Posted by Barb Grover | December 22, 2008 – 6:00 pm
Some of our staff traded their bikes for skis this week.
I think I’m dreaming…this is definitely not Portland. I think Bozeman, MT or perhaps the somewhere in the Sierras? A couple of my favorite places, yes, but I have no idea how I got here. Perhaps it’s all those years of wishing for a white Christmas, and now Mother Nature has finally delivered — in spades. Today, Monday December 22, has been the worst day yet; or the best day, if you are a snow-lover like me. The drifts are deep, the fresh snow soft, and the crusty ice layer in between is makes walking a crazy dance. I just won’t risk testing my skills on the slippery streets so I was a happy snow-dancing pedestrian today. But, I’ve not ridden for about a week and I’m going crazy with pedaling withdrawal. Mental note: must get a new mountain bike just in case it snows like this again. I’m sure I could navigate the snowyways with some knobby tires and it might even come in handy on a trail or two during the summer. Leaving home, I realized that in today’s snow I would be pushing a bike — knobby or not — anyway so I don’t feel as bad having to walk, but I still have my eye on a new 29er.
As I made my way up Sandy Blvd, I spotted a guy on a mountain bike carefully descending the slope by the Hollywood store. From a distance I could see that he was doing well, he looked relaxed and in control of his bike. I was jealous. As he got closer I realized it was Mike O’Leary, the Office Manager at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. What a relief. I feel so much better knowing that the weather doesn’t foil the BTA: I guess they are kind of like the post office, delivering bike advocacy instead of letters, all year round, no matter the elements. How wonderful to hear, “Morning Barb,” as Mike passed on by. Mike’s an avid cyclocross racer and I made a second mental note — cyclocross: great preparation for cycling in the snow… next year, next year — maybe with that new mountain bike.
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Posted by Barb Grover | December 18, 2008 – 2:01 pm
For me, the holiday season is a contemplative time: the approach of the New Year sets my mind in motion. I think about the past year and the year to come. I don’t usually set resolutions for the New Year but I definitely like to take stock of the past. This year, as I start on that process, I am aware that I have so much to be thankful for: a great job in the bike biz, time to ride, travel, hang out with friends. As I pause and appreciate what this past year has brought me, I also consider what the holiday season really means. I know that of all that I’m grateful for, there’s nothing more valuable to me than the feeling I get by helping others.
I don’t do as much giving and volunteering as I would like, and that’s probably true for most of us. However, I can tell you that for all of us that do just a little, there are many people in our community that do a lot. As the Community Outreach Manager for Bike Gallery I have the honor of responding to the donation requests the company receives. Through the hundreds of requests we receive I see just how many dedicated volunteers are working hard to give to others and the community. From parents raising money for school programs to staff and volunteers from local non-profit organizations, daily I am amazed and grateful for all those people who give their time, energy, and resources.
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Posted by Barb Grover | December 10, 2008 – 4:32 pm
The signature black-and-grey Bontrager Hardcase tire.
I love riding my bike, but no surprise, I hate changing flats. Well… hate is maybe a strong word, though major annoyance is quite accurate. I also have high expectations for the ride quality of my tires. So, when a tire delivers on both puncture resistance and riding performance, you can bet I’m on board. Here is the tricky part, however: there are lots of tires with great puncture resistance but many have a “dead feel” rolling down the road; there are also many wonderful, lively riding tires… with moderate to poor puncture resistance.
Just to be clear, the Bontrager Hardcase doesn’t match the supreme ride quality of a high-end performance tire. I still love my Conti’s for a vigorous training ride, but if I could only pick one all-round tire, the Bontrager Hardcase would be it. The simple reason: they absolutely excel at puncture resistance and durability, making them also a great value for their price.
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Posted by Kris Schamp | December 4, 2008 – 2:30 pm
Are you the creative type and would like to put your skills to use for a good cause… like getting more people out of cars and onto bikes (or other alternative transportation options)? Enter the Drive Less Video Challenge and get into the director’s chair for the chance to have your creation air on the big screen and win prizes, including a Grand Prize worth $3,000.
The objective? Create a 25 second video that motivates people to drive less. Here is some more from the contest web site:
“The opportunities are endless. You could spotlight your own money-saving tips, poke fun at excessive driving or feature any number of travel options (transit, biking, walking, carpooling, telecommuting, etc.) – so long as your video motivates people to reduce car trips. All videos must incorporate the “Drive Less Save More” message (the more creative the better!).”
The two categories: a General Category (ages 18 and up) or Youth Category (ages 17 and younger). Both individuals and groups can enter. The grand prize winner will see their video air as a TV commercial, plus they’ll receive an Apple iMac and Final Cut Pro Studio 2, or $3,000. Prizes will also be awarded to the top three winners of the General and Youth Categories. Submission deadline is Jan. 30, 2009. Visit DriveLessSaveMore.com for all the details!
Posted by Kris Schamp | December 3, 2008 – 2:46 pm
Rolling through lush pastures and eucalyptus forests in the countryside of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
This is the second installment of some impressions I jotted down - and snapped away - during a recent bike vacation in Brazil.
Brazil is a huge country (larger than all lower-48 states combined and occupying nearly half of the South American continent), and in the 11 days I was over there, I saw only a tiny part of it. I spent the first 8 days of my vacation with the 10-head strong MTB Brazil group, riding bikes and discovering the coffee lands around Poços de Caldas, located in the countryside of Minas Gerais, a couple hours North of São Paulo. Poços is the place where MTB Brazil organizer Augusto Carneiro grew up, where most of his relatives still live and farm, and where his delicious Nossa Familia coffee is grown. The last 3 days of my trip, I also got a taste of São Paulo - Brazil’s ultimate megalopolis - which I’ll share some observations about in a separate post.
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Posted by Mickey Deagle | December 2, 2008 – 5:40 pm
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eVent membrane under an electron microscope.
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Year-round cyclists in the Northwest are faced with a pretty big variance in precipitation and temperature. This can make dressing appropriately a bit of a challenge. While classics like wool are nice for shorter rides, I’ve turned to a high-tech fabric for my daily, rainy commute and occasional weekend ride.
I can’t stand wearing a waterproof jacket only to find myself soaking wet from sweat after an invigorating ride in the rain. And overheating is another unpleasant side effect of not allowing sweat to evaporate. Your average mackintosh won’t let the rain in, but it also won’t let the sweat out. Even so-called waterproof/breathable fabrics have been less than impressive at allowing a one-way path for moisture.
That’s why I ride with a jacket made with eVent. It’s the latest breakthrough in breathable fabric. It certainly sheds water, and I am quite comfortable on my rides because I can shed sweat too.
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