Although I don’t have much in the way of specific details, I’m thrilled to report that this year’s ACDC Ride raised over $2000 for The Charities (significantly more than last year), even though there were only 43 riders.

Finally, a new bike is squarely on the horizon (albeit, set back slightly my a costly repair on my Fuji). Do I go with the Trek Ion CX or the Ion CX Pro? Or do I go with the Specialized Tricross Elite or the Tricross Comp? Decisions decision…

313-315 E. Maumee Street, Adrian, MI  49221
Phone:  517.759.1427
Email:  Rebicycle.Lenawee@gmail.com

The co-op will close the last week of September for the official move. For the time being, hours remain the same, but it’s possible they’ll change, so stay tuned here for updates.

A Grand Opening is tentatively set for Friday and Saturday November 4th (for agencies) and 5th (neighborhood open house).

If you or someone you know is in need of a bicycle for regular transportation use, click here to download the new application.

I would very much love to hear your collective thoughts on either. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Either way, the event overall continues to get better. I heard nothing but good things about the routes; the SAG drivers did an outstanding job of covering the routes; the rest stops were excellent; the volunteers running the event were amazing; and the after party was terrifically fun (thanks in large part to a mighty tasty lunch and activities for the youngens). Sincerest thanks to everyone who came out in support of the ride. I really appreciate it.

Even though this year’s routes were longer, 62 miles just isn’t enough for some people, over-achievers that they are. Case in point: here’s what Amy did.

Yeah, Amy! You rock. A few weeks ago, Dave bagged his first century this season. Nice work, Dave. And, on Saturday, Patricia returned to the start at Trestle Park grinning ear to ear, raving about how she hit a personal best averaging 15mph over 60 miles. Way to go, Patricia! Anyone else wrapping up the season with major feat? The comments area is open. Brag on.

CLICK HERE NOW!

Jeff recently posted this to the Hadrian on a Bicycle Facebook page:

Any suggestions for a good head light. I’ve looked at cordless or frame-mounted battery, and even checked sites for do-it-yourself systems. I’m a commuter rider. The Cateye light I have now doesn’t throw enough light on the road. What sort of lumens/wattage would you recommend? Do you prefer LED or halogen? I’d prefer to not spend $300 if I don’t have to.

For my headlight, I use a light by Cateye. The model appears no longer to be available, but it’s similar to the HL-EL450. When I’m on public streets, where visibility is decent and provided by street lamps, I use the flash mode for the purposes of being seen rather than for seeing. When I’m on the bike path in the dark, however, I leave it on full. It’s certainly not the best headlight available (among other things, I wish it were rechargeable), but it does illuminate the path of travel fairly well, probably up to a distance of around twenty feet.

On the back, I have a Planet Bike Superflash Taillight. When I use it (primarily whenever on public streets, and in dusk or dawn conditions), I leave it in flash mode.

Does anyone else have anything to suggest?

And if you find yourself pondering whether it would be appropriate to ride naked, here’s a ridiculous tool to help you figure out clothes to wear.

Final preparations are underway for the 4th Annual ACDC Ride. This is going to be a great ride, with door prizes, music, and a free lunch. As of last Friday, we had only ten registrants. Pray God more than that show up. If the event draws fewer riders than last year, I fear this may be the last we see of it, which would be terribly unfortunate, in my humble opinion.

Don’t forget about the Hancock Horizontal Hundred on September 11, and the Adrian College Bulldog Ride on September 24. Also, be on the lookout next Thursday morning for a handful of Adrian College students who will be taking a bike tour of Adrian for the course I’m co-teaching this semester called “The Non-Motorized Path of Virtue,” wherein we’re discussing the ethics of transportation. Zack Furness, the author of One Less Car: Bicycling and the Politics of Automobility, will be on campus in October to meet with the class, and there will be a lecture that evening that will be open to the public. Just so you know, there is plenty of free bicycle parking available on campus, close to where he’ll be speaking.

Hope to see a bunch of you shortly for the Monday night ride.

I suppose I should give you, at some point, a full report. But the gist is that it was an awesome ride. I can’t believe I did it. I averaged 16.9mph, allowing me to finish in about ten-and-a-half hours with stops. (Ride time was under 9 hours.) Thanks to relatively cool temperatures, grey skies, and riding around 20 miles in the rain, I ended the ride wearing arm warmers and a vest … in August. Nuts.

Meredith and Kay were our personal SAG drivers, and they did a wicked good job of it. Meredith met me at the finish with cheeseburgers, hot coffee, and cold beer. Perfect. I would say she’s well on her to ditching the day job and becoming a soigneur for a professional team.

OK, this post isn’t about ODRAM. It’s about a new blog, called “Livonia Cycle,” curated by none other than our old chum Daniel. Drop by and have a look.

And in keeping with the themes of brilliance and creativity, Danny Macaskill is back, and sicker than ever. (Thanks, Kirk, for sharing the clip.)

As the bulk of us were crossing Chicago Blvd. on Occidental, a driver, eager to make the light, swerved around us, made ample use of his horn, and then threw a an assortment of nasty looks and accompanying hand gestures in our general direction (which we happily returned in kind, of course.) Moments later, a police officer, who had been waiting in the westbound left-hand turn lane on Chicago Blvd., flipped on his lights and gave chase. Apparently, our righteously indignant scofflaw had run the light after it turned red.

The lead group mashed the pedals in hot pursuit, quickly caught up to the aforementioned parties stopped at the side of the road, and photographed the incident as we coasted by with a newfound swagger. The look on the driver’s face was positively priceless.

Comments are now open for snarky remarks and celebratory banter, and sophomoric revelry. Have at it.