http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World Thu, 24 May 2012 19:12:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World Commute Orlando no Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/category/weather/rain/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/07/08/more-advice-for-riding-in-the-rain/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/07/08/more-advice-for-riding-in-the-rain/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:49:30 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=4153 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYyRj4wUjcs Don’t ride through standing water! (Thanks Lyndy )]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/07/08/more-advice-for-riding-in-the-rain/feed/ 2 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/05/13/first-rains-of-summer/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/05/13/first-rains-of-summer/#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 19:16:49 +0000 andrewp http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=3213 It rained on me on the ride home yesterday. I saw one cyclist riding in the rain other than myself.  He was dressed in “roadie attire” on a bike with no fenders.  He was pretty wet with the “dirt stripe” up the back of his jersey …. not enjoying the moment.  But I was quite dry and relaxed, enjoying the cooling effect of the rain. I’m always surprised by the lack of cyclists who refuse to ride in the rain.  I find riding in the rain can be a better ride sometimes than riding in the hot afternoon sun.  There are just certain types of equipment that make the ride more than tolerable … Check out an older article I wrote on rain gear options for the commuting cyclist:   http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/25/dealing-with-the-rain/  I haven’t changed my gear — still use my CampMoor bike cape and water shoes, and of course my bike has full fenders.  I arrive either at work or at home with nothing to dry out but my feet … Rain should not be a reason keeping your from continuing to commute by bicycle.  It just takes a little planning and a little gear to render rain a non-issue. It’s Florida [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/05/13/first-rains-of-summer/feed/ 8 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/16/fun-with-florida-statutes/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/16/fun-with-florida-statutes/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:20:30 +0000 Mighk http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=2440 While teaching a recent Alternative Transportation course for the Florida Safety Council, one student looked at my treadless bike tires and commented that I could be cited for “bald tires.”  I explained that tread is not nearly as important for a bicycle tire as for a motor vehicle tire.  You probably can’t hydroplane a bike tire (unless the roadway is really greasy, but then tread won’t do you any good anyway). But it got me thinking, “What do the statutes say?” 316.610  Safety of vehicle; inspection.–It is a violation of this chapter for any person to drive or move, or for the owner or his or her duly authorized representative to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this chapter, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/16/fun-with-florida-statutes/feed/ 6 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:25:52 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=521 The following video is a segment of what Brian DeSousa shot with me a few weeks ago. This follows the Orange Avenue footage as we turn right and head South on U.S. 17-92 (Mills). Mills Ave. has 15ft curb lanes. They are a foot wider than the FDOT “standard” width which is considered share-able between a bike and car. I have ridden on this road in heavier traffic and used a lane-sharing position to accommodate the traffic flow. Motorists will typically move to the far left of the lane and the passing clearance is adequate. But in light traffic, it is not necessary to accommodate same-lane passing. Motorists can use the left lane easily and without delay or inconvenience. Some notes about the video: In the first 20 seconds we encounter diagonal RR tracks which require us to use most of the lane to cross safely (perpendicular). Our consistent, prominent lane position has encouraged the passing motorists to file into the left lane, giving us the ability to make this maneuver without having to negotiate a merge. We pass several cars approaching from side streets. We are in a prominent position, making us clearly visible to those drivers. There is [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/feed/ 9 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/12/take-the-red-pill/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/12/take-the-red-pill/#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:38:21 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=987 I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it. —Morpheus, from The Matrix Thursday afternoon, I had the honor of riding with Brian DeSousa of Dual Chase Productions. We rode a pre-planned 10 mile route around urban Orlando, then improvised for an additional 11 miles … much of which we rode in the pouring rain. It will take me a while to edit and optimize the all of the video, but I must say, it is amazing! It is the Dance on video. The Redpill cyclist’s view of the road. Here’s an overview: In loop 1, we rode an average speed of 15.5 mph. Our total time was a little over 52 minutes, 13 minutes of that was spent waiting at red lights (and one Amtrak train). The motorists spent more time than us waiting at red lights because they drove faster between them. We had the road to ourselves for at least half, maybe more, of the time. It’s funny how much more noticeable that is when you’re shooting video for the purpose of capturing motorist interactions. Traffic seems to come in 40-second waves. [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/12/take-the-red-pill/feed/ 11 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/22/because-thats-how-it-is/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/22/because-thats-how-it-is/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:49:33 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=810 I just picked up my new Surly at Retro City Cycles. It’s BEAUTIFUL! And Diane Blake said, “It’s going to rain now, because you’re on a new bike.” That’s how it is. And the sky opened up the minute I rolled out of the parking lot. And I was wearing my office clothes (such as they are). And I only had a mile to ride. And I got drenched. And wet jeans weigh more than steel bike frames. And I sure do love fenders! Here’s a sneak preview… more pics and a review will follow when the bike is complete.]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/22/because-thats-how-it-is/feed/ 10 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/25/dealing-with-the-rain/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/25/dealing-with-the-rain/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:55:43 +0000 andrewp http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=338 Right after Tropical Storm Fay, maybe this is timely … In Florida, if you commute in the summer, you stand an excellent chance of getting caught in the rain. You may want to keep yourself dry as well as what you are carrying on your bike. There are several different methods for dealing with the wetness factor. Let’s examine them: Your Body: First, let’s deal with your overall body (minus feet — a separate issue for them). What can we do? Rain isn’t going to hurt anyone, so some folks don’t ever worry about the rain. They accept getting wet as part of the overall experience of riding. I never remember being especially worried about rain when I was a kid, going anywhere and everywhere by (Schwinn Stingray!) bicycle. Every puddle was splashing adventure! So, if you are not worrying about getting anything you are carrying wet — including yourself — the rain can be a relief from the summer afternoon heatwave. This assumes that wherever you end up, someone will hand you a towel at the end of your ride and a dry pair of shoes. If that’s the case, then great — no cost for any rain gear [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/25/dealing-with-the-rain/feed/ 7 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/23/road-hazards/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/23/road-hazards/#comments Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:55:53 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=276 Eric mentioned sticks. There are lots of them out there and those little ones are likely to be a nuisance for days. There are lots of branches, leaves, sand piles and puddles, too. Many of the residential streets still have debris all the way across because they don’t have enough traffic volume to sweep it aside. The bike lanes catch all the debris swept aside on higher-volume roads (fulfilling their purpose of keeping all things undesirable out of the way of more important people). The ground is saturated, so every rain shower now results in standing water on the road. I was on several roads this afternoon where the right half of the lane was underwater. I also saw a lot of new potholes today—all this rain has left some craters in the pavement large enough to swallow your front wheel. Do not ride through standing water—you don’t know what’s in there! Even if you know the road well, its condition may have changed in the past few days. Remember, you are entitled to the full use of the lane. No matter how wide the lane is, it is not “practicable” to ride through debris or standing water. Be careful [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/23/road-hazards/feed/ 0 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/22/watch-out-for-sticks/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/22/watch-out-for-sticks/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:38:18 +0000 Eric http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=272 Last time we went through this, I got a stick caught in my rear derailler that bent it beyond repair. When it stopped raining today I went out to look at the damage in my neighborhood. Riding around, I heard this odd sound that I couldn’t locate. When I got home I took a harder look and found a twig jammed in the bottom idler pulley.]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/22/watch-out-for-sticks/feed/ 0 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/21/a-commuter-bike-for-hurricane-season/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/21/a-commuter-bike-for-hurricane-season/#comments Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:28:27 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=244 ]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/21/a-commuter-bike-for-hurricane-season/feed/ 0