Here we go again...

Welp, I just decided to put these fingers on some keys, huntnpeck style of course, how I roll since I have always refused to push through the learning curve of proper typing.

I’ve been feeling the urge to do this building inside me, but I have come to realize that this old bro ain’t Meta enough to give my soul to my robot overlords yet. So I’ve been quiet on the Facetube front, sharing memes, news stories, politics, and the usual funny stuff. But nothing much from the heart.

I need to stay in touch with my real friends and don’t feel like I have been doing a great job. Maybe it’s the Oxycodone creeping through me. Don’t worry I have only taken a couple since that altercation with a pair of Stihl garden shears last Thursday (October 5th). Yea, the shears won. A deep puncture followed by torniquet-level amounts of blood, an ambulance ride, Fentanyl, Ketamine, Fasciotomy and now rest. I’ll be ok. But healing is slow. BTW three cheers for the folk at Berkeley Fire and the trauma center at Highland Hospital. These are some amazing people.

You don’t need any more details on that now do ya? Feel free to ask in the comments if I am able to turn that function on. Right now I’ve nothing better to do than poke around the old churchoftherotatingmass.com website. I’ve been using it to store galleries of my photography, some music I help make (I took a class in production), and my volunteer work with Safe Organized Spaces in Richmond, California. SOS inspires the homeless in their progress along 4 pathways of health, income, housing, and personal development (usually in that order). It’s a pretty amazing organization and I am honored to be helping while giving myself and others a better understanding of human conditions.

OK, that’s all for now, feel free to check it out. If I can get some help I hope to improve the user experience

How I Roll: Dorothy

Dorothy is an 80's chrome Ross Mt. Whitney mountain bike I obtained from my old pal and frequent Dirt Rag cover artist, John Hinderliter. Purchased from Ambridge Bike Shop in 1983, it was the top-of-the-line model at the time. When I came into her, she was converted directly to use as an urban assault vehicle for fun use. As many accouterments as possible!

First and foremost is the "Dorothy" nameplate I picked up at a bicycle swap a while back. My Mom's middle name. Much like the bicycle license plates you can buy with popular names on them (Except "Maurice"), there was a day when you could buy sticky tube emblems with all the popular names on them. Except for Maurice. The chrome has seen better days, yes?

The most O.G. part on Dorothy is the original Shimano Deore (Meaning Deer) derailleur that's still on there, serving me well. And Spokey Dokeys. For the unfamiliar, these are beads that snap on to your spokes and slide up and down to make noise when you roll at a slower speed. Popular in the 80's yet still available in some form to this day...

So many wonderful parts. I once visited Jack Witmer in California and scored these sweet Cook Brother's not-cruiser bars. They provide a sweet upright lean-back position but render Dorothy untalented when it comes to climbing hills. Props to Wilderness Trail Bikes for their Trail Grips, Honka Hoota for their awesome yet sun-damage-prone horn, and whoever invented the tassle.

Check out my siren. I do need to put an activation cable on there though. These were illegal in many places due to their police car siren sound. Note FAT Schwalbe Super Moto tires and Shimano dynamo hub.

A Ringlé hub expertly laced by Dave's Wheels. Reelights generate their own power with magnets to light your way whenever you're moving!

Saddle by Brooks. Bag by Rivendell. Fenders by SKS

Not P.O.R.C. - D.O.R.c. or Disgruntled Off Road Cyclists of Pittsburgh.

The whole enchilada. Seen on a wonderful ride above Pittsburgh, PA, home of Dirt Rag!

Yes, Dorothy is my favorite urban assault vehicle! Thanks for looking!

Tern GSD E-cargo bike review

The longtail cargo bike, with its stretched rear end, has been my go-to whip of late due to its ultimate versatility, utility, and fun. And with an electric motor for extended range, there are no worries about what (or who) you might pick up during your travels, or how far you might go in a day. But longtails are long, taking up a good amount of space and being difficult to load onto a larger motor vehicle.

So when Tern showed up in the cargo bike market with its GSD, I was Intrigued. First, what does GSD stand for? Get “Stuff” Done is one answer. And secondly, aside from its attractive looks, what is so new and exciting about this bicycle? Tern calls it a new kind of bicycle, a compact longtail.

What makes it compact? Well for one thing, with the help of dual 20” wheels, the GSD has a length similar to your average bike. Combined with a folding handlebar and highly adjustable saddle, it's easier to get it into the back of your SUV, easier to take on public transportation, and a lot easier to store. In fact, the GSD can be stored vertically on its tail, taking only a small footprint.

It’s also electric. Some of you are thinking that is not what you are looking for. A while ago, I wasn’t either. But once you get accustomed to the increased range and versatility you will likely be sold for life. Power comes from a 250 watt Bosch motor, putting out a maximum 63Nm of torque in Turbo mode. That’s right, the GSD controls offer four power modes from Eco to Turbo. Different levels of assistance for different needs. In Eco the motor gives you 50% more power than you pedal into it, up to Turbo where the motor is adding 275% more power to the bike. Stock battery is 400 Watt-Hours but you can also buy the GSD with a 400 plus 500Wh battery for extended range. This pushes the GSD into the touring realm.

Versatility is key. Accessories unlock the GSD’s potential. Kids? The GSD will easily take two Yepp child seats for the small ones. Big ones and adults can ride on the back using accessory foot pegs, seat cushions, and grab bars. Panniers? Enough for all your groceries. Racks? Front and/or rear for even more hauling capability. One size fits most all here with the GSD fitting riders from 5 feet to 6’5”. I’m 6’4” and had no trouble with it. Plus the handlebars rotate around the stem for further fitting options.

The build is pretty heavy, in a good, strong way. The frame, while aluminum, is beautifully constructed and looks ready for anything. In fact, the weight capacity is 400 lbs. so there’s not much you can’t haul. The feeling of solidness is welcome here. Weight comes in under 60 lbs. in the single battery configuration. Component-wise there are a few things that stand out. Tern-specific Schwalbe 62mm tires on Tern-specific 36mm rims with plenty of spokes and Boost axles. Magura 4 piston brakes handle the stopping with great power. Super solid, top notch, up to date modern stuff. I would not hesitate to carry anything with this bike, as long as I could get it on there.

Accessory-wise you won’t need to add much to this bike. Lights, fenders, center stand and bell are all included with the bike. Optional accessories to consider include Tern’s Cargo Hold panniers, child seats, and the Shortbed tray that is on the test bike. Handlebars and pegs are also available for adult passengers as well.

In practice, it is easy to get on and go. The step-through frame and low center-of-gravity sure help. Turn the motor on, select the amount of assist you’d like, and go! Easy-peasy. The Bosch motor helps as little or as much as you need. But you still have to pedal. Power is solid, but keep in mind this is no motorcycle.

My friend Stewart and I shared the testing duties. We both found the GSD to be super-capable for a wide range of tasks. Loads included a pile of camping gear, the band’s bass drum, passengers, boxes of magazines, garage sale items and more. As much as Stewart did not want to use the motor (Out of pride I believe), he was glad to have the motor as an insurance policy in case he got tired too far away from home. Me on the other hand, I just enjoyed the lack of throttle as I bopped around town picking up random articles. But I did wish for a bit more power on some of the steeper hills. I do weigh well over 200 lbs you know. The good news is that the 2019 model will have more, power that is. The other small improvement we'd recommend would be a larger center stand as the current one is a tad small for parking on uneven surfaces.

The best thing about the GSD is its foldability and storability. The handlebar folding down made it much easier to load the bike into a SUV or minivan. As for storage, grab the rear brake, pull back and the GSD sits on its tail, taking up only a small amount of closet space.

The Tern GSD is sold with single 400Wh battery for $3999 The dual 400 plus 500Wh model will run you $4799. Panniers run $150 a pair and that rack runs $120. A lot of money? For some, yes. But this bike is a game-changer, a car-pooper, sonic reducer, life-changer. Imagine parking that multi-ton behemoth automobile and spending your time outside! Quality time! Quality life!

One of the most interesting cargo/utility bikes I have seen in a while, The Tern GSD is bound to get more butts on bikes, and that is what it’s all about, isn’t it?  Click here for part 2, in which Stewart shares his touring experience!