The Hands Free Cockpit Umbrella must have some advantages over a rainjacket and a hood, but I just can't think of any.
The Hammacher Schlemmer website says it “protects your head and shoulders from wind, rain and snow — and, unlike an umbrella — leaves both hands free …”
Well there's the advantage — the cockpit umbrella is an improvement over using an umbrella while bicycling …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/22/for-the-seattle-cyclist-who-has-everything/
On May 28 the curtain goes up on the 8th annual edition of the Bicycle Film Festival with a five-day run in New York City. From there it takes off on a seven-month tour of the US, Europe, Australia and Asia before landing in Portland in December for this year's final show.
There's more to these events than films about people riding their bicycles. We're talking parties, bands, art shows and more parties.
But at its heart this festival is about bicycling films. The New York City program shows sessions that encompass everything from animated shorts, 5-minute films about bike advocates to feature-length documentaries such as Adventures for the Cure(see trailer above). …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/21/bicycle-film-festival-begins-7-month-tour-in-may/
Today marks the Ride of Silence that honors bicyclists who have died or been injured on public roads. It also raises awareness that we bicycle riders have a right to the road.
At last count, 285 rides are scheduled in 17 countries around the world. The slow, silent processions all start at 7 p.m. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/21/285-rides-of-silence-scheduled-for-today/
Services are scheduled later this week for John Cuchessi, a Southern California bike shop owner remembered for his enthusiasm for bicycling and generosity to customers and others in the community.
Cuchessi, owner of the San Clemente Cyclery since 1974, was riding with the San Clemente Renegades bike club on Sunday when he inexplicably made a sharp right while heading downhill and hit a fence. He died on the way to the hospital.
Anyone with comments or stories about Cuchessi is encouraged to send an e-mail to San Clemente Cyclery at info@sccyclery.com …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/21/san-clemente-bike-shop-owner-dies-in-solo-bike-crash/
New Belgium Brewery kicked off its 2008 Urban Assault Ride series with a first-ever visit to Seattle on Sunday.
Fifty 2-person teams bicycled the meandering course through Seattle and attempted the bizarre and fun challenges along the way, namely bicycle jousting, human wheel-barrow pushing and a big-wheels racing grand finale.
Seven other cities are lined up for the “contest” later on. They are Portland, Austin, Fort Collins, Denver, Madison, Minneapolis, and Chicago (dates below).
I stumbled across the event while cycling along the Burke Gilman trail down by the waterfront on Sunday …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/18/urban-assault-storms-seattle-by-bicycle/
The ride to honor bicyclists killed or injured by motor vehicles gets underway at 261 locations beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in 16 countries.
Ride of Silence is just that, a silent procession. Its purpose is not just to honor those who have been killed, but to remind motorists, police and public officials that bicycle riders have a right to the road.
The ride is free. There is no T-shirt or brochure. Check US Ride Locations or International Ride Locations for Rides of Silence in your area. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/18/ride-of-silence-is-wednesday-may-21/
All the good bicycling love shown around the Puget Sound for Friday's Bike to Work Day didn't prevent the Mercer Island police from keeping a watchful eye open for cyclists blowing stop signs.
These two riders, I obscured their faces, told me Friday morning that they were being ticketed for not stopping at the stop sign on 84th Avenue SE at SE 26th Street (that's at the lower entrance to Luther Burbank Park).
I was unable to interview them about how flagrant they considered their violation after the patrolman asked me to “Please move along” — three times — even though I was off the road in the yard across the street …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/16/mercer-island-to-bicyclists-happy-bike-to-work-day-heres-your-ticket/
If you browse the bicycling blogs — and if you're here, you must — then you're probably familiar with FatCyclist.com. Day in and day out, his is the most entertaining blog of them all.
The blogger's name is Elden Nelson, and just a few weeks ago he and his wife Susan learned that the cancer …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/16/how-to-help-the-fat-cyclist/
Peter Snow Cao founded Bike China Adventures in 1998 and set up his base of operations in Chengdu, the capital city of the Sichuan province that was rocked by Monday's 7.8 earthquake.
He e-mailed out this report earlier in the week about the state of emergency in this city about 50 miles from the epicenter. Most businesses are closed and many people are camping out for fear of staying inside. I contacted him and he said it was OK to reprint it here at Biking Bis.
While you read this, keep in mind that the Chinese state media reports the death toll could soar to 50,000 people. Some 20,000 are confirmed dead and 25,000 are believed buried in the rubble of towns leveled by the quake.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a global appeal for $19 million to support the expected 100,000 survivors over the next 12 months (press release).
Emergency relief will form the focus of the first phase of the proposed operation, helping to purchase, amongst other things, 3,000 tents, 100,000 quilts, 100,000 food parcels and 2,000 boxes of water purification tablets. Long term relief will go toward building at least 1,000 homes.
Residents of the US can donate to the relief effort in China through the American Red Cross (tax deductible). If you're from another country, check the list at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Peter's e-mail: …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/15/bike-tour-director-reports-from-china-quake-zone/
Lots of bike commuting news out there for Bike to Work Week. Just remember: you can commute next week, next month and all year, too.
— The Seattle Times is offering a live online Q&A with two bike commute specialists beginning at noon on Thursday. Ask Chris Cameron (Cascade Bicycle Club) or Every Day (Bicycle Alliance of Washington) any questions regarding the routes of equipment in advance of Friday's Bike to Work Day.
— Reuters goes to Taipei to report “Bicycle makers ride high”:
“Rising petrol prices, growing awareness of environmental issues and the popularity of cycling as a recreation sport has fuelled a surge in demand for bicycles around the world.”
The story goes on to report a 14.6 percent sales increase in European Union in past five years, as the US climbed 9 percent in same period.
— Rails to Trails Conservancy lists its Top 10 ways to build a bike commuting habit:
1. Functional bike;
2. Helmet …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2008/05/14/more-bike-to-work-week-stuff/
Adventure Cycling Association Trail biking Rails to Trails Conservancy League of American Bicyclists
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