So, What's in that Bag Thing of yours anyway?

I've got a trunk bag. More specifically, an Arkel TailRider. I love it. And it's always on my bike.

Some people like those itty bitty bags that carry the most minimal flat kit and nothing else. That's great for a bike that you want to behave like a sports car. You wouldn't want to burden a race horse with a mule's load!

But my bike is a mule. A workhorse. And he carries my comforts and securities.

So what's in there anyway?

Well, here is a "surprise search" of the current contents of my TailRider.

First of all-- I've got a bright triangle hanging off the back of it.

The east side pocket houses my 'tool kit':

• spare tube
• tire levers
• ginormous multi tool
• temporary spoke fixer-doodle
• a box filled with other doo-dads:

• tire boot (temporary patch for a cut in the TIRE, not tube)
• spare chain link
• spare bolts
• little roll of velcro
• AAA batteries for my red lights

The west pocket houses the battery pack for my Down Low Glow and another spare velcro strap. Sometimes there are snacks in here, too. :)

Open it up, and the first thing you'll see are the spare clothes I decided to bring with me that day. Almost always that includes my Showers Pass rain jacket in case of a downpour. I also like a second set of gloves in case I over/underestimated the weather or if my first pair get soaked. Sometimes I might even have a spare hat, booties, or some other layer of clothing.

Under that, I keep a bus schedule and maps. Even though I have an iPhone, it's nice to have a hard copy so I don't rely on cell towers and battery life.

Oh! And my pump is in there, too-- to complete my tool kit.

In the lil' side mesh pockets are other treasures-- like snacks and a copy of my health insurance card.

I don't have a chain guard, so I have these metal bands to keep my jeans out of the way of the chain. They're quick and a bit more casual looking than the yellow velcro sort.

Chamois butter! Or anti-chafe lotion for your butt. Sometimes reapplication is necessary, so these lil' packets are handy.

And of course, PLAYING CARDS. For when you meet up with a friend at a coffee shop and you feel like a few rounds of Gin Rummy.

OTHER THINGS I'VE CARRIED:

• Spare front flashing light. *I rely on my rechargeable light most of the time, but I've had an AA-battery-operated light in my bag for back-up.
• More snacks. Clif Bloks or Fun Size Snickers bars.
• CO2 cartridge & applicator-- I have a sizable pump for infinite air, but sometimes in the rain, dark, or sketchy neighborhood-- it's nice to fix a flat faster.

Is this a gross over use of the Hipstamatic iPhone app? Yes, but I lost my Photoshop in my hard drive crash-- so bear with me!

The Adventure Errand

Ah, yes-- it's been too long since I've had the chance to bike to the grocery store and surprise a cashier. So when icy streets prevented my mom from driving to the grocery, I quickly volunteered to ride!

Rolling down the neighborhood streets, a woman calls out--

"You be careful out there!"

"It's okay, I've got STUDS!"

" !! Oh! ha ha ha!"

I carried a 12 pound turkey, another 10 pounds of potatoes, and while I was there-- I thought I might as well grab some winter ale, too.

And YES, all the parts of my Safire have been transferred to a Salsa Ala Carte and Surly Instigator Fork! More on that soon..

Instead of driving and stressing out about getting a car stuck or struck-- I just hopped on my bike and had a ton of fun!

..Though studded tires, hydraulic disc brakes, mountain gearing and a sweet steel mountain frame did make it EXTRA enjoyable. :)

Treat Yourself

If getting to work by bike requires multi-modal logistics from getting dropped off at the station, taking the bus, then riding an hour.. treat yourself!

That's what I do. :)

I take a coffee stop (cappuccino and a treat) for second breakfast, then order a smoothie when I get to work to tide me over until lunch.

Commuting Intermission

Begin at bus station.

(I got dropped off. Work with what ya' got.)

Intermission at Stumptown.

Which is conveniently, halfway up Capitol Hill.

Does anyone ever stop to take pictures of themselves, their car and the scenery while driving to work?

I think not.

Morning and night

I kinda felt like a cheater when I lived in Walla Walla. I bike "commuted" most everywhere-- but it only took 10 or 20 minutes to get there. Walla Walla isn't big. and it's FLAT! Maybe I rode 30 minutes if I was visiting my friend Alice, she lives WAY out on the edge of town.

Now, I'm a bike commuter in the sense that most people think of when they think "bike commuter." I take the bus and I ride my bike for more than an hour to get to work. And I stop for coffee because nothing feels more like rocket fuel than a fine cappuccino and morning glory muffin! (Thank you-- Stumptown!).

AND, I get to ride the cool bike path across I-90. It's funny what people like or don't like. I think it's fun to ride alongside the water and mentally raspberry at the cars whooshing past. I have a friend who rather does not prefer the bridge. I don't like it when it's wet and you gotta hold your breath when cross the metal grating thingies, but otherwise find it more than tolerable. Ah, well. My commute has many landscapes! This is just one of them.

Bike path on the I-90 bridge.

Skyline in the background is Bellevue.

Bellevue Transit Center, waiting for the bus.

Bike Station is becoming BIKE PORT

What was once known as "Bike Station" is becoming"BIKE PORT."

BIKE PORT is located in downtown Seattle, is run by (and next door to) the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and also hosts the JRA Bike Shop.

View Larger Map

BIKE PORT is affordable, convenient, and secure bike parking. Yes, there is "free" bike parking just about anywhere you can find a pole-- but would you leave your nice panniers in the street? What if you're 'geared up' in 'cycling clothes' because you've been riding for an hour, and need to change and freshen up? Using Bike Port takes the stress out of bike parking if you don't already have an indoor place to secure your bike and use a restroom.

Parking is free on weekdays, 9am-5pm. Buy a pass for 24/7 access! For my 'sporadic use' membership, I am only paying $2 for each time I park after-hours!

There is a public work stand and tools for you to use (as well as a professional mechanic at the in-house bike shop if you don't know how to fix it yourself).

A vending machine has all the basics you might need, even if the shop is closed.

Some memberships include the use of a locker.

The bathroom is big enough to swallow up you and your bike!

(No showers yet, but they're working on it.)

LOTS of parking.

Security cameras. While the security of your bicycle and belongings is not guaranteed (you should still lock your bike and take your valuables), the odds of theft are much lower. Bike Port is staffed 9am-5pm on weekdays and only members can enter using their key-card after hours.

Bike Port is next door to the Bicycle Alliance of Washington!

And yes, I've blogged on this before: HERE.

Count the Ways

Count the ways you can commute!

My cyclocross bike, turned road, turned commuter.

Working at Gregg's Bellevue Cycle, I meet customers who are looking for a commuter bike. Before leading them to a bike that is marketed as a "commuter bike," I first ask, "how do you want to commute?" because the truth is-- there are so many ways to commute! 

• How far do you want to commute? No more than a few miles? Or 30 miles a day, round-trip?
  
• Are you commuting only to and from work or for other errands as well?
  
• Do you want to be able to carry anything? How much? 
  
• Is your commute long or hard enough to warrant cycling specific clothing?
  
• Will you combo your commute with public transit?
  
• Will you be an all-weather or fair-weather rider?
• Do you prefer to take your time or get there as fast as you can?

Only after answering these sorts of questions, do we begin our tour of various bikes suited for commuting-- because really, you can commute on anything! 

While I lived in Walla Walla, WA, a small town in Eastern Washington, I commuted primarily on my Xtracycle. My job and lifestyle often required transporting "stuff," whether it be bicycles or groceries-- and the Xtracycle did it all. But I never had to go very far, nor take public transit.

Now that I live north of Seattle, WA and work in the city-- my bike commute involves 50 minutes of bicycling and 50 minutes on a bus. Sadly, I don't interact with the town I live in very much, nor do my own grocery shopping, so I haven't used my Xtracycle since living here. It also doesn't fit on the bus. If I lived closer to my place of work, I'd likely be riding it every day-- as it's fun to ride and will hold whatever I care to toss in it. 

The bikes that I have been riding since I adopted this new commute are my touring bike, cyclocross bike and folding bike. 

My TREK 520 touring bike is outfitted like a "traditional" (stereotypical?) commuter. It sports a rack and panniers; wide, fast and comfy flat-resistant tires; full fenders; a comfortable, efficient and stable geometry; a saddle that feels good with khakis or bike shorts; various reflective stickers; a safety triangle; serious lighting to the front rear and side; and 'flip-flop' pedals-- one side platform, one side SPD (clipless). This bike is ready to commute!

My DAHON SPEED D7 I use when all I need to do is ride two miles into town to catch the bus, meet a friend and toss it in their trunk. Conveniently, it also has (teeny tiny) fenders and a (teeny tiny) rack. I don't wear bike-specific clothing when riding the Dahon (except, perhaps a rain jacket and ankle strap), because I'm not ever riding it very far.

My Jamis Supernova Cyclocross Bike I use when I don't need or want to carry much or anything at all-- and I want to ride FAST. I don full-on cycling gear (Smartwool cycling knickers, jersey, wind jacket, gloves..) because it's comfortable, flexible and it's something to sweat in. Sometimes I wear my CamelBak (Hawg NV) with my work clothes stuffed in it and sometimes I drop off my clothes at work on a day when I drive in, so that I don't have to carry anything at all. I am fortunate that Gregg's supplies a shower and lockers for their employees! 

So you, see-- there are MANY ways to commute. None wrong, all different. What suits you?

Bicycle Parking in Downtown Seattle!

I have discovered something wonderful. 

In downtown Seattle, next to (and operated by) the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, is a cool place that I can't tell you the name of because they're re-branding soon. BUT! I can tell you how cool it is.

It's simple-- a parking service for bicycles. Yes, I know-- part of the convenience of bicycles is that you can park them just about anywhere and for free. However, one of the inconveniences of parking your bike anywhere is that your bike and everything on it is subject to theft, especially at night. And I really like my bike. And all of the stuff on it.

Enter the un-named bicycle parking service. Between the hours of 9am-5pm, you can park your bike inside a staffed building for FREE. Your bike is out of the elements and under the eye of video cameras and staff (though they do not guarantee security, you are still encouraged to lock your bike and take your valuables). The facility is locked from 5pm to 9am, but if you become a member, you gain 24-hour access by means of a swipe card. You can become an annual, monthly or pay-per-use member. Since I don't visit Seattle too often, I opted for the pay-per-use plan.

Bicycle Parking Downtown Seattle from Rebecca Jensen on Vimeo.

I paid a $20 annual fee, then purchased a $20 bundle of 10 overnight uses. So anytime I want to visit downtown Seattle, I pay TWO DOLLARS for parking ($4 if you include the annual fee) and that's only if I plan on staying past 5. If my destination is not in walking distance from the facility, I can just hop on one of the FREE downtown buses. Awesome.

Additional features include:

• An in-house bike shop-- for parts, accessories and service
  
• Lockers for monthly and annual members
  
• A workstand and tools for member use
  
• A vending machine with bike supplies for when the shop is closed
  
• A warm and spacious changing room
  

I look forward to the day when these are more common than an ugly car parking garage!

Urban Cycling Techniques

A few weeks ago, I took a 2-day class-- Urban Cycling Techniques-- from the local Cascade Bicycle Club in order to learn how to teach it. And of course, I even learned a few things! In fact, I'm glad I took the class if only to learn those things. 

I'm a pretty confident cyclist already. I've raced, toured across the country and moved out of an apartment by bicycle trailer. That's a strong resume. However-- I've done most of my cycling in WALLA WALLA. Walla Walla is about 5 miles wide and major 4-lane arterials are easily avoided. While I do have 'advanced cycling skills' for riding in traffic-- I know when to take a lane, change lanes and what dangers to look for at intersections-- I haven't spent a lot of time cycling in a truly urban setting.

And I KNEW that we would be riding in an urban setting for this class.

But I didn't think that we would deal with--

merging and diverging freeway ramps.

SWEET! I was strangely excited. That's possibly one of the most complicated or intimidating situations you could find-- and now we were going to conquer it. And we totally did. And it was totally easy and intuitive. 

Additionally, I was glad to have some 'official' input on my unresolved questions about riding in traffic. IS it okay to enter the roadway using the crosswalk? What is the law regarding lights and reflectors? Do I have the right to take the lane in every state? If the bike lane is unsafe, do I have the right to NOT use it?

And finally, I'm glad I took this class for my initial intent-- to learn how to teach it, both in class and in a casual setting. Now I know how to ride safely and also how to EXPLAIN how to ride safely.

Moral of this story?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cyclist-- take an Urban Cycling class!

Put on your fancy shoes and GO RIDE A BICYCLE!!

In fits of fashion, I have posted and re-posted about a wonderful blog called Copenhagen Cycle Chic. I always point new cyclists there, just to show them that:

• YES, you can ride a bike in heels
  
• YES, you can ride a bike in a skirt
  
• YES, you can ride a bike in style
  

Don't believe me? Please visit, Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C.

These are not models or set-ups. These are snap-shots taken during day-to-day life in Copenhagen. 

But just how many people are riding bicycles in style anyway? Well..

*This is the result of a "back-up" from waiting for a drawbridge.

NOW do you believe me? Okay, moving on.

A more recent CYCLE CHIC blog favorite of mine is Bikes and the City, by Meligrosa. She is not only adorable as heck with a fashion sense to admire-- but she lives in SAN FRANCISCO! 

We've got a chic lady on OUR team! :D

Now, to show off some fantastic Bikes and the City shots:

So GO! Put on your fancy shoes and GO RIDE A BICYCLE!!

The Sidewalk: Part 2

In a recent post, I abhorred riding on the sidewalk for its hidden dangers. I expressed that I deemed cycling on the sidewalk instead of on the road to be inappropriate and unsafe unless:

What if the road you are on is just really, really terrible? What if you've chosen the best route possible and you just have to ride along this crummy street and riding in the road spells s-c-a-r-y a-s s-h-i-t. And to top it off, you're an experienced commuter that understands the risks of riding on the sidewalk and will take special precautions to prevent these particular dangers.

Then, YES-- in my PERSONAL opinion.. I think that it would be appropriate to ride on the sidewalk.

HOWEVER! Amy, one of the wonderful (and fellow) Trek Women Who Ride, pointed  this out to me in a comment:

Hey RJ! I agree - cyclists on the sidewalk (especially going the opposite way!!!) are generally not a good idea. However, I do have my daughter ride on the sidewalk while I'm in the road (going with traffic on the right side). I take her on-road when I feel it's safe, but overall I just find kids to be way too unpredictable to have in the road. Even responsible and knowledgeable (my daughter's been urban biking for half her little 6 year old life) kids on bikes make mistakes that could be disastrous - swerving out to avoid something, not paying attention, etc. I do teach her to be on the lookout for cars coming out of driveways and parking lots (and I look too), and she MUST ask pedestrians for the right to pass when coming up behind them. That's the only time I see sidewalk riding as necessary. I haven't really had any experiences as an adult that I felt was safer on a sidewalk, but I live in a pretty bike friendly place. Anyway, good blog!!

I absolutely agree with everything that Amy said! The demographic that I was scolding (in my mind) for riding on the sidewalk were those 13 years old and up. But what DO you do when you got a wee little one and they really DON'T know how to behave in traffic? A trailer or a tag-a-long only work for so long until they need to ride on their own. I think that Amy's solves the problem well by riding WITH her daughter. Amy can act as the adult eyes and ears for her daughter, while motorists are more likely to see Amy and stop when appropriate.

But REALLY what we need-- is better bicycling infrastructure. In the Netherlands, the kids go on FIELD TRIPS by BICYCLE. And no, they're not wearing helmets-- that's because cycling is so, so much safer there (and it's fairly safe even here!). In the Netherlands, it would be like wearing a helmet to walk down the stairs.

Riding on the Sidewalk

Riding on the sidewalk is usually not only a faux pas, but in many or most situations can be extremely dangerous compared to riding on the road. That's why my heart sinks and my head feels conflicted whenever I see a kid (or adult!) riding AGAINST traffic on the sidewalk. I'm sure that mom or dad told them that riding on the sidewalk would be safest and riding against traffic so that you could "see" the cars would be best. What these parents don't know is that riding against traffic while on the sidewalk is just about the worst place you could be. Or just riding on the sidewalk, period.

Why?

Traffic, especially cross-traffic, doesn't see you. When a car pulls out from a business, the driver scans THE ROAD and NOT the sidewalk for vehicular traffic. Even if the driver checks for pedestrians, cyclists are speedier and could be out of sight one moment and on a car hood the next. Similarly, if a car wants to pull into a business, generally drivers are NOT checking the sidewalk for fast moving traffic.

HOWEVER--

What if the road you are on is just really, really terrible? What if you've chosen the best route possible and you just have to ride along this crummy street and riding in the road spells s-c-a-r-y  a-s  s-h-i-t. And to top it off, you're an experienced commuter that understands the risks of riding on the sidewalk and will take special precautions to prevent these particular dangers.

Then, YES-- in my PERSONAL opinion.. I think that it would be appropriate to ride on the sidewalk. I have done so in this very situation I've described. However, I don't come across this situation very often. I am usually very good at route selection and I am not shy about "taking my lane," as it is my legal right to do so. I'll write more about "taking the lane" in the future-- in short, it's when you ride in the MIDDLE of the traffic lane instead of the right third. This forces traffic to have to change lanes and go AROUND you instead of trying to squeeze you off the road.

Interestingly enough, one of our "bike paths" here in Walla Walla is along Dalles Military Road. It's basically an extra-wide sidewalk that bikes are supposedly expected to use. I didn't know that it was such a "shared use path" until it was pointed out to me by a City engineer during a Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee meeting. My response was, "you want me to ride on THAT? How am I supposed to make a left turn??" Not to mention-- it trains cyclists to think that it's okay to ride on the sidewalk all the time. And it tells cars that bikes don't belong on the road. In reality, Dalles Military Road actually has a HUGE shoulder and there is PLENTY of room for two lanes AND a bike lane.. and maybe even a parking lane too (if they hadn't put in the glorified sidewalk).

Now, if this "shared use path" actually looked and was marked as a shared use path-- like the Copenhagen-style cycle path that is now being installed in Portland..

Graphic designed by the folks over at BikeHacks, one of my favorite blogs!

Well, you see-- a cycle track is separate from pedestrians, protected from traffic by parked cars and marked heavily so that cars know to expect bicycles there. The Dalles Military sidewalk is none of these things.

The real solution to this whole problem, would be for our towns and cities to spend an appropriate amount of money on bicycle infrastructure (instead of straightening out curvy roads that are TOTALLY FINE.. *ahem). But until then-- we do our best with what we've got..

and complain about it 'til it changes. :)

You're TWICE as likely to die driving a car than riding a bicycle

Alan over at EcoVelo just posted these statistics from Failure Analysis Associates. I've been looking for something like this. When I am talking to someone who is considering bicycle commuting, one of the most familiar "but" excuses I hear is, "but it just seems so dangerous!" The best I ever could come up with was, 

well, it's all about the routes you choose and being a smart cyclist. And I feel like I'm safer on a bike anyway-- I ride like cars can't see me and am less prone to take the risks we take in cars.. and I'm sure there are some statistics somewhere that show that driving is probably more dangerous anyway.. and you get better long term health from riding a bike...

WELL. Here are those statistics I've been grabbing for! You're twice as likely to die while driving a car-- but you don't say, "oh, I don't want to drive to work.. it just seems so dangerous!"

Activity Fatalities Per Million Hours

• Skydiving 128.71
  
• General Aviation 15.58
  
• On-road Motorcycling 8.80
  
• Scuba Diving 1.98
  
• Living (all causes of death) 1.53
  
• Swimming 1.07
  
• Snowmobiling .88
  
• Automobile Driving .47
  
• Water Skiing .28
  
• Bicycling .26
  
• Flying (domestic airlines) .15
  
• Hunting .08
  

Bicycling also provides long term health benefits that driving doesn't. It's also a LOT better for the health of the environment. And it's just more fun.

Loading the Xtracycle

This is an Xtracycle.

And this is how it works:

An Xtracycle can attach to just about any bike. It's wonderful for carrying loads because the Xtracycle lengthens your wheel base which makes your bike a LOT more stable! As a result, you can load it lopsided (25 pound bag of onions on one side? No problem!) or just load it UP (130 lb buddy? No problem!). Plus, the long bag with cinching straps and large surface area of the wood "snap deck" are GREAT at accommodating awkward loads that couldn't even dream of fitting into panniers!

Just Another Pleasant Commute

Dressed for work,

dressed to ride.

Dressed for ride,

Dressed to work.

No Gatorade here, just french press coffee and low pulp OJ.

The shoes that I feel like wearing today are bike shoes.

The shoes that I feel like wearing tomorrow are bike shoes.

All my shoes are bike shoes.

Purse, lunch and a lawn chair.

Brownie in the lunch. Book in the purse. Butt in the lawn chair.

My bike has a loud mouth.

Someday..

Getting Xtracycle at the Local Bike Shop

I've asked the guys at a local bike shop a few times why they don't have any Xtracycles on the sales floor. "Oh, we can get them," is always the response. Yeah, SO CAN I, but people are less likely to consider it an option when browsing at the bike shop if they don't SEE it as an option at the bike shop. Another excuse was, "oh, it just doesn't make sense to people when it's not on a bike." THEN PUT IT ON A BIKE, or even better, a Big Dummy or a Radish! 

I want very much for an Xtracycle to become a common option for those looking for a commuter bike. It is very frustrating to hear these excuses, because what I'm hearing through the words and gla

nces away are, "I don't think your Xtracycle is practical or that anyone would want to buy one." And that-- that really irritates me. A serious peeve of mine is being considered "cute" or a "novelty" for getting around by bike. It perpetuates the attitude that bicycles are only recreational vehicles not real commuting vehicles. 

Why would this be SO frustrating to me? I don't work for Xtracycle. No, but having an Xtracycle has made bicycle commuting not only possible for me, but convenient and fun. I believe that it is a highly practical solution to many bicycle commuting 'problems' and if treated as such on the sales floor of a bike shop, more people would consider bicycle commuting who may not have before. 

Also, I am often asked, "where did you get it?" and I say, "online." Purchasing an unknown product that costs several hundred dollars that is not readily available to te

st ride can be a big leap for people to take. Being able to see and interact with a product on a sales floor of a familiar shop and take it for a test ride down the street-- that's more convincing. Thus, I periodically pester the bike shop to carry the Xtracycle on the sales floor. Meanwhile, I will continue to make videos of my Xtracycle because I remember what it was like when I was scratching my head and rubbing my chin over whether or not to buy an Xtracycle, and I want to make that process easier. I am also further inspired to make more videos due to the positive feedback I've received on this blog and also from the very folks at Xtracycle headquarters!! (Just wait for my upcoming video of my new KickBack kickstand!)

Also, I could go on a rave just on why Xtracycle is an awesome company! Though I'll save that for later. :) I have exhausted my soap box for this post.

If you would like to see Xtracycles at your local bicycle shop: TELL THEM!

It's usually better to act on what you want, instead of just complaining about it. ;) 

This is me, and this is my bike.

Here is the text to this short video:

Hi, I'm RJ and this is my bike.

It has flat pedals so that I can wear sneakers, and fenders to keep them dry.

On my handlebars, I keep a little bag for small things, a white bike light to use at night, and an air horn, in case I need to be heard by inattentive drivers. It's REALLY LOUD.

On the back of my bike are two red bike lights and a reflective triangle that help me be seen from behind.

I also have an orange light tube that helps me be seen from the side at night.

On the back I have an Xtracycle that can hold a LOT of stuff!

...

There are some things that I always keep with me in my Xtracycle.

...

Sometimes I wear spandex when I ride my bicycle.. and, sometimes I don't.

These are bike shoes, and so are these.

These are bike gloves, and so are these.

This is a cycling jacket, and so is this.

It doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you're safe and warm.

...

...

If I can't carry something on my Xtracycle, I use my bike trailer.

...

I even ride my bike when it snows.

I just put on some studded tires.. and make sure to dress real' warm.

Now why would I do that?

Well, because all I know, is that when I ride my bicycle, I'm in a much better mood than most people in those stinky ol' cars.

Some of the products seen in this video:

• Planet Bike SuperFlash
  
• Down Low Glow
  
• Bikes at Work bicycle trailer
  
• Surly Long Haul Trucker
  
• Xtracycle
  
• Studded Tires
  
• Safety triangle
  
• Air Zounds bicycle air horn
  

And don't forget, when possible, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BICYCLE SHOP! ;)

Gear Review: KEENS on the bike

I have discovered that I quite like KEENs.

I am often befuddled that clothing and footwear suffer a gap between casual and practical. KEENs have been one of few products I've found to marry the two. 

These are my 'casual' and, yes, waterproof shoes I wear day to day. I don't ever have to worry about getting my feet wet.

These are the shoes I wear in the summertime. My feet feel well protected while staying ventilated.

These are the shoes that I will bring bike touring with me. They have sneaker comfort, boot tread and waterproofing, and a more neutral/subtle look than many 'sport' shoes. They'll take me around camp, down town, and up trail.

*UPDATE: Definitely did NOT bring these shoes touring! They are HEAAA-VY! And just unnecessary. I'd recommend a pair of lightweight foam CROCS.

Gear Review: Sparx Tire Valve Lights