Hiawatha Cyclery

a couple summer cycling events I'm organizing

2012-01-25T21:27:00.000-08:00

It wouldn't be mid-winter without some scheming. Sometimes good things come of it. This year, I have decided to organize two cycling events, and I thought I'd mention them here for those who may be interested. Participation in either or both is open to everybody.

First, June 1-3, 2012, the First (possibly annual if you don't wreck it) Midwest Rivendell Owners Rally. These started on the West Coast, spread to the East Coast, and now we're gonna do it for all the good people in the middle of the country. Details are in the exploratory phase, but the rough idea is to start in Red Wing and ride adventurously around Lake Pepin in 2 days, with camping or a hotel stay at the approximate halfway point. Yes, I know that Lake Pepin is often done as a moderately challenging 1-day ride, but I will add some miles, hills, spectacular roads and views, and adversity to the route to stretch it to 2 days. An easier route option will be available for those disinclined to pursue high-adventure in the bluffs, and it will be possible and easy for any rider to combine sections of the more challenging route with sections of the easier route. Obviously, if you own a Rivendell, please bring it to this event. If you don't own a Rivendell (I don't), come for the ride anyway, and try not to feel inadequate.

The second event to keep in mind doesn't have a specific date yet, but I'm thinking it'll be a week in mid to late August. I'm planning another week-long bicycle tour, which will be open to anybody who wants to come and can make it happen. In 2011, five daring excursionists enjoyed a lovely week exploring the backroads, mountain peaks, and camping areas of SW Wisconsin, with an Amtrak segment included to get us to and from the start/end point of the loop. Basically, I will be providing a loose outline and tentative route (always subject to change on a whim), companionship and good humor, and some basic guidance as needed on fundamental bike touring practices and equipment. The basic idea is to provide a welcoming atmosphere for people who are new to bicycle touring and who may be somewhat intimidated by the logistics of traveling by bicycle. It won't be a supported tour where a fossil-fuel burner carries your stuff and gives you a ride when you get tired. A modicum of self-reliance is required, but it won't be a test of extreme fitness and suffering either. Just a fun ride with good people in a beautiful area not exotically far from home.

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments about these events. My email and phone number are somewhere on this page.

Leaving Death Valley on December 27, 2011

2012-01-25T19:47:00.000-08:00

The bike shop that was keeping my boxes and packing materials for my bike wasn't going to be open on New Year's Eve, which meant that I wanted to get there somewhat early in the day on December 30. Figuring a solid two days of riding, plus a built-in cushion for bad weather or mechanical issues, I decided to start rolling out of Death Valley on December 27. From Furnace Creek on Hwy 190, there are a number of attractions, including Zabriskie Point:

I played with a panorama app on my phone (click it):

After Zabriskie, I found the turn for 20 Mule Team Canyon Road. This sinewy, dusty gravel road twists through some badlands-like terrain. It was a fairly popular one-way drive, and I pulled over several times to allow cars to pass.

Here, I stopped where a flat-topped embankment seemed like a good spot to make breakfast.

While I was cooking and eating, two different cars stopped. The first contained a couple with a little girl. The mom and the little girl got out to hike and climb and explore the hills (they are on top of the butte in the photo). Meanwhile, the dad, who seemed like the neurotic type, shouted cautions to them from the safety of the car. He explained his concerns about safety to me in painstaking detail. Then he started questioning me about the apparent foolhardiness of riding my bicycle in Death Valley, not to mention the apparently questionable health-value of the bacon I was cooking. After that family drove off, a pickup truck pulled up. Two dads and a bunch of boys got out. While one of the dads and the boys were running around exploring, the other dad chatted with me about mountain biking and integrating backpacking with bicycling. He was a neat guy, and reminded me of a friend/customer from the shop to such a large extent that I caught myself waiting for him to recognize me. He made sure I was well-stocked with water and food, and then I had the place to myself again.

After I finished the 20 Mule Team Canyon Road loop, and returned the Hwy 190, riding was pleasant but uneventful until I reached Death Valley Junction and the Amargosa Hotel and Opera House (unfortunately I didn't take any photos). I decided to try the cafe for a late lunch at around 2 pm. I was expecting overpriced, crummy food. What I got was a delicious patty melt and fries for a very reasonable price. I highly recommend the Amargosa Cafe.

Now I was about 30 miles from Pahrump, where I stayed in a hotel on night 2 of my trip. Since it was already past 3 pm, I had little hope of making Pahrump before dark unless it was all downhill. It was not downhill, of course, so I continually scanned for a place to camp. The countryside was desolate enough, but most of the land along the road was fenced off. Some parts of the fence were broken down, but I wasn't quite ready to exploit those weaknesses yet. I pressed on, resigning myself to rolling into Pahrump after dark and getting another hotel room. I really didn't want another hotel room. Finally, not far from town, I saw my opportunity in the form of a quiet dirt road. The mapping app on my phone confirmed that the dirt road was actually an alternate route to Pahrump, and connected with the road I used when leaving that town almost a week prior. Familiar territory.

After several miles, I rolled off the road into the wild desert. Numerous 4x4 tracks criss-crossed the area, and I envisioned being harassed in my tent by toothless desert outlaws. Reason prevailed, however, and I continued riding through the desert over stuff like this:

I had quite a few spiny plant parts and/or thorns get into my socks and shoes, causing discomfort. I found a spot in the shelter of some brushy, shrub-like trees, and set up my tent. Since I'd eaten recently, I snacked on my trail mix and didn't bother to cook.

The night was very cold. Not Minnesota cold, but as I was equipped with only warm-weather gear, I wasn't terribly comfortable through the night. By morning, my tent had a fairly thick layer of ice on it from the freezing condensation of my breath. It occurred to me that I was nearly 3000 feet higher than I was when camping at Furnace Creek. Snow was visible on nearby peaks. The first view out my tent that morning was spectacular.

Normally, I would have stayed in the tent until the sun warmed things up, but I was lusting after a real breakfast in Pahrump.

bike buyer's guide for beginners

2012-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

It's getting to be that time of year - in a few months, a lot of people will be in the market to buy a new bike. I just read this article, in which the author earnestly attempts to provide guidelines for the purchase of a good used bike from craigslist. While I agree with some of the points made here (don't waste money on el cheapo department store bikes), I have a number of disagreements, too. But picking apart these quibbles one by one would require a long, tiresome essay, and in the end some other knowledgeable person will say, "yeah, but..." And they'll be right!

Shopping for a first-time new or used bike can be daunting. To make an informed decision, a large volume of technical information must be sorted and distilled, and that winnowing process generally takes some level of expertise! The internet forums are full of "expert" opinions that reflect either ignorance or strong personal bias, and it can be difficult for a novice to figure out who in cyberspace knows his/her stuff and whether that info applies at all to one's personal needs. Maybe the prospective new bike person has an expert in his/her life - a coworker, a relative, a friend, etc - but again, as with the internet forums, it's not always easy to know if your personal guru, no matter how knowledgeable he/she seems, has biases that make any sense for you. A common example is a person will come in to a bike shop looking for a new bike for fitness, fair-weather recreation, and/or commuting, having been informed by a coworker who does triathlons and whose chief credential is having purchased a $3000 bike. If that person also wants to buy a $3000 bike for triathlons, then maybe the friend's advice is useful. Even then, one person's experience is a single data point.

I have my own recommendation: trial and error. Yes, in a world of highly technical knowledge and well-reasoned recommendations, a human has to ride the thing, and that's where it gets complicated. My bikes are all excellent, for me. Some other people might like them, too, but most cyclists would prefer something else. At least one local custom framebuilder, reportedly, will not build a bike for a customer unless that customer has enough experience to know what he or she actually wants. The framebuilder is highly regarded for his craftsmanship and technical knowledge, but he knows that his splendid machines will not be well-received if they are somehow inappropriate for the people who ride them.

This doesn't mean that an uninformed person should blindly take a stab at buying a random bike and hoping to learn a few things from it. It just means that it's not reasonable to expect that a first-time bike purchase will result in the perfect bike to last a lifetime (even if the buyer attempts to become informed about tech details). Get one that's good enough, ride it for awhile, and next time you buy, you'll know more. To get one that's good enough, I suggest finding a good bike shop, communicate your desires to them, and rely on their expertise. In the Twin Cities, we have several dozen shops, and certain shops will accommodate the needs of certain customers better than others. It pays to visit several big shops and several small shops and find one where you feel comfortable. If you feel like the 20-year-old salesperson in the funny hat doesn't understand your bike priorities, you're right! Try dealing with another salesperson or another shop. In any case, communication is huge. Clearly describe what you want, and ask lots of questions. By and large, bike shops are not like Target, where the customer is expected to locate and select merchandise from the shelves with little or no input from store staff. In the case of bike shops, good ones at least, talking to the staff will be the most important thing you can do to get a bike that fits your needs.

The next question is how much to spend. If you're rich, spend a lot, if that's what makes you happy. If you're normal and money is an issue, then make sure you inform the salesperson at the bike shop of your approximate price range. There's a high variance in price-tolerance here, so don't assume the salesperson is a mind-reader. Recently a guy told me he wanted a slightly fancier-than-stock Surly LHT, but that he was trying to keep it somewhat economical. When I started throwing out specifications and prices, he corrected me that he was actually looking to spend double what I was quoting! He apparently considered $3000+ to be an economical bike, while others feel that $300 is a princely sum for a bike, and others apparently think the good bikes start at around $8000. Luckily, an entry-level "hybrid" with decent parts, which would be an excellent choice for many first-time cyclists, is around $500 give or take. For those of us who want to ride more regularly, maybe it's worth spending a bit more to get a bike that can be more easily adapted to our needs as we advance our cycling skill and knowledge. The best bang for the buck, in my opinion, is in the range $1000-1500. Most Surly bike models fall into this range. With bigger brands like Trek or Specialized or whatever, this is the price where the road bikes start to be not blatantly cheap. Here's some wisdom:

You don’t need to spend a million dollars to have a great bike, but if you do spend a million dollars and know what you want you’ll probably also have a great bike.

I don't recommend used bikes for inexperienced cyclists, in general. There are simply too many ways to get ripped off, even if the seller is perfectly honest. Some old bikes require parts that are obsolete, and it's too easy to miss costly mechanical issues even for someone who has some experience with bikes. If you happen to be looking at a new bike, and find a used one just like it in nearly new condition, but at a fraction of the new price, it's probably a good deal (unless it's stolen). Otherwise, I'm of the opinion that there are few (if any) deals out there for used bikes. Anything that's a remotely good bike for a remotely good price is likely to be pounced on by those who make a lifestyle of trawling craigslist. For most of us, the extra cost of buying new is a worthwhile sacrifice for professional advice, some kind of warranty, and getting what you want instead of whatever happens to be available used.

My Bikes

2012-01-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

I've had quite a few bikes over the years including two from Rivendell, three or four from Surly, a custom from Curt Goodrich, an old Stumpjumper that has been reconfigured numerous times, several 3-speeds, a Brompton, a Redline 29er, a Big Dummy, a Xtracycled, pug-fronted, kid-cranked Santana tandem, and a couple 1970s and 80s road bikes, a garbage-picked Trek Multitrack fixie, and several I'm sure I've forgotten. This time of year I start to scheme about putting together this bike or that bike for this or that purpose. This Winter I've been successful at letting the new-bike fantasies pass, which is helped along by my (hopefully temporary) tight financial circumstances and the past experiences of indulging in these winter flights of fancy. The plan is to stick with ~~three~~ four bikes and my kid-hauler tandem. Here's what they are and why I like them.

Surly Cross-Check:The Surly Cross-Check is possibly the most common single bicycle model that I see in the wild in Minneapolis on a daily basis. I've admired the CC since I first saw a dark metallic green one back in 2004 or so, but at that time I had a Rivendell Atlantis, which is so similar in many aspects to the CC that it didn't make sense to have both. Later the Atlantis was sold, but I still sat on the fence about buying a CC. I knew as soon as I saw it that the 2011 model in Robin Egg Blue with the newly added mid-fork rack mounts was the bike for me. I bought a frameset and transferred parts from my previous fixed-gear onto it. I thought it was perfect right away - neutral handling, not too twitchy or too stable, just right. Since this was to serve as my commuter and light-duty exploration bike, I had to rack it: an economical but excellent Topeak on the back and a not-so-economical but excellent Tubus Duo low-rider on the front. Now I can carry four panniers on frivolous weekend camping trips or even on longer more heavily-loaded tours. Tire clearance is ample for 40 mm tires with fenders, but with lightweight 28 mm or 32 mm tires, it's as close to a "road bike" as I'll ever want. I go back and forth between keeping it geared with a compact double crank and a 12-32 9sp cassette:

And fixed-gear, which I prefer in the winter or for general commuting, around-town use:

On a recent shenanigans-filled excursion, some friends and I took our bikes somewhere where we probably shouldn't have. One wonderful aspect of the CC became apparent as I hoisted, and a couple times threw the bike onto steep bluff embankments I was climbing. I realized that I can abuse this bike, that I don't have to baby it, and it can take everything I do to it. And if I do somehow go too far and break it or it gets stolen or whatever, I can replace the frame or the whole bike at a relatively modest price, but that worst-case scenario seems unlikely. Sometimes people who buy fancier bikes don't think about this limitation: if the bike is too pretty, or too delicate, or too expensive, or too hard to get, it's possible that the rider will limit him/herself to only the most genteel of cycling experiences. And then it's harder to have fun.

Surly Troll:This is the bike I took to Death Valley, and the bike I will likely take on similar adventures in the future. It's everything the Cross-Check is, but stouter and with huger tire clearance. It's my worst-case scenario bike, ready for anything, especially when the quality and/or existence of a road is in question.

Brompton:This is a bike that many cyclists do not understand. First thing to know: it's not a novelty, but a serious bike (despite admittedly unconventional looks). It's a folder that becomes carry-on in 5 seconds, but it rides pretty well, it's rugged, and it can actually handle heavy cargo, with ease. Therefore, it makes the perfect touring bike, especially when incorporated with other forms of transport.

Some like-minded friends and I have unofficially chartered a group called B.A.D.A.S.S. (Brompton And Dahon Adventure and Survival Society). I have a few ideas for B.A.D.A.S.S. "events" that will take advantage of the capabilities unique to folding bikes.

Curt Goodrich:This is my "classic" touring bike and by far my fanciest, most expensive bike (see above about the consequences of fancy, expensive bikes). It actually has big tire clearance, so versatility is greatly improved over that of the actual classic touring bikes from the 1970s and 80s.

This bike is actually undergoing some major cosmetic surgery and updating, so it won't look like this anymore. You'll see.

Death Valley, Furnace Creek area exploration

2012-01-20T19:01:00.000-08:00

After spending a night at Texas Spring, I chatted with another couple who were cycling in the area. They highly recommended some local attractions around Furnace Creek. This was all the encouragement I needed, and I headed southward to "Artist's Drive", a one-way scenic loop.

These rock piles are a common sight in the Death Valley. I didn't spend a lot of time using my rusty geology skills to determine how they came to exist. In any case, it's yet another of the otherworldly aspects of this place. The Surly Troll seems to fit right in around here.

After riding for a half-hour or so, I turned off the main road along the valley and started heading eastward up the side of the Amargosa range. It was the steepest climb of the trip - instead of meandering and switchbacks, this road was more or less straight up. I took a break to make a movie:

A bit further ahead, I saw a pull-off area, so I stopped for a short hike. The scenery was gorgeous in every direction. And the road started to get more twisty and dippy.

Artist's Drive was scenic along its entire length, but near the top Artist's Palette is clearly the main attraction. The variations in the colors of the rock was like nothing I'd ever seen.

One common plant, not in the valley, but in the slightly higher elevations, was Atriplex hymenelytra, aka "Desert Holly". It looks a lot like the familiar green Christmas Holly, but the leaves vary between white and pale frosty green.

After Artist's Palette, I was treated to one of the most thrilling descents of my life. Once I hit terminal velocity, I found myself negotiating the narrow road through deep, steep-walled rock gorges. I felt like Luke Skywalker flying in one of the grooves on the Death Star, pretending to blast womp rats. Then, just when I was having fun, suddenly I was working my way back uphill. Then again, more fun descending through the canyons. It was about the most fun a person can legally have on a bike. Unfortunately, I was going far too fast, and having too much fun, to make a video of the experience. You'll just have to go there and do it yourself. I'll sell you an appropriate bike.

After Artist's Drive, I headed back to Furnace Creek. I purchased a 24-hr shower and pool pass at Furnace Creek Ranch for $5. This was my first shower since Pahrump, and I got my money's worth out of it (twice). In hindsight, I wish I'd swum in the pool, too. The pool water originated from a hot spring, and even though the air temperature was never actually more than moderately warm, the pool was like bath water. I dangled my feet in it for an hour, but as it was getting late (and chilly), I headed back to buy more food at the general store and another night at Texas Spring.
Once I got situated at the campground, darkness was rapidly approaching as the sun was dipping behind the western mountains. A cyclist entered the campground pulling the most overloaded BOB trailer I've ever seen or imagined. I invited him to share my campsite, and he accepted (hey, free camping!) We chatted for awhile and swapped stories. Paul was riding down from Fairbanks, AK, and had seemingly hit all the high points of the Pacific Coast and all the most famous California State and National Parks. He even went to Mexico, where getting through customs with his bike and trailer as a pedestrian was an ordeal (apparently bikes have to go through the revolving pedestrian door, not through the car lane gates). He was an interesting young man, with a unique view of the world, and plenty of wild stories of smuggled explosives and nearly having his leg amputated from a severe infection. Incidentally, this was his first bike trip. He never even rode a bike as an adult before this trip, but here he was 7,800 miles into it, with apparently none of the usual concerns or self-doubt that plague many would-be bike adventurists. Also of note, one reason his BOB was so overloaded was that he was carrying a large number of substantial books. He said he liked to read, and he didn't trust e-readers.

Wheelbuilding class, Feb 25

2012-01-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

This will probably be the last wheelbuilding class until next winter. I'm limiting it to 4 participants.Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill, and results in excellent quality wheels when done properly.

I will hold the class at the shop Saturday, February 25, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot on a first-come, first served basis. We will provide step-by-step instruction and a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels (I can help if you run out of time). You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Space is limited, so call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

3-speed hub overhaul class Feb 11

2012-01-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

HC is hosting a 3-speed hub overhaul class on February 11, 2012, 8am-Noon. Mark Stonich from Bikesmith Design will be leading the class in dismantling, servicing, and reassembling the common Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub. You don't need to bring anything to the class, as clean hubs and the necessary tools will be provided.
(photo by somervillebikes on flickr)

This is consistently the most popular class we offer every year, and I've already had several people express interest. We only do this once per year, so if you are interested in this class, I'd suggest registering sooner than later. The registration fee is $60 and is payable in person at the shop or over the phone 612-727-2565.

Christmas in Death Valley

2012-01-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

After bedding down in the previously described plantless landscape on Christmas Eve, I commenced my Christmas activity by riding north on West Side Road toward the "city" of Furnace Creek. I hadn't refilled my water since Pahrump, which meant three solid days with only the supplies I had on the bike. On Christmas morning, I still had approximately 2 days worth of water, but I didn't want to cut it too close. Any mishap could have made my 2-day water supply seem less than adequate. And Furnace Creek, 20-some miles off, was the next place to get water. After a few miles, I came to a road sign for a spring, and the vegetation sure seemed lush compared to where I'd been.

I never actually found the spring, but I did get off the bike for a short hike.

As I rode along, the floor of the valley was highly variable:

At this point, I saw a small graded pull-off area adjacent to the road. A red pickup truck was parked there, and a couple was sitting on folding chairs gazing out over Badwater. I stopped to chat. We discussed, among other topics, the unorthodox approach to celebrating Christmas in Death Valley. As they pointed out, wandering the desert looking at stars is actually VERY relevant to the history of Christmas. They suggested I join them for Christmas dinner at the Furnace Creek Inn (after some cursory research, I decided that the $400/night Furnace Creek Inn would be out of my price range). I bid my new friends adieu, and continued toward Furnace Creek.

Soon I was back on pavement.

I was astounded by Furnace Creek. I was fully expecting that the place would have the sidewalks rolled up on the most major holiday of the year, but to the contrary, it was swarming with people, and fully open for business. There was no indication that it was Christmas. The vast majority of my fellow visitors appeared to be of Asian nationality or descent, which, I'm presuming, means they are people who don't share the stereotypical American Christmas traditions. The National Park Visitor Center, a temporary-looking pole building, was my first stop was to check in there and get my $10 permit. The youngster working the front desk suggested I try the Texas Spring campground, on the edge of town. I had been led to expect by various internet readings that camping in Furnace Creek meant RV Parks, so I was skeptical.

I visited the Furnace Creek Cafe for a mediocre, overpriced cheeseburger and fries. I decided that the convenience of the cafe was not worth the cost, and that I'd be better off cooking my own meals with the Trangia. To that end, I walked next door to the convenience store, where I stocked up on overpriced cheese, butter, eggs, and a few other food items I was craving.

After I'd had my fill of big city life, I rode over to Texas Spring campground, which I found to be a pleasing place to camp. The campground host stopped to chat and answer some of my questions. After exploring a bit, I set up camp:

And I enjoyed the luxury of having a picnic table:

As I was cooking, a couple about my age walked over to talk to me. They were from France and cycling around the world. Unfortunately, their tandem frame broke, and they returned it to the manufacturer in Germany for repair. While they awaited the return of their bike, they were driving around in a rental car. I was a little amazed at what must've been a tremendously expensive proposition: sending a tandem to Germany, and renting a car for an extended period of time. Not how I might have handled that situation, what with used top-quality tandems generally available at favorable prices.

As I nodded off in my tent that night, I didn't have a firm plan for the following day. Would I pack up and head further north to Stovepipe Wells or Scotty's Castle? Would I stick around Furnace Creek and take in the local attractions? The north option looked appealing on the maps, but the campground host very gently suggested that I might enjoy exploring Furnace Creek. I didn't lose much sleep contemplating these options.

Pub Crawl 2012

2012-01-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

The premier cycling event of the year is upon us. Meet Sunday, January 29 at Noon at The Bulldog NE with a bicycle, your appetite, and a sense of wonderment and adventure. Alternately, we will be leaving HC at 11AM for a ride to The Bulldog. If you're thinking of some reason why you can't do this, please stop thinking that way, rearrange your schedule (you have two weeks notice), and join us. You probably won't regret it, if Pub Crawl history is any indication.

Further into Death Valley, mountains and coyotes and rocks

2012-01-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is part 3 of my Death Valley tour journal. Scroll down to view previous segments.

After my first night camping in Death Valley National Park at roughly 2200 feet elevation (I found a USGS benchmark near my campsite to confirm the elevation), it was obvious that I would be going downhill to get into Death Valley itself, which is below sea level.

Much to my surprise, I spent my first hour or two that morning going uphill. I topped out at Salsbury Pass, elevation, 3315 ft.I compiled a little video mash-up of my descent (more or less) into Death Valley from Salsbury Pass. What the video doesn't show is that every time I would round a corner or get over a hill, thereby improving my view of the landscape, I was constantly grinning from ear to ear and exclaiming things like, "Wow! Wow! Holy shit! Wow!" The scenery was amazing, though it might look less impressive through the limited frame of reference of my iPhone video camera.I eventually turned off Hwy 178 in favor of exploring the gravel of West Side Road. There were signs at the beginning, warning off anybody who might be inadequately prepared to drive this road. Since I wasn't driving, but pedaling a bicycle, I figured I had nothing to worry about.

I spent the afternoon riding some 20 miles of West Side Road, and only saw one car - the driver seemed surprised to see me out there.Camping along West Side Road is prohibited, but there are a number of "roads" extending west into the Panamint Mountain range, where camping is permitted at least 2 miles from West Side Road. When the time came to make camp, Johnson Canyon Road was the only choice. I wasn't able to ride Johnson Canyon Road because it was extremely rough. It would have been ridable without my 100ish lbs of gear, but even then, it would have been a challenge. So I pushed.I made camp in one of the most torturous physical environments I've seen. The area around Johnson Canyon Road is almost entirely devoid of plantlife. Just rocks. I did see some lizards on one of the bigger rocks, but otherwise, I might as well have been on Mars. At night, I felt like the last man on Earth. Standing outside my tent staring up at millions of stars, only occasionally did I see headlights off in the distance along Hwy 178. Otherwise, I was quite likely the only human being withing 10 miles of that spot. The video I shot Christmas morning sums it up best.

The sunset shining on the Amargosa mountains, with the rest of the valley in the shadow of the Panamint mountains:

Holiday desert excursion, part 2, Pahrump into Death Valley

2012-01-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

This post is the second part of a series. The first part is here.

I was pleased to walk out of the motel in Pahrump the next morning to discover the cold winds were gone, replaced by warm sunshine. My mood, which had been lowered a bit by the previous day's challenges, not to mention the casino ambiance, was instantly improved. I very eagerly finished loading my bike, and got back on the road. I opted to take the short way into Death Valley, straight west out of Pahrump toward Shoshone, CA.

I really can't emphasize enough that Death Valley is a valley, which implies that it's surrounded by higher terrain. The lowest point in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level, but getting there, believe it or not, requires a lot of going uphill. Nonetheless, every time I surmounted a mountainous ridge and began descending, I assumed I was going into Death Valley. I would be proven wrong several times. This was the first:

I believe these were ancient cave dwellings, but since I was so excited (mistakenly) to be dropping down into Death Valley, I opted not to hike in and explore.

Finally, some confirmation!

The little town of Shoshone has a convenience store, gas pumps, a tavern, a cafe, a post office, and a few other conveniences. But, for the services they offer, there isn't much competition:

Any inference that these "next services" represent a substantial center of commerce would be mistaken.
OK, surely THIS means I can start going downhill into Death Valley!

Shortly after entering the park, I started looking for a dirt road where I could camp. The rule on backcountry camping in Death Valley is that one must camp at least 2 miles from a paved road (with some exceptions). I quickly found this dirt road, which is known by various names and is some 48 miles long.

I considered riding this road until its end, but it was made of big rocks and squirrelly sand, and wasn't easy to ride. My first night camping in the park was an estimated 2.0001 miles from the paved road:

Yes, I know I'm now in Death Valley National Park, but I still had to go over more mountains the next day to get to the valley itself. Stay tuned.

Holiday desert excursion, day 1 and day 2

2012-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

I spent the holidays out in the Nevada and California desert. I had a fantastic time, and the trip was exactly the correct medicine for my annual holiday melancholia. The idea to go to Death Valley started back in September during a tour down the gorgeous Oregon coast. I wasn't surprised that the weather along the Oregon coast was somewhat damp and gray, but I was a little surprised that the roads were so crowded with large RVs and trucks. After several days of lane-width-maximized RVs and other vehicles nearly blasting me off the road into the ocean, I was exhausted (no extremely close calls, but still). I decided that I wanted to go somewhere sunny and warm and desolate. For some reason, Death Valley called out to me, even though I knew little about this place except that it's below sea level, dry, and hot. The more research I did, the more I liked the idea. There's no direct way to get to Death Valley. I opted to find a cheap flight to Vegas (shipped my bike UPS to an excellent and helpful local bike shop there), and ride the 120-ish miles into Death Valley.

By the time I got my bike and food and water all together, I didn't get on the road until 2 pm. I spent probably another hour getting out of Vegas sprawl (mostly sidewalk riding) while simultaneously looking for an appropriate fuel for my Trangia stove at various gas stations. While waiting at an intersection, a guy dressed in trendy outdoorsy clothing approached and asked where I am going. I'm always reluctant to divulge many details of my travel plans to people who ask, because they always seem disappointed if I'm not on some "epic" round-the-world adventure. Anyway, I told him I was looking for stove fuel, and he directed me to a nearby REI. I headed to REI, which was farther away than I expected, but they had the fuel I wanted (denatured alcohol) and a nearby road actually had a bike lane heading out of town in the right direction. My opinion of Las Vegas improved immediately, as did the quality of my cycling experience.

The busy-ness and crowded-ness of Vegas falls off quickly on the outskirts of town. Population density was near zero after about 10 miles. I'd been warned that there was a major mountain pass to cross just out of town. I didn't want to get boxed-in on a cold mountain pass after dark, so I started to look for a place to camp in the vicinity of Red Rock Canyon.

This road looked intriguing.

I sat on the hillside and marveled at the strange (to me) desert landscape and watched as the sun quickly sunk below the western mountains. As the air seemed to get chilly immediately after sunset, I had a quick snack and crawled into my tent. In the middle of the night, some very strong winds started to jostle my tent. I was feeling rather cold and under-equipped for the weather. I'm pretty tough, but still wondered if I'd bitten off too much. Anyway, the winds were odd in that they were very intense for 20 minutes, then dead-silent for a similar period of time, then intense again. The next morning was chilly, and the winds were still intermittently ferocious. I snapped a few pictures. First, making breakfast while still in my sleeping bag:

Next, Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful area.

Home sweet home:

Incidentally, while I was taking down my tent, the wind returned and snapped off one of the tent poles. I considered going back to REI, but decided that I could somehow rig up a broken tent to get through the remainder of the trip.
After taking my time waiting for the weather to warm up, I was on my way. I started to notice that I had no frame of reference on slopes. Based on the visual, I guessed I was on flat ground, but was seemingly working too hard to maintain such a low speed. I was out of my element! Only when I looked backwards over my shoulder did I realize that I'd been going uphill for a considerable distance. In fact, I spent most of that day going uphill. At Blue Diamond, NV, there is a small rental mountain bike shop. I stopped in to chat with the guy working there for some local knowledge (he was seemingly not knowledgeable, about anything, local or otherwise). I'd been going uphill all morning (by now it was noon), and he told me, "you're going to feel a lot better when you get over that hill!" He implied that I hadn't reached "the hill" yet. Huh. Shortly thereafter, I knew I was on the hill, and I spent the next couple hours going over it. It was not terribly steep, but it was very long by Minnesota hill standards. Several times I walked my bike, not out of exhaustion, but out of boredom. I saw bighorn sheep. There was snow, and toward the top, the air was considerably colder. Eventually I made it:

I smiled and said to myself, "my &%*$ing troubles are over", but as I began to coast down the other side, I found the insane, tent-breaking headwind again, and it was COLD. I nearly froze to death descending the western edge of the mountain. I worked very hard to get to Pahrump, a town with an economy apparently based on legal brothels, ammo-hoarding, and attempting to reinflate the housing bubble. Pahrump has casinos, and I found the hotel rates at these casinos to be reasonable given the cold, windy weather, and my frayed composure. Thus ended day 2.Stay tuned for day 3, etc, when my adventure continues into in Death Valley National Park.

Back to normal hours, back from the desert

2012-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

We are back to our normal hours this week. And, heck, meteorologically speaking, winter is already half-over, yet it has barely begun! I'm forecasting a mild remainder of the winter season and an early Spring. No time like the present to come in and get your new bike, accessories, and or repairs for 2012!

I spent the holidays in and around Death Valley. I'll write an extensive post on that soon, but here's a photo from my first night camping in the vicinity of Red Rock Canyon, just outside of Las Vegas:

Holiday Shop hours and schemes

2011-12-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

I'm heading to the low desert tomorrow, and will have a trip report after the new year, if I survive.

Mark and/or Kevin will be here, though, and you really should come and keep them company. Don't forget, we're still having a wonderful sale, which is a great deal if you were planning on buying stuff anyway (especially good deals on accessories for new bikes). Because of our festive spirit, we're going to be open special festive hours through the end of 2011. Here they are:

This week:Wednesday, Dec 21: CLOSEDThursday, Dec 22: Open 3-6 PMFriday, Dec 23: Open 3-6 PM

Closed Saturday, Christmas Eve.

Next week:Tuesday, Dec 27 thru Friday, Dec 30: open 3-6 PM

Closed New Year's Eve.

Holiday Rides:Also, The Weasel will be leading and/or spearheading the traditional Christmas Day and New Years Day rides from the shop, both at 10 AM. The duration and distance and destination are unspecified, but it will indubitably be a hoot.

Come ride with The Weasel, et al

2011-12-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Sean (aka The Weasel) has returned from his grandiose adventure to Minneapolis for holiday respite, and will be joining the Saturday ride this week. Aside from the wonderful company, the weather is forecast to be unseasonably non-winterish, so come for a sociable breakfast/coffee ride with us. The ride is 8am until noon, leaving from HCWHQ, 4301 E 54th St.

End of year sale

2011-12-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

Now until the end of 2011:All in-stock and most special order items: 15% off. If you buy a whole bike, you may take the 15% discount OR apply a 20% store credit to accessorize your new machine. On a Surly LHT, this amounts to $255 worth of accessories or upgrades.

Don't need bike stuff in the middle of winter? Buy a gift certificate for 15% off face value, for yourself or for someone else. You'll need bike stuff sooner or later.

If you purchase stuff through our web page, get free shipping on orders $150 or more (this deal excludes complete bikes).

Like everybody, we have bills to pay (like everybody), and business has been SLOW the last couple weeks. Come and see us. We miss you!

Revelate Tangle Bags in stock

2011-12-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

We have quite a few Revelate Tangle frame bags in stock. These are amazingly well-made bags manufactured in the US for an amazingly reasonable price of $68-70. Yes, that was "amazingly" times two. The design and craftsmanship is a joy to behold, making use of space in a bicycle frame that is often just dead air. I've got lots of experience with the large size Tangle bag (pictured above on a 54 cm LHT). There is ample room inside for a 3L hydration bladder and all the tools, pump, and spare tubes I'm likely to need. There is a small passage at the front of the bag for the hydration tube, which can easily be rigged up to allow nearly effortless on-the-bike drinking. Imagine drinking your beverage without juggling a water bottle or flask out of and back into a bottle cage, which is an activity that's fraught with peril, I tell you! In addition to a space to carry water, you can carry everything else, too. It's at least as convenient as a handlebar bag, but without any undesirable aerodynamic or bike-handling effects. I can imagine these as ideal for commuters who don't require full pannier(s), loaded tourers who want more space than what panniers provide, and it's just about the perfect bag for a brevet bike.I really like these, and you will, too. Feel free to ask if you don't know which size to pick. These make great holiday gifts. Stop by the shop or order online here.

Neck Romancer

2011-12-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

The all-black Pugsley formerly known as "Black Ops", now known as "Neck Romancer", has arrived here at HCWHQ. Legally speaking, it belongs to our service manager, Mongo, but quite likely it will be here for test rides and such.

I'm sort of amazed that the fat bikes are so popular, when just a few years ago they occupied novelty status somewhere between giraffe unicycles and 650B wheels. Nonetheless, they are cool and fun and useful, and if you think they're just for snow, you're mistaken. They are one of the more versatile bikes that exist, faster and more efficient than you think, and with braze-ons for every conceivable type of rack for year-round touring/camping/commuting applications. Also FUN!!!

Ogrohloff

2011-12-09T14:13:00.001-08:00

Ogrohloff. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? Kevin just picked up an Ogre frame and we moved the parts over from his Rohloff-equipped Civia. Quite a machine. The 700x35 Schwalbe studded tires seem too skinny, though I'm convinced that this is actually the optimal width for winter riding in an urban environment.

For those playing along at home, the Alfine crank on the Ogre is not what you might call a "stock" fit. Also, linguistically, Trohloff has some advantages.

Bicyclists as elite snobs?

2011-12-04T13:02:00.001-08:00

Recently a short online article pondered whether bicyclists are "elite snobs". Despite the provocative title, the article itself portrayed cycling in a mostly flattering light, but it did assert that we cyclists should take care to not evangelize too forcefully about anti-car or pro-bike attitudes, lest motorists take us for elite snobs. This, the writer seems to believe, will make cycling and cyclists more tolerable to the general (motorized) public.

Read the comment section of any online newspaper article about cyclists in a motorized world, and it is clear that some people despise cyclists. The haters cite a variety of predictable complaints including anecdotes about cyclists coasting through stop signs, cyclists not paying their "fair share" of taxes toward road maintenance, cyclists wearing too-tight clothes, and, apparently, self-righteous attitudes among cyclists. My interpretation of all this is that the haters would like to believe, and would like everybody else to believe, that they have a solid reasoning for their animosity, that the cyclists deserve to be hated, that we ask for it! It's classic scapegoating, bullying, and blaming the victim, but that's just my opinion. I've been yelled at or honked at by motorists who didn't witness me violating any rules, didn't check my tax return to see if I'm paying my fair share, didn't see me wearing exotic clothing, and never asked me for my self-righteous opinion on any issue. I conclude that they just don't like cyclists, since I haven't given them any other reason to dislike me personally (and, I'd wager, they'd like me just fine in another context).

I should be clear that my observation is that most motorists, the vast majority (some of whom sometimes ride bikes), don't actively hate cyclists, but simply want to get where they're going efficiently and safely. If anything, they're nervous around cyclists, afraid that we'll do something unpredictable, causing them to hit us, which would be traumatic for everyone involved. And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that some drivers are too busy texting, applying make-up, reading a book, smoking pot, talking on the phone, and/or eating the Burger King Whopper Value Meal to pay much attention to us. They don't hate us, and in fact have no opinion about cyclists whatsoever, until we distract them from whatever they're doing to pass the time while driving! (I kid, because I love!)

Almost everybody wants to be environmentally and socially responsible. Almost everybody wants to get more exercise and be more physically fit. Many people are bored with life and would enjoy a little adventure, if not for the perceived risks. If you actually talk to non-cyclists, many offer apologetic explanations: I would ride a bike to work, but it's not possible under the circumstances. Clearly they see advantages to the bike-lifestyle, whether it's driven by environmental, financial, social, political, exercise, or fashion attitudes, and they feel a little guilty that they're not living up to whatever ideals they hold. We all have a self-justifying nature that seeks to dilute conflicts between personal ideologies and personal behaviors, and I believe a lot of cycling hate (hate, in general, actually) comes from these internal conflicts. Why, for example, is it not uncommon, in bad weather, for a motorist (stereotype: manly-man in a big truck or SUV) to slow down, roll down the window (letting in rain, snow, cold, etc) to verbally abuse a cyclist for being "stupid" to ride in bad weather? Is this a public-service they're providing? Many motor vehicles are marketed with notions of machismo, but a person riding a bike in bad weather is doing something that requires a modicum of actual toughness and courage. A guy whose tough-guy self-image is wrapped up in a Chevy commercial featuring greasy muscle-men and cowboys throwing logs and concrete around could be forgiven for feeling threatened by a 120-lb woman riding her bike in a blizzard. She's obviously not only stupid, but a smug elitist snob for rubbing his nose in his own feelings of inadequacy like that!

Surly Ogre

2011-12-02T05:17:00.001-08:00

You could get into all sorts of interesting situations with one of these.

Wheelbuilding class reminder

2011-11-29T12:38:00.001-08:00

Just a quick reminder that the wheelbuilding class will be held this Saturday, December 3, 8-Noon. The cost is $60 for the class plus the cost of whatever wheel components you need. I still have room for 1 or maybe 2 students, but I'll need to know by Wednesday, November 30.

Einstein's office

2011-11-23T08:52:00.001-08:00

On the day Albert Einstein died in 1955, LIFE Magazine photographer Ralph Morse visited the famed genius's office. This is what Morse found, Einstein's office, as he left it:

As any visitor to HC can attest, I, like Einstein, am a messy-desk person. Clean-desk people mistakenly interpret this as unmitigated chaos, open to either more chaos or a good tidying up. Either of those usually results in a temporary but significant drop in productivity. There is order here, but I'm betting only Einstein himself fully understood it.

We're taking a Thanksgiving break, and are closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. We'll see you on Saturday, usual hours. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving week hours, and a sale

2011-11-19T10:21:00.001-08:00

We will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Open normal hours on Tuesday and Saturday.Starting now til next Saturday, November 26, everything in the store is 15-20% off, including bikes, accessories, parts, gift certificates, labor, everything. Special order items (prepaid at time of order) will be 10% off. It's been pretty slow here the last few weeks, and we need you to come in and buy something. You'll get a good deal, so it's a win-win.Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Alfine 1x1 Fatty

2011-11-18T14:24:00.001-08:00

When Brian walked in a couple weeks ago and asked us to help convert his 1x1 to a geared fat bike, we thought he was crazy. Naturally, we liked him immediately. He already had the Large Marge rims and Nokian Gazzaloddi 26x3.0 tire. All we did was lace the rear rim to the Alfine hub, install a Pugsley fork, and put a Surly Nate tire on the front. It's ridiculously sensible.

You'd be foolish not to do this.

Winter is near, gitcher studded tires

2011-11-18T12:18:00.001-08:00

We've been spoiled hereabouts by a dry, mild Fall. Riding in the bluffs this morning I observed ice formations hanging out of the rocks where groundwater seeps out of the cracks.

Among my other observations, there was a skin of ice also on still sections of Minnehaha Creek. I was hoping that we'd get through Winter without ice and snow, but I can't ignore this evidence.Luckily, riding in Winter is doable and fun, if you can keep your hands and feet and face warm, AND if you don't crash on the ice. For traction on ice, we like studded tires, and our favorite has become the Schwalbe Marathon Winter.

We just happen to have some of these in stock. We have a few pairs in 700x35C and a few pairs in 26x1.75. Some people will tell you that you don't NEED studded tires in the winter. I took that advice a few winters ago, and made it safely through most of the winter. Just when I was feeling smug, I crashed HARD on some unseen ice, and my neck hurt until July. Luckily I didn't break my arm or skull, but I did learn that studded tires added an element of safety and fun to my winter cycling. I've been riding through the winter since 2004, and in some ways it's better than riding in the Summer (less riff-raff out there)!

So you have stuff to carry...

2011-11-16T13:05:00.001-08:00

I'm experimenting with some bags on my Troll. Here it is with everything.

I doubt I'd be tempted to overpack... I'm planning a trip where carrying several days' worth of water will be necessary. The frame pack seems like an ideal way to carry water reservoirs.This Surly/Revelate bag is nominally designed for the Pugsley and Moonlander frames, but they seem to fit the Troll, too.

These bags are $150. Not sure if we're going to stock them or special-order only, but this one is in demo mode here at HC. One trip to the post office so far, and I like it.If the full frame bag is excessive, we are stocking the Tangle Bags in small, medium, and large sizes. We'll get these onto our web catalog one of these days, but for now you can buy them in-store or over the phone. We have some experience with these, and can help you figure out what size is best for you. Hint: The large Tangle is a nice addition to Surly LHTs with 26" wheels, as the smaller wheel size makes for a more open frame design. $68-70 depending on size.Another bag we're carrying now is the Revelate Gas Tank.

A great way to carry food to eat while riding, a camera, phone, and other items you may want to access quickly without having to get off the bike to dig through a larger bag. $55

Wheelbuilding class, Dec 3

2011-11-12T12:13:00.001-08:00

I just finished the wheelbuilding class this morning, and already had two people ask me to do another one. I'm delighted that this has been so popular this year! Let's have another class on December 3. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class at the shop Saturday, December 3, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot on a first-come, first served basis. We will provide step-by-step instruction and a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels (I can help if you run out of time). You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Space is limited, so call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

some nice used bikes

2011-11-10T13:57:00.001-08:00

Cleaning house a little at HC, and we have quite a few used bikes to sell. We can sell these however you want to buy them, but cash deals will get special treatment. First off is my 2011 Redline D660 29er with 19" frame.

This was around $1900 new, and this one is in clean, excellent condition for $1200.

Next is my 1983/84 Specialized Stumpjumper fixed-gear with Phil Wood KISS-OFF hubs.

I don't know how Specialized sized these, but I'm guessing this was a "Large", with 21" seat-tube (c-t) and 22" top-tube. Little about this is stock. Anyway, this makes a great cruiser, touring bike, trail bike, or winter bike - I've used it for all these purposes. $800

How about a pristine Cannondale T2000 touring machine?

Again, not sure of Cannondale's sizing scheme, but this seems to be in the vicinity of a 57-58 cm effective seat tube with 56 cm top-tube. The parts on this are really nice, and the bike is like new. Your choice of Brooks saddle: black B67 or green Team Professional. $1200.

Winter bomber Surly 1x1:

20" frame, Surly hubs, White Industries freewheel. Maybe the perfect winter bike. $600

A vintage road bike for a winter project?

This 58 cm 1985 Raleigh Competition is fast and ready to ride, but with a little elbow grease (and maybe new rubber), this would be an eye-catching machine. And FAST! $450

Fancy old 3-speed?

1969 Raleigh Superbe 22.5" c-c, very clean, very original, except for the tires. The original Brooks B72 saddle is in excellent rideable condition. You don't see many 3-speeds this nice. Includes pump. $350.

A city-utility bike for a short-ish person.

Schwinn Traveler mixte with 19" seat-tube. $150

Moon Landing

2011-11-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

We at HC have exerted our considerable bike industry clout to maybe possibly get a loaner Moonlander to examine and test-ride Saturday, November 12, Noon-4pm.

Wait, that's not it, but here's a sneak peek, culled from one of our favorite porn sites:

If you understand and like the Pugsley and other "fat bikes", I predict the Moonlander will be right up your alley, and you should come in and try it. If you just don't get it, then please don't ask me to explain - just come in and try it.

Wheelbuilding class, November 12

2011-10-26T10:39:00.001-07:00

The wheelbuilding class has been surprisingly popular this Fall. The two October classes filled - the second one wasn't even advertised! Let's have another one on November 12. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class at the shop Saturday, November 12, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot on a first-come, first served basis. We will provide step-by-step instruction and a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels (I can help if you run out of time). You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Space is limited, so call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

Bon Voyage to The Weasel!

2011-10-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Our customer-turned-friend-turned-hero, Sean - aka "The Weasel" - rolled out today.

Sean decided that spending his days in a cubicle re-engineering low-bid spaghetti software codes was not how he wanted to use the prime years of his life. With no small amount of deliberation, he finally made the decision to follow his dream of embarking on an open-ended bike tour. He had an "ideal" plan in place, which would have had him touring with financial independence in the company of some attractive and/or agreeable female, but decided that waiting for all the planets to align was simply too risky. He finally said, and I'm paraphrasing from my imagination here, "fuck it, what's the worst that can happen?" Bike touring and life are fraught with uncertainty, but fortunately, in hindsight, we see that it's the things we didn't control that were some of our best times. Anyway, a couple weeks ago, Sean quit a well-paying job, and disposed of most of his worldly possessions that didn't fit on his Long Haul Trucker. This afternoon, after brunching with those of us lucky enough to be his friends, he pedaled off in a southerly direction, with the goal of outrunning Minnesota winter. He's aiming for New Orleans by following the Mississippi River at a leisurely pace, but unlike a guy on a limited vacation, he can change plans on a whim, and has no itinerary but his own.

I'm going to miss my friend. We did many short and long rides together, spent many evenings at Hard Times Cafe drinking mud and yukking it up, and I always hoped he'd swing by the shop on his way home from work. At the same time, I am exceedingly happy to see him tear up the life-script and follow a more unorthodox path. Starting today, The Weasel is living the freedom that most of us would prefer, but for the courage.

Keep up with him through his blog. He's a good man, and thorough.

Trollin'

2011-09-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

I recently fine-tuned my Surly Troll with a different stem, set-back seatpost, and new bar tape, in tentative preparation for a late-season adventure in a place warmer than here. The Troll went on a little urban adventure this morning. What a fantastic machine!

Minnecycle Ride, Friday Night!

2011-09-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

It's time again for Minnecycle, an exhibition featuring Minnesota's finest bicycle frame-builders. We're riding from HC, Friday night at 6 PM. We'll check out the show for a bit, then head to a nearby food and drink establishment for a unique dining experience.

Oregon coast tour

2011-09-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

Our bikes were taken to Oregon by the good people at Amtrak. The Weasel and I flew to Portland, where we retrieved our bikes at the Amtrak station just in time to load them on a bus for the coast. Our bikes and gear were in cardboard boxes, but several others packed their bikes into the cargo compartments of the bus without a box - a convenient (and cheap) way to escape to the coast if you live in Portland. Anyway, we arrived in Astoria, exhausted from a long day of air, foot, and bus travel. We assembled the bikes and loaded the bags onto them, and were on our way in search of an accommodation for the night. We stayed in a motel not far from where the bus dropped us off in the misty darkness.

The next morning, we had breakfast at a local cafe before heading up the long and steep hill to the Astoria Column. Bicycling up the hill and climbing the 164 steps to the top of the column was a good way to start the tour. Despite my acrophobia, I managed to lose myself in the making of photographs and just admire the 360-degree panoramic view.

See that ship down there? I learned later that it is a Japanese boat loading up with local tuna. It was reported to us by a local character that the earthquake in Japan devastated the tuna industry in the country. Another notable observation - from the column I could hear the barking noise of seals or sea lions. During the trip, we weren't fortunate to see any of these animals, but we heard them in Astoria.

After the visit to the column, we headed down the coast. Traffic was heavy and the shoulder was narrow. I was hoping it would let up once were were away from Astoria and the junction of various highways in that area. We took a break at Cannon Beach for lunch at a Mexican joint and a walk on the beach near Haystack Rock.

Back on the road, we decided that our destination for the night would be Nehalem Bay State Park. We stopped in Manzanita, a quaint town near the state park, to stock up on food to last the next 24 hours. It was at this point that we learned about the wonders of the Oregon State Park hiker/biker sites. The sites are low-cost, semi-primitive camping areas specifically for hikers and cyclists. The rest of the campground is full of RVs and utility hook-ups, but the hiker/biker sites provide a somewhat closer-to-nature experience. Nehalem was gorgeous. After setting up my tent, I took off my shoes, grabbed a camera and tripod, and headed down the hill to wet my feet in the surf and take pictures.

It should be noted that my "serious" camera on this trip was a Nikon FM, a fully manual 35 mm SLR. Yes, film. Believe it or not, pickings are getting slim for film in convenience stores. Even two camera shops in downtown Portland failed to do better than Walgreen's or Target in terms of color film selection, especially for film slower than ISO 400. It seems like online is probably the way to go for buying film nowadays, unless you happen to live near a really good camera shop that still stocks the stuff. Anyway, none of the 35 mm photos have been developed yet, so what you see in this post is all from my iPhone camera.

We had encountered some other cyclists on the road earlier in the day. Donny and Sarah had recently embarked on their first ever bicycle tour. They weren't more than casual cyclists when they bought new Surly Long Haul Truckers and set off from Alaska on a trip to the bottom of South America. Sarah said she cried a lot the first couple weeks, but by the time they hit Oregon, they were seasoned travelers, having the time of their lives. When we met them, they assumed we must be with some other cyclists from Minneapolis they'd just met minutes before meeting us. Later we met these other Minneapolis cyclists, Brent and Katie down the road a few miles. At Nehalem, we met Rose who was heading home to San Francisco after a summer working in Seattle, Peter and Franzisca (sp?) from Switzerland, and Wayne, from Canada. It turns out that there are certain popular campgrounds along the coast, and if you ride at a normal pace (45-60 miles per day), you will tend to camp with the same people every night. Rose, who is smart and fun, made a friendly gesture of starting a fire at Nehalem and inviting the rest of us to enjoy it.

By the end of the night, we were all friends.

After a good night's sleep, we commenced the first of several excellent campground breakfasts, most of which included eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes with melted cheese, all cooked on my recently acquired Trangia stove.

I brought a French press for making real coffee. Yes, we eat well on the road.

I had a strange experience that morning. I thought back just 24 hours to my previous breakfast in Astoria, and the "epic" climb to the Astoria Column...and it seemed like it was weeks ago. Being along the coast had a funny effect on perceived time. Everything seemed very much "in the moment".

The next day, we set out for Cape Lookout via the Three Capes scenic loop. The biggest town in the vicinity is Tillamook, which is famous for cheese. I'd been buying Tillamook cheese at a local grocery store for years, but hadn't realized it was from this small town in coastal Oregon. In Tillamook, we again saw some of our friends from the previous day, and they advised us that they'd heard a rumor that the Three Capes road was closed. After destroying a pizza, The Weasel and I headed toward Cape Meares, which was the first of the three capes on the loop. We noticed orange construction detour signs, but they directed us down the roads we'd already planned to use, so it wasn't actually a detour for us. The hill climb near Cape Meares was a challenge, much larger than any hill we have in Minnesota. After that climb and a few more stout inclines, we came to a sign that said "road closed 1000 feet". We weren't eager to turn back to repeat those miles and those hills, so we rode around the road closure signs. Luckily, the road was still open for bikes.

It was a nice view.

Cape Lookout campground was even more delightful than Nehalem Bay.

Immediately out of Cape Lookout the next morning, we gained 900 feet in 4 miles. Not in Kansas anymore.

From the small town of Neskowin, we were advised by a friend and by an Adventure Cycling Association map to take a detour from the main highway. I was reluctant to follow this advice because were were running short on time for the distance we wanted to cover, and for a change we had good pavement and a comfortably wide shoulder. The Weasel and I deliberated on this point for a few minutes. Soon our old friend Rose caught up to us. When we reached the turn-off for the detour, Rose thought it looked pretty good, so we took it. This was easily my favorite ten miles of the trip. The road twisted uphill through giant moss-covered spruces. We stopped to pick berries. I got excited when I discovered thimbleberries, which I've only seen in my ancestral homeland of the U.P. There was a moss-covered bridge.

We were advised to press forward 70ish miles from Cape Lookout to Beverly Beach, but with our leisurely attitude and pace, we made it only 50 miles to Lincoln City and Devil's Lake State Park. Not a great campground, but the food was good.

Rose was staying with friends in Lincoln City, but out other old friends, Brent and Katie from Minneapolis pulled in just before dark. I was happy to see them again, and we all stayed up late talking around the fire. The next morning, B and K would continue down the coast. The Weasel and I, on the other hand, were contemplating alternatives to another day of high traffic on highway 101. We decided to head inland, back to Portland. The coast was wonderful in many ways, but the nation's best cycling city beckoned, and I was eager to spend some time with friends who live there (sorry I couldn't make time for everyone I know who lives there). An easy day-and-a-half of not-terribly-exciting riding took us to Portland by way of McMinnville.

At a Motel in McMinnville, we discovered the Lingerie Football League on TV. I suspected the motel room next to ours was being used to film a porno movie. We met some nice people at a local bike shop.

Once in Portland, we rode around town a fair bit, including a jaunt to the top of lovely Mt Tabor. For the most part, our time in Portland was spent socializing, eating, and admiring the local bike culture. It seemed sort of low-key after the spectacular scenery and stressful traffic on the coast, but it was exactly what I needed.

Would you believe I'm already contemplating the next adventure?

Shop hours for the week of 9/13 to 9/17

2011-09-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

Kevin is leading an intrepid band of excursionists in the Grand Canyon, and I am leaving with The Weasel on Sept 12 for a week of independent testing of bicycle, camping, and photographic equipment along the Oregon coast. Mark is going to be keeping the shop open normal hours Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, but not on Wednesday and Saturday, when the shop will be closed. To summarize:

THE SHOP WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT 14 AND SATURDAY, SEPT 17.

Are you really, really tall?

2011-09-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

Tall people, and I mean REALLY tall people, have trouble finding bikes that are big enough. There are numerous reasons for this, and things are starting to improve, but still. We just came across this touring bike built by Terry Osell. The seat tube is 75 cm, which makes it the tallest bike I've ever seen or heard about.

It could use some cleaning and lubing, and maybe some modern component upgrades, but if you need a bike this tall, there are few options. This one, as is, for $1000 or reasonable offer.

Saturday Night Ride

2011-09-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Mark Stonich is leading one of his famous night rides, sure to be a legend in the future.
Sept 10, 2011
Leave the shop @ 7:30 PM
Distance will be somewhere between 20 & 30 miles as I haven't finalized the route.
Please have reliable lights and wear light colored clothing.

Wheelbuilding class - October 8, but register now!

2011-08-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

NOTE: The OCT 8 Class is FULL!! Please let me know if you want to be on a waiting list for this class or another class later in October.

The wheelbuilding class has been requested by a handful of customers, so let's have one on October 8. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class Saturday, October 8, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot. We will provide a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels. You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Space is limited, so call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

Bicycle Consultation Services Offered Here!

2011-08-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

Just kidding, I think.

We at HC only make money when customers spend money at the shop. Actually, it's not that simple. As a brick-and-mortar shop, we have to pay rent for our physical presence and have tools and staff and inventory, not to mention insurance, on-hand to take care of problems, answer questions, give good advice, etc, on demand, whenever a customer or potential customer walks through the door. These things cost money even when we're not working on a paid project. So maybe it's more accurate to say that we only make money when we've already paid our expenses and customers spend more money at the shop. Don't take this as a complaining: I love my job, and I certainly am not in it for the money (I take home a low-ish income, but have a modest lifestyle, so it seems to work). Based on my talks with friends, I feel lucky to have a job that I love, while so many are seemingly tormented by their daily grind.

There's a famous bicycle frame-builder, who is also reputed to be a curmudgeon, named Bruce Gordon. You might be able to imagine the work-life of an upper-echelon frame-builder like Bruce. A customer calls out of the blue to discuss a new frame order. The builder drops whatever he's working on to talk to the customer, perhaps for hours, patiently answering all the good questions and the stupid questions and assuaging serious and petty concerns. If the builder is lucky, the customer has credit card in-hand and makes a deposit on the spot. Done! The frame will be be built in 16 months! Two days later, the customer calls again to discuss the feasibility of using some vintage water-bottle cage braze-on he discovered on some photo on the internet. With a 16 month wait, the frame-builder has a lot of projects to work on, and there is ample time for the customer to ruminate on trivialities, and change his mind 95 times even about the basic genre of the bike! NOW is not the time to spend an hour on the phone talking about ANY aspect of the project that isn't due for more than a year. I used Bruce Gordon as an example in this case because of a term attributed to him, which succinctly sums up these customers and these conversations: time toilets.

I'm sure every profession has its own version of the time toilet: the little things that take a lot of time, but serve no productive purpose. My time toilets usually involve what I would consider a "consultation", where I provide a great deal of technical information and real-world expertise that helps the customer make an informed decision about, say, an expensive potential bicycle purchase, but the customer ultimately isn't serious, or buys elsewhere. I offer this consultation free of charge, in the belief that the customer is acting with the good faith intention of actually buying a bicycle. I remember one guy called me many times a few years ago, in regard to some fairly expensive bike I was selling. He was obviously a neurotic wreck about every detail of the purchase, and I spent many hours tying up the line talking to the guy, helping him dial in all the details and sooth his demons. Weeks later, he called me to victoriously announce that he'd purchased the same bike elsewhere for slightly less than my asking price, but he thanked me profusely for all the good info I gave him and pledged to buy some fenders from me in the future. That conversation ended abruptly, and he never did order the fenders. That was a somewhat extreme case, but illustrative in the sense that I've started to observe that the amount of time spent in consultation is inversely proportional to the likelihood that the person will actually buy the bicycle. I'm even starting to suspect that the long consultations are actually more a therapy session than a process of making a knowledgeable purchase of a bicycle.

I recently had the good fortune to work with an attorney on a matter unrelated to HC business. His initial 30 minute consultation was free, but after that his hefty hourly rate is billed in 1/10 hour increments. Even a simple 2-line email from him, containing little or no useful info, costs me 1/10 of an hour ($28.50). I regret all the more substantive, useful emails I've sent for free! Anyway, this gave me the bright idea to apply a similar approach to bicycle consultations. If I suspect that the discussion is becoming a time-toilet, I'm going to ask for a retainer or a credit card to keep on file before we go forward. I'll only charge $100/hr, and up to a point, it can be credited toward an actual purchase. Don't worry, if you're not a time-toilet, I won't ask. But if I ask, then you know...

Winter hours start next week

2011-08-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Jeez, it's nice outside, and I'm sitting here at the shop watching people ride by on their bicycles. Lucky for me I have good lights and enjoy riding at night, so that's no problem, but it's time to face the fact that staying open until 7:30 PM not only cuts into my cycling life, but it's pretty quiet business-wise. Also, today I ordered studded tires...

Time to go to our Winter Schedule (effective Aug 19):

Tuesday-Friday 1-6 PM.
Saturday 12-4 PM.

Now, who wants to hit the trails after work?

Bicycle touring SW Wisconsin

2011-08-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

Day 1, Minneapolis to St Paul to La Crosse to Sparta:
A week ago last Sunday, five hardy excursionists (your humble narrator included) departed from St Paul via Amtrak with uncertainty, excitement, and even some fears, about the coming week on the road. As is quite often the case, Amtrak was running a bit behind schedule. Expecting this, the tour organizer planned for a short mileage day for the afternoon of the train's arrival. The group made the best of the delay at a cafe near the station.

Bonnie's Cafe is a gem of a breakfast venue, if you're into a 1960s-era diner style atmosphere and food of substance. The construction on University Ave has not been easy on Bonnie's. I suggest that everybody eat there as often as possible to help this place survive the temporary inconvenience of construction. Next HC Saturday ride is going there, and I might just order two breakfasts. Here's a photo I took of the interior of Bonnie's awhile back:

After breakfast, we returned to Amtrak to box up our bikes for the trip. The Amtrak boxes are rather large, and putting the bikes in them is a simple process requiring only a small degree of dis-assembly. Then the boxes get loaded onto Civil-War-era oxcarts, and onto the train:

A few hours later, we were ready to roll in La Crosse.

I had my bike loaded with Banjo Brothers Market Panniers on back and Waterproof Panniers on front, in addition to a top-tube bag for my camera and a Minnehaha large handlebar bag. This turned out the be far more capacity than I really needed, but the surplus capacity certainly came in handy when our marauding gang descended on small town grocers...

After a quick jaunt through La Crosse to stock up at People's Food Co-op, we headed into the boonies by way of the La Crosse River State Trail, one of several enviable state bicycle trails in the area. This trail took us to Sparta, Wisconsin, where we detoured off the trail a few miles for a pleasant surprise called the Leon Valley Campground. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this campground, but it was quiet, clean, beautiful, and had modern, well-maintained facilities.

Day 2, Sparta to Wildcat Mountain:
Sparta!

From here we commenced riding on the famed Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This trail was lovely, but the most memorable thing about it is the first tunnel we encountered. Rumor has it, the tunnel is a mile long, which seemed about right. All I can say for sure was that it is DARK!

Signs advised "BIKES MUST BE WALKED THRU TUNNEL", but we all rode, which was dangerous and exhilarating. Powerful lights are essential. Did I mention it's dark?

We stopped for lunch in a small town called Wilton. After we ate, we encountered, quite by coincidence, another small group on tour, which included HC-customers/personal-friends from Minneapolis and from southern California. We chatted for awhile about our tour plans, the pitfalls and rewards of organizing bicycle tours, etc. At that moment, I planned to continue down the trail to Elroy, then onto another trail, which I explained to my friends in the other group. Five minutes later, after reconvening with my tour group, that plan was thrown out the window (scrapping plans would become a habit) in favor of shaving off a few miles by heading south to Wildcat Mountain State Park. Who woulda thunk that Wildcat Mountain would be uphill? Whatever miles we saved were replaced with arduous climbing, and more climbing, then, right at the end, a total gut-buster of a hill leading up to the park entrance. Nobody died, and we all agreed it was worth the effort.

We learned that state parks in Wisconsin are a great value. Not only were they generally gorgeous, but they were cheap ($14 for non-resident camping split 5 ways...) and had good facilities, helpful staff, etc.

Day 3, Wildcat Mountain to Richland Center:
After leaving Wildcat Mountain, we pushed for a block of bold text on a map, which was called Richland Center, so named because it's the business hub of Richland County, so named, I surmise, because of the Rich Land that makes it good for farming. My hunch is that the Wisconsin River floodplain has good soil because of historical floods. This segment still featured some of the Driftless Area type bluffs and topography, but there was much more agriculture than we'd seen previously in the trip.

A few miles shy of Richland Center, we turned off for a campground that was marked on my map. I noted that there was no signage on the main road that would indicate that the campground is here, and I was concerned that perhaps my map was out-of-date. We almost passed the campground because there wasn't an obvious sign there either. When we pulled in, we were fairly confused until a rotund guy in a fluorescent yellow shirt marked STAFF waved us over. He told us we could camp and pointed out some vacant sites, but he wasn't 100% sure on the price, and in any case, he wasn't prepared to take our money or handle any formalities. We set up our tents apprehensively not knowing if we had any legitimate right to be there, but eventually the STAFF guy's wife showed up and handled the transaction and attended to our requests with the utmost efficiency and charm. It turned out to be a pretty nice place, but I'll be damned if I can recall the name... Again, we'd discovered a campground that was better than we'd expected.

Day 4, Richland Center to Wyalusing:
Richland Center was a delight. It was a nice little town that wasn't derelict and decrepit like so many of the small towns we passed. I suspect that the UW-Richland Center campus was the likely reason behind the apparent modest prosperity. Anyway, the town had a nice little natural foods co-op, right up our alley.

From Richland Center, we continued south and crossed the Wisconsin River into Muscoda (pronounced Mus-co-day). After being treated rudely at one restaurant, the group relocated to another place around the corner, which turned out to be excellent. They had some fun menu items, like a Burning Bunghole Burger, for example. The post-burger pie was some of the best I've had.

From Muscoda we followed the Wisconsin River downstream through Boscobel and some other very small towns, on a nice flat road.

The group had determined earlier in the day to make the long push to Wyalusing State Park. The county roads leading to the park are spectacular, and difficult. This was the top of Russell Hill, which was the longest, steepest, toughest climb I could remember:

The descent was exhilarating. A few minutes later, however, we found an even longer climb, which would put us on top of the plateau where Wyalusing is situated. After some screwing around and crowd-avoidance, we settled on a secluded campsite, which was pleasant.

Day 5, Wyalusing to Victory (Blackhawk Park):
After nearly 70 challenging miles the previous day, we opted to spend the next morning exploring Wyalusing a bit before getting back on the road. The views from the park were incredible.

I took this opportunity to do a yoga pose with an impressive backdrop.

Now we were left with nearly three days to pedal less than 80 miles. We dawdled in Prairie du Chien, and visited our friend Marty at The Prairie Peddler. Then we had lunch and screwed around a little bit. Then we wasted some time. Finally back on the road, we headed up the Mississippi River toward a campground called Blackhawk Park. It turned out to be slightly further than expected, and we made camp after dark. Blackhawk Park is a large campground operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. All night the background noise was dominated either by trains, river barges, or both - not bad noises, but ever-present.

Day 6, Victory to La Crosse (Goose Island):
We left Blackhawk Park, now only 25 or so miles to La Crosse, but with most of two days to get there. Again, we adopted a slow pace, with plenty of screwing around. We backtracked a few miles for pizza and contemplated a side-trip to Iowa. We ultimately scrapped the Iowa idea, but if I did it again, I think we would have approached La Crosse from the Iowa/Minnesota side of the river to avoid the harrowing stretches with narrow shoulders and fast traffic. Not far upstream, we arrived at Goose Island County Park. This park did not endear itself to us. The camping fee structure was $20 per sleeping unit, regardless of whether the "sleeping unit" was a 10-person RV or a 1-person tent. As we had four tents, this was going to be a very expensive campsite. The price was negotiated down to less than half of that princely sum, but we would have to occupy the "overflow area". There was a lot of trash around the sites, and in general the facilities were not up to par with what we'd experienced elsewhere. It was a pretty area, though.

This final campground was kind of a let-down after the first-class establishments we'd experienced earlier, but it certainly wasn't the worst I'd seen. Nonetheless, I probably won't stay there again.

Day 7, La Crosse to La Crosse to St Paul to Minneapolis:
We had just a few miles to ride from our campsite to the actual city of La Crosse. The short jaunt was made challenging, however, by a cold and driving rain and the complete lack of bicycle-friendly infrastructure entering the city from the south side. We all arrived in one piece to a restaurant called the Hungry Peddler, which had great food, better service, and an overhang area where we could park the bikes out of the rain. From there, we were able to get on side streets, and away from the retail strip-mall Hell we'd ridden through on our initial approach of the city.

With a whole day to kill, we stopped first at a coffee shop, where we warmed up, caffeinated, and charged our electronic devices. We went to an impressive guitar shop, which is owned by the uncle of one of our group. None of our group are into guitars or play guitar, but we all thought the shop was pretty great. Then a cheeseburger, etc at a neighborhood dive bar. We revisited People's Co-op and a nearby "patisserie" that was going out of business. Finally, enough time had been killed, and we moseyed our way back to the Amtrak station, all ready to go home, but reluctant to leave the rhythm of the road.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. The weather, the roads, the small towns, the state parks, and especially the friends who accompanied me were exceptional. Southwest Wisconsin is close enough to here to not seem exotic or exciting, but it is truly a world-class place to ride a bicycle. Please, keep that secret between us.

Bike touring with grocery panniers

2011-08-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

The bike tour I've been planning kicks off this Sunday, August 7. We will be closed most of the week from August 7-13, but there is a good chance that Mark will keep the shop open on Thursday, August 11, and Saturday, August 13. Call 612-727-2565 to check on our hours on those days.

Anyway, here's my Curt Goodrich touring bike. Curt built me this bike several years ago, and I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted something similar to my now-elsewhere Rivendell Atlantis, but I wanted 26" wheels with massive tire clearance and a 1-1/8" threadless steerer for rigidity and for the improved variety of threadless-compatible handlebars, among other reasons. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Surly was soon to release the 26"-wheeled version of the Long Haul Trucker with these characteristics - great minds think alike! But I was caught up in the excitement of a custom frame, and now I'm happy to have a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind ride. Anyway, for those who don't mind the considerable expense and long wait for a custom bike, talk to Curt (or any of the other fine local custom bike guys). Otherwise, for a touring, general all-rounder bike, the LHT is at least as much function, but for a fraction of the price.

For this tour I decided to highlight the wonderful design and versatility of some fine bags from our friends at Banjo Brothers. For thems that don't know, Banjo Brothers is a Minneapolis-based brand of practical, affordable bicycle bags: seat bags, panniers, bar bags, messenger bags, backpacks, etc. The Banjo bags are economically priced, but the design and construction is great, and customer service, on the rare occasions when you need it, is even better. Here I'm using the Market Panniers on the back and the waterproof panniers on the front. The small top-tube bag is a good place for my phone and camera. The handlebar bag, which has been on my bike for more than a year now, is from Minnehaha Bag Company, which is a canvas/leather line of bags, and a sibling-brand to Banjo Brothers. The Banjo Brothers panniers are generally marketed and regarded as general commuting and grocery-gettin' equipment. If you go on any bicycle touring discussion website, you will quickly discover that you need magical (expensive) equipment for touring. "Touring" is held up as a lofty and extreme pursuit, where only the most elite equipment will result in a pleasant, non-death experience. My stance is that bike touring is a lot like riding a bike, which most of us do every day without the benefit of elite touring equipment. I figure if I can haul heavy groceries and various oddball items day-in and day-out in a Banjo Brothers Market Pannier (or similar), surely it will do for hauling some lightweight camping and cooking gear for a week on a bike tour. What's the worst that can happen?

Given the large number of people who already own and use utilitarian panniers like these from Banjo Brothers, the potential for large numbers of cyclists to enjoy overnight bike touring, with equipment they already own, is huge.

getting good bikes for cheap

2011-07-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

There's a popular theory in stock market investing that holds that all stocks are priced fairly. If a stock is inexpensive, it's because there is a fair bit of risk that offsets the potential upside. If a stock is expensive, it's because it has been deemed, by sophisticated analysts and institutional investors who know more than you do, to be a solid, low-risk investment. Obviously, very few stock market investors, even if they outwardly believe the fair-price theory, put it into practice, since almost every investor is endlessly looking for the bargain that nobody else has discovered.

And this is exactly what happens in the used bike market. Like the stock market, the non-expert stands to get burned, again, and again, and again. A well-regarded name-brand means nothing if one or more of the previous owners was a hack mechanic who screwed everything up (not an uncommon situation). As often as not, the used bike was ridden or abused within an inch of its life. If the buyer gets a good deal, but then needs several hundred dollars in new drivetrain parts and labor, it's very quickly not a good deal anymore. Even more problematic is that framesets often sell for more money (or at least more quickly and easily) than a complete bike. A common situation here is that a customer will bring us a used frameset and a hodgepodge of mixed parts, asking us to make it work. In general, the mix of used parts has to be substantially supplemented by NEW parts from our inventory. Again, it ends up costing a lot of money, and it's still a mostly used, half worn-out bike. The little gremlins that make a bargain-priced used bike more trouble than it's worth are not always obvious, even to the trained eye.

There are success stories in used bike shopping, of course. Every so often, one of our very experienced and knowledgeable customers will find something collectible or cool at Goodwill or at a yard sale for a shockingly low price. Or maybe you have a friend who buys really nice new stuff, uses it minimally, changes his mind, and offers his cast-offs to you for a song. To keep with the stock market analogy, this is kinda like being the janitor at Google who received stock options way back when, and is now a billionaire. Most people do not have friends like this.

The most common way that people get used bikes is by finding them on craigslist or eBay. The problem with these is that hundreds of other people also see the ads. If it is truly a bargain, there are people who make it their business to be ready to buy, at the doorstep, cash in hand, before you've even finished reading the ad, If it's not a deal, then you can pat yourself on the back for having the good fortune that nobody else bought it before you did.

I hate to discourage people from trolling the used bike market, because it keeps us busy this time of year making the used bikes ride-able. On the other hand, I also see that used bike shopping is fraught with risk, unexpected costs, and very, very often, is not the best bang for your buck.

bicycles in a tough economy

2011-07-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

In addition to the obvious - transportation, fitness, fun, maybe even green-ness - bicycles and the bicycling lifestyle also provide a benefit that, in my opinion, doesn't get enough attention: liberation from dependency on political and economic factors.

Here in Minnesota, we just experienced a prolonged state government shutdown, which was resolved with a divisive political deal that seems likely to produce an even more severe budget problem in a year or two. The federal government is now apparently facing the possibility of an unprecedented default on its debts, and few of us can guess where that will lead, even if it doesn't happen. Many of our customers and friends have experienced layoffs and career transitions that resulted in personal financial challenges. Gas prices have bounced around, and now seem to be holding steady well north of $3/gallon. Through it all, people who ride bikes have continued to enjoy riding bikes. During a grocery run on my Surly Cross-Check fixed-gear a couple weeks ago, I was fortunate to observe this sunset while riding my bike.

Dramatic sunsets never get old, and they are equally available to anybody, especially to people who tend to ride bikes during the evening hours. Absolutely free. I doubt a rich man, from the seat of his luxury automobile, could enjoy these things more than I do.

Once you have a decent bike or two (or six), riding the bike is pretty much free, regardless of how much money you make, and regardless of the state of public affairs. Sure, tires and other parts wear out over time, but it's probably true for most of us that a typical month's worth of gasoline and car maintenance will cost more than a typical year's worth of bike repairs, if we're smart about it.

I was musing over breakfast this morning that I have not been a regular driver in more that seven years now! I have the HC shop truck, but it has been idle for at least 2 months. I doubt it has more than 100 miles on it for all of 2011. I find driving and keeping up with the expenses that go with it to be generally stressful, but riding my bike, even in suboptimal weather, is generally a good time. I expect that this will continue to be the case, even if the proverbial shit continues to hit the proverbial fan.

More bike tour info

2011-07-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

In two weeks, I will be departing on a week-long bike tour, and you're invited to join. The tour will start in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on August 7 and conclude in the same city on August 13. I have talked to a number of potentially interested touring companions, but I have little idea who is actually willing/able to go through with it. If you are planning to attend and haven't recently told me you're planning to attend, please send me an email, preferably with a mobile phone number. This will help in the event of cat-herding. I don't need a firm commitment at this point, but it will be nice to know if you're coming on August 7.

Where and getting to and from
I am planning to use Amtrak to get to LaCrosse on August 7 and return on August 13. Amtrak is a fun and useful service for bike touring, despite some minor cost/inconvenience with using Amtrak's bike boxes, being aware of luggage services at each station, etc. If you are going to make use of Amtrak service also and you'd like a little coaching, feel free to contact me. Of course, the tour starts and ends in LaCrosse, and there are other options for getting to/from LaCrosse. If on schedule (not by any means guaranteed), Amtrak gets to LaCrosse mid-morning on August 7. Whatever mode of transport to LaCrosse you choose, please try to be ready to roll by mid-day, possibly later if Amtrak is running late. If you are going to take Amtrak, please let me know. Also, buy yourself a ticket.

Where will we sleep?
The general plan is for camping in campgrounds every night on the tour, and I have planned a loose schedule that puts us near campgrounds at the end of each day. If the nightly stopping point is near a motel/hotel, that may be a nice break from camping. In any case, it should not be assumed that hotels will be available every night, so come prepared to camp. I am not making any reservations in advance. I find reservations to be too constraining for a group of freewheeling mofos like us. I will probably do a little research ahead of time, just to know the lay of the land, but camping/motel flexibility will be an important virtue.

What will we eat?
I enjoy eating at small-town diners. When I'm tired of diner fare and/or when diners aren't available, I stop at grocery stores. This is not a back-country tour where you'll need elaborate cooking equipment and a week's worth of astronaut food on the bike. I expect diner stops and/or a grocery store stop pretty much every day. I will probably bring a compact stove for boiling water for morning coffee. If you have 1-2 days of food/snacks on the bike, that will probably be more than ample to get you from one refueling stop to the next.

What if something unforeseen happens?
I never plan for unforeseen events. Those who do plan for every possibility have 150 pounds of stuff they never use in their panniers. I'd suggest being prepared to fix a flat tire or five. That means: bring a few tubes, a patch kit, and a pump. A patch kit and a CO2 inflater is probably too optimistic. Also, bring some basic tools that will work on your bike. If your hubs have nutted or bolted axles, bring a wrench that fits the nut/bolt. Most likely, among the participants on the tour, extra tubes and tools will be available, but it's still a good idea to have your own basic kit. And make sure your bike is in good working order. I can help you assess that now, if you're not sure. Aside from bike stuff, I'd suggest packing clothes that will be appropriate for cycling in varied weather conditions. It could be hot, and it could rain and you might get a chill. It probably won't snow. Perhaps be prepared to swim/fish/hike/read, if the opportunity presents itself. In general, if you find yourself wondering if you NEED some piece of heavy/large equipment, leave it out.

There is a certain amount of self-reliance on this ride. I don't really want to babysit anybody. On the other hand, it is a friendly group ride, so I'll probably be happy to help you with a mechanical issue or give you some water/food if you run out and may otherwise die. Don't worry if you're not fast - it's not a race...the bigger concern is that you'll be too fast! Also, bring cash! Your AmEx card may be worthless in some small towns, but almost everybody takes cash.

Any questions, email me.

S12O

2011-07-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works has been trying to popularize the idea of bicycle micro-touring, which he calls the S24O - short for Sub-24hr-Overnight. Grant's goal is to encourage bicycle touring among people who, for various reasons, cannot commit to leaving home on a bicycle trip for many days, weeks, or months. Bite-size bike touring.

I did one of these trips last night after work. From the time I punched out last night until I was cooking breakfast in my kitchen this morning, the total elapsed time was under 12 hours. I'm calling it a S12O. I took relatively few photos, but here are a couple to give a flavor of the experience:

I already had panniers on my bike, which contained the usual tools, tubes, pump, and locks. I added a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent, and off I went into the local wilderness. Once the traffic on a nearby highway died down for the evening, and my fears of roving serial killers dissipated, it was a most pleasant night to sleep out in the woods.

More info on the August tour

2011-06-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am planning to do a bicycle tour starting and ending in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, August 7-13. Anybody who cares to join me on this trip is welcome. Before I get into more detail, I'd like to establish some ground rules so folks don't get the wrong idea. This is NOT a supported trip. There will be no sag vehicle to give you a ride or carry your stuff if things don't go as planned, and I am not providing food, lodging, or any accommodations of any kind. Every participant is responsible for himself or herself. If you choose to participate, please have a backup plan, or at least a willingness to improvise a plan as needed. Please understand that any preliminary plans and routes are subject to change based on weather, mood, time constraints, input from participants and locals, further map study, unforeseen events, etc. It is with great reluctance that I publish ANY sort of itinerary in advance, because I fully expect it to change. If you would like to participate in this tour, and you have rigid time constraints that rely on an exact and unchanging itinerary for this trip, you are most likely setting yourself up for some disappointment, or at least stress.

Anyway, I have been asked for a schedule, so here's a rough draft:

August 7: the participants will gather in LaCrosse around mid-day and ride to Sparta, WI along a state trail. This is about 25 miles. According to one map I have, there is a campground a few miles south of Sparta.

August 8: Sparta to LaValle, 48 miles. There is a campground just a few miles north of LaValle.

August 9: LaValle to Muscoda, 61 miles. Lodging/camping options in/near Muscoda are not obvious from maps. We may cut this day a little shorter and camp near Spring Green, WI, making up the extra 20 miles or so the following day.

August 10: Muscoda (or Spring Green) to Wyalusing State Park, 43 miles (around 60 miles if we stay in Spring Green rather than Muscoda).

August 11: Rest day at Wyalusing State Park. There are numerous options for fun rides from the state park, in addition to other diversions, like hiking, fishing, etc. The city of Prairie du Chien is not far away. Those who need to get back a day early may choose to skip the rest day and ride back toward LaCrosse.

August 12: Wyalusing to ??? I am considering several route options, but the goal is to spend the night within 25-30 miles of LaCrosse for an easy, unhurried last day of riding. Expect 60-65 miles.

August 13: ??? to LaCrosse. The plan is to have a short day of riding (25-30 miles) so we are not pressed for time on our last day.

How to carry groceries (and most other stuff)

2011-06-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

(This post is aimed at casual and aspiring utilitarian cyclists, who probably don't read this blog.)

This time of year, we have a lot of fair-weather cyclists who come in to ask about "baskets" for carrying groceries and other items aboard their bicycles. Most commonly they are referring to one of the many versions of the old-fashioned chrome steel baskets (usually made by Wald) like this.

(this image was found on the web)

This was state-of-the-art utilitarian cycling equipment in 1971. Back then, even touring bikes didn't always have rack eyelets, and various racks and basket attachments were affixed onto the seatstays with chrome steel clamps digging into the paint. The chrome flaked off the steel quickly, and pretty soon, the shiny basket was rusty and creaky and increasingly rattly. Plus these things were really heavy, couldn't be removed from the bike easily, would lose small items (like keys) through the gaps between the wires, and if you brushed up against it, you may need a tetanus shot. With all these positive attributes, these crude baskets serve as the archetype of bicycle hauling equipment for many cyclists even now in 2011.

Here at HC, we like to cut against the grain of both bicycle culture and bicycle technology, and we have a different approach to grocery-gettin'. This here is my bike set up with an economical Topeak Explorer rack and a Banjo Brothers grocery pannier.

The rack is more or less universally compatible with many different panniers, trunk bags, and anything else you can strap to it. I think it's the best rack value on the market. The Banjo Brothers grocery pannier is also a tremendous value. It's well-made, smartly designed, and the company is two nice guys who live here in Minneapolis. Grocery panniers are designed to fit a standard paper or cloth grocery bag, but since the pannier comes off in 2 seconds and has a shoulder strap, I just carry mine into the store with me. You can use just one for small to moderate loads (balance is not an issue) or two panniers for bigger hauls. These aren't just for groceries either. Books, mail, cameras, phones, purses, food, keys, wallets, and lot of other common items fit just fine, and since the bottom is not a wire basket, small items don't fall out.

In my opinion, this is a quality utilitarian cycling kit that can turn a casual cyclist into someone who really appreciates the usefulness of bicycles and bicycling. For a limited time, I'm going to encourage people to get this set-up by offering a discounted price. Get the rack and one pannier for $64.99 or the rack and two panniers for $94.99. Taxes and installation are extra, but it's still a good deal.

Swanky pre-owned bikes

2011-06-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

We have a number of used bikes that have made their way to our sales floor. Among them is this fine vintage Salsa Fargo, size L. Includes a dynamo front hub (Alfine) and light (B&M IQ Fly). $1200 or reasonable offer.

We also have a 56 cm Cross-check (beef gravy brown) with a nonstandard build, a Dunelt ladies 3sp, a super clean Schwinn Prelude road bike (about 53 cm) and a mid 80s 58 cm Raleigh Competition racing bike that is lovely and fast and has nice parts.

my new favorite bike

2011-06-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Most bicycle enthusiasts I know are continually on the hunt for the perfect bicycle. Since every bicyclist is different than the next bicyclist, and every mile is different than the last mile, the quest for universal perfection is, by definition, in vain. I am lucky to ride many different bicycles, and on a surprisingly infrequent basis, I find one that hits most of the right notes, most of the time. Such is the case with the Surly Cross-Check. When I saw the 2011 model had this swanky Robin-egg blue color, and mid-fork rack braze-ons, I quickly scrounged up the dough to get one off the first shipment. I put parts from my old fixed-gear on it, along with a few new bits, and here is the result.

At the moment I'm using Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires in 700x38, which are my ideal compromise between light weight, low rolling resistance, high volume, and toughness. I ride these on potholed streets, gravel, dirt, grass, and moderate single-track, which comprises about 99.9% of my riding. The Cross-Check's hallmark is tire-clearance. With 700x38, there is ample room for fenders, but I could easily go much bigger into "monster cross" or 29er territory if fenders weren't a priority. The BB is high enough for pedal-clearance in fixed-gear cornering without being so high that handling is weird. The frame geometry makes for a comfortable and stable ride. The funny thing is that there is nothing about the frame that is technologically advanced or unorthodox or gee-whiz - it's just a simple common-sense design that is too ordinary and too hard to hype/market in a world where often meaningless "innovation" is what sells.

Brewfarm Tour!!!

2011-06-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

The date has been set for the annual tour to Dave's Brewfarm and the ensuing potluck, camping, beer-drinking, and fun. Last year's inaugural Brewfarm tour was generally agreed to be a smashing success, and we're unlikely to have a worse time this year. We will be riding approximately 70 miles from HC to the Brewfarm in Wilson, WI, on Saturday, July 30. When we get there, we will eat, drink, camp, socialize, and perhaps engage in shenanigans (in moderation). Then the next day, Sunday, July 31, we will load up the bikes and ride back to Minneapolis, probably by a different route, just to spice things up. Non-cyclists (family, friends of bicycle participants) are also invited to attend. There is space for camping for everyone at the Brewfarm, but we're limiting the number of cyclists to 40. Food will be $10 and beer will be extra (cash only). For more details or to sign up, email lannyhoff at gmail.

Backpacks

2011-05-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

One of our most consistent selling items over the past few years is the Banjo Brothers commuter backpack, which is currently available in two sizes. Here's how the two sizes measure up:

The backpack is also available in white, which I think looks sharp.

This is sold as a cycling backpack, and it's great for that, but it's great for a lot of non-cycling uses, too. I have three young children, and I use my backpack to carry their necessities when we're out and about. I use my backpack as a suitcase on occasional weekend road trips. And whether I take my bike or the bus or walk, this backpack makes an excellent grocery bag. I use it for something, on or off the bike, every single day, rain or shine.

Black, size medium $79.99
Black, size large $89.99
White, size medium $89.99
White, size large $99.99

Bike trip!

2011-05-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Anybody want to go bike tourin'? It's a lot like this:

Ok, I'm planning for something more like this:

If you're reading this and you feel up to the challenge (keep reading), you're invited.

When and where:
August 7-13 starting and ending in LaCrosse, WI at the Amtrak station there. I'm planning to start at HC early in the morning of August 7th and ride to the Amtrak station in St Paul for a train ride to LaCrosse. On the 13th, get to the Amtrak station for the evening return leg. Last I checked the round-trip train ticket is about $75 plus either $5 or $25 each way for the bike (a matter of chance).

Route and fun things:
I mapped out a route/itinerary that should be spectacular. Much of the route is on the oft-ballyhooed state bike trails of SW Wisconsin. We will ride along the scenic Wisconsin River. I am hoping we can have at least one non-travel day to explore Wyalusing State Park. We will ride in three states. We will stop in scenic places. We will pass through quaint small towns and seduce their women (and eat their burgers). There will likely be opportunities for fishing, hiking, swimming, and geology lessons.

Speed and distance:
How many miles and how fast? The longest day is about 61 miles and there's another one that's about 58 miles, but those are the long days. As for speed, this is a tourism experience, not a race. The pace will be casual, depending on terrain and weather of course, and there will be many stops. If you think you can ride a loaded bike 60 miles in a day without much trouble, you will be fine.

Lodging:
We will be staying mostly in modern campgrounds that have some access to electricity and running water, hopefully showers. Depending on circumstances and mood, there may be a night or two spent in a motel. I prefer to have an idea of the options and decide these things on the road, rather than try to adhere to some rigid itinerary. Anyway, the costs of lodging will be divided among the participants.

Food:
There will be more or less daily grocery store stops to replenish supplies. Small town diners are often hard to pass without stopping in for a bite. Obviously, everybody has different ideas about food, so I'd generally suggest having a day's worth of food on the bike.

Other stuff:
This is not an official HC-supported or sanctioned event. Unless you buy a touring bike, parts, or other equipment from HC (you really should, by the way), I'm not making any money by inviting friends on a bike trip. This trip has been designed to be easily approachable for a novice bicycle tourist, but also enjoyable for someone who has more experience. This is self-supported touring in the great outdoors. Each participant is responsible for his/her own safety, comfort, and enjoyment.

If this all sounds interesting to you and you have questions or comments or whatever, please comment here or email me.

Buncha stuff

2011-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

First of all, sorry for the long wait between blog updates. This post will be full of good info, so read carefully, please.

Happy spring!
Spring has finally come to Minneapolis. I got a minor sunburn last weekend on a ride out to Carver Park Reserve. It was raining today, but I got out for a fun utilitarian ride on my recently acquired 2011 Robin Egg Blue Cross-Check (fixed-gear).

The leaves and flowers exploded into existence just within the last week or so. After a long, hard winter, the fragrances and supersaturated colors are most welcome. I really like the Cross-check, by the way. If I could have just one bicycle, this might be it. But that's crazy talk.

This weekend
The Lake Pepin 3-speed tour is this weekend. I had been planning to ride with my 6-year-old daughter Elissa on an old French 3-speed kid-crank tandem, but the weather forecast is gloomy, to put it charitably. Instead I'll stay in town and keep the shop open normal hours on Saturday. To the hearty 3-speed excursionists who brave the all-weekend thundershowers, I salute you from the dry comfort of HCHQ.

Surly price increases
Effective today, many of the Surly complete bikes are increasing in price between $50 and $100. These bikes still represent one of the best values and arguably some of the best designs in the bicycle world. Current HC stock will be sold at old prices, but any new orders will reflect the increase.

Used Sam Hillborne for sale

I can post some better photos later, but this is a nice Rivendell Sam Hillborne for sale. Size is 56 cm in Rivendell's "expanded geometry", which is somewhat bigger than a 56 in Rivendell's traditional geometry. It feels somewhere between a 56 cm and a 58 cm Surly Cross-check, Long Haul Trucker, or Pacer. It should fit most people between 5'9" and 6'. Lots of nice parts: Phil Wood rear hub, Nitto rack, seatpost, stem, Noodle bar, 105 sealed-bearing headset, Brooks saddle, SKS fenders, Topeak pump, Marathon Supreme tires, and many other nice features. Personally, I love this bike, and if I didn't already have more bikes than money, I'd be tempted to buy it for myself. $1800 or reasonable offer.

Group bike tour
Unless there is a compelling reason to change it, I'm setting the dates for the group bike tour (described in a previous post) for August 7-13. This is a self-supported tour with moderate daily mileage, and I am inviting everybody. Details are far from solidified, but I think it would be fun to ride our bikes from HC to St Paul early in the morning of Sunday, August 7, get on a train, and continue from, say, LaCrosse, Wisconsin for 5-6 days of glorious southwestern Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota. This region is known as the "driftless area", and its topography and scenery are far different than what most people associate with this part of the country. In my opinion, the driftless area, for the most part, is just about as good as it gets for rural bicycle touring. If this trip is of interest to you, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss questions and concerns and to make the necessary arrangements at work, with family, etc, to make this happen.

Email:
My jim@hiawathacyclery email address, which has been my work email for 5+ years is getting a lot of spam and has some other drawbacks. I'm going to avail myself of the convenience and virus/spam protection of web-based email. I am now using two email addresses both @gmail. My personal email is thill.jim and my shop email is hiawathacyclery. I will still check the jim@hiawathcyclery email, but I'm gradually going to transition to the gmail accounts.

Heading out of town, closed Saturday, April 23

2011-04-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I'm going to Grinnell to see if I can ride 322.8 miles of Iowa gravel, dirt, and "B-roads", self-supported, in 34 hours or less. I'm looking at this as a training ride for the 3-speed tour. What's the worst that could happen?

The shop will be closed on Saturday, April 23, but if I survive the weekend, we'll be back to normal hours on Tuesday. See if you can squeeze in a bike adventure or two while I'm gone, and be good to each other.

Let's go on a bike trip!

2011-04-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

I frequently talk to people who want to go on a bicycle tour, but are overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of such an undertaking, and, in the end, they get bogged down in internet discussions about tires or panniers and never actually go through with any trips. I am planning for a week-long tour this summer, tentatively scheduled for the first week of August. Anyway, it occurred to me that this would be a good opportunity to invite experienced and inexperienced bicycle tourists to come with me. I especially want to welcome people who are new to bicycle touring, who may be otherwise a little intimidated by logistics and all the potential pitfalls of going it alone.

I don't have a specific route in mind just yet, but the idea would be to cover around 45-50 miles per day at a relaxed pace. Some days may be 30 miles, and some days may be 70 miles (maximum) - it all really depends on the locations of towns, campgrounds, motels, and other points of interest we plan to visit. There's nothing worse on a bike tour than being tired after a long day, but still pressed for time to cover many miles while daylight is running out... Rather than a rigid itinerary dependent on grueling high-mileage days, I prefer to build in the flexibility of a leisurely daily mileage schedule.

There will be no charge for this trip, and I will accept no responsibility for your safety or enjoyment. My plan is to provide a nice route and the companionship of a group, but on a bike trip, as in life, it's not reasonable to expect everything to go 100% smoothly and according to some preconceived plan. The basic idea is that each rider would be responsible for his/her own bicycle, equipment, food, physical fitness, etc.

Food: Some combination of cooking, grocery stores, and restaurants. The route of the trip will not be far-removed from civilization. We will pass numerous opportunities for replenishing food/supplies. Personally, I like to have munchies on the bike, but eat at least one big meal a day at a decent restaurant.

Lodging: Mostly camping at campgrounds, but perhaps one or two nights at a motel. In general, no lodging will be arranged in advance unless it seems necessary to have reservations somewhere. Most of the time, we can decide on the road where we're gonna stay.

If this is of interest to you, or you have questions, please let me know.

Post-apocalyptic Commuter for sale

2011-04-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

"The Weasel" is selling his trusty Surly 1x1 (size L/20"). Actually it's a 2x2 fixed-gear with two chainrings and a Surly Dingle double fixed cog. Weasel says he can switch from high gear to low gear, and vice versa, with no tools.

By the way, the Chris King headset is included.

If you prefer to coast, the bike also comes with an extra wheel with a fancy-schmancy White Industries freewheel.

All three wheels are handbuilt on Salsa Gordo rims.

Tires included are the fat Bontrager slicks shown on the bike, a pair of knobby Bontrager MTB tires and a pair of Nokian Hakka WXC 300 tires in great condition (the Nokians would retail for around $140 EACH!!!).

There are also some various small parts, SPD pedals, etc, included.

Get all this for $800.

Closing at 6 Thursday, March 31

2011-03-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

We are attending the Tiny Bikeshop Concert at Calhoun Cycle tonight, March 31, so we will be closing at 6pm, rather than the usual 7:30.

Posters are here!

2011-03-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

Our new posters are in, and they're selling fast. We ordered 100, and at least half that number were pre-sold. On Saturday when Adam Turman dropped off the posters and I opened the package, customers in the shop were clamoring for them. Clamoring, I say! I will be surprised if they are still available in a couple weeks. No reprints are planned.

If you ordered one through our web-page and live in town, come and get it. If you ordered one and live far away, it's going to be mailed to you this week. If you told me you want one, but haven't paid yet, you can make your order official by clicking here, by ordering over the phone at 612-727-2565, or by coming into the shop and buying one.

The future of personal transportation

2011-03-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

I chipped in my 2 cents about fuel prices a few days ago, and I would like to expand on that a bit today with a discussion more specifically about bicycles. I've been getting around almost exclusively by bike since 2004. I started out motivated by environmental and geopolitical values and a basic understanding of the implications of our limited energy supply. But now I just think the bicycle lifestyle is a better way to live. Bicycles have been a force for good in my life, causing me to slow down, inspiring me to be more local, and along the way I got healthier (mentally and physically). I take tremendous comfort in the idea of being able to move independently around the city or out into the countryside under my own power. I do make use of buses and the train, and I tend to walk between 3 and 7 miles most days, but nothing gives me the freedom, ease, and speed of mobility that I get from my bicycle. I'm not anti-car, but driving, to me, resembles an unpleasant, somewhat frightening chore, and I only do it as a last resort, usually after much procrastinating (writing this post is actually an example of this procrastination). And if you believe as I do that the future of cars and energy is at best uncertain, then it makes sense to figure out a transportation modality that doesn't have so much dependency on the system as we know it.

I have immersed myself in bicycles - riding them, selling them, servicing them, reading/thinking about them - continuously for 7 years, and I have developed some opinions that I think may be of value for bicycle transportationalists, both experienced and novice. Since I have spent much time thinking about an uncertain future, and how bicycles play into it, I also have a few specific ideas on what is, and is not, desirable on a bicycle for long-term future transportation.

First of all, I wholeheartedly reject the notion that the Dutch, the Danish, the Chinese, or the 1950s French/English somehow have a monopoly on the wisdom of transportational cycling. The bikes that were developed and ridden in these places tend to be products of a specific time and geography and culture that, in my opinion, is not 100% transferable to Jim Thill's bicycle priorities in 2011 Minneapolis. This is not to say that these other bike cultures didn't give us some good ideas, just that they aren't the last word. For example, internal gear hubs, a hallmark of the oft-romanticized Dutch city bikes, for all their potential advantages, continually fall short of (hyper-inflated) expectations and have a number of significant downsides. Again, I'm not saying you shouldn't use an IGH, just that there is no free lunch. If you are buying a bicycle from me, I will be happy to discuss the trade-offs with you at length.

Here is my daily rider:

In 1992, the frame started its life as a Trek "Multi-Track" bicycle. The Multi-Track was an early attempt at a crossover or "hybrid" bike, which, in a nutshell, was a road/cross bike with mountain-bike style handlebars and drivetrain and better tire clearance than a typical road bike. This frame was rescued from a scrap heap by a friend and traded to me for rusty lumps of metal. After I obtained the frame, I turned it into a fixed-gear. It has a generator lighting system, fenders, and both front and rear racks (loaded with groceries in the picture). Tires up to 700x38 fit with fenders. It is reasonably comfortable, but not heavy and ponderous. In fact, with my summer tires on it, this bike is fun and sporty, and I have ridden it up to 150 miles in one day. Not bad for a grocery-getter! Fixed-gears have few moving parts, and are therefore among the more reliable, lower-maintenance bikes you can ride. And since it is generally acceptable to run a fixed-gear without a rear brake grinding on the rim, the wear and tear on the rear wheel is minimal. With a modest inventory of chains, chainrings, cogs, tires/tubes, bearings, and some occasional cleaning and lubing, I could reasonably expect to ride this bike with minimal ongoing expense for many, many years. Fixed-gears are limited, of course, in that they just have one gear, and the rider can't coast down hills. This may be fine for a reasonably fit (and zesty!) rider like me in a reasonably flat place like Minneapolis, but some of us will be willing to trade off the easier maintenance schedule for gears and coasting. Keep reading.

If a utilitarian fixed-gear is not your style, I have just one bicycle to suggest: The Surly Long Haul Trucker with 26" wheels and the stock part-spec, more or less (with flexibility to suit individual desires, quirks, and fetishes, of course). This bike has all the attributes I want - relatively affordable, sturdy, high quality parts that are commonplace AND easy to service or replace, and it is made specifically to carry your shit, whether we're talking camping gear through the Tetons, veggies from the farmer's market, or ammo to your apocalyptic zombie-proof bunker. In the past I have suggested that cyclists concerned about an uncertain future should buy TWO of these bikes, one in the appropriate size, and one in a smaller size for old age to account for possible skeletal shrinkage (keep that one in the box for easy storage). Having two identical bikes builds in redundancy in parts. The drivetrain parts of the LHT are interchangeable, for better or worse, with parts from many old mountain bikes and most of the cheap bikes sold at Wal-Mart. In a pinch, parts from a Wal-Mart bike that somebody else threw away may keep your LHT going down the road! And what the heck, if you do buy two, the unused one may actually be a stable investment, with a better rate of appreciation than a money market account, and more tangible utility than, say, jewelry.

2011 HC Poster

2011-03-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

Last year we contracted Adam Turman to make the first HC poster. This year we're working with Adam again on the 2011 edition, which we think will be very popular, given the popularity of gravel-road racing and touring:

These will be $30 each and quantities will be limited. You can pre-order your poster by clicking here.

2008 meet 2011

2011-03-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Those of us in the retail bicycle business tend to recall 2008 with a mix of fondness and trepidation. That year was probably one of the best in the bicycle industry ever, certainly our highest grossing year by far at HC, arguably because of a summer of gas prices approaching $4/gallon. I recall that people who felt squeezed by $75 fill-ups were inclined to fix up old bikes rather than buy new ones, and we kept busy refurbishing older bikes that summer. Millions of people rescued long-neglected 1970s and 80s vintage 10-speeds from their garages. For months we couldn't lay our hands on ANY 27" tire (the usual size on the old 10-speeds), regardless of brand, model, or which distributors we called. Even the New York Times picked up on the story, and published a review of 27" tires in, get this, the Style section.

Of course, there was a downside to soaring gas prices. Although the academics can argue over how to attribute causality more precisely, I thought the connection was pretty clear: our economy cannot handle $4 gas. Housing developments in the outer suburbs became ghost towns. Many people lost jobs, and mortgage defaults soared. With fewer people going to work everyday, and a corresponding decrease in consumer activity, the demand for gas dropped, and prices fell precipitously. Our business at the shop was way down in 2009 and 2010 because gas was cheap again and because people had really tightened their belts.

But it looks like gas prices are escalating quickly. A quick survey reveals that my facebook friends are talking about political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, Peak Oil globally and specifically in Saudi Arabia, a conspiracy by President Obama and Democrats to force us to be "green", a conspiracy by Republicans to make Exxon richer and destroy the middle class, etc, etc. Personally, I don't care about assigning blame to various bogeymen, but I think constantly about how to deal with the reality of $3.47 gas in February, months before the driving season actually begins.

I've been paying attention to this stuff for long enough to know that any notion of predictability is an illusion. Will gas get much more expensive this summer? Or will our fragile economy crash again, and send gas prices plummeting for lack of people able to afford to buy it at any price? Or perhaps some completely different scenario that will lead to rationing and long lines? Who knows! Volatility and uncertainty seem certain. Expect the unexpected.

I am probably preaching to the choir - if you read this blog, you are probably on-board with the magic of getting around on a bicycle and not being a slave to the gas pump and political upheavals 10,000 miles away. If by some chance you started cycling because of the cost, uncertainty, and geopolitical/environmental implications of the hydrocarbon economy, then I'm betting that you very quickly discovered countless other benefits, for example: improved fitness, fresh air, a fun new social life, daily adventure, and being more in tune with your natural and man-made environments.

Ah listen to me, I'm ramblin' again. But this is probably a good year for transportation-oriented cyclists to BOTH lead by example, AND to gently encourage non-cyclists to discover all the great things about getting around by bike. It's probably best to not be a bike Nazi or overly preachy about internal-geared hubs or fenders or helmets. In the near future, I will write up some of my thoughts on commuting bikes, and the myths and fetishes that, in my opinion, get in the way of bringing new cyclists into the fold.

Now would be a good time

2011-02-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

The timing of the onset of Spring in Minnesota can be a tricky thing, but in the bike repair business, it tends to be pretty clear when Spring starts. In one day we go from having no bikes to service to being completely swamped with work. Of course, the rush is typically motivated by a couple days of unseasonable weather, and expectations of getting the bike back the same day or next day are highly unrealistic when you're the 20th person to drag your neglected bike through our door 15 minutes before we close on a Saturday. It would be better for everybody if these things were attended to in advance. Just like me writing this blog post when I should be finishing my taxes...

Anyway, in the last week, I've received numerous communications that say something like: "I want to bring my bike in before you guys get too busy. When would be a good time?" I can't predict the exact date when we're gonna be swamped, but as I type this, it hasn't happened yet. Grand tally on today's sales an hour before closing: $15. So NOW would be a wonderful time to bring us your bike for service. Then you can pat yourself on the back when you're out riding your well-tuned machine while everybody else is in futile negotiations with their curmudgeonly bike mechanics to be moved to the front of the queue.

Twin Cities Bike Swap

2011-02-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

The Twin Cities Bike Swap has become a harbinger of Spring hereabouts, and it's tomorrow (Feb 13) already! I've got the semi-trusty HC schwag-wagon loaded up, and I'm ready to make some questionable deals! So come on up to the National Sports Center in Blaine, and bring some cash. And since it's practically Valentine's Day, bring your special someone for a romantic day of pawing through greasy cast-off parts. Better than roses, if you ask me.

Pre-Swap deals on cool parts

2011-02-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

We have recently been getting some good deals on cool parts, and finding things we forgot we had. Stock up for future projects, or build a whole bike around some cool component. Keep an eye on this list, because I'll be adding to it as I unearth various treasures in preparation for the twin cities bike swap this Sunday. These will be sold on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. If it doesn't sell this week, we'll have this stuff (and more) at the swap. Everything is NEW unless specified otherwise.

Sugino XD single speed cranks. This is the popular XD crank (standard Rivendell issue), but in a single-speed version. It comes with a semi-cheesy but usable 46t chainring, but the cold-forged crankarms are more than worth the asking price, in my opinion. Right now, we have these in silver, 165 mm and 170 mm lengths. $70

Shimano Alfine crank and bottom bracket set. Nice looking modern single-speed crank with 39t chainring and chainring guard. 170 mm arms, silver. External cup bottom bracket included. Chainline is 42 mm, which will work with Alfine/Nexus hubs and most single-speed/track hubs. $120.

Vintage Suntour XC Pro Microdrive crank (used). This crank is used by me, but the wear on the chainring teeth is minimal. There is some "polishing" on the crankarms from the insides of my shoes, but otherwise it's in great condition. Chainring bolt circle is 94/58 mm, which allows for some really interesting gear combinations (wide range ultra-compact double with bashguard, for instance). Included rings are 42/32/20t. Crankarm length is 170 mm. Great (and pretty) touring triple for those who don't care to push high gears. $150

Alfine front dynamo hub. I have these in silver 36h and black 32h. Can be used with or without a disc brake. These are more nicely finished than most of the other models of Shimano dynamo hubs. These have become my go-to dynamo hub when spending $250+ on a Schmidt hub is out of the question. $110.

Surly Instigator frame and headset (used). Size M (18"), black, includes FSA Orbit XL-II headset and Thomson seatpost. Overall, this frame is in very good condition, aside from a few very minor scuffs in the finish and decals. $350

Pug-front conversion kit (used). This includes a barely used symmetric Pugsley fork with uncut steerer tube and a Pugsley wheel with a Hayes disc hub and Large Marge 32h XC rim, Endomorph tire, and tube. $300

Almanzo 100 and Almanzo Royal 162 offer

2011-02-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Final numbers are rolling in as registration for the venerable Almanzo 100 and brand-spanking-new Almanzo Royal 162 draws to a close. Rough estimates put the number of registrants at around 700!!! This kind of enthusiasm is well deserved for this world-class FREE event. While it's officially billed as a race, for most of us, Almanzo is nothing more and nothing less than a challenging ride on beautiful roads with good friends. I love Almanzo: the bikes, the people, Spring Valley, the roads, the whole scene. Forget about L'Eroica or other exotic events - Almanzo is right in our backyard, and in English, too. And that's why you'll see HC listed as a proud sponsor for this fine event.

Anyway, we donate a little cash to the organizers, and a nice prize or two for participants, and we evangelize this thing to whomever is willing to listen. But we want to go a little farther in support of Almanzo. In the month of February, anybody on this list can take 15% off a purchase. It's just for the month of February, and each person on the list can take the discount off one sale, whether it's a $5 tube or a $3000 bike. The purchase has to be either in-stock items or pre-paid special order items - the only catch is you have to ask for the discount at the time of purchase, not later, and you only get the Almanzo deal once.

Sturmey-Archer 3sp rebuild class, Feb 12

2011-02-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

We will be hosting a 3-speed hub overhaul/rebuild class at HC on Saturday, February 12, 8AM-Noon. The class is taught by Mark Stonich and focuses on the Sturmey-Archer AW hub (the most common model). The fee for the class is $60, and is required to reserve your spot. Clean hubs and tools will be provided for your use during the class. There are a limited number of openings, so let us know right away if you're interested.

Some recent projects

2011-01-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

We've been working on a few fun projects lately.

Recently, Surly changed the Cross-Check by adding lowrider rack mounts to the fork. For some, the Long Haul Trucker is just too much, too heavy-duty. But now the middleweight Cross-Check, properly configured, is a viable option for all but the most heavily loaded touring. With that in mind, we put together the Cross-Check FLT (Fast Light Tourer).

Notable features include lightweight wheels built on Velocity Aerohead rims, Alfine dynamo front (no light hooked up yet), Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x40 tires, Cascadia fenders, and Tubus racks. And we couldn't resist adding some jewelry in the form of a Chris King headset. If you're looking for a do-everything bike, this might be it. Touring, brevets, commuting, gravel grinders, fast-ish group rides. ANYTHING!

Next, we present the Surly Troll. If the now out-of-production Instigator and the 1x1 spent a careless night together, the Troll would be the illegitimate offspring. It has braze-ons and eyelets for everything - racks, fenders, the forthcoming Surly trailers.

If the Cross-Check above is a do-anything road bike, the Troll is a do-anything semi-indestructible All-Terrain-Bike. It's like a touring bike that can handle 2.7" tires. Or it's a mountain bike that can carry a full touring load plus a trailer. We're not advocating this, but you can even put 700c wheels on it, hypothetically. To me, this is one of the most intriguing bikes ever.

Now is a good time to get a great deal

2011-01-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Surly LHT deals:
We are still offering 2010 pricing of $1095 on Surly Long Haul Trucker complete bikes ordered and paid for this month. You'll also get a good deal on accessories, and some freebies. With our shop hours what they are, this means that Saturday is the last day to save over $100 on your new LHT (unless you give me your money at the Winter Pub Crawl on Sunday). Starting next week, we will charge the 2011 MSRP of $1199. We will figure out some kind of incentive to go with that, but it won't be nearly as nice as our January deal. Regardless of what price you pay, the complete LHT is, in my opinion, the absolute best deal in the world of bicycles, just that this week, the deal will be better than usual.

Rivendell deal:
We have one Rivendell Sam Hillborne bike carried over from last year. It's a 52 cm in Rivendell's "expanded geometry" scheme, which means it fits more like a 56 or 57 cm, but with improved standover clearance. We built it up with nice parts, and it will be a great all-rounder, tourer, commuter, or whatever else you do on a bike (within reason). And pretty! This is one of the frames that was built in the USA by Waterford in Wisconsin. The old frameset price of $1200 applies for now, but after this Hillbornes will be the 2011 price of $1400. If you choose our complete bike (smart idea), the total will be $2200 plus tax, shipping, etc. This is a GREAT deal on a fantastic bike, and if you buy this you're supporting US bicycle manufacturing, for whatever that's worth to you.

Redline deals:
We have some Redline stock carried over from last year, and we want you to buy them at a great price. Commuter bikes:
in stock Redline Metro 9 and Redline 925 are now $450, down from $550.
Off-road bikes:
Monocog Flight 29er, fancy lightweight steel, nice parts: $600, down from $979
Redline D600 29er, cool steel 29er with 2x8 drivetrain and disc brakes: $579, down from $939.

Pub Crawl this Sunday!

2011-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

Don't miss this!

The Winter Pub Crawl is arguably the most important cycling event, and you'll regret it forever if you have to hear about the hilarious and profound goings-on second-hand! So postpone whatever lame thing you were planning to do on Sunday, and come and ride your bike to various swanky establishments with a motley crew of even swankier characters! Officially, it starts at noon at Bulldog NE*, but we will be leaving from HC** at 11 if you'd like an early start on building up your thirst***. There are to be food and beer specials, not to mention fabulous beer-related and bike-related prizes. Please note that you need not be a drinker to participate. Sober types like me are more than welcome, and highly likely to have a good time.

See caveats, explanations, and clarifications below.

* The second-stop at Tilia has been cancelled.
** There are no plans for an official return ride to HC after the pub crawl.
*** Non-bike participants, whether they arrive by car, on foot, or public transportation are welcome, but they won't have as much fun.
**** We don't have an exact schedule, and couldn't keep to it if we did, so if you'd like to try to meet us at one of the intermediate stops, just guess a time and hope for the best.

Now open later! Also, special deal on Surly LHT orders!

2011-01-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

My family/childcare situation has changed recently, and I'm now able to keep the shop open later in the evening. Starting today, our hours are:
Tuesday-Thursday 1-7:30 PM
Friday 1-6:00 PM
Saturday 12-4 PM

If you know us, you know how much we like the Surly Long Haul Trucker. It's a wonderful bike for just about anybody who rides a bike for transportation, long rides, commuting, grocery-getting, touring, or any other type of versatile riding. And for the month of January, when you order and pay for your new LHT, we will honor the pre-increase price of $1095, which is a savings of over $100 off the 2011 MSRP. Plus you'll get a good deal on accessories and upgrades, not to mention some freebies. Considering the variety of wheel size, color, and frame size permutations for this model, we don't have many of these in stock in mid-winter. But we have sold (and ridden) a lot of these and we know how to get you the right size, and the right accessories, upgrades, etc, for your needs. It generally takes us less than a week to receive and assemble your personalized LHT bike.

So come in and talk to us this month, and get ready for many years of high adventure and reliable transportation on your new LHT.

Wheelbuilding class, January 29

2011-01-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

The wheelbuilding class has been popular this winter, so I'm doing it again. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class Saturday, January 29, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot. We will provide a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels. You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Space is limited, so call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

what it's all about

2011-01-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Check out this photo (from the tour divide website) of some intrepid cyclers on the great divide somewhere in Canada, circa 1910 by my guess.

The handlebar mounted roll-bags are reminiscent of the bags that these days hang from the carbon fiber handlebars of the bicycles of today's elite great divide racers. Also notice that these are all fixed-gears - see the foot pegs on the forks? Some of the bikes appear to have rod-actuated spoon brakes, which didn't work any better in 1910 than they work today (which, I assure you, is shitty). But what the heck did these guys know? It's not like Avid hydraulic disc brakes were an option. But I imagine these guys took a certain amount of pride in their steeds, and by standards of the day, they were probably on the bleeding edge of bicycle technology. I wonder if their friends and relatives thought they were crazy.

All this brings to mind my favorite all-time old photo:

This is William Fay and Bob Drake on a 600-mile bicycle adventure through northern Minnesota in 1935. I wonder if these guys are still alive. If they are, I bet they still have fond memories of this time. Anyway, unlike the great divide guys, these young men actually had bikes that would coast down hills, and tires that were inflated with air (instead of solid rubber) and fat enough to give good traction on unpaved roads. Can you imagine what these two would make of the Google Group discussions of best tires for "touring"? Can you imagine what they would make of any of our neurotic bicycle-related concerns? It was the middle of the Great Depression. Times were tough, but these two had bikes and a sense of adventure. I assume that it rained. I assume there were mosquitoes. I assume they had to patch their tires and tubes. I assume that there was difficulty and exhilaration (two sides of the same coin).

Despite the snow and cold today, summer isn't far off. None of us are getting younger. What are your bicycle adventure plans for 2011?

And so begins the 2011 season

2011-01-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are behind us, and the calendar is again a blank grid on which we start filling in the boxes with our lofty two-wheeled ambitions, we are reminded that it's time to send in our postcards for our favorite gravel road adventure. I get a lot of questions about this, so here's how it's done:

If this is your cup of tea, do it. It's a first-class event organized by first-class folks, the roads and surrounding scenery are gorgeous, and it's absolutely, 100% FREE. If you're inclined toward extending the adventure, you can start with me in the wee hours the day before Almanzo, riding from HC to Spring Valley, then riding back on the third day.

Of course, you'll likely need a new bike for this, even if you already have nine bikes ready to roll. It just so happens that almost every bike we sell at Hiawatha Cyclery is gravel-road capable, if not excellent. For example, a Rivendell Sam Hillborne is either a road bike, a touring bike, or a rough-stuff monster-cross bike, depending on which tires you put on it:

These are $1000-1250 for a frameset, or $1900-2500ish for a whole bike.

Or how about a Surly Long Haul Trucker? If you are a one-bike or a two-bike person, this should be the one (or two). Get one that takes 26" wheels for the added tire clearance. Here's one rigged for hauling panniers, but it could easily be set up to be (relatively) light and fast, or with knobby MTB rubber, or...

The new 2011 price on these is $1200, but if you order and pre-pay for one in the month of January, we'll honor the old price of $1095 and include some freebies.

We also have some previous year Redline 29ers that are marked down to insane-o low-ball prices: $600 for either a 17" Mono-Cog Flight or a 19" D600 (steel is real). I love how these ride, and recently configured one for my own back-road adventures.

New Year's Day Ride

2010-12-31T12:02:00.000-08:00

Start the year off right with a pleasant bicycle ride with the usual hooligans from HC. We'll roll at 10 AM from the shop. Everybody is welcome.

Need an easy project?

2010-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Kevin has drunk the 26" wheel Trucker Koolaid so is now offering his 700c trucker for sale. It includes:

58 cm -- frame, stem and fenders are powder coated -- color is called Merlot

Thill built wheels -- Deore hubs; 36 hole; Delgado rims; Schwalbe Marathon tires
Berthoud stainless fenders

FSA Orbit headset

It needs:
drivetrain -- chain, bottom bracket, front and rear derailleurs and cassette
brakes and levers
seatpost and saddle
handlebars
racks

You probably have the parts laying around to complete this. Be ready for the spring touring season.

Asking $650. It can be seen at HC.

Cheers

Open Christmas Eve, Christmas ride

2010-12-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

We will be open today, Tuesday, December 21, until 5:30 PM. For the rest of this week: 3-6 PM Wednesday-Friday, or by appointment. We are closed on Christmas Day, but there will be a Christmas Day ride leaving the shop at noon. Please come on the ride for food and fun.

Winter Pub Crawl, Sunday, January 30

2010-12-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

In what is now rightfully described as a tradition, we present the 2011 Winter Pub Crawl, co-sponsored by HC, for your winter riding/pub-hopping pleasure. The date has been set: Sunday, January 30, and the plan is to tour some of the finest beer pubs in Minneapolis. Details are still sketchy, but it's safe to say you can expect great beer, new and old friends, fabulous prizes, cool and unusual bikes, innumerable surprises, and uproarious hilarity. As usual, the lion's share of the organizational work and motivation for the pub crawl is being shouldered by the esteemed Mr Lanny Hoff, Belgian beer magnate (and good friend), so you know it will be a quality experience. I don't even drink, and I LOVE the pub crawl: sausage sampler platters, sneering/busty bartender ladies, and riding my bike with a large number of slightly buzzed friends, are reasons enough.

Anyway, the point is: Save the date, Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Last chance to get posters

2010-12-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

We still have a small number of HC posters from Adam Turman, and this will be the last chance to get one of these for yourself or for the cyclist on your holiday gift list:

They are 18x24", printed by Adam Turman on top-quality poster paper. $25 plus applicable tax. S/h anywhere in the US is $5. Order here.

Some screaming clearance deals

2010-12-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

We have a few Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires left, 700x40 and 26x1.75. $60/each (reg $80), which is a great deal for these fantastic winter tires.

Schwalbe Marathon Surpreme 700x40 folding, $54/each (reg $70). Perfect for your 700C Long Haul Trucker, Cross-Check, Sam Hillborne, Atlantis, etc.

Ortlieb Backroller-Plus panniers, black, pair, $160 (reg $200)
Ortlieb Frontroller-Plus panniers, black, pair, $120 (reg $160)

All in-stock bikes and frames, 20% off (or more, in some cases).

All in-stock bags 25% off.

Tune-up and labor special. Tune-up labor $50 (reg $85). All other labor 20% off the usual rates.

HC work shirts

2010-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

These just in, various sizes, and any color you want as long as it's black or this blue striped pattern (slimming).

Stylish, high quality, and just $40.

Wheelbuilding class, December 18

2010-12-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

I have recently received a few requests for another wheelbuilding class, and the last one filled up quickly. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class Saturday, December 18, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot. We will provide a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels. You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

Happy Thanksgiving, and a doorbuster sale

2010-11-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

We at Hiawatha Cyclery wish you a happy thanksgiving. The weather may be challenging, but you know after that much "family time", a good bicycle ride will be in order. So get out and ride!

We will be taking some time off for the holiday. The shop will be closed Wednesday through Friday. We'll be back to normal on Saturday.

Starting today and until further notice, take 20% off ANY in stock item, including bikes, frames, tires, lights, bags, parts. Special order items, custom bikes and wheels, and labor may be discounted similarly, but we'll decide what makes sense on a case-by-case basis. If you buy a gift certificate (which could be for yourself...), we will add 20% to whatever you pay. For example, $100 buys you $120 toward some future purchase, for yourself or for a gift.

New Parking Facilities

2010-11-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

at HC. Come try them out.

Wheelbuilding class, November 20

2010-11-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have recently received a few requests for a wheelbuilding class. Building and riding your own wheels can be a satisfying experience on its own, provides a valuable home-mechanic skill (truing), and usually results in excellent quality wheels.

I will hold the class Saturday, November 20, 8am-Noon. The registration fee is $60, which is required to reserve your spot. We will provide a workspace equipped with a truing stand and spoke wrench for you to use during the class. Most people are able to build one wheel during the class, but others try to build a pair of wheels. You can supply your own rim(s), hub(s), and/or spokes, or you can get those items from HC for a discounted price with class registration. If you don't know which wheel components suit your needs, tastes, and budget, we will help with that, too. Call 612-727-2565 or stop in to register and discuss options for your new wheels.

Business is slow, and we miss you

2010-11-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Now that the election is behind us, I sincerely hope that we can turn our attention back to bicycling. Sales are really slow here at HC, even for this time of year, but we have some great products to get you ready for Winter cycling or (hopefully) for a prolonged Fall. We have a good selection of studded tires, lights, and even bicycles that are especially well-suited to winter riding. And if you already have your bike and equipment for the "off-season", chances are it could use a little love before you take it out onto the ice and snow. In any case, come and see us. We miss you.

You know October won't last forever

2010-10-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's easy to get lulled into complacency by the gorgeous October weather we've been enjoying. Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely that this will continue until any threat of ice and snow has passed. We at Hiawatha Cyclery are betting on winter by stocking up on some "off-season" essentials:

Studded Tires:

At the moment, we have the most popular sizes of Schwalbe Marathon Winter (700x35, 26x1.75, $78 each), Schwalbe Snow Stud (700x38, $72 each), and for the ultimate in spike-tire experience, the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro (26x2.1, $150 each). Get them while they last, because they're usually gone by the time you really need them. Buy a pair and get a discount.

Other models and sizes will be coming in as they become available, so if you want something different let us know. We are not planning to stock Nokian or Kenda studded tires this year, aside from some possible old stock from previous seasons, or if we run out of Schwalbe.

Lights:
Also, it's getting dark earlier now, so you'll need lights. Generator lighting systems are wonderful, and there are endless options. We can help you configure a system that will suit you, your bike, and your needs. But, if you want something a little less involved and less costly, we have the usual Planet Bike Blaze headlights (1W $45 and 2W $55) and Superflash taillights ($25). We also have a good inventory of the latest Nite Rider MiNewt Mini 150. I have been using the older generation of the same light for a couple years now, and I love it. I usually even carry one as a back-up on my generator-equipped bikes. The MiNewt Mini is lightweight, easy to put on and take off the bike, rechargeable, and it works just fine even when it's cold outside. This new model is brighter, has a blinky mode, and there's an indicator light to let you know when it's fully charged. It's a lot of light for $90.

Fat Bikes:
I just ordered a Pugsley. We will get it set up and ready for you to test-ride and buy real soon. Of course it makes sense for you to own one of these. Just $1550 for the stock bike.

Fall

2010-10-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been out riding in the woods, why not???

Another thing that happens in the Fall is that I start thinking about the Spring. I am planning to ride Almanzo again, and, having gone totally off the deep end, I'm also on the roster for Trans-Iowa.

We at Hiawatha Cyclery are proud sponsors of both events. The appeal of these free gravel racing events (aka gravel grinders) is not readily comprehended by most people who ride bikes, but if you "get it", you owe it to yourself to try one of these. My personal favorite so far, just based on the beauty of the route and the quality with which the event is presented, is Almanzo. Do it.

We support Adventure Cycling

2010-10-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

You'll have to scroll down a bit, but we are now listed as a corporate supporter of the Adventure Cycling Association. We normally shy away from "marketing", but we like Adventure and we like Cycling, and we especially like to combine the two. You should really join Adventure Cycling by the way. It's a good deal.

Bike Deals

2010-09-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

There's still PLENTY of good riding left this year, so you might as well take advantage of some of these deals and get yourself a nice new bike.

Here are a few that need to go to a good home:

Soma Buena Vista mixte, 54 cm SOLD!!!The mixte design and uncut steerer means that the sizing on this will fit a broad range of riders, probably 5'4" to 5'10" depending on leg length. I am 5"8" and the saddle height in the picture fits me perfectly. The ride is smooth and comfortable.

This is a classy and beautiful mixte with an excellent part-spec, including the super swanky IRD thumb shifters, Brooks B18 Imperial saddle, Thill handbuilt wheels with Dyad rims, etc. In hindsight, I probably should have gone cheaper on the parts, since not too many people seem to be in the market for a $1750 mixte. Anyway, $1400 (plus tax) takes it home.

Redline Monocog Flight 29 17"

A really nice, lightweight single-speed 29" trail bike. Normally $900-ish, now $729.

Redline Metro-9 several sizes
Smart and attractive 1x9 commuter bike. Think of a flat bar road bike with fenders and rack mounts. Normally $579, now $479.

Rivendell Sam Hillborne in all sizes

These are among the most versatile frames available. We have set them up with tires up to 700x45! Some sizes are Taiwanese-made and cost $1000 for the frameset, and other sizes are US-made and cost $1250 for the frameset. Buy any Hillborne frameset that we have and get 20% off the parts kit. This amounts to a savings of $200-300 on a typical complete bike.

My early 80s Stumpjumper fixed-gear:

This has been one of my main bikes the last few years, but I have too many bikes that I don't ride enough. I'll be sad to see it go, but happy if somebody else will ride it everyday. It does it all: trails, touring, commuting, etc. I'm 5'8", and this is a good fit for me. This bike is set up as a fixed gear with Phil Wood Kiss-Off hubs built on Velocity Cliffhanger rims, a Brooks B17 saddle, and a lot of other nice parts, good tires, etc. It can easily be converted to a multispeed bike with a cassette wheel, derailleur(s), and shifter(s). These old Stumpjumpers are really laid-back and have ultra-long chainstays. Also a cool bi-plane fork crown. Makes a great winter bike. $650

Almanzo Gentlemen's Ride: HC version

2010-09-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to join Team Four-Foot Meat Rope for the Almanzo Gentlemen's Ride. With the event commencing first thing Saturday morning, I had to leave very early Friday morning to get there on my bike.

4 AM roll-out from HC. Ron joined me. For Ron's sake, I did my best to keep a stiff upper lip in spite of sleep deprivation, heavy winds, and cold, driving rain. If I was on my own, I probably would have started crying and headed for home within 10 miles. But we pressed on and the weather (and my attitude) gradually improved.

We made shockingly good time to Northfield, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Ole Cafe. I love that place. As we approached Nerstrand, Ron picked up a nail in his tire.

Near Dodge Center, we encountered miles and miles of wind turbine installations:

Finally, in our overnight town of Stewartville, we were greeted by this bustling adult entertainment facility. We decided to scrap the race and just look at porn all weekend.

Just kidding.

Almost 112 miles to Stewartville:

The next morning, we rode 20 miles to Spring Valley for Almanzo. If you are not familiar with Almanzo, it's 100 miles of gravel, with lots of steep hills.

A lot of people found the water crossing to be scary/invigorating:

In the end, Four-Foot Meat Rope finished the race, though not in any danger of being mistaken for a fast team. We all had a great time. The Almanzo route is one of the prettiest cycling routes I can imagine, but after 125 mostly gravel, hilly miles for the day, I was worn out. Believe it or not, I didn't want to ride uphill 20 miles in the dark and cold back to my hotel, so I caved to peer pressure and accepted a ride. I settled in that night feeling a little uncertain about riding alone back to Minneapolis.

The ride back was uneventful, and I took few pictures. Here's one of downtown West Concord.

After navigating the southern burbs under darkening skies, I rolled in around 8:30 PM feeling good, but tired. 351 miles in 3 days on my odometer.

Rolling out, closed Saturday, Sept 25

2010-09-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

Kevin's in the California wine country, Mongo is going to stay home in the man-cave doing blindfolded Rohloff rebuilds, and I/Jim will be riding to Southern Minnesota to enjoy the gravel and camaraderie of the Almanzo Gentlemen's Ride.

In any case, we'll be closed on Saturday, Sept 25. Back to "normal" on Tuesday.

Saturday Night Ride

2010-09-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

This just came across the wire from Mark Stonich:

Saturday Sept 11th
Leave Hiawatha Cyclery at 7:30 PM.
About 20-25 miles. Stop for munchies @ Coffee News Cafe on Grand Ave in St Paul
We will try out the new trail along Shepard Road

Good lights are a must and light clothing is strongly recommended.

Both Excellent Places

2010-08-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

Speedhound

2010-08-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that we are now carrying Speedhound bicycle frames and completes. The frames feature an innovative dropout system that allows the use of just about any bicycle drivetrain: road gearing, mountain gearing, internal-gear hub, single speed, fixed gear, belt drive, etc. It's very clever and cool.

The frames are also handmade in Minneapolis, available in a variety of colors, have a very cool headbadge and fork crown, and I can honestly say they build up into some of the nicest riding and handling bikes I have tried. Seriously.

This one is going to be shipped westward real soon, but we will have another ready to ride on the HC sales floor, probably next week.

price reduced on some really nice lightly-used bikes

2010-08-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

First the Rawland (text reprinted from earlier post):

I like these Rawland bikes, a real jack-of-all-trades. This pre-owned example is in excellent, low-mileage condition. Whether you need a commuter, tourer, weekend cruiser, mountain bike, or any other kind of real-world bike, this would be a good choice.

I think this is a size M. Measurements are:
seat tube c-t: 20"/50 cm
effective top-tube c-c: 22"/56 cm
standover at mid-point of top-tube: 31"/79 cm

The head tube is tall and the steerer tube is long, so getting the bars up high isn't a problem. With a few fit adjustments, this should fit most riders between 5'4" and 5'10".

The parts are mostly Deore/LX level with Tektro brakes and levers and a Sugino XD crank. Wheels were handbuilt by me on the elusive but excellent Rigida Sphinx 650B rim (36h front and back).

Complete bike as pictured ~~$1175~~ $750. That is so ridiculously cheap, I can't believe it won't sell immediately. But we have moved on to other projects, and need to make some room.

We also have this lightly used 54 cm Rambouillet:
My wife rode it a bit (maybe a few hundred miles) before we had our 2nd and 3rd kids. Now she rides a Long Haul Trucker, which is better suited for pulling trailers and carrying kid seats. ~~So this bike is for sale for $2275-ish depending on what accessories/parts you want on it.~~ Price reduced to $1850, as pictured minus saddle. The current incarnation of Rivendell road bike costs more than that, just for the frameset.

The versatile Sam Hillborne

2010-08-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Of all the unique and interesting bicycles we sell, none has lured more customers into the shop over the past year or so than the Rivendell Sam Hillborne. Most people that have heard about Rivendell want to see the pretty lugs and candy-colored paint in person, but the real beauty of the Hillborne lies in its versatility.

Consider this one, set up as a "road bike" with light wheels and light tires. Keeping with the theme, the crank is a modern compact double.

This is a really fun bike; you should come in and ride it.

Going in another direction, we decided to make a Hillborne that emulates the "adventure bike" concept that is currently popular. Who knew that a bike with sidepull brakes could fit a 700x45 knobby tire with room to spare? The Woodchipper handlebar, camo tape, and frame bag really tie the package together.

Minnecycle this weekend!!!

2010-07-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Please consider joining us this Friday at 6:30 PM for a ride from HC to the Minnecycle show, featuring the work of local bicycle framebuilders and other bicycle-themed artwork. Bring lights and some money.

Note, the graphic that was here previously was from 2009. My apologies for the confusion on the dates. For 2010, the dates and times taken from the Minnecycle2 Facebook page are:

Friday, July 30 - 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 31 - 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Evolution of an unorthodox machine

2010-07-06T21:56:00.001-07:00

The Thill Family Bicycle started as a stock 1992 Santana Arriva tandem that I found in nearly-new condition for a good price on Craigslist.

I upgraded the wheels with the heavy-duty touring wheels I had originally for my Atlantis (which I sold). I also replaced the unnervingly skinny 700x26 stock tires with some Jack Brown Blue 700x33, which were a bit of a squeeze. Most importantly, I modified the stoker position for a small child (namely, my daughter Elissa, age 4 at the time), using some stock stem and bottom bracket adapters marketed under the Problem Solvers brand (from QBP). My friend Mark at Bikesmith Design provided a crankset with the arms shortened to 90 mm (and threaded for tandem, of course). The subsequent addition of the child-seat (shown above with my son Oliver, age almost 2 at the time) was a short-lived experiment that made the bicycle difficult to control. Anyway, Elissa and I rode the bike maybe 100 miles last Fall before we had some crummy weather in October that compelled me to put the tandem away for the winter. During the Winter, I asked Bikesmith to make me a 1-1/4" quill adapter (diameter of the adapter is 1-1/8" or 28.6 mm). The quill adapter slides into the threaded steerer tube like a normal 1-1/4" quill stem, and is just the right diameter to accept a 1-1/8" threadless-style stem. As you may know, there is not a wide selection (new or used) of 1-1/4" quill stems (the stock stem from Santana was not terribly comfortable), but there are hundreds of options for 1-1/8" threadless stems. The quill adapter gave me much more flexibility to fit the bicycle to my body, and made longer rides more comfortable and fun.

This Spring, as soon as it seemed reasonable to go camping, Elissa (now age 5) and I loaded up and headed to Carver Park Reserve.

Elissa rode about 65 miles over the two days, and had a great time. I couldn't have been prouder. On the down side, I decided (again) that the Jack Brown Blue tires were not for me (tried them on 3 bikes, and hated them every time). I switched to Panaracer Pasela 700x28, which made the bike much more lively and fun to ride on pavement. The problems with this tandem started to become obvious:

1. There was not enough tire clearance for tires that would allow me to comfortably do the kind of multiple surface rides and touring that I most enjoy. When we rode trails or gravel, Elissa complained about the bumpiness, and I felt that the skinny tires didn't provide enough control on loose materials like gravel and sand.

2. Cargo capacity is the same as on a single touring bicycle (front and rear panniers), but must be shared by two riders. It's workable, but sub-optimal for travel with children, who require toys, books, etc.

3. Elissa was a fun companion, but Oliver was getting to the age where he would enjoy bike rides, too. I felt bad leaving him behind when Elissa and I went riding.

One day, in the presence of some bike geek friends, I openly proposed the idea putting an Xtracycle on the tandem. That idea, because it is ridiculous, received some laughs. But I was half-serious. The more I thought about it, the better I liked the idea. I could carry lots of stuff, including an extra passenger, and the Xtracycle with a 26"/559 mm wheel has plenty of tire clearance. One day at the shop, I noticed my Pugsley fork and wheel lying in the corner. Porn music started playing in my head (wah-wah-chicka-wah-wah) and it started to come together: Tandem plus Xtracycle plus Pugsley. The cherry on top was the potential for using disc brakes, even hydraulic! I would be foolish NOT to do this! (yes, a headset adapter is required).

It turns out the Pugsley wheel and tire produces some pretty scary handling characteristic with a bike of this length. Luckily, this is the symmetrical Pug fork, which will take a normal wheel, too.Off with the Pug wheel, and on with a more conventional wheel with a Schwalbe 26x2.35" Big Apple to match the rear. Mr Rose at Shockspital modified an Avid Juicy brake by adding a hose long enough to cover the span from the handlebar to the rear disc.

The maiden voyage of this contraption was a 65-mile jaunt through the river bluffs and rolling hills between Minneapolis and Wilson, Wisconsin, where we over-nighted on the property of Dave's Brewfarm.

Elissa's previous long day was about 35 miles. On the Brewfarm trip, she did back-to-back days of 65 and 72 miles, respectively. I frequently offer her a chance to get off the bike, to take a break, but she usually declines in favor of more pedaling. After a 137-mile weekend of hills and heat, we were walking in the house and I asked if she was glad to be home. "Yeah," she said, "but I'd rather be out on the open road." Huh.

Last weekend (Independence Day weekend) we stayed closer to home, but still rode the tandem a lot for errands and general transportation. It turned out to be a 70-mile weekend for Elissa and me, highlighted by a trip to the St Paul Farmer's Market:

We also made a side trip to a grocery store on the way home, and our load was impressive!

Once home from the grocery run, my wife mentioned that Oliver (now 2-1/2) is usually very enthusiastic about the bike, and very sad when we leave without him. I immediately found some suitable clothes for him, strapped on his helmet, lowered the saddle a bit, and snugged his feet into the toe straps. We made a tentative trip around the block:

Wow, he didn't jump off or freak out! We kept going. Down the street, turn here, turn there, pretty soon over the bridge and westbound on the Minnehaha Parkway bike trail. Then around Lake Nokomis. Some old lady rode behind us for awhile before making a snide comment about my decision to have a small child on the bike, but Oliver was doing just fine and having the time of his life.

All total, Oliver has 8 miles on the bike. I suspect he'll have 100 more by the end of the year.