…out of yarn.
“bicycle” by Christine Domanic. Christine crocheted this by hand. Also just for fun, check out her Mustache Accessories, might be fun to wear while riding around on your real bike this winter.
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This concept, the Hybrid² system by Chiyu Chen, turns rental bikes into generators to power public transportation.  Hmmm…seems awfully similar to the London Garden concept that turns rental bikes into generators to power public transportation.  The renter/rider would swipe an ID or credit card to get a bike, ride it around, then return it to earn credits.  Meanwhile, the public transportation system pulls the power generated during the ride by a front-hub dynamo to power buses, subways, etc.  We’re all for big thinking, but as Ron pointed out on the London Garden post, the power generated by the bikes wouldn’t be much compared to the needs of a full size electric bus.Click on the pic below with the ID to enlarge and check out the dude’s face.  Yeah, that’s what we think, too…unless you had tons of people riding.  It just. might. work.
See, we told you that white CamelBak Mule would match your fancy bike.  Syncros just leaked this pic of their new Crux pedal in white with purple logo/graphics.
They’ve also got some fancy white WHEELS and SEATPOSTS, shown after the break…
Part 2 is here! We’ve made a few changes to the rules and we’re going TWO DEEP!  We’ve got two pairs of Keen Springwater shoes to giveaway, so the first TWO comments posted with the correct answers to all questions will win a pair in the size of their choice.
We’ve also got a Helmet Lock and a ByeKyle Simple Strap…first right answer gets the Helmet Lock, second one gets the Simple Strap.
Oh, those rule changes?  1) You’ve got to be in the U.S. to win.  2) If there’s any discrepancy as to whether your answer is right, we’ll leave the final decision up to the manufacturer so you don’t hate us if it doesn’t go in your favor. Ready, set, (hit more and) GO!
Seriously, I’ve seen heavier carbon cages for twice as much or more.  Who hates Wal-Mart now?
You’ve heard of poetry slams, but now two teams of Dutch and American city planners and designers and facing off in “a battle for the future of New York City transportation.”
It’s called the New Amsterdam Bike Slam.
They’re challenged with finding ways to bring NYC cycling up to the level of the Netherlands, the only country with more bikes than people.  The event is a four-day throwdown complete with a design battle, dance party, a world-class transportation summit and warm fuzzy feelings between the Dutch and Americans.
Fortunately, we’ll have a fly on the wall.  Our friend Kurt is the managing director for the East Village Community Coalition and will be in on the meetings (not sure if he can dance, though…he’s pretty pale).  So that you can look forward to the high caliber of reporting we expect from him, I’ll leave you with this nugget he sent in our recent iChat:
“btw, never sign a work email with ‘Regards’ – the g and t keys are too close together!”
I can sum up this review of the CamelBak Podium bottles with one statement:
…except for one thing: it’s not made with the new super-green biodegradeable plastics like this and this.  The functionality of the bottles is superb, though, and they are BPA-free.  It’s also quite pleasant not to have to smack the top of it against your ass when you’re riding to close the top.
Besides cycling use, they’re perfect for putting “purple juice” in for youngsters because they can be dropped, knocked over and otherwise thrown around without spilling insta-stains on your carpet.  They also smuggle margaritas into open air concerts quite well.
What else can we say about them?  Well, we weighed them.  Click ‘more’ if you care about that (Garmin obviously has a hidden advantage), otherwise, we highly recommend you replace your current bottles with these as the need arises, and we hope CamelBak makes the switch to a plastic that better addresses the cradle-to-grave concerns in future models.
Maybe the Canadians didn’t get the memo that 26″ hardtails are done…and it’s a good thing, because Norco has launched an all-new for 2010 full high-modulus carbon Team edition of their race hardtail, complete with an integrated seatmast (ISM), BB30 bottom bracket and full SRAM XX drivetrain, SID XX fork (100mm), Avid XX brakes/levers and some ever-so-grippy Conti Speed King (spec’d, not shown) tires.  The cockpit is fitted with Ritchey WCS bits, and the bike rolls on an Easton XC-1 wheelset.
The Team frame uses an EPS (Ethyl PolyStyrene) mandrel system during fabrication to eliminate internal wrinkles (which can cause weak points in a frame) and a ThermoPlastic Mesh to strengthen against fractures and stop the progression of cracks if they do occur.  To top that all off, they use a “High Toughness Resin” that is said to improve impact resistance by 20% over standard carbon resin.  Externally, the BB30 bottom bracket, ISM and oversized tubes and stays improve stiffness and reduce weight.  It has internal (gear) cable routing and a stainless steel chain protector to keep it pretty.  MSRP is $6,265 US.
Don’t worry, though, Norco has refined the big, bouncy bikes that they’re know for, too, and introduced a women’s All Mountain bike.  Here’s a peak, then you have to hit ‘more’ to see the full line…
Getting together with folks from all over the world who share the same passion is just about as good as it gets and this year our cycle-messenger friends are sharing theirs in Tokyo. The 17th annual Cycle Messenger World Championships will be held September 19-23, 26th. Here’s an excerpt from the official CMWC 2009 Tokyo website:
Cycle Messenger World Championships(CMWC) is a world championship for the bicycle messenger. Every year, bicycle messenger from all over the world will gather in a hosting country, to compete and to see who will be the strongest, smartest and fastest messenger in the world.There will be numerous competitive events being organized with in CMWC. For example, race such as “Deliverly Race” will be organized as a main core, where the competitors will simulate daily deliverly in competitive fashion.
Click on their website above to learn more about the events and venue and click ‘more’ for a friendly etiquette reminder from the folks at CMWC Tokyo:
FROM TEAM SAXO BANK: The horrific crash during this year’s edition of the Tour de France made no permanent damage on Jens Voigt’s good health. The German is with his sense of optimism along with his everlasting stamina a constant inspiration for the staff and riders on Team Saxo Bank. That’s why it is no surprise that team owner Bjarne Riis has offered the Berliner another one-year-contract.
â€ÂIt’s a pleasure to sign the contract for another year with Jens. He has a magnificent important role to play on our team with his unstoppable will power and endurance. He is in many ways a role model for both the young and experienced riders. I believe he will return to the peloton with the strength he had before his crash and we are delighted that he wants to be a part of Team Saxo Bank for another yearâ€Â, says team owner Bjarne Riis on the contract with Jens Voigt.
“I am honored to be offered a contract for another year and I definitely want to proof that I’m back well and alive to do what I still think I can do. Team Saxo Bank is theBarcelona or Real Madrid of the world of cycling and I don’t want to degrade myself to a lower standard. I’m grateful to know that Bjarne still thinks I’m good enough to compete at this level. Another thing is that I like the riders and the staff I’m working with on the team. Here, I’ve seen the young generation with the Schleck-brothers and Matti Breschel developing into world class riders and I’m looking forward to another year of racing with them and the rest of Team Saxo Bankâ€Â, says Jens Voigt on the renewal of his contract.
Editor’s Note: There’s a video message from Jens Voight on Saxo Bank’s website here.
CamelBak just sent us a few sneak peaks of their 2010 products, which includes this very cool digital flow meter showing how much liquid you’ve sucked through your reservoir.  Necessary?  Probably not.  Do we want it?  Oh hells yeah!
More pics of this and some sweet new bags (like the all-white Mule NV below) when you hit ‘more’…
“Pat’s Bicycle Shop, Mesa, Arizona 2002” by Roadsidepictures.
Check out the other pictures on his photostream — tons of  Americana. You’ll feel like you went on that summer road trip you’ve always talked about.
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