That last photo looks like the result of a horrible accident. Glad to know it's a feature and not a bug!
Wow. Only one bar (basically). How much does it weigh?
Woo! It's cute, and good for you!
You need to do some serious tricking out of that bike, of course.
Which reminds me, I wonder if Tweety ever procured his dream bike.
I believe it claims to be 11 kg -- it's in the 'easy to lift, a hassle to carry a couple of blocks' range.
Get something like Topeak's Alien. Toss it in your bag and you'll have most of the tools you'll need.
Everything I own is outdated. I should aspire to buy something new that isn't edible.
8: I guess you wouldn't be interested in the gingerbread bike I'm selling.
You need to get some hydraulics so that you can make that low-rider hop.
OT: Obama's "I'm a laid back, super-cool badass with swagger" media persona is starting to become a little bit of a shtick, isn't it? Thought provoked while watching him do his thing during this Allstar Game.
Obama's "I'm a laid back, super-cool badass with swagger" media persona is starting to become a little bit of a shtick, isn't it?
Was it ever not?
It still works, even if it's self-consciously theatrical, I think -- he's not going for perfectly natural and unaffected, it's supposed to be apparent as schtick.
Yay, LB's bike. Looks great. How are you finding the ride?
It rides like a regular bike -- maybe a little bumpier over bad pavement, but really not noticeable.
I endorse mcmc, although I landed on the Alien ][. As a bonus, with one of those you can wrap your hand around it and punch people in the face as needed.
I'm hurting my face grinning at people.
Yay! I actually like the looks quite a bit; I'm always big on well-designed.
max
['Now all you need is a dirt race track.']
19: Looks like "Old Svc Expo(?)"
What is it with people and naming bikes, and assuming that other people with bikes have named theirs, and then giving them genders?
What is it with people and naming bikes ships, and assuming that other people with bikes ships have named theirs, and then giving them genders?
--you might as well ask.
That custom is old and ingrained enough that I don't think there's much point in asking its current practitioners, though it would indeed be interesting to know about its origins! Presumably related to the cultural importance of ships to seafaring peoples, though I don't have any idea how widespread the practice is among seafarers.
Then perhaps the practice of naming and engendering bikes is a reflection of their cultural importance to bikefaring peoples. Like Megan.
A tribute to the Mother Goddess lurking behind Christianity, in both cases. [/graves]
What is it with people and naming bikes ships, and assuming that other people with bikes ships have named theirs, and then giving them genders?
Ships are traditionally "she" because it's one of the last holdovers in modern English of grammatical gender. They were feminine in old English, as they are in Latin and Greek, though not German afaik. Other transport machines by analogy/extension.
Yesterday at the bike shop I was shocked to find even low end bikes have disc brakes. I maintain the delusion that my 14-year old bike is not that old, but upgrading from cantilever to linear-pull brakes to find I'm still behind the curve has rudely shown me the truth.
I've also just discovered (thanks Wikipedia!) that I have the wrong brake levers for my new brakes. *sigh*.
And presumably one names ships in order to, well, refer to them? Same reason you name horses?
In Russian, ships are referred to as masculine.
She hasn't got a name yet -- I'm not sure whether she's going to acquire one.
And an hour fifteen minutes door to door this morning. Knock off another 20%, and I'm dominating the subway for convenience.
B-b-b-b-but George Will says that LB cannot logically exist!
33: That's the beautiful, wonderful thing about the subway -- it's still there, even if I'm not riding it most days.
I'm the world's greatest wimp about stuff like that -- imperfect weather and I'm back on mass transit.
Woo LB!
I've been away - which bike did you get?
I always thought ships were female because they give berth.
The Brompton -- when I saw the Brompton and a Dahon in the shop, the smaller folded package (and the bike store guy's assurances of greater durability and reliability) sold me. Pictures in the post.
13: I think it's ebbed and flowed a bit between "revealing" his cool (which you don't want to overemphasize in a campaign, for fear of appearing lightweight), playing up his cool, and being all Presidential (not in the 30 goddamn dicks sense). Since inauguration, it's been a bit more calculated, I think, because less opportunity to be uncalculated.
I paid $89 for a 30-day Metro Card this morning. That's some bullshit right there. I really need to figure out how to have a sustainable bike commute.
Beautiful bike, LB, and I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
39: Less than $3/day to meet your transportation needs in a world-class city? Dude, you need to count your blessings.
39: If I manage to turn this biking thing into a habit (which I'm not sure of -- when the kids go back to school in the fall, it's going to get complicated leaving early enough), I'm going to be in a weird place with my MetroCard. I've got a work program that does a pre-tax deduction from my paycheck and sends me a monthly MetroCard. The problem is that if I'm not commuting with it, a ride-by-ride card would be cheaper. But it's a hassle to get in and out of the program -- if I cancel it, I can't sign up again until next year.
39: For less than the cost of a venti mocha, you can help Bave Dee meet his transportation needs. Whiner. It costs $75 for a one-zone (i.e. no suburbs) bus pass here.
Monthly Caltrain pass, zone 1 to zone 3, in excess of $150.
It was $76 when I moved here, and that was right after a fare increase, I think. Also, they're cutting back on subway service, so for my extra dollars I get trains that are more crowded and less frequent. All because suburban and outer-borough legislators blocked sensible road tolls on behalf of their SUV-driving constituents (paying to attention, of course, to their less-well-off, transit-riding constituents). It's some bullshit.
42, 43: That's because you don't complain enough!
44: I'm going to stick with whiner. We don't have a train that goes anywhere near my house and our bus service has gotten hammered. At rush hour, I usually see dozens of people who get left on the curb because they won't fit on the bus (or did before the end of the school year). Plus, the Port Authority apparently hates its riders. You have to exit through the front of the bus on the way home, regardless of the fact that the aisle contains more people than the seats.
One of the things I genuinely love about where I live is that I get free public transportation with my University ID. Unfortunately, I've left the University, but the swipe system doesn't seem to know this yet.
It was $76 when I moved here, and that was right after a fare increase, I think. Also, they're cutting back on subway service, so for my extra dollars I get trains that are more crowded and less frequent.
You get trains? That sounds great.
49: I also get free public transportation with my ID. But the systems itself still sucks to the extent that I think somebody should actually pay me to use it.
Agreed that Port Authority bus service truly sucks.
52: I'm fairly certain we are talking about a different Port Authority. I'm speaking of the local service, not the one in NYC.
Cool bike, even though it's not a Bike Friday. Next purchase: rain gear. Go hardcore, baby.
It turns out that there are lots of used Dahons for sale around here—Craigslist has about a half dozen. $150-$200. Cheap than a couple months of riding the bus.
I am pleased to learn from the link in 32 that G. Will hates my city, but I recommend not starting your day by reading an Yggy comment thread. Several genuinely awful people frequent that site.
I note that it says "old" on the pavement under your new bike. What are they trying to say here?
Oh, I was thinking of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. And come to think of it, the buses I was thinking of are run by New Jersey Transit; they leave from the Port Authority bus terminal.
Jesus: What do you recommend for rain gear? I've been thinking of getting a rain cape -- they look so practical. But I've never seen anyone using one.
Why wait for rain to wear a cape? They go with anything.
But I've never seen anyone using one.
Are you a leader or a follower, Bave?
56: I have a jacket and pants from Burley, which apparently doesn't make rain gear anymore. Those capes look good, especially ventilation-wise; I like my suit, but even with all its vents, it makes me sweat, defeating its purpose.
Yeah LB! That's great.
I will tell you what I tell everyone, the best shape I've been in my life was when I had a 13mi (round trip) daily bike commute. It isn't that hard to do, but it adds up.
Yesterday at the bike shop I was shocked to find even low end bikes have disc brakes.
This is a pet peeve of mine. At the low end v-brakes are so much cheaper and lighter why not spend the money on something else?
But I've never seen anyone using one.
Here. If I had one like that, I'd want the hat to go with it.
Are you a leader or a follower, Bave?
Follower, obvs.
I am currently looking for a rain cape online, having received Jesus's blessing.
62: I'd go for a cape in a bold color with a simple, but memorable logo. Maybe a lightening bold, heavily stylized animal silhouette, or a 'BD'.
Rain capes are unnecessary. If it's raining, cycle in a swimming costume. Keep your clothes (plus a towel) in a waterproof pannier; change on arrival.
(But it's cold outside!)
Goose grease.
I always enjoy it when I see somebody who gives worse advice that I do.
Swimsuits are unnecessary. If the swimming pool is wet, swim in a raincoat.
Raincoats aren't big enough to swim in. Plus the water leaks out the arm holes.
Speak for yourself. And rubber bands work for the sleeves.
Goose grease.
Having to prepare for a bike commute as for a Channel swim would dampen most people's enthusiasm for bike commuting, I'm guessing.
Does goose grease smell like cooked goose? If so, I could see that as being a plus.
Obviously a wetsuit is far more practical than goose fat. And then people will just think you're training for a triathlon, rather than a total lunatic.
And everyone looks good in a wetsuit. Looking good whilst greased up is a trickier one to pull off.
Good news if you take your bike to Berlin, LB.
OT: It looks like I'm going to Maine with a friend for about a week at the end of August. Some kind of folk festival in Bangor, then a few days of puttering around. Any suggestions? I'd like to do a nice day hike, I guess, and maybe a bit of sea kayaking. I don't know what else there is to do there if you don't own a sailboat.
OT: McMegan is writing an surprising volume of material I agree with (or at least don't find utterly wrongheaded) these days. She has even posted some heretical thoughts in favor of government regulation, for which she was roundly condemned in the comments by some of her libertarian readership. This just tickled me pink.
74: Lots of car-free gravel roads suitable for biking in nearby Acadia National Park.
Also, lobster.
74: Isn't there some sort of terrifying coffee-flavored brandy that Maine alcoholics drink? You could look for some of that.
in nearby Acadia National Park.
Even better, Fundy national park. If you're going to have a car and the time, Bave, do think about driving into Canada. The bay itself is worth a look, and much of NS and New Brunswick coast are beautiful in a way the Maine coast doesn't quite reach. If you're already in Bangor, it's all pretty close.
Canada's not a bad idea. We have no particular commitment to Maine except for this folk festival thing, I think. And I'd guess New Brunswick would be less crowded than the area around Bar Harbor, right?
I will eat lobster; my traveling companion is a vegetarian.
Canada's not a bad idea.
Just remember that the new re-entry laws are in effect. I am pretty sure they are anyway.
Lobster is better on the outer coast they say, too (but who are they, anyway?)
New Brunswick should be less crowded, yes. Fundy park has a walking area which will be quite crowded. Other parts less so. Seeing the 11ft tide come in near sackville is classic but there are closer spots.
If you've the time and inclination, from Bangor you're about 400mi from Prince Edward Island ( beautiful and quite touristy in bits but not everywhere), 600mi from Cape Breton Highlands Nat. Park (stunning and quite rugged). The latter might be a bit far, but it's really quite something . If you're that far around, the southern coast of NS is worth a wander about, and you could make a bit of a loop.
82 is a good point. I forget what has already changed exactly or when, but check before you go
Re-entry laws meaning you have to have a passport, right?
I don't think we want to do a huge drive; Fundy is probably the outer limit. How annoying is Bar Harbor? Would things be better more Downeast?
79: terrifying coffee-flavored brandy that Maine alcoholics drink
This could be describing Moxie, although Moxie is not actually alcoholic.
85: I think you need a passport now, but they kept shifting the date ...
The driving along there is very pretty, but I guesstimated distances because I thought it might be a bit far. I've been through Bar Harbor when it was absolutely dead (winter) nicely `alive', and also when it was obnoxiously crowded. I suspect at end of August it will tend towards the latter, but you might check with someone local(ish). East should be better. I don't remember Acadia being very crowded at all, but I think I was there in June and Feb.
86: I'm stumped by 79 also. I've never heard of a coffee flavored brandy. The closest thing I can think of is Kahlua, which is obviously not very close at all.
85:Would things be better more Downeast?
My sister lives wayyyy Downeast, in Machias. Its actually pretty depressing out there, but the one thing to do that is cool is to get on a charter boat and go see the puffins.
90: That's 30 Euros for 1/2 a liter of 80 proof. Pretty pricey for feeding alcoholism.
91: The Maine version is cheaper because they mix up in a bathtub and sell it in old maple-syrup tins.
92: Thanks. I learned something new today. That said, I'll stick to beer, bourbon and wine. And usually not all in the same night.
So you basically make White Russians out of it? Sounds fantastic.
Sounds fantastic.
Sounds vile
Bave will just have to give is a first hand report when he gets back.
Soup's right: get thee to Canada. And if you're in New Brunswick, you might as well go to Shediac.
Also, in Maine, Katahdin, but that's a bit of a drive in another direction.
My experience is that Bar Harbor itself can be a bit crowded around that time and some of the drives , but after you walk a short distance in on any of the trails you're as alone as you could reasonably expect for a day hike (a lot of people drive to the top of Cadillac Mtn for instance, few walk any distance down any of the trails). So I'd go there for one day anyway.
My other recommendation is nearby Deer Isle which is slightly west (horrors), but not real crowded (nor is really any of the stuff around Penobscot Bay by my standards). But in particular from Stonington you can catch the ferry to Isle Au Haut which is the really uncrowded part of Acadia National Park. I believe there are kayaking trips available that go there (or other nearby islands and parts of the mainland).
For minimizing the driving I would say head somewhere in that vicinity with a trip over to Bar Harbor/Acadia. It really is quite beautiful (and yes in a less grandiose way than parts of the semi-nearby Canadian coast), but very, very nice. Other than Amerika being EVIL and all.
That is sensible and nicely specific advice, JP. Thanks.
My aunt lives in Bar Harbor. If you stick to the super touristy stuff, it will be busy. But the advice that as soon as you get into a trail more than 1/2 mile it'll be much less crowded is quite correct, and I really believe that Mount Desert island is one of the most gorgeous spots in the world (for sure, the experience can be had at the other islands nearby, but it is convenient). Also, don't forget that there's a fair bit of island besides Bar Harbor, and that it often gets less crowded when you leave the town.
Bangor itself - find Stephen King's house (I've been by but can't remember exactly where it is). All the area around it, in my mind, is rather lovely and picturesque and one can have a really nice time just hanging out in the country.
Basically, I just second all of JP's advice - I've had a great time doing those things. Also, if you're at all into birds or whales, a pelagic tour from Bar Harbor is also completely awesome. Puffins and humpbacks (and many more).
Thanks, Parenthetical. That's reassuring about the crowds.
Transport in NYC is pretty damn cheap. A partial compensation for the insane rents. $89 a month is a lot cheaper than most places in Europe, and the system is pretty good if you ignore the esthetics.
On Mt. Desert Island - the crowds thin out dramatically once you get more than fifteen minutes away from any trailhead. But don't go if you have a serious fear of heights. Also, the campground there is quite nice and cheap, or was a decade ago.
My last post seems to have gone west.
You don't need to carry a Brompton when it's folded - you can roll it along using the two tiny wheels seen on the bottom right of the last picture.
However these are very inadequate and find every crack/uneven surface available. You can replace them with skateboard wheels and then it rolls along like a dream. Highly recommended.
Forgot to mention - no need to push down the saddle pillar - once you've got skateboard wheels you can push/pull it along using the saddle to 'steer' it.
And then people will just think you're training for a triathlon, rather than a total lunatic.
That's not really an either/or there.
