Run, Bike, Run

I think I’ll take my chance with the car! I wish I could give credit to the photographer, but this was emailed to me by a friend and it was too good not to share.

This may be the ultimate way to avoid road rage while riding your recumbent. The students from Nottingham University and the Giant Bicycle company have come up with a new recumbent, a recumbent airship.  Imagine riding to work and not having to worry about the right hook of a motorist trying to get their morning latte, or going for spin around the lake even when there isn’t a trail. But at 25 meters in length, it might be a little hard to find a parking space at work or home.

The prototype is currently in production with intial testing to be completed in a hanger then hopefully to be taken out to University Park in Nottingham UK for it’s maiden flight.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/news/13191/

It’s March so it’s time for the big Seattle International Bicycle Expo put by the Cascade Bicycle Club. This years event was held at Magnuson Park’s Hanger 30. For those who might not have known, this area was apart of the Sand Point Naval Airstation that was closed back in 1995. 

Being wise I chose to ignore the driving directions listed on the Expo’s web site that tells of heading I5 to 45 and heading East (really bad choice) and headed over the Montlake Bridge up to the park. Once there the first parking lot I rode through was a mess. But I was able to find a spot in grassy area, had I thought about it a little longer I would have kept looking. 

Inside the show it was packed, kinda hard to move down the aisles. But the first order of business was to see Sally Edwards talk “Cycling X-Your ‘bike path’ to a healthier life!”

Sally Edwards talking about training with heart rate zones.

After the talk it was time to wander the show. By this time the crowds had grown and moving around was even more difficult.

Some recumbents were found, with displays of Rans and Bacchetta bikes at the Angle Lake Cyclery display.

And with a varied display was Lightfoot Cycles. Not only did they have a couple of long wheel base bikes they also showed a Velocycle as well as a trike trailer that can be used for both kids or special needs riders.

Not that it was a great day to be outside, a test track was set up. I had a chance to watch some one trying out a cyclocross bike, I guess it was good weather for that.

And if you were luckey enough to see the signs, you could have gone over to another building to find a nice classic bicycle display.  One last run through the tents and buildings I stopped and got information on some up coming events as well talked with a few people about all of the utility bikes on display. I also stopped by and said hi to “tweeter” I follow @jkl2 who was working the Mount Baker Bicycle Club booth.

All in all it was a fun show even with the fact it took 3 people to help me get my motorcycle sidecar rig out of the mud in the parking lot. Special thanks to those were willing to help push.

Cagers, dogs, pot holes are all things we have to watch out for while out for a ride. But here is something that I never really worried about . . . until now.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0306/1224242371457.html

How do you tell a happy Northwest cyclist with out seeing their face??

Peter-I found a puddle, Dad-I need to find better fenders

With the snow and ice that covered Western Washington today it’s hard to think that March is starting this weekend. But with March comes 2 of my favorite events.

The first of the events is the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike Expo on the 14th & 15th.  Held at the Warren G. Magnuson Park in hanger 30. This show is huge, with all of this years exhibitor booths sold out. There will be more than 150 exhibits ranging from local shops, training and cycling events from around the state. More at Cascade.org

The next event is the following weekend on Saturday the 21st. It’s the McClinchy Mile bike ride that is put on by the B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County. The ride starts in Arlington Washington and depending on the particular loop you take,  the distance can be 20, 34 or 47 miles. And if you feel up for it you can do multiple loops for a full century. I have done this ride before and it will be my first event to test my post surgery knee. Go to the BIKES web site for registration info.

It appears that the BB Snipers from Bainbridge Island were caught. The Kitsap Sun newspaper’s  Bainbridge Conversation  had a short note about it.

“A pair of air gun-armed Bainbridge teens were arrested after trying to pickoff cyclists during Sunday’s Chilly Hilly ride. No one reported injuries. A female cyclist was reportedly shot, but pedaled on.

For next year’s ride, look for the new essential in Chilly Hilly riding gear: Wind resistant, moisture-wicking, Gore-Tex polyfiber-weave Kevlar bike shorts. The sales slogan: “Deflects wind, rain and BBs.” I’m filing for a patent tomorrow. Pre-orders start today.”

Not feeling up to riding a Puget Sound ride “Chilly Hilly” due recent knee surgery. I was catching up on the Amgen Tour of California twitter postings, a note from @mtbakerbike caught my eye.

“From @cascadebicycle – people were shooting BBs at cyclists on the Chilly Hilly? Is that true? Anyone have details (and the outcome?)”

The attacks were confirmed by @cascadebicycle (Cascade Bicycle club puts on the event) and is asking anybody that saw anything about this to contact the Bainbridge Island Police Department.
(206) 842-5211 PoliceDept@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us

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.

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.