>Another Reason To Like Yuba Bikes

>

I just read that Yuba bikes are offering a stripped down version of their Mundo for $899. What’s really awesome is that when you purchase one of these bikes they donate a complete bike to Wheels4Life, a charity that offers free bikes to those in need in third world countries. The following is cut-and-paste  from the Yuba website.

Let us say it again: the $899 are buying TWO bikes, one delivered to you and the other one given to Wheels4Life. The bike will shipped to you and the donation bike receipt will be sent to Wheels4Life. Wheels 4 Life will then acknowledge your donation.

To visit the Yuba site click here; to visit the Wheels4Life click here.

Seafood Penne Rigate Fra Diavolo

This is one of my favorite pasta preparations. I could eat this, or a variation of it, three times a week and not tire of it. Not surprisingly I had it for dinner the other night (made with tilapia). To see an earlier post, complete with the recipe’s history, etymology, pictures, directions, and recipe, click here.

>Seafood Penne Rigate Fra Diavolo

>

This is one of my favorite pasta preparations. I could eat this, or a variation of it, three times a week and not tire of it. Not surprisingly I had it for dinner the other night (made with tilapia). To see an earlier post, complete with the recipe’s history, etymology, pictures, directions, and recipe, click here.

Mark Freeland on a Bike

For those readers not from the Western New York area (or in the event you’ve spent the last 3 decades living in a cultural cocoon), Mark Freeland was a local and influential artist and musician. The clip above is awesome, he’s pedaling around Buffalo talking and offering his view of things…the world according to Mark.

And I couldn’t post about Mark Freeland without an inclusion of him performing. Below is vintage…he’s playing lead guitar with The Fems, one of the many bands he played in (and my personal favorite). Man could he play. He lives on not only in his art and music but also in the hearts of his many fans, myself included.

To visit a site maintained in his name, click here. I encourage you to watch the above clip first, and then the one below of him performing. But before you watch The Fems don’t forget to turn up the volume…loud!

>Mark Freeland on a Bike

>

For those readers not from the Western New York area (or in the event you’ve spent the last 3 decades living in a cultural cocoon), Mark Freeland was a local and influential artist and musician. The clip above is awesome, he’s pedaling around Buffalo talking and offering his view of things…the world according to Mark.

And I couldn’t post about Mark Freeland without an inclusion of him performing. Below is vintage…he’s playing lead guitar with The Fems, one of the many bands he played in (and my personal favorite). Man could he play. He lives on not only in his art and music but also in the hearts of his many fans, myself included.

To visit a site maintained in his name, click here. I encourage you to watch the above clip first, and then the one below of him performing. But before you watch The Fems don’t forget to turn up the volume…loud!

How I Built Running Boards For My Yuba Mundo (and it cost next-to-nothing)

This is really a continuation (albeit almost two years late) of a post showing how I built a top deck for my v1 Mundo (click here to see that post). After building that top deck I had always intended on building sideboards but never got around to do it. The new v3 Mundo makes it easy because there are plenty of threaded screws on the sidebars for easy attachment (they are all over the bike actually…this is an awesome addition to this version). Unlike the v1, the v3 comes equipped with a top deck, which I love. And Yuba does sell running boards (click here to see them) and I’ve thought about purchasing them but am reluctant because there is nowhere to attach bungee cords once the sideboards are attached. They have made room for straps but no bungees…my design will accommodate both (I tend to use bungees rather than straps, unless it’s a super heavy load). I have to say this, though, that I’m sure the recycled plastic sideboards that Yuba offers will outlast my homemade ones which are made of 1/4″ plywood…we’ll see how they survive a harsh Buffalo winter.

The reason these cost almost nothing for me to make is that I already had the wood…still had a piece left from when I built the top deck. My only cost was a $2.99 can of spray paint and a couple hours of my own time. If I had to purchase the wood it would probably cost another $8.00. By adding these sideboards I figure I’ve at least doubled my load capacity and loading options. I would be interested in hearing from other Mundo owners, Xtracylers, and other cargo bikers on their thoughts and ways in which they’ve modified their bikes.

Anyhow, this is how I made them (click any photo for a larger view).

I stared by removing all of the screws from the sidebars.

Next I cut the piece of wood in half, and cut it in length a bit as well, to make it more manageable. Then I rested it on the sidebar and traced it’s outline.

Next I cut the shape of the sidebar on the traced line, and repeated the process in revers for the other side. But on the right side of the bike I also had to cut a small section of the board to accommodate the derailleur.

One of the things that perplexed me was how I would line up the threaded holes for the screws with those that I drilled. This is what I did, and surprisingly it worked. Using a hammer I tapped it over the area where the screw hole was (I also placed a board scrap over the board–not pictured–to protect the future running board). What this did was leave an indentation on the underside of the board (see photo), which was basically a bull’s eye for me to drill holes in which to attach the screws.

Next I used a bore attachment to a drill and, straddling the edge of the board, cut semi-circles, giving the board a sort of Swiss cheese appearance.

After this I sanded the boards and spray painted them on both sides. Having a matte black Mundo it was easy to find the correct color. I did consider staining them, like I did with the top deck on the v1 giving it a sleeker appearance, but then I liked the idea of them blending into the bike rather than standing out.

After the boards were nearly dry I attached them with the screws (which “mostly” fit good…with a little finagling), and them took the bike for a brief ride though the city to air dry them. They look almost store-bought, don’t you think?

>How I Built Running Boards For My Yuba Mundo (and it cost next-to-nothing)

>

This is really a continuation (albeit almost two years late) of a post showing how I built a top deck for my v1 Mundo (click here to see that post). After building that top deck I had always intended on building sideboards but never got around to do it. The new v3 Mundo makes it easy because there are plenty of threaded screws on the sidebars for easy attachment (they are all over the bike actually…this is an awesome addition to this version). Unlike the v1, the v3 comes equipped with a top deck, which I love. And Yuba does sell running boards (click here to see them) and I’ve thought about purchasing them but am reluctant because there is nowhere to attach bungee cords once the sideboards are attached. They have made room for straps but no bungees…my design will accommodate both (I tend to use bungees rather than straps, unless it’s a super heavy load). I have to say this, though, that I’m sure the recycled plastic sideboards that Yuba offers will outlast my homemade ones which are made of 1/4″ plywood…we’ll see how they survive a harsh Buffalo winter.

The reason these cost almost nothing for me to make is that I already had the wood…still had a piece left from when I built the top deck. My only cost was a $2.99 can of spray paint and a couple hours of my own time. If I had to purchase the wood it would probably cost another $8.00. By adding these sideboards I figure I’ve at least doubled my load capacity and loading options. I would be interested in hearing from other Mundo owners, Xtracylers, and other cargo bikers on their thoughts and ways in which they’ve modified their bikes.

Anyhow, this is how I made them (click any photo for a larger view).

I stared by removing all of the screws from the sidebars.

Next I cut the piece of wood in half, and cut it in length a bit as well, to make it more manageable. Then I rested it on the sidebar and traced it’s outline.

Next I cut the shape of the sidebar on the traced line, and repeated the process in revers for the other side. But on the right side of the bike I also had to cut a small section of the board to accommodate the derailleur.

One of the things that perplexed me was how I would line up the threaded holes for the screws with those that I drilled. This is what I did, and surprisingly it worked. Using a hammer I tapped it over the area where the screw hole was (I also placed a board scrap over the board–not pictured–to protect the future running board). What this did was leave an indentation on the underside of the board (see photo), which was basically a bull’s eye for me to drill holes in which to attach the screws.

Next I used a bore attachment to a drill and, straddling the edge of the board, cut semi-circles, giving the board a sort of Swiss cheese appearance.

After this I sanded the boards and spray painted them on both sides. Having a matte black Mundo it was easy to find the correct color. I did consider staining them, like I did with the top deck on the v1 giving it a sleeker appearance, but then I liked the idea of them blending into the bike rather than standing out.

After the boards were nearly dry I attached them with the screws (which “mostly” fit good…with a little finagling), and them took the bike for a brief ride though the city to air dry them. They look almost store-bought, don’t you think?

Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe with Photos

A few years ago I planted a single grape vine in my backyard and am amazed at how it took off…come autumn I have more grapes than I can consume. For the past few years I’ve said I was going to make wine (something I’ve never done) and I still haven’t…this may be the year. But I have to admit that having a basement full of wine does concern me a bit…like a kid in a candy store.

Anyhow, for those that know me personally probably also know that I am of partial Lebanese ancestry…my dad’s family was right from “the old country.” I grew up eating this stuff and still love it. I’ve read that the sense of smell (and taste, but mostly smell) is a person’s strongest memory sensor. And I believe this is true because whenever I cook this, and even more so chicken-and-rice, the aroma of chicken broth and cinnamon is like a memory elixor to me…I can vividly picture my aunts and sitto (grandmother) working away in the kitchen.

After picking, blanching, and stuffing the grapeleaves, I cooked them in my backyard under the vine on which they grew…while drinking wine, listening to NPR, and yelling at my pugs to not pee on the vegetable plants.

One of the differences between this recipe and a Greek-style grape leaves is that the Greek recipe (while equally delicious) are often topped with a light lemon sauce; the Lebanese variety are cooked in a light cinnamon-scented tomato broth.  If you don’t have access to fresh vine leaves you can use jarred.

It’s difficult to tell you in words alone how good these smelled as they cooked, and even more specifically how good they tasted…my teenage son ate 14 of them. Anyhow, here’s the pictures first; a basic recipe follows (click any photo for a larger view).


Stuffed Grape Leaves
                                      Yield: 4-5 dozen grape leaves
The Stuffing:
1 pound ground beef or lamb
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
1 cup canned, diced tomatoes
4 ounces minced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fresh chopped mint
5 dozen grape leaves

The Sauce:
1 1/2 cups tomato puree
6 cups water or chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup fresh chopped mint
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients for the stuffing. Stuff the grape leaves forming cigar shapes.

Line the bottom of a pot with a rack (or a sliced onion) to keep the grape leaves from sticking.
Layer the grape leaves in the pot taking care to place the sealed side down to keep them from unraveling. Combine all of the ingre­dients for the sauce in a large bowl, and then pour it over the grape leaves. Place a small plate or lid (smaller than the diameter of the pot) over the grape leaves to keep them submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and bring it to a simmer. After the grape leaves have simmered for 30 minutes, shut the flame off and allow them to rest for an additional 20 minutes.

>Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe with Photos

>

A few years ago I planted a single grape vine in my backyard and am amazed at how it took off…come autumn I have more grapes than I can consume. For the past few years I’ve said I was going to make wine (something I’ve never done) and I still haven’t…this may be the year. But I have to admit that having a basement full of wine does concern me a bit…like a kid in a candy store.

Anyhow, for those that know me personally probably also know that I am of partial Lebanese ancestry…my dad’s family was right from “the old country.” I grew up eating this stuff and still love it. I’ve read that the sense of smell (and taste, but mostly smell) is a person’s strongest memory sensor. And I believe this is true because whenever I cook this, and even more so chicken-and-rice, the aroma of chicken broth and cinnamon is like a memory elixor to me…I can vividly picture my aunts and sitto (grandmother) working away in the kitchen.

After picking, blanching, and stuffing the grapeleaves, I cooked them in my backyard under the vine on which they grew…while drinking wine, listening to NPR, and yelling at my pugs to not pee on the vegetable plants.

One of the differences between this recipe and a Greek-style grape leaves is that the Greek recipe (while equally delicious) are often topped with a light lemon sauce; the Lebanese variety are cooked in a light cinnamon-scented tomato broth.  If you don’t have access to fresh vine leaves you can use jarred.

It’s difficult to tell you in words alone how good these smelled as they cooked, and even more specifically how good they tasted…my teenage son ate 14 of them. Anyhow, here’s the pictures first; a basic recipe follows (click any photo for a larger view).


Stuffed Grape Leaves
                                      Yield: 4-5 dozen grape leaves
The Stuffing:
1 pound ground beef or lamb
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
1 cup canned, diced tomatoes
4 ounces minced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fresh chopped mint
5 dozen grape leaves

The Sauce:
1 1/2 cups tomato puree
6 cups water or chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup fresh chopped mint
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients for the stuffing. Stuff the grape leaves forming cigar shapes.

Line the bottom of a pot with a rack (or a sliced onion) to keep the grape leaves from sticking.
Layer the grape leaves in the pot taking care to place the sealed side down to keep them from unraveling. Combine all of the ingre­dients for the sauce in a large bowl, and then pour it over the grape leaves. Place a small plate or lid (smaller than the diameter of the pot) over the grape leaves to keep them submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and bring it to a simmer. After the grape leaves have simmered for 30 minutes, shut the flame off and allow them to rest for an additional 20 minutes.

More Stuff That Can Be Carried On A Bike

These photos were sent to me by a fellow Buffalonian and avid cyclist / longtail rider (thanks David). He’s carrying them on his Xtracycle.

If you’ve been to this blog before then you know that I like to post things that can be carried on a bike…I never tire of it. While cargo bikes are relatively few in the Western New York area, they are, I truly believe the common transportation of the future…the not-too-distant future. It’s one of our best options for urban transport.

A bass drum.
A chair.
Another bicycle (folder)
A few pieces of lumber

>More Stuff That Can Be Carried On A Bike

>These photos were sent to me by a fellow Buffalonian and avid cyclist / longtail rider (thanks David). He’s carrying them on his Xtracycle.

If you’ve been to this blog before then you know that I like to post things that can be carried on a bike…I never tire of it. While cargo bikes are relatively few in the Western New York area, they are, I truly believe the common transportation of the future…the not-too-distant future. It’s one of our best options for urban transport.

A bass drum.
A chair.
Another bicycle (folder)
A few pieces of lumber

I’m Gonna Be Honest Here

This is no confession…nor is it really anything new to this blog, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. But with a different twist.

Riding a bike for me is mostly about selfish reasons: the biggest reason is that I really enjoy it. It’s good for me physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually…it really does make me feel free. It also saves me a few dollars in petrol costs. And when I carry or haul stuff on my bike(s) it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I own a car (small truck, actually), and I’ve mentioned this in many posts. But I really enjoy riding bikes. Some readers have suggested (told me) to sell my truck. I shan’t discuss it in an open forum such as this but I am unable to do this at present…but I may eventually.

I have to admit that riding to save the planet has never been a main mission of mine. Of course this is one of the reasons but not the biggest reason. I’ve always done it for more personal (some may say selfish) reasons mentioned above…until recently.

It’s not as if I’ve had a bona-fide epiphany over this (maybe a minor epiphany), but this latest oil spill has really thrown me. We see and hear it every day in the news, and it’s been going on so long it’s gotten pushed back to the lesser news; it’s no longer a “front page story”…but as I type these words oil is still spewing gallons and gallons of oil into the ocean. Even after (if) it’s stopped, the future complications and devastation is going to be terrible.

It’s incomprehensible to me.

What’s really alarming is this recent article in The Atlantic. They state that the total amount of oil that has been spilled into the ocean (the article was published on June 7) is a mere tenth of what the U.S. consumes everyday.

What?

It’s interesting how this has affected me at a personal level. In the past couple weeks when I’ve reached for my helmet instead of my car keys (or chose to walk) I did it for all the aforementioned selfish reasons, but I also consciously did it not to consume gas, not for monetary reasons but ecological ones…to save the planet, however small my contribution may be.

I’ve thought of it this way. If this were something that happened in the past, (and by “this” I mean our lifestyle of being addicted to oil) I would want to ask my ancestors what they did to help, save, or preserve (but mostly respect) the planet they left for us. God only knows what we’re leaving for future generations. Some day I hope to be a grandfather, and I also hope to be able to look my grandchild in the eyes and say that I did my part.

I am in no way attempting to get preachy here (though I am, I suppose); I speak solely for myself. This blog from the start has been an open diary of sorts. It began in the dead of winter on the notion of simplifying my life on many levels, one of them being riding my bike for any trip under two miles (click here for my original post). It was originally for personal reasons, but now it’s global.

It has to be; we have no choice.

>I’m Gonna Be Honest Here

>

This is no confession…nor is it really anything new to this blog, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. But with a different twist.

Riding a bike for me is mostly about selfish reasons: the biggest reason is that I really enjoy it. It’s good for me physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually…it really does make me feel free. It also saves me a few dollars in petrol costs. And when I carry or haul stuff on my bike(s) it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I own a car (small truck, actually), and I’ve mentioned this in many posts. But I really enjoy riding bikes. Some readers have suggested (told me) to sell my truck. I shan’t discuss it in an open forum such as this but I am unable to do this at present…but I may eventually.

I have to admit that riding to save the planet has never been a main mission of mine. Of course this is one of the reasons but not the biggest reason. I’ve always done it for more personal (some may say selfish) reasons mentioned above…until recently.

It’s not as if I’ve had a bona-fide epiphany over this (maybe a minor epiphany), but this latest oil spill has really thrown me. We see and hear it every day in the news, and it’s been going on so long it’s gotten pushed back to the lesser news; it’s no longer a “front page story”…but as I type these words oil is still spewing gallons and gallons of oil into the ocean. Even after (if) it’s stopped, the future complications and devastation is going to be terrible.

It’s incomprehensible to me.

What’s really alarming is this recent article in The Atlantic. They state that the total amount of oil that has been spilled into the ocean (the article was published on June 7) is a mere tenth of what the U.S. consumes everyday.

What?

It’s interesting how this has affected me at a personal level. In the past couple weeks when I’ve reached for my helmet instead of my car keys (or chose to walk) I did it for all the aforementioned selfish reasons, but I also consciously did it not to consume gas, not for monetary reasons but ecological ones…to save the planet, however small my contribution may be.

I’ve thought of it this way. If this were something that happened in the past, (and by “this” I mean our lifestyle of being addicted to oil) I would want to ask my ancestors what they did to help, save, or preserve (but mostly respect) the planet they left for us. God only knows what we’re leaving for future generations. Some day I hope to be a grandfather, and I also hope to be able to look my grandchild in the eyes and say that I did my part.

I am in no way attempting to get preachy here (though I am, I suppose); I speak solely for myself. This blog from the start has been an open diary of sorts. It began in the dead of winter on the notion of simplifying my life on many levels, one of them being riding my bike for any trip under two miles (click here for my original post). It was originally for personal reasons, but now it’s global.

It has to be; we have no choice.