Ci-fi Bike Speaker

Cy.Fi Wireless Sports Speaker

Something that I have been mulling over getting from about when my co-worker told me about it is this Ci-fi bike speaker. According to the NYTimes article,

“For the cyclist who has everything, here’s the CyFi, a compact, water-resistant, aerodynamically shaped speaker that fastens to handlebars (or backpack strap, or stroller). Your phone or music player, nestled in your pocket, transmits music to the speaker wirelessly as you ride along. The company argues that listening this way is safer than wearing earbuds.”

It would be nice to follow the law for once because anyone who has seen me riding around Albany has quoted me the law on wearing earbuds in both ears. Don’t! While this may be true I’d argue that listening to the Beatles with only the left speaker is like listening to Bach with only the brass section.

After I thought about it for a while two things struck me as off. The first is the price. I like this product and I wish that I could guarantee that I would never fall off my bike again. If, and hopefully not when, I do though and this thing breaks, I am out one-hundred dollars. I wonder if the warranty covers it? The second is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to cars. I hate it when cars blast there music for everyone to hear, and that is with four walls, most of the time, muffeling the sound. How much of a hypocrite would I be if I am riding my bike down the street blasting Highway to Hell jamming along with the solo? I think for the money this cost I would have to give it a test drive to see how it really preforms.

One thing I like about it is that it comes in two forms. One that plugs directly into the Apple port on iPhones, iPods, and other Apple products and another that connects over Bluetooth. This is good because I plant to chuck my iPhone next year if it makes it that long.

Written by Chris Belsole

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32 New Bicycle Racks in Albany

On a balmy fall day, the Lark St. Business Improvement District (BID), in conjunction with the Aurora Foundation of NorthEast and the Albany’s Office of Energy and Sustainability, announced installation of 32 new bicycle racks on Lark St. from Washington Ave. to Price Chopper on Delaware Ave.  Federal tax dollars paid for the racks through the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) and the Capital District Transportation Committee.

Cafe Hollywood, 275 Lark, hosted the ribbon cutting with dignitaries from the Common Council, city, BID, County, and CDTA in attendance reinforced by a elbow-room-only (see photo) crowd of cyclists and onlookers.  Council Members Conti and Konev, enthusiastic supporters of bicycling, presented a resolution (see photo) from the Council to the BID’s executive director, president, and board chairman.  (The un-cut green ribbon is just in front of the Café Hollywood’s door.)

Eric Whalen of the Downtube set up a repair stand to assist cyclists.  The Albany Police Department Community Policing Unit had a table display of related literature as well as information on its bicycle registry.

Written by Ken Burford

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My Commuted Commute

Here is an interesting video from Oikofugic Productions that talks about the problems with bike lanes in NYC. I must have been lucky because when I was down there last weekend with my folding bike I did not see any of this. Honestly I’d rather have these problems then no bike lanes.

Written by Chris Belsole

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This Sunday: Ride the Old Erie Canal in Albany County

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Update from John:

Sundays forecast is for sunny skies and temps near sixty. A perfect day to join ABC and other members of your community for a casual bike ride along the Old Erie Canal. Pack up some snacks and water, and prepare to hit the trail. Stout tires work best for this ride so leave your racing slicks at home. We’re riding along what was once the towpaths of the canal and there is both on road and off road mileage.

Discover what still remains of this legendary waterway. Many truly spectacular and historic sights are to be seen on this ride with a “buy your own lunch” stop in the oldest incorporated village in the state, Waterford. Commentary at selected stops by a local history and Erie Canal buff. So come on out and enjoy the clear autumn air and learn a little local history or share a little of your knowledge with us.

Don’t forget RIDE SAFELY, WEAR A HELMET AND HAVE FUN!

Join John Vendetti and your friendly, fellow cyclists on another exciting history tour.

Where is the Erie canal?  What’s still there? Where was the new, enlarged canal?  Can you really ride your bicycle through a canal lock? How did the canal boats get from Troy to the canal?  How does a lock work?  This and more!

Plus, you’ll find a wonderful, relaxing bicycle route that you can enjoy in the future with family and friends. After the departing from Waterford, we’ll pick up a sandwich and scoot over to Pebbles Island for a “picnic” lunch.

Distance: 30 miles
Weather: Rain or shine
Where: Meet at the Boat Launch at the Corning Preserve
Contact: hardworkinjohn@aol.com (or by phone: 225-4209, or 489-0866)
Directions: http://bit.ly/bvH2Mi
Sponsored by the Albany Bicycle Coalition

Calendar information here.

Written by Ken Burford

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People For Bikes: If I Ride

Taken from: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/

I just wanted to bring this video to everyone’s attention. It is a heartwarming video of a poem where humanity is better off if there was just one more cyclists on the road. I would like to add one.

If I ride I will be able to see my grandchildren.

How about you?

Written by Chris Belsole

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Filed under Article, Videos