Every Building has Secure Bike Parking!

On the rare day when I'm working out of my company's Reno office, I will take myself out for lunch at a quality establishment like Taco Bell (don't judge me....I like Mexican pizzas).  However, here in the South Meadows area, bike parking is not even an after thought.  Meaning there literally isn't a bike rack for miles! 

In light of this (and years of biking in regions of limited infrastructure), I've found every building has at least one SUPER secure bike parking location.....the gas meter!  Yep, a bike thief might be able to cut the piping my lock is attached to....but if he does, everyone in a two block radius will know he stole my bike!

So never fret!  Secure bike parking is always available wherever you go!

Rack'em Up Midtown Style.

These aren't new....in fact I think they've been there for about a year.  However, I don't think I've every written about them.

Anyway, if you didn't already know....there are custom Mid-town bike racks throughout the Mid-town area.  So forget driving down!  Grab your bike and get out to enjoy the great early springtime weather and lock your bike up to one of these!!

Bicycles and Beer....again....it just seems to keep happening.

Last night wifey and I headed down to Great Basin.  While this certainly isn't an unheard of situation, last night was unique because we opted for the Reno location instead of our normal Sparks location.  We've been there before (several times), but it's just not our usual.  We were motivated by Tight Wad Tuesdays $1 pizza slice special!  Due to some baggage, in the form of our dog, wifey drove over while I biked.  Headwind's aside, it was a nice ride.

Early on at Great Basin Reno, I used to have a gripe about the lack of bike racks.  However, after a quick complaint to Tom Young (one of the owners) several month back, a rather cool solution was provided.  **A disclaimer here....the rack has been up for several months...I just don't go to the Reno location often.**

For me, the cool part of what Tom did is putting the bike rack in the absolutely best parking spot he had....10 ft from the door and the outdoor patio.....not in the back alley where it would be easy to steal a bike while out of sight!  He also customized the rack with really nice Great Basin metal logos.  And as you can see, it's definitely getting used!

So if you're heading out to Great Basin, consider a ride rather than a drive.  The bike lanes will lead you here and the parking is top notch!

How do you make a smart car even smarter?

Bingo!  Custom Bike Racks!

I noticed this guy while riding through the Siena Hotel parking lot this morning....actually how could you miss this thing!  And then I saw the bike rack.  Yep, you already have a car that probably gets 60 miles per gallon and it has prefabricated ports that mate to a custom bike rack. 

Now I'm not saying I'm a fan of the smart cars....my philosophy is I can afford a bit more gas when I need it because of the regular riding I do.  However, if you did want to do a road trip and bring the bike along for some riding, I don't think you could possibly do it for less $$$ than with this setup!

Good Advice....from Yehuda Moon!

Custom Bike Rack.

I'm guessing this isn't a rack that's available as a standard model from Yakima or Thule!  If you're going to go to the trouble (e.g. you want to show it off), why not build a roof mounted version.

The rack chronicles.

I guess I took these pics a while back and never updated the rack locations section of the blog.  These are pretty obvious and get plenty of use during the Artown series.  The do really well as overflow parking for the rest of downtown if you don't mind walking a couple blocks.

Located on Wingfield island at the amphitheater.  Typical squiggle rack.  Probably get 6-8 bikes on each one (although I've seen more during summer Artown events).  They are cemented into the ground so security is not an issue.  Close to the park so security is a-ok for Artown...A little remote if your perusing downtown.  There are quite a few local homeless in the area.

Also located on Wingfield island at the amphitheater. Unique swing out design makes these really unobtrusive.  Two bikes on each one (room for 18 total).  They are cemented into the wall so security is pretty good. The steel is fairly light weight but overall they're an neat design.  Same as above on the security issue.  These get a plus for creative design!

Another round of bike rack roundup.

Happened across a few more bike rack options this week during the commute.

Located on Island Ave. (just across from the Episcopal Church), room for six bikes, great location for overflow parking at Wingfield.  Super secure and in a high visibility location.  Thumbs up for another art rack!

Ok, this second one might be a little weak, but it caught my eye.  It took me a minute to ponder....is this a bike rack?  I think the answer is yes, a portable bike rack (and no I'm not talking about the pole).  Think about it, what a quick and easy way to set up a secure temporary bike parking area!

Located a block from Court street (on the hill above Wingfield Island).  Actual address is Pickard and Flint.  One maybe two bikes.  Not even sure if it's a pseudo-portable bike rack or what.  Cool idea if it is!

1st Steets new look keeps getting better....new bicycle racks.

Silver Peak rack improvements.

Got out to lunch at Silver Peak (the original)...or as we call it "Old Peak".  It seems they've updated the rack since I last remember.  A nice touch.  I wish it held a few more bikes but I'll take it!

Right out front in the parking lot.  Probably holds 4 bikes. Easy to check on from the deck or front window.  I beam construction isn't going anywhere.  Bonus points for art rack. 

Couple more bike rack locations.

 Just a quick post on a couple more racks and their locations.

JJ's Pie Co.  note the rack back by the green dumpster.

Located at the back of the parking lot, relatively hidden from view and in a narrow space between where cars back out of parking spots.  Also backs up to a rather sketchy looking lot.  While the rack might hold 6-9 bikes...it is unsecured....just sitting there...and your likely to have cars bonking your nice ride.  Overall, it's a pretty poor setup.

City of Reno rack on 1St. and West St.  Ease of use is good. Between the two rack you can probably hold 10 plus bikes.  Good construction and bolted down for security. Moderate points on the art rack.  Serves Java Jungle, the movie theater, and downtown in general.

The rack...medieval torture device or a place to put your bike.

I guess it's all a mater of perspective.  Sometimes, based on the number of racks at particular location or the haphazard way people use the bike racks, it is an act of torture to find or use the racks provided. I'm certainly not a bike rack connoisseur....I'm happy to lock up to anything secure, made out of metal, and in a fairly high visibility location.  

Warning....mini rant.....
However, a trip out to Patagonia this weekend  got me thinking.  Specifically, the problem at Patagonia is there are two bike racks with two parking locations per rack (four bikes total if you're counting).  They are very close together and located in some overgrown plantings so access is a bit tight.  It gets even tighter when someone parks a single bike across both racks (people can suck at parking bikes, just like they suck at parking cars folks!).  All in all, we were able to shuffle around and get securely locked up....but it was a pain.  This location especially annoys me because it's fricking Patagonia.  Environmental friendly company right???  I did not notice anyone parking a car having such problems parking (and the lot was full).  Seems messed up.  Patagonia officially gets a fail from me on the rack situation.

Ok, back to racks in general.  First, I've decided I'm going to start documenting locations and conditions.  It's going to take a while and will be boring if you don't care.  I'm thinking just a picture and a few thoughts about location, ease of use, number of spaces, and security.  Here are few pictures before you fall asleep reading this.

City of Reno rack on Virginia St. and the River Path.  Location is sort of odd.  Ease of use is good. Probably holds 4 bikes easily.  Good construction and bolted down for security. Moderate points on the art rack.

Location is great...right out front in clear view.  Ease of use is good .  Probably holds 5 bikes easily and more of you lock up around the edges.  Good construction and bolted down for security. 

Location is sort of odd (just down the river from above (Sierra St.)).  Ease of use is good.  Probably holds 6 bikes easily if you back in.  Good construction and bolted down for security.  Extra points for being an art rack!

Harrah's automobile museum.  Location is mixed.  It's on the river path but in the back of the building.  Kind of a sketchy area and low visibility.  Ease of use is good. Probably holds 6 bikes easily.  Good construction but not bolted down for security.  Ironically, chained to a wooden bench?

Ok, that's a start.  I think I'll just keep adding as I see them.

There are a few places I really like that need bike racks too.  Great Basin, Silver Peak on the River, and Sierra Tap House to start!  I guess I'll need  a separate list for places that need racks added.  It sure is a good thing I can think up endless bikey ways to waste my time! 

Until then....lock um or lose um.