For outfitting your BOB Trailer there is an interesting range of products available. Some of these are products designed specifically as BOB Trailer accessories, while others are simply pre-existing products that have been discovered as compatible with the BOB. Another area of interest to consider are the BOB Trailer Do-It-Yourself projects, one of the favorite topics of discussion at the BOB Trailer Forum.
Commute by Bike
Hal?
Expensive bike computers do some wonderful things: track your miles, average speed, maximum speed, heart rate, calories burned and provide a GPS tracking of your route. All of this information can then be uploaded to a web-based application so the data can be viewed any way you want it. All for a price, of course….
Let's Get Physical
Just a moment; I’ve got that image of Olivia Newton-John’s video in my brain. Okay, with the recent weather knocking my commute by bike vs. car down to a 1:1 ratio, I’ve noticed on the days I’ve gotten to ride recently that I’m taking as short a route as possible and I’m feeling out of…
Container Choices For A BOB Trailer
When it comes to setting up your BOB, one of the first things to consider is your bag choice. The BOB Trailer is a great starting point as essentially a platform on which to put the storage container of your choice. In considering what is the best way to transport gear on your BOB, the key points of comparison are the containers durability, waterproofing, ease of access, and fit with the BOB Trailer.
Becoming a Plug-In Partner
Signs of spring this week. We received orders for 4 trailers and a CELLO. Other projects started and completed during the week: 1. I signed up Wandertec to become a Plug-In Partner, an association trying to convince automakers to manufacture plug-in hybrid vehicles. 2. I finalized an account with UPS where we will be receiving…
The First Entry
Here we go. This is the start of my new blog on bicycle cargo trailers.
My intention is to spend some time twice a week presenting a variety of information in the specific niche of bicycle cargo trailers.
The recent growth in this niche area is due both to the upsurge in popularity of bicycle touring as well as a growing appreciation of the bicycle as a transportation tool. Because the bicycle cargo trailer is a vital tool for expanding the use potential of the bicycle, manufacturers have begun manufacturing a growing array of trailers and trailer accessories.
My Kind Of Town
Tip of the hat to Paul over at Bike Commute Tips Way to go Chicago. You know, I was kind of leaning towards the Colts before I read this story from Reuters… “People are getting hot about cold biking,” he said. “We don’t have hard stats but we see more people every year on the…
Virginia is for bike lovers
Tax incentives proposed for Virginia bike commuters Virginia HB1826 will, if passed, give a $5,000 tax credit to employers who provide showers and bike parking, as well as a $15 per month tax credit for employees who bike to work at least ten days per month. Read more. Seen at Gwadzilla and Bike Commute Tips….
Setting up the Bike Trailer Blog
Another week of living the dream, doing business, making sales, & dreaming some more. Here’s our list of projects started and completed during the week: 1. The new workshop got insulated. Now I can stay warm for the rest of the winter. 2. I started looking for an improved FedEx account so I can have…
CitraWipes hand wipes
Think back to the last time you wrenched on your bike. Perhaps it was at home for some maintenance. Perhaps it was on the road because of a broken chain or even a simple tire repair. If you’re at home, you washed your hands in the sink, and then you had to clean the sink…
Confrontations
Quick disclaimer: The following contains no real useful information. It is presented for entertainment purposes only. I couldn’t resist sharing it. The Sun-Sentinel has a compelling reason to try to avoid confrontation. Still, if someone driving a 2005 Cadillac ignored a red light and hit me while riding my bike, I would probably want to…
Sharrows to become federal standard?
The U.S. National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices voted last week to recommend to the Federal Highway Administration the inclusion of sharrows in the next edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Sharrows are used to show motorists that cyclists may “take the lane” and it helps show cyclists good lane positioning,…
Keeping the Warmth Inside
This week at Wandertec: -I completed setting up the Wandertec CELLO bike case’s new streamlined accounting. -Brian and I started putting insulation into our new location’s workshop. -I had a shipment of 10 Burley Cargo Trailers delivered to the wrong address. -I came up with a promising design for a product I’ve been working on:…
Should I Ride Today? Flip A Coin…
My Slicks and Ice really don’t like each other. I was considering Fritz’s idea about using the zip ties, but haven’t gotten the chance to work on it … yet. I agree with kimbofo — “Most people have a general interest in the weather … when you become a cyclist you develop a more specific…
DIY bamboo bike trailer
Bike commuters need a way to haul stuff. Carry Freedom will send you their free plans for a bike trailer that you can construct out of bamboo or other readily available materials. They only ask that you: Tell them what you are using the bicycle trailer for Send them photos of the bicycle trailer you…
Toko Profi gloves
Positives: Cool Euro styling, comfortable, fits like a glove, breathable, lightweight, reflective stripe on back. Negatives: Dorky Euro styling, expensive, no snot-wiper, not waterproof. Toko is a Swiss brand for competitive Nordic/cross-country skiing clothing, waxes, tools, and textile care products. I like winter sports almost as much as cycling, and a lot of my ski…
Poor man's tire chains
From BikePortland comes an idea for a cheap substitute for tire chains or studded tires for those of you who don’t normally bike on snowy roads. Use zip ties on your tires for extra traction on snowy roads. These will interfere with the brakes, of course, so it’s suitable only if you have a fixed…
Plan now for National Bike Month
May is “National Bike Month” and Friday, May 18 is National Bike To Work Day in 2007. In Colorado, the Colorado Legislature has designated the month of June as Colorado Bike Month, and Colorado Bike to Work Day is Wednesday, June 27. If you haven’t started already, plan now for Bike to Work Day events…
San Luis Obispo Bicycle Safety Day This Saturday
I wish I was there instead of in the frozen mess in the Midwest… In order to honor the memory of bicycle safety advocate Bob Garing, the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club and the County Bike Coalition have designated Saturday as “Bicycle Safety Day.” This article in the San Luis Obispo Tribune states: “Garing, who…
Managing CELLO Inventory/Google AdWords on the Side
This past week, I spent most of my time organizing the multiple parts of the Wandertec CELLO into our new QuickBook’s Manufacturing software. This time consuming task should pay off as it will result in a very clear picture of how many CELLOS are available and what parts need to be ordered. Developing a smooth…
Volunteers Wanted in Portland Area
If you commute in or around the Portland area, please check this out and consider volunteering. “Portland State University professor is looking for help to study the travel patterns of a particularly elusive creature: the urban bicyclist.” Can’t believe I scooped BikePortland on this one (although I haven’t searched back very far…) In other news:…
Bike facilities at work
Where I work, we have secure, covered bike parking; lockers and showers (with shampoo and soap provided!). The employee shuttle buses all have bike racks on them. We’re also permitted to keep our bikes in the office (which I do). On job interviews, the first question I ask is “Can I ride my bike to…
Are you Fred?
Bobby asked what a Fred is. According to the Glossary of bike terms and slang, Fred can either be the poseur buying more bike and kit than he’s capable of utilizing; or he’s (and Fred is generally a “he”) the bearded utility cyclist with sandals, rack, pannier or milk crate and with jeans tucked into…
THE GUTS OF WANDERTEC
One of my resolutions for the New Year is to become much more revealing in the Wandertec Blog. My goal in this is to try to get to the guts of what happens here at Wandertec. I hope the readers of this Blog will find this perspective an interesting and revealing example of a start…