October 23rd Chain Links

This post marks 160 posts on the blog! Frankly, I never though the blog would last this long (several others died around 2 posts) but so many people read it (or say they do) that it's hard to stop. Speaking of hard to stop, here's three links to trends that will be very hard to stop in the next few years.

First: I chronicle bike thefts often because I believe that as bike usage grows theft will also grow (something about supply and demand). This city has the same problem as many others, but unlike others it acknowledges the problem and is working to solve it.

Second: China has had such a great track record for biking that this news is surprising. However, the pervasiveness of bikes might make China suffer from the reverse problem of most cities. Too many bikes.

Finally: I'm not a fan of critical mass. Civil disobedience is a useful tool to affect policy change but the idea of putting people in harm's way to make a protest is not civil disobedience, it's criminal.

Bonus: 10 cities just made for biking.

(Photo Credit: Bike Rentals in China from Chinadaily.com)

Tidbits from the news letter

It's the last Saturday of our month (we're closed on Halloween) so it's time to turn over the inventory. We're taking 10% off all bikes and marking all our Jerseys down to just $15! That includes our new arrivals! We've also got 1.25" hitch bike racks from $25!

The best part of the sale is we have a brand new single speed road bike in the shop. We've priced it low and it even qualifies for the 10% off!

No Chain Links Today

Couple a computer crash with work and what do you get? No chain links.

October 19th Chain Links

Man, was it just me or was last weekend the longest weekend ever? Seriously. It seemed like that sucker would never end! Thank god I was having fun all weekend or else it would have been kinda a downer. Here's a handful of links that shows how for every bit of bad there seems to be some good.

First: Imagine getting your entire inventory stolen in one weekend. I suppose GPS would help. I prefer the hidden camera myself.

Second: For every sane and well reasoned article there seems to be one nutjob looking to cause trouble.

Third: If you missed this weekend's State Mountain Bike Championships at Tom Brown, here are some pictures to soften the blow. Take notice of the types of bikes being ridden. I promise you that there are none of these.

(Photo Credit: Bamboo Bike from voanews.com)

October 16th Chain Links

Today is a day that will live in infamy. Today there are no chain links. Wait... what am I saying? There are lots of links! Unfortunately they're all depressing. Ok fine, only the first one's depressing. Geez, tough crowd.

First: Bike theft! It happens all over. More at 11.

Second: Give that man a Medal!

Finally: These would be awesome except for one problem. Guess what it is. (Hint: Green Lantern couldn't ride them because of this).

(Photo Credit: Yellow Bikes from thenews.org)

October 15th Chain Links

After a 3.5 hour meeting I'm down for some sweet chain links. Today's offerings center around two themes, theft and a new way to ride. I'm not giving you more than that. You'll have to click through the links to find out more.

First: This guy should have been working his magic here. Further proof that criminals aren't all supervillians.

Second: When we covered this bike Alfred University must have been listening.

Finally: It used to be so simple. Dad flings the child a death defying speeds on a 2-wheeler and you either survived or you didn't. Now we have this. Stoopid Japanese technology. What did you ever do for us?

Note: Shipmentoffail.com is hilarious but NSFW. Click through and you'll see why.

(Photo Credit: Funny Bike from Shipmentoffail.com)

October 13th Chain Links

Today's links may not be as globetrotting as usual but they do span the world of green bike gadgets. From reducing pollution, to reusing the number of gadgets, to recycling used parts, today's links make even the most environmentally friendly rider look bad. I'll even throw in a bonus link about how eating right and tasting good don't need to be independent concepts.

First: For the lazy among us, here's an alternative to the gas and electric bikes we've heard so much about.

Second: If you have an Iphone (or any other GPS phone) at one point or another you've contemplated playing with it while on a ride. Here's a way to hold it and a way to charge it both whole staying safe.

Third: Build it and they will come (on bikes).

Bonus: It has nothing to do with bikes but it's a good read about one man trying to make middle America healthy.

(Photo Credit: Hydrogen Bike from eta.co.uk)