Well, now that every other Rivendell loving blog has announced the new Riv bicycle, I’ll do the same.
Announcing the new Rivendell road bike… The Roadeo.
The Roadeo is a sub-20 lb., steel framed, go fast, club oriented, road “racing” bike that will, unsurprisingly, not be made in my size. Unlike any other bike in this category that I know of, it fits up to 35mm tires. (Hello dirt.)
Here’s a short interview with Grant Peterson concerning his new design.
The Rivendell Roadeo
Better cause it’s Austin bike parking we’re talking about this time.
Jason at ATXBS has a post today about a City of Austin request for input on bike rack installment locations. Seems like they have some extra bike racks and the manpower to install them and are looking for your help in deciding where they should go.
Great news! Thanks for sharing Jason.
Finally. No more of this...
The Idaho Stop Law is something I’d like to see here in Texas so I thought I’d throw out some info on it. I’m probably jumping way ahead of myself as Texas, obviously, is so far behind the times we can’t even get a three foot rule past the Governor’s office but seeing how most cyclist’s have there own Private Idaho Stop Law I thought I’d share anyway.
Here’s the actual code:
49-720. STOPPING — TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
(1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the
intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on
another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of
highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through
the intersection without stopping.
(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall
yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person after slowing
to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be
made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.
(3) A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section 49-643, Idaho Code.
(4) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided
that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
And here’s a couple links dealing with the law:
History of Idaho Stop Law by Oregon Cyclist Magazine
Visited the knee doctor today.
Along with the good news that my knees aren’t near as bad off as I previously thought, I also received doctor’s orders to build and ride a geared bike.
The plan is working.
This has been out there for a week or two but I finally got around to looking at it.
Fantastic multi-media montage of photos and video clips by Austin American Statesman photojournalist Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon on the weekly Social Cycling ATX Thursday night rides.
Click this sentence to view and enjoy.
Photo by Heather Loomis
I purchased my first “real” bike in 1983. A Schwinn Voyageur. Nice bike, however, the bike I really wanted, but couldn’t afford, was the Specialized Expedition. A couple of weeks ago I finally, 26 years later, purchased a 1983 Specialized Expedition frame.
Yay!
I’ll post pics of the actual frame soon and attempt to illuminate the slightly murky details of the Specialized Expedition.
What follows is a long but funny Craigslist posting from a link I came across on the iBob list that I feel the need to share and save for posterity. In tribute to bicycle shop employees everywhere… Enjoy.
Date: 2009-05-27, 4:05PM PDT
Whoo-hoo Seattle, the sun is out! Let’s discuss a few things before you fumble with swapping the unused ski rack for the unused bike rack on the Subaru.
So yes, you’ve noticed the sun is out, and hey!- maybe it would be cool to to some bike riding. Let’s keep in mind that the sun came out of all 600,000 of us, so for the most part, you’re not the only one who noticed. Please remember that when you walk into my shop on a bright, sunny Saturday morning. It will save you from looking like a complete twat that huffs “Why are there so many people here?”
Are we all on the same page now about it being sunny outside? Have we all figured out that we’re not the only clever people that feel sunny days are good for bike riding? Great. I want to kiss all of you on your forehead for sharing this moment with me. Put your vitamin D starved fingers in mine, and we’ll move on together to some pointers that will make life easier.
SOME POINTERS FOR THE PHONE:
– I don’t know what size of bike you need. The only thing that I can tell over the phone is that you sound fat. I don’t care how tall you are. I don’t care how long your inseam is. Don’t complain to me that you don’t want to come ALL THE WAY down to the bike shop to get fitted for a bike. I have two hundred bikes in my inventory. I will find one that fits you. Whether you come from the north or the south, my shop is downhill. Pretend you’re going to smell a fart, ball up, and roll your fat ass down here.
– Don’t get high and call me. Write it down, call me later. When I have four phone lines ringing, and a herdlet
of people waiting for help, I can’t deal with you sitting there “uuuuhhh”-ing and “uuummm”-ing while your brain tries to put together some cheeto-xbox-fixie conundrum. We didn’t get disconnected, I left you on hold to figure your shit out.
-I really do need to see your bike to know what is wrong with it. You’ve already figured out that when you car makes a noise, the mechanic needs to see it. When your TV goes blank, a technician needs to see it. I can tell you, if there is one thing I’ve learned from you fucking squirrels, it’s that “doesn’t shift right” means your bike could need a slight cable adjustment, or you might just need to stop backing into it with the Subaru. Bring it in, I’ll let you know for sure.
– No, I don’t know how much a good bike costs. For some, spending $500 dollars is a kingly sum. For others, $500 won’t buy you one good wheel. You really need to have an idea of what you want, because every one of you raccoons “doesn’t want to spend too much”.
FOR YOU INVENTIVE TYPES AND DO-IT-YOURSELFERS:
– Just because you think is should exist, doesn’t mean that it does. I know that to you, a 14 inch quill stem makes perfect sense, but what makes more sense is buying a bike that fits you, not trying to make your mountain bike that was too small for you to begin with into a comfort bike.
– If some twat on some message board somewhere says that you can use the lockring from your bottom bracket as a lockring for a fixie conversion doesn’t mean that A: you can, or B: you should. Please listen to me on this stuff, I really do have your best interests at heart.
– I love that you have the enthusiasm to build yourself a recumbent in the off season. That does not mean however, that I share your enthusiasm; ergo I won’t do the “final tweaks” for you. You figure out why that Sram shifter and that Shimano rear derailleur don’t work together. While we’re at it, you recumbent people scare me a little. Don’t bring that lumbering fucking thing anywhere near me.
A DEDICATION TO ALL THE HIPSTER DUCHEBAGS:
-If you shitheads had any money, you wouldn’t NEED a vintage Poo-zhow to get laid. Go have an ironic mustache growing contest in front of American Apparel, so that I can continue selling $300 bikes to fatties, which is what keeps the lights on.
– Being made in the 80’s may make something cool, but that doesn’t automatically make something good. The reason that no one has ridden that “vintage” Murray is because it’s shit. It was shit in the 80’s, a trend it carried proudly through the 90’s, and rallied with into the ’00’s. What I mean to say is, no, I can’t make it work better. It’s still shit, even with more air in the tires.
SO YOU’RE GONNA BUY A BIKE:
Good for you! Biking is awesome. It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s good for you. I want you to bike, I really do. To that end, I am here to help you.
-Your co-worker that’s “really into biking” knows fuck all. Stop asking for his advice. He could care less about you having the right bike. He wants to validate his bike purchase(s) through you. He also wants to sleep with you, and wear matching bike shorts with you.
– You’re not a triathlete. You’re not. If you were, you wouldn’t be here, and we both know it.
– You’re not a racer. If you were, I’d know you already, and you wouldn’t be here, and we both know it.
– So you want a bike that you can ride to work, goes really fast, is good for that triathlon you’re doing this summer (snicker), is good on trails and mud, and costs less than $300. Yeah. Listen, I want a car that can go 200 miles an hour, tow a boat, has room for five adults, is easy to parallel park but can carry plywood, gets 60mpg, and only costs $3,000. I also want a unicorn to blow me. What are we even talking about here? Oh yeah. Listen, bikes can be fast, light, cheap and comfortable. Pick two, and we’re all good.
ABOUT YOUR KIDS:
Your kids are amazing. Sure are. No one else has kids as smart, able, funny or as good looking as you. Nope. Never see THAT around here.
– I have no idea how long you kid will be able to use this bike. As it seems to me, your precious is a little retarded, and can’t even use the damn thing now. More likely, your budding genius is going to leave the bike in the driveway where you will Subaru the bike to death LONG before the nose picker outgrows the bike.
– Stop being so jumpy. I am not a molester. You people REALLY watch too much TV. When I hold the back of the bike while your kid is on it, it’s not because I get a thrill from *almost* having my hand on kid butt, it’s because kids are unpredictable, and generally take off whenever possible, usually not in the direction you think they might go. Listen, if I were going to do anything bad to your kids, I’d feed them to sharks, because sharks are FUCKING AWESOME.
I hope this helps, and have fun this summer riding your kick-ass bike!
PostingID: 1192150038
I really like the Metal Ride. I do. It starts stupid fast. Usually up the hill on Dawson. No warm up. Just Go. Into oxygen debt immediately. Single speed. Complete anaerobic in ten seconds or less. My head swells from the heat until I feel half crazed. And slightly worried. Red face. The usual suspects of thighs screaming, lungs searing, head swimming apply.
By the time we climb out of the river valley and approach Bannister I can barely speak. Yet somehow I yell, “Right on Bannister” and “Clear”. The extra effort is exhausting but I decide ignoring it is my best option and plow ahead. We stop at the top and pretend to be letting everybody catch up. But breath is what’s caught. Heart rate slowing.
Now… Go! You don’t want to slow a Metal fitness ride down too much.
Somewhere along the way, Tim, the guy on the hybrid… with the stereo… attacks like a demon sent to shame and mock all those who would dare to think they’re fast on their road bikes. Usually there’s some pause as the fast guys assess the situation and try to figure out what the hell is happening. Though, by now, I think they’re getting used to it. The pace is pushed.
Around half way, the front group I’ve been chasing for the last forty five minutes, the ones continually receding into the distance, start to slow a bit. Or maybe there’s some momentary directional confusion. I do have my tactics. I use the opportunity to attack. Everything I have is put into a sprint for as far as I can physically go until someone passes me. If it’s soon, I’ll try to jump on. If not, my resources will gradually wane. Four or five cyclist will pass me like I’m standing still and I’ll have to make the decision. Is there anything left?
Lactate threshold rising.
Closing in on the Bluebonnet Store the temperature drops to a comfortable ninety nine degrees but the cold beer is still welcome. Much nodding of the heads and mutual appreciation.
From here it’s downhill and watch the hell out for the debris in the bike lane. The speed in the darkness down Robert E. Lee with its roughness and oncoming headlights brings an involuntary ear to ear smile. Blinky lights descend.
And the cool, cool waters of Barton Springs. Sweet sweetness.
As the antitheses to all other riding I do, it’s a welcome change. I’m all about conserving energy to ride further. But at some point distance becomes a bit about speed. And so I welcome the Metal ride into my schedule and wish it a long life.
And of course. It’s always good to listen to Ronnie James Dio while sipping free beer at the Jackalope.
Thanks Keith.
The Heavy Metal Fitness Ride departs the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge Mondays at 7:30 pm. Prompt. Last time I heard, your Mother won’t be attending. So. Bring WATER, tube changing necessities, a lock, a swim suit, your id if you’re a drinker and TIP MONEY. You might even check the route map. I wear a helmet as the ride is fast and in the dark. Remember. Head injuries slow rides. And you don’t want to slow down a Heavy Metal Fitness ride. Now do you.
“Derailleurs are for failures.” – unknown source.
Guess what came in the mail this morning…
Fifteen years of single speed only are coming to an end.
Light the Sacrificial Fires… Prepare the Virgins… Begin the Pouring of the Beer… Go tell the Godz of Metal… On Mondays?..
Click for Route Map
Hard Men With Soft Bellies 