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Lawmakers pushing for more bikes on trains
If you're lucky enough to live near one of the eight Amtrak routes that allow passengers to roll bikes onboard, you've likely noticed the trains are a lot more full these days. Seems Amtrak is seeing increased demand for the service, so much so that in California the Caltran and Amtrak trains have begun a reservation system for the service.
In most of the country, riders must box their bike in one of Amtrak's enormous bike boxes. It isn't difficult—just remove the pedals and turn the handlebars sideways—but it certainly isn't convenient or quick enough for commuting. Many trains don't have extra baggage cars, all luggage is brought on board, and thus cannot carry bikes at all.
The good news is that politicians are getting on board (that's a train pun). According to Streesblog, several New York lawmakers are asking Amtrak to add baggage cars on the Adirondack and Ethan Allen lines, which run from Manhattan to the upstate area. They've recognized that cycling tourism brings business to rural areas.
Have you ever taken a bike on Amtrak or other trains? Share your experience in the comments.
Austrian sets new record in Race Across America
Think you've been on some pretty long bike rides? I'm guessing they can't compare with the 3,000-mile Race Across America, held each summer from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md.
The first finisher of 2013 crossed the line this week with a new record time. Austrian Christoph Strasser completed the journey in just 7 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes—the first rider to ever finish RAAM in less than eight days. He averaged 15.56 miles per hour atop his Specialized time trial bike.
The 2013 race began at the Oceanside Pier and took the racers over the Coast Range into the searing desert heat. After crossing the desert they climbed into the cool Rocky Mountain air reaching 10,856 feet on Wolf Creek Pass, Colo. After descending the mountain passes racers crossed Great Plains, the Mississippi River and the relentless rolling hills of the Midwest. They then conquered the humidity and steep climbs of the Appalachian Mountains before reaching Annapolis and the cool water of the Chesapeake Bay.
Want to learn more about the Race Across America? Check out the video series, Riding the Line, about the race and the extreme athletes who compete.Tweet
Point Made – The Great Allegheny Passage completes its journey
By Adam Newman and Jon Pratt
We've written about the Great Allegheny Passage trail a number of times, after all, it's right in our own backyard (read some here and here). This past weekend the GAP celebrated its completion, connecting downtown Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, and beyond to Washington D.C. via the C&O Canal Towpath.
The trail was, of course, once a railroad, but when it was sold by the Western Maryland Railroad in the 1970s, new ideas began to sprout. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy purchased a 26-mile stretch of railroad between Connellsville and Confluence in 1978. The 9-mile trail from Ohiopyle to Ramcat opened in 1986. People loved it. By 2001 the corridor had an official name: The Great Allegheny Passage.
Countless individuals and several local advocacy groups and sponsors along the corridor have worked for more than three decades to make it happen, and finally on June 15, 2013, the trail reached Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh.
To celebrate, Bicycle Times photographer Jon Pratt made the trek from Washington to Pittsburgh and documented his journey:
The Great Falls On The Potomac River, 15 Miles Outside Of Washington, D.C.
The Desert Rose Cafe in Williamsport, Maryland, is a great, bicycle-friendly place to grab a bite to eat. We were happy to get out of the rain and mud.
The Paw Paw Tunnel is one of the most famous, and darkest, spots along the C&O Canal Towpath.
In Cumberland, Maryland, the C&O Canal ends and the Great Allegheny Passage begins.
After the more than 20 mile climb out of Cumberland, you're rewarded with spectacular views from Big Savage Mountain.
It's nice to know it's all downhill from here!
Crossing the Salisbury Viaduct—1,908 feet spanning the Casselman River Valley outside Meyersdale, Pa.
Naturally we stopped at the Wilderness Voyageurs' Beer And Gear Festival In Ohiopyle, Pa.
The Roundbottom Campground has plenty of trees for hammocks, and even a few shelters to sleep in.
The final stretch that needed attention was a few hundred yards near the Sandcastle water park. Now it is paved and the point is made!Tweet
San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival rolls into Golden Gate Park
The San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival—the original and world's largest bicycle music festival—happens Saturday June 22, 2013, from noon to 5 p.m. at Pioneer Log Cabin Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
Our LiveOnBike music bike parade will commence at 5:00pm, en-route to 22nd and Bartlett Streets where the party continues until 9pm.
The San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival is a free, all-day, all-ages, outdoor concert featuring musical acts from around the Bay Area.The Festival champions bicycle mobility, audience participation, and zero use of fossil fuels.
Although this is a completely free event, the bands are paid in part by cash donations. We suggest attendees bring cash to support the bands.
All amplification for the music is Pedal Powered, meaning that the audience generates electricity for the sound system by pedaling bicycles in equipment provided by Rock The Bike. Every material aspect of the Festival–sound equipment, instruments, gear, personnel, musicians, and fans–is transported by bicycle.
New this year:
- Night Venue in a bustling block in the Mission, the same location as the Thursday Night Farmer's Market. (22nd & Bartlett)
- Our Biggest LiveOnBike ride ever, possibly reaching 1,000 cyclists, enjoying a mobile performance from an 8-foot wide Mobile Stage, and amplified by speakers strapped to bikes and connected wirelessly.
- True concert grade sound, including a new Line Array and a new subwoofer along with other new audio tools like better mics. It'll be the World's largest Human-Powered concert. History in the making!
- The biggest Pedal Power effort ever, with 25 efficient generator bikes—one 16 feet tall, some sized small enough for 7-year-olds, some ridden in by musicians performing at the festival, so the vision of true community-powered all-day music festival can be achieved.
- The first time featuring an internationally prominent environmentalist / thought leader on the mic, Bill McKibben of 350.org. With Carbon in the atmosphere passing 400 PPM, his message has never been more needed.
- Refresh with bike-blended smoothies and pedal-churned ice cream at Golden Gate Park, and at the evening venue, enjoy local, hot, delicious fare from the Mission Community Market–all while checking out some amazing local music.
- The LiveOnBike Mobile Stage allows small acts to face a rolling audience of hundreds.
Line Up: Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Bill McKibben of 350.org, Quinn DeVeaux & the Blue Beat Review, The Seshen, Classical Revolution, Earth Amplified, DJ Real and more. LiveOnBike performance by Jason Brock of TV's The X-Factor.Tweet
Nutcase Helmets welcomes guests to Cyclepedia exhibit in Portland
Everyone knows Portland is one of the top biking cities in the U.S., which is why it's the perfect place for Nutcase Helmets to call home. Now through September 8, the Portland Art Museum (PAM) is teaming up with Nutcase to open their latest exhibit, Cyclepedia.
Portlanders and museumgoers can get a preview of the special exhibition by visiting the entrance of the PAM where the 475 donated colorful and original Nutcase Helmets currently are displayed. Included are some of Nutcase's most well-known and iconic helmets like Dazed and Amused, Daisy Stripe, Got Luck? and Glo-Brain.
The Cyclepedia exhibit features 40 bikes from the collection of world-renowned bicycle designer and aficionado, Michael Embacher. Each bike was chosen by Embacher as examples of pivotal moments in the evolution of bicycle design. The exhibition will include racing, mountain, single speed, touring, tandem, urban, folding, cargo, curiosities, and children's bicycles.
Cyclepedia is the third entry in the Museum's design-oriented exhibition series. Preceded by China Design Now and the Allure of the Automobile, the exhibition will be accompanied by a full-color publication described by the London Sunday Times as the most comprehensive and visually satisfying book of bicycle portraits ever published; and an iPad App, rated App of the Week in the UK iTunes store.
Related programming will include public workshops, tours and lectures showcasing Portland's internationally recognized community of bicycle designers and builders.Tweet
On the (bumpy) road of Trans Iowa
By Jeremy Kershaw
The Trans Iowa is many different things. Speaking for myself, but I think many would agree, the race is a once-a-season phenomenon. It is a marker by which the rest of the year is gauged. You are either preparing for the T.I. or recovering from it… physically and emotionally. The high that I received from finishing last year endured many months afterward. This year, I will try to roll away optimistic, philosophical, but also more than a little disappointed. To me, that shows the gravity of this wild gravel race across Iowa farmland.
The wonder of the T.I. lies in the many different parts that build the whole of the event. There are the obvious: months and miles of base hopefully laid down beforehand. In the Northland, that means hours spent riding cold, wet and often snowy conditions in order to gain a little spring time endurance fitness, or worse, more-than-I-can-remember spins on the indoor trainer watching cartoons so that I could pretend I was kind of parenting and training at the same time.
Then there is the bike prep. This year, that meant endless emails to fellow singlespeed racers trying to guess as to what would be the best gear ratio for such a long race and exceptionally hilly one at that. Going singlespeed represented to me an analogy similar to mountain climbing high peaks without oxygen. Why not up it a notch, the already crazy challenge, into the just plain insane? I chose a 40×19 gear this year. It was probably as near to perfect as I could hope for.
There is the palpable sense of togetherness at the dinner the night before the race. So many genuinely good people about to share in an adventure that will test everyone of them to their limits.
Laying in the hotel bed the night before, watching the Weather Channel or The Simpsons, knowing full well that you have to be awake and ready to go by 2 a.m. That mix of fear and excitement makes for an extremely fitful few hours of rest.
Then, 90 riders, all with their white headlights and red flashing taillights on, huddle together at the start line in downtown Grinnell. Guitar Ted informs us of last minute changes. Confident handshakes and words of encouragement as brakes are tested, computers zeroed-out and tired eyes look blankly ahead into the darkness.
For about a mile, even the slowest rider can be up front, leading the pack through the first few turns out of town. You feel like a real bike racer. Hell, I can win this thing if I really had a good day!
The first crunch of limestone rock under the tires. A few unsecured water bottles already fly into the ditch. Many riders are very experienced with the jolt that riding "gravel" induces on the bike and the body. A few are already suffering the cruel facts of life on these rough farm roads. Too much air pressure in the tires equals exceptionally squirrely handling. Too little, and you risk suffering a pinch flat. Just right means a compromise between some form of air comfort and a rim dinged from tennis ball sized rock.
A quick look back and you realize that the race is on. A long string of lights rattling through the predawn darkness. In only minutes, though, I find myself in my own little pocket of speed. How is it possible that no one else is going the same pace as me? I know this will change as the day goes on. Alliances will be forged. New friendships made. But for now, quiet time, alone and many many miles to go.
Frogs. Lots and lots of frogs doing their spring chorus from the roadside ditches and marshes. If there is one thing I love about riding in the wee hours of the morning and night it is the sounds of birds and frogs. I never feel lonely when I hear them. I remember two years ago walking along a ditch of a "B" road ("unmaintained"), shoes filled with mud, grass and water, bike caked with ten pounds of Iowa's finest black dirt, headlamps turned on trying to see through the foggy darkness of predawn. And the chorus of frogs was the only soundtrack supporting this scene of chaos. Millions of them. I wonder if anyone else noticed. How lucky we all were to be out there covered in shit, serenaded by amphibian music.
This year, we are graced by a nearly full moon preparing to set, sheets of early morning fog hanging over the low-lands, and a sun just dying to rise on a rare, clear Iowa countryside. I have my small camera along, tucked in my jersey pocket. I nearly die from the missed opportunities of images that I could have captured only if I had stopped and taken the time to shoot. It is a dream landscape. A scene where a thousand pictures could be made, ready for local bank calenders, chamber of commerce flyers, and stock photo galleries to showcase the pastoral beauty of rural Iowa. It was one of those mornings that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Huh…I'm still by myself. That's OK. I don't want to have to worry about going too fast right now anyway.
The first checkpoint. On these long races, you have to force yourself to ride checkpoint to checkpoint. It's just too long otherwise. The T.I. racers are lucky to have some of the best volunteers in cycling. After my first 50 miles of alone time, it's nice to see people again. Shed layers. Remove gravel from socks. Stretch. Swap out a fresh bag of cue cards. Clip in and go again.
Cue cards. An icon for these gravel races. Count them. Make sure they are all there. Without them, you are one turned around fool in farmland. I race to checkpoints, but I really race to the bottom of a cue card. A small victory every time you get to the last turn of the card and flip a new on top. A huge victory when you see you are on your last one.
Convenience stores. In this edition of the T.I., that meant Casey's General Stores. Now, I love the science of sports nutrition and endurance physiology, and there have been tremendous strides taken in educating the average cyclist about what to eat and when, but I am seriously waiting for someone to write a manual on how real gravel endurance cyclists eat. It ain't by the book.
Pizza slices? No problem. Coca Cola? Sure. Cinnamon rolls, Cheeze-it's, Hot Tomales, chocolate milk, Peanut Nut Rolls…if you can keep it down then you win the game of ultra nutrition. A convenient store on course is like a little Christmas every 60 miles. A time to eat, socialize, stare blankly out into space while stuffing a bag of chips in your face. And lots of very friendly old farmers wondering where you are going and why you are going by gravel road instead of by Pontiac.
Back on the road, after a stop, there is a small period of re-acclimation. There is never the ability to replace what you are burning in calories. But for about 15 minutes, you have a vague feeling that you should not have eaten that last fruit pie.
Time to think. About important life decisions. Hours to re-plan your life and make mental check lists of things you are going to change when you get home. Actually, that's kind of bullshit. Really, it's some damn cartoon song that is stuck on repeat in your head. Dora the Explorer must DIE!
At mile 120 my butt begins to feel a bit chafed. Nothing serious. I wonder about about other rider's butts. Does anyone really escape this thing without undercarriage damage? Does anyone really have the perfect saddle? Except for those fools riding their precious Brooks antiques. (I actually covet one and I think they may be the ONLY ones with intact butts at the end of the T.I.)
At mile 160 I feel the first and maybe the most ominous sign of bodily frailty. Rather out of nowhere, my left knee feels weak while standing on a climb. Then, a few miles down the road, both my knees feel weak while riding the flats. I think it will go away. But deep down I know this is not good—especially with no other lower gears to fall into.
Really? Still alone? I could have sworn there were other riders this year…
If I were a mathematician, I would probably win the Nobel Prize. Why? For naming the phenomenon that exists when you realize that your diminishing speed, coupled with a distance less than 10 miles, will always mean that it will take a half hour to reach the final checkpoint. I think there are probably still a few riders trapped out there in this black hole of time-space-cornfield.
The call of shame. It is both a curse and a blessing to have a Casey's store only a couple of miles from the last checkpoint. For sure it represents an oasis in which to re-fuel and warm up. (This one looked like a cross between a bike swap and a homeless shelter. I think I watched a man fully change kits at the end of the candy aisle) It is also a spider web of defeat to those that get trapped within the sticky grasp of more pizza, bright lights and a place where your support crew might be able to find you.
I called Guitar Ted and informed him that I was done. I paced the sidewalk for a good 20 minutes before dialing the number. There followed an acute feeling of disappointment. Failure. A general sense of "what does it all mean". And a fleeting wave of relief.
This year I stopped riding at mile mark 180. I had ridden alone for nearly all of the 15 hours I was in the saddle. I chose to go singlespeed this year. The muscles surrounding both my knees, ten miles before the last checkpoint at mile 170, simply started to fatigue to the point that I couldn't stand and pedal without a sense of impending buckling. I just couldn't see making another 150 miles. So I called in and ended my bid for a second T.I. finish.
The importance of races of this grandeur can not be minimized. The Trans Iowa is a study in perseverance. Endurance. Cycling community. Hope. Breakdown. And a dusty stage to act out one's own dreams of being a gravel god(ess).
Thank you, Guitar Ted, for creating and producing the Trans Iowa.Tweet
Gravel racing: A look at my Dirty Kanza 200 weapon
Editor's note: This story is a cross-post from our sister magazine, Dirt Rag. This weekend riders from across the country will converge on the Flint Hills of Kansas to tackle the Dirty Kanza 200, one of the premiere events in the burgeoning gravel racing scene.
By Mike Cushionbury
Gravel road racing is filled with innovations and inventions. Bikes range from road to cyclocross to full-on Frankenbikes cobbled together from a mix of road, cross, touring and mountain bike parts. As a mountain bike racer and first-time DK200 competitor I momentarily considered setting up my 29er cross-country race bike for the task late last year but further consideration led me towards my cyclocross bike—namely a 2013 Cannondale SuperX Disc—with the goal of keeping it as simple and familiar as possible.
I knew for sure a Frankenbike was not the answer. I didn't want to gamble with a cumbersome bike I wasn't used to. I also wanted something I could consistently train on, making sure my position was completely dialed. In February, after 'cross season, I set up my SuperX with the exact same measurements as my road bike, a professionally fitted position I've had for as long as I can remember. My saddle height, reach and stem length are all exactly the same on both bikes.
I also chose the same model Fizik Areone saddle (that's well broken in by now) and same crank arm lengths (being a mountain biker I use long-ish 175mm on the road for consistency.) Once everything was set I put road tires on and used this rig as my road bike, compiling as many miles as I could to make sure the bike and my position was deeply burned into my muscle memory and as comfortable as possible.
The SuperX's carbon frame is lighter than many road bike frames and with SAVE seat and chain stays it's compliant and forgiving over rough terrain. It is truly an elite level 'cross bike that performs like a refined road bike with snappy acceleration and geometry suited to longer road races opposed to crit-style racing—just the ticket for DK. Front and rear disc brakes insure precise stopping will never be an issue.
Nothing too radical for parts save for some drivetrain adjustments. I choose a short reach Ritchey WCS Curve carbon fiber handlebar and WCS 4-Axis stem for ultra lightweight and reliability. I also went with a bump absorbing Ritchey WCS Carbon Flexlogic Link seatpost. The post's carbon layup provides a claimed 15-percent increase in vertical compliancy compared to standard posts without giving up any lateral or torsional stiffness. For a little extra comfort I double wrapped the top of the bars since this is where I will mostly be, not down in the drops.
Shifters and front derailleur are standard SRAM Force. For the road I used a Force rear derailleur, SRAM Red 11/26 cassette and Cannondale Si 53/39 crankset. Because 200 miles is, well, 200 miles, I wanted extra low gearing for the later hours of the race. I switched out the rear derailleur for a SRAM XX mountain unit and matched that to an XX 11/32 cassette. I also geared down the front with an FSA K-Force compact crank and 50/34-chainring combo.
This is a set-up I successfully used at last year's Iron Cross race so I'm already comfortable with it. I'll be using Shimano XTR Race pedals and mountain bike shoes because I believe top-level mountain bike shoes, though they do have very stiff carbon soles, vibrate less over such harsh roads. Super stiff road shoes could lead to early foot numbness and fatigue.
Wheels and tires
Wheel selection was simple; I'm using the same NoTubes Alpha 340 Team road wheelset I've been on all winter—simple, light and ultra reliable. Initially I was going to use a NoTubes ZTR Crest mountain bike wheelset to widen the tire's contact patch but tire installation proved difficult due to the increased rim width (something I didn't want to deal with in Kansas.)
My tire choice was simple as well: Challenge Almanzo's. These super-durable, 360-gram, 700x30mm tires are specifically designed for gravel road racing. They roll very fast and utilize a special Puncture Protection System belt between the casing and belt—perfect for the spiky rocks on the roads around the Flint Hills.
Since I'm not much of a water pack wearer, I plan on going with two bottles on the bike and one in my pocket—three bottles per 50 miles to each checkpoint where I'll have a drop bag loaded with supplies including real food like sardines, pepperoni sandwiches, black licorice and of course drink mix and bottles. If I stay on point of not using a water pack I'll add a large seat bag with three tubes, a multi tool with a chain breaker, two quick links, a few links of chain, electrical tape and a tire boot. I also have a Lezyne mini-pump secured to the bike. As a precaution, I'll have a full water pack in my drop bag at the midpoint checkpoint.
Veterans of the race may think I'm gambling by going minimalist but when I built up my bike for this mammoth event I went with what I know and am comfortable with. It's a roll of the dice I'm willing to take.
Dirty Kanza is Saturday, June 1 in the Flint Hills region of east-central Kansas. Go to dirtykanza200.com for more info.
Keep reading
For more on the Dirty Kanza 200, check out our race report from last year, and see how other riders set up their rigs.
Stop by the Rivendell pop-up store in San Francisco next week
Rivendell Bicycle Works is opening a pop-up in San Francisco's Mission District near Shotwell and just three blocks from the 24th and Mission BART Station.
There will be several Rivendell bikes to see and touch, art from the Rivendell showroom in Walnut Creek, plus bags and handlebars, some free schwag, brochures, coupons, a secret 'have-to-be-there-to-get-it' super deal, small items for sale, and discounted posters.
No test rides, sorry. Although the big honkin' 71cm Homer will be there for riders in the 'Century Club' only (if your pubic bone height is 100cm or higher).
Word is there's an espresso machine, and Rich Lesnik himself will be building wheels while you watch!
Opening day is noon on Saturday, June 1. At 5 p.m. Saturday there will be something special—a giveaway perhaps? Hmm….
There are parking meters along the sidewalk for blocks so there's plenty of bike parking. FYI: the road between BART and Shotwell on 24th is under construction. Good luck parking a car!
Rivendell Bicycle Works SF
- June 1-9
- Noon-7 p.m.
- 3156 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94110
Some thoughts from Grant Petersen, Rivendell founder and owner
What prompted Rivendell to open a pop-up in the Mission District?
We now have several tattoo'd staffers, and thought 'Hey! they'd be perfect for a pop-up.' John found it, talked to Dave; I'm just going along.
What can people expect to experience when they, visit the 24th Street location in early June?
Bikes, bags, hatchets that you can't try out, clothing. Posters on the walls. We may get a lug mobile together by then. Background music (Swedish jazz). I'd like to have a fashion show, but.. no access to models.
Think RBW might open something permanent in SF?
Probably not right away, but we're looking into an Alamo store, and if that isn't a money pit, if we can work out some bugs in it, we'd look at other locations. The tough part is staffing it. We don't want "regular" people.Tweet
Bicycle Times Issue #23 is on its way!
By Karen Brooks
Issue #23 is here! This time around, we've decided to tackle a subject that most of the rest of the bike media is somewhat obsessed with: the Tour de France. But we're doing it in our own style, from the perspective of interested spectators, rather than from the viewpoint that racing is what road riding is all about.
We also asked our Publisher, Maurice Tierney, to further explain our feelings on the bike industry's emphasis on pro road racing (in the Big Cheese's uniquely outspoken style, of course).
Letter from the Publisher
To hell with pro cycling! It's the epitome of everything wrong with this thing we love, riding bikes! I am really sick of it. Not only does pro racing support cheating, doping primadonnas, but it's just not what people generally do on bikes! That's why we started Bicycle Times.
How many people have been turned off by the expensive, delicate, uncomfortable bikes that this paradigm tells us we need to ride? All bent-over, dressed in some glaringly ugly skinsuit, head down against the wind, not seeing the world around you. Aspiring to be something you're not.
I'm sick of watching the bicycle industry keep buying into this "Race on Sunday, sell on Monday" marketing scheme. Tons of dollars spent on something that almost no one does. Yeah, some companies "get it"—you can see them in the pages of this magazine.
The right thing to do would be to spend this racing money on advocating for a bike-friendly world, thus making our lives better and curing some doper of his habit at the same time.
Have I got your attention? Any buttons pushed?
Of course we have a place in our hearts for racing. Despite the current doping debacle, the history, traditions and drama of pro cycling events like the Tour de France are worth enjoying. En-joy-ing. Joy! We enjoy it, so we're writing about it.
But we want to change the overall narrative.
To a narrative of fun! Joy! Diversity! Comfort! Inclusion! Bikes are such a positive force in the world, and the media—that's us—needs to reflect this.
So while you're reading our pieces on the Tour and how to watch it, let's think about some other things…
That bicycles are the antidote to many, if not all, of the world's problems.
That a sustainable community is going to be a pedal-powered community, and a happy community.
That biking people are healthy people.
And that biking stands for fitness, freedom, and FUN!
– Maurice Tierney, Publisher, Rotating Mass Media
What's inside
The 100th Tour de France, by Gary Boulanger
The Super Bowl of cycling is happening for the 100th time this July! We decided to delve into the history and the inner workings of this grand spectacle.
Your Own Tour de France Experience, By Jeff Lockwood
Want to see La Grande Boucle up close? Here are some pointers for turning it into a great bike-themed vacation.
The Secret Kings of the Cape Cod Canal, by Jonathan Wolan
A royal band of outdoorsmen use custom-rigged bikes in their hunt for striped bass and glory.
Interview: Nate Query of the Decemberists
Bass player and bike rider Nate Query tells about his favorite rides, and why he'd never want to combine bike and band touring.
- Dahon Formula S18 folding bike
- Raleigh Misceo Trail 2.0
- Specialized Tricross Elite Steel Disc Triple
- Westcomb and Showers Pass jackets
- Giro New Road shirt
- Geax, Challenge and Vittoria tires
- Packs from North St. Bags, Blackburn, Boreas, Osprey and Shimano
- And more!
Changes bring U.S. Bicycle Route System to 5,616 miles
By adding a new section of U.S. Bicycle Route 45 in Minnesota, Route 76 in Missouri, and realignments for Route 76 in Kentucky, the U.S. Bicycle Route System now encompasses 5,616 miles of official routes in 10 states. The changes were announced today by the Adventure Cycling Association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The routes are currently found in Alaska, Kentucky, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Virginia. Presently, more than 40 states are working to create U.S. Bicycle Routes.
Minnesota: U.S. Bicycle Route 45
With the completion of the middle section through Minneapolis and St. Paul, U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 45 now runs the entire length of the Mississippi River in Minnesota from the headwaters at Itasca State Park in northwestern Minnesota to the Iowa border. Also known as the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), USBR 45 spans 700 miles, with route options on both sides of the river in certain sections.
The northern segment of USBR 45, designated in October 2012, begins in Itasca State Park, where the river originates as a small stream. The route then travels through the north woods and past numerous lakes, to Bemidji, Cass Lake, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, Little Falls, and St. Cloud. At Cass Lake, bicyclists have an off-road option to travel roughly 100 miles on the Heartland State Trail and Paul Bunyan State Trail.
These routes merge in Brainerd, where the river widens and the land opens into farmland. The newly approved middle segment passes through the Twin Cities Metropolitan area and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area — a 72-mile-long park managed by the National Park Service. Much of the route is on bike paths with scenic views. This segment of the route offers opportunities to connect with great restaurants, museums, parks, and festivals along the river.
The southern segment, which was designated in May 2012, extends from just south of the Twin Cities Metro area in Hastings to the Iowa border. Also known as the Mississippi Bluffs segment of the MRT, this section includes bicycle-friendly roads and multi-use paths that closely follow the Mississippi River through steep limestone bluffs and hardwood forests.
Detailed maps and information are available to print, or access via smart phone or GPS unit, at www.mndot.gov/bike/mrt.
Missouri: U.S. Bicycle Route 76
Missouri's newly approved U.S. Bicycle Route 76, also known as the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, begins at the Mississippi River in Chester, Illinois, traversing 348.5 miles before exiting the state 28 miles west of Golden City. The route passes through the hilly Ozark Mountains then levels out toward the western end of the state. Considered by geologists to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Ozark Range consists of deeply eroded hills, which are blanketed by hardwoods and pines, small farms, and numerous rivers.
Farmington, a mid-sized town along the route, is a bicycle-friendly community featuring a local bike shop, TransAm Cyclery, and the TransAm Inn, a hostel known affectionately as Al's Place. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park on the East Fork of the Black River offers a spectacular demonstration of Mother Nature's hydraulics in a series of rock chutes and channels — a must stop for swimming.
The route also passes through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a national park created to protect the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, and the scenic Alley Mill, or "Old Red Mill" history museum located in Alley Spring. In western Missouri, the route intersects the 35-mile Frisco Highline Trail in the small town of Walnut Grove. Before leaving the state, cyclists should be sure to stop at Cooky's Cafe in Golden City to sample one of their homemade pies.
The Missouri Department of Transportation will begin installing USBR 76 signs along the route later this summer.
Kentucky: U.S. Bicycle Route 76 Realignments
In Kentucky, U.S. Bike Route 76 spans 563.7 miles, entering the state near Elkhorn City and leaving at the Ohio River crossing via the Cave In Rock ferry. The route, which was originally designated in 1982, had not been documented electronically at AASHTO and was in need of some updates. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet did a thorough review of the route across the state and submitted realignments for the route based on their Bicycle Level of Service Model for rural roads. Adventure Cycling Association plans to adopt these same realignments for its TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.
Kentucky's U.S. Bike Route 76 passes through a variety of terrain from the steep Appalachian Mountains in the east, and the hilly, wooded Cumberland Plateau to the rolling, fertile farmland of the Bluegrass Region. Berea, known as the gateway to the Appalachian Mountains and coal mining, is a notable highlight, home to Berea College as well as several museums.
On the route, cyclists will pass the Lincoln Homestead State Park, and they can access the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site by taking a short side trip off the route. Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest explored cave system in the world, is 40 miles south of the route but well worth the ride. The Rough River Dam State Park offers boat rides on the reservoir and bird watching opportunities. Once cyclists reach the Bluegrass Region, they will be treated to white-fenced horse farms and quaint towns known for their antique shops, country dining, and southern country hospitality.
About the U.S. Bicycle Route System
The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a developing national network of bicycle routes, which will serve as visible and well-planned trunk lines for connecting city, regional, and statewide cycling routes, offering transportation and tourism opportunities across the country. Adventure Cycling Association has provided dedicated staff support to the project since 2005, including research support, meeting coordination, and technical guidance for states implementing routes. Work on the U.S. Bicycle Route System is highly collaborative and involves officials and staff from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, natural resource agencies, and nonprofit organizations including the East Coast Greenway Alliance and Mississippi River Trail, Inc.
AASHTO's support for the project is crucial to earning the support of federal and state agencies and provides a major boost to bicycling and route development for non-motorized transportation. Securing approval for numbered designation from AASHTO is a required step for all U.S. Bicycle Routes. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A powerful voice in the transportation sector, AASHTO's primary goal is to foster the development of an integrated national transportation system.
Support for the U.S. Bicycle Route System comes from Adventure Cycling members, donors, and a group of business sponsors that participate in its annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. fundraiser each May. The U.S. Bicycle Route System is also supported in part by grants from the Lazar Foundation, New Belgium Brewing, Climate Ride, and the Tawani Foundation.
When complete, the U.S. Bicycle Route System will be the largest official bike route network on the planet, encompassing more than 50,000 miles of routes. Learn more at www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs.
National Bike Challenge begins Wednesday
Now in its second year, the National Bike Challenge continues its mission to inspire and empower millions of Americans to ride their bikes for transportation, recreation and better health. The friendly, online competition—sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and Kimberly-Clark Corporation—kicks off on Wednesday, May 1, and runs until September 30, 2013.
The goal: To unite 50,000 bicyclists to ride 20 million miles in communities across America.
The Challenge is simple, free and open to everyone in the United States. Sign up at Endomondo.com as an individual or as a team, log your miles, share your stories and encourage others to join you. Users can download the free, GPS-enabled Endomondo mobile app to record travel distance and automatically upload their miles. Riders will compete for prizes and awards from sponsors Sierra Nevada and Scott Natural on the local and national level.
In 2012, the Challenge engaged 30,000 individual riders, 9,000 workplaces and 500 communities to ride 12 million miles. We're already looking at breaking those records in 2013.
Even before the official start, the Challenge has engaged thousands of participants. During the warm-up period, over 10,000 residents from more than 2,000 communities nationwide registered. Collectively, they logged more than 1 million miles and burned more than 37 million calories.
The Challenge is also spawning competition among communities and businesses, as well. Recognizing the tremendous resource to boost employee health, more than 3,100 companies and nonprofits have already signed up for the 2013 Challenge, including Kimberly Clark Corp., UPS, Target Corp., Facebook, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and Microsoft Corp.
The race for top community will likely not end at Atlantic Mine. Lincoln, Neb., is leading in the largest communities' ranks, with more than 35,000 miles logged. Lincoln's third place finish last year left Challenge participants wanting more.
Sign up at www.nationalbikechallenge.org.
2012 Challenge by the Numbers
30,000 individuals participated
9,000 workplaces participated
500 communities participated
12 million miles loggedTweet
NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour steps up security
In response to the Boston Marathon bombings, Bike New York, producer of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour on May 5, is working closely with city, state and federal agencies to ensure that all necessary security measures are in place for the Tour.
Riders will not be permitted to bring backpacks, saddlebags/panniers (front and rear) or hydration packs. However, water bottles, fanny packs, (waist packs) and small bike frame bags (under seat and handlebar bags) are permitted. There will be checkpoints along the route to ensure compliance with these new regulations; confiscated items will not be returned.
This year's Finish Festival at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island will be strictly limited to registered Tour riders and will not be open to family and friends of participants or the general public.
For more information about the security measures in place for the 36th annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour on May 5, visit www.bikenewyork.org/security.
Stay thirsty my friends—and hydrated too
By Adam Newman
Here at Bicycle Times our portable potables come in all shapes and sizes. We're never on a ride without some sort of liquid nourishment, usually water, often coffee, and sometimes something even more potent.
Pictured here are three types of water bottles we often carry, and some new bottle cages designed to carry them. From left we have one of our very own stainless steel water bottles made by Kleen Kanteen and available in our online store (hint, hint), a typical 32 oz. Nalgene bottle, a standard Bicycle Times water bottle (also available), and finally an 8 oz. Stanley flask emblazoned with the logo of our sister magazine, Dirt Rag.
To go along with these I've gathered a group of cages from TwoFish Unlimited and King Cage. Let's see how it goes:
First up is the TwoFish QuickCage ($25), a standard-sized bottle cage that uses a rubber bumper and a robust Velcro strap to secure it to any round surface. The latest version is made from stainless steel, and is plastic dipped with a rubber texture to prevent slipping and scratching on our nice, shiny Kleen Kanteen bottles.
The XL Quick Cage ($32) is designed for the larger water bottles on the market such as this Nalgene. It too is made from plastic dipped stainless steel and has two straps for security.
Now let's step it up to something a little more festive, with this stainless steel flask cage from King Cage. Made by hand in Colorado like all of King Cage's products, it is designed specifically to fit these Stanley flasks. It retails for $22.
Beverages are of course important, but when you're touring, so is food! You can carry a camp stove along with this prototype of the King Cage Manything cage—it can't carry anything, but it can carry many things.
What's important to note here is that like other cargo cages, this one is designed to mount in three, equally spaced bottle cage eyelets, which we don't have on any of our bikes. I mounted here with two bolts just to demonstrate. The old adage applies: do as I say, not as I do.
Anyway, the stove—in this case a Jetboil Flash—is secured with toe straps. Other items like large water bottles, sleeping pads, stuff sacks and more could also be used. This design isn't finalized yet but we're going to try it out and let you know as soon as it is.
Now you can carry ALL THE THINGS!
Special thanks to the lovely Surly Krampus for being our model today.Tweet
Rent a hot tub, delivered by bike
By Adam Newman. Photos courtesy of Clever Cycles.
Now, I think we can all agree that Portland is a beautiful and vibrant city, but it didn't earn a spoof like the IFC show Portlandia for nothing. Case in point: Clever Cycles, a bike shop dedicated to practical and cargo-hauling bikes, is now offering a hot tub rental service, delivery—naturally—by bike. Specifically, they are Dutchtubs, a portable, wood-heated tub that fits four adults and can by placed on any firm, level ground. If you live within the delivery area, a tubbist (their term, not mine) will deliver it by bike, complete with fuel wood, a cover, ash tray, fill and drain hose, leveling shims, and the trailer which can be used as a hand cart.
The rate is $400 for three nights, plus a refundable $50 fee if you make sure it's clean before it's returned. Clever Cycles says it takes anywhere from 2-5 hours to get the tub filled and heated. You'll need to make sure the area is safe for a wood-fired stove to operate and that it will fit through any doors or gates to your property. The tub itself weighs about 100 pounds.
If you live in the area and rent one, let us know how it goes. And don't forget to invite Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen.
Philly Bike Expo moves to Pennsylvania Convention Center for 2013
The premier East Coast bicycling event will now be held at Philadelphia's beautiful and newly expanded convention center. On November 9-10, 2013 Bilenky Cycle Works will again present the Philly Bike Expo.
Since its inception in 2010, the Philly Bike Expo has created a friendly environment that fosters relationships between the cycling community, the general public, and the companies and organizations that are the foundation of bicycles as a lifestyle.
The Philly Bike Expo is designed to inspire, and inform bicycle aficionados, weekend enthusiasts and those merely curious. Artisans and manufacturers of bikes, components, accessories and apparel will be displaying their latest products, craft and technology.
Among the event's first 2013 sponsors are Eastern Mountain Sports, Bicycle Times, and Dirt Rag Magazine.
The show will feature an abundance of seminars, presentations, how-to's and activities guaranteed to attract cyclists of all ages. Craig Calfee, Richard Schwinn, and Georgena Terry are among the cycling luminaries slated to appear. Rides and after-parties will round out the festivities.Tweet
DIY: Make your own cycling knickers
By Marie Autrey. Photo by Adam Newman. Illustration by Stephen Haynes.
Clothes make the man. (Or woman.) The problem is what they make you into. A team jersey and Lycra shorts turn you into a cross between a NASCAR Chevy and some link sausages. Even if you ride like Superman on Sunday, you probably need to look like Clark Kent for the Monday commute. We're going to show you three ways to make a pair of dress slacks into garb that will let you ride like the wind, and still climb that corporate ladder.
Start with a good pair of dress slacks. The quality you're looking for tends to be high-dollar, so you may want to shop second-hand. You want wool fabric or a mostly-wool blend for sweat wicking and odor control. Test the fabric by taking one leg and twisting it like you're wringing out a washrag. If it doesn't return to shape immediately, look elsewhere. Brooks Brothers and Neiman-Marcus are reliable brands, and show up in thrift stores in the better parts of town. Dark colors and pleated fronts resist the indignities that com- muter clothes fall heir to.
I'm only addressing men's clothing here, not to dis my own gender, but because it answers my experience. I've got the sort of straight up-and-down figure that fits into unaltered men's garb. Women with more curves and fewer straightaways have an additional challenge. In general, women's clothing exists to serve a look rather than a function, with lighter fabric, lower quality, and cut for the designer's vision of womanhood, not for real bodies.
I lucked into some military dress slacks, dark gray, in a wool-poly blend. An online surplus house had them at two bucks a pair. (Many types of military surplus can prove useful to the cyclist. Watch for a more thorough discussion in an upcoming issue.)
Step 1: The first step in any DIY project is to determine what you want. I wanted to turn these into a slightly long pair of knickers: short enough to stay away from the chain, and long enough not to bind my knees while pedaling.
Step 2: Try on the pants and have a helper mark the bony knob on the outside of your knee with a pin. Some acts, like riding a seesaw, just cannot be accomplished alone. With the pants off, measure down five inches from the mark, make a straight line with a T-square, and cut off the lower legs. Four inches provides range of motion, and the other inch represents a seam allowance.
Step 3: Take the amputated lowers and turn them wrong-side-out. If a cuff is already stitched in, snip it off and keep it; discard the rest. This will give you a circle of double-thickness fabric. Cut the side seam so it changes from a circle to a strip. If the pants you're working with don't have a cuff, cut a four-inch strip of fabric from the bottom and stitch it into a tube.
Step 4: Open up the outside seam of the pants two inches or so from where you chopped off the legs. This leaves a V-notch. Pin the tube to the bottom of the legs, starting at one edge of the V and going all the way around. Stitch over the pins, unpin it, and press the seam flat.
Step 5: Put the pants back on, and have your helper pull the cuff band up to the top of your calf. Overlap the ends, and mark the overlap. Sew on a snap, leaving enough room for two fingers between the cuff band and your leg.
Voila! Kind-of knickers. They'll balloon a little at the knees but never bind. If you lose weight, or bulk up your legs, you can adjust the fit by moving the snap.
Let's say you're lucky enough to have a pair of slacks you want to ride in that is long enough. You can accomplish the same goal of keeping cuffs out of chains with the simple expedient of rolling up the cuff. Then make a loop of fabric and stitch it to the inside of the leg, so that when the cuff is rolled up, the loop can be passed under the roll and snapped to a snap on the outside seam.
You've undoubtedly seen this feature on safari shirts, to keep rolled-up sleeves from falling down. This will work best with fuller cuts and lighter fabrics not prone to wrinkling. This gives you a much more normal look when off the bike than knickers, and also keeps your shoes from becoming such a focal point. Any chain grease that gets on them will be on the inside.
For ultimate simplicity, stitch one half of a snap to the hem of the slacks, just behind the front crease, and the other half about three inches up from the hem, ahead of the rear crease. Snapped together, it will tighten the cuff enough to keep it out of the chain.
Sewing tips
For more thorough background, there's plenty of info online, and Singer and Simplicity publish hardcover books with lay-flat bindings so you can look at them while you're sewing. I'm not a seamstress: I inherited my grandmother's 1908 Singer and was just fooling around with it when I made these. But a couple of tips will make the process easier.
Your sewing machine is like a bicycle. If it hasn't been used in a while, some oil on the moving parts and a new drive belt will solve most problems. If it regularly breaks needles, that'll require professional intervention.
Get a steam iron that's clean and hot. Find the highest temperature that won't damage your fabric, and keep the iron ready. Ironing gives the fabric its shape; the stitches hold everything together.
When joining two pieces of fabric, place the outsides facing each other, stitch down the edge, then fold back and press the seam open. This is basic, but I didn't know it, and the first pair of knickers came out pretty goofy-looking.
Snaps do everything buttons can, and you don't need to make buttonholes.
Knickers should be either short and snug or long and loose. Short and loose are bloomers, long and tight are Steve Urkels. Choose your shoes and socks carefully: they're part of the ensemble.
Use plenty of pins: good, long ones with T-shaped heads. They lay flat so you can run over them with the sewing machine, and can be removed easily. Cheap pins rust and tiny heads make it hard to pull them out.
Cheap thread is no bargain.
Bicycle Times cover artist featured on Minnesota Public Radio
Here at Bicycle Times we're big fans of the ArtCrank project. What was a one-off art show seven years ago has evolved into something much more. "A poster party for bike people," the shows connect bike lovers with affordable art from local artists.
Featured in the story is artist Adam Turman, another Bicycle Times favorite, having illustrated three of our covers: Issues #13, #16, and our latest, #22.
Click here to read or listen to the story from MPR.
New Belgium announces 14th Tour de Fat
New Belgium Brewing today announced the 2013 Tour de Fat schedule. The tour, now in its 14th year, will spin into 12 cities across the U.S. Each festival celebrates the bicycle, showcases New Belgium beers, and provides eclectic and engaging entertainment for all. The event is free, yet all proceeds from food and beer go to local biking groups. Over its course, Tour de Fat has raised more than $2 million for nonprofit organizations.
Each festival kicks off with a police-escorted bicycle parade through city streets in celebration of the bike. Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory, though the truly aware come prepared. Each parade route is designed for people of all skill levels, wrapping up at the park for a day of both sensory stimulation and relaxation.
After the parade, the festival stages heat up with national musical acts, touring comedy groups, artistic ensembles and unexpected entertainment. New this year is the opportunity to heighten your beer knowledge through beer contests, providing the chance to explore new brews and revel in a unique lineup of New Belgium selections. Kids of all ages can test their bicycle prowess on art bikes, dance in the grass and explore a wide variety of games and activities, such as giant versions of telephone and Plinko.
One brave role model in each city will volunteer to trade their car for a bike and live car-free for at least one year. With a ceremonial pledge and a handing over of car keys, the celebrated figure commits to a year of human transport on the fully loaded commuter bike of their choosing. The crowd goes wild and the seed is planted: one inspired person on two wheels can make a difference in each of our communities.
Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels.
Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible. Each stop has a solar-powered stage decked out in recycled materials and vendors who operate off the grid. In addition, the festival trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils. Here is how you can do your part:
- Please bring only what you need.
- Compost and recycle your waste at convenient stations.
- Ride your bike or carpool with friends and family.
- Spread the word about bikes – we will show you how!
In 2012, Tour de Fat traveled to 15 cities, attracting a total of 74,400 festival attendees and 47,150 parade cyclists. In addition, the festival had an impressive 86 percent diversion of waste from landfills. Tempe, Ariz., raised the most money ($87,216) and New Belgium's hometown of Ft. Collins, Colo., had the most parade riders and festival-goers with 21,000 people.
- Atlanta, GA, May 11, Piedmont Park *new location*
- Washington, DC, June 1, Yards Park
- Durham, NC, June 15, Diamond View Park
- Nashville, TN, June 22, Centennial Park
- Chicago, IL, July 13, Palmer Square
- Minneapolis, MN, July 27, Loring Park
- Boise, ID, August 17, Ann Morrison Park
- Fort Collins, CO, August 31, Civic Center Park Area
- Denver, CO, September 7, City Park
- San Francisco, CA, September 21, Golden Gate Park
- San Diego, CA, September 28, Golden Hill Park
- Tempe, AZ, October 5, Tempe Town Beach
Race team wins epic Milan-San Remo while supporting African children
By Adam Newman
The African continent's first professional UCI Continental team is off to a fast start, but its success will do more than just sell bikes, it is providing them to rural Africans as a way to get to school, visit a doctor, get clean water, or start a business.
The MTN-Qhubeka team ("qhubeka" is a Nguni word meaning "to progress") has progressed straight to the podium after receiving a wildcard entry to the nearly 300-mile Milan-San Remo race in Italy and then putting its sprinter Gerald Ciolek across the finish line first.
It was a day to be remembered not only for the win, but because Ciolek's teammate Songezo Jim was the first black South African to start a WorldTour event and because the weather conditions were so severe the race organizers were forced to reroute the racers by bus around a snowed-in mountain pass.
But the real heroes are back in Africa, where rural South Africans received Buffalo Bicycles in exchange for planting 100 saplings for a reforestation project or for removing more than 2,500 lbs. of refuse from their village. The bicycle can increase the workload of a person more than five times, and they can travel 75 percent faster or further.
The Qhubeka project isn't new, since 2004 this volunteer-based organization has partnered with World Bicycle Relief to donate more than 40,000 bikes. It is funded by bike sales, corporate donors, events, and consulting. Since the race team rides Trek bikes, each time a Trek customer chooses a bike with the Qhubeka paint scheme, Trek will donate $200 to the Qhubeka project. You can bet there will be a big increase in sales after Ciolek's win.
The bikes in Africa, on the other hand, are specially designed to handle the rigors of rural life. They have heavy-guage steel frames; sturdy wheels and tires; a weatherproof coaster brake; and can carry more than 200 lbs. The parts are made in Asia, and the bikes are assembled in World Bicycle Relief facilities in Africa, by Africans.
Watch for more victories by Team MTN-Qhubeka and by the Qhubeka project in Africa.
Highlights from the National Bike Summit
By Karen Brooks
Earlier this week we were on the scene at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. Despite the bureaucratic sound of the name, this event is one I look forward to every year. It's a true "summit" of the bike world, a gathering of passionate, idealistic, and "bike-partisan" people—always stimulating and inspiring.
Some of my favorite parts:
- Showing up to the very chilly ride led by Black Women Bike DC the night before the start of the Summit, to find a healthy crowd of nearly 50 people braving the cold wind to ride and socialize.
- The presentation by New York City DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, and meeting her afterwards. She's done a lot to make New York's city streets more bike-friendly, and there are more than double the number of bike commuters since 2007 and has been a 50 percent increase in retail business on streets with bike lanes. I had really wanted to speak with her for the "Bikes to the Rescue" article in issue #21, but didn't get the chance. Look for an interview in a future issue!
- Jacquie Phelan's banjo playing in between sessions. Also, her assertion that to reduce obesity, Only Bikes Can Do it. (Get it?)
- The debut of a commercial by the American Automobile Association reminding drivers that bike riders are people too.
- Karen Overton of Recycle-a-Bicycle comparing bike advocacy to the Brazilian dance-based martial art of capoeira: "It's not a battle so much, but it's coming together in a circle, building community, dancing, and engaging one another."
- Deciding to "sit down Oprah-style" on the comfy chair rather than stand behind the podium for the conversation with Georgena Terry and Natalie Ramsland—Terry then said, "As long as I get to say the line, 'I don't know, we've sued so many people.' "
The only low point was the threat of heavy snow across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and into Washington, D.C. from Tuesday night through Wednesday. It caused cancellations of many of the meetings with Representatives and Senators—the main point of the Summit. It also caused me to abandon plans to ride back to Pittsburgh on the C&O Canal and Great Allegheny Passage trails. Harrumph. Still, it was a great event. Go if you can!Tweet


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MythTV 0.20.2 Released
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Schedules Direct
now open for business, MythTV 0.20.2 has been released. MythTV 0.20.2 removes the Zap2It Labs free listings but now officially supports Schedules Direct. The memory consumption for mythfrontend has also been reduced by up to 75%, mythfrontend will also startup faster, and better scaling and anti-aliasing are among the other improvements. There is also a number of fixes and MythTV plug-in updates for MythTV 0.20.2. The release notes for MythTV 0.20.2 are available at
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Human Croquet
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Once part of a vast expanse where a wealthy Elizabethan family settled and built Fairfax Manor, by the mid-1960s the village of Lythe has become a disintegrated forest where the destroyed, dysfunctional Fairfax family continues to crumble.
In Atkinson's early work young Isobel Fairfax, abandoned by her mother, slips among times to escape a nasty fate.
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Better even than her award-winning first novel Behind the Scenes at the Museum, this is a magical novel which in turn reads like a mystery, a family saga and a fairy tale. Although the theme is one of loss and longing it has (suprisingly) some of the funniest dialogue I have encountered in ages.
Prepare to suspend all disbelief and embrace the sublimely absurd. Atkinson has a gift for taking the mundane, tragic and sort of creepy and turning it into a farcical fairy tale.
I finished the book 2 days ago but I'm still thinking about her characters and what they might be up to.
Brilliant & hilarious, with a touch of irreverence to add to gleeful enjoyment. Some digressions go on too long, approaching tedium; most are startlingly original and witty.
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Every Wednesday morning I meet with a group of women at church for Bible study. One of my girlfriends, Joanna, introduced me to this group of women (over a year ago) and I've been going ever since. Our weekly time together is so precious to me and I try so hard not to miss a week — especially because they have excellent daycare and it's so cute to hear the girls say, "Hiiiiii Maaaaaxwell" when we walk in :) It totally melts my heart (and simultaneously makes me feel so old, oh my gosh). Honestly, Bible study + brunch + daycare = I'm so there.
Just recently our table leader asked me how things were with the babes, how is Zack's job, and is there anything I wanted prayer over? And here's what I told her… [Read more…]


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Eco Exploration Reports Mining Interests In Peru To Rise By An Additional 20% Over 12 Months
Eco Exploration to stagger investment in rapidly expanding Peruvian economy, increasing the company's Peruvian investment portfolio by additional 20% by mid-2013.
Aug. 22, 2012 - Eco Exploration, a pioneering mineral exploration company headquartered in Santiago, Chile, announced today that its investment portfolio in Peru's mining industry is to increase by more than 20% over the next 12 months as Peru's economy recovers from the detrimental effects of the global crisis. This press release comes only weeks after the company's board of directors agreed the investment of one billion dollars in Peru over the next five years, and the execution of an $800 million dollar project in the region, due to commence in early September 2012.
With assets already established in Peru, Eco Exploration is well situated to reap the benefits of current local prosperity. Peru's economy saw 6.9% growth in 2011, due primarily to its position as the world's second largest producer of copper and silver, and also from its income as 4th largest global gold producer.
"Peru's growth is, outstripping rates in most of the region and in developed economies world-wide. Even as the global economy slows, the International Monetary Fund expects Peru to grow 5.5% this year and 6% in 2013." (MARKETWATCH)
Under the guidance of the company's latest addition to the board of directors, Dr Frank Hughes; Eco Exploration are expected to begin production at an $800 million dollar project site in the Eastern Cordillera region of Northern Peru over the coming weeks, and with this new capital agreement, are now exploring new sites of interest for acquisition. The main Cordillera mine in Peru, holds proven reserves of 7 million ounces of Gold, and is now finally generating a profit for the company.
Any newly acquired assets in the region will undergo pre-feasibility studies in 2013, and therefore production at said sites is unlikely begin until early 2014. Eco Exploration C.E.O. Mr. Andrew Davis said "Of course as a company, we are are thrilled to finally see returns for our shareholders on the capital invested in Peru, and we are confident that this proposed move to further invest in the country will be supported by our shareholders" .
About Eco Exploration
Eco Exploration works hard to maintain a reputation as a socially responsible minerals exploration company, both within the mining industry and within the local communities in which we work. The company implements mutually beneficial policies within local communities, to ensure that people within the localities we work in can benefit from our presence; and to ensure the company is operated in a sustainable manner.
Eco Exploration In Final Stages Of Approving $800 Million Project In Northern Peru
Eco Exploration Ltd a precious minerals exploration company based in Santiago, Chile, announced today that talks regarding a an early stage investment project situated in the Eastern Cordillera region of Peru are in the final stages.
Aug. 2, 2012 - Eco Exploration Ltd a precious minerals exploration company based in Santiago, Chile, announced today that talks regarding a an early stage investment project situated in the Eastern Cordillera region of Peru are in the final stages.
This aggressive expansion policy has been successful for Eco Exploration in recent years in Chile where the company is headquartered and in Argentina. Although Peru is new territory, Eco Exploration C.E.O Andrew Davis said "Peru is one of the world's foremost mining countries, we are all excited at the prospects this new asset holds for the company".
Peru's economy depends on the mining of copper, gold, silver and other minerals for over 60% of its export income. The industry has been the key to Peru's rapid economic growth. This has meant mining conditions in Peru including transport, equipment, and public support have drastically improved in the last 10 years, which ultimately reduces the cash cost for Eco Exploration to an estimated $308 / oz.
The Eastern Cordillera region of the north Peruvian Andes, where the company's latest asset lies, is mineral rich and well known for gold mining. Eco Exploration have spent many months assessing the viability of this early stage asset and preparing the site for operations; and are now looking to execute the company's long term plan and begin extraction in early September.
The Eastern Cordillera project outlines an estimated initial production of 250,000t per annum of gold and silver reserves. Other established mining districts in the region include, Balsas, Bolivar, Pataz and Parcoy and the Huachon area, which lies close to the south.
Eco Exploration is looking to approve a further $1bn investment to develop this initial site and other sites in Peru over the next 5 years.
Eco Exploration Announces Appointment Of Dr Frank Hughes To The Board Of Directors
Jul. 24, 2012 - CEO Mr. Andrew Davis at Eco Exploration, a precious metals exploration and mining company based in Santiago, Chile, is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Frank Hughes to the company's Board of Directors effective as of 24th July 2012.
Eco Exploration's agenda is to explore, develop and extract precious metal resources in an ethically considered manor to generate high levels of return for its shareholders.
Dr. Hughes read for his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, and graduated with a degree in Geology in 1978. He then proceeded to graduate with a doctorate in Mining Geology, from the Universidad de Chile, and has spent his extensive career of over 25 years in open pit and underground mining of precious/base metals worldwide.
Hughes was a Registered Professional Engineer of British Columbia, and a Member of the Society of Mining Engineers of the US. During his career, he has worked with most of the larger organizations in the mining industry, and has developed an expert knowledge not only on the subject of mining geology, but also marketing, management and asset valuations / risk, thanks to his previous roles, and experience as an independent mining consultant. Dr. Hughes furthermore, is the author of several published articles in mining journals as well as newspapers in the US, and has previously served on the board of directors of 2 other mining companies.
Dr. Hughes' capacity to identify early stage projects with high potential value, and assess risks, will allow Eco Exploration to continue its defined strategy of aggressive expansion. Hughes has been instrumental in the valuation and acquisition of dozens of small mining companies across the globe over the last 15 years, making him the ideal candidate to identify such potential assets for Eco Exploration, and to manage the acquisition process. Since joining Eco Exploration, Dr. Hughes' has identified mineral reserves at a several Peruvian sites that are currently undergoing preliminary feasibility studies. Dr. Hughes will now be preparing and implementing the next phase of exploration of these assets.
Eco Exploration's Principal Geologist, Dr. Javier Sanz said "having seen such impressive results from our work in the El Indio belt area, we are confident that the addition of Dr. Hughes vast experience will facilitate our further successes in our new territories".
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Riviera Sperduto graciously accepted the first Milton Hershey School Scholarship awarded by Learning Forward PA. Since the Milton Hershey School has kindly hosted our quarterly board meetings and in the past, several Learning Forward PA Institutes, our Board wanted to honor to this organization by awarding a scholarship to a deserving Milton Hershey School student who is pursuing a career in education. Sperduto was awarded the scholarship by Learning Forward PA's Past Co-President Angie Ryan who is employed by Milton Hershey School as a Spanish teacher and yearbook advisor. Sperduto will be attending Penn State, University Park Campus this fall where he will study music education.
What's new on our website?
As of December 2, 2014, we placed a link to a blog post written by Stephanie Hirsh on our Leadership tab about the 7 Responsibilities of Teacher Leaders.
Learning Forward PA was proud to award a Mini Grant to Linda Leib from the Downingtown Area School District at our 2014 Annual Fall Institute.
We also awarded two Best Practices in Professional Learning Awards. We were pleased to honor Bernadette Boerckel who is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Warrior Run School District in Turbotville, PA and Kelly Gailbraith, a Literacy Consultant and Regional Leader at IU's 12, 13 and 15 for Teacher Effectiveness. Congratulations to all!
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SKU 124760073 Model 81023 Weight 2.3000 Color No Size No Width No In Store Only No Price $17.93
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Questions on Nkok Mean Machine 1:10 Ford F150 SVT Raptor R/C 81023
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Hey there MDC. My husband and I are thinking about relocating with our 4 month old DD to Lincoln from Flagstaff AZ this summer. I have been there, and liked what I saw over a weekend, but am wondering what it is like to live there. Flagstaff is an arty college community with great family-friendly events. For the most part, it is BFing, APing friendly with a lot of options for education - and some fun mom's & parenting playgroups.
I am a new mom, but older, so I am a little sensitive to criticism about how we are raising our LO. What is it like raising kids in Lincoln? What are good, friendly neighborhoods to live in? Anyone have a child who attends Montessori in Lincoln?
Any advice/thoughts/suggestions are most welcome!
I just ran across this post. Are you still interested in Lincoln?
Hi! Yes, we are still interested in learning about Lincoln, we are moving there in October. I've been doing some online research, but it is pretty general. I am interested in pediatricians, neighborhoods, and also am wondering about the Attachment Parenting group that meets. We are also thinking about trying to have another little one, I can't seem to get any information about how supportive the hospitals/midwives are for VBACS I would appreciate any information about Lincoln, and also the Montessori preschool or other preschools.
Thanks for replying, it will be a big change and I would like as much information as I can get before we go.
I hope to be accredited as an AP leader within the next month or two. So, our AP meeting October 1st will be an unofficial meeting. I am also a La Leche League Leader so I can give you info on LLL groups in Lincoln.
There are a few Montessori preschools here. We homeschool so I don't have first hand knowledge of them.
Sad to say, hospitals, (and subsequently midwives because of the hospitals) aren't supportive of VBACs in Lincoln. But, there are some great midwives in Lincoln. Also, from what I hear, a nice ICAN group in town.
We love Lincoln! It is a great place to raise a family. Not many crunchy people here but we do exist.
I appreciate your reply. It's great that the AP group is still meeting, we don't have one in Flagstaff (that I know of) so I am looking forward to meeting up with some new parents. I've looked at the Lincoln La Leche League website and was pretty excited to see that there is a meeting for moms with older babes - not that we're there yet, but we plan to be!
Most of what I've read about and seen of Lincoln sounds promising, and we think it will be a good move for our family. Perhaps we will actually meet in person at the AP or LLL meeting in the coming months!


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Long Island and New York City's top photos
From the picturesque scenes of Long Island to the iconic sights of New York City, Newsday photographers capture images telling the stories of the people and places of the region. Here are some of the most compelling photos.
Long Island polar bear plunges Places we loved on Long Island LuHi girls in Fed final LI softball players to watch in 2015 Fire destroys Cherry Grove landmarks Your Instagram, Twitter snow photos St. Agnes Cathedral renovations Promotions, hires on Long Island LuHi boys in Fed semifinals Half Hollow Hills West vs. Smithtown East Nassau, CHSAA girls lacrosse players to watch in 2015 LuHi girls in Fed semifinals


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I tried every possible source to track down what this pill is, but have had no luck. Thanks for all your help.
Small, red pill w/K13 inscribed
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This one is tough....
I'm on team CalDolFan10x14. Join me!
-Dan MarinoI just try to be myself, whatever that is. I don't think about how I'll be remembered. I just want to be consistent over a long period of time. That's what the great players do.
I got a laugh out of the thug one.
Just win Phin baby!
i love that it has a top hat. But seriously if the new logo has the tail flipping up like that I will never, ever, buy a new jersey only old retro ones
Here's hoping for the new look dolphins offense.
lol... I just noticed the Gucci Mane ice cream cone face tattoo..
My only condition was that it couldn't be smiling. This is almost exactly what I was talking about.
Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.


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LOTTO 2014 - June
Welcome to the LOTTO!
(NO, it's not about the money, just the colors!)
The lotto is open to all and new quilters are encouraged to participate. You will learn much and have fun doing it. Participate in as many or as few lottos as you want, but even if you don't like the current month's block think about doing at least one. It's good practice and the winner will appreciate your efforts! Typically, the winner receives enough blocks to complete a nice size quilt. It could be YOU!
Our inspiration for this month is MINERAL in the subtle tones of GRAY AND BEIGE. Think of the precious metal shades of gold, bronze, silver, pewter and copper - like a handful of coins. Quite a change from last month's vibrant colors, right? Time to chill it down for the hot summer months.
This is our inspiration picture for the June Lotto:
The block pattern we'll use can be found on Quilters Cache. The name of the block is PIECED BOX BLOCK (Click on the name to link directly to the pattern.)
This block may look more complicated than some we've done but it really is simply diagonals. Give it a try! Please note that the block is made using three different fabrics. I'll show you a couple samples in the following post.
Here are the details:
- Each month there will be a designated block or theme; you can send 1, 2 or 3 blocks.
- All blocks must measure 12.5inches x 12.5inches with no more than 1/4" variation.
- Please include name, mailing address, forum name and $1 to cover postage for the winning blocks (Any money left over at the end of the year will go towards prizes!)
- If possible, either attach your name to the back of each block or write your name in the seam allowance with a fabric pen so the winner knows who made the block. This is not a requirement, just a request.
- All blocks received by the last day of the month will be included in the lotto drawing, unless you request that your name not be entered. Some months you might want to participate, but don't really want to win the blocks. That's OK.
- You have 1, 2 or 3 chances to win, depending on how many blocks you've sent in.
Mail your block(s) to Valarie [littlehelen]. She will manage the collection of blocks and dispersal to the winner. If you need her mailing address, you may request it by sending her a message at littlehelen at comcast dot net.
Sharon, I received your block...thanks so much. I will have your May winning blocks in the mail on Saturday.
I love this June block...I really like the secondary pattern created when two of these are side by side. It should make for an interesting overall effect in these mineral colors! Yeah...I know the instructions read a bit more complex than we normally do, but it will be worth it for one lucky winner!
Happy sewing!
Pretty excited! My sister, Patty, is here...we cut out fabric today for 8 blocks...four for her; four for me...we will share three each, keep one each for our 'sampler quilt'. How lucky can a girl be to have her sister quilting with her...???? Patty is so talented...teaches me so much! Hoping to learn how to do paper piecing this weekend!!! WoooHooooooo.....
my three for June!! Yes...it was great to have Patty here to play....between us, we did 16 blocks in a couple of days. We each kept two and I'll be mailing the package with three from each of us for the regular June lotto, and three each of the paper piece lotto. So much fun!! (I somewhere have a picture of all of our blocks together, but I can't find it!!!!)
Val, the design is way cool. I was wondering if some of the pieces were a little oversized. I trimmed down the last square, I think to 9", before I added the final corners, and that seemed to help quite a bit. Maybe the instructions should have just given trimming instructions during the construction process. Or maybe my scant 1/4" seams are a little too scant. The blocks will make a great quilt, and I learned during the process. That's what it's all about! Thanks for all the time and energy you and Kate contribute to our forum.
Val picked the block and I picked the colors - we'll share the blame on this one. I think it's way cool too and has great potential, but we've haven't had much participation this month. Maybe it's the block or the colors or maybe it's the time of year. I know many of us are busy with gardens, vacations and kids out of school.
But... there's still time to participate if you want to! We have some cool blocks already and just a few more, with a couple borders, would make a wonderful quilt or wallhanging.
Yep...Val is way cool ! ...so's Kate, too! I can't imagine how either fit all this into the schedules they keep, but I'm SURE glad they do. THANK YOU, ladies! Strangely, I found this block to be fairly easy...but maybe I did it wrong, too!!!! Hahahhaa...no telling. But I'd encourage more participation, too...with these colors, it'd be an awesome lap robe, too...say for a Vet or someone in a nursing home. I love it...very rich looking, imho. Probably one of my favorite blocks since I started doing the lotto...
Well for all my lotto fretting on the June block...,it's going to be a very cool quilt. My DH saw these laying out and said..".oohh...now these I like." (He's not always expressive when it comes to quilting blocks...other stuff ..I could go on...;-) )
Winner to be announced Monday night...!!!
End of June is sneaking up on my rapidly! I'll get the July Lotto posting up soon!
If you want to check it out before I get it posted, remember you can see all of them at the At-A-Glance post. Link is below.
Here is a link that might be useful: 2014 LOTTO At-A-Glance


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Started out this morning with a 10 gal batch of, Hex nut brown ale clone from Midwest in mind.
Got the HLT up to temp, grain was all ground and awaiting the hot water. Transfer the hot water to the MLT. Grab the thermometer from the HLT and go to put it into the MLT and, tink!!! The thermometer breaks and hundreds of little lead balls go into my MLT!!!
Needless to say,... there was some cussin'. I had to RDWHAHB. Got out another grain/hop bill. Now I have some Moose Drool, in the fermenter.
That's why I went digital.
Yep, took me exactly once to never touch a floating thermometer again. Incidentally (and without getting too far off topic), they were likely steel. Did you dump the mash? Kyle
I love and highly recommend my thermoworks themo: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/...10b_12+24.html
Great price / value. 24" fits in mash tun, can leave it in there.
Give a man a beer, waste an hour. Teach a man to brew, and waste a lifetime! Bill Owen quote
Join the Beacon Point (Aurora, CO) Brewclub on Facebook- casual, fun brewing, drinking, socializing!


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Girls Basketball: Three-prong attack propels KMS, 69-54
TRACY -- Three players scored in double figures for Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg in a 69-54 win over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Friday in Camden Conference girls basketball action.
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How Long Do Side Effects Of Treatment For Hepatitis C Last
Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:
Get the Facts
HIV and Hepatitis C Co-Infection...out the CATIE Fact Sheet on Hepatitis C. What You Need to Know If you have HIV, you should consider getting ahepatitis C test because effective managementof both viruses improves your chances ofprotecting your health. Hepatitis C treatment can affect your HIVtreatment. You and your doctor will decideon the best way to manage both infections. Hepatitis C treatment involves daily pills plusweekly injections. Your doctor can give...
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Being to active during treatment make you feel sicker?I am in the begining of my forth week of the pegasys/ribavirin treatment. I have been doing pretty good with normal daily activities. When I try to go to the gym it makes me sick, nausea more tired hard to get energy back. Should I not work out? or...
Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.
The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation...Hi,Pegasys/Ribavirin treatment for hepatitis C can be a difficult regimen to tolerate. You should modify your gym workouts while on treatment based on how you feel. There is Read more »
anemiaI AM ON PEGASYS FOR HEP-C AND HAVE BECOME ANEMIC I HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND I FEEL VERY WEAK ALL THE TIME I HAVE WEIGHT LOSS I AM ON IRON I ALSO HAVE HIV DO YOU THINK I SHOULD STAY ON PEGASYS I HAVE ANOTHER 5 MONTHS TO GO ON THE PEGASYS
Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.
The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation...information, I can't say if this is your problem or not; however, since peg-interferon plus ribavirin is currently the best treatment for hepatitis C, I wanted to make sure you were aware of this potential complication. Aggressively treating the... Read more »
Hiv and Hep C Life ExpectancyDear Dr. I was 1240 cd4 for 12 years with a viral load of 40,000 with hep c genotype 4 and liver biopsy showed no damage 10 years ago. Last year, my system crashed to cd4 141 and vl 40,000 and was put on hiv haart. I tried pegsys with ribaviron and...
Response from Graeme Moyle, M.D.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital...Hi GaryGlad you are doing so well on your HIV meds. There are several different types of new HEpatitis C treatments in development at present....see details at http://www.thebody.com/index/treat/hepatit_c.htmlNew treatment will likely need to Read more »
Hepatitis C Treatment Side Effects Heat EarsCurrently on Ribiviran and Interferon for HepC. Have hot spot on my leg. Is this a side effect, what is it from? Problems hearing clearly, a side effect? Solutions?
Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D.
Tufts University School of MedicineA hot spot on your leg could be related to an injection site reaction. If you did not inject here before, I would contact your doctor to be seen for a possible "cellulitis" - a skin infection. Read more »
Hepatitis C Treatment and Management... Hepatitis C treatment: how, why, when Who needs treatment? How is hepatitis C treated? What is pegylated interferon? How long is hepatitis Read more »
Clinical Manual: Hepatitis C Treatment...Treatment Tracking Chart , a downloadable chart for patients to record their labs and side effects during therapy. Key Points Treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) nearly always involves a combination of an interferon, given by injection,... Read more »
This Month in HIV: Update on Hepatitis C/HIV Coinfection...had to make some very serious changes on that very quickly. I had to knock that off. So, Greg. Tell me about starting the treatment for hepatitis C. Talk me through that process of you deciding to start the treatment. Then, if you can talk to... Read more »
Immune Gene May Help Predict Effectiveness of Hepatitis C Therapy... As discussed earlier, newer hepatitis C treatments are currently being studied that hopefully will not only cure more people but will also reduce its many side effects and length Read more »
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26 years AIDS survior
Posted by AaronK, 3 Replies...I had AIDS for many years now and was the lucky one's to surive... the clinical studies.... long term side effects... and the worst isolation. I'm 26 years old and i was dianosed in 1988 when i was five years old. My parents Read more »
Cool video on HIV treatment side effects
Posted by ScotCharles, 1 Reply...http://aegis.healthology.com/webcast_transcript.asp?f=hiv&c=hiv_nrtisidefx&b=aegis Read more »
Infectious or Intoxication Diseases?
Posted by Anonymous...panellists were 22 scientists who believed in the virus hypothesis. Furthermore, there were 11 so-called dissidents (which I belong to), who cast doubt on the virus hypothesis and rather assume that AIDS in Africa is the result of increasing... Read more »
Posted by Anonymous, 4 RepliesHELLO ! MY LIVER DOCTOR WANTS ME TO USED INTEFERON FOR THE HEPATITIS C, BUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT MY T-CELLS GO UP AND DOWN. MY T-CELLS ARE 325 NOW BUT THE LAST MONTH WERE 221 AND THE MONTH BEFORE WERE 175,IN JANUARY I HAVE 400. I DID A BIOPSY... Read more »
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Tell us what you thought of 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'
The ninth Marvel Studios film to date hits theaters today, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Like a number of these movies, they probably could have spent more time — quite a lot more time, actually — working on what is a pretty clunky script, front to back. But the movie does what all these movies do (and, eventually, therefore, gain passes from the critical masses): it entertains. I liked it well enough, though not as much as our own Drew McWeeny, and thought it was at least unique in the landscape of all these other films. It's a high octane, grounded ride packed with action, and it has an exciting tease for the next step of the Marvel convergence. If you get around to seeing the film this weekend at the multiplex, chime in with your own thoughts here and be sure to vote in our poll below.
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