The Residence Hall Association is renting these bicycles to students for $15 per semester (including a cable lock). What a deal!

Where did these come from? Well, many of them were abandoned on university bicycle racks. Thanks for the donation!

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bicycle advocacy, bicycle equipment, cycling

Everything on this bicycle looked ancient except for the new fork, the rack, and the milk crate. It’s a B.F. Goodrich.

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bicycle equipment, cycling

That’s the Kona “Bike” — a 3-speed something-or-other that appears to fit my needs. I’ll know more as soon as I test ride one later this week (I think).

I’ve given away my Marin hybrid to a worthy person in need.

But what do I need?

My Redline R530 (apparently no longer made) is my perfect bicycle for transportation. And my Brompton takes care of my travel needs. The Marin was doing two main jobs: 1) a smooth and quiet (my lock on the Redline rattles) platform for shooting bicycle videos, and 2) trail/fun riding with the family. Add a third thing: utility back-up.

I’m not interested in road bikes because I’m not interested in either speed or exercise (of a kind associated with road bikes). I’m not interested in mountain bikes because I don’t ride the kind of trails they are made for. I’m not interested in unicycles because I’m too old to learn new tricks.

So what kind of a bicycle fits my three needs? A hybrid? Yeah, but, well, hmmmm… I’ve done did the hybrid thing (although I’m still wondering if I ought to get the newest version of the Marin Pioneer Trails). And I’m now officially enamored of the Nexus hubs. The 7-speed on my Redline is sooooo smooth and nice. It makes me not want to mess with the whole derailleur thing.

Hmmmmm…

I’m open for suggestions

Technorati Tags: bicycle, cycling

In addition to packing and checking equipment, I’ll also be attending two important functions:

1. The transportation committee for the new city strategic plan meets this afternoon.
2. The Bicycle Friendly Springfield petition rally is this evening at City Hall.

After the rally and presentation of the current petition to the city council, participating bicyclists will ride to Bambinos for dinner. That could be quite a sight if we get enough participants. We would traverse much of the central downtown area and the MSU campus.

Here’s my KATY Trail equipment list:

• Marin Pioneer Trail bicycle with fenders (FX and RX)
• Burley Nomad trailer and day pack
• Tent, cot, sleeping bag, folding chair
• The usual bicycle tools plus lock and pump
• Guidebook and maps.
• Rain suit and wide-brim hat
• Computer (Asus Eee PC) and iPhone
• Kodak Zi-6 video/still digital camera
• The usual travel clothes (nylon) and personal items

OK, the cot might seem a bit extreme. While I have plenty of camping experience under all kinds of conditions, I also have, shall we say, sleeping issues. I’m used to my water bed. So I gotta have comfort, and I’m willing to drag along whatever it takes to get it

With luck, I’ll be able to avoid stuff like this.

Technorati Tags: bicycle advocacy, cycling, Katy Trail State Park

That is until her dress got snagged in the rear brake.

We were meeting for lunch yesterday downtown. She arrived with a greasy tear on the hem of her dress and a more willing attitude about getting something new.

Today, we picked up her new Kona Africabike from Queen City Cycles.

She hopped on and rode to her NAACP meeting.

She arrived home with her dress in perfect shape

Technorati Tags: cycling, utility cycling