some people will turn the wheel without rolling the car as they do so,
it grinds the tire into the street.
There is no replacement if it gets hit or the bike gets stolen.
the bike I have has parts on it they've stopped making.
Even my handle bar grips and pedals are items to steal.
The bike's frame is longer than the ones they make today.
Then there are the custom parts too, eliptical chain rings, precision hubs and bottom bracket.
I let my bartender ride it once and the crank started making "crinking sounds"
she whomped on it, powerful and heavier than I am,
she wore my shit out where I never would have!
Don't even ride between gears!
I hear that sound when they are wearing out my chain and my gears!
everytime you let you chain stretch it wears the chain rings wrong.
then, if you change the chain, the rings will start skipping in gear.
they wear together, they get replaced together.
Trouble is, I had to get a whole new crank assembly!
they stopped making the part that fit mine!
Last time I looked I can't even replace my tires!
the ones they had at the store have no sidewall tread!
The best custom bikes are about 2 grand and they are found in Marin County.
one of the best is called Ritchey Mountain bike.
Mine is one of the first Stumpjumpers by Specialized.
I know quite a bit about bikes.
the ones with the springy frames absorb your torque, a stiff frame is faster.
a short-coupled frame is for sprinting, the long frame is for cruising.
straight front forks are for sharp turns; curved/raked front forks absorb shock and are smoother for long rides.
The new bikes put me so far forward! mine I sit behind the front hub, not on top of it!
DO get a bike seat with a gel insert!
Do get a rear rack! not just for groceries but it works as a mud gard.
The best hubs and bottom bracket are Phil Wood
If you turn a bike over, remove the chain and spin the wheels you will feel if the bearings are precision or not.
You can spin my wheels, put your hand on the forks and feel No Vibration at all!
same for the bottom bracket and with Phil Wood, there are no cones to adjust.
Mine were replaced free, after I rode in the bay! don't let water get in your freewheel,
especially not sandy water!
spray tri-flow in the free wheel and on the chain.
Phil Wood told me, when you ride in the rain (and in creeks) afterward,
turn the bike upside down and spin the water out of the wheels and bottom bracket.
I'd LOVE to take a ride thru Golden Gate park! I won't go alone.
some riders can't keep up with my bike and some go so fast we speed thru and I see nothing & I don't enjoy it.
The fun places I'd go if I didn't have to do it alone:
ride the crest of the berkeley hills (need two cars for this)
ride thru the pan handle and g.g. park to the great highway & the ocean
ride thru fisherman's warf and out to the Palace of Fine Arts.
To go in there, you'd need to have a car like my van to hide the bikes in.
(same for the Japanses tea garden in G.G.Park)
The Palace of Fine Arts houses the Exploratorium.{that is work seeing!
There is the Aquarium, the Planetarium and the De Young Museum all together.
There is a ride across the east bay hills (by car) the Redwood road and Skyline blvd.
I have not gone on it for YEARS!
Then there is Berkeley's 4th street, Telegraph Ave, and don't forget Chez Panisse!
there are some places in Berkeley I have yet to go inside.
One is called Jupiter, the other is Venus.
On The AVe{telegraph ave is Raliegh's bar.
That was supposed to be stuart's but his brother got it.
a bike ride from here to the ave is about 2 1/2 miles one way.
I know the easy streets
The best beach is up north, called Stinson Beach.
If you wanted to go see the state, I'd send you up the coast.
a town called Bolinas is full of artsy people.
Going up highway 1 you see such beauty!
The farthest I will go is Muir Beach (the dogs are allowed!)
Then south of here, Carmel is just gorgeous!
Tahoe! don't forget Tahoe!
Go up 80 to Squaw Valley, drive around the lake to the south side, there it is Nevada
and there are casinos and dinner shows.
Reno isn't far but my dad headed for Sparks, Nevada.
He said, winning is easier there.
By the spring you will likely still have snow on the slopes but not need chains
to go over the summit.
Go up 80 and come back on 50, maybe take one of those old roads thru the ghost towns of the old west?
there is a show called Bay Area Back Roads if you can, google that for ideas.
you could go a diferent place every day for a week and not see all the beauty in Norther Calif alone.