Moving by bike.

Posts have been few and short in the past week, as I've been busy moving. Now that I finally have time to post, the material is dated. Not very bloggy, but here goes:


Ryan helps me load the massive 12' trailer at my old house Saturday, Jan. 31. I'll have to help him unload boxes at his new place tomorrow.


For the first load, we crossed the street on foot and Ryan rode on the trailer through the park.

Unloading at the new house with Ryan and roomies, Garrett and Andrea.

We broke for dinner and didn't get the next load over until after dark. Brendan and Boone were handy to help unload.

They may not be trained professionals, but you can't pay pros with beer.

I pulled the last load—mostly bike parts—in a child carriage with my fixed gear. I was cold and tired.

I have a huge backlog of material to post, so watch for stories about commuting, the UO Bike Loan Program, wheelbuilding, the Bike/Ped Summit and more.

If you don't read the UrbanVelo blog,

you miss really neat stuff like this post.

It's about an adaptable, bolt-on rear-end that turns an ordinary bike into a three-wheelin' cargo machine!

From the Lightfoot Cycles TCX page:

Installing a TCX on a bike is perhaps a half-hour project; easily done on a seasonal basis, but not something that you would plan to do and un-do daily or weekly. The bike chain must be lengthened a few inches. The brace attachment point varies according to the bike make and model, and may involve a special clamp.

Wish I had one of those for my move.

more 2009 eugene bike/ped summit pictures

Via chris_was_taken's photostream:

2009 Eugene Bike/Ped Summit

Whew! Really neat event. Was worth getting up at seven on a Saturday. Full report forthcoming. For now, visit Mike Seager's blog and look at his pictures.

riding in the city

I love it.

Visited Portland Tuesday night.

Rode up with Micah for his birthday. We stayed the night.

Wednesday, he visited his family. I saw the city.

There were people riding bikes.

And walking.

Saw this pizza-delivery machine on my way to meet Bryan.

We visited Clever Cycles, which provides for active transport needs in P-town.

Like this front-loading flatbed trike. The whole front end pivots with the wooden bed. That's Bryan on it. Also: many fun helmets.

The Cetma Cargo had just arrived. Fun to ride and compare with its prototype. Hung around and chatted with Martina Fahrner about cargo solutions and working with various independent bike and trailer companies the world over. They are very much connected with the industry of everyday cycling as a part of life as an upright citizen.

The Recyclery is right around the corner, so we stopped in to look around.

This sexy beast jumped out and bit me right away. Feeeel the stencil.

Mmm. Orange flavor.

Pretty, old brakes.

And a miniature version hanging on the wall!

Parked outside.
I spoke with the tight-lipped owner. Don't know what it's for exactly, but the entire chassis is bolted together—no welds. Open floor.

Picked up Michelle at her apartment building. These new Paul Franks were conspicuously cabled together at the edge of the courtyard. Guerilla advertising? Who knows. My bike flirted with them.

Ended up at a bar in the Pearl with Bryan and Michelle. See them inside? Played pool.

Got snap-happy.

Probably took over 30 pictures from the same spot. I think this one alone made it worthwhile.

PDX JAM 2009! Bar-napkin-directions to the MAX station that would take me to the Beaverton Transit Center, where I met back up with Micah to return to the EUG.

a trip to the store

By "store," I mean the Salvation Army on 7th and Jefferson. My roommates and I qualify for income-based food assistance, so we biked to our local pantry to pick up a big box of free food.

Sure, there's a store a few blocks from my house, and this route is nearly three miles and goes through downtown. But I actually enjoyed the ride there, and the food was free. Beat that.

Passing the middle school, I saw this chap snoozing in his car. Window down to feel the sun on his face.

Seconds later, this fellow dozing on the sidewalk. No car, no window to roll down. Also: poppin' hi-tops.

Passing the high school, I couldn't help but notice three bikes locked up in a line, as if on display:

Iconic commuter: road bike, flat bar, fenders. Helmet.

Fixed gear. Brakeless, track geometry, risers. Helmet.

Trials bike. Token saddle, rear disc brake, suspension fork. Helmet.

Each bike is as different as its rider, but they all bike to school, and they all wear helmets. It's not so much that I think helmets are the salvation of humanity, but they're required for ages below 16 in Oregon, and the fact these kids choose to wear them without shame is encouraging. Stuff like this gives me faith in the future.

My roomies, Andrea and Garrett, on their matching vintage Schwinns. Andrea's is a singlespeeded Traveler III with tourist bars and a huge basket. Garrett's riding a LeTour or something with 10 speeds, front and rear racks, fenders, and ridiculous risers. It was red once upon a time, but has since faded to a nice, rosy pink.

Because Garrett and I were injured, Andrea got to look tough and pull the trailer loaded with at least 50lbs of food.

Also:

media mass

Forgot I filmed this until just now. We're such hippies in Eugene, we hug at the end of every footdown.

My friend Ian Summers was at the last checkpoint from Sunday's race. He helped collect the cat litter for Greenhill, made racers do jumping jacks, and has some fun snaps on his flickr. Click through and look at all of 'em, but these are my favs:

Steve (wearing my camera) does jumping jacks.

Mason does jumping jacks.

Nick's jumping jacks.

AJ dismounts.

Here's the first photo in the stream. Start there and look at all of 'em.