The Chain Gang

Paris sees bike sharing's dark side

Liam Miller — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:28:11 -0400

Paris' utopian bike-sharing system, Vélib', has gotten a dose of reality, according to The New York Times, with 80 percent of the initial 20,600 bicycles -- costing $3,500 each -- stolen or damaged. But, in perhaps as naive an idea...

And the bike-design award of the year goes to ...

Liam Miller — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:02:36 -0400

Trek Lime, a 3-speed with an automatic shifter, won the Smithsonian's People's Design Award. But if you want one, better hurry to your Trek retailer -- Trek's Web site doesn't show the Lime offered as a 2010 model. What the?...

Sign up soon for the Horrible Hundred!

Liam Miller — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:45:30 -0400

The 35-, 70- and 100-mile routes through the hills of Lake County start at Clermont's Waterfront Park on Sunday, Nov. 15. Orgainzers say: Fun, themed rest stops approximately every 20 miles providing water, sports drinks, fruit, and snacks. The last...

Seminole Bike Trails and The Missing Links

Jeff Kunerth — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:07:30 -0400

Seminole County has 33-plus miles of paved bike paths -- and 2 miles of missing links that separate the three sections of the Cross Seminole Trail. One is the 1.4 miles along SR 426 north of Mitchell Hammock Road that...

"Honey, I'm riding the StreetStrider to work!"

Liam Miller — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:04:46 -0400

As one reader pointed out, the StreetStrider is another elliptical cycle -- which also works the upper body. It's $1,995 and was featured on The Biggest Loser.

Vermont leaf-peeping by bike!

Liam Miller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:34:28 -0400

Now this New York Times article sounds like a fun idea. An alternative would be pedaling the Blue Ridge Parkway by bike. Even later, as the closest option, which I have blogged about before, you could pedal Georgia Highway 190...

Tour campus on a bicycle built for ... seven?

Liam Miller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:16:46 -0400

Alfred University in New York state will let prospective students see campus via a "ConferenceBike," built by an Amsterdam company. Looks like a fun way to run clear folks off the West Orange Trail, too. "Bike for seven coming through!"...

"Honey, I'm riding the elliptical to work!"

Liam Miller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:06:11 -0400

Like cycling but want the workout of an elliptical trainer? ElliptiGO combines them with its odd, $1,950 contraption. The company says: The elliptiGO elliptical bike "Echo" prototype FROM DREAM TO REALITY Our dream has been to enjoy the experience of...

Bike buses coming

Mary Shanklin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:41:04 -0400

As part of the 350.org International Day of Climate Action on October 24, Florida Bicycle Association is teaming up with Central Florida Veg Fest, CommuteOrlando and Get Active Orlando to run “Bike Buses” from around Orlando to the festival at...

Riding v. Ritalin

Jeff Kunerth — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:02:38 -0400

The November issue of Bicycling Magazine has a story called “Riding is My Ritalin,” about how cycling can help control ADHD. The piece contends that "repetitive, brain-boosting sports" such as biking, swimming and running reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration...