by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Urban Bikers Tricks & Tips, Low-Tech & No Tech Ways to Find, Ride, & Keep A Bicycle, by Dave Glowacz

This is an awesome book in so many ways! Published by Wordspace Press in 1998, I received my copy from the San Francisco Bike Coalition. The author, Dave Glowacz, is a bike instructor with the League of American Bicyclists and has talked and ridden with cyclists in every major metro area in North America.

I need this book since I’m a wuss when it comes to maintenance. The idea of  hanging a flat tire makes me want to cry, since I’ve never really learned the details as it is both described and illustrated in this book. I feel ready to do it now, though I still don’t think I’ll cancel my bicycle roadside assistance this year. (YES, for very lost cost, you can get roadside assistance from Better World Travel Club!)

But, I didn’t expect to be completely entertained, amused and educated about every topic related to city cycling that you could dream up, and then some. And, EVERY piece was useful, in many cases, because it covered things I had not considered before, such as, getting on escalators or elevators and when to ask for money after a crash.

City commuters will really appreciate the chapter on Getting Through Traffic - covering looking techniques, using body language, lanes, turns, traffic jams and overall “Sly biking”.

Dave also tells us about choosing and buying the right bike as well as how to “Uglify” your bike to deter thieves - I got right on that one with bumper stickers and duct tape - fun!

If any form of bike phobia has kept you from getting out of the car and onto two wheels, please read this user-friendly, enjoyable and complete book. You’ll even learn how to fix your hair after your commute to work!

Ride On. Ride Well.

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