Scott cycles…

Do you ride your bike to work?

This isnt going to be one of my posts where i beg you to commute, but you could if you wanted to!

Yesterday at church, i felt AWESOME!  I was picking Max when a woman said “do you ride your bike to work?” I said i did and her 2 daughters. She said “See girls! I told you he goes to our church! We see you all the time and the go there he is, there he is! ” As corny as this may bd, knowing people see me makes me feel a little safer and… Well…. Kinda cool!

Time to get ready to do it again!

Commuter Dude – Part 2

As you (my 7 followers) know, I was recently involved in a low violence skirmish with various Department of Transportation organizations.  The issue was the unsafe grates that were installed on a newly built road.  Well – after a lot of work, a lot of email, some blogging and some time spent hanging out with John Gerard – aka Commuter Dude!

The grates are FIXED!  Commuter Dude wanted to help me get the word out!

The official 11 Alive Link:  http://marietta.11alive.com/news/news/81105-cyclist-leaves-dude-starting-gate-road-fix

http://bit.ly/CommuterDude will show you the same video in MUCH better quality (HD).

Thanks to EVERYBODY that helped along the way.  It was a lot of fun seeing change happen!

58 miles is unpredictable

Some days I can ride 50+ and be full of energy and excitement. Today, I feel like a bus ran me over. The thing is, I am pretty sure I am setting mileage records, which is cool, but tiring. New light weight… New miles. I can take tiredness today!

The joys of bicycle commuting

You know, so many people rave (well, in my circles) about the fun, the thrill, the great workout, the way you feel… all the obvious stuff about riding your bike to work.  I’ve done it and that’s all good, but in the last three weeks, I’ve found new joy, new fun – new smiles from my ride to work.

Do you realize how many people you pass on your way to work?  Some of you may not pass many – I never had a clue how many I pass… but lately I have been noticing.  It started with Jim, my crossing guard friend, who is about to turn 70 next month.  (Yes, I learned about him!)  I haven’t got her name yet, but his co-worker and her son that are at the intersection every morning and now wave like I’m in a parade.  Then there is the old guy, missing a leg in a wheel chair.  I don’t know where he lives, how he even survives… looks like he has a fairly rough existence, but he is always excited to see me (and pretty much anybody else that will wave or nod at him).  There are others I pass at the bus stops and intersections along the way.  The guy on the yellow motorcycle I see on Macland every day, the guy that passes me every morning with his bike on the rack and doesn’t even glance over… all the personalities.  For some reason I enjoy that.  The guy in the wheel chair, I go back and forth pondering “Was it a war wound?” or “Was it diabetes?”  Then I wonder will he be cold in a few months.  I’ve already decided I’ll give him a coat if he needs one.

Getting out of my steel box and getting closer to the community I go through has gotten people to recognize me.  My route does not take me through the nicest neighborhoods.  I am passing a lot of people that for years, I probably drove by and ignored – but on my bicycle I am oddly aware of their presence.  I am just a few feet away!  Some of the people  even cheer for me.  That may be the GOOFIEST thing I have ever said, but you know what – They are smiling, I am smiling – who cares if it is goofy!

Go for it – give it a go!  Short commute, long commute, work out the details!  You can do it!  The list of reasons is TOO LONG to ignore!

Have a blessed day, Flat Tires and Jesus

Let’s look at my day… I got up and was FLYING to work.  Everything was clicking – rare that I don’t hit any lights … but today, it was going great.  Then … the world got soft (or at least my front tire did).  Oh geez… a flat.  That sucks.  Oh well, not a huge deal.  I stop at the WindyMac/Austell intersection where my crossing guard friend is… he wants to help, but I got it.  About 20 feet later I realize my spare tube is defective and I’m down to 1 CO2 cartridge.  UGH!  Quick… call Sarah.  Wait – the #1 network in the world 5 bars – full 3G speed – BUT I CAN’T MAKE A CALL!  I try umpteen times, my phone wont make a call.  UGH!  I call from my friends cell… Boost Mobile works – but not Verizon #fail!  I have 2 Verizon phones … they both fail me!  UGH!  Anyway, I make a hack fix on my tube and manage to get to work.  I then find it flat again, but have 1 C02 left… I can make it!  It has to be a slow leak.  #WRONG!  I get 2.5 miles from work when it goes flat again.

Now – at this point, you are probably thinking – Scott is in a bad mood.  No… I *CAN’T* be in a bad mood after all of that.  You see – about two years ago, I made a conscious decision to make some changes in my life.  I started going to Church, I was baptized and became a follower of Jesus Christ.  (Okay, I will tie this back to flat tires in a minute – hang in there).  For a long time, I didn’t even blog/tweet/comment about Church.  Then it started creeping in.  I never really typed anything quite like I just did – but hey – at least I was going.  Perhaps I was ashamed of being a Christian.  I don’t know.  I think I didn’t want people to think I was a ‘Jesus Freak’ but at this point – I’m kind of happy about it.  I can see God working in my life and I’m not ashamed to talk about it.  I still get a little uneasy – but well, here it is – in black and white – on the internet.  Once something hits the internet – it’s LAW!  ANYWAY… let’s get back to the story…. In an effort to save you a little time (is anybody going to make it this far?  I doubt it – but that’s okay… it’s for me more than my 2 readers!).

So how does God tie into all of this?  Well – Jim, my crossing guard friend was all over helping me.  I don’t think he has much on the bike mechanic thing – but he wanted to help.  He handed me his car keys!  LITERALLY!  I refused, thinking that was a little crazy and not wanting my fix to take longer than he had.  He works at two intersections, you see!  He was willing to do anything he could to help me.  He told me I am his hero… as I am active and trying to change my life and be more fuel friendly.  When I left, before I got the second flat – he said “Have a blessed day!”  He is one of the good people in this world!

Now … scroll forward 9 hours to my ride home.  Sarah works about where I got my flat, so I was covered there, but I still had over 1/2 mile to walk.  Keep in mind that I wear carbon soled bike shoes that really aren’t walking friendly – and picture me walking up South Cobb in my socks.  Not pretty.  I look up and see a woman getting out of her car, opening her trunk and taking stuff out.  By this time, I am just a short ways for where Sarah will pick me up.  She says – “Sir, I am a chaplain and I would like to help you!”  I start to decline, but she puts on the hard sale.  Working me like a used car salesman for about 12.7 seconds when I say “She wants to help me! Let’s give her a chance to!”  She gave me a short ride and was so excited to talk to me about my commuting, my bike, my shoes and everything under the sun.  As she dropped me off, you can guess what she said?  ”Have a blessed day!”

I truly have.  I have everything I need in life.  I’m chasing my dream of changing the world through myself.  I’m helping people, people are helping me, I’m involved in a great Church that truly has a mission to take God’s word to people.  For the first time in two years – I’m just laying it out there.  I have a certain sense of serenity.  I read something the other day… Serenity is not the absence of storms, rather it is peace amidst the storm.  Some of my friends may read this and condemn me for my behaviors in the past or future.  It’s okay.  I am not perfect, just forgiven.  I’m trying to be a better guy by following the best… If that bothers somebody, I’ll be more than happy to talk to them about it, but for me – this is my choice and my belief.  It is not something I regret or am ashamed of.  I live in a country where I have the choice and that is a true blessing.  I truly have had a blessed day and I hope you have one today, tomorrow and beyond!  If you made it this far – I’m proud of you!

Here’s one of my favorites lately!  Enjoy!

The Ross Perot of Commuting

Ok – so – let me show you this chart!

I’m kinda jazzed!  If you compare the Daily Mile number on the right to the HIGHEST total miles on the chart above, I’m already ahead of my longest year in a while!  That’s pretty cool.  As I type this – I am 458 miles away from my goal of averaging 10 miles a day this year.  I’ve got some running to do for that one…. D’OH!

Cobb DOT – Today you are a Higgly Town Hero

This morning I received an email from Cobb DOT.  They said “If you want to film the guys installing the solution – head over there this morning!  Unfortunately (or fortunately) I was riding.  As soon as I got the message I headed right on over to see what was going on.  Hard to say I was sad everything was DONE!  Wow!  We recorded a little video to show you exactly what we found!  I am generally not much of a vlogger…. but in this case, I thought it was appropriate!

Now – looking at the video, some safety minded individuals will notice a large hole along the concret.  This concerned me a little so I did a little analysis of the situation.  I’m happy to tell you that I don’t think that is going to be much of a problem.  If you are THAT close to the wall, you’ve done something really stupid already.  You are likely to crash.  As this photo show – you have to be closer than a pedal width to the wall to get a wheel in… not something I do often!

Big hole - no problem

While I do question why they would do it that way, they may have a valid reason.  That was NEVER the point of contention here nor will it be now.  I will leave you – and this subject – with a photo that shows an ABSOLUTE positive action taken by Cobb DOT.  Outside of this being done prior to the road opening – NOTHING could have been done better.  Thank you very much!

The Final Photo - WELL DONE!

And now – another interesting TWIST (or two)

Well – I have to say I’m truly amazed at how this week worked out!  Shocked even!  Nothing in my wildest dreams would have been able to express what am about to lay down.  Seriously.  This is not normal stuff!

So … yesterday, I posted how GDOT was not the devil… that it was actually Cobb DOT.  A little bird had told me that Cobb DOT was already working on a solution and that made me happy.  I didn’t have any facts, but my source was far more reliable than my 43 year old confused and fading brain cell.  Trying to be optimistic, I gave them credit.  Well … as it turns out, they had gotten window of my flame filled prose and were drafting a response of their own… who knew?

So… in the “Wow, that’s awesome” category, Cobb DOT contacted me directly to let me know they have ordered materials to make the grates safe.  They are going to be done within 2 weeks.  We still have this other little rumor that the road is going to be “Limited Access”.  Well, it was PLANNED to be limited access, but budget cuts, construction delays and everything else under the sun have modified the scope of this project a bunch of times and there is no longer any intention of making it limited access… so once we get these grates fixed – it’s on par with other roads in the area.  (Many of you have commented about how wide the shoulder.  The shoulder is only wide near the grates.  In both directions it fades to less than 8″ in a couple places.  The “inlet” and “outlet” of the road have what I would consider dangerously narrow curbs, forcing a cyclist to ride in traffic and if there is an accident or something – there is no place for cars to pull off the road – but that isn’t my current focus…)  They assured me that they are concerned about bicycle safety and making safe riding roads.  Again – the email was polite, well written and I was given a direct phone number if I had further questions.  Good deal.

Now – in the “I almost soiled my britches” category… I come down the hill into the “wide shoulder, grate infested region” of Windy Mac and I see something I didn’t recall from the morning.  It’s large.  It’s orange.  It’s reflective.  It’s a ROAD BARREL!

Safety Minded!

I roll around the curve and see another … and another … and another … and another!  Cobb County DOT – while we have our issues, I have to say THANK YOU!  Your safety minded gesture really made my day.  Other cycling advocates who I have shared the photo with were also impressed.  This simple act of respect did in fact give me chills and kept a smile on my face the rest of the way home.  In 4+ years living in Georgia, that’s about the nicest thing anybody has done for this cyclist!

This has definitely been an interesting chain of events.  I would like to share my story with a more public audience – and will be trying to get in touch with Commuter Dude.  This is an opportunity to share something GOOD about the Department of Transportation!  As gas prices creep higher and higher – more and more people will be thinking about getting to work another way.  My efforts, if nothing else, raised awareness that I (and other cyclist) are passionate about our safety.  We have as much right to use the roads and be safe as those in the cars.

To my friends who supported me in this – THANK YOU!  I really appreciate it.  I’ll be riding this on a regular basis and hope to catch a photo of the guys fixing a grate.  At a bare minimum, I will update you when I see one or more of them fixed!

What’s next?

GDOT – I owe you an apology and a thank you!

The grates on the Windy Hill connector are, in my opinion, nearly criminal.  They are dangerous and they are problematic.  That being said – my ferocity was wrongly focused on the Georgia Department of Transportation.  It turns out, this road development was not a GDOT project, rather a Cobb County project.  So – on the placement of these wheel eating monsters – GDOT has no liability.

Now – I need to fill you in on a few things here… My neighbor works for GDOT.  He saw my blog post and thought “Wow – Scott has a point here – maybe we should look at this”.  He sent it to his boss (thank you!) and from there apparently a few things bounced around.  I received BUNCHES of emails form concerned cyclist saying “email this dude”… so I did.  Within 8 hours of  my email I received a POLITELY written correction to numerous things (one being who built the road).  The other being a clear clarification of GDOTs stance on bicycle friendly grates.  They have a clear understanding of what the grates can and will do to a bicyclist and have some good policies to protect us in the future.  He sent me a link to their policies document that pertains to bicycles and a flyer for their Sample Grates.  The email was nice and educational.

I’ve also got a few email tickles and stuff that indicate Cobb County is quite aware of this and is planning to weld metal across the grates.  That’s good news … I don’t want a war, I want a safe place for people to ride their bikes as a common method of TRANSPORTATION!

I also heard a dirty little rumor that this road is supposed to be “Limited Access” – aka – We won’t be allowed to ride our bikes on this road.  If this does hit the fan – expect a blog post filled with animosity and discontent…  We will see if this ever happens.  While they poorly designed the road for cyclists, that is normal for Cobb County (and you WONT see a future apology from me on that one!  It is a fact!)

Georgia DOT – you just *FAILED*

Many of you may remember my quest to get a block of dangerous concrete removed from Cobb Parkway.  Well – I’ve got a new cause without a rebel looking for a rebel without a cause.  I guess this one fall squarely on my shoulders.

For the better part of 3 years, GDOT has been working on the “Macland – Windy Hill Connector”.  It’s finally finished, including a grossly oversized bridge to nowhere.  I drove it for the first time on Friday and was sad that they managed to make the shoulders so unfriendly.  They are wide, then narrow, then a curb then wide… all over the place for no reason.  This will force a cyclist to feel a false sense of security only to be pushed back into traffic and piss off some texting cougar in her Escalade (it’s already happened….)  Anyway, that lovely picture of cycling bliss and serenity I just painted for you is only 10% of the absolute DANGER imposed on cyclist on this road in at least 12 locations.

To those of you who don’t ride on vehicles with tires that are 23 mm wide, you may not realize the danger that is presented here.  I’ve been riding a WHOLE lot of years and can tell you, in general I can miss a 43×41 square of steel in the road.  I’m a big boy and I can steer.  In perfect conditions, I could probably bunny hop that thing if I had to… but in and oh-crap situation, for some strange reason – everything isn’t perfect.  You and I both reasonably smart people, or at least I would like to believe I am… I will let you decide.  I’m going to give you all the benefit here – and ask you if you try to put a 1″ wide tire in a 2-3″ wide slot – will it fit?  YUP – YOU ARE RIGHT!  Sure enough – it will drop right in there.

Now – I’m one for a story and all, but I’m not about to go dropping in to show you what could/would happen if I that thing at 24 mph.  I will however put Wilson II in there to show you what is next.  I am going to say – and this is my expert opinion, there is not a cyclist in the world that could survive that without going tukus over  tea kettle and or changing their dental records forever.  There are at least a dozen of these grates on this new 2 mile road.  They are in dark shadows where even an experience cyclist might not see them.

You aren’t supposed to complain unless you have a solution… I tried hard and even took my measuring tape out there to see if the solution was easy … nope, they are not square, they are rectangular.  IDIOTS!  The drain should go perpendicular to the road, not parallel.  This is already ILLEGAL in Oregon and Seattle aint bullsh*t’n (It’s rap song), they are going to replace ALL of their storm grates.  I think with a little work, they could be fixed – or with the purchase a helper/fixer.  I’ve seen and ridden across those before.

Words can not convey how disappointed and angry I am that new road projects are not even THINKING about cyclists. This is crap. I will be coming up with something to do about this!