RJ on stunts
Originally uploaded by Rico Stryker
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Interbike On-Dirt Demo Day One
Today I just walked around to talk with people and appreciated the 91 degree temp. Didn't that sound positive about the heat? I thought I'd just post a few pics for today.The Surly bike is not one for fun riding, but for automobile replacement.
The bike closeup picture is of the new BB30 bottom bracket design, that just presses into the frame like a headset. I can't wait until this is commonly used!
Mongoose Test Ride Bike Check Out- Does ANYONE want to ride?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Less Car; More Bike Part Seven of Eight
Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling- James E. Starrs
How expensive is your car? Or truck?
I’m sure we all know where this could go, which should result in a comprehensive “yeah yeah, what ever” response. Let’s look at it from a different perspective.
Where do you park your car while you’re shopping? Chances are the space is either owned or rented, but what does it actually cost? There is the real estate cost of each space, and then the development cost. It was graded, paved and painted, and then there’s probably a light to help you find your place in the dark. If the facility has fewer spaces, the cost per space goes up. If it’s in a parking structure, that’ll change it’s price due to the increased engineering. But let’s settle on $10,000 per space as a starting point. It is usable for several years, maybe as long as 40 years. I hadn’t mentioned maintenance! It’s got to be clean, secure and safe, and it all adds up.
Pretty amazing, right? Think about how many parking spaces an average car uses, one each at home/work/mall/ library/etc. If you couldn’t park there, you wouldn’t go there; right? So what are we up to so far? How many spaces, and at what cost?
Someone pays for each of those parking spaces. The Mall, your employer, the City of whoever. To businesses and governments it’s a mandatory cost. The government is you. Your employer takes it out of your pay, although the math gets a little indirect. You are paying for the cost of all those parking spaces in taxes and cost of your breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert. The cost is added to everything, and you never see it. Who pays? It ain’t them, because there is no them. It’s YOU.
You already know how much gas costs, and your insurance. You might even have a plan to replace your car in the future, and how that’ll change your monthly payment. A car needs maintenance, and repairs. Have you ever calculated how much of each day’s work goes to feed the vehicle? We’ll stop at this point, and also hold up from getting into the political side of what oil costs. People get wildly emotional on that point, and usually pretty quickly.
Let me just finish with this question: When will you start to use a bicycle for daily errands? Think of the impact that will cause if you make it popular!
How expensive is your car? Or truck?
I’m sure we all know where this could go, which should result in a comprehensive “yeah yeah, what ever” response. Let’s look at it from a different perspective.
Where do you park your car while you’re shopping? Chances are the space is either owned or rented, but what does it actually cost? There is the real estate cost of each space, and then the development cost. It was graded, paved and painted, and then there’s probably a light to help you find your place in the dark. If the facility has fewer spaces, the cost per space goes up. If it’s in a parking structure, that’ll change it’s price due to the increased engineering. But let’s settle on $10,000 per space as a starting point. It is usable for several years, maybe as long as 40 years. I hadn’t mentioned maintenance! It’s got to be clean, secure and safe, and it all adds up.
Pretty amazing, right? Think about how many parking spaces an average car uses, one each at home/work/mall/ library/etc. If you couldn’t park there, you wouldn’t go there; right? So what are we up to so far? How many spaces, and at what cost?
Someone pays for each of those parking spaces. The Mall, your employer, the City of whoever. To businesses and governments it’s a mandatory cost. The government is you. Your employer takes it out of your pay, although the math gets a little indirect. You are paying for the cost of all those parking spaces in taxes and cost of your breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert. The cost is added to everything, and you never see it. Who pays? It ain’t them, because there is no them. It’s YOU.
You already know how much gas costs, and your insurance. You might even have a plan to replace your car in the future, and how that’ll change your monthly payment. A car needs maintenance, and repairs. Have you ever calculated how much of each day’s work goes to feed the vehicle? We’ll stop at this point, and also hold up from getting into the political side of what oil costs. People get wildly emotional on that point, and usually pretty quickly.
Let me just finish with this question: When will you start to use a bicycle for daily errands? Think of the impact that will cause if you make it popular!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
i-Bert Seat: Pro reviews at MTBR.com
I don't know of anyone without an opinion one way or the other on this product. I think that an unbiased review should warrant some attention, so here it is.
i-Bert seat review at MTBR.com
For a single-child situation, it may be a great idea for gentle rides on smooth trails. Give it a chance!
i-Bert seat review at MTBR.com
For a single-child situation, it may be a great idea for gentle rides on smooth trails. Give it a chance!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Lance Armstrong is racing off-road?
Yeah, the Leadville 100. It's an extremely tough race, details @ the link below.
http://www.velonews.com/article/81301/lance-armstrong-is-riding-a-tricked-out-23-pound-full
http://www.velonews.com/article/81301/lance-armstrong-is-riding-a-tricked-out-23-pound-full
Monday, July 14, 2008
Delay in the Car:Bike series due to work load
Sorry Faithful Readers, due to travel, class scheduling (Why did I book a class for Bakersfield Tuesday and San Diego Wednesday? That's almost 500 miles in two days. Way too much car time, dummy.) and some work-related legal matters I'm going to have to postpone Part Seven for about one week.
It'll be worth it though. It's amazing how much each space in a parking lot costs that business, and you as the consumer.
See you then!
It'll be worth it though. It's amazing how much each space in a parking lot costs that business, and you as the consumer.
See you then!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Less Car; More Bike Part Six of Eight
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live.- Mark Twain “Taming the Bicycle”
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy
In the last installment we focused on getting started. This time I’d like to note a few waypoints along your progress.
-The amazing value of Baby wipes!
-Pants clips, to keep your pant legs clean vs. the chain. Maybe you don't wear pants at work.
-Are you yelling “HAPPY MAN” at the guy who lives under the bridge, who yells “BIKE DUDE” and waves at you first?
-Where do you change clothes at work? The restroom is not the first choice, right...
-How you now carry your “stuff” (Phone, ID, lock, keys, etc)
-What have you forgotten behind, and had to ride back to pick up?
-Do you make sandwiches with Bagels now, since they’re harder to smash?
-How did you feel riding back from the movie theater, under a full moon?
-Hasn’t the route gotten easier? Can you predict exactly when you’ll arrive now?
-Are ALL your clothes fitting a little looser yet?
-Was it REALLY as bad as you thought it was?
-Have you gotten anyone else started in this process?
Your positive comments are welcomed, next time we’ll discuss how much a car costs per month. It’s a staggering amount, and may make you mad.
BTW- there's a famous bicycle race in France, going on right now. Here's a favorite moment. Note when Tyler Hamilton reminds Ullrich about sportsmanship.
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy
In the last installment we focused on getting started. This time I’d like to note a few waypoints along your progress.
-The amazing value of Baby wipes!
-Pants clips, to keep your pant legs clean vs. the chain. Maybe you don't wear pants at work.
-Are you yelling “HAPPY MAN” at the guy who lives under the bridge, who yells “BIKE DUDE” and waves at you first?
-Where do you change clothes at work? The restroom is not the first choice, right...
-How you now carry your “stuff” (Phone, ID, lock, keys, etc)
-What have you forgotten behind, and had to ride back to pick up?
-Do you make sandwiches with Bagels now, since they’re harder to smash?
-How did you feel riding back from the movie theater, under a full moon?
-Hasn’t the route gotten easier? Can you predict exactly when you’ll arrive now?
-Are ALL your clothes fitting a little looser yet?
-Was it REALLY as bad as you thought it was?
-Have you gotten anyone else started in this process?
Your positive comments are welcomed, next time we’ll discuss how much a car costs per month. It’s a staggering amount, and may make you mad.
BTW- there's a famous bicycle race in France, going on right now. Here's a favorite moment. Note when Tyler Hamilton reminds Ullrich about sportsmanship.
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