go a long way.

Rode to work, took a shortcut via an Interstate Bridge. There was a state trooper parked on the shoulder on the other side of the road. I thought they might come around after me but they didn't. I chalked that up to luck. Although, a ticket would be a cool thing to have, but I could spend the money on bicycle stuff instead.

After work, departed at 6:30 pm. It is dark outside now at 6:30 pm. I lost my best headlight during yesterday's ride, so I made due with my backup headlight and the head-lamp I have on my helmet. No problem.

I took the long and calm way home. It's awesome to bike to work.

Route 28 Murals ride

Nov 9 2014 14m

My first mission today was to scout the route for an upcoming Ghost Bike ride. This is where the collision occured. The ghost bike will go on the street sign on the left. Note the State Bike Route A marker on the right.

Went around the football stadium, which is very peaceful during "away" games.

I'm told the Steelers did not do well today.

On the other hand, the bicycling was lovely.

My next mission was to photograph the highway artwork being installed on Route 28. A friend (J-M) suggested there might be a window after completion and before the roadway is opened, and it was a pleasure to ride the bicycle on a closed lane of Route 28.

In a great Post-Gazette article, the most-excellent Jon Schmitz tells the story behind each of the panels, designed by artist Laurie Lundquest. The explanation of each mural given below comes directly from Mr. Schmitz' article.    (click here for even more info on the project)

This western-most mural is of the Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Manchester Traction Co., which operated streetcars in the corridor from the 1890s through 1920.

This panel highlights the Allegheny Institute and Mission Church / ​Avery College. Charles Avery founded the institute in 1849 as an educational facility for African-Americans and it is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

A silhouette of Troy Hill with a canal boat in tow. The Pennsylvania Canal was built in the 1820s and was a key transportation feature in the state.

Thomas Carlin’s Foundry, which produced manhole covers and sewer inlets from 1860 to 1916, several of which are still in place in Pittsburgh. The foundry was known internationally for production of engines, boilers and other equipment.

The next mural shows the Josip Marohnic Bookstore, possibly the nation’s first Croatian book emporium. He was a leader in Pittsburgh’s Croatian community and helped to establish the St. Nicholas parish and raise money for the church.

This mural depicts the recently demolished St. Nicholas Church, site of the first Croatian national parish in the United States. The parish was established in 1894 and the church was built in 1901. The unused building was razed for the roadway. Note the building's cornerstone, still in its place.

Also saw this staircase going to up Troy Hill. If you were to climb it, you might notice a mural on an adjacent property.

Saw this commercial sign by artist Anthony Purcell.

Not a long ride, but a very nice day.

Pittsburgh Bike Jersey; Brooks B73 Repair at Thick Bikes

Nov.7.2014 0miles

Today was a maintenance day, starting with the flat tire I acquired in my Honda van on my way to visit work. Argghh. Cars; you can't patch the tires yourself, what's up with that?

The front spring on my Brooks B-73 saddle had sprung askew. I think I twisted the seat frame-and-spring when I took a fall in the spring and taco'd my front wheel, and then set the seat straight with the top-bar without really examining the entirety of the damage.

Anyway hey: Brooks Saddles, a seat you can have repaired! This is what my Surly LHT looked like, before and after, outside of Thick Bikes Pittsburgh. I so appreciate that they took the initiative not to just sell me another seat, but to repair the one I had.

Anyway, the picture on the left is How To Take A Bike Into A Shop On Friday Afternoon . If you're not doing it this way, you're doing it wrong. Pro Tip: wheel the bike into the shop area; complain that it feels like something's dragging, or maybe there's too much weight somewhere; ask them to do what they can to reduce the weight. The picture on the right is the "after" shot.

Also extremely cool: I mentioned I needed an old, one-time-left beatup U-lock for the upcoming Ghost Bike, and Thick Bikes donated a legacy shop U-lock which I put Thick stickers on.

Also, got to see this kinda-hott model introducing a very cool jersey. The artist's spouse, Jordan, is a strong cross racer. More info on the Pittsburgh cycling jersey here.

I find the most (pleasantly) unexpected connections in bike shops. I was talking about an effective Homewood neighborhood activist, turns out Jordan the cross racer knows Elwin Green, too. Small world; cycling makes connections.

I was surprised to see a small reflective strip on the back of the Pittsburgh jersey, I haven't seen that before. They're made locally by Aero Tech Designs of Coraopolis.

Pogies (handlebar mitts) from 45North. This has interior compartments, pit-zips, wow.

Handlebar porn: the two-bagger --

Such wow. Very cycling.

Saylé Service Soirée Banker Supply

11.6.2014 19m

I had a chance this afternoon to attend a board meeting of the Ohio River Trail Council, which was very interesting. The Ohio River Greenway Trail will begin in Coraopolis (near the Montour Trail) and run northwest along the Ohio River, through Aliquippa and Monaca, then Rochester-Beaver and west to Midland. It's very exciting.

Doubly valuable considering that in the last 15 months, we've seen two young people (18 and 23) killed while riding on PA State Bike Route A, a/k/a Route 51, at bridge crossings. This is not to say that we should take bikes off roads, but rather to say that maybe a 55mph, four-lane limited access highway isn't a great bike route and it would be so rational to have an alternative.

I got off to a late start in the evening, started riding in darkness and a light intermittent drizzle-schizzle. Rode to Banker Supply in East Liberty for the rollout party for Sayle Service.

Sayle Service intends to introduce a new orientation in bicycle service. A lot of what they're going to be doing isn't presented elsewhere: fleet service, loaner bikes, pre-dawn and after-hours pickup/dropoff. The name Sayle Service is an Anglo-derivative of the French Celerifere, the first bicycle ever made.

Nice cool-temp ride back in light drizzle. The downtown core sure looks pretty at night. I wish Nick and Chas all the best in their business endeavor; they're creative, innovative NextBurgh risk-takers.

Taylor Lee Banks Memorial Bicycle Ride: Nov 16 2014 2pm

Permalink: goo.gl/SYhr52
Press Release: goo.gl/ew6IhA


Ride starts promptly at 2pm Sunday Nov 16.
1729 Pennsylvania Ave Monaca, PA 15061
(Route 51, just south of East Rochester-Monaca Bridge.)

• Click here for info on a Group Ride (bike train) from downtown Pittsburgh to the event. Departs Golden Triangle Bike Rental on the Jail Trail, (600 1st Ave Pittsburgh) at 1100.
  
• Press Release from ORTC.

• Ride starts promptly at 2pm at 1729 Pennsylvania Ave Monaca PA 15061, under the water tower.
  • Nearby restrooms at Yolanda's Restaurant 1601 Pennsylvania Ave and CoGo's Gas Station, 1400 Pennsylvania Ave.
• ride south on Route 51, as one group at 10mph; there will be a van behind the group.
  
• Ride stops at 102 Baker St, Aliquippa PA 15001 (off Route 51, just north of self-storage facility) to meet family and non-driving participants. (2:35 pm)
  
• Media invited to Ghost Bike Dedication.
  
• Silent roll past location, near West Aliquippa bridge
  
• Continue and end in Monaca (3:30pm) round trip is 10 miles.