Makin' Bacon by mark on May 20, 2013
Our 7th annual Bacon on the Bike Path was a huge success. A gorgeous day helped bring out a massive amount of bike commuters. All the food and refreshments were devoured by 9:30. Thank you to all the bikers that stopped by. We are very grateful for our wonderful partners in this event:
-Nueske's
-Just Coffee Coop
-Williamson Bicycle
-Silly Yak Bakery
-Erika Koivunen/Butterly Jester Company
We have posted our full photoset on Facebook. Until next year...
Last Call by mark on May 15, 2013
Last call everyone. Planet Bike's 7th Annual Bacon on the Bike Path takes place tomorrow morning! Forecast is a high of 79!
For more information: Bike Federation of Wisconsin
When: May 16, 2013, 7am-10 am
Where: The bike path along the shores of Lake Monona between the Monona Terrace and Broom Street.
Haulin' by kristin on May 09, 2013
I've lusted after a cargo bike for some time. We've certainly got no shortage of bikes at our house but I've slowly sold off some of my race bikes and the time was right to add a new utilitarian bike to the quiver. I thought about various styles of cargo bikes but ultimately decided on a long tail as it would allow me to haul around a couple of passengers while also filling up the cargo space with an impressive amount of stuff. The Surly Big Dummy is a solid build and is known for its easy handling and well thought out design. So I bought one and added a sweet Yepp kids seat. After a few unloaded short spins in the neighborhood, last night was its maiden voyage - a trip to the local ice cream shop with my 2 year old. After pulling a trailer for the last year it was great to have him right behind me and to hear him singing on the ride home. I'm already looking forward to a trip to the Farmer's Market and seeing how full I can fill up those spacious bags. And next Thursday I'll fill it up with some gear and goodies for our annual Bacon on the Bike Path. Many adventures await this bike - what a fun ride!
Back 40 Haiku V by jay on May 08, 2013
Dave returned from the back forty carrying long tasty asparagus and news that the tulips are peaking. So I grabbed the camera and headed back for my annual haiku inspiration.
Camera displays,
"Battery Exhausted"
How share true beauty?
Sunlight through petals,
Translucent structure casts
Shadows, telling through.
Tenderest sensors
Embrace voluptuous ground.
Soft soles taste new grass.
Back 40 haiku IV
Back 40 haiku III
Back 40 haiku II
Back 40 haiku I
Single speed coffee pot, zero speed brain by jay on Apr 30, 2013
Our fancy all in one coffee grinder/brewer/carafe finally died a few months ago so we invested in some old school coffee technology, a stainless steel french press.
This morning I discovered the Coffee Chasm, the gap between one's pre-caffeinated motor skills and the minimum motor skills required to operate a coffee pot. As I depressed the plunger a slurry of grounds erupted from the spigot and slid down the side of the press. As my colleague Mark waited patiently I proceeded to rinse the slurry from the side by tilting the pot under the faucet. The tilting caused boiling hot coffee to flow over my hand, causing me to jerk the pot upright and splashing coffee over our kitchen wall.
Call of the Bacon by mark on Apr 29, 2013
Wisconsin will be celebrating Bike to Work Week for the year from May 13-17. What? You thought Christmas was the most wonderful time of year? Think again. Planet Bike will yet again be slinging bacon, donuts, fruit and coffee in appreciation of our fellow bicycle commuters! Join us on Thursday, May 16 on the John Nolen bike path, just south of Monona Terrace. For details shall be forthcoming.
Spring Classics by kristin on Apr 17, 2013
Getting to witness two of the most celebrated spring classic bike races was an ethereal experience. Sitting on the hillside of the cobbled Kwaremont at the Tour of Flanders in Belgium we soaked up the culture of the country and the sport. From small children to groups of teenagers to elderly couples; spectators of all sorts come out. Bike racing is the pinnacle of sport in Belgium and despite being Easter Sunday thousands of fans chose to celebrate the holiday by lining streets and filling farm fields to watch lycra clad cyclists. Beer flowed freely while sausages and hamburgers were consumed and cigarette smoke hung in the air. High spirited troops of fans carried flags bearing the lion of Flanders and sang animated songs as they waited for the riders to come through. The cyclists sped past us and we cheered and tried to spot our favorites as their bikes bounced across the cobbles. After they made their third and final pass of the Kwaremont we broke through the barricades and walked up on the course to a concession area with a huge television screen and watched Fabian cross the line victoriously while munching on frites. Three hours later we watched him walk off the bus with a beaming smile and graciously greet fans and support staff. He stood just feet from us and we congratulated him on a job well done. The energy and excitement in the air was tangible and we were humbled to bear witness to greatness.
The following Sunday we began the day in Compienge, France to see the start of Paris-Roubaix. We mingled with riders and staff outside of the team buses and took in the ambiance of the event as the athletes signed in before the start of the race. Armed with maps and smart phones we drove to a point in the Arenberg forest to catch a brief glimpse of the riders as they thundered past us over the massive, undulating cobblestones. The speed at which they rode was unbelievable. We ran back to our car and drove into Roubaix and made our way up a steep hillside into a corner of the Velodrome. Watching the race unfold on the big screen we anxiously awaited the arrival of the two leaders. We cheered as they entered the track and watched with bated breath as the tactics began to unfold. We cringed as we saw Fabian forced to take a high line around the last corner and thought he would be second. Then we yelled and cheered as he sprinted to the line winning by inches. We were shaking with excitement as we saw him ride onto the grass in the middle of the track and collapse. And again three hours later we stood outside the team bus and saw him arrive from the melee and graciously greet and thank his supporters. We came to Europe to see bike racing in its birthplace and the mighty Spartacus gave us fine performances that we’ll remember the rest of our lives.
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Jeff Jones City Bike by mark on Mar 25, 2013
If you're not a mountain biker, you might not be familiar with Jeff Jones. Being a huge fan of "off the beaten path", I've been quite fond of the Jones Bike aesthetic for a long time.
Jeff recently posted on his bikes as a city or touring bike. Of course he chose Planet Bike Cascadia fenders for the build!
