Notices by Phil (ascentale) (ascentale@sfba.social)

@arnodegroote via @Daveography asks:

Q2. Been a while since I had time to take my bike out for a proper ride. First chance I have will be this Friday, BUT it'll be about 0C - 1C and I hate the cold. Any cyclists that have some tips other than "layers" (which I have) and "harden up" (which I try). Or anyone with motivating words?

(We've had some Qs lately about riding in the cold but how about _motivation_ for riding in the cold?)

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ cc @bikenite

Welcome to #BikeNite on February 14th. Thanks for joining, as we chat about cycle stuff. Answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

We'll start out with our introduction:

Q1. Where are you posting from today? It is Valentine's day. Do you have any stories of love or connection (romantic or not) that involved cycling somehow?

(this is the only Valentine's-related question)

#BikeNiteQ cc @bikenite

Fewer car trips will make public transit faster

Welcome to #BikeNite on January 24th. Thanks for joining, as we chat about cycle stuff! Answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

We'll start out with our introduction:

Q1. Where are you posting from today? What's the most recent thing or accessory that you added to your cycle that was more than practical?

#BikeNiteQ

@pete asks:

Q6. Pixelfed has blown up over the past week or so, and so with photos in mind, and without curation or cheating (privacy concerns excluded): Share both the earliest and the most recent photos from your library that you've snapped while out riding.

(Also, can someone explain to me: how do people typically have their Pixelfed and Mastodon accounts interact? Are they supposed to?)

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

@xtaran asks:

Triggered by https://urbanists.social/@straphanger/113832845074651380

Q5. What are #BikeNite participants' views on bike sharing in general? Especially because most participants seem to be avid riders and most if not all seem to have their own cycle.

Do you use bike sharing services? Even if you have your own cycle? Do you only use bike sharing services if you are in another town? Do you have preferences for specific bike sharing services? If so, why?

#BikeNiteQ

@pete asks about coordinating rides:

Q3. How do you communicate with your riding buddies/groups/orgs? I’m happy in my little Mastodon world, and have no interest in engaging in anything Meta, Musk, or platforms setting up to go that way (i.e BlueSky). I know I miss out on cycling goings on as a result of this and do struggle with that at times: principles over pragmatism?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

And a bonus question!

Q9. There might be another small influx of people escaping another eccentric-billionaire-owned platform. Should we be reaching out to bring more people to the Fediverse? If so, what can we do?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

#BikeNite starts at 4pm Pacific. We ask cycle-y questions for community discussion. I post questions w/ Q1, Q2, Q3; if you answer w/ A1, A2, A3, etc, it's easier to match.

Tag #BikeNite if you want your answer to be more discoverable; follow it to see questions & replies in your feed. Boost & reply to replies to keep the discussion going.

(You can follow BikeNiteQ tag so questions are easier to find, but you don't need to include this in your answers)

image: @meganL cc @bikenite

@nix @meganL @bikenite I wonder if there's a better way I can communicate the start time?

@bobjonkman wow! Look at those levers!

@bobjonkman wonders about what's in your kit (as in tool bag)?

Q3. What's in your kit?

(As in tool bag, inspired by https://sfba.social/@goldenmeanie@mastodon.publicinterest.town/113727960267325177 Can you share any photos of it?)

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

Q3. Have you tried TPU inner tubes? What do you think of them?

(They are made of polyurethane plastic that is lighter than standard butyl rubber tubes)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TPU_vs._butyl_inner_tubes_07.jpg

#BikeNite #BIkeNiteQ

@gcvsa asked a while back:

Q2. What tools would you personally recommend cyclists carry on-bike? Not types of tools, but specific models, with context (type of ride or rider).

I will start with the Wiha 66994 ball-end long hex wrenches. It's a 9-piece set, but I only carry the 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm wrenches for local, in-town rides. I find these are more effective and usually lighter than fold-up multi-tool types, and are the tools I most often need for adjustments.

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

@MartyCormack asks:

Q7. Did you set any cycling goals for 2024? If so what was the result? Are you setting a different goal for 2025?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

@moira asks:

Q6. Have you seen this dual-chain redundant drive system and would you want one?

(If not, have you seen any ultra-reliable designs or other unconventional drivetrains)

https://newatlas.com/bicycles/two-chain-buffalo-bike/

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

Speaking of locks..

Q5. Do you lock up your cycles even when they are inside your residence?

Why or why not?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

And tonight's last question is from @daihard:

Q8. My new Marin DSX 1 comes with "WTB Riddler" tires. I have no experience with WTB tires, much less the Riddlers. Are they good all-season tires? I plan to keep them as long as I can, but if they're not suitable for year-round riding, I may switch sooner to those that are.

(What tires would you recommend for year-round riding?)

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

@atmospheric_cyclist asks, via @epu:

Q4. Does anyone have any recommendation for a mobile app to share my position when I'm cycling alone?

I know Strava has this, but I prefer to use my old-school GPS and manually upload tracks. Also, I'd prefer not to have to use Meta/Google or similar. RideWithGPS can share location, but I need premium for that and since I don't use it otherwise it seems unecessary.

Bonus for Opensource and so on...

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

Speaking of bells..

Q3. If you have a bell, what the different things that you try to communicate when you ring it? (or honk, if it's a horn, etc) What percent of the time are you trying to communicate what?

(For example, a bell ring could mean a "hello", a "pardon me", a "get out of my way", a "please don't hit me", and so on)

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ