Just glancing through one of those Conscious Choice magazines commonly found in coffee shops and came across a cool article about musicians traveling around on tour by bicycle. Check out the full article here.

I love this perspective (emphasis and links mine):

But not the Ginger Ninjas. In April, this folk-ska band from North San Juan, California (fronted by Xtracycle co-founder Kipchoge Spencer) completed a fully pedal-powered tour of 5000 miles from Lake Tahoe to Chiapas, Mexico. The Ninjas’ tour — called Pleasant Revolution — included 80 dates. So did the Rolling Stones’ 2006 Bigger Bang Tour, but the tired supergroup’s tour also included 80 semi trucks, a jet plane and 37,000 barrels of oil — each incinerated, of course. The Ginger Ninjas, who employed a pedal-powered sound system at most shows, estimate they expended a third of a barrel of oil on their journey.

This issue of Conscious Choice also has a great interview with Michael Franti.

I don’t want to come off too negative about these new street features, but I am curious and suspicious at the same time. It does appear the DOT is attempting to accommodate cyclists, and honestly, that’s a good thing!

What features am I talking about? There are several throughout the city now. The one I noticed was just after crossing the Fremont Bridge on my way up to Queen Anne. Like it’s supposed to, it immediately caught my eye as I came off the bridge, a column of what looked like astro-turf crossing the street directly next to the crosswalk.

I saw this green bike lane appear this Friday past and took some photos of it Saturday morning. Already the gravel material they’ve used is separating from the lane; as would be suspected I think. Maybe this is part of the process and I’m just squawking early, but I’ve seen plenty of lane striping and other markings on the streets here in Seattle. Why isn’t that type of paint being used for these new bike symbols and other bike improvements? Those old bike lanes on 34th going into Fremont still have their bike paint holding strong; when were they painted? Probably when that street was paved (and that was a long time ago by the feel of it).

A disintegrating cyclist off the Fremont Bridge

It’s often said that the grass is always greener, perhaps so are the bike lanes. Portland has some awesome bike lanes, as well as bike boxes, and dedicated bike routes. It’s cool that Portland recognizes our attempts at improving cycling infrastructure. Seattle needs to take some more cues from our neighbor down there I think. Maybe at least get the name of their paint supplier.

Portland green bike lane. Photo compliments of peng1

Charles at the shop got his bike back a few weeks ago. We wanted to take a few more photos of it before we made the photo slideshow public. He’s pretty ecstatic; I’ve never seen him work so fast putting a bike together. My estimation would predict that he won’t be allowing too many people test ride it anymore.

Here’s the simple slideshow, yeah!

Charles, always serious….

Slideshow code compliments of Pictobrowser.

I received an encouraging bit of news I was forwarded by Jack whom I met at UBI, I’m not sure if he knew or not, but I rarely pick up Bicycling magazine, either way it was a good article to read. Bicycling has rated Louisville Kentucky the most improved city for cycling. I’ve read about some of what they mention in the article, it seems the city government there is pretty into it.

This is encouraging because my wife and I are planning on moving to Louisville. The question of bikeabilty is always a factor when moving to a new city, we’re both adamantly car-free and intend on remaining so. But still, why Louisville? Well, she’s been accepted to a Master’s program at the University of Louisville and frankly, we’re both excited for the change of scenery.

Photo compliments of mrquick

Kentucky, I haven’t hardly a clue of what to expect; it has never been a place I ever considered moving to. The only two things that it meant to me was bourbon—mmmmm, and a remembrance from the movie Last of the Mohicans, just by the way it’s name was mentioned. However, from what I’ve read here and through other internet research, we’re really looking forward to it; it sounds like things might be happening there, and maybe some things are actually getting done.

There’s some time before our departure, but either way, I’ll continue the Cranked blog.

There was a visitor in the shop today that wanted to put up some flyers and a poster for an upcoming play at the Seattle Public Theater in a couple of weeks. A play featuring some bicycle history intermingled in Irish history, from the perspective of a bike shop. Titled Spokesong.

Taken from the SPT website:

Spokesong will delight you and capture your imagination. Set in and around a bicycle shop in Belfast, this comic piece concerns Frank, the current operator of the shop founded by his grandfather. As his city in Northern Ireland becomes a war-zone, Frank dreams of peace through superior transportation: the Bicycle. Part romance, part blithe-spirited social history, part musical and, not least of all, part lament for the religious and economic strife that has torn Ireland apart for so many years.

I like theater and I like bikes. This sounds like a show that should captivate and entertain. Thanks for coming in Daniel and thanks for sharing!