Bike Friday is developing an electric version of the Tikit folding bike. Unlike existing eBike Tikit conversions, " this will not be an afterthought, but a completely integrated solution," according to Walter Lapchynski of Bike Friday.
This is still more skunk works prototype than real project right now -- no delivery dates, prices, or definitive weights and features just yet.
More:
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Papago Jump
I'm almost home from my whirlwind tour of Taiwan. As of Sunday morning, Heather and I are the only ones who waited until Sunday to get home. Saam and Kate have a place to stay in the Los Angeles area, while Alicia and Mark both caught red eyes home.
It's been a fantastic trip and I had no idea Taiwan has so much to offer. I'll miss the new friends I've made on this trip but I'm glad to be back to California.
Taiwan is a beautiful country, but one of the true highlights of this trip is the wonderful chemistry of the group I was with. We're all very different, but at the end of eight days together we became fast friends.
Here's most of the gang at the Papago Resort in Taitung County, except for Saam (he's behind the camera) and Mr Chen (he's with his bus).
Photo by Saam Gabbay and posted with his kind permission.
It's been a fantastic trip and I had no idea Taiwan has so much to offer. I'll miss the new friends I've made on this trip but I'm glad to be back to California.
Taiwan is a beautiful country, but one of the true highlights of this trip is the wonderful chemistry of the group I was with. We're all very different, but at the end of eight days together we became fast friends.
Here's most of the gang at the Papago Resort in Taitung County, except for Saam (he's behind the camera) and Mr Chen (he's with his bus).
Photo by Saam Gabbay and posted with his kind permission.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Taiwan bike tech: Hover bike
The Taiwanese have bikes here that aren't sold in the US market. Check out this hover bike with no wheels, for example.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Kirin Ichiban Bike
Most of the bikes I see in Taipei are basic mountain style bikes from Giant or Merida with little in the way of personalization. Check out this marvelous rig with the Kirin Ichiban Beer customization, though.
The bike itself looks like a junky Next "full suspension" "mountain" bike shaped object. The owner has obviously put a lot of love into the look of the bike, however, by painting the frame and carefully applying decals and detailing. That rear disc wheel is amazing.
Kirin Ichiban is a Japanese beer brewed from rice.
The bike itself looks like a junky Next "full suspension" "mountain" bike shaped object. The owner has obviously put a lot of love into the look of the bike, however, by painting the frame and carefully applying decals and detailing. That rear disc wheel is amazing.
Kirin Ichiban is a Japanese beer brewed from rice.
Coffee and bikes
Coffee and bikes go together like Spock and Saavik during Pon Farr.
We visited the Orbea Taipei Flagship Shop today. They have lots of really cool bikes from Orbea, Bianchi, Argon, Cannondale, Dahon, and Pacific Cycles. They also have an espresso machine -- the old school kind where you grind the beans, tamp the grinds into the portafilter, then pull coffee into the cup.
If you happen to schmooze the manager and buy a couple of Catlike helmets, the store manager himself might pull the shots himself.
The coffee is served in cute Assos cups.
As you drink the coffee down, you're encouraged to have a good ride!
We visited the Orbea Taipei Flagship Shop today. They have lots of really cool bikes from Orbea, Bianchi, Argon, Cannondale, Dahon, and Pacific Cycles. They also have an espresso machine -- the old school kind where you grind the beans, tamp the grinds into the portafilter, then pull coffee into the cup.
If you happen to schmooze the manager and buy a couple of Catlike helmets, the store manager himself might pull the shots himself.
The coffee is served in cute Assos cups.
As you drink the coffee down, you're encouraged to have a good ride!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Taiwan cycling photos
Today we participated in a short ride to promote tourism in rural Taitung County. The countryside of eastern and central Taiwan is populated with indigenous peoples who lived in Taiwan prior to Han Chinese immigration. The economy is primarily agricultural and the people seem more relaxed than their cousins in the big cities of the northwest.
Everything about today was a highlight. We met Bethany, a Chinese Christian who passionately works to encourage the indigenous children to achieve. We watched tribal dances that stir the soul. We met Kevin Lin, an endurance athlete who ran across the Sahara Desert in 2007. He's a super super nice guy. He's mostly a runner but also enjoys bicycling on road and trail and participates in triathlons.
Another highlight was a visit to an ice cream shop in Chihshang Village. "Popeye," a local chamber of commerce volunteer with Betel nut stained teeth, enthusiastically explained "this is most famous ice cream in all Taiwan!" It was yummy indeed.
Finally, in the middle of this sits the incredible Papago Resort. This is the view from my room balcony.
It's well past midnight in Taiwan and I'm hitting the sack just as your day is getting started. Have a wonderful wonderful. I'll point you to Mark V's posts at Bike Hugger:
Kate also mentions Taiwan in her Global Soul Adventures.
Everything about today was a highlight. We met Bethany, a Chinese Christian who passionately works to encourage the indigenous children to achieve. We watched tribal dances that stir the soul. We met Kevin Lin, an endurance athlete who ran across the Sahara Desert in 2007. He's a super super nice guy. He's mostly a runner but also enjoys bicycling on road and trail and participates in triathlons.
Another highlight was a visit to an ice cream shop in Chihshang Village. "Popeye," a local chamber of commerce volunteer with Betel nut stained teeth, enthusiastically explained "this is most famous ice cream in all Taiwan!" It was yummy indeed.
Finally, in the middle of this sits the incredible Papago Resort. This is the view from my room balcony.
It's well past midnight in Taiwan and I'm hitting the sack just as your day is getting started. Have a wonderful wonderful. I'll point you to Mark V's posts at Bike Hugger:
Kate also mentions Taiwan in her Global Soul Adventures.
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