A very fun site for photos of interesting cabins and other types of structures has featured a photo of my old property in Colorado.  Cabin Porn  provides fun and interesting photos of a variety of cabin and rustic type structures.  So today I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had published one of my earlier blog articles about a cabin and bath house I had finished building for some folks in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  I learned of the site by way of Aistair Humphrey's blog post A Shed of My Own where he discusses the joys of building one's own little structure.  

I have very fond memories of my old place in Colorado having grown food that I shared with friends, neighbors and travelers as well as having become a hard core bike commuter.  Having lived off grid for three years and commuting on my mountain bike approximately ten miles each way those winters spent on the bike in an early morning or early evening chill weren't as challenging as most folks imagine it was.  I have very fond memories of riding my bike through some of the most beautiful winter wonderland scenes that I remember taking a moment to stop on my bike felt a deep inner strength and knowledge that can best be described as gratitude for having the opportunity to experience that moment.  

Now that it's spring and folks are gearing up for their bike touring plans it's a good time to mention especially for those not familiar with the bike touring community at warmshowers.org.  If you're someone new to the bike touring scene I recommend clicking on the link provided, sign up and you will get an idea of the kind and energetic folks that contribute to Warm Showers providing a community for bike tourists and folks offering a place for you to sleep by providing tent space, a guest bed or couch and a shower.  It's one of the best ideas to incorporate into your trip planning as a way to meet and interact with fellow bike touring enthusiasts along the way.

I mention this because while living off grid a warm shower was something I was very grateful to have particularly in the winter.  Summers were easy and I often would simply use a Solar Shower which can best be described as a large thick plastic and or rubber five gallon bag that is warmed by the sun then placed off the ground so that a miniature shower head can be used.  It worked quite well and I enjoyed bathing under the pine trees.  

I have since moved on, Colorado was a place of mixed memories some good, some bad and of course some indifferent.  I hope whoever picks up that property continues to offer the same kind hospitable atmosphere I had intended for the place.  As I continue with an off grid lifestyle with our dome workshop I am often reminded of some of the old challenges I would face and grateful I don't have to deal with them any longer.  Here in League City, TX we offer tent space for bike touring enthusiasts via warmshowers.org as well as being able to provide healthy organic foods from our Natural Living Country Store at shopnaturalliving.com. 

Looking for a portable, lightweight and convenient method of getting a quick rinse while bike camping?  A new solar shower bag in photo at left comes in a 2.5 gallon capacity, packs small and is lightweight.  Very well reviewed item that comes with a one year warranty.  Click here for more information or to purchase 

While it's National Bike Month I have been trying to ride more often, so what is a person to do who works from home on National Bike to Work Day?  Why, go around it, of course. I'm not much for reading about statistics or really too concerned about what other folks are doing for that matter but it is nice to hear some good news from PBS News Hour where studies indicate a sixty percent increase in bike commuting in the U.S.  Click here to read the story.

Now that we have our home based business I continue to commute by bike for errands and such.  For Bike to Work Day I wanted to ride to work so I put my old Bridgestone MB 1 in our trailer we use for our business, found a convenient hassle free parking area and then rode my bike back to our store.  I needed to temporarily move the trailer for the day anyhow so it worked out very nicely and working from home for National Bike to Work Day turned out to be a fun opportunity for bike commuting. After parking the trailer and beginning my bike commute to our store I got a good chuckle from seeing our resident lawn mower commuter and just had to get a photo and mention him for bike to work day.  What a character.  After noticing his little wagon type trailer pulled behind his mower I thought of the importance of being able to conveniently carry items on the bike in an efficient manner.  I suppose it has something to do with the fact the guy is riding a lawn mower but I remembered the nice functionality of the Detours Town and Country Grassy Basket I found a month or so ago.  I had initially installed that basket on my old Puch Bergmeister but as I have been riding the Bridgestone for most of my errands I thought it would be so nice and convenient to use that basket more frequently.  After reviewing the Origin 8 Classique Cargo Carrier, Sunlite Deluxe Quick Release Rattan Basket and then the Detours Town and Country I have found the Town and Country to be a favorite for picking up a few groceries or a six pack with the drawstring closure and waterproof rain cover it's nice to use as a more versatile basket and pack bag combo.  

Thought I would share one of our favorite bike commuting accessory ideas for folks wanting to commute this month.  At any rate, hoping y'all are enjoying National Bike Month in your part of the country by participating in the various events or quietly acknowledging the efforts of the bike advocacy groups who have done so much to improve bike commuting in the U.S.   Finding detours and ways to go around those areas that are not considered bike friendly gets easier with experience.  After years of navigating city streets and suburbs having a versatile bike for going around potential hazards has become a fun way to improve riding skills and reducing risk.  

This photo shows the rain cover for the Detours Town and Country Basket on the Old Puch Bergmeister and I am looking forward to reviewing other products from Detours including some Panniers for bike touring and camping.  Here's a link to a sneak peak of their smaller Pannier Set that can be used on front or rear rack.  

Just wanting to provide an update of this tent after having owned one for a year and a half.  Photo at left shows the large vestibule for storing my panniers, handlebar bag, shoes, rain gear or whatever else I might want to keep under cover.  

An excellent "quick pitch" option is provided by purchasing the Alps Mountaineering Fitted Fabric Footprint or ground cloth.  This is an excellent lightweight and space saving option where you simply pitch the rain fly with the ground cloth, superb!  I own an REI Quarterdome 2 which although it provides much more space, weighs the same as the Alps tent being made from ultra light materials I have found the Alps Lynx 1 Tent to be such a useful option and of very good quality considering the Quarterdome 2 is a three hundred dollar tent.  

I have been toting around my old Coleman Peak 1 Cobra two person tent for almost fifteen years.  Click here to read my detailed review of that neat old tent.  A very popular and well reviewed tent with single pole design, dual entry, two vestibule areas and at 4 pounds a very versatile little two person tent for a cozy couple who sleep well together. 

My recent purchase of the Alps Mountaineering Lynx 1 tent wasn't purchased to replace that tent but to provide yet another shelter option.  At 3 pounds 15 ounces it is a bit lighter than my Coleman tent but is a free standing design that is very nice to have for versatile pitching if ground surface poses an issue to getting stakes into the ground.  

I had been considering some other tents of very similar design such as the MSR Hubba and Eureka Midori Solo.  My criteria while searching for a free standing one person tent was that it provide enough interior height and if any accessories were included.  So, in the case of the Alps Mountaineering Lynx 1 tent I appreciate the included gear loft for storing valuables such as a phone, wallet, etc. and the design does not put the storage loft over head but rather it hangs in the upper end between the wall and roof line.   Kinda nice for head room while sitting up in the tent.  I replaced the aluminum stakes that came with the tent with MSR Ground Hog stakes for lighter weight and easier to stake in.

There are varying considerations when selecting a tent and most of those have to do with pack weight, climate and ventilation.  Having a tent that feels like home away from home or I know an old time veteran to bike touring who would sleep on or under picnic tables depending on the weather.  So just how light weight a person plans to travel or if they like having dependable portable shelter comfort for cooking, blogging and, or photography is all a matter of personal choice and interests.   My experience of riding in Oregon I was stuck in a torrential down pour with such intense winds it made riding the bike difficult.  I opted to ride out the storm in my tent and was glad to have a dependable waterproof tent that held up so well to the wind.  

So, if you're looking for a small, lightweight tent at a very good price here are the Specifications of the Alps Lynx 1 Tent.  Including Links for information or purchase.  Another tent I considered for warm humid summers is the Zephyr 1 also from Alps Mountaineering is an all mesh tent body for added ventilation for the approximately the same weight and price.  Some reviewers seem to like the Zephyr 1 for bike touring as there is lots of room for storing your gear.

Another May, another year and bikes are being pedaled like never before in my short time thus far on the planet.  Advocacy groups have done so much to benefit transportation habits in many major cities in the U.S. Considering how much has changed in the past twenty years or so there's good reason to say Cheers!

It's a good month to be grateful and the month of May has been a particularly good month for me thus far.  We had a very nice Mother's Day celebration, been visiting with an old friend and my bikes are ready to ride.  Was able to finish the task of spring cleaning at the Natural Living Store and although our Pup ate a few pounds of organic ground beef off the grill we still had a very nice time.

Speaking of spring cleaning I rather enjoy getting our assorted bikes cleaned, lubed and serviced for the months ahead.  Although summers are typically very warm and humid here in South Texas I still intend to get some good riding in.  With the variety of bike events this month and memories of participating in varying ways over the years I got the urge to create a personal blog for reminiscing on some of those times while moving forward to create more fond memories and began a personal blog "Bike Memoirs" .  Please click on that underlined link provided as I would enjoy hearing any comments regarding short bit of content.

Any contribution to our National Bike Folk community is good stuff.  Would enjoy hearing how others' have participated in the 2014 National Bike Month. Whatever that is, enjoy.    

Most active folks know the importance of stretching to avoid personal injury.  Particularly as we age maintaining elasticity of muscles, tendons and ligaments not only prevents injury it also helps to prevent sore aching muscles.

Popularity of yoga and other such activities is proof of an appreciation for limber joints and some yoga poses featured in Bicycling Magazine address common problem areas for cyclists experiencing painful discomfort on longer rides.  Finding the time in a busy schedule which usually consists of juggling work and family it can sometimes be difficult enough just to find time to get in some bike ride time let alone plan a bike tour.  So incorporating stretches which can be performed while riding is not only convenient but is very practical especially if you're on a long ride such as bike touring.   A touring bike is best suited for stretching activities as the longer wheel base and common upright riding position will feel stable while stretching on the bike. 

In this free ebook from Aurora Health Care there are some very good stretches for cyclists with photos showing stretches that can be done while on and off the bike.  Click Here to download their free ebook in PDF format.  There is so much information concerning packing lists for bicycle touring knowing how to stretch properly while on and off the bike is just as important to know for a bike tour as is packing a spare tube or patch kit. 

For further reading on this subject visit Bicycling Magazine's "Seven Steps to Pain Free Cycling" with very good information describing various stretches and how us bike folk benefit from the stretches described. 

While test riding some new handlebars a friend described them as "not as forgiving" compared to other wider handlebars.  Granted he had a few beers in him and when he rode the bike sober he liked it just fine.  Now, I'm not suggesting that how a bike rides while drunk is a good test of a bike's performance.  Nonetheless I found it to be an interesting statement and useful information for this blog.  

So today I replaced those handlebars with a wider "Ergo Bar" from XLC.  With a 59 degree sweep and a curved design it is a very nice handlebar that I feel obliged to recommend particularly for the price at under ten bucks.  The style and design is reminiscent of the ever popular Albatross handlebars at a quarter of the cost.  

When someone complains about a sore butt, hand numbness or any other physical pain due to improper equipment or bike fit they are not "imagining" anything.  So that when approaching a bike to have it cooperate with the individual rider's comfort we use the phrase "ride your own ride" and sheds light on the autonomy of riding a bike.

Proper bike fit has been a popular topic with some bike shops offering advanced methods of custom bike fit as an added customer service feature.  Following is an example of proper bike fit that anyone can implement with basic bike tools or a bike multi-tool 

A simple idea of setting up handlebars, brake levers and shifters is a good example of the importance of bike ergonomics.   Photo below left provides an example of improper hand position where due to the wrist having to bend from the grip to the lever is sure to produce some discomfort, usually hand numbness or pain.  Photo on right illustrates proper hand positioning where the wrist is straight providing stronger movement for grabbing the brake lever and does not interfere with circulation preventing hand numbness and pain. This is just one example of proper bike fit and ergonomics so important for bike riders of all types.  For bike commuters and those interested in bike touring it is very important not to be distracted by unnecessary pain caused by poor equipment or improper bike fit.