Barns of Wisconsin

Posted on Jul 10th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

I’ve been fascinated with barns for a long time. Living in Wisconsin one quickly grows accustomed to seeing barns across the countryside. It’s easy to just pass them by without a second thought, but I’ve taken a different perspective. The history, construction, and beauty has a special place in my heart. Over the las […] read more...

Protected Intersections

Posted on Jun 23rd 2014 | Advocacy, Bike Life, Blog, Video,

This is definitely an interesting concept for intersections. What do you think? Would you support protected intersections? Judging by the comments not everyone thinks it’s a good idea. Protected Intersections For Bicyclists from Nick Falbo on Vimeo. […] read more...

Calling All SUPERCOMMUTERS

Posted on Jun 16th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Super Commuters,

Each quarter Planet Bike likes to honor what we refer to as the silent hero, aka the SUPERCOMMUTER. This person rides through every season, in all weather, day or night. Choosing the simplicity, health and pleasure of bicycling, a SUPERCOMMUTER prefers to ride to the grocery store, to work, to a concert or the cafe. I […] read more...

USB

Posted on Jun 10th 2014 | Blog, News, Product,

USB rechargeable lights are really starting to come to the forefront of the bike lighting market. We’ve joined in on the full with a couple of USB rechargeable tail lights. These have been out for a bit and there’s a good chance they are already on the shelves at your local bike shop. Both the Superflash USB and Super […] read more...

Sideload Cages

Posted on Jun 4th 2014 | Blog, News, Product,

We are always trying to improve our current product line-up and add thoughtful/useful new products. A recent addition to our bottle cage lineup is the Sideload Cage. The aluminum cage is lightweight and perfect for small frames that make using normal cages a hassle. As a bonus, we’ve discovered they work really well w […] read more...

Royal 162

Posted on May 19th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

After a day of digestion I’m still completely clear on one thing: the Royal 162 is a beast of a race. After few hours of much needed sleep on Friday night we were crushing some continental breakfast and terrible hotel coffee by 6am. The consensus was to wear kneewarmers, armwarmers and vest for the low 40 degree start […] read more...

Spring Mountain Biking

Posted on May 7th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Southern Wisconsin. With temps forecasted in the mid-60s I decided to take the day off of work and get in a good ride at the Kettle Moraine State Forest or the Kettles as it’s known in Wisconsin. The trails were in prime shape and I managed a very solid 5 hour ride. If you are ever in […] read more...

Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It.

Posted on May 2nd 2014 | Advocacy, Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Yesterday was the kickoff of the 5th Annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign and the beginning of National Bike Month. Throughout the month of May, Adventure Cycling Association is campaigning to raise awareness and support for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). With the help of supporters, they’ […] read more...

The Big Apple

Posted on Apr 30th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

I just returned from a sales trip to New York City. It was a great chance to meet and talk with some great Planet Bike dealers in the NYC metro area. I also had the chance to explore the city a bit. The bike infrastructure in the downtown area is pretty impressive. Lots of Citibike stations and separated bike lanes. […] read more...

Thereabouts

Posted on Apr 24th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Thereabouts from cycling tips on Vimeo. Over the summer Port Macquarie brothers Gus and Lachlan Morton, the latter of whom rides for Garmin-Sharp, got back to basics in an attempt to recover the lost magic of the sport. This is their story; a story about the concept of ‘Thereabouts’. Read more on cyclingtips.com. […] read more...

Spring 2014 Super Commuter – Mark Martin

Posted on Apr 22nd 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Super Commuters,

Mark Martin is an anomaly. In a culture dominated by automobiles, he has chosen a car-free lifestyle. In a community with meager bike infrastructure, he has commuted by bicycle for nearly 15 years. In a world where few people are willing to take the lead and push for change, he has become a leading force for bicycle r […] read more...

Employee of the Month

Posted on Mar 13th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Our buddy Chad of Planet Bike distributor J & B Importers has recently garnered the honor of Employee of the Month down in Miami. J & B heavily encourages commuting by bike and pays their employees $4 a day if they do. Last year Chad commuted 216 days by bike. Ironically, that was enough to cover his car insur […] read more...

Alliance Announces 2014 Advocacy Award Winners

Posted on Mar 4th 2014 | Advocacy, Blog, News,

Since 2009, the Alliance has solicited public nominations for the Advocacy Awards, which recognize the exceptional efforts of individuals, organizations, and business leaders in advancing active transportation in North America. This year, the Advocacy Awards were presented by Bicycling Magazine. Check out all the winn […] read more...

Spring Thaw

Posted on Feb 19th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

I’ve been taking advantage of the mid-February thaw Madison has experienced the last two days. The sun on my face and melting snow spraying below my fenders holds a special place in my heart. A reminder that warmer days are not too far off. This one might just be a false alarm though. Freezing rain, snow and below zer […] read more...

Winter Bike to Work Day

Posted on Feb 5th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Events,

Bike commuters in Madison are a different breed. I’ve spent many winter mornings pedaling to work in below zero temperatures. Thanks to the efforts of Madison Bike Winter to support our local bike commuters, both fair-weather and diehard. This morning Heath and I set up camp along the SW bike path near UW-Madison’s Ca […] read more...

Winter Ride

Posted on Feb 3rd 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Check out this great video that Transportation Alternatives just released! […] read more...

I’m a bike geek, what’s your excuse?

Posted on Jan 31st 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

The other day I had a very interesting question posed to me in regards to bike frame material, “What kind of guy are you?” Some are died-in-the-wool steel aficionados. “Steel is real” typically their motto. Titanium? What’s not to love. Simple and generally understated in looks with a wonderful ride quality. Some pr […] read more...

Progress in Wisconsin!

Posted on Jan 22nd 2014 | Advocacy, Blog, News,

From the Wisconsin Bike Fed: The state Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously this morning to recommend our vulnerable users bill (SB-307) for passage. All three Republicans and two Democrats voted for the bill. The bill now moves on for scheduling for a vote before the full Senate. In order to get the bill […] read more...

Employee Bike Profile - Kristin's Big Dummy

Posted on Jan 21st 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

This edition of Planet Bike Employee Bike Profile features Kristin’s do-it-all long tail cargo kid-hauler! Surly is known in the bike world for no nonsense steel bikes; bikes build with a purpose that will stand the test of time.Kristin’s Big Dummy is a mostly stock build. She added the new-ish heavy duty Dummy bags […] read more...

Taking the Lane

Posted on Jan 8th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Last year we linked up with Elly Blue to help support her Taking the Lane zine. Elly has been writing about bicycle transportation since 2006. Her work has appeared in the Guardian, Bicycling, Grist, Bitch, BikePortland, Momentum, and elsewhere. Her first book, Everyday Bicycling, came out in December, 2012. Her book, […] read more...

Fender Flute

Posted on Dec 13th 2013 | Blog, Learn, Product,

I’ve been sitting on this one for a while (aka, forgot to post something). Our pals over at Problem Solvers came up with a nifty solution for the mounting of front fenders on suspension corrected forks. Well, that’s a little bit of a mouthful isn’t it? But what does it mean? The Fender Flute extends the reach of the m […] read more...

A Winter of Cyclists

Posted on Nov 26th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

This new documentary just popped onto our radar. Looks pretty neato! A Winter of Cyclists captures the inaugural Icy Bike Winter Commuting Challenge. The film follows twelve cyclists as they attempt to bicycle commute during the winter months. Watch as they challenge each other during the cold, dark and snowy Colorado […] read more...

Fall 2013 Super commuter – Adam Clark

Posted on Nov 22nd 2013 | Bike Life, Super Commuters,

Chicago’s Pedal to the People proprietor Adam Clark had an epiphany back in 2001. He sold his ’89 Plymouth Horizon and started pedaling to work every morning as the sun rose in the east.  “I felt much more alive and empowered,” remembers Adam. Since that summer, he has followed many paths but bicycles ha […] read more...

Fat bike fever!

Posted on Nov 20th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

Fat bikes are nothing new. Surly came out with their first model, the Pugsley, in 2004 or 2005. However, over the last year or two the popularity of fat bikes has exploded. This year several of the largest US bike companies entered the market. The WSJ even published an article about them last week! I was certainly c […] read more...

Heck of the North

Posted on Oct 14th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog, Events,

The Heck of the North was started in 2009. As Jeremy Kershaw returned home from the Almanzo 100, and having recently finished the Ragnarok, he came to the conclusion that the Northland needed to represent. So started the many mornings before work pouring over county maps and the many sorties up dusty, dead-end roads. […] read more...

Pedals and Steps

Posted on Oct 8th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a fitness fanatic. I just don’t feel quite right if I don’t get a solid amount of exercise most days. My fairly recent introduction to the “Dad Club” has made working out a bit more tricky than it used to be. I’m short time, sleep and energy. My best solution thus far has been intr […] read more...

New products for a new season

Posted on Sep 25th 2013 | Blog, Product,

Interbike is traditionally the release of any new products for the coming year, and we have quite a few that we’re excited about! In the coming weeks we’ll be touching on some new tail lights, pump updates, and other little product tweaks. Until then, be our guest and peruse our online annual catalog. […] read more...

A Simple Solution to Many Complex Problems

Posted on Aug 30th 2013 | Better World, Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Being a company in the bicycle industry, it should be obvious that Planet Bike will support bicycles as a form of transportation. However, we go much beyond that in our efforts to reduce our impact on this earth. We were recently featured on Madison Gas & Electric’s Green View. Much of the footage was filmed during […] read more...

Camp Bluedog

Posted on Aug 20th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

Planet Bike has been a proud supporter of Camp Bluedog for the past few years. The three day camp put on by Bluedog Cycles in Viroqua, WI (and an awesome group of volunteers) introduced roughly 60 kids to mountain biking! It is a wonderful thing to see so many kids stoked on mountain biking. […] read more...

Fading Summer Days

Posted on Aug 12th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

Somehow the calendar has flipped to August already and the change of seasons looms. We’ve been enjoying a pretty spectacular summer here in the Midwest with more moderate temperatures than last year’s scorcher. It’s been a good summer to get out and ride. These days my riding is more short trips and I’m rarely riding […] read more...