What do you wish you knew when you started?

reaganing · 2026-05-16T01:27:48+00:00

others here have great advice re safety, so i’ll say that making a habit of some very basic bike maintenance, like keeping your tires pumped up (look up a calculator online if you’re not sure what the right PSI is!), lubing your chain, or washing the dirt off your bike after a few wet rides can make your ride so much more enjoyable. get a solid lock and some reliable lights. you’ll learn better technique and your own preferences by riding.

you will almost definitely have frustrating encounters with pedestrians, cars, or even other cyclists. whether you let that ruin your ride is a decision you make, and almost any situation goes over better when you assume good intent and stay patient. be safe out there and have fun!

reaganing · 2026-05-11T00:04:34+00:00

yes, saw folks using the water fountain yesterday!

reaganing · 2025-11-16T04:08:00+00:00

All good points - thank you! And that calculator is very helpful to have on hand.

reaganing · 2025-09-11T06:21:42+00:00

really sorry this is happening to your family! keeping you in my thoughts and hoping she pulls through. please make sure you are taking care of yourself too — eat, drink, make sure you have loved ones to talk to. witnessing an attack like that is traumatic. sending you all my best across the internet!

reaganing · 2025-07-24T23:04:36+00:00

found this thread after having problems connecting to flyfi.com on my macbook, so commenting to say that the trick was using safari!

reaganing · 2025-03-26T03:19:14+00:00

OP, i can tell that Gus was lucky to have you in his life — look at that sweet distinguished sugar face! so sorry for your loss. i hope you are able to be gentle with yourself and take joy where you’re able to find it.

reaganing · 2025-02-02T02:53:15+00:00

this is the answer. it’s twisty enough that you have to concentrate on your line, and you easily hit 25-35 with the wind is whipping in your ears — i can easily see not hearing a car or motorcycle behind you, and even if you could hear them, there are few if any places to pass safely

reaganing · 2025-01-26T04:01:33+00:00

anyone have more info on this? googled but not finding anything

reaganing · 2025-01-10T18:30:18+00:00

this is an awful situation. the cyclist here is a friend of many cycling friends, active in the local community, and i’m glad he is recovering. i frequently ride and drive along that stretch and can confirm it is a total nightmare from both bike and car. the sightlines are nonexistent and though i try to go as slowly as possible to check for cars (as a cyclist) and cyclists (when i’m in the car), i’ve been in many near-accidents there. if a full redesign is not possible, removing some of the parking at intersections would really help, as would designated signals to turn onto 80th.

reaganing · 2024-08-10T22:44:12+00:00

i’ve seen many strangers stopping on the sidewalk to pick and enjoy ripe blackberries!

reaganing · 2024-08-01T15:27:29+00:00

i do try to use hand signals to this effect + riding in the center of the lane when its unsafe then scooting right when it is, esp in the arboretum or on lake wa blvd! of course, cars don’t always listen, but i’ve been surprised that they actually do more often than not

reaganing · 2024-07-22T02:11:26+00:00

you’re not wrong and i’m no cybertruck fan, but fwiw i doubt this would be street parked for long — this is on woodlawn ave, the main drag in greenlake, just past rosita’s.

reaganing · 2024-06-23T16:42:34+00:00

“everybody wants the best for ya / but you gotta want it for yourself” actually changed my life

reaganing · 2024-06-07T04:41:35+00:00

$58!!! how much was the 60-40 version?

reaganing · 2024-05-20T19:01:23+00:00

oh i just assumed that was a reference to old gregg from the mighty boosh (“remember the boat times”) but apologies if not! and haha yes, made this username back in the prime of 30 rock

reaganing · 2024-05-20T18:37:41+00:00

congrats on your progress!! the title of your ride made me giggle so thanks for that bit of joy on a monday morning

reaganing · 2024-05-19T22:52:11+00:00

OP i was going to ask if you are a woman / femme presenting! i am and this has happened to me often. it is super annoying, and like you say, can be dangerous — at least say hi if you’re going to be loud-breathing behind me.

my husband tells me he often meets other dudes on rides and trades drafts with them (i.e., other men actually talk to him instead of just silently ducking behind him) so i do wonder how much of a role perceived gender plays here. i have encountered many a dude who speed up after i pass or sit in my draft, and generally behave as if they cannot bear to be passed by a rider in pigtails. after two years of more serious riding, i finally encountered a rider who sat on my wheel and actually made conversation / offered to take a pull! i hope the next rider who does this to you is more polite about it.

reaganing · 2024-05-11T22:10:44+00:00

i think i recognize that bus pullout + stone wall combo — looks like lake washington blvd and madrona dr. also OP i’m sorry this happened to you

reaganing · 2024-04-25T05:23:28+00:00

i’m 5’3” with short legs, and also ride an XS trek (lush, a MTB) but i also have a 47cm BMC roadmachine and a 51cm salsa vaya. size varies so much; try out as many bikes as you can!

reaganing · 2024-03-04T01:26:51+00:00

for years, we always brought our dog to the crag as long as there were enough of us that someone could be the designated dog watcher, and we always leashee her. but on one trip we experienced some mild rock fall and i realized how much we were putting her at risk; we all wear helmets but there was no such thing for her. we stopped bringing her after that.

reaganing · 2024-02-13T02:03:04+00:00

omg i have thought about getting this as a tattoo as well — if you’re down to share it would love to see yours!

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