Neil Fein's Blog

Summer Streets is an experiment where NYC is blocking off just under 7 miles of streets for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists. The route includes Park Avenue from 72nd street down to the Union Square area, then taking Lafayette Street down to the Brooklyn Bridge.

I had an incredible time, and I'm planning to go back next weekend and do the whole thing in reverse.

Bruce and I parked in Weehawken and took the ferry into Manhattan. The event was very crowded indeed. The crowds are fun to watch! We saw cyclists, runners, skaters, walkers, families with strollers, wheelchairs, and a couple of horse-drawn carraiges.

At the Brooklyn Bridge, the crowding got even worse. The pedestrian/cyclist walkway is raised over the roadway, with a lane for bikes and one for pedestrians. (This concept is a bit too much for many, many people to grasp, but I digress.) The bridge itself is beautiful in a way that's hard to appreciate by car.

Labels: bicycle, bike

My winter project. This box contains my old touring bike disassembled. I threw out the bent frame, front wheel and the fork after the shop gave me back this box.

I have a new frame to hang all this on - at the least, as many of the components as will fit with the used frame I bought.

Bruce has claimed this saddle already, and I know the seatpost and headset won't fit.

Labels: bicycle, bike

Our Warner Brothers' studio tour guide told us that, years ago, James Dean had an obnoxious habit of revving his motorcycle outside live soundstages. The perfectly measured reaction to this was to, of course, ban all motorcycles from the Warner Brothers' Burbank lot. There are countless bikes now cruising the lot.

Click on the pictures for a larger version and more information.

Labels: bicycle, hollywood

Neil Brennen and I have come to realize that we have different touring needs, and we've decided that Shake, Rattle and Roll has been our last tour together.

I'm sorry to see this happen, but I'm glad we rode together for the time that we did. It's been fun, and we learned a lot from each other over touring 700+ miles together, not to mention day rides and organized rides.

Even if not explicitly stated, NOW has always been at least somewhat about learning and improvement. "What can we do better next time?" was a standard conversation after a tour.

• Packing - I tend to overpack, and I still do. I like to think that I've improved since I brought 4 paniers and a huge camp roll for a 2-day trip.
  
• Climbing - the hills of Chester county (where Neil lives) are truly epic. Our tour to Bethlehem highlighted that there are always steeper hills.
  
• Camping - I've now camped 4 times with NOW, the only camping experience I have to date. I'm at the point where I can set up and break down in a reasonable amount of time, and can get a decent night's sleep in a small tent.
  Planning - Mapping appropriate roads, setting the length of the day to something realistic, and planning to ride in an area that's interesting to begin with are all important things to know how to do if a tour is to be successful.

Labels: bicycle, bike, neilsonwheels, touring

Train across from the campsite. Trains on this line kept us up all night. Campers are advised to bring earplugs.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

Neil B had to bow out of the ride after a fall, but he made it pretty damn far, riding 90 miles on a broken rib.

Neil and Judy followed me in a car, in my mad dash to cover the last 100 miles to DC in one day. They made sure I ate properly, didn't overheat, and drank a lot of water.

Thanks again to everyone who sent donations - I exceeded my target of $1000 for epilepsy research. There are a lot of people who made this ride possible, and thank you to everyone involved!

I have many more pics to sort through, and a journal as soon as I can get it all finished. I filled many notebook pages that I have to type up and edit.

Click on the pictures for a larger version and more information.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

So last night I didn't actually talk to Neil until I was about to go to bed, so I wasn't sure if I could keep my eyes open long enough to post. And by the time I got here tonight, Neil had already posted a bit. But let's see if I can fill in some of the back story.

The big issue yesterday is that Neil got a flat. He had spare tubes -- so no problem, right? Well, actually, since this is a new bike, neither Neil had checked to see if the pumps they were bringing on tour with them worked with the valve. After going through two tubes, they called a guy from bike forums to come meet them. Neil had one tube left, but he also had a rip in the tire sidewall. So they planned to go to a bike store to get him a new tire and another tube. (And a pump that actually works with his bike, I assume.)

So during the day, they crossed the Mason-Dixon Line at the same time that they crossed from Pennsylvania into Maryland. And before they did that, they passed Deale, PA, which is the highest elevation on the trail. They went through the Big Savage Tunnel, which is an old railroad tunnel that's been converted for the trail. It's about 7/10 of a mile long, and it also represents the divide between water that drains to the Atlantic and water that drains to the Gulf of Mexico. (Neil called it the continental divide, but that's in the Rockies.)

After that, it's all downhill from there. Literally -- they got past the highest point. They stopped in Frostburg, MD for the night, and stayed in a dorm at Frostburg State University.

I'll post more for Neil once I actually talk to him. (We've been leaving each other messages all day.) You can also see below for more info.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

I'm in the library in Cumberland, so here's an update. Sorry it's brief. I'm keeping a notebook so I'll have more when we get back. Most of this entry is cannibalized form an post I just made on bikeforums.net.

Neil B took a spill, and he's is resting up in the Bruce House, a local B&B. He seems okay so far and may be able to ride tomorrow, but we'll know a lot more in the AM. We've stopped early in Cumberland, which is just as well since there's a thunderstorm coming and there's a tornado warning - the second we've had on this tour. Much contingency planning is occurring, since this puts us 30 miles behind.

Everyone we've met on the road has been great! It's great to finally put faces to the names.

Neil's trailer is pretty wobbly, and the quick release hitch keeps jamming. It was checked out; apparently the quick-release retaining pins were bent, and forcing the hitch onto the skewer was making it worse.

A sharp rock jumped out to bite my tire on a few miles west of Frostburg. I had to get a new tire in Cumberland, and I rode it around town a little bit while under the full load and it seems fine. I have three spare tubes. I may tour with a spare tire next time. Martha is correct that I could be traveling lighter, I've learned a lot from this tour. We're having a great time, despite the setbacks. (More mechanical issues... sigh.)

It's amazing to see everyone commenting here and keeping the thread going over on bikeforums; I feel pretty pumped from seeing y'all following our progress. Keep it coming! I'll check in again when I can.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

Neil called me tonight from his campsite approximately 15 miles from Confluence. (No, I have no idea where these things are. Apparently Confluence is near Cumberland, if that helps anyone. I think they're still in Pennsylvania.)

During the ride today, the Neils met up with Judy (from Bike Forums) and her 14-year-old daughter Libby. Judy and Libby took the Neils in their car from the trail to visit Falling Water, a famous house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Also joining them was a guy they met on the trail who is doing the same trip. (Sorry, but I forgot to write down the name of the other guy.)

After getting back to the trail, Judy and Libby took all the bags from the Neils and drove on, which meant that the Neils could ride unencumbered for a bit (although Neil says that the bike is holding up well with the load). Then all four of them went about 15 miles up in the mountains to a campsite, where they're going to spend the night.

Tomorrow is going to be what Neil thinks will be the toughest day -- 49 miles over hills. But both Neils decided to mail some stuff home (or in my Neil's case, to DC), including the guitar, which was making PA Neil feel unbalanced. That should make it easier.

Neil's been doing laundry about every other day, and he says that seems to work fine. But he also told me that the guy they visited Falling Water with is doing the same trip with just two panniers and a Solitaire tent. So maybe Neil could reduce his load even further for future tours.

As y'all can probably tell, I finally remembered to take notes tonight, which is why I have details about where they are and who they're with. I'll update again tomorrow night.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

Well, the Neils spent last night at an inn that has recently been refurbished. Apparently there's even a Las Vegas room with lots of Elvis memorabilia. They got caught in a downpour about 5 miles out yesterday, so they arrived soaking and muddy. Luckily, today they found a combination bike shop and restaurant that let them use their hose to clean off their bikes.

They rode on the trail today, and made an average of about 10 miles per hour. (12 or so on the flats.) Both Neils are feeling a bit wobbly as they get used to their equipment: NJ Neil has his new REI bike that he's still breaking in, and PA Neil is dealing with a trailer.

Tonight they're camping at a site on the trail that includes a laundromat. They're having fun and haven't had any major arguments so far. My Neil is considering mailing his guitar back, since he hasn't really used it at all, but he'll make the decision later.

More to come as I hear it.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

Well, I've heard from Neil, and the trip is underway.

Neil and Neil drove out to Pittsburgh on Friday, and stayed with a guy from the bike forums. This morning, the Neils left Pittsburgh, and biked what my Neil described as the most harrowing day of the trip. That's because the two of them needed to get out of Pittsburgh in order to get to the beginning of the trail that they'll be following most of the way to DC. They're spending the night in a hotel, and tomorrow should start on the trail.

Unfortunately, Neil hasn't been able to talk for long, so he'll give me more details when he gets the chance.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

The trais were running late last night, but NJ Transit made up the time between Jersey Ave and Princeton Junction. I got into Philly on time and Neil picked me up in the Neilmobile.

I was putting the front rack back on the bike (I had taken it off to get the bike in the Neilmobile) and an allen screw got cross-threaded in one of the front eyelets. In the midst of visions involving 4 panniers and the ability to carry only two of them, Neil's roommate Josh saved the day using a Dremel, a drill,and a screw extractor. The eyelet has no threads to speak of now, but the rack is firmly on that side with a bolt and nut. My joking around about using zip ties to attach the rack had been becoming a bit less of a joke each time...

Must shower and get dressed. when Neil and Josh get back with the rental car, we'll pack up stuff and bikes and head out.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

I'm going to be biking the Great Allegheny Passage and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath trails starting this weekend. That's over 300 miles of riding, mostly on crushed limestone and gravel.



Many generous people have donated to the Epilepsy Foundation for this ride, and I've raised just over $1000. Thanks again to everybody who donated! If you've been meaning to send money but haven't, it's not too late. (Here's the donation page.)

Needless to say, I'll be pretty out of touch next week. I'll probably leave my cell phone off for most of the time as well.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

I was riding my bicycle west on Route 27 towards Kingston, and suddenly heard the rear tire blow out. As it happens, I'm right across the street from a service station that was so kind to fill up a slow leak for me in the past. I pull into their lot and get my tools out.

After changing the tube, I got the wheel back on the bike and saw a rip in the sidewall. The tube was bulging out just enough that I knew it wouldn't last for all that long. I called my wife and asked her to pick me up and started riding home. About 4 miles later, a car made a left out of oncoming traffic right in front of me.

Traffic was pretty packed and moving slowly, so I didn't have nearly enough time to react. I ended up half-sprawled on the hood of the car, my feet just barely off the ground. I was able to stand and pull my bike out the van's wheel well; I waved the couple in the car to the parking lot they were heading for originally.

The couple was obviously concerned about me. Aside from a few contusions on my face, I felt fine for the most part. Adrenaline and all, I assume.

Martha drove up a few minutes later, expecting to see a bike with a tire about to blow out. My front fork was twisted beyond repair as well as the front rim.

At the Robert Wood Johnson ER, they gave me meds for my achy shoulder and upper arm, telling me I didn't look like I had a concussion. The nurse on duty was funny! My LBS agreed with my assumption that the frame is toast.

Labels: bicycle, ouchie

...for an hour or so. I just finished a new tour journal, and it's chock full of cool stuff, including:

• Dead animals!
  
• Tension!
  
• Camping in the freezing cold!
  
• Fighting between the Neils!
  
• An awesome vanilla malted!

The whole thing is here. Please read it and let me know if you enjoyed it, I'd love to hear from you.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/greenlane

Green Lane campground just before sunrise, Green Lane Park, PA

a quickr pickr post

Labels: bicycle, bike, camping, touring

This picture has been making it's way around the net. There's a good blog entry about it at Cozy Beehive that goes more into depth about it.

Riding a bicycle is safer than driving a car, swimming, and walking, but it's more dangerous than flying and playing with fireworks.

Labels: bicycle, bike, me too, statistics

I'm back from the latest bike tour. There was some good, some bad. I finished the Crazyguy tour journal.

Festive cyclist in Philadelphia, the Art Museum in the background.

Light show at Macy's department store in Philadelphia, PA

a quickr pickr post

Click on the pictures for a larger version and more information.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

I'm almost ready for this Saturday morning, that is, assuming neither myself or Neil have a rough time while riding because we haven't ridden all that much lately... assuming my bike doesn't explode (I had to replace a rim today, surprise!)... and so on. Oh, yeah, and assuming I don't get sick again (I'm mostly over my the cough I had last week).

That's enough whining. Here's the plan, the links are maps with cue sheets:

• Day 1: The Neils meet in Philadelphia, we ride around the city, see stuff, do stuff, crash in the hotel. (All the nights are hotels.) Maybe 20 miles for the day? Not sure. (Neil will be riding there from Kimberton to meet me, I'll take the train.)
  
• Day 2: Philly to Doylestown, 33 miles
  I have no idea what's to do in Doylestown, but I'm sure there'll be something interesting.
  Philly art museum to Doylestown
  
• Day 3, Doylestown to Bethlehem, 34 miles
  We'll be arriving in Pennsylvania's "Christmas City" on December 24th. I'm Jewish, but still looking forward to seeing the spectacle.
  Doylestown to Bethlehem
  
• Day 4: Bethlehem to Kimberton, ~50 miles
  
  • Part 1
    
  • Part 2
    
  • Part 3: Green Lane to Kimberton (Neil knows this part).

Last I checked, the weather looked decent, but we'll be prepared if it rains or snows.

Unless I get sick or have more mechanical problems or... naaaah. Never happen. What could possibly go wrong? Um, I never said that.

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

First ride of the season that's both in the snow and with the proper tires. I think I need new brake pads on the back, though.

I forgot how much fin the knobby tires are. I was hopping curbs and riding on the grass, because I could.

Click on the pictures for a larger version and more information.

Labels: bicycle

I've finished transcribing and making the journal I dictated on tour generally enjoyable to read. Enjoy! (There are more pics on the photosite that didn't fit into the narrartive.)

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/nov2007tour

Labels: bicycle, bike, touring

I had a great time, 188.7 miles over 5 days. I'm typing up the tour journal. Me on the first day, in Philadelphia:



...and here I am at my second-night warm showers host. (Photo by WS host Rick.)



More to follow very soon.

Click on the pictures for a larger version and more information.

Labels: bicycle, touring

I registered for my first Metric Century! It's going to be on August 19th in Lancaster.

100 km (62 miles) is not am unreasonable amount - I rode more than that last Saturday, and I rode 17 miles after work in an hour and a half. But doing it as en event makes it "official", somehow. Click on the picture to get to the event site, including a link to online registration.

Labels: bicycle, bike

Averaged 9mph on my way home yesterday, I'm getting better.



Link to flickr screenshot

The ride home was just as good. Cool! I'm getting better. I don't think I'll get all that much faster on a this mountain bike, but I'm looking to maintain an average of 10mph on asphalt.

Labels: bicycle, bike, commute

Got up a few minutes early today, to try an experiment. Martha drives me to my carpool in the morning, and picks me up after work. We threw my bike on the bike rack this morning and took it to the carpool (it's sitting in Rick's garage) and I'll bike home from there after work.

It's not much of a ride, but it's step one in an attempt to commute at least a little bit by bicycle. If I can get this to work smoothly I may try driving to the carpool in the morning as well. I'm a little leery about that one, since I'd rather not get to work in a post-biking sweaty smelly state. (There are showers but I;m not sure if I can use them.)

On the other hand, the ride is only a couple of miles. And it is a way of finding time I'm already using up sitting in a car and turnign into quality time with my bike. Don't want to neglect that relationship, do I? Bad relationships with metal and rubber machines raise my blood pressure.


When we got to Rick's, I threw my pants and shirt into my backpack (I had put shorts and a T-shirt underneath before leaving work) and pedaled away. I took 35 minutes to travel 4.35 miles. I know I've hit better speeds, but to be fair the route I took has a lot of hills.

But biking home even a little bit is a lot of fun. Tearing off my work clothes and jumping on the bike almost instantly is pretty cool, also.

Labels: bicycle, bike, commute

Looking out the window while doing laundry, I thought it's be a perfect day tp go for my first bike ride of the season. I inflated the tires and lugged the bike up the basement stairs, and off I went.

After taking last summer off the bike after my nasty bike accident in Highland Park, I'm in better shape than I feared. I covered about 4 miles or so of local streets and wasn't tired at all. My left knee complained a tiny bit, but nothing alarming. More like "ahem... yew might want to think a-bout this here hill a little more closely, Neil". Aheheh.

The rear brakes need to be tightened a touch, and I slipped a chain once -- near the Edison train station, which has a bathroom and, more importantly, a sink. The treads might be getting on a bit, but I have at least another season or two in those tires.

Labels: bicycle