From One Rider to Another – Welcome To LaneSpotter!
The first real taste of what true freedom is usually comes with your very first bike as a kid. We believe a good biking experience shouldn’t be locked behind jargon, elitism, or overpriced gear.
Quick heads-up: We have no affiliation with the Lanespotter bike app.
The only thing we share is the mission — helping people ride better, safer, and smarter.
The Mission: Get More People on Bikes
Here’s what I believe: cycling shouldn’t be intimidating, expensive, or exclusive. Whether you’re eyeing that dusty bike in your garage or planning your first century ride, there’s a path forward that doesn’t require a PhD in bike mechanics or a trust fund.
I’ve spent the last decade riding city streets, gravel loops, and forgotten logging roads — not as a pro or influencer, but as someone who genuinely loves figuring out how to get from point A to point B on two wheels. Every pothole-dodging commute, every gear failure 20 miles from home, every “I wonder where this trail goes” moment has taught me something worth sharing.
Who’s Behind This
I’m Tobias — lifelong cyclist, route nerd, and the guy who built this site because people kept asking me stuff like: “What’s the best route through downtown?”, “Is this helmet actually good?” and “How do I best swap out a cassette on the trail?”
My cycling story in 30 seconds: Started as a poor 6 year old kid who needed a way to get to places when my skateboard wasn’t gonna cut it. Repaired bikes for 25 years+ and testing gear the hard way (news-flash: expensive doesn’t always mean better). Now I help riders anyway I can.
I’m not here to sell you on the latest carbon wonder-bike or convince you that gravel is the only way to ride. I’m here to share — because I’ve swapped cassettes on the roadside, planned 3-day bikepacking trips on a budget, and learned that a $60 bike light can still outperform a $200 one.
What You’ll Find Here
Curated Routes & Ride Guides
Real-world tested loops, trails, and city routes across the U.S. No guesswork! Just GPS files and honest descriptions of what you’re getting into.
Gear Advice That Actually Helps
Reviews from someone who puts thousands of miles on everything. And by that I don’t mean Sunday ride style, we’re talking full speed ahead and horrible equipment treatment.
Practical Cycling Knowledge
Maintenance tips for normal people, commuter setup guides, and the kind of advice I’d give a friend over coffee.
Route Planning Tools
GPX files, gear checklists, and resources to help you explore confidently — all made and tested by other riders.
No-BS Buyer’s Guides
Whether you’re shopping for your first bike or your tenth, I’ll help you spend your hard earned money on the things that matter the most to you.
Legalities
I ain’t no lawyer, but I’m a god damn search and research magician. And I can break down a very complex and confusing area into words and sentences that make sense for your everyday rider.
No-BS Buyer’s Guides: Whether you’re shopping for your first bike or your tenth, I’ll help you spend your hard earned money on the things that matter the most to you.
Legalities: I ain’t no lawyer, but I’m a god damn search and research magician. And I can break down a very complex and confusing area into words and sentences that make sense for your everyday rider.
Why This Site Exists
Too much cycling content treats riders like either complete beginners or sponsored athletes. The reality is most of us fall somewhere in between. We know how to shift gears but still wonder if we’re doing it in the best possible way. We want to explore new routes but don’t want to end up stranded. We don’t have a trust fund, so spending money needs to be done wisely.
This site bridges that gap. I talk to you rider-to-rider, sharing what I’ve learned without the corporate fluff or lifestyle brand nonsense. When you read something here, you’re getting the same advice I’d give a friend who asked about routes over beers.
Keeping the Lights On
I use affiliate links and display ads to fund this operation. When you click a link and buy something, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps create more content, keep the lights on, and maybe justify another bike purchase (for testing purposes, obviously).
Final note: This site has no connection to the Lanespotter app or company. We respect what they built, but this is a completely separate project. If you’re looking for old account data, you won’t find it here.
Ready to Ride?
If you’re into two wheels, practical advice, and talking gear like its a religion, you’ll probably fit right in here. Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you out there on the trail!
— Tobias
P.S. — Join the mailing list if you want route updates , the latest bike tech, or gear finds delivered straight to your mailbox. No annoying spam, third-party nonsense, and fluff. Just the good stuff.