First, I have seen where people champion those skinny little no decent tread road tires. Those things scare me. I imagine what will happen when I'm riding on new asphalt or during/after a rainstorm when there's so much water on the roads the cars have to worry about hydroplaning or any other condition when you need traction. What is so great about those tires? And what happens if you have them and hit a situation where you need traction on the road?
Your contact patch on road tires is so small tread makes little to no difference. Most people aren't achieving hydroplane speeds either.
Second, how do you find an area in a city where you can just ride for the fun of it? My car can only fit the bike with a good chunk of the bike hanging out. So wherever I can go for the fun of it, I got to be able to cycle there. Which means driving to X park out of town where there's some great trails is a no go. Do I just zoom Google Earth in really close and look for residential streets? Is there any other way of finding some place to have fun that doesn't involve angry motorists driving far too fast and far too aggressively near you?
First put your city or general location in your profile and other people local may be able to recommend places. Also contact city/county/state governments or websites and ask about bike trails etc.
Third, what is an easy way to locate holes in tubes out on the road? So far I'm needing water to find them.
Over pump the tube up to expand it and the holes will show up. Also orient your tire label or writing to the valve so you can check for what put the hole in your tire so you make sure it doesn't just puncture again.
Fourth, people have mentioned something called a co-op. I'm assuming it's a social group, but what is it exactly? How do you find them? Are they forgiving of newbies' lack of knowledge, or should I get more experienced before networking?
Co-ops are like non-profit bike shops and usually have times members can use tools and be assisted on repairs. Again, your location can allow others to offer local suggestions
Thanks for any replies.
Edit: Fifth, whoever decided where the serial number should go on my bike was obviously smoking something really good at the time. The only way I can get the entire number in one picture is to flip it and try to do a panoramic picture. In general, are insurance companies forgiving of taking two pictures, one with the first two thirds of the number and the second of the last two thirds (the overlap showing it's continuous)? Or do I practice my panoramic photo taking skills?
While I've never taken a picture, just written them down you could do that and take a picture of the written down # next to the last digits of the #. The last digits are usually the most important.