@Pepijn @fedibikes possible #BikeNitePQ /cc @ascentale

(TL;DR if you've never been, every Friday at 4PM Pacific we have bike chats on the #BikeNite hash tag with a host asking the questions that have been determined in advance, this might be a good potential question)

@billyjoebowers @ascentale @artemesia @bikenite I got an ebike, and now I don't care if my lock and chain weigh many pounds, the bike is about 100 lbs! It does the hard work. #BikeNite the real problem is what to do with the kitchen sink, spare tools, tubes, pump, etc that I do carry again because the weight is now ignorable.

@ascentale @kimu @bikenite A3.
I have read a few where bicycles are mentioned. But most of them are already mentioned.

But @pluralistic wrote the Walkaway novel, and at least one accompanying short story, where bikes feature quite significantly in a few parts.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkaway_(Doctorow_novel)

I will say the disposable nature of those bikes give me odd feelings.

@pete @ascentale @jfparis @bikenite

Yup. That is definitely a ludicrous suggestion.

@ai6yr @ascentale @moz @bikenite

That's sooooooo So Cal. Former LBC resident here.

@pete @ascentale @jfparis @bikenite

A7 It'd be nice to know which of them you regard as ludicrous, and why.

@ascentale @jfparis @bikenite A7 #BikeNite I'd say they're all as good or bad as each other, and BikeRouter seems as arbitrary as the rest. I've met cyclists way, way out of their depth on trails that have been served up as suitable by whatever service they're using.
I use the same short starting point and destination as my benchmarking for routing apps. Some make ludicrous suggestions.

https://cycling.hypertelia.com/cycle-route-planning-services

@ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite A6 #BikeNite Imma say a Brooks C15 Carved saddle. Until last year I'd used the regular model, which I'm fine with for a couple of hundred km, but discovering the cutaway has been a revelation for anything longer.
Also voltX bifocal safety glasses. Being able to read my GPS/Map is kinda useful and these are cheap as chips and durable too.
https://www.voltxsafety.com

@ascentale @bikenite A5 #BikeNite Ratio Technology are my closest component manufacturer, and I've used their wares a few times to repair and upgrade shifters and mechs. https://ratiotechnology.com/

@ascentale @meganL @bikenite A2 #BikeNite Nothing to add on top of other's suggestions, but from experience it's worth checking if different airlines on the same route have differing rates for carrying bikes. Last time I flew I learned afterwards that I could have taken my bike for free had I gone with another airline.

@artemesia

A8. I use 2 in combination. One is a fairly lightweight fairly high security U-lock (D-lock?) and then I have a folding lock that I'll sometimes use to secure the front wheel

I have one of those Kryptonite New York locks, but it weighs like 10lb and is not fun to carry around. So I don't use it often.

I have a couple of cables for securing the front wheel, so if I happen to be carrying that around, I'll use it for that.

@jfparis

A7. I like how the Pointz app has a slider for how safe/direct you want the route to be.

It's still not 100% there for me, so if I'm in an unfamiliar location and wanting a calm ride it takes a long time to route plan:

* Google map for a general route overview
* Strava heatmap (either cycle or running or both) to see what is commonly used
* Google streetview to check for safety / road surface
* If the city/location has it, I look for maps from the local bike coalition

@moira @ascentale @artemesia @bikenite #BikeNite this reminded me -- part of being the most annoying bike to steal can be putting your lock through a smaller part of your fame so there's less wiggle room. But modern tools may make this advice obsolete, idk.

@ascentale

@meganL @bikenite
I have traveled with a folded Bike Friday in a suitcase

@9x0rg @ascentale @meganL @bikenite When I flew to Spain to start a solo tour in Europe, I bought a bike box from United. I went to the airport with four full panniers, which I stuffed into a large duffel bag. So I checked just two items: the bag (23kg) and the bike (15kg). At that time, 20 years ago, they charged me US$10.75 for the box and nothing extra to check the bike itself.

The main hiccup was that I was unable to get my pedals off at the airport, my travel tools weren't adequate (even though I tested them in the bike shop)! So I bolstered the sides of the box with cardboard and wrapped the pedals with bubble wrap, and box and bike survived just fine.

#BikeNite A2

@edd @ascentale @artemesia @bikenite My usual approach is a U-lock with a big enough shackle that I can secure both the down tube and the front wheel to a rack (I know that has the downside of more lock attack surface, but I'm used to including the wheel, even though my current wheels aren't quick release).

I also have a cute Abus frame lock bolted to the seat stays, which locks the rear wheel. It's just a giggle for an experienced thief by itself, but adds an extra hiccup paired with the U-lock (and sometimes it's the only option when I need to make a brief stop and there's nothing that will work with a U-lock).

#BikeNite A8

@ascentale @artemesia @bikenite Generally, I prefer a U-Lock that is just long enough to go through the rear fork and around a normal locking structure with some wiggle. Too long and it bangs around and is easier to break through, too short and it doesn't lock you to anything.

A cable to go through the rest can be nice extra security, but I don't personally do it. Better (also don't do) would be security skewers/no quick release stuff. Best is to not have a plain, expensive bike.

@ascentale @kimu @bikenite A3: the “Chirri and Chirra” series has the main characters travel mostly be bike https://enchantedlion.com/all-books/chirri-chirra #BikeNite