Touring, Traffic, and TMI!

Ok, this post is just covering a weird range of what's going on lately on the bikey side of my life.  First up, I have two awesome friends who are headed out on an epic (yep, I used that word) fat bike tour.  They are leaving Saturday and will be making rounds throughout the Pacific Northwest (including the Oregon Outback trail), through Colorado, and ending up back here to pick up their stuff before heading to the eastern US for a new stage in their life.  I'll miss them, but how can you be mad at someone for doing it this way!!!

Their rigs....

And of course we had to drink some of the beer they can't take!

Next up.  I still want to be traffic!  Why do I have to push a button to get the light to turn at most intersections in Reno.  Isn't our bike infrastructure supposed to be better than that!?

First world problem...I know...but the button is so far out of the way!

And finally in the TMI category.  All my current jeans seem to have failed at the same time and oddly right in the crotch.  I guess that means I'm still riding enough!  Fortunately, it's summer and I think I can put off replacing them until this fall!

Bike Lane Obstruction....

Last week a rider was killed on Mill St. (my daily commute route).  While it's sad and should spark conversation and improvements....the even sadder part is it probably won't.  I'd be surprised if the driver even faces any penalties although he cost someone their life.

So, the other day I did something I usually don't do.  I got mad enough to stop on Mill St. and remove the unused construction signs that have been blocking the bike lanes for more than 6 months!

Before:

Even more of a slap in the face that it's next to the Bike Route signage!

After:

I did it at a second location as well.  My question is how can the City of Reno allow these to remain (unused) even after a rider is killed on this very street?  And I know that the short answer is they don't even know that construction crews practice this type of errant blockage of bike lanes, but I think it's time they wake up!

National Bike to Work Day!

Well kids.  I'm full of pancakes and bacon thanks to the Reno Bike Project.  And it might be shaping up as a windy ride home....but that's ok.

So while the week is almost over, it doesn't mean you shouldn't get the bike out and keep riding to work and just everywhere!  Here's a few images to highlight the week.

Nothing like a cold beer after a bike ride!

Bikes, beer gardens, and good friends!

The fabulous Julie...who makes your bike week happen and rocks awesome bicycle earrings!

Pancake feed coordinator Genevieve with Julie.  Both rocking bicycle earrings and both down right exhausted.  Good Job Ladies!

Cyclist Killed on Mill St.

From the RGJ:

This is my daily ride....really disturbing as Mill St. has very clearly marked bike lanes and the intersection with Telegraph has good lines of sight.  This article provides very little detail (or course), but indicates the cyclist was hit "outside" a marked intersection....

It's worth noting that in the photo capture above...the cyclist appears to have been traveling west bound just prior to the telegraph intersection.  While RGJ describes it as crossing Mill St. outside a marked intersection it appears he was probably trying to cross the two 50 mph lanes of traffic to get to the left turn lane for telegraph.  This is a common turn off to get away from the high speed traffic on Mill, but also really hard to do since you're merging from the far right.

Looks to me like he was hit from behind in the process.  It's also worth noting the car delivery semi in the background.  These guys very often park in the bike lane forcing riders out into traffic in this area.  I wonder if this played a roll as well?

Either way...someone died yesterday and my thoughts go out to the family and friends.  Everyone be careful out there as we wrap up bike to work week.

From KTVN:

Monday - Wednesday Bike to Work Week Report.

Well, another bike to work week is upon us.  It certainly doesn't hurt that he weather has been great and that it's also craft beer week!  As a result there has been zero excuse not to ride!

That doesn't mean that everything is just roses though.  People still like to block the new bike lanes on Keystone.  At least they put out some cones.  These little things don't take away from fun this week offers however, so.....

....bike down to the atm....get some cash....

...bike to work...work hard....

...bike to your favorite craft beer location and enjoy the spoils of bike to work week!  And don't forget to cap it off with the Pancake Feed at the Reno Bike Project on Friday!

Bike to Work Week!!!

If you missed it....next week is THE week....BIKE TO WORK WEEK!

I strongly recommend you kick it off Saturday (yep, tomorrow) with some Bike Around Bingo down in midtown.  It's a great way to meet people, see some of the new businesses, and just have a ton of fun.  So grab the bike and head on down. Also, be sure to check out https://bikewashoe.org/bike-week/events/ for all the other events during the week!

Hating Bicyclists....

The Reno Rambler posted this and it's just too good not to re post.

Reno River Festival and River Roll!

This weekend is the annual Reno River Festival....and this year they've added a River Roll complete with costume contest!  The down side is it costs $30!?  The up side is there are prizes and it includes at least some beer!  So while I'm still going down for the kayaking, I can't help but give a bump for the bike ride. 

So, even if you're just going down to hang out and enjoy the festival atmosphere grab your bike and enjoy the weekend!

Bike to Work Week is Coming!

And no....the irony that I'm taking this from my truck is not lost on me.  For the record I had about 100 lbs of rocks I had to deliver to my office from some recent field work.  Even I'm not crazy enough to carry those on a bike!