HappyCamper

I really think it is a question of resource allocation: If cyclists represented 10% of the road population, then you would want to see them contribute 10% of the infrastructure costs. Maybe less than 10% to incentivize the riders. My slightly informed hunch is that most cyclists are contributing dollars well over and above the cost of their use. Local roads substantially paid by property taxes. Federal highways by federal funds (income tax). State gas tax isn't a gigantic funder of infrastructure. Most cyclists own cars and pay registration and gas tax anyway. Where is the big resource allocation for bikes? Paint, which arguably is something that had to be done anyway when the city repaints the lines for the roads.

I will try and get a couple personal biases out there first - I commute by bike in Seattle. But I also think there are some hysterical types among the Critical Mass crowd. And perhaps a degree of smugness too amongst the general cycling population - although the smug types are mainly the those that drink soy-mochas after riding 5 miles in their racing bikes to their closest free trade espresso joint, as opposed to the scruffy, maligned commuter types. Anyway, I think the idea of taxing cyclists is not a good idea and Vessley should have researched his opinion more carefully. You know, like maybe one of his reporters might have. I could blather on and on about the economics of it, but the bottom line is that in the City of Seattle, the majority of the road funds come from property taxes. I live in the city, own a home and yet use the roads in a less damaging way than cars. I also have a few cars registered (the horror!) and probably kick in for the roads through that. I also think Vessley's idea that buckets of dough are being spent on cyclists may warrant further review - they have painted a few lines here and there. Outside of the city, the same argument can be made (percentage of gas tax spent on roads is not as high as people think). Vessley should have come at it from a numbers standpoint instead of just firing off ill-informed bits, although I think the numbers do not lie. My fear is that a call to tax cyclists might get supported by state and local governments, not because they think that cyclists are over-using the resources (they probably know the reality), but because they think the voting public can be led to think that cyclists are over-using and will back the government's revenue increase. What government would say no to a tax increase backed by voters? I suppose I could also go on about how we should encourage more people to commute and such: less gridlock, Blah blah blah, global warming, blah blah blah. But mainly, I hate the idea that one more aspect of my life could be subject to some kind of registration. Quick Edit: While I know this is in spray - maybe not spraying on this post is a good thing. I think Fairweather has expressed a prevalent opinion. My goal is just to throw out the facts and prevail upon people to leave my bike alone and untaxed - maybe I am wrong - I do not think I am, but I sure as heck am not going to shoot the messenger. Although I am kind of torqued that Vessley would throw out some half-baked notion and people believe it since he is ostensibly a news guy.

You don't think there's any way I can get that quarter from underneath of your pointy boot, do ya? All I want is just one more oatmeal pie. Little Debbie, Little Debbie, I’m a comin’ on over, baby!

I think the Obama\McCain race will be interesting once Hillary drops out. McCain has said he would not go negative in his campaign. I suspect that given the harsh treatment he received from Bushie during the '00 primaries, he might well stick to that pledge. While I can't say for certain, my guess is that Obama might do the same. Could be wrong in either case, but it would be really really nice to actually have a campaign where two candidates treated each other with some degree of sincere respect and debated the issues. My sense is that the American public is damn near full of the slick rhetoric that passes for campaigning these days. Cheap platitudes ring hollow when the economy is wheezing along. Then again, I can't really recall a presidential race that didn't denigrate into some mud slinging. Pipe dream I guess.

mountain-biking. hills. lots of hills.

A little thread drift. This thread reminded me of a high school history teacher of mine that had a habit of inviting speakers into his classrooms. He got some serious flack for bringing in speakers from the Communist Party (this was Bremerton in the mid-80's) and another time a Christian minister to speak about creationism (I think there were others too). I suppose the most interesting thing to me about this is that the teacher said very little about why he brought the speakers in and during the talk he said nothing\asked nothing and let the students form their own opinions and ask questions of the speakers. Some agreed with the speakers, some did not and we had a great, respectful debate. The subject matter was almost beside the point. What was most important was that we were left to develop our own impression about the subject matter. I still appreciate now the fact that while I am pretty sure I knew which way the teacher leaned, he refused to influence the discussion and stayed out of it. It was not until well after high school that I realized the amount of crap my teacher had to go through with the administration to give us that experience. Thanks Mr. Sweet. It is a disappointment to me that nowadays inviting speakers from either end of the spectrum would likely not be possible in a public high school school.

Only one - on the trail towards Kendall Stump.

Bump. Anyone have the hybrid Beyond Fleece pants? Jay - sounds like you got someting like their Cold Fusion pants. Looking at something warm enough for some BC/glaciers/mild winter activities, but not too warm for spring and fall. Seems like Vayu Pant that has either Cold Fusion (WB-400) or Cold Play (Dry Skin Exreme) on the front and a less bomber/more breathable fabric for the rear might be a good mix. I'll probably give them a call, but thought I would see if anyone else had some experience.

With all the insiders info being passed around here, it seems like a good opportunity to ask where do you go on Friday nights now that the Boot Pub is closed? Is it true? Heading up there this next weekend and really like the uh, scene, there on Friday night. The last time we were there a group of swingers from Bellevue took to a full on mash fest/amateur strip show for the frothing crowd. Good times.

Haven't really tromped through Glacier much, but contemplated it. Check the Climber's Guide to Glacier Park by Edwards. It had lots of good info on peaks and trails - also try calling Rocky Mountain Outfitters in Kalispel.

Nashville Pussy And you will know us by the trail of dead

Great read! Favorite line - "I little voice inside of me whispered 'Must Not Spank.'"

You might also try posting on professorpaddle.com - probably some paddlers over there that are still heading north for runs.

Thanks for the info on the area. I only had a couple hours and was feeling a tad lazy - gave Kila a look-see - it was pretty crumbly, but being 15 minutes from a PBR at Mooses made it the winner. Got a guide book for the spot up 93 - will have to hit that for sure next time - looked like a pretty sweet area.

Going to be around there this weekend. Actually on the west shore of Flathead Lake - but close enough. I have the Edwards climbing book and am looking for something that will be a decent day climb (up to mid-5th class) - but not a serious pre-dawn to dark ordeal. Looked at Brown or maybe something up by Logan Pass (Clement?). Sounds like there might even be some cragging near Logans Pass - the Edward book references some cliffs nearby. Any crags near Flathead/Polson area? Anyone been climbing around there and have any suggestions? Seems like the climbs are all pretty chossy.

Never been, but I feel somewhat incomplete that I will not get the chance to catch a show at the CBGB (closing in a month). Being a Ramones fan - it would have been cool to see one of the haunts of early school punk. This of course got me thinking about cool shows that I would hit if I could go back in time: 1. Ramones at the CBGB at any time during the mid-70's. I saw them at the HUB in the 80's - can only imagine the raw energy in a dingy club. 2. Sex Pistols - San Antonio club - 1978. Interested not in the music more than the "WTF?" and riot that emerged after Sid began mis-behaving. I would prefer to be as far away from the stage and Sid's bass. 3. The Doors - when they were the house band at the Whiskey. I may be influenced by Oliver Stone's vision on this one. 4. Woodstock - The first one. Although maligned a bit now. I bet it was pretty freaking cool to be there - even better if I had my current cynical world view with me there. Boy, what I would give to see Sha Na Na there. 5. Nirvana at the Vogue. I am sure I would not appreciate this in the slightest without some sense of what they became - another loud thrash metal band (well, at least during the Bleach era).

I'd say there is some increase in Seattle-land via observations on the Dexter bike lane superhighway. The increase could also be as a result of more chat in town about biking to work (articles, water cooler chats, yadda yadda). People hear from others riding their bikes who lie about how great it is to get out there and then they start riding, then once they realize the truth, they lie to others too cause they spent way too much dough on the gear to stop. Kind of like Amway. I ride for the chicks mainly - nothing says cool like neon and spandex.

I bet it eases off after this stretch

I usually bring 20oz Stubais for moderate snow - the 6 points look pretty neat though. How did they compare traction wise from say a 10 point? How was it better?

Coolness. Eyed this as both a great multiday trip and a challenging single day. How much water did you bring? Refill along the way?

It wasn't too bad - maybe 2-3 feet at its deepest - a little pushy. There are some other crossing potentials upstream to choose from.

Yes - pretty filled in on the glacier right now. Would be a nice solo trip IMO. Side note: The sign in box mentioned a real big drop off in goats and asked climbers to report any - we didn't see a single one up there. Hadn't heard of this before - wonder what is up?

Climb: Sloan-Corkscrew Date of Climb: 7/24/2006 Trip Report: A couple of us decided to extend the weekend and go up Sloan via the corkscrew on a Monday. The temps were in the 90's in Seattle, so we figured it might be a sizzler. Actually, it stayed pleasant and there was a bunch of runoff on the glacier that we guzzled frequently and thus were able to keep our packs pretty light. The glacier is still pretty filled in. The ledges are free of snow. We made it in a little under 12 hours car to car. We had a pretty decent pace up (maybe .5 - .6 on the SkyKilo/TeleRoss scale) but took lots of breaks to drink water and take in the scenery. Here is the view leaving the trees: Heading up the glacier Looking back on the ledge - nice wide path, not so nice slip consequences. Summit Glacier Peak Gear Notes: Light boots, usual glacier gear (pretty solid bridges right now though), aluminum crampons Approach Notes: sandals for crossing the Sauk are good. The trail is a bit overgrown, but there is tape marking it.

"Sorry - is this the #58 bus to downto...."

Climbers v. Kayakers! This could be a great thread to keep the work avoidance going. Keep it coming. The insertion of some classism was a good idea. Still waiting for the "Quien es Mas Macho" part. Pretty soon someone will be writing lyrics evocative of Leonard Bernstein. Both groups carry knives - I smell a rumble.