Christmas Eve Surley Hauling Trailer and Family

Photo compliments Dr. Wels

Dad's visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/kirkjohnsonster/DadS2009DecemberVisit#

Johnsons Hanging Out

Halloween 2009

Old Time Lunch

For fun I packed a lunch containing old-time favorites for a few co-workers that also had the same memories...

If it ain't fixed, it is broken

Great ESPN article

Grateful Ted Party

A friend got a new job. And celebrated "Grateful Ted" style. Fun party!

New Light

Thanks for the tip, Mike M.

Basement Vacation Week

Here are highlights from my vacation week :-)

Photo source link if slideshow below doesn't appear: http://picasaweb.google.com/kirkjohnsonster/August2009VacationWeek

Replace a Car with a Big Dummy?

Yes. It can be done. I received this question from the west coast:

"Kirk, greetings from Bainbridge Island, WA. I'm thinking of investing in the Surly Big Dummy to fulfill my experiment of not driving for one year. Any advice you would give to someone starting to spec out components?

I've got two kids to haul (age 6 and 2) + in-town runs to the grocery, hardware store, and book store."

My advice would be:

1. Invest in a pair of Footsies (shown) from Xtracycle for your older child or any passenger
2. Add a handlebar on the seat post (not shown) so that your passenger can hang on
3. Include a passenger trailer (such as a Burley) for your 2 year old
4. Of course, the standard Xtracycle bags and snap deck (shown in the picture) are ideal.
5. Be sure to be visible -- I use a variety of lighting, reflective vest, etc. and even a Down Low Glow light which is beautiful and functional.
6. Consider a trailer and trailer hitch from Bikes at Work (here are pictures of our big trailer from last year. I collaborated with them on a project to develop the first Big Dummy-specific hitch, and I now have a long trailer bed that supports 300 pounds -- some pictures of using that hauling mulch.
7. Have a good gear ratio that goes to a faster spin for going up steep hills -- you will appreciate that when fully loaded.
8. My setup includes disk brakes which I love -- great all year around and even when icy or wet.
9. The other accessory that I like is the "TrayBien" which is also shown as I hauled my Surly Steamroller to downtown Minneapolis for a software vendor to ride with me (he was visiting from North Carolina).

Think it is expensive? Far less, compared to the ownership costs of an average car, which in most studies (one from AAA linked here) exceeds $7,000 PER YEAR. And that is not considering the environmental cost to manufacture the car, ship it, and all the emissions that will be spewed, the demand for gas/oil and the political and social impacts from all that...

The whole Big Dummy with extras can be $3000, and in my case much less because I purchased many used parts. One on One Bicycle Studio in Minneapolis put together the majority of my rig and they did an great job.

I'm going on 3 years without a car and 16 months with a Big Dummy. I can easily say that the Big Dummy, a REAL sports utility vehicle, is an excellent substitute for a car. Pictured with this blog is a photo from my sister of Alex and me after a ride to downtown Minneapolis. I like the image because it is about the family, not so much about the bike. The bike is part of our lifestyle, but it is just a tool. We've used the Big Dummy to haul, play polo, go camping, go to coffee/restaurants, and just go out on a cool summer evening ride. I've had up to 7 people on the bike with the various trailers and can say that it has been a huge benefit to our family.

So, S.J. and anyone thinking of going this route, I can't offer enough encouragement or support. Contact me if you have more questions or if you can at least let me know how it is going after a while. I predict you'll want to continue the "experiment" for more than a year.

NYC Favorites (So far...)

Mat

Alex and I met Mat tonight after Alex's lesson at MacPhail. Visit BicycleLaneIndustries.com for more info. We loved the bike and were hoping we'd meet its owner. Turns out he is also the creator. I'm inspired.

Capella Cruisers

Alex the Diver

Bike Mosaics

These are nearly-complete mosaics that are ready for finishing and installing. Ideas include working with consulting from Mosaic-on-a-Stick, the Edina Art Center, the Bike Edina Task Force, and the City of Edina to complete and install these, perhaps in the Promenade area and other places in Edina where residents can enjoy these.

The mosaic project was started with the Community Design Group while beginning work with residents at open houses/public gatherings at events at City Hall and at the 2007 Bike Rodeo sponsored by Catherine Elliot for her Girls Scouts Gold Award project.

There are approximately 6 - 10 mosaics ready for finishing.

Aliya Graduation 2009

Click to see larger images.

Edina to Greenway May 2009

Thanks to Marsha B. from Edina Community Ed, Hiawatha Bicycle Club, Bike Edina Task Force, and all the 17 riders...we enjoyed a great trip from Edina City Hall to the Midtown Greenway. This is a trip we may like to repeat at least yearly.

My favorite part of the event was hearing comments from some riders that live in Edina yet had never found a good route to get out to the Greenway, which is nicely accessible and not too far from Edina.

Don's Party

I wish I had my better camera and that I took better pictures. But here is what was available! Fun party even though I lost at foosball and got partway through the table tennis tounament, losing to Don 23-25 or something like that. Close game! Alex enjoyed Bourne Identity and all the great food.

Riding with Scott

Here are a few pics of our after-work adventure.

May 30th Community Ride -- Join Us

Bike Parade Pics

Thanks to Edina Morningside Rotary and dozens of partnering organizations! Photos compliments Bike Edina Task Force.

Bike to Work Day 2009

Visit my previous post for the map, setup, etc. Here are our pics :) It was a great ride!

Boulevard Plantings

Good idea for areas that get too much salt/sand in the winter.

My Little Dummy

Look closely -- that David in the bag. He hitched a ride home after getting a haircut at 50th & France.

First Braces

Timeline

Another Basement Idea

Concept for architect Bill Michels

May 14th Bike to Work Day

Join me and the group -- first time bike commuters ESPECIALLY welcome!

So far: Bob A., Amy C., Ted D., Todd B., Kirk J., Troy J. Maybe: Marty M. Others? You're invited!

Meet: 6:30 a.m. in parking lot across from Starbuck's (also by Breadsmith and Lund's) near 50th & France in Edina. We'll leave by 6:45 a.m. sharp, but please don't plan to show up exactly at that time!

Ride: The route mapped below, ideal for new riders (low traffic)

Pace: We'll take a medium pace, which is an average of 12-14 mph. We can adjust according to the group's needs, but I'll stay with the slowest person. This is not a race, obviously, so we'll take it easy.

Duration: The ride should take about 35 - 45 minutes.

Destination: Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.

Questions? Contact Kirk Johnson, ride leader. Kirk.Johnson@LoganLogic.com or 612-916-9966.

Time Summary:
Meet at Starbucks (50th & France) – 6:30AM
Depart Starbucks – 6:45AM
Arrive Calhoun Village – 7:05AM (brief break, others may join us)
Depart Calhoun Village – 7:10AM
Arrive Government Center – 7:30AM - 7:40AM

Pose Challenged

No prob!

Florida Vacation 2009

Click the slideshow for source options.

Alex Birthday 14 Years Old

Alex enjoyed his cards from his family, aunties/uncles, and grandparents. He received a fishing vest and hat from G&G Rich, a nice card and cash from G Johnson, a weekend trip to NYC in June during the Bicycle Film Festival with dad, a date to go bike shopping (not buying yet), a 3D globe puzzle (which he finished in one night), a 3D Empire State building model, and dinner at Big Bowl with the family & MW.

Such fun! Alex has had a good year at school and recently completed a whole season as a new guy on the diving team.

Poster Framing

Hoping to get this numbered print framed this year...

Some Winter & Ski Pics

Davey

Fireplace Before and After

Check out GN Wooodcrafters. I highly recommend this woodworking company. Greg was prompt with all his services, created the new fireplace mantel according to specs, and produced high-quality results. You can contact Greg via the website above.

(Click images to see larger version.)

Designs So Far

Parking & Bike Lane Discussion for West 70th Street

The main article I wrote is here:

http://tcstreetsforpeople.org/node/675

Basement Remodel Ideas

For working with Bill Michels, architect (this is not HIS work...his is much better!).

Bedroom NE corner: With the stairway gone in the upper right, there is room for a decent bedroom, assuming I can re-located laundry, tub, and water softener to the left so it is near the other utilities. A disadvantage is that there is duct work running along window wall.

Bedroom/office NW corner: Re-located closet opening to make an optional bedroom, office, eating, or exercise room. Horizontally-running duct in center of room reduces the space.

Kitchenette: A kitchenette is shown. Bath: Stays existing location.

Flooring: I found a good bamboo flooring product from Cali Bamboo that is 3/8" thick and environmentally produced/manufactured: I could see that in all the areas except the lower right storage area and mechanical area.

Family Room: With the fireplace done, that space is an ideal area for recessed audio equipment with access in the main room. I drew shelve/cabinet units flanking existing doorway to the storage area.

Heating/AC: I still don't know about heating/AC; furthermore our existing unit is on its last leg. I am open to replacing it with a similar kind but sized for the addition or something else.

Alex Completed First Year of Diving

Thanks to a great coach, pictured with Rick. And friend Sam. The other parents and kids involved in the program made this a wonderful first sports season for Alex.

New Game

Thanks to B&G P!

FP Design

FP Idea

(By the way -- Bike Edina blog posts have moved to http://tcstreetsforpeople.org/node/494 )

Happy Birthday Karen

One day late! If this were a card, the cover would say:

Your birthday wish has come true...