December 2006 Archive
Dec 28, 2006 · 12:21 PM
For those of us not in Maui (and in the real world) how about a little challenge? I start most years off trying to see how long I can go riding every day. Last year I made it until mid-February before a work trip derailed my streak. It doesn’t have to be much - some days I just hop on the trainer for 30 minutes to watch a TV show. Most days my commute does the trick, but getting in the longer rides on the weekends can sometimes be hard to get inspired for when it’s like this outside. Any takers?
Dec 28, 2006 · 06:59 AM
A local told us that there are 4 bike shops in Maui and about 50 dudes. We didn’t meet any local dudes on our rides, but did visit West Maui Cycles and Go Cycling Maui. Good enough for me to carry half a loaf, jammed in a jersey pocket, up a six mile climb!
Dec 26, 2006 · 09:23 AM
As much as I enjoy riding in Maui, it’s like the LA of tropical islands — everyone does everything by car and it’s as car-based as it gets. On the last day of our trip, on top of Pineapple Hill at the Kapalua Resort (another leg-breakin’ climb), a Mercedes on a pedestal showed up and I was like, damn, worship this!
The Mercedes showed up (looking very much like a Lexus) for the Mercedes-Benz Championship PGA tour event. I’m sure that’s a real nice car and people love driving it, as well as watching golf, but by that time I’d had enough of cars and construction trucks working the new resorts.
While the island is full of cars, Maui does have wide-shoulder lanes, bike route signs, a plan, and the Maui Bike Alliance. I’ll note that we had zero problems with cars and in the country, it’s like any quiet country ride, but everywhere else you’re riding along highways that are full.
Dec 26, 2006 · 08:24 AM
In contrast to the hard work of Mr. Steepy, the road to Hana on a bike is a relaxing pleasure. That’s not to say it couldn’t be a tough day, but we rode it at a tourist pace, enjoying the curves and scenery and the more rhythmic climbs. Hana is the least developed area of Maui and a nice change from the crowded resorts.
Once every hour or so, we also appreciated our bikes even more, when a line of cars would roll by stuck behind a tourist bus with obviously frustrated drivers. We also enjoyed flying through the S-turns while they waited behind us.
Dec 24, 2006 · 10:07 AM
Just uploaded Maui photos to the Bike Hugger Photostream. The photos include Local Knowledge, Cruiser Girl, and Bike Volcano.
Dec 22, 2006 · 07:58 PM
We Huggaz love simple, elegant product design, preferably of the indestructible variety. We love it so much, one of us even designed the world’s simplest, elegantest, indestructiblest bag clip. So when I saw Cycloc in the Dec/Jan 2007 issue of Dwell, my reaction was immediate and visceral: must have!
Made of indestructible plastic in candy colors, Cycloc is like storage judo: it uses the bike’s own weight to hold it suspended securely on the wall. Available in the US for $90 directly from Charles and Marie, I know one bike that’s going to get lucky one of these long, dark winter nights.
Dec 22, 2006 · 12:30 PM
As it was told to us, the 20% gut-wrenching climb on Maui’s best ride was named Mr Steepy after Lance said “man that’s steep!” during a ride with some locals. Mr. Steepy is the right name and the photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s a climb where you lose all momentum immediately and it hurts as bad sitting or standing. Nearing the top, the thoughts in my head were not, “man I can climb and I’m going to kick ass next season.” Instead it was more, “when will this end, I can’t climb for shit, a few more pedal strokes, and I’m at 187 bpm!”
In about 30 seconds of climbing, I was at max power and heart rate and it took me nearly a half an hour on the other side of Mr. Steepy to recover. The ride itself, before and after the climb, is hard and very challenging for me because there’s no rhythm to the road. Each crest, valley, and rise is a different grade, length, and road surface.
Not until the last hour and a half, with the big tailwind, and rolling it at 30 mph did I feel good — really good.
Dec 22, 2006 · 09:44 AM
While this “mountain in the middle of an ocean” is as car culture as it gets, after pedaling a few minutes from our resort, we found ourselves climbing, descending, and cornering the narrow, winding roads of Maui.
Last year when were in Kihei, rode Haleakala, the winery, and along the beaches. This year in the Lahaina, Napili area, we rode what I called the “road of the Gods” and the locals call the Jim Stuart Memorial (pdf).
Dec 21, 2006 · 06:12 PM
Hang around either the ski or the bicycle industries, and eventually you’ll encounter some form of snowbike—a misbegotten contraption that neither skis nors bikes, looks dopey, and strands its rider at the bottom of the hill.
Enter Ktrak: a snow bike that looks like fun and uses the rider’s “legs” to drive a track and thereby create locomotion. The question are: can it go uphill and can it handle deep powder?
Cross-posted to Snow Hugger
Via Engadget
Dec 21, 2006 · 12:10 PM
They are in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. Portland and San Francisco have them already.
Dec 19, 2006 · 04:49 PM
I’m practical. I know my wife and family wouldn’t dare buy me more than a $20 cycling item. They know that no matter who they ask, it’ll probably end up being the wrong size/fit/style/color. That said there’s always room for stocking stuffers so here’s a list of the last minute little things I (and I assume most cyclists) can’t get enough of:
Glove Liners - I’m not sure of the physics, but glove liners keep my hands feeling dryer in my wet gloves. I also tend to loose these a lot, thus the need for many.
Smartwool Socks - I’m sure other brands are just as good, but I love my Smartwools. They are perfect for combating wet feet and they can pinch-hit as work socks if I forget.
Red Blinkies - I always loose/break these things. I strap them to all of my bags and like to keep extras on hand when I run out of battery.
Chamois Creme - I’m partial to Greyhound Juice, but there are plenty of players out there. It’s a consumable and I prefer to have a stash in my closet, my garage, my gym locker, and in my messenger bag.
Cycling DVD’s - When I need to, I ride the trainer, and the only thing better than watching “Lost” on the trainer, is a bike movie. 90 minutes never went by so quick.
Base Layers - Now that I’ve gotten used to these, I use one for every ride. The more base layers, the less often I need to do laundry.
Knogs - Like rear blinkies, these are great to have on hand in case I get caught out a little later than planned.
Casual Wear - who doesn’t need a cool heather-green T-Shirt?
I’d love to hear other ideas, mostly so I can try out more stuff!
Dec 19, 2006 · 10:39 AM
(Photo Courtesy of Trevor)
With all the wind damage, riding on the trail required skills most of us aren’t used to employing on the way into the office this week. This morning debris was finally cleared and the parade of commuters is back to “normal”.
Dec 18, 2006 · 08:41 AM
Cumfest 2005, by simondbarnes.
Dec 16, 2006 · 11:50 AM
How did I ever find my way home before this little guy? I’ve always relied on inexpensive LED lights to navigate the dark trail - mostly because I was too cheap and thought my eyes were plenty good. There are a number of comparable lights out there these days. $200 buys a lot of lumens these days compared to the halogen options of just a couple years back.
Dec 15, 2006 · 04:08 PM
Riding to work on a day like today. Seattle had a huge storm last night. Today’s drive into Seattle took forever because the bridge was closed. As I made my way into work I could gauge my progress in the bike lane against cars struggling to make it through unlit traffic lights. I’m pretty sure I made it to the office 20 minutes faster than had I driven. That’s the best.
Dec 14, 2006 · 11:46 AM
I’ve got a good collection of bikes, but in the Pacific Northwest, the bike that gets the most action is my rain bike. It’s my commuter most days, and after years of replacing brake pads monthly for only marginal stopping power - I have found the light: Disc Brakes on a road bike. Fender routing is simple with plenty of tire clearance. Stopping power is never in question in even the heaviest downpours. I’m sure many commuters who ride in more of an upright “mountain” position have been riding discs for years, but I’m happy to have finally made the jump. There a couple major brands out there with offerings (Kona Sutra, Redline Disc-R, Trek Portland), as well as some smaller frame builders who have put together some nice custom setups (Marcroft Cycles, Clemente Cycles). If Santa’s bringing a new bike this year - maybe remember to share the love with the rain bike?
Dec 12, 2006 · 04:17 AM
A gift guide in USA Today features cycling gear, clothes, food, and says, “Bike makers have been busy coming up with some dandy models for 2007 that feature the creative use of carbon fiber technology. The bottom line is a bike that’s stiff enough to win a sprint to the next stop sign while also being comfortably compliant. In English, that means fast and comfy.” And perfect for the bike hugger!
Continuing with the focus on sports, USA Today’s gift blog links to “tricked out” bathing suits for triathletes.
Dec 11, 2006 · 06:19 AM
Soon Amazon.com will fulfill Clip-n-Seal or our behalf. That means that our freshiness product is eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping, Amazon.com customer service, and returns. As soon as Clip-n-Seals hit Amazon.com’s warehouse, we’ll update our product pages to reflect the change. Bike Hugger shirts will also eventually ship directly from Amazon.com.
Holiday Shipping
We will ship from our warehouse up until the December 14th 2006. After the 14th, Amazon.com should fulfill and our offices will close for vacation (in Maui!) until December 26th 2006.
Dec 10, 2006 · 07:31 AM
Reducing bicycle-car collisions is the 2nd most popular Soundoff discussion on the Seattle PI today. The discussion follows the release of Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan and a front page article stating that 900 riders have been injured in Seattle and 5 killed.
In the discussion you’ll find the standard arguments that cars are entitled to the road, cyclists must obey the laws, and pretty much drivers are idiots and cyclists are idiots. While, as huggers, we defer to the drivers are idiots view, I think the plan addresses much of the dangers for cyclists and cars in Seattle. Those dangers are demonstrated very well by Ghost Cycle, including a death that was close to Bike Hugger earlier this year.
After the jump, our ongoing coverage of this topic.
Dec 09, 2006 · 07:46 AM
Cyclingnews reviews Fulcrum’s new carbon clinchers, Reynolds has launched an impressive new line, Bontrager’s got a really expensive set, and 07 is going to be the year of the all-carbon clincher (after the jump, a link to how all-carbon wheels are made by MQC for Reynolds).
Dec 09, 2006 · 07:21 AM
One of my vacation mantras is, “Work less and Bicycle More,” and in Maui next week, it’ll be all eat, sleep, ride. Like most of us, I work way too much, and just found the Work Less Party from a comment Jean left on my Well-Traveled Cyclist post from earlier in the year.
That’s my new year’s wish for a da ugga readers (including Snow), work less and bicycle more. On that topic, what do you do to ride more?
Dec 08, 2006 · 08:35 AM
A bicycle commuter in Seattle versus cars, by Mike Kane/P-I.
More on cycling in Seattle, Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan, and the “more than 900 riders have been injured and 5 killed in accidents since 2001.”
Dec 08, 2006 · 07:58 AM
While googling for reaction to Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan, I found the Sightline Institute’s blog and posts from their director on living car-free. Highlights include CNN hanging with them for a day and a car free vacation.
Dec 08, 2006 · 07:26 AM
Most appealing in Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan is the intention to mainly focus on existing roadways and making them more bike friendly and improving the City’s quality of life. I posted on this topic earlier, after being convinced by the Contested Streets documentary that shows how cities have “focused on the bicycle as a primary transporter and changed their streets and traffic flow to allow for more bikes.”
Also very important is wayfinding for cyclists and I think the goal of increasing “cycling from 2 percent of all trips now, to 12 percent of all trips within 20 years” is achievable.
Dec 07, 2006 · 07:39 PM
Seattle released their Bicycle Master Plan yesterday and there’s a meeting tonight about it. I’ve got a holiday party to attend and won’t be there, but hope to hear from the attendees. I’ll also post a follow up on the report itself.
Initial Reaction
Dec 07, 2006 · 02:34 PM
XJapan_ghostcyclist, by ratsbeyfus.
Dec 06, 2006 · 05:05 PM
I was in Vegas earlier this week talking about blogging and podcasting at Web Builder 2.0 and spotted this rattan bike in a display window. The display artist, or someone, carefully and meticulously wrapped an entire bike in rattan. The closer I looked, the more detail I discovered. Also, curiously, the front basket had several bike lights tossed in it. Slot machines are reflected in the display window.
Dec 06, 2006 · 02:45 PM
Create Digital Music | Ensembles, Symphonies, and Bikelophones
Over at Create Digital Music, a post last week featuring the Nutcracker Suite played entirely on bike parts (by "johnny random") led to a whole host of bike/music mashups.
There's Stephen Schweitzer's Bikelophone, a Motobecane Grand Jubilee that's given its life to music. Literally. There's a variety of strings, spokes, and bells alongside an Electrosonic interface that simulates a Theremin, and the whole thing is wired into a mixing board.
The podcasters at The Bike Show just did an edition called “Experimental music and the bicycle”, and they're trying to organize a performance, in conjunction with London's Grand Depart of the Tour de France this summer, of Godfried-Willem Raes's Second Symphony for 'Singing Bicycles'.
And don't miss the CD that looks like a patch kit.
Dec 06, 2006 · 12:57 PM
From Reuters Video and Digg we’ve got reports of the Red Bull Mexico City’s Downhill Metro. When I read that headline I thought, ok, they run down the tunnels. Nope, they downhill the escalators, stairs, up and over the turnstiles and so on. Brian Lopes posted on the event promising some photos.
Dec 04, 2006 · 09:14 AM
In a few weeks, we’ll ride more Maui miles. I blogged about our riding last year in Maui and the climb up to 10K feet on Textura Design (my personal and business blog). This time we’ll ride Napili and blog it all. I found Cycling in Paradise, Tong’s report, Cycling Maui, and Go Cycling.
Have any of you ridden the big miles in Maui in the Napili area? Where’s the good coffee?
Dec 03, 2006 · 08:54 PM
You there! With the 15 pound road bike! Put the wrench down SLOWLY and step away from delicately assembled $8K eggshell on wheels.
