Top 7 Most Inspiring Bicycle Quotes

Quotes are great for capturing the essence of notable, hilarious or remarkable ideas. What they omit in detail, they make up for in impact.

So in no particular order, we've compiled 7 of our favorite quotes about the varied world of bikes and cycling, a topic full of grace and humor. Read on. 

1. The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure at heart. 

- Iris Murdoch

2. Few articles ever used by man have created so great a revolution in social conditions as the bicycle.

- U.S. Census Report, 1900

3. Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to work out in a gym. 

- Bill Nye

4. I wouldn't sell my bike for all the money in the world. Not for a hundred million, billion, trillion dollars! 

- Pee-Wee Herman

5. The bicycle is the vehicle of a new mentality. It quietly challenges a system of values which condones dependency, wastage, inequality of mobility, and daily carnage.

- Jim McGurn

6. Be at one with the universe. If you can't do that, at least be at one with your bike.

- Lennard Zinn

7. When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.

- H.G. Wells

 

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Oversimplified: Spoke Patterns

When it comes to bicycle wheels, the sum is much greater than the parts: rim, spokes, hub. Through skill and a spoke pattern, these simple elements make an incredibly strong wheel, capable of carrying a rider through city streets and mountain passes. That's cool.

But there are lots of different spoke patterns for different types of riding, so the wheel builder has to know which to use.

We build our wheels with 32 or 36 spokes in a pattern called 3-cross. It's so called because each spoke crosses three other spokes on its journey from the hub to the rim. That spoke quantity, plus the stress reducing effect of the pattern, makes a wheel that's reliable and strong.

A 3-cross rear wheel.

A radial front wheel with alternating black and silver spokes.

Another pattern suitable for city riding is radial. Radial spokes don't cross any other spokes, but simply radiate out directly from the hub to the rim. This pattern only works on the front wheel however, because the front carries less weight and isn't subjected to the drive train stress that the rear wheel is.

There are many other useful patterns available, and some not so useful. Some reduce spokes to save weight, but in so doing also reduce strength. Some use intricate designs for little more than aesthetic appeal.

We build wheels to hit the streets, then hit them again and again. Well built, these wheels will carry you.

 

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Do You Tumbl?

Bigger is not always better, but bigger pictures of beautiful bikes are better.

So we've adopted a new full screen hi-res Tumblr look. Check it out for gratuitous bike porn, in glorious high resolution. 

Click here to embiggen.

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Dine-In or Take-Out?

Simple is beautiful, and the TakeOut handlebar basket is both.

Hi-res photo here.

This deceptively small porter is minimal on the bike, but stores a surprising amount of stuff. Designed for essentials, like a six-pack and some burritos, it's also great for a picnic or a dinner's worth of groceries.

Included are a roll-top waterproof grocery bag and an integrated U-lock carrying slot.

Carrots, apples, peaches, bread, cheese, water, chocolate, pineapple, zine and room to spare.

For the everyday epicurean, the TakeOut is perfect.

 

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Happy Olympics

Opening ceremonies Friday night at 7:00 PM (all times PST) on NBC.

Cycling events are schedule for:

  • Saturday, July 28th - 2:00 AM - Men's Road Race
  • Sunday, July 29th - 4:00 AM - Women's Road Race
  • Monday, August 1st - 4:30 AM - Women's Time Trial / 6:15 AM Men's Time Trial

Single, Double, Band or Strap?

Pedaling is simple right? Just slap your feet on there and go. 

For many, it is that simple and serves them well. But for those of us who want a little help keeping our feet positioned correctly and extracting the most power out of each pedal stroke, there's foot retention. 

Foot retention aids in correct foot placement, keeping the widest part of your foot just over the pedal axle, while allowing both legs to contribute to each revolution, not just the leg pushing down. That means more efficiency and power.

If you want to keep your feet extra snug, we've put together an overview of our favorite methods.

Plemons Single Strap

The classic single cage and strap setup receives the bike messenger treatment from our friend Casey Plemons. Casey's unique design uses buckles instead of clips ensuring that no matter how hard you pull up on the cage, the straps won't give a centimeter. Made of high-quality leather here in San Francisco.

Retention level: moderate.

Plemons Double Strap

Originally made exclusively for fellow messengers in San Francisco, Casey now makes his double straps for us as well. More retention and more beauty than the single straps, but with the same quality and street tested design.

Retention level: high.

Bici Bands

Made from stainless steel hardware and military grade fabric, Bici Bands are a softer - literally and figuratively - retention method. They install easily to any road pedal that accepts toe cages, and they're great for dress shoes as the smooth fabric won't scratch or grab.

Retention level: low.

Holdfast

These extremely tough straps are an alternative to metal cages. They can be easily resized with a wide Velcro closure to fit any type of shoe on any day. Besides clipping in like many roadies do, Holdfast provide the most direct connection to the pedal.

Retention level: high.

 

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How Is Yours Yellow?

We're often asked, "What's the deal with your colorful chains?" The common assumption is that the color will wear off or become unrecognizable beneath a solid layer of gunk.

Well, neither are true on a Mission bicycle, or any bike without external derailleurs for that matter.

First, our colored chains are powder coated not painted, making the color more durable.

Second, while all chains need lubrication, single speed and internally geared bikes need less than traditional derailleur setups, because their chains don't move side to side. It's the lube that is responsible for holding onto dirt, so reducing lubrication means a cleaner chain.

Too many riders see the chain as only a necessary evil, covered in grime. Why can't the chain be another opportunity to personalize your bike? Add a streak to your pedal stroke in one of 8 colors.

 

 

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LANE BIKE THIS SAVE

That's our GM Jefferson taking the LANEThat's our GM Jefferson taking the LANE

We're not really a discount kinda store. But we proudly offer a 10% discount to dues paid members of the San Francisco Bicycle Coaltion, in good standing.

We're members ourselves and we're volunteers and we appreciate your support of this organization that makes SF more bike-friendly every day.  

Le Tour Guide for Le Commuter

The 99th Tour de France is well underway, and despite being the most revered and well known bike race in the world, it's a complete mystery to most.

Which is a shame. It's an inspiring event with a rowdy history, and a great excuse to watch Europeans chase cyclists around the French countryside. No other sports event of such prestige is as chaotic as Le Tour. 

While the official Tour rulebook is 40 pages long, we've got all you need to get started in one simple page. Read on.

Le Tour:

The scope of the race is consistent but the specific towns on the course vary each year. This year's Tour covers over 2,000 miles, with only 2 days of rest. The riders will average 103 miles per day for 3 weeks straight.

What You'll See:

Each segment of the race is called a stage, and with only a few exceptions, each stage is a mass-start, which is exactly what it sounds like. All riders begin together in a large group called a peloton and race to the finish line. In the process there will be numerous breakaways, where one or more riders will speed away from the peloton. More often than not, the breakaway won't be able to sustain the increased speed and will be reabsorbed by the group.

The peloton is followed by a swarm of photographers on scooters and team support cars carrying coaches, mechanics and parts. If a rider gets a flat tire or crashes, the support car will zoom up and deliver a new wheel or bike. Occasionally the scooters will crash into riders, spectators or each other.

The course, which is simply the streets of France, is full of spectators. Fans are only restricted in certain areas on crowded city streets. In the countryside they park RVs in wheat fields, dress up in costumes and run down the road with their favorite riders. It's a well learned dance at this point.

Many sports fans love to believe in the mirage of the plucky young athlete, with his heart of gold and endless determination, who defeats his opponents to a chorus of praise. Well, that ain't how life works. And it certainly isn't how the Tour works. To win, you need domestiques

Domestiques do their job by setting the pace, blocking other riders, delivering food and water to the front, creating a slipstream, even giving up their bikes in the event of a crash or malfunction. This year's tour began with 198 riders on 22 teams, but only a handful have a shot to win. The rest are there to make sure it's their teammate on the podium. It's an essential and respected position, and those who do it well may have their own domestiques in future races.

How To Win:

The overall winner is the rider whose cumulative time, on all stages, is the fastest. In addition, there are special jerseys worn by the fastest riders in four categories.

Yellow Jersey: Worn by the rider with the fastest cumulative time. The yellow jersey, or maillot jaune, is the ultimate goal. Putting it on after a stage victory means a cash prize of €8,000 and two French kisses. Putting it on as the victor in Paris means adulation and €450,000. Not bad for a ride through Champagne vineyards.

Green: Awarded to the leader in the points classification. Points are accrued through finishing placement and stage sprints. Pays €25,000.

Red Polka Dots: Points are awarded to the fastest climber, known as King of the Mountain. The harder the climb, the more points. Pays €25,000.

White: Worn by the rider with the highest overall standing under 25 years of age. Pays €20,000.

History and Tradition:

1903: The Tour was the creation of a struggling Parisian sports newspaper, L'Auto, as a device to invigorate sales. Long-distance races were already popular and this one was designed to be a spectacle. 

Well it was, and it worked. Most of the riders that first year were disqualified, including the winner, while fans rushed into the streets to beat up rival riders. Circulation of L'Auto ballooned and their competitor went out of business the following year. 

The early decades were a mess. Riders rode single speed bikes, with wooden rims, and stages often started in the middle of the night. Cheating was rampant with riders hoping cars and trains to elide long routes. In various years the race organizers tried, but failed, to mandate that all riders eat the same amount of food and ride the same bike.

While time has refined the race it is never without drama. In 1989, American Greg Lemond won the Tour by only 8 seconds with shotgun pellets lodged in his heart. In 1999, protesting firemen halted the racers and pelted them with stinkbombs.

Tradition dictates a surprising level of good sportsmanship. If the yellow jersey rider has a mechanical problem, the race leaders will slow down to wait for him. If a rider has to pee, he'll just go. On the bike. If it's during an ascent it's not uncommon for a teammate to push him.

The race closes with laps around the Champs-Élysées, one of Paris' most glamorous streets. This Tour tradition since 1975 rarely affects the standings but is a prestigious way to close cyclings most revered event.

How To Watch:

If you have cable, NBC Sports Network is broadcasting nearly 300 hours of coverage. Listings can be found here. On the web, video highlights can be found for free after every stage from the Tour's site here. Serious fans can pay to stream it live as well.

NBC will air a two hour recap of the entire Tour at 1:00 pm Eastern on Sunday, July 22nd.

 

All images courtesy of the Tour de France.

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Stump Us

If you've been dying to know why some U-locks are so small, how to check your saddle height, what to do in case of an accident, or anything else commuter-related, just let us know.

We mean that. Just ask.

Our staff has over 50 combined years of city cycling experience and we are here to help. We'll steer your question to the staffer best suited to answer it and post the response for all to see.

Send us your questions, about anything from cranks to clothes, along with your name and location to answers@missionbicycle.com.

 

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