April 13th, 2009 by Matt · 1 Comment
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I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was traveling to New Orleans and would be searching for some bike culture. I did not have to look very hard to find it at all. Basically I could not go more than a block or two without seeing a bike or someone on a bike. I have lots of pictures to share, but I wanted to first mention the main reason for the trip.
The actual inspiration for going came from a friend of a friend who just happens to be the CNN Hero of the Year for 2008. Liz McCartney went to New Orleans after Katrina to help out and what she saw inspired her to move there and start the St. Bernard Project. The organization is dedicated to helping those in St. Bernard Parish who lost their homes rebuild.
If you have never been to New Orleans (I never had) there is no time like the present. Not only can you enjoy what the city has to offer, there are bountiful chances to assist those still reeling from Katrina. I highly recommend the St. Bernard Project, however there are lots of organizations doing wonderful work.
Below in the center, holding the piece of dry wall signed by everyone, is the owner of the home we worked on. She is a police officer whose home was mostly under 14 feet of water for weeks. We ended up working with a group of undergraduate students from Ohio State who spent their spring break volunteering.

New Orleans is an imminently bikeable city and although I did not ride while there, if I go back I certainly plan on doing so.
Filed Under: culture
Tags:
city, culture, volunteer
April 12th, 2009 by Matt · No Comments
I lived in Korea for a few years and two noticeably different things I saw upon my arrival were people toting umbrellas in the sun and wearing surgical type face masks as they walked around. Most Americans I know consider it shameful to have an ashen/white appearance and pay a great deal of attention to getting a tan. Most Koreans seem to think of dark skin as the badge of someone who works on a farm and thus most shy away from exposure to the sun. As far as the face masks, they are worn by sick people to halt the spread of germs.
The following is a picture of some Korean cyclists posted on this Korean news page:
The Google language translation page is fun to play with and when I popped the Korean text in it spit out this:
Bike to work every time I talk to is the question, does okay in the air. Air to air dwikkongmuni jotah of a car going, but do more harm anneu concerned to build expressions.
Inappropriate for the city to make cycling in the most serious factors in cities in the world than any of the bad gonggida. The bike is not only in silk. People in the suburbs of the mountains, climbing, walking seoulhyeong chadoreu or write hijapeul. Islam in the face yeoseongman invisible man, even in Seoul, but some of you’re wearing it, and a relatively good mountain air mask, a mask is going.
Obviously some things get lost in translation but I think it is safe to say these folks are worried about air quality issues and not simply making a fashion statement. Anyone from Korea out there feel free to chime in!
Filed Under: commuting, culture
Tags:
air, air quality, bandana, face, mask, pollution
April 10th, 2009 by Andrew · No Comments

Artwork credit goes to Anthony Cozzi
Artcrank is a poster party for people who love to cycle. Artcrank is also about accessibility. Their website states:
Other than walking, biking is the most widely accessible form of transportation, exercise and entertainment in the world - just as the poster is the most widely accessible form of art.
ARTCRANK showcases bicycle-inspired original poster artwork that you can enjoy looking at and afford to take home. Our shows are parties with bike art, not swanky, stuffy affairs. Admission is free. And posters are priced to let everybody who comes to a show go home with at least one piece of original artwork they love.
Tony Cozzi’s ‘Drop Sequence’ poster print is one that will available for purchase at the upcoming Artcrank party in Denver. The show takes place April 11, 7pm-11pm. The location the Fabric Lab on Colfax…3105 E.Colfax Ave (303) 321-3604. If you live in or near Denver and need something to do tomorrow night, it should be a great event. Who knows, you may find your new favorite wall hanging too! If you can’t make the show, ‘Drop Sequence’ will also be for sale online at 12pm Mountain Time on Snowblinded.com for $30 (+$10 for shipping domesting/$15 for shipping international).
Filed Under: admin
Tags:
bicycle, bike, cranks, culture, cycling, party, ride, riding
April 10th, 2009 by Matt · 3 Comments
Michael of pencil bag fame sent along another great idea. Brooks certainly offers up some great quality cycling products, but they also come at a price.
Michael used leather shoe lacing from a sewing department as bar/brake wrap. In his words . .
It is way cheaper than Brooks, but it gives a good look.
Filed Under: gear
Tags:
brake, hand, handlebar, leather, padding
April 9th, 2009 by Matt · 1 Comment
Back in early March PB from MPLS MTB contacted us and pointed us to a DIY longtail/cargo bike he was working on. This is the picture we posted back in March:
The final product is a thing of beauty. In the owner’s own words . . .
FINALLY got a chance to finish up the DIY longtail… the grocery getter is a go. There will likely be some more changes like a rattlecan paintjob and some minor modifications, but for the most part it is complete. More pics in my Flickr gallery.
Full recap on his blog. I myself like the paint job as it is. Ugly is in.
Filed Under: modification, storage
Tags:
bucket, chain, diy, grocery, rack, storage, trailer, transport
April 7th, 2009 by Bren · No Comments
I’m not gonna lie to you here. I think this knit saddle cover is heinous! (via Craft)
Reminds me of my grandma’s old knitted toilet paper covers that sat on the top of her knitted toilet tank cover. If you have a clown bike that sits unused in a corner of your dusty old apartment, maybe this is just the thing for you. But if you actually put in any saddle time, you’ve got to recognize that this thing is a disaster waiting to happen.
At least they made it brown. Heh.
(photo credit: Wardi)
Filed Under: culture
Tags:
craft, knit, saddle, seat
April 6th, 2009 by Andrew · 2 Comments

Photo credit goes to Burley
Burley has been at it for 31 years now, and during that time they have built a solid reputation in the cycling industry and community. Their products are known for being high quality, superior in design and safety, and strength. Burley’s new product lineup features the Nomad, among a few other great trailers for your steed.
Travel the world with the Nomad, designed to easily get around with more than just the shirt on your back. Simple organization with a removable partition allows for any size cargo. With its light-weight, sturdy aluminum frame and two-wheel design, the Nomad easily stays upright and is easy to tow or pull by hand when detached from the bike.
Product stats are as follows:
Trailer weight = 14.5 lbs, 6.6 kg
Capacity = 100 lbs, 45 kg
Large carrying capacity with removable inside space divider and pockets
Low tongue weight design won’t compromise bike handling
Easy to clean fabric
Custom cargo rack accessory available
Safety flag included
16 inch quick-release alloy wheels
Folds to: 32.5 x 19 x 9″ (82.5 x 48.3 x 22.9 cm)
The Burley Nomad Cargo Trailer is available at REI, or visit Burley.com/locator/ for a dealer near you.
Filed Under: admin
Tags:
bicycle, camping, hauling, riding, storage, trailer, utility
April 6th, 2009 by Matt · 3 Comments
Reader Michael sent us a great little front bag hack. He made a handlebar bag from a pencil/makeup bag reinforced with a plastic novelty license plate. All pictures and comments credited to Michael!
The handlebar bag I still have is made from a pencil/cosmetic bag. The bag was a free personal care bag from an international flight. The bracket is from some bicycle accessory. The plastic is a vanity license plate cut to fit. The rest is nuts, bolts, and washers.
The same basic plan can be used to assemble a bag from a lunch/six pack cooler. Many of these coolers come with a plastic tub inside, so the license plate is no longer needed. However, I recommend better hardware, and I would fix one mounting point on each side of the steam. I like to use the stuff commercial electricians use for running metal conduit. For example, threaded rod, conduit hangers, nuts, bolts, and washers. Washers are important.
The plastic needs the reinforcement. Threaded rod can be cut to length. I used the bag made from the cooler when I was touring, and it worked well. Now, I use the smaller bag to hold things I want at reach while commuting or day touring.
Filed Under: commuting, gear, storage
Tags:
bag, handlebar, pencil, storage
April 5th, 2009 by Matt · No Comments
Another great post that I ran across over at BaltimoreSpokes.org (the first being the Death Rides on my left video) is a contest sponsored by the International Bicycle Fund. If you have kids I might suggest sending this along with them to school. Perhaps teachers could give this as an assignment for classes they teach. Details below!
SUBJECT: Your essay may be on any aspect of bicycling (history, touring, racing, commuting, role in society, learning, teaching, etc.)
ENTRY: Essays should be in English, legible and 2-3 pages. Entrants can base their paper on interviews, research, and/or personal opinion.
Girls and boys from all countries are encouraged to participate. You need not be a bicyclist. All essays become the property of the International Bicycle Fund. Decisions of the judges are final.
ENTRY CATEGORIES AND FIRST PLACE PRIZES:
A. Age 8 and under, US$20.00 (up to half of the entry may be illustration).
B. Age 9-12, US$30.00
C. Age 13-16, US$50.00
Additional prizes may be awarded.
DEADLINE: Entry must be postmarked by 1 May and arrive no later than 15 May, each year.
Among the reasons for bicycling are ethics, health, fitness, aesthetics, economics, enjoyment, mobility, access and the environment. There are hundreds of possible topics. Here are some suggestions:
environmental benefits of bicycles, making my town more bicycle-friendly, bicycling and my (my family or friend), why people bicycle, bicycling and health, history of bicycling in my country, important aspects of safe bicycling, bicycle tourism, famous people who have bicycled and why, famous bicycle rides, unique uses of bicycles, teaching someone to bicycle, etc.
Original topics are encouraged. Chose the topic that you can write the best essay on.
Deadline is May 1st. Enter on the International Bicycle Fund Web site.
Filed Under: culture
Tags:
advocacy, children, contest, environment, essay, fund, health, safety, spokes
April 4th, 2009 by Matt · No Comments
One of my favorite artists is Invader. If you are not familiar with the art of Invader, it involves tile mosaics of the invaders made famous by the game Space Invaders. On my personal blog (which has received less attention since starting this one) there are bunch of pictures of his art from a trip I made to Paris. Here’s an example:
We recently got an email from Earthling Ryan who had his milk crate basket invaded - only these invaders are friendly and offer him protection from the weapon of mass destruction know to Humans as the automobile. Other photos can be found on his Picasa page. Live long and prosper Ryan!


Filed Under: commuting, safety, storage
Tags:
basket, crate, milk, photo, reflective, reflector, safety, sticker, storage, transport