Us vs Them

No I am not talking about the pink floyd song. I am talking about cars vs bikes. I know that everyday we cyclist have to deal with a fair amount of cars flying by us as if we're not there. Sometimes it can seem a bit much. What I cannot stand, or stand for is when a car full of teenagers decide to throw full bottles of water out of their speeding Volvo at me.

Well that is is exactly what happened to me yesterday. I decided to ride out to the lady's job and give her a surprise visit. On my way I was on Barton Springs road, heading west. I was in front of Austin Tri Cyclist and a Volvo with three teenage douche bags and one slut almost hit me and the front passenger throws his full bottle of water at me. I take off in full pursuit, because as many of you know I can't stand that shit. As I duck down and start pedaling my ass off, they see me in full chase and start to speed off even faster, swerving in and out of traffic. They get stopped at the light on Lamar.



I am the little person and the silver Volvo is the silver box and the red one is the car in front of them. Our light was red and the north bound traffic was going north. The kids saw me coming up and fast, so they started reeving their engine and tried to get around the car in front of them to go. I yelled at them and said why did you throw shit at me? If you want to throw something at me, be a man and get out of the car. At this point they were being typical teenagers and started running their mouths off. This pissed me off even more and I told them to pull over, this is when they driver started to pull away, and then the guy in the back passenger seat decided to stick his head out of the window and said, "you fucking faggot, get on the sidewalk".

This kind of shit bothers the hell out of me. I was riding minding my own business not even taking the whole lane, which I can do, and shit gets thrown out of a speeding vehicle that almost hits me. I know that cyclist piss motorist off, but we have a right to be on the road, just as much as them. I really wish that everyone on the road would have at least some common courtesy for the other people on the road.


til next time

OLC

worst of craigslist #7

Ok so I haven't done one of these in awhile, so I figured I would.

56CM Vintage Schwinn Varsity Fixie - $650 (Hyde Park)
Reply to: sale-816679685@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-28, 11:16AM CDT


I have a custom orange and white fixie bike I am parting with. The fiancé says I have to get rid of one if I bring another in. I guess it isn’t too much to ask for considering we have 6 bikes. This bike is one of the best you will find. First, it is a 70’s all steel frame (can’t break em even if you want to). I have shaved off every single brake line and have torched off the kick stand and have welded back a smooth finish so there are no unnecessary components. It is truly the ultimate minimalist bike. I had the frame powdercoated in orange and the fork powdercoated in white. The wheels are Wienmann Deep-V 700C white rims with white hubs. The rear hub is a flip flop just in-case you want to be free from the fixed gear and want a single speed. It has bullhorn handlebars with white coark grip tape and a track front brake. The orange brake line is from a shop in the UK (trying to find one in the US is impossible). It even has the original white Schwinn headbadge. Every detail has been thought of on this bike and it is an eye-catcher on the streets! I probably spent close to a $1000 and a ton of man hours in the shop welding it. $650 is a scream for this custom ride and I will stay firm at this price.



Alright, so this person says they spent close to a 1000 dollars and a ton of man hours. Well I don't see were the 1000 dollars came from. First powder coating you can get done for about a buck fifty. Second, the wheelset for 200, if you shop around. Third the frame you can almost get from anywhere, it isn't that special of a frame. There is nothing custom about the bike other than it is orange. You can find many other "fixies" for cheaper that look about the same, minus the paint. Asking 650 for something that you can build yourself for way cheaper is a scream itself.


Fixie 53 or 54 cm...good for campus - $160 (austin)
Reply to: sale-816542854@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-28, 9:47AM CDT


needs a little work, but she rides smooth... the only problem is the handlebar stem needs replacing (it's so-so right now, but i just uhhh... taped it into place), but thats pretty cheap and easy if you head over to yellowbike or something...

otherwise, it's a nice bike needs a good home. I just bought it for 160$ last week and decided after many years of riding them, that I don't want to ride a fixie around anymore...so come and get it for 160$, anytime today is fine.. im in east austin off of manor rd.



I guess my main issue with this bike, besides being ugly as hell is this.

I just bought it for 160$ last week and decided after many years of riding them,that I don't want to ride a fixie around anymore...

Really, you rode them for years, and know exactly what a fixed ride is like, but you chose to purchase a shitty bike and then turn around and sell it for the same price because you just don't want to ride fixie anymore? So why did you really buy it? I haven't seen this beaut on CL at any point in time. Did you buy it really dirt cheap or have it given to you and are trying to flip it? If so that is totally fine, but the reason you give is just retarded.

OnGuard Mastiff and Beast Chain Locks (input please) (Austin)
Reply to: sale-815292418@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-27, 11:54AM CDT





Hi,
I am wondering if anybody has experience And/Or knowledgable input/feedback on those On-Guard Mastiff and Beast Chain-Link locks ...
The bike shop i go to has those locks priced Higher than U-locks....

They look Extremely Heavy Duty and have that $3501.00 Anti-Theft Protection plan ...

Any input would be appreciated, thanks

I emailed them and told them this.

Go to home depot and buy their biggest chain and heavy duty lock. That is going to run you around 2o bucks. Or you can pay this.

I'm so sick of seeing this.

bicycle engine kit - $325 (austin)
Reply to: sale-810452757@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-08-24, 7:52AM CDT




New bicycle engine kit 4-stroke 40cc. chain drive, easy to install. Call 512-542-**** for more info.

What is the point of having a BICYCLE, if you are going to put a motor on it. Get a fucking scooter. (sorry Stallone, you have since redeemed yourself buying that 29'er)

Seriously, one of the best reason's to ride a bike is the exercise and the fact that you get to see things that you normally wouldn't see, because you are just flying by.


I dunno, maybe I am being a little jaded, but it is my blog, and I get to have my own opinion on things.


til next time

OLC

Bike Polo

So on Saturday we played bike polo once again. Kevin brought his camera and Jenn took some video. Yours truly scored a goal around four minutes in.


Austin Bike Polo 08/23/08 from kevin on Vimeo.

If you haven't made it out polo, I suggest you come on out. If you live in a city that doesn't have it....the start it up!!!


til next time


OLC

The race is offically on

So the race is going to be a blast. I will along with Wahoo's be providing food at the finish line. Go ahead and start riding hard, because this race will be hard....but well worth it. Great times, great food, and great prizes are to be had. So make sure you clear your schedule for the Sunday before Halloween, because this is going to be epic!!


Oh and I am going to give a prize for best dresses....So come dressed up in your favorite Halloween costume!!!!



til next time

OLC

You know that it was going to happen. HALLOWEEN ALLEYCAT

Alright kids, sorry for not writing in here in awhile, but things have been pretty busy for me. I know that is not an excuse, but the wait is going to be well worth it.


I am officially going to be putting on another alleycat race. It will be held on October 26th. I'm not sure where I will be starting from, but it is going to be WAY better than the last race. All I am going to leak out right now is that the finish line will be at Wahoo's fish taco's and I will be providing everyone some food, if you were in the race....and maybe a couple of tasty beverages.






Stay tuned for more details!!!!


til next time

OLC