Any hardware/EE people interested in this contest?

Google and Specialized are sponsoring a contest to come up with pedal-powered inventions. As of 11/28, it looks like there are only 12 entries.

I have an idea, but would need some help from someone more competent in electrical engineering. Any takers? evanspc at gmail...

Not NW (but not to be missed, either)

sister-city SF--see http://www.rockthebike.com

Man Bike Love

And the obligatory bike blog post of the month:

A man caught trying to have sex with his bicycle has been sentenced to three years on probation.

This is the bicycle in question. And as you can see, it is quite...um...attractive.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Report From Oregon Handmade Bike Show

The actual show was in a tiny building and elbow to elbow with cycling fanatics. Lots to drool over. From what we saw at the show, touring bikes are back in a big way (or maybe they've just been hiding out in Oregon). Lots of cool custom racks and beefy touring frames. Vaughn and I ended up mostly ogling from afar (and actually, a lot of the fanatics had ridden up on bikes that we ogled outside), as it was nearly impossible to get into the booths to talk with the builders. But it was the journey that made it super fun… great weather and great riding around the cycling mecca that is Portland. I’m pretty sure the New York Times will be contacting Vaughn and his wonderful family for their next piece on Portland’s cycling lifestyle ;)

In Portland, Cultivating a Culture of Two Wheels

NYT article
And Portland has transit too

Master Bike Plan Approved

Seattle City Council approved the Master Bicycle Plan today.

The MBP document is a behemoth, but here are some highlights that would improve my life:

• Install shared lane markings on 2nd Avenue and 4th Avenue to provide a north-south
  connection through Downtown Seattle (includes removing the existing bicycle lane
  on 2nd Avenue).
  
• Make wayfinding and spot intersection improvements on the West Seattle Low
  Level Bridge.
  
• Install bicycle lanes on Alaskan Way in Downtown Seattle (when Alaskan Way is
  reconstructed)
  
• Install bicycle lanes on Delridge Way SW.
  
• Install bicycle lanes, shared lane markings, and signs to improve the connections
  between Capitol Hill and the UW Campus.
  

Got Plans The Day After Thanksgiving?

From Aaron Goss:

Hot Stuff Cargo Bike Ride Buy Nothing Day: November 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 Noon
Meet at the Pike Place Pig. We leave by 12:30!

Meet at the Pike Place Pig

Our destination is Woodland Park (picnic shelter TBD)

Bring something hot to share. Bring cook stoves!

Look for Xtracycles, Trailers, Front Racks, Rear Racks, Panniers, Bakfiets, Porter Bikes, Messenger Bags, etc., however, this ride is for ANY KIND OF BIKE.

Cargo hauling is fun especially if you or your KIDS are cargo!

Aaron's Bicycle Repair has cargo bikes to loan! Please contact us to reserve a bike. (206) 938-9795

West Seattle Cyclist Shot with BB Gun

Man, this is getting nuts!

Seattle PI reports:

A West Seattle bicyclist is recuperating after someone shot him with a BB gun late Thursday on his regular commute home in what appears to be a random attack.

...

The BB pellets hit Peter McKay, 46, with such impact that one penetrated his left lung, releasing air into his chest cavity, and the second just missed his aorta and spinal cord.

Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show

Wow! So who wants to go? I know somebody in Portland who likes bikes :)

http://www.oregonbca.org/?page_id=25