darren is Not Going Back @bikepedantic@transportation.social
Bikes and stuff. Widow, dad, taking it bird-by-bird.
So many things are improved by 🦪,🚲, & 🪕.
Just me, very much not my employer. Opting in to be searchable via #tootfinder. #fedi22
Joined Feb 2023
I want to buy basically this exact bike (Gen1 GSD in blue) someday, and won’t consider this one, please clap
Had your 1st Gen Tern GSD in classy blue stolen somewhere near Brooklyn? Here’s one with fork mounted backwards, and no keys or charger, for $2185 from someone called “Shifty” (really) https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/810276823940594/
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
👋 Hello! Looks like quite a few more people are coming here as part of a #TwitterMigration. Welcome to the #fediverse!
GBH News is a PBS/NPR station in #Boston, MA. We start the day with a news roundup and a lighthearted poll. #introduction
Are you a #journalist? I wrote Mastodon 101 for Journalists which you can find here: https://lisawilliams.github.io/lisa/tech/2022/11/28/mastodon-101-for-journalists.html
(for those of you who have been here a minute...I'm looking to update that. Suggestions welcome!) #journalism #news
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
Hello Mastodaoine! The prodigal has returned to give the elephant another shot. The bluebird is finally dying a well-deserved death...
I struggled a bit with the culture the first time, but I'm happy to try again.
Forgive me my trespasses, please.
PPS: approximately 25” saddle-to-pedal, and 29” saddle-to-ground, with seat post all the way down.
So again, lots of flexibility for shorter riders to get comfortable, though reach to handlebars might be an issue if your saddle has to be that low.
A few more details:
*There is a larger, top-tubed model offered that’s intended for folks over 5’8”.
*Both it and the step-thru are offered in silver, which I prefer to the white, should have ordered in silver.
*This deal is order-online but ship-to-store only. And Ocean State Job Lot is (AFAIK) a northeast-US-only thing. Other online retailers seem to be selling these Bird Bikes too tho.
https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/birdbike-a-frame-ebike-gravity-gray/product/287786
Unique: the min-max seat heights are really low. For a 6-footer like me, I’m uncomfortable riding as is, will swap on a (common) 27.2 longer post. I’ll just have to ride (checks notes) literally any other bike sold in the US.
For a 5-footer, the US bike market has neglected you. This bike gives you a useful range of seat heights, a step-thru frame, and reasonable 26” wheels (not 700c wagon wheels). Consider it! (end)
Cons: Front hub arrived free of grease. Front brake is mildly rubbing. Weird clicking in crank/BB/pedal region, I suspect belt alignment. No gears, but with the motor and that single gear being a good around-town 68ish gear-inches, it’s a meh con. No frame-mounts for a front rack (I LOVE frame mounted front racks).
Pros: Gates centertrack drivetrain! Smooth pedal-assist! Nice fenders and lights! Straightforward assembly. Classy looking. All things big and little scream $1500 bike, not $500. (2/x)
Quick assembly/ ride-round-the-block review of the Bird ebike that I bought for $1k at Job Lot, and comes with a $500 gift certificate. So $500 net!! Still available! 1/x https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/birdbike-v-frame-ebike-glacier-white/product/289210
but what if you need to buy a giant dehumidifier off craigslist for your moist basement
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
You know the group who sued #CambridgeMA, asking the judge to remove every bike lane in the city?
Their leader, Joan Pickett, is running for city council.
If you want to ensure our streets keep getting safer and more sustainable transportation, today (and every day, really) would be an excellent day to donate to the Cambridge Bicycle Safety IEPAC: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cambridge-bicycle-safety-independent-expenditure-political-1
Best brewpub in Camberville that’s not Winter Hill?
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
In the US, the majority of pedestrian fatalities occur on arterial roadways. A recent Federal Highway Administration Global Benchmarking Program report documents innovative Australian and New Zealand approaches to reduce pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries on urban, signalized arterial roadways. Findings include approaches in policy, planning, and design that may be applied to US arterials roadways.
https://international.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/mrp/docs/FHWA-PL-23-006.pdf
Today’s lunchtime ride was an invigorating sprint up the Minuteman to drop off a cranky six-year-old’s lunch that we left in the fridge this morn
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
Boston peeps: There will be a COVID-safe (masked, vaccination required, no COVID symptoms) screening of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" at West Newton Cinema at 10am on Sunday, July 2. You need to reserve and pay in advance. DM me your email if you want to attend and I'll send you details.
@universalhub #CovidCautious #Boston #BostonMA #movies #SpiderMan #Newton #NewtonMA
darren is Not Going Back
boosted
I am happy to sit 8 feet from you and force you to return my greeting, old man.
Probably not an original thought….
…but I think those people love front setback mins because they don’t want to be compelled to interact with porch-sitting neighbors who are sitting to close to the sidewalk to ignore.
Bikes and stuff. Widow, dad, taking it bird-by-bird.
So many things are improved by 🦪,🚲, & 🪕.
Just me, very much not my employer. Opting in to be searchable via #tootfinder. #fedi22
Joined Feb 2023
