BioBus Bike Blog

Tour de France has ended, with some big wins and fun coverage. If feels like we’re sprinting away over here right on through the summer, well worthy of that green jersey, plus it would match.

The shop is busy as ever with tours and rentals and tomorrow we kick off a major weekend. An event at Downtown Crossing will be a great excursion for anyone’s lunch break, tomorrow afternoon from 12-2 pm. Then we jump right into the PanMass Challenge weekend with Opening Ceremonies starting on Friday, July 31. If you still need a road bike come by the shop.

There is also a Boston Bikes Fest at City Hall Plaza on Friday morning. From 7am to 11am grab free breakfast and some swag from bike-friendly businesses like Urban AdvenTours before heading into work. Then bright and early Saturday morning we’ve got Tour de Farms riding through urban farms and community supported agriculture.

And we’ve sprinted into August!

There have been a lot of ups and downs with the weather this summer, but regardless, we continue to have a ‘wheely’ good time. We had a couple go out yesterday in one of our rainiest tours yet this season and they still came back all smiles. It doesn’t have to be sunny for us to have an outstanding tour.

While biking is mostly fun and games, there are also a whole bunch of serious events kicking into gear in the next few weeks. I recently rolled out to the North Shore for the much anticipated 5th annual Reid’s Ride. The 28 mile bikeathon raises money for scientific and clinical research on cancers that strike youth and young adults. The ride had a great turn out and is just the start of a collections of amazing charity rides in the upcoming weeks.

The Memory Ride, with four different distance routes from 25 to 125 miles starts in Devens, MA this Saturday, July 25. The routes explore Central Massachusetts and the teams and individuals fund raising goes to Alzheimer’s research.

Bicycles Battling Cancer treks from Worcester to Boston on Sunday, July 26. The 72 mile ride starts at Clark University and benefits the American Cancer Society and its Hope Lodges.

Fight homelessness with Emmanus Cycle for Shelter. On Sunday, July 26 the ride offers four routes winding along the Merrimack River through historic Rocks Village and along the scenic New Hampshire seacoast. Donations support programs that guide those in need to find jobs and permanent housing.

And then on July 31 through August 2, one of the biggest cycling fundraisers in the country, the PanMass Challenge. Now in its 30th year, PMC is the largest donor to the Jimmy Fund, raising millions of dollars each year to improve the lives of those suffering with cancer.

As always, our road bikes and hybrids are available for rent, and we recommend that you reserve well in advance. We’re happy to get riders out to help support all of these outstanding causes, so give us a call and get out there and ride.

It is finally REALLY feeling like summer. I’m wishing I had air conditioning and all the staff in the shop is making sure to get lathered up with sunscreen before heading out on our many tours. Not to mention that bikes are just everywhere, our rentals out and about as well as locals pushing pedals. The repair shop has been busy too, keeping everyone running smoothly.

We also had a smooth visit from some of the staff over at the Lenox Hotel. Right in Copley Square, I’m happy to deliver them bikes and they were happy to come for a short ride with us as well. As always a little professional and a little goofy, like suits through the sprinklers.

So with all this perfect weather, what better time to start getting on your bike even more? Our friends over at Zipcar are kicking of the start of their annual Low-Car Diet challenge. Kicking off at South Station at 11 am on Wednesday, July 15th, thirty Bostonians will toss their car key into a lock box for a month. Our buddies from City Hall will speak and of course the Urban AdvenTours team will be there, upping bikes .

We’ll be keeping things pedal powered at a whole bunch of upcoming events throughout the summer, so keep checking in and we’ll keep it ‘wheel.’

Boston on the Fourth of July. There’s nothing quite like it when the Esplanade gets packed and Storrow and Mass Ave get closed to cars. Our tour got to cruise right by the Hatch Shell before it got too crowded and take advantage of the roadway taken over by bikes and rollerbladers.

Both the North End and the shop were bustling with activity through out the day and those on bikes had a great way to get around the city.

All the Americana was great, but even better, the TOUR! Le Tour de France kicked off it’s 96th year and has just continued to amaze. All kinds of great psychology, physics and culture to learn about.

Today the boss of bikes, Mr. Armstrong himself, rode with his team back to the top, hundredths of a second from first place. Practically sharing the yellow jersey with Fabian Cancellara now, today’s team time trials were an exciting race and there’s still plenty more sprints, climbs and crashes to go. Viva le tour!

And on to the Tall Ships. The big boats glide in tomorrow with a variety of great events around the Waterfront and Seaport area. Go by bike to the boats!

Hitting the road is one thing, and getting down into the gritty ever changing life of the streets is something else. The past few days have certainly showed that there’s no better way to see the city than on a bike. I know, I know we say that a lot, but it’s because it’s true.

For instance, I didn’t even get to follow along on the ICA Shepard Fairey tour. Our revered guide, G$ provided tour support and saw some great art along the way.

Yes, Andre the Giant has a posse, but the next photo demonstrates the continual change of streets and public works, as this image of Angela Davis used to have a face.

Check out the whole set here.

Sometimes our tours meander a bit off the beaten path as well. Sunday, for instance, new tour guide Greg ventured into South Boston to show a rider from Los Angeles the parts of the city that get all the attention in the movies. Apparently there are some Southie boys out there on the West Coast talkin’ up the neighborhood, and our LA friend decided he had to see the place for himself.

For those fans of The Departed our 6 PM Bikes @ Night tour, which is really more of a sunset ride, brings you right into the heart of the Seaport District. New South Boston, as they call it is a somewhat industrial, somewhat up-scale area with stunning harbor views and cool developments in green architecture.

So come hit the streets with us. They’re completely different every time.