In London on business for a couple of days, the first time I have been here since really getting back to cycling last year. Found out that you can save almost 50% off a bike and equipment here through paying for a bike using pretax pounds like a health care savings account which I guess amounts to about a 50% savings at London and UK tax rates...nice deal!

But other observations looking at this city from a cyclist's perspective in addition to riding on the wrong side of the road:

-Lots of cyclists around, and drivers told me that the numbers had risen this year as energy prices rose.

-didnt see too many bike lanes if any, but did notice designated bike stops where bike given space to wait at lights.

I've had a couple of instance of "fork shimmy" this spring - and it ain't no fun, believe me. What happens is my fork and front wheel start vibrating uncontrollably, like a tuning fork. Of course, this condition only happens on high speed descents usually accompanied by riding on crappy, beat up roads (It's happened to me on River Road and on Whippoorwill). Sidebar - I know we've had a rough winter, but OMG, what's up with the roads in the tri-state area this spring? I've seen better roads in Third World countries, for crissakes! But I regress . . .

Anyone know the dates for the West Point weekend this year?

Got one...Thanks! Morene

If you haven't heard of it yet, I want to recommend "Bike Shops USA," a free iPhone app:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bike-shops-usa/id349824198?mt=8

It lists and maps the nearest bike shops, a great resource wherever you ride. 

(I think there's a similar Android app called "Bike Shop Locator," but I haven't used it.)

I have a jersey and a pair of knee warmers whose elastic is shot.

I figured that I could sew the "gripper style" elastic over the hem and not take the old elastic out.

The gripper style is the type that is kind of tacky or rubber like and on a jersey keeps it from sliding up.

Additionally if you have someone who can do this on the cheap that would be great as neither of my items cost a whole lot, but I like them.

Robert

From this week's Road Bike Rider:

“Frontier is removing the flat fee for checked bicycles and will now include them in the standard baggage allowance, meaning customers traveling on Classic or Classic Plus fares can include their bike as one of their two complimentary checked bags and Economy passengers would pay $20 if the bike is one of their first two checked bags. Bikes will be exempt from any oversize fees, but subject to overweight fees and excess bag fees, if applicable.”

On sunday, June 5th (starting around 8am, cleaning up around 5pm), we'll be riding 100 miles to ... well... nowhere!  Our route will take us through 403 laps on the Kissena Velodrome.  Water and some bike food will be available.

Why are we doing this you ask?  Because we can!  Oh, and because cancer sucks!  We've raised a few thousand dollars already for LIVESTRONG, and hope to raise a few more bucks at the ride.  We'll have a computer with internet access for you to use, or you can give us cash and we'll make the donation on your behalf (right there in front of you!).  

Don't believe this is for real?  Check out our very real flyer: http://imgur.com/fqN0p

Hi All,

For those that have done the Montauk Century and used their transport there and back -- did you bubble wrap your bike for protection?  If so, any tips on how much to get, how to do it quickly/efficiently, etc?  Thanks!  Feel free to post here or email me at [email protected]

Craig

Selling my bike that is less than 6 months old for $2000 even.   It's bullet fast. 

For inquiries please email me at: [email protected]