Spring means bicycles!

Wow. What a weekend. I apologize for no Outdoor Photo of the Week on Sunday.

Actually on Sunday I was out with Jeff at the Bonney Lake Bicycle Shop of Sumner as he was buying a new road bike in preparation of our ride down the Oregon coast for the People's Coast Classic for the Arthritis Foundation.

And he got a sweet Felt bike that I'm sure you'll be seeing in upcoming Northern Ranger videos.

After Jeff got his bike, we attended a bicycle maintenance class at the shop put on by Jim Stevenson.

Jim is the same guy who did the bike fitting that I wrote about last year.

Anyway, it's been busy. But I'm back. And for those of you who enjoy biking, look for more bicycle related posts.

Including a post about Tyler Farrar. Don't know the name? Well you should. He's world class bicyclist from Wenatchee, Washington. So tune back in!

Bicycle rules of the road

The nice weather in the Northwest means that more bicyclists are on the road.

Here's a link to some good bicycle rules of the road.

Read them and make sure you abide by them to stay safe.

Danny MacAskill trials

I'll admit it. I don't read the New York Times. At least not on a regular basis. However, I'm glad I was browsing their Web site today because I found a gem of an article on Danny MacAskill.

MacAskill is perhaps one of the most amazing trials riders. Trials riding is a version of cycling in which riders manuever over and around obstacles. Often performing techniques that many would have thought impossible.

If you have a moment you should read the article. And if you have 5 minutes, you should really check out the video that shot this Scottish kid into international stardom. There are some amazing parts to the this video (like riding on a spiked metal fence) or just wait till the stunt at 3:07.

Bike event for October 17

Looking for something to do on Saturday? Well check out this:

Cascade Bike Club and the Tacoma Wheelmen are doing a good looking event in Tacoma on the 17th (a Saturday).

It will include a workshop on cycling advocacy, a bike tour of Tacoma, and of course bike oriented drinks. What can you do to improve bicycling in Tacoma and throughout Washington? Join Cascade Bicycle Club and the Tacoma Wheelmen on Sat., Oct. 17 for a workshop on bike advocacy.

We'll discuss how we can use our clout to demand better facilities and just laws for bicyclists. Also, the outcome of the bicycle and pedestrian count, and how the data we collect on bicycling is crucial to our safety as bicyclists. Together, we'll strategize on making a difference in Tacoma and working together for better state laws and federal funding of trails and other facilities.

Schedule:

10am - 1pm: Workshop at the Tacoma Main Library,
1pm - 3pm: Bike tour of Tacoma with bicycle planners and special guests (stay tuned for details!) 3pm - eve.: Meet at the Harmon HUB for drinks

Fashion Rules of the Road

It's Bike to Work Week and yesterday I explained bike safety on the road. Today, I'm going to tell you about the Top 10 Fashion Rules of the Road for bikers. Here we go:

1. If you think you look good in spandex, chances are you don't. If you aren't in "bike riding shape" then please, do us all a favor and stay away.

2. While riding, do not make "vroom, vroom" sounds.

3. The 90's killed the neon colors. Biking brought them back.

4. Don't wear those sperm shaped helmets. They are designed for racing and time trials, not for riding your bike to the store.

5. If you wear the full body biking suits, loose the underwear. Don't want underwear lines. (Also, no banana hammocks while biking)

6. Speaking of store, if you're bike has a basket on it (and there are daisies in it) and you're not a 12 year old girl, then don't ride that bike. Sorry Brandon. Now you have to buy a new bike.

7. Huge calves are in.

8. In biking, velcro shoes are cool. In the mall, they are not.

9. Before you drop the $200 on the Livestrong jersey, make sure you like riding.

10. Don't wear striped socks, bowler hat and knickerbockers. That style died when the high wheel bike did too.