Iowa City

I just got back from a few days cycling around Iowa City. A nice break from all the bicycle-related mayhem here in beloved Chicago. For a small city, they have a lot of cyclists and a good network of bike lanes and trails. Some of the trails use the sidewalks, which is hard to get used to if you view sidewalk riding as criminal (as I do), but this is generally in areas where there aren't really any pedestrians. We did encounter a young doe, however, who leapt gracefully over a fence directly in front of our advancing cycles. There is in downtown Iowa City something called the Bike Library, where one can in fact check out bicycles as one would a book. Made me think of Lee's Big Shoulders Recyclery efforts. The Bike Library often partners with Working Bikes, and sends bikes to WB. Here is a link to the Bike Library's website, in case anyone is planning a trip to Iowa City:
The coolest little bike resource was this Park Tools tool stand with attached tools stationed outside the New Pioneer Food Co-op. My camera was acting up, so the focus is off, but this stand had bike tools attached to cables for public use. The hooks serve as the bike stand and there is a built in tool tray. The attached pump is visible at left.

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Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on June 23, 2010 at 9:22am
progressive!
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 23, 2010 at 9:57am
Cool, but I wish your camera wanted to cooperate in your efforts. What tools are hanging from the wires there?
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on June 23, 2010 at 11:41am
Headset wrench, phillips and flathead screwdrivers, tire levers, 5 mm p-handle allen wrench, folding allen wrench set. One had been removed--I'm guessing chain tool?
Permalink Reply by heather s on June 23, 2010 at 12:10pm


There's one in South Elgin as well, along the Fox River Trail. It's really great! Apparently the structure is designed so that you can hang your bike up on it while you do repairs as well.
Permalink Reply by van fiets on June 24, 2010 at 12:04pm
Everybody knows Iowa City rocks!! Northhampton, MA? Karen do you go to Smith?
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 25, 2010 at 3:14am
Oof, I've killed numerous brain cells in Iowa City. That town has Danger written all over it.
Permalink Reply by Davo on June 25, 2010 at 3:54am
Those stations are sweet!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 25, 2010 at 4:22am
Excellent!

heather stratton said:


There's one in South Elgin as well, along the Fox River Trail. It's really great! Apparently the structure is designed so that you can hang your bike up on it while you do repairs as well.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on June 26, 2010 at 2:29am
Karen is right about the hills. I get really embarrassed when I have to dismount and push my bike up a freakin' hill whenever we ride together in Northampton. But then I do get to ride down. They need a ski-lift type thing for us Chicagoans.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on June 26, 2010 at 9:02am
Yes, the Trampe is exactly what I need as I fall into senescence and can't make it up a curb any longer.

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