tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60852073422953246922024-03-12T19:52:29.067-07:00Bike Commuting and other Low(er) Carbon Life Skills in SuburbiaMy blog about bike commuting, Xtracycles, lower carbon living in the Northeastern USA.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-2430695294054106152010-03-01T19:57:00.000-08:002010-03-01T19:59:15.912-08:00Drive-thru, Bike-Thru?Today I had a few errands to run enroute to work. It was balmy, at least 41 deg. F, so I wasn't in a hurry. Blue sky peeked through here and there, a teaser of spring weather just around the corner. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m9GzcO9H0I4gXXLaENGBQHn920FRsIHWo0-nvW-OcKkFFqU4s9JCrwbGz1o74DJmf6tk4nS0Hgl_SvBxL9ia6pOs0iGEZV6q-En8mx_LR58FvU15rlwTnV7yQQeIiHWH3IalNDmaGxL9/s1600-h/plasticrecycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m9GzcO9H0I4gXXLaENGBQHn920FRsIHWo0-nvW-OcKkFFqU4s9JCrwbGz1o74DJmf6tk4nS0Hgl_SvBxL9ia6pOs0iGEZV6q-En8mx_LR58FvU15rlwTnV7yQQeIiHWH3IalNDmaGxL9/s320/plasticrecycling.jpg" /></a></div>First, I lashed my plastic jugs for recycling to the snapdeck and coasted downhill to the dropoff center, about a mile away. Tossed them in the dumpster. Curious glances from the other SUV wielding recyclers in the facility. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQn_qm4yDNVJGL5H_dVw6JvxHRoweTsF42zrcDpRtHv5PJoHK9WMYHtsgF7OOfMHFzEws63NiHdT51Gr-pWFHuQ_Nr9AL8cYYpRQMP0qR5cxsaogxuzeseqhWTsHz2XBP2DmnBhcCzxJq/s1600-h/SNC00023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQn_qm4yDNVJGL5H_dVw6JvxHRoweTsF42zrcDpRtHv5PJoHK9WMYHtsgF7OOfMHFzEws63NiHdT51Gr-pWFHuQ_Nr9AL8cYYpRQMP0qR5cxsaogxuzeseqhWTsHz2XBP2DmnBhcCzxJq/s320/SNC00023.jpg" /></a><br />
Off to my next errand, the pharmacy for some Rx my kids needed. Rite Aid has a drive thru, which is convenient when unleashing toddlers from carseats is intimidating. Today I was curious to see if it could work. I pulled in behind two cars and waited my turn. The nice old lady that pulled in behind me gav eme a nice wave, but I could see the puzzlement on her face regarding the weird dude in a fluorescent yellow jacket on a strange bike in a drive thru in front of her. Love it. I pulled up to the window, and the pharmacist looks up from her paperwork and her eyes grew wide in surprise. She laughed and said "you're the first bicyclist I've ever had in 12 years working here." Someone had to break the mold, eh? <br />
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Funny thing was my Rx weren't ready, so I said I'd come in to wait. Not happening, there weren't any places, I mean NO OPTIONS for locking up the bike at this location. So, I just got back into line and waited my turn. Eventually they passed me my things, I stuffed them in the freeloader, and away I went.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXTLAvVXgL0P5GDvCIZqDRYYQRwUt5gNRDlEARpiRIWT0hhUo1kRXisx2KhAq5jgc28AHpuCQEssaXfoHPYVcIGNyqHrFbfL15mKpioMzcLKfiEysgvclFQaIAQGPZAjZx3BBR9vydTn6/s1600-h/river's_first_hatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXTLAvVXgL0P5GDvCIZqDRYYQRwUt5gNRDlEARpiRIWT0hhUo1kRXisx2KhAq5jgc28AHpuCQEssaXfoHPYVcIGNyqHrFbfL15mKpioMzcLKfiEysgvclFQaIAQGPZAjZx3BBR9vydTn6/s320/river's_first_hatch.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyXSa7vwyhN_mni_2sjLy4F2DOXDAl66FoKt_ZyBzpW06NF6XJm2oFk4zF3zhCeDuMyY0M1Sntp6vcdzI6d5BOLqeh4GuY7ShY25pp7fEcW0SECcac6Xf-qHZBLxdKsOPODZwBqMNKsM4/s1600-h/first_hatch_of_spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyXSa7vwyhN_mni_2sjLy4F2DOXDAl66FoKt_ZyBzpW06NF6XJm2oFk4zF3zhCeDuMyY0M1Sntp6vcdzI6d5BOLqeh4GuY7ShY25pp7fEcW0SECcac6Xf-qHZBLxdKsOPODZwBqMNKsM4/s320/first_hatch_of_spring.jpg" /></a>Riding along the river today I noticed that the true signs of spring were unmistakably underway. The first hatch of spring aquatic bugs was in full force by the river. Millions of stoneflies were lining the wooden guardrail, soaking in the patchy, pale March sun and flexing their newly inflated wings. What a positive boost that was for me, seeing the mechanisms of life and Nature building momentum for the explosion of life in springtime. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">One would never see this hatch in a car, save for the bug that splatted on the windshield, and then smeared with the wipers. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice day. The added bonus was the faint glimmer of twilight that remained as I commenced my return trip home tonight at 635PM. Spring will be here soon indeed. </div>Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-67002602912969002992010-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:002010-02-06T19:27:35.003-08:00Cold, Snow, and new loads on the X<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDxLuF4egUMDPyl-jqMqUAvbrPhi_jqPui3JigzJg_yUCLCYmkSJy-TPQ8PZeDH9Yc4AmHZ9qn5YmChhh4C0NsneXADfulQOYKlATXpZULkT24XOzj0tbzy9IE65Vm8b2DyhOouke1weq/s1600-h/bikesnowtires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDxLuF4egUMDPyl-jqMqUAvbrPhi_jqPui3JigzJg_yUCLCYmkSJy-TPQ8PZeDH9Yc4AmHZ9qn5YmChhh4C0NsneXADfulQOYKlATXpZULkT24XOzj0tbzy9IE65Vm8b2DyhOouke1weq/s320/bikesnowtires.jpg" /></a>Well, a new semester has begun, and I've managed 3 roundtrips in the past 2 weeks to work despite a hellacious schedule and crappy winter weather. 15mph headwinds, sub-zero temps, snow, rain, etc. Plus it's always well after dark going home.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With my new wheels, Schwalbe studded tires, and lights, I've had a really pleasant experience riding in this ultra-cold weather. The studs are like having miracle shoes on- really hard to slide unintentionally. I climbed the driveway with a quarter inch of ice on it this afternoon easier than my wife could on foot. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C20xJSMkLyqTh3duzqF7klJAsumM4j832MQ4uG-o-Jh9t2NHW1ZvwRJ2GWAdGctXgYTh-gqjf6jScWfwU31J1OZ2gsw85L07fQn1_T2TiF02RzmfuOuWFf2Mt3socSU4wQjNuR0aErPc/s1600-h/biking_n_brewing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C20xJSMkLyqTh3duzqF7klJAsumM4j832MQ4uG-o-Jh9t2NHW1ZvwRJ2GWAdGctXgYTh-gqjf6jScWfwU31J1OZ2gsw85L07fQn1_T2TiF02RzmfuOuWFf2Mt3socSU4wQjNuR0aErPc/s320/biking_n_brewing2.jpg" width="240" /></a>The X was useful this weekend in a different way than I've used it for before- I had a homebrewing weekend planned with my neighbor down the street- so rather than use a car or make several trips on foot, I rode "loaded," and schlepped all my equipment to his house in only a few trips. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The best part was last night coming home when I came out to find a 1/2 inch of new snow covering the road. Rode a few laps around in the dark, with driving snow swirling about (the neighbors are convinced I'm nuts). The Schwalbes are KILLER in the snow and ice. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today I brought the boys over to his house to play with his kids. We didn't walk, they rode the snapdeck (it's all of 1/10 of a mile, flat, no traffic)! They loved it. I'm totally doing it up this summer with seats for them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love the Xtracycle!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-49165215203415850782010-01-27T11:21:00.000-08:002010-01-27T11:21:32.668-08:00New SemesterJanuary, 2010.<br />
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After a hiatus due to crazy schedules, exams, interviews, holidays, etc, I am back in the saddle. This time, I'm armed with a few new pieces that hopefully will make bike commuting safer and more manageable in these short, cold, dark Pennsylvania winter days. <br />
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SunRingle Rhyno Lite wheelset (Thanks, Cycle9!)<br />
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2 Trek Flare 10led taillights at the rear of the Freeradical. <br />
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Rear SKS fender installed and adorned with about a 12" vertical segment of red reflective tape.<br />
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Cygolite halogen dual beam 16w headlight. <br />
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Performancebike Illuminite jacket.<br />
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Best of all, Schwalbe, Marathon Winter studded snow tires.<br />
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First ride in today was cold with a 15mph headwind. Part of the bikepath was covered in mud from a recent flood along the river. But is felt great! Here's to another car-lite semester.<br />
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more later...Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-18395197753141473362009-11-10T17:52:00.000-08:002009-11-10T17:55:54.543-08:00Rode on Wed 10/28, then took a week off due to a minor head cold and a really tough work schedule.<br />
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With riding this week to date, I have 20 commuting round-trips under my belt. My best so far has been 3 trips out of the four days a week I'm in the office. This week I'm shooting for 4/4. <br />
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To date my calculations indicate that I have:<br />
1. hauled a 50 pound bike with gear 240 miles.<br />
2. ground up a 0.7 mile long, 300 foot hill 20 times, totalling 6000 of vertical climbing.<br />
3. expended approximately 16,000 Kcal of caloric energy doing this.<br />
4. not consumed 17 gallons of gas (and thus avoided 323 pounds of CO2 emissions), and saving $50.<br />
4. lost 10 pounds<br />
5. experienced an empowering sense of well being and positivity with my new car-independence.<br />
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Thanks to Xtracycle for making such a good piece of gear that has made it possible for me to change my life and do some good.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-72474239964245285912009-10-27T17:08:00.000-07:002009-10-27T17:13:31.821-07:00Eco-"statistics"Well, these are not official in any way, but here's my summary of the outcomes of my riding thus far.<br />
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I began on 9/14, and have ridden twice weekly for 6 of the 7 weeks (last week rode 3x).<br />
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That's fifteen 12 mile round trips. If I used my truck @ 14 mpg I would have used 13 gallons.<br />
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19lbs CO2 are generated per gallon gas burnt.<br />
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That means I've prevented almost 200 pounds of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.<br />
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Plus I've lost 6 or 7 pounds thus far as well.<br />
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(Some might suggest that the lost fat actually was converted into CO2, and had been safely "sequestered" away from the atmosphere in my body. But at least this is C that operates within the food chain and can be seen as "sustainable" in terms of the rapid uptake of C by plants in this version of the carbon cycle).Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-27413888774517300722009-10-26T21:30:00.000-07:002009-10-27T17:14:04.464-07:00Riding Loaded...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVUOUFgtCxe88K2kcuUCZM6m5nt86SqIA_EBXa_A_MB2R_SOJX-C2dkyJWAPUt-FvcGNHMnY7S1amllYO4PdkvoDjMFzTYSVAMGcZb09VE3XwJmSMgL8FDR4iy7y9x2dafu0eLVCt19vl/s1600-h/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVUOUFgtCxe88K2kcuUCZM6m5nt86SqIA_EBXa_A_MB2R_SOJX-C2dkyJWAPUt-FvcGNHMnY7S1amllYO4PdkvoDjMFzTYSVAMGcZb09VE3XwJmSMgL8FDR4iy7y9x2dafu0eLVCt19vl/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhS9sbN_YhbbGA8kUZneelse3e5bcEM0TxB9QWX7-qa4_rWDqI6tW-oyTmklGWfohQJ5HU0A-C_KVn8MN5YeFP62j2H3djje3iUdP-5vm-sEWL35OcXZHJ65BL-cmv1um5qzNUfT6gQlP8/s1600-h/IMG_0001_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhS9sbN_YhbbGA8kUZneelse3e5bcEM0TxB9QWX7-qa4_rWDqI6tW-oyTmklGWfohQJ5HU0A-C_KVn8MN5YeFP62j2H3djje3iUdP-5vm-sEWL35OcXZHJ65BL-cmv1um5qzNUfT6gQlP8/s320/IMG_0001_1.jpg" /></a>Ride Loaded... as the folks from Xtracycle say. Today I took a bulky but light load of plastic containers, cardboard, and paper to the recycling center. This load also included my briefcase, duffel, lunch, locks, lights, and an empty growler to return to the local brewery. Leaving for town is easy, it's all downhill. Returning is where I frequently wish I had the Stokemonkey electric assist system from <a href="http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/">Cleverchimp</a>.<br />
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A crisp fall day, an easy and useful ride, and on the way home I even had time to stop and chat with old friends I hadn't seen in a while. Would have missed them had I been in a car.<br />
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Great riding, peace to all.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-88461524133917233782009-10-14T17:33:00.000-07:002009-10-14T17:34:17.434-07:00Hauling cargo.Xtracycles are really for hauling cargo, but, I have been chicken to really load up for one reason. I was uncertain of my ability to get back up the hill to my home once I went down (!).<br />
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However, I decided downhill to work was the best way to start, so today I hauled a huge plastic toolbox containing my anthropology class primitive firestarting kit back to school. Zero problems- didn't even know it was there. En route home I stopped at the grocery store and grabbed a gallon of milk and a quart of ale. A benefit of hauling a beer up the hill, one feels ever so much more smug about drinking it once home.<br />
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Super dark, so helmet/headlight, handelbar light, 2 blinkies, reflective ankle bands, all deployed this time. No problems, so I suppose it was a success. It's also getting colder, in the 40s, and it still feels good. <br />
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We'll see about November.<br />
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Side note- a motorist shaved past too close today and when I loudly requested he give me more room (nothing offensive, just loud), he actually stopped in the middle of his lane, rolled his window down, and then cruised alongside me and said that cyclists are supposed to yield to cars. I told him to review the law, and that bikers are afforded the same basic rules of operation as vehicles, and that I was yielding, by riding on the right side of the road. How far over can one get on a two lane, one way street with cars parked on both sides? Get run over or get doored. He just got peeved, and hassled me for a block or two. What's with people?Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-36311096676111780442009-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:002009-10-12T17:35:56.338-07:00Cold Weather, faster riding...Getting in better shape, it seems. Rides to work are averaging less than 25 minutes, door to door. I'm also pretty much warmed up, but not lathered up upon arrival. Colder weather also helps, too. Rides home have been shaved down to 30 minutes. I plastered DOT red & white reflective tape on the bike, and plan to add another blinky for safety. It's getting darker sooner, and I'm getting used to riding in the dark, something I've never done very much.<br />
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I'm more used to the Xtracycle, and am continually surprised at how well it handles. I push it harder and harder and it seems to pretty much do what I ask. Rode with my wife on the snapdeck this weekend, just cruising up and down our street, but that also went well too. I can see how it would work well downtown, but there's no way I could pull any heavy load back up the hill to my house w/o an electric assist setup (or an aneurysm). <br />
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Basically, the riding is starting to become my new normal, and all the "unknowns" seem to have been explored- routes, traffic, locking, handling, gear, loads, etc. It's incredibly liberating to know I can get anywhere around here by my own power. I initially thought I'd need an assist setup, but I'm glad I've done without thus far. When I start delivering my twins to preschool 5 days a week, a Stokemonkey will definitely be in order. For now, it's old fashioned muscle power, and it's fabulous. <br />
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Thus far: September through mid-October, averaging 2 round trips to work per week, 8 trips total, 88 miles, 2760 vertical feet climbed, and 120 pounds of CO2 saved by not driving. Plus, I've lost 5 pounds too, with no change in eating habits (mmm, beer).Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-4499230339620593502009-10-01T17:51:00.000-07:002009-10-01T17:55:59.715-07:00Drafting a bus downtown and drive thrus... on an XtracycleRode Tuesday and Thursday this week, and interesting things abounded. Tuesday the wind was steady West at 15mph- riding to work seemed to be "uphill" the whole way. Riding home was like I had an extra pair of legs under me. Average time to work (5.5 miles) has been 25 minutes, today was 35. Average time home has been taking usually 35 minutes with that mongo hill at the end of my ride- today it was only 25! Backwards day, sort of. Awesome.<br />
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Today it was colder, breezy, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, I had the great fortune to catch a senior citizen bus at an intersection in the city going my way. Serendipity intervened and the bus and I hit all the green lights for about 7 or 8 blocks, so I cruised behind the bus the whole way at about 25-30mph almost effortlessly. One of my greatest adrenaline rushes of all time is drafting a bus, dump truck, van, or any similar vehicle in city traffic, you can fly and people wonder what the (*&(*& just zipped past them. <br />
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I got a lot of weird looks from pedestrians, possibly surprised to see a) an Xtracycle, and b) that such a huge bike was hurtling past them directly behind a bus. I was grinning like a madman. I pulled up beside the bus at an intersection, the bus turning right, I was going left. When the driver looked over at me, she jumped when she saw me, since she had seen me pull behind 8 blocks back nd probably assumed I was long gone. She realized what I had done and gave me a grin and a thumbs up. <br />
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On the way home I detoured to Rite Aid and pulled the Xtracycle into the drive thru lane. After a car pulled away, I eased up to the window, and the clerk was obviously surprised to see some weirdo on a bike with a helmet on instead of the usual SUV clad suburbanite. Funny thing was a colleague of mine from my college walked up to the counter inside the store and was equally puzzled when he saw me, it took him a minute to figure out what I was all about, then he gave me a big smile. The clerk was nice to me and helped me, and off I went.<br />
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Saw another colleague of mine and his significant other en route home, took them a minute to recognize me, and two blocks later, ran into another friend of mine and her friend, stopped to chat. Not easily possible in a car, for sure. Just about home, I looked up into the shrubs along the road (try doing that at 40 mph) and saw three birds nests I never knew were there.<br />
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The things you can do on a bike/xtracycle that you just never get in a car. Great week.<br />
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Later!Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-45514137611690028632009-09-21T18:28:00.000-07:002009-09-21T19:01:36.333-07:00Long bike... even longer trailer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNiLiGeagc8tp2roVPaRdCFG7my8xxtE7GKD41q3mgT0toNtQa_27ZtsPDBbopiYZP9I3AzGUKsFz80IxT_VLSxSqh-2T7ODShjDHhnckliYEOgQM5jSaF1L0OTqD9fpN68ibwtGk1G8_/s1600-h/trailer_0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNiLiGeagc8tp2roVPaRdCFG7my8xxtE7GKD41q3mgT0toNtQa_27ZtsPDBbopiYZP9I3AzGUKsFz80IxT_VLSxSqh-2T7ODShjDHhnckliYEOgQM5jSaF1L0OTqD9fpN68ibwtGk1G8_/s320/trailer_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384104274909786994" border="0" /></a><br />Last Friday my boys wanted to go to the playground. There is no way I could haul them, my bike, and their trailer up the hill to my house, so I cheated and loaded them and my stuff in my truck and drove 2 miles to the bike path by the river. We loaded up the Xtracycle with toys, lunch, clothes, and potty training supplies, and were off. We ended up at a playground a few miles away, and they ran around til they were nearly incapable of walking. Snacks and a picnic were had by all, and we loaded up and rode back to the car. "I like bike rides, yeah, me too" were clearly heard from the peanut gallery I was towing behind me. That was the highlight of the trip for me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaNeEzBxa3jdgd-8upyMIrbuzdxIxFDrjbguXDlkBnskunz4y8MriSgwJT1gYeLK0TuurYLiv1ndsSJNRYthgXR8ETvtCTOwr0Ld-3QFBdAlEab4pmAtYJhEP9uvj6SP3Ydqd_sZ_a38L/s1600-h/trailer_0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaNeEzBxa3jdgd-8upyMIrbuzdxIxFDrjbguXDlkBnskunz4y8MriSgwJT1gYeLK0TuurYLiv1ndsSJNRYthgXR8ETvtCTOwr0Ld-3QFBdAlEab4pmAtYJhEP9uvj6SP3Ydqd_sZ_a38L/s320/trailer_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384106056761162226" border="0" /></a><br />On a technical note, the Xtracycle initially proved challenging to attach my trailer as it had been intended- at the rear wheel axle. I intend to make a double seat setup for the snapdeck as many have done on the internet, but for now this works. Turns out attaching it to the rearmost part of the X, where the Freeloader frames join the Freeradical frame works fine. In fact, it was way smoother than the original bike had been with a trailer. The tail wags the dog no more. It's just LONG.<br /><br />Worked great, kids loved it, I'm a happy rider. Life's good.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-22525587772338161492009-09-21T18:14:00.000-07:002009-09-21T18:25:08.726-07:00Second trip...Today I completed the second trip to & from. Felt less like an idiot and more comfortable with the equipment and the route. Made it driveway to bike rack in 25 minutes flat, return trip in 35 minutes ride time. Felt much stronger and better able to tackle my hill. Didn't have to do much delaying or resting going up today- just went straight up, non stop.<br /><br />In two rides I've had two drivers nearly turn into my path. Reminds me how careful one needs to be in an area where cyclists are rare... drivers just don't see you. I am riding in daylight still, just before dusk, but I still have my flashers on front and rear. I've actually seen drivers pull up to the road and react to the light first, then focus back and see me. Definitely important- like daytime running lights for cars, same principle.<br /><br />In the same two rides, however, I think I said "hi" to at least a dozen different people, smelled different foods being cooked in neighborhood kitchens along the way, and seen back alleys and tucked away corners of neighborhoods I've never seen in the nearly 10 years I've lived here. It's wonderful. Never would you experience that in a car. It must be good for me and these people at a basic human level- positive fellowship with perfect strangers in one's community simply because our eyes met while we were within hearing distance of each other and felt compelled to at least acknowledge each other's presence.<br /><br />Hope to ride at least once more this week... will check back and see.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-74519947152351870552009-09-14T18:19:00.001-07:002009-09-21T18:44:11.339-07:00First rideToday was my first ride to work. Made it there from home in 30 minutes, door to door. Takes 20 by car. Was tricky planning what clothes to bring, etc, but all worked out. Coming home I forgot to keep track of ride time, but noted that it only took an hour to ride home, shower, and eat. So probably wasn't more than 35 minutes home despite the uphill climb.<br /><br />Ride description- mostly flat to gently rolling, but first or last 1.5 miles is a hill that represents almost 300 feet of descent/climb, some of it at up to 27% grade.<br /><br />Some brief musings on car vs. bike impacts:<br /><br />11 miles round trip in 1994 Dodge Dakota @ 14mpg = 15 lbs carbon dioxide emitted to atmosphere.<br />(Based on EPA estimate of 1 gallon of gas combusted creates 19lbs CO2)<br /><br />4 trips per week * 16 weeks in a semester * 15 lbs CO2= 960 lbs CO2<br />960lbs CO2 *2 semesters = 1920<br /><br />Bike: Zero smog, zero noise, zero oil drips, zero PM (particulate matter) emissions.<br /><br />Reasonable estimate is that I reduce my CO2 emissions by half if I ride 50% of the time. Hopefully I can ride more than that, but we'll start small.Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-88424599018707753812009-09-06T19:26:00.000-07:002009-09-21T18:45:04.549-07:00<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn1VS5wMm5ziPnrF4aAoDwIWpy99pjw27Y6jeocnxHwgkzGty4yclOSoyacZLqFSooV4rrpSdU0FviFeav3MzmARXQEWxL30gLoabKWlcr5eq8dnRRaogV-cpovzWyEBHpbAsaT4UO-k9/s1600-h/IMG_3659.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn1VS5wMm5ziPnrF4aAoDwIWpy99pjw27Y6jeocnxHwgkzGty4yclOSoyacZLqFSooV4rrpSdU0FviFeav3MzmARXQEWxL30gLoabKWlcr5eq8dnRRaogV-cpovzWyEBHpbAsaT4UO-k9/s320/IMG_3659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378546465247579442" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />the project bike- late 1980s Gary Fisher Mt Tam plus 2009 Xtracycle Freeradical longloader kit<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOp_MO55rdRSGMCgfckmgXMxOydE4rRkteMm6TM2FnAMeKklhiyMsfo6UNQStBzsU_akvgK7SPMJVbakZtC5Fu5JKzi_HWvKDlDyhyphenhyphenM0h7q2ZnFrHeihf7hLGjAthimDKIakTXoYB44o9/s1600-h/IMG_3662.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOp_MO55rdRSGMCgfckmgXMxOydE4rRkteMm6TM2FnAMeKklhiyMsfo6UNQStBzsU_akvgK7SPMJVbakZtC5Fu5JKzi_HWvKDlDyhyphenhyphenM0h7q2ZnFrHeihf7hLGjAthimDKIakTXoYB44o9/s320/IMG_3662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378548538823606322" border="0" /></a><br />New monster bike parked next to some old iron. 1994 Dakota 4x4, averages 15mpg or so around town. 5000k annually, so hardly driven, but thirsty and polluting just the same.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tI5KeRxppvwEz3d2LKmXQdfyBjfA0nuATimjnRNPY-y8YwZBZp27uc8hbTBnwqKCpabPwAhx84n0pkmnUk-IsBITcmOeVNpeLkLv_BlPYNiYkx06bFPoIz48UEM4DV5m3rJa-XkC-kdr/s1600-h/IMG_3663.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tI5KeRxppvwEz3d2LKmXQdfyBjfA0nuATimjnRNPY-y8YwZBZp27uc8hbTBnwqKCpabPwAhx84n0pkmnUk-IsBITcmOeVNpeLkLv_BlPYNiYkx06bFPoIz48UEM4DV5m3rJa-XkC-kdr/s320/IMG_3663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378548985347175586" border="0" /></a>Front view, with riser handlebars, new Vbrakes, etc. Rides like a limo, but one you have to propel yourself. Long wheelbase makes smooth, easy to ride a straight line. Cool stuff. No loads yet to report on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Below is the final product under a full moon in the beginning of the Pennsylvania fall. Plans are to document rides, functionality, carbon saved, and physical benefit gained. Stay tuned!<br />-r<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmL8p_0zEMtyUaXFRT3QgMaL1MVJrkK_-juxSXViSVxtXkO8k1d9iu45aHgprHOYzfa2XEUJfJs7Ie5-BbEBkoTrr0BumfU58vgD0X9qsFNhpQpC9zykwQao66qmDqACm2sjg60BmxN-F/s1600-h/IMG_3668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmL8p_0zEMtyUaXFRT3QgMaL1MVJrkK_-juxSXViSVxtXkO8k1d9iu45aHgprHOYzfa2XEUJfJs7Ie5-BbEBkoTrr0BumfU58vgD0X9qsFNhpQpC9zykwQao66qmDqACm2sjg60BmxN-F/s320/IMG_3668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378549451136110802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3Fql-nl2vxR-IAUZjrIjXRnMYDVOhnMre9kEVhp6w9zubJJuwz5nxmagCdX3m-u6yg0naBUr0NZMb6g-f_2EwqrROYeM1DZf7Bkb-dhH3sxntoOxXG7K_GeH8S_W5nRvays2akk5ruZF/s1600-h/IMG_3668.JPG"><br /></a>Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085207342295324692.post-52572943707734344542009-09-06T19:23:00.000-07:002009-09-21T18:45:57.034-07:00Welcome to the world of low-footprint thinking.<span style="font-family:arial;">Welcome, this is my first foray into the blogosphere, so forgive the blunders along the way.<br /><br />I'm a professor of environmental science and anthropology at a college in Pennsylvania, and teach about issues related to sustainability almost daily.<br /><br />I decided a few years back that I would slowly work elements of my teaching into as much of my real life as possible, and start calculating the impact </span><span style="font-family:arial;">that these changes have in comparison to the average American and their lifestyle.<br /><br />Go to <a href="http://www.myfootprint.org/">myfootprint.org</a> and calculate your environmental footprint- mine, despite composting, energy savings in the home, home gardening, buying all meat from local growers, etc, still came out to be 4.9 planets if all humans lived the lifestyle equal to mine.<br /><br />This is untenable.<br /><br />My first target for major change is</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> transportation: I only live 5.5 miles to wor</span><span style="font-family:arial;">k, and have decided to start cycling instead of driving my old Dodge Dakota (@14mpg). Gr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">anted I drive it so little (less than 5k/yr) it pales compared to what many Americans do, it still is a lot of gas and pollution.<br /><br />Enter the <a href="http://www.xtracycle.com/">Xtracycle</a>. The good folks at this great company make an awesome product for commuting by bicycle- the <a href="http://www.xtracycle.com/cargo-utility-bicycles/freeradical.html">FreeRadical.</a> You can go with complete bikes, but I had a really cool vintage mountain bike I wanted to re-use (again, less consumption = smaller carbon footprint). Check out the photos in the next post for the build project and final product.<br /><br />Cheers!<br />R<br /><br /></span>Low(er)CarbonLifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288870254235025947noreply@blogger.com0