advertisers
Be a friend of BS
Google Maps now with Bicycle Route Planner
March 10, 2010
Google maps has now added a cycle path planner to it's long list of features. Currently available in 150 cities, the cycle path planner came about after a 50,000 signature petition was given to Google. Aparently the feature will be available for mobile devices in the very near future. Go to Google Maps and try it out.
Bagaboo Ransel
March 9, 2010
The Ransel is the newest creation from Bagaboo, and with this one I put it through it's paces. Our usual 2-4 week review just doesn't cut it when we are talking about a bag made for the rigors of daily life on the bike, so we took this one through months of abuse. The Ransel is the first 2 shoulder bag that Bagaboo has produced and is a welcome addition to the line up.
Read the full review >>>Point A to Point B...The Easy Way
March 8, 2010
BicycleSmile will be making the move to Vancouver later this Summer, and in an attempt to make the move a lot easier I have been looking up cycling routes in Vancouver. The obvious one, and one that always comes up in searches is TransLink. It certainly is a helpful planner, but requires riding all the routes to really know what will best work with your riding style.
A little more diggin came up with this cycle route planner. This site was developed by the Cycling In Cities team at the University of British Columbia as well as TransLink, The City of Vancouver and The Heart and Stroke Foundation. So what makes this route planner so good? You supply your start point and end point, just like all the others. But now other variables can be entered. Want to ride the route with the least elevation gain, how about the most vegetated route, and the list goes on and on. It seems like possibly one of the best resources I have found for any city I have cycled in. Now I just need to get myself and my bike out there.
Ryan Leech Commuter...
March 5, 2010
I remember seeing Ryan Leech a few years back, doing one of his trials demos. It was amazing. I felt like he was some super human, the way he could move that bike around. I also remember thinking hey had to be one of the nicest guys I had ever met. Looks like he not only does trials, but he rocks the commuter bike as well.
Barrett Russell Custom Frame Builder (Part 2)
March 4, 2010
Today you can check out part 2 of our interview with Barrett
BicycleSmile: From the bikes you have made, any favorites?
Barrett Russell: Hmmm, I made a frame for this beard wearing eccentric last year. By the looks of him you wouldn't think social assistance would afford him much, but we got out the dedacciai zero replica, and he wanted the lugs carved up nice, thin constant dia and curvy seatstays to a nice clean fastback seat cluster junction. That was a fun bike. Carving lugs is fun, doing something different is fun too, sort of human I guess.
BicycleSmile: What makes a Barret Russell frame unique?
Barrett Russell: Hmmm. No need for frame saver because i have such oily hand skin...really nothing. Im concerned with learning and putting out the best i can, it is unique cause i do it i guess, unique to me, but to have it function is my main goal; its function unique. I could probably carve a head badge out of deer hide and embed gemstones for someone if they wanted. I like things that are common, I have no magical process, and id like to think my work aspires to open up the world by way of functionality, which i guess then the uniqueness would be that of the individual who the bike is being built
Barrett Russell Custom Frame Builder (Part 1)
March 3, 2010
With the North American Hand Built Bicycle Show taking place last week We at BicycleSmile thought we should showcase some local talent who has not yet made it to NAHBS. Barrett Russell is a frame builder in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and we had a chance to talk with him and check out some of his work.
BicycleSmile: How long have you been building bikes?
Barrett Russell: I began working on bicycles in elementary school. At the time it was all about lowriders. By highschool I began a small under the table custom part fab mostly for people south of the boarder as i was in a California based lowrider club (legions bc), but as well some stuff out west and to the Lowlife guys in winnepeg. I began doing paint and gold plating as well during this time. I painted maybe 20 frames during highschool, learning a lot about that side of things, and getting more of a full perspective on fabrication. I abandoned bicycle work just out of highschool and stuck to riding them while attending University for Art.
Warbonnet Edge
March 2, 2010
Over the last year I have changed my cycling habits from simple city and trail riding and started doing a little more touring. This first took the shape of longer highway rides and now has peaked my interest with some planned off road touring this Spring. Some months back I review the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, which has proven very useful in my adventures. Now I have a great Warbonnet Edge tarp to shield me from the elements.
Read the full review >>>Mini Bike Winter
March 1, 2010
I wish I had been able to go to this, it would have gotten me through the winter. Portland you always steal my heart.
Mini Bike Winter | 2010 from Richie Thomassen on Vimeo.
You can check out more crazy Zoo Bomb as well. And thanks to Ritchie Thomassen for making this great video.
Epic Adventures
February 26, 2010
Have you seen how many cyclists hit the Trans Canada is in Summer? Doesn't exactly give the taste of adventure. With that being said it seems that over last few years more epic off road touring has become a lot more popular. Less riders are content with sticking to the roads. And not surprisingly you can follow them on the web.
The newest one that I found is Cycle Baikal, where five guys have just started there circumnavigation of Lake Baikal. Yeah that is right...Siberia in Winter!
The other one I loved to follow was Riding The Spine, and although the trip is now over, has to be one of the craziest adventures I have ever heard of. 34,000 kilometers and 3.5 years, mostly off road.
These guys are truely inspirational
Velopalooza 2010
February 25, 2010
Velopalooza is coming!!! This year Velopalooza will be June 4 - June 13 in Vancouver B.C. If you are anywhere close to Vancouver you need to check this out. Velopalooza is 10 days of bikey fun. With 10 events, most organized by individuals, bikers of all persuasions are likely to find many events of interest. Nearly all events are free
Joe vs. Elephant
February 24, 2010
Author and cyclist Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie outpedals a 12,000-pound tusked bull elephant on a charity mountain bike adventure for Children in the Wilderness. We will have a review of Joe's new book in the coming weeks: Mud, Sweat, and Gears - A Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada on Seven Wheels
No HST on Bikes in BC
February 23, 2010
The British Columbia provincial government is planning to implement a new HST. This Harmonized Sales Tax would see an additional 7% added on to bicycles as well as bicycle parts, accessories, and repairs. Not the best way to encourage cycling.
A rally is planned for March 3 in front of the B.C. legislature. For more information go to www.squeakywheels.ca, you can also sign a petition there as well.
Check out the video that Lana Popham, the MLA for Saanich South has made.
Inventive Cycling
February 22, 2010
Was down South in Mexico all for the last month. This is just one of the many great uses for a bicycle that I saw!
Veja * Cyclope Collaboration
February 11, 2010
Veja and Cyclope the first shop to specialise in fixed gear cycling (and who is now at the epicentre of Parisian fixie-quake), have joined forces to create an exclusive trainer made of ecological materials and adapted for fixed gear cycling. The Veja Cyclope has a hard-wearing sole of 25 mm which allows for high performance fixed gear cycling. The front of the sneakers has been strengthened by a leather yoke to increase foot protection.
The collaboration trainers are available on the 1st of February from Offsrping Neal Street (London) and Paper Scissors Stone (Leeds).
Also available to order online from Wednesday 27th of January at Paper Scissors Stone.
Want to check out our past headlines? Check them out in the archives.