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Politics, open government, and safe streets. And the constant incursion of cycling.

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Friday Notes: Bike to Work Edition

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On May 16, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Policy, Virginia

Today was National Bike to Work Day, and in DC we did it in the rain. The Rosslyn StopWABA set up a few meeting points around the metro area, and I stopped by the one in Rosslyn. For some reason, I bothered registering this year (I usually don’t, as I don’t need any more t-shirts), and ended up winning a nice $40 bike lock for my troubles. Turnout was what one might expect for a light-rain day: the usual hardcore group, weekend racers, and the brave friends that didn’t bail on them. A shame that it wasn’t a nicer day – I hope those that bailed will give it a crack next weekend. Really, there’s much to be said for the pleasure you get flying past the barely moving traffic on I-66 or Lee Highway.

~

Speaking of biking to work, the best of those that do are currently racing the sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia, one of the “Grand Tours” of pro racing. If you’re interested in following along, Cyclingfans.com is a resource without comparison for online video and audio feeds. You can take one of the video feeds (from, say, Norwegian television) and match up the Eurosport feed in whichever language you choose (I’ve switched between English and Spanish (it really is a good way to learn some new words and whatnot)). If you care enough to talk about it, jump over to the overhauled PodiumCafe (a completely new look, ajax-based commenting, etc.). The Giro stage coverage is generally run between 9 and 11am EDT, Sunday stages are available on Versus, and the race goes through June 1st. Give it a look.

~

There’s an interesting article on the efficacy and saftey of bike lanes over at the BikePortland site. I’m a vehicular cyclist – that is, I act like a car on the road – and thus am pretty sympathetic to the article that BikePortland is rather upset with. That said, I realize that not everyone is comfortable going wheel to wheel with multi-ton vehicles, and bike lanes help address that. Anyway, it’s an interesting discussion.

More Picture Taking Idiocy

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On May 14, 2008

In DC, Law

I can’t figure out whether the bigger threat to American society is the faux-security presumption against public photography or simply the feeble-minded sense of authority by middle management figures like Robert H. Mangiante, Assistant Director at IPC International Corporation and guardian of DC’s Union Station against unapproved pictures.

King Memorial Too “Confrontational”

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On May 9, 2008

In DC, Society

I really have no idea what to say about the latest obstacle to the completion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the Mall:

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts thinks “the colossal scale and Social Realist style of the proposed statue recalls a genre of political sculpture that has recently been pulled down in other countries,” commission secretary Thomas Luebke said in a letter in April.

[ . . . ]

Commission members said the sculpture “now features a stiffly frontal image, static in pose, confrontational in character[.]”

I attended the ground breaking for the memorial couple of years ago, and had been looking forward to getting to the installation stage. But the Commission has the capacity to grind things to a halt until it’s happy. Frankly, I find the criticisms really strange at this stage, and looking at the sculptor’s previous work, I think it was pretty clear what they were getting. And let’s not even touch on the use of the loaded term “confrontational” in the criticism. I hope we’ll get a little more reporting on this, so public pressure can be applied if necessary, as I’m not particularly inspired by the quotes from Commission members:

“My image of Dr. King is of him leaning forward in anticipation, holding his chin or raising his arm,” rather than standing with his arms folded, Commissioner Michael McGill said.

Yeah? How about a raised arm and a closed fist? I should probably stop before I write something inappropriate.

One thing I hadn’t realized was that when they selected sculptor Lei Yixin last year was that this meant the memorial would actually be made in China. While I thought the criticism surrounding his selection was mostly sour grapes and silly nativism (and still do), I’ll have to admit that it does seem a bit strange that what may be the last memorial on the Mall will be made in China.

So that was cool

By

On May 6, 2008

In DC

Earlier today, I felt a brief rumbling that was a little deeper than usual.  I paused and considered, for a second, but then a helicopter (I’m in one of the primary flightpaths for Air Force One and other Pentagon helicopters) passed overhead, and I dismissed it.

Turns out there was a more interesting explanation.  Huh.

Crystal Ride Photos

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On May 5, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Virginia

Saul Raisin raises a water bottle in salute to the members of the Armed Forces who have sustained traumatic brain injury in the course of their service.  Saul’s Rasin Hope Foundation is dedicated to traumatic brain injury research and support.

Photos from the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic Crystal Ride (a charity ride benefiting the Raisin Hope Foundation) are up. You can see select shots here, and a raw stream of (generally) unedited photos here.

(I’m trying something new with the select shots, using a flash gallery I’ve exported straight from Lightroom. Not sure if I like it or not.)

Sebastian Haedo Wins U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic

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On May 4, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Virginia

Sebastian Haedo of Colavita-Sutter Home won the 2008 U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic in a sprint with the help of teammate (and 2007 winner) Kyle Wamsley. Alex Candelario of Kelly Benefit Strategies took third. The 150km circuit race saw a few breakaway attempts, but all were shut down quickly, with Symmetrics’ Andrew Randell earning the Most Aggressive rider jersey for an all-out flyer on the final lap, getting caught only in the last 400 or so meters. This was the first UCI rated (Cat 1.2) race in the DC area within (my) memory. Hit the jump for the race-winning sprint.

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European Embassy Open Houses – Saturday, May 3rd

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On April 30, 2008

In DC, EU, UK

This Saturday, European Union member states invites the public “to take a shortcut to Europe.” From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the embassies of all EU member states will be open to the general public. Each embassy is planning a program “featuring the country’s cuisine, its music and special events.”

From the UK’s press release:

Take a Tour of the United Kingdom:
For the first time ever, the British Embassy invites everyone to take a tour past the grand history, old castles, Big Ben, Parliament, fish and chips, haggis, the Giant’s Causeway, and Stonehenge to a UK that is now a more modern, innovative and multicultural society.

Starting at 10:00 a.m. on May 3, you can tour the United Kingdom with stops in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Being a Brit Different, take a taste of Scotland, businesses of the United Kingdom, and hear about life in DC from high-profile of British expatriates living in the United States.

Event Details and time of speakers:
10:00-11:00: British Ambassador to the United States Sir Nigel Sheinwald
11:30: Journalist and Author Christopher Hitchens
12:30: BBC Washington Correspondent Matt Frei
1:30: Senior Director, Business Policy Council and former Journalist Martin Walker
2:30: Newsweek Senior White House Corespondent Richard Wolffe

Location: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Transportation: Free shuttle departing from Dupont Metro Station
Parking: Parking is limited so please take the free shuttle if you can
Accessibility: All guests are welcome, but not all areas of the Embassy grounds are accessible

Those of you who live around DC may find this an interesting opportunity to see the inside of the embassies of those countries who are less than generous with public access to their embassies (and I’m looking at you, Britain – go take a lesson from Spain or Sweden).

In Honor of Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit to DC

By

On April 15, 2008

In DC, Society

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxnaMeOK20[/youtube]

Torquemada – do not beg him for mercy.
Torquemada – do not ask him for forgiveness.
Let’s face it – you can’t Torquemada anything!

Update: You know, I got Ratzinger’s code name wrong in the original post, which makes me feel kind of dumb.  But then I realized that all my readers must be indifferent heathens, because no one pointed it out.  So that makes me feel better.

DC(A)

By

On April 9, 2008

In DC

 

I love Gravelly Point. And National Airport.

Friday Notes: Bikes, Bikes, Bikes

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On April 4, 2008

In Cycling, DC, Virginia

If it’s April, it’s all about bikes.  The De Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) is on the schedule this weekend, but since I can’t be there (this time), I’ll focus on a few things closer to home:

The coming DC SmartBike program is getting some press.  It’s not going to be widely deployed enough to make it useful to me, but I’ll probably sign up anyway, in support of the concept.

It’s been a few weeks since the last report of a sexual assault on my local trails, so hopefully that’s the last of them.  I’m still not any less angry about it.  As I wrote over at WashCycle:

This pisses me off so much. I look at these trails with the same possessiveness that, well, probably a lot of you feel, also. They’re something I want everyone to enjoy, whether on a group ride or in the solitary circumstances of the early AM. And when I hear that some asshole is ruining it for everyone . . . gah. I suppose violence is not the answer, but it sure inspires that feeling.

There are some good comments on that thread – especially the ones pointing out that advising women not to ride alone is NOT an acceptable response.

People like their bike porn.  This post last week?  Is starting to move its way into the top search terms for this site.  Both depressing and heartening, at the same time.

Finally, don’t forget about CycleFest this weekend.   Really, I can’t emphasize enough what a friendly lot the organizers are.  If you’re at all interested in getting back on a bike, or onto a different kind of bike, come check it out.

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