joesacher.com

I have been asked many times why I wanted to ride a bicycle across the county. Having completed the trip, the question became easy to answer. It was not easy to answer before I left. My history started the same year as cross country ride. I am a bicentennial baby, born in 1976. This is the same year the Bikecentennial route was created. Thousands of cyclists rode across the country on that route, during that year. Many thousands more have crossed the United States on the same route since. The route is still maintained by the same organization with a new name: Adventure Cycling. Their maps are extremely helpful for the bicycle tourist and have kept the same basic route, with slight changes as roads are modified over the years.All of this is good and well, you say, but it still doesn’t answer the why. The truth is that I didn’t really know. I read a tour report on-line and thought it sounded interesting. Over the years it fermented into a strong desire. I wondered if this was something I could do. I started riding a Trek 520 touring bike in college. I was overweight. No nicer way to say it. Riding 50 miles in a day was a task. This wasn’t because I couldn’t physically do it, my butt just couldn’t handle the time on the bike. Yes, I had the real bike shorts. I tried three different seats. It just didn’t work. All season would be required before I could do two back to back 50 mile days. I couldn’t see myself riding across the country, when you are doing 50+ mile days every day. The idea was put on the shelf.
Read the rest of this entry »

For over 20 years, the American Diabetes Association has held a fund raising event that gives cyclists the chance to ride around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event
is called “The Smoothest Ride in the World”. The only thing required to participate is $35 in pledges, a human powered cycle of some sort and a helmet. It is the most diverse cycling event, with pace lines going for a sub 5 and a half hour century through weekend cyclists bringing the young kids to ride. The track is large enough to accommodate the variety. Each time around you just have to answer the question, “Can I ride another 2.5 miles?” With “pit stops” between turns 1 and 2, in the middle of the back straight away, and between turns 3 and 4, you are sure to be fully energized.
Read the rest of this entry »

This owner had motorized his BikeE as an attempt to stay close to much stronger riders on lengthy rides. The motor was sizable and could propel him along at speeds in excess of 30 MPH. All was well and good until… Well. He brought his bike in his dealer with a serious problem. It seems the chain had managed to jam in the sprocket assembly and instead of the wheels turning the bike was shortened in length.

You have to see these photos to believe the story:
Read the rest of this entry »