In praise of Connecticut government!

Connecticut government is much maligned. Rightly so, for the most part, but the General Assembly and Government got their shit together this fiscal year and the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry is running full time. The other night when Dario and I rode it, we even saw Sen. Len Suzio (R) and it's not even his district! Read more!

Klunkerz Tonight!

photo: DirtRag

Join some of your fellow Hartford bike folk this Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM for a showing of Klunkerz at La Paloma Sabanera. Klunkers is a documentary about the early days of Mountain biking in California.

I've been looking forward to seeing this film for a while.

poster images: Charlie Kelly

Read more!

America's Saturday (Continued)

Brendan properly celebrates America's Saturday by bailing before the good parts of a fixed gear century (or so).  I'll finish the story for him.  Salem and I found a new rail bridge at the end of the Airline Trail in East Hampton, and there was some unexpected graffiti.  Salem's routine throughout the day was, "You should put this (25 mile out street art) on the next graffiti tour."  Eye roll.

On our way back in we decided to cut through the Portland Meadows rather than ride the boring and somewhat hilly Route 17.  This is a known mudhole / quad haven, but on past trips I've only seen a couple straggling rednecks.  We ran across what appeared to be every redneck in CT having a bear soaked, mud slinging party.  Salem and I found ourselves practicing our drawl, just in case we had the need to interact.  Unfortunately no photos.  We didn't know if the natives would appreciate the gesture.

After leaving the Mad Maxx excitement we were puttering along idyllic Tryon street in South Glastonbury and were nearly run off the road by an aggressive Jeep pulling a jet ski.  After being told to "get off the road" we were informally challenged to a duel.  Fortunately we were able to wave the jerk on his pissed off way and were surprised to be yelled at again by his girlfriend who had been in the next car back.  We took this opportunity to call the police who were quite responsive.  We took a break and waited for the patrol car to take a statement.

There was some swimming, although I only waded.  You'll notice that Salem wore shorts.  It was an excellent ride, although the premise was questionable.  I was really surprised that Salem had four people take him up on the idea. Read more!

How to properly celebrate America's Saturday

July 4th, no matter what calendar day of the week it is, is Saturday. On such a hallowed day, it's important to show America how great it is by doing something in the American way. For weird cyclists that probably means going on some weird theme ride. So, Salem, the impresario of weird theme rides decided we needed to ride a long way on fixed gear bikes. People still have those things around here. Since it was Saturday, Salem didn't make us get up too early. We met in East Hartford, went to Enfield and then Willimantic. The plan was to return via the airline trail, but it was getting late and I was supposed to go to a cookout and drink beer. I turned around in Willimantic and I don't know if Salem and Tony survived flat tires and swimming. I hope to hear from them again some day.

Read more!

Salvaging cartridge bearings in an orphan headset

For machines that have been essentially unchanged for the past several decades, bicycles suffer from a remarkable amount of planned obsolescence. Today's case in point: the threaded headset.

I've ranted about this in the past, the fact that most of the bikes I see in use on the street have threaded headsets, yet most bike shops don't even keep them in stock. The industry prefers that you buy a complete new bike with a 1 1/8 threadless headset and abandon your aging-but-otherwise-serviceable ride. If your headset has ball bearings and the bearing surfaces aren't damaged, you can renew a tired headset with a fresh set of balls and some grease. If your headset has cartridge bearings, you may not be so lucky, but there's still hope. Here's how I went about it:

My gently-used Breezer Venturi road bike, circa 1995, still had its original 1" threaded carbon fiber fork and Shimano 600 cartridge-bearing headset. I decided to retire the OE fork due to suspicious surface crazing and my general distrust toward carbon of advanced age and unknown provenance. While swapping on a replacement fork, I found the cartridge bearings were lacking a bit in the smooth department. Actually, the top bearing still felt pretty silky, while the bottom cartridge felt downright crusty-- not surprising given the added load and dirt the bottom end of a headset sees on a fender-less bicycle.

A few days of searching showed the bearings to be made of high-grade unobtainium, although there were a few complete new-old stock 600 headsets to be found. While I was chatting with the mechanics at the Bicycle Cellar, one of them suggested that I might be able to pry apart the cartridges and repack them. He was right!

Top left: complete cartridge. Everywhere else: races and retainer from disassembled cartridge.

I started by gingerly prying the assembly apart with an old, well-worn putty knife. This revealed within each cartridge 18 balls held in place by nylon retainers.



Removal of the bearings/retainers revealed very slight pitting (shiny spots, really) on the bearing surfaces-- and also cracked the retainers. I mitigated both problems by installing loose bearings without retainers. I learned this cheapskate trick from Sheldon Brown-- the lack of retainers means you can install more ball bearings and that they will no longer line up with the tiny dents in the old bearing cups. It's technically not quite like new, but I couldn't tell the difference once it was back together. Most 1" threaded headsets take 26 5/32" balls per cup. You want a little bit of play between the bearings.



In this case, the bearings were identical top-to-bottom. With both cartridges repacked, I reinstalled them in the opposite locations from whence they came, so the former road-dirt-eating bottom cartridge can enjoy its golden years in the sheltered luxury of the top cup. I figured this overhaul would be a stopgap measure until I found new bearings, but I'm thoroughly happy with the results and don't feel particularly motivated to change them again. For under $6 in grade 25 loose ball bearings, it feels great. Read more!

Not a good June

So, we only had four posts in June, which is a low point for our venerable blog. And, that is forcing me to write another excuse post. Damn!

In other news, I rode down to the.blow hole last night and continued my battle with the trail braider. While he (I saw him once) keeps moving away the branches, I think I'm winning because the offending braid is showing less and less use.

Oh, there's a semi-new Thai place on park near south Quaker. It's very good. I can't remember the name. I think it's something like "chili mountain".

Read more!

Corporate commuting

As I continue not to write blog posts, my thoughts turn to other things. I've been working in City Place II and I'm impressed that the garage has 2 racks and they're  usually full. There's even a recumbent and a time trial bike. No idea how those things work.

Read more!

GHGT and RR - Be there.

So.  Tomorrow evening (Friday, June 29th) I'm going to ride around Hartford and nearby environs to peruse some choice graffiti.  The not so organized ride will be dubbed - the Greater Hartford Graffiti Tour (GHGT).  You are welcome to tag along (pun intended?).  There is a Facebook invite, but I've heard some people out there still shun Facebook.   Meet up at 5:30PM at the carousel in Bushnell Park.  We'll roll around Hartford, then branch out.  The Hartford bit will be short.  Bring fattish tires and don't expect to ride fast.  It's going to be warm out, so beverages are probably a good idea.

Also, the Real Ride approaches.  Saturday, July 7th a raucous group of lighted revelers will roll about Hartford and converge on the riverfront to watch the Riverfest fireworks from an undisclosed prime location.  Show up at Real Art Ways at 6PM to start the festivities and decorate your steed.  The ride begins at 8PM and we'll catch the fireworks at 9PM. Real Art ways has concessions if you're hungry or thirsty.

Bring your own materials or use those that will be available to bling your bike.  The more glowing, flashing, lighted-ness the better.  This is the fifth one of these, and they keep getting better.  If there be rain, the rain date will be July 8th - same as Riverfest.

Oh yeah.  Both rides are FREE!  So even if you have a horrible time, you didn't waste any of your hard earned dough.  See you there, and spread the word. Read more!

Where have I been?

The beat bike blog means a lot to me. Riding a bike means more. So, I've been pressed for time as of late and I haven't been writing my usual awesomely philosophical blog posts. Actually, I never wrote those.

I blame the fascinating world of being an intern. It's been busy and I have computer access that limits me from blogging. I have been riding a bike and it's been nice. Exotic locations, like Vermont and Cape Cod. Rides where I wore knickers. Rides where I got lost on moose trails. Etc.

However, I remembered today that I could blog from my phone. Maybe I'll try that some more, but does anyone really miss me?

Read more!

An interesting way to deliver a car seat.

I was on my way to my East Hartford community garden on Saturday morning trailering some fencing and posts (both dumpster dive items) when I spotted Matt heading toward Hartford on East River Drive.  I couldn't help turning around, snapping some pictures, and figuring out what he was carrying.

Matt, from Storrs, had stayed in Glastonbury the night before and was on his way to a friend's baby shower in New Britain.  The unwieldy box strapped to the rack of his bike was a baby car seat that he had recycled after another friend's child outgrew it.  The seat was a gift for the shower.  All good stuff.  I was amazed that the box had stayed in place for the ~ 20 mile ride in from Storrs, and that it still had ~ 15 miles to go.  Way to go Matt!

By the way, there are a couple of neat things coming up:

• Shag Frenzy this Saturday night (6/16) at Arch Street Tavern.  The Beat City Beauties (burlesque) will be showcased, and the DJ's are solidly good.  Nothing to do with bikes, but fun nevertheless.  Bonus:  You'll get to watch me dance like a damn fool.
• Sunday, June 17th - The William Laramie Memorial Concert is from noon to about 4PM.  This concert has some amazing bands lined up and is in memory of a musician and cyclist killed by a drunk driver last year on Burnside Avenue.  The show raises funds for East Hartford music education and Bike Walk CT.  A good showing will remind the DOT and City of East Hartford that Burnside Avenue needs to be redesigned to be safer for all road users.
• Friday, June 29th - I'll be riding around the Hartford area looking at graffiti.  Feel free to join me.  Meet up at the Bushnell Park Carousel at 5:30PM.
• Saturday, July 7th - Real Ride V.  Put a bunch of lights and glow sticks on you and your bike.  Ride around Hartford and then party at the Riverfest fireworks.  Sounds like a great time to me.

Read more!

9/11 Truth

9/11 Truth.  Beat Bike Blog.  Our stickers adjacent on the Charter Oak Bridge railing.  Which group is more fringe?

Has anyone met the nutter putting up stickers and tagging 9/11 Truth around the riverfront?

Read more!

I Heart the East Coast Greenway

The first third of my recent Northeast bike tour was on the coast and much of that portion was on the East Coast Greenway.  The ECG has grand plans to connect an off road bike route from Key West, FL to Calais, ME.  In the meantime, it's a patchwork of rail trails, bike paths, and on road segments.  You can pick up cue sheets online.  Several route segments have also been signed by local ECG chapters, for example, the route in coastal New Hampshire.

When you've been futzing with cue sheets and traffic all day it's very relaxing to come upon 5 miles of blissful bike path.  You can comfortably ride two abreast and take a break from incessant 'car back' rejiggering.

I'm going to get off my butt and join this awesome organization.  Perhaps you should too...

By the way, did you realize the East Coast Greenway passes right through downtown Hartford?  I expect this will result in more bicycle tourists calling on me as a Warm Showers host.

Read more!

Three Rules for Maine Drivers

Formulated these guidelines for Maine drivers while recently touring through that fine state.

1)  Things are really far apart so drive your truck as fast as you can.

2)  Don't slow down for anything as that would violate rule #1.  For example, obstacles such as tractors or bicycles shall be passed at full speed.

3)   When passing a slower moving vehicle on a two lane road, give them the full lane because that's the kind of nice guy you are, but try to time the pass for a sharp corner or blind hill.   Pay no mind to approaching traffic, and remember rules #1 and #2.

Once you've mastered these three simple rules you're an honorary Maine'r.

Extra Credit:  A true bred Maine'r will toot the horn from about half a mile back to let you know they are approaching at full speed.

Read more!

Mon Goo Se

I rebuilt my dad's old Mongoose Alta and rode out to Case the other day. While 34:16 is not too bad along the way, with flat pedals it's pretty hard to climb stuff. That's ok. Walking makes you a better mountain biker.

The 1995 Alta was the ne plus ultra of Altas. For some reason, my dad's came slightly better than stock, because it was full STX. Although, in making it a single speed, not much of the STX remains. I made it sort of a singlespeed like five or six years ago, when one of the shifter pods broke. It never worked that great, because while I'm a bad bike mechanic now, I was a really terrible one then.

I returned by cutting through the green spots on Google maps along the Manchester/Glastonbury boarder and ended up in the Glen Lochen mall. I love the Glen Lochen mall. I also found that new Glastonbury bike path, which led me to some turtles.

I stopped under the route three bridge, too.

Yesterday, I went to the Reservoir and found another copperhead.

Also, if anyone has the "MON GOO SE" tshirt from a long time ago, you can give it to me.

Read more!

Yale

I rode up to Boston on Friday for my friend Joe's birthday. I don't know the area between there and here that well passed Vernon, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover things like a cave and the Yale forest in Eastford. The Yale forest had this really pretty dirt road running through it.

Much the route through Connecticut, when nice, had road names like old turnpike or just turnpike. In fact the really nice dirt section was called turnpike, I think. There are not enough unpaved turnpikes these days. I think a dirt mass Pike would be great.

Once I got to Massachusetts, the roads were all terrible for the remainder of the ride. Apparently they haven't invented shoulders in much of that state.

Read more!

Bike to Work this Friday, May 18th

Get on your bikes and ride down to the Old State House  in downtown Hartford for some camaraderie and free breakfast.  I'll see you all there.  There are actually events throughout Connecticut on the 18th, not just in Hartford.

While you're at it, register for the National Bike Challenge.  This is an online tool for logging your bike commute miles where you can compete with friends and other employers to show you're the baddest ass bike commuter(s) in the state.

Some National Bike Challenge Stats:

• Pratt & Whitney is handing it to Travelers.  Engineers trump accountants?
• As of May 13th, Connecticut is ranked 21st of the states in the National Bike Challenge.  This curiously is the League of American Bicyclists most recent bicycle friendliness ranking of our state.
• Mississippi is as expected DFL in state rankings.  Sorry Mississippi, you suck.
• Metro Hartford is whipping the rest of the state on the community leaderboard.  Next runner up is Norwich-New London.

I think we can do better than 21st.  Come on folks!

Read more!

Ghost Bikes Return

Put back up a couple of ghost bikes on Burnside Avenue in East Hartford.  The CT DOT removed the originals last winter before one of the snowstorms, which was understandable.  The only irritating thing was they took them down the day before I headed over to get them myself.  So.... we painted a couple more bikes and replaced the memorials.  Lots of bicycles on the road in May, and everyone could use a reminder that we need to ride and drive safely.

Odd thing, when I was placing the first bike in front of the little grocery store I was immediately approached by "The Press."  It was odd because I'd told no one that I was placing the memorials today.  A friendly reporter from the East Hartford Gazette, who is also a cyclist, had seen me riding down the street with the ghosts in tow.  Recognizing them from last winter, he stopped and got the scoop.  I expect to see something show up in the Gazette in the near future.

With that in mind, the surviving partner of William Laramie, Linda Piotrowicz, is working with friends and family to organize the First Annual William Laramie Memorial Benefit Concert.  The event is Saturday, June 17th at the East Hartford Cultural Center from noon to 4PM.  The band lineup is amazing and entry donations will go to East Hartford school music programs and Bike Walk Connecticut.  Spread the word about the event with this Facebook invite.

On a totally different note, and I think a positive one, I have a P&W intern moving in late tonight for 10 weeks. He doesn't have a car, and I'll be setting him up with one of mine and showing him the routes to and from work.  The intern is actually in my group.  Either this is just a happy coincidence, or there is actually a wave of young college grads that don't automatically think they need a personal automobile.  I've read a recent article to that effect, and know of another friend that is housing a carless intern.  If the baby boomers and gen X'ers can't kick their car addiction, at least we can look to future generations to adapt as we pass from the scene (AKA die off). Read more!

BJ and the bear

There aren't any bears in BJ and the Bear, but I saw a bear yesterday at the Reservoir. It was awesome. I was coming down the fence line on the east side. Right near the house where the asshole throws all his stuff over the fence and into the trail I startled this bear that was in someone's back yard. It took off running along side me and then climbed right up a tree. It was undoubtedly one of the cooler things that I've seen while mountain biking. I'm also quite thankful that a fence separated us and I was traveling downhill.

I encountered two guys who riding in the opposite direction. I told them about the bear, about which they didn't believe me at first. I guess West Hartford doesn't really feel like a bear place.

When I was flipping my wheel to leave. A nice fellow who probably rode through five or ten minutes behind also saw the bear. He also helped me find the wing nuts I dropped that attach my silly bottle opener wrench to the frame.

Apart from the bear, the ride wasn't really all that great. my rhythm was all off and I kept tripping over things.

Read more!

Mountain bike movie

Surprisingly, the genre "mountain biking" is not that big in cinema. None the less, they still make a few of those movie with guys dressed for motorcross on springy bikes. Readers of pinkbike are way into it. Me? I like those Danny MacAskill and Chriss Akrigg videos and bmx videos. The downhill videos have too much erosion and slow motion usually. But, maybe 45 minutes of it will change my mind.

Anyway, the Wadsworth, which house lots of awesome art, will be showing Strength in Numbers on Friday at 7pm. It's only $5 and perhaps it'll strengthen the numbers of the mountain biking community in greater Hartford. You should go.

If you were good at knowing where things are in Hartford, you could have got free tickets. Read more!

The far afield posts begin again

As you know, I like Vermont. Since there was no winter, mud season ended early this year and Johanna and I decided to go up there. That caused me to learn how to do rudimentary plumbing. Next: bike frames!

I rode my old familiar haunts and discovered that some of them had developed Strava segments. This was almost as weird as having marginal cell phone coverage and the synchronized blinking of the wind turbines after dark.

I also ate a lot of fiddleheads. Read more!

Warm Showers, Freestylin', and Mourning

Interesting week.  Hosted my first bike tourer, Stu from the UK, on Wednesday.  I just signed up for www.warmshowers.org, a reciprocal hospitality depot for touring bicyclists.  I had heard of this years ago, but now that I've got a place of my own with an extra bedroom I'm able to participate!  Stu was a fine guest, and I wish him the best of luck on hitting as many US capitols as he can manage.  You'll notice that his touring gear is - a backpack - that's all.

On Saturday, Salem and I wandered north into Massachusetts.  We came across this gem of a stationary bike (Huffy Freestyle) at a tag sale near Agawam, or something.  I can't keep straight any of the nearby MA cities.  Was a pleasant ride, although Salem wouldn't stop complaining about some inside baseball CT NEMBA stuff.

Looks like Brendan is organizing the Ride of Silence in Hartford this year.  Glad he is, since otherwise I'd have to.  If you're not familiar with ROS, it's a solemn memorial ride to remember those lost to cars while cycling.  The ride starts at 7PM from the Bushnell Carousel in downtown Hartford Pond House at Elizabeth Park and will be a slow, silent 10 miles.  Folks often attached signs to their backs or tie black fabric around one arm to show they are in mourning.

Stay safe out there kiddos.  Lots of newbies cycling this year.  If you see them doing something unsafe, clue them in.  Similarly, if you're riding with a friend (who's driving) and they pull an asshole move around a cyclist, let them know they could kill somebody - and it might have been you or someone you know.  There were several cyclist deaths in the area last year.  Let's do our part to lower that number this year. Read more!