getfitfirst

Ready at a Moment’s Notice

With no glimpse of the sun for more than three days, expectations focused on a possible photo or two of the haze and mist as I rolled out of Mt. Shasta City after a breakfast burrito and latte.

Rounding a corner, the view exploded like a bolt of lightning.

A soft haze blanketed the dark green forest in the foreground, for sure.

But beyond that the sunlight blasted on the stunningly white peaks of Mt. Shasta set against a spotless blue sky.

Wow.

For many, the true beauty of Bike Friday is that it can be stowed in the back of your SUV beneath a blanket, or the trunk of your car. You can always have your bike with you, without it being obvious to anyone.

While Bike Friday owners are famous for their epic adventures intricately planned and executed, for some of us, it’s the spur of the moment surprises that rock our world.

Convenience that Bike Friday offers some of us is having your bike with you at all times.

Driving home from a folding bike demonstration at the train station in Sacramento, I spent the night in Mt. Shasta and hoped for some free time to steal away a ride. I typically have my Pocket Llama in the back of my SUV, tucked beneath a blanket, so it’s always there for me.

Having just done a demo for the company, well, I had more than one Bike Friday in the back, but the New World Tourist with the NuVinci hub screamed to be ridden up the Ski Highway. Who am I to say no?

Memo to self: You don’t have to duck or scrunch down to get into the shot taken on the timer if it’s a vertical photo.

There might be no better situation for NuVinci than climbing a big hill. The weight watchers will argue that pulling a 5-pound internal hub up a hill is no picnic. I’ll argue the pros outweigh the cons, pun intended.

Imagine being able to find that perfect cadence for a climb, and being able to maintain it, the entire climb, with just a flick of your wrist. Sweet.

Something about a snow-capped mountain that raises my heart-rate more than a beat or two.

It didn’t take long before some gravel road, then a trail, called for exploration. No worries, the bike was up for it.

So I took the first turn possible, pedaled my way to the first trail — which at this point of the year was more like a soft creek bed.

Having some fun on the rollers, and again, using the timer on the camera.

In a blink, I found myself even farther removed from any possible brush with humans. The silence overwhelmed me. The fresh mountain air invigorated me.

Finally, I just pulled over and sat. Soaking in the moment.

It’s not just these out of the way adventures that await if you always have your steed ready to ride

I managed to hit Sacramento a few hours early for the demonstration, which allowed me some time to tool around California’s capital city with my camera. As usual, I opt for the NuVinci hub whenever I get the opportunity. This time on the Carbon Infinity tikit.

Again, you never know what surprises lurk around the corner.

I found the Sacramento River Promenade, and decided to steal away a few minutes riding along the swollen waterway. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I’m used to getting caught off guard by a great view.

Most, however, pertain to things in this century. Or thereabouts.

I’m not sure what’s more surprising, seeing a ship like this or
realizing how sweet the camera is on my iPhone.

Of course, you can’t ride around Sacramento and not find yourself at the Capitol.

I found myself there as they prepared for the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony. They let me take a few shots before putting up the fences.

Bike Friday lobbies for the fold.

The Carbon Infinity tikit looks right at home, rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers of the Golden State.

Sacramento is such a wonderful mixture of everything California has to offer, from big cities, to palm trees to its Western Frontier heritage.

Then again, you can really appreciate the essence of any place. When you’re traveling by bike.

Add comment January 3, 2013

Oregon Craftmanship

What says Oregon better than a wooden bicycle helmet, part of the unique cycling culture of the Northwest shown off by Coyle Helmets?

By Raz

Roll down Lagoon Avenue on Swan Island in Portland’s Industrial valley, past the Daimler Factory to the end of the road, and the towering cranes reach toward the hazy skies over Vigor Industries behind chain link fences and security gates.

First thought is obvious: This just might be a little bit too far off the beaten path, even for stout Northwest cyclists in search of the unique.

But as you roll down the road past the Vigor parking lot, you see a connection you wouldn’t imagine. Bicycles. Everywhere. Hundreds of them.

Once through the security gate, it becomes obvious. This place is huge. And what better way to have workers in hard hats get around the massive complex than bicycles? They are everywhere. Every way shape and form.

Parked in groups of 20-30, bicycles outside the huge factory work bays with door openings large enough to roll in, well, a ship, catch your eye. The bicycles distract me enough that I realize I’ve rolled past a huge “10″ painted on the side of the building, so I pull a U-turn.

Decked out in his Vigor Industries hard hat, in soiled heavy-duty gray work pants and hearty jacket as if he walked off the set of Flashdance, a worker waves me down.

“You’re looking for BUILDING 10,” he said, pointing farther down the road. “This is Building 4, Bin 10.”

I smile and wave, and head down to building 10. Inside the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show slowly emerges from an empty factory floor. Show director Aaron McBride tells me this show is the fourth in a series of Art Shows in the venue.

Ahearne Cycles headbadge, the signature of builder Joseph Ahearne of Portland.

It all fits together. The raw and gritty atmosphere of the shipyard reflects the simple beginnings of bike building that eventually gives way to true art.

Joseph Ahearne’s handiwork.

Our fellow Eugene bicycle builder, Co-Motion.

Bike Friday’s Super Pro felt right at home, and was a big hit with anyone who enjoys giggling at ridiculously light bicycles.

Littleford Bicycles combines some woodworking with stylish metal works on its sweet rear rack. Yes, it even locks closed.

Metrofiets Cargo Bikes are a collaboration between James Nichols and Phillip Ross.

Speaking of wood, Renovo Hardwood Bicycles can aptly be described as a true showstopper.

More Renovo.

So imagine going all out on the wood theme. Bike plus helmet.

Hold on, don’t forget your wooden rims from Sacro Bosco Bicycle Works.

The Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show is presented by the Oregon Bicycle Construction Association, so while a lot of these guys are homegrown frame builders, what they dress their bikes up with are quality components from some of the world’s best.

And some of the best begin right in Oregon, with Portland’s Chris King.

Portland’s Chris King would do a show all on its own …

To paraphrase Homer Simpson, Ahhhh, Headsets … And, of course, our 20th Anniversary New World Tourist that celebrates the best of Made in USA bike components has a Chris King headset.

The 20th Anniversary New World Tourist also has nifty brakes, and shifters, from Paul Components.

The wheels that grab attention on the Super Pro? Made right here in Eugene by Rolf Prima.

Suffice to say, there was plenty of bike stuff everywhere to catch your eye, and make for a fun weekend all about bikes.

Arakawa Hanging Systems donated the manpower to launch a couple of bikes into the heavens, and we jumped at the opportunity.

The Bike Friday Aerospoke Llama brought a few folks back around for a second lap to ask about the wheels.

Vendetta Cycleswith an award-winning finish.

Stites Design has a heavy-duty hauler.

 

Ti Cycles with some nifty stuff on display.

Full Speed Ahead shows off a lot of nice components, and was the crank of choice on many of our 2012 Select bikes, although not this one shown.

Of course, a lot of what you see begins with Reynolds Technology tubing.

Add comment October 26, 2012

OSATAs Hitting the Pavement for Safety

A class at Kelly Middle School in Eugene, OR, took their Bike Friday OSATAs for a ride as their safety classes drew to a close.

Bike Friday is proud of be a part of the Eugene Bicycle Safety Education Program.

According to Shane MacRhodes, who runs the program, it is growing thanks to the Jane Higdon Foundation and support from many local partners. We got to see the fleet of Bike Friday OSATAs out on the road recently with a group of students from Kelly Middle School.

For over a decade some local students have received a 10-hour bike safety education class at their school through the Portland based Bicycle Transportation Alliance “Safe Routes for Kids” program.  Over the past two years a coalition of partners has worked to expand and build upon that program to reach even more students.

With the support of a grant from the Jane Higdon Foundation the Eugene Bicycle Safety Education program curriculum is being expanded by the local School Districts and the City of Eugene Recreation Division’s River House Outdoor Program.

This fall and spring, city recreation staff will use three fleets of bikes owned by the school districts to teach at eight middle schools in the region, reaching more than 700 kids .

The 100 bikes and three trailers (used to store and move the fleets) were purchased locally through various grants and sponsorships. One fleet was even specially built for the program by local bike manufacturer Bike Friday and adjusts to fit kids and adults.

 

Shane MacRhodes escorts a rider at Kelly Middle School.

 

Students learn to ride safely [they all made the turn signal soon after the photo was taken -- honestly!]

 

Each bike was designated with a state name so the students know which one was sized to fit them.

Add comment October 15, 2012