Why is the Scattante Emerald City So Popular

In the six years this blog has been around, one post is by far the most popular. On January 8, 2009, I made a comment about how nice the Scattante Emerald City looked. For some reason that post has almost a thousand more hits than my next most popular post. So what gives? I also happen to notice that much of the interest in the Scattante comes from Greece, Poland, and Russia. Are those counties filled with single speed enthusiasts? Inquiring minds want to know. http://atlantabybike.blogspot.com/2009/01/scattante-emerald-city-single-speed.html

Predawn

New Trails in Cobb County

This is part of the new trail that will eventually connect Cochran Shoals to the Silver Comet and Kennesaw Trails.

Update on the Anthony Dixon Hit and Run

According to WSB's Carl Willis, cameras near the accident scene have been able to identify the vehicle that hit Anthony Dixon as an older model black Honda. The police say it will likely have damage to the passenger side and possibly the windshield. Police also say the suspect may have decided not to drive the car following the accident, so if you see a car matching the description or know someone will an older black Honda who has suddenly stopped driving it the police ask that you look for evidence that they may be involved. If you know anything please contact the Cobb County Police Department. Anthony Dixon's neighbors say he rode his bike to work everyday and often had to start before the sun came up. His bike was outfitted with lights, he was likely doing everything right and yet he was still hit from behind. As we hope for Mr. Dixon's recovery please remember to be careful out there.

Flying With the Bike

I really don't like renting cars when I fly to other cities. The cars usually suck and it's expensive. So the logical solution is to take one of my bikes with me, but that's not as simple as it used to be. To bolster their profits airlines have started charging bag fees and evidently they see cyclists as cash cows. Delta will charge you $150 each way to transport your bike. Southwest is more reasonable at $50 each way but neither is as good as Denver based Frontier. Frontier charges just $20 for economy ticket holder to fly with a bike that's less than 50 pounds. However, there's a way to avoid these high fees through the magic of folders. A boxed folder will usually be treated like any other checked bag. But until I get my Brompton, if I want to fly with my bike I'll have to pay. Bicycling Magazine has more details.

Canton Hwy Hit and Run

Yesterday, Anthony Randolph Dixon, of Marietta was riding south on Canton Highway when he was struck from behind near the East Piedmont intersection and critically injured.  Cobb County Police are searching for a dark compact car that left the scene of the accident.  Anyone with information about the accident should contact the Cobb County Police at 770.499.3900.

Lazy Lazy Lazy

Last post July 2010!  Let's see what we can do about that.

As predicted here

MARTA has announced its intention to switch to a distance based pricing structure. Which sucks. We seem to be following the DC Metro model when we should be following the Chicago El/Commuter rail one.

Country Dogs and City Dogs

Do you know the difference between country dogs and city dogs? City dogs tend to be behind fences or on leashes. Country dogs too often run free. Last week while riding through rural north Georgia a dog chased me for the better part of a mile.

Spring Has Sprung

It appears that spring has come to Atlanta, and with it March showers. So I took a very foggy wet ride and was thankful for my fenders.

Why Are You Trying to Kill Me?

Situation: I coming down a fairly quick downhill on a bike laden down with books. The driver looks right at me and then starts to pull out in front of me to turn left across the street. Now here's the great part once he pulls out into the lane he stops, I guess he suddenly sees me. So now I have to hit the brakes hard. Did I mention the bike was packed full of books? So the rear wheel starts to slide out and I start doing the calculations should I go down or try and ride her out. I choose to keep it up and manage to straighten her up stopping just a few inches from the car.

And the guy is still just sitting there. Sigh...

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Right Now

Right now I'm looking at a Specialized Roubaix that's ridden by one of my law professors who is also a bike commuter. He brings it into class with him while I have to lock my bike up outside like a sucker.

Thinking About Lane Position

Yesterday on my way back from the thrift store I was passed by another cyclist. This is nothing new, I'm kind of slow, people pass me all the time. But what struck me was our difference in lane positions. While I ride inside what would be a cars passenger side tire track (sometimes even further to the left) the guy who passed me rode right on the white line.

Now in metro Atlanta most roads do not have shoulders; so for my safety I take the lane, but I'm in the minority. Most cyclist I see ride almost on top of the white line. Now if there is a shoulder and it's sufficiently wide (at least two handlebar widths) I will use it, otherwise I'm out in the lane forcing cars to go around me. So how about you? Where do you ride?

How the Other Half Lives

Riding around for a week on roads covered with sand, gravel, and salt has given me a new insight into what northern riders endure. Having cars pelt your face with this stuff isn't fun.

An Adventurous Start to the New Year

We're just seven days into the new year and I've already had many days of subfreezing rides, snow, ice, and an encounter with wrong way driver on a one street. Only 358 days left to go.

1 Letter 2 Trips

I rode to the post office today and when I got there I discovered that I had left the letter I intended to mail at home. So I rode home and then back to the post office. If I were in a car or had something to do this would have probably annoyed me, but on a bike even in the cold it was ok.

By the way, Mr. Toyota RAV4 I want to say thank you for not speeding. I mean it must be difficult enough to drive with your knees while texting on your iPhone that speeding would have just been too tough.

Saved from Destruction

A bridgestone kabuki and a Maruishi road ace were headed to the dump but with my penchant for Japanese bikes from the 70s and 80s, I just couldn't let them go. So I pulled them out of the dumpster and brought them home. The components on both are in pretty rough shape but the frames are straight so I'll be fixing them up over the next few weeks.

Mirrors and CVS

I tend to prefer handlebar mounted mirrors over helmet or glasses mounted ones primarily because I don't always wear my helmet or glasses. However, handlebar mounts tend to attract vandals and I lost another one todays while my bike was parked at Publix.

In happier news, kudos to the new CVS on Powers Ferry Road. Look what they've got: