What tools and spares do you actually need to take on your bike rides? And how do you even store them all? Spare inner tubes, a multi tool, a pump, puncture repair kit, quick links for your chain, tyre levers… there’s a lot to consider! Manon goes through what you really need for every ride, then compares bike bags, pockets and other tricks to carry everything!
TWO Community Open Houses are coming up. City staff will share a draft bike plan map, the first time the public can see where they anticipate bike lanes, bike routes, bike parking, and more. Please attend one of these meetings to learn more about the plan, share your feedback, and get engaged in the process.
Please do spread the word. One easy way to do that is to share our Facebook events for each one.
Saturday Nov 11 Facebook event here (Sparr Heights Community Center – in north Glendale)
Sunday Nov 12 Facebook event here (Glendale Adult Rec Center – next to Central Library)
For more information you can visit the city’s Bike Plan website.
From PasadenaNow.com
Pasadena is gearing up for a historic and festive event on Sunday, Oct. 29, when the Arroyo Seco Parkway, also known as the 110 Freeway, will be closed to vehicle traffic and opened to people walking, biking, or on any form of active transportation, for six hours.
The fun event, called ArroyoFest 2023, marks the 20th anniversary of the first time that the parkway was transformed into a car-free zone for biking, walking, and exploring.
If you’re into running, you can sign up and arrive early for the “Run the 110” event, a chip-timed 10K point-to-point run. This starts promptly at 7 a.m. at the north end of the route in South Pasadena. Runners need to arrive at the starting line by 6:30 or 6:45 a.m.
Nothing is worse than being out on your bike enjoying your ride when suddenly disaster strikes and you’re left by the roadside with your bike broken and needing an emergency roadside fix, else you face making the call of shame to get rescued! Fortunately Alex has some great tips and tricks to get you back on your bike quickly and easily and enjoying your ride!
From Bicycling.com
By Micah Ling
Durango, Colorado turned out for “GC Kuss” Thursday afternoon, with a speech from the 2023 Vuelta a España winner, a question and answer session, a bike parade, and an all out party for the hometown hero.
The Durango Herald estimated that at least 2,225 people were in attendance at Buckley Park ahead of the bike parade, and that fans traveled from as far as Houston, Texas just for the celebration. Durango community events administrator Ellen Babers said that there were so many cyclists participating in the bike parade, which made a small loop around town, that Babers and her colleagues were worried the front of the parade would get back to the park before the back of the parade had left.
Legendary cycling announcer Dave Towle facilitated the question/answer session, bringing lots of characters from Kuss’ past up on stage. Mayor Melissa Youssef read a letter congratulating Kuss from Governor Jared Polis. Part of the letter said, “Your humility, outstanding character and championship spirit have brought the Colorado cycling community together and brought great joy to both the city of Durango and the state of Colorado. We all share in Sepp’s victory.”
From TheAtlantic.com
Today’s happiness and personal-finance gurus have no shortage of advice for living a good life. Meditate daily. Sleep for eight hours a night. Don’t forget to save for retirement. They’re not wrong, but few of these experts will tell you one of the best ways to improve your life: Ditch your car.
A year ago, my wife and I sold one of our cars and replaced it with an e-bike. As someone who writes about climate change, I knew that I was doing something good for the planet. I knew that passenger vehicles are responsible for much of our greenhouse-gas emissions—16 percent in the U.S., to be exact—and that the pollution spewing from gas-powered cars doesn’t just heat up the planet; it could increase the risk of premature death. I also knew that electric cars were an imperfect fix: Though they’re responsible for less carbon pollution than gas cars, even when powered by today’s dirty electric grid, their supply chain is carbon intensive, and many of the materials needed to produce their batteries are, in some cases, mined via a process that brutally exploits workers and harms ecosystems and sacred Indigenous lands. An e-bike’s comparatively tiny battery means less electricity, fewer emissions, fewer resources. They are clearly better for the planet than cars of any kind.
I knew all of this. But I also viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice—something for the militant and reckless, something that Greenpeace volunteers did to make the world better. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in the winter and sweating in the summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun.
Should you travel with your bike or rent at your destination? This week on the GCN Tech Show, Ollie and Manon break down the logistics of bringing your bike abroad, weighing up the costings and the hassle of bike boxes! We also bring you the latest Hot Tech and an update on the Shimano crank recall….
Have you heard? There are sea turtles in the San Gabriel River! BikeLA will host a Cruise + Connect ride during high tide to catch a glimpse. Meet us at El Dorado Neighborhood Library parking lot in Long Beach.
Don’t have a bike or want to test ride a Brompton? We have a limited number of Brompton Bicycles we’ll be bringing on the ride for participants to use. Request one by emailing margaret.douridas@bike-la.org. We can only guarantee a Brompton for up to six participants, but we’ll let you know if you are chosen.
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Start Location: El Dorado Neighborhood Library, 2900 N Studebaker Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815
Check-in Time: 8:30 AM
Start Time: 9 AM
End Time: 11 AM
Ride Description:
This 10-mile bike ride is ideal for all rider types, including children. The route is briefly along a protected bike lane then the San Gabriel River Bike Trail.
From MomentumMag.com
Are you ready to embark on a two-wheeled adventure through the city? It’s easy to forget those initial butterflies in your stomach when you first set out on a bicycle, but fear not! We’ve got your back with some tips to make your bike commuting journey a breeze, whether you’re a newbie or just need a refresher.
Before you hit the bustling city streets, take some time to rekindle your romance with your trusty bike. Find a quiet spot, be it your driveway, a serene park, or a calm side street, and brush up on your cycling skills. From cruising with one hand to quick stops and even standing up to pedal, practice makes perfect.
Give your bike some love. Clean the chain, pump up those tires, and ensure your brakes are in tip-top shape. If you’re not a bike mechanic pro, don’t worry! Pop by a local bike shop or co-op for a tune-up, and you’ll be riding in style, while there get them to show you how to change a flat!
Feeling a bit jittery about your first ride? Don’t fret! Find a seasoned cycling friend, family member, or coworker and join them on a city adventure. Let them lead the way while you soak in the joy of the ride.
Create a master plan by scouting out bike lanes and pathways in your community. Opt for routes with protected bike lanes or traffic-calmed roads, ensuring your ride is as smooth and safe as possible. If you can’t find a map online, consult a local cycling organization or bike shop for some expert guidance.
Photo by Noralí Nayla on Unsplash
Thibau Nys has hit the big time with a win at the first UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup of the season, and he did it in some style, riding the steps and a 100% gradient climb on the technical Waterloo course. There were also more wins for Jasper Philipsen at the Tour of Türkiye and plenty of other news as the road racing season draws to a close.
