I haven't lived in NYC for 10 years, but that doesn't stop the people around me from considering me a New Yorker and asking me for visiting tips when they plan their vacations. So when one of my friends told me they planned to rent bikes in NYC last year, I told them they were crazy.
“Don't do it!” I warned, “you will be killed.”
In our town in Europe, we bike everywhere. The bike trails are so extensive I can bike from my house to the center of town without ever having to be on a road; the trails go
Archives for Biking
Biking as a Lifestyle
by Jessica B. December 9th, 2011 | Biking
Five years ago, I moved to a small city in Europe where biking is the main way of getting around. A lot of people have a romantic image of this kind of life – a large basket at the front of the bike, filled with freshly baked bread and flowers, the sun shining over head, but in actuality, the day-to-day reality can be a bit grittier.
Biking as your main form of transport can be healthy, invigorating and fun, but just like any other form of exercise, you have to be motivated and dedicated.
Here are some tips I have for
Biking as your main form of transport can be healthy, invigorating and fun, but just like any other form of exercise, you have to be motivated and dedicated.
Here are some tips I have for
Gifts for Cyclists
by Louise November 11th, 2011 | Biking
Last week, a number of gifts for hikers were suggested. This week, we feature gifts for the other active group who climbs mountains - bikers! Warning: the majority of these gifts are in the $50+ range. Unfortunately, purchasing a worthwhile gift for a cycling friend may lighten your wallet a bit more than you expect. Face it, they probably already own the bike and helmet that they want to use, and don't really want all of the little knick knacks that hikers might carry in their backpacks.
If you're not worried about a budget, there are tons of snazzy gifts
If you're not worried about a budget, there are tons of snazzy gifts
Efficient Shifting
by Louise October 14th, 2011 | Biking
What's the point of a nice bike if it isn't used efficiently? One of the easiest ways to improve one's efficiency on a bicycle is to use gears effectively. Improper shifting not only wastes a biker's energy, but it can also do a number on the lifespan of a bike.
The following is for someone who isn't necessarily a beginner in biking, but who hasn't put much thought into the way the gears on a bike work: shift from higher gears to lower gears to make the pedaling easier/faster; shift to higher gears when the pedaling is too easy. In
The following is for someone who isn't necessarily a beginner in biking, but who hasn't put much thought into the way the gears on a bike work: shift from higher gears to lower gears to make the pedaling easier/faster; shift to higher gears when the pedaling is too easy. In
The Boston Hubway
by Louise September 16th, 2011 | Biking
Less than a week after the article "Exploring a City by Bike" was posted here on Outdoors Eagle, the city of Boston officially began operating its new bike share system, Hubway.
Hubway (New Balance Hubway, officially) was launched on July 28. It opened with 46 stations around Boston and 600 bikes. This is Phase 1 of this bike share system. Phase 2 will begin in 2012, bringing Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline into the picture. Ultimately, we might see as many as 5,000 Hubway bikes and 300 stations around Boston and the surrounding cities.
There are four simple steps for
Hubway (New Balance Hubway, officially) was launched on July 28. It opened with 46 stations around Boston and 600 bikes. This is Phase 1 of this bike share system. Phase 2 will begin in 2012, bringing Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline into the picture. Ultimately, we might see as many as 5,000 Hubway bikes and 300 stations around Boston and the surrounding cities.
There are four simple steps for
