Mark Stosberg

Recreation vs. Transportation bikes: Quiz and Photos

2007-10-06

I put together this quiz about recreation vs. transportation bikes and added in a sprinkling of photos of features more likely to be found on transportation bikes.

mattress hauling and disposal

2007-11-17

Newest Bike built in Richmond, Indiana

2007-11-21

From 1895 to 1898 Henley Bicycle Works built bikes here in Richmond, Indiana. Now in 2007 Kurt Ritchie is keeping the spirit alive with his latest home-built bike creation:

Looks like a fast, comfortable bike to me!

Christmas on two wheels

2007-12-22

This year I noticed a not of photos of people hauling Christmas trees by bike. Click through the Santa photo to see them. This season even UPS is delivering some packages by bike.

. Photos by Jim Hair and Kurt Ritchie

Milestones in Skateboarding and Skateparks

2008-04-22

Recently I retired from a decade of maintaining Skatepark.org. I gave the domain over to Skaters for Public Skateparks so they could continue the work of skatepark advocacy. They give me a plug on their history page in return.

In the end I was ready to let go and the new group is taking the website to a new level that I'm proud to be associated with. But the actual switch-over was rather anti-climatic, a forgettable day.

A more personally meaningful milestone came out of the blue last week by e-mail:

My name is Ben, you may still remember me. I used to live around the corner from you on NW H st. with my mom, and we used to skate together every now and then. I am contacting you because you were the first person to push me in the direction of ramp-building, and were to show me my mistakes and what not. This time, however, I have finally gotten it right. I have just recently finished a mini ramp in my backyard, not a shoddy ramp like what I used to try to build, but a very nice ramp. Since you were there at the beginning of my building days, I would be quite honored if you would skate it with me. I dont know if you still skate or not, but if you do, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to have a session with you.

Although I don't think I'd been skateboarding in over a year, I promptly took Ben up on his offer. Skating together with and old neighbor who had grown up to to build an excellent backyard halfpipe was a day to remember. Thanks, Ben.

Here's Ben on his new ramp:

A family camping trip without the car

2008-05-23

The record gas prices are stunting travel plans for many travelers, but not the folks in this video. Several family pack all their kids, tents and gear on their Xtracycle bikes and head for the hills. Fun ensues. Watch now. Bikes can carry more weight than most realize, and electric assist kits are available for even heavier loads, or lower pedaling effort.

A tour journal from cycling from Richmond, Indiana to the Ohio River.

2008-05-12

Our small group of friends and family rediscover "Hoosier Hills Route 1", a bicycling touring route from Richmond to Clifty Falls once produced and maintained by the state of Indiana.

Guitargling

2008-05-27

This is my old housemate Nathan Guitargling with another guitarglist. I used to practice the club and hat routine with him sometimes, but I never advanced to guitargling myself.

Al Gore: New Thinking on the Climate Crisis

2008-06-02

Excellent, motivational video.

100-mile radius potluck

2008-07-02

Chris made this nice video of the 100-mile radius potluck last night.