Back in the USA

So its been awhile since my last post -- which transpired while still in China; not for lack of trying, but I've been playing catch-up on a lot of matters left untended during my absence.

One activity which I hadn't had much of an opportunity to engage in, getting back up on my Bike; the original spark for this Blog!

So I took the Rockhopper out for a spin along the Lakefront, and noticed a wobbly rear wheel. After some initial examination and troubleshooting of my own, I realized that I was beyond my immediate depth both in my skillset and toolkit; so I wheeled on over to Uptown Bikes (UB) for another opinion.

The fine technicians at UB recognized a distinct manufacturing defect in the Vittoria Randonneur Tire installed during my original rehab of the Bike in early Summer.

The suspect tread was quickly changed out and I was again on my way, but not before I snapped this shot of Uptown Bikes' storefront just below the Wilson Avenue El stop.

I can't say enough about Uptown Bikes and the no attitude courtesy with which they conduct their business. While still thought of as the *Go-to* Guys and Gals for Bike repairs on the Northside, they also have a fine selection of both Raleigh and KHS Bicycles.
And, as evidenced again today, their support after the sale is seamless and without friction. Kudos again to Uptown Bikes!

Straphanger

Heading back towards my homeline's transfer station, I strike a reflective pose.

Mmmm!!! Kabobs!!!

The iconic representation to the right is easily recognizable to Beijingers, and on neighboring Dajiangfang Hutong is not an uncommon sight; where several establishments primarily operated by some of the City's ethnic-minority Moslem proprieters, enjoy a loyal clientele which cuts across ethnic and religious lines alike.

Street Level

The Jingling Hutong Station stop, on the newly opened Line 4 of the Beijing Subway System. Above ground, at street level, this popular jumping-off point is a vibrant mix of retail and restaurant establisments set against a series of historic Hutongs -- the narrow traditional neighborhoods of Beijing's past -- which are themselves full of thriving businesses; despite being tucked behind the more modern frontage of 21st Century commercial ventures.

Jingling Hutong station is conveniently augmented by a number of electric-line Bus-routes interconnected with the stop.

Subterranean Subtext

Preamble: I know this Blog is ostensibly about Biking, but with the platform available to me, I occassionally riff on other matters as well.

Now that the Olympic bid is a fading memory, maybe Hizzoner Da' Mayor can now retune and refocus on issues which could have a much more important and resonant impact on the legacy he seeks to impart on the City of Chicago.

As I detailed some time ago in my other Blog -- "Back in the PRC" --, when Mayor Daley visited Beijing during the opening of the 2008 Olympics, one of his first orders of business was to ride Beijing's newly built-out Subway system; a bright and shiny example of what a mass transit rail system can aspire to be.

Beijing hasn't rested on its laurels either, as this preview of the newly opened "Line 4" shows. A follow-up report is also included here; as well as my own entries from the brief ride I myself took on Line 4 yesterday.


Beijing subway line 4 to open Friday CCTV-International


Subway line four begins service CCTV-International

Endangered Species

In case you hadn't noticed...

...seat cover of actual Cheetah pelt.

I guess it makes the Bike easier to pick-out in a crowded Bike Rack.

Fly Ride

My Father-in-Law's old-school Beijing Bicycle.

Meanwhile, I Was Still Thinking...

...a decision on the 2016 Summer Games is less than a day away, and if you polled Chicagoans, it seems that more of them would prefer watching the hometown Brazilian girls in Rio going sideout on Copacabana Beach, rather than North Avenue.

It just seems more likely that the IOC will prefer to take its privileged party down South America way for the first time. Let's see how the money reacts -- will the networks and advertisers refuse to bid up for a non-U.S. Games; or will a buzzer-beating effort by Obama ensure a slam dunk victory for Chicago?

Me? I'm just thinking about Lunch...

Standard Issue Beijing Bikes

Bikes parked in front of
Yinghuayuan Buiding No A8, Hepingjie Beikou.

Chilling in Beijing

Neighborhood Bike Repair

Hepingjie Beikou, Chaoyang District

Note the fine accessories on the "shop" wall...

11th Hour Report Questions Financial Gains From Summer Games

Claims Revenues Would Fail To Hit Organizers' Target

Independent analysis says new spending would only reach one-third of Chicago's estimated $13.7 billion haul from a 2016 Summer Olympics.

East Lansing, Michigan-based Anderson Economic Group LLC projects the Olympics would trigger only $4.4 billion in additional tourism and infrastructute spending In Chicago and Cook County.
Read the entire report here.

Green Day

"World Car Free Day" pushes "Green Transport" CCTV-International

Hedging Their Bets?

This wasn't on my Radar Screen until now, but seems that Tokyo and Rio aren't just content making a play for the 2016 Summer Games; as China Daily reports , Beijing has made its own pitch to host the 2015 Athletics World Championships. Should Chicago enter the fray; or are the Japanese and Brazilian cities' own interest in "Athletics Worlds" a sign that they might harbor doubts as to the relative strength of their respective bids for the 2016 Olympics?

Breaking Away

It might appear to the occasional reader, that there is no one unifying theme or thesis to this Blog; this could not be further from the truth. As this publication has evolved, I have tried to lay the foundation for my thoughts; my philosophical bent if you will. Much of the discussion thus far has focused on my recent bicycling experiences in Chicago, as well as the pending award of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games; of which Chicago is a Candidate City.

The unifying aspect of Bicycling and the Games is one that can initially be viewed from the following perspective: In the United States, and in this case Chicago as well, riding a Bicycle can be undertaken for a variety of reasons: recreation; competition; and utility. In the latter case, many people have increasingly taken to bicycling due to the economic incentive; others because of the environmental imperative. This particular demographic of Bicycle end-user might very well overlap and essentially be classified as one distinct segment of the population at large. The other classes of riders, competitive and recreational, can probably be viewed in a similarly unified manner, riders by choice; not by necessity.

Regardless of what motivates them however, the American perspective on riding is again largely derived from choice, and not so much by culture. The variety of makes and models now available to the American Bicycle buying public affords much latitude in deciding upon how one rolls; oftentimes, a rider's choice being one driven by fashion; function following form, as it were.

Ultimately, what motivates what one rides, and how they ride, can be viewed with less critical concern, as long as they are riding to begin with. The infusion of Olympic culture, I believe, motivates people to engage in healthy lifestyles; and to make choices in recreation and exercise that might not have been so immediate and prevalent, absent an Olympic awareness. This is one significant takeaway which I believe Chicago will glean, win or lose in its bid to host the 2016 Games; that sport, be it for competition or exercise, is good; it motivates and engages, it rejuvenates and rehumanizes.

City Hall peddles $40-mil. bike path

Crain's Chicago Business

Seems the City of Chicago and I were on the same virtual mental wetpath when I first discussed initiatives for Bicycle commuting and transportion here in this Blog.

"You May Say I'm A Dreamer..."

...but I'm not the only one"

Flush Bid

All In On Olympic Bet

In a move which may serve as a catalyst to a major transformative experience, or alternatively, could leave a legacy of debt to future generations, the Chicago City Council last week authorized Mayor Daley to sign a host city contract that amounts to an unlimited guarantee from Chicago taxpayers.

The 49-to-0 vote resonated loudly through Council Chambers, reverberating its intent to International Olympic Committee members, that while Chicago may have initially been hesitant to make such a commitment and sign on the dotted line, there’s no hesitation anymore.

“We are joining the ranks of the other three [finalist cities]. No longer will we be at a competitive disadvantage,” stated Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan.

Shortly before the roll call, an impassioned Daley almost challenged City aldermen to vote against the Olympics.

“Vote your conscience. If you firmly believe and you have the courage, you vote no … Be not afraid of the stand you’ve taken before in a committee or on the floor.”

If Chicago prevails, and a subsequent 2016 Summer Games are a financial disaster, taxpayers could be left holding the bag.

Both Daley and Ryan claim that ain’t gonna happen.

They assert that Olympic organizers would have to blow through $2.4 billion worth of surpluses, private insurance and previously approved city and state guarantees before Chicago taxpayers would be left standing alone.

Ryan, Founder and Chairman of Chicago-based AON Insurance, indicated that the City would not be taking this leap of faith without a safety net in firmly in place: “This is very, very well protected. We have every catastrophe covered,” Ryan said.

Daley, in the past had repeatedly pledged not to spend “a dime” of taxpayers’ money on the Olympics; trying to avoid matching the full government guarantees pledged by rival contenders Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio De Janiero.

“The IOC made it clear this was non-negotiable,” he said.

With just 17 days to go before the IOC makes its final decision public on October 2nd, it would seem that Chicago has pushed all its Chips forward, and requested a marker to boot; it remains to be seen what hand the City is ultimately dealt in its high-stakes bid for the 2016 Games.

Time Out of Mind

Was riding around the Northside the other day; funny the things you see sometimes...

Olympic Green

Well, the International Olympic Commitee's evaluation report, which was released this past Wednesday, has given mixed reviews for all four candidate Cities hoping to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The major criticism leveled in the Chicago section of the report centered on the City's reluctance earlier this year to sign a blanket financial guarantee to cover costs for the Games. Moreover, the report also cited concerns over Chicago's aged mass transit system, the CTA; indicating that this could present a "major challenge."

Financing however seemed to be the recurrent concern echoed throughout the report. Calling the Chicago budget "ambitious but achievable," the IOC said Chicago will need an "extensive sponsorship program" to make it work. The Olympic Village plan was described as a potentially "special experience for the athletes," but the IOC report noted that no full financing guarantee for its construction was provided when the commission visited in early April. Another risk cited in Chicago's bid was the planned use of temporary venues.

The report expresses concern that such structures may place a greater financial burden on the Olympic organizing committee because they are not paid for and managed by the city in the same way that permanent structures would be.

Paradoxically,the IOC also espouses a somewhat contradictory idea that host cities should not build expensive, permanent venues; in the belief that they will ultimately be underused, costly-to-maintain white elephants.

In its summary of the Chicago bid, the report said there was increased risk to Chicago because of its "emphasis on major temporary or scaled-down venues." This includes the Olympic Stadium, which would be a temporary, 80,000-seat structure.

This lack of permanence could be the major failing in Chicago's Olympic bid. It might just be that Chicago 2016 has failed to recognize a key motivating factor which has previously led the IOC to award host city status to both Beijing for the 2008 Games, and to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

London's success was attributed to its focus on urban regeneration and the importance of a sporting legacy being conferred upon future generations. Speaking before Parliament, following the award of the 2012 Games to London, Jack Straw (Britain's Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office) commented that: "London's bid was built on a special Olympic vision; that vision of an Olympic games that would not only be a celebration of sport, but a force for regeneration. The games will transform one of the poorest and most deprived areas of London. They will create thousands of jobs and homes. They will offer new opportunities for business in the immediate area and throughout London... One of the things that made the bid successful is the way in which it reaches out to all young people in two important respects: it will encurage many more to get fit and to be involved in sport, and, whatever their physical prowess, to offer their services as volunteers for the Olympic cause."

Straw's statement is telling and instructive as to why London's bid was successful, emphasising non-sports related outcomes, and focusing on using the games as a means to encourage non-elite participation in sport and exercise. The ultimate objective, on a much larger scale is attaining a transformative legacy which will impact East London vis a vis a successful staging of the 2012 Games. The British government's own commitment to social inclusion is cited as another "transformative legacy" intended for the Games.

Chicago 2016's plans for Washington Park, and the transition of temporary Olympic Athlete's housing into homes for Chicago's residents notwithstanding, it is again the lack of transformative permanence which the IOC has obviously picked up on; and might ultimately prove the failing of Chicago's bid to host the Games. But it is not too late to lay the groundwork now for a bold initiative which could possibly impress the IOC enough to see Chicago's bid in a newer light.

As indicated here, as well as in previous posts, Chicago's mass transit system, most notably its underground and elevated rails, is in serious need of improvement. It seems unlikely, even if the Games are awarded to the City, that there would be enough funding to subsidize a rebuild of the CTA's rails; probably the most immediate and critical element needing attention.

What might prove more viable, especially given the objective of augmenting and enhancing the transportation needs for the City during a major event such as an Olympics, would be to develop an extensive infrastructure to accomodate Bicycle transit and commuting in Chicago. Currently, there are hardly enough routes to encourage bicycling for anything other than recreational riding and the few who do utilize Bicycles for daily commutes.

Before he descended underground for his tour of the Beijing Subway System, Mayor Daley could not have missed the dedicated infrastructure designed to accomodate Bicycles and other non-automobile traffic in the Chinese Capital. With wide lanes separating Autos, Trucks and Buses from the Bikes, Trikes and Scooters which still swarm and crowd the busy Beijing thoroughfares, a seemingly chaotic but elegant flux of diverse modes of transport has evolved.
Concrete barriers in some places provide additional insulation from newly licensed drivers, allowing Beijing's seasoned cyclists to roll more confidently and safely amidst the ever widening river of automotive insanity crowding the City's highways and biways.

Richard M. Daley, Chicago's green, biking, rooftop gardening Mayor, could further polish his legacy through such a bold initiative as this: the design and construction of a transportation infrastructure which increases the emphasis on Bicycle transit throughout the City. Whether as an adjunct to the planning for the regal Olympic summit which Daley has sought to conquer; or, even absent such a crowning glory, as a lasting template for other major American urban centers to emulate; the establishment of a comprehensive integrated bicycling road system for Chicago would represent a transformative legacy which would resonate for decades to come.

David Byrne Bicycle Diaries - Cyclelicious

David Byrne Bicycle Diaries - Cyclelicious

I'm going to pre-order this Book so I have some fresh reading material for the 13-hour flight I'm taking to Beijing at the end of this month. Can't wait to crack open the cover!

The Road Ahead

Mayor Daley is increasingly portraying himself as a "Green" Mayor, part of building that cred might be drawn from his reputation as an avid participant and supporter of cycling. Given his enthusiasm for the recreational aspects of cycling, combined with the tremendous effort he has put into winning the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, I hope that he can recognize the synergies between the two. After seeing the way cyclists are still given a wide berth in Beijing, I hope Daley will further strengthen and improve initiatives for safer cycling in Chicago; there is always continued room for improvement.

Crossroads

It used to be said that the 3 essentials for every Chinese household were a Wristwatch, Sewing Machine and Bicycle. Now, they have been supplanted by the Camera, Refrigerator and TV set. Its fair to say that given the increasingly flush Chinese consumer class, a fourth item is being added to the inventory of family essentials -- the Automobile. With over 3 Million autos in Beijing already, the Chinese appetite for this modern luxury is insatiable.

Rapid Transition

Whatever his takeaway from his underground tour, I hope the Mayor was paying attention at Street level too; here he would have seen a transit system undergoing its own renewal of sorts, while managing to accomodate a legacy mode of travel.

Daley Commute

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, upon first arriving in Beijing to attend the 2008 Olympic Games, made a riding tour of the newly built-out Beijing Subway System one of his first orders of business.
The stations and trains are truly a marvel to behold; safe, clean and efficient; with 80 percent of the system's capacity completed subsequent to the Games being awarded to Beijing in 2001. Might Daley have been foreshadowing his own objectives for Chicago's elevated and subterranean rail systems, should the City prevail in its own bid to win the 2016 Summer Games?

That's How I Roll!

Safe, with my Head in the game and always protected; hey, I'm talkin' about my Melon here!

That's why I'm encouraging support for Yield to Life, a non-profit organization which strives for safer conditions for cyclists; encouraging people to ride for their health, the good of the environment and the well being of society. I encourage you to visit their site, linked above, to learn more about their efforts to make cycling safer and healthier for everyone.

Rockhopper Resurrection

Like a Phoenix out of the ashes...

...alright, enough with the cliches, but the Rockhopper is back! Spared the fate which so many suggested for it, my vintage 1987 Specialized Hardtail rolls again! Detailing my travails to some of the Dealers in the area, they were all too quick to suggest the diminishing return in repairs; but call me sentimental, this Bike has a soul! Ever since I casually disregarded my 1971 Schwinn Continental ten-speed, while doing my undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where, in disrepair, shackled to a bike rack outside of my off-campus efficiency, some thief made off with "The Cont". I vowed then and there that I would never again subject a Bicycle of mine to such neglect; taking for granted its intrinsic value.

Sure, I could have bought a new bike for a few dollars more than what this round of repairs ended up costing; but it would be like pulling the plug on your brother after he's broken his leg! Today's shops are all too quick to give you the Bum's rush as soon as you start asking repair questions entailing more than fixing a flat, wheel trueing or chain replacement. The economies of scale which have overtaken the Bicycle industry are now staggering. Most Bicycles sold in the U.S. and elsewhere are now made in China, with Frames being the single most critical cost factor in this regard; and the Chinese are not without some knowledge and insight on what it takes to make two wheels roll. Because of the commoditization inherent to low-cost manufacturing, assembly and distribution of most consumer (as well as "Pro") cycles, when you attempt to start piece-mealing parts with the objective of cobbling together your own repair or "custom" job, the costs can mount pretty quickly.

Notwithstanding the fact that they too have been selling new Bikes for sometime now, kudos again to Uptown Bikes for not forsaking their roots, and realizing that the bread is indeed buttered on both sides. While some might say it's merely for lack of space and the need for efficiency in storage, it's telling that most of Uptown Bikes' new models are suspended from the ceiling in order to allow for the constant flow of customer traffic, visiting Uptown with the objective of repair, rather than purchase. This is their first order of business, and no one attempts to dissuade you from getting your ride fixed; afterall, this is why you came in to begin with. Hats off to the crew at Uptown, who after initially doing a redux on the Rockhopper earlier this Summer, were again all too helpful in the resucitation and recovery of the wrecked cycle. Additional thanks and commendation go to UV Metal Arts' Yuval Awazu, who deftly accomplished a task which none of the bike shops were willing to attempt, rebending the Bike Frame's Derailleur Hanger to the position Jah intended.

Nuclear Free, Needs No Oil

But I was alive! And as soon as I picked myself up physically and emotionally, I set about resurrecting the Rockhopper for its own second stage on the road of life.

The initial triage was performed at Uptown Bikes; I've bought accessories and parts there over the years, and most recently had the Rockhopper tuned-up there; reincarnated from a pure hardtail MTB to more of a fitness hybrid machine. On intake, the initial prognosis for the patient was grim; technicians at Uptown were not confident that the Derailleur hanger could be returned to its original state without severely fatiguing this steel appendage. Of course, many of today's Bike designs incorporate a replaceable aluminum hanger, providing for just such a contingency; a dillemma of which I myself was now forced to face.

A visit to the Kozy's Megastore on Milwaukee Avenue yielded the referral to UV Metal Arts, located in an Industrial Park zone of Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. Owner Yuval Awazu was able to skillfully bend the damaged frame and hanger back to their original specifications; without any more stress and damage to this most critical part of the frameset.

UV should be commended for saving this key functional component of my Bike's personality; my only other options, should the repair fail or not be executable, would have been to either braze on a new hanger, or convert my once multi-dimensional speedster into a single-speed animal; a fate which I deemed worse than the scrap heap.

If I'd had my druthers, and a little more cash, I would have most definitely considered availing myself of UV's specialty -- custom powder coating. My chrome-moly frame has obviously withstood the test of time and trauma, but the paint job itself has shown the ravages of life on the road; whether it be rolling upright, or sliding along horizontally. A mini-tour of Yuval's shop, as well as his samples and works in progress convinced me that when the time comes for a cosmetic overhaul for this or any other Bike of mine, UV will get the call!

Oh No You Didn't!?!?!!!

I sprung up to my feet, alive and ready to start kicking the Tundra as it continued in its unrelenting destruction of key functional and structural components of my vintage hardtail Mountain Bike(MTB). Not only was the formerly whisper-quiet and flawlessly performing Shimano Deore Derailleur now rendered useless, but more importantly, and critical to the survivability of my road-converted MTB, the Derailleur Hanger, an integrated extension of the Bike's Frame itself, was bent to a perverse 45-degree angle; moreover the Frame's rear extent was obscenely out of whack now. Further insult was heaped upon injury when I saw a rear wheel rim now so false one could hardly reckon it had ever actually been true.

It was only after seeing me, jumping up and down in disbelief at the carnage he had created, that the Driver of the offending vehicle finally came to a stop; not yet fully aware of the physical and psychic trauma he had inflicted upon both Cyclist and Cycle...

Aftermath...

...and it wasn't pretty; the handlebar only tells part of the story. Fortunately, the force evidenced by the bent bar, was not fully transferred onto my body as it was trapped under the Rockhopper. Like a terrified Crab escaping the grasp of a crazed Seafood Chef, I scuttled out from under my Bike, which was now firmly pinned underneath the Tundra's front Bumper, in an effort to avoid oncoming traffic. The Driver, still oblivious to the fact that he had impacted a cyclist, continued to drag my Bicycle into the busy thoroughfare; digging a trench two feet long and a quarter-inch deep into the late Summer evening's asphalt; assisted by an unwilling rear Derailleur.

Get Up On Your Bike! -- Stage 2

...with thanks to Luka Bloom for providing the title and lyrical source of inspiration herein, his words encapsulate the theme and mood intended for this Blog; one which I hope will convey the soul of Man and Machine as they mesh in pursuit of a great ride.

"You see whenever I'm alone
I tend to brood
But when I'm out on my bike
It's a different mood
I leave my brain at home
Get up on the saddle
No hanging around
I don't diddle-daddle

I work my legs
I pump my thighs
Take in the scenery passing me by..."

I've been riding, like most of us, since I was little; and it wasn't until I first shed my training wheels, that I ever really ventured out past a block or so from home. But that's the beauty of being in command of your own two-wheeled Steed, you're never so far away from home that you can't make it back; because your will is the fuel to power your legs as they turn the wheels which roll true.

I've always felt that way, since childhood, secure and self-assured in the boundless freedom afforded by a machine which needs no Pump or electrical current to rely upon; driven by only the spirit within, and the desire which never quits. All of which was almost snatched away from me as a careless motorist, in seeming command of his petrol guzzling Toyota Tundra blindly trundled into and over me and my reliable 1987 Specialized Rockhopper on August 11th; just 5 days shy of my 51st Birthday!

No real warning, I was half walking and half riding my Bike, as I waited for an opportunity to cross the "Northwest Highway" just South of Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood. The Tundra's driver said he never saw me because he never even looked in the direction I was coming from; preferring, instead to ignore the late day Sun, which he would have had to have looked directly into, in order to see whether any hazards, or other potential mishaps (like running over a Bicyclist) were looming ahead...

The Acoustic Motorbike -- Stage 1

Pedal on, pedal on, pedal on for miles, pedal on. So goes the refrain...