For those about to bike, I salute you.

[algunz]

Love it. Looks like an awesome cruiser.

[Shaxspear]

I love Felt cruisers. The picture doesn't show all of the small details in the paint. The seat is also has a really well done suede sugar skull girl imprinted in it.

[JustSteve]

nearly hit a little kid, probably 5 or 6, on his bike this afternoon, luckily we were going slowly through a residential area, which just happens to be right where algunz works. little guy was riding against the flow and at the last second did the "little kid loses balance and suddenly swings toward the middle of the road" move. somehow i still have excellent reflexes and slammed on the brakes in time, came within 3 feet of a head on, which at the 10-15mph i was traveling would have been horrible. felt bad because my reflexes also caused me to honk the horn right in his face and the look he got broke my heart. stopped and made sure he was okay and apologized for honking at him, haha. should a kid like that be riding around the streets without any parents around, just a couple kids a year or two older who were a couple car lengths ahead? not so sure. my wife said she probably wouldn't have been able to stop in time. scary.

[algunz]

Definitely not in that neighborhood. Poor kid, but he sure learned something today.

[algunz]

Kernville, Ca.

[algunz]

Butcher Creek Trail outside of Downieville, California. This part of the trail was beautiful and fun. The rest was windy, technical, exposed single track that followed a creek down a valley. I fell so many times and once I had to save my rental bike from falling off the cliff into the creek. I was not happy at all.

[marooko]

Awesome shots in the last two posts, gunz. I need to go ride.

[algunz]

http://vimeo.com/33224206

Amsterdam Loves Bicycles

[Courtney]

New arts and crafts project:

[algunz]

I'll bet those wings didn't stay on long in that traffic. Very cool idea for the campgrounds or BM this year.


We just got back from Mammoth. It rained quite a bit and we got hailed on, but it made the trails really tacky and fun. If any of you know the mountain during the summer, they added some little intermediate trails off of Beach Cruiser and are now running the chairlift nearest the gondola. They are doing some great stuff up there for summer.

[Courtney]

Gunz, that sounds fantastic.

I'm in the market for a new bike for daily rides to school. I'm focusing on Dutch-style commuter bikes. Maybe this one:

[TomAz]

Seattle: hilly
Amsterdam: not hilly

[Courtney]

Ha. It has gears! 8 of them! It's just "Dutch-style" -- not actually Dutch.

[algunz]

It just takes strength & heart to get up most hills even if you need to walk it.

What is the school commute like? The above bike is very cool and remember bikes get stolen all the time in Seattle. It's also probably pretty heavy which could be frustrating when you do come to those hills.

[TomAz]

http://crosscut.com/2010/05/20/trans...eattles-hills/

[algunz]

Just clear your mind and breathe.

This must be the answer to everything.

[TomAz]

Lose your job? Can't pay your mortgage? Spouse fooling around with your best friend? Just clear your mind and breathe.

[algunz]

I think it still works.

[TomAz]

I think I'm hyperventilating.

[Courtney]

Ha. I chose my house specifically because it is on the Burke-Gillman Trail, a former railroad track and now pedestrian and bike-only paved path. It's pretty flat for the three miles between my house and school.

And yes, theft is a concern. I'll probably do a bike add-on for my insurance, and get a Kryptonite lock to cover the deductible.

[algunz]

Tom, you're forgetting the Clear your mind part.

[algunz]

Ha. I chose my house specifically because it is on the Burke-Gillman Trail, a former railroad track and now pedestrian and bike-only paved path. It's pretty flat for the three miles between my house and school.

And yes, theft is a concern. I'll probably do a bike add-on for my insurance, and get a Kryptonite lock to cover the deductible.

You need to get a cool basket, a good bell, and a cup holder.

[Courtney]

Cup holder? Pshaw. I'm getting a WINE RACK.

[algunz]

[JustSteve]

It just takes strength & heart to get up most hills even if you need to walk it.

You able to make it up that damn hill at Superior and PCH? We called it the sober-maker. Drunk at the bottom, but after all that exertion sober at the top. I was always jealous of the surfers who could ride a cruiser sitting down with a surfboard under one arm. Me? I would be walking by the time I hit that parking lot entrance.

[algunz]

Yes, I haven't done it in a long time though. A verrrrrry long time.

[algunz]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...et-way-forward

[faxman75]

As much as I was avoiding a cruiser it seems to be the most practical. The Schwinn road bike I had didn't fit me well and was starting to not feel very stable. I traded it in getting $95 credit and paid another $200 for this. I know nothing about it other than it was comfortable to ride.

http://www.ridelow.co.uk/nirve-b-1-r...h-cruiser-bike

I'm installing a rack on the back with panniers for work clothes and school books. Hope to start riding this weekend and using it for work and school next week.

Nirve_B-1_Robert_August_Mens.jpg

[algunz]

It looks like a very cool bike. Is it heavy? Without gears it may be a bit cumbersome, but it may provide the workout during your commute that you want.

I agree that road bikes can feel sketchy.

And Faxy, you'd look great in one of those above scarf/helmets.

[faxman75]

It didn't feel very heavy. I was expecting it to. I was reading reviews on amazon and a few people removed the hand brake. I'll leave it there. I would look awesome in one of those giant scarf/helmet things but it's 9,000 degrees here so that ain't happening.

I have a cheap walmart brand next mountain back that I will need to upgrade at some point. Most of my riding is all on flat surfaces so the cruiser should be fine but if I ever get more serious that's when i'll invest in something with more speeds.