Everybody I know who bikes in jeans (myself included) pretty quickly discovers the shortcoming of those jeans. They wear out very quickly on a bike saddle.

I’ve discarded three or four pair of pants this year from overly large holes in the rear and — even worse — in the ‘taint’ region. I’ve come to appreciate the sturdy construction and reinforcement in bike specific clothing that don’t look like bike specific clothing.

Check out, for example, Outlier’s new “Workwear Pants.”

It’s like jeans, but instead of denim Outlier uses their “Doubleweave Canvas,” which is a tough fabric on the outside for great durability, but with a soft brushed inside surface for great comfort. Curved waistand and gussetted crotch ensure freedom of movement on the bike and off.

The price might seem a tad high, but compare made in America value against several pair of disposable pants.

More –> Outlier Workwear Pants.

Tesla Motors communications manager Rachel Konrad talked last night with David Bernstein on the The Fredcast cycling podcast. Rachel and her husband both are cyclists and members of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition who have also participated in SF Critical Mass, which Rachel describes as a wonderful thing.

James Martin posted a short apology on his website.

The Guardian Bike Blog comments on the dust up and response from cyclists like Bradley Wiggins and Robbie McEwen.

Be sure you don’t miss The latest issue of the Spokesmen cycling podcast that was recorded last night, where they discuss Montreal, Eurobike, nudity at trade shows, Electric Bikes, Interbike, the Bike Hugger Mobile Social and, of course, James Martin.

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Do you stop to offer assistance to cyclists in need?

Via Industry Outsider.

Update: Tesla response – Tesla Motors senior communications manager Rachel Konrad talks to David Bernstein on the Fredcast about James Martin. I’d like to point out that my opinion of Tesla Motors was really changed by Martin’s review — I think it’s a very cool toy as far as expensive toys go. Rachel Konrad is a member of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and SF Critical Mass participant.

I see the Tesla Roadster electric sports car at their Menlo Park dealership on El Camnio Real during my morning commute.

I kind of used to think the Tesla Roadster electric sports car was kind of cool.

TV Chef James Martin reviewed the Tesla Roadster for the Daily Mail, however, and convinced me otherwise.

But I don’t care about any of that [the great features of the Tesla Roadster], and here’s why. Twenty minutes into my test drive I pulled round a leafy bend, enjoying the birdsong – and spotted those Spider-Man cyclists. Knowing they wouldn’t hear me coming, I stepped on the gas, waited until the split second before I overtook them, then gave them an almighty blast on the horn at the exact same time I passed them at speed.

The look of sheer terror as they tottered into the hedge was the best thing I’ve ever seen in my rear-view mirror. I think this could be the car for me.

Read his review here. The reaction on Twitter and other social media sites has inundated James Martin’s personal website, and the Daily Mail closed off comments to the article.

See also:

• Bike Hugger: Cyclists against James Martin.
• Bike Radar: TV chef James Martin cooks up a storm with anti-cycling remarks.

The current September issue of Urban Velo magazine has a brief review of the 1986 BMX cult classic movie Rad. One reader took issue with Jeff Guerrero’s characterization of that movie as one of the worst movies ever, instead choosing the Australian BMX Bandits for that honor. The highlight of this children’s film is that it stars 15 year old Nicole Kidman in her first major feature role. BMX Bandits is a children’s adventure in which a gang of three BMX riding teens (including Kidman) defeat the nefarious plans of criminal masterminds with their clever bike riding.

BMX Bandits is one of 42 films directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. Some of his other films include winning titles like Kung Fu Killers, Dead End Drive In, and Silk Stalkings.

Trenchard-Smith blogged about BMX Bandits and it turns out the little kid at the end of the advertisement is his son Eric, who is these days a decent flatlander. And check this out about the director’s son:

Eric has a license but does not want a car. He bikes to work, in order to reduce his carbon footprint. I am proud to have a son who follows through on his principles. It’s one thing to talk the talk, it’s another to pedal 9 miles each way and save on all that carbon monoxide. We should all seriously think about using bikes for our short range travel. Walking’s good too.

Finally, Trenchard-Smith gives mention of The Lady is the Boss with its awesome BMX kung fu fight scenes. Lady is a rip off of BMX Bandit, but Trenchard-Smith seems flattered that they copied his genre of BMX crime fighting kids.

Coming October 22, 2009.

More at Race Across the Sky.