Comments for The 6-Miler http://kentuckybicycling.com Todd Van Campen on average-guy commuter bicycling Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:31:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on What a bicycle means by todd http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/what-a-bicycle-means/comment-page-1/#comment-25358 todd Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:31:30 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=266#comment-25358 Joe, thanks! A couple of points: (1) I don't believe there is conclusive evidence the planet is warming. If it is warming, no worries -- it has in the past and will in the future. What man does or doesn't do will not and cannot cause it or stop it. (2) I do not agree that man-made global warming is not "proven science." Plenty of scientists do not subscribe to this. Check out the East Anglia documents. (3) Americans consume more than the rest of the world (electricity, gas, etc.) in large part because we use the energy to produce lots and lots of stuff (in manufacturing, for example). Sure, individually we consume more than individuals in other countries as well. That comes with prosperity. It's good to be prosperous. It's good to have a warm (or cool) house, running water, electric lights, etc. All that means production (and consumption), and I am all for it. (4) I do not accept the presupposition behind the stewardship argument being made here -- that drilling for oil will somehow permanently change the landscape for the worse. The earth is not delicate. It is resilient. I think it would be worse stewardship to leave the resources untouched. Yes, drill it all. When the oil is gone, dismantle the equipment, and within a few years no one will be able to tell anything happened. (5) On what basis do you say gluttony is wrong, and who defines it? (6) There is plenty of dogma on both sides of this discussion, as far as I can see. My views are my views! I would not hold them if I did not think they were correct; I am sure you would say the same. Everyone is dogmatic about something (in some cases, people dogmatically assert that others should not be dogmatic!). The main thing is to pick the right things to be dogmatic about, and to have the right basis for the dogmatism. (7) I would ride with you anytime! (And buy you a brew afterward -- or a whiskey & cigar!) Bikes are the most efficient form of transportation yet invented, and the most fun -- I am sure we agree about that! Roll on! Joe, thanks! A couple of points:

(1) I don’t believe there is conclusive evidence the planet is warming. If it is warming, no worries — it has in the past and will in the future. What man does or doesn’t do will not and cannot cause it or stop it.
(2) I do not agree that man-made global warming is not “proven science.” Plenty of scientists do not subscribe to this. Check out the East Anglia documents.
(3) Americans consume more than the rest of the world (electricity, gas, etc.) in large part because we use the energy to produce lots and lots of stuff (in manufacturing, for example). Sure, individually we consume more than individuals in other countries as well. That comes with prosperity. It’s good to be prosperous. It’s good to have a warm (or cool) house, running water, electric lights, etc. All that means production (and consumption), and I am all for it.
(4) I do not accept the presupposition behind the stewardship argument being made here — that drilling for oil will somehow permanently change the landscape for the worse. The earth is not delicate. It is resilient. I think it would be worse stewardship to leave the resources untouched. Yes, drill it all. When the oil is gone, dismantle the equipment, and within a few years no one will be able to tell anything happened.
(5) On what basis do you say gluttony is wrong, and who defines it?
(6) There is plenty of dogma on both sides of this discussion, as far as I can see. My views are my views! I would not hold them if I did not think they were correct; I am sure you would say the same. Everyone is dogmatic about something (in some cases, people dogmatically assert that others should not be dogmatic!). The main thing is to pick the right things to be dogmatic about, and to have the right basis for the dogmatism.
(7) I would ride with you anytime! (And buy you a brew afterward — or a whiskey & cigar!) Bikes are the most efficient form of transportation yet invented, and the most fun — I am sure we agree about that!

Roll on!

]]> Comment on Over the bars, Part 2: The demise of the Fuji S-10-S by KHatfull http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/over-the-bars-part-2-the-demise-of-the-fuji-s-10-s/comment-page-1/#comment-19104 KHatfull Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:08:43 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/over-the-bars-part-2-the-demise-of-the-fuji-s-10-s/#comment-19104 Hi Todd. Sorry to hear about the S-10S. I'm a fan of the Fuji brand and it's always sad to hear of one ending this way. Question, are you using the Primus frame pump? I'm restoring a 72 Fuji Newest and that pump was original equipment. If you're not using it, might consider selling it, and would like help a guy out let me know. As an aside, although I hail from Minnesota now I spent 24 years in KY....both Versailles and Danville. Hi Todd. Sorry to hear about the S-10S. I’m a fan of the Fuji brand and it’s always sad to hear of one ending this way. Question, are you using the Primus frame pump? I’m restoring a 72 Fuji Newest and that pump was original equipment. If you’re not using it, might consider selling it, and would like help a guy out let me know.

As an aside, although I hail from Minnesota now I spent 24 years in KY….both Versailles and Danville.

]]> Comment on Woah! by Ben http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/umm/comment-page-1/#comment-13775 Ben Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:12:16 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=293#comment-13775 Those things are all around where I live (Gresham, OR). I just have to laugh when they cruise down the street with their spare 100-spoke wheel on the back! Those things are all around where I live (Gresham, OR). I just have to laugh when they cruise down the street with their spare 100-spoke wheel on the back!

]]> Comment on Over the bars, Part 3: Utter stupidity by dr2chase http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/over-the-bars-part-3-utter-stupidity/comment-page-1/#comment-9530 dr2chase Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:32:06 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=262#comment-9530 Old post, I know, but if you reliably get ice (we do on the trail here near Boston) there's a lot to be said for (carbide) studded snow tires. I prefer Nokian, of the ones I've tried, I like Nokian 240s best. If you don't often get ice, I'm not sure it's worth it, because they add some rolling resistance. Old post, I know, but if you reliably get ice (we do on the trail here near Boston) there’s a lot to be said for (carbide) studded snow tires. I prefer Nokian, of the ones I’ve tried, I like Nokian 240s best.

If you don’t often get ice, I’m not sure it’s worth it, because they add some rolling resistance.

]]> Comment on Riding in Crocs, serious mileage edition by John http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/285/comment-page-1/#comment-8873 John Wed, 19 May 2010 03:29:26 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=285#comment-8873 I'll agree that cycling shoes aren't always the best tool for the job--especially when commuting to/from work. I will never, ever, ever agree with the helmet comment, however. After flying over the handlebars at 20 mph to avoid a driver that didn't read their stop sign, I will never ride without a helmet. In that case, the helmet did its job--it broke instead of my head. The EMT on the scene said that when he saw my helmet, he was awfully worried. People rode for years without helmets--and died for years without helmets. I’ll agree that cycling shoes aren’t always the best tool for the job–especially when commuting to/from work. I will never, ever, ever agree with the helmet comment, however. After flying over the handlebars at 20 mph to avoid a driver that didn’t read their stop sign, I will never ride without a helmet. In that case, the helmet did its job–it broke instead of my head. The EMT on the scene said that when he saw my helmet, he was awfully worried.

People rode for years without helmets–and died for years without helmets.

]]> Comment on A salute to Captain Bike by MIchael Cook http://kentuckybicycling.com/02/2008/a-salute-to-captain-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-8514 MIchael Cook Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:21:59 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/02/2008/a-salute-to-captain-bike/#comment-8514 Just reading up on Sheldon again. My first "good" bike was a Fuji S-10-S which I owned for about twenty years before I gave it away to someone who needed a bike. I painted it twice and rebuilt it many times. What was Sheldon's historical significance of that bike? Just reading up on Sheldon again. My first “good” bike was a Fuji S-10-S which I owned for about twenty years before I gave it away to someone who needed a bike. I painted it twice and rebuilt it many times.

What was Sheldon’s historical significance of that bike?

]]> Comment on What a bicycle means by Joe http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/what-a-bicycle-means/comment-page-1/#comment-8511 Joe Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:05:32 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=266#comment-8511 Todd, What is this fake morality? What is this subjective and false standard? According to who is it false? You say you don't believe global warming is man-made....then how is it made? How you can you be so arrogant to reject proven science and fact that man is contributing to a deterioration of our environment? You say you choose to bike in order to not spend (consume) so much but then you go on to say in your comments that it's all about "production" ...we're only big producers because we've become big consumers so when you are against consuming in order to save money and time but for production you're really shooting yourself in the foot with your argument. You say we should drill it all and then talk about it....how selfish is this statment? Let's say to hell with future generations right? Let's not protect this world and all it's creatures and resources that your God gave you so that future generations can enjoy it. This is quite surprising to hear but then again does one expect from believer of dogma rather than fact. Has gluttony not showing itself in how much we consume? in how lazy we are? in how out of shape we are? in how much we waste? in how much we polute?....you're right, if Mrs. Jones wants to drive her mini van 2 blocks to the store that's her right but it's still gluttonous - becareful when throwing around your likely dogmatic views on morality....there's much more to it. Doing the "right" thing doesn't apply only to ourselves in this moment or time...it's about us, our neighbors, society, our world and all those in the future who will take over what we leave to them. I can appreciate the reasons why you bike...and no one will dispute saving money and getting exercise are great things that lead to so many other pleasures in life..... Let's ride together however to a belief in a mode of transportation that has been around before cars and will be around much long after cars (fossil fuel based ones). Bikes will last for generations and lifetimes and with those freedoms gained by using a bike for whatever reason....this, my friend, is what we should pass along to our future! Cheers :) Todd,

What is this fake morality? What is this subjective and false standard? According to who is it false?

You say you don’t believe global warming is man-made….then how is it made? How you can you be so arrogant to reject proven science and fact that man is contributing to a deterioration of our environment?

You say you choose to bike in order to not spend (consume) so much but then you go on to say in your comments that it’s all about “production” …we’re only big producers because we’ve become big consumers so when you are against consuming in order to save money and time but for production you’re really shooting yourself in the foot with your argument.

You say we should drill it all and then talk about it….how selfish is this statment? Let’s say to hell with future generations right? Let’s not protect this world and all it’s creatures and resources that your God gave you so that future generations can enjoy it. This is quite surprising to hear but then again does one expect from believer of dogma rather than fact.

Has gluttony not showing itself in how much we consume? in how lazy we are? in how out of shape we are? in how much we waste? in how much we polute?….you’re right, if Mrs. Jones wants to drive her mini van 2 blocks to the store that’s her right but it’s still gluttonous
-
becareful when throwing around your likely dogmatic views on morality….there’s much more to it. Doing the “right” thing doesn’t apply only to ourselves in this moment or time…it’s about us, our neighbors, society, our world and all those in the future who will take over what we leave to them.

I can appreciate the reasons why you bike…and no one will dispute saving money and getting exercise are great things that lead to so many other pleasures in life….. Let’s ride together however to a belief in a mode of transportation that has been around before cars and will be around much long after cars (fossil fuel based ones). Bikes will last for generations and lifetimes and with those freedoms gained by using a bike for whatever reason….this, my friend, is what we should pass along to our future!

Cheers :)

]]> Comment on Shoe cover options by ScottNorthSide http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2009/shoe-cover-options/comment-page-1/#comment-6420 ScottNorthSide Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:01:55 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=324#comment-6420 When I first took up daily commuting to work in the summer of 07 I purchased the Louis Garneau Stop-tech shoe covers. They did fine at first. But over time I noticed water leaking in in spots. That was OK except for on those days where the rain was coming down in buckets. Then they tended to leak like crazy. So I searched around for a replacement shoe cover. And found the J&G's. They looked well built but the first rain I rode in they leaked. So I splurged on the Showers Pass Touring shoe cover. Talk about rugged and well built. Those things can handle anything you put them thru. I wear them in a downpour and my feet stay totally dry. I just wish they fit over my LL Bean Snow Sneakers to give me more protection from the cold. But they don't. Outside of that they make for a dependable three-season shoe cover. And I always have them packed away in my pannier just in case. They accompany my O2 Rainshield pants to give me total protection from the rain. The Showers Pass rainjacket I've worn does the rest. When I first took up daily commuting to work in the summer of 07 I purchased the Louis Garneau Stop-tech shoe covers. They did fine at first. But over time I noticed water leaking in in spots. That was OK except for on those days where the rain was coming down in buckets. Then they tended to leak like crazy. So I searched around for a replacement shoe cover. And found the J&G’s. They looked well built but the first rain I rode in they leaked. So I splurged on the Showers Pass Touring shoe cover. Talk about rugged and well built. Those things can handle anything you put them thru. I wear them in a downpour and my feet stay totally dry. I just wish they fit over my LL Bean Snow Sneakers to give me more protection from the cold. But they don’t. Outside of that they make for a dependable three-season shoe cover. And I always have them packed away in my pannier just in case. They accompany my O2 Rainshield pants to give me total protection from the rain. The Showers Pass rainjacket I’ve worn does the rest.

]]> Comment on More on reflective vests by Amy http://kentuckybicycling.com/12/2008/more-on-reflective-vests/comment-page-1/#comment-4629 Amy Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:11:09 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=283#comment-4629 I'm not sure if you are an average guy cycling or a guy doing average cycling. I know you aren't average. I think on the whole you are above average, with only a few fleeting moments of below averageness. Average or no, I admire the fact that you cycle to work. Makes me wish I had a set of wheels. I’m not sure if you are an average guy cycling or a guy doing average cycling. I know you aren’t average. I think on the whole you are above average, with only a few fleeting moments of below averageness. Average or no, I admire the fact that you cycle to work. Makes me wish I had a set of wheels.

]]> Comment on I love my neighbors by Biking Paige http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2009/i-love-my-neighbors/comment-page-1/#comment-4370 Biking Paige Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:09:19 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/?p=306#comment-4370 Hi Todd, I love your blog. I write a blog on a similar topic about biking to work in San Francisco, and I happen to be from Lexington, so lots in common. Hope you get back to writing it now that I've just discovered it! I'm adding you to my blogroll on bikingpaige.wordpress.com Go UK!! Paige Hi Todd,
I love your blog. I write a blog on a similar topic about biking to work in San Francisco, and I happen to be from Lexington, so lots in common. Hope you get back to writing it now that I’ve just discovered it! I’m adding you to my blogroll on bikingpaige.wordpress.com

Go UK!!
Paige

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