Paying the "Mountain Bike Experience" Forward

My 8 year old daughter has been asking why her mountain bike doesn’t have front “springs” like her sister’s bike, or like mine. So last week I ordered a set of inexpensive suspension forks for her and installed them on her bike. The resulting smile and new found enthusiasm for riding her bike was well worth the $40 I spent on the forks. Plus my older daughter and I had a good time working as a team installing the new part. It was a fun afternoon of bonding with my girls, and the result was that we all smiled at our part in the project, my eldest daughter for being able to help work on the bike, my younger daughter because she now had a bike with front “springs”, and me for seeing the smiles and feeling the bonding with my daughters.

I also realized something as I worked on the bike and saw the resulting joy that was created. I realized that most mountain bikers feel pride in this sport, and that in turn manifests itself as the desire to help others feel that same joy and satisfaction. In fact, I think if you ask most mountain bike riders if they would help someone get started riding, the answer would be that they would be more than happy to assist. I think this is because mountain bikers ride, not only for the exercise and enjoyment of riding, but also for the social aspect too. Many times you will see mountain bike riders in pairs or larger groups talking and pedaling along with big smiles and good attitudes and saying hello to everyone they meet on the trail and completely enjoying the shared experience with their friends.

After helping my daughters with the forks I could also see that it is the responsibility of us more seasoned mountain bike riders to help promote our sport and get other people interested in riding. It is important that we help our sport grow and that we help new riders understand the rules and etiquette involved in being a responsible mountain biker. It is also our attitude toward riding that will show the new riders how much fun it really is to get out and sweat as we pedal up a hill, or race down after that long climb (in a legal and controlled manner, of course). We are integral in the future of the sport, cultivating the enjoyment of new riders, and creating the image that other ‘non-riders’ see when they meet us on the trail. We need to teach technique and social skills, while preserving the fun and adventurous spirit that was originally found by those crazy guys racing clunkers down Mt. Tam in Marin County.


So if you ride a mountain bike, keep in mind what it is that you enjoy about our sport and remember to pass this enjoyment along, either as support for other riders you meet, or as a positive attitude towards those that have yet to appreciate the pleasures of this great sport. By passing on your experience and enthusiasm you will be helping to create positive mountain bikers...who will pass on what they learned from you to the next generation of riders!

Why Forums can be a VERY Negative Experience (but survivable)

Last night I decided that I would join the forums for a mountain biking website that I am, or maybe was (the jury is still out), a big fan of. I thought it would be a good way to speak to the people that have the same interests I have in regards to the lights that I sell. So on I go, I quickly find a forum that is dedicated to “Lights and Night Riding”, and I proudly ventured to suggest someone take a look at ZigLights.com.

What a mistake that turned out to be. I quickly realized that the forums there were more of a gladiatorial arena, the weapons being words and narrow minded attitudes. The people that replied to my suggestion could not get over the fact that the light head for the ZigLights systems uses parts from a Chinese made light. I explained that I did use those parts, but if they did a little research on the ZigLights website and Facebook page, they would quickly see that my lighting system is far above the Chinese light in quality, reliability, and performance. Alas, my words fell on deaf ears. The replies ridiculed my answer with obvious lack of thought, intelligence, and understanding of what ZigLights was trying to do for the mountain biking community. I continued for about half a day, giving answers that were courteous and informative. Again, every answer I gave, trying with all my might to be professional, was given a rude answer. I realized that my best option was to bow out of the forum, wishing everybody a happy riding experience.

I vow never to return to ANY forum.

The saddest part is, for a time after conversing with the negative forum dwellers, my positivity and hopeful outlook for ZigLights.com was shaken. My hopes that everyone would be enthralled with how much effort and thought I put into my lights dictated how my attitude would react to the negative forum replies. I predetermined my own downfall. Instead of entering the forum with a completely open mindset and being willing to maybe accept that many people have a need to bring others down, I entered it with my head held high and with the thought that everyone would be clapping me on the back for my dedication and hard work. Of course I know that many people will not like my lights. But I suppose I expected to be treated the way I try to treat everyone else, with respect and constructive input.

I’m still a bit down (hence the reason for writing this blog entry…good therapy), but I know that things will feel better with a bit of time. I still think my lights are a great product. I still think that I have priced them very competitively for what the customer will receive. And I still will not return to any forum because I don’t want to deal with the small minds encountered there. I just need to regain that positive feeling and attitude. I know...I’ll feel better if I go for a ride…maybe a nice night ride, using an awesome ZigLights light!!!

Time for a Lifestyle Change!

I’ve decided to seriously change my life. I actually made this decision many months ago, but it wasn’t until recently that I took my new life goal as a real and tangible thing. I’ve decided to become a “Lifestyle Entrepreneur”, or someone that creates an alternative income in order to create a better way to live. For me the choice was really founded on the fact that I am watching my two daughters grow up and I can’t really do anything with them. My job takes so much out of me that I either end up sleeping most of the day, or are just too exhausted to really do much of anything. Add to that the fact that I have absolutely zero personal satisfaction about my job and where I work. I knew that I had to change, but change is scary, and I had enough change the last few years to really cause me to hesitate.

What really got me going at this particular time is the fact that something that I make has been pretty much perfected and I’m ready to start selling them. I make lights for bicycles. They are battery powered, very strong, easy to use, and I think just about the best light out there. I made them to my standards, which are high, and I’ve been using them for months now with absolutely no problems. So I bought a domain name, created a website, bought the parts to make several lights to fill orders, and then stopped…..Scared. Why scared? Hmmm, good question. I suppose it was the fear that what I make will not be good enough, that I charge too much, mostly that I just don’t measure up. I know that these thoughts are ridiculous, but they are always in the back of my mind. I make great lights and everyone that has tried them has loved them. I priced my lights to actually be less expensive than comparable lights using the same technology. And I know I’m a good guy, I try to help people, I strive to be fair, and I know in the long run I measure up. My fears were ridiculous and unfounded….but there still. So I did what everyone recommends and I set a goal for when my website had to be online and made the choice to move against my fears. I figured the 4th of July, Independence Day, was a fitting time. In fact, two days before my deadline, I sat in front of the computer and realized that I had nothing more to do on the site. It was time to take the plunge and upload to my domain. The feeling of accomplishment, the sheer invigoration of knowing I had taken that first step to living my new lifestyle was amazing. I was on my way!

Since then I have refined the website, changed a few things, made it more appealing, but overall the thrill is still there. Now if I could only get a sale! I laugh at this, the stress of actually being online is gone and I am having fun figuring out how to market things and get my website seen. New goals have been set; my first sale, learn better web design, get my product out there for people to see, but throughout it all to keep a great attitude and think positively about where this business is going to take me. I picture my first European vacation with my two girls, paid for by my business. I can see myself traveling and having a good time as I talk to people about mountain biking with my lights and show them how much fun they can have. I look forward to going for bike rides in all the great venues, all as business expenses and tax write-offs with the benefit of having a great time as I do what I have a passion for, mountain biking. I can see myself sharing this lifestyle with my daughters, getting them excited to live in a healthy and fun manner with mountain biking at the center of it all. Plus just having the ability to make my schedule what I want it to be. To take charge of my life once again, and let nobody ever dictate what I have to do for their profit again. I’m not worried about getting rich, the foundation of this change isn’t money, but the freedom to be what I want to be, and the ability to invest in a better way of living.

PS. Check out my lights at ZigLights.com and let me know what you think….or buy a set!

Timing is Everything! Or is it??

Yesterday I woke up late. I work the graveyard shift and it really takes a toll on my ability to get rest. So when I have a day where I don’t have to do anything, I sleep. But the downside is that I hate to sleep the day away because it is so unproductive. I had the idea that I would sleep for as long as I needed, then get up and go for a nice mountain bike ride before I would have to go to work. So yesterday I slept a long time, 9 hours. I woke up and immediately saw that time was short and my mountain bike ride would most likely have to wait, it wasn’t “the right time” for me to leave. I sat down, a bit upset that I wouldn’t be riding, and prepared to have something to eat and watch a movie. I couldn’t get over the fact that I had slept so long and had to miss going for a ride. Then a thought hit me…why couldn’t I go for a ride? Just because I got up later than I had anticipated, there was no good reason for me to not get out on my bicycle and have a good time for an hour or two, other than it wasn’t what I had planned as being “the right time” to leave my house. So I put on my gear and went for a ride….and I had a great time!

When is the perfect time? I know that many of us have some sort of plan in mind to do something, whether it is to travel, fix the roof, get an oil change for the car, etc, but we usually are waiting for “the right time”. It seems that “the right time” never really comes along, and whatever we had planned on doing either has to be done out of desperation, for instance now that leaky roof has become a small waterfall and HAS to be fixed, or we don’t get a chance to do it at all, like travel before failing health makes it impossible. Why do we do this?! What makes us keep procrastinating? Why do we put off doing fun things or fail to get necessary things completed merely because we feel that timing is a factor that should be taken into account?

I blame society’s crazy rules. We have grown up and been indoctrinated into believing that we should plan out everything in our lives. We save up for vacations, Christmas, home repairs and continually plan when those things will impact our lives the best. Yet we never seem to understand that the longer we wait, the more reasons we will find to say that the timing isn’t right. How easy it is to say, I can’t fix the roof today because it might rain this afternoon, or it is just too hot? Have you ever heard a young couple talk about when they are going to have a child, yet what is keeping them from the amazing adventure of being parents is that it isn’t “the right time”? It is because we all believe that we have to be completely prepared for whatever it is we are planning, that every detail needs to be taken into account and provided for. But we don’t know what we don’t know….and will never be able to plan for everything.

So the next time that it seems easier to procrastinate because the plan has changed or doesn’t fit easily into “the right time” idea, stop and think. Is there ever really going to be a “right time”? Or could you take control of your own life and decide that NOW is the “right time”? The more you do this, the more you will realize that anything is possible at any time. Don’t let an imaginary rule stop you from living your life the way YOU want to live it, and when you want to live it……

As for me, I think I’ll go for another ride….right now

Lesson #2586 - The Gummi Factor

Lesson learned: Don't leave an open package of gummi bears on the seat in a hot car....(unless you like sticky seats)

The DMV, Part Deux - Logic's Revenge

Just an update on my adventure with the DMV from my post on June 18, 2010….My original hypothesis that the DMV only hires idiots has to be modified. I’ll give you that modification at the end of this little semi-rant. Nonetheless, I had to go back, seeing as my registration was not completed, and I still had to get the motorcycle registration paperwork finished. I decided that since I had to go back, I’d try a different DMV office, one that maybe didn’t hire inept, incompetent, and idiotic simpletons. So I set an appointment with the Newhall California DMV office.

The day before my appointment I printed out the part of the DMV website that explained the rule for the exception for the Brake and Light Inspection Certificate, the California Government confirmation that the Honda dealership I used for the Statement of Facts was licensed to make repairs, and the web page confirming that the Honda dealership was a motorcycle dealership. If you remember from the previous post these things were all bones of contention from the incredibly less than intelligent supervisor from the Burbank (not Glendale) DMV. We’ll just call her Deborah, for fun sake. I felt I had armed myself with the weapons to support my battle with the illogical and stupefying force that is the California DMV in such a manner that even a moron like Deborah would have to succumb to the logic and common sense of the supporting evidence that I had in hand. Confident and ready for battle, I looked forward to my visit.

The next day I made sure that I had all my paperwork in order, packed my motorcycle tank bag, and left for the arena…the Newhall DMV. Upon arrival I was surprised that when I checked in for my appointment I was quickly given a number without showing what paperwork I had brought, unlike the Burbank DMV, which asked to prove I was there for a registration appointment. As if anyone would lie about needing to be at the DMV, where even the masochistically insane avoid going because even they have their limits! I sat down to wait, expecting an extended stay before my number was called, so I pulled out my copy of War and Peace and started to read, with my copy of Mein Kampf ready to help fill the time when I was finished with the first book. I checked my supplies and saw that with proper rationing I could last for a month or so and hoped that this smaller DMV office would be a little quicker than Burbank…or I might be in trouble. Within 10 minutes my number was called! I was amazed and totally unprepared! It must be a ploy by the enemy to catch me off guard…

At the designated window a seemingly nice woman asked why I was there. I explained that I had to complete my motorcycle registration and that I did not have a Brake and Light Inspection Certificate, but I had a Statement of Facts filled out by a motorcycle dealership instead. I braced myself against the counter, steeled my nerves, and leaned forward ready for the storm to strike….but nothing happened. She accepted the paperwork I had, and began to look through it. She saw the Statement of Facts, looked it over, and placed it with the documents that were accepted….She had me fill out a form that I needed and while I was doing that she entered data into the computer. When I finished the form, she entered a bit more data, and handed me my new motorcycle registration, and new license plate tags! I stood there. Mouth open and staring in disbelief. After what must have been 15 seconds or so, I closed my mouth and said, “Thank you.” She told me that I was welcome and that I should have a nice day. I looked at the printouts that I had prepared, my weapons of logic and common sense. I ran through my argument for justice in my mind….and thought how could this be? So prepared to devastate my opposition and not a shot fired? I stumbled out of the office, put the new sticker on my license plate, and rode home, still dazed, but happy that the ordeal was over.

I said at the beginning that I had to modify my hypothesis of the California DMV in regards to who they hire, so here is that modification. The California DMV does hire people that do their jobs and take pride in being efficient. But what the DMV also does is takes every slack jawed moron employed by the DMV, every inept waste of human space on their payroll, every DMV employee that strives to do absolutely nothing for their paycheck, and places them at the Burbank DMV. Making it the largest collection of useless human flesh on the planet Earth. I know this sounds harsh and very unlike what I try to be every day, a positive and constructive person, but every time I have been to the Burbank DMV the frustration and unbelievable inability of the employees there has sent me home understanding why postal workers show up for work armed and hunting their comrades.

I can sit here now and calmly write this down. I know that in the future I will never return to the Burbank DMV, but will drive the extra 10 minutes to go to Newhall and return home much quicker and a happier person. I thank you, the reader, for indulging me this rant and I promise to try and be more positive in the future...but we all have our moments.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Bike

Lately I’ve been asked by several people about what to look for in when purchasing a used bicycle. This is a good question, because, like buying a used car, you need to make sure that what you get isn’t going to break as soon as you get it home. Buying a bicycle is supposed to be fun and exciting, something that you look forward to doing because you want to get out riding as soon as you can, and buying a lemon can really ruin your day.

The first thing I look at is the general shape of the bike. Is it clean? Is the paint chipped more than normal use would create? Is there an excessive amount of rust or corrosion on the bike? What kind of components are there, are you paying for top of the line derailleurs, but getting something much less? Chains are so often neglected, is this one rusted and looking like it needs to be replaced? How about the tires, do they need to be replaced, are they of a quality that you need? And what condition are the cables and brakes in? Inspecting the bike really quickly can let you know if this is a piece of machinery that you should be serious about. Now that the intitial quick inspection is done, it’s time to take a look at the bike a bit closer.

First off let’s take a closer look at the frame. This is the most important part of the bike, for obvious reasons. If the frame is bad, it doesn’t matter what kind of cool gadgets and gizmos you have, the bike just isn’t going to roll. Check the areas where all the frame tubes come together, the head tube, the bottom bracket, the upper seat tube, and the chain and set stays, for signs of cracking. Chipped paint, minute cracks, signs of corrosion could all be indications that the frame has problems that could lead to the bike being trashed. Check the major frame tubes for dents or bending. These are signs that something serious happened to the frame at one point and therefore you should pass on buying this bike. If the paint is scuffed or scratched it usually isn’t a big deal. Regular riding can create those minor scuffs and scratches. What you want to be on the lookout for are the really deep marks that show that maybe something bigger than the usual riding mishaps occurred.

Next take a look at the handlebars and controls. Are they showing signs of crashing? Are the grips torn? Are the handlebars bent? You need to remember that this is the control center of you cockpit. If things are broken, seized, or otherwise not functional, then you need to question how the bike has been maintained. Anyone that lets the controls fall apart, when they are your connection to the bike, will let the rest get worse. If the controls are good, then you are ready to move on to the next

Lift the front and rear of the bike and give the wheels a spin. Hopefully the wheels are fairly true. A bike with disc brakes can tolerate rims that are out of true (as long as it’s not too severe), but a bike with rim brakes needs to have fairly true wheels. The wheels can be trued if it isn’t too bad and the rims aren’t bent. But it is something to take into account. If you aren’t too good at truing wheels, then that will be an extra cost at the bike shop. It also indicates that the bike has been ridden fairly hard….While the wheels are spinning take a look at the brakes. Regular caliper or V-brakes should have enough pad wear left to not need replacing right away. They should be adjusted so that they make complete contact with the rim and don’t rub when the wheel is spun. Now this is really a minor point, but if they rub or don’t make good contact, then they need to be adjusted. Disc brakes are fairly easy. You are looking for pad wear and if the rotor is bent. Spin the wheel and if you hear the brakes rubbing, look and see if it is because the rotor is bent. A minor wobble is tolerable, but if you can see a real drastic wobble, the rotor is probably bent and needs to be replaced…this is added cost. Also check out the tires that are on the bike. What kind of tires are they? Will they work for your style of riding? Are they rotting? Are they pumped up and ready for a test ride? If you need to replace them its another added cost to take into consideration….

Next are the derailleurs and cables. Visually inspect both derailleurs and the cables leading to them. The derailleurs should be clean, or not too crusty, and the cables should not be too corroded or frayed. Since you already checked the tires, hop on the bike and go for a quick test ride. The derailleurs should change gears quickly and smoothly. Shifting that is sticky could be bad cables or weak derailleur springs.

Lastly, you need to look at the front chain rings and crankset. The chain rings should not be showing excessive wear from the chain. To replace the chain rings can be fairly costly, especially on a bike that you are just buying. Check that the cranks are not loose and that there is no freeplay in the bottom bracket. If the cranks are loose on the bottom bracket it is a simple matter of tightening things up. If there is freeplay in the bottom bracket, it needs to be replaced.

Remember that if you really like that bike, and the frame is good, all the other stuff can be replaced or repaired. Sometimes just the personal value, the enjoyment you get from a certain model or type of bike, makes all the other stuff you have to do to make it rideable worth it. I’ve purchased bikes that needed so much work that they really weren’t worth what I paid for them, but just the enjoyment of working on a bicycle that I personally liked made it a labor of love and worth every second and penny…In the long run, the bike that gets you out and riding, is the perfect bike!