About Qamuuqin Maxwell

Program Coordinator at Bike Works in Columbia City

Recent posts

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  What is the bikery?

  6 0 From my co-worker, Davey Oil: The Bikery is a great place to go to get help wrenching on your own bike in a safe and supportive environment. There are two ways to pay for the use of tools and the friendly guidance of the volunteers at the Bikery. One way is to pay cash or check, five dollars an hour. Another way is to spend a little time volunteering first. You can come in any time the Bikery is open and the volunteer staff will find a job for you to do, regardless of your previous experience with bike repair. In return, you’ll earn ten dollars an hour in credit, which you can use to pay for “stand time” or used parts for your project. The Bikery’s model is very similar to that of the Bike Kitchen, with a little more emphasis given to providing access to folks traditionally marginalized by bike culture and folks who are actively impacted by systemic oppression in our larger culture, LGBTQ folks, people of color and women come to mind, but of course the list is shamefully long. With that as the focus of the project, all people are welcome to stop by the Bikery’s space at 1265 S Main St #104, (entrance on 14th Ave) Saturdays 12-6, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays 2-8. Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer and comment »

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  Appropriate Helmet for a Big Head + Cap.

  0 0 I've had great luck with Bern helmets. They come in some pretty darn big sizes, they look rather normal (to me) and it seems like most of them have visors built in visors, some of which you can remove. Also, if you wear a Bern helmet, you can carry around an old ski pole with a bit of PVC pipe on the end and people will think you are a bike polo player. Instant 'bad-ass' points. Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

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  If I'm going along a street without a bike lane should I ride in the parking lane where possible or always stay to the right in the travel lane?

  0 0 This is a really good question and is one that we address all the time with the youth that we take on rides around the city. While there are plenty of opinions about this topic, we counsel that you always ride in the street, in the lane (not in the parking lane). While some people may argue that it is acceptable to ride in the parking lane when there are not cars there, going back and fourth makes for an image of unpredictability to the driver behind you. With so many cyclists on the road doing their own thing (some run reds and some don't, some ride on sidewalks and some don't, some always signal and some don't) I honestly believe that a little bit of consistency goes a long way. That being said, I think that 'btm' has a great point in "I make a lot of judgment calls based on the configuration of the road". When it comes down to it, all roads are different and all traffic situations are different. I always ride in the traffic lane, AS LONG as it feels safe (ergo, not on Rainier during rush hour). I do, however, always signal. I also always stop at stop signs and at red lights (when there are other road users present). Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 7 more answers »

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  How can I mitigate lower back pain while riding a bike? Is that even an issue?

  0 0 You are definitely not over thinking it! It looks like a lot of people have already contributed with some great advice, so I'll just add my $.02. I used to experience lower back pain during longer rides, and a combination of a properly fitted bike, stretching, and exercising helped me mitigate it. And by exercising, I mean specifically exercising my core. A friend of mine recommended this a while ago, but it didn't make a sizable impact on the back pain until I quit doing crunches and focused on core exercises that held my core in a straight position. After doing this for awhile (and experiencing the on-bike difference that it made), it started to make sense. On a bike, you are generally hunched over, your body curling forward in a position similar to that of a crunch. By doing the 'plank' (or the airplane, or any other core workout that keeps your body straight) you are training your muscles to hold this position. The basic plank workout is as follows: Assume the 'push-up position' on the floor and then bend your elbows to 90 degrees, resting your weight on your forearms. With your feet straight out behind you, your body should make a straight line from your feet to your head. Start with holding this position for 10 to 20 seconds and (slowly) build your way up to 45+ seconds. As with any new exercise, start moderately and work your way up. Hope this helps! Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

• Comment on Qamuuqin Maxwell's answer…

  0 0 Upon further consideration, I realized that nobody who rides a dope brakeless fixie would even consider riding in the rain (for fear that your overpriced Italian racing frame would get dirty). Best to leave the bike at home and invest in a Razor scootor (don't worry they're brakeless too). Qamuuqin Maxwell commented over 2 years ago

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  When is seattle going to build some real bike infrastructure, to help with the "fat dudes on dept store bikes" and "seattle times readers" problems.

  0 0 Well, I can't say for sure when Seattle is going to build some real bike infrastructure, but this here is an interesting read that might answer your question better than I could. Cheers. Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  Moving to NYC-what's the cheapest way to ship a bike, and what should I pay to have it packed?

  0 0 I have always had great luck with Fed Ex, but I think that petty much any shipping service would do. As for boxing prices, most bike shops will charge around $30 to $45, or so. Good luck! Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  Old road bike, new gear shifters?

  3 0 Nikki has some great suggestions. Another option would be to switch out the downtube shifters (assuming that is what you have) for bar-end shifters. These would be mounted into the end of your dropbars and usually offer an indexed setting that would allow you to 'click' through the gears (as opposed to 'friction' shifting, where there are no clicks). Hope this helps! Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  What is my stopping power potential?

  3 0 Yikes, on a day like today I would forgo the paper cup of caffeinated water and opt, instead, for some sort of reusable mug that can be closed and stashed in some sort of dope messenger bag or fanny pack. Then you can concentrate fully on your one handed back-peddling/skidding technique, or try out the safer (yet not as dope) two handed version. Qamuuqin Maxwell answered in Cars, Bikes & Transit over 2 years ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on E.T.'s answer…

  0 0 Yeah, the roll bars definitely make the trailers safer, IMO. That being said, I've never heard of a trailer rolling, though I am sure that it has happened. When I worked at a shop down in Southern Oregon, my manager had a Trek trailer for his daughter and told me a story about how he went down on a tight turn, going too fast, but was surprised (and glad) to find that the hitch had allowed the trailer to stay upright even though his bike (and himself) were laying on the bike path. A few things to keep in mind with a trailer: 1. They do take a little extra stopping distance, but it is not so extreme that you should not use one. 2. They make your wheelbase longer and you will have to spend a bit of time getting used to your new turning radius, but, as with the stopping distance, it is not that much different than that of a regular bike. 3. They can provide the little one with sun protection so that you don't have to worry about them getting sun burnt on a longer ride. 4. They have a MUCH higher re-sale value than a bike seat!! Hope this helps. Qamuuqin Maxwell commented over 2 years ago

• See all of my 0 Questions , 12 Answers and 3 Comments