ET is BACK!!

There is a pathway for all communication.

I got a text message today right before my ride home tonight. It was cold but that was not the tough part. It was the wind in my face. "Riding home cold," was my reply.

Ride to Talyor Falls from theTwin Cities

Take the Gateway trail for 18 miles.


The trail ends and you will have to take the local roads. The ride is about 60 miles and relatively safe. Taylor falls has camping or Interstate State Park.

Its a great weekend getaway on the bike. Bring a friend!!

Face it

Looks both ways. Nobody's stopping blue tonight.

Biking just Died

Top Ten most dangerous bike intersections in Minneapolis according to Bradley Cambell.

Put on your Bike Light!

In the fall & winter 2007-08 Commissioner Sam Adams and the Portland Office of Transportation again teamed up with community partners to encourage cyclists to use lights and to remind motorists to watch for bikes.

I was thinking about all these recent fatal accidents involving bikes here in Minneapolis. I know many bikers are concerned that new riders are unprepared for biking in the city.

New bikers need to be prepared to deal with the expected and unexpected. Lights on your bike are a necessity for night riding in the city. Gloves, helmet and reflective tape add to your personal safety. A rain coats nice when it rains. I like to bike in regular board shorts or swim trunks. I do have rain pants but I sweat in them. Make sure your core is warm and you hydrate i.e. drink water!

New riders need to understand that we share the road too. Stay to the right but not in the gutter. If a car cuts you off, you swerve but stay on your bike. Hey! You are alright. This happens all the time. Keep riding. Try to be more noticed by cars. Stay away from big trucks -- if you can. Look for routes that are not as busy. Anticipate, look both ways. Wave your hands in the air. Wave them like you care.

3 parts to Water

You are hanging
ON a wall
Of rhyolite.
ON H2O.

You climbs on
time
Could be your top roping
It's alll fine

I got you right here
double checked your gear
wide awake
Thanks

Pedal GOD

This is a Pedicab out in front of the Jasmine 26 on Eat street.

Good things are best Shared

Schwinn "Twin" Tandem

One way to get others into bicycle commuting is buying a tandem bike and inviting them along. Say you will run and errand with them on your bike. Bring the bungee cord and have a few extra helmets or invite them to wear their own. Biking is really best shared.

Sow the Seed

Unidentified artist at the State Fair

This is real 3D art: a bike make from seeds!

We came for some food and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.

I figured out something about the State Fair. It's very basic and it deals with bright lights, the sense of smell and the intimate relationship with food names and their corresponding "ooohs" and "aaaahhhs."

Whatever ca$h you bring will be spent on delightful tastes, sounds and smells, all while hanging with others with similar tastes. The fatter your wallet--The more you will fit in your gullet. Come hungry. Leave fullfilled with velvet teeth and a sense of accomplishment.

Heres $40 bucks:

1. Lufsa
2. Lamb chunks (local MN raised)
   
3. Lamb burger
   
4. Milkshake (w/Reeses)
5. Beer (a Linenkugal)
6. Foot long dog (split)
7. Root beer
8. Frozen cider in a bag
9. Pronto puff \ Corn dog (forgot which is which)
10. Fried Cheese Curds

Schwinn -Twin

Critical Mass

never have rode a critical mass.
Not sure I belong in a group of riders called critical mass. I know they would gladly welcome me with Police escorts and all. I believe they run every red light following the lead cop car. Some police ride on bikes too. It's just so much fun watching a large group of bikers. Critical Mass is a triple bypass for city streets. It cleanses the cities arteries of vehicle traffic. It clears the space. Like a nice summer rain on a hot day.

Phoenix Mars Lander - Transports my Apartment

I can hear the sucking sound.
The suburbs drying up. Bulldozed. Sent back to nature.
The city grows up. People bike. This is the sound. Unloading your

"Wait. What is your address? "

"Oh. It's 5940 Harriet Ave. A. S. "

"What's the A.S?

"After Suburbia"

DRIVE or Ride

cool tatoo



I pledge to be prepared to pack-a-lunch if my car leaves my garage. I get the cold bologna sandwich for firing up my fire breathing monster. This is another great way to keep the car keys in the pocket; another way in trying not to drive my CAR! If I drive I have to save another way.


I am currently looking for a carbon sponsor -or- someone to purchase my carbon credits for me not driving my 25 MPG car around town. This is similar to something referred to as, "Emmissions Trading" in the Kyoto protocol. Sponsor a biker. Offset your CARBON load

My savings for riding my bike comes down to a couple of dollars a day saved not buying $4 a gallon gas, better health and fresh air. I keep saying I will be free from the dragon. I have not wished this upon myself though because I do use my car on occasion. I have not slain my car.
I like my car.

I ride my bike to slow down. I ride for my health. And one day, I will be sponsored and will have one more reason to ride my bike.

[ nose over end ] I fixed my bike

my bike was on my stand. I locked it to the stand and came back to it later. I had to true the rim and that takes time.

I came back to it the next day and it looked funny locked to my stand. I trued it eventually. The stand clamp is almost it's own lock.

I like the idea of a bike hotel. Sort of looks like the dry cleaners. All these bikes lined up on a conveyor belt. You drop your bike off. It get's hung up. You get your ticket, pay and go. Something like this would encourage people to ride more in the winter. Bikes on a conveyor.
That sounds really creepy.

bike on a bus

I prefer to bike than get on a bus or even put my bike on a bus. I put my bike on the rail all day. No steps. Everything is one level. I like the way the tracks squeel around corners and how the gate open and close automatically. They have these cool racks that prop the bikes up vertically. I love kicking people out of this section if they are standing in the way. I can say, "Hi! I have a bike. Please move!" All without saying a word.

I can understand a few reasons you might want to put your bike on a bus. I have never loaded my bike on a bus; I probably never will. Everyone must hate you for having to take extra time to load it and unload. "Hello! Let's go would you. You slow bike buser. You slow poke. TODAY would yah. Bike freak!!" This is what I would anticipate others thinking but never saying. It's Minnesota people: MN nice, YOu betcha, Don't jah know.

Bike and bus if you have too. Bike it. You like it.

Dinner Dilemma

May Day Parade - Powderhorn Park 1 pm

Heart of the Beast Theater:

This will be my second year attending this parade. I would not miss it now that I live in the neighborhood.

I believe the weather forcast is for 6 ft of snow but that is all to melt by 1 pm for the start of the parade. The parade starts I believe on Lake and journey's to Powderhorn. The best part is when the image of the sun comes across Powderhorn Lake. Their will be suprises.

Bring the beach chair and blanket.

http://www.hobt.org/mayday/cere/index.html

Maria Montello of MPR: Making of May Day with slideshow
http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/programs/2008/04/26/ss/mayday/magic_of_may_day.html

Pond Report

Currently my bird pond is full. It is probably too full. The rain started in the morning and did not stop till well into the evening. We like rain but snow is better. I say this as reports tomorrow speak of snow up to 2'' in the evening hours.

I woke with a stink eye this morning. NO. My eye was swollen shut and was so itchy. I was itching it all night. I made an appointment to see the Dr. immediately. I need to get this pink eye out of my life.

I biked! In the fun rain. I had my rain gear on only to find out that my shoes are not really all that water proof nor my wind breaker. I was piled on wet when I walked into the hospital. Drip.

"Who is this guy walking in with wet cloths?"

"I got bad allergies," so the Doc says. She ordered me some $40 eye drops that actually work. Then she commented, " And you biked here."

Yes. I did and I am wet and it's really ok.

I missed the rain. Rain means warm weather in MN.
Rain means spring time and green things. Rain means leaves and mowing lawns and warm sunny days.

My bird pond is full. My cloths are drying. Spring is here!

When Winter's cold Blur is gone

NOt to be a party pooper or anything that might hint at me being tired of the cold. Tonight we switch are clocks an hour ahead for daylight savings. I see it as one hour closer to Spring. Spring forward, Fall backwards. I am looking forward to warmer days.

Minnesota had one of the colder winters on record. We had early snow and I was thinking we were going to get tons of it. Just the opposite. The snow fall has been naught. Everywhere else has seen a bountiful of beautiful white. I hope for them is does not melt too quickly.


So bring on some snow Mr. Frosty. We need a few more inches; how about a foot of nice fluffy stuff. Give me your dandruff God. I want to play in it one more time before the spring buds fresh new life.

Ok

This is kinda what I look like riding my bike here in the winter months in Minnesota. I have my baklava and helmet. Glasses help keep the frozen air out of my eyes. If I have to put the goggles on to ride it is usually so cold that my whiskers get frozen.

Today was a great day for riding. Monday morning is tough to get on the bike sometimes. I pushed and made it the first 5 so I knew I would make it all the way. I rode some errands and came out to notice it was raining. NO RAin. It's winter time. I want snow.!! Come back snow. Winter is definitely not over. Right when I just started getting used to the cold.

Reality Bikes

Some ride bikes as enjoyment.
Another rides to sing songs.
Others just ride everyday.
Ride away
The joy

The joy of Riding everyday!!!

Some take a few days off.
No rollin down the way.
Come back stronger even stronger.
Want to make this today.



***Highlight area that you cannot read!

Extendo Ride!!

aka

LUB
Large Utility Bike

Top Ten LUB stickers for your bike

1. I love to LUB
2. LUB-o-lympics
3. LUB-be
4. You look LUB-ly
5. LUB-a-dub
6. MakeLUB - NOT WAR
7. Where's the LUB?
8. I LUB you
9. I would LUB 2
10. Un LUB able