Don Poole writes a great report of how the May 20th Goshen Ride of Silence went down, after the jump.
Archive for the ‘Ride Reports’ Category
Goshen Ride of Silence Report
Posted by Adam Bee on May 30, 2009
Posted in Group Rides: Special, Ride Reports | 2 Comments »
Avenue Bicycle Station Community Ride
Posted by lhierony on April 24, 2009
The Avenue Bicycle Station, with the support of the IU South Bend Health and Wellness Center held its first biweekly community (family friendly) bike ride on April 16th at 6 p.m. This was definitely NOT the spandex and carbon fiber group. Approximately 15 people (2 kids, 4 teenagers, and a 70 year old woman) of all biking abilities participated in either a 3 or 8 mile route, starting at the Avenue Bicycle Station on Mishawaka Ave in River Park. In addition to a variety of cycling levels, there was quite a variety of bicycles, including a 1970s modified Schwinn (banana seat!), a folding bike, an adult tricycle, a cruiser, and single speed track bikes. The folks on who participated were unique as well.
Posted in Group Rides: Special, Ride Reports | 2 Comments »
New Tires for the Monkey Bike?
Posted by Henry Scott on April 24, 2009
I used my folding bike to get from South Bend to Argonne National Lab for the third time this past weekend. Getting to the lab on Friday was a breeze but, unfortunately, I got a flat like I did on similar trip to Pennsylvania last summer. I was unprepared (again.. sigh!) and had to run the bike for 3.5 miles in a cold rain to catch Metra.
Posted in Gear, Ride Reports | Tagged: Dahon, Dahon Boardwalk S1, intermodal transportation, Monkey bike chronicles, Multimodal transportation | 9 Comments »
A Good Ride Spoiled
Posted by memooney on April 22, 2009
The first warm-weather ride is always one of happiness and excitement for any cyclist. Unfortunately, my ride was spoiled within miles and served as a reminder that many drivers don’t respect the rights of cyclists.
Posted in Commentary, Ride Reports | 4 Comments »
How’s Your Riding This Winter?
Posted by Henry Scott on January 10, 2009
Matt Mooney and Bruce Spitzer, not deterred, still biking!
Then we had some days near the end of December that gave me pause. It warmed up just enough to produce some slushy ruts in the road — right before temperatures plummeted and froze them in place. Most winters have a few days for which the snow approximates cookie dough consistency, and I simply can’t make my bike go, but there have been very few days that I was afraid to ride. Those icy ruts crossed the line for me. I traveled on foot.
Today looks like riding will be challenging, at least within my neighborhood due to the depth of snow on the streets. It may be another day of walking, rather than riding, but to be honest, I don’t mind. I’ve enjoyed walking more this winter, but then again, I really don’t need to go very far: downtown (home of the wonderful Chicory Cafe and my gym) is only about two miles and my employer is just under one mile from my house.
However, I’ve been wondering how the rest of you, with longer commutes, have been doing this winter. Any stories?
Posted in Commentary, Ride Reports | Tagged: winter biking | 13 Comments »
South Bend to DeKalb (NIU) Via Trains and a Monkey Bike
Posted by Henry Scott on November 22, 2008
I hesitated before buying a folding bicycle because, frankly, I thought I’d hardly use it. And, although it is true that I don’t use it often, the “monkey bike” has added a new dimension to my utility cycling. Now I wonder why I didn’t get one sooner! Here are a few details from my latest trip: from South Bend to DeKalb, IL (home of Northern Illinois University).
Posted in Ride Reports, Routes | Tagged: Bicycle on Metra, Bicycle on South Shore, Dahon Boardwalk S1, Folding bike, intermodal transportation, Monkey bike chronicles | 3 Comments »
Michiana’s First Courteous Mass
Posted by Henry Scott on September 27, 2008
Michiana had its first “Courteous Mass” last night (9/26), and it was a lot of fun! The turnout was perfect for a trial run: not so many that it was unmanageable, but enough that it had a good group feel. All told we had nine riders, several of whom I had not previously met. Definitely a great group of folks!
We started and ended at Leeper Park and rode just shy of four miles through downtown streets; the furthest we made it from Leeper Park was the Coveleski Stadium. I’m pleased to say that we did not have any adversarial encounters with motorists (as intended for courteous mass!).
With the days getting shorter I’m not sure if we’ll be able to do this again next month, but I definitely look forward to the next installment. Stay tuned!
Posted in Advocacy, Group Rides: Special, Ride Reports | 6 Comments »
Bethel College Students Bike to Seattle
Posted by Henry Scott on September 11, 2008
Bill Moor wrote an article for yesterday’s Tribune about two Bethel College juniors who successfully biked all the way to Seattle earlier this summer (LINK). I found this story particularly interesting because neither of them had much cycling experience prior to making the trip: they wanted to go, so they basically just started pedaling!
Posted in Ride Reports | Leave a Comment »
A Tandem, a Tunnel, and No Vision
Posted by Danny Graber on September 8, 2008
“You will crash into the walls because you can’t see and you will be completely disoriented. You will hit the ground,” noted the first local farmer, sipping on his coffee.
“And when you hit the wall you’ll brush off some of the snakes hanging there, and you will be laying there on the tunnel floor with them,” bemused the second.
The third farmer, not to be outdone, chimed in, “Once you’ve made all that commotion and you’re pulling the snakes off you, the bats hanging on the ceiling will free themselves, too, and will get tangled in your helmets.”
Posted in Ride Reports | Leave a Comment »
Back Door Friends are Best
Posted by bspitzer on July 6, 2009
Just inside the back door of the home I grew up in hangs a small, artsy-craftsy sign that reads, “Back door friends are best.” I suppose that sign still hangs by that back door; truthfully, I haven’t checked in years. But I think that’s a very true sentiment. Only your best friends approach your house at the back door. Formal visitors and strangers would never presume to knock on the back door, and most of us would get creeped out by strangers lurking around the back of our homes.
So what does this have to do with biking . . .
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Commentary, Ride Reports | 1 Comment »