Neil Fein's Blog

100_8008.JPG

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:03:00 +0000

100_8008.JPG, originally uploaded by neilfein.

Seen in Trenton, NJ while biking to meet someone at the Lower Ferry Road towpath trailhead.

Park Avenue Car-Free

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:32:00 +0000

100_7950.JPG, originally uploaded by neilfein.

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.

It Asploded

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:41:00 +0000

100_7881.JPG, originally uploaded by neilfein.

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.

Big Treeless

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:54:00 +0000

The landlord has decided to cut down the tree in front of our house. It was taller than the house and it cast shade on the picture windows, saving on energy and giving us privacy.

Their plan is to sell the house, and I suppose deforesting the property and exposing the peeling paint and cracked windows will achieve that end... somehow.

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

Bikes in Burbank

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:48:00 +0000

100_7696.JPG, originally uploaded by neilfein.

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.

Goodbye to Neils on Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:31:00 +0000

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.

100_7336.JPG

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:18:00 +0000

100_7336.JPG, originally uploaded by neilfein.

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

Made it!

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:09:00 +0000

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.

A bit belated day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Martha) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:20:00 +0000

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.

Shake, Rattle and Roll tour update from the road

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:14:00 +0000

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.

Day 4: Falling Water

noreply@blogger.com (Martha) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:57:00 +0000

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.

Day 3: On the Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Martha) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:23:00 +0000

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.

Days 1 and 2 of the Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Martha) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:33:00 +0000

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.

Threads

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:22:00 +0000

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.

Shake, Rattle and Roll!

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:57:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (Martha) — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:32:00 +0000

This is Martha, Neil's wife, with a test post. If this works, I'll be able to post updates for him during the tour.

Least. Boring. ride. Ever.

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:47:00 +0000

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.

Neils on Wheels split up

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:08:00 +0000

...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

Nietzsche's Blind Date

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Beyond This Horizon
by Robert A. Heinlein

Hamilton Felix is the ultimate in Heinlein protagonists: An uncaring, sharp, and perfect superman of a human being with a similarly intelligent, perceptive, and gorgeous woman who's been set up with him in a eugenics scheme. The background is a revolution that's misgguided but perhaps justified in intent. Not as absorbing as some books of this time, but an enjoyable volume on an excessively dark and rainy evening.

1 to 1 odds of death

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

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.

I have sore armpits

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Last Thursday: I was Towelling off as I stepped out of the shower, and I found I didn't have the strength in my arms to dry the backs of my shoulders. The same problem presented itself on with my left arm and right shoulder. I made do with that old move where you use the towel like a two-handed backscratcher.

Martha's been attending classes at the Family Martial Arts academy in Highland Park. A class a beginner can attend basically consists of doing components of sparring alternating with assorted stretches, specialized pushups and situps and stretches. Picture a room of people all doing these together.

I'm not sure if the martial arts are for me, but the class I was in is a very constructive and focused environment. The senseis are friendly and encouraging, and I liked the few people I spoke to. It has the advantage of being a kind of exercise I obviously don't get. Riding a bike is getting to be, if not effortless, at least a kind of exertion I can roll with. Riding also only exercises me below the waist.

Boy Scouts, Brains, and Barren Plains

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:59:00 +0000

Starman Jones
by Robert A. Heinlein

Typical Heinlein juvenile in many ways. A hillbilly gets a berth on a starship crew, mostly by trickery, and makes friends and enemies on the bridge and in the hold. More math- and testosterone-intensive than most. A dark but thoughtful book, Starman Jones has shadows of the upcoming Starship Troopers in tone.

Farmer in the Sky
by Robert A. Heinlein

More representative of RAH in his Boy's Life phase, a city boy and his father join the fledgling colony on Ganymede and find it's even harsher than they expected. The hours and days in the promised land are not just filled backbreaking work but also with politics, arguments over land and gumption, and fields of rock. Very strong characters and story.

Latest reads

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:25:00 +0000

The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

The Queen of England discovers that the joys of reading highlight the sterility of her life. Fun, intimate, and very much a good read.

A Deepness in the Sky
by Vernor Vinge

A thoughtful, wide-screen epic with a smart story and memorable characters. A civilization (or entity) from the enthralled heights of the galaxy has gone bad, turning younger races into zombies. Seen from the point of view of the disinformation and speculation produced by galaxy-wide newsgroups. One of the best hard-SF novels I've read in some time, along with Fleet of Worlds.

The town of farking Clark, NJ

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

It's been a while since I posted. Here's the latest route I use to bike to work. The different crappy bits are from around mile 5 to mile 8, a side route to avoid the nastiness that is Raritan Road between Walnut and Westfield avenues. This section goes from Clark into Cranford, I think, but the Clark bit is where I've been cussed out and honked at more.

There are turn-by-turn directions here, but they don't print worth an 90's Schwinn. That's the biggest problem with bikely; otherwise, I love the site.

Work to Home 7.2u.a

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Robot Hell

noreply@blogger.com (Neil) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:38:00 +0000