Digging into some facts
Check out this data filled article from former UA Crew member, Patrick, over on the Boston Cyclist Union page: “Bike Share a game changer?”
Some highlights include:
Freedman said that with bike share we should, “expect a dramatic shift in the number of cyclists, and a dramatic shift in the type of cyclist,” in Boston. According to the experts, she is probably making an accurate prediction. Buhrmann has called bike share a “door opener.”
and…
“The mayor wouldn’t pursue bike share if he wasn’t confident it could be a tremendous success,” said Freedman.
That’s city bike czar Nicole Freedman talking, as well as Sebastian Buhrmann, a transportation consultant. We’re certainly curious to see what happens and to hear your thoughts…
Live from Minnetonka Minnesota!
The Urban AdvenTours staff is huddled over laptops in the Marriott hotel lobby, bleary-eyed and a little over-stimulated, taking advantage of a few minutes of downtime to put a dent in our ever-growing inboxes. Outside, the snow is falling hard enough to obscure the cars in the parking lot, a scant 100 feet away. We’ve just spent the last 72 hours at Frostbike, and it’s looking like we’re going to be here at least another night.
Frostbike, a tradeshow/open house/crazy bike party has taken place every February for the past two decades at the Quality Bicycle Products warehouse in Bloomington, MN. Starting out with six guys staying at QBP owner Steve Flagg’s house, Frostbike has grown to a 3-day extravaganza several hundred people strong.
While we certainly had ourselves a blast, the UA crew has also been hard at work meeting our vendors and sales reps and sitting in on seminars that will ultimately make Urban AdvenTours an even better bike shop than we already are. (Wait!? Is that even possible?)
The highlights of our weekend include:
An inspiring seminar by service department guru Brett Flemming of the Bike Gallery in Portland, OR. His message: Be nice to the customers! While we already do a great job of taking care of our customers, we’ve learned some really cool new ways to show people we love fixing their bikes.
Bob Roll. Enough said, right? After a long day of checking out the newest gear and bikes available, we were lucky enough to hear the former pro cyclist and Tour de France commentator give a meandering monologue on Lance, Phil Ligget, and the crazier side of life on the Grand Tours.
Bob Roll at Frostbike
Surly Pugsley Race. The pugsley, the quirkiest bike from a quirky bike company, was the perfect solution to the Minnesota weather. After filling out our waivers, we donned our Lazer helmets and formed the cleverly named Team Five. This loosely organized race had us tearing through the woods in the pitch dark on a mountain bike with four inch tires! At every lap we passed our Pugsley on to the next teammate, who was required to eat or drink something delightful (pickled beets, V8 juice, Fudgesicles) before starting the next lap. We tore a few pairs of pants and spilled some beet juice, but hey, we didn’t come in last!
Surly’s Pugsley and Karate Monkey
Frostbike has been a great experience for us! While being the biggest bike parts distributor in the country, QBP is just so dang NICE! We were so glad to be part of this event, which felt more like a family reunion than a trade show. Big thanks to our reps, vendors and friends at the Q, and if it ever stops snowing, we’ll be able to fly home and share the real “Minnesota Nice” with all of our awesome customers!
Check out more photos from the show as well as some goofy Urban AdvenTours antics on our Facebook page!
New Kona demo bikes ready to ride!
Excited that the snow is finally starting to melt? Considering a new bike for spring? You’re in luck!
We have brand new Kona mountain, cross, and city bikes available for extended test rides. This year’s Konas are lighter, faster, and better equipped than ever before, and with these demo bikes, you can ride before you buy. It’s the perfect combination, whether you want to try out a new addition to your stable or need a replacement for the bike you left in the snow bank all winter.
Big Unit: Already a favorite around the shop. This big-wheeled hardtail ditches unnecessary gears and weight, so you can focus on riding.
Big Kahuna: Sometimes you need to change gears. This hardtail comes equipped with 10 speed performance from SRAM, so you can make it to the top of the hill before bombing down it.
Tanuki DL: Packing full-suspension, the Tanuki is perfect for riders needing a cost-effective, super durable, performance oriented do-it-all mountain bike that excels in trail conditions that run the spectrum.
Honky Inc: Built for riders who commute in harsh environments, the Honky Inc.’s steel frame, carbon fork, and disc brakes can take on Boston’s potholes and quickly changing weather.
Jake the Snake: Light and fast like a road bike, but with room for fat tires and fenders. This bike is at home racing in the mud or getting to work on time.
Dr. Fine: This bike features a single chain ring up front, internally geared 8 speed hub in back, and hydraulic disc brakes, leaving you with a ride that gets you around fast, hassle free.
Want to take them out for the day? Go ahead.
Fall in love and need to keep it? Even better. Give us a call to check for availability and ride on!
Trudging through towards spring
Most of us here at Urban AdvenTours stick to riding bikes for our exercise, but many of our friends and family members have some variation to their workout and also go running. As the sun starts to peek out from behind the snow clouds, we see more of these folks out hitting the streets. It’s a reminder that spring is just around the corner and so is the Boston Marathon.
We get asked every year, what’s the best way to watch the Marathon? Can I bike the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon route?
We think the best way to follow along is by bike, and we’re not the only ones who think so. There are also several groups that ride the Marathon route either the night before or early in the morning before the runners start. Some folks like to take the commuter rail out to Hopkinton and start there, while others ride out and then back – a solid 52 miles.
So if you’re looking to cheer on a loved one along the route, or you just want to go for your own Marathon ride, let us know. We’ll make sure you’re tuned up and ready to go on your own bike or on one of our hybrid or road bike rentals. If you’re coming into Boston from afar, we can also deliver bike rentals to your hotel so you’re ready to roll first thing in the morning. Give us a call to make your reservation.
See you at the finish line!
Our Favorite Winter Biking bits
It’s gross out today. Just foul. So rather than saying go out there and get some, today we’ll share some of our favorite winter biking suggestions, jokes and general information. Cozy up with the heat of your laptop and enjoy:
Boston Biker’s guide to riding in snow
Winter biking suggestions from the great city of Minneapolis
… and some lovely photos of shredding it in the snow.
Stay warm. Stay dry. Ride safe.