Springlike weather is not the same as spring.

But…it’s close enough that it’s time to start riding the bicycle again. Even with gas being around $1.80/gal. (and ain’t that grand?) there’s no reason to drive if I don’t have to. My work, banking, mail, and grocery needs are all met within a short distance from my house. I usually only drive when its either wet, cold, or I have to haul stuff.

For the survivalist who wants a way to stay mobile when the Lord Humongous has choked off the gas supply, a good mountain bike is tough to beat. I’ve been riding the same one for the last ten years now and other than a spring tune-up and the occasional tube/tire replacement it has held up very nicely. I tuck a hat, gloves, FAK, tube kit, and some odds and ends in the rack and Im good to go.

Just from a non-EOTW standpoint, it’s a good idea to have one (or more) goo d bikes around. It saves money on gas, gives you some exercise, lets you see parts of town that you normally wouldnt (alleys, trails, places you cant take a motorized vehicle, etc.), is stealthily quiet, and has the added benefit of being an excellent way of getting around roadblocks, clogged traffic arterials, and down backwood trails/paths.

As with any other piece of kit, you have to know how to take care of it. Here’s some precious posts on various bicycle issues:

Bicycle
Biking season approaches
Day of bicycle stuff
FAK foibles
Fixing Fak foibles