Category Archives: Article

by Christopher | December 23, 2010 · 1:00 am

Love Thine Bike

Treat your bike as you would yourself and you will never go wrong.

I had a tough time figuring out what to write today partially because I am a little rushed for time in between packing for the 6 hour car ride I have ahead of me and still wrapping presents, but in between these hectic moments as I am eating my breakfast I feel a little calmer and I can, hopefully, impart some wisdom before I go back to my busy life.

What am I trying to say? If you bike needs oil lube it? If your breaks need adjusting do so? No. I am talking about love. Not the kind of love between a man and a women, because I don’t think that is legal in NY State yet, but the love we impart to objects that have been there for us through thick and thin. Sure the chain may fall off once and a while, but that can always be “repaired.”

People call me crazy for riding in the winter. Visibility is lowered as well as the temperature. Motorists forget how to drive. I am not worried though because I know that my bike, my friend, will always be there for me as long as I need him.

In closing, ride your bike. Don’t do it for exercise. Don’t do it to commute. Do it for the joy, the bond you share as bike and rider. A bond which cannot be broken. No matter how many horns sound.

Written by Chris Belsole

Don’t get hit

Man I hate talking about this. It’s a sad fact of bicycling, but weather it is inattentive drivers or risk taking cyclists accidents do happen. What do you do? It may seem simple enough now, but when you are lying face down on the pavement you may not be thinking clearly so here are some simple steps you can remember for when/if, knock on wood, you get into an accident.

In terms of preventative measures though I would like to add a few things:

1. Wear a helmet. I don’t see enough people doing this. I know there are arguemts going either way, but when your head hits the pavement you are glad you have it.

2. Ride with traffic. Cars are a lot more likely not to hit you when you are doing what they expect. Riding against traffic makes people nervous and therefore more likely to do something stupid.

3. Use lights in the dark. This one is just common sense, but apparently some people can’t get it through their heads. Riding at night with dark cloths on makes you invisible past 10 feet.

I know I am preaching to the choir, but I hope someone takes something away from this.

Written by Chris Belsole

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by Christopher | December 21, 2010 · 1:00 pm

Why should people fund bike projects?

Every day we fight for influence, respect, and money for bikes, but why should people give us any of that? Is it worth it? Does bicycling really have a positive effect on the macro world that is not contained in our little corner of it? Luckly the good people at Bikes Belong are here to help?

To help advocates communicate the value of biking to federal policymakers, we developed a series of 10 case studies on U.S. bike facilities with success stories.

This project, titled “The Federal Investment in Bicycling: 10 Success Stories,” describes a geographically diverse group of bike facilities — ranging from bike lanes to singletrack trails –that were built at least in part with federal funding. It aims to pinpoint what federal spending in bicycling can buy, and show bicycling as a cost-effective investment.

For the full article click here.

Written by Chris Belsole

The Future in Human Powered Transportation

I like to take a step back form bicycles every once in a while and explore my other car-free-lifestyle options. In doing this I discovered something extremely beautiful, the velomobile.

You might be wondering, “Chris, you epitome of masculinity, what is a velomobile?” “Well,” I would say while flexing,” A velomobile is ‘A velomobile or bicycle car is a human-powered vehicle, enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. They are virtually always single-passenger vehicles. They are derived from recumbent bicycles and tricycles, with the addition of a full fairing (aerodynamic shell). There are few manufacturers of velomobiles; some are homebuilt.'”

So basically it is an enclosed recumbent tricycle, but come on! You never have to worry about rain again. It is basically a car that you peddle a la the Flintstones. The only downside is since it weighs so much it would probably not be good for Albany because of the hills. With current battery technology I can see someone attaching a motor to help with this issue in the future.

So decide for yourself. Is it the future or just a nice little toy? What do you think?

Written by Chris Belsole

We’re Officially in the Christmas Season

Yes ladies and gentlemen, you heard right. Once you have a Christmas tree made of bikes it can’t get any better. This work of art comes to us from the Dutch city of Groningen. For more bike business from the land of cycling freedom follow the link.