New Year's Day Ride Planned for Madison

Although the exact time is being reconsidered due to a conflict with an all-important Green Bay Packers football game, there will be a New Year's bike ride sponsored by Yellow Jersey bike shop on January 1st, 2012, here in strangely non-snowy Madison, Wisconsin.

Here's the Facebook event listing: https://www.facebook.com/events/214825768590021/

When it Comes to Bike Path Communication, Nonverbal is Best

I've heard lots of comments on the bike path, and I never appreciate them.  Even in the rare instance when someone passes me and they say, "Passing on your left."  I know it's a free country and people can say what they want, but of course that doesn't mean that they should.  Take for example what would happen if people did this while driving, or in the parking lot...  Almost never a good idea.  Words can be misunderstood.  It's hard to show sarcasm when moving.  Take for example a recent incident when a man on roller-skies called out to a passing cyclist, "Cutting it pretty close."  It did not turn out well - the cyclist ended up violently assaulting the roller-skier.   I prefer to use a small bell, myself.  It cannot be misinterpreted.  I can mean anything the person perceives it to mean - 'heads up,' 'you're in my way,' 'coming through,' etc.  That being said, I do want to say that shouting at cars and drivers is much more effective than using a bell, unless you have a Airzound bike horn.

Source:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/crime_and_courts/angry-bicyclist-slams-bike-into-roller-skier-police-say/article_f9257f18-2cc6-11e1-9ae7-001871e3ce6c.html

Every Traffic Fatality in the U.S. from 2001-2009, Mapped

369,629 people died on U.S. roadways between 2001 and 2009.  Folks at ITO World have put together a map so that you can see who died and where.  Amazing stuff.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/nov/22/us-road-accident-casualties

My New Blog on Cycling

I've decided to create a new blog dedicated specifically to bicycling.  It's one of my great passions and I look forward to writing more in the near future.  I hope you enjoy my writing and photos!

Thursday, March 3rd is Madison's 1st Annual Winter Bike to Work Day

Spread the word!  Select coffee shops will be giving free cups of java to bicycle commuters on March 3rd. Check out the event's flyer here for locations, and be sure to share this with your 'biker' friends: http://goo.gl/n5OYH