commuterDude: Some open items

May 9, 2011

Some open items

It's been an "interesting" time at work lately, and my mental capacity to keep on typing on a computer into the night is really limited. That's obvious when visiting here and seeing the gap between meaningful blog posts. I'll try to work on that:

Couple things in the hopper, however, that I'll do quick-hits style:

1) Gas prices are edging $4.00/gal here in the KC area... and it's not even summer vacation season yet. Scary. If you are within a few miles of work, you can really help your family's bottom line this summer by riding a few days a week to the office. You've come to the right place --- scan the archives at right, and read up. As always, I welcome your email!

2) Sometimes I write 6 pages about a 200-mile ride... and other times I can write 6 pages about a 6 mile ride. I had just such a ride last week, and that post is coming soon. Six miles. on an errand, nothing special... but then, it turned out that way.

3) One of the most popular posts here on commuterDude.com is a review of Axiom's Monsoon waterproof panniers. I gave them a solid, 1-year-of-use review a while back - and it struck me: I'm still using these things today. So, also coming soon with updated photos is a TWO-YEAR-PLUS review of the same bags. Short version: they are quickly rising to the top of the heap in the "best money I've ever spent on cycling gear" category, right alongside my horribly-missed Shimano SPD sandals. More to come on that subject, also.

So, a lot "to come" - stay tuned --- meanwhile, I'm doing the work - suiting up, riding to the office, and saving money. I hope you are doing some of the same!

Thanks for reading!

1 comment:

Brasil said...: I wonder how you got so good. Ha-ha! This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your design is so perfect!; May 09, 2011 11:25 PM

What is bicycle commuting?

Simply put, bicycle commuting is the act of travelling to a place of work or education by bicycle. In many areas it is common to combine bicycle commuting with public transport. Worldwide, the bicycle remains the most common commuter vehicle, and bicycle riding the second most common form of commuting, second only to walking. While the absolute number of bicycles in existence globally is unknown, it is clear that significantly more bicycles are manufactured than automobiles. In the United States about 40% of automobile trips are two miles or less; using a bicycle for these short trips can reduce your emissions and expenses. If you live within ten miles of work, you could save thousands of dollars in fuel, insurance and automotive maintenance costs each year. This webpage seeks to highlight bicycling as a viable transportation platform and a fun, exciting, healthful way to improve your life! Visit the commuting links below and get started today!

What is Randonneuring?

The French term "randonnée" loosely translates as a long tour or ramble along a defined route, and persons embarking as such are dubbed "randonneurs". In cycling, the term defines a hard-riding enthusiast attempting a long-distance randonnée (called a "brevet", usually 200 kilometers or greater) within a certain time allotment. Non-competitive by design, randonneuring encourages camaraderie: riders test themselves against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route - but not each other. Randonneuring's ethos embodies self-sufficiency and mental toughness; support vehicles are not allowed and brevets are held regardless of weather. Randonneurs USA (RUSA) organizes brevets in the United States under the auspices of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and the Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM), and rider's results are recognized world-wide. This website seeks to highlight the excitement and challenge of long-distance bicycle riding by sharing personal ride accounts, with the hope of growing the sport. If this type of bicycle riding interests you and you'd like to find out more, visit the RUSA webpage to find rides in your area!

For ride announcements and discussions on randonneuring in the greater Kansas City area, visit KC Ultra Cycling, and join the KC Ultra-Cycling Email List:

Subscribe to KCUC

Email:

Visit this group

Courtesy Randonneurs USA

What is Ultra-Marathon Cycling?

Just as the 26.2-mile marathon represents a benchmark for runners, bicyclists generally consider the "century", riding 100-miles, a worthy endurance challenge. Ultra-marathon cycling involves exceeding that benchmark, often several times over, offering the long-distance challenge of randonnuering with a more competitive flavor. This is the world of 24-hour races, double-centuries, and beyond. Where randonneuring rewards all finishers equally and emphasizes self-sufficiency, ultra-racers compete for time and placing, maximizing speed by utilizing support crews for hand-ups and fast repairs. Event courses can be long and scenic, but may take the form of many laps of a looped course. Winning ultra-distance events requires the rare combination of endurance and a high average speed. Randonneuring and Ultra-Marathon often complement one another: brevets can offer base-training to prepare for racing, and fast randonneurs often enter ultra events for a new challenge. Visit the World Ultra Cycling Association's website for more information.

Courtesy World Ultra Cycling Association

May 9, 2011

Some open items

1 comment:

What HITS?

Email? Email!