‘Glove Orphanage’ project takes off at Community Cycling Center
“Re-paired” orphan gloves awaiting a new home.
(Photos: Dave McCabe)
(Photos: Dave McCabe)
You know how when you’re riding around and you see a lonely glove lying in the gutter? Ever wondered what could/should be done with those?
Well, northeast Portland residents Dave McCabe and Heather Morrill have created a fun new project that has hit the shelves of the Community Cycling Center’s bike shop on NE 17th and Alberta: It’s the “glove orphanage.’
Like its name implies, the project recycles gloves found on the road, cleans them up (“re-pairs” them), matches them with another orphan glove, and sells them for $ 1 to benefit the CCC’s non-profit work.
Dave describes the project like this: “The gLove orphanage matches up single gloves to make new pairs. It’s a form of direct recycling and it helps save money for folks in the bike community who are strapped for cash.”
And the project has been very well received so far. This spring, a pilot project to test the market was successful. “They sold out surprisingly quickly,” Dave said. He and Heather have an ample supply right now, but they’ll be looking for more orphan gloves as fall rolls around. So, next time you see an orphan glove lying on the ground, pick it up and drop it off at the CCC on 17th and Alberta.
Dave sent in these photos of he and Heather’s orphaned glove workshop:
Check out the Glove Orphanage website for more info.
Categories: Road Bike Tags: 99999999999, Ample Supply, Bike Community, Bike Shop, Ccc, Center, Community, Community Cycling Center, Cycling, Document Write, GLOVE, Gloves, Heather, Home Photos, Lying In The Gutter, Lying On The Ground, Mccabe, Morrill, Northeast Portland, Orphanage Project, Orphanage', Pilot Project, Portland Residents, Profit Work, project, Shelves, Takes
Single Speeds in Chicago
So the word is that Chicago is pretty flat. Well if that’s really true, I’d think that most Chicago commuters and sight-seeing recreational cyclists could easily get by on just a single speed. Since, I’m not from Chicago and have only pass through this wonderful city only three or four times, I’m certainly no expert on its general terrain, or the relative popularity of single speeds in Chicago.
Therefore, I’m taking this time out right now to ask Chicagoans about what they think about the practicality of using a single speed, as opposed to a multi-geared bike for cycling in Chicago. So I’m asking:
What do you guys think about solely riding single speeds in Chicago?…Is it really all that practical?
PS.
I mean, there’s just got to be hills around somewhere….Right?
Categories: Road Bike Tags: Chicago, Chicagoans, Commuters, Cycling, Practicality, Recreational Cyclists, Relative Popularity, Single, Single Speed, Speeds, Time Out, Wonderful City
Dave Wiens Named Mountain Sports Director At Western State College of Colorado – The Topeak-Ergon rider will return to his alma mater to oversee the cycling and skiing programs.
Dave Wiens has had a storied career as a professional mountain biker. A six-time Leadville winner, he was the first rider to break the seven-hour barrier there. Wiens has also won two national titles, as well as two World Cup races. And, in 2000, Wiens was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
At 48, Wiens still competes in many of the Leadville Race Series races, while also serving as director for the Gunnison Trails Commission, and now, he can also add Mountain Sports Director to that list. Accepting the post at Western State College of Colorado (Recently renamed Western State Colorado University), Wiens is opening up a new chapter in his career.
Weins will assume a coaching role as well as a recruiting role at Western State. As Mountain Sports Director he will be responsible for overseeing the Western Mountain Bike Team, the Freeride Ski Team, the Skiercross and Boardercross Teams and the Nordic Ski Team.
“It’s a whole new world,” Wiens told Bike, “but it’s still bike racing and skiiing—something I’ve been doing for a long time.”
In the past, Western State has had a consistently talented gravity squad, and Wiens is looking to bolster that by growing the team’s XC contingent, as well as padding out the women’s roster. Weins also identified cyclocross as a potential growth area, noting the stellar CX course already on the Western State campus.
“[We're] looking for kids that love racing their bikes, then put them away for the winter and start doing mountain stuff,” Wiens said.
Source: Western State College of Colorado
(June 25, 2012) – Dave Wiens (’90), an inductee of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and a six-time winner of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, will return to Western State College of Colorado/Western State Colorado University as the first Mountain Sports Team Director. He will oversee the club sport programs in cycling and skiing.
“It’s an honor for me to be able to be a part of this new beginning at Western,” Wiens said. “I have the opportunity to give back as the school moves into a new and exciting era with a new name, amazing new facilities and new programs.
“While much about Western is new, excellence in mountain sports is part of our heritage. The Mountain Sports Team will be built on the foundation that has been established by a long list of Mountaineer mountain sports athletes whose accomplishments are part of the history and legacy of Western.”
Wiens will oversee the operations for the Western Mountain Bike Team, the Free-ride Ski Team, the Skiercross and Boardercross Teams and the Nordic Ski Team. He will also be involved in recruiting, fundraising and budgeting for the program and will coordinate interaction between the teams in regards to facility and recreational land usage throughout the Gunnison Valley.
Under Weins, the Mountain Sports Team is expected to build on its recent success in the gravity and endurance mountain biking and the free-ride and Nordic skiing programs.
“I’m motivated to work with the two main pieces we have in place now, the mountain bike team and the ski team, and continue to build on what is already in place and has moved both of these teams forward during the last few years,” Wiens said. “Additionally, I think that there are some yet-to-be explored opportunities out there which could fit nicely into the Mountain Sports Team program.”
Possible expansion opportunities include snowboarding, cyclocross and road cycling, ski mountaineering, trail running and whitewater kayaking. The Mountain Sports teams will have access to some of the top recreational areas in the nation with close proximity to Hartman Rocks and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
Categories: Road Bike Tags: alma, Boardercross, College, Colorado, Colorado University, Cycling, Dave, Dave Wiens, director, Ergon, Freeride Ski, Leadville Trail 100, Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, mater, Mountain, Mountain Bike Race, Mountain Bike Team, Mountain Biker, Mountain Sports, Named, National Titles, Nordic Ski Team, oversee, Professional Mountain, programs., return, Rider, Series Races, Skiercross, skiing, Sports, Sports Director, State, Storied Career, TopeakErgon, Western, Western State College Of Colorado, Wiens, World Cup Races
Choosing A Road Bike
Article by Radley Beale
Ultimate Guide to Adventure Cycling and Which Road bike To Buy
Getting a road bike can be a large commitment especially due to the fact you’re embarking onto a new hobby and passion. You never know where it could take you, in a few years time you could be cycling everyday and competing. However for now we’ll just assume you’re gearing and really excited to start your new hobby.
Everyone needs to start somewhere and hopefully this guide is a good place to start. There are many different questions that beginners ask and this guide should cover the main ones.
Below are some things to think about when looking to choose your road bike -
Your Road Bike Compared To Your Skill Level
A road bike should always be chosen with heavy regard to your skill level. Obviously if you’re a beginner you’re going to want a road bike that’s reliable, is comfortable, is the right price and has enough gears to help you get over challenging hills.
You may be new to road bikes but not new to biking overall. Road biking is slightly different to standard biking but there are principles that apply. Look below and try and decipher what level you’re currently at when you bike or what level of commitment you’re trying to obtain.
Low Level Road Bike
Choosing a low level road bike can be tricky due to the fact many road bikes these days are very expensive. However all is not lost as you can get some great road bikes for decent prices if you look around. You may not get all of the features but you can be sure to get a road bike that does the job. If you’re just starting out and not sure how much you’re going to be using it then you should consider the pricing.
Medium Level Road Biker
A medium level biker is someone who has had a good amount of experience with bikes and many other different types including mountain and triathlon. A medium level biker should be looking at road bikes within the medium range which is anything up to 500. If you’re going to be taking it seriously then this is necessary. The best road bikes aren’t necessarily the most expensive so it’s best if you do some research beforehand.
High Level Road Biker
If you’re enthusiastic about biking and it’s a big part of your life but you’re looking for a road bike then you should make sure you’re getting the best possible. It’s known that road bikes can be expensive but if you’re dedicated and sure that you’re going to be using it often then it’s wise to invest a good deal. Most of the high level road bikes are over 500 with most being over the 1000 range. Anything over that and you’re looking at top competition standard. A high level road biker would need as many gears as possible especially to take advantage of certain conditions, make sure you don’t sell yourself short.
Gears
The standard amount of road bike gears you’re likely to find in most online and local stores are 14-33 gears. A higher amount of gears will give you the most flexibility when you’re going to tackle hills or bumpy roads with different environments. In most cases it may not be necessary to have a lot of gears, especially if the roads you travel on are mostly flat and have a similar surface. Before you consider how many gears you need look at the environments you’re going to be traveling and use that to make a decision.
Sizing Considerations
As with everything in cycling, the most important factor when it comes to buying a road bike is size. Ideally you’re going to want a bike that fits your dimensions uniquely and gives you a comfortable fit. There are three main benefits to purchasing a road bike that fits.
Comfort
With a bike that fits well and suits your physique you’ll be riding for longer without any discomfort. This is important for any journey but especially so for those long rides which can drain you. A good indicator of whether a bike will fit you is if the seat is in a comfortable position.
Efficiency
How fit and strong you are will dictate how much energy you can exert and also how much the pedals will help you to move forward. However every human body is limited in how much energy it can exert no matter how fit or strong you are. You should try and find a bike that makes it easy to peddle and also make good use of your natural body physique.
Speed
The biggest thing to slow any biker down will be his own weight and also the wind resistance that is pushed against him. That’s why you should find a bike that feels great when you sit and peddle but also when you get into full throttle.
Road Bike Accessories
Road Bike accessories will give you that edge when it comes to comfort, efficiency and most of all safety.
Reflective Clothing
Visible or reflective gear is important for anyone who is going to be taking their riding seriously, especially if you’re going to be riding at night or in any low light conditions. Many of the materials will help with comfort as well such as preventing chafing and wear.
Mirrors
Mirrors are important for road safety if you’re going to be travelling for long periods of time on the road. They will give you an indication as to how the traffic is responding behind you and are obviously important in places like roundabouts.
Helmet
If you’re going to get any accessory at all make sure you get a helmet. If you have ever seen an injury to a bike helmet after a collision then I’m sure you’ll understand why you’d rather it be your helmet than your head. Make sure you buy one of these that fit and get it with your bike as a required purchase.
How Much Should I Spend?
How much you spend is entirely up to you and it will be based on your disposable income, how much you think you’re going to ride and how experienced you already are. For a decent Road Bike that will last you a good few years you may be looking at around the 400 to 600 mark. Just be sure you look around before you buy as bike prices have been known to be slashed, especially around Christmas.
Where Should I Buy?
The question of where you should buy will always pop up. You more or less have two options, to buy from a trusted online store or to go to your local store. With either choice just make sure you’ve researched the bike before you make the final decision. A good place to look online is Amazon or eBay. Local stores tend to be slightly more expensive but for this cost you’ll be given expert advice and an opportunity to test ride them.
Online Cycling Resources
Pros• Cheaper Products• More Range• Money Off Vouchers• Quicker• Can Buy Whenever You Want• Look at reviews before purchase
Cons• No expert assistance when choosing• Harder to return items• No test rides
Local Store Biking Resources
Pros• Bikes are very visible within the store• Returns are easy• Advice is given
Cons• Entry level bikes mainly stocked• Can be expensive • Not open all the time
There are always going to be positives and negatives when it comes buying road bikes in different environments whether that’s online or offline. To really find the best road bikes you should be willing to be do a little research. One of the best ways to do this is through road bike reviews.
Do not forget to Choose a Road Bike that feels great to you, with patient review and expert advice by contacting us here, at Biking Frontiers.
Categories: Biking Tags: Beale, Beginners, Beginners Guide, bicycle, Bike, Biker, Choosing, Cycling, Decent Prices, Gears, Guide, Job, Medium Level, Medium Range, Passion, Radley, Regard, Reviews, Road, Road Bike, Road Bikes, Road Biking, Skill Level, Triathlon, Ultimate, Ultimate Guide
Cycling Oxford
A few nice cycling images I found:
Cycling Oxford
Image by tejvanphotos
Cycling photo blog – cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog
Cycling Oxford
Image by tejvanphotos
cycling in Oxford – cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog
Cycling Oxford
Image by tejvanphotos
cycling in Oxford – cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog
Categories: Biking Tags: Blog, Cycling, Cycling Uk, Image Photo, images, Oxford, Oxford Uk
Cycling Agility Tips
Graeme Street offers a few quick tips about how to get quicker on the bike by focusing on your feet and lower leg using Cyclo-HIT 30 Training and Climbing Epic.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Kim West – Kim West Radio Cycling Hour
Kim West – Kim West Radio Cycling Hour
from Kim West Radio Cycling Hour
Price: USD 0
View Details about Kim West
Categories: Biking Legislation Tags: Cycling, Hour, Radio, West
Periodic Table of Professional Cycling
A few nice cycling images I found:
Periodic Table of Professional Cycling
Image by cosmocatalano
100+ professional cycling events organized by prestige, format, and geographic location. You can read more about it here: cyclocosm.com/2010/01/a-periodic-table-of-professional-cy…
Source file I used is here: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Periodic_radiac.svg
You can buy it as a poster, too:
cyclocosm.propellshops.com/index.php?main_page=product_in…
Copenhagen Winter Cycle Chic
Image by Mikael Colville-Andersen
Winter or no winter, snow or no snow… sometimes you just need to buy paint and gear.
Cycle Chic: Photo by Theis Mortensen.
Categories: Biking Tags: Andersen, Colville, Copenhagen, Cy, Cycling, Cycling Image, Geographic Location, images, Mikael, Paint, Periodic, Periodic Table, Photo, Prestige Format, Professional, Professional Cycling, Professional Image, Radiac, Source File, Svg, Table, Wikimedia, Winter Cycle, Winter Snow
Cycling Delight with Carbon Bicycles
Bicycle riding will be more fun with the upcoming carbon made bicycles. These bicycles are specially designed to make your cycling experience a memorable one. Carbon bicycles are made up of carbon fibers which is a material made by putting various carbon sheets together. These carbon made bicycles are very strong and are very convenient to ride. Their carbon wheels add enormous joy to your cycling experience.
If you are cyclist, then carbon bicycles can be termed as ‘blessings’ to you. These carbon cycles use high-grade materials and advanced technology to come up with such performance oriented vehicle. They are made up of strong components and are extremely light in weight. The carbon bicycle with carbon wheels allows you to have a cycling experience which is fast, facilitates light riding and keeps you ahead in the race. These bicycles bring out the best cyclist in you. They make your overall cycling experience an unforgettable event.
When talking about carbon bicycles, it’s really important to choose your bicycle frame materials very carefully. They play a pivotal role in adding to the effectiveness of your carbon bicycle. The bicycle frame materials make a great difference in deciding the speed and the overall performance of the bicycle. Their design and fabrication utilizes high quality material and technology. Other than aluminum, titanium and steel, carbon fiber is the latest material which is used in making of bicycles frames especially in carbon bicycles. The carbon fiber which earlier was only used to make road forks and frames, now, it is also used to make other parts of bicycle like handlebars, seat posts, rims, stems and many more.
While buying a carbon bicycle or any other carbon bicycle component, one should properly check the components to avoid further complications in using them. Cracks, scratches or cuts should be highly avoided when you purchase components like frame, forks, brakes, seat, suspension and tire, because if ignored, these problem could further lead to the crash of carbon in your bicycle. A Volta electric bicycle is probably the best carbon cycle available among all. Though they are quite expensive, but it will transform your cycling world. It will definitely provide you an edge to revolutionize the performance of your cycling in terms of speed and effectiveness. So get set yourself and gear up for the most rocking and thrilling cycling experience with your carbon bicycles.
For more information about Carbon Bicycle Manufacturers please visit:-
Article from articlesbase.com
Categories: Biking Tags: Advanced Technology, Bicycle Frame, Bicycle Wheels, Bicycles, Blessings, Carbon, Carbon Cycles, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Fibers, Carbon Wheels, Component One, Cycling, Delight, Frame Materials, Grade Materials, Handlebars, Pivotal Role, Quality Material, Rims, Royce Bair, Scratches, Seat Posts, Stems
Cycling For Life – Cycling Tips And Advice, For Fun And Fitness
Cycling For Life – Cycling Tips And Advice, For Fun And Fitness
Table Of Contents:-
Heading into the sunset with the wind at your back
Bicycle Apparel and Gear
Bicycle Types
Bicycle Seats and Comfort Bikes Make Cycling for Life Easier
Biking Accessories Make Cycling for Life Easier
Biking Trailers and Cargo Bags Make Cycling for Life Easier
Competitive Cycling is a Phenomenon
Cycling as a Family Activity
Cycling as an Excellent Form of Exercise
Cycling to Better Health
Cycling for Cardio Health
Cycling for Life in the
List Price: $ 2.99
Price:
Categories: Mountain Biking Tags: Advice, Better Health, Bicycle Apparel, Bicycle Gear, Bicycle Seats, Biking, Cargo Bags, Comfort Bikes, Competitive Cycling, Cycling, Cycling Accessories, Exercise Health, Fitness, Fitness Cycling, Fitness Tips, Fun, Gear Bicycle, Life, Phenomenon, Sunset, Table Of Contents, Tips, Tips And Advice, Trailers