In May, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition gave six novice cyclists Globe bikes, mentors, and accessories as part of the Bike Locally challenge, to see if they could change their habits and use the bikes to commute locally. If they ride their bikes 50 miles a month and inspire others to do so, then they get to keep the bikes. 

Delanie Kern lives in San Anselmo and commutes to Novato. She'll be updating us regularly about her trials and triumphs as she tries to make changes in her life. She's halfway done and well on the way towards meeting her goal.

Let's say, hypothetically speaking, that you are the type of person that used to think all bikes were more or less the same. Two wheels, handlebars, a seat: one bike is as good as another, right? And even though your boyfriend's other girlfriend (or more like six or seven girlfriends) is his bicycle, and every bike magazine known to man is delivered to your house monthly, you never gave bikes a whole lot of thought.

Then, one day, you are riding your Globe bike down to San Anselmo to pick up some bagels and you realized that you have not only  noticed the seven or eight bicyclists you have seen along the way, but taken note of what kind of bikes they are riding and ranked it against the coolness of your own bike.

Question: What happened to you?

Answer: Congratulations, you have become a bike snob.

I admit it: this bike snob is me.

I now notice the hipsters on fixies and whether or not they are brave enough to go without brakes.

The weekend warriors in spandex.  Are they on an aluminum or carbon frame?

The mountain bikers, full suspension or hardtail? 26 or 29 inch wheels? Is there any mud on the bike?

The town bikes -- classic Schwinn or new cruiser?

I blame my bike snob boyfriend and my fancy pants Globe bike for this change.

I'm now used to several people turning to look as I pull up on my bike and almost every time I'm stopped at a light with other cyclists someone will ask me what kind of bike I'm riding and where they can get one. I think all the attention has gone to my head.

Maybe I should start a new program, Bike Snobs Anonymous.