Commuting Goes Mainstream At The 2008 Interbike International Bicycle Expo
October 5, 2008 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
It’s been one week since I returned from the 2008 Interbike International Bicycle Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since that time I’ve shared the Lance Armstrong cyclo-cross race and the Urban Legend Fashion Show with you. But today I want to talk about something a little different.
What I want to talk about today was a big topic of conversation at the Expo this year… and something I think is only going to become more popular in the years to come.
What exactly am I talking about?
I’m talking about bicycle commuting! Read more
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Interbike 2008 Urban Legend Fashion Show
September 29, 2008 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
Day two of the 2008 Interbike International Bicycle Expo ended with a fashion show featuring the clothes, bikes, and accessories of more than 50 different companies. The line up included fashions designed for gym, weekend casual, day casual, work, semi-formal, and formal occasions.
At the show the runway was set up in a circular arrangement. The models would ride a bike (sometimes a commuter bike, sometimes a folder, and sometimes a tricycle) halfway around the stage before stopping, exiting the bike, and posing for the cameras. They would then (typically, but not always) walk the bike the rest of the way around the runway before stopping one more time, posing for the cameras yet again, and then exiting the stage.
From what I understood, the goal of the show was to feature fashions that steer clear of the neon colors most often associated with cyclists. Instead, the models were seen wearing more muted colors – clothes you might not ever associate with a biker. In the end, the women came on stage in full-length dresses – something I imagine would be quite difficult to do any serious riding in. Read more
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4 More Things You Should Know About Selecting A Bicycle Mirror
September 28, 2008 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
This week I had the pleasure of working with the fine folks from CycleAware (a company located in Aptos, California that makes mirrors and other bicycle safety products) at the 2008 Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was asked to work the CycleAware booth after writing a review of the various types of bicycle mirrors… and I was happy to accept their invitation.
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Sea To Summit Titanium Spork
August 23, 2008 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
When traveling by bike, you should always be on the look out for ways to make your load lighter. Weight is not a cyclist’s friend, and if you can find a way to reduce the weight or size of your packs, you should do it! Sometimes this is done by buying lighter or more compact equipment, but other times this can be done by combining two separate items and into a single item that can be used for both purposes.
That’s why when I was recently pursuing my favorite sporting goods store in Ventura, California – Cheap Sports; I came across the Sea To Summit Titanium Spork
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Why Color Is So Important On A Bicycle Tour
August 9, 2008 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
Color isn’t something I first thought about when I began traveling by bike, but over the years I’ve come to the realization that color is very important. When traveling by bike, there are a number of areas to pay attention to when selecting colors… and I want to talk about these areas today.
Panniers:
When traveling by bike, most of your days are going to be spent in the saddle. If you are traveling with panniers, you need to make special effort when selecting your pannier colors. As you will see in a moment, color says a lot about you and can instantly determine whether or not you will remain safe while out on the road. Read more
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How To Make Your Own Working Camp Stove
July 31, 2008 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
Finding the right stove for your bicycle tour can be difficult. There are dozens of different stoves to choose from and it seems as though each one requires a different type of fuel. That’s why, years ago, when I came across the designs for a working camp stove made out of two ordinary soda cans, I knew I had stumbled upon something special.
Today, I have a short video for you where I am going to show you how to make your own working camp stove – perfect for your upcoming bicycle adventure. The best part about this stove is that its lightweight, easy to use, and runs off denatured alcohol (which can be found just about anywhere in the world). Read more
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Showers Pass Elite Rain Jacket
July 28, 2008 by Darren Alff · 3 Comments
Choosing the right jacket for your bicycle tour can be a difficult process. There are a number of jackets to choose from and selecting the one that’s right for you can be a bit tricky.
Luckily, there is a company that makes rain jackets specifically for cyclists. The company is called “Showers Pass” and they specialize in rain related products for people who like to bike. The company makes rain jackets, vests, pants, and shoe covers.
Today, we are going to take a detailed look at the Showers Pass Elite – a jacket that the company claims to be “the ultimate rain jacket that also works well in cool dry weather.” Read more
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Interview With The Authors Of “Ultralite Bicycle Camping”
July 20, 2008 by Darren Alff · 1 Comment
Dr. Bernd Fischel and Barbara (Barbie) Garrett are the authors of the book, “Ultralite Bicycle Camping: The Cyclists Guide to Ultralite Camping and Touring in Europe.”
This 349 page book covers numerous aspects of bicycle touring, but centers around how you can travel in Europe on an ultralite bike… and on an ultralite budget.
This 41-minute interview is packed with tips for traveling light, saving money, and navigating your way through Europe. Whether you are an experienced bicycle tourist or a complete novice, you’ll find a number of useful nuggets in this interview with Bernd and Barbie. Read more
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Three Different Ways To Carry Your Gear Once You Get Off Your Bicycle
June 26, 2008 by Darren Alff · Leave a Comment
When traveling by bike there are bound to be numerous instances when you will want to get off of your bicycle, go inside a store, take a hike, or simply explore the surrounding area on foot. When such a thing happens, figuring out a way to carry your belongings can be difficult.
In the past, I’ve simply carried one of my panniers in my hand. This method of carrying your belongings works, but is far from ideal.
I recently reviewed Lone Peak’s BP-500 Briefcase/Pannier and the PD-200 Mount Olympus Pannier/Day Pack. Today I want to talk about one other way to carry your belongings when off of your bicycle and compare and contrast these various methods of hauling your gear. Read more
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My Interview With “Bike Friday”
June 22, 2008 by Darren Alff · 2 Comments
I recently had the pleasure of traveling to Aruba with a Bike Friday New World Tourist folding bicycle. I posted a few short articles (here, here, here, and here) about my new bicycle and received quite a bit of feedback.
Some people wrote to ask me about the bike and how it handled. Others wrote to tell me that they already owned a Bike Friday and that they absolutely loved it! Some even sent me pictures!
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