Suspension Basics

Many modern bicycles come with suspension components. Suspension is more than a way to make the ride more comfortable. It helps maintain better control in severe off-road riding. It protects the bicycle. By flexing, the wheels are much less likely to be damaged when hitting sharp edges in the road. And, suspension adds a degree of safety, especially front suspension. When hitting a tree root, curb, or similar sharp obstruction, a bicycle without suspension can stop suddenly, introducing the rider to flight. With suspension, the rider may curse a bit, but will remain seated and under control. Finally, suspension can make some riding more efficient. The rider can remain firmly seated, rather than hovering slightly over the seat to let the bicycle rock over bumps. Staying an inch above the seat can be a waste of energy. We have seen an evolution of suspension systems on bicycles during the past 20 years or so, sometimes resulting in some very ingenious variations. Because of the degree of variation, these instructions may not apply to your bicycle, or may need some modification. Be sure you understand and can perform these steps properly before attempting something that could mess up your bicycle's suspension adjustment. Some are simply springs built into the fork blades and sometimes mounted between the main part of the bicycle frame and the rear wheel assembly. Some of the more interesting variations are a rubber ball that's compressed between parts of the frame when the rear wheel hits bumps, and a telescopic seat post that you can buy to add suspension to any bicycle. Plain spring suspension seldom has any damping effect. Damping is a way to slow down the spring action, so you don't inefficiently bounce up and down after hitting bumps. Bicycles with damping generally use oil or air, moving through small holes inside the mechanisms to slow down the spring effect. Damping is often adjustable. Bicycles that use oil for damping may require that you change the amount or viscosity of the oil to change the damping. Bicycles that use air for damping often also use the air for the spring effect. The air is contained within the fork blades, or in the rear shock under pressure. Too much air will be too bumpy, and not enough air will be too soft. A typical better quality suspension fork will have two kinds of adjusters. You can turn a tension adjuster at the top of each fork tube to control how high the bicycle rides. On the bottom of each fork tube is another knob that you can turn to control the damping. Bicycles with suspension should be adjusted to accommodate the rider's weight and riding style. A good place to start is to set up the bicycle to compress about twenty percent of the suspension's full travel when the rider is just sitting on the bicycle. On many bicycles, you can temporarily install a tie wrap around the inner part of one fork tube. Push the tie-wrap down until it is sitting on the fatter part of the fork tube. Sit slowly on the bicycle, and you'll see that the tie wrap moves up as the suspension compresses. When you get off the bicycle, you can measure the distance the tie-wrap moved up the tube. That's how much the fork compresses under your weight. Sometimes you can use the same technique with the rear shock absorber. Suspension systems that use air are almost always adjustable by changing the air pressure within the chambers. Some of these have regular air fittings, just like the valves on your car tires. Others have special valves similar to basketballs, in which you insert a needle. In a pinch you can use an ordinary tire pump or air compressor to adjust air suspension, but you may find it very difficult to control the pressure of such a small amount of compressed air. Also, most tire pumps and air compressors are not capable of the higher pressures some suspension systems require. It is easier to use a special suspension pump, also known as a "fork pump." These cost around $40 and are available at bicycle shops. An air suspension system can hold the pressure for quite a while, but as the bicycle wears, the seals may start to leak, and you may have to adjust the air pressures more frequently. Sometimes you can get replacement seals and overhaul your suspension system. But sometimes, replacement seals are unavailable. Oil suspension systems may also leak in time, not only necessitating refilling the oil, but making a mess as well. You'll find that many air suspension forks also have a bit of oil in them for lubrication or damping that can also start to leak. Most suspension forks can be dissassembled, cleaned and overhauled. Because there are many types of forks, the following information is only general. 1. Remove the front wheel. 2. Remove the front brake, and the bridge piece that holds the brake and keeps the fork tubes parallel. 3. You may find removable plastic caps in the tops or bottoms of the fork tubes that can be carefully pried out with a screwdriver. 4. You may find allen (hex) head bolts in the tops or bottoms of the fork tubes. Unscrew these, and you may be able to pull the forks apart. 4a. Or, you may find a C-clip in the top of the fatter portion of the fork tube. Carefully remove the C-clip with a pin tool if you have one. It can be done (carefully) with a small screwdriver and needlenose pliers, but you must have a high tolerance for frustration if you do it that way. 5. Pull the fork tube apart slowly, keeping it in an upright position. This is in case there is oil in the fork. If so, it can spray all over the place if you pull the fork apart too quickly. Keep track of the amount of oil, and replace with the same amount if the seals have not been leaking. Otherwise, consult the manufacturer's specifications for the amount of oil to use. 6. Clean forks carefully, because left over dirt or corrosion can quickly ruin the seals. 7. Reassemble and adjust, making sure that the fork tubes are set to the same height. Put all the bolts in loosely at first, so that you can put them all in without struggle and without damaging the threads, then tighten them all when assembly is complete. Note that many of the screws thread directly into cast aluminum alloy, which is easily damaged. Put a little grease on the screw threads if you ride in adverse wet conditions so that a couple of years later, you'll still be able to remove the screws. 8. Make sure that the front brake is adjusted properly after a fork overhaul.

This was contributed by Len, a BicycleWebSite reader: Most shock absorbers use a combination of springs and a damping mechanism. The damping force keeps the spring from bouncing up and down several times, but allows it to travel. There are three damping methods used; air under pressure, hydraulic fluid, and friction. My shocks were frozen, and use friction damping. In order to take the shocks apart, I removed the screws holding the brake arch to the fork, and the brake mounting screws, and then the bolts at the bottom of the unit, just above the dropouts. This allowed the outer tube to move freely with respect to the slider. Well, sort of. Since they were frozen due to rust, I needed to use a rubber mallet to separate the two parts. Once apart, it was a simple matter to clean up the rust, remove any old lube, water and dirt, then lubricate everything and reassemble. While a bit messy, it was really quite simple to do. My fork now has suspension travel again!

Bent Dropouts

How's it going Jeff. I'm 15 and ride mountain, road, and BMX bicycles. I have built all of my bicycles from parts around the house or that I bought online. My BMX bicycle is a custom with 20 inch wheels, 45-16 gearing ratio, (basically standard) and BENT DROPOUTS. I don't know how to fix this problem, and I don't want to spend a bunch of money getting the Park Tools drop-out-fixing-miracle-thing. Any tips or tricks on how to repair the dropouts would be greatly appreciated. - Gary

Hi Gary,

You can generally bend dropouts back with a big adjustable wrench. Be careful not to bend more than you need. With aluminum bicycles, be especially careful, since aluminum will easily crack. To see when they are straight, you can take the rear axles out of two rear hubs (maybe from junked wheels), and set them up so that they are held in the dropouts by their locknuts in about the middle of the axles, so that the inside ends of the axles almost touch in the middle of the frame. Misalignment will be very obvious since the axles won't ponit at each other.

Have fun!

- Jeff -

Riding Motivation

City cycling

I know some people out there like birds. This one was being loud on a branch outside my window yesterday. I don't know what it is. It was smallish; between a jay and a crow. Sharp-shinned hawk? Cooper's hawk? Anyone?...

Anyway, back to bikes.

And motivation. Commute By Bike posted about motivation a few days ago. I was feeling too unmotivated to respond. It was gray and cold. And then, it suddenly got really nice for a few days, and I was motivated to do other things; things that have nothing to do with bicycles; like looking at hawks!

Motivation is a funny thing. I fully realize and dutifully preach the many benefits of urban cycling:

• economy
• sustainability
• health and fitness
• stress reduction
• possible time savings
• improved quality of life
• fun and enjoyment
• ... (insert your own)

Yet, I can't say that any of these really and truly motivate me. To be perfectly honest, I consider myself a rather reluctant cyclist. I hate being told I should bike. The fastest way to discourage me from using my bike is to invoke any and all of the practical reasons to do so.

If you want to get me on my bike, just tell me, or imply, that I can't.

Although I don't consider myself an adventurer, when I really and honestly think about it, what gets me really excited about riding my bike is the challenge of doing the opposite of what everyone says. If it is a beautiful, sunny day, I might choose to hang out on my front stoop and point my camera zoom at a hawk.

However, when it is drizzly and cold, I may just decide to ride my bike over to that educational supply store in Skokie that always seems too far out of the way. I may take the long way to avoid major streets. And, as long as I'm going there, why not pop into the second hand bookstore on the way back? I might take major streets this time just to prove it can be done. I may stray off course to pick up some provisions for dinner, too.

I enter these establishments without bothering to remove my helmet, not too worried about my red, rain-spattered cheeks, or the mud streak on the back of my jacket, or my soaked boots (although I do make some effort to wipe my nose, just in case). Sometimes I feel like there is an aura around me as I shop among the mere mortals who arrived in their SUV, and who never get to experience the glory of the elements.

So, pardon me, if I sometimes preach. It's a professional habit. It's part of my job of getting more people on more bikes more often.

All About Bikes

Introduction
Safety First
Conventional Bikes vs. Recumbents
Common Bike Designs: Touring, Mountain, Hybrid
Suspension: Solid, Hardtail, Full
Child Carriers & Child Trailers
Tandems: Conventional & Specialized
"Active Trailers"; Trail-a-Bikes, Tag-Alongs and Similar Solutions
Passive Trailers for Kids & Utility Trailers
More Unique Tandem Bikes: Child Sized, Side-by-Side, Back-to-Back, etc.
Trikes for Kids
Trikes for Adults
Tandem Trikes and Convertible Trikes
Special Needs Setups including Wheelchair / Bike Tandem Combinations
Quad Bikes: 4 wheels for 1, 2, 3, and passengers
Truly Long Bikes: Inline options for 3, 4, 5, and even 6 passengers
Kiddie Cranks, S & S Couplers, and various unique bikes
The Biggest of the Big-- 7 & 8 passenger solutions
Hauling Solutions-- how do you get the bike where you want to ride it?
Answers to common questions
Links
The final word

Introduction
I may not know all there is to know about bikes, but I have ridden and enjoyed them for many years. I especially like unique bikes, trikes, quad bikes, and other unusual contraptions which many of our members may not be especially familiar with. Something I want to point out before I head too far down this path is I'm not a professional bike person or in the business of selling bikes, etc. While I believe that I may have some bike information that you won't run across every day, certainly you'll want do some research beyond the information provided on this site before you invest a pile of hard-earned cash on a cycle of your own.

As with all information on the GOPBC site, please use our bike pages as a general guide to help stimulate thought and generate ideas. A very real problem with exotic bikes (including most tandem bikes and other non-traditional bikes) is that there is just not a great place to go and look at them in showroom fashion or to find much information about many of these nifty items at all. There are a few specialty shops around the country that have a good variety of unique products but there is none of which I am aware which really covers all the kinds of unique cycles you'll find shown in this article.

Should you decide to buy one, your Local Bike Shop or "LBS" as you'll often see it abbreviated can probably help maintain most of these bikes and get many parts for them. Having a good relationship with a local bike shop is important for specialty biking. "Mega" bike shops are going to generally be less motivated to help you than a local shop because they generally are interested in high-volume sales of cookie-cutter products as opposed to low volume custom built items. Know however that some items are quite a bit more expensive at your LBS than at a high-volume store such as Performance Bicycle.

The focus of this page is to start from the beginning with a wide variety of bikes and similar "HPV's" (Human Powered Vehicles) and give you an overview of some of what is available. If you want more info on something in particular, don't hesitate to ask. I may or may not have more information on a given topic but I'll do what I can to help.

Please send questions or comments to my email address: rholloway@gopbc.org

Safety First
Before we begin to discuss bikes I want to mention a little about safety. When I last checked, it seems like Georgia state laws required all riders under 16 to wear a helmet. Speaking for myself, I don't need any law to be certain that everyone I ride with wears a helmet on the road or trail whether 6, 16 or 60 years old. If you think you're not going to go fast enough to have a crash so you don't need a helmet, think about someone in a car hitting you while you're hardly moving. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute's web site is a good place to learn more about this topic.

Wear appropriate safety gear and for goodness sake, obey the rules of the road. If you're in traffic, be courteous to cars and leave a good impression with them. Many drivers hate dealing with people on bikes because of the few cyclists who think they can cut off cars or pass them on the right side of a row stopped at a traffic light, etc. Traffic lights and stop signs also apply to bikes and cyclists can even get citations for running them. As cyclists, we want and need respect and courtesy from those in motor vehicles. The best way to get that from them is to start by offering that respect to them as well.

Which Helmet For Your Child?
Some young children are not inclined towards helmets and need encouragement to wear them, especially at first. One way to encourage them to wear helmets is to make them a bit more fun. Pretty pictures are used to keep many children wearing their helmets. The problem is that most of these helmets feel the same-- like smooth plastic, so a visually impaired or blind child probably isn't going to be terribly inspired by the images. If this is an issue for your child, look into helmets like the ones below with shapes of interest. Target and Wal Mart have both recently offered similar models which appear to meet appropriate safety specifications. (Below, smooth and tactile helmet examples.)
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When Not To Wear A Helmet
We should not overlook this point. Helmets are a critical piece of biking safety gear, but they need to come off when your child gets off the bike and goes to play. There have been situations where at least one child has actually been accidentally killed because of wearing a helmet on a playground. Playground equipment clearances assume a certain size range for children's heads. A helmet makes your child's head effectively larger while it is being worn so that it can actually get stuck in some otherwise safe play equipment (like when sliding under something when their body clears but their head in a helmet is too big to pass through the gap). More information on this is available on the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute site at: http://www.bhsi.org/playgrou.htm

Babies and Bikes
One other topic of caution/concern: It is generally accepted that very small children should not ride bikes. Many experts agree that children under about one year old are much more prone to injury, especially of their brains and necks, from flopping & bouncing around on a bike. I have seen tiny kids on bikes and they may do just fine, but why take the chance? Generally, it is recommended that children less than a year old should simply not be riding on bikes or in bike trailers. Please check with your pediatrician if you are not certain your child is ready to ride and remember that once they are old enough they need head protection weather on the bike or in a trailer. This is a complicated topic and there are lengthy articles available on the matter. For one such article, please see the following link: http://www.bhsi.org/tiny.htm

All Kinds of Bikes...
Okay, enough preliminaries, so here we go-- the following is a brief overview of a great many kinds of cycles, most of which may have some impact on decisions for biking with visually impaired children (and adults). I hope you find it useful. The first bikes you'll see (for single passengers) may not make sense for the context of this article but as you read on this information will fall into place.

DF vs. 'Bent
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What is a DF Bike?
If you're web surfing and reading about bikes, you may run across the abbreviation "DF" fairly often. DF is short for "Diamond Frame" and that just means a plain old bike. The diamond portion is referring to the diamond shape common to a typical bike's frame. On a DF, you'll be sitting on some type of saddle that goes between your legs. They are also called by a number of other terms, the most accurately descriptive of which is probably "wedgie". (Enough said about that.) These are obviously the most common sort of bike and generally offer the most choices for lower cost biking.

What is a 'Bent Bike?
'Bent is short for Recumbent and both terms are pretty common for such cycles. "Recumbent" is a pretty loose description for a variety of styles where the rider sits in more of a conventional position-- like you would sit if driving a car for example. On a recumbent, you don't straddle a saddle, you sit in it a seat to ride. You may be sitting upright, laying reclined so far that you're nearly flat on your back, or anywhere between the two, but all of those would still be called recumbent biking positions.

Why Recumbent?

Comfort is nearly always the reason to choose recumbent. There are tradeoffs however, especially on two-wheeled versions because recumbents are generally less stable on take-off from a stop and there is a learning curve for riding one-- at lest for those of us who grew up on conventional (diamond frame) bikes.

Why DF?

Primarily two reasons-- These are what most of us are used to and they are generally cheaper, or at least many models of DF designs start off in a lower price range.

Different Bike Designs

Touring Bikes / Road Bikes
Touring bikes have smooth road tires and usually little in the way of suspension. Some would say no suspension at all, but one could probably toss some old-style spring suspensions into the touring class. Touring frames are not intended for off-road use. Especially on higher-end bikes, you're paying a lot extra to save a couple of pounds or even a few ounces. "Road Bikes" is a term that sometimes to implies a more specialized, lightweight, higher-end touring style bike. This is probably a distinction in which most family bike riders will not be especially interested. (Some modern Road Bikes often use a lot of very expensive carbon fiber, for example.)

Mountain Bikes / Downhill Bikes
Ruggedized frame designs and knobby tires are the key factors that make a bike into a Mountain Bike. These often have shock-absorbing suspension systems, but not always (more on that below), and such suspensions may be front-only or front and rear. Rear suspension lockouts are fairly common options for full-suspension bikes, to make them more versatile. "Downhill Bikes" are made to be extremely strong to run downhill and off road. They are not intended for climbing so no consideration is made as far as weight and keeping these light weight. Think of them as Ruggedized Mountain Bikes-- these are not what you need for general family fun, but you may run across the term, so there you have it.

Hybrid
Basically a mountain bike with street tires though these can also be setup to look more like a road bike. The hybrid above has front suspension as well. These offer smoother rides, if less efficient operation for a performance-oriented rider. This is a popular choice for touring and if you want to tour and mountain bike easily, all you need is a spare pair of wheels with alternative tires to switch modes in a matter of minutes. Alternatively, for occasional changes, you can just swap the tires but that is a bit more time consuming when you do change modes.

Suspension Types
Whether we're talking about Conventional (DF) or Recumbent bikes there are multiple flavors of suspension setups:

Solid (no suspension)
A plain old bike; no suspension at all. With these, the only thing between a bump and your behind are the tire which can compress and soften an impact and the seat itself. Suspension seat posts can also be added to give a little more cushion.

"Hardtail"
Just like it sounds, no suspension in the rear but something up front. This can vary from a 1950's style spring setup to higher tech springs, hydraulic shocks and air-shock type setups. Some hardtail riders also use suspension seat posts to soften things a bit for the rear of the bike.

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Full Suspension (three of a great many designs shown above)
Just like it sounds, suspension front and rear. The higher the price, the fancier it generally gets. These are great for off-road use and make a paved road far smoother. Trade-offs come up with full-suspension because pedaling effort can increase a lot as you load and unload the softer rear suspension setups, especially when you're riding up a big hill for example. There's a fix for that too however as higher-end bikes have rear suspension lockouts that make these act as either full-suspension or a hardtail on demand. Setting a rear suspension to maximum firmness can also achieve a result similar to locking out the rear shock setup.

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Seat Post Suspension (above: unusual post design shown with saddle-- left, typical post without saddle mounted-- right)
Mentioned above as well, these have been around for a long time though not as long as some spring-using saddles. These are an alternative (or supplemental) way to smooth out a road and increase comfort. Many road racers will swear by a hard-as-a-rock leather saddle and painfully thin and tight riding shorts on a bike with no suspension and skinny tires inflated to 100 psi or more, but for most of us, comfort is the key issue. That's why there are items like suspension seat posts sold with so many lower cost bikes. They are a cheap way to add a fair amount of additional comfort.

Comfort Saddles & Saddle Pads
There are many designs of bike seats. Many are designed to relocate pressure from certain pressure-sensitive areas of the body. Some target men's anatomy, some women's. Softer seats offer more comfort but a slower ride due to increased friction. Apart from a softer saddle and a suspension post, some riders also like gel seat covers. These can shift around and slow you down at times, but they can also do a great deal to soften bumps in the road. Probably the most effective solution of all for ride comfort is to go with a recumbent bike. The reason for this is rather simple-- a recumbent spreads the pressure of your body weight from a small area between your legs to the majority of your backside, just like most chairs do.

Padded Riding Shorts
In conjunction with any other comfort-related measures these can help smooth out the ride especially if you're riding on a non-recumbent bike. Special padded underwear are also available. These underwear turn most any shorts into padded bike shorts. You should also be aware that some bike shorts are not of that tight figure-revealing design that probably comes to mind when someone mentions bike shorts. There are baggy bike shorts which have snug padded liners under the loose fitting outer shorts. There are also lubricants (like BodyGlide and Chamois Butt'r) to use to keep riding apparel as comfortable as possible, reducing chafing and so forth. If you make the right selections, nobody will be able to see that you're wearing special pants but you'll still gain many of the benefits of the comfortable designs.

How Many Riders Per Cycle?

Single Seat Bikes
Now we're getting into details that really begin to apply to parents of a visually impaired child. If you're riding with a visually impaired partner you'll need a multi-seat bike, right? Well, it depends. Single seat bikes can haul a small child in a carrier either in back where a rack is often mounted or even in front of the driver (but behind the handle bars). They can also tow a trailer that can carry a child or two or pull a "tag-along" or "trail-a-bike" style of hybrid bicycle device. More on these later, but suffice to say they can make a one person bike into a sort of tandem or even a triple bike with handle bars and pedals for all riders.

Passengers / Co-Riders-- Extra seats on a your bike?
As mentioned above, with the right gear you can use a single passenger bike to carry one or two passengers or co-riders depending on your setup. These to add more load and wear-and-tear to a bike so cheaper bikes will wear out faster under the higher demand of such accessories. More information is provided about these later in this article. (Front and rear carrier options shown below.)

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Child Seats
Can be mounted in front or behind the driver. You could probably do both if you tried but that would likely be an unsafe idea-- it would be too complicated for my taste in any case-- think of using one of these only for safety reasons and even then remember that it will effect how you have to ride.

Some multi-passenger bikes also use optional child carrier seats, trailers, etc. (One triple shown later in this article has a tandem trailer which puts five people on that particular combined bike/trailer combination). (Click here to jump to more on that setup.) Single trailers are more commonly used and child seats are also used from time to time. Of coarse these fit even single passenger bikes and provide a very affordable option to get a little passenger in motion on a big bike (from about $100). Remember that for safety reasons small riders should be old enough to safely support their own heads.

Tandem Bikes

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Traditional Tandems & Recumbent Tandems (above left-- a conventional "DF" tandem with one unusual feature, a softride beam seat post for the "stoker" or rear rider, above right-- a BikeE Tandem. The BikeE products are striking with their unusual straight beam design, Some people like them a lot but they went out of business after some problems including certain design issues where some steering mechanisms began to separate in some situations. Clearly you would want to be careful about making a BikeE purchase at this point.)
We've all seen a "bicycle built for two". They can be found for a couple hundred dollars at discount stores (some Wal Mart locations stock them for example) but such setups will feel less stable and hold up much less well than their $1000-and-up counterparts. There are two riders on one bike with these. The "captain" generally sits up front and steers. The "stoker" just pedals. Front and rear cranks are connected with a timing chain and in most cases the are locked in sync so that front and rear cranks (pedals) turn at the exact same speed. (There are unusual "freewheel" setups where front and rear passengers are not required to stay in cadence.)

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Love Bike (a "reverse tandem")
A type of shorter tandem with the captain in the rear. With this setup, both front and rear passengers can feel the steering. It is designed for a grownup to sit in back and a small person to sit up front. You can also take your sweetheart for a ride with this bike, but it is best suited to smaller (child-sized) front passengers and a great way to give the feel of biking to a blind or visually impaired child because of this unique setup. I have a fairly lengthy article posted on this site about Love Bikes. (Additional photos are also posted on that page.) Click here to jump to that article.

Other "Reverse Tandems":
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There are other tandem setups for a rear captain. Some of these use linkage to move the steering wheel behind the front passenger. (As opposed to a "Love Bike" setup where the handlebars wrap around the front passenger to allow the rear seated captain to steer.) Some of these designs are really cool, but this defeats much of the purpose of putting the captain in the rear of a tandem as far as giving the full bike experience to a visually impaired child. The good thing would be that you'd still sit behind your young passenger so you could supervise him or her more effectively. I suspect that a sighted passenger would get an extra thrill from seeing the world rushing at them with no obstructions in their view from a front-riding-captain but that is less likely to be a huge selling point for a visually impaired (or certainly a completely blind) front passenger.

'Bent Tandems (in this case a Seavo by Rans)
Just as the name implies this is a recumbent tandem. In this case we're talking about a conventional inline positioning of recumbent seats. Note that with recubents there are different types of steering. The bike above uses a traditional handlebar location but many others use under-seat steering, or "USS".

Active Passenger Trailers

There are two primary kinds of passenger trailers. Let's call them "active" and "passive". An active trailer is one where the passenger participates in the activity of riding actively, like on the numerous Trail-A-Bikes and similar solutions. Passive passenger trailers tend to move little kids more like cargo. Like a child seat, these may work to get your child down the road, but active solutions have the better chance of keeping your child's interest for the longest time while cycling. Taking that theory to the next step, some experts feel that putting a child directly onto a traditional tandem makes them feel even more like pedaling because their feet are forced to keep moving so long as their feet are attached to the pedals and the captain is pedaling. (If a child has his or her own "freewheel", he or she can stop pedaling at will and there is little the captain can do to inspire them to start again once the child gets tired.)

Conventional Bike with a "Trail-A-Bike" attached
As mentioned above, a variety of trailer-style bikes can be towed from typical bikes (or even tandems), adding an extra seat (or two with some special models, see below). Each trailer passenger has pedals and a handle bar. These come in several different flavors. All are basically comprised of rear wheels (only), fixed handle bars, and a frame. The design is diamond-frame-like (so they have conventional seats). Most of these attach to a seat post hitch. Some (such as the Burley Piccolo) hook to a rear rack instead. I like these pretty well and I do own one, but be cautioned that they make your bike less stable, especially if your rear passenger leans from side-to-side excessively. They do also have weight restrictions which should be adhered to carefully.

Adams Trail-A-Bike (basic)
Much like a basic single bike with no front wheel-- no suspension, no shifter-- a basic trailer-- just hook it up and go.

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Adams Trail-A-Bike (folding)
A basic style that folds up for easier transport. The good part is they save space. The trade off is higher cost and a bit less stability when in use.

Adams Trail-A-Bike (shifter)
Basic design with multiple gears offer riders more chance to help with the pedaling and a chance to learn how bike gears are operated. (Note the cable in the photo, for the shifter.) Differnt gear options also mean that children can help more on hills once they master their gear shifting. Remember that when your trail-a-bike rider stops pedaling, the power to move them has to come from the captain (or any other remaining riders on a larger bike setup)!

Adams Trail-A-Bike (shocker)
This is a trail-a-bike with a shock on it and it also shifts gears. Since these are rear-wheel-only "bikes" (the "front" wheel of these is the rear wheel of the tow bike) it means that the front "suspension" is whatever is on the back of the tow bike. Pull a shocker behind a full suspension bike and all passengers have full suspension.

Adams Trail-A-Bike (tandem trailer)
These are out of production now because of safety concerns. But wait, don't panic-- the concern is using them over-weight. (I was told this directly by Adams when I contacted them directly.) My understanding is that for two small passengers they are considered safe. If memory serves, the two small passengers should not exceed 80 pounds total, but obviously check with the manufacturer before you ride. Note that the tandem model shifts but has solid suspension.

Tag-Along (shown attached to a bike above)
Another popular brand of "Trail-A-Bike" design is the Tag-Along. These are a well known brand but they offer fewer styles of trailers than does Adams.

Burley Piccolo (shown above)
There are several other kinds of these trailers. Burleys stand out because of their unique mounting system which mounts the trailer to a rack, not to the rear-most seat post.


Pashley Add-1 Trailer (above)
Made in the UK they may be hard to find in the US, but they look really stable at a glance. The single-wheeled solutions like an Adams tend to flop back-and-forth if your child leans very far to either side but this design would clearly minimize such shifting.

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Trail Gator Tow Bar and fold up training wheels
This is one of several different tow bars that can convert a typical kid's bike onto a trailer. I have read good things about them but am not personally sold because I see too many points for flex and movement. I'd be interested to hear (and post) feedback from anyone who has actually used one. Companion fold-up training wheels are also offered. The wheels make sense if you're bound to try out one of these.

Passive Passenger Trailers

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Alternative Trailers (above left is the Burley Bee above right is the Burley D'Lite)
Burley is one of the better known (if more expensive) makers of the low-to-the-ground child trailer. These come in one and two passenger styles and there are many options and various weight ratings. They are often used to carry smaller children but would keep your child somewhat isolated from what you are doing up front-- perhaps not the ideal option if you want to immerse a visually impaired child in the biking experience.

Unique Specialized Trailers
This appears to be a three child, inline trailer. I wish I hade more information on this. I have seen a similar model for only two children. If I find more information (or someone supplies it) I'll be happy to add that here.

Utility Trailers
Many utility trailers are available. These are great to have and you may want to use these on family or group rides but please do not use these for passengers. Only passenger-rated trailers should be used to carry children. Using a passenger trailer for cargo (within weight specifications) is generally acceptable but cargo trailers carrying passengers are simply not safe.

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BOB Trailers
Probably best known for their famous one-wheeled utility trailers, BOB stands for "Beast of Burden". Current models are available with and without a spring suspension. (The YAK has solid suspesnsion while the IBEX has a 3"-maximum-travel shock system.) Great for cargo and the single wheel in the center is ideally suited for single-track riding, however these are not for passenger use.

What is single track riding?
Off-road riding is called "single-track" riding when trails are wide enough for just one biker at a time. Because you are dealing with a tight pathway there may even be times that only one wheel can pass through some of the trail, and certainly it would be hard to navigate effectively knowing that you have to maintain left & right trailer wheel tracks as well as your normal bike wheels. Keep that in mind in reference to the BOB Trailers shown above. To ride a narrow path your best off having a rig with all wheels in-line. Note also that a BOB while quite stable with the low ground clearance may also limit what you can clear as far as rocks and so forth as compared with using panniers (saddle bags) on your bike. As with everything else there are trade offs-- capacity and stability will compete with one another for example. Your turning radius will also increase substantially with either a longer bike or a bike and trailer combination.

BOB for kids
With the above said about BOB trailers not being for kids, BOB did apparently make child trailers at one time and they can still be found used (or so I have read). I've never seen one but I understand they are solid so used ones might be found in good condition now and then. I have seen the BOB line of strollers which appear quite solid. You can find these at REI among other places. (To see some of these, just go to the REI site and enter "BOB" for the search string.) Just remember, child trailers (properly used) are fine for kids but never use cargo trailers for passengers.

All kinds of Tandem Bikes
Tandems have a huge price range, from a couple hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. They come in road and mountain configurations. There are solid suspension, front-only suspension or "hardtail", and full suspension designs. Some have unique beam seat posts which flex to smooth things out. Riders may be inline, side-by-side, etc. There are just too many types to try and detail them all here. Just assume that if they make it in a single bike, you can probably get it in a tandem for the right price. If you have already read this whole page, you may recall a diamond frame vs. recumbent discussion. Tandems come in both of these and there are even a few with both on the same bike-- in particular there is a rear-captain model with a DF rear and a recumbent front design (see photo below.)

Tandem Options
The longer and more heavily loaded a bike gets, the more careful you must be with that bike. Overloaded bikes are easier to wreck and more prone to component failure. With that said, some riders are comfortable riding with child carriers or trailers on their tandems, so that is another possible solution to keep in mind.

Kiddie tandems (above, a rather unusual 16" tandem with training wheels)
Not only are there lots of tandems for adults and ways to put children on adult tandems, there are a few child-only tandems floating around as well. If your child has little or no vision and you just don't feel safe putting him or her in control of steering a bike you might track one of these down. Of coarse to benefit very much with these you'll need a trusted sibling or friend to sit in the captain's (front) seat.

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Back-to-Back Tandems
You have to see this to believe it. They must offer a wild ride in the back but I suspect that even if the price is not an issue this would not be a great choice for a visually impaired rider-- it would be really hard to speak with rear passenger on one of these and the thrill of watching the world pass you going "the wrong direction" would not be a big selling point. Still, this is pretty unusual and it might meet a particular need or desire for someone. Clearly, this idea is interesting enough to have brought about the design of at least two bikes of this general design and in fact I have heard there is an annual ride somewhere for these tandems exclusively. If it comes through my town I want to go and watch that one for certain!

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Side-by-Side Tandems
A fun idea but be certain that you can take it on any trails or paths in which you are interested before you buy one. Some paths (such as the Silver Comet in north Georgia and also the paths in Callaway Gardens near the southern Georgia-Alabama border) have posts to keep cars from entering paths which also make it hard to get certain cycling setups on these paths. In the models above, the yellow model (left) is clearly a singular design. The unit in the center appears to be one of several made which actually bolt two bikes together ("Diamond Frames" in this case). On the right is a pair of EZ1's shown with a kit to make a pair of these into a side-by-side tandem.

All About Trikes!

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Kids' Trikes
An obvious idea but there are many choices. Some seats are harder to stay on, while others keep you well situated (see the pink Schwinn above, left). It is harder to brace against slipping out of a seat if you can't see what's ahead when you ride, so some trikes are going to frustrate a visually impaired child more easily than others.

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"Trike on a Stick"
If either a child or a parent are concerned about crashing a trike because of vision (or other) concerns, and before any child is physically ready to pedal on his or her own, this design offers a parent a lot of control in many situations. Some designs let the "stick" be removed when desired and the trike becomes just a regular trike. Note that the models above both appear to have a hand brake for the rider and the larger (red) model appears to have a brake for the pusher too.

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Grown Up Trikes (they're not just for grandparents)
I had no idea that "big person trikes" were anything more than a way for a retired person in Florida to enjoy the outdoors while heading to the store for groceries for the longest time. (The photo above on the left is what I always thought of as far as adult trikes.) Now I own a Greenspeed recumbent trike that I bought while in my 30's. It is a joy to ride! (See photo below, right.) There are many trike styles from which to choose:

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Delta vs. Tadpole Trikes (above, Penninger "Delta" on left, Greenspeed "Tadpole" on right)
You'll generally see two distinctions in trikes. A delta has one wheel in front and two in back, like a traditional kid's trike. Tadpoles are the reverse-- two in front and one in back. Deltas come in DF-like upright designs and recumbent designs. Tadpoles, as far as I know, are all recumbents (the design would seem to require that), but there are many different angles for tadpole design's riders. Upright designs offer more comfort, while flatter ones are faster (due to less wind drag). Both of the above examples are "USS" or under seat steering-- a term used for recumbent two wheelers as well. For comparison, the "Grown Up Trike" in the previous section is conventional, not USS.

Greenspeed Tadpole (with a child seat)
Yes, you see there really is a reason why I got into trike discussions on a page for visually impaired cycling. To begin with, you can carry passengers on some trike setups. Greenspeeds are generally accepted as the "standard" of tadpole type recumbents. They are made in Australia but marketed pretty thoroughly in the US. Georgia has a dealer right on the Silver Comet trail, called the Silver Comet Depot. You'll find a rather nice selection of recumbent trikes from at least three companies and a half-dozen or more recumbent bike brands carried there. As far as I know they have the best selection of such unique items anywhere in Metro Atlanta. (If you know of other good sources for these in the Atlanta area or elsewhere in Georgia, email me and I'll post that information on this site.)

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Folding Trikes (Greenspeed GT3 ready to ride on left, folded for transport on right)
Adult trikes are big and being wide, they can be hard to transport. One work-around for this is a folding trike like Greenspeed GT-3 or GT-5. Folded, these carry in many smaller cars with relative ease. (see below)

Another alternative is to carry a non-folded trike on top of a car (shown below). That makes setups faster but these are big enough that they are a bit hard to put on the car and remove without help. Also, the forward crank setup means that at least with tadpoles you have something of a dangerous weapon that would happily gouge up your car on the front of this rig should happen to meet your paint, windows, etc. as you load it.

Tandem Tadpoles
A few stock models are available but these are often custom made. People who are into these often want custom options and they are costly enough that those who make and sell them don't want to have a great many of them sitting around in inventory. A couple of examples follow:

Transportable Greenspeed Tandem
If the Greenspeed GT3 (above) looks like a great idea to ease transportation of a trike, imagine how important it is to have a plan to transport a tandem tadpole. Here's one solution:
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The seats don't match because these are from two different trikes, but these are the same Greenspeed Tandem model shown ready to use and ready to transport.

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Greenspeed Solo/Tandem Convertible Trike (the custom model shown below actually has a custom canoe rack if you can believe that!)
There are tandems trikes which convert to a single and back to a tandem whenever you like. These are quite pricey, but they are cheaper than buying a Greenspeed tandem and a single and they take up less storage & transportation space. The pictures tell the story about this one for certain. This particular trike is probably the best documented Tandem Tadpole I have ever seen, but if you go to any of the Greenspeed sites the model is hardly mentioned. I looked into buying one of these one-or-two-person Greenspeeds and I could only find one dealer in the whole USA who knew they existed. Greenspeed will custom make a trike for you to your specifications if you really want one, so don't give up if a dealer is unaware of some special configuration. In fact if you need to reach someone at Greenspeed directly, email me and I can send you some contact information. Greenspeed is based in Australia but routiney deals with US customers so don't let that make you avoid dealing with the company. I have found them to be more than willing to help me with issues surrounding my own Greenspeed in the past. For more details about the particular trike below, the proud owner has an extensive web page which I hope he keeps posted for a long time: http://tricolour.net/gtvs6.html (this is the same design as shown above but with a custom rack demonstrated:)
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Now add a trailer to a tandem and it looks like one of these:
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Greenspeed Tandem with a Trailer
Yes, there are tricycle-friendly trailers; some look more like chariots than bike accessories.

One or Two Passenger conventional trailers might also be used-- like the Burleys which can mount to a rear rack on a tricycle. A word of caution though, carefully test stability when adding big accessories (including trailers) to a tricycle. Greenspeed specialists warn that some setups can make your trike unstable and "tippy"...

Conventional Tandem Trike Alternatives

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Piggyback Tandem Trikes (note bracket detail, above right)
Setups like this one from Penninger Cycles let you couple a pair of Delta tandems or use them separately. Basically, you pop off the rear trike's front wheel and quick couple the front fork of the rear trike to the rear of the front trike with a special bracket. To date it seems that nobody has figured out how to do this with tadpoles though since you can't lift both steering wheels and tow a trike on just it's back wheel.

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Lower Cost Trikes
The biggest downside to most of these specialty items is cost. (Storage & transportation may also be close second & third concerns.) None of the trikes currently available anywhere are what one would really call inexpensive, but American Tricruiser offers some of the least expensive trikes I have found so far. I have not ridden them but I'd suggest they are worth looking into if you decide you may want to buy a trike. I do not expect they are quite up to Greenspeed quality but they may cost you far less than a new Greenspeed so if they meet your needs they might be a realistic option...

Special Needs Setups

Special Needs Trikes (above, a custom designed Greenspeed tandem handcycle)
Sometimes a trike seat can be rigged for riding-only (no pedaling) and there are also hand-powered options. With fewer balance issues, trikes can be configured for some unique special needs setups. These are sometimes single-rider models or a tandem may have one conventional pedal rig and one alternative setup. Once you enter this arena you can get most anything that your checkbook can tolerate. I have also seen trikes that you basically "row" to work on upper body strength even if the rider is capable of pedaling a conventional crank setup and one that combines pedaling and rowing on the same vehicle for the same rider (if I can find a picture I'll try and add one here later).

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Other Special Needs Setups
Above is an idea that is brand new to me-- a wheelchair/bike tandem combination. Several of these are posted on the londonrecumbents.com web site. They rent and sell these, they'll probably ship one to the US if needed, and there are likely similar pieces made in the US as well. Custom fabricators might also be helpful with designing a similar setup. Note that the rear "bike" portion can detach and the chair can function as a standard chair once separated. You can also find more information about these products (Rollfiets and a variety of Hoenig's other products) here: http://www.hoening.com/

Some of the special needs bikes and trikes go beyond the scope of this web page but if you want still more information, try a google search for "handcycle" or "tandem handcycle". Most of what you find is going to be single handcycles with such searches but many of those sources may have custom tandem options, etc.

For more information in handcycles you might also check with the following sites:
http://www.varnahandcycles.com/handcycles/handcycle2.htm
http://www.spinlife.com/ then enter "handcycle" in their search dialog
http://bike-on.com/index.cfm

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Also, the following site also has a number of links to numerous other handcycle sites and other special needs information:
http://www.handcycling.com/handcycle_manufacturers.htm

4-Wheeled Solutions

If three wheels are not enough you might want to add another:

4-Wheelers
I like the "Rhodes Car" a lot. This is basically a 4-wheeled bike. The one above seats four with two powering the unit up front and two in back who just ride with their feet on a foot rest. Such a rig can weigh a couple hundred pounds or more and takes up a full garage bay to store inside. I have hauled one in a 5' x 8' utility trailer-- they are too large to fit in even a full sized Suburban, though I suspect you might squeeze one into a full-sized long-bed pickup. My point here is to remember logistics before you run and buy one of these though they really are neat!

Rhoades Car, 1-passenger (above)

Rhoades Car, 2-passenger (above)

Rhoades Car, 4-passenger (above)

Power Assistance
Electric assist motors are available for the Rhodes Cars and several other cycling products. Some bike trails prohibit auxiliary motors. Some prohibit only gas motors. Some jurisdictions feel that a motorized bicycle is a motor cycle and some don't. It is good to know these exist but please do your research when it comes to power assistance before you go and buy such an item.

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ZEM (Zero Emission Machine, from Switzerland)
Another attractive choice is the ZEM. These have a more modern look than a Rhodes. Both choices are expensive.
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Still More Trikes and Quads
Believe it or not there are quite a few players in the big cycle business. Several more varieties are listed below and even more can be found by following the list of links on the following link: http://www.bhsi.org/fourwhel.htm

Long DF's

Once we're looking at really big bikes we should not overlook longer "tandems". "Tandem" always seems the wrong name for these to me but that term is commonplace for long multi-passenger bikes.

Triple / Triplet / Three Person Tandem (above a solid suspension triplet)
I always think of tandem as being for two people but you'll run across the term being applied to many different cycles for two or more people. I'm not nearly as interested in being "right" about the term as I am about being able to find things with a Google (or other web) search. Use the term you like best, but know that all of these may help when searching on-line.

Here's a Mountain Triplet. Note the heavier looking frame (probably aluminum) and the front suspension fork:

Inline 'Bent Triplet (above)
Here's a rare find indeed. Inline Tandem Recumbents are quite rare but anything longer than that is virtually unheard of. This model appears to be conventionally steered (not USS, or Under Seat Steered).

Triplet without a cause?
There must be an interesting explanation for this bike (shown below).
Unfortunately, I ran across the photo with no associated story.
Perhaps some sort of wacky bike contest?

Three Plus Two
Here's a triplet with a tandem trailer (below). Note the dual rear wheels which would probably be more stable than an Adams tandem trailer.

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Quad (two examples above)
"Quad" can imply a 4-wheel bike or a bike for four people. Of coarse the "Rhodes Car" name from earlier in this page doesn't make me think of a cycle either, but that's what it is called, and again, knowing the right names helps a lot for web searching.

Quad Plus One
Here's a Quad with an extra seat for a small one in the back (below). Note that the rear passenger while sitting behind the frame and over a wheel seems to actually have his own pedals. That looks like an impressive bit of custom work. Still, the purist may argue this is not a true "quint", so I'll call it a "quad plus one". (Note the excellent jerseys as well!)

Quad History
If you're thinking that bikes in the realm of quads are a very new concept the following pre-1930 photo may be of interest to you:

Quint
If you don't want to count the quad plus one (two photos above) as a quint, here's one (immediately above) about which you cannot argue. There's another quint shown below under "S & S total versatility" which can be configured as a 2, 3, 4, or 5 passenger bike. Click here to jump down to that bike.

Sex / Hex (above)
You may run across both names-- take your pick. Once you get into the 6-person bike arena you are getting into really serious money. Make no sharp turns with this setup! Note that all four rear riders appear to be using kiddie cranks (more on those below). I think this particular bike breaks into thirds for transport-- at least it looks like the one I saw that does so. Such a configuration can also be designed to assemble into a quad with the center section removed. For more info on couplers, see the S&S info with the quint below as well as the single/tandem Greenspeed trike above.

Kiddie Cranks (see below)
Here are detail photos of cranks similar to what are being used above to adapt crank height to small riders on the bike for six above. The blue setup looks fairly typical. The red setup is unique and looks more permanent than generally advised. (The cranks are usually clamped to the frame, not bolted through so that when outgrown they can be adjusted or removed.)
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S & S couplers
These can make all the difference for transportation with multiple-rider bike configurations. Some tandems with these couplers can even be broken down to fly in a suitcase on an airplane. These can be used to make a six person bike that breaks into thirds and can be reconfigured as a 4 person by leaving out the center section. Another setup (pictured below) allows the same bike to be used for 2, 3, 4, or 5 riders. Greenspeed uses these to make their 1 or 2 person trike as well... Is there a down side? Yes, they are quite expensive! For more information on S & S couplers and links to a great many photos of bikes with S & S setups go to: http://www.sandsmachine.com/

S & S total versatility (see below)
The cost of the following setup would be very high, but this custom bike can be rigged as a tandem, triplet, quad, or quint. All you need to do is couple or uncouple the right number of frame segments, add or drop the right amount of bike chain (generally done with special quick links), and make a few other small adjustments and you're ready to ride!

Other Interesting Things

Glider Recumbent (custom built by Gary Hale)
Here's an interesting twist. There are alternatives to pedaling as such while still using your feet for power. Note how the struts connect the conventional cranks to the forward glider assembly.

Row Bikes
While you move the glider above by pushing your feet forward, you "row" a Row Bike-- like rowing a boat with both arms going together. There are 2-wheel and 4-wheel designs (see below).
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Standing 4-Wheeler (see below)
Here's an unusual item from gokidusa.biz. Certainly, it looks more stable than a 2-wheel toy like a "Razor" or similar item:

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Fairings (right side of photo first photo and on the front of the bike on right-- the clear structures are sometimes hard to see)
More common to motorcycles, fairings are sometimes added to bikes as well. These help the bikes slip through the wind more easily. If you have too much wind on the front passenger of a tandem, a fairing might be the solution for your problem. They also help you run a bit faster and save a some of your pedaling energy even at lower speeds.

Tandem Talk & Tandem Com
If you like the idea of a multi-passenger cycle but are frustrated by not being able to talk with your other rider (or riders), check out the Tandem Talk and Tandem Com systems. These are two of the more popular solutions to let riders talk more easily to one another. Similar designs for motorcycles might also be adaptable, but would likely be larger, heavier, and consume a lot more power.
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The Really Big Stuff

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Conference Bike (for seven riders, above)
Too expensive and too large for most individuals to own, I have this on my wish list for GOPBC and NFB events. All riders face center and one person steers. Storage and transportation become serious concerns with these.

The Octos (for eight riders, see below)
This was apparently the first version of the Conference Bike above. The down side of this design is mainly that the driver is less involved with the rest of the riders because he faces away from the other seven people on the vehicle. (The matching costumes were likely an extra cost option.)

How to haul big bikes

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Bike Carriers
Even typical bikes can be hard to carry around. Once you go beyond standard sized bikes, things can get quite complicated. There are a few rigs made to haul tandems pretty well. beyond that it is pretty much custom-building time. Both fancier and more basic solutions both seem to get the bikes where they need to go (see below).
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A Few More Questions...

Why such a wide price range?
Lower end bikes are generally available as conventional (diamond frame) setups in lots of single-rider configurations as are a few tandem models. Quality control of these bikes is marginal and the "component group" is very basic (in other words, they use cheap parts on them). That means that the components which make the bike operate, like gears and shifters and brake parts are often the least expensive ones that the maker can get away with putting on the bike. As an example, a nice Shimano Nexus (internally geared) rear hub will cost you around $200 for the part alone. Put it in a wheel and add a shifter and you're up to about $300 minimum. If you want a whole bike for $100 or $200, you're not going to get one with a Nexus setup. Likewise with most other components of higher quality. Additionally, mass produced bike frames made in Taiwan are going to be much less expensive than hand made "one-off" frames made in the USA.

Steel? Aluminum? Carbon Fiber?
What sort of material is best for frames and forks and other parts on a bike? Every situation is different, but if you're a casual rider you'll probably want to avoid carbon fiber. While very strong, carbon fiber is extremely expensive and it can crack and fail if not treated gently. Steel is the most forgiving but the heaviest. Aluminum is a good choice to save some weight but is more expensive in most cases and will fatigue and crack in many cases when used more roughly, where steel will have no problems unless severly abused.

How Big is "Too Big"?
We discussed earlier the fact that it can be hard to carry the larger bikes. Another factor is to determine where you're going to ride a cycle. If you live in Metro Atlanta you may know about the Silver Comet trail for example. I love that trail, but be aware that wide vehicles like the Rhoades Car simply won't fit on the trail. You might be able to get it on the trail in some locations, but you cannot clear the crossing points of main roads without removing the metal posts they pull out to get service vehicles onto the trail and I can assure you this would be strongly discouraged. Besides, how would other bikers pass you-- you'd take up too much of the path's width, so select side-by-side cycles with this limitation in mind. Also remember that longer setups-- even "single track" configurations (just one passenger wide) are potentially hard to turn around on trails. If you normally make U-Turns all over a trail like the Silver Comet to come and go, you'll quickly learn with a longer setup that you are going to have to plan on wider places to maneuver turns and such.

Should I Buy Something "Used"?
Perhaps. If you can find a suitable machine that is used and at a decent price, get it. Here is the rub-- none of these exotic bikes are readily available used and if the used bike needs work that may complicate matters as well. There are a few specialty sites that have some of these posted now and then. There are also specialty items like these listed on ebay at times. My thought is that it cannot hurt to look. A word of ebay caution though. These are often expensive items, so these are sometimes listed as bogus listings on ebay where someone just keeps your money and vanishes. Know who you're dealing with and be careful! One other concern is shipping. Most of these big bikes cost hundreds of dollars to ship. Picking these up in person is often your best bet and that may also avoid certain dangers with sending a lot of money for something you have never seen in person. Also, shipping a big thing like an exotic bike can easily get a frame bent and that can become a major hassle, insurance-covered or not-- After all, where will you find a replacement if a used exotic is damaged? And if you need to repair an exotic frame who will you be comfortable with making such a repair on your costly cycle?

Excellent Links
In the big picture, the information above has just covered the "basics" of cycling information at best. Here are some additional sources for bike information that I find interesting.

Recumbent Buyer's Guide This site has a lengthy list of recumbents. If you go to the link and select "view the bikes" with no other selections, you get a list of about 200 different recumbent bikes with brief descriptions and photos. (http://www.recumbents.com/recumbents.asp)

Harris Cyclery Lots of interesting info here but you have to hunt around to find a lot of it. (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html)

'Bent Rider OnLine A great source for all sorts of recumbent info, want ads, message boards, etc. (http://www.bentrideronline.com/)

Also remember that a plain old Google search can return enough bike information to last a lifetime of reading-- at last check a Google search for "bike" returned 171 Million hits, and "bicycle" found 81.7 Million returns.

The final word.
In conclusion, while some of the setups above are a little outrageous, they may help you have just the idea you need for your particular situation. Custom builders can make whatever you need for a price but I think many of us can also take ideas simply strike us here and apply them to a ready-made solution to some degree for a bit of improved usability in our particular cases. You may also find that from all the ideas listed (and others you may find elsewhere) there is a solution for a great deal of needs that is already ready and available for purchase somewhere even as you're reading this.

As I mentioned before, your questions are welcome as are comments & corrections. If you have something that you want me to add to this list, send it to me and if it makes sense to put it here I'll do just that. The information above has been collected for a long time and from many sources. I hope it may be helpful to some of our members (and guests) to have this many cycling ideas assembled into one place.

Mini-engine positioning on bicycle ?

http://lee.org/blog/2005/08/10/motorized-bicycle/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=105381


http://www.cyclingforums.com/archive/index.php/t-337698.html

4Strokes.

4Strokes.com Tech: How to Read Your Spark Plug

You can tell a lot by reading your spark plug. Here's how to check your jetting by reading the plug. Always start with a new plug that is of proper heat range and reach. Using a plug with an improper heat range or incorrect reach can cause engine damage or poor performance. Proper torque is essential as an improperly tightened plug can damage the engine. Before removing any plug, clean the area around it thoroughly to prevent debris from entering the cylinder. A dry acid brush and an air compressor work great. Run the engine at least 10 minutes, as a new plug will not color immediately.

To obtain an accurate reading from a new spark plug:

1. Accelerate at full throttle on a straight
2. Push the engine stop button and pull the clutch lever in to release the clutch
3. Coast to a stop
4. Remove the spark plug

	Center Electrode
	Side Electrode
	Porcelain Insulator

It's best to use a magnifying glass to inspect the spark plug. The porcelain insulator (1) around the center electrode (2) should appear clean and colorless with a gray ring around the center electrode where it exits the porcelain. Metallic specks indicate lean jetting that is removing metal from the piston. Black sooty streaks on the porcelain indicate rich jetting.

Condition	Plug Appearance	Mixture
Normal	White (no color change) with light gray ring	Correct
Overheating	Extreme white with aluminum specs	Lean
Wet	Wet or sooty	Rich

In addition to improper jetting:

• A lean condition can be caused by air leaks in the inlet tract or exhaust system, passing of too much air because of the use of the wrong air filter, use of a less-restrictive aftermarket exhaust system, or leaks in the air box.

• A rich condition can be caused by a plugged or dirty air filter, use of a more-restrictive aftermarket exhaust system, a clogged spark arrester, or excessive oil on the air cleaner. Excessive smoking may occur with this condition.

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A good article from our Forums:

Reading spark plugs isn't too hard to do, but I've read various understandings of how to read spark plugs and it seems there's different schools of thought on this. I always use a lighted magnifying glass of 5X to 10X to better see the tiny deposits. When checking your spark plug, always use a good used spark plug, making sure it's not worn out. A worn out spark plug will have a worn or rounded center electrode and or side electrode. New spark plugs are hard to read accurately for mixture checks, but if you have to use a new spark plug, then make sure to put at least 15 to 20 hard minutes on it before attempting to get a reading. I do my spark plug readings from the base ring at the bottom of the threaded body. The 'L' shaped grounded side electrode that's welded to the base ring will clue you into the heat range as this is the closest part to the piston. The porcelain will clue you into timing and preignition/detonation issues while the base ring will clue you into the mixture. Many people I've talked to and some of the articles I've read simply look at the porcelain color and use that as their sole guide for a proper air/fuel mixture, but I don't agree with that all together and would not recommend basing your jetting decisions solely on the color of your spark plugs porcelain.

Center/Ground Electrode

You want to first carefully look at the grounded side electrode to determine if you've got the proper heat range for your spark plug and this is done by closely examining the color change of the side electrode. If the color of the electrode changes near its end where it sits over the center electrode, then the spark plug heat range is too cold and what you're seeing is the color changing due to the heat transferring too quickly. If the color of the side electrode changes color near where it's welded to the base ring, then your spark plug is too hot and what you're seeing is a slower heat transfer from the side electrode to the base ring, resulting in preignition/detonation issues and most of the deposits will be burned off. Ideally, you want the side electrode of your spark plug to change color at about the half way point, about where it makes it's 'L' shaped bend.

Base Ring

The second thing you want to check is your spark plugs base ring and this will clue you into how your bike is jetted. The color of the base ring itself is close in color to the crown of the piston and what you're looking for here is a nice light to medium brown color all the way around the base ring. If you're seeing a chalky whitish or light grayish color or the color doesn't uniformly go all the way around the ring, then you are running too lean. If the color does go all the way around the ring, but you see dark colored soft dry soot that's heavily spotted on top of the base ring color, then you're running too rich and or possibly have a spark plug with too cold of a heat range. The presence of wet oil or ash deposits is a tell tale sign of possible engine problems such as valve stem or valve guide wear or worn out piston rings, etc, so don't confuse this with a rich mixture that leaves your spark plug carbon fouled.

Porcelain Color

The third thing to check is the porcelain color and this will clue you into preignition/detonation issues. What you're looking for are tiny specs of aluminum on the porcelain, which can be either black or shiny. If the tip of the insulator appears melted, then this is yet another clue to a pre-ignition/detonation problem. The detonation is caused by the air/fuel mixture exploding instead of burning and you may hear the resulting knocking sound from this, particularly when the engine is under a load. The knocking sound heard is actually a shock wave that's disrupting the boundary layer of cooler gasses that cover the internal parts of the combustion chamber, resulting in incomplete combustion. This rapid rise in pressure and temperature exerts extreme force on engine components and can do very bad things such as crack your engines head, crack or put holes in your piston, blow head gaskets, break your connecting rod, damage bearings, seals, etc. This is why you should not base all your jetting decisions on just the porcelain color alone because the porcelain color doesn't tell the whole story. Although the porcelain and base ring colors are similar, the porcelain usually appears lighter in color when compared to the base ring.

New Engine Break-In

Deuteronomy 5:32 "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left."

Any rebuilt or new engine has to go through a break in process. Each piece of moving metal must get to know and fit with the piece of metal it is moving against. Usually, the manufacturers put a sticker on the speedometer or tachometer telling you to take it easy for 600 miles or so. Your buddy says "If you want to run it hard, break it in hard." As you might expect, the truth is not on the right hand or the left but, in the center.

The problem is this. All this rubbing produces heat, which can cause oil to fail, which can cause a piston to seize to a cylinder wall. On the other hand, if there is not enough rubbing, the piston rings will not seat right with the cylinder walls. If this happens the engine will not reach it's full power potential. If the only new parts are piston and rings, as in an engine rebuild, we only have to worry about heat build up from the new parts. If the entire engine is new, the heat built up is even greater, because all the parts are new.

Yes, it is true that we have much better machining and quality control on new motorcycle engines, then we did in the past but, moving parts still have to wear in. If you have better, harder metal, it will take longer then if you have poorer, softer metal. Years ago I decided to bore my BMW motorcycle to the first oversize. After a hundred miles of break-in I started to ride normally, which is to say FAST ! Well, the bike just was not running right. I re-jetted the carb and it started to run OK. Another hundred miles passed and I had to rejet again. This went on for over one thousand miles. After the last re-jetting I realized I had just put the stock jets back in ! It took better then 1100 miles for those rings to break-in. The steel used in BMW motorcycles is very hard !

On one hand, if you run the bike too easy, you run the risk of the cylinder walls glazing over and then, maybe, never seating properly. On the other hand, if you run the bike too hard, you run the risk of engine seizure. I suspect, that even if you do glaze the cylinder walls over, if your run the engine hard enough and long enough, the rings will seat. However, this may take a thousand miles, or more, to do.

So what's a biker to do ? Well, a compromise is in order. This is what I do with a freshly rebuilt engine. It will work on new engines too. On a straight, deserted road, I put the bike in second or third gear and accelerate with wide open throttle to about one or two thousand RPM BELOW red line. I then shut the throttle and coast down, in gear, to two thousand RPM or so. I then do it again. I do this about ten times. Then I ride around for a while at an easy pace. I do this several times, if possible. This seats the rings without overheating the engine.

I would continue to do this during the entire break-in period. If you are doing any freeway riding. That is, running long periods of time at a steady throttle setting. I would also add this. Shut the throttle off and then on again, very quickly, every three or four miles. This tends to draw more oil up on the bottom of the pistons, lubing and cooling them. On a freshly rebuilt engine, I like to change the oil and filter at about two hundred miles and then every thousand miles thereafter. On a totally new engine, I change the oil and filter at one hundred fifty miles, three hundred miles, six hundred miles and twelve hundred miles. After that, change the oil and filter every one thousand miles.

Golden Eagle Bike Engine

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001377.php

250 mpg bicycle assist motor

I live in Phoenix, Arizona which has a vast network of grossly under-utilized bicycle trails and paths. My daily work commute is 50 miles, which, by car, is environmentally obscene (and not at all uncommon) and further costs about $7/day just in fuel alone.

I tried bicycling the old fashioned way for a couple weeks, but 25 miles urban each way in a Phoenix summer is suicide no matter how good your physical condition. I began looking for an assist-motor for my bike. Most "whizzer" type bicycle engines are a hassle. Electrics don't have the range for a 50 mile daily commute. Two-stroke motors are a pain and become expensive due to the necessity of pre-mixing oil and fuel. Friction-drive bicycle motors wear out tires rapidly and behave badly on rough surfaces & water.

I eventually found a 4-stroke motor and belt drive kit from Golden Eagle Bike Engines that weighs very little, operates quietly, and gets me to work and back for about 45 cents a day in fuel. This engine comes as a 25cc Subaru-Robin 4-stroke kit for $549 including shipping. It was delivered 4 days after I ordered, and it took me just under 1/2 hour to install on my $200 department store mountain bike.

This is the smallest and lowest powered kit Golden Eagle sells, and requires me to pedal a little when accelerating from a stop or climbing steep hills. Doing this is very natural and it feels just like riding a bike the old fashioned way. Top speed with 26x1.95 dirt tires is about 25mph on flat pavement, or 23mph on flat dirt. Wind, inclines, sand, and other factors significantly impact the top speed, but it will even typically maintain 18mph under most typical adverse conditions. I know from prior experience with the same bicycle that I can sprint it up to 24mph without the engine, so having the engine on is equivalent to being able to sprint all the time. Up very steep inclines I pedal with the engine at partial throttle and maintain 12mph where previously I would go 3 or 4mph without the engine. I have ridden in moderate rain with no ill effect other than getting myself very wet. The drive is unaffected.

Getting to work across Phoenix now takes me about 10 minutes longer than it typically took me by car (yes, traffic is THAT bad) but the ride is far less frustrating or stressful because I'm not stuck behind someone, I'm hauling ass. There are some fun shortcuts and interesting parts of the city to see, as well. One tank of ordinary pump gas gets me 22 to 25 miles, urban riding. The tank on this model is just about 11 ounces, so that equates to somewhere approaching 250 miles per gallon!

About the engine: it has an automatic centrifugal clutch that just kinda applies power all the time (when you are pushing the throttle) so you otherwise ride the bike like normal. But it's more like as if you're always riding downhill -- so you don't need the lower gears. My mountain bike has relatively low top gears and with this motor I leave it in the topmost gear almost 100% of the time -- and just pedal 4 to 6 strokes when accelerating from a stop while applying moderate throttle. I also give the pedals a few kicks when re-gaining speed after slowing down. The motor drive is fully independent of the pedal-chain drive. There is only one "gear" for the motor, it does not have any type of transmission or torque converter, just an automatic clutch. When you let off the throttle, the motor disengages and keeps idling but does not apply force to the bike until you press the throttle again.

The first time I ever started it, it started first pull. Since then, in normal operation it starts first-pull almost all the time and never more than third pull. I routinely shut it off when riding across areas where motors are not legal, and then just reach back and give it a yank while riding to get powered again, without slowing down.

It has a muffler, albeit a small one. It makes about as much noise as a modern low-noise weed wacker. In other words, it's not silent by any means but makes much less noise than an average dirt bike or go-ped. However it is not quite as quiet as a proper scooter like a Honda Helix, and there is an unfortunate rasp to it. I ride it through my urban neighborhood at 6AM and feel confident I am not waking people from their slumber any more than a typical car might.

The drive belt makes very little noise, just a very quiet "whirr" that you can't hear over the engine. When pedaling without engine power, you hear the "whirr" a little. If you take the time to disconnect the belt entirely (takes seconds) it has no effect at all on standard pedaling and makes no sound at all.

I feel this model is superior to other bicycle engines because: the belt drive is quieter and significantly lighter than gear or chain type drives; the name-brand engine, Subaru-Robin, which is well respected in professional applications like compressors, yard tools, etc, is presumably superior to other, questionable brands; the belt drive does not wear tires or slip around or beat up the engine bearings like friction-drive kits do; the 4-stroke engine allows you to fill up anywhere on regular gas.

-- Apanthropy

Golden Eagle Bike Engine
25cc Mini-4
$550
Available from Golden Eagle Bike Engine

This thing is not without its faults. I found that:

1. It does put more wear on the bike because you can maintain much higher continuous speeds over varied terrain than the bike was made for. Brakes, for example, need to be replaced more frequently. Bearings that you would just ignore before require tightening periodically.

2. You do have to change your urban riding style, due to those speeds. A diagonal curb-hop is very easy at 6 mph, but impossible at 15mph. Sliding onto a sidewalk to avoid aggressive car traffic is not as simple a maneuver as it is with an unpowered bike, and is more likely to draw unhappy responses from pedestrians.

3. The added weight (11-13 pounds) is not even noticeable when riding on flat ground - but has a dramatic effect when you are trying to jump things like berms, curbs, etc. This leads you to slamming your wheel into those... which leads to becoming quite adept at truing rims in your spare time.

4. I am especially cautious around law enforcement because the state law specifically allowing these engines doesn't go into effect here until next month.

5. On very rough terrain the belt tensioner can slip from "engage" position to "disengage" position, which can put undue wear on the belt. This is rare, but has happened twice.

I highly recommend a good quality bike with very good brakes at both ends. A department store bike is fine, if it's one of the best ones on the floor. I have seen people using motors with poor quality "cruiser" bikes that only have rear hub brakes, and that strikes me as a TERRIBLE idea with a 25mph top speed (mind I have the smallest motor available).

Finally, $550 is a steep price, but the ease of filling up your tank for $0.25 cents on regular pump gas and not having to mix expensive smelly 2-stroke oil, and the quiet and easy ride make it worthwhile. If my daily commute were less than 10 miles each direction I would not even consider owning this and would just pedal the old fashioned way. Since I have to go more than double that, it becomes practical due to increased fuel saving and the increased difficulty in riding that distance routinely. For me, it pays for itself financially in 84 trips to work and back.

How To Install A Motor On A Bike

Our KHS Town & Country zips right along with the $529 1.2-hp Komatsu Zenoah Stratocharged 25 engine.

Ever notice how hills become steeper as you become older? When you begin to feel like "The Little Engine That Couldn't," and there's still half the hill to overcome, you might want to consider "The Little Engine That Can"--a small bolt-on bicycle engine. Petrol power added to leg power equals a new dimension in biking.

Now, before all you exercise fanatics begin lighting your torches and sharpening your mattocks to come and get us, we'll be the first to admit the health benefits of a brisk riding workout. But, a proper motor setup still lets you put your mettle to the pedal and burn up the road--and those calories. Maybe you're not at the top of your biking game due to a physical impairment. Pack a putt-putt on your rear wheel and you'll again be taking the long, scenic route home and whipping past the spandex boys to boot.

You can power virtually any kind of bike including recumbents, folders and mountain bikes. Why motorize a mountain bike? Simple. So you can ride up the mountain as well as down, and greatly extend your treks and exploration into the woods, and onto fire roads and logging trails.

Ideally, adding a motor should not change the bike's character or basic ride and handling. A top-quality engine with mounting kit goes for about $500 to $600. Engines ranging in size from just under 25cc to 49cc are made by Honda, Mitsubishi, Tecumseh and Komatsu Zenoah, among others. Drive systems vary from friction drive to chain and belt drives.

We wanted to check out a motorized bike firsthand, so we opted for a KHS TC150 Town & Country comfort model (khsbicycles.com). This bike features a large-tube alloy frame, 21 speeds, Shimano derailleurs with SEC twistshaft shifters--all the good stuff. The bike weighs in at 32 pounds.

For an engine, we went with the 25cc Komatsu Zenoah with a belt drive from Golden Eagle Bike Engines (bikeengines.com). The engine alone tips the scales at under 5 pounds, with the entire kit weighing a mere 11 pounds. This compact unit had minimal impact on the "bicycleness" of the KHS. The larger engines, especially the 49cc jobs, can make your bike more of a moped. Fitted with a transmission and chain drive, these motor packages can weigh over 15 pounds, plus the mounting kit.

Compared to a chain drive, the belt offered negligible drag when pedaling. Since the belt drives a nylon ring that fits around the spokes, you can run knobby tires if you so choose. A friction drive, on the other hand, limits you to a smooth tire.

Installation of the Golden Eagle engine kit was easy and took about a half-hour.

The performance of this little 2-stroke is amazing. It's rated at 1.2 hp, but unlike more powerful, less efficient designs, it delivers more power to the wheel.

We clocked 33 mph out of the box--the engine started instantly with a yank of the pull cord. It uses a centrifugal clutch and thumb-lever throttle. You pedal away from a standstill to ease the initial load on the Kevlar belt, which is said to last up to 5000 miles.

Our test area was in the Adirondack Mountains, so we had plenty of hills. The engine never faltered and took on the grades with verve. It was a delightful, fun ride. Our fuel mileage figured out to be more than 250 mpg. The exhaust is clean (EPA approved through 2010) and quiet--about 70 dBA at idle, 84 dBA flat out. If there was one bang that we couldn't ignore, it was the bang for the buck.

Click to enlarge
Golden Eagle's mounting kit made the engine installation a snap.

Amsterdam Bicycles

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Background & Explanation:

I stopped in Amsterdam, Netherlands on my way back from a 2006_europe_motorcycle_trip. During a 73 minute period on 9/12/06 at one corner of Nieuw Markt (a nice open square in Amsterdam), I took the following 82 pictures of bicycles. Why? Because sitting there I noticed how remarkably different the whole Amsterdam bicycle scene was from my home, and at the same time certain very clear "Amsterdam Bicycle Trends" appeared I thought might be interesting to point out. I am from the San Francisco area, California, USA.

Categories that Show Differences between Amsterdam Bicyclists and San Francisco Bicyclists:

Here are a few of the differences I wanted to point out, with examples:

	1. Formally Dressed Bicyclists - A whole set of Amsterdam bicyclists can be seen dressed very formally, like suit and tie for men, and dresses for women. NOBODY in San Francisco ever bicycles in a suit and tie, or in dress. But during this one hour photo shoot, I saw 20 or more incredibly well dressed bicyclists meander by.
	2. Multiple Riders on One Bike - With or without any extra seats or foot-pegs for the extra riders, you will see 1 or 2 or even 3 extra passengers side-saddle, balancing precariously, standing, sitting, whatever it takes so they can hitch a ride with a buddy or parent. This is so common I had to stop taking pictures of it because it would prevent me from capturing some of the other trends. Almost 50 percent of the bicycles I saw had more than 1 person on them. In San Francisco the only time you would ever see two passengers is a small child on the back in a $300 government approved safety chair, and the child would be wearing a helmet (because it's the LAW). Click here for an unrelated rant on helmet laws. Which brings us to the next difference......
	3. No Helmets EVER - It is amazing to me coming from San Francisco, land of 100 percent helmet covered heads, but in all of Amsterdam (population 750,000) there is not one bicycle helmet found anywhere in the city. Not ONE!! Contrast this with San Francisco, for anybody under the age of 18, there is a Mandatory Helmet Law, and everybody above 18 wears helmets anyway. Now faced with this shocking disparity, I think any reasonable person must come to the conclusion that either the people in Netherlands do not value the safety of their children, or San Francisco bicyclists are clumsy pansies with soft heads and weak minds that must be protected from hurting themselves no matter how much it infringes on individual rights. Click here for an unrelated rant on helmet laws.
	4. Dogs on Bikes - Amsterdam bicyclists seem to commonly bring their furry friends along with them on the bicycle rides. I think that's nice.
	5. Human Powered Generator (Dynamo) Bicycle Light - This one really does mystify me, some of the other trends more more sense to me. EVERY bicycle in Amsterdam is outfitted with a dynamo powered head lamp, where the rider has to pump extra super hard and the head lamp shines dimly. If you are younger than 35 years old, you probably have never seen one of these in the USA, we have very bright headlamps for bicycles that add much less weight and do not increase resistance. I haven't seen a single dynamo powered bicycle in San Francisco in over 20 years. Once I saw a "Simpsons" (animated comedy) episode where Bart turned on his dynamo bicycle headlamp and could barely make forward progress-> in the USA these dynamo powered headlamps are considered a JOKE, but almost a quarter million bicycles in Amsterdam all have them.
	6. Spectacular Gigantic Unbreakable Security Chains - Almost all of the bicycles in Amsterdam are what I would call "beaters", which means they are beaten up, scraped, bent, out of tune, and have bad paint jobs. At the same time, all these beaters have these GIGANTIC security chains that look like they should be the chain on the anchor of an oil tanker ship. The ton of high tensile, military hardened steel in each security chain must be worth more than the bicycle it is keeping safe! The only other type of bicycle lock was a type of sliding circular rear wheel lock that was once sold in the USA (I owned one when I was 10 years old). The circular sliding read wheel locks lost popularity in the USA because they offer almost no security at all: 1) the criminal can always lift the bike and walk away with it, and 2) it is always easy to "guess" the combination. Strange dichotomy of lock choices in Amsterdam.
	7. ....And More... - Several other trends are shown in the pictures below, including bicycles are commonly painted one big bright aftermarket color, Amsterdam residents like using their cell phones while riding their bikes, many bikes are outfitted with big buckets on the front for serious industrial deliveries, and there is a whole trend of this "small frame" bicycles with "untraditional" proportions (very small wheels and then very tall seats to make up for it). You can view the pictures below to get an idea.

Location the Pictures were Taken in Amsterdam:

In all the pictures below, you will see the same background over and over again, because all the pictures are from the same corner of Nieuw Markt (a nice open square in Amsterdam). This is marked with a red "B" in a circle on Amsterdam_Map. This particular 3-way corner is INCREDIBLY busy with bicycles, cars, and pedestrians, and the traffic pattern is completely random. There don't seem to be any clearly defined rules of engagement -> from all directions bicycles and cars just whiz into the intersection and deal with whatever happens the best they can. The panorama below shows the intersection from the perspective of the cafe right in front of it. You will need to use your horizontal scrollbar to pan to the right to see most of the intersection.

So Now, the Pictures:

Below are the 82 pictures I took in 73 minutes, showing how interesting and different the Amsterdam, Netherlands bicycle culture is from San Francisco's bicycle culture. Click on any picture to see extra details on an ENORMOUS high quality zoomed in version.

The first picture below is just a normal scene of parked bicycles in Amsterdam. There are always lots of bicycles around, this is pretty normal.

Many, MANY people, both young and old seem to ride bicycles in Amsterdam. The youngest rider I saw during the 73 minutes is shown below.

Below is the oldest guy I saw riding a bicycle in the 73 minutes.

Formally Dressed Bicyclists

Below are some of the formally dressed bicyclists I saw all during the one 73 minute period I stood in one spot taking pictures. You will see the same background over and over again in the pictures, they are all from the same corner of Nieuw Markt (a nice open square in Amsterdam). Below is a man in a suit and tie going for a bicycle ride.

A woman in a gleaming white dress, pearl necklace, and purse who is going shopping - on her bicycle.

Another guy in a suit, this time with a briefcase - on a bicycle.

This lady has a long flowing dress that looks like it might get caught in her wheels - on her bicycle.

Women in tight dresses riding bicycles seems slightly awkward to me, but like the woman below, in Amsterdam they act as if they have done this thousands of times before, no big deal.

Lady with skirt and purse - riding a bicycle.

Another lady in a sparkling white dress - riding a bicycle.

Another woman in a skirt riding a bicycle.

Two women in black dress skirts - riding bicycles.

A lady wearing a backless evening dress, holding flowers, and riding a bicycle in Amsterdam.

The long dresses like the one below seem like they would be avoided, but apparently not.

A guy in a nice sparkling white dress shirt, wearing a nice tie - riding a bicycle in Amsterdam.

A lady in a sparkling white jacket and skirt combination - riding a bicycle.

White seems to be a common dress up color, like the woman below with a shopping bag - riding a bicycle.

Multiple Riders on One Bicycle

Below are some of the people I saw with multiple riders on one bicycle all during the one 73 minute period I stood in one spot taking pictures. The first one shows a common "3 person bicycle rig" I saw a lot. You'll notice the kid in back is just sitting on the bicycle freight rack, feet dangling and looking bored. Also looking bored is the kid in the suicide position in front of the bicycle. Mom of course is wearing a stunning white dress (see "Nicely Dressed" above) and lipstick and has a nice purse over her shoulder, and *NONE* of them are wearing bicycle helmets.

Again, standard suicide position child in front, this bicycle looks like in a pinch it could carry 4 passengers, or maybe 5 based on what I saw later.

These two bicycles are carrying a total of 5 people, and they are clearly a nice Amsterdam family. If you look closely at the front bicycle, the smallest child in the family is riding side saddle with her butt on the bicycle's metal frame and yet the child is wearing an enormous smile. The back wheel of the front bike shows almost completely flat, probably because the bicycle is carrying somewhere in the 350 - 400 pound range. The back passenger is just sitting on the back luggage rack feet hovering in air.

The woman below is buying some flowers from a street vender, and I assume will carry them in her arms as she rides her bicycle home - with her cute little blonde girl in the passenger seat looking bored.

Different from the pictures showing larger parents giving their smaller children rides, I saw a lot of bicycles in the 73 minute period like the one below -> one friend giving another bored looking friend a lift through downtown Amsterdam.

Another friend providing a passenger a ride. Notice how in the previous picture and in the one below the WOMAN is doing all the work, and the guy is getting the free ride? I don't know what that means. :-) In the picture below, the guy is riding side saddle on the bicycle's luggage rack. The back tire looks a little flat for this load. Also of note, the woman is wearing dressy white SPIKE HIGH HEEL SHOES - on a bicycle through downtown Amsterdam.

I really like the picture below showing that this bike has an approved child safety seat, but the child is standing vertically up in it to get a better view. No child helmet, just a child (and mother) who isn't afraid of a little adventure. Remember, this is a busy complicated 3 way intersection with cars whizzing through it and as far as I could tell no clear signs or any clear pattern of traffic, just quick witted and dexterous Amsterdam natives - on bicycles.

Here the guy is peddling the bicycle, and the woman is hitching a side-saddle ride on the luggage rack. The thing that is hard to capture here is how relaxed and well balanced these passengers are without anything to place their feet on -> this is *NOT* the first time they have done this, most look slightly bored as the bicycle driver swerves through this crazy intersection in Amsterdam - riding a bicycle.

I added some red annotations to the picture below, because it showed so many Amsterdam Bicycle Trends in one picture. First of all, the lady is wearing a nice dress. Second, there are two people riding on this bicycle. Next, she is talking on a cell phone while swerving and navigating through this busy intersection and it doesn't bother her at all. (See below for another 20 pictures of Amsterdam natives chatting on cell phones while riding bicycles.) Next, she is sporting a generator bicycle headlight (dynamo human powered bicycle light, see below for more examples). There is an enormous "work basket" configured on the FRONT of the bicycle, and she has one of the circular rear wheel slide security locks for when the bicycle is parked. Spectacular! If she had a dog along it would be a perfect clean sweep of Amsterdam Bicycle Trends.

I watched this cheerful girl hop onto the bicycle freight rack a moment before I took this picture, so I saw how "The Launch" is done. They made it look smooth and easy, but I have a feeling it takes a little practice.

The picture below is also a good example of several Amsterdam Bicycle Trends: a woman in a tight dress skirt and dress shoes riding a bicycle, with 3 people loaded onto the bicycle somehow, plus another industrial work basket mounted on the front (this work basket would draw TONS of attention in San Francisco, we have never seen anything like this).

Below is a picture of three Amsterdam natives on a bicycle built for one. So relaxed, the girl on the back isn't holding anything with her hands, and rests her feet naturally in a bag meant to carry groceries, I think she has spent her life growing up in this position - on a bicycle in Amsterdam.

In the picture below the child is in the normal suicide position, but this parent has decided to help protect the child a little with a windshield, very considerate! But also notice the parent is riding on cobblestones without holding the handlebars - while riding a bicycle through Amsterdam.

The picture below shows a variation on the standard "three people on a bicycle built for one". In this version, no child is in the suicide seat, instead both the children are behind the adult.

In the picture below, we go back to the standard setup for a "three person bicycle rig", where there is a child in front in the suicide position, and a child behind on the bicycle freight rack. Look closely -> the ride isn't interesting enough to keep the child in the suicide position entertained, so she is provided with a basket of toys to play with as they hurtle down the cobblestone road through this intersection - on a bicycle in Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam bicycle taxi in the picture below is another variation on the "many people, one bicycle" concept, but in this case there really are enough seats for everybody to be comfortable.

I was only standing on this corner of Nieuw Markt, in Amsterdam, for 73 minutes, and this is the second bicycle taxi I saw go by.

Dogs on Bicycles

Amsterdam bicyclists seem to take their furry pooch canine dog friends along on bicycle rides. Remember, I was only standing at one street corner in Nieuw Markt, Amsterdam, and I only stood there for 73 minutes, yet I saw these riders with dogs (and more I just wasn't fast enough on the camera or taking another photo at the time). Below is a pooch on the bicycle freight rack - bicycling through Amsterdam.

The dog in the picture below is going for a bicycle ride through Amsterdam in the basket on the front of the bicycle.

The unfortunate dog in the picture below has to motor along under his own power, but his owner holds the leash - while bicycling through Amsterdam.

The dog in the picture below is riding in style in his own outdoor roving kennel - pulled behind a bicycle in Amsterdam.

Human Powered Generator Dynamo Bicycle Headlight

EVERY bicycle in Amsterdam is outfitted with a dynamo powered headlamp, where the rider has to pump the pedals extra super hard and the head lamp shines dimly. If you are younger than 35 years old, you probably have never seen one of these in the USA, so here are some close ups. You can also look at any of the OTHER pictures on this page to see more examples. The first picture shows the system which is the big green painted headlight has a squiggly electric line down to the "dynamo" which pushes up against the front wheel of the bicycle. This puts a HUGE drag on the rider of the bicycle (maybe doubles the effort of pedaling) so during the daylight hours there is a hinge to tilt the dynamo away from the bicycle wheel (which turns off the headlight). There are several important implications of this horrible system, the most dangerous drawback is that when you stop at a stop sign your head light goes off. The most annoying part of the system is that it tires out the poor slob peddling the bicycle. See the picture below.

Below were three parked bicycles in Amsterdam showing three dynamos.

A close-up of the dynamo on one particular Amsterdam bicycle. The dynamo powers the head light on the bicycle through human pedal power.

Spectacular Gigantic Unbreakable Security Chains

The most beat-up, crappy, worthless bicycles in Amsterdam are secured to bicycle racks with these INSANELY gigantic hardened steel security chains and locks as big as the bicycle seat made of solid metal. Even if theft is a big problem in Amsterdam, I think these chains are overkill. I think you could cut the BICYCLE FRAME faster than cutting through one of these heavy duty chains. For example, look at the two pictures below. The second picture is a close up from the first picture.

Check out this Amsterdam bicycle security chain and industrial grade Amsterdam bicycle lock below. That chain looks like it could lift a railroad boxcar full of lead weights without breaking! I have this image in my mind of a bike thief with an acetylene cutting torch and welder's mask sitting out in the open on the street in Amsterdam for 2 hours trying to cut through one of these chains to steal a bicycle worth $15. :-) Amsterdam bicycle thieves have to be starving to death in the face of such industrial grade theft protection.

The guy who owns this bicycle is truly a security nut-case. Look at the picture below, and tell me how two GIGANTIC REDUNDANT Amsterdam chains and locks are helping security on this $15 bicycle? And my goodness, could those padlocks be any more gigantic or secure or solid?

On the bicycle below seen sitting in a public place in Amsterdam, you can see the large security chain locking the back wheel, and then for added protection the circular sliding O-lock lock to *ALSO* lock the rear wheel on this bicycle in Amsterdam. The O-lock circular sliding wheel locks were also popular. I had one of these when I was 10 years old, but my friends could easily walk away with my bicycle so I got a different lock.

The picture below is of the same bicycle, just zoomed out to see the whole bicycle. Now a note about the solid orange color -> I have two theories why Amsterdam bicycles are painted such bright and unique aftermarket colors: either 1) it is so their owners can find them when piled high in other bicycles in Amsterdam bicycle racks, or 2) as a security measure, so that if somebody steals their bicycle the thief would be worried it is too easily recognizable.

The picture below is annotated in red to show some classic Amsterdam Bicycle Trends. One I haven't pointed out before is marked "A", and is a type of bicycle fender that also has covers on the side of the wheel. This is VERY common, scroll around and look at most other bicycles which have this same side covered Amsterdam bicycle fender. Next is "B", a type of bicycle stand that rotates under the back wheel, also very common in Amsterdam and is visible in many other pictures on this page. Next is the dynamo human powered bicycle head light marked "C" in the picture below. Finally is "D" the circular bicycle wheel lock or O-lock found on many Amsterdam bicycles.

Below shows a picture of one of the massive steel chains that are standard for Amsterdam bicycle locks.

Intermixed big locks on bicycles in Amsterdam.

Notice the red circles on the picture below. That's a Kryptonite style U-lock, plus a circular O-lock rear wheel lock, all to lock up this bicycle, which I estimate to be worth less than $10 if you tried to sell it.

A honking big Amsterdam bicycle chain secures this rear wheel.

The picture below shows how Amsterdam bicyclists carry these gigantic chains when underway. The blonde Amsterdam woman in the picture below wraps the gigantic chain around the handlebars and lugs it along until her next stop.

The picture below shows a big thick special high security cable on the front wheel, and a back wheel circular bicycle lock O-lock rear wheel bicycle lock thing on the rear wheel, on one flower power printed cheap multi-color bicycle in Amsterdam.

A double wrap on this gigantic huge chain securing this bicycle in the picture below. And nice padlock too, the padlock alone is worth as much as the bicycle it is securing here in Amsterdam.

I like the picture below because it shows both a nice hefty Amsterdam bicycle lock chain, plus the dynamo from a human powered bicycle light.

Industrial Work Buckets on the Front of Bicycles

One Amsterdam Bicycle Trend that would look pretty different in downtown San Francisco is that many Amsterdam bicycles are outfitted with these large, industrial looking work buckets mounted on the front of all shapes. Below is a picture of one variation - bicycling through Amsterdam.

Below is another type of industrial work bucket front loader thingy on the front of an Amsterdam bicycle. This one with a child mounted in the suicide position on the bicycle.

The picture below shows another custom work bucket mounted on a bicycle in Amsterdam. This one has a blue tarp covering it.

Here is another big box freight container on a bicycle. This one required that the "bicycle" become a "tricycle", the locker on the front of the bicycle is mounted between two bicycle wheels.

This is a good time to bring up a previous photo (this is the only duplicate in this collection). In the picture below again is a great example of multiple Amsterdam Bicycle Trends, including a large metal work basket welded on the front of a bicycle.

Amsterdam Bicycle Decorations

A common Amsterdam Bicycle Theme is coloring the entire bicycle one color, or possibly a couple colors, but NEVER a good paint job, always hacked together. The bicycle below is a good example as a solid red bicycle. Notice the spray paint bled over the tires AND EVEN THE BICYCLE CHAIN also, so the person who painted this didn't even take the wheels off, or mask the tires, and the bicycle chain probably doesn't work quite right anymore.

Below is the same sort of thing but the highest quality paint job I saw in Amsterdam. The wheels are chrome, so are some of the bolts, and there is some fine white detailing, so much care was taken to produce this day glow orange Amsterdam beater bike.

The bicycle below is decorated with flowers and streamers in Amsterdam.

The paint job on the bicycle below was clearly done at the same time, you can see both purple and blue on the rear wheel rim from spray paint bleed over. And of course a massive Amsterdam bicycle chain securing the bicycle from theft. Who would steal such a bike?

Cell Phone Use on Bicycles

One Amsterdam Bicycle Trend was that many MANY people liked to chat on their cell phones as they zipped along the cobblestone streets on the bicycles in Amsterdam. Below are some examples.

Woman in black talking on cell phone riding a bicycle in Amsterdam.

Lady with purse, white pants, on a pink bicycle talking on her cell phone while riding a bicycle through Amsterdam.

This woman has music headphones *AND* a cell phone while riding her bicycle through Amsterdam.

The woman pictured below is dressed well (high heels and all) while riding her bicycle through Amsterdam, and is talking on her cell phone while dodging pedestrians on her bicycle in Amsterdam.

This guy swerved around this van while talking on his cell phone and riding his bicycle in Amsterdam.

Another well dressed woman talking on her cell phone while riding her bicycle through Amsterdam.

The guy below was TEXT-MESSAGING while riding his bicycle through a busy intersection, with motorcycles on his right and another bicycle on his left and oncoming cars, this man can multi-task while riding his bicycle through Amsterdam city streets!

Small Wheels, Tall Seat Bicycles in Amsterdam

There was one particular type of bicycle I'm not sure I understood why it was so popular, but really stood out as a trend. These bicycles have smaller wheels than a typical bicycle, and a taller seat to compensate. Below is a picture of one of them to show you what I mean.

Another one a few minutes later.

And another, you see what I mean? What are the advantages of this design? Also notice there only seems to be one bar reaching from the pedals/seat area forward to the handlebar and front wheel (instead of a traditional triangle of at least two bars). That seems very specific to all these bicycles, I wonder if it helps the bicycle fit somewhere or fold up better?

Another.

And another.

Another bicycle in Amsterdam with small wheels and a tall seat to make up for it.

And another one.

I'm not sure this really counts, but it was interesting so I'll include it. In the picture below, the wheels aren't any smaller, but the seat sure is taller, and I'm not sure I understand how this guy stops and puts his feet down. He must have good visibility bicycling through Amsterdam.

Another guy on a bicycle with small wheels and tall seat to make up for the small wheels in Amsterdam.

San Francisco Spandex Racer Guy - with No Helmet

I end this web page collection of Amsterdam Bicycle Trends with a picture of a bicycle you MIGHT actually see in San Francisco. Hidden in thousands of other riders, the guy below is riding a 10 speed curved under handlebar style bicycle, and wearing bicycle clothing (not dress clothes), and his shoes clip to the peddles. He is not riding side saddle, and he does NOT have a dynamo human powered headlight on this bicycle. No fenders on the bicycle (very San Francisco), and there is no gigantic unbreakable security chain to be seen. The only thing that gives him away as a true Amsterdam bicyclist -> no bicycle helmet. Very interesting, there must be a Amsterdam wide ban on bicycle helmets.

Thank you for finding the end of this webpage, if you have read this far you obviously have way too much time on your hands. :-) I hope you enjoyed reading this page, I had a very fun time creating it. Now send me an email and let me know what you think!

FEEDBACK from Readers!! (Added 3/21/07)

Everything below here are emails from readers who took the time to email me comments and explanations. I thank them all! Email addresses are removed for privacy reasons. Not all emails to me are included here, just a sampling. IF YOU FIND YOUR NOTE HERE and WANT IT REMOVED, just send me an email and I'll remove it.

---- Below this line is from Nathalie Roland (San Francisco, CA, USA, 9/22/06) ------

This is great. I loved it. I am so jealous of Amsterdam's wonderful separated bicycle lanes. And it's bicycle using population. If more people here used a bicycle instead of a car it would be funner to ride around. Still riding a bicycle around the city of San Francisco is a delightful way to get around on a nice day despite all the crazy car drivers who do things like, honk at you for no reason other than they are annoyed that the have to go around you when there is no bike lane.

I would like to note a few things about your page. I often wear a dress or a skirt on my bicycle. I know one person with a dynamo light here in the city. I think a lot of the small wheel bicycles are foldy bikes, that can fold up into a cute for easy storage and movement through a tight corridor or stairway in a small flat.

-n

---- Below this line is from Lise Waring (Telluride, CO, USA) ------

I miss those generator lights that you give such a bad rap. I had one of those as a kid. They're cool. And those fenders that go all the way around are skirt guards, designed to keep all those dresses and skirts out of the spokes.

Lise

---- Below this line is from Chad West (San Francisco, CA, USA, 9/22/06) ------

Nice job!

I'm guessing that since there are so many people on the roads riding bikes makes it much safer to do so. Because, car drivers are more aware of them.

I love how the bikes are fitted with after market parts to make them specifically for people to wear nice clothes. You would never get a spec of grease on your pants on those jobs. The real issue is they are single speed bikes and one would be soaked with sweat or never make it up hills in SF. I love my gears.

A friend of mine lived in Amsterdam for a few years and had 3 bikes stolen. Which is one reason why they are all beaters. It's crazy that they find the need to have the NYC bike locks in tote, but maybe it's to help get it locked up to what little space they have. My bike lock is the smallest U-lock you can buy, and it pretty much is only big enough to fit around a parking meter and my frame. If I had to fight for a spot to lock it up among the mass of bikes, I would have to upgrade.

I don't get the bike lights at all. I had one growing up and they suck, not only do they hardly produce light, but they also get locked up and ruin you tires. I have two LED lights which wrap around with a rubber band. One white one for the front, and a red one for the back. They cost 15$ total, and attach and detach quickly with a rubber band. These produce much better light and those darn things.

With all that said, Americans love their cars. (I'm no exception) If you had landed in New Delhi I would guess you'd have a ton of pictures of families of 5 riding on Vespa rip offs all w/o helmets...

This is a great page, it must have been a long flight back to the States. :)

Cheers,
Chad

---- Below this line is from Nate Leon (Cupertino, CA, USA, 9/22/06) ------

Very fun!

Also, here is the answer to why the bikes w/ the small wheels:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1998/07/16/SP22857.DTL

and a few of the links at the bottom of that article w/ better pictures:
http://www.gaerlan.com/

http://www.foldabikes.com/

n8-)

---- Below this line is from Maggi Hacker (Kansas, USA, 10/8/06) ------

Laurie Chipman shared your website and trip review to Amsterdam. I went there 4 years ago last month. I didn’t think of taking pictures of the all bizarre bike stuff so I am glad you did! I was actually on a bicycle trip in Friesland, but we went through Amsterdam both coming and going to do the self-guided bike trip.

Those bikes with little wheels, I think they are folding bikes. They would be so popular because of what you pointed out. The fear of losing your bike! No matter what kind of bike. But the folding ones can go in a bag probably with wheels so you can roll it into the office. PERFECT!

And the locks! Wow! I never noticed that. Don’t know if it is new since I was there. I really didn’t ride in Amsterdam. I rode the train. But I am not surprised. I bet it’s a seller’s market. The locals are amazingly agile and multitasking on the bikes. The women especially.

Thanks for sharing that! I will have to look for more possibilities in the future for great photographic bike fare.

Maggi Hacker
PVYC – Prairie Village Yacht Club
Johnson County Bicycle Club
(Kansas)

(maggimay)

_~o
_-\<,_
(_)/ (_)

---- Below this line is from Mike Jenkins (Barrington, IL, 10/9/06) ------

Great web page! It brings back a lot of good memories. I've had a beer or two in that very square.

When my daughter was purchasing her used bike in Maastricht, she asked the shop proprietor what the best lock was, he replied, "Many locks!" She spent fifty euros on the bike and 38 euros on the locks. I was told by a local that bicycle theft is second most popular sport after speed skating.

More than helmets, I think the biggest difference in bike culture between SF Amsterdam are that bikes are rarely used for sport or exercise in the Netherlands, it's all transport. The other differences are speeds are slower, distances traveled shorter and the terrain much flatter in the Netherlands.

Finally, "bottle" generators are cheap and the cops hand out tickets to cyclists without lights which explains their popularity. What's really bad though, is that the tail-light goes out when the bike stops. I don't understand how more cyclists are not rear ended at intersections on rainy nights.

Anyway, thanks for a great piece.

--
Mike Jenkins
Barrington, IL

---- Below this line is from Mark Scrivner (Kansas, 10/11/06) ------

Brian,

I was sent your Amsterdam photos by a third party and found them fascinating. Thank You for posting them.

As a coincidence I am making my first visit to San Francisco this weekend. Hmmm.....maybe I'll find a busy intersection and snap photos of the local cycling scene. It would be refreshing to see everyone in a helmet. I reside in the Kansas City area and it's very common to see cyclists, especially children, without helmets. Then again, they are not even required on motocycles on the Kansas side of the state line.

Thanks again,
Mark Scrivner
President, Johnson County Bike Club

---- Below this line is from Jon Sharratt (Unknown Location, 10/11/06) ------

Interesting perspective Brian, and I wish I was there.

Your incredulous tone proves you are obviously from a motor-driven suburban culture; not a bad thing but a typical American perspective. I thought your obsession with bashing bottle generators was humorous; granted, I wouldn't take one on a cross-country tour but for the most part, they are delightful and reliable little gizmos.

Your "trends" as you call them (useful racks, lights, mudguards, skirtguards, spoke locks, etc) have been around for 80-90 years. It's odd that you have never seen a freight bicycle before; many are made in the USA. See http://mondodesigno.com/freightbikes.html or http://www.bakfiets.com/ for examples.

Continually referring to Dutch bicycles as “cheap” and wondering why they used big security locks was tiring; these people use these bicycles every day (read: no car) and theft is a big problem in Amsterdam. Imagine having to run to the day care-grocery-hardware-video store and finding your beloved (and expensive) Gazelle (http://www.gazelle.nl/nl/) missing.

All-in-all a very encouraging lookabout at a culture that has embraced the bicycle, indeed, it won't be long before this level of enlightenment will be seen in the USA.

Thank you for posting the photos.

Jon

---- Below this line is from Mark Robson (Sydney, Australia, 10/16/06) ------

Great photos of Amsterdam cyclists.

My comment is about generator powered lighting.

I have tried both types, I went to a dynamo because my batteries would only last 2 hours on one charge and I wanted to ride longer at night.

I found that with the dynamo I didn't have to plan ahead or think. With the dynamo always on the bike, when I needed a light I just switched it on. I ride home from work around dark or just after 3 or 4 nights a week, and I still find, even with the advances made in rechargable batteries that I still need to remember to have them charged and have access to a power outlet.

The down side of dynmaos is of course the lights go out when you stop at intersections. I aslo found out the hard way that the light goes out when you lock the rear brake as the wheel stops. The you can't see what you are about to hit!

After spending a couple of years with a dynamo and a couple more years with a battery powered light I say it's a line-ball decision between the two. The dynamo clamp attatchments tend to damage the frame so on my new frame I have gone with a battery light for that reason alone. I still prefer the sheer convenience of a dynamo powered light.

Great photos and well done.

Mark Robson
Sydney, Australia

---- Below this line is from Jan Henk Keijzer (Sweden, 10/28/06) ------

Hi Brian,

As a native dutchman currently living in Sweden I enjoyed your site about bicycles in Amsterdam.

Also in sweden helmets are obliged for children as in most other European countries. However not in Holland. The Bicycle is a standard in daily live in Holland. Most people own at least 1 (There are more bicycles then people in Holland).

To answer your question about the bicycles with small wheels these are foldable bicycles very convenient when you want to go by train. Not surprisingly Holland has one of the most dense populations and railtrack density in the world.

Regards
Jan Henk Keijzer

---- Below this line is from Gilgamesh Nootebos (Unknown Location, 11/15/06) ------

Hi Brian,

Very entertaining to see such common sights (to me) through the eyes of a foreigner. As you might guess I'm a dutchman although I don't live in Amsterdam. As one of your photo's shows we learn to ride a bicycle as soon as we can walk(our daughter will get her first on her second birthday in 2 months). Especially in the cities like Amsterdam it's more practical to do everything on a bike. Until recently you could even see the prime minister(not our current Harry Potter lookalike but his predecessor) and other politicians riding a bike to their work. The funny bikes with the small wheels are indeed folding biks, for easier transport in buses, trams & trains. Very few people use helmets here, it's just not done.

I could tell you much more but i realise dutch bicycle culture is way too much for a simple email and I'm not even near being an expert.

Regards,

Gilgamesh Nootebos

---- Below this line is from Cassandra (Holland, 1/18/07) ------

Hey Brian,

I came across your page while hunting for info about stop signs in Amsterdam (do they exist?) and was utterly charmed. I'm American and have lived in Holland for 11 years and have never seen such an extensive study of the bike culture here. I can answer one question, though: The "tall seat, tiny wheel" bike is a particular kind of "vouwfiets," a folding bike. The folded dimensions have a maximum (50cmx50cm or so) to be allowed to be carried for free on the trains and trams. The Dutch being the Dutch and not liking to pay extra, people bike to the station, take their vouwfietsen in the train to their city of work and then bike to the office, all for the price of a train ticket.

I wanted to ask your permission to put a link on my blog to your page because it's so cool and can show people where I live. My blog: www.klozknitz.blogspot.com

Thanks!
Cassandra

---- Below this line is from Ilja Nieuwland (Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/29/07) ------

Hi Brian (if I may),

I just spent a nice half-hour browsing through your page on bicycles in Amsterdam, which I accidentally stumbled upon. Generally I found it very expert, but I would like to add some comments (as an Amsterdam citizen and bike-rider):

- Cycles with small wheels. These are quite terrible to ride; the reason that they're that popular is mainly that, when folded up, they can be take on board trains for free. This makes them an obvious choice for commuters. The Dutch, being a notoriously scrapy bunch, won't pass up on that one, even if it means riding a very unpractical bicycle (no place to put your bags, friends, or children).

- Cycle helmets. The reason that no one wears these is mainly that they're perceived as *very* uncool - and with coolness being the end-all of Amsterdam culture, that settles it.

- The coolness problem kicks in with the industrial racks with children at the front of bicycles. These are very much en vogue right now, and the problem is that the people driving them tend to focus more on their mobile telephone conversations than actually looking where they're going. The alarming crash rate of these vehicles (and the fact that due to these bicycles' larger bulk the consequences of these crashes are usually more severe than they'd be with normal bikes) has led the authorities to review their safety.

- Finally, I need to defend the bloke riding on the back of the girl's bike on your page. The rule of thumb is that the bike's owner always does the pedalling, *unless* the passenger is much heavier, in which case (usually) he will do the work. Many people don't like others riding their bikes.

Regards,

Ilja Nieuwland
Amsterdam

---- Below this line is from Tuco Rides (Unknown Location, 2/16/07) ------

Hi Brian, I found your "Amsterdam Bikes" page on the net and wrote about it quickly on my blog (address below) today.
I've never been to Amsterdam - I might have to move there! Chris

--
Story of a bike and a stubborn cyclist
http://tucorides.blogspot.com

---- Below this line is from Val (Unknown Location, 2/16/07) ------

Brian: I greatly enjoyed your photo essay on the Amsterdam scene. You have a good eye for interesting subjects, and your notes were thorough and amusing.

As someone who spent a little time (one month, that is) cycling in the Netherlands, and most of my life cycling in the US, there are a number of thoughts that occurred to me that I would like to share with you, some of which may possibly answer some of the questions you had.

1. I love your helmet rant. If you like, I can direct you to any number of similar rants about the bicycle helmet laws. In the bicycle industry (where I work) it is crucial to loudly proclaim that one is NOT against helmet use before even beginning to explain why helmet laws are a bad idea (and there are many good reasons, besides the ones you point out in your rant). In the Netherlands, people seem to be quite amused by the concept of bicycle helmets, until you explain that your experience is in the US. "Ah, Americans," they say, nodding profoundly, "well, perhaps they fall a lot more there..." It's not just Amsterdam; everyone in the country rides a bike (even the quadriplegics ride bikes), and none of them wear helmets, because they know how to ride, and they know that it is not dangerous. Based on my experiences in both countries, I would say that this is also due in large part to the fact that we have more feral cars here. The automotive traffic in the Netherlands is much more domesticated and docile. What it adds up to is a nation of helmet less riders who almost never wind up in the hospital with head injuries.

2. The reasons that all bikes (well, most bikes) in the Netherlands have generators are: simplicity and reliability. With a generator system, you ride the bike. If it gets dark, the bike has a light. You do not worry about whether the battery is charged, you do not take the light off when the bike is parked for fear of thieves, you do not have to worry about being out longer than the run time of the battery, and you do not have to remember to take the battery off at the end of the ride to charge it up. You will not blind any oncoming riders or light up the night like a beacon, but with a decent system you will have a beam that allows you to see when there are no streetlights, and allows everyone else to see you; just enough, in other words. Unless they are very old or rusty, generators do not actually impose much resistance (Bart Simpson notwithstanding - that must be the first instance of exaggeration on that show, eh?), and most riders would not even notice them if they didn't make that annoying humming sound, thus creating the appearance of extreme resistance. They definitely do not double the effort required of the rider - at most, they add 2-5%. I have been using generator systems for many years, because I know that I cannot trust myself to keep a battery charged, and I will admit that the older ones were barely adequate, but they have been improving all the time, so that the modern systems are quite practical.

3. The monster security chains on low end bikes have more to do with time and logistics than with protecting an investment. The bike itself may be cheap, but it is your transportation, and if it is not there when you come out of the store, that sucks. You want to avoid that, and you want to frustrate the universally hated bike thieves, who are as plentiful as mice in a granary.

4. At first glance, it may seem that all Dutch bikes are beaters, but it is important to remember that you are seeing the workhorses. Most families have two or three of these "omafietsen", or grandma bikes, but they also have a stable of other bikes, usually including a mountain bike or two, a road bike for Dad to train on on the weekends, and a really fancy touring bike for vacations. The same lock would be used for whichever bike was in use at the time.

5. The seemingly chaotic traffic patterns you observed are coming to be a new paradigm, and can function quite well ( http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,grossbild-737142-448747,00.html ). As an example, did you see any collisions while you were watching?

6. In reference to all the long skirts and flowing dresses that you noticed, you missed a connection: the "fender that also has covers on the side of the wheel" is, in fact, a fender with skirt guards. Now you know why.

7. The main reason that you see so many people dressed up and riding bikes is that riding bikes is how they travel. As a businessman, you do not change into special clothes to ride the bus or subway, or to drive your car to work or home, and neither do the Dutch when they go to work - they just do it on bicycles.

8. The sidesaddle passenger position is wonderfully practical. I first saw it in the Netherlands, and have found that it works quite well. It is easier for the passenger to get off than if they straddle the bike, and it is also easier for them to balance. It is usually more comfortable, too, and it allows the passenger to see past the rider without leaning to the side; they do lean, but the feet counterbalance, like leaning back in a straight back chair.

9. As I mentioned, I truly enjoyed this whole essay, and I hate to criticize, but I must take exception to the use of the term "suicide position" to describe the child seat in front of the rider. This position is actually much more practical and much safer than having the child behind. It keeps the combined center of gravity between the wheels of the bicycle, for safer handling, and it allows the rider (usually a parent) to surround the child with their arms, a very protective stance. It also allows the rider to keep an eye on the child without having to compromise their balance.

10. The long cargo bikes with the boxes on the front are known as "bakfietsen" and they are being imported into the US ( http://clevercycles.com/ and http://bakfietscargo.blogspot.com/ ), so you may see some in SF before long. Cool, eh?

11. Just a small quibble, but at one point you indicate an instance of "three people on a bicycle built for one" that is actually a case of one adult and two kids on a bicycle built for one adult and two kids. If you look carefully, you can see that the wheelbase is extended in the rear, and there are two purpose built child seats back there. There are several brands that make this style of bike, including: http://www.fietsfabriek.nl/index_eng.htm I think it is interesting that there is enough of a demand for such a specialized design to support more than one brand.

12. The bikes with small wheels and tall seat posts and handlebars, are, indeed, folding bikes. They are very convenient for traveling on busses, trains, and trolleys, all of which the Netherlands has in abundance ( http://dahon.com/ ).

13. As far as the spandex clad racer is concerned, he is only atypical in the heart of the city. This is not the place for speed. A vast number of folks in the Netherlands do dress up like this regularly, and then they go out of town to the bike trails, where they can ride for miles without having to interact with cars at all, and they put the hammer down. I have heard it said many times that the Dutch ride much more slowly than we do here in the US, but anyone who says that has not tried to keep up with a pace line of them on the open trail. They will maintain 20-30mph for miles, riding in a pack only inches from each other, wearing only cloth racing beanies on their heads, and they don't wind up paralyzed for life, as I am constantly being told that helmet less riders will (not might, will).

14. The other tall bike you saw looks to be a homemade example of what is known (no one knows why) as a Tallbike. You can see various examples of them at: http://tallbike.net/index.html , http://www.atomiczombie.com/gallery-tallbike.htm , and http://www.chicagofreakbike.org/ , among others. There is even a commercially made one: http://www.fietsfabriek.nl/index_eng.htm They are fun, and much safer than most people would imagine.

And, as a bonus, here's a well documented, thoroughly researched, anti helmet law (NOT anti helmet, all right?) article form the British Medical Journal, no less: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7276/1582 Compelling stuff, with a plethora of footnotes. Have fun!

As you can see, some of have more time on our hands than you may have bargained for. Once again, I truly enjoyed this page, and I hope my comments may have helped to enhance your appreciation of the scene you found yourself immersed in at that cafe. Personally, I dream of going back there, and in the meantime I try to make any place that I am at least a little bit more like that.

Take care.

Val

---- Below this line is from John Huizenga (Unknown Location, 3/7/07) ------

Having looked at your pictures of bicycles in Amsterdam,I find your pictures great, but your comments are ignorant and typically Yankee rude.

It would serve you well, if you would first find out why things are done the way they are in foreign countries rather than making stupid comments,

you might even enjoy other cultures more than you do presently.

John Huizenga.

---- Below this line is from Vivien Shotwell (Unknown Location, 3/18/07) ------

Dear Brian,

I lived in Holland for two years and your pictures of bikes in Amsterdam brought back some great memories. I just wanted to point out, if no one else has done so yet, that the miniature bikes are popular because they fold up and are portable. So you can take them on the train with you for no extra fee. They're harder to ride than regular bikes, because of the small wheels. Here's a link to one:

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/display/1026/0/

The lack of helmets baffled me, too. I always wore one when I rode my bike and felt completely dorky. People would call out "Mooi helm!" to me -- "Nice helmet!"

Cheers,
Vivien Shotwell

---- Below this line is from Donald (Unknown Location, 3/19/07) ------

Regarding: http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/index.html

I ran across your page on Amsterdam Bicycle Trends on the Internet. It seemed that you glossed over a very interesting trend I noticed from the pictures, that just about *everyone* rides a bike *everywhere.* Is this true for all of Amsterdam? Or just this one block where you were taking pictures? I live in Tampa, FL in the US so seeing a majority of the population bicycling is more like a day dream than something I can believe. Incredible pictures though, and a very good analysis. You made my morning!

-Donald

---- Below this line is from Peter Bancroft (Unknown Location, 3/20/07) ------

Hi,

I stumbled across your page earlier today, and just wanted to say thanks for your pictures, and your article.

The orange bikes that you see everywhere are the Amsterdam equivalent of the yellow cab - they're hire bike, and the hi-viz paint job makes them stand out. Ugly, yes, but they do have two benefits - the people who hire them can't lose them, and no bugger would want to steal them!

With regards to the helmets, and this being only personal opinion, they seem to only be truly beneficial in high impact crashes - low speeds, and without other high-speed vehicles involved, a person would react the same way they would if they fell over. That is to say, protect their head by bracing the impact with their arms. Not many folk wear a helmet when walking!

Amsterdam has the benefit of being very cyclist friendly - many more bikes than cars mean less high-speed impacts. Even the cyclists tend to trundle along at a sedate pace. In San Francisco (in fact, almost anywhere else) cars rule the road, and so helmets become a necessity.

I do feel I have to disagree with you about the dynamos, however. They're not a joke - I had one on my bike as a child, and never noticed them making it any harder to ride. In fact, as a poor kid I saw a great deal of benefit in them - no expensive and wasteful batteries to replace several times a season! Nowadays I do more riding off-road than on, and so the dynamo would probably not last very long after a few knocks.

Anyways, I have probably rambled far too much. Keep up the good work!

All the best,

Peter

---- Below this line is from Marlies (Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 3/20/2007) ------

Hello Brian,

I just stumbled upon your side concerning the 82 bike pictures taken in Amsterdam, and I wanted to tell you that I liked it very much. It is exactly the kind of site you (I) hope to find on 'the net': personal, funny, informative and the impression that the writer knows everyone is different without being in total shock.

I can imagine you receive tons of e-mails of dutch people telling you that' yeah, that is how we are', but just in case I am the first: 'yeah, that is how we are'.

And now for some additional (though probably useless) information:
- It is 'common knowledge' that 'real dutch people' have bike locks that are more expensive than their bikes. (Especially in student cities).

- If you have ever been transported on the back of a bike, you'll know that the one cycling generally will have the best deal. Those panniers really hurt your sitting utensils after a while (generally 5 minutes)

- The 'expressive colours' is supposed to defer people stealing your bike. After all, when it looks personalized, it is easier to recognize and therefore (slightly) less likely to be stolen by an 'impromptu' thief. Of course, the bike lock is more efficient here.

- Actually, small children (while learning how to cycle) will tend to have helmets these days. Basically because that is actually the age where falling down with your bike is likely, and therefore a helmet usefull. Also 'speed cyclists' will tend to have helmets as well, also because they might indeed go fast enough to fall.Generally, it is seen here that a bike helmet is pretty useless when a car is driving into you (and I believe that resent research in the UK showed that cars are driving nearer a cyclist wearing a helmet), so why wear one?I myself only wear my helmet 'abroad', when I am on holiday in the mountains ('cause there falling is more likely). I must say though that if I would ever cycle in America / San Francisco, I would wear a helmet.

- The bikes with an 'industrial work basket' are called 'bakfiets' ('bak' is 'crate'). It is a recent (5 years or so) that (especially in Amsterdam) loads of parents have discovered that this is a neat way to transport some children. As far I can see, you missed out on the 'children in a cart' variety. It is like the doggy cart, but they are (officially)made for children as well.

- And finally: the small wheels, tall seat' variety: those are 'foldable bikes'. You can fold them up to some square, compact parcel, so you can take them on the train
a) Easily
b) Free (you pay EUR 6 to take a 'normal' bike on the train)

OK, enough information. And like I said, you probably have been told all these things many times before.
But maybe not :-)

Anyway, I liked the site, and I enjoyed reading your stuff.
And if you are ever in the Netherlands again: I recommend renting a bike. It
is not very expensive, and a rather good way to spend the day.

Have a nice day!
Kind regards,

Marlies
Eindhoven, The Netherlands

---- Below this line is from Netty Mathews (grew up in Holland, 3/27/2007) ------

Brian,

Somebody sent me a link to your website with pictures earlier today.
Enjoyed the pictures and your observations.

After reading your observation of Dutch cyclists not wearing helmets and
possibly not taking safety of their children seriously, I thought I would
send you some additional information.

The Dutch do take bike safety seriously. They've just taken a different
approach. When growing up in Holland, in first grade, we all went through a
full week of safe bicycle riding classes. At the end of the week, police
officers put together a course where each child was presented with traffic
situations for approximately 30 minutes while police officers observed.
Depending on how you did, you received your "safe bicycle" certificate.
Over the next few years, you received refresher courses. Additionally, when
you work on obtaining your drivers license, there is a strong emphasis on
driving around bicyclists.

Here I am constantly amazed how parents teach kids to ride their bicycles.
Kids are taught to ride on the wrong side of the road (am fairly certain
that's illegal) and kids ride on bicycles without lights in the dark
constantly. Signaling is never taught it seems like. (actually, almost the
same can be said for drivers).

There are many bike lanes in Holland, allowing bike riders to be safer.

Here's an interesting statistic:
U.S. cyclists are three times more likely to be killed than German cyclists
and six times more than Dutch cyclists, whether compared per-trip or
per-distance traveled. (Reuters, Aug. 28, 2003, by Maggie Fox)

Netty

---- Below this line is from Becky Baxter (Antwerp, Belgium, 3/38/2007) ------

I recently moved to Antwerp, Belgium, which is about an hour and a half away from Amsterdam and am delighted by the bicycle sensation as well. In America, we don't ride bikes after the age of 10, unless you live in a big city, and even then... I had to buy a bike last Wednesday and guess what...Wednesday night it was stolen, or more like thrown in the river by a vandal. Even worse, it was locked to 2 other of my friends bikes. I was devistated! You make fun of the bikes that are "worth $15" but I guarantee that those bikes were bought for no less than $300 and spray painted the next day. That's what you have to do, because apparently people here steal bikes everyday, it's too common. When I went bike shopping, the bikes were around $500-$600 for a so-so bike. Hard to find a cheaper bike that is not a total piece of crap. Those big "gigantic locks you were laughing at...yeah, they may look tough, tough enough to deter someone maybe, but to cut? easy.

Anyways, its a week later, and we fished for our bikes and rescued them from 6 meter deep water. They were nasty.

oh yeah, and those bikes with little tires are fold up bikes...hilarious!

Last year we went to a house party and instead of seeing cars parked down the street, you see a driveway full of bikes reflecting back at you. Too funny for words.

Nice website, I liked it, but all too normal here...

Becky

---- Below this line is from Evalien Ruiter (Utrecht, Holland, 6/5/2007) ------

Hoi Brian,

This morning I found your photos on bicycling in Amsterdam. It's very funny to see your point of view, wondering about such common things like gigantic locks, skirts, hiking etc. Riding a bike in this small (and totally flat!) country is like breathing. Everybody does it. That's why I'm sending you this picture of our former queen:

She was the mother of Beatrix, our present queen. Even with dress and child (looks like Beatrix to me) she fits right into your series. So even our royalty!! In those days you had saddles for skirt-wearing women, which where oval-shaped. My mum still has one of those, although they are considered old-fashioned now.

And by the way, the man on the racebike, the one you thought looked the most familiar to you, is most likely using this bike exclusively for recreative riding. That's why there's no big lock; he never leaves his bike unattended. In Holland it's wiser to use a scrappy undesirable bike to visit a towncentre, and lots of people today have a second one they use for tours, holidays and sports. These bikes are kept inside. Theft of bikes is a extremely common thing, especially in the larger cities of Holland. I think I've lost at least 5 or 6 bikes that way.

Maybe it's nice to know that the city of Amsterdam once tried to launch a brilliant plan to supply the streets with free bikes. The idea was that you could take one of these 2000 -all white- bikes, use it, and then leave it behind, so that someone else could do the same. This was in 1967 ('course) and it never made it. In 1999 a kind of similar idea did make it, with 250 bikes, but proved unsuccessful.

---- Below this line is from Harry van Veen (Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 9/6/2007) ------

Dear Brian,

You have obviously not looked around very long, otherwise you would have seen far more outrageous cyclists in this town. I am 62 years old and I cycle every day 30 km. to my job in a factory, on a Racing bike with rain covers on the wheels and bags on the back. But I'll send you a picture of me and our three grandchildren and two dogs on one working bike.

Greetings, Harry van Veen

---- Below this line is from Mirjam Vonk (Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 9/12/2007) ----------
---- ON THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WEBSITE!! ------------

Dear Brian Wilson, hi!

September 12, 2007.
Today it's exactly one year ago that you took all the pictures of bicycles in Amsterdam! The weather looked better one year ago! than today. I just had a long look at all the pictures you made and I have enjoyed all of it, your great comments included! My name is Mirjam and I am living in the Northern part of Amsterdam, that's a little more quiet and not so hectic as the city center. Just wanted to share with you some memories that came back to me while going through your website.

1. We really were a cycling family especially in my childhood. My Dad didn't own a car until I was about 18 years old, so just about everything was transported on his and our bikes. Like the large pan of soup that my Mom made and had to be delivered at my Grandma's a few streets further away, because lots of people would come and visit to eat there. Well, my Dad put the very large pan on the back of his bike and started to walk at first along the bike holding the pan with one hand. Of course! he felt that this didn't go fast enough, so he thought he better just cycle and holding the pan with one hand in place behind his back. Arriving at Grandma's frontdoor putting his one foot on the 'stoep' (pavement) to stand still, he forgot to swing his leg really high after that to get off the bicycle. ;-) Result: one big content of soup all over the 'stoep' (pavement) ...

2. I remember having my feet in the 'bags meant to carry groceries' sitting at the back of my Dads bicycle lots of times during my childhood. He always told me I had to do that, so that my feet wouldn't get in between the 'spaken', spokes.

3. Going to handball practice one night as a child with my Dad cycling next to me because he was taking me there, I was too late to avoid an 'Amsterdammertje', that's the Amsterdam little 'paaltje', pegs or pickets, you see all over here and also on bicycle roads. I crashed frontal against the peg of course, not being in time at my Dad's warning shout: 'Watch out!'. My bicycle fork all twisted etc. You can already guess ;-) what I had to hear for the rest of my childhood and many more years, when I was about to come close to an Amsterdammertje:
"Mirjam, paaltje!!"

4. Seeing your site also brought the bit old Dutch song back into my head:
"Spring maar achterop" , Jump on / take a seat on the back of my bike.

I really loved your concept of taking all the pictures in a certain space of time and putting them all together on a website with your personal comment and foreign eyes and view! and am thankful for the friend living in Northern Holland who made me aware of your site!
I haven't been able to visit the city center for many years because of my handicap, but your site brought me there for a while, thanks!

Groetjes van Mirjam, Amsterdam

---- Below this line is from Mick Savage (The Netherlands, 11/19/2007) ----------

Hello Brian,

I just saw your site on bicycles in Amsterdam and I enjoyed it very much. You were surprised to see formally dressed people on bikes, so I wouldn't want you to miss this picture.

It's our minister of social affairs who always rides a bike when coming to parliament. I know this is not in Amsterdam but in The Hague, but it's typical for our bicycle culture in The Netherlands. Maybe it's a nice addition to the site. [Note from Editor BrianW: above is picture of "Piet Hein Donner"]

--
Met vriendelijke groet,

Michel

---- Below this line is from Nate Groadie (USA?, 12/23//2007) ----------

My mom sent me the link to your Amsterdam Bicycles page. I read it over and I thought I could share some things with you.

I read all the attached comments and thought that a few points had been missed:

Helmets: Most incidents where a helmet would be useful are between cyclists and cars. One thing to note about Dutch car drivers, there are no such thing, they are just cyclists that are behind the wheel of an automobile. Here in the states, I wear a helmet every time I ride. Its come in very handy before. Once while in a bike lane I was hit head on by a driver making an illegal turn. My head hit their windshield where it meets the right side of the car at appx 30 MPH (combined speed of my bike+car). My helmet smashed, I rolled over the car and stuck a two point landing on my Chuck Taylors. My glasses had broke and cut my nose a bit, but otherwise I was A-OK. Without the helmet it would probably be a much different story. Incidents like that (called a "left-hook") happen much less in countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, etc. etc. etc. and make helmets much less needed. That being said, its probably a good idea to also wear my bike helmet whenever I travel by *car*.

Folding bikes: small wheels don't really have too much do with a quality bike ride. Frame design around those small wheels DOES. I have a Bike Friday ( http://bikefriday.com/) that rides like a dream. I can't determine any loss of handling quality/efficiency from my more standard road/touring bikes.

"Cheap" Bikes: These may seem like beaters to you, but that bike may be 20-40 years old. Seeing a bike of that age in daily use in the US is rare because most of the bikes we are sold are either department store grade bikes that cost $200 or less or "performance" bikes that are meant to be replaced every couple years. Neither of those make good commuter bikes anyways. A new fully equipped (full mudguards, dynamo lighting, carriers, etc...) Dutch bike is definitely not cheap. Expect to pay several hundred Euros for even the lowest quality. A used bike can always be had for cheap, although it probably needs maintenance and/or has been stolen.

Locks: Its an arms race. If you want to keep your bike all you have to do is use a better lock than your neighbor. Even if replacing your bike wouldn't be a huge financial set-back, not having a ride back home would be no fun. Might as well carry around a 10 pound lock (doesn't make a big difference if your bike weighs 50 pounds and you're carrying another 40 pounds and you yourself weigh 140 pounds.

Slide locks: pretty handy if you are in a cafe about 10 feet from your bike, but if its going to be out of your line of site, better bring out the big guns.

Dynamo lighting: There are several choices for lighting, they all provide their own benefit and all have several draw-backs.

"CatEye" style halogen/krypton headlights: They're almost dead to the world, thankfully. The light they give out is decent, but the rate of battery depletion is totally unacceptable. 8-15 hours of decent light, with about 2-8 hours of insufficient light. Always a bummer when your batteries die at 2AM and you are still 6 miles from home. Very cheap up front, but expensive in the long run due to battery costs.

Modern LED battery powered headlights: We sell these hand-over-fist at the shop I work at. $10-$40 for most of them. They offer a blinking (battery conserving) mode and a solid beam mode. Many US states (and European countries) don't legally allow flashing headlights though. The battery life on these are much much better than the older Halogen/Krypton style lights but still suffer of inadequate light levels when the batteries start to die. Every night on my way home from work I see people riding down the street with lights that BADLY need new batteries. I see them because I'm also riding a bike. If I was in a car with a car stereo, a dirty/fogged windshield, a ringing cell-phone and a couple passengers, who knows....

The other problem with both the lights described above is that they mount to the bike with a quick-release style clamp. You are supposed to remove the lights every time you lock up your bike and go inside. Some people, and some people have to buy new lights. People steal bike lights that have a QR system, just because they can. The other downfall of the QR light is, well, lights get lost, fall out of bags, turn them selves on in pockets/bags, etc. Most of our LED headlight sales are "repeat" customers, some people replace their $40 headlight a couple times a year due to theft/loss. Sadly, some people downgrade to a less visible light because of replacement costs.

That brings us to another style of light:

The rechargeable hi-wattage lights. These things are incredibly bright, they quite often have an exterior battery pack that attaches to your frame or fits in your water-bottle cage. They have a charge life of generally a couple hours (which should be adequate for most peoples to-work-from-work commuting routine, but might not work for the people that ride to work, from work to an evening event, which turns into a bike ride, which turns into another bike ride to somewhere else, etc etc.. For me, it wouldn't work. I would not always remember to charge it/not have access to charging it (such as a cyclotour/randonneur). They are also espensive, about as expensive as a nice dynamo setup.

Two choices really: standard side-mount "bottle" style or a hub dynamo (such as the Shimano or Schmidt options).

There is really not that much resistance in a decently designed/properly set up dynamo. With a hub dynamo, its not noticeable. I leave my light on all the time.

Many modern dynamo powered lamps (both front and rear) have "stand lights" which is a lower powered LED lamp that stays on when the main light is off when the bike is stopped. They get charged while the bike is rolling generally stay on for several minutes after the bike is stopped. http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html

Even without a standlight, the large reflectors that are mounted to the rear of most Dutch bikes (either on the mudguard or carrier, or both) are more visible when illuminated by a car headlight than a standard bicycle rear light.

-nate

Buying the Right Bike for You

While buying a bike is not on the same level of commitment as, say, getting married, it is still a decision that warrants some thought. And, especially if you are considering buying a bike for the first time, it can seem as if your options are nearly endless. "What is the right kind of bike for me? How much should I spend?"

If these are questions you are facing, take heart, because we’re here to help you make a good decision.

What is the Right Kind of Bike for Me?

Your first decision comes in determining what type of bike you are after. There are basically four main styles of bikes to choose from, and your selection should really depend on what you anticipate your main type of riding to be.

Road Bikes are designed for riding on paved streets and going fast. Featuring skinny tires, a lightweight frame and a riding position that puts you bent over the handlebars, you might choose this type of bike if traveling longer distances at higher speeds is important to you.

The frames of most road bikes are not particularly beefy in construction and generally won’t stand up well for extended periods under heavy loads or on really rough surfaces. They are about as well-suited for a path in the woods as you would be when wearing high heels.

• All About Road Bikes

Mountain Bikes have exploded in popularity over the past twenty years. These bikes have wide tires, usually with knobby treads and a stout frame, and are designed to handle the rugged trails without disintegrating.

Mountain bikes do not go as fast as road bikes, which is a trade-off for their durability along with a more comfortable riding position. You sit higher on these bikes, more upright with the straight handlebars, which is often a happier choice for people with back problems than being hunched over as you are on a road bike.

Warning: sometimes mountain bikes are the default choice of salespeople at the bike shop because they are easy to sell and usually less expensive than road bikes. Too many times though, new mountain bikes with lots of impressive features for climbing a steep mountain trail end up like those four-wheel drive SUVs that never actually go off the pavement. If you are going to buy a mountain bike, make sure you are doing so intentionally because you know that you will in fact be riding off-road. Otherwise, you will be paying for unnecessary features, and probably missing out on a bike that would be a better choice for you.

• All about mountain bikes

Hybrid bikes are compromise between road and mountain bikes and offer the best features of both if most of your riding will be shorter trips on pavement. With skinnier, smooth tires, they typically can go faster than mountain bikes, yet feature the upright seat and handlebar position that many people favor.

Hybrids are a good choice for most city riding, and offer speed, durability and comfort.

Cruisers are bikes that have wide tires, wide seats, upright handlebars and sometimes even just a single gear. These are the bikes that you’ll often see at the beach. More simple mechanically, they are easy to maintain but work best with flat terrain and a rider whose main interest is more about being comfortable than with going fast.

Outside the Realm

If after you’ve checked out these styles, still none of these bikes offers you what you need, check out these other kinds of bikes. Tandems, recumbents, and tricycles are all unique types of bikes that you likely won’t see very often, either out on the trail or on the showroom floor at your local bike shop. But each offers specific features and functions that may be just what you are looking for. Read more about these alternatives to the mainstream styles of bicycles.

Smart Shopping for Bikes

Once you’ve figured out the best style of bike for you, it’s time to start shopping. Here are tips to help you out

• Borrow a bike and try it out
  

When you've figured out the right style of bike for you, to make double sure that you're making the right choice, borrow a bike from a friend and try it out. Be sure to go on a ride longer than a lap around the parking lot, too. Twenty minutes should be enough to know if you are comfortable with the way you sit on a particular type of bike, and if the pace is right for you, or if it will be something that ultimately disappoints you.

An example – I thought I’d get a hybrid bike for commuting. I thought that the upright posture and a sturdier frame would be just what I needed. But just a few minutes on the bike and I could tell that I wasn’t able to go fast enough to suit me, and that I wasn’t going to be happy with that type of bike for the long run.

• Resist the temptation to go cheap.
  

With bikes, like most everything else, you get what you pay for. Chances are you won’t be happy over the long run with a cheapie bike from a big box discounter, even if it was a deal. They are heavy and the components won’t last like they would in a quality model. Ultimately, you’ll be frustrated, and end up spending the money to get that better bike you should have bought in the first place.

• Spend some time at your local bike shop.
  

The people who run your LBS are your best resource on bike buying. These folks are knowledgeable, and can offer tips, advice and service that you can never get over the internet.

A reader wrote about her experience buying from her local shop:

What ended up being the deciding factor [in my choice] was going to the bike shop and talking to the salesman about what I was looking for. I went in thinking I wanted one bike, but after talking with him and describing what I'd be using it for, it turned out I was really after something else. It was a great experience and I ended up with the perfect bike for me.

• Consider buying used

The best way to get a decent bike without forking out a whole bunch of money, particularly if you’re still wondering if you’ll stick with it for a while, is to buy a used bike rather than purchasing one new. And sources abound, from sites like Craigslist to the classified ads in the newspaper to a swap board carried by your local bike shop on its website.

While shopping for a used bike on your own means you won’t have the same input as you get from a knowledgeable salesman at the local bike shop, the opportunity to take the bike for a test ride coupled with a little online research should be enough to tell you about the suitability of your purchase.

So, after you’ve thought thoroughly about they type of riding you’ll be doing, and taken a several different types out for test rides, go get the very best bike you can afford. It’ll be money well spent.

How to Buy a Bike

Bike shopping was fun — even in 1951
Click on picture to see entire ad

Road racers. Loaded tourers. Recumbents. Hardtails. Dualies. Hybrids. Cross bikes. Sport tourers. Commuters. Cruisers. Comfort bikes. Tandems. These are just the more common bicycle types available today. There are also folders, singlespeeds, freeriders, downhillers, jumping bikes, track machines, travel bikes and more. With such a dizzying array to choose from, it’s a small miracle any new buyer wondering how to buy a bicycle leaves a shop with the right model. Sadly, it’s common for people to buy the wrong bike, such as getting a model built for abusive off-road use, when the MTB will be ridden primarily on pavement.

To prevent such mistakes, if you’re in the market for a new bike, especially if it’s the first new machine in a while, start the shopping process by answering the key questions that follow. When you’re sure about these things, you’ll stand the best chance of leaving the shop with a bicycle you’ll love and not outgrow too quickly.

After you’ve nailed these questions, check my chart which explains the five basic bike types to help decide which is most suited to you and your riding plans.

	Why do you want a new bike? Plenty of people buy the wrong bike because they only know they want one. For example, maybe your friend bought a bike so you want one just like it. That’s okay — if you plan to ride just like your friend. It’d be better to list what you want out of the purchase. Is it riding for fitness? Is it for pedaling around town? For off-road excursions? For travel? To take up bike racing? To commute? Write down as many reasons as you can come up with and think carefully about which ones are realistic.
	What kind of person are you? Some types want the best of everything; others are frugal and consider affordability first. A serious athlete will have different goals than someone mostly interested in recreation. Tech heads prefer the latest and most advanced engineering in frames and components. Many cyclists want a unique machine that sets them apart from the masses. One way to determine where you fit is by thinking about other big purchases you made recently and the decisions you made in the process. The better you know yourself, the easier it’ll be to get a bike you’re happy with.
	What kind of riding do you want to do? Before answering, consider what type of riding is available in your area. For example, it might be questionable to purchase a downhill racing mountain bike if you live in Flatsville, Wisconsin. So think about where you’ll bike. If you’re not sure because you’re new to cycling or the area, visit a local shop and ask the people there where the great riding is to help decide which model will be most fun for you. For many cyclists, the answer is two bikes, one for road use and another for off road use.
	How much do you want to spend? Hit the shops with a good idea of what you’d be comfortable spending. Every bike type is available in a wide range of prices based on the frame material, the design and the components it’s equipped with. If you can determine your price comfort level, the dealer can steer you toward bikes of the type you like in that general range and it’ll save searching the aisles. It’s worth looking at slightly more expensive models to get a feel for what a little extra cash buys. Often, for 15% more money, you can get parts that would cost much more to purchase individually. If you’ve got the bucks it might make sense to get the better bike. But keep in mind also that there are essential accessories such as a helmet and flat-tire repair kit that you may need and that these will add to the total cost of the bike.

Bicycle Types

Type	Description	Pros	Cons	Ideal Use
Road racer	Traditional lightweight bike with skinny tires, dropped handlebars. Made to be as efficient as possible for speed, quick handling and high-performance climbing, descending and sprinting. A scream to ride fast.	Most efficient all-around performance. Excellent for racing and training. Ultralight for easy climbing. Stiff frame excellent for sprinting, climbing and jamming. Quick handling. Gorgeous to behold — a study in minimalism.	Ride can be harsh. Flat tires are common (though it depends a lot on equipment, how and where you ride and how much you weigh). Position is often low and best suited to a very flexible person. If you're scared of speed, the ride may be more excitement than you like. May not accept fenders.	Training and racing on the road or century riding. Also can be used for credit-card touring (carrying minimal gear and staying in hotels).
Road sport	Almost identical to the road racer in appearance, this bike usually sports a slightly more comfortable and slower-handling frame. The gearing is usually a little lower to help in the hills. It’s possible to easily install a rack and accessories such as fenders; not always the case on a true racing bike.	Longer wheelbase absorbs road shock for more comfort than the racing bike. Low gears mean less effort on the hills. Easier to carry bags and accessories. Often comes with more padded seat and less extreme rider position, which also increases comfort. More stable on descents.	Slightly heavier. Climbs and handles more slowly than the road racer.	Fitness rides, centuries, commuting, distance touring.
Mountain bike	Most popular model for the past decade. Designed like a Jeep for excellent performance on rugged terrain. Equipped with a reliable sturdy frame, tough wheels with knobby tires, upright handlebars, powerful brakes and a dependable drivetrain with super low gearing. Available with and without suspension though the former is most popular today.	Escape traffic! Bulletproof design means excellent durability (provided you don't abuse the bike). Greatly reduced chance of flat tires and bent rims. Incredible braking power. Very comfortable due to wide tires and upright seating position. Total blast to ride off-road.	Can be ridden on the road but isn’t efficient for long distances without changing equipment. Most popular bike consequently hot property for thieves. You may be tempted to take dangerous chances and crash a lot more than you would on any other bike type.	Trail riding for fun, fitness and racing. And around-town use if you’re not going far and aren’t in a hurry (just bring a lock!).
Hybrid (within this category, there are “town/city bikes” and “comfort bikes”).	A bike designed primarily for road use but capable of fireroad riding as well. A sturdy frame of mountain-bike pedigree equipped with wheels and tires made for road use and upright (sometimes backswept) handlebars. Sometimes equipped with suspension seatpost and stem to absorb road shock.	Comfortable rider position especially when equipped with shocks to absorb bumps. More resistant to flats than road racers or road sport bikes. Lighter than a mountain bike. Easy to carry stuff and mount accessories.	Not great on the road or off the road. Not as fast or efficient as a road racer or road sport, so not ideal for distance riding, though better suited for it than an MTB.	Fitness riding on and off road, running errands and commuting. Okay for touring though upright position not the most efficient.
Recumbent	A long and low road bike designed around an ergonomic seating position where the rider sits in lawn-chair–like comfort and pushes pedals located ahead of his body. One of the fastest growing bike categories. Available with and without suspension.	No butt, neck, back, hand, shoulder or arm pain! The most comfortable rider position of all bikes. Some are much faster downhill and on the flats than other road bikes. Due to a long wheelbase, can have very wide gear range meaning excellent lows for climbing hills. Gets noticed everywhere you go.	Takes time to develop the muscles to ride a recumbent with complete comfort (only if you’re used to upright bikes). Most are slower on climbs. You get noticed everywhere you go.	Fitness riding, centuries, touring, training and racing in recumbent races.

In 1923 you could choose from 44 styles!
Click on picture to enlarge

In my seventeen years working in retail bicycle shops, I saw it many times: that glassy-eyed, dumbstruck look that crept into customer’s faces when they gazed upon row after row of bicycles. Sometimes, no matter how carefully we approached, no matter how softly we spoke, no matter how patiently we answered questions, they’d leave, never to be seen again.

I’m sympathetic. I know bicycles so they don’t scare me. But other things do. For instance, heading to the lumber store to purchase the right piece of wood for a project: Forget it. The minute I’m next to those towering stacks of lumber, rubbing shoulders with all those contractor types who know wood only the way termites can, I become nervous, jittery. When the salesperson finally spots me and approaches, I can barely communicate and promptly buy the first stick he offers. Better that than admit ignorance and ask a lot of stupid questions. I mean, we don’t even speak the same language. Plus, there are people in line who actually know something. I sure don’t want to hold them up.

So please, don’t think of me as a bicycle expert here to intimidate. Think of me as a lot like you; just someone who knows a bit more about bikes. I’ll try to guide you and take some of the confusion and mystery out of the bicycle shopping process. Before we go any further, I recommend reading How to Buy a Bike, which is the first part of this story. It answers other useful questions about selecting the right ride.

Hit the Shops
It’s daunting to be presented with a huge selection, especially when the choices are as varied as they are in bicycle stores today. But don’t let the large selection scare you. Instead look at it as the opportunity to get the right bike at the right price. If the store had only a few bikes to select from, it’s possible they might not have one type or another that would be perfect for you. When you’re shopping, having more bikes to look at and test-ride is a good thing.

Brace yourself, though. The salesperson wants to help but he has to get to know you first. Give him a chance even if it’s uncomfortable. It may take a few tries before he figures how to help you out. Try to be open-minded and answer the questions he asks as best you can. With any luck at all, you’ll find common ground and start communicating.

If you can’t bear the thought of dealing one-on-one with a salesperson, bring a friend along who’s more comfortable and let him/her help translate. Beware the know-it-all though. You don’t want someone who’s going to argue with the salesperson every time he tries to explain something. That just leads to confusion and hostility and turns what should be a fun process into a disaster. It’s better to bring someone who’s enthusiastic about bikes and has an idea what you’re like and how you’ll like to ride.

Buy the Right Bike
One of the confusing parts of picking a bike is that manufacturers make a variety of models designed for specific purposes. Generally, what you want to do with the bike will match one of the available models. Sometimes, however, you may have to look outside or beyond the category of bike you think might work at first.

For example, many cyclists want to tour on the road. The most efficient way to do this is to ride a traditional touring bike with dropped handlebars and skinny wheels. And that’s what I would recommend trying first and probably what the salesperson will recommend. But let’s say that you have a bad back and can’t bend over. Let’s say too, that you’re terrified of flat tires and can’t bear the thought of having to fix one. Also, let’s assume that you’re not interested at all in covering a lot of miles on your tour — you’ll be perfectly happy putting along at a sightseer’s pace.

If that’s your style, you might be much happier on a hybrid or even a mountain bike. On these bikes, flats are rare. The seating position is upright so you needn’t bend over. And the ride is soft and comfortable, ideal for casual riding.

To ensure that you find the best bike for you and your riding goals, go into the shopping process prepared to be flexible and willing to explore the many options. If you know what you want, that’s fine. If you don’t, the more open-minded you are, the more likely you’ll get just what you need.

Take Two
Next, I’d like to introduce this radical concept: Most people these days won’t be satisfied with one bike. And shopping with the attitude that they can buy one bike that will do all things, is a recipe for confusion — and purchasing an unsatisfactory bike.

Here’s what can happen: You decide you want a bike and because all your friends ride mountain bikes, you think that’s what you should get. Deep down though, you remember that you loved riding the road years ago. But you rationalize that you’ll be okay riding your mountain bike on the road when needed. And that you’re going to really enjoy riding off road with friends. So you buy the mountain bike. But, you quickly realize that you prefer riding pavement to riding dirt — the feeling is different and you like it. Besides, you’re never free when your friends hit the trails. You now wish you’d bought what your gut told you to buy in the first place.

Like my example, if you can reach your soul and discover one bike type that suits you, go for it and get that bike type. It’s more likely, however, that you have several goals in mind for that new bike. The more you can hone down how you’ll ride, the better the chances are you’ll get the right bike.

And one possibility for many bikers is purchasing a nice road and mountain bike. Most enthusiastic cyclists today have one of each because the two types of riding are so different. They love riding the road but they also love playing in the dirt so they want the best tool for each type of cycling. It only makes sense. Having only one type of bike limits your fun because you can’t fully enjoy all types of cycling. It would be like being a musician and only owning one instrument or playing one type of music.

Keep this in mind as you contemplate bicycle types. Some are so focused that they’re really only suited to specific tasks. Others do more. But, if you’re open to the possibility of buying two bikes, or starting with one and adding to your fleet later, you’ll stand the best chance of getting a great bike at the outset.

Hop Aboard
You can test ride a lot of bicycles at bike shops. Usually though, you end up riding up and down the street or possibly around a parking lot. That’s better than no test ride at all. But I’d like to paint a clearer picture of what it’s like to ride different two-wheelers. Come along as I take a few for a ride.

Road Racing Bike
Ten pedal strokes is all it takes to hit 25 mph as I roll out my driveway and meet the road. Settling into the Cinelli drop handlebars, I relax my arms and imagine I’m sitting in the pack with Lance and Frankie in the Tour de France. I fly down Bay St. hill and whip around the corner heading toward the coast. My super-narrow high-pressure Continental tires look fragile but they roll effortlessly and stick like contact cement in turns.

I’m pedaling at 100 rpm now; my heart rate is at 150 as I start to fight the southerly headwind on the coast. I flatten my back to get even lower, shift into a slightly easier gear by flicking the Shimano Dura-Ace shifting brake lever sideways (no need to remove my hand from the handlebars) and find a nice pedal rhythm. I want a good workout but don’t want to blow up my legs before the climb so I keep a good pedal spin going and push just enough to feel a slight burn in my quadriceps muscles.

Soon, I head east for the long climb. Shifting onto the small chainring, I stand to work up the steep part of the hill. The Litespeed weighs less than 17 pounds. With a superlight and incredibly responsive titanium frame it’s a joy jamming up hill. I feel like I’m dancing on the pedals as I really push for the top. I can feel my legs tiring but I need to work so I keep pushing until my heart rate monitor limit alarm sounds. I visualize the pack of riders being dropped behind as I make my escape over the top of the climb.

Ahead lie a series of downhill corners and I go into a full tuck to pick up speed without pedaling. I hear the wind whistling past my ears and the tires singing as I burn the blacktop. The corners come at me fast but I relax and let the Litespeed do the work. All I have to do is lean the right way and the bike carves the perfect corner.

Town line coming up; I’ve got to win the sprint. I bang the right shifter twice to hit a taller gear and jump for the line. I breathe like a weight lifter to power each pedal stroke and try to reach maximum rpm pulling on the handlebars with all my might. My standing muscles are blown so I fall into the saddle and try to rev my spin even more as I near the finish. The crowd roars as I blow through the tape.

Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
I’m as happy on this bike at the trailhead as I am jamming singletrack. Why? Because people can’t stop gawking at it and I can’t get enough of explaining the trick action of the rear suspension. Those bikebrains at GT have this rig totally dialed. As the rear end moves up and down over five inches to suck up giant hits on bumpy trails, the crankset (where the pedals attach) actually rotates inside the frame.

As I hit the trailhead and start to climb, there’s no energy-sapping herky-jerky motion at the pedals. I feel the bike sucking up bumps so I can just sit here enjoying the ride. I notice a little more weight than what’s on my old front-suspended-only bike, but I feel the rear suspension is worth having.

Veering onto the singletrack, I shift onto the middle chainring with a push of the Shimano LX Rapid Fire shifters and give a few quick pedals to pick up the pace. There’s a stretch of ruts ahead that’s a gas to hit at speed. On my old hardtail mt. bike, it used to scare me. But now, I bring more speed through the section and the momentum helps a lot.

I have to slow and drop into a creek bed that I follow for a quarter mile or so. The water’s not deep so I can see all the rocks beneath. I hold tightly to the bars and get bounced off one rock after another. I’m not choosing the line; the rocks are doing it for me. Too cool.

I have to hang on because each rock knocks the wheel off line. But the Marzocchi Z.3 shock fork is great. I can handle these rocks and a lot of other obstacles thanks to four inches of fork travel and a super solid wheel-to-fork connection that ensures the bike goes where it’s pointed.

The trail goes up a short embankment. It’s soft and loose. I shift into the easiest gear and try to spin up it. The rear suspension sticks the tire to the ground and it digs in but the front end wheelies. I stand and shift my weight forward to get the front on the ground and the rear wheel starts to lose traction again. I move toward the bike’s center and bounce with each pedal stroke to get the tires to dig in. I’m almost there. Argh! I lose it and fall over inches from making it.

Righting the bike and myself I head back to the trailhead. I spot a couple guys disappearing around the corner and quickly shift into a harder gear to chase them down. I’m riding through a grassy clearing that’s very bumpy and tricky because I can’t see the bumps all that well. The faster I go, the smoother the ride gets so I shift up and push harder. I can see the fork soaking up the hits and realize that besides helping me fly over this minefield, the GT’s dual suspension is saving my tired bones loads of abuse.

The boys ahead must be having as much fun as me because I haven’t closed an inch on them. It’s mostly downhill now and I’m supremely confident in what this bike can do, so I stand and jam a bit to build up as much speed as I can. I’d love to fly by these guys on the hill. Big mistake. I hit a berm in the first turn and get launched. Amazingly, I end up off the trail but the landing is whipped-cream soft and I don’t crash. All right! On with the chase. I’ll catch those guys yet.

Front Suspension Mountain Bike
Thick fog compromises my sight so I put on clear lens glasses on my way out the door. I know it’ll warm up later and there’s no water on the trail we’re riding today so I take along my backpack hydration system. Tucked in the pocket is a great all-in-one tool that’ll allow me to fix anything that breaks on my or my friends’ bikes (they love me for it). There’s money in there too for the pre-ride coffee and the post-ride burrito.

I meet my buds at the shop and we change plans because Joe has to get home sooner. Heading to Wilder Ranch, we opt for an out-and-back singletrack trail, so narrow we’ll ride single file. I hop in towards the front and hang on. Joe’s gotta get home so he’s cookin’. The trail is rocky and loose and it’s tough spotting the best line with someone in front.

I back off a bit. Finding the right gear on this section is tricky too. Too easy a gear and the front end wants to pop up. Too tall a gear and you may get stuck at a tough spot, lose momentum and stall out. I shift into the middle chainring and the largest rear cog and bounce over the rocks that I can’t miss. I have to be careful not to whack my chainring or bottom out the tires against the rims. Nothing’s more frustrating that ruining a good ride with a breakdown.

Everyone’s having the same problems finding the best line and gear and we have to walk a few technical spots. At one we stop to take turns trying to master this little stairstep ledge section. It seems like it should be rideable but we can’t manage. It’s hilarious watching people try, though.

The trail smoothes but steepens. I’m glad to be on a superlight bike; all the less poundage to carry uphill. And it’s nice to be able to stand and really work the climb. I can feel the rear tire on the ground dig in with each pedal thrust as the M2’s stiff rear frame does its job transferring every ounce of oomph to the ground.

Finally, we clear the top and get into a rolling wooded section. We’re all together only about 10 feet between bikers when we hit the whoop-de-doos, a series of small bumps spaced just far enough apart to let it rip. Joe’s still shreddin’ getting air off the top of each berm like some X-Games champ. I follow his lead but keep airtime limited. Still, the landings are soft thanks to 3 inches of travel from the suspension fork.

We hit a clearing and race through a small stream before reaching the trail’s end. We’re exhausted but ready to do the loop again.

Road Sport
I’ve been training for six weeks to build up my legs to do the fall century. I’ve heard about the ride for years. It’s a fundraiser for a good cause. I’ve also heard the food is great and that the course is scenic and challenging.

I get to the start early and sign in at registration. There are a lot of other cyclists there. It’s great seeing all the different bikes and meeting some new people. I find a little group that seems about my speed and we start out. The ride begins with an extended climb. I shift onto the tiny inner ring on my triple-chainring crank and find the pedaling much easier. I’m not going fast but I feel like I can go all day and I make it up the hill with ease.

At the top, people are waiting to meet up with those who came off the pace. We bunch up and head down the road. By working in a group, we make good time and roll into the first rest stop just in time. My two water bottles are almost empty. The food is as good as promised. What’s more, they’re playing jazz and the servers are in costumes. Too funny. Our group has had its fill so we roll out together toward lunch.

There’s a lot to talk about and the pace is friendly. My Trek rolls smoothly over the rough pavement thanks to fuller road tires (fairly flat-proof too) and a stretched wheelbase. I sit higher than I would on a full bore racing rig so my neck and back aren’t tweaked from reaching so far. I move my hands every 15 minutes or so to a different position on the handlebars to keep my upper body loose and my hands from numbing up. My padded saddle fits right and has enough cush to eat up bumps. I could ride all day on this bike — sometimes I do!

Inspired by such a good ride and how easy it was to finish, I start planning a three-day trip to the mountains. I’ll add a rear rack and bag to the bike to carry some tools and a change of clothes. I’ll stay in hotels along the way to clean up each day and get a good night’s rest. It’ll be a blast.

Recumbent
I always hoped to own a fancy sports car. One day I still might. For now though, I’ve got an incredible substitute: a recumbent. Like that sports car, it offers fantastic handling, amazing top speeds and garners attention everywhere I go.

Today, I’m doing a loop that starts with a tough climb and ends with a superb tailwind-blessed straightaway. Heading uphill away from the house, I shift onto the granny gear, the smallest chainring on my triple crankset and the largest cog on my cassette. This give me an easy gear to spin up the hill. I can’t stand to climb but I’ve ridden enough to develop the new muscles needed to ride uphill in the super-comfortable recumbent position.

I’m not sitting on a conventional bike seat. My seat is comprised of a large cushion for my rear and a great backrest for my back. It’s true armchair comfort. There’s no need to even invest in special cycling shorts. My arms and back are comfy too because I’m not bending over at all. The handlebars are directly in front, chopper style. The controls couldn’t be easier to reach so there’s no stress on my shoulders, neck, hands or back.

Reaching the summit, I turn toward the ocean, a three-mile downhill plunge. I watch the speedometer numbers race upward, 35, 45, 55! I know they’re accurate but the clear windshield on the front of the bike keeps the wind from striking my chest so I can’t really sense the speed. I’m nearing 57 mph as I hit the S turn near the bottom. I’m barely 2 feet above the ground but I feel supremely confident because I’m going feet first —there’s no way I can go over the handlebars on this bike. So, I bank through the turn like a Porsche, goosebumps breaking out on my arms and legs.

Joining a favorable tailwind on the road to home, I can easily maintain 30 mph. That’s the advantage of sitting so low with my feet and arms leading the way to break the wind. Of course, the Zipper windshield helps a lot too. I can’t get enough of this laid-back seating position. It’s really a bucket seat and I feel like I could actually be sitting in a sports car as I jam home. What’s more, I get so many stares when riding this bike, it’s obviously way more conspicuous than any four-wheeler you could buy — and a lot more affordable too.

Click image to visit Breezer Bikes

Hybrid (also called “town/city” or “comfort” bikes)
I could drive to drop off the packages at the post office and run my other errands; but what a pain. There’s parking, exorbitant gas prices, traffic delays — even a chance of road rage or accident. I think I’ll take my Breezer.

I’ve equipped it with a rear rack and panniers (bags that fit next to the rack) and a lock. I head away from my house and remember how sweetly this rig rides. The shock absorbing seatpost gobbles up bumps before they reach my butt and spine and the wide handlebars make it super comfortable sitting upright, the best position for pedaling in traffic because I can see everything.

I hit the city streets and notice that the kids have been busy: glass litters the road. No worries, my street slicks are nearly impenetrable. I’ve also added thorn-proof tubes to help eliminate flats. I decide the streets are too busy and head toward the bike path that follows the river — no cars there.

Rolling up to the post office, I find the bike rack and secure my machine. I remove the bags and snap them together forming a briefcase to carry inside. I gleefully notice that cars are circling trying to find parking spots.

Business done, I head toward home when a thought strikes me: why not have some fun on the way back? I take the river path back but veer toward the railroad tracks to pick up a dirt road leading the back way home.

The Breezer’s easy gears come in handy on the rollers leaving town and I’m soon up the climb and cruising along on a secluded road through the woods so very happy I left the car home.

Hints For Purchasing A Bike

1. First, give some thought to what kind of riding you want to do, your level of experience, and your overall approach to cycling. Why do you want to ride? For fitness? Just for fun? Casually, or seriously? Where do you want to ride? Street, bike trail or off-road? How frequently do you plan to ride? The more you know what you want, the easier it will be to work with your local bike store to select a bicycle which will best suit your needs.

2. Find a good professional servicing bicycle dealer in your area. Many of the best belong to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, and display the NBDA membership sticker in their windows. Tell the professionals there what your desires are, and let them advise you on appropriate bicycles for your needs. Pick a store where you are comfortable, where you are treated with respect, and where they listen to you. Professional bicycle retailers can fit you properly to a bike, assemble it professionally, and give you the kind of advice and continuing service you need to ride safely and comfortably. Beware of retailers who do not have on-site service departments, or do not offer these kinds of services. They may not meet your needs. Visit NBDA's online dealer finder to find a professional bicycle retailer near you.

3. At most bike stores, you'll probably be seeing these kinds of bicycles:

• Mountain bikes. These are rugged bikes for off-road use, but many people ride them on pavement as well. Mountain bikes feature fat knobby tires for comfort and traction, flat bars for great control, and low gears for easier hill climbing. Some mountain bikes have suspension for increased shock absorption. Do you need suspension? It depends on how and where you plan to ride.
• Road bikes. These are meant for pavement riding, and are built for speed. They have narrower tires and drop bars for a more aerodynamic position.
• Hybrid bikes. These are a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes -- for the rider who wants to do a little of everything. Hybrids generally have treaded tires which are narrower than mountain bike tires, flat bars, and higher gearing than mountain bikes. They're not quite as fast as road bikes on pavement, and not quite as rugged as mountain bikes on the road. They're good for commuting, and offer a compromise which appeals to a lot of people.
• Cruisers. One-speed or multi-speed, cruisers are for the casual rider who wants to, well, cruise.
• Juvenile bikes. These come in many varieties, from one-speed cruisers, to performance BMX bikes, to multi-speed mountain and road bikes.
• Comfort bikes. These are specialized mountain bikes or hybrids with more upright riding positions, softer saddles and lower gearing. They’re built for, as the name implies, comfort, but are also designed to perform well.
• Recumbents/tandems/electric assist bikes. There are numerous "niche" bicycles available today. Recumbents allow people to ride in a "recliner-chair" position with feet forward. Tandems allow two riders on a bike. Also, a number of companies are offering bicycles with electric-assist motors.

4. The size of the bicycle is critical for comfortable riding. Work with your retailer to determine the proper size for you. Some bicycle models have eight or more sizes. The length of your inseam determines the correct frame size, in terms of stand-over height. The reach to the bars is also critical for comfort. Ask your bicycle dealer to recommend a proper fit for you based on the kind of riding you'll be doing. What's comfortable for one style of rider may not be for another. Like a shirt, fit is very important for comfort and security.

5. Buy what you like. Feel good about what you're buying, how it looks, how it rides. Ask to take a test ride to compare bikes. If you haven't ridden a dealer-quality bicycle before, be prepared to be surprised at the exceptional value and quality available today. We also advise that if you're in doubt, buy the slightly better bike. There's a lot of value in bicycles these days, and a little more money spent can equal significantly improved performance and resale value.

6. Ask the bike store for advice on things you may not understand, such as quick-release operation, shifting, braking, maintenance, etc. If you want to find other local cyclists in your area to ride with, ask the shop for reference to clubs or organized rides. Be sure to receive an owner's manual with the bicycle, and read it. Owner's manuals contain valuable information to help make your experience safer and more fun.

7. Ask for advice on other equipment you may need or want. Buy a helmet first, and wear it. There are many other products which can enhance the riding experience (see related article). There are numerous books and magazines available to help you educate yourself about the nuances of cycling.

8. Have fun, and ask your bike retailer if you have problems or questions. If you're not receiving the kind of service you want, look for another retailer. There are 5,300 specialty bike stores in the United States, and the vast majority serve their customers with dedication and flair. When you find one, that store can be your greatest ally for enjoying the cycling experience.

Tips On Buying A Bike

by Vicki Pierson,
Personal Trainer

You’ve made the decision to buy a bike. Now it’s time to start seriously gathering information on how to select the best style for your needs and get a good fit. Here’s some tips that will help you purchase the right bike for your needs.

Know Your Type
First, you’ll need to decide what you want to use the bike for. Where will you be riding your bike most, on road, off road, or both? The answer will help you determine the type of bike to purchase. There are five basic types of bicycles in three categories that you need to be aware of:

Road Bikes. They used to be known as the "ten-speed," however road bikes now range from 12 to 21 speed. Within this category of bikes are touring, racing, and sport bikes. Touring Bike. This bike is not built for speed, rather, it’s designed to provide comfort for the long haul. A touring bike is an excellent bike for long distance riding. The drop handlebars provide comfort, good control and allow for multiple hand positions. Twenty one speeds will take you over any type of incline you’ll encounter and cantilever brakes can stop you even when you’re heavily loaded down. Racing Bike. This bike is built for speed, sporting an aerodynamic, thin and ultralight frame. A short wheelbase allows the bike to respond to the slightest movements and 12 or 18 gears will get you, and keep you, at top speed. If you’re into winning races, this is the bike for you. Sport Bike. This bike falls between the touring and racing bike. Not as light as a racing bike but more responsive than the touring bike. The sport bike’s drop handlebars provide comfort and control and the aerodynamic design allows for faster speeds. If you’re into taking rides of 10 or more miles while turning up the intensity by adding some speed, this bike can take you there. Mountain or All Terrain Bike. This bike is rugged. Built with a sturdy frame, straight handlebars and fat, knobby tires, it can tackle the rigors of off road riding. The upright riding position on the bike makes it comfortable while giving you leverage for steep inclines. Hybrid Bike. This bike is a cross between the road bike and mountain bike. It’s lighter than a mountain bike, but not as fast as a road bike. Straight handlebars, medium-width tires, 21 gears, and upright riding position makes the bike perfect for short distances, running errands or commuting. The Perfect Fit Once you know which type bike you want, make sure the bike you select fits you properly. There’s essentially two ways to accomplish a good fit. If you want a perfect fit, for about $50, have a quality bicycle shop calculate your bike size using a computerized program called the Fit Kit. They’ll take various measurements such as, length of your legs, torso and arms then give you a printout of your measurements and which frame height and length best suits your body. The second best way to get a good bike fit is to follow these guidelines: Frame Height. Straddle the bike. You should have one to two inches of clearance between the top bar of the bike and your crotch, three to four inches if you’re going to be riding on off-road terrain. If you want to be a little more exact, measure your inseam, straddle the bike, pick it up until the top bar touches your crotch, then measure the distance between the bottom of the tires and ground. Frame Lengths. Be sure when you sit on the bike you can comfortably reach the handlebars. If the handlebars are too far away you won’t have adequate control, if they’re too close you’ll be uncomfortable and tire easily. Seat and Handlebar Adjustment. A quality bike shop will make the necessary adjustments for you to fine tune the fit of the bike. A critical adjustment is seat height. Your knee should have a 25-30 degree bend when the ball of your foot is on the pedal at its lowest position. The handlebars should be one inch lower than, or the same height as, the seat. Check to be sure you can comfortably reach the brakes and that the width of the handlebars are approximately the width of your shoulders. Take a Test Ride. Just like purchasing a car, this is where the rubber meets the road. You should feel comfortable and in control. Your elbows should be relaxed with a slight bend and squeezing the brake levers should be easily accomplished. Slide your rear back off the saddle, stand up on the pedals, flex and round your back, and move your hands to various positions on the handlebars to assure you can move around on the bike easily while it’s in motion. Accessorize Once you select the bike to purchase, you’ll want to get some accessories to go with it. Most important is a helmet. You may also want to consider a tire pump, tube repair kit, pressure gauge, seat pack, water bottle and cage and a lock. The bicycle shop can help you select these and install them on your bike. Depending on how much you spend on your bike, you may be able to convince the salesperson to throw in some of the accessories at no charge. Enjoy the ride. References: "How to Buy the Perfect Bike", Fitness, October, 1996 p.76 Buying a Bike: Rec.Bicycles FAQ Part 2/5 at http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet-faqs/html/bicycles-faq/ part2/faq.html A Bike That Fits at http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/2737/fit.htm

The Path

(Based on a dream)

She sets out for a ride,
Hoping to clear her head,
Mindlessly pedaling down the wooded trail

The woods strangely silent
Seemingly full of dread
An omen of what’s to come when she is frail

Birds fail to sing their song
Squirrels don’t scamper by
But her mind can’t stop, trapped by her discontent

She pedals on, not concerned for time,
Yet worried about the things to come,
Regretting what has already passed.
The soulless oaks have nothing to say
The leaves fail to speak, the wind is still

The sun marches cruelly
To its daily slumber
Changing from yellow to orange, then to rust

She sees the nearing night
The stillness amplifies
Looking for her sense of place, she knows she’s lost

Unable to help herself, she calls
He answers and asks, “Where are you now?”
“I don’t know, a path less well kept,” she cedes.
“The trees were so strong and majestic.
Please come find me, only you can help.”

“I cannot follow you
I can wait for your return,”
He replied with a shudder that she could hear

“I’m scared and I’m lost.
I can’t turn back now”
She cried with anguish and whimpered, “I’m sorry.”

I am always here
I won’t leave this spot.
Just turn around now, trust my voice, don’t fear.

Twilight slipped to night as she turned.

Don't Be A Victim of Flat Bicycle Tires

Bike riding of any variety is meant to reduce your stress and improve your overall physical condition, not frustrate you to the point of throwing your bike over the edge of a cliff. Flat tires, especially the recurring variety, don't do anything but add to the negative, unhappy things that all of us hate about exercise: being stranded in the middle of nowhere without any recourse or help in sight.

Fortunately, you can prevent just about any flat tire with a little investment. It takes some time and money, but it beats sitting by the side of the road, beyond cell phone reception, waiting for help to happen along. Also: for the situations that you cannot prevent, there are a few quick repairs that can be done to get you back on the road in just a few minutes.

PREVENT AS MANY FLATS AS POSSIBLE

-Before you go riding, check the air pressure. Tires with too little pressure aren't properly supported, and will therefore go flat easier. If there is too much pressure in the tire, that extra air will go somewhere that you don't like - usually out of a hole it decides to make in your brand-new tube. You can check the pressure with a regular tire gauge and use a hand pump to inflate to the right amount.

Tip: don't use air machines at gas stations to put air in bicycle tires. These are designed to inflate car tires, which hold a lot more pressure than a bike's tube. Many people blow out tubes with these machines, so it is wise to invest a few dollars in a hand pump that is designed for your needs.

-Another thing that you should do before ever trip out of the garage is to inspect your tires carefully. You are looking for things like worn tread, foreign objects caught in the tire (glass, nails and screws are major culprits) and odd, bubbly shapes in the sidewalls. If any of these things are present, do not go for your morning ride. Instead, stay at home and fix the problem. At least you'll be stranded in a climate-controlled area.

-Be willing to invest in new tires and tubes on a regular basis. You might look at a fairly-worn tire and think that you can get a few hundred more miles out of it, but it might not be worth it. Unless you run special tires, you're looking at less than twenty bucks to invest in a brand-new set.

-When you aren't riding, keep the bike out of the weather. The sun will dry rot all rubber, from tires to hand grips. Extreme changes in temperatures are also bad for your tires. You can always park your bike in the garage. If that's not possible, find a tarp or other, similar cover to use over it.

Tip: by putting the bike indoors, such as in a garage, you are discouraging theft as well as damage by the elements. If you must store it outside, use a thick cable lock every time.

YOU CAN DO A LITTLE MORE

-Consider replacing regular tubes with the "airless" variety. These solid models cost a little more initially, but are guaranteed to stand up to thorns, glass and other debris that will definitely tear holes in regular tubes.

-Use "tube goop," which can be found at any auto-parts store. This stuff goes into your regular, air-filled tube with minimal effort on your part. It coats the inner surface of the tube so that, if a puncture occurs, it can re-seal the hole. If nothing else, you'll be able to get home before you have to take the bike apart and work on the tube.

-Take a different route from now on. Frequent flats are often caused by a battlefield of foreign objects. For example: instead of cutting through a brush-strewn parking lot, which could include plenty of thorns, take the actual road instead. It's a little more biking, but that extra couple of moments' worth of exercise is better than repairing or replacing tubes once or more every week.

-Stop being so abusive. Hard landings, such as those taken by freestyle BMX riders, will definitely take their toll on your tubes. If you're the sort of rider who lives for stunts and tricks, be prepared to either continue investing in tubes or find a long-term solution, such as the tire goop or airless tubes.

IF A FLAT HAPPENS ANYWAY

Sometimes flats will happen no matter what you do. The good news is that they are easily and quickly repaired, even by the side of the road, if you have the proper tools - not to mention knowledge - on hand.

A can of flat-fixing air will help temporarily. This stuff is usually sold for automobiles, but can also work on bike tubes. The problem is that the can is fairly bulky and more than a little heavy, so it's not always the ideal solution. It's all right, however, if you are a downhill racer who drives to the course (which means that you can keep the flat-fixing stuff in your truck and not worry about hauling it around).

-No matter what sort of biking you do, or where you go for it, keep a patch kit and the necessary tools on hand. You can purchase a fanny pack, backpack, or small pouch that attaches to your bike. You can also keep it in the glove box of your car or truck. Whatever you do, this kit is easily stored, as it is less than three inches across. It includes adhesive, new patches, and a buffer (small disk that scars the surface around the hole so that the patch will adhere). Along with this kit, you will need a bicycle air pump, tire levers, and a wrench that will fit the bolts on your bike.

More than anything else, remember to have fun while riding. Biking might have originally been a form of exercise for you, but there is no reason that it cannot be enjoyable. Take scenic routes. Recruit friends to go along for the ride. Take plenty of pictures. Enjoy!

this domain for sale cheneys (at) gmail.com

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Why Bike Transportation? Reason #10

[Over the next month or two, I will attempt to define a "Top Ten List" of reasons why bicycling is my choice in day-to-day transportation, roughly in order of importance. Let's get started.]

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"

Pride is a dangerous emotion.

Ezra Taft Benson explains it this way: "Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We are tempted to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them. The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: 'Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.'"

Cyclists regularly get accused of snootiness. Criminy! They ride around on those bikes like they're better than everybody else!

And why not?

They're convinced they're socially superior to all those selfish car-driving slugs, because Algore says so. He says that by giving up the car, they will help delay global meltdown by a few more minutes.

They feel mentally superior, because they haven't fallen for the Madison Avenue TV claptrap that you need a sweet new car (or SUV or pickup) in order to be happy. Those people in their cars, jockeying for position in the daily rat-race? They kinda seem like scurrying rats in a maze. (The stupidest are obviously the ones who punch the gas, so they can be the first ones to the next stop light!) Plus – it takes a certain amount of mental toughness – call it "will power" – to get out there and turn those pedals every day, when it would be so easy to just turn the key, crank on the A/C, and step on the gas.

They obviously feel physically superior. Those balding midlife-crisis guys in their red Corvettes? Those rugged, working-class "git 'er done" macho types, driving around in noisy pickup trucks so high that you need a stepladder to get in? They look like girly-men from the saddle of a bicycle, particularly on a blustery day!

Prideful sentiments indeed. I'm not saying Reason #10 is a good reason to enjoy the bike-transportation choice… but it's a reason.

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #9

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"

Reason #9 - The Environment

If you believe Algore and his corps of scientists (and frankly I'm quite skeptical), the earth is warming and our warm-living ways are to blame.

Regardless of whether Algore is right, it can't hurt to NOT spew hydrocarbons and toxic stuff into the air we've gotta breathe.

My air* is getting worse. The numbers don't lie. A "yellow-alert" air quality day is when they advise no open burning, limit driving (a joke, right?), people with respiratory difficulties quit breathing 'til it blows over, etc.

- In 2004, we had 48 "yellow or worse" days in Boise.
- In 2005, we had 58.
- In 2006, 83.
- We had 15 in the first 38 days of 2007.
(Source: Federal EPA; State DEQ.)

The air quality is largely dependent on climatic conditions. Normally, the pollution disperses fairly readily. But when the dreaded "inversion" sets in, the bad stuff kinda stagnates in the vally, sometimes for days at a time. If there weren't any bad stuff, it wouldn't stagnate.

According to a DEQ info sheet, "What can you do to help reduce air pollution?", the number-1 thing is "Drive less." Inconvenient truth.

One guy riding a bike compared with thousands and thousands of single-occupant cars, SUVs, pickups, etc. Looking at it that way, it could get discouraging. But… one guy riding a bike for 22 years – has resulted in a LOT less pollution in our air over time.

The operation of a motor vehicle also contributes tires, discarded motor oil and filters, broken parts, and ultimately tons of scrap metal, etc., into the environment. Far as I know, that is another UNDISPUTED "inconvenient truth." (Sure… bike tires and parts get replaced, and bikes eventually get scrapped… but compare the scale.)

It's a good feeling to NOT be part of the problem. So I included it on the list.

* - I call it "my air" because I breathe it 24/7. Most of my time is spent here in Boise, Idaho. I'll gladly share my air with you… but you have as much responsibility as I do to take care of it.

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #8

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"

Reason #9 - The Environment

Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement

I'm somewhat a slave to my bike computer. For those of you not familiar, it's a little gizmo about the size of a pocket watch, attached to the handlebars. It keeps track of all sorts of things – miles (both trip and "odometer"), riding time, top speed, average speed, etc.

There's no denying I've slowed down a little since 15 years ago… either that or miles have gotten longer. I used to average 18MPH or so; nowadays it's dropped off by a couple MPH. (Sure, those European elite cyclists would snort with derision... but I figure that's fast enough for a middle-age fat boy.)

The computer generates a certain amount of compulsion to ride as far as possible, and on as many days as possible, etc.

I've set the bar somewhat high. The last time I drove a car to work was September 1997… I certainly can't break that record now!

I felt it in particular – that sense of achievement – on the day I hit 100,000 miles. (PDF)

It's easy to choose bike transportation on a perfect late-spring or early-autumn day. Not so much in mid-winter with temperatures in the single digits, or in the dead of summer with triple-digit temperatures. But it gives me that sense of achievement to do so. Occasionally I get surprised by heavy rain, and arrive at my destination with pants so wet I can wring 'em out, after I pour the water out of my shoes. (When rain is forecast, rather than a surprise, I've got the Gore-Tex.) Even on the wet days, I feel a sense of achievement to be at my destination. (I confess - sometimes it's nice to bike-ride, because it feels so good to stop!)

On those bad days, I'll occasionally get asked, "How can you do that?" Just the question gives me a sense of accomplishment… apparently not everybody can do it. (Or perhaps my cognitive reasoning is being questioned… I don't know.)

Invariably it's asked by a 365-day motorist.

I feel like responding, "How can you do that? Drive your car, even on the most gorgeous days? Put yourself at the mercy of the Oil Barons? Car payments, insurance payments, registration payments? Sit in traffic, five days a week, going and coming?"

Sense of Achievement. I rarely got it driving someplace... but I sure do when I arrive on the bicycle. (And the older I get, the more I'll feel it!!) (-;

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #7

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement

Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation

This one is somewhat related to #9, "The Environment," but deals with consumption, rather than the side-effects of that consumption. Hopefully my reader can understand the distinction.

One of the enduring lessons I learned from my years in Boy Scouts is – leave a place at least as nice as you found it.

Am I doing that with Mother Earth? (Are you?) Will this beautiful planet be none the worse for the wear, on account of my having been here? I believe that's a meaningful question.

Another concept that relates closely to conservation is that of "sustainability." Am I using resources more quickly than they can be replenished?

Let's compare a bicycle with a Ford Excursion for a moment.

Now, ideally, Ford would want that Excursion loaded with passengers (perhaps even Boy Scouts!) and gear… under those conditions, it's quite an efficient form of transportation. At least way more so than when it's being used to convey Junior Executive and his briefcase, alone to the office. And that seems to be what the vast majority of Ford Excursion trips are for. (The exact same job my bicycle is doing, 'cept I've not attained "junior executive" status, and don't have a briefcase.)

My community – Boise Idaho and surrounding area – is reeling under the impact of thousands and thousands of new houses, out in the sprawl. It's mind-boggling to listen to the radio traffic reports in the morning, and starting by 6:30am, it's already "slow and go" on the Interstate coming into town. There's no relief in sight.

Take a survey. Look at those vehicles. The vast majority (I'd guess 90%, maybe more) each has one occupant. When you figure the fuel burned and the infrastructure required to carry that traffic… can you envision a less-efficient transportation model? It's absurd! (And then many of those drive-alone people complain about traffic! Duh!) And think of the space required to park all those vehicles. That is a LOT of dedicated blacktop!

Also, the price of gas is driven by supply and demand. Naturally, all those single-occupant vehicles cause fuel prices to stay right up there. (So when I have to buy gas, I pay the price that's dictated by everybody else's insatiable appetite for the stuff, rather than my own. But I oughtta quit my whining… I don't buy anywhere near my fair share.)

I like riding a bicycle because, to the best of my knowledge, indeed the earth will be as nice as I found it, when the time comes for me to check out.

(Photo by Dan Burden, from http://www.pedbikeimages.org/)

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #6

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation

Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses

(They're getting EASIER now!)

You get in your car (or SUV, truck, etc.) – a climate-controlled isolation pod. Windows rolled up, air conditioner or heater humming, but not quite drowning out the sounds of the power plant. So you turn on the drive-time radio, or CD player. You pull into traffic on the nearest arterial… and you're off.

I get on my bike. It's 33 this morning, and as I embark on my journey I'm puffin' steam, and feel the bite of that brisk morning air on my cheeks. (A face mask covers my ears; gloves insulate my fingers, so I'm fine.) My heartbeat quickens ever so slightly as I begin pedaling and pull out of the driveway, heading due east up the road. (Some people seem to avoid that "elevated heartbeat" at all costs! Too bad.)

I greet my neighbor – he's walking down the side of the road, headed for the park with his cocker spaniel, just like 'most every morning.

A block up the street, I see a couple mallards coming in for a landing at the ditch. They join a hundred other mallards, quacking contentedly.

The sunrise is rather ordinary this morning, due to the clear sky. Every now and then it's truly spectacular, and I'll alter my route just to ride into the sunrise for a bit longer.

Further down the road, I smell the unmistakable fragrance of roasting coffee beans. (The breeze must be coming from the west this morning.) In another couple weeks, I'll smell the lilacs and tree blossoms.

The scenery is constantly changing. (If I were in a car, I'd most likely be looking at the back end of the car in front of me. You know what they say about sled dogs – "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes.")

Oh – I hear the sound of a diesel coming up behind me. Not nearly as pleasant as ducks, or birds twittering, or even the wind whistling past my ears. But it'll come and go quickly. (Not so for the poor pathetic guy driving it.) Yep – it's that giant maroon Dodge super-cab pickup. Criminy! What a racket! And what a stink!

I love the FEEL of bicycling. The cold in winter and hot in summer – even the wet on those occasional rainy days. Much better than life in a hyperbaric chamber. Sure, it's nice on perfect spring and autumn days… but variety is the spice. I love the "burn" as I ride up a hill, and the exhilaration of coasting down the hill. I love the wind at my back! It feels great to ride – it feels great to stop riding at my destination.

I love the SIGHTS of bicycling. The changing seasons; the treat of a glorious sunrise or a million cotton-ball clouds floating overhead. Sure – you can see some of it through the windshield of a car. (You can see it in the movie theater, too.) But you're more likely to see that big truck you're tailgating.

I love the SOUNDS of bicycling. The faint whirr of the chain and wind-noise – oh, and breathing – are the only sounds I'm generating. I'm not surrounded by materials specifically designed to insulate me from all sounds. So I hear birds, squirrels, the ripple of the river at times, or the breeze in the treetops. Sometimes I'll run over a flattened aluminum can in the roadway, just to hear the clickety-click.

I love the SMELLS of bicycling. (Except for exhaust… which unfortunately sometimes goes with the territory. I ride right past bumper-to-bumper traffic jams… but I have to breathe their stench.) The subtle fragrance of flowers in the springtime. The pungent aroma of fallen leaves in autumn. The intoxicating smell of somebody grilling a T-bone steak nearby. (Women tend to name "vanilla," "jasmine," etc., when asked about their favorite smell. Men lean more toward steaks and cookies.) The best smells (and some BAD smells) can be found out in "the country." There's nothing like riding downwind of a summertime spearmint field, or just-mowed alfalfa.

Motorcycle riders know somethin' - they refer to the cars, SUVs, etc., as "cages." But they don't know ALL of it. You're only part-way there on a motorcycle.

Would I trade my bike-riding experience for 72 climate-controlled degrees, tinted windows, leather upholstery and a cell phone? Nah.

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #5

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation
Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses

Reason #5 – Independence and Self-Reliance

Motorists frequently cite "freedom" as a primary reason for their choice of transportation.

I guess the perceived ability to get in and go any where, any time they want, gives the impression of "freedom."

Respected automotive columnist Brock Yates put it this way:

"As the urban highway glut increases and average speeds on major intra-city freeways dip toward the single digits, Americans still choose to drive …
"The reason is obvious. It is called freedom. It is called mobility. It is called privacy. It is called flexibility. It is called being American."

So, what is freedom? Are you free, just because you have the ability to choose a life of confinement? Was Howard Hughes "free" during those years he locked himself away in a hermetically-sealed hotel room? After all, he was there by his own choice.

For me, freedom and independence and self-reliance are closely-related concepts.

As a person who has experienced both:
- You are NOT independent or self-reliant, if you rely on a motor vehicle for 100% of your transportation.
- A bicycle, and the ability to use it for a major portion of your typical daily transportation needs, can grant you substantially more independence and self reliance.

By choosing a bicycle, I have cast off the shackles of:
- fuel prices (which fluctuate wildly, and which motorists have essentially no control over)
- insurance, registration, car payments, big-ticket repair and maintenance expenses, parking fees, and numerous other nickel-and-dime transportation expenses
- dependence on all other people using the "grid" to do so successfully. (If somebody crashes on the freeway, a motorist 5 miles back is likely to be affected. By contrast, on my bicycle I never have an obstacle I can't ride around, or carry my bike over.)

My great-great grandma, Margaret McNeil, walked across the plains from Omaha, Nebraska to Ogden, Utah, when she was 13 years old! She crossed rivers by clinging to her jersey-cow's tail and swimming! What would she think if her sissy-boy descendent couldn't go 2 blocks to the convenience store, without firing up the family truckster?

Here is more of Brock Yates' definition of "freedom." (Although I enjoy his writing talents, he scoffs at the notion of bicycles-as-transportation, so my opinions are far different from his. But he helps me make my point for "independence and self-reliance.")

" … Being bottled up in gridlock is, in the end, our choice, for better or worse.
"To be sure, trapped in a crush of steaming iron on a stretch of asphalt is not exactly dream street, but at least it offers the victim the option to tune to whatever he or she chooses on the radio, to scratch bodily parts in privacy, to yammer on the cell phone in high decibels, [and] to choose departure times at random …"

Some freedom!

(Brock Yates' words are from an article, "Hit the Road, Jack," published on TCS in September 2002.)

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #4

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation
Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses
Reason #5 - Independence and Self-Reliance

Reason #4 - Exercise and Physical Health

In the space of two generations, consider how society has evolved.

Fifty or sixty years ago, many more people lived in rural settings, and had plenty of physical labor. Those who lived in the city did manual labor at shops, factories, etc. (That was back before bureaucratic stuff like OSHA and 50-pound lifting limits.)

Criminy! As recently as the early 70s, I got a job unloading 100-pound flour sacks out of a box car, and into a local bakery. (I didn't last too long in that job. Even though I only did it once a week, I discovered it took a week to recuperate, after lifting 650 or so of those things!)

There's still some hard work out there, but not nearly so much. (Much of it is done by immigrants, because us gringos are unwilling. But that's a different, much-belabored story.)

When I was a kid, there was P.E. at school... and when you came home, you played tag, kickball, cowboys and injuns, etc. Nowadays P.E. has been largely done away with, and after school kids play Nintendo, or watch TV, or yap on their cell phones.

But it goes beyond that. We conquered physical labor... now we are striving for a totally sedentary existence! Everything is remote-control, so it can be operated from the easy chair. Electric garage door for your car (with power steering, power brakes, electric fold-down seats and electric windows)... riding mower with electric start... escalators... electric knife... can opener... toothbrush...

What are we saving our strength for? (Just a rhetorical question... our strength is gone!)

When I tell my kids I used to have to get up and walk across the room to change channels on the TV, they look at me like I'm from Neptune. Nowadays there's an electric, automatic flusher on toilets!

Lack of physical exercise has caused an epidemic that we hear a lot about these days... the OBESITY epidemic.

But it's not just obesity. It's mobility and overall health, too. I regularly observe people who appear to be about my age or younger (I'm 53), who just kind of waddle about, looking as though movement is very uncomfortable and distateful. That is SCARY! (Use it or lose it!)

(If Darwin was right about that evolution thing, at this point we should slowly be evolving into humanoid-like creatures with tiny, underdeveloped legs, barely suitable for mobility... and puny girly-man arms... and hands with huge, super-strong remote-control-pushing thumbs! I'm envisioning Jabba the Hut, but with giant thumbs.)

Strangely, we've got more "leisure" time than at any period in history. And yet many people can't find the time (or perhaps it's the inclination) to do anything of a physical nature. It's so much easier to sit in the La-Z-Boy, punch the buttons on the remote, and eat Cheetos.

My employer is doing a "Physical Activity Challenge," to improve overall employee health. The "challenge" is to do 800 minutes of exercise over an 8 week period... that's 14.3 minutes per day. This "exercise" can be either moderate or vigorous, and qualified activities include brisk walking, slow cycling, gardening, or "hard work around the house." Wow! I get tired just thinking about it! I believe I'll go sit down and eat some ice cream.
(-;

Some people are concerned enough that they try to take action. They get involved in after-hours sports teams, jogging, hiking, and the like. Others join a health club, where they have access to weights, exercise machines, etc.

I've tried jogging - made my shins hurt and took time away from other pastimes. I've tried the fitness center - it was WAY too much like hamster-on-a-treadmill.

(I don't want to pick on the fitness-center people, because it's great if you can do it. But it always has seemed very odd to me to drive your car to the fitness center, change into your bike clothes, ride a stationary bicycle for an hour, take a shower and change back into your street clothes, and drive home. But the world would be boring if we all thought alike, huh?)

What if I told you there's an activity that would give you some daily quality exercise, requre very little additional time out of your schedule, and drastically reduce your transportation expenses?

Too good to be true?

NOPE! Straddle that two-wheeler!

Even if I just ride to and from work, that's 30-35 minutes of quality cardiovascular exercise. (I met the office "Physical Activity Challenge.") And that's in addition to all my OTHER good reasons for riding. If you can't remember, time for a little review.

If I drove to work every day, I figure driving, parking, and walking to the front door of the office would take about that same amount of time.

So, am I the picture of sculpted physical perfection? Are people always mistaking me for Lance Armstrong? Heck no! I'm a middle-aged fat guy! But I'd be way fatter... or dead... or forced by my doctor to give up Hershey bars (which would be worse than being dead!)... without the bike-exercise. (It's not just the chocolate. It's both a blessing and a curse to have a wife and daughters who are excellent cooks.) When I go to the doctor once a year, I'm consistently declared VERY healthy - heart rate in the low-to-mid-60s, normal blood pressure and cholesterol, blah-blah.

Physical work - it's a good thing. Bicycling is a great form of physical work, for so many reasons.

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #3

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation
Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses
Reason #5 - Independence and Self-Reliance
Reason #4 - Exercise and Physical Health

Reason #3 - Stress Relief / Mental Health

Bikers (the motorcycle kind) have a saying:

"You'll never see a bike parked out front of a therapist's office."

If that is true, it is even more true for pedaling bikers!

(By the way, it's not true for many motorcycle bikers. A lot of 'em are totally hung up about how much chrome their bike has, or whether the other guy's bike is cooler, or whether their "costume" looks the part, etc. A lot of 'em are more concerned about being seen riding their motorcycle, than about riding their motorcycle… know what I mean? You see some of that among bicyclists, but I don't run into it nearly so much.)

Owning and driving a car can be stressful. Consider:

There's the expense of owning and operating the car. As of 2004 – when gas was $1.83 – the AAA said it cost $8410/year to own a motor vehicle. (I stress more about money – or lack thereof – than pretty much anything else in my life, 'cept maybe my kids.)

Okay, Mr. or Ms. Motorist. You're up-to-date on your payments, you have $25 worth of gas in the tank, and your tires have most the tread left.

You begin your daily commute. You start an hour before you have to be to work, because it sometimes takes that long. Better safe than sorry.

Traffic is bad today! What? Is there an accident up ahead?

#%@&!! Gas is up another 8 cents! I knew I should have filled up yesterday, on the way home!

What's with this jackass who just passed on my right, and now wants me to let him into my lane?

And hey – what's that funny clunking sound coming from the transmission? I've never noticed that before…

Dang it! All the nearby parking spaces are already taken. I hate parking 4 blocks away! (And this spot is close to that high school – what if punks vandalize my car? I hate this! But I can't afford another parking ticket.)

I used to deal with that stuff… back in the previous century. I've felt all of those frustrations personally, back during the "car years." But I gave it up.

Let's shift gears.

People love their morning coffee. (My employer eliminated free coffee, 4 or 5 years back, to save thousands of dollars. There was a revolution – torches and pitchforks! Like back when the Russkies couldn't get their cigarettes, vodka, and toilet paper! The "free" coffee was quickly reinstated.)

Why do they like coffee? It elevates your heart rate. It makes you feel awake and alert.

Guess how you feel when you arrive at the office by bicycle? Your heart rate is elevated. You're breathing deeply (hopefully "green" air instead of "yellow" air), takin' in that oxygen. You feel awake and alert. But actually it's a better "quality" of alertness, because it doesn't seem artificial or jittery. (I won't argue the merits of coffee, but I will say this – it's better if you can live your life without a chemical dependency of any kind.)

Actually, scientists explain that exercise does produce natural chemicals in your body – endorphins and such – which have a positive effect on emotions and mental outlook.

When I ride my bike to work, it invigorates me, and charges my mental battery for the challenges of the day. When I ride my bike home, it allows me to pump away some stress, feel the sun (or rain) on my face, and truly enjoy a sense of freedom and independence that is lacking when you're sitting in stop-and-go traffic. (You'll notice in the car and truck TV commercials – which they spend billion$ on – they never show that shiny new car or truck idling in a traffic jam, or plodding down the Interstate.)

Do I ever stress on the bicycle? Occasionally somebody in a car (or somebody else on a bike) will do something unexpected and illegal that I have to compensate for. But I try to expect the unexpected, so the stress level is very manageable. (I've never felt "bicycle rage," far as I can remember.) And if the weather is truly nasty – heavy, consistent rain or triple-digit heat – it's obviously not as delightful as on that sunny, 70-degree day. But it's not really anything to stress over… you've just gotta suck-it-up and go. I s'pose I stress a bit when I get a flat tire, or when a spoke breaks. But that stress is mighty short-lived.

Let me put it this way. My bike commute is frequently my favorite activity of the day. I actually look forward to it. (I also love to drive, and to ride my motorcycle… but not in stop-and-go traffic! That is among my least favorite activities!)

Summary – driving a car, at least in traffic at drive-time, tends to create stress; riding a bike tends to relieve stress.

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #2

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation
Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses
Reason #5 - Independence and Self-Reliance
Reason #4 - Exercise and Physical Health
Reason #3 - Stress Relief / Mental Health

Reason #2 - Economy

(Posted on Tax Day 2007)

Embracing bicycle transportation is a little like embracing religion.

I can tell you how satisfying, and how emotionally rewarding, and even how joyful it is, until I'm blue in the face. But unless you try it yourself and "see the light," you'll likely never know what I'm talking about.

However... one cold, hard fact cannot be denied. You can save a load of money by straddling that saddle.

"A penny saved is a penny earned." Ben Franklin said it. Do you believe it? Hallelujah - I'm a believer!

How much do you spend on automobile transportation?

The American Automobile Association – hardly an anti-car organization – says the average American spends $8410 per year to own a motor vehicle (as of 2004; consider that gas was $1.83 in 2004).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2003) says the same person spends 18 cents of every dollar earned on "the purchase, operation, and maintenance of automobiles."

Do you go to work, so you can afford to own and operate a car, so you can get to work? What's wrong with this picture? (Teenage kids do it... but we should grow out of it!)

Here's a story problem for you math-heads.

A car costs 45 cents per mile to drive. (I choose that number arbitrarily, and am being generous to car-driver. The IRS says 48.5 cents as of 2007; way back in 1995, the AAA said 41.2 cents.)

Bike Nazi figures it costs 4 cents per mile to ride his bike. (That includes bike acquisition, tires, upkeep and repair, etc., plus likely some $ left over for bike clothes.)

If his round-trip commute is 8 miles, and he makes that commute 240 times a year, how much will he save by riding the bike all year?

THE ANSWER (Don't look until you've tried to figure it out):

Total miles traveled - 1920. (8 miles, 240 times.)
Cost in the car, at 45 cents - $864.00
Cost on the bike, at 4 cents - $76.80
Savings - $787.20

The reality is, I figure I save substantially more than that each year, in real-world, out-of-pocket dollars. Here's how I figure.

Let's suppose I buy a second family car, for use solely as my commuter vehicle. I don't need a fancy car, so I buy one that's CHEAP. Let's say a $6000 used car... which would probably be $200 payments, over 3 years, no? So - the car's PAYMENTS are going to be $2400/year out of pocket, at least until it's paid off. (For the record, my bicycle cost $900.) I need a license plate. What's that - $50? Okay... now I have insurance to buy. If I owned the car free and clear, I could get by with liability only... realizing, of course, that I'm done if I crash and it's my fault. Since the bank owns the car with me, I need the full-zoot insurance. But it's my second car, and I'm the only driver, and I'm a good driver... I bet I could get insurance for $250/year... maybe? (A guess.) So - I'm up to $2700 a year, and I haven't bought any gas, or paid for any repairs, or oil changes, or tires, or...

(The bike - $76.80 a year. Or, let's get crazy! Let's say $200 a year!)

What would YOU buy, with an extra $2500 a year? (Or even an extra $800+ a year?)

It's great to have all those "feel good" reasons for preferring bike transportation. But the pragmatist / systems-analyst side of me loves the economy of bicycling... in addition to all those feel-good reasons!

Why Bike Transportation? Reason #1

Reason #10 – "Unrighteous Pride"
Reason #9 - The Environment
Reason #8 – Sense of Achievement
Reason #7 - Social Responsibility / Conservation
Reason #6 - A Feast for the Senses
Reason #5 - Independence and Self-Reliance
Reason #4 - Exercise and Physical Health
Reason #3 - Stress Relief / Mental Health
Reason #2 - Economy

Reason #1 - (Drum roll... ... ...) FUN!!

Let's begin with some vocabulary.

Fun: (Pronunciation: 'f&n) (Hey - that's what it says on the Websters, okay?)
1. what provides amusement or enjoyment; specifically: playful often boisterous action...
2. a mood for finding or making amusement

Joy: (Pronunciation: 'joi)
1. the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
2. a state of happiness or felicity
3. a source or cause of delight

"Fun" is here one minute, gone the next. By contrast, "joy" is residual.

Do you remember your first bike?

I remember vividly. Christmas morning. Santa was so good to me that year. There it was, shiny and new, gleaming red and white and chrome in the light cast by 200 multicolor bulbs. It was a "cruiser" style, which was pretty much the only style of kid-bike in the era. 20-inch wheels, smaller training wheels. (It's long gone, unfortunately. I wish I still had it. It looked a lot like the one in the illustration, only a size or two larger.)

I was probably 6 years old - and I was giddy! [Giddy: joyfully elated] The presents under the tree could wait...

There was snow on the ground that Christmas. (I'm giving away my age... but it was before Global Warming!) As soon as I was able to scrape an oval path, I was out there in pajamas and slippers, shivering but not noticing, tipping from side to side on the training wheels.

Do you remember the day the training wheels came off?

I remember. Dad, trotting along and pushing me down our oiled-dirt road, his reassuring hand and presence at my side. He probably spent an hour doing that, before letting go... I wasn't confident.

Then he let go, but continued to trot alongside.

I didn't tip over. I kept going! Tenuously at first... but then I rode away from him. Warm breeze in my beaming face.

Fun? They could've put my picture in the dictionary, to illustrate fun!

(NOTE: If a child you care about is bike-learning age, click HERE.)

The following weeks, even years, were accompanied by the occasional bout of road rash, huffin' and puffin' up hills, etc. (We lived on a "foothill," right here in Boise, so there were few flat riding places unless I was willing to ride a mile to get there. And riding down the hill meant riding back up later.) But bandages on knees or elbows, and huffin' and puffin' were a small price to pay for that joy.

When the weather was nice, Mom frequently let me ride to school. It was quite common in those days; I'd park my shiny bike in the row with maybe 100 others... none as beautiful as mine, of course.

I outgrew that bike. I remember others - an "English 3-speed" that I wasn't quite big enough for, and never really grew attached to. A shiny purple Schwinn Varsity "ten speed." I loved that bike! (It got stolen from out front of East Junior High... devastated me. I never realized how heavy it was, until years later.) A Schwinn Sting-Ray for a couple years. (The BMX bike of its era.) A sweet Motobecane "Grand Touring" - shiny red, like my first bike. Fond memories - joyful memories - with each one.

(It was cool but not "joyful" to take driver training and get my license. Maybe if Dad had that Porsche I was always lusting after, I would have felt more joy. The '60 Rambler American was a little anticlimactic, as was Mom's Plymouth station wagon. But sitting in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic, it would be a stretch to describe even the Turbo Carrera as "fun.")

Face it - bicycling is FUN!

Lots of adults forget how fun it is. (Being an adult sucks in many ways. Mom gave me a sweat shirt a few years back - it says, "You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever." I believe she was trying to make a statement.)

Other adults remember how fun bicycling is. They ride their fun bikes in the foothills, or along the Greenbelt. They even go on "fun bicycle vacations" to Moab, or to ride through the tunnels and over the trestles in northern Idaho (awesome!), or bike-tour along the Oregon Coast. Then they come back home, hang the bike up in the garage, and start driving to work again.

What's with that?

(They make up the lamest excuses for why they choose to drive that gas-guzzling iron pig every day, and pay all that money, and sit in traffic... Hanging up the bike makes you grow old faster, I'm convinced of it!)

Bicycling is FUN!

I usually take the "direct route" to work, because I'm usually in a hurry. But I rarely ride the same route going home.

It's fun to take the more-scenic route.

It's fun to run over a squashed aluminum can in the road, just to hear the "click click" it makes.

It's fun - in a slightly-wicked way - to ride past a LONG row of idling cars at rush hour on Chinden, or Emerald. (Hee-hee-hee!)

It's fun and satisfying when some guy goes by in his "Bigfoot wanna-be" pickup truck, to think, "I could do whe he's doing, but he couldn't do what I'm doing."

It's way fun to have a strong tailwind, making you feel like Lance Armstrong or Jeannie Longo! And on a really unpleasant day, it's fun to get to your destination!

Back to the vocabulary.

FUN - is the passing amusement I feel 'most every time I'm perched on that saddle. JOY - is the lasting satisfaction evoked by years and years of fun bike rides, and the health benefits and true independence that bicycle transportation provides.

Bicycling is FUN! (Oh - and JOYFUL, too!) That's the absolute no-doubt number-one chisel-it-in-stone reason I've been enjoying it for close to 50 years. And I don't expect that to change any time soon.

The end.

Top 10 Reasons To Go Bicycling

The Bike Nazi is a blogger and cycling advocate from Boise, Idaho that blogs about bicycling to encourage greater use of bicycles for transportation. Recently, he completed a series of posts listing his top 10 reasons for cycling. Following is the list. To read his detailed descriptions regarding each point, just click on the appropriate bullet point. By the way, the name Bike Nazi seems to be a tribute to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi rather than a political affiliation. :-)

Bike Nazi's Top 10 Reasons To Go Bicycling
1. Fun
2. Economy
3. Stress Relief
4. Exercise
5. Self Reliance
6. Sensual
7. Conservation
8. Achievement
9. Environmental Responsibility
10. Pride

Folding Bikes

Folding Bikes Reach Mainstream

by Larry Lagarde

Two excellent ways to measure when a product has hit the mainstream are police reports and the actions of an industry's major manufacturers. This week, we have examples from both arenas concerning folding bikes.

Police warn cyclists
There was a report yesterday that police in London have issued an alert to folding bike owners in the Canary Wharf area (London's hip new banking & financial district). A number of folding bike riders have been jumped and attacked for their bikes. The police are stepping up patrols and reaching out to cyclists to be more alert.

2nd Cannondale Folding Bike Concept
Cannondale has released a second, ground breaking, full size, folding bike design concept via masters students of Eco-design at the Elisava Escola Superior de Dissseny in Barcelona, Spain (the same place Cannondale's Jacknife came from).

Known currently as the Plafon, this folding bike appears destined for Cannondale's Urban bicycle line. The design sketches show the bike equipped with an internal rear hub so there has been speculation that the Plafon is Cannondale's answer to Shimano's push for Coaster bikes.

Given the bike's edgy looks and front/rear disk brakes, I see the Plafon appealing to bicycle messengers and/or upscale urban cyclists, not bicycle newbies (which are what Shimano is going after). With a carbon fiber frame, this bike will not be cheap either.