back to bike shopping....
Fri Mar 27 23:33:49 EDT 2015
It's been 3 months of bad weather for test rides, but the bike shopping has been kicked up a notch. I've finally contacted Robert Matson of NYC Recumbent Supply, and he got back to me very quickly. He was appreciative of the research (aka shopping) I've already done, and he agreed with my conclusions. I have Monday off, so I'm taking Megabus to NYC Sunday and visiting my friend elissaann, whom I haven't seen in years. ☹ I'll see Robert Monday morning, do some test riding, and very likely order a(n?) HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx. It will be a custom order, and will probably take about 5 weeks to arrive, and then I'll need to make another trip to NYC.
Today's time on the Internet, opening up Firefox enough to peruse megabus.com and greyhound.com and order tickets (and then do a little Woot! shopping, while I was at it) has left the browser unusable. I'm going to be quitting (or possibly, killing ☹) Firefox soon and restarting it.
Megabus' site says they don't allow bikes (no signs of exemptions for folding bikes), so that trip will probably be on Greyhound. I would guess that Greyhound's buses with one level of seating have far more cargo room underneath than Megabus' double-deckers.
Saturday 16:21
I guess something's been fixed in Linux/Ubuntu. Since I don't have a convenient printer, I wanted to copy the Megabus reservation confirmation from my laptop to my Kindle. That would be much easier to pull out for boarding. I have an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Server application on the Kindle. With that I could transfer the file over WiFi. "App exipred" [sic]. "The app is exipred, please update first [OK] [Cancel]". I tried uninstalling it and re-installing it; still "exipred". I tried installing 3 newer FTP-server apps. They install, they run, my laptop can connect, but I can't list directory contents or copy files - the main things one would do with an FTP app. I can change directories, if I can guess where I am and what directories are available from there. (Wandering blind.)
Next approach: USB. I had to install an application for that too, if I recall correctly. (Looked back through old notes. It was gMTP v1.3.4 (Media Transfer Protocol), installed on the laptop.) Here's hoping that still works. I connected a USB cable between them, and Ubuntu just opened a file-browser window with a disk icon for the Kindle. Now "it just works." Perfectly normal navigation through the Kindle's filesystem, and drag-and-drop from one to the other. I've got the reservation confirmation; addresses, phone numbers, and subway directions for my contacts in NYC, and the HPV Grasshopper owner's manual (PDF) copied over to read on the road.
Why isn't there some way to know in advance which way is going to be easiest? Last time I did this, USB was much faster than WiFi, but the gMTP interface was cumbersome, and connections were fickle. WellFTP was slow, but clear enough. And slow wasn't a problem for 1 2-page document.
Saturday 19:34
I just registered for Bike to Work Day, May 15. I don't think I've ever registered this early. I've seen/heard no mentions of it yet.
I don't see my usual bicycle convoy, from McLean to downtown, listed. Maybe the list isn't complete yet. Maybe the ride leader has changed jobs or retired. ☹ Hmmm, all the convoys are listed as "not yet confirmed for 2015."
There is a newish convoy #9 from North Arlington to Falls Church to Tysons Corner. That's kinda sorta my old commute after we moved to the house. It starts from the Rosslyn bike counter (Rt 29 and Lynn St), which I pass now on my alternate (all-paved) route.
Some years I've ridden with my convoy just as far as Rosslyn and then turned back to work, and some years I've gone all the way downtown. When I changed jobs (4+ years ago) I was working later and my commute was longer, and I just couldn't manage to get up early enough for BtWD. Last year was the first time I was actually working downtown, but (a) it was pouring rain, and (b) I was working overnight before Bike-to-Work Day, so I wasn't going to come in with them anyway. I ended up taking a bus from my office to the rally, and I was one of the few people with an umbrella.
I got some mail today for my 40th high school reunion. It's May 1st weekend, and anniemal was planning to be at the hippy farm for Beltane. I don't think she'd find my classmates that interesting, anyway. I don't see anything on the schedule involving the Girls' School. One of the things I liked best about the last reunion I went to was a long chat with someone I was rather sweet on. (She moved to NC; I should visit her on one of my trips to Mom's house.) There's activities Thursday evening and Friday, but I don't think I'd bother taking time off for work, so I'd do just some of the things on Saturday.
That weekend is also the National Cathedral's annual spring Flower Mart. (The schools are associated with the Cathedral.)
Sunday 12:03
I'm on the bus to NYC. Apparently the separate bus station, 2(?) blocks north of Union Station, is no more. Greyhound, Bolt, Peter Pan, and others were all here with Megabus at Union Station. This makes much more sense for connecting between buses, Amtrak, and Metro. The neighborhood between the train station and the bus station was pretty sketchy, and I think most people would be uncomfortable making that walk, and even moreso after dark. On the downside, everyone is standing around in outdoor temperatures waiting to board. Greyhound was the only line I saw with a ticket counter, enclosed. (Peter Pan probably uses it; Megabus and Bolt probably do all their sales on line.) It wasn't too cold today, but it could be much worse, and summers can't be too nice either.
I wasn't watching my watch, but I don't think we left at the scheduled 11:30, but I don't think we're running late, either - things seemed to be going normally, and no one was hurrying. There's a lot of empty seats (up top at least). I could have put my other bag on the seat next to me. We stop in Newark, Del, so there could be more people getting on there. I'm sitting on the upper level, and it's interesting being able to see over things - even over other buses. There is WiFi, but it doesn't seem to be useful. The laptop connected to the local network, but the browser isn't loading anything. ☹ That means I won't be able to send/receive email either. The ride is bumpy enough that it's difficult to type; I keep missing the keys I want. The power socket next to me does work, so I can charge the Kindle. (It was charged last night, and I left it sleeping, but it was nearly dead this morning. ☺ I guess some apps don't sleep?) There's only 1 socket though, so I can't plug in the Kindle and the laptop both, and I'm glad I'm not competing with a seatmate.
We're taking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295). I seldom drive this route.
[12:23] We're in Baltimore, heading for the newer tunnels under the harbor.
Sunday 13:39
We're at the University of Delaware. This is the driver's first trip, and we made a wrong turn; had to back up to turn around. The WiFi still doesn't seem to be getting any data.
[13:55] Still at UDel. The internet is working now. Apparently I needed to visit a Megabus page to accept their terms and conditions, and streaming services are blocked. The redirect didn't happen on the CGoaB page I was trying to load as my connection test; showed up when I tried google.com.The Megabus WiFi Zone blocks streaming services such as Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu, YouTube, WatchESPN, and other similar streaming sites.
[14:49] There was a backup on I-95 approaching the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I guess it's a regular thing. It was worse when I drove up this way in December to see the Azub bikes. We're on the NJ Turpike now, way south where it's still just 2 lanes each way. (That's still hard to get used to after living farther north for so long.)
[14:46] I think we hit a bird. They're probably not used to vehicles this tall. ☹
The driver made a brief stop at the next rest area to check for damage from the bird. Apparently they are accustomed to this.
[16:23] Traffic's getting backed up again. We're going through NJ's wetlands and we can see Manhattan. I don't think I've been here for more than 15 years.
Monday 00:50
elissaann and I had dinner at "the oldest working bar in NYC", the Ear Inn. They have live music 3 nights a week - a jazz quartet Sunday nights. The Ear-Regulars are trumpet and guitar with varying bass players and a varying 4th instrument. They take a break after the first set, and more musicians join in for the 2nd set. By the time they were done there were 10 - upright bass, guitar, 2 trumpets and (I think) a flugelhorn, 3 trombones, and 2 saxaphones. Elissa's contra-dancing friend Olivia joined us, but didn't stay for the 2nd set. The music was pretty awesome.
We've worked out the directions to Robert Matson's. It's an easy ride with one train change. Buying the MetroCard was not difficult. The card itself costs an extra dollar (on top of the fair) to encourage people to reuse them instead of throwing them away.
Monday 19:44
I slept fine and woke rather late. A quick breakfast of toast and OJ. Off to see Robert Matson, later than planned, but no navigation problems. He provided me a helmet and a jacket, and I had my own gloves and mirror. (That was hard to pack!) We got organized and took the bikes out. I was on an HPV Grasshopper fx, and he was on an HPV StreetMachine Gte (similar to the 2 bikes I tried in November). We rode the loop around Prospect Park a couple of times, which gave me a good feel for the bike. Most of the way to/from the park was on a bike trail, but the last block back we used a service road with parked cars - no traffic, but I could see how the bike would sit in traffic. (I think it's a bit lower than my Vision R40.) He showed me the folding hinge and lock mechanism; very solid/secure. We spent some time going over the options, and considered a few that weren't on my list before. This is an expensive bike, but it's going to be really, really nice.
We were still chatting at 14:00. I missed the 15:00 bus back from NYC, and the 16:00, and just missed (by 1) stand-by for the 17:00, and I'm on the 18:00. Probably arriving around 22:30, which may be a problem for catching a bus after taking the Metro from Union Station to Ballston.
The outlets on the left side of this bus aren't working, but my laptop's cord reaches across the aisle.
Monday 23:14
I'm home. The connections at home were close, but worked out. The Megabus got to Union Station before 22:30. I went to the Metro station quickly, and caught the next Red train with a short wait; Silver train from Metro Center after a short wait, and arrived at Ballston 3 minutes before the next-to-last bus. The bus was a couple of minutes late, which isn't such a bad thing when the next bus (the last bus) is scheduled 55 minutes later.
Saturday 19:36
So, I'm paying - um - a lot for this bike. But I can justify it as basic transportation costs. Because I do bike to work, and have done so for years, so this isn't just rationalizing. Taking the Metro to work is $3.60 (off peak, $4.45 peak) each way (and could increase; it has already in the past year). 3 years of that (even taking out 3 weeks of vacation/year and two weeks of holidays) is almost exactly what the bike costs.
I'll admit I don't bike to work every day. If it's wet or too cold I take the Metro. Some days I work from home. And sick days. But I'm also not driving to work either, so less money spent on gas, PARKING, car maintenance, and insurance. Certainly 4 or 5 years of bike commuting would make it a wash. Plus better physical health, and a better attitude - at both destinations.
Most drivers don't really think about what they spend getting to and from work. We did all think about it when our office moved downtown, and most people were not happy about it. A few left. The most obvious downside was adding $10-15/day for parking. ($15/day for the office garage would pay for this bike in 2 years 17 months.) All but a very few would be driving farther, and all of that distance would be congested - more gas, time, and aggravation.
[This entry was originally posted as https://syntonic-comma.dreamwidth.org/729956.html on Dreamwidth (where there are
comments).]
It's been 3 months of bad weather for test rides, but the bike shopping has been kicked up a notch. I've finally contacted Robert Matson of NYC Recumbent Supply, and he got back to me very quickly. He was appreciative of the research (aka shopping) I've already done, and he agreed with my conclusions. I have Monday off, so I'm taking Megabus to NYC Sunday and visiting my friend elissaann, whom I haven't seen in years. ☹ I'll see Robert Monday morning, do some test riding, and very likely order a(n?) HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx. It will be a custom order, and will probably take about 5 weeks to arrive, and then I'll need to make another trip to NYC.
Today's time on the Internet, opening up Firefox enough to peruse megabus.com and greyhound.com and order tickets (and then do a little Woot! shopping, while I was at it) has left the browser unusable. I'm going to be quitting (or possibly, killing ☹) Firefox soon and restarting it.
Megabus' site says they don't allow bikes (no signs of exemptions for folding bikes), so that trip will probably be on Greyhound. I would guess that Greyhound's buses with one level of seating have far more cargo room underneath than Megabus' double-deckers.
Saturday 16:21
I guess something's been fixed in Linux/Ubuntu. Since I don't have a convenient printer, I wanted to copy the Megabus reservation confirmation from my laptop to my Kindle. That would be much easier to pull out for boarding. I have an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Server application on the Kindle. With that I could transfer the file over WiFi. "App exipred" [sic]. "The app is exipred, please update first [OK] [Cancel]". I tried uninstalling it and re-installing it; still "exipred". I tried installing 3 newer FTP-server apps. They install, they run, my laptop can connect, but I can't list directory contents or copy files - the main things one would do with an FTP app. I can change directories, if I can guess where I am and what directories are available from there. (Wandering blind.)
Next approach: USB. I had to install an application for that too, if I recall correctly. (Looked back through old notes. It was gMTP v1.3.4 (Media Transfer Protocol), installed on the laptop.) Here's hoping that still works. I connected a USB cable between them, and Ubuntu just opened a file-browser window with a disk icon for the Kindle. Now "it just works." Perfectly normal navigation through the Kindle's filesystem, and drag-and-drop from one to the other. I've got the reservation confirmation; addresses, phone numbers, and subway directions for my contacts in NYC, and the HPV Grasshopper owner's manual (PDF) copied over to read on the road.
Why isn't there some way to know in advance which way is going to be easiest? Last time I did this, USB was much faster than WiFi, but the gMTP interface was cumbersome, and connections were fickle. WellFTP was slow, but clear enough. And slow wasn't a problem for 1 2-page document.
Saturday 19:34
I just registered for Bike to Work Day, May 15. I don't think I've ever registered this early. I've seen/heard no mentions of it yet.
I don't see my usual bicycle convoy, from McLean to downtown, listed. Maybe the list isn't complete yet. Maybe the ride leader has changed jobs or retired. ☹ Hmmm, all the convoys are listed as "not yet confirmed for 2015."
There is a newish convoy #9 from North Arlington to Falls Church to Tysons Corner. That's kinda sorta my old commute after we moved to the house. It starts from the Rosslyn bike counter (Rt 29 and Lynn St), which I pass now on my alternate (all-paved) route.
Some years I've ridden with my convoy just as far as Rosslyn and then turned back to work, and some years I've gone all the way downtown. When I changed jobs (4+ years ago) I was working later and my commute was longer, and I just couldn't manage to get up early enough for BtWD. Last year was the first time I was actually working downtown, but (a) it was pouring rain, and (b) I was working overnight before Bike-to-Work Day, so I wasn't going to come in with them anyway. I ended up taking a bus from my office to the rally, and I was one of the few people with an umbrella.
I got some mail today for my 40th high school reunion. It's May 1st weekend, and anniemal was planning to be at the hippy farm for Beltane. I don't think she'd find my classmates that interesting, anyway. I don't see anything on the schedule involving the Girls' School. One of the things I liked best about the last reunion I went to was a long chat with someone I was rather sweet on. (She moved to NC; I should visit her on one of my trips to Mom's house.) There's activities Thursday evening and Friday, but I don't think I'd bother taking time off for work, so I'd do just some of the things on Saturday.
That weekend is also the National Cathedral's annual spring Flower Mart. (The schools are associated with the Cathedral.)
Sunday 12:03
I'm on the bus to NYC. Apparently the separate bus station, 2(?) blocks north of Union Station, is no more. Greyhound, Bolt, Peter Pan, and others were all here with Megabus at Union Station. This makes much more sense for connecting between buses, Amtrak, and Metro. The neighborhood between the train station and the bus station was pretty sketchy, and I think most people would be uncomfortable making that walk, and even moreso after dark. On the downside, everyone is standing around in outdoor temperatures waiting to board. Greyhound was the only line I saw with a ticket counter, enclosed. (Peter Pan probably uses it; Megabus and Bolt probably do all their sales on line.) It wasn't too cold today, but it could be much worse, and summers can't be too nice either.
I wasn't watching my watch, but I don't think we left at the scheduled 11:30, but I don't think we're running late, either - things seemed to be going normally, and no one was hurrying. There's a lot of empty seats (up top at least). I could have put my other bag on the seat next to me. We stop in Newark, Del, so there could be more people getting on there. I'm sitting on the upper level, and it's interesting being able to see over things - even over other buses. There is WiFi, but it doesn't seem to be useful. The laptop connected to the local network, but the browser isn't loading anything. ☹ That means I won't be able to send/receive email either. The ride is bumpy enough that it's difficult to type; I keep missing the keys I want. The power socket next to me does work, so I can charge the Kindle. (It was charged last night, and I left it sleeping, but it was nearly dead this morning. ☺ I guess some apps don't sleep?) There's only 1 socket though, so I can't plug in the Kindle and the laptop both, and I'm glad I'm not competing with a seatmate.
We're taking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295). I seldom drive this route.
[12:23] We're in Baltimore, heading for the newer tunnels under the harbor.
Sunday 13:39
We're at the University of Delaware. This is the driver's first trip, and we made a wrong turn; had to back up to turn around. The WiFi still doesn't seem to be getting any data.
[13:55] Still at UDel. The internet is working now. Apparently I needed to visit a Megabus page to accept their terms and conditions, and streaming services are blocked. The redirect didn't happen on the CGoaB page I was trying to load as my connection test; showed up when I tried google.com.The Megabus WiFi Zone blocks streaming services such as Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu, YouTube, WatchESPN, and other similar streaming sites.
[14:49] There was a backup on I-95 approaching the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I guess it's a regular thing. It was worse when I drove up this way in December to see the Azub bikes. We're on the NJ Turpike now, way south where it's still just 2 lanes each way. (That's still hard to get used to after living farther north for so long.)
[14:46] I think we hit a bird. They're probably not used to vehicles this tall. ☹
The driver made a brief stop at the next rest area to check for damage from the bird. Apparently they are accustomed to this.
[16:23] Traffic's getting backed up again. We're going through NJ's wetlands and we can see Manhattan. I don't think I've been here for more than 15 years.
Monday 00:50
elissaann and I had dinner at "the oldest working bar in NYC", the Ear Inn. They have live music 3 nights a week - a jazz quartet Sunday nights. The Ear-Regulars are trumpet and guitar with varying bass players and a varying 4th instrument. They take a break after the first set, and more musicians join in for the 2nd set. By the time they were done there were 10 - upright bass, guitar, 2 trumpets and (I think) a flugelhorn, 3 trombones, and 2 saxaphones. Elissa's contra-dancing friend Olivia joined us, but didn't stay for the 2nd set. The music was pretty awesome.
We've worked out the directions to Robert Matson's. It's an easy ride with one train change. Buying the MetroCard was not difficult. The card itself costs an extra dollar (on top of the fair) to encourage people to reuse them instead of throwing them away.
Monday 19:44
I slept fine and woke rather late. A quick breakfast of toast and OJ. Off to see Robert Matson, later than planned, but no navigation problems. He provided me a helmet and a jacket, and I had my own gloves and mirror. (That was hard to pack!) We got organized and took the bikes out. I was on an HPV Grasshopper fx, and he was on an HPV StreetMachine Gte (similar to the 2 bikes I tried in November). We rode the loop around Prospect Park a couple of times, which gave me a good feel for the bike. Most of the way to/from the park was on a bike trail, but the last block back we used a service road with parked cars - no traffic, but I could see how the bike would sit in traffic. (I think it's a bit lower than my Vision R40.) He showed me the folding hinge and lock mechanism; very solid/secure. We spent some time going over the options, and considered a few that weren't on my list before. This is an expensive bike, but it's going to be really, really nice.
We were still chatting at 14:00. I missed the 15:00 bus back from NYC, and the 16:00, and just missed (by 1) stand-by for the 17:00, and I'm on the 18:00. Probably arriving around 22:30, which may be a problem for catching a bus after taking the Metro from Union Station to Ballston.
The outlets on the left side of this bus aren't working, but my laptop's cord reaches across the aisle.
Monday 23:14
I'm home. The connections at home were close, but worked out. The Megabus got to Union Station before 22:30. I went to the Metro station quickly, and caught the next Red train with a short wait; Silver train from Metro Center after a short wait, and arrived at Ballston 3 minutes before the next-to-last bus. The bus was a couple of minutes late, which isn't such a bad thing when the next bus (the last bus) is scheduled 55 minutes later.
Saturday 19:36
So, I'm paying - um - a lot for this bike. But I can justify it as basic transportation costs. Because I do bike to work, and have done so for years, so this isn't just rationalizing. Taking the Metro to work is $3.60 (off peak, $4.45 peak) each way (and could increase; it has already in the past year). 3 years of that (even taking out 3 weeks of vacation/year and two weeks of holidays) is almost exactly what the bike costs.
I'll admit I don't bike to work every day. If it's wet or too cold I take the Metro. Some days I work from home. And sick days. But I'm also not driving to work either, so less money spent on gas, PARKING, car maintenance, and insurance. Certainly 4 or 5 years of bike commuting would make it a wash. Plus better physical health, and a better attitude - at both destinations.
Most drivers don't really think about what they spend getting to and from work. We did all think about it when our office moved downtown, and most people were not happy about it. A few left. The most obvious downside was adding $10-15/day for parking. ($15/day for the office garage would pay for this bike in 2 years 17 months.) All but a very few would be driving farther, and all of that distance would be congested - more gas, time, and aggravation.
[This entry was originally posted as https://syntonic-comma.dreamwidth.org/729956.html on Dreamwidth (where there are
comments).]