This product was originally brought to my attention by friend Rob Anderson. He was prompt about getting his and I held of for what ever reason. Keep in mind I wasn’t even wearing a helmet yet during my work commutes, what was I thinking ! I am not the best for helmet advocacy but have done some thinking on the subject and thought I would share some thoughts on that as well as a few pictures of my new Road ID.
In the beginning I thought of cycling pretty much as being just like I was as a kid riding my old school GT Performer. For the most part things did start out that way lol my average speeds were 8-9 mph and I could barely ride 5 miles, and I rode on the sidewalk. Fast forward 8 months later I would consider myself avid cyclist, but not hardcore by any means. My speeds are much different now of course and it is not uncommon for me to have closer to 18mph avg. That’s and average which means at some points I am going much faster and have topped 30mph occasionally. Which leads me to the next analogy. I asked myself if I would open a car door and jump out of a car at those speeds? My basic answer for this is F!@k No!! I’m sure you would agree cyclist or not you would not welcome hitting the pavement at those speeds. So why was it then that I was riding my bike in traffic at those speeds with out a helmet. Stupidity?, Vanity?, Helmet feels awkward? Not really sure I suppose all of the above.
The situation became clear. I owe it to myself as well as my family to be wearing a helmet during my higher risk cycling if nothing else. I’m not saying I wear one all the time but more and more I grab my helmet rather then my hat if I go riding. I just makes sense. The more I wear one the more accustomed I am to the feel and look of having one on. Not to mention that awkward feeling when you are riding with people who are all wearing them lol and you know damn well you should be too but didn’t bring one?? Enough bout that I’m not your grannie or mommie it’s your decision and one freedom you still got left 
so choice is yours.
On to the Road ID, like I said Rob showed me a link on it earlier this summer and as I met more avid cyclists and athletes I began to notice lots and lots of them were wearing them. I visited the site finally and bought mine because I got to thinking if I were hit or injured I may or may not be near my wallet/bike/id. Now I can wear this wrist strap that can go with me any time I ride and will not come off unless my arm comes off. Not that that isn’t possible but just not as likely as me being separated from my ID. They offer different types and memberships, I purchased the basic version for $20. I must say it is well constructed and has the text laser engraved. I was able to put 2 emergency contacts my name address and insurance info. We will see how it holds up to normal wear and tear plus they have to expect we would want to wash them right? Here a few pics and visit link if you like I get no money for references I’m just bringing it to your attention their may be better or more affordable services available I do not know about so do your own research make your decisions, just be informed!!
Plain put everything was pretty good today. The weather was perfect, I got to ride my bike like 30 miles, and I got to meet some very like minded people. As you already know or might know, KanBikeWalk held their annual meeting this year in Wichita. I was lucky enough to get to be involved in the Pre-Meeting ride as well as stick around for the meeting. I met some wonderful people from out of town as well as here right in our own ICT. I will go through the list and try to list the credits correctly so bear with me if I blow it. There are more people involved then I will actually list and I will only name the people I interacted with today and their respective sites. Hopefully I will get a hold of some of the in ride pics Randy took and update this post with them at that time. KanBikeWalk, KanBikeWalk Facebook (@KanBikeWalk) is Pedestrian/Cyclist advocacy “KanBikeWalk’s vision for active transportation includes increasing safety to reduce incidences of injury and death for all road users, and encourages walking and bicycling as modes of transportation, recreation, tourism, and sport.”
Right before the ride we (my cousin Danny and good friend Kevin) swung by the Hyatt seen friend of the site Rob Anderson and his Young Marines (@youngmarines) group during PT, before their cleaning up of the Veterans Memorial. Then it was off to Meet Randy Rasa of Kansas Cyclist , Kansas Cyclist Facebook (@kansascyclist) (@ksbikepodcast). I had been looking forward to meeting him for a while, not only is he a cycling junkie but he is a tech junkie so I felt we had some common interests. Cracks me up he seemed so relaxed and collected for a guy who has a million things going on while he’s doing a million things. After meeting Randy I met Mark Rainey (Board member of KanBikeWalk). Then it was over to meet Dale Crawford and Gina Poertner (and here) (@GinaSport). Then I also met Jay Wright with Oz Bike Club, finally we got to riding !! We made a stop and I was like wait a second there’s one more person then I thought we originally left with. Sweet Greg Standifer (@gcstandi) did show up this is great I was really hoping to meet him since he has helped out with the site a little bit. …..Still with me??
Here’s some photos toward the end of the ride
After the ride it was time for business and I met yet a few more people. Roxanne Wright(Oz Bike Club), and Cecile Kellenbarger (Oz Bike Club) (KanBikeWalk) There was another individual who came to the meeting from seeing the meeting listed on Kansas Cyclist website and I feel horrible I did not write his name down but I will get it from one of the others and correct this post at that time. The have made some accomplishments and went over several things they are hoping to get in the works or already working on. I would say visit their site and stay updated as this post is already quite long and I don’t want to get any information wrong lol.
Don’t miss your chance to ride and be heard. There will be a leisure ride through Wichita and follow up with lunch. Ride starts at 10am, at the Holiday Inn @ Kellog and Broadway 10-31-2009!! Contact me through the form if you like to meet up with me and bike up to the start of the ride.
Meet here 10 AM Saturday the 31st
Call Me if you need more info
Info below from actual KanBikeWalk Website
Spread the word !!!!
KanBikeWalk Annual Meeting 2009
Please join us for the KanBikeWalk 2nd Annual Meeting.
KanBikeWalk is a non-profit, statewide organization whose mission is to promote a safe bicycling and walking environment for Kansans through education and advocacy.
KanBikeWalk’s members are working to become Kansas’ center for bicycle and pedestrian issues and advocacy with the goal of making Kansas a premier bicycling and walking state through improved safety/education programs and infrastructure improvements at the local, state and federal level.
As a 100% volunteer organization, KanBikeWalk is reaching out to you as a member of the bicycle and walking community. We all walk and bicycle for transportation, recreation, tourism, sport and/or exercise. We need your help to make Kansas a safer, friendly state to bicycle and walk in. Please join us!
When: Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Pre-meeting ride at 10:00 am weather permitting.)
Where: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 221 E. Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67202 [map]
Please RSVP to gksport5@yahoo.com so we may best accommodate all attendees.
We also believe in having fun!
Please join us for a Pre-Meeting Bicycle Ride (weather permitting) through Wichita. Start time will be 10:00 a.m., with a route taking us on the Wichita bike paths along the Arkansas River, approximately 15 miles at an easy and comfortable pace.
If you have questions about the Annual Meeting or Pre-Ride, feel free to contact any of the KanBikeWalk officers:
- Gina Poertner, President, gksport@gmail.com, 620-342-2477
- Dale Crawford , Vice President, kanbike@comcast.net, 913-829-6588
- Cecile Kellenbarger, Treasurer, cbkellen@yahoo.com, 316-744-7786
Meeting Agenda:
- Welcome and Introductions
- Orders of Business
- 2009 Year in Review – Our accomplishments this year.
- Open Forum/Roundtable – A discussion of issues affecting Kansas bicyclists and pedestrians
- 2010 Activity Goals
- Summary and Closing
We look forward to seeing you!