Nobody knows the identity of this bike commuter yet, but authorities in four states are interested enough in his mode of transportation that they’d like to find him. The FBI is searching for this bike rider — a white male in his 50s — in Ohio, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Riding a bike to and from work is a great way for a middle-aged man to keep fit and avoid traffic stops.

Google Maps now shows traffic information. According to the official blog:

“For more than 30 major U.S. cities, you can now see up-to-date traffic conditions to help you plan your schedule and route.”

“If your route shows red, you’re looking at a stop-and-go commute; yellow, you could be a little late for dinner; green, you’ve got smooth sailing.”

Granted, this is probably more helpful for drivers, but some of you might find this helpful.

Specialized 29″ers by May? Hearing Specialized will have their 29″ers in stores by May. More details will be coming, but I can not imagine that this is not in response to another big players announcement coming soon that they will have a full line up of 29″ers for ‘08. Will there be a Fox shock on the front of these bikes? This was my prediction. We’ll see soon enough!

Sea Otter: Twenty Nine Inches is going to Sea Otter which means yours truly gets to fly again! Oh boy. But wait until you see what I’m coming home in! Not only that, but wait until you see who I’m coming home with! (Don’t worry Mrs. G-Ted, nothing untoward here! Besides, you already know about it.) Anyway, it’ll be an eye opener. Big news from Sea Otter, so stay tuned to Twenty Nine Inches for more. Now where are those galoshes……..

Syncros Developing 29″er Wheelset: Hearing that Syncros is developing a 29″er wheelset based upon their popular 26″er offerings. Rim design might be ready by Sea Otter with a full wheelset to be shown at Interbike. Anybody ready for white rims?

UPDATE Hearing now that Specialized will have three models under $1000.00. One will have some sort of adjustable drop out, but the others will be geared only. A “Rockhopper” model is already for release, but Specialized is waiting for “the right timing” to release it, so my source tells me. More updates as they become available.

another picture?

this soma juice 29er is ready for 2007

This is a section of Ivy Drive in Menlo Park, CA.

I was cycling east on this street this morning when I saw a car back out into the street. I stopped behind this car while the driver dug in her purse for something. After half a minute, she finally got going again, pulled up to the school parking lot across the street and parked in the teacher parking. The total distance she drove was 100 yards.

Weather is sunny and about 45°F / 7°C, so not only is this a perfect distance, the weather was perfect too. Not only that, you don’t even need a bike for this distance. The red line is the route this motorist drove to work this morning.

No wonder we’re all so fat.

Final version of the new Origin-8 Scout 29er!

Great ride! When I first took this bike out for a test run, it fit just like Cinderella’s slipper. I loved it so much I own 2 of them now. One Black frame, the other in Raw frame. Check it out for yourself, you will love it too! www.Psyclestore.com

I have just received word through a confidential source that SRAM/ Rock Shox is testing a new fork offset to be released in the near future for the Reba 29″er. A longer offset is being tested that will allow designers of 29″ers to do a couple of things. First, the head angle will not have to be radically steep to gain a lower fork trail number that more resembles what we have on 26 inch wheeled XC bikes. Handling in the tight, twisty single track trails will be markedly improved and the front end quickness should be suitable to most trail riders situations. Secondly, the smaller sizes of 29″ers will benefit, as a slacker head tube angle will not only kick the wheel out further, but so will the longer offset, helping to eliminate toe overlap with the front wheel in tight, slow manoeuvring. Yet the offset will help retain quick handling, unlike the current offset of 38mm.

Good timing on the part of SRAM/ Rock Shox will allow them to keep pace with the upcoming Manitou offering that will also have the longer offset on offer. Also, I suspect Fox to be working on something that should show up yet this year, as well. The Reba is the undisputed “queen” of 29″er forks, and this should help keep it in the hunt for the top fork choice for 29″ers going into the future.

If you live in St. Louis or San Francisco.

Here is the latest on the bike commuter dilemma in St. Louis. A large portion of Highway 40 is going to be re-routed to county roads that bicycle commuters frequent. The bike lanes are being taken out so that the lanes can be re-painted to include three lanes instead of two. The good news is that they’re going to put up additional “Share the Road” signs. The bad news is they’re going to put up additional “Share the Road” signs. A group of cyclists has requested a different option, signs with a picture of a bicycle above the words “use full lane.”

Marin County Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program Advisory Committee has $25 million to spend and a list of projects that adds up to $220 million.

Commuters in Palo Alto will be happy to know that the Bikestation has reopened. Bike storage is free and funded by the city of Palo Alto. More information can be found at the Bikestation web site Here.