Preparing for Fall

Posted on Oct 28th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Learn,

The approach of Daylight Savings is a sure sign that cooler temperatures and dreary weather are on the way. Madison’s Fall is already well under way. The temperature when I hopped on my bike this morning was 41 degrees and there’s plenty of rain in the forecast. I’ve been a year-round bike commuter as long as I can r […] read more...

WORBA Transitions to Wisconsin Bike Federation

Posted on Oct 27th 2011 | Advocacy, 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. WORBA is the Wisconsin Off Road Bicycle Association. I see this transition as a positive given the Bike Fed’s proven track record of great results. Here’s the blurb i […] read more...

Cure for the Bicycle Ban

Posted on Oct 25th 2011 | Advocacy, Bike Life, Blog, News,

Over the past year, there have been several townships in the cycling headlines either banning or attempting to ban cyclists on their streets. I’m not sure where along the line this becomes a “good” idea. Perhaps it comes from some long-standing grudge or maybe it’s just plain ol’ easier than developing infrastructure […] read more...

Supercommuter Part II

Posted on Oct 24th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Super Commuters,

Our most recent Supercommuter, Cecily Walker, has a personal website that is well worth checking out. Wonderful photography, beautiful writing, and a healthy helping of bike content! Check out her website or her Supercommuter profile in our latest newsletter. […] read more...

Fall 2011 Super Commuter – Cecily Walker

Posted on Oct 13th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Super Commuters,

Vancouver, BC –This edition’s supercommuter is written by our friend Alan, the mastermind behind EcoVelo. Alan has a beautiful way with words and photographs. Check out his passion for cycling at EcoVelo.A supercommuter rides through every season, in all types of weather, day and night. Choosing the simplicity, health […] read more...

Return of the White Cascadias!

Posted on Oct 12th 2011 | Blog, News, Product,

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 little different. After countless conversations, we’ve decided to bring them back in a limited single-run. The white Cascadias will be available in all […] read more...

Bicycle Bucket List

Posted on Oct 11th 2011 | Bike Life, 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: 1. The Cobbles of Belgium.2. Vermont’s Green Mountains8. Ride a Bike to Work.13. A Charity Ride.19. Blue Ridge Parkway.30. Napa Valley, California.31 […] read more...

What's New?

Posted on Oct 4th 2011 | Blog, Learn, Product,

An old favorite of winter cyclists just got better. The Borealis winter cycling glove has been redesigned with a windproof outer shell and removable fleece liner to keep the cold out and keep the warm in. The removable liner helps dry time after the ride, and creates a 3-in-1 glove by usi […] read more...

What’s With the Pop-up?

Posted on Sep 29th 2011 | Advocacy, Bike Life, 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. You may have noticed this same pop-up on many other bicycle websites. What’s the deal? We’re trying to gain support for bikes! It’s quick to sign up and there’s no fee.The bike industr […] read more...

Late Interbike Coverage

Posted on Sep 28th 2011 | Blog, News, Product,

Bikecommuters.com stopped by to check out our “fresh produce” at Interbike a couple of weeks ago. In addition to snapping some of our new products, they also named our own Mr. Follmer as “one of the coolest people in the bike business.” Get a sneak peek of things coming down the pipeline. […] read more...

Seriousness

Posted on Sep 27th 2011 | Bike Life, 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 of today’s commuter stable—L to R, my Stoic Cycles DRB (dirt road bike), Jay’s Independent Fabrication Planet Cross decked out with ti Jones bars and custom Banjo Cycles rack, and Billy’s Surly Big Dummy. […] read more...

Home Sweet Home

Posted on Sep 27th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog,

In a list released Monday by the State Smart Transportation Initiative, Madison is tied with Portland, OR for the greatest percentage of bicycle commuters. Another reason we love to call Madison home. Read the article here. […] read more...

Ride for Reading

Posted on Sep 26th 2011 | Bike Life, 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: Although some details came down to the wire, our book delivery via bicycle during Interbike 2011 was rockin’! First, we want to thank Pivot Cycles / BH Cycles for making this delivery! […] read more...

It’s our home for a reason

Posted on Sep 23rd 2011 | Bike Life, Blog,

It’s no surprise to us that Madison, WI can be consistently found on “best places to live” lists. For an active individual, it’s basically a playground. Miles upon miles of great roads to bike on, wonderful mountain bike trails nearby, plowed bike paths in the winter, and the list goes on. It looks like the folks at O […] read more...

A Word on Durability

Posted on Sep 2nd 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Product,

It’s always nice to get an email like the one below. Hi – I very recently bought my 23 yo daughter a Superflash at Skirack in Burlington VT. She hadn’t had a chance to use it before her apt was hit by the flooding (due to Hurricane Irene). The water came up to within a foot of her ceiling and there was probably 3 or 4 […] read more...

Madison MTB!

Posted on Aug 18th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

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. Several years ago they began developing one of the first bicycle friendly parks in Madison at Quarry Ridge. I’ve spent countless morning hours ripping around on […] read more...

People Powered Movement Photo Contest

Posted on Aug 17th 2011 | Bike Life, 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 for a chance to win great prizes from Planet Bike, have your images featured in Momentum magazine and help build a free, online library of high-quality pictures for bike- […] read more...

Get in the Saddle

Posted on Jul 29th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog,

Planet Bike is stoked to be on board for the Levi’s/Urban Outfitters Get in the Saddle tour. Find out more …

Cycling in the European cities

Posted on Jul 19th 2011 | Bike Life, 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.Cycling gives me the opportunity to cover large areas in a short time, but still offers […] read more...

Biking and Walking Funding Under Attack

Posted on Jul 8th 2011 | Advocacy, Blog, News,

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. Tell them that you want to see funding for biking and walking programs preserved. If some Congressional leaders, like Representative Mica and Senator Inhofe, […] read more...

Follow up to Cycling in Cambodia

Posted on Jul 6th 2011 | Better World, Bike Life, Blog,

Here is a cross-post from Quality Bicycle Products Facebook page on their effort to support cycling in Cambodia: QBP Presents Leader of Cambodian Cycling Team with Trove of Bike EquipmentThis past Wednesday, QBP was honored by a visit from Luy Sokum, a championship cyclist and coach from Cambodia. After living in the […] read more...

The Meat of the Story

Posted on Jun 15th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Events,

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, I can’t help but wonder how we can make it bigger and better next year. For now though, let me reflect on this year’s edition.The planning started weeks in […] read more...

Cross Country

Posted on Jun 14th 2011 | Bike Life, 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 who wasn’t quite ready to join the work force yet. He had a grand plan to cycle across the U.S., stopping in at any bike related company that would have him (and dropping off his resume). I w […] read more...

Our frig runneth over…..with bacon!

Posted on Jun 8th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog,

Our frig runneth over…..with bacon! Our friends at Nueske’s came through again this year for the 5th annual Bacon on the Bike Path. This year, our frig is loaded with 35 lbs of the world’s most sizzalicious and delicious bacon. Come join us on Thursday from 7-10am! […] read more...

Who’s getting stoked?

Posted on Jun 7th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Events,

We are! Bacon on the Bike Path is just a few short days away! Check out the PRO setup that Chris and Heath dialed in for our test run last week.

Learning to Ride

Posted on Jun 2nd 2011 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

This kid has got the right idea, enthusiasm for bikes!

Making a Mark

Posted on May 26th 2011 | Bike Life, Blog,

I’m ready to make my mark on the bicycle commuting population in the United States and there’s no better time than National Bike Month. I hereby declare May 27th as National Work in Your Chamois Day! You may be asking yourself “do you have the authority to do that?” to which I respond yes, yes I do. Please join me tom […] read more...

CO2 Cartridge Production

Posted on May 24th 2011 | Blog, Learn, Product, Video,

I’m constantly wondering how things are made. What does the tooling look like, how big are the machines, what is the raw material before the process starts? One of our more interesting production processes is the manufacturing of CO2 cartridges. This video from the show “How It’s Made” captures the making of a cart […] read more...

Spring cleanin’

Posted on May 23rd 2011 | Bike Life, 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…our daily commuter bikes are much happier now. The garage housed quite a few gems that have gone unused for years. Two such gems are the formerly prized PB ad […] read more...

Spring 2011 Super Commuter – Geoff Williams

Posted on May 22nd 2011 | Super Commuters,

East Providence, RI – Ask Geoff Williams when he decided that commuting by bike was a viable means of transportation and you”ll likely get a confused look. “It has always been a viable means for me,” says Williams, the spring Super Commuter.Geoff grew up on his bike in the Seattle area “bombing hills and scraping […] read more...