We just moved the family to beautiful Fallbrook, California which is in northern San Diego County.

Wow! Lots of bike riders around here (bicycle and motorcyles). On the weekends they're everywhere. It's pretty hilly around here, so most people are serious riders, for sure! 

Here is a nice illustrated guide: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Changa-a-Bike-Tube---an-Illustrated-Guide

Christmas time is when kids get new bikes. Maybe your teen will be getting a new mountain bike?

Make sure you have the right kind of pump for that bike. Many high-end mountain bicycles or road bicycles will have a presta valve tube -- so you can just use your standard tube/pump.

Another alternative is to get a brass presta valve adapter.

I really like my Presta tubes, ever since my first road bike years ago. However, I would recommend against using adaters ... they always cause trouble. Instead, the best bike pump you can afford, and you should be ready to go.

A good pump will let you pump past 100 lbs.

My friend Mike and I walked past a bike shop in Irvine, California the other day after lunch.

Because he knows about this site, we were discussing presta valve tubes. It was a high-end bike shop, so nearly all the bike wheels were using presta tubes.

First we talked about why these bikes didn't use standard valves. My understanding is that the smaller diameter valve allows for a smaller hole in the wheel rim, which keeps the rim strong.

He thought that most people would prefer to buy the right kind of pump, rather than buying an adapter for a Schrader pump. I wasn't so sure.

Anyway, it was nice to see the Internet meet a real world bike shop.

Well, I may be done with biking for a while. My Achille's tendon problems seem to be clearing up, and I think I am going to try to run another Marathon, or at least a half-marathon.

There are some things things, though, that I need to work on for my bike:
1) I think I need new break pads.
2) I'm not to happy with the new gear shifters that were put on by the bike shop. The chain has come off twice.
3) I think my tires are getting a little worn, and may need to be replaced. I think I'll be adding presta valve tubes this time.

1) Riding is easier on your joints, than running is. Running just beats up your body.
2) You get to see more of the countryside when you ride your bike.
3) Bike lanes.
4) Tandem Bikes! How do you do that running?
5) Cool bike clothes!

So when I'm riding down some of the big hills around hear on my bike, I often am on the breaks a long, long time. How long can regular bike breaks take that kind of punishment? Do I have to worry about break failure? Is it bad for the tires? More stuff that I need to research.

I finally was able to ride my bike all the way up to the top of the San Clemente water tower. I had a few things that helped:
1) I kept the gears lower, even at the bottom where it's easier to ride the bike. Only 5% grade down there.
2) My chain did come off, about 1/2 way up, so I had to turn my bicycle over, and do a quick fix. Maybe a two minute break.
3) I made sure my tires were properly inflated ;)

We were down in Mexico for 10 days, so I didn't get to bike OR run! Bummer. But I am hoping that my achille's tendon will be feeling better on my first workout, tomorrow.