August 2007

New Blog

Still playing with it. Much more versatile than Thingamablog, but not as cute and friendly. Anyway...

Here it is!

Change in the Future

I'm looking to change my blog to Pivot. It seems to be really nice and configurable, and more or less what I'm looking for as a web based alternative to Thingamablog. I plan on keeping the remnants of this blog around for posterity, and for people looking for interesting information. We'll see if it happens, though. When it does, I'll post a link.

Bike to Work #37 - Still Rolling

Still rolling! Got stopped by a train, but tried a few new minor route changes. Wore my jacket for the first time today, but took it off after about 20 minutes.

Extreme Rollerblading / Something

Not exactly sure what this guy is doing, but he's passing motorcycles at high speed!

ViaTalk Problem Solved?

I have had trouble with my ViaTalk calls going straight to voicemail on my D-Link DI-614+ router. After playing with various settings, I found one for "gaming mode" that seems to help a lot - I tried it out after this change and did not have any problems so far -- knock on wood.

Bike to Work #36 - Money for Nothing

On my way back home, I spied a credit card lying near the curb of Sterrettania, near the Giant Eagle on 26th Street. I looked through various internet directories and the phone book trying to track the person down, but I didn't feel like paying $9.95 to get their phone number. So, I called the number on the back of the card. They were surprised that I had called to let them know I had found it, and promptly cancelled it. "Most people aren't as honest as you are," said the fellow on the phone. It's a shame that it's probably true. In fact, I was debating on calling it in because of the very real threat of being sued or under suspicion for stealing a card. I'm glad I did, though - I would hope that someone would do the same for me.

Bike to Work #35 - Summer Draws to a Close

Nice rides both ways. It was hot and humid - and my seat was wet - but it was a decent ride. I need to enjoy the rides now, especially before it gets too dark in the mornings. This morning was a bit sunny, but the sun had just peeked over the horizon when I started. It's going to be peeking later and later as winter nears.

2007 JDRF Walk for Diabetes - Presque Isle

The 2007 JDRF Walk for Diabetes will be held on September 23rd at Presque Isle. Check in starts at 8:00 AM with a 9:30 start at Rainbow Gardens.

Bike to Work #34 - Misty Morning

This morning was a bit misty, but the back taillight performed wonderfully. The evening ride was much better...mid 70s and sunny.

Bike to Work #33 - Getting Darker

A bit rainy today. The roads were damp, but nothing to stop me from a fast bike to work. I used my taillight on the way in to provide a bit of warning to the other drivers. It was pretty dim, and I'm expecting it to keep getting dimmer and dimmer as the days get shorter. For me, it's to brave the weather and keep going as long as possible before the night or snow stops me. We'll see how long it goes. My hope is at least to the end of September.

Fry Road Course Map

Here is a map that Joe Orinko drew up for the Fry Road biking course, a "medium" course of 14 miles from Walnut Creek Middle School up to Fry Road, Bearcreek Road, and back again via Heidler Road. Do not be fooled by the little triangle and try to cut it short - that is the most difficult (and most rewarding) part of the entire course. The numbers are elevations, so be forewarned!

Considering Leaving Thingamablog Again

As you may know, I write this blog using Thingamablog, a Java based blogging tool. It seems to work pretty good for what it's for, but I am always considering leaving it to "upgrade" to another set of blogging software such as WordPress, or, SimplePhpBlog or FlatPress, as I am not enamored of SQL based blogs. However, after I poke around a bit, I decide to stay around still as it still fits my needs. It may not be perfect, but I still like it better than most of the stuff out there.

Maybe I'll just clean up my theme again.

Bike to Work #32 - Celebrate Erie

10th street is paved now. Smooth as silk. If you need to bike town, I heartily recommend it. In combination with various "alternate" bike paths, I made it to work in a hair under 44 minutes. A record for me. Time to change out the back tire.

I needed to pick up a rental car afterward. Surprisingly enough, people didn't seem to mind that I wheeled my bike into the Erie International Airport (Tom Ridge Field, if you're nasty). I was waiting for someone to brand me a terrorist. Only got one smart ass remark ("is that our rental car?"). I had to laugh.

Bike to Work #31 - Free Baby

I forgot to mention: on my way to work about two days ago, I spotted a baby in a stroller looking back at me. I didn't see anybody else around, so I got a bit nervous. However, as I passed the house that the baby was parked in front of, the mother came out of the side door. No free baby today.

Hot and windy, but made it to work in about 46:30, an extremely good time. Not sure how I did that one. The days I feel slow, I'm actually fast, and vice versa.

Bike to Work #30 - Thirty Days!

Amazing that I've completed 30 days on the bike. Still got more in me, but it's amazing. If I multiply my trip, around 20 miles round trip (actually, a bit more, but I'll play it conservatively), this comes out to 600 miles! If my car gets 10 miles to the gallon, and gas is about $2.60 now, that comes out to $156 saved. Now that I write it down, it doesn't sound that great, does it? But think of the health benefits! Plus the lack of wear and tear on my vehicle.

It's really hard for me to go back to the car these days. I used it yesterday, and I felt guilty.

Bike to Work #29 - No Sushi

I was going to stop for sushi on the way home, but the parking lot was full.

Bike to Work #28 - Mixed Tires

I got a pair of slick (treadless) tires for my bike. After some screwing around, I ended up with one in the front, and my regular, knobby, mountain bike tire in the back. It performed a lot better than it did with the knobby tire in front, and was much smoother with vibrations. I could really feel the water on the ground, and only had trouble when I turned too hard on a sandy patch. Otherwise, the one in front works wonderfully. I'm still going to change out the back one eventually, but after blowing a tube within 5 minutes of changing the tire, I'm still a bit leery. I got the el-cheapo slicks from Performance Bike - About $5 a piece. I know, I know...big spender. Works for me, though!

Hats off to Tom J., Darren G., and others at work who are starting bike commuting as well! Spread the word!

Visit to Axe Murder Hollow

Went on a bike ride today, and met a fellow and his wife who were looking for Axe Murder Hollow. I've never found it myself, but here is my best guess where it's supposed to be, by using the limitless power of the internet!

Map

For my money, the spooky abandoned house at the corner of Pinetree and Thomas Road is much more thrilling.

Bike to Work #27 - Roar on the Shore

On the way back home along the bayfront, I noted a high number of people sitting for no apparent reason. I asked an older couple what was up, and they let me know the Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally was taking place. I parked on the side and waited, and got to see Peter Fonda bike past, plus several hundred motorcycles, mostly hogs. My favorites were the Indians and the one fellow who had an inflatable doll (you know the type) as his biker chick. Biked down to Saras for a burger, then back home.

Got some slick tires, but I can't get the thorn resistant tube in the back tire -- it's just too thick. I may try riding with one slick up front, and leaving the knobby mountain bike tire in the back. I figure I'd rather play it safe with the thorn resistant tube in the back - those have saved me far too many times - rather than get a minute bit of speed increase with a thinner tube and tire.

Now to put everything back together again.

Bike to Work #25-26 - Rainstorm

Got caught in the rainstorm on Tuesday. It actually wasn't all that bad...I biked 7 minutes, then it was sunny out again. I had plenty of time to dry off. As long as it's not raining when it's time for me to commute to work, I'll definitely consider the ride.

Well, I made my goal of 25 rides for the year. Now to see how far I can go before it gets too dark or too cold.

Interested in Disasters?

Interested in disasters? Then try the International Disaster Database.

Thorn Resistant Tubes

I replaced my son's back tube with a thorn resistant tube after the patch repairs (with Slime patches) didn't take...they still leaked out air. Not sure what I did wrong, but it obviously wasn't working, even after I tried fixing it a second time. His tube had two small holes from rose bush thorns, so hopefully this will stop that kind of stuff in the future. After I changed out my wife's back tube and my own, I haven't had the same troubles.

Bike to Work #24 - One Week!

Well, I completed 5 days in a row to work. I think 3 days would be nicer, with breaks in between to let myself recover. Definately not a bad experience. Plus, I only have one more day to meeting my goal of 25 rides to work. Of course, I'm going to keep biking as much as possible. Yes, it takes a bit longer, but it's more like fun, and something to look forward to at the end of the day.

I'm thinking about starting another website devoted to bicycle commuting, but there are plenty of those around already. I just don't really like them. ☺

Erie Bayfront Commute Made Nicer Thanks to the Convention Center

Not being a supporter of the new Erie (PA) convention center, I did find one thing in its construction that made my life easier: the path along the bayfront has been paved across the train tracks! No more getting my teeth jarred when crossing the two sets of train tracks by the old GAF plant during my bike commute. Go Erie!

Bike to Work #23 - Four Days This Week and Counting...

Awfully rough this morning, but it was a decent ride overall. I got kind of lost on the way home on 16th street, but survived the experience. The desolation made me a bit nervous. The oil on my chain is holding nicely. I think it's making a good difference.

I think the ladies in Frontier Park do yoga on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but I didn't see them on Monday.

Bike to Work #22 - Exhausted

Three days this week. And the ride home was hot and humid, and I felt totally exhausted. The only thing going for it was that I oiled my chain and it is a lot smoother.

Don't know if I'll bike in tomorrow or not...too tired.