Hit & Run

A cyclist-ANOTHER-cyclist was killed this week.

STARRS and bekindtoCyClists have both posted rewards, since the driver who killed the man stopped to get the bike out from under the car but but left the cyclist in the street to die.

We don't know much. We know it happened about 12:25 a.m. We know it was a man named Stacy Palmer, who apparently biked darn near everywhere (not at all uncommon in Flour Bluff), we know he was riding with traffic, and we know he was hit by a green GM passenger vehicle.

But we don't know if it was intentional, we don't know if it was a drunk driver.

We do know that this wasn't the first cyclist hit-and-run, and it probably won't be the last. It's just a bike-unfriendly town, and it's a real shame. It's an even bigger shame that it takes tragedies like this one to bring attention to the plight of cyclists here.

No more Jesse De Leons. No more Barb Savells. No more Stacy Palmers.

Stay safe out there.

In the Bag

My original quest for a roomy, colorful rack trunk bag was so unsuccessful that I pounced on the first non-black one I could find.

It is great, but of course since purchasing it I've found a couple of intriguing options for my NEXT bag.

Terry Bikes' Juicy Rack Bag is adorable, unique, AND recycled. It doesn't have panniers, though, and I recently found them handy while trying to lug all my gear to soccer (I fit cleats, socks, shin guards, 3 bottles of water, wallet, bike lock, sunscreen and trail mix inside on Sunday).

And the Sherpani Vela, which is lovely, useful, and from a female cyclist-owned company...though sadly not being released until the spring.

My 2 Mile Challenge Update is...not as good as last week, despite a solid 30 miles of biking this weekend. I missed my commute all week (as well as Tuesday of this week) AND didn't even get to the store, so my numbers are way down. Only 34.12 miles.

It's not looking likely to hit that 400 miles, but maybe I can turn it around!

Cycling in Fashion

I've noticed something odd.

Last Saturday, I biked to the Farmer's Market. On the way I stopped at a convenience store to get some cash, and had a nice little chat with a lady there about my bicycle (my "errand running" Huffy cruiser), the dangers of cycling in Corpus, and what good exercise it was. I was wearing a skirt (with short underneath, of course), sandals, and a tank top.

The other day I biked to the grocery, and as I locked up my bike had a family admire it (the little girl even asked her mom why THEY never got to ride their bikes to the store!) & chatted about my baskets and how much they held. I was wearing a sundress and matching pink tennis shoes.

On commute days, I'm in full regalia--padded bike shorts, jersey, tennis shoes--and no one says a word to me. Stuck in traffic, pausing for a bottle of water at the corner store, waiting at a bus stop, I seem to suddenly be "Other". A Spandex-clad Creature forcing her way on to the road, not to be engaged.

Has anyone else noticed similar treatment? Is "the serious cyclist" intimidating?

Joining Politics

I was very excited this week to discover that the city has a Bicycles & Pedestrians Subcommittee that meets monthly.

I've added it to my calendar and, though it's in the middle of the work day, am going to go.

I'm not sure what to expect; I know that like so many cities right now, we're suffering a budget shortfall. But it will be nice to get in on the discussion, at the very least. Given that it's completely unpublicized unless you happen along that web page (as I managed to do), I doubt many people show up.

I'll have to remind myself to ride that day. Hopefully City Hall has a bike rack...

2 Mile Challenge Update

In the past week since starting the 2 Mile Challenge, I've biked ALMOST every day.

I did bail on my commute this morning as my cat did some things to make my life miserable this morning, delaying me to such an extent that driving was my only option. Am definitely hoping for better luck on Thursday!

ANYWAY! My Week 1 Total: 64.51 miles biked.

64.51 miles in one week.

Nearly 65 miles that I would've driven.

I don't think about it as I ride, but these miles--as few as 2 per day--really add up!

New goal: 400 miles biked by the end of October. And if I fall short...I'll pledge $100 to some sort of environmental charity (open to ideas in the comments). How about that?!

Bike Commuting Report!

I was very excited to read this report on the growth of bicycle commuting. The wonderful news is that bike commuting is gaining ground. Look at some of those triple digit increases! Even in Corpus, where our percentage of bicycle commuters is under 1%, there has been substantial growth!

Unfortunately, here in South Texas you're still prone to this attitude...

Riding a bike to work says you are either poor, or have a DUI...

Apparently Mr. Pitbull has never priced a good bicycle.

My workplace is fairly unique as we have lockers, showers, and a bicycle rack (plus indoor storage for bikes if necessary). I know that there are three or four part-time bike commuters at my job alone, and have seen a couple of others kitted out downtown.

But for the vast majority of the city, commuting by bicycle is a ridiculous idea.

Corpus Christi was named by Men's Health Magazine the "Fattest City in America", and the disregard shown both to and about cyclists (in terms of attitude and city planning) help feed that (no pun intended).

I was honestly amazed to learn that Corpus was a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community according to the League of American Bicyclists. The City certainly doesn't promote it. But if Oso Hike-and-Bike Trail ever gets finished, and if Corpus remains true to its urban plan (adding bike paths to widened and/or repaved roads), there is nowhere to go but up!

Love and Bicycles

Five years ago, I fell in love with a bicycle. It was the Dahon Cadenza, a glorious folding hybrid. I tracked one down on eBay for $600 or so, and I still love it.

Earlier this year I picked up a fixed-gear cruiser for running errands and, while it's comfy & good for cargo, it's not a love affair like my Cadenza.

Today, however, I found something that rocked my world: the Dahon Ios XL.

The one thing I'm iffy on is wheel size; the Cadenza has 26" wheels, and going down to a 20" wheel seems a little scary. I do like my visibility, and the Cadenza is literally a perfect fit for me.

But. But but but. Look at how SLICK it is. How small it folds! And the bells and whistles! *fans self* The fenders, the built-in light, the AMAZING ReeCharge system... You can charge your phone or iPod while biking. This is THE commuter bike, am I right? Pop on my rack and I'm ready to rock!

The problem? It's $1500. The very cheapest I've found it for is $1349.

Plus that would mean I have 3 bikes...unless I sell one of them to pay for the Ios XL, but that sounds a little like selling a child.

If I had children. But I could hardly afford both children AND bicycles, now could I?