Bike Carson Theater

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Jeff Moser

It’s been a busy couple weeks for me, and I haven’t had much time to blog. Here are a few videos to watch as I get settled back into my routine.

Bavarian Snow Trails from Big Col on Vimeo.

As I write this post, it’s 10 degrees outside. Winter is definitely here. If you’re thinking about stopping riding, maybe this video will change your mind. According to the caption, it was filmed at the end of November 2010 somewhere in Bavaria.

Too cold? Here’s some video from Carson City’s Jason Gardner from his recent trip to Belize. He was able to acquire a bike to explore some of the jungle trail. Although it was pretty fun he says, you couldn’t stop pedaling or the bugs would eat you alive!

CX Racing on Halloween Weekend from Brent Ruybalid on Vimeo.

This is a video Carson City’s Brent Ruybalid made of a cyclocross race this fall. He says, “The cyclocross season in my area is short. I missed the first race because the bike I wanted was out of stock when we tried to order it. So, I took matters into my own hands and tore down my old commuter and my recently built Ghetto Blaster to build a bike to race. I had to weld a disc brake mount onto the frame and I ordered a rigid fork and some Kenda Small Block 8 tires. When the bike was done I had one week to learn the skills needed for CX racing.”

Bike Polo This Thursday

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Jeff Moser

More Bike Polo this Thursday, July 21st. We’ll be meeting up again after 6PM behind the old Colonial Bank on Stewart Street. It’s fun seeing the game progressing. Players are starting to get the hang of it, the game moves much quicker now, and many people even have their own mallets. We even had enough newcomers last time to setup a newbie match. Come on down for some good times!

Charge!!

When: Thursday, July 21st, 6:30PM
Where: Parking Lot behind the old Colonial Bank at 901 North Stewart Street (across from Smiths on Valley Street)
Disclaimer: Although we just play for fun, it’s not unlikely for a spill or contact. Play at your own risk, both body and bike.

New Laws Protect Cyclists and Pedestrians

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Jeff Moser

Article by Teri Vance, originally appearing on the Nevada Appeal website.

Two bills passed by this year’s Legislature will give increased protection when they go into effect Oct. 1 to cyclists and pedestrians.

The first — known as the “three feet, please” law — will require motorists to give cyclists at lease three feet distance when passing.

The other increases punishments to motorists who strike pedestrians or cyclists who are traveling legally.

Kelly Clark, from Carson City’s Muscled Powered, joined representatives from other bicycle-advocate groups throughout the state to lobby for the changes.

“We’re happy to see the changes,” she said. “We’re very happy the Legislature was supportive. The great need now is for education of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike.”

Clark, who has been in three car-caused accidents while riding her bike, was moved by the testimony from others from around the state who had been struck by cars, leaving them severely injured.

“They were just lucky to be alive,” she said.

The first law, Senate Bill 248, requires motorists to move to the left lane when passing someone on a bike. If it is not safe to cross lanes, the driver needs to give the cyclist at least three feet of space.

The second, referred to as the “vulnerable user” law, adds a section to the existing reckless driving law to increase penalties for motorists who strike a cyclist or pedestrian.

According to Assembly Bill 328, if a pedestrian or bicyclist is obeying traffic laws and is struck by a motorist, that motorist will charged with reckless driving, which could result in the revocation of the driver’s license.

Despite increased protection for vulnerable users, Clark said, the real key is education.

“There’s a real lack of understanding across the board,” she said. “At the very least, cyclists need to know they ride with traffic. Pedestrians need to cross the road at intersections.

“And a lot of people don’t know a bicyclist has the right to a lane of traffic. A motorist can cross a double yellow line to give cyclists room.”

Clark said Muscle Powered will be seeking a grant to launch an awareness campaign to teach all users the proper way to share the road.

“Slow down and look out is my motto,” she said.

After her third accident, in which Clark was knocked unconscious and needed stitches in her head and knee, she gave up bike riding for seven years.

But returned because of all the benefits it offered, like fitness and saving energy costs. She hopes to make the roads safer for others who would like to do the same.

“There’s a lot of good reasons to ride a bike,” Clark said. “But if you don’t feel safe, it’s a disincentive.”

Foggy Morning Commute

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Jeff Moser

On December 23rd we awoke to a thick covering of freezing fog, or Pogonip as it is called around here. Visibility in all directions was severely limited, and the roads were slick. While these conditions proved to be hazardous for motorists, it was one of the best bicycle commutes of the year for me!

Lone Mountain Cemetery

I knew there would be some good photo opportunities along the route, but couldn’t decide where to go. The new bike lanes on Roop Street? Downtown Carson City? And then I remembered the Lone Mountain Cemetery, just up ahead along my route. It might not be the season for a display of misty cemetery photos, but you have to take photographic opportunities as they arise.

The grave of Abe Curry

I was not disappointed as I rolled past the cemetery gates. I pedaled along the narrow roads, listened to the frozen sand crunch under my tires, and headed over to the old section of the graveyard. I love the crooked gates, old brick mausoleums, and leaning headstones in this area. I even visited Abe Curry’s grave…Abe was one of the founding fathers of Carson City.

Good Morning, Mausoleum!

As I wandered the cemetery grounds, I noticed my jacket looked dirty as if I had brushed up against something. Closer examination revealed that I was becoming covered in ice crystals! The air was damp and thick and reminded me of being in a room with a humidifier running at full steam. My beard was getting heavy with moisture and ice.

Cemetery Fog

I left the stillness and solitude of the cemetery, and merged into the hustle and bustle along the new bike lanes of Roop Street. I’m really liking them! Even though it adds a little distance to my commute, the simplicity of the straight shot is relaxing and seems to get me downtown quickly. My previous route took me through dangerous parking lots, and required darting across highways.

I haven’t hit the trails in about a week, so bicycle commuting has pretty much been my only riding. It was a treat to have such a cool ride to work on the same old roads!

Interbike 2010 – Crank Brothers

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Jeff Moser

When you think of the company Crank Brothers, the first thing that comes to mind are their unique Eggbeater pedals. Crank Brothers has been steadily releasing innovative new products though, and they have quite a lineup for 2011 including pedals, stems, bars, seatposts, wheelsets, and more! Here’s a sampling of products as seen at the 2010 Interbike expo.

Eggbeater Pedals

Crank Brothers has recently changed their product naming conventions, switching to a more recognizable hierarchy of product level. Gone are the MXR, C, SL, and Ti names, replaced by 1,2,3, and 11. 1 is the entry level, the products becoming more exotic as the number increases, until the ultimate number 11 is reached. I believe “11″ refers to “that extra push over the cliff” that some desire, as documented in the movie, Spinal Tap .

Crank Brothers also has two distinct component groups, the Cobalt and the Iodine. Cobalt is the lighter weight XC group, and the Iodine group is heavier duty for the All Mountain/Free ride crowd.

Candy Pedals

Pedals

Eggbeater pedals have undergone subtle design changes over the years, and have recently been updated to be stronger and more durable, able to go longer between service intervals. The Candy line, basically an Eggbeater surrounded by a small platform, has been much more obviously redone. The old multi-part plastic platform has been replaced by a machined aluminum body on the 2, 3, and 11 models. The Candy 1 pedals have the same look as the higher end pedals, but in a simpler 1 piece composite body.

Also available are the larger platform Acid and Mallet pedals, and a flat (no clip) 50/50 pedal.

Cobalt Seatposts

Seatposts

A variety of seatposts are now available from Crank Brothers. The Cobalt posts have a simple, single bolt clamp, and come in aluminum or carbon. There is also the Joplin line of adjust-on-the-fly seatposts that allow the rider to quickly adjust seat height with a lever attached to the post or a remote on the handlebar.

Iodine Stems

Stems

Crank Brothers offers one high end 11 Cobalt stem for XC/Race. It has a non removable bar clamp, and a single torx bolt tightens the stem on both the bars and the steering tube. This high-end carbon stem is very light at 125 grams, but the $300 price tag will keep it away from the masses.

The all-mountain Iodine stems are more affordable, but still at a weight typical of an XC stem. The 2 and 3 feature a single torx bolt design for the steering tube clamp, and a standard 4 bolt bar clamp. The Iodine 2 has an aluminum face plate, and the 3 has a carbon faceplate.

Iodine 3 Stem close-up

Bars

Crank Brothers now offers XC/Racing and Freeride bars in aluminum or carbon fiber. There is nothing unusual or revolutionary about the bars, but the handlebar collection comes in a variety of different widths and rises to suit your tastes.

Bars

Wheelsets

Crank Brothers tubeless ready wheelsets definitely catch your eye. The spokes connect to a vertical rib on the rim rather than a drilled hole through the rim wall, and the spoke meets an elongated nipple at a midpoint between the rim and the hub. The wheels come in a variety of colors and purposes, built for XC, 29er, Freeride, or DH.

Wheels

For more products and information, visit the Crank Brothers website: http://www.crankbrothers.com/

Interbike 2010 – Masterworks Wood and Design

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Jeff Moser

A wooden bike probably isn’t on everyone’s wish list, but here are a couple of handcrafted cruisers that must be seen! Masterworks Wood and Design was at Interbike this year, and they had two of their bikes with them, the Pirate Bike and the Defender. I don’t have a lot of information on these bikes, but they do have a page on Facebook HERE.

The Pirate Bike

The skull shifter on the pirate bike appears to be hooked up to an internal multi-speed rear hub!

Skull Shifter on the Pirate Bike

I’m not certain how many of these bikes are in existence, but I’m guessing they have very few available considering the time it looks like it takes to make one.

The Defender

I found this video on their Facebook page, showing the bike in action and a few words from the builder.

Interbike 2010 Part 1 – People

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Jeff Moser

On September 22nd, I had the opportunity to attend Interbike 2010 in Las Vegas! Interbike is a week long bicycle trade show event that includes an outdoor demo show, an indoor expo, and many social events. I went to a day of the indoor expo, and tried to cram as much as I could see into just a few hours. In the morning I began my tour on one side of the convention center, and started orderly walking the rows. After lunch though, I was already becoming delirious from sensory overload. I was only halfway through the show, and my orderliness had turned to aimless wandering. Luckily I took well over 200 photos, or I would’ve forgotten much of what I had seen.

Brad Quartuccio and Jeff Guerrero from Urban Velo

My day began EARLY. Up at 4:30AM, driving under a full moon, on the last day of summer, to catch my 6:30 AM flight from Reno to Las Vegas. Once on the plane, I was efficiently whisked away to my destination by Nevada’s tourism machine, barely having to think until I was at the gates of Interbike. I was early, picked up my pass, and waited in line for the show to open. I knew it was going to be a fun show when I noticed that Brad Quartuccio and Jeff Guerrero from Urban Velo were standing next to me in line!

Wilderness Trail Bikes booth

Early into the show I found the Wilderness Trail Bikes booth. I was eager to check out the newly released Bronson tires (named after Charles Bronson!). As I was examining the tires, Mark Weir himself came up to ask me if I had any questions. It was fantastic to talk to the guy that helps design and test the products!

Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie and Denis Coyne

After visiting WTB, I connected with Denis Coyne from the Bike Habitat. We had just begun discussing our plans for the day when up walked Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie, author of many fine books including his latest, Mud, Sweat, and Gears: A Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada on Seven Wheels.

Jens Voigt

Later in the day I saw people lined up to meet a guy who was signing autographs and posing for photos. I had no idea who he was, but thought I should take a photo and figure it out later. It turns out the rider was Jens Voigt, a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI Pro Tour Team Saxo Bank that has worn the yellow jersey of the Tour de France twice. Hence the line…

Lauren Haughey at the Sheila Moon booth

I also ran into some friends. Lauren Haughey, who I’ve gotten to ride with a couple times, once down in Oakland and once up at Tahoe, was working at the Sheila Moon booth. I talked with Lauren a bit, and she showed me some of the Sheila Moon clothing…Athletic Apparel that infuses cycling apparel with a twist of fashion, without sacrificing fit or function.

Free Tattoos at the Chrome booth

Chrome Bags out of San Francisco was offering free tattoos at their booth. I totally would’ve gotten one, but had too much yet to see.

Boy Centaur at the Surly Booth

I had been waiting all day to get to the Surly booth to see their exciting new offerings for 2011. I finally found the booth and was greeted by this boy centaur! Cute, yet disturbing. With backwards arms.

Canary Roller Candy Girls

There were many folks that were at the show that I had hoped to talked to, but didn’t get the chance. And there were some people that I wasn’t looking for that just seemed to pop out of nowhere at random such as the Canary Roller Candy Girls.

Stay tuned for Interbike 2010 Part 2 where I’ll show you some of the bikes I saw. Flashy, urban, hi-tech, retro, slow, fast…it was all there.

Bike Carson

Bicycle News, Culture, and Lifestyle in Carson City, Nevada

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