Author Archives: Christopher

I you are racing what would be a good thing to eat on the ride? A power bar? A protein drink? Watch this video and find out.

Written by Chris Belsole

This is the third time I tried to help someone just to have it blow up in my face. The first time was when I was on the Mohawk-Hudson bike trail and I did not bring my tools and had to pass someone with a flat tire. The second time was by SUNY Albany where I stopped to help someone forgetting that I’d left my adjustable crescent wrench at home. Now the third time.

I was riding along the bike trail with a friend when we saw someone who was walking their bike. I said to my friend that I wanted to stop and see if anything was wrong because if it was a flat tire I could change it out in five seconds flat since that’s all I’ve been doing at ABR the past few weeks and I’ve gotten pretty quick. I slowed down and it turns out he did the flat tire so I went into my spiel. I’m from ABC, I work at ABR, here is how you change the flat.

We got as far as sanding down the tube and applying the glue which looked plump with sticky goodness. I squeezed the tube and nothing came out. I mean this thing was bone dry. I exclaimed to my friend, “I only used this once!” He explained to me that since it was an alcohol based adhesive that it evaporated. Needless to say I did what I could. I put his tire back together and sent him on his way to hopefully get it repaired by someone with more useable materials.

So that’s my third attempt to help someone in need. Maybe I’ll get it right the forth time.

Written by Chris Belsole

The Bike-Shop event today, hosted by Albany 2030, has been rescheduled to August 30th probably due to rain. I hope everyone will join me in changing their calendars to that date. At least now you guys have a little more time to make plans for this event that could possibly effect the way things go in Albany in terms of of bicycle accommodation.

(click the image to make it larger)

Written by Chris Belsole

You’ll never believe it! I just rode behind a bike cop coming home from the coffee house. In about five minuets here is what I observed:

1. Failure to stop at a stop sign.

2. Failure to signal for a right and a left turn.

3. Riding on the wrong side of the street.

4. Riding in the sidewalk.

Not to mention that he was riding in the door zone the entire time.

Now, as I always say, I am not the paragon of bicycling etiquette that my tone may imply, but if the police can not adhere to bicycle rules how can they expect anyone else to? Sure if they are chasing down a perp and there is a red light I can see them running it to catch him, but he was just doing his rounds like it was any other day. Also I know for a fact that they had to take a biker’s education course because I know the instructor. It’s no wonder that people are so misinformed when it comes to bicycle regulations when the people tasked with enforcing them can not follow them themselves.

Anyway I could not wait to bring this one to you because it was just such a great chance encounter.

Written by Chris Belsole