Beautiful Maine

Going to Maine to visit my family always makes me realize how much I love being outside.  My most recent trip was no exception and it left me window shopping and internet surfing for tents and sleeping bags.  I'm fortunate enough to live in a city with lots of hiking and camping within biking distance and this year I plan on taking advantage of that.
Here are a few photos from my recent adventures in the lovely North East.

Get outside this week! Even if it's snowy and cold!

Spencer

You know you're in Portland...

Riding yesterday Sam and I came across a house with several massive bike contraptions out front.  I recognized this amazing water collecting bike as one of the creations of 'rejuiced bikes'!

They even have a sweet new website.
www.rejuicedbikes.com

And this amazing video of another great project:

The Bike-Car "Trashy Tricycle" from Johnnie Olivan (rejuiced bikes) on Vimeo.


ride dry (and with lights)

Spencer

Bikes Lanes in Provo Utah

Just a quick note to all those who live in Provo Utah!  Or who used to live there! Or will soon or someday live there!
Thanks to the hard work of my friend Zac Whitmore and many other dedicated cyclists and the Provo Bicycle Committee, you have the opportunity to tell the city of Provo where you want them to install bike lanes! (CLICK HERE!)
This is a dream come true for any cyclist, and we are all so excited to be seeing an increase in bike focused infrastructure.  Even better is the city's view of 'complete streets' and the wonderfully benefits that will come to pedestrians, cyclists and the community in general.
Please take a second to check the streets where you feel bike lanes would increase safety and improve your commute or leisurely Sunday afternoon rides.
This really is a great opportunity.

All the best, and thanks to everyone involved with this.  I regret that my escapades elsewhere have taken me away from such great work at home, but not to fear!  I will return!

A question for the masses:
Is this a common thing as cities paint bike lanes?  Do any of you know of citizens 'voting' for lanes in this way? Or are these kinds of decisions always made by committees?

Ride safe, and stay dry if you're riding in the northwest like I am. :-)

Spencer

How to Talk to Conservatives about Cycling

Hello everyone!
Read this wonderful post by Tom Bowden on how to talk to Conservatives (or anyone actually!) about cycling.
Great points and a great perspective.
Let me know if you've had successful conversations about bikes, or really awkward ones.
I know I have.
I have always been a bit confused as to why or when cycling became a "liberal" thing to do.  As Tom points out, it's about as All American as you can get and for all you car-haters out there (grin) Ford and many other great American automobile inventors all had their beginnings as cyclists.  The Cyclists Manifesto by Robert Hurst delves into that quite a bit and I found it fascinating. (and well written!)


Edison's bike tricks are wicked rad as well. :-)

Rode my bike tonight and loved the beautiful oregon air, and relatively balmy temperature (nearly 60!)

Ride safe my friends,

Spencer

Back to the United States

I'm back in Maine and wanted to let you all know I made it safe and my bike did as well.  I will post more on that later with some photos.  It was quite a feat getting it all in and under the size restrictions, but I managed and 0$ in extra fees and over 24 hours later I was back home.  I did get a few suspicious looks (the box was very odd shaped) but I wasn't questioned further after telling them in was aluminum tubing.  Even customs got me through quickly and easily.
I did have to dissemble one wheel and just take the rim with me.  The extra width of the hub would have put me over size.
Merry Christmas all and Happy Newyear.
Ride safe

Spencer

Chiba Bike Polo ありがとう！

みんあさん、楽しいポロやってありがとう！
 You guys have been great!
Take care, and I'll see you at the Worlds in Seattle if you're up for it!

My final days in Japan have been great!
Ride safe.

Spencer

Green Night Ride 楽しかった！

Green Night Ride Illumi-Meguri Ride 楽しかった！
みんあ、すごいライダズだ！わだ、プランイングしてありがとう！
フォトをあげてください！

Green Night Ride's Illumi-Meguri Ride was excellent!
Thanks to all the great guys I rode with and Wada for organizing!
Send me your photos friends!

スペンサ