Tag: biking

Back on My Bike

Carl Setzer

The past week I’ve finally had time to ride. It’s been a zany summer without much time for my favorite things. My, I feel the lack of miles! But I am feeling a recommitment to riding. Plus, my son has the riding bug and pushes me to be on my bike more. So much goodness.

One thing we did this weekend: rode to a local donut place. Lynnwood’s Donut Factory delights us so very much. Since they don’t have a bike rack, I showed my son some bicyclist hacks (like locking the bikes together, in opposite directions,).

That got me thinking about bike security. Besides simply enjoying riding, I spent a number of years with my bike as my sole, owned transportation (biking, my feet and the bus were the main modes of transportation). It’s rather important, as an avid and not wealthy cyclist, to maintain possession of my wheels. With that in mind, check out “How to prevent your bike from being stolen“. Good advice about both preventing the theft, but also what to do if it’s stolen and ways to ensure it’ll get back to you if it is.

I hope you have great two-wheeled fun and also remain safe and secure.

Happy riding!

New Year’s Weekend

Carl Setzer

It was a pretty calm weekend. Didn’t even hit the gym much, but that wasn’t too bad. Was feeling worn out, so clearly needed rest.

Did make it to REI’s garage sale, scoring some great gear at killer prices. But not much, as the past month had been had a heap of extra expense. In particular, found a bike jacket that I’m tempted to wear everywhere. I have no qualm with uber-bike-nerd status.

Makes me look forward to riding in 2015. I plan on greatly increasing my mileage this year. I’ll map out a more specific goal soon. I also want to ride a few organized rides. I haven’t thought it through much deeper than that.  Now, just wondering if I’ll hit the Chilly Hilly next month.

Also looking forward to the year’sSeattle Bike Expo. Centurylink field should provide a nice, more easily accessible venue. Parking shall be a hoot, but us cyclists, especially the hardcore, will be fine. Plenty of bike racks, I’m sure.

There are a few other outside goals I’m entertaining. Getting some good hikes in really excites me. Ice Caves again, perhaps another trip up to Lake 22, but only looking at day hikes right now. These will be summer based. At least good weather focused.

So, 2015 week be an outside-centric year. How more awesome can you get! See you outside!

Cars

Carl Setzer

As a “true” American, I have a deep love for the automobile. However, I’m a bit urban in my love. Though I have a deep respect for the historical American auto (watch my head turn after a Hudson or Packard), for my Modern car passions, I turn to Europe.

German cars, mostly Volkswagen, garner my focus (It is important to note that I currently drive a Honda Accord; necessity, not passion). (I don’t know if I would have a wider range of loves if my wallet were fatter.) Comically, my favorite VW has been the van. Though discontinued in the US, the Multivan still exists. The fact that I covet one of these, and would be willing to ship it to the States (with a few years of saving my pennies, of course) marks me as a geek (as if I needed another marker). I guess I’ll need to put the Linux penguin on the back window.

What I find fascinating is the “why”. I can’t put my finger on a particular wow factor. Some of it comes from my cyclist/outdoorsy days, where the VW van was so cool…I could transport my bike and not need to pull the wheels off! I get to my destination, pull out bike and ride. Woo hoo! Perhaps it’s the link between the hippie and the bus. I think that it’s pretty deep, deeper than the cool lines and advanced design. Because, let’s face it, even the Multivan is not radically designed.

Well, who knows. I do love the things, though. And, yes, I’m planning my trip to the holy land of Wolfsburg someday.