THIS IS THE END
I've decided it's time for this blog to come to a close. Over the last few months I've started to get the feeling that this blog has lost any purpose it once had. I always wanted to have some kind of consistent message or theme, but I feel the message is no longer there. I'll still be blogging, but will be working on a few others. Please feel free to email me if you are interested in some of my other writings and I'll send you the link.
Thank you all for keeping up with me the past few years and I hope you all continue to follow my other writings.
Its been a lot of fun, thanks for stopping by!
-C
Monday, December 08, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
America
You deserve whatever you get come November. This country has its head so far up its own ass, that if McCain is elected and we have oil covered coasts and war as far as the eye can see, you'll all say "well he did the best he could". Or on the other hand, if Obama is elected and congress does nothing for 4 years while Barack bends over backwards to appease everyone, you'll say "see this is why I didn't vote cause I knew it wouldn't change anything".
I hope we're all happy. We don't have to think any more because the big corporations are doing it for us. GO USA! Lets spread "democracy" across the globe.
You deserve whatever you get come November. This country has its head so far up its own ass, that if McCain is elected and we have oil covered coasts and war as far as the eye can see, you'll all say "well he did the best he could". Or on the other hand, if Obama is elected and congress does nothing for 4 years while Barack bends over backwards to appease everyone, you'll say "see this is why I didn't vote cause I knew it wouldn't change anything".
I hope we're all happy. We don't have to think any more because the big corporations are doing it for us. GO USA! Lets spread "democracy" across the globe.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
unwritten rules of the bike road.
1. When you're getting ready to pass another rider, its always better if the person you're passing knows you are coming. A simple "good morning" or "on your left" will do the trick, if you do not have a bell. On the flip side, if you are being passed, try and get over to your right because the rider behind you should be passing on the left.
2. Signaling is important for your safety and that of motorists and other cyclists. If you're making a left and the person behind you doesn't know, an accident is likely to occur. Using your left arm, put your arm straight out to signal a left turn. If you bend your elbow to point your hand up, then you are signaling a right turn. If you bend your elbow so your hand is down with your fist clenched, that means you're about to stop.
3. Stop at stop lights. I know how easy it is to just keep riding when no one is coming. I've been there, you're late for work, tired and ready to be home, whatever. If we want motorists to respect us and our space, we have to follow the same rules they do. Not to mention you can't see every car, biker, or walker coming. It comes down to safety and showing others that we are willing to play by the rules.
4. Thank people for stopping for you or giving you plenty of space when they pass. Again this is out of courtesy to drivers and other bikers, but I feel it goes a long way. If all motorists know about us is that we yell at them when they do wrong, its no wonder some many have a problem with us.
5. At a stop light when there is a line of cyclists in front of you stop behind them in a single file line. Sure if you have a friend its cool to stop two a breast and have a chat. But don't assume that you're faster than everyone in front of you or that your time is more important than their's. If you were in a car you wouldn't drive on the shoulder to get in front of a car, the same applies here. Respect others space, it will only slow you down a few seconds to pass them later and let them know you're coming around them.
Now I'm not just blaming the entry level riders for not following these rules. Plenty of folks who've been on bikes for years still refuse to abide by these rules. These are just suggestions of what we can do to make everyones experience on the road a more pleasant one. I've learned that if you try and apply these suggestions to your daily ride, people will respond positively to your efforts. Give it a try next time you're in one of these situations, you'll be suprised how much of a difference it makes.
1. When you're getting ready to pass another rider, its always better if the person you're passing knows you are coming. A simple "good morning" or "on your left" will do the trick, if you do not have a bell. On the flip side, if you are being passed, try and get over to your right because the rider behind you should be passing on the left.
2. Signaling is important for your safety and that of motorists and other cyclists. If you're making a left and the person behind you doesn't know, an accident is likely to occur. Using your left arm, put your arm straight out to signal a left turn. If you bend your elbow to point your hand up, then you are signaling a right turn. If you bend your elbow so your hand is down with your fist clenched, that means you're about to stop.
3. Stop at stop lights. I know how easy it is to just keep riding when no one is coming. I've been there, you're late for work, tired and ready to be home, whatever. If we want motorists to respect us and our space, we have to follow the same rules they do. Not to mention you can't see every car, biker, or walker coming. It comes down to safety and showing others that we are willing to play by the rules.
4. Thank people for stopping for you or giving you plenty of space when they pass. Again this is out of courtesy to drivers and other bikers, but I feel it goes a long way. If all motorists know about us is that we yell at them when they do wrong, its no wonder some many have a problem with us.
5. At a stop light when there is a line of cyclists in front of you stop behind them in a single file line. Sure if you have a friend its cool to stop two a breast and have a chat. But don't assume that you're faster than everyone in front of you or that your time is more important than their's. If you were in a car you wouldn't drive on the shoulder to get in front of a car, the same applies here. Respect others space, it will only slow you down a few seconds to pass them later and let them know you're coming around them.
Now I'm not just blaming the entry level riders for not following these rules. Plenty of folks who've been on bikes for years still refuse to abide by these rules. These are just suggestions of what we can do to make everyones experience on the road a more pleasant one. I've learned that if you try and apply these suggestions to your daily ride, people will respond positively to your efforts. Give it a try next time you're in one of these situations, you'll be suprised how much of a difference it makes.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Bob
Its been over two years since bobby's been road ready.
His public debut will be at the pedalpalooza kick-off parade.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
what to blog, what to blog...
Its been almost a month now since my last post and I feel its time for something new. Life's been pretty slow here in P-town, so I haven't had much to blog about. I'm working on my website, which I'm hopping to re-launch with an updated look and new content, very soon. Other than that I've been drawing a bunch and riding even more. I bought a new sketch pad and have devised a plan to dedicate one page per day for drawing, for 300 days (the amount of pages). I'll only work on one page per day and can not return to a page once that day has past. Below I've scanned the first page of the book.
I passed this house on a ride around town last week. It was like something out of a WWII movie.
Its been almost a month now since my last post and I feel its time for something new. Life's been pretty slow here in P-town, so I haven't had much to blog about. I'm working on my website, which I'm hopping to re-launch with an updated look and new content, very soon. Other than that I've been drawing a bunch and riding even more. I bought a new sketch pad and have devised a plan to dedicate one page per day for drawing, for 300 days (the amount of pages). I'll only work on one page per day and can not return to a page once that day has past. Below I've scanned the first page of the book.
I passed this house on a ride around town last week. It was like something out of a WWII movie.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
The latest addition to the fleet. This bike was drive by car from North Carolina to Portland just to be in the collection. Well, not really Joe & Rachel moved back to pdx and brought a few new friends. This was a sweet find at just $60.
I've replaced the wheelset, chain, brake levers, cables, and housing but other than that its mostly original. Some very nice older parts, I doubt the bike was ever ridden more than 50 miles.
This is Allie's speedy new ride/belated birthday gift. I seem to have a theme going with her birthdays and bicycles as presents.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
We're in, "Let's RideTogether" has made it into this years Filmed by Bike Festival. Check us out we're the last film showing the second day of the program.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Hi Portland!
After 6 months of the coast we've called it quits. Not that it wasn't fun, but I had no idea how shitty the winters would be there. I knew it would be rough, but jeez I really underestimated it. I could go into details but I'm trying to block it all out right now. Also, I've been working so much back in pdx it didn't make sense to work here and live in seaside. Especially since there are two mountain ranges to cross to get back and forth, and right now their both covered in snow.
So, glad to be back, always hoping for more work (anyone out there wanna give me a full-time), and hang'in with friends I aint seen in a minute. We've moved into a sweet house and are loving the neighborhood. NE is the best hood, don't let anyone tell you dif. I'm gonna go eat some kick ass salmon now. So, ya'll keep rock'in!
Friday, January 04, 2008
I've finally done it. For the past year or so, I've been transferring my written journal from my cross country trip into a book (kinda). I gave away several copies to family and friends for christmas. It was great to read through all those entries and remember what an amazing trip it was. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and some day hope to make a return trip. Until then I'll have to be satisfied with short weekend trips and a lifestyle surrounded by the bike. Hope you enjoy the journal and if you'd like a hard bound copy send me your address and I'll be happy to oblige.
(this file is around 43mb so please be patient with the download)
Happy New Year!
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