sam holcombe on bike jax

our buddy sam - once my coworker at native sun & celebrity amongst the jax beard crowd - was featured on the bike jax blog for commuting on two wheels.



Meet Sam Holcombe, third place winner in the English moustache division at the World Beard and Moustache championships. Some of you may have have already met Sam during his days working at Native Sun. He is originally from Oklahoma and has been working and going to school in Jacksonville for the last 4 years.

What do you use your bike for? I use my bike for transportation and fun.

How long have you been commuting by bicycle and what was that inspired you to start? I always felt guilty about driving: buying gas, spending so much money on every little thing. I would commute off and on for a few years and on new years I gave up driving completely.

How many days of the week do you commute by bike? Six or seven depending on the week.

What would you say to convince someone who is considering commuting by bicycle to give it try? It can be done. It is not always easy but it can be done.

What could the city do to make biking better? Bike lanes! And not ones that cut out for no apparent reason. It is safer to have a bike line and make the trip that much more enjoyable.

What reaction do you get from co-workers? A few people I work with don’t have cars and it is seen as normal to get to work by other means.

What’s the best thing about commuting by bicycle? Not driving. I feel better about not driving and I stay in shape.

Can you give a brief description of your route? I don’t ride on the safest roads. I take University to Phillips to get to school, Phillips to get to work and Atlantic to go back home. If I have school and work it’s about 19 miles.

Where are your favorite roads or paths to bike in Jacksonville? Least favorite? I like the Baldwin trail and going up the Acosta, one of the only hills in Jacksonville. I don’t like Atlantic Blvd. Drivers seem to be the worst on Atlantic.

What do you like about biking in Jacksonville? And dislike? Jacksonville is flat. If this town had bike lanes you could actually use to commute it wouldn’t be that bad of a town to bike in. Jacksonville is also huge but the more you bike the smaller the distances seem.

Have you ever combined transit and biking or used a bus bike rack? Yes, sometimes it’s a nice break to use but I find it easier just to bike than use the bus system here. I have also been kicked of the bus for having my folding bike.

Do you commute in cycling or street clothing? And if cycling clothing, how do you handle the change to street/work clothing? I commute in both. I change in a bathroom when wearing cycling clothes

Any bike gadget/gear cyclists should not go out without? All you need is a bike and a bag. I have a few gadgets like bike trailer when I need to carry more stuff but it is not necessary.

Are you a member of any cycling organizations/clubs? If so, which ones? No

Scary bike stories? I have been hit by two purple Dodge Caravans.