Author's posts

Cycling strong at 80

An 80-year-old retired California school teacher did something on his birthday that too few seniors do — he got some exercise by taking a long bike ride.

Ray Houlihan's bicycle ride took him 103 miles around his hometown of Turlock on a December day. He's completed 15 centuries over the past 20 years or so.

“It's just like the mountains. They're there and you want to start riding them” …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/25/cycling-strong-at-80/

Ray Houlihan

Retired California school teacher rides 100 miles on his birthday.. http://www.turlockjournal.com/section/12/article/13346/

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/25/ray-houlihan/

Comparing states and big cities for bicycle commuting and safety

Oregon has the highest rate of bicycle commuting in the 50 states, but South Dakota is the safest state for cycling.

Those are just a couple of findings in the extensive Benchmarking Report for 2012 issued this week by the appropriately named Alliance for Biking and Walking.

The report ranks the state and big cities on levels of bicycling and walking, the comparative risks of those pursuits, and funding for non-motor vehicle transportation.

In most categories, Seattle and Washington state ranks in the top 10 or 15, and the region's Cascade Bicycle Club is singled out for its efforts to encourage bicycling….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/24/comparing-states-and-big-cities-for-bicycle-commuting-and-safety/

Bicycle risk by state

The darker the shade, the riskier the riding. Chart from 2012 Benchmarking Report from the Alliance for Biking and Walking.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/24/bicycle-risk-by-state/

Deteriorating condition of bicycle parked in New York City

Time-lapse photography demonstrates the life-expectancy of a bicycle on a New York City street — about 270 days.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised it lasted that long.

The demise of the bicycle locked up in the Soho district by the staff at design company Red Peak doesn't start until about 180 days into the experiment when the water bottle disappears.

Oddly, the U-lock disappears …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/23/deteriorating-condition-of-bicycle-parked-in-new-york-city/

First bicycle expedition to the South Pole

The last place you'd probably consider for taking a bicycle ride has been conquered.

The hostess of a children's TV show in England is being touted as the first person to use a bicycle as part of an expedition to the South Pole.

The adventurer, Helen Skelton, 28, also traveled 329 miles by kite ski and 68 miles by cross-country ski to complete the 500-mile journey across Antarctica in 18 days.

The bicycle she pedaled for 103 miles across the frozen continent was a US-built Fortune Hanebrink all-terrain bicycle …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/23/first-bicycle-expedition-to-the-south-pole/

Helen Skelton arrives at the South Pole

The British adventurer rode an all-terrain bicycle built in the US by Fortune Hanebrink. Photo from the Sports Relief website.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/23/helen-skelton-arrives-at-the-south-pole/

Weather-related bike-riding conditions improve in Seattle area

This stretch of road might not be recognizable here, but many Seattle area recreational cyclists have no doubt ridden it.

This is a WSDOT photo of Route 202 between Fall City and Snoqualmie Falls taken Thursday after the ice storm swept through the area. (See a summer-time photo below.)

That icy coating followed a snowstorm that already had caused chaos on Puget Sound area roads. In addition to the slick road conditions, the freezing rain on top of snow weighed down trees that toppled across power lines and onto roads.

The conditions here led to the closure of Route 202 …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/22/weather-related-bike-riding-conditions-improve-in-seattle-area/

Giant problem — bike maker recalls 900 bicycles

Giant Bicycle is recalling 900 road bicycles because the carbon fork can crack, creating a dangerous situation for the riders.

The recall involves the Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced model bicycles.

The company and US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends owners stop riding the bikes immediately and contact an authorized Giant bike dealer for inspection and replacement …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/19/giant-problem-bike-maker-recalls-900-bicycles/

Giant bicycle recall

Forks can crack, 900 bikes recalled. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12088.html

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/01/19/giant-bicycle-recall/