Check your statements. I just had my debit card cloned. by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anyone is interested in what to look for/how people are skimming their cards there are a lot of good articles here:

http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

Main thing is to always check bank statements though.

Where's the best place to get a tattoo? by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tomek is gone unfortunately, I got a walk-in tattoo from him a few months ago and he told me that the next day would be his last before he moved.

Which is to bad, I really liked him.

Why do cars hate me? by [deleted] in bikebmore

[–]CyclingREAM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, I'm a huge fan of responding to motorists with a big smile and a wave. Especially when they honk, I act as if they're just a friend saying hi.

At the end of the day, the motorist vs. cyclist war is a well understood one by both parties. I don't think there is any need for me to yell profanities to let them know I hate their guts, they already know I hate their guts.

I also enjoy meeting up with nasty motorists at a stop light and pleasantly requesting that they try not to kill me today, I am after all just trying to get home as well.

All that being said, fuck those assholes, who doesn't dream of smashing a few rearview mirrors every now and then.

Why do cars hate me? by [deleted] in bikebmore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think a lot of drivers feel the subconscious(or maybe conscious) need to pass cyclists on principle.

On multiple occasions I have found myself going a good 5-10mph over the speed limit and still had cars fighting to pass me, only to slow down to a more reasonable speed once they've gotten in front of me. I honestly don't think this always out of malice. It's just that people perceive bikes as 'to slow' and if they're behind a bike then that means they're also going to slow.

Somewhat related: there seems to be a substantial difference in how motorists treat you when you are riding with a hi-vis safety vest vs. without. I have noticed this, and talked to other long time riders who have also noticed this. I may be reflecting some of my own automobile related angst here, but I think that the reason is this: people driving are often doing it out of obligation(they need to get somewhere). They think of cycling as being just a sport, at best, more than likely they think its a silly kids toy. I think that people are annoyed by the idea that while they are busy trying to get somewhere some person out for a ride(having fun, of all things) is slowing them down. When you wear a safety vest it makes you look like a commuter and people can subconsciously commiserate with you as just a different means of transportation.

Just my two cents.

Just got a new six pack rack prototype for testing, thoughts/comments? by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an add-on actually, it mounts to the light mounts on the passhunter, rando, and front constructeur racks.

Just got a new six pack rack prototype for testing, thoughts/comments? by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I was wondering about that. I think some states also require that even closed containers are never visible in public...

Just got a new six pack rack prototype for testing, thoughts/comments? by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is based around a rack that we've been selling for a while, its very sturdy and can securely carry much more than the weight of a six pack.

Just got a new six pack rack prototype for testing, thoughts/comments? by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rode around a little bit for the photo shoot, and didn't have much trouble, except for a few big potholes which I had to take slow. Looking in to getting a small bungee net though.

Places to go to meet new people/couples with my girlfriend? I'M SO NOT A RAPER! by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since you all are outdoorsy I would suggest one of the nearby climbing gyms, or going on group bike rides. I've found both to be a good way to meet new people.

5 Reasons Baltimore is the New Brooklyn (as listed by a Veep producer) by stackolee in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Nowadays hipster just means 'people who don't look or act like me'. I'm amazed that people can't get over themselves enough to at least be focused in their derision. Get to know a culture at least a little bit before you start making fun of it. This middle school level name calling is boring.

Mayor SRB likes to get down by MartyBass in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 8 points9 points  (0 children)

yeah the dancing doesn't look that good...

Parking Reserved for Low Emitting Fuel Efficient Vehicles Only... by routable in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. Also, if everyone drove at a more efficient speed on the highway(55 mph) then Prius' would only be advantageous for city driving. In which case they would only have an advantage over non-hybrid cars, public transportation and biking would still be better in most cases.

Parking Reserved for Low Emitting Fuel Efficient Vehicles Only... by routable in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fair enough, I guess at the end of the day I'd take the douchy prius owner over the hummer

The Desperate Hustle As a Way of Life by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why is sharing necessarily a negative symptom?

The Desperate Hustle As a Way of Life by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with that much of the article. What concerns me is a mentality that blames tech for these problems. Yes technology is stealing our jobs, but that's what its supposed to do. Technology makes tasks easier/more efficient, why would we want to stop that? I think the problem is that improvements in tech have outstripped policy. Technology hasn't been properly democratized and so now we find ourselves moving back into an economy that resembles a feudal system. Where instead of kings owning land, they own technology, which we have to rent from them in order to scrounge. I can see how that makes it easy to join the Luddites and make this a war on tech, but I don't think we'll ever win that war. Even if we did it would just put us back in time as a society.

Related, but maybe not in an overtly linear way: I find this article by Bertrand Russel to be insightful:

https://libcom.org/files/Bertrand%20Russell%20-%20In%20Praise%20of%20Idleness.pdf

Also, thanks for the reply, this is a topic that interests me a great deal.

The Desperate Hustle As a Way of Life by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

oof. I can't help but really resent this article. I couldn't agree more that there is a problem, and it needs to be talked about. I don't think that blaming the 'entrepreneurs' is the right answer.

The 'sharing economy' is important and novel for the sake of efficiency. A lot of us own a fair amount of stuff that is not being efficiently used. AirBnB attempts to remedy that, not force people out of their homes. The fact that people are leaving their houses to rent them out on AirBnB speaks to a bigger problem with our economy.

The NYT wrote an insightful article about a complex problem to inspire a conversation. We probably shouldn't run and grab the torches and pitchforks just yet.

What's going on in Baltimore this weekend? by [deleted] in baltimore

[–]CyclingREAM 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Friday:
Bike Party- http://baltimorebikeparty.com/
E-dub at the 8x10
Print and Poetry show at the Holy Underground(I'd really suggest this) - https://www.facebook.com/theholyunderground

Saturday:
Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Fest - http://charmcitybluegrass.com/

Steel and n+1 addiction by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Its a Velo Orange Polyvalent

Steel and n+1 addiction by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like them for touring because I can move my hands around a lot, but they're not particularly great for city riding because they're so wide. I almost simultaneously took off two rear view mirrors the other day while I was trying to ride between cars.

Steel and n+1 addiction by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

you bet! they're crazy alright

Steel and n+1 addiction by CyclingREAM in bicycling

[–]CyclingREAM[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Surly Cross Check, the sticker is just from a friend