Mellow Swap

So I just found this out. Here is the flyer that has some of the vendors coming out for the mellow swap meet this Saturday.





So I am going to do my best to be there, even though I can't buy anything. Free food and beer, so at least I get something right????


til next time


OLC

WTF Coaster on a pursuit bike

Cruising around over at FGG I stumbled upon this. I'm not going to down on the coaster brake, but seriously on a pursuit track frame??? I mean come on. What is the point?

Cute Commute Calender

So I have been seeing this calender going around lately. Well not in person, but around the interwebz. I first heard about it when I was at East Side Pedal Pushers, When Marsha had come in and was telling Brian about it. She showed him some pics, but I didn't get to see any. This, will tell you a little more about it.

The Cute Commute Calendars are $15 apiece and can be pre-ordered by emailing bikeaustin@gmail.com. Calendars can be picked up centrally or delivered by bike (in central Austin). For out-of-towners, pre-ordered calendars will be shipped (at no extra charge).

You can go to Jack and Adams, MellowJohnnys,Pure Austin to pick one up, or you can order one online, by sending an email to bikeaustin@gmail.com

You can keep up with Maureen's (Mo) blog,or with Marsha's, to find out more info on it.


I dunno, I wish I would have known about it, becase I know a few good looking girls that commute by bike also, I'm sure they wouldn't have minded being in the calender :)







Those pictures are courtesy of Nathan Lewis from the Cemetery Kittens page.


til next time


OLC

Who owns their own pedicab?

Does anyone own one? If you do, would you like to start coming on our once a month pub crawl? This way I can actually go too. I'm not saying you would have to pull me around, I'm sure I can get someone to do that. I'd like to be able to go on the pub crawls that I started, but no longer can go on because I have a broken leg. So if you know anyone that has one and wouldn't mind coming out or loaning it out for a night.....let me know.



til next time

OLC

Obama and bikes

So we have a new president. I am glad the time of "W" is over and that he cannot get elected again. I think that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, some choose to voice them with family members, friends or work associates. I have done none of the above, except maybe with Jenn. It seems like on a daily basis, I was getting some kind of email hating on Obama. This is coming mainly from my family, since most of my friends actually agree with the way I do. I know that my vote actually doesn't count in the great state of Texas, but I voted anyways. I actually don't agree with all of the politics of either major candidate. The one I agree with the most was/is Nader, but everyone knows that he would never get elected. So I chose the lesser of the two evils.

This is an email attachment that was sent to me.


Redistribution of Wealth


"Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read
"Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the home less guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application."



This is the response that will be mailed out.

I'm very very excited right now. More than excited, content and again, I have faith in our government. Barrack Obama is the right choice for our nation.

I sincerely believe a wealth of good is going to come in the next 4 years - hopefully we can make it 8.

Since the 1960's race riots, minorities have gained their freedom, yes, but they have yet to be empowered. There are the few from the bunch that have exceeded what society expects of them, but it was not easy - not as easy as it has been for us. What excites me MOST about Barrack Obama is his passion for education - leveling the playing ground between lower income and wealthier schools. Yes, there are some white kids in inner city schools, and there are some minorities in wealthier, suburban schools, but the numbers are frighteningly disproportionate. The goal will be to give all children the same education from the get go, and then what they do with that education is up to them. It takes a certain ambition to go out and make a change for yourself, and hopefully with the confidence and education behind them, our next generation will be more ambitious than ever. It is NOT ACCEPTABLE that we have high school seniors who can not speak English, nor can some of them read. Absolutely unacceptable.

When I hear "Spreading the Wealth," I do not see socialism. I see a government being truly concerned for the underprivileged of our nation. The underprivileged children that did not get to pick their unwilling parents - that do not get to choose if their school has current history or mathematics books - that do not get to choose what language their parents know or if anyone will care to teach them English. It is this empowering of EVERYONE, no matter who your parents are or in which community you live, that will make this nation great again. Right now, the education level of students is becoming more and more segregated, just like our nation's wealth. 90% of us make enough to survive, while 10% make enough to celebrate. This is the same with education. We need everyone to be on the right track from day one, and stop becoming concerned only once young adults make it to college. If we give people the education to provide them with the confidence and self respect they need - are dually permitted to have - we will create a nation of people competing for that 10% of the wealth, and I believe will have a much wealthier nation. Not only based on dollars, but on freedom of choice, thought, and expression.

Barrack Obama's ideas have been beaten down to a disgusting level. He is not trying to give a hand out to homeless people. Please, focus on the youth of our nation and empowering them as much as your loving, caring parents have done for you. Not everyone is blessed with your resources.


So now Obama is going to be the next president. I am ready for a "change" in this country. To me, McCain was just another Bush. I'm ready to see what will happen in the next four years, so I can let my opinion about everything be shown to everyone that was talking shit all the way up to the election.


Alright, enough about that. As I am sure ou have seen from other blogs and just surfin the interwebz, there are a couple of Obama bikes out there.





Then we have some spoke cards,






Then we have the man himself riding around town.





We also have McCain busting a fat skid. You can tell he was trying to get some of the hipster vote.oh well, that didn't work.






Alright, I got to get some stuff done now.

til next time

OLC

update on accident and somethings that pissed me off

So I went to the doctors office today for my first check up. They took x-rays of my knee and told me that I was healing up very well. With that being said, they removed the stitches in my arm and the stitches in my leg. I will post pictures later today when I upload them to the computer. I also talked to him about when I could go back to work, and doing physical therapy. I talked to my manager at apple the other day and he told me that there is only one training class open next month, which it starts on the 17th. So I asked my doctor if I was going to be able to be back at work by then, and he said as long as I am not putting any weight on the leg. I told him hell I don't want to put any weight on it because it already hurts like hell, so I don't want to do anything to make it hurt more. I will also start physical therapy soon. I want to get a it started before I go back to work, but at the same time, I want to be able to go up and down stairs without it taking so much out of me. I guess if I actually do the therapy, it will make it easier on me.

So onto something else. The other day I was looking at ATXBS and saw that Jason had posted this up,BE A BIKE GOD: Join the Bicycle Advisory Committee. I told Jenn she should do it. I was kind of joking, but she was all about it. So she sent an email saying,





I was hoping you could give me more information about the 2 positions
open on the Bicycle Advisory Council. I commute by bicycle to/from work
every day and have tons of input for the city. Six months ago, my
boyfriend was hit by a van who made a right hand turn in front of him
and ended up with a broken back. Last week, again, my boyfriend was hit
by an SUV trying to make it to the intersection first and now has a
broken leg. After experiencing what bicycle/car accidents destroy first
hand, I'm determined to help cyclists' safety become a reality, educate
both drivers and cyclists of laws and behaviors, and promote a
bike-friendly city.

After all of this tragedy, I am still on my bike because I believe a
bike-friendly Austin will be achieved. I would be honored to help
catalyze the change.

Please forward me information about the positions available on the
Bicycle Advisory Council.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Grayson


I thought that it was written very well, and shows general interest in being apart of something.

This is the response that Jenn got back,

Sounds like you guys need a bicycle safety course. I would recommend
the ACA's Road I or Bicycling 101.
http://www.austincycling.org/road_one_register_0.php

The class teaches you to DRIVE your bicycle defensively.

The attached By-laws explain the role the BAC plays. Please return the
application by November 19th.


Really??? When I saw this it threw me off. I kid you not. This is the message she got back. I couldn't believe how cold and insensitive that email was. I have been riding a bicycle for at least twenty plus years, off and on. The past five to seven years have been some of my favorite years for riding. In these years, I have learned to ride with traffic and ride very defensively. I pay attention to everything that is going on on the road. I don't listen to my ipod, I wear a helmet, I have reflective material on my bike, wheels,bag and even my helmet. I also have a front and back light. I follow the rules of the road and stop at lights and yield to cars when I am supposed to, and generally a safe rider. This lady had the audacity to insult me by saying that I need to take a class, because I have been hit by a vehicle twice in the past 6 months. She doesn't know who I am or how I ride, so I took a lot of offense to her statement. Jenn obviosuly forwarded the email to me. Later in the afternoon she (Jenn) received another email from her.

Ms. Grayson,
I have been thinking of my response I sent earlier all day, and I hope I
did not offend you. It seems as though your boyfriend has had some
horrible luck and I apologize to my insensitivity to the issue.

I do, however, believe in Effective Cycling and have not been in one
accident in the 7+ years I've been commuting by bicycle. I really do
recommend the bicycle safety course. I know you may think that it is a
waste of money, but everyone I've talked to that has taken the class has
learned something.



This made Jenn feel a little better, this is her response back.

Thanks for emailing me back. I was shocked by your response, to be
honest. It came off as if you were implying the accidents were somehow
negligence on my boyfriends part or they could have been avoided by
safer cycling. I do agree they could have been avoided, but I also
believe my boyfriend did everything in his power to prevent both
tragedies. One of the reasons I would like to be a part of the BAC is to
not only educate cyclists of safer practices but the drivers who do not
acknowledge us or our rights.

I accept your apology and will look into the Effective Cycling course.
I'm all about being proactive and committing to being the change you
want to see in the world. You have been blessed that in the 7+ years of
riding, you've never been involved in an accident. I, too, have not been
involved in an accident yet, for which I am thankful.

These past 6 months have been extremely difficult for the both of us.

Thank you again for your apology. It means a lot.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Grayson



I still am at a loss as to how I should feel about this. I still want Jenn to be a part of the BAC, but what does that say about some of the current members if they right off the bat judge someone, and think they need a lesson on how to ride a bike with traffic. I'm not saying that the course wouldn't have anything to offer me, I'm just saying, I have been commuting by bicycle for almost as long as her, and never been seriously hurt until seven months ago.

I just think if you are going to post something in the chronicle and elsewhere about having positions open, then you should maybe be a little more sympathetic when someone is asking what they need to do and giving a little background info on why they want to be a pert of it. Hey this is just one man's opinion though.


til next time

OLC

Wanna help a brother out?

So part of my recovery is, I have to keep my leg elevated and ice on it to keep the swelling down. Well, we keep buying ice and that shit gets expensive after awhile. So I had Jenn go and buy me some reusable cold compress things.




She got them at HEB. One large one and two small ones. These things work great! Only problem is this. They are 10,5, and 5 for them. I need like two more sets of them so I can be using one, and have the other two cooling off and get a good rotation of them. I normally wouldn't ask anyone to do anything for me but, I am broke from rent and not really working right now. So if anyone wants to help me out....I'd love you forever....I'd be your best friend....and I'll do something really awesome for you later...once I am semi back to normal.


til next time

OLC

Pictures from the race

If you have some, send them to me at lesbennett@ymail.com yes ymail. It is yahoo's version of gmail. Here is what I have. Enjoy.








til next time


OLC

Austin Bike Petition

In CAse you didn't know, there is a petition that you need to sign. You can find it here.

The Austin Bike Plan petition is a chance for you to tell the Austin City Council to prioritize bicycle infrastructure so our residents can use this low cost, low emission form of transportation for most of their daily needs.

Currently, the City of Austin is updating its Bike Plan to adapt to current needs. Rising fuel costs, global warming, and an economic downturn have caused a record number of Austinites to turn to cycling to meet many of their transportation needs. Unfortunately, Austin’s infrastructure has not kept up with this demand forcing cars and bikes to share the same road space, at times in dangerous ways.

In fact, a recent report produced by the City of Austin Street Smarts Task Force found that only 1/3rd of the facilities proposed in the last plan adopted in 1996 have actually been completed- all during a period when the Austin area was growing by an average of 4000 new residents/month.

Citizens for Transportation Choices is circulating this petition to demand the City of Austin take transportation cycling seriously with several key commitments and a clear timetable for implementation.
Our Austin Bike Plan Petition calls for:

* Adoption of a Bike Plan with clear timelines for full implementation. By requiring timelines, the City can come up with a realistic plan that citizens can easily monitor the progress of. This will prevent having another 12 years pass with only 1/3rd implementation.
* Establish both an initial North-South and East-West cross town dedicated bike trail or bicycle boulevard. A recent Portland State University study found that good bike lanes encourage both regular and casual bike riders to ride more. An initial cross town road that separates bikes from car traffic, many more Austinites will take advantage of biking for transportation. The success of this route could then lead to a network of other dedicated routes connecting the entire city.
* Prohibit vehicle parking in marked bicycle lanes and establish these lanes as “tow away” zones. A bicycle is a vehicle and is treated like one by Texas law, yet the City of Austin allows cars to shut down traffic by parking in bike lanes. This forces cyclists into traffic and renders bike lanes useless. Disrupting car traffic like this would not be acceptable, and it shouldn’t be acceptable for bike traffic if the City is serious about its commitment to cycling.
* Commit to building bicycle facilities/infrastructure on all new roads and improvements to current arterial roads where these facilities/infrastructure do not already exist. Installing bike facilities is very inexpensive, even less so when new roads are being built or current roads are being improved. By requiring facilities such as bike lanes or bike boulevards on arterial roads under construction, we can make it easier for cyclists to safely travel on our transit corridors.
* Funding for full time staffing of the Bicycle Coordinator and a minimum of two paid positions charged with educational and promotional activities in accordance with best practices of other cities. The Bicycle Coordinator at the City of Austin has been inconsistently funded in the past including previous funding cuts and elimination of the position. This critical position which oversees all bike projects and the Bike Plan needs to be fully funded for a full time staff to ensure bicycle infrastructure receives the focus it deserves. Additional staff for education and promotion as recommended by the Street Smarts Task Force will ensure bicycle transportation is properly promoted and cyclist on the street are riding safely.
* Establish a permanent City Council appointed advisory Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission to make ongoing recommendations. Once a new Bike Plan is implemented, it is critical that it continue to be reviewed and updated to adapt to emerging critical needs and well as ensuring the Plan is meeting timelines. A permanent citizen lead commission would serve this roll providing continual citizen input to make sure the plan continues to meet the needs of our city.



So go do it already.....gah....


til next time


OLC

Race results, After party, and a few other things

Ok, so I have been asked for the "list" a couple of times now, so here ya go. This is overall what place everyone came in. There will be a (G) for girls, (OT) for out of towner's, and (COS) for people who rode in costume the whole way.


1st. Will Wolfe
2nd. Cloyd Dowling
3rd. Cameron
4th. John Kroger
5th. Elliott Siff
6th. Ran Wodfin
7th. Gordon Yang
8th. Graham Robinson
9th. Ahlee Sobhani
10th.Andrew Steven
11th. Matt Whetstone
12th. Maureen Grady (G)
13th. Jay Long
14th. Lee Grisham
15th. John Anthony/Fredrick De Maria
16th. Chris Lee
17th. Charlie Alvarado
18th. John Eller
19th. Jay Atencio
20th. Justin Huffman
21st. Adam Robinson
22nd. Dan Nicely
23rd. Sarah Mattson (G)
24th. Josh Bailey
25th. Corey Fields
26th. Stephen Fields
27th. Ben Cross
28th. Joe Zugelter (COS)
29th. Daniel Weeks
30th. Mellissa Gee (G)
31st. Casey Wilcox
32nd. Jared Ferguson
33rd. Thomas Alvarez
34th. Chris Roncal
35th. Daniel Yebowitz
36th. Tobin Daniel
37th. Casey Eastman (COS)
38th. Jennifer Grayson (G)
39th. Taylor Rhodes
40th. Wyatt Brusard
41st. Devin
42nd. Jeff
43rd. Nic
44th. Joshua
45th. Vince
46th. Justin (COS)
47th. LouisiAnnie(G)....I'm not sure when you finished exactly Annie.... :(

There were more than fifty racers, I'm guessing some dropped off and had flats or what have you and went home, that you they didn't come to see me so I could write what place they were.

Guys:
1st. Will Wolfe
2nd. Cloyd Dowling
3rd. Cameron
4th. Elliott Siff
5th. Gordon Tang

Girls:
1st. Maureen Grady
2nd. Sarah Mattson
3rd. Melissa Gee
4th. Jenn Grayson
5th. LouisAnnie


First Fixed: Ran Wodfin

First Out of Towner: Jonathan Kroger

Best Costume: Justin (Aqua man)
















Ok, so now that I have said all of that, yesterday was my 100th post since starting this blog. That should have happened awhile back, but I was caught slacking. Since then I have been trying to keep up with it since I found out people actually read it. With that being said, I also have my first to followers!!!! That may mean squat to you, but to me, that is pretty fucking cool. Thanks for looking and openly admitting that you read this blog ;)

Also, keep an eye out for the APD. I just saw this on ATXBS.

Hey--

Don't know if you remember me, been on a bunch of the cemetery cat rides. Name is Chris. Friends with Mason. Whatever. Anyway, got pulled over at 10 this morning for running a red at 7th and congress. Cop didn't write down a fine, and said he had no idea how much the fine would be. He said I'd have to call the courthouse, he didn't even know if it was considered a real moving violation. What he DID know is that starting right now the cops have been assigned to crack down on all bike related offenses. They are camped all over downtown, day and night, looking for any bike offense they can find due to a large number of complaints recently. This particular cop had no interest, was pretty nice, but definitely not into letting me off with a warning. Just thought I'd let you know so you can get more word out. He said they are definitely out to get cyclists right now.

chris

So there you have it, the cops are out to get you. Yes, you. The one riding your bike. I say just don't give them a reason to stop you, and you'll be fine.

ok, enough rambling,


til next time


OLC

After the Race

Thank you to everyone that came out last night. I hope you had fun, I did up until the pain in my leg came on full force and I needed to get home to get it elevated. The race is not one that I think any of us will forget anytime soon.If you want a copy of the Manifest and map, I will post the pictures below.



Halloween Alley cat October 26th 2008
Starts Wahoo’s Finishes at Wahoo’s

You do not have to go in any particular order. You will have to take pictures at some of the checkpoints. Make sure you have your camera!!!!

Stops in no particular order.
1. Hula Hut 3825 Lake Austin Blvd
2. Draught house 4112 Medical Pkwy
3. Carousel Lounge 1110 E 52nd St
4. Old Yellow Bike Project 2013 E 51st
5. Austin Athletic Comm Intersection of Pleasant Valley and Elmont
(bus stop further E. on Elmont)
Back To Wahoo’s


Stay for award ceremony, food and beer!!!!!!!!



By entering this race, you are solely responsible for your own well being. Please think while you are racing. No prize is worth your life. We want you to have fun, but we want you alive more.

Thanks to Wahoo’s for providing food, tasty beverages, and a place to start and finish the race. Come back and support these rad motherfuckers!!!!








So there you have it. I don't have the pictures of the award ceremony yet, and Jenn has the copy of all the places. I will post those (places) tomorrow. As soon as I get pictures from everything I will post those up as well.

Again, thanks to everyone who came out, and if you didn't make it then you truly did miss out. Also thank you Becca for the shirt and reflective band! It means a lot to me that people I don't know, but "know" me are pulling for me to get better.



til next time


OLC

update

So some of you may know, some may not. I was in a bike/SUV accident on Tuesday. I was riding home from work and went through the windshield of an SUV. I had to have thirty one stitches in my arm, and what looks like twenty three on my leg. I had to have emergency surgery Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I am doing pretty good all things considered.I am in the need of a wheelchair, so if you have one, or knows someone who has one....can I borrow it? I probably will need it for about a month or two.


**********WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURES**********



This is my arm. Some of the glass was already pulled out. Jenn took the pictures.









This is an x-ray of my knee.



Sorry for this last picture, I took it with my cell phone. It is a shitty picture, but I will replace it with a better one when I can.






stay safe out there


til next time


OLC

First day at Apple

It was mainly just going over HR stuff and benefits and what not. I left for work at 6 in the morning and got there at 7:20. I missed a turn and ended up going a couple miles out of the way. On the way back, I was talking to another cyclist and turned down jollyville going the wrong way, so I went about 4 miles out of the way. I ended up riding 40.88 miles. I am going to keep track of all the riding I do. Be it going to work, or just ridding around town. So check it out every now and then.


T-Minus 5 Days....Are you ready?





til next time


OLC

T-Minus 7 Days

Make sure you register early, give me a call or shoot me an email and we can meet up. Also make sure you bring a digital camera!!!




OLC

WTF????

When I see stuff like this, it makes my blood boil.


This is absolutely bullshit. The fact that when the detective was in court and saying that he didn't slam the guys head into the ground and doesn't know how his teeth got knocked out is fucked. How is anyone supposed to believe cops or their word when video doesn't lie. They didn't take any witnesses statements or anything. I bet I know why, because they beat the shit out of a 57 year old guy going to see his dying mother at a nursing home. This is unacceptable and I hope that the cops get what they deserve.

OLC