1. Learn Stuff – A Cyclo-Cross Primer

Mud, snow, and sand. Cowbells, sweat, barley pops, and autumnal colors. There’s only one sport that can bring all of these elements together: cyclocross! Every fall, thousands of cyclists and tens of thousands of cycling fans prepare themselves for the fun and excitement that is the cyclocross season. Since its beginnings in the 1940s, cyclocross (CX or cross for short) racing has matured into one of the fastest growing segments of cycling in the US. It is most certainly a real crowd pleaser drawing hoards of racers and crazed fans into the cool, crisp autumn air.

Cross race courses cover grass, dirt, mud, pavement, sand, and sometimes snow. The looped courses are typically one to two miles in length and incorporate barriers, hills and stairs that require racers to dismount from their bike and carry them over the obstacles. The snaking turns and dramatic features of courses provide non-stop action for both racers and fans. In fact, fan support is part of what makes races so fun. There’s nothing quite like pedaling through a tunnel full of screaming, cowbell-wielding cross fanatics! Races are based on an overall time anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on category. Courses are typically held in public parks or lightly wooded areas.

Cyclocross started in Europe where it has remained popular. European races, especially at the professional level, have a feel similar to that of an NFL football game. Thousands of fans pay an entry fee and flock to their favorite riders for autographs. The world’s best CX racers are house hold names in Europe and can garner big salaries.

Racing at the national level in the U.S., while taken seriously, is much more relaxed than in Europe. Local races in the U.S. focus on introducing new riders to the sport and also provide competition for enthusiasts of all levels. There’s a wide array of ability classes (category 4 for beginners up to category 1 for professionals) and age classes within each category.

Generally, cyclocross-specific bikes have frames similar to road bikes, with mountain bike style brakes and narrow, knobby tires. For starters, a bike with the ability to run knobby tires will work just fine. Your local cycling club or bike shop is sure to have information about area CX practices, clinics, and race series. You don’t have to be a racer to enjoy the spectacle that is cyclocross. Many fans of the sport show up at the races to ring their cowbells, cheer on the riders, and enjoy a beautiful fall day.

2. Accessory Handbook– the Blaze 2 Watt Headlight

In our quest to develop the ultimate commuter light, we’re proud to introduce the sleek black Blaze 2w. It’s affordable, small enough to put in your pocket, and powerful enough to navigate city and rural roads at night. For added safety, we’ve added the eye-catching power of a Superflash blink mode.

3. Advocacy Update – City of Lights

The immigrant community in Los Angeles has a strong bicycle presence on the streets of LA. Nevertheless, there has been growing concern for these bicyclists’ safety because many immigrant cyclists are unaware of traffic laws and ride at night without lights.

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) launched the bi-lingual City of Lights pilot program in December 2008 with the goal to provide the L.A. immigrant population with bicycle lights and basic information in Spanish on safe and legal biking.

Planet Bike donated the first 100 lights to help the program get on its feet. With many lessons learned from the pilot, a second round was conducted in March 2009 in partnership with the Central American Resource Center’s (CARECEN) day laborer center. According to LACBC’s Urban Programs Coordinator, Allison Mannos, “Planet Bike's initial seed money and commitment to our campaign have helped us reach and empower some of the most passionate and underrepresented cyclists in Los Angeles.”

The program has been well received by the immigrant community, and LACBC is developing a bilingual version of the League of American Bicyclists' Traffic Skills 101 class. They are training bi-lingual volunteers from the community to conduct outreach at major destinations in immigrant neighborhoods.

4. Supercommuter - Lawyer Jim Freeman, Chicago, IL

A supercommuter rides through every season, in all types of weather, day and night. Choosing the simplicity, health and pleasure of bicycling, a supercommuter simply prefers to ride a bike to the grocery store, to work, to a concert or the cafe. Illinois native and Chicago resident Jim Freeman (aka Lawyer Jim) is no exception, and he has been riding on two wheels ever since he can remember. In 2005, he left his “big” law firm job with dreams of opening a small general injury practice. With a long list of cycling friends and acquaintances, word spread quickly, and Lawyer Jim was soon on his way to building a robust legal practice focused on defending and protecting the rights of Chicago bicyclists.

As Jim worked to get his new venture off the ground, he was determined to build his new practice at his own pace. To make ends meet, he remembers fondly working as a mechanic at Boulevard Bikes in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood and delivering Time Out Chicago magazines one day a week through three brutal Chicago winters.

Eventually his legal work picked up, and he was able to dedicate himself fully as the champion of the self-propelled.

Eighty percent of the cases Lawyer Jim’s firm now takes involve crashes involving bicyclists and motorists. Jim believes that being a lifelong cyclist allows him to “develop a case with a unique perspective and a tremendous strategic benefit for his clients.” In addition to representing bicyclists, he educates his clients with what he calls the “stupid standard.” “If you're going to ride at night you simply must have lights and reflectors. You want to have so many lights and reflectors that in a court of law the driver looks stupid when they say they didn't see you,” says Freeman.

Currently, Lawyer Jim makes his daily eight mile commute on his Bridgestone hardtail mountain bike. He is accustomed to temperatures near -20°F, Chicago snowfall, and fall and spring downpours. In addition, Jim maintains a website and blog – www.lawyerjimfreeman.com. It’s full of legal information regarding bicycle laws and safe biking tips.

If you would like to nominate a Super Commuter, please contact us at info@planetbike.com.

©2009 Planet Bike.