WORS Sheboygan MTB Race Pix
I have the large batch of Sport class pictures from the mountain bike race in Sheboygan on October 12th, 2009 posted at Flickr.
I’ll have another batch of Comp/Elite pix soon.
Archive for 'Bike Stuff'
Going to Decorah for Some Bike Riding
John and I are heading out in the AM for a trip to the Elroy-Sparta trail, Decorah, IA and a stop to see Tom Teesdale to discuss some of the prototypes and production bike models we have been working on for the past several months. The Schlick Smitty is ready for production with a few tweaks from riding the first three prototypes and I hope we can pick up the Schlick Superfast prototypes on Monday. That would be sweet!
The Schlick Smitty is a versatile bike design! I have had mine set up several different ways and found that the Nexus 8-speed Coaster brake version is, so far, my favorite. Here it is with some Schwalbe Big Apple tires on it. Super for around town!
For the Iowa trip and the longer miles plus gravel I swapped out the Schwalbe Big Apples for some Kenda tires and slapped on some clipless pedals along with a switch from a 42-tooth chainring to a 38-tooth version. The bike was over geared before and, with those long hills around Decorah, I figured I could use a lower gear. We will see tomorrow!
Carrying Your iPhone on Your Bike
I know, why would you want to? Well, bear with me for a minute and I’ll tell you. For me, it is all about the GPS enabled app RunKeeper that records the routes I’ve ridden and gives me feedback on the ride and my performance. (Totally off hand but have you seen the video “Performance, it’s the name of the game!” on YouTube. Hilarious!) Anyway, I needed a convenient way to carry the phone that would optimize the reception for the GPS and provide easy access if I needed the phone. For what it is worth, I don’t feel the need to actually look at the iPhone while I am riding or for that matter make or receive calls, but I like to pause the app when I am stopping for a while so the time spent riding is a bit more accurate. An Auto-Stop feature on RunKeeper would be great!
So, I did a much more extensive review on Carrying the iPhone on your Bike over at the Schlick Cycles website but in a nutshell here are the methods I tried:
Pocket – Poor reception, perspiration issues and potential for dropping the phone led me to a 0/5 rating.
Rear Trunk Bag – Good reception but not convenient plus I might forget it in the bag and have it get ripped off led me to a 2.5/5 rating.
Customized Water Bottle – Good reception, not too convenient, don’t accidently fill w/water and damage potential kept this idea to a 3/5 rating.
Runner’s Armband around the arm – Not a runner and don;t want to look like one, Good reception. Fine if it is your cup of tea. For me 3/5.
Runner’s Armband attached to the bike – Better on bikes like the Schlick Shark or a recumbent where you don’t have to worry about cables or hitting you knee on the thing. Good reception. 3.5/5
iBikePack – Could have been a 4.5/5 but, for me there were knee clearance issues and the strapping system allowed the bad to twist on the bike frame. Worked better on the Shark. For me 4/5
Banjo Brothers Top Tube Bag – Wha Laa! This is for me. Nice and tidy, good reception secure straps, easy access = the whole enchilada! Top rating 5/5!
The Phone Holder on the Banjo Bros Commuter Backpack - Another big thumbs up for this one. The iPhone fits fine but I’d like to see a bit longer strap for this particular phone. Over all though the reception, accessibility and security are all top-notch. I don;t use the backpack on every ride but when I do this is the way to go. Another topper 5/5.
Riverwest Bike Co-Op?
I’ve been thinking about this for some time. I’ve had a space in Riverwest for over 4 years but I never got it set up the way I wanted it. Now I am in the process of moving into a slight larger but much better shaped space that will allow me to dedicate space to a bike area. I don’t intend to be a bike shop but have a need for a dedicated bike repair/maintenance/prototype shop and would like to see people besides me get some use out of it.
This idea is still young in my mind and needs to be fleshed out so look for more info soon.
Mark Laying Rubber During the Harley 105th
Took a while to get to this but here is Dave’s video clip of Mark’s wicked cool burnout in front of Rascal’s during the Harley 105th.
Hanging With Ed Begley
Just finished talking with Ed Begley Jr. at an Ebike demo In Las Vegas. Ed has been an electric vehicle advocate since 1970 or so and currently rides an iZip electric assisted bicycle. Lots of talk about how to become an advocate for this type of bike. We are looking for a way to work this in to the Shark!
Debachery Averted
Frick-n-frack! This place is a den of iiniquity. Temptations abound but iron will pushes temptation out the door; at least at Club Paradise!
Sloshin’ With Lee
Met Lee from Decorah and Ron from Rochfester. Proceded to a better dive bar than the Double Down. The latter now being a franchise looses that status!
Met many cycling luminaries along The Strip and at TI.
Arrived back at Terrible’s 2AM. Nicy-nice!
Feeling more chipper than I have a right to but the show beckons.
On to B-fast.
On my way to InterBike
Flying Frontier right now somewhere over Nebraska.
I missed last year’s show and am looking forward to seeing some folks I haven’t seen for a while. The people in the bike industry are some of the most interesting I’ve met and I always come back from a show energized and enthusiastic.just have to make sure to strike while the iron is hot!
We are looking for a few specific things at InterBike this year mostly around manufacturing for the Schlick Shark and another project we are working on.
More from the show!
Photos From Bike Races Around Milwaukee
I finally got pix from a couple of Superweek races, The Downer Ave. Criterium and The Whitefish Bay Criterium uploaded to Flickr as well as a bunch of shots at the WORS Mountain Bike Race at Crystal Ridge.
Schlick Cycles Shark Website
I did a bunch of work to get the Schlick Cycles website for the Shark upgraded to a WordPress powered deal, redid a bunch of content and finally got some photos up. More work on the theme and some graphics stuff to go but the main content is there.
We are expecting our debut in Playboy Magazine with the Shark in the September issue. Hope it makes the presses this time. Originally scheduled for May!
Pix from Superweek 2007
I posted a bunch of photos to Flickr that I took at the Whitefish Bay Classic, a part of the 2007 Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic that took place July 13-29, 2007.
