The MinusCar Project

• Wardrobe Malfunction & Mouth Run-On

  This evening as I prepared my wardrobe for the ride home I found myself facing a zipper problem. The Fox Stormfront jacket that I celebrated in this blog post from January 2006 had developed a faulty zipper.This was critical. I was desperate for time and facing the necessity of riding [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 11:59pm EST
  

• Footprints In A Contest!

  I've entered my popular and very special "Footprints" photo in the Alliance For Biking and Walking's People Powered Movment Photo Contest. I wouldn't mind at all if readers visited the photo and gave it a vote or two.Furthermore I wouldn't mind at all if you spread the word, event a' [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 4:40pm EST
  

• Carbon Lite? Go Outside.

  Saturday morning I got up bright and early and headed off to lead the regularly scheduled FAB Coffee & Donut Ride. I arrived at the rendevous to find four hearty souls waiting in the 26-degree temps.A guest! We were pleased to have Tom from Minneapolis join us for the ride. [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2009, 8:41pm EST
  

• Wandering around the city. Left the car ...

  Wandering around the city. Left the car behind a while ago. Haircuts, Caribou (we got in trouble for beverages on the bus - a risk I knowingly took), couldn't quite grasp the 10th & Phillips demonstration as we passed on the bus. They were gone when we were able to' [...]
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  Posted: November 27, 2009, 2:44pm EST
  

• 091123 Transportation Donut

  Some weeks it just all comes together...A bit of a big week in MinusCarLandia. There a few pots on the stove. I'm almost to busy too drive - and that's reflected in the donut!My favorite meeting this last week was the CAC of the MPO at SECOG. There was lots' [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:25pm EST
  

• Playing In The Dirt

  After more than a year The Falls Area Singletrack (FAST) project at Leaders Park is just about out of the incubator. The City's Parks Board approved our proposal and agreed to let it go to the neighborhood for public input.The Parks Department has a website for the project as well.Yesterday [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 9:55am EST
  

• No Impact Man: The Movie Part III - It's Happening

  There I was, minding my own business and this poster arrived.It's a free movie! About The No Impact Man.Please come.If you're Facebook inclined the event page is here.' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  

• No Impact Man: The Movie Part II

  The other day on the way to work I stopped off for a warm cup of joe. That's not the only Joe I found, the director of The Sioux Falls Green Project was in there.We chatted. I'm all like, "MinusCar Project."He's all like "Sioux Falls Green Project." I'm all like [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 5:12pm EST
  

• 091116 Transportation Donut

  The ratio of bike to single occupant vehicle looks good. The multi-occupant miles are very high due to a trip to Mitchell for a meeting about the South Dakota Bicycle Coalition.The high cost of state level advocacy, darn. The meeting was good though. We know what we're doing for the' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 7:38pm EST
  

• No Impact Man: The Movie

  I noticed the No Impact Man movie is out and about. I was thinking the other day how nice it would be if it showed in Sioux Falls. Colin Beavan has been blogging his journey for a long time and often puts words down that resonate VERY well with me.What's' [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 10:11pm EST
  

• 091109 Transportation Donut

  First, The Dad celebrated 4,000 bike miles this week. It was a pretty good week. I’m particularly happy with the walking part. The Boy 11 says I didn’t walk much. I said if I walked enough to match the other sections I’d still be walking.I’m a little surprised that it’s [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:08pm EST
  

• 091102 Transportation Donut

  I started out the week strong but faltered in the end. Less rain in the forecast will help with motivation - which I need right now. This is the best time of year for riding...and night riding just got a lot more convenient.Let's go! [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 6:22pm EST
  

• Another Way For Less To Be More

  In "ad man" Rory Sutherland's TED Talk he describes using marketing to make less seem like more. [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 8:25pm EST
  

• Outside The Lines

  [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 9:59am EDT
  

• 091025 Transportation Donut

  This one covers from 10/12 to 10/25. Not exactly a time period to hand on the fridge for inspiration. [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
  

• 50/50 Chance Of Cyclocross!

  Reposted from the Falls Area Single Track (FAST) blog.Sioux Falls' first ever cyclocross event occurred Saturday morning. 19 riders were available enough and game enough to come out and enjoy the opportunity to ride in 0.4 mile circles with others.What you don't see there is 40ft of climbing. Yeah, that's' [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2009, 7:09pm EDT
  

• The Press Conference

  Awright, enough about being all bike friendly an stuff. [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2009, 7:03am EDT
  

• LAB Bicycle Friendly Community? Here's Why...

  According to Bill Nespar, director of the Bicycle Friendly American Program reviewers [of our application] were particularly impressed with:1. Efforts to educate young people in every school to give them the skills and confidence to ride.2. One of the best urban bicycle path systems in the country and recent on-street [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:55pm EDT
  

• We're A Bicycle Friendly Community. Now.

  Snakebite has the proof. I see that "crazy MinusCar Guy" got himself into some of the photos.It is a great day to be a bicyclist in Sioux Falls. Congratulations Sioux Falls! [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  

• Sioux Falls, The Bicycle Friendly Community

  The League of American Bicyclists has awarded Sioux Falls a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community.See The League's press release.See The Mayor unveil the signs tomorrow at 12:15pm at Cherapa Place.Be there to tell The Mayor, and City Council, and Division Heads just how happy you'll be to attain the silver' [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 10:12am EDT
  

• The Mayor's Press Conference

  The Mayor of The City will be hosting a bike related press conference Wednesday, 12:15 @ Cherapa Place. If you've ever ridden a bike before you should get on it and ride to this press conference.Seriously, I think you should. Especially if you read The MinusCar Project and nod your' [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 11:31am EDT
  

• Counting Bikes On Busses

  At the recent City bike committee meeting The Planner offered the monthy counts of bicycles on busses. Looks like it may have been a pretty good idea to finally do that...From Sept/2005 through Aug/2006: 2676From Sept/2006 through Aug/2007: 4635From Sept/2007 through Aug/2008: 4475 (oops, a drop!)From Sept/2008 through Aug/2009: 6719Looks [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 7:36pm EDT
  

• 091011 Transportation Donut

  [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 5:40pm EDT
  

• 1st Winter Ride

  Friday night I pulled the snow bike off it's hook, loosened up the rusted front derailleur cable and made sure the wheels go 'round. They did so I was ready to roll in the morning for the first winter FAB Coffee/Donut ride.Saturday morning I pulled myself off my hook, loosened' [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2009, 4:52pm EDT
  

• Inspiration!

  I retrieved The MinusCar from the mechanic today. I thought an oil change (dirty), transmission fluid (dirty), by-pass hose (coolant leak), water pump (coolant leak), rear wheel cylinder (leaky brakes), fuel filter (it’s time) might take at least an additional day. Unfortunately I missed out on today’s truly beautiful weather [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
  

• 091004 Transportation Donut Plus Stats

  That's a good looking donut!As I gathered numbers for the donut I noticed I've driven my car less this quarter than any other quarter of The MinusCar Project. The daily posting provides good motivation.Today I filled my car up for the sixth time this year. It had been 81 days' [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
  

• “This Gift To You Is Also A Gift To The Earth”

  “That's what money is, stored energy. Now energy follows belief. The economy is based, I believe, not on scientific laws as much, but on peoples' beliefs…”A few weeks ago as I wandered through the Green-ival a man stopped me and handed me a $20 gift card to the Empire Mall.' [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 7:24pm EDT
  

• 090929 - Sustainable?

  Today's Transport -Walk: 1.6Bike: 10.1--Dear The Mom,I just want to let you know I'm going to stop posting everyday. I'm going to switch to two or three times a week. I've done quantity. I want to see if I can achieve quality. Aw, who'm I kidding - I just want [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
  

• 090928 – I Cheat

  Today’s Transport –Walk: 1.1Bike: 5.9Multi-occupant: 0.5Single-occupant: 4.3This morning was the coldest day yet and the wind was blowing a ridiculous amount. I knew two things. 1. The wind would be at my back in the morning.2. The MinusCar had been sitting in my employers lot since Friday and it was [...]
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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
  

• 090927 - Meeting? Really?

  Today's TransportWalk: 4.0Multi-occupant: 84.8Travelled to the lake today to assist with dock removal. Remarkably no waves overtopped the waders. Yes!--State Rep Jerstad has reported she's coming to town tomorrow to address the city council. She's invited other cyclists to sit in.There is no regularly scheduled city council meeting tomorrow. Hmmm...The [...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
  

• 090926 - Auction, Or Not

  Today's Transport -Walk: 2.9Bike: 15.6Multi-occupant: 12.2The MinusCar is still littering The Cityscape. Hope it's doing ok.--Woke up this morning with designs to meek CycleSD at the police confiscated materials auction. Figuring there'd be plenty of bikes we hoped to get our hands on a few of the best in the' [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
  

• 090925 – Rain; Date Night

  Today’s Transport –Walk: .8Multi-occupant: 37.7Single-occupant: 7.7--A rainy morning and additional rain related parental duties pushed me into The MinusCar today. Oops. I just realized it remains parked in my employer’s parking lot. In a way, it's litter.--The Wife and I headed to Worthing, SD and full-on enjoyed the Olde Towne [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 3:28am EDT
  

• 090924 – I Get Wet

  Today’s Transport –Walk: 1.6Bike: 17.0It was sprinkling when I left today. It was raining by the time I arrived at work. As is customary, I got wet. Remarkably, later, I dried. Cool!--I had a conversation with a guy today. He was curious about my perspective on census data that indicates [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
  

• 090923 – Bike Trail (And Another) Counts

  Today’s Transport –Bike: 16.6The rain tried to scare me today. I said no. On my way to the MPO-CAC it spit on me. I said no. I won.--The Boy 11 had an in class assignment today. Something about pretending to be an insurance investigator identifying fault in a car/bike collision. [...]
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  Posted: September 23, 2009, 9:56pm EDT
  

• 090922 - The MinusCar Still Runs

  Today's Transport -Single-occupant: 28I drove today. I attended the Corridors & Facilities chapters of the Shape Sioux Falls 2035 Comprehensive Plan. The meeting occurred at University Center. I'm pretty sure that's just a bit shy of the North Dakota border. Almost as far north as Sioux Printing. I drove today.The' [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2009, 9:44pm EDT
  

• 090921 - Brrr...

  Today's Transport -Bike: 16.25At lunchtime I started out walking but turned back because it was cold, windy and rainy. I was underdressed.Today was one of those rare days when the temperature drops as the day goes on. That can really catch out an outdoor transportation person. In January if the [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
  

• 090920 - UpcomingsToday's Transport -Walk: 3This week. ...

  090920 - UpcomingsToday's Transport -Walk: 3This week. Big week.1. Tuesday Shape Sioux Falls chapter on Corridors. Current language in the document says new roads shall support multiple modes of travel. Existing roads should be retrofitted. Complete Streets is in the document but curiously not capitalized. I think it should be. [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 9:43pm EDT
  

• 090920 – Feeling Lucky? 13 Things.

  Today’s Transport –Bike: 41.7Multi-occupant: 6.9--I’m going to try to make this short and quick.1. Arrive late at Falls Park to help Spoke-n-Sport setup bike valet service at the Green-ival.2. Breakfast with The Owner – which partially, coincidentally, coincided with breakfast with Snakebite and the Missus. Perfect time to get caught [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 1:38am EDT
  

• 090918 - Posting Conservatively

  Today's Transport -Bike: 11.4Have a good weekend! Ride your bike somewhere. Ride for breasts, ride for the environment, ride to walk for autism, ride and camp too, but I can't find that site....or just ride.' [...]
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  Posted: September 18, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
  

• 090917 – A Guy Named Thune

  Today’s Transport –Walk: 1.5Bike: 11.5---Yesterday the United States Senate dealt with two transportation related amendments of interest to bicyclists. The two amendments were introduced by Oklahoma Senator Coburn; both were attempts to severely cripple the existence of the Transportation Enhancements portion of the Transportation Bill. Transportation Enhancements are the 10% [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 10:46pm EDT
  

• 090916 - Food, Inc.

  Today's Transport -Walk: 1.1Bike: 14.8---It was another pulling the trailer type of day. I'm not sure it was completely necessary for the box of cereal I picked up at the natural food grocery store. But for what it’s worth the box came home in pristine shape. Not damaged from needing' [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
  

• 090915 – One Less Gator

  Today’s Transport –Walk: 1.5Bike: 15.4--I’m at a city-wide festival. I’m walking around enjoying vendor booths and fried food. There it is, poking its way through the crowd a motor vehicle threatening my shins and toes. No doubt it’s on an important mission to deliver duct tape or pencils to a [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 8:50pm EDT
  

• 090914 – Potluck

  Today’s Transport –Bike: 15.2--There was a potluck in the I.T. room today. I volunteered to bring spaghetti and meatballs. It put me in new territory for having too much going on to bike to work. But I figured it out.I loaded up the warm crock-pot with the goods...Put the goods [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
  

• 090913 - Seriously. Nothing.

  I didn't transport today.I did listen again to Ron Heifetz speaking at Duke on "Leadership, Adaptability, Thriving" from iTunesU. Seriously. Excellent.--The Transport Donut for 9/7 to 9/13' [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
  

• 090912 – Coffee & Donuts & Bikes, Oh My

  As I rolled out this morning I began thinking we might rename today’s FAB Coffee & Donut ride the Pea Soup Ride.Arrived at the rendezvous site and found a couple of the usual suspects and one Russell The Muscle ready for his first Coffee/Donut venture.As ride leader I was prepared [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 7:44pm EDT
  

• 090911 – Fix It

  Today’s Transport – Single-occupant: 14.7For some reason it seemed as if the weather guessers were going to be correct today. I drove and I don’t regret it.--A couple days ago I heard crying in my front yard. I was pretty sure I knew who it was. I was equally sure [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
  

• 090910 – This American Life – Indeed

  Today’s transport –Bike: 9.8I didn’t go many places today. I got to play in the street though; Frisbee with The Boy 11.--Did you hear the recent broadcast of This American Life - The Rest Stop episode? She said what?When asked about entertainment on his weekly four hour drive?Driver: “Well truthfully…I [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 10:09pm EDT
  

• 090909 – Ants

  We were invited to see one of the minor wonders of the world this evening. So we went…Today’s Transport – Walk: 1.3Bike: 5.0Multi-occupant: 65.9--I know. I know.After a bit of a drive and a 10 minute walk thorough some beautiful Iowa/Big Sioux River country we arrived. Dozens of rather large [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 11:32pm EDT
  

• 090908 – Recreate

  Today’s Transport –Bike: 34.4--Excess miles come courtesy of a cavity related trip to the dentist and my final term-limited FAB board meeting. Endings are good, they lead to beginnings.I also recreated between the dentist and the board meeting.--The City’s Leading Green Committee is hosting a Green-ival – “a gathering of [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 9:57pm EDT
  

• 090907 – The Local Daily

  Today’s Transport –Multi-occupant: 76.4Single-occupant: 1.3It’s a holiday, a time to visit family at the lake. Road trip.--While there I like to read The Local Daily.#1 – my neighbor became a cover boy. The article “Practicing exercise safety when running or biking outdoors” relied heavily on Joe’s experience colliding with an [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 10:06pm EDT