Riders along the Charles River

We’ve had visitors from near and far this summer as well as the occasional stow-away too. And while it may look like we’re hanging loose on our new favorite landmark, the Big Hammock, we’re getting ready for a big autumn of fantastic bike tours.

In fact, our famous Emerald Necklace and Fall Foliage tour kicks off next Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 10AM. You can make a reservation ahead of time online and check out reviews of our tours on TripAdvisor and Yelp.

So come join a tour and check out the bike shop before riding into the sunset starts to happen much earlier in the day!

We’ll be there at our tent to talk bikes and chow down on free breakfast burritos from Boloco. Don’t miss your last chance for this special event!

When I was 13, my mom bought me my first real bike when I agreed to go on a 300-mile bike adventure with her. Before that, I had just had bikes from Wal-Mart and garage sales that cost $5. Those bikes were fine for short family rides, but I knew I’d need something a little better than that to make it 300 miles.

So after a few training rides, we went to the local bike shop and had the owner tell us all about a variety of different bikes before I settled on a 21-speed Iron Horse hybrid. The seat was a little cushy, the tires smooth, and the frame shiny. After my first 10-mile jaunt, I knew that bike was perfect for me. It survived thousands of miles over the past eight years, but every bike has its time and my riding style had outgrown a heavy, steel hybrid.

After eyeing the all the new roadies at the Bike Shop on 109 Atlantic Avenue, I knew it was time for an upgrade. Of course, I had a list of requirements my new bike would have to meet, and after test riding a few, I settled on the Kona Zing. While Kona is known mostly for its mountain bikes, this road bike lives up to its name. After the first few strokes of the pedal, I was zooming down Commercial St. with much more ease than my previous ride. The slightly dropped handlebars (with blue suede bar tape), the lightweight aluminum frame, and thin tires make all the difference.

After a quick tour of the North End, I instantly fell in love with the sleek black and blue velocipede and bought it on the spot. My college student bank account stung a little bit at the checkout, but for a quality road bike, you’re not going to find a much better deal. After a month of riding my Zing around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, my only complaint is that it doesn’t handle the potholes and bumpy roads very well. But it more than makes up for it in every other aspect. I’ll always remember how much I loved my first bike, and it served me well. But after every ride with the Zing, I’m a little happier.

In case you haven’t heard, this weekend in Massachusetts is tax free. That’s right–no tax on any goods you buy on Saturday or Sunday, August 14 and 15. To sweeten the deal of no tax, Urban AdvenTours is offering an extra discount on top of the tax free holiday. We will match the tax rate discount of 6.25% on any bike or accessory in the store. So that’s an extra 10-20% off* of anything in the shop! What better time to buy a bike or that Chrome bag you’ve been eying?

To take advantage of the savings, stop by The Bike Shop at Urban AdvenTours at 109 Atlantic Avenue during our hours of operation (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM) on Saturday or Sunday to score a sweet deal on a new set of wheels and all our biking accessories.

You can also come visit us at the CambridgeSide Galleria on Sunday morning, August 15th, where we’ll be helping out with CYCLEKids’ awesome Run & Ride event. See you this weekend!

*Payment must be made on the day of purchase during the tax free weekend for the discount to apply.

To go with the jerseys, we have another new arrival – a customized Urban AdvenTours helmet. Snazzy red and white Lazer 02 helmets with our logo and name will protect your brain and keep you looking cool.

What else do you need to be a stylish Boston biker? Not much else. Come into the shop to try stuff on and get suited up!

1. Why did you first start riding a bike?
I’m not quite sure – I rode out of the womb.

2. How did that turn into a desire to race? Any aspirations to go pro?
I started riding more for fitness rather than for recreation in high school. From that I dived helmet-first into racing when I entered started at Boston University as a freshman. I’d say if anyone even has a slight interest in seeing what [road] racing is like, they should go for it like I did. I “went for it” with 12 mile road races at the start and now I “go for it” with 90 mile races. Like Greg LeMond said, “It doesn’t get easier, you just go faster.”

My friend emailed me these two pictures after Nationals with the title “how far we’ve come.” What a difference 2000+ hours on a bike will do over 4 years.

2007:

2010:

No aspirations to go pro. Dreams, perhaps, but not aspirations. I’ll finish working on my Expert 2 upgrade and go from there.

3. Should everyone wear a RoadID?
No, the couch potato is exempt. In all seriousness though, anyone
who spends hours on a bike or out running should consider getting
one. You may not think you’ll need one, but like the Boy Scouts say: Be Prepared

4. We’ve seen you in pink socks. Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
Sometimes I like to push the envelope when it comes to fashion, but only ever-so-slightly. I like to go the radical distance, especially with color. Neon (pink) crew socks among an entire drawer of white, yellow fluo Rudy Project Genetyk sunglasses, and hopefully some yellow Mavic Zxellium shoes soon. The bottom line, however, is that comfort comes first, awesome fashion decision a close second.

5. What is your favorite part about giving tours?
You never get the same crowd twice out on tour. With every tour and every different group dynamic, the job never gets boring, not that it ever would otherwise…ever.

6. What’s the craziest thing you’ve even seen in an on-tour experience?
Craziest? Well, the most recent would have to be a man working at the MIT boathouse who walked down to the water, projectile vomited, and then promptly went back to work.

7. Where’s the best place in Boston to get your favorite food?
Anywhere that doesn’t try to sell at Philadelphia Cheesesteak to unsuspecting Bostonians and college students. They just don’t make them correctly by any stretch of the imagination; and the bread – all wrong! But I digress. Noodle Street makes a pretty rockin’ Chicken See Yoo.

8. What led you to Urban AdvenTours?
I love bikes and history, so naturally Urban AdvenTours was that third perfect bowl of porridge (I’m not quite sure what bowl one and two were…). If you’re looking for a more literal answer, it would be the rear wheel of Niko’s commuter bike. He brought me into the shop for the first time.

9. How do you feel about Lance Armstrong?
Lance has performed a duty for the world of cycling that I don’t think anyone will be able to match. So for that, I can look at the man with respect. His last two season, however, were far less respectful. He could have stayed in retirement to save some embarrassment, but his comeback did provide a slight kick for the sport.

10. Where’s the best place to bike – in Boston or beyond?
I’ll do you 3 times better: 1) There is a lot of great riding around Dover. If you’re looking for a ride, google “Charles River Wheelmen” and find their cue sheets for the area. They’re all marked on the road with upside-down directional “T”. 2) All roads lead to Concord. Loads of great riding out there, but one of my favorite rides goes through Concord out to Harvard, MA for an 80+ round trip to the city. 3) Not quite a ride so much as two of my favorite places to bike to with views of the city: Prospect Hill in Waltham and a nice Park in Arlington.

We’ll also be able to take registrants for the Tour de Farms at City Hall Plaza. Sign-up on Friday or sooner to reserve your spot for this awesome annual agricultural ride. There are only two Bike Fridays left this summer, so make sure you don’t miss out on this morning party for people that love bikes.

It’s also not too early to start thinking about Hub on Wheels, the annual ride through the (car-free!) city streets of Boston. We’re currently taking reservations for hybrid rentals, and always encourage you to book early to for a discount and to guarantee we have a bike for you. There are three different distances available, so all types of riders are encouraged to participate in this unique event!

Riders at the Copley Sq. Farmers’ Market

Have you heard the term localvore? Do you like incredibly fresh, seasonal produce? Being a localvore means choosing to help the environment by choosing to buy local food with a minimal carbon footprint. Pick which sounds better, an heirloom tomato picked the day you buy it or a tomato that has sat in a truck for a few hundred miles?

Farm stop on Tour de Farms 2009

In an effort to show people how easy it is to eat locally, we’re sponsoring our fourth annual Tour de Farms. It’s a guided tour of urban gardens in Somerville, community farms in Waltham and Newton, and Boston’s oldest commercial farm. You’ll also get a chance to sample fresh, locally grown food and learn more about the benefits of local agriculture, and how you can actively support these efforts.

Tour de Farms 2009 departure

The ride will have a moderate paced leg of 15 miles and then a faster paced section of 20 miles for more advanced riders. The ride will be led by experienced riders including the UA crew and there will be technical support in the case of flat tires – but please be sure to bring extra tubes and tools. We’re also offering rental bikes for those who would like to participate but don’t have their own bicycle. Be sure to register for the ride in advance, as it has sold out in past years.

Also this weekend, on Saturday, July 24 the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting their annual Memory Ride to raise money for Alzheimer’s research. They’ve currently reached just over half of their fundraising goal and are looking for more support.

For participants of both rides Urban AdvenTours is offering 10% of bike rentals AND 10% off pre-ride tune ups. Just mention that you’re a participant when reserving a bike or dropping yours off and we’ll make sure you get set up.

It’s supposed to be hot and sunny this weekend, so be sure to stay hydrated during your ride–whether it’s 270 miles or just to the grocery store and back.

The first two people to meet up at Urban AdvenTours for the ride get free “I ‘bike’ Somerville” t-shirts. Breakfast begins at 9am and costs $8.00 per person, which includes Redbones’ Signature Free Bicycle Valet Parking.

The breakfast will begin at 9:00, as does the live Tour coverage of Stage 17 from Bagneres-de-Luchon through the Pau High Mountains. Enjoy a buffet of scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, yogurt, juice, coffee and more. After fueling up and watching some exciting racing, you’re in the race too! For more information about the breakfast visit www.redbones.com or call 617.628.2200.