We shouldn't have to work so danged hard for things that should have been done off the bat, but sometimes when you do, you make a little progress.
I documented more SPIN property parked at the "Oversized Bike Parking Only" racks & reported it. TAPS talked to SPIN and I'm told SPIN will now geo-fence its assets away from those racks.
@ascentale@MartyCormack#BikeNite A8. I didn't think of it as this. But the helmet I recently bought has a sun visor, and I LOVE it. Highly recommended.
Q7. Are there local anti-cycling attitudes or reinforcements of those attitudes? I'm reminded of a bilboard ad in Gilette WY, about a decade ago, for a law firm where it basically said if you had a DUI if you didn't hire them the only way you were getting aound was on a bike.
@ascentale@InkySchwartz#BikeNite A7. Every shopping center here has a "NO BICYCLES OR SKATEBOARDS" sign. Even in front of bike racks. I have no idea why, but, fortunately, requires someone to call the police and complain, and no one has called me in (yet). I suspect this is an old-people-who-hate-kids hanging out law, and seldom exercised based on listening to the radio scanner.
@ai6yr@ascentale@InkySchwartz I hate those signs, too. I think it's anti-loitering and probably also meant to decrease chances of getting sued in case of accidents (like falling off a bike or skateboard).
What isn't explained is why they don't take that attitude to drivers, who likely have far more incidents. #BikeNite
@ascentale#BikeNite A6. I used to have this problem, from not cycling but hiking and rock climbing, and now I only wear heavier cargo/work pants. I still wear holes (particularly in pockets), but not nearly as bad. I.e. haven't had another "GIANT RIP IN THE REAR REQUIRING DUCT TAPE" incident.
@ascentale A6. Probably the best method is to get commuter friendly pants. I find gussets in the crotch help, and my current (still fairly new) pairs have a double layer in the seat [1] so a hole isn't as problematic.
Patching I've had little luck with because the fabric wears out fairly evenly and the edges of patch then tear. Hoping my double layer butt jeans are more forgiving there!
@skyfaller asks about low maintenance bikes for the long-long term:
Q5. What is the easiest bicycle to maintain in the long term, like if you wanted it to be a family heirloom? Bikes that are no longer in production are valid. What factors do you consider for ease of maintenance?
If you were building a bike from scratch with the goal of making it as easy to maintain as possible, how would you do it?
@ascentale@skyfaller#BikeNite A5. My main road bike is from around 1989 (Dave Scott Iron Man)... my MTB from 96. Just got another MTB running here from 1987 or thereabouts. The biggest thing is parts availability - especially crankshaft, pedals, brake pads.
@ascentale@skyfaller #bikenite A5:
As a retired software engineer, I'm not the best source for this.
(Q: How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Zero. That's a hardware problem.)
But the easiest bike for me to maintain was my 1967 Schwinn Typhoon Coppertone.
Man, I wish I still had that bike and it would be an heirloom.
@ascentale@skyfaller #bikenite A5a:
The Schwinn Typhoon was so easy to maintain and indestructible because of fixed gear, coaster brakes, steel frame. I think a crescent wrench and screwdriver was all I ever needed at the time.
@ascentale@Brownian_motion#bikenite A3: I use flat MTB pedals with the pointy studs swapped out for M4 cap-head screws so they don't carve up my shins if they hit me ... I wear hiking shoes (Merrell Moab) mostly. I can't be bothered with clipless because I'd probably fall off like an idiot, and also I want shoes I can do side-trip walks or hike-a-bike in comfortably.
@ascentale@Brownian_motion#BikeNite A3. I'm using Merrell Moab hiking shoes. They work great, very comfortable, and are great for hiking as well... or going shopping.
@ascentale@Brownian_motion A3. I don't have specific cycling shoes, just whatever I'm wearing that day, with the caveat that in winter I'll wear hiking boots and if its a long ride I'll switch to athletic shoes if I'm wearing nicer. #BikeNite#BikeNiteA#BikeNiteA3
Q2. Imagine you've had a long day in the saddle and it's time to setup camp. What is your favorite dinner to make in the back country on a bicycle tour?
(Or if you aren't on a tour, what do you like to eat after a long ride?)
Welcome to the May 31st BikeNite! Thanks for joining, and I hope we all enjoy chatting about cycle stuff! Answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.
We'll start out with our introduction:
Q1. Where are you posting from today? I've seen so many more people riding around recently. It may be because of warm weather, or because of Bike Month. What local cycling trends have you seen?
@ascentale#BikeNite A1. Ventura County, California. Lots of recreational bike riders! The trend I see here (which I don't approve of) is I am seeing a lot of 70+ year old bike riders who aren't wearing helmets. (Most between 40 and 70 seem to wear helmets). No idea why. (There are many minor tumbles/etc which with a helmet are not an injury, but without are fatal).
@xtaran@ascentale Some fucker used framing nails for the tread supports and unbeknownst to me they've been rusting out inside alllll along!
Sheered right off, all ten at once on one tread and nine out of ten on the second. SURPRISE
Wood's actually okay, I screwed all the tread supports down (up and down the entire stairwell) with screws actually intended for outdoor use and put the ones that fell through back.
@ascentale A1. posting from Midwest USA. I've seen more of what I assume are retirees due to age and time of day doing utility cycling in my neighborhood when I work from home. Its awesome, hopefully they'll join in advocacy for better infra. #BikeNite#BikeNiteA#BikeNiteA1