Automatic Hill Lift? by james on Feb 05, 2010
I've always been intrigued by how much of an impact the bicycle has on European cities. Dave came across this video the other day and it definitely takes the cake. It comes from a website called Eco-Ideas.net which focuses on ecological ideas from around the globe.
Biking Contributes to State Economy by james on Feb 02, 2010
Kevin Hardman, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Bicycle Federation was kind enough to share the following information with us today:
"A report released today by the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that bicycling tourism combined with Wisconsin's world-class bicycle industry contributes $1.5 billion to our state's economy every year! To put this in perspective, the report compares bicycling to deer hunting which contributes $926 million and snowmobiling which contributes $250 million.
The report also states:
• Bicycling creates 13,000 Wisconsin jobs
• Non-residents spend $535 million on bike-related events, food, and lodging
• 49% of Wisconsinites participate in recreational biking
• A 20% increase in biking could increase economic activity by $107 million and create 1500 more jobs"
One Step Closer to Rail Transit in Madison by james on Jan 29, 2010
The city of Madison and Southern Wisconsin are one step closer to making rail transit a reality. Wisconsin is to receive $822 million for passenger rails - which would allow you to leave your car at home the next time you want to travel between Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The project is still in its developmental stages, but the rail advocates will continue to push on. Read the story here.
Things That Get us Excited by james on Jan 28, 2010
Mark's new Nimatsu Scorpion proves he's a force to be reckoned with on the table!
Employee Glove Choice by james on Jan 22, 2010
When the weather fluctuates, so does our choice of gear. Next to boots, gloves are one of the most important choices to make when commuting in the winter. Keeping the extremities warm can be tough. This past week has been nice. It seems that we're experiencing our mid-winter thaw with temps in the lower 30's. Below you will find a random selection of gloves/mittens as seen on the hands of Planet Bike employees Friday, January 22, 2010.
1. Planet Bike Borealis Gloves - Chris
Today I wore the Planet Bike Borealis winter gloves. I like the XXL sizing, so many cycling gloves just don't quite fit me. For me they are good in the 10-40 degree weather, depending on how long the ride is. They are very comfortable and I'm able to use mountain shifters and road shifters without an issue. The one thing I don't really like about them is they take a while to dry out. They are hard to pull inside out and get back in easily, but other than that, they are great.
2. Outdoor Research Meteor Mitts - Mark
For temperatures below 25 degrees F, I use the Outdoor Research Meteor Mitts with a thin, loose fitting liner glove. The mitts are windproof and water resistant. The biggest advantage for me is that there is ample room to move my hands/fingers inside the mitts. I suffer from chronic "cold hands-cold feet" syndrome, and this is the first setup I've found to keep my digits warm through the nasty 25 below days that Wisconsin inevitably experiences several times each winter. The only disadvantage of my personal set-up is the overall bulk. These mitts don't allow a great deal of manual dexterity.
3. Craft Thermal Split Finger Gloves - James
Traditionally used as a Nordic glove these work great on the bike. There is a 5 finger fleece removable liner which is really nice if your hands get too hot and you can wash it. In the late winter I often find myself riding wearing only the liner. I think the 5 finger liner and the outer windproof lobster style mitt is the perfect combination for Wisconsin winters. As I mentioned they are versatile and for me they work well in 10 to 40 degree F temperatures.
4. Windproof Fleece Gloves - Heath
Keep it simple. Riding 4 miles to work in 30 degree weather doesn't really require specialized gear. This morning I road to work in jeans, a sweatshirt, hat, and these windproof fleece gloves. Warm, breathable, and great for a game of pond hockey, which I plan to make happen on the way home today.
Employee Bike Feature by james on Jan 21, 2010
Chris built this rigid 29er Salsa El Mariachi just before the snow started to fly. It makes a great commuter for the winter and will be a blast through the single track come summer. The 1x9 gear configuration is perfect for winter commuting whether the streets are clear or covered in ice and snow.
See the Light! by james on Jan 15, 2010
We're happy to announce the publication of our 2010 Light Finder! For those of you who haven't seen previous light finders, what we do is demonstrate our lights in a dark setting so that you can see the beam it projects against set distance markers. Dealers - call us for a copy and we'll send it out to you. You can also view it on our website here.
Homemade Boot Inserts by james on Jan 11, 2010
Mark brought a great winter biking tip to my attention this morning. Seeing as how we just reviewed a few pairs of winter cycling boots, I thought a follow up boot post would be appropriate. On really frigid days, I found that my toes were still getting cold regardless of what I did to try to keep them warm on the morning commute. The Lake boots I have been using have a really nice Thermosol composite insulating insole but it can only do so much to prevent air from coming in at the cleat. Mark advised I place a thin piece of cardboard underneath the insole to help prevent air from entering. The cardboard insert helps cold air from coming in and because it's so thin doesn't effect the position of your foot while the boot is on. Please see the photos for a quick tutorial.
