Originally Posted by
rachel120
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?
I grew up riding those tyres ... I've been riding bicycles with them for 40 years. You don't hydroplane with those kind of tyres and if you hit a situation where you need traction you can slow down.
Originally Posted by
rachel120
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?
Get on the bicycle, start to ride, turn left at the next intersection. You can also turn the bicycle layer onto Google Maps to get an idea of what Google thinks is a good place to ride.
Originally Posted by
rachel120
Third, what is an easy way to locate holes in tubes out on the road? So far I'm needing water to find them.
Hole the tube against your cheek.
Originally Posted by
rachel120
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?
Type "Bicycle Coop" and your location into Google. Also go to a bicycle shop and ask.
Originally Posted by
rachel120
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?
I've never had any issues getting the whole number into one photo. You can also write it down.