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Extreme Commuting

EXTREME COMMUTING!!!

While visiting a local pizza joint for lunch, I was waiting for my two slices, and having to choose from among 15 televisions at which I could stare. On the right, I found myself watching this whole other kind of cycling. My head is so deep in the commuting and utility cycling world, I sometimes…

Magna Mountain Bike

Crappy Fathers Day

Today was Fathers Day. I don’t have any children of my own, but I have two stepchildren, and neither of them are around today. They were with their real dad today. And these kids, since the time they’ve been a part of my life, have been the recipients of the best bikes we could afford….

Modern life is ruining my life

BluesCat is a 61-year-old Phoenix, Arizona resident 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…

This Bike Could Use Some Lights

I’ve been trying to capture photos of bicyclists out on the road at night. It hasn’t proved to be an easy thing. This shot worked mainly because of the bright lights of the truck and car behind. Hopefully this guy at least had a rear blinkey….

$40

Confusion, Sweet Confusion: The Commuter Relief Act

Two weeks ago, on June 1st, I wrote an article for Commute by Bike explaining the Commuter Relief Act. This proposed piece of legislation was introduced by longtime bicycle advocate U.S. House Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore, and it seeks to incentivize "public transit benefits, vanpools, and other market-based solutions." One of the provisions that was…

Robin Carlson is Shaft

Internal Hub Meets Shaft Drive

Last week I received a shaft-drive commuter bike from Dynamic Bicycles. The model is the Crossroads 8. I had short call today with Patrick Perugini and Devin Kelly of Dynamic Bicycles, and I asked them the one question that’s been on my mind about shaft-drive bikes: Since shaft-drive and internal hub technologies have been around…

The Burley/BOB Train Grows a Caboose

Choo..Choo….It’s the final day of our Burley Trailer Sale, so I thought I’d post this fun looking setup of a Burley Solo.Glenn recently sent us this updated photo of his BOB Trailer/Burley Solo Bonanza. Glen sent us some images when he was first got this setup underway. His setup has taken the step from interesting…

Bike to Breakfast

2011 Bike to Breakfast Video

When you think of Arizona, you probably think of deserts. Maybe you think of suburban sprawl baking in a cultural wasteland. Maybe you think of conservative patriots or conservative nutjobs, depending on your perspective. You probably don’t think of icy rain in the middle of May. You probably wouldn’t think of hundreds of bike commuters…

Social Gatherings & Festivals by Bike

Of the many subdivisions of utility cycling, community building is perhaps the most abstract, but bringing people together for social gatherings and festivals through the shared enjoyment of bikes can be as useful as riding to commute or to provide bike services. Within community building, there are a of host different activities, such as critical…

Campfire Cycling Rack Sculpture Underway

Every time we setup a booth at a festival, such as this year’s Hullabalo, I tend to bring way to much stuff. This year, I thought I did a good job of pairing it back until I decided to drag this giant metal version of the Campfire Cycling logo that Stu was working on. This…

Oscar Likes the Strider Balance Bike

Last year, we saw that Strider Balance Bikes were a big hit with the kids at the Hullabalo. So we decide to bring out 2 of them this year. Our friend Brent of Fratelli Pizza has been eying one for his son Oscar. Oscar is definitely sold. I’m not sure when his birthday is, but…

Bringing out the Big Guns at the 2011 Hullabalo

Last weekend Flagstaff had its 2nd annual Hullabalo. Campfire Cycling made our 2nd appearance, this year bringing out the big guns and offering Free Campfire Cycling T-Shirts for signing up for our newsletter. While last year we dragged a ton of gear out to show off what we are all about. This year, we simplified…

3 Way Streets video

A Second Perspective on Three-Way Streets

Over at our sibling site, Utility Cycling, Melanie posted “3-Way Street Campaign,” with a video showing a single intersection in New York City, highlighting the close interactions between pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. The purpose of the video, I think, is to show all of the bad behavior of the three types of users. This is…

Hybrid Backpack

The HybridBackpack Pizza Test

Karen Voyer-Caravona is an admitted bicycle dilettante in Flagstaff, Arizona, who blogs about her adventures on two wheels, vélo envy, her husband’s cooking, and cross country skiing at www.sheridesabike.com. Visit her Website for her endless opinions on the most stylish shoes for pedaling, critiques of bike parking, and the best bike date dining destinations. In…