Bike Carson

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 15, 2010

Utility Bikes are becoming more and more popular, as people discover the useful work you can do with a bicycle. Regular bicycles just aren’t suited to carry over-sized and awkward items around an urban environment. But what do you do when you need to get your gear up on the mountain, when the only way to get up there is on tight singletrack?

Jeff Potter’s Mountain Tandem Utility Bike

Jeff Potter recently came up with a design for an all terrain tool hauler. He converted his mountain tandem into a utility bike.  Previously he towed a BOB Trailer, which worked out to some degree, but it made the bike a bit long for getting down tight twisty trails. I followed that BOB Trailer one night, and it was throwing sparks as it bounced off the rocks alongside the trail! And from what I understand, it caused a couple crashes when it got hung up and abruptly ceased forward momentum.   And the clatter! We called him Hop Sing, because it sounded like he was transporting a mini chuck wagon. Jeff came up with a pretty cool idea to solve the trailer problem.  Here’s what Jeff had to say about his Mountain Tandem Utility Bike.

Bike Carson: Why did you build it?

Jeff Potter: I had been using a Bike Bob to haul tools around when doing trail maintenance but never liked the way the bike handled with a loaded Bob attached. Amy and I have a mountain tandem that we ride several times a year that I thought could be put to other uses.

BC: How did you build it, and where did you get the idea?

JP: I got the idea from your Kona Ute. I thought it would be “cool” to have a utility bike like yours, but lacking disposable cash, I came up with this idea.

The first priority in building the tool rack was that it had to disassemble easily. The second priority was that it had to be solid. I attached a second stoker stem to the stokers’ seat post which gave me a platform to brace the rack to. The front of the rack is attached with u-clamps tightened by wing-nuts, while the rear is secured by the seat post clamp. Mickey at the Bike Smith hooked me up with a couple sets of cradles from a Yakima rack which serve as my way of securing the tools.

BC: How does it handle off-road when loaded up?

JP: I’m able to negotiate the Creek Trail with it, and it rips down the Vicee Rim and Jackrabbit trails. Plus it’s easier to handle with tools than with a person on the back.

Long Bed Tool Rack

Category: gear tests, interviews, rider photos | 2 Comments »
Tags: mountain tandem, utility bike

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 12, 2010

Vicky Pritchett will be leading another Muscle Powered ride this Sunday, March 14th. The meeting location is at 10:00 AM at Mark Twain Elementary School on Carriage Crest Drive (MAP HERE), and the ride will be about 13 miles in length, heading out along Carson City’s east side.

Riding along Deer Run Road

I attended last week’s ride, and it was a lot of fun. This early in the season, the pace is pretty easy, so if you’re just getting your bike tuned up for Spring, these are the perfect rides to get you back in shape.

Teri Vance, award winning reporter for the Nevada Appeal, attended last week’s ride and did a nice write up in today’s Nevada Appeal Recreation section. Here’s the link HERE.

To participate in these rides, you must be a Muscle Powered member. Not only does membership with Muscle Powered allow you to participate in Muscle Powered exclusive events like walks and bicycle rides, memberships and donations provide the primary source of funding for Muscle Powered projects. Additionally, larger membership gives us more clout and influence in city projects. A membership form can be found HERE. Vickie should have some membership forms available at the beginning of the ride as well.

Category: Rides | No Comments »
Tags: Muscle Powered, road rides

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 9, 2010

Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about Bike Month in May! Carson City will be observing Bike to Work Week May 17th – 21st, which places the event a bit later in the month than last year. The plan is to spread out the events throughout the entire month, with some activities before and after BTWW. Last year, we stacked events back to back leading up to BTWW, and it was exhausting! I think most people were burned out by the end of the two week celebration. I know I was! So expect more breathing room this year between events. The plan is to keep the momentum going after BTWW is over, and KEEP people on their bikes.

Bike Month is Coming in May 2010

It’s also time to start thinking about building your Corporate Challenge teams. We had a fantastic challenge last year! People were really excited about this event. Last year Carson City Corporate Challengers completed 1,240 trips by bicycle or by walking, and there were 3,978 miles walked or ridden through the week! I expect this year to be even bigger.

Bike Month 2010

• Social Rides and Gatherings
• Bike to Work Week
• Educational Classes
• Basic Repair and Maintenance Classes
• Corporate Challenge
• Movie Night
• Party at the Firkin and Fox on Bike to Work Day on May 21st. Live music, beer, and bike and prize raffle.

May will be chocked full of fun bicycle events.

Last year we had a lot of help from volunteers.  If you’d like to help out, or have some good ideas for events, Muscle Powered would like to hear from you.  Stay tuned for a Bike Month meeting.

Category: News, bike month, bike to work week, events, urban cycling | 2 Comments »
Tags: 2010, bike month, bike to work week

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 8, 2010

On March 7th, we had the first in a series of Muscle Powered sponsored rides. Riders met up at Bowers Mansion, and then headed south for a couple loops around Franktown Road. It turned out to be a beautiful morning, a landscape in seasonal transition. Fresh wintry snow in the mountains provided the backdrop for the spring meadows of Washoe Valley. Horses munched lazily on the new green shoots. A fresh hatch of midges rode with us coming back along Old 395. Anglers lined the edge of the pond at Wilson Commons Park. The world is waking up from winter.

Franktown Road

This was the first ride of the year for some of the riders. The Franktown loop is the perfect ride for waking up the winter legs with its gentle rolling terrain. Traffic was extremely light and allowed for relaxed riding and socializing. A perfect day out!

Although not on the calendar yet, ride leader Vickie Pritchett plans to have another ride this coming weekend (March 13th-14th). Time to get that bike out! Stay tuned for full details.

Category: Rides | No Comments »
Tags: Muscle Powered, road rides, washoe valley

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 5, 2010

I’ve been getting some decent riding in this week, but just haven’t had much time to write. So you know what that means. It’s time to watch some videos!

Chris Akrigg THE MAURICE.0 from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

Here are a couple videos I think you’ll enjoy, from a kid named Chris Akrigg. Six times British Champion, a winner of many competitions, Chris rides an assortment of bikes and styles over a wide variety of challenging terrain. My knees ache just watching the videos…

More videos and information can be found at www.chrisakrigg.com

Brakeless Two / Chris Akrigg from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

Category: urban cycling, video | No Comments »
Tags: bikes, brakeless, chris akrigg, cycling, fixie, trials, video

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 3, 2010

Vicky Pritchett has volunteered to bring back the Muscle Powered sponsored road rides!  Vicky plans to start off with some easy loops around Washoe Valley starting on March 7th, and then gradually build the mileage in preparation for the Chico Wildflower Century at the end of April (a fantastic ride!).

Old 395 in Washoe Valley

Here’s a look at the schedule:

3/7 @ 10:00 – Meet at Bower’s Mansion: 1-2 loops around Franktown

3/20 @ 10:00 – Meet at park in Genoa: Genoa to Cottonwoods, 20 miles

3/27 @ 10:00 – Meet at Bower’s Mansion – Loop around Washoe Lake, 24 miles

4/3 @ 10:00 – Meet at Mormon Station Park in Genoa – Genoa to Woodfords, back River Road, Approx 40 miles

4/10 @ 10:00 – Meet at Mormon Station Park in Genoa: Genoa to to Woodfords, back Diamond Valley Loop, approx 44 miles

4/17 @ 10:00 – Meet at Target: Target to Cottonwoods, Approx 40 miles

4/25 Chico Wildflower Ride in Chico, CA

Carson River Road south of Carson Valley

To participate in these rides, you must be a Muscle Powered member. Not only does membership with Muscle Powered allow you to participate in Muscle Powered exclusive events like walks and bicycle rides, memberships and donations provide the primary source of funding for Muscle Powered projects. Additionally, larger membership gives us more clout and influence in city projects. A membership form can be found HERE. Vickie should have some membership forms available at the beginning of the ride as well.

Category: News, Rides | No Comments »
Tags: biking, Carson City, cycling, Muscle Powered, road rides

Posted By Jeff Moser on March 1, 2010

Do you want to get high? There’s now one more reason to love riding in Ash Canyon. Named after a jazz standard by Thelonius Monk, the new Evidence Trail is now the highest trail in the Ash Canyon network. Come test out your climbing skills as you enjoy incredible views of Carson City.

West Entrance of the Evidence Trail

The Evidence Trail keeps with the stacked loop format of the rest of the system. It is meant to be ridden in either direction, and connects two of the upper trails, the Four Day trail and Baldy Green. The west entrance is at the top of Four Day, and the east entrance takes off from the highest point of Baldy Green.

Ride through Manzanita and Tobacco Brush

In either direction, the trail climbs to a peak in the middle before descending the other side. The west half is more open and flowing, while the east half is full of fun trail features and switchbacks. There’s also a section that traverses a very steep hillside that is reminiscent of the Flume Trail. Since the trail is higher in elevation, there are more trees and mountain bushes to ride through. The manzanita and tobacco brush make it feel more like the Sierras, and less like the desert below. Near the highest point of the trail, there is a nice log to sit on and gaze out over Carson City. If you have the time, take a break and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Outstanding Views of Carson City

While the trail is very rideable right now, keep in mind that it is still fairly raw and needs a little fine tuning. The trail is a little off camber in spots, and the downhill edge of the trail can be soft. Staying right in the middle of the trial is your best bet. It won’t be long before this trail rides as good as Four Day though. Do your part…ride it in and pack it down!

Category: News, Trails | 12 Comments »
Tags: Ash Canyon, Carson City, evidence trail, mountain bike