Well, no, not really. But I did take apart and successfully reassemble the brakes on my road bike this weekend. I judge my success by the fact I made it into work alive -- and although my trip was speedy, I stopped at every stop sign.

Since I've been leaving my car downtown, my bike has been my only transportation when I'm not at work. On the way to get dinner and groceries Thursday night, my rear breaks squealed like crazy. Then not at all. Because one side of the brake ripped away from the rim and was dangling by the break cable like an abandoned marionette. So we limped along to dinner with only front brakes on my bike (I was really, really hungry.)

So Saturday, I hopped on Yellow Bike and we headed for Bill's to get parts. The thing about Yellow Bike it has, by design, a really upright frame, so you sit like a giant sail. Which was great for Greg, who rode behind me, because it was like peddling away behind a brick wall. For me, it was like a cartoon where the character's legs spin like mad, but she goes nowhere. Nowhere.

What a happy coincidence that Greg decided to pick last week to give up coffee! He stared at my breaks for about an hour first thing Sunday morning. Every 15 minutes or so, he'd say, "I don't know how to do this."

I had a whole pot to myself, so I was sufficiently amped to fix the breaks. And ,now, they're better than ever.

 Leslie

I'm looking for some people who bike for transportation (not just fun and exercise -- I want people who bike to work, the grocery store, mom's house for dinner.) I'd also like to find people who have tried bike commuting, but for some reason it hasn't taken.

You guessed it, I'm working on a story about bike commuting and sure would like some more sources. You can call me at 580-6521 or email me at lwilber@vicad.com.

On that note, I'm experimenting with biking to work. Since I often do need my car, I parked it here for emergencies (literally emergencies -- fires, bank robberies and the like.) But I've been biking to and from home since Friday night. So far, I love it.

Yesterday, between biking to and from work and to and from the gym, I covered about 12 miles -- and got 40 minutes of extra exercises. Today, I'll probably go to the gym and the grocery store -- maybe cover about 15 or 16 miles? Dare I hope that's enough calories to cover a cold beer and a cupcake? Mmm, not quite. As Eric said to me earlier, from his house to work it's about 15 minutes by car and 23 by bike. It's not a big difference and at the end of the day, it's a nice way to unwind.

Plus, it adds a lot of color to your day. For example, last night a giant cockroach or beetle fell onto my arm -- kinda startled me.

Hmm. Ok, that wasn't the best POSITIVE example. I'll try harder next time.

Leslie

I passed by a co-workers desk last night, and the May 2008 Editor and Publisher stopped me so fast I flew over my proverbial handle bars.

There, on the cover.... was.... no, I'm too excited to type it.... there was a REPORTER WITH ALL HIS REPORTER STUFF RIDING A BIKE TO A FIRE (or crash, or something.) Ok, caaaalmmm down Leslie. It was, after all, a photo illustration.

But in a story about mobile journalism, one featured reporter with The Oregonian RIDES HIS BIKE TO ASSIGNMENTS. (Unless they're out of town or something.) One of my very few gripes about reporting is this is something that always seems impractical.

But who knows? At the intersection of record-high gas prices and slashing newspaper budgets, could this be a practical -- and awesome -- new trend?

Editors?

Leslie

I really enjoyed the story line in Frazz last week. You'll have to start with 6/16 to get the whole thing.

I agree with this:  If you love a bike and you ride it a lot, it's worth every penny you spent. If you have a bike you hate and refuse to ride, it's worthless no matter the price tag.

In college, I had a cheap bike that I HATED. I bought Yellow Bike (its name) a couple of years ago. I'm usually pretty... uh... thrifty, so this was only the second major purchase I made since graduating. I loved this bike since the first time I rode it, and I've never regretted the purchase. It's stylish, with 21 speeds and thinnish tires. Oh, and I can wear a sun dress when I ride. This bike is a summer weekend.

More recently, I added a road/touring bike to the stable (we now have the "bike cave" for, you guessed it, bike storage under our stairs. In our living room). Another bike I love. Seriously, on the hottest day of the year so far I rushed home from work so I could take the 520 (its ID pending a good name) for a ride. It's a quick little machine and great for hauling groceries.

I can't think of many other purchases I've gotten so much satisfaction from.

Leslie

Confession: I have been a wuss about riding downhill -- especially on roads -- my entire adult life. And to a great extent, it could be said my breaks add friction not only to my rims, but to my home life.

When my boyfriend and I go on rides, here's what the downhill sections sound like:

Greg: OK, now try going down here without using your breaks.

Me:

Greg: What are you doing?

Me:

Greg: You're riding your breaks.

Me: I'm, uh, just gonna slow down here a little.

Greg: You're going to want this momentum for that hill up there.

Me:

So I was thrilled when this NYT story, featuring tips from a likely Olympian, said speeding downhill never becomes less terrifying, but the fear can be managed. Admittedly, I'm not going downhill at 50 miles per hour.... let's seee..... ever.

I was also pretty stoked to read the suggestion that I eat Nutella. Well, that's how I'm taking that advice, anyhow.

Leslie

I have seen awesome, and it is PIXIE BIKE RACING.

My best friend from college and her husband invited me to the pixie bike races while I was visiting Colorado Springs last week. A friend of theirs lives -- and builds bike frames -- on a couple of steep acres on the west side. Every Tuesday, a crowd of BMX riders, track racers from the Olympic Training Center and various cycling enthusiasts race assorted children's bikes. On a dirt track. Downhill. With a big ramp at the end.  While a band plays and spectators drink beer.

As my friend, Adrian, said "What else are you doing on a Tuesday night?"

I'll admit right here, the huge ramp kept me from trying the downhill course. Seriously, it was about four feet tall and there was a concrete slab nearby. Even Adrian, who tends toward the hardcore on biking events, said she hadn't tried the downhill since they added the ramp. (Her husband, Josh, is a stunt biker who's broken about every bone in his body -- so his willingness to do something isn't an indicator of whether or not it's a good idea.)

But for us wusses, there was the homemade dirt velodrome, built to kids-bikes' scale. The "dizydrome" offers several challenges for adults on tiny bikes. First, you have to get going -- picture a clown on a little trike. And just because a pixie bike is lying around doesn't mean it's in working order. Once you're going, you've got to stay on the smooth solid wall of the track -- there you can get some good speed. Try to take the flat, inside track and the tiny tires catch on divots and you'll get launched over the short little handlebars. Drive too high on the track and you could very well go flying out and get launched over the short little handlebars.

There's not so much a learning curve as there are learning face plants.

It's been a week, though, and I'm still talking about it, so I think it's safe to say pixie bike racing was a highlight of my vacation. But my mom's blintzes are pretty darned good too.

Leslie

larger view

Beer and bicycles.

That combination prompted me to drive nearly three hours from Victoria to Blanco, Texas to take part in the Real Ale Ride on Saturday, May 31st. I'm glad I went but I'm not sure I'll return next year.

 The terrain was somewhat hilly, which was to be expected as Blanco is in the Texas Hill Country. Also, for some reason, the ride began a bit later than the 8:30 a.m. start time. That might not seem like a big deal but it's a big factor when dealing with hilly climbs AND the Texas heat in the afternoon.

 For the most part, I enjoyed this ride but I did two things I rarely, if ever, do: walked a steep hill and called it quits before completing my ride.

 The hill was very steep and the majority of my fellow riders also walked it. I guess I was following the herd but my odometer said I had only pedaled 10 miles and I figured I should conserve my strength for the rest of the ride.

 The first rest stop was jam-packed with riders loading up on fruit, cookies, water and sports drinks. There were only two portable toilets so the line was long. There were 973 registered riders and more were expected the morning of the ride, a volunteer told me earlier.

 South of Blanco, in the little community of Kendalia, a deputy sheriff blocked traffic and directed us 50-milers to take the first left. I took a left but it was the second left. Not to worry - I just went the opposite direction of a looped route. I figured something was amiss when scores of riders were passing me from the opposite direction on Highway 3351 and no one seemed to be behind me.

 Finally reached the second rest stop and refilled my water bottles. The folks at the rest stop figured we were the last of the riders and starting packing up the refreshments. They didn't know that there were still thirsty riders heading for this stop. Back on the bike, I pedaled north on Edge Falls Road toward Kendalia, crossing a few dry creek beds, several cattle guards and a field filled with grazing goats. A fellow rider and I considered ending the ride at the next rest stop. At one point, I pulled over to massage my right foot. It was then that I got a painful cramp in my right leg. Fortunately, no one was around to hear me yelling in pain.

 About a mile or so from the next rest stop, at my 31-mile mark, I halted briefly. Just then, a ride volunteer driving an SUV pulled up and asked if I needed any help. I told her that I wanted to end my ride. She handed me an ice cold bottle of water and loaded my bike on the rack in the rear. I climbed inside the vehicle and joined a couple who had also decided to call it quits.

 We three riders felt somewhat embarrassed to have ended our ride early but our decision was confirmed shortly when we reached the next rest stop and watched volunteers packing up their supplies. Had I reached the stop on my bike, there might not have been any water there or anyone to help me. In the comfort of the SUV, we three riders saw the steep hills we would have faced on Crabapple Road. Once again, we felt we had made the right decision.

 I returned to the start/finish point - the Real Ale brewery and stood in a short line for a cup of the tasty brew. Most riders stood in a longer line for a barbecue dinner with trimmings. For some reason, I am not hungry after a long ride but I was thirsty, especially for a cold beer.

 After finishing the beer, I went inside and latched onto a group taking a tour of the brewery. One of the owners explained the beer-making process from brewing to bottling to cooling. That last part was a treat as we tour-goers stood in a 37-degree cooler for a few minutes as our guide explained the cooling process. Back outside in the heat, I helped myself to another free beer then headed back to Victoria.

 My suggestions for ride officials: Keep the rest stops open long enough for slowpokes like me to make it there. Also, maintain cell phone or radio contact so you know where the riders are on the road. Other than that, it was a decent ride.

-Eric