We’re back from the Bahamas and before we ride into the New Year, let’s look back at the most interesting content we published in 2009.
The brake setup on this Globe — done for a laugh — resulted in lots of discussion, traffic, a Bike Snob diss, and a Stupid Brake Mounts photoset.
... Read more »
In a year filled with some great Bike Hugger trips and stories, a few photos stand out to me as favorites. One is this unassuming photo of Specialized’s Amber, sitting astride her Globe. When I say her Globe I mean that quite literally, she designed every single weld, angle and custom part on every Globe bike. Here she’s clearly in love with her bike, which is the whole point, isn’t it?
From racing, this is one of my favorite shots of the year. By far it’s not the most technical shot of the year, but it really captures for me what ‘Cross is all about, the mix of seriousness and mockery that’s the heart of the sport.
If you’d like to see more of the BH photos, you can check out our flickr stream, or take a look at my collections of cycling shots.
We’re heading back to Seattle from the Bahamas today after some outstanding riding and vacationing. Once back, a full Bahamas download, year in review wrap up posts and then onto Twenty 10 planning.
We’ve gots lots going on and excited about next year with Mobile Socials in Amsterdam, Seattle Bike Expo, SXSW, and more.
Reader Fraser sent us this photoset of a dedicated bike lane in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. That’s wine country.
Uploaded by Fraser Kitt Photography | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Traveling with the Brompton and Dahon Mµ SL on this trip to the Bahamas, using Dahon’s Airporter cases.
Kept the weight under 50 pounds for each bike and didn’t get charged extra by the airlines. Before the trip, Dahon sent us the iPhone Mount and we’ll post on that soon.
Readers that have followed us for a while, know we ride all over and it’s not very often cars give us courtesy honks, plenty of room, and the local cyclists wave enthusiastically. As I noted in the previous Bahamas post, we didn’t expect a bike-friendly Island or new paved roads.
This stretch went on for several few miles. Eventually, we turned back towards the airport and resorts.
I’ve heard this conversation at least 10 times:
Roadie Tech Type #1: “Hey - what if they made the iPhone a Power Meter head unit?”
Roadie Tech Type #2: “Never happen - iPhone will never support ANT+”
Roadie Tech Type #1: “But that would be awesome if it did”.
That may be true, but it looks like Pedal Brain maybe ready to span that gap with their iPhone mount that includes ANT+ comm support.
It’s still very early as they just launched their public site last week, but it sounds promising. Does this mean no need to lug around a Windows machine any more to upload and analyze your data? We’ll stay on this and hopefully get a chance to test it out and see how the software suite works together. I doubt I’ll ever want to race with an iPod sticking out from my handlebars, but it sure seems great for training.
Met these locals who told us “they ride everywhere sure, on this road, even have races.”
In our travels, we found the places you read about as not bike friendly usually are. The main roads are well paved, but without shoulders. The taxis courtesy honked, buses gave us room, and we rode enjoying the Island. It seems folding bikes don’t come here often, as they attracted attention from the hotel staff.
More photos and posts to follow.
Speaking of paramedics, this cyclist crashed hard, broke his hip, and the paramedics made sure the bike was OK. Then sent it to hospital with him.
Uploaded by thesoftcopy | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
We’re used to seeing bicycle cops. They patrol in cities, malls, and airports. Paramedics are also using bikes to provide emergency services, at events, and the Strip in Vegas.
In London, they’re pedaling 50k of kit around like this
Enjoy your holidays and thank you for following our tweets, being part of our community, and riding the Mobile Socials with us. We’ve got even more events and blogging planned in 2010.
Now it’s time to relax with our families and ride into the new year. We hope you’re doing the same.
The Riese & Müller Avenue. An urban bike we haven’t seen before… . readers?
Uploaded by jan beeldrijk | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
From the Cruiser Adds of the past photoset on Flickr.
Uploaded by Wha’ppen | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
We’ll announce all the details of what we’re doing in 2010 with the Mobile Socials and more in the new year. For this week, the news is that Bike Hugger and Livestrong CEO Doug Ulman are talking together at SXSW about changing the world, lives, with bikes and Social Media:
This core conversation will talk about how cycling, the bike, and social media are changing the world and lives. You’ll learn about Livestrong’s community and Bike Hugger’s blog, events like the Mobile Social, and the millions who follow Lance Armstrong on Twitter. It’s a discussion of bikes, pop culture, and socializing the good with these Interweb tools.
A split in the group during the 2008 Mobile Social
A month earlier @FITC, I’m giving a similar talk. Hosting a bike culture panel during the Seattle Bike Expo too.
Following up on our visit earlier this year to Trek during TrekWorld, Mike Pfaltzgraff will take your questions starting tonight and tomorrow. Mike is the man at Trek, designing all the graphics for the Team Bikes, Lance’s specialty bikes, the Team Shack bike, and more.
Pretty much, if you’ve seen something cool from Trek Bikes in the past 3 years, it involved Mike’s artwork. Like this Madone.
... Read more »The plain-clothes cyclist just wears what works …
Carrying a wheel
or practicing bike tricks
Uploaded by Ktieche | More photos from Velo Vogue, a San Francisco-based bicycle fashion blog.
Our series of irreverent 2010 predictions tweets, included Urban Cyclocross. That’s an alleycat with runups and barriers.
Followers responded that they’d like to see that and promoters are already doing it.
Photo Uploaded by ©hrisGo. We also predicted that Harajuku rides will displace Tweed. No word yet if that’s happening already.
Well this looks like fun!
Photos from Santacon 2009 in Portland.
Uploaded by ohhh_yeah808 | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
With Cross season over and snow falling across the country, lots of cyclist probably thinking about riding like this.
Uploaded by Ronaldo F Cabuhat | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
This gear test went like this @uBRDO
hey these caps came in from Octopus and they don’t fit out fatheads at Hugga HQ. Try them out.
They digged them, but need to work on their model poses, like blue steel or something.
Octopus makes custom Handmade cycling caps from recycled fibers in Columbus, Ohio.
We’ve got our 25% off Extended Hugga Sale going on @UBRDO and our Amazon store. We also have stock left on a few select items available directly from us for you last minute shoppers.
Mathowie wrote, “whenever I’m in downtown Portland, I kind of wish I had a bike to get around, especially if I dropped my truck into a long term parking lot. Plus it’s small enough to fly with, so I’ve got a travel bike as well.”
Uploaded by mathowie | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
A Triumph ladies roadster with 3 choices.
Uploaded by Bikerescue | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Heard others wonder if Rapha actually sold anything or if it was a sophisticated social marketing campaign not unlike Andre has a Posse
or Obey Giant …
Spotted this commuter in the lobby of the Pacific Building downtown. She works for the Wilderness Society and rides everyday. They don’t mind her taking the bike through the lobby or parking it at her cube. She’s had that pickle bucket for about 5 years.
Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
There’s something special about ‘Cross racing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s the awesomely tight courses with splattering mud. Maybe it’s the excited fans, the Belgium frites. Oh, no, wait. It’s the huge-ass drum lines!
A big cross race is the closest we get to the sidelines of a climb on Le Tour, with all the fans and fanatics squeezed into a park instead of lining a Col somewhere in the Alps.
The Copenhagen Wheel is in the news today with a report from the NYTimes, website, and a teaser video:
It’s a kinetic energy wheel that “captures the energy dissipated while cycling and braking and save it for when you need a bit of a boost.”
Photo: Copenhagen Wheel
The NYTimes article includes quotes from Steve Hed, whose skeptical of bikes with regenerative wheels
“Just the basic bike is so hard to beat … The latest thing now are the simple, fixed-gear bikes, so simple and light you can throw them over your shoulder.”
A power assist product that’s simple and light is something the urban bike category needs, and if it ships, that’s more great news from Copenhagen. What this means, is MIT has developed a bike that you ride around, it stores energy, and gives you a little boost when you need it to get up a hill or around town. The unit is controlled by your phone.
Also see the Cannondale Dutchess and our electric tag.
Stay focused while a guy in a speedo with a Luchador mask points at his belly and it says, “No pudding for you.” Oh and it’s 38F. That’s Cross racing.
Uploaded by mathowie | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
In September, I talked about our meeting with Outlier Clothing and the preview they gave us of their goods. Well, they were nice enough to send me an Empire Merino Tee and I'm here to tell you: it's nice.
For starters, unlike a lot of merino, this t-shirt is soft. I don't mean soft like "less scratchy," I mean soft like "you won't be aware you're wearing wool." Ibex made me realize that wool could be a no-fuss, super comfortable and hard-wearing technical and everyday fabric, and their Shak jersey remains one of my favorite pieces for its toughness, versatility, and stink resistance. But I want to ensconce myself in the fabric from Outlier's Empire Tee. It's soft and luxurious without being fussy.
... Read more »We’ve been following the goings on in Copenhagen — watching for bikes, following KK+, spotted photos — and today stories from Reuters, LA Times, and The Independent realize that “bikes are a good solution for the climate, the economy and the poor.” Or even simpler, “Biking is just the easiest way to get around here.”
One wheel (the factory built Stinger 9 FR) glued-up and mounted. Still working on the spoke experiments on the rear rim. I don’t have the correct nipples for this 90mm carbon rim either. Hopefully I can get that straightened out this week.
It was a stunning day both in terms of weather and competition for the 2009 Cross Nationals in Bend, Oregon. With the backdrop of crisp blue skies, competitors took to the field to battle it out for the bragging rights that come along with a national title.
With each day of this nearly week-long race the weather has changed—flurries gave way to snowfall, which gave way to today’s ice-and-must festival. Collegiate men and women provided the most spirited competition and the pro divisions showed just how blazingly-fast one can ride a bike across a mud-strewn course.
The highlight of the course was easily the two-story-tall staircase that claimed just a few victims at its base. Easily one of the best courses in U.S. ‘cross racing the Bend, Oregon event was packed with spectators and massive amounts of cowebells.
Final standings are here.
Click the image below to jump to our collection of images from the race.
From the Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival, October 2009.
Uploaded by Egan Snow | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Like JZ said, “I do this for my culture.” More photos on Flickr and reports from the Pro race to follow today.
Here’s my new Hed Stinger 9 front wheel. It’s really deep profile: 90mm!
When you put your Velocity Deep-V wheel into your bike’s dropouts, does your bike ask you “Is it in yet?”
... Read more »Noticed Cycle Mode Tokyo in @gary_fisher’s Twitter stream and much vélocouture was in the booths.
Puffy coat style, uploaded by mumblion
We’ve been posting and predicting that fashion would follow cyclists into the mainstream. As more of us ride urban, we need clothes and gear that work better on and off the bike. What you ride in should work at the office, home, and elsewhere.
... Read more »Known simply as “the Guy from Tucson,” this tourist was spotted in downtown Seattle. He just spent the past three months riding from there to here with the last part on the train because it was so cold.
Just rode in from Tuscon, probably wishes he was still there.
We’ve been studying this photo before posting and analyzing the outfit as either a brilliant fashion-safari throwback — Pith helmet, beard — or chosen purely for the practicality. We think Gary Fisher has a potential new look here.
Congrats on your tour Guy from Tucson. Good job getting here before the snow starts!
Amsterdam is the back drop for the MoSos in 2010 and the kickoff of our meetups on bikes. Then it’s onto Mellow Johnnys for SXSW.
Photo: a Shepard Fairey Mural in Amsterdam spotted during the Mobile Social Worldwide.
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We collect cycling caps, have different ones for every occasion, and like this one with flowers quite well. It’s made by luce goods.
Also see our Nylon Caps
We’re packing bags to head out and shoot the Cyclocross Nationals this weekend in Bend, Or. We’re looking forward to the arctic temperatures and the snow—that’s what all ‘cross races are like, right?
If you see us lugging around camera gear, come say hello, and look forward to our coverage this weekend from the course.
Uploaded by davidjschloss | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Trek uploaded photos of the Team Radio Shack Madone to Facebook today.
That’s a custom-painted 2010 Madone with Bontrager wheels and gear. Featuring integrated DuoTrap sensors a Bontrager’s Node computer.
During our trip to TrekWorld earlier this year we saw those frames being built and here’s a post on the wheels. They’re designed by Hed.
That paint scheme is reminiscent of the Stages collection and we wish Team Radio Shack’s kit looked that good.
More photos on Flickr. Also see:
For some reason the past month I’ve been dealing with wheels a lot. I’ve been building a lot of custom wheels and repairing a lot of wheel systems. It’s made what I like and dislike very clear in my mind.
Shimano isn’t the only wheelmaker to use this “innovation”: placing the nipples at the hub rather than the rim. Shimano is the most poplar one out there, though. The usual excuse for this is that removing the nipples from the rim reduces rotational inertia of the wheel. What it really does is make truing the wheel a bitch. It’s difficult to get the wrench (which is usually proprietary) into the nest of spokes, and then the arc of the wrenching motion is limited by the same cluster of spokes. And for non-radial lacing, the actual truing of the wheel seems unnatural because the problem area of the rim is offset from the nipple that would have an effect.
Nicely produced, very informative video about the recent Oregon Manifest design challenge and ride. 30+ hand made bikes, submitted for judging on design then ridden 77 miles on and off road. Some great bikes in the lot…
So it looks like Gary Fisher is either a big fan of steampunk or of bondage films (or better, Steampunk Bondage), because the mountain bike legend because he just posted this ultra-super-minimalist set of gloves on his Twitter feed.
While at first glance everything seems wrong with this cyclist, I can’t help but love him. I spotted him riding in New York’s Central Park this spring and my heart went out to him.
Unstrapped (1982) helmet, yellow “backpack,” high white socks, vintage PDA on the hip. Awesome. If you ever wanted to ride with an anti-style, this is how to do it.
Uploaded by davidjschloss | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
I’ve got a few killer Laek House shirts in my collection, and now the company’s released a few more shirts. I’m fond of this 1986 shirt bike myself, if anyone’s looking to get me anything for a stocking stuffer.
They’ve also just hipped us to a project they do with Velocity rims (another favorite of mine) with a black finish that’s super-reflective when illuminated, which you can see in the video. Great looking rims (ghetto looking website.)
Found this brochure during a recent move — still had it in a box of things to remember. It was my first race bike and I rode it all over. The Fisher Paragon:
A direct descendant of the original Fisher Paragon with the benefit of 17 years of refinement. Solid, sure-footed and built for the long haul.
I didn’t know at the time it was named after Lars Zebroski as @gary_fisher tweeted this morning. It reminded me of Dungeon and Dragons. The Tange prestige set the standard for how I think frames should feel and ride, including urban, cargo, and folding.
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The New York Times is increasingly becoming a cycling blog, with their latest product test being of fenders. Like our own tests, they found the Planet Bike fenders tops and were less impressed with heavier wooden or metal fenders that lack a rim for water-abatement.
I love this story. It’s a good one for the holidays. It’s about Baker and he’s the master of fixed-gear bike riding in Sedalia MO.
“I’ve gotten really used to it,” he said of crashing his bike. “I can tell when something is going wrong and I can jump off of it and land on my feet most of the time.”
He’s breaking 3 frames a year and Leader Bike is sponsoring his frames and videos.
Most of his tricks involve “riding fakie,” or going backward. He also does a lot of handlebar spins.
It reads almost like an Onion parody of Fixie Kids. Travis near crashes and lands on his feet in this video after the car smokes some tires.
In 1899, Neidert was doing tricks too. Edison rolled film while he did his best. Also see Danny MacAskill tricks, trails style.
The most beautiful bike part in my mind has always been the high-flange Dura Ace track hub. This is a painting I did a while back.
To me, art that is focused squarely at a bicycle is limited in its appeal, but art that uses a bicycle to communicate something else can go a lot further. Like how the movie Breaking Away isn’t really about a bike race.
Primo schwag from a travel industry party showed up at Hugga HQ. That’s a LogoShirt product from Germany. They specialize in, “famous and nostalgic consumer brands.” Inquiring for more!
In an interview with Draft Magazine, Adam Benedetto talks about running bike tours for Fat Tire, drinking lots of beer, and staying in shape.
As a Fat Tire Bicycle Tour guide in Paris, I enjoyed beer and bicycles a lot. Sometimes I’m into both at the same time—even while working. Light exercise like biking though a city really helps the body process beer. Since working for Fat Tire I generally don’t like to sit in a bar. My body just feels lousy during and afterward. Better to have a drink, ride somewhere, have another drink and then, eventually, be responsible and lock the bike up.
These “bling bling” style Dura-Ace cufflinks make a great gift for the cyclist, but at about $80, they cost more than the DA chains they came from.
If you’d like more practical gifts, check out our curated gift guide, make up of suggestions from our readers cross-checked with items we’ve personally used, now in our Community. From cycle computers to coffee holders, it’s a perfect list of products for the cyclist near and dear to your heart.
Tall Bike Joust introduces iPhone gamers to a new experience in extreme sports within the underground subculture of mutant bicycle clubs. In TBJ, gamers are in the rider’s seat as they compete in jousting tournaments on tricked-out freak bikes within a complex 3D fighting platform.
This arrives just when we were lamenting the lack of interesting bike apps for the iPhone. For more on the app and the creator Ryan Doyle, see the Bike Blog NYC post and interview. Ryan is an artist, freak bike aficionado, and member of the Black Label Bike Club. See video of his Regurgitator on YouTube.
Seems even losers on bikes are making apps these days. Tall Bike Joust is available on 01/01/10.
It was bright and brisk during the day, with the faint smell of burning. We rode Dry Creek Rd to the Oakville Grade, and back. Then onto dinner at Hurley’s Restaurant.
Few tourists were in town and we had the road mostly to ourselves. The route was rolling with a 5 percent grade. The Orbea Carpe Diems were more at home on the flats than the hills, but we made do and appreciated their availability at Bardessono.
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That’s what’s been missing to mainstream tall, freak bikes is a kickstand! Now, if they could make a bike out of u-locks and rollerblade wheels …
Uploaded by omahgarsh | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
By now you’ve likely read of the saga of Fat Cyclist. Elden, the scribe behind the site started off blogging about his attempt to not be a chubby rider (hence the name). Along the way his wife became terminally ill, he shared this candidly, and he gained a following of loyal and dedicated fans.
Recently Fatty sent a job application to Johan Bruyneel applying for a job on Team Radio Shack resume-style, the same way he might apply for a job as a programmer. Surprisingly, Johan wrote back and offered him a chance to ride at the training camp if he raised $10,000 for both the World Bicycle Relief Fund and the Livestrong Foundation. And then he went on to say that he’d give away a signed Madone if Fatty could raise $50,000.
Fatty upped the ante by offering two kick ass bikes if he can make it. The first bike is a Gary Fisher Superfly that’s painted Fatty colors and the second is the signed Madone. Jesus. Effin. Christ.
He’s already hit the $25k mark for the World Bicycle Relief Fund, and just a bit short for the Livestrong one. But you can still donate and turn this small bit of funny prose into one of the fastest fundraising efforts in cycling history. And maybe win the Madone too.
@metrofiets and @clevercycles are on NPR this morning in a feature about cargo, Portland, and box bikes.
That’s Jamie Nicols, co-owner and framebuilder of Metrofiets. He rode with us earlier this year during the Mobile Social Portland.
Photo uploaded by David Schloss.
And happy holidays to you! This shot was taken during the 2010 Men of Point 83 Calendar shoot. The girls didn’t do a calendar this year, so the men did. Get yours now.
Uploaded by Sweendo | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
We had such a good time at the Hugga Holiday sale last week, we’re extending it for another 2 weeks until 12/21/09. Our online sale continues through the New Year.
An exclusive selection of gear from us and our partners is available now @uBRDO in Kirkland for 25% off the regular price. The gear includes Ibex, Hincapie Sporstwear, and our own unique branded goods.
... Read more »Handscreened Your Bike is Freedom tees are now available for purchase in limited quanities — we’re selling what Chris Mahan made at the Hugga Holiday party.
Didi Senft (the Devil at the Grand Tours) rides his Santa Clause bicycle for the media in Germany earlier this week.
Photo: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters
Spotted this in the basement custom area of Mellow Johnny’s. Sure it looks like an old rusty bike, but it’s a top-end Madone with a paintjob to discourage thieves. All the rust spots are painted, the coating looks scratched to metal and there are “stickers” on it.
Totally, totally want.
Uploaded by davidjschloss | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Spotted this sidecar bike filled with wine outside of a winery in Napa Valley — that’s a bike we’d like to see restored. More details in this photo.
Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.
Bardessono is a bicycle and eco-friendly hotel in Napa Valley. Arrive and a well-stocked bike shop awaits you. The bikes are complimentary and the staff, locals, are friendly.
Rode for an hour yesterday before the sun went down and riding again today with a stop @bikenapavalley for directions.
The Trader Joe — a dead-sexy-BMX-racing, Alley-cat winning, Bellingham resident, marketer of Traitor Cycles — wears a Hugga Bamboo Hoodie at the holiday sale.
We had so much fun at the party we’re extending the sale for another couple weeks at uBRDO. We’ll also have the Your Bike is Freedom tees available for purchase soon.
Mavic, traditional purveyor of rims and wheels, has decided to enter the high performance tire market with the K10 tire to go along with the limited edition K10 Yksion version of their Ksyrium wheelset.
Really, Mavic? You’re going to make tires? Bike Radar reports that the tires will work with other wheelsets and rims but “are designed to work best as an all-Mavic combination.” Retarded. Let’s make this clear: we’re not talking about a road tubeless clincher, it’s just a standard 700Cx23 clincher. It’s not exactly a leap in technology.
And of course, Mavic didn’t set-up a tire factory; they’re just having someone else make them. The best bet is that it’s the Hutchinson factories making them in Thailand.
I wish Mavic would put money into better things. Namely, 1) update the aerodynamics of the Cosmic wheel family. Look at Zipp and Hed for a guide book, it’s called a toroid. 2) develop wheel systems for touring riders, or at least market a conventional hub (and in 36H as well as 32H). 
photo from Bike Radar
... Read more »Tonight during the Hugga Holiday Sale @uRBDO we’re showing a custom-embroidered Knicker and Ibex Coppi hat. Both the work of our partners and a few years in the making. The knicker offers performance, style and is part of Hincapie’s Commute Collection. It’s also for apres cycling — in other words, being part of the cycling community on/off the bike. We wear knickers year round and travel with them. Also jokingly call them manpris.
Replaceable derailer hangers are engineered to break, to spare the derailer, and this one did in an S&S travel case. Can’t imagine the forces within the case to do that, but break it did. Sheared right off. Discovered this back home from the Mobile Social Worldwide.
Besides dings and an ever-developing travel patina, a broken derailer hanger is a new occurence. This was on the Dahon Mu SL we took with us. I suspect it’s because the wheels and tires weren’t there to protect it. The Dahon isn’t intended to break down fully like an S&S — you fold it in 1/2 into a large case. With the recent crack down on luggage by the airlines and a very long trip, we packed the Dahons in cases I knew would pass through baggage.
Cost to repair is about $15.00 USD.
Chris Mahan, bike racer, Man about Town, and designer for Novara will screenprint this graphic to tees during the Hugga Holiday Sale @uBRDO this week.
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