CTQ Bicycles

2012-03-02T06:18:00.003-08:00

I first got serious about cycling when I lived in California. I had a close group of friends and I did what all my friends did, bought a lightweight road bike, put on lycra and went out to ride. Most times we'd drive somewhere to go for a ride. Rides would be anywhere from 20 to 80 miles. It was always about going fast, going far, and climbing hills.

We were bike junkies, hanging out at the bike shop and lusting after all the new improved gear. Always trying to find a way to make our bikes lighter and faster. Always upgrading bikes every few years or so.

When we cycled the Oregon Coast we had someone drive a van from campground to campground. The other two long bike trips I took were supported. When I commuted by bike to work, it was a road bike and lycra. I'd change clothes in the mens room.

There was a time when I thought about riding cross country. I bought a touring bike and a couple of panniers. But I never did. Instead, when I had the time off, I cycled the San Juan Islands in Washington and Canada raising money for the American Lung Association of Washington, a supported ride.

When I went to work for Siebel System, I stopped cycling for some reason. Could have been the working weekends and all the travel I was doing.

I never road when I moved to Arkansas. I lived a mile down a dirt road seven miles from town. Guess I thought there were to many red necks in pickup trucks who would think a guy on a road bike wearing lycra would make a good target.

Got back into cycling when I moved back to Wisconsin in 2004. I picked up right where I left off, aroad bike and lycra. I'd ride out in the country and also downtown to run errands.

I finally came to understand that cycling is more than a road bike and lycra, more than going faster and farther, more than looking good on an expensive bike. Cycling is transportation as well as travel. It took awhile for that understanding to sink in and become a part of me. It's been a sometimes difficult transition from cycling as fitness to cycling as utility. It's hard breaking ingrained thoughts and habits that I've lived with for 20 years.

So I think I've finally turned my thinking around. Cycling is transportation and travel as well as fitness. In fact the fitness comes with riding everyday, riding for errands and riding for fun. I am so looking forward to Spring and warm weather so I can get back on my bicycle and ride!!

2012-02-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

Saw this old cartoon and thought it was quite funny. Helmets do not make bicycling safer. I used to wear a helmet all the time. Now I wear it only when I'm out riding the local country roads. When I run errands to the bank, library, farmers marker, etc, I just wear a cycling cap or a ball cap.

Cold Ride

2012-02-13T05:35:00.001-08:00

It was 28 degrees yesterday afternoon when I ran an errand on my new bike. It was more comfortable than I thought it would be, but by the time I got home, my fingers were hurting from the cold. Got to do something about heated gloves. The first pair I tried didn't really work so I sent them back and they are testing them. Next pair I buy I'm going to try out first.

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Snow

2012-02-10T13:24:00.001-08:00

Words for today are snow and wind. Looks like a few days of winter's return.

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Where's The Sun?

2012-02-02T12:53:00.001-08:00

Well, I guess the clouds decided to hang around all day. It was a cold ride to the bank. Next winter I'm getting battery operated gloves!

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February 1st?

2012-02-02T06:02:00.001-08:00

Can't believe this weather. Almost 40 degrees today!

YouTube Video

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Got Bike?

2012-01-31T09:37:00.001-08:00

Well, yet another new bike. This time a Trek Allant. It's got upright handlebars, low gearing, fenders, a rear rack, a bell, regular pedals, and a kickstand. All come with the bike. I replaced the big soft saddle with a Brooks B17.

I put some panniers on the rack and ran a couple of errands today. It's going to take some getting used to with the upright handlebars. Quite a different ride from any other bike I've owned.

This will be my transportation bike for riding to the library, downtown, the Farmers Market, doctor's appointments, etc. No lycra allowed!

It will replace my Surly Long Haul Trucker and Surly Cross Check for the above stated uses. The Cross Check will be going up on craigslist this spring.

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Trek Allant

2012-01-28T12:42:00.001-08:00

Going to Paddle and Trail tomorrow to look at a Trek Allant.

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Spring?

2012-01-27T11:54:00.001-08:00

I know we haven't had much of a winter, but I am really looking forward to Spring. I can't wait to get back out on my bike!

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52 Degrees on January 11th, 2012

2012-01-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

It was so nice this past Wednesday. I tried out some different mounting places for the DRIFT HD170.

A Ride Around the Neighborhood

2011-12-23T07:18:00.001-08:00

Here's a video taken with my new DRIFT HD170 Stealth video camera. It was mounted on the handlebar of my mountain bike as I did a lap around the path where I live. I'm looking forward to cycling weather when I'll attach the camera to other parts of the bike for a more interesting video.

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-23T02:58:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since my last post. To much has been going on.

So here's wishing you a Merry Christmas.

New Cycling Helmet

2011-10-05T03:01:00.001-07:00

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Paul's Touring Cantis

2011-10-02T05:43:00.001-07:00

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New Handlebar Tape

2011-10-02T05:28:00.001-07:00

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From This Morning's Ride

2011-08-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Belding Road School

Favorite Post Ride Drink

2011-08-16T05:29:00.001-07:00

Cross Check Tires

2011-06-23T09:36:00.001-07:00

Ritchey 700x32

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Latte

2011-05-24T09:21:00.002-07:00

Nothing like sitting outside in the sun on a beautiful May morning having a latte after a nice ride downtown.

It's a Good Day to Ride

2011-05-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Finally getting some great weather for bike riding. Took the touring bike out today to breakfast then through downtown before heading home. I'm carrying my tent, sleeping bag, thermarest, and tent footprint in the panniers. Trying to get used to carrying some weight.

Windy Day

2011-05-01T08:45:00.001-07:00

Rode the Long Haul Trucker to breakfast this morning and then through downtown before heading home. Another windy spring day. Seems like every day recently has been like this.
Headwinds bad. Tailwinds good!

Sunny Day

2011-04-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

After about two weeks of cold, rain, and wind the nice weather arrived today. I took out my Long Haul Trucker for a ride. Put the rear panniers on. Will work up to adding weight after I get more miles on my legs.

The panniers are Arkel Dolphin bags which are waterproof.

Camp Cooking

2011-04-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here's the new cook stove I bought for bike trips. It's the Jetboil Helios. Uses a butane fuel source which may prove to be an issue on longer trips, but for shorter one it should be OK. Can't wait to try it out on my first overnight trip.

Reflection on headwinds tailwinds.

2011-04-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

Nice weather today so off for a ride. Headwinds on the way out and averaged 12.5 the first five miles. Tailwinds on the way back and averaged 15.3 for the second 5 miles. It would be nice to get several nice days in a row so I could start getting some form back.

Get Up & Ride Wisconsin Bike Challenge

2011-04-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Bike Challenge is sponsored by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and Scott® brand. Participants in the Challenge will easily and conveniently track bicycle miles and trips for both transportation and recreation bicycle riding using a free, robust Challenge website.

I signed up yesterday and hope you will too.

Adjusting my Brooks B17 getting ready to ride.

Rain, Rain Go Away

2011-04-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

Another day of awful weather. Will it ever end?

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Camping Anyone?

2011-04-18T07:56:00.001-07:00

Since there's snow today, I thought I'd practice setting up my tent again.

It's a Eureka Backcountry. Perfect packed size to carry on the bike.

Have decided to do an S24O (sub 24 hour overnight) as soon as it warms up. Going to ride to tthe Whitewater Lake Campground for the first try at an overnight. It's only about 34 miles from home so an easy trip. Will only ride with rear panniers for this one. I think I can get everything I'll need in them. Just the tent, tent footprint, sleeping bag, pad, stove, some food to cook, a camera and my iPad.

Haven't camped since I lived in California so it should be interesting.
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A Ride on La Vaca

2011-04-12T09:42:00.001-07:00

Got out this morning on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. For some reason I didn't have the legs today so it was a big of a slog. Could have been the slight headwind, the heavier bike, or not much for breakfast.
A stop for water in Tiffany.

Turtle International Airport. I guess flights come in from as far away as Shopier?

Art shot of La Vaca in Tiffany.

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2011-04-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

When the wind is blowing, I need one of these. Other than head wind on the way back, a great ride today. 14.2 average. First 5 miles on the way out with the tail wind - 15.8. Second 5 miles with head and side winds - 13.7. Last 2.25 miles with head winds - 12.5.

My New Business Venture.

2011-04-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Like the itinerant peddler of the 1800's, Professor Quillen is going out into the world to seek his fortune selling his "Magic Elixer of Life". Good for all of life's ailments

First Road Bike Ride of the Year

2011-04-07T11:40:00.001-07:00

First road bike ride of the season. Yikes, am I out of shape. 10.52 miles out to Shopiere and back. But, hey, average speed of 14.3 which for me is pretty good this early in the season. Oh, and 13.8 average on the way out and 14.9 on the way back. Guess which way the wind was blowing?

Vote Today

2011-04-05T09:46:00.001-07:00

This is how I got to the polling place to vote today. Probably the only one who rode a bike there.

Loaded Touring

2011-04-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hipster

2011-03-31T12:32:00.001-07:00

Took the Cross Check to get my haircut this afternoon.

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A Good Day to Ride

2011-03-30T13:56:00.001-07:00

Well, it would be a good day to ride if would warm up. I did get out for a short spin this afternoon, but it was chilly.

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Waiting for warm weather.

2011-03-28T13:12:00.001-07:00

My Surly Long Haul Trucker spent the winter in the bedroom.
It's about time to get it on the road!

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Location:Edgewood Dr,Beloit,United States

Water, water everywhere?

2011-03-28T03:24:00.001-07:00

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Location:Beloit, Wisconsin 53511

Test post from BlogPress on my iPad.

2011-03-27T14:02:00.001-07:00

A flow chart I found online.

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Location:Home...

Delivery Vehicle...

2011-03-21T12:38:00.001-07:00

Got the trailer out today to deliver a couple of boxes to Goodwill. Worked perfectly. Next use will be when I go to Ace Hardware to pick up a new kitchen sink.

Beloit Hipster?

2011-03-08T11:50:00.001-08:00

Ran a few errands on my bike today sans helmet! (Oh no, the safety nannies will be after me.) But thought I looked cool in my cycling cap.

Fixie Chick

2011-02-19T07:25:00.001-08:00

Four years ago as I was putting groceries into my panniers on my bike in front of Cub Foods, a car pulled up with a mother and daughter who asked for directions to the Beloit College campus. They were in town for a campus visit. As we chatted I found out that they were from Los Altos, California. I told them that I had lived in Sunnyvale and cycled through and to Los Altos all the time. I told the young woman that I hoped she'd choose Beloit College as it is a great school.

Yesterday afternoon I was out in front of Bushel and Pecks waiting for a friend. I saw this fixie bike and a young woman pacing back and forth talking on a cell phone. When she finished her conversation, she asked if I was taking photos of her bike. We had a conversation about her bike, cycling in Beloit, etc. I told her I had done quite a bit of cycling when I lived in California. She asked where I had lived and when I told her Sunnyvale she said she lives in Los Altos. We stared at each other and then it clicked. She was the prospective student from four years ago.

Life is so amazingly bizarre sometimes.

A photo of me and Nana with our home built tandem.

2011-02-05T03:53:00.000-08:00

A great biography of Fausto Coppi.

2011-01-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

This is a very interesting read. Fausto Coppi was a complex person who was idolized but the Italian cycling fans. At the same time he was hated by some for leaving his wife and family and moving in with his mistress. In fact both he and his mistress were arrested and charged with adultery which in 1950s Italy was a crime.

Carte de Visite

2011-01-13T04:48:00.000-08:00

I had a portrait of me on my bicycle make for a carte de visite. I plan to give give one to Catherine this weekend during our bicycle outing.

Catherine...

2011-01-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

While delivering mail one day, I met Catherine. I delivered the 1890 PREMIER SAFETY BICYCLES catalog to her and there was this instant connection. So we have a date to go cycling this weekend. Now I have to break it off with Clara.

Il Postino

2011-01-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

Il Postino. After my military service with the British Bicycle Corps, I took a job with the post office delivering mail by bicycle.

My Friend Clara

2011-01-10T03:50:00.001-08:00

While I was in the Army Bicycle Corps, I met Clara. We had many fine rides into the countryside while I was on a weekend pass.

I Join the Army.

2011-01-09T05:53:00.001-08:00

Shortly after the start of the second Boer War in 1899, I joined the British Army Bicycle Corps.

I Take Up Bicycle Racing.

2011-01-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

Shortly after the development of the safety bicycle in the early 1880s, I gave up my trusted Columbia High Wheeler for my first safety. I then took up bicycle racing. Here I am at the start of my first race with my coach Enzo Magni.

The Penny-Farthing

2011-01-07T04:31:00.001-08:00

An early photo of me with my Columbia High Wheeler shortly before the introduction of the safety bicycle. Oh how I loved to go out on the country roads with the chaps

25% Of Motorists Hate Their Commute

2011-01-07T03:17:00.000-08:00

Go figure. Who likes being stuck in a cage of steel and glass going nowhere? That's not what the ads on TV showed when they were trying to see you the car.

25% of Motorists Hate Their Commute.

I can't wait for spring.

2010-12-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

Love the Yehuda Moon comics.

LaPrairie Ride

2010-12-24T10:12:00.001-08:00

Another mapmyride.com route.

LaPrairie Route

Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Beloit, WI

Tiffany Bike Loop

2010-12-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

First try at using MapMyRide.com to produce a bike map.

Tiffany Ride 1

Find more Cycling Routes / Bike Rides in Beloit, WI

Bike Chicks

2010-12-22T12:26:00.001-08:00

Former riding partners in California.

Winter Riding...

2010-12-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

Since the roads don't get plowed to allow cycling aronud here during the winter, this is where I do my riding these days.

The Bicycle Girl - 1897

2010-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a great post about an article in a Milwaukee newspaper from 1897.

The Bicycle Girl

Winter Snow is Here...

2010-12-05T05:56:00.000-08:00

First snow of the season yesterday. Went to the store this morning and less traveled streets are snow covered. Not unusual for the town. After how many years of "clearing" snow, and they can't figure out how to do it.

Was looking at the Copenhagen cycling blog and what they do there is amazing. For cyclists! They clear the bike lanes first before the streets.

Take a look:
Winter Cycling in Copenhagen

Bicycle with sidecar in Copenhagen. 1935.

2010-11-27T03:41:00.001-08:00

Winter cycling in Copenhagen

2010-11-26T03:39:00.001-08:00

What is the matter with Republicans?...

2010-11-26T03:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry people, but Republican Gubernatorial candiate Dan Maes of Colorado was right. The bicycle is a Trojan horse that will destroy American values and society.

"This is all very well-disguised, but it will be exposed," Maes told about 50 supporters who showed up at a campaign rally last week in Centennial.

Maes said in a later interview that he once thought the mayor's efforts to promote cycling and other environmental initiatives were harmless and well-meaning. Now he realizes "that's exactly the attitude they want you to have."

"This is bigger than it looks like on the surface, and it could threaten our personal freedoms," Maes said.

And this very mainstream Republican thinks that bike riding is part of some anti-American plot to subvert freedom and destroy America?

Paranoia? Craziness? You betcha... but pretty much par for the course in today's GOP.

The Republican descent into madness seems to be taking place in a bottomless pit.

Evil Deity

2010-11-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

After about a month of studying cases, I put to my first term torts students a couple of hypothetical questions. The first concerns an ‘evil deity.’ ‘Suppose,’ I ask my students, ‘such a deity were to appear to you, as president of this country or as controller of our legal system, and offer a gift, a boon, which would make life more pleasant, more enjoyable than it is today. The gift can be anything you want — be as idealistic, or as obscene, or as greedy as you wish — except that it cannot save lives.’ Later I will drop even that requirement. ‘The evil deity suggests that he can deliver this gift in exchange for one thing … the lives of one thousand young men and women picked by him at random who will each year die horrible deaths.’

When I ask, ‘Would you accept?’ my students almost uniformly answer, ‘No.’ Indeed, they are shocked that one could even ask the question. I then ask, quietly, what the difference is between this gift and the automobile, which takes some fifty-five thousand lives each year.

– Guido Calabresi, Ideals, Beliefs, Attitudes, and the Law, 1985

Driving can harm you...

2010-11-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

I found this image on a blog I read, http://www.copenhagenize.com/

Two Tanks

2010-10-09T12:18:00.001-07:00

My nephew Aaron was in town this weekend so we went for a ride this morning. He is so fast, but then he's half my age. We did a route I was doing on an almost daily basis two years ago before I stoped cycling for a year and a half. Amazing weather today. Unbelievable for October. After we got back to my house I drove up to Janesville to pick up my new glasses and Aaron went out for another ride!

Rant...

2010-10-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

I'm angry! Why is it people who get behind the wheel of a ton of steel and glass think they own the road? Why is it our neighborhoods are not designed as public spaces for all people but seem to be just for cars? Why do people continue to put up with it? What the hell is wrong with this country?

To the dirt bag in the white SUV who was treating a residential street like a race track and by cutting the corner almost hit me and my bicycle head on this morning, F#¥% YOU! And to the dirt bag in the grey SUV on the same street later that morning who backed out of her driveway in front of me, F#¥% YOU!

I'm sure both of you are so important that you have to get to your destination as soon as possible and that other people just don't matter.

A poster from the late 1940's...

2010-10-08T04:40:00.001-07:00

Truly Great Invention

2010-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

A bicycle is a Truly Great Invention because it is part of the entire range of human existence, from frivolity to necessity. A bicycle, if understood correctly and used to its full potential, is actually a key to a completely different, and in many ways more rewarding, way of life. Sure, there are limits to the ways in which you can use a bicycle, but those limits are surprisingly few. A bicycle can give you the feeling of freedom and speed you get from riding a motorcycle, the sense of well-being and peace you get from meditating, the health benefits you get from an afternoon in the gym, the sense of self-expression you get from learning to play guitar, and the feeling of victory you get from completing a marathon. It’s an invention that was in many ways ahead of its time, and whose time has finally come.

"Bike Snob" by Bike Snob Nyc

Bike Humor

2010-10-05T06:29:00.001-07:00

Found this in a book I'm reading: "The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom, and Wanderings."

Test Ride

2010-10-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

Took the new bike out for a test ride around the neighborhood yesterday. I LOVE IT. Nice, comfortable ride. Hope to get some long rides in this coming week as it gets warmer and a colder weekend.

La Vaca Azul (The Blue Cow)

2010-09-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yet Another New Bike

2010-09-30T02:54:00.001-07:00

Off to Madison this morning to pick up my new Surly Long Hayl Trucker. Pictures later.

Today's Ride...

2010-09-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

No photos from today. Rode downtown to buy a loaf of Italian bread at Bagels and More and then stopped by work to check on a frame I was working on earlier this morning. Just a perfect day for a ride.

Coming soon...

2010-09-27T15:04:00.001-07:00

Southwest Wisconsin Cycling

2010-09-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen it, check out the web site for cycling in Southwest Wisconsin. http://www.cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com/index.html

I ordered a hard copy of the map they offer and it is very well done. Good descriptions of the rides. I'm looking forward to doing a couple that start in Shullsburg. I've been out that way in my truck so I know it's hilly, but I've got the low gears! ;-)

Today's ride...

2010-09-27T09:13:00.001-07:00

Rode out to Tiffany and back on the Specialized. Nice cool sunny day.

Garmin Edge 500

2010-09-26T14:32:00.001-07:00

Rather than a traditional bicycle computer, this is what I'll be using. It easily mounts on the stem of my bicycle, can easily switch to another bike, and tracks all sorts of interesting data: top speed, average speed, altitude gain, altitude loss, average speed, calories burned, oh, and mileage.

Olympus PL-1

2010-09-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

This is the camera I bought to take on the bike when I ride. It's a lot lighter than my Nikon D300. It does not have a viewfinder so I have to look at the LCD on the back of the camera to see what I'm taking. Not quite used to it yet, but I have been getting some interesting photos. The first real trial for it will be next month when I'm cycling around the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

My new Specialized Sirrus Elite.

2010-09-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

My Bicycling Blog...

2010-09-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

After being off the bike for most of the last year and a half, I'm back to riding. It is taking a lot longer to get back into shape. I'm even changing my style of riding. I'm doing more commuting to work on my bike and have slowed down when riding the roads. No longer interested in fast road rides but just going out to enjoy the ride.