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mark's Archives
Build it. Bike it. Be a part of it. by mark on Jun 17, 2013 read full blog
Adventure Cycling Association's Build it. Bike it. Be a part of it. Campaign once again surpassed it's goal for 2013. In its' inception in 2012, they set a lofty goal of $50,000.
Cultural Trail by mark on Jun 13, 2013 read full blog
Very cool and progressive bicycle infrastructure that was just completed in Indianapolis!
Customer Love! by mark on May 31, 2013 read full blog
We love our customers and we love when they send us pictures of their awesome bikes! Thanks for the note Keith!
Guest Blog: The Alexander 400 by mark on May 21, 2013 read full blog
I learned a few things over the course of the weekend. Coming into a 400 mile gravel road race a little green about what to expect is both a blessing and a curse. So my plan was outlined in my previous blog post.
Makin' Bacon by mark on May 20, 2013 read full blog
Our 7th annual Bacon on the Bike Path was a huge success. A gorgeous day helped bring out a massive amount of bike commuters.
Last Call by mark on May 15, 2013 read full blog
Last call everyone. Planet Bike's 7th Annual Bacon on the Bike Path takes place tomorrow morning!
Call of the Bacon by mark on Apr 29, 2013 read full blog
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?
Jeff Jones City Bike by mark on Mar 25, 2013 read full blog
If you're not a mountain biker, you might not be familiar with Jeff Jones. Being a huge fan of "off the beaten path"
Passive Transportation by mark on Mar 18, 2013 read full blog
Freedom of mobility is important to human beings. There is dignity in being independent, in being in control of one's movements and one's time.
Hockey Hair All-stars by mark on Mar 14, 2013 read full blog
It's no secret that the midwest states take their hockey seriously and there's none more serious than Minnesota. They live by the puck and die by the puck.
High School Mountain Bike Leagues by mark on Mar 12, 2013 read full blog
It's really exciting seeing mountain bike racing taking off at the high school level. Singletrack High is a documentary following the Northern California league.
Bikeportland's National Bike Summit Coverage by mark on Mar 05, 2013 read full blog
As was mentioned last week, the National Bike Summit is going on this week. We have once again partnered with BikePortland's Jonathan Maus to sponsor his amazing
National Bike Summit by mark on Feb 28, 2013 read full blog
The National Bike Summit is the premiere advocacy event of the year. More than 800 advocates, government staff
CIRREM 2013 by mark on Feb 26, 2013 read full blog
Planet Bike has been a sponsor of CIRREM for several years now. It's a great grassroots gravel
Live Forward Club by mark on Feb 11, 2013 read full blog
This month, we're teaming up with our friends at Sustain Dane to give away five free bike light sets to Live Forward Club members!
2013 Youth Bike Summit by mark on Feb 08, 2013 read full blog
The 3rd edition of Recycle-a-Bicycle's Youth Bicycle Summit commences one week from today in New York City. This year's summit will again build on the overwhelming success of the preceding two gatherings.
Cyclocross Worlds on Home Soil by mark on Feb 06, 2013 read full blog
Last weekend was an historic event in the cycling world. For the first time ever, and surely the last time for many years, the UCI World Cyclocross Championships were held in the United States.
Superflash Turbo by mark on Feb 05, 2013 read full blog
I'm back after two weeks out of the office and I've got some serious catching up to do! Let's start off with an easy one, the Presidential Inauguration.
Community Homestead by mark on Jan 15, 2013 read full blog
A few weeks ago we received a request for light donations from Community Homestead in Osceola, WI. Community Homestead
Champions among us by mark on Jan 14, 2013 read full blog
Those familiar with cyclocross know that Planet Bike founder Bob Downs is an enormous supporter of the sport as well as a force to be reckoned with on the race course. Over the weekend Verona, WI hosted the national championships.
Adventuring by mark on Jan 07, 2013 read full blog
It's hard to capture the invigoration in a crisp, winter morning bike ride. Today, this was my best effort in showing the feeling.
Ringing in... by mark on Jan 04, 2013 read full blog
So long to 2012. 2013 has cycled in seemingly unnoticed here at Planet Bike. But that doesn't mean we're not keeping busy.
Teenagers Kick Our Butts, Pt. 2 by mark on Dec 20, 2012 read full blog
Planet Bike was a proud sponsor of Recycle-A-Bicycle's 2012 Youth Bike Summit. We are stoked that the Youth Bike Summit is returning and have signed on as a featured sponsor for the 2013 edition this February!
Miles in the Saddle by mark on Dec 13, 2012 read full blog
Next in line on the new products front are our Pro and Comp saddles. These are a bit of a departure from our saddle line. Both saddles are
Your Words for Our Products by mark on Dec 07, 2012 read full blog
We had a small, limited edition run of the Courtesy Bell Classic produced recently. This is your chance to get one for free! Here's how:
Courtesy is as Courtesy does. by mark on Nov 29, 2012 read full blog
Over the past several weeks I've been calling to attention some new offerings for this year. The third item and perhaps the prettiest is
Happy Thanksgiving! by mark on Nov 21, 2012 read full blog
From the Planet Bike family to you and yours, we wish you a splendid Thanksgiving.
The Air Smith will keep you on the Road by mark on Nov 19, 2012 read full blog
Another two items fresh to the Planet Bike warehouse are the Air Smith ALX and Comp mini pumps. There are similar items on the market, but we've made some superb upgrades and still managed to keep the Air Smiths affordable.
Road Wrap Tachyon by mark on Nov 15, 2012 read full blog
A few new products have started rolling into our warehouse over the past week. First in line we have the Road Wrap Tachyon tape
Mousetrap to the Extreme by mark on Nov 14, 2012 read full blog
Who says that Mousetrap is a children's game?
Re-think the Auto by mark on Nov 12, 2012 read full blog
Who is Mark Gorton? Anyone recall an online music sharing program called Lime Wire that was the focal point of a massive music industry lawsuit?
Caring for the Less Fortunate by mark on Nov 08, 2012 read full blog
Our pal over at BikeCommuters.com, RL, got in touch with us a while back with an idea. RL had volunteered helping the homeless in Santa Ana
Bike Industry Pitches In for NYC by mark on Nov 01, 2012 read full blog
The bike industry in New York and nationally is pitching in to help commuters use bikes in post-Sandy New York City this week.
Busted! by mark on Nov 01, 2012 read full blog
The Madison Police Department's Special Event Unit descended upon Planet Bike HQ last week.
NACTO Conference Off to a Bold Start by mark on Oct 24, 2012 read full blog
"We're here to mark the flowering of urban design in our cities and to break down the institutional barriers that stand in our way."
Support What You Love by mark on Oct 19, 2012 read full blog
We've had a wonderful response to our "Support What You Love" graphic we've been using this past year. We just got a small run of these shirts in
Proud Supporter of Adventure Cycling Association by mark on Oct 16, 2012 read full blog
Jay Ferm, our director of advocacy, shares why we support Adventure Cycling Association. We've been a silver-level corporate member of the organization for 5 years.
Get out the Door...NOW! by mark on Oct 05, 2012 read full blog
In many parts of the country, the season is turning. This is especially true in Madison! The trees are covered in Autumnal fire.
Interbike is a Wrap! by mark on Sep 24, 2012 read full blog
The 2012 Interbike Tradeshow has passed once again. Planet Bike was in attendance and it was another successful show. We have a bunch of new goodies that will be coming out to market in the next several months.
Help Bikes Belong! by mark on Sep 11, 2012 read full blog
Bikes Belong is up for a $250,000 Chase Community Giving Grant. If they win the grant, $125,000 will go to help PeopleForBikes.org reach its goal of one million people (currently at 600,000 supporters now) and the other half will go toward the Green Lane Project, a new campaign to fast-track the installation of protected bike lanes in U.S. cities.
Perfect Inflation by mark on Sep 06, 2012 read full blog
Last year at about this time we introduced a 25g CO2 cartridge. The size is larger than the standard "road" size CO2 but smaller than the huge mountain bike canisters. Well, now we're offering it in a 2-pack.
12 Time Management Tips by mark on Aug 14, 2012 read full blog
Our friends over at Women's Adventure Magazine have got some really great blog posts on a myriad of subjects.
Cardboard Bicycle by mark on Aug 06, 2012 read full blog
This is unbelievable. The amazing cardboard bicycle.
How Bikes Make Cities Cool by mark on Jul 30, 2012 read full blog
Sweet new video from Kona Bikes.
Federal RTP Trail Funding Secured for Two Years by mark on Jul 19, 2012 read full blog
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the federal funding program that supports natural surface trails, has been reauthorized for two years in a bill that the U.S. Congress
Crusher in the Tushar by mark on Jul 17, 2012 read full blog
As a bike racer, I often have a hard time describing the pain of a race that translates to satisfaction at the finish.
New MTB Ride Center in WI? by mark on Jul 12, 2012 read full blog
Well, not yet, but the idea is further along than I knew of.
The Chequamegon 100; lovely, dark and deep. by mark on Jun 25, 2012 read full blog
I've been looking forward to this event all year. A free event close to my hometown that boasts over 7k feet of climbing and probably 70% singletrack?
Weekend Adventures Lie Ahead! by mark on Jun 21, 2012 read full blog
Chris and Heath are taking the ferry over to MI for some fat bike beach touring over the next few days. I'd be really jealous if
DC Bikeshare a big Money Saver by mark on Jun 20, 2012 read full blog
We stumbled upon this story about how Washington DC's Capital Bikesharing (CaBi) is saving its members a whopping
Fundraiser Raises More Than $50,000 for U.S. Bicycle Route System by mark on Jun 14, 2012 read full blog
Adventure Cycling Association's third annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign raised more than $50,000 for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) during National Bike Month (May 2012).
Raising awareness for Bicycle Safety by mark on Jun 06, 2012 read full blog
Many Wisconsinites have heard the news that cyclist Tammy Gass was struck and killed by a motor vehicle a little over a week ago
Last Day to donate to USBRS goal! by mark on May 31, 2012 read full blog
Adventure Cycling Association is closing in on reaching its $50,000 National Bike Month fundraising goal for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). Today is the last official day in the campaign and your gift can make all the difference.
I never leave home without it. by mark on May 30, 2012 read full blog
I’m an avid bike commuter and a bike racer. In an average week I log 12-15 hours on the bike. That’s a pretty solid chunk of time spent pedaling around the backroads and mountain bike trails of Wisconsin. I’m also a social media junkie.
Planet Bike's 6th Annual Bacon on the Bike Path by mark on May 21, 2012 read full blog
Another Wisconsin Bike to Work Week has passed, leaving bike commuters across the state in an endorphin-infused high. The crew at Planet Bike once again pulled out all the stops for our 6th annual Bacon on the Bike Path. The catchy name certainly hints at the carnivorous aspect of the event, there was something there for all to enjoy.
The Making of a Bike by mark on May 14, 2012 read full blog
Here's an old video from Raleigh that's been making the internet rounds. If you haven't
Gravel Metric by mark on May 09, 2012 read full blog
Every year North Central Cyclery in Dekalb puts on a gravel race/ride, the Gravel Metric. They release a preview video prior to the race each year as well.
Steve's Smashing Raleigh! by mark on Apr 26, 2012 read full blog
Excuse my lame attempt at British lingo. Steve was kind enough to share
Bike Safe Boston by mark on Apr 23, 2012 read full blog
Planet Bike has formed a partnership with Bike Safe Boston for distribution of their Bicyclist’s Accident Report.
Limited Edition Cascadia Fenders by mark on Apr 19, 2012 read full blog
Last Fall we asked for preorders for our White Cascadia Fenders.
The Fantastic Cleveland Tweed Ride by mark on Apr 17, 2012 read full blog
Check out this great promo video! We're glad we could be one of the sponsors for this fantastic event. If you happen to be in or around Cleveland on April 28th, this is a must!
It Pays to Pay Attention by mark on Apr 16, 2012 read full blog
We love to give away stuff in contest at Planet Bike HQ. If you're not following either our Facebook page or Twitter account
Reveal the Path by mark on Apr 11, 2012 read full blog
Reveal the Path is a forthcoming film from the makers of Ride the Divide. It features several winners of the Great Divide race
Understanding PTSD tour by mark on Apr 09, 2012 read full blog
Our friend Thomas Skinner (he's utilizing the full spectrum of our products) and his service dog Scrubs have been touring across the country for a few months now
2012 Saris Poster Contest Finalists by mark on Apr 02, 2012 read full blog
Help choose the National Winner. Vote for your favorite poster at the bottom of this page. Votes will be accepted until April 6th at noon (CST).
2012 Advocacy Award Winners Announced by mark on Mar 22, 2012 read full blog
The National Bike Summit is always one of the most exciting times of the year for bike advocates. Our own Director of Advocacy
Inventory by mark on Mar 20, 2012 read full blog
The photo below represents our stock of small parts, 179 separate SKUs to be exact. Small parts are anything from
Lovely Bicycle by mark on Mar 13, 2012 read full blog
One of the favorite blogs around PBHQ is Lovely Bicycle! It focuses mainly on transportational and recreational cycling
Campvibes by mark on Mar 09, 2012 read full blog
Looks like Chris is going camping after work tonight.
Classics Season by mark on Feb 28, 2012 read full blog
For those of us that are fans of bicycle racing, the Classics Season is one of the most exciting times of the year. The weather is cold, windy
The Final Verdict by mark on Feb 09, 2012 read full blog
We sent Guitar Ted a couple of our latest offerings a while back. He just posted his final review of both the Borealis Gloves and the Snack Sack
Tradeshows on the Mind by mark on Feb 03, 2012 read full blog
A lot of "bike people" know about the largest North American bike tradeshow of the year, Interbike, but there are a lot more than just that.
Instructional Video of the Year by mark on Jan 31, 2012 read full blog
Problem Solvers is a dandy of a company over in MN that does what? Solves problems.
Ask Your Representative to Preserve Biking and Walking by mark on Jan 26, 2012 read full blog
On Thursday, February 2, we expect the House Transportation Committee to vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that eliminates crucial funds
Snack Sack and Borealis Reviews by mark on Jan 23, 2012 read full blog
For those unfamiliar, Guitar Ted is a bike geek that hails from IA. He always offers a fair and unbiased opinion on products that he tests.
Michael's Big Fat Bike Adventure by mark on Jan 23, 2012 read full blog
Friend of Planet Bike, Michael Lemberger, shot this awesome fat bike video this winter!
Catching up with the Kiwi Chronicles by mark on Jan 19, 2012 read full blog
Russ and Laura are on quite an adventure in New Zealand. Catch up on the last two episodes!
Wisconsin Trails in Jeopardy by mark on Jan 04, 2012 read full blog
The trails at Upper Hixon Forest in La Crosse, WI, could be closed by a potential sale of city-owned property. Human Powered Trails, a member-based club in the La Crosse area, has put tremendous effort into creating a wonderful shared-use trail system on the bluffs above the river city. The club is fighting hard to save the trails — please join them.
That's a Wrap. by mark on Dec 28, 2011 read full blog
As 2011 draws to a close, I've taken some time to reflect on the past year. I have countless things to be thankful for and a few experiences I'm glad are in the past.
Information Super Highway by mark on Dec 21, 2011 read full blog
I recently became aware of a great resource for cyclists, old and new alike. The Bicycles-Stack Exchange is a simple forum for posting questions or sharing your knowledge.
Captain Safety Super Fun Reflective Stickers by mark on Dec 19, 2011 read full blog
Just a heads up y'all. Our new Captain Safety Super Fun Reflective Stickers (CSSFRS for short) are in stock!
The Hardest Part... by mark on Dec 16, 2011 read full blog
My morning commute offers a wonderful block of time for reflection. During my solo hour long spin to Planet Bike HQ my mind jumps wildly from this to that like a bouncing ball.
Kiwi Chronicles Episode 1 by mark on Dec 12, 2011 read full blog
Russ and Laura Check in from New Zealand.
Inspiration by mark on Dec 09, 2011 read full blog
On October 15th 2011, Sasha DiGiulian became the first American women to climb the grade 9a (5.14d) with her historic ascent of "Pure Imagination"
Bird's Nest Project by mark on Dec 07, 2011 read full blog
In its third year, the Birds Nest Project is a collection of volunteer Arc’teryx employees who donate their time to sew the capes at the company’s Burnaby factory.
Join in the National Launch of the 2012 Benchmarking Report by mark on Dec 05, 2011 read full blog
The Alliance is finalizing the last details of the 2012 Benchmarking Report: Bicycling and Walking in the United States and invites you to join the Alliance for Biking and Walking as they prepare for a national release of the report in January.
Russ and Laura Go to New Zealand by mark on Dec 02, 2011 read full blog
Friends of Planet Bike Russ Roca and Laura Crawford are taking their Path Less Pedaled tour international as they head to New Zealand.
Up Nort' by mark on Nov 28, 2011 read full blog
Up here in Wisconsin, we do things a little different than many other places in the country. When the months are split pretty evenly between snow
People Powered Movement Contest by mark on Nov 23, 2011 read full blog
There's just ONE WEEK LEFT for online, public voting in the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest.
Delivered by Bike by mark on Nov 22, 2011 read full blog
Just Coffee Cooperative is a worker-owned coffee roaster dedicated to creating and expanding a model of trade based on transparency, equality, and human dignity.
Trail-a-bike! by mark on Nov 21, 2011 read full blog
Check out this awesome video that the guys over at COG put together!
Bicycle Tune-Up Bill Signed by mark on Nov 17, 2011 read full blog
Yesterday, Wisconsin's Governor signed a bill to implement various updates to bicycle laws. Among the updates
Hauling by Bike by mark on Nov 16, 2011 read full blog
Alan at EcoVelo just posted a roundup of various products to help you carry your goods by bike.
At Last! by mark on Nov 14, 2011 read full blog
At last our hugely popular Protege 9.0 Wireless computer gets the update many of you have been waiting for, STEM MOUNT COMPATIBILITY!
The Cyclocross Diaries by mark on Nov 10, 2011 read full blog
Planet Bike's lone sponsored rider, Jonathan Page, is writing journals on his cyclocross season on Bicycling Magazine's website
Increased use of bikes for commuting offers economic, health benefits by mark on Nov 09, 2011 read full blog
Cutting out short auto trips and replacing them with mass transit and active transport would yield major health benefits, according to a study just published in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Rideblog by mark on Nov 07, 2011 read full blog
It's always nice to hear the perspectives of a wide range of cyclists. We feel that our products are great for cyclists across the board
Erin's Around the World Adventure by mark on Nov 04, 2011 read full blog
You may remember our blog about a year ago on 18-year-old Erin Nelson's quest to become the youngest person to
Nominations Open for Alliance 2012 Advocacy Awards by mark on Nov 03, 2011 read full blog
The Alliance for Biking & Walking has opened the public nomination period for its 2012 Advocacy Awards. Now in its fourth year, the Alliance's Advocacy Awards recognize excellence in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy.
WORBA Merge With Wisconsin Bicycle Federation Still Pending by mark on Oct 31, 2011 read full blog
Looks like we jumped the gun. IMBA sent out the below correction to the WORBA news from last week.
Preparing for Fall by mark on Oct 28, 2011 read full blog
The approach of Daylight Savings is a sure sign that cooler temperatures and dreary weather are on the way. Madison’s
WORBA Transitions to Wisconsin Bike Federation by mark on Oct 27, 2011 read full blog
The latest IMBA newsletter just popped into my inbox and was happy to see the headline 'WORBA Transitions to Wisconsin Bike Federation' halfway through.
Cure for the Bicycle Ban by mark on Oct 25, 2011 read full blog
Over the past year, there have been several townships in the cycling headlines either banning or attempting to ban cyclists on their streets.
Supercommuter Part II by mark on Oct 24, 2011 read full blog
Our most recent Supercommuter, Cecily Walker, has a personal website that is well worth
Supercommuter by mark on Oct 13, 2011 read full blog
Cecily Walker of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, certainly qualifies as a supercommuter. Whether riding to work, the store, or just
Return of the White Cascadias! by mark on Oct 12, 2011 read full blog
You may remember our limited run of white Cascadia fenders a few years back. They went over quite well and were a fun and useful item for those looking for something a
Bicycle Bucket List by mark on Oct 11, 2011 read full blog
We noticed a pretty comprehensive “cycling bucket list” on Bicycling Magazine’s website. I feel pretty fortunate that I’ve been able to ride the following from the list:
What's New? by mark on Oct 04, 2011 read full blog
An old favorite of winter cyclists just got better. The Borealis winter cycling glove has been redesigned with a windproof outer shell
What's With the Pop-up? by mark on Sep 29, 2011 read full blog
Over the last few weeks you've noticed a pop-up window asking you to sign the People for Bikes Pledge each time you visit our homepage.
Late Interbike Coverage by mark on Sep 28, 2011 read full blog
Bikecommuters.com stopped by to check out our "fresh produce" at Interbike a couple of weeks ago. In addition to snapping som
Seriousness by mark on Sep 27, 2011 read full blog
We're a pretty laid back group here at Planet Bike, but one thing we're serious about is our bikes. Here's part
Home Sweet Home by mark on Sep 27, 2011 read full blog
In a list released Monday by the State Smart Transportation Initiative, Madison is tied with Portland, OR for the greatest
Ride for Reading by mark on Sep 26, 2011 read full blog
Planet Bike offered swag and moral support to Ride for Reading's Interbike Book Delivery. Here's what they had to say about the event.
It's our home for a reason by mark on Sep 23, 2011 read full blog
It's no surprise to us that Madison, WI can be consistently found on "best places to live" lists.
A Word on Durability by mark on Sep 02, 2011 read full blog
It's always nice to get an email like the one below.
Madison MTB! by mark on Aug 18, 2011 read full blog
The folks at CORP, the local Madison non-profit Mountain Bike Club, are no strangers to progressing the mountain bike scene in the greater Madison area.
People Powered Movement Photo Contest by mark on Aug 17, 2011 read full blog
The Alliance for Biking & Walking invites you to enter your best photos of biking and walking in the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest
Get in the Saddle by mark on Jul 29, 2011 read full blog
Planet Bike is stoked to be on board for the Levi's/Urban Outfitters Get in the Saddle tour.
Cycling in the European cities by mark on Jul 19, 2011 read full blog
Today's blog comes by way of a guest writer Carlo, the community manager of Cycle Cities, the main website that promotes bicycle tourism in Europe. Carlo offers some great insight into creating your own cycling adventure in Europe.
Biking and Walking Funding Under Attack by mark on Jul 08, 2011 read full blog
In the last few days, federal funding for biking and walking programs has been under attack. We urge you to send a short email TODAY to your members of Congress.
Follow up to Cycling in Cambodia by mark on Jul 06, 2011 read full blog
Here is a cross-post from Quality Bicycle Products Facebook page on their effort to support cycling in Cambodia
Spreading the love by mark on Jun 29, 2011 read full blog
Through our friends at QBP, we were recently presented with the opportunity to help support a group of student-cyclists
Project Bike Trip by mark on Jun 24, 2011 read full blog
Stevil of All Hail the Black Market fame posted this video this morning.
The Meat of the Story by mark on Jun 15, 2011 read full blog
It’s been close to a week since we closed out the 5th annual Bacon on the Bike Path as part of Wisconsin’s Bike to Work Week. As I sit at my desk on this rainy day,
Cross Country by mark on Jun 14, 2011 read full blog
Last week I received an email from a bike industry pal in Milwaukee about a fellow named Lowell Smoger. Lowell is a recent grad
Success! by mark on Jun 09, 2011 read full blog
We just finished hauling our Bacon on the Bike Path set-up back to PB HQ (by bike!) but here's a few photos to tide you over until I'm able to write up a full report.
Who's getting stoked? by mark on Jun 07, 2011 read full blog
We are! Bacon on the Bike Path is just a few short days away!
Learning to Ride by mark on Jun 02, 2011 read full blog
This kid has got the right idea, enthusiasm for bikes!
Making a Mark by mark on May 26, 2011 read full blog
I'm ready to make my mark on the bicycle commuting population in the United States and there's no better time then National Bike Month.
Spring cleanin' by mark on May 23, 2011 read full blog
With an unusually slow Friday afternoon, I took it upon myself to clean up the Planet Bike bike parking garage/work area. It wasn't pretty, but the job got done
The Crop by mark on May 13, 2011 read full blog
Farmer Billy decided the asparagus growing in the PB back 40
Spring Newsletter out now! by mark on May 10, 2011 read full blog
We've just released our Spring Newsletter. Perfect timing for National Bike Month. If you'd like to
Brompton World Championships by mark on May 04, 2011 read full blog
This looks like a hoot! Might be a good one to put on your bucket list.
PRO photography by mark on Apr 26, 2011 read full blog
Our friends at Hawley USA take some pretty nice photos.
Fender Haiku Contest Winners by mark on Apr 21, 2011 read full blog
We had so many great entries we decided to pick 3 winners. Thanks for playing! And the results are
Chasing Legends coming to Madison! by mark on Apr 14, 2011 read full blog
Don't miss out on this! Get your tickets before they sell out.
Spring Fender Contest by mark on Apr 13, 2011 read full blog
Time for another contest folks. Send us your best fender haiku! What's that?
April Fools! by mark on Apr 04, 2011 read full blog
As a lot of you guessed, the below post wa
The Last Lap by mark on Mar 28, 2011 read full blog
If you're a regular reader of our blog, or a follower on facebook, then you've likely seen Kristin's past blogs on Women's Adventure chronicling her pregnancy
First Impressions by mark on Mar 24, 2011 read full blog
We sent our friends over at bikecommuters.com a new Superflash Turbo to test out last week. First
What's new? by mark on Mar 16, 2011 read full blog
After a brief snafu with the blog that had us locked out, we're back! Spring is looming on the horizon and we're getting ready for the busy seaso
The Turbo Flash by mark on Feb 16, 2011 read full blog
Many are wondering what the heck our new Turbo flash pattern looks like. We took two short videos today to show you what it's all about. The first is in our bike parking area (I realized there's a strange clicking noise in the background, it is not caused by the light) and the second video shows the light in daylight.
It's contest time... by mark on Feb 14, 2011 read full blog
Time for a contest. How do you enter? First, "like" us on Facebook
Restless Collective by mark on Feb 08, 2011 read full blog
This looks like an amazing project.
Superflash Turbo by mark on Feb 04, 2011 read full blog
Charles Darwin would approve of our new Superflash Turbo. It's an evolution in bicycle safety! We synthesized our time-tested design with a powerful 1 watt LED
New Comfort GEL Tape colors by mark on Feb 04, 2011 read full blog
For 2011, we’ve added a few nice new colors to our line of Comfort Cork Tape
Ride the Divide by mark on Jan 31, 2011 read full blog
Chris, Billy, Heath, and I were lucky enough to be able to see Ride the Divide last Friday as a screening came to Madison.
Patch Kits are in! by mark on Jan 27, 2011 read full blog
As Ben Franklin once wrote, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." We would also like to include to the list: “an occasional flat tire!”
Bike Winter by mark on Jan 26, 2011 read full blog
Dave passed on a great winter cycling resource, Bike Winter. There's
Road Wrap is here! by mark on Jan 20, 2011 read full blog
Our new Road Wrap Handlebar Tape harkens back to the days of Italian cycling legend Fausto Coppi.
Mission Accomplished! by mark on Jan 19, 2011 read full blog
Four years ago, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz proposed a challenge: reduce Madison’s carbon footprint by 100,000 tons by April, 2011. The Mpower Campaign hoped to achieve
Iceman by mark on Jan 17, 2011 read full blog
PB warehouse guru Chris has been putting the miles on his Surly Pugsley this winter.
Corky Grips by mark on Jan 13, 2011 read full blog
For 2011, we have some new products coming down the pipeline. One or two are top secret for now, but some we already have in our warehouse. One of the in stock newbies are the very stylish Corky Grips.
Elite women, U23 & junior men's squads named for 'Cross Worlds by mark on Jan 12, 2011 read full blog
USA Cycling is pleased to announce the first round of nominations to the United States National Team for the 2011 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, slated for January 29-30 in St. Wendel, Germany.
Gasoline Tax Myth by mark on Jan 11, 2011 read full blog
A very interesting read on how roads are funded.
Warm Feet Revisited by mark on Jan 10, 2011 read full blog
As we all get settled into our winter commuting routines, I figured now is a good time to revisit our winter riding footwear choices. Here's a little review we did last year on what works for us.
Shreddin' by mark on Jan 07, 2011 read full blog
I don't know about you, but this video really makes me want to go earn some turns. As Dave would say, "it's totally blower!"
Recycle-a-bike by mark on Jan 06, 2011 read full blog
Ever wonder what happens to all those unrepairable bicycle tubes and worn out chains that make their way through bike shops? Many times, shops will send
Something Completely Different by mark on Jan 05, 2011 read full blog
As an aspiring banjo player, I'm always searching for tips. I came across Chris Daker's YouTube site.
A very Euro Xmas. by mark on Jan 04, 2011 read full blog
Well folks, I'm back. In addition to being a Planet Bike employee, I'm also a professional cyclist. I use professional loosely as I'm not paid to do it but I do hold a professional license.
Making Bicycle Commuting YOUR Norm by mark on Dec 14, 2010 read full blog
Ask ten different bicycle commuters why they choose the mode of transportation and you'll likely get ten different answers. It boils down to a personal decision and no one reason is better than the next.
Cycling Conservatives by mark on Dec 13, 2010 read full blog
Our friends at commute by bike have an interesting article on how to talk about cycling to a conservative, written by a conservative.
What is a supercommuter? by mark on Dec 10, 2010 read full blog
From time to time we put out requests for supercommuter nominations. We feature one person each quarter that we feel truly is a supercommuter.
Hello Sacramento by mark on Dec 09, 2010 read full blog
We're big fans of "get lit" programs. That's why we support countless efforts across the
Fall 2010 Newsletter by mark on Dec 07, 2010 read full blog
We released the Fall 2010 edition of our quarterly e-newsletter last week. Click to view the newsletter.
The Freak by mark on Nov 23, 2010 read full blog
One of my favorite bike advocates is Kevin "The Freak" Freeman. Kevin has spent an enormous amount of time and effort making his community of Fayetteville, TN a more
District Hardware and the Bike Shop by mark on Nov 22, 2010 read full blog
In what I hope will become a regular blog topic, I sent out a request for Planet Bike dealers to get in touch for a bit of a profile. The first to respond was Jarrett over at District Hardware and the Bike Shop in Washington D.C.
WBR by mark on Nov 15, 2010 read full blog
Planet Bike is a proud supporter of World Bicycle Relief. If you are able to contribute, they can always use your support!
More Cowbells and More Smiles by mark on Nov 11, 2010 read full blog
Kristin's blog #2 is now posted on the Women's Adventure website. Check it out here!
Around the World by mark on Nov 05, 2010 read full blog
Today, eighteen year-old Erin Nelson will begin her attempt to set the world record of becoming the youngest person, as well as the first African American female, to bike around the world. She intends to bike 19,000 miles over the next 24 months.
Ditch the Van Tour by mark on Oct 28, 2010 read full blog
A couple of months ago we got an email from Ben Sollee's crew wondering if we'd help them out with some product. The basic idea
NYC Settles in Critical Mass Civil Rights Lawsuit by mark on Oct 19, 2010 read full blog
A $965,000 settlement has been reached and was made public by the court on Monday in a civil rights lawsuit brought against the City of New York by 83 cyclists
Actively Expecting by mark on Oct 18, 2010 read full blog
Kristin Wentworth is the sole female staffer at Planet Bike, a professional road and cyclocross racer, and now
Cru Jones by mark on Oct 14, 2010 read full blog
Check out this custom Trek singlespeed made for Colorado's Rad Ross Schnell! If you're a fan of old school BMX
Bicycle Eye Candy by mark on Oct 12, 2010 read full blog
Whether you're a fan of beautiful bikes or you're looking for tips on bike commuting, our friend
Free Upgrade! by mark on Oct 07, 2010 read full blog
Our office mail box got a free upgrade the other day, courtesy the USPS. You can see our old box on
Fall is in the Air by mark on Sep 27, 2010 read full blog
The 2010-11 cyclocross season went off with a boom this past weekend at the U.S. Grand Prix Planet Bike Cup held in Sun Prairie, WI.
Container Jenga by mark on Sep 01, 2010 read full blog
Planet Bike HQ is powered by a handful of employees, 7 to be exact. We all help out wherever needed. When a container of product comes in, everyone helps unload the boxes to stock up the warehouse.
Pedal for Good! by mark on Aug 12, 2010 read full blog
Yesterday Jeff Miller, President of the Alliance for Biking and Walking, stopped by PB HQ to fill us in on new happenings. He let us in on a way for YOU to get involved!
Clif Bar has chosen three non-profit organizations blazing the way for bicycle advocacy
Compton Powers to World Cup Podium by mark on Aug 02, 2010 read full blog
Planet Bike team member Katie Compton continues to impress the cycling world, showing that her mountain bike skills are among the best in the world. This past weekend, Katie turned in her best World Cup mountain bike performance
Planet Bike's Bacon on the Bike Path 2010 by mark on Jun 02, 2010 read full blog
On the morning of Thursday, June 10, be sure to hop on your bike a few minutes earlier to join Planet Bike and the Wisconsin Bike Federation for the 4th Annual Bacon on the Bike Path! This is a free event and is a part of the week-long Bike to Work Week festivities.
Local Hero by mark on Apr 20, 2010 read full blog
James, the young buck in the office, is a man of many talents. Having previously been employed as a bike messenger for 4 years, he's good with directions and super fast to boot.
Behind the Scenes by mark on Mar 26, 2010 read full blog
Here at Planet Bike, we love all types of riding. Many of us are partial to a nice mountain bike ride though. Some of the best trails in Wisconsin are are just 50 miles from our HQ. The Southern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest houses around 50 miles of uber sweet singletrack.
Is There an App. for That? by mark on Mar 10, 2010 read full blog
The bicycle is gaining more and more steam in being seen as a viable means of transportation. Many of us have viewed the bike in this way for years, but it's always nice to see the "mainstream" start catching on.
Join the Fun by mark on Mar 04, 2010 read full blog
Ride your bike, win swag. It's as easy as that. Go sign up at Greenlightride and create a 1 person team, then join the Planet Bike St. Paddy's Day Challenge.
Rude Awakening by mark on Mar 02, 2010 read full blog
With temperatures hovering in the mid-thirties, spring fever has begun in Madison. Being an optimist (perhaps overly), I shed the studded tires from my commuter bike. I went with a small knobbed mountain bike tire just in case we get another snow or ten.
Planet Bike Team across the globe by mark on Dec 08, 2009 read full blog
Team Planet Bike's 17 year old cross sensation Kaitlin Antonneau has been competing in Elite UCI events all season and her strong results are starting to get noticed. Cyclocross Magazine recently interviewed Kaitie about how her season has been going. Read the article here.
Sunday Muddy Sunday by mark on Nov 24, 2009 read full blog
With the domestic cyclocross season winding down, the Planet Bike cyclocross team is showing stunning form. PB employees/team members Kristin Wentworth and James LaLonde, along with teammates Linda Sone and Kaitie Antonneau headed to the North Carolina GP in Hendersonville last weekend.
Turning of the Tides by mark on Nov 18, 2009 read full blog
Today's sign of the Apocolypse: James took the crown from Chris' possession and then proceeded to hold off all challengers!
Planet Bike Dominates Near and Far by mark on Oct 05, 2009 read full blog
The Planet Bike cyclocross team is wasting no time showing it's massive power. Katie Compton traveled to Italy for round one of the World Cup and rode away from the field just two laps into the race!
The Top 10 Facts on Bicycling and Walking in the United States by mark on Aug 31, 2009 read full blog
1) Bicycling and walking make up 10% of all trips made in the U.S., but receive less than 2% of federal transportation funding.
2) Bicyclists and pedestrians account for 13% of traffic fatalities, but receive less than 1% of federal safety funding.
Setting the bar high by mark on Jul 02, 2009 read full blog
How's this for encouraging safety in the use of bicycles as transportation?!?
Matembezi Angavu by mark on Jul 01, 2009 read full blog
A while back a couple of fellows contacted Planet Bike about a touring trip they were planning from Cape Town to Cairo.
Tailgating by mark on Jun 18, 2009 read full blog
Who says you have to have a raised up 4x4 to tailgate at the local baseball game? Certainly not the local Madison bike crowd, that's for sure.
Frequent Bikers by mark on Jun 02, 2009 read full blog
The Madison area keeps proving why it is so bike friendly. Check out this cool new program
Take your brat to work day by mark on May 22, 2009 read full blog
Chris came up with a heck of a plan for this morning: meet at Olin Park, pedal over to Brat Fest, pick up a couple of Double Johnnys, and ride in to work.
Employee Bike Feature by mark on May 07, 2009 read full blog
I guess you could say we're fans of touring and touring bikes. Here's James' tourer and sometimes commuter.
Employee Bike Feature by mark on Apr 27, 2009 read full blog
Here at Planet Bike HQ you'll find each employee possesses a certain level of bike-"geekness". There's 50-60 bikes among the 8 that work here.
Versatility at its Finest by mark on Apr 21, 2009 read full blog
Another recent addition to the Planet Bike line is the Versa Rack. We racked our brains and came up with a rear rack that fits 97% of all mountain, road, and hybrid bikes.
The New Backpack by mark on Apr 15, 2009 read full blog
Cargo isn't just for ships and eighteen-wheelers anymore. Yesterday we stocked up a large portion
Spring Cleaning by mark on Mar 26, 2009 read full blog
We got rid of some junk in our trunk...
Green Machine by mark on Mar 17, 2009 read full blog
Temperatures are hitting near 70 degrees today, and Planet Bike took full advantage with 100% of the staff using pedal power to arrive at work.
Twist and Shout by mark on Mar 12, 2009 read full blog
Internet social networks seem to be all the rage these days. They’re hardly new but the masses continue to flock to them. Planet Bike is jumping on the cool kid train
See the Light (and be seen) by mark on Feb 04, 2009 read full blog
We want you to be safe when you’re out pedaling around town. That’s why we developed that fantastically intense POW! POW! blink blink burst of the Superflash tail light.
Inaugural Presence by mark on Jan 29, 2009 read full blog
Last week, as the world’s attention focused in on the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, we wanted to play at least a small role in the historic occasion.
And the nominees are... by mark on Jan 22, 2009 read full blog
Planet Bike has been selected as a finalist for REI’s 2008 Vendor Partner of the Year Award for their Actionsports Division.
New kid on the block by mark on Jan 21, 2009 read full blog
Our pals (and former PB employees) Erik and Dan have hit the ground pedaling
oh the weather outside is frightful... by mark on Jan 19, 2009 read full blog
As the snow falls and the temperatures dip many of us cyclists have to make a tough decision:
Madison-Madison, the long way by mark on Jan 06, 2009 read full blog
You may or may not recall our mention of Planet Bike pal Charlie Brigham IV back in August.
Spread the Holiday Cheer! by mark on Dec 30, 2008 read full blog
We know you’ve spoiled your friends and family with love and gifts over the Holiday season. Isn’t it about time that you spoiled yourself?
Spring Cleaning by mark on May 02, 2008 read full blog
Moppin' up at the PB
Commuter Chris by mark on Apr 14, 2008 read full blog
Our own Chris Follmer gets interviewed by bikecommuters.com
April showers by mark on Apr 01, 2008 read full blog
DIY rain booties
Warm fuzzy from Vancouver by mark on Feb 25, 2008 read full blog
Terry tells us about his experience with the Vancouver police
Xtreme office work by mark on Dec 06, 2007 read full blog
No heat last night at Planet Bike HQ, but soon our ten kilowatt solar panel installation will be complete...
New cyclocross photo gallery by mark on Nov 29, 2007 read full blog
2007 marked the first year Planet Bike sponsored a racing team. We started small, and with a type of racing that is close to our hearts: cyclocross.
We hit up races all over the country, grabbed a few podiums, got muddy, and had a blast. Here are a few photos from the season.
Limited Edition Pink Cascadia Fender Sets by mark on Sep 20, 2007 read full blog
Like Molly Ringwald, your bike can be pretty in pink
Aero Monday by mark on Aug 06, 2007 read full blog
Dan gets into a tuck and powers through some emails
The Lion King Video Test by mark on Jul 10, 2007 read full blog
No, not that Lion King. We're talking about Mario Cipollini, the flamboyant sprinter who terrorized the peloton for over a decade.
Roadie Pump Review by mark on Jul 05, 2007 read full blog
The New York Times reviews our Roadie frame pump
It Makes You Think by mark on May 08, 2007 read full blog
A picture is worth a thousand words, or 426,000 cell phones
Planet Bike Races Into Spring by mark on Apr 20, 2007 read full blog
A couple of ferocious pictures from a hard-charging sprint to the line
Chilly Hilly by mark on Mar 08, 2007 read full blog
A shout-out to a spring classic
Creepy Cool by mark on Mar 02, 2007 read full blog
Perhaps one of the coolest/creepiest pictures anyone has ever sent us of one of our products
When will you have ______ in stock? by mark on Feb 07, 2007 read full blog
Can't wait to get your hands on some of our 29er fenders or the hard-to-find BRT Straps? Here is an update on when (we think) everything will be in stock...
Logistics by mark on Jan 23, 2007 read full blog
A visitor to our new website happened to see the gallery dedicated to bicycle loads and sent us the following link to blow our minds. Indeed, they were blown: http://aistigave.hit.bg/Logistics/
Dark Days by mark on Jan 22, 2007 read full blog
"It's always night, or we wouldn't need light"
-Thelonious Monk
Happy Holidays! by mark on Dec 15, 2006 read full blog
Enjoy the holidays with some vital Idol.
