Author: Richard Masoner

Keyless security for your bike wheel

Richard MasonerApril 26, 20166 Comments on Keyless security for your bike wheel

Bicycle wheel security without special keys using Kryptonite Gravity WheelNutz and WheelBoltz

kryptonite gravity wheelboltz & wheelnutz

Kryptonite announced these products a couple of years ago and I completely missed them because I was so focused on their then-new “Messenger Mini+,” which is the Kryptonite Mini with a rear wheel shackle designed specifically for quick locking and unlocking.

Kryptonite also offers secondary protection for both wheels with either the Gravity WheelBoltz wheel locks (for hollow axle wheels) or WheelNutz locks (for solid axle wheels). WheelBoltz replace standard quick-release skewers, while WheelNutz replace the 15mm nuts used on singlespeed and fixed gear bikes.

The genius of these products is the use of standard tools for removal and installation. A pin secures the wheel lock so that a potential thief cannot turn the nut securing your wheel. The pin drops out of place when the bike is inverted so you (or your bike shop mechanic) can repair your flat tire, and a properly locked bike can’t be inverted. This video from Kryptonite shows how these bicycle wheel locks work.

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Posted In security

10th Anniversary SF2G Bayway Ride on Thursday

Richard MasonerApril 19, 20161 Comment on 10th Anniversary SF2G Bayway Ride on Thursday

10 years ago yesterday, Brett Lider of Google announced the first Bayway ride to an internal bike discussion list at Google that would eventually morph into the public SF2G ride announcement list.

Bayway 10th Anniversary Ride

Ride leader Brett Lider (still of Google) says “We should celebrate by riding bikes.” The ride departs 6:30 A.M. from Ritual Coffee on Valencia at 21st. This week’s Bayway route will be via Feral Cat Freeway “along with the ‘game ‘goon,” per Lider’s ride announcement. Assorted former riders and old-timers say they plan to join this 10th Anniversary Ride. There’s a slight chance of rain so dress accordingly. Pace will likely be brisk. As of this writing, 28 people have said they plan to join this ride.

SF2G is the loosely knit group who regularly bike the 40+ miles from San Francisco down to Silicon Valley. Riding that distance early in the morning is more fun in a group, so SF2G was created to facilitate these group ride meetups. Learn more here.

H/T Jason for the heads up.

Posted In san francisco

How to enable bike mode on Fitbit Surge

Richard MasonerApril 18, 20164 Comments on How to enable bike mode on Fitbit Surge

Fitbit was at the Sea Otter Classic last weekend handing out their Fitbit Surge “Fitness Superwatch” to media folks. Like their other fitness watches, the Surge monitors your activity during the day to help you achieve your fitness and health goals. Unlike their other watches, however, the Surge includes a GPS receiver. This watch is apparently popular with runners and hikers, but Fitbit wants to see more adoption among cyclists.

Fitbit Surge fitness watch

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Celebrate Earth Week 2016 with San Jose Bike Train

Richard MasonerApril 18, 20161 Comment on Celebrate Earth Week 2016 with San Jose Bike Train

You have two opportunities during Earth Week this week to join San Jose Bike Train for a morning ride from downtown San Jose, California to destinations north while enjoying the trees on the Guadalupe River Trail: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, and another ride on Friday, April 22, 2016.

Both rides depart 8:15 A.M. from Bel Bacio Cafe located right on the trail just south of Julian Street. Show up early on Friday and I might have free treats for you, depending on the status of a small grant I’m working on. The weather should be great on Wednesday. The forecast for Friday as of this writing looks damp, but we ride rain or shine.

While San Jose Bike Train remains a way to gently introduce people to the simplicity and joy of a short bike commute, over the past two years it has also become a social gathering and celebration of all things cycling.

The start location is designed for easy access from housing and transit centers near downtown San Jose. If you need to drive part way from elsewhere, free, all day parking is available nearby, but please RSVP so we know to meet you there. If you need bike directions to the start location, plug this destination address into Google Maps, or try the Silicon Valley Virtual Route Scouts service. Turnaround for Virtual Route Scouts is currently several days, so you need to enter your request as soon as possible.

Posted In san jose

2016 Sea Otter Classic photos

Richard MasonerApril 15, 2016Leave a Comment

I’m exhausted, so here’s a quickie link to my photos from the 2016 Sea Otter Classic taking place now through the weekend at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. View the slideshow here, or click through for larger views and captions (such as they are).

Watch for updates through the day at my social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Twitter is probably the best place for special requests if you have any.

Sea Otter continues through the weekend. Day pass is $15. I think they charge for car parking, but I’m not certain since I bike there. If you decide to bike, please note that it’s a pretty tough haul up a long hill, and expect fierce headwinds Friday afternoon if you plan to descend South Boundary Road into Seaside.

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Limited Edition nickel plated Brompton folder

Richard MasonerApril 15, 2016Leave a Comment

Brompton has one of their limited edition nickel plated folding bikes on display at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA. 1500 numbered bikes were made, of which 150 are available for purchase from dealers in the USA.

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Brompton also has new bags on display at their booth, along with their bikes.

Brompton’s West Coast Championship Race takes place tonight at the Laguna Seca Raceway. As of Thursday afternoon, over 80 people registered for the race. Fastest man and woman win a trip to London to participate in the World Championship there.

Watch for Sea Otter updates through the day at my social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Twitter is probably the best place for special requests if you have any.