When we last met I'd equipped my artisanal singlespeed mountain bike with a "dinglespeed" drivetrain, and shortly after doing so I headed out for a ride: My testing ground for the new configuration was the so-called (by me) "Trails Behind the Mall." To get there via the dirt I can use the Old Croton Aqueduct... Continue Reading →

If you've been paying attention or at least managing to stay awake, you know I've been conducting sort of a half-assed Dated Singlespeed 29er Shootout. (Though as I type that I realize I don't need to specify "dated" because singlespeed 29ers are inherently dated.) After fitting the cheap bike with a cowhide saddle and bamboo... Continue Reading →

As the temperature grows colder I seek warmth and respite upon the ruined carriage roads of the lower Hudson River Valley: Such seasonal detours require me to traverse irregular surfaces, and whether it's the ragged roads themselves or the act of riding a bicycle upon them, in today's parlance we refer to it all as... Continue Reading →

Back when I still had time to do stuff like spend the whole weekend driving just to ride my bike for 45 minutes I used to partake in cyclocross. While I was really bad at it, I also really enjoyed it: the races are short and intense, they test your bike-handling skills (or lack thereof),... Continue Reading →

Happy American Thanksgiving! Sorry, wrong picture: There is much to be thankful for this holiday season: family, health, you people, and of course my bicycle enablers. I am referring of course to people like Paul Johson of Classic Cycle, who will just send me a bike for no good reason. Here's one that arrived just... Continue Reading →

In the spirit of hard-hitting cycling journalism, I have been conducting a Dated Singlespeed 29er Shootout in which I analyze how this cheap bike: Compares to this eerily similar fancy bike: After riding them both back to back, I came to the conclusion that, well, the fancy bike is in fact better. But! Would some... Continue Reading →

Dontcha hate when people park in the bike lane? Me too--even when they're unloading bikes! [Disclaimer: photo is 15 years old, that bike shop isn't even there anymore.] Well, your troubles are over, because cities across America are solving the problem by committing to truly separated bike lanes with proper barriers that completely prevent motor... Continue Reading →

This is a busy part of the world, and much of it has been cut up by highways, but if you go over them: And under them: And alongside them: You'll soon find yourself in the woods, where you can take a break from your busy day to scamper around your bike for a bit.... Continue Reading →

In yesterday's post, I mentioned due care: You'll note that this does not apply to avoiding collisions with undomesticated, or "wild," animals. In such cases the rules of the jungle apply, and in fact you're not supposed to avoid them, since doing so is likely to result in a crash. Instead, you're basically supposed to... Continue Reading →

Not to suggest that any of you grizzled cycling veterans need remedial instructions, but here's my latest Outside column: You'll note that two of the five tips involve speed, and while that's mostly me being lazy, it's also because when it comes to "normal" urban cycling I really do think people ride too fast. People... Continue Reading →