fiddleswithbikes' photostream  

Hi. Welcome. Much of what is here revolves around my bicycle interests. That's sort of a conversation starter, since there are numerous photo ops when you ride your bike around or trade thoughts with other bike folks. I've evolved a bit into a blogging mode lately. I've always liked photography, but it's hard to get good photos, and as you can see, there are zillions of great photos on Flickr. More generally, I'm interested in the ideas and stories behind the photos. The 1:1000 ratio on pictures:word worthiness is a bit overrated in my opinion.

Building homemade bicycles is something I started a few years ago. I do it as a creative outlet, but I want them to be practical as well. I'm interested in bicycles as transportation, especially as an alternative to cars, etc. which I view as a key factor in the looming environmental disaster of global climate change.

There are probably bigger fish to fry with respect to climate change, like higher mileage cars and taking fewer transcontinental airplane trips, but we've also got traffic congestion, obesity, asthma and diabetes problems that would be helped if more of us got out of our cars and onto bicycles.

Finally, I'm interested in bicycles as a social catalyst. I'm always struck with how many friends I see and strangers I meet and talk to when I bike rather than drive. And now it's easy to connect with other enthusiasts via various internet services such as Flickr.

I blog occasionally (likeabikemike.livejournal.com), so if you're curious, feel free to check it out. It's mostly oriented towards my extended family. If you happen to do RSS feeds (highly recommended), you can keep tabs on my LiveJournal blog at likeabikemike.livejournal.com/data/rss.

visited 21 states (9.33%)Create your own visited map of The World

Two+ years there in Nepal, 6 months in Oz, 4 in New Zealand, 2 or 3 total in Mexico, 2 each in Switzerland, Fiji, and Costa Rica, and about a month each in Nicaragua, India, and Japan. Too expensive to travel much anymore with a family of 4. 2008 update: we went to England/Wales, Sweden and Norway this summer.

Note: I add contacts somewhat randomly, yet selectively. Something catches my attention that makes me think this person might be interesting and/or different. I also "clean house" regularly, removing contacts that aren't active or posting further stuff that I'm finding that unique. Doesn't have to be great photography or an incredible life story, it's often a more subtle hint that I have a hunch on. Please don't be shy, I'm not really that exclusive or elite.