Allez, Allez, Where's my Sleigh?

Last night I sent a note to several randos encouraging them to come ride the Carthage Coffee Run 200K in the freezing cold and rain today with Jayjay and I. "Allez, Allez", I wrote.

Then this morning I overslept. We started riding late. We were both dragging. Sleet was stinging our faces. We didn't make good time. We missed the closing time at Sanford after only 42 miles (68 km).

I called Santa (my wife) to bring the sleigh (my minivan) and take us home.

No more encouraging notes from me...

RUSA Permanent Locations Map

Check out this Google Map. It shows the locations of all RUSA Permanents by city and state. A tutorial and the live map are here rusa-perms-html on the RUSA website: http://www.rusa.org/permmaptutorial.html

The project is presently in has completed a beta test phase. I am asking for corrections to any city/state locations. Please let me know anything that needs to be updated.

The idea for this project germinated earlier this year when I was scheming for a business trip to California. Always the restless multi-tasker, I considered riding a perm while I was there. I searched on the RUSA website which lists perms by state, but the search was tedious because I don't know the locations of most towns in California. I got frustrated and knew we needed an online map. I proposed it to the RUSA movers and shakers, and this is the result.

I didn't get to California, but I'm ready for the next opportunity.

I hope others find it useful too.

Bikes with Baskets

I love my basket (first photo).  It's really convenient on long rides.  I eat more food when it is in easy reach.  I stash gloves there when I fiddle with a camera or zippers.  I also haul things which I purchase on my commute.  (I pass a new Lowe's!)  It's like a handlebar bag, only more flexible.

I rescued mine from an old beach cruiser bike, after my riding buddy Jayjay raved about enjoying the basket on a bike she borrowed.

Apparently I am not the only one.  I spotted this photo of west coast rando Oliver with a basket (photo 2).  It looks like he is carrying a nice bag in it.

(Thanks to Rando Lynne for her photo of Oliver )

East coast rando Paul has two baskets, one in front and one in back (photo 3).  The original "BasketBoy".  And it looks like bungee cords to hold things in place.  Very nice.

(Thanks to Rando Bill for his photo of Paul )

Best of all, baskets are a perfect place to hang Christmas lights (final photo).  'Tis the season.  Start decorating now.

Update Nov 24, 2011:  Here is another rando bike with basket from Alaska on [MG's blog]   With Christmas lights too.  Sweet!

Kindness of Strangers

I hit a monster pothole while commuting last week.  It dented the rear rim.  Uh oh, not good.  (click left photo)

The next morning, I asked on the NC rando newsgroup if anyone wanted to sell an old 27" wheel or bike.  Immediately I received four offers and suggestions.  By the next morning, another batch.  People near and far offered to build wheels, to search their sheds for old wheels, or referred me to bikes on Craigslist.  I was amazed.

Offers continued through Sunday afternoon.  Right after I picked up a wheel from Rando Blake (thanks Blake!), I received yet-another offer.  Hard to believe.

Thanks everyone!  I am on the road again (see right photo).

Snaps of the commute

Fun with traffic lights
I encountered this traffic light at Corwnallis and Alston in RTP this morning. One of the two policemen directing traffic told me that something had hit the center light fixture and knocked it to face the wrong street. As a result, the trio of lights alternated between red-green-red and green-red-green.

You never know what you'll see.

PS: Note to self: adjust camera's clock for standard time before the next perm...

Pamplona 200K?

I wouldn't ride my bike through streets with stampeding bulls.

I ride with careless car drivers.

A local bike instructor was killed in a bike-car wreck last year.  A rando up in DC was killed in June.  Now a local rando got thrown by a dreaded right hook (thankfully he will be fine).

I think I am in the 'honeymoon' period of road cycling, after four years of commuting and two years as a rando.  I am completely comfortable riding with cars.  No wrecks.  No falls.  No fear.

Must be vigilant...

Photo credit:  Pamplona Book Festival

The Motorcyclist Wave

Ever notice the nonchalant little sideways gesture used by motorcyclists to greet each other?  Ever wave at an oncoming motorcyclist that way?

I've been doing it the last few months.  I'm amazed at the positive reaction.  They always wave back.  They always turn and look at me.  Some do a double-take first, but they always smile.

Who knows, maybe they think I have a hog in the garage.  I just think it's friendly.

(Photo credit: link)