Important Safety Warning from Bike Friday Regarding the Tikit

Tikit Stem Issue

The Mysteries of the Internet

Today's number one referrer, adresultpages.com for buy viagra.  If you came here looking for information about viagra I'm very sorry. 

The Gear Revival

One of the problems with Atlanta is that it's so spread out and composed of so many individual neighborhoods, it's hard to know about all the good spots. Well today I discovered a good spot. The Gear Revival is a neat little shop on Marietta Street on the westside of town. Now I don't get to this part of town very often but TGR is worth the trip. If you're the kind of person who loves outdoor activities, you'll love this store. Now I'll go ahead and warn you, this store isn't huge and it doesn't have everything under the sun, but it does have what you need. The proprietors have obviously spent time hiking, climbing, and biking because the store stocks the essentials and skips the crap. Stocking both new and lightly used equipment it's a great place if, like me, you have to live on a budget.

Oh yeah, they have bikes too. A really interesting selection of used bikes several of which I wanted to bring home with me. So make some time this weekend head over to the westside and visit Mitch or Jen at the Gear Revival, it's worth the trip. Don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Fox5!
The Gear Revival

 You might me wondering how I discovered TGR and what I got there. Don't worry all will be explained soon.

Ann Althouse and I Don't Agree On Much

But we agree on this. "Pushing helmets really kills cycling and bike-sharing in particular because it promotes a sense of danger that just isn’t justified..." "... in fact, cycling has many health benefits." Now I mostly wear a helmet but there are times I don't. The solution for cyclist safety isn't more helmets, it's more cyclists, and more cycling infrastructure.

Atlanta Bicycle Chic

A great Atlanta based cycling site I just stumbled across. They're getting a link in blogroll. Atlanta Bicycle Chic

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...

#test#
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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?