This has to be the best beer commercial I’ve ever seen. (stolen from Tucson Bike Lawyer, who swipped it from Drunkcyclist.

I should be writing about how messed up and scary Israel’s blockade of Gaza is, but it’s really nice out and I don’t want to bring anyone down.

Ray got me stoked on this video. I hope I can figure out a way to see it without paying 40 bucks for the DVD. I’ve been playing this video lately just for the song.

Better quality from their own site.

I took a post-snow walk today, saw this, and laughed for the rest of the afternoon. It was nice to know I’m not alone (By the way, go rent Michael Franti’s new film, I Know I’m Not Alone). Seriously though. Just yesterday, I helped two people push their cars out of the snow and witnessed three car accidents. Here are other sticker ideas for this masked bandit.

STOP Racism
” ” ” Homophobia
” ” ” Sexism
” ” ” The Global Economy

… other ideas?

Speaking of not driving, I just got my new snow-tires today. I went with TIOGA. They’re for downhill bikes, but because my bike is much lighter than most of those bikes, I should be pretty unstoppable in the snow. I also got myself a new chain. I’m still in the market for a rear derailleur, but the one I got should last me through the winter.

This is my Hummer. Ride safe out there.

My ass was wet all last weekend from riding in the rain. The rains are back this weekend (snow tomorrow?) and I finally broke down and bought a rear fender. I felt a little stupid spending 14 bucks on a piece of plastic that clips onto my seatpost, knowing full well that I could easily make one.

There are several different ways to create your own DIY fender. Last November, during a time when I was pretty hard up for cash—subsisting on apples I stole from neighbors trees—I made my own fender out of one of those gigantic plastic liquid detergent bottles.

It’s really easy: with a sharp knife, cut from the top of the bottle downward. Make sure you make measure the size of your tires and match the width of your fender accordingly. Keep cutting into the bottom of the bottle about three inches. With these three inches of flat plastic, simply zip tie it (multiple times) to your seat post. The same thing can be done with a milk carton, but the plastic of a laundry detergent bottle is significantly stronger.

If you’re worried about total wheel coverage, that will also protect your chain, etc., this guy demonstrates a way to make a fender with a coroplast campaign sign. You can order one of these for free from politicians or, better yet, swipe one from a neighbor you don’t like.

The following story actually took place last night. I’ve edited out the umms, uhs, hmms and other conversational faux-pas on my end that might make me sound stupid.

All weekend, it has been cold and rainy (but isn’t it gorgeous today?!). Instead of grading papers or working on my own stuff, I’ve been watching movies (by the way, go watch A Night on Earth and Paris, je T’aime). On my way to Hastings last night, I was pulled over by a cop; I was on my bike. I was tempted, of course, not to stop. But as the red and blue flashed off the icy road in front of me, I knew running that red light wouldn’t be a big deal and I’d probably slip and get a stupid injury trying to get away.

I ran the light on the south side of campus where the speed limit is 15 (on Knowles, the light you hit going west just before the University St. intersection). There is no traffic besides bikes and walkers that cross there. I slowed down, there was nobody coming so I kept riding. The cop must have been right behind me. My stopping proved to be worthwhile, I think, for both of us.

“Do you have your license with you? Or an ID?”
“No. I’m on my bike.” He wasn’t interested in my Hastings rental card.

The cop was actually pretty cool and totally understood why I did what I did. “I understand, it’s cold and windy and you’ve got your momentum built up. It’s just that we’ve been getting some complaints from motorists about bicyclists not following the traffic laws,” he said.

“Well the traffic laws were never designed with bicyclists in mind. There are actually a lot of biking organizations in this country working to change the laws. You’re right though; there are irresponsible bikers out there. There are a lot of irresponsible motorists as well.

He agreed and we continued to talk as he wrote me up a warning. He asked what laws I would change to accommodate bicyclists.

“I think, for a bicyclist, stop signs should be treated as yield signs—slowing and proceeding when and if it is safe—and stop lights should be treated as stop signs—bikers should come to a full stop and proceed when and if it is safe.”
“Which would still make you in the wrong back there, right?”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m ruining it for everyone!
“I can see it from both perspectives,” said the cop. “Sometimes it seems as though there is a battle going on between bikers and motorists. I understand it from both perspectives.”
I piped up immediately. “Lets be honest though, if everyone were out here on a bike, your job would be a lot easier.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”

Then there was a long pause: he finished writing as I looked at the traffic passing us by. I knew what a wanted to ask him.

“Can I ask you a question, just to satisfy my own curiosity?”
“Sure.”
“What would you have done if I simply kept riding? I mean, I know this area pretty well and I’m pretty quick on this thing. I could have got away if I wanted to.”
“Well honestly, you probably would have got away. I would have followed for as long as it were safe, but doing a big pursuit wouldn’t have been worth the risk.”

He went on to talk about the potential offenses I could have been cited with (i.e. fleeing, endangerment…etc), but also mentioned someone they did catch whom they released without charge. He thought for a second and concluded.
“I wouldn’t make this public information (so I will!), but yeah, there is a good chance nothing would happen to you.”

We each said thank you and goodnight; giggling to myself, I peddled away.

I’m working on a larger two-part writing project about how bike punx will save the world.

The other night, I did a free-write on why I love riding my bike, just to prepare. Here it is.

Why do I love riding my bike? That’s a silly question: it’s just fun. That’s why you “ride” a bike while you “drive” a car. But there is much more than that. Being a cyclist is not just an activity, it’s a lifestyle, an ideology. Riding a bike is freedom. You might own your vehicle, but in my book, as long as you’re pumping gas into it, you’re still paying rent. I get by on my own steam; I know all the best short cuts, and I’m never “stuck in traffic.” I feel healthy and strong yet I never have to make a point to exercise.

I don’t have to rely on anyone, any system, or any roads to go where I want. I ride guilt free knowing that my transportation method is not contributing anything negative to my environment. Nor is the fuel necessary to operate my bike one that shapes foreign policy decisions or help to destroy indigenous and nonhuman communities the world over.

The movement of the bike is perfectly engineered to compliment the natural motion of my body. I hate the wind, but I like that I am affected by the weather. This makes me feel more human, more connected to myself and the world around me. I know every bump, curve, and hill from my daily commute as well as I know my bike, which I regard as an extension of my own body.

I don’t need a license to ride. I don’t pay taxes, nor is my bike registered (though technically, it needs to be registered). I don’t need insurance; I deal with my minor injuries and repairs and learn deeply from them.

In truth the world-view of a cyclist is much different than that of a motorist. We think locally. Our perception of time and space is grounded in physical reality. We’re more acutely and intimately affected by the world around us.

My tail light recently fell off my bike and shattered on the pavement. Carrying that thing around was just another thing to worry about anyway.

“okay, I’m late; I’ve got my helmet, my head lamp, my lock, gloves, hat, change of shoes…blah blah.” I think these lights are a pretty good partial-solution to the havoc of accessories.

Designed especially for drop bars, these ingenious little lights are easy to install and replace the end plugs in your current handlebar.

-Super bright red LEDs can be seen for up to a mile away
-Flashing or steady modes
-Batteries included

Last night, I heard a women getting yelled at on her bike by a driver. He said, “get the hell over to the right side before you get hit!” There was a bunch of rocks and broken glass in the bike lane and she was avoiding it. Just a reminder to motorists, according to Arizona state traffic laws for bikes, bicyclists have the right to a full lane under the following unavoidable and frequent circumstances:

28-815. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths; prohibition of motor vehicle traffic on bike paths

A. A person riding a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:
1. If overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. If preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. If reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals or surface hazards.
4. If the lane in which the person is operating the bicycle is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

I went biking in the woods with a friend of mine yesterday. She took a nasty spill going downhill. She got a slight concussion even with the helmet. It was pretty scary; she was unconscious for a minute, woke up and asked me the same 5 questions over and over again. She wanted to keep going, but I only have one rule when I’m biking: a concussion ends the day.

They should be here in a week or so.

Also hate most “biking” clothes? Someone should buy me these pants.

$70 bucks, but pretty sweet….from Portland Cyclewear.