Mobiky Genius Photos

Despite the cold, overcast weather, I've shot some photos of the Mobiky Genius. I'll be posting them to RideTHISbike.com shortly along with the review. Here's a teaser for now...

Mobiky Genius Story Temporarily Delayed

I'm finally getting back to the review I had planned to publish on Friday about the Mobiky Genius. Frankly, it's been a wild weekend.

The Mobiky arrived after dark late Thursday evening. The bike unpacked quickly and without issues; however, I wanted to examine the bike in daylight before taking a test ride. Friday morning, the mercury hovered at 18 degrees fahrenheit so I decided to wait till the afternoon for warmer weather. By 2pm, it was still just 24 degrees but I was determined to ride. I bundled up, went out into the brilliant sunshine and pedaled away.

Tackling Midtown Memphis' slight hills on the 3 speed Genius was more work than I anticipated but not much different from the ride of any other 3 speed. Given the Mobiky's 12" wheels, I was happily surprised by the Genius' surefooted handling. Naturally, small potholes or bumps were more harsh than on a standard bike but the ride was neither twitchy nor shaky. Coasting downhill, the Genius gained velocity but it's obviously not designed for building speed.

Where the Genius excels is in mobility & convenience. The Genius is smaller than your typical room radiator when folded; yet, it can still be rolled. Thus, you can push it along as if you were walking a regular bike except the Mobiky takes up far less space (and turns on a dime). This means that you could roll it onto an elevator and down the hall to your office, your apartment, etc. (if bikes are barred from your building, just bag it and tote it along). Regardless, the result is unprecedented access and speed in a metropolitan environment. In other words, faster commutes with less time needed for running errands.

As with all things, the Mobiky has its pluses and minuses. Priced at $1000, some that would want this bike will think twice before buying it. To be sure, there are other folders that appeal to the same market but cost less (for example, the Giatex). Nevertheless, if you want a unique, high quality, pocket bike to ride on short commutes and errands, this is a fun bike that will do the job and get you lots of admiring looks.

About The Photos...
Until my wife started having preterm labor contractions yesterday morning, I had fully expected to shoot photos of the Mobiky Genius in action. When I get a break from running back and forth to the hospital, etc., I will shoot the photos and upload them. Hopefully, this will happen in the next few days; however, babies have a habit of being born on their own schedule. Please stay tuned and thanks for your patience.

Regards,
Larry Lagarde

Mobiky Genius Is Truly Rad!

Fedex just dropped off the new Mobiky Genius folding bike I've been waiting on since Thanksgiving. Since I just took the bike out of the box, here are some details and first impressions.

What's A Genius
The Genius is a brand new type of folding bike that made its debut at the 2005 Interbike bicycle trade show this past September in Las Vegas. What sets this bike apart is a unique and patented folding design. When folded, the bike takes up minimal space; yet, the Genius opens to full size in seconds. In fact, within 5 seconds of having it out of the carry bag, I had unfolded the bike without either instructions or assembly. Cool.

Folding Details
The frame unfolds in a scissor like fashion. Both the seatpost and the handlebars telescope out via quick releases; however, the handlebars are hinged so they can also be rotated in for a closer fold. Folding pedals, an integrated, front disk brake and protective carry bag round out the package.

Appealing Looks
When it comes to looks, the Genius will put a grin on anyone's face. Mobiky USA offers the bike in five different color schemes; this one is silver with red accents and looks really sharp. Neat finishing touches to the bike include routing the rear brake and shifter cables through the frame, a foam padded handle on the frame to move the bike about when folded (as well as to help fold the bike) and padded foam handlebar ends.

Handling
The tires are tiny at just 12 inches so it will be interesting to see how the bike handles on the street. I'll save that report and photos for tomorrow.

LL

Memphis Newspaper Article About The Mississippi River Trail

A story on the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) appears in today's issue of the Commercial Appeal (the major newspaper in Memphis, TN). Titled "Let's get wheels turning for MRT", this article written by John Nelson highlights some of the benefits that the MRT offers as well as the challenges faced by the Trail regarding routing issues. It's a well balanced article that's worth reading.

The complete article can be found here:
Let's get wheels turning for MRT

By the way, the story also mentions the Bikes For Katrina project that I'm coordinating...

Bike PGH Update... More Bikes For New Orleans?

David at Bike PGH just emailed the following to me:

We spoke with our Free Ride! people, and they told me that you left a message on the machine - thanks. We are holding several bike build-a- thons over the coming weeks to get bikes ready for giving to local children and adults who cannot afford bikes. We may be able to build more bikes than we can give away, and in that case, we can always send more down to Plan B. Why don't you check in with us in a couple of weeks?

Naturally, I'll be back in touch with David to see if they were able to come up with more bikes for Katrina victims.

If you have a bike you no longer ride, don't let it sit collecting dust. Donate it to someone that will put it to use. Chances are, at least several Katrina families are in your town and could put those wheels to good use.

LL

Bikes From NYC For Katrina Victims

About a week ago, I received this email regarding Bikes For Katrina. According to the message, they have bike mechanics in New York City that are ready to travel down to New Orleans but need cash to do so. Since I cannot fund their project and since they're not part of one of the bike coops, I was hesitant to promote them. Nevertheless, not promoting them could also mean that a great volunteer offer was lost. Therefore, I leave it in the hands of my readers.

Below is the message I was sent. If, after reading it, you feel you'd like to help them, then go for it!

Regards,
Larry Lagarde

MESSAGE TEXT FOLLOWS...

Hello my name is Kevin Stewart, I'm a courier in Philadelphia, and also a
volunteer at the Neighborhood Bike Works. Jimmie at the bike works gave me
your contact info. Some friends of mine in NYC have organized this trip to
New Orleans, and we need to raise some money. Below you will find most of
the information that we have to date. If you are interested in helping, or
have any information on anyone who might be, you can contact me at
5tew4@phillybma.org  thank you for your time.


New Orleans Bike Build Project
Please make a donation to New Orleans Bike Build via Reycle-A-Bicycle. Help
us raise $13,750 to send 10 volunteer mechanics to New Orleans and put 350
bicycles back on the streets.

Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in the history of
the United States. One of the many consequences was the destruction that
crippled the entire city of New Orleans. A group of volunteer bicycle
mechanics has formed (Dec 1-7) to offer assistance on the New Orleans Bike
Build Project. A bicycle is an efficient and sustainable form of
transportation. We want to give the people the tools to help themselves and
to aid in New Orleans's reconstruction.

A local New Orleans non-profit bicycle project, Plan B (
http://planb.bikeproject.org/), received donations of over 600 used bicycles
for residents adversely affected by the hurricane. Plan B is a community-run
bike project that functions as an open workspace for bicycle repair as well
as a bike shop that sells recycled bicycles. Its building remained intact,
and volunteers are struggling to refurbish the large volume of donated bikes
to put back on the street as quickly as possible. The majority of these
bicycles are not in working order and require an average of 2 hours/bike to
make them safe. As bikes are completed, they are offered to the people of
New Orleans for a nominal fee of $15.

Our mechanics are taking time off from work, and donating their time to help
Plan B meet its mission. We estimate that each mechanic will repair at least
5 bikes per day. If we raise enough money to send 10 mechanics, we will be
able to repair 350 bicycles for the people of New Orleans. The cost of
sending each mechanic to New Orleans is $500 for travel and food. We hope to
raise $25/bike to cover the cost of repair materials. This sets our total
budget at $13,750. Please help the New Orleans Bike Build Project reach this
goal with a non-profit donation through the Internet or by mail at the
address noted below. Your support is tax-deductible.

Please donate through the Network for Good (
www.networkforgood.org) When you get to
the web site (
www.networkforgood.org ) search for:
RECYCLE-A-BICYCLE INCORPORATED . Recycle-A-Bicycle (
recycleabicycle.org)
is a NYC non-profit that is serving as the fiscal conduit for New Orleans
Bike Build.

Alternatively, make checks payable to: Recycle-A-Bicycle, and mail to:
Recycle-A-Bicycle
New Orleans Bike Build
55 Washington Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Thank You,
Jared Krumrine
nyny_to_nola@yahoo.com

Update on the Mississippi River Trail

Thanks to Kiril Kundurazieff, the Cycling Dude, I was invited by Terry Eastin, the Executive Director of the 2000 mile Mississippi River Trail (MRT), to attend the annual meeting of the MRT's board of directors & to participate in their round table discussions concerning the MRT's future, a future that is bright indeed.

Not only is the MRT creating a new and exciting website, the MRT is also (among other things) spearheading the String of Pearls project to promote growth and awareness of trail projects up and down the course of the Mississippi River. For example, one portion of the project known as a Pearl In The Rough concentrates on redeveloping the MRT in the New Orleans area. Given New Orleans' flat and compact layout and that the city is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, this project could make a major impact on improving the local quality of life.

The MRT has asked me to come up with 3 ways that I can help promote and develop the trail both for today and for future generations. As step one, I've created a Yahoo Group to serve as a discussion forum and information archive that further leverages the power of the Internet for trail advocates and users. The group is open to everyone; users can opt to be notified whenever new topics or posts are added or can opt out at any time.

To join the MRT's Yahoo Group, visit...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mississippirivertrail/

The MRT's website address is http://mississippirivertrail.org

Best wishes,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com

Derailer Bike Collective Help For Katrina Victims

Last week, I reported on RideTHISbike.com about bicycle advocacy groups around the country that are donating and distributing used bicycles to Katrina victims that lost their means of transportation as a result of the Hurricane. Earlier today, I received an update from Chris at the Derailer Bicycle Collective in Denver regarding their project to send bikes to Katrina victims in New Orleans.

Following are the 3 stages of the Derailer Bicycle Collective's project to help Katrina victims:
1. Build up as many bikes from our shop as we can afford in terms or our own resources (volunteer and material).
2. Drive a bus packed with the bikes and whatever else as well as volunteer bike mechanics down to New Orleans.
3. Spend a week or so helping distribute and build up bikes (the timeframe for the trip is early to mid December).

The Derailer Bicycle Collective is a purely non-profit, 100% volunteer run organization that offers a variety of cycling related services in Denver absolutely free of charge. The Collective's operating budget is derived completely from community donations and is comprised of roughly a whopping $150 per month; yet, the Collective manages to send out 100 bikes a month and helps repair twice that amount to those who need it.

As you can imagine, the Derailer Bicycle Collective is stretched thin for volunteers and resources already so their project to help Katrina victims is truly awe inspiring. Any help that folks can offer to the Derailer Bicycle Collective would be greatly appreciated.

Great Bikeways In Minnesota

Special thanks to Michelle Natrop of the Minnesota Office of Transit for submitting the following info regarding noteworthy bikeways in her state (which I've supplemented w/additional info).

State Trail Overview Map (pdf file)

Mesabi Trail
132 mi (97 miles paved) rail trail that zig-zags up, down and through the Mesabi Iron Range, around piles of taconite tailing and ore, through pines and poppy fields with few houses and little highway noise.

The Gateway State Trail is a 18.3 mile long multiple use trail starting in St. Paul. This paved trail cuts through a cross-section of urban areas, parks, lakes, wetlands and fields in Ramsey and Washington Counties.
http://www.gatewaytrailmn.org/
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/gateway/index.html

The Heartland State Trail was one of the first rail-to-trail projects in the country. It is a 49 mile multiple use trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/heartland/index.html

The Paul Bunyan State Trail will be a 110 mile long multiple use trail between Brainerd/Baxter and Bemidji. Currently, 74.5 miles of the trail is paved. The remaining 35.5 mile section is undeveloped with variable surface material ranging from the original railroad ballast to sand.
http://www.paulbunyantrail.com/
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/paul_bunyan/index.html
http://mnbiketrails4.1upsoftware.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=17&TM=58091.75

The Willard Munger State Trail consists of 63 paved miles that connect Duluth and Hinckley. This trail also consists of the Alex Laveau Memorial Trail, a16 mile route that combines an off-road paved trail, and paved shoulders to connect New Duluth and Gary, and the Boundary segment, a 80 mile natural surface trail used primarily for snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking.
http://www.munger-trail.com/
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/willard_munger/index.html

The Root River State Trail is a 42 mile long multiple use trail meandering through the quaint and picturesque rural communities of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston, and winding along the Root River on an abandoned rail bed.
http://www.rootrivertrail.org/
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/root_river.html
MNbiketrails.com's trail description

Harmony/Preston Valley Trail
12 mile rail trail through hills, woods and tall grass prairie with great views; connects to the Root River Trail.

Lake Wobegon Trail is a 46 mile long, paved trail extending from the city of St. Joseph to the city of Sauk Centre. The trail also has an extension on the west side of Albany heading northeast to Holdingford.
http://www.lakewobegontrails.com/
http://mnbiketrails4.1upsoftware.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=15&TM=58072.1

Midtown Greenway is a nonstop bicycle highway and walking path in Minneapolis parallel to and north of Lake Street. When completed, the Midtown Greenway will connect the Chain of Lakes with the Mississippi River.
http://www.midtowngreenway.org/

Central Lakes Trail
55 mi paved rail trail along I-94 in Central Minnesota.

Bike Routes/Rail Trails Status in Tennessee

Tennessee offers 5 official bike routes that primarily run along state highways. Today, I received the following update from the Statewide Bicycle Coordinator for Tennessee concerning the status of trails in the state:

We are developing some rail trails now but I do not have any in mind that are open at this time.
Our five main bike routes posted on the internet may be some that you could direct folks to use as part of this project. Here is the link:
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/bikeped/routes.htm

This is the only method I have for this information now. I have given out all the other bike maps of these routes.

DAVID A. UTLEY, BS, CTE
Statewide Bicycle Coordinator &
Statewide Pedestrian Coordinator
The Future Begins Here !

David A. Utley
505 Deadrick St.
Suite 900 James K. Polk Bldg.
Nashville TN 37243-0334
(615)253-2422 Office

Trails in Nebraska

NEBRASKA TRAIL WEB SITES
(State Agencies & Trail Organizations)
Thanks go to Ron Schlautman (Bike Coordinator for the state of Nebraska) for the following fine links to bikeways in the state.

Nebraska Dept of Roads
Click on “Hiking/Biking” which has bicycle and trail information, Plus the Nebraska Bicycle Guide Map.

Nebraska Game & Park Commission
Click on “Guides” and then click on “trails guide”

Nebraska Game & Park Commission's 320 mile COWBOY TRAIL

Other sites at the Game & Park Commission
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/guides.asp

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/trails/findtrails.asp
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/trailplan/trailplan.asp

Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Division of Tourism

Lower Platte South NRD
MoPac East Trail and Oak Creek Trail, Homestead Trail & Platte River Connection
Click on “Recreation”, “Trails”, and then trail maps.

PAPIO – MISSOURI RIVER NRD
Omaha trails

Nebraska Trails Council

The Great Plains Trails Network
Trail Maps

Cycling the Delaware Water Gap

I've been busy driving between New Orleans & Memphis, trying to juggle post hurricane cleanup with work and family responsibilities. As a result, finding time to cycle has been difficult so the ride reports I planned to write are still just that - plans. Gladly, RideTHISbike.com visitors are submitting useful info about riding in various regions of the country.

Here are some relevant links & info that I received from Georgi Offrell at Back of the Moon B&B about cycling in the Delware Water Gap region in Pennsylvania.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/countryman/bik_nonj.htm
This trail is particularly nice. Many people start it up in Dingman’s Ferry, PA.

http://www.vitullibikes.com/
This site offers resources for both road cyclists & mountain bikers. Maps to trails are on the premises, so you’ll need to call to get one. Speak to “Maria” at 570-424-1163.

http://www.loftsports.com/home.htm
This is the “young, extreme, hip-type” place. It used to be a very upscale Ski Shop… now it’s a very upscale outdoor sports shop. According to John Riley at Loft Sports, their "entire staff all know about the (mountain bike) trails” in the area. They also have maps and would be able to send you some. Call Brad Sweeney, John or Ben at 570-629-2627 for more info.

Rebuilding New Orleans: Address Essential Quality Of Life Issues First

Mayor Nagin's suggestion of adding more land casinos is an example of the tremendous pressure local officials are under to rebuild New Orleans as fast as possible. Now more than ever, we must resist development that will detract from the long term growth of the community and focus on the huge quality of life issues that have restrained our city's growth for so long.

If New Orleans is to recover and prosper, people must have a reasonable expectation that staying in New Orleans will lead to a better future. This can only happen by creating a more appealing urban living space where commercial, educational, residential and green spaces come together. For the city is to thrive, neighborhoods must be rebuilt as little villages where residents can meet most needs without additional travel.

Besides updating neighborhood zoning rules, it is essential to offer reasonable transportation alternatives such as improved public transportation and safer conditions for traveling by bicycle or on foot. If we address these pressing issues now, the pain and distress of Katrina will be the catalyst for a metropolis that others could only dream of, a place with a sustainable, stable engine for growth, prosperity and personal well being.

If you want to see things happen, do something. It all starts by talking with family, friends and neighbors. Our community's future depends on it.

Respectfully,
Lawrence L Lagarde III
RideTHISbike.com

Project Update: Bike Friendly Lodging

While the recovery from Hurricanes Katrina & Rita continues in my hometown, the Bicycle Friendly Accommodations Directory project at RideTHISbike.com has grown rapidly. Over 100 bicycle friendly inns have been identified in Canada and the USA and more bike friendly accommodations are being added daily. It has been a joy watching this unique, eco-tourism project take off; however, we have a long way to go. Help us keep the momentum going!

The only way this grass roots effort can succeed is by input from ecotourists like you... If you have heard of an inn that caters to cyclists, TELL ME regardless where the accommodations are located. I'll do the rest.

Thanks for stopping by the blog and please tell at least one friend about the project to identify bicycle friendly accommodations and the best places to go bicycling!

Best wishes,
Larry

Rita To Make Landfall In Lake Charles @ Midnight

Providing that Hurricane Rita does not deviate from its current track or speed, the storm should make landfall between 11 PM and 12 AM in the Lake Charles area near the Louisiana-Texas border. The storm surge may cause flooding in Abbeville and Morgan City; hopefully, the levees protecting the Westbank of New Orleans will hold.


NWS BULLETIN
HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 25...CORRECTED
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
4 PM CDT FRI SEP 23 2005

AT 4 PM CDT...2100Z...THE HURRICANE WARNING SOUTH OF SARGENT TEXAS HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO TROPICAL STORM WARNING. A HURRICANE WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM SARGENT TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA EAST OF MORGAN CITY TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEARL RIVER INCLUDING METROPOLITAN NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN... AND FROM SOUTH OF SARGENT TO PORT ARANSAS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 4 PM CDT...2100Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 28.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 92.6 WEST OR ABOUT 155 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TEXAS AND ABOUT 140 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PORT ARTHUR TEXAS.

RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH. ON THIS TRACK...THE CORE OF HURRICANE RITA WILL MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND UPPER TEXAS COASTS NEAR DAYBREAK SATURDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 125 MPH...205 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RITA IS A STRONG CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE LANDFALL...BUT RITA IS STILL EXPECTED TO COME ASHORE AS A DANGEROUS CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 85 MILES...140 KM... FROM THE CENTER... AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES... 335 KM. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO SPREAD INLAND AS FAR AS 100 MILES NEAR THE PATH OF RITA. AN ELEVATED STATION AT MARSH ISLAND LOUISIANA RECENTLY REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 59 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 78 MPH.

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY A NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 930 MB...27.46 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 15 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS... LOCALLY UP TO 20 FEET AT HEAD OF BAYS AND NEARBY RIVERS...WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. TIDES ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING ABOUT 2 FEET ABOVE NORMAL ALONG THE LOUISIANA...MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA COASTS IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY KATRINA. TIDES IN THOSE AREAS WILL INCREASE TO 4 TO 6 FEET AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE WAVES...AND RESIDENTS THERE COULD EXPERIENCE COASTAL FLOODING. LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY RITA WILL LIKELY AFFECT MOST PORTIONS OF THE GULF COAST.

RITA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES OVER SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS AND SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA AS IT MOVES INLAND. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA INCLUDING METROPOLITAN NEW ORLEANS WITH ISOLATED HEAVIER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. SINCE RITA IS FORECAST TO SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER MAKING LANDFALL...TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS LOCALLY IN EXCESS OF 25 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS ACROSS EASTERN TEXAS INTO WESTERN LOUISIANA.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE TODAY OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS...SOUTHERN LOUISIANA INCLUDING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA.

Louisiana Bears The Brunt Of Hurricane Rita

As Hurricane Rita nears landfall further east than previously predicted, residents in Texas are breathing a sigh of relief as folks in southern Louisiana hunker down.

Somewhere between Lake Charles and Lafayette, Rita will cross the Louisiana coastline before sunrise on Saturday, flooding broad, low lying areas and causing significant destruction in oil field towns like Morgan City and Houma. Additionally, New Orleans is likely to experience flooding in areas previously untouched by the storm surge of Hurricane Katrina.

Propelled by hurricane force winds, a dangerous storm surge is building through the Barataria Estuary to the back doors of neighborhoods on the Westbank of the Mississippi River. Loss of coastal wetlands have added to the area's vulnerability, accellerating the speed and impact of storm surges into bayous and canals that eventually empty into the Gulf of Mexico.

Areas at great risk include Westwego, Marrero, Harvey, Gretna, Belle Chasse, Algiers, Port Sulphur, Luling and Des Allemands. Additionally, I expect the storm surge to flood US 90 between Des Allemands and Thibadoux, further isolating the region.

Hopefully, the storm will quickly degrade and move out of the area but forecasters say it will stall and remain for days, deluging the area with additional flooding due to heavy tropical rain squalls.

New Orleans Floods From Another Storm Surge

For the second time within a one month time span, New Orleans is flooding. This morning, levees that were breached by Hurricane Katrina began to fail again as tropical force winds pushed a storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) and into the Industrial Canal.

Authorities can only watch helplessly as water pours into sections of the city that had just been pumped dry several days ago. Officials expect the floodwaters to continue to rise to the same devasting levels of Hurricane Katrina.

Undoubtedly, the combined flooding of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will rekindle debate regarding whether the MRGO should be closed permanently. Storms surges from the MRGO and the Industrial Canal have been a problem for decades and are one of the primary reasons why local residents have fought plans by the US Army Corps of Engineers to enlarge the Industrial Canal and deepen the MRGO.

NWS Hurricane Update: 1030 AM CDT Fri, Sept. 23, 2005

HURRICANE RITA LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS LA
1030 AM CDT FRI SEP 23 2005

...LEVEE OVER TOPPED IN NEW ORLEANS ALONG THE INDUSTRIAL CANAL...
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING POSTED FOR ORLEANS AND ST BERNARD PARISHES...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI...
...TORNADO WATCH POSTED FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI...
...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE RITA CONTINUES TO MOVE TOWARDS THE UPPER TEXAS COAST AND SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA COAST...
...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA INCLUDING LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN AND NEW ORLEANS METRO AREA...
...OUTER RAINBANDS SPREADING OVER SOUTHERN LOUISIANA...
...AREAS AFFECTED...
IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA...THE FOLLOWING PARISHES
ASSUMPTION...LAFOURCHE...TERREBONNE...JEFFERSON...ORLEANS...ST TAMMANY...ST JOHN THE BAPTIST...ST CHARLES...ST BERNARD...ST JAMES...PLAQUEMINES...TANGIPAHOA...POINTE COUPEE...WEST FELICIANA...EAST FELICIANA...WEST AND EAST BATON ROUGE...ST HELENA...LIVINGSTON...IBERVILLE...ASCENSION
IN SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...WILKINSON COUNTY
...WATCHES AND WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA EAST OF MORGAN CITY TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEARL RIVER INCLUDING METROPOLITAN NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS...
WITH WINDS OF 40 MPH OR HIGHER...ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR IN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.
AN INLAND TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF INTERIOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA FOR THE STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF FREQUENT WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH TODAY AND THIS EVENING.
...STORM INFORMATION...
AT 10 AM CDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 91.9 WEST OR 220 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF NEW ORLEANS
RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AT 10 MPH...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK...THE CORE OF RITA WILL BE APPROACHING THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND UPPER TEXAS COASTS EARLY SATURDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 135 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. HURRICANE RITA IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR SIMPSON SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN STRENGTH ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PERSONS LIVING IN LOW LYING AREAS NEAR DAMAGED LEVEES...BAYOUS AND COASTAL AREAS PRONE TO STORM SURGE FLOODING SHOULD MOVE TO HIGHER ELEVATIONS FURTHER INLAND NOW. MANY PARISHES IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA HAVE EVACUATIONS ORDERS FOR FOR LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS IN PROGRESS AT THIS TIME. RESIDENTS SHOULD LISTEN TO MEDIA FOR EVACUATION INFORMATION AND FOLLOW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.
ALSO PERSONS LIVING IN UNSECURED MOBILE HOMES...TRAILERS...TENTS OR HOMES STRUCTURALLY WEAKENED BY RECENT HURRICANES...SHOULD ALSO MAKE PLANS TO MOVE TO MORE SECURE STRUCTURES DUE TO TROPICAL STORM WIND GUSTS.
...STORM SURGE FLOOD AND STORM TIDE IMPACTS...
THE INDUSTRIAL CANAL LEVEE BETWEEN CLAIBORNE AND FLORIDA AVENUE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS BEEN OVER TOPPED BY STORM SURGE AS SEEN ON TELEVISION VIDEO. A FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS BEEN POSTED FOR ORLEANS AND ST BERNARD PARISHES WHICH COULD BE INUNDATED WITH 3 TO 8 FEET OF WATER. ONSHORE FLOW HAS FILLED DRAINAGE CANALS AND BAYOUS WHICH IN SOME CASES REMAIN CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS LEFT OVER FROM HURRICANE KATRINA.
TIDES ARE 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL THIS MORNING. AS RITA MOVES FURTHER INTO THE WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO... EAST WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE SOUTHEAST AND TIDES WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE ALONG THE COAST. TIDES ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI COAST WILL INCREASE TO 3 TO 5 FEET ABOVE NORMAL EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ...AND 4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER LATER TODAY AND THROUGH SATURDAY AS WINDS BECOME MORE SOUTHEASTERLY. STORM TIDES OF 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL CAN BE EXPECTED IN LAKES PONTCHARTRAIN AND MAUREPAS. IN ADDITION LARGE WAVES WILL ALSO AFFECT THE IMMEDIATE COASTAL AREA AND INCREASE THE FLOOD THREAT. SINCE KATRINA...THE COASTAL AREAS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA ARE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO COASTAL TIDAL FLOODING. IN ADDITION MANY HURRICANE PROTECTION LEVEES IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA HAVE BEEN DEGRADED FROM THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA. FLOODING OF LOW LYING ROADWAYS AND AREAS NEAR DAMAGED LEVEES...BAYOUS WILL LIKELY OCCUR AS THE TIDES INCREASE.
...WIND IMPACTS...
RITA HAS DEVELOPED INTO A LARGE HURRICANE WITH TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTENDING OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES FROM THE CENTER. AS HURRICANE RITA MOVES ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO...TROPICAL STORM WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH SPREAD INLAND FROM THE THE COASTAL AREA FROM THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WESTWARD AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY. TROPICAL STORM WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH MAY SPREAD INTO METRO NEW ORLEANS AREA TODAY...MAINLY ASSOCIATED WITH SQUALLS. EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO SECURE LOOSE DEBRIS AT THIS TIME.
...RAINFALL...
OCCASIONAL SQUALLS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TODAY AND POSSIBLY INTO SATURDAY. LOCALIZED HEAVY RAIN WILL ACCOMPANY THESE SQUALLS THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY. THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF RAINFALL IS EXPECTED OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN PARISHES WHERE FOUR TO SIX INCHES OF RAIN COULD FALL THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. DEBRIS FROM HURRICANE KATRINA DAMAGE REMAINS IN DRAINAGE CANALS AND MAY HINDER RAINFALL RUNOFF. PUMPING STATION CAPACITY STILL REMAINS DEGRADED DUE TO HURRICANE KATRINA.

...TORNADO THREAT...
A TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN POSTED FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. AS RITA NEARS THE TEXAS-LOUISIANA BORDER REGION. THIS WILL PLACE MOST OF SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA IN THE FAR NORTHEASTERN QUADRANT OF RITA... WHICH IS THE PREFERRED REGIONS FOR TORNADOES TO DEVELOP IN HURRICANES.

HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 20

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
10 AM CDT THU SEP 22 2005

...RITA EXPECTED TO WEAKEN SLIGHTLY BUT FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A DANGEROUS HURRICANE...

...A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED...
AT 10 AM CDT...1500Z...A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM PORT O'CONNOR TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 10 AM CDT...1500Z...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM SOUTH OF PORT O'CONNOR TO PORT MANSFIELD TEXAS. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA EAST OF MORGAN CITY TO THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AT 10 AM CDT...1500Z...A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM NORTH OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEARL RIVER INCLUDING METROPOLITAN NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTH OF PORT MANSFIELD TO BROWNSVILLE TEXAS...AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE RIO GRANDE.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.
FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 10 AM CDT...1500Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 25.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 88.7 WEST OR ABOUT 460 MILES...740 KM...SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TEXAS AND ABOUT 445 MILES...715 KM... SOUTHEAST OF PORT ARTHUR TEXAS.

RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH...15 KM/HR. A GRADUAL TURN TO THE NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 165 MPH...270 KM/HR... WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RITA IS A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME SLIGHT WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS BUT RITA IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 85 MILES...140 KM... FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 185 MILES...295 KM.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 907 MB...26.78 INCHES.
COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 15 TO 20 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE RIGHT OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. TIDES ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING ABOUT 1 FOOT ABOVE NORMAL ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA COASTS IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY KATRINA. TIDES IN THOSE AREAS WILL INCREASE UP TO 3 TO 4 FEET AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE WAVES...AND RESIDENTS THERE COULD EXPERIENCE SOME COASTAL FLOODING.

RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM 15 INCH TOTAL ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE PATH OF RITA PARTICULARLY OVER SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND WESTERN LOUISIANA. IN ADDITION...RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA INCLUDING NEW ORLEANS. BASED ON THE FORECAST TRACK...RAINFALL TOTALS IN EXCESS OF 25 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE AFTER RITA MOVES INLAND.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

Is Hurricane Rita Bound For Morgan City, La?

As I await the 10am CDT hurricane report from the National Weather Service, the first rain bands of Hurricane Rita are now entering the New Orleans area. The latest satelite photo movies are showing that the storm is moving further north than previously predicted by the NWS and may be heading to Morgan City. Such a track would be catastrophic as this would place New Orleans within the hurricane force wind field of the strongest sector of the hurricane. Worse yet, storm surges would inundate the Westbank of the city, a section which was spared flooding by Hurricane Katrina. As a result, thousands of more homes would be completely destroyed in an area which has already been hard hit. Such an outcome could seal the fate of New Orleans but would have additional repurcussions.

First, thousands of people fleeing east on I-10 from the Houston area could be heading straight into the heart of danger. To everyone heading toward or currently in southern Louisiana, please take heed and seek shelter.

Second, over 50% of the oil & gas production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico were damaged by Katrina and are still not pumping. Rita will pummel the same region, causing further production losses and downtime.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

HURRICANE RITA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 19A

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BULLETIN
HURRICANE RITA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 19A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
7 AM CDT THU SEP 22 2005

SYNOPSIS:
Rita has weakened slightly in pressure and wind speed but is still a very dangerous Category 5 hurricane. The center of the storm is now heading towards the Texas-Louisiana border.

Here's the bulletin:
...POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY FIVE RITA OVER THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...SLIGHT WEAKENING IS ANTICIPATED TODAY.

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO COAST FROM PORT MANSFIELD TEXAS TO INTRACOASTAL CITY LOUISIANA. A HURRICANE WARNING WILL LIKELY BE REQUIRED FOR PORTIONS OF THE HURRICANE WATCH AREA LATER TODAY.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA EAST OF MORGAN CITY TO THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE WARNING AREA DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HURRICANE WATCH AREA...FROM EAST OF INTRACOASTAL CITY TO MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA...AND FROM SOUTH OF PORT MANSFIELD TO BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE RIO GRANDE.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

INTERESTS IN THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE RITA.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 7 AM CDT...1200Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 25.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 88.3 WEST OR ABOUT 490 MILES SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TEXAS AND ABOUT 595 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS.

RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE ESTIMATED NEAR 170 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. THIS MAKES RITA A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. A SLOW WEAKENING TREND IS FORECAST BUT RITA IS EXPECTED TO REACH THE COAST LATE FRIDAY OR EARLY SATURDAY AS A MAJOR HURRICANE...AT LEAST CATEGORY THREE.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 185 MILES.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY MEASURED BY A HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 907 MB...26.78 INCHES.

TIDES ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING ABOUT 1 FOOT ABOVE NORMAL ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA COASTS IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY KATRINA. TIDES IN THOSE AREAS WILL INCREASE UP TO 3 TO 4 FEET AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE WAVES...AND RESIDENTS THERE COULD EXPERIENCE SOME COASTAL FLOODING.

HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH RITA ARE FORECAST TO BEGIN TO AFFECT THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL AREAS TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY. RITA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES FROM THE CENTRAL TEXAS COAST TO SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE ELSEWHERE ACROSS SOUTHERN LOUISIANA ...INCLUDING THE NEW ORLEANS METROPOLITAN AREA. AFTER RITA MOVES INLAND...TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER EASTERN TEXAS... AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA DURING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

NWS HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 18...CORRECTED

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BULLETIN
HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 18...CORRECTED
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
10 PM CDT WED SEP 21 2005

CORRECTED RAINFALL STATEMENT FOR SOUTHERN LOUISIANA

...CATEGORY FIVE RITA CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN OVER THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO...

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO COAST FROM PORT MANSFIELD TEXAS TO CAMERON LOUISIANA. A HURRICANE WARNING MAY BE REQUIRED FOR PORTIONS OF THE HURRICANE WATCH AREA THURSDAY MORNING.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HURRICANE WATCH AREA... FROM EAST OF CAMERON TO GRAND ISLE LOUISIANA... AND FROM SOUTH OF PORT MANSFIELD TO BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE RIO GRANDE.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

INTERESTS IN THE NORTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE RITA.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 10 PM CDT...0300Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 24.6 NORTH... LONGITUDE 87.2 WEST OR ABOUT 570 MILES... 915 KM... EAST-SOUTHEAST OF GALVESTON TEXAS AND ABOUT 670 MILES... 1080 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS.

RITA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 9 MPH ...15 KM/HR...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION AT A SLIGHTLY FASTER FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 175 MPH...280 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RITA IS A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES...110 KM... FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 185 MILES... 295 KM.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 897 MB...26.49 INCHES. THIS MEANS RITA IS THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

TIDES ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING NEAR NORMAL ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA COASTS IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY KATRINA. TIDES IN THOSE AREAS WILL INCREASE UP TO 3 TO 4 FEET AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE WAVES OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS... AND RESIDENTS THERE COULD EXPERIENCE SOME COASTAL FLOODING.

HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH RITA ARE FORECAST TO BEGIN TO AFFECT THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL AREAS THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY. RITA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES OVER THE CENTRAL TO UPPER TEXAS COAST. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS SOUTHERN LOUISIANA... INCLUDING THE NEW ORLEANS METROPOLITAN AREA. AFTER RITA MOVES INLAND...TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER EASTERN TEXAS... AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA DURING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

REPEATING THE 10 PM CDT POSITION...24.6 N... 87.2 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD... WEST NEAR 9 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...175 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 897 MB.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

Rita Now A Category 5

At 7 PM CDT (2400 GMT), the National Weather Service reported that the barometric pressure of Hurricane Rita has dropped to 8.98 mb, making it the third strongest hurricane recorded.

Currently the size of the eye of Hurricane Rita is decreasing, indicating that the storm is strengthening even further. More disturbing is that Rita has taken a jog from its track, throwing off the computer models that indicate where the storm will make landfall. As a result, this storm must be watched carefully overnight as it could be heading in a different direction.

Tropical Storm and Hurricane warnings now extend along the entirety of the Texas coastline. Additionally, the government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm watch for the Northeast coast of Mexico from Rio San Fernando to the Mexican/US border.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

Latest on Hurricane Rita

Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Rita Now A Category 5
At 4 PM CDT (2100 GMT), the eye of Hurricane Rita was located near
latitude 24.4 north, longitude 86.8 west or about 600 miles
east-southeast of Galveston Texas. The storm is moving west at about 13 mph.

Rita is an extremely dangerous category five hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Maximum sustained winds are near 165 mph with gusts of 200 mph. Winds exceeding 73 mph extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and winds exceeding 38 mph extend outward up to 175 miles outward. The storm's barometric pressure has been falling rapidly during the day. The latest Air Force Hurricane Hunters reconnaissance flight recorded a minimum central pressure of 914 mb or 26.99 inches; this pressure is lower than was anticipated.

A Tropical Storm watch has been issued for Louisiana from Cameron east to Grand Isle. Tides are currently running near normal along the Mississippi and Louisiana coastal areas affected by Katrina; however, tides are expected to increase up to 3 to 4 feet over the next 24 hours with large waves on top. Residents in these areas should prepare for flooding.

In Texas, a Tropical Storm watch has been issued from south of Port Mansfield to Brownsville.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued from Port Mansfield Texas to Cameron Louisiana. Residents in these areas should be preparing now to evacuate.

Read the current storm info, why to prepare & how to prepare for this disaster.

Places To Stay

To help travelers find bicycle friendly lodging, I've decided to offer a directory of places to stay that offer at least two of the following criteria:

- Discounts to cyclists
- Temporary bicycle storage before, during OR after their stay (describe if covered or secure)
- Energy snacks OR bottled water before, during OR after their bike ride
- Bicycle washing facilities (can be as simple as a garden hose)
- Laundry washing facilities
- Bike/luggage transportation (such as to the next lodging on their route)
- Spa services on site (describe those that apply)
- Proximity to a bicycle path, lane or route

Lodging that meet 2 or more of the above qualifications will be promoted on RideTHISbike.com as bicycle friendly Places to Stay.

I'll consider including any lodging provider that qualifies, provided they use the list above to identify the specific criteria that apply to their accommodations. There is no cost to participate; however, (to prevent myself from being overwhelmed) I'm reserving the right to limit participation from lodging providers that I have not contacted.

If you know of anyone that may be interested in this offer, feel free to pass it along.

Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com

Biking in Amish Country (Lancaster County)

Here's some info about cycling in Lancaster County, thanks to 2 local innkeepers. I've visited this area and can attest personally to it as a great place for cycling. Thanks to the large population of Amish and their delighful, horse drawn carriages, drivers are very courteous to cyclists on the local roads & byways.

From the AppleBinInn
"Biking in Lancaster County is a great experience, as many of our B&B guests can confirm. There is a wide variety of things to see and do, and the trails are generally either flat or gently rolling, with few steep climbs. And the wide shoulders (designed to accommodate the thousands of Amish buggies in the county) are very bicycle-friendly."

"LancasterCountyHeritage.com offers biking routes around Lancaster County. The link near the bottom of that page opens a wonderful, printable, pdf file showing bike trail details for the county."

Steve & Jamie, AppleBinInn

From the Artist's Inn and Gallery
"There are lots of great bike rides close to us. The tour of the covered bridges is Sunday - it goes right by our inn (and) there are three levels. Many other rides featured on this site. Also, Vermont Bike Rides sponsors several rides through our area."

Jan and Bruce, Artist's Inn and Gallery

Several Great Bike Trail Suggestions For Pennsylvania

In the course of researching one or more trail stories for Pennsylvania, I decided to contact a few innkeepers in regions that seemed like great places to ride. The responses have been so helpful that I wanted to share them here.

Erie, PA
Presque Isle State Park (Erie, PA) and the Oil Creek Trail (near Oil City, PA) both "are worth looking into. Lots of people ride around on our country roads (around Edinboro, PA) as well. Many are paved and in generally good condition for bike riding... People have come to stay here while bike riding on Presque Isle or in the countryside."

Karen Willey, A Place Inn Time B&B

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Ride In The Pocono's
Many bikers use the blue (bicycling) route... which is (just off Route 115 on) White Haven Rd... The road also passes the Francis Walter Dam which offers a wonderful ride.
Billi, Bischwind B&B

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MTB & Road Rides Near PSU (Pennsylvania State University)
In the center of Pennsylvania, "(t)here are numerous rides of varying degrees of difficulty and length that are accessible from our PHH" (Purple Heart Highway a.k.a. PA SR45).

Useful Links:
- GrizGuides.com (MTB Trails).
- PurpleHeartHighway.com; click on the "Other Services" tab within the "Directory" section, then select "biking".
Central PA. Visitors and Convention Bureau's Cycle Centre County has great info.

Lodging
There are about 20 B&Bs along the Purple Heart Highway.

Mae, Chatelaine Bed & Breakfast

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Southern Alleghenies
There are countless wonderful trails in central PA. A few of them are included in this website.

CycleSA.com

Nancy, The Queen B&B

Great Bike Trail Suggestion: The Delaware Canal Towpath

Earlier today, I received a suggestion for a future trail to profile on RideTHISbike.com: the Delaware Canal Towpath. Several years ago, I found the Erie Canal Towpath from Rochester New York to Niagara Falls to be an excellent ride, so the Delaware path is certainly worthy of further study. Following are some reasons why.

The Region
As it winds along the border of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey, the Delaware Valley is "rich in history and natural beauty... Its meandering country roads, and hilly interior is ideal for the biking enthusiast..." Along the way, riders will see "300 year-old stone farmhouses (and) ancient wooden covered bridges..."

The Delaware Towpath
"The old mule path along the Delaware Canal is now a 60 mile long state park which offers 0 elevation and great canal and river views and an easy ride."

Lodging Suggestions Near Philly
Just outside Philadelphia, PA is the town of New Hope (named the #1 Arts destination for small cities/towns by American Craft Magazine for 2005/6). Besides being on the towpath, New Hope offers opportunities for backroads cycling and has two bike friendly inns (Wedgwood Inn and the Aaron Burr House. Both inns have a barn to store your bike and are just 1 block from a bike store that can repair or rent a bike (the Wedgwood is also just 1 block from the towpath).

For more about this area, Google "New Hope, Pa", "Bucks County, Pennsylvania" or "Hunterdon County, NJ".

Useful San Francisco Cycling Links

Following are some of the interesting links I've found that relate to cycling in San Francisco. I'm posting the info because I don't know if all the links will be displayed in the Great City Rides story.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
http://www.sfbike.org/

511.org's Interactive Bay Area Bicycle Maps
http://bikemapper.mtc.ca.gov/BikeMapper/index.jsp

A San Francisco Bicycle Map (in .pdf)
http://www.campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/transportation/rideshare/bike/pdf/bicycle_map_sf.pdf

Peninsula Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition
http://www.penbiped.org/project-north-south-route-scenic.html

SFGov: DPT's San Francisco Bicycle Program
http://www.bicycle.sfgov.org/site/dptbike_index.asp?id=3180

By the way, if you know of another webpage with useful info about cycling in San Francisco, please let me know so I can have a look.

Cheers.

LL

Bicycle Over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

Years ago, I drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. I remember wanting to enjoy the incredible view but the chores of driving in traffic dictated otherwise. Today, I learned that there's a bike path over the bridge. Cyclists can ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate & continue on to Sausalito, the redwoods and the legendary mountain biking of Marin County or even take a ferry right back to San Francisco.

With over 200 miles of bike trails, routes, lanes & wide shoulders, I think that the next Great City Ride will have to be about riding in San Francisco. Stay tuned.

LL

Albuquerque: Sunport Airport to Univ of New Mexico

While collaborating with Brian Fletcher on my story concerning cycling in Albuquerque, we cobbled together a ride starting from the airport that would take in many of Albuquerque's tourist attractions. In the process, I realized that some cyclists might want to get to the University of New Mexico more quickly so I asked Brian about riding north from the airport on Girard Blvd. In response, Brian did some field research and reported the following:

"A better way to get to the University is to stay on Girard Blvd past Gibson. Although there is no bike lane, the traffic on Girard is very light. Girard Blvd is the easternmost edge of the campus. I recommend avoiding University blvd because there is no bike lane and the traffic is heavier.

I did try this out on my bike ride today and it is about 2-1/2 miles from the airport terminal to the University. Once you pass the golf course at Gibson, Girard becomes a residential area. I think Girard Blvd. is an excellent way to get from the airport to the city in general. I will be doing an entry on my blog about this. I even took a few pictures to give you an idea of what the route looks like."

From the University, the are a variety of bike trails, lanes and routes that lead to other areas of the city so this is an alternative for those that would rather avoid the South Valley. You can see them on this great interactive map suggesting routes to bicycle through Albuquerque.

Thanks again Brian for your help. I look forward to seeing those photos sometime soon.

LL

Albuquerque Makes Great Cycling Year-Round

Albuquerque, New Mexico is renowned for its pleasant year-round climate. Although located at about the same latitude as Las Vegas, Albuquerque's 5000' high altitude results in mild, dry days & cool nights, making it an enjoyable place to bicycle during any season. Breath taking scenery (the city hugs the western side of 12000' high Sandia Peak), miles of paved, car-free bike trails (such as the Bosque along the Rio Grande River), genuine frontier appeal, a hip college vibe and great air connections all combine to make Albuquerque an excellent, affordable cycling destination.

Like New Orleans, Albuquerque is one of the few places where you can get off the plane, unfold your bike and start cycling right from the airport.

Cycling From The Airport
From the terminal, head down Sunport Blvd. and make a left on University Blvd. From there, a bike lane runs south (see the blue line on University Blvd. on Albuquerque's bicycle trail/route map). The lane only goes a few miles but there is very little traffic so the rest of the road is fairly safe to ride on. After University Blvd. passes below I-25, it becomes Rio Bravo Blvd. Continue west on Rio Bravo until the intersection of Broadway Blvd., then begin looking for the Rio Bravo Trail on your left.

Rio Bravo Trail, Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Rio Bravo is a loop trail and is less scenic than other trails like the Bosque. My suggestion is to continue west on the Rio Bravo Trail and use it as a connector to the Bosque Trail. When the Rio Bravo meets the Bosque, turn right and you will be heading north along Albuquerque's most popular trail.

For the rest of this profile on cycling in Albuquerque, and for profiles about bicycling in other cities, visit Great City Rides.

NOTE: Special thanks to Brian Fletcher for his blog and personal assistance writing this profile.

Cycling in Chicago w/Jason Pettus

While doing some final research this morning for my upcoming Great City Rides story on Albuquerque, New Mexico, I ran across Jason Pettus' blog on living in Chicago. Jason got a new bike at the beginning of the summer and has become a bicycle commuter. In the process, Jason's discovered that Chicago can be a great place to cycle and has amassed a small cache of relevant cycling info. Hmmmm. Sounds like Chicago could make a future Great City Ride story... Thanks Jason.

Check out Jason's bike blog and let me know if you find any other cool bike blogs out there too.

LL

Submit A Trail Report; Save $50 On Your Next Bike

HELP!

In the course of researching future trails to spotlight in the Great Bike Trails and Great City Rides sections of RideTHISbike.com, I have come to realize that there are far too many trails out there for one person to cover alone. Thus, I've decided to reach out to riders such as yourself to submit trail profiles or reports for publication on RideTHISbike.com.

Get A $50 Credit Towards The Purchase Of A Bicycle
If I publish your profile or report, I'll give you a $50 credit that will be redeemable towards the purchase of a bicycle from RideTHISbike.com anytime within 6 months of publication (offer applies to standard 16" Giatex bikes on sale at $329 w/o optional accessories and is not combine able with any other sales or discount offers).

A trail profile is info you have compiled about a trail based on research online and some first hand knowledge of the area you wish to profile. To see what qualifies as a profile, please visit the Great Bike Trails portion of RideTHISbike.com. Examples of profiles on the site include Vancouver Island, B.C. (near Seattle, Wash.), the Tammany Trace (Near New Orleans) and the Colorado Rockies (West of Denver).

A trail report is info you have wrote first hand based on your ride of the trail. To see what qualifies as a report, please visit the Great City Rides portion of RideTHISbike.com that is titled "New Orleans: Airport To French Quarter".

Oil Prices Reach A Record Breaking $64/Barrel

Yet again, oil prices have broken another record today, rising to $64/barrel. Have prices reached their peak? Not likely, says Daniel Yergin, chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. According to an article written by Yergin that appeared on July 31st in the Washington Post, the oil market is "even tighter than it was on the eve of the 1973 oil crisis." Additionally, Yergin predicted that "surprise" events such as political instability, hurricanes, a heat wave, etc. could spur additional hikes.

Yergin should know what he's talking about. Not only is he a specialist on energy and international politics, strategy, and economics; he's also chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy's Task Force on Strategic Energy Research and Development (he even won a Pulitizer in '92 for his non-fiction book titled The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power, which was a number-one national bestseller).

While Yergin also mentioned that oil supplies are likely to grow 20% over the next 5 years, he is also forecasting that oil demand from countries like China & India will cause the world to consume 50% more oil in 25 years than is consumed now...

So, Chicken Little, if you're worried that the sky's falling, relax. This is just a small bump in the road. The real challenge is the mountain on the horizon. In the meantime, expect more bumps to come. All the more reason to spin your pedals on a Great Bike Trail.

Fly into St. Louis, then MetroLink Rail

While looking further into riding the Katy Trail, I was researching how to get to the famous St. Louis Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River when I happened upon the website for the MetroLink Light Rail system. The MetroLink runs from Lambert field (St. Louis' major airport) into town and beyond, taking about 37 minutes and just $3.00 to reach the Gateway Arch and the riverfront. The Arch is about 400 yards/meters south of the Arch-Laclede's Landing MetroLink station.

Starting the Katy with a visit to the Arch seems perfect. I've wanted to visit the Gateway Arch ever since I flew over it 20 years ago on a connecting flight from Europe. Plus, the Riverfront Trail starts just 900 yards/meters upriver from the Arch.

Here's some relevant info I found on the Katy Trail website:
If you want to go the other way and head east toward downtown St Louis from the airport, your best bet is to take the Metrolink light rail system. Bikes are welcome and you can save your legs for riding around the interesting areas downtown. You might want to hop off at the Forest Park stop and head south into Forest Park. This large park is crisscrossed by numerous bike paths, and includes the Art Museum, History Museum, Science Museum, and the Zoo. Once you've explored Forest Park, downtown is just a 4 mile ride away (see the Katy Trail to Downtown page again for details).

From downtown, a favorite ride is the Riverfront Trail, which follows the Mississippi River some 11 miles north to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Nice views of the river, although there's not much to look at along the west side of the trail. Again, there are some details about the Riverfront Trail and C.O.R. bridge at the Katy Trail to Downtown page. Also check out the Trailnet's website.

While getting around St Louis, be aware that all the Metro buses have bike racks up front. The buses are run by the same organization that runs the light rail, here's Metro's website again.

Useful Maps:
- St. Louis MetroLink Rail map (it's a pdf).
- St. Louis bike trail map (also a pdf).
- Confluence Greenway Map (Arch to Katy Trail)
- Illinois DOT Bike Trail Maps

Metro St. Louis Has 50+ Bike Trails

While researching the web for a feature I am writing about Missouri's Katy Trail for RideTHISbike.com's Great Bike Trails, I learned that the St. Louis metro area (the eastern terminus of the Katy) offers over 50 biking trails and bike routes.

A great site about the trails in the St. Louis area is TrailNet.org. According to info on their homepage, TrailNet is working to add a Trails & Bikeways section to their website by the end of this year. The section will feature an interactive regional map displaying the trails and bikeways. Each trail/bikeway will be described using a standard format that will include trail length, surface type, terrain traversed, trail locations, driving directions, trail facilities, contact information and a trail map.

Sounds like I could possibly add St. Louis to the growing list of Great City Rides too but I need to wrap up the story on Albuquerque, New Mexico.

TrailsBC Solicits Fee For Link To Great Bike Trails Story

Earlier today, I received a reply to an email I sent that informed TrailsBC (The Trails Society of British Columbia, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting hiking & cycling interests in the region) about my feature story on Great Bike Trails about South Vancouver Island. In my email, I asked them to consider placing a link on their site to my story. I was surprised by the Trails BC reply; here is what they wrote:

"Hello Larry -- Trails BC no longer does the exchange of website links. We are a volunteer organization that does offer some benefits (including posting your business on our website) to other volunteer groups and to associated businesses. Our yearly fee is $100 and we would be pleased to accept your membership.

Thank you for your interest...........Sue"

Sure, RideTHISbike.com sells folding bicycles but Great Bike Trails is a labor of my love for cycling. RideTHISbike.com promotes cycling as a lifestyle alternative to the world's unsustainable thirst for motor vehicles. Apparently to some, selling a great bike to fund my pro-bicycle quest detracts from the benefit of promoting cycling destinations.

Anyhow, in reply, I wrote the following back to TrailsBC:

Sue,

Thanks for your reply but I'm wondering if you looked at the article I wrote. This is no run of the mill link exchange.

The purpose of Great Bike Trails is to to identify and promote the best bike trails on earth.

I heartily believe that many vacationing cyclists are unaware of the beauty and charms of Vancouver Island. The Great Bike Trails profile on South Vancouver Island benefits TrailsBC by raising awareness of treasures like the Cowichan Valley Trail in general and the Kinsol Trestle specifically. I'd bet that few people outside of British Columbia even know that the world's longest and highest railroad trestle is on Vancouver Island...

No one paid me to feature Vancouver Island; I wrote my story as an independent, 3rd party evaluation. As such, I'll continue to offer my link to your website regardless what TrailsBC decides. All the same, at a time when millions are needed to renovate the Kinsol and other key links on the Trans Canada Trail, it seems odd that TrailsBC would solicit a fee for a link that so obviously benefits your organization.

Here is the link to my story:
http://ridethisbike.com/bicycle_trails/south_vancouver_island-british_columbia-canada.htm

I do hope you will reconsider.

Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com

If you've read this post and visited my story about cycling on South Vancouver Island, I'd like your opinion. Did I go to far or should I have gone further? If a for-profit site offers information that benefits a non-profit, should the for-profit site be charged a fee?

Hope y'all have a great day.

LL

Bicycle Trip Lodging in Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island

Joanne at the Cycle Inn emailed me today in regards to my feature story on cycling the great bike trails near Victoria, British Columbia. Her B&B is actually on the Galloping Goose trail and she hosts many cyclists. In fact, she wrote that guests must cross the bike trail to get to the B&B.

The Cycle Inn also offers to their guests "a bike cage that is totally reinforced and yes it is covered. We cater to bicyclists and even rent to guests who come from away without a bike. We have all the gear - pump, oil, routes, picnic lunches..." so obviously the Cycle Inn is an ideal place to stay for cycling this trail.

Permission Granted - Bosque Trail, Albuquerque

Just received a reply from Brian Fletcher regarding a request I sent him to link a future Great City Rides on RideTHISbike.com to his blog about cycling in Albuquerque. Brian offered really detailed info on the trail scene there. His cycling blog is definitely worth a read if you're even remotely considering cycling there.

RideTHISbike.com Review From The Cycling Dude

Kiril "The Cycling Dude" wrote a brief review of RideTHISbike.com on his cycling blog. Kiril & I share the belief that "bike riding is good for you and fun". If you want an idea what a blog about bicycling can be, visit his. The wealth of cycling links and info is amazing.

Kiril mentioned that folders are not his cup of tea but everyone's entitled to their opinion. Here's mine: for long distance rides on the bike trail next to my house, my first preference is to ride my long wheel base Rans Stratus. FOR EVERY OTHER RIDE including riding the bike trail next to my house in the rain or when the Rans is out of service, it's the Giatex folding bicycle. The Giatex takes up minimal space in my car so that's where I keep it. As a result, I literally can ride whenever I get the urge. Try hauling your roadbike on your roof rack or the back of your SUV every where you go. Chances are that your tires would rot, your chain & other steel components would rust and the bike would always be dirty (not to mention more prone to theft).

I've ridden the folder in all sorts of conditions and riding surfaces. It's been on the New York subway, in numerous airports, on buses, trains and even the Staten Island Ferry. My point is that, for me, the Giatex folding bike has meant FREEDOM like no other bike. That's saying a lot.