Attaching Mirrors (& a Lot of Other Stuff) to My Surly Long Haul Trucker

I found attaching usable rear view mirrors to a bicycle with drop bars to be an exercise in futility, particularly with my Surly LHT which utilizes bar end shifters. There simply was no place to attach them that didn't interfere with the operation of the brake & shift levers. Whenever I did find a mirror that was advertised as suitable for attachment to drop bars, I found them to ultimately be either too small, shaky, and/or poorly positioned. That is, until I came upon the idea of attaching a second stem and bar. In a nutshell, this second bar provides additional "real estate" to which I can attach, not only mirrors, but also a handlebar bag and the lever for an air horn. As shown in the pictures, by attaching the bag to the lower bar, I then have sufficient space for a second set of brake levers, a Cygo-Lite headlight, a couple of "Incredibells" (I'm left handed, so one beside each left hand brake lever.) and a place to mount a GoPro video camera on the upper bar. My LBS, Full Cycle, installed Tektro AL726 cyclocross brake levers which I find quite useful, particularly when cycling around town in traffic. It also means that I now have three distinct hand positions with full access to brake levers. The Cateye Strada odometer is then mounted to the upper stem. It is the only brand I have found so far that can be mounted in this fashion on the stem. I purchased mine at Bushtukah in Ottawa on Richmond Road.

If you have a bicycle with a threadless stem and enough height on your steering tube to attach a second stem then this set up should work for you. First, I removed spacers equivalent to the height of the second stem. To allow for maximum versatility, I purchased an adjustable stem at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for about $22. I then cut a discarded handlebar to an appropriate length and attached  bar ends to each end of the cut bar. I already had a pair, but a pair can be purchased new for less than $20. (If you are in Ottawa I would suggest you head to Re-cycles Bicycle Co-op at 473 Bronson where they should be able to provide you with used parts at a good price.) To these I attached a pair of unglamorous but eminently useful bicycle mirrors purchased from Canadian Tire for $5 each, which I then wrapped with reflective tape. There are infinite possibilities for placement of the mirrors given the adjustable stem and the ability to rotate not only the second bar within the stem, but also the bar ends around where they attach to the second bar. Where I placed my mirrors ensures that my hands do not block the view in any way yet they are close enough to allow me to easily reach them should they need adjustment.

I then attached my handlebar bag to this second bar as well as the lever for my Samui Air Zound Cycling Horn.   Whether I am commuting in the city, or touring on the open road I find them extremely useful. In the city I am regularly checking my mirrors, keeping alert to traffic coming up behind me.  Having mirrors on both sides is invaluable when cycling down one-way streets.  When touring, as soon as I see an approaching vehicle, I immediately check my mirrors to see whether or not they will be meeting a vehicle coming in the opposite direction when they pass me.

Bell underneath light, behind left cyclocross brake lever. Odometer mounted on upper stem. Horn lever on lower bar, right side, immediately next to bar end shift lever.

Adjustable stem angled down.

Bent bar ends protrude outwards, allowing mirrors to be further away from handlebars yet in close enough proximity to outer brake levers to allow for easy reach to make adjustments to the viewing angle. Bag attaches to second bar, riding lower, & ensuring it does not block the headlight or the camera view. 

Cyclocross brake levers provide easy access to braking when riding in an upright position.

A bonus to the installation is that I now have a significantly wider profile in traffic. Vehicles have more of me to get around, and I find that I get that extra space. Not only do I see better, but there is more of me and my bicycle for the other users of the road to see.

Multigrain Bread Recipe

This is another one of my favourite bread recipes from Salt Spring Island Cooking, page 220, by Rodney Polden & Pamela Thornley, published Macmillan Canada in 1993. Below is a direct transcription from the book, followed by my notes.

Makes 4 big loaves.

6 cups       (1.4L)        warm water
2 Tbsp      (30 mL)     yeast
2 Tbsp      (30 mL)     sugar
9 1/2 cups (2.3L)        whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup      (120 mL)  oil
1/2 cup      (120 mL)  buckwheat flour
2 cups        (480 mL)  barley flour
2 cups        (480 mL)  rye flour
2 Tbsp       (30 mL)    sea salt
1 cup         (240 mL)  rolled oat flakes
1 cup         (240 mL)  sunflower seeds
1 cup         (240 mL)  flax seeds
1 cup         (240 mL)  sesame seeds
                  additional whole-wheat flour as necessary

In your largest bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water, then add the sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes until the yeast bubbles up.
Add 6 cups (1.4L) of the whole-wheat flour to the liquid.  Beat quickly and strongly, until the mixture forms threads, (like spun fibres). This will take about 300 strokes - but it's not as long a job as you might think.
Let the sponge rise for at least 1 hour, then add the oil and beat it in.
Mix the salt with the remaining flours, oat flakes and seeds, then work them into the sponge thoroughly.
Knead for at least 10 minutes, working in up to 1 1/2 cups (360 mL) of additional whole-wheat flour as you go. Try not to add more than this.. Instead, if the dough is still wet and sticky, oil your hands and the kneading board and keep at it.
When the dough is smooth and elastic, place it back in the bowl, cover it with a tea towel and let it rise in a warm plce until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). In the meantime, go read a book, weed the garden, or pet the dog.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 pieces. Shape each piece into a loaf, place in well-greased, regular loaf pans and let rise again until the dough is an inch or more above the top of the pans. Go finish the last chapter of that Agatha Christie novel.
Bake the loaves at 350F (180C) for 35-40 minutes.

My additional notes:

1. I usually mix (about half & half, but I don't think it matters much) whole wheat with white flour. 
2. I have also started adding about half a cup of psyllium fibre to the flour when I add it to the yeast and sugar water mix.
3. Although the recipe as written leads off with "Makes 4 big loaves", I find the loaves to be relatively dense, & not that large, although very tasty. I plan to add more yeast, perhaps an additional 1/2 Tbsp or more to my next batch.

I find bread making to be a lot of fun, & it also provides for a bit of exercise in the kneading process! I usually start by strictly following a recipe. Once I feel confident with it, I start to experiment. Let me know if this recipe works for you and what improvements you are able to come up with. Happy baking!

Rye Bread Recipe

Several years ago I was fortunate to find the book Salt Spring Island Cooking by Rodney Polden & Pamela Thornley (published by MacMillan Canada in 1993).  It is chock full of great recipes.  Here is one that stands out and is a hit every time I make it.  (from page 223)

Rye Bread

A simple, tasty, sandwich rye loaf. When making a toasted rye sandwich, slice the bread thinly so that the toasting fully enhances the rye flavour.

Makes two good-sized loaves.

3 cups (720 mL) warm water or warm potato water

1 Tbsp (15 mL) active dry yeast

1 Tbsp (15 mL) sugar or honey

1 Tbsp (15 mL) Inka (or other coffee substitute)

¼ cup (60 mL) molasses

4 cups (960 mL) whole-wheat flour

3 ½ cups (840 mL) rye flour

1 Tbsp (15 mL) salt

Optional:

grated rind from one orange

1 Tbsp (15 mL) fennel seeds OR caraway seeds

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water and allow it to stand for 10 minutes or so until the yeast foams up.

Add the Inka, molasses and the 3 cups (720 mL) or wheat flour.

Make a “sponge” by beating this mixture at least 300 strokes, until the gluten forms in strands. (I haven't found those “strands” yet. I just beat it for 3-4 minutes with a wooden spoon. LP)

Allow the sponge to stand in a warm, draught-free place for one hour or more. The sponge needs to double in size.

In another bowl, combine the rye flour with the salt and any optional ingredients you want.

Stir down the sponge and add the rye flour mixture.

Knead this dough for 10-20 minutes, adding as little additional whole-wheat flour as possible to keep it from sticking to the kneading surface.

The dough should become smooth and elastic.

Divide the dough into two pieces and form them into oblong loaves.

Place on a greased baking sheet, cover with a tea towel and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or so. The loaves should double in size.

Bake at 350F (180C) for 35-40 minutes.

With fennel or caraway seeds added, this bead makes a fine “wry” comment of its own!

“WITHOUT BREAD, EVEN A PALACE IS SAD, BUT WITH IT, A PINE TREE IS PARADISE.”

Slavic Proverb

Electoral Predictions

Politicians love to say "The only poll that counts is the one on election day." especially when they are down in the polls leading up to that day.  Well, that day has arrived, and in a few hours we will either be crying in our beer, or raising our glasses deliriously in celebration.  Well, perhaps it will be a bit of both, as I expect there to be some unexpected results. (How's that for an oxymoron? Sort of like expecting the unexpected, or predicting the unpredictable.)

The polling tells us that the NDP have vaulted past the Liberals, closing within a few points of the Conservatives. These polls also suggest that a lot of these gains are in Quebec, where Bloc support has seriously eroded.  The NDP is also showing gains in other parts of the country.  The big question of course, will these polling results translate into seats in Parliament?

For what it's worth (and it probably ain't worth much;), I have pulled some numbers out of a hat, done some basic arithmetic, and come up with some predictions.  I have made no secret of how much I loathe the current government of Stephen Harper.  I have written Stephen, and protested out side of his house, to let him know how I feel.  However, I am only one voter, and, apparently, I am not representative of a plurality of voters in this country.  (There are a lot of us, but, sadly, I don't think, enough of us yet to turf this guy and the rest of his entourage.)

I don't think the Conservatives have been able to cobble together enough support to yet extract a majority government from the electorate.  I don't think I am basing this on hope, but on facts.  (I'll be the one crying in my beer in a few hours if I am wrong on this one.)  I do think though, that they will be re-elected with another minority, possibly with a few more seats.  I think they will lose most of their seats in Quebec, perhaps retaining, at most, half a dozen in that province, but probably only two or three. They will make up for these losses in Ontario, gaining a few from the Liberals.

The Bloc will lose out to the NDP big time in Quebec, if the polls are anywhere in the ballpark of being accurate.  Quebecers are much more progressive in their outlook, generally, than any other provincial electoral group.  The NDP gives them that federal progressive outlet.

The Liberals, sad to say, still haven't got over the debacle of the Martin/Chretien fight.  It was a barroom brawl that wrecked all the furniture and they still haven't yet rebuilt the place.  They seem to have lost any sight of what they stand for, other than, "vote for us, you always have!"

The NDP appear set to gain from this, as they pick up progressive support across the country from those who are appalled (as I am) by the current Harper lead conservative government.  They will gain in the Maritimes, big time in Quebec as mentioned, perhaps modestly in Ontario, and in BC.

Finally, I expect Elizabeth May to be the first Green Party member of Parliament.

So, (drum roll), the envelope please. Here are the predictions that fell out of my hat:

Conservatives - 147, NDP - 77, Liberals - 61, Bloc - 22, Greens - 1

My hopeful side would love to predict less seats for the Conservatives. My morose pragmatic side says don't let your heart get in the way of the facts. From where I sit, the Conservatives have been more successful at pedaling fear than the progressives of this country have been in promoting hope and positive vision for the future.

Am I close, or am I crazy?  I'll know in a few hours.

Which Wolf Does Stephen Harper Want Canadians to Feed?

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.” The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?” The grandfather answered, “The one I feed.”

If the Conservatives Get a Majority

If the Stephen Harper Conservatives get a majority in Parliament, they will take actions that will fundamentally change Canada during their mandate.

Here is what I see happening:
Within One Year-

1. The gun registry will be gone.
2. Canada will have agreed to spend in excess of $30 Billion on the F35 fighter jet.
3. Spending billions on constructing new prisons will have begun.
4. Proposals will be made to privatize some, if not all of the new prisons.
5. A Conservative back bencher will introduce a private member's bill to restrict abortion.
6. Funding of the CBC will be significantly decreased with hints of future privatization.
7. They will begin the process of appointing Supreme Court Justices with a much more socially conservative legal approach.
8. Plans will be put forth to increase privatization of health care.
9. The government will announce plans to continue to reduce taxes as the best way to "stimulate growth" in the economy and reduce the deficit.

By the End of Their Mandate- 2015-16

1. The fighter jet purchase will have proven to be a monumental money pit.
2. There will be significant cost overruns on prison construction and operation.
3. A larger percentage of the population will be in jail as part of the Government's "tough on crime" approach to dealing with social issues.
4. The CBC will have largely been privatized.
5. The make up of the Supreme Court of Canada will be radically different with the appointment of several Chief Justices who have more socially conservative views.
6. Canada will have a structural deficit as it stripped away its tax base while simultaneously increasing spending on military hardware and prisons.
7. The gap between rich and poor will have increased significantly.
8. Canada will have an increasing number of "gated" communities as the wealthy seek to protect themselves from the poor.
9. The Conservative Party image will have been shattered by a number of scandals, most to do with influence pedaling.
10. Canada will be a nation divided between those that have, and those that do not. It will be a sad place.

Voter Disengagement

With Canada one week into an election campaign I have been quite struck by my total lack of interest in the political theatre that surrounds me.  I glance periodically at the headlines, grimace and shake my head at some of the inane posturing, then move on to something that has more substance.  I note that I just don't seem to care what ANY of the politicians have to say, including those that I may agree with.  Why is this?

Well, it all seems so predictable.  Everyone strategizes to win, appealing to what their handlers tell them their base is.  Our first past the post electoral system guarantees this behaviour on the part of our political parties.

The vast majority of the Federal electoral districts are considered "safe" seats for one party or another.  My riding of Ottawa-Vanier is one of them.  I will vote for the Green Party candidate Caroline Rioux.  However, the odds are better that I will win the lottery, (and I don't buy lottery tickets), than is the possibility of her winning this vote.  Other than giving two dollars to the Green Party of Canada, my vote will not affect the outcome. It is exactly the same for the NDP and Conservative voters in this riding, (although their odds of upsetting the incumbent may be slightly better).

This scenario is replicated across the country in every riding that might be deemed "safe" for one party or another.  Do those NDP, Green or Liberal voters in Calgary Centre really think their vote has anything other than symbolic meaning?  Do they really think that they could possibly unseat Stephen Harper in this election?  Oh yes, we will hear the cry that "every vote counts" and "you can't complain if you don't vote", etc. etc.  But, the truth is, more and more voters feel they are being treated like sheep as they are herded into various voting pens.  They don't see their vote making a difference.

I want every vote to count.  Every voter in every riding needs to know that their vote makes a difference.  Whether you are a lonely Conservative in Liberal red Ottawa-Vanier, a despondent dipper in Alberta, or a Green anywhere in the country you will be more encourage to participate in democracy if you have a sense that your vote will make a difference.  Sadly, that currently is not the experience of the majority of voters.

This election will be decided in those 40 to 50 "swing" ridings where the seat may change hands, that are not "safe" for one party or another.  Voters in these ridings will be showered with an inordinate amount of attention.  All kinds of promises will be made to appeal to these voters in the hopes of scoring the big win. As to the rest of the voters across the country?  More of them can see the manipulative game that is being played.  Yes, many of them are voting, but not necessarily at the ballot box.  Increasing numbers of them are voting with their feet, as they walk away from those ballot boxes, and they will continue to do so until they feel their vote counts.

Don't worry - I'll be voting, at a ballot box, but I certainly understand why increasing numbers of us don't bother anymore.

A Personal Journey of Evolving Consciousness

Born in 1951, I was part of the leading charge of baby boomers growing into the sixties. Contrary to the myth of that decade that stated "if you remember it, you couldn't have been there", I still do retain fleeting glimpses of that time. It was nothing if not turbulent. I entered that ten year stretch of my life a starry eyed child of the fifties, filled with my parents ambitions for me. I left it a dark, surly, aging teenager, desperately searching for meaning in life.

I didn't know where I would find it, but I kept peering under rocks, rummaging through rubbish, opening different doors, looking for something to hold onto in the midst of everything that seemed so meaningless. What I did know was that my heart was not inspired by the Middle American dream that surrounded me.

Entering University in the fall of '69 I began to meet others who were picking through the same detritus of society. "What is all this about?", we were asking. It was an explosion of questioning and being introduced to new ideas. Whether it was studying Marxism, reading Nietzsche, Sartre, or a host of others, we felt challenged by new perspectives of being. Personally though, I really did feel bombarded. It often was hard to handle. Truth be told, I didn't handle it very well at all.

There was, however, one corner of my intellectual universe that calmed me, introducing me to the notion of "aha!" I developed an interest in Buddhist philosophy. Through reading the works of Shunryu Suzuki, Daisetz Suzuki, Allan Watts, and others, I found that I was constantly saying to myself "This speaks to me! This makes sense!" Not having been raised in a particularly spiritual home, by the age of twenty I had harshly judged all organized religion. I could not abide the bible-thumping guilt that I heard coming out of so many pulpits. It was adding fuel to our societal discord, splitting us into "us versus them - we are the chosen ones you are not" camps. It was part of the problem.

I heard no words in Buddhism, however, that spoke in such disrespectful tones. It didn't ask us to consider what divided us, but rather, what brought us together. The one phrase I loved from Allan Watts at the time was "As the ocean waves, the universe peoples." We were but points of exquisite light of universal consciousness. This spoke to my sense of uniqueness in experiencing "my" consciousness, whilst simultaneously breathing life and meaning into what was beyond. Yes, I was intimately connected with all that surrounded me. I was embarking, ever so slowly, on a path of appreciation of non-duality.

Over the years I found much debris on this path. I would choose dead end branches heading into the bushes, or leading to swamps. Sometimes the adventure was fun, other times, not so much. I would get lost, and need to confront my aloneness as I tripped and stumbled down a dark road. I was fortunate, however, to meet the occasional guide along the way.

Although I knew meditation to be an integral part of Buddhism, I spent more time reading about it, rather than actually doing it. It was part of the "practice", but that was where I seemed to get stuck. Having totally (and I mean totally) rejected the dogmatism and ritual of organized religion, I found it virtually impossible to integrate into my life the concept of doing something because I was supposed to. I would do what I wanted, thank you very much.

I also, however, had the sense of something missing. Over the years I articulated to myself and close friends my recognition that a religious or spiritual community was greater than its "dogma". It provided community, a sense of connection with others. This was something I did not have in my life.

Recently, I have met another one of those precious guides I spoke of earlier, Dr. Ian Prattis. He was giving a talk at a local community meeting hosted by Interfaith Sandy Hill last fall. In response to a question I posed about the "how" of becoming more engaged in social change he invited me to the Pine Gate Sangha. I really had no idea what to expect, but he seemed like a wonderful individual. I had first heard him speak on CBC radio about two years ago as he discussed his recently published book "Failsafe - Saving the Earth from Ourselves".

What I am discovering is that missing link of "community", or, in Buddhist terms, the Sangha. For me, I feel like I am coming home. Don't get me wrong. It is not that Pine Gate, per se, is home. Community is home, or, once again to switch to the Buddhist term, Sangha is home. Home is a place to nurture the seeds of life. Home is where you garden. Yes, I can garden on my own, without others, but I am finding it so much more enriching as I garden with others. This is what I am learning about at Pine Gate, as I garden and nurture in community, in Sangha. And, believe it or not, I've actually started the process of integrating meditation into my life! Home is where you make it, and, Pine Gate is becoming part of my home.

Corporations Are Not the Problem - We Are

I like to think of myself as committed to social change, and very concerned about what I see as a consumer driven society hurtling virtually out of control down a dead end track to environmental disaster. I know there are many around the world who share my concerns. What I often hear are screams of outrage against one corporation or another that is characterized as poluting the planet in its relentless search for profit while constantly urging us to buy things we do not need with money we do not have.

Yes, that rings a chord in the hearts of so many who are despairing at the plight of the world. We love to bleat about the horror of the oilsands, resource depletion or any other short term profit seeking corporate practice. But, when we start to dig a little deeper, are the actions of these corporations the root cause of this destruction? I don't think so. We are taking the easy "let's find someone to blame" route. Let's be clear, corporations can only sell something if someone else buys it, and we keep buying boatloads of the stuff. From Ipods to flatscreens to sushi to constant jet travel to cut roses in winter we the consumer keep lining the pockets of corporations with the proceeds of our insatiable desires. The planet is littered with the detritus of our consumption.

Rather than stamping our feet, going to protests and writing letters about these "terrible corporations" and the "capitalist footprint" on the planet, we need to be holding up a mirror to ourselves and our neighbours about how we are behaving. I don't like what I see.

If we want corporations to stop sucking the planet dry, we have to stop giving them the money to do it. Unfortunately, it seems that most of us are too addicted to consuming to really make this happen.

And yes, I am looking in the mirror as I say this.