From jym at econet.org  Sat Mar 10 14:49:30 2007
From: jym at econet.org (Jym Dyer)
Date: Sat Mar 10 14:51:52 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] BOSTON-HERALD\Bike commuting? No sweat
Message-ID: <Jym.10Mar2007.45f3bac@econet.org>

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=186804

Bike commuting? No sweat
     By Darren Garnick/ Working Stiff
Boston Herald | Wednesday, 07-Mar-2007

Although the Ladder District's Ivy Restaurant doesn't brag about
it on its menu, chef Tony Bifano might have the most powerful
calves in Boston.

Bifano, regardless of the weather, makes a three-hour roundtrip
commute six days a week by bicycle. He wasn't motivated by the
new Al Gore documentary. Fossil fuel consumption and global
warming aren't on his radar screen. Bifano's purpose is more
primal: He can now eat as much Italian food as he wants.

"I can't get fat," he claims. "I'm on my feet another 12 to 15
hours a day and I don't get as tired as I used to."

Bifano recently cut his South Weymouth to Boston commute by 30
minutes each way by switching from a bulky mountain bike to a
sleek commuting bike -- essentially a lightweight road bike with
fenders and storage racks. _Wired_ magazine calls mountain bike
commuting the equivalent of "carrying around a 17-inch gaming
laptop as a PDA."

The chef agrees with the analogy, claiming his new wheels (a
Christmas gift from his boss) "make riding a bike uphill easier
than walking."

The cycling industry is trying to woo urban bike commuters with
high-tech $1,200 models featuring headlights that charge as you
pedal and thermal coffee mugs that clamp to the frame. Other
accessories include a dental-tool-sized mirror for bike helmets,
a bicycle garment bag that neatly folds over the rear wheel and
even studded snow tires.

At the Cycle Loft in Burlington, owner Jeff Palter says he's
noticing more customer interest in bike commuting, but admits
"it's a slower process than some of us would like. Some people
just aren't willing to stuff their suit in a bag and ride
downtown."

The Cycle Loft has forged a partnership with Sun Microsystems,
sending technicians to the company's Burlington campus to tune
up employees' bicycles on designated days. It also promises the
"highest priority service" to bike commuters, according to Sun's
internal company Web site.

Palter says about half of his 13 to 15 full-time employees
choose to bike to work. His shop has two showers and a changing
area, amenities that can tip the scales for any commuters
wavering between their bikes and cars.

Bike commuter Tim Pierce, a software engineer for Akamai in
Cambridge, has made his wish known for showers at work. But the
lack of facilities doesn't deter him from his "hybrid" journey.
Pierce drives 30 minutes from his Carlisle home to Arlington,
where he parks and takes his bike off his car rack. From there,
he pedals another 30 minutes into Kendall Square, saving about
$20 a day in parking fees.

He also saves valuable coat rack space at Akamai.

"I don't even wear a jacket in the winter. I find that if I wear
anything more than a T-shirt and sweatshirt, I get too sweaty,"
Pierce says, adding that he also rides at a "gentle pace" to
avoid showing up to work soaked.

"I wish more people did it," he adds. "It's much less
aggravating than sitting in traffic."

Cycling enthusiast Eric Miller disagrees, finding that his
potential for expressing road rage multiplies when he commutes
by bike. "Maybe because I feel so much more vulnerable out
there," he says.

For the past decade, Miller has been a curious roadside
attraction for Brookline and Brighton motorists -- primarily
because of his extremely low center of gravity. Before recently
relocating to Philadelphia, he rode a ground-hugging recumbent
bike to his software job at the Art Technology Group in
Cambridge.

Need a visual clue to jog your memory? He was the guy dressed
in neon with a bright orange flag and spinning windsock flying
above his rear wheel. (Miller will be bringing his bike back to
the Bay State in August for the Jimmy Fund's Pan-Massachusetts
Challenge.)

The fitness buff's paranoia about being seen by zombie motorists
seems justified. According to the Associated Press, the
California Highway Patrol issued citations to 510 drivers last
year for using a TV or computer monitor in the front seat. Last
week, a Honda driver died on California Highway 99 after using
his laptop seconds before crossing the center line and smashing
into a Hummer.

Once motorists do see Miller, though, they don't forget him.

"People either think I'm crazy or they get totally turned on by
the bike," he says. "It's almost like a religious thing."
From Randy_Ross at pcworld.com  Sun Mar 11 12:18:12 2007
From: Randy_Ross at pcworld.com (Randy Ross)
Date: Sun Mar 11 12:18:19 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Randy Ross/PCWORLD is out of the office.
Message-ID: <OF5E18AA2A.125C1221-ON8825729B.00598EDE-8825729B.00598EDE@pcworld.com>


I will be out of the office starting  03/07/2007 and will not return until
03/12/2007.

For home page questions, contact Anne McDonald. For downloads questions,
contact Bud.

From andytoomajian at hotmail.com  Sun Mar 11 12:21:25 2007
From: andytoomajian at hotmail.com (Andrew Toomajian)
Date: Sun Mar 11 12:21:32 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Randy Ross/PCWORLD is out of the office.
Message-ID: <BAY124-W5010408FCC5A3EDE57BF9CA97E0@phx.gbl>

We will miss you Randy!  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."    - James Baldwin  ________________________________________________________________________ Andy Toomajian  /  617.529.6204 mobile  /  10 Indiana Ave.  Somerville, MA > From: Randy_Ross@pcworld.com> To: list@bostoncriticalmass.org> Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:18:12 -0700> Subject: [*BCM*] Randy Ross/PCWORLD is out of the office.> > > I will be out of the office starting  03/07/2007 and will not return until> 03/12/2007.> > For home page questions, contact Anne McDonald. For downloads questions,> contact Bud.> > _______________________________________________> Boston Critical Mass mailing list> list@bostoncriticalmass.org> http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list> To unsubscribe email list-unsubscribe@bostoncriticalmass.org
_________________________________________________________________
News, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it now!
http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx
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From TSmith4918 at aol.com  Mon Mar 12 09:07:07 2007
From: TSmith4918 at aol.com (TSmith4918@aol.com)
Date: Mon Mar 12 09:07:15 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Randy Ross/PCWORLD is out of the office.
Message-ID: <d14.5a7272c.3326aa7b@aol.com>

the question is:  is this guy ever IN the office?
(but thanks for letting us know)
<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free 
email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at 
http://www.aol.com.
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From javashane at gmail.com  Mon Mar 19 15:51:55 2007
From: javashane at gmail.com (Java Shane)
Date: Mon Mar 19 15:52:06 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Volunteers needed for the Beanpot Classic!
Message-ID: <8f7aeb320703191251l3fc228d9y138b97b0f9a6601a@mail.gmail.com>

CALLING ALL CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS: MARSHALS NEEDED FOR BEANPOT 2007

What:
 - The 2007 Boston Beanpot Cycling Classic Road Race
 -Course Marshals are needed to direct cyclists along the course

Who:
 -The Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC)
 -The Host colleges' cycling teams (Boston College, Boston University,
Brandeis, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Tufts)
 -Cycling enthusiasts
 -Local residents
 -You!

When:
 -Saturday March 31, 2007
  -Either a morning or afternoon shift (the commitment is
approximately five hours)

Where:
  -Grafton, Massachusetts (just west of I-495 on the MassPike).
Transportation will be provided from Harvard Square
  -once in Grafton, Course Marshals will be provided with
transportation to their course locations and then back to the town
center (food will also be provided)

Why:
  -you once raced in the Beanpot
 -some of the racers are on your local team or club
  -you like cycling or want to learn more about it
 -you like the free food and fresh air
 -you want to help make the 2007 Boston Beanpot the best one ever!

   RSVP:
               - beanpot.volunteer@gmail.com



As temperatures plummet and snow begins to fall the last thing on the
minds of most Bostonians is the coming race season.  Not those on ski
slopes or ice rinks, but the collegiate cycling season.  Those
shivering pacelines, decked in their school regalia, drafting off
snowplows and salt trucks, are actually the first sign of one of East
Coast cycling's largest and most highly organized race weekends... The
Boston Beanpot !

The Beanpot has become legendary within the cycling community and New
England as a whole.   Not only for its events, courses and
competitors, but for its seamless preparation and execution as well.
The 2007 Beanpot continues in this tradition, but we need the support
of our fellow students, residents in neighboring communities, and
cycling enthusiasts to make this Beanpot a success... we need
volunteers to be Course Marshals!

Anyone who has spent time on country roads in New England knows how
winding and rolling they can be -- roads that make for a memorable
course, but that can be extremely difficult to navigate, especially at
high speeds.  This is where we need help: it is the Course Marshals
who direct the riders.  If you don't know whether to turn at the cow
pasture or stay straight, Marshals point the way.  If you're not
familiar with the course or the large pothole that awaits you as you
exit the next turn, Marshals steer you around it.  They are your
guides, your GPS, the people that allow you to focus on the race and
still take in some of the scenery.  They could be the difference
between a memorable race weekend or the one you lament for years to
come because you got lost and rode to New Hampshire.

Volunteering as a Course Marshal can be as memorable as being in the
race itself (and for those of you who are hoping to participate as
racers: you can do both!  Marshaling will not keep you from racing the
Beanpot).  Not only will you be out on the course close to the action,
watching the peloton break away or this year's top riders battle for
position on the last lap. You'll also know you are helping to keep one
of collegiate racing's most well orchestrated weekends just as
anticipated for years to come.

As critical a role as the marshals play, there is NO EXPERIENCE
NECESSARY.  Beforehand you are given a brief orientation of what is to
be expected out on the course. We will transport you from Harvard
Square to the course (Grafton) and provide you with lunch and
instructions that are specific to your assigned location.  You then
make yourself visible and gesture to the approaching riders where they
are to go. Extremely simple and extremely satisfying, having pack
after pack of frantic cyclists dependent entirely on your directions
to get them to the finish.

This is a great opportunity to give back to the Boston community and
collegiate sports culture. If you would like to volunteer as a Course
Marshal or would like more information, please contact us at
beanpot.volunteer@gmail.com .
From terra.curtis at gmail.com  Wed Mar 21 16:25:27 2007
From: terra.curtis at gmail.com (Terra Curtis)
Date: Wed Mar 21 16:25:35 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Ride for Climate Change
Message-ID: <5b51e2ed0703211325pf02f953gd7e798111afde40a@mail.gmail.com>

thought this might be of interest:

http://www.climatewalk.org/ClimateRescueBikeRide.pdf

-- 

--------------------------------------------------------------
check out what i'm doing next summer:
http://travellingterra.blogspot.com/
http://www.bikeandbuild.org/
From gobikey at gmail.com  Sat Mar 31 11:23:50 2007
From: gobikey at gmail.com (dillweed)
Date: Sat Mar 31 11:23:56 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] March 30 ride and accident
Message-ID: <1fb706c10703310823t6b6e0dbcl160243271c2e6148@mail.gmail.com>

hi all.  i'm dillweed, the guy with the camera and goofy green hat on the
last ride.  i will post some of the pics i took soon.

did any of you witness the "accident" with the extremely aggressive driver
that intentionally plowed through the cyclists here?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=left+hand+turning+lane+heading+NE&sll=42.344621,-71.130681&sspn=0.021474,0.057335&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=19&ll=42.334178,-71.090003&spn=0.001342,0.003583&t=h&om=1


there was some damage to my bike that i have yet to have estimated.  i would
like to hear from anyone else who was either physically hit or who are
willing to give their number as a witness on my report.   i have pictures of
the car and license plate.  ; )

-- 
    -   __o
--    _ \<,_
  -  (_)/ (_)
-
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From dulles at artifex.org  Sat Mar 31 18:50:17 2007
From: dulles at artifex.org (Aaron Dulles-Coelho)
Date: Sat Mar 31 18:50:22 2007
Subject: [*BCM*] Paul Revere says "Impeachment is Coming"
Message-ID: <ea08400a0703311550o145c988exe46698771d483294@mail.gmail.com>

Hi folks,

I'm working with a coalition of several groups on a protest for April
28th, which is being designated as the national impeachment protest
day. We're going to have a town crier and judge on Sam Adams sq.
(Faneuil Hall) call a crowd to order, and hold a public impeachment
ceremony against Bush and Cheney. We're lining up some speakers and
artists as well! It's looking to be a good event. It is being billed
as a people's impeachment by public proclamation.

My query to the group: since April critical mass is on the 27th, would
anybody like to join us in calling out, as we ride, "impeachment is
coming! impeachment is coming!" "a28.org!" "a28.org!' ? We're
presenting a sort of historic/revolution-era spin on our protest, so a
Paul Revere style thing seems perfect!

I don't want to go politicizing critical mass or anything, but if
there's folks who are interested or have some feedback and concern,
e-mail me off list?

Aaron

ps:
More info will be available at a28.org and mass-impeach.org

The groups that have signed on are Impeach for Peace, Bostonians for
the Overthrow of King George, Veterans for Peace, CODE PINK, Raging
Grannies, and World Can't Wait
