WIRED: Home brew cargo bike.
Smooth ride on a square wheeled bicycle.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Goings on
Mashable: Social media tools to help you navigate your city.
WIRED: Home brew cargo bike.
Smooth ride on a square wheeled bicycle.
WIRED: Home brew cargo bike.
Smooth ride on a square wheeled bicycle.
Video: Cycling from Tapei through Yangmingshan National Park
It's pretty awesome cycling through northern Taiwan.
Today, we cycled along the western (Pacific) coast of Isla Formosa. Hopefully I'll post photos of that later today.
Today, we cycled along the western (Pacific) coast of Isla Formosa. Hopefully I'll post photos of that later today.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Interbike 2009: Good times
The Interbike OutDoor Demo and International Bicycle Expo, held in Las Vegas Sept. 21-25, wrapped up a successful week of product demos, launches, business meetings and events while reflecting the upbeat outlook of the bicycle industry as a whole.
"The buzz of business
and enthusiasm on the Interbike show reflected a resilient marketplace place determined to maximize opportunities in 2010," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. "Interbike provided a critical meeting place for more than 1,100 brands to connect with thousands of buyers, media, athletes and industry professionals to share ideas, garner business education and network as a community. Combined efforts of the entire industry made the show a resounding success."
Interbike's week-long trade event began with buyers and media testing the latest in road, downhill, cross-country, all-mountain, electric, and commuter-style bikes and accessory categories at Interbike's Outdoor Demo, held Sept. 21-22 in Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, Nev. Anxious to get the real product experience with 2010 bikes and accessories, overall attendance at the two day event increased over last year.
The attendance and enthusiasm of the dealers did not go unnoticed by the majority of exhibiting manufacturers.
"It's only noon today and I'm already pleased with how many retailers I've seen this morning," said Chris DiStephano, spokesman for Chris King. "I'm amazed with how many people are here with backpacks, helmets hanging off of them, ready to ride."
Attendees also participated in the Tour de Lake Mead, a 24 mile road ride hosted in conjunction with the Demo, boasting 394 riders, up more than 100 riders from last year.
Once in the Sands Expo and Convention Center for the indoor portion of the show, more than 22,500 exhibitors and attendees filled the hall to see products from more than 1,100 exhibiting brands.
Exhibiting brands showcased full 2010 product stories with the latest bikes, clothing and accessories. According to exhibitors, viewing products and talking with their sales staff helped retailers solidify inventory decisions for the coming year and strengthen business relationships.
"Attending Interbike is always worthwhile, especially in an environment where dealers are less likely to have all their orders finalized before Interbike," said Shane Winn, dealer relations for Colnago. "This year - more than ever - people are coming to Interbike to touch, feel and drool over products before they write their orders."
"I am really pleased with this year's traffic and the number of new dealers we have been able to meet with," said Blair Clark, senior vice president for Smith Optics. "I wish that we had brought a bigger presence and a broader product line. Our meetings with retailers confirmed the number of potential cross over markets that are represented here."
Preliminary attendance figures show the number of unique stores represented increased to more than 4,000 and the number of total buyers increased to more than 11,300. International buyers also increased as 1,300 Interbike attendees represented 64 countries outside of the United States. The growth in stores in attendance can be attributed to the steady increase in cycling participation and to an increase in outdoor recreation, performance and ski retailers. International buyers from Canada, Mexico, China, and Australia and a growing base of dealers from central and South America bolstered buyer attendance figures.
Despite the challenges of the economy and cautious expectations going into the show, attending retailers were optimistic about the event and exhibitors' new 2010 product offerings.
"I was very impressed with the excitement at Interbike. With the economic crisis weighing down on us I was not quite sure what to expect from the show," said Brandon Fell from Bills Bike Shop, Idaho Falls, Idaho. "Everyone I met with had an upbeat and excited attitude about this upcoming year - the bike show for me was a recharge."
"Our store typically attends Interbike only every three years, but boy, this was the year to break out of that cycle and attend," said Joe Russell, Russell's Cycling & Fitness, Washington, Ill. "Not only were we able to accomplish what we needed to but the level of excitement from both dealers and suppliers was well evidenced on the show floor. We were also encouraged by all the new product innovations from our suppliers."
To view video coverage of the many features and events held in conjunction with Interbike including the OutDoor Demo; S&M Bikes BMX Rail Jam; Urban Legend Fashion Show sponsored by Giant, inspired and styled by Momentum Magazine; the Interbike Expo Demo Area; Cross Vegas; the USA Crits Finals and product highlights from exhibiting manufacturers, please visit www.Interbike.tv.
"The buzz of business
and enthusiasm on the Interbike show reflected a resilient marketplace place determined to maximize opportunities in 2010," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. "Interbike provided a critical meeting place for more than 1,100 brands to connect with thousands of buyers, media, athletes and industry professionals to share ideas, garner business education and network as a community. Combined efforts of the entire industry made the show a resounding success."Interbike's week-long trade event began with buyers and media testing the latest in road, downhill, cross-country, all-mountain, electric, and commuter-style bikes and accessory categories at Interbike's Outdoor Demo, held Sept. 21-22 in Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, Nev. Anxious to get the real product experience with 2010 bikes and accessories, overall attendance at the two day event increased over last year.
The attendance and enthusiasm of the dealers did not go unnoticed by the majority of exhibiting manufacturers.
"It's only noon today and I'm already pleased with how many retailers I've seen this morning," said Chris DiStephano, spokesman for Chris King. "I'm amazed with how many people are here with backpacks, helmets hanging off of them, ready to ride."
Attendees also participated in the Tour de Lake Mead, a 24 mile road ride hosted in conjunction with the Demo, boasting 394 riders, up more than 100 riders from last year.
Once in the Sands Expo and Convention Center for the indoor portion of the show, more than 22,500 exhibitors and attendees filled the hall to see products from more than 1,100 exhibiting brands.
Exhibiting brands showcased full 2010 product stories with the latest bikes, clothing and accessories. According to exhibitors, viewing products and talking with their sales staff helped retailers solidify inventory decisions for the coming year and strengthen business relationships.
"Attending Interbike is always worthwhile, especially in an environment where dealers are less likely to have all their orders finalized before Interbike," said Shane Winn, dealer relations for Colnago. "This year - more than ever - people are coming to Interbike to touch, feel and drool over products before they write their orders."
"I am really pleased with this year's traffic and the number of new dealers we have been able to meet with," said Blair Clark, senior vice president for Smith Optics. "I wish that we had brought a bigger presence and a broader product line. Our meetings with retailers confirmed the number of potential cross over markets that are represented here."
Preliminary attendance figures show the number of unique stores represented increased to more than 4,000 and the number of total buyers increased to more than 11,300. International buyers also increased as 1,300 Interbike attendees represented 64 countries outside of the United States. The growth in stores in attendance can be attributed to the steady increase in cycling participation and to an increase in outdoor recreation, performance and ski retailers. International buyers from Canada, Mexico, China, and Australia and a growing base of dealers from central and South America bolstered buyer attendance figures.
Despite the challenges of the economy and cautious expectations going into the show, attending retailers were optimistic about the event and exhibitors' new 2010 product offerings.
"I was very impressed with the excitement at Interbike. With the economic crisis weighing down on us I was not quite sure what to expect from the show," said Brandon Fell from Bills Bike Shop, Idaho Falls, Idaho. "Everyone I met with had an upbeat and excited attitude about this upcoming year - the bike show for me was a recharge."
"Our store typically attends Interbike only every three years, but boy, this was the year to break out of that cycle and attend," said Joe Russell, Russell's Cycling & Fitness, Washington, Ill. "Not only were we able to accomplish what we needed to but the level of excitement from both dealers and suppliers was well evidenced on the show floor. We were also encouraged by all the new product innovations from our suppliers."
To view video coverage of the many features and events held in conjunction with Interbike including the OutDoor Demo; S&M Bikes BMX Rail Jam; Urban Legend Fashion Show sponsored by Giant, inspired and styled by Momentum Magazine; the Interbike Expo Demo Area; Cross Vegas; the USA Crits Finals and product highlights from exhibiting manufacturers, please visit www.Interbike.tv.
Bike Safety PSA and Legos
Bike Safety PSA featuring Lego on a bike: Don't run red lights. Like, no duh.
Bicycle Taiwan: Taipei, Yangmingshan National Park and Tien-Lai Spring Resort
If you need an idea for a picturesque and rewarding bicycle ride out of Taipei City, try this: start at Cafe Bike in Taipei, go straight up into Yangmingshan National Park to elevation 900 meters (2700 feet), over a dormant volcano, and down Yang Jin Road to the amazing Tien Lai Spring Resort, where you can soak in hot mineral spring spas.
The Bike Cafe (and I'll tell you the location later) is a coffee shop that caters to cyclists. We stopped their to change into our cycling kit and got started on the road.
The road to Yangmanshan National Park isn't the most pleasant -- hordes of scooters with noxious exhaust fumes passed us going uphill. Once we got to the National Park, however, the traffic volume dropped considerably. Yangmingshan features forested dormant volcanoes with waterfalls, active fumaroles, and superb views of the basin below. The mountain roads are very narrow with limited sightlines, but I never felt too endangered by passing traffic.
Once we summited at around elevation 900 meters, we screamed down the mountain at close to 70 km/hr, passing motor scooters along the way.
We rolled into Tien Lai Hot Spring Resort, which features mineral hot springs and spacious rooms. There's also a small water park on the premises with a big water slide and a children's play area. The main water feature, though, is a series of outdoor mineral baths. You can enjoy the usual onsen style mineral bath and soak, but special highlights at the Tien Lai include features like a Rainforest Shower that is indescribably deliciously sensual experience that's like absolutely nothing I've ever felt before.
The Bike Cafe (and I'll tell you the location later) is a coffee shop that caters to cyclists. We stopped their to change into our cycling kit and got started on the road.
The road to Yangmanshan National Park isn't the most pleasant -- hordes of scooters with noxious exhaust fumes passed us going uphill. Once we got to the National Park, however, the traffic volume dropped considerably. Yangmingshan features forested dormant volcanoes with waterfalls, active fumaroles, and superb views of the basin below. The mountain roads are very narrow with limited sightlines, but I never felt too endangered by passing traffic.
Once we summited at around elevation 900 meters, we screamed down the mountain at close to 70 km/hr, passing motor scooters along the way.
We rolled into Tien Lai Hot Spring Resort, which features mineral hot springs and spacious rooms. There's also a small water park on the premises with a big water slide and a children's play area. The main water feature, though, is a series of outdoor mineral baths. You can enjoy the usual onsen style mineral bath and soak, but special highlights at the Tien Lai include features like a Rainforest Shower that is indescribably deliciously sensual experience that's like absolutely nothing I've ever felt before.
David Byrne tonight in San Francisco
David Byrne will be in San Francisco at the Herbst Theater for a book
signing on Tuesday, September 29 at 8 PM. That is all.
Thank you to Byron @ Bike Hugger for the reminder!
signing on Tuesday, September 29 at 8 PM. That is all.
Thank you to Byron @ Bike Hugger for the reminder!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Let's Bike Taiwan 2009
About 150 people celebrated "Let's Bike Taiwan" today at Sun Moon Lake, a resort destination in central Taiwan. Taiwan officials, working with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Giant Bicycles, are working to promote cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly activity on the island and are opening bike facilities all over Taiwan. Over 1,000 km of bike trails are now available to ride on throughout Taiwan.
Visitors traveled in tour buses to Sun Moon Lake, where they rented bikes from a brand new company owned Giant Bicycle store. Everything from inexpensive mountain bikes to the top of the line Giant TCR Advanced is available for rent.
The festivities began with a grand opening ceremony for the Yeutan Bikeway, a bike trail that connects the west side of the lake over the dam to the eastern side of Sun Moon Lake, bypassing the stretch of Highway 21 south of the lake.
From the bikeway entrance, the cyclists rode 4.5 km into Checheng and along the Xianshan Bikeway, where everybody stopped at Meihe Garden to take in the views and sample several varieties of tea. The Sun Moon Lake area is the tea growing region of Taiwan.
Everybody then continued another 2.5 km uphill to stop at Fleur de Chine resort, where they boarded boats for a lake cruise, then returned to Lalu Hotel to conclude the festivities with a 10 course meal.
The cheesiness of the whole thing was amazing fun. China Airlines flight attendants did a dance involving bikes [watch for video soon from Bike Hugger], us Americans were all interviewed by Chinese television, the local girls went crazy when a boy band showed up to promote cycling, and a great time was had by all.
See also:
Visitors traveled in tour buses to Sun Moon Lake, where they rented bikes from a brand new company owned Giant Bicycle store. Everything from inexpensive mountain bikes to the top of the line Giant TCR Advanced is available for rent.
The festivities began with a grand opening ceremony for the Yeutan Bikeway, a bike trail that connects the west side of the lake over the dam to the eastern side of Sun Moon Lake, bypassing the stretch of Highway 21 south of the lake.
From the bikeway entrance, the cyclists rode 4.5 km into Checheng and along the Xianshan Bikeway, where everybody stopped at Meihe Garden to take in the views and sample several varieties of tea. The Sun Moon Lake area is the tea growing region of Taiwan.
Everybody then continued another 2.5 km uphill to stop at Fleur de Chine resort, where they boarded boats for a lake cruise, then returned to Lalu Hotel to conclude the festivities with a 10 course meal.
The cheesiness of the whole thing was amazing fun. China Airlines flight attendants did a dance involving bikes [watch for video soon from Bike Hugger], us Americans were all interviewed by Chinese television, the local girls went crazy when a boy band showed up to promote cycling, and a great time was had by all.
See also:
- Bike Hugger meets Giant VP James Hu.
- Let's Bike Taiwan official site [English]
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I'm in Taiwan!
Taiwan Tourism Board and Giant Bicycles is promoting cycling on the island in a big way this year. I'm in Taiwan along with several other people taking a look cycling on the island. We're currently at Sun Moon Lake at the center of Taiwan, a gorgeous alpine lake and the largest freshwater lake on the island, where we'll participate in a bike ride.
The gang at the Del Lago Hotel along Sun Moon Lake.
Mark of Bike Hugger and Alicia of ROAD Magazine ride up the street.
Heather takes a look at a Giant minivelo at the Giant bike store and rental shop at Sun Moon Lake.
The gang at the Del Lago Hotel along Sun Moon Lake.
Mark of Bike Hugger and Alicia of ROAD Magazine ride up the street.
Heather takes a look at a Giant minivelo at the Giant bike store and rental shop at Sun Moon Lake.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Video Vignette: San Jose evening ride
I should be on an airplane going to Taiwan right now, so enjoy another short bicycling video vignette. This one is of a short ride from San Jose Diridon Station to downtown San Jose via Santa Clara Street.
BIke helmet heads up display
The ARider plugs into your iPhone to provide a heads up display to help you navigate as you ride a bicycle.
This is a prototype from Ubiquitous Entertainment in Tokyo.
Via Core 77.
This is a prototype from Ubiquitous Entertainment in Tokyo.
Via Core 77.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Interbike 2009: Fashion show photos
Elly Blue of Bike Portland was at Momentum Magazine's Urban Legends Fashion and Art Show at Interbike 2009 tonight. Here's a sample. Click here for the full set.
Interbike 2009 news and link
Interbike TV: Rich "Mr Interbike" Kelly talks with Mavic about their new shoes and wheels.
Urban Velo is at Interbike and found some interesting products:
Singletracks:
Bike Rumor:
Bike World News Interbike photo gallery.
Timbuk2 Freewheelin at Interbike.
Lots and lots of Interbike photos at MTBR.com and Road Bike Review, including the always popular Interbike hotties gallery.
Urban Velo is at Interbike and found some interesting products:
- Duro reflective tires.
- Knog solid state bicycle lock.
- Masi has a new line of bike components they call Brev.
- Cute bike lights
Singletracks:
Bike Rumor:
- Basket Buddy liners (with booth babe)
- Pashley Clubman fixed gear.
- Giant carbon CX bike?
- Sillgey has a bike components brand called Bullous.
Bike World News Interbike photo gallery.
Timbuk2 Freewheelin at Interbike.
Lots and lots of Interbike photos at MTBR.com and Road Bike Review, including the always popular Interbike hotties gallery.
San Jose bike rodeo help needed
Last spring, Dave, I, John Brazil and some other people made a stink about Noddin Elementary School's bike ban in San Jose, California. The school administration agreed to lift the ban after "Streets Smarts" safety instruction and a bike rodeo.
The Bike Rodeo is coming up on Saturday, October 10, and the organizer Tara Jones, has no volunteers yet. She needs six to eight volunteers at Noddin Elementary School. Her plea for help is posted below. If you think you can help, please contact me and I'll forward her email address to you. Her phone number is also posted in her note. Noddin Elementary is located at 1755 Gilda Way, San Jose, CA. This is just off of Blossom Hill Road between Camdem Avenue and Union Avenue.
The Bike Rodeo is coming up on Saturday, October 10, and the organizer Tara Jones, has no volunteers yet. She needs six to eight volunteers at Noddin Elementary School. Her plea for help is posted below. If you think you can help, please contact me and I'll forward her email address to you. Her phone number is also posted in her note. Noddin Elementary is located at 1755 Gilda Way, San Jose, CA. This is just off of Blossom Hill Road between Camdem Avenue and Union Avenue.
I have a Bicycle Roadeo schedule for Oct. 10, 2009 from 8:30am-2p.m., and yes, that is a Saturday. I have put an email out to my usual volunteer list, and have had NO OFFERS. I am down to two weeks before the event, an I'm starting to panic. I need at least 6-8 volunteers and have one possible. The great thing about this particular Roadeo is that we had heard the Principal at this school, Noddin Elementary, would not allow any students to ride their bikes to school, because she had deemed it unsafe. She agreed to a sit down meeting with me to see what Street Smarts and DOT had to offer. When I explained everything, she agreed to a helmet giveaway, series of safety presentations, and a Bicycle Roadeo; students will now be allowed to ride to and from school.
If you or ANYONE you can think of would be so kind as to help me out, it would be so appreciated!!! If you're not familiar with a Roadeo, there will be four stations that groups of kids at a time will go through, and each station teaches a simple safety technique. For example, there is a station to learn avoiding objects in the street, or learning to check over your shoulder for cars. It's fun, and very rewarding. It just is impossible without help! So again, if you know any bike enthusiasts, people who need community service hours, or if you're bored, please let me know!! Thanks in advance.
p.s. we will probably pack up way before 2pm! And I'll provide lunch!
Tara Jones
School Safety Education Coordinator
Department of Transportation
City of San Jose
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, Ca. 95113
(408) 975-3296
Interbike 2009: Big Bamboo
Calfee's bamboo bikes have always been a hit at the bike shows they attend, and Brano Meres can always be counted on to do something interesting like he did with the bamboo composite bike he brought last year.
Biomega introduced their Bamboo bicycle in 2005 and they brought it to the show this year (as shown above).
One of the hits of this year's Interbike, though, are the bamboo road bikes from startup Boo Bicycles. National Time Trial champion Nick Frey from Des Moines, Iowa just received his mechanical engineering degree from Princeton University and immediately moved to Colorado to launch his bamboo bicycle business.
Another interesting exhibitor is Kilowatt Bicycles with their flagship Bamboo Electric, an electric assist bike with a bamboo and carbon fiber frame.
Kilowatt Bikes also has non electric bamboo bikes with the Bamboo Pedal and Bamboo Mini. I particularly like the Mini bike.
Another bamboo bike that caught my attention is from Organic Bikes from Appleton, Wisconsin. They have people at Interbike but they're not exhibiting (as near as I can tell), but I like the clean, simple design of their Dylan frame.
Photo credits: Brian at Industry Outsider; Elly Blue of Bike Portland; Organic Bikes; Boo Bicycles; Kilowatt Bikes; Richard Masoner.
Interbike TV: Santa Cruz Blur mountain bike
David from the FredCast talks with Santa Cruz Bicycles Mike Ferrentino to talk about the Blur LT.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Interbike 2009 photos: Trade Expo Day 1
I hope you enjoy this collection of photos from Interbike 2009 Day 1. Click on the thumbnails to go large and for attribution.
Montague Bicycles booth.
Steephill.TV talks with Tour of California executive director Andrew Messick and gets the inside scoop on the Tour of California 2010.
People
Steve Hed talking Aero. George Hincapie signing autographs. Eddie Merckx signing posters.
Bike porn and products.
Bike Parking - Kryptonite Booth.
Relaj bottle. Cinelli track bike. Carbon fiber coat hanger. Colnago bicycles. Gary Fisher SuperFly. Kirk Less carbon bikes. Surly fixed gear. Boo Bicycles Bamboo bikes. Lance Armstrong's bike. Storck Time Trial Bike. Independent Fabrications fixed gear. Showers Pass commuter jacket. Bamboo bike. Mark Cavendish's bike "The most photographed bike at the show." Electra Ticino. New MTB pedal from Speedplay.
Big crowds at Cross Vegas
Nanyang Truck Bike.
Larger photo credits: Elly of Bike Portland and Todd of Makai Bikes.
Steephill.TV talks with Tour of California executive director Andrew Messick and gets the inside scoop on the Tour of California 2010.
People
Steve Hed talking Aero. George Hincapie signing autographs. Eddie Merckx signing posters.
Bike porn and products.
Relaj bottle. Cinelli track bike. Carbon fiber coat hanger. Colnago bicycles. Gary Fisher SuperFly. Kirk Less carbon bikes. Surly fixed gear. Boo Bicycles Bamboo bikes. Lance Armstrong's bike. Storck Time Trial Bike. Independent Fabrications fixed gear. Showers Pass commuter jacket. Bamboo bike. Mark Cavendish's bike "The most photographed bike at the show." Electra Ticino. New MTB pedal from Speedplay.
Big crowds at Cross Vegas
Larger photo credits: Elly of Bike Portland and Todd of Makai Bikes.
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