What do you do when your pump will not fit?

The bicycling family, that we are, needed to go to "Stuff-Mart" to get some "Stuff". On our way home my son punctured his rear tire on some glass (broken beer bottles are a direct result of the open container law) that was on the edge of the road. We didn't have a tube for his bicycle (700x23C) so I thought i would just patch it. But when I got out the pump out to inflate the tube I realized that the cheap pump that I had would not attach to a presta valve. BUMMER! This means I need to get creative.

So I:

• attached his front wheel, to the rear, on the non-drive side of his bike, outside the frame,
• towed his bike with the Ute, 
• hung his rear wheel hanging from his handlebar,
• had my daughter ride the back of the Ute,

    and

• had my son ride my daughters bike.

We were back moving and back home in no time at all.
Adapt, Overcome, and Execute!

What does a Full Buggy of Groceries look like on a Bicycle!

 In preparation for the consolidated guy birthday party (Me and both my sons birthdays are within ten days of one another) my wife went to our local "stuff-mart" store and loaded up the Ute with a full buggy of stuff. When she was there, she called me and said that she may have bought too much "stuff" and may need me to rescue her with the cargo trailer. She, however, found my bungee cords and lassoed things down on to the top. I believe she could have carried more using the old "shopping bags on the handlebars trick" but I don't know if she knows that one. As you can see from the pictures the Ute bags are pretty full. The bike has room for more stuff if I got a front rack and a big folding crate for the deck. But that might be a little too much weight!

National Bike Month Is Upon Us!

If you haven’t heard, we’re in the middle of National Bike Month.

Bike to Work Week is May 17-21, and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21st.

The T will be holding a bus, train, and bike-rack presentation on Friday May 21st at the Intermodal Transportation Center, from 7-9 am.

Trinity Bicycles Hosting New Art!

I went downtown with my favorite artist (my bride) and helped her hang some of her artworks in Trinity Bicycles  in preparation for the Near Southside Arts Goggle. My wife who has painted for most of her days on this Earth has only recently decided to try to make a profession of her talents. I am all for the idea in that it fits in perfectly with one of my own "rules for a fulfilling life" (rule:12 Always work toward bettering yourself by: developing and discovering your talents.) The old sawyer grocery store building in which Trinity bicycles has opened lends itself very well to the presentation of art work. During the day there is plenty of natural light and the high ceilings lend a true gallery feel.

To view her website click here.

Fort Worth Bike Route 360 is a Dirty Mess

You  would think that right next to the barn that the park the street sweepers, the street would be clean...You'd think! But its not. The problem that is created by the city not keeping an established bicycle route clean and clear of debris, is that it forces riders to ride closer toward the center of the lane just to keep their bicycles from slipping and sliding around. Also the mud does clog the storm drains and cause standing water in the rain. I would rather not have to wrap myself completely in plastic just to get to work. Road grime is difficult enough to keep out of a chain, so riding through mud flowing on top of the streets is nearly impossible.