November 2006 Archive
Nov 30, 2006 · 11:27 AM
Again with bikes in the NYTimes! — this is like all the blogging stories in 2005, suddenly in 06, bikes are a popular topic. That’s definitely good for bike huggers and the story about Free City Supershop, a totally impractical retail experience has a great photo of a cruiser with a basket. There’s also some insight into being faithful to your ideas, how the Gap wants to rip you off, and to “make things with the simplest elements with the highest of possibilities.”
I can’t think of a better mantra for an urban bike.
Nov 30, 2006 · 09:18 AM
A reader just sent us Imagini Gift Finder that sorts gifts by your visual DNA (sort of like eHarmony with a 40 point personality profile or something). It’s fun to see all the choices and mine came back with a Life Cycle for a midwife in a developing country; the Cycloc, a simple solution for bike storage (big props for the Clip-n-Seal style minimalism) and a bicycle taxi.
Considering gift-giving, King County is publicizing it’s Waste Free Holiday program with “experience” merchants. For the past two years, our holidays and gifts have been trips and we’ll ride all over Maui again this year. In 07, we’re planning Bike Hugger tours and those will be experiences! Of course, we’ve got our store and the goods we sell.
Nov 29, 2006 · 08:24 AM
Just in time for the holidays, Timbuk2 has announced Limited Edition Messenger bags — 43 styles, 18 speciality materials, classic Timbuk 2 Designs, and all sewn in San Francisco. While I’ve got a new lust for re.load baggage, I’ve been very happy with my Pro Series Messenger Backpack (shown below). Not only does it a carry all my stuff when traveling, it can be seen from the International Space Station! I think it also confuses the TSA, as it’s so bright, I get through security lines a bit easier.
Nov 28, 2006 · 07:54 AM
A few years ago, I’d ride in any weather, a lot like that scene in Forrest Gump, in the storm, where I’d challenge the winds and rain to throw more at me. The defiance comes from learning how to ride in the Tri-Cities, where the wind blows in all directions all the time and my intense dislike for trainers. The defiance was tempered a few years ago, when I suddenly slipped in the snow and slid down a hill into a parked car and another time when the visibility was so bad, I rode right off the bike path into the Puget Sound.
So, as predictable as seeing a cyclist riding in shorts with bare knees, no matter how cold it is, I bet someone is out riding today, in Seattle, in the snow.
I’ve ridden in it all, not so much anymore, but though I’d ask what are your limits? What will you ride and not ride?
Nov 26, 2006 · 08:04 AM
Admittedly, my indoor trainer discipline is low, terrible, and I’d normally rather ride in a hailstorm that sit on a butt-numbing trainer. But with the non-stop rain finally getting to me, it’s time to commit to riding inside. I decided a new trainer may help my motivation and ordered a Tacx Cosmos. The Cosmos is a programmable trainer with a unique motorbrake that simulates climbs, downhill coasting, and amazingly a “road feel.” It also produces enough power to break your legs - I learned this by blowing during an especially hard effort (ramp test) to baseline my fitness for the new season.
Nov 26, 2006 · 07:17 AM
Our friends at Bike Portland posted this weekend about the bustling bike industry in Portland. The topic is on the front page of the Oregonian and the Portland Development Commission is working to attract more bike-based business. This quote from Matt O’Rourke, Vice President Chris King Precision Components, says it all
Portland is a whole new day for us. Chris and I are so incredibly optimistic about the town, our new building, the new people that we have interviewed and hired, everything.
Seattle (and any City) should take note.
Nov 25, 2006 · 07:14 AM
Writing for the Seattle PI, Washington State Senator Dan Swecker defends car culture as being necessary. Dan apparently missed the basic tenet that when you build bigger roads, people fill them up, and it never ends. Dan’s mindset is the same as those that want to save the Viaduct or thought it was a good idea to run I-5 right through the middle of downtown Seattle. To the absolute contrary, if you add more bike lanes, and less car lanes, people will ride bikes and drive less.
Nov 24, 2006 · 10:48 AM
Cross-posted from Snow Hugger, we’ve got the ATC2K Waterproof ActionCamera from Oregon Scientific. The camera mounts to your handlebars or helmet and you can shoot your favorite training ride, office park crit, cyclocross race, or your incredible explosion off the back when the annual day-after-thanksgiving ride goes up the first steep hill. It also promises to be much safer than holding a camera in one hand while pedaling around a roundabout — also reminiscent of the original Late Night Monkey Cam. Hat tip to Gizmodo
Nov 22, 2006 · 06:07 AM
Courtesy of our friends at FeedBurner, we’ve added a new hugga email feature. You can now keep up with our blog by email. Just click, enter your email, verify you’re not an evil spammer, and boom!
Our next hugga post will arrive in your inbox faster than the cancellation of K-Fed’s world tour.
Nov 21, 2006 · 05:52 AM
By way of the Pedal : Reloaded (every photo there is a photo of the day) galleries, I found custom handmade messenger bags by Re.Load Baggage and drank two cups of espresso while clicking through their site.
Having just bought a new Timbuk2 Pro Series Backpack for our trip to Spain, I’m impressed by the craftsmanship, creativity, and art. I’ll have a long-term review of the backpack up soon (overall a very good bag) and disappointed to learn that I’ve missed the window to order a Re.Load bag as a gift (damn)
Nov 21, 2006 · 05:27 AM
In an unrelated Google search this morning, I found a news article from 2002 about the Browning SmartShift. I’d only heard about SmartShift and don’t know the story, how it worked, if it worked, and if cyclists are still riding it.
The background is intriguing: “a new generation of more comfortable bikes, could bring a return to growth,” and the RD was largely backed by the Browning firearm fortune.
Anyone ever see a SmartShift?
Nov 20, 2006 · 07:21 PM
akiko, by Yohei Morita.
Nov 20, 2006 · 07:01 PM
The Whiteboard | You Have Reached Your Destination
The guys over at Synthesis Studios point out that bikers don’t have to settle for “bicycle GPS” solutions, as discussed last week.
They went full-bling with a Pioneer AVIC-S1, a Windows CE GPS unit with Bluetooth, 320 x 240 resolution, and 2 gigs of map storage.
Take 1 GPS window-mount, add a handful of zip-ties and an empty stem, and you’ve got a pretty effective, sano install.
Can you use it on the roll?
Oooooh yeah :) It’s a hell of a lot of fun, too. The touchscreen is clear and easily visible in daylight, and the interface is forgiving enough that clumsy fingers on the ride are still adequate to navigate the menu system. The voice directions are easily loud enough for use in traffic, and it’s a great conversation starter when I’m drafting someone and my bike announces “Please-turn-left-in-500-feet. Now, turn left.”. It’s also great to take the ETA as a challenge and work to beat it. And for that extra pinch of unnecessary, the bluetooth/handsfree integration works great with my phone, so I can take calls with my phone safely stuck in my backpack.
Handsfree and no-hands at the same time. Sweet.
Nov 20, 2006 · 06:01 PM
From the bikes in pop culture file, I did a spit take when Earl was riding his bike in the Rob a Stoner Blind episode, towing his brother, and Joy says, ” … bikes give ya nut cancer!”
Nov 20, 2006 · 05:33 PM
Mark V wrote for us during Interbike and offered his perspective on the culture of the event and the bikes he dug - he’s back writing for us almost daily and starts his hugger tenure with Heart of Bonkness.
Nov 18, 2006 · 05:46 PM
Have you ever bonked really bad on ride? Not like you’re in a race and suddenly you realize you can’t chase the break. I’m mean, you’re on a long training ride in the middle of nowhere and your blood-sugar level falls through the floor, you start sweating weird and get light-headed. You only brought 2 gels with you, and you consumed the second one an hour ago.
Suddenly you start thinking that the wet pile of leaves next to the road might be a good place to lie down and sleep.
Nov 15, 2006 · 12:46 PM
On the front page of the NYTimes Style Section are members of the Black Label Bike Club preparing for a tall bike joust. The article is about the “5,000 Burners, as festival-goers are known, gathered Oct. 14 for a “decompression” party, part reunion and part fund-raiser for the Burning Man organization.” The Black Label Bike Club has as WikiPedia entry that credits them with contributing to the tall bike culture.
NYTimes has now covered one bike niche to another. From Campy Record owners to tall bike jousters.
Nov 15, 2006 · 09:56 AM
Messengers on break near Market Street in San Fran.
Nov 15, 2006 · 07:11 AM
We’re rush ordered another run of Bike Hugger shirts to meet demand and we’re currently sold out of the mediums! Wow. And the others come in waves from Amazon, with a rush just this week.
Nov 14, 2006 · 11:19 AM
Our friends at REI sent a link to Novara Flicks, an action-packed video of their 07 product line, including behind-the-scenes with the designers.
Of note is their updated brand and it’s focus on “freedom” and grabbing yourself some. I’ve talked a lot with Novara about brand and they’re very passionate about cycling. Also, having ridden with them during their legendary lunch rides, I also learned that they can take pulls, and ride you mercilessly into the ground.
Nov 14, 2006 · 08:59 AM
Coffee and cycling go together, always have, and I travel with my own grind and french press to make sure wherever I am, I’m fully caffeinated. I use a Bodum travel press and it works great.
Now, I just discovered the Aerobie AeroPress and it looks a little big for travel (would work in the Scicon bag), but I bet makes one mean cuppa joe. It’s a french press with a filter and air pressure.
Nov 12, 2006 · 07:23 AM
A reader sent a blog about riding in San Fran and a 925 at the Golden Gate Bridge.
I’ll be in San Fran tomorrow for a seminar about blogging. It’s a day trip, so I won’t have my bike, but San Fran is a great town for riding.
Nov 10, 2006 · 07:41 AM
6 seater…people mover, by pierre pouliquin.
World’s greenest minivan.
Nov 10, 2006 · 06:59 AM
A reader sent us a post from Stippy.com on bike valets in Japan, who keep all the bikes orderly. Imagine that, riding up to a building, handing your bike to a valet, and having it parked!
Nov 10, 2006 · 06:58 AM
Ask MetaFilter | help me equip my bike with gps | Ask MetaFilter
There’s a good post over at MetaFilter asking about using GPS on bikes. The original poster was interested in a GPS solution to fight theft (LoJack on two wheels), which is still pretty impractical.
But the post does mention some interesting applications and products. There’s the Garmin Edge 305, a GPS with cycle computer and heart rate monitor in a unit small enough to strap to your stem (or its little brother, the no-heart rate Edge 205).
Of course, you can just use a handheld GPS, as well. Once you’ve got a route in the GPS, you can track your rides and share them through MotionBased (here’s a MB example ride).
Addressing the original question, I found this article at Popular Science about using mologogo and a prepaid cell phone. I’m just not sure how you could effectively hide the cell so it doesn’t invite the theft the original poster was trying to prevent.
Nov 10, 2006 · 06:18 AM
New York Times | You Paid How Much for That Bike?
The New York Times looks at the high-end bike market, especially in Manhattan.
The article focuses on boutique custom-bike shops, one (Signature Cycles) whose “fitting studio” is open by appointment only.
The current top end of the top end, according to the times, is about $23,000 for a “carbon time-trial bike sold at Signature Cycles that comes with handmade German wheels at $5,500 a set.” Judging from the Signature site, above, I’m guessing that’s a Seven Diamas, but who is making $5,500 wheelsets? Even the pro-level Corimas, Zipps, and Rolfs seem to run circa $900/wheel or less.
The lead is a woman who bought a $9,000 bike as she neared 39 so she could learn to ride. First question: Who doesn’t learn to ride a bike as a kid? Second question: Isn’t that a beautiful leap of faith?
The Hugger ethic even makes an appearance:
Dr. Levine bristled slightly when it was suggested that people like him may be a little, um, obsessed with what is, after all, just a bicycle.
“You do feel a connection with it,” he said. “But I don’t think anyone in our group takes it to a psychotic, unreasonable extent.”
He paused. “But my wife might disagree with that.”
Nov 09, 2006 · 11:13 AM
Treehugger | Performance Bicycle Rides With the Wind
Bicycle catalog specialist Performance Bicycle of Chapel Hill is making an effort to use renewable power at all its locations. They’ve partnered with Renewable Choice to purchase clean fuel credits equivalent to more than 5,000,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which reportedly equates to more than 7,000,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emission reduction.
Performance Bicycle | Renewable Energy
Nov 09, 2006 · 10:48 AM
Bicycle Design | Captain Bike
James at Bicycle Design points out that Sheldon Brown, one of the most helpful and knowledgeable bike experts on the internet, is suffering from neurological problems that have pushed him from two wheels to three.
Brown is keeping a health journal on his condition, and the current diagnosis is “maybe Multiple Sclerosis.” If you’ve considered riding or sponsoring a rider in an MS 150 ride this year, maybe this will provide a little extra motivation.
If you’ve never experienced Brown’s bike pages, here’s a good place to start. Here’s his Bicycle Glossary, here are repair tips, and here’s his fixie page.
Nov 09, 2006 · 08:22 AM
When we were planning our trip to Spain, I found the Travel with Bicycles (Air/Rail/Other) site that provides a wealth of data on traveling with your bike.
Interestingly, when we were in the airport, we saw cyclists that just handed the airline their bikes with not packing at all.
Nov 08, 2006 · 08:49 AM
These two are ready for the commute.
Nov 07, 2006 · 11:27 AM
We’re proud to announce the birth of our newest baby Snow Hugger. Manned by me, Snow Hugger is Bike Hugger’s colder, more mountainous cousin: a blog for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.
I’ll be enlisting some of my fellow aficionados to help me post from ski shows, demo equipment, and try out the slopes. We’re going to share our tips, hacks, and experiences, and if you’re a skiing, snowboarder, or other snow enthusiast, we want to hear yours.
Oh, and Byron has promised to own the snow tube beat.
Nov 07, 2006 · 08:02 AM
A Pez-Fan was either ahead, behind us, or nearby in Girona! Check Thom Fox’s report on his rides in Girona, the food, and more. Tom stayed at BeauneImports and hooked up with BikeCat. A few miles away, we stayed at the Moli de Mig and rode with maps provided by Cicloturisme.
Read more about our trip and see the photos. We agreed with Tom, Girona is cycling nirvana.
Nov 05, 2006 · 08:58 AM
Pam was checking out the NYC marathon and noticed that Lance’s number is “Lance,” not like 1 or 00, just “Lance.” She also thought he sort of ran like a girl (on that, I’d win an award for running like a girl).
Nov 05, 2006 · 05:43 AM
The first rain ride of the Fall is usually dirty with all the grime, oil, grit and dirt built up from the summer bubbling across the road. This year, because it’s already rained so much, the grime was much less after the ride.
That was great, but I think this much early Fall rain means it’s going to be a very wet winter.
Nov 04, 2006 · 10:37 AM
Treehugger | Bike Lamps from Treeline Designs
Treehugger offers up Treeline Designs, which offers lamps built around suspension forks.
Among the coolest features are the way the lights get activated: On some, you flip the canti brake to turn the lamp on or off, and on others you do it by compressing the fork itself.
If you’ve got a sentimental attachment to an old unused RockShox Judy, this is the perfect way to keep it around and drive your spouse crazy at the same time. Just tell her it’s a major award.
Nov 04, 2006 · 07:10 AM
Kipchoge Spencer of the Ginger Ninjas (and Xtracycle fame) is in town playing his guitar and Aaron is promoting a bike ride for the occasion. On Friday November 10th, 2006 at 6 PM depart from Aaron’s Bicycle Repair
and ride to Westlake Plaza to meet more riders. Heavy rain plan is to meet at the Bat Cave. Check the discussion on the .83 forum for more details.
Nov 04, 2006 · 06:38 AM
For the past few days, we’ve been quietly working in the background to make Bike Hugger lighter, faster, and an all around better hugger (what cyclist wouldn’t want to be lighter and faster!)
We’ve also got more huggers coming and we’ll post on that soon.
Nov 04, 2006 · 06:20 AM
Today, in the pouring rain, the 2007 racing season begins. I’ll ride the south end of the lake with the Wines of Washington team for about a 3 hour ride. On Sunday, another 3 to 4 hours with Mike Rogers.
This year is already promising with more of the older guys racing masters and I’m upping the training ante with a Tacx Cosmos. I’ll blog more about that once I’ve spent some painful, sweaty time on it.
Nov 02, 2006 · 12:29 PM
Recumbent bicycle, by manganite.
Nov 01, 2006 · 05:27 PM
We just added a new Google Custom Search to the site. The custom search is available in the right sidebar and here and allows users to search just cycling sites. We’ll refine the search over time and hope to make it much more of a “social search” for all things cycling.
For more on Google’s Custom Search, see the Google Co-op, and articles from SFGate.com and the BBC.
Nov 01, 2006 · 05:23 PM
Check this event report from British Cycling with kids races, choppers, and all on a gloriously autumnal day.
Nov 01, 2006 · 05:12 PM
Bicycle New South Wales wrote to say they loved the hugga and we said, “cool … thanks!” When I checked their site I found a group that promotes, advocates, and support cycling in all its forms and they’ve got all sorts of programs, including Free Bikeability Seminars.
We’d love to ride in New South Wales and if we find our way there, we’ll definitely ride with that group.
