Author Archives: Tim K

Local Has-been TV commentator wrong about bikes (again)

Posted on August 10, 2007 | 1 comment

TV troll Ken Schram has come down on the site of opportunistic ticket-writing Lake Forest Park in the debate about whether a tiny little town with not much going for it can stand in the way of a heavily used regional transportation system (that happens to NOT rely on bikes).

In a nutshell, LFP property owners don’t like people in lycra riding by their waterfront homes. I think it makes them feel guilty about their giant SUVs and car-centric lifestyles. They’ve been fighting it for years and just lost a regional hearing that will make them allow the county to improve the trail.

Traffic on the trail is increasing and as more people get serious about global warming, high gas prices, and big butts, it’s only going to get worse (for the property owners). So, LFP politicos are fighting back the only way they know how — vindictively ticketing cyclists for speeding or running one of the many illogically placed stop signs that attempt to force thousands of trail users each day to stop for an unoccupied private driveway.)

Thanks Ken, way to take the side of the underdog!

-Tim

1 Comment

Posted in alternative transportation, Human Powered Politics, seattle, traffic

Our (first) Xtracycle on the road!

Posted on August 9, 2007 | 11 comments

Finished Anne’s xtracycle today (actually VERY early this morning, but who’s keeping track?). We are pretty psyched. The kids are digging it already — it’s gone to the store, Grandma’s, and swim lessons.

We still have some finishing touches:

rigid fork on order
A cushier, upright seat needed
Albatross bars on order
curvier stoker bars coming (Nitto swept-backs)
Some smooth fat rubber (well, I wanted 2.3 but I don’t think they’ll fit the skinny Rolf wheels)

But all in all, this thing is cool. Mine is next!

-Tim

11 Comments

Posted in longbikes, wrenchin', xtracycle

Tagged , building, diy, howto, xtracycle

Building the Longbike

Posted on August 9, 2007 | Leave a comment

I’m slowly putting together longbike #1. I’m going from this:

To hopefully something that resembles a bike.

For the most part, it has gone together well — at least considering the cobbled together source of parts (ebay, craigslist, parts bins, and even other bikes hanging in the basement). I had some issues with the derailleur hanger being mis-drilled, causing the derailleur bolt to (want to) cross-thread, but nothing a dremel tool can’t fix! I got it on track and props to the xtracycle folks for offering to replace the frame.

When I get this one done, mine is next.

More later!

PS — a photo of the derailleur issue:

Why Car Free Days?

Posted on August 8, 2007 | 2 comments

Because we American’s drive too damn much. It’s got to stop. Peak Oil, global warming, bad traffic etc.. We as a family we realize it isn’t practical for everyone to give dump their cars completely (we haven’t and I don’t imagine we will any time soon), but we can drive less.

A lot less.

Right now we drive around 8000 miles/year. That’s a family of four. But we think we can do better. One way we got to this point is to have “car free days.” We try to park the car and get around on bikes, feet, or just stay at home and work in the garden. Sorry kids, we aren’t driving today.

We recently returned from Europe (yes, I know the carbon emissions of that flight were horrible. I’ll stay home for a decade to make up for it). The bike lifestyle in the Netherlands is amazing. Cars, pedestrians, cyclists, trains, trams, and boats, all living in transportational bliss. It’s all pretty inspiring (especially when you factor in all the stylish fit, contented Dutch eyecandy).

Needless to say, the trip inspired us to get our xtracycles built (they’ve been in the box since April), start this blog (to keep us honest), and see what we can do to reduce our automotive footprint.

Stay tuned.

-Tim and Anne