Weekly wrap 10.27.06
This week’s total mileage: 65.5 miles
This week’s mileage on e-bike: 12
This week’s mileage on a regular bike: 53.5
Total mileage since July 10, 2006: 705
Total e-bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 496.5
Total regular bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 208.5
Gas savings this week: 3.5 gallons
Gallons saved since July 10, 2006: 34.2
Price of gas today: $2.66
Gas savings since July 10, 2006: $132.52
Flat tires since July 10, 2006: 3
Mustache handlebars
I don't like handlebar mustaches, but I like mustache handlebars. They're very comfortable and I like the classic look.
Moonstone Beach
I stopped at Moonstone Beach. Gee whiz, there seems to be a theme to these photos! The hill from Moonstone Beach to U.S. Highway 101 is a real bitch. Even with my lowest granny gear I was in agony.
Walk your bike downhill?
Here's a sign that everyone ignores. But I did take it slow. The tires on the road bike are skinny. At the bottom of the hill pavement returns.
Detour
After my second trip to the office today, I decided to take a short detour on the way home. I pedalled north on the Hammond Trail. At some point I unplugged my brain. Next thing I knew, I was at the McKinleyville Vista Point. That's Clam Beach. The land mass in the distance is Trinidad/Westhaven.
Pump it up
Ever since getting a flat tire a few weeks ago on Murray Road I’ve been concerned about the inadequacy of my mini bike pump. It just doesn’t put enough pressure in a tire.
If I got a flat in town, I might be able to pump the tire up just enough to ride to a gas station – maybe. If the flat occurred in the Arcata Bottoms or Scenic Drive near Trinidad, I would be royally screwed.
So on Monday, after dropping newspapers at the Arcata Post Office, I stopped by two bike shops in search of a solution. (I have to shop in Arcata because my town – McKinleyville – doesn’t have a bike store.)
The first stop was Adventure’s Edge. It’s a really nice store. On one side they stock all sorts of cool camping gear, kayaks and paddle accessories. (This is where I bought my kayak. You can visit my other blog and check out the archives to learn about crabbing on a kayak.) On the other side of Adventure’s Edge are bikes and related doo-dads.
The staff was extremely helpful, but most of their pumps were out of stock. I drove past Revolution Bicycles. It’s a nice store, but I made my last purchase there and felt that I owed the staff up the street at Life Cycle some money after asking a lot of stupid questions a month ago without making a purchase.
I perused the selection of bicycle pumps and found one that would probably do the job. It was bigger than my pump and had a flexible “hose” that could be pulled out and connected to the tire valve. It also featured a metal piece that could be folded down to make it a mini floor pump. It was pretty fancy, but I didn’t like the price – $39.
I then picked up a little valve/CO2 cartridge package that allows you to automatically fill your tire without a pump. I had seen these before and always felt a visceral reaction against them, as if there is something inherently wrong with using a pre-filled metal cartridge of air to pump up a tire.
But that’s a really stupid way to think, so I decided to pepper the clerk with questions. He was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and darn-right enthusiastic about the topic.
He whole heartedly recommended the product. That’s what he uses and it works great, he basically said. He told me how to use it, explained the pros and cons and sold me on the whole idea. I paid about $12 for the contraption and had them toss in an extra CO2 cartridge. The owner also gave me a smaller cartridge that I could use for “practice.”
The device is light weight and tiny. Now I’ll carry a mini bike pump, CO2 cartridge doo-dad, extra cartridge, extra tube, patch kit and assorted tools. I just hope I don’t need to test them out anytime soon.
While at the shop, I also purchased new handlebar tape for the road bike. This evening I wrapped the handlebars with an old bicycle tube for cushion and then applied the new tape. Looks nice.
Mad River Bluffs 10.21.06
A quick stop at Mad River Bluffs on the way to the office. Note to self: purchase new handlebar tape.
Weekly wrap 10.20.06
This week’s total mileage: 60 miles
This week’s mileage on e-bike: 15.5
This week’s mileage on a regular bike: 44.5
Total mileage since July 10, 2006: 639.5
Total e-bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 484.5
Total regular bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 155
Gas savings this week: 4 gallons
Gallons saved since July 10, 2006: 30.7
Price of gas today: $2.69
Gas savings since July 10, 2006: $123.21
Flat tires since July 10, 2006: 3
On The Bus
Last week while my car was in the shop getting a new Johnson rod, I thought a lot about how we could survive with a single car.
Say, for example, one of our two vehicles completely died. Would I plunk down another $10,000 to replace it? Or would I save $10,000, use a bike and just share a single car? Part of the allure of this idea is that I’d save from $3,000 to $4,000 a year when you calculate car payments, insurance, oil changes, repairs, etc. That’s a lot of clams.
The obvious downside would occur when I need to use a car and CP needs to use a car at the same time. But how often would this happen? It wouldn’t be an issue for trips in McKinleyville, where you can use a bike or electric bike. But what about Eureka?
This got me thinking, which usually leads to trouble. I had to visit Eureka today to pick something up, so I decided to get there without a car.
I visited the Redwood Transit System website and found out that a southbound bus would arrive a few feet away from my office at 2:10 p.m. Each bus is equipped with a nifty bicycle rack on the front, so I could pedal from my house to the bus stop, take the bus to Eureka, pedal to my destination, and then reverse the process to get home.
I arrived at 2:05 p.m. About a half dozen people were waiting for the bus. Most of them were mentally or physically handicapped. This reminded me of how incredibly important it is to have public transportation. If it wasn’t for the bus, how would these people travel?
At exactly 2:10 p.m. the bus arrived. It was on time. I attached my bike to the rack and climbed aboard. I paid $4 for a day pass which would allow me to ride all day long between Trinidad to Scotia if I wished.
I grabbed a seat and it wasn’t long before I realized why I don’t use public transportation. We made stop after stop after stop. I looked at my watch and looked at the bus schedule. I did the math. A trip that would take no more than 45 minutes in my car was going to take at least 2 1/2 hours.
The entire afternoon was shot. I should have thought about this before committing myself, but it was too late.
The bus picked up some questionable characters along the way. One guy looked like a serial killer. Another fellow emitting a foul odor sat in front of me. Fortunately, once the bus got rolling, the air flow solved the problem.
When we reached Humboldt State, several lovely college girls climbed aboard. Riding the bus no longer seemed like a bad idea. The college kids talked about fluoride in Arcata’s drinking water.
By 3:08 p.m., I reached my destination – the Bayshore Mall. We were right on time, but it took nearly an hour. I could have driven to Eureka, conducted my business, came home and made a sandwich within this period of time. Instead, I was less than half done with the journey.
From the Bayshore Mall I got on my bike and pedalled about a mile up West Harris Street, visited a business and pedalled back to the Bayshore Mall.
Once again, I arrived exactly 5 minutes before the bus I wanted was about to leave. It arrived on time and I started my journey back to McKinleyville.
Most of the people on board seemed to be working folks on their way home. There were about 30 people on the bus. One guy climbed aboard and looked a little out of it. He started shaking and looked like he might vomit. I think he needed a fix.
But, in fairness, I’m just pointing out some of the characters that stood out in my mind. Most of the people on the bus seemed like normal working folk, students or the disabled.
Just as advertised, I arrived in McKinleyville at 4:30 p.m. I biked home and my mission was accomplished.
The lesson is that you don’t need a car to get to Eureka. For a minimal fee, the Redwood Transit System will drive you there. You can get all over Humboldt County without a car.
The downside is the time differential. If you take the bus, plan on spending at least twice as much time travelling than you would in a car.
If I had to do it over again, I would have used the car. But it’s nice to know there’s a workable alternative.
Hammond Trail
I'm fortunate to live a short distance from the Hammond Trail. This is a photo of the Hammond Trail that's been tweaked using the "watercolor" filter in Photoshop.
Wednesday's Commute
After doing my best Willy Loman impersonation Wednesday, I took the scenic route home and snapped a few photos. This is the Panasonic road bike near the Widow White Creek Estuary. In the distance is the Pacific Ocean.
Kmart, Maj. Gray chutney and the new Schwinn Suburban Commando Assault Bicycle
I wouldn’t dare leave the e-bike outside at our local Kmart. The local criminals would probably strip it bare in 30 seconds, even if it was locked up.
But today I came up with what I thought was a clever idea – I would just roll the bike right inside the store and politely ask the clerk if I could lock it up outside in the fenced garden department. The bike would be out of everyone’s way in a secure area, allowing me to spend a little cash. It’s what they call a win-win situation. What could go wrong?
When I walked through the door with my e-bike, the clerk looked at me like I had just dumped a bucket of rotten fishheads and dog shit on the floor.
I smiled and explained that I just needed to lock it up in the garden area so I could do some shopping. My request seemed so reasonable that I was confident he would wave me through.
No! No! No! Bikes are not allowed in the store! He was apologetic, but almost frantic. Apparently I had violated some sacred Kmart policy. The clerk looked a little scared, like the mere fact that I was already in the store with my bike could get him fired.
I didn’t want to make a scene, so I said “no problem” and quickly exited. I figure working as a clerk at Kmart sucks enough as it is without some nerd on a bike giving you lip.
Still, I was pretty pissed off about it. My request seemed reasonable and there was no reason to deny it.
Maybe I was a little sensitive, because this insult came after a visit to Safeway in search of some Major Gray chutney, which I thought would spice up the “almond crusted turkey patties” I made the night before. I looked and looked, but I couldn’t find a bicycle rack or even post that I could get my U-lock around.
One of the town’s major grocery stores doesn’t have a bicycle rack? No surprise. Most places don’t. You’re not supposed to going shopping on a bicycle. Bicycles are exercise machines. You’re supposed to be “normal” and use a car.
So I ended up locking the wheel to the frame near a box pumpkins. That probably wasn’t a good idea, but I really wanted some chutney. Alas, Safeway didn’t have any.
When I got home, I decided it was time to finish a project I started about a month ago – fixing up a Schwinn Suburban that I will keep at my downtown office and use a “beater bike” for visiting shitholes like Kmart. (Note: I wrote about this before on this blog, but I had technical problems and deleted the post after a couple days.)
(Here's a 1973 Suburban. Check out that dude's riding outfit on the right! Nice belt.)
I bought the Suburban at a thrift store for $11. It’s a very sensible men’s 5-speed bike with fenders, a big seat with springs and old-fashion handlebars. It’s a little rusty, but it came with new tires. Actually, I bet they’re old tires that were simply never ridden on.
Originally I planned to take it apart and fully refurbish it with fresh paint and new brake cables. But after today’s Kmart experience, I had a change of plans.
I dismantled the hubs and greased the bearings. I cleaned the chain, oiled everything and pumped up the tires. The front wheel has a “flat spot” which causes the tire to bulge out when inflated. So, temporarily, I placed front wheel from another bike on the Suburban.
Tonight I took it for a short spin. It works fine, but needs some brake adjustments. Also, I need to locate a used 27 inch front wheel – either super cheap or free.
The rust will remain. Consider it theft deterrent.
On a side note, I like the name “Schwinn Suburban.” It sounds manly. I think I’ll call it the “Suburban” for short, or the “Schwinn Suburban Commando Assault Bicycle.”
Weekly wrap 10.13.06
This week’s total mileage: 39.5 miles
This week’s mileage on e-bike: 8
This week’s mileage on a regular bike: 31.5
Total mileage since July 10, 2006: 579.5
Total e-bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 469
Total regular bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 110.5
Gas savings this week: 3 gallons
Gallons saved since July 10, 2006: 36.7
Price of gas today: $2.72 (estimate)
Gas savings since July 10, 2006: $112.45
Flat tires since July 10, 2006: 3
Notes:
On Tuesday I “cheated” and used the car to do my route. This was due to a combination of the Columbus Day holiday, which meant the post office was closed and I was unable to go to Arcata Monday, and the fact that I had three inserts to put in the paper. Inserts are labor intensive and really slow things down. So my total mileage for the week was automatically reduced by 11.
Over the weekend, the Corolla’s engine light came on. So it went to the shop for service. They replaced a Johnson rod or some sort of valve in the emission’s system and charged me $438.
It’s times like this that I really hate owning a car. Unlike a bike, I’m unable to make the repairs myself.
Because the Corolla was in the shop, I used CP’s Prizm. That screwed up my weekly gas savings measurement, so the number listed this week is a really conservative estimate.
I was busy this week and didn’t have time to fix the flat tire on the e-bike until today. That meant that most of the miles I logged were on the regular bike.
Friday is the start of my long weekend of work, so I usually get my weekly “to go” order from the brewery for dinner. I usually use my car for this trip because it seems impractical to haul two meals on a bike. By the time they separate all the dishes (salad, vegetable side, cake, etc.) into separate cardboard containers, there are two plastic grocery bags filled to the brim.
Tonight I decided to attempt this trip on the bike for better or worse. I squeezed all the boxes into the panniers. It was a tight fit. Some of the juice from a tri-tip dripped into the box containing a chicken Parmesan sandwich, but other than that the trip went fine.
'That's cheating!'
When you show someone an electric bike, there’s a good chance you’ll hear the phrase “That’s cheating!”
I’ve heard this at least a dozen times since I got my e-bike. The comment is always made in a good-natured manner, so there’s never a need to argue about it. Besides, in some ways it’s a compliment – an acknowledgement that the motor is advantageous.
Still, I find the comment curious. How is it cheating?
If I were to enter the e-bike into a short bicycle race and I was the only one with a motor, then that would be cheating. It would be similar to entering a canoe into paddling contest in which you’re the only one with an outboard motor.
In both these scenarios, you would have a distinct advantage over the competition which wouldn’t be fair. You would likely be breaking the rules, which constitutes cheating.
But when I use my e-bike, I’m not competing. I’m just traveling – trying to get from Point A to Point B. I just want to do so in the most sensible and efficient manner possible.
I can walk, ride a regular bike, ride the e-bike or use my automobile. I've even been known to fly, although I usually need to assistance of an aircraft.
Perhaps the notion that using an e-bike is cheating comes from the view that a bicycle is an exercise machine. If it were simply an exercise machine, then the cheating allegation would have some truth to it. It would be like bench pressing weights with the help of a fork lift.
But the e-bike isn’t an exercise machine. It’s a mode of transportation.
As a bonus, it’s a mode of transportation that provides me with some exercise – perhaps 30 percent less exercise than I would get on a regular bike. But when I use a regular bike, I don’t get as much exercise as I would if I walked. And when I’m walking, I don’t get as much exercise as I would if I jogged.
So does that make walking a form of cheating, or bicycling a form of cheating compared to walking?
Of course not.
Using an e-bike is no more cheating than it is for a chef to use a food processor to chop onions. (Some might consider that cheating. Heck, I read about a school of photography in which you’re only allowed to shoot using natural light. No flashes or special lighting allowed. I also read about a guy who jogs backwards. For him, running forward might be considered cheating.)
Personally, I’ve begun to view “cheating” as using my automobile for trips that could reasonably be completed on one of my bicycles (regular or electric.)
For example, today I could have been accused cheating. Due to the Columbus Day holiday and a variety of other circumstances, I was unable on Monday to do my business-related chores in Arcata, which is far enough away that I use my automobile. So this morning I loaded up the car and drove to Arcata.
Then I came back to McKinleyville and used the vehicle for a route usually reserved for my e-bike.
I used a 2,500-pound, fossil fuel-burning hunk of metal to conduct business I could have completed on a non-polluting bicycle.
Now that’s cheating!
Weekly wrap 10.6.06
This week’s total mileage: 48 miles
This week’s mileage on e-bike: 17.5
This week’s mileage on a regular bike: 30.5
Total mileage since July 10, 2006: 540
Total e-bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 461
Total regular bike mileage since July 10, 2006: 79
Gas savings this week: 0 gallons
Gallons saved since July 10, 2006: 33.7
Price of gas today: $2.72
Gas savings since July 10, 2006: $104.29
Flat tires since July 10, 2006: 3
Notes: Seems like I spent all week driving my car. I went to Eureka three times. Ugh.
I consumed slightly more than 10 gallons of gas – the average weekly gas consumption prior to July 10, 2006, when this little experiment began. Because of this, my gas savings calculation this week comes to zero based on my flawed methodology (see previous posts).
FLAT TIRE
Today I was riding the e-bike on Murray Road when I heard a loud clicking sound coming from the rear wheel. I stopped to inspect the problem and assumed I’d find a broken spoke.
It was a bent nail, with the sharp end in the tire and the other half hitting the fender every time the wheel went around.
I removed the nail and the air hissed out of the tire.
Time to fix a flat. I checked my watch so I could time myself.
The wheel was removed and a replacement tube installed in seven minutes. Not bad.
But then it came time to inflate it with the mini pump.
I pumped and pumped and pumped. About 13 minutes had passed since the flat repair process began. The tire was inflated, but at a very low pressure – just enough to ride on it. But barely.
I don’t know if this was because I’m a dimwit, or because the pump is a piece of crap. I’m going to have to play around with the pump and solve this problem one way or another.
Fortunately, I was saved by the Brotherhood of Bicyclists. A fellow was walking by and informed me that he lived two houses away and had a nice floor pump I could use.
I took him up on the offer. I got my tire pumped up and we talked about bicycling.
A few minutes later I was back on the road with 70 psi in my rear tire.
SOLAR TOUR
On Saturday there’s a Solar Neighbors Tour in McKinleyville. A bunch of folks are opening their solar-powered homes to the public.
I plan on visiting several homes on my e-bike and I’ve mapped out my route using the Google Gmaps Pedometer. I’ll travel about 8 miles, which I’ve already included in the mileage for this week.
If I take a different route and the mileage varies, I’ll have to adjust the Weekly Wrap numbers.
SATURDAY UPDATE
I went in the garage this morning and found the rear tire on the e-bike flat. Dammit! So I used the road bike. I also changed my route and included a stop at the Dow's Prairie Grange to take a photo. The figures above, posted Friday, were changed to reflect today's my actual mileage.
XTRACYCLE
(Source: http://www.bikebox.ca/pix/xtracycle.jpg)
I spotted a woman riding an Xtracycle the other day in Arcata. As I understand it, it's a kit that you purchase which extends your rear wheel further back. A big, heavy duty rack goes over the wheel and is outfitted with large panniers. It allows you to haul large loads.
