Don’t know who the custom builder is but this is the perfect frame in my opinion. A mixte styled longtail with Xtracycle attachments. Sign me up!

Happy new year everyone, here’s to a good 2008!

Finally got my hands on a cheap second hand trailer for hauling various items. Put it to use yesterday by hauling in 15 gallons of waste vegetable oil (for running in my diesel) and a house plant that was being thrown out behind the supermarket (I can save it!). The trailer actually worked out better than expected. Only problem for me was that my Voodoo frame has an incredibly short 16″ chainstay length so attaching the trailer hitch mount in its normal place was not possible; I had to instead attach it to a seatstay.

Another thing I discovered: cars give you a LOT of room when you have a trailer. Don’t know if they thought I had some kids in there or what but here’s some advice, if you want cars to keep their distance, always ride with a trailer.

(Excuse the craptastic cameraphone picture)

Another project to work on. One of the lamer bike model names I’ve seen. 1971 model with genuine 1971 grime. Simplex drivetrain, 80s out of place Suntour aero levers, AVA death stem (oh goody), nothing too special.

I have a soft spot for this kind of stuff: turning otherwise unusable bike parts into art. I just might have to borrow some ideas

http://www.resourcerevival.com

Talk about “twisted” design…

For most cyclists, the argument of whether or not we deserve to be on the roadway is common [usually shot at you by belligerent drivers speeding to their destination]. There are several simple facts to put this argument to rest though:

1. Fuel and car licensing taxes are applied federally, not locally, so the funds often go to highway projects. In all likelihood a cyclist will be on your local road, not your 70mph highway. Local roads are funded through local, sales and property taxes.
2. Cars impose in damage to the roadway 6.5 cents per mile but put in only 2.3 cents per mile in taxes. Meanwhile, cyclists put in the same 2.3 cents per mile through sales and property taxes but impose 0.2 cents per mile in road wear. Bicyclists are in fact subsidizing the costs of cars in this regard.
3. Bicycles reduce city congestion, reduce pollution, increase health and reduce oil consumption. All of the aforementioned contribute in some way to saving taxpayer money.

I expect in no way to stop hearing from motorists that cyclists don’t belong but I hope with the above facts we can start changing a few minds.