diesel wrote:at point will everyone start to REALLY get pissed about prices? (general question to all)
I don't plan to ever get pissed about gas prices. Fact is, I don't know what I can do to bring them down, and if I did, I would. Or is that what you meant?
The last time I had a job I commuted to was 1999. Since then I have been successful in coordinating living situations with job situations, either by living literally where I work, or by living close enough that I can bike to work. That's right, I'm better than you. (<--kidding!)
Fact is I still own a car and I wuss out a lot, especially if it's raining. And I don't know if I'll ever not own one. Maybe if everyone I ever wanted to see lived within 50 or 100 miles of me. Maybe if I could commit to cutting myself off from everyone outside of that radius. I certainly never would have made it to my friend's wedding in AL, or most of the Slip shows I've seen, without a car. But conserving can mean slowing the flow as well as stopping it.
I strongly encourage anyone who has the slightest inclination to take up bicycling to do so. Not only will you save mad cash on gas and insurance, you'll save yourself the frustration of driving in traffic, you'll save the planet that much more car exhaust, and maybe (just maybe), you'll help alleviate some of the country's oil dependence. You'll also give yourself some daily exercise, which will simultaneously help you become fitter physically and if you ride far enough, you'll get at least a little bit of that endorphine rush that makes good people good. (Please somebody pick up the "endorphine rush that makes good people good" thread.) Bikes are also good for beer. It's still possible to get a BUI, but bikes are a lot less deadly than cars.
As long as I'm raving about bicycles, I'll offer a few tips on how to get started. First off, you'll need a bike. My recommendation is to do some research and think about where you'll be riding and how much/how far. Many people assume they want a mountain bike for durability and offroad capability, and in some cases they're right. I've found that what suit me best here in Cleveland is a road bike, the kind with the funny handlebars. Of course, I like to go fast, fast enough that getting down low to cut wind resistance makes a difference to me. Many people will be more comfortable with a more upright position, though I think ulitmately these bikes are harder to handle. They do give you a better view of the road. The most important considerations are riding position, sizing, and tires. Riding position we've touched on. Sizing is how the bike fits to you. Get help from someone who knows on this one, and remember that you have the greatest power in your stroke towards the end, when your leg is close to fully extended. I see lots of people riding with their knees in their chests and just shake my head. Tires probably make the single biggest difference in ride quality and rolling resistance. Big fat tires give a cushy ride, but take more pushing to get around, like a Cadillac. Skinny tires go faster, but ride rougher and require constant attention to keep their higher pressure up. Any tire will go flat of you hit something hard enough and the tire pressure is low enough. You have a greater fudge factor with fat tires. Knobby tires are only appropriate on dirt/mud trails, and the knobs create so much rolling resistance on the road, and actually give you less traction. Completely slick tires give you the best traction on the road, bar none. Even in rain. Snow is a little different, but if you're hard core enough to ride in snow, you're hard core enough to figure that out. Yes, studded snow tires are available.
Once you've got a bike, be certain to get proper lights (even if you're not planning to ride after dark, it will happen). REFLECTORS ARE NOT ENOUGH!!!! Reflectors only reflect when a light is shined directly on them, and nine times out of ten, if a car's headlights are already on you, it's too late for the driver to react. Spend twenty bucks and get some blinkies. Most states (Ohio included) require lights on bicycles by law. Often bicycles are considered vehicles (as in Ohio), and every vehicle on the road needs to have lights.
Helmets are also required in most states (though not Ohio). Don't worry about whether the law requires it, BUY A HELMET!! Even a junky one from Target will help considerably, though I've found that stepping up to a decent (I paid $30) one makes a big difference. A good friend of mine wrecked his bike about a month ago, breaking his collarbone in four places. The only record we found of his accident was a blue smear on the asphalt that was left by his helmet. Had he not been wearing it, I'm sure he'd be a vegetable at best right now. He was not hit by a car, just ran into a huge pothole and went over the bars.
And last, if you're going to ride in the city, find a local bicycling organization where you can learn the laws concerning cyclists, and some techniques for riding in the road and riding safely. Most accidents occur with cyclists riding on the sidewalk. Your safest bet, generally, is to ride in the street as if you were a car, albeit a slow one. People will honk at you, they will call you names, they will cut you off. But by being obvious and deliberate, you at least give them a choice about whether they hit you. And it's ok to let them get pissed at you, you have to take care of yourself. DO NOT SACRIFICE YOUR SAFETY FOR SOMEONE ELSE"S CONVENIENCE!!
Here's a link to some local bike co-ops and such around the world. Many offer shop space, shop classes, and even riding classes. If you don't find one in your area on this list: don't fret, google.
http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/free ... m#PROGRAMS
A lot of bike shops do the same, but they're too often all about the bottom line. They need to sell new bikes to pay their rent. Try talking to some friendly folks at your local co-op first. They'll probably be willing to take the time to get you properly fit and onto something that will do what you want to do. And last but not lesast, beware of ultra-cheap bikes. A shitty bike is something you're going to fight with daily, and will not encourage a happy cycling experience. Some people do come up through those ranks, and one might argue that cyclists exist already, regardless of what they're riding. But I know I've ridden crummy bikes and nice ones, and there really is a difference.
I love Fridays rants.
Phrazz
