Flying Bicycles

Over the course of any given day, I find myself looking for information on a particular topic, area, item, etc.  Every once in awhile, these searches land me in the midst of something I don't completely understand, or that I find myself wondering how I ended up finding the particular "thing." The most recent of these odd finds has been the flying bicycle.

I had no idea that flying bicycles were such a popular topic, or I suppose I should say, attempted experiment. This first one just left me scratching my head.


Then, I happened upon this video, which seemed a little more plausible. At least it actually flew, so that was pretty exciting.


The "Return of the Jedi" type flying bicycle was a somewhat more modern version of the flying bike.


But, then I happened to notice that some Czech engineers have actually designed a flying bicycle, too.


What I found most interesting about the Czech design is that it rides like a regular bicycle, but can then take off for up to five minutes. Imagine being able to fly out of the way of traffic or a road block. The design was supposed to be tested in mid-August, and was not intended to ever go into mass-production, but I couldn't find additional details anywhere. What do you think? Would you want to own a flying bicycle if it were affordable? Is it the wave of the future? I suppose we're still not using hover craft as regular transportation, so flying bikes probably aren't quite something I need to worry myself with at this point in time. Still, the idea is rather fascinating, I think.

Future U.S. Bicycle Infrastructure

How is it possible that I've entirely missed out on the conversation that has been in the works for (from what I can find) the last six years regarding a U.S. interstate bicycle system? I had no idea that such infrastructure was currently in the works, but am fascinated to learn more about this project.

Proposed map of US interstate bicycle route
*Image obtained from adventurecycling.org

The idea of being able to hop on a bicycle and have a means of more easily traveling from state to state, or even within my own state is highly exciting to me. The routes, apparently, will be supported by each states' Department of Transportation. Why it's taken the U.S. so long to figure out that this would be very useful and monetarily beneficial to the economy, I cannot determine, but for anyone interested and/or who, like me, has been left in the dark regarding this subject, there are some interesting articles to read here and here.

While I'm interested in this project and highly excited about the prospect, I'm a bit disappointed that it's been in the works for over six years (according to Bike Portland) and there's still nothing definitive in the works. It's so upsetting to see all the discussion and not have the actual work in progress. Wouldn't it be great to see this come about in the next few years? I'd love to know more of a timeline for completion if anyone has any information out there.

Bicycle City?

A bicycle city seems like pure utopia to me. The idea of having everything within walking/biking distance and  that's within a relatively short distance of a larger city is such an ideal that it seems impossible that it is even close to a realistic possibility. Apparently though, it is becoming a reality for folks in South Carolina in the very near future. Bicycle City, South Carolina is preparing for its launch in early December 2010.

From the descriptions of the soon-to-be community, the city will be nestled between the mountains and the beach, and will also be a short 12 miles from the city of Columbia, SC. With a fairly moderate climate, designed mix-use areas, and tons of recreational opportunities, this planned community seems like a dream come true!

I can only hope that this is the wave of the future, and that cities such as this one will be sprouting up all over the U.S. As much as I'd love to live in this type of place, I'm not quite ready to up and move to South Carolina, but it definitely gives me hope for what the future holds.

'Grandma's' Departure

Yesterday, mom left to go back home after her three week visit (note the spiffy new cut that she got while she was visiting here in Colorful Colorado).

In part she was here to watch the four-legged kiddos while Sam and I adventured for a few days through the Midwest, and in part she came just to get away for a bit. It's always a little bitter sweet, however, when it's time to leave. Though we were definitely ready to have the house back to ourselves and return to a semi-normal life (whatever that may be), it's always sad when a family member or friend who's visiting has to go home. It makes me miss living closer to everyone and then I start missing home (even though I'm still not sure where home is anymore). Little Gandolf ran up this morning, expecting to find 'grandma' in bed, but she wasn't there. It was kind of sad to see his little face, but, I think he's recovering from all the fawning and coddling that grandma provides with relative ease.

As for me, the last few weeks have brought about some additional thoughts on my future, and while I still would really love to be able to have a creative job, I just can't stand the idea of not having the possibility of repaying school loans when I'm done with this third ride through college life. I've decided to change majors and use all of my fine art studies as a minor, thus providing me an opportunity to hopefully be employable in the future. While the idea of going back into the workforce doesn't thrill me (its 8-5 schedule, the never-ending politics, the bore of the routine), I realize that I will have a lot of debt to repay and I should probably have something that is, at very minimum, a broad-based degree that would allow me to work in a variety of fields. So, the fall is bringing about a change in my focus, and I'm hopeful that all will go well and I'll still be able to wrap up school in close to the same amount of time, or at very minimum, only needing to add on one semester. For the first time in a very long time I feel as though I have some focus (let's face it, I'm never entirely focused on anything), so I believe that it will bring positive results.

I'm also still longing for Wisconsin. I believe in time it will leave my consciousness and life will return to normal. I think that I just need to have more focus on more pressing goals, and leave any sort of moving until an appropriate time. It's easier said than done, however, and I can't help but long for a nice long bicycle ride through Madison, around one of the lakes, etc.

Who wouldn't want to live there? It's so green and there are bicycle paths everywhere it seemed. Plus, Sam looks so cute there on the bike path. I know they have winters that are rougher, so I suppose I should focus on that and not the beauty that we saw in the middle of summer.

We now return to regularly scheduled life. I have the added bonus of a lovely sore throat that arrived just as mom was leaving, but hopefully it won't hang on long and I can continue enjoying the last few weeks of the summer break.