Cycling Tips & Stories

Based on my experience in replacing my bottom bracket today, the UtahMountainBiking.com Fix-it page has excellent advice on how to replace the bottom bracket on your bike as well as a number of other small jobs like replacing a cable or changing your brake pads.

As usual, Sheldon Brown's invaluable Bicycle Glossary was useful in identifying the part and listing useful characteristics, such as which side is right threaded and which left threaded (a very useful thing to know before you start cranking on something with a two-foot long wrench handle . . . ).

permanent link to article: "How to replace a bottom bracket"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/29/2005 09:21:00 PM |comment on this article

Washington, Missouri, bicyclist Jim Jansen set out to ride the Katy Trail in one day to raise funds for an ailing co-worker, according to this KSDK-TV story:

Imagine trying to tackle the Katy Trail, all 225 miles, in one day. That was the goal of Jim Jansen.

Jansen set out on the journey as a fundraiser for his co-worker Tim Troske. The two work at Sporlan Valve Company in Washington, Missouri. Troske was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His battle has drained the family's resources. "Whenever you have a devastating illness, it clears you finances and insurance, this is the least I can do," explained Jansen.

permanent link to article: "Washington, MO, man rides Katy Trail in one day"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/27/2005 06:40:00 AM |comment on this article

Today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch has an article about blind bicyclist Bob Arnzen:

"I love to bike," said Arnzen, who lost his sight in 1982 as a result of diabetes that was first diagnosed when he was 4 years old. . . .

The duo ride together about once a month and are gearing up for Riding Missouri's Weinstrasse-Katy Trail Ride 2005. The event takes place June 20-24. It is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri State Parks Foundation. Three hundred cyclists will pass through Missouri's wine country on their journey from Clinton to St. Charles. On average, riders will cover 45 miles a day.

This year the pair will travel 225 miles and stop each night in towns that will include Clinton, Pilot Grove, Hartsburg, Hermann and Augusta.

permanent link to article: "Blind St. Louis bicyclists to ride DNR Katy Trail Ride"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/18/2005 01:31:00 PM |comment on this article

An article in the Columbia Tribune this weeks highlights Cooper's Landing, on the Katy Trail and Missouri River near Columbia:

Cooper’s Landing consists of an acre and a half of land wedged between the Missouri River and the Katy Trail, on Easley River Road south of Columbia. Opened as a live bait shop in 1986, it has endured two floods and grown into a live music venue and community gathering place. . . .

Cooper said he originally envisioned expanding the bait shop into a boat sales and repair business. But the Flood of ’93 closed Cooper’s Landing for two years. When the business reopened in 1995, Cooper revamped the bait shop into a convenience store to serve the hikers and cyclists on the Katy Trail as well as the river traffic.

Eventually he added tent camping sites, live music and barbecue. The site has even hosted retirement parties and wedding receptions. In 2001, the business had perhaps its most interesting addition with Chim’s Thai Kitchen, owned by Pramuan "Chim" Duncan, in a mobile kitchen at one side of the store.

permanent link to article: "Cooper's Landing on the Katy Trail"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/14/2005 08:48:00 PM |comment on this article

A Columbia Missourian article tells about the Columbia Bicycle Club:

When Bob and Jane Smith moved from Omaha to Columbia four years ago, they brought their love for recreational bicycling with them.

The Smiths had been members of the Omaha Bicycling Club, but there was no group for recreational riders in the Columbia Bicycling Club, even though the club was divided into groups based on the style and speed of riding.

Bob Smith wanted to make bicycling available to everyone in the Columbia area, so he joined the club and organized a group called the “Easy Riders,” the first group for non-racers.

The Columbia Bicycle Club is a member and supporter of MoBikeFed.

Visit the Columbia Bicycle Club web site here. permanent link to article: "Columbia Bicycle Club--something for every rider"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/08/2005 10:42:00 AM |comment on this article

The details for Speaker Rod Jetton's Katy Trail Ride, June 20-25th, 2005, including the complete itinerary, have been announced on Jetton's web site.

The first 500 register will receive a free ride t-shirt.

The ride is free and many meals and amenities are free (though you will have to pay for some meals and miscellaneous expenses).

You can ride anywhere from a half day to one or two days or the whole week.

Staff will provide transportation for a dufflebag and tent for each participant (priority given to pre-registered participants).

A group camping spot will be designated at each stop. Showers will be available free or for a small fee. If you want to stay in hotels instead, you are on your own for reservations and arrangements.

Plan to come out and join Speaker Jetton, many of the board members of MOBikeFed, the American Heart Association, the Dept. of Natural Resources, the Capitol City Cycling Club, and others as we enjoy a fun ride and meet leading citizens, legislators, mayors, and other civic leaders across the state.

Speaker Jetton's Fitness Challenge web site.
permanent link to article: "Speaker's Katy Trail Ride June 20-25, details announced"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/07/2005 11:29:00 AM |comment on this article

A variety of bike icons and signs (photos collected from submissions to Flickr--thanks to Randy N. for the tip . . . ) permanent link to article: "Bike icons"
posted by Brent Hugh at 6/03/2005 09:26:00 PM |comment on this article