Austinites Choosing Alternatives

Austin man sick of high gas prices, rides bicycle to work

10:40 PM CDT on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

By SHELTON GREEN
KVUE News

Had enough of the ever-climbing gas prices? Well one Austin man is now taking matters into his own hands.

Last week, Nelson Chafetz, an IBM employee put away his car keys and picked up his bicycle which he now rides 14-miles to work, and 14-miles home.

Chafetz says he's killing two birds with one stone by taking care of his health and his wallet.

"I can afford the 4-dollars per gallon, but if 2 or 3 million people across the country did this once or twice a week, I think demand would go down, supply would go up and that would effect the gas prices" says Chafetz.

The support planner for IBM packs his bike with water, his laptop, and a change of clothing because he showers once he gets to work.

Chafetz takes the back roads to and from Cedar Park on his commute.

He says he plans to keep riding as long as gas prices stay on their present course and he's hoping his example will encourage others to follow his lead.

"Take action. Do something, instead of riding a stationary bike at the gym or a treadmill at the gym get out and walk to work if it's close enough or get on a bicycle and start riding to work.

"I feel good about what I'm doing, I feel like I'm making a difference" he says.

Gas Prices Brutal, Bananas Not.

Got this image from Quickrelease.tv.

URBAN ASSAULT RIDE COMES TO AUSTIN JUNE 22ND

Beer, bikes, and big wheels are coming to town on June 22.
The New Belgium Urban Assault Ride will return to its roots on June 22nd with a stop in Austin, its home city. This will be the sixth year the Urban Assault Ride has taken to the streets of Austin.

The Urban Assault Ride is a funky bike scavenger hunt that sends two-person teams riding to checkpoints around town to complete crazy obstacle courses at each stop. Mental muscle is just as important as bike skills as teams of two choose their own course to checkpoints around the city. Obstacles are a surprise until participants arrive at the checkpoint and have included bike jousting, adult big wheel races, flying down an inflatable slip and slide, and much more. This pedal-powered urban adventure is an event that anyone can do.

The distance is around 25 miles and the ride takes two to three hours to complete. It is open to riders seven and older. The ride is followed by a huge after party with New Belgium beer, live music, and plenty of two-wheeled shenanigans. The ride starts and ends at RunTex on South Riverside Drive at 8:00 a.m.; checkpoints are Bicycle Sport Shop, Rowing Dock, Ozone Bike Dept, Jo’s Coffee, Jack and Adams, and Pease Park.
Austin is the most popular venue in the eight city series and routinely has the highest number of cyclists. Last year, more than 1,200 riders participated in this pedal-powered adventure, and more are expected this year. The secret to Austin’s success is its supportive cycling community and extensive cycling infrastructure.
Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale, the Urban Assault Ride is a green event designed to show riders that a bike is a great way to get around town. The event benefits Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance charity – a group that opens and minds and roads to bike transportation. The Urban Assault Ride’s “green focus” extends beyond bike advocacy. The production powers the event with a solar generator, a bio-diesel truck delivers the gear to each city, and almost all event waste is composted or recycled.
--From a press release on April 17, 2008.

Timbuk 2 Covert Bag in Stock!

Timbuk 2's new Covert Classic Messenger Bag has a reflective center panel that is activated by an automobile's headlight. The bag is made with T2's X-Pac fabric outer panels, so it's lightweight. Also has a waterproof inner liner.

Horrible Tragedy

Alejandro Alvarez of Monterrey, Mexico, was killed in a race near Matamoros. Juan Campos of Brownsville, Texas, who was apparently driving drunk, fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the cyclists. Ten others were injured.
The wreck happened 15 minutes into the race. The photo was taken by a city official.
Scary!

Kryptonite Releases the Top Ten Worst Cities for Bike Theft

Kryptonite release the results of their research data. Austin make the list as number 10. I don't remember our previous standing, but I believe it was higher up the list. Check out this:

We sell a good selection of Kryptonite bicycle locks and have advice for protecting your two wheel friend.

National Bike to Work Week and Day

KONA SMOKE 29er

Bike Commuters
Commute by Bike

Get your commuter bike outfitted with what you need to get to work. Come check out our lights by Knog, Planet Bike,and Cateye. Fenders, locks, racks, panniers, gloves, helmets, tires, etc.
We have excellent commuter bikes from Bianchi, Kona, and Marin.

Bicycle commuting tips
BIANCHI VALLE


Bike-to-Work Day is May 16. Between 7 and 9 a.m., stop by one of the following stations for a little free breakfast on your way into the office:
Whole Foods (525 N. Lamar Blvd.),
City Hall Plaza (301 Second St.),
Texas One Center (505 Barton Springs Road),
Texas Bicycle Coalition (1902 E. Sixth St.),
Mellow Johnny's (400 Nueces St.),
Wheatsville Coop (3101 Guadalupe St.),
Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar Blvd.),
Shoal Creek Boulevard at the Far West Bridge,
Music City Cycles (6301 W. Parmer Lane),
Jo's Coffee (1300 S. Congress Ave.)
Additional locations might be added.
Check Austin Cycling Association.

City of Austin Bike Map
MARIN MUIRWOODS 29er