A Warning From Above (or Below)?

In the post you see below about Gracedale, I am highly critical of Gracedale's so-called administration. But as I pecked away on my keyboard, s strange thing happened. My hands began to burn like they were on fire. It's almost as though Council member Kelly Keegan pulled out a voodoo doll of me and started burning my effigy's hands. Was God punishing me for being so mean? Was Satan giving me a sample of things to come? I actually had to walk away for a few minutes until the fire went out.

After some research, I think it was neither the Almighty nor Beelzebub. It was cycling. I sometimes grip my handlebars too tightly, and the burning sensation was my circulation returning to normal.

My Weekend Getaway

I took advantage of great weather to ride the Pine Creek Rail Trail this past weekend. That's a 62-mile gravel and crushed limestone trail between Jersey Shore (Pa.) and Wellsboro. I rode up Saturday and came back Sunday. It's about 140-miles from Nazareth. Jersey Shore, incidentally, is called that because many of the people who lived there had relocated from Jersey. Now they move here. 

It's a bit off the beaten path. After leaving I-80, I still had a good 40 minutes of driving along Routes 880 and 44. I encountered five horse-and-buggies on Saturday and again on the way home. Most of them had kids peering out the back, waving at me. The horses cantered with what seemed like pride. On the way home, I also saw some Mennonite families out for a walk. They waved, too. I also saw them on the trail. The men always wear trousers (no shorts) and the women wear dresses and, sometimes, a bonnet. I also saw large numbers of Mennonites cycling when I rode the GAP a few years ago. The men always had saws in case of a fallen tree blocking the path. 

There were more e-bikes than regular bikes on the trail. The riders are both young and old. Most are very courteous. I think they're great. People who otherwise might be reluctant to ride at all can get outside and many of them will pedal. I also think they can help a great deal in the event of a breakdown or medical emergency. It's nice to have company. 

The trail is part of the Pa Grand Canyon - the bottom part. I'm told there are breathtaking views if I wanted to ride or hike up some of the surrounding mountains, but riding 124 miles over two days is enough for me. 

The ride up from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro is supposed to be a slight, barely detectable elevation. But I suffered Saturday for a few reasons. First, most of the ride up was in a headwind or crosswind. Second, I loaded my bike with all kinds of crap it did not need and it was too heavy. But my biggest mistake was failing to stash away an instant coffee or just mix coffee with one of my water bottles. If I don't have caffeine after about three hours on a bike, I start to bonk. 

On the ride up, I was warned by a group of riders that a large rattlesnake was on the trail, waiting to pounce. Close to Wellsboro, I was warned by another group of cyclists that they had just encountered a big ol' bear. Unfortunately, I saw no rattlers, bears, porcupines or bald eagles. I only saw rabbits and squirrels.

Once I hit Wellsboro, I lucked into a $63 cabin, which is about half the rate of a hotel room and only 2.5 miles from the trail. 

The ride back was much better. It was downhill. The wind was at my back. Most importantly, I mixed coffee with a bottle of water. And I stopped at Wolf's as General Store for more, as well as three priceless rose-colored quartz stones that I got for $3. 

I want to visit this trail again in the Fall, when the leaves turn and the bears are hungrier.  

I Met Bambi Last Night

This time of year, I like to cycle a lot. Yesterday afternoon, I got a few miles in on the Ironton Rail Trail before the rain started. The rain felt good, but I stopped once I heard thunder and met my grandson for dinner. By then the rain had stopped and we both decided to hit the trail. It was still light enough to ride and much cooler than it had been just a few hours before. It was actually quite refreshing, not just to us, but to several deer in the area.

This fawn actually was standing on the side of the bike path like a fan from the Tour de France. I stopped by bike and talked to her, and she had absolutely no fear.  I actually could have touched her. I pulled out my phone and snapped this picture as she began to move away. 

A few miles later, I saw a skunk standing right by the bike path as well. He told me he's starting a blog. 

A Little More About EBikes and LV Trails

Last week, I asked you whether e-bikes bother you. Although most of you seem to have no objection, some of you get upset when an ebike flies by pedestrians on a trail with no warning. This rude behavior gives regular cyclists a bad reputation as well. Whether you're riding a regular bike or one with a motor, you should always have a bell to warn pedestrians in front of you. Another problem, and one I never knew existed, is that their batteries can be a fire hazard when they are being charged, so that needs to be watched. 

Above is a chart being posted by local police departments that explain the laws governing bicycles, ebikes, scooters, segways, motorized pedal cycles and electric scooters. I've never seen a segway on a trail but have seen the rest. There are also motorized skateboards, which can fly. 

I also thought I'd give you my summary or trail etiquette. 

Who has the right of way? - Equestrians, followed by pedestrians, then cyclists. Pedestrians going up a hill have the right of way over those going down. 

Courtesy - Stay on the right side of the trail if possible, so that a cyclist passing you will do so on your left. He will usually either ring a bell or let you know unless the trail is very wide. Another thing that makes me laugh is the number of walkers who spend their entire time on a trail glued to their phone. They don't hear cyclists behind them and I often wonder why they are even out there because they are missing a lot of the natural beauty of this area. 

Crosswalk. - Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks across roads along a trail so long as they are in it. Cyclists do not. We are considered moving vehicles and must yield to traffic. 

Do E-Bikes Bother You?

For the past few years, there's been a growing trend in cycling - ebikes. For about the same price I'd spend on a regular bike, you can get one with a pedal-assisted throttle. You can even convert your bike with a nice motor. I've seen them everywhere, both on roads and trails. The people who seem to dislike them most are, believe it or not, cyclists. Frankly, I think these purists are snobs. 

I like them myself. I can understand why you can get rattled when someone flies by on an ebike without so much as a "How do you do?", but I get passed by a lot of road bikes as well. There's always someone faster.

I particularly like talking to older people on ebikes. Many of them would be doing nothing without them. Yesterday, I cycled a few miles with a retired tractor trailer driver who loved to cycle but then was sidelined with cardiopulmonary issues. He converted his bike and is able to ride regularly and even can pedal. 

I asked him what area of the country he likes best. Upstate NY, he answered. I asked him if cops tend to go easy on truckers. He told me most of them are great, except in Ohio. 

I'm no cycle purist. I wear a helmet but have no problem with people who prefer not to because most cycling injuries are to the shoulders, arms and clavicle, not the head. But on ebikes, which can hit speeds of 51 mph, I think they're a good idea. 

Temple U Ride to Ambler Campus Was Cold, Windy, Hilly and Wonderful

I stand with Canada

I'm going to spare you from my usual drivel about local politics and government to write about a topic about which I know even less - cycling. Yesterday, at the crack of dawn, my grandson and I rolled down the Northeast Extension and Surekill Expressway into the heart of Philly for a cycling adventure with over 300 trail nuts from Temple's main to Ambler campuses. It's only a 21.4-mile trip, so our plan was to ride up, grab some water and head right back using our GPS app. We've ridden in and around Philly several times in the past. It's mostly flat and the greenway along the Schuylkill River is awesome. Plus, the weather was supposed to be great, with no winds and temperatures nearing 70 degrees. What could possibly go wrong? 

Lots. 

Last week, as Sunday approached, I kept an eye on my fancy  weatherbug app. About midweek, forecasters predicted that Sunday was actually going to be a bit windy. No problem. We've been riding in windy weather since November. Just as long as it doesn't get cold. 

It did. On Saturday afternoon, the weather mavens decided it was going to be both very windy and cold on Sunday morning. And it was. 

I stand with Canada, too

My grandson Dat was going to wear his very neat Canada cycling jersey. I planned on wearing a Ukraine jersey myself, but it was shot down by an Iranian shahed. We had to cover up with cold weather gear. 

The wind was brutal. When we started on Diamond Street, headed east to Fairmount Park, we were going right into a strong wind. "They'll be behind us once we hit the park," said one cyclist. Once he said that, I knew we were screwed. All along Kelly Drive, we were still riding into the wind. One little girl on her bike actually blew away along with numerous plastic bottles. I ignored the little brat. "Every man for himself," I say. 

Along Kelly Drive, lots of people are out early Sunday morning for some God-awful reason. Some ride while others walk or run. On the river, a few idiots were actually rowing. The path here is very narrow, so really you should be cautious when passing others. But riders were not. A few of them, probably the same morons who ignored red lights, insisted on playing speed demon. As the ride continued into the hills, however, they began to fade away.

Did I say hills? Yes, eventually we left the narrow but paved surface to ride along a trail aptly named Forbidden Drive. It's littered with stones that are more like boulders than typical gravel. The speed demons had now dismounted and were walking their bikes. As soon as we'd make it over one hill, there'd be another. And as if the boulders weren't bad enough, there were potholes all over the place. 

And the winds? They were still either in our face or going right across us. "They'll be behind us once we hit Northwestern Ave," said the same cyclist who had already made one erroneous prediction before. 

Wrong again. Though we were back on a paved surface, it's a pretty busy road with churches all over the place, and some people actually still go regularly. It was also, of course, a hill. I was forced to stop at two lights going up, and that's when my grandson made his move. 

"Every man for himself," he said as he sailed away and I struggled to keep up. 

When we hit Bethlehem Pike and a sharp turn to the left, I heard the same ominous winds prediction for a third time. "They'll be behind us now, I'm sure of it," said our cycling meteorologist. Like most weathermen, he was wrong again. This time, the wind blew him away. 

But at least we were on paved surfaces. 

Wrong again. We soon ended up on the Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, which is as bad or worse than Forbidden Drive, and much hillier. I missed dropping gears on one hill and am ashamed to say I had to get off. "This is the advantage of a light bike," said one cyclist as he carried his three-ounce titanium or platinum or whatever up the hill. I masked my humiliation by saying, "I meant to do that." Then I did a few shoulder presses with my bike. 

After what seemed like an eternity of cold winds and hills, I heard a faint noise in the distance. It grew louder as I continued. They were Temple U cheerleaders at the finish line. 

We did it. At the finish line, we got two free water bottles, a Temple T-shirt, all the water I could handle, bananas, more trail nuts, Philly soft pretzels and pizza.  There was free beer for the cyclists, but I don't partake. What I did find, however, was a coffee machine inside one of the buildings, conveniently located next to a bathroom. 

We had planned to ride back the way we came. It would have been downhill and I'm pretty sure the wind really would be at our backs this time.  But Temple had a nice big bus and truck to take cyclists and their bikes back the main campus.  I lied to my grandson and told him I feared we could get lost. 

As it turns out, we probably would have. I used an app - Ride with GPS - that drained the battery on my phone. It was dead soon after we arrived at Ambler's campus. 

We took the bus and made it back to Philly in time for Vietnamese food. 

I have to say that, as challenging as this ride was, I loved it. Temple did a great job marking the course and had sag wagons for people who got into trouble (Nobody actually blew away that I know of).  The ride was well organized, and the bus trip back started on time and was a lot quicker than the actual ride. Oh, yeah, I probably should have looked at the map. 

For Second Time, I Think Someone Stole My Cannondale Trail 5 - Part 2

A few years ago, almost immediately after completing the 330-mile ride from Pittsburgh to D.C., someone stole my Cannondale Trail 5 locked bicycle while I rewarded myself with lunch. Video showed the culprit, who was armed with a few bike tools and made an idiot out of me by simply disassembling part of the bike, slipping the lock off, reassembling and then riding off. A few weeks later, I had a new Cannondale Trail 5, which my grandson uses when we cycle the trails. I told you on Friday that I believed that bike was stolen from a bank parking lot in Bethlehem while my grandson and I ate at the Pho Bowl after our ride. I was wrong. 

Bethlehem police investigated and reviewed camera footage from the bank. That footage showed I had two bikes on my car when I left. 

From Bethlehem, I stopped at the Giant Food Store in Nazareth before returning home. I was there about 15 minutes, but I park at the far end of the lot so I can walk more. So it's possible the bike was stolen from that location. I have contacted Colonial Regional Police because Giant tells me that there are cameras all over the parking lot. 

Another possibility is that the bike fell off during my ride home. I highly doubt this because I have the bike strapped in pretty well and I definitely can hear it when the bikes move in any way.

In any event, I want you to know that no crime was committed in Bethlehem. I also want to tell you that I purchased a new bike for our Philly Bike Ride. 

The moral of this story is that I should really try to stay out of the car and on my bike. I probably would do so more often but am unable to ride two bikes together. 

For the Second Time, I Think Someone Stole My Cannondale Trail 5

At the end of the day yesterday, I met my grandson at Sand Island and we rode the trails while there was daylight. After that, we met up at Bethlehem's Pho Bowl, my favorite restaurant and talked Phillies and Eagles. From there, I hopped into my car and drove home. But when I arrived in Nazareth, I noticed that my Cannondale Trail 5 was no longer on the bike rack. Not only was it secure to the back rack, but I use several straps to make sure nothing moves. So I believe my bike was probably stolen last night while we were eating.  

To avoid the Bethlehem Parking Authority Nazis, I park at the M&T Bank lot if it is after hours. A camera is trained on the cars, so police should be able to confirm today whether the bike was stolen. Whether they will be able to retrieve it is another story, although I was able to give them the serial number.

Police arrived within minutes of my call and were very professional and sympathetic. There is a slight possibility that the bike fell off during my ride home, but it was strapped in very well and I think I would have noticed. I retraced my ride home and saw nothing. When the video footage from the bank is observed, we'll know for sure. 

This will be the second time someone stole one of my bikes. The last time it was a Cannondale Trail 5 as well. I had just finished riding the 330-mile trip from Pittsburgh to DC and stopped for lunch. Though I locked my bike, the thief was able to disassemble the cockpit of the bike and slip it off the lock. There was video of that, too. 

This time my bike was unsecured. I spend a good five or ten minutes adding all kinds of straps to the wheels and noodles to keep the bikes from hitting each other or the car, so I never expected someone to be able to get everything off so quickly. 

My grandson and I are headed to Philly next Friday for the annual Philly Bike Ride. If you know of any decent bikes for sale, let me know. I am looking at a Trek Domane Al 2 or a Cannondale Synapse Sora, which are great low-end endurance bikes you can ride on a road or trail. But they are hard to find. 

My brother, who lives only a half block away from Pho Bowl, is an evil Republican. I told police he probably stole it. He says he was with Trump, eating dogs and cats.   

Have I Been Cursed by NorCo Council Members?

Last week, I was highly critical of NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan's refusal to go agree with a salary for a new assistant DA, even though it is below the starting wage of an assistant public defender. It is my view that, as one of Executive Lamont McClure's rubber stamps, she represents his desire to keep wages ridiculously low instead of paying people what they are worth. I also insulted one of McClure's opponents on Council, not on this blog, but in a number of text exchanges in which I accused this person of being both illogical and having some irrational fear of gay people. I was feeling pretty good about myself for being such an asshole but paid the price. I think those bastards cursed me or got a voodoo doll and began sticking pins in it. On Thursday, nearing the end of a long bike ride in Bethlehem, I had a nasty spill while navigating through railroad tracks at a small bridge near Conestoga Street in Bethlehem. It hit them at a bad angle and my tire wedged between the track and the new rubberized rail sides. I went down hard, and now I have road rash pretty on my left arm, left leg and a bruised left hip and shoulder.   

According to New Scientist, one-third of cyclists over 65 are good for one spill each year. This is my third.  On the first two falls, I injured my left side. Now I have matching road rash and bruises on my right side as well.  

When I fall, I usually lie there for a few minutes and try to assess whether anything is broken. Then it takes another few minutes to get up and another few minutes to walk around and see if I can hop back on. I was doing that on Thursday when it suddenly dawned on me that a railroad track with rubberized sides is almost certainly an active line. With that realization, I suddenly became very nimble.

Yesterday, I was back on the bike. It was muggy but there were no clouds. Once I was about 10m miles away, the skies opened up and thunder began cracking. Once I made it home. it stopped. 

It's been a rough summer, but I'm finally beginning to understand why. 

Twilight Criterium Proves Easton Becoming a Destination Town

The start and finish line on Northampton Street, just below 
the circle, packed with enthusiasts. 

Easton is one of many river towns that dot both sides of the Delaware. According to the New York Times, it is undergoing a transformation as a "refuge" for double-platers from NY and NJ escaping higher home prices and taxes. So is the entire Lehigh Valley and that's no reason for celebration because they drive up prices and taxes here. But there's something more going on in what was once called Fishtown. I was there for Saturday night's packed Twilight Criterium, a series of events throughout the afternoon and evening eclipsed by a criterium for professional male and female cyclists. The place was packed, not just with cycling fans like myself, but with people just out to enjoy a pleasant evening. There was high energy and lots of smiles, especially since the booze was flowing freely. Moreover, the shops and restaurants along Northampton and Third Streets might actually be nicer than those you'll find at Lambertville or New Hope, and with a lot less snobbery than you'll find at other high-end locations. Easton has arrived. 

What the hell is a criterium, you might ask. Most cycling races are for long distances on roads from one city to another, usually lasting for several days. The Giro d'Italia, for example, was a 19-stage race on  roads, cobblestones, mountains and gravel. Fans along the route get to see the riders once as they go by in a blur. In contrast, a crit is a short race along city streets with numerous turns and multiple laps. Fans can see the riders every time they lap the course. 

Though the crits were the main event, the day was packed with events for everyone. There was a free fun ride along the course, a foot race for runners with cash prizes and even a wheelie competition 

US Crit Champion Coryn Labecki

The winner of the Women's Pro Criterium, EF Education - Cannondale's Coryn Labecki, had just won the USA National Crit in West Virginia. In her two decades of racing (she started at age 11), she has garnered 74 national titles on the road, time trials or at crits. She may be only 4'11' but is a cycling heavyweight. She would go on to win the Tour of Somerville yesterday. 

Unfortunately, I had to leave before the men's race, which started with some rain. If you were there, feel free to share what you thought. 

Easton's Twilight Criterium This Saturday

Tomorrow, Easton will host its 4th annual Twilight Criterium, a lapped bicycle race on a closed circuit set in cities. Easton's race will be on a 0.71 mile course in the downtown with six turn.  

There are actually 11 different events, starting with a community ride (free) at 1:15 pm and ending with a race for the pros at 7:20 pm (women) (25-miles) and 8:40 pm (men) (35-miles).   

I had hoped to participate in the community ride, but I had cataract surgery on Tuesday and am unable to ride outdoors for a week. (I may do it anyway). 

I am looking forward to watching the pros in action. At Wednesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Sal Panto said it's "like the Grand Prix, but on bicycles." 

I'm Falling Apart

A few weeks ago, I told you that I'm basically blind in my left eye as a result of cataracts. That issue will hopefully be addressed soon. But I'm still falling apart. A month ago, I suffered an injury to my shoulder while lifting. That has been slow to heal, but I was doing quite well with some stretches. Until yesterday.

A friend wanted me with her during an appointment she had with Palmer Police yesterday after her parked car was hit over the weekend. I told her there was nothing police could do, and I would be useless, but she insisted. So, I went. And because the weather was so nice, I rode my bike along a number of back roads that are always more hilly than they seem when you're driving. 

I was right. There waws nothing police or I could do. After the interview had concluded, I started to get on my bike, which was right next to her car, where she made me move it. For some reason, I lost my balance and went over. I landed right on the very shoulder that was healing rather nicely. Now it isn't. 

It could have been worse. I fell over right by her car. She did not notice and began backing up and missed running me over by about six inches. She never saw me laying there and just drove off. Eventually, I got up and rode home to an ice pack and Aleve.  

Believe it or not, I still enjoyed the ride and look forward to Ironton Trail tonight, where I will try to beat my grandson 

What's Your Take on the $10 Million Grant For Bike Lanes in West Bethlehem?

This year is the first I've ever cycled in temperatures below 50 degrees. So on Tuesday morning, I rode from Nazareth to my favorite bike shop in Bethlehem, Action Wheels, which just happens to be next to my favorite restaurant, the Pho Bowl. That way I could grab a healthy lunch and continue my trek. At the bike shop, they were very excited about The Morning Call report that Bethlehem is getting a $10 million grant for protected bike lanes, enhanced crosswalks and LANTA infrastructure along 1.5 miles of West Broad Street. Action Wheels is located on West Broad, serves a lot of bike commuters and should benefit immensely

This is an even bigger coup for Bethlehem. I've never hesitated to criticize Mayor Willie Reynolds, but he and his staff should be commended for snagging this grant money while Easton argues about the Israeli invasion of Gaza and Allentown keeps trying to defund the police.  

According to studies summarized in People for Bikes, which is obviously a tad biased, protected bike lanes substantially reduce both cycling and pedestrian injuries. They are reported to increase retail sales, nearby property values and even make motorists feel more comfortable. Moreover, people who might be reluctant to cycle on roads embrace protected bike lanes.  

As nice as this sounds, there are also studies concluding that these bike lanes are actually unsafe, increasing the likelihood of a crash by between 117 and 400 per cent.  The problem is that drivers do not look for or see cyclists in the dedicated lane and will turn right into them if turning at an intersection or into the parking lot of a business. Cyclists in turn are lulled into a false sense of security and are less likely to be vigilant. 

I do a lot of cycling and walking. I've ridden on a few of these dedicated bike lanes in Philly and dislike my own experience. For one thing, motorists tend to ignore bike lanes and will both drive and park in them. I feel safest when I'm on the road, hugging as much of the right side of the road as I can (without smacking into someone opening a car door). I try to be highly visible and can usually stop or swerve if a car suddenly pulls in front of me, That's one advantage of being slow. To be honest, I make more mistakes than drivers, and they are mostly very courteous. So I'm unsure whether a dedicated bike lane is really needed, but am interested in what you think. My own experience is very limited. 

While dubious about enhanced bike lanes, I'm all for enhanced crosswalks and wider sidewalks. I actually walk more than I cycle (in terms of time), and can attest that drivers simply do not see pedestrians. My only issue with wider sidewalks is that they should be permeable pavements with more trees to reduce city temperatures on hot summer days.  

I''ll also agree that we should do everything we can to encourage mass transit.   

I Missed Philly's Naked Bike Ride

It was a busy weekend for cycling enthusiasts. Wout van Aert, the Belgian Beast, crushed the UCI world gravel cycling championship. He was 9 minutes ahead of the second place finisher. The Vuelta a Espana, a 1,950-mile bike race in 23 stages, has started in spite of torrential downpours and lightning. The 112-mile ride on Sunday had a 9,000' mountain. I rode 16 miles here with a 600' elevation and thought that was tough. But we all blew it. We missed Saturday's Naked Bike Ride in downtown Philly. That's a 13 mile trek that promotes cycling and body positivity. 

I think I'd have a tough time riding 100' without padded bike shorts. I think a lot of people are going to have sore posteriors today.  

Cycling Commutes

During the summer months, I try to avoid driving as much as I can and hop on a bicycle. I can be holier-than-thou, and claim I'm doing my part to save the environment. The truth, however, is that it's a lot cheaper and I really enjoy it. But yesterday's ride was a bit too much of a good thing. 

When I ride to the courthouse, it's mostly downhill. Mostly. There are still some hills. If I turn from Bushkill Dr. to 13th Street, I have to climb a fairly steep hill with a lot of traffic and several lights. It's also fairly narrow,. If I continue on Bushkill Drive and turn to head to 7th Street, there's an even steeper hill and narrower street. So yesterday, I decided on another route from Nazareth, taking me along Country Club Road and past the AAA and Louise Moore Park. The hill there is more manageable. I was unaware that, about a half mile beyond the park, the bridge over Route 22 is longer there. I had to circle back and ride through several hills. So it was a challenge. 

When I left for home, I cheated. I rode part of the way and hopped on a LANTA bus. I love the bike racks on front and, as a senior, I ride free. 

Another concern is rain. Last week, I was caught in several downpours I cheated then, too. 

Is traffic a problem? Most people are very courteous. Today I pissed off a driver on 13th Street in Easton when I had trouble getting a move on after the light turned green at the top of the hill. Other than a loud horn and a few epithets that are mild compared to what I read on this blog, I was unscathed.      

Meet CAT's Scott Slingerland

Lehigh County Exec Phil "Grandpa" Armstrong and NorCo Exec Lamont McClure held a news conference today to announce the launch of Lehigh Valley Breathes.  I'll have more about that in a separate story. This presser was scheduled near Sand Island, right smack dab in the middle of everyone setting up for Musikfest. It still attracted a gaggle of reporters and environmentalists. Most people had to park their SUVs and hoof their way into the throng. But one person with a big smile on his face rode his bike right through the diesel trucks, chicken dancers  and sledge hammers getting everything ready for Bethlehem's annual festival of drink and song. His name is Scott Slingerland, and he's the Executive Director of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT).    

According to its website CAT "works to improve mobility for everyone. Better bicycling, walking/ADA accessibility, and public transit develop a stronger, smarter economy and a higher quality of life."  It offers classes for basic and advanced bike maintenance, conducts group rides and offers courses on riding along our roads. 

Scott is posing above with Armstrong, who is also a cycling enthusiast. Scott's rig consists of a nice Cannondale with a toboggan trailer.  After I took this photo, Armstrong shoved Slingerland aside and rode off along the D&L. Bethlehem's mounted police caught up to him.

McClure, who is in training for the LV Marathon in November, ran the trail to Easton, suit and all. 

God Punishes Me For Trying to Show Off

I've told you several thousand times that I'm a highly conditioned, well-trained athlete. I rode my bike to meet someone for lunch at Nazareth Diner. After that, I planned to ride to Gracedale and shame everyone else for driving there and ruining the planet. There's a few hills, but it's a short ride. It was a great opportunity to show off. 

When I left the Diner, I noticed the skies were getting dark and I could hear some rumbling. It will pass, I told myself. That lasted about a half mile and then it started. Not a faint light drizzle. Lightning was crackling all around me, the winds reduced my speed to about 1 mph and hail battered me. I was actually hoping someone would hit me so I could hijack their car. 

I arrived at Gracedale looking like a sewer rat, soaking wet, and my shoes squeaked wherever I walked. 

Nobody seemed to notice, probably because I always look like a sewer rat. 

I should have driven. 

A US Bicycling Hall of Fame Here in the Lehigh Valley?

The US Bicycling Hall of Fame is looking for a new home. If Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham gets his wish, it will be right here in the Lehigh Valley. He's expected to announce a plan to lease a Lehigh County-owned site, located right next to the Velodrome, at 1:00 PM today. His news conference will occur on site and architectural drawings will be on display.

Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners will vote on Cunningham’s resolution on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 pm.

Coplay Childrens Bike Derby This Saturday

Coplay's 13th Annual Coplay Childrens Bike Derby kicks off this Saturday at the Coplay Parkway by the Coplay Swimming Pool, 2nd Street.

Registration begins at 8:15 AM, and the bike derby itself runs between 9 and 11 AM. This is a FREE event with food and refreshments, but I doubt there will be any free booze, even in Coplay. Kids will navigate a bike course and learn bike safety. Every child receives a prize. The event is for ages 3 to 16.

This annual event is sponsored by the Coplay Police Department and Auxiliary Police, Coplay Town Watch, the Coplay Athletic Club, and other sponsors who make this event a success.

Lehigh County Commissioner Bill Leiner, Jr, who is also the Coplay Town Watch prez, has extended Coplay's hospitality to all kids within range of this blog.

Pay No Attention to Lehigh Valley Earthquakes - It's Just Fat Man on a Bike

Just two years ago, I rode my bike to the courthouse nearly every day. Contrary to what you may think, most drivers were nice. They'd laugh when they saw me. I loved it. It helped me stay fit. One less car.

Then it happened. One morning, I woke up with terrible pain in my shoulder blade. My cycling and running days were at an end. I couldn't even turn my head. I'm an old fart. One more car.

That was seventy pounds ago. Yesterday, I started again. I rode my bike to work. I'll only be able to do this twice a week until I get in better shape. I walked hills. People still laugh. But other cyclists don't. They're in their own little zen world, listening to their breathing or the noise of a car coming behind them. It felt good to be out. One less car.

I have a heavy duty bike with racks, fenders, headlights, reflectors and Kevlar tires. I call it my BUV. Don't need to gas it up. The only fuel I need is water. One less car.

At the courthouse, where parking is at a premium and people drive for a half hour to fight over a spot, I parked right by the rotunda and chained my bike to a railing. No bike racks. A wind-sensitive fountain at our $45 million judicial palace, but no one thought of a bike rack. I washed off in the men's room, even though it offends prudish council members like asbestos lawyer Lamont McClure. He wants me barred from changing in a frickin' men's room. It might violate his Code of Civility. I can only sit on the crapper. Hey, hairballs have rights, too! That's OK. In a few weeks, when I'm fit enough to drive every day, I'll strap a Lamont McClure sign on my back, and give every driver I see the finger. One less Lamont McClure.

After work, I took an empty LANTA bus part of the way home. Thanks to visionary people like Steve Schmitt and his Coalition for Alternative Transportation, our buses come equipped with bike racks. I rode the last few miles. I was a real sore ass, but there was one less car.

I'm baaaaack. Lance Armstrong, look out! I may never race at the Velodrome, but I'll be one less car.