Archive for February, 2012
Stories from California and Arizona, Thus Far: By Jacob Publicover
California is a great state to travel in if you don’t mind all of the people. The views of the ocean are fantastic and the hospitality from friends and family is always appreciated.
Jacob, the gentleman in the middle, recently rode his mountain bike from Alaska down in the tip of South America.
The California coast, and a New World Tourist
Riding into San Luis Obispo, a friend joined us.
Guy riding with us to SLO (he is a friend): “Do you think these chamois (bike shorts) are see though?”
Me, riding right behind him: “I don’t think so, why you ask?”
Guy riding with us to SLO: “Well a guy on the tri team said they were but I just kept wearing them anyways.”
Me, still riding right behind him: “Well, I don’t think so but they do make your butt look extra nice.”
Guy riding with us to SLO: “Thanks buddy.”
Two days later. . .
Me: “Dude, I think those actually might be see through.”
Guy riding with us out of SLO: “You think so?”
Me (realizing what the shorts are): “Dude! Those are liners! Your supposed to wear those under mountain bike shorts or something.”
Drew (laughing at this point while taking a closer look): “That’s why there’s no modesty patch.”
Guy riding with us out of SLO (less of a friend): “What the heck is that?”
Drew: “It’s the part of the pad in the front that covers . . .” (enough said)
Guy riding with us out of SLO (still a friend of course – and laughing now): “Well shoot, I’m gonna’ keep wearing them without anything over the top anyways.”
We all hugged in our skin tight tights before wheeling our separate ways – always in perfect style.
"I'm from L.A. California hot. Days got shade let me take you round the way. . . the West coast, where everybody is somebody." - MURS
As we were riding through the streets of L.A. we received an abundance of attention, especially from high school teenagers that had just been released for the day.
Young guys in a car: “Nice spandex, bro.”
Drew (three blocks later after catching back up to them): “How you boys doin’?”
Young guys in a car: ” – ”
Guy on a porch with friends: “Where you headin’?”
Me: “The east coast.”
Guy on a porch with friends: “WHAT?! – did you guys hear that guy is going all the way to . . . ”
Big guy on the beach: “Maaan . . . those bikes are loaded DOWN.”
Us: ” – ” (I guess we could have at least said yes back – I think he’ll be ok though).
I had the pleasure of catching some waves with a real surfer dude near Carlsbad, CA. The waves were fantastic, even though they were rights, and the company entertaining and encouraging.
Surfer guy: “Yeah man, the water is pretty cold here. Not ice cream headache cold, like up north at Pismo, and Santa Cruz, and all, but still enough to be wearing a wetsuit and even booties.”
Me: I like ice cream. (I didn’t actually say this, but I wish that I had).
The ride out of San Diego resulted in three hard days containing over 8000 feet of elevation gain and 250 miles. That third day of riding also contained a number of “small” hills that weren’t big enough to show up on the topo maps. Although this turned out to be the hardest day of physical activity in my life the sunset at the end of the day was breathtaking. Although at this point I had little breath left in me, the quiet color that enveloped both mountains and fertile valley was miraculous. I have never been so grateful to roll into an RV park in my life – complete with hot showers and potable water.
Crossing the first of many state lines - although this isn't technically the state line this sign is much cooler.
Amost grateful sunset and just like the song says - God Bless America
Sincerely,
Jacob Publicover
Add comment February 26, 2012
New Zealand’s Dodd Finishes an Ironman
[EDITOR's NOTE: You might remember Thom Dodd's blog entries on Training for an Ironman Triathlon back in August. We just received word from Thom. He did it! Here is his report.]
Add comment February 15, 2012
A bike trip USA
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Jacob Publicover will be riding his New World Tourist across the USA, and sharing his adventure with us.]
Guess what sits in a corner and travels around the country?
In this case it’s a pig. This lucky guy is leaving in around eight hours to embark on an epic journey on a New World Tourist.
I think I’ll join him.
Sincerely,
Jacob Publicover
biketripusa.tumblr.com
Add comment February 9, 2012
Viola
If you speak French, you’ll find this more interesting. If you don’t speak French, hey, it’s still a nice-looking ride!
Add comment February 9, 2012
Pause for Thought
Freedom means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
Check out this What Do You Do Entry from a new Bike Friday owner.
Doug, we wish you the best…
Add comment February 9, 2012
Making of a Catalog, part 3
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the THIRD INSTALLMENT of the Catalog Tales. It's the story of the adventure to collect photos for a catalog that morphed from a traditional piece to the publication now available by contacting us here.]
BY RAZ
Eugene. Corvallis. Portland. Bend.
The list goes on and on of the cities and towns in Oregon that represent their own slice of cycling heaven.
For that reason alone, I felt compelled to stop in Bend for some photos along the Deschutes River as it snakes through downtown.
A lazy Labor Day weekend in Bend for the Rocket.
What you don’t see in the photos are the endless parade of cyclists who pedaled past us as we snapped pictures. Few places on the planet like Bend.
Smith Rock State Park
SMITH ROCK STATE PARK
Why would a cyclist come to the rock climbing Mecca of Oregon?
Why not? Just look at it. The Crooked River. The peaks. Amazing.
Rocket at Smith Rock.
New World Tourist overlooking the Crooked River.
The Llama came out for the trails.
Without question, climbing is the thang at Smith Rock.
But the trails through the park are open to cycling, and it provides some fun riding.
The tough part is staying on your bike. And not stopping every 100 yards to pause and gaze in wonder at the climbers covering the ridges.
Hang around until the sun goes down, or get there when it’s coming up, and it’ll take your breath away.
FINAL NOTE
The varied sides of Mother Nature played out in full force this year, across the United States and Oregon, too.
All weekend I worried of my plan to drive from Smith Rock outside Redmond, across to Mount Hood and into the Hood River Valley.
A wildfire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation had closed portions of Highway 126 throughout the week, and no telling what might be in store for me down the road.
Knowing full well of the beauty of Highway 126 from Eugene up to Sisters — or even Scenic Highway 242 — I decided my best bet would be to backtrack toward home and save Mount Hood for another day.
On my ride toward home, I recalled that a number of years back I collected firewood at Big Lake, in the shadows of Mount Bachelor. That would be a great place to camp, if I could find an open spot. It is Labor Day weekend.
I’m sure I could find a number of great photos there.
Not to mention the McKenzie River Trail. It alone offers endless photo ops that can be etched into your memory forever.
Driving just outside Smith Rock, in Terrebonne, I could see a massive plum of smoke rising, then blanketing the horizon. I definitely want to avoid that, I thought, although part of me thought Warm Springs should be in another direction.
I shrugged and stuck with my new plan. Big Lake, here I come.
As I rolled into Sisters, it became obvious. Mother Nature must have struck again. That fire that dominates the horizon burns between me and Eugene.
I come to find the latest fire is dubbed the Big Lake Fire. I drove home through a haze of smoke that lasted well down past Blue River and the Cougar Reservoir, knocking the last few campgrounds out of contention.
I came home a day or so early. I could have hit the coast, but I’ll save that for the next adventure. The 20th Anniversary Bike Adventure.
Add comment February 6, 2012
Making of the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist
Doug Le Roux brazing the triangle from of the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA.
The 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA shows off the American craftsmanship that is built into every Bike Friday we create.
Attention to detail is what separates custom bikes from the crowd, and the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA most definitely stands out.
20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA, sizzling red hot.
Bethany Russell applies the 20th Anniversary Sparkle Green from Prismatic Powders is only available on this Bike Friday.
Leo Shotridge checks the frame of the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA to exacting standards.
Every frame is checked to specifications within millimeters of tolerance.
A Chris King headset is one of the many Made in USA gems on the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA.
Every step along the way, the 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA receives the same hands-on attention Bike Friday delivers on every bike.
White Industries' cranks are one of a few elements from Bike Friday owner Doug White.
SRAM delivers on the drivetrain.
A little closer ...
And closer still.
Finally, dress it up with a Bike Friday custom rack and handmade wooden fenders from Creative Openings.
Put it all together, and it is one sweet Bike Friday.
1 comment February 1, 2012
Bicycle Times review online
The complete review of our New World Tourist and its travel system by Adam Newman for Bicycle Times is now available online.
Add comment February 1, 2012