New FattyCast: Bike Snob NYC Talks About His New Book: The Ultimate Bicycle Owner’s Manual

05.3.2016 | 5:28 pm

A “Hey Join Me for this Last-Minute Conversation About the Rockwell Relay” Note From Fatty: I’m a huge fan of the Rockwell Relay. Huge. And on Wednesday, May 4, at 12pm (noon) MDT I’m going to get together with Tyler Servoss on a Google Hangout to talk about this year’s Rockwell Relay: what’s different, what’s the same, new prizes, new sponsor, changes to the route, and more. Be sure to come join us. We’re going to keep it short and to the point: half an hour of presentation, and then time for Q&A.

Eben Weiss is the author of the popular bike blog, Bike Snob NYC. Here we are together, in a very recently-taken photograph (six years ago):

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I show this photograph, of course, to demonstrate what it would look like if Stanley Tucci and Hugh Jackman were bike bloggers who hung around together in bars when given the opportunity.

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Also, I am pleased to announce that Eben has just published The Ultimate Bicycle Owner’s Manual: The Universal Guide to Bikes, Riding, and Everything for Beginner and Seasoned Cyclists

He and I recently spent ninety-five  glorious minutes on the FattyCast talking about this book, as well as about how we both regret the names we gave our blogs. 

And whether Stan’s Notubes are revolutionary, or merely nifty.

And the fact that we both agree that The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the most important book ever written.

Here’s the thing: his book is useful, and not just for people who have already bought into cycling as a way of life. No. It’s for those people (i.e., us people) and it’s for normal people too — people who are new to biking, or just interested in starting, and have a lot of questions.

Eben highly recommends, therefore, that you get a copy for yourself, and one each for all the friends you have who won’t leave you alone with their bike questions.

I agree completely.

And meanwhile, you should also listen to our conversation. It’s a good one. You can find it on iTunes, on FattyCast.com, you can download it directly, you can get the RSS feed, and you can listen to it right here:

11 Comments

  1. Comment by centurion | 05.4.2016 | 6:41 am

    Already have a signed copy. The book is an enjoyable read, even stuff that I already know about. It’s a good book to just pick up and read a section or two. Not necessarily in order. My wife is also enjoying it. It’s going to be on top of the pile in the ‘reading room’ for awhile.
    Started the podcast this morning, but at 90+ minutes it will take a few days of commuting to finish it.
    A ‘Ride with Fatty NYC’ would be a cool thing to do, we’ll protect you.

  2. Comment by leroy | 05.4.2016 | 9:20 am

    Well color me surprised.

    The podcast has a shout out to my dog.

    So that explains why he’s been offering reasonable rates to scribble in my books.

    I’m not complaining, as long as he’s just autographing and not marking territory.

    You’re everywhere, man. EVERYWHERE. – FC

  3. Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 05.4.2016 | 10:33 am

    I was wondering if the “leroy” referenced in BSNYC’s Monday post was one and the same. Now we know!
    http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2016/05/thrills-spills-and-shills.html

  4. Comment by Jim | 05.4.2016 | 10:45 am

    LED lights with compact batteries are certainly revolutionary for my riding. Seeing and being seen with sufficient brightness without hauling around fussy gigantic batteries is huge for me.

    BSNY and Fatty are two great tastes that taste great together. I would love to hear a chat with the editor of the Radavist someday. Not as colorful as BSNY but his daily bike pjorn is nice stuff.

  5. Comment by Johnny | 05.5.2016 | 10:07 am

    A fantastic book for the new learner like me. I am intending to buy a mountain bike so this book will give me an overall view about that field. I’ll also take a copy for my father and we will have the real wonderful experience. I am eager to have it right now,

  6. Comment by Rob & Joanna Szrama | 05.5.2016 | 6:02 pm

    My experience is the people kitted out are less likely to give a wave than are casual riders.

  7. Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 05.7.2016 | 1:06 pm

    @Rob & Joanna, regarding the wave-to-kit correlation, I think you’re right, but I’d add that the more kitted out you are, the more likely you are to get a wave back from a kitty.

    I just finished the podcast, great stuff. A few thoughts:

    1. Regarding races for kids, Fatty, you’re off the hook, but I’m surprised that Bike Snob didn’t mention CX. Up here in New England, anyway, there are races for kids at most of the CX races. Ages range from kids on striders to early teens before they’re eligible for juniors. Many more options than BMX and MTB.

    2. Regarding revolutions in cycling, I wouldn’t count the step changes in equipment over time, even in the cumulative. To me, a revolution means that something is possible where it wasn’t before. As I was listening, I was thinking “bike share” before Bike Snob mentioned it. Here’s my short list:
    a. Bike share
    b. The mountain bike itself: WAY before my time
    c. Fat bikes: nothing else conquers the snow
    d. GPS: much safer than cue sheets/maps
    e. Strava: profoundly better record-keeping, plus social!

  8. Comment by Azril | 05.7.2016 | 9:29 pm

    Good…

  9. Comment by Pari | 05.8.2016 | 3:13 pm

    I still have to listen to the podcast, but I’m very happy due to this part:
    The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the most important book ever written.
    It’s so good to hear that as I too often meet people that don’t know it at all…

  10. Comment by Faisal Nisar | 05.11.2016 | 10:54 am

    Sounds like an awesome book! Will definitely check it out.

    Love,
    Faisal
    http://www.velosimplissime.com

  11. Comment by Andy | 06.28.2016 | 12:27 pm

    I loved this new book from BSNYC, it is hilarious. My favorite part was in the BR+ racing section — an infographic showing someone sprinting to a radar speed sign going 14 mph.

    Regarding the conversation on revolutionary innovations in cycling, I think the nonsense free biking attitude of Eben Weiss and “just ride” philosophy promoted by Grant Peterson has been the biggest revolution since I started road biking in 2001 (Lance A at his best!)

    The best way to enjoy cycling for a normal person is to seek out a versatile bike with clearance for wide, low pressure tires for usage on or off road. It’s the non-specialization trend in cycling that’s the been revolutionary.

 

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