Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - No big suprise---bike wins the race!!

http://www.curbed.com/archives/2006/05/19/commuting_fun_bike_wins_brooklyn_to_les_race.php

whats with the commenters on that blog? Meh. But yea, no surprise there.

And some of the comments from the above article:

2. Cost of getting to your destination sweat free: priceless. I'll take thos extra seven minutes on the subway over bicycle anytime.
By Ray at May 19, 2006 12:41 PM

3. I'm always kind of surprised that the bike wins. It would seem that, even with all the stops, the train is taking the faster route since it does not have to deal with surface traffic.

I'm sure the bike broke numerous laws to win. While I'm pro-bike, I get a little tired of some of the obnoxious bike riding I see out there.
By Bing at May 19, 2006 12:43 PM

4. Yeah, if all employers had on-site shower and changing facilities bicycling to work would be a lot more feasible. Although after a packed subway ride I often feel like a shower would be a good thing, too!
By babs at May 19, 2006 12:45 PM

5. Why is it that all of sudden I hate all bicyclists? Like this guy pictured: he seems like a nice enough guy, but I can't stand him.
By Anonymous at May 19, 2006 01:01 PM

6. #5 its because of a few jerks who ride them. I;m sorry when you're ona bike you're a vehicle and must obey traffic signs/signals/rules. That idiot who zips through an intersection against a red, and almost takes out pedestrians gives all bike riders a bad name.

Also this race was a bit bike biased, based on locations ($free is a bit misleading as bikes cost money to buy and upkeep so not exactly free). Cabs goign across the river will always be slower. In this case subway could have been faster if the rider did not have to transfer. But the route they used required a transer, a commute killer.

And as the previous poster said sweat free (except in the summer that is). Its also tons safer, more confortable, and more relaxing. If the city was setup with more bike friendly paths, maybe, but until then its the train for me.

Ah well, cycling ain't for everybody.

[e]BTW, they've run this race before using different routes. One race was between a corvette, a bike and the subway along a long enough route to make it interesting. The bike still won and the car was last.

What is with all the damn sweat comments, do these people actually think bike commuter show up to work all wet?

Let them stay in the dark, Bike always faster.

"I cannot rememeber the last time I saw a biker stop at a red light. I think it happend about 3 years ago"

Are you guys this aggressive? Tsk tsk...

Running red lights severely shortens your life span around here. Actually I haven't seen many people running reds around here.

"I cannot rememeber the last time I saw a biker stop at a red light. I think it happend about 3 years ago"

Are you guys this aggressive? Tsk tsk...
Speaking only for myself, I treat reds like Stop signs and do rolling stops. Slow down, check the coast is clear, then proceed. I only stop if I have to.

I could beat that guy skidding.... 4 for 4 bayyyby
http://static.flickr.com/24/146217878_85835f9c4b.jpg
ben popper - photo credit

25 minutes from GAP to LES? That dude must have been observing traffic laws to get that time.

yeah, i think most of us would do GAP to LES in much less than 25 minutes.

this is awesome though, just like Yogurt vs Gasoline.

a year ago i was in park slope at a friends and we were heading to the east river band shell to see The Evens. A friend was in a car and I was riding. We decided to race. I had him destroyed, but riding through China town I managed to tear my chainring off the crank! ****! i walked to Habitat and struggled to find a new chainring but they didn't have any shortstack bolts. after i'd been there for about 15 minutes my friends called and said they just got there. boooo. plus i missed the evens :(

25 minutes from GAP to LES? That dude must have been observing traffic laws to get that time.

If memory serves correctly, I think TA has the rider follow all the laws.

Maybe if these people weren't such lazy ****s and got some exercise every once in a while they wouldn't break into a sweat at the slightest exertion.

If memory serves correctly, I think TA has the rider follow all the laws.

That makes more sense, though it still seems kinda slow. I'd try it myself, but realistically I'd just get frustrated and say screw the whole thing and run a red.

HAH, all those people talking about hating bikers and sweat are just jealous.

Sure, some cyclists might ride too aggressively, but you don't have to ride that hard to beat the cars in most cities during rush hour.

If memory serves correctly, I think TA has the rider follow all the laws.

If thats the case then this whole sweat arguement has been shot full of holes. Its like a break every couple of streets.



Maybe if these people weren't such lazy ****s and got some exercise every once in a while they wouldn't break into a sweat at the slightest exertion.

Exactly what I was thinking. Even if you were sweating you would be at work early enough to change or rest and dry off. Then, with the money you saved, you could buy some coffee, a donut, or some smokes (you know, something to ruin all the benefits of the ride you just had). ;)

If memory serves correctly, I think TA has the rider follow all the laws.

That's just crazy talk.

Yes .... cyclocommuting beats public trans if you can handle it.]

I would like to see less buses and more bikes.