Last weekend, I had the great opportunity to participate in the Tour de Fat! This event is basically a huge bicycle parade with people wearing funky costumes and decorated bikes, followed by a festival with music and food. The Tour is sponsored by the New Belgium brewing company – a beer company who just happen to also be fans of bikes and sustainable transportation!

Pirates in the Madsen

I had not participated in this before, so we weren’t too sure what to expect other than “decorate your bikes”. We decorated the Xtracycle and my daugther’s bike with colorful streamers and the kids dressed in costumes complete with tails sticking out behind. Then we headed down to Ann Morrison park where the parade was meeting.

What we found was a huge number of bikers assembling to roving music. We met 3 other people with Madsen bikes (an estimated 50% of the Madsen owners in Boise), one of whom actually bought her electric assist kit from Cycle 9!

After milling around for awhile, the parade started heading out and we joined the slow moving group. We were fortunate to be near one of the roving music trikes, and jammed out to tunes while riding with the crowd.

Bikes stretched all the way to the capital building in the distance

The tour route took over one of the main arteries through downtown – a 4 lane, one-way road that crosses the river and approaches the capital building. People were ringing their bells, cheering and waving to waiting cars and generally having a good time. As we neared the capital and turned the corner and there were bikes as far as I could see in both directions, including the apx 1 mile behind me down Capital blvd. It reminded me of pictures of the Boston marathon or something. I heard later that an estimated 3,000 people participated in the parade – a new record.

Of course, a main purpose to the tour is FUN. But the festival afterwards was also a fundraiser for local bike projects. Sales of beer, food and festival booths raised over $43,000 for Southwest Idaho Mountain Biking Association, Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance and Boise Bike Project to put to good use in the community.

Just goes to show what can happen when bikers get together!

I’m glad I got a chance to participate in this really fun event, and I encourage you to do so if you’re in one of the Tour cities. Go out and meet your biking community!

I wanted to help spread the word about two upcoming events in our area:  Joy Ride and the 2011  kick-off stop of the 2011 edition of  the Tour de Fat. Both events are being held in our neighboring city of Durham, NC.

The Joy Ride is a celebration of New Belgium Brewing Co’s 20th anniversary. New Belgium, for those uninitiated, is a bike-centered company and makers of fine adult beverages. The  Saturday June 4th event starts with a toast at Tyler’s in Durham @ 3pm. Then a ride leaving @ 3;30pm to Full Steam Brewery with a second toast @4pm and finally back to the tobacco district for more liquid refreshments. Costumes are encouraged and appreciated.

The first stop of the 2011 Tour de Fat sponsored by New Belgium gets underway at 10am Saturday June 25th @ Diamond View Park (in American Tobacco Park). Here a couple of links : http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat.aspx  and  http://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat . Be sure to get there early for registration. This ballyhoo of good times will be benefitting North Carolina Active Transportation Alliance. Music and theatrics to follow the ride.

Hope to see you there!

Steve

We’re already a week into the month but it’s never too late to celebrate bikes. May is “National Bike Month” and here’s a rundown of what’s happening in the shop and around town:

Come by the shop for Bike to Work Week(s!), May 1-20 To celebrate come by Cycle 9 for:

• 15% Off Commuter Accessories
• 20% Off Tune-Ups
• FREE Bicycle Inspections (We’ll check out your bike and recommend any necessary service)

Carrboro Bike Breakfast, Tues May 17, 7am – 10am Completely FREE and open to the public (IN THE PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM ARMADILLO GRILL IN CARRBORO)

• Bike Check-Ups and Maintenance
• Food!: Biscuits from Neal’s Deli, Coffee from Open Eye
• Raffle for Prizes and other fun Giveaways

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Bicycle Parade, Fri May 20 @ 5:30pm

• Meet at Wallace Plaza (on top of the Rosemary St. Parking Deck) for an 8-mile “Bike Parade” loop thru Chapel Hill and Carrboro with food and live music at the end.                                                             –Riders of all ages and abilities welcome–

Bike & Bus Workshop, Sat May 14 9am – Noon (Details can be found HERE)

BikeAbility Adapted Event, Sat May 21 10am – 2pm

• Safety Clinic and Adaptive Bike Demo for children and adults with special needs. Must register in advance. See Chapel Hill Parks and Rec for details and registration.

Ortileb and Tubus  - Incredible Touring Gear now available

After some heated debate (not really, but it sounds good) we are now an Ortileb and Tubus dealer. Our touring business took off last summer so we added some selection to the touring bikes we carry. We in turn added some expedition worthy front and rear racks. Now, we have some of the best racks, bags and panniers on hand. If you haven’t heard of Ortlieb, or Tubus for that matter, do a little searching  about touring. Their name and reputation is top notch.

What do that mean to you? Well, we are the only bike shop in the area, possibly this part of the state that stocks true touring equipment. We have the knowledge to assist you in your important gear decisions. Plus, we like talking about it. Good luck finding that anywhere else.

Feel free to call, email or come by with any questions about touring (or whatever else is on your mind).

My name is Steve and I am your local bike shop.

Honestly, I don’t expect you to be able to work on your bike.  And mostly, that’s okay–we’re here for you.  But there are a couple of exceptions that will markedly improve your bike-riding life.  And I bet you already know what they are…

Number One:  Changing a tire, or inner tube. For most us, this experience will reveal itself as the Dreaded Flat Tire.  But really, it doesn’t have to be the ordeal that you may have been imagining.  And a little instruction goes a long way.

Number Two:  Lubricating your chain. You’re probably thinking, “How involved can that be?”  And you’re right; a lot of methods will work here.  But they don’t all work well, and there is a Better Way, and I can help with that.

And so, on December 16, we’ll have our first in a series of basic maintenance classes.  Many of you have already expressed interest, and we’ll be contacting you folks directly soon.  For the rest of you, please contact us at Cycle 9, and we’ll get you signed up and scheduled.

The first class will be December 16, at 6:30p.  The next class is tentatively scheduled for December 19, at 2:00p.  Cost for these classes will be $15 (that’s one flat fix), and we’ll be offering special pricing on supplies for attendees.  So please join me; it will fun, really.

I’m Tod, and I’m your local bike shop.

Adventure cycling!

It’s fun to hear stories about adventure cycling, and this is one of the better ones I’ve heard! I think one of the fun things about it is that it’s inspiring, especially when you meet and know the people who do things and know them as regular people who are just like you and me. Kind of makes you think about doing something crazy??

One of the things our “hero” Matt says in the movie is something to the effect of – “you have to take the time to do these things, because if you don’t, life will just pass you by”. How true that is. And not just for big things that take a month. Even for small things, like noticing what color the crack in the sidewalk is (just pointed out by your toddler) or enjoying the fact that it’s a sunny day. Seize The Day!

-Elise

Go By Bike is a daily video series that talks about how to be green by riding more and using your car less, including electric bikes, electric kits, cargo bikes, bike safety, and getting motivated to bike

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How to keep the Kiddos Dry on a Rainy Day?

When cycling with kids in tow, most of the time we try to pick good weather. But what do you do if it rains or want to cycle anyway, even if it’s a little wet? In today’s episode of Go By Bike, I give the “high tech” solution that I use (don’t worry, it’s really not that high tech!).

Have you used this solution or others? What do you do about rain?

Leave your comments below.

-Elise

Go By Bike is a daily video series that talks about how to be green by riding more and using your car less, including electric bikes, electric kits, cargo bikes, bike safety, and getting motivated to bike.

If you like this video, please  digg it, stumble upon it, tweet about it or post it to delicious or facebook using one of the links below

Click to Sign UP for our list to be notified of new video topics and other great happenings at Cycle 9

For safe riding, be sure to watch the road surface

Most bicycle accidents are not caused by collisions with cars, they are caused by rider error. This is a good thing because it means if we learn more about riding and get better at it, we minimize our risks and increase our safety on the road. One big source of crashes, especially for newer riders, is irregularities in the road surface. In today’s video I discuss this issue and what to look out for.

-Elise

Go By Bike is a daily video series that talks about how to be green by riding more and using your car less, including electric bikes, electric kits, cargo bikes, bike safety, and getting motivated to bike

If you like this video, please  digg it, stumble upon it, tweet about it or post it to delicious or facebook using one of the links below

Click to Sign UP for our list to be notified of new video topics and other great happenings at Cycle 9

When do we learn to hate the rain?

After our long dry spell and then recent gusher, I started contemplating our reactions to rain. In today’s video I give you my thoughts and something to contemplate yourself next time it’s raining out.

What do you think? Do you hate the rain? or are you able to enjoy it sometimes?

-Elise

Go By Bike is a daily video series that talks about how to be green by riding more and using your car less, including electric bikes, electric kits, cargo bikes, bike safety, and getting motivated to bike

If you like this video, please  digg it, stumble upon it, tweet about it or post it to delicious or facebook using one of the links below

Click to Sign UP for our list to be notified of new video topics and other great happenings at Cycle 9

Try biking to work next week – It’s Bike To Work week!

Next week (May 17-21, 2010) is Bike To Work Week. This is one week in May each year where there are events and activities that encourage people to try biking to work. If you haven’t tried biking to work before, why not try it next week! In today’s video I give 5 easy tips to think about if you want to try a new bike commute.

Below are the details of events in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. In addition to the events, Cycle 9 is offering FREE inspections of your bike all week and will have some in-store specials going.

There may be events in your area. Check these web resources and your lcoal media to see what’s going on.

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/events.php

http://biketoworkweek.org/index.php

What other tips do you have for biking to work? Add your comments below.

-Elise

Events in Chapel Hill and Carrboro:

In addition to these events, if you take the Smart Commute Challenge, you could win fabulous prizes! All you have to do is try an alternate form of transportation one time during the month of May. See info at the end.

Saturday, May 15: Bus & Bike Workshops:  Information on how to load a bike onto a bus, hands-on demonstrations and information about rules of the road.

-  Estes Drive (University Mall) Farmers Market –   8:30 a.m. to Noon

-  Carrboro Town Commons Farmers Market - 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Tuesday, May 18: Bike Breakfast Workshop – 7 to 10 a.m.: Meet in the parking lot across from the Open Eye Café for bicycle inspections and small repairs, special drawings and free coffee and snacks!

Friday, May 21: Bike Chapel Hill-Carrboro – An 8-mile cycling event for individuals or families ending with food, bands and other fun activities!

-  5:30 p.m.: Registration at the Wallace Deck (no fee). Bring your bicycle!6 p.m.: Tour begins.

-  6:30: Cyclists stop for water break at Carrboro Town Commons where Chapel Hill and Carrboro leaders will make comments and join the ride.
-  7 p.m.: The group finishes on the Wallace Deck in Chapel Hill with a band, food and informational tables.

Take the SmartCommute Challenge! Use any form of alternative transportation (bike, walk, carpool, bus, etc.) at least once before May 30 and register at SmartCommuteChallenge.org. You will be entered into a drawing for $1500, laptop computers and other great prizes!