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Showing posts from 2011

My favorite things

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It's tough buying gifts for cyclists.  You're never quite sure of what they want, or what they've got.  So, I thought I would compose of short list of some little things that work in big ways. Here are some of my very favorite things. The Buff has been one of my favorite things for years.  I don't travel without one.  You can use it in about 1,000 different ways.  Hat, balaclava, scarf, headband, scrunchie, wristband etc.  Don't leave home without one.  These are Merino Wool, which makes them even better. Made in Spain The Donkey Boxx.  This ingenious little box is made from corrugated plastic (just like the Postal service uses).  They attach to your bike with zip ties, and provide a carrier that's more supported that traditional panniers.  Super smart! Made in USA The smartest mirror I've ever seen.  Light weight, easy to install and a great field of vision.  Works especially well on drop bars.   Made in Germany Not only

Let's give thanks

Time for a little reflection.  We talk a lot about cycling, and the rights of cyclists to have safe places to ride. It's easy to get impatient. Things don't move quickly enough. We aren't as progressive as (fill in the blank) city. I prefer to think about how far we've come.  I think about Richard Vonnegut, who has been beating the drum for bicycle advocacy as long as I can remember. He's someone that, as far as I'm concerned, doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I think about Diana Virgil, who has been plowing through the mountains of red tape surrounding the B&O Rail Corridor project-seemingly forever. Whatever progress we've seen recently has come from people like them working for years in darkness. I get a feeling of great hope when I see a group like IndyCog spring up, and accomplish so much. There are others, to be sure. Bicycle Indiana , and CIBA  just to name two.  People who love to ride bikes should feel a great sense

Tragic growing pains?

We've had a tragic week in Central Indiana with regards to bike riders, and cars. Three fatalities in less than a week. It's hard to wrap your head around. Indianapolis also reelected it's Mayor last night. One of the reasons may have been his overwhelming particiaption, and support of cycling. The two things are not mutally exclusive. The more places people have to ride, the more people will ride. That's the common perception. I happen to believe it's true. There is also a much higher probability that those cyclists will encounter motor vehilcles. We (people in, and around, the bike industry) spend a lot of time talking about the rights of people who want to ride bicycles. It's a necesssary endeveour. This is a car culture, and there are some who don't think the bicycle is a legitimate form of transportation. My hope is that we will continue to talk about the rights of cyclists. We also need to talk about responsibility. Those of bike ri

Light Up Your Life

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During the fall and winter cycling can become more challenging.  Not always because of the temperature, but because of the lessening amount of daylight. Where you ride will determine what kind of lighting you need.  Here is a compilation of, what I think are, some of the best lights out there today. The Knog Frog, and Glo/Ember set from Bontrager.  Single LED lights that are pretty darn bright.  They will allow you to been seen.  Less than 30 bucks will get you front, and rear blinky lights.  You're safer already. Bontrager Flare 1/Ion 1.  For those that would like a more traditional light set up.  A bit brighter, but still more a "be seen" set up. The Planet Bike Blaze.  A 2 watt powerhouse.  Two constant light levels, plus Superflash.  This light will let you see a bit of the road.  Also check out the Bontrager Ion 2.  Both great lights. The mother of all rear blinky lights.  Planet Bike Superflash Turbo.  I've used this light for nearly a year

2011 Indy Cog Tweed Ride

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Saturday was a beautiful day in Indianapolis.  Sunny, but cool....perfect weather to be covered in..... tweed ! About 90 people showed up for this second annual ride.  Indy Cog, the event promoter, said it was over twice the number from the year before. This was our first tweed ride, and it won't be our last.  The group ranged from folks just wanting to get out on a nice Saturday afternoon, to people truly dedicated to the tweed.  Bikes ranged from geared mountain bikes, to a high wheeler.  All were welcome, and everyone had a great time. I have to admit, I enjoyed trying to dress the part.  I've been preaching for the last year that you can (and should) be able to ride in "normal" clothes.  It is absolutely possible, and for me it makes riding even more enjoyable. The pictures from the ride say more than I ever could.  The few photos I took are here.  You can also view Indy Cog's photos here .  If you would like to know more about Indy Cog, visit th

Post Tuscany reality

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When you've had a trip as good as the one we had to Italy, it's hard to come back to the real world.  I'm sifting through the hundreds of pictures, and trying to come up with a coherent synopsis of a wonderful vacation.  In the mean time, here is one of the better pictures I've taken.  Sometimes you get lucky, and what you are actually trying to shoot works! Ride on!

The big thing people are still missing

It's kind of a lazy day here in Chianti. Were waiting for a transfer, and I got to thinking. I relearned a couple of things on this trip. One. The Trek Madone really is one of the nicest bikes you, I, or anyone else can buy. Two. I miss my big tires. I think the riding would have been more enjoyable with a little more rubber between me, and the road. It's been a wonderful trip. Trek Travel is a decadent way to travel. I'm sure we will return to Italy. Ciao for now Ride on! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another adventure

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Landed in Florence this morning after another long flight. We did some exploring tonight, and will hit some museums before meeting up with the gang from Trek Travel. More to follow. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

One day, 3 paths

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We had a great time Sunday at Dig INDIANA .  Since Pedal and Park was going to be there, we decided to make a day of it.  We parked the car in Broad Ripple, and rode the canal tow path/White River greenway all the way to White River State Park.  After the event we took the Monon back to the car.  It was a great day to ride a bike in Indy. The tow path is one of my favorite trails.  It's not paved, true, but it's quite scenic.  The area around the IMA is lovely.  The thing I found interesting was it was almost devoid of people! Have you used this path?  If not, why?   This really is the best time of year to ride a bicycle. Ride on!

Beautiful morning

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Any day you can ride your bike to work is a good day

Trek world day 3

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It's the last day of the show. The bikes for next year look good, but then they always do. There are some exciting things happening with our website that you should stay tuned for. The thing about Madison that is so striking is the sheer.number of walk/bike paths. So many people ride here because they have a place. We are heading in the right direction, but there is so far to go.

Trek World day 2

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It's the second day of the show. At this point I had hoped to have lots of great pics to share. Problem is, I'm a crappy photographer. All the fluorescent lights are playing he'll with my abilities. That being said, here are some of the better shots so far. Ride on! Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Trek World 2012

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Leaving this morning for Madison. Always a good time going back to the Mothership. I will try to get all the new stuff up here ASAP. Ride on!

A brand new bike

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I sold this bike the other day.  It's a great bike.  Anyone would be happy to own it. It now belongs to a recently graduated college student.  He will use it (along with public trans) as his primary means of getting around. His father brought his college bike in to the shop to see if there was any hope left.  It had been on the East coast, and had to be left outside all year long.  We have pretty miraculous powers of restoration, but this was beyond even our abilities. The conversation next turned to a new bike.  Mom, and the bikes owner got involved.  The story here is the excitement that this "kid" (and don't we all feel like kids when we're riding a bike we really love) exuded during the process. The excitement turned to adulation when we finished building this two wheeled wonder.  After the first test ride I thought he was going to pop. Do you have a bike that makes you feel like a little kid all over again.  Do you have a bike that you really love?

An early start

But not quite early enough.  It's been hellish hot this month.  We got an early start to try to beat the heat, but when it's already pushing 80 at 9am it's tough. Did 42 miles in spite of it all.  The longest road ride I've done in years.  This is not only prep for Tuscany in Oct.  Really hoping to do the Gravel Grovel in Nov. No pics today.  Forgot the camera. Ride on!

SOMA San Marcos

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While some of us are engrossed in le Tour, let me take a minute to talk about a bike that is decidedly anti-Tour (which ain't a bad thing). I've spoken before about Grant Petersen, his company Rivendell and my love of my A. Homer Hilsen.  Well, we took delivery today of a new Petersen designed bike from SOMA fabrications called the San Marcos. I will let Grant tell you in his words what this bike is all about. The San Marco is a sporty road bike, a frisky bike suitable for any road riding on the planet----fitness rides, club rides, centuries, brevets, riding over to Lucy-Jo's house, anything you can do on a bike on a road, you can do on this bike.  I can't imagine anyone who isn't racing not liking this bike.   We are one of the few shops in the country who have these in stock.   It's a road bike, it's a light touring bike, it's a commuter.  Figure around $2200 for one smartly equipped.  Considering that bike rags are currently praisin

Happy 4th of July!

Long weekends don't come around too often in retail.  When you get one, best to enjoy it.  Had a nice ride this afternoon, and loving the summer weather.  I hope you all are having a great Independence Day holiday weekend.  See you back at the shop tomorrow! Ride on!

A perfect day

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We woke up to perfect day in central IN. After the weekly trip to the grocery, and a little breakfast, we were out on the bikes. We decided to do one of my favorite rides, Eagle Creek park to Whitestown and back. There is more traffic now than I would like, but other than the lady in the mini van telling us we should ride our bikes somewhere with a bike lane (I would love to btw, I wonder if the old bird could make that happen), people give you plenty of room. One of my favorite spots on the ride. I've never stopped to take a photo before. It's really a very scenic ride. My attempt at a little on the bike creativity. Another of my favorite spots. A slight rise, and left turn up to a church. Very peaceful on a Sunday morning. Then it's into town where we turn, and start to head home. It was a great day for a ride. Hope you got out to enjoy it too. Ride on!

A. Homer Hilsen. First ride

I got out for the "first" ride on the new Rivendell A. H. H. on Memorial Day.  I had ridden it to work a couple of times, but this was what I considered the first "real" ride. My set up for this bike is unlike any bike I've had before.  In my size, the Hilsen comes with 650b wheels.  650b is a size that, although used widely in touring bikes of the past, is unusual in current bikes.  Bigger than 26", and smaller than 700; they give you the opportunity to use tires that are.......well huge.  I'm running 650x38b tires on this bike, and they are wonderful.  All I can say is that if you usually complain about the roads in/around your town, get bigger tires.  Can't fit bigger tires?  Get a different bike.  You will never go back.  The bars are much higher and,  I've reverted back to a delightfully simple friction bar end shifter. My companion and I rode for every bit of 2 hours.  We were going at a decent clip, but we weren't killing it.  We

Memorial Day ride

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Before it got too hot today we took the bikes out into the County.  There is more traffic than there was 10yrs ago, but it's still pretty easy to get out, and away from it all. I hope everyone had a great day. Ride on!

On Memorial Day

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Just wanted to post a few pictures from some of my travels.  They seem appropriate today.                              Memorial on Corregidor, Bataan Peninsula, the Philippines                                                                                                                          The Corregidor Flag                                               American Military Cemetery, Manila                                         In a rubber boat visiting Ft. Drum, Manila Bay                                          Bataan in Clouds from the other side of the Bay. Manila Bay from the Corregidor side                                      What remains of (I believe) Topside Barracks. Corregidor Happy Memorial Day.  Ride on!