Category Archives: Article

by | February 23, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Bike-ed Builds Brave Cyclists

Please note that I am not getting paid for or receiving any tangible compensation for the following; not for lack of trying though.

A few months ago, shortly after I moved up to Albany from the Big Apple’s little seedling Westchester I was having some difficulty navigation the streets of Albany when a few people from the coalition recommended a bike-ed course that would teach me, not the rules of the road because I know those having studied for and passed my drivers exam, but how to ride a bike in the city. Previously I did what every kid does, ride around the neighborhood, parks, etc., but the city with it’s cars signage and multi-lane roads is a different beast all together and quite daunting if you are not used to it. After I took this course, which is fun as well as educational, I can confidently say that I was not afraid to die on the road anymore. It did not feel like I was taking my life in my hands whenever I got on two wheels. Rather it was just another normal thing to do like walking and driving are.

Anyway I don’t want to pimp this class too much, but I will say that you do learn some pretty interesting maneuvers that might save your life one day. So there are two options you get to choose from weather you are new to the road or have been on it for years. Read more about them after the jump. Continue reading →

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by | February 22, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Bike Racks For Better Business

EVERYBODY LISTEN! Stop what you are doing and pay attention. We only have three days to get this done.

Apparently the CDTA is giving local businesses the chance to get bike racks half price. The only catch is that they only have 3 days to fill out an application. That leaves it up to you to get them informed and signed up. So what you need to do now is call, e-mail, or visit the places you visit frequently that don’t have bike racks and have them sign up for the program. I can think of a few off hand:

Prof. Java’s

Hudson River Coffee House

Zombie Planet

Earthworld

Flights of Fantasy

Wallmart

Koles

Bro’s Tacos

Fresh Market ?

Honest Weight Food Co-op ?

That asian supermarket on Colvin

…

As you can see the list goes on and on.Here is the forms and guidelines that people will need to read and fill out to participate in the program:

Contact Info:

CDTA
(518) 437-6865
bikerackprogram@cdta.org

Here is where I say, “Post a comment with the stores you want to see have bike racks,” but don’t. Use that energy to write e-mails or visit the stores in person. Alright 1, 2, 3, BREAK!

Written by Chris Belsole

? is where I don’t know if they have bike racks or not.

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Filed under Activism, Article, Support the Cause

by | February 21, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Warm Up Wear

Now that the weather is warming up (Horray!) I feel like I can finally post this article. I saved it from a while ago when it was getting cold, and admittedly it is about going from warmer weather to colder weather. Take the advice, heck read it backward if you want to, and shed those winter cloths.

How To Dress For Cold Weather (2011 Update)
Written by Chris Belsole

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Filed under Article, Winter Cycling

by | February 20, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Panniers And Me

I have, for a long time, been in a search for good panniers. For the most part it seems to me they pretty much fall into three categories; good panniers that cost a lot of money, alright panniers that cost a lot of money, and absolute garbage.

Recently I have been turned on to a few companies and a great website that has a very good selection of high end panniers that are pretty reasonably priced if you find them somewhere else.

I was digging through the articles bin for something to write about when I saw an article that had been kind of left by the wayside. So for the coast of some duct tape, some cardboard, and a few clamps you yourself and have your own panniers.

HowTo: Make Duct Tape Panniers

Written by Chris Belsole

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Filed under Article, Bike Tech

by | February 19, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Perspective Or Truth

I was visiting a friend in the hospital yesterday when a man stopped me as I was locking up my bike. Apparently he had the same one, and we got to talking. We talked about a lot of things from riding in rough weather to sharing stories of our various injuries. I forget if it was him or me who brought this topic up, but when he said this it really surprised me. He said to me, “The drives in Albany give you a lot of room on the road.”  Apparently, and I envy this man, whenever he goes out bicycling on the roads, which is not often because he said he mostly rides on the sidewalk, the drivers give him enough room. I never asked him what “enough room” was, but what world is he living in that the majority of drivers are courteous.

Maybe I am just jaded.

Written by Chris Belsole

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