tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:19:54 +0000electricmotorcyclesAppalachian TraillancasterminitruckscustomSuzuki DR650haulinghikingBuell XB12Strainsless is moreCushman TrucksterLeague of Lancaster BicyclistsgimpracingartnonprofitBOBbicyclescommutinglegislationbicycle poloBlogging about sustainable transportation and fun on two wheels since 2009.http://blog.ninjafast.net/noreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)Blogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-1180919453519561352Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:16:00 +00002010-08-12T08:17:00.954-04:00less is moreThe clearance frenzy continues, but I'm finding it more convenient to post the daily reductions in a Facebook photo album. Follow along: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=250407&id=599205049&l=4ab27a1360http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/08/less-is-more-day-3-99-of-100.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-8699102501474870839Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:31:00 +00002010-08-09T18:31:22.163-04:00less is moreI'm going to continue with the theme of clearing out under-utilized computer hardware. Next on the block is a 2004 era Microsoft Media Center laptop. Surprisingly, this one still works well due to a RAM boost that I gave it 2 years ago. The guy that came to pick up yesterday's computer took this one too.http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/08/less-is-more-day-2-of-100.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-8761777623912233645Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:45:00 +00002010-08-08T17:45:05.483-04:00less is moreAfter reading a New York Times article on the correlation between happiness and material possessions, my sister, fiance and I have decided to do a little paring of our worldly goods. For the next 100 days, we will each give, donate, dispose of or sell an item from our personal stash of belongings. By November 15 we will collectively be 300 possessions lighter and, hopefully, better for it. http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/08/less-is-more-day-1-of-100.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-947304464474720877Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:25:00 +00002010-06-24T07:53:44.692-04:00League of Lancaster BicyclistslancasternonprofitLancaster, PA -- Ted Houser, owner of Ninja Fast Consulting, is joining a team of riders supporting Tabor Community Services at the 15th Annual Dream Ride Lancaster bicycle century, July 24, 2010. Dream Ride Lancaster is an annual fundraiser that enables bicycle riders to raise financial pledges to advance the work of local charities. Ninja Fast is riding for Tabor Community Services in supporthttp://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/06/ninja-fast-to-ride-metric-century-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-2401706660391677219Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:46:00 +00002010-06-13T22:15:04.833-04:00bicyclesbicycle poloBuilt a new bike this weekend that I'm calling "The Man Bag" in tribute to a color scheme that would be equally at home inside of a cupcake shop as it is on this bicycle. The Man Bag wiggled into my life last week when I discovered an old Raleigh Technium hanging in my soon to be father-in-law's garden shed. Obscured by 20 years of dust and lawn mower exhaust, the true condition of the bike was http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/06/man-bag.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-5707360310716385934Fri, 14 May 2010 02:00:00 +00002010-06-13T15:30:40.678-04:00bicyclesbicycle poloThis spring I discovered the sport of bicycle polo. I like it. A lot. So much, in fact, that it has made previously enjoyable activities such as mountain biking and poking friends on Facebook seem mundane. If you've never encountered the sport before, imagine a version of equestrian polo played with a bicycle instead of a horse. Add to that blood, frequent crashes and a sub culture born from http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/06/lancaster-city-bicycle-polo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-3781269727273590684Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:40:00 +00002010-03-19T09:42:00.962-04:00League of Lancaster BicyclistslancastercommutinglegislationBiking directions for Google Maps This is a great step in the right direction to help bicyclists plan commuting routes. We discussed Google Maps at the monthly bicycle commuters breakfast in Lancaster, PA this morning. It was agreed that the directions produced by this map engine are not always the best. We are hoping that the software is intelligent and will improve with time based on rider http://blog.ninjafast.net/2010/03/new-resources-for-bicycle-commuters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-6217753694816399576Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:47:00 +00002009-12-29T10:33:22.956-05:00haulingcustomelectric While I am on the topic of hauling Christmas trees with energy efficient vehicles, I feel compelled to share an image and article that was passed on to me by an uncle of mine. The tree and car are reported to have traveled 15 miles from forest to home. The report is that the tree was decorated in advance so that the driver could pass by the home of his housebound grandmother and share the http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/12/while-i-am-on-topic-of-hauling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-2328007745265864473Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:58:00 +00002009-12-29T09:47:52.486-05:00haulingcommutingbicycles A lot of folks make the argument that they need to drive an SUV or a truck year round in order to remain prepared to haul the occasional item that is too big for a car. People use similar justification when selecting a car for transportation instead of a bicycle. In truth, the majority of people who need to haul kids or groceries drive cars every day. Except for this guy. In addition to a http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/12/christmas-tree-on-bike.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-4141848865279704126Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:20:00 +00002009-12-29T09:48:21.645-05:00motorcyclesminitruckshaulingcommutingCushman Trucksterlegislation 12/2/2009. Please let me register this 2001 Cushman Truckster from New York State. It's a motorcycle and I need it to haul things. 12/4/2009. Penn DOT has rejected registration of this vehicle, stating that the vehicle is not a motorcycle and is not road worthy. In response I have gathered supporting evidence of other 3-wheeled enclosed cab motorcycles in PA and submitted it to them for reviewhttp://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/12/open-letter-to-penn-dot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-1218158422775091866Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:14:00 +00002009-11-17T23:05:50.264-05:00motorcyclescommutingbicycles So. Didn't know it. But. There is a site called instructables.com that provides DIY tutorials on everything from building a cat hammock to constructing padded football uniforms for toddlers. I learned about the site after reading a Tweet that pointed to an article with instructions on how to make a turn signal bicycling jacket using LilyPad LEDs and conductive thread. It is quite possible thathttp://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/11/turn-signal-jacket.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-5518110506881103076Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:40:00 +00002009-11-02T14:07:25.995-05:00motorcyclescustomart Ducati motorcycles commissioned artist Mk2kid to produce a series of motorcycle prints that are absolutely dark and angry and appropriate for our times. The limited edition prints are a part of the Ducati Official Fine Art Print Collection. The prints feature the Ducati Monster and the Hypermotard (among others). The machines are aggressively ripped apart and splattered with energy. The http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/11/mk2kid-illustrates-for-ducati.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-713777609223623599Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:27:00 +00002009-10-22T11:09:43.713-04:00League of Lancaster Bicyclistslancastercommutinglegislationbicycles The League of American Bicyclists added 15 new communities to their Fall 2009 master list of Bicycle Friendly Communities in America. Lancaster did not make the list but momentum is gathering to improve our situation. Ninja Fast wants to know what you think makes a community bicycle friendly. According to the League, Lancaster has a lot of work to do before it will be considered as a bicycle http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/10/bicycle-friendly-america.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-9172181423773440198Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:33:00 +00002009-10-19T22:28:35.596-04:00League of Lancaster Bicyclistslancastercommutinglegislationbicycles I've spent decades commuting around Lancaster on my bicycle with the belief that I was one of the proud and unorganized few. Well what do you know, we may still be few, but we are no longer unorganized. I learned on Saturday that, embedded within Dream Ride Projects (organizers of the Dream Ride and the Nightmare Tour), the League of Lancaster Bicyclists exists to move Lancaster County towards http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/10/this-bike-hobby-is-about-to-get.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-2454494236735741332Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:47:00 +00002009-10-16T00:41:13.748-04:00motorcyclesBuell XB12SIt's really no surprise that one of the world's finest and most under-appreciated motorcycle builders, Erik Buell, today announced that Harley Davidson has made the decision to discontinue the Buell brand of motorcycles. In an emotional announcement posted on You Tube and the Buell website, Erik held back where he should have growled in absolute frustration at the global lack of recognition for http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/10/goodbye-buell-my-dear-friend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-5612289769553986219Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:52:00 +00002009-10-16T10:16:10.913-04:00lancastercommutingbicyclesThis is a photo of a 1980s Santana tandem bicycle and a picture of the future of bicycle commuting for cyclists Trace Oberholtzer and Steve Erickson. The duo purchased the used tandem from Cycle Circle bike shop in Lancaster and are now combining their pedal power to commute from their homes in Lancaster city to their work at Landis Homes. Oberholtzer commissioned the new ride by piloting it http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/10/bikepool-makes-bicycle-commuting-green.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-6345151892640912341Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:12:00 +00002009-12-29T09:49:06.197-05:00lancastercommutingelectricbicycles I'm stoked like the guy on the back of a tandem about a new two-wheeled development in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania. A business called Green Pedals has taken residence at 24 W. Orange Street and is rushing to stock an inventory of electric bicycles by the posted opening date of October 19. According to its own website, the shop is planning to sell a range of electric-assist pedal bikes and http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/10/green-pedals-to-bring-electric-bikes-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-5868361670468602107Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:21:00 +00002009-10-16T10:21:09.212-04:00motorcycleslancasterlegislation On my morning jog through the streets of Lancaster I stopped to appreciate this Ducati Supersport 750 parked on the sidewalk on North Duke Street. This isn't so much a photo of another Ducati Supersport as it is another illustration of how good motorcycles look when they are parked on the sidewalk. I would like to know who owns this bike. I presume that the owner also owns the house as this http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/when-motorbikes-park-on-sidewalk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-9085529790888990071Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +00002009-12-29T09:49:42.586-05:00minitruckshaulinglegislation My quest for a minitruck is not over, but a promising new development in Pennsylvania has brought me one step closer to purchasing and licensing a pickup that fits my budget and my over-crowded garage. The problem with conventional trucks is that they are big. Too big. Even "compact" S10s and Rangers are larger than I need. This over-sized design means that most of the fuel that goes into thesehttp://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/whats-got-3-wheels-4-pickup-bed-and-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-8473373723613431560Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:01:00 +00002009-10-12T15:26:33.457-04:00trainsKudos to Amtrak for adding more bike racks to their trains and Kudos to cyclelicious for already blogging about it. http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/amtrak-adds-bike-racks-to-capitol.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-7109685689828266532Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:48:00 +00002009-10-12T15:27:06.624-04:00motorcyclescustomracingThis little number so thoroughly caught my attention on display at the 2009 Indy Moto GP that I had to take a few pictures and do a little research. This is a design by Gregg's Customs based on a Yamaha R1. The instrument cluster on the bike has been buried within the frame and wrapped in a custom tubular frame. It's glorious how this relocation of the instruments leaves the handlebar cockpit http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/this-yamaha-r1-flat-tracker-is-making.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-6465745753901644795Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:02:00 +00002009-10-16T00:06:02.628-04:00motorcyclescustomBuell XB12S My 2004 Buell XB12S crossed the 17,000 mile point on last week's trip to Indy for the Moto GP. Even after all those miles in the saddle, I still find myself standing in awkward positions staring at this bike with a bit of spittle coming off of my chin.http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/17000-miles-and-still-sexy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-6406592135532705949Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:54:00 +00002009-12-29T10:18:41.228-05:00gimphaulingcustomcommutingBOBbicycles The Gimp is a bit of shelter-rescue bike, resurrected from the streets where it was left for dead a few years ago. I gave it a little Ninja Fast attention and nursed it back to life, rebuilding the wheels and stripping the wrecked derailleur and smashed chain rings. The front shock that came on this bike was massively heavy and largely ineffective, so I gutted it and at least gained the wasted http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/meet-gimp-my-city-commuter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-5190829231200996727Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:29:00 +00002009-10-16T00:05:02.700-04:00motorcyclescustomSuzuki DR650 Ninja Fast has added a new machine to the two-wheeled stable. Welcome the 1998 DR650. This well-maintained steed comes with 4,600 miles on it and is already in the shop receiving new tires and a tune up. The bike will evolve over time, so stay tuned for mods.http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/09/ninja-rides-dual-sport.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636896540685551733.post-8909976399959512985Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:31:00 +00002010-01-21T22:35:57.482-05:00Appalachian Trailhiking Trail Fact Ted set pace with a group of hikers who were strong, fast and logistically precise. In jest, they referred to themselves as the Trail Ninjas.http://blog.ninjafast.net/2009/11/appalachian-trail-postcard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ninja Fast)0