Run, Bike, Run » Commuting

National Bike Month!

The Big Guy — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:29:43 +0000

It’s May, that means it’s National Bike Month. Check out these links for activities around the sound,

King County – Cascade Bicycle Club http://www.cbcef.org/btw/btwschedule.html

Pierce County – Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club – http://www.twbc.org/

Snohomish County – Community Transit – http://www.communitytransit.org/Programs/BikeToWork.cfm

Thurston County – Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest -http://thurstonbcc.blogspot.com/

Whatcom County – Mt Baker Bicycle Club – http://www.mtbakerbikeclub.org/BTWS/BTWS.htm

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I could use a little rain.

The Big Guy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:54:07 +0000

Wow, the trees are having a grand time. So much pollen is flying through the air that it looks as if it’s snowing. Well, if snow was yellowish green, but let’s not go there. The day after running sag in my truck, my hood looked like had a new paint job.

With all this stuff falling, the ride to and from work is leaving my eyes feeling as if there is a bucket of sand in them. Even after my short 4 mile commute my Knogg light was covered. Let’s face it, that’s a small target to hit too. So with any luck and maybe a little rain (god, can’t believe I’m saying that) will help keep the clouds of pollen down. Not only that, I’m starting to feel a little defiled

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Does it really save any time?

The Big Guy — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:47:59 +0000

Weather was great for my evening commute home, sunny and in the lower 70’s. After I worked my way though the back roads and on to the main road on my commute, I came up a ways behind another cyclist. As we came up to a stop light the other cyclist takes the lane in left turn lane. And without hesitation the rider dove across the opposing traffic lane and road against the traffic waiting for the light. After passing the 3 cars the rider took a quick look over their shoulder and slid across the 3 lanes of the road. To top things off, when they had taken the turn lane, the rider activated the light and could have crossed safely after waiting about 5 seconds.

I know how busy the rider must be, but I just can’t get it into my mind what makes anybody who does this to save less than 10 seconds of time and in danger their own life. And this coupled with all the the drivers that are now talking about those damned cyclists that don’t follow the rules, makes even less sense.

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Dangerous Courtesy

The Big Guy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:35:34 +0000

It’s nice to know I’m not the only rider with this problem.
From the Corvallis Gazette Times Opinions story-

Roses ‘n’ Raspberries (Feb. 20)

ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

RASPBERRY (raz’ber’e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer.

We hereby deliver:

One young woman who rides her bicycle to work is pleading with drivers to “treat bicyclists (at intersections) the way you treat cars, which is the law.”

In other words, don’t “give” bicyclists the right-of-way through an intersection when a bicyclist is waiting (as is legal) with the rest of the vehicular traffic for all lanes to clear before proceeding across.

One vehicle stopping creates confusion among the other motorists who have the right-of-way.

No sane bicyclist is going to cross into an intersection where one car is stopped — only to risk being run over by the motorists in the other lanes of traffic who are cruising through the intersection at the speed limit.

It’s simple: Bicyclists and motorists need to know and obey traffic laws to avoid collisions.

• RASPBERRIES — again — to a common — but misplaced — act of motorist “courtesy” that routinely puts bicyclists in danger.

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Back on the road. .

The Big Guy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:16:15 +0000

11 days after a left knee meniscectomy (partal removal of meniscus) I am back to my commute on my Rans. The surgery PA told me to becareful as to not over do it, so I will be cycling a few times a week to start. Once I got to work I felt a little discomfort but nothing like prior to the sugery. The stairs up to the lab went easy with need of the hand rail. This was a striking difference to the one commute prior to surgery where I almost couldn’t even make the stairs due to the pain.

This morning stats:

Miles 3.9
Time: 15 minutes
Weather: Overcast 39 Degrees
Gear used: North Face Goretex shoes, REI Cycling Jacket, Cabelas polypro and windshield fleece pants.

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Green Light!

The Big Guy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:48:23 +0000

Just got back from my post op follow up on my knee surgery on the 19th. It’s doing great and I got the green light to get back on my Rans. Tomorrow morning I get back to doing some of my commute on my bike again, I can’t wait to see how much of difference the having the knee meniscus cleaned up. I already can tell the difference going up and down stairs, so much less pain already.

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First Bike Commute of 2009

The Big Guy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:07:08 +0000

Weather was looking right and with the wife’s new job schedule it worked that I would be able to ride into work today. The 3.9 mile ride went very well considering the lack of riding time these last couple of months. With my torn meniscus it was a bit painful once I got to work, taking the stairs was difficult as well. But hopefully the surgery on Monday will make my commuting a bit easier.

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