8.25.2008
8.24.2008
Better Parking Policy
It could be coming to Philadelphia, according to this inquirer article. From every angle, driving is a classic example of what happens when individuals are not responsible for the marginal burden they put on the system. They rarely pay for their portion of road use, almost always have a free or government subsidized parking, and the cumulative effects of vehicle CO2 emissions are bourn by everyone in the world.
It's good to see some governments trying to take a proper accounting of the true costs of driving.
By the way, what is up with the inquirer website ads? They seem to be slowing down my computer to a crawl.
6.11.2008
SEPTA Dune Buggy
This was amusing on my way home from work. Suddenly enormous piles of sand have appeared around the neighborhood of South Street (it think it's related to the streetscape overhaul). This particular pile has spilled over into 4th street, requiring a couple of soon to be striking transit police to guide a bus through it. Oh yes, right through it. What a wild ride it must have been inside!
6.10.2008
More Miyata Titanium
Right after the bike race. I broke the law by wading into the Logan Circle Fountain, but on a day as hot as that, who would care?Notice that I've completed the transfer of components from my old Centurion. I also found a great deal on craigslist: an almost complete Shimano Sora component group (just missing the bottom bracket) for 60 bucks. Currently, the thing is sort of a Frankenstein hybrid - 600 calipers, cranks, and derailleurs; Dura Ace bottom bracket and hubs, some strange "T System 1" quill stem, an unidentifiable headset, narrow Nitto handlebars, and Sora shifters. The rims don't match either, and that's the thing that probably bugs me the most.
Meanwhile, the Centurion languishes in the basement, waiting impatiently for a summer resurrection that may never happen.
So far, I think I have spent around 500 dollars, which is way more than I wanted. I could not resist that frame, and now this bike has become something of a love object. And when you act out of love, any cost can be justified.
4.27.2008
Miyata Team Titanium!
The project that has been consuming virtually all of my free time is my new bike:
It's a 1992 Team Titanium Miyata. Miyatas are a casual cult bike. They were a Japanese bicycle manufacturer from the 80's and 90's that produced some very well regarded touring cycles. I saw this titanium frame on philadelphia craigslist, and could not resist. Look at that Titanium! Look at that red fork! Had my better judgment prevailed, I never would have bought it. I paid $200, which is sizable compared to my current salary, and I knew well in advance that although these frames were top of the line in their day, there's a good bit of evidence online that the bonded lugs are a weak point of the design.
The upshot is that if it does fail, the one person in the country who specializes in their repair is Harry Havnoonian, who currently runs his shop outside of Philly in Media, PA. I'm trying to carefully follow his instructions for treating the bonds well - 1. keep away from saltwater (not a problem right now) 2. don't mash down on the pedals 3. Make sure to use a rear wheel with a cassette, and not a freewheel. This last item I heard him say on a podcast interview. It makes sense - since the bearings on a freewheel are located further away from the ends of the axle, they put more stress on the bonded dropouts.
But anyway, the ride is beautiful. Titanium certainly has a different feel compared to steel, light and springy. The bike is lighter and more beautiful than any of my previous bicycles to date, except of course, for my strida.
Alright, here's a photograph from my bike ride today - Up to Penn Treaty park and back down via Fishtown and 2nd Street.
It's a 1992 Team Titanium Miyata. Miyatas are a casual cult bike. They were a Japanese bicycle manufacturer from the 80's and 90's that produced some very well regarded touring cycles. I saw this titanium frame on philadelphia craigslist, and could not resist. Look at that Titanium! Look at that red fork! Had my better judgment prevailed, I never would have bought it. I paid $200, which is sizable compared to my current salary, and I knew well in advance that although these frames were top of the line in their day, there's a good bit of evidence online that the bonded lugs are a weak point of the design.The upshot is that if it does fail, the one person in the country who specializes in their repair is Harry Havnoonian, who currently runs his shop outside of Philly in Media, PA. I'm trying to carefully follow his instructions for treating the bonds well - 1. keep away from saltwater (not a problem right now) 2. don't mash down on the pedals 3. Make sure to use a rear wheel with a cassette, and not a freewheel. This last item I heard him say on a podcast interview. It makes sense - since the bearings on a freewheel are located further away from the ends of the axle, they put more stress on the bonded dropouts.
But anyway, the ride is beautiful. Titanium certainly has a different feel compared to steel, light and springy. The bike is lighter and more beautiful than any of my previous bicycles to date, except of course, for my strida.
Alright, here's a photograph from my bike ride today - Up to Penn Treaty park and back down via Fishtown and 2nd Street.
2.23.2008
New Market Site
I support the Stamper Square proposal, the one proposed for the huge hole where New Market once existed, but I'm very skeptical that it actually will come to fruition. The opposition in the community is formidable, even if it is a minority. But even if it does get approval from the Society Hill Civic Association, I'm not sure their market timing could get much worse. I went to the public presentation at the old Pine Street Church the other night, and the developer said they were expecting to sell condos in the project for $950 a square foot. Is that possible? A million dollars for 1000 SF in Philadelphia? Sounds like this place will likely remain a hole for the next 5 years. 
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