Moronacity Cycling Journal » Entries tagged with "Commuting"
Whirlwind
My mind is a whirlwind. The best thing to do with a whirlwind mind is to keep it busy. Don’t let it think. Thinking is bad. Thinking gets one into trouble. Maybe that’s why so many people from so many places have called me that. True story. Last night, I solicited a response from someone. This morning, I knew that response would be promptly waiting for me. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Bike Culture
Ride of Silence – 2009
I apologize for not posting for a while, but I have some good reasons. I’ve been working two jobs to raise my income to fund my mountain biking projects and my bills. I’ve also been getting out to ride, which is really what it is all about. _______________ Tonight is the Ride of Silence. Riders from all over the world will join together at 7:00 p.m. for a gentle ride. The purpose is to honor those who have died in bicycle-automobile accidents and to raise awareness that cyclists are on the roads. To find a ride near you, click here! Unfortunately, I will not be able to join the Ride of Silence, this year. Due to heavy construction and traffic rerouting, the Houghton Ride of Silence has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Bike to Work Week
Today marks the beginning of Bike to Work Week, part of National Bike Month. It was part of the discussion at tonight’s mountain bike ride and dinner. Apparently, a couple of the Trekkers, our Monday night mountain biking group, were on the radio, this morning. They were promoting Bike to Work Week and talking about their experiences as bike commuters. I’ve commuted in all sorts of weather and have taken many different routes. When I mountain bike, I’ll take the rail-to-trail into town. When I use my cyclocross bike on the road, I have a lot of fun as I race cars through town. Part of the goal of National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week is to promote commuter safety. A large part … Read entire article »
Filed under: Commuting
Timing Perfected
Some people go as far as to call me a brave girl. I don’t really know if I can claim that, but I will say this about myself: I recognize my limits, make a plan, and act on it. Today was a great example. My friends and acquaintances know that I am chronically late. It’s pretty bad. If I say I am going to meet someone somewhere, I usually show up ten or 15 minutes late. It’s pretty bad. I even show up to class late. This bad habit has been acquired over the last couple of years. I used to always be early, even to parties, and found that I didn’t like being by myself twiddling my thumbs while waiting for … Read entire article »
Filed under: Commuting
Zack’s Not-So-Good Friday
On Wednesday, April 8, the proverbial shit hit the fan when Michigan State University International Relations and Journalism major Zack Colman wrote a rather controversial opinion article for the State News. I’m pretty sure that Zack had no clue what he was setting himself up for. Zack delivered lines such as Black 2001 Saturn SC2. That’s the car I drive — and if you’re a bicyclist on the road but not in a bike path and you see my car, I hope you’re wearing a helmet, because I might run you over. But you see, with all these things I can do in my car nowadays, such as choose a different song on my iPod, send a text message while driving or fall asleep at the wheel because I had to wake … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Complete Streets
U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced The Complete Streets Act of 2009. The goal of this bill is to encourage the development of streets that safely support different modes of transportation including automobile, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. S. 584: A bill to ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways. H.R. 1443: Complete Streets Act of 2009: To ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Build Bicycle Facilities With Economic Recovery Funding
Per the March IMBA-SORBA eNews: Ask Your Governor To Build Bicycle Facilities With Economic Recovery Funding Congress has set aside funding for the transportation enhancement program, which funds bicycle and pedestrian projects. However, states have a time limit. If they don’t identify which projects they want to fund, and obligate the funding to those projects, they will have to give back the money. Call or write your Governor now to ensure that important bicycle and pedestrian projects get built. The League of American Bicyclists has an online form to make sure your voice is heard. Dirt Rag also has a very nice write-up: Help Bicycle Projects Get Economic Recovery Funding. Now for something really cool: the League of American Bicyclists has provided an online form that allows you to select and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
A Little Ice Time
I had enough foresight to make arrangements with my friends to meet them at the Keweenaw Brewing Company on Thursday night. I had a biochemistry exam at 7:00, and I knew I would need moral support in the hour following that exam. My evening progressed to The Library to see if one of my biking friends, with whom I’ve never actually biked, was there. He was and we chatted for a bit. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Ghost Bikes Are Sadly Common
The battle between cyclists and drivers continues, and it even worsens in some areas where driving is the predominant mode of transportation, as in Southeast Michigan. With high fuel prices and a dragging economy, the bicycle has become a popular mode of transportation. Unfortunately, many roads were not built with the cyclist in mind; bike lanes are not very common. Therefore, cyclists must share a lane with automobiles, which is the law … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Season Review – Assessment of 2008 Cycling Goals
In March, I wrote about my goals for 2008. I have shown some definite improvements, and have failed miserably in an area that is most important to me. The point of today’s post is to review those goals, assess my strengths and weaknesses, and make a new plan for the fall and winter. Podium Finishes For All My Races In My Age Group; First Place Age Group Finishes For the Keweenaw Chain Drive, Great Deer Chase, and Fat Tire Festival I was a little skeptical about this goal, but I chose to go for it anyway. Unfortunately, I didn’t train quite as well as I could have, but it was pointed out to me that “that is what ever racer says.” Ok, point taken. Since my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cycling
