My commute is multimodal. That means I take multiple modes of transportation during my commute. I bike, take a bus, hop on a train, then bike the final leg to work. My total one way distance is about 40 miles. Normally I advocate living close to work to reduce dependence on motorized transportation, but my…
Commute by Bike
Bike route finder for Boulder, Colorado
On Thursday, June 21 the city of Boulder, Colorado launched GOBikeBoulder.net, a new online mapping service that provides individualized bike routes, much like MapQuest and Google Maps do for cars. Users are encouraged to test the new site and submit feedback online. GOBikeBoulder.net is a one-of-a-kind online tool that offers interactive routing for those traveling…
"Bicycles are the new SUV"
Every year around the time of the Tour de France, I expect to read smarmy comments from U.S. sports commentators that cycling isn’t a “real” sport compared to American football or NASCAR. I was expecting some of the same when I read ESPN senior writer Jim Caple’s column on 10 reasons you’ll want to watch…
Raleigh One Way: Something old, something new
The Raleigh One Way is a brand new bike from Raleigh, but the retro design hearkens back to Raleigh bicycles from the 50s and 60s. Raleigh designers, in particular, took their inspiration from the old Raleigh Clubman bicycle. Like the modern One Way, the Clubman of old featured a relatively lightweight frame but with a…
Monsoonal Rains
This week at Wandertec: 1.Pressed forward on the BOB Liner (Wandertec SAX) design. 2.Set up a new CELL Phone & Land Line for clearer phone time. 3.Cut a large batch of sign blanks for Signarama on the ShopBot. The long awaited monsoonal rains came yesterday into Flagstaff. With our on going drought like condition, this…
Commuting 101: What do you carry with you?
I realize many commuters don’t carry a flat kit or tools, but some of us do. That’s my saddle bag in this photo.At a minimum I always carry: Wrench (if I’m riding fixed or singlespeed) Pump or CO2 inflator Patch kit Tire levers I usually also carry Tube Multitool Do you carry tools on your…
Green Transportation Specialist To Workers: "Get off your bikes"
Jacobs Babtie is one of Britain’s largest engineering companies. Their clients include Transport for London, which has a target of achieving a fivefold increase in the level of cycling by 2025. Jacobs’ advises local authorities on sustainable transport projects, and they have just banned their staff from commuting on bicycles. I just don’t have the…
Cycling Article in H+G
Many thanks to James over at bicycle design for pointing out a recent article in House and Garden by Sue Halpern and Bill McKibben. I agree with James that it is wonderful to see an article in a general interest magazine drawing attention to how easy it is to hop on a bike and get…
Gone Fishing
How many Blogs begin something like “It’s been awhile since I last posted”? This Month at Wandertec: 1. Set up an ad in the new publication Practical Pedal. 2. Signed a contract for the Wandertec Shop Expansion. 3. Worked on the design for the long awaited BOB Trailer Liner. 4. Recieved confirmation that the Wandertec…
Commuting 101: First Aid Kits
This morning I was riding through the woods when, suddenly, a bee hit me in the neck. No biggie, I thought; at least it didn’t sting me. I continued on my way and after another half mile I started thinking how fortunate I was not to end up like RickyD. A few moments later I…
Commuting 101: Flat Resistance
Most of use who regularly commute by bike have put up with flat tires. To avoid flats, a number of aftermarket products are available that promise to reduce or eliminate flats. They add weight to the outside of the rotating tire, but any time and energy lost while cycling is more than made up for…
Trying out the Raleigh One Way
Meet A.K. He manages the Sprint Cellular store on University Avenue in Palo Alto, just down the street from the Palo Alto Apple Store. In spite of the hundreds of people lined up all around the block on Thursday and Friday, A.K. didn’t have much business toward the end of last week. While he was…
Commuting 101: Essential Tips For New Riders
…or, Father Knows Best. So, I got the call a couple nights ago: “Dad, my car died.” Yep, looks like my eldest son is about to join our ranks. He actually came up with the idea of commuting by bike before I did. As a parent, I immediately launched into a lengthy, one-sided conversation regarding…
Cycling Fashion
I’ve seen a bunch of recreational cyclist out the last couple of weeks and over 90% of them seem to be clad in spiffy cycling jerseys and shorts. I’ve also seen a few other commuters this week and they’re outfitted the same way. I don’t want to upset those of you who are used to…
Colorado Bike To Work Day
Remember, all, that Wednesday, June 27 is Colorado Bike To Work Day. Map out your breakfast station stops to maximize munchies while minimizing mileage. Here’s a neat article about Bike Week festivities in Telluride, Colorado. Telluride is a laid back mountain town with a culture of outdoor recreation. When Daniel Murray moved to Telluride five…
UCO's
…as in Unidentified Cycling Objects. I came across this on TechEBlog this morning and thought it was too good to not pass on. Now, I’m all for being as visible as possible on the road … but this is a bit much. I neither want or need that much attention. Has anyone been to Japan…
Raleigh One Way: Singlespeed love child
He is a sturdy, hard-working cyclocross bicycle who’s retired from racing and works for a living. She’s a slim and beautiful fixed-gear track bike. Put them together and the offspring might be what Raleigh calls “our idea of a perfect single speed commuter.” My quick, initial impression of the One Way is that they’re not…
Bike Trailers for Golf Clubs
Bike Trailers are a great way to combine bicycling with other activities, golf for example. Here are a few trailers that can be used with a little modification to transport golf clubs.
The simplest solution is the PaddleBoy Flyer Trailer. This trailer is designed for use with kayaks and canoes. Because the trailer is adjustable in length, it could be set to the right length to support a golf club bag. In its shortest position, the trailers main support strut positions the support brackets at 43″ apart, just the right length for a golf club bag. An extra bit of padding could be used on the front v-shaped support for cushioning.
Dump the Pump Day
The American Public Transportation Association is promoting Thursday, June 21 as “Dump the Pump Day” in the United States. We here at Commute By Bike believe that commuting by bike is another nifty fun way to dump the pump to save a few bucks.
Colorado Bike To Work Day is next week
Coloradans, remember that Wednesday, June 27 is Colorado Bike To Work Day. The Denver Post reports on Denver area bike commuters. About 17,000 people across the state commute by bike, according to a 2000 U.S. Census Bureau survey. June is Bike to Work Month, culminating in Bike to Work Day on June 27, and organizers…
Flip Side
Yet another Bicycling Top Ten. This time it’s the U.S. Census Bureau’s 10 Cities Where the Most Employees Bike or Walk to Work. The large cities with the highest percentage of bicycle commuters are: 1. Portland (3.5 percent) 2. Minneapolis (2.4 percent) 3. Seattle (2.3 percent) 4. Tucson, AZ (2.2 percent) 5. San Francisco (1.8…
Bike Theft: Top Ten Cities
Fritz points out on Cycle-licious that Kryptonite has put out their list of the top 10 cities for bike theft. Acording to the Unbreakable Bonds blog, those cities are: 1. New York City 2. Chicago 3. Boston 4. Philadelphia 5. San Jose 6. Los Angeles – tie San Francisco – tie 8. Seattle 9. San…
That's Entertainment
Here is a nice, little 40 second diversion; a TV spot by Transport for London: FYI, the song is “Straight Lines” by Dawn Landes’ album Two Three Four. Tip of the helmet to Treadly and Me.
Gary Fisher – Fast City – Mendota
I’ve been off the Mendota for a couple weeks. Peter T, my 19-year-old son, is back home for the summer and I thought it might be a nice chance to get a fresh perspective on this bike from someone who has ridden a box store bike for his entire life. Peter and I have taken…