An evening with Grant Petersen.

The Sundance Bookstore and the Reno Bike Project put on a really nice evening last night.  Everyone gathered at Sundance around 5pm.  We then all took a nice little bike ride around downtown, Idlewild park, and down our "Bike Boulevard". 

Down California Ave.

Some traffic calming along Idlewild Dr.

Through Idlewild on the bike/running path.  Grant and Mr. Clark in tow....

Along our BBINO (Bicycle Boulevard in Name Only).

Rather ironically it does become a functional Bike Boulevard when you put 30 bikes in a group and the cars just can't pass you willy nilly!  

Grant giving a very interesting history lesson.

Once back at the bookstore, Grant gave a nice talk about the history (last 40 years) of cycling as he's seen it.  The main lesson was that a good basic bike is all you need.  Something with a little bigger tires than the "racer" main stream dictates.  Then the key is to just ride your bike.  It's not about how many miles or how far you ride, it's for transportation, recreation, or whatever makes it work for you!

It was nice to meet the man behind Rivendell. I had envisioned him as a bit of a crusader against the "spandex" culture of bicycling.  Turns out he's just a regular guy who thinks more people would enjoy bicycling regardless of what you wear and what you ride.  Good words to live by!

Rivendell Bicycles Grant Petersen comes to town. **UPDATED**

Click to link to the RGJ story.

Now that is a title for a newspaper story!  If you want to hear more about this novel idea, please join in by heading down to Sundance Bookstore on Sept. 4th, 6-9pm to hear Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycles.  He is know for having some pointed opinions on the topic!  And if you happen to have his book "Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding your Bike", I'm sure he'll sign it for you!

Update:

***I just found out the event also has an organized ride starting at 5pm!  So be sure to come early so you too can ride with the legendary Grant Petersen!***

Building a bike...from scratch!

Sorry it's been a bit quiet around here.  I'm tied up teaching a class at work and don't get regular breaks to waste time here!  When I have been free I've been scouring the web for parts and pieces to build wifey a custom ride for her Cycle Oregon experience this fall.

I don't have time to go through all the details right now, but let's just say it will be a bike to do it all, with as few compromises as possible (and more specifically EXACTLY the way wifey wants it)!

To get things started....it will be based on the Soma Mixte (Buena Vista) frameset which looks a little something like this:

Totally classic....with 650B wheels it will sport 38C tires and be perfect for rough road touring.  Also perfect since wifey often bikes in skirts!  To make it even better it will be fitted with this rear hub.

  

Yep, 8 speed, internal gears....no muss, no fuss for around town....and without a rear chain movement it will be chain guard compatible.  This tied with a wide low split ring up front and you've got all the gearing you could ever need!

 

Ok, that's enough bike geeking out for now.  The parts list is coming together and this thing is going to be sweet....

How and Why do you Ride?

I found this over at Reno-Rambler this morning....and I'm sure its on the Rivendell website too.  It's a simple promo on what Grant Peterson (of Rivendell Bicycles) thinks cycling should be....and a promo for his book.  I read the book last week and it's definitely a good read.  I don't agree with all Grant's thoughts on cycling but I do think he's correct on most points. 

For me this means that whatever I'm wearing is good enough for cycling.  No "kit" of clothing made out of spandex, lycra, etc. are required.  No cleated pedals and special shoes necessary.  And helmets (while a good idea in my mind and almost always on my head) are not required as long as you are paying attention.  Fenders and bigger tires on bikes are a good thing.  Bicycles can be raced but normal people don't do it, and don't need racing type bicycles.

In general bicycles are for transportation, fun, and an underutilized by people.  So get yours out of the garage and go for a ride.....you'll probably smile!