Gas Stories

Atlanta is in the middle of a gas shortage. It was created by panic and over consumption from the panic. It is scheduled to go on for another couple weeks.

Earlier conservation today in my office's kitchen as I filled up my water bottle.

Co-worker that lives in my same neighborhood is getting coffee. He is in his early twenties and addicted to driving. We live four blocks apart and he can never remember this.

He says, 'is there any gas around here?'

I reply, 'Citgo and Shell on Peachtree. They both had lines this morning.'

"How much?" he asks after I explain in detail where the two stations are. *Apparently he lives off Peachtree, our office is on Peachtree. He never drives on Peachtree, instead he takes the highway.*

"I don't think they are even posting prices anymore." I tell him. "How close are you to the MARTA station?"

"Like right there, its hardly a walk" he replies with a smirk as he pours his coffee.

"Why don't you take MARTA? It's only $1.75 each way. The Buckhead station is just a block from the office. Round trip it is cheaper than a gallon of gas." I feel like the alternative transportation committee.

"Is that what you do?" I tell him I ride my bike to work, again. He asks me where I live, again.

"Oh yeah, we've had this conversation a hundred times huh" he seems amused.

"Yes we have, I live right by you. You should try MARTA, it'll save you money and gas for more important things like going out on the weekends." It's my last ditch effort to show him benefits that apply to him.

There were a few more details like his excuses for not knowing his schedule at work well enough and his exclamation that riding a bike THAT far is crazy. I tell him that MARTA runs all day and night. It's only 8 miles each way for me and it takes just 25 minutes I told him. I also explained how I 'do it' you know, using the building's gym and all and my exact time schedules which he was fascinated by for some reason. He couldn't believe it takes me less time on my bike than for him to drive on the highway in traffic.

"Hmmm. That's pretty cool. That is a good solution." He rubbed his chin like he was deep in thought about my bike commuting solution to the gas shortage. I didn't bother to tell him that the gas shortage has not caused my bike commuting. But whatever, it seemed to light a little spark in him. Maybe he'll at least try public transportation during this crisis.

**on a side note: I'm not riding for a couple more days, and I missed a ride planed this weekend. I strained a chest muscle (hurts like hell to breathe deeply) last Thursday and am nursing it back to normal. Don't want to push it riding right now. Luckily I drive so little my half tank of gas is sure to last through the 'shortage'.

Cruisin Around Thoughts

Like I mentioned in my ramblings I am downsizing the stable and going with just two (for now):

1. Long Touring Road Bike
2. Commuter/Daily Errands/Nights Out on the town Cruiser

Let's look at my needs here.

My daily commute now is in Atlanta which has perfect weather. Currently that ride is only 16 miles round trip. There are some inclines to consider, however....this commute will soon be transferred to a new location all together so a fancy commuter is overkill. Specifically I will be commuting in Allentown, Pennsylvania in a couple months. That's right I'm moving.... soon. Well we all are- The Biskit, me and the dogs. And the bikes, of course. That really is beside the point- I'm going to be going back to college is the actual point here. I'm not familiar with the terrain up there either, which is posing a real problem in my decision making process.

I'm told the town/area has mountains, as opposed to all the hills here in Atlanta. But I can't imagine the campus(es) having mountains, and the pictures look flat so I'm betting for traditional campus terrain.

Now, this Daily-Commuter-Cruiser-Errand bike has some specific needs as I have visions of what I will be doing with it:

• Riding around campus with books. Potentially LOTS of books and a laptop
• Picking up groceries and dog food
• Hauling other misc stuff
• Going out on the town with the Biskit
• All in just regular daily clothes Chic Cyclist like (please see sidebar link)

Which leads to my wish list:

• Simple, low maintenance (i.e internal hub and coaster brake) I'm so tired of always working on my bikes just to ride them each day- I mean I really suck at the mechanics!
• Rack/basket options
• Easy step thru design
• Kinda fashionable color (i.e. not Turquoise or Purple)
• Chainguard is a MUST
• Fenders also a MUST
• Cushy, Ballooney tires would be fun

Here is the Gary Fisher Simple City 8. I really like the 8 speed internal hub, the internal wiring for a clean-er look, and the basket with stabilizer spring is pretty smart. The step thru design is elegant without looking odd, the leather grips and saddle are sweet too. The double kickstand is a nice touch for loading goods and it has fenders already.

Downside, the chainguard isn't a full cover which concerns me as I'm also sick of grease stains. I'd rather not have any wires and wish it had a light hub too. The tires are 700x32, but they are puncture resistant. The frame is aluminum, which I know makes it lighter, but with the step thru design I have found aluminum feels like a wet noodle with 40 pound loads of dog food. Also the color(s) don't jazz me up, and it's more than I would want to pay at $960 MSRP.

Looking at more affordable options. This blue classic Nancy Schwinn runs an MSRP of $350 and sports a 3 speed internal hub. It has the back rack ready for a basket and fenders over it's "Smooth Rolling Crusier" tires.

Again I like the saddle and grips in the (probably faux) leather and I really like the clean no-wire look as it sports a coaster brake. The color is a nice, blend in-don't stand out classic blue- I can totally picture it in a bike rack can't you?

But it seems to be pretty simple for the money...seems like it'd be in the $200 range to me.

Trek has this adorable cruiser- the Calypso 7 speed. Obviously not an internal hub, as one can see from the out-of-place looking derailleur hanging out under the chainguard like a hairy pair of....never mind. But really doesn't it look out of place? The chainguard is cool in the retro beach style, the paint job is cute with the pink sidewalls.

But the wires and the hairy balls- opps I mean hairy gearing just looks wrong. I can't stop staring at it! And why would they make all the wiring SO obvious too? Trek really shoulda made the wires at least pink or creme to match. That mess looks like headgear from a bad 80's flashback. This would be a cool bike if it had the internal gearing and coaster brake, I would pay $400 for it if it did. But it doesn't and retails for $410.

I haven't really warmed up to the Trek Lime, I know it's out there. I have seen a cool retrofit of it here. I, however, don't believe I have the talent or skills to do that. Now if they sold it like that....

Basically I'm still looking and figuring. I'm open for ANY suggestions at this point.

**Gosh, now that I re-read this I've got some more looking around to do. Where is Consumer Reports when I need them?

Random Thoughts

I know I've been sporadic at best at bloggin these days. My rhythm has been all off, I'm afraid I don't expect it back til Spring either. Alot has been going on, so I'm going to just rattle some things off:

-Last week my computer fell off my bike in the middle of an intersection. I pulled over hoping to maybe retrieve it at the red light. Unfortunately I stood there staring at my little favorite mileage recorder and watched it get ran over by a bus, half dozen cars and then....another bus! Since it was in one piece I had hopes it would survive. It didn't...it was all in one piece but it was dead. I still don't know how it came off. It just sorta jumped off- and I'm sure it was on all the way because I had looked at my mph.

Anyways, I miss it. I haven't been logging my miles since. I feel like I'm riding fruitlessly now with no tracking. Sure I could map my rides online, but I've been too lazy and busy to do it. I've got a rough guesstimate. It's sad each day to ride and see the empty spot of my cateye 8. Everything is all wired up, but I don't know how fast I'm going....

-I took my bike into the shop last week. My disc brakes have been giving me lots of problems. They seem to slip- as is they are so loose, even with weekly adjustments. And they squeak like freakin CRAZINESS!!! I have been cleaning with them with alcohol, but two days later they are back to squeakin crazy. I knew it was a cheap bike with the cheapest disc brakes available so I wasn't expecting much, but it's getting ridiculous. The shop had them working good....for a day! Then they are loose again, too much play in the front. I don't have time to do daily adjustments and cleaning.

-I have started shopping for the 'one' again. I want something that I can do long distances on, faster than the commuter, but more comfortable than my old Trek 1000. This one is going to me my weekend and long ride ride. I'll do regular short commutes on the 'goose.

I think I'm over the whole 'I need disc brakes' thing, I haven't had much better luck with cantilever, so I'm thinking side pull.

Touring frame seems logical, but I rode a Bianchi Velope that was amazingly comfortable.I am sure I want steel, I just like the feel. Which leaves me at - cyclocross or touring?

I've also never purchased a bike without riding it first, so I'm hesitant to just buy. Any suggestions there?

Additionally I've been stuck on Surly. Thanks to Doug for that...

The Cross Check seems so versatile and everyone that has one seems to rave about it. I like that it can morph into a fixie, SS, geared and the tire options.

But I've also heard great things about the LHT...and I like the set up, it looks like what I'm looking for comfort wise.

My price range is around $1000

-I also have been thinking about downsizing the stable. I will post some pictures later and start on this in the next couple we. Decisions to be made....

-It looks like snow might be in my near future. The 'biskit got some good news last week. The moving boxes will be making a showing soon in our living room.

-I'm torn about the Lance debacle. The BIG press conference is starting in a couple hours. I am excited for him to be coming back of course. I am a true lancenite and have defended him in many arguments, I believe in him. And I'm glad that it will bring the excitement of the American (non) cycling fans back to le tour. BUT...BUT I was totally content without him. I had JUST gotten over him and was just this year EXCITED again about the young prospects! Christian and Andy just blew me away this last year, and the Garmin and Columbia boys were inspiring and fun to follow along with. I was feeling like a happy fan again- I had left my disgruntlement back in 2007 where it belonged. I felt as an American fan I had a future again! Then the announcement came. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was happy with Leadville and the brief encounters out there. He wasn't. So he is coming back.

It seems to me only logical that if this is truly for Cancer Awareness, which I believe is 95% of it, then the ONLY logical step is for him to buy Astana and have his own Livestrong Team. I'm with Fatty on this one.

Poor Contador...and Levi...and Christian...This was going to be their year. And because I take the tour personally, and I align myself unwavering with my favorite cyclists I....I hope...I hope that Frank crushes Lance! And then Christian can take the oppertunity to swing around and win it all!

There, I said it. That is my fantasy. I do love Lance, I do believe in Lance- 100%. I don't believe he ever doped. I think he is the most amazing cyclist in history. If anyone can come back and do this, it is Lance. His focus is awe inspiring and jawdropping. In the words of Matthew McConaughey- "Cancer picked the wrong guy to fuck with!"

I also hope that after Lance loses the tour this year that he does it gracefully with honor and a BIG old smile. Then he can go on to WIN the battle against cancer, which if anyone can do, it is Lance.

But of course if he wins the tour, that's cool too. Because I think it's going to be the hardest one ever. I think the pack is going to try to kill him. It will be fun to watch that is for sure. He might get beat up, and he might be on top. I predict it to be up and down....But knowing Lance, I think in the end he could squeak it out with some of his unbelievable inner Supermanpower. Maybe that's the confidence boost he needs to run for President in order to kill cancer.

-I think I need to get a new computer. I feel so lost without my miles counted accurately.

-I'm real glad it's fall. It was 59* this morning on the ride in. I wore long sleeves and shorts. I can't wait to need long pants and a hat. I also need to shop for full gloves.

-Despite the bike issues, it's been a really great week of commuting. Weather is PEEERRRFECT! Gotta love the ATL for that!

Visions in Atlanta

There is some serious city block construction going on in Atlanta right now- the Midtown Mile hasn't started, yet and the Streets of Buckhead in underway.

"Soon to be unveiled, The Streets of Buckhead is the southern address for European style, in the heart of Atlanta's cosmopolitan Buckhead neighborhood."

They both claim to be premier walking and shopping-live-work-communities...Is it just me or is something missing??? Lush wide sidewalks (check)... crosswalks (check)...tree lined window shopping (check)... million dollar highrise condos (check)...bike racks (check)...bike lanes....

Oh that's right...BIKE LANES!!! Since the bikes and bike racks made the vision- you would think they'd have a bike lane on those skinney streets in their renderings! Wouldn't you??

Chastain Park...Classic

9.5 miles each way...not a long ride, but ambitious in that we had not done any part of the route, it was through a neighborhood we did not know with lots of turns, and it would be dark on the way home, and it was a Saturday night. All of that combined, along with us planning to drink a bottle of wine meant we were in no hurry and needed to plan to go SLOW.

It turned into a great night! We left the house at 5:10 in broad daylight and directions partly from one of Jett's bikely.com routes and part from my daily commute. I had written a cue sheet, and didn't think we needed a map. Although we have drove to Chastain for concerts at least a half dozen times, we wanted to allow plenty of time for potential lost sections and to just have a good time. The show started at 8 and we were planning to have dinner nearby.

The weather was fabulous! Sunny, but cool and just a slight breeze. The ride ended up being great too! That Jett sure knows his way around Atlanta on the bike! His routes are always bike friendly! Again I was impressed with the low traffic and surprise bike lanes, also the nice views of the mansions in the elegant neighborhood.

We got to Chastain at 6- ahead of schedule. Before we left the house I did a quick search on nearby resturants, and there was only one. The House Radish, it looked pretty casual on the website so I didn't think anything of showing up with helmet hair, shorts and a tank top on. The customers seemed pretty country-club like, but since it is right down the street from Chastain I figured they were pretty used to people like us popping in. The staff was EXCELLENT! They were super cool, friendly and didn't bat an eye at our clothes and we never felt out of place. The food turned out to be TOP NOTCH! Expensive, but totally worth it (and I never say that)! I highly, highly recommend Horse Radish as a must-do of Atlanta cusine. I look forward to their brunch one Sunday as well. Combined with a nice ride through the area of course.

After a wonderful dinner, we rode our bikes up to Chastain Ampitheater by passing all the chaotic traffic funneling in. Chastain is always an experience, and bringing in your own food and drinks always adds to the festivities! We parked our bikes right by the front door on a handrail that was out of the way. I had my bike bag filled with two bottles of wine, cups, wine key and fresh sugar cookies I made the day before for a late night snack.

Our seats were great, center orchestra...the house pretty much filled up. After the amazing show, we lingered around finishing our wine and waiting for the drunk (soon to be) drivers to clear out. We finally got pretty much kicked out by the staff at 11:00 and unlocked our bikes. We weaved through the drunkest of the partiers who were flagging down cabs and made our way along the North Fulton Golf Course along the sidewalk. With the (probably) drunk drivers and us being a bit tipsy we went super slow on the sidewalk, and then meandered through the dark neighborhood streets back to Peachtree. Again the neighborhood was the perfect bike route, there was very, VERY little traffic and the streets were all in great shape and had relatively adaquate lighting. We actually made it back reading our cue sheet backwards and then again decided for the sidewalks the rest of the way home. It was a very fun, relaxing and SAFE saturday night!

Fixin to...

I have had some bad luck since I started this new blog. It just seems like it's always something that is making it difficult to ride, alot. Now the parents are gone, so I thought I'd be back to my daily routine of commuting. I was excited to start to add some additional miles now that it is getting cooler. After taking most of the last two weeks off my body has recovered nicely from the summer's miles. I feel strong and ready to push to the next level (aka more miles).

It started with a creak, then a slight squeak. Now it's a rough sounding creaking and a really loud squeaking! I will be the first to admit my mechanic skills are challenged at best. Often I feel overwhelmed with all my constant tinkering just to stay riding. Goosey (my daily commuter) needs more TLC than I am able to give right now, I just don't have the skills. Just a few weeks ago I took the wheels off and cleaned every surface I could get to. Afterwards she rode great for about three days. Then the little noises came back even worse and dang-nabit I can't figure out what they are! My favorite local shop closed a couple months ago. I have an appointment this afternoon to drop off at a new (to me) shop by my work. Yes, that unfortunately means I am driving this week**. I'm scheduled for a full tune-up. Hopefully she comes out great and we'll have happy fall and winter months ahead of us!

**this should be another post all in itself...between solbiskit and I we have 6 bikes, yet only 2 are fit for daily riding. Another is ok for small jaunts under 2 miles and without load, the other three are in pieces with lots of parts lying around. On the bright side I think it says alot about our relationship to have bike parts surrounding our bed.

The Good and The Bad

Something bad has happened in the middle of some good it seems. My parents are visiting from Alaska, that is the good. I've been driving, that is the bad.

I offer no explanation other than lack of planning and not wanting to be sweaty when I arrive at the hotel to hang out with them (and shopping with my mother). Is that really bad? It feels bad. Although it feels good to not be sweaty or worry about being smelly in public, fancy places- like smancy restaurants and Bloomingdales. I knew this week would be weird with them in town.

Luckily my car miles are still ahead of my bike miles for the summer, but only just. I am driving to meet them in the next state (Alabama) this weekend. That will add on an additional 250 miles to the vehicle, and 0 for the bike. Which means I'm going to have to rack up some miles here next week on the ol' two wheeler fun machine!

Man I'm itchy to get back riding! Especially since I need to sort out all this craziness and figure out how I feel about it all in my head, alone, on my bike. I'm very mixed about my stance right now.

I will get back to my regularly scheduled riding and posting next week. Til then my friends.......