Chicago!

It's been far too long since I've visited Chicago, but here I sit! Arrived early this morning, took the train from O'Hare into the middle of the City, and here I sit near my hotel trying to get motivated to do homework. Graduate school is for the birds. Seriously. Who wants to be researching Housing Segregation and Public Health implications when I have Millennium Park and the Chicago Cycle Center (I refuse to call it the "McDonald's" Cycle Center) a stone's throw away?? UGH!

Perhaps I just solved the issue of motivation. As soon as I get some of these articles knocked out of the way, I'll wander over to the Cycle Center and see what I can find. I'll definitely have to snap some pictures, and be sure to pick up some information. Maybe they have implemented some programs that could be implemented at the University Bike Center? What an excellent adventure. We'll see if I actually have time to rent a bicycle and go for a little cruise.

If anyone out there in the blogosphere has some good recommendations for some fantastic, yet affordable restaurants accessible from Monroe and Wabash, don't hold out! :) Thanks!

hdb,

Mackenzie

Cyclopath & Breezer Birthday Bike

Every time I discover something new in the world of bicycling, especially things created/invented/manufactured in the Twin Cities, I feel lucky to live in Minneapolis, and want to tell everyone I know. I share my discoveries with others, whether it's new to everyone, or just new to me.

Due to my current place of employment I have been aware of Cyclopath for quite some time, but hadn't been mentioning it to others, because I hadn't yet used it enough to fully understand its capabilities, until this summer. The site is constantly being edited and improved by its users, and the front page got a snazzy make-over, which had led me to start spreading the word far and wide. I love it, and it has helped my take even more trips by bicycle that I would have waffled on before.

This site is everything wonderful in bicycle route-planning for which I had been longing. Those of us in the seven county Twin Cities Metro now have our very own route planning, way finding, point A to B direction giving tool, distance tracking tool, and it even plans the routes according to riding preferences and comfort. I absolutely love it.

Check it out here at: http://cyclopath.org/

Another reason that I have been biking more than ever (save for still being on my never-ending weight-loss mission)...My partner Jon bought me a brand spanking new bicycle for my 27th birthday! I don't have any pictures of mine yet, but here it is; a sibling of my new Breezer Villager. :) (Photo courtesy of the Breezer website)



My Detours recycled juice box pannier, and all of its great colors, goes well with my new bike. I am quite pleased. Not to mention that the Villager FLIES compared to my 40 lb. Schwinn Continental!

hdb,
Mackenzie

Naughty in Alabama

I saw this NPR story and was forced to read it again, and check the date to be sure it wasn't April 1st.

Really, Alabama? Don't you have more important things to be doing with your time and money? I guess I just don't understand you, Alabama. But, then again, maybe your situation is not mine to understand.

Congratulations, Cycles Gladiator, on a new found niche of novelty. It's like the marketing promo fairy dropped a big golden egg in your lap. Please do good rather than evil with this odd twist of fate.

Favorite line from the article,"So "Fat Bastard" wine is OK but if you think you're going to sell a wine with an artful nude on the label in Alabama, you're just whistling Dixie."

Cycles Gladiator Banned in Alabama

hdb,

Mackenzie

Pedal Pub - FietsCafe

How else would a bunch of bicycle advocacy dorks celebrate a fellow bicycle advocacy dork's birthday? Really.

Sixteen of us took to the streets of downtown Minneapolis for "Minneapolis Bike Guy"s 32nd birthday. It was some hard work to keep the Pedal Pub rolling, but we were determined, and the beer aboard served as our fuel. The pub carries 17, including driver. 10 passengers pedal, while 5 others relax on the seats over the rear wheels, or the bench at the back of pub, while one more tends bar in the center of the vehicle.

The birthday boy opted for the Downtown Minneapolis route. Little did many of us know that it was the same night as the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parade! The parade goers had already set up camp along Hennepin Avenue by 6 pm, when our tour started. It was hilarious to be pedaling this big beast of cycling fun as the crowds waved and yelled in happy exclamation. Not even the most surly of evening commuters, or out-of-towners braving the traffic to get a front row seat for the parade, could help but smile and wave as they passed us during the tail-end of the evening rush hour. There's something about 16 people on a pedal-powered version of a pub-table/bar, complete with beer/wine in hand, that can make anyone stop, smile, and enjoy the moment.

My mom was jealous that I had the chance to experience the Pedal Pub, so I promised her that we would do our best to rent it for her birthday, she'll be 49 this fall. She also reminded me that the Pedal Pub is equipped and tap ready to handle a 16 gallon keg of your favorite beer. Looks like I'll be ordering up a keg of Summit this fall.

Pedal Pub Twin Cities
Photo Courtesy of PedalPub, LLC



Here's some photo-documentation of the event itself, courtesy of the Birthday Boy. If you have the chance to do this, I highly recommend it!


hdb,

Mackenzie

Be Your Own Engine

This is definitely my new favorite campaign. As far as non-motorized transportation is concerned!

I also think the posters with graphics would make fun t-shirts. Perhaps they've already done that though, and I just missed it on the site?

Check out the posters, I might just have to download/order a few!

Be Your Own Engine

hdb,

M

I'm back in the saddle again...

I've know that I would need a new saddle since I bought the one that's currently on my trusty steed. It's a salvaged fake Schwinn looking saddle that I bought from the depths of the One on One bike junkyard. It was awesome for about a minute.

Almost immediately one of the springs came un-sprung from the frame, and now the rough metal edges of the frame are poking through the saddle's exterior right into my bum. It carries my weight unevenly due to screwy springs, and is causing other issues. I only paid about $3.75 for it, so it's far outlasted my expectations! Perhaps it will become a wall decoration in our new home's "Bicycle Bay"? (Otherwise known as a carport to two+ car households.)

Anyone have any good brand/model suggestions, save for Brooks? I would love a Brooks saddle, but not sure that's in the financial forecast at the moment...

Cheers!

Holy Cow!

It's been a long time since I've posted. Things got a little crazy around here.

The rundown:
- Tried to buy a house, closing fell through
- Still had to move out of apartment
- Nomadic Northeasters, stayed w/ friends while homeless
- Baked "Recession Hotdish" for Art-A-Whirl
- Studied for and completed three final exams
- Completed first year of grad school
- Worked on and participated in Bike Walk Week
- Tried to buy same house once more, SUCCESS!
- Moved into new house
- A lot of cleaning, unpacking, and fix-its around the house
- Started full time work for the summer
- Celebrated Jon's birthday

Whew. It's been a whirlwind couple of months.

I've been tooling around on my bike. My commute from the new house to the University is just over 5 miles. I've been testing different routes. I noticed a constant seam/expanding crack along the whole length of 2nd St NE the street all the way from the farthest reaches of NE to SE. I decided to look up the old streetcar maps. Yep, just as I suspected, the glint of steel I saw in the crack at one point was a buried rail. Perhaps 2nd street should be given back to the streetcars, because the rails they paved over so long ago just seem to keep on slurping up the asphalt anyway!

Still keeping an eye out for my next fully outfitted commuter bike. Liking the Masi "SoulVille 7", the Kona "Smoke", and Breezer "Uptown 8". Now, if only my credit union would do as they do in Portland...Bicycle Loans.

How else can I finance a bicycle through my local shop I wonder, short of a credit card?

Cheers!