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Musings on Cycling and the Virtues of the Continental GatorSkin Kevlar Lined Bicycle Tire

We live today in an environmentally conscious society, marked by a global recession, and obsessed with health and beauty. It is no surprise that bicycles have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity among American consumers as both a means of exercise and transportation, but also as an enjoyable activity and competitive sport. Even counter-culture has embraced the bicycle as an every-mans means of transport, much preferring the humble bicycle to public transportation and automobiles. As a result all sorts of colorful and exciting niches of cycling have taken bloom in this new millennium.

Across the country millions each day don helmet and riding gloves and set off down the trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes of our fair country; be it to school, work, the local coffee shop or merely for pleasure.

My own interests in cycling began like many others. It wasn’t long after I could walk that my parents purchased me a tricycle. I graduated on to a sturdy Huffy and finally a serviceable mountain bike. But then something happened. I was a freshman in high school and suddenly a bicycle was passé. Everyone drove around in cars and trucks and my trusty mountain bike collected dust in the garage when I traded it in for a 1968 fire engine red Camaro. Who would have guessed 4 short years later I would rediscover my love for 2 wheel transportation when I went off to college.

There I was, stranded in a new city, a stranger in a strange land. At this point the Camaro was passed down to my brother, for I would be focusing on my studies at the University. Still, walking everywhere was decidedly lame. I longed to feel the cool air rush past my face, and besides, the 15 minute walk to calculus was becoming too much to endure while fighting a hang-over with a cafeteria biscuit and past expired fruit.  Suddenly it hit me from behind like a ton of bricks, a swarthy young man on a rusty old cruiser. Fighting the urge to howl certain explicatives across the hallowed quadrangle it took everything I had to retain composure. In that second of twisting agony I had what we alcoholics call a moment of clarity. As I limped off to class I realized that I could be that guy, that swarthy underclassman, running the cracked tires of a vintage Schwinn into the heels of the unexpecting. I could become that man.

So a trip to the sporting goods store settled it.  I was now the owner of a shiny new bicycle with a silver frame and knobby tires. Ready to tackle any trail, any obstacle for this iron steed was mine alone to command. My whims became its destiny. Most of that bicycle’s destiny was apparently at the local bar as my friends and I took great pleasure in riding our bikes to the various watering holes. We would often laugh of our exploits, reminiscing the nights when we were simply too drunk to drive, yet sober enough to slide behind the handlebars. Our laughter would echo off the quiet row houses, the tree lined streets, their autumn leaves crunching between our wheels like fresh snow.

As my cycling abilities improved, so did my interest in cycling mechanics. I often repaired my bike personally, and because the bike was rather cheap I had plenty of experience. Eventually I graduated to a real bike, a vintage Schwinn World Sport. She was a trusty touring bike with 12 gears and 27 inch wheels. I was a young man rediscovering myself, losing my mind to the sirens of the city. I would drink massive quantities of alcohol and wake up in the morning feeling like death incarnate. Instead of licking my wounds on the couch I would force myself to ride. I would ride to sweat out the sin, the poison within. I would cover great distances visiting corners of the city I had never seen, exploring new sights and smells, and working off some of that protruding beer belly that managed to emerge.

One ever present danger however was the dreaded flat tire. Nothing was worse than being 15 miles out only to feel the back wheel lose pressure and slowly start to walk out from under you. That sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach, that understanding that you were stranded, and it would be a long and miserable walk home, was like nothing else. I would often pack a small pump and extra patches but even then, certain flats were irreparable and the disruption of my ride was a great annoyance.

I tried various products to avoid flat tires; various tubes and goos and inserts. These magical elixirs made all sorts of lofty claims, their dapper salesmen promising to cure flat tires for good. Some of them worked alright, and others worked poorly. Much like you would expect snake oil at the dog and pony show to cure your cold you were often left, unsatisfied.

So finally I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a pair of Kevlar lined tires. I figured if the material was capable of stopping a bullet, surely a piece of broken glass would be easy work for the tires. Oddly enough, I was right. The Continental GatorSkin tire has proven itself to me to be the most effective preventative maintenance against flat tires. As far as tires go, they don’t come cheap, but if you really want to stop flats for good and start enjoying your rides then this is the only way to go.

Learn more at: http://www.continentalgatorskin.com

About the Author

Daniel Jackson, global enthusiast.

http://www.continentalgatorskin.com

http://www.skx007.com

http://www.rapunzeldoll.com

Collecting Vintage Bicycles Accessories : Vintage Bicycle Accessories: Hubs

Vintage Bike Napkin Set $28.00 Our bundle of napkins includes 6 Linen Napkins in each bundle. Each Napkin is 18×18 and each has a design printed on them. Machine wash cold in gentle cycle. No bleach….

Automoto Byrrh Vintage Bicycle Advert COFFEE MUG $19.99 “High quality ceramic coffee mug made with only the highest quality materials. Mug is large 15 ounces, 4.75 inches tall, 3 inch diameter. Amazing rich colors and vivid images.”…

American Crescent Bicycle Glass Cutting Board $69.95 This is no ordinary glass cutting board/serving platter. This is a piece of art. These boards are not only functional art for your kitchen, but an accent art piece that can make the whole room. The photos do not do these pieces justice, they are that beautiful. Anti-slide pads on bottom side of glass. Made from reconstituted (eco-friendly) glass. To properly care for your cutting board, do NOT pu…

RAD Cycle Pro Mechanic Bicycle Repair Stand Work On Bikes Like a Pro Mechanic at Home $32.95 This pro-quality, Pro Mechanic bike repair stand by RAD cycle is perfect for repairing your bicycle. From simple routine maintenance to complete overhauls, anyone can benefit from a stable work platform. When deciding on which product to carry we analyzed many factors, cost, stability, quality, etc. We back it up with a full 1 year warranty! Additional Features: * Our bike repair stand holds your …

Kabrus Alarm Bicycle Lock / Alarmed Lock for Bicycle Bike Security / Secure Folding Bikes, Road Bicycle, Mountain Bikes, Vintage Bicycle, trek mountain bike, ladies bicycle, folding bike bicycle, bicycle chain / bicycle accessories $40.94 Alarmed Bicycle Lock This Lock can be used has an ordinary padlock unarmed or alarmed dy simply taking out shackle and inserting it back into the lock the other way round. When the lock is alarmed a single Beep will be heard. Kabrus locks are designed with a unique microchip that controls the sensitivity, which ensures on false alarms. There are similar looking Products on the market but none that…

Kabrus Alarmed Cable Lock for Securing Bike Bicycle Garden Gates Motorbike Bicycles Motorcycle Scooter Motorbike accessories / Secure Motorbike helmets with Alarm Coil Lock / Motorcycle spares / Bike Accessories $41.20 Kabrus XL707 Alarm Cable Lock This Lock can be used unarmed or alarmed. When the lock is armed, a single beep will be heard. Heavy duty self-coiling extra flexible cable construction will deter any thief just on sight. The built-in alarm sounds immediately if anyone tampers with the 20mm thick cable. Double bolt locking system. This heavy duty innovative cable lock has an impressive 20mm thick ste…

Harley Bike/Lincoln Document $1.99 …

Beantown Bidders $1.99 …

Vintage Bicycle & Bike Riding Safety Films DVD: Biking & Bicycles History $12.99 Wonderful bicycle safety films collection from the past. These films used to be shown in schools all across America to teach bicycle riders the rules of the road. To ride a bike safely just follow a few golden rules, always hand signal well before turning, follow all traffic regulations, maintain your bicycle, and keep alert!! Well…If these films don’t make you laugh nothing will. Bicycle Films …

Kikkerland Dring Dring Bike Bell, Rotary Dial Telephone $14.95 Designed by Annie Legroulx Original hand-painted metal bicycle bells by Annie Legroulx of dring dring. Painted with eco-friendly paints: without solvents or toxic fumes. The painted bells are then baked making them resistant to all types of weather….