If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been and why I don’t write more often, then you are my mom. But the answer is Bike Tech Shop. I’ve been pouring many work hours into launching this new online shop dedicated to “cycling with circuitry.” Clever, huh? Commute by Bike has been, well, slightly neglected while my…
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BikeTechShop.com Grand Opening and Sale!
We’re incredibly excited to be announcing the launch of our fourth specialty cycling accessory shop, BikeTechShop.com! BikeTechShop.com is a shop that will be dedicated to all things with circuitry that go on a bike. At the top of the list are bike lights, electric bikes and GPS systems. But a big part of what inspires…
Bike Commuting in the First Snow
We woke up to our first substantial snow fall of the coming winter season this morning here in Flagstaff with about 3″ on the ground. I suited up the Kahlkoff E-Bike that I’ve been testing with my Schwalbe Winter Marathons for the ride into work. I put on rain pants and rain booties to keep…
Traffic Garden
Traffic Garden
Fall Inventory Reduction Sale
We launched a new sale last weekend promoting overstocked products that we’re looking to reduce inventory on. We’ve targeted a specific number of products often a specific model or color, to sell to bring our inventory levels down to where we want them during the winter months. The numbers available for each deal are displayed…
The Cruiser Handlebar Bag from Green Guru
BluesCat is a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, who originally returned to bicycling in 2002 in order to help his son get the Boy Scout Cycling merit badge. His bikes sat idle until the summer of 2008 when gas prices spiked at over $4.00 per gallon. Since then, he has become active cycling, day-touring, commuting by…
Thom's New Uses for the Wandertec BONGO Trailer
Here is an interesting adaptation of our in-house built bike trailer, the Wandertec BONGO. We designed this trailer with modification and customization in mind. It is a great platform for quite a few different uses. And it always seems that there are more unique uses for it. Using it for transporting a wheelchair behind a…
It Never Hurts to Ask for a Better Price
Americans tend to be very shy about asking for better prices. Maybe it’s part of the reason we accept having obnoxious pitchmen shouting Sale! Sale! Sale! at us. It compensates for our own reticence to initiate a deal on our own. When I returned from two-and-a-half years of living in Cameroon, I couldnt pay retail…
Masahiro's Xtracycle in a Japanese Park
A customer from Japan sent us in this photo of his Xtracycle out for its first test ride, outfitted with the Flight Deck and Pannier Racks. We’ve heard and seen with increased sales that Xtracycle’s are becoming quite a hit in Japan in recent years. In Masahiro’s words: When doing a test ride to the…
Pedala Zezinho
Pedala Zezinho
Scare Your Coworkers: Commute by Bike
Hey bike commuters! Want to scare your coworkers? Keep doing what you’re doing. I came to work today… [dramatic pause] … on a bicycle! Mwahahahahahah!!! You know, because ridiculing their fear of cycling just might work. Or you might be able to get away with it because it’s Halloween. Or if, like me, you work…
Batman's Bike Trailer
Batman, who apparently also moonlights as a keyboardist, sent in this photo of his bike trailer setup. I’m guessing that the somewhat blurry, dark photo was taken as Batman was jumping on his bike to chase after a criminal in between gigs. Or perhaps it was intentionally blurry to hide some of its alternative crime…
Richard’s Xtracycle Peapod – Stroller Ready
Richard sent us these photos of his son on an Xtracycle with PeaPod and a stroller attached on the PeaPod. It sounds like he is a real fan after a few months. He included this video of his adventures with the Xtracycle.Speaking of the PeaPod, we are kicking off our Fall Inventory Reductions. We happen…
Occupy Wall Street Using Pedal Power
Occupy Wall Street Using Pedal Power
Early Fall's Flagstaff Bike Commuters for Inspiration
Its been a tough summer and fall as I’ve been scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the finances of our business here at www.CampfireCycling.com. As I scramble to make ends meet and make some tough choices to get our business plans in line with reality, I’m very glad that I’m doing…
An American's Take on Amsterdam
An American’s Take on Amsterdam
Cyclists on the Sidewalk: What's a pedestrian to do?
So a cyclist is cruising down the sidewalk, and there’s a close call with a pedestrian — or maybe even a collision. Harsh words are exchanged. You should be in the street, you mountain of mad flesh! I can’t ride in the street, you cockered dread-bolted strumpet. There’s no bike lane! Listen, you rampallian, you…
Axiom Spark Headlight and Tail Light
Nathan Friedman specializes in living the good life and making it look easy. Mountain biking all summer and skiing all winter, Nate is a rock star of the outdoor opportunities in the Southwest. To get some inspiration on living life to the fullest, check out his blog, Handlebar Sandwich. I’ve had the chance to review…
Convenience in Copenhagen
Convenience in Copenhagen
Cyclists in the Night & A Toy Soldier
I was quite pleased with the strange colors and shapes that my camera was capturing a few nights ago. Not that there is that much to do with what we do here at Campfire Cycling other than these photos were taken down the block from us and you can make out cyclists in the shot.
Transportation Projects: Good GOP Bad GOP
Frequent readers of Commute by Bike will know that we try very hard to be bike-partisan here. I like to think of this blog as a safe haven for cyclists of all political persuasions. I love the kum-bike-ya moments when I can find them. Lately, though, the Republicans in Congress are making it harder and…
A Report from Pedalfest! 2011
Shawn Kielty is a Software Engineer, Artist, Photographer, and avid outdoor enthusiast, enjoying cycling and other human powered travel. Travel stories from on his blog Flat Tire Paradise amuse, entertain, and encourage readers to get outside and have some fun. A friend and I went out to Jack London Square in Oakland, California on Saturday…
Designing an Innovative Bicycle Helmet
Ruben Hekkens is a graduate student at the Delft University of Technology, in Delft, Netherlands. As a masters project, he is developing a “lifestyle bicycle helmet for use in urban environments.” Because very few urban cyclists in Holland wear helmets, Ruben sees an opportunity. It reminded me of an old marketing parable of two shoe…