NEW JOB!

Since a layoff in March 2011 from my job of 8+ years as a transportation professional, I have consistently been applying for positions in the Seattle area (WA State, west coast of USA). I netted two limited-term positions to keep me working most of that time subsequently, with only a bit of a lapse. I was generally able to keep working FT and have health benefits for most of that time while I waited to be recalled to my job or find another permanent role elsewhere.

Although one job this past year had me working less than 8 or 9 miles away from home with a straight shot (along a trail/bike path!) I didn't bike commute as much as I would have liked to, and the other job (about 9 months) at University of Washington Seattle was over 20 miles one-way PLUS the university's transportation program had an extremely convenient and affordable bus pass, which meant most days I bused to campus. I did bike it a few times but not too often, given distance (better part of two hours biking - EACH WAY!)

I am happy I have been hired by a large international employer for a full-time, permanent position. My new job is 8-9 miles away, flat, and I can travel all but a mile or so on a separated trail/bike path! I start this week and hope I can squeeze in a bike commute or two while we're still in May, Bike to Work month!

I am happy I can now give up the (seemingly) endless process of job applications and interviews.  I easily applied for 15-20 jobs a month for over a year.  I believe I had roughly two dozen interviews.

Very happy to start working soon... and hope to be biking more too!

Chilly Hilly video

This is someone else's video, but you will get a good idea of what the event is like.

Note that it is 32, not 23 miles noted in the beginning of the video.

Chilly Hilly 2012 Recap

I rode the 2012 Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island, WA yesterday. I did this ride the first time in 2010.

I/we went over on the 8:45AM WS Ferry and started the ride by 9:30-9:45 or so. It was about 32-34 miles. [Note: I don't know exactly how far or how long because my cycle speedometer got flattened by a taxi when it slipped out of the mounting bracket in Sodo part of Seattle on the way to the ferry docks. I was ticked off about that since I had been using this speedo for about 4 years and tracked about 2,000 miles of my rides on it.]

The loaded-up ferry with many bikes.


I went over with friends Adam, Rob, and Paul. I don't have pics of Adam and Rob, once we hit the BI dock, they were gone far ahead of us. Paul was also far ahead initially (until first hill where he says he threw his chain), but I eventually weeded my way through the crowds and Paul and I stayed together pretty much through most of the ride.

Here is an uphill and downhill view of one of several killer hills on Bainbridge Island:

Uphill


Downhill


Paul and I midway through the ride.


The larger food stop mid-ride.


Paul (R) and I at the finish line.


The bicyclists' line for the return ferry trip.


The bikes on board.


I think overall the ride was a good one. There were a few snow flakes along the way, but temps were reasonable for February (50s?) and there were many sun breaks with little wind. I think the most brutal aspects of the ride are (interestingly) not the hills. In my experience, I think the more difficult portions are the gauntlet of the ferry unloading (bogged down as folks struggle to connect or reconnect with their riding buddies or tend to various bike and gear adjustments) and the fact that there isn't a long warm-up section prior to hitting some hills.

I'm looking forward to more training rides this year (I got my ticket for this summer's STP too - my 2nd).

maintenance versus infrastructure

Just a placeholder for more on this subject, generally speaking.

I see there is a huge gap in funding (obviously) for new projects for trails, bike lanes, etc. But what affects me more on a routine basis are existing infrastructure that isn't properly swept (what good is a bike lane or wide road lane if the shoulder side has piled up sand and debris?) or markings not properly renewed (is this a striped bike lane, shoulder, parking strip..?)

More to come (I hope) just a point of irritation for me.

Bikes Belong

(I like to highlight the work of good folks doing good things for cycling. The photo above is the Bikes Belong board from the BB website.)

Bikes Belong's motto: "Connecting communities, one bike project at a time"

The Bikes Belong organization's grant program's goal is to put more people on bicycles more often by funding important and influential projects that leverage federal funding and build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S.

Funded projects include bike paths and rail trails, as well as mountain bike trails, bike parks, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives. Current grants are displayed on their map.

Since 1999, Bikes Belong has awarded over 200 grants to municipalities and grassroots groups in 46 states and the District of Columbia, investing nearly $2 million in community bicycling projects and leveraging federal, state, and private funding. Bikes Belong is a CO-based organization sponsored by the U.S. bicycle industry with nearly 400 members who are bicycle suppliers and retailers.

Buy a shirt I designed... available at Cafe Press!

Go here to order my OLD BIKES RULE t-shirt!!!

The pic is from an actual Schwinn I owned a while back. A Schwinn American. Metallic green that was very weathered. 3-speed rear Bendix hub... classic.

Perfect for hipsters and OGs alike!

The Raleigh PR guy: dream job

Here's what I was thinking of... posted recently on Bike Rumor.

Nice deal!

Twittering now too...

Hi.

I am still biking and bicycle commuting (not as often as I'd like to) and dreaming of rides and bikes. I am experimenting with Twitter more often and distracted by my current job-search. I've been spending time on Indeed and LinkedIn looking for the ever-elusive cycling/travel/food journalist position with great compensation and flexible hours... and perks like demo bikes and gear. (I'm kidding... a little).

I live across from REI HQ in WA State and down the street from Raleigh USA. Seattle Bike Supply (Torker, Redline, Wethepeople) is 15 min ride from here too. I should stage a "Occupy REI" protest to get hired there.

It's hard to do BIKE TO WORK MONTH when you're not working.

Anyways...

Look me up. I'm Twittering as @NatronJones.

biking down a volcano

Would you believe this is the only pic I snapped while biking down Mt. Haleakala on Maui?



The ride was quite twisty and steep initially and in the flatter portions, it required both hands on the handlebars due to potholes and deteriorated asphalt.

If you plan to go, I have no complaints with the company we used. Haleakala Bike Co. in Haiku.

Good points about this company: they use quality MT bikes, not cruisers. The bikes are Gary Fisher (single speed) bikes with front suspension forks and disc brakes - both good to have on this ride.

Also, this company is a "good at your pace" self-tour down the hill versus a "stay together" ride. Other companies might force you to creep along with the least-skilled rider in the lot.

Aloha!

Another Examiner article on UW bicycling

Here's another article on the University of Washington and bicycling.

Yeah, Huskies!

UW gets "bike friendly" recognition

The University of Washington (my current employer) just received a recognition for its bike-friendly programs and facilities.

The Examiner states: "the University of Washington is a note-worthy partner with the city of Seattle in the effort to increase bicycling as transportation. In addition to promotion and classes, the U has a network of repair stations across campus and provides a variety of secure parking facilities."

The UW recently added a series of Dero Fixit bike repair stands (complete with tools) on campus.

totally rode in the rain today

Saw a raccoon that was the epitome of the term "face plant". Poor guy.

I rode 25 wet and cold miles one-way to work. Felt good at the end though. (Duh!)

Bike commuting lessons learned:
1) the wool hiking socks were good choice this morning - they got completely soaked but my feet stayed warm

2) good call on double bagging my clothes and cell and wallet in my backpack - the backpack is lousy in rain and terrible waterproofness

3) loving my DiNotte helmet-mounted light - bright and puts the light where I am needing it most

4) not paying attention to your speed, miles, data, etc. can make the riding more fun - in other words, you needn't track the data to know you're having a good time

RIDE IN THE RAIN!!!

For about the past ten years, the University of Washington, where I am currently working on an interim basis through February, has a November commute contest for bicyclists.

Ride in the Rain!

Participants track the number of one-way bike trips they make between school or work on campus and their home, making special note of when it is raining. Participants report their ride statistics on a weekly basis during the scheduled reporting periods, using a tracking form for a given week that is only available during the scheduled Reporting Window for that week.

The contest advises cyclists to be smart and ride smart and safe: "Experienced riders know that weather conditions throughout the year can pose unique challenges. The Ride in the Rain challenge connects bicycle riders with the resources, information and training they need to ride safely all year round."

trail riding

I have a lot of friends who like to go to this trail, Duthie Hill, but I wondered why places like Cougar Mountain do not allow bicycles.

I could not find a quick link about this on the King County website (but I only looked for a few minutes). I just wanted to know what the policy was regarding this. I can see both sides of the issue - bikes in parks and bikes not allowed in parks. I just wanted to know what the county criteria was.

Help your park system out! Volunteer!

I'm still around

Great things have happened for me career-wise, despite a layoff in March of 2011. I am earning much less than I was in a prior position but the good news is I have a killer-long bike commute (24-25 miles one-way) and I am working within a very bike-positive community and workplace.

I'll reveal more eventually, but just wanted to let folks know I am doing OK and intend to blog more.

The past year has been a very up and down year for me on a personal note and career-wise. Cycling has consistently, along with other aspects I may choose to reveal at some point, the better part of my transitional period.

I am down to four bicycles now - two nice road bikes (carbon Roubaix and an aluminum Cannondale) and two steel less-nice bikes (27" wheeled road bike and a department store MT bike). If I had space to do so, I'd set up another home workshop and maybe build a few more project bikes, but I've been busy in the job search lately, so maybe that is a winter project for me.

More soon... which might be late 2011, but who knows?

~ NJ

cross-training

What do you do out of "cycling season" (some of us go all-year) to stay in shape? I never downhill skied before (I x-country skied one time last year) and I went to Mount Baker last weekend to try it out.

The drive up to the mountains


The ski area


Another view of the ski area


Ready to ski (?)


Heading down the (beginner) slopes


Overall, I'd try it again. I was sore as I'd expected, but I think cycling has improved my overall conditioning in general so I wasn't as sore as I could have been if I'd not been cycling.

What do you do out of the saddle for fitness? I'd also recently caught on to racketball. More on that another time.

crunchy

Notice anything about this derailleur on my old Raleigh rain bike? Why might the chain be skipping..?



Hint: look at one of the pulleys, specifically the lower one. (A good diagram of derailleurs can be found here).

Can't find it? Neither could I. Lost it on a ride recently! Had to avoid inclines and muddy, soft surface areas so I could maintain peddling. Did that for 5 miles!

BING MAPS TdF app

Ever check out BING MAPS?

There was a Tour De France app added last year for the 2010 Tour. I just discovered it. Hoping it gets updated for 2011.

Some screen shots...

The main view...


A sample aerial shot - happens to be the finish line


I think when the tour is active BING goes link crazy and send you related cycling hyperlinks to click to your heart's desire.

oops CBC

Earlier this week, Cascade Bicycle Club tried a new online registration system for their rides.

They probably planned it out well, I know they made announcements well in advance about trying out a new online system and also had people do test runs (I participated in that effort) to "beta test" the new system.

But still problems happened. The Executive Director, Chuck Ayers, posted this statement about the situation.

Of course, the past few months have been tough for CBC, which has been hammered by ill will after the CBC Board fired Mr. Ayers, who has many supporters amongst the ranks.

I'm not leaping into the politics of it all, but I hope they got the kinks out of the registration process so I can sign up for some rides this year.

keep your bike yours

Thanks to Kent for posting about this topic, locking one's bicycle.

Keep that new bike from Christmas yours as we venture deeper into 2011.

I've known one person who in 2010 lost their bicycle due to theft.

We hate you, bike thief!