SaltCycle :: All Things Bike in Salt Lake City

Berkeley Adopts a Bicyclist Anti-Harassment Law

2012-02-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Streetsblog San Francisco reported that the City of Berkeley enacted a law allowing bicyclists to bring civil suit against drivers that have harassed them. It is an interesting read and is something that I would like to see Salt Lake City pursue.

Team Salt: True Gladitors in Chariot Wars

2012-02-21T02:01:00.008-07:00

Team SALT (Photo: Jonathan Maus, BikePortland.org)

This past weekend in the northwest Team Salt battled in the Ben Hurt Chariot Wars at Zoobomb's ninth annual Mini Bike Winter. Prior to arriving in Portland Mark Chetti and Stephen Rowbottom of Team Salt spent over 80 hours creating a metal chariot of bicycle destruction. They then loaded the chariot onto a bus and drove it over 750 miles to Portland, Oregon. After checking and rechecking schematics they rode the chariot to war.

This is the video of that war:

Thank you for your support: 100,000 visits

2012-02-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Since the rebirth of SaltCycle in mid-2009 after a brief stint as a forum-based bicycling resource in Salt Lake City, the number of visits, comments, articles and events around and about bicycling in Salt Lake City have grown exponentially. In the nearly three years since coming back online, our readers have visited the site 100,000 times! We want to thank you for this achievement and this important milestone in the life of SaltCycle.

As you can see in the graphic, traffic has increased substantially since the winter of 2010 and 2011. More than 75% of all our visitors have read and enjoyed the blog and its resources in the last year. With an increase in traffic and demand, we've made some fairly substantial changes to the site and its content.

Check out some historic snapshots of the history of SaltCycle and how far we have come in the last few years. We wish to thank everyone who has helped us to grow: sponsors, readers, contributors, photographers, news and press outlets who have promoted bicycling by highlighting SaltCycle, and you! Thanks for everything, and, as always, enjoy.

October 2007

December 2007

February 2008

May 2008

May 2009

February 2011

Caught On A Bike: Zach Pina and Jodi McLean- Two Love Birds Who Love Bikes

2012-02-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

(Photo credit: Christy Punkin Pants Jens)

Jodi and Zach were kind enough to ride their bikes out on a cold and rainy Sunday morning to meet up and talk about bicycles. Zach,known for his mashing skills around Salt Lake,is dating Jodi,who kills it in the saddle. Together they make up one of Salt Lakes finest cycling couples. Read more about their experiences riding bikes around the salty city.

Names: Jodi McLean and Zachary Pina

Ages:
Jodi: 29
Zach: 28

Occupations:
Jodi: Dental Assistant
Zach: Copywriter

Hometowns:
Jodi: Bountiful, Utah
Zach: Traverse City, Michigan

Years together:
A year and a half. Jodi got hit by a car on her way to meet Zach at 9th & 9th for their first date. Zach went to the hospital to make sure she was okay and ended up meeting her parents.

How they met:
Zach: Jodi moved in next door. She had a really dirty bike, but it had been loved. It needed some work done to it so I did a little work on it.
Jodi: He left a note on my bike that said, "A little bit of TLC and a bike will run forever."

On riding together:
Zach: For someone who hasn't ridden her whole life, Jodi holds her line really well. We've done some screaming descents and she holds my wheel.

Number of bikes you own:
Zach: Three
Jodi: Two

Favorite place to ride in Salt Lake:
Jodi: There are so many good places. The ride from downtown to Big Cottonwood Canyon is good. Riding the hills in Bountiful is fun, too. Trappers Loop is great. But I like having my cowbell and riding SAG as much as I like riding.
Zach: Emigration to Big Mountain and back.

Favorite restaurant:
Jodi: My new favorite is Chanon Thai, but we like Eva's and Oasis too.
Zach: All those places have stuff we can order without asking what is in it. Some restaurants just aren't accommodating to people with food allergies. (editors note: Jodi has severe food allergies that include gluten, rice, dairy, and corn)

Most embarrassing bike moment:
Jodi: I was just getting used to riding clipped in and we were going to the Farmers Market. I was in a sundress and forgot to clip out and fell!
Zach: When I was working as a messenger for Salt City I garage saled on tile floors a few times. But a few weeks ago I was riding to meet the work van and my tires slipped out from under me on a patch of black ice, pretty embarrassing.

Bike Accessories you can't live without:
Jodi: Velocity hip pouch and Smiths with interchangeable lenses, and in the winter, my Outdoor Research gator.
Zach: My velocity hip pouch and a pair of perfectly matched sunglasses.

Advice you would give to new commuters:
Jodi: Cycling can be easy, but a little of patience is necessary. You can get yourself into a bind if you are overly confident in your ability. The amount of awareness that is needed to ride a bike cannot be down played.
Zach: The sidewalk is the most dangerous place to ride in the city. You don't need every (bike) thing at once. If you have never ridden a bike in your life, don't buy a $5,000 bike and go group riding right off the bat. Everyone should start with an aluminum or steel frame.

Hopes and Dreams for Cycling:
Jodi: I want cycling to be like skiing, something I can do forever.
Zach: I want to be able to bike to the ski resort, ski, and ride home . I want cycling to be more accessible.
Jodi and Zach: Salt lake biking infrastructure is amazing compared to a lot of cities, traffic is a lot less agro here. Everyone who drives a car should be sentenced to riding a bike for a week if they get a speeding ticket, instead of traffic school and how to ride your bike should be taught in drivers ed. You aren't as aware of cyclists unless you have been on a bike. When you are riding in a car you don't always remember what happens from point A to point B. On a bike you remember everything.

CPPJ

Supreme Court Justice Breyer explains why he still rides a bike, even at 74 years old

2012-02-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer (b. 1938) is an excellent example is action and word of why riding a bike isn't just about improving our national economy and physical and spiritual well being. First and foremost, "It's fun," Breyer said as part of a larger quote that has recently been circulating on the web and on Facebook.

When asked why he rides a bicycle (even at 74 years old and after a severe accident in the early 1990s), Breyer responded,
"The advantages? Exercise, no parking problems, gas prices, it's fun. An automobile is expensive. You have to find a place to park and it's not fun. So why not ride a bicycle? I recommend it."

With such natural enthusiasm for bicycling, Breyer is an excellent example of the not-so-average-person who rides a bike. His example and high-ranking position in the federal government and are great resources for Breyer, as well as for all cyclists around the country, to have a significant impact on legislators and decision makers who just don't quite understand why we ride.

The Cost of a Quarter

2012-02-17T09:56:00.001-07:00

This morning USA Today reported an interesting factoid: "A 25-cent jump in gasoline prices, if sustained over a year, would cost the U.S. economy about $35 billion." Hopefully hearing that will inspire people to explore alternative transportation rather than demand that the price of gasoline be kept artificially low. Encouraging bicycling, walking, public transit, carpooling, etc. should be the obvious solution rather than threatening Iran with military action or drilling in the Arctic wildlife refuge.

Utah Senate Kills Proposed Funding for Jordan River Trail Tunnel

2012-02-14T16:50:00.001-07:00

Last week the Utah legislature showed their opposition towards funding non-automobile transportation projects. Legislators have discovered a $4.5 million dollar surplus left over from $68.5 million that was allocated in 2010 for transportation projects within Salt Lake County. Senator Jerry Stevenson (R-Layton) has sponsored SB164, which proposes $3.5 million in road improvements along SR-201 in West Valley City and initially proposed an additional $1 million to help West Jordan and Sandy build a tunnel under 9000 South for the Jordan River Parkway Trail. SB164 was heard in the Senate Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Committee last week.

Laura Hansen, executive director for the Jordan River Commission, spoke at the committee meeting in support of funding the tunnel. She explained that completing the 9000 South tunnel will close a gap and create a continuous trail from 200 South in Salt Lake City to 14600 South in Bluffdale. West Jordan has already committed up to $800,000 and Sandy nearly $400,000 in support of the project. In November 2001, the Jordan River Parkway Trail was featured in the US Department of the Interior’s America’s Great Outdoors: Fifty-State Report, which highlights “close to home” conservation projects throughout the nation, touted Hansen.

Unfortunately Senate President Michael Waddoups (R-Taylorsville) voiced opposition to “spending highway funds on a project that is not a roadway,” as reported by the Deseret News. The committee continued to object to allowing any funding for the Jordan River Trail, which left few options for Senator Stevenson and his bill. In the end, he agreed to an amendment removing it in order to salvage support for the bill’s other proposal.

For those of us who believe that transportation is more than just automobiles, this is a frustrating loss. The Jordan River Parkway Trail should be viewed not just as a recreation amenity, but also as a legitimate transportation thoroughfare providing an alternative to the autos that travel on the highways that parallel it. If you would like the Utah legislature to support transportation alternatives beyond autos, please email your senator and representative. And if you are unaware of who to contact, feel free to search by your home address here:
http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Read more about SB164:
http://le.utah.gov/~2012/htmdoc/sbillhtm/sb0164.htm

The Deseret News article on SB164:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705398985/Legislators-wrangle-over-Jordan-River-trail-tunnel-project.html

Read the America’s Great Outdoors: Fifty-State Report by the US Department of the Interior:
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/AMERICAS-GREAT-OUTDOORS-Salazar-Releases-50-State-Report-Highlighting-Projects-to-Promote-Conservation-Outdoor-Recreation.cfm

Read the Jordan River Commission's proposal for the 9000 South tunnel and the trail approaching from the north and south (PDF):
http://jordanrivercommission.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/proposal-spreads.pdf

Beehive Bicycles: Salt Lakes newest bike shop

2012-02-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

It started with a casual comment after seeing a "For Rent" sign hanging in the window of a neighboring shop space by Tony Caputo's on 15th & 15th. "We should open a bike shop there" was enough of an idea for Greg Steele, a ten year bike shop veteran, to open a shop that would better serve the needs of the surrounding community.

Beehive Bicycles is focused on being environmentally-friendly, and selling smaller bike brands such as Pivot, Boo Bicycles, Ritchey, Spot, and Surly.

His open shop environment is inviting and allows for customers to see what is happening while their bike is being worked on. His philosophy is simple. Steele says that the key to his mindset at a shop owner and as a mechanic is to "feel out what someone wants to do with a bike, rather than sell them what I have."

Steele hopes to fill the void in the under served 15th & 15th neighborhood that sees high bicycle commuter traffic, but till now, no bicycle mechanics or shops. "The closest shop is Cyclesmith," Steele stated. "I think there is room in Salt Lake for every bike shop."

Beehive Bikes is open seven days a week at 1510 S and 1500 E.

Caught On A Bike: Justin Daugherty

2012-02-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

While in town for the winter Outdoor Retailers show, we caught up with Justin Daugherty, sales manager of Green Guru, a pannier and backpack company that recycles bike tubes into new products. Find out what makes Justin tick as a bike and recycling fanatic.

Name: Justin Daugherty

Hometown: Carlsbad, California. But I have lived in Boulder, Colorado for a a long time.

Occupation: Sales Manager at Green Guru

Number of bikes you own: 15, in various states of being put together.

Favorite bike: My Raleigh 29er. I love mountain biking, though I do enjoy the idea of cyclocross. But I brought my cruiser with me to Salt Lake.

On working with Green Guru: I started Green Guru with Davidson as way to recycle bike waste. We really want to upcycle everything we can and have products that perform really well. With our weekly cruiser ride we put on every week in Boulder, we have been able to to bring a party with us wherever we go. We do the Tour de Fat with New Belgian Brewery, we have a new bike sound system, and a bike generator so we can take our sewing machine on the road. If we can bring a party with us wherever we go it makes us happy.

Thoughts on riding in Salt Lake: Salt Lake is probably some of the best trails and access. Because of the sierra club, it is a huge fight to get mountain bike trails in boulder. Salt Lake obviously has the widest damn streets in the world, that is nice for riding. With the cruiser ride we started with the summer OR show (now known as the weekly 999 ride), we have had a good time in SLC.

Best cycling moment: Two years ago at Interbike there were 25 bike cops who stopped our cruiser ride down the main boulevard!We really pushed it taking our ride down the strip but now we ride through old Vegas.

Hopes and dreams for cycling: I want to inspire, teach, and help people enjoy biking and being outside, creating an atmosphere where cycling as a whole is a big thing.
I also want to see cycling widely accepted everywhere. I want to see cities creating greenbelts, bike paths, underpasses, bike lanes connecting cities, There needs to be bike lanes just for bikes. One of the reasons I love Boulder, you can pretty much ride around the entire city without hitting pavement.

New bike count infographic highlights correlation between bikeways and ridership

2012-02-02T18:19:00.001-07:00

Tell us what you think about the correlation between safe and
standard bike infrastructure and trips made by bike.

SLCDOT seeks input on downtown bike racks

2012-02-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

You may have seen the new, blue automated parking pay stations downtown in the past few months. About 50 pay stations were installed to replace normal parking meters with coin-operated heads as a pilot program test to measure the feasability of doing a city-wide removal of the old coin-operated meters and replace them all with the solar-powered pay stations. The time has come for all parking meters in Salt Lake City to be removed, and replaced with the more intermittent parking pay stations.

Ring racks, like the one pictured above,
won't be a full-scale solution, says SLCDOT.
(Photo: Vxla, Flickr)

With the removal of the parking meters and their posts, bicycles won't be able to lock to them anymore and this ad-hoc type of bike parking won't be available anymore. Though some ring racks remain around Temple Square and the City & County building and could be removed and relocated to satisfy demand, SLCDOT does not plan on using these as a full-scale solution to the removal or parking meters.

To alleviate the possible decrease in avaiable space to park your bike, SLC Bike/Ped Coordinator Becka Roolf has issued a request to bicyclists, businesses, and concerned citizens for suggestions on locations that could use more permanent bike parking downtown (places that previously relied on the parking meter posts to accomodate bicycle parking). This is a tremendous effort by SLCDOT to ensure that with the removal of the traditional coin-op meters, bicyclists will still have a place to safely secure their bikes.

Roolf requested the following in her email to the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee mailing list, and subsequently to all bicyclists in Salt Lake,

"In order to continue to provide bicycle parking downtown, the Transportation Division would like your input on locations where we should increase bicycle parking in preparation for this change. Please use the bike rack request form located here: http://www.slcgov.com/bike

New parking pay stations will eliminate
the ability to lock bikes to
parking meter posts.
(Photo: Aparc Systems)

Although parking meters do serve as de facto bike parking, parking meters are not designed for that purpose. Compared to many other communities, I would say that I fairly rarely see bicycles locked to parking meters in SLC. However, I am not as much for the downtown night-life as some of you might be.

We will continue to install regular bicycle racks, by request. There is often space along the sidewalk or park strip to install bike racks. If there are locations where bike corrals are needed, we can also add those, by request."

If you're curious to know what the new parking pay stations will look like, see the photo at right, or visit the Aparc Systems website.

My Ongoing Frustration with Congress

2012-02-01T11:26:00.002-07:00

Uggh! Upon hearing of the House bill that removes all funding for pedestrian and bicycle programs and makes severe cutbacks to transit spending, I decided to vent my frustrations to my peers, who I’m sure share that same frustration. The shortsightedness of our elected officials in matters of transportation continues to bewilder me. They keep leading the nation forward on the premise that oil will always be plentiful (actually it’s not plentiful now), which increases our reliance on a resource primarily controlled by governments not always friendly to ours and contributes to a myriad of environmental issues. The continued promotion of the automobile as the ideal method of transportation encourages sedentary lifestyles, which contributes to America’s obesity problem and other health issues, and encourages sprawl, which multiplies transportation costs and decreases our quality of life. In a time when there this so much concern over government spending and the national debt, why does Congress continue to lead us on a path that will cost us more down the road?

Product Review: Po Campo Logan Tote

2012-01-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

When it comes to bike accessories, the norm is function over fashion. Utilitarian and stylish are two words that are not commonly associated with each other. But with the recent increase of commuting cyclists, companies that focus their goods around being hip and durable have popped up around the globe. One of these companies is Po Campo, a utilitarian hand bag company that focuses their products around cycling.

Not typically a handbag type of girl, I gave the Po Campo Logan Tote a go after seeing it at Interbike and on the Terry website. Coming in various patterns, I chose the waxed canvas for its classic look and water resistant properties. This spacious yet mid sized bag can be attached to the top of a rack while you ride and slung over your shoulder when you are walking around town.

I put the water repellent feature of it to the test while biking around town during a sudden down pour. My laptop and various accoutrements inside stayed dry and the reflective strips on the side helped keep me visible. Road grime that got on the bag wiped off the waxed canvas easily. The bright blue interior color of the Logan Tote also made finding small items easy while fumbling around under a street lamp for my bike lock. Over all, this bag does what it is intended to do, hold a lot of stuff and look great.

To purchase a Po Campo visit Mark down at Saturday Cycles, he stocks three different styles and two colors.

New SLC transportation director, Hutcheson, appointed by Mayor Becker

2012-01-27T09:44:00.001-07:00

New transportation director, Robin
Hutcheson (Photo: Salt Lake City)

Following former Salt Lake City Transportation Division director Tim Harpst's retirement earlier this month, Salt Lake City mayor's office has appointed Robin Hutcheson as the city's new Transportation Director. She brings with her many years of national and international experience in transportation planning and sustainable planning initiatives. More locally, Hutcheson has been a key player in the development and design of the Complete Streets ordinance, the Sugar House Streetcar corridor, and other sustainable transportation projects.

From a press release dated January 26th, 2012, Hutcheson is described as an effective bicycle transportation planner and dedicated cyclists and outdoor enthusiast. In addition to other traits, Hutcheson will provide excellent leadership and expertise in furthering the City's initiative to be increasingly bicycle-friendly,

"In her new position Hutcheson will manage programs for sustainable transportation modes such as bicycle and pedestrian travel and streetcar network development as well as lead evaluations of transportation issues, traffic operations and parking. As director, she will contribute to policy development to support Salt Lake City’s livability goals, focusing on key transportation initiatives to improve mobility, access and quality of life.

“Nationwide, Salt Lake City is becoming a progressive transportation leader,” Hutcheson said. “I am thrilled to be a part of this team and look forward to continuing the work of connecting to our community and the challenge of improving and enhancing City transportation options.”

Prior to joining Salt Lake City, Hutcheson was a senior associate with Fehr & Peers’ Salt Lake City office. She is the co-founder of the Women’s Transportation Seminar Northern Utah Chapter promoting women in the field of transportation. Hutcheson is an accredited planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners.

In her free time, Hutcheson is a dedicated skier, cyclist and outdoor enthusiast."

Tonight! 4th Annual BIKEDANCE - 2012

2012-01-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

Free food and drinks! Critical Mass! Film screening! Music by Holy Water Buffalo!

BIKEDANCE 2012 will start at 5:30pm on Thursday, January 26th, at White Pine Touring (1790 Bonanza Drive, Park City, UT). We'll have free food and beverages from our generous sponsors Sidecar Pizza, Back Door Delicatessen and Moab Brewery!

Once you are properly fueled we'll have a critical mass ride from White Pine Touring to Flanagan's on main. Once we hit the door at Flanagan's we'll showing 2nd Base Films "From The Inside Out". After the film we'll be presenting city leaders and Charlie Sturgis, Director of Mountain Trails Foundation, with Park City's IMBA Gold Level Ride Center award! This is a huge honor for our town and you won't want to miss it. As soon as the award presentation is over Holy Water Buffalo is going to rock the house!

We will be requesting a $10.00 donation to participate in the event. A portion of the proceeds will go to purchase one World Bicycle Relief bike with the remainder of the funds raised

going to Mountain Trails Foundation. Your $10.00 donation gets you access to the reception/pre-party at White Pine Touring, a commemorative BIKEDANCE 2012 koozie to keep your beverage cold and hand warm, a commemorative BIKEDANCE 2012 t-shirt from our generous sponsor MTN Ranks (first 150 people), one drink ticket good for a tallboy PBR at Flanagan's, and your cover charge waived at the door of Flanagan's (with BIKEDANCE 2012 koozie). Come support two great causes and have a great time doing it!! Check out the event's facebook page here.

Thursday Night 999 Ride (Tonight!)

2012-01-26T13:06:00.001-07:00

Everybody loves a casual ride around town with friends, right? The Thursday Night Ride (now commonly known as the 999 ride, formerly known as Evening in the City with Naresh) was started months ago by Naresh, a popular face in the SaltCycle community, and happens every Thursday night. The ride meets outside Coffee Garden on 9th South and 9th East at 9 pm (but this ride isn't exactly known for leaving right at 9:00, so hang around if you're the first one there).

What to expect: casual speeds, group-minded riding, friends (old and new), and sometimes a drink at a local bar. Bring your friends, come alone, ride your cruiser, commuter, carbon frame or beater bike. Anything goes!

Naresh, founder and faithful leader of 999, pictured with his beloved "Gail" (right).

Tales from the Top Tube: It's not always sunny

2012-01-24T21:23:00.001-07:00

The worst day as a bike delivery guy begins in New York, with a snowstorm. Icy tracks that grab your wheel and slip the ground out from under you. Your breath freezes on your face and your chest shudders as the air rushes down your zipper into your core.

On the first run you get a pinch flat, on the rear no less, which would normally be just annoying, but it's horrific weather and your wheel is covered with dirty, icy sludge. Your fingers quickly become raw, pink, and useless. You're as far from the restaurant as you could possibly be. Digging through your bag you realize, stupidly, that you've somehow forgotten your patch kit and in an inexplicable coincidence the other two tubes you have with you are pinch-flatted as well. Swearing doesn't make you feel any better, so you let a cool calm wash over you, accepting the situation. You call up the restaurant and tell them to hold off on orders for a half an hour. Ride back hunched over your handlebars like a kid in 2007 trying to win a skid competition, your useless rim squirrelling and dinging the pavement. It's still snowing, and the cars passing you have no comprehension that things aren't going well, nor could they really give a shit. The bike shop next to the restaurant is closed. You're new to the city and don't have any friends nearby. There's another bike delivery guy down the street, but he doesn't speak english and when you finally get him to lend you a patch kit the glue's dry and useless.

The thirty minutes becomes one hour, two. Finally, after a hundred failed solutions, you're prying the tire off the wheel, eyes and soul a smooth static white, wondering how you got suckered into this position, into this terrible aching spot where a thousand things were going on in the world, breaking systems looming large, a million possibilities waiting for their catalyst, and you were the rube forced to spend your concern on some missed orders and a flat bicycle tire.

Sugar House Streetcar Public Workshop this Thursday!

2012-01-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Calling all cyclists in the Salt Lake Valley! The Sugar House Streetcar project is holding a public workshop THIS THURSDAY January 26 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Kimball Distributing, 2233 South 300 East, South Salt Lake City. Attend this meeting to help design and critique the open greenway space and trail which run alongside the streetcar. This is important: let's show them that bike trails and other human-scaled infrastructure is important to us by showing up to this meeting and sharing our opinions. Check out the website here, or click more for more information.

The desire for open space on both the north and south sides of the Sugar House Streetcar line was repeatedly expressed during the public meetings held thus. Until now, improvements such as trails, landscaping, lighting, and site furniture have been referred to in general terms. The next step in the design process is to define and cost, block-by-block, which improvements will be constructed within the streetcar corridor:

Streetcar Greenway and Trail Public Workshop

YOU helped determine the design of the Sugar House Streetcar. NOW, come and help define the improvements to the OPEN SPACE on the north and south sides of the streetcar line.

Design how the OPEN SPACE and TRAIL will look and function.

Critique design CONCEPTS that will be presented.

Provide FEEDBACK specific to your property and/or block.

All residents of Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County are invited to participate.

When: Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Held at: Kimball Distributing2233 South 300 EastSouth Salt Lake City, UT

Caught On A Bike In Salt Lake City: Martie Nightingale

2012-01-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

Meet Martie Nightingale, nurse midwife, member of the Cutthroat racing team,
high heel cyclist, and all around bad ass. (Photo: Christy Jensen)

Name: Martie Nightingale

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Occupation: Certified Nurse Midwife

Number of Kids: Two boys

Number of years in Salt Lake: I have been here on and off since 2000

Been riding a bike: For five years. I started riding to do an off-road triathlon and fell it love with it.

Favorite place to ride: Emigration Canyon! My favorite part is the downhill.

Favorite Restaurant: Since I am vegan, I have to say Cafe Supernatural.

Martie, with her Surly LHT
and Ortleib panniers and handlebar bag.
(Photo: Christy Jensen)

Number of bikes owned: Two mountain bikes, one road bike, and one commuter. But my Surly Long Haul Trucker is my favorite. It is so versatile, I feel like I can do everything on it.

Favorite bike accessory: My Ortlieb panniers. I can put my heels in them when I go out and I can use them as a cooler when I go to a concert. I am so glad I have a rack and panniers.

Most embarrassing bike story: I was on a team for the Rockwell Relay and was going up a hill. I could see my team cheering for me and when I shifted my chain dropped. I fell over and couldn't clip out! I was literally in the middle of the highway and my teammates had to come get me out of my bike. So glad a car wasn't coming.

Favorite bike shop in Salt Lake: It is hard to say just one, but I have to say Saturday Cycles.

Hopes and Dreams for Cycling: I would like to see more women in cycling, across the board. Especially in commuting. there are different social expectation I think women need to break. We have to be clean and smell good when we get to work, but if we build communities of women where we help each other out, we will see a change in the expectations. There is definitely more women-specific commuting clothing that I think will help out a lot with getting more women out on the road.

Tales from the Top Tube: Italy By Bicycle, Sola.

2012-01-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

The first night on my bike I slept in a little trench on the retained side of a retaining wall. It had poured rain for three hours, the nearby ocean dumping its contents onto the coast. I was exhausted. It was around 1 AM (I sat out much of the rain under a bridge), I had just biked through the treacherous sprawling city of Genova, Italy, and the campground signs I had followed up a big hill and past an eerie cemetery led me to a very closed “terreno per campeggio.” Not feeling up to sneaking in on my first night, I opted to riding further up the hill, battling the overwhelming desire to drop right where I was, and not exactly sure what I was looking for. A few hundred meters along I saw the retaining wall and the overhanging trees. Perfect. I tossed my paniers onto the 4 or so foot wall, laid out my tarp, took off my wet shoes and socks, and curled up inside my sleeping bag, half of the tarp folded over me. Loud raindrops dripped onto the tarp. I was asleep in seconds.

Two days later I’m crossing over a ridge 2000 feet above sea-level, trying to commit to memory the incredible tree-covered mountains that fade into the softest fog I’ve ever seen. I’m breathing hard, having just climbed through a steep town that stretches from the coast up into the hills. After a quick breather at the top, I descend back to the coast for miles and miles down a road windy enough to have to brake a little on the turns. That night I shared a rocky coastal campsite with Joost, a dutch artist and fellow bike-tourist who had rolled up behind me when I had stopped near La Spezia to draw a picture.

I rode an old mountain bike that I bought for 50 euros in Torino. It was called Giovinazzo, had an awesome white and blue paint job, and served me better than I could have dreamed. Except for the day my shifter cable gummed up and I had to pull on the exposed cable along the down tube to shift until I found a bike shop a bought a new cable. But that was an easy fix. I never got a flat tire, never had brake problems, and even ended up loving the triple Biopace crankset. Within a day I could adjust my friction shifters accurately the first time and without looking down when I heard something off-centered. It was easy to be in tune with the Giovinazzo. It held no secrets. It was what it was, and when something wasn’t right, it was obvious. Good communication is key to any successful relationship.

“Sola??” A fancy Italian road bike coasts along next to my rickety mountain bike, and a bewildered, beautiful Italian roadie repeats, “Americano? Bicicletta... sola??” Neither of us speak each other’s language, but it’s clear he’s impressed. Or confused. We’re riding along a beautiful bike path that runs north out of Rome and follows the Tiber River for miles (at least ten of them), cutting through beautiful sunflower fields and farm land, not a “real street” in view. I had caught up to him, fatty tires, loaded rear paniers, upright flat bars and all. I laugh, “Si, sola! Mi piace biciclette!” He’d better believe I like bicycles; he’d never seen anything like me before. A female American, traveling by bicycle, alone? Weird. We ride for a few miles, laughing at our attempted conversation, broken by our language barrier. He heads home, I continue on to downtown Rome.

It wasn’t all fun and games. The day I got lost in the rain, for example. I had about 90 km (55 miles) to ride from Pisa to Florence, but somewhere about 40 km down the road I took a wrong turn at one of the many roundabouts (which are completely awesome and functional and oh! how I wish the States would use them more) and later found myself about 20 km off course. Then it started to rain. It was beautiful at first. I rode along in the gentle rain, going back the way I came, learning Italian through my earphones and eating a baguette. I was happy, even if I was in the wrong place. But then it got bad. Really bad. Probably the worst rain storm I’ve ever ridden in. I was soaked to the bone. I forced myself to see the humor, but it was still a little hard to laugh. Eventually I got back to the fateful roundabout and found my way onto the nearest train to Florence, the rain still coming down hard.

I don’t know what my favorite part was: the makeshift bicycle-tarp tents; the 75 km ride from Florence to Siena through unreal, jaw-droppingly beautiful vineyards and hill towns; meeting Stefano at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and sharing a campsite while teaching each other Italian/English; sketching the city of Florence from Piazzale Michelangiolo on the hill while eating pizza and gelato, my bike locked up at the bottom of a (seemingly) mile long staircase; navigating the busy streets of Rome with confidence, sneaking down one-way roads (because I can) then merging into a complex, multi-laned roundabout, popping out in front of the humbling Colosseum.

I’m sold: traveling by bicycle is priceless. I experienced Italy through warm air on my skin, ushered from town to town by the smell of bakeries and vineyards. Being alone, I was compelled to talk to the people around me and having a bike made me all the more friendly and approachable. It’s easy to trust someone who pulls up to the campsite outside of Rome at one o’clock in the morning when they’re red-faced and on a bike. I wouldn’t trade my ten day Genova-to-Rome tour for anything, and recommend to anyone and everyone to give bicycle touring a shot. It’s about the journey, not the destination. And besides, burning that many calories a day leaves a lot of room for gelato.

Caption Contest: Road maintenance infographic

2012-01-14T00:54:00.002-07:00

Leave your creative caption in the comment section below, see others', and have a good time.

Salt Lake DOT director Tim Harpst retires after 25 years

2012-01-11T21:48:00.001-07:00

Salt Lake City Transportation Division Director, Tim Harpst, retired today,
after 25 years as director, and 33 years with Salt Lake City (Photo: Tom Millar)

Emotions were high as Transportation Division employees and friends of director Tim Harpst gathered Wednesday afternoon to bid adieu to the director who lead and supported some of the most progressive transportation planning, especially for bicycles, in Salt Lake City's history. Harpst, who is succeeded by now-director Robin Hutcheson, formerly of Fehr & Peers consultants. Director Harpst's leadership and friendship toward and in behalf of all those around him will be greatly appreciated by all who had the opportunity to know him.

Harpst, though retiring from the public sector, will likely continue to work in transportation planning and engineering from the private sector as a consultant and expert in the field. Harpst, along with Hutcheson, will be leading a joint-lecture at tomorrow's ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) Conference on the University of Utah campus, from 4:00 - 4:45 PM.

Prohibited On Sidewalk

2012-01-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

An editorial in tomorrow's City Weekly is about the writer's frustration with the downtown 'No Bicycles on Sidewalks' law: How he got a ticket and why he's asking the judge to find him guilty. Check out the article here, and let us know what you think below!

Tales from the Top Tube: Discouragement and Optimism on a Bike

2012-01-11T01:57:00.000-07:00

We always hear of the indescribablejoy that is experienced from the seat of a bicycle, or the sheer bliss oneexperiences when all the parts of the bike are moving in fluid harmony, propellingyou forward with greater ease than ever before, even riding with less effortalong the same road that you always take. Perhaps we romanticize bicycling toomuch, as the cure for all societal and emotional ills.

There are some days wherea bicycle seems to be my worst enemy. These days are very, very few and farbetween, but when they hit, they seem to come with full force, and try to knockme off my saddle for good. I returned from an amazing Christmas break in Californiaa few weeks ago, during which I spent the majority of my time riding my bike upand down mountains, over bridges, and through the fog. It was a delightfultime, full of that bliss that defies all words. Upon my return, I spent most ofthe day unpacking, putting bikes back together, getting a little riding in, andhaving dinner with my sister. It was a great day and it felt good, thoughbittersweet, to be back in Utah.

Later that night, I got ona bike to head over to a friend’s house for dinner. Nothing felt right on mybicycle. The shifting was stiff, the bottom bracket felt like it had sludge init, and everything was a lot slower than I thought. Part way through the ride,I noticed that my light had gone out. I smacked my light a few times so that itwould work again. “Why isn’t anything working?” I thought to myself. “Why did Ieven come back to Utah?”This is where, in retrospect, I think I might have been blaming a bit too muchon my bike, and for that I apologize. But then it just got ridiculous. Aftertrudging along at a tortoise’s pace for a few more minutes, I fell off my bikein the middle of the road because I couldn’t clip out of my pedal. A fewminutes later, after looking back to see if my light was still working, Irealized that the light and the bracket had broken off completely, most likelydue to the fall. Then, after dropping off a book at the library, I got a flatin my rear tire after leaving the parking lot. I was lucky that I was only afew blocks from dinner, but I trudged there with quite a scowl anyway.

I was quite grumpy forlonger than I should have been, but I couldn’t help but feel like my bike waspunishing me (or being punished itself) by some long overdue karma. I waspretty ticked off. What really sets me off (while on a bike, or while thinkingabout bikes) is the idea of having to fix (and pay for) something that I didn’tbreak, something that shouldn’t need fixing. Perhaps it is because we mightidealize bicycles as being indestructible,never-need-to-be-serviced-or-replaced kinds of vehicles. Maybe, when we talkabout bicycles too romantically and not realistically enough, our hopes anddreams are shattered when the smallest little wrench is thrown in the works (nopun intended).

Here is my point. When somuch time has gone by without any setbacks or any mechanical problems on yourbicycle, it can be easy to forget that it’s not just a dreamlike cloud thattakes you from place to place with little to no effort. Don’t allow theextended period of relative maintenance-free riding make you doubly upset whensomething does happen. Think positively, keep your bicycle maintained, and evenif there is a mishap or a mechanical failure (or 5 in one night), don’t let itthrow you off the saddle. That night where everything imaginable seemed to gowrong seems a bit silly in retrospect. Sure it was tough and frustrating to bestuck with a bike that wasn’t working quite how it was supposed to, or how Ihoped. But it was one day. I’m not stuck with that bike, in that conditionforever.

Bicycles are amazing. Our bodiesare amazing. We are immensely blessed to be able to move ourselves about,freely and under our own power. So, even when it seems like your bike hatesyou, or the universe hates you, or that big hill between you and your destinyhates you – just smile. Don’t think on it too long. Sing a song, or hum a tune,or think of better times. Depression and discouragement on a bike don’t lasttoo long. So try to see it as a passing storm cloud, don’t let it get you wet,and ride on. Ride on Salt Lake City.

Wildflower Pedalfest! Summer Event for the Lady Cyclists!

2012-01-10T12:50:00.001-07:00

Attention cycling women of Utah, keep August 18th clear on your summer calendar! The Wildflower Pedalfest is a huge cycling event for women, held in Mountain Green, Utah, a rural and scenic road biking area nestled in the mountain valley of Morgan County.

The all day event consists of a fully-supported ride with courses for all abilities, followed by a delicious catered lunch, raffle, live band, a Women's Cycling expo, and more!

"If you are a beginner, come to our Beginner Bike Class and choose the 20 mile Sunflower course. For those with a competitive edge, choose the Mountain Bluebell 75 mile course and complete the Wildflower Hill Climb for a special gift and a chance to win a free jersey."

Registration opens February 1st, with a discount for those who register in the first month. This will be a great event and a fun way to ride with or compete against other female riders in Utah. Not to mention all the food and music during the after party. Check out the website, wildflowerpedalfest.com and spread the word!