DaVinci - the first bicycle God!

DaVinci drew this image in 1493. The first pedalled bicycle was built in 1839. Sigh

Hmm

Before anybody says I am a car hater that is just not so.If I had the dough Iwould own an Aston Martin. The reality is that I don't have the doaugh. Got rid of my vehicle in 2005 because for what I paid in cost and whatI received in return didn't jive. It came to about $12,000 plus all in.
For tune up , repairs etc $100 a year for my bike. I ride all year round. I live downtown so on days I can't ride I take transit.
Parking is free. Parking spot right out front of anywhere I go. Usually I beat traffic.
It is great exercise. I have lost a ton of weight, my cholesterol is down and my endurace is up.
I dress for the weather and it is not bad in rain or winter.It is how warm you get when you pedal

I would like to see some city workers have bikes rather than cars. I also think the same for all the parking cops too. Maybe if more counsellors at city hall cycled the pot holes in this town would suddenly fixed.....Just a thought

April Fools

The most common recumbent bike has you sitting back with your feet forward. This position is very efficient and comfortable. They are great bikes and I've wondered why there aren't more of them.

On April 1st 1934 the Union Cycliste International - governing body for bicycle racing - outlawed the use of recumbent bicycles (bents) in sanctioned bicycle races due to traditional bicycle makers lobbying the Union in order to protect their interests. During the previous year most cycling records had been beaten by riders on recumbent bikes.

It's about time to change the restrictions on bike design for racing. Established bicycle manufacturers and retailers would welcome the opportunity to bring new product to market. Let's go faster. Let's get more of these wonderful bikes on the road. Once recumbents are back in the mainstream racing scene the research and improvements will begin in earnest and all these improvements will trickle down to you and I.

Carumba

My major objective of this site is to be positive. But I have to speak out about the miserable condition of the roads in this city. In the last few months i have had at least a dozen flat tires, a destryed rear wheel and several moments were i thought I was going to drop my bike.
The amount of junck like glass and wire on the roads is appaling. The number of craters(not potholes) is iembarrassing.
I don't have a car so I don't pay a tax on gas but I sure pay enough in property tax to ensure that all the potholes should be filled
Drivers complain about how erratic cyclists on the road can be. I suggest they try riding on some of the main streets and see how bad the pot holes are and they would have a different view of what is happening. i am sure there are several car owners that have suffered suspension and tire damage from our roads
Urmas

Creation

18,19 years ago, when my kids were little I would build them both bikes every year. Just loved doing it. I loved the creativity and the looks on their faces as they took off on their inaugural rides.

I remember a tiny red bike for my son with drop bars turned around so the drops were up and the ends point away from him, covered in black foam. Mark, my son, came screaming down the hill on our street and wiped out and really scraped himself up. He was sobbing and clinging to me so hard, poor guy. Took about 15 minutes for him to go at it again. Mark had another I made for him, 20" wheels, all black, everybit. Looked so great it was stolen in short order. My daughter had a cute little pink one with an animal for a horn that she loved. I could tell the era of building for them was coming to an end when I built my daughter a real funky "Queen St" bike out of a 60's cruiser, a great paint job, truly cool. Alas, it was not cool to Gill. Dad made it. And so it goes....

Stay tuned for the agreenbike.com bikes! Soon coming!

Le Tour de France

Okay I admit it , I am hooked on the Tour deFrance. This epic stage race is in it's 96 th year. In the past years there have been numerous disqualifications because of positive dope tests. Last year and this year especial;ly the use of performance enhancing drugs seems to have been stemmed. Steroids and other chemical marvels have run ramant in track and field football and baseball too . Not an excuse just a reflection of our society and the pressure that atheletes put on themselves to win.

Todays stage in the Aps was amazing! the Schleck brothers for Saxo Bank road like giants as did Alberto Cantador for Astana. . Lance Armstrong shows that he still has gas left in those 37 year old legs. Remeber folks he has been out of the sport since 2005 and returned last spring. He is perforiming at an incredible level and has put his team first. There is a slight chance that he will make it to the podium. He is a very good time trialist. The Schlecks are not.
The Tour de France.. drama outstanding endurance and the scenery of the French country side all brought to your home. WHat's not to love?

All the best
Urmas

It's Fun For The Whole Family

When I was out this weekend for a ride, I was going up the Don Valley Bike paths.
It was great to see the number of families out cycling together.There were older couples going at their own pace. There were parents with there tweenie kids and then there were the parents with there little shavers.
The important part was that they were out moving and participating in activities together. They were enjoying one anothers company. Laughing and smiling and exploring the park systems that our city has to offer. They were not stuck in front of a television or computer screen . They were pro active.
Some of the kids were looking at butterflies, looking at snails or excitedly screaming at the surprise appearance of a Garter snake. This is good , inexpensive family time without the need to go to a theme park. Something kids do with ther folks and then do it with their kids when they are old enough. Creating fond memories

It's a good time in history to love bikes

I remember as a kid in the 60's my first two-wheeler was a red second hand standard bike with no chain guard, 20" wheels, conventional bars and seat. Every cycle of the crank the right crank would jump forward because the cotter pin wasn't tight enough. The cyclist's version of walking with a limp. But it did give me the open door to bike repair and ever since fixing that crank I've been right into the guts of my bikes, my kids bikes and my friend's bikes. There is something very satisfying about turning a bike with a problem into a bike working well.

My second bike, my first new one, was a gold department store Mustang look-alike, Banana seat, high handlebars, short sissy bar. I took my bike down to the park everyday and practiced going fast along the paved path, about 4' wide. There was one corner I remember to this day, a tight left hander that I had to lean well into, left knee almost touching the ground in order to make the turn. It was then that I learned about tire pressure, hard tires and I'd go fast but couldn't hold the corner, softer tires and I'd have a little slower top end speed but better traction on the turn.

Later I had a Raleigh Supercourse touring type 10 speed that taught me all about cadence. Finding it and keeping it mile after mile, I did a lot of distance on that bike. Doing track stands with brakes and weight tranfer.

But it seems to me that I missed the fun by a generation, BMX, Mountain Biking, and Cyclocross didn't really exist in my childhood that I knew of, and I'm pretty sure I would have smoked your ass if it did.

Cheers

Don

Climb Every Mountain

After watching the Tour de France and the first stage in the Alps I was inspired to do some climbing on my ride today. I managed to carry myself up the Bayview extension from River Street to Moore. I think I left my lungs on the side of the road somewhere. If you happen to find them , could you please return them to me?
I do not understand how those guys can climb steep mountain passes day after day. It is estimated that they burn eight to ten THOUSAND calories. The average person eats 1200 calories a day.
On my way back home I met a guy named Mike who was riding his mountain bike, towing a trailer full of his landscaping equipment. He was coming from Richmond hill and was headed to Simcoe Ontario. He was planning to make it to Hamilton tonight. Good luck Mike

All the best Urmas

And in the Beginning

Hi ! This the first blog of Bicycle Gods. A forum to talk about cycling.
This the first step in building up to a viable television/ web site about cycling
The beauty of cycling is that kids from three to hundred and three can participate.
It is great for commuting, staying in shape family outings and just plain fun.

We will follow any topic under the sun about cycling- health and enviroment. Whatever is on your mind.
This is also in partner ship with agreenbike.com which gives restored pre -loved bicycles a new home for a reasonable price.