Free Bike Tips

Biking for Transporation: Getting Started

Adriel — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:17:53 +0000

Biking for Transporation: Getting Started

We at AustinBikeBlog have put together a series on getting started biking for transportation. While geared towards those new to biking, we’ve written information that should be helpful to those returning from a cycling hiatus as well as old pros. We hope these articles help you get out on your bike!

Articles include:

Taking the Plunge
Picking a bike for everyday transportation
Putting it all together: The accessories you need to successfully bike for transportation
Locking Your Bike: Will your bike (and wheels for that matter) still be there when you return?
Biking Safely in Traffic Video
Tips for biking with kids
Fixing a flat (coming soon)
Basic maintenance of your bike (coming soon)

Tips from a cycle chic in seattle.

Adriel — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:33:45 +0000

This is pretty much geared towards women but I liked it so I will put it here.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/startherup/archives/144239.asp

Eco Cycling Commuting Chick (Chic)

Time for a little fluff, because my ACHING legs will not allow me to do anything of substance. I am trying my very hardest to be one of those eco commuting biking chicks. For lots of reasons. I’m just fed up with the whole gas thing. Traffic in Seattle makes me homicidal. Parking makes me omnicidal (want to kill everything, not just people.) And, frankly, I’m vain as can be and want the hot bod that all that biking will give me. So, here’s some insight into being a successful cycling executive – specifically a CHICK.

First of all, there’s the wardrobe issue. You pretty much either have to wear it or throw it in your bag to slip into it on the street. So, if you want to look cute (did I mention that I’m vain?) this is going to require some strategy. My ideas so far:

1. The very simple slip on t-shirt style dress. Roll it up carefully and throw it in your bag. It will then slide right over some little cycling shorts and a tank top.

2. Nice yoga pants. Today’s outfit involved nice yoga pants. This particular pair is a stretchy, matte finish, well tailored pair from LuLu Lemon. Just roll the cuff so they don’t get caught in the chain and Voila! Nice black pants when you get where you’re going. Pair with a nice knit top and you’re good to go.

3. Shoes. Simple classic black sandals. They take up no space in my bag, and turned both the dress and the yoga pants into a corporate casual look.

Now, hair and makeup.

1. You thought hat hair was bad? Let me introduce you to helmet hair. It’s sweaty. It is not good. Which is why god (with a lowercase g) invented head bands. Black headband in the bag at all times. Unless your hair is long enough for a pony tail….. But really, finished looking hair is something that gets noticed.

2. If you’re a makeup wearer, this is the time to go seriously light on it. Sweat and soot will do a number on your face. I’ve seen it. Tread lightly, BUT, embrace the long-wearing stuff. Revlon ColorStay lipstick is my new favorite thing.

3. Deodorant. Enough said.

Gear. Now this was a rude awakening. My 15″ MacBook Pro, previously the love of my life (it breathes when it sleeps!) is now the bane of my existence. Damn thing weighs a ton. I have embraced the power of the pen and paper. The bonus is that when I re-type my notes and to-dos into my computer when I get home, I get to rethink through everything and that’s good. That said, if the kind people at Mac would like to send me one of those itty bitty new laptops, just let me know, I’ll give you worlds of good press! (Eco friendly Computers Enable Bicycle Commuting!)

Locks. Having previously worshiped the ubiquitous Kryptonite lock, I’ve converted to a hardcore cable lock. It weighs half as much, and allows you freedom to wrap yourself around anything you need to – parking meter, light pole, whatever – if there’s not a proper bike rack.

Worried about cars? Yah, me too. But ya know what, they’re more scared of you than you are of them. Turns out that there’s plenty of room on the roads, so I don’t know what to say about those drivers that are scared to pass cyclists, it’s weird. Really, there’s plenty of room.

What you should worry about are people opening car doors on to you. So, PEOPLE, please look before opening your car door. I almost got slammed half a dozen times in the last 2 days.

As for the rules of the road – PLEASE OBEY THEM. Cyclists that are rude and don’t play by the rules are ruining it for everyone.

Now you have no excuses. Come on – gas prices are too high, traffic is killing our planet and our moods, and we’re all getting a tad heavier than we really want to be. Hop on a bike to get to work.
____
Alyssa Royse is the founder of JUST CAUSE IT, and is trying to ride her bike everywhere she goes. Anyone wanting to sponsor her wardrobe, make up and technology to enable this endeavor can contact her directly and she will absolutely give you all the good press you can handle. She’ll be updating this bike blog often so that, as always, people can learn from her inane adventures and personal opinions. Maybe she’ll find a way to include pictures.

Posted by Alyssa Royse at July 23, 2008 8:18 p.m.

Zen and the Art of Fixing a Flat Tire

Adriel — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:13:53 +0000

The true solution to the problem of flat tires is vastly different from what you ever expected it to be; wisdom for the true cyclist wannabe.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/humor/flattire.htm

How to ride In traffic

Adriel — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:42:08 +0000

How to prepare to bicycle in traffic, my five rules for cycling on the road, with details of how to interface with automobiles. (By Ken Kifer)

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/traffic.htm

Ken Kifer on Fitness

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:18:46 +0000

“The fitness controversy vs. my own understanding, based on personal experiences and observations rather than statistics: Fitness is best achieved and maintained through regular cycling at moderate speeds for a sufficient time.”

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/fitness.htm

Take a class, you might learn something!

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:11:49 +0000

The League of American Bicyclists has some wonderful classes on how to ride a bike in traffic.

Last I heard it is about $65 and 2 5 hour sessions, which include some wheels down education. (About the cost of a tank of gas lately).

These are great people, and if you are scared in traffic, take the class, it could save your life.

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/

50+ Benefits (Advantages) of Bicycling

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:59:32 +0000

Here Are More Than Fifty Good Reasons For Bicycle Commuting, Recreational Bicycling and Creating a Strong Bike Culture In General.

Found here: http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.htm (More information available on the website).

Bicycles increase mobility for those who don’t have access to motor transport.
Bikes increase mobility for those who don’t qualify to drive a car.
Bicycles increase mobility for those who can’t afford motor transport.
Bikes increase mobility for those who don’t want to drive motor vehicles.
Bicycling can be faster than walking, transit or motor vehicles.
Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of transportation ever invented.
You get exercise from bicycling.
Save travel money by biking. If the switch is from a car this includes purchase price, gas, tires, fluids, insurance, maintenance, washing, parking, etc.
Reduce stress by bicycling.
Biking is therapeutic for the mind and spirit — is fun and can make you happy.
Cycling is therapeutic for the cardio-vascular system, live healthier.
Regular cycling provides better muscle tone, bone mass improvement, clearer skin
Regular bicycling helps with personal weight management — new full-time bicycle commuters can expect to lose an average 13 pounds their first year of bicycle commuting if they maintain the same eating habits.
Bicycling is a great initial activity for people who are obese and help them on their way to a healthier life.
Regular cycling can lead to lower health care expenses — save money for a nicer vacation.
Allows the rider to appreciate the more of the nuances of the natural and built environment around them.
Your commute will be the best part of your day instead of the worst part of your day.
The exercise increase your productivity at work
Cycling improves your self-esteem.
Save on the membership to a health club, get your exercise bicycling to work, school, shopping, etc.
Bicycling is nearly a life-long activity.
Bicycling is a great full family and friends activity.
Cycling is low impact on the body.
Cycling is low impact on the environment
Bicycling in your neighborhood is a great way to meet your neighbors and build community.
Camaraderie of cyclists makes it a great way to meet a nice stranger with a similar interest.
Bicyclist can ignore the highway traffic jam reports.
Feel the satisfaction (liberation, freedom) of biking past a traffic jam in the bike lane.
Predictable commute time.
Easier parking.
Cheaper parking.
Leaving your car at home provide a parking space for someone less fortunate.
If you are lazy, your bicycle provides door-to-door transport (you don’t have to walk across a vast parking lot).
Reduces the demand for new roads and paving the earth with asphalt and concrete.
Reduces the demand for parking lots and paving the earth.
Reduces energy consumption (see below).
Reduces air pollution — bicyclist emit few poisonous gases. A four mile bicycle trip keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduces water pollution — bikes don’t drip brake fluid, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, toxic dust, etc.
Reduces noise pollution — even without a muffler bikes are quiet, creating a quieter community.
Reduces road wear — even if cyclist feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Reduces deforestation for planting of rubber plantations, because bicycles use very little rubber.
Reduces crime — a huge amount of crime is associated with access to motor vehicles.
Reduces road kill and saves animals.
Demonstrates a concern for the future — walk (ride) your talk.
Prevent and protest the sanctioned murder of innocent responsible citizens (homicide by motor-vehicle).
Bikes small profile reduce congestion.
Easy to vary your route by bicycle.
Increased bike uses generates bike facilities which increase property values.
Bicycling gives you more fresh air than a sauna and you can still sweat and clean your pores
Bike Commuting is a license to dress weird and still feel smug.
Urban cycling keeps you humble.
Bicycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of topography.
Cycling can be enjoyed in a wide variety of climates
Bicycles are a great means to see the world.
Bicycling is cool.
Biking Is Fun.

A Guide to a simple bike commute.

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:02:17 +0000

http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/16/a-guide-to-a-simple-bike-commute/

How to fix your bike, from fixing a flat to replacing a chain.

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:55:18 +0000

http://bicycletutor.com/

Of course you should also visit sheldon brown’s site. But this one has lots of video.

How many calories you burn on a bike.

Adriel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:53:08 +0000

An easy reference, not 100% accurate, but easy to figure out.

WARNING: Knowing this information may lead to eating all the calories you burned.

http://www.nutristrategy.com/fitness/cycling.htm