Every day is a great day to ride a bike!

Posted on Feb 13th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog, Events,

Madison Bike Winter is a small but dedicated band of cyclists who are determined to keep their bikes out of storage when the temperature dip and snow starts to fall. In a effort to acknowledge the efforts of the area’s winter commuting community, Madison Bike Winter declared this week to be the 2nd annual Winter Bike […] read more...

Live Forward Club

Posted on Feb 11th 2013 | Bike Life, 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! Light your way through February with the Blaze 1W and Superflash Light Set. To enter to win, show some love on Facebook or Twitter. The five most creative, entertaining posts that mentio […] read more...

Cyclocross Worlds on Home Soil

Posted on Feb 6th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

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. Louisville assembled a top notch course and thousands of spectators filled the grounds at Eva Bandman Park. In case you mis […] read more...

Superflash Turbo

Posted on Feb 5th 2013 | Bike Life, 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. We tagged up a few pedicabs that were pedaling around the grounds. I’d say they were an eye-catcher! Anyone see one of these in the wild? […] read more...

Community Homestead

Posted on Jan 15th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog,

A few weeks ago we received a request for light donations from Community Homestead in Osceola, WI. Community Homestead is settled on the bluffs of the St. Croix River. The CSA helps sustain the community of nearly 40 people in six households. They are all ages, all abilities and disabilities, living and working togeth […] read more...

Champions among us

Posted on Jan 14th 2013 | Bike Life, Blog, News,

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. Conditions changed by the hour, from mud to ice to mud-covered ice…you get the idea. Al […] read more...

Adventuring

Posted on Jan 7th 2013 | Bike Life, 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. This backwoods trail is off a “hidden” Madison bike path. It looked especially packed down so I decided to give it a whirl. I was wishing for a fat bike, but had a fun adventure nonetheles […] read more...

Ringing in…

Posted on Jan 4th 2013 | Bike Life, 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. One would think the dead of winter in Wisconsin would cause a lull for a bicycle accessories company. Not true and that’s how we like it! Planet Bike wishes you all a splendid start to 2013. We ho […] read more...

Teenagers Kick Our Butts, Pt. 2

Posted on Dec 20th 2012 | Advocacy, Bike Life, Blog,

Planet Bike was a proud sponsor of Recycle-A-Bicycle’s 2012 Youth Bike Summits. We are stoked that the Youth Bike Summit is returning and have signed on as a featured sponsor for the 2013 edition this February! In Recycle-A-Bicycle ‘s eighteenth year, they’ve celebrated some encouraging growth. The Inaugural Youth Bik […] read more...

Every kid needs a bike

Posted on Dec 18th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Our friends at the Workshop at the Oasis bike shop in Nashville recently shared with us how they’ve been working with Hands On Nashville to distribute nearly 400 bikes to kids in need. We donate to various earn a bike programs and are proud of the work these folks are doing. They put together this little video s […] read more...

biking = joy

Posted on Nov 26th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

I Bike Fresno has this awesome short: […] read more...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on Nov 21st 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

From the Planet Bike family to you and yours, we wish you a splendid Thanksgiving. Stay safe out there everyone!  

Mousetrap to the Extreme

Posted on Nov 14th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

Wow. Just…Wow.

Keep on truckin’

Posted on Nov 12th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

Madison Bike Winter held a fashion show on Sunday. Here is Below, Peter Gray goes from winter bike ninja to business executive in a flash. The full slide show shows lots of types of people (men, women, executives, slobs, students, etc.) showing off and explaining their winter gear. Thanks to Nathan Vergin for all the […] read more...

Re-think the Auto

Posted on Nov 12th 2012 | Bike Life, 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? Well, Mr. Gorton created the program. Mark Gorton is also a staunch advocate for bicycle rights. Even some bike advocates label his ideas as too extreme, but I like Mark’s st […] read more...

Caring for the Less Fortunate

Posted on Nov 8th 2012 | Bike Life, 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 and noticed a huge portion of people using bikes but without proper lights or locks. RL asked if we could donate some product. We were happy to oblige. Thank you for coming up wit […] read more...

Bike Industry Pitches In for NYC

Posted on Nov 1st 2012 | Bike Life, 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.The industry and advocates are making the most of an opportunity to help people use their bikes, in hope that they will continue to do so when transportation in the city returns to normal. Read […] read more...

Busted!

Posted on Nov 1st 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

The Madison Police Department’s Special Event Unit descended upon Planet Bike HQ last week. Fortunately, it was to express their thanks for our continued support of their bicycle unit! Planet Bike has supported the squad since 2004. It’s not often you get a photo op. like this, so we had to take advantage! […] read more...

There’s always someone harder

Posted on Oct 30th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

Thanks to Jonathan Maus at www.BikePortland.org for sharing. See more of Jonathan’s series People On Bikes. […] read more...

Support What You Love

Posted on Oct 19th 2012 | Advocacy, Bike Life, 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, so you can let everyone know you’re a bicycle supporter!

Get out the Door…NOW!

Posted on Oct 5th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

In many parts of the country, the season is turning. This is especially true in Madison! The trees are covered in Autumnal fire. It’s a spectacle that is one of my favorites to take in. The temperatures are beginning to dip but the sun still shines aplenty. It is my favorite time of the year to get outside and enjoy w […] read more...

12 Time Management Tips

Posted on Aug 14th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

Our friends over at Women’s Adventure Magazine have got some really great blog posts on a myriad of subjects. I just saw this one today and thought it was so great I needed to pass it on. […] read more...

Cardboard Bicycle

Posted on Aug 6th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

This is unbelievable. The amazing cardboard bicycle.

How Bikes Make Cities Cool

Posted on Jul 30th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

How Bikes Make Cities Cool – Portland from Kona Bikes on Vimeo. […] read more...

Federal RTP Trail Funding Secured for Two Years

Posted on Jul 19th 2012 | Bike Life, 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 approved this July. An $85 million program, RTP strongly benefits mountain bikers and funds the development and maintenance of thousands of trai […] read more...

Crusher in the Tushar

Posted on Jul 17th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, Video,

As a bike racer, I often have a hard time describing the pain of a race that translates to satisfaction at the finish. I think this video does a pretty good job showing this. The Crusher in the Tushar is a 72 mile race in Beaver, UT with 10,000 feet of climbing.2012 Crusher in the Tushar from Fat Cyclist on Vimeo. […] read more...

New MTB Ride Center in WI?

Posted on Jul 12th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog, News,

Well, not yet, but the idea is further along than I knew of. Check out the blog post on the BFW website. Sounds promising!

This land is our land

Posted on Jul 2nd 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

With the traffic, the property line fences, and no trespassing signs I sometimes forget public land is meant for all of us. If you’re up for an adventure there are some real gems out there. My favorites include rivers and lakes by canoe, backcountry trails by foot, and of course any type of road or trail by bike. It’s […] read more...

The Chequamegon 100; lovely, dark and deep.

Posted on Jun 25th 2012 | Bike Life, Blog,

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. 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? Sounds like an adventure.The laid back […] read more...

Weekend Adventures Lie Ahead!

Posted on Jun 21st 2012 | Bike Life, 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 I wasn’t set to head north to ride the best trails in WI at the Chequamegon 100! Hope you all have something equally exciting planned! […] read more...