Embracing Winter

Posted on Jan 20th 2015 | Bike Life,

In a perfect world I’d never have to spend more than 2 minutes getting dressed for a bike ride. Getting frostbite on exposed skin would never cross my mind and the thought of road salt corroding my precious ride would be laughable. But living in Wisconsin these are all things I’ve learned to deal with. And, I must adm […] read more...

Polar Vortex Biking Dress Code

Posted on Jan 7th 2015 | Bike Life, Learn,

In the midst of a polar vortex, I always like to put out a reminder on biking in brutally cold temperatures. This morning on my 45 minute commute to work, the temperature was hovering around -6F with the wind chill at -25F. However, I was completely comfortable riding in the proper attire. Hands and feet have always b […] read more...

Happy Holidays!

Posted on Dec 23rd 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Happy Holidays from the Planet Bike family to you and yours. We’ll have reduced hours over the next two weeks as we take some time to recharge for 2015. Our office and warehouse will be closed December 24-28 and Dec 31-January 4. We’ll be back and ready to rock on January 5.   […] read more...

Kid Bike Love

Posted on Dec 2nd 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

I taught my 3 year old to ride a two wheeler this past weekend. He had been zooming around on his run bike for some time and could balance going downhill for more than a block with ease so I figured he’d catch on quickly. To see his determination and excitement about riding a “two wheel pedal bike!” was such a thrill […] read more...

The Best Way to Carry Cargo by Bike.

Posted on Nov 20th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Learn,

A bicycle is a beautiful thing and to optimize all if its benefits, we all want to be able to carry some stuff with us as we head down the road of life. So, what’s the best approach? Is it your trusty backpack, a classic highlighter yellow Ortlieb pannier or are you planning on getting your three kids to school in th […] read more...

Madison’s Electronic Bike Counter

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

The City of Madison installed its first visual electronic bicycle counter just under a month ago on October 9th. It’s located on the heavily trafficked Southwest Path near UW-Madison’s Camp Randall. The counter tallies bicyclists that pass over loops embedded in the path. Two counts are tallied on the counter. Near th […] read more...

Magical Bicycle Tour

Posted on Sep 29th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Product,

Heath, our Director of Product Development, set Alan and Karen up with some of our new waterproof saddle covers prior to their big tour. Below is a note that Alan sent post-tour: Karen and I are back from our magical bicycle adventure. We rode back into Madison from Minneapolis on September 10 after visiting our chi […] read more...

WisNic Partners

Posted on Sep 23rd 2014 | Advocacy, Better World, Bike Life, Blog,

WisNic Partners works to enhance the quality of life in Wisconsin & Nicaragua through people-to-people programs promoting cultural awareness & sustainable community development. Planet Bike has partnered with WisNic for the past few years in supplying them with some of our refurbished product returns. It’s gre […] read more...

More than Stores

Posted on Aug 18th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Golden Saddle Cyclery in LA seems to be doing things right; having fun and getting more people on bikes in Los Angeles. Our Superflash even makes a brief cameo in this clip. […] read more...

Employee Bike Profile

Posted on Jul 17th 2014 | Bike Life, Blog,

Here we are smack dab in the season of changing leaves, falling temperatures, and rain (at least here in WI). It’s the perfect time to take a peek at the rides in the Planet Bike garage!Jesse came on at Planet Bike last winter. It had been quite some time since his last bike upgrade; new job, new bike. He spends a […] read more...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...