Miscellaneous Stuph
I’ve been too busy to write (ahem, 20 other authors), but I’ve come across a few things worth sharing. Here they are with no particular relationship other than I found them interesting.
Debunking some myths about the gas tax in a new report
via Transportation for America
Since World War II, the amount of money spent on roads has exceeded the amount raised through gasoline taxes by $600 billion, “representing a massive transfer of general government funds to highways.”
No surprise there. And there’s a good expansion of it on Streetsblog, here.
Where’s the tape in your life? What’s the worst that can happen if you start testing barriers that you feel are insurmountable, but might not be?
Found that one via this post on The Art of Minimalism… which has nothing to do with bicycling, but speaks to me.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The part of this interview I like is how using public transit enriches his life and gives him a connection to the community he didn’t get driving a car. That’s how I feel about cycling. It’s not a money thing or an environmental thing. It enriches my life, connects me to the community and is generally a more enjoyable way to travel.
Our buddy Brian in SoCal has some good tips about biking in the winter rain. Their winter rain is a lot like ours. I like cold rain because I can wear a rain suit and stay dry and clean without sweating.
Tips for Winter Biking (snicker)
In case it gets cold here again for a couple more days this winter. I know Floridians who dress like that when it gets to be 60. Actually, for better tips on extreme winter biking… or just fun company, join us at B3 this Thursday (1/6) at 6PM. Regular CO reader and commenter, John Brooking, will be thawing his beard in Orlando this weekend. Come hang out.
OK. That’s it for now.
Happy New Year!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
And so forth.
is that a hint?
I hope to make an appearance at B3 Thursday!
I’m looking so forward to being there and meeting all of you!!
I see the high’s in Orlando during the time I’m there will be mid-60’s. Meanwhile, the low tonight here is supposed to be 17 (yes, Fahrenheit!), and I’ll be riding my bike to the airport at ~4 AM tomorrow, so I’ll be wearing all my cold weather gear while packing shorts and t-shirts!
Is there long-term bike parking at your airport?
Saturday morning is going to be funny. My bet is the two students from northern states will be dressed for the tropics and the Florida students will be dressed like they’re touring Antarctica. After all, it may be under 50° in the morning! 😉
Yes, there is a long wave rack inside the parking garage! Not secure, but I think as long as I don’t have an expensive bike and leave expensive accessories on it, it’ll be okay for a few days with the U-lock.
JohnB, I enjoyed meeting you last night and, again, welcome to Florida! I wish you good time with the Cycling Savvy class this weekend and safe travels home.
Thanks, Keri, for setting up the good time Judy & I had last night at B3!
By the way, regarding the Tips for Winter Biking link, I discovered on the Wikipedia page for Don Cherry (Canadian sports commentator and former NHL player) the back story behind the references to him and “pinko liberal bikers”. See the last two paragraphs under Political views and controversy. Kind of entertaining… 🙂
As per usual, The Star exaggerates. That’s how to sell papers…
Its not THAT cold to require the “space suit.” Anywhere to about -5C I just throw on my parka, hat and gloves and take off. Below that temperature I’ll also put on an extra sweater and wind pants. It’s never been so cold as to require anything more.
The whole notion of special “cycling clothes” is nonsense. Whatever clothes I wear to go outside in winter are my cycling clothes.
Another way to think of it is that I’ve got a whole closet of cycling clothes. 🙂
As a young adult in Ohio I did some winter riding (late 1970s). I quickly found that wearing a regular winter coat would get me sweating within 20 minutes (my commute to school was 13 miles). So I went with a lighter jacket, rode hard and suffered for the first ten minutes; after that I was comfortably warmed up. Now, I’m sure materials have improved somewhat, but unless you’re wearing GoreTex, I imagine that problem hasn’t changed.
It depends on how far and how fast you’re going to ride. When it drops into the high 20s/low 30s here in Orlando, I bundle up for my commute because it’s only about 15 minutes. That’s not enough time to get my muscles and core cranking out extra heat. If I were riding for a half hour or more at a good pace, I’d want clothing that blocked the wind in front and let heat escape out the back.
@Love “whole notion of special “cycling clothes” is nonsense. Whatever clothes I wear to go outside in winter are my cycling clothes.”
Whatever clothes possibly works if one is riding a mile or two. Works for me getting a coffee downtown, ~3/4 mile. How far do you ride?
Dismissing any winter cycling clothing does not fly if riding 10 miles to work @10-15F with wind chills of 0F or lower. Good technical cycling clothing makes riding much more comfortable once you get over distances of 5 miles year round.
To work is about 8 km. Probably an equal amount in going shopping, bank, library, church, post office, etc. It was -11 C this morning as I headed out to work.
It is my experience that I have to dress more warmly for other winter activities rather than cycling. The exercise of cycling generates heat. It is far colder taking my children to the Santa Claus Parade or watching a hockey game or any other outdoor activity.
Take a look at:
http://www.youtube.com/markenlei#p/u/14/2rETLfzQrIw
Not a stitch of “technical cycling clothing” to be seen.
Winter cycling is very practical and safe with a studded front tire. See http://IceBike.org for lots of info.
tOM