‘It takes a Village’
One of the biggest lessons I learned in bicycle commuting is the importance of Community. Over the years I have had friends (short term/long), co-workers, acquaintances and strangers help my on my commute in San Antonio. Over the next couple weeks I wanted share some of their stories and opinions because I have value their experiences. The first person you will hear from is a dear friend and Bike enthusiast, Rama Chavali. Originally from India, Rama moved to Houston when he was 9, he went on to graduated from University of Houston, eventually found himself working a sweet job at USAA and then Quit that job to travel the world. This is where he is now, traveling. Aside from that excitement, I asked Rama to share a Bike commuting experience in San Antonio but also his favorite tool or piece of gear that he carried with him. I couldn’t have been more excited about his response. Here he is, Rama Chavali:
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“To give life a little change, I donated my 2001 Hyundai and switched to my maple leaf-branded bicycle for what started as 6-month trial, turned in to an all season tour for a year of bicycling in San Antonio. With almost 80% of dry days, it is very easy to ride almost anywhere in San Antonio. Daily commute would include riding to and fro USAA and Downtown.
Between the daily rides, hill country tours and trail blazers, the bikes we ride get beat up and need tuning often. The best tool I carry with every bike I own is my Topeak (Alien II) multi tool. Light weight and with 26 tools, it is a must have for any bicycle enthusiast and rider for any situation. This is the one tool that has helped many riders that crossed my path and its often minor problems which do not need to stall the rides. The tool saved riders many times during Tour de Bluebonnet hosted by Team Party Pants and Tour de Toob hosted by BBSC. Both rides head north towards Comal river and you often find riders looking for a quick tune and fixes.
I remember riding tour de Bluebonnet the first time in 2012 and having pain inside my knee from over extending on hills on long stretches. Quick fix for this was to drop my seat post half inch which relaxed the knees on climbs and the pain subdued. It also helps to have tire removals to be part of the tool since tube puncture are as common as pennies on the sidewalk.
Mass rides powered by alcohol and frequent smoke breaks, the tour de Toob had it shares of flat tubes, crocked handle bars, and crashes. Although it was well supported, it is sometimes easier to ask a fellow rider for a tool than wait for the sag wagon. While taking a drink break towards the north east outskirts of San Antonio, I had a group of riders stop to ask for a multi-tool to tighten their rear break which was loose. Which started as a pit stop, turned in to a social gathering and dance off because of the 8 inch speaker I was hauling in my Bob Yak.
The Topeka multi tool is by far the best tool I gifted to my friends because of its usefulness and portability. It is the one tool I carry with me for any sort of bicycle ride because life can get loose anytime and might need a quick fix.”
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You might recognize this lovely piece of gear as one I carry in my pack. Bottom right, its separated into two pieces. This was a lovely gift from Rama:)