Stuff, stuff and more stuff, that seems to be the theme when reading articles and posts referring to packing panniers for bicycle touring.  Or the latest must have gadget for bicycle commuting.  Or just because the weekend group ride leader has the same jersey.  

Whatever, people like buying stuff, folks like receiving stuff and that's as it should be.  Help keep that big wheel of commerce cranking with the following gift ideas that are easy on the pocket book, filled with warm Christmas Season sentiment (^%&*&%) and well, just good practical stuff that just might help the winter cyclist hop on his or her bike this Holiday Season.

MSRP $1,600
The Campeur from Velo Orange ...."were I forced to limit myself to a single bike, this may well be the leading candidate".  Quote from Adventure Cyclist July 2013.   Velo Orange now offers the Campeur as a complete bike with the frame set still available at $500. 

Specs. and frame geometry details are available at their site.  Click on the photo for more information at the ever popular Velo Orange blog.

MSRP $5,735.00
Darren Alf of Bicycle Touring Pro is really enjoying the travel abilities of this astoundingly well made bike from Co-Motion.  Difference between Darren's bike and this one is the Rohloff 14 speed internally geared and belt driven rear hub.  Available with the co pilot travel case, visit the Co-Motion site for more information by clicking on photo provided.

MSRP $2099.00
Of course I had to include a bike from Joe Breezer who kicked off mountain bike builds in 1977 and continues to contribute innovative ideas with cutting edge technology for commuting aficionados. Breezer Beltway 11 has the Alfine hub and light sensitive generator lights to simplify commuting needs.  Complete with disc brake, rear rack and fenders, it's everything you need for a top of the line commuter that can be used for touring or world bike travel.  Click on photo for more information.

MSRP $2,300 (for non diaga tube 48cm) to $3,000
Rivendell Bombadil, what a beauty and nothing short of a work of art with classic designed lugs from top quality materials.  A timeless classic built for decades of riding pleasure.  This is one tough, heavy duty bike, not nearly as light weight as the Breezer Beltway 11 but that's not its' forte.  If you're looking for a stout tubed mountain bike for loaded touring that bang along a rocky mountain path and take it, consider the Bombadil from Rivendell.

Specs, frame geometry and pricing available at their wonderful blog and site by clicking on photo.

No MSRP, NICE.  
This is the fun stuff, am I right?
A bike that you find on Craig's List or at a garage sale is like a treasure hunting field trip.  So much fun and the sense of satisfaction not only from finding a great bargain, but more often than not these types of bikes usually need some TLC, parts replaced or servicing.  Usually lots of fun to take to your LBS as a conversation piece and is a fun way to establish a relationship with your LBS.   

Suggested build cost $450 or less
Another fun idea, find a new frame that is inexpensive but not "cheap" to build on at your leisure.  If you're an avid DIYer tinkering on bikes as a hobby you probably notice at some point you end up with quite a few extra parts, components and accessories lying around.  Take inventory of those random odds and ends some time and see if you can slap together a fun ride.  After all once you build something yourself it's so much fun to share your new found ideas with others.  Franken bikes can be a sweet way of saying I love, too.  

I have done my part as an active participant for bike advocacy.  When I owned a bike shop in Carlsbad, NM I worked with the League of American Bicyclists to campaign the mayor at the time.  Now, when you travel through Carlsbad and see bike lanes it's because I was there.

Now I live in League City, TX where bicycle commuting is not real common place, there are few if any designated bike lanes and to tell you the truth it doesn't bother me.  Miles and miles of rural country roads are very nice for road and touring bikes outside of town and along the coast.  It's beautiful.  Jack Brooks Park offers some excellent mountain bike trails for all skill levels and is very well maintained.  In town I decided to build a bike to suit my needs of getting around without waiting for politically correct rhetoric to tell me it's safe to ride a bike here.  

After all, commuting is simply the means of getting from point A to point B on a bicycle.  I don't have the need to feel qualified in the eyes of some ambiguous transportation authority to validate my non motorized vehicle.  I choose my routes on less busy side streets whenever possible, ride on sidewalks when appropriate, ride through vacant lots, etc.  This style of commuting makes me a better rider, more aware, attentive and knowing my routes' routine traffic or road surface hazards, when it rains heavy which roads flood first, etc.  

It's easy to be a law abiding citizen and ride where I please on my bike  So far the only strict bicycle related traffic law I have encountered is the necessity of using a front light to be visible to traffic.  Other than that the local law enforcement is fairly lenient towards cyclists.  My reason for saying this is on main street here where people are repeatedly stopped for j walking, I have not and will not be pulled over for crossing the same street on a bike. It's a good idea to know the rules of the road for your state and are very to find online.  Here's a link for Texas rules of the road made available from Bike Houston.

So far as drivers are concerned, if the area is simply not accustomed to seeing routine bicycle commuters than why would I get angry and blame them for utter lack of experience and naivete.  I have yet to have any sort of grievance toward a driver while on my bike in this area and as much as that might be because I have become so thick skinned to driver bullying that I simply block it out, it still feels as though the area is easy to navigate.  As mentioned riding experience definitely plays a role here.  I recently realized how much of my riding expertise I have taken for granted when I was on a ride with newbie to commuting.  Commuting is so much different than recreational trail riding.  Navigating traffic is very different than navigating inanimate terrain.  If you're new to bicycle commuting and want a course on traffic skills check out the League of American Bicyclists.  Very skilled and experienced instructors offer workshops all over the country, here's a link to the Houston, TX area workshop.    

Once a cyclist develops bicycle commuting skills it really can make a person a better rider, which is just one of the many benefits of getting involved with bicycle commuting.  Speaking of commuter benefits visit nuride to see if your area is participating in their rewards program.  It's free to sign up and log commuter and errand miles thereby earning rewards points.  Reward points for bicycle commuting are then redeemed at a large selection of participating businesses either local or online.   

Considered by many bike folks to be one of the best bicycle book authors of all time.  Not simply because of his expert knowledge on the variety of cycling subject matter.  Richard Ballantine has been entertaining cyclists interested in bike travel, bicycle touring, commuting and mountain biking for decades.  

Filled with numerous fun filled illustrations, witty, real and devoted to the world of bikes.  You will find yourself quoting some of his silly banter particularly when it comes to bike advocacy and safe bicycle commuting.

With a no nonsense approach, yet able to make fun of outmoded bicycle uses witnessed during the evolution of the bicycle not only informs us bike folk but keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously.  Something I have always felt to be a good idea with many of my "hard core enthusiast" friends.


Click on the photo to download the free ebook in Adobe Acrobat PDF or click on the link provided below.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our Bike Family to yours this Holiday Season.

Alessandro Ferrara of the Bicycle Tour Hosting Group "Bikes and Lemons" is promoting their one week tours on the beautiful island of Sicily.  

Their tours offer a variety of accommodations and rides for different skill levels.  Several different bike paths between Palermo and Trapani are given a theme name, which are listed here.

1. City Tour is for entry level riders or anyone who wants to discover the food, culture and history of Palermo, Sicily.
   
2. Mountain Tour is mostly dry roads and single track with hills and is for more skilled endurance riders. A self evaluation form at their website helps those in question whether they would enjoy  that tour.
3. Art Tour around Segesta is a 35km ride for average skilled cyclists around the archaeological site of Segesta, one of the first Greek colonies of Sicily.
4. Wine Tour of famous wines of Sicily through vineyard covered hills and landscapes.  Accommodations can be selected along the route rather than pre planned, fo those wanting to have a spontaneous wine tasting bicycle tour.
5. Sea Tour of Castellammare with two tours offered one for beginner bike tours of 20km along the coast of 45 km for more advanced touring cyclists.

At one of my favorite blogs "Bikes for the Rest of Us" I found some valuable information regarding some commuter bikes that I am not familiar with.

Gran Royale, which seems to be a division of the BMX manufacturer EASTERN Bikes are available for purchase at close out prices.  I came upon this while researching some three speed wheels for building a traveling commuter bike.

Steel frames available as single speeds in cruiser and track bike styles as well as three speeds with coaster brakes.  Several models and colors to choose from with some of the prices reduced by three hundred dollars or more.  Though I cannot write a review as of yet, I have provided a link for information and link to shop for and purchase some of the excellent deals going on for a simple, dependable bike for commuting.

Since connecting with Lisa Piper of Natural Living Organic Food Co-op I have learned to appreciate the benefits of eating natural and organic foods.

Working in bike shops the typical sources of fueling a ride with assorted energy gels, energy drinks and energy bars has proven to be of little benefit when compared to fresh healthy foods.  Three years ago when I met Lisa I offered sustainable delivery as an additional perk to her start up business.  Since that time the business has expanded to the extent that having a very fuel efficient vehicle is necessary for all the deliveries to be made in a timely manner.  

A recent article in Change Magazine published the photo shown of my Nashbar Bike Touring frame and bicycle trailer to feature the Co-op's efforts. Good timing for a Thanksgiving Day "blog about".  I am so grateful to be able to give thanks for the organic, fresh foods we consume on a daily basis and are able to share with others by providing a source of that nourishment for folks who appreciate it. 
It's a beautiful day for riding here along the Texas Gulf Coast and winter weather here is very agreeable for cycling.  We have so much to be grateful for today and it doesn't go unrecognized.    
Happy Thanksgiving! 

Photo displayed here was created on a very early evening near Kema along the Texas Gulf Coast.  I was hoping to get a good enough photo for The Loaded Touring Bikes site as I have much respect for the folks who travel the world on two wheels and take time to share their photos.  What a cool site full of very interesting loaded touring bikes from all over the world.  Click on the green link provided and visit The Loaded Touring Bikes Page on Facebook.  Quote below better describes the site and is from their About Page.

Pagosa Springs, CO is home to some of the most desirable tourist attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.  Skiing and Snowboarding at Wolfe Creek Ski Resort, Pagosa Hot Springs is one of the largest hot springs resorts in the country, an organic brew pub, live jazz every Wednesday night, excellent coffee houses and so much more.  
Cyclists of all types love the area with rides such as "Ride the Rockies", the RAM (Ride Across America) as well as several local group rides and events.  Mountain Bike Rentals are abundant at the local bike shops including The Hub of Pagosa and Pedal and Powder.  

Having lived in Pagosa Springs, CO for almost ten years and owning property there I enjoy riding back and forth along Hwy 160 which offers a nice wide shoulder for road riding, bike touring and bike commuting.  During the winter it is convenient to load a bike onto the commuter bus which has a bike carrier mounted on the front from Mountain Express Public Transit.

Click on any of the links provided above in this article for more information.  I am looking forward to the day when I will get back to my property for a nice long mountain bike tour and visit of the area.  I am also looking forward to the day when my rustic off grid cabin getaway will be available to rent to fellow bike tourists, winter vacationers or mountain biking tours.  For more information click on photo below for an article regarding my cabin and property at my personal blog, visit Natural Biking.