For those about to bike, I salute you.

[Geno_g]

Biked to school today, felt great... Gonna save money on gas, not to mention the expensive parking permit (SJSU's parking structures suck). It's a 5.6 mile ride and today I made it just under 20 minutes.

[algunz]

Good work, Geno.

[koryp]

You ride bikes, kory?

Religiously. I used to ride everyday in college, but gave it up for a while. I finally broke down and built my dream rig two years ago and try like hell to get my money's worth out of it.

[algunz]

Good for you. My world would be incomplete without two wheels.

[koryp]

I admit to being constantly jealous of the trails you post. We've got nothing but flatlands around here. I'm really thinking of renting a good bike or buying a decent used hardtail for the week between weekend 1 and 2 next year. We're staying in LA during the week and I'd much prefer biking around.

[1litro]

Awesome shots. Are the last two on Mission Beach and in Embarcadero park? I miss San Diego.

top is harbor island bottom is admin building parking lot both shots looking south

[algunz]

I admit to being constantly jealous of the trails you post. We've got nothing but flatlands around here. I'm really thinking of renting a good bike or buying a decent used hardtail for the week between weekend 1 and 2 next year. We're staying in LA during the week and I'd much prefer biking around.

Where do you live? How tall are you? I have access to too many bikes.

[koryp]

Southern Louisiana. I'm 5'9 and usually fit well on 17-18.5 frames. Thanks for the offer.

[algunz]

Bummer, the logistics for that may be difficult.

[koryp]

Only a few things about this state are easy.

[algunz]

And yet . . . You got the Big Easy.

[Goatchella]

[algunz]

I've seen people on unicycles on the trails a couple of times. I have no idea how they could clear anything the least bit technical. Crazy.

[marooko]

I'm gonna start running trails with my bike on my back. It's gonna be the new thing. Watch.

[algunz]

It's called cyclocross.

[Courtney]

Ha.

I got freaking wet on my bike ride to work this morning. Man do I need some fenders.

[Goatchella]

I just want to see video of some douche eating shit on a unicycle.

My buddy works at mammoth and he sent that pic this morning. He said it was some dreadlocked guy and the dude was goin pretty good on it.

[algunz]

I thought that was Mammoth.

[koryp]

I just want to see video of some douche eating shit on a unicycle.

if that's not what you meant try this something along the lines of "1 cup".

[Courtney]

So, excellent news: I have finally convinced our HR department to implement a new benefit for bicycle commuters at my workplace. Under The Bicycle Commuter Act, employers may offset the costs of bicycle purchase, improvement, repair, and storage for their employees at the rate of $20 per month.

So now I get $20 per month to spend however I choose on my bike. But the one thing is that my workplace is requiring that I provide them with receipts each month, so I actually do need to spend it.

I bought myself a new blinky light and bell last month. What else should I get?

[chairmenmeow47]

portable air pump? i love mein

[insbordnat]

need to get back on my bike. I'm a roadie though. Now the weather has cooled down here in PHX I have no excuses.

[insbordnat]

portable air pump? i love mein

Yeah, howabout tools? Do you have a multitool, patch kit, spare tube, pump/co2, levers, etc?

I know, not as "fun" but shit, will save your bum if you're caught en route somewhere with a flat. Perhaps a good servicing too - sucks to have your chain go without warning.

[Courtney]

Those are awesome suggestions. My commute isn't that long, and I'm really never more than a mile from a bike shop (Honolulu is a small place and all the bike shops happen to be along the same route which happens to me my commuting route), so I haven't been that concerned about tools. But now that I have $20 per month to use or lose, I might as well go for it.

[Courtney]

My other thought is that maybe I'll just do a $240 reimbursement at the end of the fiscal year, and use it to help buy a new bike. That might be a better way to go.

[HowToDisappear]

You should always have at least a minimal complement of bike tools, regardless of how close you may be to a bike shop at any given time. You're going to need them sooner or later.

[algunz]

Good advice HtD.

Courtney may I suggest using funds to invest in comfortable, practical and adorable attire to integrate with your already gorgeous wardrobe that is bike friendly and appropriate. Will that fly with your company?

[insbordnat]

You should always have at least a minimal complement of bike tools, regardless of how close you may be to a bike shop at any given time. You're going to need them sooner or later.

Agreed. Courtney, I had the same mentality until one day my seatpost dropped and angled in a way that made it impossible to ride. I thought, if ONLY I had a hexwrench this would be a 1 minute fix and I'd be riding. I said screw it and just rode out of my saddle (i.e. standing off the saddle while pedaling) to go to the bike shop. Then, because of this, I ended up hard shifting and snapping my chain because of my overtorquing the transmission. Looking down to see what happened, I slowed down too much, forgot to get out of my pedals, and fell over onto a cactus. A taxi ride to my local bike shop, and new chain was about $30. Picking thorns out of my buttcheek was no picnic either.

If I only had a multitool, this whole mess could have been averted. You also feel like a champ when you get a flat and fix it within 5 minutes and are off and riding again. Or when you save the day by helping some poor soul that doesn't have tools. All good reasons.

[algunz]

[shakermaker113]

I biked across the golden gate bridge for the first time today. it is such a nice city ride, through the presidio and over the bridge to sausalito.

I attached my camera to my handlebars with a gorilla tripod so I could take photos. it worked really well!