@ascentale @xtaran @bikenite A8. Talk to me about options for towing a kayak. #BikeNight

@ascentale @pete @bikenite #BikeNight A4. My dad is a way bigger bike nerd than me, and my family endorses anything that gets me on a bike. No partner right now. I don't know my cat's feelings on the topic.

@ascentale @t54r4n1 @bikenite #BikeNight A8. I'm sorry, why hwat? Cue sheet? On a bicycle ride? Hwat? I'm not making a movie, here, I'm just riding a bicycle for transportation.

Oh, you apparently mean *directions*? I don't ride to places I don't know how to get to already. I live in a rural New England town, the nearest other town worth mentioning is 30 miles away.

@ascentale @szpon

A4. As a once-upon-a-time road rider, very lightweight shoes with clips for very lightweight pedals.

The shoes were usually hideously uncomfortable, even dangerous, except in the saddle. And my eggbeater Crank Bros…

I don't think they really had any impact on my performance, but the mental boost let me push harder.

@ascentale @MartyCormack

A4) I have two (not recent purchases) that are plenty bright for daylight "notice me when you look up from your phone", though prob inadequate for going 15+ mph on an unlit road or path. I think I paid about $20 each. Axiom and Gearlight. 2.5=3 inches long, have a rubber strap that is easy to detach from handlebar. Note that you will inevitably leave it on the handlebar and someone will nick it, so don't spend too much (had a 3rd front light, guess what happened to it). #bikenight

@ascentale A3. Years ago, I spent 3 weeks in a Beijing for work. I was struck by how often car drivers hit their horns. But it usually sounded like a light “toot”. It took me a while to clue in that what they were doing was saying “I’m here”, in contrast to the angry honks of North American drivers.

As a cyclist, my bell rings are also meant to say “I’m here”, and I’ll even mute the bell with my fingers to reduce any “aggressiveness” in the sound.

@ascentale @ronpar A4. I don’t have an illuminating answer here, but I’m looking forward to seeing pictures

@ascentale @SRLevine@neuromatch.social A6
Style is subjective! But I really think that the stuff from Swift and Outer Shell have a really nice look that blends tech with aesthetic considerations.

https://builtbyswift.com/products/jr-ranger-pannier-set
https://outershell.com/shop/pico-pannier

But when you say “get a rack,” is porteur or a basket an option? O.S has this super cute rack bag.

https://outershell.com/shop/everyday-tote

@SRLevine@urbanists.social I can DM you my pitch for front racks over back racks for city utility!
#BikeNight

@501. Some of the bike people use #BikeTooter, #CargoBike, #bikenight.

@ascentale @uxmark A2 I cycle both for health and for the environment. I’m always touting both benefits on social media when I post about my rides I’m saddened by how few people seem to be influenced by these things. But I still try to lead by example. #bikeNight
I also use these last 2 tags consistently when I post about cycling here: #carbonFootprint #cardio

@ascentale @uxmark A8. Also, I’ve caught myself realizing, “Oh! I left without my helmet on”… only to realize again a few beats later, “Oh, right, I’m driving”.

@ascentale @uxmark A8. I quite often have navigating-by-bike instincts when I’m driving around the city. Like, I will navigate the car towards routes that I can’t actually drive, only to realize when I get close to the route I can’t take. I ride every day but only drive occassionally. It’s particularly common if I’m driving in an area I often ride in. My better half has a name for it: “being a bike”, as in “Tom, you’re being a bike” or “Tom, you’re not a bike”.

@ascentale @RossA A3: finding others you can get out and ride with, a friend, a neighbor, a meet up group, etc. One of the best things about #cycling IMO is the social aspect of it. Doing it with others is very often more fun than doing it alone.
#BikeNight

@ascentale @carolski A6. This isn’t really a useful answer, but I’ve shared this photo before because it just so cool. This is something I encountered on a ride a couple of summers ago.

@ascentale @xtaran A5. These days I’m an infrequent night rider. I use battery-powered front and rear lights when I do, though. No special clothes.