I’ve ridden the Day-Tripper to work three days this week. That made the most mileage in a week (95 miles) for my entire 2010…Oh, how different this year is to last…

I had a job interview in June…Still with Camp Lejeune’s IPAC, but a much better position. I missed out, though, and they selected someone else. Here’s to hoping for more opportunities.

I’m trying the WordPress for iOS app again. I’ve become frustrated with it’s lack of advanced functions, inability to save changes in posts and a strange new quirk: It’s refused to stay in a particular folder on the Home screen and jumps to a new page all by itself. It’s got a week…Then I’ll be done with it forever.

Other than this few hiccups, my life is pretty good. Hope the same can be said for you!

More recently, I’ve gotten a set of Shimano M324 pedals. These babies have a platform on one side and clipless on the other. Flexibility is the purpose. Local cycling club (the Down East Cyclists ) president and local bicycle shop (The Bicycle Shop) guru, Steve, hooked me up with them after upgrading to Shimano A530 pedals. I’ve also got a pair of Shimano mountain biking shoes (last year’s model at discount) to go with the pedals.

I got a new bike computer, too. I love the Planet Bike Protege 9…It does almost everything I want. The only gap in function is that it’s not stem-mountable. On drop-bars, with already limited real estate, having to make space for the computer was frustrating me. And after 4,000 miles and several drops and scratches, it’s safe to invest in a newer model that does all the Protege does and more…Much much more. The Trek Node 2 was my computer of choice. It runs off the ANT+ wireless protocol, so it’s expandable as far as sensors go. Speed, cadence and heart sensors are available (Node 2 comes with a heart strap) from Bontrager and other manufacturers offer universal power meters. Of course, it’s so complicated it needs two instruction manuals…

I’m excited about the new utility Day-Tripper has…More data and more power from the pedals. Now I just have to start providing power to the pedals.

So there’s been a lot of driving. And I’ve been in several nearly-accidents. Just today I was almost hit twice by the same car!

And the traffic…I’ve spent uncountable hours behind the wheel trapped in traffic to or from my office on Camp Lejeune. Traffic was so bad last Friday, I literally drove through a community on the opposite side of the base, across the county to a highway that doesn’t get near the main exit and got to AM’s office before some co-workers were off base.

And we’ll not even discuss the return of bad habits or weight gain.

But I can definitely tell that the driving instead of riding has had emotional impacts. I’m generally in much grumpier moods, at work and at home. I’m more prone to shouting (especially in the car). And drive-throughs are much more tempting from a bucket seat than a bicycle saddle.

I’ve been in Commuter Hell since October and it’s time for a return to the bicycle…And sunshine…And happier days.

Tomorrow is National Bike to Work Day I’ll be bicycling the drive.

Soon, I’ll be riding the bicycle to work. I’m excited about it, too.

More, soon.

The goal here isn’t to mimic a road bike or gain speed or anything like that. The goal is to provide more hand positions for longer rides. And with drop bars, I’ll have about 5 different positions to choose from. The drops will also create a lower position on those entirely-too-windy days.

I was hoping for decent weather this weekend to give her a good test ride, but there was icy rain all day yesterday and it seems like the high today will be in the low-to-mid 30s. Monday should have highs in the 40s and the rest of the week should be in the 50s, so maybe I’ll get a commute in.

It’s been a while since I’ve commuted, so I’ll need to get a few longish (the Rails-to-Trails path should be long enough) to get comfortable with the new bars and controls. And I may need to adjust the seat a little because of the new riding position. All of that will work out after the rides.

I’ll try to get some better photos, too.

This post is a mixed-bag of stuff that’s been floating around my head these few weeks.

The race for Jacksonville’s City Council

There hasn’t been much public campaigning. Mr. Hunter Hadley, Jr (At-Large) has yard signs posted. Councilwoman Reva Sullivan (Ward 2) is hosting a campaign kick-off event tonight (September 3rd) from 6pm to 9pm at Tony’s Seafood and Oyster Bar. Mr. James Bryan (At-Large) has a blog, but it’s fizzled (almost as badly as Bloviations!).

I was quite disappointed at the lack of campaigning at the National Night Out. Not one candidate for Jacksonville’s City Council visited the Recreation and Parks/Trails and Greenways commissions tents…Well, that’s not necessarily true…Council-members Alva Williams (At-Large) and Reva Sullivan walked by, but didn’t say anything to the Commission volunteers manning the tables. Ms. Sullivan even refused to accept information regarding Trails and Greenways and an upcoming Downeast Cyclists’ ride in October.

Freedom Communications, Inc Files for Bankruptcy

The company which owns the Jacksonville Daily News, and other eastern NC newspapers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. JDNews publisher Elliott Potter says it’s “business as usual” at Jacksonville’s only newspaper.

Speaking of the Jacksonville Daily News…

The paper’s opinion page reads more like a Republican-funded political rag than a libertarian-based newspaper. It’s no wonder that younger folks aren’t interested in paper news when all you see are screeds that accuse President Obama of being a “socialist” at best and the anti-christ at worst.

Some Cool Bicycle Poetry

Thoughts on My Bike and There’s a Flower in My Pedal by Andrya Dorfman. Tip o’ the bicycle helmet to Cycleicio.us

While We’re on Bicycles…

Did you know that less than 10% of accidents that include a bicycle are the bicyclists’ fault?

Blowing my Own Horn or Ringing my Own Bell

As of August 15th, it’s been 12 full months of bicycle-commuting. As of earlier this week, I’ve bicycled over 4,000 miles. Whoever says you can’t live in Jacksonville without a car is wrong.

The following is the text of the email I sent. Please feel free to use it as a stepping off place for your own letter.

Dear Mr. Cleveland,

I’m writing to ask for your support for House Bill 1451 – Bicycle Protection Act, which comes before the NC House of Representatives Transportation Committee on Tuesday, May 12th.

The Bicycle Protection Act provides guidance for motorists and bicyclists regarding the use of bicycle lanes and separate paved multi-use paths. It requires that bicyclists use a marked bicycle lane if available and requires that motorists not block or obstruct the lane and must yield to bicyclists in a lane prior to crossing for turns or parking and requires that bicyclists remain in the marked lane unless passing other bicyclists or avoiding obstructions. The Act wisely does not require the use of paved multi-use paths, which are often used by families, pedestrians and children.

The Bicycle Protection Act requires that bicyclists use proper hand signals to broadcast intent (turns and slowing) and requires that bicyclists remain to the right of lanes but provides for traveling in left lanes if only those lanes allows for the bicyclist to continue on their intended route.

The Act prohibits motorists from harassing bicyclists and allows for, admittedly limited, punishments. Having been on the receiving end of having cups and soda bottles thrown at me, as well as verbal insults, I would feel much safer knowing there’s a legal recourse available. The punishment is a fine of no less than $250 or no more than 3 days in jail or both at the court’s discretion. Though limited and weak when compared to the standard punishment for misdemeanor assault (which, in NC is no more than one year in jail), these punishments provide some protection to bicyclists and a deterrent to motorists who wish ill-will against them.

The Bicycle Protection Act expands the already-codified rights and responsibilities of bicyclists as users of North Carolina’s roads and streets. It provides for limited punishments to be given to automobile drivers who endanger or harass bicyclists. It’s a small step in a decidedly positive direction for the rights of bicyclists. I ask that you support this measure and hope that you urge your colleagues in the Transportation Committee and NC House to do so.

Your constituent,

Thomas Brock

Feel free to comment below with your letter.

Updated to add:

HB 1451 – Bicycle Protection Act was removed from the NC House Transportation Committee agenda for tomorrow. Since this is cross-over week and the bill doesn’t include any appropriations, the Bicycle Protection Act is most likely dead this session.

The NC House of Representatives Transportation Committee will be meeting Tuesday, May 12th. One of the issues on their agenda is HB 1451 Bicycle Protection Act. The Bicycle Protection Act will make it illegal for motorists to harass and throw objects at bicyclists, requires motorists to maintain safe distances and allows bicyclists flexibility in choosing the safest routes. I fully urge any residents of NC to contact their representatives and ask for their support for this legislation. In particular, Onslow County residents should contact Representative George Cleveland (R-NC House 14) who sits on the Transportation Committee for his support. I’ll be posting an email to Mr. Cleveland shortly. Please feel free to use it as a place to start your own.

The Down East Cyclists’ club is planning a Family Run Bicycle Ride for October. The event is still in the earliest of planning stages, but will begin Downtown and follow the Rails-to-Trails path to Camp Lejeune’s Main Gate. A shorter ride will be from Downtown to Wooten Park. The ride will be for charity and requires a non-perishable food item to be donated. I’m working to get Trails and Greenways Commission sponsorship. More information will be disseminated as available.

This week, I surpassed 2,500 miles ridden on Day-Tripper since last August. My ‘09 total is 1,245 miles, which is just shy of my ‘08 total of 1,294. In total, I’ve spent less than $100 on maintenance ($80ish on a new chain and rear cog and $20ish on three broken spokes on my rear wheel). If my quick-and-dirty math is correct, that’s about 4¢ per mile. That’s certainly not a bad return on investment, I think. 

Do you have something to say? Say it below.

During last week’s DownEast Cyclist Club meeting, I heard that one of the bicyclists that routinely ride the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails multi-use path had been involved in a nasty crash along the fenced area of Highway 24/Lejeune Blvd near the Camp Lejeune Main Gate. The culprit in the bicyclist’s fall? A tattered “welcome” sign fashioned from a bed-sheet. The sheet had been ripped free of three corners and was flapping into the path. It snagged the cyclist’s bicycle and pulled her to the ground. The group was nearly certain she’d broken a collar bone, but apparently it was just a bad bruise. If only Camp Lejeune had been warned about the dangers of these sheets and signs to bicyclists and pedestrians. Oh, that’s RIGHT! They were. And Camp Lejeune’s Deputy Safety Manager for Marine Corps Base dismissed the concern as “not their responsibility.”

Late last week, Mr. Richard Sparks was killed when he was hit by a car while attempting to cross Highway 17/Marine Blvd near the intersection with Western Blvd. Mr. Sparks was visiting Jacksonville to watch his son graduate from a Marine Corps training. It was late (about 10 o’clock P.M.) and there is no marked crosswalk at the intersection. The Jacksonville Police Department and Onslow County’s District Attorney Dewey Hudson will not press charges against the driver, Mr. Charles Adams. This is the second pedestrian death in 2009 in Jacksonville (Ms. Talissa Hatchell was killed in February) and Mr. Hudson had some pretty tough words for the City of Jacksonville.

How many people have to die before the city protects pedestrians?

Jacksonville Daily News writer Lindell Kay blogged about the accident. He noted that Mr. Sparks had previously spoke to family about being concerned about the safety of crossing Highway 17/Marine Blvd, but attempted to do so, anyway. Mr. Mike McHugh, an employee of the Jacksonville Daily News, made an interesting recommendation to the City in a comment:

The city should consider constructing pedestrian “bridges” enclosed with chain linked fencing above the roadway, high enough to allow trucks and other tall vehicles to pass below.

These walk ways are common in larger cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.

The reason this recommendation is interesting is that a project of such magnitude would be pretty darned expensive, especially considering that sidewalks would have to be constructed leading to these pedestrian overpasses. Mr. McHugh is known for his “fiscal conservatism”, is even a member of the Daily News’ editorial staff and has spoken out against the Rails-to-Trails and the pedestrian bridge which crosses Highway 24/Lejeune Blvd.

The City of Jacksonville and the State of North Carolina are stuck in a fight over who has jurisdiction over the streets in this City. Unfortunately for pedestrians, this fight is prohibiting anyone from doing anything. So, like Mr. Hudson, I have to ask, how many people have to die before someone (anyone!) does something? 

It was 2,100 miles and 8 months in the making, but I had my first bicycle crash this week.

It was raining pretty hard and had been for a while. The roads were wet and puddles lined the edges of Stone Street aboard Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune isn’t known for its road maintenance (Really, where in NC is?) and the edges of most roads are crumbling and have large cracks. I must have been paying too much attention to traffic and not enough to the road’s edge and caught a crack in the pavement. I was brought down, pretty hard, but didn’t have any real damage. A scraped up left knee and some bruises.  Fortunately, I was on my way home and didn’t have to work a whole day feeling beaten up. The bicycle is fine, too, just some scratched paint and I had to realign the chain.

I guess the point to all this is: I’m glad the week is over.

I’m going to stop publishing the weekly riding reports. They’ve gotten boring and, hopefully, they’ll stay that way.

This isn’t the end of Bloviations, just the end of the commute reports. I’ll have some stories to tell, but they’ll come in time.